Erythro: The Prophecy Unveiled

Thaddeus, the magistrate of Clove Town, found himself overwhelmed by a barrage of questions from both the high regents and the Kings of the Empire. The atmosphere in the room was tense, with every eye fixed on him as they sought clarity on the troubling events that had shaken the empire. The pressure mounted as they demanded answers, each inquiry sharper than the last, as if the fate of the empire rested solely on his account. The weight of their expectations bore down on him, yet he remained composed, knowing the significance of the moment.

One of the high regents, his voice cutting through the murmurs, posed a critical question that brought the room to silence. "Magistrate Thaddeus," he began, his tone measured but firm, "can you walk us through the events? We need you to reiterate what transpired before, during, and after the attack, and more importantly, to explain your actions at each of those moments." The room grew still, awaiting Thaddeus' response as the enormity of the situation sunk in.

Thaddeus' heart raced, beating faster than usual, as the eyes of the grand court fixed upon him with suspicion. It was clear that the members of the court doubted his innocence, their expressions betraying a mix of distrust and frustration. The weight of their scrutiny bore down on him, but he fought to maintain his composure. Taking a deep breath, he carefully considered his next words, knowing that any misstep could further fuel their suspicions.

"Just as Regent Timothy reported, the attack occurred at exactly six in the morning," Thaddeus began, his voice steady though his nerves were still on edge. He recalled the hours leading up to the attack, desperate to offer a truthful account. "An hour before that, I was in my office, alone," he continued, "going through some documents related to a request from one of the town officials regarding a tax reduction proposal for the citizens. I was completely engrossed in the paperwork, unaware of what was happening outside." His words painted a picture of routine, as if nothing had been out of the ordinary in the quiet town of Winteris that day.

"As far as I could tell, it seemed like any other day," Thaddeus explained, his mind searching for more details to bolster his defense. "People were going about their daily work, and the sounds of children playing outside reached my ears, their laughter carrying on the breeze. It felt like a normal day in Winteris, no signs of the impending chaos." He paused, looking around the room, hoping his words would convey the truth and dispel the rising doubts. "I had no reason to suspect that anything was amiss until the attack struck."

Thaddeus paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "After a while," he said, his voice slightly trembling, "I noticed something strange—everything had gone unnervingly quiet, which was unusual, especially for that time of the morning. In our town, people are close-knit, and it's common to hear conversations, even gossip, especially among the women, as they go about their early routines. But that day, the usual hum of chatter was absent. The silence felt heavy, as if the town itself had sensed something was wrong." He glanced around the court, making sure they understood the gravity of the moment he was describing.

"I looked out the window from my office, and that's when I saw it—the townspeople were gathering near the edge of the forest, their faces filled with fear and confusion. Before I could make sense of it, a chilling howl echoed from the forest. It was loud, piercing, and unmistakable. Panic swept through the crowd as they scattered, running for their lives, rushing back to their homes for safety. Just then, a man sprinted past my office, and I stopped him, desperate for answers. 'What's happening?' I asked. His face was pale as he gasped out, "Wolves... black wolves."" Thaddeus' words hung in the air; the memory of that terrifying moment still vivid in his mind.

"The eerie sounds of wailing, growling, and the tearing of flesh filled the air, followed by the heart-wrenching cries of children. Fear gripped me as I remained frozen in place. My eyes widened in horror as I witnessed a monstrous creature: a large, black wolf with a ferocious demeanor. Its fur was matted and unkempt, and its pitch-black coat seemed to blend into the darkness. The wolf's gaze, fixed upon me, was chilling. Its red, bloodshot eyes, filled with a primal hunger. I watched as it devoured a helpless human. Overwhelmed by terror, I sought refuge in the underground basement of my office, hiding in silence. The chaos eventually subsided, and after a tense wait of ten minutes, I cautiously emerged from my hiding place. The scene was eerily quiet. A pack of wolves, their gruesome feast complete, was retreating back into the depths of the forest."

"You're quite a coward for a magistrate," Alexander spat, his eyes filled with disdain. Caspian, seated beside him, sneered in agreement. "Not worthy of his title," he added sharply, "Only thinking of himself. Besides, everything you've said sounds suspicious." The air in the room grew tense as Thaddeus faced their accusations. Despite the pressure, he straightened his back and met their gaze. "I've already divulged everything, your Majesties," he responded firmly, though his voice betrayed a hint of weariness.

Another high regent, his face etched with skepticism, leaned forward to ask, "Is everyone in the town truly gathered at the edge of the forest? And you didn't hear a single footstep as they moved toward it?" The questions came rapidly now. Regent Julius followed up, his tone biting, "What about the wolves attacking the houses? From the way you've told it, it sounds like it all happened too fast—like in the blink of an eye, every house was ransacked." King Ragnar chimed in, his voice laced with doubt. "And you mentioned a black wolf? Just one? How about the rest? How many black wolves really attacked the town?"

Thaddeus felt overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, his mind scrambling to form coherent answers. His throat tightened as he tried to figure out whom to respond to first. Just as he was about to speak, a voice cut through the noise, silencing the room. King Lucian of Skotos spoke, his tone cold and distant, commanding immediate attention. "Do not bombard him with questions," he said. "I myself have encountered a wolf attack, and I saw it with my own eyes. The magistrate is terrified, and that fear makes it difficult for him to speak clearly. The attack was gruesome, and he is still mourning the destruction of his beloved town." The hall fell into a hush, every eye now focused on King Lucian.

"The black wolf he mentioned is the alpha, the leader of the pack," Lucian continued, his voice unwavering. "It resembles the others except for its eyes—deep crimson, far more menacing. And it's larger than the rest. This alpha leads its pack, a vicious predator that hides deep within the heart of the forest." His words were heavy with authority, echoing through the room. "What the magistrate described is the same as what happened in Skotos. The wolf leader ravaged my town just as it did here." He paused for a moment, his eyes glinting with something dark and sharp. "I followed their tracks," he added with a smirk, "and I discovered their hiding place."

The revelation sent a wave of shock rippling through the Grand Court. Gasps echoed across the chamber as people rose from their seats in disbelief. Some began to murmur, exchanging anxious whispers, while others turned toward the King, their faces full of questions and concern. The regents and noblemen erupted into a flurry of activity, many bombarding the King with urgent inquiries. The atmosphere grew tense as the weight of this newfound knowledge settled over them, the implications clear—it meant that the long-feared Black Wolves, shrouded in mystery and danger, were closer to being confronted.

Amid the growing clamor, Cedric Vale, standing tall among the court, raised his hands to signal for silence. His presence commanded immediate attention, and slowly, the voices in the room began to die down. The once chaotic court became still, every eye now on Cedric as they awaited his next words. Once the room had quieted, Cedric turned to King Lucian, his expression serious and composed. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady but curious, "can you tell us about your findings?" His question hung in the air, a request for the King to share the critical information that could change the course of their future.

The King of Skotos, seated with a calm yet commanding presence, crossed his legs before addressing the assembly. "Let's get straight to the point," he began, his voice unwavering. "I've come to ask for your help—particularly from the Kings of the Empire. We are severely lacking in manpower, especially soldiers. It is not new to you that my empire was a small one." His words carried the weight of desperation, yet he remained composed as he continued. "I sent a group of my strongest men to track the wolves responsible for attacking one of our towns. Among them were highly skilled hunters and warriors, capable of both tracking and killing. However, only two of them made it back alive. The rest fell prey to the wolves." A grim silence fell over the room as he paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in.

King Lucian's gaze hardened as he revealed the chilling truth. "The wolves' lair has been located deep within the Skotos forest, near the border of Carthage," he explained, his tone grave. "It's a perilous location, hidden in the heart of the forest, where the wolves have the advantage of familiarity and strength. Despite our efforts, we've lost many brave men, and now I must ask for reinforcements. If we don't act soon, the wolves will grow bolder, and this threat will extend beyond my kingdom." His plea was clear—Skotos was on the brink, and without aid, the menace of the Black Wolves could become an uncontrollable force.