Darkness pressed at the hospital window. It searched through the shadowed room. Adir Radd lay alone in his bed starring back out of the window at the murk. He watched it flow and swirl through the night sky. No one in the city outside saw it. To them it was a just another night, no different from the ones that had come before it, but to Adir every night brought new whispers of horror on the wind. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever be able to talk or move again. For months, he had just lain in bed, his green eyes red from crying, his brown hair tangled and unkempt. Whenever Dov, Tien, or Jeriah would come to see him, he would push them away and stare through them. He wanted to tell them, to warn them of the terror looming on the horizon, but he had no words to carry his meaning. The images were beyond them, disturbing and terrible. Silence had swallowed him.

Rubbing the stone inlaid in the palm of his periapt, he could almost hear the answers. “Stay calm,” the distant voice said in a soothing tone, “You are not alone. I am with you.  I am always with you. Together, we will set things right.”

Adir relaxed. Looking out the window at the three moons of Adrakaya coming out from beyond the clouds, he noticed they were nearly full. Three jewels in the night, the verdant green of Bahn Se’leen, the rusty red of arid Ari-leen, and the obsidian crackled with golden lava flows of Ual-leen.

He could not take his eyes off of the Black Moon. The scintillating rivers snaked across its surface. Light flared from the moon’s volcanic peaks as eruptions sputtered and splashed. Something attracted him to the violence of the scene.

From this distance, it was nothing more than a light show. The spectacle did not interest him. He knew that at the heart of each flash, an explosion rocked the surface. Heat and light drowned in the smoke and ash. The ancients once offered the blood of animals to the moon to pacify the evil spirits trapped there. Even though the Enmadra had outgrown such superstitions, they still refused to set foot on the volcanic moon, and they shared their fear with the Shedu and Lamassu people that later colonized the world.

Adir felt like he could hear the thunder peeling from each blast on the small moon. The sound of explosions mingled with the terrified cries of innocent people hurrying away from the carnage. The sky melted way. Flames leapt from foreign trees and buildings.

Sighing, Adir welcomed the familiar haze of his vision being blinded by his prescience.

Bodies filled the streets as ash and concrete dust rained down upon them. Craters marred the cityscape.

Flames erupted from the detonation of another bomb. Buildings creaked and swayed, no longer able to carry their own weight. Crumbling, they crashed to the ground, spewing debris into the air, but there were no screams this time.

Nothing had survived the previous blasts to know fear from this one. The choking cloud of white ash flowed through the streets like a rushing river, covering the dead and injured.

A glimmer on a far hill overlooking the chaos caught Adir’s eye. He watched closely.

A tall blond man, with a hard look in his eyes stood there smiling as he watched black robed people chasing the nearly dead.

Adir wanted to gasp at the sight of his friend Dov Lavan, but the visions had become so regular that he had no shock left in him.

He watched Dov smile.

Adir cried. The tears chased the vision from his eyes.  The black moon seemed so much larger than the other two in the night sky. Sorrow shook Adir as he began to sob. There had to be a way to prevent these things from happening. Someway to stop all those people from dying... some way to save his friend.

*O Provident Hand guiding all life to resist decay, he prayed silently, Show me a way to avert these disasters you have cast before my eyes. O Nortia, sweet hand of fate, help me. Please help me. Do not leave me here in my misery. You would not show me these things if there was nothing I could do to stop them. Please, O please tell me. I am not smart enough to figure it out on my own. Do not leave me.*

Collapsing under the weight of his tears, Adir let his head fall limp as he continued to pray fervently.

A tall blond man ran through the streets of Usekht Maati. Stopping for a moment, he looked back at the hospital window of his friend Adir Radd and sighed. He wrestled his worry down, and tried to ignore the aching pain within. For months he had scoured the books in the Library looking for some way to help him. Dov wondered what that winged terror had done to Adir. Something broke in his friend that night, Dov was sure of it, but what could he do to help him.

Their lessons with Jeriah continued, but they were of little help. Dov had surpassed Jeriah’s skills months ago, if it weren’t for his lessons with Typhon, he would have left a long time ago.

Dov sighed. He was late for today’s lesson.

Through the gate and past the high wall, a tall warrior with luminous blue skin glided gracefully across the practice field. The light from his skin danced in the swirling gold inlay in his onyx helmet and chest plate. He kicked, spun around and landed in front of Dov.

“You are late for practice,” Typhon said, “Is everything alright?”

"I went to see Adir,” Dov’s voice cracked with emotion. “Those damned Enmadra don’t know what they are doing. He needs a proper doctor."

“You mean a Shedu doctor,” Typhon smiled.

“No. He needs a Lamassu doctor. Someone untouched by those... giants. Someone that will care for him and not defer to the pseudo-gods. They walk around pretending they are all seeing and all powerful, but they have not been able to cure Adir yet, have they.”

Typhon smirked, “You sound like most of the people I have been talking to out there in the colonies. The emperor has been loosing his grip.”

“No,” Dov shook his head, “He gave it to the Enmadra.”

“So you are not going to go through with the merging?”

“I have already told Tien and Jeriah. They are not happy about it. But it is my right to remain a Lamassu and not become a puppet of the Enmadra. Jeriah was very upset.”

“I bet he was,” Typhon chuckled, “You are not the first person I have heard talk like that.  There is a growing movement for Independence from the Shedu Empire. Like you, they believe the influence of the Enmadra has grown too strong. Their numbers are growing. If only someone had the courage to speak out. The movement has no leader. Even the Nomarch of Abdju is close to standing up to the Emperor."

Dov sighed, “Maybe he will have the courage to stand up before it is too late. Something has to be done to stop them.”

Dov watched Tien Shaa pace nervously around the living room of the townhouse they shared in Usekht Maati. He stepped around the rich cherry wood coffee table, careful not to step off the geometric patters on of the rug in front of the couch.

“Are you trying to dig your way through the carpet?” Dov laughed, and shook his head. “Are you starting to have second thoughts? It is not too late to change your mind. Just tell Jeriah that you don’t want any of that slime in you.”

Tien stopped walking, “No, I just wish my family could be here.”

“Ah, but didn’t you pay attention to Jeriah, there is too much going on in the galaxy to allow for a distraction from training for too long. The council ordered that all ceremonies and rights that are not absolutely necessary to be canceled.” Dov shook his head, “But they found time for this, didn’t they?”

“Not really,” Tien said, “They have allowed a Shedu predicant to come with my Sukallin. They brought one for you and Adir too.”

“I am sure they did,” Dov mocked, “But I don’t need any slime in me, and Adir is in to condition to be, merged.”

“We are of age Dov, it is tradition we merge. We have to pay the debt created by our ancestors.”

“Enmadra tradition that they imposed upon our people— they even changed the name of our race...” Dov’s voice trailed off.

“I know you are upset about Adir, but that is no reason to take it out on the Enmadra. I mean, we haven’t exactly been a lot of help either.”

Dov nodded. As much as he wanted to argue, to disagree, to lay the blame on someone, anyone else, he knew that Tien was right.

“So when are you getting slimed up?” Dov smiled.

“They are bringing the Sukallin here, so as soon as they arrive.”

“Would you like to play a game of Shah Mat or Palace or something? I really don’t want to have to replace that rug because you paced a whole through it.” Dov stuck out his tongue.

Tien got a deck of cards off of the consol table, and began to shuffle.

After they played cards for nearly and hour, there was a knock on the door. Tien froze in place.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Dov asked.

Tien nodded.

Dov stood up and went to the door. He took a deep breath and opened it.

A small, fragile, balding man stood there with a terse smile on his face. “Hello, I am here to entrust this Sukallin into the care of Tien Shaa.” He held up a round, crystal container filled with water and a dark silver sludge that moved of its own accord.

“Don’t you seem thrilled,” Dov raised an eyebrow, “He is in here.”

“Sorry about that,” the predicant said, “I have trained all my life to do everything according to the traditions we have received from our ancestors, now I get a message from the Holy Ones saying to deny the traditions that they themselves instituted. It has been a rough day.”

Dov nodded, “I can imagine.” He led the predicant into the living room, and gave a cautionary look to Tien, “It is time for your merging.”

The predicant unceremoniously plopped the container on the table. “Here it is,” he said, “Take good care of it.”

“It was not my idea to do it this way,” Tien said, “If you would like to perform the ceremony here, I would be honored.”

Dov rolled his eyes, and then checked to make sure that no one had noticed.

The predicant smiled and began to recite the Rite of Ascension.

The words might as well have been in a foreign language. They just washed over Dov.  He was pleased to see Tien so happy. At least one of them deserved to he happy.

As Tien plunged his arm into the container to allow the Sukallin to enter his body, Dov looked at the empty seat next to him. *Adir should be here,* he thought, *And Uma Nari and Jeriah.*

This is an important moment in Tien’s life.

Tien shrieked and fell away from the predicant. His arm was stained a silvery black where the Sukallin had entered.

Dov jumped to his feet.

"My God!” Tien screamed, “My God, it has all burned down!" His eyes flickering like he was dreaming. He fell limp to the floor.

Dov ran over to Tien, “Go get help you stupid man!” He yelled at the predicant who ran out of the room.

Rocking back and forth with Tien on his lap, Dov struggled to keep hold of him, “Calm down. Tien, listen to me, it will be alright. Don’t get lost in the vision. I can’t loose you too.” A tear ran down his face. “You and Adir are the only family I have. I cannot loose you.”

The predicant ran back into the room, a nine feet tall Enmadra with deep bronze skin, long black hair down to his waist, wearing nothing but tanned leather paints and shoes ran in behind him.

“Jeriah, help him,” Dov scowled at his teacher. Reluctantly, he let go of Tien, as Jeriah picked him up and ran out toward the hospital.

Dov collapsed on the floor, “I wish we had never come here,” he said to the empty room. “If anyone can hear me, please, help Tien through this.”

Wiping the tears from his eyes, he stood up, and slowly walked the familiar roads leading to the hospital. The doctors would not allow him in to see Tien at first. Early the next morning, a Lamassu nurse woke him up and led him in to see Tien.

At Jeriah’s request, Tien was put in the same room as Adir who still sat in his bed starring blankly out the window.

Tien smiled at Dov.

“Are you alright?” Dov asked.

"I am fine,” Tien looked away sheepishly, “I think... I mean, it is hard to explain, but I think I had a vision. I saw worlds on fire, people dying in the most terrible ways... And I saw you, Adir and myself dead, killed by the looks of it. Something murdered us all.”

“Do you think it was a real vision, or a side effect of the merging?” Dov asked.

“It felt real to me,” Tien relaxed his muscles, resting deeper into the bed. “There was so much carnage. If there is even the smallest chance that it is true, then we have to do something about it. We cannot continue down this path."

Dov nodded, “I agree. But it may already be too late. The Uridimmu have been enlarging their empire again. They could be the cause of the carnage you saw. I promise, Tien, I will fix it.”

“No!” Tien sat up straight in the bed, “We need to put our heads together and find out what exactly is going on before we can try to devise a plan. You don’t always have to run out ahead of us to protect us. You know what the Enmadra say— prosperity only grows through consensus."

Dov rolled his eyes, “And just how many have died while the Enmadra have been seeking consensus over the Uridimmu invasions. All the Enmadra have brought is chaos. If you had listened to me, not them, you would not have had that seizure!”

“You don’t know that!” Tien’s voice was still weak.

“I don’t want to argue with you. I have to go." He looked over at Radd who had started crying. Dov’s heart sank within him. He stood up and left the room.

Dov’s training continued. Tien was only in the hospital for a couple days. Unlike Adir, he had recuperated rather quickly.

Tien’s words echoed through Dov’s thoughts and dreams. The galaxy on fire, and the three of them dead... the Uridimmu burned every planet they conquered. It made the people easier to control. They had to be stopped. That was the only way to stop his vision from coming true. Somehow, the Emperor or the Enmadra would have to be made to see the war that was coming. Maybe it was not too late.

Like usual, Dov was late for his regular meeting with Typhon. He ran into the training field and bowed to him. Before he could make his usual excuses for his tardiness, he noticed they were not alone.

A ghostly blue skinned man whose eyes were solid black swimming in a sea of pearly white stood there. His skin gave off a soft azure glow.

Typhon smiled at Dov, “Glad to see you finally made it,” he shook his head giggling at his own joke, “I invited a friend to join us today. I hope you don’t mind. Dov, this is my mentor Hlachar Cythraul. He is the one who improved your periapt."

Dov looked warily at Cythraul and nodded slightly.

Cythraul smiled, "I hear you have been chaffing a bit under the Enmadra. They can be a bit, bothersome."

“I just think they are too committed to nonviolence,” Dov thought of Tien’s vision, “There is a war out there. It is coming to them sooner or later. They should have saved Shana, before everything got out of hand.”

Cythraul wrinkled his nose, but forced a smile. “I know what you mean. They prefer to fight through infiltration and espionage. That is how they got on the wrong side of the Empyrean. Finally, when we couldn’t take their manipulation anymore we struck back at them. We did everything we could to free the worlds they had subjugated, but the war dragged on. We did all we could... but that is all over now. The Enmadra and the Raewyn are friends after all."

Dov hesitated, and then said, “I am surprised to hear a Raewyn talk so openly about the war. The Enmadra prefer not to discuss it at all.”

“Of course they are. They did loose the war after all.”

Thinking for a moment, Dov decided it might be best if he just changed the subject, "And you made this periapt?" Dov lifted his hand, "It is not the same one I gave Typhon, the glove fits better."

Cythraul looked from Typhon to Dov, “You could really tell it was a different periapt?”

“Of course,” Dov Lavan explained, “The Enmadra periapts, much like everything in Enmadra culture, are very restrictive and limiting. They are afraid of another Mors Caelestium, I think. This one is better, smarter. It possesses a spirit of order and dignity like the Lamassu used to have before they were subjugated to the Shedu. It has a mind of its own.” Dov lowered his head and said under his breath, “I cannot understand why no one else can see the limits the Enmadra have placed on us."

“All that matters is that you do,” Cythraul put his arm around Dov’s shoulders, “Fate turns on the choices of individuals.”

“Since you made this periapt,” Dov asked hesitantly, “Do you think you could help me learn how to use it better?”

Cythraul grinned broadly, “Sure, my boy, I would be honored to help.”

The months passed quickly. Between his training sessions with Jeriah and Cythraul, and his numerous trips to visit Adir in the hospital, Dov pressed to find time to rally support for taking action against the Uridimmu. He had taken Cythraul’s words to heart and had started giving speeches in favor of intervention in some of the largest cities on Adrakaya.

One day, Jeriah called Dov and Tien to see him at his home to celebrate the end of their lessons. He lived in a small townhouse, not unlike theirs, the furniture was large and cushioned, but he had brought in a couple of chairs for them to sit on. Jeriah sat on the large black couch. Dov and Tien sat in chairs that had obviously been designed for Enmadra children.

“I know the council has forbidden any rituals or ceremonies in the city,” Jeriah sighed. “Foolish, if you ask me. I know the seven eyes told them something that they didn’t want to here, but to stop us from practicing our culture and religion. This is too much.”

“It would be awful to loose one’s culture,” Dov said looking at the dark Sukallin stain on Tien’s arm.

“Quite,” said Jeriah, “So I am not allowed to initiate you all formally, but I would like to congratulate you both on completing your training.”

“I just wish Adir could be here,” Dov said.

Tien nodded.

“Yes, it is a tragedy,” Jeriah’s eyes watered, “At any rate, I have some gifts for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two wrapped packages. Handing one to each of them, “I hope you like them.”

Dov opened the package and saw the supple leather and iridescent stone of a periapt. “I am sorry Jeriah, but I will not be needing this. I already have a new one. My Master Cythraul made it for me."

Jeriah gasped and muttered, “Raewyn periapts. I didn’t know they could make them.”

“Master Cythraul, I wondered how you suddenly got so much better than me when we duel!” Tien exclaimed, “You have been sneaking extra training behind my back. Well it sure has been paying off.”

“Thanks,” Dov said, tears welling up in his eyes, "Well I have been thinking about what you told me... about the galaxy on fire, and well it made me think about the day my parents died." Dov took a deep breath and steadied himself. “The look on the mugger’s face when he stabbed them. I was only seven. I ran screaming for someone, anyone to help us. No one stopped. They died on that cold street with help no more than a few meters away.” Dov scowled at Jeriah, “If only they had been stronger, they would have survived. That is why I have been training so hard. So maybe I will be strong enough to survive what you saw, and hopefully strong enough to save you and Adir.”

“And you won’t be alone this time,” Tien smiled at him, “I will be right by your side.”

"That is why we have to stick together, you and I. We have to protect our people." With a hateful glance at Jeriah, Dov left.

Adir lay on his hospital bed looking out the window at the three moons, fighting back tears.

*Tien saw it too,* He thought, *But he did not understand.* He sighed and the window opened.

Adir sat up in bed, "I have been waiting for you," he said, his voice cracking from lack of use.

A hooded figure with large mechanical wings slipped in through the window, “Have you now,” he said. His voice rang with a metallic chime, “Let me introduce myself anyway. I am Ara'lu Nergal. I am sure you remember me."

Adir nodded, “I have heard you singing to me at night. You were Shin’an, weren’t you?”

Nergal took a deep gurgling breath, “Before Cythraul did this to me. Before he made me his slave... and now he is working on your friend Dov. Your friend has the periapt that was made when I was. It can control me.” Nergal’s snarling teeth gleamed silver and gold under the hood. “That bastard knew, and sent me after you all,” then with a smirk, "And now he is training your friend like he trained me. I know what his trainings are like. He might as well be a slave. I can help you free him."

“I know you want your revenge,” Adir said.

“No! I want my freedom!” Nergal thundered. “I escaped from that ship of his, and so long as I don’t see him or your friend, I am free. I do not want to see your friend suffer the same fate.”

Adir stared through him.

"I know how he thinks,” Nergal continued, “And I know how you think. You have not taken your periapt off for some time, now. I can hear your song clearly. You want to stop Cythraul and save your friend. I can help you there."

Adir smiled.

Early in the morning, Dov went up to Adir's hospital room like he usually did. The bed was empty.

Dov’s heart skipped a beat.

He ran out to find a nurse. Stopping a particularly squat Shedu woman, he thundered, “Adir Radd is not in his room what have you done with him!”

The woman stared at him, “He must be in his room. He has not been discharged, and did not pass through here. We have scanners on his door to log any visitors— they would have recorded him leaving.”

Minutes stretched into hours, and not one person knew what had happened to him.

Dov saw a clock, I have to go train... He ordered the nurses to contact him if they found out anything.

Running from the hospital toward the training ground, he ran into Tien

Telling him that Adir was missing, Dov paced anxiously, "You stay there, and keep an eye on them. I have to go... I have to find him... I have to do something! I have an appointment with Master Cythraul, maybe he can help." He hugs Tien, and rushed on toward the training fields.

Cythraul wasn’t there. Typhon stood alone on the field stretching for the exercises. “Where is Master Cythraul?” Dov said, trying to catch his breath.

“He is at the port,” Typhon looked upset not to be greeted, “Getting his ship ready— He has some business off world.”

“We have to catch him,” Dov turned on his heels running toward the port, which happened to be on the other side of the west wall from the training grounds.

Dov ran straight for the fifteen meter high wall. Each stride grew longer and longer, higher and higher. Leaping up, he somersaulted once, rising higher—twice, still higher— three, four, five and six times, each spin carrying him higher than the last. Dov opened his arms and rose like a kite. His left foot kicked off the top of the wall.

From this height he could easily see Cythraul’s ship, still docked at the port. Gliding as if on invisible wings, Dov descended toward the small Ymiran Corsair.

“Master!” Dov yelled as he touched the ground. Heading up the ramp into the ship, “Master Cythraul, Adir is missing!”

“I know,” Cythraul said, peaking out of the cockpit, “I saw the bulletin go out.”

“We have to find him!” Dov shook, trying not to collapse into a puddle of tears.

“How?” Cythraul said, calmly, “The Enmadra and all of the Raewyn stationed in Usekht Maati are looking for him, and Valeryn reported a missing shuttle. It is likely he is no longer on this world. How do you expect to find him?”

Dov was stunned. He wanted to argue, but he couldn’t find a hole in the logic to hold on to. He had no way of knowing where to look. Something within him snapped. The fight left him. There was no hope... no reason to look. So many already were, what could he add, “But master...”

“Dov,” Cythraul slid his arm around Dov’s back.

Dov rested his head on Cythraul’s shoulder, wishing he could cry.

“It will be alright,” Cythraul comforted him, “They will find him. You need to get your mind off this. If you want to come with me you can," Cythraul offered, "I have been called to Abdju. Nomarch, Aelius, is concerned about an Enmadra base being built there by fiat of the emperor. You know, Dov, maybe you could talk him into mounting an opposition to the emperor. He seems to share your concerns."

Images of the galaxy in flames burned in Dov’s mind. "Maybe he can talk sense into the Emperor. When do we leave?"

Adir Radd landed the stolen shuttle on the rusty red moon of Ari-leen. He sighed and looked over at Nergal who was modifying some of the Eidolons Adir had built.

Red dust swirled into the air as the shuttle door opened.

“This will work perfectly,” Nergal said from behind Adir.

Adir did not move. He was sure they had been followed. There was another presence. The high cliff face loomed over them. Light fled from a small cave mouth half way up from the bioluminescent flora within.

Footsteps. A statuesque man with soft chiseled features came into sight. His soft azure skin illuminated his black cassock.

"Master Radd," he said relieved, “Are you alright? They are looking for you, everywhere.  It is good to see you up and well. My name is Valeryn, by the way..."

“Greetings Valeryn,” Adir interrupted. “It is unfortunate that you found me. I am afraid that I cannot return with you.” Valeryn objected, but Adir did not stop talking, “But I am willing to make a deal with you. You can tell your superiors that you found me, and that you will be staying with me to ensure my safety. But you will not let them know in any way where we are.”

Valeryn nodded, “Sounds like an adventure. That is fine with me.”

Nergal jumped into the air, flapping his metal wings. Throwing the modified eidolon into the cave, he smiled as a shimmering dragon erupted from the crystal. He pulled a black dagger from his belt and threw it at the crystal. The blade struck the crystal, shattering it. A new dragon appeared for each new shard.

They swarmed the cave and the cliff face. They etched away the stone. Bas-reliefs of dragons swirled through the columns, balconies and doors the wyrms left in their wake.

Adir stood proud before the Red Shrine.

Nomarch Aelius sat on his throne with the silver nine-tailed spirit fox Sinopa at his side. His pale skin was nearly transparent, his dull gray hair hung lifelessly at the sides of his face. "I am sorry, gentlemen,” he said, shaking his head. “But it is too dangerous to be seen as disloyal to the emperor."

Cythraul bowed, "Very well, if you should ever need me, just call."

Cythraul and Dov left.

When they arrived at the corsair, Dov punched the back of a seat. “What is wrong with him? Dammit! I must not have explained the stakes to him well enough.”

“No, no,” Cythraul comforted him, “You just lack the confidence you need in your convictions. Confidence is contagious. If you have it, you will instill it in others. If you like, I can teach you an old Raewyn prayer. It has helped me.”

Dov closed his eyes, “If you think it will help.”

"Repeat after me—" Cythraul stretched out his arms palms up, and said, “I will ascend. I will arise. I will be like unto the Most High."

“What?” Dov choked on the words, “What are you saying? That sounds like blasphemy... like the words of Heosphoros.”

“What is blasphemous about them? I will ascend. None can ascend without the consent of the Most High. I will arise, rather than being held down by my enemies. I will be like the Most

High. What better aspiration for a believer than to be like their master? How could that be seen as blasphemous? Now don’t mention Heosphoros again. The Dark Prince can hear his name, and may come.”

Dov thought for a moment about what Cythraul just said. It made sense to him, besides, Cythraul was so much more knowledgeable about such things. He stretched out his arms palms up, and said, “I will ascend. I will arise. I will be like unto the Most High."

At first, Dov did not notice any effect from the prayer, but by the time they returned to Usekht Maati, he felt stronger, more in control of his destiny.

Tien shared the good news with him that they had found Adir, but the Raewyn were not telling anyone where he was.

Dov was happy that Adir was away from the Enmadra. Maybe he would be able to get the help he needed.

With out any scheduled training sessions, Dov and Cythraul started traveling around them Empire.

Dov took every opportunity he found to speak out against the Enmadra and the Emperor.

“The galaxy is a dangerous place, and if the Enmadra and their puppet emperor are not going to do anything, then maybe it is time for the Lamassu to seek independence from the empire,” his speech became more refined with each retelling.

Soon his talks in salons became seminars, and then public rallies. At every speech, he noticed a red cloaked figure wearing white pants and white tunic with a red crescent moon over their heart. At first he thought it was Adir, but he caught a glimpse of his face. The man had olive skin and blue eyes.

After months of touring, Dov announced a rally on the Black moon of Adrakaya. It was the perfect place. Ual-leen, the Black Moon, but it was so much more. The Enmadra feared the moon, which enhanced its significance, but in the old tongue, Ual meant not only “black,” but “strong” or “powerful.” What better place to watch over the empire.

Dov bowed to the crowd with a flourish, and said, “My brother and sister Lamassu! We are strong,” he spun around thrusting his hands out like claws in front on him. Light flashed from his periapt, “We are powerful!” He shouted raising his hands above his head. The ground shook. A fountain of Lava erupted from the fissure. “We are Ual-leen!” He focused. The lava twisted and contorted into a large red hot onion domed building. Throwing his arm down to his sides, “Today, we unite as one!”

Adir sat at a white marble table laying fine circuits into a crystal in his hand. In a seat across the table, Nergal inspected each new eidolon. Adir had picked up the techniques Nergal had taught him.

Valeryn paced on the cream stone floors of the Red Shrine behind them. Unable to take the silence anymore he said, "You know you are not alone anymore. You have a growing legion of followers that soak up each word you write. They have even adopted a uniform for themselves.”

“I know,” Adir said, “They will give away our location with those red moons on their tunics.”

“But Master, we have collected the words from every talk you have given, and read them often. You should just make it official."

"I am no leader." Adir responded without looking up.

"You must understand your followers would die for you." Valeryn said, “We would do anything for you.”

"Would you kill for me?" Adir's voice trailed off, "I am not Dov, I am not a leader."

"But you are." Nergal said.

“We have seen your visions coming to pass,” Valeryn said, “We believe you are the one to save us from the conflagration.”

Adir swallowed hard. “I am just a messenger. I have warned you, that is all. I have not seen the path set aside for me.”

Dov met Cythraul at their corvette, and knelt. All of the black robed people on the bridge followed his lead.

“You called for me Master,” Dov said.

“Yes, my friend, and do stand up.” Cythraul shook his head as Dov stood, “You know you don’t have to kneel to me. The Nomarch of Abdju, Aelius, has asked us to return.”

“Finally,” Dov gave the order to set course and make way. “I hope he is willing to tell the

Emperor that they have to stop the Uridimmu aggression.”

Dov instructed the crew to prepare themselves for the days ahead. Even though no one had yet tried, rumors of hired assassins continually made their way to him. They had to be ready. Looking over the readouts on the autopilot’s screen, Dov thought about asking Cythraul about strategy, but decided against it seeing him busy answering requests for his help.

Dov sighed. He missed Tien and Adir. Every time he asked about Adir’s whereabouts he was assured that he was alright. Tien would not join him. They had talked about strategy, but

Tien thought it would be better for all of them if he continued his studies back on Al-Benu.

It was impossible for him to make new friends. The Ual-leen had spread throughout the empire. He had personally trained dozens of members over the last year, putting each in the right place to influence the public. They saw him as a mentor or leader, not as a friend.

The tide was turning in their favor. Still, he wondered what had happened to Adir. Was he with the Raewyn, or had the Enmadra spirited him away. He had sent out his people to search all of the Enmadra's secret places, but they had failed to find him.

“Where are you old friend?” Dov said to himself.

In the heart of the Red Shrine, Adir waited for the twelve to enter the chapel. Each wore the red cloak, white pants and tunic. Valeryn had chosen them from among Adir’s most loyal follower to be here for the announcement.

“My friends, If Dov Lavan and his followers are to be saved, then this Raewyn Hlachar Cythraul must be stopped. We have it on good authority that he is somehow working with the Uridimmu,” Adir bowed at an olive skinned man with brilliant blue eyes, “Thank you Kahlil, for that information. The problem is, we do not have enough evidence to go public.” He threw a crystal into the air and an eidolon of the red moon sprang to life. "We the Noble Order of the Red Moon, A'nath-ari-leen in the old tongue, will do whatever we must to stop Cythraul."

He never took his eye off Kahlil. He recognized him from his visions, but could not remember what he was to do.

“Kahlil Mehtar,” Adir said, “Follow me.”

Waking up, Dov looked out the window of his cabin. They had landed, but they were not in the capitol. Forest filled the horizon. Quickly, he dressed and ran to the docking hatch.

Cythraul stood at the bottom of the ramp.

“Master,” Dov asked, “Why have we landed here?”

“We have business to attend to first,” Cythraul scowled at something ahead of him, “We did not fail last time because Nomarch Aelius was against the plan. We failed because of the influence of the demon fox Sinopa.”

Not far from the ship, Dov could see what Cythraul was scowling at: a small wooden temple.

They walked to the steps of the temple. A mist filled the air.

A beautiful ebony skinned woman with lush black hair, wearing white pilgrim robes and a silver nail from a chain around her neck appeared out of the mist. “I am Nortia, goddess of Fate,” she said, “You should not be here, allostheos. You might as well come in, and rest. This is as far as you can go.”

Within the temple, the silver nine tailed spirit fox Sinopa sat on a large pillow watching their every move.

“I am afraid this is as far as you will go Cythraul,” Nortia said, “You cannot be allowed to see the Nomarch.”

Cythraul huffed, “What business is it of yours?”

Dov listened to them arguing past each other. Neither listened to the other. *What right do they have to stop us?* He thought.

Adir and Kahlil sat in one of the small chapels of the Red Shrine before a Statue of the winged goddess Thesan.

“Something is wrong,” Adir said, “I see echoes of the Enmadra/Raewyn war reverberating in the words Dov uses. These are all issues that can and should be resolved through diplomacy, but the air is ripe for war. He is not himself," Adir said solemnly, "He must be stopped, no matter the cost."

Cythraul sighed at Nortia, "O my dear goddess, you could not save Nergal, you will not stop Aelius from doing what is in his heart."

Nortia grimaced, “I cannot make anyone do anything. All I can do is to try to influence events and actors from unfolding as I have foreseen.”

Dov growled, “Then stop this bickering and let us pass!" His periapt flashed and a metallic sheen clouded his eyes. “Get out of the way,” he shouted, and he lurched toward Nortia to try to spook her.

Jumping between them, Sinopa snarled at him.

“Attack me will you!” Dov screeched, forming a blade with his periapt and slashing at the spirit fox.

Sinopa jumped back.

A thick black fog flew from Dov’s periapt. Lightening flashed from the nimbus as it surrounded Sinopa. Lavan closed his hand, feeling Sinopa struggling for his life. He wrenched his fist tighter, until the spirit fox no longer struggled.

Out of nowhere, Cythraul threw a box into the center of the room. He began to chant. Sinopa’s limp body floated through the air, and came to rest in the box. A lid grew across the opening, sealing him within. A misty form shimmered like a mirage. Color flooded the ghostly white form. Robes of the finest golden silk draped its form. The hands twisted into deep red, almost purple skin. Twisted horns extended from its forehead as its face stretched into the long bearded visage of a goat.

Cythraul kneeled, “Nukpana, the Devourer,” he said reverently, “We greet you.”

Nortia disappeared.

Dov coughed, dizziness spun him around. He was barely able to stand. His periapt flashed. A metallic sheen flashed over his eyes. He stood up. “We are going!” He led Cythraul back to the ship, and then took them to the palace.

He stormed out of the ship. Cythraul trailed behind him.

“Now we have to be careful what we say and do,” Cythraul said. “Let me find a porter to announce us.”

Lavan threw the doors open to the royal court.

“Nomarch Aelius,” he roared, the crush of his voice silencing the room. “Perhaps you remember me,” he twitched slightly. It felt like cold metal was ripping though him, “I am Ara'lu Lavan.”

Cythraul gasped. The light in his cheeks dimmed. This was not part of the plan.

Light flashed from Lavan’s periapt and the Nomarch fell from his throne and knelt before him. “I am glad to see you are willing to show us the proper respect this time.”

“Stop this Dov!” Cythraul objected.

Grabbing him by the neck, “What did you call me? You worm, do not dare to tell me what to do.” Lavan hated Cythraul at this moment. The word traitor rang in his mind. “I am through playing your games.” He tossed Cythraul to the ground.

The guards looked to the Nomarch for some sign, he waved them back.

"How can I serve you, Ara'lu Lavan," the Nomarch bowed.

Tien Shaa ran into the command center at Usekht Maati.

Jeriah stood at one of the consoles shaking his head, “Do you realize it has been over two years since Adir disappeared and there has been not one sighting of him since. O, the Raewyn say they know where he is, but they cannot say where. Always secrets with them.” He hit a button on the console

The holographic display flickered to life. Explosions and flames filled the empty night sky over the planet Abdju.

“This happened just a few hours ago. They sent out a message declaring the independence of the Lamassu colonies, and then just opened fire on all of the imperial ships in orbit.”

Tien lost his breath.

“I want you to find the source of the conflict and how we can bring peace.”

Tien nodded and left.

After all of the imperial ships in orbit over Abdju had been destroyed, the fighting ended.

The spark did not ignite the fire. Lavan pulled the ships back. He knew there was no need for war. With Abdju free, they could now act against the Uridimmu. Other worlds would have to be enlisted to help them.

Lavan began to travel again, giving speeches and rallies. He even encouraged open revolt if the people could not get their leaders to see the light.

On the planet Ament, Dov had been asked to talk at a rally for independence. Dov took the podium and looked out over the see of people.

“My brothers and sisters,” he greeted the crowd as he always did, “The Emperor tried to destroy the people of Abdju, just because they wanted to be free. But the people prevailed. They stood up to the onslaught of the Emperor and prevailed! I am here to tell you— If the good people of Ament wish to be free than the Ual-leen stands with you, as does the Abdju Armada!”

Lavan noticed another red cloaked figure in the crowd, there was always one. He pulled back his cowl. It was Adir.

Steadying himself, Lavan smiled at his old friend.

“This is not the way!” Adir’s voice filled the arena. “There is no need for us to endanger our families for nothing more than a fantasy.”

Lavan’s heart sank within him, “We must protect our worlds from the threats looming over them. The darkness is real. I have seen it. I saw what the Uridimmu did to Shana. We must band together, before our worlds suffer the same fate.”

“Name one world the Uridimmu has attacked recently!” Adir waited for an answer. When none came, “They have stopped their march. The Events on Abdju has frightened their leaders. They are fortifying their borders, waiting for an attack. Now is not the time to strike.”

Lavan’s lip curled in disgust, “You really think they will stop their rampage. They with not stop until they have either conquered the galaxy or are brought to their knees. You are deluded! I must prepare for my meetings with the senate.”

Lavan turned and left the podium. As he passed one of his disciples, he remarked, “I should have kept as closer an eye on Adir. Something is wrong with him.”

"What should we do, Ara'lu?" his disciple asked.

"Find a way to get him to meet with me for a talk. I have to save him."

As the sun set over Imu, the capitol of Ament, Adir struggled against his prescience. He looked over the city. Buildings crumbled as his vision overtook him. The entire city was in flames. A tear ran down his face. "That was not Dov.”

“Then who was it?” Valeryn asked from behind him.

“I do not know.” Adir blinked as his sight returned to normal, “Did you get word to Nergal like I asked?”

“No,” Valeryn bit his lip, “We have not been able to find him.”

“I see. There really is no saving Dov, is there Valeryn?"

"No," Valeryn answered, “Apparently not.”

Lavan paced in the antechamber to the senate floor. He turned to Cythraul, “I am not sure that the war is necessary.”

Cythraul smirked, “It is a bit late to think about that, isn’t it. You ordered the attack on those ships. At any rate, they are martyrs for the cause of freedom and independence. What could be better to rally others to our cause?”

Lavan sighed, “I suppose you are right.”

It was time to address the senate. He was escorted though the doors, down the red velvet carpet to the podium. The words flowed through him, inspired by an unseen mind. Lavan was sure of it. He was speaking far more eloquently than he ever had before. The powers must be on his side.

The doors burst open, Adir walked slowly up the carpet. "Freedom, my old friend, implies choice. If you are to be believed, then you want to replace one dictator with another."

“Not at all,” Dov said modestly, “I am merely a facilitator, and this is a time of crisis. With the Uridimmu on the border, it is necessary to tighten security.”

“At what price?” Adir looked directly into Lavan’s eyes and almost gasped, “What is security worth? If we become stronger than any other, and loose our soul, what have we gained? It is hard to fight the darkness without becoming part of it.”

There was a flicker in Lavan’s eyes.

Adir smiled.

Tien waited for Dov in his room at the Ament presidential palace. He was not sure what to make out of all the rumors he had heard, but he knew that, if nothing else, Dov had influence over the Nomarch of Abdju.

The door opened, Lavan and a Raewyn Tien assumed was Cythraul entered. Lavan froze at the sight of Tien, “What are you doing in here?”

Tien chuckled, “It is good to see you too. I am here to see you.”

“Are you with Adir?” Dov said coldly, but shook his head like he was momentarily confused.

“No... Adir’s here? Is he alright?” Tien leapt to his feet.

“That is a matter of debate. What do you want?”

“I wanted to ask you to come to Usekht Maati for Peace talks. I know that the Nomarch of Abdju listens to you. This war has to end before it really gets going. I don’t know how long the Enmadra can keep the Emperor from retaliating.”

Tien took a good look at Lavan. There was a faint mesh-like pattern under his skin. “It would mean a lot to me if you would come. What do you say, Dov.”

“What did you call me?” Lavan snarled.

“The Ara’lu has a busy schedule,” Cythraul interjected.

“You do not speak for me, Cythraul,” Lavan nodded mechanically, “I will be there. There is no reason for anyone else to die.

All of the factions gathered at Usekht Maati to begin the peace talks. The Nomarchs of Abdju, Ament, Khaset, Min, Set, and Maten all came with Lavan. The Emperor refused to come himself, and instead sent a cadre of ambassadors and advisors to speak on his behalf.

Lavan felt strange being in the city again. He had run into Adir once already, but Adir acted as though he was lost and asked if they could talk more later. So Dov asked him to meet in the temple where they could talk.

After Adir had run off, Lavan went to the temple and sat on the steps. A crowd formed around him. He sat there teaching and answering questions.

For a moment, the turmoil of the last few years melted away. He felt more like himself than he had in a long time.

He saw Adir in the crowd and smiled, but something was wrong with him.

Adir’s eyes were a swirling opalescent white. His features were stern. His skin looked waxy.

"Dov Lavan!” Adir said, but not with his own voice. An etheric chorus issued from his mouth, “You have been judged by the All Seeing, and all your works will be made known. You have deceived these people, and stolen their money to make your own. Your ego is your god, you feed these people with your vain pronouncements, promising them rewards for their obedience and torments if they rebel. They serve you, not some greater power. Your end has been foreseen. Repent of your wickedness, and escape the calamity that awaits you.”

Suddenly, Adir vanished.

Lavan fumed. He stood up, and made his excuses to the crowd. He left as fast he could. He took the stairs down into the grotto below the temple. Several black robed Ual-leen knelt in prayer.

“Go!” Lavan shouted, a metallic ring to his voice, “Go get Adir Radd and bring him here!”

They bowed to him, and rushed from the grotto.

Lavan thought about what Adir had said. What could have possessed him to talk like that.

A cruel smile crawled across his face. He must be possessed. That Nortia had taken control of him. There had to be a way to get her out of him.

He watched the light fade on the stairs and knew that night had descended over the city. As each moment passed more members of the Ual-leen gathered in the grotto.

His disciples returned with Adir as they were told. Lavan stood in the center of his black robed followers.

“Adir,” Lavan said in the gentlest voice he could muster, “I am afraid you have a problem. You have been possessed by a demon that thinks she is a god. I can help you get free.”

Adir stood silently.

“I can see she is keeping you from talking,” Lavan focused with all his might on his periapt. Light shot from it, bathing Adir in its radiance. Lavan tried to seek out the demon to expel it. But there was no demon there.

“You...” He said with and icy edge to his words, “You are not possessed.” Steeling himself, “Well, then Adir, join us. She has possessed you at least once. I can teach you how to be strong. How to keep her from controlling you.”

“You were always the strong one, Dov, not me,” A tear ran down Adir’s face.

"The empire needs us,” Lavan said, “Together, we can unite the Lamassu and free them from the oppression of the Shedu."

“You cannot free what is not captive,” Adir lowered his head.

Enraged, Lavan rushed Adir. Forming a knife with his periapt, he slit Adir's throat. Adir fell over on the altar bleeding.

Lavan stumbled backwards, dropping the knife. “What have I done?” He muttered under his breath.

Cythraul stepped forward, and said, "So it ends for all heretics. Destroy the infection and cure the disease."

Lavan turned to Cythraul, “No, he is not dead.”

Adir stood up, and formed a blade.

“Then finish him!” Cythraul commanded.

Lavan formed a sword and looked pleadingly at Cythraul, “Please no.”

Unable to stop himself, he turned to face Adir, and slashed at him.

“Did you think you could get the best of me Ara’lu,” Dov heard Cythraul’s voice in his mind as he struck at Adir.

Confused, Lavan struggled to gain control of his body. He winced as his blade almost hit Adir. They fought up the steps from the grotto into the temple.

“Adir run!” Lavan yelled.

Adir turned and ran for the exit.

Unable to stop, Lavan leapt into the air. Landing in front of Adir, he spun around and closed his eyes as he felt the blade separate Adir’s head from his body.

Cold and empty, he realized what he had done. Opening his eyes, he saw the broken body of Adir Radd at his feet. He wanted to negotiate an end to the hostilities, but with Adir dead at his hands there was no hope for a peaceful settlement. He saw Cythraul leading the Ual-leen up from the grotto.

“You betrayed me!” Lavan screamed. “You bastard! You betrayed me!”

The ghostly figure of Nortia shimmered into being and picked up Adir’s body. Cradling his head in her lap, she wept.

Lavan scowled at her, and said, "Fate is in our hands, not yours!" He threatened to attack her, but Cythraul pulled him back.

“A puppet on a string,” Cythraul whispered in Lavan’s ear. “I own you.”

“I will find a way to avenge Adir,” Lavan hissed. He was alone. No one would believe what happened. He collapsed into himself. He could feel his humanity slipping away.

Fire erupted around Adir. The flaming Bennu-bird Nahimanna rose from the body and began to fly around crying in pain at the death of her creator.

Valeryn, Kahlil, and several others in the Red capes and white robes rushed in as Lavan, Cythraul and the Ual-leen left the temple.

Valeryn caught Lavan’s gaze. Something in his eyes made Valeryn want to cry. He heard Kahlil howl from the top of the stairs.

Adir lay dead at the top of the steps in a pool of his own blood.

He looked into Kahlil’s eyes.

Together, they knelt down beside Adir and pressed their periapt hands into the blood.

Lighting raged across the surface as the blood parted into four streams. The blood ran up Valeryn and Kahlil’s robes. The while stained red with their mentor’s, their friend’s, blood.

A white coffin enveloped the body, as four ethereal horses rose out of the ground carrying Adir aloft.

The procession left the temple. Valeryn saw Jeriah, Typhon, and Tien running toward them. “Master Radd is dead!” He shouted on the verge of tears, “The day of wrath, the day that will bring the worlds to ashes, as foretold by the holy prophet. What terror there will be when the Holy come to judge all!”