The atmosphere was intense; clouds darkening as if brewing a storm with the winds raging across the central port of Lythos. Usually the crowds gathered would be cheering their prime minister as he stood by the podium however today was different. There was nothing to cheer about. The eyes of the people boiled with rage and they silently demanded answers. Another body had been discovered - the second in a fortnight - and everyone knew who was responsible. The signs were left clearly for all to see, the victim marked and left out like an art exhibit.

The ones responsible had made no effort to hide their identities. They had, in fact, left their call card in the open for all to see. A single chaos star burned onto the victim's forehead. It was a horrendous scene that had sparked outrage immediately.

"What does the Order have to say about this?!"
"What are they doing about The Brotherhood?!"
"Are they going to fight for us?! Are they going to give us justice?"
"We demand answers!"

The cries for justice were quickly gaining momentum; discord rising fuelled by outrage.

Governor Magnus Apollos - once a well loved figure radiant and youthful - found himself wearily staring down the crowd. He had tried to silence the discord but the people either did not hear him or pretended not to. Ever since the killings started, in fact ever since The Brotherhood of Night gained traction, his popularity has greatly diminished. More so because Magnus chose to keep in partnership with The Order of The First, the magical sect that was in direct conflict with The Brotherhood.

The Order was supposed to serve all things good but in the people's eyes their reluctance to confront The Brotherhood for their heinousness. Nobody appreciated a heroic organization that seemed to take a pacifistic approach when the enemy had turned the once safe haven of Lythos into a nightmare and the Governor knew this.

"My people, my heart goes out to the family of this poor man who was wrongfully murdered- but I implore you all, violence is not the answer. The people who did this will be found and justice will be served using the proper protocols." Governor Magnus began, immediately inciting protests from the people.

He tried to calm the angry crowd down but soon they were throwing all manner of garbage around. Worried for his safety the Governor had his guard escort him back to his office. Letting out a deep sigh of exhaustion, Governor Magnus allowed himself to collapse onto the plush purple lunge chair. Things had not gone the way he had planned and he knew it was only a matter of time before chaos erupted within the city.

The Brotherhood had already sowed the seeds of discord - their roots were slowly stretching into the very core of the city's foundation. If nothing was done about these murders soon the Governor dreaded to think what would entail afterwards.The sudden opening of his office door pulled him from his dark thoughts and he lifted his head up in time to see his younger brother, Augustus, enter his office.

"Brother, you seem like you're in a rather foul mood."

Unlike his brother, the Governor, Augustus had a fairly youthful appearance. With fiery red wavy hair framing a well chiselled jaw, he was a true work of art. Governor Magnus on the other hand had dark brown hair and although he had just reached the forty year milestone and was only older than Augustus - who was turning thirty five years of age in a few months - Magnus had a more weary and tired appearance.

His hair had dulled considerably, frequent bags under his eyes now gave them a smoky appearance and a few wrinkles had taken root on his face. He looked at least a decade older than he was and most people speculated that this was due to the rising pressure on the Governor's office lately.

"What brings you here today, August?" The Governor asked, wiping his brow with his handkerchief as he arranged the paperwork in front of him.

"Cassie's school just called. They said the rehearsal was about to begin and they wondered how far away you were."

"Rehearsal?" The Governor asked, his brow scrunching in confusion as he tried to recollect any form of memory that could help him understand what his younger brother was talking about.

"Surely you haven't forgotten about your daughter's music rehearsal, right brother?" Augustus asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion at his brother's sudden realization before continuing in annoyance. "You forgot?"

"I have a meeting in twenty minutes, one I can't afford to miss ..." The Governor said with a sigh as he rubbed his brow in exhaustion.

His words did not make his brother happy at all. They only served to further sour his mood.

"And what meeting could possibly be more important than supporting your daughter's dreams, Magnus? You've become a stranger ever since Helena died. Cassie lost one parent, do not let her feel as if she has lost another." Augustus ' words were filled with a passionate fury, but his words rang true in the Governor's ears.

It was true that lately he hadn't been the father his daughter needed. Cassandra was just eight years old and ever since his wife Helena died the poor child had receded into herself. She rarely talked and the only way she truly came out of her shell these days was through music. Magnus, however, did not appreciate having his brother remind him of all his shortcomings.

"Damnit, August, I'm not doing this on purpose!" He said, slamming his fist defiantly on his desk.

"Oh really? You still haven't told me what meeting is keeping you from Cassie's rehearsal."

"Grand Master Gaeus sent an emissary to discuss some things...and the murders that have been going on..."

"Are you serious, right now? You could barely contain the crowd today, it was a PR nightmare and you still intend to do some bootlicking for the people who refuse to do anything about all of it. Let them speak for themselves. Let them handle it themselves." Augustus said with a passionate fury.

He flexed his fingers, clenching them tight as anger burned in his chest. His words were not meant to hurt his brother. Rather, he found it frustrating that the Governor remained ignorant to the effects his work and his allies were doing to his own personal life.

"Do not be their fall guy, that won't end well for you, Magnus." He said with a weary sigh as he placed a palm on the Governor's shoulder, trying to reason with him.

"The Order is not our enemy ..." Magnus said, his voice low and unsure.

"Really? Sure didn't seem that way when they murdered your wife." Augustus said, causing the Governor to give him a rather pointed look

"You don't know that. Do not speak such nonsense, especially such unfounded nonsense born of naught but speculation."

"Oh but I do know. You just always insist I have lost my mind. That I'm mad. That I don't know what I'm talking about. I know perfectly well what I'm talking about, brother."

"I think I know how my wife died and it has nothing to do with your conspiracy theory that the Order of The First was responsible." Magnus's tone left no room for negotiation, his eyes narrowed in disapproval, almost daring his younger brother to say another word.

"I'll leave you to prepare for your meeting then. I will attend Cassie's rehearsal on your behalf, hopefully I can still make it in time."

"Thank you." A wave of relief washed through the Governor seeing his younger brother was finally letting the topic go.

The whole ordeal was draining and he could already feel the start of a migraine. The last thing he needed was to have to deal with his brother's disapproval as much as he had to deal with the people's growing discontent.

"There's no need to thank me, Magnus. Next time you will handle it all yourself. I won't always be there to pick up the pieces."

With these words, Augustus walked out leaving his brother to contemplate his words.