NOVEL WEB Chapter 15: The First Meeting of Octagon
The grand hall beneath Gaia HQ, known only to the upper echelons as the Sanctum of Legacy, was older than most knew.
It was built into the heart of Mount Granhart, reinforced by divine steel, ether-forged alloys, and ancient earth from the last Abyss War. A solemn place. A sacred place.
And today, it welcomed eight new legends.
The doors hissed open.
First entered Cyg Synthesis 11, expression unreadable, cloak straight, silver hair tied behind his neck. His mismatched eyes scanned the chamber like a battlefield, calculating escape routes and structural weaknesses by habit—not anxiety.
Then came Sylvia Synthesis 12, head held high, heels clicking with quiet authority. She wore a sleek, indigo-lined formal coat, and her earrings—Orisha, her Divine Artifact—flickered with faint resonant pulses as if humming to the room's rhythm.
Eun-Ha Synthesis 15 followed silently, staff in hand, her presence like the moon—quiet, divine, untouchable. The room seemed to dim for a moment, not from darkness, but from her innate aura that calmed everything around her.
Behind her was Mia Synthesis 18, bouncing on her toes, her grimoire Lexigra floating at her side with a soft glow. Her sunflower-yellow cloak was slightly too big, and her smile slightly too wide for such a heavy occasion—but she radiated warmth.
Harriet Synthesis 10 strolled in next, jacket tossed over her shoulder, ember-colored boots clacking with attitude. Vermithar pulsed on her back like a heartbeat. She grinned at no one in particular.
"Didn't think they'd roll out the red carpet," she muttered. "Where's the snack table?"
Elaine Synthesis 7 twirled in right after her, wind trailing her cloak like invisible hands. Aetheris gleamed at her hip. She blew a kiss to the ceiling and whispered, "This is so much cooler than I imagined."
Charlotte Synthesis 28 entered, holding a cog-shaped device in her left hand and muttering calculations to herself. Her twin Kyrosyn chakrams floated in a gyroscopic spin around her shoulders, emitting soft tick-tick sounds. She didn't notice anyone at first—until she bumped shoulders with Sylvia.
"Ow—oh. Huh. Right. Social thing."
Lastly, the doors opened one more time.
Hikari Synthesis 26 stepped in, eyes downcast, violet hair trailing like soft silk behind her. Her gloved hand rested lightly on Sanguira, as if afraid to let go. She stood near the back, unnoticed—until Cyg tilted his head just slightly in her direction.
She saw it.
She smiled.
Then came the moment.
A massive platform rose from the center of the Sanctum. Upon it stood Thea Synthesis 0, the Commander of the Integral Knights—regal in her white-and-gold mantle, sword Caliburnus at her side. Her presence silenced the entire hall without a word.
"Eight warriors," she said, voice calm and commanding. "Eight chosen."
Behind her, the rest of the Integral Knights—twenty-three of them—stood in a circular arc, silent witnesses to history. Julius flicked a salute at Harriet. Tryce gave a curt nod to Elaine. Iris's gentle gaze met Eun-Ha's like a silent blessing.
"You have passed your trials," Thea continued. "You have bled, endured, and answered your Artifact's call. But today marks a different beginning. Not as individuals…"
Her eyes swept across the eight.
"…but as the Octagon."
There was a brief silence. Heavy. Holy.
Then Thea raised her sword, pointed skyward. "Repeat after me," she commanded.
They raised their weapons, each one glowing in recognition.
"I swear by my soul,""By my blade and by my breath,""To protect Gaia, to guard Earth,""To stand against the Abyss, and strike Orion from the dark.""I am one of Eight. I am one of Thirty-One.""I am a Knight of the Integral Order."
Their voices rang out together.
In perfect harmony.
And so it began.
Eight hearts. Eight souls.The core of what would become Gaia's last hope.
The world would one day know their names.But for now…
They were simply friends.
Soon to be rivals.Soon to be allies.Soon to fall in love, break apart, fight battles, and heal together.
But on this day—
They stood as one.