The air was dense, heavy with fate.
The Circle of Guardians sat — titans of the world — around the ancient floating stone table.
Above them, unseen, the very skies seemed to hold their breath.
The Elf King stood to the side, silent and pale, quill poised over trembling parchment.
The decision they would make today would echo across continents —and perhaps beyond even this world's lifespan.
The Human Emperor broke the silence first.
"In order," he said calmly, "let us weigh each of the Seven."
But he lifted a hand, voice turning heavier.
"Before that —we must remember one thing."
He pressed his hands together on the table.
"Summoning even one Primordial Sin will strain the very fabric of the world."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled low.
"Their existence bends reality.Their presence alone invites the wrath of the heavens."
The Demon Lord smirked.
"Of course," he said lightly."They were never meant to live under mortal skies."
Aren's golden gaze was steady.
"One — and only one — must be summoned.Any more would tear this world apart faster than the heavens could."
The Human Emperor nodded sharply.
"And the ritual to summon even one will demand enormous power.Three transcended beings must anchor the ritual."
He looked around the table.
"The Demon Lord, for ancestral knowledge.And two others to stabilize the world's laws during the descent."
No one argued.
Three would be needed.
Three would be enough.
Thus, the choice became even more vital.
One weapon.
One chance.
No second summoning unless absolute necessity demanded it —and even then, the risks would be greater than they dared imagine.
The Human Emperor breathed out slowly.
"In order," he repeated."Let us weigh the Seven."
They began.
First: Wrath.
The Demon Lord chuckled.
"Pure destruction," he said."A hurricane in flesh."
The Dragon Monarch frowned.
"And uncontrollable."
The Human Emperor's voice was grave.
"Even with a binding contract, Wrath acts without thought."
Aren said simply:
"We need strength guided by purpose.Not unleashed chaos."
Dismissed.
Second: Greed.
The Dragon Monarch snorted.
"Greed desires everything."
The Demon Lord grinned lazily.
"And he will find a way to take it."
The Human Emperor shook his head.
"Greed cannot be trusted even under chains."
Aren said coolly:
"Greed's heart will always hunger."
Dismissed.
Third: Envy.
The Demon Lord smiled wickedly.
"Devious.But bitter."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled low.
"Envy poisons all victories."
The Human Emperor frowned.
"We cannot afford distrust inside the alliance."
Aren said simply:
"Envy would rot us from within."
Dismissed.
Fourth: Sloth.
The Dragon Monarch gave a rare chuckle.
"Strong... but immovable."
The Demon Lord laughed.
"Sloth would nap through the apocalypse."
The Human Emperor frowned.
"We need warriors who act."
Aren said:
"Sloth waits for death, not salvation."
Dismissed.
Fifth: Gluttony.
The Human Emperor grimaced.
"Gluttony devours spells, souls, magic."
The Dragon Monarch frowned.
"And allies, if not fed constantly."
The Demon Lord twirled a silver ring.
"Gluttony has no loyalty — only appetite."
Aren's gaze was steady.
"Gluttony would destroy allies and enemies alike."
Dismissed.
Sixth: Lust.
The Dragon Monarch snorted.
"Powerful in politics.Powerless against gods."
The Demon Lord chuckled.
"Lust spins webs...but webs are useless against angels."
The Human Emperor said simply:
"We need swords, not temptations."
Aren said:
"Lust brings division, not unity."
Dismissed.
Seventh: Pride.
The hall stilled.
Even the distant winds seemed to hush.
The Demon Lord leaned back, smiling darkly.
"Pride," he said."Majestic.Immovable."
The Dragon Monarch's golden eyes gleamed.
"Pride bows to no master."
The Human Emperor's voice was solemn.
"Pride obeys no one —But neither does he betray."
Aren rose slightly, his golden gaze burning.
He spoke, voice low and resonant:
"We seek not merely strength.Not merely destruction."
He looked around the table, voice sharpening.
"We seek a symbol."
His words rang in the hall like ancient bells.
"We seek an unbreakable will."
He paused.
"If we are to stand against the heavens —Let us stand alongside one who believes himself greater than the heavens."
His voice faded into the heavy silence.
"And now,Let the Circle of Guardians cast its first vote."
The Demon Lord grinned, sharp and feral.
"I vote Pride," he said."Because no god deserves to look down on us without fear."
The Dragon Monarch rumbled deeply.
"I vote Pride," he said."Because only Pride will not bend beneath divine pressure."
The Human Emperor nodded sharply.
"I vote Pride," he said."Because Pride reminds us of our right to exist —Even in the face of gods."
The decision was made.
Pride.
Azrador, the Immutable Sovereign.
The King among Sins.
The Human Emperor leaned forward.
"There is one more point," he said.
"For the summoning of Pride —It must not be mere strength that calls him."
The Dragon Monarch grunted approvingly.
"Pride demands sovereigns.Only rulers — those who carry the weight of countless lives — can anchor such a being."
The Demon Lord smirked.
"And who better than kings... to summon a king?"
Aren remained silent — but his heart pounded once, a slow beat against the walls of eternity.
The ritual would demand more than power.
It would demand the will of kings.