On the highest peak of the Castle of Hovein there exists a table of ornate stone, carved within fine gems; two sides, Ascendants on one, with the rising red carapaces on the other; a mockery of Man's flesh. A subtle Intent lingered within, faded but an ancient's will, before even the World's Voice was heard by all, the table stood, against the trials of time, it survived. Bringing with it, a sharp mind, and unwilling focus to the battle within it's confines.

  He needed every bit, for the annoyance came.

  Jane sat with the demons, a slouch, dressed in her blues, supping upon infused white wine; made from the finest Labliesis Grapes on the continent.

  Were they not neighbors, doubtful they would be allies.

  The smile on her face only made Conrad frown on the inside, for interrupting his meditation, more so.

  But the woman's sense was caught on the distant gate. One of his children chose today to be the time of resignation.

  "Must be hard Conrad, for all that a man could have countless wives and bear hundreds of offspring. Not one has risen to your liking?"

  He let his frown be known, "Many would take your words as an act War to quell their rage."

  Jane chuckled, "But you are not the man who would delve into petty violence for simple words?"

  "No. No I am not."

  "But that girl, First of the Refinement Realm. Of what? Mid twenties? It's adequate, if anything."

  He scoffed. "We are not some middling power Jane."

  Jane tapped her lip, "But still you are letting her go? Bolstering a lineage with the nearby nobility is a common practice in this land, no?"

  "The Dawspire's are more than petty bonds-- perhaps holding a single Tower is not so hard when compared to the sovereign powers of this nation."

  Jane hummed. "A hypocritical statement is it not? You leave your Kingdom less defensed and unified in the powers that matter, while you're sending your offspring into such a heartless world?"

  "To imply the world is kind is a joke." He centered his poise, his Intent surged with conviction. "To throw your will into my family is cause, I will not have such words spoken here."

  "Then what is it? Why do you care?" The annoyance pressed. Her eyes sparkled, ever curious. A constant hunt for questions.

  "A mercy." He receded. "And a choice, to leave with the final gift I am allowed to bear-- anonymity. They are warned, so long as they don't speak of their past, their future is as bright as they could make it. Free from my enemies and allies."

  "Allies? Would you care if I take the girl?"

  Conrad smiled. "Ah, to be so young, and yet hit a wall. I wish you well with your future endeavors."

  Jane frowned, the woman was handled. And a spark of joy swelled deep in his soul.

  "Such a shame." She said, taking a sip of her wine.

  "Savor the moment Jane," He would savor the day after. "Time will tell that our next meeting is far further than you would imagine."

  She frowned more. Good.

  He looked past the false horizon; the world beyond the hidden realm. Finding the sight of Delphine, walking away, each step filled with conviction towards her own life.

  His heart stung.

  He remembered the day of her birth, the cries of her first breath still echoed in his ears. Come time a week after, he allowed himself to hold her. Taking her to one of the most sacred grounds he kept to himself.

  The Altar of Balg; his most sacred ground. None, not even his most promising heirs were allowed to set about it freely. Save for that first week.

  The moments of cradling his newborn were pure bliss. Keeping him steady. He prayed to Balg, the last semblance of his hopes came with his conviction as he delved into his child's gifts.

  Feeling their potential. Searching for any hope of his dealings with Balg. Imagining their future with each tick of the clock.

  The day Delphine's test ended, he felt like a dragon had struck him.

  Her roots were sparse and thinner than her brothers and sisters, bare of any specialty. So faint, it wasn't worth noting.

  He saw, he felt, in all of the lands he governed he knew. Amongst all his people, her talent was only fair at best.

  But perhaps this was what was needed? Hardship against fate, against himself? For his children to rise and claim his mantle... he thought, he tried, but...

  Each and every time, come their eighteen birthday he could not help but confine himself. Forced to cast out his children to the edges of his realm.

  It hurt. Each and every time. His heart couldn't handle it, they could not bear his name. They would die before the end of their fifth decade.

  So he forced them to turn away from the throne, so that they might have some prosperity for their own futures.

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  Free of him and his sacred duty.

  His vision focused, moving past his child. To the line just outside of his capital, families lining, awaiting entry. Absent of bloodied orphans and widows, families unbroken.

  His pride swelled, keeping his heartache at bay. This was his purpose, his longing, burning deep within his soul.

  It was his utter joy, his children... at least one had to understand, at least one had to have the makings of a ruler when his time came. By death or ascension, the land that he fought so hard to embrace peace, would find war at the front of their homes.

  He couldn't have that, he couldn't have his people suffer. He loved his children, near and dear to his heart... but the families yet found, the children yet born-- his had to be the sacrifice, he would be the sacrifice.

  An arm, a leg-- his body, and soul. He would give it all, to protect the land from all those who would seek it's harm.

  He was Conrad Dawspire; Champion of the Balg, The Daybreaker, King and Solemn Protector of the Dawspire Kingdom-- he had his duty, and he will follow it to the end.

  # # #

  Xu Wen bowed before the doors of the Council of Elders, and held. Waiting for the Elders to deem it appropriate for her presence.

  But why would they need it? No one should be needing her presence after her Master's will. Sweat trailed down her back.

  When the doors opened, time was not a factor. But gentle steps followed as to not disturb the ground she tread upon. Though stone, preservation was insisted by her earliest memory.

  If one could not let even stone be, then how could they ever tread creation with reverence?

  The brief hall was bare, save for the vibrate plants that decorated the edges of the walls with vines climbing, clinging to the ceiling.

  She breached the hall with a subtle breath, the rows of elated chairs of the Elders were before her. Veiled upon white cloth from their boxes, soft lanterns illuminating but silhouettes. The lowest of the rows were the Outer Elders, above were the Inner Elders, and further on, elevated even higher back were the Grand Elders.

  All three were present, seated and posed. Xu Wen shuddered. Their Intent escaped as streams flowing around their pedestal, and the mark of history which draped below them.

  A tapestry of a pond, filled and flowing from rivers in all cardinal directions. Mortal waterlilies guarded the legend of prosperity, harmony, and beauty; the Marine Flame Calla Lily.

  Once it was a single plant with three petals; one for fire, another for water, and the last for wood, growing from the bud of balance. It's said that whoever consumed the petals would gain their respective affinities, increasing their Spirit Roots in the process.

  A tale told by a few rarer plants, but a legend would not be so trifling.

  The last of the petals would have their sect defend against the entire continent should it exist in their halls.

  What the Petals gave, the Balance unified. A flawless body of Water, Wood, and Fire, would align, should the person be so gifted by the Heavens to have the affinity for Metal and Earth, the Bud was said to smooth out any imperfections, adjusting the body to create a Heavenly Defying Talent.

  The Harmony of the Five Elements Physique.

  So told her departed Master in confidence admits countless Formations. The Ancestor of their Sect, and the fabled vanguard against the Demonic Blossom...

  "Step forward, disciple Xu Wen." A voice pierced the room, a presence overshadowed the Grand Elders. The memory of her Master paled in comparison.

  It felt familiar-- more than a twenty years ago, she remembered... when the Eternal Evergreen Sect passed it's seven-thousandth year of reign-- when, their Sect Master spoke.

  Her heart picked up an unwanting pace as she stowed away her footwear, descending to the steps below. A pond was carved in the center of the room, Nascent Water Lilies shifted in bright tones of whites and blues, decorating the surface. All save for a single spot, the center which was presented.

  She stepped onto the water with a great deal of care. Each stride further left no wake as her Qi shrouded her robes, and upheld her body. She kowtowed with every ounce of control she could muster, and upon her head touching the water she allowed a single lapse. As a circle rode the water, fading before it could touch the edges of the pond.

  Murmurs of approval came with her raised head.

  "You've done well, Disciple Xu Wen." Kai Ye; her Sect Master, spoke without Intent.

  "Your praise means much to me, Sect Master." She bowed her head.

  "Time is of the essence Disciple, as does the Sect have a grand task for you. Should you accept?" His voice calm and concise, but it weighed on her. She had yet to ingrain her Master's legacy.

  "Forgive me Sect Master, but this one is undoubtedly unworthy of such a task amongst my sisters and brothers who eclipse my understanding and strength." She bowed her head in custom, a shameful display she needed to play.

  "You believe yourself to be unworthy?" The Sect Master mused, "And yet it is I who had called upon this meeting, and the Grand Elders who nominated you? Are you saying you are unworthy of such praise?" Her heart skipped a beat... this, this was what Master warned her about. Careful words amongst many eyes... she bowed her head in shame.

  "Sect Master forgive my impudence, but I have yet to shine beyond my Master's shadow. For a lowly disciple like me, what could I bring but shame to the Sect when I have yet to master it's teachings." She played her hand-- harsh whispers swirled around, as unknown pressure gripped her heart.

  Her future becoming distant. The pond much colder.

  A hum silenced it all. She could feel the presence of the Sect Master studying her.

  "Indeed, talent and will can only come so far without guidance." The Sect Master mused, "Inner Elder Ling Ming's passing was a blow to the Sect we have yet to recover," Xu Wen internally held her words. "But the mission takes precedence, however I shall nominate an Inner Elder in the spirit of your Master."

  There was no escape now, "I'm honored by your benevolence, Sect Master."

  "And I by your loyalty," his presence blanked the room. "Leave us."

  Without a word of objection, the Outer and Inner Elders filed out of the room by another entrance. That which she couldn't, hadn't a clue where it was, as she saw, only the Grand Elder's stayed behind.

  "This mission, is to be carried out by the utmost secrecy. Any whisper of it's existence, would have us take drastic measures; your Cultivation, if not your Life, disciple." The Sect Master intoned with Intent, "Do you understand?"

  "I do, Sect Master." Her heart pounded, while her Qi shuddered, because there was no choice.

  "Excellent." Was she hearing things? She could have almost sworn his tone was brighter. "Your mission, disciple, is to retrieve an Artifact long thought to be forgotten by our very own..."

  For a moment her thoughts lapsed, Was the Sect Leader deranged?

  She mentally whipped herself. The Heavens might have blessed their world, revealing wonders and paths thought impossible-- Artifacts of untold power were surely within the Sect Master's Realm to attain. Without the call to War notable in her Master's time.

  Was there truly a need for more?

  "...You are to retrieve, the Last Blade of the Founding Ancestor--" Her head shot up, her lips parted. "--Springtide."