High synod Kaino stepped out from a glowing portal, fuming.
"Your Radiance."
He was instantly greeted by his people. Dozens of n and won, old and young, knelt at his feet.
It was a scene that would thrill him.
Your Radiance...
Such an ambitious na. It ant he was the brightest in the world, the one whose light outshone all others, who stood above the rest like the sun against candles.
It was a title he had given to himself to declare that none could match his brilliance.
Yet, he had just co back from a eting where he was forced to take orders from a little bitch! He was the brightest light! He should stand above all else.
’I have to get rid of her.’
Kaino ordered that he not be disturbed by anyone, and headed towards his prized garden in the middle of his grand palace. His most trusted advisor followed closely behind him.
"Is everything alright, Your Radiance?"
The title grated at Kaino, but he took a breath and cald himself down.
’My radiance will not be dimd.’ He repeated the mantra that had kept him going all these years.
As he stepped into his garden, a sense of peace washed over him. The cool breeze, the enchanting sight made all his worries disappear. Montarily.
"The plan failed."
The advisor paled. He was an aged man whose white beard reached his knee. His eyes were piercing, wise. And he moved with grace.
"How, Your Radiance?" he asked. "Did she see through our plot?"
"That’s the annoying thing about that bitch." Kaino gritted his teeth.
"I never know what’s going through her head."
But it wasn’t just her. It was that accursed lineage. The saint’s father had also been the sa. An enigma.
Kaino had never felt so outmatched in all his life. He had been amongst the first gods to join the resistance of the Verge. Then, the saint’s father had been their leader.
Kaino had never been one who liked to be in another’s shadow. His goal had always been to take over the resistance. But no matter what he did, he was always outmatched.
His clever words were countered with even more clever ones. He couldn’t get a single edge during council etings. It was as though he was being read, and Kaino had no idea how.
Though he swayed so hearts, it was far too little to incite anything. But the heavens shone on him when the saint’s father perished.
Kaino had rejoiced. When others mourned, he began preparations to take control over the resistance. But lo and behold, the saint had appeared from nowhere, with a montum too great.
Kaino was swept in her machinations before he could realize, and she ended up taking control over the resistance.
Seething, during their first council eting, Kaino had been prepared to show the council just how ludicrous it was to be led by a child.
However, he had t the sa emotionless eyes that plagued him in the past. The ones that seed to see through him.
Those emotionless, cold eyes.
Kaino felt his anger flare once more.
"What now, Your Radiance? Should we follow the next plan?"
Kaino suddenly stopped, glancing around the beautiful garden. He felt at ho. His heart at ease.
"No, not yet," he said. "I never know what’s going on in her head, but if there’s one thing I can count on, it’s her heart. Just like her father’s."
He brushed his arm on the flower in front of him.
"She won’t be able to abandon them." He smiled, suddenly feeling a surge of confidence. "We wait."
...
Atticus stood across from Anorah with narrowed eyes.
’Sothing’s wrong.’
He couldn’t explain it. Though Anorah looked normal, beautiful beyond words, with a smile that could end civilizations, Atticus felt like sothing was out of place.
’It’s her eyes.’
He’d noticed it before. Her eyes had always been... focused. Like she knew who she was and what she wanted. But now, they seem lost.
’She’s unsure of sothing.’
"Are you okay?"
Anorah paused. "Of course I’m okay... why do you ask?"
"You seem distracted," Atticus responded, suddenly recalling what she had told him before. "Is it because of your captured people?"
A flash of uncertainty flickered through her eyes. Atticus didn’t miss it.
"No," Anorah began, but Atticus cut her off.
"I thought we agreed, no lies. I’m your ally, and a friend... I think. I deserve to know if sothing’s wrong."
Atticus was shocked by his current persistence. Never had he been so insistent on another’s matter, especially soone he’d just t a few days ago.
A look of resignation passed through Anorah’s eyes. "Alright. I’ll tell you, but later. I need you to focus on your next task."
"Fair enough." Atticus nodded. "Lay it on ."
Anorah’s countenance changed, and Atticus watched as her cloudy eyes vanished, replaced by perfect clarity.
"The next lesson is observation," she began. "It’s more... direct than the first. All you have to do is na each emotion you feel."
"Just na them?" Atticus raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Just na them."
"And I’m guessing you won’t tell the purpose of this lesson?"
"You must walk the path alone."
Atticus rolled his eyes.
"Yes, of course."
Anorah gestured towards the building. With a scowl, Atticus entered and sat down cross legged.
"Close your eyes."
Atticus froze. He felt a surge of uncertainty flood his body.
Since awakening the fragnt, the darkness had beco his enemy. Even when he blinked, he would see glimpses of the past, feel those raging emotions.
Though it was hard to admit, Atticus feared it. It reminded him that he was not in control of himself. If he couldn’t even control his emotions, then his body wasn’t his.
"It’s okay." The soft voice embraced him. Atticus found his worries evaporating. "You have to face your fears to conquer them. There’s no other way."
’She’s right.’ Atticus steeled his mind, then shut his eyes.
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