The Astral Dogma

Belial stepped cautiously into Serah's workshop, the air heavy with the scent of metal and a display of weapons.

 "Hello, anyone home?" 

His voice echoed through the cluttered space, but there was no response. With a sense of anticipation, he began to wander, his eyes darting around in search of something intriguing.

As he moved deeper into the workshop, his eyes were drawn to a mesmerizing glint of light. There, on a cluttered workbench, lay a sword unlike any he had ever seen. Its blade shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, and the hilt was adorned with intricate, enigmatic runes. His curiosity got the better of him, and he reached out a trembling hand to touch it.

"Don't touch that!" The voice, sharp and stern, pierced the air, making him jump. 

Startled, Belial turned towards the source of the sound. It came from behind a heavy crimson curtain that separated a hidden alcove from the rest of the workshop.

As the curtain rustled, Serah emerged, holding a sheathed katana. Her piercing eyes locked onto Belial, and she regarded him with a mixture of surprise and irritation. "Here's your sword, brat," she said, her tone softening slightly as she placed the sheathed weapon on the cluttered table with a deliberate, yet graceful motion.

 "I added a few things to it."

Belial's eyes remained fixed on the sheathed katana as he picked it up with reverence. The weight of the sword felt different, like it held a newfound power. He was eager to see the changes Serah had made, but her words caught him by surprise.

"You're not going to look at it?" she inquired, curiosity evident in her voice.

A mischievous grin spread across Belial's face, and he looked up at Serah. 

"Nah... I want it to be a surprise,"

…

Just outside the stadium, Xin found solace on a bench in the early hours, unable to find sleep. He had arrived at the stadium well before anyone else, his restless thoughts keeping him company in the pre-dawn stillness. As he closed his eyes and began to drift into a dream, a distant memory resurfaced, taking him back to a concert he had attended years ago.

In his dream, the woman on stage had long, flowy, spiky hair, and she had just finished an electrifying riff on her guitar. The roar of the crowd washed over Xin, and he could feel the energy of that moment as if he were reliving it.

"Thank y'all for coming here, everyone," she shouted over the cheers and applause. 

"I couldn't do this without everybody's support!" The crowd's enthusiasm only grew, their adoration evident.

"I was never one to believe in gods and all," she continued with a chuckle, "but, with no warnin', they sent me a gift." Her words resonated with a profound sincerity. 

"Without that gift, I don't think I would've been able to still perform.."

The artist crouched down, her eyes focused backstage as she signaled someone to join her on stage.

 "Come on, don't be shy now," she encouraged with a warm, welcoming smile. The audience hushed, each person brimming with curiosity.

From backstage, a child slowly emerged and made his way to the woman's arms. His bright green eyes captivated the audience as he gazed out at the sea of faces. The collective "Awww" from the crowd echoed through the stadium.

With a tender embrace, she lifted the child and placed him on her shoulder, ensuring he had a clear view of the audience.

 "With all the love I have, I want you to know," she began, her voice filled with emotion, "I made this song just for you... and I call it..."

"My Heart."

…

Tears welled up in Xin's eyes as the memory of the concert continued to move him. He was lost in the emotions of the past, but suddenly, his dream was interrupted by a heated argument taking place nearby.

"Who are you lookin' at, shortie?!" a voice challenged.

"What did you call me, punk??" retorted another voice, full of fiery defiance.

Slowly, Xin opened his eyes, his vision adjusting to the scene before him. There, he saw two individuals engaged in a heated exchange. Pacey, one of them, was unmistakable, but the other was a short girl with a fiery spirit.

Behind the short girl, there were four other individuals, their identities concealed by cloaks. An odd aura surrounded them, casting an air of mystery and intrigue over the confrontation.

Just as the tension escalated, a calming voice intervened. "Cut it out, pacey. Save it for the battle," Troxl intervened.

"Same goes for you, Fummon girl," Troxl quipped, ensuring that the girl didn't feel singled out in the exchange.

Pacey's question broke the tension for a moment. "Where are the hunters from Fociline?" He shook his head with a wry smile. "Those flashy bastards always love making an entrance."

Meanwhile, outside in the stadium, the audience's roars of anticipation resonated through the air. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and energy as the spectators eagerly awaited the upcoming battle.

In the midst of it all, Cole sat in one of the seats in the royal box, his eyes scanning the grand arena, ready to witness the spectacle about to unfold.

[Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we've waited a whole decade for this coming event and it's finally time… We present to you the Guild Wars!! An Exchange event like no other, where bravery, cunning, and the sheer power of hunters collide in a spectacular showdown!]

The announcer's voice echoed throughout the stadium, and the audience's anticipation reached a fever pitch. The grand event had drawn people from far and wide to witness the incredible spectacle.

[Today, five hunters from three different countries will face off in a battle that will leave you on the edge of your seats. These fierce competitors will unleash their extraordinary abilities in the ultimate test of skill and strategy.]

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, fully aware of the significance of this competition. The Guild Wars were renowned for pushing the boundaries of combat, showcasing the prowess of the chosen hunters.

[Are you ready to witness the heart-pounding, bone-shaking, and awe-inspiring Guild Wars?!] The announcer's voice boomed, and the audience's excitement was contagious.

[Representing the country of Fummon, we have the incomparable Marielle Haze!] The crowd's roar of applause and cheers reverberated through the arena as Marielle took the stage. Her presence exuded confidence and determination.

Pacey watched her arrival, a scoff escaping his lips. In response, Marielle turned and shot him a challenging glance, her eyes gleaming with competitive fire. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

Before the audience's eyes, the four knights, their identities veiled in secrecy, joined Marielle on stage. Their mere presence created an aura of mystery and anticipation. Each one of them emanated an air of strength and unity.

A figure emerged from behind him, casting a shadow with sharp horns and long, spiky black hair. This newcomer walked up to a seat next to Cole, their presence immediately catching his attention.

"So, you actually came, you damn lizard," Cole grumbled, a hint of both annoyance and amusement in his voice.

The figure, with a wry smile, replied, "I'm surprised you're still alive, stupid old man." Their deep, resonant voice held a familiarity that spoke of shared history.

As the tension between the two escalated, the announcer's voice cut through the atmosphere. "[Sponsoring the Country of Fociline, One of the 13 Crowns, LEI JIN!]"The revelation sent a murmur of awe through the audience, and all eyes turned to the dragon

"From the country of Fociline, we have the TRAILBLAZERS!" the announcer proclaimed enthusiastically.

However, as the spotlight shifted to where the Trailblazers were supposed to enter, an eerie silence filled the stadium.

[Uh, is anyone there?]the announcer questioned, confusion in his voice.

Suddenly, a thick smoke screen began to envelop the audience, shrouding the entire stadium in a mysterious haze. Murmurs of uncertainty spread among the spectators as they strained to see what was happening, their anticipation mixed with a tinge of unease.

 Amidst the swirling smoke, a single spotlight pierced through the haze, illuminating the center of the stadium.

five distinguished individuals prepared to make their entrances. Each one personified elegance and style, and as they stepped onto the grand stage, they introduced themselves in a fashionably manner.

First to stride into the spotlight was Mark Maurino, a man of impeccable taste. He wore a meticulously tailored charcoal gray suit, accentuated by a silk tie and a pocket square that matched his deep azure eyes. With a confident, charismatic smile, he greeted the audience, his presence commanding attention.

Following Mark was Benedict Marsh, a true connoisseur of fashion. His attire was a masterpiece of color and texture, a bespoke three-piece suit in rich emerald green that perfectly complemented his auburn hair. Benedict's effortless charm and impeccable grooming drew appreciative whispers from the audience.

Next in line was Craver, a trendsetter in the world of haute couture. He donned a bold, avant-garde outfit that defied convention. His metallic silver blazer and leather pants made a statement of creativity and originality. Craver's entry was an artful dance, exuding an aura of nonchalant sophistication.

Gael, with an air of classic refinement, arrived with timeless grace. His navy blue tuxedo exuded old-world charm, and his bowtie was perfectly in place. With a warm smile and a gentlemanly bow, he acknowledged the crowd, a true embodiment of timeless style.

Last but certainly not least, a stunning woman named Camille graced the stage. Her red carpet-worthy gown flowed gracefully around her, adorned with intricate lace and a hint of shimmer. Camille's radiant presence and red-carpet elegance captured the audience's hearts and garnered appreciative applause.

Together, Mark, Benedict, Craver, Gael, and Camille formed a dynamic quintet of style and fashion, setting the stage for an evening of elegance and sartorial excellence.

[Sponsoring Sylvania, we have another member of the 13 Crowns! The strongest human to ever exist,The president of the phoenix guild,Cole Blackburn!]" The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as Cole's name echoed throughout the arena.

The announcer continued, "[Representing the country of Sylvania, Troxil!]" Troxil stepped forward, acknowledging the audience with a gracious nod. His presence exuded confidence and experience, earning him a warm reception from the crowd.

Craver and Troxil found themselves unexpectedly face to face on the same stage. Craver, with his avant-garde style and metallic silver blazer, was a stark contrast to Troxil's classic hunter attire.

Troxil squinted at Craver, a glint of recognition sparking in his eyes. "Is that who I think it is?" he mused, his voice tinged with amusement.

Craver grinned broadly, recognizing his old friend. "Craver?" he chuckled. "My man, how long has it been since the last time we saw each other, 10 years ago?"

Troxil nodded, his laughter echoing in the grand hall. "Last time we saw each other was in this very stage," he reminisced.

Next in line was Pacey, whose short black hair framed his sharp features and a fluffy black tail that marked him as a member of the slyvania Hunters. The audience's cheers were deafening as they welcomed this charismatic and small figure.

Following Pacey, Xin, with his long, vibrant green hair, entered the spotlight. Some fans in the audience immediately recognized him and began cheering him on enthusiastically. Xin couldn't help but blush at the unexpected attention, muttering to himself,

 "Geez, they noticed me," as he tried to hide his face behind a hand, but his grin betrayed his delight.

Finally, Raven strode onto the stage in imposing armor, his presence emanating strength and determination. The crowd watched in awe as he carried himself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior.

As the introductions continued, Pacey couldn't resist teasing Xin. "Looks like you've got some fans out there, Greenhair," he said with a mischievous grin.

Xin chuckled nervously. "I wasn't expecting to be recognized ," he replied, his eyes darting toward the enthusiastic fans in the audience.

Just as the crowd began to murmur with curiosity over Sylvania's missing fifth member, a voice pierced the air.

"Huh? What's this? It looks like Sylvania only has four members," someone from the audience remarked, their tone dripping with smugness.

Marielle, a rival from another guild, couldn't resist taunting Pacey. "Looks like you won't be able to participate, loser!" Her words were like a dagger, aimed at Pacey's pride.

Pacey's expression darkened as he muttered to himself, "Where is that annoying punk?"

But just as despair threatened to set in, a black-coated figure burst into the scene in a thrilling and overly dramatic fashion. He soared from above the stadium, his form outlined against the backdrop of the illuminated arena, leaving the audience in awe.

With impeccable timing, he landed in front of the group, causing the ground to tremble beneath his feet. The spotlight seemed to converge on him, emphasizing his charismatic presence.

"Hope I wasn't too late,had to rescue a lost unicorn on my way here."Belial jested.

Belial's dramatic entrance and boring excuse brought a small chuckle from Raven which surprised belial for a second.

However, their laughter was short-lived, as a radiant, blinding light descended from the heavens, leaving the audience shielding their eyes. A majestic being appeared, their presence awe-inspiring.

It was an angel.