Template:Mauller's Sandbox

High above the lands of man lies a city. Yet it was not made by the hands of man nor has humanity gazed upon it. And while depictions may line the walls of cathedrals, they are mere shadows of its grandeur.

At the heart of this sprawling metropolis a tower extends into the skies. A building so large that it could fill the footprint of the largest human city. And so tall that its highest peak passes through the clouds. The sight of this marvel still leaves the denizens in awe, but a few at the towers peak had other issues on their minds.

In the highest room beneath the shining orb that crowns this tower, the council of one were convening.

The circular room contained ten seats arranged to face a smaller orb at its centre. While the larger orb shone down through the domed glass-ceiling. Beams of light started to pass between the orbs on occasion, but the occupants were too busy to notice.

One of the members stood and cleared her throat. The four wings on her back had seen better days, but she still tried to keep them presentable. ‘If it would please everyone, I believe we should start on the issue with the province of Lescatie.’ With a wave of her hand, the small orb began glowing. ‘As you can see, the number of heroes being trained has quadrupled in the past decade. Yet the quality of the individuals has reduced due to the altered screening method.’ In the air above the orb, images of a city made of concentric circular walls appeared. And next to it were figures and charts.

A second member of the council stood, a younger man but still old enough that his hair had started to grey. ‘And what of the city? With the increase in hero production, they have kept a record number of attacks at bay. All while managing to fight back encroaching demonic intrusion.’

‘He is right.’ A second woman spoke up but remained seated. She had seen better years in her life and what little sight that remained she cherished. ‘And with the production of the weapon, we may forgo the training of human heroes all together.’

‘I concur. The lady of Truth speaks so, we may have a means to an end with this.’

The standing woman’s wings ruffled and she waved her hand towards the orb. The images it displayed in the air changed to one showing humans being trained by the Valkyries. ‘While the lady Truth may speak so, we must not be hasty Lord Discipline. If we were to do as you say, what would stop the demons from finding a counter measure in the future?’

‘They would all be dead, turned to ash and swept away with the sands of time. Left reduced to naught and returned to the darkness once they came.’

The nine other occupants of the room turned to face their seated and hooded companion. His bony fingers were all that could be seen as they clawed at the arms of his seat. ‘Do not look at me such. If you had lived through the hardships my circle faced every day, you would feel the same.’

The other man sat and the lady Truth turned towards her hooded colleague. ‘Always with the pity story’s Lord Courage. You may be the oldest and longest serving council member, but that does not mean-‘

‘It means plenty, you claim to be the wisest of the chosen few. Yet how many of you have blood on your hands? Who here has toiled night and day to see that their people are fed?’

The youngest of the council stood, his seat next to that of the Lord of courage’s. ‘He is right, for too long the outer rings have faced the direst of hardships. Why do we pander to these lesser beings when the inner circles do little to help their own people?’

The room’s occupants broke into argument with that said, until a staff knocked on the floor. ‘If It would please everyone, may we finish the initial topic of discussion first? While Lord Courage and Lord Self-Reliance have valid points. They are not the reasons why this council was called.’

All fell silent at this man’s words. He seemed unimposing with his double haloed staff and his simple garb would suit a farmer. He was the one above all, The Ophanim Seat. The one man that represented the Angelic race as a whole. The one who represented their race within the Celestial council.