The conference room was steeped in an eerie silence, a quiet that felt almost tangible.
Only the gentle hum of the holographic projectors whispered through the air, echoing the internal storms brewing within each family member present.
The walls shimmered softly with a constellation of crests,twelve once, now eleven plus one,intertwined in glowing lines of light.
Those symbols reflected in their eyes, creating a tapestry of uncertainty and tension.
At the head of the table stood Arthur, his hands clasped behind his back, framed against the luminous web of history that flickered around them.
He let the silence stretch on as if testing their patience; yet every gaze remained fixed upon him, heavy with anticipation and unease.
When he finally broke the stillness, his voice sliced through it like a knife. "You've heard the names. You've seen our history but do you truly understand why?"
Every head leaned forward slightly, breaths caught in their throats.
