Ossaria

"I know what I felt!"

She stood from her seat and slammed her palms hard against the long crescent-like shaped mahogany council desk.

The area, big and palatial, was adorned with different coloured banners that had unique crests emblazoned on each of them, and were proudly hung on the grey stuccoed walls. Sconces of mini orbs were embedded in the walls and were spread evenly surrounding the room, providing the darkness with a very dim glow. At the front of the room stood a huge door with gold glowing inscriptions that almost towered the ceiling. A slightly elevated round podium stood at the centre. At the back, nestled a long crescent like table which filled half of the space, with ornately gilded thrones upholstered with posh silvery satin, which were spaced evenly along following the shape of the council desk. Seated on those thrones were a panoply of resplendent looking individuals who looked to be in power. Ten of them, to be precise.

Behind them, shimmers of light from the windows—which had its thick curtains only slightly drawn—crept in like small cracks. It looked like a clandestine meeting held almost in darkness.

Two of them seated however, were not powerful enough to be spared a flinch from Syrene's incongruous outburst, apparently so.

"Syrene, this is very unbecoming behaviour," said a bald man wearing a diamond crown. His gravelly voice croaked as he spoke. "Especially one coming from you."

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, recomposing herself. Then, after clearing her throat, she sat again.

"I'm sorry, Karkas," she said ruefully.

Syrene was loved by many in the magic world of Ossaria. Not only was she the Supreme of all seekers, she was also kind hearted, pure, sincere, and innocent, which although were very common traits for a seeker, were rare for a Supreme altogether.

Most Supremes from the other classes could assume Syrene to be weak because of those traits, but they dared not, because for one to underestimate a Supreme in that manner would be foolish, especially considering the fact that Syrene had placed 30th during the last year's Digi-damage tourney extravaganza (A yearly event where participants battle extremely high levelled digitised monsters and get their damaged ranked from the highest top one to a hundred).

And for a seeker, a first and foremost support class, to achieve rank 30 amongst the hundreds of other highly ranked champions, was no easy feat.

One would assume a baby to grow up conditioned along with their environments, shaping and moulding their personalities, behaviours and biases. And yet, when it came to Syrene, she was pure as a baby. Impartial. Precocious, even now.

She was adored, even by the panel that sat alongside her, and her insights often reinforced her genius far beyond her years. And so they let that mild outburst slide.

"Perhaps you haven't had enough rest from the mission?" Asked a lady with a bouffant updo, who had beautifully tanned brown skin, and a bedazzling luminescent headpiece which enveloped her hair entirely. Her headpiece reflected sparkles as she turned her head regally to face Syrene.

"No, Truna, I felt it. I felt magic on Earth."

"I'm sorry, but that is simply impossible," said the chocolate opulence which was Truna, as she raised her hands in exasperation. "The lore states that—"

"—The lore states what it states, and yet I felt magic on Earth. Don't forget, a part of the lore is still missing and undiscovered," Syrene retorted.

Turning away from her, Truna then faced ahead to no one in particular, pursing her lips as she said, "Interesting. So what do we do now?"

"Umm, Karkas.." Said a pallid complexioned guy who turned to look at the bald royal, Karkas. "Have you prepared the relevant set of parties for their gathering mission to the different regions within Earth?"

"I believe they call it countries," said Syrene quickly, making sure she did not interrupt anyone, looking abashed as she raised her hands to speak.

The guy with the pallid complexion nodded.

"Vorrus, it is ready. Just say the word and the groups will be dispatched to their assigned countries for their mission," Karkas croaked.

"Okay, great." Vorrus then turned to look at Syrene. "Syrene, did you manage to trace, where on planet Earth, was there magic?"

"Yes I did."

"Where?"

Everyone on the panel turned their heads to Syrene.

As if their glances prompted a cue, Syrene suddenly stood up, straightened her robe and said, "With the help of Zeva, technoghast Supreme, I— we, have deduced that it is from a country which they call Seengapooh."

"Singapore," corrected a lady seated at the far end of the corner.

"Yes, Singapore. Thanks for the correction, Zeva," Syrene smiled benevolently.

"You may sit, Syrene," instructed Vorrus as he closed his eyes while looking down, rubbing both sides of his temples with his fingers. He continued after Syrene took her seat, "For the one in Singapore, may I suggest we send an additional group, but with two Supremes, one being Syrene, and the other, perhaps an offensive. We shall bring Syrene because it will make the tracking much easier. And since we do not know what lies ahead, we should be careful."

"I'll go," suggested Truna, as she raised her hand.

"I could also also summon Tosturm to assist with this reconnaissance group going to Singapore," suggested Karkas.

"Okay, that eye summon of yours is mighty helpful, Karkas," Syrene nodded approvingly. "And then you could give us your thoughts on a few matters. But will you be able to sustain your aura?"

"It should be fine, Syrene. For a few hours at least, until you manage to pinpoint the source of the magic. By which, if this strange magic is something unprecedented or requires backup, thanks to Tosturm being there, we should be able to send reinforcements promptly. But if my summon disappears prematurely, then you should already know I'd have almost depleted my aura."

Syrene smiled and nodded fervently. "Okay."

"I worry for you though, Syrene. Maybe you shouldn't go," said Karkas.

"I'm fine Karka—"

"—You had a weakening."

"I am fine. It was just that one time. I didn't expect to use up all my aura," Syrene replied.

"You ought be careful, Syrene. You know how the weakening shortens a champion's lifespan. I agree with Karkas, thank you for bringing it up. Perhaps you should not go," Vorrus admonished.

"It is done. It had to be done. I couldn't stop then. Part of the fate of our worlds relies on finding planet Earth." Syrene looked down, her eyes filling with tears, glimmering with passion. The purple hue that emanated off it however, was unmistakable. "But I want to go. I felt that magic. It was so raw, so strong, and it gave me goosebumps. I want to see the source of this magic," she implored.

"Fine. You will go. But we will bring another seeker, just in case," suggested Vorrus.

"Thank you, Vorrus."

"And so it is decided. Syrene and Truna will lead this additional group. I do not doubt that Truna will be able to protect everyone. Truna, use your famous blossom springs spell if you have to," said Vorrus.

"Do not worry. I ain't FlowerMagi Supreme for nothing," reminded Truna.

"Good. Now. We move to another important matter," said Vorrus, first taking a sip from his chalice before continuing. "Wefurn, I assume you have been taking notes since this meeting was in session?"

A diminutive young looking boy seated on one of the thrones, bespectacled with a platinum round glasses twice the size of his eyes, which thus magnified them, with a thatch of crimson unkempt hair on his head, started to speak.

"No notes needed, I have memorised everything. Please continue!" He smiled cheekily.

"Very well." He turned to look at Zeva. "Zeva, I know you've already given the intel regarding Earth in the last meeting. But since Wefurn, Solso and Rumbo were not able to make it then, I think you should repeat it again. And do not spare any details. I hope you won't mind," suggested Vorrus.

"Okay," said Zeva, as she got to her feet.

"Hold on!" Wefurn muttered, then dug his hands into his left pockets with much alacrity, brandishing out a small gold coin which he placed on the mahogany desk. Repositioning his overly sized glasses to rest on his miniature forehead, he started looking intently on the gold coin.

His eyes, from hazel brown, then lit up with an orange tinge, with streaks of orange wisps that looked as though it was flaming luminously. The gold coin suddenly shrunk into a speck of dust, and then expanded and transformed quickly into a ceramic bowl that was already filled with lumps of edible gravel that alternated between the colours blue and green. On his touch, the gravel popped and burst out the bowl, which he caught clumsily.

"This should be good." He grinned impishly, shifting back his glasses and showing his teeth as he grinned and held one of the pebbles to Syrene, who sat to his right. "Want some jubbjeeks?"

"Okay!" She readily took the piece from his hand.

Zeva placed a hand on her hip, looking annoyed. She usually wore her distinguishing tinted goggles during battles, which now instead rested on her forehead. With iridescent greenish blue hair which was styled in a knotted french twist, teal coloured eyes that stood perfectly apart, and a protuberant onion sized nose with thick luscious lips below them, when Zeva was annoyed—which she easily was—it was easy to spot.

"Are you ready or not?" She seethed.

Vorrus let out a sigh, waved a gesture and then said, "Zeva, please begin."  

"Wefurn, I hope you're ready for this, although nothing will prepare you for what I'm about to say," Zeva tensed.

"Ahuh.. Go on," Wefurn smiled, popping one jubbjeek into his mouth. And as he crunched on it, popping sounds were audibly heard by the panel.

"Let me just start off by saying this." She flourished the fingers of her right hand, and violet coloured sparkles started flickering on her fingertips, "This planet Earth, it's a big mess!"

Writer's input

Hey readers! Don't be too caught up on the Italics on this and the subsequent chapters. This mystery is intended. The details on the Italics will be elaborated as the story progresses. Till then, let your imagination go wild!