Ten people were sitting at a round brown table. Aside from the table and the seated figures, there was nothing else in the broad white room. A few chairs remained empty. One person broke the silence.
'Why have we gathered here, if I may ask? If I remember correctly, aren't my people currently fighting' he pointed at a woman across from him, 'your people? Just know that if I don't contact my country every ten minutes, they'll launch bombs at this place. So you better not try anything funny.' The woman at his side couldn't contain her amusement.
'Haha! First of all, at worst your soldiers aren't fighting but dying. I hope you haven't forgotten who they're fighting against, right? He's with them. The Warlord is with them.'
This reveal sent a shockwave through the room—especially to the man who had spoken first. Everyone knew what the Warlord was capable of. One of the few reasons global conflict had been reduced—though not eliminated—was the existence of the Warlord. He was a menace on his own, a deterrent in human form. But human greed had ultimately proven stronger, and wars had returned. An older man stood up, drawing everyone's attention. His voice was husky, matching his age.
'Please. Now is not the time for this. We gathered here to discuss two issues. The first is the appearance of these... creatures.'
A hologram blinked to life behind him, displaying a strange figure. It looked human, but its eyes were crimson and bleeding. Its skin was rough, parts of it appearing stone-like. The teeth had grown into fangs, the nails into claws, and the most disturbing detail—the skin was entirely black. The being stood nearly two meters tall.
The group stared in disbelief, but the old man continued.
'In the past year, these things have been showing up more and more. We've confirmed their presence on the battlefield where the Warlord is fighting. It wouldn't be a major issue if there were only a few, but evidence suggests a vast number are hiding underground. We've already sent forces to eliminate them and rescue our—'
'Our people?' someone cut in. 'Since when are they our people?'
The old man ran a hand through his grey hair. Though aged, his presence still carried an intimidating weight, the kind that silenced even the boldest voices. And his broad stature in the black uniform only increased his menacing aura.
'Listen. My gut tells me something worse is coming. First these monsters. Now the crimson moon. Something is happening. I don't know what, but I do know this—if the nations don't unite, we will all die. That much I'm certain of. So, either stop acting like spoiled children… or listen. What will it be?'
Just then, the door burst open. A man stumbled into the room, wearing a white coat. His curly, dark green hair framed a pale face, and his glasses were far too large. Two soldiers rushed in behind him, forcing him to the ground. But the man resisted and pushed himself free.
'Stop!' the old man ordered, and the soldiers froze. 'Young man, what's your name? What brings you here?'
'I'm Nade. A scientist.' His eyes scanned the room. 'To think I'd meet the leaders... the ones who rule the world from the shadows.' He focused on the elder man with the menacing presence. 'Even the President of America is here. Kale himself. I know what's going on. That hologram behind you? That's a ghoul—or, more precisely, a human possessed by a darkborn.'
'The fuck?' a woman gasped. Others just shook their heads, disbelief written on their faces. Still, Nade pressed on.
'I know it sounds insane, but a long time ago there was a war—Brightborns versus Darkborns'
'Alright, I've heard enough,' Kale interrupted. 'I was hoping for intelligence, not fairytales about brightborns and darkborns. Escort that man outside.' Kale's death stare was so intense that some of the other presidents had to gulp and evade their gaze from him.
'It's the truth!' Nade insisted. 'If we want to stop what's coming, we need to find the Light and Dark Priests. They're the keys. At least, that's what I think!' Some around the table laughed. Others stayed silent. But one woman's expression remained unreadable. She was the President of England—Sarah. Her long, dark brown hair framed golden-brown eyes, and her calm demeanour stood in stark contrast to the room's tension. She was also the one who had called the Warlord one of her own. She addressed Kale directly.
'President Kale, I appreciate your efforts to assist our people. But next time, please inform me beforehand. Regardless, my soldiers are already en route. They'll be there in fifteen minutes. I'll have them notified not to attack your troops on arrival.'
'You're right, President Sarah. That was a mistake. One I won't repeat.' Kale turned to Nade. 'As for you… I don't even know what that was. Soldiers—take him away. But keep him close. We might need him later.' As the soldiers led Nade out, he began to laugh—wild and unhinged.
'You bunch of idiots! You have no idea what you're dealing with! The ghouls are just the beginning! There lurks a force even more menacing!' President Kale completely lost it, his face turning red:
'Out with that fool! And lock him up somewhere! The last thing we need is him romaing around a telling people nonsense!'
The doors shut behind him.