Twelve woke to see it hanging in the sky, radiant and awesome.

Eleven ejected the Tenth, for he was unworthy of witnessing it.

Nine waited, for this visitor-thing to react to their worship.

Eight enacted new rites and customs, to appease. Seven observed them.

Six cleaned the impurity from their ranks.

Five consumed, to gain new strength, as the visitor-thing waited patiently in the sky.

Four were true, and only Three survived that discovery.

Two knew what had to be done, to receive the attentions they craved.

One was left, the victor above all others.

None were visited again.

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