The Apexes discussed the possibilities of Anan Al’monhad’s escape for a while longer, but it was a more subdued affair after Bo Ai’rong’s threat. The man clearly took the whole, ‘protecting the world’ thing very seriously. They asked me a bunch more questions, though the answer to most of them amounted to, ‘I don’t know’ which while not entirely satisfying for them, they were forced to accept, given the fact that they could simply sense whether I was lying or not.

Eventually, the meeting wound down to the point that everyone seemed to just be sitting in silence, contemplating what had been discussed. After several minutes of solid silence, Walker spoke up, leaning forward so his elbows rested on the table.

“I think it is clear that we need to address these issues immediately. We have an organization that has at least a single being capable of traveling between worlds, and potentially a way of imparting this ability. They have the resources and breadth to field multiple teams, in separate locations. Their goal, whilst unknown, clearly involves mass destabilisation and death, which cannot be allowed. We must root them out. At the same time, we cannot ignore the possibility of the Multiplicitous Self’s escape. It is even possible that these two things are related, with either being the distraction for the other. I would suggest we each begin to visit the cities of the world, searching for this... Risen Throne, and wiping them out. I would also suggest that we send somebody to check the prison.”

This was almost the most I had ever heard my dark mentor speak, with the obvious exception of the story he had told us about the Multiplicitious Self. What he said made sense, which was more typical of the tall man, and I could see the others nodding.

“I will go to the prison, and I will end the threat personally.”

I looked at Chian as she spoke, hesitating to interrupt, but knowing that if I did not try to prevent the man of mass destruction’s death, I would be wilfully failing in my mission and risking repercussions from Xiournal. Still, it was kind of harrowing to speak out in contradiction of an Apex.

“Uh... sorry to interrupt, but the message I received said he shouldn’t be killed, or at least... we... should prevent his death. I don’t have specifics... the messenger does this whole annoying mystery thing, but I think the results would be pretty bad if we ignored them. The last message I got was about stopping an uncurable plague and pissing off an unkillable Elder.”

“I will scour the world of any threat, with Weilou’s burning light. I fear no result, for I am guided by Him as His Hand.”

“Okay... but, it’s probably better to prevent damage than to wait for it to start happening and then... burn it with light? Also, didn’t he leave some kind of virus out in the world that will let him take over somebody else’s body?”

“Who are you to speak to the Paladin this way? I will destroy you utte-”

There came a smacking sound, and I looked over to see Toria pulling her hand away from the back of Kestin’s head again. She saw me looking and gave me a look that was a cross between being furious that I was talking back to her master and sorry that Kestin was being an asshole again. At least, I like to think she was sorry, and not just because the other Apexes were looking pretty pissed off that an apprentice was throwing threats around at their meeting.

“Hunter’s contact has been correct in the past, Chian. If it is possible to prevent the escape without killing the Multiplicitous Self, we should endeavour to do so. He is also correct that the threat of reincarnating within a new host is a possibility, though I have been unable to sense this remnant within any individual. Have any of you sensed this seed?”

One by one, the Apexes answered Walker, confirming that they had not detected a trace of whatever means Anan claimed he could make his comeback with.

“It is possible that he misled the Apexes of his time, to retain his life. This would fit.”

“Bah! Do you want to take that chance, Burning Cloud? We snuff him out, and suddenly he’s half the people in the world?!”

“Jorl is... right. We cannot risk causing a catastrophe while trying to... prevent another.”

“I did not recommend his death. I pointed out the potential he lied; this fits.”

There was a moment while Jorl glared at Burning Cloud who stared back, his face impassive, while Vin moved to sit bonelessly sideways in his chair, his gaze fixed on the sky as he continued to stroke his chin.

Lin, the Unbreaking Wave took off her hat and pulled something from the inside before slipping it between her lips and lighting it with a snap of her fingers. She took a deep breath before blowing out cobalt-blue smoke, and speaking as wisps of the strange smoke drifted out of her mouth.

“The fact that none of us have detected his presence outside of the prison, in ten-thousand years, is telling. But the world is wide, and time is deep. We have the believed testimony of several apprentices confirming the presence of a system unknown to us, accomplishing things we thought impossible. We cannot discount that the Multiplicitous Self used such methods to ensure his survival. I add my vote to preventing his death.”

“You are cowards, protecting the guilty in the shadow of Meilou.”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Chian. This whole rivalry you’ve cooked up between Weilou and Meilou is all in your head – they're siblings. And besides, it’s not cowardice not to stick your head in a deathwasp nest, it’s just common sense.”

Gia made small shooing motion of dismissal in Chian’s direction, which seemed to annoy the Paladin more than most things had. She looked like she was about to reply, given the heat visible on her face, but Walker quickly interjected.

“Given you are the head of Weilou’s order, I think you would be best served assisting in rooting out the Risen Throne, Chian... It would also take you many years to reach the prison in your palace.”

“Ha! I’ll go, I can fly into low orbit and be there in a week.”

Jorl, who seemed to enjoy the crack about Chian’s palace – and who I had thought perhaps a touch simple, if likeable – sat forward now, his face serious and I reconsidered my opinion of him. I did not think he was deliberately hiding his intelligence like Rainmaker had been, I thought he was just somebody who wore their emotions on their sleeve, and was powerful enough not to have to hide them. He was somebody who gave no shits about ‘face’ and I could respect that.

“I will go. I can be there within days and am capable of putting him back in his prison, should he escape.”

This came from Bo Ai’rong, and everyone at the table nodded at the... suggestion. I was very curious what his Focus and Exemplar were, but while he did not seem as up his own ass as Chian, he was definitely not as friendly as some of the others, and I did not think he would be willing to talk about it. There was however the fact that I probably needed to go along; I knew that if it was an Apex level conflict, there probably was not a ton I could do. Beyond maybe dancing about naked again as a distraction, but I did not think that would work a second time...

“Uh, sorry to interrupt again, but is there any way I can go with you? I sort of need to... show willing. I guess. My contact is pretty adamant that I do my best, and not super forgiving so far...”

The Apexes around the table – and even the people who I had no idea were – looked at me askance as I spoke.

“I cannot take you with me, your body would be destroyed by the forces involved.”

“I can take him! Plenty of room on my back. Or hands – claws. I could put you in my mouth, it’s all crystal, and I probably won’t eat him! Hahaha!”

While I could not say that I was thrilled at the prospect of spending the better part of a week in yet another person’s body, I was at least gratified that one of them was willing to take me. I had been half-dreading them simply telling me no, and I had no idea how long it would take me to reach wherever the prison was, or even if they would tell me where so I could try.

“I see no reason for an apprentice to visit the prison. I can accept that in this specific instance some of you may be better suited to the task than I, this nameless boy,” Chian gestured at me with a chopping motion, “can surely provide no advantage.”

And that is what I got for counting my chickens before they were hatched. I tried not to let my frustration show on my face, but I knew from experience that the Apexes around me would be able to tell regardless. I was about to speak up in my own defence when Jorl spoke up and I was instantly glad that the two of them did not get along. Without knowing how much Walker had told them about me, or how much I could say, any argument I made was going to be relatively flimsy.

“Oh, come on, Chian. What’s the harm? It’s not like he can breach the prison.”

“Unless this is a trick to discover the location of the prison, so that he or his ally can free Anan.”

I wanted to nip that line of thinking in the bud as quickly as possible, I did not want anyone taking precautionary measures that involved my life. I did not think Walker would let them just kill me, but who wants to take those sorts of chances?

“Not the plan. I’m not allied in anyway with the Risen Throne, or anyone else looking to free - or kill – Anan. Just... want to help, if I can.”

“There, you see? Nothing but truth.”

“A lack of harm is not a benefit.”

Chian’s voice was adamant, but I thought I heard caught the faintest edge of petulance. I was starting to suspect that she just did not want anyone to go, but was unable to stop any of her fellow Apexes from going.

“Hunter may prove surprisingly useful; he has a knack for being in the right place, at the right time. Even to his detriment.”

This came from Walker, his covered eyes peering in Chian’s direction.

“And his... messenger, may provide direction, in the event of failure.”

I tried to imagine Xiournal helping out if I failed to contain Anan, and it did not look good in my mind’s eye. Of course, I had not yet failed a mission and so I did not know whether it would result in a mission to resolve the situation. But there was no way I was going to say that out loud.

“... Fine. But upon your heads be it.”

“With casual finality, my brother will also go. His time with Hunter has been beneficial to his cultivation. They seem to encounter an unusual number of unique situations, which may drive him towards the Pinnacle.”

“With frustrated respect, I would like to go as well, if Reff is going.”

“With unchanging understanding, I know you would prefer to journey with Reff, but you will require dedicated training in order to complete your Path. If you wish to catch him, this is your best option, sister.”

Raaf’s words were firm, but despite the relative lack of inflection, I thought I could hear warmth as he looked over at Riffa. For her part, Riffa merely crossed her arms, which for her was as telling as any glare, but she said no more.

“Go as well, Darina will. Good for her, the journey so far has been. Many forms of attack, with which to adapt.”

When Sonja spoke, I felt Darina stiffen at my side, but I could not tell whether it was something she was looking forward to, or whether it was in irritation. At least without looking. But after adding two more apprentices to the mission, the Sun’s Judgement looked like she was ready to hit something, her eyes narrowed as she sat as stiff as the stone on which she sat.

“If we are going to indulge in this... foolishness, I would send one of my apprentices. Justice must go where it is needed.”

I did not like that idea at all; Toria seemed reasonable enough, outside of her worship of Chian, but Darina was just as dedicated to her master. What really made me want to say something was the possibility that I would be stuck with Kestin, always asking me whether I was going to dare things.

“I’ll go. I think it would help to practice with somebody at my own stage, who is also faster than me. Perhaps it will help me in integrating my own Exemplar.”

Luckily for me, it was not Kestin who spoke up; I did not think I could spend any great length of time with the man without doing something serious to him. It also helped that I wanted to spar with the dark-haired woman, and as she said, having somebody else with some speed may help with my own Exemplar.

“I still believe that I am better suited, but if this is the will of those present, I will leave this mission to Jorl. When will you leave?”

“Ha! This’ll be fun. We can set out tomorrow, give everyone a chance to get supplies.”

“Very well. Then if you would excuse us, apprentices, we have strategy to discuss.”

This was very clearly a dismissal from Bo Ai’rong, and the seven of us stood as one before making our way back down the stairs.