"I don't want this," Aether said, his gaze shifting toward Karnall, who tilted his head in shock. "I mean, I lost my arm—that's devastating enough. But a prosthetic? You can't be serious."
"A one-armed teenager cannot fight in a war," Karnall replied slowly, watching Aether. He moved his hand toward Mirakos's slumbering body on the couch, then added, "A one-armed teenager… can't protect."
"From what? The Central District as a whole, or just the ones closest to the throne?"
"I see you understand. But then again, you don't fight a war for yourself, do you?" Karnall said, stepping closer. His movements were fluid, unnaturally smooth. "But understanding isn't enough. You must participate."
Anna tensed, her gaze flicking between Aether and the Squidi, uncertainty in her eyes. Aether, however, felt a strange pull—something in the Squidi's words resonated with the conflict bubbling inside him.
"What do you mean, participate?" Aether asked, his voice barely a whisper.
The Squidi chuckled—a sound like shifting stone. "You cannot change the world by watching it burn, Aether. Not unless you're willing to let it burn inside you first."
For a moment, silence hung in the air, thick and charged. The words cut through him like a blade—sharp, true.
His mind raced, caught between the pull of Zephyros's vision and the strange allure of this new player in the game. The Squidi—a force he couldn't yet comprehend, but one he sensed could be the key to everything.
"The Free Dominion isn't the answer," the Squidi said, his voice now almost a whisper, yet louder than any shout. "And neither is the Crowned Ward. What you need is something… new."
Aether's gaze met Anna's, and in her eyes, he saw the same uncertainty.
"Don't let it stick. Squidis are naturally persuasive," Anna muttered sharply, gesturing toward how one Squidi was quietly speaking with each of them.
"I'll consider your offer," Aether said finally, his voice steady.
Karnall nodded—a motion that seemed almost too knowing.
"Consider, or decide?" he replied cryptically. "The world isn't kind to those who hesitate."
"I'm not hesitating," Aether responded almost instantly, then continued, "What's your name? My memory is a bit fishy."
"It is well. You can call me Karnall," Karnall replied, his six eyes watching Aether with a new lens.
"Look, Kar, anyone with even a shred of common sense can see why you're here. Beyond anything, you're not just playing diplomat. You're here to gather allies. I've heard the whispers—your actions speak louder than your words. Backing the runner-up for the throne, rallying support to stop a war from breaking out… It's noble on paper. But let's be honest. If you really wanted peace, you could stop this yourself. What—less than seven percent of the population stands against you? No, what you're after isn't peace—it's control. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I'm working off speculation here."
"No, no, do continue," Kar replied, eyes widened.
"And in my experience, a six-eyed Squidi is a liar by nature. You, with your reptilian demeanor? That's all the proof I need."
He reached out and picked up a gleaming prosthetic. "You know what? I'll take this. Not sure if I'll wear it, but... we'll see," he added, inspecting the intricate craftsmanship.
Karnall looked toward another Squidi—this one spider-like, its spindly appendages twitching with subtle motion. Leaning in, Karnall murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible:
"That boy... he could be a problem. Pass him off with the rest of them—an unexpected variable. You'd think he'd be the easiest to manipulate."
The Squidi responded with mechanical efficiency. "Understood."
As Karnall moved toward a nearby couch, he sank into it with casual grace, watching Aether from a distance. Aether stood with Elara, examining the metallic arm. He ran his fingers along its surface, tracing the faint, glowing patterns etched into its form.
"I've spoken with Aether, haven't I?" Karnall said, almost to himself, though his voice was loud enough to carry. His gaze remained fixed on the boy, his tone contemplative, as if calculating. He paused, his expression unreadable.
"And no, we aren't emissaries of the King, and no..." he began before being interrupted by Marquis.