The ICW chamber fell into stunned silence. The weight of Morpheus Everglade's words, his chilling laughter still lingering in the air, had turned the already tense atmosphere into something suffocating. The representatives, already divided on the issue, now found themselves thrown into an entirely different crisis.
Tenzin, seated at the center, exhaled slowly, his fingers steepled as he processed the revelation. Some members of the council exchanged nervous glances, while others whispered frantically amongst themselves. The representative from Salem, still visibly seething from the earlier discussion, looked almost sick now.
"This… this is madness," muttered a delegate from Russia, his voice barely above a whisper. "They claim peace, yet the only path forward is our extinction? We cannot negotiate with that."
"Are we to believe him?" countered the Egyptian delegate, her gold-trimmed robes fluttering as she turned to the others. "Morpheus Everglade, a man who openly admits to creating the barrier, who has been a ghost in history, who supposedly killed Merlin? His word is not law!"
"But what if he's right?" another representative interjected. "Seraphiel's plea was emotional, manipulative, designed to sway the common folk. And if what Morpheus says is true, if their own misuse of magic doomed them, then this is not our war to fight!"
Tenzin finally rose to his feet. "Enough," he said, voice carrying across the chamber with quiet authority. "This changes everything. If what Morpheus says is true, then our situation is far more dire than we ever imagined. And if he is lying, then we are dealing with a master manipulator who has remained hidden for millennia." His gaze swept across the chamber, taking in the uncertain, horrified, and enraged faces. "Regardless of what we believe, one fact remains. We are no longer in control of this conflict. The world now knows of the barrier, of these creatures, and of Morpheus himself. We must act swiftly before panic spreads."
The room erupted again, arguments breaking out as different factions pushed for immediate action. Some demanded an emergency meeting with world leaders, others called for investigations into Morpheus's claims, and a few—those already fearful of war—spoke of fortifying magical communities in preparation for the worst.
Outside the ICW's chamber, the world was already reacting. In Diagon Alley, witches and wizards whispered in hushed, terrified tones. In Kyoto, Mahoutokoro's elders prepared protective spells over their ancient school. And in Salem, the occupied city, both captors and captives alike stared at the now-fading projection, realizing that the war had just entered an entirely new and horrifying phase.
***
"And my name is the foul." A scoff sounded behind the pale man, "You were always far more sinister brother."
"Ah but didn't you help?" Morpheus shot back a smirk climbing to his lips
Herpo laughed, "Helped your idea brother. Bah, I just came back and war is already brewing." though his words were negative the smile on his face was positively glowing
"Is that not all we have ever known?" Morpheus paused before walking past his brother, "They won't work with me but they will need to. The ICW will try to verify my identity and the beast are most likely already preparing their armies."
"Where will they strike first?" Herpo asked walking over to the map that covered Morpheus's long table
"They will go after Khufu's anchor first, its the most open and least defended. When I met him last he acted as if he was at full strength but I could tell he was faking it." Morpheus explained while pointing to Egypt
Herpo nodded, "Then I shall take my new faction to the pyramid." a bloodthirsty grin split his face
Morpheus shook his head in denial, "No, you know what game we must play. You faction isn't even stable, set it firmly in Britain first I thought we had enough time for you to imbed yourself in this time but things moved quickly." he sighed, "Dont worry the pyramid won't fall, Nicolas and I created our own force recently. I will use them."
"Will they be enough?" Herpo asked skeptically
"No," Morpheus admitted but then shrugged, "The ICW will lend its support."
"But will it be too late?"
"No just in time brother just in time."
*Morpheus pov*
It was safe to say my teaching days are over. Dear old Albus was probably having a heart attack right about now, not to mention the members of the Wizengamot.
Taking a pinch of floo powder I threw it into the flames, "Flamel manor." I intoned and let the flames whisk me away
Stepping into the parlor I was immediately met with the husband and wife pair both of whom held their wands level with my head and chest, "Well this is awkward." I laughed stepping forward
"Don't move!" Nicolas barked, "How could you." he snarled
"What did I do now?" I feigned ignorance building his anger to new heights
"Humanity? You are condemning millions to death and you don't care!" He said his eyes told a story of betrayal and heartbreak
"I am." I admitted, "Whats done is done, are you going to help mitigate the loss of lives or are you going to resent me and let millions perish because of your anger."
Perenelle sighed lowering her wand, "You should have told us, how did you do it anyway? I've never heard of a ritual that can affect everyone."
I smiled briefly at her before looking at Nicolas, "And you?"
He lowered his wand but they betrayal on his face didn't leave, "I will fight with you to win, but I will never trust you again Morpheus."
Ah that hurt a little old Nicolas and I have been allies for a while now and I could say we were kind of friends.
As close to friends as someone like me can have anyway.
"That's fine." my smile beamed into him, "Not a lot of trust going around these days anyways. Now let's get to why I'm here, sages eye needs to be deployed to Egypt, they will go after Khufu's anchor first."
He grunted, "They aren't ready, half of them just graduated last year Morpheus."
A chuckle escaped me, "Yes but when I watched their duels against my students I saw their potential. The first wave will be a probe testing the pyramid's defenses. They will be there for support, by the second attack they will be more than ready I assure you. I will also be there and soon the ICW will send reinforcements."
"The ICW doesn't even know about the pyramid," Nicolas argued
"Yes, but they will soon enough. Prepare them to move Nicolas, I need to make some last-minute preparations." I declared before turning back to the floo
"Merlin did you really kill him?" Nicolas asked stopping me in my tracks
I turned facing him with a grin, "Of course I did Nicolas, he betrayed humanity by trying to ally themselves with those creatures. Not to worry though, he will be useful in death."
"He was one of your greatest allies, much like I am," Nicolas stated calmly but I could see the fire in his eyes
"Would you kill me too?"
I thought for a moment stunned by his question before replying carefully, "I would hate to find out my friend."