The heavy atmosphere that had weighed over the meeting began to loosen,like a storm finally passing — though all present knew another storm brewed beyond the horizon.
The first meeting of the Circle of Guardians was coming to an end.
The Demon Lord stretched lazily in his seat, crimson eyes gleaming.
"Well," he said, grinning, "I must say...it has been far too long since we had such civilized discussions."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled low in his chest.
"And the consequences of this discussion," he said, "will shape the ages."
The Human Emperor leaned back slightly, a rare smile touching his lips.
"And perhaps," he said lightly, "we should also toast to Aren Vale's sudden retirement."
He chuckled softly.
"Who would have thought the Lion of the Empire would lay down his sword before time demanded it?"
The Demon Lord blinked, genuine surprise flashing in his crimson gaze.
"You retired?" he said, half laughing."I thought you were immortalized in your battlefield armor."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled in agreement.
"I assumed you would die standing — sword in hand, face to the storm."
Only Aren himself smiled quietly, golden eyes calm.
He lifted his wine glass — filled with a fine, ancient spirit offered by the Dragon Monarch — and said simply:
"Even lions deserve to rest.Before the hunt calls them once again."
A ripple of low laughter answered him — tinged this time with genuine emotion.
They understood.
Duty did not end because one laid down his sword.It only waited... for the moment to call again.
Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence.
The Human Emperor set his glass down with a soft clink.
"We have another matter," he said, tone turning serious again.
"The alliance."
The others straightened slightly.
The Human Emperor continued:
"When we announce it to the world,we will not mention the heavens, nor the angels."
The Demon Lord's grin faded into a sharp, thoughtful expression.
"Of course," he said."Panic would be... counterproductive."
The Dragon Monarch nodded once.
"The masses cannot know.They would crumble under the weight of it."
Aren's gaze was calm and assessing.
"And so we forge a new truth," he said."A truth to give them hope — not despair."
The Human Emperor spoke clearly:
"We will present the alliance as a pact for peace —a realization that endless wars have weakened all races."
He gestured broadly.
"No victors.No glory.Only ruin."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled agreement.
"And thus —we declare that humanity, demons, dragons, elves, dwarves, and the lesser races alike— shall have the right to live in peace."
The Demon Lord leaned forward, fingers steepled.
"And commerce," he added."Trade routes.Tourism."
His smile was sly.
"Nothing binds different peoples faster than shared gold and wine."
Aren chuckled quietly at that.
"A merchant's wisdom," he said.
The Demon Lord bowed mockingly from his seat.
The Human Emperor's expression remained serious.
"Yes," he said."Trade, culture, travel —these will weave bonds faster than treaties signed with ink alone."
The conversation shifted slightly.
The Human Emperor looked around.
"And as for the summoning itself," he said,"We must decide where it shall take place."
The Dragon Monarch spoke first, voice rumbling like thunder.
"Not in human cities.Not in demon realms.And even my floating palaces are too exposed."
Aren's golden gaze turned thoughtfully toward the Elf King, still standing stiffly nearby.
The Human Emperor followed his gaze.
"The World Tree," he said.
All heads turned.
The Dragon Monarch's brows rose.
"Old.Neutral.Strong."
The Demon Lord grinned.
"And stubborn enough to survive a Primordial's descent."
The Human Emperor nodded slowly.
"And it was the Elf King," he said,"who refined the summoning plan —who suggested binding the Primordial under the World Tree's ancient power."
He turned his gaze to the Elf King, whose hands trembled slightly under the weight of so many sovereign gazes.
"You have shown rare wisdom," the Human Emperor said."And courage."
The Dragon Monarch inclined his head slightly.
"And restraint —a rare thing among your kind."
The Demon Lord laughed.
"I would have gambled everything —you merely risked a revolution."
Even Aren offered a small nod of respect.
The Elf King bowed deeply, wordless but shining with both fear and pride.
"And when?" asked Aren calmly.
The Demon Lord tapped the table thoughtfully.
"I must prepare ritual materials —anchors for the soul, vessels for the descent, stabilizers to prevent collapse."
He smiled wickedly.
"Three weeks."
The Human Emperor nodded once.
"So be it."
"And my position?" asked Aren softly.
The others looked at him.
"I will remain retired," he said."Publicly."
His golden eyes gleamed, calm and cold.
"Let the world think I have laid down my sword.Let the heavens believe I am a shadow of the past."
He smiled thinly.
"I will fight for the world —but from behind the veil of peace."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled a low sound — almost approval.
The Demon Lord's grin widened.
"A hidden lion is often the deadliest."
The Human Emperor nodded slowly.
"So be it."
They stood.
The Elf King scribbled the final line of the official record, his hands still trembling from the weight of history unfolding before him.
The Human Emperor extended his hand toward the center of the table.
"Let this day be remembered," he said,"The day when mortals chose not despair — but defiance."
The Dragon Monarch placed his clawed hand over the Human Emperor's.
The Demon Lord followed, a grin sharp as a blade.
And Aren, with calm, steady dignity, laid his hand atop theirs.
Three sovereigns.Three races united.
And countless others — elves, dwarves, merfolk, demi-humans, fairies —shielded under the banner they now forged.
Bound by necessity.Tempered by hope.