Sachihiro

I listen to Hara recite her story as we lounge in Sergie's back yard sipping cooled drink that the servant brings. I keep looking at Anastasia and Pherastasia with my actual eyes so I don't miss the point in which they start laughing at my expense.

Sergei is hard to read, even with my sort of enhanced ability to study people and their intention. Something I thought was a new skill until Gorr pointed it out as the Awakened version of my gift of tongues since body language is also a way to speak or express yourself.

I've actually developed the skill analyze that sort of works in conjunction with reading body language since I'm yet to learn any other applications for it. Hara just keeps talking, talking about being from Omega being able to walk directly from there to Gaia through the Ascension Gates.

She speaks of some spirits or deity actively working to accelerate the timeline of these breaking of seals so that more spiritual energy may permeate into the physical realms so they can gain more power. She names names, giving me a list of cults that are particularly affective in their endeavours that the Conclave has apparently been in a shadow war with for years even before it was the Conclave as I currently know it.

She speaks of the Ancient of Days and prophesies and plans and the end of worlds. The more she speaks the more horrified I become as I think of my children, my wives,my family. The scale of the potential destruction and powers that will be at play makes me want to be by Kazimoto's side throughout the whole affair. Maybe he could at least look after my children right?

The scariest thing is the timeline with which all this is supposed to happen.

"You're saying within 20 years or sooner?" I ask her to repeat herself after clearing my throat. She does, I scowl and decide here and now that ima speak to my mates about this, then my mother. I don't care what anyone says.

"Okey, I have a lot to think about. Excuse me for a while I can see myself out." I say quickly to the servant moving towards me.

I'm irritable, and I just want to be alone for a while and so I leave the modest estate and walk towards the parks. I walk amongst the trees, touching the bark of the trees and breathing in the clean air of wilderness. I walk through and watch a sparing match which I respectfully decline to join.

I walk around the entire city eventually fully being in my thoughts, thinking that all this may be gone in a mere 20 years time. Its really unfathomable and that's the danger isn't it? Maybe Master Zaraya is crazy for a reason, maybe there are horrors beyond imagining out there on Omega and if they cross over...

I walk back to my modest home and give the signal for Soal to leave me alone as I realise he's been following me the whole time. That's how distracted I've been I realise and I walk into my modest home with a sigh.

Kuyoki sees me and her happy radiant smile slowly fades as her very pregnant self walks up to me smoothly. Being Awakened and pregnant seems effortless, without all the drama and discomforts of just being a pregnant mundane.

"Where are the others?" I ask as I hold her in my arms with so much love and affection.

"In the upstairs room with the children." She says still looking into my eyes searchingly.

"We should have a family discussion," I say after giving her a quick kiss.

We talk, Kuyoki, Ingwe, Mira and I. We talk for hours as I convey to them what was conveyed to me and its gravity. We talk scenarios and we try to plan and we circle around issues and we worry. Ingwe advises I take my sidhe lover as a mate so she can help protect the children and I'm stunned to realise Kuyoki and Mira also consider that an option.

We talk about ways to strengthen our family and strengthen ourselves and the best place to raise the girls with as many opportunities for growth as possible. In my mind that's immediately under the tutelage of my crazy Master Zaraya.

The fae are strong beyond imagining but they accumulate their power and expertise very slowly and carefully, and time is a luxury we just don't currently have. I bring up Shea as a potential mate with crossed fingers and a slightly increased heart rate. They just look at me funny but we talk about Shea, then Mira brings Rigdis and her relationship with him into the picture and how having him as a part of the family would strengthen it.

I'm sceptical but if he remains only her lover and not a lover of all my mates I could stomach it, especially with how many women I'm interested in. Ingwe always seems happy the more mates I take but she is looking at the three of us with wide-eyed judgment as we talk of including another man closer into our family.

We will need to bring ma and da into this discussion tomorrow and soon I will need to go find my brother. He needs to get ready for the coming 'calamity' as Hara called it. Om needs to get his ass back into gear as well, how long does it take to fully Awaken for someone who has been in a time chamber for over three months?

We decide though that I will join the Conclave of Shadow, and my entire family needs to move to the Den Compound via the Academy in preparation for what is to come. I'm gonna need to start recruiting for another expedition down to Pangaea, I haven't been home long but what choice do I have?

It's before dawn and I already have everyone gathered in my humble home a d its bursting at the seams with people. Ma and da with Sigrùr, aunt Helen with her mate Dawn and their children Eldrich and Eray, uncle Brian with his mate and their two children Cyrus, Amanda, Mist and Ander. Zhen and Freydìs with their baby, a very unlikely pair those two. Teà and Dustin with their young boy, Kiera and Vuyo with Om's son Andrew. Gorr is with Fenrir while Tosting is with six of his mates and 12 of his children playing around somewhere.

The dwarf twins Тóma and Tatiana are present and have made a substantial amount selling gems to the south. I have also made a substantial amount selling their gems in bulk to the markets in Pangaea, though I used a substantial sum buying Ingwe's brother.

Soal is sitting by the door talking amiably to the twins Anastasia and Pherastasia whom I've invited as a curtsey. Personally having Sergei over would raise too many questions and I left a letter for Vevina with her ever-present ever silent servant. As I'm about to speak Gaia walks in looking like he was in a fight with a thin dirty girl in tow.

I nod my acknowledgement point him towards the snacks consisting of fruit and juice. We mostly move to the back yard which every house has an abundance of. I look at everyone present and start talking.

The more I talk the more serious the atmosphere becomes. Rigdis holds tightly to Mira's hand but all I see on his face is determination and resolve, good. The twins scowl at me the entire time whilst Soal looks on with a thoughtful expression, his eyes never on one place.

I tell them everything without talking about how I know what I know. Ma doesn't seem very surprised which somehow doesn't surprise me, Tosting snorts the whole time but doesn't comment.

Om's mother Tabita is also present with Kiera, Vuyo and Andrew Om's first son. If I can't talk to the Mountain I'll speak to his family. It isn't long before I'm finished and answer a few questions before excusing myself with a kiss for Kuyoki and a signal to the attractive twins.

They follow and I notice Soal follow as well if I've spotted him I'm sure they have but none of us speaks. I walk to Sergei's estate and am let in without many words. I take the seat indicated but quickly stand as Sergei walks in with Hara just behind.

I bow my head, "I gladly accept a position into the Conclave of Shadow if you will still have me."