text: High Priest Aelin stood solemnly in front of several men and women, struggling to maintain eye contact. After a few moments of silence he spoke, “I’ve seen it. Our so-called age of ‘gods’ is coming to an end, again.” He shifted uncomfortably before continuing, “But this time there *will* be a war, and...” A tall man with a thick black beard, Daylis was his name, raised a hand to cut the priest off before he could continue. The group parted as he walked toward Aelin at the front of the dimly lit room. Yellow light from the torches on the marble walls illuminated Daylis’ face as he turned to face the crowd. There were sixteen members, including Aelin and Daylis, in attendance. The room was full of mixed emotions ranging from resignation to anger. “Brothers,” Daylis started, “Sisters, we knew this would come eventually. We have been here longer than any other world. Clearly some of you have forgotten, but we are not *actually* gods. I’ve let you play with these people for too long. This is not what we came for,” he stopped to glance at Aelin. The priest was no priest at all, he was simply playing his role to ensure mankind stayed devout while the others acted as deities. A cold breeze came in from an open window causing the short man to shiver. Daylis turned back to look each member in the eye. “It’s time to go,” he said firmly. Several in the crowd started at this statement. Selene stepped forward, scowling. An adventurous strand of long silver hair fell down in front of her face at the sudden motion. “*No*, we’re not leaving again!” she shouted, “I don’t give a damn if they rebel. We’ve followed you long enough. Leaving just isn’t worth it. We’ve done enough.” A tall man with shoulder length black hair and a shaven face nodded in agreement. “She’s right. I’m not leaving, Dayl.” He rested his hand on Selene’s shoulder. “I say we just end them and start over again. *Here*. The two of us should be able to remove them.” Daylis stepped forward, pointing at the man, “No, Alcaeus, I *will not* let you kill them. That is *not* why we came. Besides, what do you think started this mess to begin with? The squabbling between all of you has driven a wedge between them.” He turned to look at Aelin. “There are, what, *five* nations now?” Daylis asked. The priest looked thoughtful for a moment. “No, there are six. One for each pair of ‘Creators’, apparently. Though one nation is on the verge of collapse due to Selene and Alc’s conflict with Thyr and Marnez. But...” Thyrion interrupted Aelin, glaring at Alcaeus. “*My* people were innocent,” he said growing red with anger. He pointed a finger toward the pair. “If anyone should leave, it’s you two. Your barbarous zealots are a plague, but I'll be the cure.” What was once a religion worshipping all sixteen members, Creators and Overseers, slowly evolved into several different sects revolving around a specific deity. Only in the last century had the tension between the different groups turned violent. Mankind had split itself into six nations, waging holy wars and creating hatred amongst the gods themselves as their personal playthings were killed by another’s. “No, Thyrion. They are not your people. We came here to nurture and save life,” Daylis said, arms outstretched looking through the crowd, “not to control and destroy it. We’ve done our job. We should have left long ago.” Aelin stepped forward and cleared his throat. “I didn’t ask you all to come so you could argue,” he said. Outside the window of their mountaintop temple, the moonlit world of men was silent. “Listen to me. Rebellion is not our main concern. Something is coming for us.