"What do you mean?" Agatha and Haleth chorus.
"I mean what I said. I'm your father. In fact, there are a few things I'd like to point out right now, kids."
"Don't say stuff like that." Tyr says, keeping a straight face. "We want to know who you really are. Castillon gave us a name."
"And I am the person he told you about. Grimes."
Silence fills the room. "It's not possible!" Agatha says. "Grimes is primordial. He can't be human."
"Why not?" Orome asks, with everyone turning to face her. "He's Grimes. He knows everything about us, and he brought us all here. I don't think he's joking with us here. Don't you think so, Kelsier?"
Kelsier is now the focus. "I-I-I-Wait a minute, don't make me their focus!" he says to Orome.
"Anyway. I'd like to clear some...how do you say...predilections you have of yourselves." Grimes continues.
"Fire away, it's not like we'd understand anyway." Tyr says.
"Then I'll start with you. Your name is Tyene, not Tyr."
Tyene's apathetic eyes widen in shock. "What?"
"Tyene. Not Tyr. Triss was a virtuous woman, no doubt, but even she could feel hate. She couldn't bear to call you the name we both decided at birth. Hence, she shortchanged it for Tyr."
"How do you-" Tyene says.
"I'm Grimes. Your father. I know everything about you. I'm sure you understand historical Grimorian by now. You know that Tyr means 'change' and yet you never questioned why it was so."
Tyene falls to his knees, tears dripping off his cheeks.
"It's okay." Agatha consoles him. "You! What's the matter with you?!"
"Dear Agatha, why not you next, then. You know why your mother strayed away from you was not your fault, though she certainly thought so. But I guess, it's a bit reasonable for her, after all, you were the subject of her nightmares all those years."
Haleth yells. "Stop this!!" becoming everyone's focus. "It's pretty obvious you know everything about us. Why not go ahead and show us actual proof?"
Grimes looks at him. "But Hal, you're all standing on it." Everyone besides Castillon looks at the ground and lo and behold, they are all standing in a void, the hall seemingly gone. "What's going on?" Logen asks, confused.
"My son asked for proof. I am merely granting his wish." A black mass of smoke answers where Grimes' body was a few seconds ago. "You see, my first son, I love my children, contrary to what you believe, and I would grant them any wish their heart solely desires."
A sharp pain hits all of them in the chest and they all fall down, squirming in pain. For Kelsier, the pain is unbearable, as he has never experienced anything as excruciating as this. It seems the same for all of them as well, except for Orome, who seems to be enjoying herself in the pain.
Tyene looks up at the black cloud and sees Grimes' human form once more, but this time surrounded by the black smoke cloud.
"The Abyssal One..." Grimes starts walking past the children as he talks. "The Nightmare. The Soulless. The Anomaly. The Dark One. The Cannibal and..."
he arrives at Kelsier. "The Messiah." He grabs Kelsier's chin as he struggles in pain. "How I dislike it when my children suffer. I think this is about right."
The Void disappears and they are back in the hall. The pain stops so suddenly that it surprises all the children. "What was that?" Tyene asks.
"You have all transcended humanity. But now, each of you boasts power greater than even Castillon, my most powerful and loyal disciple." Grimes proclaims.
"Excuse me?" Agatha says, confused. "So, that pain right now was transcendence?"
"Here's proof." Grimes says and the void returns. The children put their guards up, ready to fight against that searing, sharp pain again. "If you see my human form, it means you are officially higher on every plane of existence than any human will ever be."
The children are all surprised, as they can see his human form covered with the black smoke.
"No way." Haleth, Agatha, Logen and Fringilla all chorus.
"I'll take that as a yes." He says as the room returns. "Have yourselves a good night. I'll continue this with you in the morning."
"But I've got a seminar tomorrow morning, attendance is mandatory!" Agatha complains.
"You've completed every course from tomorrow till your final college paper in flying colors. You are effectively a graduate."
"No, I'm not."
His blue eyes flash. "You are now."
He turns to Castillo. "Give them their rooms, and come meet me downstairs."
***
Castillon takes the children down in one elevator. The cramped space along with the elevator music made the stay much more awkward than it already was.
The elevator stops about three floors down. Castillon walks into the hallway. "There are seven apartments on this floor. Each apartment door has your names on it. Your personal items are already integrated into your rooms." He points toward the rooms.
"I suggest you all settle down real soon. Dinner's in one hour." Castillon says and walks back into the elevator.
"Call for a follower if you require assistance with anything." He says as the elevator dings shut.
"Anyone else want to explore this floor before going in?" Fringilla asks.
"I'm in." Agatha, Tyene and Haleth chorus.
"You guys aren't coming?" Fringilla turns to Orome, Kelsier and Logen.
"I am." Orome says and hurries over to her side.
"Sorry. got to check my room for my stuff." Logen says.
"Same here." Kelsier says.
"Okay then. see you at dinner." Agatha says and turns around, leading the way as the others follow behind.
Kelsier nods to Logen and they both turn to the apartments. However, what they see as name plates isn't their names, but is instead a designated nickname.
"The Dark One?" Logen says in confusion.
"You've seen it too?" Kelsier says. "Are these our code names and stuff?"
"I don't know. If it was, I didn't get mine." Logen says.
Kelsier thinks to himself. If this is the same as those names Grimes called out in the void, then it might have something to do with these names. Logen is the oldest out of all of us, and is the first, and the first name Grimes called was...
"Big brother Logen." Kelsier calls.
Logen turns to him in confusion. "Eh? What was that for?"
"You're the oldest of all of us, I thought it'd make sense to call you that...anyway, let's start with the name tag 'The Abyssal One'"
"Okay." He searches for the one with the tag and finds it at the farthest door on the left. "This one." He says, and Kelsier rushes to his side. they stare at the door, wondering why there isn't any handle.
"Should I push it?" Logen asks.
"Why not?"
Logen gives it a gentle push and it opens easily. The mere sight puts him in awe. The apartment is wide and open. there are stairs at the end of the room, which has a television, a bar, multiple sofas and shag carpeting. Logen rushes up the stairs and sees another pair of doors. He opens the first one and sees the bedroom, exactly as it is in his old place. His personal effects all seem to be intact and not tampered with. the second door reveals the bathroom. Logen rushes down the stairs again to share the joy with Kelsier who is on his way out.
"Kelsier!" he yells as he quickly closes the distance between them. "This is awesome. this place is the shit!"
"I can see that." Kelsier says, smiling.
"How did you know which was mine?" He asks.
"The Void, I guess." Kelsier answers.
"Well, let's go check yours out."
Kelsier and Logen leave his apartment, with Kelsier leading the way. they walk to the apartment at the end of the hall. Logen stops to read the tag. "The Messiah-wait-The Messiah?"
"Yeah. I guess that's me."
"Talk about responsibility." Logen laughs.
Kelsier shrugs it off and opens the door. The room is wide, but not nearly as wide as Logen's. The decor is what strikes them first. everything in the room is colored either white or silver, with the occasional drops of color here and there. There is a staircase at the end of the room, with a balcony facing the room, separated from the room by glass windows that serve as doors, like it is in his oldest brother's room.
"Talk about design statement!" Logen says. "Why don't you go ahead upstairs and check for your stuff?"
"I'm good. I didn't have much anyway. it wouldn't matter what was up there." Kelsier says, sitting on the white sofa.
Logen sighs. "I can tell you've never gotten your hands dirty." he sits next to him.
"I wish I could. I just don't think I can."
"I get you. I believe you've noticed the contrasts in all our personalities..."
"Contrast is putting it lightly."
"But it's as you said, we're a family now. I don't believe this will be a temporary situation so I'd like to get rid of my disbelief and mistrust."
"Um...T-Thanks."
"I was a thief. or at least, up until 5 hours ago. I started out small, with my mom. we were poor, so we both tried to keep ourselves alive in Greyvalley. She had her jobs, but she still dipped her fingers in other pockets from time to time. When I turned 17, she was diagnosed with cancer, and we had to move her to Thome. Thome's a hospitable place and all, but when you're poor, society forgets you exist pretty damn quick. I started doing robberies, with different crews, and used the money to pay for her treatment."
Logen sighs. "My mother's a pretty annoying optimist. always smiling through any situation. I only came to Grimes last week for a robbery on a major bank chain. I made it out of the heist without my crew, with only half of the money. I thought I was just lucky to have made it out alive at the time, though now I know why."
"I can see why you were on edge when Grimes called out your mother's name."
"Yeah. so, in conclusion, you're not the only one with nothing. None of us looked like we had friends, let alone loved ones. it's probably why we didn't protest too hard about living together."
"True."
"So rest assured, Little brother..." Logen winks at him. "You've got yourself a big brother, and a new family. You've been made."
***
The other five approach the rooms and see Kelsier's room door open, with Kelsier and Logen inside, having what seems to be a meaningful exchange. Orome runs inside, and the others follow.
Orome's clothes are wet for some reason, Agatha has her hair ruffled, Fringilla and Haleth look normal, and Tyene has a bunch of books with him.
"Baby brother!!" Orome yells and lands on him, interrupting the moment with Logen. "This is where you are!"
"Whoa! This place is huge!" Fringilla says, as she, Haleth, Agatha and Tyene enter the room at the same time.
"What's up with you two?" Haleth asks Logen.
"Giving the baby brother a little backstory." he replies.
"Story time! I want to go too!" Orome says, lightened up, still holding Kelsier.
"I'd also like to know your stories as well." Tyene says.
"Um, how did you get in? there's no door handles." Agatha says.
"Yeah, about that, the doors don't have our actual names. They are nicknames or something." Kelsier informs them.
"This little bugger here's the messiah."
"Messiah?" Agatha says, surprised.
"Congrats, dude." Haleth says.
"Messiah? Really?" Fringilla says.
"Messiah's a weird way to word it." Tyene says.
"I want to be a messiah..." Orome says.
"So, what about you, fearless leader?" Agatha asks Logen.
"The abyssal one." Kelsier answers.
"And us?" Haleth asks.
Logen turns to Kelsier.
"Um, well, I think Agatha's the nightmare, Haleth's the dark one, Orome's the cannibal, Fringilla's the anomaly and Tyene's the soulless."
"Well, that last bit was obvious." Logen says.
"Why am I the nightmare?" Agatha complains.
"Isn't anyone else who's concerned that Orome's a cannibal?" Haleth says.
"Anomaly, huh?" Fringilla says.
"It's story time, now." Orome says.
"Maybe another time, Orome." Kelsier says. "Right now, I just want to lie down. I'm pretty exhausted."
"Not just you, baby brother." Haleth says.
"Been a pretty long day for all of us." Logen says.
"Pick this up tomorrow?" Agatha says to Orome.
"Fine, but we're doing this in his room."
"You got it." Agatha says, as Orome gets up.
Logen and the others get up and leave, each saying their goodnight to their new baby brother.
***
Castillon walks into the apartment. Grimes is waiting outside on the balcony.
"Quite lovely children they've turned out to be, sire." he says.
"Don't flatter me. I know who they are, remember..."
"I'm well aware, my lord. It's amazing that it's been twenty years already. it's a good thing you've been around, or else one of them would've succeeded in killing themselves."
"Don't rub it in, Cas."
"My lord..." he stifles a laugh. "They truly signify what you are. I guess calling them the Seven Cardinal Personas was a bit on the nose."
"Well, I can't say that I'm a better person than most, so I definitely cannot create children that are definitively good people."
"You've got a point there. You wanted to speak to me about something?"
"Yes. I haven't been keeping count anymore, so pardon my insensitivity when I ask this. How long till the countdown ends?"
"Four days. Good thing we rounded up the kids when we did. Any sooner and we would be out of time completely."
"Yes. I'd like to get them to understand their newfound abilities as soon as possible, lest I be forced to defend them myself and get banished."
"I could get Rengoku's chosen to help with the training."
"That reminds me. I have to meet with him tomorrow. Important business."
"You want to go gambling?"
"Humans and their games are so fascinating, Cas. I just have to!"
"My lord, you still have some explaining to do, particularly to Logen, and Syndra."
"Logen, I will. Syndra, no."
"Sire, Syndra is-"
"Is the least suffering mother of all of them. She's behaving like a child, and could do a little more to connect with the child she gave away like a lottery."
There is visible anger on Grimes' face.
"I'm sorry." A feminine voice says, prompting the two to turn over to the source.
"Syndra, how did you get in here?" Castillon says.
"I wanted to meet you. I felt you were around, so I asked around. That led me here." the woman answers.
"State your real reason for coming here. don't make the mistake of saying you came for your son. That ship has sailed." Grimes says to her, snuffing out her first option, immediately.
"I am sorry, Lord Grimes. I never knew who you really were..." She bows and says. "...I treated Kelsier poorly, and ultimately rejected him as my son. I know this upset you. please, forgive me."
"Is it just forgiveness you desire?" Grimes asks.
"I would like to join your fold as a disciple. Like Castillon."
"No, no, no." Grimes starts, angrily. "Do not compare your filthy nature to my most trusted disciple...I will not have it."
"Sire!" Castillon yells out instinctively. "I apologize for raising my voice but it seems she is truly ready to change for the sake of her son, and for your sake as well."
Grimes sighs. "When did you arrive on the island?"
"Four months ago." She answers. "I'd been keeping tabs on Kelsier but I couldn't approach him."
"I know that much...Do you have any combat experience?"
"Um, a little Judo, some formal Karate and some Samba?"
"When did you learn all of this?" Castillon asks.
"Judo and Karate as a kid. Samba after I bore Kelsier."
"How's your resolve to become my disciple?" Grimes asks, approaching her.
"I'd do anything."
"I'd rather you alienate your mindset from usurping Cas."
"I promise."
"Oh, I know you do."
The room sinks into a void, and Grimes walks to her.
"Hold out your hand. Look at it."
She does as she is told.
"Now look at me." He instructs.
She does so and sees a cloud of black smoke where his voice bellows from. "What?" She says in shock.
"Prepare yourself, woman." he says.
"Um, O-Okay-"
The searing, sharp pain tears through her body and she cries out in agony. The smoky voice bellows once again. "Is your resolve still strong, Syndra?"
"Yes! I will not cave!" She yells out, still fighting with the agonizing pain rushing throughout her body.
"Look at me, then." Grimes commands.
She does as she is commanded and sees Grimes' human form, still covered by the thicket of smoke. "It's you?"
"Yes it is." He says as the smoke around him disappears and the room returns to its normal state. Grimes turns to Castillon.
"Happy now?"
"Moderately, my lord." he replies.
"Um...Is that everything for now?" She asks, not feeling the pain from before.
"Yes, you still have to work through the pledge and stuff, but that's more or less Castillon's job."
He turns to Castillon. "Keep her away from Kelsier at all costs. he's not ready for a confrontation."
Castillon nods. "It's almost dinner time, care to join?" he asks Grimes.
"You know I don't."
Castillon walks over to Syndra. "Welcome to the fold. You are the fourth disciple, we're glad to have you."
"Glad to be here." she says as he ushers her out of the room.
Grimes returns to the balcony. he closes his eyes.
"Sura...Can you hear me?" He whispers to himself.
My lord? Is that you I hear? the voice retorts.
"Yes. How's things over there in Ivywood?"
Much better than in Soul. Food's a lot less...haughty here. People are a lot politer, and of course, Ivory's chosen are preparing for the end of the countdown as well.
"Heh. They really want to get me, huh?" He says.
It's pretty obvious, sire. you want to connect?
"If you will, please..." he says and opens his eyes.
He sees the bustling downtown city of Ivywood, the crowds going about their businesses, the neon lights glowing and illuminating the night sky.
"Pretty beautiful place?"
You want to go for it after the countdown?
"Nah. I'd rather stick to caring about only one beautiful place. Mortality does a number on your efficiency."
Very well, sire. I implore you to get a good night's rest. I have to go.
"Stay safe, kid."
Will do.
The voice disappears from his head and Grimes turns around to go back inside.