The Astral Dogma

The day of the election dawned, and Belial and Xin were already up and prepared, brimming with determination as they made their way to the guild. Yet, as they ventured through the bustling streets, Belial couldn't escape an eerie sensation that clung to him like a shadow, a relentless feeling of being watched it had been a week now and it still hasn't changed.

He cast a cautious glance over his shoulder, searching for the source of his discomfort. His sharp eyes darted from one passerby to another, but there was nothing out of the ordinary to be found. The bustling street seemed oblivious to the unsettling tension that coiled within Belial.

"Hey... your eyes are glowing," Xin remarked, his voice laced with concern as he observed the strange phenomenon.

Belial's brows furrowed in confusion, and he turned his gaze towards his reflection in a nearby shop's window. The glass revealed an uncanny sight – his eyes bathed in an inexplicable, eerie purple glow. 

As the two companions entered the guild's grand entrance, they were met with a scene of bustling activity. Countless guild members congregated on the first floor, each clad in their formidable armor and brandishing formidable weapons. It was clear that the guild was ready to take action, and the anticipation in the air was palpable.

Amidst the fervor, Belial and Xin's eyes landed upon a familiar face. Cassidy, perched on the second floor, caught their attention with a slight wave and a mischievous wink directed at Xin. It sent a sudden chill down Xin's spine

Pacey's heart raced as he leaned casually against the sturdy wooden table, doing his best to conceal the anxiety that coursed through him. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished surface, a nervous habit he couldn't shake.

Then, in a flourish of suspense, the grand doors of the Phoenix Guild swung open, revealing a figure clad head to toe in gleaming, full plate armor. All eyes in the room were drawn to the dramatic entrance as the armored hunter made a powerful statement with each step.

The heavy, metallic boots of the newcomer resonated with an echoing clank that seemed to reverberate through the very foundation of the guild. As the stranger's piercing gaze locked onto Belial, a shiver ran down the young hunters spine. There was an eerie familiarity about the armored hunter that sent a chill through the room.

Belial, unable to resist the intrigue, decided to sit at the table near his group of fellow guild members. The air was thick with unspoken questions, curiosity hanging like an electric charge.

"Never seen that guy before; he's probably new," Cassidy mused silently to himself.

The grand doors on the second floor swung open, revealing Natalie and Cole, both exuding an aura of authority and determination. The room fell into a hushed silence, punctuated only by the faint creaking of wood and the nervous shifting of guild members.

Cole, the guild's imposing leader, cleared his throat, a sound that carried a weighty significance. His words were deliberate and infused with an undeniable tension.

 "Crimson Phoenix, the time has come," he began, his voice commanding attention.

 "I hope within those two weeks, you prepared yourselves."

The entire hall seemed to hold its breath as Cole continued, each word echoing in the hearts of those who had gathered.

 "As of today, I will handpick the five among you needed for the guild wars."

His golden eyes, like twin flames, glowed with an intensity that sent a shiver down the spines of those who met his gaze. The room seemed to hold its collective breath, the very air laden with anticipation.

Cassidy exchanged a quick glance with Pacey , both understanding the gravity of the moment. This was a defining juncture for the Crimson Phoenix Guild, and the destiny of five chosen members hung in the balance.

A murmuring wave of whispers and hopeful glances rippled through the guild members. In the days leading up to this announcement, they had trained, strategized, and steeled their resolve. The realization now hit them: their fate was to be decided, their skills to be tested in the eyes of Cole black burn.

Cole's sharp, golden eyes roamed the room, seeking a soul whose aura resonated with the determination required for leadership. There, in the midst of the guild members, he found a striking figure—a large and bald hunter, his presence radiating an unwavering brown hue. It was as if the very earth itself had taken form in this formidable individual.

Tension in the room grew as Cole's gaze fixated on the burly figure, and a palpable stillness settled over the guild hall. The anticipation was thick enough to cut with a blade as the fates of the hopeful guild members hung in the balance.

Cole's voice cut through the quiet like a thunderclap, his words infused with the solemnity of the moment. "You've been noticed for your exceptional ability to lead your fellow party members, your unyielding spirit and your ability to be a true leader," he declared, the weight of his words echoing in the hearts of all who listened.

As the guild members leaned in, their collective breath held, Cole made his choice known to all. 

"So, as for the first candidate, I chose you, Troxl."

"Leader, my ass," Belial couldn't help but mutter under his breath, a trace of irritation in his voice. 

Cole, unperturbed by the undertone of dissatisfaction in the room, proceeded to unveil his second choice. He addressed the guild with a tone that held a touch of surprise. "As for the second candidate, they are relatively new but have already proven to be a strong addition to the guild. I, myself, was surprised to learn they are merely a B-rank."

Curiosity intensified in the hall as Cole unveiled the name of the second chosen member. "So, for the second candidate, I chose…

 'The Raven.'"

Belial's brows furrowed as he looked at the armored hunter who had previously entered. The name, 'The Raven,' seemed to trigger something in the recesses of his memory. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had heard it before, perhaps in a story or a in a book he read. It was a name that carried an air of mystique, and it left him puzzling in quiet contemplation.

Cole's piercing gaze shifted once more, this time to the individual who had garnered a fair share of attention within the guild recently. The tension in the room seemed to ebb and flow as Cole introduced the third candidate.

"As for the third," he began, "is rather smart. Recently, there was an emergency with one of our members." His gaze bore down on Belial, a testament to the unresolved past issues. "We didn't have any hunters available at the moment, but she devised a plan with just one other low-level hunter and was able to hold her own against an enemy comparable to an A-rank."

The eyes of the guild members shifted toward the remarkable individual that Cole had mentioned. "With that," Cole declared, his voice carrying a weight of approval, "for the third candidate, I chose you, Xin."

A hushed moment followed, as Xin stood there, seemingly bewildered and flustered by the unexpected recognition.

 "Huh, me?" 

he stammered, his cheeks reddening as he grappled with the newfound attention.

 "Uh... thanks,"

 he managed to say, though his words were overshadowed by the collective applause of the guild mates.

Cole's eyes seemed to carry a mix of admiration and exasperation as he turned his attention to the fourth candidate. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, and the anticipation in the room swelled to new heights.

"As for the fourth,"

 he began, his words carrying a hint of reluctance, "although a little overconfident, incredibly immature, and at times flippant, his unpredictable strength and potential when it comes to battle are astounding."

Belial, who had been previously glared at by Cole, couldn't help but wear a self-satisfied smirk as he listened to the words. He knew that he had earned his reputation as a maverick, both in skill and attitude.

"During not so long ago," Cole continued, "I heard that he was able to keep up with an A-rank opponent, despite being a mere D-rank. His determination and courage are undeniable."

The room was electrified with curiosity as Cole revealed his choice. "So, for the fourth candidate," he announced, "I chose you, Belial Noctis."

Belial, never one to shy away from the spotlight, boastfully bowed down in a dramatic fashion, eliciting a few chuckles from the guild members. "Thank you, thank you," he said with a wide grin, soaking in the applause and cheers that erupted in his honor."

In the midst of the jubilation, Cole found himself contemplating the final candidate. He had originally considered selecting Sora, but he knew the murmurs of dissent that had arisen in the guild regarding Sora's involvement in the cult incident. It was a tangled web of conspiracy, one that cast shadows on even the most promising of candidates.

Cole's piercing golden eyes scanned the room, observing the reactions of the guild members. He could sense the mixed emotions that swirled within the hall, as some whispered about Sora's exclusion while others pondered who might be the last addition to the guild's roster of champions.

But as the seconds ticked away, a realization began to crystallize in Cole's mind. Sora, despite his talents, had found himself embroiled in controversy that hadn't yet been resolved. Cole knew that this was not the time for half-truths and unspoken fears.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, a memory flashed before him—a small, furry, black-haired child who had, more often than not, been found causing trouble in the guild when he wasn't supposed to be there. This child had been a perpetual presence, always lurking on the fringes of their missions and training.

Though the young one was undeniably a troublemaker, he had been a persistent fixture, like a loyal mascot for the guild. His antics had ranged from pilfering snacks to unwittingly releasing guild mages' familiar spirits during summoning practice. The guild members had affectionately dubbed him

 "Little Rascal."

For years, the guild had indulged the child's antics, treating him like a cherished little brother, even though his age, let alone his merits, didn't technically qualify him for candidacy. But the sentiment was undeniable—there was a collective hope that he would one day become a full-fledged member of the Crimson Phoenix.

With a deep breath, Cole's voice resounded throughout the hall, silencing the buzz of speculation. 

"The final candidate," 

he declared, "is someone who deserves this opportunity more than anyone." He paused, and his words hung in the air, stirring curiosity. 

"This young one has been the heartbeat of our guild, the spirit that keeps our fires burning, and the embodiment of unyielding potential."

Guild members exchanged puzzled glances, their whispers quieting as they attempted to grasp the meaning behind Cole's enigmatic words.

Cole continued, a determined edge to his voice. "I choose the one who has always been there for us, despite his youth and his penchant for mischief. I choose the child who embodies the heart and soul of the Crimson Phoenix Guild."

The anticipation in the room soared as the realization dawned on the faces of the guild members.

 "I choose," Cole announced, his voice resolute, "pacey, the embodiment of hope, curiosity, and our unwavering spirit."

Tears welled up in Pacey's eyes, his heart pounding with a mix of emotions. He had always been the one known as "Little Rascal," the guild's spirited mascot, never expecting to be chosen. But as the guild members chanted his name and lifted him up, a wave of elation and gratitude washed over him.

Pacey, the one who had caused mischief, laughter, and unforgettable moments within the Crimson Phoenix Guild, was now being celebrated as the fifth candidate for the guild wars. The camaraderie and unbridled support of his guild family enveloped him, and in that moment, he realized that he had been chosen not just for his potential but for the indomitable spirit that defined the Crimson Phoenix.

Amid the cheers and the celebration, Cole's piercing gaze found Belial, and a subtle yet unmistakable glare passed between them. It was a look that carried a weight of unspoken understanding and expectation.

{Alert: Cole Blackburn is requesting a private thought link}

"Accept?"

{thought linking complete}

A blue screen materialized in front of Belial, bearing the initials "CB," which denoted Cole Blackburn.

[CB: "Alright, listen, kid, there might be a chance that "he" might come to the event."]

[BN: "...."]