One fateful day Meredith saw a page titled “Most favored” in the Master’s half covered diary. It was a list of names, with her on top. In the following months she meticulously sabotaged her competitors. Auliver’s alchemical studies killed several initiates. Lizebeth was attacked by her own creatures, leaving her face a scarred ruin. Soon only Meredith’s name was not crossed out. On the winter solstice the Master convened all of them in the grand auditorium.

“On this night we finally summon the Crawling Dark.” The words sent a shudder through the room.

“To bring a great darkness, a great light must be extinguished. You are that light, though some shine more brightly than others. I would have asked seven of my most favored to give your eyesight, or a limb, an expanse of skin. Small boons, in exchange for power and glory beyond imagining.”

“Yet, you have disappointed me. All but one.” He looked to Meredith.

“You must give so much of yourself, my most favored child. But know that you will be honored beyond all others in the coming age of glory,” he said quietly. He looked on with pride as they seized the struggling, crying Meredith.