Teasha: So, what'd I tell you?

Kelsier: That you like writing cliffhangers?

Teasha: Close.

Kelsier: That you like torturing the audience.

Teasha: No.

Kelsier: That you like torturing ME.

Teasha: Try again.

Kelsier: That you don't own Mistborn or Death Note?

Teasha: There you go!

Kelsier: Wait, no! I was tricked, I tell you! She's EVIL!

Teasha: Pshaw, I already knew that. My sis tells me that all the time. Now enjoy, people of the world!

Recap:

"Sorry for the surprise," he said. "But I need to tell you something." This was not Marsh. "Something that not even Marsh knows yet."

Zara stared back. She tried to speak—to ask what was going on—but her voice got caught in her throat. The… thing… was facing her. She just couldn't speak.

"What is it?" someone finally asked, breaking the silence. Zara didn't bother to find the owner of the voice. It didn't matter who it was. The question was still the same.

Marsh—or whatever it was that was controlling him—started to speak, but kept his gaze focused on Zara, which was completely freaking her out, by the way. "Something you need to know," he said. "But first, my inquisitors must leave the room. Only untainted ears may hear this."

The three inquisitors, including Fellson, stood up and walked out of the room, by single file. Fellson went last, closing the door behind him.

"S-so?" asked Zara, finally regaining her voice. "What was it you wanted to say?"

"The forces of this world are not in agreement," said the—well, it looked like Marsh. "Marsh told you of how this world came to be, am I correct?"

Zara nodded. "Yes, but how did you—"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you know how the world came to be, for this is a continuation of the old. The future builds on the present and the present on the past, after all."

"Who are you?" asked Light. It sounded like a challenge.

"I guess I should have told you that right away," the… it said. "I am Sazed."

The room fell silent. Wasn't Sazed the man who became God in the story? Wasn't he the Hero of Ages? But if so, why would he take over Marsh to talk to them? And—what was going on?

"I see that that was quite a surprise for you," said Sazed. "But if you think about it, is it really that much of a surprise? Ruin could control the inquisitors, and I have Ruin's power, so why not me?"

"That's not what we meant," interrupted Light.

"Then what did you mean?"

"Why are you here?" asked Zara, quietly.

Marsh—or was it Sazed?—smiled. "Now, you see, I was going to tell you that before we got off track."

"TELL US!" shouted Beyond, from the table. He quickly got up to join Zara at her side.

"Okay, okay," Marsh's hands were held up in defense. "You see, lately I have had some… troubles… keeping the forces of Ruin and Preservation in check."

"Huh?"

"Over the years, the forces have repelled each other, and it seems to get stronger over the years. However, recently… they have been taking over."

L's mouth gaped open. "Taking over you?" he asked.

Sazed nodded. "Yes. They take over, and it's as if… as if I'd never done anything in the past hour. Or week. Or month. I don't even know what they're doing or planning. But I do know that they've been influencing the world in more ways than one." Sazed made Marsh shake his head. "I don't know how often I've had to tell Marsh to stop creating inquisitors, but they just keep coming back. Sometimes I'll realize that the last week has been a mystery to me. I just… cannot remember. And it scares me."

"But what could they be doing?" asked Zara.

"I don't know," Sazed sounded frustrated. "All I know is that both Ruin and Preservation keep pulling apart. It's like they're fighting me. They—they seem to be creating their own personalities, and I fear that that's what is happening in the gapes of my memory. I fear that… that they are controlling me; these opposites. And I know one thing: they want to be freed."

"Freed?" asked Beyond. "Freed how?"

"Separated from me and no longer controlled by me. With their own personalities."

"Wait, they can do that?" asked Matt.

"I don't know, but I wouldn't put it past them."

"So basically, we have to look out for signs of Ruin and Preservation, and tell you, am I right?" asked L.

"Correct, that would be quite beneficial," Sazed agreed. "But what would be even more helpful would be if you could not only spot those instances, but stop them as well. After all, you never know when the next time 'I' will appear is going to be."

"I see," said Zara, finally beginning to understand why such an important figure as Sazed would appear to them.

"Good," Sazed nodded. "Now that that's covered—"

Marsh froze again. It seemed like he was going to be returning to his old self. But just then, a large flash of light appeared, coming from Marsh.

Zara and the others had to look away to keep from being blinded. Zara covered her eyes and gritted her teeth in frustration. What was going on now?

Finally, the light died down. Zara uncovered her eyes and looked back to see Marsh again. Good, she thought. He's back to his old self now.

But then she noticed the other man in the room, sitting at Marsh's feet. He looked to be in his mid-thirties or forties, with a bald head. He wore some old, colorful garment with a V-neck vest. And he was looking up at Zara, eyes full of terror, trembling.

"Wh-what?" Zara whispered.

The man pushed himself up onto his feet easily, and that was when Zara realized that his arms had four large copper bracers on them—two for each arm. Also, his fingers were covered in glittery rings of different metals.

"Who are you?" Mello demanded.

"Oh dear," said the man. "I had hoped this wouldn't happen so soon, but it looks like it can't be avoided any longer."

"Huh?"

"It is me," said the man as he held out his hand. "Sazed."

"BUT—" started Light.

"It looks like they forced me out a bit sooner than expected. I had hoped to have more time before this happened, but it looks like it cannot be avoided any longer."

"You mean Ruin and Preservation—" L started, but was cut off.

"Yes," said Sazed. "They forced me out, and have now become their own personalities—their own selves again. I guess that that is how they were separated in the first place."

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" shouted Beyond.

Kelsier: WHAT'S GOING ON?

Teasha: Like I'd tell you.

Kelsier: But seriously Teasha-san! I NEED to know!

Teasha: Look, you'll just have to wait until the next chapter comes out, which can't be too far away from now, right?

Kelsier: WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME SO?

Teasha: It's fun, silly. Now review please!

Kelsier: And favorite if possible!