The elder council, or Gerousia, consisted of elder citizens that were elected for life. Twenty eight in total, with two kings leading the negotiations with Tao. While the elders promised not to speak during the negotiations, they would have a final say in what to do by the end of the negotiations. Shida and Ezra only served as spectators and protectors. Spartans thought lowly of them for having women warriors, but Tao wanted to use that misjudgement to his advantage.

Demaratus and Cleomenes, the two kings, sat at the front rows of the stadium, watching intently as the man from eastern Asia took the center of the assembly. A well, which was styled more like a massive pit, was at the center of the stadium, making Tao eerily uncomfortable since he'd speak dangerously close to it.

A woman sat next to a white-dressed woman within the Gerousia audience. The woman's name was Gorgo, Cleomenes' middle-aged daughter. Unlike women in Athens, girls and boys alike were expected to partake in political affairs for Sparta. A little girl was holding Gorgo's hand, it was Demaratus' seven-year-old daughter, Doris, brought there to partake in the diplomatic event.

"Adorable," Shida said elbowing for Ezra to notice the little girl.

"Knock it off," Ezra said, "we're on duty."

Shida tried waving at the little girl, but Doris only squinted suspiciously at Shida's gestures.

Tao rubbed his chin slowly at the assembly, biding his time before truly addressing them. He had one chance to sway them, and he decided to take a little time to give off an aura of mystery before speaking. "Spartans," Tao said bowing his head down to the kings.

"The king of Persia has asked for assistance from Sparta, to end the tyranny that is democracy in Athens."

This caught the attention of the elders. Athenian democracy was a common debate among the people of Sparta. It was often referred to as 'the law of the mad mob' among the citizen body. Tao raised a head up to smile at the kings.

"The philosophy of Athens is a direct danger to the men and women of all of Greece. People need order, rule, and harmony with their people. Kings' rule, aristocrats rule, oligarchs rule, never should the low minded and diseased have the right to rule a city."

Many of the elders nodded, and Tao continued. "Sparta, in the past, installed a king in Athens to save them from their own corruption. But as you know, Isagoras, the man this same council installed, was exiled from Athens by men gone diseased with power."

Tao extended his arms to the elders, like he was giving a giant air hug. "I appeal to this council today, help Persia install a rightful ruler to Athens. One that lives up to Spartan and Greek virtue. So that the philosophy of madness can never spread back to Sparta someday. Athenian philosophy is diseased, and only Sparta may stop it from spreading."

The elders whispered among themselves, highly intrigued by Tao's language. Spartans were arrogant enough to believe their way of life was more worthy than others, so he took advantage of their own pride. By praising Sparta as the better of the two states, he directly contrasted Athens as a rogue state and a threat to Spartan lifestyle.

And he didn't just speak about the necessity to bring order, but also the necessity to bring morals. Like Athenians were unjust and needed to be saved. Like a liberation campaign, because the idea of freedom was highly valued among Greeks everywhere. This was the job of a Persian diplomat, to make others believe that an alliance was for their own mutual benefit.

"And how," Clemones said standing up in the stadium, "do you intend for Sparta to help in your puny endeavor?"

The Spartan king spoke in a hardened, battle stern tone. Those were words of combat and skepticism designed to discredit Tao's talking point.

"Earth and water," Tao said with a smile. "Our navies will come, our people will come. The march of Persians alone can shake the lands, but only Greek men should defeat Greek men. Persians are not fit to subjugate Greeks, but a Spartan leading other Greeks? That isn't just natural, its destiny. Sparta is destined to rule over Athens."

The elders in the stadium nodded their heads in approval. Their longtime rivalry with Athens was beginning to show. Many of them remembered the days before Athens become a democracy, and missed the days when Sparta was a force to be feared by them.

Cleomenes only scowled, but Demaratus interrupted him. Demaratus was a much younger king, almost half of Cleomenes' age or the same age as Tao himself. The younger king only watched Tao with intrigue and curiosity, like Tao was an animal to be studied.

"So you ask us for a tyrant? Is that it? Your men take Athens, while we install the king?"

"Yes and no," Tao bowed his head quickly in a sign of humility. "King Darius is ready to offer Sparta glory and riches if an alliance is to be secured. But in order to do so, Spartans must show they are worthy as allies through combat with the Athenians."

The council laughed, and even Cleomenes laughed at the comment. Tao glanced around curiously. Demaratus said, "Emissary, we are Spartans. We've nothing to prove to Persians. Let your people break through the gates and take the city, and we'll take rule afterward."

Tao swallowed. They essentially wanted all of Athens without the work. "That wouldn't be possible, your kingship." Tao bowed his head again, this time to hide his face. "I'm afraid if Sparta isn't willing to aid in Athen's conquest, then there is nothing to give to Sparta."

Hushed whispers filled the crowd. Demaratus said, "so what, you're prepared to take Athens, with or without Sparta?"

"...Yes, your kingliness."

The councilmen began grumbling at each other, almost scowling at Tao's presence now. Cleomenes said, "tell me emissary, under what pretenses did Persia decide to embark on a reign of conquest toward Athens?"

Why do you want Athens?

This was the moment of truth. The justification for war that Tao needed them to understand. Tao slowly clearly his throat, "Athens, broke its Oath to Persia once. Twenty years ago, when Isagoras was overthrown in Athens, Athenian emissaries came to Persia asking for assistance against a potential invasion from Sparta." Tao pointed to the king, "they wanted Persians to fight Spartans. We agreed, in exchange for their complete subjugation. But when the time came for tribute, they refused, saying they no longer needed Persian protection from Sparta."

There were gasps from the crowd, like an entire people had committed a crime in cold blood. Not only did Athenians insult Spartan adversity, but the idea of getting foreigners to fight for them disgusted the Spartans. Tao continued, "now, it's time they pay. They insulted Persia, the Gods, and virtue itself by their constant lies and unwillingness to follow the natural order of kings. Athens must be destroyed. And if they do not kneel willingly to a Greek king, then the city is doomed to be destroyed by a Persian king. They walk down the path to their own destruction, either by men or by the wrath of Gods."

Tao didn't believe in Gods, but they didn't need to know that. The council began applauding to Tao, like he'd gained their respect as a man of principals and morals.

Cleomenes suddenly stepped back from Tao's presence. Aghast that a strange-looking man could speak such powerful words. In truth, Isagoras was his friend. Cleomenes and Isagoras were together in Athens when the people overthrow him. Athens almost slaughtered 300 of their fellow supporters before being allowed to escape. The old wounds of shame were torn open again, and Cleomenes suddenly desired vengeance. "Those animals," Cleomenes said with his fists clenched, "rotten oath breakers to the core."

Demaratus stared at Tao agape. He'd never seen the council so riled up before, it was as though Tao had some supernatural power coming out of his mouth. Before he could call for an assembly vote, the little girl from the stadium walked up to Demaratus and squeezed his hand, "father," Doris said in her toddler like tone. "He's corrupting us with trickery."

Demaratus stared back at Cleomenes' daughter. Gorgos was sitting on the stadium silently, glaring at all of them all with her arms crossed in anger. It was like she was scolding them, silently punishing them for siding with the foreigner.

Demaratus looked around at the crowd. He's just a foreigner, Demaratus remembered. Barbarians to the core. They were rallying behind a man whom Greeks technically didn't consider human. Demaratus stared at Tao with a newfound disdain in his eyes.

"Tell me, Persian." Now he referred to him like an alien, not as a diplomat. "What plans does your king have with Sparta after its finished with Athens?"

"Why," Tao put on a snake's smile, "an alliance of course. Sparta has alliances with city-states under the Peloponnesian league, correct? It could work just like that. Mutual benefit for Persians and Spartans alike."

Doris' squeezed her father's hand again, visibly making Tao uncomfortable. Demaratus asked, "so if you join the league, will you promise to send soldiers to aid Sparta when we ask?"

Tao frowned, suddenly realizing the tables were reversed. "Well, we can certainly aid Sparta when needed. But that would require... For Spartans to aid Persia when needed as well."

The council suddenly calmed itself, going quiet at Tao's proposal.

"Needed for what?" Cleomenes said with added skepticism in his tone. "Just what sort of aid would Persia expect from Sparta?"

Tao swallowed, "we can discuss the details another time. For now, I highly recommend you help us conquer Athens so that you'll at least have the king's favor."

"The king's favor?" Demaratus said calmly, "and why would Spartans need a barbarian king's favor?"

Demaratus put a hand on his sword, tapping it irritatingly for Tao to see. Tao swallowed, "what I mean is, uh-"

Cleomenes said, "what does Persia want from Sparta? What future does Persia demand from Sparta?"

From the stadium, Cleomenes' daughter yelled at the king's, "slavery!" She sowed the seeds of distrust among her people. The citizen body raised up from their seats and yelled blasphemy.

Cleomenes pointed a finger at Tao. "Answer, Persian. Or else this might be your last stand."

Tao's eyes frowned, "don't threaten a messenger. Persian and Greek alike, doing so brings omens to all."

"What do the Persians want from Sparta?" Cleomenes repeated.

"We can negotiate after, at the very least, won't you help us campaign against Athens?"

"Answer the question," both kings ordered. Demaratus said it again, "what does Persia plan with Sparta?"

"Subjugation," the little girl yelled, knowing full well that the Persians were their enemies.

Ezra and Shida glanced over at each other. Suddenly worried for Tao's safety, neither of them felt safe around the maddening crowd.

The assembly was now shouting at Tao, calling him an animal from where he stood. Tao looked across the Spartan people and finally realized what Lindos was trying to tell him: Mad men. Men so accustomed to power and self-righteousness, that they refused to see the rest of the world for what it was.

Realizing at that moment that Spartans weren't fit for being a part of the Persian empire, either as an ally or an adopted territory, Tao told them the truth. With a flattened, stoic expression across his face, Tao said, "For your people to bow beneath the feet of my king, like the wicked animals you lot are."

Cleomenes unsheathed his sword. He stepped forward and pointed the daggers at Tao's head. Ezra stepped closer to Tao, her palm on her own sword ready to defend Tao.

"Don't," Shida ordered standing behind them. Tao also waved a hand at them both, signaling for them to back off.

Demaratus said, "do you really think two lowly women can stand up to Spartan kings?"

Shida answered, "We'll stand against Gods if you make us."

The two kings held still in their places, and made quick glances at each other. Demaratus ordered, "Put your weapon down, Cleomenes. The Persian is right, killing a messenger would anger the Gods."

Cleomenes held still for a moment, and lowered his sword while shaking his head. He said to Tao, "You step on Greek soil, ask us to be your cattle, and threaten us all with conquest and slavery."

"Think, Omens, Cleomenes," Tao spoke calmly. Despite being unarmed, he said it like he had all the power in the world.

Cleomenes glared at him, "You insult a king before his fellow men, and you talk to me about omens?"

"Honor," Ezra said to him, "think of your honor. Spartans don't attack unarmed men."

Cleomenes stared at the girl for a long while. Now a woman was telling him how to be honorable. Such an insult wasn't something he could tolerate. He stared down at Tao and said, "this, is, for honor."

Cleomenes' foot coiled back, and his leg kicked Tao in the gut. The force was so strong that Tao's body flung behind him, pushing him into the well.

Time began to slow for all of them. What seemed like a quick movement suddenly devolved into an assault on the Persians. Demaratus unsheathed his sword, guards raised their weapons to surround the remaining girls.

The girls glared at the Spartan men with disgust in their eyes. So disgusted that their eyes began to glower. A light streamed across their bodies as energy pulsated around their skin, a light aurora glow escaped their bodies like rays of sunlight.

They flared like the sun. The Spartan man jolted back in terror as the blinding light overtook them. In a quick instance, Ezra's body transformed into a stream of light consciousness. Disappearing from her place and flowing as a lightstream into the well.

Shida's body devolved into rock and dirt. Deconstructed into sand, Shida's stream of controlled particles bursted out of her as a whirlwind. It covered the stadium and filled the air of the Spartan councilmen and soldiers. Men coughed and choked, blinded by the sandstorm. Her sand remained active, swirling around the vicinity as though the wrath of Gods had befallen all of them.

Ezra's lightstream swiveled up the well again, this time carrying Tao as though he were floating on a cloud. Tao dropped to the floor, and Ezra returned to her natural form next to him.

Ezra launched herself at Cleomenes. Shifting from light to human to thrust her body at him, and pummeling him to the ground in a single instance. Cleomenes dropped his sword as he fell, allowing for Ezra to unsheathe her own sword to point at the king's neck.

The whirlwind of sand dissipated slowly. The people around them were panicked and frenzied even as the wind came to a gradual halt. By the time Shida's sand form returned to her true human form, the councilmen and guardsman were stunned to find Cleomenes with his back on the ground, with a sword pointed at his face.

"Give me the order," Ezra said glaring down at Cleomenes. "I'll kill this savage by where he stands."

"Don't you dare," Tao said coughing. Tao took a long moment to stand back up, not at all comfortable from his near-death experience. He observed the men around him, satisfied by the looks of horror across all of their faces.

You've angered the Gods, Tao wanted to say, because their expressions implied precisely that.

"Demons," Cleomenes coughed from the ground.

"Deviants, actually," Ezra said to him smiling.

"What magic was that?" Demaratus demanded an answer.

"The wills of Gods." Tao announced confidently. The men across the stadium stared in horror and resolve. Whereas before they saw the girls as weak, now they seemed like beings of mythos. Tao said, "Persia is a uniting force of the world. King Darius has the blessings of all peoples, and the will of all gods of the universe. By attacking me, you've not only angered the Persian people, but all the Gods that represent the people within the Persian empire."

Tao pointed a finger directly at Cleomenes, "Persian or Greek, killing diplomats is not humane. Your king has not just insulted Darius, but also the very laws of man and nature." Tao pointed around at the council, "children of Sparta, you've unleashed the wraiths of the world upon yourselves today. Not for refusing Dariu's call to arms, but for breaking the laws of humankind. King Darius will raze Sparta to the ground for this."

Ezra and Shida's eyes glowered again, confirming the idea that they were both demonic. Tao gestured at the girls, "The Gods from Egypt to Babylon will unleash their fury. Persia's armies stretch across the world, and the forces of humanity have just united against your wretched kind. Our soldiers will shake the land at which they walk, drink the seas as they pass, and block out the sun underneath their arrows. " Tao pointed down at Cleomenes who still laid on the ground, "and you only have yourselves and your mad king to blame."

Cleomenes looked up at Ezra atop of him, her eyes glowed like some supernatural force. For the first time in his life, Cleomenes was afraid. Not at the sword pointed at his head, but at the horrible fate he might've bestowed onto Sparta.

Demaratus walked forward at Tao in menacing stride. He looked down at the man with the fortitude of pure stoicism. "We don't bow down to Persian kings."

"You can't stand against the universe," Tao's voice was serene, calm in confidence. "Your Gods have abandoned you for this crime. Can you really hold your ground, against the whole world?"

"Yes we can," Demaratus said, "because only Sparta breeds true warriors. Now leave, your presence is trash to our city."

Ironic, the three Persians thought. But they all stayed quiet. Ezra stood up and walked away from Cleomenes. She took a step next to Tao, and began gesturing her hands in a circular motion. Shida stepped next to Tao as well, copying Ezra's movements but also not keeping her eyes off the little girl that spoke out.

The little girl was being held by Gorgos, the princess of Sparta. Gorgos gave all three of them a glare of death, promising them punishment in a silent way. But what disturbed Shida the most was the look on Doris' face. The little girl wasn't afraid or disturbed by the display of power, but angered by it. The little girl stared at all of them like insects that needed to be crushed. A child corrupted at the core, and the sight of that made Shida shutter.

Shida and Ezra's eyes glowed bright, and streams of light began surrounding the three of them while they motioned. Tao repeated the word, "the wraths of Gods have befallen you, pray that your honor may be restored by the deaths of all you. As of today, the world declares war on Sparta, and never forget that your arrogance was your own undoing."

Demaratus refused to let him have the final word, "then don't forget this, Persian. Today is the day Sparta stands against all the Gods of the east. Pray for your own mercy, for history will remember the time when Sparta never yielded."

The glow became brighter, and encased the trio into a ball of light. "We'll see," Tao responded. And with that, the ball of light dissipated, with the Persian emissaries disappeared from the city.