"A script they've run multiple times." I flipped through the journal, showing them the documented cycles. "Aldric the Golden. Seraphine the Pure. Marcus the Brave. Three heroes my family documented. Probably dozens more before that."
Damian's expression was dark. "What happened to them?"
"That's where it gets interesting." I pointed to the notes. "Every single documented hero either became a tyrant or died mysteriously after completing their destiny. Aldric became Emperor and ruled with increasing cruelty until his own generals killed him. Seraphine was poisoned three years after her victory. Marcus vanished without a trace."
"Why?" Marcus asked. "If the Council wanted heroes, why kill them after they succeeded?"
"Because they're not making heroes," I said quietly. "They're harvesting power."
I let that sink in.
I gathered my thoughts. This was the hard part. The part that would sound insane.
