Old Dream snickered at Mi-Yung and her reasons, turned, and looked at each Pillar, who watched over their position, their decisions, and what was about to happen with everything. If Mi-Yung dared to come and speak of this, then the debate was about to get hotter.

  One could notice their genders due to the presence they bolstered, though a couple of them had much more obvious marks like their size or bumpy, shadowy appearance. The voice was the most obvious hint, even when their conflicting natures came here by a force of some Arcana, their Emblems, or Old Dreams' technique. None besides him was present, but they sure felt as if they were.

  Personal visits had to be worth it; many would rather remain in their dwellings than visit this table for minor squabbles. For all Pillars to come in person, that had to be a very serious business, while most discussions needed this clever, shadowy touch alone.

  Mi-Yung shifted in her position, looking behind Old Dream. Association Pillar took his side, oblivious to the fact that Old Dream wanted to hear his opinion.

  “I suggest taking care of Gale's son in one way or another. He is here for a few days and has shown interest in the library. We don't know what he knows or what he could know, but he is a Walker, so that is that, Old Dream. His age should be reaching sixteen, or even seventeen, according to my computations. Alas, only so much is known about his birth and matters at this date, so I feel an obligation to make my point. I am on Song's suggestion. She takes care of a lot of things, and this one adds nothing to her list or our objections. She is young; new youths come anytime, and from anywhere.”

  “You bow down just like that?” the laughing shadow, coming from an obvious woman, said. She was very happy for a variety of reasons.

  Old Dream scoffed at her, wincing her shadows. “Silence, Tamara!”

  “Oh, but it is right. I thought the Association would want to know every bit about that boy. I mean, a son of two Walkers? Sounds exciting, fake, or almost like a bloody miracle. Maybe I should look at him myself and let him fuck my girls just to laugh it off.”

  “Don't you dare...” Mi-Yung said, her words grinding in nerves and threats.

  Tamara laughed even more until Association Pillar gave them his final peace of mind. “Of course, I don't suggest doing nothing and let her do it alone. I would like to invite William Gale to visit my place at any time. With Mi-Yung along, of course. For tests, knowledge, and no locks. There are obvious, curious words ahead, and we should give it a try to see the truth and meet that boy. What happened ten years ago matters not to me, but it happened, and it left a deep mark on the hearts of some people.”

  “Not the people, however. They tend to forget and don't give a shit about another loss, so that old history is pointless,” Tamara added, speaking like a winner that wouldn't see a defeat in any words.

  Mi-Yung frowned. Having the Association Pillar on her side was definitely great, and she didn't refute his idea. In fact, she liked it because it meant another ammo to her already decent arsenal.

  “Alright. Some tests wouldn't hurt, and I appreciate the Association. Truthfully, I don't know a lot about William. I just know his Emblem and myself, and what he has done over the years is another thing.”

  Old Dream chuckled. “Do you? Blood and all doesn't life often, and he is--”

  “He is nothing like his father,” Mi-Yung argued and cursed inwardly.

  Old Dream felt her words were surprising, and his face contorted until his choices slipped. He gestured for the other Pillars to speak up.

  Tamara voiced it as if it were no big deal. “She is not a kid anymore. If she knows what is good for her, taking care of her business is up to her, and that boy will live with it if he is of age and a good Walker. If he's not like his father, perhaps that's a good thing. Since she is the first to get this far, I say she can keep her cards. If this one ends up decent and does not bite back at the owner, why the hell is it an issue? It isn't as if his father means anything now. There are many better Walkers than him in the world because the world has moved on. I am sure Mi-Yung thinks the same.”

  Old Dream nodded, not thinking of her opinion in the slightest because it was often very revolting and wrong. Then he looked at one curious and way too wavering shadow. “What about you, Dachy?”

  “I don't... know. Little Song is young, and her ties go far. Her work and actions are firm, and every minor wavering adds strength to her efforts. This one isn't even that bold, as it wasn't her fault. I think there are mistakes in our views. Perhaps we should think twice about leaving her be and letting that child, William, be free. I am on the Association's side.”

  Back-to-back confirmations felt rare, so Mi-Yung felt thrilled.

  But when Old Dream looked at the one threatening shadow, looking big and tall, with two red dots, she knew what was bound to happen.

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  Prime Hunter, Taker.

  “She lost her mind long ago. That kid is just an outsider who grew up for nothing but the mistakes of his parents. His sins are not theirs, however, and hers are heavy. Gale's son is bound to be a Walker, and since she brought him here, his choices are pending careful picking. I suggest giving that kid to some Division and giving Song Mi-Yung another reason not to cause problems.”

  “Thanks... asshole,” Mi-Yung mumbled.

  Old Dream looked at the voice that mattered the most. It was his Pillar, while the remaining shadows distanced themselves, with one being especially hesitant, for there were no worthy words to give.

  Large and dense, Yondu was way too lax with Mi-Yung anyway, as it was personal and far from being simple. Viktor was part of his Division and much more than that.

  Old Dream knew it, and his voice hesitated. It seemed he underestimated the forgetfulness and what Pillars thought of this topic, or maybe he missed Mi-Yung's point. Either way, so be it. Turning to her, his face revealed a mix of conflicting emotions. “You wanted to give Viktor this much face? For a past shadow, long death? To an unknown kid you never met?”

  “I feel I've known him all my life,” Mi-Yung argued. “Which is wrong, I know. I want to take it further. It is my responsibility.”

  “No. It won't be. I require much more prudent tests and see him myself, and his citizenship will be accepted if he proves himself.”

  Mi-Yung grunted, pressing her crossed fingers to her face as she contemplated and watched her palm. “You... aren't giving many choices, huh? It is just a citizenship, and his appointment is soon to come. Six weeks are--”

  “The Federation is our place! OUR home!” Old Dream argued. “You basically forced and kidnapped a child who would come regardless. Such stupidity... is fucking hell. It is ridiculous! I want to hear his story!”

  “That's not important at all. I am not even sure he gets it much anyway.”

  “No. It isn't. What is next? What are you planning?”

  “Planning?” Mi-Yung laughed at his tone. “It is merely a karma. I am not alone in that appeal, as many of you lost your way and care long ago, while many of you cling to it regardless of anyone's opinion. Many kids wait or die for nothing. I did a lot of things in the last decade alone, so why not swallow this pride or sin? You all let Viktor die, some more than the others, now that you are on your own thrones.”

  The old man clicked his tongue and smirked. “Clever little devil. I suppose that is honorable, but what happened ten years ago is no laughing matter. You weren't there, so that kid, I will see him myself.”

  “You would go this far?” The one who asked wasn't Mi-Yung, but Association Pillar.

  Tamara cheered, expecting a show. “I love infighting! So thrilling! Pillars are so fun like this.”

  “Shut up,” Taker said to her, shutting her down. It was rare for him to do that, so Tamara winced in the shadowy shapes and felt even more intrigued. Just how far would this situation change, or devolve?

  Old Dream turned, looking at the shadow larger than himself. “What is it, Prime?”

  “Her whole point is what, again? Where did it all start? What is wrong or right? I think we shouldn't take it that far. That is all. There are matters of importance, and bringing forth lost grudges is childish compared to what we often discuss here. This is about a kid who got lost outside and was involved in massacres. There was nothing good about it, yet he lived through that and didn't want to come. Now, he is here... after she found him.”

  Old Dream frowned and reconsidered just one single thing. Mi-Yung. “Viktor left his phantom, I see. Gales... and all. Fine. My words remain. Mi-Yung, you are dismissed.”

  “And your answer... is?”

  “After tests, words shall be given. Maybe Examination or Awakening will show something else, yes? Maybe that's what you expect, and that's fair in my book, but this isn't about mine. It's about principles, so just leave. We have been discussing matters of much greater importance than you. Shoo!” Waving his hands, he turned and took his seat after dealing with this pesky matter.

  A couple of Pillars were dissatisfied because of it, as this sort of end fell far too short and careless.

  Mi-Yung wasn't like that. Her work was half done, and they weren't as angry and against her as she thought. Many even supported her, which was both cool and almost shocking.

  Sure, Tamara might think it was fun and all, but from what she said, it could easily mean nothing. In short, change of mind was easy, and Tamara wasn't a grumpy, old freak, but very prideful and fine with anything as long as it didn't mess with her position. She was one of the few Pillars who were easygoing enough to allow Mi-Yung to do whatever she accepted. With some caveats, of course, but that was given.

  Others were a bit tricky. Yondu would allow anything as long as rules and stability were guaranteed, so that was often rather complicated. It felt personal, as it should.

  She still sat on the stairs, contemplating whether there was something else she was missing, or not. Her words carried a lot of options, and they could change everything.

  But again, theirs also shot back, demanding tests and personal interventions. By two High Pillars, at that, so that was engaging.

  *Is this it? Everything? What have I even gained out of this? William? What is this unease? Am I missing a very important treaty? They disregarded way too many things, didn't they?*

  Unlocking her fingers, she got up and felt she had aged a day. “I will return.”

  “We don't doubt that.”

  “Give me ten days. Afterward, this... whatever choice it is, will come forward.”

  “Six weeks remain until the Examination, so you have time. But you said so. In ten days, I will see it myself. Association Pillar already stated his efforts, and will join me.” Old Dream said, pointing to the small shadow. “Also, don't forget yourself. You are a Lower Pillar, and your work and vacation aren't over.”

  “I know there are your priorities. Mine is not like yours, but I get it. In this room, away, or out there, what's the matter? Where else would I gain from such a voice?”

  An interesting question arrived when the discussions should have been over. Old Dream hummed and wondered why she was still there. Maybe there was a reason.

  “I allow many things. You are one of them because of your capabilities, but there are those like you, and they would love to bite you and steal from you every single thing you own. Then, there are...” he said and looked up, where a bang echoed, and the main door shot open, traveling far and loud, and crushing not so far from the big round table.

  Tamara got almost aroused from such stimulation, and most shadows had already forgotten what their previous discussion was even about.

  Now, a second freaking invader arrived and neither of them expected it. Mi-Yung was the same.