Vahti The roar of the crowd had become nothing more than a dull buzz against the chaos raging within his heart and mind. Vahti took a…

Cairn Their eyes were filled with fear. Some were shaking. Even the Praeceptor was stunned. Her face was turning ash white. Cairn looked…

Vahti “Vahti! What have you done?” His gaze carried the weight of iron. His question like a lash. “You and Cairn disappeared months ago,…

Vati and Gmork “Pleasant day, is it not, Arturo?” The Arena Master sighed, sipped his wine, then cast his eyes toward the Colosseum…

(To view our story from the beginning click here) Vahti Vahti closed his eyes and breathed deep. The cacophony of the crowd quieted,…

Cairn Shaboh had arranged everything, but something seemed off. The jealous stares from the other applicants made that much apparent. Some wore brightly colored togas, while others wore drab tunics both in tone and appearance. By their ruddy looks, they were commoners or worse, slaves. The applicants with the more refined clothing obviously belonged to …

The droning, tedious nature of the bureaucracy was a like a cancer. Dozens of Advocates followed by their Servitors bustled about the granite building with its high vaulted ceiling and support pillars. In Advocacy building’s main lobby stood a statue Karien, the Immortal of War. Those among the Advocacy also attributed her to the aspects …

Cairn Cairn pressed his back against the wall. His eyes felt heavy. His body numb. The smell of ozone wafted strongly in the air and with it, the scent of burnt fabric and stone. I can’t do this anymore. Demecus is gonna die… And it’s my fault. He lifted his eyes, staring at his small …

Vahti The mood was somber. A dozen of the Brothers sat gathered around Demecus. Their heads bowed in prayer for his recovery. They held the vigil in shifts between their chores throughout the day. And only seven Brothers at a time could fit into the small room. Over the past two days, Demecus’ condition showed …

Vahti Scanning the streets, it was like stepping into another world. Nothing about Serindeth’s design was aesthetic. Instead, the streets showed a purpose of design. Vahti couldn’t help but think if he had a proper measuring tool, they would be even in both length and width. It was all uniform and militaristic, which described Absonians …

Cairn Cairn eyed the horizon. Somewhere among the rolling hills and smattering of trees lay Hedath and the monastery. He leaned into the wall of the wagon bed, shifting his attention to the clear blue sky above. Home… he thought to himself. It just doesn’t seem fair. Was everything they taught us empty? He turned …