“So what did you think of him?”

“He’s brilliant,” Naloth sighed. “I’d do anything to bring him into my fold if I could. The things we could accomplish, who cares if he can only use some obscure non-affinity branches? I feel like just letting him plan how different rituals could work and getting others to carry them out could revolutionize the world if given the chance. My project just went from something I wasn’t sure I could finish to a goal that has the potential to pay off before the second wave with just a bit more refining.”

“Well, don’t covet the boy too much. Even your meeting today was a risk and you know it.”

“I know I know. I’m not such a fool as to put my hands on the apostle of a god, but you know as well as I that this was the safest time to try.”

“Well, that’s true enough I suppose,” Iberu admitted. With all of the gods' focus directed at the things to come, it was probably the least risky time to be near an apostle. Otherwise, the odds of their thoughts being peered into was simply too great.

Of course, there was always the chance for the gods to miss things, but neither one of them trusted themselves to control the things going on within their heads to such an extent. It should have been the most private area any mortal had, so almost none had the talent needed to keep things from rising to their conscious minds. For anyone with secrets such as theirs, spending too much time with an apostle of all people was nothing but a risk, even if they needed to do it at least a little, either for information like Naloth or to keep up appearances like Iberu.

“Try not to worry,” Naloth told him. “I’m sure things are fine on my end. I’m more concerned about yours. You do have that one additional variable, was there any reaction from her?”

“Abrus’s child seemed put off, but nothing that she could put into words so we should be fine. The fact that she felt anything really was a surprise, but she shouldn’t be anywhere near the battlefield till it starts, and by then she’ll be far too busy to focus on that.”

“Mmh, blood runs deep I suppose, just try and take care.”

“Ha, I’ve invested too much into this to fail at the end, don’t you worry. And is there anything else I can do for you while you’re in town?” Iberu asked him, watching as the other stretched his neck.

“No, I’ve gotten all I can from here. I’ll talk to my people, see if we can start putting some of these ideas into practice. Who knows? We may just have the world saved before your invention shows its worth.”

“Ha, if that’s the case then I won’t complain. You keep all eyes on what you’re doing in the end and then maybe I’ll be able to escape the wrath of the gods.”

“One can hope,” He laughed back. “Stay well Iberu. Try not to get caught when you’re going to be the first of us with any success.”

“Same to you, don’t get yourself killed when you’re so close to achieving your goals.”

It was like that they parted, Naloth departing to the gate as Iberu went through the city he called home, taking in all that craftsman’s tower had to offer.

He didn’t just love his home, he loved the world as a whole. It was rich in so many ways, the diversity of life, culture, arts and more. The very idea that there was a species out there bent on destroying all they had was like a knife twisting in his stomach. A feeling many people were left dealing with as they each had to handle what was to come in their own way.

A city like that was just as good for observing the mood of the world as a whole as it was for all of the people and culture there was to offer. All around him was an oppressive atmosphere of gloom and defeat, and yet, if one only looked they could still see the better bits of life abounding.

Each day there were people who gave each other their aid, helping friends or family or even complete strangers. He could still see children out playing and couples walking arm in arm, friends with friends and even the odd person who was just strolling with a smile on their face despite it all.

And yet I can’t help but wonder what people see when they look at me.

Just because he was the head of the craftsman’s guild didn’t mean his face was well known. They wouldn’t see him for his position, only how he presented himself, and he hoped he was coming off as determined.

Everything he did was for the world as a whole, there was no cost so great that he wouldn’t pay it if he could, and with that last thought, he went off to look at the price.

Each day he tried to spend at least a bit of time in front of the weapon he’d worked so hard to design. It didn’t have a name; it didn’t need a name. All that mattered was that it would serve its purpose as he turned to the many workers scurrying around it.

“How’s it look?”

“By all standards, we believe it should go off without a hitch, but it really would be best to test it, sir.”

“No testing. I understand your frustration but the power source is going to be temperamental. I don’t want to use it once only for it to immediately break down. We’ll just activate it and pray when the time comes. So long as it stays on we shouldn’t need to worry about it shutting down for the span the gate’s open, and if the world wills it we won’t even need to replace it for the next one. All we need to do is ensure everything is in peak condition until then.”

The technician gave a nod, not happy with the order but agreeing to it nonetheless.

It wasn’t like Iberu couldn’t understand the man’s frustration, but in the end, he and everyone else would just have to wait and hope. There was always a chance that if they activated it too soon a watching god might understand exactly what had been built and try to put a stop to it. So long as nothing caught on to what he’d created till it had shown its worth then they’d have no choice but to leave it be for what it could do.

I don’t care if I’m tossed into the infinite hells for it. If it works like it should then every person on the planet can villainize me for it after as they all enjoy the long lives they’ll get to have.