"Sophisticated parasites. They don't just randomly harvest the world, they cultivate it." She manipulated the orrery, zooming in on our world. "Every hundred years or so, they engineer a cycle. Choose a hero. Designate villains. Demons. Script major events. Then they sit back and collect the energy as the story plays out according to their design."
"Adrian is this cycle's hero."
"Correct. Chosen from birth. Enhanced with power beyond what should be natural. Given... guidance and major luck." The word dripped with contempt. "That voice in his head that he thinks is divine inspiration? That's Council manipulation feeding him information. Nudging his decisions. Making him believe he's destined for greatness."
My stomach churned even though I'd known this. Hearing it confirmed was different. "And the villains?"
