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As calculations rang true and mass showed its worth, the manufactory gazed once more upon the blue of the planet below.

Where a great white fog had risen to hide the body of All-Beauty, swept up by heat and motion, a second cloud was rising over the Ironhearts. It was grey and brown, a streak of taupe that carried with the wind and swept far over the ocean, and where the sound in the fog was rending metal, here there were only rumbles and cracks.

Djinni rose and roiled in the ash. Fire swarmed out, its kingdom wrecked; Air came to meet it, fearing invasion; Earth raised its hands, warning chaos; and Water swore vengeance for the pollution of its realm.

And in a shining Heaven, the change-eaters massed like sharks. It was time.

The great grub descended, its blasphemy complete, and spilled forth colour from its womb.

Unnatural light spilled into the ash. Gaudy and twisted, its tongues scorched the world, desiccating the planet they had been promised.

A thousand predators made ten thousand shapes, and the Sorority laid claim to its own.

Its voice was sweetest laughter.

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