Chapter 55

Extraordinary Meeting

That day, Headmaster Alexander’s office turned into a meeting place for the council and invited guests. The high-ceilinged room, lined with dark wooden shelves and the faint scent of aged parchment, seemed to draw everyone’s voices into its quiet gravity. Sunlight poured in through tall, arched windows, catching on the edges of brass fixtures and the occasional glint of an ornament on the headmaster’s desk.

A subtle tension hummed in the air, a quiet awareness that the gathering was far from routine. The meeting had been convened as a result of requests sent in letters and as the outcome of the council’s own arrangements. In addition to the elders, present were Minos and the Elder of the Tauros from Whispering Woods, Fidos and Medusa from Singing Jungle, Malus as the informal overseer of Starlit Glade, Meirel – the Seer from the Sun Temple in Glittering Slopes, Isabela – caretaker of the Temple of Balance, Khalid al-Haris from Forging Sands, and Elara as the prefect representative of the school and personal assistant to Headmaster Alexander.

– Welcome, everyone – the headmaster began. His voice, warm yet carrying a measured authority, seemed to settle the subtle murmurs in the room. – Unfortunately, we weren’t able to gather all the representatives of the most important parts of Amaltea, but even so, this is a group such as we haven’t had in a very long time. As I’m sure you can all guess, the subject of today’s meeting are the recent unusual events taking place in Amaltea. I’m glad that those who reported anomalies they personally observed have come. This way, we will be able to hear first-hand reports.

So, without further delay, I will ask the Elder of the Tauros to speak.

– Thank you very much, Headmaster, and I’ll get straight to the point. – The Tauros Elder’s deep, resonant voice seemed to carry the weight of earth itself. A few listeners unconsciously leaned forward – Recently, we have noticed disturbances in the flow of magical energy within Whispering Woods. Something truly strange is happening, because all the creatures inhabiting the forest have the sense of a rift – as if a part of the forest had been taken away from them. Minos, who’s here with me, is exceptionally gifted when it comes to sensing the flow of power’s energy. He, too, has noticed that in one part of the forest, the currents has completely changed, and that the protective energy of the Moonlit Nightshade Tree has stopped reaching there. Instead, a completely new, unknown, entirely foreign energy radiates from that place. Unfortunately, this is causing very strong disruptions in the currents of magic, which results in the weakening of the tree’s protective effect as well as that of the forest itself.

– So that’s why the protective barrier has started to falter – exclaimed one of the elders. A low murmur spread briefly around the table.

– Such an assumption seems entirely justified.

– So, does that mean we know where the source of this new energy is?

– Unfortunately, no. – The elder’s gaze darkened slightly – It appears as if this place is protected by an exceptionally strong field, which makes it undetectable by any senses. Only the subconscious and intuition of animals and beings deeply connected to the energy of nature cause this unease to be felt at all, and to let us know that something is wrong. On top of that, Minos’s exceptional abilities confirm these impressions.

– And do we at least know what kind of energy it is – whether it’s luminous or dark? – asked another council representative.

– No. We are totally unable to determine that. We only know that it’s different, unknown to us, and that’s all.

– Very well – said Headmaster Alexander – let us now hear from the Serpentari representatives. The very fact of Medusa’s presence is rather significant.

– Indeed – she replied. Her voice was cool, deliberate, and each word seemed to slide into the silence like a drawn blade. Serpents on her head were moving slowly in a trance-like state. – It has a lot to do with my presence here. As most gathered here know, I was in a centuries-long slumber as the first and last guardian of the Great Apophis. The other Serpentari, of course, served as everyday temple guardians. The fact that I have awakened from my sleep is connected to a disruption of the balance, of which Apophis is the indicator. As we know, his presence and his power work in two ways. A strong disruption of the balance in either direction can cause the ancient serpent to awaken. If, for some reason, there were an excess of luminous, so-called positive energy, his awakening could help restore the balance. However, if he were to awaken due to a predominance of dark energy, his presence would only increase chaos and destruction.

– The other case – she continued – is when the Apophis would be awaken by someone. This alone could cause great disruption of balance and create chaos.

– My awakening from slumber – she explained – is a kind of safeguard. I am the first to react to perceivable disturbances, either external or internal caused by gradually waking up of Apophis. And my task is to eliminate as quickly as possible the factors that could lead to Apophis’s full awakening. Fidos, who is present here with me, was the one who welcomed me after my slumber. He has been appointed as one of the seekers searching the jungle for the source of the disturbance. For the time being, however, nothing has been found.

– And I take it we don’t know what exactly caused your awakening? – asked the ARC representative.

– Unfortunately, no. The Elders of Serpentari have also appointed groups of girls as a readers, to analyse the inscriptions on the temple walls to find a clue or trace of a similar situation that may have occurred in the past.

– If such an event had happened in the past, wouldn’t you remember it?

– A fair point. However, it might be that the disturbance was not strong enough to wake me, but it was noticed, and in some way the danger was prevented. If so, it would be good to find that method.

– Thank you – said the headmaster. – Does anyone have any further questions for Medusa? – He scanned the table, pausing briefly on each face – No? Very well. Let’s move on to the next guest.

At this moment, Malus stood up. A faint scrape of the chair’s legs echoed in the otherwise hushed chamber, drawing a few glances in his direction. The dim, ambient light reflected off his dark attire, making his purple skin shine, giving him a presence that seemed to momentarily command the entire space.

– In Starlit Glade, there has also been an unusual event. Recently, the Blue Lotus Tree has bloomed. – he said as if the consequences were obvious.

A quiet murmur rippled through a few of the council members, their faces showing varying shades of surprise.

– Is that bad? – asked the youngest of the council representatives, leaning forward slightly, their voice carrying a note of hesitant curiosity.

– Well, it’s hard to judge in terms of good–bad. Probably many here no longer remember what the blooming of this tree means. – he sighed, slightly touching tip of his horn with a finger – No wonder. Such an event has not occurred for many millennia. The blooming of the Blue Lotus Tree means the opening of a passage to the Dimension of the Blue Lotus. However, it is not an ordinary passage, because only the chosen can use it. This also means that someone who can use this passage has appeared. For now, though, we don’t know who that is.

The air seemed to grow heavier with the weight of those words.
– Please, forgive my ignorance, but… What is the Dimension of the Blue Lotus? – asked the same council representative, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and apprehension.

– It is an ancient dimension connected to the oldest history of creation. It is said that through it one can discover the truth about how the beginning of things came to be, but also that one can, through it, have influence over the very act of creation.

– That’s a serious matter – another council member whispered under their breath, almost as if speaking to themselves.

– Definitely.

A brief, uneasy silence settled over the gathering, broken only by the faint creak of the wooden table as some shifted in their seats. After the pause, Headmaster Alexander spoke.

– I will now let the Isabela speak.

Isabela straightened, her posture calm but attentive.

– Greetings to all present. As you know, I take care of the Temple of Balance. Among other things, I look after the youngest inhabitants of Amaltea there. I conduct lessons for them as well as various activities – both in the temple itself and on the banks of the River of Balance. Recently, during such an outing, we noticed a very strange phenomenon. I think everyone knows this, but I’ll remind you that the River of Balance is formed by the merging of the white Bright Stream and the black Dark Stream. The two merge in varying proportions, and the river itself is transparent. Recently, however, there have been a few times when the current was not transparent, but was clearly composed of white and black streams of water. Since such an effect had not lasted long, the first time we even thought it might have just seemed that way to us. Unfortunately, later we observed the phenomenon several more times. What’s more, in those moments, I immediately felt an unease of unknown origin.

A couple of council members exchanged wary looks. One of them lightly tapped their fingers on the table, the faint sound betraying their restlessness.

– And what is the situation now? – asked Elara, her tone calm but edged with concern.

– At the moment, everything is normal, but I think we should heighten our vigilance.

– That’s understandable – stated the meeting’s chair. – I will now ask Khalid al-Haris to speak.

Khalid was a djinn from Forging Sands. He had copper–bronze skin, hair the colour of dark copper with lighter, golden highlights. Most striking of all were his metallic, golden eyes with vertical pupils. This gave the impression of a blend of desert harshness and mystical aura. His voice was resonant, with slightly metallic notes, though not in an unpleasant way. As he spoke, his gaze remained steady, moving slowly from one face to another.

– I think my report is in some way connected to what the demon Malus has observed. Perhaps some of you know that I serve as the guardian of the Last Trial Cave. No one knows exactly why it was placed in the territory of Forging Sands in Amaltea by the gods. But surely, like every element of this land, it has a very important purpose. I know one thing – as its guardian, I was to take notice if the Flame of Will within it ever ignited. And that has just happened.

A few soft intakes of breath punctuated the quiet that followed.

– And what does that mean? – asked Malus, leaning forward slightly.

– I only know that it means someone has appeared who, at some point, will find the Last Trial Cave and enter it to meet the Flame.
– What do you mean by find it? You just said you’re its guardian – so surely it’s known where it is.

– Don’t forget that I am a Djinn so I exist in two dimensions simultaneously. The cave in this dimension is hidden, while I tend to its emanation in the other. Someone who considers themselves chosen will have to find it in the ordinary material dimension, in Forging Sands. When that happens, my internal, hidden, programmed memory will unlock, and I will then know what further steps I must take.

– So someone has appeared who considers themselves chosen?

– Yes, though they may not even know it yet. To clarify that a little – such person now exist and on its path they may decide, learn or accept that he or she is chosen. The fact that the Flame has ignited means that the Cave is ready for the trial to be taken, but that could happen tomorrow or in a hundred years.

– So that doesn’t explain much to us – one of the council representatives remarked in a concerned tone, furrowing their brow.

– Unfortunately not.

– Very well – the headmaster spoke again – I hope, Meirel, that you don’t mind I’ve left you for last – he addressed an exceptionally beautiful angel with golden–brown skin and golden hair, almost shining like the sun, styled in an afro. Yet what drew the most attention were her three eyes, forming an equilateral triangle. For that reason, it was difficult to maintain eye contact with her for long, all the more so because one had the feeling she could pierce straight through anyone with her gaze.

A hushed stillness settled over the hall, the kind that instinctively comes when everyone senses that the next words might weigh more than all that has been said before. After a moment, her voice rang out, like a blend of delicate chimes and liquid gold.

– Of course, I don’t mind, especially since I am well aware why you did it. – she smiled gently – You’re hoping that, as the Seer of the Sun Temple, I will be able to shed light on the information that has so far been provided and tell you what it means.

The headmaster merely nodded. Some others in the hall also nodded, clear hope painted on their faces. A few even leaned forward slightly in their seats, as though her words might be something they could physically catch before they vanished.

– I must disappoint you. The fact that I can see images of the present, past, and future does not mean I know everything. Remember that many scenarios of the future are only possibilities that have a high probability of occurring – but may never come to pass. Thus, I have no ready answers or prescriptions for what we should do. I can only say this – great changes and great challenges lie ahead of us. Each of us will have to rise to the occasion and fulfil, to the best of our ability, the duties entrusted to us ages ago.

– As for the future – she continued – I see some sudden event, some momentous decision that must be made by one person, and one person only. And it will have an impact on the entire universe. I do not, however, know what decision this person will make, nor do I entirely know who this person is. As for the time – I also have no specific answer. The path is clearly still forming, but events are gradually gathering pace.

– Everything that happens around us, – she looked around the room opening her arms, and spreading her wings little more – even the smallest details, may influence how the entire matter will unfold. Every decision we make may turn out to be momentous and influence the final decision of the one.


A quiet murmur rippled through a few of the listeners, quickly stifled, as though they feared even their whispers might sway the unseen scales of fate.

– The one? – the djinn asked sharply. – Why did you use that phrase?

– Because it is the correct one – she replied, looking deep into his eyes. Medusa and Isabela drew in a sharp inhale. The sound, though soft, seemed unnaturally loud in the otherwise silent chamber.

– Has anything else appeared in your visions? – asked Malus.

– Only one thing. For some reason, in one version, the past overlaps with the future.

– And what does that mean?

– That, unfortunately, I do not know.

– Very well. Since we have now heard from everyone, are there any theories? Ideas? Suggestions? – Headmaster Alexander summed up, opening space for discussions.

– Forgive me for speaking first – said Elara – but I think we should simply increase our vigilance. I also believe it would be worth taking an example from the Serpentari and dig into the oldest sources and texts in search for clues.

– An excellent suggestion – the headmaster praised – and I will immodestly say that I have already thought of it and asked Ms Ravenwood to do it. All the more so because in exceptional circumstances – he looked meaningfully into the girl’s eyes – we have gained access to a valuable source. One of those from the most ancient times.

– Perhaps it will also be necessary for the Originals who still remain among us to reveal themselves… – suggested Medusa, glancing sidelong at Isabela and Meirel, who kept their expressions stone–still.

– How is that possible? – Elara exclaimed in astonishment. – I thought they had all left, having appointed their successors to continue the Amaltea Resolution Council, and that no one had heard from them in a long time.
– Well – the headmaster stated neutrally – in a sense, they did leave. Some completely, moving to other dimensions, others chose to withdraw into the shadows, allowing others to forget who they are. Regardless of the motives that drove them, Medusa’s suggestion may be correct. After all, they were appointed as guardians of their races. It may not be the moment yet, but it is not impossible that we will need to consider issuing a call for them to reveal themselves and to organise a search for those who have departed.

– Frankly – the elder of the Tauros interjected – I was going to ask permission to send Minos in search for the Minotaur.

Minos nearly fell off his chair upon hearing this. A few stifled laughs broke out among the less disciplined council members, quickly quelled by the elder’s withering glance.

– You know perfectly well – replied the meeting’s leader – that you do not need to ask my permission. You are not even obliged to inform me about this. But I appreciate the gesture.

– And what about that other topic that has been coming up lately? Our walking unknown? – asked one of the councilwomen. – Could it be connected to the subject of our meeting?

Most of those gathered raised their brows in surprise, wondering what topic she meant. Several exchanged questioning glances, their curiosity sharpening like a blade finally drawn from its sheath.

Before the headmaster could respond, there was a knock.

A brief hush seemed to tighten the air, the kind that falls when an unexpected sound cuts across a room already strung with tension.

Everyone looked at him in astonishment, and he, with a barely concealed smile, called out:
– Come in!

Raphael entered the hall, surprised to see so many people present.
His step faltered for a heartbeat. He could feel the weight of eyes turning toward him, a prickle along his skin, but he kept his shoulders square.

– Good morning. I hope I’m not interrupting? But you asked me to come.

– Welcome. Of course you’re not interrupting. I invited you to introduce you to a few important figures of Amaltea, as part of your introduction into this world – he spoke as if nothing were out of the ordinary, paying no attention to the astonished faces around him. Some even had their mouths slightly open in surprise.

Raphael felt a little awkward, like an animal in a zoo, but he tried not to let it show. He fixed his gaze just past the headmaster’s shoulder, breathing shallowly until the first sting of self‑consciousness ebbed.

– You didn’t have any trouble getting here? – the headmaster continued in an innocent tone.

– No, I happened to be free. Although Ms Harper did look at me a bit oddly, as if she didn’t quite believe you had really summoned me. But in the end, she let me in “if I could manage it”, as she put it. That’s why I thought I might be interrupting.

– No, not at all. As I said, I wanted to introduce you to the important people who manage or care for key places within Amaltea.

A few chairs shifted almost imperceptibly; the gathered seemed to brace themselves, curiosity and caution mixing on their faces.

He began introducing the gathered guests one by one. When he reached Fidos, a shiver ran down Raphael’s spine, because he recognised the boy from his dream.
For a moment he forgot to breathe. The memory rose unbidden, a flash of the dream’s colour, that strange certainty that feels realer than waking, but then he mastered his expression again.

When headmaster introduced him to Minos, Raphael’s knees nearly gave way – all the more so because this time he also saw the reaction from the other side. The Tauros was looking at him pale as a sheet, his lips silently forming the words: “That’s impossible.”

Once the introductions were over, the headmaster thanked Raphael for his time and discreetly signalled that his visit was over. Relief and confusion tugged in opposite directions.

Still slightly stunned, it took the boy a moment to catch the hint. Then he politely said his goodbyes and left.

The moment the door closed behind him, the room erupted into chaos, as if someone had thrown a grenade into the middle of it.
Voices collided, hands cut the air, the careful order of the meeting shattered in a breath.

Everyone began shouting over one another, demanding explanations from the headmaster and accusing him of extreme irresponsibility.
A handful of faces flushed, others went taut and cold, the kind of anger that sharpens rather than flares.

– Calm down – he tried to raise his voice above the din – let me explain.

– What is there to explain? – shouted one of the elders. – How could you not secure such an important meeting with the highest protective barrier?

– QUIET – the headmaster used Compelling Voice to silence them all, and immediately added – I apologise for using Compelling Voice, but you left me no choice. I know it doesn’t work on everyone here, which is why I appreciate even more that you’ve allowed me the chance to answer in peace. The fact is… this meeting IS secured.

The statement settled like a weight. Conversation snapped off mid‑syllable. Even the restless tapping stilled.

At this, everyone’s eyes widened.
A slow ripple of unease moved around the circle.

– But in that case, how… – began one of the council members.

– And that is the crucial question. Just so you know – the barrier has been checked and is functioning perfectly. No one can enter.

– But…

– Exactly.

– You knew he would be able to pass through?

– No. Though I had my suspicions. That’s why I invited him. To find out.

– And what does this mean for us?

– I don’t know yet. If anyone has an idea, I’m listening.

The silence that followed wasn’t empty. It was the kind that thinks, measuring possibilities with careful, wary hands.

– I’ve seen him – although Minos spoke in a whisper, in the silence that had fallen everyone heard him.

Heads turned. The whisper carried farther than it had any right to.

– What do you mean, boy? – asked the chair of the meeting.

– I’ve seen him. In a vision. When I went to seek guidance at Crystal Peaks and touched the Heart Crystal, I saw his face.

– Hmmm… that’s interesting.

– Anything else? Any clues? Warnings?

– No. Only his face… and blue.

A small frown stitched itself between two brows. Someone else exhaled slowly, as if trying to recall whether that detail meant something they should remember.

– A pity. We don’t know whether you should avoid him, or on the contrary – for example, take him along to search for the Minotaur.

A few sceptical looks traded places across the room. A silent argument sketched in glances alone.

– Hmmmm… – Medusa interjected – I think I felt him too…

– You felt him? How? When? – the headmaster asked, surprised.

– That night. I have the impression he visited Apophis, and I don’t think he was alone. I think he came with a Dream Walker, in the In–between phase.

A chill seemed to pass over the gathering, subtle but unmistakable.

– That’s interesting. Could it be his new or hidden ability? Or is our Dream Walker powerful enough to bring someone into that phase with them? And what were they doing there?

– I fear… – Medusa paused – I fear they were speaking with Apophis…

The words landed like stones. A muscle jumped in someone’s jaw. Another hand closed into a fist under the table.

– WHAT??? Are they insane? Do they not know what they’re doing, or is that their plan – to awaken Apophis and bring chaos? That would explain a few things. I think we need to watch that boy even more closely. I don’t like to jump in conclusions, but this man has already set off a few too many alarm bells.

A flare of indignation met a wall of worry. The atmosphere crackled, argument threatening to spark again.

– Alexander – Meirel spoke up – we don’t know what he was doing there, or why he was there at all.

– You’re right – he calmed slightly – but that doesn’t change the fact that he needs to be observed.

– Every act and gesture from any one of us could push him in one direction or the other… – the angel said in a strange voice.

– What do you mean by that?

– Exactly what you heard. We are walking a fine line.

The phrase seemed to linger in the air, a taut string drawn and held.

Silence fell. Everyone seemed absorbed in analysing what they had just heard and what had taken place, wondering what it might mean for Amaltea… and for themselves.