"We're the family you really need."

Each member of the small group Kelkov had collected was looking up, bright-eyed for the first time in the past hour.

To each of them, Kelkov punctuated his statements with a pointed stare. "Whether your magic isn't strong enough... or your blood family doesn't care for you... or you've been all alone among other races who don't understand you..." He worked to keep his expression somber. "If you keep going as you are, you'll never find peace. Your friends won't help you, your family won't help you, and the Creator definitely won't help you. But, with us..."

Everyone was hanging on his every word as he continued.

"The Soul Guardians are going to distribute the Creator's power to those that need it most. You'll all finally be able to change your lives for the better." He finally smiled, warm and inviting. "Do I have your commitment?"

Vigorous nods and whispered promises of loyalty all around. Kelkov took the time to shake their hands and give them written directions to the next meeting place. There'd be dozens of people just like them, he assured. They weren't alone, not anymore.

Silex had done his own advertising for the Soul Guardians, but under their original purpose -- to stop aberrant mages. His work had done a remarkable job at gathering people who weren't just motivated by a sense of justice, they were angry. Dissatisfied. And not just by the soul control mages lurking in the alleys. Kelkov filtered them down to the weakest, mentally and emotionally speaking, and turned what was supposed to be a simple explanation of what the group was about into an impromptu therapy session. He teased out their insecurities. Their needs and wants. Not all of them were easily persuaded, but he usually managed three or four solid recruits out of every meeting.

Over the past couple weeks, they slowly stopped needing Silex's recruitment efforts. Word was spreading. People came to the Council on their own initiative, from every walk of life.

Leaving the others to think on his little speech, Kelkov left the main road and wandered down one of Merca's quieter back streets. The sun was fading and most people were at home eating dinner. He turned a corner, and spotted Addlor.

"How's it going?" Kelkov said, jogging to catch up with him. "I don't see you this deep in town too often."

"Oh, hey. Yeah, been hanging out more lately. Trying to pull in recruits." He looked down at Kelkov as the two strolled together. "How many did you get today?"

"Six, I think. One of them had a son who'd had his soul ripped apart by mages, he can hardly speak anymore. Another was a little canin girl who'd been separated from her pack all the way out here. You really meet all types doing this, huh?"

Addlor snorted and said, "Only six? I got twenty-two. Gonna have to do better than that if you want to keep up with me."

"It's not about numbers, it's about loyalty. How much time do you spend with your groups again?"

"Whatever, we won't get anywhere without recruits. And the more people we get, the better."

Kelkov started to reply, when something grabbed his arm. For a split second he wondered if one of the kids he'd talked to earlier was trying to get his attention, but he was yanked into a nearby alleyway and shoved harshly against the brick wall. Addlor shouted and started after him. A brilliant wall of light energy flashed up at the edge of the alley like white fire, cutting off Addlor's approach. Kelkov brought dark energy to his hands, ready to counterattack, but he froze when he finally got a good look at his assailant.

"What do you think you're doing?" Silex hissed. His face was twisted in a fury that Kelkov had never seen.

"You're gonna regret that!" Addlor roared. His silhouette moved back, as if preparing to charge through the wall of magic despite the risk of severe burns.

"It's alright!" Kelkov called out. "It's just Silex. I'm okay."

Silex took a step back and balked, his hands gnarled into bitter claws as his fingers glowed with wisps of white. "It's all right? Nothing about this is all right, you–"

"Can you skip to the point?" Kelkov dusted off the front of his suit, trying to look casual. "I've got stuff to do."

"I've heard whispers. You and that, that demon are plotting the most blasphemous act I've ever– I can't believe–" Spittle landed on Kelkov's cheek. "I demand to know what you could possibly be thinking. How could you go against the Creator's plan?"

"Hey, maybe this is the Creator's plan too. She is omniscient, right? Wouldn't she have done something already if this wasn't what she wanted?"

"Nonsense! The lady contacted me personally! She trusts me, she–"

"Or maybe that's what she wants you to think. What you want to think."

"Why would she want something like–"

"She's a goddess, none of us can really understand her. All I know is that Emelia's plan is working, the Creator isn't intervening, and you just can't get over the fact that you spent your whole life worshiping her only to get used and thrown away like the insect you are to her."

All at once, the color drained from Silex's face. His eyes flitted back and forth as he floundered for a response. "She would never... I am her loyal servant, she wouldn't..."

"Can you let me go, already? Like I said, I've got stuff."

Silex held his stare for a long time. Until finally, he stepped back into the opposite wall, slumping his shoulders and hugging his arms close. The wall of light faded into the air. Kelkov stepped out of the alley without a second glance, placating a furious and worried Addlor until they could leave and resume their stroll, leaving Silex behind.

It wasn't long before Kelkov had to call it a night, though. He felt nauseous. Silex's grief-stricken stare flashed behind his eyelids whenever he blinked. He was sure Emelia's plan would be worth it, but he needed a distraction. He paced around at home thinking about what he would do with even a sliver of the Creator's power. And then there were follow-up cards to send to the day's recruits, food and drinks and entertainment to gather for their future larger meetings, and phone calls to check in on his friends. They even managed to buy out an old motel at the edge of Merca for any recruits staying in town.

Kelkov's life quickly became a whirlwind of meeting new people and caring for them and truth be told, he loved every second of it. The stories, the friendships, the look on a new recruit's face when they finally came to see the Soul Guardians' way of things.

And just as quickly, Silex Amoro faded from his thoughts.