The rising tide of blood

Cottington leans forward on his stool, steepling his fingers. "Now, the Mystics tell of a series of 'shades' leading to the dark times. If they are to be believed, we have precious few left to pass."

Anlina inquires, "How do you tell what's a shade and what's an ordinary bad thing?"

Cottington nods to Anlina. "The shades are rather specific. For example, one shade tells of the return of the Eye. Eye Mordecai returned from his journey aboard the Harrower. Another speaks of the warrior's return. Grayback, a Demarian warrior, has emerged, seemingly, from the dead. Another speaks of an army of one face - this would tend to suggest the Legion, a group of reptiloid warriors loosed upon intruders in Washington, D.C. recently."

Volnarra says, "And the other shades?"

Cottington becomes rather grim. "The rising tide of blood. And the conquerors' victory." - Oswald Cottington IV, 1999, on the prophecies that led to his construction of Sanctuary.