I. The Singularity of the Self
The moment the Triad connected, the world stopped for Corvin Nyx.
He stood on the balcony of the Sanctum in Obsidios Iubeo, feeling the roar of the Obsidian Ordo stabilize into geometric perfection. Sixty miles away, Observa Divisio hummed. Forty miles west, Obsidios Lithos pulsed.
The weight hit him. Density.
Corvin gripped the railing. His fingers sank slightly into the stone, the matter yielding to his mass.
"The Triad," Corvin whispered, his voice vibrating the glass windows. "It pushed me. I am at the Apex of the Second Circle. Maybe touching the Third."
Kyra touched his arm, grounding him. "Close the gate, Corvin. You are the man, not the tower."
Corvin exhaled, dampening the sensory input. He turned to the room, where his Inner Circle waited.
"The domain is too large," Corvin said. "I cannot rule three cities, command three armies, and build a civilization alone. We must separate the Crown from the Stone."
II. The Council of the Prytanis
Corvin sat at the head of the obsidian table. Before him stood Garrus Vane, Veridian Vex, Orion Kirtide, and Centurion Varrus, fresh from the southern border.
"We are establishing the rank of Prytanis," Corvin announced. "The Governor of the Tower. You will be the supreme authority within your city walls—Judge of the Tribunal, Master of the Granary, and Guardian of the Peace."
He looked at Garrus Vane.
"You, Garrus, cannot be a Prytanis. You are the Obsidian Marshall. You supersede them all. You command the movement of all Legions across the web. You are the Fist of the Empire."
Garrus nodded, accepting his role as Supreme Commander. "Then who holds the cities, Lord?"
Corvin looked at Orion Kirtide. "Obsidios Lithos is the heart of industry. It needs a ruler harder than iron. Orion, you are the Prytanis of Lithos."
Orion stepped forward, accepting the Black Sash with the silver anvil emblem.
Corvin looked at Veridian Vex. "Observa Divisio is the filter. It needs a ruler who understands deception, trade flow, and tactics. Veridian, you are the Prytanis of Divisio."
Veridian accepted the Sash with the gate emblem.
"And Obsidios Iubeo?" Garrus asked. "The Capital needs a Governor so you can be the Sovereign."
Corvin turned to Centurion Varrus.
"Varrus," Corvin said. "At Praesidium Four, you did not just fight. You managed trade. You enforced the law. You protected the weak. You showed the mind of a Governor."
Varrus stiffened. "Lord, I am a soldier."
"You are a leader," Corvin corrected. "I name you Prytanis of Iubeo. You will hold Observa Iubeo."
Varrus knelt, overwhelmed by the rapid ascent from mercenary sergeant to Governor of a city. He accepted the Sash with the Crown emblem.
III. The Mandate of Power
Corvin activated the Shadow Heart, projecting the diagram of the Nine Circles.
"To wear the Sash," Corvin warned, "you must maintain the Second Circle, Step One. You are equal in power to a Legion Commander. You do not command them, and they do not command you. You are the Shield; they are the Sword."
He looked at the three new Governors.
"If you become soft... if you sit behind a desk and lose your edge... Garrus will strip you of the Sash. A Prytanis trains every day. Is that understood?"
"Understood," Orion rumbled. "Iron does not rust here."
IV. The Elevation of the New Commanders
"With Veridian, Orion, and Varrus moving to Governance," Garrus Vane stated, "The Legions are headless. We need new Commanders."
"We have them," Corvin said. "Bring them in."
Three warriors entered. They had been selected by Garrus for their brutality, loyalty, and rapid adaptation to the Obsidian assimilation.
1. Sol (Hero of the West) "Sol," Corvin said. "You held the mines. You have attained the Second Circle, Step One. You are an Awakened."
Promotion: Legion Commander of Legio I (Lithos).
Specialty: Siege Warfare and Heavy Infantry.
2. Heda (The Eye of the Gate) Varrus's former Decanus, Heda, stepped forward. She was wiry, scarred, and radiated a terrifying intensity. "Heda," Corvin said. "You notice everything. You broke the cavalry charge at the border."
Promotion: Legion Commander of Legio III (Divisio).
Specialty: Counter-Intelligence and Border Security.
3. Torian (The Phalanx Master) A massive man, a former pit-fighter from the Union who had found purpose in the discipline of the Legion. He was the drillmaster who had perfected the spear wall. "Torian," Corvin said. "You forged the drill. Now lead the men."
Promotion: Legion Commander of Legio II (Iubeo).
Specialty: Urban Defense and Close Quarters Combat.
The Ritual of Branding: Garrus Vane stepped forward. He placed his glowing hand on their forearms. The Tower Brand burned into their skin.
"You answer to me," Garrus told the three new Generals. "And you work with the Prytanis. Do not fail."
V. The Watchers of the Peace (Custodes)
"There is one final gap," Corvin noted. "The Legion is for war. The City needs a guard."
Alcides Ynatos presented the Obsidian Rods.
"We form the Custodes," Corvin ordered. "Recruit the veterans and the sharp-minded. Their standard is the Peak of Circle One, Step One. They must be stronger than any civilian."
He looked at the council.
"The structure is set. Prytanis hold the law. Commanders hold the sword. Garrus holds the army. And I..." Corvin looked out the window at the violet sky. "...I hold the world."
VI. The Diplomatic Horizon
The doors opened. Warren Fulkom entered, looking grave.
"The structure works, Lord," Warren said. "But the test has arrived."
"The Union?" Garrus asked.
"The Ministry of Commerce," Warren confirmed. "High Envoy Valen has just passed through the South Gate of Observa Divisio. He travels in a gilded carriage pulled by slaves. He demands an audience regarding the 'Illegal Occupation of the Fork.'"
Corvin looked at Veridian Vex, the new Prytanis of Divisio.
"Veridian," Corvin said softly. "Return to your city. You are the Governor now. Enforce the Tenets."
Veridian smiled, adjusting his Black Sash. "He brings slaves into my city, Lord? I will liberate them before his carriage stops rolling."