This week, Anthony continues his conversation with Salio, asking him what he means by saying there will be Two.
"All things must be in balance, Traemin," Salio explains. "The One who will come will be able to dramaticly alter the balance of power. But a being of such importance, by its very nature, will create a vacuum that must be filled. The stronger the being, the stronger the balancing force."
Anthony considers that for a moment. "You're saying that no matter how powerful the Foretold One is, someone else just as strong will come to oppose him?"
"Correct."
Anthony argues that it makes little sense that not one but two would suddenly appear with such power just because of some kind of cosmic imbalance. After all, where was the "balance" when Ra came to power?
"When Ra returned to this plane," Salio explains, "he held his desitiny in his own hands. No agency guided his path."
"So, someone is guiding the path of the Foretold One?" Anthony asks. "So which is it? The forces of good or evil?"
"You know it is not that simple. But regardless, it is not Their doing. They do not guide the path of the One Foretold."
"Then who?"
"You should know. For this is his greatest instrument." Salio holds up the Book of Prophecy. He then explains that Naem'nuri's goals are unknown and that a Choice still remained. (shown) "It is known who will make this Choice. The Powers demand an Inquiry."
"An inquiry!" Anthony says, suprised. "Not since..."
"Yes," Salio agrees. "Not since then."
Anthony shakes his head. "What poor soul will be tried by your "gods?"
"In a way, that is why I've come to you."
Anthony takes a step back. "You don't mean...I'm not..."
"No, it's not you, Traemin," Salio assures him. "But you do have knowledge that will greatly aid me in my task."
Meanwhile, back at the Avian Capital, Adele is recovering from her injuries sustained in her battle with K'mael. (shown) Iradi is letter her and D'kan,
once again disguised as Adele's uncle, stay at her tower while Adele's own home is rebuilt. Iradi expresses concern for Adele's missing cousin and servant, but "Kiryn" assures her that they'll almost certainly turn up.
After Iradi leaves, Adele wakes and asks D'kan why she still hurt so much.
"The official story is that you were injured when your tower was damaged," D'kan tells her.
"And what's the truth?"
"I thought this might serve as the best way to teach a certain apprentice of mine to not pick fights with strange men."
"I did what I thought was right," Adele insists.
"You acted impulsively, and made a bad situation worse. Adele, I find no fault with your motives, but I had hoped I had taught you better than to rush into combat like that, especially against a virturally unknown, powerful individual. We practice sorcery. Direct physical combat is always a last resort."
"You took on Iradi fast enough," Adele replies, sullenly.
D'kan and Adele's conversation continues:
"The Lee girl was an annoyance, not an adversary," D'kan tells her. "If you weren't using such a great amount of my power, I wouldn't have had even the little trouble I did."
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm not placing blame. It's just...we both should have tried harder to control that situation."
Adele sees the pain in D'kan's face. "It isn't your fault, either."
"I suppose we both need to be more cautious in the future."
Meanwhile, Eliad and Phaithe have taken refuge at an Avian farming community (shown) to rest while deciding their next move.