He roamed the corridor, boot heels clicking on the austere cement. In every doorway along the narrow hallway His Children saluted Him. He allowed himself a moment’s pleasure at the sight of His Children, all pale and perfect. Their numbers had grown since the beginning, with more Children joining their ranks every day.

Resuming His walk, He reviewed His plans for the future. After the initial struggle, taking new land and people had become easy. No one could stand against the Children’s methods, few even tried anymore. The people of Hathor, once proud warriors, had been pitifully simple to conquer, and the “peaceful” inhabitants of Yushirio had simply run away until rounded up by His Children.

He tapped His fingers on His thigh in annoyance. These victories had given him pleasure at the time, but he needed more. He needed a challenge. Nothing challenged him anymore! The defenses, the battles, all seemed ridiculously effortless to him. Even watching the captives failed to hold His interest anymore, and He held only disdain for their weakness and crying.

But finally…finally He would have a challenge. He’d saved this one for last. He had planned extensively for this: the pinnacle of His achievement, the invasion to end all invasions. After this, nothing and no one could stand in His way. After this, no one would dare question His divine right to reign.

He stepped through the doorway to His chambers, looking at the large map He had hung on the wall. Austracium. How long that name had rung in His ears, been a thorn in His side, an ache that would not abate as long as the country remained intact. 

Finally He would test himself against the Austrites—the city some fool had pronounced His doom.

Austracium. The Austrites would see His power. They would fall, just as the others before them. It made him tremble with a deliciously savage joy to think of the shock on their faces as their precious “prophesy” turned to dust.

“Bring out everything you have.” His voice echoed balefully around the room. “Bring out everything you have. It will not be enough. Get ready, Austracium. The Blight is coming.” Here, in the privacy of his chambers, He could allow himself to laugh.