SHINENJU

Chapter 6

"Welcome to Palaestra" the guard said as he took a bow.

"Wow, it's beautiful"

Indeed, Palaestra was a sight to behold. The fresh purple hibiscus that filled the environment added to its beauty. At the heart of Palaestra stood a statue they referred to as Valda. Beside it was a fountain of flowers with gave a breath of fresh air.

"It's like I'm in heaven" Ketil commented.

"Welcome back Kirigan" A voice was heard from behind. Twas Bram.

"Good to see you too brother" they both hugged each other.

"And who are these if I may ask?" Bram said, referring to the teenagers.

"Um, my name is Mirana, I may not look it but I'm barely 9 years old"

"Whaat!!, you look as if you're 18" Bram said showing his shock.

"Well a lot of things happened and that is the end result" Kirigan said.

"Well my name is Ketil, the nerd with the glasses is my friend Seren and the other cute guy whom I'm more handsome than is Alen" Ketil introduced himself and the rest of the crew.

"So what brings them here?"

"They've touched the source so they're here for training, except him" Kirigan said pointing to Ketil.

"Um sir Kirigan, you don't have to make it known that I have no power"

"Meaning he would be joining the QBs"

The QBs are often referred to those who haven't touch the source but wish to serve Valda. They're masters of weaponry and relay of information.

Don't worry, QB is cool. You see I was once a QB until two years ago when I touched the source" Bram explained.

"How did you touch the source?" Seren who had been quiet all along finally spoke up.

"Well I was in a pinch. Kirigan wanted to kill me and bam, I touched the source. After that we became best of buddies"

"Really, I know sir Kirigan was a heartless freak. Imagine having us walk all the way from the orphanage to Norway express, that's like moving round Regako" Ketil said as he gave a shrug.

"Don't mind him, he may seem heartless but he's nice on the inside" Bram said.

"Oh please, don't start defending himnow" Ketil said.

"I feel you'll be able to blend in just fine"

"Right??, please tell me, are there hotties here?"

"Ketil, not now" Alen cautioned him.

"I need to meet with the saints to report my findings" Kirigan said already hurrying to leave.

"Um, the saints are having a meeting right now, rumors say the crystal glory has awakened"

"Well that's true, you're looking at her" Kirigan pointed at Mirana.

"You're joking right??"

"No I'm damn serious, she displayed her prowess right in front of me"

"Wow, we've finally found one of the deities. We're making progress here. Good work bro"

"I want to ensure their safety that's why I brought them here. They've actually gone through a lot before coming here"

"Tell me about it bro"

"That'd be a gist for another day"

"Please direct them to the dorm, they need to freshen up" Bram ordered the guards to direct them.

"So let's get straight to business then, you'll have to meet with the saints"

**********

THE MEETING HALL

In the hall 12 seats were arranged in a vertical order. The seats were made of pure gold and each seemed like a throne. Another seat was there, made of gold and decorated with rubies and precious stones. This seat was in the middle of the 12 seats and it was higher than the 12 seats. The seat was referred to as Valda's throne. The seats had persons on them save the seat at the middle.

"So lady Lyka, why summon us?" Harbinger asked.

"It seems this matter is as urgent as hell" another Saint named Harlan spoke up after giving a long yawn.

"It seems you guys didn't get the message clearly" Lady Lyka stood up to address them.

"The Crystal glory has awakened" She spoke

"You're joking right?"

"If I was joking would I have invited you guys over?"

"It's true, I just remember that lil Lyka doesn't joke around" Varice another saint spoke up.

"How did you know?" Alanna asked.

"The crystal orb in the library glowed last night. Since then, it's been white"

"Then we need to find it, we can't let the dark get the vessel"

"Yeah, it shouldn't be like the last time. The last crystal glory turned to the dark simply because he fell in love with the winged serpent" Alanna elaborated.

"Um sorry to interrupt, but my friend has a serious information to relay" Bram said after bursting the door open.

"You have some nerve" Harbinger said as he blasted Bram and Kirigan backwards.

"Oh, Harbinger take it easy. so what do you want to relay to us that you can't wait for our meeting to end?" Lyka asked.

"U-um, my friend discovered something"

"Which is?"

"I've found the crystal glory. Infact she's in Palaestra" Kirigan dropped the bomb.

"What!!"

"If you're pulling our legs we won't let you go free" Harbinger said about to give them a second blast.

"No we're serious this time. The crystal glory is a female of 9 yrs. She underwnt the transformation right in my presence" Kirigan said.

"And how did you know that she's the crystal glory" Alanna asked.

"Our tokens are embedded with a fragment of crystal from the crystal glory remember. When she displayed her power in front of me, the crystal reacted to her" Kirigan explained.

"Gowther, display his memories for us" Lyka ordered.

"At your service my lady".

Gowther stepped forward and placed his forehead against Kirigan's forehead.

Immediately his memories on the incident in the orphanage were projected. They all watched what transpired back at the orphanage.

"It seems he's telling the truth"

"You say she's here in Palaestra?" Lyka asked.

"Yes she is"

"Then we'll monitor her closely to see if she's really the crystal glory"

"If she is then we've captured one of the deities that can change world balance. Our next target is to find the SHINENJU or the nine tailed tiger demon and put an end to it" Alanana said

"Or we can win it over to ir side" Varice said.

"Varice I know you hate fighting and like winning over but this one is better off dead. We need to find the vessel and eliminate it before it awakens fully" Harbinger said.

"But if we succeed in winning it over we have successfully gained a strong ally"

"Well let's leave that for now. Our main priority is to train the crystal glory. She needs to be ready for what's coming her way" Lyka said

"I also have something to report" Kirigan spoke

"Which is?"

"Goblins at the waygate. We encountered a herd of them while passing through the waygate"

"If what you're saying is true, meaning the dark had eaten deep on us. I'm afraid we have traitors among us" Alanna deduced.

"We need to look into this matter seriously. Also send guards to wipe out every goblin on sight at the waygate"

"Also bring the four brats you came with before the council tomorrow" Varice ordered.

"Roger that" Bram took a bow before he and Kirigan left the room.

"We don't have time, we need to start acting"

************

"Aww, I feel relaxed" Ketil said after a nice bath.

"We've finally made it to Palaestra, our journey's just beginning" Seren said.

"You're right, the roads not gonna get easy" Alen added.

"So let's wrap this up and save our brother. We'll definitely get Dante back" Ketil clenched his fists.

"Yes, it's a promise"

"