The Hierarchy · Character
Vis
Also known as Vis Telimus
- Major
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 5
A lean athletic young man with a hardened physique developed through rigorous training, moving with controlled strength and grace. His back bears old scars from past abuse, usually kept hidden. He typically wears practical tunics and cloaks suited to academy life and travel.
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 5
- Books
- 1
Vis begins as a physically disciplined but emotionally guarded young man whose scars—both literal and figurative—mark a past of hardship and survival. Across the series, he evolves from a wary outsider navigating academy life into a pivotal figure whose controlled strength and hidden history become central to the unfolding power struggles of the Hierarchy. His journey transforms him from a reactive survivor into an active agent of change, balancing personal loyalty with the weight of larger political machinations.
Description
A lean athletic young man with a hardened physique developed through rigorous training, moving with controlled strength and grace. His back bears old scars from past abuse, usually kept hidden. He typically wears practical tunics and cloaks suited to academy life and travel.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Will of the Many
- Arrives at the academy with a hardened physique and a guarded demeanor, concealing old scars from past abuse.
- Navigates the rigorous training and social hierarchies of academy life while maintaining practical, unassuming attire.
- Begins to reveal controlled strength and grace in both physical and strategic challenges.
- Forms tentative connections with peers while keeping his true background and motivations hidden.
Key events
- Book 1
Ch. 1Vis's Sapper Immunity DiscoveryWhile escorting Quintus Ulciscor to interrogate prisoner Nateo, Vis touches a Sapper device—an act that should drain his Will—yet remains completely unharmed, revealing his unique immunity. - Book 1
Ch. 6Vis Adopted by House TelimusQuintus Ulciscor Telimus formally adopts Vis from the Letens orphanage, providing him with a new identity and sending him to the Catenan Academy as a spy. - Book 1
Ch. 7Transvect Attack and CrashThe Transvect carrying Ulciscor and Vis is attacked with a Will shell, crashes in the Tensian forest, leading to a confrontation with Anguis operatives including Sedotia. - Book 1
Ch. 10Ulciscor's Investigation of Caeror's DeathUlciscor reveals to Vis that his brother Caeror was killed at the Academy six years earlier, officially ruled a suicide but believed by Ulciscor to be murder orchestrated by Veridius Julii. - Book 1
Ch. 13Lanistia's Training RegimenLanistia Scipio subjects Vis to an intensive two-month training regimen including academic testing, physical sparring, and Labyrinth navigation beneath Villa Telimus. - Book 1
Ch. 19Vis Meets Estevan in the SewersVis meets Estevan (formerly Melior), his father's former advisor now leading the Anguis, who urges him to infiltrate the Hierarchy's power structure as a Domitor at the Academy. - Book 1
Ch. 20Naumachia MassacreEstevan Melior, leader of the Anguis, interrupts the naumachia spectacle by rising from the lake and unleashing a devastating invisible force that kills thousands in the Catenan Arena. - Book 1
Ch. 28Vis's Promotion Through ClassesVis rapidly advances through the Academy's class system, moving from Class Seven to Class Six, then Class Five through a duel with Ianix, Class Four, and finally Class Three by defeating Belli at Foundation. - Book 1
Ch. 33Vis Discovers Ancient RuinsVis sneaks out of the Academy at night to investigate ruins east of the campus, discovering an underground chamber with glowing Vetusian writing, schematics, and hundreds of eyeless corpses impaled on obsidian swords. - Book 1
Ch. 35Eidhin and Vis's AllianceAfter Vis confesses his discovery of the glowing ruins to Eidhin, the two form an unlikely alliance where Eidhin agrees to keep quiet in exchange for Cymrian language lessons. - Book 1
Ch. 37Relucia's True Identity RevealedDuring the Festival of the Ancestors at the Telimus family tomb, Vis discovers that Relucia—previously known as Sedotia the Anguis operative—is actually Ulciscor's wife and a double agent. - Book 1
Ch. 42Vis Saves the Alupi PupWhile racing to return to the Academy after investigating the ruins, Vis rescues an injured alupi pup trapped beneath a branch, naming it Diago and tending to its wounds. - Book 1
Ch. 46Vis Learns About Student DeathsCallidus reveals to Vis that Thirds and Fourths have been dying or disappearing at the Academy for years, with documented evidence suggesting they are being silenced by powerful interests. - Book 1
Ch. 52Vis Returns to SuusVis returns to his conquered homeland of Suus with his Academy classmates, confronting the desecration of his childhood home and reuniting with Fadrique, his father's former advisor. - Book 1
Ch. 55Emissa and Vis's RomanceDuring their time on Suus, Emissa and Vis develop a romantic relationship after Vis saves her from drowning in a riptide, culminating in their first kiss in a hidden cave. - Book 1
Ch. 55Vis's First Kiss with EmissaAfter Vis saves Emissa from a deadly riptide at the lagoon on Suus, they share their first kiss at dawn in a hidden cave, acknowledging their growing romantic feelings. - Book 1
Ch. 56Military's Secret Anguis CollaborationWhile eavesdropping on a secret Military summit on Suus, Vis learns that senators orchestrated the Anguis attack on the naumachia and are planning to supply them with weapons and a ship called Navisalus. - Book 1
Ch. 57Fadrique's Recognition of VisWhile exploring the secret tunnels beneath Suus Palace, Vis is recognized by Fadrique, his father's former advisor now serving the Hierarchy as a Sextus, leading to an emotional reunion. - Book 1
Ch. 59Callidus Blackmailed by BelliCallidus reveals to Vis that Belli Volenis has been blackmailing him with stolen Governance documents, threatening his family's ruin if he doesn't comply with her demands. - Book 1
Ch. 63Iudicium BeginsThe deadly Iudicium competition begins with Vis leading a team including Callidus and Aequa to locate and return the Heart of Jovan within three days. - Book 1
Ch. 64Aequa's Betrayal and RedemptionDuring the Iudicium, Aequa initially betrays Vis's team by joining Iro's group, but later returns with a plan to use Vis's medallion as a decoy and help them resume the competition. - Book 1
Ch. 72Emissa's BetrayalDuring the climax of the Iudicium, Emissa reveals her true allegiance by killing a Sextus Anguis soldier, then stabbing Vis and pushing him off the eastern tower when he refuses to surrender the Heart of Jovan. - Book 1
Ch. 74Vis Wins IudiciumDespite his injuries and the loss of his friend Callidus, Vis completes the Iudicium by placing the Heart of Jovan on the statue's chest, winning the competition. - Book 1
Ch. 74Vis Declines Religion's OfferAfter waking in the infirmary missing his left arm, Veridius Julii reveals Vis's blood is tainted from the Labyrinth and pressures him to join Religion, but Vis instead chooses to work for the Censor's office. - Book 1
Ch. 75Vis Discovers Parallel RealmsAfter being transported through the bronze blade circle in the crimson dome, Vis experiences translocation to Luceum and receives mysterious carved messages on his arm while being pursued by eyeless undead figures.
Gallery
Book 1: The Will of the Many
Appearances
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