The people in the hall chattered around him, sharing their exploits and fears, the relief they felt to be standing together in the room again. Juan stepped back, feeling more and more disconnected from the hubbub. He started looking around and realized his heart was racing.

It was Malachus, Juan realized, he needed to talk to Malachus. Something important needed to be discussed, though Juan couldn't put his finger on it. He excused himself from the group and made his way to the detention cells under the main hall.

Descending a metal staircase, Juan found a floor of metal barred cells drilled into the rock. Indigo guards nodded as he walked past them and approached the cell containing Malachus. The former dictator of Aeonis sat on a bunk behind bars, his head in his hands.

Juan cleared his throat and Malachus looked up. "Yes?" Malachus asked, standing with military bearing.

"I'm ... I'm Gemini," Juan introduced himself. "I have some questions for you."

"Gemini?" Answered Malachus, turning down the corners of his mouth. "The Pale Rider, Death? What questions do you have for me? If you're going to ask about my government and military activities, I have a right to have an attorney present."

"Nothing like that," said Juan, waving his hand. "Honestly I shouldn't be talking to you like this. But I see you and I see myself. You and I are about the same age, you're married to my colleague Pisces, we probably have a lot in common, between our lives and upbringing."

Malachus scoffed, then looked closer at Juan, furrowing his brow. "You do look a little like me," he admitted.

"I just have to know, what happened that turned you into the Mathmaster, the "burner of huts," the dictator who ruled Cuahalan with an iron fist?" Juan asked, the words escaping his lips before he could stop them.

"I was going to save the world!" Exclaimed Malachus. "First I was a soldier, then I took leadership positions, and the government asked for my opinion when they made decisions. My only motivation was to defeat the enemy, protect life, and help as many people as I could."

"That's what I try to do," said Juan, almost to himself.

"Situations come up," Malachus continued, becoming more animated. "I dealt with them, and found I was more effective if my soldiers and the people were a little afraid of me. Nothing crazy, just yelling sometimes, being dramatic. I'd get carried away."

"You have to kill people sometimes. You have to make an example. It's not because you hate anyone or you're evil, it's just the way things are, if you want to make a difference." Juan said, his eyes wide.

"Exactly!" Malachus laughed. "Finally someone who understands! I did what had to be done to accomplish my missions and defend life. Sure, things don't always work out right, but you can't make an omelet without cracking eggs, right?"

"I understand perfectly," said Juan. He thanked Malachus for his candor, and left the detention floor, returning to the meeting hall. Finding Oberon, Libra and Scorpio, he said breathlessly, "I have to leave. I just saw my future. I can't be a part of this anymore."