"At the same time, the Balance Keepers also reduce prosperous nations to smoldering smoke and shatter beautiful worlds into dust, paving the way for unforeseen disasters."
"Creation and destruction, nurturing and reaping—in our eyes, they are but different tools necessary to maintain a greater equilibrium. There is no eternal prosperity, just as there is no absolute stillness."
"Everything is in flux, everything is changing. And our duty is to ensure this change... does not spin out of control, does not slide into utter chaos or lifeless stasis."
Murphy listened quietly, then said:
"Enough with the cryptic talk. Tell me, Ironspine Duke—or should I say, 'Balance Keeper' Hakon Perik. What is your current objective? Here in Blackstone Fortress, in the Deep Red Wilderness, with me... what is it you're trying to do?"
Duke Hakon gazed into Murphy's unflinching eyes, the faint trace of a smile on his face finally vanishing, leaving only absolute calm.
