Anda knew it from his first encounter with Katsíki. He knew that everything would soon change. Whether that change would be for the better, he couldn’t say.

He awoke with a groan.

A few days had passed since the Ia lost their High Elder and although people were sorrowful, there was very little chaos or disorder.

Everyone simply waited for their next instructions.

Anda wondered if that’s all the Ia were fated to do.

To serve others.

Anda shook aside his concerns and crawled out of bed. He slipped into his old leather clothes and grabbed his sword.

He then left his room to find his parents, Heral and Lindra, having breakfast with Teum, his younger brother.

Like many Ia, their skin was littered with Dark Marks.

Anda wondered if Katsíki was serious about healing all Ia of their affliction.

“What’s wrong?” Heral asked.

“N- nothing,” Anda said as he walked towards the door that led out into Eimval.

“I’m off to the high office-“

“But you haven’t eaten yet,” Lindra said with a concerned expression.

“Don’t worry, I’ll eat later,” Anda said with a weak smile.

He then left his home and found himself on the streets of Eimval’s second floor.

All Ia homes were built into Eimval’s very walls and so most businesses stood in the centre.

Also, the businesses worked by trade as the Ia had long since abandoned the concept of currency. Barter was the way of life.

Most people got a set amount of supplies once a week and Anda was no exception.

He was a scout. The captain of the scouts, to be specific.

That being said, rank did not affect how much food you got at the end of the week. The only Rendaro who got more food than others were the elders and guards.

Anda made his way to the first level and saw that it was far less crowded than usual.

A few people walked along its street while others worked away in the many small shops in the level’s centre. These businesses ranged from bakeries to tailors, carpenters and so many others.

Anda’s destination was a small building built into the northern face of the first level. It sat directly beneath the high office and was a few meters away from the station where guards held their meetings.

Anda entered the office of the scouts where he found a woman keenly inspecting her sword as she sat on one of the four old chairs that were the room's only other furniture.

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The woman’s name was Sil and she was Anda’s right hand. She wore form-fitting leather clothes like Anda, but unlike most Rendaro, she didn’t have much hair. It was cut very short.

“Of everyone, I expected you to arrive last,” Anda said as he sat on the chair opposite hers.

“Yeah? Well, I didn’t sleep much.” Sil said while lightly stretching.

“Come, let’s pass by the high office and see if they need anything,” Anda said before exiting the building.

Sil followed closely as they made their way up to the head office via a staircase located along the level’s northern face.

They quickly arrived at the office which was quite heavily guarded and they found Elders Tal and Olen discussing various things in the living area.

Anda noticed that Tal had a rather grim expression on his face, but their business was none of his and so he ignored it.

“Good morning, sirs. Is there anything you need?”

“Err… actually, you’re exactly who we were talking about. Come, sit.” Olen said.

Anda nodded before sitting next to the elder, who, although dressed in finely made clothes, looked battered and tired.

“Tal and I have been thinking about this for quite some time and we’ve come to a realization. The Ia need a leader. One whose ideals will carry them through the coming new age.” Olen said and Anda nodded, much to the elder’s disapproval.

“No, Anda. I’d like to know what your thoughts are on all this “

“But I’m just a lowly scout.”

“True, but you have a wealth of knowledge about the surface and you are a proud Ia if I’ve ever seen one. So go ahead, share your thoughts.” Olen said.

Anda placed his hand on his chin as his eyes darted back and forth.

“I think that picking the right leader will be crucial seeing as our circumstances are beyond extraordinary, but I have no doubt that both of you will serve the Ia well, regardless of what the future holds,” Anda said clearly, but Tal and Olen’s faces twisted as though they were in pain.

“Anda… the person we’re considering to make high elder… is you.”

Anda’s eyes widened upon hearing Tal’s words.

“I… don’t understand. Why me?”

“Like I said, you are the ideal candidate. An Ia through and through. We elders become detached at some point in all this. We lose the ability to relate to the woes of the people. But you.. you’ve spent your whole life helping the Ia. Making you High Elder won’t change any of that. Well, you’ll get to live here, but that’s pretty much all that’ll change.” Olen said.

“I see… mmm, is it possible for me to politely decline? I’m grateful that you ever considered me as a candidate for high elder, but I don’t think I could bear the responsibility for the lives of all Ia.” Anda said with a lowered head.

“Ah-ha! That’s why we’re here. We’ll lead alongside you. All you need to do is unite the Ia under a single banner. Tell them your ambitions, your dreams and your hopes. Give them something to latch on to while we struggle in the coming days.” Olen said, but all Anda could do was groan.

“A-alright.” He eventually said.

“Good. We’ll announce your position to the public tomorrow, however, there is something we wanted you to approve before you returned to your normal duties.” Olen said.

“Oh? What is it?” Anda asked while desperately trying to maintain his composure, but he could feel the sweat rolling down his forehead.

“This way,” Olen said as he and Tal stood up. They then led Anda and Sil all the way down to the second floor.

A large part of it had been sealed off to house criminals and that’s where Olen took everyone.

The space itself was a maze of tall dark walls made from the crystallized darkness that Katsíki had used to seal the third level.

Olen and Tal realized that although it was extremely hard and light, it could actually be cut apart using space magic.

The magicians split apart certain segments of the mass of darkness. This produced slabs, bricks and walls of darkness that was near impenetrable and had no lingering effects.

The guards took everyone to a certain cell which, unlike the others, had no numerical markings or Anthony.

Anda knew exactly who was inside it.

“What does he have to do with anything?” He asked with trembling eyes.

“He might have the key to our salvation,” Olen said, but Anda could see that even he was distressed.

“What makes you say that?” Anda asked prompting Olen to stare into the cell’s single, small rectangular hole which sat near the top of the cell’s door.

“Because he has power over death.”