Typhon sat on the cold obsidian steps leading out of the castle. His massive frame covering at least a third of the steps. In one hand he held a bottle of aged Stygian wine, the other he used to support his head. He took a large swig of the drink which he held between his large fingers. Thoughts of the night and Antares words swam through his head. He looked out across the courtyard as various wagons came and went. The celebrations were still carrying on inside, but some had decided to end their night. Sunrise was a few hours away, he knew himself he would not sleep this night. How could he? The speech Antares gave electrified him, filled him with power.

  "Don't look so fucking grim," Xenon snatched the bottle from Typhon. "Isn't this what we've been waiting for our whole lives?"

  He was right, Typhon thought. Though he did not want to admit it, most of all to Xenon.

  "He is scared," Azariah took the bottle from Xenon. "Now he actually has to prove himself against real warriors. Not those Islanders anymore."

  Typhon grumbled. He hated how well Xenon and Azariah got along. He had hoped he would be able to ignore their presence but their incessant need to talk proved far too difficult an endeavor to execute.

  "Aza, Xenon, stop making fun of him," called Siegfried at the top of the stairs.

  Azariah quickly stood up and bowed as Siegfried approached with Casspien carrying a crate of wine bottles.

  "Lord Siegfried, I-I thought you would be asleep." Azariah tried hiding the bottle behind him.

  Siegfried proudly displayed the bottles of wine he had brought for them all. His beaming smile lit up an atmosphere that had begun to dampen.

  "I wanted to drink with my friends," he said extending a bottle to Azariah.

  "Since when were we all friends?" Xenon responded by snatching the bottle from Siegfried.

  "Not tonight," Casspien glared at his brother.

  "Please, join us." Azariah said, not hiding his angered expression as Xenon drank the wine meant for him.

  "I would have thought you both would still be inside." Typhon made room for Casspien.

  "Only so many ways you can say 'thank you' before it loses its meaning," Casspien sighed. He opened a bottle of wine and downed half the bottle. He then passed it to a laughing Typhon.

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  They all sat there for some time drinking in silence. Words were not needed amongst them. Their shared history was enough to fill the space. Long ago in their youth they were once considered outcasts by their people. Even though they were regarded as princes in their own right. But King Barranagan came to them. Offered each of them the opportunity to become something, to become more. And they took his hand. A lifetime later, they sat atop the steps of the greatest castle throughout the nine realms as Lords of War. The greatest protectors of their people. They could feel it in their very bones, when the sun arose. It would be the birth of a new age, and much would be asked of them by Antares. And once again they would answer his call.

  "Now that I think about it, I have not seen Aster, Lyrik or Kyron, with you Xenon. Why did they not accompany you?" Siegfried asked, finishing his second drink. The effects are already hitting him.

  "Same reason you left dumb and dumber back home, light weight." Xenon said laying back on the steps. "Can't leave the nest unattended."

  "Their names are Zephyr and Leander," Azariah snapped.

  "You say it like I asked," Xenon closed his eyes trying to sleep. "His speech was nice, but there are still dangers within our borders. Lord Regent, isn't it your job to advise him on that?"

  "I do not start on the job until after the ceremony. Give me a break," Casspien answered, while he drank his fourth bottle. Both brothers shared a rare laugh together.

  "Five years we were forced into the shadows," Typhon began. "Now with him back we can truly change things. Save our people."

  "Save people?" Xenon snickered. "Don't group me with yourselves. I'm doing this for the money."

  "You are a disgrace," Azariah chimed in.

  "Hey Casspien, doesn't he sound like father?"

  "He is missing a few more insults. But he is getting there," the new Lord Regent added.

  For the second time tonight the half-brothers shared a rare laugh. Which for Azariah did not bode well.

  "Yes we will succeed, we have no choice." Siegfried followed Xenon's lead and laid back.

  "None of you are concerned about what the southerners will say? They still perceive us negatively, even after a millennia." Azariah reminded them.

  "What will it matter in a thousand years?" Xenon looked at Azariah, the moonlight overhead illuminated the purplish red sun that swirled in his eyes. "When the realms are united and Antares is Emperor of Aurum. When thousands upon hundreds of thousands are born knowing only one ruler. What will it matter?"

  The cool night air blew softly resting upon the silence that hung after Xenon's words. They all knew he was right. The average lifespan of a Stygian was a thousand years and it eclipsed the measly average of two hundred and fifty years that was the human lifespan. Once they achieved their goals they simply had to outlive the survivors and they could rewrite the future to change the past. That was the true purpose of the Grimoires of Nyx. It gave whoever wielded the complete set the ability to see all pasts and all possible futures. The greatest treasure Aurum had, a weapon sought by all. Yet each one of the nine grimoires were held by each of the nine realms. The alliances Iliad had with Ichika, Avalon and Laconia, would grant it four of the nine grimoires. The true test would come from how they took the grimoires from the southern realms.

  "He is right," Siegfried stated. "We can worry about what people think when it is all over."

  "We cannot fail him," Casspien stated.

  "We will not," Typhon assured.