“We want to show every Guardian that we are united in this fight. I know that the Alliance is suffering and that our allies in Pandemonia suffer even further, but we must have faith. The arrival of Alexander Eden is testament to the fact that all is not lost. We will continue to battle against the threat of the Soldiers of Sorrow and we will win!” His words rolled through the hall. There was a raucous response from the table. I couldn’t help but join in; Faru definitely knew his way around a speech. He raised his glass up. “So let us toast to the HASEA, and new beginnings.” Sages and Guardians echoed his final words and drank. “Now if you would all like to proceed into the library where deserts and further drinks will be served. I shall join you shortly.”
Everyone got up and began to filter through a large set of double doors halfway down the side of the hall. I tapped Gabriella’s arm as we stood. “Err…are there any bathrooms down here? Bit too much champagne.”
She stifled a laugh. “Sure, just head out the way we came in, past the stairs on the right, turn left and follow the corridor all the way to the end. Be quick though, I’m sure people are going to want to chat to you.”
I pushed through the main doors, which groaned their way open. The entrance hall was deathly quiet. My footsteps echoed as I walked across the marble.
After spending several bladder straining minutes navigating identical corridors and opening doors into sitting rooms and storage cupboards, I finally admitted to myself that I had no clue where the bathrooms were. So I threaded my way back and used the toilet in my apartment.
As I came back out onto the balcony I heard someone say Faru’s name. Instinctively I hunkered down and peered through the railings.
Faru was descending a set of glass steps that came right out of an opening in the heart of the giant painting. As he stepped off, they retracted like a tongue. The hole shrank until it disappeared completely. Then the paint swirled around and reformed as a solid portrait once more.
The man who had spoken was standing at the base of the main staircase. He had a Viking look about him. Long blond hair and a thick beard platted at the end. He wore ceremonial plate armour and a long red cape which flowed down to his legs. I could tell he was a Vampire. When he spoke again, I realised he was speaking in Norwegian.
“Sage Faru, I’ve been looking for you.”
“Sage Asmund, I do apologise. How may I help?” Faru answered in the same language.
“Nice speech back there. But we all know it’s got absolutely nothing to do with our presence here. One new Awakening does not warrant the gathering of every Sage on the planet. You and I go back a long way Faru, so I don’t appreciate you keeping me in the dark on this. What’s the real reason we were summoned?”
Faru nodded. “I am sorry for the deception Asmund. With the number of SOS rogues hiding in our bases, I could not afford to take any chances. Sage Etorre has provided me with some deeply unsettling news. I have gathered everyone here so that we may discuss our next steps. You will be escorted to the Temple of the Divine Elements within the next hour.”
The Seelian moved down the stairs and headed towards the Feasting Hall doors. Sage Asmund strode over to it and placed a large hand on the ornate handle. Before opening it, he turned to the other leader. “Does this have something to do with the boy?” I felt my blood turn cold. Faru nodded. “Yes, I believe it may.” Sage Asmund returned the nod and yanked the door open. Together they disappeared inside.
I sat on the balcony for a few more minutes, trying to return my breathing to normal and running through what I’d learned. Something so big was happening that Faru felt it necessary to gather every Sage from every HASEA base in the world to agree on a course of action. And it could involve me. All manner of scenarios ran through my head. Was it to do with my gift? Or maybe something to do with the swords? Do they think that I’m an SOS or something? The last thought filled me with a blind panic. What if they kill me? I shook the idea away. What possible reason could they have for thinking that I’m SOS? They brought me in! But what’s going on? The solution was simple.
I have to find out.
I made my way back down the stairs and into the Feasting Hall. Two Agents were stood either side of the entrance to the Library. I recognised Agent Green. “Mr Eden, we were about to come and look for you,” he said. “Sorry, I got lost trying to find the bathroom,” I replied, forcing a laugh. The agent smiled. “No problem sir, please head inside and enjoy yourself.”
The library was like something out of a Dickens novel. A crackling fireplace stood in the centre of a world of books. Novels and tomes of all shapes and sizes were squeezed onto towering shelves. At the end, an iron staircase corkscrewed up to a U-shaped balcony where the devotion to all things literature continued. Several comfy looking armchairs and a few worn looking leather sofas were dotted about. Some Guardians and Sages were sat on them, others stood in large circles, chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Several waitresses moved about, balancing flutes of champagne and other strange looking drinks on silver platters. Outside, the heavy rain had started again, which seemed to make the room feel even cosier. Gabriella excused herself from the petite fairy she was talking to and rushed over. “Did you fall down the toilet or something? I’ve had to hold off like a million people who wanted to talk to you.” “Sorry I-“ “Doesn’t matter. Come with me, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Leading me by the hand, Gabriella led me to where a tall, robed man who looked a little like an older version of Delagio stood speaking with a Chosen about my age. “Alex, this is Sage Etorre, leader of Castello.” The man smiled, causing little wrinkles to appear at the corners of his eyes. He extended a hand. “A pleasure to meet you Alexander,” he said in Italian. “You too sir. You’re the leader of the base that Gabriella moved from?”
“I certainly am.” Etorre gestured a hand near his waist. “I knew Gabriella when she was this big. I watched her grow from an awkward child into a strong, beautiful woman. She was a fantastic Guardian and we were all sorry to see her go.” His gaze fell to Gabriella’s hand — which was still holding mine. “I see it’s unlikely we’ll get her back now,” he added with a grin.
She snatched her hand away. I glanced over and noticed that without a doubt, her cheeks had flushed. Sage Etorre chuckled. Despite the churning feeling inside, it was impossible not to like him.
“Anyway, I was very impressed when I learned about you dispatching that vile Rahuman. And without training no less.”
I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. “Well, I got pretty lucky really.”
“The way I see it, you acted quickly in a deadly situation. I wish some of my Guardians shared those instincts.” He patted my shoulder. “Anyway, I shan’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you have plenty of other people you would rather speak to. I just wanted to take the opportunity to meet you.” His face sobered for a second. “Look after each other.” He turned his attention back to the Chosen he had been speaking to before.
Dozens of Sages came over and introduced themselves to me. I shook hands with them all and engaged in small talk in an array of languages, whilst keeping one eye fixed on the clock above the fireplace. I noticed that the number of people in the room was diminishing. Agents kept walking in and ushering the leaders through a door in the corner of the library.
I’m running out of time.
I made sure I sounded more and more confident with every person I spoke to. It had the desired effect of making Gabriella split off and leave me to my own devices. I finished talking to Sage Glid — a terrifying looking black Oni with red markings, who lead the Beijing base.