PoV : Empress Elinor (What and … interesting Seraph…)
Recap: Well, well, well, we got our introduction into sweets inside the Nalvean homeland, which turns out, humans and Nalveans have very different tastebuds. What is spicy to Nalveans is sweet to humans, and vise versa. Castellia is horrified that they could even consider the insanely hot snacks as anything but pure poison!
While our Empress is going over that, Klaus is just off inspecting Nalvean female garments that have the salamander people looking at him funny >.> our Ambassador needs to brush up on his Nalvean silk fashion. Hope no one tells our Head Maid! >.> <.<
Finally, we have some interesting stalkers, at least nine of them from what Violet has identified, and one just showed up claiming to be from Stateswoman Lukuroha’s camp—Elinor’s pissed it’s not who she thought it would be, but Violet saves the day … seems this woman with a lisp has had … ahem … relations with Baltoma … The plot thickens!
What new event awaits us in this chapter?
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Elinor followed their potential fake Nalvean guide, Edmon, Castella, and Klaus beside her; at first, she wasn’t sure how the giant Thélméthra would navigate through the crowded streets, yet Violet somehow read the throng’s flow, expertly maneuvering her body and feet to stay within an appropriate distance to react.
The memory of the Michigan trip her family went on a few years ago returned to mind with the great lakes’ fresh-scented breeze. In fact, much of what she saw emulated the tourist lifestyle among the Nalveans, except for how they treated her.
Her boots tapped against the artistically placed cobblestone streets, drawing attention to herself while casually studying her surroundings. Word must spread quickly among the marketplaces because more and more people recognized her position, showing respect, or hurrying away from the area.
Some kind of gold element lined the streets, and the polished nature of the Nalvean Capital only reminded her of the grim nature of her own … she’d already made a note of it before, but the bustling streets, prosperous with trade and traveling Nalveans, moving between City-States, reflected the depressing state of her own broken lands.
Ke’Thra’Ma left her the shell of a powerful infrastructure to build upon, yet it would take a lot of work, and contemplating the wealth of this kingdom brought her thoughts back to Earth; she’d lived in the greatest time in human history. The Ri’bot were barely reaching the iron and steel age by themselves, and only advanced after observing many of the other races that came together to defeat the Quen’Talrat.
The Ri’bot’s addition to the war was almost laughable after seeing the Nalvean Empire, which meant it was simply a token for the other nations. The toad people were just strategically in a position to offer the best scouting and land resource information for the assault and siege, yet at one point, they’d been so dominant that they took on the Children of the Sun.
A lot could happen in thousands of years; humanity had advanced to an incredible degree in only a few hundred. It was just so hard to contemplate Demon’s story with what she experienced.
Elinor turned her agitated mind away from the temperate morning weather, bustling streets, and comparisons. In truth, she was trying to distract herself from the complications that had continued to strike; Statesman Baltoma having Sari’aél’s body had really cut under her skin, and the accompanying moves made by the other factions were causing further undesired difficulties.
Edmon, Klaus, and Violet had been in constant communication since they’d begun following their Nalvean guide; she was going to tap into their conversation but instead turned her furrowed brow to the two Imperial Guards escorting her as they leaned over, whispering to Edmon.
Hikico’rova engaged. “Lord Gatekeeper Edmon, I believe this to be unusual behavior for a Stateswoman. To seek an audience with a Ruler requires a personal address or a representative of the highest station … not a personal attendant.”
“I agree,” Romimaca mumbled. “Even for a recently appointed Stateswoman, such as the Mirelitel’s Head of State; this would typically be received quite poorly.”
“I am aware,” Edmon smoothly responded, keeping his tone level with theirs to not draw more suspicion. “Be on your guard.”
They both nodded, pulling away to force the crowd further back by their position on either side.
Elinor’s mood brightened a little with their warning. Aren’t they cute? She asked Edmon.
“It could be an action to raise their reputation with us, but a positive sign overall; the issue comes with the other eight spies. Castella, is this a disrespectful gesture on the part of Lukuroha?”
Castella released a doubtful hum. “To the public’s perspective, yes, but it is not unprecedented for a personal attendant to seek an audience in the name of their charge, depending on circumstance, which is why I did not say anything. The requirements are met; Lukuroha is currently occupied by the High Ruler’s meeting, which she cannot be late to unless she wishes to disrespect him.
“The fact she is within the city requires her appearance, as well, and this boy could be her highest representative present. Full consultation meetings regarding critical Empire decisions such as entering into an alliance with a hitherto unknown nation is mandatory by all relevant City-State representatives within close proximity to Shi’Shuka.”
Figuring Shi’Shuka was the Nalvean Capital’s name, Elinor’s gaze locked onto the back of their escort, continuing through the streets, leading to the palace gates. Although, the errors in her clothing wouldn’t be enough of an excuse with that explanation?
Castella chuckled softly. “Absolutely not, Empress, especially when greeting a high dignitary, much less the Ruler of another Empire. Even in haste, an attendant would make certain that everything was perfect as to not show even greater disrespect or cause for suspicion.”
Klaus cleared his throat. “Might I intrude, Empress?”
By all means, She kept her vision fixed on the woman’s back, walking eight feet ahead of them, which appeared to be the appropriate distance considering the female tail length, and gave them enough space to whisper without her hearing; not that they spoke aloud.
“As we were discussing, Edmon, could Castella identify the eight others Violet has noticed following us? She’s been keeping an eye on them since they’ve stayed fairly obscured, but if we’re on the move like this, they’ll have to expose themselves to keep up.”
Elinor wanted to say they shouldn’t identify them so openly but knew it was a worry that could go unspoken; each of them was far more cautious than her, in any case.
“Could you describe the general direction for her, Violet?” Edmon asked.
“Indeed. Although three are splitting off, I suspect one of the more violent members is tracking another target after identifying him.”
A low growl sounded from Castella. “Using us to find his target, and they’re planning to murder him in broad daylight? Crimes like that are rarely done in Shi’Shuka … some of the City-States, sure, but not Shi’Shuka.”
“Hmm…” Klaus’s lips tightened. “What of the JadeFire assassination and the burning of our ship?”
“Yes,” Castella admitted with trouble, “those two incidents alone spike the Capital’s serious crime-rate dramatically compared to previous decades of held peace, which could throw suspicion on the Empress, now that I think about it.”
“Let’s stop for a moment,” Edmon stated, slowing with the rest of them, which caused their two Imperial Guards to pause; he released a calculated sound in his throat for the guards to hear. “They’ve seen that the Empress has shown interest in the assassination within the palace and went to the scene of the crime to release Kamlira. We are already involved, which means we need to establish our innocence and tighten the noose around the necks of the perpetrators to gain further validity, else they turn it on us without our notice.”
“I can see that…” Klaus mumbled; their escort made it a few more meters before realizing she wasn’t being followed, but Elinor’s cold eyes were still centered on her. “Are you saying we should prevent the next murder or catch them in the act?”
“It depends on who they are with,” Edmon responded.
Castella didn’t like the idea but didn’t voice her thoughts for a moment, recognizing the position they were in; she’d prefer to prevent further slaughter of her own people. “… I understand that we can forgo pleasantries if we catch them with a knife between someone’s scales, but aren’t two living spies to question better than one?”
It was an admirable attempt, but not an argument that held up when she was a Lich, Elinor mused.
“We’ll see,” Edmon stated. “The others tailing us will be forced to be more reckless with the random change in direction, as well.”
“Empress?” The escort asked, calmly walking back with her docile hands folding in front of her stomach after a hand gesture.
To Elinor’s surprise, Romimaca made a strange two-fingered motion in front of his throat. “The Empress is communicating with her people; it would be best not to disturb her.”
Way to go, she mused, giving him a small smile; she was beginning to like these two.
“Ah, my apologies,” she said, giving them a symbolic bow before retreating a few steps.
“She is nervous,” Violet stated. “By the tightening of her legs, eye movement, and slightly increased breathing, I suspect she is in the process of debating a retreat.”
“We can’t have that,” Edmon replied, armored head shifting to glare at her. “A possible crime has been detected nearby. We will delay the summons. Follow us.”
“Crime?” Hikico’rova shifted uncomfortably. “Should we alert the City Watch?” He asked, glancing toward a few soldiers patrolling the area; Elinor had seen packs of four to six marching along their assigned routes throughout the morning and, considering their various attire, figured they were from different military branches.
Klaus shook his head, drawing the three Nalvean’s attention. “It would alert them to our notice; it is an assassination.”
Their guide’s black tongue slid through her lips, left hand sliding up her arm to grip it, now showing her nervousness. “Would … this not be too dangerous for you, a Ruler, to be around if this is the case?”
“Hehe…”
Her yellow eyes shifted to Elinor as she chuckled. “Empress?”
“I am more than capable of taking care of myself,” she responded, having Violet lead them away from the city gates and toward the southside of the Nalvean metropolis. “I’d like to know what kind of Nalvean hunts his own people … I have a particularly keen sense for predators,” she finished, giving the woman a sidelong look. “I expect you’ll be joining us?”
“Y-Yes, of course, Empress,” she said with a deep breath. “I will … give my life if needed.”
Hikico’rova laughed, drawing her shifting gaze. “If the Empress is in danger, then so are we all.”
“My thoughts exactly after what we’ve seen,” Romimaca replied, referencing Edmon’s show of icy powers against the palace assassin and the rumors spreading throughout the Imperial Guard about Elinor killing Castella.
“Mhm…” Elinor evenly returned, forcing the woman along by walking away. “I highly doubt it will come to that.”
Sari’aél’s mature hum descended with her butterflies, drawing closer to examine Hikico’rova and Romimaca. “You have garnered great respect from these two. The games you play behind shadows are rather foreign and amusing to me … you would call them games, correct?”
I suppose? Elinor mumbled; they were now stalking the hunter, seeking an appropriate place to dispatch his prey. Violet guided them while pointing out the key spies observing them to Castella when there was a chance.
The angel became silent again, her focus remaining on Elinor as she picked up the pace to a brisk stride. Violet’s calculated movements were increasing, designed to bring them up to speed with the retreating spies.
Elinor’s thoughts moved to the Nalvean woman for a moment, realizing she hadn’t even given her name; she’d appeared without even mentioning it, putting the emphasis on the Stateswoman instead of herself. It wasn’t a bad tactic, reducing her identifiers as much as possible while drawing their attention to a high-position individual.
That being said, the direction they were heading was obviously outside of the woman’s comfort zone with how stiff she was becoming. It would be interesting to see where their interactions with the Nalvean would land.
Hikico’rova and Romimaca were still on their guard, now acting with much more seriousness, preparing for possible combat.
Their group drew the public’s eye on their path across far wider streets than what she was accustomed to in LA, filled with Nalvean tourists and residents going about their morning shopping, which appeared to be a prime time for most districts.
Violet’s directions were taking them further into the southern suburbs, thinning out the crowds since most citizens were out of their houses during the day. Alleys were placed between districts to allow quick access, and even they were well-maintained.
Their group soon found themselves alone by simply maneuvering down key locations, which was shocking to Elinor, considering the density, not two streets over.
Out of nine spies keeping track of them during their shopping trip, only two remained in pursuit, with their nervous guide making three that were still interested in them. The hunter and prey they pursued constituted five, four remaining unknowns.
Elinor wanted to send Klaus to mark at least one of the others, but Edmon recommended against it since it would be difficult for him to succeed without Violet’s explicit instructions after gaining so much distance.
Elinor’s lips tightened when Violet’s pace increased ever so slightly; it was becoming challenging to keep up in her boots and full victorian-style dress. Even if she couldn’t technically get tired in the traditional sense, her body would dissolve if she pushed it beyond a certain threshold, which wasn’t much.
“We must increase our pace; he plans to kill the target soon.”
Can you tell anything else about them from their scent? Elinor asked, and she accepted Edmon’s quick suggestion to pick her up.
“One is an adult Nalvean, stronger than most we have been around, rivaling Castella before her resurrection, and the other is a Nalvean boy.”
“A boy?” Castella asked in shock. “What age?”
“Young … he has found the secrecy to strike.”
Edmon positioned behind her, causing the Nalveans to separate a bit in confusion to see what he was doing. His armor changed, becoming less spiky as parts converted to ice, falling off, and in one swift motion, the Doom Guardscooped her up with one arm as she hopped into the air, wrapping her left arm around his neck to stabilize herself.
“We must hurry,” Castella grunted, voicing Violet’s concerns; the youngest Spider Sister wouldn’t leave Elinor’s side, and that meant they had to speed up.
Their compelled guide and the two palace escorts into a nervous sprint as Klaus, Edmon, and Castella jumped into action, matching Violet’s speed; she watched the elegant spider girl transform into her human form, invisible thread blasting ahead of them and erupting across their environment in preparation for the conflict.
Elinor’s eyes narrowed as they pushed through the alleys, dress fluttering behind Edmon as the air-pressure threw her braided hair behind her Doom Guard. The cold fog of his breath pressed against the nape of her neck as she watched the streets pass behind them.
Her eyes locked on Sari’aél’s full lips, mind elsewhere; the angel hovering serene grace in perfect lock-step behind them.
Violet’s silk wove around the area long before they reached the site, and Elinor tracked the events through her connection to the Thélméthra.
It was strange exploring the senses of the eight-legged creature, and Elinor was only focusing on the portion of Violet’s consciousness that corresponded with a small location … the rest was far too vast and complicated for her own limited mind.
She could see the whole area, feel the breaths leaving both of their lungs, organs pumping frantically to keep their hosts alive, yet one was perfectly calm, and the other suspicious and nervous. It was the first time she was able to look so deeply into her Undead’s perspective.
Humanity was a long ways off from Thélméthra with the insane amount of data she could process. How Violet kept focused was beyond Elinor; the buzz of the insects she could count individually within the space were like visual waves bouncing off stone and wood. It was too much.
The moisture in the air, currents of wind, the radiation from the sun, among numberless other interactions, reminded her that Violet was the closest someone could get to being Transcendent-Grade without bridging that gap.
Her invisible thread weaved around the two Nalveans at an impossible speed, too small to be seen and laced with numbing agents that caused contact to instantly deaden any kind of bodily reception that might be used to alert their target. It was faster than she could blink, yet Violet handled everything within the fraction of a second.
The hunter had evidently been guiding the little spy further into the alleys after catching up to him and acting as a messenger from what Violet perceived by acute long-distant observations; he skillfully baited him through a believable story to require privacy.
Right hand rising to catch the boy’s attention, the Nalvean used his left to stealthily find a hidden needle within his silk, and Elinor had to wonder what it was with Nalveans and poison.
The kid observed his right hand, oblivious to the coming danger, and reached for the parchment, assassin bringing the needle under the scroll; he would strike by pricking his finger when the boy took the item, between the vulnerable joint area of the developing salamander.
Violet’s silk tightened with her fingers, sending a convulsion throughout the entire network; both parties were instantly pulled taut just before he struck, but unlike Castella, this assassin’s perception didn’t seem to be quite as high since he was a second too late to react. Of course, he wasn’t expecting a counterattack at such a high level while her Undead Nalvean had been fully prepared for combat.
Gags were placed around their mouths until they arrived, minimizing noise; the exchange was more silent than the wind, and along their path, Violet left a trap for the remaining two spies.
Elinor would have winced and been gasping for air had she not had an artificial body as they came around the corner of the alley, Edmon using the wall and his body to break their rapid momentum and cushion the changing direction. Still, it would take a minute for her tingling artificial body to recover enough to stand again.
The pair were suspended in the air, facing away and unable to twitch a finger.
Elinor took a small breath before chuckling, “I … made it in time.” Her amusement soon faded as the lingering effects of Violet’s senses returned the two’s reaction.
Hmm…
The other Nalveans rounded the corner, yet only their guide was breathless and panting as if she’d sprinted a 300-meter-dash.
“What … you’ve subdued them?” Hikico’rova asked, taking a deep breath to calm his heart and take note of the situation.
Romimaca’s black tongue slid through his lips, short, thin tail flicking to the side; the two were in great shape to be able to keep up with her peoples’ tireless Undead bodies, especially due to their armor. “… Is that a teenage boy?”
When they didn’t respond, the three shifted their gaze from the suspended pair to Elinor, still held in Edmon’s protective arms, figuring something was wrong; her glowing green eyes were stabbing into the assassin’s back.
Violet’s voice was in her head. “Empress … I sense the same frequency waves as Tal’tamine from this Nalvean hunter.”
Demon…
Elinor’s mood instantly sobered after the initial kick of capturing their prey … Demon’s Faction, or at least someone closely related to Demon’s influence within this Empire. This man was a puppet, and whoever controlled him had her under surveillance, but for what reason? Demon could observe her from just about anywhere, which meant it was probably from his cult.
However, counter to everything Elinor knew about the incorporeal mass of energy imprisoned in the planet, this assassin’s target was not her, but this teenage Nalvean boy.
The Nalveans shifted unsteadily at their changed disposition; her butterflies hovered around the alley, drawing their notice while flapping in front of the two suspended prisoners.
Both Imperial Guards took up a defensive formation, Romimaca keeping an eye on their tail while Hikico’rova scanned for ambushes from the rooftops, realizing a serious discussion was being had in silence if they weren’t making a move.
Klaus was quick to pose the question. “Is this a trap to lure us in, or perhaps pull our attention away from something? I believe the JadeFire attack on the ship was meant for that purpose.”
“Possible,” Edmon growled.
Violet’s passive tone was reflective of Iris, adopting a more temperate air; although, it was an active persona that she felt appropriate, emulating her mother out of habit. “I do not sense any threats worth mentioning; the other two Nalveans will trip my traps shortly. The hunter is not afraid; the boy is terrified, struggling as best he is able.”
“He’s not afraid?” Castella asked with agitation. “Who would not be terrified of such a situation? There must be something wrong with him; he has been utterly trapped by an unknown threat that has yet to make themselves known.”
Edmon sent a private inquiry, and she allowed him to set her down; she managed to remain stable. “I’ll test his reaction,” he stated, walking forward while motioning for the other three Nalveans to stay put.
The Seraph released a curious hum through Elinor’s mind, studying their actions, and her head tilted before surveying the assassin. “Is this what you call … brave … courageous … dauntless?”
Hardly. Elinor absently replied, figuring the woman had never actually felt as if she possessed those qualities because fear was all but absent in her culture. Who would they fear? The Children of the Sun were pride incarnate … yet was it arrogance if it was true?
She hovered down, perfect fingers reaching out to cup the Nalvean boy’s trembling body, barely able to quiver with how tight Violet’s restraints held him; they passed right through his skin, but there was an inquisitive gleam in the angel’s radiant expression.
“… This is being trapped … fearful … angst … dread … weakness…” Her smiling eyes tilted to stare at her. “You are uneasy … such an … intrusive sensation.”
Sari’aél fell silent, hovering back while closing her eyes; it was a disruptive sight to Elinor, watching the radiant meditating angel hovering above gravity’s lure, exploring the unfamiliar emotions coursing through their connection, and her blinding presence radiating over Elinor’s prisoners as if the Seraph absorbed a burning star.
It was a little challenging for Elinor to return to the proper task at hand with the Seraph’s very existence demanding attention; she was beginning to believe it might even be a natural ability the woman possessed, far superior to her Imperial Presence. It even drew her gaze while a powerless spirit. Sari’aél was enjoying and testing her weakened state, even in this incorporeal form.
Edmon closed the distance with the prisoners, his shield appearing out of frosted light; the mist frothed off its surface in a slow cloud, swirling with his movements. Violet manipulated her thread around the area to allow him easy travel and better support if needed.
Nothing happened.
The Doom Guard stopped at the back of the two Nalveans, and Violet turned them around to see his glowing blue eyes; Edmon was utterly ignoring the terrified boy while glaring into the assassin’s indifferent gaze.
Te Seraph hovered over him, flipping around in the air with her eyes still closed, floating back to stop above Elinor, and the stand-off continued while the others watched. The boy became stock-still upon seeing them, unsuccessfully fighting tears that leaked down his scaled face.
“No reaction?” Klaus asked, rubbing his chin while studying the emotionless man, unable to speak or move. “We should probably set the stage for the others.”
Their Nalvean guide was shaking with the chilly atmosphere Edmon had instantaneously generated, flakes of frost beginning to condense from the humid air around them, carried their way on the gentle breeze.
Edmon’s smooth voice drew everyone’s gaze. “A competent assassin that deals with poison … would actively target a Nalvean boy?” He asked. “I will give you a chance to speak.”
Violet didn’t release his gag, though. “I recommend not unbinding his mouth … I do not like the manner in which his body is reacting. The spies pursuing us have been captured.”
Good … is there a particular reason why you don’t want him to talk, though? Elinor asked.
She caught the two Imperial Guards fidgeting as if they wanted to demand he answer but kept their peace, allowing Edmon to continue without interruption.
“I … believe he is a threat to himself.”
“Suicide?” Klaus asked, turning to Castella. “Is there a swift way to kill yourself … perhaps biting off your tongue?”
Castella shook her head, drawing the others’ eyes. “If given enough time to bleed out, but it would be prolonged; healing could be administered to force him to talk, as well.”
“Hmm … perhaps he has some kind of cyanide pill … however, we must know what we are dealing with,” Edmon stated. “Can you force him to not take his life, Klaus?”
The man’s lips fell. “I cannot make contracts or conditions like Tiffany … at least, yet.”
“We’ll take our chances then.”
Violet nodded, releasing his restraint.
The prisoner opened his mouth before Edmon could repeat his question, snapping his jaw, twisting his nose, and clearing his throat. “I … ahem.”
“Are you done?” Edmon asked with a dry tone.
“He cannot move,” Violet commented, “but he is still…”
Without emotion, the assassin clearly and distinctly said, “I serve The Shadow; from the darkness, I was raised, and to them, I go…”
“JadeFire!” Violet warned, but Elinor couldn’t see anything as the spider swiftly separated the two captives, Edmon raising his shield; she was the only one that was utterly in the dark, but by the time she tried peeking into Violet’s mind, it became visible, burning its way out of the Nalvean’s body within seconds.
“W-What?! No, no, no…” The female Nalvean cried, backing up against the wall in horror upon seeing the burning assassin.
The guard’s reaction was entirely different, Hikico’rova shouting, “JadeFire! Seaweavers, we need…”
Edmon responded by calmly walking over to the burning Nalvean; it had already more than likely turned his bones to ashes with how swiftly it ate through other parts of the hunter’s skin, leaving less than half his corpse in less than a few seconds, showing why it was so feared.
“Gatekeeper Edmon, no!” Romimaca shouted, stopping in horror just before exiting the alley with Hikico’rova.
The Doom Guard held his hands close to the flames, passing his fingers over them with a low hum. “… Powerful … over three-thousand degrees Celsius … less than three and a half thousand, keeping steady. If I didn’t have such high Fire Resistance with all my Defensive Passives … resilient, too.”
“…” All five Nalveans present were stunned, including Castella, watching the black armored knight hold his hand in the emerald flames.
Their mouths dropped open when the ground underneath him began to ice over, and an explosion of arctic wind threw his cape back and sent Elinor’s bound hair whipping to her side, yet the flames refused to die.
The temperature around Edmon continued to plummet, causing Violet to pull the boy back with the rest of them, taking the group around the edge of the alley before constructing a barrier of silk; she utilized her camouflage skill to make it appear as though stone for the living with them.
Layers of rigid ice were carried along with the frigid winds, refusing to die for twenty seconds, and when it faded, the chill even bypassed a part of Violet’s web wall and fractured the stone walls, leaving sheets of ice more than a foot thick across the entire alley.
Violet collapsed her barrier after the Doom Guard ceased feeding his ability, and the wall of ice that stuck to the spider’s defense shattered to allow the group to observe the area.
“Interesting,” Edmon whispered, staring down at the spot where the Nalvean once stood; the flames had been smothered, “I had to get a little serious to forcefully extinguish it; this type of fire doesn’t spread out from a set distance, but is far more intense than most fire that we have on earth … 4990C is the hottest humanity has been able to generate.”
Klaus nodded, noticing the Nalveans shivering from the thick levels of ice filling the opening; Sari’aél observed Edmon’s attack with a slight frown and tilted head, deep in thought.
The Ambassador folded his arms, stopping just before the frozen floor. “To think Jumi’kerune can implant a JadeFire suicide device is … concerning; although, I can’t imagine it is cheap. … I don’t think anyone could have saved him with how swiftly it consumed his insides, and Quen’Talrat can survive heat like this without issue?” Klaus asked, staring down at the small section of the cobblestone street that had been turned to dust, heat cracks beneath.
Edmon straightened, staring down at the wide-open spot, devoid of the icy sheets, and clasped his hands behind his back.
Quin was pulled into the conversation, still searching the river floor, retrieving all the crystals used on their boat, destroyed the same way; the Ri’bot had been ushered into the Clavex community by Kolira’s priests and priestesses.
The Elite Hunter was a little caught off-guard being randomly brought into the discussion. “Uh … JadeFire? Oh, yes, High Lord, Elite Hunters are born with unique gifts that most of my race does not possess … I was granted great immunity to fire, yet the strength of my flames is … lacking. I gained very little in the way of fur defensive resilience and offensive capabilities, but my stamina and fire resistance were what granted me the title … with my extra limbs and size.”
Ke’Thra’Ma? Elinor asked.
“Oh, without a doubt, Empress!” Quin replied without hesitation. “To see the Ke in battle was … awe-striking! I still remember the day he returned … the glory, yet … oh, JadeFire, yes, yes … umm, the Ke walked through fields of JadeFire, consuming it with the Blood Heads to mock the weak Nalveans attempting to replicate their flames.”
“I see,” Klaus mumbled, and Edmon had her return to her task. “That must mean the fortress foundations and walls can withstand even Ke’Thra’Ma’s flames, or maybe that was the requirement, which makes the city far more defensible than I thought.”
“I agree,” Edmon replied, black helmet moving to the dumbstruck Nalveans, still trying to process what they’d just seen. “I … don’t believe I could survive Ke’Thra’Ma’s flames as I am,” he whispered, “which puts things in perspective. My defenses wouldn’t hold up under prolonged exposure to even this kind of fire without actively fighting it. In any case, can you find his spirit for answers, Empress?”
She activated her skill, searching for the dead Nalvean’s spirit; she was reaching the point where using Death Energy would be risky, depending on the net gain she’d get throughout the day. I need to…
Sari’aél’s voice entered Elinor’s mind, still observing Edmon. “Edmon is the same Grade I would be raised to. Correct?”
Yes, Elinor stated, easily finding the assassin’s spirit in the same place he died. When connected to my System, my forces are initially made weaker than their original selves, and in some cases, extensively more vulnerable, but their potential is…
She trailed off, lips coming apart in question as the Nalvean’s spirit flared to life; he was of high Rare-Grade, which meant he’d at least have a form, but as a Wisp-Type, he’d need to feed a bit more to speak, yet … something was wrong.
The assassin’s mouth opened for a moment, and Elinor watched in confusion as he released a horrifying scream that set Elinor’s hair on-edge, causing the three Nalveans to flee in horror at the negative waves he emitted; the spirit in front of them twisted before being ripped to shreds of energy, exploding around the area in a shower of fading white light.
His spirit died … no, it was torn into pieces.
A small part of her felt like it had been ripped out of her breast, a spark that burned an imprint on her heart before vanishing. This was the first time she’d ever lost an Intelligent Undead, and the entire experience caused her brain to halt, hand clutching her chest in disbelief, trying to deal with the emotions the Religious System allowed through.
Luckily, only Sari’aél appeared to have experienced the impact she felt because the others jumped into action. Edmon, Klaus, and Castella were by her side, Violet wrapping the other three fleeing Nalveans in thread while developing a defensive grid around them.
Edmon spoke first. “Violet, what was that?!”
“The same waves as the princess … I felt the gathering of them the moment he was resurrected.”
“How? He was a spirit,” Castella asked. “It is a physical device was removed, burned away by JadeFire!”
Klaus hummed darkly. “Apparently not only physical … Jumi’kerune’s methods can even affect the spirit…”
“Which means it could affect the Undead,” Edmon growled. “Was it a simple command, Violet, or targetted?”
“I cannot say; it felt the same. I can detect the faint gathering when the device pulls the signals, nothing more.”
Klaus interjected. “Empress, if Jumi’kerune can affect spirits, then his ancient technology might be able to detect and…”
Elinor’s hand tightened around her left breast as another spark burned her heart before vanishing from her Nexus … Kimlira’s growing spirit had been extinguished within the palace.
… She’s gone, Elinor mumbled. How…
“A coordinated attack?” Edmon asked.
Violet shook her head, turning to scan a large area with her enhanced senses. “I cannot sense any malicious intent aimed at us or a force moving in … most are fleeing after hearing the spirit die; it could be heard as far as the shopping districts, but I do not sense any danger toward us.”
Castella’s jaw tightened, eyeing the silken sacks holding the four Nalveans a few meters away from them, protected in case they were under attack while keeping them close. “The palace was where Kimlira was killed, right? Is it safe to return?”
Elinor took a deep breath, calming her nerves; getting rid of the fodder Unintelligent Undead didn’t phase her in the least, but this was completely different. In fact, Emotional Loss might have been given to her for this very purpose, deadening her senses to this kind of loss. No … we must know what we are dealing with. She mumbled, realizing tears were streaming out of her eyes; it was the first time since dying that she’d felt physical pain.
She caught sight of the Seraph, clutching her own breast while experiencing Elinor’s loss.
Elinor hadn’t been close to either Kimlira or this assassin, yet it felt like an ember was burning its way out of her chest … what would happen if Iris or Tiffany were to be killed? She refused to find out.
Her mind stilled, cold emotion gripping her mind and silencing her tears as she tapped further into her Lich Nature, suppressing part of the Religious System to regain her wits.
Demon is drawing our focus away again with… They wouldn’t waste resources on an agent like this assassin without purpose, which means we’ve just tripped Demon up, and he’s trying to regain his advantage. This boy is important … essential to Demon … we must discover why.
Castella nodded, tail flicking sharply with agitation; the bag full of market goods shifted against her shoulder as her gaze darted between the bundled Nalveans. “It also shows what would happen to the princess if we tried to bring her back … she’s already been through so much.”
“Ah, good catch; I’ll report the incident to everyone within range,” Klaus mumbled, arms tightening around his chest.
The comment made Elinor’s jaw tighten, thinking about Camellia, Lecra’Moro, and Imiunarus; they were stepping into a place Elinor did not prepare them for. Her haste could cost her the lives of her assets … her people; with the Lich in her taking over, she was beginning to return to a colder mindstate.
Edmon nodded. “We will focus. Violet, we start by discovering the identity of the spies we’ve gathered, and once we’ve finished with that, make plans and visit the site of Kimlira’s death to investigate who can kill spirits.”
Elinor let them temporarily take command, green irises swapping to the Seraph … she’d wrapped herself in her wings, hiding from view.
A frown touched Elinor’s lips, studying the egg-like cocoon the angel wrapped herself in. Sari’aél had never once curled in … she was hiding … of course, Elinor doubted she’d ever felt anything like what she’d just experienced, but it made her wonder.
Edmon, Klaus, and Castella were multi-tasking, issuing apologies to their two escorts and explaining the situation to them; the others were still held in restraints. The Doom Guard sent Castella off to escort the two spies Violet caught to their location, giving Elinor time to herself.
Sari’aél?
Her six wings slowly slid apart, and Elinor saw two lines of golden tears falling from her eyes; she was gripping her left arm but the Seraph was quick to regain her grace. “I … have not experienced … horror … not like that. To be connected to a spirit through you, and then … to have it ripped apart by two competing forces … it was utterly different than the second.”
A chill ran through Elinor’s frame as she listened to the angel; Sari’aél understood precisely what had happened when she had not.
Kimlira’s death was simply her spirit being forced out of her grip, returning to wherever it had come … the assassin had been completely different.
The ancient device Demon taught this Nalvean how to create was physical and spiritual in nature, and the compelling commands it forced onto the assassin’s unprotected spirit tore it into pieces when she’d tried to compel it; two competing influential forces.
Tal’tamine was lucky they’d questioned her while alive. In fact, was Demon banking on her killing the princess and trying to put the Nalveans against her when the girl’s spirit was torn to shreds?
Elinor breathed in a deep breath before puffing it out, and took a moment to clean her face; the act was somewhat comforting.
I did not fully understand that. Sari’aél… thank you. It was the first time she’d said those words in what seemed forever, but for some reason, this Seraph was helping her to find balance within herself; there was time for cold annihilation, even genocide, and time for humility and compassion … self-reflection.
Calmly, she returned to the others, eyeing the spies with a neutral expression; they’d just been lined up in a row. The two Imperial Guards were collecting themselves against the wall beside them, helmets off, trying to come to terms with what they’d just witnessed. It was fair to say they were overwhelmed by the JadeFire, Edmon, the dying spirit, and being forcefully restrained.
Edmon, Castella, and Klaus stood beside her, Violet continuing to perform the invisible puppeteer’s role. Elinor turned her attention to the two newcomers. “I am going to be as precise and clear with my language as I can. Nod if you understand me.”
All of them followed the instruction; her lingering gaze shifted between them, causing an even more frantic nod. Two men, a boy, and a woman, were caught in Violet’s binding web.
“I have just been attacked and am feeling rather … unfriendly, at the moment. I hope you are not here to waste my time … I have little to spare. Two questions, who are you, and why are you pursuing me.”
Elinor’s focus was on what she assumed was a Seaweaver, given the spikes on his back, but not a very powerful one. “Y-Your Imperial … Imperial Majesty be…”
“The Empress said cut to the chase,” Edmon growled.
“Yes, y-yes … I am U-Ummmmmigir, a Seaaweaver rrecruit … I, umm … myy, speech is … is bad, Empress … ittt wasss Empressss Yesenia that wished…”
Violet’s thread snapped around his mouth with Elinor’s shifting eyes; that was all she needed to hear from him.
“Next,” she stated, drawing a shiver from the rest.
The 2nd man’s silk unwound around his monstrous jaws; he was far more elegant with his words than the previous one without hand signs. “I … am a trusted confidant of the High Ruler; my … name is Imiruba.” Elinor kept her neutral face but partially cursed at the news, and the confession wasn’t over.
“In accordance with High Ruler Nukulara’s strict instructions when discovered … I am to explain that I have been tasked directly by his High Majesty. I am to memorize everything I see and report it back without blemish; the High Ruler wishes to know how you spend your time within Shi’Shuka from a trusted source.”
Edmon released an indeterminate hum. “… A test to see if we can identify a spy?”
“No, Lord Gatekeeper Edmon,” Imiruba replied. “The High Ruler told me I would be discovered without a shadow of a doubt, but it is what actions are taken after that I must list, including this … I did not expect to find myself in this situation, I must admit,” he replied with a weak chuckle.
“Neither did I,” Elinor replied, having Violet release him. “I plan on discussing this at length with the High Ruler when the time comes. Until then, observe; however, there may be times I wish to have privacy.”
“Understood, and I will report it,” he replied with a deep, respectful bow.
Violet spoke through the Nexus as he moved off to the side, checking the status of the Imperial Guards and asking for more details. “He hides his fears well, but terror grips him.”
He is brave. Elinor commented, vision darting to the Seraph for a momenting.
Retaining her poker face, Elinor moved to the woman wrapped in spider silk; sections of her garments had been cut from Violet’s thin wire, and she was practically bawling in silence, eyes closed. “Tell me who you really work for … do not play games with me; you were sent to show me disrespect on someone else’s behalf … I am not amused.”
Imiruba’s tongue slid through his teeth, face creasing in an unfamiliar manner that Castella identified as stoic study. Edmon’s advice rang true in her mind, though; if the situation was reversed, and the High Ruler was in her position, he would be utterly direct, befitting a ruler, and this topic would interest the High Ruler since it reflected poorly on his dignitaries.
Violet removed the woman’s gag, and she started crying hysterically, babbling nonsense, causing the spider to replace her silk.
“Let’s try this … One. More. Time.” She warned. “Are you calm?”
She swiftly nodded, nostrils flaring with loud noises rumbling in her throat and liquid leaking out of her eyes; the others were just as frightened by her display.
“You do not seem calm.”
The woman took several deep breaths, visibly taking limited efforts with what room she was given. Once able to talk, the Nalvean spoke as slowly as possible, but many of the sentences were swift before a pause, then rushing through the next. “I … ahem, I … my name is Elquara, m-my Empress … no, no, your Empress! Umm … umm, I … I was sent by P-Prince Micru’jire … he … he wanted me to … to … to take you to … to Stateswoman Lukuroha’s and … when she’s not there … you’d feel disrespected…”
“Mhm … he didn’t say why, did he?” She dryly asked.
“N-No, Empress!” She swallowed. “I only … I do what I’m told…”
Castella sniffed, glaring at the woman. “Including bedding Statesman Baltoma, apparently.”
“How … I … I was just … I…” She mumbled in shock and what seemed to be a bit of shame by her downcast eyes.
Violet’s web closed around her mouth again, but the tears that left her eyes now weren’t from panic.
“I don’t particularly care for your reasons at this moment,” Elinor replied, green irises falling on the boy, who actually looked somewhat pissed, fear being overshadowed while glaring at Elquara. “So … I have a spy from Yesenia, a journalist from the High Ruler, and espionage from the eldest prince … what is your story?”
The boy’s lips were unsealed, and the first thing he did was shift his head to spit on the woman, suspended in the air next to him.
“Kids got balls,” Klaus chuckled.
“You toe licking harlot! Stateswoman Lukuroha is the greatest ever, and you try to tarnish her name? I’ll remember you, Elquara! You should have your tail cut down the center and stuffed…”
Elinor lifted an eyebrow at the venomous teenage Nalvean; youth will be youth, even in another culture, she supposed.
Castella was laughing at the boy’s fire. “He’s a hurricane! Biting words for a woman to hear.”
That bad? Elinor asked; he was still screaming silent curses with his purple irises. By the way, how beautiful is she?
“Uh, yeah, very bad to say to a woman, Empress; the tail is a woman’s greatest pride, and to lick toes is a sign of a broken Nalvean … a slave to the lowest degree. The boy has a mouth,” Castella replied, “but good on him! Women like this make us look bad, and … well, she is very pretty, although her mannerisms are far too submissive to most male tastes.”
“Hmm,” Klaus entered the conversation, “I’d say she puts off the energy of a defeated woman, easy to be used. I wouldn’t be surprised if the prince is holding something over her head, forcing her to act as his slave.”
Castella’s mirth died in an instant. “Heh … mmh … considering what he did to the princess, I don’t doubt it … perhaps I was too harsh on her.”
Elinor filed it away, returning to the boy. “You will have time to curse later, boy … I told you what I want.”
His heat died down, vision darting between Edmon and her with a lump dropping down his gullet; he soon nodded, confirming he’d comply. Violet removed the gag again.
“I … I mean no disrespect, Lady Empress! Really, I don’t! I, umm … I just can’t stand people always trying to hurt Stateswoman Lukuroha!”
“You want to protect her?” Castella asked, hiding her amused feelings.
His head bobbed up and down without hesitation. “I am … I was Stateswoman Lukuroha’s trainee … when she was still in the army; she taught me everything … before all the other stuff happened, but umm … yeah, the Stateswoman has given me an important task to … well, I know it’s not good for me to ask, but … well, she needs your help, Lady Empress! Please!”
“Lie,” Violet stated without emotion.
“The truth, boy, and your name,” Klaus demanded, probably picking up on it after Violet’s sharp senses.
He flinched. “O-Okay, umm … I know, I know, I’m sorry!” He groaned. “I just … I’m nobody … and well … my name is Aluix, and … I was hoping to, well … to ask you to help my Statewoman…”
Elinor’s brow furrowed. “So … you were not sent by your Head of State?” Elinor asked, finding it somewhat cute how he called her.
He shamefully shook his head, eyes downcast. “No, Lady Empress … I’m sorry … I just … I wanted to help, and she’s been so stressed … I know when she gets stressed … she has this little tail jerk, and she rubs her thumb and index finger…”
“Kid’s observant,” Edmon mumbled. “Why would an assassin be sent after you?”
His eyes widened. “What … me? No, I’m nobody! Like … nobody, nobody…”
Klaus gave him a questioning smirk. “The most important person in your entire City-State doesn’t just take nobody to the Empire Capital.”
“I’m just useful at cleaning, and she likes to talk to me and stuff…” He mumbled. “Nobody…” His jaws snapped shut as Castella put a finger to her smiling lips, telling him to stop talking, and Elinor went over the information they’d acquired with the others, coming to a conclusion.
Aluix was definitely of high significance, even if he didn’t know why, which meant Klaus would now be by his side, and they would wait with the boy in the Head of State’s chamber for her to return from the meeting; according to the boy, he was given access, and the guards would know. He was ecstatic that he’d actually succeeded in directing Elinor’s attention to his Ruler.
Yesenia’s spy would be sent back without explanation of what he missed, which would infuriate the woman, Elinor was sure.
Much to Elquara’s discomfort, she would guide Elinor to the eldest prince for a personal chat; it was a good use of time, and there were some things they could explore. However, before that, they would see where Kimlira’s spirit was murdered; she couldn’t even send Elinor a distress signal with how fast she’d been dispatched. There had to be some trace left behind they could use to identify the killer.
The High Ruler’s journalist would join her … although, he would not enter the conversation with the prince; Elinor had a feeling the eldest of Tal’tamine’s brothers would be trying to win her favor for a deal to be struck, and depending on what it was, she might find an advantage for not just herself, but the princess.
Edmon voiced a concern that prodded Elinor’s mind.
Given their lead to the contractor that poisoned her food had met an untimely death by JadeFire, it could mean Statesman Baltoma wasn’t behind the assassination attempt, to begin with, but they might intersect. It was just a bit too convenient that so many unprecedented crimes were taking place all around her entrance … Demon was activating all of his cards against her.
She had to accept the Statesman might not be involved, which meant she needed leverage in another area to get her Warlord. One thing was for sure, though; Demon was cleaning-house, and thoroughly.
With Elinor’s direction selected, she returned to the palace, Violet, Edmon, Castella, and Imiruba by her side; the angel floated behind them, much less active than what Elinor was accustomed to.
Ever since the death of her first spirit, Sari’aél had been stoic, now looking inward rather than at the culture and people around them. The Seraph was changing little by little as she was exposed to Elinor’s life.
Her gaze fell to the cobblestone street with a cold smile, Lich Nature returning to combat the sharp emotions. I know you slipped up, Demon … and one wrong play in a complicated plan can cause the whole tower to crumble. I’m on your heels.
Maps:
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