"Oh, Kael... you’re here,"
Eir lift his head. His voice sounded calm, but something in his eyes said otherwise.
The room didn’t feel normal. The air felt tight, like it had soaked in too many whispers.
A long black table stretched down the center. Its surface was flat, dull, and empty—like it didn’t want to reflect anything. The lights above weren’t bright enough. They threw long shadows that clung to the walls and stretched behind the people already seated.
Mia and Kevin sat near the middle. Both sat straight, like every move was part of a plan. Around them sat others—faces the brothers didn’t know—but each one gave off the same thing: strength and Control.
Eir sat at the head of the table, where the power always rested.
He said, his fingers were interlocked.
"Where are your brothers?"
Kael glanced back, then frowned.
"Huh. Thought they were right behind me."
The doors hissed open again. Max and Ash stepped in.
Max said. His voice was low, the weight from earlier still clinging to it.
Eir gave a small smile—not the kind that meant he was pleased.
"No problem. I’m just glad you came. Please—sit."
The three moved in silence. Chairs scraped across the floor. No one else spoke.
"Now that we’re all here, introductions are in order. I’ll begin with the elders."
He nodded to the left. An older man sat there. His skin looked like stone, his stare even harder.
"This is Elder Augtin. He doesn’t speak often. But when he does, people listen."
Augtin gave a slight nod. His eyes didn’t blink.
Eir turned to the next man.
"Captain Tim. Head of the guards. Close with the military. One of the best fighters we have."
Captain Tim didn’t nod. His lips pressed together like the boys weren’t worth his time.
"Elder Lane—my second-in-command. Keeps order when I’m away."
Lane’s eyes locked onto the brothers. He didn’t look away. No smile. Just stillness.
Eir motioned to a woman in white and silver.
Lucille smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Elder makes me sound ancient."
Eir raised an eyebrow.
"Aren’t you older than me?"
’Older? She looked barely older than him...’
Lucille let out a soft laugh. Her eyes moved to the boys.
"Don’t let him fool you. Some things are eternal."
Her smile didn’t fade. It stayed just a second too long.
Kael leaned back slightly. His eyes narrowed. Ash shifted in his seat. Max didn’t move, but something in his jaw tightened.
Eir turned to the next pair.
"You already know the members of Team RISE—Mia and Kevin."
Mia gave a small wave. Kevin didn’t move. His jaw stayed locked, eyes low.
Eir pointed to the far end of the table.
"And these are the operatives of Team Galeforce—kaius and Hunter."
They sat like statues—same blonde hair, same sharp eyes. Not a single word came from either of them.
The silence in the room grew thicker. Eyes were on the brothers. No one said it out loud, but it felt clear.
Ash’s eyes moved from face to face, then to the walls and corners of the room, as if the answers might be hiding in the silence. His shoulders stayed tight.
’Why would two elite teams be sitting together ? In a quiet place like Ironhold? Something about it didn’t sit right. Unless... a wave’s coming?’
Beside him, Max leaned forward in his seat, elbows on the table.
"So... what’s with the double-team setup? What’s really going on here?"
Eir’s hands stayed folded, his expression still. Like he’d been waiting for that question.
"I’m glad you asked. It’s time you understood the state of things here... in Ironhold."
Kael’s arms crossed. He didn’t look away.
"Yeah, everyone outside looks... broken. Like they’ve already lost."
Eir’s lips curved just enough to show something bitter.
"That’s because they have. A large-scale creature wave is headed our way—bigger than anything we’ve seen in years. The first one already hit and from what we have seen, we believe the second would be a big one."
Ash froze. His breath caught for half a second.
’Knew it. We barely got time to breathe, and already it’s back to war.’
Max straightened in his seat.
"So... you’re asking us to fight alongside you."
Eir gave a small shrug.
"I am. But the choice is yours. You’re not prisoners here."
Ash’s hand clenched under the table.
’As if we have a choice.’
He looked around again—Team RISE, Galeforce, the elders—every face felt like pressure.
’We owe Ironhold. If we back out now, the Vortex name dies before our reign begins. Max and kael won’t allow this.’
Before the silence could thicken, Kael stood fast, his chair scraping back.
"Of course we’ll help! We’re Vortex. We don’t run."
Max let out a long breath.
Eir clapped once, loud in the quiet room. The sound bounced off the walls.
"Excellent. With this many capable teams, I have faith that Ironhold will stand. Now, before we conclude—any final questions or concerns?"
A hand lifted from the end of the table.
Eir turned toward him.
Kaius voice came steady.
"I’d like to ask the current leader of Team Vortex a question."
His eyes landed on Max, sharp as a blade.
"How did you survive an Apex ship chase... and make it all the way to Dunehaven? Word is, no one makes it out of a direct Apex encounter alive."
Ash’s chest tightened.
’Why’s he asking that? His eyes darted to Max. Don’t tell him anything. Please.’
Max looked like he hadn’t slept in days. His shoulders lowered as he pulled in a breath, ready to speak.
But Kael slammed his fist on the table.
"They had me ofcourse. We fought. What more could any team ask for?"
He locked eyes with Kaius, gaze cutting.
"And besides, where were you when we needed help? Certainly not chasing Apex ships."
’Finally, his ego does something useful.’
Max let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
"It was a hard journey. We nearly died. A lot. But we made it."
"Now... are we done here? There’s someone I need to check on."
"And who would that be?"
Max rose from his seat.