The pillar of fire bloomed high into the sky. At its peak it was clearly visible across the city and drew the attention of those seeking chaos and those seeking order.

The officers of Kyltu, whom Koj'Ineh'Mirrad smuggled over the walls, integrated themselves with the slaves and instructed them to prepare. The slaves saw the fire as a sign that there was a power to rival the local empire, and with it burned a fresh hope. The enterprise of The Pain Artist had smuggled weapons along with the slaves, and with the proximity of arms came purpose.

The local Imperial guard and security forces were alerted and given a name. A name that one particular Barjol'Thygrin'Ne cursed on hearing, whether by fear for his associations of, or because of the destruction laid upon the city he lead in building and governing. A name that spread as quickly as the burning winds that swept east and towards the indoor market where Fereren'Kyltu'Kes and Valspear'Ronline'Kes waited while a riot set themselves upon a gambling house and sent the innocent fleeing from the district the fire raged in.

The name of Caius'Ronlin'Kes, king of slaves.

The fire peaked. The winds blew east. And one Mirrad-Blood looked back, dreading what would come, but directing his steps southward to escort a trio of children home. All around him fearful citizens of the city fled from the distant sight.

As all things that peak, they descend, and the fire burned the last of its will. It pushed up one last time drawing in breath before dimming to a containable inferno. Its fuel spent it drew upon what it touched to consume more in contest with the local units set to containing it with dirt and water. Though it raged fiercely, its opponent was a Numerenai well versed in fires.

The sun would not see the fire. It slept soundly at the Aeterna's will.

"Here!" Senec'Revue'Ire pointed towards a building. Slavian and Senec raced to its front door, and beat on it. Koj'Ineh'Mirrad looked up at the swinging sign above the door that read 'The Washing Basin'. He adjusted Aelius'Kyltu'Kes in his arms and listened closely. There was a clamorous skittering behind it and little lights peeping out of the window cracks flickered with movement.

The door flung open and a young, but heavily scarred, Kes-Blood woman stood in the door. Her hair was frazzled and her eyes were wide and bloodshot. It was no wonder why, the Mirrad-Blood saw there were no less than a dozen young children in the one-room building sitting in a group and upset, with another dozen older ones trying to help the adults while being upset themselves.

"Senec?!" The woman at the door gasped.

"Senec!" Another woman yelled. The second woman came forward. She was Ire-Blood and had a worn glow Koj recognized from mothers. Echoing Senec's name, the herd of children rushed forward all at once, but the other adults moved them back to a distance where they could still see.

"Mom!" Senec cried. He rushed in and hugged her, crying and making incoherent noise about the million and one ways he screwed up and everything was his fault and he was sorry. Confused, she looked up at the others for answers, and when her eyes fell on Aelius, she went pale.

She rushed forward only to stop short as her eyes lifted to Koj'Ineh. Understandably, he figured, his armor and height, being above the roof of the room, was intimidating. He lowered himself and entered the building.

"I am a friend." Koj explained, simply. Slavian affirmed it.

That seemed good enough for now. She stepped up and gently took Aelius from him. "Krakow! Clear the table! Kusatta! Gran-Gran! Gets the kids in the yard! Give us some space!" The children were upset at the idea of being herded away, so she added for Senec to join them. Whatever protest started on his lips never escaped under her gaze and he shuffled off, the children flocking around him as birds with the young Kes-Blood and an elderly woman shepherding them on.

The man, assuming to be Krakow, ran his arm along the table, sending its contents to the floor and clearing it instantly while the mother laid Aelius down on it.

His blind eyes were wide open and looking into the void with terror as if he could peer into the abyss and see its lord. His breath escaped in gasps and hiccups, and he begged this imaginary demon for mercy; whether for himself or others, Koj could not tell. His arms and looks shook lightly as if burned, when any touch found him cold and clammy and soaked to the bone.

"Easy." Koj whispered. "Steady your breathing."

Aelius' head turned slightly in his direction, but otherwise he said nothing and his breathing did not steady itself, nor did he end his incoherent whispers.

"Its okay, we're here. Everything will be fine-" The mother whispered.

Immediately, Aelius screamed and thrashed around, begging his demon to 'not do it'. He accidentally slapped her in the face and Koj and Krakow held down Aelius, who continued to fight against them and scream.

"Don't do that!" Slavian barked loudly. He looked at the woman angrily. "Do not comfort him! That is not what he needs right now!"

"Don't comfort-" The woman gasped, confusion turning to fury. "Your friend is sick and you would deny him any comfort!? How about instead of masquerading as the world's biggest ass you give your friend some help! He is soaked through and delirious! Senec has clothes that can fit him. Go upstairs and get them, or get out!"

"You don't understand!" Slavian exclaimed.

He glared at her, gritting his teeth, but ultimately turned around and marched upstairs, loudly stomping every step of the way. Slowly, Aelius put up less resistance and Koj was able to release him.

Koj inserted himself, if only a bit. "I know how he presents himself, but that one is very protective of him. On the way here, he about attacked a very bad man who came near this one."

The woman's anger softened. "Funny way of showing it. That bravado is going to get someone hurt."

A few moments later Slavian came down with a set of clothes and also a blanket. They changed Aelius' shirt, but kept his pants as was for decency, and put the blanket over him. Aelius calmed down and slept.

Krakow asked, "Where are Valspear and Fereren?"

"Last we saw they were back at the big indoor market place with the three floors." Slavian answered.

"Alright, I'll go inform them the children are here and safe." Krakow walked to the door and put on his coat, but Koj stopped him.

"No, allow me. They know me, and I am faster than you. Besides, it is not safe to be out right now."

"Thank you. I'm sorry, we never asked your name."

"And I never offered it. It is in your best interest to never know." Koj answered.

Koj looked northward and breathed a sigh of relief. The infernal tornado had disappeared, though a glow told him there was still fire in the distance. The crowd was still rushing south away from it, but the rush wasn't as desperate now as it was, and possibly most of the evacuation had reached a safer distance.

Someone facing him sharply turned north and moved out of his view.

Koj directed his attention directly at the movement, but the person was gone. His senses spiked to alert, and he felt himself in a warzone again. His instincts directed him to drop out of sight, nimbly leap onto a building, and crawl across its surface till he reached where the person hastily disappeared to.

The person was gone, and there was no trace he could find. Koj looked about, but saw nothing. He wasn't being ambushed. The sudden movement wasn't from a thief or homeless person trying to stay out of the crowd, but then an average person wouldn't be looking directly at him and then disappear.

Either the person was spooked by Koj's appearance of a fully armored guard, or he was being stalked.

"Fool." Koj chastised himself. He had been too preoccupied by getting the children home he failed to watch himself. Or maybe he was just paranoid. Being involved with the rebellion seeking to free slaves right in the middle of the heart of the Empire, and today's discovery of said rebellion by that Empire, left him questioning every person and shadow.

Unsure if it was his imagination or not, Koj focused himself on what he knew. He needed to regroup with Fereren. The Numerenai's attack had escalated things to the final stage.

-----

"You did good, son."

Senec sat on the ground with a sleeping sibling in his lap. The rest had fallen into slumber or akin to it around him, the worries of the day exhausting and the relief of the eldest returning having brought to body the reminder of just how exhausting that was. He ran his hand through his sibling's hair and looked up. Krakow stood at the door. Behind him, Slavian stepped out as well. Krakow told Kusatta and his mother that Abigail was asking for them to help take care of Aelius.

"Doesn't feel like it." Senec answered, his voice hoarse. Terror of flames and the unknown caught in it filled in his eyes, not the least of all the fear it might have consumed those he loved, prompting him to draw them closer. "I screwed up, bad. You have no idea. We were out and-"

"I don't need to know." Krakow refuted. He stepped down from the door and approached his eldest. "It doesn't matter where you were or what you were doing. All I need to know is that you returned home safe, and you brought your friends to safety too. Whatever else there is to be said can wait."

As Krakow spoke he reached into a basket of toys and pulled out a rubber ball. He threw it to Senec, who caught it and by instinct threw it back. Back and forth they threw it rhythmically. Catching Slavian watching curious, Krakow threw the ball to him as well. Slavian fumbled with the ball, but caught on and threw it back.

Back and forth the ball went for some time. The minutes passed in mind-numbing, meditative, peaceful silence punctuated only by the whispering impact of the ball and the whisking of its passing between them.

"Nothing needs to be said at all." He said.

------------

The Aeterna Emperor stood before the makeshift grave of his wife. The wild mountain wind tugged at his hair. The rising annoyance reminded him yet again it was time to cut it, if he could find the will to bother. All was quiet, until a quiet sniffle reminded him there was another. Behind him stood Jyesthra, obediently staying on standby nearby. The slight shake of her shoulders and periodic sniffling sounds told him of her emotional state.

He counted down the seconds and at the proper time raised his hand and ordered the sun to sleep. Immediately the sun shut its eye and the world turned dark.

'You're off by fifteen seconds.' A voice said in his mind.

'Be quiet. I've had a difficult few days.' Fourth snapped his thought back.

Jyesthra removed her helmet and took a deep breath of the night air. She rubbed her wet face on the leather beneath her gauntlet. Turning her face up, enjoying the breeze, she noted something.

"Master, something is happening at the capital." Jyesthra said.

Adam looked up and towards the capital. Many of the greatest cities were visible at night from the number of wards set to illuminate against the Night-Blood, but even among these tiny lights the light of the capital was unusually bright, like a beacon.

"Is there a holiday we don't know about?" Adam wondered outloud.

"Shall I go and investigate?"

"No, leave it be. You'd just go and search for Slavian."

"Of course I would! You left him alone, and with a Kes-Blood of all things."

He chuckled. Did she think he was here just to be sentimental? No. She was his transportation, and so by extention if he was here, she would have to be as well. "That is why we are here or need I remind you this was your idea? He wants three days, so we shall give him three days."

"But-"

"You shall stay here by my side. After his requested time you may see him. Or do you deny that the moment you leave my sight you would go after him?" She turned away. Aeterna chuckled. "Now, if you may, be quiet for a moment. I want to think."

'Third.' He thought.

He received silence.

'Third, I know you can hear me.' The Emperor closed his eyes and looked within.

Inside, he saw himself inside of a throne room. The walls were dormant and the entire expanse of the room empty but of a single object: A throne. The throne was golden but bathed in blood. Leading out from it was a path made of smooth solid marble. Unlike the carved stone blocks making up the throne room, this path was one solid block. The block was met by a door.

The Emperor opened the door and stepped out. In his mind it was a circular disk, much like the top floor of the tower, from where four bridges extended out in all directions with doors at the end. The door he left was strong iron that closed shut behind him.

On his left was a bridge of solid light with an open door yet no visible doors. Within was white light from walls and floors that were surgically sterile yet splattered in blood. Chains hung from the ceiling from which blood dripped down like stalactite drip and used surgical tools scattered haphazardly on desks. Within the room, deeper was a white table on which laid another one just like himself chained down. The other version of himself was scarred and cut to ribbons, with metal hands sticking into his gut.

'First.' The Emperor thought.

The broken Adam opened his eyes and lifted himself up. The chains fell off loose as silk, and he clambered his way out of the room, hunched over and in pain. In his eyes was pain, but also ignorance. Could an animal understand its torment? Did not dogs bite at itches till it bled, then bite the wound as an offense?

'First, did you dream well?'

The broken one approached the Emperor and stooped down on his knees. The Emperor put a hand on his head and petted him. The broken one did not speak, but he felt the emotions come from him. The broken one acknowledged him as the superior, the one to follow, the one that could ease his pain; but now there was also another. Not one superior to Fourth, but of similar nature, younger, youthful, filled with light.

Just like Second was.

On the Emperor's right was a broken bridge. The door at the end of the bridge was of solid gold that had been cut diagonally. Part of the room fell into the abyss below, but what little was visible from the broken door was of beaming light.

'Did you dream of him?' Fourth wondered. He rubbed First's hair. While they were identical, the scars covering First left him with little hair. Mere strands that crudely fell about and over his face. 'Good.'

The Aeterna set his eyes on the final door. A rock bridge lead to it, a mere wooden shack of a door, but looped in chains and locks. From within was the sound of music. 'Third!' The Aeterna called. Only music left the door.

'We didn't lock him in that tightly with your chains.' Fourth grumbled. 'First, go take the chains off.'

Obediently, First rose to his feet, clambered to the door, and ripped the chains off as easily as paper ribbons. He looked at the door angrily.

'Calm yourself. I will deal with him.' Fourth ordered. He approached the door and opened it.

Within was a place with no floor, walls, ceiling, or even belongings. There was no material objects to be seen. All that was within was energy, and floating in its midst was a black shadow of a man. The room filled with music and singing from a woman they all knew.

First put a hand out, drawn by the music, but Fourth caught him and kept him from falling in.

'Third.' The Emperor called. 'We need to talk.'

'Then talk.'

'We have a son. You need-'

'No, you have a son!' Third snapped. The doors shook as his scream exploded out, quieting the music. 'And I paid the price!' The shadow disappeared out of the room and reappeared behind him. 'A price all of Dyson must now pay!'

Because he was too weak to pay it. He didn't have enough to lose in covering the cost.

'I never asked for it!' Third yelled.

'You never would have thought it possible anyway. How many wives did Second have? How long were you with her? I think, deep down, you did ask for it in your dreams. Did you not adopt hundreds of orphans?'

'They were for her.'

'The idea, perhaps, but not the execution. You made the selections. You could have left Kure'Gane behind as a failure. You could have left Izthark to the butchers. You could have left Jyesthra in her tomb. There were others, easier, less broken, certainly less outspoken.'

'They were for her.' He repeated. 'This one, your son, was not! He killed her!'

Fourth felt his temper flare and sensing it, First growled. Fourth clamped down on both, putting his hand on First's shoulder and restraining him forcefully. Third sighed, quieting his own anger. He disappeared and reappeared in his room out of First's reach.

Fourth argued, 'A false cause logical fallacy. The latter caused the former, not the other way around. He is a byproduct of it, not the producer.' Third did not budge. 'Or would you demand recompense for your loss on a child?'

To this, he sensed Third budge and consent. He was hurt, but he would rather accept the hurt than seek vengeance.

'Fine.' Third said. He leaned back and rested. The music returned softly. 'Not like I have anything more to pay. I barely have a voice anymore as it is.'

'That is,' Fourth hesitated. If he proceeded, it would make things annoying for a long time. But it could also be worth it. 'related to what I wished to talk about. I am willing to make compromises that would include your freedom.'

Third looked at him. Fourth sensed his interest, but also caution. Third would not test the waters if only out of distrust.

Fourth continued, 'My responsibility requires distance. So I cannot relate. But you? You can.'

'The kid has more in common with First than I.'

First perked up excitedly. Fourth chuckled and put a gentle hand on his head. 'Let's not go that far, yet. First can be overwhelming.'

Third looked on him heavily, 'What could I possibly have in common with your child?'

'You both paid the price for my ambition.'

Fourth and Third looked at each other a long moment. No more words were said, but basic understanding still passed, as Adam thought and meditated. Fourth was correct. Third rejected the son, but not because of the son, but because of his anger towards himself, the single thought that set everything in motion:

'I will change the world.'