Chapter 233: Declaration of War
Orange hue spread across the sky. It was cloudless, and the sun began to dip below the horizon.
Ding, ding, ding.
The bells of the cathedral rang with a hollow sound. It didn't sound as bright and cheerful as before, but rather somber and melancholic.
The streets turned empty, turning the city into a ghost town.
Alone, walking down the empty streets, Zephyr embraced the feeling of loneliness and allowed himself to get lost in the melancholy of the moment.
He looked serious and contemplative, his mind consumed by memories of happier times. It was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change.
Today was the day when the New World would change forever.
When he walked across streets that used to be busy all day, every day, he caught a glimpse of the Originals peeking through the windows.
They didn't dare to go outside as they felt the hanging pressure looming over the city. They all knew what was going to happen today.
It was a long time brewing, and today was the day it was finally going to boil over.
Zephyr came to a stop at the intersection of 5th and Main. It had six other streets leading into the same exact place.
It was like this place was the center of the city.
It was silent for a couple of minutes more, but then footsteps came, and six more figures walked down their own streets and met at the intersection.
Alistair brought a metal bucket. He then tossed it to the middle of the intersection with a loud clang.
It seemed empty, but the metal bucket's sides were clearly drenched with some kind of liquid. "Let's get this over with." Aria said and brought a white letter from her inventory.
With a slick fire Magick, she made the white letter burn and tossed it inside the metal bucket. The metal bucket caught fire, and the flames quickly engulfed the sides. "Darkstar Guild officially declares war against Ancient Guilds," Aria said.
"You seem to be in a hurry." Ambrose said with a scoff. "Hurry to die?"
"Oh, please." Aria rolled her eyes. "Why wait any longer? Did we gather to chitchat? No, we came to officially declare war under the eyes of God."
Alistair looked to the sky. This place was perfectly under the heavenly sky, and some religions believed that the heavens would hear their declarations.
It was mostly nonsense, but the churches wouldn't approve this war otherwise. It didn't seem worthwhile to go to war against churches as well for something as minor as this, so they gathered here at this intersection to declare war.
Ambrose put a fire on his own letter and tossed it to the metal bucket. The flames inside the bucket turned bigger.
"Nightshade Guild officially declares war against Ancient Guilds."
Athena took a step forward. She held the white letter in hand, but before burning it, she asked.
"Everyone, have you all sensed that something is wrong?" She asked. "Like something is heading in this direction?"
"Your imagination is again running wild, huh, Athena?" Aria said with a scoff. "Burn the goddamn letter. You're just feeling jitters because of the war, as you know your guild won't survive!"
"Oh my, I am not worried." Athena put the letter on fire. "I believe in my girls."
None of them thought highly of him before, as he was the most lowkey member of the Council
of Mercenaries, but things had changed. He was now one of the factions with S-rankers in
their ranks.
Zephyr approached the metal bucket, brought out the letter, and made it burn like a torch.
With a flick of his wrist, the letter left his hand, floated a small distance, and fell inside the metal bucket where the flames were raging.
"Zestruction officially declares war against Ancient Guilds."
Zephyr then turned around and started walking away down the long street immediately after
his declaration of war.
The war had officially started.
The other guild masters turned around and headed away from the intersection as well.
This was the last time in a very long time that they would see each other on somewhat friendly terms. Next time would be on the battlefield, and they would fight to kill each other.
...
Ding, ding, ding!
The echo of the bell sounded like a sad farewell.
When the Originals and the mercenaries all around the city heard that, they knew the
declaration of war had been made.
The news birds started to fly away with their small wings flapping about. They were taking the
news to every corner of the New World.
The New World was now in the age of war.
The Great Guild War had begun!
By the Royal Palace's high balcony, Konrad Moriarty stood in his royal attire with a white
letter in hand.
Without him doing anything, the letter started burning in his hand.
He tossed the letter over the railing of the balcony.
The burning letter started falling down. It burned and burned with strong flames till it turned
black and slowly disintegrated into ashes.
"Imperial Order officially declares war against Ancient Guilds."