Chapter 176: The False Summit Invitation

Chapter 176: The False Summit Invitation
Morning light filtered through the high stone arches of the council chamber in Council Land, illuminating the circular hall that had witnessed centuries of decisions shaping the Lion Kingdoms.
The chamber stood on neutral ground between the Western and Northern Kingdoms, a place deliberately chosen long ago so that no ruler could claim advantage over another when matters affecting all lions were discussed. The ancient stone floor bore the carved insignias of past dynasties, each symbol marking the reign of kings and queens who had once guided their people.
Today, many of those rulers had returned—not as sovereigns, but as members of the High Council.
Pontionne stood at the center of the chamber, his presence commanding quiet attention from everyone gathered around him.
The previous night had changed something in the world.
And everyone in the room knew it.
Around the circular chamber sat three generations of leadership.
Among the council elders were the retired rulers who now served as overseers of the Lion Kingdoms.
Kenneth Paige the Eleventh, former Leo of the Western Kingdom, sat beside King Lemot Foster, the former Leo of the Northern Kingdom and father of Ryan and Lucy. Across from them was King Barot, the retired ruler of the Eastern Kingdom and father to Queen Nelly.
Their crowns had long been passed on, yet their wisdom still guided the realm they had once ruled.
Near them stood Priest Mayi and Prophet Lot, silent observers whose presence reminded the chamber that the matters before them reached far beyond politics.
Along the outer ring of seats were the current rulers.
Kenneth Paige the Twelfth sat beside his mate, Lucy Foster-Paige, Regina of the Western Kingdom. Lucy’s expression was thoughtful, her sharp eyes studying the room as though weighing every reaction.
Not far from them sat Ryan Foster, Leo of the Northern Kingdom. His posture carried the quiet authority of a ruler who had endured imprisonment and betrayal before reclaiming his throne.
Across the chamber sat Queen Nelly Barot and her mate, King Thomas Kane-Barot.
Thomas had once been known simply as Thomas Kane of the Western Kingdom. But when he bonded with Nelly—the sole heir to the Eastern throne—he chose to adopt her family name, becoming Thomas Kane-Barot. The decision had symbolized unity between two royal lines and ensured that the Barot bloodline would remain the name carried by the Eastern crown.
Standing behind Kenneth Paige XII was Deven, second in command to the Western throne. Since Thomas had moved east to rule beside Nelly, Deven had assumed the responsibilities of overseeing the Western military and royal command.
Nearby stood Malcolm, arms folded, his ever-watchful gaze scanning the chamber.
At the far end of the room sat the younger generation.
Kenneth Junior listened carefully beside his siblings Matthew and Lilian. As heir to the Western Kingdom, he had begun attending council gatherings as part of his training.
The twins sat quietly.
Too quietly.
While the chamber buzzed with uneasy murmurs, Matthew and Lilian appeared almost serene.
Pontionne finally raised his hand.
The chamber fell silent.
“I thank you all for answering my summons so quickly,” he began.
His voice carried easily through the hall.
“Last night, every lion across the kingdoms witnessed something that has not occurred in centuries.”
His gaze swept across the chamber.
“The sky itself responded.”
No one needed clarification.
Every person present had seen it.
The swirling celestial light. The immense silhouette forming above the heavens.
The First Lion.
Kenneth Paige XI leaned forward slightly.
“It was unmistakable,” the former Western Leo said quietly. “Even in retirement, I could feel the power in it.”
King Lemot Foster nodded.
“In the Northern Kingdom, the entire pride gathered in the courtyards. None of them had ever seen such a thing.”
King Barot’s deep voice followed.
“The same occurred in the East.”
Pontionne folded his hands behind his back.
“What you witnessed was not simply a celestial phenomenon.”
A subtle tension filled the chamber.
“It was a response.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed slightly.
“A response to what?”
Pontionne turned his gaze toward the far end of the chamber.
Toward the twins.
“The barrier between realms reacted when Matthew and Lilian used their power together.”
Several council members shifted in their seats.
Kenneth’s eyes moved briefly toward his children.
“Was it really because of them?” he asked.
Pontionne nodded.
“After the event, I sought the guidance of the ancient lion spirits.”
The chamber grew completely still.
Even the retired kings paid closer attention.
Priest Mayi lowered his head slightly, acknowledging the weight of such communion.
“What did they say?” Lucy asked.
Pontionne paused before answering.
“The twins are not simply heirs to the power of the lions.”
His gaze remained fixed on Matthew and Lilian.
“They represent something new.”
A ripple of quiet murmurs spread through the council.
Kenneth Junior looked between his siblings, confusion evident on his face.
“What do you mean… new?” he asked.
Pontionne spoke carefully.
“For generations, the lion rulers have been chosen to carry the strength granted by the First Lion.”
He gestured lightly toward the twins.
“But these two… are not merely inheriting that power.”
He paused.
“They are evolving it.”
Silence fell again.
King Barot leaned back slowly.
“That would explain why the sky responded.”
King Lemot Foster frowned slightly.
“And why the First Lion appeared.”
Lucy glanced toward her children.
Matthew met her gaze calmly.
Lilian simply sat quietly, her expression unreadable.
Before anyone could continue the discussion, the heavy wooden doors of the chamber opened.
A council guard stepped inside and bowed respectfully.
“Forgive the interruption,” he said.
Pontionne turned toward him.
“What is it?”
The guard approached the center of the chamber.
“A courier has arrived from the North-west mountain portal outpost.”
The room immediately grew alert.
Ryan straightened slightly.
“The Minotaur portal?”
The guard nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He held out a sealed parchment.
“It was delivered through the portal site shortly after sunrise.”
Pontionne accepted the letter.
The wax seal stamped upon it bore the unmistakable mark of the Minotaur war command.
Malcolm’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“That is unusual.”
Pontionne broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.
He read silently for several moments.
Then he looked up.
“The message is addressed to the High Council of the Lion Kingdoms.”
That alone was enough to draw everyone's attention.
Pontionne read aloud.
“The High Warlord of the Minotaur Realm formally invites the Lion Kingdoms to attend a reconciliation summit.”
Murmurs spread instantly through the chamber.
Pontionne continued.
“The meeting is proposed as a diplomatic effort to restore peaceful relations between us.”
Kenneth frowned slightly.
“Peace?”
Thomas Kane-Barot exchanged a brief glance with Nelly.
“That is not a word the Minotaurs have used in a very long time.”
Deven spoke.
“The timing is suspicious.”
Ryan nodded.
“Last night the sky responds to a power none of us fully understand.”
He gestured toward the parchment.
“And this arrives the next morning.”
King Lemot Foster folded his arms thoughtfully.
“The Minotaurs would have seen the celestial disturbance as well.”
Priest Mayi spoke softly for the first time.
“Not just them.”
All eyes turned toward him.
“If the sky shifted across the Lion Kingdoms… it likely shifted across other realms as well.”