It had taken years of bloodshed and sacrifice, but at last the Shadow Clan had managed to place one of their own within the upper ranks of the Faceless Ones.
There had been many attempts before. They had relied on deception, on illusory abilities, on carefully constructed identities. Yet every effort had failed. Their enemies possessed Third Tier beings whose understanding of Axiom energy far exceeded their own, and every infiltrator had eventually been exposed.
Each asset the Shadow Clan once possessed had now become little more than a fading memory. Even the evidence of their existence had been erased.
This was why the Hawk of the Shadows succeeded where the others had failed.
The defining characteristic of a Second Tier being was their ability to transform into a Higher Self. Every individual possessed a Self that lay at the center of their being. By standardizing the process through the Abrahamic Path, the Lords had managed to remove the variability from the Selves that were produced. Every trained Soldier emerged in exactly the same way.
But the Hawk possessed a rare Third Tier ability; he could shift from one Higher Self to another.
Several years earlier, he had travelled along the forgotten road that ran between the Central Realm and Solomon's Realm. He had spent the previous days within Solomon's territory, close to the regions where he suspected the Faceless Soldiers kept their own strongholds.
If he travelled undetected for one more night, he would reach the outskirts of the Central Realm's capital: the Golden City.
The Soldiers had begun to suspect that certain travellers on this road belonged to forces working against them. That was why the Hawk frequently transitioned between Selves, each with its own personality, abilities, and outlook on life.
They would not detect him tonight.
But detection was not his concern, because tonight he was seeking a meeting.
For years he had studied their networks, their families, their conversations, their habits. Now he was confident he could approach them and initiate contact.
The Hawk stepped off the road and followed a hidden trail that led to a small village of cottages. People sat outside in clusters, Faceless Soldiers standing nearby. Goods were scattered about the area, suggesting that the gathering was temporary.
The Hawk transformed his body, assuming the Self of a man he had once researched, someone who was now dead.
He greeted several people with polite nods and an easy smile before settling into the gathering as if he belonged there.
"Good evening," a middle-aged woman with short dark hair said warmly. "Are you resting here tonight as well?"
For this meeting, the Hawk had adopted this particular Self so that she would believe they both belonged to the Bloodlines Clan.
"Lady Lilith," he said, "I believe we've already been introduced."
She studied him for a moment.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry for not remembering you," she laughed. "From the island, perhaps? There were so many people there, and I must admit I was in rather poor condition myself."
They never spoke of it openly, but both of them understood what she was implying. Whenever the subject arose, it was always buried beneath hints and double meanings, as if neither of them wished to admit it even to themselves.
"And is he here?" the Hawk asked politely.
"I'm not sure…"
He sensed her discomfort and immediately shifted the conversation.
For several minutes they spoke of harmless matters, gossip about acquaintances, weddings, holidays, minor scandals among their circles. It was all superficial conversation, the kind that required no deep knowledge and allowed the Hawk to maintain his disguise.
"And are you still involved with your projects?" he asked.
"I have a great passion for the ocean," she replied.
She might have been a Fourth Tier being. That alone made the encounter dangerous. The power she carried had been granted to her by her father, another member of the Bloodlines Clan.
The entire meeting was a risk.
But it was one the Hawk had spent years preparing.
"It is admirable that you remain so busy," he said. "Others in your position might fall into a life of pleasure. Yet you continue to hold yourself to a higher standard."
"Yes, yes, I—oh," she said suddenly. "I believe he is actually here. Would you like to speak with him again?"
"Yes, please."
"Then come with me."
As they walked through the village, the Hawk studied the people gathered around them.
They were all Lords. Some belonged to the Bloodlines Clan. Others belonged to the Enlightened Clan.
This confused the Hawk of the Shadows. According to everything the Shadow Clan knew, the Bloodlines Clan and the Enlightened Clan were not supposed to be allies. And yet here they were, gathered together.
Lady Lilith led him into an unlit cottage. Inside sat an old man wearing a straw hat, a faint smirk resting on his face.
From a single glance, the Hawk knew this was the man he had come to see.
And yet the atmosphere in the room told him something else: he was not fully trusted.
"We've met before, haven't we?" the old man asked.
"Of course we have. Do you not remember me?"
"Let me think. You are…"
The old man deliberately paused, allowing the Hawk to finish the sentence.
"Isaak's cousin."
"Oh?" the old man said, widening his eyes. "Ah, of course! How rude of me."
"No, I should have introduced myself earlier," the Hawk replied smoothly. "I am Lord Caldrion."
"Of course, of course. I remember now."
"It is strange that both of us seemed to forget him," Lady Lilith remarked.
"Regardless," the old man said, "allow me to introduce myself again. I am Lord Zorathiel."
That may have been the name he used here.
But to the Shadow Clan he was known by another title, the Dark Alchemist.
A member of the Transcendent Clan, and the man the Hawk had come to find.
"I am simply here to check up on you," the Hawk said.
"Why? Is your family displeased with me in some way? After all, I serve as their representative."
"No, nothing like that. It is simply useful to remain in contact."
The three of them spoke for some time. The Hawk relied entirely on the memories and information tied to the identity he had assumed.
They did not speak deeply on any subject. Despite the status of the persona he wore, he had not yet been fully welcomed into their inner circle.
"Well," the Dark Alchemist said at last, "I'm very glad you came. These days it is only your sister who speaks with me. It is refreshing to see a new face."
The Hawk let out a practiced laugh.
"It would be a pleasure to have lunch together sometime. Tell me—when are you free?"
"We are traveling in the same direction."
"Oh? Then will you be attending the banquet?"
"Why not?" the Hawk replied with a smile.
The Dark Alchemist leapt up with excitement.
"This is wonderful! The King and the Prince will be there as well. They are regulars at these events, you see."
"Then we shall meet again in the Golden City."
"Very well," the Dark Alchemist said. "Enjoy your stay here—and safe travels."
The Hawk was shown to a place where he could rest. Lady Lilith accompanied him the entire way, her gaze never leaving him.
"It is good that you have come," she said.
"Yes. I have always appreciated the hospitality we offer one another."
"Oh really?"
"Of course. Other Realms fall apart because their people forget how to remain united. They travel to distant lands, abandon their heritage, and compete with those who share their own past.
"That is why they fail to share our destiny.
"And beyond that, our lives carry complexities that lesser people will never understand."
"Yes," she said quietly. "That is true."
She stared directly at him. Her pupils were so wide that her eyes seemed hollow, as though only darkness remained.
"Well," she said finally, "good night."
One evening later, the Hawk arrived at the Central Realm. If his plan succeeded, it would change everything for the Shadow Clan. Shenric's plan with the Eye of Sophia would become unnecessary. This would be their greatest victory.
But it never happened.
When the Hawk reached the Golden City, he learned that the Dark Alchemist had been killed.
In that instant, he understood.
His identity had been compromised.
Without hesitation, he changed Selves and vanished from the city.