Eight Gods on a Windowsill

 Nuremberg Castle looked as ornamental as ever. To think that Gaian administrated a city-state so large as Eh'zanko from a castle boggled my brain. It wasn't Gaian I was here to see, however. No, the real reason I came was more punctiliously related to Harvey. Except, I had been sure he was somewhere else.

 No matter where he is, I have questions I need answering. I thought to myself while walking through the front doors. I still wasn't sure of the reception I would obtain and still had to be prepared for the worst.

 Upon entering the grand foyer, I was met by Rygol. "Mara. It is good that you came. We have been expecting you." He smiled. "Come, follow me. We have much to discuss." He turned and started slithering down the hall.

 I wondered who he meant as we. If I remembered correctly, Rygol was the resident seer of Eh'zanko, which meant he knew of my arrival before all else. He was also the youngest brother of Gaian and Grey. Sons of Talanys. As I followed, I was very careful of the slime he left behind.

 I am worried. Kaddyr remarked. What if this is a trap? What if they are holding you responsible for Eh'zanko and want to detain you or punish you?

 Kaddyr, do you think that they would have the power or opportunity to do such a thing? Lillith scoffed. I think you are forgetting just how much power lies dormant in Mara. She houses the power of Minor Ones.

 I will take whatever they give to me. I confirmed. I am plenty at fault for what has happened to this city. But, in the end, they will require my aid when creation is at risk.

 "We have arrived." Rygol said suddenly. I had absently been walking behind him, minding the slime as I went. I didn't even realize the large door we had come to. It seemed like we were in a different building of the castle than the one I was in before. "This is the inner sanctum of the Imperial Chapel. Only a select few are allowed in here." He knocked on the door. It opened slowly, carefully as its structure was extremely ancient.

 Inside, I could see a group of people sitting down upon stone pews before a wooden pulpit. I had an inkling they wanted to put me on the spot. I wasn't really up for being the center-stage act. I scanned the room carefully, trying to gather as best as possible who was in the room. Baen, Harvey, Campbell, Silas, Hina, Abryi. I recognized those. But, there were others I was not familiar with.

 A pair of men walked up to the pulpit. The two of them looked almost like twins. Long unkempt hair, shaggy faces. One had black hair and the other silver. They reminded me of gangsters wearing well-fitted pinstriped suits.

 The one with the silver hair stepped up to the pulpit and the other stood behind him. "I have gathered you here today to discuss a very imminent issue. One that cannot be contended with by the strength of the Minor Ones alone."

 Rygol leaned to me. "That is my older brother, Gaian, Lord-Protector and Viceroy of Eh'zanko. The man next to him, is our middle brother, Grey."

 "Rygol has warned me," Gaian continued, his deep voice reverberating throughout the room, "the time is at hand. The forefathers known as the Great Ones shall soon awaken from their slumber. A slumber of many millennia meant to be permanent. One once prophesied by Talanys to end with destruction. The Minor Ones have been taking many precautions since but lack the power to prevent it."

 "It was for that reason, I was born." I interjected. As much as I hated being the center of anything. I knew what my place was. I knew why I had come here. I began making my way to the front of the chapel. "Rammel sought to create a Fraction strong enough to contest the Great Ones. And, while I may very well be able to fight with them, I know I cannot achieve it alone. I will need those I can count on by my side." It was now or never. Either I could gather a group together to fight or I would contest them alone. One by one.