Kaal adjusted the cuff of his tailored jacket, admiring the sleek reflection staring back at him from the mirror in his office. His new position came with more than just a title; it came with power. Real power. The kind that made people stop when he spoke, that made heads bow in respect. In Qarth, he had been nothing but a slave, a shadow under the feet of those who ruled. But in Eden, he had risen like a phoenix from the ashes of his past.
He loved Eden. It was perfect. Everything about it. The way its streets gleamed in the sunlight, the way its citizens moved with a grace that made even the nobility of Qarth look like peasants. And more than anything, Kaal loved the respect he now commanded.
As a high-ranking member of Eden's administration, Kaal had everything he had ever dreamed of. Parties in chic high-class restaurants, elegant gatherings with the city's elite, discussions about politics and economics over glasses of expensive wine. He had become a fixture in the upper echelons of society, always invited to the finest events. He'd often be seen chatting with ministers, influencers, and those whose opinions shaped the city. He was no longer Kaal the slave. He was Kaal, the administrator. Respected. Admired. And in some circles, feared.
He glanced out the large window of his office. From this vantage point, the sprawling beauty of Eden was laid out like a canvas, every building a masterpiece, every street a line of perfection. Beyond the shimmering glass towers of the First Ring, he could see the Second Ring where he lived. It wasn't as extravagant as the First, but still far grander than anything he could have imagined in Qarth. The people here were beautiful, their clothes impeccable, their lives seemingly free of the burdens that had weighed him down for so long.
The world outside Eden didn't matter anymore, not to him. Here, in this city, he had found everything he needed.
It wasn't long after his arrival that Kaal had been drawn into the Children of Eden. In the beginning, it had been innocent enough. A charity run by the Saint herself, Clara Lantrun, to provide food and support for the incoming refugees. Kaal had seen it as a way to give back, to help others who had shared his suffering. But over time, the group had changed.
The charity morphed into something more. It started with whispers, low conversations in the back rooms of gatherings. Discussions about the divine nature of Mark and Clara, how they weren't just leaders but deities, chosen by fate to lead the chosen people of Eden. At first, Kaal had been skeptical. But the more he listened, the more it made sense. How else could such a perfect city exist in a world filled with chaos? How else could Mark and Clara have created a haven so beautiful, so orderly, when the rest of the world crumbled in despair?
Before long, the charity went underground, evolving into a secretive group with radical beliefs. The Children of Eden were no longer interested in just helping the refugees. They believed that Mark and Clara were gods. And more than that, they believed that Eden was the only place on earth where true humanity existed. The rest of the world? It was a cesspool of corruption and filth, meant only for destruction.
Kaal had been swept up in it. Their message resonated with him. Eden had saved him, had given him a new life, a new identity. And he was willing to do whatever it took to protect it. The Children of Eden had infiltrated various institutions across the city. They were growing in power, slowly but steadily. And though the Inquisitors watched them, they left them alone. Some said the High Inquisitor himself might even be one of them, a secret ally working from within.
Kaal leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He was no longer a pawn in someone else's game. He was part of something bigger now. The Children of Eden had influence, more than most realized. They had already passed minor laws, small changes to the city's policies that on the surface seemed insignificant but were the first steps toward something much greater.
One of their key objectives now was to influence Eden's trade with Braavos. Since the recent visit of the Braavosi envoys, trade between Eden and the Free Cities had accelerated, especially with Braavos. Eden's merchandise was unparalleled—cures for diseases long thought incurable, technology that the rest of the world couldn't even fathom. Braavos saw the value in this trade, and they wanted more.
But the Children of Eden didn't trust the Free Cities. In their eyes, Braavos was only marginally better than the rest of the world, and even then, not by much. The cult didn't like Eden's current international stance. They wanted Eden to take a more militaristic outlook, to view the world not as potential trade partners but as enemies that needed to be brought to heel. Kaal was fully on board with this vision. He knew what the world outside Eden was like—he had lived it. And he knew that Eden's greatness would one day swallow the rest of the world, as it rightfully should.
His comlink buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from a fellow member of the cult, reminding him of their next meeting. They were planning something big, though he didn't yet know the details. It didn't matter. He trusted them. The Children of Eden were the future, and Kaal was proud to be part of it.
Later that evening, Kaal made his way to a lavish party in the First Ring. The party was being hosted by a prominent minister, and Kaal had received an invitation, as he often did these days. The venue was extravagant, even by Eden's standards—an open-air terrace overlooking the city, with fountains that glowed in the twilight and music that seemed to float on the breeze.
As Kaal entered, he was greeted warmly by several guests. He mingled easily, his charm and confidence on full display. He was no longer the timid refugee from Qarth. Here, he was respected, admired. And as he moved through the crowd, chatting and laughing with Eden's elite, he knew that he had finally found his place in the world.
In Qarth, he had been nothing. But in Eden, he was everything.
He spotted a familiar face across the terrace—one of the cult's higher-ranking members. They exchanged a knowing glance, and Kaal's heart quickened. Something was brewing. Something big. And he was ready for it.
As the night wore on and the party continued, Kaal raised a glass to the glittering skyline of Eden. This city had given him everything, and he would do whatever it took to ensure its survival.
The world outside was crumbling, but Eden was eternal. And Kaal was certain that one day, the Children of Eden would guide it to its rightful destiny.