Glassy eyes opened to a busy office landscape, white lights so bright as to kill all life strobed overhead. Xertoz fitted his shades to hide his burning eyes. Sleek silver hair went no farther than a nail lower than the ears. Three scars akin to a claw marked the right side of his mouth and cheek. His coat was so large it made his head look as though a lolly was dropped into a deep glass. Striding from his seat he knocked into a young chap with slick back black hair, dreary eyes, and a sheepish grin coupled by glasses that did not frame his face well.

  “Apologies, ah, Lord Xertoz,” Raido said, clamoring to his feet.

  “Don’t placate on it,” Xertoz replied. He was about to disengage once again, until his nose wrinkled with unease. “Actually, tell me lad, what is your name?”

  “Ah,” Raido saluted as he addressed the Lord before him. “Apprentice detective Zuhair, Raido, Sir.”

  “Under which liege do you serve?”

  “Sc-scraper of the Skies, Lord Hauke of the nine murals."

  “Hauke… Hmm, never heard of him. How old are you, lad?”

  Why am I being questioned so much? “Twenty starlet years…”

  “Young, very young. Did you graduate from the academy?” Although standing within the vastness of a chaotic hall, no one seemed to question the questioning happening. As if needing to be ignored, so it was.

  “No, I interned for a private sector before being picked up by Lord Hauke.”

  “You have awakened to a pillar. It's a dangerous one, one where it leads you to lie and scuttle in the mud. Heed my warning boy, follow the three truths, the triad will keep your spirit whole; if you even care for that.” Xertoz waved with his head turned, walking along the stripping river of people, and yet, there lay an open road for him to walk.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Death, that stench. He doesn’t follow the Cult of Rot does he? No, this smell is something completely different… Gehenna… I’m not a flame specialist, but he had the scent of burning bodies. I should meet this Lord Hauke. Xertoz contemplated.

  “Huh?! Lord Xertoz wishes to meet me?” Hauke pointed at himself in surprise. “Well let him in…” Hauke was sitting at his desk within his castle only to be greeted by one of his servants with the announcement of Xertoz’s arrival.

  “Hmm, so you are Hauke…” Xertoz said, unamused.

  “It is an honor to meet the legendary Lord Xertoz of Elysion.”

  “Hmm, yes, likewise. You look young, to reach the status of Lord. You must have an exceptional understanding of the triad.”

  “Haha, it is pleasing to receive such praise from someone of your stature.”

  “You find that as a compliment? Pathetic… You work at the Nighthall, I was there for a quick nap. I met your pupil, he seemed to have some talent.”

  Hauke controlled his breathing, danger crawled around his neck. “He’s getting there.”

  “So you haven’t noticed? I see, well I’ll let you deal with the aftermath.”

  “Excuse me! What do you mean by that?”

  “He has touched a pillar. Perhaps one of the flame. Pretty typical, fire is the second most common, but it's still impressive for his age. I just wondered who his teacher could be… I’ll take my leave.”

  “…” Raido, what have you gotten yourself into? The head case is already falling apart, we don’t have time to be focusing on our philosophies. Cauldwell, I should call him to test Raido.