"War Council Disappearance" [Part 18] Leonida's Quest - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to part 18 of Leonidas' quest. This is a special chapter that is working in harmony with my Wukong’s Quest. If you are following both stories, please read part 45 of Wukong’s Path after this story! We will be following the story of how he became one of the most formidable leaders in history and all of the trials and challenges he faced in his lifetime to get to the pinnacle of life. It started when he was a young boy and had some incredible moments in his life, which led him to be the incredible leader he is today.

🔷 Summary of Part 17: “The Burden of Truth”

Leonidas and Wukong reveal the Oracle’s warning that the trolls are awakening an ancient power and will soon become an even deadlier, organized force, pushing the council to launch a pre‑emptive dawn offensive against their strongholds. Yet, while rallying the capital to act swiftly, the pair conceal the Oracle’s darkest visions, choosing a partial truth to keep their allies unified as the next war quietly descends.

🔷 Part 18: “War Council Disappearance”

The war room was quiet, but not calm. Oil lamps flickered along the walls, casting long shadows over the table where the map of the mountain range lay open. Seondeok stood at the edge of it, arms braced, eyes fixed on the pass where the first strike would land.

“This is reckless,” she said, not looking up. “You’re sending people into terrain we barely understand, against an enemy that keeps changing, based on a riddle from a mountain ghost.”

Leonidas didn’t respond right away. Across from her, Wukong leaned against a pillar, arms folded. Theron shifted beside the map, trying to maintain order, but the tension was already alive in the room.

"It’s not a riddle," Leonidas said finally. "It’s a warning. And we don’t have time to wait for clarity."

Hippolyta stepped forward, voice sharp. "Then stop hiding. Tell us what the Oracle actually said. All of it. You’ve been dodging the truth since you came back."

Leonidas met her gaze but said nothing. Wukong’s silence held even more weight.

That was all the answer they needed.

"You’re asking us to follow you into something we don’t understand," Seondeok said. "And you won’t even trust us with the truth."

"You wouldn’t act," Wukong said. "You’d sit here and debate until the mountains opened and swallowed us whole."

"You don’t get to decide that," Hippolyta snapped. "We’re not children. We’ve earned our place at this table."

From the far side of the room, a quiet voice cut through the noise.

"He didn’t ask for the burden. But he’s carrying it."

Everyone turned. Ninetails stood by the window, relaxed, eyes steady.

"You all see the danger," she said. "You just don’t want to feel it. He does. So does Wukong. That’s why they’re afraid to give it to you."

There was a long silence. No one argued with her.

Theron cleared his throat, speaking as if trying to pull the room back from a cliff. "We move at dawn. The route is chosen. Supplies are being prepared. We can revisit the philosophy of it when we’re not on the brink."

Seondeok pushed away from the table. "We’ll see what the dawn brings."

They left one by one. Leonidas lingered for a moment, then followed them into the hallway, jaw tight.

Wukong stayed behind, staring at the map. Ninetails didn’t move.

That night, while the city slept under a thin veil of cloud, she slipped through the citadel corridors like a shadow. No armor. No fanfare. Just her twin blades and a single folded note.

She left it on the table in her room, weighed down by a small stone from the mountain pass.

No guards saw her go. No alarms were raised.

At first light, Wu was the first to notice her absence. Then Hippolyta. Then Leonidas.

Theron found the note. He read it aloud, his voice heavy with understanding.

"He shouldn’t carry their judgment or your hesitation. I know what needs to be done. This is my choice. Trust him enough to lead. I’ll trust myself enough to act."

Silence fell again.

Leonidas didn’t speak. Wukong turned away. Hippolyta exhaled slowly, her posture stiff with regret.

Seondeok shook her head, almost whispering. "She believed you. More than we did."

Leonidas looked out toward the mountains, toward the place she’d vanished into. His voice was quiet.

"She always did."

And far beyond the gates of the capital, one lone figure moved through the morning mist, already heading toward the shadows.

🐀񁀼/span> Recap Questions

What compelled Ninetails to leave on her own, and what does she plan on doing?

Will the group rush after her or stay and hope that she will be able to manage on her own?

🔷 Conclusion

Leonidas and Wukong both know the weight of responsibility and what that means for their people. This is why Ninetails acted alone, to save face for her lover and resolve this problem quickly and quietly without any more discussion. Her actions were selfish yet caring in nature, and she is more than capable.

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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