Even through the hallowed halls and reinforced walls of his Stronghold, Jax could hear the oncoming storm.

For now, it was distant thunder and closer rain—the low din making it through and filling the air with white noise. If it were any colder in the year, it might've very well been thundersnow. As it stood, it would be a while before the storm would descend upon his Stronghold and bring the noise with it.

Jax was occupying himself the best he could—lumbering in his facility aimlessly, nodding to the occasional Priest. For now, his thoughts were at a low drone, entertaining what he could even venture out to do as he bode his time. What he was waiting for... he couldn't say. Some part of him knew that he would be the next to be advanced upon; it was not a matter of if XCOM would come, it was when. There would be no forewarning—just the cruel advance of their transport and a bold knock upon his door.

His eyes swept over the entrance to his Observatory and he half-wondered if he should be keeping his eyes on the skies. Even so, a kind of finality prevented him from moving upon it—as well as the weight of the device around his collar.

Looking over it again, he felt a weary gratitude bubble up. Cronus had summoned him a few days back... something he had initially met with the fear that He had taken notice of Jax's recent lethargy, but the encounter had turned out far better than he thought. Cronus dubbed it something along the lines of the "Subversion Inhibitor." Apparently, it would disrupt the technology used for the Assassin's cuffs, should they move to capture him.

Though, that just brought Jax to thoughts of the battle against XCOM. He could not, and would not move his Priests against them. Nor his new platoon, who had made the integration smoothly. That left just Jax himself, considering his distaste for using any of the other forces available to him. He would face XCOM alone... and likely his two siblings, come to capture him and... what? Indoctrinate him as they had been?

The conversation with Fal-Mai sprung to mind and he made the effort to quiet his thoughts. No. He would not relive that embarrassment. To break down like that in front of her... she must think he was weak. Killing him then was a mercy to him and her. He shook his head, casting his eyes forwards. Something, anything to distract him from this train of thought.

As luck would have it, Maria stepped through a door ahead. She seemed to be looking for the Warlock—her gaze locked with his and she advanced, smiling. She arrived by his side and he could feel her familiar, comforting signature close to him. "My Chosen. How are you faring?"

"I have had far better days," he began, "but I have also had far worse. This evening passes slowly—about the only noteworthy event is the storm."

"It is good to hear you're faring better." She inclined her head. "Especially after recent events... nevertheless. The Stronghold itself fares well. No downtime in security—and our new brothers and sisters are integrating well."

"Are they?" Jax gave a pleased hum. "Good to know. I was hoping they would find their place well enough. So long as they are good on your sisters, then they are fine by my reckoning."

"More than good, my Chosen. They are almost overjoyed to have a facility such as this to call home. Jeanne herself is revelling in finally filling the role of your Head Officer."

Jeanne, naturally, was the name of the Officer he had picked out in his "walk." He felt it natural to give them names as he did his Priests—it was a more proper designation then having to call them by their numbers. "Is your utterance of 'finally' a complaint, dear Maria?"

Maria chuckled. "Not at all, my Chosen! Simply a pride at seeing you introduce more into your ranks."

Indeed, it had gotten a little livelier around the place ever since he had brought in the new recruits. They were rather fascinated in the art the Priests got up to in their free time, and the Priests were all abuzz about having fresh blood. He'd already heard through his own grapevine that there were plans for a grand showing to really get his new squad in the mind of recreation. It felt... more complete. More full. Perhaps he should have done this sooner...

He looked properly to Maria. "And what of yourself, Maria? Do you continue to do well?"

Maria's smile grew warmer. "Of course. As long as you are happy, I am as well. To see you flourishing is what gives me happiness when I am away from my sisters or taking a break from my training."

A smile tugged at Jax's lips, and he could feel himself relax. "It is good to know, Archbishop. It sets a mind such as mine at ease. Especially..." Thoughts resurfaced, and his mood dropped. "Especially when it seems everything else is being taken from me."

Her mouth settled into a concerned line, and she stepped closer. "These circumstances will have their place, my Chosen. You have done everything in your power to prevent them—you cannot be blamed for not achieving the impossible."

"But is it impossible?" He crossed his arms defensively, looking away. "I have triumphed over XCOM in the past, sent their pitiful squads scrambling for safety as I took members of their own. Why do I find myself so deficient, as of late?"

"XCOM has grown. Their arsenal has evolved, as have their numbers. Their last action against you saw the deployment of your own sister against you." Her hand settled on his bicep. "Please, Holy Father. You have done your best. There will still be triumphs to come. We must only strive for them."

Jax lidded his eyes. If he argued any further, he would tread himself in circles, further casting his mood downwards. As much as he saw more failure as an inevitability... to linger on it did him no good. Maria was right, in a way—even if he would assuredly fail, there would be some victories to be had. Maybe not enough to his liking, but they could be taken. That was small comfort.

A psionic ping drew his attention to her again. Maria had her arms outstretched, wordlessly offering a hug. Doing a quick check around him to make sure none of the new recruits were in attendance, he graciously accepted it, pulling Maria close to him. He was infinitely grateful he had passed his initial hurdles of thinking that he "shouldn't stoop to touching his Priests" and "hugs were meaningless, childish gestures amongst humans." As it turned out, they were something that made him feel a lot better. Didn't help that he didn't have to stoop to hug Maria, who came just shy of the Assassin's height. Tailor-made for him by the Elders, and one of the few things he would never take for granted.

After a bit, Jax backed away from the hug, satisfied. Maria was positively glowing... but her gaze seemed to catch on his neck. "Now, I've been meaning to ask, my Chosen... but what is that around your neck?"

Jax found himself looking at the device again, as much as he could, anyhow. "It is a gift from Cronus Himself. This collar is meant to disrupt what technology XCOM will bring to bear against me when they come calling. I believe... He meant it as apology. I have been doing somewhat better since my unfortunate outburst against Him. So long as I maintain my tongue, I am sure things will fare much better."

Maria... didn't look entirely convinced by that, but whatever argument she was about to put forward was suddenly interrupted. Across both of their minds flashed an urgent Network alert—the Skyranger was sighted on long range scanners. XCOM was coming.

The two of them locked gazes again before Maria clasped her hands in front of her chest, pleading. "Jax, please. Let us fight beside you! Are you truly going to let XCOM come upon you without a hint of struggle?"

Jax's face set like stone and he grabbed her shoulders, looking at her where he knew her eyes were. "No. You are to run, as are your orders! Round up the rest of the personnel. If you stand against XCOM, the lot of you will be slaughtered." He tightened his grip a moment as he could feel some vulnerability enter his voice. "Run, Maria."

He released her, and she opened her mouth to rebut him, to speak against him again. But, with a finality, she closed it. "... yes, my Chosen." Quickly, she rushed forward and caught him in another hug, which he returned with a desperate squeeze. Then, she parted from him and he could feel her send out a message on the Network as she rushed away, deeper into his Stronghold.

The weight of Jax's weapon on his back was cold comfort as he strode in the same direction, eyes forward and unwavering as the Stronghold erupted with activity. Perhaps there had been more Priests bargaining with him to fight—maybe some of his new squad were offering their guns despite Maria's instructions. He heard nothing over the oncoming storm, roaring in his head and through the facility.

Eventually, he found himself at his Ascension Pad, stepping onto it and willing the Void to transport him to his destination. The Void was a temporary, comforting embrace as he was shunted from one world to the next, landing in his Inner Sanctum with nary a stumble.

He had seen his sibling's homes. His was much more decorated. Meditation mats circled the platform at the end of the area, with one such rug reserved for himself right in front of his Sarcophagus. Incense hung heavily in the air from several sessions of meditation, and there was even a harp near his Sarcophagus reserved for Maria's talented hands. The raised platform in the middle was even home to a few paintings and statues deemed worthy enough to be lifted from the Studio.

XCOM was coming to ruin all of it. Attempting to put it out of his mind, he made his way to his personal rug, kneeling upon it and preparing to dip into the Network's feeds.

That was his plan, until his psionics pricked with the sound of an incoming orchestra. Bolting up straight, Jax assumed a more dignified posture in time for Cronus to enter his presence fully. The weight of His psionics upon Jax's mind was almost suffocating. "Son. XCOM arrives. Have you prepared yourself?"

"I have," he murmured. "When XCOM arrives, they will find a resistance worthy of the Chosen Warlock's power."

"Good. Let them know the true fury of the Elders, as I have gifted upon you. I will be watching, waiting."

With that, Cronus's presence shrunk into nothingness. Letting the tide of his momentary fear subside, Jax dipped into the Network and watched through surveillance. For good measure, he entered the general comms channel that XCOM would be no doubt talking to him on once they entered.

It was a long while before XCOM came to his door proper, hopefully long enough for all of his troops to vacate the premises and flee somewhere safer. When XCOM arrived, it was with a deafening explosion—the elegant front doors of his Stronghold blown to nothingness. He watched as the squad advanced, host to many familiar faces. SYN, Rosa, Sherry... there was a new, green Templar that he might've seen before, but that was the extent of his knowledge. Finally, sprinting in from the back was Mordenna and Fal-Mai, with his sister looking a little shaken from the explosion.

Jax's heart seized. He knew that, inevitably, either Eliza would assign them to the mission or they would come of their own accord. It was only natural, to field them against him. It still did nothing to abate the dread that rose up inside of him, knowing he would have to face both of them at once, alone. Not to mention the squad brought with them. The confidence he had managed to rally was starting to dwindle. This wasn't looking good...

Slowly, XCOM moved forwards. Over the microphones of the surveillance, he could hear their chatter. Sherry was taking over as squad leader, assigning Rosa and SYN to the front while... "Seer" played "lancer." Mordenna was to stick to the back while Fal-Mai filled what was needed.

While there was agreement with the rest of the squad, Mordenna seemed focused on something else. He lifted his head, and after tapping his ear, his voice came over the general comms. "Yo, Jax. Brother of mine. Big head extraordinaire. If you aren't in here I swear I'm dragging you out of whatever art museum you're caught up in."

Before he could stop it, Jax gave a "hmph." The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Figuring that was audible over the comms, he continued. "So here you are, flag bearers of XCOM and trespassers into this holy temple. As I have taught you before, siblings, I will teach you again to not tread so carelessly."

Mordenna went "pffft." "What, by lecturing at me for three hours? Seriously, the broken arm I taunted you into giving me was seriously a better alternative. Eliza, I can't work in these conditions. He's going to talk me to death."

"Need I remind you that you signed up for this mission?" Eliza's voice, as always, had that haunting familiarity to it. Twenty years of consulting her on the Network had lead her voice into being one of guidance. Now... it was one of rebellion. "Keep your heads on straight, Menace, and keep pushing forward."

She got a variety of "understoods" out of that, and Jax watched as they moved deeper into his compound. Though he had seen their Specialist handle this very sort of mission no less than twice before, she seemed rather... distracted. Her head was on a swivel, but not for enemies. Sherry was admiring the architecture. Some part of him rolled with pride, and mused at the thought that if he had fielded anyone against them, she would be caught woefully unprepared.

They continued their march through another room, and it was Fal-Mai who spoke up. She wasn't currently visible—must have been either under her cloak or deeper within the facility. "Jax. Where are your Priests? Any of your guard?"

His hands balled into fists. He had been hoping to avoid them questioning this; but why wouldn't they? After all, when met with enemies two prior times... there was also the fear that someone might have heard her asking. He hoped Cronus hadn't heard that. "Dare I deign to give you their locations? Do you think me foolish enough to give away their positioning to mere questions?"

"No," Mordenna responded, "but you've usually got the little ladies everywhere. Don't tell me you're—" Then, horror of horrors, Mordenna stopped. Jax knew exactly what the Hunter had wanted to say next—but the very surprising fact was that he didn't. He had always sought to stick in knives and twist them where he could, but this time, he closed his mouth, waiting a second before he began again. "Jax. Buddy. I don't like this."

"You are the one who decided to intrude upon my sanctum." He shook his head. "It is only your own doing that leads you to these observations." Hopefully, if Cronus was listening, his vagueness would lead them to think they were merely deeper within—or even with him in his Inner Sanctum.

Though, as he realized what next room they were about to breach, a sense of mourning overtook him. They were about to enter the Studio—a birthplace of creation for all of his Priests, where works of art were proudly displayed. He didn't want to face the fact of what would become of it if he was taken. All the more important you fend them off yourself.

He swapped into surveillance to the next room... and suppressed a gasp. His surprise was twofold—firstly, the Studio was far more barren than he had remembered. Most, if not all of the smaller art pieces were gone, and even some of the more moderately sized ones seemed to have walked off. Did Maria organize everyone into lifting everything they could? The thought inspired a few conflicting emotions within him, but he didn't have time to think over them, because secondly?

Two of his Priests were still in the room.

Jax practically leapt up from his spot as his first instinct. The twin Priests he identified as his seamstresses: Hestia and Demeter. They were as trained fighters as the rest of their sisters were, but the more important fact was that they were still there. Why, he didn't know, but every muscle in his body was screaming to rush through the Void and guard them from XCOM.

He watched as his sister lifted her shroud in front of them. The two Priests jumped and yelped, clutching each other. Even as they cowered, Demeter did her best to shield Hestia with her body... even if she was the one shaking more out of the two. XCOM entered the doors. Though initially caught off guard by the contents of the room, their eyes were quickly on what Fal-Mai was looking at, guns raised.

Jax had to do something. He steeled himself, voice hard and commanding as he spoke. "XCOM. You and yours would not stoop so low as to fire upon a duo of unarmed seamstresses, would you? Or have I underestimated the very depths your cowardice sinks to?"

There was a moment of silence as everyone considered the situation. Slowly, Mordenna was the first to lower his gun. Fal-Mai held up a hand to call Menace off, and Eliza came in. "Stand down, Menace. Those are unarmed combatants."

The rest of the squad followed suit, and Jax could see some relief enter Hestia and Demeter. Not much, of course, considering they were in the same room as XCOM and two other Chosen. Sherry was the first to talk after the Commander, walking a bit closer to the two Priests with her gun down. "If you two are unarmed, what are you doing here?"

"I..." Demeter's voice was so quiet Jax could hardly hear her over surveillance. "We... w-we left some of our t-tools behind and..."

The implication was clear, but before Sherry could respond, Hestia spoke up. "You're... are you all going to slay our Holy Father?"

Fal-Mai was the one to shake her head, kneeling down to their rough eye level. "No, not at all. We are here to take our brother from the clutches of the Elders. We will not be harming him more than we have to."

Hestia and Demeter exchanged a glance, and then began talking amongst themselves. Jax dipped into their own comms to hear what they were saying. He caught Demeter in the middle of a sentence. "—seen what They have done to Warlock Tessura. If XCOM comes with him alive and bound through here once more..."

"... then it's only natural, yes?" Hestia followed up. "Forgive me for my heresy, sister, but I would faster claim my true allegiance to the Holy Father."

"It would only be heresy if I didn't agree. So, is it decided?"

"It is."

The two turned back to Menace, knowingly looking to the Assassin. Fal-Mai nodded, standing up. Jax switched back just in time to hear her. "We should leave them here. They are unarmed... and assuredly only looking for their tools. Unless there are concerns that they could mount a fearsome offence with statues and sewing needles..."

Sherry looked between the two of them, and backed up. "The Assassin's right. Leave the Priests alone—worst comes to worst, we'll detain them when we get back."

The squad began to move forward again. "Would be nice to have some new duds," he could hear Rosa mutter. When they left the room, he could see Hestia and Demeter practically collapse against each other in relief, slumped against the wall they had been huddled against.

Now that XCOM wasn't going to potentially slaughter more of his disciples, Jax found the time to reflect on what had just happened. Hestia and Demeter were speaking outright heresy against the Elders. Their first allegiance should be to Them, not him. Yet here they were, undoubtedly going to join XCOM if Jax was captured.

Maria's outspoken words. The missing art pieces. Hestia and Demeter's plans. Jax had only grimly and facetiously offered the option of coming with him if he was captured, but from the looks of it? They had taken him seriously. Though a fear had steadily overtaken Jax, he could feel a pride in his followers welling up. They cared enough about him to defy the Elders and follow him to the ends of the Earth. Jax was now much happier at his decision to tell them to flee.

He stopped his self-reflection long enough to watch XCOM enter the room before his Ascension Pad. Mordenna looked very concerned at the continued lack of armed forces. Before he could raise his concerns, Jax offered a final comment. "So, it has come down to this, XCOM. You would willingly throw yourselves at the Void just to have a taste of my power. If you are so set on your path, continue your advance. I shall be waiting."

With that, Jax ducked out of the Network. Now that his eyes were freed up, he gave one last look over his Inner Sanctum. Twenty years, he had inhabited it. Built it up. Made it a home. Led countless sermons in its hallowed halls. Now, XCOM was coming to tear it all down. At the same time, he saw a light on his collar flicker to life. Seems it was now primed for the upcoming battle.

Jax took in a deep breath, the deepest he could muster. He would not go down without a fight. His pride would not allow it. If Cronus was watching, he would show Him the true might of what He had granted him.

His psionics filled his gauntlets, ramped up by the amplifiers that were his horns. He let his power suffuse his body, coursing through his very veins. Then, he extended his mind outwards. Countless psionic ghosts inhabited his sanctum, years of conquests and inquisitions culminated. He summoned them, gave them form through his psionics, let them walk the Earth as husks once more, filled to the brim with volatile energies.

Then, he brought himself and his gauntlets into the floor in a kneel. An impenetrable Stasis formed around him, cutting off his air supply. His power lanced out, forming into much more clear bodies—Stun Lancers, Troopers, his mind's eye even picked out an Officer and a Purifier, new additions to his Spectral Army's ranks. They took their positions, mindful of his belongings, and waited.

Jax didn't have to wait long. He could feel the very Void shudder with energy as his Ascension Pad was activated. To this day, he was sure it was one of the warmest welcomes XCOM had ever received.

XCOM suddenly found themselves in a very disadvantageous position. SYN was the first to react, body shuddering as the blue lights across his body grew brighter, and he began rapidly firing upon Jax's forces. The rest of the squad dove into cover, some of the humans taking a few hits from the ambush he had established. He watched as Mordenna opted instead to hold his ground, grinning. He whipped out his pistol, and as fast as Jax could move his consciousness, lights of his army were flickering out. Mordenna always had fancied a challenge.

As his numbers dwindled, Jax could feel his lungs starting to burn, and he summoned his willpower to force the urge to stop down. This was now or never, he couldn't show that kind of weakness in front of Cronus and XCOM. But the urge kept growing, begging him to drop his Stasis so he could cough and breathe. More lights in his mind dimmed. The urge grew stronger. No. He had to hold out a little longer, cause a little more damage—

He couldn't. What remained of his Spectral Army disappeared and his Stasis dropped as Jax was wracked with a coughing fit. The sound of a few more of his constructs being put to final rest reached his ears over his hacking, and then? Silence. He was the only noise in his Inner Sanctum.

Eyes watering, he case them upwards as the fit started to subside. In XCOM's faces, he could see pity. Mordenna clearly had a shot lined up, but the hesitation on his face spoke thousands of words. Not only that, but Mordenna didn't seem to be looking him in the eye—he seemed to be focused on something just under his face. Petulance and rage rose up in Jax. He stood to his full height, no longer plagued by his lungs as he let his psionics flow. "Do not humiliate me with your misbegotten pity!"

With that rage, he cast forth a Mind Scorch, linking off of Rosa and Sherry's heads as they slumped to the ground. The energy jumped to the Seer—and now, Jax could see why XCOM had a new Templar to bear against him. Above her, cloaked in purple, was a psionic mass of tentacles and featureless faces. Its shuddering limbs coiled around the Seer's head—and judging by the way Mordenna's eyes followed, he could see it too. The wall of psionics deflected his own powers. Jax had, once before, seen the specter that hung over Cronus. Could mere mortals also possess this power?

He wasn't given long to think over it. Over the momentary quiet of battle, Jax could've sworn he hallucinated a "sorry" from Mordenna. There was a momentary, splitting pain in his chest, and then nothingness.

Jax could feel his very soul being pulled backwards, into the awaiting arms of the Void. He watched through the plane, his body being teleported out and with him into the soft, shuddering area. He took one look at it and grimaced. The caliber on Mordenna's bullets was overkill, to say the least.

Cronus's orchestra was deadly low as He regarded Jax and his tortured body. "So. You would have no other forces to defend you. Not even the Priests I dared grant to you out of goodwill."

Terror and dread became Jax. In lieu of saying anything, he merely inclined his head. He had hoped Cronus would understand... but it would seem his efforts were for naught. Cronus was disappointed, and this disappointment was likely the last he would know of Him.

Jax could feel his in-depth connection with the Void shuddering and cracking. XCOM were undoubtedly firing upon his Sarcophagus. His time with the Elders, one way or another, was drawing to a close.

With a magnificent, but restrained gesture, Cronus used the energy in the area to piece together his body again. "Go. May you remember your failure in your final moments."

Wait. Final moments? Mordenna said something over comms but Jax couldn't even process what he said. Despite what he knew was best, Jax found himself speaking. "Father, what—"

He wasn't given any time to finish. The Void lurched and Jax could feel some deep part of himself shattering and darkening. With a nearly nausea-inducing force, he was pulled from his place, united mid-flight with his healed body.

Jax found himself almost stumbling over on one of the pads in his room, flung back into the world of the living. He didn't have any time to figure out what was going on or what he should be doing before the collar on his neck emitted a high-pitched whine.

One thing he could understand was Mordenna's almost panicked shout. "Fal-Mai, now!"

Suddenly, he saw Fal-Mai racing towards him, sword brandished. Was this the final moments Cronus was referring to? Did He know that XCOM had intended death for him all along? What had Cronus meant?

So caught up was he in his thoughts, that Jax didn't even react. Fal-Mai's sword swung upwards—and cut through the connector on his collar, as well as grazing his neck a bit. Before it could fall, she was grabbing the device and hurling it with as much force as she could muster to the side.

Mere seconds later, the collar exploded.

A bomb collar. Cronus had put a bomb collar on him. His final moments. Cronus had not made him a device of goodwill. He had made him a possessive shackle. Between the choice of His Son living in captivity and dying unknowingly... He had chosen the latter.

Jax couldn't process much else. He felt as if he wasn't even connected to his body, merely watching events happen as a passive observer. It wasn't him who looked just off to the side as the Void surged, and Cronus's energies overloaded his Sarcophagus, shattering it into pieces. Mordenna approached him and said something, but it wasn't Jax who numbly followed as he was pushed by the shoulder.

There was a commotion behind him. Someone was speaking indignantly. He was sure there was a question asked of him but he understood nothing of it, and he simply shook his head. The Void was nothing to him as they all proceeded through the Ascension Pad and into the Stronghold.

Was Cronus so willing to sentence him to death? Was he really better off dead than captured? Did He hold out no hope that one day, he could be rescued?

Jax couldn't think on it. They went through his Studio, and the voices of Hestia and Demeter reached his ears, but they, too, could not be understood. He mindlessly walked as he was guided. He could hear the two of them ask him a question, of what, he didn't know. Jax just shook his head again.

They kept walking, more footsteps joining them. The scenery of the Stronghold blurred past him as he felt his feet shuffle, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Mordenna was muttering something, though if he was speaking to Jax or not... he didn't know. He didn't know anything anymore. He had thought he had everything cleanly understood. The explosion wracked his memory again and he could feel himself take in a shuddering breath. Mordenna moved his hand to his arm and squeezed.

Why. Cronus was his Father. Why would He sentence him to death? Why would He lie to him about what He had placed upon Him?

What would have happened if Mordenna had not seemingly spied the device's true intention?

Vaguely, he registered the blown-out remains of his foyer. He was led through the hole that was his front door, where the Skyranger was parked on the ground. Mordenna guided him inside and sat him down in one of the two seats closest to the cockpit. Though he stared straight ahead at his brother, Jax couldn't say he was looking at him. Something far, far beyond him, beyond this realm.

The latch closed. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hestia and Demeter in the seats beside them. Once again, they tried to speak to him, but he was lost to them.

The godlike hand of an Elder had sentenced Jax to death, and Jax wished he had died.