"No one truly knows. The eternal queen's children fought over what remained, until none cared for anything else but the conflict. That callousness and waste of it all irks the most." It was a similar tale to the one he'd told promising Tarnished. Oh, Viktor knew less, of course, needed more explained. But that didn't change the arc of the story, or its inevitable conclusion.

"But my Lord still cares." The cloak pulled free, revealing his bouquet. "He has a vision for us, to not simply restore the old order, but to grow something new and beautiful from its ruins."

The roses were clean, now. The blood seemed to have washed away in the sea. But the steel was still spotless and lovingly cared for, every fine detail of the handle restored to brightness, and every edge was razor sharp. Ready to be painted red once more.

"How could one possibly turn away from such a calling, even here?"