PoV :
Recap: Noa has decided to believe in our Empress, and now, it’s time to figure out the real threat Noa’s been struggling with, because, obviously, it couldn’t just be these bugs. Now, let’s see what our Empress and Seraph face…
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The hallways soon showed more signs of battle, and Elinor’s ghostly emerald irises wandered between the various scenes of insectoid gore littering the black granite corridors.
Every once in a while, she caught sight of the torn and battered visage of a zombie, but they’d done surprisingly good work in overwhelming the defensive lines that had been stacked up against them.
She noticed a sharp initial decline when her force met head-on with their opponent’s soldiers, yet it only took one bite or infected spore from the parasites on their shells to transfer the disease, even with their more robust immune system, and amusingly, the fungus acted as an extension of their bodies, which made these zombies particularly dangerous.
There was some form of biolayer the insects appeared to be spreading across the ground as they went further into the creeping hive, and Elinor could see why Noa would have trouble with such creatures. If it wasn’t for her silver ape army’s immunity to the biological pathogens they employed, the AI would have been overtaken long ago.
Now, the same offensive weapon they’d used against their prey was being turned around onto themselves. Of course, that didn’t matter so much when Ramuk and Violet entered the fray.
Noa’s tight arms pulled in against her chest in shock as she followed the change of battle, giving verbal instructions for Sari’aél to broadcast ahead, directing where the two executioners should go.
Elinor couldn’t blame her for being so taken aback—she’d never seen the Quen’Talrat do battle and had only the imaginary interpretations the Ke fed her through his stories—to see your most brutal and despised foe being made into fodder would undoubtedly be a tad overwhelming.
Noa’s dark skin soon took on a sapphire tint as the hallway lights were cut off, overtaken by the creep, and the only illumination came from her soft glow and the Seraph’s radiance.
The shimmering symbols of runes engraved into the woman’s figure caught Elinor’s attention, not finding the battle that interesting. Her focus drifted between her features, noting how different she appeared when taking on a more human form; an added benefit was that now Elinor could differentiate between expressions and body language.
Noa truly resembled some kind of lunar elven-dragon deity, which was Valerie’s intent, and it showed. The stark change from an overbearing, eight-limbed gorilla giant to the timid, ethereal goddess was amusing to Elinor.
The AI’s thick, black locks flowed behind her new, floating frame, showing the double-layered spikes that ran down to her thick red and green shimmering scaled tail. The moderate-sized symbols patterned across her cheeks, shoulders, forearm, biceps, hips, and thighs shone with an azure brilliance that matched her crescent irises, while casting a reflective glow across the scales covering her hips, chest, and other decorative areas.
After everything was said and done, Elinor could see the human population fawning over the A.I. She was something out of a fantasy novel, and despite what Valerie said about her looking more tech-like with the engraved symbols in her skin, to Elinor, she gave off the appearance of something magical.
Sari’aél noticed her examination and directed a sly smile in her direction. “Empress, what are you planning in regards to her introduction to the Empire?”
Being called out for the direction her mind was roaming, Elinor returned the look. Forget the Quen’Talrat operators; she’s practically put Moris’Luar out of a job. Why do we need to break my back in finding and training someone to manage the network when I have someone that is a part of the matrix itself?
“I can see that direction of thought,” Sari’aél hummed, neck tilting to examine the nervous A.I. “Although, I suspect she is being far less open about just how much control she has over this system. We have yet to come close to the primary mountain … Wouldn’t it be prudent to name such landmarks?”
Elinor’s left eye creased, lips pulling together at the sudden thought the angel interjected. It would … There are quite a few mountains within the range, though, and naming them all at this time would be somewhat tiresome without officially writing them down.
So … what should I call something at the highest point in my territory, and that has a lifeblood of energy flowing through it? It separates my southern and northern borders and is the closest point to travel between the north and south?
“Mmh,” Sari’aél brought her arched fingers to her chin in a thoughtful display. “Your translation ability has delivered your words to me in three words, Empress … The Meridian Divide. Is that what you were referencing?”
The name surprised Elinor, and she tasted it on her tongue. Hmm … I do like that name. I have no clue what meridian means, but it has a nice ring to it. I’ll need to ask Tiffany when we return—in any case, temporarily, we’ll refer to it as such.
“Wonderful,” the angel chuckled. “I do find it appropriate and will spread its use to the others.”
Elinor turned her attention to their surroundings again while the Seraph spoke aloud and through the Nexus to inform Noa and her escort; it was a little off-beat, given the atmosphere, but it didn’t stop the angel.
In the following silence, Elinor had her first look at the enemy’s soldiers, making her eyes narrow.
The insects were armored and had colossal heads—likely an evolution to deal with Noa’s silver apes—along with its vertical, beetle-like pincers, and well-guarded front arms. She lingered on its shielded chest, where two spikes were located, showing how their pile and crush strategy functioned.
None of the insects seemed to stand a chance against the metal-enclosed Elite Hunter and Thélméthra Princess, though. Her two high-tier soldiers made quick work of the creatures, some with cleanly cut limbs, others with crushed and broken bodies—all devastated.
The path to the records area was reasonably uneventful, and the overwhelmed fleet of insects promptly retreated once it became clear they were taking significant losses, indicating a more intelligent mind in operation behind the scenes.
However, something caught Sari’aél’s attention along their path; the angel’s eyes were locked on Noa, expression as serene as usual, but Elinor could feel something was on her mind.
“We’re close, Empress!” Noa said, turning to give her a forced smile. “I’m so surprised by your soldier’s effectiveness … I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Elinor’s robe shifted while crossing her legs in the opposite direction, keeping a lax posture against the left side of her throne; Sari’aél would speak to her if something needed to be addressed.
In the meantime, her attention strayed to the utterly black hallways, coated with the muscle-like substance that occasionally twitched as they progressed—obviously, it didn’t bring an enjoyable sensation to her gut, considering what such things tended to represent in Earth’s media.
Azalea.
“Yes, Empress?” the cheerful girl replied.
Elinor pushed out a slow flow of air while glaring at the substance they were passing over. You’re in position outside the room with the floor plans, correct?
“Mhm! Well, by what Noa has told Sari’aél to relay to me.”
Mmgmmh … You don’t sound too convinced.
“There are those things Edmon calls ‘scrolls’ or ‘books’ but much of them appear to be corroded or covered by this stuff around us.”
The girl’s disgusted tone drew Elinor in. What can you tell me about this stuff … It started out as a liquid, and now it’s transformed into this fleshy mass.
“Mhm! It’s eating the waste that the … what do you call them, insects—yeah, the insects spray it out, and it eats it. Sari’aél asked me about it, too, but it’s not dangerous. Heh, unless it’s attacked, I think. Everything has a defensive mechanism.”
Right…
Scrutiny returning to the A.I., Elinor decided to ask the question; it wasn’t as if Sari’aél or Azalea had humanity’s imagination for horror. “Noa, what aren’t you telling us about this growth on your walls?”
The six-winged angel accelerated a tad to float at an even level with Noa. “A living organism that appears to have developed a cohabitation with these creatures. Yes?”
Noa shivered, arms closing around her chest while glancing around. “Umm … Yes, I suppose you could call it that … I burned it for a while, but it just continued to grow—and much faster—after the mutated burrowers began their assault.”
Sari’aél’s slender neck tilted, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “It is interesting, but my primary concern is why your record’s room is so far away from The Crown of Meridian? As far as I am aware, and correct me if I am wrong, but Ke’Thra’Ma’s city designs follow a very particular format from what my colleague tells me. Important documents such as important floor designs would be located near the central defenses. Am I wrong?”
Crown of Meridian? A good name for the centerpiece, Sari’aél, Elinor silently praised.
The A.I.’s pace lagged, refusing to make eye contact. “It … is a room with maps of this area, though. There may be damage, but it was where the rune scribes would keep the plans for this area since it was still in development.”
“Noa…” Elinor sighed, closing her eyes and bringing them to a halt.
The dark-skinned woman’s arms tightened against her breast, voice showing slight panic. “Please, don’t leave me, Empress! I’m not—I’m not leading you away, or seeking to … umm…”
Vision coming into focus as her eyes opened, Elinor stared at the fidgeting A.I. “Why don’t we take a step back … What are you afraid I will do if you open up to me? I understand if you are not giving me the full scope of the situation, but I do not intend to spend the next several days pulling teeth for information. So, tell me your fear, and we can address it.”
Silence ensued as Noa sucked on her lower lip, and after several uncomfortable seconds, she cleared her throat. “There … is a lot of change I am … experiencing, Empress,” she carefully admitted. “Having one head—and only four limbs—is very distracting, liberating in a way, I guess, but restricting in others.”
Figuring she was starting at the top of the iceberg and working her way down, Elinor decided to cut to the central issue. “You’re afraid I will abandon you if you are open with me? Is that it?”
A quake ran down her frame before she gave a stiff nod. “And … And that you might decide to … turn against me,” she whispered, fingers trembling against her arm.
Sari’aél floated around to face the realistic hologram. “What has given you the impression the Empress would so readily throw you to the side?”
Elinor could sense Valerie and Theresa’s pity toward the apprehensive A.I. as she spoke in a downcast whisper. “Because … I’ve lost most of my control, and … and you want me because I’m supposed to be in control.”
Adjusting her posture while bringing up her knuckles to put pressure against her nose, a low growl rumbled in Elinor’s throat, transferring to the cushioned armrest her elbow settled against. “Not entirely correct, Noa.”
Her black eyebrows drew together, crescent sapphire irises lifting to look for the answers in Elinor’s face. “What else am I good for?”
Sari’aél giggled, pulling her attention. “Noa, we’ve already established you are, in your own words, incomplete. As can be expected, you’d be in a limited state, given the power reserves that have been mentioned.”
The Seraph’s amused golden eyes creased. “Hmm … Unless there is something more hidden in that explanation? Perhaps the question was a tad off course, Empress. Are you afraid of being thrown away … or replaced?”
Elinor’s left eyebrow shot up at the implication. “Replaced … As in, there is another A.I. like you, Noa?”
Eyes closing, the woman’s bottom lip tucked under as pain creased her features. “… Yes, Empress. I am Noa … the Network Overlord Administrator, yet … yet I was tricked by those underneath me to this … backwater area, infested by baleful creatures, and lacking the means to fight back … Left to waste away in solitude and die because they cannot do the task themselves.”
Multiple A.I.? Elinor hummed, speaking to Sari’aél through the Nexus. Now it’s becoming interesting! So, there was a coup d’etat among those she governed, and she was exiled. I’m starting to get excited.
“Opportunity?” Sari’aél asked with a light chuckle. “Am I to assume we are going to restore our newest citizen’s authority within her own domain?”
Elinor’s ghostly eyes were a drawn blade as she straightened against the back of her chair. She could taste the thrill of a new challenge on the tip of her tongue as it slid across her bottom lip. “Can you restore your jurisdiction?”
Noa’s puzzled gaze opened to fixate on her, noticing the fiendish look that moved her tilted smirk. “What?”
“Can you regain the operations they took from you?” Elinor repeated, feeling the pins and needles prickling her skin—she loved the chill coursing through her spine.
The woman slowly nodded, still baffled and trying to connect the dots she believed were impossible. “I can … but why would you wish to make an enemy of the established administrators when you could offer me as a gift to them? You would need to bypass the defensive matrix that is inside, and I’m not complete—it is part of the reason my authority was rejected after the sixth…”
Elinor held up her hand to silence the mumbling A.I. “What kind of an Empress do you believe I am, Noa?”
Her black locks shifted against her shoulders. “I … don’t know?”
“Mmh-he-he-he,” Elinor purposefully rolled around her neck. “No, you do not. I am not the type of Empress that goes back on her word, and I offered you a place in my Empire as its network overlord, and what kind of overlord would you be if licking the feet of those that stole your position? You have accepted my offer, and now, I will show you I am not like other people…”
Hands meeting in her lap, Elinor composed herself. “I’m an Empress, Noa, and I will make you aware of what that means.”
She bridged the connection between vocal and mental speech. “Fini, Giliri, pack everything and rendezvous with us … We’re entering a new war.”
“Right away, Empress!” the two returned in unison.
Azalea hummed laughter. “I’m looking forward to what these rune-made Quen’Talrat have to surprise me with! Oh, but what about the fleshy stuff you were concerned about?”
It was something to consider; her gaze flicked to the pulsing wall. “A concern for another time—if I had your sisters or another Epic-Grade attendant with me, I’d have them investigate, but my priority is without question. Our city is being buried in snow as we speak, and if there is a contest ahead of us to cease the downfall, we need to address it as soon as possible.”
A list of priorities instantly ranked themselves in her mind. “Ramuk, return to escort me.”
“My pleasure, Empress!” he roared, showing even more energy than before at the thought of more conquest.
Turning back to Noa—still processing the unbelievable support she’d gained—Elinor settled in for a ride, knowing the story and journey through the long underground passages might be lengthy. “We continue. Guide Azalea as best you can through the most optimal route to reach our destination. I don’t really care about the dangers or alerting them to our presence.”
Noa shivered, doing her best to compose herself, but the concern was etched in her lovely face. “Of course, but to make you aware … There are other competing mutated hives further into the mountain along that path…”
“Irrelevant,” Elinor interjected. “Azalea was born an apex predator, and nothing short of the greatest Quen’Talrat Elite Hunters would so much as pose a threat to her. I will not see a single living insect, crab, or whatever they may be along our path.”
Flaming hand rising, a sharp snap sounded from her fingers, destroying the ability for her zombies to multiply and sicking her Unintelligent Undead on the remainder to stomp out the lingering threat. “Tell me your story.”
Soon after they began their march, Ramuk joined her ranks, and Noa sent prompts that Azalea heard through her thread, keeping maximum distance in front of them while remaining inside the perceptive radius of her silk.
The spider sister used expert thread manipulation to effectively assassinate every enemy that came between them, sending invisible darts of quick-acting poison to accurately dispatch each of her prey.
It made Elinor smile when they came upon what appeared to be a large crowd of insects, lined in nearly perfect rows down the sides of the hallways; Azalea’s tens of thousands of threads composed a sightly throng of the dead for her to gaze upon, and not one was damaged to the point she couldn’t resurrect it in the future.
Noa was crafted more than a century ago, and Elinor judged it was around the time of the great siege against the city-fortress that the Ke ceased his visits.
According to her timeline, the conqueror returned from his northern expedition a hundred and sixteen years before he ceased his work in the mountains; he was one of the prophesied legends of Quen’Talrat that was said to live up to the age of four hundred.
Elinor found the A.I.’s early rambling about the Ke’s life interesting, and it painted a timeline she could remember. Additionally, it served as a way to ease Noa’s nervousness, strengthening her resolve to continue her own tale.
At the age of five, he’d already shown himself to match against full adults in his small wandering group of White Bloods.
Quen’Talrat were nomadic in those young days, and it wasn’t unheard of to find various groups within the Blood that would violently clash and form feuds. Every Blood territory was fiercely protected by the Quen’Talrat of the same fur color, putting aside even grievous hatreds for the sake of the land.
At age eight, he’d taken over his second group, strengthening their numbers.
By age twelve, the Ke had taken leadership of the entire territory’s Great Northern Clan—a significant faction within the White Blood, ruling over dozens of individual groups in a coalition.
He challenged Ka’Mek’Gra, the White Blood’s Queen, for dominance at fifteen, fighting the two-hundred-year-old female legend to a draw, which forced both to retreat and recover for a month. Once rested, the contest continued to settle the conflict—the Ke came out victorious, holding up both of her torn-off heads.
Battle after battle, he carved his way through the Bloods by trial of combat, unifying the entire Quen’Talrat badlands, and claiming the title of Ke by the age of thirty. An iron fist held over his whole race, the Ke took this valley from the Ri’bot, slaughtering any clans like vermin, and brought about building their Empire as Demon took the Ke’s main war faction of Elite Hunters to the far reaches of the northern pole of the world.
Noa wasn’t sure about the details regarding the fifteen years the Ke was absent other than the general synopsis of exploring, building their strength, conquering dozens of kingdoms, swarms of monsters, and terrifying titans that walked the harsh environments.
In the forty-fifth year of his life, the Ke returned, dragging riches and wonders beyond imagining, and he couldn’t even take everything he wanted, leaving many caches hidden in caves or at the bottom of chasms.
On the forty-sixth, construction and reform were in effect. Once again, weakness was stamped out, unity brought under the heel of the Ke’s indomitable will as he took the Quen’Talrat people and forged them into the greatest army this continent had ever seen. He was never satisfied, however, none of the newer generations had any hope of gratifying him—not compared to the Elite Hunters that had braved the north with him.
A hundred and sixteen years later, at the age of one hundred and sixty-two, the Ke had established his Empire across the plains and valley, built marvels of such amazement that none but he could understand their function. It was then that Noa was brought into conception.
Forty-three years later, when the Ke was one hundred and ninety-five years old, Noa had her first thought, and these halls were in the beginning stages of their construction. She’d been his toughest creation, and the twelve A.I. he crafted were each fashioned after the various Kings and Queens of the remaining Blood.
Of course, she didn’t expect many to be left, considering their temperament. Ke’Thra’Ma seemed to build Noa for a different purpose, or as she thought, the Ke hadn’t finished her programming, because she was nothing like the other A.I.—although she did her best to mimic their dominant archetype—then again, their backstabbing schemes did nothing but hurt the overall process of their tasks.
The more Elinor and Sari’aél heard, the more the two drew the conclusion that at least one of the A.I. may have something to do with the insects flooding the area Noa was trapped inside. In any case, it was clear these A.I. were not made in the same way as the awkward woman Elinor was coming to know.
Then again, when you had twelve people that did nothing but tear you down for two dozen years, and all you wanted was a bit of acceptance, who could blame the depressed A.I.? She’d been emotionally abused for some time, and unlike her counterparts, she didn’t have the iron fist of Ke’Thra’Ma, which was why she admired her creator—he didn’t take flack from anybody.
Elinor was sure the white ape would have made alterations and tweaks if he had time, but for whatever reason, Noa was left in her current state. Not that Elinor was complaining; if she’d been a mirror copy of the warlord, she’d have her hands full.
It occurred to her that the Ke might have been trying to craft his ideal woman—it was indeed a thought worth entertaining, not that it ultimately accomplished much, other than bringing a smile to her lips while staring at the A.I.’s glowing back and spikes. She had to admit, in human form, given her mannerisms, she was cute, and Elinor wanted to see how she’d be with a little more confidence after her traumatic exile.
As they went, Elinor noticed the expression on Noa’s face; it seemed to just dawn on her that she’d been playing around the entire time.
She took them on a short detour to collect what she termed as her Source Core. The item was fixed inside of a data terminal, giving her access to this cut-off part of the vast underground grid throughout the Meridian Divide.
When they arrived, less than a hundred silver apes parted by her command, giving them access to the inner chamber—they’d used substantial effort to combat the curious insects and growing muscle, yet this was all Noa had left of her meager force.
To Elinor’s shock, her Source Core was a scroll made from a strange hide-like material and gilded into intricate designs with unusual metal. Complicated runes could be seen on the outside, and it was slotted into a glowing diamond inlet.
Noa explained to them the process of placing her inside of a silver Quen’Talrat to make her mobile. It would apparently be extremely uncomfortable, but it was the only way she could project herself to continue guiding them.
Sari’aél floated in front of the diamond inlet, lips pulled in while studying it. “Mmh … You will be vulnerable while away. Correct? You are being sustained by the lingering power within this area, but that will not be the case once inside your golem,” she pointed out, using the word Elinor had picked out.
The dark-skinned woman nodded, showing them a confident smile. “I am sure we will find a terminal I can use to recharge along the way, and I trust the Empress with my life!”
Elinor frowned, giving her a slight glare. “Noa, you were tricked by your subordinate A.I. because of the trust you put in them. Have a little skepticism—a little is healthy. Now, I’m not saying don’t trust me,” she chuckled, catching the woman’s confused, shifting eyes, “I’m only telling you this to help you. Sari’aél…”
The Seraph carefully extracted the scroll, causing the trembling A.I. to vanish. She wasn’t fooling Elinor; it wasn’t that difficult to see Noa’s frightened fidgets before being unplugged, even after her brave declaration.
Every single attendant silver ape fell limp the moment she was disconnected, and the lights in the room cut off. Sari’aél drifted down to ease it into the navel of the silver puppets, which promptly gave way, sliding back to allow the artifact to float inside its body.
Runes enclosed every inch of the golem, and a disgruntled Noa appeared on his shoulder. “Mmhgmhg … I … hate how cramped this is,” she grumbled, hugging her tight muscles.
“We should hurry then,” Sari’aél commented. “The sooner we get there, the sooner you can regain control.”
“Right…”
They made their way back, Noa leaving behind all of her silver apes, no longer able to control the units. Elinor had to applaud the woman’s bravery; perhaps she didn’t feel she had a choice, but it was still commendable.
On their path, she explained the powerful runes that awaited them.
Elinor wasn’t worried, crossed legs bobbing a little to a little internal song her mind returned to. Azalea carved her way through an army of unusual crustaceans at war with the ant-like crabs, and it was likely the competing forces that kept Noa safe for such a long time.
It was during this time that Elinor felt an unusual gear fall into place for the spider girl—she’d ranked up.
It wasn’t her Grade; although considering skills taking ten Ranks to increase a Grade, this opened up a whole new possibility for advancement. Not only could her undead gain skills and level normally, but given the right circumstances, their Grade could increase.
Sari’aél, did you know about this? Elinor asked, focusing on the dispatched units of both sides lined along the walls.
“Mmh … I did not, but I can see it now. Yes, there is depth to the seed that goes beyond my sight, but the little girl inside of you is excited that I can at least catch a glimpse of the faintest breath she releases—at least by a minute degree.”
Everything else in Elinor’s mind froze, blocking out all thought about the current mission she was on while turning to watch the angel casually float through the air. The … little girl … inside of me?
The Seraph lifted her fingers to brush back a few silver locks, looking unperturbed. “Indeed. The seed granting your power is more than just a little bundle of information. Although, by my estimations, you’d need to at least be … Mmh, perhaps my elder sisters could consciously communicate with her, but I am quite limited.”
When did you notice it … she … Who is she? Who gave me this power?
Sari’aél slowly shook her head, her smile secretive. “I only was able to feel her presence for a time when my bindings were still being faceted around my Core. There was … a touch of brokenness that I can’t quite explain, yet she was thrilled to bond to me.”
Goosebumps sent a cold chill across Elinor’s arms. If it’s something even beyond your completely unbound state … No, I can’t speculate about that now. I need to focus on Noa and what’s in front of me. There will be plenty of time to ponder that … Be on your guard.
A wall of rippling golden liquid came into focus ahead of them, the main hallway before exiting this mountain branch and reaching the next. Several mountains surrounding them had their own networks, but beyond this next one was The Crown of Meridian.
Along their path, Elinor had spotted several breeches in the unfinished walls, making it clear the insects were coming from a deeper point in the mountain. It was time to get serious as Fini’s group drew near. Ke’Thra’Ma designed this labyrinth of mysteries, and she highly doubted they’d be invited guests.
Once the Nalveans and Quen’Talrat caught up, Noa guided an elated Jumi’calro to the proper control area to hack the door; the boy’s thin tail weaved back and forth while studying the complex design, muttering to himself and Noa.
The two of them worked together—the rune scribe was used to being an assistant, but to an A.I.? Elinor had to giggle at the unlikely pair—they were practically thieves… only taking the shotgun approach.
She felt the somber atmosphere of her little group; it had been at least three hours since they entered the mountain, and much of that time had been spent on the move. The breadth of this maze was phenomenal, and Elinor couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into its mystical mysteries.
Maps:
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