Soonyoung - Astral Locus - Hong Manor

Soonyoung jittery walked the brightly lit hallways of the Hong manor. He was sitting under a chros tree enjoying the soft breeze with his eyes closed and listening to the gentle flow of water from the prism fountain at the open garden of Haljart when one of his fathers personal knights made his way to him. 

"High Lord Kwon, I apologize for disturbing you, however Lord Master has sent me here to deliver a message." The knight said as after bowing to Soonyoung.

"Oh don't worry Sir Shin, I was about to get up anyways. What is the message that my father wanted me to know?" Soonyoung replied as he started to stand up and brush the dried leaves and grass that clung to his pants.

"My lord, the Lord Masters will have an assembly in an a few moments and Lord Master wanted you my high lord and young master Kwon to join him in the assembly." Soongyoung paused, he was never invited neither Jun or Minghao in an assembly with the Lord Masters before. Yes, he did heard that the heirs of the Choi, Yoon and Hong have been going to some but that is because they are a few years older and are already applying their learning from the books and training grounds to the actual court and battlefield.

"But of course I will," Soonyoung paused as he contemplated the reason he us being invited to this assembly.

"This is an important opportunity that I should never miss. Will you be fetching my brother as well? I would love to go with him to the assembly." Soonyoung continued as brushed his messy brown hair back.

"High Lord, Sir Song was sent to fetch your brother."

"Oh! To much of wanting to go with my younger brother. Well then we should get going. I wouldn't want to leave such bad first impression to the other Lord Masters." Soonyoung commanded as he gestured the knight to lead him to where the assembly will happen. He was feeling excited about being invited but at the same time nervous. Only High Lords of more than or at the age of eighteen are the once allowed to attend and Soonyoung although forgetful at times, knows very well that his eighteenth birthday is still a few fullmoons away. Infact, his birthday was a few full moons after Jun. So being invited in the assembly means that something gravely important must be discussed.

"We're are here my High Lord." The deep voice of the knight broke Soonyoung's train of thoughts. He was so immersed with looking for reasons as to why he was invited that he didn't realize that they paused in front of a big white wooden door.

"Oh, Well thank you Sir Shin." Soonyoung dismissed the knight with a smile and slowly pushed the gigantic wooden doors.

As the middle grounder stepped inside, he was greeted with different faces all sitting side by side with one another as they circle a pristine round table. 

"Ah here comes my eldest, just in time." His father comments as he gestured Soonyoung to take the only vacant seat that he could find. It was the one beside the eldest Lee.

Soonyoung immediately made his way to his father and seated himself beside him. He could see his younger brother right next to his father as well on the other side. Making himself comfortable, he couldn't help but look at the man beside him. He's always taken High Lord Lee with high regard, the young man always looked poised and calm every time he sees him. Well, except for the time he saw Lord Hong covered in blood and all, but Soonyoung wouldn't take that against him because if he saw any of his friends in that state he might have went berserk. 

"Alright now that everybody's here, I would first like to thank everyone for coming in this sudden assembly." High Lord Hong started.

"I know most of you are still recuperating but there is a peculiar incident that High Lord Hong together with the other high lords have experienced and I think this needs to be deciphered with not only by a few but all of us." Most of the men in the room started to look and nod at each other to show their agreement.

"So what is this peculiar incident has happened Jisung?" Soonyoung heard Lord Master Choi ask.

"Ah I think it would be better if my son explains this. After all it would be better if the explanation came from the once who experienced it first hand." Lord Master Hong said and then urge the High Lord to speak.

Soonyoung listened as High Lord Hong explained everything and he couldn't help but feel shivers crawl up to his skin as soon he started talking about the dreams. He started to have flashbacks of it and he was so immersed that he didn't realized that he was shaking on his seat. 

"Soonyoung are you alright?" his fathers comforting arm was wrapped around his shoulders. Soonyoung started to calm down and that's when he realized he was shaking. 

"I-I had a similar dream just like they have." Soonyoung mumbled. His father went silent, in fact everybody in the room did.

"Me t-too" this time it was Chan, then a series of " me as well" and " so do I" followed coming from other high lords and lords. All of which coming from the once who were sent to look and destroy the source of the energy that the demon beast are using.

"Well Wonwoo, what you said about it being something else can be a possibility." Lord Master Jeon commented whilst looking at his son as soon as the high lord finished talking.

"But it can also be just a distraction. Lilith is a cunning demon, one of the smartest you can say. She has not earned her title as one the most feared spawns of hell if she doesn't play her game well." The older man continued.

"I totally agree with that. She definitely planned her appearance during the festival and I am sure she had planned it for a long time. So it is not a far fetch idea that she has also planted a spell that will let you have those dreams all together." Lord Master Lee added in agreement. Things started to be a bit chaotic as the lords started to voice out their own opinions about the issue that Soonyoung was having a hard time following them all.

"But the prophecy." The whole room went silent as Lord Master Xu said those three words in a low voice.

"Do you still remember what the prophet of the stars said?" the Lord Master asked as slowly let his gaze travel around the room.

"Bare as the pages of an unfinished book are the wings of the doves that shall finish a thousand old tale. A tale so old that a gift of the old times must be granted to each one of them." Soonyoung heard his father recalling the prophecy without fail. The lord masters started to look anxious as they let the new possibility sink in their consciousness.

"I think it will be best if we ask for the elders opinion. Old as they may be, they are still full of wisdom from ruling for years" Yoon Junghwan said as he slowly stood up and made his way to the window.

"And besides I am not sending my sons out there without making sure that this is not a hoax." Junghwan continued all the while gazing outside the ginormous window.

The Lord Masters agreed with the proposition and decided to adjourn the meeting. The last thing Soonyoung knew was that each of the Lord Masters sent their most trusted messengers to request the presence of the elders.

Facts about the Fic: Ages

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95 line - are currently the oldest out of the 13. At the begging of the fic they are 19 years old. They have been joining some assemblies in the courtroom when it comes to governance and have been joining raids in the deeper parts of the shadow lands for a year.

96 line - they are currently 17 but almost all of them are turning 18 in a few full moons ( 1 full moon = 1 month ). Almost done with their studies, once they turn 18 they can officially join the assembly meetings.

97 line - currently 16. They are still studying the art of governance and leadership but is already halfway through it.

98 line - currently 15 and is taking part in serious training and studies with leadership and governance.

Chan - he just turned 14. This is the age of a noble where in they are proclaimed in the public as a high lord or a lord. Because Chan just turned 14 he is still exempted from sparrings but is required to study about governance and ruling.

If there are any mistakes please tell me. I haven't proofread it yet..

and shoutout to the new subscribers -marsmallowcas, Bubbaboo and Selene_Aergia27