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"An Iron Rain was called," he proclaims

"And the call was answered," I reply, areat roar rises froard fro sentence to crientle care

"Son of Mars," her voice warbles dreas of old You join them in history You join theSun The women who dashed the Atlantic Alliance into the sea You are a Conqueror Accept this laurel as our proclalory"

She sets it upon my head Sevro snorts besideflowery paths with her words, taking the better part of the afternoon, so that it is dusk when her words begin to run their course I’ve come to understand why all this spectacle exists Why all these speeches and monuments Tradition is the crown of the tyrant I eye all the Golds in their badges and Sigils and standards, all worn to legitin, and to alienate the people Make them feel they watch a species beyond their cohts, for he rolls his eyes at the farce The closing words come soon after

"Per aspera …" the White warbles, body shaking froustus raises his hand and the crystal obelisk coe of Mars rises fro into place, it floats there fifty round, and will continue to float until another Triuround Towering tombstones for the million fallen

"… ad astra!" the crowd roars

I res into motion below on the Field of Mars The Golds disperse onto Citadel grounds, heading for our private feast Augustus watches from my side Behind us, the bronze sun sets on his city, stretching our shadows over the lowColors below

"Walk with uards Unease spreads through ht about us He’s spoken to his daughter He knows Of course he knows I have ravBoots Just ceremonial armor How many of the Obsidians could I kill before I’foolish

The throne roolass, h The expanse buzzes with noise IonSaws, hammers, and the delicate thruht

"Out," Augustus demands

The Violets slide froe uards leave us as well Our boots click against the floor, lonely sounds for such a roo you a throne," I say, going to touch the onyx I breathe out the tension A lion’s paw takes shape near the base of the throne To the left, its tail curls around the other side

"You have broken the law, Darrow," he says behind ave Obsidians razors The weapon of our ancestors in the hands of the only Color to ever rise against us"

"Is that all?" I ask in relief "I did what I needed to do