663 Lunaras Stance Against the Elders (2/2)

'Artrat!' Raztol shouted, forcing the elder to shut up. 'I'll second that motion. Are there any objections? Make your vote known before sharing your reasoning.'

A majority of the elders lifted their heads, standing against the motion.

'Wingreig, you're permitted to share your opinion with Lunara.'

'Thank you, Head Raztol…' Wingreig clicked his tongue, unhappy with the hydra head's stance and actions. But he turned back to Lunara and stated, 'I see no reason why we can't stand our ground to people threatening the lives of our society. Give me one good reason why--'

'Ask the people!' argued, Lunara. 'I'm sure they would rather allow beings with power beyond their comprehension to enter peacefully instead of giving up countless lives in futile attempts to halt such deities. Are the lives of your common hydras so cheap and replaceable that you can make such an argument?'

'That--'

'If you believe that a deity is capable of being stopped, then allow me to prove you wrong, consul.' Lunara used her many heads to scour over through the elders that had voted against her motion. 'I challenge all willing elders to a test of strength.'

Unhappy with Lunara trying to sway the people's opinion, Wingreig stated, 'We have no reason to accept such a challenge.'

'I understand that you're afraid of me. That's why I challenge all willing elders. It will be all of you against only me.'

Lunara's challenge silenced the entire chamber. No one dread respond immediately out of fear of her overwhelming energy. Instead, they took a moment to ponder.

'What's wrong?' Lunara questioned. 'If you're willing to sacrifice the lives of your people, consul, then you should be willing to step forward as well. Or have the elders grown corrupt beyond the point of no return?'

The audience was in awe. Not only had Lunara mentioned them and was supposedly trying to keep them from losing lives, but they also weren't happy when the elders hesitated to challenge her. After openly admitting that the hydra population was the solution to overcoming powerful invaders, it became clear to the spectators that the elders hadn't included themselves when speaking about the general population.

'I accept!' Hindrad was the first to speak out.

Wingreig followed up with a rallying cry, 'I'll also stand against you! To speak so arrogantly, how could us elders not stand against such treason!'

Plenty of other elders began to lift their heads in response as well, joining the consuls' cause. Twenty-one of the thirty elders managed to stand against Lunara. But that momentum came to a grinding halt with one more announcement.

'I will be taking no part.'