The Astral Dogma

Himmel, with a hint of formality, extended his respect, "Fleet admiral, Archangel Micah, it's an honor to be here with you."

"Bleh," Micah responded dismissively, prompting Cole to pinch the bridge of his nose in mild frustration.

"Micah, how are you able to come here?" Cole inquired, a mix of curiosity and suspicion lingering in his tone.

"It's because I wanted to! Is it so hard to believe?" Micah retorted, exuding an air of nonchalance. Cole, however, wasn't convinced and scrutinized Micah, his piercing gaze sizing up the archangel.

"What's with that mask?" Cole probed, sensing that there was more to Micah's appearance than met the eye.

Micah stumbled over his words, "I... um... er, it's for stylish reasons!"

Cole, perceptive and intuitive, concluded that the mask concealed not only Micah's face but also his ether and presence. The combination of the mask and Micah's choice to wear it heightened Cole's suspicions.

"Does Raguel know that you're here?" Cole pressed, attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding Micah's unexpected presence.

Flustered, Micah skillfully changed the subject, diverting attention away from his clandestine visit. "Your team seems to be losing, Jin," Micah remarked, observing the ongoing competition.

"He cheated," Jin retorted, a hint of frustration evident in his voice.

"You're just salty, Jin," Micah teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes

In the audience area, Cassidy suddenly felt a weight unlike any other, a sensation that was neither murderous intent nor mere discomfort, but something altogether more ominous. It surpassed even the oppressive aura emitted by Cole. Her gaze shifted towards the black box where Cole was seated, her eyes narrowing as she discerned the figures within. Jin was present, as expected, but there was another figure, obscured by a mask. Despite the mask, Cassidy knew exactly who it was—

A presence of immense power, an archangel, had arrived.

An agent appeared behind cole again

"I thought I told you earlier it's not important-"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but it seems that 'they' have caught on to your plan and now marching towards the stadium"

"Those damn knights"

(Hard scene break)

Two months ago, the Holy Knights, guardians of the realm, found themselves entangled in a perplexing mystery. It all began with a disturbance in the in the human realm—an anomaly that sent ripples of unease through the land. Gates, portals to other realms or dimensions, were not uncommon occurrences, yet the sudden surge of gate energy was unprecedented, alarming even the most seasoned of knights.

"The energy signature is strongest here!" declared Sir Galen, his voice tinged with urgency, as he brandished the scanner in the dimly lit alleyway.

Sir Galen and his stalwart companion, Lady Elara, both renowned for their unwavering dedication to their sacred duty, pressed on, their armor gleaming faintly under the pale moonlight. The alleyway seemed devoid of life, save for the two knights, who pressed forward with determination.

As they scoured the alley, their footsteps echoing against the ancient cobblestones, their search yielded no tangible results. The source of the mysterious energy remained elusive, frustrating their efforts at every turn. They exchanged puzzled glances, their brows furrowed in deep contemplation. How could a seemingly empty alley conceal such potent energy?

Undeterred, Sir Galen and Lady Elara resolved to broaden their search. They ventured forth into the bustling streets, the vibrant tapestry of the city teeming with life and activity. Their armor clanked softly as they weaved through the throngs of people, their keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of abnormality.

Approaching a nearby marketplace, Sir Galen and Lady Elara sought out the local vendors and workers, hoping to glean any information that might shed light on their enigmatic quest. They spoke with merchants and artisans, listening intently to tales of strange occurrences and whispered rumors.

Yet, despite their efforts, the mystery persisted. None could offer any insight into the anomaly that had gripped the city in its enigmatic embrace. Frustration gnawed at the edges of their resolve, but Sir Galen and Lady Elara refused to yield to despair.

Returning to the alley where it all began, they stood before the empty brick wall once more, the weight of their unanswered questions heavy upon their shoulders.

Sir Galen and Lady Elara exchanged a somber glance, their resolve tested by the prospect of returning to the Holy Order empty-handed. For knights sworn to uphold justice and safeguard their realm, the weight of failure bore heavily upon their shoulders. With each passing moment, the realization loomed ever larger that they might have to face their brethren with no answers to offer, no resolution to the mystery that had consumed their days and nights.

As they stood in the shadow of the hidden passage, a silent understanding passed between them. They had come too far to turn back now, To return without closure would be to admit defeat, a notion that neither Sir Galen nor Lady Elara could bear to entertain.

Days turned into weeks, yet there was no sign of Sir Galen and Lady Elara, the two valiant Holy Knights who had vanished without a trace. As time wore on, whispers began to spread throughout the land, tales of the missing champions who had dared to confront the enigmatic mystery that had gripped their realm.

In the hallowed halls of the Holy Order, murmurs of concern rippled through the ranks. Brothers and sisters-in-arms gathered in somber discussion, their brows furrowed with worry as they pondered the fate of their missing comrades. For Sir Galen and Lady Elara were not just esteemed members of their order—they were revered heroes, revered for their unwavering dedication and unmatched valor.

Every corner of the realm was scoured in search of the lost knights, from the bustling cities to the remote wilderness beyond. Yet, despite the tireless efforts of their brethren, no trace of Sir Galen and Lady Elara could be found. It was as if they had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only whispers and memories of their noble deeds.

In the heart of the Holy Order, beneath the watchful gaze of the towering spires that reached toward the heavens, prayers were offered for the safe return of the missing knights. Candlelight flickered in the darkness, casting dancing shadows upon the solemn faces of those who remained behind, their hearts heavy with uncertainty and fear.

But even in the face of despair, hope endured. For the bond between brothers and sisters of the Holy Order was unbreakable, forged in the crucible of duty and sacrifice. And though Sir Galen and Lady Elara were lost to them, their legacy lived on in the hearts of those who had been touched by their courage and strength.

And so, the days stretched into weeks, and the weeks into months, yet still the mystery of the missing knights remained unsolved. But amidst the uncertainty and the fear, one truth remained clear: The evidence all point to one place - the phoenix guild.

The tension in the air was palpable as the Holy Knights, led by Acting Grand Master Nikolas, barged into the hallowed halls of the Phoenix Guild. Their armor gleamed in the dim light, their swords drawn and ready, a testament to their unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.

Nikolas, his eyes blazing with righteous fury, wasted no time in demanding an audience with Cole Blackburn, the enigmatic leader of the guild. Despite Cole's esteemed status and the aura of power that surrounded him like a shroud, Nikolas stood firm, his voice ringing out with a steely determination that brooked no dissent.

"I know what you did! Where are my knights?" Nikolas's voice thundered through the chamber, echoing off the walls with a resolute intensity.

Cole, his expression unreadable behind the mask of regal indifference, met Nikolas's accusation with a raised eyebrow, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "What are you talking about, Acting Grand Master? I assure you, I have no knowledge of any missing knights."

But Nikolas would not be swayed by Cole's smooth words or his air of superiority. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white with the force of his resolve. "Do not play games with me, Cole. My knights vanished without a trace, and all evidence points to this guild. Where are they!?"

Cole's facade of indifference wavered for the briefest of moments, a flicker of something akin to amusement dancing in his eyes. "I have no need for your knights, Nikolas. But if you insist on causing a scene in my guildhall, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave."

Enraged by Cole's dismissive tone, Nikolas lunged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light as he aimed a blow at the guild leader. But to his astonishment, Cole merely raised a hand, his palm wreathed in a corona of shimmering energy.

With a swift motion, Cole deflected Nikolas's attack, his power manifesting in a torrent of molten heat that engulfed the Holy Knight's blade, reducing it to a twisted mass of liquid metal and ruin. Nikolas staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief, as he realized the true extent of Cole's power.

As the other knights looked on in shock and horror, Cole regarded Nikolas with a cool detachment, his gaze unwavering. "Now, if you are quite finished with your theatrics, I suggest you leave before things escalate further."

Defeated but undeterred, Nikolas and his companions reluctantly withdrew from the guildhall, their minds seething with unanswered questions and unspoken threats.

Deep within the recesses of his mind, Cole Blackburn harbored a gnawing suspicion that the arrival of Belial, the young newcomer to his guild, held some connection to the disappearance of the Holy Knights. Yet, despite his intuition, Cole couldn't shake the certainty that Belial was not to blame. 

Curious to uncover the truth hidden beneath the veil of uncertainty, Cole set his plans in motion, dispatching his most trusted spies to go investigate the incident and the holy order.

"It's been two months, and nothing. They haven't tried anything. What am I missing.."

Meanwhile, deep within the forest, Xin, an adventurous and kind-hearted traveler, stumbled upon a scene that left him shaken. He found Cedric, a wounded warrior, his spikes embedded in a tree, his body wracked with pain and his mind consumed by guilt.

Xin approached Cedric cautiously, trying to ease the pain by gently removing the spike from his side. As he did so, he noticed Cedric mumbling incoherently, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I couldn't avenge you..." Cedric whispered, his voice barely audible.

Xin knelt down beside him and tried to comfort the tormented warrior. "Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry if I hurt you earlier..."

Cedric's response was far from what Xin had expected. "Why should a monster be apologizing? Why don't you just die!" he cried, tears streaming down his face.

Xin was taken aback but determined to help Cedric regain his faith in humanity. He thought of a way to prove his sincerity and came up with an idea. "What if we make a contract? If I'm lying, I will die."

Cedric, hesitant but desperate for the truth, agreed. Xin and Cedric began to chant, their voices growing stronger as they recited the words of their pact:

{By this contract, I abide to tell nothing but the truth, at the cost of my life.}

As they neared the end of their chant, a dark crack appeared in the air, swiftly engulfing Cedric's eye, turning it black. A sinister voice echoed through the forest, "It's about time for you to deal with your end of the contract beastman."

Xin felt something was off Cedric went quiet, Xin's hand slowly drifted towards Cedrics face as he was about to touch a spike came rushing out of his body piercing xin.