A tall figure in rough, dark clothing stared intently at a glowing orb floating in front of his chair, and the dark scene of a prison cell being portrayed inside of it. There were several of such orbs floating around the luxurious room, providing the only light to the dim room, but only this one kept the figures attention. He looked like some sort of broke fortune teller with the creepy lighting.

The scene remained still save for the changing scenes in the orbs until a woman with long blood-red hair a matching dress opened the door to the study, the dark interior being flooded by the well-lit hallway behind her.

“Fairen!” the woman said loudly, “I know this isn’t exactly your best week, but you could at least come out of this stupid room once in a while, some of the others are wondering if you are up to some prank again!” The woman began to look from orb to orb at the repeating scenes inside them.

“I think I’ve finally found one, Thalia. And close the door!” The man responded, not moving his eyes. The woman stopped looking at a certain scene floating near the door, and once again looked toward Fairen as she closed the door she had come through.

“Hmm, it’s certainly taken long enough since your last one. How long has it been? 300, 400 years? I was beginning to think that you were giving up once and for all. You think this new one could beat out Azuel?”

“I don’t know for sure, but he’s got potential. A lot of it. I think he could put up a fight at least.” Fairen placed a finger on the orb in front of him, and the picture froze. He finally moved his eyes to meet Thalia, who made a few steps until she could see what Fairen was so intent on.

“Looks like you might not have a champion for long if things keep playing out this way. I guess you’ll have to make a decision soon, huh?” Thalia replied, now only mildly interested in Fairen’s newest obsession. She had seen this side of him many times before. It never went well, and always resulted in the god loosing more and more of his influence, and thus his life-force. He was at his last try, and another failure would probably be the deities end. At least for a while. She only felt pity now.

“Would you like to come with me to the introduction? It’s always fun to see their reactions.” Fairen knew this as well, but he did the best that he could to hold his confidence. Things would be different this time. He would put everything he had into it.

“Nah, I wouldn’t want to spoil it. I’ll be watching though.” Thalia pats the closest orb to her, and the one previously paused by Fairen begins to pulse in red, casting the shade onto the whole room.

Fairen’s facade of confidence ticks for a second, as nervousness flashes across his face, but he manages to bring himself back under control.

“Well then, that’s my cue. Any longer and things might end a bit prematurely”

“Good luck..” Thalia says to an empty room, as Fairen’s figure had already disappeared. No flash of light, no smoke, no special magic mixed in, just gone. He must really be nervous.