The Spirits Within

Chapter 3 The Covenant

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700 Years Earlier

"Are the scouts ready? We haven't explored the forest fully yet, we have to be careful."

"Yes, Sir."

Captain Kinoarashi nodded. "Send out the party, then." He said and set off across a long, dark hallway which had several branches and rooms connected to it. He poked his head out of one such room and saw that it was empty, so he resumed his pace along the hallway. He turned right and saw one of the soldiers in his own unit, Stephen. "Yo Cap, McCormag was looking for you at C-Hall, and Elder Saus wants at the conference room at 8 o'clock." Mikau nodded and continued walking until he reached a set of glass doors, which would only open to those cleared for access. He was in A-Hall, the conference hall, he would have to head back here in a while.

A-Hall was only a square room with a long table lined with chairs but it was one of the most used in the whole Covenant HQ, especially these days what with the meteor and all. He crossed the room and entered a small side chamber which was empty except for a runic circle in its center. Runic circles are circles with, well, runes that when you stepped on it, you had only speak the place you wanted to go and you would be instantly transported there, but its power was limited so you could only use it inside the building.

"C-Hall!" Mikau cried and a blue light sorrounded him, next moment he was gone. Once he reappeared at C-Hall, he stepped out of the room and one look around the room told him it was empty, 'cept for a brown-haired man who was standing just beside the exit. "Hey, I've been waiting for you." He said. "Yes, Stephen told me. What do you want?"

"Well, I've been having some suspicions, man..." Mikau nodded. "About what?"

"It's Ansem. I don't know for sure, but I think he was behind last week's attack."

"Mike, this is a very serious accusation. Lord Ansem is a High Elder."

The High Elders were the joint leaders of the Covenant, they hold the highest rank and have run the Covenant for almost 500 years. But lately there have been hints, and rumors of corruption and betrayal. Saus was a High Elder too.

"I know, but he was gone when it happened, and he only returned only once things calmed down, and there are other things…"

"I'll speak to Elder Saus about your suspicions after today's meeting but be careful not to mention this to anyone else.

"Thanks man, I knew I could count on you…"

"I tell you this meteor is a dark omen. Ever since it crashed there have been reports of a shadow army attacking towns and settlements. Already the king of Vault has asked our assistance." Elder Honen said.

At the meeting the twelve High Elders were disscusing the effects of the meteor on all aspects, such as environmental and economically. There were only two Captains present there, Captain Kinoarashi and Reliar. Also Commander Griffith was there, he was famous for his victory over the Allied Army of the city of Canaath and Tesgaroth.

"Military?" Griffith asked.

"Indeed."

"The Kingdom of Vault has long been our ally," Mikau suddenly spoke up, "We cannot abandon them now, this is, after all, the first time they have ever asked us for armed support."

"Have you heard nothing of what has been said over and over again for the last two hours, boy?" Ansem, a tall, muscular dark-skinned man with curiously yellow eyes barked at Mikau. Mkau was, by no means, a boy, being at the age of 35, but the High Elders were so old that his age couldn't even be compared. "This army of shadows is made of darkness itself. It is impossible to defeat."

"Then what do you think we should do, my Lord Ansem?"

Elder Saus, who was tall, thin, and had a large beard, had spoken for the first time since the meeting started.

"A truce. If we declare ourselves their allies, they will not harms us." Ansem declared, with a smirk on his face.

"If we declare a truce with them it would go against everything we have fought for in the last five centuries." Griffith said, "I don't need to remind you, my lord, that the Covenant is an organization made to fight for freedom and justice of the nations of the world. And by far the only sensible advice gven has been from Kinoarashi here. We must prepare troops to set off immediately."

"Yes that is what must be done." Elder Saus, greatest of the Twelve dissmised the meeting and everyone left the room except for Ansem, Mikau, Griffith, and himself.

"This will be the downfall of the Covenant, Saus. Mark my words, the blood of our army is on your hands." Ansem said and then turned and left.

Saus turned to Mikau. "Captain, please notify Captains Heller, Troy, and Yriev of our coming actions. I want their units prepared by noon tomorrow." He said. Mikau immediately set off.

"Things are starting to fall apart, Griffith. I'm afraid we will have to put our faith in that boy…" Saus sat down, weak and tired.

"Because of his lineage? That doesn't prove that he has the same gifts as his ancestors."

"We shall see. Before the end, we will know…"