The discussion finally began after the silence faded from the hall.

Velrion of Leonora stood at the center table while glowing calculations rotated slowly above the scattered notes and maps surrounding the five Archmages. Despite his exhaustion his voice remained steady as he explained the final results of his alignment theory and the instability patterns they had observed across the kingdoms.

Kelor of Valdros listened with crossed arms and an increasingly grim expression. Unlike the others, he approached everything from a practical and military perspective.

"So even if we stabilize the alignment," Kelor said directly, "the corruption will continue spreading unless we deal with the source completely."

"Correct," Morvain of Drakenmere answered before Velrion could speak.

The severe Archmage moved one hand across several ancient diagrams spread across the table. His specialization in forbidden structures and ancient systems made him one of the few capable of properly understanding the Sky Anchor’s deeper design.

"The Anchor itself is no longer whole," Morvain continued. "That is part of the problem."

Lisara of Seraphelle narrowed her eyes slightly while studying the glowing arrays above the table. Calm and analytical as always, she had spent weeks examining the interaction between the corruption and the fragmented structure of the Sky Anchor.

"The instability worsened because the fragments are separated," she said. "Each piece continues resonating independently across the world."

Selena of Elaris remained silent for a moment before finally speaking as well. Her voice carried a calmer and more elegant tone compared to the others.

"And every resonance weakens the world further," she added. "The flow of energy itself has already started destabilizing."

The atmosphere inside the hall grew heavier after that realization settled fully among them.

One by one, they exchanged their findings, calculations, theories, and concerns. Discussions continued for hours while Magical projections shifted constantly above the central table. Some theories were dismissed immediately. Others led into long debates regarding the risks involved.

But eventually, all their conclusions kept returning toward the same answer.

The Sky Anchor could not be rewritten properly while remaining fragmented.

Slowly, silence returned to the chamber once more as the realization settled fully among them.

Velrion looked toward the others before speaking the conclusion aloud.

"Then we have no choice," he said quietly. "We need to gather every fragment of the Sky Anchor scattered across this world into one first."

None of the other Archmages disagreed.

Because all of them already understood the truth. Only by restoring the fragmented Sky Anchor together again would they even have a chance to rewrite it and stop their world from collapsing further into corruption.

But after that, the weight of the conclusion lingered heavily throughout the hall after Velrion spoke those words aloud. For several moments none of the Archmages said anything further.

The glowing projections above the central table continued rotating slowly while the fragmented maps of the world remained illuminated beneath shifting layers of Magic calculations.

Eventually, Kelor broke the silence first.

"So I think the kingdoms need to know immediately," he said in his usual direct manner. "The fragments that are now scattered across the world making it stop being only a matter for Archmages."

Lisara gave a slow nod in agreement. "Some fragments may already lie inside dangerous territories or regions destabilized by anomalies. Recovering them will require far more than Magical expertise."

"Armies," Morvain said grimly. "Escorts. Supply lines. Fortified routes. Entire operations."

"And cooperation," Selena added calmly. "But... it was something the kingdoms have never handled particularly well during a crisis."

That remark drew tired expressions from several of the others because they understood exactly what she meant. The five kingdoms had cooperated so far because survival demanded it, but gathering the Sky Anchor fragments would require coordination on an entirely different scale.

This would no longer remain confined to hidden research halls and isolated Magical studies.

Velrion rested both hands against the edge of the table while thinking carefully.

"We’ll inform our kings first," he decided. "After that, we organize a unified meeting between every ruler."

Kelor frowned slightly. "All five kings together?"

"They need to understand the situation directly," Velrion replied. "Not through messengers or secondhand reports. If we fail to coordinate properly, our kingdoms will waste time protecting their own territories while the world continues collapsing around us."

Lisara crossed her arms thoughtfully before speaking again. "Once the fragments are located and everything is ready, we’ll need simultaneous retrieval operations. Some pieces may react unpredictably if moved carelessly after what had happened."

Morvain nodded and said, "Which means the armies must operate alongside our Magic circles and containment specialists."

Selena looked toward the floating projections above the table. "You are right. This cannot be solved through Magical power alone anymore."

One by one, the others agreed.

The decision settled fully after that.

The kings would participate directly in the next stage of planning. The kingdoms would combine not only their Archmages and scholars, but also their military strength, resources, and defenses to retrieve every fragment of the Sky Anchor scattered across the world into one.

Because at this point, they realized that none of them could survive alone anymore.

Once the discussion reached its temporary conclusion, exhaustion finally became more visible across the hall. Weeks of constant pressure and sleepless work had worn all five Archmages down far beyond normal limits.

Velrion looked around the chamber one last time before speaking quietly.

"Alright, then. Let us prepare our kingdoms."

No one objected.

Moments later, glowing portals began opening one after another throughout the hall. Vast currents of Magic spread across the ancient chamber as each Archmage prepared to return home.

Kelor stepped through his portal first without wasting time. Lisara followed soon after while already reviewing floating calculations beside her. Morvain disappeared into a darker distorted gateway filled with ancient runic light, and Selena’s portal closed in a soft pulse of silver energy after she passed through it gracefully.

Finally, only Velrion remained behind inside the silent hall.

He looked once more toward the glowing projections of the fragmented Sky Anchor rotating above the table.

Then he sighed quietly and stepped into his own portal.

The hall fell silent again moments later.

—