Terra smiled broadly as she leaned back against Will on the couch within his embrace, her eyes closed and breathing measured. Two sets of hands laid on her extended belly.

Will held his breath, finally saying, "Did you see her in the aura?"

"Oh Will, our daughter is so beautiful!" The joy from the vision weaved itself through her heart.

Terra gasped, jerking in surprise at the internal kick.

Will beamed. "Even I felt that!"

"And she is strong, too."

Will patted Terra's belly. "Be patient, little one. Only a few months to go."

*****

Emperor Sage V waved his hand to the crowds below on this day, his birthday, a public holiday in the Dynasty. The stiff breeze fluttered colorful banners, but did not move a single styled white hair on his head. A politician's smile widened on his face. Public appearances like this were vexing, but the people needed to see who brings order and meaning to their existence, a duty to the people who adored him.

A few of his ministers stood behind him wearing ceremonial masks and robes befitting their rank and Talent. But the Emperor needed no such symbols of power, for he was the power personified. He became bored with the flowery speeches and the proclamations of praise, but maintained a practiced humble expression.

Later, women selected for superior genetics and Talent would offer themselves to him, hoping they might produce the next emperor. While he enjoyed this duty, he would rather just get back to the pleasure of his concubines.

Drained from the festivities, Sage stomped into the advisory meeting with a frown on his face. His ministers and advisors stood around the room, having waited nervously for his arrival.

A younger advisor spoke up with a smile on his face. "Happy birthday, your Reverence!" The Emperor's scowl shut down his smile, and he slunk into the back of the room.

The Emperor bellowed as he sat down. "Reports!"

Everyone took seats around the table, except one minister remained standing. "Sir, we have more information on the upheaval in the Blue Uprising leadership. Something negated their Talent temporarily, and some of the council have not yet recovered. We captured one of the council governors and questioned him. He was delirious, but said Agent Lorr and an unnamed man were there."

The Emperor cocked an eyebrow. "How could someone disable their entire council?"

"He described it as the Day of Darkness returned."

Silence ceased the room, and a chill ran down Sage's spine. The Day of Darkness was traumatic for him and anyone of powerful Talent. Had not he been safely in the palace and protected by armed guards, the mobs might have assassinated him.

"Could their Agent Lorr have done this?" Sage asked, raising a white eyebrow.

Another minister stood up. "Sir, records indicate she is a T3 Talent with skills in psi-surgery, but nothing to indicate that kind of ability."

"And what of this other man?"

A third minister stood up as the previous one sat, as if choreographed. "We believe he is this Hooded Man, sir. But there are so many tales and legends of him so that it is difficult to discern truth. But in all descriptions, he easily defeats a powerful Talent and rescues people of the lower classes. He always wears a hood to hide himself, thus the name. The latest event happened in Blue Uprising controlled land east of Eureka, just prior to the event in their council."

The Emperor leaned forward, narrowing his eyes at the minister. "So do you believe this Hooded Man has such a power of Darkness?"

The minister gulped. "That would not be possible, sir. No such ability has ever been recorded."

"And yet the impossible happened," the Emperor growled. "Has Agent Lorr been located?"

"Yes, sir. Our spy sighted her in Freehold. She appears to be in a romantic relationship with an unknown man."

"Hmm... So, it seems Agent Lorr got herself a new boyfriend, who may be the Hooded Man, after she broke up with the Blue Uprising," Sage said with a huff. "Am I missing anything?"

No one answered.

The Emperor turned to another of his ministers and scowled. "Send a message back to Senn. Tell him we will clean up his mess, but to stay out of our way. We need to make an example of Agent Lorr for the death of Necros. As for the Hooded Man, he warrants more study, but under our control."

A junior minister stood. "Sir, we have an agreement with the Library at Freehold--"

Pulling his face to a sneer, the Emperor extended a hand, shoving the minister with a telekinetic pulse, sending him tumbling across the floor. "I am aware of that! We will kill Lorr and take the Hooded Man without appearing to break it. For now, the Library is useful. Once we crush the Uprising, we will deal with them. Now everyone out! And send in the Chief Scribe."

A thin, gray-haired man entered the room. His white robe and silver headband signified his duty to accurately record current events, or at least the version that fit the Emperor's wishes. "You wished to see me, your Reverence?"

"Yes Feign, come in and sit down."

As he did so, the Emperor motioned to a servant and placed drinks in golden goblets before them.

The Emperor took a drink from his cup. "Feign, I recall you are an accomplished historian, as well as my chief scribe."

"You honor me, sir," the man replied, dipping his head. "Knowledge of Dynasty history is a necessary part of my duty."

"I remember from my studies of Dr. Hsu, the father of the Awakening, that he warned of a darkening. Is this correct?"

"Yes sir, he wrote a Null would come forth and bring darkness over a corrupt land, ending the Awakening. But this occurred late in his life when he had become insane, so it and other rants were largely discounted."

"Allow me to speculate. What if this is true? Do you remember the Day of Darkness?"

"Vividly, sir."

The Emperor leaned forward, extending his hands for emphasis. "Feign, I believe the Null is among us and the Day of Darkness was his sign. The corruption Dr. Hsu spoke of surely is the abomination that is the Blue Uprising led by Senn, my own bastard son. It is under my rightful leadership that the people find true order and purpose."

"I had not considered that, your Reverence. Do you know of the Null?"

A smile devoid of warmth came over the Emperor. "I have found him. Mark my words, Feign, soon Necros will be avenged and I will possess the Null. Then I will cleanse the land of the Blue Uprising and establish true order. It will be a glorious time."

*****

The next day, the jailers led a prisoner, his hands in binders, into the Emperor's private office. He had the demeanor of an elite soldier, strong yet not bulky, his square face battle-scarred, and his gaze unyielding.

After they deposited the prisoner in front of a polished ebony desk, the Emperor waved at the jailers. "Leave us."

The jailers backed out and closed the door. Two men remained, standing behind the emperor with crossed arms as he scanned the viewer before him.

Sage glanced up and flicked a finger. "We no longer need those."

The binders opened and clattered to the floor.

The prisoner said with an emotionless expression, "Why am I here?"

The Emperor ignored the question, turning his eyes down to the viewer. "You go by Neige, do you not? An accomplished mercenary, I see. Unfortunate that you acted against my interests. I see you have a wife and young daughter, such a lovely family. And your daughter just turned two years old." He looked up with a cold smile. "Did you know we nearly have the same birthday?"

Neige remained stoic. "What do you want?"

The Emperor glared directly into his eyes. "I have a mission for you."

The prisoner curled a lip and spat, "Why would I do anything for you?"

One man standing behind the Emperor took a step toward Neige and snarled, but the Emperor waved him off with a hand motion.

"You will do it for your family, and for yourself. Your wife and daughter are my special guests at my winter retreat. Here, see for yourself."

The viewer floated up to Neige's face level about a meter from him.

On the screen, a blonde woman sat with a young girl on her lap. Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped. "Neige! Are you--"

The Emperor telekinetically snatched the viewer away and clunked it back on the desk. "Here are the terms: in return for the successful completion of the mission, you will receive a full pardon and your family will be returned safely."

Neige let out a long breath. "I will need my equipment and my men, and they will be pardoned as well."

Sage shook his head. "You are in no position to make demands, but I am feeling generous. You will have your equipment, but you may choose only two of your men."

Neige's face turned cold and hard. "What is the mission?"

Without looking, Sage motioned to one man behind him, who spoke. "You will leave tomorrow morning for Freehold, in the Highland Provence. There is a former Blue Uprising agent named Terra Lorr with an unnamed man. The mission is to kill Lorr and secure the man alive for transport back here."

Neige interrupted. "Why do you need me? You have a legion of Enforcers to do your dirty work."

The man answered. "The unnamed man has an ability that negates the advantage of Talent. But as Talentless, you would be immune to it."

Neige's eyebrow lifted at the words.

The Emperor continued. "There are two other requirements. You must complete the job outside the town of Freehold for reasons we will not disclose. Your team must not enter the town. We have a spy there that will tell you of their movements. Also, Lorr must die by this, Necros' own blade."

A shiny dagger floated over the desk, setting down with barely a tap. Light sparkled off the jewels on the handle.

The emperor tipped his head toward the two men behind him. "Two of my Enforcers and two guards will accompany you. They will provide what you may need and ensure compliance. More mission details will be given along the way." The Emperor stood and glared directly again into Neige's eyes. "It is in your best interest not to disappoint me. Am I clear?"