The depths of the titan lands weren't heated like the Caverns of Nightfall. They were rather chilly, not so frosty as the outside, but layered with a lingering coldness. Yunho's breath was white before his lips and Hongjoong huddled into his cape since he heeded Seonghwa's warning and kept his magic dulled.

Crius carried them through winding corridors along fathomless canyons. The shadows were deep here, but the titans were unafraid. Grand arches supported the ceilings and formed bridges and chambers for meals and rest. Resembling the architecture of their old gods, these buildings weren't worn with age, so the titans must have built them later.

Since they needed light down here, they mimicked a starry night with glowing mushroom cultivations across the ceilings. Their faint blue shine lit the stone and granted just enough sight to thread the paths. Seonghwa assumed Yunho was almost blind down here, and he clutched to Mingi, who was the one to tell him everything would be fine.

No other titans approached them, mindful not to disturb one another. After Seonghwa marvelled at some of them meandering the massive caves as if they were of regular size, Crius dipped down a tunnel. He brought the envoy to a private quarter away from the rest. Since this section was no gaping hollow through the entire land, the light from above suffices to illuminate Crius' living space. His bed was a flat of elevated stone and he carved a platform into the wall to use as a table. Aside from a spear, no belongings decorated his room. It was a modest life, yet the titans didn't fancy gathering more than they needed.

Once his hand lowered, the envoy scrambled onto his table. It offered more than enough space to wander around, but half of Seonghwa's husbands sat down immediately to battle their nausea. While they massaged their legs, Jongho looked around with great interest. Though it was rock which surrounded them and not earth, Yeosang didn't look too uncomfortable, relying on the golem and his might to wield the element if need be.

"Do you need food or water?" Crius asked before he sat down, towering high above them once more. His voice bounded from the corners of the room and resonated in the air until it vibrated with the boom. Seonghwa felt it stir up his melody, the glittering fabric of his soul disturbed in its delicate pattern.

"No, thank you. We came prepared." Seonghwa nodded at his husbands to replenish their energy with food and drink while he sat down. Crius grunted and sunk into his chair. Despite the apparent age in his hair, his body was full of energy. While he settled, Wooyoung huddled between Yunho and Mingi, feeling safe near their taller forms. Hongjoong and San perched at attention behind Seonghwa, and the other two marvelled at the ceiling.

"Do you have a king?" Seonghwa wondered since he hadn't heard of any such power among the titans. He accepted the leather bottle Yeosang handed to him and gulped down the refreshing contents. Though the strain of this mission encumbered him, it already got easier since the titans allowed them in. No orcs would touch them here.

Crius pondered. His fingers caressed through his beard and he watched as Jongho changed his shape so he could sprawl out.

"Our kings are long dead. Their ashes carried off by the winds of time. We are their warriors. Lasting after the traitors executed the ones we served. Our council is just and speaks for all, but no single titan makes decisions."

"So what we discuss will arrive with the others. I laud your system. While I am the voice of law in our lands, my husbands here are diplomats from each country united under my crown. They convey their culture and the messages of their rulers to me, so we may choose in togetherness," Seonghwa explained. Though the titans carried the wisdom of the far past, they didn't mingle with modern races like the golems did. Stuck in the old ways, they were foreign to the empire.

Crius hummed.

"And all of your people struggle against the orcs?"

"Yes. Though they hurt the elves most among us all, their deceit and war-mongering threatens the peace of our families. If they spread out, their destruction might come up to your borders, so we wondered if you might be interested in joining hands with us."

Crius leaned back and the sound of his body against the chair was not unlike Jongho's shifting form.

"We have encountered their aggressions before. Those who come here get squashed, so we don't fear for our lands. But since you are united in your manpower, isn't it wiser to wipe the orcs out before their brood grows stronger?"

When Seonghwa hesitated, Hongjoong spoke up to support him.

"The elves rule the empire since they never monger war. They always seek peace. As the orcs refused cooperation, we hope for a stalemate." His voice was steady, unafraid of the towering giant who could vanquish them all with a swipe of his hand.

"What about you, stony one? What is your view on this matter?"

Surprised, Seonghwa glanced at Jongho. It made sense the titans regarded him as a source of wisdom above others, but Seonghwa didn't expect this kinship.

Jongho was unafraid to speak his mind.

"I have spent years by Seonghwa's side. Learned about his thoughts and feelings. While I have never been involved in a war, I know his people are happy when they are at peace. And he glows when no one gets hurt, so I consider that the best."

Seonghwa dared a smile. He tugged his cloak tighter around his frame and though his fondness for the golem was prejudiced, Crius' hum seemed pleased.

"We respect your kind, and I respect the whisper of nature. It speaks for you that two of your husbands are direct descendants from it. Though the young races live in ignorance of those who created everything, we may share similar thoughts. So tell me, elf. What exactly do you plan to do once we are allied? We may be strong now, but the orcs breed much faster than us. Will peace last?"

"There are... hostages," Seonghwa worded it delicately. "Imprisoned elves, kept for the entertainment and the sickening games of the orcs. They are the major tool for their fast breeding. My personal mission is my people's freedom and recovery, but such won't happen without bloodshed. No matter how threatened, the orcs would rather die in battle, mocking us to the last breath, than give up what they claim as theirs. But I cannot leave my people there and without the elves, their numbers will plummet."

"Yet you do not command us to attack from behind while you defend in honour of your peace?"

Seonghwa wavered. In his years of political strategies, he learned plenty about the orcs and their belligerence. They were so different from the demons and yet so similar. Seonghwa knew he wouldn't get his people back without fighting and he was inclined to dare that one battle to cease all others.

But wouldn't that just lead to another situation where a battle was needed? So many ruled before him without forcing slaughter, so Seonghwa wanted to explore every method possible.

"I married these others for peace and to maintain the truce with their countries. The orcs expressed their interest before. If they think the emperor submitted to them, they might cease their violence and-"

"I refuse," Hongjoong barked, and when Seonghwa turned, all of them donned similarly stormy expressions. Wooyoung pouted in upset and Yeosang shook his head. "You know they will simply use you as a means to access the elves and plunder and rape as they please."

"Hence why! If my sacrifice can strike a deal so they attain honour, it wouldn't harm our people. I would-"

"You would slave away for them and they would mock your kindness," Yeosang argued. "And after you, Morana would have to marry one of their kin. It's too risky to grant them access, Hwa, we learned that. Even if you found a kind orc to marry. Once they are in, they regard it as their right to abuse us."

"I don't want that for my imp," Mingi whispered, ducking right between his shoulders so no one would condone him for wanting to protect his daughter.

Though Seonghwa knew that all too well, he also wanted to free his people. Helpless, he looked at his husbands, but he only received glares in return.

The sting in Seonghwa's shoulder reminded him he trusted too much. Sacrificed too much.

"Your cause is honourable, though you must know the orcs won't be pressured simply by our alliance."

Seonghwa turned back to Crius, who mulled over their options.

"For long, us titans discussed what to do with the orcs before our doorstep. A march would stomp them all to the ground, bury them in their ghastly tunnels. But in such, many victims would die."

Seonghwa lowered his head. His hands clutched at his dress as he ached for all those poor souls who just wanted to go home.

"The will of the stars shows in your eyes, star born. It might be a sign that our gods who created the stars are fond of you as well. Stone and nature cherish you. I may not know about the others, but I have seen the orcs threaten their underlings. If they follow you willingly, your ideas must have some sanity."

Crius lifted from his chair. His steps didn't resonate as badly on the stone platform, but Seonghwa still clutched to himself, trying to keep himself gathered.

The titans contemplated war. Though it wasn't their general nature, the orcs threatened their peace and that of others. Since their old gods frowned upon such destruction, the giants would move if Seonghwa asked them to.

But that meant the loss of so many more lives. So many soldiers, so many orcs, so many hostages.

Though he didn't match the fear on Seonghwa's features, Crius made for his doorway.

"I shall confer with the council while you rest. Stay until we have an answer. We have furs for you to sleep on. Let me send for them."

He called down the tunnels and while he waited; he monitored how San came up beside Seonghwa to rub his shoulders.

Heavy was the crown.

"Asteria is our medium of the night and the stars. She can read the will of the old ones in the constellations, so meet her tomorrow. She might tell you if your endeavour will be crowned by success," Crius offered.

Seonghwa doubted it would ease his decision, but he wanted to learn how the titans read their stars. So long as they were infatuated with Jongho and Yeosang, their war council might offer relevant new information on the orcs.

A titan came down the corridor, but this one's step was lighter. He was smaller than Crius, perhaps still a child, and youth softened his build. In his arms, he carried the furs of massive boars and foxes.

Crius took the furs to spread them out while the envoy climbed into the cup of the younger titan's hands for the time being. Seonghwa just turned to watch Crius at work, when a squawk behind him had him turn back.

"Let go, you- Hey, that hurts!"

Wooyoung struggled where he dangled from the young titan's fingers. He had picked up a wing curiously and Wooyoung wound himself, trying to escape those grabby hands.

"Wooyoung!" Seonghwa called, lurching forward in fear even when the titan only ogled and didn't try to attack. But Wooyoung's cries were pained and his weight strained against that single wing to escape the crushing grip on fragile bones.

San just reached for his blade when Crius' voice boomed through the cave.

"Put down our guest, Astraios! He is no plaything!"

The titan flinched and let go of Wooyoung. The gryphon-born tumbled, crashing into their midst gracelessly. Jongho caught as much of him as possible, but Seonghwa still pushed through to check on him. Though Wooyoung's expression was a grimace of pain, he wasn't bleeding. Eagerly, he snuggled into Seonghwa's chest when the elf wrapped his arms around him.

"Are you hurt?" Seonghwa whispered, terrified yet low enough not to insult their hosts.

Wooyoung buried his pout in the scented hair of the gorgeous elf.

"You might have to kiss it to make it better," he whined, but his wings wrapped around him as usual, not damaged.

Relieved, Seonghwa guided him along when the titan youngster put them back on the furs carefully. He scurried before Crius could scold him, undoubtedly to tell his peers about the odd little bird he found.

Everyone got comfortable and Hongjoong knelt next to Seonghwa to check on Wooyoung.

Crius nodded at them from the door.

"Rest. I will return with news and shelter for the rest of your troupe."

Apprehensive yet relieved they had made it in and could explain their cause, Seonghwa cradled his whining gryphon-born close and expected their answer.