William was a man like no other.

The next time Gadreel saw him after the Verdua Massacre was the negotiation. The Acelot branch of Numen worked as the stage. It was an unrivaled structure under the National Museum of Mircrest.

After walking through the ancient structure, and admiring all the finest paintings and statues were presented in gold, Gadreel and his backers were escorted through the hall that once served as the King's Court into the underground.

Gadreel entered the second lowest floor of the structure under the guise of wanting to leave Mircrest and Numen behind and create a new organization. No consequences were to follow from his "impulsive disrespect of William's authority".

When he made it into the room illuminated by an array of candle chandeliers, he shut his eyes before turning his head. When he opened his eyes again, they locked straight onto William's. He was perfect as always with his powerful presence, handsome, fair face and his white robes. However, he had swept his hair back, only a few strands loose over his forehead. Gadreel had never seen it styled like that. William had changed a little. Gadreel liked it. The hair looked good.

The man drowned in golden jewelry and sat in a chair that, if sold, could've fed a hundred orphanages for a thousand years. Gadreel didn't resent him for it. It was in his nature. He was the peak of humanity after all.

William didn't share the sentiment. He looked at Gadreel like a cursed beast would look at a lowly animal whilst an invisible wall separated them. Gadreel knew his mind. At that very moment, he was thinking of all the ways to torture and kill him. By the way he eyed Jameson, William probably thought gutting Gadreel's allies in front of him was a good start. Jameson was careful to avoid William's eyes as he sat down.

Gadreel took the first word as he pulled his chair at the end of the ridiculously lengthy table opposite William. "Friends, it is under dire circumstances that we gather this fine evening."

William's glare intensified. Oh, it seemed he was considering a nailing. That was one of his favorites. Nail a man to a wall by the back of his mouth.

"I might take a moment to thank Izir and his squadron for lending their hand in overseeing this negotiation." Gadreel gestured to the handsome man on the side with his soldiers. Then continued after sitting. "The unity of Numen has been broken, but I assure you it was for no insignificance. On the contrary, the matter is quite worthy of life."

"Yes, we heard. You want an organization of your own," William said, snarky. "Was it the desperate need to prove yourself great caused by abandonment issues that led you to this... awful show?" Gadreel tried responding but was cut off immediately. Seeing the assertion, he laid back with a calm smile. "Oh, no. It wasn't that. Then may it be your apathy?" At that, Gadreel raised his brows. "Yes, I know. You are a miserable soul. I've known it since the beginning, but I gave you the chance to be mine. I took you under my wing and you paid me back by cutting it off. You were my son, Gadreel. Now you are dead in my mind. And if there is one thing I do, it is to shape reality according to how my mind perceives it. In the words of Ares, 'Karase aki.'"

Gadreel smiled in jest. "Talking in the words of the slain? I never thought I'd see the day. You surprise me, William. How about I return to you with the words of Kendrick, 'Even as the gods rage at my deeds, I shant hesitate, for the plane of mortals is the property of the apex of humanity and under the heavens, my voice echoes unlike any other.'"

"Arrogant sophists, both of you," William spat. "The only difference is that the Conqueror of the West vanquished a man meant only for warfare while you will be killed by one wholly uninterested in physicality."

"Is that a formal statement? If so, I fear this negotiation is over."

"It never began, Gadreel. You are a man of depth. Repulsive depth, yes. But depth nonetheless. State your business. Issue your challenge."

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"My champion against your champion?"

"I represent myself. You do the same. Let us descend a floor to the arena. Let us settle this like the aforementioned apex of humanity."

"You seem to forget that Kendrick is not a warrior. Neither am I. Besides, haven't you thought about what happened to your assassin?" Gadreel snapped his fingers. Then Sherridan appeared by his side, a mask on her face.

Wlliam's face dropped. "You disappoint me Sherridan. For a woman such as you to be charmed by a reptile is a disgrace."

"Did you forget he charmed you as well, and you're certainly no young woman?"

"I will kill you for this, know it," William said, his tone informative. "You've outlived your purpose."

"I don't take kindly to threats."

"Then you'll be pleased to know I don't make them lightly."

"Well then, let us duel. See if your word holds."

William looked like he had been slapped for a moment. Even Gadreel wasn't fond of insulting the man so. If a sight could kill, William angry was it.

But as quickly as the anger came, it was gone. William leaned back. "I will refrain. Your prowess is admirable. However, when you are defeated, the things I will do to you will make you regret breathing in my direction."

"I can't wait," Sherridan answered feigning boredom. Gadreel could sense it. William's words filled her with fear. She knew what he could do to people. What he would do?

William had no code. He existed loosely in the world.

"Now, now. Play nice." Gadreel wagged a finger. "But now that the ridiculous duel is forgotten, could we discuss my purpose here today."

"More lies?" William sneered, leaning back in his chair.

"No, certainly not. You will have proof very soon in fact. That's because," Gadreel said, standing up. "I am here to announce a trade embargo on Acelot."

The members of the Evaporation Squadron were the only ones to not bat an eye. They probably didn't even know the term. William's eye twitched, but then he was completely calm. Freakishly so. One could only achieve that kind of calm if practiced, and there was only one reason for the Ruler of Mircrest result to calmness practice. He was mortified.

Even Gadreel's allies couldn't believe it, but suddenly it made sense. Starve the capital. Stop the business. William will pay.

'But to what end?' they were all thinking.

"Your terms?" William asked, still leaning back in the same position. He had stayed completely still. Another practiced mannurism. Was it only obvious to Gadreel?

Gadreel sat back down carefreely before leaning forward and cupping his ear with a hand. "Huh?"

"Terms!" Gadreel nodded to affirm that he heard loud and clear. Then he squinted. "What are the terms of your trade embargo? Stop the clown act and talk."

Gadreel looked around the room as all eyes were on him. He could feel them looming, trying to press on him. He could not be pressed.

"Terms?" Gadreel asked. "No terms."

Finally, William's eyes showed something. A flicker of anger. The whole room shook when he slammed the table. He did that only to unnerve all who listened as his next words were soft like a mother's. "You're a sick human, Gadreel. You may try to justify it. Make it into something good. Something beneficial. But you know it just makes you wretched and miserable. I saw that it did, but I never thought you would've been stupid enough to do something like this in a hopeless effort to combat it. You can't fight it. You will never get what you want."

"You know what I want?" Gadreel waited. Then laughed. "Then why ask for terms?"

William just stared at him from the other end of the table, eyeing Izir once or twice.

"You amuse me, William. Thank you for this. I will be back. Now, I fear we are done for the foreseeable future. To tell you the truth, I am eager to see how this pans out." With that, Gadreel left, his entire entourage with him as well as the Evaporation Squadron that was to escort them out from Acelot. They would be one of the last things to go in or out of its walls for some time.

As they walked through the museum for the second time, Gadreel stopped in front of an enormous painting. He stayed there for a while, even as impatient eyes weighed on him.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Sherridan asked suddenly at his side.

Gadreel turned with a patient smile and looked through her eyes. She really was quite nervous. William's words had that effect on people. He touched her shoulder. "Don't worry." He then pointed at the painting in front. "What do you see?"

Sherridan seemed to relax although begrudgingly and humored Gadreel. "Jungle. Symbols. Humans in red. A temple. An eye?"

"Good. Good." Gadreel patted her again. "Do you know what it all is?"

"There's no title."

"But of course. Only a lousy artist needs to name their works. Your answer?"

"No clue."

"It's a depiction of a religion from the Age of Water and Blood. They worshipped the Watchful. That religion is dead now. So is its god."

"And?" Sherridan asked, looking gazing at the masterpiece with her arms crossed."

Gadreel spared her a glance. "Do you know how a god dies?" He paused and the room went silent. Gadreel grinned his eyes on the manic humans dancing, drenched in blood. "Suddenly."