The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy, #2)

by James Islington

“I suppose the war is the easiest place to begin. It started thousands of years ago, against an enemy called the Concurrence. They were bent on enslaving everyone, and from what Veridius and I could tell, at one point they were winning.” His mouth twists. “So our side split the world into three near-identical copies. Res—where we’re from; Obiteum, which is here; and Luceum. Don’t ask me how,” he adds with a wry smile.

that it is how they change you. One compromise at a time. That every man has to find his line, and never cross it. Do you still believe that?”

Rule a man, and he will do whatever you can imagine. Befriend him, and he will do more.”

“Leathfhear.” He says the name into the silence. Half man, I have discovered it means.

Evil men seeing their power ripped away. There is, I quickly learn, no sadder or more gratifying sight.

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.’

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.