Archil and Lyston exit through the front door of the temple and walk into the alley, where Gilbert was waiting.

"Sir, why is the medium of the temple with you?" Gilbert asks carefully. "Did he find you?"

"This is Lyston, Gilbert." Archil says. "He will accompany us on our trip to go and kill Maxwell."

"What?" Gilbert says. "Why are we killing Maxwell all of a sudden? Was the murderer not here in this very temple?"

Archil and Lyston quickly give Gilbert a summary of the events that took place in the temple.

"So you killed Master Jardine, Lyston?" Gilbert asks in a confused tone.

"I did play a big part in his death, but I did not kill him." Lyston says. "The killing was done by Maxwell."

"I see..." Gilbert says, still utterly mystified. "So what do we do now?"

"We kill Maxwell." Lyston says. "He should not be allowed to remain in this world."

"So now we are going to kill our fellow humans?" Gilbert asks. "Are you truly going that far for revenge, Archil?"

"Fellow humans?" Lyston asks. "My dear boy, you have it all wrong. Maxwell is as much a human as that rock there. He is a god of the second generation."

"But gods can't appear physically in our realm, right?" Gilbert asks.

"True." Lyston says. "The form he generally shows is that of Lycon, my ancestor. He uses the body that once belonged to my ancestor to manipulate your world freely."

"How do you know all this?" Archil asks.

"The fake god likes to talk to me." Lyston says. "No one ever comes near mediums so he thought it fair play. Even though I am not a medium gods seem to be able to make themselves appear in front of me... I can generally not be possessed by a god, unless I let them. A rule that applies to any man. Truth be told, I think Arthfael is the only god strong enough to separate a human's soul from his body leaving an empty shell."

"So all of our actions right now are judged on information provided by the fake god? Archil asks. "Oh, how splendid that is."

"So who is the fake god again?" Gilbert asks, struggling to keep up with the conversation.

"The god taking possession of the woman at the last shrine, Gilbert." Archil answers. "He is most likely our only change to save our world from the rule of Arthfael."

"There are also other prime generation gods out there to be honest, but they don't interfere to much with Arthfael's chess board." Lyston says. "Each of them has more second generation gods with them."

"Could you explain to us what those are exactly, Lyston?" Archil asks. "Tell us about second generation gods, as we walk away from the temple, to some place more central."

"That is quite the tale, my friend." Lyston says. "This world began, according to the fake god, as two rifts drifting along side each other. The friction between these two plains sparked energy creating souls. These souls passed on to one of the two rifts. As more energy was made and more souls created, the second uninhabited rift started to consume energy. This reaction created matter causing land and sea to form. Before long this land began forming life. The fake god calls them micro-organisms whatever they may be. These grew into larger animals. The souls in the first rift saw these changes and crossed over to inhabit this new world. Most of them were lost in the friction between the rifts, however some made it across. These were the prime generation gods. As the world kept changing the energy build up in between the rifts became to great. It created an energy storm casting those in the rift full of life back into the empty rift. The souls still trapped in the empty rift were destroyed. The rest of the energy was transferred into a humanlike creature that can no longer be found today. This created the first humans, born into a world build by the gods. The gods, now trapped in there new home decided to watch these humans and guide them to a 'better' future. This was boring however, so the gods started pitting humans against each other. This conflict of chess the gods started to play, spawned new races in this realm. Second generation gods came into being when either Arthfael separates a human from his body, excluding Lycon, since he is trapped or when enough energy builds up between the rifts again to spawn a new god, like the fake god. The only other thing that uses energy from between the rifts is birth. New humans need as soul made from the stuff."

"Curious." Archil says. "So how does one kill a god?"

"One destroys its vessel." Lyston answers. "That way they lose the authority it had. The god however, cannot be killed. The are energy from beyond the line. Our souls simply dissipate after death. Gods on the other hand are merely reaching into this realm."

"So once we destroy Lycon's body, Maxwell should lose his power in this world, right?" Gilbert asks.

"According to the fake god, yes." Lyston says. "There is one problem though. I have no idea where to find Maxwell, nor where his vessel might be."

"He never seems to leave the council hall." Archil says. "Our best chance is to look there."

"So, as a god, what can Maxwell do?" Gilbert asks.

"Manipulate human souls from beyond the line." Lyston says. "The only true power possessed by gods is immortality. As I said earlier, they made the first steps as humans on this side of the line and were then pulled right back to where they belong. Magic does exist, but the gods have no such power."

"Then what is your curse?" Archil asks.

"Arthfael has made it so that any human soul approaching the line will be blasted with excess rift energy. This will then be brought back to the human's body and cause it to emit this energy. It is why I cause someone's body to vibrate to shreds. The humming you here is not me but the energy emitting from my body. It is harmless, unless you were to touch me."

"So that is why you are not afraid of hurting us?" Gilbert asks.

"No, boy." Lyston says, laughing. "Right now all I care about is hurting that accursed Maxwell."

"Oh..." Gilbert says.

"Are you not too old for this?" Archil asks.

"Old?" Lyston says, surprised. "My dear Archil, I should be merely a few years older than you. I only look old, because my body is constantly emitting rift energy. It truly wears a man down. Most medium have this very same problem. Because of the very nature of our curse we can however exist together. Most of us, myself included, prefer to live in temples and shrine in solitude. Why is it you despise mediums as much ad you do, Archil?"

"My parents were killed by a medium they tried to save from a burning shrine. They died and the medium survived. Shortly after I was adopted by Master Jardine. He has always been good to me, but I just cannot see mediums as humans anymore. They destroy life by just touching it. It is getting better now, since I know the cause of their misfortune. This understanding is most likely the reason, I don't hate you Lyston. The regret and sadness I heard you express in the shrine was enough to make me see the true evil."

"I am sorry for your loss, Archil." Lyston says. "I hope your life becomes better after we free our city from Maxwell."

"Archil, why are we still talking about these matters while walking through the crowd?" Gilbert asks. "Would it not be wiser to discuss this in private?"

"Nonsense, Gilbert." Archil says. "These people mind us as much as we mind them. They won't hear us talk of murder and plot, nor will they think anything of it."

"We are approaching the city centre." Lyston says.

"This way is a shortcut." Archil says, turning right into a small alley.

After a few more minutes of walking they arrive at the council hall. Archil walks towards the door and pushes it open. The three men enter. The room was completely empty, the chairs are encased in darkness.

"So this is what the building looks like when it is not used." Archil says. "After he told us the results of the vote during the meeting yesterday he retreated to a room in the back. That is where we will probably find Maxwell, if he even is here at all."

"What are we waiting for!" Lyston says as he walks to the door. "Maxwell's vessel is at our mercy now."

"Wait!" Archil yells.

Lyston is however not stopping. He continues walking towards the door, completely absorbed in his hate for Maxwell. Neither Gilbert, nor Archil can stop this man from stepping through that door now. Lyston crashes into the door and falls backwards, completely stopped by it. He lies on the ground for a second, cursing his stupidity.

"Of course the door is locked!" He yells. "Maxwell is not confident enough to leave his vessel unprotected, while he is not inhabiting it."

"Do you need some help with that predicament of yours, Lyston?" Archil asks, grinning. "Gilbert is an expert at lock picking. He kept swearing it would be useful someday. Before he helps you however, I want you to answer one question. Are you sure you want to do this to Maxwell?"

"Just open the door." Lyston says. "I could care less about second thoughts right now. I want to make Maxwell suffer, just like I suffer."

"Gilbert, please open the door for us." Archil orders.

"Yes, sir." Gilbert replies. In his eyes a glint of happiness can be seen as his lock picking skills finally come of use. After a few moments a sharp 'click' can be heard and the door flies open. "It is done, sir."

The door hasn't opened yet or Lyston is already on his way to finish what he came here for. He is completely prepared to do anything to hurt Maxwell in any and every way. In the dim light of the room a figure can be seen. It is sitting in a chair and is so limp it might as well be dead. Lyston charges at the figure and crashes into it, toppling over the chair causing both Maxwell's vessel as himself to slam into the floor. Archil can hardly see what is going on in the absolute darkness. Suddenly a dim blue light starts to emit from Maxwell's vessel and Lyston is thrown into Archil. Both men tumble through the still opened door and hit Gilbert, who stops their movement.

"What was that?" Archil asks, as he climbs back to his feet.

"Interriftal energy." Lyston says. "That body has been used by Maxwell so much that it has build up enough energy from in between the rifts. I would be dead if I was not accustomed to the energy."

"Why, I feel sick all of a sudden." Archil mumbles, falling over again.

"My bad, Archil." Lyston says. "It is my curse. I touched and so you are affected. Don't worry, the effects will wear of soon, since I only touched you for a moment. Probably..."

"What?" Gilbert exclaims, while crouching next to Archil. "If he dies, I will never forgive you!"

"Relax, Gilbert" Archil asks. "I should be fine in just a moment. So how do we get rid of the vessel now?"

"Fire purges interriftal energy." Lyston says. "It is turned into an alternate form of energy when burned. Usually this energy is heat, but I have heard of cases where it is turned into lightning. Do you have anything on you?"

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"Can't you use your curse to set the chair on fire?" Gilbert asks.

"No, interriftal energy is only transferred to people." Lyston explains. "I can't use it on animals or plants."

"Use this lantern." Archil says, while slowly regaining his strength. "It uses a rare substance found in the mines as fuel. I also have a flint and tinder on me. It is used to light the lantern."

"Excellent!" Lyston exclaims.

Lyston instantly grabs the lantern and flint and tinder from Archil, carefully avoiding touching him. With these he runs towards the vessel and smashes the lantern into a million pieces on its head. A thick black substance splatter everywhere. Lyston immediately strikes the flint. Sparks fly into the air, igniting the black substance and the vessel is instantly engulfed in flames. The eyes glow bright blue and its muscles start to move. It lets out a horrific scream as Maxwell realises he returned to a burning puppet and he is now experiencing the agony of a burning death. Gods can't die, but they can surely feel like they are dying.

"Run!" Lyston suddenly yells. "The interriftal energy will become heat soon!"

Gilbert quickly takes position next to the door, after dragging Archil out of the room. Lyston dives through the door, just as the vessel in the now overly lit room starts to change. It seems to melt and a haze causes its image to distort. Suddenly the fire explodes quickly filling the room with an all consuming wrath. Electrical bolts arc through the room. A bright flash of light fills the blazing room.. Gilbert slams the door shut before the flames reach them. Smoke now fills the council hall making it an even darker and grimmer place than before. Archil climbs to his feet, testing his balance.

"Did we destroy it?" Gilbert asks.

"We better have." Lyston says. "If we didn't, then I don't think that I have another way to destroy it. My curse was of no effect and fire was my last resort."

Suddenly the hall's main entrance flies open. A squad of armed guards rush in, twenty at the very least and surround the three men. All of them are armed with spears except for one. The captain caries a sword. They all wear similar chest pieces made from iron. Archil, seeing the guards with drawn weapons, swiftly draws his own sword.

"Sir, I don't think you can beat them on your own." Gilbert says. "I can barely fight and Lyston's curse requires him to touch his enemy. We will be of no help to you. Not to mention the fact that you are still weakened by Lyston's curse."

"Drop your weapons and surrender, or we will kill you where you stand." The captain of the guards states.

Looking extremely annoyed with his own weakness, Archil drops his sword. The guards rush in and bind their hands on their backs, using ropes.

"Sergeant, what is the meaning of this!" Archil says. "Is a council member not allowed to enter the council hall as he pleases? Can I not bring any guests along outside of meetings? Explain yourself!"

To Archil's right one of the guards suddenly collapses, clutching his stomach. He must have been the one that bound Lyston's ropes. He is helped up and dragged out of the building by another guard.

"I suddenly felt like I would find something of interest at the council hall." The captain explains, grinning. "It would seem like you people were planning to burn the building down. With this I am almost sure of a promotion. Saving the council hall from a devastating fire! A good days work, don't you think?"

A short man suddenly rushes into the building, looking extremely panicked. He moves in a weird, almost unnatural way. It is like his body is not truly his.

"Where is Maxwell?" He says, hurriedly. "Someone plans to murder him!"

"What?" The captain exclaims.

The man continues to the door in the back. He yanks it open and is blasted by the flames, now pouring through the opened door. He seems to somehow have dodged the most of it, as if he knew it was coming.

"They got here before I did." The man curses. "Who could have done this!"

"Everyone out!" The captain yells. "Move it people!"

Everyone leaves the room except for the short man, who is just standing in the room, looking around in confusion. His dying screams can be heard a few moments later.

"Since Maxwell is dead, I am taking law into my hands for now." The captain states. "I hereby sentence all three of you to be executed by morning for high treason! Lock them up!"

They are escorted to a group of cells where they spend a long and sleepless night.

"Archil!" Lyston says. "Wake up, Archil. I must tell you something of great importance! If I am the first to die, cover your ears and run at the exact moment my head flies. If you do that, then there will be hope."

"What?" Archil says, sleepily. "What do you mean, Lyston?"

"No time!" Lyston says. "The sun is rising and I want you two to survive!"

"Rise and shine, dead men!" The captain says, entering the cells. "Everything is ready and now all we need are your heads. Follow me please!"

"Gilbert, wake up!" Archil says.

Gilbert mumbles something inaudible.

"What do you mean, sir?" Gilbert says, as he slowly remembers the events of the previous day. "Is it time, sir? I must say, it was an honour working by your side, sir."

"It may be a little early for that, Gilbert." Archil says. "You have been a good friend to me. Now get up! How did you even fall asleep with this constant humming of Lyston? Anyway, let's meet our death honourably like a Jardine should."

"Hurry up!" The captain yells. "My promotion... I mean the crowd is waiting for us outside!"

They follow the captain through the small door into a hallway, where a man stands waiting for them.

"Hold on for a moment." He says. "I need to speak with them, alone."

"As you wish, sir." The captain says, thinking more of his promotion than the situation.

"Now with him gone, let me introduce myself." The man says. "I am Maxwell."

Lyston immediately has a enraged look on his face.

"How did you like burning to a crisp!" He says. "Just a small reflection of my hate towards you. I would gladly burn this new vessel too."

"Truly, you gentlemen did impress me." Maxwell says. "However, considering how you burned me and would most likely repeat that act, I have no other way to beat Axsel. You three must die. Not to mention, Arthfael is furious with you."

Maxwell starts walking away, but turns around.

"One more thing, Archil." He says. "Your father, Master Jardine, works for me now."

This left Archil in a state of utter confusion.

"My father is dead, Maxwell." He says. "What did you do to him."

"Not me!" Maxwell says. "He staged his own death. I merely provided both the decoy and the murder weapon. Chop, chop. Of to the stage with you!"

"Maxwell!" Archil yells, but the captain has already reentered the hall.

"You heard him!" The captain says. "Get moving."

The sun slowly rises over the tops of the building as the three men step onto the stage. They are held up on the left side of the stage. Maxwell is in front of the crowd, looking at his end results from the first row. He has a massive grin on his face. The executioner starts to talk.

"These three citizens have been charged with treason!" He says.

As he continues to speak a figure, clad in dark, shifting robes walks up to Maxwell. Archil can hardly see the crowd from where he is standing now. The sun is blinding him.

"So how are you, brother." The figure in robes says. "You seem confident in your hand."

"Of course, Axsel." Maxwell says. "Just admit, this time I won the game. I've got all three of your pawns lined up, ready to be chopped up."

"You do seem confident." Axsel sighs. "To be a god and not remember a thing. Have you been in this world for to long, Maxwell. Have the humans blinded your knowledge."

"Stop with the games, Axsel." Maxwell says. "I win, you lose. Is that so hard for you to accept?"

"In that case, you don't need me here." Axsel says. "Or do you?"

"The only reason I would want you here, is to see your face when their heads fall of." Maxwell says.

"Enjoy your execution then, Maxwell." Axsel says, as he leaves.

Meanwhile lyston is being escorted to the executioner. His head is placed on a wooden block. He closes his eyes and accepts his fate to die. His entire body relaxes. A man walks behind Archil.

"I did not mean for this to happen, son." He says. "But the time of the honourable Jardines is over..."

He loosens the ropes of Gilbert and Archil.

"Since it won't matter anymore, you might as well die freed from your bonds. Goodbye my beloved son."

"You are a traitor, father." Archil says, crying. "May your soul be burned."

"I fear that is your fate, my son. Not mine." Master Jardine says as he leaves.

"Any last words, Lyston!" The executioner asks.

"Maxwell, tell Arthfael he is inferior in every way to the fake god!" Lyston yells.

This statement caused an uproar in the crowd. All forms of pity for this man melt like snow before the burning vessel of Maxwell. Hate takes its place.

"You will now... die." The executioner says.

He brings his heavy axe down or Lyston's neck. Lyston's head falls to the floor of the podium. Blood hits Maxwell's face as it is forced out of Lyston's headless body. Archil remembers to cover his ears with his unbound hands and got Gilbert to do the same. For a second absolute silence is present. Lyston's constant humming finally stopped. A tear drips across Archil's face. Suddenly the air starts to vibrate. A humming now in a higher pitch fills the air. It gets louder and louder. The crowd falls to its knees. The executioner falls of of the podium onto the staggering Maxwell. The remaining energy in Lyston's body is forced out, causing it to vibrate along with the air. Archil and Gilbert run for their lives, not looking back at their fallen comrade. As the humming ceased and Maxwell regains his sense, he walks up to Master Jardine. He takes him back into the building.

"Master Jardine, how come the prisoners were lose?" Maxwell asks, furiously.

"He is my son!" Master Jardine says. "I thought he deserved to die a free man!"

"You have been of great use to me, Jardine. Thanks to you I have full control over the city after pulling just a few more strings."

"Thank you, sir." Master Jardine says.

"No, thank you." Maxwell says, pulling out a knife and stabbing Master Jardine through the throat.

"You win this round, Axsel." Maxwell says, while cleaning his blade.