"…And upon the sight of Aleph, sinking into the burning heart of the world, tears spilt from their eyes, for They thought all They loved and held dear lost to the raging fires of the earth. But behold, They turned about and saw that the Wise One, the Old God, had warned their friends and family away, and Their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, all had lived. And the hearts of the Eight sang with ecstatic joy.
"And the Prophet Kraden spoke, 'Now is the time of Alchemy and Truth, where once there was Weakness and Ignorance. Yet even the powers of Alchemy and Truth may be distorted and broken by lawlessness. Laws must be issued forth. The Old God has spoken to me, and tells me that these laws shall number nine, eight by the Eight, and one by the Prophet.'
"And the Eight felt the ancient voice of the Old God fill their hearts, give them resolve. Isaac, the Maker of Law, spoke thus, 'Be just and righteous in all actions, do not allow an injustice to pass, and adhere to these Nine Edicts.'
"Garet, the Warrior, roared thus, 'Should another attack thy faith, bring holy war upon him, and do not relent until he is heathen no more, or passed to the Shrieking Darkness.'
"Ivan, the Scribe of Fate, whispered thus, 'Study closely the scriptures, ancient and new, to perceive the will of gods Latter and Old, and study also the Nine Edicts, so that you may not pervert their meaning or intent.'
"Mia, the Rain-Bringer, sang thus, 'Honor the land and seas, for their gifts may seem boundless, but if man corrupts them, their bounty will wither, and famine will follow.'
"Felix, the Faithful Son, declared thus, 'Honor thy family, for if they are torn from thee, so also is thy heart.'
"Jenna, the Lover, murmured thus, 'Rejoice in the glories of love, art, and love-making, for they are among the greatest gifts from the Wise One to thee, so that thy pleasure, turned to joy, might strengthen the glory of the God.'
"Sheba, the Reader of the Firmament, howled thus, 'Let thy eyes turn to heaven and blood, and in star-reading and sacrifice, glean the will of the Gods Latter and Old.'
"Piers, the Father of Kings, dictated thus, 'Be faithful to monarch and senate, defend thy nation with blood and steel, and show respect and compliance to the authority of the Priesthood.'
"And the Sage-Prophet, Kraden, came upon a granite boulder perfectly cloven by the earth tremors of Aleph's descent. Sitting by the Stone, Kraden carved the first Eight Edicts, and then, at the bottom, carved thus, 'Recognize the unshakable authority of the Edicts. Let the glory of the Gods Latter and Old fill thy heart in every road of life, even when the darkness seems prepared to swallow thee forever.'
"And the stone rose without any further touch, shining in the light of the Gods, and the Nine Edicts flashed with all the power of Weyard." –The Nine Edicts of the Eight Latter Gods and the First Prophet, Kraden.