If you spot an archon, run. That’s the informal rule we had all been taught as Luminaries. The Engagement Doctrine says as much, albeit in more convoluted language.

As a young Luminary, I never paid much attention to the Engagement Doctrine. Nor had I ever met an archon. I figured if I did, my first reaction would be to stand my ground and fight for the Light—Doctrine be damned—not run away like a scared wimp.

Heresies are common in our city. Mostly minor emanations—formless and misshapen—that breed and build nests in well-trafficked spaces, invisible to most city-folk. Whenever I rode the Metro Line from home to the Training Center, I would without fail spot a least one of the pests hitching a ride in my passenger car.

A recited Lorica or some stored-up Charism was enough to burn them out. If they were oppressing another passenger, I would quietly give that person Light even though they weren’t a Luminary. That was also against Doctrine, and I could see why. Every time I gave Light to a non-Luminary, the emanations nearby would hiss with anger, as if it were a personal affront. That only encouraged me to do it even more, if only to enrage them. It was a petty way of taking a stand against the spiritual forces that had established strongholds all throughout the city I loved.

I never imagined that doing so would put a target on my head. Or that it would endanger those I loved. I never thought they would send an archon after me.