My world crumbled. I believed Xelan and Korac quarreled to the point of dissolution. I hurt for them.

Celindria promised the people a rebellion against their "Icarean Masters." Her public demonstrations of power were awesome and frightening to behold. Every star pulsed to her power. The sky blackened into shadow. She obliterated two legions while they trained in company exercises.

We couldn't control her, and Xelan enforced nothing on her.

In the meantime, a council formed, including human and Icarean representation. The Brethren. They claimed to resolve disputes in place of our usual regimen. They seemed to support her.

I sought my own human council to sway the masses. They revered me as their Master despite my protests, but their loyalty proved undying. I stationed a few Icari to train and protect them. Occasionally, I visited their compound accompanied by Korac to ensure one Night King sighting per human generation.

Our men lined up for an inspection in the crowded courtyard filled with barrels and carts of grain. I surveyed them while my General detailed their training routines. They smelled of sweat, and their hearts beat too loud.

One Icarus spoke out in a voice filled with gravel, "You are not a god."

I turned and stepped into the bald soldier's space. "Who wants to be a god here? Not me. Perhaps you?"

He spat rage at me with his deep green eyes. "These humans worship you. Call you the God of Night. You are my King perhaps, but only because I was born an Icarus. The Progeny will overthrow your unbalanced regime."

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The amount of testosterone poisoning in this young Icarus impressed me. "Tell me your name."

He puffed out his sizable chest. "Caedes."

Korac snapped, "You will address him as 'your majesty,' soldier."

"And if not? Will you whip me to paralysis as well? Or do you treat only women that way?"

I think Korac gives off a scent when he desires blood. Or perhaps it's the same scent he gave off for sex? Either way, I had to stave him from annihilating the upstart. It wouldn't look good to execute a young Icarus for his first offense when we needed to garner trust.

"Soldier, you are brave. Or stupid. I hope you enjoy camp."

His eyes widened. "You refuse to execute me?! Why camp?!"

I lowered my voice so only the three of us could hear, "Because you want to throw yourself on the sword, and I have use of you, yet. You require discipline and conditioning. I wonder how much of your indignation will survive the rigor. Take him away."

Korac grabbed Caedes, and the Icarus erupted into a string of curses, protests, and baseless allegations. I heard him a long while after the General dragged him off through the sand.

I addressed the humans in the compound. "I appreciate the work you provide and your efforts to sustain peace between our peoples. With continued success, I will consider granting you that which keeps us alive. Only once you ensure me of your intentions and loyalty, of course."

The head human approached me. They called him Justice. "Thank you, Master."

I clenched my jaw to prevent correcting him. They preferred it. Not I.

"We pass your wisdom and that of the Icari onto our children. Your presence renews our faith with each engagement. We will establish a history of your deeds."

"Written?"

Justice bowed. "Absolutely, Master."

I honestly resented the situation, but I needed human representation. "Until next time."

I detest the Cult of Night. Their radical ways are everything I despise about ruling small-minded people. But they provide an irreplaceable service. Without them, we couldn't stow the first one hundred thousand troops when we invaded Earth in 2002.

But onto that later. I have more horrors to divulge.