“Men.” Sila scoffed as Bjorn’s eyes fell upon the heap of bodies in the common room of the house.

Najeem, Vai, Ruhak and Peng smelled like piss and the stench of something burning.

“Care to explain this?” Seang asked when Najeem was the first one to come to, “I thought you didn’t drink.”

“I don’t,” Najeem groaned, “I...ugh, I smoke.”

“How is that different?” Seang mumbled to herself.

“The Knights!” Ruhak shouted himself awake, “Taya! Guanyu’s Bane Knights! They’re here in the city!”

“Gods and demons, calm down Ruhak.” Taya said, “What is it?”

Ruhak went on a tangent about how they’d witnessed a secret meeting of Nikan spies and how they were supposed to be going after them so they could start and Operation Golden Storm.

“I’d say it was a hallucination of drunkenness,” Shahla muttered, “If the story weren’t so likely.”

“We should let the Senator know.” Seang said, “You four go wash the stench of urine off yourselves. The Senator’s coming here in an hour.”

All four seemed equally dismissive of the nun’s command, but contrary to their attitude, obeyed.

“The rest of you, take a seat.” Taya said, “I’m gonna catch you up to speed about the state of the world.”

After a brief, yet detailed description of the Armageddon Event, most of the Easterners seemed to either take it in stride or have things on their mind more immediate than Armageddon.

“Whether it be to liberate nations or save the existence of mankind, the Companies of Man have to be revived.” Taya said, “And given that we are now presumably the targets of a vast spy network, I don’t think anyone should leave this place without a partner in tow. So Seang and I took some time this morning to figure out what companies you would most likely fall into based on your abilities and the bonds you’ve made with your Shedim.”

“The Steel Fist is the Company of Idealism.” Seang said, “Shahla, you and Kameko fall into this company, since you both have devoted your lives to something far grander than yourselves.”

“Bjorn and I are in the Searing Breath,” Taya sent a sly wink his way, sending blood rushing to Bjorn’s cheeks. “We both used to bend to the whim of fear, but we’re both on paths to finally defeating it.”

“The Company of the Relentless Stride is all about progress and evolution. We believe Cecile and Orhan should fit into that one.” Seang said.

“In what way do I have to evolve?” Cecile asked.

“Our opinion would be useless if you can’t figure the information out yourself.” Taya said, “Sila, you and Vai are in the Company of the Carver’s Ear, which is all about the aspect of remembrance.”

Sila furrowed her brow.

“You’re free to disagree with us if your Shedim bestows the mantra of a different company onto you, but these are just for the sake of safety, anyway.” Taya responded to her as though reading her thoughts, “Ruhak and Ricco are in the Starlit Eye, the Company of ambition.”

“Najeem and Peng are in the Calloused Hand, the company of humility.” Seang said, “Myself and Gustave over there are in the Sunlit Tongue, the company of cooperation. And Shakti and Lokapele are in the Quickened Heart, the company of Passion.”

When the boys came back from washing themselves and getting into new clothes, they were informed about this partner system.

It may have been pure luck-to Bjorn it didn’t matter-but as of now, both parties were still neutral with each other despite having fought the day before. So nobody was upset with who they got paired with, as it was still too early to make judgement calls, even for those who really liked to jump to conclusions like Gustave.

It wasn’t long before Florentius showed up at their door, accompanied by a retinue of officials and scribes. The senator dragged a cushioned chair to the front of the sitting room and sat himself across from where the two parties were situated.

“So then, what was it you people wanted to meet with me so badly about?” Florentius asked, “And keep it quick. I’m not made of hours.”

“Given that you’re unable to provide Qahtan with military support,” Shahla began. She knew best how to handle the upper classes of Mesogeonian society. “We have improvised and join forces with the Searing Breath as a paramilitary mercenary-adjacent company. However, as things stand now, the Searing Breath cannot expand within the Koini guild system, making us unable to enlist everyone within our parties among other things.”

“Does it have something to do with what the other senators and I witnessed yesterday? Because while this sounds interesting and all, I would like to know how the senate building’s doors were removed and have the immense amount of glowing lights I saw on people’s bodies explained.”

Taya sat up from her lounging position next to Bjorn, “Well, if you haven’t noticed, we’ve all got Plague Scars. The Plague isn’t actually a disease, but a way of determining who’s fit to wield the powers of an Elder Shedim.”

“What’s that?” Florentius asked.

“This.” Taya’s Phantom Queen manifested from her back, the Shedim’s dark form towering over the room.

Florentius and his officials stared in stunned silence at the spirit before the senator finally found his tongue again. “D-do all of you have these...things?”

Bjorn and the rest followed Taya’s example. It was the first time he’d seen everyone’s Shedim. The spectrum of colors was incredible, as were the different forms each of them took on.

“These Shedim offer us powers more potent than most magic.” Taya said, lifting a table between them with her index finger. “More like us will pop up in the coming years. And when they do, I would rather have them on our side than let them be slaughtered by Nikan soldiers.”

Bjorn and the others dismissed their Shedim.

Florentius nodded slowly as though he were understanding, but still hadn’t fully grasped what he was witnessing, “So what is it you need from me?”

“All that cash you redirected from the Guilds? We could use some.” Taya said, taking over negotiations from Shahla, “We also need to make seven more guilds to fit all the Companies.”

Bjorn felt he would’ve wanted Shahla’s more careful approach to this, but he should’ve expected Taya to just take over.

After a frown from Florentius, Taya quickly explained the Companies.

Florentius hummed to himself before sighing, “I’ll tell you what. I can make these companies of yours. I’ll personally register them at the top of the mercenary companies operating within our border, so they become more well known. But outside of what little my government can do about getting the name out there is up to you.”

Taya nodded. “That’s fine with me. And in terms of the coin...you can see how poorly equipped we are, right? I mean, my friend Bjorn’s chain mail is hanging on by a couple of links. And frankly I-”

“I’ll get you the funds for new equipment.” Florentius sighed.

“The second thing we wanted to speak with you about,” Seang spoke up, “Is that four of our allies witnessed a meeting of Nikan spies last night. We fear they’ll be growing more aggressive with a coming operation called ‘Golden Storm’.”

“How exactly did you come across this information?”

Najeem stood from his seat and took a few steps. Then he sunk into the shadows, vanishing.

Bjorn blinked in surprise as the senator flinched.

Najeem shot back out of the shadow of Florentius’s chair, giving the old man a scare.

“I can see and hear everything outside while I’m hidden.” Najeem said.

Florentius nodded, his brow twisted into a mixture of emotions, “I’ll let the Senators know to be more vigilant.”

One of the senator’s officials tapped him on the shoulder and whispered something into his ear.

“While this has been an...interesting meeting, I have other business to attend to. I’ll send someone over with the funds for your new equipment. Good day to you.”

Taya only nodded in reply as the Senator left.

_________________________________________________________________

Gongsun Guanyu had the urge to squeeze his eyes shut. He wanted to run. Or cover his ears. Or roll up into a ball. Anything to block out what was in front of him.

The prince sat on his knees, his balled fists resting atop them.

Before him stood the council that would judge his failure, his eldest brothers and sisters. The Twelve.

Among them was Yahui, who couldn’t bear to look at her flesh and blood out of shame. Guanyu had failed her and their mother. Not to mention the emperor himself.

He had dishonored all of them.

His eldest brother, Gongsun Zedong, 1st in line to the Imperial throne, the Golden Prince, Master of Muay Vritra, Dragon of the East, paced back and forth across the war tent’s length.

His imposing build transmitted through his bulky lamellar armor, the golden cape flowing off his back adding to the majesty of the posture he held himself with.

“How many was it, sister?” the Dragon asked.

“Seven…” Yahui murmured.

“Seven Shedim Masters. Seven threats to our dynasty.” Zedong announced so that everyone in the entire camp could hear, “Seven potential disasters that you had in your grasp. And you just...lost them. Hell, even after they attacked you, you still had them cornered.”

“I...It wasn’t my fau-”

“You said they were building a boat. So why didn’t you stop them? Why didn’t you bombard them from the sea? Why didn’t you run a land invasion?”

“I...I had to fix my steam engine.” Guanyu stammered.

“Which you would’ve had plenty of time for if everyone on that island was already dead.” Zedong’s cool, collected voice still made it sound like he was snapping at Guanyu. “You wonder why father hasn’t given you a title yet? This is why. You act like a child who doesn’t want his father to see that his new toy is broken. That ship was one of hundreds. Its purpose was supposed to be helping you kill those Shedim Masters. It wasn’t a gift.”

“I profusely apologize for my foolishness.” Guanyu prostrated himself before his brother. “I’ve dishonored you and the emperor. I will do whatever it tak-”

“Get up, you cur.” Zedong sneered.

Guanyu slowly raised himself back to his kneeling position.

“I haven’t the time to hear how sorry you are. As much as it would please me to punish you for this dishonor, father has decided against it.”

Guanyu gasped, and he saw Yahui glanced up in surprise along with him.

“Father told me to give you something. This is a gift.” The Dragon spread his arms wide. “This army is under your command for the next campaign.”

Guanyu’s eyes bugged out, “Th-this whole army?”

“What did I just say? Father believes you deserve a chance to prove your worth.” Zedong said, “But this next campaign will be the most important one yet. All of the Twelve will be involved. So if you screw this up...you can consider yourself banished.”

Dread replaced Guanyu’s enthusiasm. Banishment?

That would mean...if he ever tried to go home, the Emperor wouldn’t hesitate to execute him on sight.

“I think that sounds fair.” the Dragon said. “Good luck on campaign, brother. Gods willing, we see you return home once again.”

________________________________________________________________

Orhan had gotten rather skilled at manifesting his Shedim, who he found out was actually the Spite of the Creator, not so much a god as a demon.

While Shedim were said to be able to speak, his had not spoken a word since the battle in Khongira.

But Orhan was getting a hang of his abilities, despite the revulsion they caused him.

His abilities seemed to revolve around decay and death, as his healing ability first covered his dermis in fungal blooms before becoming a scab or skin. He’d be lying if he said it didn’t freak him out.

Orhan was, besides Kameko, Gustave, Ricco, and his sister, among the most unskilled with his abilities, unlike the other eleven. Kameko had the best grasp on her powers of the five novices, but she couldn’t really control her flames that well.

So every day since they moved into the Senator’s house, the novices got together in the gardens to practice their abilities.

But Orhan wasn’t too keen on cutting himself every morning, so he attempted to manifest a more offensive ability. Though this usually amounted to nothing and Orhan was left instead with thinking about the uncomfortable state of his relationship with his sister. That was especially on his mind today.

He understood her anger better than anyone. But while at first he believed his death was a reasonable course of action, his perspective had shifted. Shahla had said it when he first joined them: he couldn’t do anything to amend his mistakes dead.

And part of fixing said mistakes reconciling with Sila.

But...how was he supposed to go about it, considering how much she probably hated him.

“Me thinks something more than training is on your mind, recruit.”

Orhan jumped at the sudden appearance of Taya behind him.

The Sklaveni had really defined herself by her powerful presence. It was something Orhan learned to replicate from leaders of the past, but it all seemed so...natural to the leader of the westerners.

“C-can I help you?” Orhan asked.

Taya shrugged. “I was looking to offer our novices some help. You never know when you may need to use your abilities.”

Orhan sighed, “I see.”

“But you need help with your sister, don’t you?” Taya said.

Orhan nodded.

“Well, I haven’t known Sila for that long, but she’s one stubborn mule. She hates change, despite what she claims. I doubt she’ll get over this for a while.”

“Your words of advice are truly inspiring.” Orhan muttered, “But I guess that makes sense as to why she’s in the Remembrance company.”

“You know the funny thing about remembrance?” Taya asked, “It’s pretty much the same thing as Evolution. It’s not about holding onto the past. It’s about learning from it. Just as Evolution isn’t about worrying about the future all the time. It’s about learning to adapt.”

Orhan furrowed his brow in confusion.

“Look...there’s nothing you can do about your clan now. What happened happened. All you can do is move forward. You embraced that when you manifested your Shedim. Sila needs to learn to let go of the past. She needs to learn from it, not live in it. But she manifested her Shedim.” Taya said, “That means she’s well on her way. She’ll come to forgive you on her own.”

Orhan nodded, “I just...have to have faith in her.”

“That’s right. All you can do in the meantime is forgive yourself.”

“But I-”

“Forgiving yourself and deciding you’ve done what you can, are two different things. You can tell yourself you did your best as much as you want, but your gut will think differently.”

“How do I make it...not?” Orhan asked.

“Find what works for you. But every time you start to think that you should beat yourself up over your mistake, just try to remember that by deciding to be better next time, you’ve already done what you can to make it better.” Taya said, “Most people’s suffering in life comes from not knowing what they can and can’t control. People like to overestimate their control over other people’s thoughts and underestimate their control over their own thoughts.”

Orhan nodded, “I...thank you.”

“No problem.” Taya grinned, patting him on the back. “Oh, yeah, I actually came down here to see if you needed anything. Bjorn and I are going shopping for weapons and armor. Need anything replaced?”

Orhan considered for a moment, “If you can find any Khongirat merchants, I’d like a saber to replace my old one. And maybe a set of brigandine if they have it.”

Taya nodded, “Alright. I’ll see what we can find. Now get back to work. And maybe try sparring someone. Adrenaline can help you discover new abilities.”

“Thanks.” Orhan murmured as Taya started on her way out.

He was understanding why the westerners followed her. Everything seemed to come so easily to her. Even the solutions to the most complex problems.

But it wasn’t from natural talent. He could see it in her eyes. She’d been like each of them once. Confused, hurt, and hateful.

If she could undergo such a change...well, maybe he could, too.