"Baki, there's still no sign of the Relic of Destruction. I think one of our subordinates may have stolen it during the chaos. If you wish, Anai and I will go to look for it."
The man in black responded heavily to his new messenger. "No. Anai needs to visit our friends in Mistral. Creation will suit her well. You need to find Destruction yourself. The Jericho Initiates will not tolerate this act of treason. Find the traitor, and execute him. Make an example of him, so that nobody dares defy us again. If you feel the need, Qara, use your Semblance. Leave no trace of him behind.
"Understood, sir. However, I prefer to save my semblance for only the most dire of circumstances. Since it leaves me comatose for a month, I'll let my blade do the speaking." Qara turned to the door before asking one final question. "By the way, how's the search for a fourth Initiate coming?"
"I have not found someone who meets our high standards yet. We all know that I am cunning while you are destructive. Anai is a valuable asset to us because of her sadistic nature. What I need to find is someone so crazy that they show no remorse for the blood on their hands. But I'll keep searching. You are dismissed."
As the messenger went away to his encampment, he gazed lovingly upon an item stowed in his tent. "The fool has no idea. I'll let him think he has the power of the Initiates. As for now, who can I bring in as a scapegoat?"
At that moment, a younger initiate walked in. "Qara, can you tell the Grand Initiate that we need more dust to forge weapons?" Qara, in an instant, pounced on the man, binding him in rope. He took the man to the center of the base, where he made an announcement.
"Attention, Initiates! I know you have probably heard rumors that there is a traitor among our ranks. I found this man trying to hide our prize. For his treason of the Initiates, I, under the authority of Grand Initiate Dangote, sentence him to death by immolation!" The innocent man was tied to a post and burned before the adoration of his fellow men. Qara watched with glee as the lights slowly faded from his eyes. As his execution became nearer to completion, the stench of burning flesh filled the air.
The man finally died after two hours of pain and fire, and Qara spoke up once again. "This man was found with stolen goods of the Initiates. Grand Initiate Dangote has requested that I keep it in my tent for the time being. Let this be a lesson to all of you. The Initiates will not tolerate any form of failure or insubordination! Rest lightly, and watch your backs. One step out of line will lead to the same fate as the fallen brother before you." With that, Qara returned to his tent for the night.
"The power of Jericho will be mine and mine alone!"