The three representatives from the Phoenix Clan and the three representatives from the Ice Dragon Clan all filed solemnly into the Emperor's tent. It was a momentous event, the first of its kind, and one that would be remembered for generations to come. The six members of the first inter-clan war council stood around the strategy board in the Emperor's tent. It was an exact replica of the island, complete with mountains, valleys, rivers and landmarks. They would use it to determine the position and movement of each team. The Emperor and King both stood tall at the head of the table, with the Emperor addressing the group first.

"Welcome everyone to this first joint war council. Our two clans have formed an official alliance and have agreed to work together to rid this island, neutral territory unclaimed by both of our continents, of the demon filth that has laid claim to it."

The King cleared his throat before taking over for the second half of the announcement.

"The Emperor and I have decided to create mixed teams, comprising of members from both of our clans. We will be working together closely from now on to free humanity of this demon scourge that has gone on for far longer than it should ever have. It is important to therefore establish a unified front from the start, and get used to working with each other as soon as possible."

The Emperor unrolled a piece of parchment, and began listing off the teams.

"General Altin will lead a team with Yuuko Nishigori, as well as 2 soldiers from my clan and 2 soldiers from the Ice Dragon clan. Takeshi Nishigori will lead a team with Lancer Nekola, as well as 3 soldiers from my clan and 3 soldiers from the Ice Dragon clan. King Nikiforov will head a team with Minako Okukawa and Sara Crispino as well as 2 soldiers from each clan."

The Emperor turned to the King then, to pose him an important question.

"King Nikiforov, there are currently three ice dragons with questionable clearance for participation in this battle. They are your subjects and therefore, you know them best. I would like you to choose one of them to join Minami and myself on my own team."

The King tapped his lips with an index finger as he mulled over his options. Squire Plisetsky was definitely out of the question. That brat would have to re-earn the privilege of taking part in any kind of mission or battle in the future. Michele Crispino would most likely be in recovery for quite some time. His demonic possession had been quite severe and he would not be at his full strength for quite some time. That left Mila. As much as he didn't want her involved in something so soon after her health scare, she was the most viable option of the three. Since the Emperor had absolutely insisted on the two assassins being with him on his own team, Mila's powers would actually be quite helpful to the Emperor in terms of being able to assist him with espionage and tracking the enemy's movements.

"I believe that Princess Babicheva would be the best option for your team, Your Majesty. I'll have a word with her later and ask her if…"

"I accept!"

Six heads turned to the source of the sudden voice coming from the tent's entrance. The King cursed in his native Russki under his breath and fought the urge to cover his face with both hands.

"Mila! What are you doing here? We're in the middle of a war council!"

Mila crossed her arms and tilted her chin up in defiance.

"I am feeling rather perturbed, King Nikiforov, that I, your personal adviser was not invited to this war council."

The King didn't get a chance to reply to Mila's complaint, for in the very next second, the Emperor sashayed past him in an elegant rustle of robes, stopping just before the elven princess and bowing deeply toward her.

"Princess Babicheva, it brings me great joy to see you doing so well. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the war council."

The Emperor looked up to stare at the slightly surprised princess. She had not expected him to address her directly, nor be so accommodating regarding such an official meeting. Interesting. This one knows the protocol, but chooses to act according to his own whims. I can see why Viktor would be intrigued by that. He may just have found a kindred spirit!

"Please do not be upset with your King, dear princess, I did not wish to have you disturbed while you recovered from your ordeal. I was also not aware of your position of high trust within the King's court, please forgive me for my ignorance."

The Emperor held out a hand and Mila accepted the invitation, placing her smaller hand in his. The Emperor brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, causing little shivers to run down her spine. When he lifted his eyes to look at her, she felt all her irritation instantly melt away. Mila smiled, it had been a long time since she'd met someone who had come even close to charming her so utterly. She stared at the monarch currently standing in front of her, scrutinizing his features appreciatively. The man's eyes were simply stunning, a rich cherry wood color with the faintest traces of golden flecks mixed in. Her eyes took in the long ebony hair, pulled back in a loose ponytail and decorated with a solitary pin with what appeared to be a phoenix feather dangling from it. The hair was very well taken care of and it shone and glistened in the light cast by the torches and oil lamps. Mila approved of this man. She approved wholeheartedly.

"Please, Emperor Katsuki, do not depreciate yourself so. I owe you my life after all, Your Majesty. King Nikiforov is a rather forgetful man and has often been known to…"

The young princess leaned out her upper body to stare pointedly at the red-faced King standing at the back of the room.

"…Neglect to inform people of important details."

The King in question grumbled to himself under his breath as he remained stoically flushed. General Altin and Lancer Nekola kept their eyes respectfully averted, while Yuuko and Minako exchanged amused looks.

The Emperor smiled again and Mila was struck by how beautiful the man was.

"Ah, fair Princess, we all have our own little character flaws. They're part of what makes us what we are. I believe that your King has a heart of gold though, does he not?"

Mila looked over at the King once more, smiling smugly when she saw the color returning to his face once more. Ohhh, he's got it bad.

"Indeed he does, Emperor Katsuki. He is not only kind, but very just. He's quite easy on the eyes, too. That helps a lot, wouldn't you say?"

The King rapped the table with his knuckles, drawing attention to himself and task at hand once more.

"As much as I would love to stand here and listen to you both…*ahem*…sing my praises, we have a war council to finish."

The King turned, contrite, to the Emperor.

"Please forgive Princess Babicheva's intrusion, Emperor Katsuki. She is a rather headstrong woman and dances to the beat of her own drum. Does she have your explicit permission to join our war council?"

"Yes, Princess Babicheva has my permission to join our war council. And, worry not King Nikiforov, I take no offense to the lady's intrusion. I know a thing or two about headstrong women."

Yuuko giggled at the statement and Minako made a derisive snort. The Emperor retook his position at the head of the table and Mila joined General Altin and Lancer Nekola on the Ice Dragon side. The council continued as planned and soon everyone was fully briefed and provided with a map of the land. Azami, Momiji and Ciocco would be used to relay messages in between the various teams in case of any changes to the plan or if any crucial new information needed to be communicated. All teams would meet in the open meadow just outside the camp border at sunrise the next morning. Leaders would get the chance to get acquainted with all the members of their team and relay the battle plan to each individual. They would practice their formations and signals and also get to warm up before heading out.

The war council ended and all members were dismissed. As everyone stepped out of the tent, they saw that the sun had just set and that there was now a bonfire crackling from the center of the camp. Minami had been waiting for them nearby and stepped up to them once they were all out. He bowed to the group and motioned toward the bonfire.

"Good evening Royal Samas and esteemed guests. A table has been prepared for all of you as well as for our other special guests. Please follow me, dinner service will begin shortly."

The group of seven, led by the Emperor and the King, followed Minami toward the designated dinner area. There was a long table with seven seats prepared and a smaller table with just five seats perpendicular to it and slightly off to the side. Tree trunks had been re-purposed as benches and there were cloth mats laid out on the ground as well. Once the Emperor and King went to stand at the middle of the main table, all rose and bowed to their respective leaders. The Emperor sat first, followed by the King and then the others at the the head table. The smaller table was occupied by Takeshi Nishigori, Minami, Captain Fujimoto, Squire Plisetsky, and Sara Crispino. Michele Crispino had still not regained consciousness and had been left to rest at the medical tent. Once those at the two tables were fully seated, all the others at the camp took their seats as well. The Ice Dragons chose to sit on the large logs while the Phoenix Clan members preferred to sit on the cloth mats.

The food was first served to the head table and then guest table. A mix of different dishes from both continents had been prepared and it looked like a veritable mouth-watering feast. The dishes from Orientalis tended to feature fish, seafood and vegetables. The dishes from Occidentis seemed more focused on land animals and fowl. The King took time to explain to the Emperor and his two lady companions that the meats were wild boar, venison and pheasants. They were animals that were native and available in the mountains near the castle. A plate that did not contain any meat was placed in front of Princess Babicheva. The Emperor noticed this and asked the King, seated to his right, why this was.

"Mila's powers allow her to hear the thoughts of all animals and communicate with them in return. She views the animals as her friends and therefore deems it unethical to consume their flesh."

The Emperor looked at all the meat on the table and was surprised.

"Does she not find all this meat offensive? I can have her moved to another area if it's a problem."

The King smiled at the Emperor. The man was really quite considerate. There had been times in which he had attended social functions with Mila at other kingdoms and none of them had even spared a passing thought to her dietary choices.

"You don't seem surprised by her choice not to eat meat, why is that?"

"Ah, in Orientalis there are certain holy men, men of the cloth if you will, that choose to live a vegetarian lifestyle. It is not an uncommon occurrence. I will inform my staff of this new development and they will prepare something appropriate for her."

"Thank you, dear Emperor. Your kindness and consideration for others is truly inspiring."

...

Wine and warm sake were served and soon there was a jovial atmosphere around the camp. Soldiers from the Ice Dragon camp, curious about their new allies, struck up conversation with the Phoenix Clan soldiers and soon there was loud chatter and laughter echoing around the bonfire. It was a happy, but controlled celebration, as all would be rising quite early in the following morning. The food service finally came to and end and the fire was put out. Cloth mats were picked up and put away, and logs were rolled off to the side. The Ice Dragon delegates were shown to their respective tents and the Phoenix Clan members retired to their own quarters. Everyone ended the evening happily sated and slightly buzzed from the alcohol that had been served. And, although things had ended earlier than usual and everyone seemed to be turning in for the night strangely early, tomorrow was going to be a very big day. Last-minute preparations were made and there were still a few lanterns lit an hour or so after dinner ended. Finally, a blanket of quiet settled over the camp and all its residents slept.

The sun would rise at dawn, and with it so would humanity's hope. The demons' days on Earth were now numbered. They would see, starting tomorrow, just how powerful 'lowly' humans could be.