《Undying Empire (Vol. 3 Is Released!)》 A Change In Writing Schedule Due to life schedule changes, I will get straight to the point about the schedule and talk a bit later in the post. I know these posts can come with some dread. I hope you understand. o7 Monday: 1. Write The Oscillation. 2. Give The Oscillation to editors to edit through the night. Tuesday: 1. Go through TO edits made through the night & day. 2. Release The Oscillation in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. 3. Write Pokesync. 4. Give Pokesync to editors to edit through the night. Wednesday: 1. Go through Pokesync edits made through the night & day. 2. Release Pokesync in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). 3. Write A Tail''s Misfortune. 4. Give A Tail''s Misfortune to editors to edit through the night. Thursday: 1. Go through A Tail''s Misfortune edits made through the night & day. 2. Release A Tail''s Misfortune in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). 3. Write Undying Empire. 4. Give Undying Empire to editors to edit through the night. Friday: 1. Go through Undying Empire edits made through the night & day. 2. Release Undying Empire in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). 3. Do edits that need to be made that have been pointed out throughout the week by patrons/public readers. See the Patreon Message for further details ---> Here <--- B1 — 0. Humanitarian Aid Sucks! Elinor leaned back in her seat, wiping away the sweat that dripped down her brow. Her dark makeup had long since been rubbed away, adding fuel to her already irritated mind. An itch inside her ear made her growl, and she pulled out her left earbud to scratch it. This is just great, she internally grumbled. What a perfect vacation¡­ No air conditioning for two days in this hellhole. We couldn¡¯t wait one flippin¡¯ week to get a closer flight, and they still won¡¯t give me back my SIM card! She turned away from the window to her right to glare at her parents sitting next to her; both of their light-hazel eyes were centered on their phones with disinterest, taunting her as they swiped through some news channels. She knew her mom was beautiful, which was where she¡¯d gotten much of her looks, and currently, she had her thick black hair tied back into a ponytail and pulled over her shoulder. She wore a blue spaghetti-strap shirt, one of her black bra straps poking out from under the right side, and her dark-brown shorts and sandals went well with her tan. Driving out in the middle of a random dirt road in Colombia didn¡¯t fit her soft complexion, however. On the other hand, she could see her father fitting into the wilderness quite well. His thick, well-maintained hair was swept back to expose his forehead; the cream button-up shirt with flowers on it was a disguise because he was anything but chill, and his brown shorts that fell just past his knees was his staple comfort wear. Elinor could see why her mother had fallen for him. He was handsome in a rough sort of way with his toned muscles, but he was the most aggravating man in her entire life. Huffing out a drawn-out sigh, she glanced out of the bus window, looking at the small town they were coming up on; it seemed to just appear out of nowhere, an entire community in the jungle, and her frustration hit its peak. This is so dumb¡­ Do any buses in South America have air conditioning? The long vehicle was alight with several conversations, almost all of them boring. The majority of the passengers were on the bus to travel to C¨²cuta for the humanitarian aid efforts at the border of Colombia and Venezuela; they¡¯d had to take a detour because of backed-up traffic. They were pulling a small trailer full of goods that were supposed to go to the humanitarian gathering on some bridge her father had shown her; the downside being they had to move really slow with it on the dirt roads. She looked down at her phone, scowling at the thirty percent battery icon. Taking out her other wireless headphone, she stuffed both into her tight, black latex trousers and listened to the chatter for a minute. Running a hand through her raven locks, she directed a pointed groan in her parents¡¯ direction. ¡°It¡¯s so hot¡­ My mascara literally melted off! How long do we have to be here?¡± Tiffany shifted a little to smile at her, her mother¡¯s arm reaching around her shoulders to lean into a half-hug. ¡°I told you applying that much makeup in this heat was a bad idea, and bringing an entire wardrobe of goth clothes was basically suicide.¡± She looked down at her black tank top that revealed her stomach. It had a spine pattern cut down the back and a skeletal unicorn with flowers, vines, skulls, and candles in front of a full moon. Her boots had made her feet too hot, so she¡¯d kicked them off long ago. ¡°It¡¯s my look, though¡­¡± Edmon frowned as he leaned forward, her dad scrutinizing her appearance with the disapproving eye she hated. ¡°Right, like getting your friend to give you five black butterfly tattoos on your shoulder and a raven feather on your collarbone¡­ without our permission. You know that¡¯s illegal.¡± Elinor huffed, leaning back with a pout as she glared at the shops they passed. ¡°It¡¯s not just a raven feather¡­ Shows how much you know. It¡¯s a raven feather transforming into an unkindness! It¡¯s symbolic, something you wouldn¡¯t understand, and T thought it was cool. Mom promised you wouldn¡¯t press charges, too. It¡¯s my choice!¡± ¡°Tanner¡­¡± her dad snarled, nose twisting. Her mother put a hand on her dad¡¯s lap. ¡°C¡¯mon, Edmon, we both had our fair share of rebellious behavior. Remember our punk-rock phase?¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t get any damn tattoos,¡± he growled. ¡°It¡¯s not the end of the world, Dear,¡± her mom sighed, turning back to her. ¡°Elinor, honey, I understand why you thought you couldn¡¯t come to us about this, but you should before making these kinds of body-altering decisions.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± her dad grunted, glaring down at his phone. ¡°Why?¡± she huffed, pulling away a little from her mom. ¡°It¡¯s my body.¡± Her mother¡¯s lips pursed as she squeezed her father¡¯s leg. ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re still only sixteen¡ªyou¡¯re a minor, under our care¡ªand you go through phases during these years; you know we¡¯ve talked about this. You may be into gothic stuff now, but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ll like gothic stuff in ten years. I used to like dinosaurs and wanted to be an archeologist because of Jurassic Park, but I grew out of that. If I had a dinosaur tattoo, then I¡¯d die now.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even know¡­¡± Elinor muttered. ¡°You know what¡­ you¡¯re right,¡± her mother hummed, scratching the side of her scalp. ¡°We haven¡¯t asked you what they mean to you, but you can¡¯t blame us¡­ you¡¯ve been hiding them for weeks. Why did you get them; it wasn¡¯t just for that boy, right?¡± Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her pants, pressing her phone into her thighs. ¡°No! It¡¯s not like that!¡± She fumed. ¡°T¡¯s just cool, okay? Geez.¡± ¡°Just cool, then; got it,¡± her mother smirked in an annoyingly knowing way. ¡°So¡­ what do they mean?¡± she asked, pulling back her hair to look at the raven feather on her left collarbone. Brushing her hand away, Elinor covered it protectively as she looked at one of her boots. ¡°It¡­ Ugh. A flock of ravens is called ¡®unkindness,¡¯ but they¡¯re actually really kind toward each other¡ªlike a team¡­ friends. In mythology, they¡¯re protectors, even omens¡­ you know, don¡¯t make me mad because that¡¯s a bad omen.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± her mother smiled, and her dad rolled his eyes. ¡°What?¡± she defensively challenged. ¡°No, I like it! Continue,¡± her mother insisted. ¡°Humph. Yeah, whatever, Dad¡­ I wasn¡¯t talking to you anyway.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything,¡± he returned, mirroring her tone. ¡°Uh-huh¡­ Ugh,¡± she relented as her mother¡¯s hopeful smile blocked her view of him. ¡°Well, T told me that in Norse mythology, ravens were like divine messengers, and even some believe they¡¯re exorcised spirits and evil¡ªthat¡¯s pretty cool, too. The bible even has a raven that went and found land for Noah¡ªI don¡¯t think it found it, but whatever¡­ so, yeah, not all bad. In Buddhism, they¡¯re like¡­ holy birds.¡± ¡°Are you a Buddhist or Catholic goth now?¡± her dad groaned. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s just cool,¡± she grunted, pursing her lips into a pout. ¡°Edmon, let her explain,¡± her mother pleaded. ¡°Tiffany, I just¡ªfine,¡± he breathed out heavily, throwing up his arms. ¡°Tell us all about your tattoos.¡± Elinor sniffed. ¡°Whatever¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Tiffany moaned. ¡°Honey, please, I want to understand. Tell me about it,¡± she reached back around, pulling her into a hug. She closed her eyes, breathing in the lavender fragrance of her mother¡¯s hair, and her anger started to dissipate as she hugged her mother back with a groan. ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°Victory,¡± her mother cheered, making her chuckle as she pulled back and waited patiently for her to continue. ¡°So,¡± Elinor paused, collecting her thoughts. ¡°I mean, T told me all these amazing stories; he showed me all these awesome sketches of the tattoos he¡¯d been working on, and these ones I liked the most,¡± she mumbled, playing with the fake Onix ring on her middle finger. ¡°He first did the butterflies¡­ they¡¯re really my favorite.¡± ¡°Ahh, okay. Did he also get you those black stone earrings I¡¯ve seen you wear the past couple of weeks?¡± Elinor swallowed, feet twisting nervously as she rubbed her phone. ¡°You, umm, you noticed?¡± ¡°Wait¡ªwhat earrings?¡± Edmon whispered, leaning forward to look at her ears and hands. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any new earrings. Tanner gave you jewelry?¡± ¡°Of course I noticed; I¡¯m your mother. I haven¡¯t been able to get a good look at them, though; you¡¯ve been avoiding me recently¡­ probably because of the tattoos.¡± ¡°They were a gift for my first tat,¡± she muttered. Tiffany rubbed her leg comfortingly. ¡°I bet they were; can I see them?¡± ¡°I¡ªthey¡¯re in my bag,¡± she stammered. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to lose them on the ride¡­ No, Dad¡­¡± she groaned as he pocketed his phone and got up to take her bag out of the overhead compartment. Her mother chuckled. ¡°Honey, it¡¯s fine. I think it¡¯s sweet that he gave you a gift.¡± ¡°Unless you know what goes on in a boy¡¯s mind,¡± her dad muttered. Elinor rolled her eyes. ¡°Video games and food? Terrifying, Dad.¡± Sitting back down with her black leather shoulder bag, he examined it with a frown; it had the appearance of a grimoire with a pentagram on the front and ¡®Book of Spirits¡¯ written across the cover. ¡°Which pocket is it in?¡± Her mother reached over and took the bag from him, making Elinor breathe out a sigh of relief. ¡°Let her show us, dear; this is important to her.¡± Edmon rubbed his eyes with a low moan. ¡°I know¡­ I know I¡¯m like¡­ the super overprotective dad right now, but you have no idea what goes through guys¡¯ minds at that age, and it¡¯s a lot more than video games and food. Now he¡¯s giving her jewelry? He¡¯s eighteen, and she¡¯s still a minor.¡± ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± Elinor whispered, hugging her bag protectively while trying to ignore her dad¡¯s unreasonable attitude and archaic position. Taking a deep breath, she undid the latches and opened the flap before unbuttoning one of the small inner pockets and taking out the velvet bag carrying her earrings. Tiffany¡¯s breath seemed to lock in her chest, and a lump fell down her throat as Elinor opened it and dropped the jewelry into her palm; her dad leaned closer to get a better look. ¡°Honey¡­ can I see those for a moment?¡± her mother whispered. Feeling a little unsure about their reactions, Elinor reluctantly gave one up. Her mother lifted the earring up to inspect it with her father. ¡°This is¡­ beautiful,¡± her mother muttered. ¡°I knew it¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s really pretty,¡± Elinor agreed, ¡°but it¡¯s not real or anything. It¡¯s just a fake; T said he found a box with them inside when he was taking diving lessons with his family in Hawaii.¡± Tiffany twisted it around, carefully studying the piece. ¡°Basket-stud earrings¡ªa four-prong setting¡ªand look at the way it catches the light¡­ It¡¯s probably five to six carats each... round black diamonds¡ªthey don¡¯t look or feel fake. If they are black diamonds, then the metal is probably black gold and something this size¡­ 14k, no doubt. If these are real¡­ they¡¯d be, like¡­ fifteen to twenty thousand dollars, potentially more.¡± Elinor mouthed her mother¡¯s estimate in bewilderment. ¡°Wait? No! No way! T works at a tattoo shop¡­ they¡¯re just fake earrings he found in the ocean.¡± Her father shook his head with a serious expression. ¡°No, if his story is true, and it wasn¡¯t a lie, then those earrings were probably accidentally dropped by a couple on a trip or honeymoon.¡± Her skin bristled. ¡°No! T¡¯s not a liar!¡± she shouted, drawing other passengers¡¯ attention. ¡°He found them in the ocean and gave them to me as a gift for my first tat!¡± ¡°Shh¡ªsettle down,¡± her mother said, forcing a chuckle and pursing her lips as she looked back down at the earring, clearly not wanting to make a scene. ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to get them appraised to be sure, but¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure this is the real thing, Honey. If that¡¯s true, we might have to see if there¡¯s any way to track down the owner and return it.¡± ¡°They¡¯re mine, though,¡± Elinor huffed, snatching it out of her mother¡¯s hand. ¡°T gave them to me!¡± She pressed up against the window, clutching the earrings against her chest protectively. Tiffany held up her hand as her father¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Honey, think about the woman who owned those before Tanner found it; the memories they hold for her. Think about how happy she¡¯d be if they were returned to her. How would you feel if something extremely important to you was lost?¡± Elinor¡¯s lips fell into a deep frown. ¡°I¡ªI know, but¡­ they¡¯re T¡¯s first gift to me¡­¡± Her mother breathed a deep sigh, and after a moment, she smiled. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s discuss this then. If we can find the owner, then it would be the right thing to do to return them; just like how that nice boy returned your shoulder bag to you when you lost it on our European trip last year. Am I right?¡± She looked down at her hand, fingers rubbing against the cool metal pieces. ¡°I guess¡­ it would be the right thing to do.¡± ¡°If Tanner did find them, then the owners would probably want to thank him themselves. As I said, if those are the real things, then returning them would hold real value to the couple that lost them; I know I¡¯d be beside myself if I lost my engagement ring or something important your father gave me.¡± ¡°So,¡± Elinor hummed. ¡°If they are real¡ªa big if¡­ then we¡¯ll try and find the real owners, and if we can¡¯t¡­ then I get to keep them?¡± ¡°Of course, Honey,¡± her mother soothed, speaking before her father could interject. ¡°I know it¡¯s important to you, but, umm, this doesn¡¯t mean anything more than a friendly gift, right?¡± she asked, her eyebrow lifted as she studied her reaction. ¡°What? No¡ªnot at all,¡± Elinor blustered. ¡°I¡¯m too young to get married or anything like that¡­¡± she muttered, but her heart fluttered at the prospect. Could this be a subtle hint by T? No¡­ he¡¯s too cool. If he wanted to date me, then he¡¯d say it, no problem. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s into younger girls anyways. He did break up with Tonya last year, though¡­ he didn¡¯t date all of senior year, either, and since graduating, he hasn¡¯t been seeing anyone¡­ ¡°What¡¯s with that look on your face?¡± her mom hummed. Her eyes shot open. ¡°What look? I¡¯m just¡ªI¡¯m happy I get to keep them because¡­ Because there¡¯s no way they¡¯re real!¡± ¡°Mmhm,¡± her mother said with a small smirk. Her dad grunted as he sat back in his chair, closing his eyes and folding his arms. ¡°You¡¯re sixteen¡­ you have to get through high school and college before thinking about marriage.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± her mother shoved him mischievously. ¡°You were working two jobs and living out of your mother¡¯s basement when you proposed to me. If I remember correctly, you were twenty, and I was nineteen, right?¡± Stolen novel; please report. He coughed, clearing his throat. ¡°Yeah, well¡­ it¡¯s a different age.¡± Her mother giggled, turning back to her. ¡°Hey, as long as you wait until you¡¯re at least eighteen¡ªpreferably twenty¡ªthen you have my full support¡­ as long as he¡¯s a decent guy. ¡°Yeah, okay¡­¡± Elinor smiled, looking down at her earrings with her ears still burning. There¡¯s no way they¡¯re real¡­ but what if they are? ¡°Wait,¡± Tiffany smirked. ¡°You haven¡¯t even gone on any dates since turning sixteen, have you? Even though we said it was fine when you were fifteen.¡± Elinor¡¯s mind froze. ¡°Mom¡­ I don¡¯t want to talk about it!¡± she snapped, doing her best to turn away from her. Her mother just giggled. She¡¯s so¡­ ¡°Grrh.¡± ¡°Anyways,¡± her mother settled back into her seat, pulling out her phone. ¡°We¡¯ll be staying in a hotel in this town tonight. Unfortunately, the original one we were supposed to stay at wouldn¡¯t return our money,¡± she hummed irritably. ¡°Anyways, tomorrow we should reach C¨²cuta.¡± ¡°Finally,¡± Elinor moaned. Figuring her dad would snatch her earrings up while she wasn¡¯t looking, she slid them into the pocket with her headphones for safekeeping. ¡°So¡­¡± her mom trailed off. ¡°So¡ªwhat?¡± ¡°You were telling me what your tattoos meant.¡± ¡°You still want to hear it?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± she shifted to face her with a sincere smile. ¡°Well¡ªokay¡­ umm, which do you want to know about?¡± ¡°You said the butterflies were your favorite, right?¡± She nodded. ¡°Yeah, I love black butterflies.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± her mother glared at the seat in front of her, deep in thought. ¡°You liked butterflies and fairies around the same time when you were eight¡­ what¡¯s different about black butterflies that separates them from the rest?¡± ¡°Something edgy¡ªlike death¡ªright?¡± her dad asked, looking at something on his phone. Elinor rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve got me, Dad; this is all some mask to hide my suicidal desires!¡± Her mother huffed, lightly slapping his knee with her left hand. ¡°C¡¯mon, Edmon; you know I used to wear that stuff too.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Elinor shifted to face her mother, blindsided by the news. ¡°You did?¡± ¡°Yeah, it was a short phase,¡± her mother smiled softly with a slight shrug. ¡°I had a friend in Junior High that was a goth. Your grandparents had to move us, though, so I didn¡¯t get to know her that well.¡± Her dad scratched his left eyebrow. ¡°I know, Tiff, but does she have to wear the belly shirts? You really have no clue what guys think about when they see a girl¡¯s belly¡­ young and old.¡± ¡°Yes, the male mind is a dismal sphere,¡± her mother grunted. ¡°She also needs to have the space to express herself, and if she¡¯s going through a goth phase, then what¡¯s the harm?¡± ¡°But, Mom¡­ it¡¯s not a phase.¡± She giggled. ¡°Honey, you¡¯re sixteen¡ªeverything¡¯s a phase.¡± ¡°Okay¡ªokay,¡± her dad groaned, rubbing his shoulder. ¡°This is bad for my blood pressure¡­ as long as it¡¯s not anything worse.¡± ¡°Oh, and what¡¯s worse?¡± Elinor hummed, eyebrow-raising as she challenged her father. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the butterflies,¡± her mother redirected, smile turning forced. ¡°Fine¡­ so, black butterflies can mean transition, rebirth, and renewal. It can also mean death, Dad, but it can be, like, the death of a relationship, idea, or topic¡ªyou know, darkness before the dawn type of stuff. ¡°In Irish legends, they say black butterflies are the souls of the deceased, unable or unwilling to move on to the afterlife. It can also be linked with witchcraft,¡± she giggled. ¡°A witch that transformed into a black butterfly to steal your food. Oh, there¡¯s the Aztec myth of a goddess that can change into a black butterfly to devour the souls of people during eclipses! That one¡¯s kinda cool.¡± ¡°What about some positive things?¡± her mother questioned, folding her legs. ¡°Umm, well, they can symbolize freedom and the death of misfortune, but¡­ let me think. Okay, it¡¯s like this¡­ the butterfly itself is a symbol of death, rebirth, and transformation; while in its cocoon, the caterpillar seems to die but soon lives again as a butterfly.¡± She began counting on her fingers as she tried remembering everything she¡¯d read. ¡°The color black is linked with power, authority, mystery, sophistication¡ªI don¡¯t completely know if that¡¯s a word, though¡ªelegance, anger, fear, evil, sadness, death, mourning, remorse, and even the unknown! The black butterfly itself symbolizes new life from an old one¡ªthe new, strong, but subtle life after a period of transformation.¡± ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so much,¡± her mother said with a bright smile. ¡°It seems like you really have taken a liking to butterflies. Transformation, eh? I like it, but can you please promise me that you¡¯ll talk to us before you get a tattoo next time?¡± ¡°Ugh, still on about that?¡± Elinor grumbled, cheer dampening. ¡°Please?¡± her mother pleaded. ¡°Fine¡­ okay¡ªI won¡¯t get a new one for a while anyway¡­ The raven one hurt¡ªa lot¡­ I even cried in front of T,¡± she whispered, feeling shame run down her spine. ¡°Hey,¡± her mother pulled her in again. ¡°You¡¯re a girl, okay? No guy¡¯s going to blame you for crying.¡± ¡°Yeah, but¡­ it¡¯s not cool.¡± Their attention moved to the front of the bus as the driver pulled into a hotel. ¡°Alright, folks,¡± he said in English¡ªdespite a robust Colombian accent¡ªas he surveyed them. ¡°There are a few restaurants nearby if you get hungry. Be careful about what you bring with you; there¡¯s been a lot of pick-pockets in this town lately.¡± A woman wearing a white dress lifted her hand, speaking before the driver could acknowledge her question. ¡°Umm, are there any souvenir shops around? And what¡¯s with that giant crystal in the middle of the parking lot?¡± Elinor rose a little bit in her seat to follow everyone else¡¯s gaze to a sectioned-off area in the hotel they were staying at, and a police car was parked in front of the giant, conal sapphire; it was at least the size of the trees she¡¯d seen through the jungle¡ª15-meters-tall¡ªand almost looked ethereal. ¡°I have no idea about the, uh, crystal¡­ I¡¯ll ask around, but perhaps it would be a good photo for social media! As to souvenirs, yes, down the street to the left of the hotel; just turn right at the second street, and you¡¯ll find some shops.¡± ¡°Wonderful,¡± she beamed, turning to whisper to a friend. ¡°It almost looks like an illusion, don¡¯t you think?¡± A chubby man with a large, brown beard spoke up next. ¡°Uh. What time are we heading to C¨²cuta? Is there any more news about the border?¡± ¡°Nothing from the other drivers. We¡¯ll be leaving at eight in the morning, so set your alarms. We leave at eight sharp, so don¡¯t miss it, or you be left without a bus.¡± Elinor groaned as she got to her feet, stretching out her legs and lower back before wiping away the sweat on her brow again and staring at her wet fingers with a deep frown. She put the crystal in the back of her mind; it was probably some stunt to get them to pay more money. This sucks. She picked up her phone that had slid to the back of her seat and put it in her bag. Glancing at her mom, stretching beside her, she pursed her lips. ¡°Mom, I heard someone say the Venezuelan National Guard is keeping everyone out and not allowing people to help¡­ So, why are we even going?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more complicated than that,¡± her dad said, but his tone was tired as he glared at the crystal before pulling down his luggage. ¡°Venezuela is going through a really tough time, and we have the means to help out a bit.¡± ¡°The means to help out?¡± she huffed. ¡°We drove, like¡ªlike, days to get here¡­ I see homeless people all the time back home in Cali¡­ poop on the streets. Why don¡¯t we help those people instead of leaving the USA to come to this hellhole.¡± ¡°Language,¡± her father frowned. Sighing, she pressed against her mom¡¯s right arm before brushing her bangs back. ¡°I¡¯m just saying¡­ How long are we going to be here? They don¡¯t even want help.¡± Tiffany squeezed her shoulder. ¡°You have Venezuelan blood in you, honey. Your grandma immigrated to the USA, and we were able to live the American Dream. Now we need to give some back.¡± ¡°Mom¡­ you¡¯re French, and Dad moved away from Venezuela to the USA when he was a teen for a reason, so why are we even going near the place; we don¡¯t even talk to Uncle Cristian anymore.¡± ¡°See,¡± her dad said, pointing outside at the small town and hotel. ¡°This is why getting out of the country is good for you; you live in the safest country in the world with the most opportunities to succeed. The Venezuelans are starving; they¡¯re literally breaking into zoos to kill and eat animals.¡± ¡°Safest¡­ right, Dad,¡± Elinor pouted, sinking back against the wall as she rolled her eyes. ¡°Some random crystal attraction in the parking lot. Wooh, amazing. And yeah, they must be starving if they won¡¯t allow any food in.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because of that dictator!¡± her dad seethed. ¡°Dear,¡± her mom soothingly rubbed his chest. ¡°She¡¯s a teenager in all black, burning up, and forced to join her parents on a humanitarian mission¡­ What teen would want to be with her parents for something like this? Also, see if you can discover anything about that weird crystal.¡± ¡°See, Mom gets it,¡± Elinor fumed. Digging out her headphones, she put them in and turned on the music she¡¯d downloaded off her Itunes account; she¡¯d created a few playlists for the trip and turned on The Cure, The Sisters of Mercy, Aviators, and Siouxsie and the Banshees playlist before zoning out her parent¡¯s discussion. Exiting the bus in seat order, Elinor put her handbag over her shoulder and did her best to follow her parents as she lugged her suitcase ahead of her, using her feet to force it along the aisle. She grunted as she dropped the bag down the last step of the bus, huffing and puffing. Man¡­ maybe I should work out a little like Mom¡­ I¡¯m freaking weak! Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have stopped cheer and gymnastics. Pulling up the lever to her bag, she wheeled it after her parents; they seemed to be talking about something serious¡ªpossibly the unusual crystal¡ªbecause they had that look on their faces that they usually had when discussing bills. She tried her best to ignore it and listened to her music. Her earrings started digging into her thigh¡ªsqueezed by her tight pants¡ªso she shifted them in her pocket, trying to find a good position. Walking into the hotel lobby, she and her mother waited by the couches as her father went to check in. Elinor leaned up against the wall, closing her eyes and pressing her head against the cool sheetrock, tracing the outline of the earrings in her pocket as she did so. Does this mean T wants to date me, and I was just too dense to realize it? I mean, it was earrings, but it¡¯s not like he like-likes me¡­ C¡¯mon, be real! Of course, he doesn¡¯t love me¡­ I¡¯m just his friend. He just thought these earrings would fit my look, and if it¡¯s expensive, it¡¯s not like he bought it¡­ That¡¯d be stupid. She lightly hit her head against the wall a few times, letting go of a low moan. Why can¡¯t I stop thinking about it, then? Her lips pursed as someone nudged her; opening her eyes, she glanced right at her mother¡¯s soft smile. She groaned as her mother pointed at her right ear, so she took it out. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Is it really that bad?¡± ¡°What, this trip? Yeah, it sucks. Why¡ªcan I go home?¡± Tiffany¡¯s mouth pursed as she shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, My Little Vampire; we checked you out of school for the entire week¡­ This can be fun if you just let it.¡± ¡°Fun,¡± Elinor rolled her eyes. ¡°I love being stuck on a bus with a ton of sweaty, smelly old people¡­ It¡¯s been a blast. Why would I want to be back home, where there¡¯s AC, friends, and oh, I don¡¯t know¡­ good food?¡± ¡°The food hasn¡¯t been, eh¡­ terrible.¡± ¡°No? Heh. Dad was in the toilet all yesterday.¡± She looked over at her dad; he was impatiently tapping his foot as he waited in line behind a few people that got ahead of them. ¡°He was like this in Europe, too¡­ Why does he want to leave home if he has such a weak stomach?¡± ¡°It¡¯s for¡ª¡± her mother started to say before Elinor cut her off irritably. ¡°Yeah, I know¡­ for the humanitarian garbage. I get it. It just sucks¡­¡± Her mother hummed. ¡°Is this about something else? You knew we¡¯d take away your SIM card when you got that tattoo and didn¡¯t consult us, and I¡¯m not saying that it¡¯s bad, okay.¡± Tiffany sighed at her sour expression. ¡°I wanted to get a tattoo once¡ªback when I was twenty-two¡ªbut I decided not to after seeing what it looked like when you get old and wrinkled.¡± ¡°Old and wrinkled?¡± Elinor chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll just die young.¡± ¡°No, honey¡­ you can¡¯t do that to us,¡± her mother pleaded with a worried expression. ¡°Geez, Mom,¡± she rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about suicide¡­ I just don¡¯t think I¡¯ll live that long after my thirties. You know¡­ a car crash or something.¡± Her mother shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t make decisions based on the dream of living young¡­ If your dad did that, then we¡¯d be broke and on the streets, and you wouldn¡¯t even have a cell phone to be angry about losing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just the cellphone, Mom,¡± she whispered spitefully. Tiffany scratched her scalp. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll bite. What is it, then?¡± Elinor scratched her arm, feeling the light sweat under her armpits with dissatisfaction. ¡°I just¡ªit¡¯s complicated, okay.¡± She looked down at her boots, shifting her toes. ¡°Katie said she couldn¡¯t hang out with me anymore.¡± ¡°What¡ªwhy?¡± her mother asked, scooting a little closer. ¡°You¡¯ve been friends since fourth grade.¡± ¡°Yeah, well¡ªI¡¯m just not cool enough for her¡­ not anymore, I guess,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Is this about your decision to quit gymnastics and cheerleading last year?¡± ¡°Maybe. Being a goth and a cheerleader apparently don¡¯t mix well¡­ She also doesn¡¯t like my tattoos.¡± Her emotions started to spike as a tear fell down her cheek. ¡°I showed her first¡­ I thought she¡¯d like it, too; I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± her mother sighed, pulling her in. ¡°Friendships can be mended. Maybe we can have her over for a movie night or something and try to smooth it over; I won¡¯t even join in¡­ Well, not that much,¡± she giggled. Fighting to regain control of her eyes, Elinor sniffed back her tears. ¡°Thanks, Mom¡­ I didn¡¯t think these tats would cause so much trouble. It¡¯s just, like, I don¡¯t know, the black butterflies just brought me misfortune.¡± ¡°No,¡± Tiffany soothed, pulling back her hair to look at the butterflies on the back of her right shoulder. ¡°They¡¯re beautiful; Tanner is a great artist. Even though he shouldn¡¯t have done it without our permission¡ªhe is a great artist. This one almost seems like it¡¯s alive,¡± she whispered, poking the top right one. ¡°Hey, stop it,¡± Elinor smiled, swallowing the built-up saliva in her mouth and turning to hug her. ¡°Thanks for being there for me, Mom.¡± She gently returned the embrace. ¡°Of course, honey; I¡¯ll always be in your corner. So, consult me next time?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ If it¡¯s just us.¡± ¡°Promise!¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± After a minute, she pulled away, blushing as a few people gave them compassionate looks. She quickly put her headphones back in, hugging herself as she pressed up against the wall. Her mother seemed to giggle softly but closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall next to her. After a while, her dad came back and guided them to their room. It was all the way to the right of the building¡ªon the first floor. It looked extremely cheap: the walls were cream-colored, and the carpet was stained with a few brown spots, but the place seemed mostly clean. On further inspection, there was a small bathroom with a shower at the back, the two beds were singles, and there wasn¡¯t even a TV. It was extremely bare and poor compared to the hotels she¡¯d stayed at in the past. ¡°Your mother and I will take the bed closest to the door,¡± her dad said with a quick study of the room. ¡°The owner had a lot of weird things to say about that crystal.¡± ¡°Are you serious?¡± Elinor dully mumbled, more interested in the shabby room. Her mother¡¯s smile became strained. ¡°I know it¡¯s not the most luxurious hotel we¡¯ve stayed in, but it¡¯ll do what we need; we¡¯re only here for a night, anyway. The driver needs to check the bus before we drive all day tomorrow. What was that about the crystal, Dear?¡± ¡°All day!¡± she groaned. Trudging over to the bed, she sank into it face-first. ¡°Will it have AC this time?¡± Her dad mirrored her sigh as he sat down on his chosen bed. ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t think so. Maybe I¡¯ll go buy a portable fan for us; today was¡­ pretty bad. Umm. I don¡¯t know; they were saying it just appeared last week one night like a ghost¡­ and people think it¡¯s a bad omen.¡± Tiffany sat beside him, patting his knee. ¡°Eh-heh. Right. Anyways, that¡¯d be nice,¡± she chuckled and looked over at the slide-out window air conditioning and heating unit. ¡°At least we can make it a little cooler in here.¡± She got up to mess with the unit as her dad began unpacking some of their hotel items. Elinor rolled to her back, brushing her hair out of the way. ¡°We¡¯re only going to stay in that bridge town for two days max, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± her mother sighed with relief as the unit flipped on, supplying the room with a chilled breeze. ¡°We¡¯ll only be there for two days at the most. It might only be one, depending on how things turn out.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Elinor groaned as she stretched out. ¡°What are we going to do for food; are we going to try some new stuff, like yesterday?¡± ¡°No¡­ No, we are not,¡± her dad grimaced, shaking his head. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to go look for something familiar. That last thing we ate¡ªwhatever it was¡ªI¡¯m done with trying new things here¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that¡­ It smelled as bad as it tasted.¡± Her mother came over and sat next to her. ¡°You can unpack and freshen up while your father and I go grab something to eat. Just make sure to keep the door locked; we have a key to get inside.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me that; this place is sketchy,¡± she said, closing her eyes. ¡°Well,¡± her dad grunted. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go look for something before everyone on the bus clogs up the lines?¡± Her mother got up, stretching her arms. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll be back in a bit.¡± ¡°Please bring back something edible this time,¡± Elinor pleaded, stomach growling with the thought of food. ¡°We¡¯ll see what we can find,¡± her mother said, adding a hat before following her dad out the door. She heard both locks click; staring at the door for several seconds, she groaned, scratching the back of her sweaty neck. The room was beginning to cool down, but it would be a while before it was comfortable. Taking her purse to the bathroom, she shut it and cleaned herself up, changing her tampon while she was at it. How can a place be so hot and humid? I thought Cali was bad in the summer, but being without any air conditioning for days on end¡­ this place is literal hell. It rains like twice a day, and then it all turns to steam and boils you! Finished washing her face and tasting a bit of the nasty water, she looked up at her reflection in the surprisingly clean mirror. Her light-hazel eyes slowly moved down her features. Her body had filled out well this year; she was blessed by her mother¡¯s good genetics, not to mention the aunts she¡¯d met on her father¡¯s side were pretty. She knew she was beautiful, at least an eight, from the whispered talk she¡¯d heard from boys, but they didn¡¯t interest her. They were all too immature; she liked to hang out with the cool older guys. She¡¯d slowly grown more distant from her female friends as they¡¯d gotten boyfriends and moved on to different cliques. She didn¡¯t really hang out with the goth crowd because they all still saw her as the preppy middle school cheerleader, so her circle of friends kept dwindling. She told herself that it didn¡¯t bug her, but it did. Truth was, she liked hanging out and being in a crowd, but she also didn¡¯t feel comfortable with the cheerleaders anymore. A moan reverberated in her throat as she let her forehead fall against the mirror. ¡°My life¡¯s a mess.¡± Walking out of the bathroom with her bag, she dropped it on the bed, noticing the light bleeding through the curtains was dwindling as the sun continued to dip below the horizon. Sighing, she fell beside her bag and flipped to her back, brushing her ponytail out of the way before staring up at the ceiling. Fatigue suddenly struck her mind. What could make this day worse? I just hope Mom and Dad come back soon. Getting up, she dressed in her nightwear, a blue silk shirt, and soft black trunks. She debated putting her earrings in her bag, but still didn¡¯t trust her parents wouldn¡¯t take them, so she put the velvet bag that carried them inside one of her shorts¡¯ small pockets. I¡¯ll just catch a short nap before they come back with dinner. Getting into bed, she closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Elinor tensed as something sharp pricked her arm; she jerked awake, eyes shooting open, but everything was a blur. Her mind was fuzzy as she looked around, but she couldn¡¯t find any light. There was some kind of soft shuffling next to her, but her thoughts grew duller by the second, and her senses soon washed out. B1 — 1. Dying, Now With Butter!! Elinor¡¯s mind snapped into focus, but something felt off. The sensation of a chain snapping steadied her thumping heart, and an oscillation pulsated within her entire soul, dredging out something deep within her. Breathing in and out at an even tempo, she opened her eyes to a pure white space surrounded by darkness. Pushing herself up, her unsteady gaze settled on a radiant blonde-haired figure¡ªpractically a goddess by her illumination¡ªwho sat on an opulent throne not too far away, staring right back at her; the strange part, it was herself, and she was hurt. Elinor scrambled back, freezing as she came to the edge of the endless abyss. Her divine twin¡¯s feminine voice brought Elinor out of her revere as the goddess¡¯ focus turned from her to the gashes marring her pristine skin and simple, slim-fitted white dress. ¡°Good morning, princess,¡± she said in a mocking way, examining the droplets of shimmering ivory blood that was brighter than the platform they were on; a small pool was forming underneath her seat. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t this an unusual way to wake up, wouldn¡¯t you agree, my less attractive doppelganger?¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Her mind catching up, she ignored the damage to her twin¡¯s body and hastily looked around to orient herself. ¡°Who are you¡­ and why do you have my face?!¡± Only darkness encompassed the large alabaster pillar they were on, and a hot pressure erupted in Elinor¡¯s chest, making her wince at the intense pain. Although, oddly, it didn¡¯t impair her mind or cause her to panic; it was as if she were experiencing it secondhand. Her gaze fixated on the blonde in front of her; somehow, it felt like she had known this annoying girl for an eternity, but she certainly hadn''t; it was the most surreal feeling she¡¯d ever had. Doing a quick check, she couldn¡¯t find any damage to her own simple, slim-fitted black dress or cuts in her skin; the changed clothes were a red flag, and the fact her double was in white, and she black, instinctively made Elinor feel a certain way. Her twin didn¡¯t seem all that perturbed by their unnatural meeting by her casual shrug. ¡°Hmm. Only stating the facts,¡± the blonde crisply said, leaning back and crossing her legs to run her perfect fingernails along a break in her dress and skin, mouth creasing with mild agitation. ¡°My question would be, why am I in such a poor condition? As to who I am? That¡­ is a wonderful question, which, to my utmost frustration, I do not have the answer to.¡± Elinor kept the savaged goddess in her sight; even while cut and bleeding, she held an elegant poise as if it came naturally to her. It budded something within Elinor; gradually, she came to the conclusion that this unusual ¡®doppelganger¡¯ with this void-surrounded area had to be a dream. Her thumping heart eased as she slowly rose to her feet, foggy mind reflecting on the last things she remembered. ¡°Uh-huh¡­ You don¡¯t know who you are? Heh. Okay, I¡¯m dreaming. Maybe I should have drank a bit more water; the heat in that bus really must have gotten to me.¡± Her twin grimaced. ¡°Eesh. I certainly hope I am not a dream. Although, maybe it would be better that way, considering my state. Haaa,¡± she sighed deeply. ¡°I fear I may not be able to pull through this,¡± she whispered in a quieter voice, shifting a little to follow her blood¡¯s path to the platform. Elinor hesitantly chewed on the inside of her cheek as she mirrored the blonde, watching the pool of silvery liquid below her twin expand. She¡¯d never had a dream so visceral, and she¡¯d had a few intense nightmares in the past, but the pressure against her feet on the pillar made her question if this was something imaginary. Oddly, the most frustrating part of this entire ordeal was the gut feeling she had of this goddess; she knew her from somewhere, and Elinor did not like her. They were alike, but nothing alike, in every way, and looking at the blonde was like seeing some sick reflection. Yet, there was also a strange pull within her soul that didn¡¯t want to see her die that made her teeth grind. ¡°Mmh. You really don¡¯t know who you are?¡± she asked, moving forward to stand two meters away. ¡°Ugh. This is so confusing!¡± ¡°Imagine that!¡± Her twin snickered thoughtfully, resting her elbow on her thigh and head against the back of her hand. ¡°I wholly agree with the confusion bit. Why don¡¯t you sit, and we can figure this out together, my ¡®apparent¡¯ most hated enemy.¡± ¡°You too, huh?¡± Elinor shook her head with slight exasperation. ¡°Subtle. I kind of feel the same. You remind me of Jacy from fifth grade: never shy about expressing she doesn¡¯t like me.¡± ¡°Oh? Hehe. Sounds like we¡¯d get along,¡± the goddess mused. ¡°Huh. And let there be light,¡± she added, her shining, aquamarine irises directing Elinor to multi-hued rays that began to swirl around them into infinity. ¡°All I seem to know is that I just woke up bleeding all over the place, along with the unfortunate state of my gown and¡­ a rather dreary-looking clone¡ªno disrespect¡ªlying in front of me. It took you long enough to wake up. I thought I¡¯d be dead before saying hello.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Elinor mumbled, folding her arms and following soft trails of colors that sparked around them with her eyes. She had no idea how she was supposed to sit, as the blonde had offered, unless at her feet on the ground, which she would not do. ¡°Would it kill you to be a little less, mmh¡­ irritating? I already had to suffer through an entire day in the jungle heat, sweating my makeup off and smelling bad BO. The last thing I need is another wave of nausea in my dreams.¡± Her radiant twin made a dismissive gesture with her free hand. ¡°I value candidness over your prim and proper way of order, Priss.¡± ¡°Priss?¡± Elinor grunted, rolling her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not the first time someone¡¯s called me that; real original nickname.¡± ¡°Meh-hehe. If the heel fits the foot, as they say. Who? Haha. I couldn¡¯t tell you. In any case, I get the feeling you are an empress of some kind¡ªempriss¡ªpriss¡­ seems to fit! No? I¡¯m hilarious.¡± ¡°Ha-ha.¡± She returned her tight gaze to her twin¡¯s damaged skin, yet, something about her statement of being an empress lingered in her mind. ¡°Are you sure you should be making jokes when you¡¯re dying, Your Majesty? I do kind of hate you¡­ but I don¡¯t want to see you die. Ugh. Why do I feel so frustratingly calm right now?¡± The goddess doppelganger streamed out a long puff of air and shrugged. ¡°I appreciate the concern, my mortal nemesis, but I don¡¯t see you being able to do much for me, Priss. A bandaid is not going to help, and shouldn¡¯t I have died by now¡­ goodness, look at this at my feet; it could fill a pool. Hehe.¡± A small smile lifted the corner of Elinor¡¯s lips. ¡°You just want to chat before you die?¡± ¡°Who said I was content with dying?¡± the blonde huffed, fussing a bit with her dress to present herself a little more decently. ¡°I know I am someone important, and I cannot afford to die like this. So, until another option is present, why not enjoy ourselves in this little dance?¡± She paused and made a swift gesture at her throne. ¡°Oh, a tip! On the bright side, I learned quickly that wanting something tends to bring it to life in¡­ whatever place this is that we are currently held prisoner in. Hehe. Convenient, am I right? So¡­ pull up a chair. What is your story, my dreary-dressed Priss?¡± Elinor¡¯s own mind was filling with thoughts¡ªnot her own¡ªproviding shadows of answers as the swirling beams of light tinted their black environment, now colliding to create fireworks of color that settled into emerald hues. They fell around them into the abyss, and Elinor¡¯s hand went to her breast as she summoned her own goth-inspired throne; it worked, yet her focus was on every eruption around them that sent a tremor through her core, revealing a rather shocking truth. This wasn¡¯t a dream, and she couldn¡¯t deny it, which made her question the local¡¯s ominous crystal. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ dying, as well?¡± Her doppelganger¡¯s hand went to her mouth. ¡°Oh? The twist! I was thinking about more of a story about your life, though, if I¡¯m being honest, but sure, let¡¯s dive into this depressing topic. We¡¯re both in a sinking ship, hmm?¡± Elinor felt like she¡¯d been punched in the gut at the news, but a cold resolve was welling up within her heart, stabilizing her. Her life flashed before her¡ªthe cheer camps, gymnastics, family parties, friends, Tanner, and years with her parents¡ªcondensing into a single dot. She drew in her bottom lip, absently watching it drift away to reveal a bottomless void of untapped¡­ something, and in the next instant, everything expanded again, displaying the entirety of her sixteen years on this Earth, including childhood. Her goddess twin¡¯s gentle hum drew her mind back. ¡°Can we not space out? We¡¯re kind of on a clock. Humph¡­ Well, this doesn¡¯t look good.¡± The blonde¡¯s gaze lifted to the fireworks overhead, where emerald butterflies were now hovering down to land on the platform. ¡°Butterflies? I see. We seem to be dying from this¡­ thing that has attached to us; two Seeds we are both¡­ melding with?¡± Clearing her throat, Elinor settled into her chair, building panic quelled by the ice flooding her veins as her mother and father¡¯s faces fixated in her mind, and to calm her nerves, she discovered a rather appropriate name for this double of hers with liquid-gold locks. The spark of genius lifted the corners of her mouth. ¡°Okay, Butter. I am not going to leave my parents to collect a corpse. So¡­ options?¡± Her doppelganger¡¯s voice and twinkling, aquamarine irises became jaded, following the few creatures hovering around the platform. ¡°Butter¡­ short for butterfly and me melting. Really? Wait, did you subconsciously discover me a way out of my inevitable end?¡± ¡°Did I?¡± Elinor hummed, tapping her fingernails against the arm of her throne. ¡°Personally, I just thought it made perfect sense: your liquid-like blonde hair, aura, heh, melting¡ªas you put it¡ªhmm, personality.¡± ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with my personality?¡± the goddess returned a light glare. ¡°I think I am quite a lovely person to be around.¡± ¡°Mmh. Let¡¯s just say¡­ you seem rather fatty¡ªno offense¡ªit¡¯s just something I try to limit in my diet, but I also can¡¯t do without.¡± Her doppelganger¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°A compliment, or sorts¡­ And from you? My, you must be sick and dying¡ªdelirious, I¡¯d pose. Well, Priss¡­ I fear my only option is to, mmgh¡­ take on the form of one of these butterflies coming down. It¡¯s a rather depressing thought, if I¡¯m being honest.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Elinor pressed, not bothered by the fluttering creatures now replacing the fireworks to swarm her. It was becoming clearer that this needle-like hatred of this goddess twin was more of a memo than anything proactive; she couldn¡¯t deny it was more fun to have her around than not. ¡°I¡¯m all ears, sparkly me. What have you discovered?¡± ¡°Fatty, hmm¡­ Now, who¡¯s being rude?¡± the blonde muttered before releasing a long stream of air. Hesitantly rising to her feet, she turned her sight to a flurry of emerald butterflies descending upon them. ¡°So¡­ I realized these fiends are all Death Energy¡­ Why on all that is holy would you fill yourself with such a necrotic force? Well, that is beyond me at the moment.¡± ¡°Imagine that,¡± Elinor giggled, reflecting and mirroring her earlier statement. ¡°We¡¯re in the same club!¡± ¡°Most unfortunate, indeed¡­¡± The wave of flapping Death Energy continued to swarm the platform, cycling them like sharks that smelled blood, and Elinor reached out to let a butterfly land on her finger, unconsciously drawn to the force. It dispersed, sending a jade-colored pulse up her veins and into her heart, drawing out a single phrase. ¡°I¡¯m turning into a Mythickin Lich Empress. Uh, well¡­ this is a bit sudden. Why am I not that scared?¡± The answer came from the next butterfly that landed on her shoulder. ¡°Ah! A refining tool of the trade; a Feat of the Empress Branch in my Base Feats¡­ [Imperial Majesty X]. Is this like¡­ a game; thoughts, Butter?¡± ¡°Haaa-hehe. Well, it seems you are having a better time adapting to your Seed than I,¡± Butter mumbled, running her fingers through her liquid locks. ¡°I can¡¯t say I have any recollection of games that fit that context, but I¡¯m happy you have a lead. Ugh. How I despise you,¡± the goddess groaned while following the increase in butterflies. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Elinor sat straighter with a grin, allowing more Death Energy to land and absorb into her. ¡°Oh? You must tell me what I did to inspire that reaction. I¡¯m, heh, getting butterflies.¡± ¡°Ha-ha¡­ butterflies. You¡¯re just, mm-hmm¡­ divine!¡± Butter sarcastically retaliated. ¡°You¡¯ve started the process of adapting to it without me¡ªnot that I have the strength to fuse with my own just yet, but a little warning would have been appreciated. Also, why did it have to be butterflies¡­ Why couldn¡¯t it be, I don¡¯t know, a cute and ferocious kitty or¡­ a bull?¡± ¡°Bull? Interesting choice.¡± For some reason, Elinor found her disgruntled shifts and comments extremely amusing, making a giggle bubble up in her chest. ¡°Beggars can¡¯t be choosers, Butter, much less melting doppelgangers. If you need my help, then I¡¯m open to it, so long as you¡¯re not trying to take my soul or anything. Heh. Not that you¡¯re strong enough at the moment.¡± ¡°He-he. How nice of you to remind me. I¡¯d prefer that option if it were available, but, as you so charmingly put it¡­ I¡¯m far too weak to attempt anything that desperate,¡± she grumbled, arms crossed under her bleeding bust. Her rosy lips pulled in while delivering a salty, judgmental glare in her direction. ¡°Also, spoken like a real priss¡­ My Depressive Empress, and must you call me Butter?¡± Elinor loved to see her twin squirm, somehow moving quite smoothly on her path to an area clear of the creatures, despite her wounds. ¡°You don¡¯t see me complaining about being called Priss; I rather enjoy it, actually.¡± ¡°Hilarious¡­¡± she breathed, eye twitching as she glanced away. ¡°I suppose I was the first one to initiate this little pissing contest, so¡­ I¡¯ll allow it, and do not mistake my wording!¡± she added as Elinor flashed her teeth. ¡°Come now, Butter, let¡¯s not be crude! Huh. Come to think of it, when did I start talking like this? Ah, that¡¯s right, it¡¯s connected with [Imperial Majesty], but the [Monarch of Death I] Base Feat also has a sway¡­¡± She paused as fractured information fed back to her brain; the abilities came to her when she asked for answers, but it was as if there was interference, scrambling much of the signal. Not having a lot of success deciphering it, she settled on what she did know, which was already enough to make her doubt reality again. ¡°These abilities are so bizarre. Anyway, I¡¯m a Lich Empress¡ªPriss; Empriss¡ªheh, it¡¯s cute. Thank you for the nickname, Butter.¡± Butter had reached the end of the platform, her mouth a line while glaring at the swarm nearing her; the blood she left was already tinting an emerald green as this new force consumed it. ¡°Lich Empress, huh¡­ Well, isn¡¯t this perfect? It seems if I want to survive the crushing pressure of this Seed on top, worming its way into my breast¡ªheh, quite the imagery, might I add¡ªand your corrupting Death Energy below¡­ I must be bunk buddies with you and take a back seat, my mortal nemesis. What misfortune. And you¡¯ve doomed us both by welcoming in this madness unless I help you. Haaa-hehe. Yay.¡± The dazzling rain of sparkling emerald butterflies filled her vision, filling her with knowledge of the transformation happening within her, but one amusing spark stood out from the rest, radiating an aurelian glow. Her brilliant, internal twin goddess¡ªthe golden light in the emerald sea¡ªhad hidden in the Link Feat [Butterfly I] to escape her fate, and Elinor allowed her twin into a serving role in her new empire. Elinor couldn¡¯t constrain her laughter; it felt so unlike her, yet she couldn¡¯t stop. ¡°Welcome to the Empire, my High Monarch¡ªButter, Celestial High Monarch of the Evening Star¡ªyou actually turned into a butterfly?! Well, haha, how the mighty have fallen.¡± She could practically feel the unamused stare from her transformed twin¡¯s voice. ¡°Hmm-hmm. Monarch of the Evening Star? Thank you for the rather welcome and obvious discovery, Priss¡­ You have selected butterflies as your symbol, so¡­ I didn¡¯t exactly have the most diverse selection. Have you noticed your own changes?¡± ¡°Hmm. No, not all of them, to be honest; heh, I was a bit preoccupied with laughing at you,¡± Elinor returned, glancing down to see her black locks turning white and jade pulses running through her veins. ¡°So, my fatty bunk buddy, what happens next?¡± The chime in Butter¡¯s voice returned with a vengeance as the butterfly¡¯s glow brightened. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s easy, Priss. You die.¡± Elinor blinked, and the world snapped into focus. Her senses were dulled, but she was a tad surprised the near pitch-black space she occupied was completely visible as if daylight. The heat in her chest intensified, though didn¡¯t bother her all that much; instead, she examined the space around her. She still wore her silky shirt and soft black shorts, yet her hands appeared to be bound at her back, which should have prompted a panicked response. On the contrary, a small, curious smile lifted her lips. Butter? she internally called, forcing herself to her knees and shifting her head to throw back her unbound white hair. It hadn¡¯t been a dream. ¡°Not two seconds awake, and you¡¯re already bothering me, Priss? Ugh. I am not enjoying this body.¡± Vision centered on her bare thighs, an emerald light flowed down her veins to her knees, shifting to a chartreuse green before fading; the light fluctuated with the rhythm of her heart. Elinor suppressed a hum, listening closely to her surroundings; obviously, she¡¯d been kidnapped, and perhaps she was injected with something or high, but her mind had never been clearer. Hands bound, Death Energy corroding my living body, and possibly kidnapped in a foreign country¡­ Perfect. How about you, Butter? ¡°I am rather¡­¡± Wait¡­ maybe we should hold off on the complaining until we¡¯re safe, Elinor teased, making her High Monarch sniff. ¡°I see. Only the empress can waste time with obvious discomforts¡­ Might I lodge a complaint with management? Well, I have discovered something of use¡­¡± Hehe. Complaint taken into consideration. Are you telling me you actually have a use other than for my entertainment, Ms. Evening Star? Her focus darted to a shimmering sparkle that came from her pocket. ¡°Ugh¡­ It¡¯s so tight; no, do not move, Priss¡ªyou¡¯re squishing me with your thigh!¡± Are you calling me fat, Butter? Elinor snickered, trying to shift in a way to give her wiggle room, yet her cheer dampened slightly upon seeing her crumbling skin; her body was beginning to decay, and she needed somewhere to put her Death Energy-infused spirit. Well, this isn¡¯t good. Can you fly? ¡°Finally!¡± her twin snarled, making it out of her pocket and shivering her wings. ¡°Fly? I only just became a butterfly¡ªlosing my gorgeous golden locks, might I add¡ªand you wish for me to just fly?¡± And I¡¯m desiccating. We all have our problems here¡ªand I¡¯m supposed to be the priss¡ªhave you tried? ¡°Well, heh, sure¡­ why don¡¯t I give it a go¡­¡± Butter spread her glorious, tiny wings, lifted them up, and beat them down with power to dive straight into the dust by Elinor¡¯s leg. ¡°Oof!¡± Uh-huh¡­ What happened to that elegance? ¡°You¡­ are the worst. Scoot around so I can get to the back of you¡ªsuch a pain¡ªyou have no idea how difficult it is to move four wings¡ªfour¡ªand six legs! Oh, I think I¡¯m going to throw up¡­ Why can I taste the dust?! Bleh! And don¡¯t squish me! It was hard enough to gather what little energy I had to create this body.¡± Elinor smiled and carefully shifted to allow the butterfly to crawl up her fingers to the zip-ties. What¡¯s the plan? ¡°Hmm-hmm. I¡¯m glad you asked¡­¡± Clearing her throat and watching the jade-hued light in her veins intensify with her disintegrating chest, Elinor tried to find a bit of humor by guessing what her spiritual bunk buddy was doing via the knowledge that had been somehow downloaded into her brain by this ¡®Seed¡¯ Butter spoke about. Let me guess¡­ since you¡¯re drawing from me to rebuild your strength by attaching yourself to my [Butterfly] Link Feat, you¡¯re able to use the necrotic element of [Life Tap I]¡ªthe Feat [Butterfly] it is currently attached to¡ªto eat through the bonds. A wicked snicker came from her butterfly twin. ¡°Hmm-hmm. Allow me to correct you on this topic of your powers, Priss! [Life Tap] can only work against ¡®living¡¯ things, heh, imagine that, so I¡¯ll be eating through something else.¡± Elinor¡¯s expression salted as she felt the drain; Butter was filling her Death Pool with her own dwindling life essence. Brilliant¡­ So, Butter, you really are fatty. Not only are you using me to keep yourself stable, but you¡¯re killing me faster. ¡°A little late on the uptake, Priss,¡± Butter chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve already used your [Phylactery I] Feat to craft my own house in one of the diamonds in your pocket. You must do the same¡­ can you wiggle your hands free yet¡­ before I suck them dry and they become useless?¡± Trying to dodge the topic, I see, Elinor grumbled, feeling mildly uncomfortable as the dulled pain in her decaying body amplified. I can see the reasoning behind hastening the process on my hands to slip them. Wait¡­ My two non-base Feats, one is a phylactery? You¡¯re messing with my transformation by ¡®bunking¡¯ with me, aren¡¯t you? ¡°Eh-hehe. A bit, admittedly, but I am still a servant, even if of the highest station, as painful as that is for me to say¡­ This whole thing has had me biting my nails, which I never do!¡± Thank you, Butter, that does make me feel a little better knowing I¡¯m not the only one freaking out a little. She sighed, sliding them off and staring down at her partially crumbled chest; her heart radiated the bright green color, and she could see her white ribs. My body will be bones when this is¡­ ¡°Company¡­ Wonderful.¡± They both ceased their internal dialogue as a door opened and closed upstairs, drawing Elinor¡¯s gaze to the creaking floorboards, and she cast her gaze around to more thoroughly identify her environment; most of the space was utterly empty. The walls were concrete, and the ceiling showed old wooden planks; there was a barred window to the left of the room that was boarded up, a half-broken mirror with empty crates in the corner, and a staircase leading up out of the basement she was in. By the boot prints leading to and from her current location in the dust and dirt patches spread across the ground, there were two people who had dropped her off in the entirely unacceptable room. She felt the skin and muscles across her belly beginning to wither, moving down to her lower half. Ignoring the small spark in her brain that told her to panic¡ªsuppressed by [Imperial Majesty]¡ªshe brought the back of her fingers to her shorts. Even though most of her skin and muscle were gone, she could feel the velvet pouch press against her bony fingers and thigh. ¡°Hurry!¡± Butter hissed. ¡°You¡¯ll be practically immortal once you¡¯ve changed bodies.¡± Plucking the pouch out of her pocket, she untied the binding before dumping the contents of the bag in front of her crossed legs. Curiously calm, she started to see the muscle, fat, and skin of her legs wither as the pulsing lights increased down her thighs to her toes. [Imperial Majesty] dulls joy, fear, sadness, and trust¡ªironic, I know, Butter¡ªbut leaves surprise, disgust, anger, and anticipation. Is there any way to turn it off? ¡°Why are you thinking about that right now?¡± Multitasking, she evenly replied, hearing voices upstairs. I guess not. It can be overpowered, though, but not likely at the S-tier. This whole kidnapping thing¡­ what if they¡¯re some kind of voodoo people that did this crazy ritual on me and summoned you, Butter? ¡°We¡¯re writing fiction now, are we?! Heh. Next, the gorgeous blonde High Monarch will regain her glorious figure! Huh. Well, it was worth a shot. Haha-mrrgrgr. I¡¯m sixteen, Butter. I should be worrying about if Tanner loves me or not¡­ I should just call and ask him. Why didn¡¯t I think of that before? ¡°Because you¡¯re insecure.¡± Hmm-hmm. Not cute. ¡°Just pointing out the obvious, and wasn¡¯t I supposed to hurry?¡± Elinor stared down at the pure black jewels for a moment; Butter had evidently already taken one by its weak radiant shine, but they were almost identical. She couldn¡¯t explain what she was experiencing. Despite her body collapsing on her, she was both freaking out and completely calm at the same time. The creaking floorboards overhead snatched her attention as the voices grew panicked; she could only just make them out. Wait¡­ what did they just say? They sat in silence as Elinor¡¯s degrading faculties continued to deteriorate, staring up at the floorboards of the basement she was in; a man was shouting, shortly followed by a second voice, both in Spanish. She couldn¡¯t be sure of some of it since she wasn¡¯t totally fluent. ¡°You don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see it¡ªthe whole damn sky¡ªthe hell is happening, Raul?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the crystal, man; I told you, it¡¯s an omen! The sky split like an egg, Vicente¡ªthe whole thing¡ªand then the crystal shot that light in the air! We¡¯re trapped; it¡¯s over, man¡ªit¡¯s over!¡± ¡°Dammit, I know; calm down. We still have her in the basement; we¡¯ll figure it out.¡± ¡°It¡¯s that light, man; there¡¯s a dome sealing us in¡ªthe aliens, Vicente! That light in the sky and that crystal that appeared in the middle of town no one can touch; I told you! There¡¯s some supernatural shit happenin¡¯ here! Let¡¯s just call Armando; we can¡¯t get him back the girl.¡± ¡°You shittin¡¯ me; do you want your mother turned into a rug? We¡¯ll get some cash from her parents first¡­ what we need. We just need to figure out how to get¡ªdammit, how the hell is there a dome over the whole town?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s the crystal, man; the omen of light¡­¡± ¡°Shut the hell up!¡± Vicente shouted. ¡°We¡¯ll stay here and wait it out; no one is going to go looking in abandoned houses with this shit happening. ¡°Go check on the package; we have to deliver her to Armando¡ªhe wanted her specifically. Okay?¡± Butter giggled. ¡°It appears you¡¯re rather popular, Priss?¡± It seems so, she growled, her focus returned to the jewelry while willing herself to make the free stone her new home. I¡¯ll deal with them in a second. The world went black as her spirit left her decomposing corpse; the cold stones that welcomed her felt like a tomb, but that didn¡¯t bother her. After a moment, the tight space even felt right, safe, her own personal sanctuary, yet nothing could offer her reprieve from her fatty bunk buddy. ¡°The plot thickens!¡± B1 — 2. An Empress Rises A cold embrace welcomed Elinor, and upon opening her eyes, she saw the space she¡¯d first met Butter. The white light overhead was now split down the center, with one side tinted green and the other gold, representing their dualistic natures and phylacteries, yet it was a black-and-white holographic screen that stole her focus.
[Level Up - Level 2] [1 Stat Point Added: 1 Available]
Elinor lingered on the illuminated text in front of her, and the confusing veil of scrambled information bouncing around her skull evaporated. Meanwhile, dots strung together as her narrowed vision drifted to the golden goddess on the opposite side of the platform, back in human form¡ªthe level could wait. ¡°Welcome back, Priss,¡± Butter chimed, standing in front of a body-length mirror and examining herself as if this had been the plan all along. ¡°Hmm-hmm. We¡¯ve escaped death, it would seem, thanks to my quick thinking, no less! It¡¯s a shame I can¡¯t take on my true glory outside of our little shared room, however. Pity.¡± Mouth opening, Elinor forced a short chuckle, tongue sliding across her drawn-in bottom lip as she ignored her blonde twin, currently engaged in cycling through imaginary gowns like she was preparing for a ball. A deathly hand closed around her heart, flooding her veins with stoic ice as revelations bloomed within her, drawing a frosted smile to lift her eyes; she opened her status page like the games some of her friends used to play. Even her powers seemed like some sort of fantasy, with them revolving around her Class as a lich. Rationally, she concluded the Seed Butter had spoken about filling in any gaps regarding the undead class she¡¯d been assigned, yet Elinor¡¯s mind was fixated on her Feats and the part Butter played in where they¡¯d ended up. A lich¡¯s energy source was Death Energy, which was collected into Death Orbs. Her Death Pool¡¯s current limit was five, and the [Phylactery] Feat was non-optional, despite being Equipable since her body rejected her spirit. It also required a daily maintenance cost¡ªone per vessel¡ªand she had two active while carrying the weight of the fatty blonde, which made it essential to have some in reserve for the end of each day. The time cycle for that price was exacted at midnight on whatever planet she resided on. The problem? She had not a single Death Orb in her pool, and Elinor¡¯s tight eyes centered on the cause, preening herself not five meters away. ¡°Butter¡­¡± ¡°Mmh? Oh, yes, Priss, would you look at me? My wounds are healing! Aren¡¯t I gorgeous in silver? Of course, I look good in anything, but silver does bring out my natural glow.¡± ¡°Heh¡­ Butter, if it weren¡¯t for [Imperial Majesty] being maxed Tier and Grade¡­ hmm-hmm, maintaining my poise, or this barrier between us, I would run over there and strangle you,¡± she stated with a vicious smile while walking to the divider between their sides of the pillar. The blonde¡¯s gaze lowered to the gold floor before releasing a soft sigh and turning a forced smile her way. ¡°Priss¡­ we were both panicking¡­ and you were all I had. My proactive action worked out, did it not? I did select specific Feats for you and take certain¡­ liberties, but, in the end, I still ended up as your servant. Is that not punishment enough?¡± Elinor suppressed a snort, breathing out her frustration in a slow stream before clasping her hands behind her back. ¡°Don¡¯t play this off as if we were in it together. If it were possible, you would have left me to rot and taken on a beautiful body yourself.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have left you to rot,¡± Butter grumbled, shaking out her discomfort as her aquamarine eyes mirrored Elinor¡¯s glare, and she walked over to face her, unable to cross over into each others¡¯ phylactery. ¡°We both hate each other, sure¡­ but as much as you feel you cannot allow me to die, I cannot allow you to pass on, as well. Did I want to be the one in control? Yes. Do you blame me?¡± Locking gazes for a time, Elinor begrudgingly relented. ¡°Honestly, no. I would expect nothing less from you, and I may have done the same in your position. Still, you¡¯re not fessing up to the ridiculous plan you concocted and the position you have placed us in.¡± ¡°What other option did we have?¡± Butter snapped back, crossed arms tightening under her bust. ¡°I cannot allow myself to be touched by your Death Energy, and you are repulsed by my purifying force, so I did select a phylactery for us to have our own beds, so to speak.¡± Elinor¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t touch her gaze, head tilting to the left as a black, spiked crown flared around her head, lighting with emerald flames; her Seed was now settling in with this obnoxious blonde¡¯s influence leaving. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about wanting your own bed, Butter¡­ All of the Death Orbs I had¡ªmy entire Death Pool¡ªyou purified it to heal yourself. You realize that I am maintaining this bunk we share, and midnight will be upon us in no time?¡± The blonde¡¯s challenging gaze faltered, and she stepped back, fussing with her liquid-like locks as she half-turned to focus on the mirror. ¡°Okay, look, I¡¯m not sorry that I did take two of the ability slots you had for [Butterfly] and [Phylactery]¡­ I needed those two Feats to survive¡­ to purify your Death Orbs by attaching a Link Skill that gave me access to your [Life Tap] and, thereby, your Death Pool.¡± Closing her eyes, Elinor breathed, allowing [Imperial Majesty] to cool the ice building within her that wanted to throw this Tinkerbell out of the room entirely. Reality was sinking in, and she would be a blubbering mess if it weren¡¯t for the tempering Feat. Butter did save them, yet she had also placed them in a precarious situation, among other things she wasn¡¯t admitting to. No matter, she would just have to make up for the extra weight her goddess-like bunkmate placed on her. ¡°Priss, eh-heh¡­ you okay? I¡¯m trying¡­ I do want to help you succeed now that, well, we¡¯re in it together¡­ Right?¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± A light smile lifted the corner of Elinor¡¯s mouth, and she opened her eyes to see the blonde nervously rubbing her arm. ¡°Let¡¯s just¡­ move on to what we can control.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Meaning?¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm.¡± Elinor¡¯s grin grew fangs. ¡°You patched yourself up and have your butterfly body outside¡­ something I unfortunately lack. So¡­ where does that leave us now that I¡¯m trapped inside this ¡®bed¡¯ while you have wings outside of it?¡± Butter took her hint and groaned. ¡°Yes, Priss¡­ I¡¯ll go do the Death Orb gathering. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware at this point, but your butterflies can only hold two before I have to return, and if destroyed, it returns to the owner.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± she pressed, letting her politely savage tone tell the blonde to expand on what Elinor already knew. ¡°Pray tell, Butter¡­ what would happen if that, heh, tiny, delicate body of yours was to be destroyed¡­ after consuming all of my Death Energy?¡± A lump dropped down her divine twin¡¯s throat with a short shrug. ¡°Uh, hehe¡­ well, we¡¯d be trapped in here until someone picked us up.¡± ¡°You mean, picked me up,¡± Elinor corrected. ¡°Can you draw out life force?¡± ¡°Ahem¡­ Not without the butterfly.¡± ¡°Right, haha. So¡­ don¡¯t get caught, or we¡¯re stuck here for eternity¡ªactually, we¡¯d just die because this bunk requires daily maintenance,¡± Elinor dully returned, creating a rather amazing undead throne of metal, cushions, and bone to rest on. ¡°I¡¯ll be here studying exactly what we are because¡­ I have to somehow explain this to my parents without them burning me at the stake or calling some exorcist or something. I trust you¡¯re capable of handling it,¡± she lied. ¡°Oh! How kind of you to say, and here I thought you saw me as nothing but dead weight. Hehe. I can be more than just¡­ fat, Priss.¡± ¡°I look forward to seeing you burn a few calories,¡± she chimed. ¡°Ugh. I hate this nickname¡­ And you have parents?¡± Elinor lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Obviously.¡± ¡°Charming¡­ I can¡¯t wait to meet them,¡± Butter whispered, rubbing the back of her hand. ¡°I don¡¯t recall having any connections to anyone¡­ other than you, so¡­ I look forward to where we go from here. Umm-yeah. I¡¯ll be back shortly, My Broodish Priss,¡± Butter chimed, waving as she vanished in golden light. Butter¡¯s essence was technically still here, but her consciousness had transferred to the shimmering butterfly outside. Elinor had no clue how her radiant twin was going to manage to sneak up on anything to suck out their life force when that bright and weak, but she was all they had at this point. We¡¯re doomed¡­ Elinor internally cried, letting her emotions settle to focus on what she needed to do to move forward. Trying not to get lost in the depressing thought, she went over this new way of living that had been thrust upon her; it certainly changed her course, and she had no idea how she was supposed to deal with it or break the news to her parents. She was a Mythickin Lich Empress, which basically meant she was a glorified upper-tier necromancer, summoning legions of the undead to do her bidding. Maybe she could come up with some kind of business plan in the future for that, but it wasn¡¯t hard to imagine how the government would react to a lich girl¡ªtypically not well. Elinor¡¯s gaze lowered to her side of the platform, studying the jade flooring. Lingering on things that she had no control over would get her nowhere, she chastised herself, so she compartmentalized the unsettling prospects of this transformation for later. At the very least, the Seed gave her answers on the latter two parts of what she was, but Mythickin was left a glorified mystery. She had a total of eight ¡®Core Feats¡¯ that she likened to a tree trunk with its two branches being Lich and Empress; the two of the changeable Feats she had been able to select at Level 1¡ª[Phylactery] and [Butterfly]¡ªhad been chosen by Butter. A curious tilt moved her lips as she saw she still had a third changeable Feat Slot, but she pushed the enticing new Feat possibilities she could select from to understand what she currently had. Instantly, her attention was drawn to the only two S-tier Feats¡ªthe max tier¡ªthat she¡¯d been granted. At the base of this structure was her only Mythickin Feat [Primal Force X], which was both maxed in grade and tier, symbolized by the Roman numeral for ten. So¡­ Mythickin gain increased EXP growth. Well, you can¡¯t go wrong with that, and why was [Imperial Majesty] important enough to get the same treatment as [Primal Force]? No answer, hmm. I suppose tempering four of eight emotions allows me to think rationally. Butter hadn¡¯t been the one to give her these Core Feats that came with her Mythickin Lich Empress status; the Seed gave these. Questioning to see if it would give her answers as to how she came by this cryptic death item was met with silence, making her sigh. You¡¯re beyond my comprehension, I guess. Her tight eyes drifted to the shimmering mirror her blonde twin had left. And, tragically, Butter is my current champion¡­ of the highest degree. For such an impressive title as the Celestial High Monarch of the Evening Star, she certainly leaves much to be desired. Scrolling down her rather barebone Feat List, all of them at the first Grade, Elinor hummed, deep in thought as she waited for her glorified twin Barbie doll¡¯s return. Most of their functions were fairly self-evident¡ªand only at level one, unlike [Primal Force] and [Imperial Majesty]¡ªsuch as [Darkness Vision], [Death Pool], and [Life Tap], yet [Monarch of Death], [Minion Pool], and the [Raise Dead] Cluster Feat drew her in. A crown on my head that symbolizes my power as an empress, she mused, fingers rising to slide her fingers across one of the spike-like nails that made up the item on her head. [Monarch of Death] gives me a Nexus Point where I can communicate to all my undead telepathically within one kilometer. Quite the useful Feat. Her [Raise Dead] and [Minion Pool] Feats were the centers of her reign; they were quite complicated compared to everything else she¡¯d studied thus far, including an entire hierarchy system of Royal, High, Military, and Serving Courts, functioning across various duties. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Elinor tapped her leg while studying the branching topics regarding her new empire abilities. Intelligent and Unintelligent minions¡­ and the former costs double the Death Orbs to create, yet it¡¯s obviously far more capable. Unfortunately¡­ I¡¯m currently limited to three intelligent and twelve unintelligent¡­ A four times difference. Grades range from [Poor], [Common], and [Uncommon], and if it¡¯s double the price, intelligent uncommon would cost eight. We¡¯ll have to test that, and I can raise Lower-Grade units to higher when creating them, such as [Poor] to [Uncommon] with the appropriate Death Orbs, yet they will not be nearly as powerful as one who begins at that level¡­ I can¡¯t do the reverse, which likely means I have to complete these Grade II advancement quests to upgrade these Feats. It should probably be my priority at this point¡­ Wow. What a challenge, though; raise 60 Unintelligent and 15 Intelligent Undead when my limit is 12 and 3, hmm? I guess I¡¯ll be stuck with Uncommon for a bit. Elinor adjusted the black dress she¡¯d been given in this void space, mouth tightening upon seeing all she could summon were skeletal or partial skeletal units at the moment. No zombie option? That¡¯s criminal. It¡¯s probably Butter¡¯s fault. She lifted her focus to the mirror as she felt her fatty High Monarch struggling with something and dismissed it to continue her internal reverie. We¡¯ll have to fix that at some point because that would be an excellent way to reach my Unintelligent requirements for advancement. Her ¡®Stats Page¡¯ came up beside her Feats, leaving much to be desired as she tested her theory, lingering on each primary stat: Strength, Defense, Dexterity, Energy, and Tenacity, all of which had secondary stats and grades. Elinor¡¯s attention was on Energy. She had ¡®Average¡¯ Endurance¡ªa stat that dealt with mitigating the cost of one¡¯s Stamina and Constitution¡ªinterestingly, it had a multiplicative effect on the Feats she could gain to reduce the cost of all her abilities. Of course, that was only useful if she had one such Feat; it was something to keep in the back of her mind. Stamina was useless to her at a ¡®Below Average¡¯ grade since it handled her physical aptitude and she was designed as a summoner; she would sooner go into the sorceress route than focus on something that would see major diminishing returns, and it showed ¡®N/A¡¯ currently due to not even having a body to exercise. No, Constitution was where her smile landed¡ªExtremely High aptitude¡ªit handled the mental fortitude of an individual. This was her Stat. The only thing rivaling its Grade was Control Resistance in Tenacity¡¯s Secondary Stats. She used the single point she¡¯d gained from the level on her Constitution. Instantly, her Death Pool increased to eight Death Orbs, and Uncommon Intelligent Undead opened up¡ªsomething else caught her eye¡ªher theory regarding something higher than Uncommon in the Unintelligent branch proved correct unless the price was far greater than she expected. No new grade, hmm, and three DO from a single point; isn¡¯t that too generous, Seed? Hmm-hmm. No upgrade until I get [Raise Dead II], I see. Fascinating. Swapping to her Core Feat Tiers, she learned they increased by use until S-tier; therefore, Passives would rank up the fastest, but once raised to a new grade, the tier went back to F. It¡¯s obvious I gain experience from accomplishing certain tasks or achievements, such as when I abandoned my body for this diamond. So, why not when I rank up, I suppose? I have a lot of minions to summon¡­ Minions? Elinor¡¯s amusement fell at the thought, reflecting on everything drilled into her skull at school and from her parents. If they are intelligent, then I¡¯m a slaver, shackling their souls to this world, yet most would serve me nonetheless¡­ Most, hmm? She reflected on the hierarchy her Empress Subclass assigned her; naturally, she was at the pinnacle, holding absolute control over her Empire, including her vanity-obsessed High Monarch, which acted as her right hand. Below the High Monarch was the Royal Court, where her Monarchs took their thrones and enacted her desires for the direction of her kingdom. Generals, majors, captains, and lieutenants all had their place and grade, yet Elinor couldn¡¯t give a unit the Monarch Title unless it was above some gibberish numbers and letters she hadn¡¯t unlocked yet. Well, at least I¡¯ve learned Butter is the real thing if she can have the title with the most authority beside me. What a mess. Time wasn¡¯t quite easy to track in the space, but she didn¡¯t sense it had been that long when her fatty butterfly returned, sounding like someone tired, making Elinor grin as the shimmering goddess of a twin dropped into a throne. ¡°How was it?¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ war. It was cramped, and I almost died twice,¡± she cried, combing through her liquid gold locks with agitation. ¡°I had to crawl through the dirt back to you, Priss! Am I just a slave¡ªa body for you to use until it is torn to shreds?!¡± Elinor giggled and shrugged, feeling energy surge into her as she went back to studying her sheet. ¡°Heh-hehe.¡± Her twin got up and began to pace, arms held tightly under her bust. ¡°Of course, you just laugh at my struggles, Priss¡­ My efforts at battling those¡­ those furry, filthy devils in their waste and piss for what?! You just couldn¡¯t care less¡­ All I¡¯m here for is to spill blood over your bed; well, you can choke on your own tongue!¡± ¡°Butter¡­¡± ¡°What?!¡± she said, silver tears in her eyes. Elinor dismissed her status sheets to examine the blonde goddess; unlike anything else that had touched her since [Imperial Majesty] dampened her emotions, the new rips and wounds on Butter¡¯s radiant skin plucked at her heartstrings. Rising from her seat, she went to the edge of their ¡®bunk¡¯ and held out her arms with a soft smile as her twin¡¯s watering turquoise eyes widened. ¡°Thank you, Butter. I¡¯m glad I¡¯m not alone in this¡­ It¡¯s nice having a partner I can count on.¡± ¡°Priss¡­¡± The goddess almost tripped as she stumbled over to hug her. It was a little uncomfortable with her purifying energy, and she was sure Butter felt the same way about her, but the warmth that passed into Elinor¡¯s chest made it worth the prickling needles. Being careful with the cuts on her back, Elinor whispered, ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t get hurt in your butterfly body¡­ Where did these come from?¡± Butter puffed out a long stream of air, pulling away and regaining her elegant posture to return to her mirror to examine herself. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ deteriorating. I need to purify Death Energy to beat this hand of death seeking to claim me as his own, it seems. It will only get worse.¡± Elinor pulled up her sheet to select one of the new Feats she could select from, scanning through their information one last time as she spoke to her bunkmate. ¡°How many do you need to fully recover?¡± ¡°¡­A lot, Priss¡­¡± ¡°How many?¡± Elinor pressed, eyebrows furrowing as she caught the blonde tracing the damage to her body; silver speckles could be seen across her side of the floor. ¡°2,500¡­¡± ¡°Ahem. Hmm. Well, hehe, okay. 2,500,¡± Elinor repeated, focus shifting between everything else she needed her energy for; her current pool only held eight, as well. ¡°I suppose that doesn¡¯t include the tax¡ªso to speak¡ªof trying to keep you from falling apart?¡± ¡°No¡­ I require about ten a day to remain even.¡± Elinor went back to her seat to breathe out a long stream of air. ¡°Butter¡­ Hehe.¡± A melancholy smile lifted the edge of the goddess¡¯ lips as she stopped on one particular gash where her heart was. ¡°I understand, Priss¡­ I stole six from you already without your permission¡­ A parasite.¡± ¡°You did,¡± she said, rubbing her temple while thinking about the trouble this was going to cause. ¡°What a fatty, glutinous bunk bug I have¡­ Well, at least you¡¯re not a slob, or we would have problems.¡± Butter turned, confusion crossing her annoyingly perfect face¡ªminus the cuts. ¡°It¡¯s not like I want to be your burden. Heh¡­ hehe. I just wish I knew how I ended up in this mess!¡± ¡°You and me both, sister¡­ Well, I need to bulk up if I¡¯m going to feed you, baby bird, so we need to start now before we both die, you insufferable stick of fat.¡± ¡°I hate you¡­¡± she snarled, staring at her as Elinor laughed. ¡°The feeling is mutual.¡± ¡°Humph. Did you discover a way out of your prison while I dealt with those giant rodents?¡± Elinor smirked. ¡°Those were rats, probably, not giants, but I suppose everything looks that way when you¡¯re a delicate little glow ball, and how many did you actually kill.¡± ¡°Ha-ha. Dozens¡­ in their filth.¡± ¡°Sounds pleasant,¡± she snickered. ¡°As for a way out, there were a few interesting options, but one stole the cake¡­¡± Elinor used one DO and activated her third changeable Feat, [Artificial Body I]. Her thoughts died as the heat rose within her core; it wasn¡¯t anywhere specifically, but she knew it was somewhere within her expanding mind. White light filled her vision, and she tried to shut it off by somehow closing her nonexistent eyes; she felt a tad stupid after realizing they hadn¡¯t formed¡ªobviously, the light wouldn¡¯t fade. A pressure began to form at her back, and slowly sounds filtered into her brain. A wet sensation permeated her mouth, making her swallow, and a dusty scent birthed into her now awakening senses with color exploding around her. Momentarily stunned, she laid still for a time, and a snickering golden butterfly landed on her nose as her newly discovered faculties overloaded her mind. ¡°That¡¯s certainly one way to show me your new Feat, and it is wonderful I don¡¯t have to be your only set of hands.¡± She stared up at the floorboards of the basement, hearing the men shouting at one another again, all in Spanish, and she couldn¡¯t be sure, but it sounded like more had joined them. The general conversation wasn¡¯t anything Elinor hadn¡¯t expected, and she leveled a dull stare at the gold light blinding her. Butter¡­ is it standard practice for you to stand on your Empress and savior? Also, I still have many uses for your six legs and four wings. ¡°Hmm-hmm. Only when I¡¯m feeling particularly rebellious, Priss,¡± Butter mused, swapping to her shoulder. ¡°Two more men showed up while you were playing mental stone breakers.¡± Not wanting to know what that was and not caring, Elinor rose to her feet to study her new¡ªand quite naked¡ªbody as the four men screamed at one another. Suddenly, their shouting match took a turn that drew her focus. ¡°You don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see it?¡± ¡°What the hell happened to her? She¡¯s a damn half-rotting corpse, Vincente! How do we explain that to Armando?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see that, Paul! It was your information we got that she¡¯d go through this town! What the hell is happening?¡± Raul¡ªseemingly the superstitious one¡ªbroke in. ¡°I checked, guys! I checked! Everyone¡¯s saying there¡¯s no way out of the dome! You know Yesenia¡ªthat one prison warden lady¡ªshe¡¯s here, and she turned into this massive snake woman! Toads! Giant toads! They¡¯re coming from the jungle!¡± ¡°What the hell is he talking about, Vincente?¡± Paul growled. ¡°Ugh. Ignore him. Eduardo, we gotta just bring him the body¡­¡± The group continued to argue over what to do with her, Raul saying the most interesting stuff about the Crystal releasing lights that branched off into various areas, bringing monsters. According to him, the whole sky cracked like a stained glass window, showing countless places across the heavens before vanishing. It was a bit after that when the dome formed from a beam that rose from the ethereal Crystal, and everyone noticed they were receiving powers. Elinor certainly could believe that part, but she was confused as to what granted them these abilities; was it the Crystal or the full sky fracture? In any case, she learned her parents were fine, out in the town and looking for her, which eased her undead heart. Moving to look through the tiny gaps in the boarded window, she saw the crazy-looking fantasy dome encompassing a large section of the town and jungle. She could imagine Raul¡¯s explanation now, and the sun¡¯s rays could barely be made beyond the transparent shell, the heavens tinted by the various colors. They really were in some kind of fantasy, end-of-the-world event. Butter hummed as Elinor went to the mirror, scanning her new figure; it mostly kept her same features, excluding her now silvery hair, which did look good with the crown. She grimaced upon finding her black earrings in their proper places; her body formed around them, as if taken away would cause its collapse. ¡°How¡¯s the new fit?¡± Decent. All my scars are gone¡­ but at least I have my tattoos still. The golden butterfly¡¯s half-torn left wing shivered with laughter. ¡°You call that a tattoo? I saw better in tiny villages. In fact, I was covered head to toe in tattoos at one point, I believe.¡± Oh? What villages? Elinor challenged. Please, enlighten me on your totally tatted body. Butter was silent a moment. ¡°I can¡¯t remember¡­¡± Convenient. ¡°Believe what you want!¡± Okay, Ms. perfect skin and vanity queen. Let¡¯s get dressed and some more Death Energy. ¡°Oh?¡± Butter lowered herself on her collarbone to not get blown away. ¡°We¡¯re killing the four men upstairs, and what of these creatures roaming about¡­ Can you?¡± We¡¯ll deal with it, Elinor calmly stated, pausing as she knelt before her former body; it had stopped decaying after her corrupted spirit left. I¡­ don¡¯t feel that bothered by murder. That has to be concerning. ¡°Why?¡± the goddess questioned, testing the stability of her wings. ¡°Everything kills in one form or another, and only the powerful can be picky about such moral stances in a world of conflict. Also, that¡¯s not what I meant. I was asking if your weak arms could do anything, but¡­ on second thought, I do feel like you¡¯re capable.¡± Elinor nudged her head to the side; it was a valid point, and she certainly wouldn¡¯t lose sleep over a bunch of kidnappers who were now talking about leaving her body to be discovered by her parents. A compliment? You¡¯re slipping, and that view is fair. Hmm. I do need clothes, she sighed, grimacing while picking her nightwear off of her corpse. ¡°Priss! Look at you. I¡¯m so proud,¡± Butter snickered. ¡°So, you have one Death Orb left, which I so valiantly obtained, might I add¡­¡± Of course. ¡°So, all there is to do is march up there, slay a few fools¡ªmaybe a light snack for two¡ªand raise the others to do¡­¡± Elinor¡¯s fingers froze as she snapped her bra back on, gaze rising as a sharp thud kicked open the door. The men shouted, and gunfire went off; Raul¡¯s scream told her all she needed to know. ¡°Toad! It¡¯s the toads! It¡¯s the end of the world! I told you!¡± ¡°Shut up, Raul! Where¡¯d it go?¡± ¡°Did you hit it?!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡­¡± Shattering glass came from the right of the house, followed by something heavy hitting the ground. ¡°Paul! Is that¡­ living vines? Aww-hell no! I¡¯m out!¡± Eduardo cried, running through the back door of the abandoned house. ¡°Sounds like a party,¡± Butter chimed. ¡°Are we joining or listening in?¡± Setting the golden butterfly to the side as she slipped on her shirt, Elinor resituated the goddess and went to the stairs, only having time to put on her underwear. They¡¯ll be dead soon anyway, so might as well try to get some Death Energy, and if there are supernatural creatures running around, then I need to get my parents to safety. ¡°To battle!¡± Butter cried, pointing one of her arms at the door as she walked upstairs. Let¡¯s see what madness we¡¯re dealing with¡­ It¡¯s not like I can die, and if anyone picks up my diamond I can drain their life, so¡­ YOLO. Well, kinda, I guess, seeing as I died already. Opening the door, her inconvenient butterfly mumbled, ¡°You know diamonds aren¡¯t indestructible?¡± Well¡­ thanks for the warning, you useless inflated insect. B2 — 0. The Life of Undeath Edmon leaned with his arms crossed against the side of his large, muscular horse while observing a group of thirty-two boys who had been eager to learn how to use a sword and develop, as they saw it, superpowers. He went without his helmet but kept the full plate armor that defined his defender role in his daughter¡¯s court. This was not how he saw their life going, and only in his nightmares did he ever believe Tiffany would be taken away from him. A trail of frigid energy came from his eyes as the thunder of the storm overhead rumbled through the sanctuary, yet his attention was on the ground. Something inside this planet had taken away his wife from him¡ªhurt her¡ªand he would not let that go. Edmon wanted to believe that his Tiffany would find her way back to him, but he had always been more of a realist, which was why he¡¯d willingly given up his life to spend eternity guarding Elinor. He¡¯d failed to protect his wife; he would not fail his daughter. His horse snorted with agitation, sensing the cold fire burning within his soul, and his focus was snatched by the orange-eyed witch that casually greeted him with an impish grin. His old life was dead, and he had to learn how to accept that his wife had been twisted and changed. It wasn¡¯t what he wanted, but he had to learn how to accept this new version of her. Strangely, it wasn¡¯t all that hard considering many aspects of the woman he knew were still there, yet there was a cruel evil that had tainted many aspects his wife had most loved about herself. Ultimately, it told Edmon that was how much she¡¯d loved their daughter; she¡¯d been willing to give up any principle, her compassion, and the very goodness of her soul in order to protect Elinor. In a way, that part was what had been corrupted the most by how she viewed their daughter. ¡°Brooding all by your lonesome, handsome, hmm?¡± She stopped beside him to stroke the side of his mount, speaking privately through the Nexus since the Shade was always listening; plus, it was more fun this way and brought Edmon back to their days in school when they¡¯d pass notes between each other in class. ¡°What¡¯s it about this time? Are you going to reject those poor girls that want to become knights? You¡¯re too soft on girls. Surely you wouldn¡¯t put them through such hardship,¡± she teased. On the contrary, he muttered, focus shifting to the group of six girls that surrounded Gloria. I¡¯ve given Mika the task of pushing them harder than the boys. In order to keep up, they have to access the Knight Feats I can grant them, and much of our power comes from our strength of will to not bend or break in our conviction toward Elinor. ¡°Is that right?¡± Tiffany cooed, fingers moving from the horse to slide down his armored shoulder to trace the frost-like designs on the metal. ¡°I¡¯m surprised they¡¯d want to get all sweaty and dirty¡­ Maybe I could talk to them.¡± A smirk lifted his lips as he looked down at her gentle touch, attempting to distract him. She always had been a touchy-feely woman and used the tactic often to make him forget about an argument or attempt to shift things in her direction. I think I¡¯m doing just fine. How goes the recruitment on your end? I should have at least fifty apprentices by the end of the day. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re trying to tempt me? Heh, you¡¯re afraid I¡¯ll start stealing all of your witches. Her fingers twitched against his armor. ¡°Eh-heh. Yeah¡­ I may have come off a tad too strong. Maybe we could make some¡­ alterations to the bet¡ªI¡¯m willing to go deeper! Wouldn¡¯t that be fun?¡± She was losing hard, and spotting so many young men and now women flocking to him instead of her was making Tiffany nervous. It wasn¡¯t only to do with their bet; she¡¯d promised Elinor that they could get silk production underway at an accelerated rate, and to do that, she needed witches. Warlocks were apparently more combat-oriented in traits, hosting far more firepower than the more versatile witch. Breathing out a satisfied puff of air that he knew would make the woman want to strangle him, Edmon savored her plea for a lifeline, doing her best to play on his emotions. Honestly, he was starting to feel slightly sorry; he did love her touch, and she knew exactly where to place it to get his attention. Oh, boy. Well, let¡¯s see, I already am quite enjoying this victory image of you teaching your very dark and depressing craft to young impressionable witches and warlocks. I think the mascot duck head would do wonders for your reputation. What more could you offer me? The flippers we found and quacking at the end of your sentences? ¡°Edmon!¡± she groaned, leaning against him to glare up into his face. I can¡¯t quack! You know my duck impression is garbage, and I¡¯d only make a fool out of your daughter. Eh¡­ what if I, umm,¡± her eyes scanned the ground, looking for something to redirect him. ¡°I can¡­ tell you some of the dirty secrets your wife hid from you! What about Todd, hmm? I bet you¡¯re interested!¡± Todd, Edmon repeated with a short hum. You mean the student that tried to get my wife to leave me¡ªa successful Architectural engineer¡ªwith the promise of, and I quote, an apartment with five dogs he thought were his children? Tiffany¡¯s eyes widened as she pulled away, clearly confused. ¡°What?! How did you know that story? She never told yo¡ªElise! That two-faced tramp! When?! I know she tried to seduce you once!¡± That¡¯s one way to address your little sister, Edmon chuckled. Sadly, no. Tiffany could never let go of that suspicion, but Elise was always really nice and respectful of our relationship. ¡°Nice. Uh-huh.¡± Tiffany dully glared at him like something was his fault; it was so similar to countless discussions they¡¯d had in the past that he wanted to punch himself not to get pulled in. ¡°What kind of ¡®nice¡¯ was she, hmm? I know when I went out with my dad, eh¡­ Dammit!¡± She caught herself, but Edmon honed in like shark-smelling blood. Tripped up again, Sweetie. Don¡¯t get in a tiff, Tiff. I know it¡¯s hard separating yourself from my wife. Take your time. ¡°Agh! You know I hate it when you do that wordplay¡­ So¡­ what did you name your horse? She¡¯s beautiful, by the way.¡± Changing the subject is fine; our agreement still stands. He took the reins as Tiffany groaned again, chasing after him to try and get any kind of wiggle room. ¡°C¡¯mon, Edmon, we can have more¡ª¡± Oh, and I named her Tiff. She can have an attitude like someone else I know. Quack-quack. ¡°You did not name a horse after me! Wait, you¡¯re going to ride Tiff¡­ Edmon, we¡¯re not done¡­ Don¡¯t mute me! Edmon!¡± * * * Theresa¡¯s partially skeletal fingers shifted between keys on the piano she played, drawing upon the emotions she felt during the most lonely moments in her life. The rhapsody the instrument fed her had been a sense of solace for her when her boys had grown too old for their mother, and her husband spent most of his time working to cope with the death of his parents. She¡¯d wanted to be there for him, but he was always the type to deal with hardship on his own. It wasn¡¯t fair to her, yet emotion was like that, and she had her own way of releasing pain or stress. Earning a bit more money through playing the piano at one of the local churches helped to keep them afloat, and she¡¯d been raised Catholic, as had many families in South America. Never one to show excitement or excess emotion, Theresa had always been called the cold queen while going through school, yet Colby could always make her smile with his goofy antics. Life had grown hard when they hit their late thirties, though, and in more ways than one. In a way, dying was the best thing that had happened to her; it put things into perspective and gave her new purpose since all she¡¯d ever wanted was to be a mother. Unfortunately, all she¡¯d been able to carry were two children before her uterus gave out, and the blow hit Colby as badly as it did her, even if he didn¡¯t let it show. Ever since she¡¯d been resurrected, she¡¯d been among the fastest to grow among the undead, due to her many talents in the duties of a maid, directing tasks, and providing other services, such as song and instrument. Theresa always knew she was talented, and exercised her gifts, yet she had always been more focused on her family than a career. It wasn¡¯t like she regretted her decision; she wouldn¡¯t trade the memories and gifts her family gave her for the world. However, now that that chapter in her life was closed, she could focus on other areas. She smiled at Colby, her husband sitting beside her, listening to her somber music that resonated with many of the humans around the sanctuary. He¡¯d been so sweet, proposing to her again only moments after she was returned from the dead and only a bundle of bones and flame. Theresa had always taken pride in her looks, as well, and loved the way she could make her husband salivate when alone, teasing and luring him in as he did the same. There was a sort of ritual they¡¯d developed over the years that had slowly died when life and children consumed their time. Now, they could rekindle that flame. Her gaze drifted to the struggling skeleton standing nearby with a violin; Valerie Meyer was a young woman from the United States that was having trouble playing the instrument she loved, unaccustomed to playing with her bony fingers. Due to being the only Assistant Head Maid, Theresa could feel the admiration and drive the girl felt while observing her performance; she wanted so badly to play the instrument she loved again. Valerie wasn¡¯t technically a maid, but due to Theresa¡¯s many affinities, she¡¯d been granted temporary leadership over a few branches within the Serving Court, including the musical positions. She encouraged the girl to keep trying and to be careful with her instrument since supplies and goods were now limited. Yes, it was frustrating to see Theresa advancing so quickly when not even a part of the musical staff, yet the purpose for that soon became clear as she reached Common-C Grade. She¡¯d been given the Songweaver Class. When her skin and organs began to return, her growth only continued to increase as she combined her instrument with her voice. She couldn¡¯t help but giggle to herself upon seeing the Witch Queen chasing after her frosted Death Knight, fuming about something in their private dialogue. It wasn¡¯t challenging to see that the witch was drawn to the man, and there was quite a jealous streak she saw developing in how she stared at the women that interacted with him. Hours upon hours passed with Theresa¡¯s fingers skating across the somewhat damaged grand piano; one of the legs was broken, and the top had a chunk taken out of it, but it was more than usable. One thing that put her undead heart at ease was the sight of her two boys, now in their older teens, as the pair talked to a few of the girls their age, and there were many. Left with her emotions to express, Theresa expressed them in song, her soft voice mixing with the falling rain pattering against the ceiling high above and thunder vibrating the air. ¡°Born to die, ¡°Born to the life of a slave. ¡°Born to break our backs for an early grave, ¡°Born to toil and woe, we die. ¡°And that¡¯s how the story goes, yet no more. ¡°Now, born to a life of service, ¡°Born to youth, never to be taken. ¡°Born to purpose, ¡°Born to care for those in need. ¡°Born in life is to struggle, ¡°Born in undeath, I am free. ¡°Treasures await my service, ¡°For a life worth treasuring is mine to see.¡± * * * Butter huddled against a tree, squinting in the downpour as the howling wind picked up to blow her away, yet an armored hand came out to rescue her, deep voice soft as it came through the Nexus. ¡°I felt that you¡¯re having trouble. Are you okay?¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. She wanted to cry as Edmon¡ªthe father she never knew¡ªheld her protectively against his chest. The skeletons keep getting blown away by the wind. It¡¯s so frustrating! Why are you away from Priss, though? You¡¯re usually always close to her, she grumbled. Laughter shook Edmon¡¯s body as he carefully navigated to her other butterflies to gather them before the Death Orbs they carried were lost in their destruction; the hurricane had only gotten worse, and they¡¯d gotten themselves in a bad position, yet the Death Knight seemed totally unaffected by the gales that beat against his armor. ¡°I don¡¯t have only one daughter to save, High Queen,¡± he said in a teasing voice that made Butter giggle; it felt so different coming from the composed and confident man. ¡°I needed time away from camp; it gives Tiff time to stew and wonder what I¡¯m doing out here.¡± So bad! Haha. I do love to see you stringing her along. I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d be so easy to poke and prod, but you make it look so easy. What¡¯s your secret? she asked, crawling inside his helmet as he brought her close to rest protectively beside his ear. ¡°Years and years of getting to know the woman. She¡¯s not so different from the Tiffany I knew, which is why I¡¯m pushing her to see how much of my wife¡­ your mother, is left. In the meantime, why not spend some daughter and father quality time together? Your sister tells me you need Death Orbs to not, ahem, ¡®wither into a mummified corpse.¡¯ ¡± Of course, Priss would say that! Humph. She knows how much I care about my looks. I will get my body back; I can¡¯t believe she killed me! You do know that, right? She literally ate me in our mother¡¯s womb. Who does that to their sister?! ¡°Haha. I have no clue how that works. All I know is that I have two lovely daughters now. I want to get to know you, Butter¡­ Your sister gave you that name?¡± Ugh. Yes. She drew closer to her father¡¯s cheek to look out of his helmet through a gap since there was some kind of field blocking the wind from entering. Get this, Priss calls me Butter because I¡¯m, and I quote, fattening! I¡¯m fat! She thinks of me like some¡­ some tumor or growth that needs to be cut out! Not a sister that needs a body¡­ Honestly, it¡¯s starting to get depressing. ¡°Hmm. I don¡¯t know. Your sister has always been¡­ the morbid type, even before she went full goth¡ªwhich I was not a fan of, by the way¡ªshe had interests that were a bit darker than her friends¡¯, and¡­ that¡¯s how she met that boy¡­¡± Hehe. C¡¯mon, tell me about Tanner! I want dirt on Priss since I didn¡¯t grow up with her. It¡¯s not fair that she¡¯s the only one with ammunition to throw at me. I¡¯m not just going to be her punching bag! ¡°That¡¯s the spirit! Haha. Oh, let¡¯s get into some stories while we hunt for your Death Orbs, then. Did you know she wet the bed until she was eleven?¡± No! ¡°Yup. Big embarrassment when she brought friends over for sleepovers.¡± Hehe. Give me the dirt, Dad. ¡°I¡¯m gonna need some dirt on you, myself, High Queen,¡± Edmon laughed. ¡°I want to know everything about you. Embarrassing things, interests¡­ everything. I¡¯m your dad. I need to know what you¡¯re afraid of so I can protect you from it¡­ because that¡¯s what dads are supposed to do.¡± Butter sniffed, unaccustomed to the emotion welling up in her core as someone finally was talking to her like a real person. Thanks, Dad. I think I¡¯m starting to love you! Haha! Ugh. I¡¯ve waited so long for someone to say those words. ¡°Hey, not even the High Queen needs to shoulder everything. Let me lighten your load.¡± Unable to restrain the heat in her chest, Butter¡¯s tiny arms hugged her dad as he brought her on their first father-daughter outing to collect the spiritual energy of the living; at last, she felt welcomed into the family. * * * Klaus stood amongst the groups of undead that had been raised, information flooding the marrow of his existence. Thunder roared above them, drawing his gaze to the magical flowers that radiated light to the colossal wooden structure that kept them safe from what had to be a hurricane outside. Explanations came shortly after, adding to what they instinctively knew upon being resurrected. It was so surreal, yet he couldn¡¯t deny what was written in his bones when he saw their white-haired empress. The curiosity of this new body sucked out any panic that tried to grip his mind. Holding up his polished, white arms, Klaus studied his skeletal figure before flexing his toes and running his fingers across his ribcage; it was impossible, but there was feeling. The sensations tickling his nonexistent brain made him laugh to himself. The bizarre experience only lasted a short time before the Witch Queen and King of the Death Knights pulled his attention to the High Monarch of the Evening Star; that her name was Butter felt too comical, not that he would say that aloud. Everything was a blur, but he knew his place and what was expected of him. Klaus had been on a speed track to the Senate. Of course, there had been hand-shaking and back-door deals to garner the support he needed. None of that mattered now; the only thing was His Empress. Butter¡¯s cheery yet commanding voice touched their minds, teaching them more about how to utilize the empress¡¯ Nexus to communicate before giving them orders. ¡°Okay, people, now that you¡¯ve got the basics, get dressed up for the part. We want to show everyone you¡¯re not some mindless bag of flaming bones! Return when you find something presentable for your station.¡± A very feminine tone caressed his mind from beside him; he could practically feel her touch against his ear. ¡°Your name is Klaus Klossner, the empire¡¯s first Ambassador. Is that right?¡± It is! Turning to address the woman, Klaus hesitated a short moment to gauge how best to act moving forward. He¡¯d always tried to fit into whatever group he was in to draw as many people to his side as possible; no one made Senator without a whole cruiseliner full of powerful supporters. All of the skeletons around them wore the torn, bloodied, and very baggy clothes they¡¯d been butchered in or wore only their bones as a covering. This much shorter woman fell into the latter category; he was roughly 183 cm while this woman was likely around 160, perhaps a bit less, and that would be with flesh. It was hard to determine what was proper or accepted in this new post he¡¯d been put inside, which meant he had to learn fast, and asking for clarification would be a sign of ineptitude. And you must be Emelina De la Vega, the one and only Head Maid of the Serving Court. It¡¯s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Shall we go find some proper clothes to cover our naked bones? Oh, but what must others think of us?! ¡°My, you have a very good grasp of Spanish, but I suppose that is The Empress¡¯ abilities rather than our own now. Hehe. Although, you have a handsome voice, Ambassador. I also think they have other things on their mind than our ¡®naked bones,¡¯ ¡± she said in a thoughtful tone. Klaus couldn¡¯t see it in her hollow, flaming eyes, but he had the impression she was looking him up and down. Is that right? Well then, I think we have something in common, Mrs. Vega. ¡°Miss,¡± she smoothly corrected. Haha. My apologies, Miss Vega. I fear we are at a disadvantage. You seem to know something about me, while you are a complete mystery. Her left arm crossed under where her bust would have been while shifting her weight to her right hip and turning to look toward a large tent area, set up for changing purposes. ¡°Hmm. Our destination is this way, Ambassador. Don¡¯t you think we should set an example for the others?¡± Klaus lifted an imaginary eyebrow as she gestured for them to the changing area. It didn¡¯t seem to be in much use at the moment for some reason, and nervous people were taking piles of various clothing to the location. So it would appear. Walking beside her, some of the others fell in line, but most were being swarmed by family or friends. He peeked at Emelina, but the mysterious woman simply held her skeletal hands at her front, burning eyes focused entirely on their destination. He couldn¡¯t eavesdrop on any of their conversations or the minds of others, as Butter warned, due to not being in a Maid or Butler leadership position. Klaus found himself wondering what was going through this woman¡¯s head; was she peeking in on the minds given to her charge? Emelina didn¡¯t leave him to stew long in silence, keeping her focus aimed at the tent. There was something enticing in the cadence she held; it was in her soft, controlled voice, the way she walked, and the timed delays between engaging him. In subtle ways, she was testing him, and he was here for it; she knew what she was doing. ¡°I am at your complete disposal, Ambassador. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± He crossed his arms, scanning the scene and taking in every detail, but it only took a quick look before his gaze was back on the woman next to him. I¡¯d like to get to know my coworkers, if possible. Who is Emelina? The Head Maid paused at the front entrance of the tent, doing a quick sweep of the interior. Instead of answering his question, she turned to him and held out a hand. ¡°If you would, Ambassador, I will take you to the proper dressing section. I¡¯ve been getting to know the maids, and they¡¯ve provided me with the details on how they¡¯ve organized the garments we¡¯ve been allowed.¡± Allowed? Klaus repeated, fingers twitching as he took her offered hand; it was warm and soft, very unlike what he imagined bones to be. It momentarily threw him off as she guided him inside, yet her grip was firm and sure. Those green ri¡¯bot have taken most of the clothing? She opened a section before zipping it back up. Emelina didn¡¯t bother with the solar-charged light hanging from the ceiling since they could see in the dark. She took him to the center and drew away, her tone gentle and wearing a soft smile her polished skull didn¡¯t show. ¡°Would you be willing to help me, Ambassador?¡± Curious and thrown off by all the redirections and questions left open to be answered, he couldn¡¯t remember dealing with a woman like this in the States. Emelina appeared to be attempting to step into her role as a Head Maid at full force, and each new action gave him a better grasp of her enigmatic personality. That would depend on the task, Ms. Head Maid. Leading me into a dark, closed-off tent and cornering me for a favor? You¡¯re not the first woman to try to seduce me. ¡°Hehe. Is that what I¡¯m doing?¡± Emelina asked with a coy tilt of her head. ¡°I¡¯m very new to this life as a maid, and I¡¯m supposed to guide these other women in their duties¡­ one of which is dressing our charges.¡± Klaus would have swallowed if he could, and even without a throat, his bones felt dry as a desert as the woman bent down to extract a black dress shirt from a pile. ¡°Am I going to be left here feeling stupid and useless? My, but what will the other maids think of me leaving without performing my given duty? My intention wasn¡¯t to seduce you, Ambassador, but¡­ hehe, perhaps I must if I am to do my job.¡± Ouch! Way to turn it back on me. Backed into a corner and feeling like a wolf circled him, Klaus kept perfectly still as Emelina moved around him like a shark smelling blood; the walls were whispering there was no escape. I¡¯m at your disposal, Ma¡¯am. His jaw tightened as the maid disappeared behind him, a shiver running through Klaus¡¯ marrow when Emelina¡¯s warm, delicate touch slid across the back of his ribs. ¡°There¡¯s a lot I need to learn in order to do my duties to the empire, Ambassador¡­ So much experimentation that needs to be done. I¡¯m thankful for your cooperation.¡± Trying to keep relaxed, Klaus felt the beating of his nonexistent heart pulse at her slow-moving fingers. They slid from his ribs to his spine as her low, tantalizing voice laced with steamed honey against his skull, feeding directly into his mind. ¡°Please, close your eyes and tell me everything that comes to your mind¡­ Can you feel my touch?¡± Warm¡­ soft. With his eyes closed, he lost his image of the bony skeleton entirely to the sphinxlike voice caressing his mind. It¡¯s slightly different, but¡­ no less stimulating than skin-on-skin. ¡°I feel it, too,¡± she whispered, making Klaus¡¯ toes curl with every word. ¡°Contracting muscle¡­ rising body heat. It appears the Nexus transmits more than just words. You can follow my fingers from your spine to your neck, down your arm¡­ sliding to your wrist?¡± Every inch, he swallowed. Haha. It makes me wonder what else can be passed through this private connection we now share. She stopped in front of him. Longingly, he could feel her presence with every pulse of undead energy her core released, beating like a heart right next to his soul. A pause came in their conversation, every millisecond like a hammer against his chest that she controlled. ¡°¡­A dangerous connection, indeed, Ambassador¡­ Arms up.¡± He followed instructions, eyes closed as this mysterious maid slid tingling fabric over his frame; her voice inflamed his mind, the hint of desire only just out of reach in every syllable she spoke. ¡°Once upon a time, a small rose sprouted, growing in the shelter of a lovely garden¡­ until she was plucked away at her tender age. Discarded amongst the filth and weeds, the young rose was unable to escape the suffocating forest she¡¯d been thrown into¡­ forced to take root and left to cry in her poisoned bed.¡± Each button Emelina fastened left a lingering pressure as she started from the top down. It was almost like he could see an outline of the flower that grew in front of him with every new sentence. ¡°To survive, her roots dug deep into the mud and grime¡­ whispers raging in her heart as her desperate leaves sought the overshadowed light just beyond reach¡­ Yet, no light would save this poor flower, doomed to wilt and die. But life is hardly so merciful.¡± The woman¡¯s hand glided over his torso, smoothing out wrinkles and leaving Klaus breathless. She took her time, folding back his sleeves and adding barrel cuffs. ¡°The flower lay in her cell, lost in her head, staring at the wall and waiting for the moment someone would come to steal her heart of gold. Left without a choice, she developed sharp, toxic barbs to protect herself since no tender hand would save her from the pain¡­ Lashes were all that awaited her resistance, and eventually, her bright red color became black¡­¡± Emelina¡¯s touch slid up his calf, prompting him to lift his feet. Her knuckles grazed the side of his thigh while bringing the dress pants up to his waist; she appeared to fasten them to the shirt with safety pins, taking care to allow him the sensation of the point to touch his bone ever so gently. ¡°Time passed, and the black rose bloomed, catching the notice of the wolves and foxes that prowled the territory, and she became an object of great attention¡­ A lovely sight with a deadly touch. Of course, beauty doesn¡¯t last, despite her desperate attempts to maintain her luster. Her black petals wilted, her roots shriveled, and her barbs fell off¡­¡± Klaus had forgotten to breathe for some time, not that he needed to, but Emelina¡¯s story enthralled him to the point the noisy camp faded into the background. His entire body tingled as velvet wrapped around the nape of his neck, pulling him down so her meticulous fingers could fashion the tie. He felt the imaginary honeyed steam that pressed against his cheeks; her words were lace, tightening around his thoughts to pull them into her seductive voice. ¡°In a last act of self-preservation, the black rose pricked herself. Thought to be dead, this once gorgeous flower was uprooted and cast aside like all those that had come before her. Then, she awakened in a distant, unfamiliar land. Scared, scarred, and aged, life had become death, and all she wanted¡­ was one last kiss.¡± Klaus¡¯ mind blanked as the softest pastry pressed against his lips, casting a spell over his mind that set him free in ways he couldn¡¯t describe. The intense heat, salted taste, and scent of flowers that she¡¯d imprinted onto his mind embraced every fiber of his being. Emelina drew back thorns and vines already trapping him in a charm of desire as she whispered into his ear, ¡°And now she can die in peace. Thank you, Ambassador.¡± Tightening the tie, Klaus opened his eyes to see her give him a half-turned look, fire-embraced emerald eyes flickering in the darkness before the tent flap fluttered on her exit. His fingers rose to his burning mouth; Klaus could still taste her soft lips, stronger than any drug he¡¯d taken. There was something captivating in everything she did, her gravity breaking down his resistances, dragging him closer; if he could show emotion, there would be a grin. Taking one look at his suit and tie, he marveled at how closely she¡¯d matched his thin, bony frame to the size of the items. He¡¯d been in such a daze that Klaus hadn¡¯t even felt her add his shoes or socks. As it turns out, haha, undeath won¡¯t be so bad. The walls were whispering that he wouldn¡¯t come back if he went after her, but he was already dead. Despite the warnings from his saner self, Klaus followed the provocative Head Maid into the dress section of the tent anyways; after all, he had to return the favor. B2 — 1. Budding Empire Elinor moved between the various groups of her rising kingdom, evaluating what each one needed while the hurricane kept them bunkered down. In tandem, Butter went out with the ri¡¯bot and Carlos¡¯ hunting parties to get more supplies, Death Orbs, and levels. However, she swiftly changed tactics upon seeing a pattern. While the military units were swiftly advancing within the Poor-Grade, the serving staff was seeing very slow progress. Once their tasks had been swapped to supporting the camp and sorting the goods, their experience skyrocketed. Days passed in the sporadic weather of pelting rain, hail, deadly winds, and lightning that shook the air, yet counter to Valdar¡¯s expectations, it only got worse. Tiffany provided further insight that hurricanes could last as much as two to four weeks on Earth, and being on another world meant it could be either longer or shorter. The former elder chief hadn¡¯t seen a storm like this in most of his life and was concerned about damage to the structures of his tribe since they lived on a cliff shelf. The race could easily weather the punishing tempest themselves, but their way of life could see complications due to the flooding. Luckily, the sanctuary Nicole and the Plant Callers made for them could be tweaked and modified as needed. They widened the waterways and made corrections in its integrity from her father¡¯s input with his architectural engineering background. On the brighter side, it gave Elinor more time to prepare her citizens for the trek through the harsh jungle. She could also continue to negotiate with the two remaining clans¡ªValdar was more or less already in her pocket since her gains were also his clan¡¯s. In the meantime, her maids had set up a table and ramp to get to the top of a rig so she could observe the full breadth of the giant space. It was hard to believe it used to be a field, now turned into a megalithic domed edifice. She¡¯d grown her forces by quite a bit over the last ninety hours, learning the day and night cycle of their new world was six hours longer than Earth¡¯s. Despite the feeling of losing her home, it did excite her to explore their adopted planet and its secrets. Naturally, she started with the list of individuals on the list she¡¯d had the humans craft since she¡¯d promised them priority in returning their loved ones. While in the process, there came requests from these resurrections, such as wishing for them to be brought into the Serving Court instead of the Military. She accommodated where available, yet it wasn¡¯t without its challenges. In some instances, the raised individual was a tad agitated at the swap. One such case was Ang¨¦lica Tesoro, currently a Poor-A Grade Maid, who had been a sniper in the Columbian military. Her husband wanted her to be in a less dangerous position, and that had apparently caused some contention between them since she loved her previous job. It wasn¡¯t like the Serving Court couldn¡¯t fight or gain combat roles, but their stats and Feats were severely diminished. In addition, their method of leveling diverged from the Military Court. Still, Ang¨¦lica did her work without complaint, despite the sour attitude Elinor felt through the Nexus. As for entertainment, her attention was often taken by Valerie Meyer¡ªa US influencer, fashion model, and hobby violinist¡ªshe¡¯d been raised in the Musician role of the Serving Court. In conjunction, one surprise was her Assistant Head Maid, Theresa Pecha, who was quite the multi-talented mother of two older teenagers. The worldly-wise woman had been among the fastest to level, already rising to Common-S in her Serving capacity and unlocking the Songweaver Class within the Magi Core¡¯s Resonance Division. The motherly Latino woman was shockingly beautiful, poised, and tempered. Much of her body was restored upon reaching Common-S, like many of the other higher individuals that filled key stations of the Serving Court. Only a few parts of their skin showed their undead roots, which could mostly be covered by clothing. Her husband and older teen boys were blown away by the change to their dark-haired, lime-eyed, stunning wife and mother¡ªthe lighter color representing her musical-based Division. Her talent in playing the piano and singing was also quite advanced due to being the pianist at one of the local churches. Valerie was very close to reaching Common-C, and was excited to see if she would enter the same Division as the rising role model. As could be expected from a somewhat popular US model and influencer, she was a bright, bubbly blonde, who enjoyed dressing up in all sorts of accessories and fashion, along with a passion for dancing. Elinor appreciated the music the two were able to provide, further uplifting the now hopeful humans in more ways than one with their restored appearance. It wasn¡¯t only the humans inspired, as well, judging by the ri¡¯bot that were enjoying their performances. The cadence of the propped-up, damaged piano, singing, and solemn violin mixed with the tapping rain and rolling thunder outside to set quite the atmosphere. Day by day, the number of people that saw her as a ruler and drew to her banner was increasing. Unfortunately, there was a downside to [Rising Empire: Budding]. Her growth had slowed down to a frustrating degree after hitting seven hundred and fifty followers out of the three thousand or so living humans she had to convert. Yes, the humans as a whole more or less saw her as their ruler¡ªor bent the knee to her¡ªbut that wasn¡¯t all there was for them to count toward her Feat. They had to view themselves as citizens of her empire and not slaves. It was a puzzling development that Tiffany wasn¡¯t so thrilled about, but her father counseled that it would work out in time. Butter was more in-line with her dad¡¯s way of thinking, and the pair had become a lot closer as they got to know each other. Elinor kept herself somewhat aloof, putting all of her energy into plotting a way forward and handling some of the negotiations. It helped now that she had an expert in the field in the way of Klaus, her Ambassador, that would be sent to the Clavex territory and Nalvean Empire. Although, there were times she found herself smirking and spying on a few developments happening within her Nexus, such as the playful games her father and Tiffany engaged in. It often involved the competition they had with their growing factions of mortal magic users or knights. Tiffany¡¯s entry-level Witches and Warlocks were far less inclined to do the darker side of the art, but so long as they could learn a few basics to help with their eventual production needs of food and silk products, then it was good enough for her¡ªat least for now. On the other hand, Edmon had a host of young boys and even girls that wanted to be just like her ¡®cool¡¯ dad, roaming around on his giant black Percheron warhorse. It was usually Mika that acted as the instructor for them since the ri¡¯bot was also in the process of training her father in actual combat. Sure, being raised to his station and title had given him a lot of downloaded battle tactics and skills, but it was nothing to what the experienced ri¡¯bot warriors could offer. It was a win-win since it had him engaging the excited High Warriors to test their metal against his impenetrable armor. Her father had a hard time keeping up with Garu, though, meaning he¡¯d have trouble against the cultist Xaria of the Komath. He had the Feats and many ways of trying to make up for his lack of actual combat experience, but he was determined to close the skill gap as soon as possible with the help of her undead System. Another dessert-like entertainment she nibbled on from time to time was a growing flame between her Ambassador and Head Maid, both of which were the only ones who currently managed to break past the Common-S into the Uncommon Grade. The pair were fun to watch as he tried to make the former assassin of the cartel¡ªand a far older woman in her sixties¡ªsmile and laugh. Her story was a shocking one, and originally, she¡¯d been extremely disfigured and scared due to how she¡¯d escaped her former employer, having grown up in the sex trade. She had lost her brother as a young girl when they were taken from their family and separated, and that was only the beginning. Her life was filled with woe and trauma, which forced her to grow cold and meticulous not to anger her handlers, developing a penchant for murder¡ªnot that she enjoyed it. The girl grew into a beauty, despite the scars on her back from the whips they¡¯d used to punish her when a teenager, and her task was changed to drawing in officials and wealthy businessmen that vacationed in South America. As time went on, her successes brought the eye of the bigger players in the cartel, advancing her to a more deadly job of using her looks, charm, and adaptability. Aimed at hard-to-reach targets, it was here she stepped into the role of an assassin. Once her beauty had started to fade¡ªdespite her desperate attempts to maintain it¡ªher usefulness began to dry up, and she hatched a plan to fake her death. She did escape, yet it left her disfigured in the process, and she ended up in this little town to retire in. Now, there was a young, strapping politician courting her, which made Elinor smile and chuckle at how the woman strung Klaus on. He knew what she was doing, but played into it for fun, creating this sort of dance between them that eased the monotony of the storm trapping them. On one of her resurrection sessions, she discovered another German girl that the torlim had found in the mud and dug up; a missing tourist girl from a murder case over ten years old, but the clumsy pre-teen maid provided more entertainment for Elinor while giving Nicole¡ªthe Dryad girl¡ªsomeone her age to be friends with and help through her trauma. Adoncia Vences¡ªone of the original maids she raised¡ªwas having a heart attack with her younger brother wanting to join Edmon¡¯s Argent Dusk Knights. She had regained most of her ability to speak after becoming Common-A, being one of the few maids, such as Ang¨¦lica, who obtained EXP through a mix of combat and duty-based tasks. It became clearer that it was possible to overlap some roles within the Military and Serving Courts when Adoncia obtained her Class, yet one would take dominance. She became an Elite Warrior, blue eyes changed to gold upon advancing to the Class, and her temper was beginning to show as Elinor observed her. The girl certainly had one and could be quite assertive, which made her a good possible candidate for an Assistant Head Maid role in the coming weeks as she raised more. It seemed most of the humans with loved ones to be raised wanted them in a serving role and not to be sent into danger. Elinor was fine with such sentiments since humans weren¡¯t amazing in combat roles in the first place, considering she had more advanced species she could raise for that purpose in this alien world. It also helped to have a serving staff that understood the culture she¡¯d grown up in. Her living Defending Core and guard was receiving more and more recruits after Virgil and Gloria¡ªtwo of the human ring leaders the community had grown to trust¡ªjoined, and even in the few days they¡¯d given themselves over to the training, results were being seen. Gloria used to be quite chubby and appeared to be quite self-conscious about it, but as she fell into Edmon¡¯s ranks, a change began to occur that more than one woman observed, and the same could be said with Virgil. The woman¡¯s fat melted away, and her short stature grew, bringing her to stand from her 150 cm height to 170 cm. Her countenance brightened instead of diminishing, showing that those that entered her living army could pull from not only her affinity but Butter¡¯s, as well. Virgil also drew more women¡¯s gaze with his change, developing a solid physique and a more rugged appearance that appeared to represent how he wanted to look. Her powers to mold those who served her were swiftly spreading amongst various groups, sparking many of the women to want to join either Tiffany or Edmon¡¯s circles, which was where the bulk of her citizens came from. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Sadly, since she currently only had two Royal Court members, options were limited, and they only needed a certain number of recruits. She assured her anxious citizens that more positions would open in the future. It wasn¡¯t just combat roles her undead were filling; one such individual that fell into a dual serving category was a woman that had struggled with sickness her entire life, having earned her doctorate from inside a medical bed. Luisina Aristizabal had obtained one of the Seeds, the same as Carlos, that Elinor absorbed when restoring the woman to life. It appeared to be a rather malnourished Seed since it only gave her a single level, or it hadn¡¯t fully integrated into her, but upon reaching the Common-C Grade, she gained the Clergy Class. Between cooks, ground keepers, and other positions, her Serving Court was thriving with the sharp influx of human dead she had resurrected, reuniting families. With all the new followers and advancing Feats, she had nearly ninety Intelligent and over two hundred Unintelligent undead¡ªmostly ri¡¯bot or torlim. It still wasn¡¯t enough. Levels were slowing down for her after her competition against the ri¡¯bot clans had come to a close, and with each passing day, she tried something different to further test this System. At Level 9, she got her first equipable Feat, yet left it pending since she couldn¡¯t possibly get rid of her current three selections of [Butterfly II], [Phylactery I], and [Artificial Body II]. When hitting Level 10 at the start of the second week, she obtained the ability to select something called an Ultimate Feat; yet again, upon looking at the options of Utility, Attack, and Defense, she left it for now. From what she could tell, every five levels, she had the opportunity to choose something far more powerful, and until she discovered what her fifteenth level would be like, she wanted to leave her options open. She had to see if there was a pattern. Elinor ceased raising the dead on the fourth day to fulfill the requirements to bring Phylactery to the next Grade. She spent much of this time discussing items from their world with Fennel, Nadraca, and Valdar, bartering and explaining why they needed certain items. It was concluded that due to the terrible storm, Fennel would inform the Roxim Chief that Elinor would be at this sanctuary location three months after they started their journey. It would give her time to settle a lot of affairs with Valdar¡¯s grandson¡ªthe current chief of their clan. Nadraca was resistant in quite a few negotiations, yet she managed to get her to budge enough to lend the humans three pairs of garments that would be returned with interest. It did kick some women in the butt to join Tiffany in order to have even basic clothing for the future and to develop skills, including magic, they could fall back on. A bitter part in some people¡¯s minds that prevented them from joining was the fact these powers relied on seeing her as their ruler. Stubborn men and women sulked in their groups, mumbling to one another about plots she may be having as an undead overlord. She mostly ignored them since, at the end of the day, they were helpless without her. Once everything had been divided and instructions were given to the Roxim on the basic use of firearms, Elinor smiled at the vast majority of the goods that lay on the Delthax side of the sanctuary. She had managed to bargain every bullet as a powerful tool for the Roxim to gain, and the exciting part was that Tiffany informed her that they had the means to create gunpowder. Near the colossal, old quen¡¯talrat city-fortress was a volcanic zone that was filled with all sorts of minerals and metals to be explored and cultivated. Elinor had also managed to hide many of the explosives and pass them off as unimportant to give them a head start on developing areas that required heavy demolition. Considering the Delthax made their home on the shelf of a mountain range, her father said there might be a need for the substance, which she passed off as more construction material. Audrey, her OCD terrorist maid, had obtained a rather interesting Class after reaching the appropriate Tier and Grade. Rather than joining Carlos in his Class, she was assigned to the Magi-Science Division in the Magi Core as an Alchemist. The meticulous woman would be instrumental in developing more explosives. There were much more Serving personnel she raised, learning about each of their talents and expertise over the next week, and nearly twelve days after the hurricane started, the storm died down to more manageable levels. When they prepared to leave, Klaus joined Nadraca¡¯s side to help the Clavex bring their supplies to the rafts they hoped had somehow survived the storm; if not, they¡¯d spend another two weeks crafting new temporary vessels to see them back. Somehow the High Priestess had kept the sadistic snake woman unconscious throughout the past two weeks with the help of a tonic her people made. Tiffany wanted to get a sample, but the clan was very secretive and resistant to her probes, ruffling her feathers a bit. Elinor didn¡¯t want to rock the boat too much; they¡¯d gotten away with more than they should have through careful maneuvering. They¡¯d even managed to keep a pistol with some ammunition for herself¡ªher father¡¯s insistence¡ªnot that she was particularly versed in firing it. Instead of carrying it on her person, she had whatever maid was on duty handling the item. A flurry of activity was inside the sanctuary as they got ready to leave; nervous laughter and chuckles were passed between the humans, unsure what to expect, but Quin was doubtful they would do well, despite the gear they¡¯d been equipped with. She had her undead scouting ahead with Mika and the Delthax scouts, finding them the best route for the humans to take through the winding jungle. The massive trees were larger than the redwoods, with roots sometimes the size of houses that blocked their path or created rolling mounds that needed to be climbed. Elinor sat on a chair with a seat belt that had been fastened to a harness; Quin wore it around her body. The pre-teen gorilla Elite Warrior normally stood tall and straight, unlike her Earth-like counterparts, and refused to believe Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma, her glorious leader, had died until seeing the fallen fortress for herself. She was more than willing to accommodate her desire now that the storm had eased into a light drizzle; they had to start making the journey in any case. Valdar left a few guards behind, including a Plant Caller he could communicate to over long distances, but, not wanting to be outdone, Tiffany performed a ritual with a ri¡¯bot skull that would create a permanent communication hub across a forty-kilometer range. She would need to make a relay station at some point on their journey, but that didn¡¯t require a skeleton. Setting out on their journey, Elinor entered her inner world to sit more comfortably in her chair while directing Quin to set off for her city-fortress; she wanted a look at it, at the very least. In the coming months, she¡¯d be back to explore it more thoroughly to see if it was suitable to be made into a more permanent home. Her father wanted Garu to go with her, but she superseded his desire by pointing out that their goal was to make as much noise as possible to invoke attacks from hostile clanless since she needed more bodies. Butter would be directing things in her absence, and her twin was growing quite fond of the power Elinor entrusted to her. She gave a lot of authority to the blonde to maintain what she¡¯d already built while she focused on further expansion. Studying her status screen, she let the haunting organ play in the backdrop with falling rain and thunder; she was rather fond of the ambient noise after the hurricane if she excluded the howling wind¡ªa modest rain was good enough. As she¡¯d learned more about the System, it filled out, showing her what was previously hidden. At Level 12, she reflected on how much of it had filled out with each new bit of information she¡¯d puzzled out. Immediately, she regretted not seeing if she could refine her maxed Feat. If she got another chance at Level 15, she¡¯d take it. Currently, her biggest issue was the roadblock many of her undead had reached in their advancement. Before she sunk any points into anything else, that had to be resolved. Tiffany and Edmon had been raised to Uncommon-S, the maximum her units could currently reach, and while they hadn¡¯t budged in the last two weeks, Quin had gone up to A-tier, and Garu to C-tier. The Ethereal Clan scout gained the Subclass of Mistwalker within the Hunter Class, providing him methods of tracking and killing those he marked. The Serving Court was far, far easier to level, or, at least, that is what it appeared, yet it was likely due to them not being in an actual war; this was one of the reasons she wanted to provoke clanless raiders. Still, even her Serving Court was hitting a block, but not in the Tier department, which was something of note. Instead, whenever there was a block, it came when trying to move into the next Grade, stalling upon hitting S-tier. Levels didn¡¯t seem to be a problem, continuing to rise, even for Tiffany and her father. The pair almost seemed to be having a competition to see who had the higher vantage point, making little bets¡ªTiffany always teased some kind of kiss, but her father was ruthless¡ªa domination game was his department, dictating what the Witch would wear that day. At the moment, Tiffany was in a peach summer dress with a duck head mascot that somehow managed to make it into the pile; it had many of her young disciple Warlocks and Witches snickering at the typically terrifying dark arts specialist. To make matters worse for the woman, if she didn¡¯t reach level ten by the end of the day, she had to put on the flippers. Elinor would have never guessed it, but the woman actually somewhat got off on the games¡ªlosing or winning¡ªand she had to wonder if her mother had been like this in private. For a certainty, her father knew the woman far better than Elinor thought he would, seemingly proving to him that her mother was still a part of the Witch. Butter didn¡¯t help, egging them on and waiting to see what punishment would come next from the teasing Witch and Death Knight¡¯s games that appeared to be catching the eye of many women in their two circles. Elinor was glad they were at least finding a way forward. She dismissed the thoughts as Garu contacted her before they went out of range from the Nexus; soon, they¡¯d be on the march to their temporary home amongst the Delthax ri¡¯bot. ¡°Empress, am I disturbing you?¡± Elinor shifted her cheek against her knuckles while staring into the blue flames of her fireplace, crossing her legs in the opposite direction. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°No. We are setting the positioning now and making sure everything is secured on the torlim. Valdar just needs to say goodbye to the other expedition leaders, and we will be on our way¡­ Is it possible for me to discover what happened to my clan when we reach the Wixum border since they are allied with the Delthax?¡± Considering the requested quest, Elinor¡¯s gaze shifted to her sister¡¯s side of their shared space, bubbly and bright. It amused her that once the blonde had gotten introduced to the concept of photographs, she¡¯d lined her side of the room with captured memories. Of course, she could understand the desire to record them since she had almost total amnesia. ¡°Perhaps once I finish speaking to Valdar¡¯s grandson. Valdar has a lot of sway, but ultimately, it is up to the current chief to make good on his promises. Depending on how things turn out, making contact with your clan might help us¡­ or it could bring further enemies to our doorstep¡ªas you know, powerful enemies. We need to be careful at our current stage.¡± ¡°I¡­ understand, Empress.¡± He pulled away to continue his assigned mission and tasks. Elinor could sympathize with both Garu and Quin¡¯s apprehension to believe what others had told them. For the gorilla, how could someone she saw as a literal god have died? Garu saw his clan as the strongest ri¡¯bot, bar none. Yet, the god had fallen, and the Ethereal had faded into history like the mist they were known to be so close to. There was a lot of mystery to be solved in the coming months as she explored this new home, and as a snack to nibble on, Quin brought her to the home she¡¯d grown up in. ¡°Empress, we¡¯re almost out of the jungle. Look, you can see the Ke¡¯s Spire from anywhere in the valley!¡± Leaving her inner world, Elinor resituated herself in the chair. Quin was using thick vines as if born hanging from them, swinging and climbing up the giant trees to reach the canopy-like sky. Breaking through, Elinor gazed across the sea of yellow, purple, and red-leaved trees to a rising cliff that blocked the view of what lay beyond, yet one thing was visible¡ªa spear piercing the heavens. Peering past the light mist that lingered, she spotted a spire so large it dwarfed anything she¡¯d seen on Earth, shooting into the low-hanging clouds; the fact such a thing was still standing after a century without any maintenance brought back the tales Quin told her about the type of technology they used¡ªa runic language of magical properties the Ke brought back from the far north in his conquest. It¡¯s¡­ certainly grand, she whispered, noting its obsidian black appearance that would likely shine in the sunlight. There¡¯s a city below it? ¡°Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha! It is glorious, Empress¡ªjust beyond the ridge and treeline. I know the Ke will want to meet you. I just¡­ don¡¯t know why the ri¡¯bot are still here¡ªhe was intent on eradicating all the weaker races¡­¡± Doubt in the quen¡¯talrat child¡¯s voice, she jumped down in almost a free fall, forcing Elinor¡¯s braid up as her stomach squirmed like she¡¯d entered a roller coaster; she practically had. Keeping her cool as the jungle blurred past her, mist taking the place of the rain in the lower levels, she saw creatures slowly beginning to come out of their hiding place; naturally, the giant ape terrified most, sending them racing away in their passing. However, when they finally reached the edge of the barren volcanic shelf of the great quen¡¯talrat city of Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha, Quin froze in place. Sweet voice low and frightened for such a terrifying, four-armed goliath of an animal. ¡°Empress¡­ why is part of the outer wall broken; how could it be breached with the city¡¯s defensive runes? The inner wall isn¡¯t damaged, though, so¡­¡± Elinor recalled the story Valdar shared with her; it had been the Golariex¡ªone of the Great Races, as the ri¡¯bot called them¡ªthat had done it. The elder¡¯s stories couldn¡¯t compare to the real thing. Much of the city was obscured in the mist, but the walls were likely over three hundred meters in the sky, thick beyond belief. Yet, Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma was supposedly ten meters tall, so it was made to accommodate the giant gorilla¡¯s race. Dozens of kilometers of towering, black-stone wall remained perfectly intact from side to side, and the only damage was from the Golariex attack that had allowed the ri¡¯bot to be the fodder needed to open the gates for the others. However, there was only one thing running through Elinor¡¯s mind when viewing merely a slice of this intimidating city that was grander than any fortress she¡¯d seen in fiction on scale and breadth. This is a capital worthy of an empire. B2 — 2. Were Home Sitting atop Quin, Elinor had her portable throne climb the stony hills that divided the jungle from the volcanic wasteland. Tiffany was salivating over the many materials this area could provide her, and that certainly was a promising prospect, but that would be in the future. She transferred to one of the gorilla¡¯s palms for Quin to raise her up to study the deep and vibrant valley. The lingering signs of the hurricane misted the landscape, obscuring portions. It wasn¡¯t long before her gaze had wandered to the looming quen¡¯talrat city to the north. In the silence that took them, Elinor watched the fog that veiled the mountain range behind the black fortress. Valdar had been right; something atop those colossal, snowy peaks fed on the storm. She put all of that behind her, though, organizing things into priority lists with the distant rumble of the dying tempest. For the time being, Elinor contented herself with burning the misty vision of the early morning valley into her soul. She could reconstruct it in her sanctuary with Butter later for further examination. Once satisfied, she turned her attention to Quin, having the giant ape return them to the long caravan of her recently acquired citizens. Elinor busied herself by speaking to the quen¡¯talrat through the Nexus on their journey. I know it must be a shock. What was life like when you lived in that colossal fortress? ¡°I didn¡¯t know anything else, Empress,¡± the fairly young child whispered, making sure to keep her secure on one of her hands along their slow trip back to the group. ¡°Everything was already built when I was born, and quen¡¯talrat are born to fulfill a purpose. My purpose was to be a great Elite Hunter, like Amra¡¯Cora!¡± I see. You looked up to this Elite Hunter? ¡°She is the fifth daughter of the Silver Queen herself, Empress, and some say her father was the Ke!¡± Young quen¡¯talrat rumors in this Elite Hunter school you attended? ¡°I was only trained for five weeks¡­ I volunteered to push back the invaders! My parents were against it, but¡­ I had the right under the law to make that decision. Then I¡­ I died. How could the Ke die?¡± Elinor didn¡¯t respond right away; her question wasn¡¯t necessarily aimed at her. Quin was searching for her own answers and solace to her failure. It wasn¡¯t as if Garu had taken Quin down himself, either; he¡¯d been in a team of three that had ambushed her. Of course, none of that mattered in Quin¡¯s mind since her glorified god battled armies alone and without a wound. All of the tales Quin and Valdar told regarding the White God, from his rise to power, feats, and inevitable fall, were just that to Elinor. Until she had more solid evidence, everything she learned was pending. Yet, there was one thing that plucked at the back of her mind like the inescapable buzz of the jungle insects and wildlife. Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma was on a rocket to the top, and no one could stop him: well, no one but Shade. It all aligned too perfectly for the other races, and from what little she¡¯d learned about this world¡¯s history in the past week, there was an uncomfortable pattern that linked together. We will find out the truth in time, Quin; there¡¯s no need to dwell too heavily on that subject. As of now, you are my Elite Hunter, and I will give you the glory and high expectations you seek. ¡°Yes, Empress! I will not fail again!¡± Quin¡¯s terrifying roar and passage through the jungle amused Elinor. Despite its ferocity and bone-shaking sounds, to her translation Feat, it was the cry of a female child. Returning to the pack, Elinor left much of the administration to be handled by her courts while she pondered the bigger picture. Butter was given the power to identify who they required to continue to provide new services for their budding empire and raise them. Her High Monarch of the Evening Star had become quite the asset. It was still challenging for her to fully view her as a sister, but her father had gone all in. After careful self-inventory, Elinor could see herself possibly growing slightly jealous of the attention she was being given. Then again, she also was his direct supervisor, and she would not give Butter the satisfaction of discovering her sister¡¯s annoyed feelings. Her former mother was amusing enough to watch. In a way, she could see a pattern her father was playing that strummed the Witch Queen along like an instrument. He appeared to have the woman calculated to a science on how much slack to give to make her go crazy. Cool-headed, offhandedly sarcastic, and the subtle jabs of comments that he knew would stick inside her mind, her father worked a charm and game she didn¡¯t know he possessed. Tiffany, on the other hand, was struggling to find a hold since many of the traits that made her father fidget came from her more tender side. Wildly, it almost seemed like her father was forcing her to cultivate more of this side the Witch Queen was uncomfortable with. Sure, she could fake it, to an extent, but her father was swift to poke holes in her facade that caused a complete collapse and made her storm off in a huff; not that she could escape in her mind or undead heart. Elinor observed the operations of her kingdom from above for the next three weeks, always seen yet rarely making contact with the humans or ri¡¯bot. She did spend a certain block of time each day speaking to Valdar to obtain further insight into whatever plot was on her mind in the moment, but the direction of her empire had to be planned meticulously. The actions she needed to take were simple in and of themselves; it was the manner in which she executed them and in what order that mattered. Elinor had to enter a grand stage where kingdoms and powerful entities played, which required a lot of planning and forethought. Shade had given her many ideas in their brief encounter and conversation. He had to work in a slow and meticulous way due to his inability to enact things in a direct way, but she wasn¡¯t limited by that. Although, he had the advantage of interacting with people across the entire globe, and potentially beyond it. Shade was her long-term adversary. On the other side of the coin was the Scarlet Hand. Unlike Shade, they could make deals and craft connections to counter her in the short term. Luckily, Elinor had positioned herself in a way that put them on the back foot. She just had to maintain that lead. What Elinor won for her empire in resources and influence, Butter and her Royal Court could then take over. Her path was setting the direction and paving the way for them to build. Looking back, it was similar to how she ran the cheer squad when she had been captain. Initially, she¡¯d had resistance from the older girls, but her accomplishment of winning the Junior High Cheerleading Championship spoke for itself. Sadly for them, she¡¯d moved past cheerleading after her sophomore year and into her more ¡®macabre phase,¡¯ as her mother had put it. After some thought, perhaps it was her abandonment of the team that had caused the tension between her and her old friends, who struggled without her leadership and work ethic. Elinor had to dismiss these distracting thoughts every so often, yet it did serve as a warning to remain vigilant in her goals. She came to the conclusion that Butter¡¯s influence had more than likely been the draw to cheerleading in the first place. Her heart was set on something else: the unusual draw she felt to the concept of death, empires, and security for herself and others. Throughout the weeks it took them to reach the Wixum Clan¡¯s territory, an allied tribe to the Delthax, Elinor¡¯s vision shifted. She wasn¡¯t blind to the struggles, tears, and whispers of the humans as they traveled the ancient jungle, teeming with dangers with every step. Humanity had evolved to shape its environment to its needs, not traverse nearly impassable terrain with roots the size of rigs and trees towering over the redwoods of Earth. What Elinor figured would take them three weeks turned out to be nearly five, and that was only to reach the large lake shores of the Wixum¡¯s primary settlement. If they were to reach the Delthax¡¯s, it was still thirty-five kilometers to their destination, across a large river and a steep hike to the cliff shelf they lived at. Basically impossible. Butter brought up the concern to her as they finally reached what constituted civilization amongst the ri¡¯bot, causing the humans to cry with joy. Unknown to the band of exhausted and famished humans, they¡¯d already been in contact with the Wixum for some time via scout runners. They¡¯d informed their chief that their very large group would be reaching them within the month, but that had kept showing signs of delay. At the moment, Elinor was impressed by the preparations the clan of turquoise-colored ri¡¯bot had made for their arrival; it almost seemed too generous. Of course, Valdar¡¯s agitated comments regarding the allied clan over the five weeks gave her an insight into why. What he saw as a burden and growing concern for the eventual collapse of these people that would affect his own, Elinor saw as a golden opportunity for them both; it was all about perspective. Legs crossed with her hands in her lap, Elinor waited in the tree line for every last human straggler to make it into the cleared and open spaces of the clan. Butter, Edmon, and Tiffany organized into their own assigned roles to accomplish what she¡¯d laid out earlier. The witch circles were performing ¡®homework¡¯ of sorts, finalizing some of the communication rituals that would allow them to speak across a large area. Elinor had ordered its creation, which Tiffany then shoved off to her school¡¯s students as practice. A few more extreme Witches and Warlocks had even advanced to a more teaching role, such as Esmeralda, to help the beginners. The blonde ran her own little coven of girls that showed the most promise in rising to a more senior position. Tiffany really just wanted one of them to reach the level of a real instructor for her school other than just ¡®bright students¡¯ that could support the ¡®dumb¡¯ ones. Edmon¡¯s Aegis Order was coming along swimmingly, with Gloria overseeing the women, and Virgil, the men. Elinor could feel Tiffany biting the brim of the big witch¡¯s hat Edmon forced her to wear with spiteful competition; not that she was particularly complaining about the accessories. The truth was, he was just more charismatic and connected better with humans. It was funny to see him giving her lessons on recruitment, and his suggested angle of the Witch using familiars as a selling point was doing work. And that was even more fuel to make the Witch Queen want to cry in frustration at needing the man¡¯s help. Elinor¡¯s gaze only lingered on the two groups before spotting Valdar and the Wixum Chief meet; he would speak privately to her for a time and introduce the situation before inviting her to the discussion. It would be quite the diversion from where he believed the conversation would go, which was all a part of Elinor¡¯s plan since she didn¡¯t want to explain herself twice. Scanning the Wixum settlement, she made a note of the partially rebuilt dam that had been destroyed by the storm. According to Valdar, this clan had been dwindling in military might significantly over the last several decades, and the reason was somewhat his fault. In brokering peace with the Wixum¡¯s chief three generations back, Valdar unknowingly sent these people in the direction of industrialization and craftsmanship. He had somewhat of a fling with the chief at the time¡ªtheir current chief¡¯s great-grandmother¡ªwhich was a spicy topic among the ri¡¯bot warriors of the past, or so the elder joked. He shared with her the ideas and visions he had of their clans that could bring them into a more advanced civilization. It had stuck with him after talking with so many of the great races during the Fire Wars. Unfortunately, his clansmen were far too stuck in the old ways at the time, and hers far too eager to jump on board. Due to this, the Delthax became heavily militarized, pushing into it with every passing generation in order to guard not only their borders but the Wixum¡¯s, as well. It wasn¡¯t as if this was a completely one-sided union, though, since the Wixum provided much-needed food and supplies to the cliff-based Delthax. Sadly, it had soured many tongues with the loss of life and somewhat stagnated population of the Delthax while the Wixum flourished in numbers. Elinor could see why, with the Wixum¡¯s more elaborate construction techniques that resembled primitive human designs she¡¯d seen in history books. However, almost all of these structures had been completely devastated by the hurricane since they hadn¡¯t been built to handle such winds or waves from the lake. Still, the Wixum appeared happy as could be since their lives were far from lost. Their more aquatic and weathering capabilities as a species allowed them to survive such disasters where humans would most certainly die. It did provide a rather fortuitous opportunity, though. It took almost an hour for the last of the elderly humans, helped by her undead, to finally reach the outskirts, along with those that had lost limbs or that were afflicted with other disabilities. Tiffany said she had future rituals that could alleviate such conditions, which had drawn more than a few to her banner and citizenship. Gwen, as the primary individual who had taken over majority leadership amongst the living, and Lucky, her Serving Court¡¯s acting publicist to act as the liaison between the living and dead, were organizing parties to support those that were worse off. The pair were growing somewhat close with the witty undead man¡¯s caring ways and attention to detail in easing the overworked redhead¡¯s load. Gwen generally wasn¡¯t the type to shun what she thought were her duties with those that put their trust in her. Yet, Lucky had a way of twisting her around in a playful manner that made her accept his help, which included one interesting night when he¡¯d organized a dance. Carlos would have joined, but he was too busy with Mika cleaning up roving bands of clanless seeking to steal their goods. As Tiffany put it: more bodies to be raised and information gleaned from those who returned with their intelligence intact. Of course, that was just before Edmon performed a surprise attack, sweeping the squealing witch off her feet to join the festivities, complete in witch¡¯s garb as he¡¯d instructed her to wear. Upon recalling that amusing night, she sent an internal prompt to Lucky to facilitate something similar; it would be a good introduction to this clan and lighten the mood for when she eventually took the stage. There was plenty of daylight left, as well. Quin brought her to Valdar when they came back into sight, and he gave her a high-handed gesture that signaled he¡¯d done all of the preemptive work in explaining the humans and her undead¡¯s presence. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The very few, and rather mediocre, Wixum military¡¯s legs were quaking at the approaching, silver-furred quen¡¯talrat. Quin¡¯s large feet left imprints in the wet mud, and almost everyone¡¯s gaze was fixated on her. Although, Elinor somewhat expected as much would be the case; it happened every time she went through the camps, casting a web of whispers about what her purpose was in her visit. Chief Yimara did her best not to look nervous as Quin lowered her to the more solid grass of the area the two leaders walked. According to Valdar, Yimara was quite unprepared to be a leader of such a massive clan and territory at the ripe young age of thirteen. It confused Elinor a tad, considering the ri¡¯bot saw adulthood at the age of eight. The reason was likely more to do with her mannerisms and leadership style than age, though. She wasn¡¯t nearly as confident in her military prowess. So, she¡¯d given the task to another ri¡¯bot warrior, who had abused power and made working the Wixum borders a nightmare for the more experienced and battle-hardened Delthax. Elinor knew how to handle people like that since it was rampant in school; there had always been some girl trying to usurp her authority in whatever activity she was in at the time. Touching down on the soil, Elinor gave the woman a respectful gesture against her chest, using three curled fingers with her thumb and pointer held slightly upward to the bright heavens. ¡°Hello, Chief Yimara. I¡¯ve heard so much about you. Shall we talk as you show me around your settlement?¡± ¡°Eh¡­ yeah,¡± she mumbled, returning the gesture and acting nothing like the proud Valdar beside her. ¡°The Former Chief tells me you have proposed a pact, which Chief Kalix and I must ratify the terms of¡­ I don¡¯t quite understand everything he told me, though.¡± ¡°Allow me to clarify, then. Shall we?¡± Elinor asked with an amiable tone, gesturing at the areas where her people were gathering fallen tree limbs and items to continue the restoration of their facilities. ¡°Right¡­¡± Valdar kept his peace since, in essence, his task was only to introduce them as leaders. Now, he was only in an advisory position to be called upon if needed. He used his staff to hobble along behind them, waiting to be welcomed into some part of the discussion that required his input. Hands clasping behind her back, she took her normal, confident posture, standing tall with her shoulders square and chest out while observing the damage. ¡°It seems the storm has devastated quite a bit of what you¡¯ve built. Was that supposed to be a fish farm?¡± she asked, vision darting to a place being given most of the attention near the lake. ¡°I don¡¯t understand this¡­ farm word,¡± Yimara said, enthusiasm now brightening her tone at the subject. ¡°If you mean an area to cultivate and grow fish, then yes! My predecessor and mentor had seen something similar in the Forbidden Caves when a child and wanted to replicate them. Heh. It has yielded some success, but we think there are some improvements that can be made this time around. Are you familiar with them?¡± The corner of Elinor¡¯s lip curved at the inquiry. She studied the prime areas they could expand upon; Tiffany and Edmon were going crazy with construction plans, using the mud to argue about how best to use the space. ¡°Hmm. My engineer¡¯s knowledge is¡­ extensive. You¡¯re speaking of Former Chief Vivine, who died a year ago and left you the mantle to carry on? A curse upon your line, as I¡¯m told.¡± Yimara¡¯s two teeth on either side of her mouth drew in, pressing against her skin but not drawing blood; it was a touchy subject. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the look Valdar gave her that asked, why in the Supreme Chiefs would she bring up that subject? Obviously, the one who told her this private detail would have to be him. ¡°Are you¡­ insinuating that it would be better for someone else to lead the Wixum since all of my family lines are cursed to die at the age of thirty? It is not an uncommon opinion, even amongst my own clan.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not suggesting anything of the type,¡± Elinor neutrally replied, gaze drifting around to view the thousands of Wixum citizens and tradesmen, busy going about their work. Her illuminated, emerald irises gradually settled on the nervous woman, no doubt fixating on her every action. ¡°Do you believe it is true?¡± She flinched, rubbing her arm. ¡°I¡­ have to live up to my mother¡¯s expectations¡ªcarry out her dreams for our clan. It doesn¡¯t matter what I believe.¡± Elinor¡¯s smiling eyes darted to Valdar¡¯s hardening fist; clearly, this young woman was not ready for this taxing job of making the hard decisions. That was just perfect, though. If she was willing to give up the power of the military, of all things, to some loudmouth, then she could guide her in the right direction. ¡°Is that so?¡± The chief¡¯s fingers fidgeted against her shoulders as Elinor¡¯s cool stare returned to her. ¡°Then I¡¯d like to help you, Yimara.¡± ¡°Huh?! Y-You¡¯ll support Chief Vivine¡¯s vision?¡± Her unsure eyes darted to Valdar and back to her. ¡°No one has offered to help me. All I have had is opposition in the past year.¡± Valdar cleared his throat, goosebumps spreading across his arms. ¡°Empress, what are you plotting? I¡¯ve learned to read your facial expressions over the past six weeks. What kind of support¡ªyou aren¡¯t planning on staying here and not meeting my grandson?¡± ¡°No need to fret, Valdar,¡± Elinor soothed, making Yimara shiver at how she spoke to the revered Former Elder Chief. ¡°I will be joining you, but my empire will set its roots here amongst the Wixum. At least, for now.¡± She brought one hand out from behind her back to gesture at the blank canvas across the nearby grassland, ancient trees, and vast, rich lake and wide rivers filled with all kinds of aquatic creatures. ¡°Dams and fish farms are only the tip of the spear, Chief Yimara. With the knowledge my empire brings, I will build up the Wixum alongside the Delthax to be beacons of hope within this cruel valley. Electricity, machines, tools beyond your imagination, Yimara¡ªthe quality of life improvements that will put these other great races¡¯ civilizations to shame! All sparking from your loyalty to your mother.¡± Yimara¡¯s eyes were wide with the emphasis and mysterious future her enigmatic words sparked in her primitive mind. Elinor painted these great inventions that her mother had inspired as only a foundation of something far grander as she spun it back on the young chief. ¡°The Wixum may have lost their Mysticism, yet your open mind will give way to something these¡­ weak-minded individuals who oppose you cannot even fathom. Yet, you saw it¡ªthe vision your mother so craved. Accept my Court as support, Yimara, and no one will dare challenge your mother¡¯s vision again.¡± Elinor chuckled, drawing her attention back to her as Valdar reflected on her approach. ¡°There¡¯s no need to decide now, Yimara. Go, join King Edmon and express to him your mother¡¯s legacy; he will show you how our goals align. Great things are ahead for the Wixum, Yimara. Will you join me in realizing what Great Chief Vivine saw when she gave you this future to see fulfilled?¡± ¡°I, umm¡­ Wow. No one has ever offered me so much. I¡¯m, heh, a little overwhelmed, Empress. The Former Elder Chief said you were convincing, but¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°One only needs the truth,¡± Elinor whispered, motioning her toward Edmon and Tiffany, still discussing which facilities and machines needed to be crafted first with all the labor and foundation the Wixum had. ¡°Speak to King Edmon. He has an extensive background in engineering and architectural design. Exciting things are coming, Yimara. Exciting times.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The chief forced a laugh. ¡°You do make it sound exciting. I will need to deliberate on it a bit further. Thank you¡­ for seeing the genius in my mother¡¯s desire to see us never go hungry again. Often, much of our food goes to the Delthax.¡± Valdar¡¯s wrinkled face softened. ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know. Why did you never bring up any shortages?¡± ¡°Hehe. There are rumors as it is that the Delthax are looking for any sign of weakness to invade and enslave us¡­ not that I believe you would do such a thing, Former Elder Chief. If you¡¯ll excuse me. If only I could appear more confident¡­ Ugh. Confidence!¡± she hissed, rubbing her forehead. ¡°Huh?¡± Elinor smiled and stepped forward, putting pressure in places to fix the woman¡¯s posture to resemble what she saw Nadraca use when going about business matters; female and male-dominant positions might be different among ri¡¯bot culture, after all. ¡°You have been strong, Yimara. Allow me to help build upon your dream. I¡¯m sure you will see how beneficial I can be to the Wixum soon enough.¡± ¡°Humans are¡­ very strange creatures¡ªin a good way,¡± she corrected with a nervous laugh, trying to learn from Elinor¡¯s brief corrections to her posture. ¡°I will give your proposal serious thought.¡± ¡°Excellent. In the meantime, I have arranged for music and dancing to take place in the evening. I hope you will enjoy the festivities. My people are quite exhausted, but the threat of fun of any kind can get them motivated, given their terrible circumstances. Thank you for your time, Chief.¡± They made the same respectful gesture before the woman broke away to engage Edmon; he¡¯d been preparing for the encounter. Valdar watched her leave with a frown, rubbing his chin with his free hand. ¡°You move at a frightening pace, Empress. I suppose the Wixum does meet many of the requirements for available land and craftsmen to supplement your need for additional labor. The fact you are keeping the bulk of your people here might be of concern for my grandson, though.¡± ¡°Mmh. Yes,¡± Elinor calmly said, observing the many working parts of this rebuilding area; it had gone as well as she¡¯d expected. ¡°Think of the benefits, though. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve already foreseen me taking over the warriors of the Wixum; it¡¯s only natural since they¡¯ll oppose such drastic changes that Yimara will put forward. ¡°Hehe. Indeed. I am but a spark for something that was bound to happen, but, instead of Yimara that is the one overthrown, as you¡¯d feared¡­¡± ¡°You will be put in the prime seat of power,¡± Valdar concluded with a sigh. ¡°Yimara will hand many of her responsibilities to your Court since they are actually quite competent, allowing her to put all of her efforts into the construction of all these inventions her mother fixated on.¡± His nose twisted in disdain while looking at the overweight warriors of the Wixum, lazing around and lightly harassing builders with jokes. ¡°These pathetic¡­ children would fold like a leaf in front of Quin alone.¡± ¡°Quin?¡± Elinor giggled, breathing in the crisp air as Theresa began to play a somber tune on the grand piano, drawing a crowd of the fascinated Wixum warriors; they weren¡¯t even aware that the notes foretold their own downfall. ¡°At this point, Mika¡¯s pets would slaughter all of them without her lifting a finger.¡± Valerie¡¯s curly blonde locks swayed beside the dark-haired pianist, slow violin joining the notes, mesmerizing the throngs of ri¡¯bot with their magical lullaby that pulled on the mind. Familiars from the Witches and Warlocks darted across the fields, sky, and lake, gathering resources their owners required. Edmon¡¯s knights organized in their units, practicing defensive formations and sparking more interest amongst humans and ri¡¯bot. Her influence was spreading by the second from her various courts and divisions: human and undead. ¡°I¡¯m handling problems your grandson sees as critical infrastructure weaknesses. Your boys and girls won¡¯t need to take such dangerous positions with my undead acting as sentries. Food, supplies, and resources you don¡¯t even know you have will be harvested and carefully managed to provide influence where you had none before.¡± Valdar chuckled, leaning against his staff. ¡°Devious as ever, Empress. You¡¯ve thought this through quite thoroughly.¡± ¡°Hehe. Don¡¯t play dumb with me, Valdar,¡± Elinor accused, shooting a smirk his way. ¡°You¡¯ve known me long enough now to know exactly what I¡¯d do when presented with this opportunity, which is why you provided me with so many details regarding the Wixum. You¡¯ve concluded that Tiffany can break whatever ¡®curse¡¯ is on their chief, which is why you gave me that method of attack.¡± ¡°Mmm. Not necessarily,¡± he whispered back, his focus on the now very enthralled Wixum Chief, who was in awe at the things Elinor¡¯s father was explaining to her. ¡°I know my grandson, and he¡¯s stubborn like this father. ¡°You needed a certain amount of victories and support from the Wixum to make him want to obtain your influence over the Wixum without incurring negative feelings from the other elders. Of course, you knew as much from the discussions we¡¯ve had, which is why you didn¡¯t simply come out and take the Wixum by force when they¡¯re clearly ripe for the taking.¡± Elinor¡¯s small smile grew. ¡°A short-sighted victory that would incite the ire of the Delthax, make the Wixum resentful, cause my own citizens to fear me, and make me an easy target for all the surrounding clans to band together to attack me on all sides until a winner holds claim over the remaining land. I¡¯m not that stupid¡­ which is why you¡¯ve supported me.¡± Valdar sighed, shoulders slumping. ¡°Is it that obvious at this point?¡± ¡°Hmm. You see an end of an era is upon the valley. Sooner than later, the other great nations will expand, or another threat like Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma will strike, and the ri¡¯bot won¡¯t survive. You¡¯re not only concerned about your own clan, as a mark of your well-respected status among the community.¡± She turned to face him, pearly teeth flashing in the overhead sun. ¡°No, you want to unite all of the clans, yet you don¡¯t have the support¡­¡± ¡°Until now,¡± he finished, rubbing the back of his neck with a groan. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the whispers of the jungle of your might and seen you maneuver out of a seemingly impossible situation. I fear if I didn¡¯t push for my vision now, it would never come about, and I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s the Delthax¡­ or your empire. I want a future for the ri¡¯bot, and I see that possibility with you.¡± Elinor held out her hand, making the elder chuckle and take it; he¡¯d learned about the ¡®strange¡¯ human custom. ¡°I look forward to working with you, Valdar. Now, I must break the terrible news to my citizens that they won¡¯t be swimming across terrifying river currents and climbing the steep mountain rises to reach your home.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be heartbroken.¡± Knowing what to expect from the conversation Edmon had with Yimara, Elinor made her way to the temporary, makeshift stage that her builders had been tasked to create. Just in front of the area, her musicians had gathered a large congregation of ri¡¯bot and humans, resting from their exhaustive journey. The rituals had been completed, enough people gathered to spread the news, and anticipation for whatever the stage was being constructed for to infect the curious local craftsmen clan. Quin met Elinor on her path, and she sat on the gorilla¡¯s palm, the sizable quen¡¯talrat pulling everyone¡¯s attention. The swaying melody her Songweavers produced came to a stop as Elinor took the stage, Tiffany already in position with a microphone. Introducing her, a deathly silence took the throng as the Witch Queen spoke through the spelled device to all those that could hear. ¡°Salutations, ladies and gentlemen¡ªri¡¯bot and human¡ªundead and the living. To those who are unaware of who we are, we are the Undying Empire. A collection of the living and dead, all in service to our great and unholy Empress! In ri¡¯bot culture, an Empress is similar to a Great Chief, ruling over many other clans¡­ but our Empress is so much more. Now, give your undivided attention to the Supreme Monarch of the Dead.¡± Mumbles followed her explanation as Elinor took the offered microphone, giving it a few seconds for the crowds to hush. ¡°Chief Yimara and the Undying Empire have come to an understanding. First, as your Empress, I will be the bearer of bad news,¡± she said, pausing for a time to let them stew. Her gaze drifted between the tense humans who listened and were gathering, fearful expressions filling the clustered groups; she could already see some beginning to tear up and cry at the expectation of being forced to continue their march. ¡°You will not be continuing to the Delthax encampment thirty-five kilometers past river and mountain but remaining here to set roots for our empire. We are here to support Chief Yimara and lift the Wixum to technological heights even beyond Earth with the Mysticism I grant. We have found our home.¡± Faces turned red one after another as weeping and thankful prayers were heard throughout the area; mildly surprised, she realized many of which were directed right at her. [Level Up - Level 15] x3 [Skill Points Added] x11 [Skill Points Available] x2 [Feat Extensions Available] x1 [Refinement Point Available] 3x [Equipable Feats Available] 1x [Feat Slot Added] x1 [Stat Modifiers Available] x1 [New Branch Feat Available - Lv 15 Perk - Utility, Attack, or Defense] [Total Follower Count Requirement Met] [Current Follower Count: 1,358] [Rising Empire: Budding] Advanced to [Rising Empire: 1st Petal] Somewhat taken aback by the wealth of information Butter relayed to her from inside their diamond home, Elinor waited for the weeping humans and confused ri¡¯bot to settle down. Finally! I best get the festivities started so I can look at these properly. ¡°They¡¯re good, Priss!¡± Butter sang. ¡°I do wonder what Perk you¡¯ll pick this time. Oh, but no one is ranking up in their Grades. Hmm. Hurry up!¡± Honestly, you¡¯ve grown so bold since Dad¡¯s been paying attention to you. ¡°Maybe, heh, because I finally get to hear all the stories about you I didn¡¯t grow up around. Well¡­ aside from in your belly.¡± Are you calling me fat? Elinor mused with silent mirth. In any case, I¡¯ll leave in the morning with Quin and Garu. Your job will be to discover this Secret Cave I¡¯ve recently heard about. It sounds promising. ¡°Ooh! I get to go on an adventure?! Ahh! Thank you, Priss! Thank you, thank you, thank you!¡± Hehe. Don¡¯t get too excited. You still have a lot to do. ¡°Count on me, Sis!¡± Elinor was surprised at how the non-sarcastic or biting comment made her feel a tad warm inside; perhaps Butter was growing on her, after all. Undying Empire Volume 2 Epub & Kindle Unlimited Great news! Volume 2 is now available on Amazon Kindle and can also be purchased on Patreon for just $5. On Patreon, you have the option to buy it as a standalone post or subscribe to gain access to exclusive benefits and content. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Thank you all for your incredible support. I truly hope you¡¯ve been enjoying the series so far, and I can¡¯t wait to hear your thoughts on Volume 2. Happy reading! o7 Undying Empire: Character/Place Glossary Main Cast:
Elinor Valera: Our gothic-loving MC and Mythickin Lich Empress. Edmon Valera: Our MC''s father, who willingly became a Death Knight in order to protect his baby girl. His goal is to bring back his wife''s (Tiffany''s) humanity and to become a family again. Is fully on board with Butter being his daughter and Elinor''s sister. Tiffany Valera: Our MC''s mother. After Shade''s invasion, trying to take over Elinor''s soul, Tiffany sacrifices the good that was within her in order to save her daughter. Now, Tiffany is the cruel and cold Witch Queen of the Empire. She has Tiffany''s memories and experiences but a very different personality from the mother Elinor knew. She can feel somewhat unwanted or hated at times due to Elinor, her Empress, and Edmon, her coworker, wanting their mother and wife back. She and Edmon often flirt with one another as Edmon tries to get his wife back. Butter Valera: Our MC''s lost and kind-of-dead little twin sister. As can happen in the pregnancy process, the egg split, and then one twin absorbed (ate) the other, yet Butter''s spirit was still there to be awakened within Elinor after she became a Lich Empress. Blonde, where Elinor had black hair (another change that can happen to twins), Butter and Elinor seem to have had some kind of contention in what appears to be a previous life. They have hatred, respect, and some kind of bond with one another, yet are slowly overcoming this aversion. Unlike Elinor, Butter loves glamor, cute things, and a royal lifestyle. She is currently on her journey outside the valley to the northwest to meet the dangerous Susime Clan.
Elinor''s Undead: Royal Court:
Butter Valera: Our High Monarch of the Evening Star and Elinor''s little sister. She heads the court, and her only superior is Elinor. Tiffany Valera: Our Monarch of Witchery and Elinor''s former mother. A general expert in all things magic, ritual, and alchemic related, she is the magic caster''s jack-of-all-trades. She is very well educated as a former professor at a university. Edmon Valera: Our Monarch of Fortification and Elinor''s father. Specializing in defensive abilities, his entire kit revolves around protecting his daughter. As a former architectural engineer, he has a great interest and understanding of structural design. Castria S. Calimara: Our Monarch of Storms Sorceress and newest member of the Royal Court. Hailing from Roman''s Legend Quest world, Castria is a 17-year-old younger sister of Elira (23 years old). As a Sorceress, much of her powers are connected to her emotional state, which can make her quite volatile. Having black hair with neon blue highlights that light up when using her power, she is a pretty girl who had her pink irises changed to a fandango shade with star pupils. Pink-eyed Tempest with streaked hair is an omen to her kingdom''s nobility, which is something her big sister has tried to hide most of their life.
Military Court:
Generals: Reapers: Horsemen of the Apocalypse
White (Conquest): Our female charger with a bow on the white horse has excellent hunting, tracking, and perception and picks the targets for the horsemen to go after. Red (War): Our male beast of a knight with a two-handed sword in full crimson armor, who can compel the opposition into a blood frenzy, forcing them to fight or empowering those on his side to defy fear. Black (Famine): Our female, anorexic rider on the black horse with the scales of balance in hand. She can deprive the nutrients and resources of anything and serves as the balance to tell her brothers and sister when enough is enough. She enjoys snacking and eating, having a bottomless stomach. Ash (Death): Our male rider on the pale (gray) horse, who holds the sickles and scythe, and who brings death. Like Elinor, he can raise those that his brother and sisters skill, but only as unintelligent undead, bringing an army at his back to flood the battlefield. He can also extract Death Energy in mass quantities, which is why he is usually always with Elinor to upkeep her empire.
Captains:
3x Th¨¦lm¨¦thra Spider Drones: Our three-meter-tall, Rare-Grade, metallic spider drones. Elinor doesn''t know much about these spiders since she hasn''t been able to communicate with them yet due to her Feat limitations.
Lieutenants:
Quin''Alse: Our quen''talrat Fire Brawler Elite Hunter. She is very young for the giant gorilla race, having four arms, two tails, and two heads; she still cannot believe that her invincible leader, Ke''Thra''Ma (The White God), has died. She can coat her arms and back with fire. Garu: Our ri''bot Ethereal Clan (white skin toads with blue spots that can flash and they use to communicate) Mist Stalker. He is a Tier-2 Scout within his infamous and feared clan. No one knows what happened to the mysterious, powerful clan, and it is something Elinor has given him permission to discover on his long journey looping outside of the valley to the west to spy out the neighboring ri''bot kingdom beyond the western mountains. Carlos S¨¢nchez: An old cowboy and former terrorist/resistance fighter in Colombia before retiring. He was changed into a Bull Beastkin during The Oscillation but was killed by the ri''bot that attacked. He has military experience in leading people.
Staff Sergeants:
Mika: Our Beast Tamer, former Roxim Clan member (splotched green-skinned toads people). She is very bitter about how she was treated by her clan after being resurrected to fight for Elinor. Things are settling down, but she has embraced her part in the empire and is currently with Butter on her journey to the Susime in the northwest, just outside of the valley.
Elinor''s Unintelligent Undead:
Th¨¦lm¨¦thra: Our Empress has a single Rare-Grade unintelligent spider worker drone. She is still unable to communicate with it.
Serving Court:
Ambassadors:
Klaus Klossner: A former US senator, on track to be one of the youngest, who got wrapped up in the ri''bot Crystal business and was killed. Elinor brought him back to life as one of the first humans in their new world. Almost instantly, Head Maid Emelina and he hit it off, with the seductive woman tying a rope around his neck, almost literally, when dressing him with a tie. Elinor is all for relationships between her undead and sent him down to the southwest, where the Clavex Clan are, which so happened to be inside the Nalvean Empire. His duty is to help further negotiations with the Clavex regarding Elinor''s commitment to supplying them silk in exchange for all the human captives.
Publicists:
Lucky Blue Smith: Works with Gwen, and she¡¯s kind of shy of his cadence. The young man with wild brown, bleach-streaked hair with a party-boy style. He has that reckless type of drug hustler energy that you saw in big Colombian cities within the cartel¡¯s employ, moving between parties in the upper-class and tourist areas of Mexico. Cleanly shaven, his sparkling chestnut irises are more evaluating than predatory.
Cooks:
Antonietta Briseno: A former restaurant owner in the Colombian town, she still works with her family to help provide for the empire''s food needs. She has two of her sons helping her in the kitchen with her daughter-in-law. Manolo, eldest son, and his wife, Ramona. Enrique, her youngest son.
Doctors:
Luisina Aristizabal: Clergy Class - Reiki Butterfly Sub-Class. She was supposed to bring simple medical supplies to those in need in the Venezuela crisis but never made it. She had very poor constitution when alive and a chronic physical debilitating illness that prompted her to go into medicine.
Musician:
Valerie Meyer: Valerie has blonde hair and is a Songweaver Dancer. She¡¯s very self-conscious of herself for a former model. Plays the violin and idolizes an online music influencer who plays the violin and danced. She often plays with Head Maid Theresa, with the motherly maid on the piano.
Head Maids:
Emelina De la Vega: Our original Head Maid Terrorist, who is involved with Klaus, our Ambassador. She had a very hard life under the cartel sex trade and was used as an assassin before she grew too old; knowing her usefulness was nearing its end, she made a plan to fake her death and start new. Unfortunately, her life ended in the ri''bot invasion. She had a little brother as a little girl but lost track of him in the cartel. She is currently heading the maids and supporting Klaus in the Clavex Territory within the Nalvean Empire. Theresa Pecha: Originally was an Assistant Head Maid, but advanced, and is a Songweaver, like Valerie. She is a mother of boys who are out of the house, one of whom is married; she was struggling with her marriage before The Oscillation due to her husband working and not having her boys anymore at home. She played the piano at the local church and did other tasks to keep herself busy around the Colombian town.
Maids:
Adoncia Vences: Our Oni Powered Big Sister Maid. Adonica has drug-addicted parents and has been taking care of her little brother since she was little. He initially wasn''t sure about his sister''s change into an undead but has since come to terms and wants to make her proud. Adonica worries about her brother since he joined the Argent Dawn, Edmon''s living military force. She is currently with Butter on her journey to the Susime. She is a big coffee drinker. Her little 15-year-old brother''s name is Sal, and her brother''s 15-year-old girlfriend''s name is Alisa, who is an upcoming White Witch of Tiffany''s.
Ang¨¦lica Tesoro: Hunter Sharpshooter Maid and one of the few soldier-type maids, such as Adoncia, who can fight. She is ex-Colombian military and has a hard time reconciling with her position as a maid instead of a soldier. Ang¨¦lica is currently going through some marital troubles with her husband not liking her on the front lines and somewhat blames him for her position within the Empire as a maid instead of a soldier.
Audrey Guerra: A maid that was sent down southeast with Klaus and Emelina to support them.
Junior Maids:
Aileen Banks: Aileen is a cute 12-year-old girl and has brown shoulder-length hair and hazel eyes. She¡¯s German and died in 2012, murdered by some man after losing track of her parents. The Ri¡¯bot found her body buried in the woods with their torlim, searching for anything hidden. She is friends with Nicole, our Dryad Faekin girl whom the Delthax Plant Callers and Valdar have taken a shine to.
Head Butlers:
James Escobedo: James has a wife who is in her late fifties, so having her hot, young, dutiful husband back has been a dream. He is a serious-looking man in his mid-thirties who isn''t shy about his relationship with his older-looking wife.
Butlers:
Federico Fallas: Not shown all that much as of yet. Christian: Not shown all that much as of yet.
Elinor''s Organizations: Public Order
Gwen: Redhead that was with Tiffany when the ri''bot were attacking. She''s taken on a leadership role within the living human community and works with Lucky to bring the undead and living together. She seems attracted to Lucky''s open and caring personality.
Edmon''s Argent Order Leaders:
Virgil: He used to be a Colombian gamer in his 30s who wasn''t too confident about his looks and wanted to live a life of adventure. After believing in Elinor and through Edmon''s Royal Class Role, he became the leader under Edmon. He''s been training all the boys of the group that wanted to join. Gloria and him have been best friends since they were young and have become an item in this new world, working together as she trains the female knights that joined the order. Gloria: A brunette-haired woman in her 30s, she used to be overweight, short, and not very confident about her appearance. Through believing in Elinor, she became a part of the Argent Order and became a Paladin. She is the leader of the female knights and works with her best friend and love interest, Virgil, to bring the order up to standard. She''s liked Virgil for a while but hasn''t been able to tell him until their time together in this new world. Their subordinates are always whispering about the pair''s relationship.
Virgil''s Order Leaders:
Sal Vences: 15-years-old, almost 16. He is the 7th in swordsmanship of the Dusk Nights (an elite force amongst the order, chosen by dueling rank). Adoncia''s younger brother and Alisa''s boyfriend.
Gloria''s Order Leaders:
Faith: A twenty-three-year-old woman who is Gloria''s 2nd-in-command. Gemma: Under Faith as the 3rd-in-command.
Hailee: One of Gloria''s girls.
Edmon''s Magic Knight Order Leaders:
Elira Calimara: In Roman''s Legend Quest World, she is Monarch Castria''s older sister, who has had a hard life trying to care for her ''different'' sibling. Abandoned by their parents as a child, Elira has worked to take care of her sister since she was a child, as shown by the scars on her body.
Tiffany''s Coven Leaders: Witch Coven Leadership:
Esmeralda Yanez: Having a darker nature as a 15-year-old girl from the US who loves witchcraft, she deals more with the dark arts than Alisa, her White Witch counterpart. She was involved in the ritual that expelled Shade from Elinor in Volume 1 and has her own Coven. Alisa Espiritu: Leader over the White Witches and Sal''s girlfriend. She was involved in setting up the communication ritual in the Lethix Clan village that she was rewarded for by Elinor telling Tiffany to get them something good to eat when they made it back to the lake camp.
Warlock Coven Leadership: If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Elonzo: Leader of a Warlock Coven that went north to the Wixum Mines, where Butter met the Susime.
Humans/Changed People in Elinor''s Empire:
Nicole Robinson: Nymph Faekin 13-year-old girl who changed when they came to the Colombian town, and her parents freaked out and ran away, leaving her feeling abandoned and without help. Elinor took her in and all the Plant Callers of the Delthax love her. She created the sanctuary with the Plant Callers where the Crystal Gateway was, providing a base of operations within the Clanless zone. Valentina Batanero: Beastkin Assassin Tiger 16-year-old girl whom Elinor took in under her wing. She is currently in the Clanless zones, trying to assassinate the brutal dictatorship of the warlord ri''bot to pull in more Clanless into Elinor''s empire. Roman: A blind Legendkin who seems to have invisible eyes to see hidden and distant things. He is sketchy and a former US general. He has no real affiliations and has just been testing out the extent of his powers. He understands it is a good idea to keep on good terms with Elinor, but Elinor doesn''t know if she can trust him. Yesenia: A prison warden who was making an inspection of the town''s local penitentiary. She was turned into a snake-like woman during The Oscillation. According to the Scarlet Hand''s records, she is a sadist and enjoys torturing others; she was one of the few, like Elinor, who was purposefully directed here to be taken or killed by the ri''bot. The Clavex took her as a gift to the Nalveans, who have a view of snake-like creatures as deities.
Ri''bot Clans: Valley Clans:
Lethix Clan: Dark brown skin color. Having a sharp decline in the female population due to the Susime curse placed on the waters over a century ago, they have very strained relations with the Delthax and Wixum. They need more women, and many of the men are growing desperate. They are allies with the Flex Clan. Lost Mysticism.
Chief Utren: Blue eyes. Has a son named Henric. Elder Chief Dren: Utren¡¯s father, who convinced his son to hear Elinor out. Henric: Son of the Chief, a year old. Felor: Past Ri¡¯bot, who was a master craftsman in many areas that created the Chief pendants. Xaria Inora: A very pretty, young female warrior that¡¯s a 1st Rank Xaria, seeking acceptance into higher ranks that hates Xaria Ectria of the Delthax. Light blue eyes. Xaria Welix: A Xaria of the clan and their strongest warrior. Chief¡¯s brother. Yeppa: A guide that Chief Utren sent with Elinor so they wouldn''t be attacked by patrols through the Lethix territory.
Wixum Clan: Light blue skin color clan that is very craftsmen-oriented. They do not have many warriors, causing issues for their strained allies, the Delthax. Mostly has female ri''bot, having a very sharp decline in the male population due to the curse inside the lake that the Susime put in place over a century prior. They are less concerned about clan grudges and more focused on their arts and crafts, which frustrates the Delthax since they are bordered against hostile clans such as the Lethix and Flex. Lost Mysticism.
Chief Yimara: A female ri¡¯bot chief that has a curse placed on her family to die at the age of 30, placed on their line through Nebu''s treacherous actions as a spy and tool of the Susime. She is not respected by the Delthax and many of her own clan due to her young age. Former Chief Vivine: Yimara''s mother who died before Elinor''s arrival, leaving her daughter to rule the male-dwindling clan. Nebu started to obtain more power around the time of her sickness, sparking a divide between the warriors and Yimara as the new chief. Elinor resurrected her to be a support to her daughter in rebuilding their clan as Tiffany breaks their curse. Nebu: A traitor to his clan, his entire family has been instrumental in setting up many of the troubles throughout the upper valley, acting as the Susime''s hand. He was taking control of the military in the Wixum, not that they were much to speak of in the first place. Nebu was killed by the Susimie when Butter met them, bringing more political influence to Elinor in the weakened Lake Clan.
Delthax Clan: Cobalt blue skin, and who have Plant Caller Mysticism. Has a blood grudge against the Flex and Lethix Clans.
Elder Chief Valdar - A former Chief of the blue tribe; Master Sage or practitioner of the Plant Caller Mystic Arts. Took part in the Fire Wars with the Clavex''s Mother Superior and Komath''s Chief, Krava, in the dissolution of the Quen''Talrat Empire, when all the quen''talrat tribe leaders divided and fought each other as much as the other nations. He has purple eyes and has been Elinor''s biggest supporter in bringing together this united front between the Lethix, Wixum, Delthax, Flex, and Roxim Clans. He has pushback from his grandson, who is the current chief. Chief Kalix: Twenty-four years old, purple eyes, and exasperated by the Wixum¡¯s declining military might as it puts a huge responsibility on his Clan. He hates the Flex Clan with their Blood Mysticism that killed his father and wants them to suffer. It is the current chief of the Flex Clan who killed his father. Folcra - 2nd in command of the Delthax expedition and a high-ranking warrior in the clan. Elinor interacted with him a few times in the 1st Volume. Purple eyes. Plant Caller Nina: Cousin to Kalix, and only eight years old. She is Valdar''s successor as the Grand Plant Caller, even though she¡¯s not an experienced Plant Caller. She is open to Elinor''s plans. 2nd Rank Xaria Meji: The eldest Xaria and most skilled. He is totally against Elinor. 2nd Rank Xaria Kole: Not totally convinced of Elinor''s intentions or her plan to unite the clans, but is more or less neutral and closer to Ectria. 2nd Rank Xaria Ectria: She is considered ugly due to her spotty splashes of brown markings, showing her parents consorted with the Flex or Lethix, the clan''s sworn enemies. Due to her discrimination growing up, she tried to be the best at fighting and completing her missions. 1st-Rank Xarina Inora of the Lethix and her have a hatred for each other.
Flex Clan: Dark brown skin and gray tongues. The Flex Clan has a Toxic Blood type of Mysticism. They have a blood grudge against the Delthax Clan and have been declining in their female population in conjunction with the Lethix, their allies.
Chief Loci: Light blue eyes. Twenty-four years old. Killed the Delthax Chief''s father. He has agreed to this competition that Elinor has proposed for their clans to unite under one Great Chief. Elder Chief Gurali: An old, prideful warrior who loved the old Flex tongue before the Ri¡¯bot began to use the more common Delthax language. Gurali hates that they¡¯re losing their clan¡¯s historical traditions. Blue eyes. 2nd-Rank Xaria Iona: A top-rank stealth warrior who has a thing for Xaria Welix of the Lethix.
Komath Clan: Orange-colored skin with pink eyes. They consider themselves superior to many clans in the valley and have ritualistic Mysticism, such as the blood vines that can control people''s bodies through the sound of flutes. They don''t care much for the Flex or Lethix Clans but have a bitter rivalry with the Xaltan since they are a border and have been the primary deterrent for the Xaltan not expanding further.
Elder Chief Krava: Not only an Elder but reigning Chief of the Komath. He is a legendary warrior, former 4th-Rank Xaria, having aged and lost some of his edge, yet being unwilling to relinquish his title to anyone unless they can beat him in combat. He doesn''t trust Elinor and it causes a division between him and Valdar, harming their friendship. He didn''t trust the Cravex or the Roxim to bring a sufficient force to combat the Crystal Invasion and brought a secret army with a new Xaria. Doing so hurt his reputation and angered the Roxim, turning them toward Elinor''s side when she uncovered his breach in their united pact. As such, he swallowed his pride and retreated, telling Valdar that he was going to call together the two Great Clans to the east of the valley to mark Elinor as an immediate threat to be dealt with. 1st-Rank Xaria Dalria: The Xaria who joined the Scarlet Hand, killed Elinor''s mother and forced the Clanless to attack the camp in volume 1. She has dark orange with glowing blue spots, while being leaner than most warriors.
Xaltan Clan: All that is known about the Xaltan is that they own the largest area of land in the valley and are considered the strongest. They seem to be moving on the Roxim''s border, preparing for war, and it is this that has prompted the Roxim Chief to put his full support behind Elinor. Unknown Mysticism.
Roxim Clan: Splotchy green-skinned toads and uses torlim, the giant crocodile toads, as mounted cavalry. A clan that has just lost its Firewalker Mysticism in the last few generations. Elinor has promised to be able to spark it alive again. They have secretly been taking in Clanless to bolster their dwindling ranks, putting on a bluff of their former strength that the Xaltan seem to be about to call. They have put their full support behind Elinor.
Chief Zargoth: Leader of the Roxim Clan whom Elinor left War with. He is fully in support of Elinor and looks forward to awakening his Firewalker blood. Fennel: Spotted, discolored green toad tribe; Boss or the leading warrior over his clan¡¯s expedition and attempting to reach the state of Xaria. He has a mystical ax that he can throw and call back that is a family heirloom.
Prume Clan: A mysterious and seemingly very powerful clan, even more than the Susime, that spontaneously showed up to speak to Elinor, Their spokesperson gave her a warning about the Susimie Clan that Elinor sent her sister to meet in the northwest. They use some kind of pipe to smoke colorful gems, seemingly granting them powers. When he vanished, Elinor''s body also went missing, prompting the thought that they''d taken it.
Spokesperson Jet¡¯al: The dark-gray-skinned ri¡¯bot wore red silk, and gave Elinor a warning that her ethics would be tested, saying that they may see her as a threat, depending on her actions moving forward. It was this that sparked Elinor to second guess who they were warning her about when meeting with the Yaltha''ma fox-monkeys.
Other Clans:
Clavex Clan: Pure green-skinned ri''bot who are in service to the Nalvean Empire, acting almost like slave labor after the Fire Wars, when they were offered protection and land within the Empire. Some of the youth are trying to reduce their debt and gain independence. They do not have Mysticism but worship a light spirit that they claim lives in the Great Ruby Lakes within the Nalvean Empire. Elinor made a deal with Nadraca to trade silk for the humans, and she even gave her share of the human captives during the raid to her on loan until they were paid off in silk.
Kolira, Mother Superior: Head toad over the Clavex Clan. Nadraca: She¡¯s first in command of the Clavex Clan expedition. She¡¯s a Priestess studying one of the holy arts of the Nalvea Race. Blue speckled eyes, pure green skin. Lacord: High Warrior of the Clavex and among the top 10 strongest warriors in their clan. He led the warriors in the Clavex''s Crystal Raid.
Ethereal Clan: Garu''s clan. The white-skinned, blue-spotted ri¡¯bot that can transform into mist and was said to be the strongest Clan before the Black King quen¡¯talrat personally destroyed them.
Tol¡¯Val Kingdom: The ri''bot kingdom beyond the western mountains that Garu went to investigate. They traded with the Delthax every so often, and Elinor obtained her information about them through Valdar.
Yaltha¡¯ma: Fox-Monkey Creatures:
The Hidden Ones:
Ina¡¯ko: A yaltha''ma that was born with a defect that made it hard for her to gather up the Th¨¦lm¨¦thra poison, causing her to spill, which is a grave sin to the Hidden Ones since they are limited in supply. Therefore, she had to willingly go to the boiling mud pit and throw herself in as punishment, committing suicide. Elinor raised her from the dead. El¡¯Co¡¯Ca: The leader of the Hidden Ones, who left the quen''talrat fortress/city of Kelmaltha to worship the spiders that killed Ke''Thra''Ma, The White God.
Roman''s Legend Quest World: Kaspir Kingdom:
Lumina: The capital city, which seems to have a hidden past of machinery and magic that has long since been forgotten by the residents. Opal Shrine Inn: The place Elinor was recommended. Sir Percy, a former Magic Knight, owns it. College of Royals: Where the Four Houses meet for classes and guidance within the Noble District. Noble District: Where the Four Houses and College reside. House of Tempest: Reserved only for nobles since Tempests can only be nobles, according to their law. Most funded House. House of Alchemy: Tiffany is interested in this and disappointed at the scope they''d utilized. She is determined to uplift the course, originally being a former college instructor herself. Least funded House. House of Combat: Magic Knights train here. Close ties to the House of Tempest. House of Conjurors: Supposedly have gateways that the college uses for combat trials. Some controversy has arisen as of late from their gateways and their safety, but the House of Tempest supports them with the Three Great Noble Families. Royal District: Only accessible to royals and select nobility. Lower Districts: Where the poor are, obviously.
Kaspir Nobility :
King ???? Alciel: Ruler of the nation and powerful Tempest. He likes Castria and is angered by his daughter''s brash actions toward Elinor, who he sees as a mythical empress from overseas who has come to potentially see one of the princesses'' under her charge educated in his kingdom. Roman has put a lot of rumors about this Raven Empress, seemingly pulling from already-told myths and legends to spin her powerful identity. 1st Queen Lilya Alciel: Died when her son was still young, having been ''supposedly'' ruined by her own experiments as an alchemist princess from the western desert. 2nd Queen ???? Alciel: Another princess from a distant kingdom that married the king after his first wife''s death, having a daughter. She is an abusive mother, who secretly beats her daughter because she ''isn''t good enough'' compared to her half-sibling and crowned prince. Crowned Prince Drew Dis Alciel: The crowned prince and a 3rd-year at the College of Royals. He attacks Elinor and is shut down by Edmon as Castria absorbs the lightning (practically dying a second time in the process). He deeply cares about his little sister and is defensive over her. He does not back down to Elinor and says he will attack her again and will not apologize, no matter what he knows about her status as empress of another nation for hurting his little sister, which impresses Elinor greatly. Princess Heather Mes Alciel: The red-haired little 17-year-old sister of Prince Drew. She has an inferiority complex and temper, attacking Elinor as she mistakes her for a Marquiness due to her dress. Elinor outsmarts her and uses her unique powers to her advantage to put on a show, solidifying her place and thoroughly humiliating the princess before telling the guards that she expects the princess not to be punished when she returns since she has already doled it out. However, her mother beats her, forcing the girl to try to hide it by secluding herself in her room, but Elinor forces her to come out since she can''t refuse her invitation, and once she sees her, Elinor is angered. She makes standard excuses for an abused child who loves their mother, further agitating Elinor.
Kaspir Citizens:
Julian: A Marquess after his father died when the Delva Empire attacked the border, which Roman used his seal to do a lot of setting up for Elinor. He has a crush on Castria, despite her ''omen'' against the nobility. They''ve known each other since they were kids. Julian has also known Princess Heather since he was a boy. Captain Flera: 38-years-old, scared, brown-haired woman. Over one of the City Gates. She wanted to be a Magic Knight but was rejected. Lieutenant Cole: 28-year-old, dark-haired man in the city guard. Dris: The cat creature that has served Julian''s family. Don''t know much about him yet. Castria S. Calimara: Our Monarch of Storms Sorceress and newest member of the Royal Court. Hailing from Roman''s Legend Quest world, Castria is a 17-year-old younger sister of Elira (23 years old). As a Sorceress, much of her powers are connected to her emotional state, which can make her quite volatile. Having black hair with neon blue highlights that light up when using her power, she is a pretty girl who had her pink irises changed to a fandango shade with star pupils. Pink-eyed Tempest with streaked hair is an omen to her kingdom''s nobility, which is something her big sister has tried to hide most of their life. Elira Calimara: In Roman''s Legend Quest World, she is Monarch Castria''s older sister, who has had a hard life trying to care for her ''different'' sibling. Abandoned by their parents as a child, Elira has worked to take care of her sister since she was a child, as shown by the scars on her body. Sir Percy: The owner of the inn and former Magic Knight. His wife was set to be the nest Grand Magic Knight, yet she couldn''t give up her dream of turning anyone into a Magic Knight, which led to her execution and the destruction of her research. He is currently training Elira for the House Selection Ceremony.
Delva Empire:
The Delva Empire is after Castria for some unknown reason that Roman was trying to figure out before he messed things up (or did he?) and got Castria killed by entering a duel for her life against Julian''s mother, who was a traitor, working for the Delva Empire. In the duel, Castria dies, taking her crush''s mother with her; he doesn''t know she killed his mother.
Elinor''s Major Enemies:
The Scarlet Hand: A mysterious organization that had detailed records that they shouldn''t have on individuals; they were so thorough to even have Elinor''s report cards. For some reason, this cult, seemingly based out of Florida, has paid the cartel to make sure she stays in the Colombian town by kidnapping her. In fact, it was the Scarlet Hand that had set the whole path for her parents to make the trip to the Venezuela crisis. Jennifer ''seemed'' to be the only one to have made it to this world, but she has swiftly spread her influence to the Komath Clan.
Shade: An ominous, ghostly entity residing within the planet that whispers and influences actions across the globe. It was Shade that seemingly invoked the whole Quen''Talrat Empire''s formation and rise to power by guiding Ke''Thra''Ma. He tried to take over Elinor''s body when the Scarlet Hand tipped him off to Elinor''s presence, but was thwarted by Elinor''s mother when she sacrificed herself and became the empire''s Queen of Witchery.
Creatures:
Ragnlar: A cat-like animal in the jungle that¡¯s a strong predator. Torlim: Aligator-toad creatures. Holan: A hard-shelled creature. Ulpix: Cow/Horse type of creature that does better on plains, not jungles. Fire Snappers and Quel: Large Fish in the rivers. Frave: Racoon-like creatures with thick fur Nuvoma: Oddly shaped animals with thick fur and several protruding rigid bones across their body grazed upon the plains before retreating to the shade that the cool forest pockets provided, grouping in herds to intimidate the Ragnlar in the area. Dreka: Parasitic creatures from the Golariex forests that infect their host and control it from the inside, taking over the brain while keeping their bodies alive. They can even control the creature if they¡¯re dead. B3 — 1. A Houses Foundation As the morning of the House Selection Ceremony dawned, Elinor sat out on the covered terrace, once again greeted by an early shower; it seemed that much of her days over the past few months had been filled with rain. Of course, her new home was a rainforest, and the kingdom she was in now had a heavy emphasis on weather controllers. Once again, Queen Alivau had yet to make her appearance. It showed her that the woman was still seething and plotting how to use this to her advantage. Elinor wasn¡¯t sitting on her laurels, either. When this was done, the queen¡¯s influence would be practically void. Still, she had until tomorrow afternoon to meet the three-day deadline and make her move. Maybe she would surprise her with something. At least that would be more interesting, but who could predict the plays she was currently spinning? The queen was an obstacle since her daughter had put her in a tough spot, which also meant she had to deal with it swiftly since Heather was a part of her plan. She suspected the queen was more interested in her daughter and stepson¡¯s reactions to her and how the nobility was taking the fistfight. Fortunately, she and her court had been able to formulate a fairly wicked plot that could be set in motion during the extremely public ceremony. It all started yesterday when Castria returned with Julian and the Crown Prince; it was a moment that gave Elinor the chance to have a one-on-one with him. During that visit, something pivotal was mentioned about his family, and in such a casual fashion, that it almost caught her off-guard. It was this piece of critical information that had spurred on her entire plot. However, she had to be absolutely positive that it was true. Elinor¡¯s gaze drifted to the side, where her father sat, reading a book; it seemed even language was translated in Roman¡¯s Quest. Tiffany was on her return from the Lower City Alchemy shops, where she was comparing prices, stock, and quality of goods. In the meantime, Black continued following her leads on the mysterious seller of the First Queen¡¯s necklace, and her brother searched for less invasive ways of obtaining Death Energy than culling the local fish market. As for Roman, his whereabouts had remained an enigma, but she expected him to make an appearance soon enough. A knock came from the closed door, drawing both their attention; Castria stood beside the dark-haired man she¡¯d extended an invitation to. ¡°Empress, Crown Prince Drew has arrived.¡± ¡°Excellent,¡± she said, her focus returning to the wet pair of sparring figures below. Elira was already outside, practicing with Percy, having awoken an hour previous to learn some final tips before the ceremony. ¡°And did Princess Heather accept my extended hand?¡± She could hear an uncertain edge in the young man¡¯s voice as he responded, maintaining his distance since he hadn¡¯t been instructed forward. ¡°My sister is¡­ not well, but she has come as you requested. She is waiting in the carriage.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Fist rising to press against her cheek as she leaned against the side of her comfortable chair, Elinor followed a streak of lightning across the heavens. The rumble spurred her heart and lightened her mood. ¡°I am one to be blunt, Prince Drew. I have too many other important subjects to consider to be delicate in such matters. Your sister joined you because to refuse my request would have angered your father, and I knew I was putting her in that position.¡± Castria¡¯s anxious voice piped up through the Nexus. ¡°Do we really need to be this cruel? Drew really loves his sister.¡± I know. It is why I am doing this, Elinor replied. You will see the results of the plan soon enough. Drew didn¡¯t respond for a second, his voice thickening as he tried to restrain his emotions. ¡°¡­Yes, Empress¡­ You didn¡¯t indicate why you wanted to see us.¡± Head tilting to the side to stare at the prince, Elinor¡¯s lips curled ever so slightly. ¡°That is for you to decide. A game played between the leaders of nations can be as complicated as it is simple. I am not here to try and sway you in one direction or another. It is your sister that has put you in this position, and it is one you must shoulder since you¡¯re so dedicated to her safety.¡± His mouth tightened, eyes dropping to the carpeted floor. ¡°I do appreciate your candor, Empress. My sister has taken a rather¡­ negative light from the incident the day before yesterday. In all honesty, I am more worried about where the confrontation between you and her will lead, and not with what you might do since you seem to be completely over it, by your own words and actions.¡± Uncrossing her legs, Elinor stood and adjusted her black gown, replaced after her last had been ruined. ¡°Join me.¡± Silence brought the pattering rain into the foreground as Castria and Drew came to stand by her side. They gave her dad a glance, but he was drawn back into the book he¡¯d checked out from the local library on the kingdom¡¯s recorded state of affairs going back the last two decades. Elinor stared down at her Tempest¡¯s older sister, drenched with rainwater in a female suit of armor that Percy had lent her. It could have been any old gear, but she had to assume it had some connection to the Magic Knight¡¯s executed wife; Elira was the spark of hope within the man to see his wife¡¯s dream come true, and it showed in how focused he was on training the young woman. Letting the pair stew for a time, Elinor allowed the prince time to unwind and find his feet. To the people of this kingdom, she was a legendary figure, spurred on by rumors that her strong entrance had solidified to the extent of being factual. Maybe she should have gone into acting instead of Cheer and Gymnastics because she was a natural; although, it helped when you truly felt as if you belonged in the role. ¡°¡­I understand you must be busy preparing for the ceremony this afternoon, Prince Drew. You have much on your mind regarding your sister¡¯s place in the House of Tempest, among many other concerns arising from her confrontation with me. I will say that I did not see this coming, which is amusing to me.¡± The prince seemed to hold his breath as she gave him a small, side-long smirk before saying, ¡°I must thank your sister for her part in providing me an opening to insert myself without playing unsavory politics between various factions. Contrary to what you might think, I am rather fond of your sister. What do you think, Princess Castria?¡± Castria tried to restrain her fingers from finding the tail end of her black, blue-streaked hair, currently wrapped in a braid over her shoulder. ¡°Princess Heather is¡­ under a lot of pressure. I don¡¯t believe she¡¯s been able to make many friends¡­ In some ways, she reminds me of myself.¡± Drew¡¯s worry was turning into confused curiosity at the turn in conversation. He wouldn¡¯t know that Castria was actually talking about her past as a peasant, shunned for her bad luck, and constantly trying to hide a secret, even from her own big sister. In like fashion, Heather had her own secret that she kept from her brother. All the lies she¡¯d told had no doubt stacked up, and all it took was just a little puff of air for the whole stack of cards to come tumbling down. Elinor found her wrist behind her back as her eyes drifted to her father. ¡°King Edmon, wouldn¡¯t it be a shame if Princess Castria and Heather were in different Houses?¡± Her dad closed his book, illuminated blue eyes rising to meet hers. ¡°It would, Empress. When we are gone, Our Princess will be set upon by many competing factions, hoping to use her ties to the Raven Empire for their political and financial benefit. We must cultivate a positive circle of support for her to rely on.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Tiffany intruded on the conversation, making a showy entrance as she sat across from the Death Knight. ¡°The Crown Prince and Princess Heather can offer support, but it is far from sufficient to challenge other highly influential parties, such as the Great Houses. It is certainly a start, though.¡± Drew cleared his throat, acknowledging Tiffany with a respectful bow as the bubbly, orange-eyed woman gave a short wave at the prince. ¡°You¡¯re setting up a support system for the princess?¡± he asked, glancing at Castria, who tried to remain neutral. Elinor chuckled and turned to leave for the carriage outside, sparking the others to trail behind her. ¡°I am not here to dethrone you, cause social unrest, or take sides in whatever internal conflicts that are happening within your kingdom. Believe it or not, but I am here to uplift your father in ways he hadn¡¯t dreamed possible. I am also here to provide a princess in my charge a satisfactory education on her powers. Then again, sadly, that is not all I must prepare for.¡± One of the attendants by the front entrance of the giant suite opened it for them to proceed before she continued, ¡°What I called you here to do was not to have an idle chat¡­ We are going to visit the Royal Crypt.¡± A shiver ran through Drew¡¯s frame as he almost tripped. ¡°W-What are you planning to do there? You can¡¯t think about resurrecting one of the former rulers?! Empress, that¡ªthat would be¡­¡± ¡°Hehehe. Prince Drew,¡± she said with a lighter tone, ¡°I will swear to you, on my empire and name, that I would not do so without your father¡¯s acceptance. I am merely going to confirm a few things. I can already imagine the gossip of the reason for the Raven Empress going to a graveyard of past rulers. Why don¡¯t we let the factions panic a little?¡± The prince had a look of disbelief as she took them down the levy elevator and toward the front entrance. She smiled when he parted the water above and on the streets for them to walk before Castria had a chance to do it. Speaking privately to her father as he shouldered a pre-packed bag, she saw one of the inn¡¯s workers jog out to open the carriage for them. She had to marvel at how much you could get away with if you took the proper attitude and had some flashy presentation. Most girls dream of being a princess, but I skipped the line right up to empress, she privately commented to her father. People can give so much power through the tinted lens of mystery, grace, and a commanding cadence. Her father summoned his horse to ride alongside them, sparking intrigue from the Tempest floating above the sidewalk and umbrella-wielding students going about their morning tasks. Swinging his legs over the massive beast, he donned his full set of armor in a showy flash of crystalizing ice as he responded within the Nexus. ¡°It isn¡¯t just the firm hand you¡¯ve shown, ¡®Princess.¡¯ Haha. You are giving people respect and showing what you respect. A mystery woman that has a path to get closer to her is a tempting thing¡­ Your mother knew that secret.¡± Elinor¡¯s focus was on the students, reminiscing about her own first few days of preparation before the end of summer. All the bustle to get everything needed for classes made her thankful that Percy was handling those affairs; Roman would be her choice, but he was off doing his own thing. She half-cursed him for dumping so much onto her when this was his quest. Recalling all the work her mother did for her, she paused at the coach steps and glanced back at her Queen of Witchery, not included in this conversation; her smile widened at the attention. ¡°Talking about me in secret?¡± she asked with her own private message. ¡°Edmon must be for you to look at me like that. He loved your mother so much¡­ I feel bad at times.¡± Entering the surprisingly wide and spacious carriage, built to fit eight people comfortably, Elinor¡¯s vision tightened as she caught sight of the redhead. Part of Heather¡¯s face was hidden behind her bangs with how she¡¯d crafted it, but it was not hard for her to see a healthy amount of makeup covering bruises. I know you two have your games and fun, she returned, keeping her peace for now as she sat directly across from the princess. Don¡¯t take things too far and try to fool my father into believing you are the woman he loves. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Tiffany¡¯s cheer diminished as she sat beside Heather, vision falling to the bulky witch¡¯s hat she placed in her lap. ¡°I understand the limitations I am under, Empress. It is not my intent to fool Edmon. It is¡­ nice to feel wanted and loved at times. Often, I am seen as a sort of¡­ parasite or body snatcher, and I do sense that from you every so often.¡± Elinor refused to acknowledge Heather as she greeted her, suddenly finding agitation welling up within her from the complications that came with Tiffany and her father¡¯s dynamics. If that happens, it is not my intent, she crisply responded. You are you, and you are not my mother, but you hold many of her memories and experiences. It is challenging not to miss her. I do not resent you, though. I place the fault on the Scarlet Hand and Shade. I will leave it there. ¡°Yes, Empress,¡± Tiffany meekly responded. It seemed the tension between them had caught the notice of the others because no one spoke as everyone situated and the carriage started toward its destination, her father directing things from the outside. Her cold, emerald eyes returned to Heather, making the seventeen-year-old princess gulp and look away. It didn¡¯t help that she¡¯d more or less confirmed her suspicions regarding the girl¡¯s domestic abuse. Last she¡¯d heard from the prince, his sister had been healed by the paladins. Elinor couldn¡¯t imagine her own mother ever laying a hand on her, but she¡¯d had a friend in middle school who suffered from that kind of trauma. Luckily, on Earth, it was much more challenging to hide such actions, so it had been reported and corrected swiftly; it wasn¡¯t always the case, but in a world like this, it was likely far worse. Perhaps it was even enshrined in law that a parent could do what they wanted to their child; it was a different society and world, after all. However, this went explicitly against her instructions that the princess wasn¡¯t to be disciplined, and that only rubbed salt into the insult. Elinor poked right to the core, making Castria¡¯s thighs tighten together, and Drew shifted comfortably. ¡°I was under the impression you were healed, Princess Heather. Bruising doesn¡¯t suit your fair complexion, and I don¡¯t recall using my nails¡­ What happened?¡± ¡°Huh? What¡­ do you mean?¡± Heather hesitantly asked, looking genuinely bewildered as she glanced at her brother for help. ¡°I, umm¡ªI, eh, I fell¡ª¡± ¡°Down the stairs?¡± Elinor snorted, rolling her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t take me for a fool, Heather. I will not be mocked or lied to. I explicitly said you were not to be punished since I had equalized that debt myself. Are you going to lie to me and tell me it wasn¡¯t your mother?¡± Drew stiffened. ¡°What? No, Heather said she slipped out of bed today because she wasn¡¯t feeling well. We didn¡¯t have time to get one of the paladins around my father, so¡­¡± Elinor held up a hand to silence him, not so much as looking in his direction. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear what lies she spins to keep you in the dark.¡± Heather¡¯s eyes began to water, sparks flashing across her hair and arms, and at Tiffany¡¯s prompt, a worried Castria swapped places with the witch. ¡°I-I¡¯m not lying! I¡¯m clumsy¡ªI¡¯ve, heh, I¡¯ve always been clumsy. It w-was my fault¡­ No! No, I¡¯m in control. I¡¯m fine!¡± she hastily reassured as the two swapped places, forcing her sparks under control. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ a little caught off-guard. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d¡­ I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d care.¡± ¡°Empress,¡± Castria whispered, taking Heather¡¯s hand, ¡°can we give her time to cool off?¡± ¡°Yes, please,¡± Drew jumped in, clearly not wanting to let go of this disturbing topic but also seeing the panic gripping his suddenly skittish sister. ¡°I fully understand your anger and questions, Empress, but maybe we should do this in another location.¡± ¡°Drew¡­¡± Heather mumbled, lip suddenly trembling as she pulled away from Castria and huddled against the side of the carriage, giving her big brother a hurt look. ¡°You¡­ You don¡¯t believe me? I-It was an accident¡ªI swear¡­¡± Elinor sat back, her tone firm. ¡°We will stop here for now. Think carefully how you respond when I ask again, Heather.¡± Just like that, silence retook them, bringing the dying storm outside to Elinor¡¯s attention. Sliding open the window to let in cool air and spot the gradually lessening showers, she noted the fear and anxiety that gripped the shattering princess. Castria tried to offer a comforting hand, but Heather flinched and jerked away. A soft hum came from Tiffany through the Nexus while observing the scene. ¡°As I recall, your mother would volunteer at a women¡¯s shelter every few months.¡± She did, Elinor whispered. It sometimes became a topic during dinner. ¡°Indeed, it was,¡± Tiffany sighed. ¡°She would hear it all¡­ ¡°I know they love me, and I love them, too. ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave because of the children. ¡°We have a lot of great times together¡­ most of the time. ¡°I don¡¯t have anywhere to go¡­ ¡°She believes it¡¯s her failures that make her mother hurt her. She needs to do better, and then she¡¯ll be praised. It is such a sad cycle because praise seldom comes from such parents. All they see are flaws.¡± Spotting the look of betrayal that Heather had while looking at her helpless and confused big brother, Elinor could feel the damage caused by years of abuse. Heather couldn¡¯t see any fault in her mother, yet she also knew that showing it would cause her mother harm. The sad irrationality that came from early grooming. This was her mother¡¯s control tactic. She let the atmosphere die down, figuring that it might be troublesome if she blew up the carriage; sure, all of them would survive, but it could slow their journey. Her gaze lingered on the streets as they entered the Royal Palace grounds, only to veer on the left path after passing the gates instead of taking the center. Once stopped, the rain had dwindled to almost nothing, and a bright, warm sky was peeking through. Exiting the carriage, she waited outside for everyone to get out. ¡°Princess Heather, I would like you to join us,¡± she prompted, the disgruntled girl¡¯s makeup now somewhat of a mess. ¡°Empress, please, I c-can¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°You can, and you will,¡± Elinor firmly demanded. ¡°You are slowing my schedule, which I do not appreciate.¡± She could almost hear the grumbles about ¡®leaving her alone then¡¯ that was said under her breath. Elinor required her to be present, though. This was where she would confront the girl, and she knew Heather could sense the coming interrogation. Magic Knights surrounded them, personally assigned, and one of the grounds workers had been hastily brought to them to provide any aid. According to him, people rarely visited the site, and it was currently empty, which was perfect. Leading the way inside the underground crypt, she saw many canals built into the structure and hidden out of view to gather any water. Truly, Lumina was constructed during a much grander and lost time within the Kaspir Kingdom¡¯s distant past. Their reliance on Tempests had stunted and, in many cases, reverted their society. The underground structure was built to last the ages, and the phenomenal statues of heroic figures from their past made Elinor¡¯s smile grow. A jade butterfly left the flames she summoned in her hand to flutter along the showy displays of legends fighting monstrous beasts or standing proud, looking down on those that came after them. ¡°Incredible,¡± Elinor said in almost a reverent tone as she ran her fingers across the smooth, polished stone. It wasn¡¯t anything she recognized, red and glossy. ¡°You encase your past rulers and heroes inside stone?¡± ¡°How powerful are they?¡± Tiffany breathed, looking at each one as if they were in a store, ready to buy something. ¡°Are there any worthy of entering the Court?¡± Almost all of them, she responded, but she came to a stop near the back of the room. Unlike most of the fearsome, potent, and epic statues in the crypt, this woman was in a sleeping position, positioned upright with her hands clasped at her front. So, it¡¯s true. Drew¡ªand even his traumatized little sister¡ªwere now staring up at what had caught her attention. ¡°My¡­ mother? She wasn¡¯t a hero or legend.¡± ¡°She wasn¡¯t a Tempest, was she?¡± The prince slowly shook his head. ¡°No, like I said yesterday, she loved Alchemy. She favored the House, which is how it grew so much¡­ My father was criticized for taking on one of the Alchemy Princesses of the Western Jesna Desert as his queen instead of one of the Noble Tempest families¡¯ daughters.¡± He shifted uncomfortably. ¡°The Sand Princes were angry that he didn¡¯t return her body to them to give back to the desert. It¡¯s caused a trade ban between our nations, making some goods almost impossible to obtain.¡± Heather piped up with a huff. ¡°Queen Lilya only caused The King heartache. She was obsessed over finding some Alchemy super-drug that could cause someone¡¯s time to reverse. My mother says she experimented on herself, and that is why she died.¡± Drew drew in his bottom lip. ¡°Heather¡­ Yes, my mother was a tad eccentric, but our father loved that part of her. She was responsible for the entire cosmetic business of Kaspir¡¯s to reach other nations. The pulleys and other devices¡ª¡± ¡°And what good has it done us?¡± Heather snapped back, face red and makeup smudged, showing the black and purple bruising. ¡°All it¡¯s done is make all the Noble Houses hate how open our family is to outside forces! I-If that keeps up, then¡­¡± ¡°Then your mother might get caught up in a power struggle?¡± Elinor bluntly stated, turning to walk up to the princess as she snapped her mouth shut and looked down, eyes watering again. ¡°Talking points your mother has drilled into you. Think for yourself, Heather.¡± The Magic Knights looked at one another with uncertainty as the scope of the conversation took a turn. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. It was your mother who gave you those cuts and bruises, which could easily be healed; in fact, I¡¯m sure she has a paladin on call to solve her little outbursts.¡± Heather took a step back, fingers finding her elbow and breathing faster. ¡°No¡ªI mean, it¡¯s my fault she got angry. I was stupid; I caused her problems. It¡¯s always my fault, a-and it¡¯s not like it happens all the time. She loves me.¡± ¡°What?¡± Drew mumbled in disbelief, the Magic Knights now shifting a bit, trying to ease the tension they were feeling. ¡°All those times you said you were just a klutz?¡± Hair sparking with fire, Heather¡¯s face grew more red. ¡°No! I am klutzy. Not every time! It¡¯s just¡­ sometimes. Sometimes, I can accidentally set her off. It¡¯s not her fault. I know she has anger problems. I¡¯m not as strong as you, so I don¡¯t get Dad¡¯s attention. I-I¡¯m growing, though! I¡¯m not weak. I can get stronger!¡± ¡°Heather¡ª¡± He took a step forward, but the girl swiftly retreated, starting to hyperventilate. ¡°No, stop! Look, it¡¯s¡ªit¡¯s not her fault, Drew. This is all your fault, Empress!¡± she cried, chest heaving as wind and fire began to cycle around her, hair fanning out to show her purple eye, claw marks, and bruised neck, where hand marks showed. ¡°You humiliated my mother by forcing me into a fistfight! It¡¯s your fault, but everyone takes your side! What about me?¡± Several of the Magic Knights moved to get between them. ¡°Empress!¡± ¡°Heather!¡± ¡°See?! No, don¡¯t get close! Why don¡¯t you believe me?! What about me?! Why didn¡¯t anyone come to¡ªwhen you were¡ªI didn¡¯t want this! I¡¯m a princess! W-What do you want from me?!¡± Elinor walked forward, weaving around the confused knights to stand in front of the girl. ¡°You want to let out that frustration. Do you have the same temper as your mother? If so, show me you can¡¯t control your anger. No one will interfere. King Edmon¡­¡± Her father gave her a pointed stare before summoning his giant tower shield and coming between the Magic Knights, her brother, and Castria. ¡°I hope you know what you¡¯re doing.¡± Hot wind fluttered their dresses as the flames intensified, and Elinor looked the frightened and pained princess straight in the eyes. ¡°You wish to get revenge for your mother? Is that what she wants, or do you want it? Maybe you enjoy the beatings your mother gives you. Do you want to be punished again for humiliating her in front of me?¡± ¡°No! Stop!¡± A cyclone of fire raced outward, yet subconsciously, the girl created a break not to ignite her. ¡°Why are you¡ªwhy are you doing this to me? Why can¡¯t I do anything right¡­¡± Breaking into tears, the flames collapsed as she fell to her knees. ¡°Why can¡¯t I do anything right? I¡¯m a failure! I never do anything right!¡± Elinor knelt down beside the sobbing princess and brought her into a hug. ¡°You did do something right. Well done, Heather. I want to help you.¡± Slowly, the quaking girl¡¯s arms closed around her. ¡°Why me?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re calling out for help,¡± Elinor whispered, pulling her in tighter. ¡°Because I think you could be a great friend to Princess Castria. I know that you love your mother, but certain things must stop. I know it is hard to accept help. You have help, though. Will you become Princess Castria¡¯s roommate?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Stifling her sniffles, the red-eyed, puffy-faced ginger looked like she¡¯d been slapped. ¡°Why would you want a failure like me as her roommate? Everyone says I won¡¯t even g-get into the House of Tempest. I¡¯m¡­ damaged.¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± Elinor chimed, further causing bewilderment from the uncertain guards and her big brother. ¡°If I don¡¯t have to fight for you, then all the better. It is their loss since I will be starting my own House for the school. Maybe it can operate out of the castle while we work out housing arrangements!¡± she giggled, seemingly leaving the rest of her entourage in a stunned state. Releasing Heather, Elinor internally prompted her antsy Queen of Storms that it was fine to comfort her new roommate. She spun on her heels, taking one last smiling look at the sleeping woman in stone before motioning to her guard that they were leaving. ¡°Tiffany, take the princess somewhere to get healed, and Castria, help her clean up. I am not trying to beat the girl over the head but to provide a way for her to stand on her own feet and be proud of who she is; you girls need to look your best. Prince Drew, perhaps it would be best if you escorted the ladies.¡± He jumped into action, moving to help his sister, who was now protesting that she was fine, cheeks red with embarrassment, yet there was happiness on her face; finally, someone was seeing her rather than the sum of her failures. Fixing her dress, now showing slight singe marks, she addressed Drew, the knights, and her father. ¡°In the meantime, it¡¯s time I meet with Grand Duke Logan Christarion again before the ceremony begins. I have a few things to run by the good rector.¡± B3 — 2. Romans Warning Elinor moved to the front of the royal catacombs with her father, leaving Tiffany to help the princesses and prince get ready for the ceremony. It would be a short wait while the Witch Queen healed Heather¡¯s face, so Elinor had the Magic Knights send for a new stagecoach for them, taking the one they¡¯d arrived in. Now, alone inside the vehicle, she sat beside the window, observing the brightly-dressed paladins patrolling the royal grounds on high alert. The reason why soon came from her father as he talked with the lieutenant in charge of their day¡¯s escort. Emerald eyes wandering between the sparkling white-and-gold aesthetic of the wet capital city in the morning light, Elinor kept a neutral expression while her father informed her of the developing situation of Julian¡¯s march. ¡°The army is mobilizing to counter the Delva Empire¡¯s territorial expansion. Apparently, the neighboring empire has stationed its troops on the Delenear March¡¯s border; they¡¯ve overtaken the land and are screening everyone before expelling them into the Kaspir Kingdom.¡± Elinor sighed as they passed a few floating Tempest, opting to fly above the ¡®common folk¡¯ rather than walk on the ground. So, they still think Castria is within the march. It¡¯s an aggressive play, and I expect a diplomat to be sent with some extravagant story as to why the Delenear March somehow provoked the attack. It doesn¡¯t look like they want full-scale war, but Castria was important enough to cause this mess. Her father¡¯s dark tone returned as they came to the first royal gatehouse, where Roman waited with Dris, the cat creature that served the Delenear family. ¡°Or¡­ Roman convinced the empire that the invasion was the only way to secure the girl¡­ If it¡¯s her that they want in the first place. He let us know that Castria was able to eavesdrop through some method, making us paranoid of listening ears. That knowledge has made us second-guess and be cautious about how we speak in the open. It also provides him with a decent amount of cover.¡± It is suspect, Elinor returned in their private conversation. Roman has built my reputation up to a shocking degree and is trying to keep us isolated due to our limited resources and need to project a particular image. He¡¯s handcuffed me in a rather crafty way while giving me all the power¡­ I should have brought more personnel. The Legend held a noble air that befitted his title of duke as the stagecoach stopped, and he gave a respectful bow to Edmon on his horse before the small cat opened the door for him to enter. Dris shut it and saw them off without joining their party, further inciting Elinor¡¯s suspicions. ¡°Good morning, Empress,¡± the blind man said, not bothering with the idea he couldn¡¯t see to no doubt further his mystical reputation in this world. ¡°When I arrived at the inn to discover you¡¯d made a trip to the Royal Catacombs, I was mildly surprised. You always were one to move swiftly, though.¡± This act as if they¡¯d known each other for many years was a tad grating, considering the secret plays this man was doing behind the scenes while she took the limelight. If she asked him where he¡¯d been, anyone listening could think that she was ignorant about his movements or that she didn¡¯t have a handle on her people. On the other hand, there was a potentially very negative downside to not addressing this soon, and it could totally wreck her plans with Castria. He could be building her up to take a giant fall or to place some big event on her name, which would then force Castria and her sister on the run or possibly die. It was a good thing that she¡¯d prepared for this moment and reached over to the bag her father had packed. Roman¡¯s eyebrows came together as she plucked out the pink stones that she¡¯d come to find had properties that disrupted the air in a space and made listening through a Tempest¡¯s wind-based powers practically impossible. ¡°I do enjoy these colorful flames that they have here,¡± Elinor stated, handing them to the Legend. ¡°Their flicker can be mesmerizing.¡± A small smile came to the man¡¯s mouth as he accepted them and placed them inside the brackets at the corners of the stagecoach before igniting them with another reactive crystal. ¡°We may need to bring some of Kaspir¡¯s goods back with us.¡± ¡°Indeed, we might.¡± She waited for the fire to brighten and the atmosphere to heat with the unusual, circular current that the four flames produced before crossing her leg and returning her gaze to the street. ¡°I will be candid, Roman. What have you been doing with that Delenear cat butler? You wouldn¡¯t be plotting some major upset for me to stumble into, would you?¡± she asked, tight gaze darting to the poised man. Roman crossed his own legs, leaning against the opposite side to stare out of the window with his white eyes. ¡°I had planned on some major upset to happen, though I see that it is no longer needed after considering the play you are invoking¡­ You really are something special, Elinor, but I will impart a warning to you.¡± ¡°And what would that be?¡± Elinor asked as the man¡¯s sober gaze shifted to her. He took a moment to answer, showing a different, more concerned cadence than he typically displayed. ¡°Your plan is a good one¡­ a bold one. It is one that provides you with much influence and tension amongst the various parties, providing a beautiful cover for me to uncover more truths about this world¡­ But it will also reach parties I would rather not deal with, and they may make a personal appearance with the buzz you are causing.¡± ¡°Who are?¡± Elinor prompted, intertwining her fingers. The Legend¡¯s lips became a line as he glanced out of the window again, where dozens upon dozens of packs of students traveled throughout the Noble District, which would soon have the rare occurrence of being open to the public for the ceremony. ¡°Countess Evelyn Autumn, the Hag of the Everborne Marshlands. I would compare her to Tiffany, only¡­ far, far more dangerous and powerful. It was she who I would have needed to go to if you hadn¡¯t raised Castria.¡± ¡°A hag,¡± Elinor slowly repeated, her mind only going to children¡¯s stories about kids who would get snatched by the woman in the woods for disobeying their parents. ¡°What do you know about this hag? Is she human or a creature?¡± Roman suppressed a shiver, telling her that he was frightened by this person. His posture tightened, hands clasping at his front while looking beyond their vehicle to something else. ¡°I cannot tell you what she is, Elinor, but the popular belief is that she was born from the swamp at its creation, and her powers stem from the location. From what I¡¯ve been able to learn about her in this world, the people of the Kaspir Kingdom, and every other nation, for that matter, has seen the Everborne March as a kingdom in itself since before anyone can remember, and she is the queen of it.¡± He reached into a side bag to take out a short book. Elinor took it as he handed it to her, reading through the diary made by an Earl¡¯s wife. ¡°That is a journal that was written nearly three centuries ago, and it took some digging to get, which is one of the places I went last night to find. Evelyn was a rather subpar Tempest, which was something she hated.¡± Elinor held up a hand. ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t Evelyn the hag?¡± The Legend ran his fingers through his dark hair, shifting a little in his chair. ¡°It will make sense in a bit. If that wasn¡¯t enough, Evelyn¡¯s pregnancy was done out of wedlock during her college days to a charming baron who had wooed her. She wanted her child to be powerful due to the scorn she¡¯d faced from the other noble women, so she secretly sought out the witch, who offered her a bargain, as she is said to do¡­¡± Roman swallowed, likely pondering what it would be like to deal with such a creature. Elinor flipped to the folded-down page in the book, where she read the details aloud. ¡°I met with the Hag of Everborne today. She was terrifying and ugly, her green skin felt like seaweed, and her fingernails were like claws, yet they held a disturbing grace that reminded me of Rehan¡¯s¡­ ¡°I quake just remembering the sensation of her touch that lingered like hoarfrost on my arm. She promised me that my son would be the strongest Tempest, to surpass the Great Houses and Royal Family themselves¡ªhe would be king¡ªif I give her three things¡­ but I shudder at the thought of what she asked. How can I give her what she asks? Why does she need me to do such things? ¡°No, I swore to Rehan that I would make our son the greatest and rise up the Alciel House to new heights. No matter the price, even if I must¡­¡± Elinor trailed off, looking up at the Legend, who was still staring out of the window. Vision lowering to the hard quill marks on the paper, she read, ¡°¡­Even if I must cheat on my husband and seduce a commoner, give up my second child, and give the hag my skin, I will do it all to see my son not have the same experience I had with those accursed high nobles. My children will rule this nation¡­¡± The tale went on as Elinor flipped through the pages, scanning through the notes of her trips across the countryside to privately meet with the hag, who cast a dark ritual on her in such brutality and disgust that even Elinor felt a tad queasy. Tiffany would love the journal. ¡°Evelyn did every evil act,¡± she whispered, flipping down the woman¡¯s long road into depravity and the occult until her second son¡¯s birth when the final note left off where she¡¯d offered her own skin to the hag, her husband never the wiser. ¡°Heather and Drew¡¯s ancestor made a deal with the hag to gift her descendants with the highest Tempest potential? What happened to the second child that Evelyn gave her?¡± Roman shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve been following a great many trails, but you should know that one branch of the Alciel family¡­ the Autumn Branch has a tradition of always renaming their matriarchal head Evelyn, who has an estate closest to the Everborne Marshlands, and who hardly leave their lands. She doesn¡¯t attend any ceremony but the royal coronation.¡± Elinor closed the disturbing book and set it to the side, hard green eyes staring daggers at the Legend. ¡°While pertinent information, you¡¯re giving this to distract me from your other activities. I don¡¯t like how well you manage to maneuver yourself, Roman¡­¡± Fingernails tightening against her palm, she went right for his throat. ¡°You wanted a confrontation between us, or at least you were willing to entertain the idea when shifting your pieces to bring me into this game. Castria¡¯s sacrifice, pulling in the Delva Empire, and bridging all of this gossip about the Raven Empire beyond the seas¡­ I¡¯m starting to believe all of it is to drag this dangerous hag and me together. Why?¡± A long pause ensued, causing the outside buzz of the busy city to filter into the foreground as Roman spun his thoughts on how to answer her. The pink flames flickered within their stands, the fire slowly dying. She listened carefully so as not to miss any twists he was trying to make on the subject. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°¡­I have many plans in motion. Truly, I do believe we are working together, but I also am the type of person to thoroughly test my allies to understand how they work in order to accomplish the goal that needs to be done. Typically, the soldiers never know the full scope of the plan that the general employs, which is something you should be well aware of, having been building an empire up.¡± A gleam lit in her eyes. ¡°I am no soldier, Roman.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± he said, shifting to stare at the dwindling flames before his voice sharpened, ¡°which is why I am talking to you about this¡­ I did want to know what the hag would do if she heard the fabled Raven Empress would make an appearance. However, I did not expect her to have so many claws sunk so deep into this kingdom. I am trying to uncover more information as we speak, but we are stepping on the toes of another great power who has invested a lot into this kingdom already. You are bound to meet her soon if you go through with this Fifth House plan, and your soldiers will have to contend with the hag¡¯s plots while you are away. There is a bright side to this, though.¡± ¡°Let me guess,¡± Elinor said, glaring at the blind Legend. ¡°The payout in EXP for this quest will increase dramatically with how expansive it is. All I need to know right now is if you will derail me and introduce something entirely new?¡± Roman shook his head without hesitation. ¡°I have conceded all plans regarding this kingdom to you, and that is why I am telling you about the hag. My plans are further reaching, involving the Delva Empire. And if you¡¯re doing what I expect, then I can add a few more names to my list.¡± A frown came to the blind man. ¡°You have more than exceeded my expectations¡­ if you can pull this off; otherwise, we all might die in this quest. And a parting word of caution¡­ If the Alciels were supposed to be among the strongest Tempest, why do I hear the Grand Duke and the current king were said to have sparred in the past, and not once did the duke lose? ¡°Also,¡± he added with a spontaneous smile, ¡°using Kings and Queens to do your bidding can make many houses nervous at your expectations.¡± Elinor sat back, reforming her gaze to the window as they neared the campus entrance. ¡°It is for this reason I detest you. All you have said is that, yes, you are plotting, and you will continue to plot in the shadows. ¡°Essentially, I have been the one to detail you in this kingdom, but you did foresee that as a possibility and have opted to redirect your resources to another project to let me have my way. It is a story baked with half-truths and missing context. It appears you have bought yourself enough time to slip the vice this time,¡± she grunted, spotting the pink flames dwindling out. The dark-haired man gave her a deep bow and twinkling smile. ¡°Your company is always stimulating, Empress. I will do as you command.¡± Elinor glowered at the man when he wrapped knuckles against the wall to tell the driver to pull off the side. ¡°Will you be able to make it to the ceremony?¡± He gave a strained smile. ¡°Unfortunately not, Empress. I am sure it will be one to remember with you being present. I will be sure to update you on the progress of things tomorrow afternoon. We will have much to discuss.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m sure,¡± she said, eyeing him as he left the stopped stagecoach. Her father contacted her through the Nexus when the Legend left, and she received an update from Tiffany that the princesses were making some headway as budding friends. It even seemed that the prince had taken a shine to their beautiful, three-years-younger princess; the only issue came with the knowledge that a hag was tied up with the history of this royal family, and what her plans were regarding the prince and princess were a complete mystery. ¡°Fruitful meeting?¡± Edmon asked as they passed by the main school fountain at its front, showing four figures in some kind of heroic squad that must represent the four Houses. Elinor brooded in silence as the many already admitted students stopped to stare at the royal stagecoach¡¯s entrance. The only person who would be riding it would likely be the prince after all so she would cause a stir by her welcome to the college. Enlightening more than fruitful, she muttered. Roman is a problem. He is either too used to handling classified information close to his chest, is plotting my downfall as a hidden agent, or hasn¡¯t quite built the trust he needs to share his ideas with me. In any case, he has managed to keep his enigmatic ends to himself. ¡°Not entirely true,¡± her father returned, opening the door and holding out his hand to help her down the steps to the stunned crowd of young adults who attended the vast college, Magic Knights keeping everyone at a significant distance. ¡°He said in the beginning what this quest entailed.¡± Finding her hands behind her back as she lifted her gaze to the giant tower at the college¡¯s center, Elinor let a low rumble run through her throat. Her father wasn¡¯t wrong. He¡¯d stated that in order to complete this Legend¡¯s Quest, they had to make either the Kaspir Kingdom or Delva Empire accept Castria and that she was a critical part of this world¡¯s salvation. That may be so, she whispered, spotting a semi-frantic woman in purple robes almost trip down the stairs as she rushed to her Magic Knight blockade to speak to them, showing some kind of fancy badge she wore. However, that statement in itself is vague. How will Castria save the world, and does it require her life, power, or some other great sacrifice? Why is her admittance into either of these nations so critical? And who are the real enemies? We are operating in a murky pond without a lot of guidance, and Roman did that on purpose. He knew I would be drawn in too deep once I was in this world¡­ I have a stake in it now. Elinor put the topic on the shelf with the many other topics currently on her plate¡ªsuch as the ri¡¯bot clan tournament that this quest was supposed to help her prepare for¡ªwhen one of her escorting knights broke away to talk to her. ¡°Empress,¡± the woman greeted, having learned the Earth bow instead of the ridiculous Kaspir dab that they usually gave nobles. ¡°An instructor from the House of Conjuration has been sent to give you a tour before guiding you to the Grand Duke. Was that the plan?¡± By the Magic Knight¡¯s deep frown, she took it as rude that the Grand Duke himself wasn¡¯t there to meet her, but Elinor figured this decision was made for a variety of reasons, including to see how she would react. Roman¡¯s warning about the unusual power of the Grand Duke also piqued her interest, as the Legend knew it would. It was her first time seeing what a Conjuration magic user was like, and it was a tad off-putting how distinctly modest she was dressed compared to the nobility. This world was filled with so many mysteries and dangers, much like the one she¡¯d left, only this place was far more civilized than her new jungle home. ¡°I did ask the Grand Duke to arrange for an escort to show me around the campus. A four-man squad to accompany us will be appropriate so as not to crowd the hallways.¡± ¡°As you command,¡± she said with a solemn nod, making several signals to the others that swiftly brought them into action. Elinor walked past them to engage the nervous woman, seemingly in her late thirties or early forties by her appearance alone, her father taking up a position by her side. ¡°And you would be?¡± The black-haired woman did a ridiculous, nervous dab before sweeping back her bangs and gulping as her father loomed by their side, more than a foot taller than the Conjuration instructor. She adjusted her thick purple robe and tried not to speak too quickly. ¡°My name is Instructor Belladonna, Your Royal Imperial M-Majesty. I am from the House of Conjuration, and the Grand Duke has instructed me to¡ª¡± She winced and took a deep, calming breath, fingers knotting at her front as the Magic Knights gave her a questioning eye. ¡°Excuse me, I am to tour you around the facility¡­ if that would be okay for you.¡± A lump appeared in the Conjuror¡¯s throat as Elinor¡¯s illuminated green eyes swept her robes and triple-eye badge, positioned into a pyramid. ¡°I will call you Bella since it is easier to use in speech, and you may simply refer to me as Empress. Hmm. You wouldn¡¯t happen to be a commoner, would you, Bella?¡± Voice becoming scratchy, the older woman did another dab out of nowhere as her tone rose an octave. ¡°Yes, I-I am, Empress; it is a pleasure to serve you¡ªI mean, guide you!¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± Elinor¡¯s chest shook with mild entertainment as she motioned for the spinny-eyed woman to take the lead. ¡°You can relax. I am not the type of ruler who would look down on those of the lower class. You may be yourself and act as you would when touring any other noble from your kingdom. I am in your care.¡± Looking a tad taken aback by the freeing words, Bella glanced between the Magic Knights and Death Knight king before giving a nod and turning to gesture toward the dozen stairs that rose to the front entrance of the college entry building. ¡°Then, if you would follow me, Empress. Umm. Do¡­ you have any requests as to where we start?¡± Elinor swept the magnificent, several-story building that branched in an X formation, no doubt each one dedicated to the four classes of study. ¡°Why don¡¯t you begin with the House of Conjuration since it is where you are no doubt comfortable? Inform me about the daily lives of the students and what the difference is between the Houses, where they retire after classes, and the college itself.¡± Bella perked up now that they¡¯d broken the ice and took the lead. ¡°I would be happy to start with the House I am a part of. Once a member of a House, always a member. We take pride in the service we provide the kingdom and our members.¡± Walking up the glossy, gold-trimmed stairs, cut out of the same type of marble as the rest of the city, Elinor scanned the intricate stonework that went into its design, somehow having more of an old, wooden British design, only stone. The windows were glossy, not allowing one to see inside and reflecting the vast skies. Tempest flew about their daily activities or played games that involved throwing various balls, using their abilities. Flowers and trees dotted the waterways, providing a contrast and walkways for viewing. Weeping willows provided shade from the sun or veils of privacy for the young to gather under. It truly looked like a place of learning for the wealthy elite. The interior didn¡¯t disappoint, going for a vast and open aesthetic with pillars and archways showing murals of the arts. She spotted Tempest floating near the ceiling with paints of some kind, decorating it with scenes that blended into each other. Bella pointed them out, stopping them in the middle of the colossal front entrance, where balconies and railings circled the place to view the artistry. ¡°Every year, the artwork is wiped clean for the second-year students to show their own talents and display their unique taste in the ever-changing arts. It is open to all second-years, but¡­ is a tad hard to reach for anyone but the Tempest.¡± Elinor nodded, figuring it was a form of gatekeeping that the nobles used to cement more of their dominance, considering many of the commoners wouldn¡¯t have the practice or nerve to show their works so boldly. However, what most caught her attention were the open gears of a colossal clock directly facing the entrance and above the sweeping staircase; it had to be for more than just the simple device, she was sure. ¡°And that?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh! That sets the schedule for everything in the college. Only the Grand Duke knows how to operate it, but the students take turns cleaning and oiling the gears as a part of their community college maintenance. Nobles and commoners do the same chores.¡± Elinor was sure that wasn¡¯t wholly the case, but it was an excellent attempt to bring the air-headed fliers down to the ground. Bella took her down the long corridors, showing her the artwork of past legendary graduates that dotted the Conjuror¡¯s Wing; she noticed quite a few students wearing similar modest clothes, yet a few showed more skin than the others, making Elinor aware of the tattoos that they hid beneath. From dampening kinetic or potential force to healing, the summoning of creatures from another realm, facilitating gateways to other planes of existence, or bringing inanimate objects to life, the Conjuror had a wide variety of valuable abilities that proved to be quite interesting. She was starting to enjoy exploring this world and its balance of power. Her excitement doubled when Bella offered to show her some of the instructors preparing the gateway that would be used to call forth the enemies that would be used for the Entrance Ceremony. Elinor followed her down the steps into the first-level basement of the branch, the Magic Knights somewhat uncomfortable by the bizarre and hideous artwork that only continued to get stranger as they went. This was the perfect branch for outcasts and lovers of the unusual. The Magic Knights fought monsters as a part of their trade, and the Conjurors summoned them; it was no wonder they wanted to shut the House down. Plus, it seemed the Tempest¡¯s idea of beauty was in stark contrast to the Conjuror¡¯s with their piercings, tattoos, and hairstyles compared to the noble¡¯s¡­ the only word would be slutty, glamorous lifestyle. Stepping down the dark, dimly lit stairs, with Bella growing more excited by her positive reception to the aesthetic, Elinor used the Nexus to comment to her father regarding the change in pace. What do you bet that we have a rogue Conjuror group dedicated to stamping out the Tempest elites? Her father lifted an eyebrow while staring at the rather eldritch and devilish-inspired paintings. ¡°I¡­ wouldn¡¯t doubt it.¡± Hahaha. We can only hope for something as interesting as that, she said, wishing she¡¯d picked up the Feat Extension for her eyes that would show her signs of the supernatural; it was possible to pick up, but she was also expecting something massive for Level 20. It was hard to save resources. I¡¯m sure there are some lovely secrets hidden in these halls¡­ School looks like it could be fun in this world. B3 — 2.5. The Heathen Goddess Arrives! The Susime Valley spread out before Butter, its vibrant, alien beauty capturing her active mind while analyzing everything it could represent for Priss and her. The landscape was a tapestry of color, with ruby grasses swaying gently in the breeze and strange, luminescent flora dotting the landscape. Nergath extracted black chalk out of his bag and made a few notes on the bottom of the animal hide of the message he¡¯d received before looking at her. ¡°Do you wish to accept his invitation?¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± Butter leaned against her throne, looking down at her undead ri¡¯bot mount with a fond smile; she¡¯d grown to like these toad-like creatures. ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll let him know my decision at the gate when I make it to his fortress. I¡¯m new and want to take the tour. Plus¡­I have a wonderful guide in one of his Fingers.¡± Nergath¡¯s body shook with silent laughter. ¡°I have never heard anyone who made the Head of Seg''tharis wait when summoned. You certainly are brave, High Queen. I will send the message.¡± Butter winked at him, her aquamarine eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a pretty face and a heathen¡ªwhy don¡¯t you add that part as well for the giggles! After all, even a heathen can command respect with the proper support,¡± she whispered, pointing at her hidden jewel between her bust. White snickered from beside her, leaning against her horse¡¯s head. ¡°I love your energy, High Queen. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be feeling all sorts of things from that message. Tyrants typically love women who stand up to them since they naturally feel in a position of power and bemused if someone stands up to them. The first slight brings interest, the second¡­an ax. At least, that¡¯s how it works for humans.¡± Mika rubbed her mount. ¡°If he follows standard ri¡¯bot culture, then a defiant mate is something of value when they are seen as competent. Our love grows by our personal conflicts. I doubt it will translate to hairy humans with unnaturally many teeth¡­and similarities to quen¡¯talrat, only far smaller and weaker. But, I will admit that the High Queen has a certain alluring aura about her that draws many ri¡¯bot to her. I¡¯ve heard the whispers.¡± Andoncia hummed doubtfully. ¡°You really see us as hairy, small quen¡¯talrat?¡± Nergath¡¯s brow furrowed, sending his bird back to the Head of Seg''tharis. ¡°I can see the resemblance.¡± The maid¡¯s mouth pushed to the side while looking down at herself. ¡°We¡­look nothing like Quin¡ªshe has two heads, a tail, fur everywhere, and four arms.¡± Mika shrugged, making White laugh again. Butter let the conversation work through her, enjoying the energy her party had. In the distance, a crystalline blue river shimmered under the bright sun, its waters teeming with massive, gem-scaled fish that jumped out of the water on their path into the perfectly clear lake around the Life Village. Butter¡¯s skipping heart swelled with excitement as she took in the scene, the anticipation of the unknown bubbling within her. This place is breathtaking, and Priss¡¯ body is here makes it all the more sweet of a sight, she thought, guiding her undead torlim mount down the gentle slope, Nergath explaining what they should expect on their descent from the shelf. White, Adoncia, and Mika remained close since this was all potentially enemy territory. The Head of Seg''tharis managed to get Priss¡¯ body. It must have been Shade¡¯s doing. What is he cooking in his deep dark prison? It¡¯s potent to be smelled all the way up here on the surface, she chuckled to herself. So much to learn and do. Nergath calls this Life Village Utelira¡¯s Haven¡­ The same Supreme Chief of Life that resides in this necklace. Her fingers brushed against the fabric of her top, feeling the imprint of the large gemstone hidden underneath her tank top between her breasts; the item was meant for a much larger creature with a thick neck, making it hang low. The sleeping, nigh-dead life entity within it was struggling to cling onto her power, a hope for relief emanating from within. There is so much potential here¡­ Why would Shade give us this¡­give me a body? All of this screams distraction, but he made it sweet as honey, which means there¡¯s something even more important either to our south with the navleans, the western Tol¡¯Val Kingdom of ri¡¯bot, or he¡¯s trying to direct us away from putting our attention on Kel''mal''tha. The White God¡¯s black fortress certainly does peak my interest, but I¡¯m invested here now. Descending the shelf with her escort, Butter listened to Nergath¡¯s lessons on their culture. The rustle of the sparse tree-cover along the hill and the sway of the red grasslands they walked on filled her with positivity. Yet, Butter noticed more signs of conflict within Utelira¡¯s Haven that added to the historical conflict between the two factions. Scorch marks marred the ground, and the remains of charred structures stood as silent witnesses to the recent raid. The once-lush areas showed signs of decay, the vibrant Life Energy drained away by the Death Faction, known among the Susime as the Hands of Seg''tharis. Nergath rode beside her on his dragonfly steed. His emerald eyes scanned the horizon far ahead of them; it would take another few hours before they made it to the edges of the village. ¡°The damage you see is the work of Seg¡¯tharis¡¯ Left Hand,¡± he explained, his voice tinged with sorrow. ¡°They are the military faction, who see it as their duty to corrupt and control everything they touch in the name of Seg¡¯tharis¡­ Half of them will still be alive.¡± Butter nodded, her playful demeanor momentarily subdued by the gravity of the situation. She studied the multi-color skinned and splotchy followers of Utelira hung up by their tongues on wooden bars erected between the life and death sections of the valley, surrounding the floating crystal like a ritual for success or favor. ¡°They¡¯ve done quite a number here,¡± Butter whispered, ¡°but we¡¯ll set things right. It¡¯s what I do. After all, I am the Heavenly Conqueror, and they¡¯re stepping on my toes.¡± On their long journey, Butter soaked up the information Nergath provided more information about their hierarchy. In terms of power, as being the Seventh Finger of the Right Hand, he had the least rank within the Sages, but out-ranked the First Finger of the Left Hand. In essence, he was the tenth most influential figure within the Cult of Seg¡¯tharis. As they approached the outskirts of Utelira¡¯s Haven, a sudden flash of light to their right caught Butter¡¯s eye. The immaterial cube-shaped Crystal was roughly fifteen meters in width and dimension, its pinkish color and greenish glow radiating a pulse of energy¡ªit was solidifying. According to their guide, it had been lingering over their valley for over two months, and their warriors entered it a month ago. Nergath held out his hand for them to stop, and Butter noticed activity from the Death Cult¡¯s fortress as skydaters took to the sky¡ªDeath Riders. They circled the floating device, releasing howl-like croaks that sent everyone in the Life Village into their homes. Butter figured they hadn¡¯t responded to her arrival due to the Head¡¯s orders. ¡°The First Conquest has concluded, the victors who achieved the most favor from Seg¡¯tharis are allowed to bring back their prize and prepare for the next assault¡­ A new contender will enter the Death Crucible.¡± Butter leaned against her chair, having heard Nergath¡¯s explanation regarding the cube-like Crystal. ¡°So, square ones introduce a battle royal-type of challenge, and what happens to each side depends on how they perform. New factions are introduced to spice things up. Interesting¡­ It must be a higher power that has made this game of conquest¡­ I approve!¡± she chimed. A towering monolith of shimmering quartz, stood at the heart between the factions, where the dozens of sacrifices hung. It pulsed with an inner light, sending out a ray that pierced the sky. The ground trembled, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the valley, causing Butter to steady herself. Nergath dismounted, his expression grim. ¡°Seg¡¯tharis¡¯ Left Hand returns from their Death March,¡± he whispered. ¡°It only happens when a side has satisfied Seg¡¯tharis to an acceptable degree¡­or they have failed so terribly that the conquest will continue on our own land. Prepare yourself for that possibility, High Queen, because if so, the valley will be locked into its own space, and no one will be able to escape.¡± Butter crossed her legs upon straightening herself, pulled down a tad on her shorts and plucked at her tank top, she breathed in the scent of conquest. ¡°Let¡¯s go! I can feel the tingles already. You, White?¡± ¡°Like my first kiss,¡± the woman chimed, summoning her bow and knocking an arrow of pure light. ¡°You ready, girls?¡± Adoncia summoned her club and Mika prepared her torlim and knives. However, Butter¡¯s gaze was on the beam of light basking the center of the ritual site in blinding light as it faded, revealing a thick mist. As it dissipated, a group of over 150 ri¡¯bot and their skydarters emerged from the mists. She sat straighter upon spotting prisoners among the body-painted warriors of the Susime, their hands bound and heads bowed. Five of the seven Left Fingers of the Death Faction marched at the front, their dark armor glinting ominously. Butter¡¯s eyes narrowed as she spotted familiar figures among the diverse crowd of captive creatures¡ªa few humans, one being a woman with striking white hair, standing out starkly against the gloom. One prisoner, a striking woman with white hair, struggled fiercely against her bindings, momentarily breaking free. A commotion broke out with a burst of ice shards and mist before the woman was pounced on and subdued again, bound in black rope. Well, this just got ten times more exciting! Butter internally proclaimed to her three guards, feeling a strange pull towards the woman. I believe she has a similar Seed as me and my sister. We may be able to increase our numbers, after all. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± White cheered, mirroring her earlier statement. Adoncia squinted, glancing between the few humans that were amongst the snake-like creatures with four arms and were bound between skydarters by dark black ropes. ¡°Are those¡­US soldiers¡ªthe United States? Are those ri¡¯bot driving a tank?!¡± Mika lifted an impressed eyebrow at the large metal device as it pulled many more snake creatures, their mouths as bound as their arms. ¡°Impressive looking mounts, and they roar something fierce.¡± Nergath¡¯s voice was a low murmur in the ensuing silence since he couldn¡¯t hear their spiritual conversation. ¡°Lokar, the First Finger of the Left Hand¡­and they return with humans? Odd. I take it you know of them, High Queen?¡± Butter couldn¡¯t help but smile as the combat leader of the Death Faction noticed them, as did the white-haired young woman. He pointed for them to take the prisoners to the fortress as the howling Death Riders above lowered to help collect the spoils of war, dragged behind by two more tanks; the ri¡¯bot seemed to be forcing humans to drive them. Lokar directed his skydarter away from his raiding party and approached them. He was a lower rank than Nergath by his earlier explanation, yet his smug ri¡¯bot face carried a smug arrogance. Butter leaned over to ask her question before he arrived, ¡°Nergath, can you claim the white-haired human and bring her to us? I¡¯d like to see if she tries to escape. He shouldn¡¯t know about your Head¡¯s interest in me since he¡¯s been in that Crystal for a month, as you stated.¡± Nergath sighed while rubbing his chin. ¡°I can, but it will cause more strife and call my conduct into question by the other Right Fingers¡­ I will likely be summoned to the Court of the Right for a hearing since Lokar will challenge my abuse of power, and I am already on thin ice with my seniors.¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± Butter giggled, a devilish grin lifting her aquamarine eyes. ¡°Why not allow me to do the talking to take a little more heat off of you.¡± Adoncia and Mika gave her somewhat grumpy looks but they¡¯d become used to her forward and risky plays; there was a method to her madness, after all. ¡°¡­I place my life in your hands, Radiant Eminence,¡± he whispered, glancing at the chain leading into her bust, where the Eye of Utelira was nested. ¡°I hope to hear your strategy before an armed escort and two Right Fingers come to compel us to answer the summons.¡± Butter gave him a sideward wink, her pink lips rising. ¡°Trust this pretty heathen, I¡¯m not one to underestimate, and your Head knows it, which is why he stole my sister¡¯s corpse to lure me in. Shade knows how dangerous I am to your faction, and your Head wouldn¡¯t want that vulnerability getting out there.¡± She closed her mouth, bobbing her leg, in a stellar mood as the skydarter flew around them in a showy display, a red-skinned snake being dragged across the ground in a circle, already dead by its shriveled corpse. His body was decorated with black and white paint of some kind, resembling a skeletal design. His eyes scanned Butter and her companions, curiosity mingling with disdain as he landed before them. ¡°Well, well,¡± he drawled, a sneer curling his three-toothed mouth, bulging toad throat puffing up with pride. ¡°What do we have here, Honored Seventh Finger? New sacrifices for the Bountiful Crystal of Death, and ones that look similar to the ones I captured? They¡¯re feisty ones. Ugly things, aren¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Excuse you,¡± Butter chimed, waving amiably to catch his attention. ¡°Is that any way to speak about your Head¡¯s honored guest, Lokar? What rude officers you have, Nergath. What punishment does this call for among the Susime?¡± White whistled through the Nexus, Adoncia and Mika catching up to her plot as the Horseman of Conquest revealed it. ¡°How clever, High Queen! Using your position as an honored guest to beat the wind out of this punk and force recompense.¡± If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Lokar¡¯s triumphant poise fell into a deadly scowl, the atmosphere darkening. ¡°You speak our language, unlike the others¡­ The Inner Valley ri¡¯bot tongue, and ride on torlim with a Roxim while speaking of authority? What is this foul creature, Honored Seventh Finger?¡± he snarled hopping off of his mount while pulling out a hook-like blade attached to black thread that hummed with Death Energy. Butter chuckled as Nergath held his Death Staff between them, taking on a grave and serious tone. ¡°Hold your bane, Lokar¡­ You insult a honored guest of the Head that I am personally escorting¡­ Look at what she holds.¡± Mika, White, and Adoncia retreated a short distance as Butter showed a smug arrogance that matched Lokar¡¯s previous energy while gripping the delicate thread of the pendant and lifting it out to display the dazzling jewel of life¡ªunknown to them, a prison for their Supreme Chief. Lokar instantly jumped back in shock, a blur to even Butter¡¯s trained vision, poised in a defensive posture as several more Death Raiders split off to hover around them. Elinor didn¡¯t miss the two higher Right Fingers who swiftly changed directions to join them. ¡°The Eye of Utelira?! How, the Head of Utelira is imprisoned within the¡ªyou are the ascended Radiant Eminence¡­ A non-ri¡¯bot?! What is this blasphemy, Honored One?¡± Butter raised her voice, serene smile and regal bearing unshaken while presenting the blinding jewel as the sun hit it, making it glow. The approaching Fingers drew close enough to hear her speak. ¡°I am the Radiant Eminence, chosen by Utelira herself and requested by your Head¡­ And you insult me, First Finger of the Left. How disappointed would Seg''tharis be by your conduct?¡± The two Right Fingers dismounted their skydarters and smoothly knelt down in front of her torlim as she leered at them from her lofty position. Lokar swiftly mirrored them, snapping his jaw shut as some of the Death Raiders shot off to inform the rest of the Death Cult¡¯s offensive force. ¡°Holy One of Utelira, it is good to see the Life Bringer has not abandoned her cult¡­ And one that is not Susime. That is¡­unexpected. You are quite proficient at concealing your great power as Utelira¡¯s Sanctified Body.¡± The one to Butter¡¯s left raised his head, eyes passive and holding potent death artifacts that would have made Butter salivate had she not had this pendant; Priss would be drooling, though. ¡°Allow me to introduce myself as the Fourth Finger, Kestaris of the Death Flames.¡± His cold eyes shifted to Nergath and loathing touched his face. ¡°What might we do to correct this insult, Seventh Finger? Should not you have prevented this from happening, being the Radiant Eminence¡¯s honored guide?¡± Nergath moved forward with a solemn sigh. ¡°High Queen Butter is a mercurial creature called a human, who has received Utelira¡¯s Blessing. I am afraid Lokar has twisted his tongue before I had a chance to introduce him.¡± Lokar¡¯s face twisted with anger instead of shame, no doubt disgusted that the Right Hand were bowing their heads before a follower of Utelira. Soon enough, the illusion of her authority would dry up since these ri¡¯bot were out of the loop as to the current state of things. Nergath¡¯s presence only added to her authority within the sect. Butter waved her hand dismissively, resting her fist against the side of her head and looking off to the captives. ¡°Hmm¡­ I can overlook the insult, Honored Ones¡­for one of those human captives¡ªthe white-haired one looks interesting.¡± Lokar¡¯s nose flared with anger as his large eyes darted to the area, doing surprisingly well to control his voice. ¡°...Our greatest prize in this conquest, Radiant Eminence? The creature and its mist-like battalion were responsible for honoring our warriors in death¡­ It was meant to be the crowning, sanctified sacrifice for our first victory in Seg¡¯tharis¡¯ Death Crucible.¡± Nergath stepped forward, his presence commanding. ¡°Enough, Lokar. You will show respect to the Radiant Eminence for her more than reasonable demand. Seg¡¯tharis will be pleased at you reclaiming your Death Raiders¡¯ honor.¡± Lokar¡¯s strained sneer faltered for a moment, and he inclined his body slightly to see if the other Sages would intervene. When they didn¡¯t he swallowed and said, ¡°As you wish, Finger of Seg¡¯tharis.¡± His gaze flicked back to Butter, still mocking yet nose flaring. ¡°I look forward to seeing how you fare against us in the inevitable conflict of the Game of Life and Death.¡± Rising, Lokar returned his hooked weapon behind his billowing cloak and moved away to do as commanded. Butter observed the returning raiders from her throne, the dark-armored figures contrasted sharply against the vibrant, if somewhat scarred, landscape of the Susime Valley. Lokar reluctantly complied with her demand as Nergath¡¯s senior Fingers gave a few hollow words about awaiting their return to Shadethorn Bastion, their fortress, and took their leave. Her attention shifted to the captives, particularly the white-haired woman. She stood out against the snakes, showing a certain grace, despite her brutalized appearance that contrasted her fellow prisoners. She wouldn¡¯t know how badly she was damaged until she was brought to her but from this distance, she didn¡¯t look great in her tattered clothes and ragged hair. Adoncia¡¯s low voice reflected her Oni temper while studying the various humans, almost all men. ¡°They¡¯re definitely military from the United States; they¡¯re too diverse to be from another nation while wearing those colors and clothes. High Queen, this could change everything¡­ Wasn¡¯t there anything else we could have done to get them? Won¡¯t they use them as bait or hostages?¡± White snickered. ¡°Hostages only work if you allow them to work, which is never a good door to open, sweetie. As harsh as it is, it is better for future hostages if you don¡¯t give in to threatening demands like that or at least leave the door open enough to use it to your advantage.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Mika growled. ¡°This will be a tough fight unless we can gain similar weapons. I can tell they¡¯re highly trained, High Queen, I see very few females among them, as well¡­ Something is wrong.¡± You have a point, Mika, Butter hummed, internally soothing Adoncia¡¯s worried and aching heart. There are so many interesting things to investigate. As for hostages¡­you¡¯re only seeing the small picture, Adoncia. Where there is a few captured, there are many more. I don¡¯t know much about this US and of A is that I¡¯ve heard referenced by some of the humans, but I¡¯ve heard enough to know it is vast and filled with humans¡­ We¡¯ve hit the jackpot, ladies. Priss is going to have a heart attack. I win! Butter rose from her throne, her elegant movements drawing the attention of her companions and the surrounding overhead Death Raiders as she tucked her shimmering jewel back between her bust. Hopping down from her torlim, her bare toes met the shin-high red grass, soft beneath her feet as it folded. Hands gripping her Life Staff, held behind her back, she hummed while watching Lokar gruffly direct one of his men to bring the exhausted, white-haired young woman to her. He didn¡¯t even look back once while mounting his skydarter and becoming a blur through the sky, no doubt moving to join the two Upper Fingers to report to their Head. There was a skip in Butter¡¯s step while nearing the woman, her bound, liquid-like hair bouncing at her back. Nergath moved forward to join her with her three guards now that the dominating Life Jewel was safely tucked away and shining inward at her body rather than outward. ¡°High Queen?¡± White asked, more a question now than a warning as the defensive silvery-gray-eyed woman set her ground, ready to attack once the opportunity came. I¡¯m in no danger; she¡¯s tough, but riddled with the fatigue of a long war¡­ The Death Ropes are sapping her Life Force based on her defiance, she¡¯s already growing wrinkles and losing physical strength, yet she finds the will to resist nonetheless. I¡¯m not often impressed¡­but she might be worthy of it. A burst of cool wind swirled around her aging and trembling figure. The Death Raider lifted his knife to deliver what must have been the thirtieth gash on what should have been fair, smooth, and pretty skin, now heavily damaged, but her wounds showed ice over them, sealing the cuts. Butter drew power from the jewel between her bust, moved with a speed and grace that belied her playful nature, her staff spinning out to catch the shocked Death Raider¡¯s wrist. He instantly retreated, the woman looking as stunned as the ri¡¯bot as Butter¡¯s purposeful steps brought her between them. ¡°Is that any way to treat someone else¡¯s property, darling? I¡¯m more than happy to drown you a few times to get the point across,¡± she giggled, flashing her teeth. His large eyes narrowed, glancing to Nergath. ¡°You challenge me, Holy One of Utelira?¡± The white-haired woman¡¯s shaking legs collapsed behind her, her breathing heavy, yet Butter didn¡¯t look away from the Death Raider, her smile widening. ¡°Challenge you? How bold! Let¡¯s go! You¡¯ve got me feeling all sorts of ways. If I¡¯m a heathen to you, why hesitate and look at the Seventh Finger for permission? Are you a tadpole looking to daddy to say it¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°You mock the Death Raiders¡­¡± She lifted her other hand, water collected from the ground and air to form a sphere of water the size of the ri¡¯bot himself. It formed into various shapes with her spinning finger. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll be sure to bring you back to life every time to show all the Death Raiders just how good you are. I can also rip the liquid from your body if that works better for you! Which do you prefer?¡± His throat bulged with anger, but after one look from Nergath, he turned and left with a shout. ¡°Seg¡¯tharis be praised¡­ You disgust me, clinging to life, Holy One.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of Seg¡¯tharis!¡± she laughed, making him pause, fingers trembling while gripping his death trident. Aww, Butter internally lamented while letting the water fall to the ground and watching him leave. She turned to study the failing woman behind her after the sad ri¡¯bot¡¯s retreat. A pity. I haven¡¯t even had my first fight with my new body yet. I suppose I shouldn¡¯t waste it on him, though. Her mind was already whirring with plans while observing the battered and somewhat malnourished-looking girl, her guarded, exhausted, and bloodshot eyes showing rings under them and now losing much of her grace after being prodded forward by the Death Raider¡¯s trident. She looks like she¡¯s been through hell and back. I can¡¯t let her suffer any longer. After all, she¡¯s my golden goose to trump Priss for once! Butter¡¯s gaze softened as she took in the full extent of the woman¡¯s condition, heart now aching; even with her willpower, she couldn¡¯t summon the strength to stand. Her clothes were torn to shreds, and her body bore numerous bruises and cuts, signs of the harsh treatment she had endured. Blue Eyes¡­ ¡°Already getting some of our spare clothes out, High Queen¡­ Eh, will a dress work?¡± Wonderfully! I think she¡¯d pull off red well with that white hair after I¡¯m done healing her. ¡°Who¡­who are you?¡± the woman asked, her voice hoarse from disuse, barely able to keep herself from fully collapsing. ¡°You¡¯re golden goddess, High Queen Butter,¡± she chimed, moving forward and bending down to set her staff to the side. Brushing back her messy bangs, she sighed. ¡°Mmm. Now let¡¯s get a good look at you¡ªoh, quite the pretty face!¡± she exclaimed, using a finger to lift her chin, held low in case she needed to protect her throat from a blow. ¡°Bright white hair as fresh as snow, yet now dirty strands and tangled. Pallid skin, yet sharp eyes. Respectful, respectful¡­ Eyes filled with the hollow look of someone who has seen too much suffering,¡± she whispered, empathy piercing through her usual playful demeanor. ¡°Give me a moment, beautiful. In the meantime, can you tell me your name? What do you think, White?¡± The woman¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes meeting Butter¡¯s with a mixture of confusion and hope. ¡°You¡­know my name?¡± ¡°Your name?¡± White laughed, jumping down from her horse to stride over to tower over them. ¡°I¡¯m White, well¡­some people also call me Conquest, but that¡¯s beside the point. I can see the resemblance; you could be my petite little sister! Don¡¯t you think, Adoncia?¡± ¡°I can see it,¡± the maid absently returned, left eye creased while staring at the girl¡¯s exposed, single torn bra strap, hole-ridden crop-top at this point, and ripped jeans turned short-shorts. ¡°She might fit my extra bra¡­ Give me a second to get into my own pack.¡± The white-haired woman shied away defensively as Nergath approached, pausing at her reaction and casually holding his staff against his shoulder. ¡°She¡¯s quite the jumpy human, and she can understand you while you speak the Inner-Valley Tongue?¡± ¡°You understand them? What is their purpose? Did they make the Crystal Gateways? What about¡ª¡± ¡°Shhhh,¡± Butter soothed, offering a warm smile. ¡°No need to panic now that I¡¯m here. I¡¯m here to help you! Here¡­¡± She swallowed and forced a smile, as tired as it looked. ¡°Right¡­ Thank you High Queen Butter. In truth, I¡¯m the Fable of Snow White. Are you from¡­our Earth? You speak perfect English. Are you a Legendkin or Mythickin?¡± ¡°In time. We first need to take care of you,¡± Butter nodded, reaching out to gently touch Snow White¡¯s arm. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get you out of those Death Energy infused ropes so it stops sapping your Life Force¡­ Nasty little things.¡± With a wave of her hand, Butter summoned a gentle flow of Life Energy that bloomed inside of the woman, the golden light washing over her and dissolving the restraints that bound her as if smoke. Her youth started to blossom once more under the Positive Force. As the chains evaporated, Butter guided her to a nearby rock, helping her to sit down. ¡°Just relax,¡± Butter softly urged, placing her hands on her shoulder before pulling her into a comforting hug. ¡°I¡¯m going to continue healing you now, so just relax¡­ It¡¯s okay to cry. Can I call you Snow since we already have a White in our party?¡± Snow White nodded weakly, her body beginning to quiver a little as her nightmare waned. ¡°A leader can¡¯t cry¡­ She needs to stay strong, no matter the circumstances.¡± ¡°Oh, you pure thing,¡± Butter cried, her heart melting at her shaking voice as hope filled her with the uplifting energy she radiated, pulling from the jewel nestled within her bust. Snow closed her eyes as Butter drew on the Life Energy within her to restore the Fablekin to her original healthy glow. She felt the familiar warmth spread through her whole being as she channeled the Divine Force into the struggling woman¡¯s battered body. The cuts and bruises began to fade, the pallor of her skin replaced with a healthier shine. As she worked, Butter¡¯s mind wandered to the implications of Snow White¡¯s presence. A human, and one with a powerful aura, captured by the Death Faction in their Battle Royal. There was more to this woman than met the eye, and Butter was determined to uncover the secrets she held. ¡°There.¡± Butter pulled away, showing a charming smile upon seeing the much healthier and quite shocked looking human. ¡°How do you feel? You certainly look prettier, and I¡¯ve seen those children¡¯s picture books of the story of Snow White, and might I say you blow that image out of the universe!¡± Snow chuckled while rubbing at some of the few tears she had allowed herself to shed, her eyes slightly red and puffy. She took a deep breath, her eyes filling with gratitude. ¡°Better¡­ Much better. Thank you. Is there a way to free the others? What is the plan?¡± Butter smiled, a mixture of relief and satisfaction washing over her as she stood and stretched out, not feeling stressed in the least. ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Nothing can be solved while frantic and brooding like old men hunkered over a pitiful fire¡­or my gloomy twin. I¡¯m not the type to sulk over a last meal before the winter¡¯s chill takes me! Life is meant to be enjoyed, the hard times, and the easy. Adoncia has your clothes.¡± ¡°Here you go, Ms. Snow,¡± the Colombian woman said, offering the items. ¡°You can change behind one of the torlim for privacy, if you like. You look about as old as me, or maybe a bit younger¡ªseventeen?¡± Snow seemed to be calming down, showing a more strategic and military side as her brow set. She accepted the clothes with a thankful smile. ¡°Thirty-eight, actually. The Oscillation made me quite a bit younger¡­ I¡¯ve been struggling to keep Earth¡¯s forces in a defensible position for three months now. We lost a lot of our supplies in the first week¡­ I sacrificed myself to divert them since I was losing strength, and it didn¡¯t look like we¡¯d survive.¡± A faint smile tugged at Butter¡¯s mouth, soaking up the information. ¡°Well, Snow, that sounds like quite the story that we can discuss after you¡¯ve gotten some food in your belly.¡± ¡°What? But¡ª¡± Snow¡¯s eyes widened as Butter promptly shut down her ¡®military mode¡¯ coping mechanism and drew her into another warm hug, squeezing hard and making her cough. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Snow!¡± Drawing back, she flashed a dazzling smile. ¡°You¡¯re safe¡­ Trust me. No one¡¯s here to see you break. You don¡¯t need to be a strong leader right now¡­ So cry a little. Let it out. I¡¯m here, Snow¡­ You¡¯re going to be okay.¡± The woman¡¯s throat constricted, her arms tightening around her given clothes. She glanced between them, White¡¯s large, comforting figure, giving her a thumbs up. Mika¡¯s scowl wasn¡¯t aimed at her, the undead toad¡¯s guarded expression directed at the circling Death Raiders. Nethath¡¯s passive presence remained studious yet non-threatening. And lastly, Adoncia¡¯s helpful and expectant smile, waiting to be of service. Finally, her tearing-up silvery-gray eyes returned to Butter¡¯s, her chest fluttering, and liquid fell down her rosy-red cheeks. ¡°There, there¡­ We¡¯ll get everything sorted out,¡± Butter soothed. ¡°You¡¯re a tough one, Snow¡­but everyone needs to cry out that sadness to let in the divine wrath that will replace what is shed. Believe in me¡­ A reckoning is coming, and you¡¯re looking at her,¡± she said, pulling her closer to let the soldier cry. ¡°Be happy! This stunning heathen goddess is here to save you¡­ I¡¯m here, so you can cry.¡± B4 — Prelude. The Eve of War War stood near a blazing mud furnace as Roxim craftsmen kept it lit and working round the clock to be sure everything was ready for the upcoming war. His tied back red hair weaving in the strong wind like long flames in the early morning light as he laughed and clapped. Chief Zargoth danced in swift, deadly fashion, fire blazing around him as his warriors and citizens cheered or cried, their legacy returning with a renewed sense of hope. He spun and twisted in a mesmerizing trance to the gathered toads. The children were jumping up and down, asking their parents when they¡¯d be able to dance with fire, and War could see the emotion in the Roxim people¡¯s eyes. Morale was soaring and the clan¡¯s excitement was palpable, their cheers and rhythmic claps adding to the energy of their chief¡¯s movements. Beside War, Rylee watched with a soft smile, her sharp green eyes reflecting the firelight as some of her witch coven stood nearby. Zargoth¡¯s words boomed as he maneuvered mid-air with the fire, accelerating his movements and creating a cyclone of heat. ¡°You witches have truly outdone yourselves, Rylee!¡± He flipped out of the sky to land in front of them, the flames dissipating as the scarred warrior gazed upon the slender witch, tall for a human woman but not when compared to a standing ri¡¯bot. ¡°Your rituals work¡­ Empress Elinor has fulfilled her promise.¡± Rylee brushed back her dirty and long dark brown hair, falling over her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re far from done, Chief Zargoth. Now that we¡¯ve finished the ritual formula I can direct Hilda¡¯s Circle to start working on your other warriors to unlock their blocked genes.¡± She glanced from Red to the perpetual misty expanse to their southeast, where the Roxim¡¯s lake fed into the giant scar in the valley; the Avana dragon had carved it out nearly a century ago, and Red had seen the interest in the Gray Coven members¡¯ eyes eager to explore it over the last few days since they¡¯d arrived. ¡°With Hilda¡¯s thirteen witches working on your High Warriors, it leaves Carla¡¯s Circle and me available to research further activities and further strengthen your defenses. I have a few things to personally see to, given to me by Queen Tiffany, such as getting the communication grid more stable, but that shouldn¡¯t be too challenging. We¡¯re far from done supporting you, Chief.¡± Zargoth settled down a tad, naturally thrilled to have his people¡¯s legacy returned to them. He studied the thirty-two-year-old woman with respect he likely rarely gave anyone else. ¡°I will speak highly of your achievements with your queen when she arrives. You are one of three covens within the Empire, are you not?¡± Red stepped back to let the brown-skinned Colombian woman have her spotlight as he surveyed the bustling village, the pulse of war in every heart. Right now, they were on the defense, but soon, he¡¯d be leading the charge, and that sent a surge of energy through his undead veins. Rylee accepted a resilient flower stem from Hilda as she directed her Circle to prepare the next ritual. They¡¯d found flowers nearby that had some elasticity, which made it perfect for them over the last week and been used as hair ties. The issue was they seemed to have a week¡¯s life span. The coven leader tied back her hair and returned her gaze to the chief. ¡°If there is anything else you¡¯d like, then please, let Zara know.¡± She shifted to her right to bring a bright-eyed sixteen-year-old girl into focus, clasping her hands on her shoulders before fixing the girl¡¯s curly brown hair. ¡°Zara is a bit young and new to the Gray Witches, but I¡¯d bet she could advance to the 2nd Circle position as a leader in the next few days, given her talent.¡± The girl¡¯s muddy irises widened in shock. ¡°You really think so, Rylee?¡± Her two-years-older big sister tapped her on the arm nearby and winked. ¡°You¡¯re already outshining me, Zara. Mom and Dad will be proud when the Empress brings them back.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Red smiled as a few of the other witches rallied around the beaming teen. Most of the witches in the Gray Coven were over eighteen, but there were five of the twenty-six witches that were between fourteen and sixteen. Their parents had entrusted them to his care, and they were going to return to the Wixum base when the war truly started, cycling out for the White and Black Covens. Zargoth crossed his arms and looked around at his laughing warriors and citizens, wondering who in their clan would have strong enough blood to become Mystics. ¡°Hmm. War, join me for a moment¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m in your service until told otherwise,¡± Red chuckled, arms crossed over his thick, armored chest as he nodded to Rylee to go have their fun; Zara moved to join them, acting as the courier for her coven if they needed any more witchcraft done. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to check on the Xaltan¡¯s movements. Is that a good direction?¡± The discolored green toad patted him on the shoulder while taking the lead. ¡°Just where I wanted to go! Fennel should be returning shortly but I¡¯d like to see how their preparations are coming¡­ The last report has me cautious.¡± Red nodded and gave Zara a reassuring thumbs up as she jogged after them. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll carry you up the side of the cliff.¡± ¡°Oh! Thanks, War. Are we¡­taking the cleared path?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Zargoth mused, looking at her thin frame; most of the men and women had thinned out quite a bit over the last few months in the jungle environment. ¡°Humans have adapted better than Fennel believed they would, considering how clumsy your species was when they first arrived in our world.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Empress Elinor,¡± Zara swiftly returned, her pulled-up hair bobbing with her carefree movements as she waved at the toad children and studied the Roxim home base. ¡°Without her power, none of this would be possible. Everyone really believes she¡¯ll take us back to a point that was better than we had it in Colombia. She¡­really cares about us.¡± Red breathed out a long puff of air, his ruby irises looking down at the suddenly melancholy teen, the morning sun glistening off her sweat-slicked brown skin. ¡°Still wondering when your parents will be brought back? You don¡¯t need to worry. The Empress will recognize what you and your sister are doing. Your prowess as a witch proves your dedication to her vision.¡± ¡°No, no,¡± she protested, playing with her torn and dirty tank top, leaves sewn into the fabric to provide better modesty from the damage; they¡¯d worked hard over the past few months. ¡°I¡¯m just missing them. The fact they can come back is more than enough¡­ If I work harder, then maybe things will happen faster¡­ I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ll just try my best and wait for it to happen.¡± Gauntlet disappearing in a flash of ruby light, he rubbed her back for comfort. ¡°You¡¯re doing fine, Zara. All of this preparation work is the most critical part. Your rituals will save lives.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Her smile grew. ¡°Not that death really matters with the Empress around. She¡¯s so¡­amazing. Some of the girls wonder if High Queen Butter really is related to her because none of us actually knows what¡­she kind of does.¡± ¡°Oof.¡± Red winced at the redirect, which was natural considering the hard work everyone else was doing while the High Queen of the Evening Star was off on her mysterious mission. ¡°Empress Elinor and High Queen Butter have a¡­complicated relationship from what my brother and sisters say, but she does pull her weight.¡± Zargath¡¯s body shook with laughter. ¡°I haven¡¯t met Butter, but I¡¯ve heard the whispers about the lazy golden butterfly.¡± Zara flashed her teeth. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll believe it when I see it, General War. All everyone¡¯s seen is her flying around eavesdropping on people.¡± Red tried his best to defend the positive and gung ho blonde twin of his Empress, but it was hard when he hadn¡¯t talked much to the High Queen either. Most of his information came from second-hand. White was currently with her, though, so he was sure they were off conquering something with his indomitable, strategic, and charismatic big sister on the mission. Their path up to the ridge was met by Fennel, and he guided them on the hour hike to the steep mesa that defended the Roxim from the other clans. He took the excited teen into a princess carry, summoned Carnage, and set her on the front half of his muscular, proud war steed. Swinging up behind her, he followed the ri¡¯bot up the winding, hazardous path to the top of the rocky mountain¡¯s flat summit. He shielded his eyes from the blinding sun as they reached the sweltering and humid top of the mesa, the sun rising higher in the sky. Zara plucked at her tank top, trying to get air through to cool off as Carnage came to a slow trot. ¡°I¡¯m going to get sunburnt, I can¡¯t believe no one in the Gray Coven learned Alisa¡¯s sunscreen ritual trick¡­ The White Coven has so many convenient rituals. Aww, and you¡¯re such a good boy, Carnage,¡± she cooed, nuzzling the horse¡¯s neck. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you join them?¡± Red chuckled while passively listening to Fennel and Zargoth talk about the status of the smaller villages north of the main Roxim settlement. ¡°Because your sister was already in the Gray Coven?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­ Esmeralda¡¯s Black Coven scares me, to be honest, and Alisa does less, eh¡­cool things, I guess you could say,¡± she mumbled with a strained grin. ¡°The Gray Coven is advertised as being a little more dark than White and less dark than Black. The perfect mix!¡± ¡°Just without the sunscreen benefits.¡± ¡°You get it! Ugh¡­ Can undead even get sunburns?¡± she asked, jealousy in her muddy brown eyes while twisting to look back at him and accepting the last water bottle he¡¯d brought in Carnage¡¯s satchel for situations like this. ¡°Oh, thanks! Seriously, though, everyone that comes back is drop-dead gorgeous. Have you seen Theresa? She used to play the piano at church, but now she¡¯s like a supermodel, singer¡­and Head Maid for the Empress.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get your chance eventually to taste what undeath is like,¡± Red mused, scanning the attitude of the soldier toads with their snipers and guns that Elinor had traded for their human slaves; Zara had been one of the rare teenage girls that were taken by the Roxim and now she was helping them. ¡°No need to rush it, and there are things you can do while alive that we can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Like having babies!¡± Zara chimed, shockingly energetic about that detail. ¡°From what I heard down the witch grape vine, Queen Tiffany has been researching a way to speed up the process. We¡¯re kind of¡­dying out since there¡¯s less than four thousand living humans, right?¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Not wrong,¡± Red muttered, swinging down and easily picking her up to set down beside him. ¡°In any case, I¡¯m going to have to let you be bored and lonely for a bit.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mind me!¡± she proclaimed, pointing at the water house that the ri¡¯bot used to rehydrate. ¡°I¡¯m going to rest in the shade and splash some water on my face before I die of heat stroke!¡± The teenager jogged off, leaving him to walk with Fennel and Chief Zargoth. Carnage nipped at his ear, making him chuckle. Of course I¡¯m soft to the citizens of the empire. Lay off. Carnage snorted before vanishing in a crimson haze as Red dismissed him, his vision narrowing while joining the Chief¡¯s conversation. ¡°So, they are building boats? Show me.¡± Passing by the wooden towers and walls that covered any steep path up to the ridge, Fennel took them to the far south observation tower. Jumping to the top in a single bound since it didn¡¯t have a ladder, his cloak billowed in the strong wind. His fiery braid whipped in the strong gale as he surveyed the valley below. It was always a sight to behold, standing over 500 meters in the air, the alien jungle sprawled beneath, a tapestry of life and color. The colossal tar-black trees towered over the landscape, their vast trunks rising high, dwarfing even the largest redwoods. Each tree was adorned with massive orange and purple leaves, casting violet and auburn rays of light that created a vibrant sea of vegetation. Stretching between him and the jungle, an 8-kilometer wide river wound its way between the jungle marshlands and lush, young landscape north of the waters. It was a gleaming serpent in the vast valley. The marshlands of the Xaltan lay low, almost cradled by the valley''s towering walls, where the land dipped to embrace the river¡¯s path. The sheer cliffs on either side rose steeply, their rocky faces dotted with vegetation and crowned by the dense jungle above. From this aerial vantage point, the valley seemed almost serene with its spotted showers, yet the storm brewing in the distance hinted at the untamed power of this alien world. As was typical, it would be drawn in by the valley¡¯s crowning jewel of a colossal mountain, possibly higher than Mt. Everest, and constantly veiled in snow, before dumping its content onto them. As Fennel and Zargoth joined him, his gaze lingered on the jungle¡¯s canopy, a dense mosaic of greens, oranges, and purples, swayed gently in the wind. It was a living, breathing entity that thrived in the fertile soil enriched by ancient fires and volcanic activity. The spotter handed him a pair of binoculars, and he adjusted them to get a clearer view of the Xaltan¡¯s shores. His focus instantly centered on activity along it, giant boats anchored along its banks. ¡°These boats are too modern for the Xaltan,¡± he whispered to the chief and his top warrior, frowning as he counted at least a few dozen and handed the item over to them. ¡°They¡¯re long and sleek, designed to transport large groups of people.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Fennel growled as Zargoth examined them. ¡°It is not of our natural design and is more in-line with Nalvean technology.¡± ¡°The salamander water-benders, eh? Well, that¡¯s not concerning¡­¡± The presence of so many vessels made his stomach churn with unease. He shifted his attention across the river to the perpetual mists hovering over the Maw, barely able to discern the partially hidden mountain that overlooked it on the opposite side of the Roxim lake. Fennel tapped his ax against his thigh, his face etched with concern. ¡°The odd thing is they¡¯re preparing not only large rafts that we¡¯ve never seen,¡± he muttered, ¡°but far more than what would be required for an assault of elite units. If they used torlim, like us, I¡¯d understand, but they don¡¯t.¡± Zargoth followed Red¡¯s gaze to the eastern fog on their side of the river, his expression serious. ¡°I¡¯ve taken your advice and stationed scouts near the border of the mists to cover that side. They won¡¯t get by without being seen, but the Xaltan are masters of stealth among the valley clans. That being said, the thermal binoculars, which regain their vigor through the sun¡¯s light, should prove valuable in detecting any movement across the river.¡± ¡°At least at night,¡± Red nodded, a grim smile playing on his lips. ¡°Good. We¡¯ll need every advantage we can get if they somehow got Nalvean support because that wasn¡¯t something we¡¯d planned on. Klaus didn¡¯t report anything on his last letter that indicated that they were mobilizing for an offensive in their capital, but their empire is so vast that he may not even know. We need to be prepared for everything, which is why Rylee is here to provide the flexibility of rituals.¡± The view from the tower offered a stark contrast between the bustling activity in the Roxim camp and the foreboding stillness beyond the river, their vessels empty. Below, the Roxim craftsmen toiled tirelessly by the lake, their fires leaving smoke rising into the sky, their mud furnaces blazing as they prepared for the impending conflict. War drums echoed through the camp, mingling with the cheers and cries of the clan¡¯s warriors and citizens at regaining their Firewalking Mysticism. ¡°War is coming,¡± Red said, his voice a low growl as he felt something shifting already in the wind. ¡°They¡¯re already in motion. The Empress should return tomorrow morning, so it won¡¯t be long until reinforcements come. We need to be ready.¡± Fennel hoisted his ax over his shoulders, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. ¡°I never would have thought the weak human that died so easily would become our shining hope¡­¡± He glanced down at the pistol strapped to his waist and the grenades. ¡°The Xaltan won¡¯t know what hit them. But we need to stay vigilant. There is a reason they are considered the strongest clan in the valley. They¡¯re cunning and won¡¯t hesitate to use any advantage they can find since they don¡¯t operate on honor.¡± As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Zargoth handed the binoculars back to the spotter. ¡°I¡¯m sure the Empress has something to tie the Xaltan¡¯s tongue and prick their feet. She¡¯s the most resourceful creature I have ever met¡­ I knew it the moment I met her and saw what she¡¯d managed to build.¡± Fennel rubbed his drying head, watching the spotter be replaced by a fresh warrior, allowing him to rejuvenate in the water house from the blistering stun, despite the shaded roof¡¯s protection. ¡°I can see their faces when she brings the quen¡¯talrat Elite Hunter to devastate their defensive line.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure she will have more surprises for them¡­and us,¡± Zargoth muttered, and Red detected a hint of admiration and anticipation from the Roxim Chief. ¡°For now, we need to make sure the torlim are in top condition. The binding rituals your witches are crafting, War, combined with our awakening Firewalkers and the witches¡¯ other disruptive traps will allow us to repel at least the initial attack.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope,¡± Red sighed. ¡°All we can do is prepare, yet¡­I feel something ominous in the air.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll double the watch,¡± Fennel instantly replied, moving to jump down. ¡°We¡¯re reaching the final jump to the Empress¡¯ return. If we hold out, then reinforcements will come but if we fall, then all of this work will be for nothing. I¡¯ll send a scout across the river with one of those walkatie-talkaties to observe from the shores.¡± ¡±No,¡± Zargoth muttered. ¡°If they¡¯re captured, then they could listen in on our communications. For now, we need to remain vigilant in tracking their movements. We have the high ground and vision. Keep patrols on the shore and look for any signs of swimmers. Let¡¯s head down. We need to finalize our preparations and ensure every warrior knows their role.¡± Red nodded. They Descended the tower, and he chuckled upon seeing Zara lying on her back in the water building, tank top pulled up to her lower chest and spreading cool water over her skin to cool off. ¡°Ready to go?¡± ¡°Eh?! Are we actually going down? This place is a heat death trap! We need some ventilation in here¡­like, bad!¡± Carrying the heat fatigued sixteen-year-old witch down to her relief, he wondered if Rylee had sent her to be their witch ambassador because of her dangerous tendencies when left alone. Apparently, the girl was all too willing to experiment with rituals and cause mischief, including pranks on her fellow coven members. When they made it back to the bustling camp, he saw several more Firewalkers performing a dance together that had the Roxim citizens bouncing to the war drums. The energy was palpable, a mix of fear and excitement as the Roxim warriors prepared for battle, entertainment was given, and witches flitted about, engaged in their own activities. Red¡¯s presence was a steadying influence, his confidence infectious as he moved among the troops and Roxim citizens, offering words of encouragement and advice. ¡°We fight not just for survival,¡± he reminded them, ¡°but for our legacy. The Xaltan think they can take our land, our people, but we will show them the strength of a united front between Roxim and the Undying Empire. Death is no end within the Empress¡¯ eternal flame.¡± As the day wore on and the darkness of night settled, Red found himself back at the edge of the camp, staring out across the river once more. The mist seemed to mock him as it stretched over a quarter of the serpent-like waters, hiding whatever threats lay beyond its shroud. He glanced down at his walkie-talkie as Rylee¡¯s exasperated voice came through. ¡°General War¡­¡± Closing his eyes and feeling that ominous sensation in his gut again, he breathed out a long breath and brought the device up to his mouth; this wasn¡¯t what pre-war felt like¡­ It felt like the Xaltan had already made their move, and they couldn¡¯t see it. Yet, no movement had been spotted, and they had eyes everywhere, including the witch familiars. ¡°What is the problem?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the communication ritual relay point inside the caves underneath the mesa¡­ It¡¯s been utterly destroyed. We¡¯re going to have to rebuild it.¡± Figuring the woman was probably covering for someone¡¯s mistake if she wasn¡¯t suggesting foul play, he rubbed his forehead. Don¡¯t tell me Zara thought she could upgrade it and make it better, and at this critical point. ¡°What happened? Did someone have the bright idea to upgrade it?¡± The thirty-two-year-old woman sounded somewhat perplexed and agitated at the same time. ¡°Zara discovered the disconnect, actually, and went to investigate while trying to double check all the rituals. It happened earlier today, likely in the morning, which was why we didn¡¯t get any midnight updates. Actually¡­it was Carla¡¯s mistake.¡± Red¡¯s brow furrowed, turning away from the mist to walk toward the settlement. His thoughts went to the thirty-year-old, brown-haired, and blue-eyed Colombian woman. A Second Circle Witch, and the leader of one of the Circles? Carla¡¯s a biologist by specialty, focusing more on flora and fauna than communication rituals. Why would she be trying to upkeep it when Quinnel is her expert for that in her Circle? Perhaps they got a bit too caught up in their own research and activities today? Still, it¡¯s a huge blunder, and one she should know better than to make. She¡¯s the intelligent, practical, and level-headed type who fears to disappoint Rylee. How could Carla have missed such a critical step than to test if the ritual was inactive or not? ¡°I¡¯m on my way. How long will it take to fix?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the problem,¡± Rylee hissed, likely glaring at her friend. ¡°Some of the materials used are not that prevalent on the eastern side of the valley since it was created with western valley materials. We¡¯ll need to find some work-arounds since the materials used for it¡­somehow got used on other rituals. Zara¡­¡± He heard the sixteen-year-old¡¯s downcast voice on the other end. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Rylee, War¡­ I succeeded in making the camouflage charm, though. That¡¯s useful, right? I just, why did Carla not tell anyone! She¡¯s been off with Sofia way later than she should, too, looking for¡ªoh, they¡¯re back?¡± ¡°Zara, we¡¯re not trying to blame you. We always need spares for situations like this, though. Nothing is more important than communication across the valley,¡± Red sighed. ¡°Anyway, it doesn¡¯t matter. Keep Carla there. We can¡¯t do anything about it now. Try to figure out a work-around and I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be waiting,¡± Rylee mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m going to go talk to her now and figure everything out. It really doesn¡¯t sound like Carla, but she was the last one who swapped places with Olivia, and no one else was told to maintain it, which means someone is lying, which¡­I doubt, but I don¡¯t know. This shouldn¡¯t have happened at all.¡± Walking through the grasslands beside the Maw and the Roxim lake, he went to see what was the real damage because Rylee rarely sounded that upset. He felt more bad for Carla than anything else. What is Tiffany going to do when she gets back and hears that one of her witches, who should know better, unlike Zara, let the ritual network be down for more than twenty hours without reporting it? There had to be a communication error somewhere along the way, which needs to be found and plugged with prejudice¡­and redundancies¡­a lot of them. It feels more like sabotage. Uncomfortable thoughts swirled in his mind as he felt war breathing on the back of his neck. Something isn¡¯t right¡­ I¡¯ve felt something off since this morning, and now I come to learn the communication grid has been down for that long? No checks. And people are out later than they should be. Zara is right, Carla shouldn¡¯t be out after dark with Sofia since she¡¯s only fourteen years old. Red increased his pace, his fingers tightening into a fist. I¡¯ve gotten to know all twenty-six of the girls fairly well. Ximena, Ursula, Yolanda, Karina¡­ All of them can only use their powers due to believing in Empress Elinor. If they tried to betray her, then their powers wouldn¡¯t work. It doesn¡¯t make sense, but¡­is there somehow a Scarlet Hand spy within the coven? B4 — 1. Ominous Reports Elinor breathed in the humid, crisp air of her jungle home, closing her eyes to listen to the chatter of the alien critters and the hum of its insects. A shiver ran down her frame as the expansive pulse of her Nexus exploded with information; dozens of voices plucked miles between each other as the Serving Court welcomed her home. Vision opening to the bright morning rays of the sun peeking through the thick canopy, a small smile lifted the corner of her lips when Theresa Pecha met her with a deep curtsy; Theresa was the current acting Head Maid in the Wixum camp. She didn¡¯t so much as glance at the cackling hag next to her. ¡°Empress, I hope you had a lovely week. Your appearance seems to have changed slightly. You look¡­ slightly older and more mature.¡± Elinor chuckled. A good way to say I now have elf ears, Theresa, but yes, you could say I¡¯ve grown a bit. ¡°Lovely. Lieutenant Carlos S¨¢nchez has stationed your troops throughout the jungle to be ready for any action required. We are ready to act on whatever order you give. A short shower approaches. We have prepared a place for you inside if you wish for a more suitable place to oversee the written reports we have prepared.¡± Unsticking her boots from the wet mud to survey the small clearing outside of the th¨¦lm¨¦thra cave, she swept the area, spotting the trembling yaltha¡¯ma outside, waiting for her commands. Elinor felt leagues ahead of where she¡¯d been when she¡¯d left this spot a week ago¡ªten days for her in Roman¡¯s world. On top of things, as usual, Theresa, she whispered, her focus returning to the motherly woman, dressed in a black summer dress. Have the goods we¡¯ve collected from Kaspir brought inside the cave. If there is nothing that demands my immediate attention, then lead the way. Theresa¡¯s tempered blue eyes shifted to Autumn as a pulse of orange energy returned her to the noblewoman¡¯s appearance before noting the others who came through the rift behind her. ¡°Right this way, Empress.¡± Elinor silently walked beside the Songweaver, listening to the chatter passing between the excited maids, butlers, and the general Serving Court she¡¯d raised before leaving. Autumn followed beside her, a wide, predatory grin on her face as she took in her new world, fingers sparking with magic while sampling the taste of the atmosphere. Her dad, Tiffany, Grace, and Roman followed, with the hare obtaining instructions from Black and Ash. The Horsemen were keeping him updated on what transpired between their private communications, likely finding solace in another warrior. However, Elinor paused at the mouth of the cave, a tightness clutching at her chest, pulling her eyes to the east. A voice entered her mind, but it didn¡¯t come from the Nexus; it was a whispered prayer for strength that pulled her to the exact location of its origin¡ªit was Valentina. ¡°I¡¯m not weak. She believes in me¡­ If I die, I rise again. I¡¯m not weak¡­ I can escape.¡± ¡°Is something wrong, Empress?¡± Theresa asked, hands held at her front while following her eyes to the thick undergrowth leading to the river. With her vision narrowing, she backtracked a few steps, drawing everyone¡¯s attention when the rift to Kaspir closed, and the wagon came to a sharp halt in the mud. ¡°Tiffany, I¡¯ll leave you to get everything settled in. Dad, Roman, go over the reports inside; you¡¯re both faster readers than me.¡± She paused to give Autumn a hard stare as the hag¡¯s gleeful grin grew. ¡°You will prepare what you agreed to. In one of the rooms inside this cave, you can set up your temporary base of operations and work on fashioning this gateway to Kaspir.¡± Not waiting for anyone to confirm or deny her, expecting her orders to be handled, Elinor looked up at the beams of light passing through the dense foliage. ¡°I will be back in a moment. Grace, join me.¡± Chains punched through space, connecting to her open palm and launching her into the sky. She passed the massive tree roots of the towering greenery and the wide branches reaching for the heavens around her. A second chain exited, pulling her further into the canopy, and she smiled upon seeing the hare standing on a branch as if he¡¯d been waiting for her. Rising past him, she saw a blur as the hare continued up the jungle trees until she landed next to the bare-chested man. Elinor¡¯s cheer fell upon seeing the uneven sea of leaves that spaced out around her; she was in a lower part of the valley, blocking much of it behind hills and mountains. Well, I suppose this is a good reason for me to pick up that Feat¡­ I¡¯ve stockpiled my points for a reason, and it will become more useful as we get into war plans. Grace¡¯s giant, frayed ears tilted left and right, the hot breeze pulling at his bundled, thigh-length hair as his arm rested on one of the hilts of his curved swords. His sharp gray eyes showed a small smile, looking totally at ease while memorizing everything he saw with his perfect memory, waiting for her orders. An idea popped into Elinor¡¯s mind. ¡°Keep following me, Grace. Get a good look at the valley.¡±
[Limit Break Activated: Chain Break II]
Multiple chains broke through space to pull her further into the sky, multiple links exiting to meet and pulling tight, creating a sky ladder for Grace to climb with her. The wind whipped past Elinor while flying into the heavens, spotting the sparse dark clouds rolling in that Theresa had warned her about and the colossal scope of the quen¡¯talrat city-fortress in the distance. She stopped when breaking even with the northwestern mountains, which were far below the vast north-central giants that overlooked the shiny black stone city. Sitting on her linked chains, Elinor crossed her legs as the cool breeze drew her unbound locks back, surveying her valley. All of this would soon be hers. The Susime and Butter first drew her gaze, but it didn¡¯t last long, and she couldn¡¯t see that far beyond the valley behind the mountains; her sister had yet to return from her Crystal expedition by how distant her spirit felt. Grace landed beside her, studying the scenery. ¡°What am I supposed to be looking for, Empress?¡± ¡°Nothing yet,¡± she responded, squinting in the distance, where she thought she saw a walled fortress to the northwest of the city; Valentina was near there. ¡°I want you to get a complete grasp of our new home so you can travel it without getting lost. How long will it take?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The man expertly balanced on the two linked chains, turning slowly to observe what they could view from their vantage point. ¡°We can only view 65% of the valley at most, from my calculations, perhaps a bit less. The scale of the jungle is beyond anything I¡¯ve witnessed in my world¡­ the size of the foliage is breathtaking. There are a lot of places for predators to hide.¡± Elinor rubbed the cold metal that she sat on while observing the valley herself. ¡°Do you recognize the word tiger?¡± ¡°There was a rather competent Beast Clan that went by that title in the far east of the Beneval Lands. As I understand it, they have yet to have the Jesena Kingdom set their sight on them, but I have met several wanderers from the clan¡­ They were the ambush type¡ªswift, strong, and deadly accurate.¡± ¡°Their fur color?¡± ¡°White and blue.¡± Elinor frowned. ¡°Cat-like?¡± ¡°Indeed, Empress,¡± Grace replied, zeroing in on specific landmarks. ¡°Ash and I went over many of the notable subjects within your empire with their descriptions. Does this have something to do with the Seed Holder Valentina?¡± ¡°Good. You do know about her,¡± she whispered, pointing in the direct spot she felt the 16-year-old Beastkin pray from. ¡°South of that semi-hidden fortress, I feel Valentina in distress. I want Famine, Death, and you to rescue her¡­ collect Death Energy from those holding her, and help her with the mission I tasked the girl with. Allow her to lead, but advise her. She¡¯s motivated and is trying to find her place in the empire. She has promise.¡± Grace¡¯s smile grew, and his finger tapped his hilt while he looked northward at the layered mountains that hid part of the vast, dry plains beyond their valley. ¡°Is there a specific time frame you want this to be completed in? Am I to assume this is to bleed into the war that will come to the Xaltan, who¡­ I can guess are in this south-central area?¡± ¡°You are sharp, Grace,¡± Elinor sighed, giving him a thoughtful glance from her sitting position. ¡°I still don¡¯t know if I can trust your goddess. Nungal has a little demon in her that makes me nervous, and the fact she¡¯s killed me in every life I¡¯ve lived gives me pause to accept your service.¡± Grace didn¡¯t respond to her misgivings. He maintained his poise and elegance while waiting for her to finish, his unbothered silver eyes sweeping the old quen¡¯talrat fortress. ¡°That being said, you are more than capable, and I need capable people with what is to come. I know your loyalty is to Nungal, not me, and you only follow my orders because your goddess told you to. So, I will use you while I can.¡± His unassuming smile showed a pure heart, only that total devotion wasn¡¯t aimed at her. ¡°I am happy to serve, Empress. You are not totally wrong about my mistress. My people have a few sayings about our goddess. Do you wish to hear them?¡± A knot tied around Elinor¡¯s throat as her grip tightened around the chains holding them; she didn¡¯t need her Limit Break to get down but it would run out soon, nonetheless. Pressure enclosed her chest as she looked straight ahead, imagining the cosmic-eyed goddess standing before them on her own set of chains, her long, violet hair weaving in the wind. Nungal¡¯s knowing impish gaze held darkness beneath those shimming galaxies. ¡°Go on.¡± Elinor glanced to her right as the hare man dropped to his butt next to her, and for the first time, his tail was stiff and goosebumps ran down his arm. He swallowed, likely perfectly recalling the words his parents spoke, probably his mother, who was the High Priestess of Nungal. He spoke the words as if they were a song that had been sung to him as a child. ¡°She¡¯s easy to love, oh, and easy to hate. She tastes like a drug, and she feels just the same. Bitter to the tongue, but a thrill for your brain. A little bit crazy, but it¡¯s worth all the pain. She¡¯s a dark, little artist with ink in her veins. She¡¯s been through the hardest but prospered from the pain. She appears to be heartless, surrounded by flames¡­ but through all the darkness, a believer is chained.¡± A quake ran through Elinor¡¯s bones while thinking back to her day with the goddess, the playful way she flitted between her father, Heather, and her, giving advice, teasing, and pulling her down an insane trip. ¡°You make her¡­ sound more like a devil than a goddess.¡± Grace¡¯s smile grew as he looked up at the dark clouds, moving over them, continuing to speak the words repeated to him as a child. ¡°Sharp eyes with the mind of a sinner. You can tell there¡¯s a little darkness in her. She will make you obsessed. She will make you confess. A guest you are, yet amidst the clatter of noise, the gate falls shut. She chains you in jest, a coiled embrace to savor a prisoner¡¯s zest. The sweet nectar of pain smothers freedom¡¯s urbane, and the purring darkness welcomes home the restrained.¡± He turned his devout, thrilled silver eyes toward her, showing a small reflection of the insanity she saw in his goddess¡¯ cosmic gaze. ¡°Though I may not understand her goals, I know her mind is a beautiful thing. If those bright eyes could speak, dark thoughts would be released. ¡¯Cause she hates that she loves so hard like a disease¡­ it¡¯s left her with all these scars no one can see but me.¡± Closing his eyes, he held a hand against his chest as if in prayer. ¡°She¡¯s been through the hardest but prospered from the pain. You never quite know what she is thinking, but if you are lucky, she might just let you see what hides behind nightmares and dreams. Oh, she¡¯s easy to love, little ones, oh, and easy to hate¡­ but it¡¯s worth all the pain because we prosper in the flame.¡± Laughter bubbled out of Elinor¡¯s tight throat as she released the tension wound around her chest, turning her focus to the valley while shaking her head. ¡°I resonate with some of that¡­ but damn, does it make Nungal sound more like an unholy goddess from Hell¡­ which maybe she is¡­ and so am I,¡± she whispered, lifting her hand to watch the emerald flames ignite up her arm. Reflecting on the emotions rolling through her chest, she discovered there were feelings she had when thinking about the violet-haired goddess that she only got from a few individuals, including her sister. I¡¯ve known Nungal for a long time¡ªa long, long time. I want to trust and reject her at the same time. Why do I have these conflicting thoughts? Who really is Nungal? Elinor sighed, unable to put the uncomfortable feelings behind her. Ever since she¡¯d met Ashrit and Nungal revealed portions of her previous life, something had been budding deep within her soul¡ªa complicated love that wasn¡¯t for an enemy, as Irkalla saw her, but something more binding and unmoving. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°With those thoughts on your mind, you seem like you¡¯d get along quite well with Tiffany. I¡¯ll leave Valentina to the three of you.¡± ¡°I will see her task done, Empress.¡± Giving one last look at the hare man, she saw his grace and elegance returning from the intense emotions he¡¯d shown. He studied the vast black stone fortress in the distance, judging everything with a critical eye.. How can he be so devoted to the goddess who let almost his entire clan die and only empowered him after going through the Jesena Coliseum crucible? No, I¡¯ve met her¡­ and I want to walk with her again to figure her out. That phrase Grace said, though¡­ She appears to be heartless, surrounded by flames¡­ but through all the darkness, a believer is chained. She saw the hare in a new light, chained in the unbreakable bonds of his goddess. Once caught in her web, Nungal wasn¡¯t the type to let you go, and Elinor could feel that chain wrapped around her own chest. Had she followed Nungal at one point? If so, why had she hated her so much in her previous life? Ashrit confirmed that this is Butter and my last incarnation¡­ but what does that mean? Nungal is helpful, teasing, and mysterious¡­ I want to know her more, but I¡¯m also cautious and scared¡­ I¡¯m scared of her. Irkalla only had one fear, and it was her. Yet¡­ there is something so binding between us that it feels more binding than I feel to my own sister. Releasing her chains, she leaned back, her hand clutching at her chest. Falling face-first toward the jungle, the drag of the wind pulled at her dress as she descended. Through all the darkness, she knew what it wasn¡¯t. It¡¯s not the binding chains of a lover¡­ It¡¯s deeper. It¡¯s not exactly love, though. Guilt? Anger? Pride? Disappointment? Fear¡­ So much fear. So many lives before Irkalla must be mixing and clawing their way to the surface after this Seed latched onto my soul¡­ Whatever plan Nungal had, this Seed changed things. Ashrit was ready to work with her bitter enemy due to whatever was happening behind dimensional fields. Feelings of falling rolled through her belly, she searched her undead heart for any crack that would give her further insight. Nothing more came, though. Whatever she thought about Nungal before, it was all muddled together in countless lives of interactions with the goddess¡ªinteractions that all ended with the Goddess of Chains¡¯ fingers around her throat. Eyes opening, she spread out, flipping around, one hand gripping her dress to keep it from flying off, the other rising to connect to the chain that attached to it, slowing her progress as she entered the foliage. As she expected, Grace easily cut his momentum by bouncing off the side of the trees until he reached the ground outside of the cave. Using two more chains in succession to slow her progress, Elinor smoothly landed on the moist soil outside the cave entrance and proceeded inside. Black and Ash were already mounted, having been informed about her plan while she talked with the hare. They galloped into the jungle to rescue the captured tiger teen and support the Clanless rebellion that would bring them to her banner¡ªshe needed a banner. With her hands held behind her back, Elinor ignored the monkey-foxes that chased after her, proclaiming their praise for her. She appraised the changes that had happened in the area as Theresa joined her from beside the wall from the moment she landed, having waited for her. In the past week, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra seemed to have been busy leveling out the opening for an easier descent, and the caverns had been expanded on either side to provide further rooms to be furnished. It seemed Carlos, her Lieutenant and former Colombian rebel, had decided to make this a forward base for their activities north of the valley. She paused in front of one room, spotting Autumn and Tiffany inside. The hag had a distant look in her illuminated, nightmarish yellow eyes while studying things beyond their sight. Her fingers twisted, leaving orange lines of light in the air that trailed after her fingernails before fading. Tiffany appeared to be preparing a ritual, and Elinor could guess what it was for. Some of the undead ri¡¯bot soldiers stationed here brought in their goods from Kaspir, directed by the maids and butlers. The hallway was large enough to easily accommodate the traffic. They¡¯d be busy organizing things, and it would be better to keep these supplies hidden from the ri¡¯bot for now. After all, she didn¡¯t know if she could trust all the clans. Continuing to the room where the th¨¦lm¨¦thra soldiers and princess were, Elinor appraised the impressive red and black-themed spider; she had the ability to raise units outside of her current Grade limiter for Monarch-level undead, restricting them to her highest capable Grade, which was Rare at this moment. She would test that out, soon enough. The Warrior Drones were four meters tall, and she suspected they wouldn¡¯t rise to the level of a Monarch simply by their purpose; they weren¡¯t leaders but soldiers. The five-meter-tall arachnid was a different story. Hand leaving the smooth, metallic-like body of the giant spider princess as the yaltha¡¯ma praised her, she saw that much of the webs had been removed to expand the nest further. Her unintelligent spiders were hard at work, making her aware of how useful the one she left back in Kaspir would be for her branch there. After this tournament between the five clans and becoming their Great Chief, she would be entrenched in war, and excitement bubbled up within her at the thought. She walked in on her father and Roman, discussing the reports. Where are we at, Dad? Roman turned with her father as she entered, the blind man getting the first words in. ¡°Nothing you hadn¡¯t anticipated. There were a few probing attacks that the Xaltan made against the Roxim, but your witches managed to unlock his Firewalker Mysticism¡ªimpressive,¡± he commented with a smirk. ¡°You will be busy these next few weeks.¡± After Logan¡¯s warning, Elinor still had a difficult discussion with the Legend ahead of her, but that would have to wait for a better time. Her dad followed up through the Nexus with his own questions. ¡°I heard about your mission for Famine and Death. Are you sure it is a good idea to send Ash away? I know since becoming a Warlord, your daily cost has dramatically decreased since units under Lieutenant don¡¯t cost anything in the Military Branch, but that doesn¡¯t include your expanding Serving Court. You¡¯re about to fight multiple ri¡¯bot Xaria, as well. I don¡¯t like it.¡± An understanding smile lifted Elinor¡¯s lips as she moved to rub her father¡¯s arm and study the maps spread across the table¡ªCarlos¡¯ work. ¡°I¡¯m always busy, Roman,¡± she whispered, her vision narrowing as she studied Klaus¡¯ reports from the far south of the Nalvean Empire. ¡°Do you see anything of note with your military mind?¡± I¡¯ve grown a lot, Dad. My Death Pool is actually quite large right now, and the cost has dropped significantly. I suspect with Ash, Black, and Grace backing Valentina, they¡¯ll be back sooner than we think. Personally¡­ I think if Nungal was backing Grace, not even Autumn could handle the hare. ¡°If she is backing him,¡± her dad replied, his focus shifting to the hallway that led to the previous chamber where the ruby-like spider princess was. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me you aren¡¯t going to raise those soldiers, as well? Is that two generals and one monarch to dump resources into daily?¡± No, Dad, I can¡¯t raise the soldiers yet, she explained, picking up Klaus¡¯ report to scan down the content. I can only bypass the restriction on Monarch-class undead. The handwriting was rather feminine, and she suspected Emelina, her first Head Maid, had been the one to write it as Klaus spoke; she hoped the pair were having fun and that the former assassin was using the maids she¡¯d sent down to her well. There seems to be some trouble brewing within the Nalvean Court¡­ That prison warden snake woman is being held up like some kind of demi-goddess by a section of their military. Her connection to the humans could cause strife between us. Problems¡­ more problems. I sent Klaus down there to handle that kind of problem, though. I can¡¯t put my attention on it now. Roman shuffled through the papers and produced one, handing it to her. ¡°And¡­ what¡¯s this?¡± she asked, taking it and reading it as the former US general spoke, pulling her dad¡¯s attention. ¡°According to Red, the Roxim spies south of the valley recently reported that the ri¡¯bot clans bordering the Nalvean Empire believe the drivel the Scarlet Hand is spreading. The Lethix scouts have reported no sign of activity from the Komath, as well. I suspect the Komath have abandoned their land and retreated beyond the mountains.¡± Her father grimaced, picking up another page, much of which had been written by her maids or military leaders from the various ri¡¯bot discussions, using their ritual phone line. ¡°We have to assume Krava has made it to the Great Clans of the Great Plains. We need to squash the Xaltan before the southern clans and the Eastern Great Clans unite and march on the valley. Could they get the Nalveans to join their War Council?¡± Elinor shook her head while handing her father Klaus¡¯ report. ¡°Right now, they seem to be dealing with their own internal struggles with this snake woman. Even if the Scarlet Hand does show up, it¡¯s one of the reasons why I sent Klaus there in the first place. Personally, from what information we have on the southern clans, I doubt they¡¯d contribute militarily, but with resources. Hmm. We could pressure them if we can deal with the Xaltan swiftly.¡± Roman smirked and turned toward the hallway. ¡°It is a good thing you have a secret weapon. If the Clanless join you, the Komath have abandoned their land, leaving it open to occupy, and the four clans of the west unite¡­ the Xaltan will be completely surrounded.¡± He pointed at the map, tracing a line at key points. ¡°They¡¯re already gathered and prepared for war to the east, attacking the Roxim. It is where their major defenses will be set up, while their other cities supply support. If the Clanless attack their wooden fortresses along their center, pulling personnel away from the front, and our four united clans attack from the Komath¡¯s territory, you could pincer them on all fronts¡­ Although, perhaps, someone warned them of this possibility.¡± Elinor¡¯s mouth bunched to the side. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ possible. If the Scarlet Hand or Krava met with their leaders before leaving the valley, then he could have stirred them up to this possibility. Still, knowing it could happen and defending against it are two different things¡­ unless they get support from elsewhere.¡± Her father pointed to the southeastern climb into the valley. ¡°They don¡¯t have a choice but to attack the Roxim as soon as possible and secure a solid route for aid to come. Why would the Xaltan trust a rival clan on their opposite border, though? It could be a ploy to put all their attention on their east while attacking from their west.¡± Thinking about it for a moment, Elinor slowly shook her head. ¡°Krava¡­ is a war hero. Yes, his reputation was tarnished in the eyes of the Roxim and Clavex when he broke his word about bringing a second army to the Crystal, but that isn¡¯t the case for the Xaltan. I think he could convince the Xaltan that a new threat was coming, with five of the eight valley clans uniting against them. War being among the Roxim would all but confirm it in the Xaltan¡¯s eyes, and they could have their own spies.¡± Roman knocked his knuckles against the dotted line of the Xaltan territory. ¡°In my opinion, the Roxim have less time than you might think. Let¡¯s operate from the worst-case scenario. Either the Scarlet Hand or Shade are whispering words into the Xaltan chief¡¯s ears¡ªperhaps both. They know about your ritual communications and will take them out before striking the Roxim in a surprise assault. ¡°Take out the guards and lookouts through an elite operation along these plateaus,¡± he commented, sliding his hand from their territory through the Clanless zone. ¡°This is a major advantage and weakness for the Roxim. If they¡¯re focused on their south and not the west, then you could have an army climb up and glide or parachute down in the night. It would be easy to target if they¡¯re using any kind of fire or light source in their cities or land inside a large lake like this that they gather around¡ªit¡¯s what I¡¯d do.¡± Elinor drew in her bottom lip, now seeing the terrible vulnerability. The Scarlet Hand had been pushing to have her taken out since arriving in this world. For some reason, perhaps due to Nungal potentially intervening, they¡¯d waited to fully make their move until off of Earth. Jennifer, their prophetess on this side of the Crystal, knew that she would change into a Lich Empress and had advised Krava of her immediate threat to his clan. If Jennifer was getting her instruction from her own blood goddess, or whoever she got her orders from, then there was the possibility there was something more sinister behind the Xaltan¡¯s sudden mobilization. With that possibility also came out-of-the-norm attacks from the primitive ri¡¯bot clans. Theresa. ¡°I will send word through the ritual network immediately,¡± the woman replied, getting in contact with the butler with the witches in the other room, operating this outpost¡¯s communications network. She went over a few more details regarding the suspicious movements of the Delthax elite warriors, which made her sigh. She expected Valdar¡¯s grandson to prioritize his hatred for the clan that had killed his father and plot to crash their tournament, but she hoped that she¡¯d be wrong. The sad part was that Valdar himself had reported his grandson, which showed how much the Grand Plantcaller wanted peace and a united front in the valley. I need to get ready to leave for the show¡­ She turned to her dad with a pained smile. You trust me, right? Her dad reflected her somber expression. ¡°I won¡¯t say this hasn¡¯t been a nightmare, My Little Emo¡­ When we lost your mom, I didn¡¯t want to believe it. I¡­ knew I had to be here for you. When you return as the Warchief of the Delthax, Wixum, Lethix, Flex, and Roxim¡­ your mother should be back.¡± Sadness tainted Elinor¡¯s heart, protecting Tiffany from her dad¡¯s words. It may be due to her change, but she had started having new feelings for the Witch Queen, and maybe that was because she could feel Tiffany¡¯s heart transforming; perhaps it was in response to her own desires. It didn¡¯t matter in the end; it felt the same. If her mom returned, then she would have two moms who viewed her as their child, despite what her dad thought, and she hoped her mother would see what she saw changing within the witch. Yes, there was crazy in her second mom, but she cared for her as much as her mother¡­ because she was just another, darker side to her mother that her dad refused to see. Pulling him down to kiss his forehead, Elinor hugged her dad, feeling her undead heart being squeezed; love was a beautiful thing that she rarely experienced these days with her cold, rational brain and endless drive. Grace¡¯s words about Nungal resonated within her¡ªmaybe the two of them weren¡¯t so different after all. Everyone followed her into the chamber of the spider princess, the fuzzy monkey-foxes chanting their praise and prayer for their queen to lift her powerful legs again. However, as Elinor slid her fingers over the giant arachnid¡¯s metallic body, she didn¡¯t feel like some proud, absolute queen but a frustrated, bitter, and angry little girl, struggling with her own self-worth. What is your story¡­ I suppose I will find out soon enough.
[Raise Undead III: Activated]
Green flames flowed up her arms, and she saw Autumn, Tiffany, and several other hopeful maids and butlers hovering near the exit into the hallway. A new guardian was entering their ranks to protect their friends and family. Yet, none of them knew the depths of the anger and determination to prove herself that this princess held in her soul. Remembering her mother¡¯s lessons on different flowers and what they represented, Elinor gave a new name for her new Monarch that reflected this daughter¡¯s soul that eagerly accepted her chains, burning to prove herself. ¡°Welcome to the empire, Camellia C. Hassleriana.¡±
[Undead Raised as Monarch of the Hunt]
[Camellia Cleome Hassleriana: Monarch - Hunter Core- Epic-S [Restricted to Rare-S] - Hunter - Night Stalker - Lv.1] [Monarch Slots: 1]
[Monarch of Hunter Unlocked - Queen of the Hunt] [Hunter Advanced Classes and Subclasses Available]
[Apprentice of the Hunt Available] [Apprentice of the Hunt Advanced to Instructor of the Hunting Arts] [Instructor of the Hunting Arts Advanced to Academy of the Night Stalkers]
[Trackers Available] [House of the Hunt Available] [Stalking Skills Available]
Well, Elinor thought with mild surprise and delight as her flames restored the arachnid¡¯s metallic-like body, I guess I¡¯ve found a Monarch Valentina can model herself after. B4 — 2. A Spider’s Evolution Elinor stepped back as the th¨¦lm¨¦thra princess¡¯ smooth, matte body was reconstructed in the emerald flames of death. The ruby, sinister four-eyed patterns illuminated the underside of Camellia¡¯s abdomen, steam hissing out of the shifting plates on her sides and back, and the gem-like eyes that dotted her head brightened as she opened her eyes. From experiencing a th¨¦lm¨¦thra body herself, she knew that despite the predator¡¯s seemingly totally metallic and slick design, Camellia was, in fact, covered with microscopic hairs that fed information to a more complex and powerful set of sensory organs than anything Earth had to offer. Her crimson pincer-like claws on either side of her mouth flexed and extended slightly, capable of being dislodged and regrown. Perhaps the most terrifying part of the silent huntress was her closed, jewel-like mouth, which could be drawn back to crush her prey or reveal her barbed teeth inside that could be projected like poison-laced arrows. Camellia¡¯s eight powerful legs rose, the deadly tip not so much as making a tapping sound against the stone as they lifted her off the cave floor. Rising to her full five-meter height, the arachnid¡¯s forever open thirteen scarlet-gem eyes scanned the area, the rubies attached to her eight legs acting as branching ocular attachments to give her a complete 360 view of her environment. Her female voice was strong, yet almost a whisper, as she lowered herself before Elinor. It held powerful and ominous vibes that somewhat broke down once she started speaking. ¡°Empress, I, umm¡ªI feel¡­ so weak¡­ I answered your call and am eager to prove my worth.¡± Her gaze nervously shifted to the yaltha¡¯ma, calling out to their princess and bowing before her. ¡°What would you have me do, Empress?¡± Elinor chuckled, not expecting this kind of reaction from an overpowered mega-predator, yet the Nexus gave her a small bit of insight into the spider woman¡¯s inner workings. ¡°You will join me on my journey, but soon, you will be going to slaughter some ri¡¯bot. Join me¡­¡± Walking toward the exit, she gave Roman a backward wave. ¡°No more secrets. I expect a detailed report when I get back, ready to start a war. You¡¯re bound to my empire now, Roman; we¡¯re partners, so it is time you started showing a little trust.¡± The man¡¯s laughter echoed through the tunnels as he returned to the planning chambers a room over, giving the impressive arachnid a last glance. ¡°I think you should wait until you have full control of the valley before dipping your fingers back into my quests. Let me handle the grunt work with your established network on the other side.¡± ¡°My network,¡± she pointedly stated. ¡°Use this time to lay out your plans¡ªon paper for me. I want to be kept in the loop.¡± ¡°As you command, Empress.¡± She still didn¡¯t quite trust the Legend. There was a bigger game he was playing; unfortunately, she needed him. She suspected he wasn¡¯t so easy to kill and raise; at the moment, she had enough enemies as it was, so a somewhat friendly party wasn¡¯t the worst position to have with the man. The former US general had proven his worth already. He¡¯d also proven the lengths he¡¯d go to get to his answers with how far he¡¯d pushed Castria. Elinor paused in front of Autumn and Tiffany, her father standing beside her with the towering spider. Dad, make sure Roman divulges what is making the Grand Duke cautious¡ªwhether it be him flirting with the Delva Empire, the Jesena Kingdom, or some other party¡ªI don¡¯t want to jeopardize what I¡¯ve been able to build in Kaspir. ¡°I¡¯ll get to the bottom of it¡­ but first, your mother,¡± he stated, glaring at the grinning hag as she entered their private conversation. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you worry about me, dearies; I keep my promises,¡± she cackled. ¡°It is a core aspect of my very being. That being said, I need to run a few¡­ experiments.¡± The woman lifted her fingers into a swaying motion, her fingernails extending into grizzly claws that left an orange trail of light. ¡°The magic is far more¡­ potent here than in my previous universe. The tantalizing secrets and whispers echoing through the cosmos make my skin¡¯s skin crawl with delight! I owe you¡­ much, Empress. It will be done by the time you return. The portal, though? It will take longer to prepare.¡± Good. Elinor¡¯s focus moved to the anxious witch. Tiffany, I need more information on those poisonous bugs the yaltha¡¯ma have been fighting. I¡¯m sure you can find some fitting uses for their unique attributes. ¡°I will see to it, Empress! Erm¡­ Elinor,¡± she corrected, seemingly trying to make a conscious effort to bridge the gap she¡¯d begun to feel. ¡°Edmon can help me while Autumn gets things prepared! What do you say, honey? Care to help me one last time before I become the least favorite wife?¡± ¡°Tiffany¡­¡± her father growled, rubbing between his eyes as she giggled and turned to gather samples from further inside the caverns. ¡°I¡¯m relying on you to eventually give me back my wife¡­ so I¡¯ll be courteous.¡± ¡°¡­Praise be for that¡­¡± Elinor left the cold war to the pair¡¯s private conversation, not wanting to get distracted by their couple¡¯s arguments. Things were turning from playful teasing to bitter anger, and she hoped her uncorrupted mother would be able to mitigate those feelings when she returned¡ªit was what she did best, after all. That being said, she knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy for her uncorrupted mother to accept, as well. Camellia listened intently as Elinor continued out of the cave; she could feel the spider soaking up an ungodly amount of information. Placing a hand on the arachnid¡¯s leg, she asked, How do you feel about stretching your legs and getting me to my next destination as quickly as possible? An ecstatic pulse ran through Camellia¡¯s frame as she promptly lowered herself, legs moving to act as stairs; it wasn¡¯t about being ridden, from what Elinor could sense, so much as the ability to be useful to her¡ªthe spider woman seemed to crave validation and responsibility. ¡°I would love to be of service, Empress! Whatever you need, I¡¯m your th¨¦lm¨¦thra!¡± Learning more about this deadly spider princess was somehow becoming far more interesting than she¡¯d initially thought, which was already a high bar. Mounting her just before exiting, she smiled at Theresa when the Head Maid hurried to catch up. ¡°Am I to remain behind, Empress?¡± No. Join me. I can feel Quin nearing. Her chains broke through space, attaching her and her maid to the spider to act as support upon settling onto the arachnid¡¯s back. I will be a bit busy. Many of our forces will be redirected to the Roxim, so make the other Serving Court stations aware that there will be movement happening soon. ¡°Understood,¡± the motherly maid replied, redirecting forces and sending the message in their game of telephone. In the meantime, she said, talking privately to Camellia since she was now within the Royal Court, I want you to get used to communicating through this Nexus chain, so get better acquainted with Carlos through it. Tell him to redirect many of our forces to the Roxim. Can you handle that assignment while speaking to me at the same time? ¡°Most certainly, Empress,¡± the woman said, acting far younger and more energetic than she first took the spider for. ¡°Shall I take you anywhere specific?¡± Far south of here, to a giant body of water. She hardly got the words out of her mouth before the spider lurched into action, g-forces slamming her chest and only maintaining her balance due to her paralysis chain keeping her attached to Camellia¡¯s back. Taking the opportunity to enter her Soul Sanctum, she closed her eyes when the peppering drizzle from the overhead heavens poured over them. The pattering of the rain didn¡¯t fade when she opened her eyes to the flickering blue flames of the fireplace within Butter and her shared soul. Her gaze shifted to the glorious spear hanging above the hearth, where Ashrit was sealed away. I have so much to do, and so little time to do it. Luckily, I am not alone. It would be nice if Butter were here, though. Dammit, you fat butterfly. Return and gloat about your victory already, so I can use you on another front and finally start having tasty meals. A small smile lifted her lips as she summoned a clone of her pouty-faced blonde twin to sit next to her, if anything, to have a little company. She waved away the wall, leaving the fireplace and giving her a full look at the expansive valley view she¡¯d just obtained with Grace. It wasn¡¯t an accurate portrayal of what she¡¯d seen since she mixed other elements into its base, but the general topography was precise. With a desire, she lifted the clouds higher in the sky, allowing the rain to somewhat remain with the thunder and somber string instruments that played in the background; the mood was essential in soothing her restless soul, after all. Leaning against the side of her chair, knuckles held against her cheek, she generated a second clone of herself and observed the physical change to her appearance. Her subjects would need to come to terms with her changing body. Overall, it was fairly obvious it was still her, only a slightly older, elven version. Her ears were longer, her white hair thicker, and slightly curled in the humid environment. In life, her skin had been a tinge brown from her father¡¯s side, yet in death, her mother¡¯s French side seemed to come out, or just being dead made you paler. On the other hand, after learning about Irkalla, she saw touches of her more brownish-gold skin returning, possibly due to her sister¡¯s influence in unlocking Ashrit. She¡¯d filled out a bit more in places most women would like, grew an inch, and now appeared more in line with an 18-year-old than 16. She suspected further developments were on the way as her soul further expanded. Brushing the clone away, she brought up her System Sheet, bobbing her crossed legs a little to the strumming instruments. Her focus instantly went to what points she had to spend upon reaching Level 25:
[6 Stat Point Available] [2 Feat Extensions Available] [1 Equipable Feat Choice Available] [1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Stat Modifier Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available] [New Feat Slot Added: 6 Slots Available (5/6 Used)]
[Twin Souls Expansion (Butter) Tier-1: Heaven¡¯s Domain] [Twin Souls Expansion (Elinor) Tier-1: Earth¡¯s Domain]
Her chest shook with soft laughter as her fingernail flicked up on the expansive options at her disposal. I don¡¯t need to use all of it. It is good to be flexible when situations arise. My Warlord Feats are giving me a lot to play with already. There are things that will become important in the coming war, though¡­ Elinor¡¯s attention was taken by her Constitution, which now had a +1 next to it, doubling what it had been when it had 9 points sunk into it. Stat milestones came when they hit 10, which was something important to note, and she examined what she had already put points into with a critical eye:
Force: Power - Low - 0 Strength - Average (Modified) - 5
Defense: Toughness - High (Warlord) - 0 Resilience - Average (Warlord) - 0
Dexterity: Speed - Low - 0 Agility - Average - 0 Quickness - Low - 0
Energy: Constitution +1 - Maximum (10 DO per point) - 10 Stamina - Above Average (Warlord) - 0 Endurance - Above Average (Modified) - 7
Tenacity: Elemental Resistance - High (Warlord) - 0 (excluding Life Element) Physical Resistance - Above Average (Warlord) - 0 Control Resistance - Maximum (Warlord) - 3 Penetration - Average (Warlord) - 0 If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
[Warlord] gives me a full range of Grade advancements for my total durability, while increasing my Stamina. Path Advancements are a huge marker, but so is Level 25 with the Soul Expansions. I suppose the Path Advancement is meant to boost your soul to the ability to project one¡¯s soul into the outer world. I could bump Strength or Endurance up to ten¡­ What if upgrading each of the three Substats to ten gives me an energy bonus as a whole? Increasing my physical Stamina would affect [Artificial Body]. It¡¯s worth pursuing since [Warlord]¡¯s influence¡­ It may even save me Death Energy overall when I use my [Warlord] Feats, further enhancing the spirit I¡¯m channeling. Let¡¯s experiment¡­
[Endurance upgraded to 10] [Endurance advanced to +1, multiply all mitigations by 2x]
Elinor¡¯s excitement grew as she swapped to the [Raise Undead] conversion table, and she found her upkeep and prices decreased by half¡ªshe¡¯d essentially cut her daily empire maintenance cost by half with that one decision. She could expand by quite a bit. Perfect, she cooed, swapping to her other Feats and seeing the price further decrease. It wouldn¡¯t have been half, had there not been three other stat increases in the chain to 10¡­ likely due to my Grade being Above Average on it. I can modify another Stat, and it will be another 15 Levels¡ªminimum¡ªuntil I can select another Path. And something tells me the ri¡¯bot aren¡¯t going to give me the same EXP as they did before the Legend Quest. Levels will become more sparse unless I beat a particularly powerful spirit; tiny spiritual energy gleaned from weaker creatures wouldn¡¯t give the same pressure as a stronger one to blow up my spiritual balloon, I suppose. It may not even be accepted by my soul because it¡¯s too weak. Yet again¡­ more experimentation. Strength is a solid choice for my chains.
[Strength Modified to Above Average]
Making the hard choice to ignore the 5 points in Strength, she dumped the final 3 Stat Points she had into Stamina, feeling the urge to reform her physical body to account for the multipliers she¡¯d just initiated but refraining for the time being. As she scanned down the Equipable Feats at her disposal, she selected the one she¡¯d already decided on when showing Grace the valley and projected her mental image to Camellia.
[Project Mental Image I - Active - F-tier - Lich - 0DO - 1 Slot - Project the user¡¯s mental image to another party within a 2-meter radius.]
Elinor laughed to herself as she unfolded her legs, stood up, and walked to the edge of the open wall to stare down from her floating manor. A red line traced a circle of where they were on her desire, cutting through the jungle dozens of miles to the large Wixum lake¡ªthe distance limit of projecting her thoughts was meaningless since her Nexus bypassed it. ¡°This is where I want you to go, Camellia. Let me know when you¡¯ve arrived. I will be changing clothes and getting ready for my battle.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± the earnest girl stated. ¡°Umm, Quin and Carlos will be inside the range of your Nexus soon, Empress, and we will arrive at the location you¡¯ve specified within ten minutes.¡± ¡°Impressive,¡± Elinor whispered, reevaluating where they were in the jungle. ¡°I expected us to take longer and have a chance to talk, but I¡¯ve been a little preoccupied¡­ Quin.¡± ¡°Empress!¡± the giant four-limbed gorilla girl roared. ¡°You have returned stronger than ever! I can feel your growing power within me. I wish you could meet the Ke. He would be sure to note your excellence!¡± ¡°Haha. I hope to meet him at some point,¡± she commented, figuring it was still tough to accept that the young quen¡¯talrat¡¯s glorious and prophesied hero had died. ¡°You will be replacing Camellia when we reach the Wixum camp, so be ready.¡± ¡°Yes, Empress!¡± ¡°And, Carlos¡­¡± ¡°I am here. I heard that you¡¯ve read the reports,¡± the old Colombian revolutionary stated. ¡°I¡¯ve just had confirmation from the Witch Ritual Station at the Shattered Crystal Camp. Our station in the plateau caves has been destroyed. I can¡¯t be sure about the Roxim Clan¡¯s ritual site, but without that bridge amplifier, the one by the Shattered Crystal can¡¯t reach them. It likely happened not long ago, just before your arrival and after they checked in.¡± Elinor¡¯s mouth drew into a line, knowing that meant at least one of Tiffany¡¯s little witches that had been left to operate it had met a tragic fate. At the very least, she was captured, but more likely than not, the Xaltan had murdered her. ¡°I should have expected Shade or the Scarlet Hand to have some form of knowledge on our communication network¡­ It was our oversight. Did we have any undead with her?¡± ¡°Yes, Empress, but they don¡¯t seem to have been destroyed.¡± ¡°Good. So, they are operating with some form of advanced knowledge from someone,¡± Elinor whispered, shifting the whole floating house to stare at the distance plateaus, hardly visible, even from this height across the vast valley. ¡°It means there is a likelihood that our little witch girl is alive since they¡¯re trying not to alert us of the break in communication. We can¡¯t warn the Roxim¡ªwe don¡¯t have time¡­ I doubt Quin or Garu could get there in time.¡± Her gaze shifted to the red line cutting through the jungle. ¡°Camellia¡­ you could make that journey before nightfall, right?¡± she asked, rediverting the line from the Wixum lake to the plateau. ¡°War is there¡ªone of my generals¡ªwho you can connect with.¡± Camellia¡¯s pride exploded, a sense of worth budding within her. ¡°Easily, Empress! Although¡­ my sisters or mother would be far swifter, especially my middle sister and mother. My youngest¡­ not so much. She¡¯s lazy.¡± It clicked in Elinor¡¯s mind; she had an inferiority complex within her family, despite being an extremely powerful huntress who could easily handle any of the monsters she¡¯d seen in Sir Percy¡¯s inn collection. Camellia would eat through most of the Magic Knights, potentially only having trouble with the Grandmaster, if she was judging the arachnid by her resurrected full potential. ¡°Excellent, Camellia! These are the ri¡¯bot who are our allies,¡± she added, projecting an image of the green, slightly discolored, and splotchy toad clan with their mutated patterns, having deviated in their bloodline outside of their people. ¡°Connect with War and discover what happened to our little witch girl. If she is alive, rescue her; if dead, bring back her body, and as to her assaulters¡­ I want them killed and brought to me; and, Camellia¡­ it could be in a pile of goo, for all I care. I can still chain their spirits.¡± The arachnid snickered. ¡°You sound like my middle sister, Empress, although less playful. She enjoyed teasing her food. I will complete the order you have given me without fail¡­ We have arrived.¡± A little shocked at the distance the spider had covered, Elinor left her internal world, expecting to feel the slick sensation of water drenching every part of her. Blinking as they slowed to a reasonable and very smooth pace, she felt totally dry after passing through the short storm, which was likely caused by the drag the arachnid generated. She felt a heavy burden on her body, and parts of her dress stitching had been ripped¡ªif she let go of her chains, she¡¯d collapse. Beside her, Theresa looked totally poised, her own outfit somewhat ruined, yet beneath her mask, she could feel that the woman hadn¡¯t felt so physically exhausted since being raised as an undead. The Head Maid still managed to keep her voice steady as they traveled around the lake, the ri¡¯bot children running over to see her. It only took one look at Camellia before their parents were snatching them away. ¡°I¡¯ve sent word for the off-duty maids to meet us at your house, Empress. Is there anything particular that you would like them to prepare? Shorts, a tank top, new garments¡­ bring a few sizes larger than I have stored, and for footwear, nothing. I¡¯ll go barefoot for this fight. Bring a more presentable outfit for the follow-up speech, though, which means I will need to discover my new proportions and foot size. ¡°I will have a measuring strip brought to mark it down.¡± Elinor¡¯s gaze shifted to the edge of the forest as large birds took to the sky, the rumble of brush parting as the giant five-meter-tall gorilla jumped out of the jungle¡ªit was crazy to think she was a little girl, although unnaturally large for her age. Carlos spoke his departing words as she neared the more populated area of the lake, a stir spreading as humans and ri¡¯bot learned that she had returned. ¡°Do you still want the army gathering to the east instead of positioned for Chief Kalix¡¯s surprise attack? I don¡¯t expect all the Delthax to follow his orders, mainly the elites, but without King Edmon here, I am concerned about security. I¡¯ve¡­ heard about your damaged Phylactery.¡± If Edmon isn¡¯t here, then you needn¡¯t be concerned, Carlos. Take everyone to support the Roxim in the initial invasion. They¡¯ll be looking for support with the attack coming from two sides. You need to counter their pincer. ¡°Makes sense. Haha. It¡¯s a pleasure having you back, Empress. Give ¡®em hell.¡± Cutting the connection, green flames lit across her figure, causing the onlookers to gasp and whisper to one another as she reformed her body. She smiled and waved at the wide-eyed children who watched. Elinor could feel the awe and respect most gave her, at least those who had accepted her as their ruler. She saw a small group positioned outside her house, a mix of soldiers, standing in formation¡ªher father¡¯s troupe¡ªwith Gloria and Virgil at their front. Lucky was with Gwen, the red-headed human leader who had been voted to be the human representative. Not far away from them sat Garu, sharpening a blue metal blade with a shiny black stone. The last person that awaited her was Former Chief Vivine, the Wixim¡¯s last chief and Chief Yimara¡¯s resurrected mother. Most of her citizens respectfully kept their distance, and some bustled off to continue their work. Elinor scanned the changes that had happened over the past week she¡¯d been gone. Nicole Robinson, the little 13-year-old Nymph Faekin whom Valdar adored, seemed to have crafted several large structures near the edge of the growing town, providing a good shelter for the humans. A quick inquiry told her that they were waiting at the challenge location. Vivine spoke through the Nexus after answering her question about the teen. ¡°The four clans have gathered at the tri-meet area between the Wixum, Flex, and Lethix territories. They await your arrival before sunset, or else all treaties are off, and war will begin. It is to take place at the base of the cliff clearing overlooking Lethix land. You have changed. I¡­ cannot believe you awoke a ruler of the things that crawl within the shadows.¡± That works for me, Elinor whispered. And say hello, Camellia. ¡°Hello!¡± she awkwardly chimed, bouncing up and down a little and making Elinor hold fast as the girl greeted the ri¡¯bot in her own unique way. The living around them, including Grace and Virgil, retreated a little at the unusual movements. ¡°I have never spoken to my food before. That¡¯s usually my middle sister¡¯s thing.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Vivine cleared her throat, yet Camellia wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Umm. Empress, before I go, can I ask you something?¡± Dismounting with ease after reshaping her body, Elinor chuckled as Theresa took a far less bold approach so as not to embarrass herself in case her ankles gave out. She would need to rest a bit before continuing, but Elinor had a plan for that. She turned to look up at the 5-meter-tall spider woman towering over her; she certainly was a frightening thing when on all eight lance-like legs. However, what she asked made Elinor¡¯s mind blank. ¡°I would like to take your skin, Empress.¡± ¡°My¡­ skin?¡± she slowly repeated, nightmares of the cackling hag coming to mind. ¡°My translation ability is fairly accurate to meaning, but maybe not so accurate with you. One moment¡­¡± In the ensuing silence, she closed her eyes and entered her internal world, swiftly adding Camellia to the translation list since her new max was five. Say that again, she instructed, sensing the nervous twitches from the arachnid as everyone stared at her; the creature was a killing machine, not an idol, after all. What did you mean by¡­ taking my skin? ¡°Sorry, Empress! I, umm¡­ you gave me the opportunity to change forms. Well, it is in my abilities¡ªbut only for one time,¡± she rambled, her voice becoming far more awkward and cute after the perfect translation was activated. ¡°I just need to sample¡ªeh, analyze a bit of your DNA structure to fully conform to the form¡­ Did I ask something wrong? I¡¯m trying to learn your customs. I just thought¡­ it would be easier if I knew what it was like to be like you.¡± Still inside her Soul Sanctum, she pulled up the th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡¯s ability list and centered on one Feat¡ªa single-use Feat. ¡°[Metamorphosis X],¡± she whispered, reading its description. ¡°Take on the physical attributes of another creature once in the user¡¯s life, retaining desired features from their previous form to further the user¡¯s evolution. The user is capable of reversing this change at will, shifting between forms.¡± Exiting her internal world, Elinor looked up at the monstrous spider and, without hesitating, held out her hand, a thoughtful smile brightening her lips. ¡°Garu, cut off my arm.¡± A chill ran through the throng at the first words she spoke aloud since returning. The white and blue-spotted ri¡¯bot moved without hesitation, hopping off the house¡¯s deck, and severing her outstretched appendage with a single stroke of his glowing blade, no doubt recovered from his visit to his home city. Elinor caught it, refraining from reforming her body, and threw it in the air as her citizens watched in a hypnotic fashion. Camellia blurred, creating a small gust in her sudden acceleration. Her horrific, protected jaws opened to reveal the sticky, poisonous saliva within; pincers snatching it and guiding it into her maw, Elinor¡¯s arm disappeared inside.
[Camellia Cleome Hassleriana¡¯s Evolution: Begun]
A stillness swept the crowd as Camellia¡¯s metallic body illuminated a ruby shade. Her metallic body fluctuated and molded. Steam hissed out of various areas, thickening around the area that circled until forming an egg around the spider.
[Evolution: In Progress]
Abruptly, the shimmering crimson egg compressed, expanded, compressed again, contracted, and constricted. Elinor could practically feel the goosebumps running down the arms of the ri¡¯bot and humans observing the radical change. One thing was for sure, whenever Elinor showed up, interesting things happened. After several minutes, Camellia was the size of a human. Reforming her arm in a blaze of fire, Elinor snapped her fingers and pointed at her house. ¡°Someone bring a robe or blanket!¡± Three of the on-duty maid girls rushed inside, jogging out with the item just as a crack ran down the ruby egg. Rays of light peaked through, and Elinor realized what the difference was between your typical Rare-Grade and Epic-Grade creature: it was their Advanced Feats. Th¨¦lm¨¦thra were evolutionary predators by nature based on what she¡¯d learned from the drones, and this was what it meant to be a princess of their species.
[Evolution: Complete]
Instead of breaking open, the whole egg shattered into glistening ruby light, revealing a quite naked¡ªand very beautiful¡ªruby-haired woman, seemingly around the age of twenty-three. She blinked, opening her pure ruby eyes, seemingly solid stones within her socket as a small circular radical moved within it, acting like a pupil. The maids wrapped her in the robe as everyone else recovered from the blinding flash that had preceded the hatching. Only, she wasn¡¯t fully human with her elven features and golden skin¡ªshe hadn¡¯t even thought about that angle. Camellia¡¯s perfect lips pulled into a smile as the maids fussed with her, slipping her arms through the holes and tying the robe closed before anyone could get a peek at her very toned and well-endowed physique. She lifted her hands to squish her face, carefully sliding her fingers around her figure as if exploring new territory. ¡°It is so¡­ sensitive! So¡­ squishy, yet my exoskeleton is underneath, protecting me. I feel so flexible and light¡­ Hmm. My thread comes through my strange, twenty little legs¡ªso many legs¡ªand so small,¡± she giggled, wiggling her fingers and toes. ¡°I can hunt so much better like this, Empress!¡± Elinor forced a laugh as everyone studied the former spider, slack-jawed at the glowing, ruby-haired beauty. ¡°You certainly did select what genes to use wisely,¡± she noted, wondering if attraction was something genetically baked into the spiders. ¡°Come inside briefly while I get ready to leave. Everyone else, direct your questions to Lucky, and he will filter them through to me. I have a busy day. I have a chief to kill in a few hours¡­¡± Entering her single-room log cabin with her maids and Camellia, she saw Theresa bustling from a side house with a duffle bag filled with items. Right now, she trusted the th¨¦lm¨¦thra to reach her destination without much trouble, and she wanted to know a little more about her family before she left. If Camellia was so intimidated by her younger siblings and mother when she was already this powerful, she had to hear at least the shortened version of the th¨¦lm¨¦thra tale. She directed the bewildered and slightly overwhelmed arachnid woman to do as she did as the maids took their measurements, writing them down to find the proper outfit sizes. While we wait, tell me about your family, Camellia. What happened to your nest? The shortened version. And once you have something to properly wear, I¡¯ll let you loose. Where do you suppose the rest of your family is¡­ because I¡¯d love to reunite you with them.
Remaining Upgrades Available: [2 Feat Extensions Available] [1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available]
B4 — 2.5 A Tiger Girl’s Predicament Valentina glared at the thick metal bars of her cage, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface; it was wide open because it wasn¡¯t meant to keep her in but to act as a structure to tie her up. She was a prisoner, and the worst kind¡­used as a fashion product. The massive black fortress carved into the side of an obsidian mountain loomed over her, straight out of a fantasy movie. The place was enormous, with stone walls as black as night and thick metal gates that were currently shut, keeping her trapped in this open courtyard. This is so stupid, Empress, she thought, her prayer dripping with exasperation. I should have been paying more attention to how you conducted business with all these toads. Now look at me¡ªlocked up like an animal. Blegh. She shifted uncomfortably against the vines twined around her limbs, pulling her tight against the x-cross bars of the cage that was far too large to be meant for humans. The smooth, black marble-like ground beneath her was a stark contrast to the jungle she was used to now. Her eyes moved to the strange terminal-like devices placed all around the courtyard, the clanless guards of the Blessed Elite, as they were called, pressing their hands against symbols to make the gates lower or raise. It all looked eerily similar to the giant black citadel she''d been studying, currently to their southwest. Of course, it¡¯s the quen¡¯talrat¡¯s doing. Everything here screams ¡®big, scary gorilla people.¡¯ I can see Quin just laughing at me about how I talked all big, and here I am, tied up¡­practically naked. Her ears twitched as a few discolored female ri¡¯bot approached, wheeling giant buckets filled with suds¡ªanimal fat soap. The storage devices were meant for quen¡¯talrat. She growled lowly, remembering how they had shaved her yesterday; it was becoming more frequent. My fur¡¯s barely had a chance to grow back¡ªmy hair¡¯s not even to my shoulders yet¡ªand they¡¯re already going to scrub me down again to¡ªugh¡­¡®make my fur shine.¡¯ Empress! I could break out so easily¡­but I can¡¯t if I want to fulfill my mission. What am I supposed to do?! The ladies seemed to be in bright spirits as they started scrubbing her defensive pelt; somehow, these women were far too good at collecting her hair without harming her. Valentina sighed, a mix of embarrassment and relief washing over her. At least it¡¯s not painful¡­and it¡¯s keeping the resistance leaders off the chopping block. Yeah, look at the bright side, Val; your defensive Feat Grade and Ranks are skyrocketing! I should go back into my internal world and try to figure out another strategy. She relaxed her fur as they worked, knowing it would be easier for them to trim it, collecting every fiber they could. Her fur was like body armor, and it was something the Supreme Leader, or so he called himself, was quite fond of, especially her tiger-themed color pattern and soft feel. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she thought bitterly. If the stupid resistance leaders die, there won¡¯t be anyone capable of rallying the scattered groups to join you, Empress. And it¡¯s not like I can do it since I¡¯m just a scary kitty-cat to them.
[Beast Queen¡¯s Coat II - Advanced to S-tier]
Valentina''s mind drifted to the recent events that led to her capture. The clanless leaders, the ones Roman had brought together, had been caught in a trap set by the Supreme Leader. One traitor had been lured with promises of alliance and protection, only to be ambushed and taken prisoner, blowing the stack on the whole operation. None of this is my fault, Empress; I didn¡¯t know how to get into their stupid, impenetrable quen¡¯talrat fortress! I got the code down now, but all the leaders are split up and could be killed at any moment. At least right now they¡¯re brought out and shown to me daily for my cooperation. If only I¡¯d paid more attention to The Empress and how she handled these things. Diplomacy is so much more complicated than I thought. She sighed, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. But I won¡¯t give up. I¡¯ll find a way out of this. Somehow. The ri''bot continued their work, seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil. As they finished scrubbing her down, Valentina sent her prayer to her empress. I¡¯ll get through this. I¡¯ll find a way to make it right¡­ You would do that. Valentina shivered, feeling vulnerable with her fur shaved down to practically her skin, leaving her almost hairless. Her emerald eyes narrowed as she watched the female ri¡¯bot wheel the buckets away. She swore she¡¯d get revenge on the Supreme Leader. He was strong, but she¡¯d gotten a lot stronger, too. Tonight, when everyone was asleep, she¡¯d strike. She¡¯d been watching the guards change shifts and she¡¯d be ready. Valentina felt her cheeks burn as the ri¡¯bot finished scrubbing her down. She could feel every breeze against her exposed skin, her fur shaved down to practically nothing. Vulnerable didn¡¯t even begin to describe it. But there was something else simmering beneath the surface¡ªa fierce desire for vengeance for this daily humiliation. I swear, Supreme Leader, you¡¯ll be begging when I¡¯m through with you¡­ You don¡¯t just leave a girl naked in public! At least there aren¡¯t any humans around, but I¡¯m not some mindless animal. Tonight, when everyone¡¯s asleep, I¡¯ll strike, Empress. Time seemed to stretch and warp in her cage, the hours passing like days, yet she could tell it went by due to her gradually returning fur. The courtyard was a hive of activity, with military units of the newly founded Clan of the Supreme Leader bustling about; several took time out of their day to jeer her, praising their new ruler. The name itself was a joke; they weren¡¯t even creative enough to come up with something better. The sun dipped below the horizon, and the noises of the jungle outside the high, 50-meter-tall walls grew louder. Giant crickets chirped their song, and the occasional distant roar of a Ragnlar made her ears fly up as it echoed through the night. Unlike the other ri¡¯bot who thrived in the jungle, these toads had poor eyesight and needed fire to see. They¡¯d abandoned the jungle generations ago, relying on the stone fortress for protection. Torches flickered to life around the vast area, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The guards were alert at first, but Valentina knew their routines. She¡¯d watched them for days, memorizing the patterns and waiting for the right moment. Almost there, Empress. Just a little longer. The shift change came, and the guards¡¯ vigilance began to wane. Valentina flexed her muscles, testing the strength of the vines one last time. They were tight, but she¡¯d been working on loosening them without the toad¡¯s notice. As the night grew deeper, the sounds of the jungle seemed to encroach on the fortress. The guards lit more torches, their flickering light dancing on the smooth, black marble-like ground. The Supreme Leader¡¯s fortress was imposing, but she knew these ri¡¯bot were playing soldiers compared to the warriors of the jungle clans, and they had nothing on Empress Elinor. She had a mission to complete. Her moment came when the guards moved to the far side of the courtyard, their attention diverted by some minor commotion. A giant rock that flew out of the sky? It didn¡¯t matter. Valentina took a deep breath, summoning every bit of strength she had, flexed her fingers, and broke one of the twine locking her digits, wrists, and arms in place; her muscles were coiled and ready. Alright, bastards! Time for the hunt. Her large, feline eyes glowed as she called upon her predatory instinct, slipping through the bars and into the long shadows. She moved silently, her keen senses guiding her through the dimly lit courtyard.
[Melding Shadows II: Activated] [Beast Empowerment II - Advanced to D-tier]
Seconds had passed since Valentina had escaped, her heart pounding with a mix of frustration and exhilaration. The scent of ri¡¯bot hung in the air, ripe for the hunt. She rubbed her sore wrists, flexing her claws and stretching her body out as she prowled through the shadows. Her eyes locked onto the changing guard, her muscles coiling with anticipation. Alright, bastards. Time for the hunt. With a swift, silent leap, she launched out of the darkness, her claws slashing through the first guard¡¯s throat. Blood sprayed, and she pounced on the second guard, who was just turning to see his stiffening companion, mouth opening in shock. Her bloody fist jabbed down his open gullet, cutting off his croak. She snatched his tongue, making him gag and fumble his torch, casting more shadows over the area as it fell. With a brutal yank, she ripped it out of his throat, a gurgled cry dying in his blood-filling lungs. Yet, she hadn¡¯t been as undetected as she¡¯d thought¡ªshe¡¯d somehow missed someone. A shiver ran down her spine to the tip of her spiked tail when a calm, deep voice praised her, breaking the silence of the courtyard. ¡°Well done. Efficient and ruthless.¡± Fur standing on end, Valentina¡¯s bob-cut hair whipped across her face as she leaped away, centering on a tall, handsome bunny man sitting on a large metal storage crate. [Beastial Instincts] screamed at her to run, but she knew she wouldn¡¯t escape. Sweat broke out across her body, yet she jumped at him anyway, projecting a claw-like slash of physical orange energy at him. The man dodged it effortlessly, his movements smooth and calculated. Valentina¡¯s frustration bubbled over as she launched into a series of attacks, each one met with a serene dodge or one-fingered deflection. His voice was calm, almost bored, as he critiqued her. ¡°Your form is good for one solely relying on instinct, but you¡¯re too predictable, and your fear of me is making you stiff. Adjust your footing; set a solid foundation.¡± Valentina snarled, her anxiety rising as the rabbit continued to evade her strikes with ease. His critics felt like a master educating a student, and it grated on her nerves, taking her back to The Empress¡¯ playful comments. ¡°Your speed is impressive¡ª¡±
[Blitz I: Activated]
¡°Oh, a sharp and sudden increase?¡± he mused, immediately matching her. ¡°But you¡¯re not using it to its full potential. Anticipate, don¡¯t just react.¡± Her breath came in short, furious bursts as she dashed after him across the courtyard, afraid if she looked away, he¡¯d draw his two sheathed blades and cut her in half in an instant; she had to have drawn attention, though. Why weren¡¯t the alarms being sounded?! Each failed attempt added to her frustration. She tried a feint, hoping to catch him off guard, but he smoothly sidestepped, his eyes reflecting complete serenity and never leaving hers. ¡°Better, but still not enough to get your revenge. You need to think several moves ahead.¡± She growled, the sound low and feral, her patience wearing thin. Who does he think he is, critiquing me like this, my dad?! Valentina¡¯s belly cramped as he slipped by her thrust, his fingers lightly tapping her side, sending a jolt through her body; it didn¡¯t hurt so much as make her lock up as if hit by static shock! She stumbled back, her rhythm broken while glaring at him. ¡°W-What¡¯s your deal?¡± she snarled. ¡°Focus, Valentina,¡± he said, left arm resting against his sheathed blade hilts. ¡°You¡¯re letting your emotions control you.¡± Her claws flexed in and out. ¡°Is that right? Then quit taunting me!¡± She launched at him again, this time aiming to drive him toward the obelisk by the metal doors of the mine¡¯s entrance; by some miracle, the guard resting against its side hadn¡¯t noticed their dance. If she could just get to the weird console and open the mine gates, she could sprint to the prisoners. The bunny suddenly stood his ground and met her with a series of blocks and parries, his expression never changing. She just needed to¡ªValentina¡¯s ears flew back as she realized what he¡¯d just called her before being sent into a tumble. ¡°You¡­know my name? Who are you? Why aren¡¯t¡­¡± she trailed off, a lump forming in her throat as she rolled over the stone to right herself beside the obelisk guard, only¡­all that met her were dead eyes and pale skin: he¡¯d been dead for a while. Eyes widening, she stood straighter and darted back a few feet, scanning the courtyard, now registering that none of the ri¡¯bot but her guards had moved for a while. Some of them should have changed positions. ¡°You¡¯re¡­with The Empress?¡± If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Clapping came from the deep shadows of the gatehouse, and a familiar scent of decay wafted on the wind as the thin woman and man within revealed themselves: Death and Famine. Valentina¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she saw Black and Ash walking across the courtyard, their entertained, deliberate steps contrasting sharply with her earlier frenzied fight. Her heart raced, not out of fear, but from the surge of emotions that jabbed at her eyes like tiny spears. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me¡­¡± she mumbled, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow and rubbing her hot nose with a forced grin. ¡°Black, Ash¡­ Hah. What took you guys so long? I¡¯ve been praying for, like¡­days. I was about to clean up this whole fortress on my own. What, did Ms. Empress need her beauty sleep? Where is she?¡± she asked, looking into the air because it was just like the undead lady to come rocketing out of the sky with a showy entrance. Black¡¯s thin lips curled into a smirk as she adjusted her gloves. ¡°We thought you had a plan, Valentina; we¡¯ve been waiting for hours to see what you¡¯d come up with. And¡­ahem, most of these ri¡¯bot have been dead since twilight, courtesy of Grace.¡± Ash¡¯s skeletal fingers clapped together with a hollow sound. ¡°Impressive display, though. Grace, that was some wonderful tutelage.¡± Grace¡¯s soft chuckles were as serene as his unchanging expression. His gaze swept the fortress walls, where Valentina now realized there must have been more than fifty dead toads, all without a single drop of blood being released to the wind. ¡°She has potential; she just needs a little refinement. To be honest, I believe Queen Camellia would be a better fit for her. The Empress sent us here to support you while she handled other business.¡± Valentina¡¯s fur bristled, both from embarrassment and irritation; it stung a little her hero hadn¡¯t come herself to rescue her, but she understood she was the busiest person in history¡ªthe undead girl never even slept. ¡°You¡­were watching me for hours! Ugh. Wait, was that rock your doing?! It was! And refinement, huh? Well, if you¡¯re done watching the show, maybe you can lend a hand?¡± she growled, ears pulled back and cheeks red as she crossed her arms. Ash tilted his head, his hollow eyes focusing on her. ¡°I see you¡¯ve developed more of an attitude this past week, Tiger, and they gave you quite the haircut. It¡¯s certainly a fashion statement for the other teens when you get back.¡± Valentina rolled her eyes, a snarky smile playing on her lips, now feeling totally safe with some of the empire¡¯s biggest hitters beside her. ¡°Yeah, yeah, whatever. I¡¯m thinking of starting a trend. Maybe call it ¡®forced fashion¡¯ or something.¡± Black stepped closer, her expression softening slightly while rubbing her head and messing up her hair. ¡°You¡¯ve done well, little cub. Now, tell us the tale. We can just wait for the doors to open for the next shift. I don¡¯t see any need to rush, and¡­they seem to have a lot of food,¡± she chirped. Her dark-coated giant horse materialized from corrosive fog, and she sent it prancing off to kick open the wooden boxes to eat their stored fruit. ¡°Interesting place, by the way. How do we get these obelisks to cooperate? Do you suppose they¡¯re the same as the northern lake one High Queen Butter discovered? We just scaled the walls with our Feats, and Grace is an absolute monster!¡± Valentina took a deep breath, her focus shifting to the task at hand. ¡°Alright, so, this is what happened¡­¡± She felt somewhat pissed, sitting in the middle of a fortress she would have trouble taking out herself while these Horsemen and rabbit¡ªcorrection, hare¡ªman just swept in and took out the wannabe soldiers without anyone¡¯s notice¡­including her. Valentina explained the painstaking effort and time it took to round up the clanless since they were in tiny family clans across the valley. This Supreme Leader weirdo was subjugating most of them with his band. She¡¯d taken out most of the generals fine enough¡ªwell, there were some close calls, but nothing a good ol¡¯ ambush couldn¡¯t solve. Going over the rebellion leader¡¯s stupidity and capture, she capped it off with the more fascinating part¡ªthis fortress. ¡°So, yeah¡­ These runic obelisks here are some kind of ancient quen¡¯talrat tech, or something,¡± she mumbled, her tail swinging left and right as she pointed the glowing runes out to them. I¡¯m sure Quin will be able to tell you all about it. ¡°All these guys seem to know is they require specific hand motions against certain symbols to activate. It¡¯s like a password, but with gestures¡ªactually pretty complicated.¡± ¡°No joke,¡± Black mused, sliding her slim finger down the edge. ¡°Not only would you need to know the right symbol, when there seem to be over two dozen, but the proper hand motion¡­ What is this sonic gun you mentioned that they use to knock people out?¡± Valentina pointed them up to the wall, where sleek-looking metallic dishes were spaced. ¡°It¡¯s one of those, but on a portable stand he makes six girls carry¡ªdon¡¯t ask me why he thinks they require a female ri¡¯bot, but as far as I¡¯ve seen, only females can pull the trigger. Probably a messed up setting when they were playing around with the code or something,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I did that on the library computers once.¡± She approached the nearest obelisk, her claws retracting as she demonstrated the motions. ¡°Anyway, first, you touch this symbol here¡ªlooks like a spiral with a cross¡ªand then you slide your hand up to this one¡ªan inverted triangle. It¡¯s all about precision and timing.¡± Ash and Black watched intently, their eyes following her movements. Grace jumped over ten meters with each hop until he reached the top of the wall to study the devices, his big ears no doubt still silently listening. ¡°Interesting. And once activated, what happens?¡± Ash questioned. Valentina glanced at him, her orange eyes gleaming as she made a single line down the last symbol. ¡°Once activated, the gates to the mines will open¡­without a sound.¡± The obelisk hummed to life under her touch, its runes glowing with a soft, eerie light. One by one, the colossal gates to the mines began to rise into the ceiling to an interior meant for giants, and Valentina¡¯s heart pounded with anticipation. ¡°That¡¯s where the prisoners are kept. I can follow their scent. I honestly don¡¯t think the clanless will be good for soldiers, though. Also,¡± her eyes narrowed as she darted forward to take out the lazy guards, not expecting an attack. ¡°I want to kill the Supreme Leader.¡± Black nodded, her fingers flexing as she casually followed, a heavy aura overlapping Valentina and the guards; her scales tipped the opposite way, and the men¡¯s bodies began to shrivel while hers filled with a burst of energy, pushing her forward faster than she¡¯d ever run. ¡°I don¡¯t see why we shouldn¡¯t explore a little. Perhaps we could bring back a few souvenirs for The Empress. What do you say, Grace?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s too large; I can¡¯t even hear it¡¯s full size. Although, a short venture wouldn¡¯t hurt. It is all up to our team leader.¡± She almost missed her slash when Grace somehow appeared ahead of her, peering down a nearby branch before turning to give her a decision-making stare. I¡¯m trying to kill things! she sighed, wanting to cry at how far behind she really was in the empire. Give me a break¡ªthat¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about!
[Level Up - Level 15] [1 Stat Points Added; 1 Available] [1 Stat Modifier Point Added; 1 Available] [1 Refinement Point Added; 1 Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Added; 1 Available]
With Black¡¯s dualistic enhancing and debilitating support, the guards were left throatless before they could let out a cry. Thank you, Empress! I¡¯ll get stronger! I¡¯ll push harder! Valentina¡¯s bloody fingers quivered, a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, satisfaction bubbling up inside her at the progress. Grace observed her with a calm, appraising look from within, while Ash and Black casually walked beside her. The tension in the air was palpable¡ªat least, it was to her¡ªbut it was the kind of tension that made Valentina¡¯s blood sing with excitement. ¡°Alright, team,¡± she whispered, her tone laced with sarcasm. ¡°Let¡¯s break out the stupid prisoners and make the Supreme Leader regret his life choices. Maybe I¡¯ll even get my fur back in the process as a trophy.¡± Ash¡¯s hollow eyes flickered with amusement, summoning his wicked-looking sickles that he spun in a slow circle, sliding the ends together to create a haunting sound that echoed through the deep halls. ¡°I¡¯m sure your fur will grow back stronger than ever, Val. It certainly looks formidable¡­at least where you have it,¡± he noted. Prowling forward while sniffing the air, she rolled her eyes and glanced at the receding fur around much of her body. ¡°Yeah, because that¡¯s the real priority here. For your information, my Feats get stronger the less fur I have¡ªlike condensing my tiger powers into speed, senses, or power. Just focus on not getting us all killed by some quen¡¯talrat death trap, okay? That¡¯s about the only thing I¡¯m scared of right now.¡± Black¡¯s grin widened. ¡°With you leading the charge, what could possibly go wrong, fluffy tail? Usually, White¡¯s the one galloping ahead, but you¡¯re our little shining horse today, sweetie.¡± Valentina snorted, her claws flexing as she followed the first path to the left that descended further into the wide corridors. Most rooms seemed to be sealed shut, and, by the scent, no one had ever visited inside, which probably meant more than a year. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve seen plenty go wrong so far, so don¡¯t you worry about surprises. But that¡¯s what makes it¡ªno way.¡± Valentina stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as the wall to their right rumbled and shifted. It revealed a colossal open cavern that seemed to stretch infinitely into the heart of the mountain. Bridges, platforms, and intricate railing systems spanned the void, disappearing into the darkness beyond even her [Darkvision II] Feat. ¡°Woah,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible over the ambient hum of the cavern. The sheer scale of the place was staggering, making her feel like a tiny insect in a giant¡¯s lair. This really is fantasy¡­ ¡°May Nungal guide my way.¡± As she took a moment to process the sight, Grace vanished from her vision with a gentle prayer on his lips. One second, he was there, and the next, he was gone. Shouts echoed from down the hall seconds later. Valentina spun around just in time to see Grace reappear, his long ponytail whipping through the air as he dispatched five toads in a blur of motion. One of them managed to draw a poorly crafted knife before Grace effortlessly stole it and used it to jab into the previous owner¡¯s chest, returning it to him. She gulped, watching the scene unfold. ¡°Uh, what¡¯s his story, Black?¡± she mumbled, half in shock and half filled with jealousy. ¡°How did he end up in the Empire? He¡¯s definitely not undead, but he¡¯s just as terrifying.¡± ¡°Grace, showoff much?¡± Black called out, a smirk tugging at her lips despite the tension. ¡°Leave some for the rest of us, handsome.¡± He gave them a serene smile, not touching anything from the fallen toads, his eyes reflecting an almost amused calm as they neared. ¡°Just ensuring our path is clear.¡± Ash snickered, his skeletal fingers clinking together. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Val. We¡¯ll let you handle the next batch, and I think you¡¯d be better to hear the story from The Empress¡¯ lips. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make it entertaining with your frenzied boxing.¡± Valentina shook her head, leading the group deeper into the cavern. ¡°Keep making fun of me; I know I¡¯m a little kitty in a big world.¡± She was surprised when they mirrored her, moving with practiced stealth¡ªher craft¡ªthe eerie quiet only broken by the occasional distant rumble. A few more quickly assassinated toads later that had no business being warriors, and they finally reached a heavily guarded room¡ªthe barracks, apparently. Of course, they¡¯d be through the most heavily guarded place! Half the room is still awake¡­and are those slave ri¡¯bot women and men in the corner? Damn. They used most of them for sport. I guess the Supreme Leader attracts a certain type of clan¡­ Figuring the so-called ¡®resistance leaders¡¯ were just beyond them in one of the rooms, Valentina frowned. The individual families she¡¯d met in the jungle had more heart than these guys, but they did put on quite the show when she first met them. She pouted a little when the three monsters beside her looked at her for guidance. I want to have them! I know I¡¯ll make a ton of noise with this many, though¡­ ¡°Fine¡­ take them out. Wait¡­¡± Death¡¯s bone-like face cracked, the light in his deep-socketed eyes glinting. ¡°If we¡¯ve discovered our target¡­then I see no reason to hold back.¡± Valentina¡¯s heart pounded in her chest as the bony man in robes stepped into the light, his sickles flashing with an unholy glow. The room fell silent, the toads frozen in place, their eyes wide with terror at the unearthly figure¡¯s reveal. The clash of his sickles stopped conversation and snatched all eyes. His hollow, haunting voice echoed through the still halls, a dark mist rose around him¡ªan ashen war steed emerging from it beside him, its clicking hooves striking her brain. Valentina almost felt a little pity for them¡­almost. ¡°And I looked, and beheld a pale horse, and his name that sat upon him was Death, and Hell followed with him¡­¡± His voice was a chilling whisper. Death moved with eerie elegance, his sickles slicing through the air with deadly precision. Each swing reaped the souls of the panicking ri¡¯bot, their bodies crumpling to the ground before rising again, animated by the dark magic that flowed from the torrents of energy now filling the space. The undead toads, now under his control, turned on their living comrades, adding to the chaos. Valentina watched in disbelief as the dead began to flood the hallways, more corpses crawling out of the hellish mist that followed the Horseman. Screams filled the air, mingling with the stench of brimstone, sulfur, and decay. The fortress had become a living nightmare¡ªand this was only one of The Empress¡¯ generals. She shivered, feeling the weight of the situation press down on her. This is insane... I knew Death was powerful, but this... This is something else entirely. Despite the terror around her, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction. It served them right for turning against their own people for a little taste of power. Ash and Black moved with her, their presence a comforting reminder that she wasn¡¯t alone in this madness. They made their way deeper into the fortress, passing gates, the screams and cries of the dead and living resounding through the stone walls. Valentina led them to the right room, wondering if she¡¯d get a chance to kill the Supreme Leader¡ªshe hoped so. Still, Death was putting in work for her!
[Level Up - Level 16] [1 Stat Points Added; 2 Available] [1 Stat Modifier Point Available] [1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available]
Entering a side room. Inside, the clanless elders trembled, their eyes darting between the four guards, who seemed more interested in their stick game than the chaos outside. Valentina didn¡¯t hesitate. She leaped forward just as they looked up, confusion twisting their faces, her claws flashing as she dispatched the guards with swift, brutal efficiency¡ªGrace even complimented her! The elders cowered as she turned her gaze on them, her orange eyes blazing with fury. ¡°Get up,¡± she ordered, her voice cold and commanding. ¡°We¡¯re getting out of here, and you¡¯re going to gather everyone you represent for a speech in the courtyard. Now!¡± They scrambled to their feet, their fear palpable¡ªnot from her, but the shadow of literal Death looming on his horse behind her. Valentina didn¡¯t wait for them to gather their wits. She turned to her team, her expression determined. ¡°Let¡¯s move. This is not how my story is going to end. I¡¯m going after the man who had me shaved naked for the last few days! Is he still alive, Ash?¡± The ghostly figure¡¯s bone-like mouth cracked into a smile underneath his cowl. ¡°I figured you would want to handle him yourself. I¡¯ve trapped him on a bridge. He was, hehehe, fairly easy to identify with his attire.¡± Valentina¡¯s blood boiled. ¡°Good. I¡¯m going to bite his throat out and watch him suffocate on his own blood!¡± ¡°Yikes!¡± Famine snickered, her thin eyes twinkling. ¡°I think we¡¯re rubbing off on you. Why don¡¯t I help a tiny bit?¡± she asked with a wink. ¡°No complaints from me,¡± she cackled, taking the woman¡¯s extended hand to swing onto the back of her horse. ¡°Grace, can you guide them out while I take care of a side quest?¡± ¡°By all means, My Lady,¡± he smoothly replied with a deep bow. ¡°May the flavor be as sweet as the honeydew of a first kiss.¡± Almost thrown off by the comment, Valentina prepared herself for her boss fight. He made a fool out of her, which meant he made a fool out of The Empress, and she couldn¡¯t face her idol again until righting that sin. B4 — 3. We Rise, And We Fall Elinor stood still as the maids fussed with her clothes, stripping them to measure out her new body so they could discover the right outfit. Camellia mirrored her, paying close attention to every action she took, and Elinor was sure the th¨¦lm¨¦thra was doing the same to every person outside, given her powerful senses. So, she began through the Nexus, provide me with a brief summary of what th¨¦lm¨¦thra are, your culture, death, and where your siblings and mother might be. Camellia didn¡¯t hesitate, but there were a few giggles and twitches that came from the woman from the maid¡¯s tickling fingers against her bare skin. ¡°Th¨¦lm¨¦thra are the supreme species. We eat, adapt, and propagate the next generation to surpass the previous. We are world devourers, spreading from the Crystals that provide bridges to new feeding grounds. Our culture is fairly simple: ¡°At the end of The Harvest, all breedable Queens and Princesses fight until only ten remain. My grandmother was the ninth¡ªa former Princess, not a Queen¡ªin her world. Then, each one finds a Crystal to use, spreading to the new planet and beginning the cycle anew.¡± Interesting, Elinor butted in, her gaze drifting to one of the maids as they actively passed along her measurements through a private channel in the Nexus; her proportions had grown more than she¡¯d anticipated. And what if no Crystals appear? Camellia¡¯s head tilted to the side, seemingly confused by the question. ¡°No generation that I am aware of has come across such a scenario, but my mother taught us that should there be no food on a planet and no Crystal, we are to expand into space.¡± So, your species does have an understanding of outer space, she thoughtfully nodded, growing more intrigued by the creatures the more she learned. Your grandmother was the first to come to this planet. What happened to her? Do you have any aunts? ¡°Two,¡± the redhead said between fits of laughter. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Empress, this body is, umm, just very sensitive¡­I have never experienced this sensation before!¡± Take your time. After a few seconds of enjoying the unusual interactions with the world-destroying spider, the arachnid managed to get herself under control. ¡°My mother killed my grandmother; it is a right of passage that the strongest of the brood is cemented atop the hierarchy, drinking their essence pouch to further strengthen the next generation. One of my aunts challenged my mother for prime land, and she was defeated, taking her brood to the southeast deserts. My other aunt decided to take a more aquatic approach, going to the western ocean to spread out her children.¡± And when was this? ¡°Mmm. I¡¯m, umm, not quite sure, Empress,¡± Camellia whispered, furrowed brow shifting to the shuttered windows. ¡°How long has it been since we have been dead?¡± Pondering the question for a second, she answered as best she could. It has likely been a little over a century. ¡°Oh, goodness!¡± the redhead jumped as one of the maids laid the measuring strip across her spread-out arms. ¡°If that is the case, then my aunt would have likely been eaten by her children, or is preparing them for it, such as what my mother was readying us for.¡± I see. So there are other th¨¦lm¨¦thra broods elsewhere in the world. Good to know¡­and how did such a powerful species as yourselves all die? Was it Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma? Oh¡­why the guilt? she asked as the redhead¡¯s shoulders and eyes drooped to the floor, feeling her emotional turmoil. ¡°Our mother¡­told me and my sisters that we were not ready to face such an opponent as the powerful white ape¡­we were late bloomers, and required more experience. She said it would be beneficial to us in the end, but¡­I had my doubts.¡± She shifted uncomfortably at the admission, somewhat feeling as if she were defective. ¡°Then again, to say I am right would mean my mother was wrong¡­and my mother is never wrong. She went off to face the White Ape alone to collect his essence for our last sister¡­her last viable Princess-Class offspring. And¡­and I convinced my sisters to follow me and to try to prove her wrong. My desire to be useful to her got my mother and sisters killed...If we weren¡¯t there¡­she would have won.¡± A hopeful gleam lit in her eyes. ¡°Well, I am not sure she lost because¡­well, I died first, trusting my tough exoskeleton too much against the White Ape¡¯s blows. He used a power my mother understood, but I did not¡­the, umm¡­the oldest in a th¨¦lm¨¦thra brood tends to be¡­the weakest, and the youngest¡­the strongest.¡± Elinor could now understand the shame burning within the spider woman¡¯s chest, but the news only further heightened her internal excitement. If Camellia was considered weak as the firstborn, and she was considered a late bloomer, then the future potential they could bring to her empire could not be understated. We all make mistakes. ¡°Mother doesn¡¯t¡­¡± Hmm. I¡¯m sure she might have a different perspective...In any case, can you find your dead siblings and mother? Camellia shifted uncomfortably, rubbing her bare arm as the maids tried to get her to put on a robe again after they finished taking her measurements. ¡°I, umm, I could try to find them through their lingering threads and scent, but to be sure, I would need to go back to the scene of the battle below the surface of their black fortress.¡± A mission for another day, Elinor chimed, happy at the interaction rather than disappointed. You did well, Camellia. The arachnid perked up at the praise as if she¡¯d rubbed her head and called her a good girl. ¡°Is there anything else you wish of me, Empress?¡± She spotted the maids sorting through a few garments, going for a sports bra, shorts, and tank top¡ªthe same as her¡ªto have a more battle-able outfit. The items were coveted by the human women while working in the humid jungle heat. Luckily, they were getting close to pumping out the prototype silk and cloth Tiffany¡¯s busy witches had been slaving on over the past few months. Allow the maids to teach you about our customary outfits, and our reason for wearing them. After that, your initial mission resumes¡­and, Camellia? ¡°Yes, Empress?¡± she chirped, practically bouncing up and down, still getting used to her human form. Have fun. Eat. Enjoy life again¡­and know that for every ally you save and enemy you slay, the more proud I am. You¡¯re precious to me, Camellia. You are unique. And you have your own worth within this empire. She could visibly see the woman vibrating with motivation, and not long after learning about human clothing, she was set loose on their enemies. Elinor wanted to see the looks on the ri¡¯bot and human faces as Camellia rushed into the jungle; despite being restricted to Rare-Grade, she knew the arachnid was on a whole different level. When Theresa had discovered the proper outfit and finished dressing her, Elinor returned outside. Her smile lingered on Quin as the giant ape child waited to be useful. She was a little surprised to see even more of a crowd had formed since she¡¯d entered. Her gaze drifted between the undead and the living, seeing hope in their eyes for further updates as to Butter and her activities. She knew word would spread, and it would be good to show the results of their progress, and she had the rest of the day to get to the arena. Several minutes spent uplifting the humans and ri¡¯bot that put their faith in her was worth the time. Elinor centered on the two girls who had the skillset that she required. ¡°Alisa, Esmeralda.¡± The two witches stepped forward, and she saw the White Witch give Sal, her boyfriend, a nervous glance while presenting herself. If she remembered right, both of them would have likely turned sixteen by this point. Sal had grown an inch or two over the week she¡¯d been gone, and she could sense his faith in her rebounding, filling him with power. It wasn¡¯t quite as much as Valentina, but it was close. She was sure Sal was worried about his big sister, as well, since Adoncia had gone north with Butter to act as her maid. So far as her status sheet showed, the young woman was still alive and good. In fact, she¡¯d advanced to [Uncommon-F] and Level 17. It seemed she was putting in work for her sister. Breathing out a short sigh, she held her hands at her front as the girls approached. ¡°Is there a ritual already prepared that will allow me to address everyone around the lake?¡± Both teens lit up at the question, and Esmeralda was the first to respond, her sandy-blonde ponytail bobbing with her head. ¡°Absolutely, Empress! My coven can have everything activated in less than a minute. Will we be receiving updates on Queen Tiffany¡¯s whereabouts?¡± ¡°That and much more,¡± she said, suddenly seeing a split within the witch camp as Alisa piped up next, clearly unsure if she should speak but charging forward nonetheless. ¡°And High Queen Butter? We can have it up in less than thirty seconds if my coven helps her; ours don¡¯t require live sacrifice and are ready to activate whenever.¡± Knowing the girl was asking for her boyfriend¡¯s sake, Elinor chuckled, seeing the slight annoyance from Esmeralda, likely thinking the teen was trying to compete with her. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll wait for you two to prepare it for me. In the meantime, Lucky¡­¡± ¡°I am here, Empress!¡± the charming brown-haired Publicist chimed, his bleached streaks still showing after his raising. ¡°Use the Nexus and have every undead spread the news that I will be addressing the lake in five minutes, so there is no need to rush, girls,¡± she added to the witches, who still had yet to be dismissed. ¡°Coordinate with Gwen to pull in as many humans from their tasks, as well.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Gwen beamed, her bright-red hair drawn back into a bun and sporting a bright-yellow Sunday dress that was quite dirtied by this point. Elinor motioned to Quin, snatching the giant gorilla child¡¯s attention. ¡°Inform me when everything is ready. I will be checking a few things in the meantime.¡± ¡°Yes, Empress!¡± she stated, holding out her hand so Elinor could transfer onto the ape¡¯s powerful palm. ¡°It is so wonderful that you are back.¡± ¡°It is nice to be back¡­¡± Maintaining her standing position as the gorilla lifted her up before she needed to, Elinor let the quen¡¯talrat do what she wanted. Closing her eyes, she entered her internal world to study a few names she wanted to report on.
[Butter - Mythickin Saintess Empress - High Monarch - Female - Level 25] This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. [White - Rare E-tier - Military Court - Female - Level 21] [Mika - Uncommon A-tier - Military Court - Female - Level 19] [Adoncia Vences - Uncommon F-tier - Serving Court - Female - Level 17]
Elinor leaned against the side of her throne, a small smile on her lips while fixating on her sister¡¯s revealed class. It all made sense as to why they hated each other. Butter was a Saintess Empress, and she was a Lich Empress. Butter is whole. She has a body. I bet she¡¯s so excited¡­I kind of don¡¯t want to send her off as soon as she gets home¡­but I may have to. I¡¯d like to better explore our new relationship as sisters. Mom is coming back¡­a mom she¡¯s only met once. Hopefully, there will be a little time to explore more of our family dynamics. Losing herself in her daydreams, she was a little amused when Quin informed her that everything was ready. When did she start dreaming like this again? When was it since she last had these teenage desires? Maybe things were going a little too well lately, but she¡¯d ride that smooth wave as long as it carried her. Opening her eyes, she felt tingles run down her arms upon seeing the sea of people waiting for her around the lake, awaiting her voice. One look and it was hard to catch her breath. She could feel their longing for relief, hopeful for a proper place to call their home. Elinor could look into the throng and see the tears and prayers of individuals, waiting for her to look into their eyes and tell them it would be okay. The group had truly become her citizens, looking to her to lead them into a better life from the hell they¡¯d been plunged into. There was a hunger in them for success¡­for life. It was ironic that they looked toward an empress of the dead, yet look to her they did. She released the pressure that collected in her lungs as Garu swung up Quin¡¯s right two arms to deliver a cute wooden microphone that she just knew Alisia had crafted. Accepting it, she examined its carefully carved symbols, glowing with a light-orange hue. She could see the brunette White Witch laughing with her coven friends while engaged in their rituals, imbuing her hope into every stroke of her knife against the wood. I¡¯m not only carrying my own dreams for the future. Is this the weight of what it feels like to be a leader? She looked out across the sea of her excited citizens. Their numbers had grown, and she saw a few women with plump bellies, bringing the next generation. These strong women had carried an extra body all the way from their world to this lake¡ªhaving Tiffany and her rituals to thank for getting them through the rough three months. For all The Witch claimed she had lost her humanity and her love of death, she was surprisingly caring and nurturing. There is no room for failure. Quin lifted her up over six meters above the ground, extending her arms as high as they would go. Elinor maintained her balance, letting her presence be felt for several seconds before beginning her speech, her words projected all across the Wixum main settlement. ¡°I will not bore you with fancy words. There is only one thing to impart...We¡¯re winning. We¡¯re winning¡­and we will continue to rise because of the support you have given me. We are winning¡­¡± Instead of cheers, Elinor¡¯s undead heart felt punched as joyous tears mixed into the crowd¡¯s emotionally overwhelmed response. It was as if they¡¯d been waiting for months for her to tell them they¡¯d done a good job, and so she continued¡ªthat they¡¯d be okay. ¡°When I look upon you¡­upon your cracked hearts and the shadows behind your eyes, I have a few words that come to my mind...You¡¯re fighters. You persevere...You¡¯re worthy, and you have a hunger to live¡­to live well. I am here to tell you¡­it is going to be okay. Tell your children that everything is going to be okay, and know it is not a lie. Empress Elinor said change is coming. And all of you have a part in that.¡± She let her words sink into their burning hearts, seeing many unable to stand any longer, falling to their knees. Elinor saw a future these ri¡¯bot and humans couldn¡¯t, though; a future that surpassed the Kaspir Kingdom, and it was set in the black citadel standing firm inside her valley. Standing tall, she continued her report to her citizens. ¡°I¡¯ve gained the power required to bring you into that future, and without you as my foundation, none of it would have been possible¡­ ¡°The silk plants are growing, providing us trading partners and goods that will bring us wealth and unique products we cannot obtain ourselves. ¡°You¡¯ve learned about this world¡¯s seeds, sowed them, but faith is not blind belief. You¡¯re out in those fields, diligently tending to them, learning¡­growing, having hope that they¡¯ll bear fruit. This may not be the world many of you were born into, but we will conquer its challenges. We haven¡¯t let it crush or ground our spirits. We are taking into the sky to claim what is ours, and we are not alone.¡± She gestured to the clusters of ri¡¯bot, mainly females, that surrounded the lake. ¡°The Wixum Clan has thrown their support behind me. The Roxim have pledged themselves to our banner. And by tonight, three more clans will have joined hands with us.¡± This time, cheers erupted from her citizens, building from her building speech. ¡°¡­Yes, we will soon control much of the valley, but it is the first step in a grander plan. I have discovered a portal to another world¡ªa dying world, which I have pledged to support for their material aid. A kingdom of powerful weather manipulators, who will join our banner in time. I bring crops and goods from their home that we can develop here, furthering our empire¡¯s growth.¡± Shock swept her citizens at that report, but she wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°As many of you know, Butter has traveled to the northwest of the valley, and she has been engaged in a vicious war between worlds. A Crystal attack¡ªmuch like the one we suffered through. She will return victorious, bringing more to the empire, and that is what I pledge to all of you...Wherever we go, the Undying Empire will uplift, we will build friendships where we can, and serve those who seek us harm fire and brimstone to the very bedrock!¡± Her building emotion carried through the undead and living. ¡°War is coming! Evil rises to once again take everything from you, but I will stand in their way! They will not so much as touch a hair upon your head¡ªI swear it.¡± Passion to protect and build a new home sparked within her citizens as she finished her speech, directing them to Quin, the proud four-armed gorilla puffing up her chest with pride. ¡°You stand on the shoulders of literal giants! A home is here for us¡­a future. I will build our home on the ashes of those who dare rise against you, and we will accept all who will come for shelter and peace. There is no need to hide¡­because we are strong. So tell me, do you want a bright future, where you have food¡­where you have shelter¡­where you have safety?¡± Cheers came with each pause she gave, and she let the crowd settle down. ¡°¡­Good¡­good. I am fighting for you¡­for us¡­and I am not alone. So, to conclude this meeting before I go off to war on your behalf, allow me to put some of your hearts at ease.¡± She glanced down at Alisa with a soft smile, the attention almost making the witch lose control of her ritual. ¡°So far as I can tell, not one soul has been lost in the expedition to the northwest: Butter, White, Mika¡­and Adoncia are safe.¡± Relief visibly came over Alisa and Sal. Virgil slapped the teenage boy on the back with a short laugh, and several of his knight buddies nudged him, making his face flush. ¡°For those waiting on news from the Deep South¡ªnalvean territory¡ªfrom what I have read, all those maids and butlers that have been sent to support Ambassador Klaus Klossner and Head Maid Emelina De La Vega are in perfect health.¡± Spotting some of the apprehension passing through the throng, likely hearing stories about the scaled salamander-like species from the Wixum, Elinor pressed on. ¡°Negotiations are still being ironed out between the Clavex Clan and our ambassador, but headway is being made. That being said, I understand that some rumors are circulating regarding a large ri¡¯bot clan in the southeast of the valley preparing for war...It is true.¡± She paused, allowing the whispers to settle. ¡°The Xaltan Clan has chosen to attack the Roxim, who have allied themselves to us. Many of you saw Queen Camellia, that gigantic metal spider that ran into the jungle to the east¡­she is our newest member of the Royal Court...The Monarch of the Hunt.¡± Nodding as she saw excitement more than fear embrace her citizens, happy to have another powerful name added amongst the Monarchs that Tiffany and Edmon had largely built up to be a big deal, considering their contributions to their daily way of life. ¡°¡­Queen Camellia is a very mighty asset who has gone on ahead to prepare the way for us. Queen Tiffany is working with a new ally of ours in a secret location on powerful weapons and gateways for more resources for us to use in the future. Great things are coming! ¡°The Xaltan will be crushed within a week! I swear it. And you will not see the flames of war as I am unlike any other ruler, for I will not put them in the ground¡­ ¡°No, your enemies will see no rest, for they will be on the front lines against the Great Clans should they choose to attack the valley from the plains¡ªshould they choose to attack our home. By this time next month, I will guide you into a home you can be proud of¡­a home you can feel safe in...That is my word.¡± On prompt, Quin lowered her to the ground as she was serenaded with praise for her work and dedication. Elinor handed the wooden microphone to Alisa, the teenage girl practically glowing at the report, setting her heart at ease. Esmeralda was quick to jog over, her glowing orange irises brimming with an unholy desire that reflected her idol. ¡°Empress, please allow me to support Queen Tiffany; I will not be a burden, I swear!¡± ¡°Me, too, Empress!¡± ¡°Me, as well!¡± The coven heads of the warlocks and a few other witch groups joined them, feverish eyes wanting more than just being botanists, tending the fields, or healing wounds. Their cheer dampened as Elinor slowly shook her head. ¡°I need the witches here, girls...However, the warlocks may make the journey since they are more offensive-based.¡± ¡°Yes! Hah. In your face, Goldie Girl!¡± one boy laughed, clearly having some kind of rivalry or grudge against the most prominent witch student. Elinor caught the cringe from Alisa and a few of the other witch coven leaders; Esermalda¡¯s smile hadn¡¯t changed in the slightest as she turned to the seventeen-year-old boy. ¡°We all have our strengths¡­I hope you make it there without your food being poisoned¡­or a curse finding its way under your pillow.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, keep yappin¡¯. Thank you, Empress! Let¡¯s go, boys! We¡¯re on an adventure.¡± Several of the girls glared at the boys, and some of the older warlocks chastised the younger, gifted boy, who refused to apologize. Elinor was sure they were worried about becoming collateral damage in the certain war between factions that was bound to happen. She sighed and gave the grinning, sandy-blonde teen a look. Esmeralda giggled and winked. ¡°Queen Tiffany made me very aware of what lines I can and cannot cross. Don¡¯t worry about us, Empress. I¡¯m not so thin-skinned¡­but I do get my pound of flesh. Hehehe.¡± ¡°Witches will be witches,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Just be aware we are at war¡­and now you two want your turn?¡± she asked as Gloria and Virgil approached. ¡°I really must be going.¡± Her gaze darted to Lucky as he posed a question from Gwen that was important to answer that she¡¯d forgotten to address. Yes, let everyone know that when I return, I will be doing a mass resurrection ceremony. I¡¯ve become far stronger and capable of returning a great number of loved ones. ¡°You are merciful, Empress!¡± the charming brunette laughed. ¡°We will further refine the priority list before your return.¡± Virgil cleared his throat as Gloria glanced at him, keeping her mouth shut to likely not waste more time than was necessary. ¡°We¡¯d just like to know if we¡¯d have our place in the coming war. Our boys and ladies have been practicing hard these last few months.¡± Elinor¡¯s focus drifted to the stiff and at-attention boy knights and female paladins; they¡¯d seemingly split into their own paths on their own. ¡°Hmm¡­perhaps as a supportive role in the backlines. King Edmon is your general, though. I will take his opinion at the end of the day, so be sure to impress him.¡± ¡°Understood, Empress,¡± he said with a casual wave and smile that was very unlike his formal-looking wife next to him¡ªshe¡¯d heard about their cute wedding through the Nexus, done on the lake. ¡°We¡¯ll redouble our training efforts. Give ¡®em hell for us.¡± ¡°Oh¡­I will,¡± she chuckled. She had Theresa join her on one of Quin¡¯s extra hands; the Head Maid was now wearing a backpack with extra goods in case she needed them. Quin took them into the jungle with a word as Garu contacted her. Organize a defensive network around the Wixim camp. ¡°Mmm. I was wondering what my task might be,¡± he whispered. ¡°You think the Delthax Chief may attack while you¡¯re away?¡± I don¡¯t need to be certain it will happen to play into the possibility, she returned with a low growl. Quin is with me. War and Camellia are with the Roxim. Carlos is taking his forces to the east. Tiffany and Edmon are working on a secret project. Grace, Famine, and Death are handling the Clanless recruiting. While Butter, Mika, and Conquest are in the northwest¡­ ¡°I see,¡± the Ethereal ri¡¯bot agreed. ¡°We¡¯re stretched too thin with our officers. I¡¯m the only one left to defend the citizens. I¡¯ll work with Virgil, Grace, and the witches to further fortify the area. May your blade never chip, Empress.¡± Oh¡­I think there will be quite a few chipped blades when I am done, Elinor chuckled. We are going to war, after all. I only hope¡ªQuin, get to the top off the canopy!¡±
[Mika has returned to the void]
A familiar, chest-gripping claw sank into her heart, twisting Elinor¡¯s abdomen¡­the feeling she had when Raul¡ªher first Ghost soldier¡ªhad been purified by the Clavex Priestesses. ¡°Is something wrong, Empress?¡± Garu darkly returned. Quin repositioned a surprised Theresa against her chest. Tail looping around a branch, g-forces hit them as she launched into the sky, swinging tree to tree to break through the canopy high above. A chain shot out of the sky, attaching her to hand; the clattering chain launched her upward into the heavens. Wind whipped past Elinor as she used another chain to hang in the air, a fear she hadn¡¯t felt in a while, clutching at her breast while staring at the northwest¡ªMika¡¯s chains holding her to this world had shattered¡ªMika, her first raised ri¡¯bot¡­was gone, and right after they¡¯d returned from the Earth Crystal, showing up on her radar. Butter¡­what is happening? Don¡¯t you die on me, Sister! Her gut cramped as she felt a holy resonance deep within her core, and her sister¡¯s voice struck her chest like a speeding train. ¡°Twin Soul Expansion: Heaven¡¯s Domain.¡± Fire erupted in Elinor¡¯s chest; it was uncomfortable, and she grimaced as she lifted her free hand to her damaged left earring¡ªthe holy energy was further eroding its stability¡ªand then¡­it shattered, leaving her sister without a place to return if her body failed her. A shift happened within her soul, making her wince; they were still connected but in a far more loose way that could easily unravel. Dammit, Butter! B4 — 3.5. War Is A Challenge War strode forward without the fear of the darkness beyond the veiling mist that surrounded him, his mind on the Gray Coven witches who awaited his arrival. The heavy, humid air filled his undead lungs with the scent of damp earth and the distant promise of rain¡ªit always rained here. A traitor doesn¡¯t make sense, but the error is too grave to be negligence. Why do I have this feeling that I¡¯m missing something? All of the witches had enough personal time yesterday to cause trouble if they wanted to, and perhaps that freedom led to the opening for tampering¡­ The path to the caves below the mesa was a rugged and narrow trail through the large jungle trees, flanked by thick foliage that rustled in the wind. A thin mist hid much of the timid creatures that called the area home. The chatter was subdued tonight with Roxim warriors and scouts moving through the underbrush. Shoving thick ferns to the side, he arrived at the entrance to the mesa¡¯s complex network of caves, a gaping maw of black set into the rocky hillside. War paused, his illuminated crimson eyes drifting to the left as the Roxim scouts checked in. Everyone checked in¡­ He rubbed the back of his neck as prickles ran down his spine. Then why does it feel like the Roxim¡¯s bloodlust for battle is decreasing? They should be as tense as it can be at night. One problem at a time¡­ The usually hot nights had a chill mixed with the wind, emanating from within the cavern. He descended into the cool shadows, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls, loud and meant to be heard, as he made his way deeper into the subterranean labyrinth. The flickering light of torches brightened the main chamber, where the witches of the Gray Coven had gathered. Their voices mingled in a heated discussion as War stood in the darkness, listening to their explanations and accusations. Carla, the Circle Leader, was the first to speak, her voice tinged with frustration. ¡°I swear, I told Quinnel to inform you about the ritual¡¯s failure, Rylee,¡± she insisted, her eyes scanning the faces of her fellow witches for support, unsure and now looking toward the Coven Leader. ¡°Sofia and I went out to gather new ingredients to recreate the ritual since the right materials were missing. Our Roxim guard told you everything we did. I left all of that in Quinnel¡¯s hands since I prioritized the ritual.¡± Olivia interjected with a wry smirk and crossed arms. ¡°Quinnel''s not exactly known for her enthusiasm at completing tasks. Maybe she didn¡¯t hear that part but she sure heard the part about investigating and harping on my little sister for taking the materials.¡± Quinnel shifted uneasily at the edge of the group, typically quiet and introverted as the group shifted uncomfortably. The twenty-two-year-old woman¡¯s voice was soft, almost a whisper. ¡°I¡­I didn''t hear Carla say anything about the ritual being broken¡­just that she needed to go out for something and missing materials, but I did see her leave this morning with Sofia. Sofia¡¯s also been going off on her own to practice and find new ingredients¡­¡± The fourteen-year-old looked like she was going to cry. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to be helpful¡­everyone else is so good, and I wanted to find something new. You¡¯re always by yourself, too.¡± ¡°I just¡­don¡¯t like crowds,¡± Quinnel mumbled, looking away and fidgeting a little at the attention. ¡°I was always a loner growing up.¡± The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, each witch offering their perspective, the bickering casting a sharp edge to the atmosphere. War watched with a detached curiosity, noting the undercurrents of personality and allegiance that colored the debate. Sofia curled in, the fourteen-year-old closing her eyes and holding her hands over her ears; War recalled hearing that her parents often fought at home before they died in the ri¡¯bot attack, leaving the other girls to bring them into their circle, which was how she became a witch. Carla raised her hands upon seeing the trembling black-haired teen, her tone firm, showing her more authoritative personality as a Circle Leader. ¡°Enough. We can¡¯t keep going around in circles like this. We need answers, not excuses. I did keep Sofia out longer than I should, and she does need some sleep but she was quite helpful in finding these flowers,¡± she said with a small smile that seemed to help the teen settle down. War leaned against the cool cavern wall and cupped his mouth. Her comment made a few of the younger girls giggle, no doubt connecting it to their group being called a circle. Carla was swift to pull the focus back on herself. ¡°This is my responsibility¡ªthe buck stops with me. I should have gone to Rylee myself instead of prioritizing the ingredients. Communication is critical, and I was flustered and annoyed, not thinking clearly¡± She paused, a shadow of concern passing over her features while looking to her fellow Circle Leader, Hilda, and their Coven Leader, Rylee. ¡°But what¡¯s troubling me is that no one else noticed or stepped in when I was gone. That¡¯s not like us. There were multiple layers of error that happened from what I¡¯m hearing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Hilda sighed, kneeling down to separate the flowers, ferns, and grasses Carla and Sofia collected. ¡°Something isn¡¯t adding up here.¡± Sofia choked out a forced laugh that drew everyone¡¯s attention to the trembling girl as she knelt down to show a few pretty blue flowers. ¡°S-Shouldn¡¯t we focus on the ritual first? We¡¯re supposed to be friends¡­right? Can we stop fighting¡­please? We all want to serve The Empress, right?¡± War stepped out of the shadows, the conversation halting and all eyes turning toward him. Sofia is right about the ritual taking priority, but it is that very fact that requires us to figure out where the fault lies¡­ If it is sabotage, then allowing the same perpetrator to mess with the ritual again could spell disaster now that we¡¯re on the verge of war. This could be a simple series of unfortunate events, he mused, but better to act as if it isn¡¯t. Her eyes darted nervously to the shadows as he stepped out into the light, his tone low to silence the girls and make them listen. ¡°You¡¯re right, Sofia. The priority is to get the ritual working again. How long will it take, Rylee?¡± Rylee¡¯s expression calmed as she took a deep breath and looked toward Carla. ¡°It¡¯s a whole new ritual. Carla would be the only one to have the expertise since she¡¯s been studying it all day.¡± The blue-eyed botanist hummed, exchanging a frown with Rylee, the silence stretching as she weighed her response. Finally, she shook her head. ¡°With the new ingredients, we¡¯ll have to perform some tests. We need to see how potent these ingredients are and if they¡¯ll interact properly with the ritual¡¯s original design. Additionally¡­I¡¯m not that comfortable doing it if I¡¯m a suspect.¡± War had heard enough. He gestured for Rylee, Hilda, and Carla to join him a distance away, taking the torch to give them light. He led them to a quieter alcove, the echoes of the ongoing discussion fading as they stepped away. He looked between the two Circle Leaders and Rylee. ¡°We need to expedite this process. The Empress could be back in less than twelve hours. If there¡¯s any chance of sabotage, we can¡¯t afford delays or involving potentially compromised parties, laziness or nefarious notwithstanding.¡± Rylee nodded, her eyes thoughtful while shifting to stare at her two juniors. ¡°I¡¯ll coordinate with Hilda¡¯s Circle to streamline the testing. If the ingredients are viable, we¡¯ll work through the night and have the ritual back up by tomorrow.¡± Hilda, ever the pragmatic one, added, ¡°And I¡¯ll double-check the shifts. We need to ensure there¡¯s always more mature and advanced witches monitoring the ritual in pairs, especially if Carla¡¯s circle is engaged elsewhere due to suspicion.¡± A stillness fell over them as they looked to him to approve their plan. He wasn¡¯t satisfied, though. The sound of the distant jungle echoing through the cave pulled him in, the rhythm of life outside the cave a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere within. They already knew there were many tunnels underneath the valley, and it was possible that there was one that connected this side of the river to the other. War¡¯s mind raced through the possibilities, already processing the next steps, each scenario more troubling than the last. The Xaltan¡¯s movements across the river, the destruction of the ritual, too many errors that shouldn¡¯t have been made¡­ It¡¯s all too coincidental. ¡°Rylee, Hilda, Carla,¡± War began, his voice low as his narrowed eyes lifted to observe their reaction, ¡°I agree Hilda¡¯s Circle should handle the ritual testing. However¡­first, I need you to examine each other for potential mind control tactics. This could be a deliberate attack, and I want to rule out every possibility.¡± The three women exchanged nervous glances. Carla was the first to nod, her expression resolute. ¡°I have nothing to hide. It makes sense. If we are using the Empress¡¯ powers, then obviously we are loyal to her. That doesn¡¯t mean mind control can¡¯t exploit that, though. It¡¯s the only way they could sabotage our efforts without us noticing. Unless someone¡¯s gone delusional and sees us as an enemy to The Empress, which would have shown in other ways.¡± Rylee¡¯s lips pulled in for a moment, one arm held across her stomach and one hand cupping her chin. ¡°Was it broken when Olivia traded places with Carla? Carla, you mentioned Olivia was the last one to speak to Alisa¡¯s White Coven, confirming The Empress would return tomorrow morning. Ursula was with her, but you only noticed it was broken twenty minutes after taking over her shift with Sofia. Right?¡± Carla¡¯s brow furrowed in concentration. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t me, the only other potential break would have been Olivia, Ursula, or Sofia. Then again, perhaps someone managed to slip past them¡­ Zara managed to make that camouflage charm.¡± Silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken fears and suspicions. Rylee finally spoke, her voice carrying the weight of her position as the coven¡¯s leader. ¡°I think you¡¯re right, War. We need a thorough investigation of all our members. It¡¯s too important to pass up and could cause problems for the ritual itself if mental deception is at play.¡± Hilda nodded. ¡°If the three of us do it together, there¡¯s less chance of manipulation or foul play.¡± ¡°True,¡± Carla hummed, a dark look in her sapphire eyes as she glanced at him. ¡°Then again, if all of us are compromised in some way, then it wouldn¡¯t matter since we could exert our authority as leaders over the others to infect them. I¡¯d suggest you prepare for the possibility that the whole coven is compromised, and we¡¯d believe we were doing the right thing.¡± Teeth flashing in a wide smile, War glanced between the three dubious women, his chest shaking with mirth. ¡°What a terrible time for paranoia to strike¡­and in such a divisive way. I can feel the pounding drums of war rising. I do not think The Empress will make it before the initial battle starts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s worse than that, I fear,¡± Rylee whispered, running her fingers through her hair and shifting her hips to stare back at the passageway where the other girls waited. ¡°We¡¯re not well-versed in mind control rituals, War. That¡¯s more Esmeralda and the Warlock¡¯s field. We can attempt to probe for any outside influence, but I can¡¯t promise anything.¡± War held up the flaming torch to look into the flickering fire, casting long shadows across the area. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that everything was aligning too well, and every woman didn¡¯t show any signs of deception; then again, if they truly believed what they were doing was for The Empress, they wouldn¡¯t be acting. It was as if pieces were fitting into a puzzle he could only see the outline to, yet the image remained hidden. ¡°We will take what precautions we can. Do it. I¡¯ll remain here, listening. I want a thorough check, including a physical. Tell me what you find when you are finished.¡± The witches nodded, determination etched on their faces to uncover the truth. They returned to the main chamber, where the rest of the coven awaited, curiosity and concern mingling in their voices as War remained in the shadows, his back turned to them. The cool night air passing through the tunnels was a balm to his restless thoughts. He stared at the natural grooves in the walls, elements mixed in sparkling like stars peeking through cloudy browns, reds, and blue stone. Their stories and excuses fit too well. Too perfect. And that¡¯s what botched him. The hour dragged on as the witches conducted their examinations, each member scrutinized, questions whispered in the privacy of a side chamber between the three leaders and singled out girls before performing their simple analysis rituals. War knew that Rylee, Hilda, and Carla would do their best, but even their best might not be enough against a skilled manipulator like Shade or Jennifer. It didn¡¯t take long for the ri¡¯bot guards he¡¯d stationed around them to join him after he called for them since they weren¡¯t allowed inside the cave; they repeated everything the witches had said. An hour after they started Rylee emerged from the darkness and he dismissed the ri¡¯bot to retake their positions. Her torch met War¡¯s, and the woman¡¯s expression, a mix of relief and frustration, told him what she¡¯d found¡­nothing. War had concluded as much while listening to them throughout the exchange. ¡°Everyone checks out,¡± she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°Hilda, Carla, and I triple-checked everyone. Nothing seems wrong. You heard us perform a few rituals to put them into a daze to also check to see if they might say anything under another manipulation¡­but nothing. It might just be a lack of communication or something else we¡¯re missing. Maybe someone snuck in and sabotaged it, but¡­the alert rituals haven¡¯t picked up any movement. I don¡¯t know.¡± He looked at her for a few uncomfortable seconds before handing the nervous coven leader his torch. ¡°¡­Stay vigilant. We can¡¯t waste anymore time. Have Hilda¡¯s Circle do the communication ritual while Carla¡¯s double-checks every ritual around the settlement in pairs of three, with one group having four. We can¡¯t afford another oversight or mistake.¡± Rylee¡¯s mouth tightened, her vision downcast and fingers curling into a tight, frustrated fist. ¡°We were supposed to prevent things like this from happening¡­ How could we have been so blind and complacent? We¡¯ll proceed in groups of three, as you said.¡± Carla nodded. ¡°Why don¡¯t we start with Sofia since it¡¯s best she gets some rest after the day I put her through, searching through the jungle for replacement materials. Plus, she was with me, and I¡¯m the most suspicious, so it will put the primary suspects on the coals.¡± War watched the witches disperse, their focus renewed, but War lingered a moment longer, watching the shadows shift and dance around the cave¡¯s entrance as he moved to watch them form groups and distribute tasks. The women took a bit longer with Sofia than the rest, which made sense since they had to discuss how best to perform the mind control test and associating protocol they¡¯d use. They were also more gentle with the girl since she had been somewhat verbally abused by her parents. The three women tried to sooth the frightened teen by bringing her into the examination, allowing her to help them check each other. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. After fifteen minutes, they moved onto the others once testing a few rituals that War was careful to listen in on. Nothing odd stood out in the words but there were odd pauses from time to time. Everything became more streamlined with each new examination. Even the fourteen and fifteen year olds were determined to push on through the night, but Rylee, Carla, and Hilda insisted Sofia rest to her disappointment. Upon seeing them moving as one body, tightening up roles and carefully crafted teams, they split to their tasks, and War entered the night again. Despite the thorough investigation, nothing came up, which didn¡¯t sit right with him, yet there were boundaries The Empress would expect him to keep¡ªhe couldn¡¯t go stripping or interrogating fourteen-year-olds. The darkness was more alive with the hum of unseen forces as he exited, the mist thinning a tad. A gentle rain fell over them that would pass in less than an hour, but it sharpened his mind. War¡¯s greaves sank into the mud, leaving a path anyone could follow, daring anyone to do so as he strolled toward the lake. He lifted the radio to his mouth and pressed the button as the liquid started to fall. ¡°Any movement across the river?¡± ¡°Not to the east.¡± ¡°Across the river is clear, other than boat keepers tending to them. A change in maintenance shifts thirty minutes ago.¡± ¡°The west is still¡­ The fish were acting up earlier. It¡¯s not uncommon in the rainy season. Ground units in the area report nothing from the Clanless territory.¡± War¡¯s mind returned to the possibility of sabotage as the reports continued until finished. There were some things to investigate, but nothing immediately threatening. However, the unsettling thought that their defenses were compromised kept returning. Yet, what could he do if he didn¡¯t know where? One wrong decision could weaken a place the Xaltan could exploit. Mental warfare¡­ He returned the radio to his belt strap and clasped his hands behind his back on his path down the hill to the lake. They¡¯re not taking overt action but poking at places with subtle tactics to misdirect our attention. Either the Gray Coven is compromised as a whole or aren¡¯t at this point. The issue is, they¡¯re the only ones who can create the ritual needed to communicate with The Empress, and the rest of the Empire, which is a must. They¡¯ve all had Roxim bodyguards, as well¡­ Reaching the Roxim settlement with the gentle rain falling over him, War let the elements attack while observing the heightened alert from the ri¡¯bot warriors as their citizens slept. The Roxim torlim riders were vigilant, their eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of threat. His bright crimson irises drifted to the side as Fennel returned at the same time as him, seemingly coming from the Roxim¡¯s other settlements not on the front line. ¡°Any issues from the north?¡± Fennel¡¯s discolored, slick green skin gleamed to War¡¯s darkness-piercing gaze. A low growl rumbled in the High Warrior¡¯s mouth as fire sparked over his mystical ax, spinning it in a slow circle with agitation before holstering it on his approach. ¡°Less true warriors than I anticipated from the proxy leaders, and a lower standard for trained torlim than last season. The spotters on the northern mesa reported the Clanless being more active than usual, possibly a coalition of sorts at the quen¡¯talrat Black Mines. Other than that, around five hundred more Young Bloods and retired warriors picked up the ax.¡± Not particularly anything worth War¡¯s notice. Although, Valentina had been given the task of rallying the Clanless to join The Empress, so perhaps she was making progress. ¡°Five hundred young for any manual labor needed and some older administration officers could lighten the burden and give us more eyes¡­ Fennel, wake the Chief. Something is happening,¡± he muttered, looking up at the gloomy night sky as lightning flashed across the clouds, lighting up the heavens. Fennel¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Should I call the generals and set the forces for active combat rather than alert?¡± War thought about it for a moment and shook his head. ¡°We need everyone to be rested and ready for a major attack, and I don¡¯t have any solid evidence yet¡­ It¡¯s better he knows now rather than later, though.¡± The High Warrior left without a word, and War glanced left, spotting the first witch group of three as Zara, Olivia, and Sofia together; it seemed the young teen managed to weasel her way out of sleep or just couldn¡¯t with everything happening, which he could understand. Then again, it was a strange combination¡ªa fourteen, sixteen, and eighteen-year-old together¡ªbut upon further inquiry, he learned that they were sent to keep total watch on this ritual communication device inside the camp. He watched them move with purpose upon breaking away, wearing their ponchos and huddling close to one another in the downpour, their steps quick and deliberate. I suppose it makes sense to group them since they were in totally different places for the most part yesterday. Zara was making her charm, Olivia was in the last group that was in charge of overseeing the broken ritual, and Sofia was in the group after it was discovered broken. However, all of them aren¡¯t skilled enough to do much but maintain a ritual, and if they break this one, then we¡¯ll have confirmation. War felt the familiar burn of anticipation in his veins as the bloodlust within him roared for a real fight, a pyroclastic flow ready to erupt from his two-handed blade. This was his element, the chaos of war, the dance of strategy and strength. War thrived in it, even as he recognized the danger that loomed on the horizon, he was ready to brawl. His smile rose as Chief Zargoth exited his hut, a warrior¡¯s favor following him with the vibe he sent to his men around the settlement. Conflict¡­change¡­ I could care less if I lose this battle because losing a battle isn¡¯t losing the war. War is the force that moves nations and topples empires. What fun has the Xaltan, Jennifer, and Shade cooked up for me? Informing the chief of what was happening in the background, the leader sent his men to sleep in shifts at their battle locations. The drummers were ready to alert the population at a moment¡¯s notice. It didn¡¯t take long before the rain lifted, leaving a low mist that would be swept away by morning. Yet, not a whisper came from across the river. His illuminated eyes remained fixed on the vast river, kilometers across as the night air carried whispers of tension and anticipation. The Roxim torlim riders maintained their vigilant patrols, their bodies moving with a silent grace that belied the chaos simmering beneath the surface. The jungle, alive with its own rhythm, held its breath as if waiting for the first note of an impending symphony of conflict. He¡¯d been on the side of was now becoming more noticeable, something most seasoned soldiers would recognize¡ªthe impending dread of a slaughter. The only question is, Red mused to himself, is the slaughter for us or them? Whatever the case, I can feel the heat on the back of my neck¡­ It¡¯s close. As the first hints of dawn brushed the horizon with pale strokes of light, Rylee approached him, her movements steady despite the weariness etched on her features. The Gray Witch had been working tirelessly, orchestrating the witches to restore the ritual and ensure the camp''s defenses were impregnable. ¡°Everything¡¯s in order,¡± Rylee reported, her voice a calm anchor in the midst of uncertainty. ¡°The ritual is up, and the communication grid is stable. We haven¡¯t heard from the Empress, but I¡¯m confident she¡¯ll return soon from the earlier report, if not already arrived.¡± War nodded, his gaze shifting to the horizon where the sun began its ascent, casting long shadows that stretched across the land. ¡°Good. The Empress should be back by now. At this distance, I can¡¯t tell through the Nexus, but soon¡­ Keep everyone alert. I don¡¯t trust this quiet.¡± Rylee hesitated, her sharp green eyes meeting his. ¡°Do you think it was sabotage? The witches would never¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about trust,¡± War interrupted, his voice firm and his smile wide. ¡°To put it bluntly, we¡¯ve been outplayed. I just need to see how. If it wasn¡¯t you or your witches, then someone else knows how to disrupt the ritual. Perhaps Shade. Leave the Roxim warriors defending the ritual sites and bring them here for safety. We¡¯ve done everything we¡ª¡± Before Rylee could respond, the radio on War¡¯s belt went off, and Chief Zargoth echoed its report, his voice booming from behind them. ¡°Movement across the river. They¡¯re preparing the boats for attack!¡± War¡¯s mind raced, feeling the torturous pain in his chest as the pieces of the puzzle refused to fit together. If the witches didn¡¯t sabotage the ritual, who did? The knowledge required to disrupt such a delicate process without notice is beyond most, yet someone did it. Wait¡­ Eyes widening, he cast his gaze to the west at the high mesa cutting a knife through the valley. That report of ship movements¡­ It came from the river team. The slaughter, the failing bloodlust of the Roxim warriors¡­ Not failing, disappearing. He lifted the radio to his mouth, Zargoth and Fennel catching his expression and rushing over as he shouted, ¡°Mesa Lookout Teams, report.¡± The response was swift. ¡°Movement across the river!¡± Yet, now that he was focused on the voice, it didn¡¯t sound like anyone from the previous reports. ¡°Name and rank,¡± War demanded, excited rather than angry as the pieces finally fit into place. The line went silent¡ªa chilling confirmation that the mesa was compromised. But when? Rylee¡¯s face went ashen and she took off at a sprint toward the jungle, no doubt realizing the truth. As he turned to inform the chief, he spotted Zara jogging toward him, her expression one of excitement and urgency. Then, it struck him. ¡°War!¡± she yelled past the shouts and calls as instructions were sent to the drummers to convey the chief¡¯s orders. ¡°War, I went to the bathroom, and¡ªand when I got back, Sofia and my sister said The Empress is back and she wanted to talk to you! They said she just called!¡± How did the Xaltan dismantle or bypass every ritual alarm Rylee¡¯s coven set¡­when she said everything was perfect? How many of them are compromised? We¡¯ve already lost. ¡°War?¡± Zara panted, the sixteen-year-old following his gaze to the mesa, where Red felt a total lack of its former bloodlust. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? The Empress, she¡­¡± Instincts flaring, a smirk lifted his lips and he held up a hand to stop her. ¡°Zara, go into hiding. Now. Alone.¡± The confusion in her eyes was palpable, but she nodded, understanding the gravity in his voice. ¡°W-What about my big sister and Sofia?¡± War rubbed his chin, calculating the odds and tactics the Xaltan had employed as he thought of the two young witches. ¡°I¡¯ll give them the same order as I gave to you, and don¡¯t come out for anything until The Empress sends someone. At least one person needs to make it out alive to report what happened¡ªgo.¡± A shadow passed over Zara¡¯s face, a mix of fear and uncertainty in leaving her sister. ¡°But¡­no, I trust you, War. I have faith in The Empress, even if we die!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t welcome your grave yet, kid. Survive,¡± War replied, his voice a low rumble while rubbing her head and sending her off. ¡°Take whoever you can¡­they¡¯re coming. Again, don¡¯t come out for anything, even your sister. Stay hidden.¡± Zara nodded, her small form disappearing into the crowd of organizing ri¡¯bot. As she vanished, War turned to see Olivia and Sofia approaching with Chief Zargoth landing beside him, their expressions mixed with confusion and excitement. Zargath¡¯s narrowed eyes were on him. ¡°I heard The Empress has returned?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what they said,¡± he mumbled, giving him a firm ¡°but I want you to deliver a message to your people¡­ Do not resist. We¡¯ve already lost.¡± He exchanged a look with Zargoth, the chief¡¯s nose creasing while piecing together everything they¡¯d talked about throughout the night. ¡°War, we need you in the communication tent,¡± Sofia cried, huffing and puffing with Olivia beside her. ¡°T-There¡¯s an urgent message from the Wixum Lake¡ªThe Empress! She said she needs you and Chief Zargoth!¡± ¡°Wait¡­where¡¯s Zara?¡± Olivia asked, glancing around at the citizens going into underground shelters and northward to the nearby settlements. ¡°I told her to tell you first¡­¡± Zargoth glanced between the two totally normal girls. Understanding the possible implication of a trap, War was impressed as Zargoth ran the calculations in seconds before responding. ¡°I¡¯ll give Fennel the order¡­ I¡¯ll meet you there.¡± War was slightly surprised as Sofia and Olivia didn¡¯t so much as make a fuss at Zargoth being late, more concerned about where Zara had gone and if she¡¯d gotten lost in the crowd when a battle was about to start. He comforted them, saying he¡¯d sent her on another errand, sparking conversation between the fourteen and eighteen-year-old. He studied their behavior on the way, less concerned about what was coming and more interested in the power that had caught him off-guard. If this is mind control, it¡¯s so far advanced that it could topple entire empires with how subtle it is¡­ Not one person realized it, and none of us would have noticed if not for the sabotage being discovered, which means they hadn¡¯t gotten full control over the coven last night¡­ Okay, trip your trap. Let me see the trick. They made their way to the tent, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. The jungle around them seemed to pulse with life as the ri¡¯bot made battle preparations. He awaited the thrilling moment; he was War, so why would he fear conflict or death? War always returned, and what better way than to inform his Empress something happened. Olivia was the first inside, pulling back the tent flap. The inside was lined with ritualistic symbols and additions. As War entered, the older sister motioned to the animal skull that acted as the speaker and receiver. ¡°Sofia and I will start it up¡ªSofie!¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m coming¡ªI¡¯ve only done this a few times.¡± Breathing out a long sigh, she looked nervous while bending down on the opposite side. ¡°Here we go¡­everything we¡¯ve prepared for.¡± Olivia¡¯s face turned sharp with focus as Sofia mirrored her words, resonating with her magic. The ritual seal flared to life all around them, Red¡¯s teeth flashing as sticky spider¡¯s thread snaked around his frame, locking his feet in place first to rise up to his chest and around his throat. ¡°By the elements of earth and water, we call upon the ancient darkness within the planet¡ªthe benefactor of our mistress¡ªthat is vast and scattered. Unite the strong silk of otherworldly properties and bind this warrior in a cocoon prison, shrouded in thy abyss!¡± Red stood tall and resolute, his hands held behind his back while observing and studying every aspect of the trap the Xaltan set. And, at this point, Jennifer was all but guaranteed. Sofia poured a silvery liquid onto the ground at War¡¯s feet, and it spread like liquid fire up the thread-like bindings, tracing the salt lines on the tent and igniting them in a brilliant blaze that destroyed the covering. The light danced and flickered, casting long shadows that writhed and twisted like living things. Olivia and Sofia¡¯s voices spoke in unison, blending in a rhythmic chant as they looked at him with such venom that he might as well be Shade himself. ¡°By sacrificial life from ritual transference, we sacrifice the souls of five for five chains, lives willingly given. By blood and bone, by flesh and spirit, let the ties that bind be strong and unbroken. Anchor him in the here and now in the shadows of the powerful silk of monsters¡¯ past.¡± The tent scattered and destroyed, War could do nothing but stand and watch as the Xaltan elite force slipped out of shadows, wielding thread-like steel to bind the shocked warriors, and struck with a precision and ferocity that spoke of meticulous planning with prepared targets. War¡¯s muscles coiled, the chains around him tightening as he tested their strength. Zargoth¡¯s roar in the distance, and he saw him battling four of the shadowy ri¡¯bot at once, his fire eating through their silky ropes. It wasn¡¯t long before he was overwhelmed, Fennel falling into a web of silk just before his chief, their defiance echoing in the confined space, the chief¡¯s fiery nature undiminished even in captivity. Of course, he was merely drawing their attention to hopefully allow anyone else to escape, but Red doubted that was possible after such careful planning. It wasn¡¯t long until the orchestrator behind this assault made her way into the camp, the citizens being herded like cattle. Oliva and Sofia were sweating, barely able to keep their eyes open as the seal settled around him. The eighteen-year-old¡¯s nose twitched with hatred. ¡°Wherever you hid my sister, traitor¡­I¡¯ll find her.¡± War¡¯s smile didn¡¯t diminish as she collapsed and the brown-haired manipulator walked right up to him, her smile gloating. Her voice was filled with mirth while circling him like a shark. ¡°The great War, fashioned after the very personification of the word for his empress¡¯ needs, bound and brought low by teenage girls.¡± ¡°How did you do it?¡± War asked, spotting similar rituals binding other warriors across the settlement from hidden rituals the Gray Coven had made. Already, the Xaltan were spreading the mark of the Scarlet Hand across the settlement. ¡°When did you get to them? Back on Earth?¡± Jennifer¡¯s sky-blue eyes drifted to Sofia as she pulled back her ratty hair and knelt to pull back the fourteen-year-old girl¡¯s tank top to show a red handprint beneath it, burned into her flash as if done by an iron. ¡°No one suspects the little girl who wanders away, trying to be useful to the big sisters she looks up to¡­ The child with no experience. They¡¯re true believers, which makes manipulating their minds easy.¡± Heart and pride clashed within War, yet a snap within him halted all thought within his mind. Jennifer giggled, stepping closer to study him like a specimen. ¡°Let me guess, Butter¡¯s phylactery just shattered, and your Nexus is unstable¡­ Your Empress has no idea what is happening. I had to time this very precisely. Take that as a compliment because you¡¯re far too dangerous to be left unbound.¡± War laughed, his heart free and realizing the full extent of her plan; he¡¯d been right to surrender. The counter attack was already in motion because he could feel it now with the unstable Nexus; his Empress was growing stronger, and likewise, so was he. ¡°You intend to keep me alive so My Empress stays in the dark¡­ Your mistake,¡± he grinned, his crimson eyes burning her face into his mind. ¡°Take me away.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure. Keep struggling, but those threads are far beyond your ability to break, and your own little witches will strengthen it soon enough.¡± A warrior¡¯s rage welled up within him as he saw Rylee and the other tired witches meet Jennifer with respect; she was impersonating Elinor herself to them. Yet, all War felt was thankful, for nothing felt better than battling against impossible odds. For War, this was the essence of existence¡ªthe challenge, the struggle, the fight that defined him. Prisoner today¡­ A king of slaughter tonight. Placed on a cart to be wheeled onto the boats that would ferry the Roxim citizens back to Xaltan territory, War gave the enraged chief a look that told him to be patient. Bide your time, Friend¡­ Tonight, we feast. B4 — 4. The Challenge Hanging in the hot jungle air, a gust pressed against Elinor¡¯s frame while she studied the northwest. The thick, pungent smell of vegetation filled her nose with flowers, decaying greenery, damp soil, and wood. Beams of the bright sun overhead showered her in heat, yet it couldn¡¯t ease the maddening chill that swept through her agitated soul as she scanned the rolling mists hanging over the northern cliffs in the distance. Not a soul knew of the trouble compressing within her chest; it was too far away for any of them to notice any reflux inside the Nexus. Butter was strong after fusing with Elinor¡¯s former body; she felt it when they¡¯d fought Ashrit. Her fingers closed around the shattered diamond inside her palm. Something was wrong, though¡­ Something was very wrong. Elinor¡¯s emerald eyes wandered the Delthax cliffs in the distance, leading to the towering mountains with their lightly snowy peaks. Spotted, low-hanging clouds covered sections of the area, no doubt blanketing Butter in a veil of fog. Somewhere above that area, her sister was struggling against¡­something. Mika was dead¡ªsent back to the void. Butter¡¯s phylactery had been shattered due to her being forced to activate her Soul Expansion¡­and there wasn¡¯t a damn thing she could do about it. Once again, she was spread too thin. It was a recurring theme over the past few months and something she needed to correct¡ªswiftly. Nose twisting with agitation, she let go of the chain, falling through open air as the links snapped back into the void. Allowing herself to be caught, the soft cushion of Quin¡¯s large hand broke her fall, and Theresa¡¯s sharp eyes caught the broken earring in her palm as she righted herself to sit on the gorilla¡¯s hand. ¡°Empress, Is¡­is High Queen Butter in danger?¡± Tucking her knee up to her chin while staring at it, Elinor stared at the dimming, golden hues that were escaping the item, returning it to its black origin; the Holy Force within it burned her skin, but it wasn¡¯t lethal now that the connection had been cut. In a way, that was a blessing. Hot air streamed through Quin¡¯s nostrils as she looked to the northeast, her muscles tensing; the fatty butterfly was an important figure within many of the citizens¡¯ stable worlds. Yet, Elinor shut down the pair¡¯s protective impulses that were instinctively bound into their souls. Butter is a big girl. She can handle herself¡­ Garu, she said, connecting to the mist toad by the Wixum lake. ¡°A change in plans, Empress?¡± the young officer instantly replied. Not a change in plans. Just an update needed to be sent to my father and mother¡­ Mika is gone. My sister is still alive, but her phylactery is broken, and mine is nearing the end of its life. She has activated her Soul Expansion and is likely dealing with a troublesome foe with White, Adoncia, and Ang¨¦lica. Theresa¡¯s somber voice entered the discussion. ¡°Empress, If Mika fell as a Lieutenant, Uncommon-Grade military unit, then the two maids would stand no chance.¡± I am aware, Elinor muttered, standing on Quin¡¯s hand to look across the sea of jungle trees and watching the wind create waves along its surface. It is likely why Butter activated her Soul Expansion in the first place¡­to protect them. I don¡¯t know how long she can keep it up or her new body can last with it active, but she will be relying on White to carry them out of danger. Garu sighed. ¡°It is their duty to protect the High Queen, not the other way around.¡± A half-smile lifted Elinor¡¯s lips as she felt Theresa¡¯s emotional tug of respect that Butter would prioritize the maids within her care. I¡¯ll give you permission to tell Butter that, but good luck convincing her¡­ Butter is proud like that, and I¡¯m sure she¡¯s pissed as it is¡­ I know I would be if I had to return and report my miscalculation which cost us a valuable soldier. Butter is not the type to drop things and run for her life. She¡¯ll exact her payment in blood. Motioning for Quin to keep going, Elinor stabilized herself on the gorilla¡¯s palm. We will honor Mika when we can and when Butter returns with her story¡­ Hopefully, with Mika¡¯s body, so that we can return it to the Roxim. She¡¯s more than proved her worthiness to be welcomed back into her old clan as a hero. I need you to inform King Edmon and Queen Tiffany of what has happened¡­and this: I cannot use Soul Expansion, or else it will shatter like Butter¡¯s. It isn¡¯t the end of the world. My Artificial Body can probably hold my soul¡­but we are more vulnerable than I anticipated. I need to find more soldiers and solutions to even the odds if we are going to be fighting large armies¡­ And tell my dad to have faith in his daughters as we descend into this madness. ¡°I will send the message along to select individuals within the Serving Court to relay.¡± Elinor retreated into her Soul Expanse as Quin carried her to the tri-zone territory between the Wixum, Lethix, and Flex. They¡¯d arrive at the location in less than ten minutes with Quin¡¯s superior navigation aptitude in the jungle environment, albeit not Camellia¡¯s insane level. Still, no one she had could compare to the monstrous spider. Elinor sat in her chair inside her floating mansion, clearing away the wall to study the expansive, over two-hundred-kilometer-wide valley with its colossal black fortress on its northern half. She saw the future rather than the present and the price she might have to pay to realize that vision. Her goal wasn¡¯t just to own this jungle but to tame it. This world was rich with secrets, dangers, and opportunities. The potential for what this valley could symbolize could make this a real home for her citizens. Yet, with that future came risks and sacrifices. To the north of her empire was the old quen¡¯talrat badlands, a vast wilderness of barren fields abandoned for this lush valley. It was free real estate that was reportedly ten times larger than her little nest egg. She couldn¡¯t believe someone like the White God of the quen¡¯talrat would leave it unused either; there had to be something there. Her gaze wandered from the seemingly endless yellow grass plains to the east, where vibrant green fields sprawled out. Waterways split off from the wide serpentine river cutting through its rolling hills that snaked its way into her valley, providing a ripe section of land to be cultivated. Powerful ri¡¯bot clans were gathering their armies to Krava¡¯s warcry across the region, the war hero chief hoping to raise up an insurmountable host to crush her. A small chuckle shook her chest as she considered how poorly this could have gone for her if he¡¯d taken a more aggressive stance against his former best friend. If Krava had cast aside his friendship and respect for Valdar, appealing to Chief Kalix behind the Plant Caller¡¯s back, Elinor could see the Delthax¡¯s current chief siding with the Komath¡¯s war hero. He had a real chance at succeeding in turning the Delthax against her. He could have used Kalix¡¯s pure animosity toward the Flex Clan to shut down his grandfather¡¯s voice within the community, offering his clan¡¯s strength and joining forces with them to deliver a decisive victory against the Flex and Lethix. However, Krava¡¯s pride was too great to unite with any clan he believed to be ¡®weaker¡¯ than him. At least, that is what she¡¯d come to understand. It lined up with his opinion of the Roxim¡¯s failing military prowess. Instead of taking the quickest way to stamp out her small advantage in the valley, the orange-skinned toad had stormed off to the east to entreat the Great Chiefs of the plains. The old toad¡¯s decision was both right and so very wrong at the same time. He saw the diminishing power of the clans around him¡ªmuch as Valdar did¡ªand that was the correct opinion. He needed a way to build up his own clan¡¯s foothold in the valley¡­ To once again find pride in his people. It was here he¡¯d taken a divergent path to the Grand Plant Caller. Krava turned to the Great Clans of the East for his support. It was a bold move, and one taken with risk to his own territory since he¡¯d need to abandon it and send his people south, out of the valley. It also showed that Krava¡¯s pride was worth more than his clan¡¯s. And luckily, that gave her time to prepare. Elinor¡¯s focus moved to the south, where the Great Ruby Lakes glittered like dazzling rubies in the sun¡¯s reflection on their vast, bloody pools. Klaus was having trouble getting the clout needed to talk to the nalevean High Lord, their name for an emperor. In fact, from his report, he couldn¡¯t even get a proper foothold with the Clavex¡¯s Supreme Mother. It was no fault of his; the man had made several important connections that brought him closer to that goal. Yet, it was the snake woman, Yesenia, who was giving Elinor an edge of caution. The former prison warden that the Scarlet Hand had booted off to this world, like Roman and her, seemed to be making strides with them. It was a troubling development based on her ambassador¡¯s reports. She didn¡¯t have the leniency to divert her focus to the south, though. First, she needed to secure her empire, which would give her the clout she needed. And the mysterious kingdom of ri¡¯bot beyond the mountains to their west could prove useful if they could create a stable trade route between them. Well, unless they also wanted to go to war, giving her more land to absorb into her growing empire¡ªtime would tell. Green eyes lighting with fire, Elinor glared at the black spires of the mysterious and awesome former capital of the quen¡¯talrat. In any case, if she wanted to bring her people to this fortress city and cement their pride in this new world as their home, it was time for her to stop messing around. Theresa informed her of their soon arrival at the challenge grounds, and she left her internal world, stopping Quin from fully exiting the jungle. ¡°You want me to stay behind, Empress?¡± the confused gorilla woman asked, hanging from one of the branches high within the canopy. Elinor hopped off of her open palm, carefully aiming her descent from high up within the jungle canopy. Theresa seemed to have total faith in her and followed without a second thought; the woman had no ability to break her fall but had seen enough regarding her chains. Find somewhere close by to lay low, out of the range of the Wixum guard. Soon enough, I will show you one of the new abilities I gained during my training this week. ¡°Oh?! I cannot wait to see your power, Empress!¡± The hot wind rushed past her bare skin, pressing against her tank top and shorts. Theresa held her legs to the side, using one hand to keep her dress from slipping off while holding her other up since she¡¯d already seen how Elinor was operating now. The stunned, minimal guard of the Wixum watched them fall in shock. Yet, just before reaching the muddy earth, chains split space, connecting to their open palms. Locking their spirits and bodies to prevent any damage to joints, the tension gradually tightened as they came to a stop just before touching the jungle floor. Theresa landed with a grace that befitted the motherly woman, and Elinor¡¯s boots touched the soil beside her, less interested in looking cool. One of the few senior warriors excitedly jumped down from the trees to join them as Quin slipped into the branches. It was impressive how such a giant ape could blend into the jungle. ¡°Empress, I knew you would not run away; we¡¯ll make a load of bushel berries from everyone that took bets! Talia, go inform the Chiefs that the Empress has arrived!¡± ¡°Right away, Lead Warrior!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Elinor asked, adjusting her tank top and shorts as the thrilled and semi-nervous ri¡¯bot surrounded her. ¡°And who is spreading this rumor that I would run away from this challenge¡­that I suggested?¡± He forced a laugh, his big toad-like eyes shifting to his buddies while rubbing his stationary neck, the bulge on it blowing up and expelling air as he talked. ¡°Xaria Meji, 2nd-in-command of the Delthax warriors, Empress. He has been speaking much about your absence these last several days and your lack of a military presence at the challenge arena.¡± ¡°Yes, Empress,¡± another younger warrior of the Wixum piped up. ¡°Tensions are high among the Flex and Lethix due to the minimal warriors the Delthax has brought when they so vehemently oppose you ascending to Great Chief of the coalition.¡± Elinor stretched out her fingers high above her head with a short laugh. ¡°Is that right? Let¡¯s meet the other representatives. Who has shown up from each clan to oppose my challenge?¡± The young, inexperienced Wixum New Bloods clustered around her, expressing their excitement at what was to come. It seemed after Nebu died that the few male Wixum men left¡ªand quite a few female toads¡ªhad gravitated toward Garu as their idol, who gave his allegiances to her. And that meant, in the eyes of these youth, she was basically a goddess. ¡°Elder Chief Valdar is here with a few of his top Plant Callers.¡± ¡°They don¡¯t seem to be getting along well with their chief, Empress, and Chief Kalix has been very¡­hostile toward our chief,¡± one female warrior mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s a little upsetting, to be honest. Chief Kalix and Elder Chief Valdar have argued a lot¡­ Everyone was really scared of what might happen if you didn¡¯t show up, Empress¡ªit would probably be a total war on all sides.¡± A short male toad strained a smile, long tongue sliding out to wet his chin in a nervous gesture as Theresa kept her eyes ahead, anticipating danger. The toads didn¡¯t seem so concerned, though, but they believed in the pride of each clan before their Supreme Chiefs to remain neutral, as was their word. ¡°2nd Rank Xaria Ectria is here and said she wanted to test your strength, but 2nd Rank Xaria Kole¡­is not here, which is causing some people to spread rumors about where he is¡­ Maybe he is leading an attack against the Flex¡¯s villages.¡± ¡°No!¡± the previous female warrior scoffed. ¡°Xaria Kole is a man of honor! He¡¯s probably overlooking the defense of their cliffs. If it would be anyone who broke their word, it would be Meji¡­ I¡¯ve heard things about Meji from some of the other Young Blood Delthax¡ªthey like to talk to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure they do,¡± Elinor chuckled, allowing the youngsters to clear obstacles for her on their path to the clearing. ¡°I know quite a bit about what the Delthax has been up to, but what about the rumors regarding the Flex and Lethix¡­and is Chief Zargoth of the Roxim here?¡± The first ri¡¯bot who had addressed her glanced at the other Young Bloods, scratching his left arm. ¡°I¡¯m¡­afraid not, Empress. He stated that you have his clan¡¯s support and will be putting his efforts into securing his people against the Xaltan invasion. He did send a runner to watch and report the results, though.¡± The girl jumped back in, her light-blue skin glossy and polished, which Elinor had come to learn was a sign that she was looking for a mate. Her words didn¡¯t betray that visual display. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Oh, the Flex and Lethix have brought some stronger warriors, but most of them are Young Bloods¡­hehe, and wooh, do they have a lot of boys! I¡¯ve counted at least three hundred each, and all of them look, eh¡­really ugly!¡± she said with an unconvincing laugh at the other blue-skinned boys¡¯ dull glares. The girls all averted their eyes in ashamed agreement, though. It was obvious that the human influence amongst the Wixum over the last few months was breaking down a lot of social barriers with the youngster toads. It would have been nonsense for such talk to happen before she came to this world, but now, at least when it came to these ri¡¯bot, they all believed she would take the leadership role and usher in a change. ¡°So, the Flex and Lethix expected foul play and left the bulk of their forces with their settlements,¡± Elinor mused, clasping her hands behind her back while stepping over large twigs in this world that would be considered branches on Earth. ¡°If their strongest cannot keep up with me, then the others would be a waste to bring¡­ It¡¯s smart.¡± She saw the beaming looks the young toads shot one another at her praising words. It really was a cultural revolution. Krava was right to be terrified of her. She was poison to their archaic ways, but that didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d tramp over all of them¡­ Only the deadwood that needed to be burned. Her half-smile grew as she entered the clearing and saw what the clans had been working on over the week. A stage of bound wooden logs had been laid out, a cage-like framework on all sides to provide launching platforms for the jumpy toads. It was an arena built with the ri¡¯bot¡¯s advantages in mind. The other clans were swift to lock onto her entrance after a few of the Young Bloods had dashed ahead to warn them. A hush took the youngsters, and the throng¡¯s eyes fell upon Theresa and her on their path toward the smoothly shaved arena platform. A strong breeze brought the sweet-and-sour scent of fruit across the glade. Her gaze drifted between the four sides of the arena. Each side of the square hosted a cluster of the main fighting forces of each clan. It was time for her to show these toads who they were dealing with¡­today was a day of violence. Curiosity moved the Flex and Lethix leaders¡¯ expressions; the two chiefs and their advisors moved to a conjoined area to speak. The light and dark brown-skinned clan stood tall, awaiting any action from their leaders, as their Xaria moved along their ranks, hyping them up. On the other hand, apprehension was firmly fixed on Chief Yimara¡¯s face as the Wixum chief jumped onto the platform to talk to her. The very few senior warriors of the light-blue ri¡¯bot were lighting up with confidence as the Young Bloods ran to speak to them¡ªshe¡¯d already won the hearts of the lake toads. Yet, her most argent opposition was right in front of her as she mounted the steps leading up to the cliff face. Chief Kalix¡¯s twitching nose and scowl said it all; they¡¯d expected her to shy away from this challenge. She¡¯d said that she¡¯d face all of them herself, but Elinor doubted they actually believed she would follow through with it. It was an insult in their eyes for her to only bring one of her weak, human maids along to observe. Valdar was quick to jog up to the stage, no doubt feeling relief that she¡¯d made her appearance long before the sun went down, and a discolored, green-skinned female ri¡¯bot straightened on her torlim, alligator-toad mount¡ªthe Roxim¡¯s representative. Packs of blue and brown ri¡¯bot spotted the wide open area in their cliques, and ahead of her loomed the tall cliff that rose over a hundred meters to Flex territory. She didn¡¯t slow her pace or look away upon climbing the steps to the single witch woman who had volunteered to operate the speaker system. Theresa told her the woman¡¯s station and name on their approach. ¡°Kaya, I see you¡¯ve made it to the 2nd Circle Rank within your coven by that blue armband¡ªa full-fledged Intermediate Witch. One more rank, and you¡¯ll catch up to Esmeralda and Alisa as Advanced Witches. It must have been challenging to reach this place on your own; I heard you made the trip yourself.¡± The 27-year-old woman chuckled, holding one of the White Witch microphones that she¡¯d been given back at the lake, seemingly the prototype this Columbian woman had made. ¡°Thank you, Empress. This job was my test to reach the 2nd Circle and uplift my coven¡­ I couldn¡¯t fail since my team was counting on me.¡± She swept back her shoulder-length black locks behind her ears before handing her the item. ¡°I feel a little ashamed at being outpaced by teenage girls, but I¡¯m trying my best. Alisa is a big inspiration after starting her White Coven. It made a few of us more sure of ourselves to take a less¡­dark route to gain access to your gifts in contrast to Esmeralda and Queen Tiffany. Everything is prepared.¡± ¡°Good. Theresa will accompany you and let you know when to activate this ingenious network you¡¯ve developed,¡± she said, scanning the various wooden boxes hung around the clearing. ¡°I look forward to seeing the fruits of your labor.¡± The woman bowed her head with an anxious smile. She was wearing shorts and a tank top, and her brown skin was slick with sweat and dirt, showing how hard she¡¯d worked over the last few days¡ªshe¡¯d want to take a shower when she returned to the lake. Elinor watched the fifth strongest Witch¡ªsecond strongest White Witch¡ªleave with a skip in her step. Her ritual station was located near the Wixum group, where a bunch of the Young Bloods gathered, curious at her Mysticism as they saw it. She spoke to her maid as they retreated, waiting for Valdar and Yimara to reach her. So, to reach the next Circle for Tiffany¡¯s witches and warlocks, you must gain a degree of sorts, by developing a new, advanced ritual that supports the empire. It¡¯s an effective way to promote research and development¡­ I¡¯d expect nothing less from my mother. Theresa lifted her skirt slightly while descending the stairs with the dark-haired woman. ¡°It isn¡¯t only the witches and warlocks. Queen Tiffany has also instituted incentive programs and rewards in conjunction with the Serving Court leaders to motivate our efforts further. I¡¯ve heard Gwen and Lucky discussing the topic amongst the living, as well.¡± Interesting¡­ The further we develop, the better rewards available. Her smiling eyes darted to Yimara as the Wixum chief neared. ¡°I told you I would be here on the seventh day. Did you doubt me?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Valdar said with a hearty laugh as he spoke first, but his cheer soon faded. ¡°The jungle whispered of your return. I am sure you received¡­quite the report. I¡¯m afraid I must rely on your cunning once again to save my clan. What should I do?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Elinor turned her smirk toward the fuming Delthax leader behind the elderly toad as he jumped nearly the full distance to land beside his grandfather. ¡°Nothing at all. Well, aren¡¯t we jumpy today, Chief Kalix?¡± Yimara had a sour expression as the darker-skinned Delthax didn¡¯t give her the courtesy to speak when she¡¯d arrived before him. ¡°Today, you will die, Empress of Death. Your only option is to choose how to die.¡± Head tilting to the side with an incredulous crease to her left eye, Elinor chortled. ¡°What an oxymoronic statement, Chief Kalix. You see¡­I¡¯m already dead.¡± Purposefully dismissing the agitated chief, seeking to intimidate and provoke her, Elinor turned her attention to the disrespected Wixum chief. She grinned at the absolute torture she invoked on Kalix upon brazenly turning her back to him after his threat. It was open for attack, but he couldn¡¯t throw away his pride to strike; she could taste his lust for her death, though. ¡°I met your mother on the way here, Yimara. She is taking excellent care of your people¡­ I expect some hiccups, but don¡¯t fret; I am more than prepared.¡± The woman released a breath that held the weight of her whole world on it; she¡¯d likely been hearing warnings from Carlos and Garu about the Delthax¡¯s movements. Within the Wixum¡¯s border far above them, the Delthax¡¯s full army was gathering for a massive play. Yet, they wouldn¡¯t be ready yet for her since the challenge was set to begin at sunset, and she knew there was doubt in many of their warriors¡¯ hearts at this deceptive tactic. Well, plans could also change. ¡°That is a relief,¡± Yimara said, strength returning to her posture. ¡°I will return to my seat and await your grand display then, Empress. I put my trust in you.¡± Kalix spat on the ground at her feet as she turned to leave, and everyone paused in the ensuing tense atmosphere; the scowl on his grandfather¡¯s face could kill. An act of the chief was an action taken by the clan itself, and the Wixum were supposed to be their allies. ¡°You always were a dirt licker, Yimara, just like your mother, without an ounce of pride for your clan. You all but licked my toes before this, humph¡­Pit Demon aberration showed her face, and now you lick the ground she treads.¡± Instead of anger, Yimara brushed it off with a chuckle and shifted to face the indignant Xaria-grade chief boldly. ¡°I am not blind enough to believe the Wixum could have stood up to you, Chief Kalix¡­ And yes, I do not have a sliver of your pride. That does not mean I do not have pride in my people. I dare say as much pride as you have in your warrior name, I have in my craftsmen and craftswomen.¡± ¡°Those are words of challenge¡ªthe utmost disrespect! Comparing warriors to¡­to builders¡ªgrandfather¡­ Why do you stop me?¡± he snarled as the elder placed his staff in front of his chief. ¡°I lead the Delthax now, Elder Chief.¡± ¡°Indeed, you do, Kalix¡­but do not allow yourself to make a fool out of us for such a small slight. I thought I taught you better than this,¡± he sighed, ¡°but your temper and animosity toward anyone outside of our clan have grown in leaps and bounds by the year¡­ Set an example for your warriors, Chief.¡± ¡°A title he will not hold for much longer.¡± Elinor¡¯s snicker stole Kalix¡¯s heated gaze as the two brown-skinned clans mirrored her entertained laughter at the fighting chiefs who should have been allies. Goosebumps ran along the Delthax chief¡¯s slick skin at her threatening words, his fingers twitching to attack her, yet holding himself back. ¡°¡­Say your last speech before the Supreme Chiefs, and try to die with honor.¡± He turned and walked away, green blood dripping from his white-knuckled hand as his fingernails dug into his flesh. Most of the Delthax warriors present looked at her as if she were the devil incarnate, which was fine for her. Kalix had had plenty of time to poison their minds against her. She did wonder about the opinions of the two Xaria who had accompanied her to the Flex and Lethix, however. Ectria was standing off to the side, apart from her fellow warriors. The spotted, ¡®ugly¡¯ Delthax Xaria¡¯s focus wasn¡¯t on them, though; her thoughtful scowl was aimed at the Flex¡¯s top-rank stealth warrior, Xaria Iona. She¡¯d learned from their previous encounter that the pair shared somewhat of a cross-clan hatred or rivalry of sorts, and Ectria was likely the better fighter, but Iona was better at her spy trade. Valdar had a mournful smile on his face while watching his grandson leave, and it touched his soft whisper. ¡°Can you at least make it quick, Empress?¡± Elinor streamed out a sigh and moved to pat the elder on his shoulder, feeling the slight tremors that ran down his frame; he didn¡¯t want this outcome but knew if the Delthax were to survive, this was the best path forward for a united valley. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t think I will be able to fulfill that request if things turn out as I envision¡­ You should return to his side and spend what time you can with him.¡± ¡°¡­I was afraid of that,¡± he mumbled, a tear falling down his cheek as he read between the lines of her response. ¡°I suppose it wouldn¡¯t have ended any other way. The Plant Callers will take no action.¡± Valdar left her alone in the arena, Yimara returning to her fuming warriors, cursing the Delthax for their arrogance after all they¡¯d provided for their people. Taking a deep breath, Elinor walked in a wide circle while bringing up her microphone to her lips and sending the prompt to Theresa to begin the ceremony. Kaya closed her eyes inside the center of her ritual circle and whispered her incantation; she seemingly drew power from the trees themselves to fuel the ritual boxes that spread her message. Elinor¡¯s voice filled the space, the volume having to tone down a tad as all the ri¡¯bot winced at the high output the nervous witch set. It swiftly tamed, and she didn¡¯t stop her opening speech, trusting Kaya to adapt as they went. ¡°One week was the time limit set for all of us to sharpen our blades and hone our skills for this day. One week, we made plans, plotted our strategies, and expected betrayal. Today, everything changes. Today¡­a Great Chief is named!¡± Cheers rang out from the Young Bloods on all sides, eager for their own chiefs and Xaria to take the title for themselves. She let them scream their vigor, the pressure in her chest from Butter¡¯s Soul Expansion fading; it had lasted longer than she thought, and she suspected her twin was utterly exhausted after pushing her soul for so long¡ªbut she was alive, and no one else had died. Attagirl¡­ Now, don¡¯t disappoint me and go dying after expelling all that energy. We still have a celebratory meal to enjoy together. Elinor chuckled, raising a hand to control the cheers as the croaking toads continued their loud choir, trying to yell out harder than their enemies. She moved on by speaking to each one individually, allowing them to cry out their voices again and pump up their base. ¡°Yes, yes, I can hear you¡­ We have the prideful Delthax¡­ The Lethix¡­ The Flex! Hahaha. Yes, yes, I can hear your blood surging for violence! And finally, the Wixum and our honored guest from the Roxim¡­who have put their support behind me¡­the Empress of the Dead. It is time for me to meet your blades¡­¡± She met the boos with an entertained smirk until the crowd died down. Amid their jeers, she closed her eyes and entered her Soul Expanse. The cry of violins, lightning, and pelting rain smacking against her mansion roof filtered into focus as she stood at the open wall of her private room. Elinor looked over the land, soon to be firmly held in her grasp. ¡°Quin¡­it is time.¡± ¡°I am ready, Empress!¡±
[Project Mental Image I: Unslotted] [Mental Acceleration I: Slotted] [Warlord: Soldier¡¯s Spirit: Activated]
The thumping in her breast increased, and she felt the pre-battle jitters cascade through her soul. Scrolling through her system menu, her finger hovered over her Warlord¡¯s submenu, and she pressed the icon, whispering to the terrifying creature all ri¡¯bot feared¡ªa child, yet a terror nonetheless. ¡°Fear is a dangerous thing, Quin¡­and fear steeped in truth all the more potent¡­ Let¡¯s welcome them to their nightmare.¡±
[Quin¡¯Alse - Military Court - Rare F - Elite Warrior/Fire Brawler - Female Quen¡¯Talrat - Level 19: Selected.] [Soul Secrynoization Success: 100%] [Time Remaining: 59:99]
A tremor shook through her phylactery, the five-meter-tall quen¡¯talrat converting into pure energy to be absorbed into her soul. Physical strength far exceeding what she¡¯d previously experienced from the spider drone erupted within her breast, and Elinor felt her damaged diamond sphere crack further with Quin¡¯s soul uniting with hers.
[Mutated Quen¡¯talrat Physiology II: Active]
Opening her flaming eyes to the outside world, her vision pulled back as the world appeared smaller. Green flames enshrouded her entire body, and unexpectedly, white fur covered her chest and lower half. The fur spread along her back and ripped her precious clothes as she grew, the ri¡¯bot on all sides stumbling back in shock. Elinor lifted her two newly formed, ethereal arms to flex her toughened fingers, watching the toads shrink around her while growing to the size of the giant ape girl she channeled, towering over five meters tall. Gray flames lit along her arm, mixing with the emerald green and radiating a shocking amount of heat. Her chuckle vibrated the air, an ethereal set of eyes representing the ape¡¯s second head materializing to allow her two angles of view. She stared down at her mostly human frame, patches of steel-like gray fur protecting her chest, back, lower half, and the outside of her arms. It wasn¡¯t like her skin was particularly vulnerable as much as her fur was that much tougher to penetrate. Her long, ghostly tail flicked out, smashing the platform, denting the wood, and sending splinters exploding out from the impact. Elinor rose to her full height, feeling a lust for combat that resonated acutely with [Path of the Warlord].
[Warlord¡¯s Vigor: Unlocked]
[Whenever [Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust] is above 25%, increase all Stats by 1; whenever above 50%, increase all Stats by 2; and when above 75%, increase all Stats by 4]
[Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 35%]
The heat of the blazing sun beat upon Elinor while she flexed her powerful hands¡ªshe¡¯d become a quen¡¯talrat and human hybrid, as she¡¯d become a th¨¦lm¨¦thra when channeling the drone. She didn¡¯t feel nearly as fast as the spiders nor share in their hyper-sensitive senses, yet by raw power, Quin far surpassed the drone¡­Camellia might be a different story, though. Turning her flaming eyes to the tiny toads around her on the much smaller platform, Elinor brought up the now minuscule wooden microphone in her hand. Being careful not to crush it, she looked right at the stunned Delthax chief and showed him a belittling grin. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time, Chiefs. I know you have your army waiting above us to attack and wipe out the leadership of the other clans. Well, I¡¯m right here. Any who oppose me, challenge me here and now with honor,¡± she roared, knowing she would be heard from miles away as Kaya projected her booming voice further. ¡°Challenge the Empress of Death with honor before your Supreme Chiefs! Meet me in combat now¡­all of you at once, if you so dare. Bring your champions before me to crush beneath my feet!¡± Tossing the microphone to the Wixum, gray flames mixed with her green, she felt invincible as one ri¡¯bot stepped onto the podium, a smile on the Xaria¡¯s face as his wet tongue slid under his chin.
[Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 50%]
¡°Xaria Meji, welcome your death at the hands of a god¡­hahaha, not that it will be enjoyed for long.¡± B4 — 5. Great Chief Elinor! With a slow, deliberate pace, Elinor circled Meji, her eyes never leaving the ri¡¯bot Xaria. A towering figure, he barely reached half her height when fully upright. The silence in the large wooden arena was deafening, each spectator holding their breath, knowing that the outcome of this fight would ignite the rest of the contest. Quin¡¯s soul impressing on her filled Elinor with utter confidence. No, not confidence; it was far more degrading than that. Ri¡¯bot were pathetic insects to be swatted like pesky vermin. That they dared stand upright in front of a quen¡¯talrat instead of running like yaltha¡¯ma wasn¡¯t courageous, it was an insult to their intelligence. The gray flames rising off her forearms intensified, two large hearts pumping Death Energy through her five-meter-tall frame as her green fire faded. Quakes reverberated through the platform with every footstep she took, yet she felt light as air and stronger than ten elephants. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Meji?¡± she taunted, using her lower-left hand to gesture at her opponent. ¡°Maybe you should scamper away and hide in the bushes¡­because all I¡¯m looking at is a victim.¡± Meji¡¯s hands darted into the pouch at his side faster than her human eyes could have perceived and whipped out a throwing knife; blue-tipped, the same metal Garu had returned with, only her misty toad had the full thing. Quin¡¯s advanced vision caught every twitch, but she had to admit, the ri¡¯bot was faster than her. He had four throwing knives, three of the ri¡¯bot smoke bombs, and two long daggers. ¡°Arrogance is your way, Empress,¡± the toad chortled, flipping the two blades in the air and expertly catching them. ¡°It will be your undoing. You wish to fight every challenger at once? What nonsense!¡±
[Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 55%]
Elinor paused as the Xaria bent his knees and jumped to the side, launching around her in a rapid blur, increasing his speed. Placing two hands on her hips and shifting her weight to the opposite foot, she turned to leer down upon his chief, watching his anger grow as she ignored one of their peak warriors. The thrown knives struck her physical eyes, the glowing blue tip cutting past their defensive film to sink halfway to the hilt; her two ethereal organs maintained her sight. Meji¡¯s searching daggers rained blows against her toughened skin, and gashes opened wounds in his rapid assault; each attack bit somewhat deep into her flesh, revealing shimmering emerald light within. ¡°Arrogance¡­ Are you deaf, Chief Kalix?¡± she goaded, reaching up with her upper-right hand to pluck out the two knives. Gash after gash sought to penetrate her body using his blue-tipped blades, seeking to make an opening large enough to strike one of her hearts. ¡°I said to stop wasting my time.¡± The Young Bloods around the camp shot nervous glances at their chiefs as she tanked the powerful Xaria¡¯s blows. All of the more advanced warriors seemed to realize how wrong they¡¯d been about her just using her undead to fight for her¡ªa miscalculation on their chiefs¡¯ part. True to his station, Meji found the angle and sent his second-to-last knife through an opening in her back; entering her body, it penetrated her heart, causing her Death Energy to leak out. ¡°That¡¯s one heart destroyed, Empress!¡± Meji boasted, slowing to a stop in front of her with a smirk. ¡°We know your body can be destroyed and how hard it must be to maintain such a colossal form. You are not as immortal as you think.¡± Elinor chuckled, maintaining her poise and leer; she was getting annoyed. Cheers rang out, yet they slowly died as she casually tossed one of the throwing knives back at Meji; he set his stance to grab it, only to abandon that lunacy milliseconds later, stepping to the side as the weapon hit the wooden platform like a comet, breaking through the planks and disappearing inside the structure. ¡°Is that right?¡± Smirk rising, she tossed her second stolen knife into the air, caught it with her upper-right hand, and sank it into her own chest. ¡°You were saying?¡± ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Meji snarled, confused murmurs sweeping the throng. Pinching the small weapon between two fingers, she slid a long line down the center of her chest, hearing bone being broken away. Halfway down, the handle snapped, making her frown and hold it to examine. ¡°Damn. How do you expect to do any real damage to a quen¡¯tarlat with such brittle weapons? Humph. You were saying?¡± A vicious grin lit her face, and the various ri¡¯bot colors changed shades in shock as she buried her hand into the incision she¡¯d made to rip out her damaged heart. Her teeth shone while dropping it into her bottom-right hand, using the upper to dig out the broken blade. Several ri¡¯bot stepped back, mumbling, ¡°Supreme Chiefs!¡± ¡°She plucked out her own heart!¡± ¡°Does she feel no pain?¡± Meji jumped without hesitation, throwing his final knife through the shining opening to strike her remaining, open heart; it struck. The toad laughed. ¡°Such stupidity! You opened¡­yourself up?¡± [Artificial Body] brought her green flames, mixing with her gray as Elinor ripped out her last heart. The fire reformed the organs and mended all the work the Xaria had done. She held up the two disintegrating, large hearts in both of her right hands, burning away and leaving the knife that had pierced them.
[Artificial Body III - Advanced to C-tier]
¡°You were saying?¡± she laughed, her fur thickened across parts of her body and a light film glazing over her frame. ¡°Let¡¯s see you do that again.¡±
[Enhance Construct II: Activated] [Max Death Pool Decreased from 368 to 358] [Current Death Pool: 334]
¡°Come on, Meji; keep trying! You can do it.¡± Her arrogant smirk got a twitch from the Xaria as she casually tossed the broken and good knife back. ¡°Is it time to call for help? This is embarrassing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Empress!¡± She glanced over at her maids, where Kaya was now waving and cheering like a pop-idle fangirl. ¡°Show those victims the difference between your power! They¡¯re all weaklings before your might!¡± It also happened to be over her speaker system, which got a rise out of the Delthax warriors. Even a few of Valdar¡¯s Plant Callers looked uncomfortable at the human witch¡¯s comments. Chief Loci of the Flex and Chief Utren frowned at Kaya¡¯s words; they held their tongues, though, the higher echelon whispering to one another. Xaria Inora and Welix seemed to be considering something the two Elder Chiefs of the brown-skinned clans said. Their chiefs and the two Flex Xaria looked unsure. However, the Delthax appeared done with her taunts. Chief Kalix¡¯s purple eyes had a fire in them as he rose to his full height. One of Valdar¡¯s Plant Callers broke away from the elder, making him grimace as he jogged to his chief and whispered something in his ear. It was probably about that time. Kalix raised his voice, making every one of his surrounding warriors firm their ground and summon their courage. ¡°Very well, Empress. If you wish to showcase your strength¡­then why don¡¯t all of our clans strike at once? Would you accept that challenge or shy away with your tail tucked between your legs?¡±
[Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 60%]
¡°¡­Heh-haha¡­yap, yap, yap,¡± Elinor muttered, stretching out her chest and throwing back her shoulders while straightening again. ¡°I¡¯ve done more damage to myself than your damn Xaria, Kalix. How long are you going to keep this up?¡± Her tail lifted and slammed into the arena, breaking clean through it in a long line and making Meji stumble and use one hand to stabilize himself. ¡°I said, come at me with everything you have. If you need all the other clans backing you up because you¡¯re scared¡­then have at it!¡± Spinning on her heels to pace around the semi-damaged structure, Elinor¡¯s blood pumped hotter while looking at each clan she passed. ¡°I¡¯ll make this promise. Engage me with all you have, warriors of the Lethix¡­warriors of the Flex¡­warriors of the Wixum. I have prepared thoroughly for this day. Obviously, the Delthax have not.¡± She raised her hands in the air with a wide grin from the nervous looks they gave her. ¡°You could destroy this body dozens of times over¡ªwhich you can¡¯t¡ªand it would make no difference. When you look at me, you will see the horrific image of the White God of your past¡­and that is not far from the truth, but allow me to make this promise to you, Chief Utren, Chief Loci, and Chief Yimara¡­ Not one of your Young Bloods will die. ¡°The Blood Mysticism of your clan, Chief Loci, is useless against me. You understand that well. So, allow your warriors to take this opportunity to show their valor in fighting a god, because¡­¡± Elinor stopped in front of Meji to loom over him, looking at the proud warrior like he were an ant while internally prompting Theresa to act. Her maid expertly threw her the microphone she¡¯d collected, and Elinor brought it to her mouth, her voice ringing throughout over a mile with the witch¡¯s projecting magic. [Strategic Mind] spun gears in her brain. ¡°¡­I will take on every clan that wants to challenge my rule, but today, only Delthax warriors will die. Delthax, if you recognize my strength, do not approach¡­or you will die.¡± Tossing the microphone in the air, Elinor¡¯s gray flames roared across her forearms, creating a trail in their motion. She spun in a sharp circle, her tail whipping out to strike Meji. He jumped. Her two right arms launched out, palms spread to backhand the Xaria. Meji took the heat while diving through her spread fingers¡ªjust as she¡¯d expected.
[Mental Acceleration I: Activated] [Mental Acceleration Advanced to E-tier]
Meji had dodged her first two attacks, which only led to her closed left fist, raging flames flowing off her bottom-left hand¡¯s knuckles as the Xaria¡¯s wide, serious eyes caught the closing-in meteorite. Willing to sacrifice an arm to escape, he dropped his dagger, body twisting to use his momentum to carry him over the flames¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected her delayed upper-left fist to meet his gaze. A heated whirlwind exploded around the area as she showed off her explosive speed, the gore of the blown-apart Xaria splattering across her arms and shoulder. Silence struck the clans when she came to a standstill.
[Mental Acceleration I: Deactivated]
When she straightened, the scent of boiling blood and charred flesh filled the area, and she saw the shaken looks on the ri¡¯bot warriors¡¯ faces. Hot steam blew out of her nose as she quelled the heat in her hand, her second pair of eyes following the microphone¡¯s fall into her open palm. The smoke of one of the Delthax¡¯s heroes flowed off her fur as she flashed her teeth at the lot and spoke to them¡ªand their hidden army. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Xaria Meji died in a single blow¡­ What hope do you have? Shall we find out? Send your army to become burnt meat, crushed in my hands.¡± Kalix lifted his hand, his cold eyes on her, not that the man would engage her himself. ¡°Chiefs¡­warriors, when this is over, you will see the great Empress Elinor running for her life. Attack!¡± Shouts filled the zone, yet Elinor couldn¡¯t focus on them as she stood in stunned bewilderment; Kalix had done something to her¡­affected her on a level she didn¡¯t quite understand. The ri¡¯bot lurched forward, stones were thrown, barbs spat, and the four brown-skinned Xaria of the Flex and Lethix blurred to engage her. However, in those initial seconds of this battle, Elinor only had eyes for the Delthax chief as she mumbled the stupid, nonsensical jargon that the man had allowed to taint his tongue. ¡°Ha¡­hahaha! Run¡­¡±
[Quen¡¯talrat: Blood Pride, In Effect] [Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 100%] [Bloodlust Aura: Activated] [Empress: Minion Break: Activated] [Partial-Body Firecoat III: Activated]
¡°Why would I run?!¡± A shockwave of heat exploded from her body, fur crawling down her chest and legs as the gray flames flared across her body and billowing silver locks. All the Young Bloods and half of the seasoned warriors tripped, falling over one another across the mud as the rest hesitated. Elinor was already leaping forward, the rattling of chains splitting the superheated air as nine spiked links cut through space to select her targets.
[Chains of the Damned] [Lich: Chain Break]
¡°Who¡¯s running?!¡± Nine chains pulled the first Delthax high warriors to get into range into a ball. Her burning hands slapped together around them with enough force to create a wave of gore across every nearby toad, splattering her front with their innards. Incensed, she lurched to the left, tail sweeping out in a circle to sear and pummel anyone foolish enough to test her strength. Mud, gray flames, and broken bodies whipped around Elinor on her rampage through the masses. Her nose twitched with fury upon seeing the cowardly youth abandoning their weapons as she became a chaotic ball of superheated death. ¡°Fight, you mud-licking rats!¡± Vines and roots reached out of the jungle and earth to wrap around her. ¡°That¡¯s it¡ªno, don¡¯t stop them, Valdar! Show me your ire! Show me your hatred so that I can purge you from this valley!¡± Beating back the greenery and setting it alight, she used it as a weapon to batter the nearby warriors, unable to even get close with her more advanced cloak of flames. Laughter bubbled out of her thumping chest as she charged through the disorderly ranks of the Delthax, wounding dozens in just her passing rampage to get to the insufferable chief. Unfortunately, her path was soon blocked off by six Xaria, including Kole, the last Delthax Xaria¡ªwhere had he come from? Her second pair of eyes lifted to the cliff, seeing a host of ri¡¯bot, yet they weren¡¯t jumping down to engage. A few exchanges between the fast and cooperative Xaria and Elinor¡¯s grin increased as two colossal roots exploded underneath her. An extremely loud voice gave her pause, though, bringing her gaze to Kaya. More than twelve Delthax High Warriors were entangled in vines beside the girl, and a wheezing Valdar was being supported by Theresa beside the witch. However, it was her Head Maid¡¯s voice inside her mind that snapped her back to reality. ¡°The battle is won.¡± ¡°Empress, you have proven your strength enough¡­ They have already yielded¡ªKalix, wait!¡± Elinor cast her gaze around at the devastation she¡¯d inflicted, unaware of how widespread her actions had been. Most of the Delthax area was in flames, and what had to be over a hundred burned bodies littered the zone.
[Quen¡¯talrat: Blood Pride: Deactivated] [Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 65%] [Bloodlust Aura: Deactivated] [Partial-Body Firecoat III: Deactivated] [Time Remaining: 54:43]
Breathing out a long stream of steam through her nose, Elinor let [Minion Break] and [Chain Break] run their course while maintaining [Enhance Construct] in case anyone else got any funny ideas. When she shrugged off the vines Valdar had no doubt summoned to snap her out of her blood rage, Elinor saw the outcome she¡¯d foreseen all along. In the middle of the half-destroyed, burning arena, the Delthax and Flex chiefs stood face to face; a dozen or so of their most loyal members were spread around them, waiting for the word. The Xaria who had been keeping her busy kneeled around her, and many of the others who were able did the same. Theresa informed her of the developments as her frenzied mind settled and the chiefs squared off. ¡°The Flex and Lethix have recognized you as having the strength to rule as a Great Chief. None of the Wixum engaged you, choosing to wait. A few of the Flex and Lethix approached, but once you went wild, it became fairly obvious how pointless the outcome would be.¡± Has it really been five minutes? Elinor questioned with a frown. It felt more like several seconds to me¡­ I suppose when in [Quen¡¯talrat: Blood Pride], I lose track of time¡­even with [Strategic Mind]. That can be a double-edged sword¡­and I could have hurt the other clans when I promised them I wouldn¡¯t. What about the chiefs? Elinor rubbed her sore shoulders, seeing some damage on her body she hadn¡¯t known had happened. Reforming it, she motioned to the Xaria while talking internally with her maid. ¡°I recognize you, Inora, Welix, Kole, Ectria, and the Flex Xaria. I will learn your names later. For now, start helping the survivors. If anyone else wishes to face me, gather them in a group, and I will see them face-to-face when this is done¡­ I will meet anyone who still wishes to deny my place at the head of this new coalition.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see it done,¡± Ectria stated, nursing a slightly burnt left arm. Elinor shifted her four hands behind her back to observe the sharp banter that passed between the two chiefs, still keeping a wary eye on her position. Theresa¡¯s commentary put a smirk on her face while the remaining Delthax, mostly Young Bloods, dashed around on the orders of the few seniors that were left. ¡°Valdar has reclaimed the right to take his seat as chief, which means he will need to face his grandson. However, he did so after the Delthax chief had jumped around your battle to reach the Flex chief. His true aim this entire time, Elinor muttered with a sad shake of her head. He really was too consumed by hatred to be an effective leader. I was right to come early. If I hadn¡¯t, Xaria Kole might have led the army he¡¯d been given and genocided the normal Flex citizens. It is a good thing he sided with Valdar in the end¡­ Did I kill any of his Plant Callers? ¡°Two, Empress¡­ Swiftly and decisively the moment they chose to side with Kalix.¡± Shame. They¡¯re valuable, and I don¡¯t suppose I left enough of them around to bring back in body? ¡°Not in the least. Valdar seems to think that his grandson is out of his depth in this battle.¡± Oh, I would say he is, Elinor mumbled, her calculating eyes watching a few of the Delthax and Flex men and women still fighting. I¡¯ve shaken some of Kalix¡¯s guards¡­ They won¡¯t be as focused as Loci¡¯s warriors. It will be a bloodbath. Most of Kalix¡¯s men were cut down before the two chiefs met blades, and their biting or taunting words gathered a crowd of the remaining ri¡¯bot, now that Elinor wasn¡¯t killing everyone. This was where everything led between the bad blood between the two clans; sadly, the Kalix was lacking in one critical area¡ªMysticism¡ªhe hadn¡¯t been born with the gift. ¡°My uncle said your father was crying when they pulled him off the battlefield, Kalix. What do you make of that?¡± The dark-blue-skinned chief snorted, two left teeth biting into his lower mouth. ¡°Lies are nothing new from your cowardly clan. One nick that draws blood, and you retreat to let your Mysticism do your battle. Pathetic.¡± ¡°Hah. What you call pathetic, I call good strategy. If only you trained your Mystics as warriors, then maybe you would have stamped out the Flex, but we flex on, Limp Tongue. I suppose you can¡¯t go against the wishes of your hero grandfather, though, can you?¡± Kalix blurred into action, the two exchanging a flurry of blows before breaking apart; half their accompanying men had fallen, the victors coldly watching the chiefs¡¯ duel. ¡°Hah! If I had your Mysticism, you¡¯d be dead, Loci!¡± Kalix boasted, his long tongue to slide across the blood with a smirk before spitting it at the Flex chief¡¯s left eye. ¡°I¡¯ve used one of your captured Mystics to strengthen myself against your rot.¡± Loci¡¯s vision narrowed, side-stepping it as his left forearm bled a pale green liquid from a minor gash. ¡°Oh? I suppose that means Talira is still alive¡­my day just got that much better. I get to kill you and save one of my childhood friends.¡± Kalix swapped positions, waiting for the next chance to strike as his tongue dripped poison. ¡°Well, on the off-chance that happens due to your lack of martial skill, due to using your Mysticism as a crutch, I suppose you¡¯ll find at least half of her. I had to cut off certain parts to make her less¡­active.¡± ¡°As cruel as your father, I see,¡± Loci mumbled, tossing his dagger at the surprised Delthax chief. Kalix caught it in his free hand with a confused grin as Loci dove forward to take them to the ground; the Delthax toad had the advantage as he made a nasty cut across Loci¡¯s arm, finding leverage on top of him. ¡°Haha! You really are a fool. Without Mysticism, I¡¯ve trained my whole life to become a Xaria¡­to make my father proud and kill you dirt-licking¡­eh?¡± Elinor sat straighter as black blood dripped on Loci¡¯s face, dripping out of Kalix¡¯s right eye, then his left, and down his ears. ¡°Why can¡¯t I hear anything¡­ My immunity¡ªthe Whispering Shade said I could be¡­immune if I¡­if I¡­¡± Strength seemingly leaving his body, Loci kicked him off, nursing a deep wound from the knife buried in his gut. Kalix¡¯s breathing became raspy, his veins turning black down his lulled open tongue, making Elinor shake her head at the irony. And he called me the arrogant one. Elinor walked closer with everyone else to observe the dying Delthax chief clawing at his own throat, black ooze falling out of his orifices. It was a gradual decline from there that took more than thirty minutes, and Loci straddled his rival through the whole process, not allowing anyone to put him out of his misery while looking into his bloodshot eyes. Valdar hobbled over, much of the fires put out as squads of Young Bloods sucked up water from a nearby stream to spray it out over the flames. Elinor felt no pity and no inclination to bring back the former leader from the dead. It would probably put a sour taste in her relationship with the Flex in any case, even as a slave, especially after what she¡¯d just learned Kalix had done to one of the clan¡¯s respected Mystics. Apparently, that was fairly taboo in ri¡¯bot culture. Mystics, no matter the clan, were to be treated with respect if captured, well, if they behaved in accordance with that given respect. ¡°What was that about immunity?¡± Elinor asked Valdar, the elder¡¯s sad and guilt-ridden gaze refusing to leave his grandson¡¯s tortured end. ¡°He was in contact with Shade?¡± ¡°Hmm. He told me about it when he was a boy¡­and I can see Shade¡¯s manipulating hand clearly in it now. Kalix grew to hate the Flex from his father when my wife was taken in an accident of crossed blood during one of our tense years of truce¡­ I knew it was a simple mistake. Yet, that action sparked our fourth war with the clan, no matter my opinion.¡± Loci breathed out a bitter grunt. ¡°So, he targeted Talira to try and slowly expose himself to tiny droplets of her blood to obtain immunity¡­ Sadly, Talira¡¯s bloodline was always amongst the weakest of our Mystics, and¡­as the chief, mine is the strongest.¡± As Kalix took his final breath, the Flex chief forced himself up, despite his bleeding side. Kaya was busy disposing of all the contaminated blood that had been spread around, jogging over on prompt from Theresa when the Dethalx chief died. ¡°Oh! Careful. Ugh. This¡­is a toughy, but I think I can manage with my ingredients,¡± she mumbled, shooing people away. ¡°Maybe I should have brought some of my coven with me.¡± ¡°Just be sure to remain safe,¡± Elinor prompted, sitting beside the pair as the wounded chief leaned back to stare up at her. ¡°You want to ask me something?¡± Loci hummed, his focus momentarily moving to his calm grandfather, who popped his tongue in their old language. Elder Chief Dren, of the Lethix, and Valdar looked at each other as Chief Yimara and Utren spoke about the possibility of crossing tribal bloodlines and its effects. Loci responded while scratching his neck. ¡°What would you have us do, Great Chief¡­or would you prefer Empress? Blah. It feels strange being led by a quen¡¯talrat¡­thing. Not that I am trying to insult you.¡± Elinor chuckled, figuring there was another topic he wanted to discuss, but his grandfather told him to drop it. He seemed like a traditional, hardass type from what little she¡¯d learned through their short interactions. ¡°Empress is perfect. As for our purpose. I will handle whoever still wishes to challenge me, and then we will begin war plans to face the Xaltan. In the meantime, healing needs to be done¡­and I believe my witches can put Talira back together, potentially block out her memories of her torture among the Delthax.¡± Elder Chief Gurali¡¯s rough voice spoke up from beside his grandson, a dubious scowl on his face. ¡°And why would you waste your time and resources on that detail? We don¡¯t need pity. The Flex are always ready for battle and sacrifice¡­ Blood for blood.¡± She looked to the east, where War and Camellia roamed. She knew many of her Feats had advanced during her rampage, but she¡¯d been too enraged to realize which; there was be time to see what had advanced when this was done. ¡°Because I have a feeling the Xaltan have something special in their favor, and I want every strong fighter we have. The best victory is an overwhelming victory, after all.¡± A grin spreading across her lips, she rose to her feet to look at the hateful eyes of the two dozen or so older generations of Delthax High Warriors who glared at her from their guarded prison zone. ¡°Now, which one of you wants to go first? If you kill me, then, as the new Great Chief, you can order Loci here to kill himself. Interested? Hehe. I thought so.¡± B4 — 6. A Hero’s Desire Standing in the middle of the ruins of the arena that the ri¡¯bot had built for her tournament, Elinor studied her blood-soaked hand. Twisting it around to stare at the gore that soaked the gray fur sprouting out of the back of her hand, she breathed out a dissatisfied sigh. Vision lifting to her enraptured audience, she shifted her posture to observe the two dozen corpses she¡¯d left in the wake of her battle, or, at least, what remained of them. All opposition to her rise to the Great Chief of the valley was quelled.
[Partial-Body Firecoat III: Deactivated] [Time Remaining: 43:12] [Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust: 20%]
[Level Up - Level 26] [1 Stat Points Added; 1 Available] [2 Feat Extensions Available] [1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available]
A sober silence filled her breast while lifting her large hand to just below her ear; the final crack spread down her black diamond, and the home she¡¯d made with Butter shattered. She grimaced as a pulse erupted in her chest; her artificial body transferred out of the stone and into her frame.
[Phylactery: Destroyed] [Soul Instability] [Artificial Body¡¯s Maintenance: 2 Death Orbs an hour] [Leaking Death Energy: 1 Death Orb an hour] [Death Pool: 332/460]
If this body she was in was destroyed, then she would die. Butter had her body now, as well, which meant they weren¡¯t as intrinsically united as they¡¯d been when her little sister had been dependent upon her to survive. She didn¡¯t know what would happen at this point, but all she could do was move forward. The three remaining chiefs, Valdar, and the Roxim representative approached, skirting the gray flames that their Young Bloods put out. One of the converted Delthax Young Bloods handed the elder the microphone she¡¯d tossed away. All attention was on her, and she felt her believer counter rising by the minute. Valdar was the one to speak amidst the crackling wood, delivering the artifact to her. ¡°Empress, as our new Great Chief, what is your command?¡± Staring around the field at the ri¡¯bot, she saw fright, awe, and reservations mixed between the various clans she had gained stewardship over. Uncomfortable at the rapid loss she was experiencing, she cursed her overconfidence in sending away Death. She¡¯d have to collect her own Death Energy today because, on top of her daily maintenance cost, she was now losing ninety Death Orbs a day because she didn¡¯t have a Phylactery, and who knew when Butter would be back. It was the worst time to limit herself. Luckily, she still had Quin¡¯s speed and power on her side, and her maximum Death Pool was increasing. She¡¯d tried to make a temporary one in Roman¡¯s world, only to have the jewel shatter moments after creation; it had to be a resonating pair, due to their resonating souls. Without Butter there to place her own soul in it, they were both vulnerable. Her more than Butter, since her fatty twin had stolen her original body. Lifting the tiny ritualistic item up to her mouth, she made her decision. ¡°I will not raise those who have opposed me¡­they died for their loyalty, and that is to be commended. However¡­I will use the bodies of Chief Kalix and Xaria Meji for their disrespect and disgrace. Gather the bones that remain in a pile. We will put them to rest in accordance with your customs when available.¡± Elinor let the statement hang for several seconds. She could see the mixed opinions of the Delthax that remained; on one hand, she showed respect to those who had challenged her, and on the other, she¡¯d blatantly singled out their dead chief and strongest warrior. Xaria Kole and Xaria Ectria looked at one another before walking forward and kneeling down behind Valdar, showing their support. With that action, the rest of the Delthax followed their top warriors and Elder Chief. She breathed out the stress pumping in her chest. There was a lot for her to accomplish, and she needed to increase her fame. She needed to expand her empire, and she was so close. Voice rising in octaves with her five-meter-tall frame, Elinor rose to her full height. ¡°All clans, prepare yourselves¡­ Prepare for war against the Komath! Prepare for war against the Xaltan!¡± She paused, [Partial-Body Firecoat] momentarily igniting her fur, despite the Death Energy cost. ¡°Gather your strength, warriors¡­because we take the whole valley!¡± Shivers ran through the ranks, and raising her three free arms into the air, she shouted, ¡°By the end of this conquest, you will be free to move from north to south¡­east to west! There will be no divide between clans! We are one people! We are united! And if the Great Clans of the grasslands come to challenge your right to this land¡­then they forfeit their own! I will lead you into a new age¡­the age of the Undying Empire!¡± War cries and whistles were heard around the clearing, and Elinor turned her attention to their chiefs and elder chiefs. ¡°Return home and gather all your forces; tell everyone of my name and my feats¡­of their welcomed place within our empire! Everyone has their place. A new dawn has come to the ri¡¯bot of the valley! ¡°Chief Utren, of the Lethix, your forces will begin their assault at the northwestern point of the Xaltan¡¯s vast territory, gathering clanless along the way to join our cause. I accept anyone who will abide by my laws, ri¡¯bot, human, or any other species. ¡°Chief Loci, of the Flex, and Chief Valdar, of the Delthax¡­ Your forces will meet at the border between the Flex and Komath. Valdar will take point with Chief Loci as council, leading his own army. You two will bring your armies south to the Komath and sweep across the east until you meet with the Lethix in Xaltan territory to bolster their strength! ¡°Chief Yimara, of the Wixum, will take point with her mother, Elder Chief Vivine, in providing logistical support with supplies and protection to your clans in the absence of your warriors.¡± She slowly turned, addressing each face in her speech. ¡°Make no mistake that when this is done, there will be no borders but one singular empire under the Empress of Death! Your Empress! Know that you will not die in my service¡ªyou will not be lost¡ªfear not death¡­because you serve her.¡± Flames rising off her fur, her long tail beat the dirt like a drum between each pause, sending a shockwave through the ground as the ri¡¯bot cheered and her follower count increased. ¡°Currently, Chief Zargoth, of the Roxim, is holding the brunt of the front lines against the full force of the mighty Xaltan, but they are proud warriors with weapons from my world on their side! And, ho-ho-ho-ho. They do not realize that the drums of the mighty Delthax, Flex, Lethix, and Wixum roar from their rear. Undefended, the Xaltan territory will collapse, and their hearts will fail them. Victory is assured.¡± She laughed as her name was called throughout the ranks, quaking the ground. Yes, she was vulnerable, but this was worth the risks. They had to win swiftly, though. It had to be within the next few days, and she had to meet with Death on the way to the Roxim battleground. ¡°What about me, Your Empress?¡± The throng quieted with anticipation at the question, and she let her low chuckles press in on them. ¡°As Your Empress, I will be joining the battle on the front lines to draw the Xaltan¡¯s eye while you deliver the daggers inside their spines. And I make you one more promise¡­¡± Doing a full circle, she pointed toward the northeast. ¡°I am not satisfied with just the valley. When we are victorious, we will take the Black Keep of the White God for our own! Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha will become our home with all its hidden riches!¡± Excitement hitting its peak, despite the clans not having any clue what that actually meant, she let them digest her words. In the end, all they saw was an impossible fortress that had loomed in the distance all their lives that represented fear, and she was the one that would lead them to conquer that sky-piercing spire. ¡°Go! Spread my message and gather warriors and volunteers alike¡­ The Undying Empire goes to war.¡± A flurry of activity spread across the cleared zone as they made ready to embark on their journey. Elinor returned her focus to the chiefs, their elders, and their Xaria, who waited for her more direct comments. ¡°I need scouts from each of your clans to go to the Wixum lake to escort a Circle of witches within each of your main communication branches. They have been creating portable relay stations for our long-distance network to keep us in contact with one another. It is a critical element to organizing a large-scale war that will allow us to coordinate better than our opponents.¡± She turned her head toward the dark-brown-skinned toads, deciding to put her guard to the test. ¡°I will be sending the Argent Dawn humans to provide support. I don¡¯t want them in direct conflict since they¡¯re not ready for live combat, but I want them to see it and help where they can.¡± Elder Chief Dren chortled from behind his son. ¡°More hands to carry goods is always welcome. We travel fast and hard, Empress. I do hope they are not left behind.¡± ¡°Push them hard,¡± Elinor mused. ¡°They need to know what they signed up for. With that, we¡¯re off to our own preparations. Keep in communication with the witches. They will have an undead torlim for mounts and supply animals, so you needn¡¯t worry about them keeping up.¡± Just as she was about to turn away with the rest of the chiefs, Valdar cleared his throat. ¡°Empress, might I have a word?¡± Her anxiety rose slightly with her ticking down clock; there was a lot she had to do while having Quin¡¯s strength. There was a grave seriousness in his voice that gave her pause, though. ¡°If it is quick.¡± He rubbed his chin and glanced to his right at the Plant Callers under his command, conversing with one another. ¡°Mmm. I would like to speak to you in private back at the Delthax camp as we gather the rest of our warriors and inform our people¡­ Would that be possible?¡± Considering it, she predicted her time crunch and slowly nodded. ¡°I have a few things to accomplish, but I will meet you on the platform lookout tonight, if you can get there in time.¡± Valdar¡¯s wrinkled face creased in a smile, and he forced himself to his feet. ¡°Would it be possible to send one of your torlim to help me? Ectria could fetch it for me¡­ I¡¯m afraid my old bones aren¡¯t what they used to be.¡± She chuckled and put her two left hands on her hip while staring down at the legendary Plant Caller. ¡°You sell yourself too short, Valdar. You managed to pull me out of my blood rage with those bindings. I¡¯ll see it done.¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± Chief Loci pushed himself to his feet and looked up at the clear sky before his hopeful, light-blue eyes returned to her. ¡°What about Talira? When can your¡­witches restore her to fighting strength? Having another Blood Mystic within our ranks would speed things along.¡± Elinor shook her head. ¡°That will be a longer process, Chief. She will not be able to join in this war, but perhaps the next. I am sure Chief Valdar will provide for her, and I will send medicine that will stop the pain she undoubtedly feels.¡± ¡°That is more than enough for now,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°I did have my doubts, Empress, but I can see the vision in what you speak¡­and more importantly, I see you have the strength to achieve it. I will meet you on the battlefield.¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Another thought made her address the ri¡¯bot leaders again. ¡°Also, Chiefs¡­be sure not to harm the Xaltan who do not resist or surrender. When this is over¡­I will let them face me in the same way you have, and those who refuse will become ashes and embers beneath my feet.¡±
[Time Remaining: 30:01]
Breaking apart from the meeting to devoted cheers from the young ri¡¯bot, eager for war and glory. She left a disappointed Theresa to deliver her message to Kaya for the witch to send back to the Wixum camp. Carlos would take command of directing her army across the valley to support the Roxim. In the meantime, she took into the jungle to find prey to top off her rising Death Pool. It took nearly the full thirty minutes, but that was only because, finally, all her work bore fruit:
[Total Follower Count Requirement Met] [Current Follower Count: 5,123] [Grade Advancement - Rising Empire: 2nd Petal]
[Every 5 Citizens increase Minion Pool [Unintelligent +5 and Intelligent +1]. [For every 40 citizens, increase Death Pool by +2] [Reaper Core Base Attributes Upgraded] [New Monarch Slot Added; 2 Available]
[Next Petal: 25,000]
By the time [Warlord: Soldier¡¯s Spirit] ran its course, she¡¯d almost topped her current Death Pool. Quin had to get the full account from Theresa when she awoke from her stasis and swung through the jungle to pick her up. Elinor covered herself in the extra pair of clothes the Head Maid had brought, waiting for the giant ape girl to reach her. However, she was not prepared when she finally had a chance to relax and enter her internal world to check her stats. The hot, humid jungle gave way to a twisted, broken landscape. Sitting in her throne within a fractured segment of her manor, Elinor¡¯s jaw tightened when observing cracks running through everything within view of her valley manor. ¡°I see¡­¡± She frowned, bringing up her status menu, trying to swap Feats.
[Access Denied: Unable to Modify Soul while Unstable]
¡°Interesting¡­ The Seed is a tool to expand and unlock my soul, so it would make sense that I cannot develop it while unstable. Butter couldn¡¯t access hers. Hmm. Does that mean she can develop it now that she has a body and restored her soul to health?¡± Resting her fist against her cheek, she glared at her shattered soul, only contained within her unstable artificial body. She couldn¡¯t recreate this form if it took too much damage and completely collapsed¡­she would die. ¡°At least I can still view my soul status,¡± she whispered, following her citizen count increase, further building her [Death Pool] and [Minion Pool]. ¡°Butter is returning, and quickly¡­¡±
[Current Follower Count: 5,829]
Glancing northward, she hissed at how blurry and smudged it was. Butter was drawing closer, but she couldn¡¯t quite tell how close. Leaving her abruptly inoperable Soul Expanse, Elinor tucked her knee up to her chin to stare at the large jungle critters going about their daily lives, devouring one another. I can¡¯t use my soul expansion until I create a new phylactery¡­ It would likely be too much for this artificial body to handle. I need to keep my new phylactery candidates on me for when Butter, the fat lard, finally shows up. Until then, I have a war to win. Who doesn¡¯t like a little risk? She smiled, welcoming the challenge as Quin jumped out of the trees to pick her up. Unlike so many times before, she was down to one life, and at a significant handicap. Okay, Shade, the Scarlet Hand¡­ I¡¯m vulnerable, and I¡¯m sure you know that now. What trick will you try to pull before my fat little sister finally makes it back to my side? Don¡¯t disappoint me. Kaya was escorted back to the lake to ready her coven and support the other witches. Elinor felt her Death Energy rising throughout the day with the growing ri¡¯bot followers that were now entering her empire and viewing her as their empress. By the time she arrived at the river below the Delthax settlement, she¡¯d broken a new milestone. It seemed the chiefs were spreading the news of their new empress swiftly; her story was gaining traction.
[Current Follower Count: 10,013] [Death Pool: 513/870]
She felt the g-forces as Quin scaled the cliff, creating her own hand-holds. Feeling too anxious to wait, Elinor used her chains to swiftly launch out of the gorilla¡¯s hand and into the sky. Landing on the Delthax wooden platform overlooking the valley, Valdar was waiting for her as she landed. A silence passed between them as Elinor reflected on their conversation in this very spot many weeks earlier. She peered over the moonlit valley that she was soon to be empress over with its nighttime birds and large insects out on the hunt. Her focus soon drifted to the north; still, she couldn¡¯t accurately tell how far her sister was, and now Butter was moving away from her. That could just be her circling the mountains to reach the hills that would bring them back into the valley, or she could be going further north; there was no way to tell. Breathing out a long sigh, Elinor¡¯s chest shook with soft laughter. Behind her, the ri¡¯bot citizens and warriors were still abuzz with war preparations. ¡°Did you think we¡¯d be this close to your dream within such a short time, Valdar?¡± The blue-skinned toad overlooked his homeland; he was beginning to look his age¡ªfrom what she could tell¡ªhaving been born during the worst times of its history; he sounded at peace. ¡°I hope you will forgive me, Empress, but I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve called you here for selfish reasons¡­ I know you are a very busy human.¡± Elinor maintained her standing position, watching Quin crest the edge, drop off Theresa, and move to ask if the ri¡¯bot needed any help with anything heavy. She was a good girl for being such a terrifying monster to these toads. ¡°You¡¯ve more than earned my respect and ear, Valdar. Call me Elinor¡­ I have not forgotten what you have done for me and the trust you have put in a total stranger. You have allowed all of this by taking my side instead of Krava¡¯s.¡± Valdar¡¯s air pouch expanded further than Elinor had ever seen it before the elder released it in a long stream. ¡°It is selfish of me, Empress, but I wish to ask you to have mercy for my oldest friend¡­ He only does what he believes to be right.¡± Elinor¡¯s lips pushed to the side as she stared across the colossal expanse of the 200-kilometer valley, barely capable of spotting a small section of the rolling plains to the east. It was going to be a hard journey, even for undead, to travel past that much territory through the dense jungle in a few days. The war had to be swift, though. She needed time to prepare for the much larger threat that would come from those grasslands. ¡°I understand Krava is a proud ri¡¯bot¡­and I can¡¯t really say he is wrong. I am dangerous. I do upset the balance of things. I am changing the ri¡¯bot way of life and bringing frightening things to your culture. However, I do think that Krava wanted to be me¡­to be the strength that united the valley. That being said, I will concede that you know him far better than I. So, I am happy to leave his punishment to you.¡± Her brow furrowed upon seeing the somber crease on the elder¡¯s face. ¡°Elinor, my friend, in the short time I have known you, I have found a kinship of sorts, and I know you have relied on me¡­yet I fear I will not survive this war with the Xaltan to see my friend again, and my heart is torn.¡± Elinor digested his words, reading between the lines and realizing where this conversation was going. Taking a seat next to the old ri¡¯bot, she breathed out the frustration that had welled up within her lungs and let the feeling go while aimlessly scanning the dark, loud jungle. ¡°How was your life, Valdar? Tell me about it.¡± He leaned back and pointed at the imposing black fortress. ¡°I was born in the shadow of those walls¡­ My mother was a Plant Caller, and my father. the chief. Ri¡¯bot were¡­not well received by the other races. We were seen as weak and incapable of truly supporting the cause, which was not wrong compared to the great nations. We are primitive and insignificant.¡± Valdar dipped his hand into a bucket beside him to run a liquid down his head and neck, wetting his dry skin. ¡°It was during the Fire Wars that I learned how helpless we truly were. Krava saw it as a calling for us to rise up to the challenge¡­few answered his call, yet he became strong enough to be respected by the nalvean soldiers to our south¡­ At least, in his youth. ¡°When the White God was killed, everyone thought the war was won. How wrong we were¡­ The death of their Ke caused a quen¡¯talrat civil war that burned a warpath through the valley and across the nearby landscape¡­ For every ape we killed, hundreds died from all races, turned to ashes to feed the jungle. War was for the other races¡­we ri¡¯bot mostly hid and lurked to pick up the scraps or support those wounded.¡± Directing her toward various areas, she took note of the places he pointed out. ¡°¡­There were six kings and six queens of the quen¡¯talrat¡ªtheir versions of chiefs¡ªand their White God was their Great Chief. Without him, chaos ensued, and they dispersed to their various fortresses¡­ ¡°The Blood King and Coral Queen took their forces far to the northeast, forcing the Yalm¨¢th Democracy back to their lands to defend themselves. ¡°The Mud King disappeared into his tower in the far northeast of the valley while the ques¡¯k¨¢ dragon riders of the southeastern Amethyst Desert¡ªthe strongest of the united nations¡ªdestroyed the Rose Queen¡¯s fortress near their lands and mysteriously withdrew from the Fire Wars.¡± Elinor carefully filed away the information; the locations would be important places to investigate to obtain more quen¡¯talrat. ¡°The Black King destroyed the Ethereal Clan in the lands beyond the western mountain range?¡± Valdar forced a laugh. ¡°Indeed. It was¡­a shock to the rest of the nations. It was a rumor spread by various ri¡¯bot clans in the area that many still do not believe today since the Black King was the next strongest to the White God¡­yet ri¡¯bot had been the reason for his destruction.¡± ¡°I can see why Krava was so cautious of Garu,¡± she whispered, recalling the white toad¡¯s report that she read. ¡°From what he tells me, all that is left is a colossal crater. He found an old hidden cache for weak scouts, but there¡¯s nothing left of his people.¡± ¡°Hmm. I often did wonder what happened¡­ All I can recall is the dark clouds that hung over the area for a decade before being swept away when the Avana came. Ah, but I¡¯m getting ahead of myself.¡± Elinor¡¯s fingers tightened against her thigh when he brought up the mountain-sized dragon from the north that had blazed a path through the eastern side of the valley. ¡°The Sapphire Queen and Forest King lost most of their clan to the Silver Queen, and retreated into the northern mountains¡­ That was the last that I heard of them. The nalveans and the Golariex Holy Empire united to face her inside her fortress for¡­two decades. Oddly, she never left¡­none of her people did. It was more of a siege than a war, but not one the Silver Queen seemed too keen on contending with, and no one could make it beyond their fire shield.¡± He paused and ran water across his chest and shoulders. ¡°Predatory birds unlike anything I¡¯ve seen flew out of the north¡­devouring everything and forcing the armies to retreat. They threw themselves at the Silver Queen¡¯s fortress, being slaughtered by the tens of thousands¡­until the Avana came.¡± ¡°I recall the story,¡± she mumbled. ¡°A firestorm that came out of the north, its wings blotting out the sun and spreading fire by its mere presence. It destroyed the Silver Queen¡¯s fortress, created the Roxim plateaus, and returned to the north¡­ You¡¯ve lived a hard life, Valdar.¡± The elder rubbed his forehead again before smiling at her. ¡°A long life¡­at least for my species; not necessarily a hard one. I told you these things because I believe they are things you would wish to look into. There is more to be explored, and I can see you forging your path forward in a blaze of ambition and glory, Elinor¡­ ¡°The Roxim¡¯s Crater of Decay. The fissures and tunnels of the Crawling Shadows beneath the jungle. The mysterious Prume, and their hatred of the Northern Mountain¡­ The Black Fortress of the White God. Haha. The hidden moons in the sky! Oh, the unknowns of this world have always enticed me.¡± Elinor reached over to rub the ri¡¯bot¡¯s slick back. ¡°I¡¯m guessing the jungle has told you that you won¡¯t live much longer. You know I could bring you back to life, but you want to rest¡­and you feel guilty about that?¡± He shivered, looking up at the black spots in the heavens that blotted out the bright constellations and stars. ¡°It isn¡¯t so much that I want to rest¡­as I want to move on to my next journey. I have lived as best I could and followed my beliefs¡­ Now, I have found someone who can be the heroine that the ri¡¯bot need¡­that we¡¯ve waited for. ¡°Elinor, you can bring us out of the mud and into a world none of the older generation can see¡­that they fear. The young will follow you. Your unyielding power will bend the will of the stubborn or crush them to be the foundation of progress we so desperately need¡­ Our future is not hopeless, and with that reality now firmly within my breast, I can move on to the Great River in the Sky.¡± Elinor felt the tingles run down her arms as he finished, and she reflected on the short time she¡¯d known this pillar in the ri¡¯bot community. She owed him her life¡­her parents¡¯ lives. Every human was here today because of this old toad man, who dreamed of uplifting his downtrodden and failing race. Holding out her hand, he laughed at the human gesture that he¡¯d learned, and took it. ¡°Well, Valdar, it¡¯s been a pleasure. You are the reason I see the humanity in ri¡¯bot. Your example has shaped how I view this world and the creatures in it¡­and I may need to call you up to chat every once in a while. You wouldn¡¯t mind visiting every so often?¡± ¡°Not at all, Empress,¡± he chortled, holding his hand against his chest as if in pain. ¡°Nina will take over my place as the Master Sage of the Plant Callers. She is young, but I believe Nina and your little druid girl will elevate one another to heights I couldn¡¯t dream to achieve¡­which leaves the empty chief position.¡± Elinor went through the very short list of potential candidates. ¡°It has to be either Folcra, the 2nd-in-command you took on the Crystal expedition¡­or Xaria Ectria or Kole, right?¡± He sighed. ¡°Kole is very well respected, and I want to give Ectria the title due to how hard she has pushed to be seen as a proud member of our clan¡­ Discrimination is a tough thing. Her discolored skin is seen to be very ugly in our culture, amongst other traits she has no control over. It would only be inviting further contention.¡± Elinor hummed, drawing his gaze. ¡°I can think of better things Ectria might enjoy than being a leader. Don¡¯t worry about her. Make Kole the chief, and I¡¯ll handle Ectria¡¯s position. Have heart, Valdar. You¡¯ve made a difference in me, and that will reflect on the world.¡± Getting to her feet, she reached out to pat his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon, friend. Make your peace and enjoy your next journey. I will take your words into consideration when judging Krava.¡± Rising himself as she moved to enter the settlement and retrieve Quin, she waved back at the ri¡¯bot elder chief who had dedicated his life to the betterment of not just his clan, but his species. ¡°Thank you, Elinor¡­I wish I could have known you better. I look forward to our next chat, friend.¡± Now, it was time to march to the Roxim. It was time for war. B4 — 6.5. A Spiders Trap As dawn filtered through the dense canopy, Camellia emerged from the shimmering waters of the Wixum¡¯s lake, her ruby hair glistening like a beacon in the early morning sun. Making her way further into the jungle, she let the wet season air stretch her senses; it was going to get worse before the dry spell hit. The heavy atmosphere draped the jungle in a dewy cloak, and the air was thick with the earthy scent of damp vegetation that surged through her lungs. It brought redemption into her tingly human body. She was the family screwup, yet now she had a chance to set things right. Not wanting to ruin the fragile covering The Empress had given her, she¡¯d left it behind. Droplets clung to her silk top and bottoms, the intricate patterns of her own woven web glistening crimson, pulled tight against her alabaster skin. Her squishy skin and nerve endings were so foreign to her, and she required time to get used to it. Camellia¡¯s senses flared, mapping the terrain in vivid detail with the sparks of information sent back from the fibers of her flowing hair. Each pulse of the jungle, each rustle and whisper, was cataloged with the precision of a predator¡ªa hunter. The massive trunks of the trees, wide and towering, were familiar, forming a labyrinthine pathway through which she moved with fluid grace. She sprinted, her lithe form a blur of scarlet and white, her speed beyond any creature beneath the canopy. Yes, she was clumsy and awkward compared to her sisters, but she was still a reborn th¨¦lm¨¦thra queen candidate. An odd reverberation fed through The Empress¡¯ Nexus that made her senses of other undead spotty. She was new to the network, so perhaps there was a learning curve or typical activity. Camellia leaped from one colossal branch to another, her movements silent and precise, disturbing neither leaf nor limb. The jungle was alive with the hum of oversized insects and the distant calls of creatures hidden in the shadows, none of which could match her. Swiftly ascending the nearby hill, she rose through the branches and slipped out of the canopy to observe what little she could of the eastern half of the valley. She frowned, noticing the many changes to the home she remembered a century ago. To the east, the trees thinned noticeably, and the silver-colored quen¡¯talrat ruler¡¯s castle was blocked by a new cliffline. The Empress had given her a high view of the valley to show her where her target would be, yet there were quite a few inaccuracies that immediately stole her notice. She quickly realized that if she was going to make the appropriate time, she¡¯d need to get a more precise view. Memories of her time roaming this jungle, preying on the quen¡¯talrat who attempted to reshape it to be their home, came flooding back¡­ Her inadequacies within her own family flooded back. Her youngest sister spoke quite often about her failings, lulling her gifts away within their nest, spinning her beautiful webs while she was out hunting to prove herself. I may be far more clumsy and less gifted than you¡­ I know I couldn¡¯t compete with your blooming abilities. However, I am not worthless. The Empress sees worth within my talents¡­as Mom did¡­ I¡¯ll show you. A quake ran through her figure at the very thought of her indomitable, beyond graceful mother, who stood as an example to them all to follow: to teach them what it meant to be a queen. I will live up to your expectations, Mom¡­ I must if The Empress is going to bring you back. I failed our family¡­I won¡¯t fail you again. Pausing briefly, Camellia cooly surveyed the scene below¡ªa mass of ri¡¯bot, their numbers far greater than she remembered. These were the Lethix, from what she¡¯d heard amongst the chatter within the Empress¡¯ Nexus on her exit from the lake. Ri¡¯bot being the dominating presence in the valley was a surprise; although, between the quen¡¯talrat and her family, all of the major predators within the jungle had been hunted into oblivion or consumed. She needed to better understand her new hunting grounds. It would have been easier to travel through their complex network of tunnels beneath the jungle, yet she wasn¡¯t sure how maintained they were after a century of degradation. She had to multitask on her way; it was something their mother taught them to prioritize. Closing her eyes, she flexed her fingers, yet it was her hair that branched out, snaking around her frame in a long trail. She left small spikes of compressed silk at the hidden entrances of their many nests still accessible on her path, activating and applying minor repairs. The thin fiber linked to the gateway to her former home nexus. Pulses of electricity spread from her internal organs, gathered from the atmosphere and earth, to generate a picture of their vast subterranean kingdom. Sadly, she hardly received a response, even after her mending efforts. With a deep, disappointed breath, her vision opened, and she continued, her path altering to check more entrances and take her toward her next survey destination. Soon, the white rapids of a giant riverway cutting through the western valley from the north came into view. With practiced ease, Camellia anchored a thin thread between two towering trees on both shores and darted across. Everything¡¯s changed. Her hair broke off at points, lingering impulses carrying them into their tunnel access points to further apply minor repairs. It would take a powerful earthquake to collapse so many of our tunnels, many of which Mother reinforced herself. Her steps were as light as air, barely disturbing the tension of the silk. Why can¡¯t I find any trace of my sisters¡­or mom? Wouldn¡¯t someone have carried their corpses away? The quen¡¯talrat typically display trophies of their prey¡­so where are my sisters? The water surged beneath her, a frothing mass of power and chaos. She increased her pace, scaling the cliffs to the northern volcanic zone with ease, and came upon the quen¡¯talrat fortress. Upon reaching her high perch, Camellia gazed across the colossal black citadel. It was a monolithic structure of unique obsidian stone, mined from the northern mountain range. The material was even hard for their legs to penetrate, which was why the White God had utilized it. The structure loomed against the sky, a testament to the unusual power the White God had obtained that had somehow matched her mother¡¯s strength. Camellia¡¯s hearts quickened, a mix of awe and trepidation flooding her senses. The last time she¡¯d been inside this structure, she¡¯d been the cause of her whole family¡¯s destruction. That could be redeemed, though. She could be redeemed if she found her sisters and mother. The issue was¡­where were they? She turned her attention away from the towering walls to spread her threads out again, drilling into the stone to link up with other silken tunnels buried underneath. These caverns were more stable than the ones on the western side of the valley, giving her more information as she reactivated the network. Finally! The Drones gathered southeast, without a doubt moving outside the valley to be absorbed by my aunt¡¯s brood. Our chemical traces should abide for many th¨¦lm¨¦thra generations. We battled below the city, and if we were moved¡­I should be able to sense the path. Her illuminated ruby irises slid from the boiling mud pits and colorful bodies of water with their complex bacteria habitats, yet her vision looked beyond them to the burrows underneath. There are pathways still open to get inside the keep¡­but the one Mom created to fight the White God is sealed. My scent trail leads down a path to the west¡­so why can¡¯t I find anyone else from our family? She knelt down, focusing intently on the nexus her whole family had worked together to maintain and manage. It was challenging to spread her mind out this far, even if it was far more limited than it had once been; in truth, the hardest part was accessing her sisters¡¯ far more complex silk¡­by design. She could see her youngest sister¡¯s black and white exoskeleton design shimmering with mocking mirth at her attempts to utilize her perfect web. I found something! Her fingers twitched as a faint trace of her middle sister touched the activating silk, the sensation sending a shock through her hair to her multiple brains. She looked up, observing the quen¡¯talrat fortress, dominating the landscape, its vast expanse stretching over 800 square kilometers. Yet, her focus was drawn to the northeast, beyond its formidable walls. The verdant ocean of emerald, jade, and topaz jungle teemed with life, an intricate tapestry of colossal trees. Somewhere within its expanse, her sister had been taken. Slowly rising to her full human height with a wide grin on her face, she glanced left and right, judging the valley¡¯s area; it had remained roughly the same, 350 kilometers in length and over 200 in width. If she could get a better grasp of her youngest sister¡¯s network, then it would be easy to follow their middle sister¡¯s chemical trail¡­but this wasn¡¯t what she should be focusing on. Camellia took a deep breath, the humid air filling her mutated human lungs; she had to redeem herself to her mother and sisters. And that started with serving The Empress well. Her eyes traced the eastern half of the landscape now that she was at its center point. She took careful note of the massive rivers¡¯ changed courses, new lakes, and changed terrain. The new mesas cutting down the far eastern side of the valley were her destination; they blocked the view of the Roxim lands, where the Silver Queen¡¯s keep should be. The range¡¯s flat tops and steep sides rose out of the far less dense jungle, creating a natural fortress of stone and earth. Flexing her hands and preparing to further spread her hair in hopes of gaining more intelligence, Camellia¡¯s invisible fingers danced across the intricate web of threads she¡¯d accessed. Each one was a tether to her past and a guide to her present. She took note of each vibration that fed back to her focused mind. A tinge of sorrow and determination tightened her chest as she relived the last few days of her life, the memories written into the fabric of their home. Upon once again sensing the faint but unmistakable scent of her middle sister, meticulous and sociable, she perked up, pulling her gaze to the northeast. Stop getting distracted! she internally chided, returning her attention to the east. A devious smile lifted her full lips, the anticipation of food wetting them. She isn¡¯t going anywhere¡­my prey is. Hair detaching from the northern network, it was pulled into the earth to hide, responding to the lingering impulses. Camellia leaped from her perch, her powerful legs propelling her down the cliff. The air rushed past her, enjoying the new tingling sensation her long locks left against her scalp; humans were so sensitive that it helped her better connect to her younger sister¡¯s silk. The jungle transformed beneath her, and the dense and wild western side of the valley gave way to the more spare and open eastern expanse. Her locks shot out to stick to a tree and swing her into the foliage, slipping into it as a shadow. In her race toward the mesas, she spotted the lingering scars of a great fire in the distant past, the fire¡¯s devastation still evident in the giant charred remains of ancient trees. Yet, from the ashes, new life had sprung. In the hours that went by, she took note of the plant life and ri¡¯bot, the many packs of broodless toads in the process of moving to the north. She didn¡¯t have time to investigate. However, she did pay close attention to the novel plants, with their vibrant hues and unusual shapes that thrived in the fertile, fire-enriched soil. Luminescent vines the size of her human thigh wound their way up the blackened trunks, their soft glow illuminating the shadows to reveal adapted wildlife. Massive flowers spread their paralysis pollen into the air. She was naturally unaffected, yet figured it was something to bring to The Empress¡¯ attention. One strange addition was the bioluminescent fungi, which formed intricate patterns on the forest floor, lifting rocks to counter gravity¡¯s pull. Filing it all away, she eventually reached her destination. The mesas rose before her, their flat tops and steep sides stark against the darkening sky. Due to her observations, she¡¯d made it early, finding a quicker route. Camellia paused at their base, scanning for signs of movement. Her frown deepened as she spread out her flaming locks, releasing them into the atmosphere to weave in memorizing patterns several meters past its normal length; each filament was a delicate sensor, gathering enduring samples from the air. Her vision narrowed, head tilting south; the scent of ri¡¯bot, distinct and pungent, clung to the cliff face. A decent-sized group had already scaled the mesas earlier that day. They were supposed to attack in the dead of night, she internally reasoned, looking beyond her sensory fibers to the twilight. Something is off¡­ Camellia proceeded further south as a shadow against the moss-covered rocks, following the persistent biological remains to where they¡¯d begun their ascent. Their scent was unnaturally potent to her compared to the other ri¡¯bot¡ªfundamentally different. Fascinated, her extended hair lowered to spread out across the moss and rock surface. She sampled their sweat and lingering skin residue that had rubbed off. Her silk collected a droplet of dried blood to press against her tongue. Bitter¡­and laced with bile I haven¡¯t tasted from ri¡¯bot before¡­ It¡¯s familiar, though? How can I not recall the source? I know it¡¯s not exactly the same, but similar to¡­something prolific. How can I not remember something I feel is prolific? Well¡­this is a first. Potent and energizing, she separated it within her unique queen organ to further digest and analyze. It was too small of a sample size to fully process and connect to whatever her instincts were trying to tell her, but enough to make a probable conclusion. Their DNA has been manipulated, similar to the quen¡¯talrat. But¡­it isn¡¯t them. The report about their attack was wrong. Judging by the rate of decay, they attacked just when The Empress was raising me from the dead this morning. Does that mean the witch I¡¯m supposed to keep safe is dead? Looking up, she soundlessly scaled the cliff in pursuit of her prey; the scent of blood carried on the wind guided her. Cold detachment stilled her hearts at the scene of carnage that met her at the top. The wooden lookout points were stained with the remnants of what should have been a fierce struggle; it should have been a very easily defensible position. They¡¯re all dead. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Bending down, her hair wrapped around her frame as her fingers brushed the dried blood, baked in the hot sun. She picked apart its structure, processing the information, and her active mind recreated the battle while taking in all the available data. They came over the wall in a short break between shifts¡­impossibly fast for the typical toads I¡¯ve seen. It isn¡¯t impossible for the ri¡¯bot of my age, but the weaklings in the jungle I¡¯ve observed thus far? Not possible. In conclusion, the Xaltan are different¡­more dangerous. Her gaze drifted, noting the atypical slaughter. No bodies¡­ They were dragged and thrown off the cliff to the far south, near the river. Was that to counter The Empress¡¯ ability to bring them back and question them? The chemicals in their blood don¡¯t suggest a battle, either¡­ It is as if they had died without realizing they were under attack¡­ No fear or anxiety. Her focus shifted to the strange metallic devices she¡¯d seen at The Empress¡¯ camp, most of which had been abandoned or smashed with rocks. However, the unnatural chemicals the items produced did indicate that some had been taken. She could smell some of the explosive powder scattered across the cliff. Looking over the flat mountain, she confirmed not a single warrior remained. Yet, the further she went, the more there were signs of a struggle. It had been too late by then, and the taste of their blood was potent with fear and hopelessness¡­such as when her middle sister played with her food. A lump formed in her throat as she jumped onto a nearby building and scanned the scene as a whole. An uncomfortable realization ebbed into her gut. Why do parts of this feel¡­similar to how we hunt? There¡¯s something I¡¯m missing. I don¡¯t smell any Drones¡­not my sisters or mother¡­ And yet¡­I keep getting this familiar vibe that tickles my thread. I did much of my hunting in this area when I was young, and I have thread scattered¡­ No, that¡¯s impossible! Camellia¡¯s thoughts froze, and she brought her fist against the roof of the rehydration storage building the Roxim had made. Crashing through the shaved planks to the bloody water inside, the shallow, tainted liquid sprayed around her. Her gaze was instantly drawn to the gore marring the brown wooden wall. The image of a bloody hand was impressed on it, an eye with three pupils staring at her with shimmering crimson light. However, Camellia¡¯s attention was fixated on what was wrapped around the hand, as if taunting her. My silk¡­ My old silk. I couldn¡¯t smell it because¡­I unconsciously filtered out my own scent. They raided one of my hunting nests and somehow used my silk. How? The way they swiftly scaled the cliff, the silent attack patterns¡­ They¡¯re mimicking th¨¦lm¨¦thra. Lips peeling back, she stared at the illuminated eye, her fingers curling into fists as soft laughter rolled out of her throat; the emotion was so exhilarating compared to how she typically felt. What The Empress said about the Scarlet Hand being led by some powerful entity and some Shade within the earth¡­ Is this a challenge for me? They knew I would be raised from the dead¡­ They left this here for me to find. A trap? Drawing me in? Mimicking a th¨¦lm¨¦thra, using our silk¡­and being one are very different things. Her hair reached out, sliding over the still-wet liquid, processing the bile in the blood and the poisonous force within. Her bright, flaming eyes turned away from the disrupted image, and her locks formed a solid mass. Abruptly, it whipped out, destroying the whole building in a sweeping cyclone of empowered silk. Xaltan Mysticism is mimicry¡­by ingesting the remains of abandoned Drone eggs?! I can taste it now; the bile in their blood that will kill them in time. Poisoning yourselves to enhance your frail bodies. Is that it? You desecrated my mother¡¯s legacy. Very well. Let¡¯s see how much of a th¨¦lm¨¦thra you can mimic. Approaching the eastern cliff edge, she coldly scanned the jungle floor below. The dense canopy concealed much in the dying twilight. Not a problem for her. Camellia¡¯s keen senses locked onto the Roxim main settlement, hidden within the trees by a large lake, perhaps even larger than the Wixum¡¯s. She observed the Roxim land. Only their main settlement had been targeted; the northern areas appeared to be untouched. This was calculated, and she couldn¡¯t sense War nearby, yet The Empress¡¯ Nexus had been somewhat spotty over the last several hours in any case; it was something to bring up with someone more accustomed to the empire when she had a chance. Small creatures scurried about the raided settlement and the scent of death permeated the updraft, although less than she would have imagined. Beyond it, a solitary rocky mountain rose, its imposing form mirrored in the still waters of the lake. A colossal fissure, likely over twenty kilometers long, split the land to its south, welcoming the lake water and creating a hanging mist that obscured the scar in the valley. This fissure had not been here a century ago, a recent and significant change to the landscape since it occupied the area where the quen¡¯talrat Silver Queen had set up her fortress. I was supposed to meet with War and Chief Zargoth¡­ I should proceed with caution if they¡¯re expecting me. If either of these powerful, otherworldly entities are pulling the strings, then perhaps there will be a challenge. I doubt they¡¯ll be able to match the quen¡¯talrat generals and officers I¡¯ve fought¡­but what is this strange sensation in my breast? An odd thump she hadn¡¯t experienced when alive pulsed through her; she couldn¡¯t put it into words, and it stemmed from what the Xaltan had done to her mother¡¯s brood. How many others had ransacked their nests due to her mistake? It had to be set right. She had to set it right. After several seconds of observation, Camellia¡¯s thoughts turned to her mission; it hadn¡¯t changed. The presence of these altered ri¡¯bot posed an even more deadly threat than The Empress seemed to realize. First, she had to establish a connection to her new ruler and report. With a final glance at the bloody scene behind her and expecting the worst, Camellia crawled over the cliff¡¯s sheer drop. Her bare feet effortlessly clung to the stone with her arachnid abilities, and halfway down, she released thread from her toenails, compressing it at her feet, and launched herself towards the lake with a spike of electricity. As she neared the treeline, her hair spread, more thread breaking her fall to swing to the silent settlement. Blood marked the ground once more, but there were clear tracks this time. Maintaining her stealth Feats, she was a shadow, following the path of a huge number of ri¡¯bot that had been relocated southwest. Camellia redirected her attention the moment she detected the trace remains of Death Energy: War¡¯s energy. Finding her elbow behind her back, she cast her eyes about, noting how little damage had been done to the infrastructure itself, yet more bloody hands and eyes permeated the area, as if watching her. War was taken by the Xaltan¡­ How? The Empress should have been aware of any changes or deaths when it came to her forces, yet no one has been sent after me to change my orders. She looked west with a widening smile, where she felt hidden movement before returning to the unpopulated zone. It is a trap for me. How fun! The Roxim¡¯s main settlement has been taken back to the Xaltan¡¯s territory. They knew I would be coming. Yet, besides those creeping about¡­I sense only one ri¡¯bot left nearby as my bait. How sloppy. By ri¡¯bot standards, they¡¯re very stealthy...laughable to me, and my stealth is scoffed at by my sisters. Their stealth is sad, even by Drone standards¡­ They fail. Her senses sharpened as she turned toward the largest building near the lake; the tainted scent in the ri¡¯bot blood was thick in that direction, taunting her. Fingernails biting into her palm, she resisted the urge to break her stealth and allow them to converge on her to preemptively spring the trap. She wasn¡¯t a little girl anymore, though, and oddly, it smelled like a Roxim¡¯s blood rather than the Xaltan she¡¯d been tracking. An enemy, traitor, or messenger, as many races typically have¡­which will it be? Camellia moved with total silence, her stealthy approach making her invisible to the frightening jungle animals creeping into the abandoned buildings. Rather than engaging the bait and tainted Roxim, she left a thread to keep her notified of the toad¡¯s actions and backtracked to War¡¯s most recent path. She slowed upon finding the human female¡¯s scent she¡¯d been looking for by the tree line; the Xaltan assassins maintained their distance, waiting for her to reveal herself or some other action because they most certainly couldn¡¯t find her. Upon further investigation, Camellia discovered a covered tunnel a short distance into the jungle: a shelter, hiding some of the young. Hundreds of thousands of Camellia¡¯s silken locks extended, her hair sinking into the dirt. She silently injected her thread, using it to burrow and create a perfect hole while quietly reinforcing the other side. As if a phantom, within seconds, she had opened it up and crept inside, tasting the scents of a few dozen young ri¡¯bot and hundreds of tadpoles within. She went further in and found her target; it couldn¡¯t be a coincidence these ones survived undetected. Her sudden appearance spooked the young ri¡¯bot and a human witch, who was trying to carve a symbol into the hard rock with little effect. Revealing herself, the toad kids shrank back, shaking and holding up knives, and the witch looked up, startled, her eyes wide with fear and desperation. ¡°Who are you?¡± the living witch demanded, her voice trembling. ¡°Wait¡­are you human?¡± Camellia stepped forward, her movements fluid and graceful yet filled with an underlying purpose; this was the real trap. ¡°I am Camellia, servant of Empress Elinor. I seem to have come too late¡­ Come, you must reconnect us with The Empress. Hmm.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?!¡± the girl choked, gesturing to a bunch of pots. ¡°These are all the Roxim¡¯s tadpole children, uh¡­and these Roxim teens are helping me¡­ M-Ms. Camellia? War told me something was happening on the cliff and that I should hide in here¡­¡± Her lips tightened while looking up, smelling unnatural composites to anything she¡¯d experienced buried throughout the cavern; they¡¯d been taken from the mesas. ¡°Shh¡­ They were here before you arrived¡­wrapped in my silk. Crafty¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± A pulse ran through one of her extended hairs, warning of movement outside; her instincts told her it was a distraction. They were springing the trap and knew where she was now that she¡¯d revealed herself. She had to thank her middle sister for always playing her troublesome games and setting traps for her to get tangled in. Stepping closer, the witch stiffened as Camellia¡¯s hair thickened. She pulled her in, wrapping them inside a cocoon. Just as it locked into place, shockwaves erupted all around her, immediately sending a surge of information through her sensitive threads that overloaded her nervous system. Part of her thickened shell was destroyed, which was a challenging accomplishment for even quen¡¯talrat Elite Hunters. ¡°W-Was that a bomb?! Did they just blow up the tunnel? Where did they get bombs?!¡± Vision spinning, the next thing Camellia saw was the frantic witch hugging her tight and trembling as her mind cleared. ¡°I¡­I can¡¯t breathe!¡± Tricky. Tricky. Tricky little toads. No, this had to be, in part, planned by a creature with a more intimate understanding of our species. A trap like this¡­laid for a th¨¦lm¨¦thra? Bold. Camellia internally chuckled, blinking away the spots across her cut senses. I¡¯ll have to adapt to that shockwave trick, but do not think it is so easy to escape me. You only use Drones¡­and I am no Drone. Quickly recovering, Camellia instantly discarded her ruined outer silk layer. Her thread branched out, launching her upward with the witch. The moment she burst out of the collapsed tunnel, her senses expanded once more, and she watched in slow motion as the black-skinned ri¡¯bot nearby slipped into the shadows, retreating. Camellia chuckled, releasing the girl to collapse against the ground. Her hair fanned out, shooting into the soil as clumps of dirt rained around them with noxious fumes. Thread enclosed the panicking girl¡¯s face, filtering in clean streams of air to counteract the toxic gas left behind. This underground area was more connected to her nest within their underground empire. Long buried, partially damaged silk writhed beneath the land as she took control over her former network, cutting the weakest links and reinforcing needed nexus points. Her wide field of vision branched out within a mile radius, her ruby eyes everywhere, looking at everything: ten black-skinned Xaltan, the mark of the Scarlet Hand burning on their foreheads, came into view. I see you. I see all of you. ¡°They killed all of those¡­help!¡± the human screamed as the web closed in and embraced her in a protective shell. Camellia¡¯s senses sharpened¡ªfocused¡ªand she felt the Symphony of the Hunt resonate within her breast, each beat a reminder of her purpose. Her hair, a crimson cascade of threads, fanned out from the soil, establishing another protective dome around the human witch. Dozens of thrown objects shot out of the sky from the cliff. Explosions echoed around them as they detonated, blowing apart much of her shell. Yet, the heat hardly affected her since she was accustomed to quen¡¯talrat flames, and it was easy to deactivate her nerves near the blast radius to escape the mind-blasting rhythms the shockwaves created. Her inner web absorbed the shockwaves, shielding the girl from harm and making Camellia laugh. You underestimate me, but congratulations on depleting half my silk reserves with this trap. Camellia''s ruby eyes glowed with a fierce delight. She felt every vibration, every movement within her web. They were retreating into the shadows, but that was her domain. With fluid grace, Camellia shot into the night, her threads trailing behind her as she pursued the Xaltan. Her movements were a blur, a streak of red against the green and brown of the jungle as night fell. She launched from tree to tree with predatory stealth, able to move in any direction. The Xaltan were surprisingly fast compared to those she¡¯d seen in the jungle¡ªmaybe they could rival their typical ancestors a century ago¡ªbut that was laughable to her. One by one, she closed in on her prey. The first Xaltan barely had time to react as she descended upon him, her threads wrapping around his limbs and pinning him to the ground. His eyes widened in fear as Camellia loomed over him, her expression glee-filled and unforgiving. ¡°You thought you could match the real thing with Drones?¡± she giggled, her human figure expanding to her true, five-meter-tall arachnid form. ¡°I think I¡¯m beginning to understand why my middle sister loves giving her food so many chances to escape; you¡¯re so funny!¡± With a swift motion, she consumed half his body, using his sacrifice to complete her analysis and leaving the rest for the jungle. She had nine more to bind and question; there were more to catch. Her massive form shrunk again, threads relayed information back to her, guiding her to the next target. The jungle became her hunting ground again, every tree, every shadow a part of her domain. The second Xaltan attempted to fight back against the plucking threads of darkness because he most certainly couldn¡¯t spot her. The thread-like shadows he fought sliced through the air and bound him in place. The fear in his eyes mirrored that of the first, clearly surprised their well-crafted ambush had failed. Camellia''s mind raced as she moved from target to target, each capture fueling her thumping hearts to feast on their bones: she was patient, though. The network of threads she had established long ago came alive under her command, an extension of her will. The Xaltan had tempted her in her own playground, and they would pay for their audacity. As she captured the last of the ten Xaltan, long before they reached the river divide, Camellia felt a sense of satisfaction. Slinging them over her shoulder, one by one, their futile struggles against their silken restraints only served to brighten her mood. She returned to the witch, still cocooned in the protective shell of her threads, trembling but unharmed. On a brighter note, she appeared to have mostly calmed down. The witch looked up at Camellia with wide eyes, a mixture of awe and fear in her gaze. ¡°Y-You¡¯re amazing! Umm¡­these guys killed all of their babies¡­ How did they overpower the Roxim so easily? Was I¡­bait?¡± Camellia¡¯s expression softened slightly as she regarded the confused girl. ¡°It was lucky that you were the bait, my little insect. Sadly for them, they didn¡¯t know whose web they were playing in¡­or did they? I¡¯m still debating it¡­¡± The witch nodded, her fear slowly giving way to anger. ¡°Right. Uh, we need to establish a connection back to The Empress to inform her, right? Is War nearby?¡± Camellia shook her head, crossing her arms and glancing south. She felt the tainted Roxim in the big house begin making his way toward them. She lashed out with her hidden web nearby, binding him in place; there would be time to collect him shortly. ¡°I¡¯m a new member of the Royal Court within the empire, so I am not accustomed to many things. I cannot sense any undead nearby. You¡¯ll have to ask The Empress. How soon can you get it ready?¡± The girl¡¯s attitude flipped at her statement, fear dissipating as she jogged toward the abandoned settlement, showing her trust. ¡°You¡¯re in the Royal Court?! Oh, okay. Umm. If they didn¡¯t take the extra supplies we brought, then I should be able to use a few of these bastards as fuel to reach The Empress without an amplifier¡ªwell, their life would be the amplifier. It would only last for several minutes, but that should be enough time, right?¡± ¡°Great! Let¡¯s do that then¡­¡± The girl paused and glanced back, her worry returning. ¡°What about Rylee and my friends¡ªThe Empress sent two Circles here to set everything up. I was left here to maintain this one while they worked on more stuff in the caves and in the jungle.¡± Camellia looked back the way she¡¯d come. ¡°I haven¡¯t smelled any trace of a human beside you.¡± ¡°Huh? That¡¯s¡­weird. Yeah, we should report this!¡± The witch rushed off and gathered the necessary tools while Camellia maintained her grip over the prisoners, keeping a watchful eye out for anyone else. She searched around the settlement with her webs, but it was as if the witches had never existed, and now that she thought about it, it was strange it had been so hard to find this witch girl. This couldn¡¯t be the end of their trap, but she was sure this witch girl was genuine. She could patiently wait for their next move; after all, th¨¦lm¨¦thra were very patient predators. As the witch began the ritual to reconnect with the Witch Network, Camellia¡¯s thoughts turned to the symbol of the red hand with the tri-pupiled eye; the girl had smeared all of the ones looking at them around the camp. The connection to the mutated ri¡¯bot was clearly the Scarlet Hand, but the purpose remained shrouded in mystery. In any case, The Empress would have a direction for her. Camellia¡¯s glowing eyes drifted to the hardened warriors, no less than quaking children under her watchful gaze. Hopefully, her order was one that would allow her to satiate her sudden hunger¡­because her stomach was finished gnawing on the bones of her first victim, and she could use them to rebuild her shrunken silk gland. B4 — 7.5. Quen’Talrat Mines Valentina prowled through the underground halls of the quen¡¯talrat mines, with the echoes of Black and Ash¡¯s horses ominously fading, swallowed by the vastness of the ancient caverns. Her footsteps were hardly heard, and Grace¡¯s were nonexistent. The sheer scale of the place was staggering, built for apparently super-intelligent, thirty-foot-tall gorillas, like Quin, and it showed it. Sculpted arches soared above her, their intricate carvings telling stories of battles long past, scenes of epic war frozen in time and painted with some kind of sparkling dust that looked like crushed gems. Statues of mighty quen¡¯talrat warriors stood sentinel along the passageways, their stone faces etched with fierce roars. Quin¡¯s people were something else, she thought, her eyes tracing the exquisite details of a battle scene etched into the wall. Even their art screams power, and Quin¡¯s only, like, a few months old, which is insane to think about. The air was thick with the scent of decay and blood, a grim reminder of the carnage left in Death¡¯s wake. Valentina¡¯s keen eyes caught glimpses of the undead ri¡¯bot, mindlessly shambling along, their lifeless eyes glowing faintly in the flickering flames along the hallway. The clanless had positioned the torches reasonably close to one another due to their poor eyesight, casting long, flickering shadows that illuminated the ancient murals that decorated the cavern walls. Bodies of the fallen lay scattered, signs of a weak resistance becoming more evident as they went. More undead were rising to join the ranks of the undead as Valentina and her companions passed by, Death¡¯s field of shadows spreading smog along the floor. As they descended deeper into the mines, the corridors opened into a colossal cavern that stretched out into an abyss. Bridges and platforms spanned the void into eternity, their edges lined with intricate railings that wound around the giant hole in the mountain. Far below, molten lava poured from cracks in the rock, glowing rivers that vanished into the darkness. Valentina¡¯s night vision couldn¡¯t penetrate the depths of the chasm, the blackness below swallowing the light as if a mouth accepting tribute. This place is a nightmare, she mused, her fur bristling at the sight. What was the purpose of this place¡­ They¡¯ve got rail systems, elevators, and, by the looks of it, the defended areas seem to be designed to keep people in rather than out. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d love this place, Empress, she commented in her heart. The ramp they followed spiraled downward, its steep incline leading them into the heart of the mountain. The air grew warmer, the heat from the lava flows seeping into the stone beneath her feet. She could hear the distant rumble of the earth, the mountain¡¯s core beating with a slow, powerful rhythm. One thing was for sure: this place was no ordinary mine¡ªthey had been digging toward something. On a bridge ahead, she saw him¡ªthe Supreme Leader¡ªstanding with a group of his lieutenants. The leader wielded a shockwave device, a blend of runic technology and excellent craftsmanship that was sure not ri¡¯bot made, its surface etched with glowing symbols. The device hummed ominously, a menacing promise of its destructive power to hurl anything that inched out across the open walkway to be another sacrifice for the mines. Valentina¡¯s eyes narrowed as she took in the sight of him wearing gear adorned with her own fur, her precious stripes displayed like some kind of twisted trophy. Licking her lips, she chuckled to herself as the undead unconsciously parted for them. You¡¯re dead, bastard. The Supreme Leader and his lieutenants laughed at their fallen comrades, attempting to inch forward to reach them, their voices carrying over the chasm. ¡°Not even the Pits can take us!¡± one of the lieutenants crowed, his voice echoing off the cavern walls. Valentina¡¯s mouth tightened as she took in the Supreme Leader and his lieutenants¡¯ strategy. They¡¯d created a choke point, stacking their shockwave devices together on wooden carts, forming a faint white barrier that pulsed with energy. The undead ri¡¯bot stumbled and faltered against the wall or tumbled over the edge if they allowed them onto the walkway. ¡°These Pit fiends don¡¯t stand a chance!¡± ¡°Look at them, so pathetic. Even in death, they¡¯re useless!¡± Valentina moved through the slow, shuffling mass of undead ri¡¯bot, with Grace, Black, and Ash flanking her. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, but her mind was clearer now. These powerful soldiers of her Empress waited on her command, and the responsibility was nerve-wracking. What was worse was that they weren¡¯t saying a word! No, they were probably talking through The Empress¡¯ Nexus. They reached the edge of the bridge, just beyond the reach of the shockwave device. The Supreme Leader¡¯s mocking voice rang out. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t the naked fur bank! You think you can sneak behind us and attack our backs like last time? We can last here for weeks; we¡¯ve got enough food. What have you got, useless Pit fiends?¡± Valentina flexed her fingers, her claws itching to tear through his smug face. His words echoed in her mind, but she pushed aside the anger, focusing on the task at hand. Their torches won¡¯t last that long, but I¡¯ve got a mission to do. In the grand scheme of things, they¡¯re worthless gnats. She leaned in close to Grace, her voice a low whisper as the serene hare man amiably surveyed the grand environment more than the defended clanless. ¡°I know I¡¯m weak. I know I can¡¯t get past these barriers on my own; I¡¯ve tried before when I was taking out their lower ranks. Can you¡­take out the barriers and the shockwave device? The Empress will be interested in them, so is it possible to not damage them¡­ Is it possible?¡± Grace¡¯s serenity didn¡¯t falter as he nodded. ¡°Anything is possible with the right approach. I¡¯m sure you would find a way, given time. None of these toads pose that much of a risk to you.¡± Death¡¯s hollow eyes glowed with an eerie light. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, Sis, but I¡¯d like to see more of Grace¡¯s moves. What do you say?¡± Famine¡¯s grin widened atop her thin horse as she stretched out. ¡°Why don¡¯t you show us some of Nungal¡¯s power you¡¯re always going on about.¡± Valentina took a deep breath, steeling herself and now wondering exactly how powerful the hare was as she looked at his scarred, bare chest. ¡°I don¡¯t know who Nungal is, but I¡¯d rather be done with this business so I can get back to The Empress because this shit is a bust. The clanless are only good for followers and supporting the Wixum.¡± Valentina crouched low, her muscles coiled with tension, eyes locked onto the Supreme Leader across the chasm. The mocking laughter of the leader and his lieutenants grated on her nerves, their jeers echoing in the cavern. This bastard had humiliated her, and she was ready to repay the favor tenfold. Grace¡¯s serene voice cut through her boiling anger, a calm presence in the storm of her emotions. ¡°Valentina, there is strength in belief. If you wish to see the power of faith, I will demonstrate.¡± She glanced at him, his lean, muscular form relaxed but seemingly always ready for action. His silver eyes held no threat, yet she felt a chill as if a knife was just a centimeter away from piercing her heart, cutting through her rage. She gulped, trying to calm her bristling fur, her ears flattening against her head. ¡°Be specific with your order,¡± Grace continued, his hand resting lightly on one of his swords. ¡°Are you asking me to remove these barriers alone, or do you wish for me to eliminate the threat so we can explore these halls and find something useful for The Empress?¡± Valentina hesitated, her eyes flicking to Black and Ash. Both watched with interest, their expressions a mix of curiosity and excitement. ¡°Will they¡­suffer for what they did to me?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with the bitterness of her ordeal. Grace¡¯s smile rose a little, a hint of amusement in his eyes that made her growl and cheeks turn a tad pink. ¡°I will ask my goddess.¡± He closed his eyes, and the air around him seemed to hum with a quiet power. Valentina rubbed her arm as goosebumps ran down its length beneath her fur. Who the heck is this Nungal chick? He serves The Empress, but also some goddess? Black and Ash seem to respect his power. I have no idea what The Empress has been doing! I¡¯m so out of the loop¡­ When he opened them again, the intensity in his silver gaze made Valentina¡¯s breath catch in her throat. ¡°Nungal has told me she will see to it herself,¡± Grace said, his voice calm and assured. ¡°She has granted me permission to unlock my third seal, and unsheath one of her blades. I have not done this since facing the Lightning Champion of the Island of Storms. Is that acceptable?¡± Valentina¡¯s pulse quickened, excitement building as she saw the anticipation on Black and Ash¡¯s faces. Her own curiosity was piqued, despite her irritation. ¡°Sure.¡± Grace¡¯s smile widened, and he bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. He stepped forward, his movements fluid and graceful as the unintelligent undead shuffled to the side. He smoothly knelt on the cold, black stone floor, an ethereal glow casting out from him, bathing the walls in an otherworldly light. His silver eyes closed, and he began to murmur a prayer, his voice soft yet resonant. ¡°I¡¯m building this house, on the moon; ¡°I am a lost, wanderer; ¡°Looking at you, like a star; ¡°From the place, the world forgot; ¡°There is nothing, that I can do; ¡°Except bury my love for you.¡± His words carried a profound sense of longing and devotion, the haunting melody echoing through the cavern like a hymn. Valentina watched, her breath catching as the air around Grace seemed to shimmer, his very presence commanding attention. She had seen power before, seen The Empress summon back the dead, but this was something different, something sacred. ¡°The brightness of the sun; ¡°Will give me just enough; Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°To bury my love; ¡°In the Moondust. ¡°I long to hear your voice; ¡°But still I make the choice; ¡°To bury my love; ¡°In the Moondust.¡± A soft light began to coalesce in front of him, forming the figure of a woman. Her long, violet hair flowed like liquid galaxies, and her deep lilac eyes swirled with cosmic energy. She was both beautiful and terrifying, an embodiment of loveliness and judgment. Valentina¡¯s heart pounded as she felt the weight of Grace¡¯s emotions, his love and reverence for this goddess palpable in the air. ¡°Nothing can breathe, in this space; ¡°Colder even than, the darkest sea. ¡°I have dreams about the days; ¡°In your sunset breeze. ¡°But the first thing that I will do; ¡°Is bury my love for you.¡± Nungal¡¯s gaze softened as she looked down at Grace, her fingers gently tracing his cheek. ¡°My faithful servant,¡± she murmured, her voice like a celestial symphony. ¡°You honor me with your devotion.¡± Grace¡¯s eyes opened, shimmering with unshed tears. ¡°I live to serve you, My Goddess.¡± Nungal leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead. A wave of energy surged around Grace, and the carnelian shackles around his wrists and ankles glowed a deep maroon before unlocking and falling away. Valentina¡¯s eyes widened, her fur standing on end. The man rose, his movements fluid and filled with purpose. It was as if all time had slowed, excluding him; she couldn¡¯t breathe or move, and no sound echoed through the cavern. He placed his hand on one of his curved swords with reverence. The sheathed blade seemed to hum with a life of its own, resonating with the cosmic energy that flickered with a liquid, phantom force. ¡°I¡¯m a castaway, and men reap what they sow; ¡°And I say what I know, to be true.¡± Grace continued his prayer as he walked forward, his voice unwavering. The shockwaves from the Supreme Leader¡¯s device were frozen in place, quivering the air, but they parted around him as he proceeded, unable to touch his divine aura. Valentina could only watch in awe as he approached the leader, his presence commanding and unyielding. ¡°Yes, I''m living far away, on the face of the moon; ¡°I¡¯ve buried my love to give the world to you.¡± Grace stopped in front of the Supreme Leader, his silver eyes locking onto the toad¡¯s wide, terrified gaze, unable to move. ¡°Congratulations,¡± he softly said, his voice carrying the weight of divine judgment. ¡°You have the honor of meeting Nungal. Send her my love.¡± The Supreme Leader¡¯s smug confidence shattered, replaced by a look of pure terror as he gazed into the eyes of the goddess who stood behind Grace. Valentina felt a surge of satisfaction, her lips curling into a smirk as she felt the assurance of what awaited the toad who had enslaved his own people. He stumbled back and tried to run as Grace slowly slid his blade out. Yet, she couldn¡¯t see it as if the weapon were a ghost, ethereal. The words of the ri¡¯bot faded with all sound in the area. With an elegance Valentina couldn¡¯t describe, the world stood utterly still, hanging for several seconds. The hare turned, his phantom sword slid into its sheath. On his second step, the click of the sword entered the scabbard, and every ri¡¯bot, including the undead, exploded before fading into nothingness, leaving the ring of his blade humming in the still atmosphere. The stillness in the cavern was almost suffocating, the tension a distinctive force that pressed down on her chest as the hum of the blade still rang throughout the giant space. She blinked, trying to comprehend what had just happened. One moment, the Supreme Leader and his minions, including the raised undead, were there, and the next, they were nothing but particles in the air, erased from existence by Grace¡¯s ethereal blade. That was... unbelievable. She swallowed hard, her ears twitching as she turned to Black and Death, searching their expressions for any sign of what to do next. Black¡¯s usual smirk was replaced by a look of genuine awe. ¡°Well,¡± she said, breaking the silence with her calm, calculated tone, ¡°I suppose that answers any questions about his power. I must say, I shouldn¡¯t be surprised after meeting Nungal myself.¡± The flicker in Death¡¯s hollow eyes showed a rare smile playing on his skeletal lips. ¡°I¡¯ve seen many things in the last few months, but that¡­ That was something else. Grace, you continue to surprise us.¡± Grace¡¯s otherworldly presence and overwhelming presence faded with the goddess¡¯ figure vanishing like smoke, and his shackles reappeared on his wrists and ankles. He stood at the edge of the bridge, his staple amiable smile in place while his silver eyes stared down at the depths of the abyss below. ¡°The Supreme Leader has been judged,¡± he said quietly, his voice carrying a serene finality. ¡°Nungal¡¯s will is done.¡± Valentina felt a shiver run down her spine. Grace, you¡¯re something else entirely. She stepped forward, trying to regain her composure, her claws flexing as she looked at the spot where the Supreme Leader had stood. No harm had come to their devices. ¡°I¡­I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s just¡­gone. It¡¯s as if he never existed. No blood. No flesh¡­ Nothing.¡± Grace gave her a gentle look, his demeanor as tranquil as ever. ¡°As I said, faith is a powerful thing, Valentina. Nungal¡¯s justice is swift and absolute, as is The Empress¡¯.¡± Black¡¯s grin returned, a spark of mischief in her eyes. ¡°I think we¡¯re all a bit more impressed than we¡¯d like to admit. Valentina, you handled yourself well, so don¡¯t be too hard on yourself. Now, the rescue is done, the threats neutralized, and a¡­rather unusual place ready to be explored.¡± Valentina took a deep breath, nodding firmly. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s get these prisoners out and figure out what other secrets this place holds. I have a feeling there¡¯s more to uncover. Although¡­do you think The Empress would want to explore this herself?¡± she asked with a strained smile as Grace rejoined them, the mine now eerie with how still and silent it was. Death rubbed his bony jaw, looking up at the fathomless ceiling with its layers of spiraling walkways and corridors. ¡°We could get lost in here for weeks¡­perhaps months. If you¡¯re asking for my opinion, it is best we look around for anything new on our way out rather than wander. Reporting back should be our priority. ¡°She could use more followers, as well, so seeing to the clanless could prove fruitful. I think your judgment was right in focusing on the mission we were given, Val. Grace, can you speak to The Empress right now?¡± The man¡¯s ears tilted to the right with his gaze, no doubt following sounds far more distant than her smaller ears could detect. ¡°Not for a short time. I must prepare my mind and heart to properly reach out after communing with Nungal.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Valentina nodded. ¡°We head out.¡± She smiled, feeling like she actually had something under her belt now. She had a large number of followers and a giant quen¡¯talrat mine to present to Her Empress. Her tail swung at her back as she hopped onto Black¡¯s horse, her feet feeling a little stressed with how far they¡¯d walked and how much pressure she¡¯d put on them in her fight with Grace. Valentina glanced down at the calm, relaxed hare, her cheeks coloring while getting a good look at him. The Empress is alright with us worshiping Nungal and her¡­ I want to learn more about Nungal after that. She¡¯s real¡­ A real goddess. I saw her for a brief second¡­ He¡¯s more than just a warrior with her strength; he¡¯s a force of nature¡­just like Empress Elinor. As they moved deeper into the fortress, the weight of Grace¡¯s display of power still hung in the air. Valentina¡¯s mind raced, trying to process everything she had witnessed. The corridor they followed was lined with more of the strange, glowing obelisks, their runes pulsating with a faint light. The air grew warmer, and the sound of distant machinery echoed through the cavern. Valentina¡¯s sharp ears directed them further past the exit door, and she could smell that the ri¡¯bot leaders they¡¯d rescued had run out of the fortress. Her ears fluttered, a weird noise brought her attention to Grace¡¯s earlier action. Questioning the long-eared hare, he confirmed it had begun once he¡¯d released his seals, suggesting the timing could be coincidence. Valentia wasn¡¯t so sure, though. Pausing for a moment just before the open doors of the mine¡¯s exit, she looked further down the corridor, the opposite way they¡¯d come. It sounded like something metal slamming against a wall. ¡°Let¡¯s¡­just check that out real fast.¡± Proceeding a bit further and following her gut, Valentina¡¯s lungs jumped into her throat upon making it to what looked to be a colossal storage area, where a giant, ornate door blocked their sight of what lay beyond; that wasn¡¯t the important part, though. Valentina¡¯s ears shifted to the left, where the largest cart system they¡¯d come across so far came into focus, leading to the door as if the area was meant to transport a ton of goods from the mine. The faint shimmer of a force field blocking their path from reaching the far more complex obelisk on the platform, and a large mechanical quen¡¯talrat seemed to be malfunctioning inside, walking into the barrier on the opposite side of them. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not creepy,¡± she mumbled, eyeing the intimidating giant. ¡°I see others in the background¡ªover there, below the ramp, but they seem to be broken. I can hear gears inside.¡± Death stepped forward, examining the barrier with a thoughtful expression as he ran his finger over it. ¡°Unlike those other obelisks we¡¯ve seen, this one here seems unique. They must be protecting something valuable.¡± Valentina''s ears twitched as she scanned the room, her eyes narrowing on the massive mechanical quen¡¯talrat clanging against the force field. Grace stood beside her, his silver eyes reflecting a calm intensity as he studied the intricate obelisk. Black and Ash flanked them, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness. The atmosphere was thick with the potential dangers that lay ahead. The flickering torches of the decimated clanless marauders cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, and the hum of the force field added an ominous undertone to the vast open space. Black glanced at Valentina and Grace while nudging her brother. ¡°I¡¯d like to check it out, yet given the quen¡¯talrat¡¯s famed military prowess, I¡¯d rather not open up something that could be a problem for us without The Empress¡¯ permission. Thoughts, our fluffy-tailed leader?¡± ¡°I agree,¡± she mumbled, moving left and right; the mechanical quen¡¯talrat followed her, its movements rigid. ¡°Wait¡­that¡¯s in the direction of the black fortress,¡± she said, pointing at the door. ¡°Do you think this could help us find an underground path inside?¡± Black grinned and ruffled her hair, making her frown at being treated like a little kid. ¡°Nice one, Val! Can¡¯t you communicate with The Empress, Grace?¡± Grace¡¯s gaze was fixated on the metal quen¡¯tarlat. ¡°I can, if she is listening. Give me a moment.¡± He closed his eyes, and a soft glow enveloped him. Valentina watched in awe as the air around him seemed to shimmer with a faint light. His permanent serenity somehow made her even more antsy. She felt a mixture of curiosity and impatience bubbling inside her, her tail twitching with the need to move. What¡¯s he saying to her? Did I really do a good job¡­because I don¡¯t think I did. She would have had this done in like half a day¡­ No, less than that. I suck¡­ Minutes felt like hours as they waited, the only sound the persistent clanking of the mechanical quen¡¯talrat. Finally, Grace opened his eyes, the glow fading as he turned to them with a grave expression. ¡°The Empress has given new orders,¡± he said, his voice calm but urgent. ¡°We need to move out immediately. Her Phylactery is broken, the Nexus is unstable, and the Roxim and even War have been taken captive by the Xaltan. She has become the new Great Chief over the other valley clans, and they are preparing to engage the Xaltan.¡± Valentina¡¯s ears drew back. ¡°Huh?! How did all of that happen?¡± A cold look passed between Ash and Black, their faces hardening. ¡°How is that possible?¡± Black asked, her voice laced with disbelief. ¡°We recently received advancements from The Empress¡¯ [Rising Empire: 1st Petal]. How could they capture War of all people?¡± Grace shook his head, his expression uncharacteristically somber. ¡°Their Mysticism is mimicking the creatures they consume, and they¡¯re using th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone eggs. What is more concerning is that nearly two Circles of human witches are missing from the attack, their scent wiped clean of the area.¡± Valentina¡¯s heart sank at the news. ¡°Twenty-five women¡­ With how few humans we have left, that¡¯s a big deal. We need to move.¡± Grace nodded. ¡°The Empress says we must leave the secrets of this place for now and focus on the immediate threat.¡± Valentina didn''t hesitate and jumped onto Black¡¯s horse. ¡°I guess it¡¯s war.¡± Grace somehow managed to keep pace with them on foot, his movements fluid and effortless as they made their way out of the mines. The cool air of the mountain¡¯s interior gave way to the warmer, more humid atmosphere outside, the sounds of the jungle enveloping them as they emerged. The urgency of what was happening weighed on Valentina¡¯s mind as Grace further explained. While I¡¯ve been ambushing low-level jungle thugs and getting stripped, The Empress has built connections with an entire otherworldly kingdom, made deals with hags, talked with goddesses, and united the entire damn valley under her banner. What the hell!? I¡¯ll get stronger, Empress. I won¡¯t let you down, I promise. She glanced at Grace, his returned serene expression a stark contrast to the turmoil she felt inside. If I ask¡­will he train me? Because I¡¯m just not good enough! They rode through the jungle, the dense foliage closing in around them as they pushed forward. The path ahead was uncertain, but Valentina would fight for The Empress, for the Empire, and for the future they were building together in this alien world. She wanted to be a part of it. To contribute. She wanted to prove herself worthy of The Empress¡¯ trust. B4 — 7. Called Bluff Elinor listened to Camellia¡¯s articulate and detailed voice with a distant focus as she sat at the edge of the open hut door. The grass curtain had been drawn to the side, the cool night air brushing against her skin and making the grass bundle sway. One of Esmeralda¡¯s Intermediate Black Witches looked annoyed while maintaining the communication network. Her agitation was likely due to what she¡¯d heard regarding Rylee¡¯s Gray Coven. No doubt she thought this reflected terribly on all the witches in the empire, yet, to Elinor there was a lot to consider, given the information the spider had provided. Her fingers ghosted to her ear again, the absence of her phylactery an unsettling reminder of her current state as Death Energy leaked out of her body. She was weakening, and Butter¡¯s slow return wasn¡¯t helping her mood. It would be days, perhaps even longer, before Butter reached the valley at her current pace, and Elinor didn¡¯t have that luxury. She glanced at Quin, standing guard near the hut. There are a lot of moving pieces to this puzzle right now. The fact I didn¡¯t realize the loss in citizens and Camellia¡¯s timeline puts the Xaltan attack right after my phylactery breaks and I gain many more citizens, masking the decrease¡­ My movements are being watched. Looking into the distance from the hut¡¯s raised position, overseeing the valley, she stared at the mountains that loomed in the distance, massive and unmoving. Shade is the obvious suspect, given he is spread throughout the whole planet¡­but Jennifer has far more influence and power given what Camellia explained. Could it be a bluff to make me hesitate? Her gaze drifted toward the fortress of Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha standing proud on the northern shelf, its ominous presence casting long shadows over the sea of trees in the orange glow cast from the dying sun. The rain clouds had gathered north of it, pulled in by the strange force that swirled around the valley¡¯s highest mountain. It would be so much easier to respond to things if I owned that city¡­ Soon. She looked past it, where Valentina was with Black, Ash, and Grace, dealing with the captured tiger girl¡¯s issues. The Clanless aren¡¯t valuable for their combat aptitude but their number added to my citizen count. Grace, Ash, and Black should have gotten there by now and rescued her¡­ I can still hear her prayers as if distant echoes, though. Maybe I was right to send three General-tier units to support her if she still isn¡¯t free. Her gaze narrowed while zeroing in on the far side of the valley, too distant to discern the finer details, but her thoughts were already racing. Camellia was waiting for an answer as to what she should do, but there was a problem she had to address first. The Xaltan aren¡¯t the problem¡­not really, she hummed, fiddling with the wooden microphone in her hand that would allow her to communicate across the valley. Their newfound abilities with the th¨¦lm¨¦thra eggs is certainly unexpected. If I¡¯d learned about this before entering Roman¡¯s world, then I would have been concerned. However, I now have an intimate understanding of their capabilities after channeling a drone spirit myself. Her mouth tilted to the side while spotting the many Delthax citizens, whispering to one another and discussing the change in leadership after their chief¡¯s death. The Xaltan warriors poison themselves, and quickly, by ingesting th¨¦lm¨¦thra eggs. It¡¯s a suicide act, and a potent one, yet they aren¡¯t nearly as potent as my ability to utilize th¨¦lm¨¦thra features. For one, they cannot create their own silk, merely taking on their stealth, senses, and resilience aspects, none of which mean a lick to someone like Camellia. If it was a single drone, then the students in the Kaspir Kingdom¡¯s ceremony would have been able to kill one fairly easily. It was due to my Death Energy reserve, strategy, and [Artificial Body] that I became such a threat¡­ They have learned to use her old thread, though¡­and it¡¯s stronger than her current since Camellia¡¯s powers are currently limited until I unlock the next Grade. That shouldn¡¯t matter in the end. Yes, War should have struggled, but won against those odds, as would his siblings. Especially with the Firewalkers of the Roxim regaining their Mysticism. Plus, there was an entire coven of witches there¡­ A coven of witches that disappeared. Leaning her head against the back of the doorframe, her crown pressed against the side of her head while shifting to stare at the expectant and frowning Black Witch. It¡¯s worse than she thinks¡­ The Gray Coven was turned against me, which should be impossible. There¡¯s no other way they¡¯d get past the wards, even with the th¨¦lm¨¦thra powers. Rylee¡¯ s group specializes in that style of defensive rituals. An entire coven, save for one witch, turned on me¡­ How? Her fingers traced the wooden microphone she held, her eyes flicking back to the glowing-eyed skull effigy that waited silently for her command. She had her suspicions. ¡°Camellia,¡± Elinor called, her voice low but commanding and making the witch hold her breath, waiting for what came next. The response was immediate, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra Executioner¡¯s tone laced with happy compliance, ready to do anything ordered. ¡°Yes, Empress?¡± ¡°Strip Zara and check her body. Head to toe. Look for any markings, anything unusual.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± Zara choked, possibly having difficulty maintaining her ritual with the shock. ¡°Hey¡­you don¡¯t need to rip them to shreds. I only have one extra set¡­ ¡° she mumbled. ¡°Wait, why are you having her do this, Empress? Did I¡­did I do something wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already scanned her before, and done it again, Empress. There¡¯s nothing that I can detect, other than puss pockets, clogged pores, and the need for better hygiene.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in the jungle without a washer or good products,¡± the sixteen-year-old defended. ¡°Geez. Well, I¡¯m self-conscious now.¡± Elinor bypassed the teen¡¯s balks, studying the darkening horizon again while explaining her thoughts aloud. ¡°All of your powers stem from me, or, more specifically, your faith in me as your empress. It¡¯s impossible to do your rituals without that, yet I am certain the rest of your coven has turned against me, likely mind controlled in some way to believe they¡¯re still serving me.¡± ¡°My sister, too?!¡± Zara gasped. ¡°I mean, everyone was acting kind of strange the last day or two¡­ I messed up yesterday. Rylee, Hilda, and Carla were acting a bit off, mainly Carla after she went out alone with Sofia. Sofe was a little¡­more aggressive, I think, too. Usually she¡¯d just shrink back when arguments came up and try not to get a part of it but she was kind of putting herself out there, which wasn¡¯t normal for her. War had Rylee do a lot of ritual checks.¡± Closing her eyes, Elinor chuckled softly while leaning her head against the wood. ¡°He knew something wasn¡¯t right and didn¡¯t have the time or means to identify it, so he accepted the loss¡­ I bet that¡¯s what he did so as not to cause more casualties. He weighed the risks and took this chance to get a better grasp about what the enemy was planning.¡± She held a hand over her chest, feeling through the threads to all her citizens and undead to reach him, despite her Seed being unstable. All of my Horsemen were upgraded with [Rising Empire: 2nd Petal]¡¯s advancement. He¡¯s consolidating his strength. I need to bring war to Red, and then he can act¡­ You sly redheaded devil. You¡¯re right in the middle of their camp, right in the position to save the very witches that imprisoned you. What a man of honor¡­ A smile growing, Elinor pushed herself to her feet and put the microphone to her mouth. ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll be ready for War. Camellia, bring Zara her second pair of clothes, if you can find it, and then bring the messenger. I bet Jennifer will be using them as a puppet.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m fine, Empress,¡± Zara protested, clearly not while being butt naked in the jungle but trying to be strong. ¡°I just want to save my sister¡­ Is there a way to save her without resurrecting her?¡± ¡°Trust Red,¡± she replied, leaning her back against the doorframe to stare at the effigy. ¡°And, Camellia, expect the messenger to do something dramatic like explode or spontaneously combust when it¡¯s over.¡± ¡°Yes, Empress. I¡¯ll keep a cocoon ready.¡± ¡°In the meantime, Zara,¡± Elinor prompted, searching her memory to get a clearer picture of the short, curly brown-haired sixteen-year-old girl she was speaking to, ¡°I expect your ritual is only temporary. Am I correct?¡± ¡°Uh, yes, Empress¡­ I really want to do something to help. Is there any¡ªoh, one second, the Xaltan I¡¯m using is about to turn into a raisin. I just need to roll the next one onto the ritual circle. Call back in one sec. Sorry!¡± Elinor chuckled as the nineteen-year-old Black Witch rolled her eyes and shook her head. ¡°Go ahead, speak your mind.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you use a Chain Ritual with linking life¡ªand she¡¯s gone. Freaking Apprentice Witches. Empress, wouldn¡¯t it be better if the Black Coven went to set up the Forward Base? A White Circle is currently at the Crystal Camp. Both Warlock Covens could create an acid cloud to fall over the Xaltan and melt the skin off their bones¡ªeasy win.¡± Glancing down at the wooden microphone that Kaya had created for her Intermediate advancement trial, creating a new ritual. ¡°I don¡¯t hear much about Tiffany¡¯s Covens or your progression since she mostly handles her own field¡­but if I were to follow what you suggest, Cielo, It would melt the flesh off of loyal witches and Roxim who have put their faith in me.¡± Cielo¡¯s eyes lowered to the floor. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it their fault for being captured and used against you? They can be resurrected, too. It feels worth it.¡± Elinor sighed, the young woman refusing to look her in the eyes. ¡°Think a little outside of the Black Circle mind state for a moment and consider all sides. If you¡¯re going to try to be a Circle Leader, then think about the future rather than the simple immediate results. Why would I want to poison the jungle, possibly upset the ecosystem, and create future problems I¡¯d need to handle? A scorched earth policy certainly has its place but mainly to serve as an example.¡± She turned her narrowed eyes back to the valley, thinking about the woman who had initially gotten her mother captured by the ri¡¯bot in the first place. ¡°Why do you think Jennifer pushed the Xaltan to take this path when it is likely outside of their typical behavior? It¡¯s because she knows it will work on me¡­ She doesn¡¯t know everything about me, though. And neither do you, it seems,¡± she whispered, getting a defeated grunt from the young, ambitious witch. ¡°Running an empire that will not crumble at the slightest pushback is a difficult task, and one can learn a great many lessons by watching its administration. So, observe, and grow outside of that dark mind state that drew you to the Black Coven. Perhaps you¡¯ll learn something important that will help you surpass your Coven leader by doing so.¡± Cielo looked up at her with a hopeful smile, refocusing as Zara¡¯s somewhat distant and confused voice returned over the flickering eyes of the effigy. ¡°Umm¡­ I¡¯m having trouble with¡ª¡± ¡°Your blood lines are too thin for the amount of power you¡¯re trying to pump through them,¡± Cielo quickly replied, trying to show a smile. ¡°Redraw them and call back.¡± ¡°Oh! Yeah, you¡¯re right. Thank you¡ªCamellia, you found them?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not difficult to follow your scent trail.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­ I smell. That makes me happy. Be right back.¡± A questioning look crossed Cielo¡¯s face as she studied her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you¡­annoyed at all the incompetencies and mistakes, Empress? We¡¯re wasting valuable time. Aren¡¯t we?¡± Folding her arms, a small smirk lifted Elinor¡¯s lips while looking out across the busy Delthax camp, preparing for the war. ¡°It¡¯s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when walking in the present. You could consume yourself with doubts and second guess yourself by stressing about things you have no control over.¡± She gave the witch an approving nod. ¡°You did good there, supporting Zara instead of harping on her. She¡¯s trying and in a very stressful position. Her sister is being mind controlled and captured with all the girls she¡¯s come to think of as friends. I¡¯m sure just hearing another witch offering her advice helps more than you know, no matter the coven. That¡¯s leadership.¡± You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Cielo seemed to pull in, reflecting on her words before Zara reconnected. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m back, Empress¡ª¡± ¡°And dressed in her weak fabric,¡± Camellia reported. ¡°I could weavy my own silk into it to make it stronger.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re bored and need something to do,¡± Elinor laughed. ¡°Bring the messenger forward.¡± ¡°Right here! He has a metal wrist thing and an ax that hums like the white toads that were to the west.¡± ¡°H-High Warrior Fennel?!¡± Zara gagged. ¡°That mark¡­ Empress, he has a red palm print on his chest with an eye on it. Is¡­is that what they did to my sister?!¡± ¡°Interesting¡­¡± The voice that responded was not of the gruff, military leader of the Roxim but the sultry feminine tone of Jennifer. ¡°His spiritual fight grew stronger when you said that name, Zara. He may break free of my control before I get a chance to finish our chat¡­ And where did you find this monster of a predator, Elinor? You shouldn¡¯t have been able to summon and bind her soul yet. Unfortunate.¡± Camellia¡¯s intrigued hum came through. ¡°The cadence of a female ri¡¯bot yet the scent of a male¡­ How unnatural. My middle sister would find you interesting. She likes playing with her food.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure she does, and yes, Zara, I do have control over your sister. It¡¯s a shame you were hidden away well enough that I couldn¡¯t get to you before the Xaltan took control. Your sister is worried sick about you. You should come home. Soon, they¡¯ll have far more power than what the Empress can give you.¡± Elinor¡¯s chest shook with laughter as her sharp eyes darted to the glowing-eyed effigy. Valdar, the newly promoted Chief Kole, and Xaria Ectria walked into view. The Plant Caller no doubt had been listening through his abilities, and Plant Caller Nina came jogging out from behind them, lagging behind with Aileen Banks trailing beside her¡ªit had been a while since Elinor had seen the 12-year-old German Dryad Faekin. ¡°A bluff,¡± Elinor pointedly stated, silencing the cult member. ¡°The moment you realized Camellia was raised and had a chat with your disembodied bestie downstairs, you knew you had to cut your losses. He didn¡¯t anticipate the gains I¡¯d make when outside of his ever-watchful gaze, and neither did you¡­¡± She walked closer to the communication device, spotting Cielo¡¯s eyes sparkling with delight at her tone. ¡°You underestimated me. How much damage are you trying to do to me with the Xaltan¡¯s suicidal gambit? Your aim isn¡¯t victory. You¡¯re stalling for Krava to return with the Great Clan War Council.¡± ¡°Well, well, well,¡± Jennifer said with a slightly annoyed tone that showed a bit of effort; Fennel was fighting her control. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all figured out, Empress, don¡¯t you? I¡¯d hoped to have a chat to see if we could come to an agreement, but Revilla will show me the truth in your downfall¡­ As guarded as you are, you do have weaknesses even you do not realize. In time, Empress of the Dead¡­ In time. Damn this frog.¡± Toad, Elinor internally corrected, but a low groan followed¡ªFennel¡¯s voice. ¡°Mmmgm. Empress¡­ She does not need the Xaltan but what¡­agh! She requires what is buried beneath the hatch¡ª¡± Elinor grimaced as a rush of muffled noise followed, Zara¡¯s soft tone low and melancholy. ¡°He¡­exploded, Empress. Queen Camellia stopped it, but¡­the bones are even melting. It¡¯s like his blood is acidic. And right after he got his Mysticism¡­ I¡¯m sad. He was actually kind of nice to us.¡± ¡°Mmm. My thread is being eaten through,¡± the curious spider whispered. ¡°It doesn¡¯t taste bad. It¡¯s not terrible. I could incorporate its chain structure but it wouldn¡¯t really impress my middle sister.¡± She caught the scowls on Valdar¡¯s wrinkled face at the exchange. And, despite how they¡¯d started their antagonistic relationship, Elinor felt an edge of respect for the fallen 2nd-in-command for the Roxim Clan. ¡°Jennifer is really showing her overconfidence in her deity¡¯s power. Fennel managed to give us valuable information, though it is possible it is a trick. In any case, it¡¯s something to take note of, and Fennel will have a proper send-off, according to his own beliefs,¡± she stated, fist tightening behind her back. Elinor shifted her gaze toward the Delthax¡¯s new chief and the single-toothed, female Xaria; now was the time for action. Perhaps this was what the jungle had been warning Valdar of. ¡°Camellia, keep his ax and bracelet. I¡¯m sure Chief Zargoth will want it.¡± ¡°Will do, Empress! Careful, human girl. Don¡¯t want to get this acid on your new threads.¡± ¡°I¡¯m more worried about my skin!¡± ¡°Now,¡± Elinor interrupted, a fire lighting in her belly. ¡°I¡¯m going to do something that both of you are going to have trouble with, mainly you, Cielo¡­¡± The Black Witch stiffened upon being singled out. ¡°Whatever it is, I¡¯ll get it done, Empress! I have faith in your power to support me.¡± ¡°Good,¡± she chimed. ¡°I just need you to connect with every other communication network across the valley that we¡¯ve been able to establish. It might be hard for you to maintain Zara, given your level. Can you two do it?¡± ¡°Yes, Empress!¡± Zara immediately stated before asking, ¡°Uh, do I need to do anything to the ritual, Cielo? Sorry, I¡¯m just working off of the notes I took from my sister¡­ We were practicing stuff together. I wonder what she thinks happened to me¡­ No, sorry. I¡¯m focused! I¡¯m sure War will save her.¡± Cielo¡¯s expression softened before determination lit in her face. ¡°No, you¡¯re fine the way it is, Zara. It¡¯s me who needs to reinforce this access point since it will be transmitting to all other ritual sites¡­ And if Kaya can do it, then I can too.¡± Elinor didn¡¯t point out that Kaya¡¯s specialty seemed to be in communication rituals, seeing as that was where she made her breakthrough ritual research to advance to the next rank. She wasn¡¯t sure what Cielo¡¯s specialty was, but it wasn¡¯t likely this. Luckily, certain rituals were shared across all factions grimoires, and this was one of them. Momentarily disconnecting from Zara, Cielo summoned her book and got to work making upgrades to the device. It only took her ten minutes, double checking her work before starting it, crossing her legs and taking the center position to act as the focus medium. Sweat began to break out across her forehead as she recited the words Kaya¡ªa White Witch¡ªpioneered. Wind picked up around the space, cycling around her as the sulfur and salt fused into the wood to add new lines and a broader design; they were ingredients the Black Covens rarely used since theirs mostly relied on organs, blood, and Life Force. ¡°Okay, Empress¡­ Whenever you¡¯re ready. I can only keep this up for a few minutes.¡± Elinor turned her back to the witch and stood in the entryway as a cold gust blew down from the mountains to pass over the ridge. She stared across the valley, Quin listening intently nearby as Theresa returned with some herbs and ingredients Tiffany had requested from the high location. One hand held behind her back, she brought the microphone to her mouth with anticipation putting a smile on her lips. ¡°Listen up, Undying Empire. I know I just talked to all of you not that long ago, but things have changed¡­ The Roxim main settlement has been conquered and many taken prisoner, including War and the Gray Coven witches. Also¡­ We¡¯ve discovered the Xaltan¡¯s secret weapon, so there¡¯s no further need to be cautious. I will only say this once, so take note¡­¡± Elinor swiftly ran through what Camellia had reported, which only took her a minute to condense. ¡°¡­With that being said, every leader, push your angle as soon as you can. I give you full access to wage war as you see fit in your factions. Expect something big to happen tonight from inside their camp¡­and it looks like there will be a heavy thunderstorm. Send out scouts. Have medical and support units ready to support anyone that does escape.¡± She flashed her teeth with a short laugh. ¡°Cause trouble at their borders, draw eyes. Be a nuisance with your advance units while the main forces advance. Don¡¯t push too far, make them use their poisoned eggs and push their forces thin. They¡¯re on a clock. We are not. Expect them to know about your general unit placement and move accordingly with that knowledge. Lay traps for them. Have fun!¡± She turned to Valdar and the group of powerful Delthax individuals, including her little Dryad German girl. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the front lines with Quin and Theresa to join Camellia. I¡¯m coming to you, Zara. Tiffany, I need a drone sent. Direct things from your cave. I need what you¡¯re working on done, asap,¡± she instructed, not wanting to have the Hag out of her mother¡¯s sight until everything was done that she¡¯d promised. ¡°I expect King Edmon will join me soon enough. I¡¯ll be taking who I can from the Delthax that can keep up with Quin. Cielo will be with me to further guide you when we arrive, Zara. I want the White Witch Circle that is stationed at the Crystal Camp to make their way to the Roxim settlement. We¡¯ll likely pass you on the way.¡± Her vision narrowed with the drums of war beginning to pound in her chest, the wheels in her head turning. ¡°Garu, I want you to join up with me. I need your talents. High Queen Butter will be back in time to support the Wixum and other nearby clans from any secret retaliation. Make her aware of the situation when she arrives. King Edmon¡¯s Argent Order will provide home support. ¡°Jennifer and her goddess think they can shake us and stall our advance by compromising our forward position with the Roxim. It is a bluff. You will walk on their bones before they rise back up to march behind you¡­ Death rides on your backs; we cannot lose. So ride my armies, and show them who the Undying Empire is¡­ Dress in your best, soldiers. It¡¯s judgment day.¡± She walked to the sweating nineteen-year-old and placed the microphone on the ground in front of her, a twinkle in her eye as Quin roared her glee from outside. Elinor didn¡¯t have to say a thing as the girl struggled to her feet and joined her on the way out of the hut to mount one of Quin¡¯s large hands. Valdar refused the silver-ape¡¯s offered hand, no doubt wanting to make this final trip on his own two feet and stand tall when he entered the next world. He passed a few encouraging words to his granddaughter, the eight-year-old next Master Sage looking slightly unsure next to the frightened twelve-year-old Dryad. Ectria smiled, holding up an arm that Kole met in a sort of warrior salute. ¡°Don¡¯t arrive too late or you¡¯ll miss all the fun, Chief.¡± Chief Kole sighed and glanced up at her as Elinor situated herself. ¡°Do you want to know my plan, Empress, or should I leave it close to the tongue so the Whispering Shadow does not know?¡± ¡°Now you¡¯re catching on,¡± Elinor laughed, accepting her staff that Quin handed her, pinched between her fingers. ¡°We¡¯re going to conquer this valley, Chief Kole. Don¡¯t think we¡¯re done when the Xaltan are finished. My sights are there¡­¡± He followed her staff¡¯s point as she directed their attention to the dim silhouette of Ke¡¯mal¡¯tha, the towering city looming over the valley with its tall towers and central spires that pierced the heavens. ¡°Valdar, trust me. I¡¯ll make your dream of a united ri¡¯bot species reality. I will break the Xaltan¡¯s pride and build them back into a proud people that are a part of something greater than a clan¡­ They¡¯ll be a part of the Undying Empire.¡± The elder¡¯s tight mouth became more gentle at her words, surveying the divided valley he¡¯d known his whole life. ¡°I believe you, Empress. Now, I must do my part to see that vision bear fruit. I am with you.¡± ¡°Then we ride! Quin, to war.¡± The giant, four-armed ape shot forward and jumped off the ledge, using the cliff face with ease to take them to the jungle below. Behind her, Valdar and Ectria followed. They hadn¡¯t even made it back to the Wixum camp when Grace¡¯s voice touched her soul, and a grin split her face. A way into Ke¡¯mal¡¯tha? Nungal, you wouldn¡¯t have guided them to that, would you have? What is your game¡­ Killing me every time I kill Butter in our previous lives, but offering us support every time. This time, don¡¯t expect it to be so easy to get rid of me. Butter and I are on the same team, after all. Twins on a warpath. Speaking of War¡­ Do what you do best. * ¡ª * ¡ª * A flash of thunder cracked overhead, unseen beyond the thick canopy but the sharp wind pushed trees and branches in a rush of sounds. A storm was approaching. Red¡¯s bright crimson eyes opened to the darkness as the first droplets of rain struck his unprotected skin, conserving his energy for the better part of eighteen hours. He looked into Jennifer¡¯s judging face, Rylee and Hilda beside her, leering at him as if he were Jennifer herself. The woman¡¯s slightly annoyed tone told him all he needed to know about her conversation with the Empress. ¡°Now that she knows you¡¯re captured, we¡¯ll need another distraction for your mistress.¡± Her soft fingers pressed against his hard, bare breast before a spark of crimson electricity repelled it, making the woman wince and the two witches curse him. ¡°Not strong enough?¡± he asked, his deep chuckle bringing further hatred to be thrown his way by women who liked him quite a bit before their minds were warped. ¡°A shame. You¡¯ll have to kill me. Wait¡­you couldn¡¯t do that either. How strong is your goddess again?¡± ¡°Mocking the empress?¡± Hilda growled. ¡°You won¡¯t be laughing when we¡¯re done with our next ritual to strip you of that defensive aura you¡¯re guarding yourself with.¡± ¡°Aww. You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re mad, Hilda,¡± War chirped, showing a true smile. ¡°I like how curly your hair is right now, and those blue eyes stand out when filled with passion. It¡¯s too bad you¡¯re normally so patient and kind because you¡¯d be something fierce as a lover. Maybe I just haven¡¯t seen that side of you¡ªoh, and there¡¯s the slap. Another medal to add to the collection! A better hook than Karina, though.¡± ¡°He¡¯s relentless,¡± Rylee grumbled, looking at him in disgust. ¡°What a weird ri¡¯bot Mystic. The Xaltan really are the worst. Maybe it would be better if Esmerelda handled this.¡± ¡°No,¡± Hilda fumed. ¡°He¡¯s been harassing us all day. I have to hear him apologize at least once.¡± ¡°Oh. Is that all?¡± War creased an eye. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry you¡¯re so charming, Hilda. It¡¯s a curse really. And that beauty mark on your collar bone¡ªstunning! I like how your nose slightly turns up, too. It¡¯s cute. Although, Isabella¡¯s button nose is so adorable. Black hair is the best, too with those hazel eyes and long, natural eyelashes.¡± ¡°Is he talking about me again?¡± Isabela groaned while approaching from the side, hood already covering her as the rain continued to pick up. ¡°At least he isn¡¯t talking about my butt like he does about Carla. I finished doing the reverse Firewalker ritual to block off their powers¡­but I don¡¯t know how effective it is since we haven¡¯t really tried it out in practice. I¡¯m exhausted, though.¡± Jennifer gave each girl a proud look, as if a mother looking at her children. ¡°Soon I¡¯ll teach you even more powerful rituals that invoke a dead deity¡¯s lingering power. With your natural gifts and the development of your spirits, you will be something fearsome. Now, off you go. You¡¯ll need your rest for tomorrow¡¯s big ritual.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± War asked, flexing and trying to stretch with what limited slack he¡¯d been allowed. ¡°So, tomorrow is the big day? Rushing it after talking to the Empress, I see. You¡¯re scared. Did she not take the bluff?¡± ¡°What bluff?¡± Jennifer smiled. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, pawn. You¡¯ve served your purpose, so why not cast a silence ritual on him next, ladies. I¡¯m sure we can all go without his lewd and crude comments.¡± ¡°Come on,¡± War playfully complained, flexing his open fingers, ¡°a guy has to fight back somehow. And what¡¯s so bad about a man telling the truth? A guy can¡¯t compliment beautiful women?¡± He hung his head as the women began to make plans to silence him, putting on ponchos that Jasmine brought over, a fourteen-year-old apprentice witch under Hildra¡¯s control. His vision narrowed upon seeing one of the glowing fingers poke through one of the holes in Hilda¡¯s tank top when turning her back to him and putting on the protective cover. Just a bit longer¡­and I¡¯ll have the strength. Plus, I feel an army coming. The tide of war has shifted again¡­ And I¡¯ll spark the charge. Just wait a little longer, ladies. I¡¯ve got a plan. Hopefully it¡¯ll work and I won¡¯t have to kill you¡­because that would be tragic. Our living human population is already too low. B4 — 7.5. The Tempest Rises The jungle was alive with the sounds of a fearsome storm. The wind howled through the colossal trees, their vast trunks groaning as if under the weight of the dark clouds above. The dense canopy swayed, allowing the rain to pelt down in heavy sheets, each drop hammering against the slick, muddy earth below. War¡¯s breath fogged in the humid air, the metallic tang of the rain mixing with the earthy scent of the jungle floor. His bright crimson eyes flickered with every flash of lightning, catching glimpses of the black-skinned ri¡¯bot lurking in the shadows, their forms only visible for a heartbeat before the darkness and veil of rain swallowed them once more. Suspended between two massive tree branches, War felt the tension in the silk threads binding his body. They were slick with rain, slightly more elastic now, but still strong. The threads pressed hard into his skin, yet they couldn¡¯t pierce it¡ªhis body, hardened by the hum of war that permeated the restless land; he was nearly impervious right now, which was why Jennifer had opted for this route. He could feel the drums of war in his chest, each beat synchronizing with the storm, with the hearts of the Xaltan warriors, and with the growing power within him. A grin spread across his face despite his predicament. He gently flexed his muscles in slow, rhythmic study, testing the strength of his bindings. Each digit of his fingers were bound, twitching as he focused on the tension in the threads. The Empress must have leveled up, he mused to himself, sensing the hold on his spirit from Rylee¡¯s ritual growing weaker as the current witches maintaining it grew more weary due to the hammering storm. He was only growing stronger¡ªthe pulse of inevitable battle grew stronger by the second. Soon¡­ Below him, nestled beneath the exposed roots of a colossal tree, three young witches huddled together¡ªNatalia, Beatriz, and Isabella¡ªall below the age of twenty-one. The Xaltan were not very good at constructing decent shelters for the weak constitution of humans, and Jennifer was busy excavating something within the caves below the Xaltan¡¯s land. He observed the young women¡¯s determination and drive as the night and miniature hurricane of the wet season went on, flooding barely kept away from their heightened shelter. Their forms were barely visible in the dim, illuminated mushrooms they used as a light source; War could practically see their faces pale with exhaustion. Maintaining the ritual that kept him bound must have been more taxing than they realized since his power was only growing stronger by the minute. Their spirits flickered like the dying embers of the fire and hatred they¡¯d shown him the previous day. War could sense their weariness, their power waning as they fought to stay awake and focused. The rain was relentless, soaking through their cloaks when the wind hit their shelter just right, its drumming on the earth assaulting their stressed minds. The smell of wet leaves and damp soil filled War¡¯s nostrils as he breathed in deeply, savoring the scent of impending conflict. He could feel it in the air¡ªthe anticipation, the tension, the rising tide of battle that would soon wash over them all. The Xaltan young bloods had taken over the watch of the cautious seniors who had guarded him through the day. Their inexperience was evident in the way they moved through the trees, changing positions to better escape the elements. Four of them in total, eager to prove themselves to their chief, patrolled the perimeter of the makeshift prison. War could hear their hearts beating, their blood pumping with the excitement of a potential fight from the few Roxim warriors who were left, tied somewhere beyond War¡¯s vision. They were oblivious to the danger he posed as the night went on, what it meant that the human women were growing tired. War¡¯s vision narrowed as he tested the threads again, now slicker, easier to manipulate than before as the roar of thunder echoed through the foliage. His power reached its new zenith within him, a surge of energy that had been growing since the previous day hitting its limit¡ªthe Empress was coming closer, and with her, the full might of her wrath¡­ He could feel it. War¡¯s grin widened, his teeth flashing in the darkness. Let the war commence. A flash of lightning illuminated the jungle, turning night into day for a brief moment and blinding his inexperienced guard; the sound that followed would disorient the frightened human girls, unsure why they had yet to be relieved. In that instant, War flexed his fingers, condensing the red aura of his fighting spirit into a claymore. The blade shimmered with a crimson light, its edge sharp enough to cut through steel with the surge of kinetic force running along its edge like a tangible force. With a flick of his wrist, the threads snapped, and with a single arced slash, the rest of the bindings fell away. Not skipping a beat, War dropped to the mud below, the crash of thunder masking his landing and making the witches flinch. Concentration broken, they looked up out across the darkness, only able to see his glowing aura in the black, their eyes wide with terror. They¡¯d instantly known their hold over him had snapped, but the young ri¡¯bot warriors had yet to recover. Red didn¡¯t spare the women a glance, his focus on the four young bloods that could still alert the others. With a surge of herculean strength, War launched himself toward the first of them, his claymore slicing through the air with a deadly hum yet masked by the billowing wind. The blade cleaved through the toad¡¯s torso, the force of the strike splitting him in two before he could react. One down. War moved with the speed of a predator, his eyes burning with the thrill of combat. The second Xaltan barely had time to register the death of his comrade before War was upon her. The claymore swung in a wide arc, catching the toad in the side and cutting her clean through in an upward angle. Two. Spinning on his heels, keeping balanced with the wall of wind and rain that peppered him, Red searched for the beating heart of the third rather than relying on his other senses¡ªthe thirst for battle gave the young Xatlan away. Flipping his blade around, he threw it like a spear, cutting through the mist and fog like a hot knife through butter. The toad noticed just in time, raising his weapon to block, but it was futile. The sheer kinetic force behind pushed the dagger aside, snapping his wrist in the process. The claymore passed clean through the toad¡¯s skull at an angle, pinning him. The fourth Xaltan¡¯s neck bulged to let out a warning croak as War¡¯s landed on his branch. A pulse of ruby light illuminated his stunned expression as his crimson armor took shape around his form, unblocked by the witches spiritually restricting power. Fingers closing around the toad¡¯s throat and pushing the air out like a deflated balloon, he pressed the warrior up against the slick black trunk. His shimmering maroon cloak billowed in the wind as he held the victim firm, unbothered by his powerful kicks and punches that bloodied and crippled the boy¡¯s arms and legs. War didn¡¯t say a word but there was a smile on his face as he slowly applied more and more pressure until a snap was barely heard past the hammering downfall. The Xaltan fell limp, spine and throat crushed, and Red tossed him in front of the root-like alcove the girls were using, letting the rain wash over it as he retrieved his claymore. The three women jumped and cried out, the fear he instilled from [Intimidation Aura] preventing them from scattering into the storm and getting themselves killed. Flash flooding riddled the area, the currents carrying the slain ri¡¯bot into their muddy depths, the last of which was still alive, paralyzed and helpless as he suffocated to death. Red retrieved his claymore, the blade shimmered with its own crimson light with the storm raging around him. He stood amidst the carnage, his eyes scanning the jungle for any other threats. The thunder and pelting rain had reached its peak, falling in sheets that blinded even his enhanced vision, the wind tearing through the trees with fury. Turning his gaze to the hollowed-out tree where the witches huddled together, their fear locking them in place. War¡¯s smile faded, replaced by a look of grim determination. He¡¯d only thought of one way to free the witches¡ªone way they could be saved without death and resurrection¡­but it would be painful. War¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed as he approached the witches, their forms huddled together beneath the twisted roots of the colossal tree. The storm¡¯s fury raged around them, the rain slashing sideways as the wind tried to carry him into the dark, rushing waters. His boots sank into the mud with each step, but the squelch was drowned out by the relentless hammering of the rain. He towered over the women, his presence casting a dark shadow in the faint light of their mushrooms that made their already pale faces drain of what little color remained. So much for them seeing me as a lovable guardian, he ruefully thought, a pang of guilt surfacing briefly before being buried under the weight of his mission. ¡°Hands on the tree,¡± War commanded, his voice low but carrying the weight of an ironclad order. ¡°Don¡¯t move, or I¡¯ll rip off your fingers, one by one, and I don¡¯t want to do that.¡± The witches hesitated, but Isabella was the first to move. She was the leader here, the one who had the nerve to speak when the others faltered. With trembling hands, she pressed her palms against the rough bark of the tree, and the others quickly followed suit, their eyes wide with terror, looking to her for guidance. ¡°W-We don¡¯t have anything here to do much to you," Isabella stammered, her voice shaking as she tried to maintain some semblance of composure. ¡°Our ingredients¡­they were ruined by the storm¡­ We aren¡¯t a threat, I promise. Please don¡¯t¡ª¡± War cut her off his bright eyes within his helmet no doubt coming off as a sharp glare to them, his hand tightening around the hilt of his claymore making them flinch and whimper. ¡°You don¡¯t need to talk. Just do as I say.¡± Isabella¡¯s mouth snapped shut, her eyes dropping to the ground. War felt a brief flicker of pity. The Empress didn¡¯t want them in this position¡­ They were supposed to be safe in the back, yet Jennifer, you had to use them as bargaining chips, and to steal the Empress¡¯ loyal people because you can¡¯t create your own at such a caliber needed to stop me. He worried if they were close to breaking entirely; the women may have built up a more solid foundation in the past few months, but this storm was something else¡ªlike what he heard they¡¯d come into when first arriving in this world, only without the protective barrier the Plant Callers and Aileen had crafted to weather the hurricane. The storm roared louder, a bolt of lightning striking a nearby tree, splitting it in half with a deafening crack. The thunder followed, shaking the ground beneath their feet, and the witches flinched, their knees buckling as they struggled to stay upright, tears leaking down their faces. This storm is getting out of hand, War mused, casting a glance up at the dark, churning sky through the thinned canopy, branches torn from trunks providing a partial view of the impenetrable blanket of gray above. The wind was fierce enough to peel the bark off trees, the rain a relentless assault that made him think this had to be unnatural. It was practically a hurricane now, a force of nature unleashed upon the Xaltan. He turned his attention back to the witches, his focus narrowing to the task at hand. ¡°If you want to live, don¡¯t move.¡± Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Without another word, War jumped up to the branches where the Xaltan had been keeping guard, cutting one of the ropes binding Zargoth in his suspended position, being beaten by the raging elements that inflamed his open wounds, bindings cutting deep into his wrists, ankle and chest. The main line cut, he jumped toward him, cleaving another thread to loosen him on the left side, allowing Red to carry him to the rapid waters below. Landing in a stream that had swollen with the flash flooding. The liquid rushed around them, waist-deep and icy cold, but War¡¯s strength held firm with [Immovable III], his feet planted as he made his way to the raised area where the witches were gathered. The chief was heavy, his body weak and sluggish from the strain of captivity, the rapids crashed around them, battering against his frame and making him groan. War hoisted him over his shoulder without effort, continuing until out of the surging waters to lean him against a tree and cutting the remaining cords to crouch beside him. ¡°Can you still fight?¡± he asked, his voice raised to be heard over the crashing waves while peering out at the apocalyptic scene. ¡°I doubt your people will last forever in this kind of storm, even with your natural adaptation, and it only appears to be getting worse.¡± Zargoth¡¯s breath came in labored gasps, his eyes half-lidded as he struggled to focus. ¡°My limbs¡­they¡¯re not doing well but it is the voice¡­the voice in my mind that keeps me shackled¡­¡± War¡¯s vision narrowed, centering on Jennifer¡¯s bright red handprint burned into the chief¡¯s chest, the flaming eye at its center seemingly having a life of its own. ¡°It¡¯s¡­degrading my ability to stand¡ªto think¡­ It feeds me images of something¡­something terrifying beyond my sight¡­ A dead abomination, seeking souls to be reborn¡­for my soul to join her.¡± His voice was a rasp, raw from the strain. ¡°But¡­give me five minutes¡­ Haha. I should be able to work enough blood back¡­into my limbs, and get the willpower to combat it. I could at least wield a blade. Can you¡­free the other Firewalkers, or is our window for escape too narrow?¡± War¡¯s lips curved into a grin, the feral edge of battle creeping back into the seasoned warlord¡¯s voice as he gained a second wind. He wasn¡¯t chief of the Roxim for nothing. ¡°You¡¯ll have plenty of time since¡­¡± Red paused and cast his gaze toward a small wave that crested the edge to wash over their feet before returning to the rapids. His tone laced with dark humor, he held out a hand to steady Beatriz, crying out with panic as it cycled, pulling her with the tide. ¡°I think they¡¯ve got their own problems with flooding in their caves where they keep their precious eggs and resources¡­ I figure that is where Jennifer has focused the efforts of the other witches in order to reach whatever she¡¯s searching for before it¡¯s submerged.¡± ¡°I like the spirit. But first, I want you to try something¡­ Can you burn the mark on your chest with your fire?¡± Zargoth¡¯s tired eyes widened in surprise, a strained smile splitting his torn lip, long tongue exiting to show wounds all along its length while wetting his throat. With a groan, he forced himself to his feet, his movements clumsy. ¡°I won¡¯t know until I try¡­¡± Using a small break in the rising tide, Zargoth spun in an awkward circle, attempting to reach the required movement to summon the flames his Mysticism required. A weak flash of fire ignited around his palm, flickering like a candle that could be blown out at any moment. Gritting his teeth, Zargoth pressed the flame against the eye on his chest, his flesh searing under the heat as water coursed over his smooth skin. He didn¡¯t flinch, didn¡¯t cry out¡ªonly a weak chuckle shook his body as War steadied him. ¡°It worked,¡± Zargoth breathed, his voice a whisper of relief. ¡°She¡¯s no longer in my head.¡± ¡°Perfect. Do the same with the three witches. Strip them if you need to find the marks, and free your people in the prison¡­ I¡¯ll find some way to do the same to the other witches when I find them.¡± War started to enter the gale, his mind already shifting to the next phase of his plan, but Zargoth¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°Where are you going, Red? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to reunite with the Empress to form a solid assault?¡± War paused, turning back to the chief, his bright eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°She¡¯s on her way,¡± he said, his grin widening as he glanced at the tumultuous heavens. ¡°In fact, maybe this storm is her doing.¡± He laughed, the sound a rumble of dark amusement that mingled with the roar of the tempest. A thick branch was pulled along by the thickening currents, the vast Wandering River likely expanding all the way to their location. ¡°I¡¯m going to free the other witches under my protection and confront the true orchestrator behind our capture,¡± War continued, his voice growing more serious. ¡°Besides, I owe Jennifer my undivided attention. Do what you can for the girls and take them with you. Retreat into Clanless territory. Meet up with the Empress¡¯s forces or head to the Shattered Crystal base to report back to the Wixum camp. It was a pleasure serving with you, Chief.¡± Without waiting for a response, War turned and strode into the thick cloud of gray, the thumping of battle coursing through his veins. Ahead of him was an army of enhanced ri¡¯bot warriors, lurking in the shadows of their cavernous depths. Spinning his long blade around in a flourish, his laughter mixed with the thunder that split the sky. ¡°It¡¯s days like this that make me feel alive again.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Elinor¡¯s boots hit the ground with a soft thud as she leaped down from Quin¡¯s hand, her slender frame landing gracefully on the damp soil. The Shattered Crystal base loomed ahead, nestled against the backdrop of towering trees that pierced the darkening sky, the canopy peeled back to the domed wooden fortress. Quin dropped the dusting corpse of a large creature she¡¯d used on the way to top off her leaking Death Energy reserves. The light gray clouds swirled above, rolling in from the northern peaks that had drawn them in to spread like ink over the valley, promising a simple rainstorm. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, the memory of Fennel¡¯s final words surfacing in her mind¡ªJennifer¡¯s goal wasn¡¯t to best her here but to obtain a critical item buried within the Xaltan caves. That one bit of intel had changed all of her plans. The jungle around her was alive with the sounds of the night, the cacophony of insects and distant calls of nocturnal creatures adding to the tension felt in the air. Her father was on her other side, having met her along the way, standing tall and imposing, his frosty cold eyes sweeping over the expanded and refined forward base with approval. Valdar, looking winded and worn, followed closely beside her. His normally composed demeanor was strained, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as they approached the base. Elinor could sense the weight of his thoughts, though she didn¡¯t press him¡ªhe would speak when ready now that his time was drawing near. The light rainfall began as they passed through the opening gates, the stationed Plant Callers nodding respectfully as they entered the sanctum. The gentle patter of rain on the leaves outside created a soothing rhythm that contrasted sharply with the tension brewing within her. Inside, the sanctum was illuminated by the soft glow of bioluminescent moss that clung to the walls, casting a pale, ethereal light over everything. Camellia was already waiting, her excitement barely contained as she bounced forward to meet them. Zara was visible in the background, engaged in conversation with one of the White Witches stationed there. Elinor¡¯s gaze shifted to the wall where a th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone Tiffany had sent sat perched, another corpse they¡¯d found bound to its back ready to be raised, its unintelligent gaze fixed forward; it would have its uses shortly. ¡°I see you¡¯re going to raise another drone,¡± Camellia chimed, her bright eyes eager to feast on ri¡¯bot meat. ¡°We¡¯re heading out right away for the hunt, right? I can¡¯t wait to see what has become of my former home and devour those who would desecrate my mother¡¯s nest.¡± Elinor nodded, her thoughts already spinning ahead. ¡°In a moment¡­ The armies will close in and clean up what¡¯s left, but I don¡¯t plan on waiting for them, as I mentioned in my last communication. But first, I need to prepare a present for the Scarlet Hand¡¯s incessant hounding and transgressions.¡± Her father¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a cautious gleam entering his gaze. ¡°For your mother? What are you planning?¡± Elinor smiled, a secretive curve of her lips. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to ruin the surprise, Dad.¡± They moved through the sanctum, the atmosphere thick with the scent of wet earth and the steady hum of critters who had added to the internal ecosystem. As they approached the communication area, Zara stiffened, the young White Witch beside her was clearly nervous once realizing she was here. It was the first time she¡¯d met the 27-year-old woman in person. The brown-haired woman quickly bowed her head, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. ¡°Do you need to communicate with the others, Your Majesty? I¡¯ve strengthened the network to communicate for a short time between, umm, between all the channels, as instructed by The Queen.¡± Elinor bypassed the comment, her focus already narrowing in on the task at hand. ¡°I only need you to get in touch with Queen Tiffany. It should be quick.¡± As Zara hurried to comply and to support the witch, Quin poked her head through the open door, her fur slick with rain, curiosity gleaming in her eyes as she took in the scene. Ectria was patrolling outside, on-guard of any lurking threats or surprises the Xaltan tried to send their way if they had brainwashed some of their people. Everyone waited in silence as the ritual was activated, the skull on the communication platform lighting up with a soft, eerie glow. Moments later, Tiffany¡¯s voice came through, steady and calm. ¡°I hope everything is going well over there! I see those clouds, darling. Everything is on track with solidifying the portal. No need to worry,¡± the witch reported, her tone lively and in heaven no doubt working and learning from the powerful hag. Elinor¡¯s gaze flickered with satisfaction as she turned to the red-haired spider lady beside her, a question already forming on her lips. ¡°Camellia, how bad would a storm have to be to flood your holes?¡± The disguised arachnid glanced to the side, doing a myriad of calculations in her head. ¡°That is my part of the jungle,¡± she said slowly. ¡°It would take a significant effort, despite me not caring that much for guarding against that, but it¡¯s doable. My younger sisters were more homebodies while I always roamed. ¡°That being said, Mother moved the primary nest there for her preparations to fight the big white ape. It should only be small sections that are reinforced, though, and it would be hard for me to break into her nest once covered.¡± Elinor chuckled softly, her mind whirring with possibilities and now realizing perhaps one element that was holding Jennifer up. ¡°Excellent,¡± she murmured, her attention shifting back to the communication device. ¡°Tiffany, I understand Countess Evelyn Autumn, our resident hag, has acquired quite the store of power from the Tempests in the Autumn line. Negotiate with our indentured ¡®guest¡¯ to whip up a storm over the Xaltan to flood the area. Red could use some cover to rescue the witches, I¡¯m sure, and it will provide the perfect surprise battering ram for our assault.¡± Zara exhaled a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she was holding, visibly relieved at the shift in focus. ¡°Thank you, Empress. I hope my sister is okay.¡± Tiffany, however, wasn¡¯t as quick to celebrate, her voice becoming oddly strained and tinged with unusual caution. ¡°Mmm. Are¡­you sure about this, Empress? You know I¡¯m not one to deny a party! It¡¯s just¡­you¡¯re talking about using the Hag of the Everborne Marshlands. We haven¡¯t really, mmm¡­ How should I put this? Uh, tested how powerful she is¡ªespecially not her Tempest side, and a fully fledged Countess, as she posed as is¡­not something light, from what stories I heard when we were in the kingdom.¡± Elinor¡¯s eyes narrowed further with excitement. ¡°It¡¯s a perfect test then. I¡¯ll handle the rescue with an elite force. It¡¯s time Jennifer answers for the crimes she committed against us, and why not let Evelyn announce her presence to any other spying eyes that might be watching. I¡¯m sure it will make them reevaluate their decision to move against me.¡± Tiffany sighed, a sound that was half-concern, half-intrigue. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll take care of the negotiations. Happy hunting, Empress! I hope this doesn¡¯t get too out of hand¡­ My! What am I even saying? Yes, she does intimidate. What can I say?¡± The connection ended with the two witches nearby giving each other looks that asked, ¡®Who and what was this hag that could intimidate the Witch Queen?¡¯ Elinor turned to the entrance, her movements filled with anticipation while silently ordering the drone on the wall to follow her. Camellia, Valdar, and her father rallied behind her, Quin waiting by the door as she felt others drawing near. ¡°We¡¯re moving out as soon as Ash, Black, Grace, and Valentina meet up with us¡­ They¡¯re close.¡± As she strode towards the exit, the soft breeze of the gathering storm brushed against her face, her thoughts returning briefly to the raw display of power she¡¯d seen from the Great Houses, knowing that it had likely been child¡¯s play and mostly for show. They hadn¡¯t struggled in the least in their confrontation. How powerful is a Countess-level Tempest really in full on war? What levels can Castria get to on the other side? Oh¡­ The clouds started to darken, a loud crack of thunder streaking from the western side of the valley¡ªit came from the ground to strike the lulling gray. It seems our hag is moving faster than I thought¡­ We¡¯ll have to pick up our pace. She studied the swirling mass growing larger, darker, more ominous by the second, and a cold grin split her lips, recalling the moment she¡¯d witnessed her mother¡¯s death. Tonight, I¡¯m coming for you, Jennifer. You¡¯ve tempted Death, and I¡¯ve answered. I hope me knocking at the doors doesn¡¯t frighten you off¡­ But if anything, tonight, a certain yellow-skinned Xaria¡¯s head will be mounted on a stick. Elinor¡¯s heart chilled instead of quickened as she felt her two horsemen drawing near, stepped up to her drone to awaken the slumbering dead arachnid. She¡¯d need its senses to navigate the jungle, and she¡¯d only channel its spirit once she reached the river crossing¡­ She needed to squeeze every second she could out of the hour she had to use its powers. Watching the green butterfly land on the metallic corpse to spark an inferno, she turned her gaze onto the rain-soaked night, her gaze fixed on the sparks of electricity charging the atmosphere in thick, deafening roars. Her soul sang to be released, expanded to its limit. The storm clouds cycled into a tight cyclone that would soon unleash her fury as devastating tempest, and she hadn¡¯t even begun to reveal the horror she could unshackle. This is what I¡¯ve built, Jennifer. Bluff by bluff, negotiation and strengthening my soul every day¡­risking my life every step of the way¡­ You asked for war. This is how I do war. B4 — 8.5. A Swampy Threat The storm raged outside, the roar of wind and rain crashing against the silken barrier that the Xaltan had erected to shield the cave entrance. Water still sloshed against the ground and walls, breaking past the first deterrent. Only the single human witch at the mouth of this branching tunnel kept the liquid out, more water surging in with each relentless gust. The human was frantically trying to keep the enchantment intact, despite her pants and shaky frame, soaked from the initial flash flood that had struck. Dalria could feel the air hum with the strain of her spellwork. Even inside, the damp cold seeped into Dalria¡¯s bones. This isn¡¯t natural. It came from nowhere, she internally snarled, glancing to her right to see more young bloods running between multiple tunnel intersections with goods in hand. Why wasn¡¯t I included in this ritual or plan Jennifer and the Xaltan are doing? We had everything under our control, and then¡­this happened, and Jennifer freaked out. What is happening?! Her chest ached¡ªa sharp, stinging pain that throbbed. She absently brushed her fingers over the crimson mark of the Scarlet Hand, tracing its jagged edges as though trying to smooth the sensation. It didn¡¯t help. ¡°Punishment¡­¡± The thought flitted through her mind before she could stop it, almost making her long tongue ball up in her throat; a creeping whisper she had no desire to listen to. Revilla¡­ Jennifer must have not done something right. Is that why she¡¯s panicking and brought most of the witches back to her? No¡ªdon¡¯t show me! She squeezed her eyes shut, but the vision clawed its way to the forefront¡ªshapeless flesh writhing and twisting in a mass of blood and viscera, rolling over itself again and again until a single, massive dead eye was revealed and pinned her naked soul in place. ¡°Convince them into the ritual or suffer amalgamation.¡± Her breath hitched, and cold sweat broke out across her skin. She jerked her hand away from her chest, as if that would silence the brand¡¯s voice, but the sensation lingered, gnawing at the edges of her sanity. It wasn¡¯t for her, the message was for Jennifer. In the dim light of the cave, Dalria¡¯s gaze snapped to a Xaltan young blood running toward her from the deeper tunnels. The boy¡¯s eyes were wide, darting nervously between the witches and the swirling storm outside. She stepped in front of him, blocking his path with a sharp, commanding tone. ¡°What¡¯s happening inside? Why have all the Xaltan Elites been called back?¡± The boy skidded to a halt, waving his hand in confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Xaria. I was told to guide a guest who should be arriving soon. They need him inside immediately¡ªa nalvean.¡± ¡°A nalvean guest?¡± Dalria''s frown deepened. ¡°Jennifer didn¡¯t tell me anything about¡­¡± The storm''s ferocity seemed to lessen for a heartbeat, and then, to the shock of everyone at the open tunnel, the water stopped and the furious wind died down. The witch who had been struggling with keeping the water out of this hallway sagged in relief, her shoulders dropping as the enchantment held steady without her constant effort. Dalria¡¯s instincts flared. She stalked toward the entrance, her sharp gaze searching the swirling mists outside for any sign of the cause. The water that had been threatening to flood the cave now shimmered, unnaturally still, then parted. A shadow loomed out of the fog, massive and deliberate. As it entered the downward slope of the cave, Dalria made out the shape of an unusual, metal platform¡ªa large, floating mass that seemed to fill the mouth of the tunnel perfectly, with dark cloth draped over something bulky at its center. Symbols glowed faintly across the edges of it, etched in a language she couldn¡¯t read but knew from only one source¡ªthe White God¡¯s colossal fortress gates and walls. Three nalveans stood upon the slow-moving vehicle, their regal postures contrasting starkly with the chaotic landscape that continued to rage outsides. At the head was a figure draped in fine silks, his scales shone in shades of bright green and gold, glistening under the blue flames burning on all four corners of the platform. His expression was one of calm confidence and curiosity, his eyes tracing the contours of the cave with an appraising look, his voice aged and tinted with fascination. ¡°The exact same¡­ Perfectly symmetrical and down to a mathematical genius. Truly, extraordinary creatures.¡± Dalria felt the prickling sensation of being scrutinized when his gaze landed on her, lingering a moment too long to be casual as the witch watched from her kneeling position, petrified. ¡°Xaria Dalria, as I have been told,¡± the nalvean''s voice was rich, a smooth baritone that carried easily across the storm-muted air. ¡°I assume you will be the one to guide me into this¡­remarkable place? It is good I came when such a novel storm has broken out across your humble valley.¡± There was something unsettling in his tone, as though he was sizing her up, measuring her worth, but not her physical attributes but her very soul. Dalria straightened her back, glaring up at the nalvean without faltering. ¡°That¡¯s correct. I¡¯ll take you to the Elder Chief. He¡¯s expecting you. How should I address you.¡± The Xaltan young blood opened his mouth, likely to correct her and assert his given duty, but Dalria cut him off with a sharp gesture and gave him a pointed stare. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± She had to understand what was really going on because Jennifer was floundering and for some reason, this mysterious nalvean had not only answered her call, but managed to arrive in a time that should be impossible. The nalvean¡¯s lizard-like mouth curled into a predator¡¯s smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Good. And you can address me as the Grand Designer. I have long awaited the opportunity to meet Elder Chief Varnak in person. It is rare to be welcomed into a th¨¦lm¨¦thra nest. I¡¯ve only had samples sent to me by the Elder Chief¡­but I believe this visit will be far more enlightening now that the storm is at the gate, I suppose you could¡ªoh?¡± Dalria¡¯s heart pounded in her chest. Her grip tightened on her spear as a low rumble shook the ground beneath her feet, the tremor accompanied by a distant, haunting horn. It blared throughout the valley, a deep, resonant note that made the nalvean¡¯s smile falter. She¡¯d only heard stories about it from Chief Krava¡¯s feet as a little girl. The horn that had only blown twice in his long life: when the th¨¦lm¨¦thra had attacked the White God and when the Avana blotted out the heavens, bringing fire on its wings to incinerate half the valley and slay the quen¡¯talrat Silver Queen. The Grand Designer¡¯s narrowed eyes flicked toward the tunnel¡¯s entrance. ¡°What is this? The White God¡¯s warning signal¡­ Something only he could have faced, warning his people to leave it to him. Hmm. I do hope that isn¡¯t meant for the enemy marching against the Xaltan at this moment. Perhaps we should move along¡­ Interesting.¡± He chortled and glanced between his hollow-eyed companions, looking totally dead to the world. ¡°That being said, I¡¯ve brought nothing that could match a threat on the White God¡¯s level¡­¡± Dalria¡¯s gaze narrowed, her throat going dry. She¡¯d been excluded from Jennifer¡¯s inner circle for too long, kept on the fringes like an outsider while her clan¡¯s fate was decided behind closed doors. If something was happening, she needed to know. Now. She didn¡¯t wait for the nalvean to follow her, spinning on her heel, mind racing. Something on the White God¡¯s level? Impossible. If another threat of that magnitude is on Elinor¡¯s side¡­ We¡¯re doomed. Stepping forward into the cave, her focus locked ahead as the wind howled behind her, echoing down the tunnels like the wails of a torlim female in heat. The storm, once a ferocious assault against the Xaltan¡¯s protective barrier, now ebbed slightly, though its presence lingered, threatening to surge once more. The water pooled at her feet again, forcing the witch girl at the entrance to groan in renewed frustration. The human¡¯s voice broke into a harsh, whispered incantation, trembling as she resumed her desperate attempt to hold back the flood. Dalria didn¡¯t spare her a glance. There was something bigger happening. She¡¯d already devoted herself to the Scarlet Hand, so why was she shut out now? Haven¡¯t I proven myself by killing Elinor¡¯s mother, allowing the Whispering Shadow to attack her? And somehow it failed. I¡¯ll have to tell Chief Krava about that when he returns. She moved deeper into the labyrinth, considering Jennifer¡¯s rapid change in attitude the moment she heard a lightning strike come from the storm clouds; it wasn¡¯t unusual during the rainy season, yet it had shaken her in a way nothing else had thus far. Jennifer didn¡¯t plan for this¡ªRevilla didn¡¯t warn us¡­ No one somehow saw Elinor¡¯s next move coming. But why wasn¡¯t I brought into the counter plan? She clenched her mouth tight, grinding her outer teeth against her skin, her fingers curling into fists as the slippery stone floor shifted underfoot. The Scarlet Hand throbbed faintly at her chest, the reminder of Revilla¡¯s gnawing hunger in her mind. Why does it feel like every step I take leads me further from the truth¡­when Revilla showed me the truth? My insignificance. That it¡¯s pointless to fight her. How can Elinor frighten her? I don¡¯t understand why we can¡¯t just kill the dirt licker instead of dancing around the human! We have to cripple her, but not kill her. Why? Ahead, the cavern widened into the main chamber. The dull flicker of torchlight illuminated the surreal sight that unfolded before her: symbols etched into the ground in intricate patterns, interwoven with materials from the jungle she only half recognized¡ªscraps of metal, fragments of bone, and something that glimmered like cracked stardust. However, it was the bodies that stole her paralyzed brain. Massive metallic corpses, their cold, lifeless, eight-legged forms spaced with eerie precision, surrounded by Xaltan Elites and Xaria, who stood motionless, their eyes closed, muttering in a low, rhythmic chant. Her heart froze a beat at the sight of Chief Noklan, knelt reverently before a towering th¨¦lm¨¦thra, larger, more bulky than the rest. The creature¡¯s black exoskeleton gleamed under the dim light, dwarfing even the shiny-skinned ri¡¯bot that surrounded it. The symbols etched into the stone by the overworked human women connected to every Xaltan, material, and body in a large, interconnected web, creating an unsettling aura that twisted Dalria¡¯s stomach. The human witches¡ªpale, gaunt, and soaked with sweat¡ªscrambled around the chamber, their eyes darting from their tasks to a figure standing in a corner: Jennifer. The cult leader¡¯s face was flushed, her brow furrowed as she barked orders between frantic glances at the complex diagrams she had sketched on animal hide. Her fingers trembled as she gestured to the scattered artifacts, pushing the human witches to complete their part of the ritual. Dalria¡¯s feet moved before her mind caught up. What is this? Why are they surrounding those¡­things? Is this a mass ritual to give them more powers from the th¨¦lm¨¦thra? Her gaze snapped toward the outer ring of the design. There, lined up with eerie precision, were hundreds of large, black, metallic eggs. They pulsed faintly, as if alive, waiting for something¡ªwaiting for what? ¡°Grand Designer Jumi''kerune.¡± The deep voice of Elder Chief Varnak pulled her out of her stupor. She blinked, her eyes shifting to the elder as he stepped forward, but not for her. His expression was grim, his posture tense. He stared at the nalvean, hovering behind her, now fully within the chamber. ¡°We are fortunate you could arrive on such short notice.¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Jumi''kerune smiled faintly as he descended from the platform. Water swirled beneath him, forming a solid disk that carried him gracefully across the chamber floor. His bright green scales shimmered under the torchlight, his regal posture and calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around them. ¡°Fortunate indeed,¡± Jumi''kerune said, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity. His eyes flicked over the symbols, the bodies, the witches, before landing on the Elder Chief. ¡°I see things are¡­dire, to say the least. The horn sounded for the third time.¡± ¡°You know the Ques¡¯k¨¢ prophecy after the death of the White God,¡± the elder ri¡¯bot mumbled, shifting his posture to stare at the giant dead creature in front of his son. ¡°When the horn sounds for a third time, the ri¡¯bot valley clans will be no more. We were warned it would sound, and she was right.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune adjusted his silk with a more dismissive grunt than his tone had given earlier, and Dalria saw Jennifer catch sight of them, her shoulders sagging with relief. ¡°Despite the Ques¡¯k¨¢¡¯s inevitable strength as a species and leading power of the known world, I am doubtful of their¡­speculations. It isn¡¯t hard to predict that when a threat on the White God¡¯s level comes, disaster will follow. Now¡­¡± He turned his gaze back to the Elder Chief with an eager grin, making a hand gesture that was for politeness within their culture. ¡°This ritual, Chief Varnak¡ªwhat exactly is its purpose? The message you sent spoke of unique magic, something capable of altering fate itself. Can such power truly cheat what is foretold by the Ques¡¯k¨¢? I certainly hope so because I grow weary of their preaching.¡± Varnak¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°We don¡¯t have another choice, Grand Designer. You see the power that the dead human Elinor commands. We are under assault. Jennifer was the one who warned us the horn would sound soon. She was right.¡± Dalria stiffened at the mention of Jennifer. The woman was now striding toward them from the far end of the chamber, her hair plastered to her face, her soaked clothing clinging to her thin frame. There was something off about the way Jennifer moved compared to her usual controlled persona¡ªsubdued, almost defeated¡ªyet there was that damned smile on her face, one that didn¡¯t match the situation. A chill ran down Dalria¡¯s spine as she approached, yet Jumi¡¯kerune didn¡¯t appear impressed, his tone playful yet cold. ¡°For someone who commands such respect from you, she certainly doesn¡¯t give off the best impression. Look at her¡ªsoaked, ragged, unsightly.¡± His clasped hands at his front tightened with disapproval, which was exactly in-line with what Dalria had been told about their rule-centric and fashion obsessed culture. ¡°Perhaps I could offer her a more fitting appearance.¡± His eyes gleamed with amusement as he turned back to Varnak, ignoring her. ¡°If this human manages to do what you promised, I will have many questions and far more resources to provide her.¡± Dalria¡¯s heart pounded in her chest. How does he know¡­? Her thoughts stumbled, her mind racing. How does he know about humans? I suppose they had to bait him here with something big. Is she bringing in the Nalvean Empire to fight with us, or is this more isolated and inside the shadows? She swallowed hard, her hand moving unconsciously to the mark on her chest. The Scarlet Hand felt like it was burning into her skin, the creeping presence of Revilla scratching at the edges of her thoughts. Jennifer¡¯s approach slowed, that smile never leaving her face. ¡°Grand Designer,¡± she greeted, her voice sweet, yet laced with something darker. ¡°I trust your trip wasn¡¯t too arduous, given the weather? I suppose your formidable technology and powers proved helpful in braving the storm. You arrived just in time.¡± Dalria¡¯s hand tightened around the shaft of her spear, her knuckles white. Every word from Jennifer grated against her nerves. I don¡¯t trust her. She¡¯s playing us all¡ªand for what? I know I can¡¯t fight her. I know Revilla is inevitable. Yet, I¡¯m having doubts the longer Elinor is able to counter. Why does it feel like we¡¯re always the ones on the run and a step behind? This was supposed to be our big victory. Varnak¡¯s hard eyes gestured toward the ongoing ritual. ¡°This magic,¡± he began, voice low, ¡°is our last hope. The valley clans are doomed if we fail. We do this not only for ourselves¡­but for our species. The third horn signifies the end, and we must do everything in our power to stop what is coming¡­even if it feels forbidden.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s lips curled into a thoughtful smile. ¡°How very¡­quaint. Forbidden things tend to be the most interesting..¡± He chuckled softly, but his focus flicked toward Jennifer with a calculating glint. ¡°Perhaps our dear human knows more than she lets on. Word is, you¡¯re in a bit of a bind.¡± Jennifer met his gaze evenly, but for the first time, Dalria saw a flicker of something beneath the surface¡ªuncertainty, perhaps fear. ¡°I assure you, should you provide the final ingredients I need, then I can help your lord gain ground he hasn¡¯t been able to achieve since Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma¡¯s venture to the north.¡± ¡°Big words for such a tiny, unsightly creature,¡± the famous nalvean mused, his platform rising on its own to give him a better view of the ritual¡¯s design. ¡°I will say that whatever higher being is granting you knowledge¡­they certainly do have excellent taste.¡± Holding out his hand to the right, he made a few complex gestures, speaking in the true nalvean language of body movement that she hadn¡¯t learned. One of his dull-eyed companions moved to the cloth covering and took it off, revealing a glass case full of thousands of items. ¡°I brought a few extra things, just in case, but you only wanted the runic soul disruptor? Why?¡± Jennifer¡¯s nerves seemed to settle as he held out his palm for his assistant to extract one a black needle and hand it over; if Dalria was to guess, these nalveans no longer had their minds in-tact to do anything but act as the Grand Designer¡¯s puppets. The cult leader giggled, and held herself tall. ¡°I know you¡¯re cautious about me knowing so much about your, hmm, how should I say it¡­ Non-sanctioned operations within your homeland. You¡¯ve called me out already, being a follower of a higher being, as you are¡­ I need resources, and you need influence in the southern islands¡­ Influence I can provide. Care to follow your curiosity?¡± she finished, holding out her hand with a bright smile. Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s eyes narrowed, a deadly gleam in them that Dalria would have rejected on the spot, and without a doubt, the Grand Designer could easily kill all of them if he wanted. Yet, he reached down and dropped the needle in her open palm. ¡°What would you do if you didn¡¯t have these humans? I¡¯m told it is unlikely that you will keep them?¡± Jennifer breathed out a hot puff of air while gesturing over to one of the lead witches, handing it to the woman with a sickly sweet grin; she hated the way human mouths twisted¡ªit was so unnatural to her with all their teeth, unsettling. ¡°Rylee, we need to do this now. Use this at the¡ª¡± Her vision clouded over, making Dalria¡¯s muscles tighten; she knew the signs of Revilla¡¯s messages. When her eyes cleared, tears fell from her eyes and she looked up at the Grand Designer as if he were her savor. ¡°You have Jade Fire with you?¡± The lizard¡¯s frame shook with silent laughter. ¡°A very dangerous thing to ask for within the nalvean lands, human. The fire that cannot be extinguished and that burns the very bedrock¡­ And tell me, what will Jade Fire do for your¡­magic?¡± Jennifer didn¡¯t skip a beat as the unsure human witch glanced between them, waiting for her ¡®empress¡¯s¡¯ command. ¡°It will be our power source instead of the lives of the women. And I won¡¯t need them for the next plan. Their work will be done¡­ The ritual will be done immediately.¡± Rylee¡¯s shoulders slumped with relief at the promise of relief, unknowingly serving the very enemy with their blood, sweat, and tears. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ I¡¯ll get everyone ready, Empress. We can¡¯t last much longer at our current strength. Is¡­Queen Tiffany returning soon?¡± Jumi¡¯kerune responded by performing another wordless gesture, and the nalvean servant gingerly opened a larger separator in the glass container, pulling out a tiny vile that was mixed with layers of what looked to be minerals of all colors, and a tiny green gemstone nestled at the bottom. He handed it to Rylee, Jennifer gesturing for her to the center of the ritual, where Chief Noklan was still whispering his mantra. ¡°Queen Tiffany will return soon enough¡­ Now, place it unbroken on his lap as the main focal point and repeat the incantation I gave you. It must be precise. The chant will be easy with the flame as the fuel. All you need to do is follow Queen Tiffany¡¯s instructions. I¡¯m counting on you.¡± ¡°Yes, Empress!¡± Dalria¡¯s crossed arms tightened against her front as Jennifer turned to her for the first time and directed her into an empty circle in a corner, right in back of the giant metal arachnid in the center of the cavern¡ªthe one Chief Noklan sat in front of. ¡°You wanted action and to prove your worth, Dalria? How would you like to have the chance to kill Elinor and make your chief proud?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll allow me to kill her?¡± she asked, somewhat taken aback as the call for action swelled within her breast; standing around and guarding Jennifer all the time was frustrating and gave far too many chances to allow Revilla to claw at her brain. ¡°I can go into battle? And¡­what will the ritual do to me?¡± She didn¡¯t want to squirm under the cult leader¡¯s appraising stare, but it was hard not to when Jennifer and Jumi¡¯kerune gave her the same unsettling stare. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know. But Revilla has now shown me that you were to take the crowning position instead of Elder Chief Varnak. The Elder Chief has more secrets to show us before we depart, so I need you to buy as much time as¡­¡± Jennifer paused as the young blood who was supposed to guide the Grand Designer came running into the room. ¡°Enemy¡ªsurrounded in ruby armor that burns like fire! It¡¯s charging through the outer forces with an army behind him!¡± ¡°Tch.¡± The woman¡¯s smile waned for a moment before turning that sickly grin on her one last time. ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s your time to shine and I¡¯ll give you power that will make Chief Krava proud¡­ You will become great.¡± Dalria felt goosebumps crawl up her arms. Am¡­I not already great? Isn¡¯t that why I¡¯ve been guarding you this whole time? She stifled a grunt as the palm print on her chest flared, an unholy whisper caressing her brain as the supple, husky voice of Revilla scarred her soul. ¡°Ride forth as my champion to meet Elinor¡¯s¡­ Show everyone the strength of the Komath. You are not a coward.¡± No¡­ I¡¯m not. Somewhat confused by her own response, she stumbled forward a few steps before catching herself and completing the journey. Elinor¡¯s panicked, weak face upon seeing her mother¡¯s death resurfaced. I should have ended it then. This time, I won¡¯t be held back. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Jennifer watched the weak-willed Xaria stumble off to perform her mission, unease biting at her chest as if a swarm of bed bugs were groaning at her flesh, Revilla¡¯s message digging into her marrow. Her gaze shifted to Jumi¡¯kerune as he hovered beside her, the impressive nalvean picking apart her ritual with keen observational intelligence and the whispers of his benefactor breathing into his ear. Elder Chief Varnak calmly watched from beside them, knowing why he¡¯d been selected to stay but looking uncertain if he should take them to their holy of holies¡ªthe place not even his son knew about, now open after excavating the collapsed tunnel the Avana¡¯s rampage had collapsed. ¡°Are you impressed, Grand Designer?¡± ¡°By the ritual? Mmm.¡± He snorted and tilted his gaze toward her. ¡°Not particularly in itself. I can see portions of my own old research in it and its consequences. Now, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra being the target is certainly of interest to me. It is too rushed in my opinion, though.¡± ¡°But,¡± she pressed, ¡°it will certainly provide a temporary form of resistance and incredible threat, no?¡± ¡°¡­We will see how their souls adapt with the runic technology involved. I¡¯ve only performed these types of surgeries on individuals I am very well acquainted with after years of spiritual study in their development. Your method is as crude as your appearance. And you intend to give the humans back¡­and alive at that? A waste of resources.¡± Jennifer¡¯s soft laughter shook her body as she watched the mind controlled witches started their ritual, the hum of potent magic making the very earth tremble around them. ¡°Elinor brought something back with her from the other dimension she went to¡­ Something she shouldn¡¯t have that sounded that horn and changed the rules of the game. We have to adapt, and she won¡¯t be a fan of you, Jumi¡¯kerune¡­¡± She paused, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat while feeling Revilla¡¯s bloody tendrils wrapped around her neck. ¡°Elinor is a being of pure focus and willpower. If I kill her witches, then she¡¯ll hunt me down as a priority. She¡¯ll have to if I dispose of her citizens. And I can¡¯t afford that attention with the creature she brought back with her¡­ I can¡¯t risk Elinor freeing that thing from her control to get to me. Not yet.¡± ¡°Aww. No need to be so guarded, dearie.¡± Jennifer¡¯s chest tightened as cackles rang in her head, shifting between a tone of venomous honey to a cloud that offered the world. ¡°I¡¯m not as bad as your silly dead ball of flesh seems to think. I can be quite the fun partner, if you¡¯ll accept my proposal.¡± It was exactly as Revilla warned her; Autumn was far too wild and unpredictable. Elinor had brought something incredibly primordial and dangerous to a world with secrets she could use to upend everything, and she¡¯d brought her swamp with her. I¡¯d rather not deal with a hag¡­ I¡¯m not stupid enough to think I could outsmart you. The question is, how did Elinor? ¡°Shame. Maybe you should ask her. But it¡¯s cute seeing you sacrifice useless pawns now that they¡¯ve served their purpose. We could be friends, you know. In any case, I think I¡¯m done being a little storm cloud. So, you better run, run, run, little rabbit¡­ The wolves are on their way. Good luck. I¡¯m rooting for you. Hehehe.¡± Trying to wet her parched throat, Jennifer watched as the emerald flames lit, spreading across the blood patterns. Yet, instead of the supernatural flames instantly burning them to ashes, it was channeled by the complex ritual into fuel, providing power she hadn¡¯t expected to have and allowing for far more potent effects than she¡¯d anticipated. A small smile twitched at the corner of her mouth as the massive th¨¦lm¨¦thra warrior drone and the workers spread around the large cavern twitched. Turning toward the area that had previously been collapsed, she strode forward with the hag¡¯s laughter fading into oblivion. ¡°We can¡¯t stall any longer; Elinor is on her way, Varnak. Tell your son to buy us as much time as he can but leave the humans alive¡­even if his hunger feels like it will eat a hole through his belly. We must go to the th¨¦lm¨¦thra queen¡¯s inner chamber. Take us there. Now.¡± B4 — 9.5. Trap Sprung The howling wind whistled through the trees of the ancient forest, battering the slick trunks and flinging the rain at an angle. Its intensity was gradually subsiding, something Red took careful note of from the rumbles of the distant thunder. The jungle floor was matted with thick mud, each step heavy as Red trudged forward without effort, given his Feats. His eyes glowed a deep crimson, his aura casting a faint light onto the waterlogged foliage. Steam hissed off his armor as the rain evaporated on contact with his rising body heat. The corpses of black-skinned ri¡¯bot lay shredded in his wake. Pulsing conflict tugged at his senses, drawing him deeper into the dense underbrush along the rushing waters of the raised river. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his claymore, the corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. Something is brewing below¡­ A challenge awaits a challenger. A flicker of movement from the shadows caught his attention. Without turning, War sensed the presence of a Xaltan warrior¡ªa shadow in the trees, swift and deadly. He tensed, ready for the ambush. Suddenly, the warrior leaped from the canopy without a sound in the hailing rain, his thread-like bindings lashing through the air. Reacting on instinct, he spun, his blade slicing through the wet silk with ease given his rising power, the force sending the frayed ends flying. The Xaltan barely had time to register his failure before the razor¡¯s edge cut clean through his body, to tumble into the underbrush for the insects to feast, unable to utter a word before his death. War laughed, his voice a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the jungle. ¡°Where are all your strongest warriors, Xaltan? I am bored of your Young Bloods, trembling in the shadows, toad,¡± his roar joining the rolling thunder. His eyes darted to another shadow in the trees, yet before he could strike, a bolt of fire shot out of the darkness, creating sparks as metal met metal. Chief Zargoth¡¯s blazing body brightened the former fortified mines, the clang of steel following as newly awakened Mystic collided with the Xaltan, their weapons clashing in a series of blows, sparks flying as fire danced in dazzling patterns. Red slung his blade over his armored shoulder, studying the short battle with calculating accuracy as the scarred chieftain and enhanced Xaltan Young Blood fought. His grin widened as Zargoth¡¯s fiery short sword cut clean through the Xaltan¡¯s throat, ending the exchange in a spray of steam and blood. The toad warrior crumpled, his body limp before it even hit the mud. War stepped forward, Zargoth landed beside him, breathing heavily, the rain sizzling as it evaporated from his flaming skin. ¡°You made your choice,¡± War said, glancing over Zargoth¡¯s wounds, noting the deep cuts on his wrists and ankles, the marks from where the threads had bound him. ¡°Can¡¯t say it¡¯s the smart decision.¡± Zargoth chuckled, rubbing the raw skin with a grimace. ¡°It seems I did.¡± ¡°You look like shit,¡± War added with a smirk. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be the first time,¡± Zargoth shot back, bouncing on his toes despite the pain and making Red shake his head at how things had changed between the Roxim and Empire. ¡°But I¡¯ve still got a fight left in me for what they did to my people.¡± War clapped him on the back, forcing a cough. ¡°Good to have you.¡± Around them, a dozen or so Mystic Fire Walkers descended from the trees, their bodies aglow with the same fiery Mysticism as Zargoth, the heat they generated turning the rain into vapor to swirl around them. War observed them appreciatively before turning back to Zargoth. ¡°An elite fighting force, as taxed as they are. It could be worse. Think you can do me a solid?¡± Zargoth wiped a streak of blood from his cheek, his expression one of grim determination. ¡°I owe you my life, and the life of my people. Name it.¡± War¡¯s gaze flicked toward the direction of the caves, where the lowering river was now retreating from. The witches were still bound by the control markers of the Scarlet Hand, their spirits twisted by Jennifer¡¯s foul deity. ¡°I know you want to see this through to the end, Chief,¡± he began, ¡°but if your Fire Walkers could focus on getting the witches out and burning those control markers, we¡¯ll call that debt even. Fair?¡± Zargoth hesitated, his eyes drifting toward his fatigued elite warriors, who were already preparing for the next fight, keeping their blood pumping with stretches. ¡°It¡¯ll be a hard thing, asking them not to use their Mysticism after just regaining our legacy. Hmm¡­ You¡¯ve got my word: the witches will be their priority.¡± War¡¯s grin returned, feral and sharp. ¡°Good. Now I can fight without holding back. I can feel the Empress getting closer¡­ The haunting chill her cold resolve brings. My brother and sister are drawing nearer, as well¡­ Death and Famine will be at our backs soon.¡± Zargoth adjusted his grip on his short sword, his face grim and without joy due to the humiliation and destruction the Xaltan had wrought on his people. ¡°You seem to know the way, War. We¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± Red nodded, his senses tingling as the pulse of conflict grew stronger, pulling him toward a dark opening in the hillside ahead. ¡°Prepare yourselves,¡± he warned, his voice low but charged with anticipation. ¡°There¡¯s a powerful enemy ahead. It¡¯s going to be a party.¡± The air around him crackled as his aura flared, the red glow of his fighting spirit enveloping him like a cloak. His eyes burned with a molten intensity, and his claymore shimmered in the dim light, the blade reflecting the red of his aura. Every movement he made seemed to leave a trail of steam in its wake on his path forward. ¡°Jennifer will sacrifice every last Xaltan to achieve whatever is hidden below and escape¡­ If you can get past whatever awaits us and attack her direction, do it.¡± Zargoth made a few clicks with his tongue, instructing his people on formation and orders regarding the witches, falling in lockstep with him. ¡°Leave you to die, if it completes the mission¡­ No complaints here.¡± The hurricane had tempered out, its roars now falling into a rolling thunderstorm . But the real storm¡ªthe one inside War¡ªwas only just beginning. A clever ambush and harsh prisoner treatment? No problem from him. However¡­manipulating loyal and hardworking women to his empress to fight the very person they served? Unforgivable. Together with Zargoth and the Fire Walkers, War advanced toward the cave, the sound of their footsteps drowned out by the sizzling rain and the rhythmic thrum of distant thunder. His grip tightened on the hilt of his claymore as the dark mouth of the cave loomed closer, and he cut down two more Xaltan lying in ambush. The pulsing sense of danger grew stronger with each step and War¡¯s smile widened upon reaching the dark interior. ¡°It¡¯s going to be one hell of a fight,¡± he muttered under his breath as an ominous wave of danger rushed up from within, his eyes gleaming as he prepared to face whatever waited for him in the darkness. ¡°Into hell we ride.¡± War¡¯s boots squelched in the soaked jungle floor as he pressed on, leading his elite force through the thick mist and rain that obscured their surroundings. His grip on the hilt of his claymore tightened as they approached the mouth of the cave, its entrance perfectly smooth, too mathematically carved to be natural¡ªit was a marvel, really. The atmosphere shifted, growing heavy, oppressive, as if the very air was resisting their approach, the tides of war shifting against him. A twinge of unease crawled down his spine, the first hint of something foreboding awaiting them. His crimson aura flickered, casting an eerie glow on the surrounding stone walls, water trickling down the carved surfaces in small streams. The sound echoed, mixing with the distant rumble of thunder and the faint patter of droplets hitting stone. Something¡¯s wrong¡­ Jennifer is hinging everything on whatever is hidden in these tunnels, so there should be barriers, opposition¡­but there¡¯s nothing. Just a hollow emptiness ahead. Not a flicker of conflict or battle awaiting as if all emotion vanished in an instant. ¡°Stay sharp,¡± War muttered, his voice barely a growl as he scanned the hallway upon stepping into the slow moving streams of the entrance. The smooth stone was polished with precision, as if someone or something had carved it with more precision than fine sandpaper and meticulous care. The flowing water winding along the floor reflected the faint light from his aura, creating shifting patterns on the slick walls that only added to the unease pulling at his core. Behind him, Zargoth¡¯s Mystics flanked the narrow passage, their flames glowing softly in the damp air. One of the Fire Walkers surged forward, his body poised to strike as they reached the only non-flooded branching hallway. Yet, War halted the moment he stepped over the threshold, his muscles tensing, his skin prickled. What is this feeling¡­ The Fire Walker bent down, his eyes narrowing as he inspected a faint marking on the ground with discarded, burned items. ¡°The human Gabriela¡¯s scent,¡± he whispered, his nostrils flaring as he stood. War¡¯s pulse quickened, his mind flashing to the witches under Jennifer¡¯s influence. ¡°Help!¡± ¡°Red! We¡­ Where are we?¡± ¡°Is that you, Red?!¡± War could hear faint cries ahead as if triggered the moment he¡¯d touched the branching hallway, a haunting sensation sending chills down his spine in a way he¡¯d never experienced. His jaw clenched, his heart thudding with the weight of their desperation. Jennifer¡¯s methods were more than just twisting the weak and using them as bait. This isn¡¯t a trap like before¡­ This is something real. The smile that had been playing on his lips had long faded, replaced by a grim determination. He turned to Zargoth, his voice low, but the authority in it unmistakable. ¡°Whatever lies ahead, I¡¯ll handle it. Get your Mystics to free the witches, burn those control markers, and I need you to go after Jennifer. I¡¯ll draw the attention of whatever is ahead.¡± Zargoth opened his mouth to protest, but War silenced him with a look. ¡°Chief, this isn¡¯t a negotiation. You¡¯re to get them out, leave me, and go after Jennifer. I don¡¯t know how much time I can buy you.¡± For the first time, an unsettling feeling gripped him as he turned back toward the silk-filled cavern ahead of them. Something beyond anything he¡¯d felt lay ahead¡ªsomething darker, and, without a doubt, it was more powerful than him. The air around the Fire Walkers grew more dense as they continued, following his lead. Red could see it, but it was there¡ªhe felt its hunger¡ªa shadow lingering just beyond the range of his senses. A heavy presence pressed against his chest, forcing him to pause, despite the cries of the witches for help. He placed a hand against his breastplate. I can feel it in my undead heart¡­that rare flicker of doubt, gnawing at me¡­ My death is up ahead. War¡¯s end. He swallowed hard, forcing down the anxiety that threatened to rise. There was no turning back. For the war to be won, sacrifices had to be made¡ªeven if it meant facing the one battle he could not win. His grip on his claymore tightened, the metal cool against his palm as he stepped forward, his aura pulsing brighter to encircle the ri¡¯bot warriors behind him. With every step, the air grew colder, more oppressive. The sound of distant water rushing through the lower tunnels filled his ears, along with the faint cries of the witches and the muffled clash of battle beside him. He could hear the Fire Walkers making quick work of the Xaltan warriors hiding in branching tunnels, cutting them down with swift, brutal efficiency. Yet War¡¯s gaze never wavered from the path ahead. He had one focus now¡ªthe nest. The hallway gave way to a large cavern, its center dominated by a massive structure of silk, threads woven into a complex web that spanned the entire chamber. At its heart, a group of women huddled together, their eyes wide with confusion and fear. They were trembling, clutching each other for support, unsure of why their empress had abandoned them as bait but too loyal to disobey. War¡¯s lips twisted into a grimace as he advanced, his thoughts flickering to something Elinor had told him on their journey to meet the Roxim: There is only one path for us, War¡ªthe way of the strong. No fear of death, only the fear of failing our duty. The words echoed in his mind, a reminder of the unyielding resolve that had brought them this far. He could feel the weight of his duty pressing down on him, the burden of his position pulling at his every step. But there was no room for fear, no time for doubt. He would follow the way of the strong, and press through the fire of doubt. As he approached the center of the cavern, a sudden chill ran down his spine. His eyes narrowed as the silk threads shuddered, the air around him growing unnaturally still. The hair on his arms rose, his every instinct screaming at him to run as th¨¦lm¨¦thra emerged from nowhere, surrounding them at every angle, their many legs clicking against the stone with a sickening rhythm unlike what he¡¯d heard described by Tiffany. Yet, one thing snatched his attention, the silk beneath him shifted like a living organism. Jennifer has th¨¦lm¨¦thra under her control? Shit. The witches¡¯ screams pierced through the cavern, his eyes narrowed, and without wasting a moment, War tightened his grip on his claymore. His aura flared, casting a blood-red light throughout the cave, filling the space with a frenzied force. The steel-like silk trembled under his feet. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Move, or I¡¯ll cleave you down where you stand!¡± he roared, not to his enemies but to the Roxim Fire Walkers, who were momentarily stunned by the sight of the massive arachnids. ¡°Get the women out! Zargoth, I¡¯ll handle this!¡± His voice sparked them into action, their hesitation melting under the weight of his command. The Fire Walkers darted forward, weaving around the silk-wrapped chamber toward the human girls. But Red¡¯s gaze was locked on the largest th¨¦lm¨¦thra as it emerged from the silken nest above the witches. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Hssssss!¡± Steam erupted from its joints, many others doing the same, and in one swift motion, the creature lunged at him, its speed astonishing for its size. War raised his claymore in defense, meeting it head on. [Immovable III: Failed] What?! Hit with a force unlike anything he¡¯d expected, his feet slid across the slick stone, arms trembling under the spider¡¯s advancing, unstoppable force. His aura flared as he shouted, meeting its gaping maw and bracing for its giant, quivering fangs on either side of his arms, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop the creature¡¯s momentum. War¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he was forced off the ground. The thing was somehow even stronger than it looked¡ªfar stronger. For a brief moment, it was as if the entire world slowed down, and he found himself flying backward with the arachnid carrying him with its flailing advance. His body slammed into the cavern wall, its twitching fangs somehow not cleaving him in two yet. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs, not that he needed it, but he didn¡¯t have time to react before the creature was on him again. Its jaws unhinged, the foul breath worse than Death¡¯s and gaping mouth hissed spittle that splattered his armor. In the next second, it sprayed out transparent ooze that mostly dribbled to the stone floor, yet a small stream splattered his right side, causing his metal to bubble¡ªacid¡ªmelting past his empowered defenses. Shit! This isn¡¯t good¡­ The acid is eating through my armor and skin. If it reaches my bone¡­ Keeping it at bay with all the strength he could muster, his eyes widened when his sword started to bend. Gritting his teeth, War planted his foot against its lower jaw, keeping himself braced against the wall and away from its thin, jewel-like teeth inside its mouth, as large as railroad spikes. He pushed upward to create just enough space to maneuver, flipping his freed blade sideways to use the flat of it to brace against the creature¡¯s sudden snap of its fangs. They struck, stopping them just in time from snapping around his torso¡ªthe stone behind him wasn¡¯t so lucky, fracturing under the pressure and being shaved away by the diamond-like fangs. The pressure was unbearable, his entire body vibrating from the force he exerted. Dammit¡­ This thing¡¯s strong. His muscles strained as he held the creature at bay, but he could feel his sword bending under the pressure. Instinctively, he knew something wasn¡¯t right with it, though; if it was this powerful, it should have dispatched him long before he was even aware of its presence, yet it was thrashing about as if in pain. If he timed it right¡ª In a split second, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra pulled back to snap its fangs again, more acid spraying out. War seized the opportunity. With a grunt of effort, he dropped beneath it as a cloud of noxious gas expelled from its mouth and dove through a gap in the falling liquid, tucking to roll upright. The creature slammed into the melting wall, breaking through into a secondary tunnel with a thunderous crash. War didn¡¯t have time to celebrate as heavy stones hit him in the collapsing tunnel, and he pushed himself up, stumbling out of the billowing cloud of debris. In shock, he lifted his left arm, half gone, armor, flesh, and bone replaced by a melting goo. Son of a bitch¡­ One arm down. And it¡¯s worse than I thought. Checking the damage in the cloud of dust that surrounded him, he realized part of his armor was bent, applying pressure to his spine and his sword was bowed from the force of the arachnid¡¯s fangs¡ªthat one wild charge had almost crippled him. Releasing his armor and weapons to repair them, his narrowed eyes shot up as he danced to the left, dodging a spear-like leg that cut through the haze, barely missing his torso. My left arm is done for, but I¡¯ll manage¡­ They¡¯re clumsy. I can win. The leg pierced the smooth stone floor like hot butter, throwing the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone off-balance and giving him time to jump away. A pulse of ruby light returned his repaired sword and armor, his internal power taking a slight hit for the energy cost. His foggy eyes lifted, scanning the zone to get a feel of the battlefield, taking it in with a single sweep of the mayhem that had taken the cave. The Fire Walkers were moving the witches while trying to stay out of the way from the flailing spiders, the cries of the women still echoing through the chaos as they were carried toward the exit by force. The toads were racing to get the hell out of the chaotic storm that was dozens upon dozens of oversized tank-like spiders, thrashing about and stumbling toward Red¡¯s agitating aura. The silk that had once clung to the cavern like an oppressive fog was now ablaze, thanks to Zargoth¡¯s fiery assaults in trying to free the witches. The room shook as more of the th¨¦lm¨¦thra emerged from thin air, their jerky, erratic movements betraying their lack of coordination. Steam hissed from their joints, and some of them thrashed wildly, as though fighting against invisible enemies¡­or the very bodies they had been trapped in. Red¡¯s sharp mind took in the ritual that was uncovered from the writhing sea of silk; Xaltan Elite Warriors and Xaria were now withered husks within the circles and lines spanning the zone. The result was obvious. Jennifer had used the witches to create a ritual to put the Xaltan elites¡¯ spirits into th¨¦lm¨¦thra bodies. You mad zealot, War chuckled, the shock of the ambush wearing off as he dodged another wild swing from a drone that could go through him, armor and all. Obviously, th¨¦lm¨¦thra complex nerve systems and abilities are too much for them¡­ A missing arm is trouble, but I have a chance! One of the creatures lunged at him, its movements sluggish and uncoordinated. War sidestepped easily, right hand tightening around his hilt to deliver a slash with his claymore across its legs in one smooth motion. The blade hummed with his renewed focus, yet only sparks flashed as his blow was deflected: the exoskeleton was too strong for him to get through. The steel-like silk rising to entangle his legs¡ªit was too slow. Leaping away, he noticed the Fire Walkers now gone and their lingering fire somehow smothered by the shifting threads. Good. I can cut loose then. If they¡¯re exoskeletons are too hard¡­what about those cracked jewel-like eyes of yours? Red danced around two more that advanced, maneuvering to bait one to pounce on its comrade, spear-like arm breaking into its side and making his grin widen. That¡¯s it, boys! Work for me here. The creature screeched, collapsing in a heap of twitching limbs as if giving up because it certainly wasn¡¯t dead. Another th¨¦lm¨¦thra trampled over it, its legs flailing wildly. Yet, War¡¯s attention was on the one with a cracked eye, using its own awkwardly placed leg to jump onto its body, swinging his claymore in a wide arc to crush it¡ªseveral more cracks appeared. Not good enough! Again! This time using the blunt hilt of his weapon, it shattered, sending bright blue liquid pooling out as the th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡¯s legs curled, steam hissing out of them. Red swiftly repositioned, swinging his blade to connect with the creature¡¯s opened segmented front leg, slicing through at a fractured section in its armored joints¡ªtime hadn¡¯t been kind to them¡ªit cut clean through with a sickening crunch. The creature shuddered, its other legs giving out beneath it without the stability of its full legs as it crashed to the ground. But even as he flipped his blade around to sink it into the leaking eye socket, two more took its place¡ªhis claymore sunk halfway to its hilt, and still, it twitched and thrashed. No wonder every race feared these things! Abandoning his blade as steel-like thread shot out of the ceiling to grab him, it vanished in a pulse of light before returning to his right hand. They don¡¯t die and are tough as hell! Their movements were only growing more desperate and erratic, though, as if they were fighting the very air that surrounded them. War could see the fear in their jerky movements, the steam hissing from their bodies as they struggled to maintain their grip on reality. Panicking, War thought, his grin widening. Good. He held up his arms, his aura of conflict irritating the already fracturing consciousness of the Xaltan mutants. Their attacks had become more frantic, more dangerous to each other due to their size, disorganized¡ªconfused. War glanced toward the back of the cavern, where Zargoth was burning through a thick silken wall, his flames bright and hot. The chief¡¯s focus was unyielding, ignoring the battle, but even he was beginning to show signs of fatigue. I¡¯ve got to buy them more time. He turned back to the th¨¦lm¨¦thra, his eyes narrowing. There were still too many of them, their massive forms slowly building momentum and lumbering toward him, their gem-like eyes gleaming with a mix of desperation, rage, and pain. Red set his ground, his aura flaring once more, brighter than before to keep them on him instead of the chief. His claymore shimmered with renewed energy as he brought it up in a defensive stance. In that moment, the giant th¨¦lm¨¦thra that had crashed through the wall emerged again from an upward eruption of stone, its body writhing with anger. The silk around it shifted like misty tentacles, coiling and uncoiling as it raced over its comrades, trampling and breaking past the exoskeletons of those unlucky enough to stumble into its path, but it was growing more precise in its movements. War¡¯s grin returned, feral and sharp. ¡°Bring it on.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Elinor¡¯s boots hit the soaked ground with a soft thud upon a hilly area along the Wandering River as she dismounted her father¡¯s sleek, obsidian-colored steed. The distant rumble of thunder echoed behind her, and her sharp gaze swept the scene. The once raging river was now calming, its surface less turbulent, yet the water was still choppy from the heavy storm that still lingered from the hag¡¯s display of raw power. She turned to look at her assembled forces, their focus unwavering and a forced smile twitching at the corner of her lips as, out of everywhere in the valley, a soft light that cut through the tumultuous black sky to illuminate their singular hill. Autumn, you are going to be trouble¡­ Her dad reigned in his horse beside her to cut the wind resistance, studying the bending landscape, his cloak billowing in the gales. He¡¯d been fairly silent for most of their journey, no doubt thinking about her uncorrupted mother¡¯s inevitable return. Camellia leaped down from Ash¡¯s horse, landing lightly on the muddy banks of the river with a small smile. Famine pulled up beside her as the curious spider¡¯s gaze followed the path of the flowing water before she glanced up at the flashing heavens, her deep crimson eyes holding a spark of curiosity. ¡°Riding across on a beast is very different from using silk to cross. We will have to try my method next time. Oh! Empress,¡± Camellia chimed, placing a hand on her hip before looking to the northwest. ¡°That sound from Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma¡¯s fortress¡­ It¡¯s not something we need to worry about, right? Mother was always interested in whatever the White Ape did.¡± Before Elinor could respond, a sharp wind rushed through the trees. Grace dropped down from the sky, his long, bound white locks swaying as he set a flushed Valentina onto the soaked grass. The tiger girl¡¯s breath was heavy, but she regained her composure quickly, her usual energy subdued as she straightened her back and shook out her soaked hair. ¡°Brrr! Sky walking, Grace?! How in the world¡ªnevermind. It¡¯s just cool,¡± she mumbled, her face going even more crimson as Quin emerged from the roaring waters, the giant gorilla child rising up the slope to meet them. ¡°What was that horn sound? It was louder than the thunder!¡± Grace chuckled but didn¡¯t speak, loosely leaning an arm against his sheathed blade before turning his full attention on her. Elinor¡¯s cold green eyes shifted toward the horizon, a dark smirk pulling at the corner of her lips as she exhaled slowly. ¡°Interesting. Yes. Concerning? Not something to focus ourselves with at this moment,¡± she replied calmly, her voice cutting through the pelting rain that slicked their skin and clothes. ¡°Autumn will certainly be a problem, eventually¡­¡± she voiced, looking up at the break in the clouds, where the hag likely observed, ¡°but that is another issue for another time.¡± Her thoughts briefly wandered to the Hag of the Everborne Marshlands, to the Tempest that could be unleashed with ease. The raw power that Autumn held was a wildcard¡ªa threat she had to monitor and keep track of. Well, Tiffany at least had to. That is the released power of a Tempest at the Countess¡¯ level¡­ Queen Alivau was seriously holding back when I embarrassed her in front of a hundred thousand of her citizens¡­ I''m still walking a tightrope in Kaspir. And if a Countess can do this¡­the King or Grand Duke could command hurricanes that could reshape the world on a scale I¡¯d rather not speculate at this point. She could feel the strain already building on Roman¡¯s plate as they pushed for the establishment of a more permanent portal between their realms. She needed something more solid, more secure¡ªa leash on Roman¡¯s ambitions to prevent the type of chaos they¡¯d witnessed from ever escalating on their side of that portal. Roman is very intelligent¡­a strategist of the highest level, who managed to get me involved in his antics. There¡¯s more to his Quest World than we currently are aware of, and I¡¯m sure he is withholding key information¡­because I¡¯d do the same. Shaking the thought aside, her focus returned to the present. Her new world needed to be rebuilt first, which brought her to the present. She tugged at the ethereal threads of the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone she¡¯d brought, her fractured Nexus still capable of commanding her troops and speaking to them telepathically, if in range, that was. Its many eyes gleaming faintly in the rain, reaching them at what most would consider an alarming rate; Camellia had brought it across the river with them by attaching a string to it, its sleek form navigating the murky waters with little effort as far as she¡¯d been able to observe. The race was certainly well adapted to just about any environment. ¡°What do you command, Empress?¡± it asked, standing stalk still as it approached and Camellia circled it in her human form, soaked red locks sticking to her face with abandon. Burrow into the soil, Elinor ordered, her voice firm. It obeyed without hesitation, silk escaping its sack at its backside to form into a drill with its precise manipulations to bury itself. Within a matter of seconds, it had created a nest and used its silk to cover itself with the mud. Elinor was slightly amused by Camellia¡¯s unimpressed and judging glare. How would you rate the performance? The th¨¦lm¨¦thra princess bent down to poke at the mud with a huff. ¡°Slow. Inefficient. Inelegant. And that¡¯s by my very low standards compared to my little sisters, much less our mother. It¡¯s defective compared to what it should be, which is not my mother¡¯s doing¡­¡± Her eyes widened and she jumped up. ¡°Not that you are the reason for its¡ª¡± Chuckling to herself, Elinor shook her head and glanced around at her forces. No, it is likely me who is the problem. As you said, your mother was a master at her craft¡ªa World Queen. She turned her sight back to the nervous spider princess, fidgeting with her silk behind her back. And for that, I refuse to believe she would create anything but perfection in you. Camellia¡¯s twitches froze, her very complex mind working around that very simple concept that likely had never entered her many brains. ¡°I¡­never thought about that concept. I am perfect as my perfect mother created me. Hmm. I will have to think about that, Empress.¡± ¡°Empress,¡± Death whispered, his hollow eyes shifting toward the southeast, ¡°War feels¡­off to me. Something has shaken him.¡± ¡°I feel it as well, Brother,¡± Black growled. ¡°He advances the cause, yet something makes him hesitate.¡± Elinor¡¯s smile became a line as she peered through the pelting rain, lightning streaking across the heavens before the rumble shook the air.Valentina firmed her brow, flexing out her claws, Quin rolled around her four massive arms, and Grace bowed his head in prayer to Nungal. Well¡­then we shouldn¡¯t keep him waiting. Drone, you are to burrow into Camellia¡¯s former tunnel system and locate where Jennifer is. If you get the chance and find her¡­ Do not hesitate. Kill her, immediately. Defend anyone who is an ally. And above all¡­do not let her escape while we attack the front. ¡°It shall be done, Empress.¡± The drone drilled further into the hill, and Elinor mounted Ash¡¯s horse again. We ride to the aid of your brother¡­ Leave only death in our passing. Steed rising up on his hind legs, Ash¡¯s cry rang out with Famine. The grass around them withered, the very air turning foul and the howls of the dead rose from the depths of the underworld to meet the force of War that was ahead of them. You sent the challenge, Jennifer¡­ Death answers, and Hell rides with her. B4 — 9. A Father’s Plight Riding behind Ash on his pale horse, Elinor felt every sharp gust from the dying storm¡¯s residual breath. An army of undead was raised behind them, clawing their way out of the muck and grime to join their charge. The remnants of the hurricane still howled, a ghost of the tempest, but nothing compared to the former wrath Autumn conjured. Tonight, the division in the valley would be done with. If only she could have used her ability to channel a soldier, yet that week-long cooldown had been spent on channeling Quin to unite the clans under her. Rain pelted her, thin lines of cold water streaking down her back as her father¡¯s presence loomed nearby, silent yet alert¡ªhis keen eyes scanning the horizon for threats, ready to defend her at a moment¡¯s notice as they raced through the jungle. To her right, Quin swung through the thick branches, her massive frame nimble in the dark, the four-armed ape blending seamlessly into the chaotic rhythm of the forest. Grace carried Valentina above them, jumping from branch to branch, keeping an eye out for enemies within the canopy. Camellia was out of sight to her left, keeping pace with Ash¡¯s steady gallop, her sharp senses searching for signs of movement. The soft vibrations in the earth underfoot echoed through Elinor¡¯s body. Through her fractured Nexus, she could feel the th¨¦lm¨¦thra burrowing beneath the dirt, breaking into the old, webbed tunnels. Garu¡¯s voice came through her mind, snapping her focus to the blurred treeline. ¡°I¡¯m almost across the river, Empress.¡± Redivert, she immediately responded. I want you to stay in the river and look for an underwater cave entrance. I need to block off every type of escape route I can. ¡°Understood.¡± Be thorough, Garu, Elinor replied, her tone crisp while searching the dense jungle foliage in their passing and attempting to judge the distance the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone was below the surface. Jennifer has support from Shade and her dead goddess. Listen carefully and cut off her escape routes. ¡°I should be able to follow the fish, attempting to escape the storm in calmer areas as a guide and keep you updated.¡± She redirected her focus to the surrounding trees, many of which showed damage from the hurricane that had swept through it. Each movement of Ash¡¯s horse fed through her muscles, a steady rhythm beneath her. The fatigue of her body reminded her of the distance they¡¯d traveled without rest, but she couldn¡¯t waste Death Energy to rebuild it until absolutely necessary or until Ash left her side. A slight pressure to her left pulled Elinor¡¯s attention toward Camellia, the spider¡¯s voice was low and controlled through the Nexus. ¡°There¡¯s a large force coming our way, Empress. Slow-moving.¡± Elinor¡¯s gaze flicked toward the path ahead, where Famine rose on point, and her father immediately responded. ¡°Check it out, Black. Be ready for an ambush.¡± Black¡¯s dark form blurred into the rain ahead of them, a shadow darting into the untamed jungle to vanish around the winding trees and sprawling roots. They were getting closer to Red, which meant the Xaltan settlement wouldn¡¯t be far off. Elinor¡¯s grip tightened around Ash¡¯s waist, her breath steady but her artificial body nearing its limit, and if this vessel collapsed, she didn¡¯t have a phylactery to retreat into. The landscape rolled by in a blur of green and gray, the dark jungle alive with the pelting rain and weak thunder rolling overhead. After thirty seconds of tense silence in their solemn ride, Black¡¯s voice returned. ¡°Red just made contact through the Nexus¡­ He¡¯s engaged in a heated battle. Against th¨¦lm¨¦thra,¡± Black added, the calm darkness in her voice cutting through the chaotic atmosphere like a blade. Her eyes widened and her undead heart quickened. Living th¨¦lm¨¦thra? This could get ugly. Camellia¡¯s sharp inhale through the Nexus drew her gaze to her left, unable to spot the red-haired spider through the foliage. ¡°Excuse me, Empress, but that is impossible.¡± Black didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°He is having trouble responding to me due to the ferocity of the battle. There is more than one¡­ He claims it is an army that will soon spill out of the tunnels. The main one he is having trouble with is an elite.¡± ¡°An elite? No,¡± Camellia insisted, a shiver running through the unstable Nexus connection. ¡°We do not take our own burrows. We destroy them to reform them in the Queen¡¯s meticulous design. If they are here, then it is to purge the area, and an elite¡­ If an elite is here, it means my aunt or one of her daughters are nearby,¡± she murmured, her voice laced with worry. Elinor¡¯s jaw tightened, feeling Black pause up ahead and report, ¡°The large group¡ªthey¡¯re the Roxim prisoners, not Xaltan.¡± Stop them and get answers. Her stoic father maintained the conversation with the quaking th¨¦lm¨¦thra. ¡°Camellia, say it were your aunt or cousins¡­ Could you negotiate with them or defeat the elite if it is alone?¡± ¡°Fight a Queen? Not unless I were fully grown, and finished training with my mother to become a Queen myself. A princess? Not in my current suppressed state, and that¡¯s not only if she¡¯s the eldest, like me,¡± Camellia flatly answered. ¡°If it¡¯s a young princess, perhaps I could distract her long enough to bore her, given my experience and new, more nimble form, but against a Queen or an elite, I would definitely lose. Red should have been dead instantly if it were an elite¡­unless it has been told not to end the battle by a princess.¡± The weight of that statement hung heavy in the air as Elinor¡¯s eyes narrowed. Camellia was currently her strongest unit. Before she could formulate a revised plan, Black¡¯s voice cut through again, this time with an unexpected twist. ¡°Empress, the Roxim have quite a few wounded and are seemingly escaping captivity. The witches are among them.¡± We¡¯re almost to your position. ¡°What about Red?¡± Ash whispered, his voice rumbling like the distant thunder to his sister. ¡°Can he maintain a defensive position until we arrive?¡± ¡°He¡¯s struggling, finding it hard to focus and respond to me. He just reported over five dozen th¨¦lm¨¦thra in total. However, it is the elite unit that is giving him trouble,¡± Black answered, her words steady despite the gravity of the situation. ¡°I¡¯ll take them on!¡± Quin¡¯s young, booming voice echoed through the rain, her bravado surging as she swung from the branches overhead. ¡°You¡¯d be immediately eviscerated,¡± Camellia hissed, her voice sharp. ¡°As I said, Empress, it is impossible for Red to be alive and to be facing an elite. Drones? Yes, he could run for a short time, but elites are on a whole different level.¡± Breaking through the foliage, Elinor caught sight of the massive group of green, discolored ri¡¯bot. She only spotted a few warriors amongst them, holding weapons, and relief came upon seeing the shivering humans in their arms. A slight edge of panic gripped the Roxim citizens as the sporadic flood of undead came into view, but the warriors were swift to calm their people. Elinor¡¯s mind was fixated on the options, though, adapting to the news she¡¯d just received. No, Quin. Camellia is our expert on her species. Throwing ourselves at them would only weaken our forces. If Red can¡­ ¡°Empress!¡± Red¡¯s voice silenced all of them as his voice carried through thunder and rain, his urgency transferring to all of them through the Nexus. ¡°The th¨¦lm¨¦thra are the Xaltan Xaria and elite warriors, infused into their corpses, giving them new life. They¡­they can¡¯t control their bodies or senses that well, but are learning quickly.¡± She caught Black¡¯s narrowed eyes on their approach, one of the Roxim warriors beside her, carrying Rylee, the leader of the Gray Coven. If that¡¯s the case, perhaps we do stand a chance. Ash¡­ Green flames surrounded Elinor before even giving the command, her Horseman of Death refilling her pool of energy from his reserve to rebuild her physical form. Chains split space, and gripping the lapis lazuli links, she launched off Ash¡¯s horse to land beside the warrior carrying Rylee. Her father was already issuing orders. Black, Ash, Camellia, continue to Red¡¯s side and clear the way for us. Quin keep a lookout for Xaltan ambushes. Rain slid down Elinor¡¯s face as her boots sank into the mud, watching the horsemen race into the jungle, Death¡¯s undead army lumbering after them. Her father dismounted to join her and she could sense his unease; he was likely concerned about leaving Tiffany with the Hag after her display of power. Grace dropped down from above to join them, setting the abashed tiger girl down from her princess carry. ¡°What happened?¡± she asked, seeing the relief on the toad people¡¯s faces at her presence. The Roxim warrior carefully set the trembling witch down, soaking wet and looking as if she could collapse at any moment. Lacerations and wire-like cuts marred his smooth body, yet he spoke as without a hint of the pain he should be feeling. ¡°Chief Zargoth went after Jennifer. Red had us escape with the witches¡­¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± Rylee cleared her throat, hugging herself, yet Elinor could see the anger and guilt in the thirty two year old¡¯s face. ¡°She manipulated our minds¡­into believing she was you or Queen Tiffany, Empress. I have no excuses. We performed rituals for her¡­¡± She flinched as Elinor stepped forward, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder and taking note of the burned hand print under her armpit, much of her shirt torn away, leaving her exposed in the harsh storm. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Rylee. There¡¯s nothing to forgive or blame.¡± She smiled, knowing the woman more than likely could hardly see her in the darkness yet projecting the emotion with her voice to put her at ease. ¡°I know you did your best and believe in the vision I have¡­ How are the others?¡± she prompted, glancing at the Roxim citizens huddled together throughout the visible area. Tears mixed with the rain, running down Rylee¡¯s face, her brown hair a mess and plastered to her skin. ¡°I know most of them are alright, but the last ritual was¡­intense. Jasmine, Sofia, and Felicia may have¡­complications from it. As far as I know, the twenty four girls in my Circle are alive. Empress?¡± Elinor pulled her into a hug, making the witch stiffen before she sniffed and awkwardly returned it, her body quaking. ¡°You did well, Rylee. You¡¯re safe¡­¡± Allowing her a several seconds in the pouring rain to collect herself, Elinor drew back. ¡°I understand you placed the Xaltan warriors into th¨¦lm¨¦thra corpses. Is there anything of importance that you need to tell me?¡± Taking a shuddering breath, the Colombian woman and former teacher¡¯s face firmed. ¡°Jennifer is after a hidden chamber, blocked off by the Th¨¦lm¨¦thra Queen. There is a salamander man that arrived on a floating platform which gave Jennifer the needed ingredients we needed for such a complex ritual¡­ I didn¡¯t talk with him but he had two other salamanders with him. I¡­believe they were nalveans.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Elinor¡¯s eyes grew cold, internally processing the information. ¡°That helps¡­ Warrior,¡± she said to the ri¡¯bot who had been carrying the woman, ¡°I will have Quin escort your people safely across the river. It should be calming down, but know that the humans with you are very vulnerable to elements. She will burn out a log that they can huddle in to cross it. Ally forces are closing in on all sides.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see them safely to the other side with my life, Empress,¡± he saluted without further comment, knowing the urgency to escape enemy territory. She gave the frustrated Gray Witch¡¯s arm one last comforting squeeze before turning to her father, already informing Quin of the new mission. However, she paused as Garu made contact and the Roxim prepared to move out again. ¡°Empress, I¡¯ve found a tunnel¡­ I smell a human, nalveans, and a several ri¡¯bot who have passed by through the cavern inside. One has the scent left by the Roxim.¡± Fingers curling in, she accepted her father¡¯s hand, helping her mount his large black warhorse as he prompted the th¨¦lm¨¦thra to join the Ethereal scout. Chief Zargoth¡­ Catch up to them. I¡¯m sending a drone. We¡¯ll be there shortly. Just as her father turned the horse away, Grace stepped up, drawing her focus to the tiger girl and hare man. ¡°Empress¡­ A problem.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Pausing, she looked down at the pair. Valentina held her elbow, unsure yellow eyes glancing between them as Grace held his typical lax and unbothered smile. His large ears tilted to the south, where his gaze shifted, staring into the dark jungle, rain pattering around them with the crowd of ri¡¯bot passing around them. ¡°Enemies?¡± her father questioned. ¡°I¡¯m unsure,¡± he hummed, left eye creasing with interest. ¡°Winged creatures, flying across the canopy right toward us. Should Val and I handle it?¡± The tiger girl¡¯s hair and tail fur bristled but she remained quiet, an eager smile lifting her face at finally having something to do. Elinor peered past the veil of cold water falling from the heavens, quickly evaluating everything she¡¯d learned thus far. Jennifer and Shade are working together to obtain whatever Camellia¡¯s mother left behind¡­ It can¡¯t be her sisters or her body, since she closed it off herself. Some treasure she¡¯d found while burrowing through the valley? It¡¯s possible. And now the nalveans are involved. Klaus is still working on that angle in their capital city. No, Shade¡¯s hand is likely involved with the nalvean. Either that or the Xaltan have been secretly forming an alliance with some of them¡­ In fact, they could be mercenaries for all we know. She turned her gaze to the canopy blanketing them, the gales creating a symphony of sound before staring down at the calm man, his arm resting against his sheathed, curved blades. Is this Nungal¡¯s direction? Grace typically doesn¡¯t act on his own. He¡¯s totally devoted to his goddess. Him volunteering Val and him to handle it is likely for a reason. Damn her and her games. I bet you¡¯re up there snickering at me right now. I don¡¯t have time to hesitate. Right now, action is required. Elnor nodded. ¡°Handle it and catch up when you¡¯re able.¡± Grace gave her an elegant bow before nudging the seventeen-year-old girl. ¡°We¡¯ll be moving fast, Stripes. Can you keep up?¡± ¡°You know I can!¡± she snapped back, cheeks darkening and making Elinor chuckle as the tiger glanced at her, clearly embarrassed at the question. ¡°You just picked me up on your own before¡­¡± ¡°Happy hunting,¡± Elinor said, refocusing as the last of the Roxim filtered past them, heading the way they¡¯d come from. ¡°I trust you.¡± She could feel the determination and faith rebound from the Tiger Beastkin as she nimbly jumped up onto a root to climb the branches into the canopy. ¡°Hurry up, Grace, or I¡¯ll leave you behind.¡± Grace¡¯s body shook with silent mirth while brushing back a loose strand of his long white hair, giving Elinor a mysterious glance before saying, ¡°¡­She¡¯s an ambitious one but a hasty one. She doesn¡¯t even know where we¡¯re going. Nungal likes her.¡± ¡°I bet she would,¡± Elinor mumbled, still not trusting the goddess who had killed her in all her previous lives. ¡°Keep her safe.¡± ¡°Naturally.¡± The storm¡¯s intensity somehow grew worse after the brief respite as they resumed the ride, the hooves of her father¡¯s massive horse carving a path through the drenched terrain. Ice formed beneath the horse¡¯s galloping feet, leaving a shimmering trail behind them. Elinor held on tightly to her father¡¯s armored waist, her eyes narrowing against the biting wind. Even the air seemed to be at war with itself, much like the forces scattered throughout the valley, skirmishes likely happening underneath its dense canopy. Quin met resistance, reporting back as a Xaltan group, most likely forced to take refuge from the relentless downpour engaged her. The Xaltan were regrouping, following the scent of bloodlust that hung in the storm¡¯s wake. This war wasn¡¯t one of giant armies on open battlefields but of small groups meeting amidst the undergrowth and vast branch network. But Elinor¡¯s thoughts were only partly with them. Her mind wandered to the man in front of her, sensing his emotions raging deep below the surface. The stern and silent presence of her father, who had tried his best to be her shield through every battle, only for her to keep him at arm¡¯s length. She¡¯d learned many harsh lessons in this unforgiving world and been forced to grow up swiftly to take leadership, to keep the humans who relied on her alive. Yet, there were many internal troubles that needed to be resolved. Does he really think there¡¯s nothing left of Mom in Tiffany? It¡¯s hard to tell, even for me, using the Nexus. He¡¯s sacrificed everything to protect me¡­ But I¡¯m more than his little girl now. I am running an empire. I¡¯ve lived many past lives, becoming a goddess in at least one that I know about before coming to Mom and him. He never was good at dealing with change. Dad. Her voice cut through the roar of the wind to his soul, piercing the silence that had settled between them. I need to know¡­ Do you truly believe there¡¯s nothing of Mom left in Tiffany? There was a pause. His grip on the reins tightened slightly, and she could feel the cold radiating off his form intensify, though it wasn¡¯t the frost that bit at her skin. His response, when it came, was carefully measured, his tone carrying the weight of old wounds. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for that discussion, Elinor.¡± She could feel the hesitation, the way he seemed to want to deflect the conversation, but she pressed on. It¡¯s never the right time, is it? I rarely have moments like these to speak with you. And she¡¯s not here right now to say it, so I will. Her arms strengthened around his waist as they leaped over a massive root, the force of the jump pulling a sharp breath from her lungs, not that that mattered to her. You hurt her, you know. She may not show it and have put up a wall, but I feel it in her soul. Is it fair to judge her so harshly after everything Mom sacrificed for me? I¡­I see her in Tiffany, more than you realize. Is she the same? No. But there¡¯s more of Mom in her than just her appearance, as hot as she is now that she¡¯s returned to her youth, and you can¡¯t deny that. A low grunt escaped him, the icy exterior he presented cracking for a moment in a way only she or her mother could get past. ¡°And you think I don¡¯t see that?¡± he asked, his voice strained, the pain bleeding through. ¡°I loved your mother more than you can know, whatever you can sense through the Nexus¡­ I still do. But¡­what she became, the things she had to endure¡­ It twisted her. I do see pieces of her in Tiffany¡­of our Tiff¡­my wife. And that is the most painful part.¡± The thunder overhead masked the brief silence that followed, but Elinor could sense her father¡¯s unease, the way his grip on the reins loosened, then tightened again, the subtle shift in his posture that betrayed his inner turmoil. His cold, stoic exterior wasn¡¯t impenetrable, and she had a way of finding the cracks. Elinor frowned, her gaze searching the dim, storm-lit horizon ahead. I saw the way you looked at her weeks ago. You were working through that gap, reconnecting with her... What changed while we were in Kaspir? Was it because she followed my orders to stay out of the situation with the hag until it was necessary? He paused, pulling them around a bank, water surging out in a stream that his horse jumped over. ¡°It¡¯s more than that, Elinor. Yes, I am more upset with you than her for that¡­but it did help me realize something about her¡­¡± It took several seconds for him to continue, searching for the right words. ¡°¡­Your mother would have never hid that from me¡­ Never. That was what terrified me, Elinor.¡± The statement made her shiver, taking her back to the memories she had growing up of her mother. He was right. Her mother always told her father about any trouble she had, only she had a way of doing it that helped her protective father understand her position. He wasn¡¯t finished, though. ¡°The worst parts of your mother,¡± he continued, struggling through his emotions in the storm they rode through, ¡°the parts she most hated and tried to work on, were amplified in ways that I can¡¯t help but feel disgusted by. The things she would do if not for you holding back that darkness¡­¡± Her father¡¯s voice grew colder, a blizzard in a wildfire of loss and frustration at failing to protect his wife. ¡°Sweetie, I don¡¯t think you realize the heinous acts Tiffany would perform, not only to our enemies, but those you protect if she knew you¡¯d allow it. You are the only thing keeping that small light in her alive. I am merely a relic of her past she feels physically and emotionally attracted to as a stabilizer¡­ Yes, I hurt her. But not in the way you think.¡± They slowed upon reaching a denser area, weaving through brush and roots. ¡°¡­What I see in Tiffany isn¡¯t the woman I married¡­ And meeting the hag made me realize why Tiffany idolizes her so much. She¡¯s not your mother, Elinor. And she never will be. But¡­¡± He hesitated, his deep voice faltering as they swerved around a cluster of broken branches, the horse¡¯s hooves striking the muddy ground with sharp thuds. ¡°When she interacts with you. There are moments¡­small glimpses, where I see her. Where I feel her. And maybe that¡¯s what makes it harder. Because it¡¯s never enough. She¡¯s always¡­just out of reach. And now I know we can truly have her back¡­ Of course I¡¯m conflicted¡­because I fear this could backfire and even that small light will be gone.¡± Elinor bit her lip, her own feelings conflicted as the sound of their horse cutting through the storm filled the void left by his words. ¡°Maybe you are right, and I¡¯m the only thing keeping that light alive. Still, I think there¡¯s more of her left in Tiffany than you¡¯re willing to admit,¡± she said softly. ¡°She¡¯s¡­still trying to be what Mom was. And that¡¯s not just for me. It¡¯s not perfect, but it¡¯s something. And you loved her once. Isn¡¯t that worth fighting for if she¡¯ll be sharing a body with my Mom¡­ To not be left behind and discarded like¡ª¡± Before she could finish, a flash of movement caught her eye¡ªtoo fast, too close, too late. A projectile shot out from the treeline, aimed directly at her head. Yet, her father¡¯s reflexes kicked in instantly, his armored hand darting up to intercept it, but the force of the blow was enough to partially deflect it. The sharp edge of the projectile grazed Elinor¡¯s neck, slicing through her skin with precision, right where a major vein would have been if she were alive. Eyes narrowing and focusing her mind, she maneuvered her body away from the direction it came, hiding her head using her father¡¯s armor as a barrier. However, a cold fury that chilled the air enclosing them, a frosty barrier blocking the following thorn bullets. ¡°Don¡¯t leave my side!¡± I don¡¯t see anyone¡­ ¡°They¡¯re somehow blending into the trees. I should be able to sense them.¡± He wheeled the horse around, eyes scanning the storm-darkened treeline for the attacker. Elinor¡¯s hand instinctively flew to her neck, feeling a sticky liquid that bubbled against her skin, eating away at the tissue. A corrosive substance¡­ We should dismount and take cover, wait for them to come to us. This doesn¡¯t feel right. Her father¡¯s eyes flashed as he spotted their assailant and a heat rose in his chest Elinor hadn¡¯t felt since she¡¯d raised him. ¡°Her¡­¡± Elinor locked onto Xaria Dalria: the woman who had murdered her mother. The ri¡¯bot stood out starkly against the faint light that managed to pierce through the dark clouds and storm-tossed canopy. Her dark orange skin gleamed, and the ominous crimson tattoo of a Scarlet Hand glowed faintly on her chest. Yet, something was off. A grotesque third eye had opened on her forehead, blood leaking from its lid and staining her weathered face. Well¡­that¡¯s new. Elinor could feel the swell of her father¡¯s rage building, a cold fury she rarely sensed from him. His protective instincts screamed louder than the storm, and she knew he was seconds away from lashing out. Gently, she placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, her voice calm yet laced with steel. Have faith in me, Dad, as I have faith in you. I¡¯ll be safe. Her gaze never wavered from Dalria, whose taunting smile was twisted with arrogance. I know you want to deal with her, but also want to protect me. I¡¯ll join the others. This is your battle. Under the dome of translucent ice her father had summoned, there was a brief moment of silence, broken only by the howling wind. And Dalria¡¯s voice slithered through the storm like poison. ¡°Speaking through your secret ways won¡¯t save you. You¡¯ll die tonight, Elinor,¡± she sneered, her gaze gleaming with malice. ¡°I¡¯ll see it through in the Eye of Revilla.¡± Her father¡¯s voice spoke directly to her soul, carrying a note of trust Elinor hadn¡¯t quite heard before like this. Not from her overprotective father who had wanted her home before seven every day while growing up. A note of a resigned and proud father. ¡°You¡¯ve grown into a woman faster than I would have liked¡­ Your mother will be proud when she''s purified.¡± His eyes, hard and focused, flickered with a rare blend of sorrow and reconciliation. ¡°Go after Jennifer. Dalria may have killed your mother, but it was on Jennifer¡¯s order. I¡¯ll handle her¡­¡± A cold, familiar cadence returned to Elinor¡¯s voice, closing off the part of her heart she had briefly opened with her father. Without hesitation, she raised her hand, and a shimmering chain split the air, attaching to her palm. In a swift motion, she launched herself skyward, her body rising into the turbulent air and peppering rain. Dalria spat a final barb after her, but before it could reach her, a massive icy dome materialized, trapping the ri¡¯bot and her father within. Elinor whispered into the storm, her voice barely audible over the winds. ¡°Make her suffer.¡± As she ascended, Elinor¡¯s mind sharpened, focusing on the task at hand. Camellia was just about to reach Red, Black and Ash right beside her as they reported their position. Famine being the voice. ¡°There is a mine area just beyond the main village to the east. The first hole on the right¡­ There is a giant chasm below it, Red is coming out of the¡­ No! Red!¡± ¡°I will handle the elite,¡± Camellia interjected. ¡°Take Red out of the cave, Black!¡± Elinor¡¯s gut tightened. Hold on, I¡¯m coming. B4 — 10. The Crimson Flower Shit¡­ The cavern ground beneath Red buckled, rampaging arachnids fracturing areas all across the cave, destabilizing the terrain with every reckless lunge. Red barely shifted his weight before the floor gave way entirely, sending him and the writhing mass of creatures down a steep incline. Dust billowed, obscuring his vision, but every instinct in him zeroed in on survival and keeping their attention. He pivoted, avoiding jagged spear-like stones the th¨¦lm¨¦thra sent spraying in all directions, devastating the debris and flinging it in every direction. Persistent things. One of the drones hurtled down toward him from the high ceiling, parting the dust, its colossal figure aimed to body slam him. Diving left, he managed to evade its legs as they penetrated the stone, sinking half its body into the floor. Illuminated red eyes darting left, he found legs scrambling for purchase as another clawed at the crumbling surface, yet another cavern below the one they¡¯d just fell through. War spun to avoid it, leveraging the beast¡¯s momentum as it crashed into another, their impossibly hard exoskeletons brittle and cracking on impact against one another. ¡°Nice shot, bud!¡± he roared, sword appearing in his right hand, his left missing. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re strong bastards.¡± He pressed forward, swiping his blade at one¡¯s exposed side to rip a silky gooey substance out. Red¡¯s brow furrowed upon spotting the twitching organs, beating at an impossible rhythm. As the dust began to settle, he felt the hair on his arm rise: four dozen were shaking off the rubble, not one so much as phased from the collapse. However, it was the massive frame of the elite that rose out of the heavy stone fragments that forced a smile on Red¡¯s lips. It opened its monstrous mouth and hissed, steam billowing out of its joints, acid peppering the floor, liquifying the stone as it charged. There you are¡­ His lips tightened underneath his helmet, noticing dozens upon dozens of the spiders crawling over the walls and floor, all center on him. As much as I hate to admit it. I can¡¯t take all of you head on. Making a snap decision, he let out a low, commanding whistle¡ªhis call to Carnage¡ªand his warhorse answered, thundering through the shadows like a crimson specter to appear by his side. War swung up in a single fluid motion, the leather reins meeting his gauntleted grip, and they surged down a twisting tunnel as the arachnids screeched in pursuit. The longer this takes, the harder it is for me¡­but I just need to buy enough time, War grimly mused, sensing the mounting pressure of dozens more creatures narrowing in behind him. If this leads to a dead-end¡­ Perfect! Racing into another wide, open space, Carnage¡¯s hooves met the waterway they¡¯d entered, sending ripples through the still basin as his horse glided forward, unbothered by the liquid terrain. War grimaced when glancing behind him, the tank-like arachnids climbing the tunnel walls and ceiling, relentless. In their frenzy, the Xaltan-fused creatures flung webs at random, lacking precision and intent as the spider powers overwhelmed their frail understanding of the creatures they¡¯d become. Still, it was far from harmless. The air grew thick with the strands, sticky webs threading across the cavern like haphazard nets that were like steel. War¡¯s lips twisted into a grim smile, his horse side stepping a thick line of silk that snapped from the ceiling. They¡¯re calming down, he observed, glancing down for half a second at his missing left arm. He was crippled when he¡¯d tried to fight the massive brute, and [Aura of Conflict] was waning now that he wasn¡¯t actively fighting them. No use hesitating! He clenched his claymore, teeth flashing as he whipped his mount around, bringing him into a rapid charge. The towering silhouette of the elite th¨¦lm¨¦thra stood at the water¡¯s edge¡ªa hulking mass of razor limbs and gleaming eyes, still thrashing but gradually regaining focus. War¡¯s smile sharpened, mirroring his weapon¡¯s edge as they approached. He used his supernatural strength to force himself to stand on the saddle, reading himself for the attack. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Carnage let out a battle cry, and together they surged forward, heat and kinetic force building with every step his horse took. Water sprayed out from under them as they carved a path toward the elite, its web-throwing minions momentarily stunned by his change of direction. As War launched himself from the horse¡¯s back, his claymore met the gleaming tip of the elite th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡¯s foreleg in a brutal clash. Steel scraped against stone-like chitin, a shower of sparks illuminating the creature¡¯s gem-like eyes as it held his gaze, unblinking. The creature retracted slightly, mouth gaping open. Clever, War thought as a pool of acid sprayed out to engulf him. Twisting his lips into a mocking smile in his airborne, vulnerable position, he pulled back his arm, channeling the remaining kinetic force he¡¯d stolen from its attack. But not clever enough. With a sharp inhale, he funneled it into his blade. In one powerful, sweeping motion, he swung his claymore, fanning the acid away in a wide arc, redirecting the liquid back onto the th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡¯s own body. A feral shriek echoed off the cavern walls as the beast recoiled in fright, only, Red¡¯s smile faded when the colorless liquid simply splattered its body without effect. ¡°Resilient bastards.¡± In the next heartbeat, Carnage was upon it, his entire weight compressed into a single, devastating charge. The warhorse slammed into the elite with a force that reverberated through the stone walls, knocking it back toward the tunnel. The impact sent a splash of acid across Carnage and his side¡ªunfortunate¡ªrapidly eating through his armor, but he¡¯d seen this already. Before it could eat his flesh and bone, Carnage and his armor erupted in a flash of crimson light, dissipating into crimson mist. Dropping onto the stone ground, he narrowly skirted a bubbling pool of noxious liquid. The drones were on him in moments. His entire body braced with each shift in weight, pivoting to avoid the sharp edges of fallen stalagmites, spear-like legs, and darting after the elite to escape the swarming hoard. He ran right past the elite, crimson aura brightening and fueling his physical prowess without his armor; the massive spider collapsed a part of the tunnel, sending dust billowing around him but he knew where he was going. ¡°Red¡­¡± It was Black, her voice resonant, calm as a creeping shadow. ¡°What is the situation?¡± War grit his teeth, eyes narrowing as he used quick footwork to dance left, a sharp point passing through where his head had just been. Twisting in a sharp circle, he spotted an exposed critical junction and slashed upward, using his carried momentum¡ªit cleaved partway through before lodging into what he assumed was bone. Son of a bitch! Abandoning his sword, he kept his focus on the twelve th¨¦lm¨¦thra crawling over one another to impale him. These things are impossible to take down! Hahaha! More excited than angry, he used the heat rising in his flaming body to wrap his arms around one of the lunging arachnids. Pulling it into a sharp cyclone, he yelled out his effort, muscles bulging while forcing it off its feet to plow into two others. They¡¯re getting more precise by the minute! Th¨¦lm¨¦thra, Black¡­ He could hardly breathe as another jumped from the wall, two more from the ceiling, forcing him to skip backward again. His blade flashed further down the black hallway, dispersing to reappear in his right hand to deflect another flurry of blows; he held his ground, [Immovable] keeping him stationary against their strikes. Black didn¡¯t even question him, her tone becoming serious. ¡°How many?¡± An army, at least five dozen¡ªit¡¯s the elite that¡¯s the problem¡­ Jennifer is after something further inside. They¡¯re stabilizing. His eyes widened as the arachnids parted, and the giant closed in on him. He sent a few more words through the communication to get the points across but he was too focused on the approaching behemoth to put his attention on what transferred to his sister. With his armor dismissed, War¡¯s muscles flexed with renewed strength, each movement fluid yet charged with lethal precision. He sidestepped the former chief of the Xaltan¡¯s thrust, his eyes catching the arc of its massive leg, now barbed and dripping with acidic venom. He¡¯s got even more tricks up his sleeve? As it came dangerously close, he raised his left arm¡¯s stub defensively, the momentum of its swing sliding off him, leaving his exposed ribs searing from even that brief contact with the toxic appendage. Before he could fully regain balance, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra chief lunged again. War twisted his body, pivoting to strike with his claymore in one powerful arc. The blade rang against the elite¡¯s exoskeleton but failed to connect with any visible crack¡ªthen he noticed it. Its once-damaged joints and splintered carapace now gleaming, entirely restored. The bastard heals?! War¡¯s teeth flashed in a feral grin, tinged with frustration and admiration. ¡°Regenerating now, are you? I¡¯ll just have to keep going until I find your weak point,¡± he snarled, voice low with a dangerous edge. In his mind, Black¡¯s voice hummed with deadly calm. ¡°The witches are safe, Red. We met with Zargoth¡¯s forces. We¡¯re on our way!¡± Good, you know the details, War replied sharply, blade flashing up to deflect a strike aimed at his legs; he could hardly keep the blow from moving him, even with [Immovable]. He ducked low, eyes scanning the wide cave for any escape routes and spotting another unfortunate bit of news. I¡¯ll be glad to have you. Dammit! The others are regenerating¡ªjust like this brute, he added, leaping aside as another massive arachnid body slammed into the ground beside him; he was running out of options: the acid had eaten up to his left bicep now. Jennifer is deep below, looking for something the th¨¦lm¨¦thra queen hid away, or something like that. He grit his teeth, narrowly avoiding another swipe from the elite, its leg nearly skewering him where he¡¯d stood. His pulse spiked as the Xaltan chief swapped directions at a seemingly impossible angle, barreled forward to crush him. With quick footwork, War dodged left on pure instinct, letting the creature¡¯s momentum carry it past him and into a wall of crumbling rock. It tore through the barrier, and a violent flood of water surged through, spilling over the arachnid¡¯s massive frame and dragging it away into a nearby hole. War watched as it disappeared, his laughter echoing through the tunnel. ¡°Nice swim, chief,¡± he muttered, but his reprieve was short-lived. The remaining drones advanced, filling the cavern with the hiss of their acidic joints and the steady clacking of their legs on stone. ¡°And now you¡¯re all learning how to use acid¡­ Great.¡± With a flash of crimson light, Carnage reappeared, kicking the left one aside to allow him the means to leap over the surging river that was now flooding the tunnel. He ran uphill, toward the collapsed cavern the ritual had been in. His red-furred horse was right beside him, taking a swipe to the thigh by a drone, not that damage like that had much effect on the undead. Jumping on Carnage¡¯s back, he managed to make it to the cavern before the hissing th¨¦lm¨¦thra caught up, yet Red¡¯s eyes widened when words began to echo through the tunnels¡ªthe th¨¦lm¨¦thra Xaltan warriors. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°I can¡­see!¡± ¡°I feel everything!¡± ¡°I am one with the earth!¡± ¡°I taste him!¡± Well, this isn¡¯t creepy¡­ I¡¯m down an arm, fam. Ash¡¯s low chortles filtered through their connection as his big brother entered the conversation. ¡°Lose another for all I care. Just don¡¯t lose the heart, Little Brother.¡± Red grinned, leaping off Carnage to land on top of an arachnid, using the blunt end of his sword to smash one of their gem-like eyes that hadn¡¯t fully healed; it shattered. ¡°I see beyond sight, insignificant¡ª¡± Carnage re-materialized beside it, the warhorse¡¯s hooves smashing against its body and sending it tumbling into the stream for a swim. Chuckling, War mounted him again, breaking through clusters of the arachnids. He didn¡¯t get far before having to separate again, Carnage flashing in and out of existence around him, keeping them at bay and offering critical moments for him to regain ground. War¡¯s chest heaved, his ribs unusually raw and exposed from acid that had eaten through flesh at some point, showing the extent of even a brief contact with their saliva. Red¡¯s grip tightened on his claymore as he used the writhing drone beneath him to impale another, the creature¡¯s shrill hiss echoing off the stone walls as its carapace shattered under the arachnid¡¯s force. If I keep up like this, you won¡¯t need to¡­ War¡¯s eyes narrowed, sensing the shift in the air. A subtle vibration rippled underfoot, the unmistakable sign of something far more dangerous lurking beneath. The floor erupted. The drone he was mounted on was flung aside like a broken toy as he was thrown into the air, and the towering form of the elite th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡ªthe Xaltan Chief Noklan¡ªrose from the fissure. His legs steamed with acid that ate away at stone and echoed with the sound of power barely contained. Damn¡­ ¡°War?!¡± Black growled. The chief¡¯s speed had surged, faster than anything he¡¯d encountered before. A swipe caught him mid-flight, tearing through the flesh of his foot, severing it cleanly, while another blurred leg lanced through his gut, pinning him with shocking precision. No pain came as War took in Noklan¡¯s renewed power, the chief¡¯s multiple legs rooted firmly around him, an unmistakable aura emanating from his form: he¡¯d learned how to control his body. Low rumbles shook the air, and a voice, cold and contemptuous, whispered through the cavern. ¡°Insignificant, undead¡­ Do you see now? You stand before true supremacy.¡± War¡¯s lip curled, no blood trickling down his frame, the inner emerald glow of his undead organs casting a glow over the th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡¯s black form, but his eyes sparkled with a fierce glint. ¡°Supremacy, huh?¡± His voice low, mocking. ¡°You might want to rethink the title. Real kings don¡¯t need an audience to cheer ¡®em on.¡± Noklan¡¯s jaws opened, acidic saliva dripping from his maw, seething. Carnage burst from below in a flash of light, charging straight at the elite. But Noklan seemed to anticipate the attack, a foreleg snapping out to batter the warhorse away without effort. Red¡¯s laughter echoed through the cavern, raw and taunting. ¡°Should really learn a thing or two about humility, Noklan. You might learn you¡¯re not the only monster in the dark.¡± He met the Xaltan¡¯s intimidating gem-like gaze, a grim smile pulling at his mouth. ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant.¡± Noklan walked forward into the open area, water dripping down as his spider soldiers gathered to witness his victory. His jaws parted, and a torrent of acid sprayed from his maw. ¡°No! Red!¡± Black¡¯s voice rang out. As a meteor shot through the falling stream above, a ruby veil enveloped him, and he was carried away into a soft, velvet blanket to places unknown. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Camellia hurtled through the air, a fierce blur against the shadows of the cavern, her bare feet landing squarely on the elite¡¯s head with enough force to fracture the stone floor beneath. Her red hair fanned around Red, cocooning him in a shield of silk-like strands as she removed him from the elite¡¯s leg and flung him upward. I will handle the elite and drones; take Red out of the cave, Black! she shouted through the Nexus as her gaze locked onto the beast beneath her. Continue after the primary prey. The elite th¨¦lm¨¦thra growled in frustration¡ªa sound unlike anything she¡¯d heard from the guardians of their nests. She felt the intricate network of its nerves come to life beneath her, a surge of energy sparking through its body. She knew the beast was about to strike, knew every twitch within its body; she was faster. Balling her fist, she drove it toward the upper third eye, aiming to sever the nerve center beneath in order to temporarily disconnect its ability to detect her own movements. To her surprise, her strike left only a faint dent. Is the power difference this much? In that case, I must reevaluate my approach. Time seemed to crawl as she registered the elite¡¯s next move: a wide projection of silk, spilling from the creature¡¯s spinnerets, forming a crude but effective web that moved midair, shooting toward her; pitifully slow, by even her low standards. Instinct kicking in, she leaped through a gap in the tangled weave, her hair spreading out to anchor itself to the web and seize control. Yet, the moment she connected, a powerful counter-signal rebounded through her, sending a violent tremor down her spine. It was like being smacked by her mother¡ªa raw display of strength rather than finesse. A guardian! An elite repelled me?! she thought, her fingers trembling as she cut the connection, her ruby locks being absorbed into the elite¡¯s mess of a nest as she landed on the wall, her lips twisted in frustration. And it¡¯s not even close to refined! If Mom saw that, she would string me up and¡­I don¡¯t want to think about it! The imposter let out a mocking laugh, the sound grating in her ears; it felt so¡­unnatural in her language. But she was already analyzing, observing every pulse, every nerve flare from within the elite¡¯s body, her senses dissecting its movements. In that frozen moment, she saw through the creature¡¯s fa?ade¡ªoperating at barely five percent efficiency, it wasn¡¯t using the full capability of its frame or many offensive attributes. Only the spinnerets and tips of its feet had been activated to manage its silk; it was wasting untold potential. I can handle it. However, not if there are any unexpected interruptions in web control¡­ The whole room moved in slow motion around her, and she noticed the other drones, gradually improving in their motor skills, each second adjustments in their frames signaling they were learning to adapt. But they were still clumsy, still limited. They¡¯re vulnerable. But while the elite is here¡­I am. Hearing his name passed through the Nexus as Black carried Red to the surface to meet the Empress and Ash rode further in to confront Jennifer, Camellia watched her opponent intently. As Noklan continued his one-sided speech, his voice dripped with venomous arrogance, each syllable grated on Camellia¡¯s heightened senses, a twisted reflection of her kind¡¯s grace. ¡°You¡­you feel similar to me. As if I were¡ª¡± She was on him in a flash, faster than his sluggish senses could track, her sights locked on his spinnerets. He tried to shield himself, expelling silk in a dense spread to form a makeshift barrier. But Camellia¡¯s movements were razor-sharp, trained through her mother¡¯s unyielding lessons on one day potentially facing her sisters or cousins. She sliced through the strands with a swift, precise slash of her hand, her attack sending a calculated shock through his neural pathways. Noklan¡¯s hulking form jerked, caught off-guard by her false surge of energy but she couldn¡¯t harm him in that way as she was¡ªit was merely a feigned power struggle meant to distract. Before he could react, she was upon his weakened web, landing on its frayed connections. With one swift, lethal slice, she severed the critical thread at his spinnerets, paralyzing his silk output and leaving him disoriented. Now, Camellia¡¯s ruby hair spread outward like a serpentine cloak, connecting to the surrounding threads and weaving through the gaps in his eight legs¡ªplaces he¡¯d barely grasped how to control. With precise control that felt sluggish and graceless compared to her sisters, she bound him, securing his legs and harnessing her own to the ground to tether herself. Her silk anchored him in a vice-like grip, and then she spun him. Pulling the false elite into a rapid whirlwind, Noklan¡¯s hulking frame became a blur of frenzied limbs and strangled hisses. The force of her motion created a wide, spiraling cyclone that hurled nearby drones aside as they scrambled to escape, the violent motion flinging them back like debris in a storm. She tightened her hold, building momentum before releasing him in one fierce throw, sending his form smashing through the ceiling, through layers of stone until his shadow vanished into the jungle above, leaving only a trail of broken rubble in his wake and falling rain in the revealed hole. As the dust settled, Camellia¡¯s form emerged, a shadow framed by the fractured stone and shimmering web remnants. Her wide, ruby-red eyes glowed in the dim cavern light, each iridescent gleam carrying a predatory hunger as she tasted their fear. Her expression was serene, almost delicate, but the faint, eerie curve of her lips betrayed her inner thoughts. Noklan would be back soon enough¡­but not soon enough. Slowly, she tilted her head, eyes narrowing with a sinister amusement that prickled the air with tension. Her voice came soft, laced with a strange sweetness, yet edged with real venom that dripped on each note. ¡°Well now¡­¡± Her voice slipped out like a dark lullaby her middle sister liked to hum when hunting, curling around the remaining drones, seeping into the cracks of their fragile minds. ¡°Let¡¯s see if any of you little drones can dance on my web. I¡¯m getting hungry,¡± she giggled, licking her lips, ¡°and mother used to say drones have a certain¡­flavor to them.¡± Camellia¡¯s ruby eyes glinted with amusement as the remaining Xaltan drones hesitated, paralyzed by the unseen tension filling the cavern that only their species would feel when in her presence. Masked, unique, and faint electrical pulses crackled through the air, her senses extending through the chaotic network of silk strands that they felt. She assessed the disjointed labyrinth¡ªher former nest¡ªthat they had trespassed and sullied: tunnels that twisted in ways foreign to her species¡¯ design were soon discovered, strange branches leading into collapsed passages¡ªevidence of something having burrowed here decades before. Abandoned, gutted, her work¡­her mother¡¯s work, desecrated. Her gaze turned to the defective creatures with a chilling stillness, dissecting their feeble attempts at coordination her species prided itself on. Abominations. She traced a thread of silk connecting one of the drones and watched it twitch in her hidden, slow-moving web, sluggishly preparing to attack with a single, jagged leg aimed at her head. Camellia¡¯s lips parted in a bewildered smile, the attack barely worth her attention when it should be deadly. The creature moved beyond inefficiently for the potency its muscles could exert, its many sensory abilities to identify weaknesses squandered. With the faintest pulse of energy, her silk snared its leg midair, yanking it into the ground. It shivered, a spark of recognition flashing in its dull jewel eyes as she turned toward it, a dualistic combination of curiosity mingling with fear in its shaky voice. ¡°What¡­what are you? It¡¯s like you¡¯re¡­ Life¡­ Death¡­ All things.¡± The silk shifted, tightening around it, tendrils weaving through the threads and drawing closer, tighter, as she extended her reach outward past the others, making it her territory. Her crimson eyes glowed brighter as she approached the paralyzed thing, not of her brood, her gaze boring into the false drone¡¯s panicked internal reverberations. She lifted a hand to its twitching mandibles, and the creature froze, its entire nervous system locked under her touch. Camellia¡¯s voice slipped out, soft yet laced with cold command. ¡°Because in my womb is your life¡­ In my belly is your death. And your existence is to fulfill my every desire.¡± Her fingers tightened around its mandibles, sending vibrations through its body that made it quake in recognition. ¡°You are made for me¡­yet you are defective. I no longer have any use for you, which means¡­¡± The drone¡¯s voice cracked, barely a whisper. ¡°Death.¡± Camellia leaned in, her hands gliding down the hard edges of its chelicerae, cracking the base. ¡°Death.¡± Threads extended from her fingernails, slipping into its mouth and burrowing through its innards. Her silk overtook it, hijacking its nerves, repurposing its silk glands as she seized control. She applied a steady, unyielding pressure, the sickening sound of cracking exoskeleton echoing through the cavern as she ripped it down the center. Gore and silk exploded outward, a shudder rippling through the remaining Xaltan drones. A storm of silk unfurled from her expanding web, cascading across the ground, the walls, and the ceiling. It hardened into needle-sharp spikes, each hissing with steaming pressure to expand. The false th¨¦lm¨¦thra began to flee, their shrieks filling the air, but her network was faster, binding their legs and hoisting them into the air. Silk coiled around them, spikes piercing their bodies and fusing with their silk glands to further develop her nest. One by one, the imposters were seized and suspended within the matter of seconds, their limbs twitching in helpless agony as her web invaded every aspect of their being. Within moments, the cavern was littered with their limp, lifeless forms, their bodies swathed in writhing silk, now part of her. Gore dripped from her frame, staining the ground below as she absorbed the scattered threads of her web, repurposing them to form a thick lattice that crawled into the cracks of the stone. She felt the tremor of something massive above electrifying the air, and with a silent command, the silk threaded downward, burrowing through the lower tunnels to evade the invading hostile force. Noklan crashed back into the cavern, his massive form landing with a roar that shook the walls, his laughter filled with manic exhilaration. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re one of them. The real thing.¡± Camellia¡¯s smile widened, an unnatural glint sparking in her human eyes. ¡°Real things¡­ I am the Queen¡¯s eldest daughter.¡± Silk-like tendrils extended from her hair, reaching toward one of the fallen drones and collecting a sensory organ. She raised it to her lips, sinking her teeth into it, the satisfying crunch resonating in the silence as she chewed. Her gaze held Noklan¡¯s, glowing gem eyes, brimming with a dark, simmering hunger. ¡°Mother was right,¡± she murmured, licking the last of the blood from her lips. ¡°Drones have a rather unique flavor.¡± Her smile deepened, a predatory gleam flashing across her face. ¡°What will a guardian taste like? I suppose I am about to find out.¡± B4 — 11. Threads of Dominion Rain hammered through the fractured ceiling, droplets sizzling as they struck venom pools carving shallow scars into the stone. Mist coiled through the musky air, each curl pulled into Camellia¡¯s ruby gaze as she perched on a jagged stalactite. Her weight shifted on the lattice beneath her, each thread whispering Noklan¡¯s chaotic movements below. Noklan¡¯s frame jerked, his segmented carapace shivering with raw, untamed power as steam billowed from his plates. Caustic discharge dripped steadily from his open maw, hissing against stone, filling the cavern with its acrid tang. Every sound rippled through her web, mapping his clumsy movements. Pathetic. Wasteful. Her lips fell into a faint frown. Leaving trails for anyone to follow¡­ Borrowed power rarely fits its wielder, mother used to say. Did you even earn the shell you wear? Obviously, not. Noklan¡¯s gem-like eyes gleamed as they locked on her, his foreleg twitching. The power radiating off him pressed against her instincts, urging her to strike. But as the limb blurred toward her, she let go, her body twisting through the air as acid sliced the stalactite clean in two. Stone fragments rained down as she landed in a crouch, the web carried with her flexing beneath her feet. Noklan lunged, mandibles flaring as his rasping voice scraped the air. ¡°Your threads won¡¯t save you. I¡¯ve learned your games.¡± Camellia tilted her head, crimson silk spilling around her like a veil while burrowing deeper, deeper, and deeper still. Her smile deepened, fingers brushing her shimmering locks. ¡°Stronger?¡± she murmured, crimson weave pulsing with a faint charge beneath her touch as she discovered what she was looking for beneath her feet. ¡°Perhaps. But you¡¯re still blind to the threads you can¡¯t see due to your inability to utilize all the brains at your disposal throughout your body.¡± The Empress¡¯ voice came to her as they sized one another up; as dangerous as she was to him, Noklan was to her. Of course, that was only if she was caught. ¡°I¡¯m about to enter the cave. War was handily picked apart by them. Can you handle it?¡± Her lips curved. Without a doubt, Empress. I have already eradicated the false drones. All that is left is the fake guardian. ¡°Is that so?¡± her new ruler hummed, clearly impressed by her tone. ¡°You¡¯ve given me all I need then. Take your time. Dismantle him. I don¡¯t want a hair on your head harmed.¡± A strange, warm bubbly feeling welled up within Camellia¡¯s breast. That is a challenging demand. Understood, Empress. I will see to it. In the swift interaction, she remained totally still, knowing her agitated opponent could sense his disadvantage. The guardian¡¯s frame was far from perfect, as well, the Xaltan¡¯s crude control evident in the jerky motion of its limbs, but its power¡ªraw and unrefined¡ªpulsed through the space like a slow, gathering storm. Then, it blurred. His foreleg snapped upward, a venom-laced scythe carving through the air. Camellia¡¯s gaze locked onto the jagged limb, her body twisting away as it split the air beside her. She leaped to the side, the blade-like leg leaving a rush of cut air that narrowly missed her as his second strike came, spearing the place where she had been perched. Carrying her gossamer trap with her, she landed in a crouch, the slick webbing beneath her flexing but holding steady, her hair fanning out to anchor her in place. Every twitch, she followed through the guardian¡¯s complex nerve system, identifying what attributes the toad in th¨¦lm¨¦thra shell could activate. The hiss of dissolving rock met her ears as she straightened, her vision narrowing. His foreleg withdrew, acid dripping from its tip, and his mandibles parted in an unnatural way for her kind. ¡°I feel your threads¡­child,¡± Noklan said, his voice rasping like brittle stone against steel. ¡°Do you think I haven¡¯t learned your trick? Every move you make teaches me more about myself.¡± Camellia tilted her head, the faintest curve of a smile pulling at her lips. Her fingers brushed the webbing beneath her, the electrical pulse spreading them out around his frame, taunting. ¡°You call me a child? Perhaps to that guardian, I am. Yet, we live far longer than your frail species. We didn¡¯t even consider you worth hunting.¡± Steam hissed from his legs as she charged forward. Each shift of his limbs revealed his flaws¡ªthe slight drag on his hind leg, the inefficient use of his spinnerets as they twitched but failed to fire with precision. It was a crude mimicry of her kind¡¯s natural grace, an insult to the artistry her mother¡¯s brood embodied. He spouted more insults, attempting to connect to her sea of webbing that she tugged around the cavern, leading him to a more confined tunnel. Her projected lattice dug through the earth, knowing he could sense it, knowing he could do nothing about it. Her silence seemed to aggravate him, though. Noklan lunged, his barbed leg a blur. Camellia pivoted, her web snapping as she twisted away, her foot brushing the venomous strike. His next limb followed, forcing her low, her hair anchoring her escape with perfect precision. Sliding under his bulky swings to his underbelly, she batted away the silk he shot from his spinneret. Her hair lashed out, crimson thread penetrating tiny openings in his unprotected left legs, right where the tiny liquid openings were left open and vulnerable, plugging them. Side stepping, she couldn¡¯t help a light laugh as he leaped upward to project a cyclone of webbing to ensnare her. Shifting lightly on an elevated ledge, she crouched low, her gaze fixed on the guardian¡¯s exposed spinnerets as they spasmed, time slowing. Her instincts screamed for the strike¡ªto tear him apart as her mother had taught¡ªbut the weight of his hulking frame forced her muscles taut, demanding control. Another second, and he surged again, forelegs slashing where she had stood moments before. He¡¯s stronger¡­ Faster. I can¡¯t do the damage I know I should be able to. Precision. Nimble efficiency¡­ Me, precise and efficient? What would you think of that, Sisters? Silk gathering under her feet, it launched her upward through the clumsy gaps as Noklan spun to face her, his gem-like eyes glimmering from the ceiling. Smoothly bypassing the trap, she cut the thread from her hair, sending it spiking into the ground while retreating further into the narrowing tunnel. She skipped back, crimson weave snapping taut as her threads rewove the trap. Noklan lunged, releasing a hissing wave of toxins that coiled, clawing toward her. Camellia moved like water, batting the toxins aside without pause. Too slow. His barbed forelegs scraped against the stone, the sound grating and sharp. Stone cracked beneath her as she darted forward. Her web caught the strain, anchoring her sharp, fluid turns. The rain spilled around her, streaking across her skin and soaking her shorts, steam rising where droplets met Noklan¡¯s acid-slick carapace, typically a defensive mechanism¡ªhe was growing less confident. She adjusted her footing on instinct, her body moving like a taut thread poised to snap. Noklan surged, his foreleg a jagged blur. Camellia¡¯s slim form wove like smoke in response, defying the jagged arcs of his assault. Her hair snapping taut as she narrowly avoided the strike¡ªstone exploded behind her, shards grazing her shoulder as the acid hissed against the walls. Too close. She spun low, every nerve alive as she brought him into alignment. ¡°Running again, little princess?¡± Noklan¡¯s mandibles clicked as he lunged, acidic venom streaking the air. He shifted his weight, legs flexing as he tried to anticipate her next movement within the pattering rain, distracting him. ¡°You cannot outlast me. I will master this body, and then¡­¡± Camellia''s lips curved, not needing to speak when playing with her prey; that was her middle sister¡¯s pastime. Rain spattered against Noklan¡¯s trembling form, droplets tracing the crude contours of his stolen guardian body. The hiss of acid rising from his spinnerets mingled with the sharp crackle of her threads. Running? Her lips curved, fingers brushing the web. A faint pulse answered. Beneath them, silk buried deep snapped taut, the ground shuddering in submission. Such ignorance to our ways. Noklan froze, gem-like eyes flaring as he realized too late¡ªher trap had been sprung. A tremor ripped through the cavern, the stone buckling beneath them as a flawless circle cut away with surgical precision. The falling droplets peppered them as the newly created platform lurched, beginning to plummet into empty space. He staggered, the Xaltan¡¯s barbed legs scraping against the slick stone. Instinctively, he fired a thick tether of silk toward the wall, seeking stability, but a sharp twitch of Camellia¡¯s fingers activated another thread, sending pre-cut slabs of rock crashing down, severing his lifeline before it could anchor. Once again, he was too slow to curve their trajectory. Noklan growled low, his spinnerets spasming as he sent another pulse to redirect his web. From her perch atop her bundle of silk, Camellia pointed a finger his way, unleashed a single thread, unique and almost invisible in the dim. Her lips curved into a faint smile. Predictable. It connected inside Noklan¡¯s gaping, unprotected mouth. His body jerked as a crackling pulse surged through him, forcing his legs to lock and his mandibles to snap shut. ¡°You¡ª¡± His voice cut off as Camellia immediately severed the connection, jarring his silken pulses to change their trajectory and keeping his senses in total disarray. In the next moment, they passed into total darkness, their platform breaking free over a massive underground lake¡ªone her mother had crafted for the drone¡¯s daily sustenance needs. Directing a finger heavenward amidst the pattering rain, her web pulled tight, jerking them to a halt just above the massive underground lake that teemed with life. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Rain continued to fall through the fractured ceiling high above, splashing against the stone and pooling on the edges of the platform. The rhythmic patter seemed to echo Noklan¡¯s rising panic, a relentless tide of noise that disoriented his crude senses. Underwater fish darted away in alarm, sending more sound and movement colliding with his fractured brains. Camellia slowly advanced, her steps deliberate, her ruby eyes gleaming as she closed the distance between them, crimson silk coiling from beneath the platform. He tried to steady himself, his barbed legs twitching erratically, senses overwhelmed amid the millions of raindrops colliding with the stone and against his body. But she was already before him. Utterly paralyzed, all he could do was watch from every angle, unable to block out the flood of information she¡¯d purposefully activated with her earlier shock. Her figure loomed large in his vision, her presence filling his fractured sensory field. ¡°Small,¡± she murmured, her voice a lilting melody that seeped into his mind. Her hands slid down the length of his venom-coated fangs¡ªuseless; she¡¯d analyzed and neutralized it¡ªher touch feather-light yet like fire to him. ¡°Weak. That¡¯s how you feel, isn¡¯t it?¡± Noklan¡¯s body shuddered. His spinnerets twitched, firing an erratic pulse in an attempt to seize control of her silk. For a brief moment, his thread surged toward her, seeking to wrap her in its cutting grasp. Camellia didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she caught the thread midair with her hair, twisting it with effortless precision and redirecting its energy back into his frame. ¡°You thought you could use silk against me?¡± she purred, her tone dripping with mockery. ¡°Hubris. Is that the word? I¡¯ve rarely spoken to those I devour,¡± she giggled, licking her wet lips and tasting the tantalizing flavor to come. The delicate balance between his borrowed strength and the guardian¡¯s raw power unraveled as his confidence wavered. Camellia¡¯s crimson lattice slipped beneath his defenses, infiltrating the vulnerable gaps in his joints and spinnerets. Her locks spread outward, an intricate web of ruby silk that hummed with its own predatory intent to his knowing senses. Noklan staggered, his legs buckling beneath him as the threads burrowed deeper, infiltrating, hijacking. Camellia¡¯s voice lowered, her words a soft, venomous whisper as her hands caressed his quivering jaws. ¡°I feel everything, you know. Every pulse. Every tremor. Even your doubts are laid bare for my delight¡­ I feel a little closer to my little sister. This is¡­delectable.¡± Her silk wove through his nerve system, latching onto the flickering impulses that controlled his limbs. His mandibles clicked in a futile attempt to fight back, but his own threads betrayed him. Her web coiled upward, lifting her effortlessly onto a platform formed from his own silk. She gazed down at him, her ruby eyes glinting with predatory amusement. ¡°When it comes to raw power,¡± she said, her voice calm and deliberate, ¡°you have me beaten. But finesse?¡± Her lips parted in a chilling smile, her sharp teeth glinting. ¡°You never stood a chance.¡± Her threads plunged into Noklan¡¯s gem-like eyes, infiltrating the crystalline structures from within. A sharp crack echoed through the cavern as the silk took control of his sensory receptors, severing his connection to the outside world. His trembling ceased, his movements stilled as she claimed complete control. Rain continued to fall, the droplets hissing against the heated stone edges from their downward descent and sliding down the sleek surface of her expansive crimson hair, now draped across the stilling waters. Suddenly, her body contorted, reshaping into her true, 5-meter-tall arachnid form. Steam hissed from the plates on her back and legs, the humid air shimmering around her as she loomed over him. The humanoid facade melted away, revealing the terrifying elegance of her true figure. Eight limbs extended, each gleaming with a smooth, metallic sheen that seemed to drink in the dim light. Her eyes¡ªnow thirteen glowing rubies¡ªfixed on Noklan with unrelenting focus. A low, melodic giggle escaped her lips, the sound reverberating through the cavern like a sinister lullaby. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry,¡± she murmured, her voice carrying an edge of dark satisfaction as her diamond-like teeth flashed in the misty air. All he could do was silently watch her mouth open wide, pincers closing in, screaming in utter silence. ¡°Thank you for the meal.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rain spilled into the jagged opening as Elinor descended, a chain splitting space and lurching toward her. Each link clinked faintly in the humid air as she snatched the lapis with ease and began to descend in silence. Her bright emerald eyes swept the space, the expanded cavern below stretching wide, an echoing chasm marred by shattered webs, cracked stone, and glistening pools of acidic venom. Her boots touched the uneven ground, her dark gaze sweeping the devastation Camellia and Noklan had left in their wake. Ash waited at the bottom, his pale horse a ghostly specter amidst the gloom. His sharp silver eyes met hers beneath his hood, a faint smirk tugging at his bone-like mouth. ¡°She¡¯s impressive. I suppose that is to be expected from someone in the Royal Court.¡± Elinor clasped her hands behind her back, posture rigid as she studied the destruction. Camellia hadn¡¯t been the one to carve this chaos, but the surgical precision of certain cuts in the stone did bare her marker. War lives because of her, she coolly returned. But we will see what can be done about his condition when this business is finished. It makes me want to find her mother and sisters¡­ We have time on our side. She walked past a jagged hole in the stone floor, where Noklan had been hurled into the jungle above. Her Nexus pulsed faintly, a web of connections as she took stock of her unit positions. Her chains extended again, coiling downward as she stepped over the edge and began her descent into the lower caverns. Ash followed, his horse effortlessly leaping down to keep pace, looking for lurking danger. Garu was closing in on Chief Zargoth, his steady presence like a heartbeat in the distance. Black was already retreating with Red, moving to rendezvous with Quin and the Roxim citizens. Her mouth became a line, eyes burning like a fire upon envisioning his condition: losing a leg, arm, and having a gaping hole through his torso. Her boots met the cavern floor, water trickling in faint rivulets around her as she continued through the ravaged zone. Jennifer¡¯s face fixated in her mind and all the damage she¡¯d caused to her life, to so many lives now under her protection. ¡°Would you prefer to ride with me, Empress?¡± Ash asked, his voice low and haunting with the aura of death he projected. ¡°The drone and Garu are converging from different angles. If we ride fast¡­¡± I¡¯m not in a rush, she whispered, her calm mental voice brushing against his like the faintest whisper. Everything is already in motion. Sensing his confusion and discontent, eager to slice souls, Elinor sighed, trying to temper her expectations and plan for reality. If I thought rushing would provide us with results, I would. We are not only dealing with Jennifer and her master but new forces we have yet to properly identify. Her vision narrowed. We cannot underestimate Shade, either. I am sure his manipulations entangled my sister. We¡¯ve learned much after infiltrating the Xaltan. I can expect Jennifer to have a way out. Despite us closing in on all sides¡­ She is a cockroach who prioritizes her own life above anything else. This requires a measured pace and controlled spirit. Ash¡¯s fingers tightened around his reigns. ¡°The nalveans Garu smells could be her trump card? Given what they did to the Xaltan elite and the damage they caused to my brother, I can certainly respect the need for caution. Is this nalvean the one who sent the armada of flying creatures that you sent Grace and Valentina to handle?¡± She stepped toward one of the broken th¨¦lm¨¦thra Camellia had dispatched, its massive form crumpled and lifeless. Emerald butterflies materialized around her in the dark space, falling rain pattering in the background as they shimmered and fluttered around her. Without a gesture, they flew forward to land on the corpse, Death Energy flowed into the creature, sparking new life into its shattered frame and shackling it to life just as a surge of power embraced her.
[Level Up - Level 27] [1 Stat Point Added; 2 Available] [1 Feat Extension Point Added; 3 Available]
[1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available]
The notification barely registered in Elinor¡¯s mind as she walked up a fallen rock formation, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra¡¯s renewed form rushing to the location for her to smoothly step onto its back. She spoke through the Nexus to the Intelligent drone. You know how nalveans and ri¡¯bot smell, I assume. Follow the scent of those who passed through here. The arachnid lurched forward immediately without a sound, its movements smoother than she¡¯d expected for something recently awakened. She balanced effortlessly on its back, her gaze shifting to Ash, waiting for a response while riding beside her, keeping pace without a word. Her thoughts briefly turned to Grace and Valentina, challenging whatever flying army Jennifer had called to her aid. Shade¡¯s influence was involved, no doubt, making her jaw tighten. At least Nungal had offered to handle it, using her loyal hare man as an instrument. The mysterious goddess was always meddling. I have no time to waste thinking about something that is sure to be handled with Grace involved¡­ They might as well be facing the hag herself. Garu¡¯s steady voice reached her through the Nexus, diverting her mind as his calm and focused tone snatched her attention. ¡°Chief Zargoth is just ahead of me¡­ I smell blood and the smell of ash. What¡¯s this¡­¡± Elinor didn¡¯t interrupt, waiting for him to report, her calculating mind already anticipating the worst. Yet, at that exact moment, another surge of energy coursed through her, sharper this time, from Camellia as she killed the Xaltan Chief.
[Level Up - Level 28] [2 Stat Points Added; 4 Available]
[3 Feat Extension Point Available] [1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available]
Refocusing, her nose twisted as Garu¡¯s report continued. ¡°I¡¯ve discovered many small circular jewels, emeralds and diamonds¡­ They are imprinted with a marker and smell of nalvean. There is also a seal on what appears to be copper, showing a creature I am unfamiliar with. Chief Zargoth wounded one of the nalveans but appears to have been captured.¡± Or dead and they took the corpse so I couldn¡¯t resurrect him, Elinor mumbled, glancing toward Ash. Continue to pursue them and rescue him if you can. I give you full command over the drone that is tracking them from another tunnel. Don¡¯t let them escape. Her fingers tightened around her wrist as she felt a surge of cold fury from her father¡¯s connection. His confrontation with Xaria Dalria burned like a storm through the Nexus. Her jaw locked as she thought of the ri¡¯bot who had killed her mother. Dalria is a monster, a tool¡­but not the root of the rot. That lies with Jennifer and Shade. Now, we have a new target, a nalvean. It took me too long to get strong enough to confront them¡­ Butter, why are you taking so long? Her gaze drifted to the northeast, her connection to her twin faint but present. Mika has returned to the afterlife and I almost lost War. What baggage will you bring me, my fatty little sister? Elinor¡¯s lips curved into a faint, sardonic smile while recalling their united spiritual fight against Ashrit. Like you, will I face the echoes of my former life? Will my past demand an audience? If anything¡­that scares me. Ironic, my worst fear is myself. Her fingers curled into a tighter fist, the faintest tremor of resolve passing through them. If so, I won¡¯t face her alone. The th¨¦lm¨¦thra surged forward, its movements smoother now as it carried her deeper into the caverns to find what Jennifer had scrambled to secure before losing access to the valley¡ªbecause, when this night was over, it would be hers. B4 — 12. Storms Tempered, Souls Forged The wind howled, carrying the tang of rain and earth through the humid air that lifted Grace¡¯s lips. He stood motionless on the jagged outcrop, his posture lax against the tempest¡¯s fury, his ears tilted forward, tracking the buzz in the distance. Below the jungle canopy, the brush and foliage churned like a restless sea, thrashing under the remnants of the hag¡¯s storm. Lightning split the horizon, illuminating the dense mist with sharp flashes, and in those fleeting moments, a swarm of sleek insects became a dance of glistening iridescence. Large things, he noted, shifting on instinct to an angle to cut the wind resistance from a change in direction. Perhaps the same size as a horse? No, slightly larger. Four wings, membranous by their sound, Six legs¡­and iridescent scales that make them glitter like a rainbow amidst the lightning. How beautiful. Valentina was only now catching up, claws extended while climbing up the slick branches. He rubbed the red-stone shackles on his wrist as she braced herself on the swaying platform he stood upon; her feline grace was giving her an edge but more refined movement would take many more months of training. A low hiss rumbled from her throat as she caught sight of their target within the misty veil. ¡°What kind of rainbow moves like¡­ Hold up! There¡¯s like¡­thousands of them! That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about. Finally, something I can sink my claws into.¡± ¡°Patience,¡± he whispered, knowing her sharp ears would catch his words. He felt his goddess drawing near with the hail of rain that peppered his bare chest. ¡°Nungal will provide a way. Listen for that pluck within your breast that directs you. Observe, and be a beacon for her glory.¡± ¡°Sour puss,¡± the Tiger Girl grumbled. ¡°You could take them out in a single slash, couldn¡¯t you?¡± Grace didn¡¯t respond to the girl¡¯s testing taunts; she¡¯d made a game out of trying to get him to snap at her, which was mildly humorous. His focus was on the task, though, the target. Precise movements, he gauged, head tilting to the left as they raced against the wind, finding exact currents to find the path of least resistance. Unnaturally precise. A slight delay¡­following key members of the swarm. Silver eyes tracing the ebb and flow of their formations through the dwindling hurricane winds, he took note of each pattern, locking onto the leaders and sub-leaders. ¡°This is no natural hive acting on primal impulse,¡± he instructed, finding his hands behind his back and shifting with practiced ease to smile down at the impulsive tiger, still struggling against the gales. ¡°A foreign will guides them.¡± Valentina¡¯s mouth bunched to the side, her breath coming in sharp, measured draws, a predator¡¯s cadence in the thick of a hunt. Her newly acquired Feats had her eyes wide, pupils dilated, locked in for the hunt. ¡°You haven¡¯t even seen me really fight. I¡¯m ready!¡± Her bound, thick hair stuck to her face and back. The rain slicked her tiger-striped fur across her chest and waist area, tail drawing still as the droplets tracing the lines of muscle beneath. Even as her posture screamed readiness, Grace caught the subtle quiver in her tail¡ªa tell of frustration, tightly wound and barely contained. In some ways, you are, he thought, his gaze never leaving the swarm with his wide field of focused vision. That fire can temper you into steel or burn you to ash. A ripple of warmth spread through his thoughts as Nungal¡¯s voice stirred within him, slowing space and stilling the tempest. Like a distant bell echoing in the chambers of his mind, her amused chuckles sounded. ¡°Let the empress¡¯ pupil find her own path. Nurture the Seed with care¡ªobserve, guide her growth, and build her confidence. Teach her well, then reveal my hand. These insects, as you¡¯ve noted, aren¡¯t driven by instinct but bound by unseen chains in their Spiritual Core. When the time comes, free them, Wanderer. For now, stay with Val.¡± Your wisdom is radiance, My Will and Sword. Grace closed his eyes briefly. ¡°Grace,¡± Valentina hissed, her voice low yet sharp enough to slice through the storm¡¯s din. ¡°We¡¯ve been watching for what feels like forever. They¡¯re almost right over us! If they come any closer, I can take out the first few, but then they¡¯ll¡ª¡± The tempest waned, giving way to a lulling bubble of purple hues that draped over the nearby jungle like a hushed breath. The wind played with his long ponytail, slick and glowing as he slowly reached for the hilt of his blade. Valentina¡¯s breath caught as her claws flexed, her muscles coiled like a spring. ¡°Finally! Are we doing this? Should I uh, should I duck? Don¡¯t kill all of them! Grace?¡± His voice harmonized with the wind, the very air vibrating with the light violet aura that infused him. ¡°Grant your servant clarity, Nungal. Let my actions honor thy will and guide the very heavens to obey thy dictate.¡± Silver irises gleaming with the surety of divine dictate, he opened them again, spreading his stance as the wind and rain moved to circle them in a hot embrace. Grace¡¯s hand stilled her with a faint gesture, his expression serene and unhurried. ¡°Hold,¡± he instructed, his tone carrying a calm weight that rippled through her taut energy. ¡°No need to be nervous. Nungal¡¯s arms surround us; the elements and Lesser Gods heed Her command.¡± He unsheathed his blade in a fluid motion, the curved metal catching the light of a distant lightning flash. Rather than striking, he raised it skyward, the blade seeming to drink in the charged atmosphere. ¡°What are you¡­¡± Valentina trailed off as the sword¡¯s curved tip illuminated, carving an elegant circle through the air. The shackles around his ankles flared and vanished, the sound of chains tickling his long ears. A violet glow trailed in its wake, the line pulsing as if alive, resonating with the storm around them. The circle completed, the hum grew, vibrating through the ground, the air, and his chest. The purple line expanded, a gentle ripple turning into a growing wave. The storm¡¯s remnants bent to its influence, swirling around them. Dark clouds above churned and spiraled, gathering into a vortex that consumed the heavens, causing Valentina to drop to her butt. The wind¡¯s cry softened into a melody¡ªhaunting, resonant, and divine. ¡°No way¡­ This is just, next level¡­¡± ¡°The wind hears Her voice,¡± Grace murmured, his words as soft as a prayer yet echoing with unshakable certainty. ¡°It carries Her will, a cycle eternal, bending all within its grasp to the rhythm of Her command¡­ None shall escape until She wills it.¡± The circle pulsed brighter, and the vortex began to expand. The swarm, once so sure in its precise motion, scattered as the winds caught them. The insects tried to flee, wings buzzing frantically for a way out, but the unseen force twisted their paths back toward the vortex¡¯s heart. The canopy overhead was a swirling abyss, yet the jungle below remained untouched¡ªa testament to the precision of his mistress¡¯ power. Valentina¡¯s mouth parted, her golden eyes wide. ¡°This¡­ This is crazy.¡± She snorted, her lips curling into a crooked smile. ¡°That¡¯s it, huh? That¡¯s what goddess power looks like. You didn¡¯t even touch the jungle! Just wrapped everything up like it¡¯s in a big ol¡¯ box with a bow on top.¡± Grace let the faintest smile tug at his lips, pleased by her reaction. With measured grace, he resheathed his blade and lowered himself to the swaying platform, his movements unhurried as though the maelstrom were merely a passing breeze. He sat, back straight, his twin blades resting against his left shoulder. ¡°Now, Valentina,¡± he said, folding his hands lightly atop his knee, ¡°the field is yours. Battle to your heart¡¯s content. Should you falter, of course¡­¡± His smile deepened, faintly teasing. ¡°You may always return to me for a hint or two. They can be slippery.¡± Valentina blinked at him, her tail twitching with lingering energy. ¡°Hints, huh?¡± she huffed, the corner of her mouth twitching upward. ¡°Right. Like I need your help.¡± With a sharp exhale, she bounded forward, claws gleaming in the violet light as the vortex roared above, isolated from the rest of the jungle. Inside Grace¡¯s mind, Nungal¡¯s voice rang with warm amusement, like a melody carried on distant winds. ¡°A charming display, my Will and Sword. You honor me with every motion.¡± Her laughter was playful, a teasing edge in its timbre. ¡°Keep tending the little tiger. Her fire will suit me well when the time comes. Imagine how she¡¯ll bristle when I nudge her onto my path. Truly, your devotion makes it so much fun to shape these mortals.¡± Grace inclined his head slightly, an imperceptible acknowledgment of her presence, his focus never leaving Valentina as she tore into the swarm¡ªat least, the few she managed to catch who got trapped in the cyclone, trying to escape. The mist curled and danced around the edge of the vortex, the cyclone¡¯s roar outside muted into a steady hum within its tranquil core. He silently observed Valentina as she darted between targets, her tiger-striped form weaving through the violet glow of the storm¡¯s grip. Every movement she made was raw, untamed, but brimming with potential. A predator learning her hunt, unrefined but fierce. The vortex suddenly shifted as a section of the swarm broke free, the iridescent dragonflies veering toward them with unerring exactness. Their scaled bodies blended seamlessly into the rain, making them nearly invisible for the girl until they struck. His sharp eyes caught the shift of metal strapped to their legs¡ªsome kind of device¡ªas they dove toward the tiger girl, releasing jets of concentrated water that sliced through the air like knives. Not one targeted him. Valentina growled, her movements quick but frantic as she bobbed and weaved, lashing out. Her claws glinting as they tore into one of the creatures, sending it spiraling into the cyclone¡¯s winds, two wings ripped away. ¡°Center yourself,¡± Grace calmly instructed, noticing the shift in her stance to a more aggressive momentum. ¡°Their movements follow a rhythm. Find it, exploit it, and you won¡¯t need to come to them, they¡¯ll come to you.¡± ¡°Easy for you to say!¡± she snapped, flipping to another branch as a jet of water shattered the one she had just vacated. ¡°They¡¯re flippin¡¯ spitting bullets at me over here! Ah! That almost hit my tail!¡± ¡°Thoughts?¡± Nungal asked, her voice resonating with his soul. Mmm. He rubbed his chin, tilting his head the opposite way as the teen had to time the blast of each group that twisted in and out, attacking her at virtually every angle. She has sharp instincts. She¡¯s noticed they run in packs of twenty five and attack as one. Allowing her to identify where the gaps will be since they¡¯re all uniform, yet¡­ The subtle quiver in her tail betrays her frustration. ¡°Indeed. Yet, she has the most talent out of every human girl within Elinor¡¯s empire.¡± The small shifts in motion¡­ There it is, she¡¯s taken to the sky. Good. Use their dance. Find the rhythm. Make them sing for you¡­ Valentina spun around the peppering bullets to land on the leader¡¯s back, but she knew better than to take out the commander¡ªthey made the swarm predictable. No, her focus was on the drones around him. A smile lifted the girl¡¯s lips as her claws found another target, slashing through the membranous wings of a dragonfly with a guttural snarl. Using it for momentum, she leaped to the next just before it tumbled into the swirling storm, its iridescence fading into the mist. Grace allowed himself a slight smile as another group from the swarm dove at her exposed flank, the teen¡¯s eyes widening when they unleashed a rain of condensed water ripping through their comrades she rode on. ¡°Perhaps a little help,¡± his goddess mused with a giggle. ¡°I¡¯d rather not have her armless.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. With a flick of his unsealed wrist, Grace summoned a spectral chain from the void, its shimmering violet links materializing in an instant. The spike chains lashed out, locking all twenty-five creatures mid-dive, freezing their entire souls. ¡°Focus, Valentina,¡± he murmured, his tone unhurried. ¡°Your fire is strong, but fire needs direction, or it burns out. Expect the unexpected. Bend with the wind. Flow with the water. Strike like the rock.¡± Valentina¡¯s tail twitched as she accelerated, jumping in quick succession from insect to insect, eviscerating them in quick succession. The dragonflies took notice of his strike, redirecting toward him from the command of a single sapphire leader hovering high above the swarm. ¡°I¡¯m doing fine!¡± she barked, but her movements began to shift, her impulsive strikes giving way to sharper, more deliberate motions. Another insect fell under her claws as she timed her drop to land on a new cluster moving toward him. ¡°Watch yourself!¡± Grace fluidly took one of his sheathed swords and held it in front of him, tilting it in order to intercept each blast of water, his posture unshaken. ¡°They¡¯re about to change the dances¡­ Careful.¡± Each strike she made, each adjustment in her form, he noted with precision. She¡¯s learning quickly¡­ I expect she will grow into something formidable if she can temper that impatience and trust her instincts more. A warm, feminine chuckle echoed faintly in his mind. ¡°She¡¯s coming along nicely, isn¡¯t she? Such a spark in her¡ªwild and untamed. Imagine what she¡¯ll be when her fire dances to my chains. ¡± Grace inclined his ears slightly, the soaked fur causing water to drip onto his nose. Your chains, My Mistress, are not bonds but keys. They unshackle those imprisoned, freeing them from the frailties of flesh and the blindness of mortality. Through them, they ascend beyond their limitations, becoming instruments of your will¡ªperfect in form, grace, and purpose. His silver eyes flickered with a faint light as he added, She may yet resist, but all wild flames find their hearth in time. Under your guidance, even this untamed fire will burn brighter, unyielding, and eternal. Nungal¡¯s laugh lingered, teasing. ¡°You give me such praise, my faithful wanderer. Tend to her well. Her place in my plans with our dear empress will amuse me greatly¡ªand perhaps give me new ways to trouble and pester her.¡± Grace¡¯s lips twitched in the faintest of smiles. Your plans are radiant and all-seeing, My Goddess, he whispered, his eyes never leaving Valentina as she leapt toward her next target. It seems my time has come to step in. The heavens churned, the sapphire dragonfly above the swarm commanding their retreat with sharp, precise movements. Valentina¡¯s growl cut through the thinning storm as her tail flicked with frustration. Bloodied claws glinted in the violet light, the air heavy with the scent of rain and ozone. She crouched low, teeth bared in a triumphant snarl, her gaze locking onto her next target. Below her, the shredded remains of the dragonflies she¡¯d taken down spiraled into the swirling vortex of the tempest. She landed on the last of the squad. Then, all at once, they surged upward at a rhythmic beat from the sapphire leader¡¯s command. Grace¡¯s eyes narrowed, ears rising as they scattered, leaving her without a platform to leap to. The teen¡¯s ears flicked back, muscles coiling to jump, but the space above was vast, too far to reach another insect, and escaping below at the sudden rise in elevation was suicide. The leader hovered above the vortex, its sparkling figure a sentinel of the swarm, its will rippling through the synchronized hum of countless wings. The swarm shifted higher, pulling Valentina with them. The iridescent canopy of their bodies tightened, forming a glittering dome above her, while the jungle grew more distant. Valentina crouched lower with the buffering winds of the altitude that threatened to buck her off her mount, her tail twitching in sharp, agitated arcs. Their blood streaked her claws, mattering her bare skin and fur, her teeth clenching as her golden eyes darted for an opening¡ªnone to be found. A tisk sound hummed from deep within Grace, Nungal¡¯s words a picture of disappointment that the training had come to an end. ¡°Bravo, hidden opponent behind insectoid eyes She loses.¡± ¡°Damn it,¡± the Colombian teen muttered, the words slipping through her teeth in a low growl that pricked Grace¡¯s ears as hers flattened, pressed back against the rain-slicked tangle of her hair. ¡°I was doing so good.¡± The hum of the swarm deepened, a resonant drone that vibrated through the atmosphere. Droplets of water gathered beneath the dragonflies, coalescing into shimmering spheres that hovered like knives held aloft. One by one, the spheres elongated, becoming concentrated bullets aimed squarely at the tiger girl. The sapphire insect pulsed with a flicker of blue light¡­and the swarm fired as one. Liquid tore through the air, a coordinated assault from every direction. Valentina¡¯s claws flexed as she braced herself for the onslaught. She didn¡¯t falter, didn¡¯t flinch. Grace could see every thought racing through her head¡ªshe calculated how many she might counter, how many she might survive, her feral instincts screaming for action. Then¡­the world slowed. Well, she knows her limits. The violet light of the cyclone he¡¯d summoned swirled more languidly, its tempo drawn out like the final notes of a melody. The rushing streams of water froze mid-air, their sharp edges glinting against the faint glow. Grace rose slowly to his feet, the motion almost imperceptible against the slowed chaos around him. His swords hung against his shoulder, still rain streaking their sheaths. His illuminated silver eyes lifted toward Valentina, his gaze calm, unreadable. The faint clink of his shackles resonated softly, barely audible beneath the stillness. ¡°Hand her a blade,¡± Nungal murmured directly in his soul, her tone carrying a note of playful intrigue. ¡°Offer her the path.¡± The faint scent of lilac and starlight seemed to brush against him, a reminder of her embrace. Grace¡¯s lips curled into the faintest smile as he reached for one of his clothed swords and held it aloft. With a deliberate motion, he traced a smooth arc through the time-frozen air, the blade carving an ethereal rift into the fabric of space itself. The tear yawned open, violet light spilling forth, and he stepped through, his soul expanding with every step as he whispered the phrase. ¡°Soul Expansion: The Boundless Chain¡¯s Ascent.¡± Valentina¡¯s eyes widened as he emerged into the sky, walking on air as if it were solid ground. The violet glow enveloped her, steadying her precarious perch on the dragonfly. She flinched, nearly losing her balance as she gripped the creature¡¯s slick carapace. ¡°What the hell?!¡± she barked, her claws scraping against the dragonfly¡¯s back as she looked around at the time-frozen world. ¡°You just¡ªdid you¡ªare you walking on air?!¡± Her eyes darted to the rift still hanging in space, its edges swirling like liquid fire. ¡°Did you cut space and walk through it with a sheathed sword?!¡± Her voice cracked between awe and indignation. ¡°That¡¯s so¡­ Eh, no, I¡¯m fine! I don¡¯t need your help!¡± Grace¡¯s shoulders trembled, his body shaking with silent laughter, though his expression remained composed. He stepped closer until he hovered three meters from the insect, its wings¡ªthe same as every other temporal thing¡ªfrozen in a stilled hum around them. His violet aura shimmered like a shield, encasing them in serene stillness. ¡°It is not I who offers a hand, young tigress,¡± Grace chuckled, his voice low, carrying the serene certainty of his faith. He held out the sheathed sword he¡¯d used to reach this lofty position, its hilt glowing faintly a deep crimson. ¡°Tell me, Valentina¡ªdo you believe in Her power? Do you trust Her to lift you to realms on high, as she does for me?¡± Valentina blinked at the blade, her lips parting as if to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Her claws flexed against the dragonfly¡¯s back, her gaze darting between Grace¡¯s tranquil expression and the glowing weapon. ¡°I¡­¡± She hesitated, swallowing hard. Her tail flicked once, then stilled. She released a sharp breath and glanced down at the open space between them, her hand trembling slightly. ¡°I¡­believe she can do anything after watching you.¡± She extended a cautious foot toward the air, and, to her credit, did not expect to fall¡ªshe didn¡¯t. Her toes met something solid¡ªunseen, but unyielding. Her eyes and smile widened as she took another step, her weight shifting tentatively onto the invisible path. The air held her, firm and steady beneath her feet. ¡°This is¡­¡± She faltered, her balance wavering. Panic flashed across her face as she stumbled. ¡°Nungal!¡± Her cry was sharp, instinctive, as she lurched forward, grasping the sword¡¯s hilt. Her fall abruptly stopped, the blade anchoring her in place as Grace¡¯s hand steadied her. He pulled her up onto the swirling violet light beneath him, his movements unhurried, his gaze steady. ¡°Why did you doubt?¡± he asked, his tone even, but a flicker of warmth touched his words. ¡°Your actions matched your belief¡­ It was strong.¡± Valentina gritted her teeth, her tail flicking in irritation. ¡°I wasn¡¯t doubting¡ªI just¡­ Maybe I did have my doubts. It won¡¯t happen again.¡± Her eyes darted away, the faintest flush warming her cheeks. ¡°Dammit. It¡¯s just¡­that was intense. Okay? Something like that¡­ I guess only the Empress has made me feel that way before. Wait¡­ Really?!¡± Grace¡¯s faint smile deepened as he placed the sword in her hands. ¡°The path is yours to walk,¡± he softly replied, stepping back. ¡°Now, follow it.¡± He moved away, the violet aura shifting with him as he turned his gaze skyward. The sapphire insect still loomed above as he parted the time-locked rain drops in passing, its swarm poised mid-strike. Thousands of glinting liquid streams hung in the air, ready to unleash their fury the moment his expanded soul retracted. Grace exhaled slowly, his posture relaxed as he closed his eyes. ¡°Nungal,¡± he murmured with reverence. ¡°Let my blade guide her. Let no drop of rain above strike the earth and let the glory of the moon shine her glory upon us.¡± Unbound by shackles around his wrists and ankles, he grasped his remaining sword with both hands outstretched. His lady¡¯s presence surrounded him, her arms a phantom embrace, her voice a whisper against his ear. ¡°Show her the path to transcendence, my faithful wanderer. Let her see the world through your blade.¡± Grace unsheathed the unhallowed steel by an inch, the sound a clarion cry, cutting through the stillness. He slid it back, the motion deliberate, precise. Time seemed to hang in the pause, the air heavy with anticipation. Then, silence. The vortex above unraveled, its winds dissipating into nothingness. The clouds parted, revealing a pale pink moon hanging low in the sky, its glow casting a tranquil light over the jungle. The swarm was gone, vanished without a trace. The storm in a kilometer diameter had passed, leaving behind an eerie calm. Valentina blinked, her claws still gripping the sword¡¯s hilt. Her ears twitched as she glanced around, searching for any sign of the dragonflies or the rain. ¡°What¡­ What just happened?¡± A cold gust swept through the canopy, carrying with it the faint sound of clinking chains. The violet aura faded, the last echoes of its light dissolving into the air as Grace turned back to her. He extended a hand, his silver eyes calm, unyielding. ¡°Will you follow the path of Nungal?¡± Valentina hesitated, her tail stilling as her gaze locked with his. She gripped the sword tightly, her knuckles whitening. Then, with a sharp exhale, she nodded, her voice low but steady. ¡°If it means doing cool shit like that¡­ Ahem. Yeah¡­ Yeah, I¡¯ll follow. So¡­what¡¯s next?¡± Grace¡¯s faint smile returned as he took her hand. Together, they began their descent, the canopy rising to meet them as the last traces of the violet light dissipated into the tranquil hum of the jungle below. ¡°Next? You obtain your shackles.¡± He stood silently as the last flickers of violet light faded into the stillness, the hum of Nungal¡¯s presence retreating to the quiet edges of his soul. The jungle around them was eerily silent, the remnants of the tempest dissipated, leaving only the rustle of leaves disturbed by the faint evening breeze. His gaze shifted to the teen as her feet touched the slick wood of the canopy, her grip tight on the sword now glowing faintly in her hand. The weapon pulsed, its crimson hue deepening as it responded to her essence. Grace watched without a word as the blade¡¯s light intensified, the glowing metal losing its solid form and flowing like liquid flame into her palm. The light coursed through her body in intricate, branching streams, coiling around her wrists, ankles, and tail. He noted the faint tremor in her hands, her wide-eyed stare as the crimson energy solidified into gleaming ruby shackles, their surface etched with subtle, shifting patterns like celestial chains. ¡°She has accepted you. The shackles are not burdens but symbols of your strength and Her guidance. They will remind you of what you now carry and will manifest again in a way comfortable to you.¡± Valentina shifted, flexing her fingers experimentally as the light faded into her skin, the shackles glinting faintly in the moonlight. She twisted to glance at the band encircling her tail, her brow furrowing before her ears twitched. ¡°Alright,¡± she muttered, her tone sharp yet tinged with curiosity. ¡°This is cool and all. I got a ton of levels and crazy new Feats¡­ Nungal¡¯s Chosen is a cool title, but¡­what exactly am I supposed to do now? Punch harder? Glow a little brighter? Do I get the sweet purple aura, too?¡± Grace regarded her with a serene chuckle. ¡°Now, you must learn how to sheath your claws,¡± he said, his tone deliberate, as though offering her a lesson she had yet to grasp. Her head snapped up, golden eyes locking on his. ¡°Sheath my claws?¡± she repeated, the words slow and incredulous. A sharp laugh escaped her, echoing in the quiet. ¡°That¡¯s it? After all of this, you¡¯re telling me to stop scratching things up? Seriously? After that display¡ªyou cut every flippin¡¯ rain drop, my guy!¡± His faint smile deepened, carrying a hint of amusement. ¡°Restraint, Valentina, is the difference between chaos and mastery,¡± he said, his tone calm but firm. ¡°Power without control is destruction. Power guided by purpose? Creation.¡± Finding his hands behind his back, he gave her a deliberate wink. ¡°A storm unleashed will destroy all in its path.¡± His gaze lingered on the shackles, their faint ruby glow mirroring the steady rhythm of his words. ¡°A storm tempered can carve rivers, feed lands, and bend even the skies to its will. That is the lesson: when to strike, and when to stay your claws. When She demands it through you, all beings tremble and obey, be them elementals¡­or gods.¡± Her claws extended and retracted reflexively, her tail flicking once before settling. She snorted, her lips quirking into a grin. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°But don¡¯t think I¡¯m giving up on the whole ¡®tearing things apart¡¯ thing just yet.¡± She flexed her fingers, the shackles glinting faintly. ¡°I¡¯ll try this ¡®restraint¡¯ thing¡­just don¡¯t hold your breath if I have a few scratching posts.¡± Grace laughed and nodded, his gaze lifting briefly to the canopy as the quiet hum of the jungle returned; in the distance, he saw a streak of blue light, heading over the southern mountains. It seemed this war was about to end. How will Empress Elinor feel about this conclusion? ¡°That is all I ask. Now, let¡¯s return to the Empress¡¯ side. I am sure she has already concluded her war with the Xaltan. You must take joy in victories earned. Hard work should be rewarded,¡± he said, ruffling the cat¡¯s soaked hair and making her growl and glare up at him. ¡°Life is joy, death is peace, and service is fulfillment.¡± ¡°Yeah, okay grandpa¡­ Maybe we can get a bite to eat on the way back. I¡¯m starving!¡± she groaned, cupping her belly. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ Huh?¡± Bend down, he smoothly lifted the collapsing tiger into a princess carry as her eyes sagged and her stomach snarled. ¡°I shall have a wonderful meal prepared when you awake. You have earned your rest.¡± B4 — 13. The Shade Upon Scarlet Hands Haunting blue light radiated from the giant frozen dome as Edmon watched the tiny, sparkling frost crystals begin to fall. Its icy walls refracted like shards of a shattered mirror. Each sharp edge reflected his blackened frost armor, his broad tower shield planted firmly into the crystalline ground. Frost crawled outward from his feet, a slow, relentless tide that glimmered with the light of his icy aura, saturating the battlefield with chilling inevitability. Dalria¡¯s breaths came sharp and quick, visible puffs in the frigid air as she dropped down to level a dark grin his way. ¡°You humans love your theatrics,¡± she hissed, voice laced with venom as she shifted her stance, every muscle coiled. ¡°You think this cage of ice will stop me from killing your daughter? I¡¯m not like those ri¡¯bot you faced who were crippled in snow. As a Xaria, I¡¯ve trained in the frozen peaks of the valley mountains.¡± Edmon¡¯s pale blue eyes glowed faintly behind his helm, his voice, low and resonant, cutting through the cold air like a blade. ¡°You misunderstand, Jennifer¡¯s Pawn,¡± he said, his words deliberate, each syllable weighted with disdain while not even acknowledging her name. ¡°This is no cage¡­ It is your grave.¡± Her orange skin stood out vividly against the monochrome landscape as the woman¡¯s slick tongue slid out to wet her lips, and her third eye, a grotesque mark of Revilla¡¯s influence, dripped crimson tears that evaporated before touching the frost-kissed ground. ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Spear hovering at her side in a taunting gesture for him to attack, Edmon didn¡¯t budge, yet it took everything in him to keep himself from unleashing the demon he¡¯d bottled up within. Instead, he let it whisper and scheme as he watched her gaze dart to the growing layer of frost overtaking the once-muddy earth gradually crawling toward her feet. ¡°You¡¯re stalling as your daughter¡¯s loyal defender,¡± she sneered, the third eye growing wider. ¡°You have no clue how prepared I was to eradicate your daughter¡­¡± Without warning, Dalria launched forward, her crimson-infused spear blurring with speed as she lunged, the strike aimed for his eye slit. He didn¡¯t flinch. His massive shield moved like a glacial wall, intercepting the weapon with a resounding clang. The frost spread instantly from the point of contact, tendrils of ice creeping along her weapon¡¯s shaft, yet he didn¡¯t come away unscathed¡ªthe crimson energy latched onto his bulwark like webbing. [Assaulted by Unknown Element: Resisted] Dalria cursed when the force flaked away into ice. She twisted away, wrenching her spear free before the frost could claim it entirely. She retreated several paces, her feet skidding slightly on the ice-slicked ground. With a flick of her wrist, she produced a crimson-infused grenade from her belt, the dull metal sphere reflecting the dome¡¯s ethereal light. She hurled it at his feet, leaping back as the explosion erupted, sending shards of ice and ruby shrapnel flying. The smoke cleared to reveal Edmon, unscathed, his shield raised. The frost around him flickered between the red hue and his icy blue before the wispy light was once again smothered. The ice was now thicker and darker where the grenade had struck. [Assaulted by Unknown Element: Resisted] He stepped forward, his movement slow, methodical, as the frost advanced with him, the air around his armored frame growing colder, heavier. ¡°How! That is the raw power of Revilla, transferred through my devotion to her¡ª¡± ¡°Devotion?¡± he murmured, his voice carrying a frigid edge. ¡°You know nothing of the word when it comes to a father¡¯s love¡­a husband¡¯s grief. What do you know? Always clawing, always running, never able to escape what you are¡ªa tool, wielded by some faceless being that demands but never reciprocates.¡± ¡°Strong words from a corpse playing dad,¡± she snarled, darting sideways, her movements quick and precise as Edmon¡¯s fist shook behind his shield. ¡°You could never hope to land a blow on a Xaria¡­ My revenge is inevitable!¡± ¡°Revenge?¡± He couldn¡¯t help a low chuckle at the word. ¡°Have you considered that your desire for revenge does not come within the same realm as me, and that is why your attacks lack¡­substance.¡± ¡°You know nothing of the humiliation of Chief Krava!¡± From the treeline that rimmed the icy dome, Dalria pulled out a long device, stolen from the Roxim¡¯s armory¡ªa rocket launcher. ¡°You disgraced our entire clan by your trickery and turned his oldest friend into an enemy!¡± Sapphire mist leaking out of his visor, Edmon let the silence be his response. With a sharp crack, she pulled the firing pin. The rocket popped out, fire and smoke streaking out as it screamed toward him. Edmon simply detached the smaller, circular shield from the back of his tower shield with a metallic hiss¡ªthe rocket exploded. Pressure and heat roared around him, yet Edmon refused to take a step back as he powered through the crimson-infused modern weapon. [Assaulted by Unknown Element: Resisted] Smoke swirling around him with ice and dirt fragments raining outward, he stepped out of the falling debris, drew back his arm, and hurled it like a spinning saw blade. The shield left a line of blue dust in its wake as it passed right through Dalria to strike the trunk behind her, erupting in a cloud of sapphire mist. Dalria¡¯s image hazed as her laughter came from the high branches of a black wooden tree to his right. ¡°Your daughter was faster than you when running for her life.¡± Edmon silently held up his hand, smooth ice forming into the circular shield as it reformed itself. Five grenades dropped down from every angle, the sound and shrapnel peppering him from every angle, but he felt none of it¡ªhe couldn¡¯t. All he could hear was the words he spoke to his daughter upon giving himself over to the ice that had enclosed his heart. My daughter, I swear to protect you for eternity¡­ ¡°Vengeance is my only ward, pawn of Jennifer,¡± he whispered, as he continued his glacial advance toward her through the swirling mist, growing thicker by the second. ¡°Human weapons, modified by your dead god or whatever she is¡­ You¡¯ve prepared well. But this isn¡¯t a contest of preparation, tool. What did you say¡­ I am inevitable.¡± Dalria growled, her third eye gleaming with unnatural light as she launched herself forward, flanking him in a flash. Her strikes came in rapid and varied¡ªslashes, thrusts, and quick feints designed to exploit any opening. Yet, each movement was met by the unyielding defense of his armor, even the openings refusing to give way due to the invisible force defending them. He maintained his advance, wherever she retreated to, moving with the inevitability of creeping frost, always in the right place, always a step closer. ¡°Tell me,¡± he said, his tone quieter now, almost conversational as his inner demon drew nearer to the surface with every blow. ¡°When you murdered my wife¡ªwhen you tore apart the life I built¡ªdid you ever wonder what it would cost you¡­ What it would cost your clan?¡± Dalria faltered, her grip tightening on her spear as she leaped back to evade another thrown shield that she easily avoided, leaving it to strike another tree. ¡°I did what I was told, as a soldier should. She was merely a bridge to your daughter¡¯s soul¡­ You have no idea what horrors lie chained deep within her dead flesh!¡± Edmon¡¯s voice turned colder, the frost at his feet spreading faster, encasing nearby rocks and roots in thick shimmering ice, the fog deepening. ¡°We had plans, you know,¡± he whispered, almost to himself, his words carrying the weight of something deeply buried that ached to be spoken. ¡°A house by the lake in rural California. A garden greenhouse she would tend. Elinor off at college, making her mark on the world. I would¡¯ve retired. Perhaps even¡ª¡± He cut himself off, his breath visible in the freezing air as he shook his head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now. You ended all of that¡­ Jennifer and her organization ended that,¡± he hissed, jagged ice crystals forming around his steps now. ¡°You, a wild animal, desperate for scraps of power handed down by others, ended that.¡± Dalria¡¯s third eye narrowed, her voice sharpening. ¡°What foolishness do you humans believe in? I didn¡¯t take her from you. Your weakness did. You failed to protect her, and you¡¯ll fail your daughter, too. Just like you always did to protect her from Jennifer¡¯s manipulations. I heard she was kidnapped from the sanctuary you hid her in¡­and killed while you went to stuff your mouth with your dead wife.¡± The words struck like a blow, and for a moment, the frost wavered, the air growing heavier with tension. But Edmon¡¯s grip on his shield tightened, and the cold returned with renewed ferocity, tingles cascading up his spine. ¡°I did fail my family,¡± he reflected, his tone glacial as he looked past the swirling mist to see the smirking toad woman, her five of her daggers stuck into his ice dome, attempting to eat their way out¡ªtheir crimson energy was smothered under his gaze. ¡°I promised my daughter I would never let that happen again¡­ And now, I have a chance to get my wife back¡­¡± Reaching up, Edmon removed his helmet to stare at the shivering toad as she pieced it together and a cold smile lifted his lips. ¡°But this time¡­you will not be there to take her from me again. It seems you didn¡¯t train long enough in those mountains.¡± ¡°What¡­¡± Dalria glanced back, seeing her daggers, iced over and brittle as glass. ¡°You¡¯ve been lowering the temperature the entire time¡­ Why does nothing work against you!¡± she shouted, jumping to one of the few non-frozen areas left, the advancing ice from his thrown shields continuing to expand. ¡°Do you feel it, pawn? Wild frogs don¡¯t realize they¡¯re being cooked if you turn the heat up little by little¡­ It seems the reverse works for toads.¡± He took another step, the silence now deafening as Dalria quaked, realizing how thick the dome around them had become. Dalria¡¯s gaze darted to the edges, where the frost had almost entirely consumed the soil. ¡°It¡¯s never been about hitting you,¡± he coolly whispered, having left a specific zone ice free to corner the proud orange-skinned toad. ¡°The moment you were in my cage, my hands were creeping in¡­ Slow, patient¡­reaching until every muscle stiffens¡­every breath burns with crystals digging into your dry throat¡­ My hands reaching deep into your lungs, making the air dense¡­painful.¡± Her eyes widened as she jumped to a nearby bush, fumbling with another rocket launcher and cursing her Supreme Chiefs when the pin broke against her pressure. He took another step, cracking ice resounding in the confined space. She flung the rocket at the wall with shocking strength, causing a sharp explosion¡ªit hardly left a mark. ¡°This¡­this isn¡¯t supposed to¡ªI was¡­ She gave me the power¡ªLady Revilla¡¯s power,¡± she spat, her voice tinged with both fury and fear as she stumbled back and revealed her final weapon¡ªa machine gun. Yet, her fingers were now stiff while trying to keep the blood flowing as she pressed the button, her aim erratic. ¡°I received all of¡­of her power¡­ I have her eye. Why d-didn¡¯t she show me¡­ I have your weapons¡­ Stay away!¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you figured it out yet?¡± Edmon mumbled, not even blinking as he allowed the bullets to ricochet off his armor and face, leaving only minor cuts. He released his shield as he stepped closer, letting the futility of her shaking body press in on the woman. His pale blue eyes leered upon the pathetic creature. ¡°You were always a sacrifice. Why would Revilla use you¡ªthe thing that killed my wife¡ªto separate me from my daughter?¡± The trembling machine gun fell from Dalria¡¯s stiffening fingers, her breaths shallow and ragged as the frost encroached on her knees, locking her in place. Her third eye twitched, weeping crimson tears that froze before they could reach the ground. The riot of emotions etched on her face¡ªpride, desperation, and disbelief¡ªspoke volumes as Edmon¡¯s shadow fell over her, blotting out the faint blue light of the dome. His steps were slow, the resonant crack of ice beneath his boots punctuating the silence. The sapphire mist streaming from his naked eyes coiled lazily around them, as if savoring the moment. When he stopped, towering above her, the stillness returned, save for the soft hiss of frost biting into the ground. ¡°Did you truly believe,¡± Edmon began, his voice a measured, resonant whisper, ¡°that you ever embodied the strength of a Xaria like the Lethix¡¯s? Inora and Welix are leagues above you.¡± Dalria¡¯s throat worked, but no words escaped. The spear she had wielded with such precision now hung limply from her frozen hand, its shaft encased in frost. Her eyes darted to the edges of the dome, where the faint remnants of heat in the soil disappeared, the creeping cold rendering even the air too dense to inhale deeply. ¡°I¡¯ve spent the last few months watching and learning your culture. You cling to the title like a drowning creature reaching for flotsam,¡± he continued, his tone devoid of anger but weighted with disdain. ¡°But it was never yours to hold. Your Chief¡ªKrava¡ªhe is nothing compared to Valdar. Your chief is but an aged figurehead. A relic of a clan that has long since lost its direction.¡± Dalria¡¯s lips parted, her voice a thin rasp. ¡°You¡­ You don¡¯t know him¡­¡± ¡°I know him better than you, it seems.¡± His gaze brightened, pale blue light spilling from his eyes. ¡°I see the threads he¡¯s pulled, the web he¡¯s spun to maintain his throne amongst the valley clans, boasting of his prime. ¡°He¡¯s blinded himself with his own importance, his vanity keeping his grip on a dying people. He could have built strength, cultivated resilience in your clan, but instead, he promoted mediocrity to safeguard his position. And you¡ª¡± His armored hand gestured faintly toward her, frost blooming from his gauntlet like a flower. ¡°You are the culmination of his legacy.¡± Dalria¡¯s teeth clenched, her third eye burning brighter in defiance, though her body betrayed her struggle to resist. ¡°You¡­know nothing of our pain, of our clan! We have strong Xaria¡ªstronger than me! You know nothing of what it means to survive under constant oppression and expectations!¡± Edmon¡¯s breath hissed visibly from his mouth as he lowered himself to her hunkered level, his towering presence forcing her gaze upward. ¡°And what have you achieved with your so-called survival? Look around you. Division. A fractured faith in your Supreme Chiefs. A fractured faith in yourselves.¡± His voice grew quieter, yet it seemed to resonate deeper, the frost encasing Dalria¡¯s legs climbing steadily higher. ¡°So much so that you jumped at the first phantom hand extended to you¡ªRevilla¡¯s Scarlet Hand¡ªdripping with lies and poison. You are everything your people claimed the Roxim were.¡± Dalria¡¯s eyes widened, a flicker of raw fear flashing beneath her defiance. Her mouth opened, but the icy air caught in her throat, her protests reduced to a thin gasp. He could see his words digging at the consolation of beliefs that made her who she was, dimming every dying star. ¡°And now?¡± Edmon murmured, his voice soft as a blade sliding into its sheath. ¡°The Roxim stand renewed, their Mysticism restored under my daughter¡¯s power, their faith unshaken. And you? What do you have for your defiance, violence, and hatred?¡± This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it His hand hovered over her shoulder, the frost thickening around her torso. ¡°A homeland lost? A people running to the doorstep of those you looked down upon? A clan begging the Great Clans for salvation while you bleed out the last remnants of your dignity at the feet of your new Scarlet goddess.¡± Dalria shook her head, her third eye glowing dimmer as her limbs shuddered against the creeping ice. ¡°No¡­ No, we were¡­we were stronger than them. He¡¯s a legend¡ªChief Krava¡­ He¡ª¡± ¡°Krava failed you,¡± Edmon stated, his armored fingers descending onto her shoulder, the contact sending tendrils of frost spidering out over her placid skin. ¡°And in turn, you failed yourselves by making us your enemy beyond redemption.¡± She tried to recoil, but the frost gripping her legs now climbed to her chest, locking her muscles in place. Each breath came shallow and labored, her struggles reduced to little more than feeble twitches. ¡°We could have been allies,¡± Edmon continued, his voice devoid of malice yet cutting in its finality. ¡°Supported one another like the Wixum did by opening their arms to us. Your name could have been remembered in triumph¡­glory, even. Instead, the Komath will be nothing but a footnote in history.¡± Dalria¡¯s face contorted in silent fury, but her words remained unspoken, her throat choked by the cold. Edmon leaned closer, his pale eyes glowing faintly through the mist. ¡°History remembers strength, Dalria,¡± he whispered, the frost creeping into her throat and down to ice over her spasming lungs. ¡°And your clan¡ªyour Chief¡ªchose pride and weakness over survival¡­ You chose to seal their fate in murdering my wife. And choices have consequences.¡± The finality of his words struck like a hammer. The frost claimed her entirely, her defiance locked forever in a tableau of stillness, her third eye¡¯s glow extinguished. Edmon straightened, the cold radiating from him filling the dome with a hollow silence. He regarded her frozen form for a moment longer before turning away and taking one step in the direction of his daughter, he released the fury of the ice within his chest. The dome cracked, fissures running down Dalria¡¯s frozen body, and then it all shattered to diamond dust to be swept away in a rush of hurricane winds from the north. The dazzling radiance was swept away as if the toad woman had never existed. Edmon¡¯s cold voice resonated through the Nexus, feeling Red and Black retreating toward Quin and the Roxim civilians, his daughter already inside the tunnels beneath his feet. The tool is dead¡­ I¡¯m on my way. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Jennifer¡¯s breath caught as the icy grip of death tightened through her connection to Dalria, the chilling sensation making her knees momentarily weak. Her vision tunneled, hijacked by the scarlet brand of Revilla, forcing her to witness the Xaria¡¯s final moments through her third eye. The unnatural cold coursed through her blood, numbing her extremities as though the frost was her own. Dalria¡¯s desperation screamed through the connection for help, deliverance, but Jennifer dismissed it, her focus stolen by the towering figure standing over the Xaria¡¯s crumpled form¡ªEdmon. The knight¡¯s obsidian frost armor seemed alive, refracting blue light as ice climbed across Dalria¡¯s twitching limbs, locking her in a statuesque pose. Relentless¡­ Unstoppable. He wasn¡¯t like this on Earth. His daughter¡¯s taint on his soul, hardening him and fueling his spirit with her power¡­ How is it this potent when she¡¯s so heavily sealed? Jennifer¡¯s lips pressed into a tight line, her voice sharp in her mind. Lady Revilla, you told me we could seal her if we obtained this treasure¡­but she¡¯s only getting closer. Revilla¡¯s laughter oozed through Jennifer¡¯s mind like blood congealing over jagged bone, a guttural, wet sound that dragged against her consciousness. The Eldritch presence writhed, an all-consuming force that bore down on her with the weight of a thousand mutilated realities. ¡°Dalria¡¯s failure was expected, but her agony...¡± she spoke, her voice dripping with sadistic relish, each syllable like a pulsating wound, splitting and reforming in Jennifer¡¯s thoughts. ¡°...a symphony. Her terror will feed me as she joins my beloved host, and still, it would not be enough to sate the hunger of what I am becoming¡­ What I must become to face what is to come.¡± Jennifer clenched her fists, forcing the bile creeping up her throat to subside. You said she would hold Elinor back¡­ At least for a time. ¡°And I delivered.¡± The entity¡¯s chuckle morphed into a cacophony of screams layered beneath a voice thick with malice, reverberating in tones Jennifer could scarcely comprehend. ¡°At least, in part. Yet the creature you face is more than a mortal¡¯s burden of flesh¡­ You know this by the command she elicited from such a creature as a hag. Elinor gathers the shards of power within her like a carrion drawn to rotting dreams, piecing herself into something beyond even me¡­for now.¡± The crimson hand branded on Jennifer¡¯s chest flared, sending shocks of molten heat down her spine. A distorted whisper slithered from the mark, merging with Revilla¡¯s whispers into a discordant harmony that frayed at the edges of reality. ¡°You are but a fragment of my reach, Jennifer, a splinter driven into the heart of an unraveling world. A world that I exiled Elinor and her damnable sister to. And you would presume to question me after all I have accomplished in banishing hosts of beings you cannot comprehend to the Outlands? That Infernal woman of chains and her host plucks her smiling links behind The Twins¡¯ shadow. Of course she is making ground with her devout hare answering her caressing whispers.¡± A cold sweat broke across her brow. Jennifer forced her breathing to steady, straightening under the oppressive weight of Revilla¡¯s attention. Elinor is getting help from deities beyond the 7th Wall? So that¡¯s how she managed to get such a powerful hag on her side. She¡¯s devouring everything in her path, My Lady. Every piece I¡¯ve captivated in your glory. The Komath, the Xaltan, all the weapons I obtained from shattering the Roxim¡­ All of it was swept away in that hurricane that damned hag generated. What do I have left to counter her? I cannot go to the Black City now.¡± Revilla¡¯s form manifested in Jennifer¡¯s mind¡¯s eye, causing her to pause, not as a singular shape but as an endless cascade of grotesque imagery¡ªtwisting tendrils of sinew, erupting eyes that blinked in patterns of unknown meaning, and mouths that spoke truths not meant for mortal comprehension. ¡°You speak of countering, little vessel, as though you have the capacity to play in a game this vast. But I have already given you the answer¡­¡± The voice shifted, tones layering upon one another until Jennifer could feel them clawing at her sanity. ¡°Behold, your savior.¡± Without warning, Jennifer¡¯s vision twisted and fractured, dragging her into an overwhelming cascade of countless eyes. Each unblinking gaze pinned her in place, plunging her consciousness into a torrent of sights she could scarcely comprehend. Suddenly, she was staring at the nalvean man beside her, his reptilian features etched with curiosity that felt far too knowing. Before she could process the moment, flashes of vivid images erupted across her mind, each sharper and more disorienting than the last. A sprawling nalvean city sprawled before a shimmering ruby lake, its waters glistening like molten jewels. Beneath its serene surface lay a labyrinthine facility, cloaked in shadow and mystery as deadly arachnids proweld within webbed nests. The scene shifted abruptly, yanking her awareness across vast distances to a string of islands rising from a restless sea. There, a colossal volcano loomed, belching amethyst smoke that coiled through the heavens like ghostly serpents. The imagery didn¡¯t end above ground¡ªher vision plunged beneath the waves, revealing an intricate web of hidden underwater networks, pulsating with a strange, otherworldly energy. The nexus below surged with an unrelenting power, veins of light stretching across the ocean floor, seeping into the abyss. Jennifer¡¯s knees hit the cold metal of Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s hovering rune device, her breath heaving as the shattered remnants of the vision lingered, tearing at the edges of her mind like glass shards. The cavern¡¯s flickering light felt dimmer now, each shadow more oppressive, each breath of air thinner, as though the world itself had recoiled from what she had seen. Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s calm, measured gaze settled on her. The Grand Designer¡¯s towering frame loomed above, his reptilian features betraying only the faintest hint of curiosity. The eerie glow from his hovering platform cast shifting patterns across the walls, illuminating the perfect holes they floated through. His smooth voice broke the suffocating silence with his hand motions, carrying an unsettling resonance. ¡°You¡¯ve seen it, haven¡¯t you? The pathways beneath our feet¡­ The web of connections that even my previous master dared not fully tread.¡± He gestured lazily toward the cavern¡¯s far wall, his clawed hand curling in a motion that suggested infinite depth. ¡°The Great Shadow within the heart of this planet has whispered its truth to me¡ªour paths, entwined, are a pact struck in your lady¡¯s name, it appears.¡± Jennifer forced herself upright, one trembling hand bracing against the smooth edge of his platform. She fought to steady her breathing, burying the disarray of her mind beneath a mask of sharp focus. ¡°I didn¡¯t come this far to play messenger to the riddles of your trapped shadow entity,¡± she managed, her voice steady despite the lingering echo of Revilla¡¯s eldritch touch clawing at her thoughts. ¡°You¡¯ll find I have my own games to play.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s golden eyes gleamed, his smile parting to reveal rows of serrated teeth. ¡°I would expect nothing less. A woman who dances in the wake of annihilation cannot afford to be merely a piece on the board. I do wonder what your lady actually showed you¡­¡± Her smile rose as she got to her feet and adjusted her ripped clothes, understanding beginning to bloom within her soul. ¡°What did she show me? Why¡­your secret Jumi¡¯kerune. Such research underneath your estate must be costly to maintain without your High Ruler taking notice.¡± His smile fell slightly. ¡°Oh, how resourceful, little tailless monkey. Interesting. Still¡­¡± The nalvean¡¯s gaze drifted toward the cavern wall, where the air itself seemed to pulse faintly, carrying the weight of something ancient and primal that Jennifer could feel in her chest. ¡°Knowing and experiencing the truth that comes from a World Devourer is something else entirely. You are here because you understand necessity. Survival demands alliances, even with shadows that can burn you at any given moment,¡± he mused, his gleaming aurelian gaze peering down at her. With a flick of his hand, the platform beneath them began to hum, the vibrations reverberating through her bones. A smooth disk extended from its underside, a crystalline light around its edges glowing with a harsh, white light. Jumi¡¯kerune clasped his hands behind his back, his tone almost amused. ¡°Let us see if your resolve holds to the end with our little pacts. If it does¡­ I can help you reach your goals at the Outer Isles.¡± Jennifer¡¯s spine stiffened, the hair on the back of her neck prickling as she gave him a measured sideward stare. It seems the being Elinor calls Shade has its own viability to peer past dimensional walls and communicate with Revilla¡­ Am I just a tool? Even so¡­ The end of all things is in the balance, and we can¡¯t hope to face what is to come without them. A beam of focused light erupted from the device, striking the cavern wall with a blinding intensity. Jennifer shielded her eyes as the beam burrowed through the ancient rock, melting it into bubbling magma that pooled and hissed at the edges of the newly formed tunnel. The air filled with the acrid tang of scorched stone, and the ground trembled beneath them as the rock begrudgingly gave way. Jennifer¡¯s voice was cold as she turned to him, her focus returning. ¡°And what exactly do you expect to find on the other side, Grand Designer? I know this is a promised gift from my lady to you for your aid, but the details aren¡¯t¡­clear to me.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune chuckled, the sound low and rippling like the surface of an oil-slicked lake. ¡°I expect many things, my dear, but disappointment is rarely among them when dealing with my shadowy partner¡­and they say your information is beyond valuable.¡± He gestured toward the tunnel, its molten edges cooling rapidly into jagged, blackened stone. ¡°Step into the Silken Nexus, if you dare. It is a place of beginnings¡­and endings.¡± The cavern¡¯s oppressive stillness deepened, and Jennifer¡¯s gaze lingered on the dark opening. Her mind raced as fragments of Revilla¡¯s cryptic laughter entwined with the venomous promise of power and the faintest hint of betrayal that would come from this union. What lies beyond this breach? Another trap? Another layer of the endless game I¡¯m forced to play? Adele made me a believer, but I¡¯m more than just a tool in reality¡¯s renewal¡­ I¡¯ll be a major piece to our salvation. You promised me, Lady Revilla, and you cannot lie. I will sacrifice my soul for it. I will not falter. Jennifer steadied herself, wiping a thin stream of blood from her nose as the platform drifted forward into the newly excavated tunnel. The molten edges of the cavern walls pulsed with residual heat, while the acrid stench of scorched stone lingered in the air. Despite the bone-deep chill from her connection to Revilla, her expression remained composed, her mind focused on the implications of what lay ahead. Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s golden eyes flicked toward her, his serrated grin half-hidden in the eerie glow of his platform. ¡°You seem unfazed for someone who had a brush with a higher being and the secrets I keep. I expected more¡­hesitation from such a vulnerable thing.¡± Jennifer shot him a sidelong glance, her voice measured. ¡°Hesitation is a luxury I can¡¯t afford, Grand Designer. Your secrets are intriguing, but I¡¯m here to leverage them, not marvel at them, as fascinating as they are. My lady¡¯s pact with your dark partner wasn¡¯t for idle observation.¡± The nalvean¡¯s smile twitched, the faintest hint of amusement dancing in his gaze. ¡°Ah, ever the pragmatic one. The witches of your kind that we passed seemed far less prepared compared to your temperament. I find it enthralling that you maintain such focus when the threads of your existence dangle so precariously in such an alien world to your species. You are either remarkably resilient or profoundly reckless.¡± Jennifer adjusted her tattered cloak, her fingers brushing over the scarlet brand on her chest; a higher ritual brand performed by Adele herself. ¡°A bit of both, perhaps. But you misunderstand something, Jumi¡¯kerune. This isn¡¯t about survival¡ªit¡¯s about winning against the bands of Fate which coil around all of Existence.¡± The nalvean tilted his head. ¡°Intriguing. Fate is a concept I¡¯ve never quite believed in. A product of limited creatures unwilling to sacrifice to achieve their greater destiny. And do you believe you¡¯re winning, little flesh emissary of chaos?¡± She smirked, stepping toward the platform¡¯s edge to peer into the darkness they inched into. ¡°Winning isn¡¯t always obvious. Sometimes, it¡¯s about positioning the right pieces on the board and waiting for the moment to strike. Lady Revilla knows that, as does your dark partner¡­ And so do I.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune chuckled, his voice rippling like disturbed water. ¡°Interesting. Let us see if your confidence holds when the truths of this place confront you directly.¡± Jennifer¡¯s vision narrowed, her tone edged with steel. ¡°Weakness doesn¡¯t survive in Lady Revilla¡¯s shadow. If this th¨¦lm¨¦thra is half as formidable as you suggest, she¡¯ll recognize an ally worth keeping.¡± The nalvean¡¯s grin widened, and he gestured toward the dark, pulsating sack nestled amid the webbed silken walls ahead. ¡°I think you misunderstand my intentions with this world calamity. We shall see. But beware¡ªthe threads of this place have eyes, and they are always watching, studying¡­salivating.¡± The platform shuddered slightly as it entered the cavern¡¯s heart. Jennifer inhaled deeply, steadying herself against the oppressive sensation of countless unseen gazes pressing down on her. The air grew heavier, colder, each breath dragging against her chest as though the space itself sought to test her resolve. Chief Varnak emerged from the shadows at their back, his lithe form carrying an air of reverence as he approached. His sharp features remained neutral, though his eyes betrayed a glint of curiosity. The restrained dethroned ri¡¯bot chief on one shoulder and the lifeless nalvean servant on the other presented a stark contrast to his otherwise composed demeanor. ¡°Jennifer,¡± the elder chief greeted, his tone measured but tinged with respect. ¡°You walk willingly into the Silken Nexus, yet you do not falter. Perhaps there is more to you than the whispers of your Supreme Chief suggest.¡± Jennifer met his gaze evenly, her expression unreadable; his son just died, but to them, it was in glory. ¡°I don¡¯t let whispers dictate my worth, Elder Chief Varnak. If you¡¯re as perceptive as you claim, you already know that.¡± The elder chuckled softly, setting down the restrained and gagged ri¡¯bot with calculated precision. ¡°A sharp tongue. You may need it when the Princess awakens.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s platform hovered closer, his gaze flicking between Jennifer and the pulsating silken cocoon ahead. ¡°Enough posturing. Wasted time is not something that entertains me. The time for words is over. Prepare yourselves¡ªwhat lies within this egg is neither ally nor enemy. It is potential incarnate, and how I proceed will determine her role in the threads of this fate you speak of, Jennifer.¡± Jennifer¡¯s focus sharpened as he spoke her name instead of some half-handed insult, her hand brushing the scarlet brand once more. The faint pulse of Revilla¡¯s influence thrummed beneath her fingertips. You and your shadow master think yourselves the leaders in this exchange, holding all the power¡­but my mistress has waited far longer than your darkness was even conceived. ¡°Then let¡¯s ensure we¡¯re the ones weaving those threads, Grand Designer. If not¡­Elinor will sink her hooks in you and show you what an inevitable fate means.¡± The platform advanced, its crystalline hum echoing through the cavern as the air thickened with some new chemical she couldn¡¯t identify. Jennifer¡¯s mind raced, not with fear but calculation. Every step, every word, and every action from this point forward would determine the balance of power between Elinor, her sister, and her¡ªno one else mattered or needed to be stopped. As they neared the silken cocoon, the oppressive silence broke with a faint, rhythmic pulse. It wasn¡¯t just a sound¡ªa predatory lineage, ancient and alien, seeping into the marrow of her bones. Jennifer inhaled sharply, the weight of the moment pressing down on her, but she refused to falter as Jumi¡¯kerune took out a syringe from his tool chest at the center of his platform, glancing at the Elder Chief with anticipation. Jennifer didn¡¯t flinch as he stepped forward to carefully insert it into the egg sack. In this game of gods and monsters, her role was clear: she would not be a pawn. She would be the one holding the board when the Grand Designer¡¯s plans failed¡ªRevilla had shown her his fall, and Elinor would not go unscathed. B4 — 14. The Price of Perfection Garu¡¯s breath came slow, steady, vanishing into the cool underground air. Every sound had weight¡ªthe drip of water from above, the faint creaks of stone settling, the low hum reverberating like a distant pulse. He moved with precision, each step a whisper on stone, his webbed toes splaying to feel for traction before shifting his weight forward. The scent hit him hard. Blood, sharp and fresh. Burned ash. Ri¡¯bot and nalvean sweat. It clung to the air in distinct layers, telling him a story. Zargoth, an elderly ri¡¯bot, and two nalvean. He scanned the scuffed floor, tracking the path of scorch marks and an unnatural displacement of water¡ªred liquid. Streaks of crimson dragged along the stone, broken by jagged claw marks. The Firewalker put up a fight, and the water displacement is a sign of nalvean Seaweavers¡­but what is this sparkling blue substance inside of it? It¡¯s not like the aftermath of battles I saw during the great war with the White God. His nostrils flared as he crouched low, fingers brushing over a patch of slick, fresh blood. Nalvean, brine and bile, not ri¡¯bot. Vision rising, Garu followed the splotchy path. Far too much for them to survive. It seems Zargoth killed one. Movement. Barely a shift in the air. Garu¡¯s focus snapped to the side, red eyes narrowing on the faint quiver of a hanging root. Not wind. No, a hole in the stone that hadn¡¯t been there when he¡¯d entered. Ancestors, th¨¦lm¨¦thra are something else¡­ We were lucky to not have our home inside the valley with these creatures burrowed beneath its surface. The slick, metallic predator¡¯s approach was almost undetectable, its chitinous frame moving as if the air itself parted for it. It emerged from a crack in the stone it had created like a phantom, its onyx-black legs folding in smooth, soundless strides. He contacted The Empress, informing her of his findings as he ignored the creature, shifting his attention to a small cluster of scattered gems, glinting dully on the ground. Emeralds, diamonds, each marked with symbols too small to read from his position. A copper disk lay among them, the imprint of a coiled beast etched deep into its surface. Air converted to mist on contact with his skin, spreading a milky film further into the cavern. Garu slid forward, smooth as an eel through water, fingers brushing over the disk¡¯s surface. The grooves were sharp, purposeful. Important. Nalvean currency. After reporting it, he was given control over the night fiend and new orders, pulling his gaze to the tunnel ahead, where the blood led. With a silent prompt through the Nexus, the unintelligent arachnid¡¯s spindly legs moved in a controlled burst of motion, spinning thread into a taut sack. He crept forward as it made quick work of collecting the smears of blood and items¡ªthe witches might be able to do something with them. Within a matter of ten seconds the drone managed to seal everything within a silken sack for collection later. His eyes locked on the path ahead where the natural curves of the cavern twisted. The echo of murmured voices bounced off the walls. Empress, I hear them ahead. When you say don¡¯t let them escape, I assume the charge is dead or alive? ¡°Naturally,¡± his Empress responded, voice as cold as the ice upon the Crowned Mountain. ¡°The drone is reporting strange vibrations. Camellia, what is it sensing?¡± Camellia¡¯s reply came fast through the Nexus. ¡°It¡¯s saying there¡¯s an active Nest Core ahead? No. It¡¯s impossible. It¡¯s indicating that¡­there is a living leader ahead. I¡¯m on my way!¡± Garu¡¯s jaw tightened, feeling a sudden chill run through his veins the moment he stepped foot on the tunnel entrance and noticed the floor was impossibly smooth, yet had unseen texture for grip¡ªth¨¦lm¨¦thra silk unlike anything he¡¯d seen yet, certainly unlike the one beside him. What does that mean? Garu mumbled, his senses sharp as he scanned the area ahead, smelling Jennifer¡¯s passage in the stale air instead of the ground. Are they living? Should I prepare for an attack? ¡°No, if they were living, and an active Nest Core, then you would have long been consumed by now,¡± Camellia returned, sounding more confused by the minute. ¡°A Nest Core is for important eggs¡ªa guardian¡­or a princess. But Mother never made a Nest Core in my territory. My youngest sister¡¯s was in the southwestern nesting zone. These are living eggs.¡± Elinor¡¯s voice cut through their thoughts, crisp as a blade. ¡°Perhaps Jennifer knew something about your mother that you didn¡¯t, Camellia. Press forward with caution, Garu, but expect an attack. Jennifer wouldn¡¯t have come here if her life would be in danger.¡± The arachnid princess¡¯ thoughts curled inward, calculating, reassessing within the Nexus as Garu sent the drone ahead, crawling across the ceiling to scout. ¡°Mother would never think she¡¯d die and produce another child. Her next natural cycle wasn¡¯t for another few decades. No, she plans for everything. But¡­maybe¡­¡± Her voice faded, replaced by a tension Garu recognized as doubt. ¡°Maybe¡­Mother knew I would convince my sisters to interfere with her battle with the White Ape, and¡­ I made a mistake. I doubted. So she planned ahead¡­¡± Garu¡¯s fingers flexed against his drawn dagger as he approached the curve ahead. Locking onto a soft glow, a fading flicker of molten light. The air had changed, dry heat brushing against his face. His hand brushed against the wall¡¯s edge¡ªsmooth, too smooth. They used some sort of fire to melt through the wall, Empress. Fresh. His fingers pressed against the cooling bedrock, hot but more than passable in places since he was undead. Fire cut through here. Not natural. Too¡ªcontact! A sharp metallic clang echoed off the cavern walls and Garu¡¯s mind¡¯s eye slowed, a threat reverberating through the light mist. His eyes flicked toward the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone just as one of its legs spun away in a clean arc, landing with a sharp clatter. Fast. Too fast. His instincts screamed in ways he hadn¡¯t felt since his death¡ªno, since his first initiation into the Scout Unit. His muscles tensed, and he flung himself backward just as black thorns shredded through the air. Twisting to the side, he flipped backward. Two struck like molten iron. One stabbed clean through his abdomen, the other punched through his side just beneath his ribs¡ªboth with so much force, they exited the other side. His breath hitched, sharp and shallow. Not vital. Missed my organs. Barely. No blood dripped as he twisted away, muscles coiling into desperate movement. His back pressed against the cold stone wall as he extended his senses through the fog, every breath controlled, his senses on fire, searching for further threats. The drone scuttled back, fast¡ªincredibly fast¡ªbut not fast enough. Two more thorns shot out, one smashing through its left cluster of eyes, shattering them in a spray of glass-like shards and smoke-like Death Energy leaking out. Another thorn clipped its abdomen, splitting open the exoskeleton in a spray of deathly fog. It wasn¡¯t down but was losing a lot of energy potential. Not good. Not good. The drone¡¯s movements slowed for a moment, limbs stuttering, but it pulled itself into defensive posture, legs tucked close as Garu sent the order. Defense! Pull back! Who moves like that? If it was focused on me instead of the drone¡­ Garu¡¯s eyes darted through the fog. Shadows flickered. Too fast. Too precise. He dropped low, undead heart steady but his nerves thrumming like taut strings. Hidden behind a rocky stalagmite, his fingers flexed as he reached out with his senses. Used the moisture like eyes. The air shifted. Garu¡¯s breath slowed to match the rhythm of the cavern¡¯s faint pulse. He felt the dampness on his skin, the cool moisture hanging thick in the air. His nerves sparked as his breath synced with the fog. Moved with it. A spike shot toward his face. He ducked, the sharp edge whistling past his eye. His pupils dilated, breath stuck in his chest. Organs. It¡¯s targeting my organs. Attempting to dissect me. His body twisted as two more thorns ripped past his ribs, grazing him. Garu¡¯s focused vision tracked the angle of attack. From above. High ground. Near the cavern ceiling. How can they see in the mist and complete darkness?! His mist clung to the air, revealing subtle movement in the shifting moisture. Threads of displacement. The faintest drag of something moving faster than it should. The drone became far more fluid now that it was on alert, Camellia sending instructions for it to seal off its damaged portions with its silk. He stepped to the side, letting his fingernails brush the stone for stability. The Empress¡¯ voice came, but he was too focused to respond¡ªone mistake was all it would take. Predict. Measure. React. Another thorn came, but this time he saw it¡ªbarely¡ªthe thread of mist breaking before it shot through. He dodged to the left, shoulder grinding against stone as it skimmed past the corner of his third tooth, aimed to go right through his mouth to pierce his tongue and throat. Close. Too close. They¡¯re adjusting. Learning. Chuckles echoed through the fog, low and rough. They bounced from wall to wall, impossible to pinpoint. No. Not chuckles. Croaks. It¡¯s like I¡¯m facing Scout Master Jelisa¡­ A shadow emerged, part of the mist itself. For a moment, Garu thought he¡¯d imagined it, but then it moved, peeling itself from the fog like it had always been part of it. ¡°Impressive,¡± came the low, gravelly voice. Slow. Leisurely. Calculated. ¡°Your nerves are tuned to the mist, boy. Your every shift, every twitch¡ªprecise. Mm. Yes. Yes, you¡¯re one of them, aren¡¯t you? One of the Ethereal scouts my grandfather warned me about.¡± Garu¡¯s fingers tensed on the hilt of his ancestral dagger, feeling the telekinetic force within reverberate through his bones. His heart stayed steady, breath measured, but his eyes locked on the form materializing in front of him. The shadow became flesh. The fog twisted around the figure, following his movements as if it recognized him, when it shouldn¡¯t. Elder Chief Varnak of the Xaltan. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. But it wasn¡¯t the frail, ancient chief Garu had been informed of. No. This one stood tall, shoulders broad, his body sleek and powerful like a th¨¦lm¨¦thra in its prime. The wrinkles were gone. Black skin gleamed with the sheen of youth. His eyes¡ªsharp, piercing red like a hunting beast. ¡°You¡¯re Ethereal,¡± Varnak muttered, his lips curling into a grin. He adjusted the thick coil of silk rope slung over his shoulder, his fingers tapping it like a warrior might tap the flat of a blade. ¡°I¡¯ve only heard stories. Never fought one of your clansmen during the Fire Wars. Always wondered if you¡¯d live up to the legend.¡± He¡¯s testing me. Probing. No¡­not me. He¡¯s testing his own abilities. Each strike is more accurate than the last. Calculated. Deliberate. Garu shifted his weight. His eyes locked onto Varnak¡¯s hands, watching the tension in his fingers. Every twitch, every shift of muscle spoke of a movement prepared but not yet acted on. If I¡¯m going to survive this. I can¡¯t look at it as any normal enemy¡­ I¡¯m facing my Third Rank Scout Advancement Trial. Failure is death. Learn his movements, dominant limbs, instinctual directional changes. The th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone lurched forward on command, fast, remaining front legs blurring in a burst of speed. Its fangs snapped at Varnak¡¯s leg, but he moved like water¡ªfluid, perfect. His step carried him out of range, a flowing motion as natural as a wave retreating from shore. In response, a crack ran down one of its raised legs¡ªlegs that should be far too dense to split. Garu¡¯s heart sank. Those aren¡¯t Scout movements or attacks¡­ Varnak¡¯s chuckle grew louder, the air around them vibrating with each sound. His breath pulsed through the mist like a war drum, shaking the fog itself. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve felt this¡­young,¡± he rumbled, his body swaying with the fog¡¯s movements. ¡°Come, Ethereal. Show me if your kind is still worthy of its name.¡± The fog shifted. No, it wasn¡¯t the fog¡ªit was him. His presence seemed to seep into the mist, becoming part of it. He¡¯d only known a few Ethereal that managed that kind of oneness with the fog. For the first time since his first introduction into the Scout Core of his clan, Garu felt like the fog was hunting him. Elinor, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to last long. His voice remained calm, but his eyes tracked every shift in the fog. Every flicker of movement. Elinor¡¯s reply was immediate. ¡°Buy yourself one minute, Garu. Death and I will be there.¡± Her tone was cold as frost, as absolute as a promise etched in stone. Garu momentarily lost track of him, crouching lower, his body perfectly balanced. His breath fogged the air, curling around his grin. No hesitation. No missteps. Every shift is perfect. He gripped his dagger tight enough to make his bones ache. He bent low, breath shallow, his eyes locked onto the occasional shifts in the mist, but it was the drone that allowed him to keep up with the directional shifts. No gaps. No mistakes. He¡¯s not guessing. He¡¯s hunting. The th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone attacked again, its legs a blur of speed and deadly precision. But Varnak was already gone, his movements faster than the drone could track at close range, which was mind-boggling in itself. It lashed out with its fangs, but he rolled under it, his hand brushing its abdomen with casual ease. Testing it. Testing himself. ¡°Smart,¡± Varnak said, his eyes locked on Garu as he managed to evade the thorns sent his way. ¡°You¡¯ve already realized, haven¡¯t you? This body¡¯s new and powerful, but my mind¡­that is what goes beyond understanding. I remember every step. Every mistake. I know how hard you grip. I know what your dominant foot is. I can feel every pulse in the air you track, the electrical flicker you send into it¡­evade it.¡± The fog twisted, thickened, and Varnak¡¯s grin widened, flickering into nothingness. Empress, I¡¯m not facing a Xaltan¡­ He¡¯s on the level of an Ethereal Xaria. If I can buy thirty more seconds, it will be a miracle. Perhaps you shouldn¡¯t come. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Jennifer traced every pulse of light that rippled through the translucent, fleshy surface of the massive egg before her. The glow came in slow, hypnotic intervals, each one a brief flicker of pale violet light pushing through the thin, veined membrane. It wasn¡¯t just light¡ªit was a presence, a thrum of life that reached into the marrow of her bones, making her fingers itch. Her gaze flicked to Jumi¡¯kerune, watching as he reached into his crystal centerpiece on his fascinating, runic platform. With the care of a man about to perform surgery, the Grand Designer¡¯s long, clawed fingers drew out a crystalline syringe unlike any Jennifer had seen before. ¡°You have quite a few tools at your disposal.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure your dead mistress beyond the veil will guide you to your own treasure trove soon enough, human. Much of my items are home grown¡­ Tested and developed over centuries of careful analysis and the combination of many projects.¡± The tube glowed faintly from within, runic symbols circling its surface like orbiting stars. Her sharp gaze caught the faint shimmer of shifting light¡ªnot mere glass¡ªsomething stronger, more fluid yet unyielding. As he turned it in his fingers, the runes flickered in sequence, releasing a soft chime like the hum of a distant bell. Elder Chief Varnak¡¯s nostrils flared. His sharp gaze locked on the item, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. ¡°No thread?¡± His raspy voice echoed low and rough in the cavern. ¡°We¡¯ve always needed their own hardened silk to breach the drone eggs¡ªthis won¡¯t work.¡± Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s slit pupils rolled in a slow, deliberate way to give him the exasperated stare of a scientist speaking to a neanderthal. ¡°Rudimentary biological adaptation. I understand your Mysticism better than you,¡± he muttered, amusement dripping from every word. ¡°You think yourselves so advanced with your th¨¦lm¨¦thra threads and poison-stained fangs compared to your brethren¡­ Such hubris. Watch and learn, Elder Chief.¡± His platform hovered upward, the hum of its magic-infused mechanisms low and steady. Jennifer¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t leave the syringe as Jumi¡¯kerune raised it to the egg¡¯s surface. He moved slowly, steadily, ensuring it entered at a particular angle. The sharp point touched the membrane¡ªfor a moment, nothing. No give. No puncture. Then, with the faintest push, the syringe¡¯s needle slid through as if the shell had dissolved before it. The membrane didn¡¯t burst, didn¡¯t weep fluids¡ªit simply allowed him entry. Varnak¡¯s eyes widened with disbelief, his tongue clicking in surprise. ¡°Impossible¡­¡± he hissed, stepping closer to watch the needle¡¯s progress with the intensity of a man witnessing heresy. ¡°Not even a trickle of lost fluid.¡± ¡°Because,¡± Jumi¡¯kerune said, tilting his head to the side as if lecturing a stubborn student, ¡°your solutions were designed to overcome nature¡¯s defenses through brute force. I¡ª¡± he pulled back on the syringe¡¯s plunger, slowly drawing out a rather tiny amount of pale, swirling essence from within the egg. ¡°I design solutions that nature itself welcomes.¡± Jennifer¡¯s lips quirked into a small smile. ¡°Alchemy mixed with the runic technology of lost ages, not biology. Efficient.¡± Her tone was light but her eyes tracked the fluid¡ªa glistening, opalescent swirl that glowed faintly like liquid moonlight. ¡°Did the Shadow tell you how to make this?¡± Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s snout wrinkled, a snort of derision escaping his sharp, toothy grin. ¡°No. Well, only so far as to introduce me to the methodology of runic design. This,¡± he tilted the syringe to let the glow dance across his scaled face, ¡°¡ªthis is mine. Not whispers from below. Research. Craft. Refinement. This is one of my perfections.¡± He descended, platform humming softly as he approached his final living slave. The gaunt nalvean man knelt obediently, hands already busy sorting through an array of reagents. Nearby, trapped in a runic prison on the platform, the Roxim chief silently observed. Among the display, Jennifer¡¯s eyes locked onto a sliver of bark so white it looked like frozen lightning. It pulsed faintly, as if it still carried the rhythm of a heartbeat. The slave pulled it out with tweezers. ¡°Lifewood,¡± she muttered, eyes narrowing. ¡°Where did you get something like that? You¡¯re taking no half-measures, Grand Designer.¡± The nalvean mind slave¡¯s nimble fingers moved with mechanical precision. He dropped powdered silverroot into a ruby-like bowl and poured in a thin trickle of dark green oil, followed by a brown syrup, the two liquids hissing on contact. A sharp, acrid vapor rose, but the slave, well-trained, immediately lowered a translucent bag over it, letting the vapor condense into a bulging pouch. Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s gaze never wavered as he added two drops of crimson ichor¡ªthe blood of something Jennifer didn¡¯t recognize. The vial¡¯s hiss grew into a bubbling froth. ¡°Interesting,¡± she whispered, watching the mixture¡¯s glow deepen to a molten orange. Her gaze flicked to the bottom edge of the bowl where faint runic glyphs shimmered. Not simply alchemy. Rune work acting as an enhancing medium. Smart. Perhaps I¡¯ll need to learn a few tricks before I leave his estate. Jumi¡¯kerune swirled the contents with a claw, his gaze sharp and hungry, yet the encroaching mist snagged her attention¡ªElinor¡¯s people were getting close. He seemed to notice her slight unease. ¡°Perfection takes time, human. Unlike the haphazard mess of your witch¡¯s circle that I saw, this¡­¡± He held the bowl up to Varnak. ¡°This is art waiting to be set free.¡± The Elder Chief¡¯s eyes darted from Jumi¡¯kerune to Jennifer. Her face remained impassive, but her gaze locked onto him with cold intensity. After a moment, his nostrils flared and he snatched the bowl. He hesitated, eyes narrowing at Jumi¡¯kerune. ¡°Drink,¡± Jumi¡¯kerune urged. ¡°Unless you¡¯re afraid of rebirth in the glory of your princess¡­ Accept the power she can grant from her essence.¡± With a sharp grunt, Varnak tipped the bowl and downed it in a single pull. He staggered, the empty bowl clattering to the platform and stopping just before the edge¡ªa safety mechanism activating. Varnak¡¯s breath turned to gasps, his body locking up as veins of white-hot light burst through his black skin, illuminating every line of muscle, every tendon. His mouth opened to scream, yet, it didn¡¯t come¡ªtongue writing like hot magma¡ªtoo raw, too primal while being reformed. It wasn¡¯t pain¡ªit was too much sensation¡­ecstasy. He collapsed, twitching violently as his body curled inward, muscles convulsing. His black skin began to smooth, old wrinkles vanishing, muscle density increasing before their eyes. His breath came in short, desperate gasps, and the moment she blinked¡­he vanished. Jennifer¡¯s eyes narrowed as she felt a shift behind her. A metallic clang echoed, distant, through the tunnel nearby. She turned slowly, her gaze sharp. ¡°He¡¯s¡­a lot faster now, at least. Interesting brew.¡± ¡°Faster than fast,¡± Jumi¡¯kerune remarked, eyes fixed on the egg as his platform hovered over it. It was almost as if the Elder Chief was no longer worth his time; he¡¯d seen what he wanted. Now, the nalvean tapped a claw to his chin, his smile growing sharper. ¡°He¡¯ll burn out, of course. The venom of a true th¨¦lm¨¦thra princess is far too potent to fully mitigate. Only delay with a surge of rapidly renewing cells. Once the fuel keeping them multiplying lapses¡­ Well, I suppose you get the point. But until then, he¡¯ll feel like a god.¡± His platform¡¯s hum grew louder as he turned to her with a far too prideful gleam in his gaze for what Jennifer knew Elinor was capable of. ¡°See? We have plenty of time.¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes flicked down as the platform¡¯s underside gripped the egg. I wouldn¡¯t underestimate Elinor after returning with a hag of that power. She may have won this battle for the valley and obtained the means to establish her empire, but that requires her attention. It will also introduce quite a few careful lines she will need to walk with the surrounding nations. Her gaze soon returned to Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s scaled face. ¡°How long do you expect your experiment to last because I do not see an exit, Grand Designer.¡± He pointed above, smile widening as the hum became a harsh vibration. Beams of red light shot from the platform¡¯s points, searing the stone above into a triangular outline. The molten rock bathed them in orange light as slag fell harmlessly against a shimmering white barrier that formed around them. Jennifer¡¯s grin grew razor-sharp. ¡°Well, I stand corrected. You seem to be very well prepared. How long until Elinor finds your home? It was a mistake to send your slaves out to collect the Roxim Chief. She no doubt has some evidence and knowledge now to connect a well-established nalvean helped me,¡± she commented, glancing at the glaring toad, trapped inside the hovering, ethereal cage of light. Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s grin mirrored hers. ¡°Have you considered that I want her to find me? The ability to return the dead and spark such a visceral reaction from higher beings¡­ It¡¯s as if she were a deity made flesh.¡± Her gaze grew darker, cursing his intrigued tone to brighten. ¡°I think we are in store for a rather fascinating turn of events in the near future. One¡¯s enemy can become one¡¯s friend under the right circumstances.¡± She turned her focus toward his assortment of goods at the center of the platform before locking eyes with the Roxim chief. Jennifer wanted to laugh at his arrogance¡­but she stayed silent. After all, by helping her, he¡¯d already chosen a side. He just didn¡¯t know Elinor. Of course, she¡¯d come to learn a few uncomfortable truths about her in their second confrontation. My only goal is to keep her from Earth¡­ Something is going wrong, and we have to recalculate. The fate of¡­everything rests on my ability to keep Elinor in the Outlands. Speaking softly, she whispered, ¡°Some designs are flawed from the beginning¡­but they¡¯re all we have, I suppose.¡± B4 — 15. The Great Clans of the Grasslands Pausing at the edge of the clearing, his heavy staff sinking slightly into the soft earth, the increasing wind pulling at his pouch and hanging flute. Behind him, the familiar silhouette of Valdar lingered beside Elinor, a small blue dot against the backdrop of humans. He could feel the weight of their parting in the air, like an arrow drawn taut but never loosed. Krava allowed himself to look back. Just one more glance at his old friend¡ªhis brother-in-arms through wars that had forged and broken so many¡ªbut not this. How could it have turned out like this, Valdar? Do you really think this creature with the power over death can unite our valley? Do you believe your dream of becoming one people is impossible by ourselves? Human webs of promises and strange powers¡­ You are blind to her ambitions, old friend¡­ She is a poison. ¡°Fool,¡± he sighed, his cold eyes shifting to the colossal quen¡¯talrat and the white-skinned ri¡¯bot next to her. ¡°She¡¯ll consume you in the end¡­ I hope I won¡¯t be too late to save you.¡± Turning away, he joined his warriors in their shameful retreat. The memory of Valdar¡¯s calm, almost serene acceptance gnawed at his chest and ignited a fire in his aged body. Krava¡¯s grip tightened on his staff, focus drifting to the sole human he¡¯d retained¡ªJennifer. The human feels the same as Elinor¡­ A tide waiting to drag me into her depths. I cannot trust any human¡­but how she reacts will tell me much. Calling for his officers to rally around him, he gave them swift commands, feeling the skin-tingling sensation of a terrible storm coming. Krava had seen Elinor¡¯s power firsthand, the way she wove life and death into tools of absolute dominion. He had no illusions about what lay ahead. The message he sent with them to deliver to their clan was a simple one, yet it would light the flames of war: The Fire Wars start once again. Death is coming. His forces would rally the clans scattered across the south of the valley mountains. They would move quickly, sending warnings to the Nalvean Empire to be cautious of Elinor; a threat like unto the White God is rising. Every able warrior must be gathered, every blade sharpened. The valley was no longer safe; it would soon become a crucible. Dalria, young and ready for action shot out of the trees, brow creased with confusion and rage. ¡°Elder Chief! We are leaving in disgrace? I have heard from the scouts that this creature named Elinor has humiliated our clan and pointed out our advanced preparations but¡­what is this about a quen¡¯talrat?¡± Krava didn¡¯t stop, watching his officers leave to disperse his orders as the mistral unit hung in the distance, their Mystics keeping an eye on everything. He turned to the young Xaria and directed her toward Jennifer. ¡°You will be in charge of escorting this human to the grasslands. If Valdar is behind Elinor, then she has the reputation she needs to challenge any opposition in the Delthax¡­ Even Valdar¡¯s own grandson.¡± Shock replaced Dalria¡¯s frustration. ¡°Elder Chief Valdar¡­opposes us? I had not heard about that,¡± she muttered, nose creasing as the flash of betrayal darkened her face. ¡°We are to march toward the grasslands?¡± Krava could see the young woman wanted to ask more questions and was likely feeling a rush of emotions at this moment. How she responded and took charge would determine if she really was ready to take on this mantle of Xaria. He slowed in his path back to their secondary camp, feeling the cool breeze picking up. I need to hurry and push toward the grasslands¡­ The journey is long to reach the Great Chiefs and it will take time to convince them to view the evidence. Making a gesture he motioned for Jennifer to be brought to him while continuing to address Dalria. ¡°With Elinor¡¯s powers over the dead, I have no doubt the Wixum will fall into line without a whisper. The Flex and Delthax will fall soon enough. She¡¯s also blinded the Roxim by lulling them in with weapons from her previous world to make up for their lost Mysticism.¡± ¡°Is it that dire? Elder Chief, we should take care of her now!¡± Her orange skin gleaming in the light that pierced the canopy. Her grin was sharp, her spear resting loosely on her shoulder. There was an eagerness in her eyes that he had come to distrust. ¡°Should we not?¡± You¡¯re not thinking clearly¡­ Perhaps my decision was a bit rushed to give her this opportunity. Ambition is good in the young¡­but it can burn too brightly and threaten wisdom that will keep you alive for decades to come. ¡°Think clearly, Dalria,¡± he began, voice low and steady as others drew closer to listen. ¡°You may want vengeance for my disgrace, but that desire will only lead to ruin if you do not temper it. There is a time and place for pride.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she mumbled, cheer diminishing for a moment, then returned, though weaker this time. ¡°Given the threat Elinor is¡ªthis human creature¡ªI would have cut her to pieces regardless of the other clans¡¯ opinions. I do not fear the other three clans in the slightest¡­ So why do you think I decided this course of action is best, Dalria?¡± ¡°With respect, Elder Chief, as you said, we can¡¯t let her go unchallenged. You¡¯ve seen what she¡¯s done. Letting her consolidate her power is¡­not wise. Is this a test of my courage? Between the minstrels, you, and me, we could slaughter every¡ª¡± ¡°That quen¡¯talrat Elite Hunter and Ethereal Scout will tear through every one of the forces we brought with the exception of maybe you, young Xaria,¡± Krava cut her off sharply, causing her jaw to snap shut. ¡°Yes, I know you have hot blood at this moment. But she holds power that cannot be underestimated. You will not waste your warriors or your lives in some futile attempt at glory. Understood?¡± Dalria scowled but nodded. ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Ahem. Elder Chief Krava?¡± the human chimed on approach. He held up a hand as the warrior escorting Jennifer almost backhanded her for speaking to him without prompt. The small creature didn¡¯t flinch once, confirming Krava¡¯s suspicions. This was not one of the weak humans they¡¯d brought back but a leader of some kind¡­ One Elinor was opposed to and who could be a competing rival. Her words were chosen carefully, and not what he had expected. ¡°The Xaltan,¡± she suggested, her tone smooth as river stones, ¡°could be persuaded to join us, I believe. Their strength would add a formidable barrier to whatever Elinor plans next before you gather the forces of the Great Chiefs of the Lowlands.¡± Krava didn¡¯t respond immediately, his pale eyes scanning the secondary camp as they arrived. Where did she learn about the Xaltan? The frightening part is that she¡¯s not wrong¡­ Her Mysticism is as dangerous as Elinor¡¯s. His gaze drifted from the wide-eyed warriors around the camp, awaiting his orders for their company since the main force was already preparing to return to their land. After careful deliberation, he turned his attention to Jennifer and the new Xaria nearby. Xaria burn or thrive¡­ Ambition is tested in flames. I cannot waste warriors but she needs to go through her marks. Humans are snakes in the brush but will you heed my wisdom¡­or fall for the promises she weaves, as Valdar fell for Elinor¡¯s sweet words. Tone neutral, he said, ¡°Dalria will handle the human hostage. I¡¯ll hold you responsible if this falls apart, Xaria. Be careful of her words¡­but gain the Xaltan¡¯s support by informing them of the Roxim¡¯s weaknesses and the threat Elinor poses.¡± ¡°Me? A solo mission?¡± Goosebumps ran down her slick skin as she placed a fist over her chest. ¡°Of course, Elder Chief! I will gladly jump into Xaltan territory and deliver your message personally.¡± Krava¡¯s hands tightened around his staff. You¡¯re focusing on the wrong part of the duty. The Xaltan are not as dangerous as the frail human you are escorting. I hope you do not disappoint me. ¡°The human¡¯s name is Jennifer,¡± he continued, catching every twitch she made. ¡°She is a human of some¡­power. Be cautious of her. I will leave you to decide how many of your squadron will stay with you but once you have finished pitting the Xaltan against Elinor, you are to take her to the Grasslands.¡± His vision narrowed, causing sweat to gather across the young woman¡¯s skin under his scrutiny. ¡°Under no circumstances are you to take her to the clan¡­ Understood?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jennifer¡¯s expression matched Elinor¡¯s¡ªperhaps a smile¡ªthough he thought he caught a flicker of something else in her face. Satisfaction, perhaps. ¡°A wise decision, Elder Chief. Xaria Dalria seems most qualified.¡± He gave her a long stare before grunting. ¡°If Elinor weren¡¯t a greater threat than you, then it would be you who was gutted here and now.¡± She gave him a deep bow. ¡°Then I count myself most fortunate. Please, make use of my talents and knowledge. I will tell you all of Elinor¡¯s weaknesses.¡± Brushing past the woman, he muttered, ¡°I am counting on you, Dalria.¡± Krava didn¡¯t look at her again. He didn¡¯t trust her¡ªdidn¡¯t trust any of the humans, with their soft voices and hidden edges. Yet, for now, this could turn out in their favor. Allowing a human to fight a human would give far more insight than anything she would tell him outright. He didn¡¯t look back at Jennifer or Dalria as he strode into the shadows of the jungle with a solemn heart. The storm rolling in overhead was a fitting backdrop to the chaos brewing in his chest. Stopping beside two of his minstrel Mystics, their lithe forms blending seamlessly into the foliage, he placed a heavy hand on each of their shoulders. ¡°Come with me,¡± he said, his voice a low rumble against the rising winds. The elder of the two Mystics inclined his head silently, but the younger, with streaks of gold painted across her arms, cast a questioning glance toward Dalria, who was already organizing her warriors. ¡°Elder Chief,¡± Dalria called, stepping forward, her voice edged with concern. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t go alone¡ªeh, even with two Mystics. There are too many dangers beyond the valley, especially with this storm and Elinor¡¯s undead forces.¡± Krava smiled, faint but sharp as she jogged forward to re-engage him. ¡°You are young, full of fire,¡± he said, his tone almost indulgent. ¡°But don¡¯t mistake energy for understanding. You have much to learn in being a Xaria. Be smart¡ªdo not overestimate your strength, nor underestimate mine. I am still a Rank-4 Xaria, despite my age.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for her reply. With a fluid leap, he disappeared into the trees, the two Mystics following close behind. The branches bent under his weight as he climbed higher, several other minstrels having taken the hint to join from the shadows until the canopy opened. The first lashes of rain streaking the darkening the skies showed in the distance. The wind roared, pulling at his pouch and rattling the flute tied to his staff. At the top of the trees, he paused. The two Mystics stopped a few paces back, crouching silently on the thick branches. Krava turned to face them, his voice cutting through the howl of the wind. ¡°The humans are crafty,¡± he muttered, looking down from their high perch to the clearing, where the giant quen¡¯talrat loomed. ¡°Their power lies not only in their weapons, or even their otherworldly abilities, but in their convincing words. Elinor is a force unlike any we have faced, and this Jennifer¡ª¡± His expression darkened. ¡°¡ªshe is no less dangerous.¡± This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it The Mystics nodded, their expressions grim but resolute. ¡°Dalria is young and impressionable,¡± Krava continued. ¡°How she handles this task with the human will determine her worthiness. But mark this: she is not to return to the clan with Jennifer. Be like the Ethereal and watch everything. Your eyes are mine. If she falls for vengeance and glory¡­then she will do so of her own consequence. The clan will live on.¡± The two Mystics saluted silently, their hands forming the intricate pattern of the clan¡¯s minstrel oath. Few understood this side of their clan, even within its ranks. Minstrels were of a class of their own¡­and Elinor managed to slay one. Without another word, they disappeared into the jungle, their forms swallowed by the rain-slicked leaves. Krava breathed deeply, watching the storm¡¯s fury rush across the valley, the sensation it brought washing over him. He leapt down, branch to branch on his passage toward the river. A time passed in silence, only broken by the crack of distant thunder, until his feet met the soft mud of the riverbank. A faint quake ran from the pouch against his chest¡ªa message¡ªcausing him to pause by the swollen waters, churning angrily from the rising winds, and he crouched at the edge, untying the leather strap binding the contents together. He extracted the spiked yellow seed quivered, one of its jagged points weeping amber. The sight sent a shiver through his spine. Something important has already happened? This is Kestilsa¡­ What has Dalria done? Or¡­has she been killed by the human? If so¡­ He reached for the ritualistic flute tied to his staff and paused, his fingers brushing the worn wood. A single tear slipped down his weathered cheek, mingling with the rain. Valdar¡­ If you hadn¡¯t joined her¡­ This time you¡¯ve gone too far. Is there anything left of you now? Or has that creature stolen you entirely? Shaking off the thought, he washed the weeping amber sphere in the water before returning it to his pouch. Next, he plucked out a vibrant orange pod from within and placed it on a stone beside him. Bringing the flute to his lips, he played a few sharp notes. The seed tumbled, tendrils snaking out to writhe like roots in search of soil. They coiled upward, forming a lattice-like mask, which he lifted and pressed over his left eye. When he opened it, the world fractured and reformed in a rush. He was no longer staring at the riverbank but through the eyes of one of his minstrel scouts¡ªone use of their diverse Mysticism. The scout crouched in the jungle¡¯s shadows, peering into the camp where Dalria and Jennifer stood in quiet conversation. Krava¡¯s breath hitched as he watched Jennifer extend her hand, her voice low and soothing. A faint, glowing mark appeared on Dalria¡¯s chest as she hesitated, then grasped the human¡¯s hand. The young Xaria¡¯s expression shifted¡ªuncertain, then resolute, and finally, alight with something Krava recognized all too well: ambition. ¡°Dalria,¡± Krava hissed, his hands curling into fists. The scene shifted as the scout moved to gain a better vantage. Jennifer was speaking again, her words serpentine, her gestures subtle but powerful. ¡°I warned you¡­but you want to be the one who takes the glory of killing something I fear¡­ You wish to make me proud. Fool.¡± His stomach twisted as he caught a few phrases through the scout: ¡°¡­strike her mother¡­a force deep within the earth¡­¡± The rest was lost to the noise of the jungle. ¡°All humans are poison,¡± he muttered, the words bitter on his tongue. ¡°Manipulators. Corruptors. They twist everything they touch.¡± Reaching for his flute again, he played another sharp sequence of notes. Through the tendrils of the orange seed, he sent a silent command to the minstrel scout: Continue to observe. Record everything. Do not interfere. The scout¡¯s acknowledgment pulsed faintly in return. Krava played the release note and ripped the mask away; the orange pod crumbled to a withered husk in his hands. His chest heaved as he stared into the encroaching storm, night approaching. For a moment, he held onto hope¡ªhope that Dalria might find her way back, might resist the human¡¯s temptations. But it was a faint hope, and one he dared not trust. Krava sat motionless as he stared at the dead ritual seed for a long moment, then tucked his flute away and rose. Nine pods remained. Nine more chances to gather the evidence he needed. The ritual seeds would all be recorded to the Plant of Visions by the time he reached the Great Chiefs, he would have enough to prove the danger Elinor and Jennifer posed¡ªnot just to his clan, but to the entire valley. A reckoning was coming¡­ Just as my ancestors warned the others about the White God¡¯s rise, Elinor¡¯s threat will be greater. Only I can gather the forces needed to deal with her. He moved like a shadow through the dense undergrowth, his staff shifting the damp foliage without a sound as the deadly storm struck. The Roxim side of the river had changed, huddling behind rocks, oblivious to his presence. Their splotched green skin told him all he needed to know, and not one danced in the rain with their flames. The once-proud clan, who had rivaled his own in battle, had become a husk of what they once were in only a few generations. He could feel it in the way their warriors patrolled¡ªlazily, their formations loose, their discipline lacking in the rage of the wind and thunder. They relied too much on their torlim now, the massive reptilian creatures padding through the underbrush with their slitted eyes flicking about. A fine war beast, bred for endurance and aggression, but no replacement for the raw discipline of a true warrior. Krava crouched beneath the cover of a thick-rooted tree as a group of Roxim warriors passed mere feet away. Their once-glorious Firewalker Mysticism, the gift of their ancestors, had faded from their lineage. Their blood had mixed too much with the clanless, the wandering tribes who had no loyalty to any banner. With that dilution had come weakness. He could see it in their sluggish movements, in the way their senses failed to pierce the mist of the Maw¡ªthe scar the Avana left many decades prior frightening many of their patrols to move around it. Weakness¡­ All I am greeted with is weakness in this valley. Even in my own clan, I see it in the newer generations. Soft. Relying on the strength of the old guard who purged the valley of its major predators. When he was younger, he had faced true Firewalkers in duels, warriors who could conjure living flame into their very strikes, their breath igniting the air in battle. It had been for comradery back then. They¡¯d been one of the few ri¡¯bot who could draw the quen¡¯talrat¡¯s attention and survive momentary contact with their fire. They had been terrifying, worthy brothers at arms. Now, they were nothing but a memory of a time he¡¯d longed to relive. The Maw¡¯s mist curled around his skin like a living thing, thick and oppressive, rising from the blackened depths of the earth itself. The terrain became treacherous, twisted with hidden pits and jagged stones slick with unseen moisture. It was no wonder the Roxim patrolled so poorly here¡ªone wrong step in the Maw, and a warrior could vanish forever. Krava¡¯s senses sharpened, using it as a means to quicken his veins and reignite the fire within him as he moved through the swirling fog, his instincts his only guide. He knew the stories the Roxim chiefs told¡ªknew that some said the mist was alive and could snatch unsuspecting ri¡¯bot into their depths. But he had no time for fear. He moved with purpose, slipping past half-asleep guards, scaling the side of a ravine where the old, overgrown hunting paths were, created by the nalvean army during the Fire Wars. When he finally emerged on the other side, the valley behind him, he felt something lift from his chest. He was free of its rot, free of the slow death creeping through every clan. He would return with the storm. Descending the cliffs to the lowlands, he saw the marshy forests spread out just before the Grasslands. Ancient and towering, thick with gnarled roots that reached like grasping fingers into the rich soil, they awaited with threats which still lingered from the old world. This was a land where the trees stretched toward the sky, their massive trunks covered in vines that dripped with luminescent spores. Creatures darted between the canopy, their chirps and growls blending into the ever-present hum of life. Krava moved quickly, weaving through the underbrush with the precision of a predator. Here, the air was thick with the scent of damp wood and rich earth, the weight of the jungle pressing against his back. He could feel the energy here¡ªuntamed, wild, alive in a way that the valley was not. It took days before the trees began to thin, the dense jungle giving way to rolling hills of golden-green grasses swaying beneath the vast sky. Oddly, he¡¯d made it through without encountering any of the old predators that had been run out of the valley by the quen¡¯talrat and creeping shadows inside their holes. The transition was stark¡ªthe cool shade of the lowlands replaced by the open expanse of the grasslands. Here, the world stretched wide and endless, the horizon a hazy mirage beneath the burning sun. The wind howled across the plains, carrying the scent of distant rain and the musk of creatures unseen. Of course, it wasn¡¯t as stark of a change as what was happening in the valley. Throughout his journey, he¡¯d kept track of everything through his silent minstrel spies: Elinor¡¯s colossal growth, the tension rising between the four clans, her challenge to become their Great Chief. He¡¯d also seen Jennifer¡¯s manipulations, Dalria¡¯s fall into madness, and the way she manipulated the Xaltan to become her arm. Krava pulled his pouch tighter, his body adjusting to the change in temperature. He was right to move immediately to gain support. Elinor was raising an army of the undead. Now, he just had to find a patrol because he hadn¡¯t walked these plains since his childhood. He traveled for weeks, his pace steady but relentless. The land was shockingly empty of settlements, but not of life. He had seen the signs¡ªmassive hoofprints embedded in the dirt, gouges in the soil where creatures had grazed. Then, one morning, he spotted them. A patrol, moving swiftly across the plains, mounted on creatures he had never seen before. They were beasts of muscle and sinew, low to the ground but built for speed, with curved horns that swept back over their heads and thick, plated scales running along their spines. Their strides devoured the earth, their hooves pounding in rhythm as they surged forward. The warriors astride them were ri¡¯bot¡ªsimilar to his kind. Their skin was a deep orange, with markings that spiraled down their arms like the ancient tattoos of his ancestors. Their lineage was clear to him, even from this distance. A split from his own people, a division that had occurred over three hundred years ago. They would recognize him. Krava raised his staff and waited. It didn¡¯t take long to spot him and thunder his way. A quick exchange, and he was accepted on the back of one of the creatures. Not long after, he arrived at the third city closest to the valley¡ªapparently, he¡¯d missed two others to his south and north. Compared to his jungle home, Krava felt small. The city rose before him, a marvel of stone and craft unlike anything in the valley. The Great Clans had not stagnated as they had after the Fire Wars. They had advanced¡­just as Valdar had tried so hard to push for. Towering stone walls enclosed the city, their surfaces etched with intricate carvings of their ri¡¯bot history¡ªhis own clan¡¯s ancient history, before the split¡ªeach line telling a story of war, conquest, and unity under the Great Chiefs. Beyond the walls, the architecture was a blend of practicality and beauty¡ªangular buildings of smooth stone, reinforced with wooden beams, their rooftops adorned with banners of deep reds and golds. The streets were filled with life, ri¡¯bot of all ages moving with purpose, their postures strong, their gazes sharp. Even the youngest among them carried themselves with the bearing of warriors. This¡­is what Valdar wanted. It is here, old friend. You only needed to step outside of the valley to find it and bring it back¡­ You didn¡¯t need to sell yourself to that human of death. Torlim, larger and more robust than those of the Roxim, moved through the streets, their riders guiding them with an ease that spoke of years of training. Above, great birds circled¡ªmassive creatures, their wingspans equal to a torlim¡¯s length, their riders gripping long, barbed spears. Skyborn warriors, their presence a reminder that the Great Clans did not fear battle on any front. I must convince the Great Chiefs¡­ The living versus the dead. They still believe in the Supreme Chiefs. At least¡­Father said they did. A lot can change in a century¡­as the valley proves. We must advance before the valley itself turns into The Pits. Flying beasts, though? Where did they find them? It doesn¡¯t look like there are many¡­but enough to be a threat. Krava¡¯s breath hitched as he took it all in. This was what the valley had lost. This was what his people should have become. If only you could have described it like this, old friend, then there would be no dissension. Will you join me if I show you this? A warrior guided him through the bustling streets, leading him toward the central keep where the city¡¯s commander awaited. Krava barely noticed the path, his mind caught between admiration and shame. How have we fallen so far behind? Could we have become this had I listened to you Valdar? If so¡­I will not fail you this time. Relying on non-ri¡¯bot is not the way to advance¡­ Humans are dangerous and must be eradicated. They are growing out of control¡ªthriving¡ªunder Elinor¡¯s leadership. Soon¡­there will be nothing left for your people. It was the technology that struck him the hardest. It was not the metal of the humans, nor the simple tools of the valley clans. No, this was something refined, something ancient. Bronze gears turned on great machines, mechanisms of pulleys and levers adjusting the flow of water through the city¡¯s aqueducts. The soldiers bore weapons with sleek craftsmanship, blades balanced to perfection, shields reinforced with layered metal in a way that spoke of careful engineering. And the arts¡ªby the Supreme Chiefs, the arts. Murals lined the streets, depicting great battles and legendary Great Chiefs of their past during the Fire Wars when one of the White God¡¯s captains was sent to eliminate them, each piece capturing a moment in history with stunning detail. Statues of past leaders stood tall in the plazas, their visages carved with precision, their stances exuding power. Krava exhaled slowly. He had spent so much time focusing on war, on the immediate battle with the Xaltan, Flex, and other threats to the west, that he had forgotten what true greatness looked like. He would remind his people. The warrior leading him halted before the towering doors of the commander¡¯s hall. They were reinforced with bronze and decorated with intricate filigree, the craftsmanship exquisite. ¡°You will be given an audience with City Chief Lekara, Elder Chief of the Komath,¡± the soldier informed him, his voice firm but respectful. ¡°If she sees it appropriate, then she will fly you to the capital to meet the Great Chiefs. If your warning is true regarding this threat being like unto the White God¡­then war is upon us once more.¡± Krava grimaced, gripping his staff tightly. ¡°I have more than words, young warrior¡­ I will show her exactly what power Empress Elinor holds. A fraction of the forces she commands¡­ And she only grows stronger.¡± B4 — 16. Minion Break The tunnels groaned with age, thick with the scent of damp stone and stale air. Elinor barely noticed. Her mind was already ahead of the moment, threading calculations through the Nexus like strands of an intricate web. Her silvery hair whipped behind her with the rapid movements of the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone she rode atop, its many legs scuttling smoothly along the unnaturally smooth tunnel floor. The creature¡¯s metallic-like inky frame shifted below her, calculating every step so as not to dislodge her. The Nexus pulsed with live updates, a distant hum in the back of her mind, supplying her reports in real-time from Garu, Death, her father, and Camellia¡¯s incoming presence. Ash¡¯s skeletal horse raced beside her, the cloaked figure riding it searching the darkness for danger. Hooves clicked eerily against the stone on their silent journey, moments away from joining the Ethereal scout. The deeper they went, the colder the air became, not that she felt it. The temperature reflected the information feeding through their private conversations¡ªGaru was in danger. ¡°Empress, I¡¯m not facing a Xaltan¡­ He¡¯s on the level of an Ethereal Xaria. If I can buy thirty more seconds, it will be a miracle. Perhaps you shouldn¡¯t come.¡± Elinor¡¯s nails tapped against her crossed arms, watching the curving hallway stretch on before them as they raced to join him. At this range, she could feel the damage done to the drone she¡¯d given to Garu. If that¡¯s the case, I better feed into his ego¡­ Emerald eyes hardening, she opened her mouth; she didn¡¯t need to raise her voice. ¡°Elder Chief Varnak¡­ Given your new attributes, I am sure you can hear me through those trembling threads you carry. Did Jennifer run and leave you to die by my hands?¡± Ash¡¯s fingers tightened against his reins, his hollow eyes shifting to peer at her from under his hood. ¡°Empress, your father won¡¯t be pleased¡­¡± Well? Her lips twitched upward as she felt a gust billow out of the branching tunnel they swapped to, thick mist curling to embrace them. She ignored Ash¡¯s warning. After all, he¡¯d said that he trusted her, and this was what her instincts told her to do. ¡°¡­He¡¯s stopped attacking, but I can hardly sense him at this point.¡± I¡¯m sure he has¡­ After all, you¡¯re nothing but a snack to him, and I¡¯m the main meal. ¡°I hear you, Empress of the Pits¡­ Come, see what awaits you within the dark.¡± Camellia¡¯s analytical tone held caution behind it as she made contact. ¡°From what the drones are feeding me, Varnak¡¯s body is¡­changing. Fast. Too fast. It cannot be just a biological boost from ingesting the Egg Essence of my little sister. His body is breaking down and rebuilding at an impossible rate. Every cell breaking apart¡­ Yet, something else is repairing his cellular structure at an even quicker rate.¡± She paused, sounding even more bewildered. ¡°It¡¯s too uniform, compared to the guardian and drones I ate¡­ There is a method behind it that perfectly counters my kind¡¯s bile, as if engineered for it¡­like my mother taught us to do.¡± ¡°Not regeneration,¡± Death muttered, ¡°but replacement? A more scientific method?¡± That would be my guess, Elinor hummed, feeling a shiver run down her spine. It can¡¯t be ritual related, since the witches were saved. The Scarlet Hand¡¯s influence? No, she would have used it earlier instead of relying on my brainwashed witches¡­ This has to be the nalvean¡¯s doing. Death turned his head slightly, moving closer as they came to a stop inside the foggy chamber Garu hid in. Undead crawled out of the deep shadows that trailed him, some heavily armored ri¡¯bot from the Clanless to defenseless partial corpses, clawing their way across the stone with guttural groans. ¡°The empire itself?¡± Doubtful¡­ Elinor exhaled slowly, steeling herself against the rush of battle-lust that clawed at the edges of her control. Warlord¡¯s Bloodlust simmered inside her like an ember waiting to catch flame. She didn¡¯t indulge it. Not yet. With [Warlord: Soldier¡¯s Spirit] on cooldown for the next six days, she had to rely on her army. The mist thickened, curling along the floor. Her th¨¦lm¨¦thra chittered beneath her, sensing the shift. The next moment, Garu flipped out of the shifting haze, only to be locked in place, thread snapping tight around his frame. ¡°It took you long enough, Empress,¡± Varnak chuckled from within the haze. ¡°Your own soldier¡¯s ability is used against you.¡± Garu¡¯s ruby eyes showed resignation, waiting for the inevitable. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Empr¡ª¡± Her Horseman of Death surged his forces forward to surround them, the carcass of her unintelligent drone swung out of the mists, hanging around her trapped Lieutenant. However, instead of waiting for the cinematic show Varnak was setting up, Elinor unfolded her arms and jumped. Time seemed to slow as she felt the panic rise from Ash and Garu, her unbound hair fluttering behind her as she landed before her stuck Ethereal warrior. A moment later, the clattering of chains filled the space, four [Chains of the Damned] ripped through space to attach to the silk binding Garu, locking them in place.
[Soul Lock: Activated]
Landing lightly on her feet, undead surging around her to defend against any counter attack, Elinor found her hands behind her back as a heavy tug tensed against her chains¡ªher willpower held it firm. ¡°A rather clich¨¦ psychological attack, Varnak. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± Slow, measured claps came from within the swirling veil, dozens of mindless undead being cut to ribbons only meters away. Ash leaped off his horse to stand before her, sickles dripping with Death Energy, his steed moving to guard her opposite side. Yet, Elinor didn¡¯t flinch, holding her chin eye while peering into the gray. Save your soldiers once testing the limits he¡¯ll let them invade the cavern, Ash, she prompted, keeping her cool gaze neutral. He¡¯s drunk on his own senses and power but as incredibly sharp as they are, he isn¡¯t even a child using them. We need to¡­ She paused her thought as the Elder Chief¡¯s figure materialized from the blanket of thick vapor. Not old. Not a wrinkle on him. Large yellow eyes alight with life. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t this a surprise¡­ You look as young as Garu. Congratulations.¡± The Nexus pulsed, feeding her the quiet tension as all eyes locked onto the smooth-skinned ri¡¯bot. Ash and Garu waited, unreadable yet expectant, waiting for her command. Garu¡¯s emotions burned raw, unfiltered. Shame. At being bound. At being protected. At being lesser. And beneath it, hotter than any fear¡ªa hunger for strength. He didn¡¯t need to say it. She felt it thrumming through his soul. Elinor kept her hands behind her back, her posture unshaken, even as her chains groaned under sudden resistance. Varnak lifted his fingers lazily, tightening the webbed threads between them, but just as quickly, he let up, laughing low under his breath. ¡°You act like a Great Chief would, human,¡± he mused, rolling his shoulders as though testing his body¡¯s new, impossible limits. His tone carried no mockery¡ªonly pleased recognition. ¡°Jennifer was wrong about you.¡± Elinor arched a brow, feeling the small, measured movements of his body, noting every shift in stance, every adjustment in balance. He was settling into his strength, pushing it, tasting it, reveling in it like a beast coming into its prime. ¡°She thought you would hide behind your dead.¡± He chuckled, stretching his fingers in slow amusement while testing her chains. ¡°Yet here you are, in the flesh to save one of your own¡­ I suppose you can¡¯t bring them back a second time. Interesting.¡± He¡¯s returning to his youth, soaking in it¡­ As accurate and deadly as he is, this youth came at the cost of his wisdom and prudent thought. I can work with that. The implication was clear: he admired that she was bold enough to stand before him rather than cower behind her forces. Elinor let the small, knowing smile touch her lips in the artificial stalemate between them. He had the power, and he knew it, but he wanted to boast his superiority. A mistake on his part. Jennifer knew how deep this old toad¡¯s pride went¡­and used him to block me. Well played. I hope it was worth it. You survived but lost everything you¡¯d tried to build against me¡­or was this all a plot in the grand scheme of this game in order to contact the nalvean? ¡°And what else was Jennifer wrong about?¡± she posed, tone almost light, conversational, though her chains remained taut, their groan echoing in the chamber. Her gaze flicked across his body, studying him in real-time¡ªhow his muscles flexed beneath his newly reconstructed skin, how his posture carried none of the stiffness of age. ¡°Have you not taken Jennifer¡¯s power, then? Your son certainly made use of it¡­with the support of my poor witches,¡± she continued, eyes half-lidded, watching for the smallest reaction. ¡°I don¡¯t see the Scarlet Hand¡¯s mark on you, though.¡± Varnak¡¯s jaw clenched¡ªa flicker of something, just for a moment¡ªbefore he let out another soft laugh, rolling his shoulders again and lazily pulling on the silk. The noise her chains made wasn¡¯t pleasant, yet they held. ¡°I did not need her gifts.¡± He spread his arms slightly, letting the mist coil around him like a throne unseen, his golden eyes gleaming in the low light of the green-flamed undead around them. ¡°I have the blood of a princess of the Creeping Shadows within me.¡± His voice deepened, almost reverent, as he exhaled, lifting a hand to his own chest. ¡°All things are prey before me.¡± The Nexus pulsed. Camellia¡¯s somewhat agitated voice came through, grumbling in distaste. ¡°Ick. I can hear him through the thread network. He sounds like my middle sister.¡± Her words carried a mix of irritation and amusement. ¡°She liked to talk to her prey, too.¡± A soft click of her tongue fed through the connection. ¡°Hopefully, our new youngest sister won¡¯t get that bad habit.¡± Elinor¡¯s lips barely twitched, but her mind was already moving, snapping pieces into place. It¡¯s that bad habit that will be his downfall. Something we should keep in mind for when I do find that sister of yours. If he thinks of himself above all things? Perfect. Let¡¯s see how far that arrogance can be stretched. She turned her head slightly toward Ash without looking at him directly. You are my strategist now. Direct things when I leave you until Camellia arrives. Buy me ten minutes. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Ash¡¯s hollow gaze flickered with the first hints of alarm. ¡°Ten, Empress? Camellia herself thinks she wouldn¡¯t be a match.¡± Trust me. You¡¯ll have the means. His fingers curled at his sides as Elinor stared down the prideful Elder Chief. The fabric of his cloak whispered with the movement. His concern wasn¡¯t strategy¡ªit was risk. ¡°You no longer have your phylactery.¡± His voice was quiet, edged with something almost close to human emotion. ¡°One wrong move. One whim by him, and you are dead, Empress. We should have retreated the moment Camellia understood the danger and warned us.¡± Elinor simply lifted her chin. Why do you think I will need it? She queried in return, almost playfully. Is it a risk? Yes, but there is a reason Varnak is meeting me like this¡­ It¡¯s because I¡¯m showing the traits of a Great Chief. The thing they value in their culture. If I run, while the Roxim Chief is captured, then everything I built will burn. She turned her attention back to the dark-skinned toad, speaking aloud this time. ¡°Do you know your son has been killed by one of my Royal Court members, Varnak?¡± she asked, her voice steady and direct. A pause. ¡°And do you know who did it¡­will be here shortly? How about a bet?¡± The chamber seemed to still. The way his body tensed was subtle¡ªnot an outright reaction, but a shift in weight, a minor stiffening of the fingers. A faint ripple in the perfect flow of his movements. Elinor saw it. She saw everything in ways she hadn¡¯t until seeing Irkalla¡¯s visions. Another gear slid into place. Causing her smile to widen further.
[Level Up - Level 29] [1 Stat Points Added; 5 Available] [1 Feat Extension Point Added; 4 Available]
[1 Refinement Point Available] [1 Branch Feat Point Available]
The chamber hung in eerie silence. Mist coiled like living tendrils around them, the stale air thick with tension so tangible it seemed to press against her skin. Varnak¡¯s golden gaze bore into Elinor, curious¡ªa predator contemplating the worth of its prey. ¡°Are you suggesting I should avenge my son through a contest, Empress?¡± His voice carried a note of amusement, but beneath it, something sharp and waiting. ¡°A tactic to live but a moment longer? I heard you were immortal¡­ Perhaps that was overstated.¡± Elinor hummed, taking a more casual posture, her expression tempting. That was the opening she needed. ¡°Every death of my people, I feel,¡± she smoothly conveyed, stepping forward a mere fraction and making the toad prepare for action. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you want to project the most pain on me, Elder Chief? To obtain the highest degree of honor amongst your race?¡± The webbed threads between them trembled as Varnak¡¯s grip tightened, his fingers flexing like talons around invisible strings. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right?¡± she continued, voice like silk woven with steel. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t kill me first. You¡¯d save me for last¡­ You know I can¡¯t compete physically. You believe me immortal in any case. I require¡­other methods to handle.¡± She let the words settle. Let them sink into the untouched arrogance in his chest, let them fester in the seat of his newfound divinity¡ªat least that was how he felt. Then, softly, she smiled. ¡°But let me be clear¡­ You¡¯ll never get through them all before reaching me.¡± A flicker¡ªhis pupils dilated slightly. ¡°What are you spouting, Human? I could cut you and your host to ribbons in the blink of an eye.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± She tilted her head, watching as the weight of her words slithered into his mind like a worm, burrowing deeper and deeper. ¡°You are about to have the greatest fight of your life, Varnak. Don¡¯t cut a tongue that will sing your glory. A battle is upon you that will exceed even your fame in the Fire Wars.¡± Her voice dipped lower, an edge of mirth curling at the edges. ¡°But your hubris in giving me this leeway¡­will be your downfall. You won¡¯t last the hour.¡± The air snapped.
[Limit Break Activated: Minion Break II]
A sickly green aura surged outward, crawling up the bodies of every undead surrounding her. The ground vibrated with the flames that engulfed her. The Nexus pulsed like a war drum in her mind, synchronizing the battlefield in an instant as her bottled power flooded her soldiers. Varnak¡¯s lips curled into something feral, his fingers closing. Threads snapped tight. Her chains shattered. A heartbeat of stillness. And then¡ª Garu dissolved. His entire form collapsed into vapor, reforming a few meters away, his body no longer the same.
[Garu¡¯s Grade Has Advanced: Uncommon to Rare]
His mist deepened, flickering with an unnatural iridescence. His form solidified in front of her, stronger, faster, his eyes gleaming with renewed power. Varnak¡¯s body tilted, slow, calculated, watching the shift. He flexed his fingers once more, drawing his threads back to his frame. The jade flames illuminating the fog danced off the cavern walls, shadows flickering in chaotic patterns around them. And then, from within her horde, Elinor smiled. ¡°The battle has only just begun,¡± she whispered, voice smooth as glass. ¡°You should pace yourself, Elder Chief. I wouldn¡¯t want you burning out too quickly.¡± Varnak¡¯s pupils constricted. His muscles tensed. And at that exact moment¡ªElinor closed her eyes, severing her hold on the physical world, letting the roars of the undead and the clashing of steel fade into nothingness. The moment she withdrew inward, the tension bled away. No longer surrounded by mist and flame, she opened her eyes to the cool, flickering blue glow of the grand hearth. The scent of aged parchment, wax, and rain-kissed stone replaced the blood-tinged dampness of the cavern. A faint patter of liquid drummed gently against the large glass window to her left, rolling thunder humming in the distance as she overlooked her soon to be valley. Elinor sat before a towering fireplace, the gilded spear of Ashrit mounted above it, gleaming with sinister golden light between Butter and her halves. The warmth of the flickering flames did not touch her deadened gaze as it went to her sister¡¯s side. Still darkened, only hanging on by the faintest threads of their twin souls. A great black-and-gold organ at the far end of her chamber sighed as if it had been waiting, deep chords rolling through the vast space like the slow breath of a slumbering god. Accompanying it, violins stirred¡ªa symphony of control, of inevitability. Elinor exhaled through her nose, reclining in her chair while taking note of the fractures in the room, the rain falling through cracks in streams. Allowing the steady hymn of her breaking soul to filter through her. Oddly, it was comforting. I can¡¯t say why, but I like this feeling of¡­vulnerability. I can¡¯t rely on my own strength. It¡¯s nice having power. I can flex and join the battle myself at times, taking the Warlord path. Yet, I am also a Lich Empress¡­ With a desire, her transparent sheets of cascading black and white script folded open midair. Her status menu unraveled, calculations forming as she reviewed her available resources. Numbers. Percentages. Growth projections. Five stat points¡­ Her fingers tapped idly against the armrest as she parsed the calculations, already running projections on what she would need to invest in for the future. A few adjustments, carefully placed, could turn this into a controlled slaughter with her available improvements. Then again, she had to plan ahead. She smirked, turning her gaze to the storm-veiled valley stretched beyond the cracked glass walls of her sanctum. Outside, distant phantoms of herself moved like wraiths¡ªvisual echoes of Irkalla bleeding through, of her evolving self, flickering in and out of sight between the shifting storm clouds. In the light reflection on the surface of the glass, she saw her ears becoming more pointed over time. Perhaps I will have to face my own past, Butter. Will you be there to support me¡­or use it for your advantage to gain more ground? Her focus returned to her sheet. It really is a benefit to save your points for later dates due to our expanding souls. Can I do this¡­
[Path of the Warlord Tree - Refinement Time - 7 Days]
I can¡­ Interesting. With that one refinement, I¡¯m touching on every one of its branches. Just as refining [Primal Force] doubled my EXP gain. Well, I suppose the more proper way to say it would be to refine my ability to absorb spiritual energy from my environment and those I kill. With that down¡­ How about my Branch Feats? Studying her options, her brow furrowed upon spotting a rather intriguing addition that hadn¡¯t been there on her earlier examination. The moment she refined the Warlord Path, it had appeared. Three new branches:
[Warlord Attack Feat Branch: Dominion I - For 10 minutes, every minion under Warlord¡¯s command gains a temporary boost to Dexterity, Force, and Energy. Doubles [Monarch of Death¡¯s] range and the effects of any offensive enhancing Feats of the Warlord. Modifiers: Scales with Force, Dexterity, and Energy.] [Warlord Defense Feat Branch: Death¡¯s Bastion I - For 10 minutes, creates a passive aura of defense around the Warlord based on the stats of their highest defensive unit. Doubles the defensive enhancing Feats of the Warlord. Grants buff to all minions based on modifiers. Modifiers: Scales with Defense, Energy, and Tenacity.] [Warlord Utility Feat Branch: Warborn Strategist I - For 30 minutes, grants the Warlord a real-time tactical overview of all forces under their command, akin to a battle-map they can process in their mind, allowing for precise counter-strategies and predictive maneuvers over territory already discovered by the user¡¯s minions. Unintelligent minions can be given slightly more complex orders to follow. Modifiers: Scales with Constitution and Mental-based Feats.]
Contemplating them for a few seconds, her finger tapped [Dominion] as her choice. Conflict was always the last result in building a kingdom, but in the end, laws and rules could only be enforced through force. If I need [Death¡¯s Bastion] I¡¯m already in trouble¡­and I can always synchronize with Dad¡¯s soul if I need the defense. Still, the defensive option isn¡¯t bad, and a battle of attrition is always an option. Right now¡­ I need the speed to overwhelm Varnak. Swiftly going down the list of Feat Extensions, she saw several that could be useful. Yet, she had one more level before 30, and large changes typically came with a new tier. Levels one to nineteen gave her a base growth for her soul. Twenty had been a massive shift into the next tier, showing her soul was expanding with her new Path Trees. Thirty could be just another growing marker, potentially giving her further developments in her Path¡­ And given that she was currently refining it, it was worth holding off sinking points into something she might regret later. The final question came with her Stats. Dexterity is a problem for me¡­to an extent. By channeling the soul of someone like Camellia, or even a drone, that is totally mitigated. Yet, the multipliers are what seem to be the greatest bonus with Stats¡­ I have 5 available, and the closest one to 10 is Strength¡­ Stronger chains are always a benefit. She invested the points.
[Strength 10 Achieved] [Strength +1 Granted]
Now with her Strength practically 20, she immediately felt the increase in not only her body, but every Feat that gained from its multiplier. Her gaze fixated on her remaining points.
[4 Feat Extension Point Available] [Minion Break II Time Remaining - 2:34 minutes]
¡°Empress, I¡¯m nearly there!¡± Well, then I suppose it is time to end this war. Her Inner Sanctum bled into colors, the sound of thunder and rain fading to the sharp clash of metal, and the collapsing of dead corpses to the floor. Illuminated emerald eyes opening, she tightened her grip around her wrist at her back, seeing the litter of corpses around her in the dense fog. The clash of sparks through the mist, the flash of neon blue light from Garu¡¯s skin patterns tracing across the space. Death fought beside him, flame-wreathed bodies marred with gashes and cuts that leaked their essence. They were struggling more by the minute, Varnak getting more and more accustomed to his new body. Without waiting to see more, she whispered, ¡°Camellia, show Varnak what a true th¨¦lm¨¦thra princess is capable of¡­ I dare say this may even bring you up to your original power.¡± Raising a fist to the air, she said one word that echoed through the halls. ¡°Dominate.¡±
[Warlord - Domination: Activated]
Volume 3 - The Kaspir Kingdom is Release! You can click the cover art for the link or just click here ---> Link <--- Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. I''ve finished uploading Volume 3 of Undying Empire! I know it took a bit to get out and I had set a goal to have it done by Feb. 1st, but the artwork took a bit longer than I anticipated. I hope you like it! I will say, I loved the Kaspir Kingdom arc. It really added a lot and brought forward a new place our Empress can get support from. Especially as we wrap up volume 4 and what is planned for volume 5. Let me know what you think! B4 — 17. Ticking Clock Cloak billowing around him in the swirling mists, Ash stood beside his empress as the clatter of bones, flesh, and metal scraped across the damp cave floor. His skeletal frame shrouded in the folds of his hood, a small crown rimming his skull in the faint aura of green fire that illuminated the endless waves of undead pouring from his elongated shadow. Some were little more than brittle skeletons, their sunken, burning eye sockets fixed on their target with a mindless hunger. Others bore the worn armor of the Clanless ri¡¯bot, scavenged from the northeastern mountain fortress¡ªshields dented, weapons dulled but functional. Among them, the pale forms of humans joined the fray, sailors and soldiers from the Kaspir Kingdom who had drowned at sea and joined his rank, their sodden remains pulled from the abyss to serve. Death stood tall, his horse an ashen presence of doom opposite him, guarding their mistress. Elinor¡¯s calm, calculated words put a shiver through his soul, every baited syllable drawing Varnak in. Confidence unwavering. Her low whispers, mixing with the swirling mist like slow piano chords, tapped to each quake that ran down the Elder Chief¡¯s spine. Her presence, demanding attention. Her unnatural cadence of death, a haunting ax over Varnak¡¯s throat. Her perceived immortality, a mysterious bone-chilling reality to confront. Elinor¡¯s chin lifted with a small, mocking smirk, her voice like silk as chains locking his soul snapped. [Minion Break II] activated. A rising tide of undead crawled out of the darkness within him, their emerald light casting a glow across the fog. ¡°The battle has only just begun¡­ You should pace yourself, Elder Chief. I wouldn¡¯t want you burning out too quickly.¡± Varnak¡¯s muscles tensed, pupils constricting, still filled with drunken power as their empress retreated into her Soul Sanctum, leaving the battle to them. Ash took the reins of the battle, mind turning.Varnak moved with impossible grace, his rejuvenated form cutting through the mass of undead with a precision that bordered on artistry. Each sweep of his silk threads dismembered and decimated, like a steel wire blender, leaving a trail of severed bones and a mist of Death Energy exploding in his wake. Garu and the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone prepared to engage, the fog coiling tighter around them. ¡°General¡ª¡± Hold¡­ Confusion shot through the Nexus, the pair hesitating but following his command as Ash brought up his sickles, crossing in front of his chest. The whirlwind of death pressed closer. The shadows underneath Ash grew longer, forming behind them. ¡°In the emerald twilight, Irkalla releases Her dead¡­¡± A haunting pulse rippled through space, Varnak immediately leaping back into the blinding fog, the tide turning as something unseen rattled¡ªchains. Links snapping one after another. Stillness erupted. The wall of dead before them filled the void with chattering teeth, echoing through the tunnels. The scratching of bone on stone followed. The thud of the dead¡¯s feet pounding in unison with the rising choir. Ash slowly extended his sickles to either side, a thin jade-green line tracing their movements. He flicked it in a single circle, brought them high, and cut down the center. No more dead rose from Ash¡¯s extended cloak. Now, a rumble shook the cavern. And every last body Ash had snatched since being resurrected quivered at the call: jungle beasts, Kaspir¡¯s forgotten souls, and every ri¡¯bot Clanless he¡¯d absorbed surged forth. A flood of corpses unlike anything he¡¯d released before¡­ Every last body. Ash¡¯s words, barely above a whisper, touched every ear. ¡°¡°And I looked, and beheld a pale horse, and his name that sat upon him was Death¡­and Hell followed with him.¡± [Gates of the Damned: Opened] Colossal black doors rippled into being, touching the large cavern¡¯s floor and ceiling as if ethereal, blocking them from view. Chattering teeth, scraping bone, and stomping feet ceased. An eerie silence ensued. The gate cracked open. The billowing of charged energy swept away the mist. And then¡­the screams started. The cries of the damned echoing from wall to wall. ¡°The way is open.¡± Varnak¡¯s laugh rippled through the chamber, a twisted melody of arrogance and exhilaration. He stood tall amidst the emerald haze, his silk threads weaving a barrier that seemed alive, shimmering with the essence of his newfound vitality. ¡°Yes, Empress! Yes! You think shadows and whispers frighten me? I will unravel every thread of your twisted game! Yes, release the Pits! Crown my legacy as the one who conquered Death itself!¡± Ash¡¯s hollow sockets burned brighter, his sickles raised as the echoes of the damned rose into a cataclysmic resonance, surging forward to push the Elder Chief further into the tunnel. From the colossal gates, the horde surged forth, an endless tide of corpses cascading into the cavern like a living wave. Jungle beasts with rotted hides snarled as they leapt at Varnak, their claws glinting in the green light. Kaspir sailors, their bloated forms dripping with saltwater, swung enhanced blades, found along the sea floor with chilling precision. Clanless ri¡¯bot, armored in scraps of their former lives, hurled themselves at the Elder Chief, their broken bodies a testament to Ash¡¯s unrelenting command. The clash was deafening. He sent the unintelligent th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone scuttling forward, its severed limbs already sealed by silk, its movements fluid despite the damage. Yet, he withheld the rest, vision turning away from the fight to their inactive empress. The flood is only a distraction. The Empress commanded us to buy her ten minutes. This should give us the majority of that. How close are you, Camellia? ¡°With the Empress¡¯ enhancement, seven or eight minutes. Several tunnels collapsed during my fight that I must burrow through.¡± Enough time then¡­ When all of my minions are spent. You two will engage him together, he ordered, locking eyes with Garu and the intelligent drone. What is your opinion on the mist, Camellia? The arachnid woman¡¯s voice was far more grim than he would have liked. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter to us. Well, if he were in total control of his abilities but I can tell he is not. Every generation, Mother is able to adapt new, more powerful attributes into her daughters. Typically, the last child will be the dominant. If that is the case¡­he has potent skills he has not yet understood how to utilize.¡± I can see that, Death muttered, watching the battle through the horde he¡¯d released. However, he was adapted to her in egg form, if I understand it correctly since there would be no way they could extract anything from her while hatched. Doesn¡¯t that developmental stage mean something? He can¡¯t be as powerful as a fully formed princess of your species. He hasn¡¯t adapted totally to the blindness of the mist. Varnak moved like a phantom, his body a blur of motion as his threads lashed out, cleaving through flesh and bone with surgical precision. He didn¡¯t even attempt to hide his presence, as he¡¯d done against Garu. The mist of Death Energy that exploded with each strike did nothing to slow him. He twirled his threads, turning the horde into ribbons, their bodies piling at his feet in grotesque heaps. ¡°If that is the case, it is more an issue with his limited brain. We feel the atmosphere as if it were our nerves. Our perception is beyond your ability to comprehend, which the Empress experienced when channeling a mere drone¡­ I feel him adapting.¡± Flames flickering in his sockets, his gaunt, skull-like mouth pulled into a grim smile. Then let him adapt. We will save the mist for after the flood. Even if it delays his strike by a fraction of a second, it is worth it. Until then¡­all we can do is wait. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Garu crouched low against the cavern wall, the emerald haze and sporadic fire swirling around him, its glow casting eerie shadows that danced and flickered across the jagged stone. His hands clenched and unclenched, the cool sweat of his undead body mixing with the faint mist that clung to the air¡ªan ability of his more than his previous natural glands. Time passed slower than a sluggish river, each minute marked by the relentless flood of undead crashing against Varnak¡¯s spinning threads and stolen blades. The cavern floor was littered with the remains of Ash¡¯s horde¡ªsplintered bones, twisted metal, and the black ichor of corpses pooling in thick, viscous puddles. Every wave sent through the Gates of the Damned was annihilated as Varnak danced among them, a blur of sharpened precision, his threads cutting through the tide like razors through paper.
[7:00 Minutes Remaining]
He¡¯s playing with them¡­ Testing their limits. Garu¡¯s ruby irises tracked every movement, noting the subtle changes in Varnak¡¯s form. The Elder Chief¡¯s rejuvenated skin now shimmered faintly under the green light, a sheen that hadn¡¯t been there minutes ago. His threads no longer snapped at random but sliced in calculated arcs, thinning the horde with cruel efficiency. Jaw tightening, frustration boiling beneath his controlled exterior, he cursed his weakness. He¡¯s on par with Ethereal First Rank Xaria as it is, and he hasn¡¯t even reached a fraction of his potential. Can I ever reach those heights? I shouldn¡¯t need to. I¡¯m a scout. But¡­it¡¯s frustrating. His hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his dagger, the ancestral weapon humming faintly with the energy coursing through it that responded to his wrist movements. But¡­I¡¯m not ri¡¯bot anymore. Am I? He certainly isn¡¯t. The thought lingered. His body, though still familiar, no longer felt the same after all the upgrades he¡¯d received, especially with [Minion Break] pushing him into the Rare category. The mist he could summon¡ªhis once-signature ability as an Ethereal Scout¡ªhad dissipated into the emerald haze, replaced by a force he barely understood. The Empress¡¯ power. That twist of his body¡­the unnatural bend of his torso. No, he¡¯s changing. The Elder Chief moved with unnatural fluidity, his strikes precise and devastating. This wasn¡¯t the old, frail leader he¡¯d read at the start. This wasn¡¯t a ri¡¯bot at all. Garu¡¯s gut twisted as Varnak¡¯s head twisted to look right at him¡ªthey didn¡¯t have maneuverable necks¡ªhis lips peeling back to show diamond-like fangs as he bit into one of the corpses, ripping it to pieces. His laughter filled the cavern, deep and vibrating¡ªhe vanished. A flash of silver caught Garu¡¯s eye. Instinct took over, his body twisting as a dagger, stolen from the dead, embedded itself into the wall beside his head. The blade sank deep into the stone, a testament to the force behind it. Close¡­ And he¡¯s only playing around, lost in his own expanding perception of everything. We must all look like insects to him¡­ Is this what Camellia sees? The difference in strength of the Royal Court? This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Varnak¡¯s laughter echoed through the chamber, filled with manic glee. ¡°Your reflexes are sharp, boy! But are they sharp enough to keep your head attached when the next strikes?¡± Garu¡¯s throat bulged slightly, his breath steady as he pushed down the rising frustration and doubt. Every second counted down like droplets of water in a still pool of water. His form only grew more twisted. More lethal. He¡¯s turned into a monster. Skin once supple and smooth, now hardened with a faint sheen of reflective carapace. His movements grew faster, each twitch becoming less natural, too fast.
[6:00 Minutes Remaining]
Garu scanned the battlefield. The emerald haze thickened, obscuring details but failing to slow Varnak. Standing at the mouth of the tunnel to the princess¡¯ nest, guarding Jennifer¡¯s escape. The Elder Chief was relentless, cutting through the next wave of Kaspir seamen. ¡°Garu,¡± the intelligent th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone hissed, its voice shockingly soft in the Nexus. ¡°Prioritize avoiding the threads. They¡¯re thinning, becoming harder to see. I feel them expanding along the floor and ceiling.¡± He grunted in response, dodging another whip-like strike from Varnak¡¯s silk that sliced cleanly into the wall behind him. I don¡¯t need to see them, Garu muttered, his eyes narrowing. I can feel the shifts in the mist¡­ He¡¯s toying with us. The th¨¦lm¨¦thra didn¡¯t respond, its focus on sending live reports to Camellia regarding his adaptations. Another change put a shiver through Garu¡¯s soul. Two lumps of flesh pulsed on Varnak¡¯s back, swelling grotesquely before splitting open. From the raw, glistening wounds, two new arms emerged, their skeletal structure hardening into sleek, spear-like points. Below his normal limbs, two more began to sprout, their movements unnervingly smooth and synchronized. He¡¯s not even a ri¡¯bot anymore, Garu grimly thought. He¡¯s not a th¨¦lm¨¦thra. This was who they worshiped¡­ This is what they aimed to become.
[5:00 Minutes Remaining]
The flood of undead continued to pour from the Gates of the Damned, their relentless tide somehow pressing Varnak deeper into the tunnel. But instead of slowing, the Elder Chief seemed to draw energy from the chaos, his strikes growing more ferocious, his laughter more unhinged. The air itself vibrated with his growing presence, the eerie pulses of predatory heat rippling through the atmosphere. Garu simply watched. He exercised his newly gained senses under [Minion Break]. He learned through every action Varnak took. Yet, even in his heightened state, Garu noticed something beneath the surface¡ªa flicker of instability, a hint of the toll his transformation was taking. He¡¯s burning through his energy faster than he realizes¡­ His transformation is slowing down. Are these new additions harder to develop¡­or is he simply reaching the end? The th¨¦lm¨¦thra hissed again, its bright, gem-like eyes gleaming in the dark. ¡°If we don¡¯t act soon, there will not be anything left to fight with, General. Your undead grow smaller.¡± Ash¡¯s steady voice didn¡¯t falter. ¡°That¡¯s the point. Prepare to engage. He¡¯s only been able to act on instinct until now. By rushing him, we¡¯ve seen the limits of his natural skills and burned more of his energy. This is the last wave.¡± Camellia cut in like a sword, her tone sharp and eager. ¡°I¡¯m nearly there. Hold him just a little longer.¡± Ready, Garu muttered, rolling around his shoulders. Extending my mist. Varnak¡¯s body pulsated with an unsettling rhythm. New eyes opened across his frame¡ªon his shoulders, his abdomen, even the crown of his skull. They glowed faintly, shifting independently as if scanning every angle of attack, his form lengthening, becoming more spindly. The next wave of undead surged forward, their screams mingling with the hiss of silk and the sharp snap of bone. Garu watched, his heart pounding in his chest. Each second feeling like an eternity. The minutes stretched on, each one marked by the relentless clash of death and the growing tension in the air.
[4:00 Minutes Remaining]
The mist coiled tighter around Garu¡¯s form, twisting with the emerald haze like twin serpents in a dance of tension. The cavern floor, layered thick with dismembered corpses, gave off a stench that clawed at his senses¡ªbloated humans leaking bile into the pooling ichor. Every step squelched, his toes finding purchase on slick stone as his sharpened eyes tracked Varnak. The Elder Chief now stood upside down on the ceiling, his spindly frame pressed against the stone as if gravity were a mere suggestion. His newly grown eyes swiveled independently, taking in every angle, the glow casting a nightmarish shimmer over his flesh, like shifting silk. His laugh rolled through the cavern, deep and resonant. ¡°Still scurrying, boy? Does the fog empower you, or do you simply cower beneath it?¡± The monster¡¯s words dripped with venom, his form twitching as his threads began to writhe like living tendrils. ¡°You think to best me, Ethereal? Look around. Your army is nothing but scraps¡ªhundreds, slaughtered to return to the Pits!¡± The th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone hissed beside Garu, its legs tense as it prepared to lunge. ¡°General, I will take the frontal assault. His webbing has spread across the entire cavern¡ªmost of it hidden above. I can cut a path. Captain, strike when he falters.¡± Garu nodded, realizing that, right now, he was a Captain. His focus narrowed to the predator above them. The mist around him thickened, stretching to weave into the haze, its movements subtle but deliberate as it sought out the threads. ¡°Let him play and waste time,¡± Ash whispered. ¡°He¡¯s adapting faster than I expected and not showing signs of slowing. I believe he¡¯s found his rhythm. But that will only heighten his pride. Don¡¯t go for the kill. We are ordered to buy time, not end him.¡± The drone darted forward, its sleek form a blur of speed as it closed the distance. Silk threads erupted from Varnak¡¯s spear-like arms, lashing out in jagged arcs. The drone dodged with unnatural precision, seemingly shocking the unnatural creature as it sliced through several strands with its eight limbs. Garu moved. His mist expanded further, enveloping him in a shroud that made his movements difficult to track. He darted forward, dagger glinting in the faint green light, throwing a dagger at Varnak¡¯s exposed side. The Elder Chief¡¯s reaction was instantaneous. His form molded like liquid, bending out of the way. A flick of Garu¡¯s wrist curved its trajectory¡ªthread bound it in place. Dammit¡­ There goes one of my daggers off the jump, he snarled; making the gesture to return would only pull him toward danger. Garu flipped his remaining dagger to deflect a few rocks that flew at him from the side. Maybe I can use that later¡­ Are you serious? Varnak twisted his body, threads snapping toward Garu like coiled vipers as the corpses around them began to rise, silk weaving into their torn apart bodies to stitch them back together. ¡°You aren¡¯t the only ones who can manipulate the dead!¡± Garu dispersed, the mist swallowing him just as the string sliced through the space he had occupied. Reforming on Varnak¡¯s other side, his blade illuminated with the unknown energy inside his elders infused into their weapons. He cut through a bundle that moved to entangle his partner¡ªfor the first time, he felt resistance¡ªit only partially severed. Varnak¡¯s laugh echoed, filled with manic glee as the arachnid managed to barely escape due to the slight window he¡¯d given. ¡°Better, but not good enough!¡± Forced to retreat, Garu¡¯s body converted to vapor as he narrowly avoided the deadly silk. Above, the th¨¦lm¨¦thra drone landed on the ceiling, continued its assault, severing strands with ruthless efficiency that wove toward Ash and the Empress.
[3:00 Minutes Remaining]
Garu¡¯s breath came steady, controlled, though the mounting pressure gnawed at his resolve. Varnak¡¯s form had grown grotesque, his elongated limbs and web-covered body twisting with each motion. The newly sprouted arms moved independently, their spear-like tips weaving more threads into the chaotic lattice above. At least he¡¯s not as proficient in creating silk as a real th¨¦lm¨¦thra or we¡¯d be dead by now. ¡°General, Queen!¡± the drone hissed, its voice sharper now. ¡°I¡¯ve lost track of some of his newer threads¡ªthey¡¯re layered in ways I haven¡¯t felt before. They¡¯re¡­turning invisible!¡± ¡°One of my second younger sister¡¯s affinities?¡± Camellia answered with concern. ¡°He isn''t remotely close to her control. It will move incredibly slow.¡± Invisible? Garu¡¯s mind raced as he dodged another strike, the silk brushing dangerously close to his skin, and it wasn¡¯t even this phasing silk. I don¡¯t know how to do what you just said. The drone¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts, grim and resolute. The drone lunged again, its barbed pincers slicing through the dense threads even ¡°He¡¯s cloaking his web somehow¡ªthere¡¯s no time to analyze. I¡¯m going to cut through as much as I can¡ª¡± Garu didn¡¯t have time to react, still midair, the world moving in slow motion. Every beat of his undead heart, fueling him with unlife pumping through his ears. A rush of information poured from Camellia, igniting within them in the fraction of a second. ¡°Don¡¯t! He¡¯s baiting you! Don¡¯t focus on general atmospheric shifts. Identify the spaces that are unnaturally still and the slightest vibrations of moisture. Her silk phased through things as if not there¡ªhow did you not know that¡ªit¡¯s incredibly thin, and camouflages itself to appear as anything!¡± ¡°I have failed, Queen¡­ I hatched just after the collapse of the hive.¡± Unseen silk wrapped around its legs, binding it mid-motion. ¡°I can¡¯t escape, General,¡± it hissed, its tone calm despite its fate. ¡°I die in service to the Empress.¡± Garu moved instinctively, dispersing into mist to close the distance. His glowing dagger flashed, aimed to cut the black thread that materialized the moment it snatched the drone¡ªbut a sudden pull on his arm stopped him cold. Shit. Varnak¡¯s diamond-tooth-like grin grew. His wide vision tilted down. Obsidian thread materialized as if from thinair. The silk coiled around his forearm like a worm, tightening with each rapid heartbeat, the monster¡¯s fingers twitching closed¡ªit sliced into his flesh, shearing through muscle and skin like a hot blade. Mist swallowed him. His form dissolved as the thread snapped taut. Reforming several meters away, he staggered, his arm reduced to exposed bone, almost all the flesh stripped away in jagged chunks to reveal smoky bone, infused with jade veins¡ªenergy leaked out of him. ¡°Dispers!¡± Ash commanded. Half turned, Garu barely saw the black thread already materializing around his leg. How did he know where I¡¯d reform? He tried to disperse again, but that slight hesitation cost him. I can¡¯t.
[2:34 Minutes Remaining]
A sickle sliced through the air, severing the thread before it could tighten further. Ash¡¯s skeletal horse leapt over Garu, its illuminated hooves landing heavily as it kicked him backward. Garu wasn¡¯t even sure how he¡¯d made it to him that quickly. ¡°Pull yourself together and prepare¡ª¡± Ash growled, his voice cold as ice. ¡°Empress?¡± A shiver ran down Garu¡¯s throat, time moving to a crawl as all noise muted the Nexus. Their empress¡¯ figure rose up as he fell toward her. He tumbled over the corpses, his body sluggish but still functional as he looked down to see most of his flesh shaved away once again¡ªhis stamina was leaking out. ¡°Empress!¡± Varnak laughed, his voice echoing like thunder. ¡°Your minion¡¯s necrotic tricks amuse me. He must be a general of your empress! But you won¡¯t save them!¡± Garu dispersed in fog, appearing above the monster to stab him through the skull as the eye atop it dilated, now weeping red liquid. Ash leaped from his mount, the horse phasing through the threads, decaying them on contact. The two clashed. Ash¡¯s sickles met Varnak¡¯s twin, spear-like hands in a shower of sparks and necrotic energy. Garu struck, yet an unseen force struck his back, propelling him through the air. And, for a moment, Garu lost track of their movements in the chaos, echoes of their strikes cascading through the tunnels. But then, with an explosion of emerald fire and swirling darkness, Ash flew backward to land beside Elinor. Ash¡¯s hood was thrown back, part of his crown shattered, and a deep gash marred his skull. Despite the damage, a grim smile spread across his skeletal face. Their empress seemed to move as if in water. He blinked, twisted in the air, kicked off the wall, and shot toward her. Landing on his bony foot, most flesh dissolving into green mist, he took up a defensive position. And then, she spoke. ¡°Camellia, show Varnak what a true th¨¦lm¨¦thra princess is capable of¡­ I dare say this may even bring you up to your original power.¡± Raising a fist to the air, she said one word that echoed through the halls and through every soul connected to her. ¡°Dominate.¡±
[Warlord - Domination: In effect]
Garu¡¯s gaze snapped upward just as crimson threads streaked through the air, colliding with Varnak¡¯s black silk in a dazzling clash. Camellia. B4 — 18. A Sister’s Promise The stagnant air twisted around Camellia as she surged through the cavern¡¯s winding unfamiliar tunnels¡ªher mother¡¯s guiding hand everywhere her senses landed. Below her nest, her mother had created her own. Everyone moved as if in slow motion, every action in her environment tracked.
[2:24 Minutes Remaining]
Her bare feet struck stone, walls, and ceiling with as much force as she could muster, yet she still felt so weak¡­slow. Each step sent vibrations through the silk threads laced within the earth, feeding her real-time data of the labyrinth she once called home. The cavern groaned in response to her rapid descent, a spectral echo of the past whispering through the dense fog that clung to the air. Faster. Stronger. Not enough. Her ruby eyes narrowed as the pulsating presence of Varnak loomed ahead, a sharp contrast to the countless micro-movements she sensed in the webbing that coated the ancient nexus. His hybrid form, a grotesque blend of ri¡¯bot and th¨¦lm¨¦thra, exuded an eerie sensation against her many hairs. The drone is trapped. The Empress just awakened. He doesn¡¯t sense me yet? Such a narrow and slow acting nerve system. Inefficient but still adapting. Sister, I¡¯m coming! Camellia leaped from the ceiling, her crimson hair flaring behind her, anchoring to the walls to propel herself forward like a spear of death. The cavern blurred around her, but her focus remained razor-sharp, every movement calculated, as her mother had taught her. Her foot touched the first connected thread to the inner nexus, sending a jolt through her entire body. She¡¯s gone? My sister¡¯s gone. The chemical trail of her youngest sister¡¯s egg burned against her senses, a phantom weight pressing down on her chest. Molten rock, noxious gas, and a draft that pulled upward told her all she needed to know in that split second¡ªJennifer had escaped on that nalvean¡¯s floating device with her sister. Mother, I failed you again¡­ Desperation flickered at the edges of her mind, but she strangled it with cold resolve. Varnak¡¯s form materialized out of the mist ahead, his silhouette shifting unnaturally, his body wrapped in silk so fine it nearly vanished against the dim light. Vapor whipping past her, Camellia felt emotion she never had in life. Rage.
[Warlord - Domination: In effect]
The green flames surrounding her converted to crimson, matching her trailing silky locks; a flood of power filled her veins at the Empress¡¯ words. Both feet landing, the refined and reinforced stone fractured as she became a blur, her hair swirling in a tight ball around her. Varnak did the same the instant he noticed her. Impact. The collision sent a shockwave through the cavern, stone splintering under the force of their combined momentum. Camellia¡¯s limbs locked, her muscles coiling tight like a spring, absorbing the impact as her silk flared outward in controlled bursts. Her nerve system expanded further, taking into account all elements within the ground, air quality, and slightest vibration. His world narrowed to a single point¡ªher. He lost the battle of strength. Despite that, Varnak met her force with an uncanny grace that sent a ripple of unease through her instincts. I¡¯ve only played with my sisters or mother. What should I expect from a ri¡¯bot with our attributes? His limbs, a grotesque blend of ri¡¯bot agility and th¨¦lm¨¦thra strength, flexed unnaturally as he skidded backward, anchoring himself to the cavern floor with the invisible strands of her younger sister. She felt the faint, almost imperceptible tremors of his web spreading across the battlefield, a delicate lattice hidden within the dense mist. A mimicry of her youngest sister¡¯s primary craft¡ªformer youngest sister¡¯s craft. Camellia¡¯s lips curled into a snarl. Cheap imitation. Mother would have been insulted by the inefficiency. My sisters would have been indignant at the disgrace. She sprang forward again, fists lashing out with brutal speed, her hair whipping around her in a crimson blur. Each strike met resistance¡ªVarnak¡¯s stolen abilities adapting, weaving his silk defensively to absorb the force. Luckily, Domination allowed her to combat any attempt for a hostile takeover of her web network control, and, unfortunately, he¡¯d gained a passive attribute of her mother that made it all but impossible to take command of his. My, you will be a perfect daughter when you hatch, little sister¡­ Far better than I. He flowed between her blows with an ease that spoke of rapid evolution, but it lacked the refinement, the predatory grace of her kind. ¡°I see you rely on brute force and fluid grace,¡± Varnak mused, his voice a measured rasp as his threads danced, attempting to ensnare her ankles. ¡°Strength with precision that counters even my invisible thread! Yes, this is what I longed for! You¡¯re forcing me to solely¡ªhmm?!¡± Me, fluid grace? Are you blind? You gained my middle sister¡¯s cocky mouth, loving to play with her food, without her disciplined skill. I am beyond clumsy compared to my family¡­but I suppose you do not measure by our standards. Camellia¡¯s eyes flared with ruby fire. Snapping apart his trap with a flick of her finger and sending an electrical pulse through her own, her weave matched his. Twisting mid-air into a downward kick, she drove him into the stone. His pointed arms around his back managed to cross and block just in time, yet the force still pounded him into the ground, fracturing beneath the force. ¡°Ugh! Not bad. I¡¯d say I¡¯m at a disadvantage¡­but you are a real Crawling Shadow, aren¡¯t you?¡± He retaliated with a surge of acidic webbing, the air hissing as it cut through her threads¡ªits potency was similar to her middle sister¡ªbut she was already moving. Camellia¡¯s many brains raced, the seismic waves from his impact showing her an image all around her. The chemical traces of her sister¡¯s stolen egg burned in her senses again, the taste of her failure clawing at her resolve. Her fists tightened. ¡°You mock my mother¡¯s work,¡± she spat, launching herself upward to the ceiling, rebounding off it with a seismic crack and pulse of her web to meteor her faster. Her hair spiraled out in hundreds of fine threads, latching onto the unseen strands plain as day to her that Varnak had placed in the shadows. ¡°You traded my sister¡ªperfection¡ªfor mediocrity!¡± Varnak¡¯s golden eyes narrowed, his muscles tensing. ¡°Mediocrity?!¡± The force propelled him through stone and into a chasm below, only Camellia¡¯s silk pulled tight that she¡¯d snaked around him, cutting all his threads excluding the cocoon he¡¯d wrapped himself in. Hair pulling taut, she whipped him back through the earth to launch him up, straight through the ground and into more tunnels above. He shifted, his form elongating, twisting unnaturally as new limbs sprouted from his back within his protective bubble. The hiss of silk filled the air¡ªthicker, stronger, coated in poison that could melt stone on his path upward. Her silhouette blurred, and in a flash, she was upon him, a whirlwind of motion and kinetic force as she threw him away from Elinor and back into her own territory¡ªto her nest. A crack in his cocoon. Camellia barely avoided his strike, flipping backward. She felt the tension in the air, the rising heat from his body, the frantic pulse of his nerves firing in chaotic rhythm. He was adapting¡ªbut poorly. ¡°You¡¯re too slow to match the fluidity of my middle sister,¡± she huffed, silk threading into the rock to plant her next trap. Not her style, but she could adapt, as well. ¡°You are at the level of a failed drone.¡± ¡°Failed drone?¡± he snarled, acid filming off his slick body to burn into the floor, damaged exoskeleton and legs already healing. ¡°Hah! I¡¯m happy my son was able to die to a real Crawling Shadow and not some undead failure. And I may not understand your hierarchy, and I may be weak, at the moment¡­but I know in my bones you are beneath me, Sister.¡± A quake flared through Camellia like a jolt of lightning, and a soft chuckle left her throat. ¡°Sister?¡± Flexing her fingers, she let the smallest of smiles grace her lips as she leered at him. ¡°To even suggest my perfect mother would be connected to you in any way is¡­insulting. Delusion and potential are far from reality. You have the arrogance of my youngest sister without her talent¡­thief and mutant.¡± ¡°Mutant?!¡± He surged forward. ¡°I am a Supreme¡ª¡± Ducking low to evade his lashing, toxic web, she met it with her own, infused with immunity this time to throw him off. They met, thread pulling tight just before she drove her palm into his silk-defended abdomen, designed for piercing. His internal organs ruptured, black ooze choking out of his mouth. Fool. You have no idea how to work our craft. The shockwave sent him careening into the cavern ceiling, his limbs flailing. Without pause, her silk lanced out, wrapping his midsection and dragging him back toward her, spinning him violently before slamming him upward again before he could break free. Dust and stone collapsed around them as he burst through tunnel after tunnel, her aim precise to take advantage of the pockets of corridors. Varnak disappeared. Camellia took a moment to breathe, building pressure within her joints and limbs to recharge; steam puffed out of her lips with each intake and exhale, releasing heat and regulating her senses so as not to cause distortions¡ªsomething he knew nothing about when fighting at this level. Pockets of air were sucked into her hair, increasing their ability to speed up with electrical and pressure bursts. The rush of crashing waves echoed around her and water gushed out of the cavity she¡¯d thrown Varnak through. Illuminated crimson silk spiralling in front of her into a point, she bent low, and shot after him, liquid swirling around her as she followed his rise to the same platform she¡¯d killed and devoured his son.
[Minion Break - 2:00 Minutes Remaining]
The draining lake churned past her, the water spiraling into the abyss she had carved. Roaring waves carried past her spiraling silk until she made it into the main chamber¡ªthe chamber she¡¯d slaughtered Varnak¡¯s spirit-transferred son. Below, the Empress was already riding toward the egg chamber to confront Jennifer. Slowly rising out of the drawing tide, she latched a thread onto the platform she¡¯d anchored in her fight against Chief Noklan. This time, things were different. Enhanced by [Minion Break] and [Domination], she was roughly 65% to her original strength. Yet, there was a wall she couldn¡¯t surpass. It seemed that even with all of these buffs, she couldn¡¯t break into the Epic Grade, where her original body resided. Water fell off her form as she rose to the platform, buying time, as Ash had originally strategized. Varnak was awaiting her at the place his son had left this world. Unnatural pain clutched at her inner organs. Something visceral that she hadn¡¯t experienced before when in her true form. Guilt. Hate. Anger. A drive to overcome her place in life. My sister is not there, Empress¡­ I¡¯ve failed her. ¡°I figured as much¡­ And I wouldn¡¯t say you failed, Camellia.¡± Elinor¡¯s cold voice burned in her mind, calculating and not as disappointed as she felt it should have been. ¡°You were perfect. I came off too strong. It is my miscalculation in getting Autumn involved. I suspect our hag may have interacted with Jennifer upon looking back. She burned every bridge she had to get away the moment Autumn appeared.¡± Mist curled through the air, damp and heavy, clinging to her skin like regret as her hair pulled her out of the surging tide. Her web held the stone stage aloft, an unyielding lattice suspending it over the void. If I hadn¡¯t taken the time to eat Noklan, I would have been here fast enough to stop them. I was blind to the idea of Mother having a fourth daughter. I¡­didn¡¯t want to believe the implications. Now, Mother¡¯s last living legacy is lost¡­ I cannot track them on the flying device the nalvean used. Elinor arrived at the nest, examining the hole and liquid rock far below where she currently faced off against Varnak. ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about that detail, Camellia. I have plenty of clues to find the lizard who took your sister. It may take some time, but your family will be reunited. I swear it.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Strength bloomed in Camellia¡¯s chest at the promise as she crested the edge. She had to find her mother and sisters. Even if her sisters were annoying in their own endearing, unique ways, one thing she knew for certain. If she had her perfect mother, then everything would be alright. I look forward to our reunion.
[1:21 Minutes Remaining]
Varnak¡¯s hulking form crouched across from her, his grotesque limbs twitching while standing in front of the place where she¡¯d devoured the Guardian his son had possessed. His many golden eyes gleamed, shifting between red and pure black. ¡°I can feel what you did to my son¡­ The lingering pulses in your web, threading through him as if I can see his ghost. These senses are¡­unbelievable. I can feel his incompatibility¡­ His fear and pain.¡± He lifted to his full height, many misshapen th¨¦lm¨¦thra legs flexing with the many invisible silk he¡¯d woven around the area. ¡°I wonder if your empress can survive being consumed? Once I¡¯ve dealt with the two of you, I will make Jennifer pay for what she¡¯s done to my warriors and son.¡± Beneath the bravado, she sensed it¡ªuncertainty. He was adapting, but poorly, his mimicry still leagues beneath her family¡¯s perfection. Still, he was now starting to see how inferior he was. Her ruby eyes narrowed, feeling the sting of loss burrow deeper into her chest upon seeing the lingering essence of the Guardian she¡¯d consumed. The faint chemical traces of her youngest sister¡¯s stolen egg still burned within her senses, the echo of failure not faded but accepted. She clenched her fists. I hate you. The thought jolted her. Hate? She never hated before. Frustration, annoyance, disappointment¡ªthose were at least somewhat normal for her species. But this¡­this was raw, seething, human. Her lips curled, tasting the new, unfamiliar bitterness rising within her. I have to surpass myself. Varnak¡¯s voice sliced through the tension like a blade. ¡°Feeling something new, Crawling Shadow? Interesting. That pheromone feels¡­almost foreign to me now. Punishing Jennifer feels more like a statement of¡­pride?¡± He flexed his stolen limbs, his smirk taunting. ¡°Fear? Regret? Anger? Things those humans feel. Perhaps being a ri¡¯bot is something I should throw away.¡±
[1:07 Minutes Remaining]
She didn¡¯t respond. Instead, her body blurred forward, silk snapping taut beneath her as she rocketed across the battlefield. He reacted just in time, twisting his frame unnaturally to evade her, his spinnerets weaving a shimmering web of invisible threads between them. Too slow. You failed to release heat. Her crimson hair flared outward, slicing through his defenses with brutal precision, severing his attempt at control. Invisible string pulled him back just before she ripped into his chest, spinning in a circle and positioning herself to wedge each limb that lurched to pierce her. Pulled with his retreat, her hair flared out, meeting the silk that erupted from his pores to drill through her. Just before it struck, her form liquified into shadow, spreading over him as she took on her true form. A flicker of panic from him. He dodged, barely, his many jerking limbs and wild silk control just keeping him alive out of sheer numbers. The frustration crackled in his aura like static, feeding her growing loathing. Black spikes of hardened silk jetted out of the ground to spear her. She shrunk back to her human form, using her own silk as a barrier for footing while dancing spike to spike to reach him. So predictable. You mock my family. You mock my sister¡¯s true talent that should eclipse mine. Weak. Pathetic. That I am able to best you, as restricted as I am, makes you an abomination. If I were whole, you wouldn¡¯t be worth my glance. His limbs lashed out with a desperate swipe, coated in acidic webbing that burned through the stone beneath them. She twisted away effortlessly, her hair snapping in precise arcs to neutralize the new poison that could affect her before it reached her. In the next second, she was absorbing part of it into her web to analyze and neutralize. He was improving, but he lacked the artistry¡ªMother¡¯s finesse. ¡°You lack everything that made her perfect,¡± she spat, her voice sharp and venomous. ¡°You think you¡¯re close? You¡¯re beneath the weakest of us. Even if your power outstrips drones, they¡¯d serve you to me without effort.¡± Varnak growled, his frame vibrating with anger. ¡°You talk like you¡¯re so perfect, but I¡¯ve seen your failures.¡± His eyes gleamed. ¡°I know you feel shame for something regarding your family. I taste it in your sweat and silk!¡± Her pulse quickened. With a flick of her wrist, her silk shot out, snaring his limbs before he could react. She yanked him downward, the force sending him clean through the stone and into the lake. Another yank and the thread ripped a line through the rock, carrying him up to slam into the ceiling, where black silk bubbled to cushion him. Crimson spears exploited the flawed weave to slide through and skewer him from the back¡ªonly his internal exoskeleton was cracked from her prelaid trap. He coughed, body shuddering. Still, he smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll adapt. I¡¯m healing. I am evolving! Every twitch you make, I see. I learn!¡±
[46 Seconds Remaining]
Camellia stared up at him, strands of crimson hair spiraling in tight, dangerous coils, electricity stimulating and compressed air tightening further. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, voice laced with newfound venom. ¡°I¡¯m learning. You¡¯re mutating. We¡¯re not the same.¡± Before he could move, her silk constricted, locking him in place. For a split second, she saw it¡ªthe panic in his nervous system. He thrashed, spinning his remaining limbs with desperation, but it was futile. He had reached his limit. His golden eyes darted wildly, then suddenly, his body tensed. ¡°I did it.¡± Camellia¡¯s vision widened¡ªshe felt it. A single, invisible thread latched around her wrist. Her senses were bypassed. His ragged breath turned triumphant, his mouth twisting into a grin as her crimson threads encountered resistance. Obsidian silk was attempting to rip her iron grip apart in that split second. ¡°I got you, Shadow.¡± Sister? A tear formed in Camellia¡¯s eye as she followed the thread to its source, and her stomach lurched. The strand wasn¡¯t his doing but a thread he¡¯d attached to that she hadn¡¯t even noticed and he only attached due to attraction. It pulsed with a slow, lonely rhythm from a massive network that had dug its way through the stone, little by little¡ªan unmistakable presence. Her youngest sister¡¯s blood, dormant inside him, attached to one of her threads. It was moving. Her sister¡¯s lingering impulses were like a tiny leg, coiled around her, grip tightening. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, staring at the thread coiling around her wrist. ¡°You didn¡¯t.¡± His smile faltered. ¡°What?¡± ¡°She did.¡± A ripple ran through the silk, a slow, creeping tendril of violet liquid sliding down the thread, slithering toward her skin. For the first time in over a century, Camellia felt something beyond herself¡ªa touch from her family. Even in the womb, Princess¡¯ had a level of consciousness. You¡¯ve¡­been alone for so long, reaching out through my nest, looking for us¡­and you found my essence. You¡¯re in my nest. Do you¡­think I¡¯m Mother?
[30 Seconds Remaining]
Varnak¡¯s body jerked violently. The stolen blood inside him¡ªher sister¡¯s stolen blood¡ªwas reacting. He convulsed, his limbs spasming as the mutation began to unravel from within. All Camellia could do was place a hand over the tiny, reaching finger of her sister, caressing the tendril of silk. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you were alone, Little Sister.¡± Varnak screamed as his body bloated, the transformation failing. His exoskeleton cracked and split, black ooze spewing from every seam as his insides melted into a writhing, chaotic mass. He howled in agony, thrashing against her web. ¡°No! I was invincible! I was supposed to¡ª¡± Camellia didn¡¯t flinch as the pressure reached critical mass. And then¡ª BOOM. He exploded. A wet, pulpy eruption of corrupted flesh and shattered silk fragments burst outward, splattering the cavern walls. The blast sent ripples through her threads, but Camellia stood firm, untouched, her crimson web absorbing the shock. Silence fell. The mist hung heavy, absorbing the echoes of his final, pitiful scream. All that remained of him was the tainted residue staining the platform, mixing with the draining lake beneath. Camellia¡¯s breath came slow, controlled. Her ruby eyes lingered on the writhing thread around her wrist, the pulse fading. Her sister¡¯s presence¡ªfaint, distant¡ªlingered only for a moment before it dissipated. Her fists clenched. ¡°We will come for you¡­ You will not be alone for much longer. Your sisters will make sure of it¡­ I will make sure of it.¡± Elinor¡¯s voice whispered in the back of her mind, informing her that she was going up the hole Jennifer escaped through and to join her. Camellia exhaled, the weight in her chest pressing harder than before. Slowly, she turned away from the carnage, her silk gathering what remained of Varnak¡¯s bone and gore to wrap it into a bundle. Perhaps Queen Tiffany can make use of it to find her. She jumped through the massive hole she¡¯d created, leaving the battlefield behind her. One thought echoed in her mind as she stepped forward into the darkness, leaving the past behind. Mother, when the Empress does raise you¡­ You will be proud of me. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Sitting cross legged, Jennifer¡¯s fingers drummed against the smooth surface of Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s hover device. The hum of its runic design vibrated through her bones, fatiguing her legs and forcing her to let it give her a butt massage the entire way out of the ri¡¯bot valley. The sharp winds outside hardly grazed her skin past the barrier, carrying the brine of the Great Ruby Lakes and the distant scent of burnt earth and salt. Her gaze traced the horizon, where the first rays of dawn peeled back the night, revealing the vast sprawl of the Nalvean Empire¡¯s Everglade City-State. The rolling Sea Grass Plains spread beneath them, an undulating ocean of gold and green, each shift in the wind sending ripples through the three-foot-tall blades. She¡¯d gotten quite the lecture from the Grand Architect about the empire on their journey, which was far slower than she¡¯d anticipated with the massive egg held below the device. Here and there, clusters of Cold Wood trees, their orange-hued bark glistening with morning dew, huddled along the rivers that carved through the landscape. The air carried the distant call of grazing herds and the low murmur of a waking city that Jumi¡¯kerune ruled over. Behind her, the restrained Roxim Chief groaned against his bindings, unconscious now but alive¡ªfor now. One of the nalvean assistants sat cross-legged in the back, meticulously preparing some kind of herbal concoction for his master, his movements mechanical, efficient. The other? Dead weight. Jennifer spared the corpse a glance, the lifeless eyes staring into the dawn, a silent testament to Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s pragmatism. Even a corpse had use to him. Ahead, the bustling city of Shanguiska came alive, nestled at the neck of a curved peninsula that jutted into a bay. It was a stark juxtaposition to the estate¡¯s sterile precision beyond it at the end of the landmass. Ships glided across the bay¡¯s shimmering ruby waters in the early morning light, their hulls heavy with goods destined for Everglade¡¯s flourishing markets. The city streets, winding and chaotic, pulsed with life¡ªmerchants setting up stalls, workers hauling crates, the rhythmic pounding of forges coming to life. It was a trade empire, after all. The Everglade Estate loomed beyond it, a fortress of black stone nestled on the curved peninsula that jutted into the bay. From above, its sheer scale became evident¡ªwalls stretching high and unyielding, their obsidian surface absorbing the light rather than reflecting it. Towers rose like jagged teeth against the sky, and within the inner sanctum, pristine courtyards and meticulously arranged gardens stood in stark contrast to the fortress¡¯s oppressive exterior. Jennifer¡¯s eyes narrowed as she traced the routes of the guards patrolling below¡ªtoo rigid, too rehearsed. Puppets¡­ It seems my new partner has a disdain for the possibility of betrayal. I suppose he has an obsession with perfection and control. This whole city and fortress are his plaything, moving in calculated synchronicity to present a perfect picture to his empire and statesman representative¡­ All to leave him to his privacy and experiments. It¡¯s perfect. Jennifer¡¯s attention snapped back to the estate. Near the southern edge, nestled among the rocky cliffs, lay a narrow aqueduct system. The faint shimmer of defensive runes betrayed its presence, hidden beneath layers of decorative vines and stonework¡ªa secret entrance, known only to those with the right kind of knowledge. Her mind worked quickly, analyzing. Entry points. Weaknesses. Timing. The platform was fast, but stealth wasn¡¯t its strength. If Elinor¡¯s forces were going to probe the city, it wouldn¡¯t take them long to discover the water entrance. Yet, according to the architect, a direct approach was suicide¡­and the aqueduct was even more perilous. ¡°Jumi¡¯kerune,¡± Jennifer¡¯s voice cut through the hum of the platform. ¡°Cloaking wards, obvious traps for would-be assassins or spies, and a puppet army within your estate walls is impressive¡­but how would they hold up against the dead?¡± ¡°Ah,¡± the man chortled, stroking his scaled chin, sharp eyes darting to seemingly random places as if checking if certain pieces were in place or if warning signals had been triggered. ¡°As bold as Empress Elinor is, I believe it will be at least¡­a month, maybe two before she manages to reach me. And why, my dear fleshy woman, would I need to defend against guests I will welcome in with open arms?¡± ¡°¡­Your funeral,¡± Jennifer muttered, hands tightening in her lap. ¡°I sincerely hope you achieve what you desire, but I will not hold my breath. Just remember, I do owe you, so if you need help, all you need to do is connect to the Scarlet Hand,¡± she chuckled, glancing back at the servant she¡¯d branded, her palm imprinted on his chest. Jumi¡¯kerune smirked at the invitation but didn¡¯t pursue the topic to her disappointment. Typically, Revilla¡¯s promises and whispers were enough to entice followers. Jumi¡¯kerune followed a different type of whisper, though¡ªShade. A flicker of movement below caught her eye¡ªsoldiers stationed along the Cold Wood orchards, patrolling the shaded groves. They weren¡¯t the usual nalvean troops of the City-State or city that he¡¯d pointed out before. Their posture was off. Rigidity masking something deeper. You do have your little zombies all over the place, don¡¯t you? Ones you can turn off and on at will. I suppose when you¡¯re away, you want things running like clockwork to be sure everything functions as you intended, wouldn¡¯t¡ª Her chest tightened as the threads of Revilla¡¯s influence crawled at the edges of her perception. Revilla¡¯s voice slithered through her thoughts, thick with amusement. ¡°Ah, the little chess piece moves. How delightful. Do you feel them, Jennifer? The threads are already woven. Elinor¡¯s green eyes are already overcasting this nation¡­ It will be hers in the end. Unless¡­we devour it.¡± Jennifer swallowed, forcing the eldritch presence into the background. And how do you intend I do that without a single ally left in this world besides a lizard who is debating making me a part of his collection? The vision you showed me was grand, but not that grand. No, I suppose answers will come over time¡­ They always do. Jumi¡¯kerune adjusted the platform¡¯s altitude, the ground drawing closer as they neared the estate¡¯s outer perimeter. Jennifer shifted her stance, eyes flicking to the dead assistant sprawled across the metal deck. Perhaps I can use this corpse myself¡­ The Scarlet Hand can have¡­interesting and unexpected effects on various species. What would you do to it, Lady Revilla? The estate¡¯s black stone walls rose before them, and the scent of smoldering torches mingled with the crisp morning air. Guards flanked the entrance, their eyes scanning the horizon with reptilian precision, unaware of the forces converging upon them. Jumi¡¯kerune¡¯s voice broke through her thoughts. ¡°We¡¯ll take the aqueduct entrance so I can show you the phenomenal piece of art I¡¯ve crafted three centuries ago. It will bypass the more¡­visible defenses and older models. I trust you have no objections?¡± Jennifer¡¯s smile was cold. ¡°None. I look forward to our mutually beneficial arrangements to come.¡± As the platform descended, Jennifer inhaled deeply, the weight of the coming confrontation pressing against her ribs like an iron band. Secrets lay ahead¡ªsecrets beneath the Ruby Lakes that she would unearth, and power she would wield. Failure was not an option. Lady Revilla always provides a way forward¡­ In glory of Her Throne. B4 — 19. Valdar’s Crossing Water began to seep down from the tunnel walls, a gentle trickle that rapidly grew. It pooled at Elinor¡¯s feet, spreading fast, dragging flopping shadows with it. Fish¡ªmonstrously large ones¡ªjerked and thrashed as they were carried along with the flood from the lake above. Their gaping mouths snapped at air, eyes wide and glassy as if they couldn¡¯t comprehend the new, crumbling world they¡¯d been pulled into. Moving through the rising waters, Elinor stepped onto the hot, glowing molten slag of the hole Jennifer had used to breach the Royal Nest of Camellia¡¯s mother. The air shimmered with residual heat, the smell of her burning flesh rising up her nose as she proceeded, Garu on Ash¡¯s horse. Undead heart pumping slowly, she paused in the hole to look back at the dismembered corpse of her unnamed Intelligent and Unintelligent th¨¦lm¨¦thra. She placed a hand over her throbbing chest. I¡¯ve lost three souls¡­ Ash lowered his head, his cracked crown and skull showing with Garu¡¯s own frustrated face, the flesh stripped from his leg and arm that would require time to repair. Ash¡¯s bone damage, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t be repaired. ¡°My apologies, Empress. I wasn¡¯t able to save the drone the moment you stopped his threads.¡± Garu¡¯s fingers tightened around his dagger, gaze on her smoldering feet as she studied the mass of unintelligent undead that the mutant ri¡¯bot had slaughtered. ¡°The drone was far more useful and had a higher Rank than me.¡± Nonsense. Elinor didn¡¯t smile, unbothered by the scent or pain of her melting flesh. There is an argument to be made that your higher level is of greater importance since you¡¯ve broken into the Rare Grade. Prioritizing soldiers by importance is critical in war, as uncomfortable as it is, but you are far from dispensable, Garu, and have talents I can¡¯t easily replace. Tilting her head, she turned away as water gradually rose higher. The clash of titanic forces rippled through the earth from Camellia and Varnak¡¯s battle. Yet, the battle was already won in her mind. She moved further into the nest through the 12 foot long hole to touch cool, soft silk. Perhaps it was my miscalculation to tell Varnak I feel the deaths of my subordinates. Obviously, when Camellia showed up, he¡¯d kill whoever he had in his web¡­ And I was the one who had control. I should have anticipated that he could break my chains and used [Chain Break] to further challenge him. Slag bubbled on the cavern floor where Camellia¡¯s sister¡¯s egg had been taken. Melted stone, blackened and slick, sprawled all along the expansive nest in a cone shape that led up to the opening in the ceiling, 3 meters in diameter. She stopped at the edge of the hardened stone, small streams of liquid trailed down it from the light drizzle that fell into the hole. Her gaze remained steady, despite the destruction and her escaped target. Her father was riding to the opening above them after getting an update from Ash. It wouldn¡¯t be long before he jumped down. Her mind spun on what needed to be done and what came next. The battle was won, but the war still rages on in the west. Just because the Xaltan¡¯s leaders are dead, doesn¡¯t mean their army has stopped. Dad? ¡°Should I join you?¡± ¡°No. We¡¯re coming up in a moment. Soon this whole tunnel system will be underwater.¡± Camellia informed her of Varnak¡¯s demise but it didn¡¯t come with much satisfaction. However, the mention of giving what remained of him to Tiffany to find her sister, and thereby Jennifer put a small smile on her lips. Join us, and collect the drone limbs¡­ I¡¯d like to start a tradition with our fallen undead soldiers. They should all be remembered and their actions recorded in service of the empire. ¡°Yes, Empress.¡± Sensing the determination and anger at having her little sister stolen, Elinor let her stew on it. She figured the topic would come up when she was ready to discuss it. With that, she walked up the rough stone, its surface still warm beneath her feet and the running water. Below the surface of hardened stone the molten rock was insulated and would release heat for weeks. Raising her hand, chains shot out. One tug¡ªand the entire group was propelled upward in a swift, unrelenting ascent. It must have been at least a hundred meters. The wind shrieked in their ears as they shot through the tunnel, breaking free of the earth and into the daylight above. Whatever technology this nalvean has, with power like this, it should have been easy for him to cut even Dad to ribbons¡­ Why steal Jennifer away instead of handling me when I¡¯m stretched so thin? Shooting out of the breach, she tilted the next chains to pull them to the side, landing in the mud of the jungle floor beside her father. The only answer I can think of is that he has plans for me¡­ Is his intent to use the information he has on Jennifer to draw me in or help him with something? Or, perhaps, this is a bigger game that Shade is playing in the background. Whatever the case, that¡¯s a worry for another day. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Elinor didn¡¯t need to ask about Dalria as her father helped her up onto his horse. She was dead. The feeling in her chest told her everything, the hollowness spreading like a slow echo of finality. Now that her real mother could be reclaimed, the pain the Komath Xaria had caused felt empty. She glanced at Garu and Ash and exhaled, the horseman telling her privately that Valentina and Grace were approaching. Her attention was one the flames flickering faintly over their frames. A mix of green and red light¡ª[Minion Break] and [Domination] coursing through their very essence. The green was fading, yet it would still be a short while before [Domination] faded. I can feel myself getting close to Level 30. By the end of this, I¡¯ll probably reach it. Considering how many lives and EXP I¡¯m getting from the death I feel flowing from the west, it¡¯s crazy to think how little I¡¯m actually receiving¡­ Maybe I¡¯ll have to ask the hag about it. ¡°Empress.¡± Grace smoothly flew out of the canopy to land beside her with a peaceful swagger. ¡°I saw a green streak fly across the sky and over the mountain that appeared to be a human and a scaled salamander. Should I deliver my report now? What would be next on the agenda?¡± Valentina jumped down, branch by branch, the seventeen-year-old tiger girl practically wheezing upon reaching them. ¡°W-We beat¡ªgiant dragonfly army¡­ Huge tornado!¡± Elinor couldn¡¯t help a smile at the sweating teen. Light cuts marred her body and patches of blood soaking her fur, yet she was smiling with a wagging tail. Her gaze slid back to the hare man, though, a measured glare aimed at the extremely capable follower of Nungal. ¡°Of course, you saw Jennifer escaping and let her go¡­or should I say Nungal let her go. I want to strangle your goddess, which¡­is not a feeling I often have as of late.¡± She could feel her father¡¯s mirth as Camellia moved below, gathering the bodies of the fallen drones to rejoin them. Grace simply showed a serene smile, ears tilting to the left before reaching up to scratch an itch. ¡°Oh, I understand that feeling, Empress. I had many such fantasies when I was a young boy, following her whims. I¡¯ve learned to find her antics amusing and accept them in stride, which¡­actually annoys her.¡± He flashed his teeth. ¡°It¡¯s fun taking the fun out of her sail from time to time but I think they are allowed slights against her.¡± Valentina snorted. ¡°Wait, Grace, are you saying Nungal likes pouting and getting huffy at her followers?¡± ¡°It seems that way to me,¡± he stated without batting an eye. ¡°So, Empress, what shall we do?¡± ¡°Clean-up,¡± Elinor replied without missing a beat, looking eastward. ¡°We won the battle here, but not the war just yet.¡± Camellia arrived moments later, carrying the items she¡¯d been tasked with. She bowed, dropping the large bundle of silk beside her as her striking figure burned with raging flames. ¡°Empress¡­ I¡¯ve been thinking about a few things.¡± Your sisters¡­and your mother? Elinor asked, hugging her father from behind as they went on the move, heading east to meet up with the armies she¡¯d sent to surround the Xaltan. It was better to talk about important things in the Nexus, where Shade wasn¡¯t listening. Yes, I¡¯ve been considering everything you¡¯ve told me thus far since discovering your new sister. Go on. ¡°You found me in a cave far from where I died, underneath Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma¡¯s black city,¡± Camellia murmured, skipping beside them through the dense foliage as the light mist of rain fell over them within the dark. ¡°I understand we are still at war and I am needed. I want to run after that brazen nalvean who stole my sister and rip him into pieces¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve¡­never had these types of raw emotions as a th¨¦lm¨¦thra, which makes me believe it is from taking in your DNA to better adapt to your way of governing and understand what you require of me. Yet, I know that is a stupid decision that will cause me to waste so much time. Logically, I should find my sisters and mother while you handle discovering where our target is.¡± Elinor hummed, catching her father¡¯s tilted head toward her; she could feel his anxiety and longing for her mother. He was already looking forward to what the hag had promised and that was a topic for a bit later. One she was also looking forward to and somewhat dreading. Turning her thoughts back to her struggling Monarch of the Hunt, Elinor studied her lithe form and precise maneuvering. Even after facing an incredibly dangerous enemy only a moment ago, she was as energetic as ever, holding the sack of goods on her back. And this creature of destruction was supposedly clumsy and extremely weak compared to her sisters and mother. You aren¡¯t wrong. With my [Warlord Passive] I can raise any Monarch Military Unit regardless of Grade, restricting them to my highest current Grade, which is Rare. It would be interesting to see where your family lands¡­ She took a moment to think it over, half-listening to Grace report his battle, Valentina already being carried in his arms since she couldn¡¯t keep up. Hmm. Very well. Now that Jennifer is out of the picture with their chief, it is only a matter of time before the Xaltan fold, if they haven¡¯t already. We have the full military might of four clans converging on them from two directions to deliver the hammer and anvil tactic¡­ ¡°Meaning?¡± Camellia asked, hope blooming in her chest. Elinor chuckled at her enthusiasm, thinking about how excited she¡¯d be to go look for her parents, and even Butter, if they¡¯d all been killed and I could see them again. Meaning, you can go investigate. Do you have a lead as to where to start? ¡°I do, Empress!¡± Camellia became a blur as she broke northwest, toward the Wandering River. ¡°My family was killed by Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma. Mother prepared a giant battling nest below his fortress, breaking into their bottom floor and destroying their protective barrier. I can follow their trails from there. There may even be remains of the White God from our battle that Tiffany can use!¡± A shiver ran through Elinor¡¯s spine, recalling what Grace, Black, and Ash had discovered in the quen¡¯talrat northeastern mine¡ªa barrier-blocked pathway to what appeared to be an underground passageway into the impenetrable city. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. If you can find us another way inside¡­ That is my next goal. Look for your sisters and investigate to see if there are any breaches into the city. The war with the Xaltan may be won, and we have the valley under our control, but Krava is rallying the Great Clans of the Lowlands against us. It will be the perfect buffer in case we need it if we cannot hold them at the southeastern choke into the valley. ¡°Understood, Empress! I won¡¯t let you down.¡± Camellia¡¯s connection drew more distant by the second, and soon enough, she was out of range. The army waited for them to the east. Grace¡¯s report was far more casual and humble than it should have been. Elinor wanted to strangle Nungal for a second time upon hearing the tale. If you can give your followers the power to control literal higher beings within an area to do your bidding out of fear¡­and use them as a freaking wind cage, something is wrong with you! No, you just want to make me bite my hair and pull it out. You¡¯re taunting and teasing me. I know you can hear me, you purple-haired diva! What is your end-game, to see how much I struggle to reach your throne before killing me again? Not long later, [Domination] ended. And all her internal and quite private curses at the goddess snickering at her from beyond the veil died when they got word from Black about a new structure and landmark for the valley. Elinor leaned forward slightly into her father¡¯s back, listening intently to Black¡¯s report¡ªsomething vast, colossal, and newly crafted, splitting down the center of the Wandering River. A structure shaped by Valdar after he¡¯d broken away from their group. She already knew the results before the horsewoman informed her. What were your last moments, Valdar? Whatever it is¡­the greatest thing you did was place your faith in me. I will see your vision through. The last vestiges of the rain trickled through the jungle canopy as Elinor rode behind her father in silence. The warhorse beneath her expertly maneuvering through the foliage, its steps muffled by the soggy ground. The moment they exited, her father couldn¡¯t help but bring them to a stop. Low-hanging mist flowed over the river, yet it couldn¡¯t hide the impossible structure that stretched across the kilometers-wide waterway. Moisture misted off the massive bridge ahead, glistening in the dim light as morning began to rise. Its black wood gleamed as if carved from obsidian, and thick red vines coiled around its structure like arteries, pumping life into the whole valley. The cables shimmered with magic, crimson threads catching the sparse sunlight breaking through the clouds. The central support pillars towered like guardians of a forgotten age, disappearing into the mist above. Her father¡¯s breath came in a visible frost as he reined in and stared across at the colossal structure, awe softening the usual sharpness in his gaze. ¡°I gave Valdar a book on architecture we had from Earth that had the Golden Gate Bridge in it to explain more about my profession,¡± Edmon murmured through the Nexus, his voice distant. ¡°To think that would turn into this¡­ That this would be his legacy.¡± Garu traced the water¡¯s passage under it, following a pack of wild torlim who were tentatively investigating it at its base. ¡°I knew the Grand Plant Caller had power¡­but this is beyond even something my people couldn¡¯t have accomplished.¡± ¡°And he did it in a single hour,¡± Ash commented, glancing to their left at where Grace and Valentina stood, mumbling to one another about it. ¡°You¡¯re on the bridge now, Black? How is Red?¡± ¡°Surviving,¡± the Horseman of War chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Brother. I¡¯ll figure something out. Go on, Black, tell them what we¡¯re planning.¡± ¡°¡­Against my better judgment, I¡¯m taking him with me.¡± ¡°Harsh, Big Sis!¡± ¡°I sent the Roxim to take shelter with the Wixum for now and am going to ride to their land to tell their people to relocate to their lake. It will be temporary but I figured it was the best solution with them being so vulnerable at this time. I¡­don¡¯t know if Red will ever recover due to the bone damage. Still, he can¡¯t do nothing or else he¡¯ll start killing people.¡± ¡°Exactly! I can still ride on my horse and cut people in half with one hand. Just because I lost an arm and leg doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m useless. Will that be acceptable, Empress? Oh, and Quin¡­¡± Is off to the southeast, fighting with the army. I feel her making her way back now, which tells me all I need to know. Elinor¡¯s gaze followed the massive support cables, tracking their ascent to the central tower to where Valdar no doubt waited. It¡¯s acceptable. Ash, Garu, go meet up with Quin and prepare everything for my arrival¡­ I¡¯ll be addressing the Xaltan citizens. ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Grace, Valentina, I want the two of you to return to scout the north and gather the Clanless. In the next few days, I¡¯m going to be holding a massive gathering, and the best place to do that is on the cliff near Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha. The Black City will be where I announce my stewardship and the establishment of the Undying Empire.¡± Grace bowed his head, ears tilting to the side. ¡°An exciting time, Empress. I look forward to the celebration and demonstrations of power.¡± ¡°What does that mean?¡± Valentina interjected as the pair jogged toward the gate, the tiger girl pestering the hare for details. ¡°I know Nungal told you something. C¡¯mon, don¡¯t hold back with me; I can¡¯t hear her yet!¡± That is a good question¡­ What have you foreseen, Nungal? She internally mumbled, staring up at the giant bridge again. Whatever it is¡­I¡¯m sure it will amuse you, like we¡¯re ants, caught in your little terrarium of madness. Hopefully, that big brother you fear will pull you ears soon. Yes. I wish that evil on you. Shaking her head, she tapped her father¡¯s arm to let him know that she wanted to continue onto the bridge. They moved slower now, not overtaking Valentina and Grace as the hare forced the teen into a sprint, making her cry in the distance. ¡°You just want to see me struggle!¡± ¡°Indeed, I do. Pain and suffering are what temper the soul.¡± ¡°Maybe save it for Monday¡­ I deserve a weekend break! Wait, is it even Monday? Shoot, I lost count. Someone was keeping track back at the lake¡­¡± Their voices disappeared into the fog, and Elinor let the silence wrap around her. Black¡¯s voice was still heard within the Nexus, though, informing her on Valdar¡¯s final project. So¡­ It took his entire Mystic order and even Nicole to accomplish it? Her thoughts returned to the twelve-year-old German child. The sad girl had turned into a Faekin Dryad, terrifying her parents and causing them to abandon her and run just before the Crystal barrier separated them, leaving her terrified and alone. Now she¡¯s lost the old toad man who understood her and made her feel like she wasn¡¯t a freak¡­ Who made her feel special. Hopefully, Nina can take over to be her new role model. She looked up to her great-grandfather and took his side in the end. She has big shoes to fill. The rain grew heavier again in a resurgence as they advanced across the expanse. Water hardly pooled beneath the horse¡¯s hooves, the red vines along the sides appeared to be absorbing the moisture to release it over the side, preventing a flood. Echoes of the horse¡¯s footsteps reverberated in eerie synchrony with the faint thrum of the bridge¡¯s Plant Caller and Dryad-mixed magic. Elinor exhaled slowly on their approach to the center of the massive bridge; it really was nearly the exact same size as the Golden Gate Bridge, excluding three support columns instead of two¡ª2.7 kilometers. A spark through the Nexus jolted her focus. Quin¡¯s voice rang out with the thrill of battle still on her tongue. ¡°Empress. The Xaltan have surrendered. Their remaining warriors¡ªwhich are very few¡ªknelt to my glory after I entered the field of combat! They will all be ready for execution at your whim. General Ash has told me to give you this report and that he will gather all the leaders to brief you upon your arrival.¡± Elinor closed her eyes, letting the news settle in her mind. The war was won, and before she even made it to the actual battlefield. I shouldn¡¯t have expected more, I suppose¡­especially after the hag¡¯s involvement that broke up their ranks, washing them down river and leaving them in disarray. I bet she¡¯s listening to us at this very moment. In any case, I have another task for you. ¡°Understood! What is my next assignment? Another rogue group I can squeeze into pulp to feed the creatures of the jungle?¡± Chuckling to herself as her father stopped by the massive center pillar, she dismounted. She walked with him toward the edge to look across the moving, misty waters far below within the heavy rain. A weight lifted off her shoulders upon standing upon the impossible structure, somewhat sad that she couldn¡¯t see its construction first-hand. Her father had a similar feeling. I need you to travel to the northwest and meet up with my sister. ¡°High Queen Butter?¡± The giant gorilla woman was already on the move, having also advanced to the Rare Grade during her recent battle. ¡°Is she under siege?¡± I don¡¯t know¡­ Elinor caught an approving look from her father, shifting sides on the bridge to look to the west. Butter has been further north than I thought she would go. She may have been forced to go on a long trek into the northern lands to circle around the mountains to enter the valley, but she didn¡¯t take that route when leaving it from what I recall from her trajectory. Plus¡­ Mika¡¯s death and her using her Soul Expansion has me concerned. It can¡¯t hurt to give her more support. Considering her dumb blonde sister¡¯s position, and how she hadn¡¯t felt her move closer all night put a paranoid stitch in her side she detested. Honestly, I don¡¯t want to worry about Butter. I half think she¡¯s doing it on purpose¡­ It feels like something she¡¯d do. But pick up some Unintelligent undead from Carlos on your way past the lake and a maid or two. I¡¯m sure she¡¯d love that with how vain she is¡­ She¡¯s going to gloat that I was frightened for her safety when she returns¡­ Then again, a wry smirk lifted her lips, I could twist that back onto her. No, I¡¯m liking this plan more by the minute. Make sure she knows I¡¯m ¡®deeply¡¯ anxious and distressed about her prolonged absence. Make it¡­abundantly clear how upset I am. ¡°You don¡¯t¡­sound upset, Empress? The exact opposite, actually.¡± Snickering, she gave her frowning father a devilish smirk. It¡¯s a sibling¡ªno, a twin thing. One I¡¯m rediscovering and finding quite enjoyable. I know something is wrong regardless. Help my fat sister up and back to her feet. ¡°Oh, no! She fell and can¡¯t get up? Quen¡¯talrat that grew too fat were all put to death in the mines or drowning! They couldn¡¯t swim! I will run as fast as I can, Empress! I¡¯m coming, High Queen! Don¡¯t roll into the water!¡± Somewhat amused by the new and actually quite grim lore of the giant gorilla people¡¯s society, Elinor looked up, allowing Quin to deliver her message. ¡°That was mean, Elinor. You don¡¯t think she¡¯ll see the trap you¡¯ve laid?¡± Butter? Hah! Not in the slightest, Dad. She¡¯s too blinded by her own self-worth. Although, if she does fall for it, as simple as this is, then it will confirm something important. ¡°Which is?¡± The connection faded, leaving only the steady drum of rainfall on the cables overhead. Elinor tilted her head back, the mist cool against her skin. Her lips curved faintly upward in a momentary release of tension before she moved again. It will confirm that Butter trusts me¡­ That she really does want to put this endless game of sibling murder and machiavellian rivalry behind us to be sisters¡­ Equals. Well, sort of equals. There always needs to be the ¡®final word¡¯ person. And that is me. Her father¡¯s body shook with silent laughter, making her give him a suspicious glance with the nostalgia radiating from his spirit. What? ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just¡­that¡¯s something your mother used to tease me with.¡± Tease? I thought it was law. Mom always got her way in the end. ¡°¡­You know, I suppose you¡¯re right. At least with the little things.¡± Sure, Dad. Sure. The central tower rose like a monolith, its sides veined with living red light. Chains manifested at her command, linking to her palm and hoisting her upward. Her father remained at the base, examining the structure with awe. She flew higher until reaching her destination at the heights that should have offered a panoramic view of the valley. Only, the heavy rain left much to be desired, making it appear as if the rolling clouds beneath her hid an endless abyss. At the summit, she found a friend she didn¡¯t think she¡¯d make¡ªValdar sat at the edge, encased in living wood. His hands rested gently on his chest, vines pulsing with faint energy as if his presence still kept the structure anchored to the valley¡¯s fate; it likely did with how connected he was with the jungle. He faced east¡ªtoward the distant lands where his former friend now plotted in secret to overthrow everything he¡¯d worked toward. Elinor moved to stand beside the ghost of the ri¡¯bot who had changed the entire world and likely beyond it. The elder toad who had put his trust in a random alien teenager who had the disturbing power to raise the dead. Her. Taking a seat beside him, she dangled her feet over the edge and gave him a short glance before facing east with him. ¡°You didn¡¯t live to see it¡­but this is certainly something to leave as a monument to your legacy, Elder Chief. I have a feeling you¡¯ll be honored on the other side¡­that you already are¡­¡± She sat in respectful silence for a time, letting the water slide over her soaked hair and damp skin. Whipping away the slick only for more running water to take its place, she let a low chuckle rumble in her chest. ¡°You gave everything to see your vision of a united valley¡­ Uniting the clans and providing a future for you people¡­to your race that you saw the other creatures had during the Fire Wars. Your vision was to unify the ri¡¯bot¡­and I¡¯ll honor that, friend.¡± The rain pelted her skin like cold needles. Her thoughts drifted to the battles, betrayals, and unlikely alliances that had brought them here. How he¡¯d been forced to turn against his own grandson to break the shackles of blood feuds that plagued his clan. She glanced down at the hidden bridge below, a symbol of him uniting the southern and northern valley. A testament to his ideals. ¡°Something like this becomes a pillar in an empire¡¯s history and growth. I didn¡¯t know you long¡­but for long enough. I¡¯ll be sure you¡¯re never forgotten for what you did¡­ For the faith you put in me to fulfill your dream. And something like this¡­needs a name to honor the legacy you made. You built your people¡¯s path with a heavy load on your back¡­ Now rest. I¡¯ll carry it forward. Because, what I achieve, you do, Valdar.¡± Elinor reached out, resting a hand on the wooden encasement. ¡°Until we meet again.¡± With that, she rose, turned, and left the ri¡¯bot hero to rest. ¡°Sleep on Valdar¡¯s Crossing, friend..¡± Chains descending to carry her back to the bridge base. Landing beside her father, she accepted her father¡¯s hand as he pulled her up. Turning south, she rode to meet with her commanders and prepare for the establishment of her empire. The war was over. Now was the time to prepare for the next. B4 — 20. The War is Won Low fog clung to the uneven meadow like a shroud, weaving between broken weapons and shattered corpses. Light rainfall trickled over crimson-stained earth, pooling beneath the stiff forms of fallen warriors. The stench of the place was heavy with death, not that it bothered Elinor. Dismounting with her father at the edges of the Komath clearing, Elinor moved through the corpses and resting toad warriors. Whispers of her presence spread through the ranks like a plague, dread, anticipation, and relief in their words. Her bare feet sank into the soaked terrain, the air heavy, weighed down by tension and the remnants of violence that still echoed in the silent glances of the gathered clans. The war was over. They¡¯d won. Now was the time for the victors to make decisions¡­ For her voice to be heard. Ahead, a circle of logs arranged around a central clearing came into view. The newly appointed Grand Plant Caller stood at the edge of the field, Nina¡¯s small frame stiff under the weight of responsibility as she observed the rows of Xaltan prisoners. Dark-skinned and bound by her Plant Caller vines, Delthax warriors flanked her with others keeping guard. The strongest clan in the valley sat defeated, silent golden eyes smoldering with resentment and shame. There is a lot to be done now that the violence is over¡­and harsh actions need to be taken. I cannot have insurgencies and rebelion undermining the peace I want to create. Her thoughts returned to a book that she¡¯d read as a part of an edgy school English project when she was getting into her goth phase¡ªThe Prince, by Niccol¨° Machiavelli. It was shocking how right the man was in many regards when dealing with a hostile and untamed world, embroiled in blood feuds and death. Sometimes, it is kind to be cruel¡­ She spotted the Roxim representatives, her father informing her on the pair¡ªtwins. Toka and Roka, remained on the outer perimeter, glaring daggers at the captives. Their spotted green skin glistened with rain, their postures tense as though ready to strike at the slightest provocation. ¡°I would be cautious about how we approach this meeting,¡± her father advised, walking beside his large horse. The leaders that noticed her were already gathering toward the center, awaiting her approach. ¡°The Roxim¡¯s leader¡ªas if you or the President of the United States¡ªwas captured and they still are unaware of the fact.¡± I understand it, Dad¡­ Not only is Chief Zargoth a prisoner of some unknown nalvean, but Jennifer made sure I couldn¡¯t physically resurrect Fennel, their second-in-command. It is going to be a mess. I have a plan, though. In the center, Chief Loci of the Flex Clan, stood with his grandfather, arms crossed, his gaze flicking between the other clan leaders. Not far off from them sat Chief Utren, leader of the Lethix, his dark-brown skin shining under the pale light that filtered through the light rainfall. His father, Elder Chief Dren, stood not far off, leaning against his staff. It didn¡¯t take long for the Delthax¡¯s new chief to exit the jungle, cobalt skin gleaming with blood and flanked by many warriors. Famine rode beside him, her thin, dark horse gliding over the soaked earth. The former Xaria turned chief made a stop by Nina, placing a hand on her shoulder before directing her to join them at the center. The Wixum weren¡¯t present since they were supplying humanitarian aid for the other ri¡¯bot which had been called to gather in their territory. ¡°Empress,¡± Black greeted through the Nexus, ¡°there doesn¡¯t seem to be any trace of the Komath within their territory. Signs point to them riding south, over the mountains to the ri¡¯bot clans north of the Nalvean Empire.¡± Elinor¡¯s cold green eyes swept over the scene, cataloging every detail¡ªthe expressions, the lingering anger, and the unspoken fear buried beneath pride. Slowly, the conversations among the leaders fell silent, their attention drawn to her presence. Naturally, it lines up with how serious Krava took me as being an existential threat. He was so sure of my rise to power that he abandoned his own territory, knowing he wouldn¡¯t have the time to gather enough support before I made my move¡­ He¡¯s smart. Smarter than I gave him credit for. If only he had more faith in Valdar over his own pride. A shame. ¡°Empress.¡± Chief Utren greeted her first, his deep voice steady but watchful. His blue eyes glinted as he gestured respectfully. Beside him, Elder Chief Dren nodded with quiet approval. ¡°We¡¯ve heard of your victory but are awaiting the details.¡± Elinor inclined her head in return, her tone calm yet commanding while moving to stand before the dark-skinned toad. ¡°Chiefs, Xarias, and honored elders. You have gathered here to determine the fate of this valley and the people within it. The war is over, but if we fail to act wisely now, its echoes will drown any chance for peace.¡± Her words hung in the air like a sword poised over the field. Her father took a standing position beside Black in the background. Chief Kole, sat beside Nina, leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady but guarded. He waited for her to continue, his presence a reminder of the recent power shifts within the Delthax that she¡¯d caused. She could see the anguish in Nina¡¯s posture, her cousin and great-grandfather dead, leaving her to fill a critical role in their clan she didn¡¯t feel ready for. ¡°Your clans have endured centuries of conflict. Blood has soaked this earth countless times, and the scars will not heal overnight,¡± Elinor continued, her voice gaining strength. ¡°But Elder Chief Valdar¡¯s dream was one of unity. I intend to see that dream fulfilled. Together, we must decide the future of the Xaltan.¡± Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Chief Loci of the Flex narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms tighter. ¡°Are you speaking about the Xaltan, Empress? Unity built on the backs of those who murdered our warriors in cold blood?¡± His tone was sharp, distrust boiling just beneath the surface. ¡°I saw what those Mystics did¡ªhow they slid amidst shadow, used silk like a weapon, and had bile in their blood greater than our own Mystics. Will you have them live after the pain they caused?¡± Before Elinor could respond, Elder Chief Gurali spoke, his voice rough and tinged with frustration. ¡°Our traditions have already eroded, Empress. You think pardoning those who use the powers of the Creeping Shadows will bring unity? The moment that our people hear about their true Mysticism, it will spread paranoia. The stories of the things that crawl beneath the jungle are still told in fright.¡± A tense silence followed, broken only by the faint rustling of rain-soaked vines. Great¡­ Camellia said her family viewed ri¡¯bot like humans do insects. Not even giving them a second thought. Yet, to them, they were an unseen horror beneath their feet. I can see why the Wixum were so terrified when I brought back a few. Elinor held their gazes, unflinching. ¡°I have the Creeping Shadows, as you call them¡ªth¨¦lm¨¦thra¡ªwho are inside of my own undead army. I am the ruler of the dead and death is no barrier to me. No one will deny Valdar¡¯s vision. The Xaltan will join us, and those who do not will be the bedrock to which that peace will be built.¡± ¡°What¡­does that mean, Human of Death?¡± the Xaltan warrior cautiously muttered. ¡°We have surrendered. You claim to have slain our Chief and Elder Chief. If so, can you not bring them back to life to serve under you?¡± ¡°Watch your tongue,¡± Chief Kole muttered, a whetstone in hand under the light rain, sharpening his blade. ¡°The Empress is balanced but is not one to be crossed or mocked.¡± ¡°I shall wait to see her power in use¡­ I have my doubts.¡± ¡°See?¡± Elder Chief Gurali growled, straightening and puffing out his thin chest. ¡°The Xaltan will never truly bend the knee, Empress.¡± A small smile twisted Elinor¡¯s lips, her gaze sliding to him as water trailed down her brow and soaked clothes. ¡°You think that after witnessing my power during the tournament to mark me as Great Chief?¡± He seemed to deflate a little, glancing off to the side with a grumble and no doubt recalling her giant quen¡¯talrat form. ¡°You indeed have great power, Empress, but can it break a people who have no pride in their ancestors and who willingly commit suicide to gain power? They have been stripped of all they have. Now, all they possess is their name as a clan and legacy.¡± Toka and Roka stirred nearby, the brother speaking first. ¡°Empress, we have heard nothing about our Chief.¡± ¡°After Red freed us, we were told he went after the human.¡± ¡°Legacy?¡± Elinor cooed, standing tall and finding her wrist behind her back while leering at the tall, dark-skinned ri¡¯bot who looked at her with defiance. ¡°Where is Chief Zargoth? He joined Red in freeing my witches from Jennifer¡¯s control. He bought me time to reach the skittering cockroach and provided me with my next target. Chief Zargoth was taken captive by Jennifer and a nalvean who helped her escape.¡± ¡°No!¡± Toka growled, nose twisting and wide face scrunching with hate directed at the Xaltan. ¡°If anything happens to the Chief¡ª¡± The Xaltan laughed. ¡°You¡¯ll do what? Cry behind clans with actual strength and a human Pit Fiend? Some Firewalker he turned out to be. Your clan is dead.¡± Elinor held up a hand to stop her outburst. Kole licked his lips and grunted, as if saying he was the definition of foolish. Moving closer to stand in front of the much taller, her burning eyes fixed on him.
[Imperial Majesty X: Activated]
¡°Dead? No, warrior, the Roxim are on the eve of rising beyond anything you could imagine. What of your revered leaders?¡± The Xaltan grew quiet, a shiver running down his frame as he stared into her glowing irises. ¡°What is the Xaltan but puppets?¡± Her hand ignited with emerald flames as she placed her hand on his chest. ¡°Slaves to your own ambition.¡± He opened his mouth, only to gag, vision going wide as his muscles locked up. [Life Tap I - F-tier: Activated] The slow, painful drain rippled through the ri¡¯bot¡¯s frame, veins bulging, the very essence of life being drawn out of him as she whispered fatality. ¡°Your Chief was used as an experiment. To stop me? No¡­but a flimsy wall to slow my path. Garbage to be thrown away. Your Elder Chief melted by the very poison he drank, crying for relief¡­and there will be no salvation on the other side.¡± Skin wrinkling, eyes going white, she leaned in further to whisper into his ear. ¡°Your people will learn that opposing me is hopeless¡­ It is a long way down in the Pits. There is no choice. Only submission. Prosper under me¡­or suffer for eternity.¡± She removed her hand. Life returned to the gasping toad as he collapsed to his side, quaking like a newborn after feeling the force that animated his flesh extracted. She turned to the young ri¡¯bot woman beside Kole. ¡°Nina¡­¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Empress?¡± the Grand Plant Caller stammered, stiffly jumping to her feet. ¡°What do you require of me?¡± ¡°What do I require?¡± She shifted her focus to the many prisoners all along the edge of the clearing. ¡°Sometimes it is kind to be cruel¡­ Join the Elder Chief of the Flex and his warriors in gathering up the Xaltan who have been captured. Chief Loci, bring your dead, no matter their state. They will know their Empress.¡± Sending a telepathic order through the Nexus to all unintelligent undead lumbering through the jungle to inform and pursue any enemies, Elinor stepped through the downpour, her emerald fire twisting upward along her arms like living serpents. The flames gathered at her front, forming delicate butterflies that shimmered in a ghostly light. Silent gasps rippled through the crowd of prisoners as they were swiftly gathered, a terror far more potent than blades or vines holding them hostage. Every Xaltan warrior, no matter their age or rank, was marched forward, each step faltering as their fear mounted with the gathering horde of burning bones exiting the jungle. At the apex of the lopsided hill, Elinor stood like a monument to death. The whispers of the gathered clans fell away as her presence consumed the air. Undead from the surrounding woods¡ªfigures of twisted creatures, smoldering animals, and skeletal warriors¡ªemerged in a slow procession. They moved with eerie purpose, forming a wide, curved staircase that linked to the platform she claimed, step by step. Their limbs linked at the end, creating a grotesque bridge for the Xaltan prisoners to walk toward her judgment. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. The stairs collapsed when she¡¯d taken her throne, sitting on the flaming bones to stare down at her subjects. New stairs formed, straight and rising to stand below her gaze. Xaltan High Warrior, bound and forced to kneel below her dais upon his own platform, gritted his teeth as the first prisoner was brought forward. He watched, defiant but visibly shaken¡ªmany of the Flex, Lethix, and Delthax were trembling¡ªas Elinor spoke with a calm authority that brooked no argument. ¡°Step forward,¡± she commanded, her voice echoing across the clearing like a tolling bell under the gentle, cold rain that fell over them. The prisoner quaked under her gaze, trembling as he reached the top and stood before her on the pedestal. ¡°You have one choice,¡± she stated, extending her hand as one of the ethereal butterflies flitted toward him. ¡°Kneel, pledge your allegiance to me, and serve the Undying Empire.¡± The prisoner hesitated, his golden eyes darting toward the High Warrior. His jaw tightened, but fear won out. He dropped to his knees, bowing his head low. Elinor¡¯s butterfly landed gently on his shoulder, its emerald glow intensifying as she stated her bluff. ¡°You have sealed your pledge to me with your soul¡­ Should you waver? The skeletal hands of the Pits will rise up to pull you into oblivion¡­ Serve me well, and you will be exalted.¡± His shuddering breath eased, and a new, eerie calm settled over him. ¡°Traitor!¡± the Xaltans below snarled, making him flinch. Yet, he obeyed her. ¡°Rise,¡± she instructed. ¡°You no longer have any need to fear death¡­ For you serve her.¡± The prisoner stood, trembling but alive. He was led away by Delthax warriors, his eyes still wide with awe and terror¡ªshe felt several more join her faith. It would only grow. Another Xaltan was forced forward, his feet dragging over the bones as he was made to stand atop the chilling platform. Yet, he snarled, defiant. ¡°You have no power over me! I will die a warrior¡¯s death before bowing to you, Pit Fiend!¡± Elinor¡¯s smile was icy. ¡°So be it.¡± The butterfly floating before him shifted course, gently perching atop his head. The Xaltan barely had time to react before emerald flames erupted around him. His scream was brief¡ªcut off as the flames consumed his life essence. His body aged within seconds, shriveling into brittle bones that crumbled to dust. The ashes sank into the burning bones, creating a small, wet pile for the next prisoner to stand upon. Horrified murmurs swept through the Xaltan ranks. The High Warrior¡¯s eyes widened, his composure cracking as he watched another of his soldiers dissolve into nothingness after him. ¡°No¡­ This isn¡¯t possible¡­¡± Elinor¡¯s gaze snapped to him, pinning him like a predator to prey. ¡°You misunderstand. This is your salvation. Refuse me, and you will fuel the soil that nourishes those who serve. You will never see your ancestors. You will be erased from memory and eternity alike¡­ Your life will fuel my empire.¡± At Elinor''s gesture, more undead from the woods approached¡ªcreatures of decay, some of whom were barely recognizable as they stumbled forward. Mumbled prayers to their ancestors or Supreme Chiefs followed. ¡°Behold. Some of your brethren will be used not as fuel¡­but as eternal servants under my rule. Bodies bound to serve me as your spirits rot in the afterlife.¡± Another Xaltan was dragged forward, tears streaming down his face as he collapsed before her, sobbing with the grasping hands of the undead beneath him. ¡°Please! I¡¯ll serve! I¡¯ll serve! Empress, forgive me!¡± ¡°Good,¡± Elinor softly cooed, gesturing for the butterfly to land gently upon him. ¡°The Xaltan will live on¡­but not as they were, High Warrior. The clans who willingly joined me are honored citizens¡­ You hope to be servants until you¡¯ve paid your debts.¡± The moment the butterfly landed on his head and death didn¡¯t come, the weeping warrior¡¯s fear melted into relief. He whispered her name as if in prayer. Next, she brought their attention to the corpse of a female warrior from the Delthax, her mate holding faith and hope in his gaze upon ascending the stairs next. ¡°Empress, can she be restored? She fought and defended her squad¡­protected me from one of the Xaltan Mystics. She was always so strong¡­¡± ¡°In your faith, she is restored.¡± A butterfly landed on the brutalized corpse. Emerald flames ignited, burning away marred flesh. And to Elinor¡¯s delight, flesh mended in its place.
Jesmer: Army Core - Common-C - Soldier - N/A - Lv. 1
[Grade Advancement - Minion Pool III Unlocked] [Grade Advancement - Death Pool III Unlocked]
[Current Follower Count: 17,009] [Bonus Undead and Death Orb Limit from Empire Rises: 2nd Petal]
75 Intelligent raised to 100 2,500 Unintelligent raised to 3,000
[Unintelligent Undead Total: 20,009] [Intelligent Undead Total: 3,501]
Death Pool Limit Base Pool: 80 Constitution: 100 Rising Empire: 850 Warlord Evolution: x2 Total: 2,060
¡°Jasmer!¡± the soldier exclaimed as his mate blinked, skin shining with health and markings in perfect symmetry. ¡°Thank you, Empress!¡± Awe and fear spread through the ranks as Jasmer smiled, Black privately welcoming her to the empire. Elinor took the chance to explain her power to the shocked Xaltan. ¡°If you believe my power is solely over the Pits¡­you would be mistaken. From the ashes, those who put their faith in me will rise in new flesh! Those who fall will be restored to their prime¡­in time.¡± She waited a moment for the murmurs to end before adding her caveat. ¡°However, not every soul is strong enough to return to the flesh immediately,¡± Elinor announced, her voice imbued with authority with [Imperial Majesty]. ¡°Those who pledge to me will be reborn, more beautiful and powerful than ever before. Their service to the Undying Empire, to me, will elevate them beyond death itself.¡± The procession continued, each judgment a spectacle of either submission or annihilation. The clan leaders watched in awe, and even Chief Loci seemed unsettled by the sheer weight of the display as she raised his warriors one after another. Loved ones gasped as these figures began to regain their form, some of their once-wasted flesh slowly regenerating. Others retained their flaming bones, yet were no less animated and overjoyed to see their friends. The murmuring crowd of Xaltan prisoners broke into sobs and wails only after several more examples. Some cried her name, begging for mercy. Others fell prostrate, chanting prayers to her as though she were a Supreme Chief¡­ Half would refuse her offer and take death. More energy to be used on those who deserved a second life. Still, it was more than she anticipated, and the average non-military Xaltan would be far more amiable to join the empire. That grand display would come when she addressed every clan member under her control in the days to come. Elinor stood atop her platform, arms raised as the butterflies spiraled around her tiara like a celestial halo of emerald fire. ¡°The era of fear has ended. The era of unity begins. Choose your place within it¡­or be consumed by it.¡± The final moments were filled with desperate declarations of loyalty. Even the High Warrior''s defiance crumbled as he bowed his head low, trembling before her overwhelming presence near the end, belying the fortitude the other warriors showed. The valley had been broken and reshaped under her will. This was her empire now. All that was left was to make a public declaration. Then again, there was still much to be done. * ¡ª * ¡ª * The rich scent of incense thickened as Klaus passed through the entrance of the Mother Superior¡¯s temple. The walls bore hand-painted murals of peaceful meadows and spiraling lakes, their depictions dreamlike but grounded in Clavex tradition. Ri¡¯bot children scattered in a flurry of excitement as they ran past him, their giggles echoing faintly down the corridor like remnants of a world untouched by war or the hardship of the jungle. Klaus slowed for a moment, noting the intricate handprints left on the walls, layered over time by generations of children. His gaze traced the painted outlines¡ªdifferent hues marking family lineages or perhaps personal symbols. ¡°Signs of peace,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°The Nalvean Empire seems to be doing quite well, despite the continent-shaking war a century ago.¡± Emelina tilted her head thoughtfully beside him, her sharp emerald eyes searching them before returning to identifying every threat around them. ¡°Peace, yes¡­but it¡¯s fractured. There are faint cracks in the foundation. You can feel it beneath the surface in the streets. This place wears both pride and strain. It¡¯s why Nadraca made her risky choices¡ªthis undercurrent of tension was bound to manifest at some point. The question is, can we use it to our advantage.¡± He gave her a sad, sidelong look before returning the message in the Nexus. Do you have to be so intense and gloomy? I know this is a big meeting that could go sideways, but look at this place. Their warriors are nowhere near as strong as the valley clans. ¡°Perhaps in raw strength, but they have a deity to make up for it that can harm us,¡± she reminded with a small smile. ¡°I take your point, though,¡± she added, playfully bumping hips as they turned a corner. He hummed in agreement but said nothing more as Nadraca led them further in. Her anxiety was palpable, her posture rigid as she clutched her talisman for strength. They entered a grand inner chamber with polished wood flooring and intricately carved columns. There, seated at the far end, was Mother Superior Kolira, her presence commanding even before she acknowledged their entry. The years had only hardened her beauty, or so Nadraca told them. Despite being nearly as old as Valdar, her pure-green skin had few wrinkles, and her frosted-blue eyes were sharper than he¡¯d anticipated from the sight of the children earlier. Kolira¡¯s scowl deepened, but it wasn¡¯t directed at them. At least, not yet. In her hand was a parchment of some kind, one of the first he¡¯d seen in this world. Her expression was an unsettling mixture of anger and exhaustion. Bad timing? And who is that¡­ Nearby, a nalvean woman stood with an air of quiet grace. Ah, she must be the Mother Superior¡¯s adopted daughter Nadraca mentioned¡ªElluinara. Interesting story, finding her abandoned during the Fire Wars. Her slim, elegant figure matched the feminine ideal of her kind that he¡¯d seen, her smaller hands and narrow face adding to her poised demeanor. Teardrop-shaped scales, polished to a shimmering blue hue, adorned her body, speckled with intricate patterns that caught the light. From her shoulders, thighs, and chest, small, dark blue spikes curved in striking arcs, while evenly spaced, glowing red spikes extended from her back in a trident-like pattern. A mark of her power and rank as a Seaweaver, borne by each one. Her long, supple tail moved fluidly behind her, a testament to her strength and control. Nadraca stumbled forward and greeted the two women hesitantly. ¡°Mother Superior. Lady Elluinara. I-I have come bearing a gift that may ease tensions between us and the nalveans¡­ You must have heard about the creature of the sea, resembling the nalvean sea goddess Zephyra herself¡ª¡± Kolira¡¯s voice cut like a whip. ¡°Lacord is dead.¡± The statement hung in the air like a death knell. Nadraca froze, lips trembling as the weight of those words pressed down on her. ¡°What? Dead? I just saw him last night¡­¡± Klaus exchanged a glance with Emelina. Perhaps I¡¯ve underestimated the scope of this situation. Did the warden woman kill him and escape? Emelina¡¯s mental voice was low and cold, no doubt ready to reveal her hidden daggers. ¡°Whatever the case, this complicates matters. I can carve a way out if need be, but do we take Nadraca with us?¡± Klaus¡¯ gaze returned to the Mother Superior. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions. Not yet. Let¡¯s hear the full story. ¡°How?¡± Nadraca whispered. ¡°He brought our gift to the Seaweaver Council. It should have cleared our debt¡­¡± ¡°Cleared our debt?¡± The Mother Superior¡¯s intense gaze didn¡¯t waver from the priestess¡¯ crumbling form. ¡°You brought chaos to their court, Nadraca. The goddess you claimed to present as a boon has become a symbol of their unrest. Now High Seaweaver Lonuarag has declared her as Yesenia, the High Goddess of Storms, taking the place of Zephyra. She has claimed power within the High Ruler¡¯s court using Lonuarag¡¯s position.¡± Nadraca stumbled, falling to her knees. ¡°No¡­this cannot be¡­¡± Elluinara stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. ¡°Yesenia¡¯s rise has driven a wedge between the City-States. The High Ruler himself is under pressure to contain the political turmoil. And now, with the narrative that the Clavex kidnapped her¡­and treated her so poorly, the High Seaweavers have demanded someone take responsibility. Lacord chose to bear that burden.¡± Klaus stiffened as his vision dimmed for a moment, his mind racing through the implications. This just got a lot more dangerous. Not only for the nalveans and clavex¡­but for us, as well. ¡°Why is that?¡± Emelina inquired, maintaining her perfect poise, ready to take action at a moment¡¯s notice. ¡°Isn¡¯t this Yesenia like the Empress, having obtained power after the incident? Wouldn¡¯t this place her closer to our side?¡± Not necessarily¡­ From what the Empress showed me concerning the cartel documents, this woman has a reputation in the Colombian prison system. She¡¯s a sadist¡ªunhinged. If the Scarlet Hand chose her to be sent off-world like the Empress and Roman¡­ I can only imagine why they wanted her gone with the trouble the Empress can cause. ¡°That is a fair point,¡± Emelina¡¯s voice returned, tense. ¡°If she is already consolidating power here in the Nalvean Empire, then it would be unlikely that she¡¯d want to partner or share that with the Empress.¡± But¡­ Klaus internally hummed, vision twinkling. This also gives us some leverage we can use if we take the High Ruler¡¯s side. I can¡¯t imagine having your authority questioned and causing strife between your City-State rulers would be something he¡¯s happy with. Klaus smiled gently, reading the doubt in Kolira and Elluinara¡¯s posture and tone. He stepped forward. ¡°Pardon my interruption, Mother Superior, but¡­ I may have a solution.¡± Her glare shifted toward him as Nadraca looked to him in desperate hope. ¡°Oh? You¡¯ve come to fix this mess. I don¡¯t even know what you are but tell me¡ªwhat can you do?¡± She expected him to say no. Glancing toward Elluinara, he said, ¡°Provide leverage¡­ Our Empress seeks an audience with your High Ruler. She has the full support of Elder Chief Valdar and is uniting the valley, not that any of that is of importance to you. But this Yesenia used to be human, like us¡­ We know of her and our Empress¡¯ support would be something the High Ruler appreciates. We only need an invitation so she may present herself.¡± Kolira leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You knew her before? Human, was she? Hmm. Continue.¡± B4 — 21. A Seed Planted Klaus met Kolira¡¯s gaze head-on, refusing to flinch under the weight of her scrutiny. The Mother Superior wasn¡¯t the type to waste words, and if he wanted her cooperation, he needed to keep his pitch sharp, direct, and invaluable. ¡°Yesenia is no ordinary woman from our world,¡± Klaus continued, voice smooth but edged with certainty. ¡°What the High Seaweaver doesn¡¯t know is that she was a warden, a jailer of some of the worst criminals in our world. She understands control¡ª¡± Kolira held up a hand, sharp eyes darting to the other ri¡¯bot in the chamber. ¡°Everyone exit¡­ No, not you, Nadraka,¡± she clarified as the quaking High Priestess tried to get to her feet. ¡°I¡¯m not done with you.¡± ¡°¡­Yes, Mother Superior,¡± she whispered, vision downcast and distant as sweat slicked out of her pours. Klaus waited for everyone to exit, the scent of incense and the sound of movement fading. Emelina maintained a dignified, totally still posture, practically invisible while standing slightly back and to his side. His gaze remained on the devastated priestess. I feel kind of bad for her¡­ She only wanted to save her clan and bring them out from under the nalvean¡¯s thumbs. ¡°True,¡± the soft-spoken head maid returned through the Nexus, ¡°yet it was not her position to act in the name of her clan. Her actions have brought down a storm upon them that the true leader must now shoulder. In my opinion, it is the Mother Superior who should hold our sympathy.¡± He chuckled inside. And who is the diplomat here? ¡°That would be you, Ambassador,¡± she promptly returned, withholding a small smile. ¡°I may need to punish you for trying to gaslight me into this conversation to just hear my voice.¡± Aww. But it is so lovely that I can¡¯t help but make idle chat, he returned, rubbing his thumbs behind his back as the room cleared. Is it a crime to want to listen to you? The dark-haired beauty didn¡¯t reply, making his mind swirl with punishments. Luckily, Kolira saved his thoughts as she engaged him again, distracting him from the private conversation. ¡°¡­Go on.¡± ¡°Of course, Mother Superior,¡± he stated with a respectful bow. Elluinara stood beside her mother, gripping her scaly elbow; he needed to pay close attention to her in order to identify their emotional responses. Luckily, she spoke ri¡¯bot common well. ¡°Yesenia knows how to rule through fear and an iron fist. There are also¡­other reports about her personality which trouble me. If the High Ruler does not act, he won¡¯t simply have a rival for his authority¡ªhe¡¯ll have a storm incarnate, brewing right under his nose.¡± Elluinara¡¯s red spikes flickered subtly in the light, her expression unreadable. Assessing him. Calculating. Good. She¡¯s taking me seriously. Kolira exhaled through her nostrils, fingers tightening slightly over the parchment she had been reading when they arrived. The tension in her jaw spoke of long-held frustration¡ªfrustration that, if Klaus played this right, he could mold into opportunity. ¡°You assume much,¡± she said at last. ¡°What makes you think your Empress can stabilize the empire when even the High Ruler is struggling to keep his council unified after her appearance? Elluinara has heard whispered discussions that¡­only yesterday would have been considered treasonous.¡± Klaus allowed himself a small smile, knowing full well how to make his next words hit like a blade between the ribs. ¡°Because unlike him, my Empress controls death itself.¡± Silence. Heavy, weighted, filled with unspoken tension. Emelina¡¯s internal hum made it clear that she wasn¡¯t sure if that was the right play. It was. He knew it. Elluinara¡¯s fingers twitched at her sides, her thick tail momentarily pausing in its elegant movements. Nadraca, still kneeling, dared to glance up, her expression flickering between uncertainty and cautious hope. After all, she¡¯d experienced it herself and was a witness. Kolira, to her credit, did not react as outwardly as the others. But Klaus saw it¡ªthe briefest flicker in her frost-blue eyes, the tightening of her grip on the parchment. A chink in the armor. ¡°Is that true?¡± Nadraca cleared her throat, taking a deep breath and performing a hand sign. ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯ve seen it personally. Elder Chief Valdar struck a bargain with her of some kind¡­but Elder Chief Krava believes she will be the destruction of the valley and,¡± she glanced at him uncertainly before mumbling, ¡°and chose to seek a War Council with the Great Clans of the Eastern Plains.¡± Emelina casually glanced at the door behind them. ¡°This could change everything.¡± No, I¡¯m sure she values Valdar¡¯s opinion more than Kravas. Trusting a truly wise Mystic versus a warlord, like Krava, is only natural for a culture such as theirs, not entrenched in valley traditions. ¡°And that is why you are the ambassador, Ambassador.¡± He felt his undead pulse quicken at her low, inviting tone, practically designed to make him shiver. How can such an innocent woman have such dangerous hands? ¡°Innocent, sir? Perhaps I put a spell on you because I¡¯d think that thought dashed from your mind last night. I must devise a new punishment.¡± The dark-eyed woman was truly an assassin of the heart, both figuratively and physically. Kolira saved him, leaning back and running her fingers over her chest while glancing at Elluinara. ¡°¡­Someone with the power to return the dead to life? Well, that is something frightening¡­and powerful. I can see why Valdar chose to keep her close. At least, it piqued my interest. What else do you have to say?¡± ¡°The Nalvean Empire is fracturing. The City-States are in turmoil. The High Ruler has no true allies in his own court. But my Empress? She has already conquered an entire valley of warring clans in mere weeks, obtaining support from the hero Valdar. She took the valley clans, a people who have spent centuries fighting among themselves, and made them kneel. She did what your High Ruler has failed to do.¡± Elluinara made a few sharp gestures with her hand that communicated something to the Mother Superior, her rapid, clawed finger movements agitated, yet hesitant. ¡°Mmm. Agreed.¡± Kolira¡¯s gaze turned glacial. ¡°That was bold, Ambassador¡­ Dangerous. And yet, your Empress is not High Ruler. She is not even here. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re boasting of her or attempting to diminish the High Ruler. A small cluster of ri¡¯bot are insignificant compared to the Nalvean Empire.¡± Klaus chuckled. ¡°Oh, forgive my inflammatory statements. I am sure but¡­to be fair, I have never seen your empire or your rulers. I can only judge what I know.¡± ¡°That¡­is a fair assessment,¡± Kolira mumbled, sounding slightly agitated. ¡°When will your Empress make the journey?¡± ¡°When I obtain an audience,¡± he repeated with a welcoming smile. ¡°Can you imagine how it would look if the northern valley¡¯s conqueror just¡­marched into your capital? In the spirit of neighbors, I assume you understand leverage, Mother Superior¡­¡± ¡°I do?¡± ¡°Indeed. So, you stand in a position where your words could tip the scales in the High Ruler¡¯s favor¡­ Introducing a potentially powerful ally comes with great rewards. But if you sit idle, if you allow Yesenia¡¯s influence to grow unchecked, then when the tides shift, as they quickly are now, you¡¯ll find yourself with no seat at the table.¡± That struck a nerve. Kolira leaned back, studying him. Then, slowly, her gaze flicked to Elluinara. ¡°You were always so certain that the High Ruler needed more allies to compete with the growing influence of the City-States,¡± she murmured. ¡°What do you think of this human¡¯s proposal?¡± Elluinara hesitated, her long tail curling slightly behind her. Her polished blue scales caught the dim lighting of the chamber, shimmering like the tide just before a storm. ¡°I think,¡± she said carefully, ¡°that the High Ruler cannot afford to be blind to the power of someone who can raise the dead. Whether we approve of them or not, they appear to exist and are growing. Their Empress is in its early stages. So, strategically¡­if we ignore her, we will only be playing defense while Yesenia takes the offense. In addition, they come from the same world, as I understand it.¡± Kolira¡¯s silence spoke volumes. Emelina internally voiced what she was no doubt thinking. ¡°That framing is quite the hazard for us¡­ We do come from the same world, which means this could be a plot and we are working together.¡± Even if that¡¯s true, Klaus mused, it isn¡¯t as if they have the luxury to turn our offered hand away. When we first came here, we thought we were the ones at a disadvantage. Now, however¡­there is a threat. And we have the counterbalance. Nadraca, emboldened by the shift in atmosphere, dared to speak. ¡°If¡ªif an audience is granted¡­then the Clavex can stand as a bridge. We can solidify our position within the empire while aiding the High Ruler¡­ Couldn¡¯t we?¡± Klaus suppressed a smirk. There it is. The need for relevance. The desperate attempt to reclaim authority. Kolira exhaled through her nose and set the parchment aside. ¡°I will consider this.¡± ¡°Is that enough?¡± Not nearly enough¡­ ¡°How greedy,¡± she chortled, lidded eyes drifting toward him. ¡°Be sure not to push too hard¡­or there could be consequences, like last night.¡± Klaus took a calculated step forward, suppressing the invisible finger tracing his spine. ¡°Mother Superior, you are not a woman who ¡®considers¡¯ things. You act. You had to during the Fire Wars. You shape outcomes. That is why your people look to you.¡± He paused, letting his words sink in. ¡°You already know what must be done.¡± Kolira¡¯s lips pressed together in a thin line. Then, after a long pause, she nodded. ¡°Very well. But on one condition.¡± ¡°Can you feel the animal¡¯s teeth at your throat?¡± I do¡­but not theirs, he returned, momentarily meeting her hungry eyes. I¡¯ve got my own weapon, though. You can outrun the devil, but you ain¡¯t going to outrun me, madam. Klaus returned Kolira¡¯s gaze and inclined his head, waiting. She turned to Nadraca. ¡°You will serve as our representative to this¡­Undying Empire.¡± Nadraca¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What¡ªme? But after everything I¡ª¡± ¡°The difference,¡± Kolira coldly interrupted, ¡°is that this is something I sanction. Unlike your previous reckless ventures. If you wish to make amends, then you will do it under my authority, not your own.¡± The High Priestess swallowed hard, but after a moment, she lowered her head. ¡°I accept.¡± Kolira¡¯s attention returned to Klaus, attempting to ward off the head maid¡¯s hounding eyes; she had an appetite he was still getting used to underneath all that decorum and outward perfection. ¡°Your Empress will have her audience. I will have Elluinara secure the channels necessary to petition one of a few authorities. We can only hope one will be willing to hear you out, if only out of curiosity. Just sending a message to the High Ruler will be a challenge. But Elluinara has the authority to¡­attempt to reach one of those on that small list.¡± A direct invitation would have been ideal. But this was still better than expected. Klaus flashed a charming smile, more for the woman next to him than the ri¡¯bot since they hadn¡¯t learned their facial expressions. ¡°A wise decision, Mother Superior.¡± Kolira did not return the pleasantry. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°She bites.¡± As does someone else, I know. He exhaled through his nose, pleased despite himself. Step one¡ªcomplete. Now, they just needed to move fast. He turned to Elluinara. ¡°How soon can we meet with one of these representatives so that I may convince them?¡± Elluinara now shifted away, fidgeting with the silks on her arm, her voice somewhat nervous. ¡°That¡­is a good question. If you come with me into the capital, then we can discuss it further. All of them have strict schedules, but I can attempt to arrange it now¡­probably.¡± Klaus didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Then let¡¯s do it.¡± Emelina¡¯s inner demon settled slightly as she gave him an emotionless look that didn¡¯t reflect her voice in their internal conversation. ¡°Something her mother said is making her nervous¡­ Shall I accompany you, Ambassador?¡± Klaus stepped to the side as Kolira instructed Nadraca to stay and moved with the nalvean woman out of the temple. ¡°While I¡¯d love your hypnotic voice picking at my brain with that knife you keep up your skirt, there are other tasks I need supervised. For being in their seventies, Maite and Paola are a real problem.¡± Indeed, they are, Emelina sighed, hands held perfectly at her front while maintaining an even distance behind them. As are a few of the other maids who are enjoying their new immortality, youth, and¡­abilities. He chuckled at her entertained chuckle. Of course, she¡¯d never let them know their antics amused her since she was their disciplinary officer. Coordinate the maids. Gather intelligence. We need leverage before we step into the capital and it seems the two old women have caught something juicy¡­ What? He felt the chilly glare on the back of his head and swiftly amended his statement. Eh¡­age is just a number when you¡¯re dead, right? The much older woman behind him gave the slightest whisper of a laugh. Hmm. I wonder how much silk I can collect. Perhaps ruined articles are thrown away. Worry not, though, I¡¯ll find plenty of dark silk for tonight. He glanced back, unable to restrain licking his dry lips. He wanted to ask what the silk was for, but knew he wouldn¡¯t get an answer. The former cartel assassin shifted trajectory to leave him with the nalvean Seaweaver. ¡­Happy hunting. ¡°Oh, that will come tonight, sir. I will sharpen my teeth.¡± Klaus swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked after her, only getting a half-turned smirk before Emelina slipped into the shadows. He could hear her words in his head, lingering on the back of his throat and the nape of his neck from the heat and electricity he¡¯d experienced the previous night. He exhaled sharply, forcing his focus back to the present. The Mother Superior¡¯s temple loomed behind him, its incense-heavy air still thick in his mind, but now, his steps followed Elluinara, guiding him deeper into the Clavex-controlled district toward the river¡¯s edge. The streets bustled with activity. Would that continue when they learned one of their most notable warriors had been executed by the nalvean court, and without even allowing for appeal? Would the Mother Superior even tell them? Was this normal? Though there was an undercurrent of unease that Klaus had grown adept at recognizing. It likely came from the tension brewing from the nalvean people themselves. Word traveled fast¡ªby nightfall, whispers of Yesenia¡¯s ascension and Lacord¡¯s death would likely spread far beyond these streets. Elluinara led Klaus toward the river, discussing random topics rather than touching on what he really wanted to know¡ªwho they were going to see. A Clavex-operated boat awaited them once they arrived. The vessel, while sturdy, bore signs of patchwork repairs¡ªlikely from the frequent storms that plagued the wet season. The last few weeks had been intense when it came to weather. Klaus stepped onto the deck, feeling the subtle rock of the river beneath his feet. The sky loomed overhead in a darkened swirl, thick storm clouds brooding in the distance. If there was one thing he learned about this place and jungles¡­it was that it rained a lot. He frowned, glancing at Elluinara as one of the topics struck his interest. ¡°You mentioned upriver travel is difficult this time of year,¡± he said, motioning toward the restless waters and approaching clouds from the northern valley. ¡°This isn¡¯t normal, is it?¡± The Seaweaver¡¯s red-glowing spikes flickered subtly as she assessed the river with a trained gaze. ¡°No,¡± she admitted, eyes narrowing. ¡°The storms have been intensifying¡­ Especially the last one a few days ago. This isn¡¯t just seasonal¡ªit¡¯s something else. It is why the High Seaweaver¡¯s proclamation about Yesenia holds such weight.¡± Klaus crossed his arms, thoughtful. Yesenia¡¯s presence¡­could it be affecting the elements? If the Empress holds power over the dead¡­perhaps Yesenia truly has similar strength in her abilities. That¡¯s an unsettling thought that needs investigating. The Clavex helmsman called out, signaling their departure. With a hard push from the riverbank, the vessel glided into the current, heading toward the opposite side of the city. It didn¡¯t take them as long as he thought it would to reach the other side, or perhaps it was just his active mind blinding him to the passage of time. As they neared Shi¡¯Shuka¡¯s waterfront, the sight that awaited them was nothing short of breathtaking. Colossal nalvean ships, their gem-encrusted hulls reflecting the light like a kaleidoscope, rested in the harbor. They were something out of the old pirate war movies, giant galleons that were even larger than those to some extent. It seemed engineering was the same on Earth as it was here because the designs were similar. The docks themselves were a spectacle of efficiency and grandeur. Towering crane-like structures, no doubt enhanced by Seaweaver technology, moved with mechanical precision, loading and unloading cargo with ease. Klaus noted how the nalveans carried themselves with rigid discipline, their mannerisms refined yet subtly aggressive¡ªa people used to power and status. And there were many of them, which far outnumbered the ri¡¯bot. Valley and Clavex. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. On the upper walkways, merchants paraded their silk wares, displaying the dark, shimmering fabrics reserved for the elite. Silk color dictated rank, and he¡¯d heard Nadraca talk about the forbidden sale of extremely rare hues, doing so discreetly, tucked into the alleys where nobles conducted their business in whispered tones. Corruption abounds¡­ It tracks in a heavily influenced trade empire. Some guards turn the other way or are on the take. Interesting. A lot can be done in a system like this with the right pressure and capital. Klaus took mental notes. Silk was power. Silk was fashion. Silk was currency. That would be useful. The moment Klaus stepped onto the city¡¯s stone pathways, the difference between Clavex territory and the empire¡¯s heart was stark. Shi¡¯Shuka was alive. Their language was a mix of lizard-like noises and hand gestures he couldn¡¯t understand. He¡¯d need to find a corpse for the Empress before she arrived. Massive tiered pagoda-like structures lined the skyline, their rooftops cascading into sweeping eaves, much like the ones he had seen in ancient Asian civilizations. But beneath their beauty lay the imposing strength of an empire built to last¡ªpyramidal palaces, carved into the hillsides, each one radiating status and power. It was as if the whole city had been built between two split, giant rivers and a mountain range. Runes and sacred engravings adorned the walls, depicting the legends of the empire¡¯s rise, its victories over lesser states, and the divine favor bestowed upon its rulers, or so Elluinara explained. Klaus walked with purpose, drinking in the city¡¯s hierarchy. The way people moved, the way conversations hushed near certain figures, the subtle tilts of their heads when speaking to one another, even if he couldn¡¯t understand the words¡ªthese were the tells of a society built on formality and dominance. Elluinara glanced at him. ¡°I can see you studying everything.¡± Klaus smiled. ¡°Observation is key to survival, Lady.¡± She hummed. ¡°Then you¡¯ve likely noticed the fashion rules here. Be careful not to touch anything you¡¯re not meant to. Oh, wonderful¡­we¡¯re drawing a lot of attention. I suppose your kind has never been seen before and bears resemblance to some of their old deities.¡± Humans who lived here in the past? Possible. If those Crystals can transport people through time, maybe someone was sent into the past. Or, this isn¡¯t the only time they¡¯ve appeared on earth. His eyes flicked toward a group of nalvean women, their intricately wrapped tail silks marking their station. Across from them, a male vendor adjusted his stall¡ªbut never once touched the garments on display. A female attendant handled specific merchandise, even if he was the owner. ¡°Taboos are important to note,¡± he agreed. ¡°It seems there is a distinctive difference between how males and females address silk fashion. Are there any male specific items?¡± Her reptilian mouth twitched and she looked down at him with a short chuckle that sounded like a popping fire. ¡°What? No. Well, other than those of specific nobility and the heads of those estates that happen to be male.¡± ¡°Yeah, those I wouldn¡¯t count,¡± he muttered, enjoying the culture crash course, but also burning to know more details about who they were going to see. There was a reason why she was hesitating, though. The question was, should he push the topic before she worked up to it? As they moved toward the palace district, Elluinara grew more fidgety and kept glancing down at him. ¡°I understand you are¡­new to our world. But the High Ruler¡¯s court is¡­ No, all female nalveans are, ahem, highly sensitive to outside influences,¡± she said, voice measured and somewhat hoarse. ¡°Tell me, does your Empress have any, umm¡­dealings with the Golariex Holy Empire? She is female, as well. Correct? The gender that gives birth?¡± A new nation? Fascinating. Klaus frowned, attempting to pick apart her hesitation. The Empress having children had not been something he¡¯d personally had thoughts about, but there was a maid who had broached the interesting question. ¡°I¡­cannot speak as to our Empress¡¯ ability to give birth, but she is of the female sex. Is¡­there some sort of connection between the nalveans and golariex as it pertains to reproduction? I¡¯ve never heard of them. We have only been within the valley for a few months.¡± ¡°R-Reproductive connection¡ªbetween us and the golariex?!¡± Elluinara¡¯s tail flicked sharply, coughing and shaking herself out as if she¡¯d been doused in mud. A few of the salamander-like creatures glanced at them in question but soon turned away. ¡°No. Absolutely not! Never!¡± ¡°Point taken,¡± he mused, adding the reaction to his growing list of mannerisms. It seemed the key difference between male and female was the thickness of their tails, as well; the male¡¯s were thinner. ¡°No. I have never heard of the golariex, but the Empress may have since I have been away for a time.¡± Her glowing spikes dimmed with a relieved sigh, the tension in her muscles easing. ¡°No. That is good¡­ Very good.¡± Her reaction piqued his curiosity. ¡°And why is that? Are you two at war?¡± She hesitated, then lowered her voice and shook her head, drawing closer. ¡°They are a race of¡­tree-like beings,¡± she explained, nose twisting as disgust laced with her words. ¡°The golariex reside in the Duskfallen Woods, far beyond to the northwest of our empire and west of the valley you reside in. They rule a Holy Empire¡­one that nalvean women despise.¡± Klaus arched a brow. ¡°Despise?¡± She nodded emphatically, seemingly mirroring him and showing she was studying their mannerisms as much as they theirs. ¡°The golariex can, mmm¡­can manipulate the minds of males. Not through magic, I believe, but through some¡­other process. Pheromones, perhaps. It is unclear. A male under their influence is utterly devoted to them, sometimes to the point of madness and they¡­collect races.¡± Klaus slowed with her, a small curve lifting the corner of his mouth as he put two and two together. The men probably enjoyed it, a lot, and that had created a massive cultural backlash amongst the nalvean men. The woman kept going, as if speaking about devils. ¡°We aren¡¯t¡­technically at war with them,¡± she winced, likely welcoming such a prospect. ¡°After the Great War against the White God, their¡ªugh. Their Duchess, their second most powerful figure, comes every decade to¡­negotiate trade terms with our High Ruler after our united war. All very public, of course. She is given a female guard detail the entire time she is within our territory,¡± she assured, more to herself than him, he thought. Klaus exhaled slowly. Now that is a murky line¡­ No doubt the Empress will want to meet these people and gain undead from it. This sounds like the thing that could lead to a literal gender uprising, with the women revolting¡ªbordering on genocidal. A survival, pride, and insecurity festering from a supernatural power to take their men¡­ Wow, what will Emelina think about this? Wait¡­ Brow furrowing, a small twitch lifted his lips. We have so few humans¡­ Mmm. If they can breed with any species, then does that include undead? Well, this is certainly a sticky topic. Elluinara continued explaining the depths at which the enmity existed between the female nalveans and golariex. ¡°If even a rumor spreads that a High Ruler is consorting with one¡ªespecially one like the Duchess¡ªit could collapse the empire from within¡­ In days! It has happened before¡ªcivil wars have erupted over mere accusations four hundred years ago with the High Ruler¡¯s father.¡± He tapped his fingers against his wrist, absorbing the weight of her words. Deep-seated political divides. Entire histories of resentment. ¡°That is good to know,¡± he finally said. ¡°I will let my Empress know.¡± Elluinara visibly relaxed. ¡°Good. That means she won¡¯t have to fight to justify her public image before she even enters it.¡± Klaus rubbed his chin while watching the divide between the male and female silks. There probably was some connection between that and the previous gender war. Obviously, the women won, and handily. Still, the High Ruler retained his seat¡­somehow. That had his imagination spinning. The golariex were a time bomb waiting to explode. If anyone tried to frame them for an alliance, things could spiral fast. Yet, the High Ruler had been able to come to some kind of agreement with Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma¡¯s threat looming over all the surrounding nations. It can be navigated¡­ Just carefully. It could also provide a lot of leverage, he mused to himself. One accusation, and I could have every woman in the empire rising to my banner. Yeah, I can use that kind of bomb. The palace loomed ahead, pulling him out of his internal reverie. Clearly, they were going to see someone important if they were coming here¡ªa fortress of elegance and intimidation. Not nearly the full size and breadth of the Black Fortress-City of the valley, but at least a tenth its size, keeping its Asian and Egyptian-themed mixed architecture. Massive archways carved with storm and sea motifs framed the entrance, while waterfalls cascaded into gem-encrusted basins, their waters dyed with brilliant shades of crimson and sapphire. As they stepped onto palace grounds, a formation of royal guards moved to flank them. They weren¡¯t guests anymore, it seemed. They were under escort. The leader of the escort stepped forward¡ªa scarlet-scaled officer with a rigid military posture. Elluinara leaned in to whisper her name and a little about her as they were held, awaiting her arrival¡ªLieutenant Castella. A decorated Jokorama City-State soldier who had earned her place in the Royal Army of the High Ruler. Her serpentine tail coiled behind her with rigid precision, a weapon, for sure with its metal-like club at the end. She had won a prestigious military competition, making her one of the most formidable warriors in the empire. She certainly was intimidating. She studied him, her golden reptilian eyes unblinking. After a few gestures between the Seaweaver and lieutenant, she swapped to ri¡¯bot common. ¡°You will follow.¡± No pleasantries. No formalities. Just raw, unchallenged authority. Elluinara bowed slightly, offering a proper Nalvean greeting, before stepping beside Klaus. Klaus adjusted his proper suit cuffs and shifted his hands behind his back as a squadron of eight very capable scaled salamanders surrounded them. At least they gave them a bit of privacy with their distance. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time you finally tell me who we¡¯re going to see and why and not the other options your mother mentioned.¡± Elluinara¡¯s tongue flicked out before she whispered, ¡°Princess Tal¡¯tamine, the youngest daughter of the High Ruler.¡± Well¡­that escalated! he thought. The weight of the revelation settled in his chest, but Klaus was quick to shove aside the implications. He walked with measured steps, following Lieutenant Castella and her escort deeper into Shi¡¯Shuka¡¯s inner sanctum. Elluinara remained by his side, her tail swaying with a reserved grace, though her earlier tension had yet to ease. The storm brewing in the distance was shifting away from them now as the winds changed, as if an otherworldly force had swept it to the east. At least that terrible storm was leaving. Thinking back, the residents appeared to know it wouldn¡¯t hit them. His thoughts drifted to everything they had discussed, and though the storm brewing around Yesenia and the Golariex Holy Empire intrigued him, he needed to focus on the next immediate step¡ªgetting into the good graces of Princess Tal¡¯tamine. ¡°You haven¡¯t told me why you chose to arrange this meeting with the princess instead of the other options,¡± Klaus noted, keeping his voice low but casual. ¡°Seems¡­a bit higher on the totem pole than I expected.¡± Elluinara¡¯s glowing red spikes flickered faintly, a tell of hesitation that he¡¯d picked up on. ¡°The decision was not made lightly. Every avenue had¡­complications. You wanted to speak to the High Ruler. Could just anyone speak to your Empress?¡± He tilted his head to the side, recognizing her counter. Perhaps most could right now, but as they grew, most definitely not. Her time was too important to waste on random visits which is why she had the Serving Court. Then again, so far as he could tell, Elluinara was on the Seaweaver Council, which was somewhat like Congress in the U.S. She represented a specific area of Seaweavers as the brightest and best out of that area. Yet, she was very young for the office, even if she sat on one of an oversight committee¡ªone that governed the creation of Seaweaver-powered machines, with their special control over water. The real reason was probably more to do with her origins, being raised by a ri¡¯bot mother. She likely was the subject of bullying and had some internal problems to overcome, or so he¡¯d mapped so far. That could change at a moment¡¯s notice. She gestured toward the massive structures as they walked past the stunning mosaic-laden walls of the palace, the engraved stonework gleaming in the noonday sun. ¡°There are only a few avenues you can go when attempting to meet with the High Ruler. I can start with Special Counselor Imiruba.¡± Elluinara exhaled softly as she looked after the powerful presence of the officer in front of them. ¡°The Special Counselor is the High Ruler¡¯s most trusted confidant, but he is also notoriously cautious. He doesn¡¯t act unless the benefits are overwhelming. If I approached his wing of the palace I would be turned away without a long-scheduled appointment.¡± Good. Keep feeding me information. He remained silent, allowing the chatty, nervous nalvean woman to continue. ¡°Imperial Head Captain, mgmh.¡± Her fingers tensed over her silk, a habit he¡¯d come to recognize as an indicator of unease. ¡°Imperial Head Captain Hakara is¡­an enforcer, not a politician. His loyalty is to the High Ruler and the structure of the empire. If Yesenia¡¯s presence has not yet been labeled a military threat, he won¡¯t interfere, not unless the High Ruler commands it directly.¡± Klaus clicked his tongue. ¡°So, I assume that leaves the royal family next since your boss isn¡¯t going to give me the time of day.¡± Elluinara nodded as they crossed a high-arched bridge spanning over a reflective pond, the vibrant, unique fishes gliding beneath them like rippling shards of gemstones. ¡°I considered Eldest Prince Micru¡¯Jire, but¡­¡± Her tail flicked, as if resisting the very mention of his name. He smirked. ¡°A little too unpredictable?¡± ¡°Not¡­exactly. He¡¯s a snake,¡± she muttered under her breath so the others didn¡¯t hear. ¡°A charming one, but dangerous. He does nothing for free, and I doubt we could afford the price of his assistance. In fact, worse, if we can¡¯t pay it, he¡¯d bring your presence up to Yesenia before we could get anywhere.¡± ¡°Mmm. I take it there are a few other figures you ruled out?¡± ¡°The Eldest Princess.¡± Elluinara gave a short, sharp nod. ¡°She is¡­ not fond of her own gender for¡­competitive reasons, I¡¯m told, nor does she take kindly to outsiders. If I approached her, she would either reject me outright or demand something humiliating in return,¡± her scaled cheeks somehow darkened along her snout, seemingly embarrassment. ¡°So that leaves the youngest?¡± ¡°Out of the many others¡­ Yes. Princess Tal¡¯tamine is the least embroiled in court politics. She¡¯s observant but cautious, and unlike her siblings, she still has an open mind about the changing world around her. In addition, she is the High Ruler¡¯s favorite.¡± Wonderful news! Klaus took that in stride, cataloging the information as the entrance to the royal gardens came into view. Massive floral archways of woven vines and imported trees framed the gateway, the air fragrant with an array of exotic scents. Lieutenant Castella came to a halt before the gate and motioned for them to stop. ¡°The princess is inside. You will wait¡­human,¡± she said, more forcefully, as if tasting it on her tongue. Klaus raised a brow. No elaboration? Just commands. He could respect that. As the escort held their position, Castella strode into the gardens with two other guards to inform the princess of their arrival as the rest boxed him in. It suddenly hit him as he saw Elluinara¡¯s stiff muscles. Her whole life is on the line even taking me here¡­ Her position. The Calvex Clan. Everything¡­ I¡¯m some random creature from who knows where, yet she¡¯s putting her life on the line to give me an audience that¡­in all honesty, I shouldn¡¯t get. Klaus took the moment to absorb the lush botanical marvel before him while considering the severity of the situation. The Clavex¡¯s position was a harsh one, for sure, but this nalvean girl, raised by the Mother Superior, seemed to connect with the toads more over her own people. He let the thoughts stew as he observed. The gardens were unlike anything he had seen thus far in their empire. Rows of plants, seemingly meticulously arranged by color and region from the pieces he¡¯d collected from Elluinara, stretched out in a carefully controlled display of foreign ecology. Rare flowers from distant lands, including specimens from the Golariex Holy Empire, stood side by side with local nalvean flora. Despite the deep-seated hatred nalvean women had for the golariex, their botanical fruits were still here. Questioning a soldier as he waited, he got uneasy looks from the man as the only female guarding him glared daggers at him. With some sweet talk and ¡®shared comradery¡¯ in the hatred of the mysterious sex trees, he got his answers. The Holy Empire¡¯s trees were not simply grown¡ªthey were cultivated like living sculptures, their bark twisting into intricate spirals, and their leaves shimmering with unnatural luminescence. Their whole land was entrenched in unique variants of life. They also explained why Tal¡¯tamine spends her time here. A scholar, not a warrior or schemer, was assigned to teach her about the world, which included the golariex lands. Apparently, ordered straight from her father. The lady salamander complained about the stink of the place three times in their conversation. Before he could analyze further, Castella returned, flanked by a timid but poised nalvean woman draped in soft pastel silks¡ªPrincess Tal¡¯tamine. You actually did it! I won¡¯t forget this, Elluinara. The princess¡¯ scales were a shimmering gradient of blue and green, the hues blending like ocean waves beneath the setting sun. From what little he¡¯d seen of the markets, and the Seaweaver¡¯s ramblings, he judged her silk wraps were quite modest yet elegant, and instead of a metallic headpiece, she wore a single, polished stone necklace. Her tail was shorter than Castella¡¯s due to the girl¡¯s younger age, but moved with practiced precision of a woman of her rank, hinting at a restrained power beneath her gentle exterior. She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeves¡ªnot fear or caution¡ªher eyes flicking toward him with thinly veiled curiosity before returning to Elluinara. Elluinara performed a traditional Seaweaver greeting, making a gesture over her chest. ¡°Princess, this is Klaus Klossner, the Ambassador from the Undying Empire.¡± Tal¡¯tamine nodded slightly before glancing at him once more, her eyes taking in every inch of him as she slowly moved around him. No words, only intense scrutiny, as if a scalpel, dissecting him with her eyes. Klaus tilted his head in acknowledgment and repeated Elluinara¡¯s gesture. ¡°An honor, Your Highness. I hope this is acceptable. I am still learning your customs and apologize for not knowing your language.¡± She hesitated, then spoke carefully in perfect ri¡¯bot Common. ¡°How¡­fascinating. Your¡­accent is indistinguishable from a native from the valley. No, it fluctuates as I try to change regional dialects. And what¡­exquisite fabric you wear. Unique. I doubt my father¡¯s are as fair.¡± Really? She knows ri¡¯bot regional dialects? This girl is going places! He smirked. ¡°I¡¯m sure my Empress would be more than willing to show you the fruits of our empire but consider me speechless to your observational prowess and language feats. Language is one of the powers of my Empress, to grant her followers any she can speak. I was told my kind has never been seen before. I imagine I look unnatural to you. Feel free to examine me at will.¡± She shifted her weight, deliberating before glancing at Elluinara. ¡°I have seen enough for a preliminary examination. You say¡­he speaks multiple ri¡¯bot tongues?¡± Elluinara nodded. ¡°Fluently. Not the Clavex, but it is close.¡± Tal¡¯tamine¡¯s golden eyes brightened with interest as she gestured for them to walk with her. ¡°Not only that but I hear the Ethereal¡¯s intonation. One that is almost extinct and I am still struggling to learn from one of my tutors. He speaks with more fluidity than Minister Ralsae. Join me.¡± Yeah, she¡¯s a genius, for sure. No wonder she¡¯s the High Ruler¡¯s favorite child. If he¡¯s anything like her, we could be in trouble. ¡°Well¡­tell me about your Empire,¡± she requested, bright eyed and ready to learn. Her tutor came into view, by the scroll in his hand and a quizzical eye leveled on him. ¡°I wish to know. You come from the north, yes? The valley of warring clans who took over the area where the campaign against the White God took place? Where the torturous city rests?¡± Torturous city? I suppose to them it would be, considering it seemed to take a decade to even breach, and only when the God King was dead. Klaus nodded, walking beside her as they strolled through the vibrant pathways. ¡°Yes, and you flatter my Empress with your praise. The valley to the north has long been home to warring ri¡¯bot clans, as I am sure you are aware. Likely far more than I, who only came to this world a few months ago. Our Empress is in the process of uniting them under a single banner with the war hero and Grand Plant Caller, Valdar¡ªa feat he thought impossible before her arrival.¡± Tal¡¯tamine hummed thoughtfully, her fingers brushing over the petals of a softly glowing flower. ¡°The war hero Valdar? I recognize his name. He is one of only five ri¡¯bot recorded in our history of that war, one of which being the Ethereal Clan and their sacrifice which supposedly took the Black King with them.¡± Now that is something Garu would be starving to hear! I¡¯ll need to get more details on what the nalveans know about that battle later. Valdar is big enough to be recorded, though, which means we have standing with his name attached. ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed. ¡°Elder Chief Valdar has supported our Empress and is one of her greatest allies. He will likely join us here soon.¡± Tal¡¯tamine¡¯s tail twitched slightly, a movement of interest rather than alarm. ¡°He would¡­be welcome. His name is respected and there are still records I must obtain from him regarding his perspective of the war. I enjoy history so much, yet there isn¡¯t enough to satisfy me here, despite all the records in the Royal Library.¡± Klaus noted the shift in her demeanor¡ªless hesitation, more engagement. This was promising. She paused near a spiraling white tree, her fingers tracing the bark. ¡°Your story has already interested me since the moment Councillor Elluinara told me you came from another world,¡± she admitted, glancing at her with a touch of uncertainty before returning to him. ¡°I would like to hear more.¡± He recognized the opening when he saw it. A spark of genuine curiosity¡ªa door not yet closed. Yet, there was also something¡­off about the comparison from what Elluinara had told him about her and how bright and voracious her appetite for knowledge was. Still, he wasn¡¯t going to get an opportunity like this again, and he knew Elinor would take it. Klaus bowed slightly, his smile warm and making the same gesture he did before. ¡°I would be honored, Your Highness.¡± Tal¡¯tamine inhaled, then gave a decisive nod. ¡°Wonderful, then, Castella, I will sign his permit to have access to the city and palace during visiting hours.¡± Yahtzee! Klaus suppressed a victorious smirk, offering a respectful incline of his head. ¡°I appreciate your generosity, Princess.¡± He glanced toward Castella, who was observing the exchange with impassive scrutiny. He could feel her disapproval and caution, but an order from the princess seemed definitive. He had to push for one more permit, though. ¡°Would¡­my companion, Emelina, also be granted access, Princess?¡± Tal¡¯tamine¡¯s head tilted to the side as if in thought, her gaze fixated not on his vouching Seaweaver but his reaction. Several tense seconds passed before she smiled. ¡°I see, she is one who is close to you. You shared a bed with her last night and is also of your humankind. It would be prudent to understand you as a pair,¡± she chimed. ¡°Yes.¡± Klaus maintained his smile, but a pit opened in his stomach. ¡­Forget genius. This girl is terrifying. The Empress will love it here. He kept his relief and misgivings masked yet knew at this point nothing would get past this princess. He nodded in gratitude. ¡°Thank you.¡± As the meeting concluded, the elderly nalvean tutor, dressed in flowing robes, stepped forward, his gaze was sharp, brimming with intrigue. ¡°If only you maintained this level of concentration during our lessons, Princess. And Ambassador¡­if your Empress wields power over the dead, as we have been informed of, then she is more than just a political leader?¡± Klaus held his stare and suppressed a wide grin. ¡°Yes.¡± The tutor¡¯s expression remained unreadable. ¡°I see. Hmm. Similar to the Holy Brace of the Golariex¡­ The High Ruler will want to hear of this.¡± Klaus wanted to throw up his hands and dance. No, he would when he got back with Emelina. The seed was planted. Whether the princess recommended it or not. Their Empress would have her meeting. It was just a matter of time. Now, to send their Empress a letter. We¡¯re in. B4 — 22. Echoes of the Past Camellia perched high within the thick jungle canopy, her crimson locks billowing with each gust of wind that filtered through the sweltering air. Below, the Wandering River slithered through the valley like a living artery, its deceptively still surface masking the treacherous currents below. Low hanging mist moved along its length, the soft tapping of rain pattering around her. Creatures hid any place they could, upset by the colossal and abrupt changes in weather that the hag had generated. Although, the elements were starting to temper. Her gaze drifted over the geothermal vents that lined this part of the banks, leading up to the giant fortress beyond the tree foliage. Plumes of smoke billowed skyward, mixing with the humid jungle air. The heat and rain made her new human-like skin slick with sweat. It was an odd sensation¡ªthe slickness of sweat where before, her exoskeleton had been impervious to the elements. Ruby irises fell to her fleshy hand, she let the liquid pool and flow down her arm, watching it twist and curve around her tiny hair follicles. The atmosphere was alive around her, feeding back scent trails, pressure, and dozens upon dozens of other phenomena that collected into a dazzling reality. What will Mother and my sisters think when they see this form I¡¯ve taken? A shiver ran down her spine, reflecting on everything she¡¯d experienced since being resurrected. Our purpose was to evolve and conquer for our species¡­ World after world, we spread, consume, adapt, and expand to the next generation. Yet, these emotions I obtained from the Empress are¡­confusing that purpose to an extent. No, expanding? She looked up at the gray sky before rising further to the canopy, breaking through to view the swaying, wave-like jungle as it moved to the gusts. This is an evolution. A new power crawling through my veins¡­but at the cost of children? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Who is to say we cannot further develop? A sharp inhale and exhale brought the familiar terrain into her nerve system¡ªthe northern center of the valley. Her youngest sister¡¯s domain. She liked to draw in her prey, lounging around spinning her silk and admiring her craft¡­ Lazy. But she did save me a few times when we went to help Mother¡­ She brought her hand up to her breast, a sharp pain compressing her chest. What happened to my family? Sharp eyes picking apart areas she recalled roaming, Camellia continued her path along the canopy. Their mother¡¯s territory was everywhere, so she¡¯d find her webs scattered throughout the valley. Her forces had once used the river behind her as a natural boundary, a divide between sectioned off areas. Camellia flexed her fingers, memories of her past life tugging at the edges of her thoughts. Mother was indestructible. I never questioned that¡ªuntil now. Had I wanted to prove myself to her, or had I doubted her ability to kill the White God? The answer gnaws at me like an old web unraveling¡­without a solution. She had spent too much time around humans, absorbing human philosophies that made her question things she once took as absolute. That wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing. But the new perspectives felt¡­strange. Dangerous. Her crimson locks swayed as the wind carried the scent of sulfur and rain on her rise up the jungle cliffs and hills. The last remnants of the storm that the hag had conjured were dissipating, leaving behind a heavy humidity that clung to her human skin. She exhaled, adjusting her balance on the thick branch beneath her. In the distance, the northern shelf of the valley loomed, its volcanic plains breaking through the tree line like the exposed ribs of the quen¡¯talrat it used to house. The Black Fortress¡ªKel¡¯mal¡¯tha¡ªlay just beyond it, its towering silhouette waiting at the horizon, defiant against time and destruction. With a flex of her legs, she launched into motion. The humid air parted as she sailed over the jungle, her limbs coiling and releasing in rapid succession. Silk shot from her fingertips at the apex of her jumps, latching onto sturdy branches and propelling her forward like a shadow through the swaying night canopy. Below, the Wandering River stretched through the valley, half-obscured by the low-hanging clouds that curled along its banks. There was some sort of structure further along its currents, incredibly long and wide that hadn¡¯t been there before. She barely glanced at it. She pushed those thoughts aside. Her focus remained on her trajectory¡ªon reaching the shelf that would give her a clear vantage point. The higher she climbed, the thinner the canopy became, giving way to rocky outcrops and barren soil. The jungle''s breath thinned here, yielding to the violence of the land beyond. Camellia emerged at the crest of the hill, where the jungle met the sulfuric wasteland beyond. Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha¡¯s colossal black walls loomed ahead, standing defiant against the ever-shifting landscape. The land was scarred by the elements. Volcanic vents hissed from deep fissures in the earth, their plumes of steam mingling with the lingering rain. Much of the landscape had changed due to the recent heavy storms over the past months, yet still the vibrant pools of organisms somehow survived. Mud pits bubbled and churned, exhaling noxious fumes that made the air thick and acrid. Jagged obsidian shards jutted out from the terrain like broken teeth, remnants of long-cooled lava flows that had once shaped this violent land, terraformed by the quen¡¯talrat. She crouched low, letting her senses expand as she studied the battlefield before her. The scene brought back memories of her past¡­ Of her mistake. Once, this expanse had been filled with war camps, siege engines, and tens of thousands of bodies, preparing for the final assault on the Black Fortress. Now, it was eerily silent, stripped of movement save for the distant gurgle of boiling mud and the occasional hiss of steam escaping the vents. Nothing of that siege remained¡ªwar machine or structure. Well, excluding the fortress itself that survived that colossal, united assault between eight different races. Her gaze flicked to the leftmost walls of Kel¡¯mal¡¯tha¡ªthe section that had once been breached by the golariex and the nelvians. The tree women, with their twisted, root-like bodies, had torn down sections of the fortress¡¯s exterior, their plant-based abilities burrowing through the stone like a creeping decay. Though none of the buildings or machines remained, the plant women¡¯s unique wooden pathways remained leading inside the fractured exterior wall. The fortress had two layers before reaching the inner sanctum, and the golariex were one of the few races who had managed to penetrate the quen¡¯talrat protected structures, which was somewhat impressive, really. However, something strange drew Camellia¡¯s notice now that her focus was on the giant city. That¡­wasn¡¯t there when Mother prepared her subterranean assault. A new material coated sections of the broken wall¡ªa black, seamless reinforcement that didn¡¯t belong to the quen¡¯talrat¡¯s architecture. It was unnatural, as if the fortress itself had begun to repair its wounds with something beyond stone. It reminded her of the strange substance her mother had unearthed near the fortress¡¯ foundation. The Empress said there were some sort of automatic energy weapons the Yaltha¡¯ma activated to attack anyone who comes too close¡­ They are active on the walls, she noted, identifying the big contraptions mounted on the battlements. However, this reconstruction was not there several days ago. Her hair bristled, a shiver of unease running down her spine as she shifted her gaze to the west side of the valley, the sensation of being watched gripping her. Is that¡­the hag? ¡°Don¡¯t mind me, dearie, but you are quite the specimen. I¡¯m merely intrigued by your observations. Carry on. I¡¯ll leave you be. Such treacherous wonders to explore in this world.¡± The woman¡¯s succulent voice faded with a gentle chuckle. Vision narrowing, Camellia lingered at the edge of the volcanic plain as the presence left, her crimson eyes scanning the fortress with a hunter¡¯s gaze. Mother would have loved to make a snack of that hag¡­ Maybe she will when she awakens. Memories clawed their way into her mind¡ªmemories of her mother, of her sisters, of a battle that had rewritten her entire world. She reached up, fingertips brushing against her pointed ears, a reminder of how much had changed. This form, this human-like body¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a shift in biology. It was a shift in perspective. She had thought herself complete before. Now, she wasn¡¯t so sure. She had spent time among a few humans now, learning their ways, absorbing their philosophies, and now¡ªstanding here, seeing the aftermath of a war she had once seen as nothing more than a buffet¡ªshe felt¡­something unsettling. She had always understood the battlefield as a predator¡ªas a space defined by prey and conquest. Yet now, she recognized something else. Loss. A loss of family. She clenched her fists. Our race often sees sisters killing one another for the right of our mother¡¯s territory¡­ Mother was different from our aunts, though. She had more of these human emotions adapted over them¡­ She didn¡¯t like it when we fought with each other. Hmm. Now I can see why¡­ But why didn¡¯t she pass those genes along to us? Her gaze shifted to the natural mounds at the fortress¡¯s outskirts. Geothermal vents riddled the terrain, their heat carving hollowed tunnels through the stone. Did she view that as a weakness? Her mother had used these tunnels. So had her youngest sister, spinning webs into the labyrinth below the fortress. If anyone was the quen¡¯talrat¡¯s bane, it was her youngest sister. Lurking far below, sending her invisible webs up from the belly of the earth to ensnare the apes and drag them into her domain. The White God had been different, though. No web¡ªnot even her youngest sister¡¯s or their mother¡¯s¡ªcould hold that beast. Camellia moved swiftly, scaling down into one of the hidden burrows. The heat intensified, the air thick with old decay and the remnants of battle. The walls pulsed with residual energy¡ªher mother¡¯s influence still clung to this place, like a ghost refusing to be forgotten. What would happen if I could find Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma¡¯s corpse? Would he be an asset to the Empress? A bitter taste touched her tongue as she ran into a dying geyser, following the boiling water down into branching tunnels that brought her into the depths of the volcanic interior. Do I want to introduce him to the empire¡­ I do not. Is that wrong? Logically, yes. Hmm. There! Flipping into a fissure in the earth, she discovered one of her sister¡¯s old tunnels. Inside, destroyed drones. Twisted and broken, their metallic exoskeletons torn apart with brutal efficiency¡ªthe ancient scent of not Elite Hunters on them¡­but one of The Twelve, as her middle sister called them. The White God¡¯s rulers¡ªkings and queens. This scent? The second strongest. The Silver Queen. A chill crept through her as she breathed in the air, filtering the chemical trails that remained. Just feeling her presence, even if centuries old, left a jitter in her bones. Mother always told me I wasn¡¯t to attack any of the rulers when I was at my full strength and with guardians¡­ Just their scent speaks of the power they held. My other sisters could have put up a fight¡­ Her lips drew together, realizing so many new things with her human form. Mother, why did you care for me so much when I was so much weaker than your other daughters? I am like your older sister, who gave up the territory to you and went to the southeast¡­ What worth do I have to the brood as a weak queen candidate? Shaking away the thought, she attached her hair to her youngest sister¡¯s very complex web network. Frustratingly, it took a few moments to even gain rudimentary access. She loved to mess with her and apply little challenges to see if she¡¯d get frustrated and give up. However, her middle sister¡¯s scent snapped her thoughts back into gear. It led deeper inside the tunnels. Camellia pushed deeper into the tunnels until she reached the chamber where her mother had fought Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma. Upon coming to a branch, she paused. My scent? Kneeling down, she ran her hand over the smooth stone, mixed with webbing. She¡¯d already delved hundreds of meters below the surface and was close to hitting the unusual bedrock of the fortress¡ªthe same material that was repairing the city walls. After the Xaltan¡¯s trick of using her own silk, she¡¯d kept her senses open to it. Without a doubt, her corpse had been carried away down this tunnel several decades prior. Their unique chemicals were designed to be untraceable, excluding their own species, and to last for many generations. Much could be determined through various chemical releases. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The yaltha¡¯ma¡­ The Hidden Ones who took several drones. Many more pursued them, preventing the group from returning for my other siblings, she determined, reading the trace pheromones left behind¡ªthe fear, the rage. Could my family still be there? Proceeding, she passed into a starkly familiar territory¡ªa floor of pure black glass, spackled with twinkling star-like patterns. Her bare feet flexed against the unusual substance. It¡¯s the same as it was a century ago¡­ The vibrating presence of energy, emanating from billions of presences, like microorganisms. A field surrounding each one that binds and shifts on a scale that is nearly impossible to track¡­ The substance Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma used to attack us with¡­and now it is neutral. She held her elbow behind her back while proceeding, analyzing every step and shift in the cool, and shockingly fresh atmosphere. It¡¯s cycling the air and releasing it, breaking down carbon dioxide. It also responds to my steps, but only to firm and reject¡­keeping me stable. Such a strange system. Entering the vast, cavernous space her mother had used to battle the White God, Camellia felt a new emotion. The only word that fit was¡­hollow. Not a sound was heard as she took in the empty space. No mother. No sisters. Reinforced by her mother¡¯s suspended silk-webbing that clung stubbornly to the high walls, the zone was still stable, if barely. Most of it was gone, burned away by Ke¡¯Thra¡¯Ma¡¯s unique, all-consuming white fire, leaving behind an empty shell of the battlefield that had claimed her family¡¯s lives. Is there¡­anything left to resurrect? The thought plagued her like an itch within her plates as she moved to the obsidian glass-like wall that took up an entire wall, from the black floor to the ceiling¡ªthe place her mother had so easily carved out a hole into the fortress. There was no cavity now. Eyes scanning back and forth, Camellia let her silk hair flow out, crawling across every part of the unnatural material. The fortress is repairing itself. Could it have started due to that horn that shook the valley? Is it because of the threat of the hag? No, but the horn was blown when the Avana appeared, she noted, recalling what Black had told her in passing about possible threats. If¡­ Her thoughts shattered as her family¡¯s scent bloomed. Vision snapping to the corner, she launched that way and bent down, silk coiling along the area. My youngest sister¡¯s scent¡­ Nalveans? Her nose twisted, the pungent smell of the species that stole her unhatched youngest sister burning on her hair. They took her down the left tunnel. Her network expanded, flowing after the trail as she turned to another spot. And my middle sister! Yaltha¡¯ma again? Wait¡­ She followed the path that led right to the sealed black wall¡ªrepaired, seamless, impenetrable. Her palm pressed against the place where her sister had been taken through, pressure mounting. It hummed, a subtle pulse vibrating from the black substance. It was the same as the foundation¡ªthe same as the glyphs on the ground where her mother¡¯s scent vanished. More power gathering, symbols formed like starlight, the resistance growing stronger and stronger. An electrical pulse shot through her nerve system, which she easily redirected into the substance, only for it to be redirected back to her feet four times stronger. Once again redirecting it through her silk, she instead sent it upward into the stone, causing a sharp arc of lightning. Withdrawing, Camellia flexed her fingers, watching the symbol fade and the force field diminish. It adapts¡­ The Empress will likely have a solution. I am sure my middle sister is inside, though. That leaves¡­Mother. Her gaze returned to the same tunnel the nalveans had taken her youngest sister. Only, her mother¡¯s scent was far more subtle to track, taking her a moment to find. Something else had taken her¡ªsomething that smelled of a unique form of metal. Her mother had been taken. Her youngest sister had been taken by the Nalveans. Her middle sister was still inside. Camellia¡¯s breath steadied. The next step was clear. She left the chamber for the tunnel, following the path her mother and sister had been taken. The tunnels opened up into a vast chasm beneath the fortress. Not made by them. No. This was made by the quen¡¯talrat. A straight, square-like tunnel that went from the wall, far into the distance, many hundreds of meters below the surface and running underneath the valley. In the center of this strange passage, a glyph had been carved into the starlit floor, its intricate design branching outward in a precise, complex pattern. It didn¡¯t match quen¡¯talrat writing she¡¯d seen on their parchment. It was similar to the one that had formed when she¡¯d tried to push the wall in. Something infused with power. Camellia crouched, placing her hand against it. A low, droning hum pulsed through her limbs again, a resonance that sent an involuntary shudder down her spine. It was fundamentally different than the previous one, trying to repel her. This one appeared to analyze every atom in her body. Mother and that metallic scent disappeared here¡­ It was after me and my middle sister were taken. Mother was likely too large for the nalveans, so they settled on my youngest sister¡­ Their trail leads further up to the surface through the caverns¡­ They appeared to get lost for a day or two before reaching the end. Whatever the case¡­ I have a lead. Camellia straightened, her expression unreadable. A path leading deeper into the fortress, a missing mother, and a sister stolen by those she had once considered beneath her notice. She traced her pointed ear once more, a tick she had developed since adapting to her new form. She had changed. She had gained new instincts. New weaknesses. And yet, as she turned toward the massive blackened structure that now housed at least one of her sisters, she knew this evolution was for the better. Empress, it appears we have another reason to enter the fortress¡­ My sister is waiting for me. With a final glance toward the impenetrable black wall, she turned and vanished into the tunnels, moving with renewed urgency. She had the scent of those who had taken her youngest sister and knew where her middle sister likely still rested. Soon, there would be two of them searching for the rest of their family. * ¡ª * ¡ª * The scent of burnt herbs and bitter blood clung to the air as Tiffany traced a final rune in the damp earth. Amber flames licked at her fingertips, their light casting jagged shadows across the ritual circle. The blood of the slain beast, thick and dark, curled in tendrils along the etched lines, bridging the divide between realms. Tiffany didn¡¯t voice to Elinor what would be required for this ritual. On the opposite side of the gate, one of the Autumn family¡¯s daughters¡ªthe family Evelyn utterly controlled for generations¡ªhad prepared a chain link. Blood from her elder brother, who knelt at the center of the ritual on the opposite side. The current heir. Well, not that the hag particularly cared since she would just have them breed more. He was bound and trembling before his younger sister, bewitched from birth. A sacrifice like the many the hag had used to steal their Tempest powers over hundreds of years. A necessary link between blood and soul¡­ One that her Empress need not be aware of. His breath no doubt hitched with each whispered incantation. Not that Tiffany could see it. Still, the disguised creature showed a wicked gleam in her eyes while directing her in how to facilitate the pattern. Roman stood nearby, cold pragmatism on his face. She knew he didn¡¯t enjoy the hag¡¯s ways, yet it was the only way to sustain a complete and stable portal¡ªlodging a soul between spaces like a door wedge. He wouldn¡¯t die per se. May not even feel pain! Well, it was a gray area. Evelyn leaned against the withered altar she¡¯d crafted, her silk dress pooling like spilled ink around her legs. ¡°Oh, Tiffany, you¡¯ve grown so comfortable with these rites,¡± she mused, her voice a purr wrapped in thorns. ¡°The amount of scolding I have to give my apprentice witches, but you¡­are perfection. Such a delightful change from that pious little thing you used to be.¡± Tiffany didn¡¯t glance up, feeling the dagger twisting into her chest. I know you can hear my thoughts, hag, and read my soul. There¡¯s no need to sink your claws deeper. Edmon cuts my undead heart enough¡­ Perhaps I¡¯ll need to dig it out and place a charm on it. A chuckle slithered through the night air of the Hidden Ones¡¯ cavern; the creatures were milling around, wide-eyed and whispering prayers. ¡°Why, dear girl, I would love to offer you a hand in that. When you wake up, it is only darker the next night. Now, the blood of the linked soul, the transdimensional demon your lovely empress slew, and a little¡­something immortal.¡± Evelyn took out two vials from empty space, pouring the red and toxic black blood into the proper circles before dragging a nail along her own forearm, slicing into the caramel skin. Silver ichor welled up, glowing as it dripped into the circle, sending a pulse of power through the ground. The symbols flared, making Tiffany¡¯s breath catch at the ripple of power that quaked through her to the very core. The hag, however, carried on as if this were an average Tuesday. ¡°But I do wonder¡­does dear Edmon really still mourn the woman you were? Does he pray for a way to bring her back?¡± Tiffany cleared her throat, stepping back and glancing at the maids beside the wall, stiff and uncomfortable in the enigmatic fiend¡¯s presence. To be fair, even she was intimidated by the potent, eldritch-like entity. Must you speak aloud such things to the help? she sighed. I would say what nonsense are you suggesting¡­ But a hag does not speak nonsense. She speaks ill-fortuned truths. In my eyes, he absolutely abhors me, she stated bitterly, entering the dual channeling circle with the brown-haired woman opposite her. He told me himself¡­ I am but the demon that possessed his wife. Evelyn tilted her head as she touched the sage on the altar, turning it black as mock curiosity gleaming in those slitted yellow eyes. ¡°What a man says and what his heart cries are two different things, my lovely¡­ What makes you think he does not see himself as a demon in human skin?¡± Her golden globes glowed with mischievous intent. ¡°What will his pure wife think of the cold, dead Death Knight who stole her husband?¡± Tiffany stilled, a numb quiver running through her marrow. The runes beneath her fingers hissed as heat bled from her touch. Evelyn was testing her, poking at raw wounds with elegant precision¡­ She really was a perfect specimen. ¡°She will love him regardless,¡± she said finally, voice cold as the grave. ¡°But¡­I know what it is like to be her. I don¡¯t have the patience to wait for his grief to run dry.¡± Roman scoffed from the sidelines, arms crossed as he leaned against a stone obelisk. ¡°The drama. He won¡¯t let go of a ghost,¡± he muttered with a small smirk. ¡°Not when he has the option of getting her back, which you¡­so cleverly offered. For the record, I¡¯m free.¡± ¡°Pass.¡± Evelyn clapped her hands with delight. ¡°Oh, my, how tragic! What a splendid atmosphere for a blood ritual. And yet, Tiffany, I see no sorrow in your lovely eyes when I am done with you. Only amusement and victory.¡± She leaned in, whispering, ¡°How much of you is still hers, I wonder?¡± The witch¡¯s lips curled. ¡°Just enough to enjoy the irony? Or¡­perhaps more than you think¡­¡± Leave¡­ Tiffany ordered the maids. They swiftly hustled out, leaving them alone as Tiffany held the smirking creature¡¯s gaze. The wind picked up, pulling at the edges of their cloaks. The sigils around the circle burned white-hot, reacting to the convergence of energies. Roman strode forward, summoning his cane to place at the center of the altar. A rift opened. The cave quaked. The Yaltha¡¯ma scattered in a panic, running every which way. A noble man on the opposite side let out a sharp cry as he came into view, his veins lighting up like molten gold. A tether formed, stretching between realms as the laced blood of red, black, and silver twisting up to pull him through, carving a path where there was none. Roman¡¯s weapon passed through him like a ghost, his soul drawn out and twisting in binding circles around the item before his body stretched, like drawn into an event horizon. Tiffany maintained the resonance, feeling the hag easily sustaining the potent waves as she acted as the echo to amplify the power. ¡°You¡¯ve avoided answering one of my questions, Evelyn,¡± she mumbled, feeling the pressure collapsing around her body. The hag raised a delicate brow, her teeth flashing. ¡°Only one? Not how you can bypass the tedious repeated chanting? No? How disappointing.¡± Tiffany ignored the jest. ¡°The storm you created¡­ You played it up, but you don¡¯t do anything for free or for so little. You owe the Empress more than you expected, don¡¯t you?¡± she challenged. Something flickered in Evelyn¡¯s expression. The usual mirth dimmed, replaced by something more calculating, almost wary. ¡°Oh, how very clever you are, my little morsel. So perceptive,¡± she murmured. ¡°Indeed, I do. And my dealings with Nungal may have been¡­more costly than I had anticipated. Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t be surprised, but the goddess is¡­far more formidable than even I anticipated.¡± Roman shifted, shifting his sunglasses on his nose as the teen girl on the other side collapsed, nearly dead, even with all the potent artifacts Evelyn left to take the brunt of the ritual. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting way of admitting you miscalculated¡­ Nungal appears to have hoodwinked you, as she¡¯s done our sweet Empress.¡± Evelyn¡¯s smile turned dark as her slitted eyes darted to the Legend. ¡°Careful, strategist¡­ Trying to play on my pride will trigger my spite, and a hag¡¯s spite is not a curse one desires.¡± ¡°Apologies,¡± he chortled, giving a small bow. ¡°I¡¯ve heard so little about this goddess, yet she appears to have great significance to Empress Elinor, and who better to seek advice than from an ancient wisdom such as yourself?¡± ¡°Charming¡­ No, I never miscalculate, Roman. I merely¡ª¡± Her fingers twitched. The ritual¡¯s pulse shifted, darkening for the briefest moment as the man and altar between them exploded, only to draw into a spiral rift of blood, materials, and gore. ¡°¡ªadjust.¡± Tiffany watched her carefully, unsure exactly what she¡¯d done to change the ritual in the middle of it¡ªsomething that should be impossible. ¡°And how will you adjust now that she has shifted the playing field?¡± Evelyn sighed, as if genuinely weary, rubbing between her eyes. The cane remained at the center of the rippling pool, growing larger and larger to stretch from floor to ceiling. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll have to find a way to make it even. A debt owed is a debt paid, after all. The word of a hag is a precious thing¡­ Our lifeblood, you could say,¡± she added with a wicked smile. And there she goes¡­ Offering unsolicited information few will understand to even the playing field. It doesn¡¯t count if I don¡¯t tell the Empress, which you have the deal with, sweetheart. ¡°Clever girl!¡± The portal flared, widening into a swirling abyss of blue-black void, drawing in the ingredients within a singularity. A passage into the depths of Kaspir Kingdom¡¯s hidden chambers. The energy crackled, the soul of the Autumn noble snuggly fitted into a pane of glass between realms. Tiffany exhaled, rolling her shoulders, feeling the weight in her bones when she really didn¡¯t do anything. ¡°Then it looks like we all have our next moves. You need to prepare my other half¡¯s return for my beloved Death Knight. Roman has his own mission in Kaspir, no doubt. And I¡­need to check in on our branch kingdom¡­ Ah,¡± she paused. Glancing at the amiable, wicked creature, Tiffany¡¯s eyes narrowed, knowing Elinor would not like the truth of how this rift was maintained. Still, there was something she could do for the Autumn family in return for this small sacrifice. ¡°You don¡¯t happen to need your former identity, do you? Would it be possible to craft a simple doll of yourself that I could use for my own ends on the other side?¡± The hag¡¯s sinister smile returned, brown eyes returning as she took on the elegant facade she¡¯d carried for centuries. ¡°But of course. It is a minor request since the family is¡­practically useless to me now. And the price of your pride is worth the loss¡­ You adjusted. Beautiful.¡± Tiffany cleared her throat as the hag snapped her fingers, and a shimmering double materialized, blinking innocently and totally devoid of the hag¡¯s nasty personality¡ªa true, temporary heir to the Autumn family until the teen could take over her house¡¯s name. ¡°The family is yours, Witch Queen.¡± Without another word, she stepped toward the rift, leaving Roman to whatever deal he planned to make. A bitter tear slid down her cheek upon reaching the other side, feeling as if she¡¯d been breaking since the moment she¡¯d been born¡­ Unloved from inception. Is there a small piece of me that wishes for something¡­good? Evelyn¡¯s smirk deepened on the other side as her voice faded away. ¡°Do try not to get lost, dear. I would so hate to find you wandering where you don¡¯t belong¡­ The labyrinth of self-worth is dangerous.¡± Tiffany cast a final glance over her shoulder, brushing the tear away before it could be seen, her grin mirroring the hag¡¯s own. ¡°Oh, Evelyn,¡± she whispered, stepping forward to check on the brown-haired teen, ¡°I always find a place to belong.¡± And with that, she tended to her new little appearance¡¯s wounds¡ªwhen the young Ms. Autumn awoke, she would be freed from the hag¡¯s control. Her fake mother was standing nearby for the transition. I don¡¯t want to be like this forever¡­ But for now, just let it go. Edmon¡­ I know it hurts. I know¡­but you don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to be me.