Everyone just stares at the orb for a second. Azarath is absolutely fuming, and Pax just has a surprised look on his face. Blake immediately makes a mental note of Peak’s strength as Selene just smiles and sighs. Even Aric is surprised at this result. Seeing he is the strongest, Peak just puts his hand on the back of his head.

  [Peak: I guess the secret is out then… hehe…] Peak does a small chuckle to himself. Azarath raises his fist in defeat and punches the sky. Suddenly, Pax walks up to Peak, grabs him by the collar of his shirt, and slams him into a wall.

  [Pax: The hell is the meaning of this?!?] Pax says with anger radiating from his eyes. Peak just lets out a small [huh].

  [Pax: I could give a two rats ass that you are stronger than me. However, you were holding back?] Pax says in an irritated tone.

  [Peak: I just don’t like to kill… Cut me some slack…] Peak says in a small voice. To this response, Pax raises him higher. Blake and Slene get ready to restrain Pax if need be. Pax starts to talk.

  [Pax: We were fighting a cult! I was severely injured and on the verge of death! Now we know you had the power to take them all by yourself?!? What did Elysia and I put ourselves in danger for?!?] Pax says with anger in his voice. Peak looks down.

  [Peak: To be fair… I did just get hit by a heavy dose of anesthesia by that time…] Pax lets him down.

  [Pax: I don’t want any excuses! You could have let us both die there!] Pax looks around, but Elysia is nowhere to be found. Aric interjects.

  [Aric: Even without Peak, you would probably be fine. After all, Elysia is a Grade 1, which is even above Peak. It’s usually customary that anyone serving the king is at least Grade 1. The only person that is not is Sarah because she is relatively new.] Peak gives a smirk to Pax. Pax just turns around.

  [Pax: My point here is that I want to be able to trust your power as my teammate. Now that we are going to be fighting people on higher levels, if you pull your punches, you or one of your team members could suffer. Holding back against grunts is fine. But, I want you to promise me that you won’t hold back against any of the big dogs.] Pax puts his fist out for a fist bump. Peak responds with a smile and bumps it back.

  [Peak: I won’t let you down!] Pax then turns around and says [Elysia, is it true that you are a Grade 1?!?] However, she is not there. Peak just laughs. [Peak: I guess I really am the strongest person in the room, then.]

  Aric just walks up. He stares at everyone.

  [Aric: Yes, Elysia left during the discussions. Also, Peak, you are not the strongest person in this room. I am.] Aric says with a smile as he puts his hand on the orb.

  [Name: Aric. Strengths: Extreme variety in abilities. Forbidden Magic. Various contracts. Has a spell for basically anything. High-Grade 1 level offense, defense, and speed without magic. Weakness: If an opponent can nullify magic, Aric has to fight physically. Overall: High-Special Grade.]

  Aric walks to the center of the room.

  [Aric: By the way, there are only five registered High-Special Grades in the entire world.]

  Aric laughs and fully flexes his power to the amazement of everyone watching. Aric turns around. [It seems it’s finally ready, everyone come in.] Six figures proceed into the room and stand around Aric. Elysia, Sarah, and Lyra are a part of them. However, no one in the room recognizes the rest of them. Aric then instructs them to step up and introduce themselves.

  Elysia steps up.

  [My name is Elysia. I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Aranthia.] Elysia steps back, and Sarah steps up.

  [Hello! My name is Sarah Thorne! I am the lead strategist for Aranthia!] Sarah pops back, and Lyra steps up. Selene winces upon seeing Lyra. She is wearing an eyepatch and has burn marks on over 50 percent of her body. It’s a miracle she even survived. Selene will destroy whoever killed her home and made Lyra like this.

  [Lyra Greenwood… Hi… I am the leader of the agriculture of Aranthia…] Lyra shrinks back. Aric skips himself because he already introduced himself. Now its just the three mysterious figures to Arics right.

  One of them steps up. He looks to be in his early 50s and has a slender build with an air of quiet authority. He has neatly combed, thinning white hair and wears glasses around his amber eyes. His attire is always immaculate, consisting of fine, tailored clothing suitable for his position.

  [My name is Felix Wern. I am the Treasurer of Aranthia. I am also going to be the one supplying all of your paychecks.] At the sound of money, Azarath immediately locks into the conversation; however, to his disappointment, Felix steps back. A woman walks up.

  She is in her mid-40s, with a lithe and agile build. Her long, dark hair is often tied back in an intricate braid, and her sharp gray eyes miss nothing. She wears practical, dark clothing that allows her to blend into the shadows, and she carries a small, ornate dagger.

  [Hello. My name is Isabella Montrose. I am the head of espionage for Aranthia.] She walks back. Blake notes that she makes no sound when she walks. Finally, a bulky man steps up.

  He looks to be in his late 40s and has a tall and sturdy build, with weathered skin and deep blue eyes that reflect his extensive time at sea. His dark hair is streaked with gray, and he sports a neatly trimmed beard. He wears a naval uniform with gold epaulets and a captain’s hat.

  [Sup! The name is Cealum! I am the leader of the Royal Guards that protect the king!] The man smacks his chest and returns to his position in the line. Aric just says [Any Questions?] Selene raises her hand.

  [Selene: Why are you not the leader of the Royal Guard if you’re the strongest?] Selene asks with a confused look. Aric responds.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  [Aric: You see, as a High-Special Grade, I am the king’s closest fighter. If a person is strong enough to get through the royal guard, only then will I fight them. I wouldn’t worry, though. As a High-Grade 1, Cealum is extremely powerful.] Cealum puts his hand on one of his biceps and smiles. Azarath raises his hand.

  [Azarath: So how much are we getting paid?] Felix walks up and answers this question.

  [Felix: As a special task force created by the King himself, you are above the royal guards. Your salary will easily put you in the top 1%, so don’t worry about that.] Felix walks back. Azarath, content with this answer, smiles from ear to ear.

  After a while of answering questions, someone walks into the room. All of the higher-ups instantly bow to the imposing figure. It’s King Valerin, and someone is trailing behind him. The vassals follow suit, bowing to the King.

  [Valerian: Hello, my Vassals are loyal followers! I have a surprise for you!]

  A man walks up from behind King Valerian. He is tall and athletic, with a strong yet agile physique that reflects his combat training and physical prowess. Dark blue hair that falls in soft waves all the way down to his feet. He has striking dark blue eyes that look like the ocean at night. He wears an intricate white tunic with gold and blue lining around it. A small pendant is around his neck, with the crest of the royal family.

  Everyone looks confused as the words leave King Valerian’s mouth.

  [A new vassal, my son, Harpstein Valerian!] At this, the boy gets on one knee and bows.

  Everyone is shocked at this revelation. The King waves his hand and everyone except the vassals and Aric leave the room. Even Azarath, who has various noble connections, didn’t know about this supposed son of the king. The only known son of the king is Lyric Valerian however he is only fifteen years old. Is it possible that the king was hiding a child? Thoughts flooded Blake and Azaraths heads. Pax and Selene were absolutely dumbfounded. Peak gets up and raises his hand, looking very concerned.

  [Peak: Wait, you are telling me your name is not Valerian??? What’s your last name?!?! I need to know your real name right now!!!]

  The ridiculous nature of the question relieved some of the tension in the room. Pax lets out a small chuckle he is desperately trying to hold back. The King replies [My name is a secret.] While putting a finger over his mouth. Blake takes the chance and hops in the conversation.

  [Blake: So what’s the deal with this son?] Blake asks in a cautious tone.

  [Valerian: I knew you would ask about him. He is the first son of the Valerian family. He is 25 years old. I never revealed him to the public because he told me he never wanted to be in the public eye. Harpstein was my successor. However, he has chosen to join your team instead. I told him that he couldn’t be my successor if he joined this team; it was too dangerous. However, he kept insisting. So here we are.] Valerian sighs. A hint of worry in his voice. Harpstein bows.

  [Harpstein: Thank you for having me on the team. I hope I can fully meet your expectations.] The humbleness of his voice was genuine.

  Without warning Pax lunges at Harpstein and goes for a punch. Harpstein doesn’t move and before the punch connects Pax stops his fist. Blake immediately covers Paxs body in shadows, stopping him from moving any further. The rest of the vassals are also prepared to defend Harpstein.

  [Pax: Listen here. I don’t care how much your dad vouches for you. This team isn’t for shits and giggles. We will be fighting for our lives and the lives of this country. You will be damned if you think I will let someone get on this team through nepotism!] Pax says with a hint of disdain in his voice.

  [Harpstein: I’m sorry.] He gives a worried chuckle. [However, I have just as much a right to be on this team as you.] Harpstein tries to explain his case to Pax. Blake looks over at King Valerian.

  [Blake: Considering you or Aric didn’t move when Pax lunged, did you expect this reaction? What is your goal in introducing him to us this late into the game?] Blake says quizzically. The king answers.

  [Valerian: To tell the whole truth. Harpstein was in my dream as well. I didn’t want to believe it and grappled with it for a while. However, my dream didn’t lie. This is his destiny.]

  Pax uses Unstoppable to break free from the shadows and then walks up to Harpstein. He puts his hand out for a handshake.

  [Pax: Don’t expect any special treatment because you are the king’s son.]

  Harpstein shakes Pax’s hand.

  [Harpstein: I wouldn’t expected anything else.]

  With a mutual understanding established. Harpstein looks to the other members. Azarath immediately gets on his knees.

  [Azarath: Don’t worry, I will treat you nicely.] He whispers. [So give me a good word with the king?] Pax immediately gets angry.

  [Pax: You are sucking up to him already?!? That’s crazy!] Azarath looks over at Pax.

  [Azarath: Shut up! No one is talking to you, hoodlum!]

  Harpstein tries to calm them down.

  [Harpstein: Please! I don’t want any special treatment because of my royal lineage. Plus, I’m only Sem-Grade 1.] Harstein tries to reason. Selene looks down.

  [Selene: As long as he doesn’t complain like those two dimwhits, then I’m fine.] Blake nods, signaling his agreement with the message. Bracken whispers in Blakes’s ear [Let me take a crack at his royal ass.] Blake decides to keep Bracken desummoned. Peak comes bubbling towards Harpstein.

  [Peak: Hey! Ya, like video games?] Peak says with full curiosity. Harpstein responds truthfully.

  [Harpstein: I always had access to video games growing up. Needless to say, I love them.] Peak lets out an excited [Yay!] as he finally finds someone with whom he can discuss the latest gaming trends.

  With the introductions to the team out of the way, King Valerian leaves and signals to Aric to show them to “The Room.” Aric leads them to a room. It’s grand in scale and has a large roundtable in the middle. With a floating book in the middle.

  [Aric: This is Aranthias national treasure; it is called the “Ark.” It is said when six heroes sit in the seats, the book will open. The book’s name is “Apocalypse”; it will provide you with various quests, with penalties if you don’t finish them. Sit down and see if Ark activates. This will prove that he got the right people.]

  There are six seats on the Ark. Each has a symbol on it. The first symbol is a plant; Selene sits down there. The second seat has the symbols of a man and a monster, with multiple other creatures behind them. Blake decides to sit there. The third seat depicts money and fame, and Azarath happily takes the seat. The fourth seat has the symbol of an hourglass; Harpstein sits down on that one. The fifth seat has the image of a balled-up fist; Peak hops into the seat without even looking at the symbol. The final seat has an X symbol on it. Pax sits down.

  Suddenly the table glows. Its energy overflowing as the book springs to life. It grows a demon like smile as it opens up.

  [Apocalypse: One quest. Win “The Acended Crucible”. Reward: Location of the Artifact “Adam and Eve”. Time to beat Quest 1 month. Participants six. Penalty for failing the quest “Faulty” will be added to the world. Do you accept?]

  After reading the terms, Harpstein speaks up.

  [Harpstein: We accept.]

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  A mysterious cave. It has jagged corners and steep ledges. A man walks into the cave. He has a slim build, relatively tall. While he is somewhat athletic, it looks like he doesn’t work out all that often. The most peculiar part was what he was wearing. He had a dark purple suit with white lines running down. A white undershirt and black tie. Purple dress pants as well. He had dark purple spiked-up hair. He has black gloves on. The man looks up, revealing beautiful rainbow-colored eyes. He starts laughing uncontrollably.

  『Fun of the Apocalypse, Madness- Zane.』

  Zane skips around for a little bit before standing still. He claps his hands, and 13 other figures appear in the cave.

  [Zane: A lot of really cool things are going on! So…Let’s have a little chat!]