Splash—on the river outside Griffin Fortress.
Damian watched his reflection in the water.
The current flowed calmly.
The river had once rushed anxiously through mountains and canyons, yet slowed its steps just before embracing the vast ocean.
Screams, roars, and shrill cries drifted into Damian's ears from beyond the high walls.
Firelight carved his reflection into wavering crimson.
He made no move to stop the slaughter taking place.
Tap.
The soft sound of toes touching the water's surface.
Damian opened his eyes. "Saza."
The black figure on the river stopped. "You're finally willing to show yourself, Brother?"
Saza tilted his head. "Noble bearer of suffering, why did you only appear now?"
"If you'd shown yourself earlier, those poor wretches might not have had the chance to throw themselves into Father God's embrace."
"Or do you also think that, for them, living is suffering?"
Before his words had faded, ripples spread across the river.
Saza's figure suddenly stretched long.
Like a night owl gliding through the air, his five fingers drew together into a blade and stabbed at Damian's throat.
The ripples halted on the water before Damian.
Like frozen water rings, Saza's hand blade could advance no farther.
Invisible qi formed a heavy barrier. No matter how Saza exerted himself, he could not push forward another inch.
"You have completely lost your reason, Saza. Who led you astray?"
"Calm yourself and repent first."
"Repent?"
Using the barrier before him as leverage, Saza twisted his body, withdrew his hand, and kicked out. "I started repenting long ago!"
"But not to that false god who only taught me to endure and made me suffer."
A column of water exploded beneath his footfall.
"But to our great Father God!"
"I repent for having been deceived by you for so many years, suppressing the