The days passed, and the long-awaited meeting night had finally arrived. Fray sat on the balcony at a round table, three empty chairs waiting for company. He looked up at the moon, then checked his pocket watch.
"Two hours left," he muttered.
Soft footsteps echoed behind him. Fray turned and saw Casper approaching, a bright smile on his face.
"Hey, Master Fray! I'm here," Casper said cheerfully.
"Welcome, Casper. Thanks for coming," Fray said, motioning to a chair. "Have a seat."
"Nice spot for a meeting," Casper said, glancing up at the starry sky as he sat down. "So… are we getting right to it?"
"Not yet," Fray said. "We're waiting for a couple more people."
"More people?" Casper raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The clock ticked past 10:00 P.M. when another set of footsteps approached. Elisa stepped onto the balcony, a determined look on her face.
'Who's this guy? He doesn't look like just any servant…' she thought, eyeing Casper.
"Oh, the second lady's here too!" Casper said, clearly excited.
"Thank you for coming, Elisa," Fray said. "Please, sit down."
"Is anyone else coming?" Elisa asked, glancing at the last empty chair.
"Yes. We'll wait five more minutes. If he doesn't show, we'll start without him," Fray said, looking around with a hint of hope.
Six minutes passed.
Fray sighed and turned to the others. "Alright, let's—"
Before he could finish, a swirl of dark energy appeared out of nowhere. A portal opened, and an old man with a long beard and flowing robes stepped through. Elisa and Casper jumped, both wide-eyed in shock.
'Is that Adam? Did Fray actually convince him to come when all the others failed?' Elisa wondered.
Fray stood and held out his hands in welcome.
"Thank you for coming, sir."
"So, you're the one who sent that letter?" the old man grumbled. "Tell me, kid—where'd you get that stamper?"
"Please, sit down. I'll explain everything," Fray said calmly.
Adam glanced at Elisa and Casper, then slowly sat down.
"You think it's easy for an old man like me to travel this far? This better be worth my time."
"I promise—it will be," Fray said, taking his seat again.
Casper looked between them, puzzled. 'Who is this guy? Why do they all seem so surprised?'
Adam Dalma. He was once a powerful magician who served the Dalma family for many years. Though injured and retired now, he still held a lot of influence. Fray's siblings had tried to win his support, but none had succeeded.
The air grew tense as everyone waited. Fray looked around at the group, ready to speak.
"I know you're all wondering about the stamper on the letters I sent. I'll explain that part later."
Casper frowned, confused. (Stamper? Like that tree symbol? Is that important?)
"As you probably know, the world isn't as simple as it seems," Fray began. "But the truth is… it's even more complicated than you think."
Adam crossed his arms, unimpressed. "What are you talking about, kid?"
Fray pointed up to the sky. "Look over there. See that strange light up in the sky? Do you know what causes it?"
Adam stayed quiet, thinking.
"I've always noticed that glow," Casper said. "Do you know what it is?"
"That's the light reflecting off a massive barrier that surrounds the human continent," Fray explained.
Elisa narrowed her eyes. "You're saying there's a barrier big enough to trap us all inside?"
"Yes," Fray nodded. "And I believe Adam already knows about it."
Everyone turned to Adam, who didn't deny it.
"How do you know about the shield?" he asked Fray.
Elisa looked shaken. "So it's real? That's insane…"
Casper leaned forward, his interest growing. "This is getting good."
Fray continued, "People like Adam, who reached a high level of power, already know about the shield. But no one knows what's outside it."
"And you do?" Adam asked, suspicious.
"Yes, I do." Fray looked back at the sky. "Long ago, there were seven races living on seven separate continents. But a huge war broke out. Ten thousand years ago, the humans were nearly wiped out. Seven heroes gave up their lives to create a shield and protect the human continent. They left behind one prophecy: 'The barrier will break after ten thousand years.'"
Casper's eyes widened. "Are you saying those seven races are still out there—just waiting to destroy us?"
Adam shook his head. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"You'll have no choice soon," Fray said seriously.
Elisa, grappling with the weight of the revelation, uttered a grim assessment, "It's known that our ancestors were stronger than us. If what you say is true, we don't have a chance for survival."
"The seven heroes had another reason behind the barrier, giving us a chance to become stronger," Fray revealed, unveiling a glimmer of hope amidst the grim reality.
Adam, intrigued, pressed on, "And what's that chance?"
"The seven races occupy seven continents, but there's an eighth, a land that every race failed to conquer—the Old Continent," Fray disclosed, opening a new chapter of uncertainty.
"The Old Continent?" Casper mumbled, his eyes reflecting curiosity.
Fray continued,
"The eighth continent is an illogical land where the laws of nature are broken. Warriors can become very strong by facing and conquering its challenges, but it holds great danger."
Adam, seeking the crux of their survival, inquired, "And what is the relation between our survival and the eighth continent?"
Fray concluded,
"The prophecy left by the seven heroes isn't complete. They said, 'The barrier will collapse after ten thousand years, but just before its downfall, the old continent will call you. Challenge it if you want survival.' This is the full saying."
The room hung in a pregnant pause, the gravity of their reality settling in.
"So you're suggesting that we'll journey to the Old Continent to gain strength while the shield still surrounds our continent. Why should we believe this?" Adam's scepticism echoed through the room, mirrored in the suspicious glances of Elisa and Casper.
"All that I've shared is true, and we're the only ones privy to this knowledge. I'm the only one with a plan to face it. But before I continue, I need to know if, after proving the truth, will you follow me?" Fray's gaze bore into the trio, their expressions a complex blend of doubt.
In the ensuing silence, Casper shattered the quiet with infectious excitement.
"This sounds exhilarating! I'm tired of paperwork and mundane office jobs. This seems more thrilling. If you prove what you said is true, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."
Elisa, more hesitant, glanced at Casper before voicing her commitment.
"Me too. If you can prove your words and present a solid plan, I'll stand by your side."
"Thank you, Casper and Elisa," Fray acknowledged, turning his serious gaze toward Adam.
"And you?"
"First, tell me why you're interested in us. I can understand wanting those two, they are strong, but I'm old and injured. I can't even use a quarter of my previous power," Adam's voice carried the weight of experience.
The allure of Adam's influence is useful in the Succession battle between the siblings, but against formidable foes from entire continents, his reputation held very little sway.
"In the Old Continent, your body will rejuvenate, and all who enter will share the same physical state. Your current injuries won't matter," Fray explained.
Elisa, surprised, asked, "Does that mean we'll lose our powers as well?"
"Yes, the weak will become strong, and the strong will become weak. Your current power won't translate there. I chose the three of you not for your current strength but for your skills," Fray clarified.
Casper, seeking understanding, inquired, "What do you mean, sir?"
"Entering the Old Continent will reset your physical states, but it won't erase the innate skills you were born with," Fray enlightened.
Elisa, sought further clarification, "So you chose us because..."
"Yes, Elisa has a bloodline skill, Casper holds a title, and Adam possesses magical energy. These skills will give you an advantage in the Old Continent," Fray disclosed.
Elisa, shocked, asked, "How do you know about my skill?"
"And mine too. Except for Norman, I never revealed my title to anyone," Casper chimed in.
"Just as I was able to learn about the Old Continent, I discovered your skills, but I won't divulge how—at least, not now," Fray asserted.
Adam, observing Casper's and Elisa's astonishment, turned to Fray.
"So you do know things, kid. Tell me where you got the stamper, and I'll join you as well."
"The former head of the family is still alive. He gave it to me. But I can't delve into details now," Fray dropped the bombshell.
Shock and disbelief etched the trio's faces, struggling to comprehend.
"Ha-ha, I knew it!" Adam exclaimed with a triumphant smile.
"Alright, kid, I'll follow you as well. Now prove yourself."