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The remainder of Elinor’s forces in the jungle were quickly returning upon her command, including Quin and Garu.  With the exception of the one guard inside the Life Room’s hallway and the two she left with Violet, all her lesser minions would accompany her.

Elinor’s green irises fell to the dirty black granite floor as they moved toward the wall; Edmon was directing the minions down the proper path to reach the stairs leading to the top of the massive structure.  I should feel a little queasy; I’m going to war.  Yet, I feel no pressure; in fact, I’m relieved that I’m moving forward.  Another part of being a Lich or an Empress, I suppose.

She glanced left at Tiffany as she requested a personal connection with her; the Witch was sitting cross-legged atop one of the Thélméthra drone’s fractured exoskeletons as it scurried with them.

What is it, Tiffany?

Tiffany kept her orange eyes on the wall ahead.  “Dear, I’ve been mulling over a particular idea that might prove quite effective, but to be sure, I’d need Valdar’s input.”

What kind of plan?

“Well,” Tiffany’s smile turned somewhat forced, “I wanted to discuss this with you after I’d gathered all the proper information to lay out a proper plan, but you suddenly decided to go on the offensive.  Not that it’s wrong!  I just haven’t been able to properly give the subject the appropriate consideration.”

Elinor sighed.  There’s always something, isn’t there?  I guess I didn’t give you much time to prepare.

“No, I love that you’re taking the initiative and giving commands; you’re coming into your role as the Empress.”

Should I stop Camellia before she leaves my area of communication?

“Only if you’d like to consider my proposal,” Tiffany mumbled.  “I admit, that it was only a passing thought while I was playing with the Roxim Tribe scouts.”

She pursed her lips, giving Tiffany a look.  Quit stalling.  I get it; it’s not a fully baked plan.  What was the thought?

“Right!  Umm, so, you know how the Ri’bot are quite tied to their religious beliefs?”

Yes?

“Well, what if you so happened to be a part of them?”

Excuse me?  What do you mean, I could be a part of their religious beliefs?  You mean they’ll worship me?

“Yes, in a way.”

Elinor sucked in her lower lip, shifting her gaze to the buildings while thinking about Tiffany’s proposal.  Me, worshipped as a goddess of some kind?  No, it would have to be different than that; Tiffany did mention some of their beliefs before, and if she’s bringing it up, then there might be merit to it.  Propaganda to turn them into loyal servants.

Opening the communication to Edmon and Iris, Elinor turned back to face the Witch while ordering her escort to stop.  Tiffany, explain it to everyone so we can better understand the direction.  Iris, tell Camellia to pause for a moment before going out of range; we might have a slight change in tactics.

Iris relayed the order without question, waiting silently beside her in spider-form while staring at Tiffany.  Edmon folded his hands, standing between the heads of one of her skeletal ape’s bony skulls, black helmet back in place, but underneath the face shield, Elinor knew he was wearing a curious grin.

Valdar stood in place beside Edmon’s mount, hands held behind his back while staring at them with a passive expression as he waited.

Tiffany cleared her throat, turning the drone she sat upon to face them.  “Okay, so … the Ri’bot are extremely spiritually aware; meaning, they consider everything to be a part of their religious beliefs.  As far as I am aware, it’s not so structured, but fairly vague, and everything from volcanic eruptions to storms are signs of their wrath.”

“Right?”  Edmon asked with mild exasperation.  “I’m waiting for the punchline, but you were always long-winded.”

“Come now, Edmon,” Tiffany huffed, cheeks reddening.  “Some things need proper context, and you don’t need to be rude about it.  Humph, fine, basically, we can get what the Empress wants with fear as a secondary attribute, belief, and adoration as a primary.  Concise enough for you?”

Iris’ body tilted to the right.  “I am unaware of these spiritual things.  However, from what I understand, you’re saying the Ri’bot have beliefs that we can exploit?”

“Astute,” Tiffany smiled at the Queen before glaring at Edmon.  “Unlike some.”  He snickered, but let her continue without interruption, dropping into a sitting position upon his mount.  “The issue on my mind is that I don’t know enough about their aspect of death, and that is why I wish to question Valdar about this direction.”

Elinor glanced between Iris and Edmon.  What do you think about Tiffany’s plan?  She almost wanted to smile at how nervous Tiffany was feeling through their connection, showing how much thought she’d put into this direction.

Iris righted her body, turning slightly to stare at Valdar.  “I am not skilled in this type of warfare, but I suppose any advantage we can obtain will suit the Empress well, and if it is anything similar to the manner the Yaltha’ma treated me, then I find it most appropriate.”

A bit of Tiffany’s tension faded, but it seemed to double as Edmon hummed, cocking his head to the left while cupping the chin of his full helmet.  “While I agree, it would be appropriate, would it work?  I admit that I haven’t spent nearly enough time with them to offer an educated opinion on it, and I am … dubious.  It’s more like a dream than a plan, to be frank.”

“Which is why I wanted to question Valdar!”  Tiffany shot back before sucking on the inside of her cheeks with irritation.  “I told you at the start, it’s a thought with some merit, and follows the Empress’ vision.”

“Again,” Edmon shrugged.  “Getting someone to believe something can be a lot more difficult than you might imagine, and especially with what they’ve already witnessed.”

“Then humor me!”  Tiffany demanded.  “I’ll show you that it’s more than a dream, and—and that I was … wrong about my thoughts of the Ri’bot,” she said with difficulty.

“You always were a bit of a dreamer,” Edmon snickered, “but … seeing your cheeks getting this red means you’ve really thrown a lot of thought into it.”

Elinor smiled softly, remembering in the past when she wanted to become a cheerleader.  Her father was a little resistant to the idea of her dancing around in a provocative uniform, knowing where it led.  It had crushed her eight-year-old heart.

However, after some nudging, her mother had convinced him to let her give it a shot.   On her first performance, she’d messed up so badly that it embarrassed all the other girls; it caused her to be the subject of a bit of bullying, and she wanted to quit.  One day, after a few mean words during practice, she’d run home to her room crying, and her mother came in to comfort her.

She spoke in the short pause they left.  It may be a dream, but together we can achieve the impossible.  Elinor opened the connection to Valdar.

Tiffany gave her a thankful smile before turning to the confused toad.  “Valdar, what are the Ri’bot’s beliefs involving the dead?  Is there a spiritual figure like the One Above All for death?”

Valdar released a low hum while squatting to stare at the dirty street.  “A spiritual figure for death?  In regards to death, there are the Lesser Chiefs that come to take those that have lived an honorable life to the paradise in the skies.  Those that have not lived a noble life are left to drift in the darkness, waiting to be reborn to be given another chance.

“However, those that have disgraced or made a mockery of their clan or the ancestors are sent to the realm of boiling oil for all eternity to pay for their sins.  An acting Chief of that clan can pardon those that have done enough in life to merit forgiveness.”

“I see,” Tiffany mused.  “Who mediates between those taken to the pits of boiling oil and heaven?”

“What do you mean?”  Valdar’s brow creased as he looked up at her, and it was clear that he still believed in his old ways.

“It’s not like just anyone can enter the heavenly realm of the ancestors, correct?”  Tiffany pressed.

“Right?”  Valdar muttered.

“If the Lesser Chiefs take those that are righteous to heaven, and those that are not taken are left to be reborn, then who has the authority to go into the boiling pits of oil to bring back those that have paid their sins?”

Valdar scratched his neck nervously, shifting his feet a little before shivering a little.  “It is not a topic many Ri’bot enjoy contemplating.  We focus on living a proper life to reach the glorified chiefs.”

Tiffany’s smile fell into a deep frown as she glared down at Valdar.  “Then, you’ve forgotten about a central figure among the Supreme Chiefs.”

“Have I?”  Valdar questioned.  “Who has the authority to go into the boiling pits of oil to bring back those that have paid their sins?  To bring back those that suffer…”  His large toad-like eyes widened as he stared up at Elinor.  “The Empress … the authority over those in the pit.”

A soft smile returned to Tiffany’s lips as Elinor kept her expression neutral.  “You thought the Empress snatched those souls out of Supreme Chief Gogath’s hands?”

“I … did,” Valdar admitted, head lowering again.  “The Empress of the Dead…”

“Is not incongruent with the Supreme Chief of the Dead.  Is it?”

“No,” He was silent for a moment before whispering, “the storm and Wrath of the Ancestors.  They were signs, announcing your entry to our world?”

“The treatment of her by your clans.  Why do you think the Empress has control over the dead, and can bring back those that were supposed to be worthy of joining the Supreme Chiefs?  It is because the Ri’bot have forgotten Supreme Chief Elinor, and so, she has come to personally remind the Ri’bot of their sins.  The Clans have lost their way, and must be returned to the proper path.”

Elinor was shocked at how confused and horrified Tiffany’s words made the former chief.  So, Tiffany was right.  Pointing out a simple void or less thought about concept in their belief has awoken his mind to the possibility.

Valdar slowly lifted his eyes to view Elinor, sitting cross-legged on the skeletal palm of the former Quen’Talrat.  “I see … Supreme Chief Elinor would be over the Quen’Talrat’s souls, and,” his gaze shifted to the Queen, “the Thélméthra.  All those who have displeased The One Above All.  Does that mean, The Empress is the Right-Hand of Wrath?”

A smile touched Elinor’s features as she looked down upon Valdar.  Wrath cannot even begin to describe the monster that stands before you.  I may be a Supreme Chief, but I am not a part of the benevolent court you believe.  Look around, Valdar.

Both the court and Valdar followed her gesture.  What do you see?

“The Quen’Talrat fortress?”  Valdar asked.

A war fought by the Ri’bot and every other nation … a war that I was not a part of.  Do you suppose that all the other gods, deities, or chiefs of other people are true?

“I … do not know.”

She could feel the realization slowly dawning on her minion.  They are one and the same … all of them, but they’ve lost their way.  I am the true Lord of the Dead, the same in every culture, but I’ve been forgotten by many.  This entire world will remember who I am.

The flames in Elinor’s chest lit as she remembered everything she’d lost, allowing that fire to move through her connection to him.  “W-What should we do?  You waited to reveal yourself … to test us?”

Look at me.  She glared down at him, glowing green irises aflame.  This is the world you’ve created.  The product of what I’ve become … my soul, my youth, everything I was; my innocence was not yours to consume.

“No…”

Into the silence, you sent me … into this consuming fire, yet this emptiness inside me is so cold.  You thought I’d forget, forgive?  Elinor snarled, nose twisting as her emotions flared.  The Ri’bot filled me with hate; it’s the pulse in my veins, the war that I wage inside.  This is what you’ve made me into, the monster you set upon this world, and that’s why I started here.

“The other world, we found you…”

“Did you?”  Tiffany asked with a leer.

“The gateway was a test,” Valdar mumbled, dropping to his knees.  “What do we do?  I felt it … I feel it … the cold and heat inside you.  The darkness … that we brought upon ourselves.  The Unseen Eye … it attacked you because it recognized your presence as a true threat … the threat of a Supreme Chief, and you won.  No … no, of course, you won.”

Tiffany hummed with a thoughtful frown.  “The Supreme Chiefs have not been with you for some time, Chief Valdar, but the Empress is here now to set things right.  She hardly recognizes the Ri’bot anymore after being abandoned for so long.  Do you think the Ri’bot are beyond saving, or can the knowledge of Supreme Chief Elinor be spread, and the honor of the Ri’bot returned?”

“Yes … yes, it must be,” Valdar whispered.  “The pit has risen to cast judgment upon the Ri’bot.  What must be done, Supreme Chief Elinor?”  His body was shaking like a leaf.  “What must I do?”

“Spread her name,” Tiffany replied.  “Worship the Empress; she is the will of The One Above All, and The One Above All is at one with her.  Now that the truth has been revealed, can you convince not just your people, but all Ri’bot?”

“If I can’t…”

“Then they will either be forced to serve or be cast into the pit.  The sins of your fathers are coming back to haunt you, Valdar.  Will you be the one to set things right, or will a blight of Undead sweep across this land?”

“I will go personally!”  Valdar said, bowing his head to the ground as sweat leaked from his pores.

“The first apostle,” Tiffany mused.  “You bring honor back to your name, Valdar.  The Empress will rebuild the Ri’bot that serves her into the nation you were meant to be; all will serve the Empress of the Dead.  You are at the dawn of a new golden era.  Join Camellia, and spread the word, but those that reject it must be cut away; the malignant disease of unbelief must be purged.”

“It is as you say!  I will leave at once.”

Elinor granted him a connection to Camellia so that he could find her, and upon her nod, he rushed into action.

A deep hum left Edmon’s throat as he watched the Ri’bot follow his orders, disconnected from their private conversation.  “I must admit that it went better than I anticipated.  However, a more doubtful mind might resist.  He is actively affected by the Empress’ power and presence, but the others might not be so easy to convince.”

Tiffany pushed her lips to the side with a soft sigh.  “I agree.  It isn’t perfect, but no religion is.  He knows their beliefs inside and out; give him time to mold it, and he’ll gather a proper following that will gain traction.  Do you think you can explain it to Camellia, Iris?”

Iris sounded more than a little doubtful.  “My daughter wouldn’t understand a hair of what just happened.  Violet might grasp it a bit better, but Camellia is more simple-minded.”

“She’s extremely dedicated, though,” Tiffany offered.

“Yes, which is why she’ll drive herself insane trying to figure it out, and it would distract her from the task at hand.  I suggest letting Valdar do the work while Camellia cleans up anyone that is resistant.”

Tiffany chuckled sheepishly.  “Fair, I agree.  Edmon?”  She asked with a lifted eyebrow.

“Hmm,” he gripped the back of his helmet while cracking his neck.  “You’re creating zealots that follow the Empress, which is excellent, but I’m still dubious on the results.  Only time will tell, and in the end, we can always use force if necessary.

“Well, no … I suppose we will be using force in the start to get the point across.  Power breeds belief.”  He paused before giving a quick tilt of his head.  “Okay, I’m starting to see how this might work, and with the Empress’ abilities, how could they not think she was a long-forgotten goddess.”

Tiffany’s tongue slid over her red lips before trying to hide a smile while brushing back her hair as the wind picked up.  “Is that praise?”

“We’ll see,” Edmon grunted, arms still folded.

She huffed but kept her half-smile.  “Close enough.”

“So, should we continue to the wall?”  Edmon asked, turning away from the Witch to stare at the towering blocks far in the distance.

Elinor enjoyed listening to their conversation, and releasing some of her inner hatred gave her more satisfaction than she realized.  She studied the path Edmon had taken them on, following one of the city’s main highways.  The straight-line went right to the wall, and it seemed much smaller on the inside of the structure.

Yes, we’ll continue.  Quin and Garu should be joining us shortly, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Quin’s changed.  I sensed a shift in my link with him; he’s ranked up, hasn’t he?

Their mounts continued their progress, once again directed by Edmon.  The wind was growing stronger, blowing the puddles of water left over by the storm across the street.

“He has,” Tiffany stated; her tone was glowing with joy.  “He should be slowly regaining some of his former memories, and his ability to communicate should be returning.”

Elinor absently glanced around the city, focusing on random buildings and objects, still wet after the storm’s passing.  These things I can do sound like they’re from a game.  I’m not too familiar with many video games; I mean, I played Nintendo games at friends’ houses, but none of the hardcore stuff like that warcraft game.  Do any of you know why that is?

“I don’t know what a video game is,” Iris responded.

Tiffany giggled.  “Understandable, and no, Elinor, I do not know why this system is so similar to games.  Your father played a few games when he was younger,” she mused, orange eyes sliding to the Doom Guard.

Edmon grabbed the left jaw bone of the Skeletal Quen’Talrat he rode on and easily hoisted himself to his feet, standing between its heads.  “Indeed, he did play WoW, which has some similarities.  However, why that is, I couldn’t guess.  All I know is the information I’ve been given, which is limited to what I assume is surface-based information to advise you.”

He turned his blue eyes to her.  “Do you wish to go over your skills at this time?”

The long path before her seemed to go on for miles.  It didn’t seem this long before, but I suppose I was a little distracted … it would be a good use of time.  I have Skill Points that I can use after Iris’ slaughter and everything else my army has done, correct?

“You do,” Tiffany hummed, fiddling with her shirt front; the wind kept trying to pull it up to reveal her black bra.  “Although, this system won’t tell you how many you have or even if you have any to spend, and worse, it will even spend them based on your desires.  Well, you could see that as a positive and negative.”

Then I have been using them?

Edmon chuckled.  “Quite a bit.  Every time you wished to communicate with someone, or attempted something that was currently outside your current ability’s scope, points have been used.”

Elinor’s hands tightened against each other in her lap, lips falling into a frown.  When I first changed, I just had to ask the question, and I’d get an understanding of my abilities.  Is there a way to make them all available?

“Normally, no, from the information I’ve been given by the system itself.”  Tiffany smirked, “However, in us, you’ve found a certain degree of leeway not afforded to the other humans given this … seed, as Demon so generously enlightened us.”

She paused, orange eyes shifting with her smile.  “A seed attached to the spirits of humans, mutating to their desires; it’s such a fascinating event.  A crystal appears that leads to a new world, and gives certain people powers; perhaps the other humans have dormant versions of this seed in them, as well.  We might need to do some testing of our own to determine more.”

The Doom Guard butted in before she could continue.  “So far, only the Empress has been able to spread this seed to others, planting it inside spirits herself.”

“Oh, good observation!”  Tiffany mused, now folding her arms while holding down what remained of her shirt.  “Since we are all a branch of that first connection, you only grow stronger with every minion.  It’s a fascinating way to grow a power; trying to increase your power alone would be extremely difficult, but creating specialized Undead allows you to share in their acquired Experience.”

The three of them shifted their focus to Iris; at some point, she’d transformed into her human form and stood atop a drone.  Her passive deep red eyes were centered on the Witch.    “Tiffany, I noticed you keep fiddling with that scrap of cloth covering your fat.  I can create a proper covering for it if you wish.”

“Fat,” Tiffany mumbled while glancing down with a grimace.  “Iris, I’ll have you know that many humans find breasts very attractive, and not just fat…”

“Is that right?”  Iris hummed thoughtfully while staring down at her own ample bosom.  “I was under the impression they were mainly for the brood.”

“Children,” Tiffany forced a chuckle.  “Children and pleasure … when not getting in the way.”

“Pleasure?”  Iris lifted an eyebrow.  “I suppose they could be sensitive to stimulation.  Your bodies are so … different,” She whispered while eyeing Tiffany’s frame.

Tiffany’s cheeks reddened.  “Yes, well, to us, the Thélméthra have strange bodies, but I suppose not very many creatures can take on the appearance of others.  Why are we talking about the feminine frame, again?”

“It has been on my mind while watching your reactions.  Mmh, not only that,” Iris twisted her arms to stare at it while transforming into her white Ri’bot form.  “The DNA of Ri’bot and humans, they both have so many strange things mixed in.

“Before my death, I would determine the strength of the materials used based on combat ability.  Finding a powerful species to use as a medium for birthing stronger daughters is an important task, essential, yet I’ve come to realize there are so many more things hidden within a creature than I was first aware of.  Personality is quite something,” she mused, voice becoming sweeter and more lilting after changing.

She returned to her human figure, giving Tiffany a soft smile.  “If the cloth around your chest is bothering you, then I can create a new one.”

Tiffany’s arms tightened underneath her breasts before shooting a sidelong look at Edmon, releasing a soft sigh as her black hair flung back from the wind.  “Fine … that’d be great.”

Iris’ brow furrowed as she jumped to the Witch’s ride, standing upon the drone as if the air pressure whipping back their clothes didn’t affect her in the least.  “You do not sound thrilled to be rid of the annoyance.”  She stated while her hair wrapped around Tiffany’s core, repairing her shirt in seconds.

“No, no, it’s nothing,” Tiffany mumbled, shifting her weight to keep balanced while testing the elasticity of the repaired half of her shirt.  It didn’t have a hem but perfectly fit around the Witch’s thin belly.  “Mmh, it fits perfectly.  Thanks, Iris.”  She smiled up at the confused Executioner.

Elinor giggled, keeping her thoughts private.  Iris is cute.  She doesn’t understand human culture at all.  Tiffany enjoyed teasing Edmon, which even he recognized.  It was like they had small private moments together without saying anything at all, and in one swift stroke, Iris shut it down.

She glanced between the silent pair.  Tiffany was glaring down at the new black part of her shirt; it honestly didn’t look that bad.  Iris somehow made jumping between running metallic-like spiders an elegant performance worthy of the Olympics, and Edmon tried to ignore the conversation entirely.

Poor Tiffany; she just wants to tease Edmon and for him to give her attention.  I can still feel that she’s bitter after Edmon threw her under the bus.  I mean, he didn’t exactly know he was doing it, but Edmon did feel a little dejected that she didn’t fight harder to go with him.

He just wants to spend a bit of personal time with her, but she’s been too busy to realize his hints, and a little too concerned with her duties, which is actually pretty surprising given that’s usually Edmon’s trait.  I think he also wants a bit of praise for his work getting the fortress running again, but it’s going right over Tiffany’s head.

Her smile turned a little rueful, and she released a low sigh.  Is this a drama of my own creation?  In any case, sad comedy helps … at least it shouldn’t be a tragedy; I’m sick of tragedies.

Elinor’s green eyes lifted to the growing wall as they neared, and Edmon cleared his throat.  “We were discussing the Empress’ abilities.”

Iris’ red lips fell slightly as she turned to Elinor.  “I see.  By Edmon’s tone, was what I did inappropriately handled?”

No.  Elinor replied.  Edmon and Tiffany know all of the customs I’ve grown up with while you are left to pick up the pieces.  I love the contrast; the surprise gives me something to look forward to.  Although…  She giggled.  I forget how much I take for granted; you’re my gem, Iris.  Now, go ahead, Edmon.

“Right … as Tiffany was saying before we got off-track, we know each of your skills.  Would you like us to give you everything about your abilities?”

Perfect.  Her irises moved to a wide staircase leading to the top of the inner wall as they were carried that way.  If I’m going to plot how to use my abilities in the coming conflict, then I need to know everything I can about them.  Tell me everything while we wait.

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