Sora and the Savior party spent the next several weeks grinding until his system finally reminded him something he completely forgot about. A council meeting.
Sora, you have a new notification from your system.
"Huh, that's weird. I wonder what this is about. I've never received one of those," he thought.
"System, what's the reminder?"
You have a council meeting tomorrow in Harmonia, the capital of Haven at the King's Castle. It's at 09:00. In section 1 of your walk-in closet, you will find your attire, labeled 'Council.'
"Oh, right! I forgot about that. I guess I won't be doing any grinding tonight. A night off might be nice! That's all we've been doing for three weeks," Sora thought.
"System, what are my current goals and level?"
Sora Lockheart. Level 45 of ???
Current Experience: 85,000/350,000
Current Goals: Attend a council meeting and make a good impression, Reward: Unknown
Find and analyze the dungeon, the Monolith, Reward: Instant Level Up
Reach Level 50, Reward: Unknown
The party cleared dungeons every night after they met Levi. They stuck to A and S ranked dungeons, but when clearing one of the dungeons near the border of the werewolf territories, Cairn, the group received an interesting clue about a very rare, secret dungeon. They cleared a few more dungeons, but they discovered no new clues.
****
"Yo, Levi, Sasha, and Brie, do you all have a moment to meet in the main living area?" Sora asked via his newly installed speaker system.
The group walked in with Sasha and Levi laughing about something they were talking about.
"You obviously haven't met many vampires, have you?" Sasha laughed.
"I think I met one before you! I can't be certain, though!" Levi exclaimed.
"Those two are funny," Sora thought. "I'm just glad everyone is getting along so well."
"Alright Sora, what's up? Why'd you call us to this meeting?" Brie asked.
"Ok, so you all remember the hint we received from the dungeon the other night. About some type of secret dungeon that holds riddles and an answer the world isn't ready for. Do you think I should bring it up at the council meeting?" Sora asked.
"Absolutely not." Levi boasted.
"I agree with Levi, if anything, pull Dorian aside and talk to him about. You two are best buds after all, aren't you?" Sasha said with a smile.
"I don't know if you should bring it up to anyone. Can't we just figure it out ourselves?" Brie asked.
"Yes, but we have little to go by, other than the riddle it gave us, which read:
'A nest you shall not seek, for I am not here,
The heavens don't shine a path that is cold nor clear.
Forsaken and located in the direction the sun sets,
Lost in a land plagued by human death."
"It really doesn't give us much to go by, other than what we've already deduced, that it's probably in the land of the demons," Sora said.
"The Valencia family original vampire always speaks about how much of a nightmare Obsidian Hallow and its' Lairs, which are like our cities, really are. Apparently, they have traps littered around the borders of Western and Central Exteria. The traps are designed to lure unsuspecting humans into them. The demons trap them and store them. Then they feed them really well to fatten them up to eat and drink them later. Demons live off human flesh and blood." Sasha shuttered as she spoke.
"Also, their Lairs are rather large, just secluded deep in barren wasteland, and they use the forests bordering Central Exteria as the perfect cover for these traps. I'm guessing the dungeon is somewhere in the barren land. We'd have to be careful not to be spotted. I'm sure they're aware of our party by now," she finished.
"Thanks Sasha, your information is very helpful! I was also thinking of bringing Brie along, but now that I think about it, I think it wouldn't be wise to associate myself publicly right now. Not yet at least," Sora said while thinking.
Despite Brie's saddened, yet blushed face, she said, "I understand. I agree and I think it's good we still wear the masks."
"Also, you are free to go on a dungeon run tonight. I've adjusted our party seal conditions to ensure tonight only; you will not enter a dungeon you cannot retreat from. I'm going to get some rest. I'll talk to you all after my meeting tomorrow morning!" Sora exclaimed.
He quickly went to his master bedroom and locked the door.
"That was weird. Why did he leave us so quickly?" Brie thought.
****
The next morning, Sora's system woke him up at 07:00.
Good morning Sora. Your party did not go on any dungeon runs last night. They decided to take a night off. Please shower, get dressed and head to your black armored car, located in parking spot 47 of your garage.
"Woah, you can be pretty bossy when you need to be!" Sora thought with a laugh.
He quickly got dressed into his Council attire, which included a baby blue cloak with a silver cross on the back. Underneath, he wore a nice long sleeved black dress shirt, with a baby blue tie. He put on his black dress slacks, as well as his black socks and baby blue dress shoes.
He followed the parking numbers in his garage until he found parking spot 47. He got in, turned the car on, and climbed into the backseat, as he'd seen Brie do so many times.
The car quickly backed out, slowly pulled out of his garage and drove down the long, winding road leading to Sora's mansion. It stopped at the gate, which was the only opening, as large, medieval walls stood 20 feet high around the perimeter of his mansion. He had plenty of land, probably 2 acres on Earth if he had to guess, but the security was also top notch. As soon as the car's scan opened the gate, it took off, and Sora couldn't believe his eyes.
"Are cars supposed to drive 300 MPH?!" he texted Brie immediately.
"You're asking me about your cars?! You're silly. Anyway, not all cars, YOUR cars can go that fast. Especially armored sports cars. Those things can hit up to 500 MPH." Brie texted back, with a crying laughing face emoji.
Sora watched in awe as the car flew down the road and finally, within 10 minutes, he noticed the car slowing down yet still going around 70 MPH as it navigated through the outskirts of the city of Harmonia, eventually winding up in front of a giant castle. He had no clue how far he traveled, just that he got there, fast.
You have arrived at your destination. Please proceed to the gates, they will be expecting you.
As Sora got out of his car and shut the door, "Is that thing going to park itself?" he thought.
Yes Sora. The car will return at 11:05. I've set the time for you. These meetings tend to run… long.
"Great. What could be more fun than sitting at a table with people who clearly want to rip each other's throats out?" Sora thought as he made his way to the front of the Castle.
"Master Lockheart, it's good to see you, please, proceed," one of the guards encouraged him, as he opened the door for Sora.
Sora gave a polite nod and kept walking. His system provided a map for him to view, so he knew exactly where to go. When he arrived at the large, arched doors, two guards stood still and did not acknowledge him.
"Uh, system, what's with the guards?"
You need to provide them with the passcode to this meeting: 745680298 with your name.
"Sora Lockheart, 745680298," he said to the guards, who simply nodded and let him in.
****
He walked in and saw a giant oval table with ornate decorations through the entire room. He noticed the chairs were all very nice, but the seats for the King and Queen were unmistakable.
"Hey Sora! It's been a while, how are you doing?" a handsome vampire said.
"Hey Dorian, it's been too long. Sorry I haven't called or texted, just been busy with my studies. We'll catch up after the meeting if you'd like. Also, Camilla, you look lovely as ever." Sora said politely to Dorian and Camilla Ashwood, the King and Queen of the vampires.
Fenrir, the werewolf King scoffed, only to be scolded by his wife, Selene.
"Hey Sora, it's good to see you are well. Elizabeth and I were just talking, when are you finally going to find yourself a nice girlfriend to bring along with you to these council meetings?" a human, dressed in the same robes but a white dress shirt and white dress slacks asked.
"System, who is that?"
King Jackson and Queen Elizabeth Smith of the human race.
"When the right woman presents herself, I'll be the first to let you all know!" Sora said with a large smile. He thought of Brie.
Suddenly, the back door opened, and the frail Uthra King, King Joseph Tanguin walked in, and everyone stood up.
He looked old, frail and despite being very tall, walked hunched over, decorated in the same cloak, but a purple dress shirt and golden slacks. He also wore an ornate golden crown, embedded with several different gemstones.
"Huh, I wonder why he has all of the human birthstones in his crown?" Sora thought.
The King motioned for everyone to sit.
The front door then opened, and two demons stormed in, late to the meeting, both with angry expressions.
"Tell me, your highness. Have ANY of your brave council members tracked down these masked menaces I've asked you to find?" the demon demanded, while throwing pictures of a group of four adventures, wearing white cloaks and white kabuki masks, with the Yin and Yang symbol on them.
"Apologies Azazel, but if you would please sit down, we were just beginning our meeting," King Joseph said, as he motioned for everyone to sit down.
"Shit, I knew they'd be onto us, but the Demon King? That's not good." Sora thought.