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“Thank you for coming," Sadik said.

He could see many faces in the candlelight. Amira stood at his side, picking her teeth with a finger. Yasmin calibrated the hologram below the shrine, while Haakon preened the remnants of his feathers. To the right, Kavaia and Xaeyr stood by the painted columns, their heads nearly scraping the low stone ceiling. On the other side of the shrine, the Lord of Bones waited patiently, with Isaac and Zaria standing at either side of his back. His skeletons had been asked to wait outside.

Soldiers, noblemen, barbarians, and gods. Dust swirled through the candlelight, constantly disturbed with motion and breath. There was always a sound echoing off the walls. Whispered voices, feet scraping the floor.

Sadik remembered the first meeting of the Sons of Sorrow, soon after the Demokrats had ousted them from the palace. It had only been him, Amira, Yasmin, and Haakon. The room had seemed empty. They had felt alone, powerless, buried by the sewers and rock above.

He couldn't say it was much better now. Above their heads, divine curses rained upon the land. Lesions and sores, brought on by the death of Phitona, goddess of armors, had left their bodies in ruin—bursting skin, broken scales, endless shedding fur. Only a dose of Glimmer had kept them from appearing as walking corpses. Even then, their faces were thin and pale, their skin as delicate as glass.

Still, despite everything, the room was growing full. It felt like he was building an army. Maybe not a proper army, but an army, all the same.

He had to take solace where he could find it.

“We are here," Sadik said, “to discuss our next mission. Our objective remains the same—protect the innocent and restore peace to the city. To what end. . . ."

He glanced up at the statue of Rushan. The jackal's head was held high, his muscular arms poised in victory. His gaze was somewhere on the horizon, paying no heed to the people at his feet.

“To what end we accomplish this," Sadik continued, “is what we need to decide. The situation is growing tenuous." He straightened himself, bronze armor reflecting the candlelight. “Haakon. Have you tallied the number of dead gods?"

The falcon snorted. “Oh, yes. What a task. Next, you'll have me count which scriptures are burning."

He motioned to Yasmin. The rat typed on her glowing, hand-held screen. A hologram appeared above the wooden shrine, blue and floating, showing a three-dimensional model of the city of Acheron.

It was not a reassuring sight. Sections of the city had been demolished during the Demokrat revolution, and there were many quarantine zones surrounded by barricades, like bowls of food left to rot. Kohav Yaran, the garden palace of the Vizier, once standing proud on a hill above the Syran river, was now covered in the flesh and pustules of the Metal Plague. It seemed as if the entire city would meet the same fate, sooner or later.

There was nothing to be done about the plague. For now, they had to focus on practical matters.

“So far," Haakon said, “I can only attest to the death of four major gods. This is based on the curses afflicted."

He gestured at the hologram. Dust flickered through the light.

“Gidros, god of the sun."

A storm appeared above the city, showering the blue buildings in red.

“Phitona, goddess of armors."

The city seemed to wither, boiling up with pustules. Sadik had seen Rushan strangle the porcupine with her own intestines. Now, there were thousands of innocents welling up with blisters. Treating the outbreak was straining their already thin supply of Glimmer to the breaking point.

“Arton," Haakon said, “god of—"

The temple rumbled. Dust cascaded from the stone above, and many were forced to grip the wooden shrine for support. Outside, a sewer line ruptured, spraying a waterfall of blood and sludge.

“God of mountains," Haakon finished. “Explains itself, really."

“Scouts're tellin' me the mountains are crumbling," Amira said. “Lotta boulders looking for new homes, so to speak."

The hologram shimmered above the shrine, beginning to tilt and wobble. Mountains bristled with avalanches.

Haakon's feathers grew a deep, pensive blue. Many had fallen away, exposing the pink, saggy skin beneath. “Finally, Veteus, god of animal husbandry."

The hologram began to fester with thousands of dots, flooding through the streets. Animals. Destriers, livestock, vermin. The Neheamatt's curse had driven them mad, raving and clawing at their pens, and the only solution had been wholesale slaughter, with dozens injured in the process. Sadik was grateful that many of the animals had already been killed for food. If this curse had been inflicted before the revolution, it would have ended many lives.

“It's horrible," Yasmin said, pink nose twitching. “My estimates were conservative. The real metrics are likely . . . staggering."

Xaeyr touched a knuckle to the chest of his toga, mouthing a prayer. Kavaia released a quiet sigh. Isaac and Zaria glanced between each other.

“We are fortunate," Sadik said. “It could have been far worse."

Haakon nodded. “Quite right. Aldunya preserve us all if the god of craftsmen should perish, lest the sewers fall on our heads. At the very least, we should be able to tolerate the death of minor gods."

“Well," Amira said, “if the god of clay bites it, and our chamber pots get a taste for blood, you'll be sorry."

Sadik gazed into the candles. He noted an absence in the list of the dead.

Thimera. The goddess of pleasure and beauty, and now the goddess of death. There was no curse of immortality—the casualties in the stadium made that clear. The cow was still alive, somewhere. He did not fancy the idea of seeing her again.

Faustine might live, as well. Several of her clones had still been in the palace when it went up in flames. Despite being little more than stillborn, they might've survived. He had taught her very well.

Sadik shook his head.

The Lord of Bones stepped to the edge of the shrine, gazing up at the hologram. The blue light shined on his flat, weathered face.

“Don't touch," Yasmin warned.

“Is impressing," he replied.

“You may admire," she said, “from a distance."

He leveled his gaze on the rat. She flinched, hiding behind Haakon. After a moment, the Kesunae warlord shrugged, stepping back.

Sadik caught a glimpse of his glove. It held a glowing interface, and, in the dim light of the candles, the machinery seemed to separate into fine, glinting strands, like the webs of a spider. When the Lord of Bones had waved his hand in the war tent, his skeletons had responded. They seemed linked through the device. Puppets on a string.

Yasmin saw the glove. Her pink ears rose as she peered out from beneath Haakon's four folded wings, openly gawking at the technology. When Sadik cleared his throat, she scurried back to her position with a barely audible squeak.

Sadik had to admit—the glove was interesting. Zaria had mentioned the Lord of Bones finding it in an ancient ruin, using it to craft the image of a fearsome leader. How did it work?

Later. He would have to ask later.

“For now," Sadik said, “let's focus on mortal affairs." He gestured across the shrine. “Lord of Bones, we will need your men up on the surface, distributing aid and acting as a constabulary. We need to prevent any outbreak of crime."

He grunted. “You describe curse. Wrath of gods. A plague of metal."

“You offered to help," Sadik said.

“Yes," the Lord of Bones replied. “The hand still opens. I do this thing, like the clearing of latrine. Careful."

Amira snorted. “All a pile of shit. Got that right."

“One more thing," Sadik continued. “Your men may encounter a woman. Faustine. A former . . . comrade of mine." He curled a lip. “Protégé. Adoptive daughter. The names don't matter."

The Lord of Bones raised a brow. “This is good encounter? Much kindness?"

“No. If you find her, kill her. Leave her corpse for the vermin. I am only warning you that she needs to be considered extremely dangerous. Have your men on alert, patrolling in squads. It's possible, by now, that she's used Glimmer to change her species and disguise herself. If so, she could look like anyone. Strike from any shadow."

The Kesunae warlord scratched the teeth of his helmet. “Sure. I kill your daughter. Why not? I question nothing in this place."

“Sadik," Xaeyr said, stepping forward. The moon above his head, shattered and spinning, began to glow a soft white.

Sadik instinctively straightened his back. “Yes, my lord?"

“With your permission," the baboon said, “I could start providing water in ample quantities." He held out his hand, and the air began to shimmer with mist. Dozens of droplets collided, quickly coalescing into a small ball of water, floating above the pink skin of his palm. “It's clean. Good for drinking, cooking, medicine. More importantly, I can take it from the blood and sewage, which you seem to have in abundance."

Kavaia stepped to his side. “I could also bolster your stock of Glimmer. I am sure. . . ." She cleared her throat, looking down. “Well, you have many dead. I can harvest their bodies, use the Glimmer to heal the living."

“Both of these would be invaluable," Haakon said, his feathers glowing purple. “As Master of Medicine, I would offer my prayers and thanks."

“Don't thank us," Xaeyr said. “It's our duty. The gods should've been protecting all of you, from the start. Our absence was inexcusable. For what it's worth, I am . . . sorry."

A silence fell on the sanctuary. The statue of Rushan loomed above the candles.

“Well," Sadik said, “regardless, the old ways are a rare thing, these days. It is appreciated. Please, do what you can."

Xaeyr nodded. Kavaia looked at Sadik, her hands wringing at her sides. Their eyes lingered.

He leaned on the shrine, shifting his gaze to the candles. “Good. You all know your tasks. Hopefully, this will solve many of our humanitarian concerns. If a new catastrophe arises, tell it to wait in line."

Most of the room nodded. Aside from the foreigners, all the faces were tight and gaunt, their fur and scales falling out by the basketful. They all looked exhausted, in one way or another.

“Yasmin," Sadik said. “Bring up—"

Another rumbling shook the sanctuary. One of the painted columns split in half, leaving a broken cylinder of stone dangling from the ceiling. The candles quivered against their wicks.

“Sadik?" Yasmin asked, wiping the dust from her whiskers.

“Bring up the Neheamatt," he said.

Yasmin blinked at him, hesitating. Haakon folded his four wings. After a moment, the rat began to type on her handheld screen. The hologram shifted and spun, recalibrating.

A colossal tree grew from the air, thick as a spear and rising like a killing thrust. The mountains shrank before it. Branches sprouted outward, each of them the length of city blocks, while canopies of leaves appeared like clouds, soft and drifting. By the time the hologram had finished rendering Aldunya's size, the city of Acheron was comparable to an ant colony at her roots, with the pantheon of the gods little more than a bird's nest.

It was said that Aldunya's trunk rose so high that she could touch the stars, and her roots spread so deep within the earth that uprooting her would tear the planet in twain. Staring at a simulacrum of her true size, Sadik could believe every tale.

“Here is what we know," he said. “The gods have devolved into civil war. Battles are raging across the ruins of the pantheon."

The hologram shimmered. Around the branch where the pantheon was nestled, orange flames began to flicker amongst the blue light, occasionally sliced with yellow beams.

Sadik began to pace around the shrine. “Rushan said that Lanir, goddess of truth and justice, was leading a group of rebels against him. We don't know how many are following her, but, based on what we've seen, the numbers must be considerable."

A dragon appeared in the air around the pantheon, flapping her wings and breathing fire.

“The only thing we can say with confidence," Sadik continued, “is that the fighting is getting worse. If any more gods begin to perish, Acheron will suffer."

Xaeyr sneered, his moon spinning with debris. “Silty marsh, I spent weeks trying to convince her that the jackal planned a coup. Coercion in the halls, abuse of authority. Rooshy might as well have wiped his bottom with our divine edicts, for all the sanctity they had. Oh, but, now, she fights against him, when the innocent have already suffered. Blue-scaled cunt."

“Well," Haakon said, speaking carefully, “I am sure the goddess of truth and justice was following her mandate. She must remain unswayed—"

“Fuck her," Xaeyr said. “She ignored the truth, and she enacted no justice. As far as I'm concerned, she's an accomplice to his crimes."

“Xae," Kavaia said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Don't you 'Xae' me."

“Xae," Kavaia said.

He bared his simian fangs. She squeezed. Eventually, Xaeyr shook his head, tail swishing through the lengths of his toga.

Sadik continued to pace around the hologram, taking in the sweep and grandeur of Aldunya's branches. The fires of battle danced in his eyes. As he passed the Lord of Bones, he noticed Zaria leaning down to whisper in Isaac's ear.

“Sadik," Haakon said, feathers turning yellow. “I know that look. It's an omen of stupidity."

Sadik slowed his pace, never taking his eyes off the tree. “Goddess?"

Kavaia straightened. “Yes?"

“Do you still have access to the pantheon?"

“. . . I suppose." She glanced at the projection of Aldunya, as if the hologram might grant permission. “I am still divine. She has protected me as much as you. I don't see why I would be forbidden."

“So, hypothetically, you could take any mortal up to the branches, like you did before. Is that correct?"

Kavaia blinked down at him.

“As it happens," Sadik said, “I enjoyed the view. And the sap seemed quite delicious." He shrugged. “If only the neighbors were better."

There was a silence in the sanctuary. Then, a cacophony of voices.

“Don't tell me—" Yasmin began.

“You blubbering monkey!" Haakon shouted.

“Hey!" Xaeyr replied.

Amira snorted.

Off to the side, Isaac stood on his toes to whisper in Zaria's ear. He was handing her coins. A lost bet.

“What are you suggesting?" Haakon continued, voice rising above the others. “Do you mean to invade the land of the gods? Commit deicide?"

“I intend," Sadik replied, “to bring an end to this conflict. That will not be done without decisive action."

“Decisive—" Haakon threw up all four of his wings. “You're talking about heresy! Sacrilege! Only a fool would think of turning his sword against the heavens!"

Sadik stopped pacing on Haakon's side of the shrine. “How would you suggest we deal with this problem?"

“I wouldn't suggest anything! They are gods! It is no more our problem to solve than the wind and sky! Believing anything more is hubris of the tallest order!"

“Haakon," Sadik said, his voice calm. “As Master of Medicine, tell me—how many souls have perished today?"

Haakon stared down at him, three cubits tall and bristled with glowing feathers. Once he took the mask, he would make for an impressive Vizier.

“Too many," Sadik answered. “It is senseless carnage. The people suffer for the sins of their patrons. They are afflicted with curses they had no hand in causing. Do you think that is fair? How many more thousands need to die before someone admits that it is wrong?"

Haakon folded his arms. Yasmin scooted further to the side, looking nervous.

“Do you think," Sadik said, “that we should sit here and do nothing?"

The falcon did not answer.

“My plan is simple." Sadik began to pace again, gesturing up at the hologram. “I will lead a small team up through the xylem of the Neheamatt. From there, we will enter the pantheon, make contact with Lanir and her forces, and, hopefully, turn the tides of conflict. Once the violence has abated, we will instate new gods to the vacant positions, ending the curses."

Haakon shook his head. Yasmin wringed her seven-fingered hands. Isaac and Zaria continued to whisper.

“Sadik," Kavaia said, stepping forward. Her white, kalasiris dress glowed blue with the light of the hologram. “If I may?"

He stepped aside, ushering her on.

“If we take a specific path through the trunk, we will come close to the inner phloem. The raw sap." The crocodile gestured at a specific spot on the tree, which Yasmin quickly highlighted in red. Several veins crawled through the trunk. “It is full of Glimmer. I've often used it to replenish my own stores."

“I could use that!" Yasmin said, loudly. When all eyes turned to her, she flinched. “I mean—um—I could bring portable containment chambers. With some doing, the Glimmer could be extracted, stored, and transported, without losing too much coherence. Oh, I could do so much with the raw vein."

Sadik nodded, still pacing. “Excellent. The more we have, the better. Our team will need extensive modifications for this mission. Armor, strength, altitude protection. Every advantage will be invaluable."

“Sir," Amira said, stepping forward. “I got some holes to poke."

“Don't have too much fun, Miri."

She flipped him off before gesturing at the hologram. “First off, big tree's infected with plague. Could be nothin' in the trunk, could be the soft bark's rotten to the core. We don't know. Everyone who goes up to god land is riskin' infection, no doubt about it."

Yasmin tapped on her device. A sickly yellow began to ooze through the bright blue lines of the tree, wilting the branches.

Sadik remembered what he had glimpsed in the Foundations, below the palace. A great battle between bark and pestilence, raging in the darkness. It did not seem as if Aldunya was winning.

“Next," Amira said, “we don't know how many gods we're up against. Could be most of 'em. If it is, we're fucked. No amount of chutzpah is savin' us there."

At the pantheon, fists and spears began to thrust from the leaves, striking the dragon with dramatic impact.

“Finally," Amira said, pointing upward. “Him."

She was gesturing at the statue of Rushan. Slowly, all the eyes in the room shifted to the statue, taking in the size and grace.

“He's still alive," the leopard continued. “We know that cause there ain't been a curse. And I think it goes without saying that if we kick in his door, he ain't serving us dinner."

“If he is alive," Sadik said, “it won't be for long. I saw the plague break through his skin. He's infected. If that does not kill him fast enough, he will still be injured from the blast."

“He's not invincible," Kavaia said. “He only claims to be."

“All the same," Amira replied, “he's still kickin', and that should give us pause. My scouts went to the spot where he fell. Just a god-sized crater in the mud. Nothin' else. He could be anywhere, by now."

Sadik stared down into the candles, thinking.

“If we're speaking of obvious danger," Haakon added, “then I should warn you, Sadik. You risk angering Aldunya with this transgression. She may have protected you thus far, but you go beyond the pale—stealing her Glimmer, meddling in the affairs of the divine. Your actions will have consequences."

He raised a pinioned arm, gesturing to one of the sanctuary exits. Outside, a sea of ruins stretched through the darkness, old and crumbling. Buried from the sun.

“And those consequences," Haakon said, “may be dire. She has condemned the city before. Our streets and homes may become the sewers of the next generation, just like the halls we walk through now."

Sadik remembered what he had seen in the throne room. The Neheamatt speaking through a screen.

PRESERVATION

ANY COST

WE ARE NOT ABANDONED

He shook his head. His fingers gripped the shrine.

“She is hiding something from us," Sadik said. “Something she desperately wants to conceal, enough that she flayed Ilios and blamed Rushan for the murder. If we want to uproot this conspiracy, we will have to go to her directly."

“Hearsay," Haakon replied. “You can't honestly believe the word of that raving jackal."

Sadik glanced up at the statue of Rushan. Around him, the walls of the temple sanctuary told the story of his many battles. Somewhere below the earth, through the layers of ancient streets and crumbling homes, there were demons that still lived in fear of the jackal's wrath.

Rushan had been a hero, many centuries past. Before going into battle, Sadik had often prayed to him just as much as Ilios.

What had changed?

“All I know," Sadik said, “is that I swore an oath to protect this city, both from threats without and threats within. With the stars as my witness, I will see that duty through, one way or another."

Amira folded her arms. Haakon raised his beak to the ceiling, searching for strength. Kavaia and Xaeyr gazed at the plague-rotten form of the Neheamatt, silent and forlorn.

“Sadik," Isaac said, stepping around the Lord of Bones. “If I may?"

Sadik gestured him on.

The human glanced back at Zaria. “Well, we were thinking—if you still had room on your expedition, we would . . . uh. . . ."

“We'd like to join ya," Zaria finished. “Climbin' trees, slayin' gods. Sounds a grand ol' time."

Sadik raised an eyebrow. “You want to join, after all the dangers we've listed?"

“Aye, sure. Why not?"

Sadik glanced back at Amira. The leopard shrugged, scratching her furless patches of skin.

“You've seen me in action," Isaac said. “You know our reputation. With all due modesty, I believe we could be of great assistance to your cause."

“Take them," the Lord of Bones said, waving a dismissive hand. “Better they serve you than pretend to serve me."

Sadik nodded, slowly. “I am assuming, as mercenaries, you require a payment?"

“Oh, nothing spectacular," Isaac said. “Would you be open for an interview?"

“. . . an interview?"

“Yes." Isaac produced a small notebook from his pocket, complete with stylus. “Just some basic questions about your life, culture, history, and so on. I've already begun my treatise on your city."

Haakon stared at Sadik, his feathers gleaming red.

“I suppose I could oblige," Sadik said, after a moment. “Would after this meeting suffice?"

Isaac smiled. “Of course. Excellent. I'll be waiting."

Sadik looked around the room. “Any further questions?"

“Aw, yeah," Amira said. “What name we goin' for?"

“Name?"

“The operation. Come on. Gotta have some wicked title. We'll be fighting gods and suckin' off trees."

“Ancestors preserve," Haakon said.

Sadik gazed up at the hologram. He took in the grand sweep of the Neheamatt, as well as the sickness in her bark, and the violence in her branches. Below her roots, the city of Acheron spread like a fine coat of dust.

“Operation Severed Sky," he said.

Amira grinned. “Vicious. I like it."

Sadik blinked in the candlelight. His armor was growing heavy, and his long, black hair was falling out in strands. It must've been morning, by now. He needed to sleep.

“Anything else?"

No one answered. The hologram of the Neheamatt rose above the bed of candles, sickened and colossal. In the distance, another earthquake shook the ruins.

“Good. Meeting adjourned." Sadik gestured at the falcon. “Haakon, could you lead us in the parting prayer?"

Haakon glared at Sadik for a moment longer, took a deep breath, and began to steeple his fingers into the image of a tree. Around the shrine, all the citizens of Acheron bowed their heads, mortal and god alike.

“Ancestors, hear our words," Haakon said. “We remain in your ashes. We watch the skies for your return."

“We carry the burden," Yasmin said.

“We carry the message," Amira said.

“We carry the light of the stars," Sadik said.

“May we continue to live by your grace," Haakon said. “May our suffering be true, and may our memories be long. Ancestors, by your guidance, may we walk the stars again."

“Amen," they said.

The gathering broke apart, splintering into pockets of conversation. The Lord of Bones turned to speak with Isaac and Zaria. Xaeyr whispered into Kavaia's ear, gesturing with a furless paw. Sadik took a moment to share a few words with Amira, discussing troop deployment and food rationing, before moving on to Yasmin, who had buried herself beneath the wooden shrine. Only her brown robes were visible as she snaked through the guts of the projector.

“Yas," Sadik said.

There was a squeak, a flinch, and a sound of clanging metal. When the rat scurried out from beneath the shrine, she was rubbing a bruise on her head. “O-oh?"

“The infiltration team will need extensive modifications. Wings, secondary lungs, insect limbs for climbing. Do you have enough Glimmer to satisfy?"

Yasmin looked at her handheld screen, up at Sadik, then down to the floor, whiskers twitching. “Um, well—if we—not that I'm suggesting, but—um—we could take—"

“Take from the refugees," Sadik finished. “I feared as much."

She opened her palms, cringing.

“And you will need my permission for that," Haakon said, stepping between the two. Feathers fell from his wings. “I am Master of Medicine, for what good it means anymore."

Sadik clasped his hands behind his back. “Will you give us the Glimmer?"

Haakon stared down at Sadik, his feathers bright, his beak curved and sharp. To the side, the Lord of Bones left the temple sanctuary alone. His skeletons, waiting outside, quickly followed behind.

“Of course I will," Haakon said. “I'm not petty enough to get you killed, even if you have become a blaspheming savage."

“You are very generous."

The falcon folded his upper wings, letting the lower pair sag at his waist. “I understand your reasons. I have spent too much time amongst the sick and dying to rest on my laurels, any longer. If Aldunya will not make an exception for her people, we will have to do so ourselves." He shrugged. “Frankly, I don't envy being in your position."

“You will be, soon enough."

“Hm. Yes. I suspect the next time you see me, I will have already taken the mask." For a moment, he looked pensive. “I can only hope I'm ready."

“I would say you are," Sadik said, “but, unfortunately, I am not good at lying."

The falcon squawked out a laugh. “Oh, keep your tongue between Kavaia's legs, Sadik. It's more appreciated there."

“It's so difficult being funny," Sadik said. “All this comedy, no one to hear it."

Haakon offered a feathery hand. “Good luck up there."

Sadik returned the handshake. “It's been a pleasure, Haakon. As Vizier, you'll have my sword, and my counsel."

“I couldn't ask for better."

They nodded to each other. After a moment, Haakon departed the sanctuary, heading out into the gloom and dust. Through the candlelight, Sadik noticed Amira speaking to Kavaia—the crocodile had taken a knee upon the floor, and the leopard was whispering into her ear, gesturing vaguely. Kavaia glanced at Sadik, realized he was watching her, and quickly looked away. Amira whispered faster.

Sadik felt a knot twist in his stomach. He looked down at the dressed stone tiles of the floor, feeling a heat on his face.

What was he going to do with her?

He hadn't died, like he planned. For weeks, he had lived his life as if death was going to claim him at any moment—throwing himself at every danger, hoping it would be his last. Instead, the goddess of death had saved his life. There was an irony there, somewhere.

Maybe he should've taken it as an omen.

Hisana's face rose unbidden in his mind. The night he had removed her mask. The tears, the joy.

Faustine's vicious laughter.

Would seeking someone else be a betrayal? Would it be fair to Kavaia, if some part of him was using her as a means to grieve?

He breathed in the dusty air of the temple sanctuary, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Sadik?" Yasmin stepped up to his side, pink fingers rubbing together. “Are you feeling well?"

He blinked, clearing his throat.

“You seem different," the rat said. “Better."

“Do I?"

Yasmin considered her words. “We were worried. About you. Amira was convinced you were going to. . . ." Her whiskers curled. “Not return. From the mission. You know."

Sadik stared into the bed of candles. His tattoos smoldered along his neck.

“Was that true?" Yasmin asked.

“Yes," he said, softly.

It took Yasmin several moments to speak again. “But . . . you're here now."

“Yes. I am."

“Are you . . . going to stay?"

“As best I can."

“Well . . . that's good. Right? You're feeling better?"

“I would describe it," Sadik said, “like these candles here." He gestured at the wooden shrine. “They are burning now, and still giving us light. At the same time, they are small. Fragile. A single breath could snuff them away."

Yasmin rubbed her hands. A tremor shuddered through the sanctuary, shaking the flames of the candles. Some did not survive.

“I am a ruined man," Sadik said. “We all are, in our own way. But, in my case, I . . . almost let it consume me. I'm sorry."

“You have nothing to be sorry for," Yasmin said.

“I would've left you all behind." His tattoos burned brighter, crawling in lines across the edge of his cheek. “I was a member of the Luminous Path. Protector of the Vizier, Servant of the Sun. It is—" He paused, grimacing. “It was my duty to put the needs of the city above my own."

“Sadik, I think you were suffering because you weren't addressing your needs."

He did not respond. On the other side of the room, Kavaia was whispering into Amira's ear. Xaeyr kneeled beside them, joining the conversation.

“Well," the technician said. “Um." She placed a hand on his elbow. Her touch was gentle. “We're all trying. I haven't been able to sleep, really, since. . . ." She breathed. “B-but I'm trying! You know, I-I want to go with you! On the mission! I know it's dangerous, I know I might get infected or smashed by a god or anything, really, but, um, I know you'll be there to protect me, and I don't . . . I don't want to be afraid anymore. At least, I-I don't want to let it control me."

Sadik looked down at the rat.

“Things are getting better," Yasmin said. “Rushan is injured, the Demokrats are gone. You know, I feel as if we have momentum now. Right? We have a chance, for the first time in ages. I don't want to waste it."

“ . . . thank you, Yasmin. I don't want to waste it, either." He nodded again, more to himself than anything. “I think you're right. I am feeling better. In a way."

Without warning, she pulled him into a hug, head against his chest. Her body was thin, her robes ragged and stained. After a moment, Sadik returned the gesture, holding her gently.

On the other side of the sanctuary, the whispering stopped. Amira, Kavaia, and Xaeyr all stared at him, looking on in surprise. Sadik closed his eyes, focusing on the feeling of Yasmin breathing against his armor. He did not think of anything else.

They separated. She gave him a timid smile. Isaac and Zaria were waiting by the exit, with Isaac jotting down the paintings on the columns and Zaria scratching the scar around her milky eye. Yasmin muttered a quiet goodbye as she passed between them.

Sadik walked around the shrine, avoiding the three gods and mortals whispering together. When they noticed his movement, their voices grew hurried.

“Ready?" Sadik asked, approaching the two mercenaries.

“Aye, sure," Zaria replied. “Whaddya got for meat, down here?"

“Mostly rats. Some fungus, if you close your eyes."

The hyena grimaced. “All these gods and magic, and you can't pull a rack of lamb out your arse? Honestly." She pushed off the wall. “Fine. Squire, where's the salt pork? I'm feelin' the need—"

“Hold a moment!"

Kavaia jogged up to the group, her footsteps quaking through the floor. Behind her, Amira and Xaeyr watched the exchange with interest.

“I'm afraid," Kavaia said, “that Sadik has a more urgent task to attend to." She stood so close to Sadik that her hip nearly knocked him in the chin. “I'm sure he'll be happy to answer your questions tomorrow."

Sadik gazed up the length of her torso, raising a brow. Kavaia avoided his gaze.

“Oh, bless the cunt of Xotra," Zaria said. “And there was me, tryin' to fuck off politely."

“Z!" Isaac hissed. “Be nice!"

“I'm bloody tired, love. Need a shag and a bath, in that order."

“Shag?" Sadik asked.

Isaac cleared his throat, blushing. “What we meant to say is—of course, goddess. I'm sure you're both—uh—very busy. As it happens, I could also use more time to organize my notes."

“Hold on," Sadik said. “Goddess, what is this 'urgent task' you have for me?"

“Nothin' much," Amira said, strutting into the conversation. “Just what death herself is tellin' ya."

Kavaia grimaced. Xaeyr walked up to the group, illuminating the stone walls with his shattered moon.

“You too, my lord?" Sadik asked.

“Oh, no," Xaeyr replied. “I'm here for the entertainment. Please ignore me."

“Well," Kavaia said, turning to face Sadik, “if you must know what requires your attention, I . . . have a gift for you."

“A gift?"

“Nothing extravagant, I assure you."

“What is it?"

“As you might imagine, it's a matter best left to . . . discretion."

Sadik gazed up at her.

“It's an indulgence, really," Kavaia said. “The same gift you gave to me, when I first arrived here. You remember."

After recovering from his wounds, Sadik had found Kavaia immersing herself in the sickness and death of the refugees. When he had guided her to a brothel, attempting to lift her spirits. . . .

“Yes," Sadik said. “I remember."

“Good. I do, as well. I have been thinking of it quite often, in fact."

“. . . I see."

Isaac and Zaria glanced between the human and the crocodile.

“Do I have a choice?" Sadik asked.

“Hoi," Amira said. “The fuck you mean, 'have a choice'? Ya fuckin' juban, what the fuck you think we're—"

“Yes," Kavaia said, cutting her off. “You have a choice." She folded her hands behind her back, clearing her throat. When she looked down at him, her predator eyes were soft. “I won't force you. Not again."

She waited for his response. There was a respectful expression on the surface, but, below the scales and dark green skin, Sadik could see a deep anxiety in her face. There was concern, and, further down, there was a hint of longing, one that spoke of a soul which had known much scorn and little comfort. In the depths of her eyes, Sadik saw a small, rising hope.

She looked just like Hisana.

“Of course, goddess," Sadik said, his voice quiet. “I would be happy to accept."

Relief cracked through Kavaia's expression, which she covered with polite laughter. “You're not just saying that because you're sworn to my service, are you?"

“My duty compels me to say no."

Amira snorted. “Sir, I love ya, but you're a dumb cunt with shit for brains."

Sadik nodded in agreement.

“Anyway," Amira said, turning to face Xaeyr. “You wanna fuck?"

The baboon blinked in surprise, his shattered moon growing brighter. “Pardon?"

“You heard me," the leopard said, placing her hands on her hips. “I'm sure you've tasted the small fruit, before."

Xaeyr took a cautious step back, like he was suddenly facing a rambunctious dog.

“Aw, come on," Amira said, stepping forward. “Can't expect to me cling to ya for hours, grabbin' fur and muscle, and not feel a certain way."

“I would expect," Xaeyr said, “you to ask privately. Or politely. Or—I don't know—faithfully?"

Amira shrugged. “Do you actually enjoy all that servitude?"

“. . . good point." He stroked his furless chin, thinking. “Alright, sure. Why not?"

Amira pounced onto Xaeyr's hip, using her feline claws to climb up the length of his toga. He did not seem to appreciate becoming a climbing post, but he did not object, either. When Amira reached the top of the baboon, lazily resting her arms around his neck, she grinned down at Sadik.

“Goodbye, sir," Amira said. “Hope ya feel better. And just know that I'm makin' my god scream louder."

Xaeyr cleared his throat, made a gesture of farewell, and left the temple sanctuary, shifting Amira higher onto his shoulders. Their whispers echoed through the dust and gloom.

“Well," Zaria said, “if we're all makin' merry—squire, you want some lovin'?"

“I need to organize my notes," Isaac replied. “There's questions pertinent to the history of our planet, potential connections between vast, ancient empires. If my theories are correct—"

“Ssssquuuiiirrrrrree," Zaria said, singing off-key.

“Z, I have serious work that I need to—"

“Oh, sssquuuiiirrrrrreee!"

“That's not going to work this time."

Zaria leaned heavily against him, wrapping her muscular arms around his shoulders. Her song was growing louder. “Ssssqquuuuuiiirrreee!"

“Fine! Fine!" Isaac rubbed his face, thoroughly embarassed. “Ivtarr preserve me."

The hyena began to pull her human away, grinning. “Sadik, goddess. Been a pleasure."

Sadik gave a polite wave. Kavaia's tail shifted against the floor.

“Remember to celebrate!" Zaria called out, disappearing into the dust and gloom. “Don't seem like it, but you won today!"

Their footsteps faded away. No one else remained in the sanctuary. In the distance, another rumbling shook the sewers, forcing out a groan of rusted metal.

“Well," Sadik said, adjusting the padding below his armor. “Should we be on our way?"

Kavaia nodded, smoothing the wrinkles on her dress.

They began to leave the sanctuary. Just as he entered the doorway, Sadik remembered the candles were still alight. He returned to the room, blowing them out. They were just as fragile as he imagined.

The room fell into darkness. With the hologram gone, there was no source of light. Nothing but stone and dust.

Sadik left the sanctuary. His tattoos lit the way ahead. The statue of Rushan remained behind, looming through the dark.