---

Elinor could hardly follow the swift movements of Baxter and Sari’aél; she couldn't be sure if Sari’aél was on the offensive or Baxter.  Flashes of light sparked across the entire room, radiance expelling in instantaneous flashes as the two creatures fought, and in a matter of seconds, her head darted right as an effulgence erupted from the hallway.

Edmon's armored helmet darted in various directions, tone stressed.  “Elinor, what happened … You failed to raise her and…”

A heat touched Elinor’s spirit, drawing her hands to her earrings with the overwhelming sensation; Sari’aél’s strength went to new heights and after the flash of light sent a wave of heated wind rushing into the area, the Seraph was far to the north, near Iris.

Aileen gasped in shock, pointing at Elinor.  “E-Empress!  Your crown … it’s glowing so bright!”

“Your earrings?!”  Edmon asked in worry, stepping forward as his helmet vanished; her father’s concerned, glowing blue irises shifted between the diamonds Elinor was touching.  “The silver charm Tiffany cast … it’s golden now … Elinor!”

Her trembling legs collapsed as another flare of power exploded across her Nexus, and a light aura illuminated around every Undead; the glow was destroying the hidden fog devices Baxter had across the fortress and waking those affected.  S-Sari’aél’s unlocking her Divinity, Elinor whispered, suddenly hearing the familiar, gentle melody not only filling her soul, but empowering it to withstand her own immense strength.

“I’m so warm … cozy,” Aileen whispered.  “D-Do you hear that?”

“I do,” Quin whispered.

Violet’s trembling fingers drew in, hugging her trembling body.  “Empress … I have never felt such … such controlled power—this song … it is so much stronger than Valerie’s.”

“Are we in danger?”  Edmon hesitantly asked, giving Elinor a questioning look as he brushed back his thick black bangs.  “What’s happening?”

At Violet’s mention, Elinor searched her memory for the Maid, remembering Valerie’s violin performance, and shook her head; it couldn’t even be compared.  No, I don’t think we’re in danger any longer.

She was unable to rise to her feet with the tingling presence coursing through her body, and she knew this was only the tiniest fraction of the angel’s real strength—inconsequential, and Sari’aél wasn’t even close to Ana'uél’s power.  I was quickened … Taken beyond our very … existence is the only word there is … I met the Blood Sun.

“E-Empress?”  Tiffany’s groggy voice entered the Nexus; the Witch stumbled in with Azalea by her side, focusing on them in an instant.  “Edmon?”

“Tiffany!  Are you alright?”

“Geez, you don’t have to yell … What is this feeling?  Do we have a new Court Member?”

Elinor clutched her breast, eyes widening as fire entered her veins, coursing through her circular system and filling her lungs; Sari’aél had moved past another seal toward her heavenly birthright.  She couldn’t breathe.

Her Intelligent Undead were now feeling the effects, too, as it broke past any restrictive barriers inside of the Nexus that linked them all, echoing through their souls; everyone collapsed to their knees as the overwhelming yet tranquil presence infused them.

It only lasted a moment but was enough to drop Edmon and Tiffany to the ground in stunned realization that something far beyond them was touching their spirit.

As quickly as the flames filling her soul came, they vanished, leaving Elinor shaking on the ground with her Intelligent Undead recovering themselves.  The air frozen in her lungs expelled in a shuddering puff that streamed through her cheeks.

Edmon coughed before clearing his throat, his voice a little hoarse.  “E-Elinor … What should we do?”

Aileen was the first to her feet as Elinor struggled to get up, and the little eleven-year-old girl’s supporting arms guided her to a stable position.  “We ... we wait in the Main Square outside.  Let’s move.”

Still trying to calm her fluttering spirit, Elinor moved forward with Aileen’s small hand in her own, the little Maid focused on making sure her Empress didn’t fall.

Tiffany, Violet, Azalea, Quin, and Edmon were swiftly by her side, and the questions from her other Intelligent Undead soon began rolling in.  They gave orders as Elinor explained the situation.

Sari’aél is now filling the Warlord position of the Royal Court, and she is so powerful that I literally cannot even hope to reshape her like the rest of you … She doesn’t even come from our Existence.

“Existence … Could you elaborate on that?”  Tiffany hesitantly asked, sending out preliminary orders to get the ball rolling with Edmon in a private link between a few commanding individuals.

Elinor sighed, feeling a little better, but she’d already experienced the loss of the Blood Sun and Ana'uél’s departing empowerment; her other Undead hadn’t.  Not really … At best, from what I was told, a single Existence consists of infinite omniverses, with each omniverse having infinite multiverses, which then have infinite universes … That’s what I was told.

“That ... sounds meaningless to try and even imagine,” Tiffany mumbled.  “I’ll shelve it for now.  So, we have our new Warlord—take that, you pompous ape!”

A small smile lifted Elinor’s lips at Tiffany’s triumphant remark.  Yes, Sari’aél is the daughter of an Existence-Level entity that’s called a ‘Transcendent,’ and he believes she will grow by being with me—he is far beyond whatever seed is inside my spirit—as far as I can tell.

“He’s on our side?”  Edmon questioned as they walked through the long Galaxy Hallway that led back to the Throne Room.

Quin set her hand down for Elinor to transfer to, breathing a sigh of relief at not having to walk with her tingling legs; somehow, the others were recovering quicker.  Aileen joined her with Elinor’s motion for the small girl to jump on next to her to the blonde’s delight.

I call him Apollo—because he took on the realistic image of an anime I watched—and he’s not on our side, he’s on his daughter’s side … She’s flying back, but … Why’s she so much weaker than before she released some of her bonds?

Tiffany threw back her messy black hair with a brightening smile.  “Well, if his daughter is on our side, then does that not make him?  Hmm … Perhaps there was a cost to unshackling herself … Is she okay with being ‘shackled?’”  The Witch asked with an impish smile.

Kind of, actually…

“Oh?  Which part?”  Tiffany pressed.

Edmon cleared his throat.  “... Can we stay focused, Tiffany?  Is there anything we should tell the other Intelligent Undead—plans we should execute?”

Elinor pulled in her lower lip, glancing around the Throne Room as they entered it, noting the Victorian-Style that Violet created throughout the previous week; Aileen was doing her best to restrain from kicking her feet while enjoying the ride.

Mmh … You could be right, Tiffany, and there was a price to releasing all that divine energy, but Apollo is definitely not on our side, and we shouldn’t expect him to be.  We are literally nothing to him—Sari’aél is his world … all his children are.

“As it should be for a parent,” Tiffany commented, walking briskly down the side of the ramp they descended as Edmon simply jumped off the steep decline, landing on the ground below.  She looked at him with eyes that reminded Elinor of her parents.  “... Not five minutes, and you’re trying to impress me?”

Edmon ignored her, still waiting on Elinor’s answer.

Elinor could sense the confusion spreading across her Nexus, knowing it could only be even more pronounced within the Ri’bot, human, and Yaltha’ma communities.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Azalea giggled while running away from her younger sister, whose silk was gently probing all over her older sister’s spider-like body.  “I’m fine, Vi … he-he-he, stop!”

“We don’t know if he placed anything hidden on you.”

“I already checked!  I’m not … Vi!”  she giggled.

Elinor’s mind was wandering between various points, trying to compile the host of emotions and thoughts running across her brain.

First, Baxter’s devices were destroyed in every place where my Undead stood, which should be where most of the living are, but we need to get them to safety if that isn’t the case.  Azalea, work on that.

“On it!”  the blue-themed arachnid chimed, rushing up the wall as they made it into the entrance hall.

Gwen was talking with Lucky, likely trying to understand what she should do for the humans she represented.  The two of them moved toward them as they came into view, but Lucky stopped their progress as Edmon relayed her orders to Valdar and Lucky regarding taking care of the Yaltha’ma, Ri’bot, and humans.

The High Priest to her religion was currently gathering the Clan Chiefs—El’Co’Ca and El’Ra’Ca, the elderly Yaltha’ma siblings, were with Valdar.

Gwen gave her a thankful smile and wave as she passed, doing a quick bow before gathering the humans in the Entrance Hall.

Second, we need to have a sweep done of the city and valley; who knows what escaped our notice, and we don’t know if the corruption creatures in the crevice have made a move.  Violet, you’re best equipped for that.

Edmon’s handsome face creased.  “Shouldn’t Violet stay for your protection?”

“Edmon,” Tiffany mumbled, giving him a light glare.  “Are you doubting my abilities?  Besides, Elinor is right; we need the information to assess our situation—the fog came from the sky, blanketing us, and we had no idea it was dangerous until minutes after it appeared.”

“No, I’m just saying, you aren’t meant for actual combat, Tiffany.  Her safety trumps…”

Elinor interrupted their argument.  Tiffany has the right idea, and if I am in danger after what Sari’aél just demonstrated, then we are in far greater trouble than Violet could handle.

Violet watched them privately converse as they briskly walked out of the Entrance Call and into the Welcoming Area before the doors leading outside.

Yes, Violet, go and gather information.

As she left, Elinor saw small groups of humans, Ri’bot, and Yaltha’ma entering the Tower; it was fairly noticeable how relieved they were upon seeing her as their pace slowed, giving her respectful bows.

“Just your presence elicits a sense of peace in your citizens,” Tiffany mused with a short chuckle; however, a brief conversation with Rigrach, the annoying manly Jukal, had her eyebrows furrowed.  “Hmm ... Rigrach saw a glorious beacon of light that lit up the entire night sky when we awoke outside—brighter than the sun, and it chased away all of the clouds covering the frozen mountain, but wasn’t hot—just … holy.”

Edmon nodded, looking up at the black nighttime sky as they exited the Tower; not a cloud was in the heavens.  “Amra’Cora has a similar story, only she caught it on the city’s surveillance crystals.”

Elinor leaned forward to stare at the two, noting how slow Sari’aél’s return was across the hundreds of miles that separated them, although considering that distance, she was making incredible time.  We have a surveillance system?

Tiffany grinned up at her.  “Yup!  Amra’Cora’s been hard at work trying to understand the city’s Control Center, and she’s making a little headway.”

“Hardly,” Edmon grumbled, drawing the Witch’s hard look again.  “The Quen’Talrat was a heavily specialized culture, and she’s like an elderly woman without a hint of computer training attempting to work with the latest in server technology.”

“Well, crush her hopes and dreams, why don’t you?”

“She’s a soldier,” Edmon stated, giving her a dull look.  “Amra’Cora can look at a ‘few’ city recording crystals, one of which did manage to catch the phenomena, but we can’t look back more than a day, and I suspect we are actually causing more harm than good … like a kid poking around alien technology.”

At least it’s better than nothing, Elinor whispered.

Quin slowed to a stop at the edge of the fountain in the Main Square; grass separated the wide, circular road that pulled around the centerpiece.  A few human and Ri’bot kids tried sneaking back into the Tower from around the side, which Edmon pointed out.

Tiffany was a little leery-eyed at the kids and contacted Lucky about it; apparently, the children were still meant to have an escort, and the teens decided they wanted to exercise their rebellious streak—Lucky would tell Gwen, who would then inform the parents or guardians responsible for them.

Elinor smiled, feeling a new sense of peace after her Seraph joined her Nexus; so many thoughts were running through her mind after being quickened and brought before the Blood Sun.

Tiffany tentatively gave her a curious grin, her head tilting to the right like her mother used to do when puzzling something out; Edmon and her were sitting on the edge of an 8-foot-tall fountain seat.

“Elinor … You seem so relaxed after returning from the Nalvean Kingdom.  I take it that things have worked in our favor?”

More or less … some things have not … Imiunarus, Kimlira, and Lecra'Moro have passed on, but Camellia was able to survive.  At least I don’t have to tell Iris I sent her daughter to die.

Tiffany’s emotions instantly shifted at her comment, but she didn’t voice them; Elinor was already aware of the woman’s opinion on their own lives, and it wouldn’t do any good to bring it up.  “I … haven’t met two of those names—Lecra'Moro’s loss is unfortunate, though.  Edmon has updated me on Camellia and Princess Tal’tamine’s predicament.  How was your meeting with their High Ruler?”

Productive … quite productive, but I suspect things might become turbulent within the Nalvean Empire if Tal’tamine dies.  Nukulara could shut down for a while … Let us hope that is not the case because Nukulara wants her to stay here as a Royal Emissary.

“Excellent!”  Tiffany clapped.  “Demon must be so frustrated you were able to return with Sari’aél!”

A dark smirk lifted Elinor’s lips, and she spoke aloud to push the pin in.  “On the contrary, Tiffany, Demon is probably more paralyzed with fear and confusion—he has no clue what Sari’aél is or could so much as fathom her power.”

“Oh!  Nice jab in the gut!”  Tiffany giggled.

Aileen looked over at her with a big grin after her statement.  “Oh!  I can’t wait to see the pretty angel lady again!  Wait … Should I call her Ms. Warlord now?”  she asked.

Elinor looked back as a shiver ran down Quin’s frame.  “Indeed, Empress—after witnessing such a glorious return and explosion of raw strength … I have to question the Ke’s vast power.”

She hummed.  “... Ke’Thra’Ma would have been annihilated in her presence alone.”

“Amazing…”

Aileen nodded.  “Mhm!  Mhm!  I think she’s so pretty and strong!  I wanna be like her!”

Tiffany chuckled.  “That is a long journey, my dear.”

The Maid’s soft face set, pumping her arms.  “Head Maid Emelina says I’m super dedicated!  I’ll do my best, Lady Tiffany!”

Tiffany and Edmon gave the girl a soft smile that reminded Elinor of her parents, and she placed a hand on the girl’s leg, squeezing it a little.  “I look forward to seeing you get stronger, Aileen.”

“Yeah!  Thanks, Empress!  I wanna protect you, too!”

“Aww, darling,” Tiffany cooed.  “On that note, Elinor, what is this about Apollo?”

Elinor readjusted her dress, with Aileen doing the same beside her.  Apollo … I don’t know if I could compare an unsealed Demon to a grain of sand, and Apollo as the universe … that would be giving Demon so much more credit than he deserves.  I don’t even know Demon’s unsealed power, and I still stand by what I said.

“What was it like?”  Tiffany pressed, allowing Edmon to handle all the logistics of securing reports from down the grapevine.  Of course, the Doom Guard liked the work.

Elinor looked beyond the massive Tower, which blocked their path of much of the mountain by its sheer width and height; it would take another 30 minutes for her newest Court Member to arrive.  “More glorious than I could ever say … so much that my mind made it blank—white—to just process, and that was after I was Quickened … basically, empowered beyond time and space … Physics meant nothing in a place like that.”

She took the remaining time to explain to her two former parents what it was like to meet a real god—not some powerful being that could create universes but an actual god that could literally do anything he wanted.

Tiffany was bobbing her body back and forth, playing with a lock of hair while trying to imagine Gloria, the First Generation Founder of the Fairies, and a creature somehow on the same playing field as Apollo.  “Fascinating … they clearly have different specialties, but respect one another to stay in their own spheres of Existence, heh, if I can even call it that with what you described.”

Edmon was far more interested in the topic of how Elinor saw each sphere of Existence that the Transcendent showed her.  “The scope of the laws involved in that are … What did he mean by Truth, Equity, and Order?  So simple, yet by the way you’re explaining it, he made it sound like the meaning of life…”

Their attention shifted from the topic as Sari’aél’s radiant presence floated down to them from the sky, her six large wings creating a gust of hot air as she stopped.  “I have returned, Empress,” she said, bowing her head slightly upon leveling with Quin’s hand.

Quin and Aileen’s mouths were open upon seeing the Seraph; the moment she’d come into range of the Nexus, she was practically already before her in a streak of light.

“... So pretty…”

“Wow…”  Tiffany whispered, her eyes fixated on the angel.

Iris?  Elinor instantly asked.

Sari’aél’s hands vanished behind her back and between her wings as she shifted in the air to face both parties.  “I spoke with Iris before I left.  She has been freed once my glory fed through your Nexus and granted her the means to break free.  However, the entity that faced me invoked the Song of Peace and Understanding.”

Elinor blinked with Edmon and Tiffany, giving each other looks.

Edmon cleared his throat.  “Forgive us,  Sari’aél … We don’t know what that is.”

The Seraph giggled, frame shaking as she composed herself.  “... I see … It was rather humorous that I would even think you would recognize it.  My apologies, Empress.”

Elinor waved her hand dismissively.  It’s fine.  This song?

“The Song of Peace and Understanding is a holy relic that this entity used in order to initiate an immediate ceasefire.  It is used in the rare case of two World Gates appearing near our dimension.  If peace can be offered for both sides, my father desires it to be so, and the Children of the Sun naturally overwhelm both parties by our presence.  It is the most effective means at liberating all parties of the incursion and causes the least damage to the fabric of Existence.”

Elinor was left with a blank face, not completely understanding what she meant by a World Gate or an incursion, but the results were clear—the Children of the Sun’s dominance.

Edmon’s arms were folded, dark eyebrows drew together as he studied the Seraph.  “You’re saying … has this entity been to your home planet?  Did he steal one of those artifacts?”

Sari’aél was having difficulty keeping her composure at the question, trying not to laugh.  “No, Edmon.  Such weak creatures can’t steal from us, much less stand in our presence without the Song of Peace and Understanding; it is first offered as a token to others for them to have peace and understanding with the eye of the Blood Sun upon them—protecting both from each other.”

A hint of doubt crossed Elinor’s connection to the Seraph.  You … don’t think this creature obtained it himself, though?

Sari’aél’s glowing, platinum blonde hair shifted against her shoulders as she shook her head.  “No.  He is far too weak to have stepped near our plane of existence.  I suspect the one he is supporting with his life was the entity that encountered my people … long ago when he was in his prime … now, he is a husk, dying, and barely retaining his broken Core through this other pitiful creature.”

“How do you know all of that?”  Tiffany asked, arms pushing up on her bust as they tightened at her front.

“I just know … It is as creatures breathe and move … instinct.”

Edmon brushed back his hair with a short laugh.  “Basically, it’s angelic senses; I mean, consider the Thélméthra, Tiffany.”

“Sure, but they have an explanation … a complex nervous system that is highly refined.”

Elinor brushed past the shifting subject.  What about Iris?  She’s still back there, and why are you so much weaker than you were when you returned?

“Yes,” Sari’aél stated, golden irises returning to her.  “Iris asked me to return as swiftly as possible once she understood the situation; we communicated through your Nexus.  She will await our return.”

Edmon stiffened.  “Return?  You’re bringing the Empress into that hornet’s nest?”

“Hornet’s … nest?”  Sari’aél mumbled.  “I do not know what that is, nor what it might mean.  There is no safer place within this Existence than in the light of my father.  The creature's ascension has taken place at this point, and all will be able to understand each other in his presence.”

Edmon’s hand tightened on his armored leg.  “I’m just saying we should be cautious…”

Sari’aél shook her head.  “It is straightforward, Edmon.  Any action taken to offer harm or to lie to the other party will be punished by my father … they will cease to exist.”

A shiver ran through Elinor’s frame … she instinctively knew what that meant.  You’re saying … if one of us attacks each other, then they’ll be purged from Existence … mind, body, and soul?

The Seraph giggled.  “That is one way to put it, but it is far more severe than that; it cannot be accurately stated with your limited language and understanding of reality.  Once you are within the artifact’s presence, my father’s light will make all parties aware.  I have agreed in proxy, as was required during the ritual, which means, if the Empress refuses, I will cease to exist.”

Tiffany and Edmon were sweating bullets upon hearing Sari’aél’s casual response, and the Witch hissed, “Why would you make that…”

Elinor nodded without a hint of hesitation.  If your father is involved, then I will comply completely … Your decreased strength?

“Divine Release,” Sari’aél replied.  “And Tiffany, I knew from the orders our Empress gave that she did not care how it was accomplished, Iris’s safe return was the mission, and this is the safest means.  If I had fought him as I was, this world would have experienced colossal tectonic shifts, and most of life upon it would cease to exist—I was about to unlock the 4th Stage of my Divine Release to at least save a portion of this planet and protect the Empire.”

Both Court Members were speechless at their enemy’s power reveal.

Elinor questioned Divine Release and the information bloomed in her mind, which was a first for her other units, and likely a part of Ana'uél’s tweaking of the seed inside her.  ... I see … two weeks on Stage 1, six months on Stage 2, and nine on Stage 3 … Stage 4 is a two-year cooldown.  Was he really that powerful?

“He is powerful enough to cause great damage to this world—although, he-he-he, I would not call that powerful.  Also, it is the items he wields that are the real threat.”

Of course…

Elinor almost bit her tongue, muscles tensing as a colossal horn blared across the entire valley, causing birds to fall from the sky in shock as it changed pitches; it was so loud and with enough of a delay that it raddled her bones at different intervals.

Amra’Cora’s voice sounded in their rattling heads.  “That’s … That’s the emergency siren the Ke put in place to signal a powerful force approaching … It was never used.”

Valdar was quick to interrupt, though.  “I heard this … It’s the sound that rang across the valley when the Avana approached!”

“The—the mountain-sized dragon?!”  Tiffany gasped, landing on her feet as she fell off the bench.

“No,” Sari’aél interjected.  “The island is teleporting locations—I can feel the vibrations in space/time—I damaged a portion of their island’s infrastructure when I attacked.  They are probably just getting it operational again.”

Tiffany scratched the back of her head, frizzing part of her black locks as the horn sounded again.  “Geez … they could have had something like that go off when Baxter attacked us.”

“Heh,” Quin gave her a forced smile.  “The Ke probably wouldn’t have thought of Baxter or his mist as a threat.”

“I guess … Are you sure there’s no danger coming?”  Tiffany asked.

Edmon seemed surprisingly calm, though, studying the sky.  “How long until it arrives?”

The Seraph gazed at the heavens with narrowed eyes.  “I can’t be sure … It’s noticeable only because I damaged the infrastructure around their Power Core when they tried to escape.  They are more resourceful than I thought—I believed it would have been hours before they could get it operational again.”

So, we wait, Elinor responded.  They’re coming to us, which is a good sign, and perhaps they’re trying to make an entrance to show off.

Edmon and Tiffany got into random questions with Sari’aél, who couldn’t offer many answers with her current state of power half of what it should have been, and it would remain that way for an entire week.

Elinor’s mind withdrew, thinking about the event that had led up to this moment; she retired from the Court’s conversation to ponder internally.

Apollo being involved is … unexpected.  Didn’t he say he wouldn’t get involved … Apollo said his eye would be on us, which means he knows this deal will function flawlessly.  That’s a bit tricky, but should Apollo have told me outright how everything would have ended?  No … because that would have changed the outcome, as he said … the unfathomable mind of someone that operates on a mental scape beyond my imagination.

“Hmm…”

He said he would stay in his own lane, even bringing Gloria in to show that he is not without opposition to remain, so … Wait … is it a coincidence he is called a Transcendent and the Highest Grade the System can offer me is the same?  Likely not.  He knows who created the seeds, and they are no longer in this Existence … could these seeds be objects placed in creatures to try and forge them into Transcendents … an experiment?

The thought didn’t sit right with her.  Apollo said he would remain in his own lane … Is he trying to boost me to a point of being worthy of his daughter … or is that my pride talking … This just seems too small for someone like Sari’aél?

“Can someone shut that stupid horn up?”  Tiffany growled, shivering and rubbing her ears.  “How loud can it get?”

However, the sound stopped when a large shadow hung over them, blocking part of one of the two moons in the sky—the island appeared out of blue horizontal lines, without clouds to obstruct it from view.

All Elinor could see from this distance was the underside of the monstrous shape in the heavens, light blue symbols spinning in circles across its sharp underbelly, presumably keeping it in the air.

Her lips tightened as a 9-foot-tall demonic creature materialized out of the same horizontal lines with Iris by his side.  They took the open space across from Sari’aél, and Iris instantly vanished in shadows to stand underneath Elinor; she was still in human form and had decreased in her overall strength since the last time she’d been with the Queen.

In-between his strange, dark gray over-suit was a brilliant golden glow that extended across his entire frame; it radiated the brilliance of the Blood Sun, yet the rest of him was anything but desirable.

“Wow … okay, he’s creepy as shit, and that feeling … Yeah, this whole thing is off,” Tiffany squeaked, stepping a bit behind Edmon.  “This is … Is that blood moving across his face?  I don’t like the vibes … at all.”

The entity spoke, one hand behind his back, pressing against his long, thick tail while the other rose, five, deadly red-tipped fingers motioning to them in a sophisticated manner—his hideous, bone-like features didn’t shift much with his open mouth, releasing frosted breath that matched his mane of snow-white hair.

His tone was refined and held a degree of poise that was similar to Iris.  “Greetings, Empress.  I assume you are the creature in charge of this Daughter of the Sun?  My name is Sar'ollaz; it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Elinor shifted to face him with Quin’s slow movements, unsure if she should run or not.  The Blood Sun’s artifact released the radiant melody that overshadowed the entity’s sinister presence but didn’t remove it.

Apollo’s artifact birthed an understanding of what was to come that couldn’t be denied, after feeling a shadow of the threat offered in recompense for deception lying was so unquestionable, words such as ‘horror’ or ‘terror’ were meaningless before the ultimatum that compliance to the rules became instinctual.

Iris’s voice was swift to connect to Elinor’s mind.  “Sar'ollaz has incredible psionic abilities, Empress.  I would be cautious.”

I’ll keep it in mind, but we must proceed, and you’ve felt what will happen if we do not comply.  Edmon couldn’t even hold up his shield in the artifact’s presence, simply moving beside Elinor, but he paused as Elinor held up her hand.  “I know you mean us no harm, Sar'ollaz … Iris?”

“I am fine, Empress—drained and experiencing repercussions for being forced to remain in my human transformation for an entire week—but I believe I will recover.”

Tiffany gave a nervous chuckle while waving at Iris from behind Edmon; it was the first time Elinor had seen the Witch act like this.

“... Excellent,” Elinor replied, still concerned but needing to move on.

Sar'ollaz’s blood swirled around his appalling face, sliding between grisly teeth, slithering over his enormous horns, and weaving through his white locks.  “I only wish to understand your Empire and people, Empress—to come to an agreement of peace.”

His clawed hand made several fluid gestures, damaged tail flicking to the left as he looked up at Ke’Thra’Ma’s fountain before his glowing eyes shifted to Quin, then back to her.  “I believe we have gotten off to a rather … unsavory introduction to one another.  In fact, I would love to invite you for a meal on my island.”

A long puff of white mist exited his teeth.  “I have taken the appropriate steps and analyzed your body compositions to adequately replicate the food that would best suit your palates.  We may discuss things with the Blood Sun as a witness … I assume you know what this means, given your acquisition of a Daughter of the Sun?”

Elinor composed herself as imperially as she could, given the colossal forces the demonic entity emitted.  “I have met the Blood Sun personally and trust him explicitly—to impugn the character of something so far beyond my understanding would be pointless.  After all, to him, all of us are so insignificant that there isn’t a thing I can compare it to that would do it justice.”

Sar'ollaz’s tail froze for a moment, body tilting slightly to the left as he tapped his left armored pec, blood pulling in and out from his face; the creature didn’t even have to open his mouth to speak, transmitting the soundwaves through pure mental prowess.  “Met … the Blood Sun?  Unthinkable … Captivating.  Would you allow me to entertain you, Empress?  You may bring however many members of your Court as you wish—although my table only holds eighteen.”

Elinor turned her head to her Royal Court as they looked at her, clearly expecting to go.  “Edmon … You must stay and continue work on the city’s network … We must get this fortress under our control, and hearing that warning only shows how much untapped potential is within it—I know,” she whispered as she felt his emotions stir, “but the Blood Sun is a protector beyond any other—you would understand if you met him.”

He begrudgingly nodded, giving one last look at Sar'ollaz before briskly walking inside the Tower to join Amra’Cora and her Elite Quen’Tarlat; the news about Lecra’Moro would probably come with his visit.

“Tiffany, Sari’aél, Aileen, and Quin will accompany me … Iris, I need you to do something … I cannot give this task to anyone else.”

Aileen gave an internal squeal of excitement that Quin mirrored.

Iris had no questions in her heart, unlike Tiffany and Edmon.  “Whatever you require of me, Empress.”

“I know you aren’t one hundred percent,” Elinor replied, sighing internally at how unfair it was with how she worked the Queen, “Violet is scoping out the crevice to make sure no threat sneaks up on us while we’re occupied, but your next task is to the south, securing Camellia … I suspect your daughter was heavily injured on her mission; she lost everyone in her party, and I fear she may have some emotional difficulties with that.”

Iris’s red eyes hardened upon hearing the news of her eldest and most vulnerable daughter.  “I will leave immediately.”

Sar'ollaz made a noise very similar to clearing one’s throat.  “... Queen Iris, I would be delighted to aid you on the journey to wherever you desire—think of it as a formal apology for the, ahem, the treatment you incurred while within my care.”

The Thélméthra Queen’s wary gaze lingered on the demonic creature but knew he couldn’t deceive them, and Elinor could sense the pressing concern in Iris’s core; a mother’s dread for her precious daughter.  “We will gladly accept your offer,” Elinor replied.  “Let us put old grievances behind us.”

“Excellent response, Empress … Oracle, scan for biological signatures matching Iris’s lineage to their south—center on the unique identifier of an ‘Eldest’ of the race.”

His blood shifted unusually around his thorny face, the entity’s tone holding a fascinated chuckle as he appeared to get an unheard response.  “Ah … this world certainly has become more enticing since I’ve met you, Empress Elinor—what an interesting family.  She’s been located.”

Iris nodded, and Elinor noted she was still in human form, causing her to worry a little, but nothing seemed more pressing on the Thélméthra’s mind than the condition of Camellia.  “I am ready.”

“As you wish.”

Blue vertical lines cut across Iris’s frame, and Elinor felt her instantly change locations to be beside her daughter to the south; Klaus was likely close to the pair, but it was difficult to tell at this distance.

Sar'ollaz turned his malevolent gaze to her, causing Quin to suppress a shiver.  “Are you ready to journey to my island?”

Elinor gave him a small smirk.  “Let’s begin.”

“He-he-he-he-he … ahh, I expect us to become very well acquainted, Empress Elinor.  Allies—friends, even … There is so much to discover together.”

A strange, uneven pulse vibrated various sections of her body before she felt dunked in water, and in the next instance, she was standing on some kind of bronze outdoors courtyard with floating crystals twelve feet tall, curved in a spiral as they twisted in the air—the craftsmanship was alien and intricate, icy water surrounding the platform.

Sar'ollaz gestured toward the castle above them.  “Welcome, to Sha’Guala, Empress Elinor.  Please, this way,” he said, directing them to the stairs leading to the immaculate silver and crimson doors of the keep.

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