Twelve

The Duke started the tale of the Seven Tribes.

"They are an ancient race in the universe - pure and holy for they were one of the first and original beings created by God. They are humans yet not exactly humans. This race is created sequentially based on the seven virtues of creation and therefore is divided into seven tribes - the Peloritans, Etna, Nebrodie, Madonie, Hyblaeans, Sicanians and the Vignu. Each of the tribe is the beacon of love, wisdom and power. And God bestowed upon them the keys which could open the very knowledge of the universe - a path which would lead to the very essence of Him. Each key contain power that made each tribe equally superior to each other and made them uniquely special from one another.

Each tribe has its own territory where they live, which is apparently the island we now call Sicily. The Peloritans is known for their strength and they represent Chastity. Etna is known for their sorcery and their virtue is Charity. Nebrodie specialized in arts and crafts carrying the virtue of Temperance. Madonie is known for its intelligence, holding the virtue of Diligence. Hyblaeans are the most pure of the race and represent Humility. Sicanian is known for keen sense and discernment, and represent Patience. And lastly, the Vignu are noted for their Kindness.

For a long time, each tribe lives in peace and harmony. Each serving as a guardian to protect the keys that were long been given to them. But then the First Sin was committed, eventually branching out to others. The Sins spread throughout the world like an incurable disease. It's not long that each tribe, although pure and holy, got corrupted, and then was consumed by these deadly sins. In the end, they all want one thing.

The keys.

The secret of the universe.

The path to Godliness.

And like all great powers, some want it for good and others for evil.

However the keys won't just do as a piece even though it is already a powerful medium; they need all of them and they need the constant deist that could make it a whole. Technically, they were just a part of the only key which could open 'the gate'."

"The Holy Trinity." Knuckle commented in his priestly understanding. It was preposterous that this story is actually a fact as the Duke claimed it is to be.

"Yes, but in the form of something tangible. God apparently made this tangible deist to balance the world as it has been, should be and would be. This deist will show the gate. Frankly I haven't had a notion of what it looks like. But it does exist. The tribes knew it. They also knew where it should be found. The once been pure and holy beings were corrupted by evil desire. Thus, before they even had a chance of obtaining the deist and eventually opening the gate to the knowledge of the Universe the Nature, or the Universe itself, made a way to protect it and created waves and earthquakes that destroyed the entire race. The remaining survivors of the seven tribes were scattered throughout the planet. The keys remained in their possession however, but God turned the keys to something unfathomable. He made the keys dormant of their powers making it useless as a piece."

"So this key turned into a stone-looking-pacifier is useless as it is." G. said, trying to organize his thoughts.

"Yes, by itself, it's harmless. But when it's with the other six, then I, myself, don't know what would happen."

"If it needs the deist to make it active again, why would you bother to protect the other keys?" Agari Ugetsu asked.

"Ah, I forgot to tell you. It seems that Mario know where the deist could be found. I guess it's safe to say that he had already his hands on it." The Duke said calmly.

"I can't believe this." Lampo exclaimed.

"How did he get the deist?" G. asked.

"I don't know the answer to that. But I'm pretty sure he used something out of the normal laws in this world."

"So you want us to protect the keys and prevent Mario Riina from obtaining it." Giotto confirmed.

"Yes. Please. The world is at stake here. As much as I don't want to involve you in this, I have no choice. You are the only people I could think of that could do something against him. Mario is a superhuman. His strength, intelligence and senses are beyond all human capabilities. I have yet to confirm, but it seems that he is also one of the descendants of one of the tribes."

"Time will tell if we deserve to obtain the knowledge of the Universe. But as far as I'm concerned, it's definitely not today. Not in this time. Not in our time." The Duke said.