"Lord Almeidrea Kaineris has arrived!"

That announcement alone made everyone fall silent. The entrance plaza of Autelina Palace was already filled to the brim with people as it was. Balseph, as brawny and brutish as ever, took up a lot of room, especially with his personal guards and boar zeugles. Ganabelt wasn't much better. The posh man was accompanied by his own guards and wolf zeugles. Combine them with the Dahnan and Renan guards stationed around the palace and you have a crowded entrance hall. The double doors flew open soon after the guard's announcement. A familiar head of orange hair made her way inside, causing the crowds to part. Almeidrea was accompanied by only a single person, a hooded stranger.

"Look who's last to arrive," Ganabelt mocked, a smirk plastered on his face. "As per usual."

Balseph scowled angrily. "You've got some nerve calling us all together over your petty playthings. Some of us have important work to be done."

Dohalim stood at the railing of the second floor, looking over his guests. "My fellow Lords, please hold your tongues. I know this is all unorthodox, but I'm willing to give Almeidrea the benefit of the doubt."

The woman chuckled. "Thank you, Dohalim. I'll admit, you're the last Lord I expected to hear me out. Had a change of heart about my zeugle research?"

"I was…merely intrigued by your accomplishments. Do not mistake it for acceptance, I'm still uncertain how I feel about the creation of a half-human half-zeugle." The man hummed. "On another note, are these the only Lords I should be expecting?"

"I haven't heard from Vholran," Almeidrea explained. "It's safe to assume he won't be joining us."

"Perhaps he was the wisest of us all," Ganabelt muttered under his breath.

Dohalim eyed the hooded figure standing just behind Almeidrea. She didn't have any other guards or zeugles with her, so he could only assume that stranger was the hybrid. From his position on the second floor, the figure looked human, and judging by the shape and curves of her body visible under the cloak, she was a woman. With the suspense eating away at him, the dark-skinned man gracefully made his way down the stairs, Kelzalik following after him.

"Well then, I welcome you all to my humble abode in the beautiful city of Viscint," Dohalim spoke, his voice commanding yet calm. "For this occasion, you're all esteemed guests. But I must make a request." His stern gaze fell on the pair of women. "Almeidrea, you appear to have a mysterious companion with you. I demand that you unveil this person's identity."

Almeidrea laughed lightly. "You boys are rather impatient. I was going to wait for the right moment, but I suppose I no longer have a choice."

She turned toward her companion, untying the cloak around her. With just a tug, the hood slid off and the cloak fell away, crumpling on the floor. There were audible gasps from everyone, and even the Lords had wide eyes filled with shock. Dohalim was completely stunned. His mind was reeling at the sight of the female. Events of the past played through his head, and he struggled to keep his composure. No… It can't be… How is she here…? He almost lost it when he saw her face, and he imagined her radiant smile over and over again.

"This is my human-zeugle hybrid," Almeidrea said, introducing her pet and pulling her forward by the arm for all to see. "I call her Asha. Isn't she a beauty?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" the Lord of Fire abruptly yelled. "This girl…is your hybrid?! She's a Renan!"

Almeidrea rested a hand on her hip. "Your point being?"

It was the Lord of Light who shouted, "You used one of our own for your experiments?! Have you gone mad?!"

"Well I was using Dahnans at first, but they proved to be too weak to sustain the transformation process. All of them died early on. Besides, making Renan-born zeugles allows them control over astral energy. Sure, many of them died in the process, but look at the results now. It took a long time to find one whose genes were compatible with the process, and I'd say it was worth it-"

"Silence!" Everyone froze, turning to the Lord of Earth. He normally kept his composure at all times, but for once, he looked furious. "How could you do this to our own people?! Have you no morals?!"

Almeidrea frowned at his outburst. "I only used troublesome subordinates of mine. It's not like I went and abducted citizens of Lenegis." Dohalim started walking closer, and the Lord of Wind was startled slightly when he neared. "Asha, defend!"

Just like an obedient dog, Asha moved in front of her master. She hissed at the man, her bladed tail poised to strike. Dohalim froze in his tracks, his rage subsiding. How badly he wanted to reach out and touch her - to speak to her in hopes that she could still hear and understand him. However, he knew better than to show such a weakness before his fellow Lords. If they knew his connection to Asha, it could easily be used against him. The hybrid eased up when he stopped, her visible emerald eye focused on him.

"Now, now, no need for violence and hatred," Almeidrea taunted. "Asha was made to protect her master. Wouldn't want a bloodbath right here in your palace, would you?" She smirked, knowing full well none of them would have the guts to face a fellow Renan, even if she was a hybrid. "Besides, I simply accepted your invitation, Dohalim. I could've easily remained in my own realm."

Dohalim managed to get a hold of himself, keeping his outrage and broken heart masked behind his tranquil demeanor. He couldn't afford to hurt Asha. "Indeed. You are correct. Forgive my insolence. It is not my place to question your methods within your realm." Balseph and Ganabelt looked to the Lord of Earth, bewildered by his abrupt change in attitude on the subject. Despite his calm tone, the look in his eyes was empty - broken. "Now, I do believe a feast has been prepared. I implore you all to eat and rest after your travels. Tomorrow, we shall see just how incredible this hybrid is."

Sorry if any of the Lords are a bit out of character. I did my best to portray them appropriately.