The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy, #2)

by James Islington

“The Cataclysm is necessary, Ostius. You know that.”

I mean like if it is the only thing keeping Ka aware like is he wrong unless that’s not the case

“I sent you because it can be us who decides, or it can be him. But we can’t—”

Oh so Ka is the one doing the Cataclysm so it’s not protecting the worlds ? Is Res the only world that has a cataclysm ???

“Gentlemen, I’ve been rude. Please allow me to introduce the man you know as Sextus Vis Telimus, or Catenicus if you’re feeling nostalgic. Though his birth name is Diago, son of Cristoval. Prince of Suus. I believe some of you hanged his parents and sister?”

Bruh

“He found out about the Cataclysms.” Exesius this time, tired and soft. “He found out, and did not believe it. So he had men seek out more. And though he kept his circle of trust excruciatingly small, he nonetheless trusted too much.”

Oh so maybe his dad IS in Luceum

We were warned that he had uncovered a weapon.

I am on my knees. Diago tears another throat effortlessly. Snaps a neck. He stalks around the room with deliberate, terrifying efficiency. In the background, I can hear Ostius laughing.

Jesus Christ

Mors vincit omnia.

“I’m bait.” But not for anyone in Caten, surely. Vek. “You’re trying to draw out the man who’s going to cause the Cataclysm, aren’t you. You’re trying to draw out Ka.”

TUAE ELECTIONES FIS

We reach the edge of the forest and come within sight of Onchú’s hut, and I stumble. The hut is gone.

Aw :(

“Who?” “I do not know.”

😭😭😭😭

“Hail, Diago,” says my father.

What the fuck well I guess he did find the gate - shit that probably means that he gained synchronism unless he died in Obetium right away At least Vis will learn he’s in another world now lol

Then I am dropping my spear and curling my arm around him and burying my head in his shoulder, shedding great tears of disbelieving, unbridled joy.

😭😭 I hope this Vis survives he has the best life here no offense to original Vis

“Fadrique said you were hanged.” His gaze never leaves mine, but something sad bleeds into it. “I was. There is a power that the Catenan Military have discovered. An aspect of Will that few in our world are able to use. It can raise the dead.” He says it so simply, so unadorned, that I’m sure I’ve misunderstood. “You were actually dead?” “I am dead, Diago. My heart no longer beats. When I breathe it is through habit, not necessity.”

What ?! So did he not go through the gate maybe he can just teleport like the anguis guy ?

“This is a Vitaerium—a powerful one. It’s what’s letting me be here like this, but it still only lends life, not restores it. Without it, I am a corpse.”

“They first woke me not long after the invasion. A month, maybe. I don’t know the exact timing. And no,” he adds gently. “They wanted to question me, but I don’t think they did the same for… to your mother or Ysa.”

What the FUCK

“Cari… Cari and I tried to get out, but she…” I can’t finish. Tears welling again, and then a sob as I lean forward and it all rushes back. My little sister drifting from that hellish underwater tunnel, tied to me, hair ghostly in the silver light. I promised her we could make it. She was so small in death.

Cataclysms. Cataclysms, plural. That they were a cycle of destruction stemming from an ancient war, and seemed to be tied somehow to the Aurora Columnae.

“A society cannot make a man a monster, Diago. But it can give him the excuse to become one.”

“She told me that a child needs to hear and truly understand only three phrases from their father as they grow up. ‘I love you.’ ‘I will help.’ And, ‘I don’t know.’ The two of us were only just getting to that last one, Diago. You were only just beginning to see that sometimes, I had no answers. No simple way forward. It’s the hidden truth of how we eventually have to face the world—of being an adult. None of us know.”

There was a war against something our long-past ancestors created, though the records found were unclear on its exact nature. The winning of that war not only necessitated both the Aurora Columnae and the Cataclysms, but also split the world into three separate ones: called Res, Obiteum, and Luceum.

Argue it, despite recognising the name “Luceum” from those branded moments leaving the Labyrinth when I lost my arm. But eventually it sinks in. The people here have never heard of Caten because Caten does not exist here.

Oh thank god

and Callidus

:(

“They have a way of controlling the dead. Ensuring that you answer truthfully. It’s impossible to resist.

WTF

“He is using the Anguis, I think,”

Oh interesting

“How? He has the ability to jump between Res and Luceum. Not Obiteum. I don’t know how he does it.”

Hmmm *spoilers so if Ka is asleep on Obiteum… is that the reason. Is he awake in Res and Luceum. Did the Concurrence win in Obietum? And Ka is protecting the other worlds? God I just wanna know if he’s evil or not

“In the end, though, Ostius’s real motives didn’t matter. Not to me. The reason he gave me was enough. I only asked that he let me say goodbye to the version of you in Res, and then we came here.”

NO HE WAS REAL 😭😭😭😭

It’s far brighter than the Aurora Columnae that I know—the

“SYNCHRONOUS!” The woman’s scream is panicked, a shriek so abrupt that I stumble. The word ricochets through my skull.

Uh oh

I keep backpedalling and then crouch, snatching up a pulsing blade I see in the water nearby. UNWORTHY. The impression shudders through me, sick and unhappy, beginning as soon as I touch the hilt. UNWORTHY.

😬

FEAR IS A LACK OF control, realised.

No pulse coming from any of the pieces, but I know straight away that I am looking at the shattered remnants of my spear.

Oh :( I mean it’s fine I’m sure the arm is gonna be yours but that sucks man

“Good to see you again, Leathfhear,” says Gallchobhar.

Bruh did you sell him out ?!

Plus, his technically Military-affiliated name was kept off the Proscriptions only at my insistence, with me officially taking possession of all things Telimus.

The fuck happened to what’s his name

Sharpened iron pyramids leaving moaning, and bloodied limbs, and grateful Octavii and Septimii escaping in my wake.

One of Quartus Laurentius’s commanders. Military, but at least nominally on our side. My promotion to the same rank as him, after the carnage of the festival left so many openings above me, allows the more familiar greeting.

“Carnifex?” “The man who assassinated Princeps Exesius and the other senators.”

He’s not on the Proscription lists, but even so…”

So what are the proscipting those to give more Will ?

“Cathair.” He says the name as though it might break. “Older than Eidhin by a few minutes. Returned to dust when the Republic attacked. Four years ago, now.”

Oh :(

“A shame you do not have a command of your own, Catenicus. Men speak your name often. Many would follow if you declared yourself a contender. The Republic could use a leader trying to unite, rather than conquer.”

This is terrifying foreshadowing - I’m looking forward to an evil Vis - I’m torn and think Ka is just a title and it gets passed down to whoever gains synchronism and they become corrupt af

“He tried to protect you, you know. Lied to me. Said you had already failed,” he chides, shaking his head as he gestures to Lir.

Steps forward and with one smooth motion, drives his spear through Lir’s unprotected stomach.

OH

He rips the serrated spear from Lir’s flesh, eliciting a gargled scream from the man, before drawing his iron dagger, grabbing the druid by the hair, yanking his head back and slitting his throat.

OH FUCK

Governance and Religion began distributing the Proscriptions. Massive lists of names they drew from the Census of people living in Caten, and whose Will was going toward Military pyramids no longer sanctioned by the Senate. For anyone on those lists, Birthright was revoked. Along with the public proclamation that if you handed in the head of someone on such a list, their property and possessions became yours. It took one more day for Caten to become a slaughterhouse.

Jesus fucking Christ what the hell

A man. Eyes closed. Arms folded over his chest. A long, gold-and-blue striped headdress drapes down past his shoulders. It is a sarcophagus.

Uh is this Ka I’m worried

I am bound, desperate and fearful and cold and pained, as I am carried on horseback toward the howls of battle. My heart races as I try to calm a black-eyed man while he grips a panicked, struggling Aequa by her head with one hand. My left arm screams. It is metal. It is gone.

Uh oh if Aequa dies I’m suing

Thrum. And the hallway explodes.

lol whoops

“Iro is dead.”

Oop 😬

Decimus tightens his grip. Aequa’s head caves in.

Are you fucking kidding ME ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME

The needs of the many will always be loud.” He leans forward. Hooked nose inches from mine. “But in the end, it is only the strength of the few that matters.”