Only a short time passed before the first two of the new arrivals to the conflagrant realm of the Charred Council made their choice.  In the wake of the resounding, bone-rattling rumble that was the Council's voice, there came a heavy and expectant silence.  More burdensome than this quiet, however, lay the truth accepted by Akoni and Wrath prior to their pronouncement of acceptance: that to save the world, and every human upon it, agency with the Charred Council will be the best bet.  After the courteous elder and the Nephilim of Heaven made their replies, the third great head spoke up, its voice calm, level, and reasonable compared to those of its fellows, though no less powerful.

[h3]"A wise decision, warriors.  You need not kneel before us, knowing that the oath has been writ on your hearts.  Panoptos.  Christen them."[/h3]

From his elevation the nine-eyed, ambiguous Watcher swooped down.  Compared to the rest, he appeared to be the most eminent and the most powerful, and his ever-shifting emerald gaze held no warmth.  Upon arrival, he reached down and dipped his finger into lava, and with the scalding digit traced a simple design across the foreheads of Wrath and Akoni, one after another.  For a moment it seared abominably, but afterward the blaze nearly disappeared. Now the brand merely glowed warmly, like the embrace of a tiny electric blanket.  [color=50C878]"Guess I owe you a welcome,"[/color] he murmured, his voice gravelly and grating, as he floating between them.  [color=50C878]"Did you not hear, halfbreed?  The Horsemen, by law, cannot set foot on earth before the destruction of the Seventh Seal.  If all goes to plan, you won't ever meet them.  You really don't want to, either.  Not very friendly to Nephilim, I hear."[/color]  He paused to examine Akoni, who appeared to be in some sort of pain.  [color=50C878]"Hey now, we want you standing a sporting chance.  Hold still"[/color]  A green light emanated from Panoptos' claws, wreathing Akoni's body and restoring it to a state not just recovered but rested.  [color=50C878]"There's a perk you can look forward to.  First time's free."[/color]  The First Watcher chortled under his breath.  [color=50C878]"Now stand aside, you two.  We have plenty more oaths to take."[/color]  Again that smothering silence took hold.