‘Giver guide me, aid me, protect me.’ Again and again, he pleaded his mantra as the Patrol neared the tunnel exit. The Network tunnels for the first time he’d ever seen, were under assault. Colossal passages once the symbol of safety to him, now were coated in the red aura of death. The scene made worse by the fact that he was heading towards the Gate, expected to render aid for a group already outside trying to hold off a swarm of Nightmares bearing down on them. This wasn’t how it’s supposed to be, Patrols though dangerous at times, weren’t Tasks of suicide.

‘Of course, things would change the moment this became my new Task in life.’ His grip tightened around the hand of his new Mentor, who has yet to remove himself from his trance of peace. He closed his eyes and returned to recited his mantra, and continued to do so till the calls of their Taskmaster brought him back to the matters of now.

“When the Gate opens all of you are to immediately connect yourself to the Barriers already formed by the other Patrol. Then you will in all haste exit out into the cavern and let the Gate close behind you. We are not here to help in a retreat, those on high want the swarm thinned. We don’t get to go home till these vermin retreat, understood?” None answered him “Understood?!” he yelled the volume pinching Osjaen ears “Yes” they called out back to him, their voices small, and resigned.

‘This isn’t how it supposed to be, sister you said this was an easy Task.’ As the Gate opened and he saw the horde before him, he knew that his dear sister had thoroughly lied to him. As instructed they connected their souls to the constructs fixing and strengthening barriers that were overwhelmed by a tide of claws. The shielding pushed forward with the first layer glowing hot melting all in its path, as those of his Patrol squeezed into the group of individuals they’d come to aid. He whimpered when he heard the Gate behind him close, and the light of the Wards he had always been with left him.

‘Giver protect me’ he thought while focusing his soul to aid his fellows in keeping creatures of horror away from him. The visions he viewed to ready himself for this Rotation were nothing compared to the real moment at hand. That he couldn’t just remove the vision and find himself in the safe confines of his room and brothers. No, he couldn’t escape this sight, he was stuck till the moment was past.

“Ready yourselves” said their Taskmaster “The Barriers will fly, we follow with wind and water.”

‘No’ he wanted to scream, plead that they shouldn’t remove their last form of protection, but he didn’t have the will to do so, not to brother’s Cycles above him.

The layers of shielding all began to glow, and for the first time Nightmares backpedaled away from them. It didn’t help as the barrier went flying towards the creatures. He had to close his eyes, just as he did in the visions every time this scene displayed itself. He couldn’t watch, couldn’t witness such an act, it was repulsive to see in every manner.

His ears popped as the air pressure changed, the winds rushing forward. Only then did he look as most of the mutilated remains were scattered, and less unsettling to see. He added his voice to the Chorus, watched as winds vanquished their foes and pushed the encroaching horde back into the tunnels. Veterans of the Chanting arts-focused their wills, and the wind was sent howling towards the confining Passages, the Nightmares within helpless to avoid the Chant as it ripped them apart. The ground under them began to shift, and Osjaen attempted to scurry backward, but bodies and hands pressed against his back, keeping him in place.

Many blessed individuals chanted with ease and cast Chants into the stone, he moved his soul into their already formed constructs and aided the process. Rock morphed grew smooth and the movement under his paws lessened. Then another group of Chanters sent a wave of soul into the ground. The vibrations stopped then, and people turned their full attention back to the Nightmares trying to near them.

Grounders broke through sections of wall, opening more pathways for their brethren to attack from. It did little as Chants were instantly sung towards the new assailants smashing them back to where they came. More of the cavern gave way, stones on all sides began falling as a new wave revealed itself, and charged in mad fervor. Osjaen trembled as the beasts got far too close to them before the tide was pushed back. The numbers even with the amount they were killing, increased. The press of bodies enough that eventually Nightmares would reach them even with winds slicing them apart.

Seniors called upon the waters from the environment, and Osjaen swallowed hard as he saw corpses withering into sickly husks. The Nightmares defiled water adding to the pool that formed around them. Then the waters were sent splashed onto the floor, spreading and freezing into a slick layer of ice. The Nightmares thin dagger tipped legs struggled to find purchase as the beasts fell upon each other. It slowed the horde for a few Sequences before the floor became caked into much gore that it covered and melted the ice, Nightmares afterward began moving forward in haste.

The horde grew closer, the Nightmares increasing in number and to Osjaen disbelief size. Even the newly arriving Carvers were twice the girth than those who’d assaulted them first. The increased size played to their advantage as the beast used their dead as cover to move towards them before being cut down. Slowly step by step the horde drew closer even with the winds blowing against them at full force. “Barriers, Barriers!” screamed the Taskmasters over the howling winds.

They did as told, Osjaen moving his quickly depleting soul about to help those form shielding since he was unable to do so himself. His chanting skills were lacking, and with him forced to perform with a single hand things only became worse. His Mentor refused to let go of him, or, now that he turned his attention to his Backer, was doing nothing to aid in the fight. He was still within his trance of peace, eyes distant, and body as unmoving as stone. “Mentor,” He said, leaning close so he wouldn’t pull notice to them “Help I can’t do this alone, I going to be spent at this rate, long before the Task is done.”

His Mentor remained still, and Osjaen fought the urge to look up into his Backer eyes, he instead tried to free his hand. The outcome was his Mentor clenching tighter around his palm, enough for a small yelp to emanate from Osjaen lips. He stopped struggling, even though his hand ached and he wanted to thrash about to remove himself from this failure.

He instead fought for calm, and returned his attention to the clawing horde that was flowing over them. The Barriers had barely enough time to form before the Nightmares slammed into it. Fractures working their way across the whole dome. The two Patrols frantically poured themselves into the construct while the Taskmasters pushed their way back towards the Gate. Both thrusting their shards into the Wards, rapidly sending messages for aid.

Osjaen poured everything he had into the shielding, the thought of keeping the beasts away was the only thing present in his mind. He only broke form that trance when his vessel went into shock. He collapsed to his knees and would have lain on the floor if it wasn’t for his Mentor still holding his hand, unwilling to let go.

Only then, as he hanged there did his Backer finally wake from his trance. Horror claimed the man for the first breath before his Mentor looked down at him. Osjaen looked away before their eyes could meet, but he’d seen enough to notice disappointment was beginning to claim his Mentor. Osjaen gasped in surprise when soul washed into his hand, then down into his chest. His vessel consuming it hungrily, the shock he’d been under vanished as his soul filled. He stood, head lowered “Thank you, Mentor, I will strive to serve you better.”

No words followed, no reprimand nor acceptance, it was almost a Sequence before Osjaen worked up the courage to look towards his seniors face. He attempted being subtle glancing at him from his periphery. Each glance was longer than the last, till he turned his whole head and looked plainly as his Backer. Annoyance held him as he saw that his Mentor was once more within the realms of his trance, completely ignoring him and the death around them. Osjaen looked away, biting his lip in order to stop the frown that was forming, even with his Mentor unaware he couldn’t allow open discontent to show.

His ears flinched when one of the Taskmasters screamed “Hold the Shield help is on its way, just keep these cursed pest back.” Osjaen returned his attention to the Task before him, moving the Soul his Mentor had provided into maintaining the Barriers that were being hammered at. Grounders were in the front smashing their armored fist into the shields, each strike causing a small ripple. Carvers were thrusting their beaks around the mass of Grounds, each time their head would bounce back from the force. Osjaen, even seeing the damage the horde was releasing against the shields, gave only small amounts of soul at a time, healing small patches when he could. His Mentor would release soul into him at regular intervals, but not amounts that he could spend himself pointlessly, not like before that would have gotten him killed in most cases.

He did everything he could to help hold the beasts off and begged the Giver for their aid to arrive faster. He wasn’t sure if she answered, but the gate behind him opened a quarter Round into his Channeling. Bodies’ pressed against his back, which in turn forced him to step forward with others, the barriers slowly moved ahead and pushed the horde back. Shielding strengthened as a new wave of souls connected themselves into the constructs. The once mighty fists of the Grounders now bounced off the shielding leaving little impact on its surface.

They didn’t move forward very far, everyone huddling close to each other. Then began smooshing themselves to get as close as possible when they heard the Gate close behind them again.

“Ready the first layer,” said the newest Taskmaster to arrive. They did as instructed, and the Nightmares hastily retreated back as the layer turned hot red, melting beaks and fists of the unlucky monsters that been striking at it as it turned.

“Fire it off,” said the Taskmasters, the layer flying away at their command, the first line of retreating Nightmares popped as their forms were coated in a layer of wrathful soul. They primed another layer its molted color painting the already blood splattered room a brighter red. Osjaen began to relax as the distance between him and Nightmares lengthen, only to clench up again as the realm around him shook as a loud low toned roar echoed through the tunnels.

The Nightmares froze, their antenna flapping about wildly. Another roar sounded and the once retreating horde charged them, smashing into the scolding hot shielding and began hammering at it with abandon. They screamed in pain but none backed away, even as their fists and claws melted into stumps, which then fell from their bodies. Even then they kept pounding at the barriers, using their whole frames when none of their limbs remained.

None of them saw it coming, but they felt it. The realm shook in a timed pattern, he and the ground shivered as something drew close. Their view of it blocked by a visage of Nightmares killing themselves. Then as the realm quaked, and the very air rippled it came into view. The Nightmares and layers of shielding piled away to reveal an Ancient singing a screeching Chant of its only down upon them.

He and many others new to this way of life screamed in horror. He hadn’t seen it’s like before, no shard prepared him to face a Nightmare so large, nor one with a soul. The Taskmasters throw screams of their own “Shut up you cursed Newborn, stop wasting time and put yourselves into the shields.” The veterans listened, strengthening layers that yet been touched by the twisted chant that was working its way towards them. He saw one of the Taskmasters race back towards the Gate, his hand shaking as he pressed a shard into the Wards.

Osjaen felt soul flood into his form from his Mentor, who when he looked, was terrified even in his trance, the fear that claimed his Mentor was showing through. Osjaen channeled everything he could into the shields. Those that had them began to pull out Hearts, draining them and redirecting the souls that laid within towards the Barriers. Barriers that were finally holding against the Ancient chant.

The twisted song secedes a few breaths later, only to be replaced as another Ancient arrived pushing through the stone that folded away from it. Then the first Ancient to arrive began to sing again, Barriers cracked and dissolved under the combined assault. People throw curses or pleaded for blessings, as they as a whole channeled everything they had into maintaining the Shield. People began to fall to the floor as they spent themselves, the Taskmasters pushed their way back to the Gate. He heard it open the Wards light shining into the Cavern. The sight seemed to shock the Ancients as the beasts stopped chanting and stared into the hall.

“Retreat” screamed the Taskmasters. Even dazed his brothers didn’t need to be told twice. People raced into the hall, dragging those too weak to walk with them. The Barriers remained to guard their back, though without their wills as guides it began to lose cohesion, slowly unraveling. It didn’t matter as he turned to look back at the horde. The Nightmares all stayed behind their parents, while the Ancients continued to stare down the passage, even as the Gate closed. Osjaen pressed himself against a wall his legs going numb, now that the threat was once more behind blessed Wards.

His panting breaths turned into sobs as he began to cry, his whole vessel shaking as he fell to the floor. ‘Giver please, don’t let them send me out there again, I can’t, not again, the Nightmare is too dark.’ He wanted to curl into a ball, but even now his arm was chained to his Mentor, a Mentor who aided little and hid from his Task. ‘I’ll go to sister after this, even mother if I have to, I can’t stay with this failure.’ This man would only guide him to his death.

He felt the grip on his hand loosen then disappear, and his hand fell towards the floor, Osjaen wrapped it around him with the other. He looked up his vision blurred by tears and turned his view downward when he saw his Mentor looking at him. He heard a sigh come from his Backer, who then leaned down and rubbed a hand in his hair.

“Seems I’ve overworked you, sorry for that Acolyte.” His hand pulled away “I’m still trying to get reacquainted with the fact Newborn aren’t suited well for this Task. Not like my last one, he was truly an oddity.” His backer sat down next to him “But don’t worry I’ll get more for the next patrol to help you tended to me.”

“Thank you, Mentor” was all he could care to get out through his whimpering.

They all stayed by the Gate, even when it began to turn a greenish hue. Many of them were spent, his kin, the newborn was spent in more ways than one. He would have cursed dreams for a long time, maybe for the rest of his life. Every time he closed his eyes the image of Ancients towering over him, chanting dark tones appeared, forcing him to open his tired eyes.

Steps had him looking down the passage as another Patrol made their way to them, confusion holding most, as they surveyed the people around him. ‘Giver no! Please don’t let it be we're going out there again.’

“What in the Givers name happened?” Said the newest Taskmaster to arrive. The others, who were in a closed circle whispering to each other turn to the voice.

“Ancients that’s what.” Said one of them. The Patrol blanched, the many newborn in their number growing faint. Eyes moved and stared at the Gate, which was now all green with Wards changing to yellow.

The newest Taskmaster was going to say something but stopped himself as looked back at his host. He instead hurried over with the others and they continued their talk in hushed whispers. Osjaen trembled as he watched them, they conversation quickly becoming heated.

“Don’t mind them my Acolyte, their putting on a show.” His Mentor said while shuffling about, getting into a more comfortable position.

“In what way Mentor?” He said

“Simple” his Backer placed an arm around him “Their acting as if they haven’t already come to a decision. Look around you Acolyte, look at the people amongst us, do any of them look fit to go outside again.”

Osjaen glances about, most of his fellow newborn were in ill states, spent or being consumed by the cursed sights they had all shared. The seniors were better off but grim, tired, and looking down the hall as if ready to leave on their own. “Then why don’t we leave? What’s the point? None of us want to go out there again.”

His Mentor gave a weak chuckle “It’s not for us, it’s an act for any on high to think those in charge didn’t merely run when things got troublesome. Their putting on the show that they don’t want to leave, that they want to finish their Task, but don’t have the ability to. Which as you can clearly see we don’t, not with Ancients out there.”

Osjaen calmed some, he at least wasn’t shivering as hard, but the fear was still there slowly taking him. “What if more Patrols arrive?”

Mentor hummed “I don’t see any coming down the hall, and we’d need at least another two, three perhaps to risk opening the Gate again. But that’s not really our problem, we’ve already made our Quota by far.”

Clapping echoed around them as all eyes turned towards the Taskmasters “Up people, we’re pulling back to an intersection, where hopefully we’ll gain the needed numbers to deal, “he waved his hand towards the gate “with this problem.”

People were slow to act on their superiors words, especially those cursed, who’d shut out the realm around them. Those individuals had to be pulled or carried down the passage. Osjaen kept his head lowered as he walked and traced the Wards. Normally it would help him, but the floor was under assault as well, freckled patches of off colors showed around them, instead of the uniform white he been born to take comfort in. The song helped at least, as he focused on the steady hymn playing around him. For a brief time, he was able to forget his troubles and the gnawing fear as he lost himself in the trance of peace, but that broke as they neared the intersecting, which was in an uproar of activity and noise.

Looking up he found crowds in the same state as his Patrol, tired, scared, and many spent. What semblance of peace he’d found on his travel fled as he watched their Taskmasters race off to talk with others of their Title. His Mentor hand squeezed tight around his own “I’m going to need a lot more Acolytes.”

He looked up at his Backer, and hurriedly looked down when their eyes met “What do you mean Mentor?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” said his Mentor with a forced laugh “Look around it’s clearly displayed, we aren’t the only ones to suffer ill this Rotation. It appears everyone had their fill of Grief. Plus with how spent everyone looks it's quite clear that we weren’t the only ones to face off against Ancients.” He ruffled a hand through Osjaen hair “Which means I’m going to need more helpers to stay alive, you, though I’m sure you tried your best aren’t up to the Task, not alone.”

“No” he sighed “your nothing like my last one, he was resourceful, smart, never seemed afraid, though he was annoying at times, and gave me little to no respect.”

“Apologize for being of little Worth to you Mentor,” Osjaen said, as he stared out into the crowds of troubled brothers.

“Not your fault Acolyte, the last one was special, besides I can’t expect younglings to go up against Ancients, not alone anyway.” Said his disappointment of a Mentor.

More Patrols strolled into the intersection, some worse than others, but all were worn and beaten. Taskmasters were fighting with each other, he couldn’t hear the words as the whole chamber was alive with conversation and the whimpering of the cursed. After much yelling, their Taskmaster headed over to them, his eyes running the length of their group, measuring them as his Mothers and Sisters did.

“We’re heading home.” The Taskmaster said, Osjaen shoulders sagged in relief “Our Quota already met, but most of all I’m not leading a patrol of spent newborn into the maws of Ancients.” He motioned and headed to the exit that led home “Now move before someone of Worth shows up to start bossing us around and sending us to our deaths.

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Dailin placed down another shard full of (to him) boring and pointless information. Knowledge of the slow increase of prices on various goods, speculation on what items will be worth later on, things that might be in short supply soon. Much of the items were utilities, soaps, oil fragrances, things that if he couldn’t get his hands on he wouldn’t care all that much.

Rubbing his eyes he grabbed a shard and suffered the visions of an open market with people basically selling themselves to service, listing their many feats and uses, the possible Worth they could bring to a House if they were allowed to join. Servants, handmaidens, cooks, trainers all was up for sale, all singing their Worth. He disconnected from the vision and leaned back into his overly cushioned chair. Staring up at the domed ceiling ordained with endless pieces of glass art, he closed his eyes and let his mind go blank.

He reopened them after a minute or two, willing himself to continue looking through the volumes of mind-numbing housework. His Maidens seemed unaffected by it, as Younna and Zulae sifted through one shard after the other without a break in between, their hands moving in silent speech occasionally. He took a deep breath and grabbed another shard from the pile, and found himself in a large chamber filled with women barely garbed. He had at first thought he was in a brothel, but it lacked the clouds of incense.

“My children are commonly born gifted.” Said one “Can guaranty at least one child in each batch will have the Givers blessing” called another. Then many more as he realized he was in some establishment where Maidens were acquired. Those that displaced vivid glowing mana lines got most of the attention. But Sothsea seemed more interested in viewing the ones less gifted, heading and listing to women that looked similar to his servant Maidens.

‘And here I thought they just went to the brothel to grab some more of their sisters to join the family.’ It was all very odd watching this scene taking place, with a host of women selling themselves to people without the accompanying Slaver master he was used to seeing in other lives.

‘Not slaves’ he reminded himself, no one was technically a slave, everyone was a floating tradesmen looking for a place to stay and someone to work for. They could leave and move on at any time if they wanted to, if they could find another place to work for that is.

The vision continued, Sothsea going from one woman to the next, listing to their speeches. All of those she went to had little to no mana lines, they almost appeared giftless. Which had them request very little in return for a House taking them in. He removed himself from the scene as the list of women continued to rise, and placed the shard down. When he had asked to be informed on the doings of his family this wasn’t what he had in mind.

He had expected threats, people coming for his children or other Houses trying to end his own, maybe reports of Nightmares that they were expected to help fight against. Instead, they showed him lists of things they may need to buy. Asked him who they should bring into the family. If perhaps they need more furniture? Mundane things that he couldn’t care less about, the only good part so far was him finding and buying tools to help train his children in their far more extravagate training room. The rest is a waste of his time, time he could be using to better himself.

He rubbed the back of his neck, which over the month he’d been changing it had become quite refined. The muscle hadn’t grown, at least not much, but he could fell the strength in them, of mana like fibers running through those areas and the bone. Whenever he flexes his neck it becomes tough as stone, he doubted that any normal person could move his neck now, let alone break it. That had brought him some much-needed peace, least he couldn’t be killed so easily, they would have to use a blade to kill himself instead of their bare hands.

It was disappointing he couldn’t continue improving himself in this fashion. But strengthening his body forced him to neglect bolstering his mana channels, and in the end, having a stronger neck or body wouldn’t do much to help him against Nightmares.

“Problems Heart?” Said Younna as she pulled her attention away from the shard she’d been viewing.

“No Love, just taking a break from.” He paused looking for polite words “this flood of information”, useless, pointless information.

She smiled, her tone judging “I wasn’t lying to you Heart, these matters are below you.” He could literally feel the ‘I told you so’ weaved into her words. His lips thinned and he replied with an elegant grunt.

Zulae spoke her tone neutral and by the glaze of her eyes, was stilling viewing a shard while speaking to him “Have you viewed the shard with women offering themselves, Sothsea should have delivered a number of them.”

“Yes,” he said and tried very hard not to sound bored “I’ve viewed only one so far, but from what I saw she was only looking at servant class.” Which was odd as his number of that type of Maiden was already at twenty from the original ten they’d brought into the fold.

“That’s what we agreed for her to look at,” said Younna “We’re in great need of blood-related servants, those tied to this family of ours, especially now that we have our own building to care for.”

“I have twenty Maiden’s that should be providing enough already” he said bewildered “How many more do we need?”

Younna and Zulae glanced at each other “Heart” Younna said after the two of them spoke in their silent tongue. “Every one of the children to come from those low Maidens was blessed.” She laughed, and it sounded like the concept was absurd “Every child that comes from you is blessed, no matter who you lay with it seems. It’s left us with an unheard of problem, who would have thought we’d have too many blessed?”

“Oh,” he said though he wasn’t that concerned by the outcome, it meant all his children had a chance at a good life. “They could still be servants, maybe a Task for the youngest to do, or a punishment.” He didn’t really care with mana at his fingertips most problems were easy to resolve.

She gave him the smile of someone humoring a child. “In most clans, that’s grounds for blessed to then find another House to join.”

Dailin pursed his lips, it did make sense as he thought about it. ‘I have the power to bend reality and you want me to fold clothes?’ Yes, that wouldn’t go over so well, least not in the long run, but when their kids? That’s was a staple from his past lives, what good is a child if they can’t help you with chores? “I don’t expect them to be stuck in that role forever Love, merely till they can do something else.

Zulae talked first “If all else fails then we could try that approach, even blessed that can’t embark on their own until their first full Cycle.” Younna frowned at her, none too pleased to hear such words apparently. She turned her attention back to him, a look of concern marring her.

“Heart, know that I mean no disrespect, and only dare ask you this because of our need to resolve this issue.” She paused clearly reluctant to continue on, he motioned for her to speak.

She chewed her lip, before releasing the words “Would you be willing to lay with those abandoned by the Giver, Soulless?” Zulae froze her eyes going wide as she looked to Younna, who was perfectly still as she stared at him.

He for his part remained quiet, sifting through the tide of knowledge on his peoples customs that Aethin had rammed into his skull. ‘Here we are’ he thought and what he found cleared much. She had basically asked someone of royally perhaps even a king if he were willing to lay with the lowest of commoners or maybe an animal to solve a slight problem.

He brought his attention back to the surface, back to Younna who was looking nervous, and slowly growing fearful as time tick by and he hadn’t given an answer. He smiled hoping that it would squelch her worries. “If that’s what must be done, then I will.” The tension in the air vanished as Zulae turned to him in disbelief, and Younna visible relaxed.

“Are you sure Bondmate?” asked Zulae appalled “This is asking much from you when we could bring servants off the streets, they’ll never be trusted completely but you won’t have to lay with, with” She was lost for words.

He waved the matter away, and joked to help Zulae mood “Its fine, but” he said adding mirth to his voice “What will you two do if the children come out blessed as well?” He had expected them to laugh, to say such things couldn’t be, instead horror marked their features as if he said something they never even considered. Which to be fair was supposed to be the joke, the notion was to be absurd.

Younna slouched back into her chair hands in her hair, a tick which was becoming common to see now that he was around to listen into their discussions. Even Zulae looked distant her mind fully focused on the question he now wished he hadn’t voiced.

“Follow yours and Zulae plan” Younna finally spoke after a minute of silence “There’s nothing else we could do at that point.” She straightened forcing herself to smile “But still its soulless, sorry Heart for taking your attempt at humor ill.”

He shrugged not sharing in his Maidens worries, for if his children came out gifted even from these so-called soulless then he was set for life. No matter where he went or how bad things got people would want him. He already knew his opening pitch ‘Lay with me be you high or low, I guaranty your children will come out blessed.’

The door to their chamber swung open, Sothsea merry as ever then Unthee who’s fetchers softened when she laid eyes on him. He waved “Hello my loves, how was the trip outside?” he said to Sothsea.

She beamed at him, placing more shards on the table next to her sisters “Crowded, but I’ve gotten accustomed to the new flow of the tunnels.” She strolled over to him then hugged and pulled him into a very long kiss, which only ended because the other three coughed.

Sothsea frowned at them. “I have needs sisters, this helps me relaxed after dealing with the hordes out there.” She said as she pulled out a small pouch from a pocket and placed it in his hands. “More shards for you my Treasure, full of those nasty vermin you like looking at so much, we even looked into them and.”

Unthee interrupted her “I looked into them and made sure there wasn’t any more Offers there to distract you, and to make sure there was nothing to cursed lying within.” Sothsea scowled at Unthee who smiled back showing sharp teeth.

“Thank you, both,” he said looking down at the handful of shards, most of which would likely offer nothing new to him, his Maidens even order to were very reluctant to get him things that they claimed ‘would curse his mind’. He looked to Unthee “There’s no need for you to worry or force yourself to look through things you rather not see, I can care for myself.”

“Of course Beloved, but it brings me peace knowing that I’ve made sure there's nothing that will harm you.” Said Unthee passion thick in her words, she's become very clingy and eager to please him after their bonding moment.

“If it brings you happiness, then forget my words.” He turned his attention back to the shards in his hand, shards that promised interesting things at least, even if most of it he’d seen before. It would be an improvement over viewing more mind-numbing strolls through markets listen to the endless lists of offers and promised bargains.

He stood his Maidens turning to him where perform they were having another discussing in their silent tongue. ‘Wonder what little scheme their up to now?’

“I’ll be off my Loves, I trust you’ll make the right choices when it comes to” he waved his hand at the table and the sprawled shards “matters such as these. I’ll be in the training room if you need me.”

“Of course Heart, we’ll send for you if any problems occur.” Said Younna, as Zulae nodded to him. Sothsea pulled on his head trying to reach up and gain a kiss, but with his neck of iron, she was left grunting in exertion until he lowered himself to her level. He kissed her as she frowned and felt his neck confusion growing across her face. He left her with it and walked over to Unthee pulling her into a loving kiss. She reciprocated but he could feel her hands moving across his back and up and around his neck. He left after, expecting a question to echo from behind him as he headed for the door, but his Maidens kept their thoughts to themselves.

He was followed by two of his daughters who'd been among those guarding the entrance to their Council chamber. He glance back “How are you fairing this Rotation daughters? Anything you need?”

“Well Papa,” said both of them, “but”, spoke the one on his right. “We’re wondering if you’re going to sing to us again at Rest.”

“Of course, you need only ask I’ll be there to sing you all to sleep.” They smiled at him which he gave in kind before facing completely forward again. It had taken time to get his children to call him anything other than Founder or Blessed one.

Sadly they revert back to those titles the moment any of the Maidens are near. One moment they’re warm kind children happy to be around him, the next they acted as cold trained Servants when a Maiden comes into view. He could understand for some since they were the Household caretakers from mothers that were brought in to be servants, but even his Chosen acted distant when Maidens were around. He had to assume it was the schooling that he never received, during their time they were being aged and trained.

“Where you headed Papa?” asked the one on his left, the more affectionate of the two as she’d reached out to hold his hand as they walked. “Off to the training room, Sothsea provided more shards for me to view.”

“May we join you?” the one on his right asked.

“Of course my dears its best to get used to the sight of those beasts while it’s not deadly, rather active creatures when in person, can’t study them all that well.” He extended a hand towards her, she looked at it, and hesitantly took hold smiling shyly as she looked at his face before looking towards the floor again. It was a nice moment his daughters by his side not a care in the realm, but that ended as his children quickly pulled from him as they heard steps approaching around the coming bend.

A duo of Maidens appeared caring numerous cleaning tools, they stopped as they noticed him and pressed themselves against a wall making room for him to pass. “Blessings Founder” they send simultaneously.

“To you as well my L-Maidens,” he said with a smile, which neither could see as they gazed at the floor. He only heard them move again when he was a distance away that it was clear he wouldn’t double back and ask something of them.

He said his greetings to all he passed, as he journeyed through the halls and accrued a following behind him as more of his children with time on their hands joined him to view things less than savory. His sons had taken to their Task of fighting surprisingly well, at least compared to the newborn he’d fought with on Patrol who seemed ready to faint at an opportune moment. He hoped the time would never come that his children would be forced to leave these sheltered halls, it’s not like they had to. With the offers that still arrived daily, he could keep them safe with ease. Sleeping with strangers was a pathetically small price to pay if it saved his blood from grief.

“Father” called one of his sons “Is it true that Ancients are outside these walls.” His voice full of that disbelief only children could convey.

“Sadly yes” he answered, “I had the displeasure of fighting one when fleeing with others from our home.” Not something that he wanted to recall, though he could probably kill one on his own now. Gasps of surprise sounded from behind him.

“What did it look like?” asked one “Was it large? I’ve been told they're bigger than the largest Grounder.” called another “I heard they have souls, is that true Papa?”

He grunted, waving a hand for his children to stop as more question began to fall on him in rapid succession. “I’ve only seen one so I don’t know if it was the norm or not, but the one I saw was a large hill. A thing of compressed flesh and shell heaping over each other, it had a multitude of arms and a pair of thick legs which ended with spikes.” He glanced back and saw the children were looking at him with rapt attention. They were all interested, but he could see many fearful of the creature he was describing.

Looking forward “The one I faced could chant, so yes I suppose those things do have souls.” Sounds of disbelief reverberated behind him as he entered into the training room, like everything in this complex it was circular in shape. There was a large pulsing Heart in the center, with the usual detailed dais that was the staple for holding such a Hearts. The chamber was cramped near the entrance, with racks of weapons placed near the walls, on the other side were statues used for target practice. Hearts were lodged into the constructs with Wards carved around the surface. As long as mana was flowing his children won’t damage the targets.

“Did you kill it?” asked some of his children out of sync. “Yes,” he said, “Well I helped, one of Anointed did most of the work.” He placed the sack of shards on a table near the Chamber Heart and turned to his children. “If any of you do happen to fall into a situation that you have to face one of those abominations, be advised to solely use Lightening.” He raised a hand at his children who readied to hail him with questions. “The one I faced could hymn a protective chant, only the Givers wrath seems to break through its defense, so don’t spend yourselves sending wind or water at it.”

The children nodded, and he prayed that none would face such a beast, it wasn’t actually pleasant being on the receiving end of a spell. Nor comforting to think that without any protection you could be dead in a heartbeat.

He watched his sons headed over to the practice statues, their hums vibrating the air and their mana lines brightening as mana came to life. His children all had his union mark, from what he’s seen. A heart-shaped sphere in the center of their chests with lines working its way outwards through their body. When he still went outside or was dragged to brothels, he’d never once seen anyone with a framework such as his and his kids. Everyone else was patterned, at times people he saw only had arms that glowed with mana, and others had randomly glowing spots around their body, small lines spreading away from the mass. Even his Maidens were the same, it was one of easier ways he’s been able to keep track of people when he doesn’t know their names.

His ears flexed down as the air pressure changed and chants were fired off, areas where the statues were struck glowed red as the Wards pulsated alarm. He smiled as most of them were able to hit their marks, but they still had a long way to go when comparing himself to them. Which wasn’t fair since he’s used mana to warp himself into something beyond what practice could achieve. But they were getting faster, able to complete a chant in second’s where before it took them almost a minute. It was no wonder the Taskmaster on his last Patrol had the newborn siphon their mana into already formed spells rather than forming their own.

“Papa,” called a son, “Will you sing to the statues? Please.” Others echoed his words.

“Alright, but only a short one,” he said making his way over to his sons. His kids moved behind him as he stood near the center of the room so he had a clear view of all the statues and their blinking marks. He took in a deep breath raising his hands and hummed the air coming alive and mana raced across his figure. His fingers danced as he fired off chants instantly, his hymn fast enough that it coalesced to what his children called his song of cleansing. The twenty statutes slowly changed red as he hit every mark that blinked to life. His hands moved around like that of a composer, guiding an invisible orchestra. His veins glowed bright as a Lightstone as he hummed his song. A fun game he began indulging in when he grew fast enough that he didn’t need to follow the Chants in his head. It was all thought now, the mana dancing to his tune even if the hymn didn’t match the verses Aethin gave him, it didn’t matter. He thought and the mana followed, all else was flair.

He took another large breath and let his hands fall, the song that emanated the halls faded. The statues were all neon red by the time he stopped, he turned to face his children who stared with starlit eyes at him. Smiling “Keep practicing, and envisioning to be like me children and I’m sure eventually the Rotation will come.” He was sure of it, the Mana itself would make it so if they held that thought, the image of what he did in mind.

His sons, even some daughters rushed over to practice their craft, while he headed back to the table, a group of daughters already sifting through the shards. “Good to see you’re all eager to know our enemy.” He said as he sat in a chair they had reserved for him. Reaching over he grabbed a shard and leaned back into his chair closing his eyes.

Tunnels surrounded him, the leaves and glowing flowers a nice change to the smooth stone of the Sanctums that he’d grown accustomed to. He was running, retreating with a pack of others as they raced down passages, the calls of Nightmares growing closer, even as they ran at full speed. Something only the veterans in the group did well, while others, likely newborn tripped, or stumbled over vines, and thick trunks hidden underneath the foliage.

“A little further,” said one at the head of the group, his breathing haggard, and looked ready to drop from exhaustion. Nightmares screamed behind them, the noise these fools he was a part of making all sorts of sounds Nightmares love to hear. They turned a corner, then another and emerged into an open cavern, a giant glowing door of stone shined at the other end of the chamber beckoning them forward. The area looked unfamiliar, but it was easy to tell that the door opened into the Sanctum tunnels. No Settlement would so blatantly display their location to the realm of Nightmares that hunted the halls.

The one at their head pulled out a shard as they neared the door and practically rammed it into the Wards of the gate sending signals for help. “Defend me” said the individual that he had to assume was the Taskmaster. His vision shifted as the person he was living this moment through turned to face the passage they had emerged from. The screams grew louder, and he watched as he raised his arms. Other followed suit, save for the newborn who scurried behind their superiors. When the Nightmares emerged winds howled, smashing the beasts back to where they came.

No effort was put into conserving their strength or at least aiming, instead Dailin watched as the Chanters wasted themselves firing off winds blades in wild succession. Many of the blades striking already dead foes from others who were firing with abandon. He sped up time till the cavern became alive with Nightmares as they either pushed through the assault with numbers or came from newly opened tunnels as Nightmares began smashing through the cavern walls.

The Patrol changed tactic after that throwing all they had into constructing Barriers around them and the door. The witless newborn spent themselves fueling the process, the children falling to their knees in exhaustion. Even through the vision, Dailin could feel the Maker of this memory using themselves up building this desperate shielding. It was odd since if he been there making this defense he could have done it alone, faster, and still not be under much strain. But right now he could feel himself beginning to fade, his body aching for mana that it was addicted to.

One of his hands moved into the folds of the cloak he wore, searching in haste then grabbing madly when he felt a Heart push his fingertips. Dailin breathed in ecstasy as Mana flooded into his starved frame, the substance coursing through him almost begging to be used. Dailin couldn't help but revere time and experience the feeling over and over before a thought hit him, and his real brows furrowed. The scene stopped as he ceased paying attention to it as his thoughts turned inward. The vision distorted as he began influencing it, manifesting then holding a Heart in front of himself.

‘I’ve been pulling in Mana from the air slowly building himself, while this whole time I could have merely got my hands on a Heart and done everything instantly.’

Maybe, but he did know a Heart held enough mana to refill the average individual, where before it would likely take them hours or a day to recoup naturally. At the very least using Hearts would have sped up his progress enough that he could morph his muscles, and the channels the mana stored in.

He could’ve been so much more by now if he. “No, Hearts are expensive, even if I knew they could change me, I wouldn’t have been able to get my hands on one.” Not unless it was small, and still it would have cost him almost everything when he was working under Aethin. He could get his hands on them now though, they had a vault, and he seen Hearts held with, or he could even take the ones from the statues. There was condensed Mana for the using all around him and he’d never notice, never consider since he’d seen it as a lifesaver, something to recharge him.

He would get one from the vault, they were likely all his anyway, one of the many gifts for laying with strangers. He would see how much was stored within, see just how much one Heart could change him, observe if it was worth the risk.

Risks. Doubts and worries began to cloud his mind. His Maidens would notice a Heart missing, then start searching, and when they found him with it they would ask what he was doing with it. Then even more questions if they found it empty. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” He could pull as much mana from the air as he wanted and none were the wiser. If Hearts began to disappear or found used, they’d ask him what he needed that much Mana for. If they found out it was him, but they would search high and low to find the culprit, and eyes were always watching him

His eagerness, and excitement began to fade as reality and concerns sunk their teeth into him. ‘Faster growth, that comes with questions he can’t answer, or what I’ve been doing all along that no one notices?’ he sighed as the answer to that question was obvious, he couldn’t afford more attention that a quick growth spurt would cause.

The vision resumed but he paid it little attention, his mood was soured as quick power was dangled in front of him and he couldn’t reach for it without consequences popping up. Still, he thought about it, wondered, then remembered ‘I can refill the Heart!’ he thought ‘I don’t even need to use all of it, just enough to see the benefits.’ Excitement surged through him and he very nearly threw the shard down and hurried off to the vault, but he mastered himself some, instead placing the shard down. Then stopped as he found himself surrounded by Daughters. One to his left and right, leaning their heads against his shoulders. Then a third above him hugging him from behind and using his head as a pillow cushion.

‘I guess I can what till later’ he thought as he relaxed and grabbed another shard, he had all the time in the realm after all.

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

She found herself lolling to sleep even as she forced herself upright sitting in her bed with the rest of her Sisters as Papa tranquil voice blanketed them with loving warmth. She stared at him, his soul shining brightly snuffing out all the realm curses. The Givers Chosen, her Prime Chosen, none could deny that, not for long anyway, as her Papa soul grew brighter every renewal.

She shivered as his song reached its peak and the whole of her vessel felt covered in a loving embrace, then it faded, slowly as his voice leveled off and his hymn came to a close. She felt so cold with it gone, and she almost begged him to continue, but she bit her tongue. Papa had already sung for them over a Round and asking for more was well past overreaching.

Those of them that remained awake through the whole Chant waved him goodbye which he mimicked before gently closing the door. She stared at the door a part of her hoping he would come back. A pair of hands wrapped around and she was pulled back into Sounness chest, her sister hugging her tight as she shivered. The absence of Papa’s voice taking a heavy toll on her sister's vessel. Tealhun placed her hands over her sister squeezing them, they stayed intertwined till the worst of her shivers passed. Then they parted long enough for Tealhun to pull covers over them as they rested facing each other. They made sure only they could see each other’s hands as they began to Sign.

‘Uoth sent word to the Watchers that our Father soul has returned to its normal growth rate’ sent Sounness ‘They wish to know if we have any understanding into why it had slowed.’

Tealhun smiled at her Signing ‘our sisters think it has to do with his neck, its changed, the fibers underneath are thick, compact as Chanted stone where before it was soft like everyone else.’

Her sister looked away in thought before Signing back ‘they’ll likely ask the reason for this change.’

‘Tell them it’s because of the Faceless they sent, he saw how she died and must have asked the Giver to protect him from such a fate.’ Tealhun motioned ‘He’s the Givers Chosen, but it seems even he is only allowed one blessing at a time.’

‘They also asked again if we’re almost ready to help cleanse the unworthy.’ Her sister sent and Tealhun fingers twitched as she fought down the anger that wished to surface ‘Tell them as before we will let them know when everything is prepared, we can’t rush, our mothers are ever vigilant, even more so now that we let a Faceless get passed them and display an offer.’ She had hoped that would have ended it, her Papa shown the truth that he refused to see willingly. He was above all, and his children, they should be living in a Tower, not amongst these low cast. Yet he ignored it, gave the shard over to that sadistic Unthee who whisked it away. How she wished to know what wicked lies her mothers had spun to keep her Papa from claiming his right.

No matter she’ll undo all their work, free her Papa no matter the cost, his children will not let him be led astray, such a kind soul deserved more, and she’ll make sure it happens. When she was done all these leeches Maidens will be removed and squashed like the vermin they are. She smiled at sister, wishing it was her Papa holding her close. ‘Just a little longer Papa, you’ll be free, and we’ll soar high guided by your divine light.’