Dailin walked from one crib to the next holding in his sounds of affection. His children were all fast asleep and though it would be the simplest of spells to return them to it, if they woke, he still wanted to avoid it. It was difficult as he looked upon them, they were the manifestation of everything cute when they were this young. The image enhanced given the comical size of their ears, which were almost the same length and width of their bodies. There was much of him who wished they would stay this size, remain the picture of innocence. But they wouldn’t, nor could as they were meant for grander things.

That was what people had begun to whisper into his ear, his Advisors included when the children had been born. All of them, as he went about looking at their sleeping forms, had his Rune skin, and it was fully developed. They were a perfect copy of how his skin was three months ago. It was no wonder the Maidens had to consume Hearts just to function during their pregnancies. He remembered the flood of Mana that was required to form his new skin. He was glad he had a large store of Hearts always on hand. He didn’t want to think about what would have happened if his Maidens were forced to carry out the ordeal without volumes of Mana there to help them. It would have been awful to bear the consequence of that. Maybe the Runes would have killed the women in order to gain the required power to finish itself. Or maybe it would have failed, stopped halfway through leaving his children with marks that did nothing. Or yet gain just continued manifesting even after the children were born

So many things could have gone wrong, but it had been averted and would continue to be so as long as he had Hearts. Something he doubted would run dry given his place in the realm now. The demand for him was endless, the whole Tower sending Offers to have one of their own lay with him. His Estate was starting to overflow with goods from all the requests he’d taken. His Advisors and Maidens had filled his days with one group of women after the other. It was going to get worse, beyond anything he and his Maidens had seen. Once word got out about his children, which would be soon given that many outsiders were close to birthing children he had seeded. After that, he envisioned there would be a literal horde outside his Estate banging at the doors.

He stopped and leaned over one of the cribs, staring at the sweet little girl that laid within. It was odd to see others like him, just as invulnerable, and someday soon just as desired by others. His future had no horizon now, he could reach any heights he desired was ease, given enough time. The first batch had already provided him over a hundred children with Rune skin. In a year he would have an army that would make anyone flinch in fear. He would have a House, a family none would dare scheme to harm. If he was able to raise his new children properly, make it so they never turned on each other, but banded together as a proper family should.

Gods he hoped he trained them right, with the skin they had, and the possibility they inherited all his workings. If these children turned out like the others, became as cold-hearted as the rest of Vail. Gods help them all. The devastation they would bring, especially if they began fighting each other. Images of ruined cities entered his mind, the populace killed by beings that couldn’t be harmed until they were spent. Fear crept into him, and not for the first time when he looked upon his children. When the uncertainties of the future began to whisper into his mind. Showed him all the ways things could go wrong.

He looked at his daughter's face, a somber smile marking his own. He would do his best to guide them, to prevent them from becoming like everyone else. The urge to caresses the child's cheek was a strong one, but he held back, and straighten himself as he surveyed the room. A chamber filled with cribs, one of five, all as close to his lodge as possible. All guarded and looked over with the utmost care. He retreated from the room, without making a sound as he encased himself in a dome of soundlessness. The many Chanters guarding the entrance to the room gave a short bow as he exited out into the hall. The Length of it was lined with people standing vigil, many of whom were his older children. He walked passed and entered each Chamber holding the newborn inside. Inspecting that all was well, his children slumbering peacefully. If not, nothing a small wave of warmth couldn’t fix.

One room after the other he looked and walked the length of the interior, making sure all was well. He didn’t need to, his actions one of needless movement to distract his mind, as his House prepared to grow his babies into small children. He was anxious, fearful of what might happen to them, worried that the Rune skin was going to cause complications. He remembered his own forced growth, how bad it could turn out if things were off if those conducting the spell didn’t have the will and strength to carry it through. Because of that Dailin had taken the knowledge from his Maidens, learned how to Chant the spell himself. He would be the one to lead the Chord, supported by many of his House and a chest full of Hearts.

He rubbed his hands together as he returned to the hallway, nervousness getting the better of him. Sure he had the knowledge, knew it by heart, knew every part of the Chord and how to Chant it, but it was an entirely different thing when he had to actually compose the Chant in the real realm. He had practiced singing out the spell in his Chamber without moving Mana into the words, he had done it flawlessly, his throat now well-tuned to achieving the correct note after months of Mana improvements. Yet it did not make him feel any better, his children lives were at stake after all. He didn’t want them to end up like those of his batch, dimwitted and so empty head they were living corpses.

He would take care of them, if the worst happened, even if they were fools he would raise them. Dailin looked about, ready to do another round of checking on the nursery Chambers when he saw the mob heading down the hall. His Advisors were in front, guiding the crowd, made up by the looks of it, every Servant they had.

Vollow bowed low once he was near, and straightened himself before speaking, “All is prepared, Father.”

Dailin nodded “Good, good lets being then, while the Rotation is still far from its turning.” He walked back to the first nursery, the host behind him following close. A Chanter opened the door for him, as Dailin entered he stepped to the side letting the rest come pouring through. Servants hurried about lifting children from their cribs, hymning as they did so. The spell wasn’t near the strength his influence provided but it was enough to keep the children from emerging from their dreams. In a short span of time, the room was emptied and the children carried off towards the Chamber that had been repurposed for the growing ritual. Normally his children would have gone to a section of the Tower specifically made for the Chord they were about to conduit. But given the Gifts of his new batch of children all were in agreement that the children were to stay within the safe confines of his House, lest someone tried to snatch one away.

Dailin nervousness grew with each step. He hoped it would dissipate after the first attempt, given the unknown elements his children may bring about. The Maidens had agreed that growing the children in smaller groups rather than all at once, was a wise decision. If something was going to go wrong best it happened to a portion of his children rather than the lot of them.

He was lost in his thoughts during the walk to the Chamber as he went over the ritual a few more times in his mind. He only pulled his attention to the present when he stepped through the chamber door and entered the room. Long tables had been arranged around the interior, which the children were placed on. In the center of the chamber was a large Heart held upright by a custom-made platform. The scene before him brought back unpleasant memories, as he recalled the torrent of pain he went through during his change. It was why he was taking such care to make sure each one of his children was asleep, it apparently made the process far more pleasant.

‘Wish I had known that at the time, I would have let myself fall asleep.’ He complained as he waited for the children to be situated, and the smaller Hearts moved into place. When done he moved over to the Chamber Heart, Vollow nearing and offering a Heart that was covered in very detailed runes. It was as guiding stone for the second phase of the growing process, a ritual so complicated that it even left him merely memorizing the various incantation rather than trying to figure out what each did. Dailin pocketed the Heart as he turned to look at the mob of Chanters standing in wait behind him.

“You each have three Hearts on hand?” he called out, murmurs of yes and nods were sent his way. As they did Dailin checked himself, made sure for the hundredth time his pockets had Hearts stored in them. Turning he faced the Chamber Heart and placed a hand upon its surface. “Ready yourselves, I’m starting,” As the words left him he connected his Mana to those stored, lying in wait within the Central Heart and activated the Wards. It pulsed to life and Dailin began the complex ritual, his voices echoing loudly around the room, followed with many others.

The minutes passed in a blur as he focused on reciting the Chant perfectly, during which he felt the Mana being pulled from him in a steady pace, fulling the demand of the ritual as the Heart blazed brightly. His raised arms fell back down to his sides as the spell came to an end, he had expected to feel winded from performing such a complicated verse. Hearts ready to refill him when needed. But in the end it wasn’t necessary, the spell even great only took a minimal chunk out of his reserves. He could do it many more times without the need of aid. His assistants, on the other hand, were a different story, many had consumed a Heart, others that hadn’t, were rather worn looking. His children had faired the best, not all that surprising giving the thickness of their veins, but they to hadn’t gotten out of the spell unfazed.

“We’ll rest five Sequences.” He said as he scanned the room. All the toddlers were child-sized now, appearing as if they were eight to ten years of age. He breathed out a sigh of relief as the Runes on their skin appeared undamaged, they had grown with the rest of the body. That lifted a heavy burden from his shoulders. The worries and nervousness which had been plaguing him diminished, as so far things were going well. He spent the time walking about the tables studying the Runes, looking for any sign of mistakes, his new children remained asleep, breathing peacefully. A completely different experience from his own. ‘Perhaps none of them will even be aware this accorded happened, lest told?’

He moved back into his place once their rest came to an end. His hand grabbed hold of the Heart which contained all the standard information said ritual bestowed. His children would gain the needed knowledge one required to care for oneself. He breathed in a few times, ready himself as he recalled the needed Chant, he turned to face his group. “Raise a hand if any of you aren’t ready for the next phase.” He waited, yet none moved so he turned to face the Chamber heart. “Then I’ll begin,” he said, placing the Knowledge Heart against the Chamber one. He hymned, his voice rising enough in pitch that it tickled his ears. Other voices joined with him as light streamed from the Chamber heart out to the lesser ones hovering over his children.

Time passed in the blink of an eye and soon he felt his voice lowering, the pace of Mana usage lowering back down to a trickle before stopping altogether. He took a large refreshing breath when the ritual came to an end. His posture loosening as the stress of him messing up the ritual passed. He turned at the sounds of people panting. Many looked ready to collapse from exhaustion, till they pulled out Hearts and replenished themselves. All of them did, his children included. Dailin pulled his eyes from them and looked to the tables. To his children that remained motionless, there was no outward change to them. The Runes appeared unfazed by the second ritual. Dailin wouldn’t know if something was amiss till after the children were awake, that in some manner the Runes got in the way of information being passed.

He heard the door to the chamber open, Vollow was there speaking to people outside. His son pulled the door open wide as a group entered, carrying with them an assortment of clothes. Richly made clothes, with gems and eye-catching designs made with precious metals. They went about the room, hovering his sleeping children off the tables so they would have an easier time clothing them.

He left the Servants to their work as he moved his attention to his ritual group, “Raise a hand if you used all the Hearts provide to you.” he said and more than half of the group complied. Only his children hadn’t used all of theirs but it was close. As they only had one left of the three provided. A costly growth, perhaps three or four more times expensive to what a normal ritual of this kind would require, and of this size. He had four more to go before the day’s end, the thought made him extremely glad that for the past month he'd been sleeping with women almost all day. Filling his House with various goods and gaining chests full of Hearts.

Given the cost of growing his children, he now knew no meager House would ever be able to maintain itself if they had one of their women lay with him. It was fortunate he was in a Tower now, away from such people. That he was surrounded by only those who could easily afford to raise his offspring. Rather than the second tier where this endeavor would have set many back or crippled them. Dailin had a sickening thought ‘What would have happened to the Giftless I laid with if they would have been allowed to come to full term?’ With so little Mana in them, Dailin wondered if the women would have had a miscarriage. Or died from exhaustion as the children in the womb sucked every bit of Mana out of them. He could have given them Hearts, but back then Dailin wasn’t sure he would have had enough to last.

He twiddled a finger in his hair trying to distract himself of the problem he had avoided, for now. But as he continued to improve the costs of each new generation would rise. Since they appeared to inherit all he was during the time he laid with their mothers. There was a bright side to it though, with how things were going he would never have to reveal his secret. His future children would continue to rise in strength and none would be the wiser of why. All believing it was the Giver blessing him.

‘Thank you Tealhun, for that excuse.’ He did wonder how long it would be before that lie fell apart though, either the Giver herself actually arrived and claimed she hadn’t had a hand in his changing. Or someone of secret knowledge called him out that he was a fraud. Worshipping faiths went only two ways, the god was real, or it a massive lie maintained by the hierarchs in charge of the group. Dailin had only seen the latter once, and the cost of learning that secret had him swiftly killed later that day. Dailin wasn’t sure which he was hoping would be the outcome of the Vail faith. Either could go bad for him if the individuals Above deemed it so.

But that was a possible problem for another time, while he had a pressing one gnawing at him now. He looked to his grown children who were being awakened by Servants, now that they were all clothed. He was glad about since all those in attendance had been giving the newborn looks of utter want. A change for him, since such looks used to be reserved solely for him. It was nice not being the center of attention but also had him worried. If his children had inherited all his gifts that meant his children’s children would too. And Dailin could already picture the soaring costs that would follow with his children running about laying with men and women. Even with the treasure trove of Hearts Dailin House had in store, he wasn’t sure how long it would last if they all began to birthed Rune skinned children.

‘And it’s only going to get worse.’ He thought and noticed it was becoming a common phase of his. He watched his children rise into sitting positions. They were studying the room, and the people around them. They didn’t appear confused, and most important of all seemed to be conscious. Unlike his forced growth, where the children around him had empty eyes and were marked with utter confusion. No, his newborn were fully aware of their surroundings. It wasn’t long before all the newborn had their eyes on him, he was after all the only other in the room with the same Runes. Though his were far superior, more than three months of improving was a considerable amount of time when he had access to volumes of Hearts to help him.

He smiled at his new children, happiness pouring from his heart that they all appeared well. So when he spoke his words reflected how he felt, the room becoming smothered in his caring warmth. “Hello, my Children.” He said, the Newborn and those whom never felt his influence before, gave out a collective gasp as the wave of warmth washed over them. Everyone in the room turned to him, eyes locked, and minds beginning to drift as they focused more and more on the effects of his spell.

“How are you feeling my dears? Any pain? Unpleasantness? Raise a hand if you feel any of these.” None of his children moved to act, they instead began to relax in an ever-increasing amount with each word he spoke. Some began to drift back to sleep as their heads leaned forward. Stifling a chuckle Dailin focused and stopped the flow of Mana maintaining the area spell. The outcome of that act was prompt, as children instant stirring back to life, as did everyone else who quickly emerged from the haze his spell and seduced them into to.

“I’m feeling unpleasantness now.” One of his daughters said, looking rather miffed. Others mimicked her words, or complained of the cold they were feeling. He raised his hands “it will pass my children, if not, don’t worry I’ll shower you all in affection later, as long as you all behave.” He looked at them closely, delighted to see they understood his words, not one was confused or having difficulty registering the meaning of them.

He smiled brightly, relief flooding him, and merriment as he witnessed the wave of looks his children sent at him. Pouts mostly, some frowns, and individuals looking as though he'd sentenced them to some hell by refusing to cover them in warmth again. He noticed many of the Servants sharing in that same look, utterly desperate to be under its effects. A mistake on his part, he’d been careful about who felt his influence. But the joy had blinded him, and now he had a room full of Servants wanting him more than ever.

No doubt they’ll be squabbling over who gets to be around him in the mornings, to bath him, clothe him, feed him. They’d be hoping the whole time he’ll smother them in warmth, and he might now. If it keeps them from going to extremes to garner his attention. Say a coup, even if it would be a disaster.

Maintaining his smile he motioned to the door. “The Servants will guide you all to a waiting area, where they will go about caring for your every need.” Mana merged with the word “Behave, and I’ll arrive once the rest of your brothers and sister have been grown.” The mention of their Title had the Servants coming back to themselves, many showing frights of fear when they realized they’d been staying him squarely in the eyes. Their heads lowered instantly and turned from him towards the children that they began to whisper to. The children focus pulled between him and the women calling for their attention. Eventually, Children rose from the tables, reluctantly following the Servants who helped them walk out of the room. A portion of his kids glanced back at him as they left, an odd look of longing in their eyes.

Dailin rolled and massage his neck when the last of them were gone, the worries that been plaguing him left as well. Vollow was at his side, head lowered as he spoke, “Shall we get another group, Father?”

“Yes,” he answered “Plus another chest of Hearts. I want all of you fully Renewed before we begin again, another three Hearts for all involved.”

“As you wish Father,” he son said and left with a bow, moving with eagerness, even a through a moment before he had been acting tired. His son had come back to life from experiencing his influence, something Dailin had deprived them of for quite some time. The rest of the group left with Vollow leaving Dailin alone as they went to collect the next batch of the kin. Dailin breathed in bliss as the bulk of dread hanging over him lessoned. It had been steadily growing in weight for the past month, no matter the amount of Mana he consumed. The feeling of it had him rot with concern, enough that he asked his Advisors to acquire the latest news that was available about the affairs happened below their feet.

The Shards provided, painted a bleak picture, worse than he had expected. Hundreds of people, Guards and Chanters were being slaughtered outright. The Nightmares were larger than ever, the Ancients were the same. When one of those things showed it was the end of the army that encountered it. He even witnessed a scene of an Ancient withstanding a spell of lightning, the runes upon its fresh strong enough to hold against the attack. Strong enough that they still glowed afterward and the Ancient attacked with vengeance, running the spent Chanters through as it smashed everything it could get its armored hands on.

These Flocks his Advisors told him about were being crushed, to the point Dailin was wondering if those in charge were just sending people out to open space with the Sanctums. Rather than dealing with the problem of a horde that was growing stronger by the day. After the various scenes, he’d watched he called for his Advisors to go about collecting as many resources they could. Dailin had told them of things he saw, even though he knew it wouldn’t be to their liking. An understatement considering how they acted, freezing up, almost on the verge of fainting.

He found it odd since he did inform them before that he didn’t expect the Flocks to achieve the official goals stated. Yet it appeared his children had held out hope that his assumption was wrong, and when he was proven to be right, well, they suffered some ill consequences. They eventually recovered from their shock, begged him to answer more questions, and pleaded that he wouldn't share his wisdom with others. Dailin complied, mainly because he didn’t want his House to go through a wave of turmoil. There was much to be done and having a larger portion of his family comatose from shock wouldn't be productive. Ever since the Shards his Advisors provided him increased, he was going to need a separate chamber to hold them, if the pace continued. Already the pile in his room was getting out of hand. He did his best to view as many as he could without it affecting his other affairs. Still, with it only being him viewing the images that laid within, the pile rose higher. Everyone else avoided the Shards, gave excuses when he asked why none were looking within the crystals for answers. Always about curses, and being consumed by them.

Which had made him rather confused, since every Shard he looked into didn’t hold any form of spell work that would inflict such a thing. All he found was battles going poorly and at times very graphic images of people being torn apart, but nothing magical or nefarious. It had taken him longer than he would admit to others. That it was the sights themselves that they feared, what cursed them, or maybe the truth of what was going on. Dailin suspected it had something to do with the Wards, two different views conflicting with one another. Wards sang all was well, Shards showed it clearly was not. Which is why people avoided them so adamantly. A desperate act to help maintain the sweet lies the Wards song filled them with.

It was rather obvious to see, now that he was aware of it. Everywhere he looked he watched people avoid anything that would contradict their view of a safe realm that they believed was the current state of affairs. It wasn’t, nor was the Sanctums themselves a bastion of safety, given how many people died with them. Killed by their own, fighting over positions and their envisioned Worth to stay within the Wards walls.

‘I suppose begin knifed or blasted apart by a spell is better than being eaten alive.’ He thought as he waited for his children to return with the next batch of babies. In truth he might be the safest person within the Sanctum, even though he wasn’t at the top of the hierarchy, he was close. With his Runes skin, he had nothing to worry about, no blade could harm him, no spell could incinerate him either. Same for his children now, given they inherited his protection. Maybe they would be less affected by the sights outside because of that. Better able to cope with the images of an enemy crawling around looking for people to consume.

With how large the beasts were now, Dailin often wondered how the Settlements were fairing, his had to flee from a swarm full of meager ones. He couldn’t see the poorly made Wards holding up against the Nightmares he was viewing now. He wouldn’t be surprised if a portion of them had been forced to flee, to run towards a Sanctum as he did. ‘They probably ended up in a Flock and sent back out to fight the horde, then died in the process.’ A fate that could have once occurred to him, if it wasn’t for the crazed loon spouting to him about how Mana listen to its wielder. He would be out there now, screaming his lungs out as an Ancient come pounding towards him.

Since he was alone Dailin flattened his hands together and slightly bowed, ‘Blessing to the gods for the avoidance of that grizzly end.’ Dailin ended his prayer when the door opened and people entered carrying children. Two of his sons carried a chest with them and lowered it to the floor. Upon opening a seductive light ebbed out, Dailin’s eyes were pulled to the sight of so much Mana stored in one place, almost whispering to him to be used. Others eyed the Hearts but not in the manner, they only saw a means to renew themselves. Dailin saw the endless possibilities that laid in wait, the means to strengthen himself against a realm that very much wanted them all died.

Children handed out Hearts while Servants laid the new batch into place, small Hearts hover over them primed for the ritual to come. The Chest was half empty by the time everyone had three Hearts, he felt a pang of loss in his chest at the sight of it, the cost of his children fully displayed to him. Stifling a sigh he returned to his place next to the Central Heart and called out to his followers “ready?” he said, eyes scanning the group. He received no protest, so he turned and began things anew.

Dailin sat on a table massaging his temples as the last of the children were guided away. Though he had volumes of Mana left in him ready to be used, his mind was at its limit. A small throbbing near the front of his skull was working its way into a headache. A half hum had it removed, but the weariness he was experiencing remained. Rest would be the only cure for this ailment, something that was going to wait as he had other matters to finish first. Groaning Dailin rowed his neck, eyes catching a glimpse of the Chamber Heart, which was slowly dimming in light. He had thought he was past needing the guidance of a Chant to get what he wanted from the Mana within him. This ritual proved he was a long ways off, life was complicated. Healing something was one thing, making it grow unnaturally quick and dealing with the intricate workings of a body so it didn’t grow into an ungodly mass of flesh. Was a whole other level than he wasn’t ready for. Whoever had invented the forced growth ritual had to have been a genius or spent untold amount of lives trying to perfect the Chant so people won’t die from it. Or both, Dailin couldn’t decipher the unending weaving of symbols that made it work. He could make out small parts, which would quickly be hidden behind layers of more complicated spell work that left him baffled.

He grunted, picturing the Chant in his mind brought back a throb of pain, so he let the image vanish and hummed the pain away. Sighing he rose, happy with the turn of events, the ritual had done its job. Raised his children without killing them, even with their born Gifts. He breathed in happily, as his instincts oppressive presence had diminished to a notable degree. Each raising had lowered its weight, the threat outside not as worrying as before. Maybe with hundreds of Rune children at his side, the dread he felt constantly would finally go away. He would finally feel completely safe, and able to enjoy this life to its fullest.

A pained moan was forced out of him as he felt said dread start to press down harder, slowly returning to its original weight. It stopped halfway, but the effect of it still had his heart hammering loudly in his ears. He placed a hand on the table steadying himself as he breathed in heavily. Fearful thoughts clouding his mind, the Nightmares weren’t being idle, they were doing something below him, preparing just as he did. And by the feeling of it, they were doing a far better job. He huffed, straightened himself, and for a minute waited for the dread to press down on him again. When it didn’t he made his way to the door, eager to get this day over with so he could return to his strengthening.

Vollow was waiting outside, so were the other two of his Advisors followed with many of his Chosen standing guard. “Father” Vollow spoke, “A blessing that the need for solitude as waned, your new children grow restless.”

“They call for you,” Sounness added, her head lowered fully. “Begging to be at your side again” Uoth further explained, as she, like always hid most of herself behind one of her siblings, this time Sounness.

“They aren’t causing trouble are they?” he asked, not all that happy to consider the damage they could cause if their tempers flared.

“No, nothing so ill Father” Vollow replied with a half bow “They’re just asking for you in an increasing amount, even with Servants fulfilling their every need.” Dailin hummed and there was a small ripple in the air as power flowed out from him, he ignored it, his thoughts taking him elsewhere. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have used that spell on them so soon, even with matured minds, their thinking would still be that of a child, of child wants, and the meagerness of a child’s patience.

“Of course” he breathed out “let’s not kept them waiting, they went through a disruptive time, best to soothe them as a parent should do.”

“As you say, Father,” Vollow said, his words carrying a whiff of yearning in them, Vollow motioned with his hand in the direction they were to take. Sounness went first guiding them, her head looking straight once it was no longer facing him, Uoth was close behind hurrying to keep up. When Dailin moved to follow the groups of people standing vigil did the same. It wasn’t a long walk a minute at most, the entire time he was expecting to hear crying children, begging for their parent. Instead, only the sound of footfalls echoed in the hall. All the surfaces of his Estate were Warded, the carvings sucking up the sounds in the air. So any pitch made by his child would be caught long before it made it to him, especially if the door to the room they were staying in was closed.

It was in fact just that when the room came into view, a multitude of Chanters was posted outside guarding the entrance. They all made way when he neared, Vollow opened the door for him, which released a cacophony of noise.

“Where is Papa?” “Is Father coming?” “I need him, where is he?” “How much longer will he be away?”

Every child was asking about him as they lounged about in couches or chairs with Servants rushing about offering them platters of food or drink. Some had taken the offers, but it hadn’t stopped them from continuing to ask questions. One of Dailin past selves, one who had an ego, would have loved to see the scene before him, of so many thinking only of him. Dailin, on the other hand, found it creepy, and concerning. True toddlers wanted to be near their parents much of the time, but what he was seeing seemed beyond that.

When he entered the flow of questions stopped as the children all turned to him. “I’m here” he called out letting the room fill with his influence, with the warmth they had already taken a liking to. A sad thing, that emotions of caring evoked such responses, such craving.

“I see you’ve mostly behaved yourselves.” He said looking about the room and finding nothing broken. His children didn’t respond to his words, no, they just stared at him blankly, the same way the Heralds had done months back. He lessened the amount of warmth he was letting out and saw some awareness return to them. “How are you all feeling? Still no pains, no aches?” One of his new daughters commented with “Better”. Dailin recognized the face, it was the child that responded to him before, complaining of unpleasantness. The rest didn’t comment, they were still fully entrapped by his simple emotion spell.

‘I guess children are far more susceptible to it.’ He concluded as children leaned against each other, slowly shifting to sleep. Except for the daughter that spoke to him, she kept her eyes wide, staring at him unblinking. ‘Even when it’s one of my children that’s still unsettling.’

Pulling himself from the feeling, he turned to his Advisors, who were looking very relaxed now, happy. He motioned to them to close the door. Then returned his attention to the children and hovered a chair over to himself to sit rather than asking one of the Servants to bring it to him. They, like the newborn, were having a difficult time staying conscious. Blankly looking at him with unaware smiles. He ignored the looks and focused on his toddlers as he sat down.

“Since you all behaved” he said, his voice soft “Why don’t I sing for all of you, a little award for keeping your word.” Dailin heard a small gasp behind him, it sounded like Sounness. ‘It has been a long time since I sang to any of them, not since they killed their mothers.’ He shut down the thoughts that come with that, of family killing itself, no he would do better this time. He was in charge and would divvy out due punishments accordingly. The corrupt would be removed, even if they had rune skin, he would save those worthy of his feelings.

“Yes, a song” he commented to himself when none of his children voiced their own “I’m sure you’ll come to cherish them as your older siblings do.” He coughed and rubbed his throat, Dailin lean back into his chair and began. It was calming melody, no words, only the changing of hums, still with the aid of Mana the song he spun was an alluring one. As the minutes passed none were left unaffected, Servants forgetting their Tasks lowered themselves to the floor. His Advisors did the same, plus the few Chosen that had followed Dailin inside. Soon he was in a room full of sleeping forms, many of whom were hugging and cuddling close together. Still, he continued to sing his wordless song, for it had a slight effect on him as well. A nice distraction to the growing problems he had little ability to address. He let himself slip into this small bastion of bliss, eyes savoring the scene of is children happily holding each other tight. The picture of a close family.

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Deuthnus stared with the rest of the Host as they watched a river of Souls flow down in front of them. The massive amount of it had the air rippling with power, he took large breaths pleased to feel the fatigue that had been troubling him, vanish. Others followed his example taking in the strength of those passed on. He lost track of the time he had spent watching the flow of Souls, so thick in mass that it appeared in the shape of water. The stones around it began to change, turning into the chrysalis form those on High favored. His sister had once remarked that it was a needed material in the making of Hearts, or more precise the needed material, the catalyst. The crystal stone was always in high demand, one of the first items auctioned when High materials from the mines entered into Crafter sections.

It made the vision before him all the more breathtaking, as he gazed upon a picture of fortune that would make his House secure in their hold within a Tower. A shame the flood wasn’t pooling into a pond. He leaned further over the edge getting a better look of the chasm, which much of the Souls were falling into. The Light ebbing from the liquefied Souls let him see everything clearly, let him see how long of a fall it would be if he fell. He moved back, disgruntled at what he saw. The Souls weren’t pooling at the bottom of the chasm either, from what he could tell, the Souls were cutting through the stone, working its way further down to the depths Below. Likely towards the lower Sanctums, which had no business gaining access to such Worthy Souls.

Vuth, his brother placed a hand on his shoulder, Deuthnus look back and saw the unease in his brother's eyes. The man never liked him putting himself anywhere near risk, so he humored his kin and moved further away from the gaping chasm. “Relax Vuth I’m being careful, I would never let myself die from falling.”

Vuth grunted at him but removed his hand, “if that was all I had to worry about I would be a happy man. But we're outside, away from order, there’s no telling what could happen out here. Who could appear and push you off that cliffside.”

Deuthnus rolled his eyes, true he had made enemies in his time, but none would be willing to Offer the right amount to have someone try and kill him so far from the Sanctum. “You worry too much brother, sometimes I wonder if I’ll wake to the Rotation it’s consumed you.”

His Brother scoffed, not bothering with a counter but instead focused his eyes on the rushing Souls. “We should head back,” Vuth said after a Sequence of silent viewing. Vuth turned his attention back to him, “This is the fourth river we have encountered, our Sisters will want to know.”

Deuthnus sighed, his own eyes being pulled back to the sight of glimmering souls. “Our Founder sent us out to find a new mining sight Vuth, and though this is knowledge needs sharing, it still might not be enough to stave off his displeasure.” Giver knows he didn’t need to earn any more of that.

Vuth went quiet, his brother well informed of Deuthnus situation. “Brother” Vuth words coming out soft “This Task was almost meant to end in failure, you know that. Find a mine this high up? Even after Cycles of others doing the same since the Sanctums were formed?

Deuthnus lowered his head letting out a low breath, he knew deep down that this was just an excuse to be used later to send him off. His sister, as always the case with her, had been very open lipped about it. How the founder was looking for Worthy to send off, something about matters Below not going how they should. That Worthy were going to be needed to finish Lowly Tasks. The thought of it had Fear coming in full, slithering its way through him with practiced ease.

He found himself shivering when he came to, Vuth holding him in a tight hug, whispering in his ear like they were still newborn freshly grown. He patted his brother on the back “I’m here.” He repeated it a few times before Vuth pulled away from him.

“Your right,” Deuthnus forced out through a shivering jaw “Lets head home.” His brother smiled at him and yelled loudly to the many around them. “Group up, we’re leaving these cursed tunnels.” Deuthnus cocked his head slightly at the word cursed, his brother normally called them Soulless, he looked back at the river. ‘Then again there not so Soulless anymore.’

Vuth guided the Hosts down a different path back to their home, perhaps out of blind hope of stumbling on a mining sight for his sake. They didn’t, but he was still glad they took a different route since before they reach the Sanctum they found two more rushing rivers of souls, both larger than the ones before. And each crashing through layers of stone, heading for the realm Below.