"O soul of the Threefold Aspect, brand his tongue and palms with hot iron, that he may neither fabricate lies nor swear false oaths." At the Dream Master's request, Sunday offered a prayer.
"Begin. I have nothing to prepare," the Dream Master said.
"Yes." Sunday nodded. "Let me ask: have you always been devout toward your god, never worshipping another?"
The Dream Master replied, "Naturally."
"Do you love your god as you love yourself, always remembering their admonitions?"
The Dream Master replied, "Naturally."
"Have you strayed from the path your god wished for you, dishonoring their name?"
The Dream Master replied, "Never."
"Have you made excessive demands of your god, seeking to exceed your place as a created being?"
The Dream Master replied, "Never."
"Then, one final question-can you swear that you will fulfill every promise you have made, whether in the past, present, or future?"
The Dream Master replied, "With the Aeon as my witness, if my words are false, or if I break my promises and betray my oaths, let me suffer a curse in accordance with the Ordinance."
Sunday fell silent for a moment, then said, "...They have seen your conviction and acknowledged it. Thus, this proves-"
"Please wait." Old Yang interrupted Sunday before he could state his conclusion.
"What is it, Mr. Welt?" Sunday asked.
"Everyone, there is one more question I would like answered." Old Yang's expression was grave. "As far as I know, the Family's harmony and shared prosperity have never depended on this so-called Ordinance... Is the god you two just spoke of truly Xipe of Harmony?"
Sunday's and the Dream Master's expressions shifted slightly at that moment, but the latter quickly spoke to Old Yang:
"Mr. Welt, surely you know that the children of the Family are as close as siblings. Beneath