Kaal was sitting in his office, his mind wandering over the events of the past few days, when his comlink blinked with an incoming message. It was encrypted, a telltale sign that it wasn't part of his regular duties. With a sense of growing anticipation, he accessed the message, which flashed briefly on the screen:
"Tonight. 12:00. Eden Museum of Essoi Art. Important matter. Attendance required."
He stared at the words for a moment, his heart beating faster. The Children of Eden rarely called meetings without cause. Something significant was happening.
Without hesitation, Kaal burned the message, ensuring no trace remained. He couldn't afford to be careless. Not with something as important as this. As he watched the message vanish, he felt a ripple of excitement run through him. The Children of Eden were growing bolder, more influential, and tonight, they would meet in one of Eden's most prestigious venues: the Museum of Essoi Art.
The museum was no ordinary place. It housed relics and artifacts from the world beyond Eden, carefully curated to showcase the so-called "barbaric" cultures of Essos. Everything about the collection was designed to provoke a sense of superiority among Eden's youth. It served as a reminder of how fortunate they were to live in such a perfect society, far removed from the chaos and savagery of the outside world.
What few people knew, however, was that the Children of Eden had been subtly influencing the museum's exhibitions for years. Their funding had contributed to a number of key displays, each designed to foster disdain for anything that wasn't Eden. It was part of the cult's long-term strategy, quietly indoctrinating the next generation to reject the world beyond Eden's walls and embrace the city's divine destiny.
But Kaal had always suspected that the Supreme Leader, Mark Lantrun, and the Saint, Clara, shared some of the cult's ideals. The museum was funded primarily by the Lantrun family, with Clara serving as the patron of history and art. The exhibitions, while cultivating a hatred for the outside world, also inspired a kind of gratitude—gratitude for Eden's perfection and for the protection that Mark and Clara provided.
Perhaps, Kaal thought, their motivations weren't so different from the Children of Eden after all. But whereas the cult believed in Eden's divine right to dominate the world, Kaal sensed that the Lantruns were more focused on fostering loyalty and devotion among their citizens.
He pushed these thoughts aside and focused on the night ahead. The meeting was critical, and he needed to be prepared. As the hours passed and night fell, Kaal left his office and made his way to the museum. He arrived early, as was his habit, wanting to soak in the atmosphere before the others arrived.
The museum was a magnificent building, its grand facade illuminated by soft lights that cast long shadows across the entrance. Inside, the halls were filled with objects from across Essos: tapestries, statues, weapons, and more. Each item told a story of a world beyond Eden, a world of conflict, bloodshed, and strife. Kaal walked slowly through the galleries, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors.
He paused before a display of an ancient Qartheen throne, its once-grand form now tarnished and cracked, a symbol of the fall of Qarth. The plaque beneath it described the city's collapse in clinical detail, emphasizing the barbarism and corruption that had led to its downfall. Kaal felt a bitter satisfaction as he looked at the throne. Qarth had been his prison, a place where he had known only suffering. But here, in Eden, he had found freedom. Power. Respect.
As he moved through the museum, he was greeted by other members of the Children of Eden, their faces familiar and solemn. They greeted each other in the usual way, raising a hand and saying, "Hail Lantrun." The words were more than a simple greeting; they were a declaration of faith, a reminder that they were part of something greater than themselves.
"What do you think this meeting's about?" one of the members asked as they walked together toward the designated room.
"No idea," Kaal replied, glancing at the towering displays of Essos' past. "But it must be important. They wouldn't have summoned us otherwise."
Another member, a woman with sharp features and cold eyes, nodded. "I've heard rumors that it has something to do with the recent trade negotiations with Braavos. The Children of Eden aren't happy with how things are progressing."
Kaal frowned. "Braavos is too eager to make deals with Eden. They're playing nice, but we know their kind. They'll try to take advantage of us the moment we let our guard down."
The woman smiled, a thin, humorless smile. "That's why we're here. To ensure that doesn't happen."
They reached the meeting room, a grand circular chamber with a breathtaking fresco of Essos painted on the ceiling. The scene depicted the various regions of Essos, from the deserts of the Red Waste to the bustling ports of Volantis, but with a subtle twist. The colors were muted, the figures distorted, giving the impression of a decaying, dying world. In contrast, the centerpiece of the room—a massive statue of the Supreme Leader and the Saint, standing back to back—radiated strength and vitality.
At the base of the statue was a large, circular table. Kaal noticed that it hadn't been there the last time he'd visited the museum. Clearly, the Children of Eden had arranged for its installation specifically for tonight's meeting. They had a habit of using prominent locations for their gatherings, repurposing Eden's most famous landmarks for their own purposes.
As Kaal took his seat at the table, he allowed his mind to drift back to some of the other places the cult had used for their meetings. The Grand Observatory, the Hall of Justice, even the Gardens of Reflection—they had all been co-opted by the Children of Eden at one point or another. Each location had been chosen for its symbolic significance, a subtle assertion of the cult's growing influence within Eden.
One by one, the other members of the cult filled the room, their faces lit by the soft glow of the fresco above. The air was thick with anticipation, and Kaal could feel the tension building as they waited for the meeting to begin.
Finally, the leader of the Children of Eden entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. He stood before the statue of the Supreme Leader and the Saint, his eyes sweeping across the assembled members.
"Brothers and sisters," he began, his voice low but powerful, "tonight we gather to discuss matters of great importance. Eden is at a crossroads, and it is up to us to ensure that it remains on the path to greatness."
Kaal leaned forward, his heart racing. Whatever was about to be revealed, he knew it would shape the future of Eden—and his place within it.
The Children of Eden were poised to change everything, and Kaal was ready to play his part.