“The Unexpected Reprieve
Though no overt announcements have been made from either the Kingdom, the Republic, or the Upstart. The three nations are currently locked in a state of uncertain suspension, putting Gratia; a land locked in a nearly two decade long civil war, into a time of uneasy peace. Nothing beyond minor skirmishes have occurred between the Republic and the Kingdom. With most official attempts to breach the Shroud having ended with failure, both major factions are using this time to reinforce their holdings as new plans are being drawn up. According to Lord Osman of the Order of the Ten Flames, ‘What we are seeing is leadership still uncertain about the goals of the upstart’ and that...”
- Transcribing the Trannoire, Section: Gratia, “New Stories”
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“After decades apart, this is how you greet me?” Annalise scoffed, tapping her crutch aggressively against the table. But her the weariness of her voice belied the tough demeanor she pretended to hold.
Though she could feel the vindictiveness radiating from the ancient princess within her on her behalf. In her mind’s eye, Pyra curled her lips with frustration, the dainty looking girl practically burning up. She herself was far less vengeful, merely tired. Trying to ignore the display, Annalise knitted her brows, just as her eyes met that of the dignitary opposite her.
Wearing something akin to a mix between a rider’s uniform and gown with a petticoat dyed with criss crossing blues and purples. Decorated with countless golden buttons, sleeves emblazoned with countless royal niceties, and the crest of a new era of House Montroi displayed proudly on armbands. Eulalie Adeline Montroi had her legs elegantly crossed, stockings hiding her skin that wasn’t covered by the petticoat. Her sister’s pasty white skin and sly but ever present smile looked back at her, a faint hint of amusement twinkling in her hazel pupils. Yet behind the cheerful veneer, Annalise could also sense a more calculating, cunning intelligence at work. After all, fools don’t seize the throne and stay on for long without power or smarts.
Annalise looked back down at the terms of the treaty. It was a simple non-aggression pact, though she very much doubted how long both Eulalie and her brother Albin would hold to those terms. Not that it mattered, with the purple shroud still surrounding her domain, Annalise’s realm was nigh impenetrable to traditional forces. That her causing chaos was what brought the civil war that tore her home apart to a standstill was an irony not lost on her.
“It is what it is.” Eulalie smiled even wider, her eyes even more devoid of emotion.
“It’s barebones is what it is.” Annalise sighed.
Eulalie leaned backwards and nodded, merely gesturing at the treaty paper again. Annalise had to stifle an audible groan. She didn’t remember much about her sister, but she certainly didn’t remember anyone in her family being this irritating.
Annalise pinched her brow and looked around the room to distract herself. Ornate ceilings though with notable blemishes scattered here and there. Decorative glasses and paintings watched over the gathered crowd. Little figurines sat atop a fireplace like toy soldiers on guard. Of course, none of the actual soldiers in the room resembled the standard Gratian knight. On her side stood one of the unbroken. The silent knight holding eternal vigil over its princess. Unmoving, undying. Flanking her right was a member of the new knights of House Montroi, or at least her branch of the house. Clad in darkened steel with red rims, he appeared a stark contrast to the dour undead knight serving as his counterpart.
Opposite them were Eulalie’s contingent. Two royal guards adorned with capes and dressed in a similar blue and purple as the princess they protected. Attached to their hips however, were swords that positively glowed with enchantments, a likely counter to the more than accurate rumors of Annalise and Pyra’s death knights. Beside her sister were two attendants, a butler and what looked to be an armed functionary of unknown rank. For her, all she had was Kimmie, though the girl wisely and depressingly kept her head lowered.
“It might be bare, but it is generous for what we can offer. Especially given the scenario.” Eulalie reiterated.
Annalise frowned but tepidly nodded, much to Pyra’s increasing annoyance and her own increasingly hard to ignore headache as a result.
Stand up for your people, if not yourself. You pathetic little weasel. Pyra snarled.
I handle the negotiations and ruling for a reason. Annalise snapped back.
“Right. But you’re still wringing us dry.” She managed to croak out, “Trade tariffs, export restrictions, import quotas, and a permanent troop presence and control of the corridor between us? You’re asking for a lot.”
“And?” Eulalie shrugged, “We are negotiating, are we not? I’m expecting a more convincing offer from you. Especially considering that out of everyone, you’re the one that’s talking to me here today.”
Annalise struggled to hold back a scowl. Eulalie had always been quiet, as far as she could remember. But her eyes were almost always calculating yet disinterested, seeing herself like an all knowing entity, or simply one displeased with the world around her. Annalise didn’t know what happened during the chaotic start of the civil war and the coup that followed. Only that the sister she saw in front of her seemed to be the very same one as before. Save for the fact that she was evidently no longer content in remaining quiet.
Not that I would've known. Annalise nearly winced at the thought. She had never been particularly close with Eulalie's side of the family. Them having been the ones sent to schooling near the capital whilst she remained mostly near Monte Del Trisse. She could barely recall one or two meetings in the past. Both times back when she had been too small to truly appreciate or understand many others. It only left her more on guard as Eulalie almost cycled through emotions like sweets.
“We all went through a difficult time.” Eulalie somberly grimaced, “But we rose up, brother Albin and I. And as you sit here now, so have you, Annalise. That alone is why I am here. You. You are why.”
“Wha-? What do you mean?” Annalise leaned back a little, her body tensing up even more.
“You lived. You came back. You conquered. Like us.” A flash of something far darker shot through Eulalie’s eyes as she grinned, “Our people? The treaty? We won’t fight. At least if I can convince the more… hawkish councillors. Just give me a reasonable offer, I’ll wait. But you? I want to know all about you… dear sister.” Her hand reached forward and Anna didn't move back. Eulalie's soft fingers brushed over hers, like a child having found the most fascinating toy.
Annalise felt more apprehensive than ever, but in her mind, something else stirred. The rage that had been Pyra subsided, the burning anger nothing but a void of emotions. Replaced by a hunger, curiosity. Pyra was intrigued, and that, if anything, frightened her.
How so? How curious is she? Pyra asked, the princess manifesting at the edges of Anna’s vision. Driven forward by the unsated madness within her own heart.
“H-how so? Why… me?” Anna muttered, the headache growing louding. The pounding rhythm coursing through her veins entangling her senses into each other. Her hands left the treaty table, trying but failing to discreetly claw at her own ears.
“It is as I said. You are alive. That is remarkable. They drove us out, you out. Now you hath returned, a path of vengeance carved back to Monte Del Trisse. Then you conquered it. The people, the knights, the land.” Eulalie looked alive and far too animated for Anna’s liking.
Oh? Oh! And what is it that she desires of our tale, your tale? What is it that she searches for, yearns for? Pyra practically salivated, the mania in her mind gradually driving Anna back out of hers. Rationality battered aside from the crushing wave of emotions.
Gah, fuck, Anna groaned, “And what… what exactly are you hoping I’d say?”
Eulalie finally smiled, a genuine joyus smile as her face lit up, the facade left by the wayside. Not… ugh, good.
“I want to know why, sister. Why did you come back here? Why did you fight? And perhaps…” Eulalie planted her hands on the table with a thud that shook the room. Annalise’s human knight made ready to move if not for Pyra forcing Anna’s hand up to halt him. Eulalie leaned forward, her eyes positively sparkling as she gazed piercingly into Anna’s own. “What is it that you carry with you?”
The levee’s broke as Eulalie’s enthusiasm sped past Anna and directly to the maddened princess. Anna moaned and went limp, her head lolling forward to even Eulalie’s shock as her sister jumped back a bit. But when her head rose once more, a strange gleam was in her own eye that reflected off of Eulalie’s. A euphoric smile of her own to match that of the uniformed figure in front of her.
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Shock turned to joy as the two merely revelled in each other’s presence for a moment, completely unaware of the tension filling the room as human guards stood ready to act. Only the unbroken knight and one other knew, the undying one that could sense the shift of its mistress. Kimmie whimpered a little, a trace of the girl’s care for Anna still remaining. One that felt the gentlest warmth being ripped away by a blazing flame.
“I see.” Eulalie breathed heavily, an eerily similar hunger in her eyes. “I see.” She nodded.
“Curious. Is it not?” Anna’s voice that was not her own answered.
“Quite so.” Eulalie grinned, “I assume that… something has changed?”
“You would be correct.” Pyra beamed.
“And you…?”
“I am not.”
Eulalie let out a child-like squeal, the girl practically glowing. Despite only occupying the recesses of her own mind. Anna could scarcely believe that this was who she had been truly talking to. Almost every bit of seriousness that Eulalie had held but moments ago had vanished.
“Can we get the formalities out of the way?” Eulalie paused, her face almost twitching at having to contain herself.
Pyra frowned before following the girl’s finger pointing down at the table, letting out a soft “ah” as she realized what the other princess meant. Despite her reluctance, she nodded, Annalise finally applying some pressure of her own as she tried to force the errant princess to at least do something for the people of her land.
Sensing the internal struggle, Eulalie snapped her fingers to draw Pyra’s attention, the princess momentarily stunned at the blatant disrespect shown towards her. A growing blaze nearly erupted until Eulalie pointed at the papers once more.
“What would please… my sister?”
Both Pyra and Annalise paused. The two had never quite considered what to do if someone outside their trusted circle had found out. Despite their shared body, the occasion to figure it out just never came around, until now.
In a rare instance of humility or simple annoyance at the disrupted flow, Pyra asked her a question. What would you want? What would be acceptable?
To remove it all for starters, Anna growled.
Be realistic. Pyra barked.
What do you mean? Are we not being pressured? Forced to make an unpleasant choice?
We are. But calm yourself. Your sister said you were negotiating, so negotiate. Tell me, Pyra demanded.
I am calm. Anna hissed.
But she fell silent.
“Split troop control. Lower tariffs and quotes. No export restrictions.” Pyra answered the other princess.
Eulalie shook her head, “If the control is split, the restrictions stay.”
“The rest?”
“A done deal.”
That’s…
“That’s awfully generous.” Pyra answered for her.
That wasn't- Anna moved to protest.
That is more than enough. She let go of at least half and will limit how much of the other provisions she will enforce. Pyra seized control.
Eulalie nodded, diligently examining every little crease and wrinkle in Anna’s face. Pyra was a little unnerved, that much Anna could feel. But unlike her, the mad princess paid little heed to the intent gaze, accepting the scrutiny in stride as she leaned in to match Eulalie.
“Of course. One should show respect to those just like themselves.” Eulalie bowed respectfully.
“My, my, how presumptuous that you assume you could understand my pain. But I must admit…heheh,” Pyra chuckled, “I do admire the… ambition in how you see me as an equal. Do... go on.”
A disquieting feeling filled Annalise as she observed the exchange. A sensation that she had unknowingly allowed for two evils that shouldn’t have met to be exposed to each other. What would happen in turn she couldn’t know. But judging from the grins on their faces, she doubted anything good would come from this arrangement.
Cheer up, Pyra practically smirked at her, you’ve got a relatively beneficial non aggression pact. Let me indulge in my curiosity, hmm? After all, she took a soft breath, I did let you indulge in yours, her eyes flickered ever so briefly over towards Kimmie, making the girl flinch.
As if you haven’t been doing that the whole time. Anna retorted. But with a mental sigh of her own, she resigned herself to the role of spectator in her own body once more. A moment of clarity briefly passed by her and she felt so very tired.
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So it was that the court rejoiced when Annalise returned with news that the Kingdom of Gratia would ‘open’ their borders to the region of Monte Del Trisse. Even Sensechal Alain seemed pleased with Annalise’s recounting of the meeting, though she did omit some of what occurred between Pyra and Eulalie.
Kimmie too, dutifully remained silent when she was questioned by a few members of the court. Though Anna could sense that despite her current form, even the girl felt a little uneasy by the overly excited behaviour that Pyra had shown. Both she and Anna could feel it. The same excitement that the mad princess felt as they launched the assault on Monte Del Trisse, a deadly excitement.
Still, there was a part of her that didn’t really know how to truly feel. She had, after all, achieved her objective of bettering her people and in that, she couldn’t complain. But the cost, she grumbled, what did I trade for it?
You traded nothing, you deluded fool. What do you have to worry about? Pyra chided.
I was there, I saw-
Exactly! You were there! You saw it all! Pyra interrupted her thoughts, you know that we did everything in good faith.
The two of you…
We discussed mutual interests, that was all. It led to a satisfactory outcome, did it not?/
Well…
Well nothing. We did well, you and I. Or are you… A coy expression overtook Pyra’s face as it twisted into a terrifying smile that exposed her teeth.
I am not.
Are you not worried that I found common ground… with a comrade? That perhaps… I would abandon you, for her? Hmm? The allure of someone-
Enough. Anna spoke up, I am more worried about the mayhem you would plot together. If you were to leave…
Pyra wrapped around her like a serpent, her narrow eyes never leaving Anna’s own. If I were to leave, all this power, this place, your people… she paused, a slender finger extending towards the attendant staring worriedly at Anna. Anna’s eyes left Pyra’s to meet the anxious figure, finding the anxiety that clouded Kimmie’s already depressive visage all the more painful. Your love might disappear, or be lost? Pyra finished with a hurtful whisper.
She did not answer the mad princess, the truth already understood.
You would be reduced to the same, lost, weakened, pitiable waif that I found. Pyra tsked, that I rescued.
I would be, Anna admitted, lost and pitiable, for certain. Weakened to this wretched loss, she directed a small snarl at the stump that was missing a leg. But I was ready to die, to give it all up. And I would… her heart wavered, catching a glimpse of Kimmie staring back at her, I would…
It matters not, my dear. Pyra suppressed a soft chuckle, the icy chill of her phantom breath crawling over Annalise’s skin, making her hairs stand on end. It matters not, now. I will not abandon you.
That somehow frightened the ranger even more, both her legs itching to escape. But she could see nowhere to go.
Love her, your love, as much as you can. For you and I? We will not separate. No, I am here to stay. Pyra practically cackled, her eyes widening with maniacal glee.
Anna didn’t know what to say or how to respond, only meeting the crazed princess with a wary look of her own. Words wanted to roll out of her mind but failed, only a sole question escaping the mental barrier. Why?
At that, the ghostly cackle was let out in full, the noise pounding against her as Pyra squeezed her. Though the princess was without a physical body, Anna’s chest tightened as if her whole body had been bound into one.
Have you not noticed already? So caught up by war, ruling, lives, people, love, Pyra spread her arms to gesture at the world, relieving the pressure on Anna’s body. Have you not noticed, dearest child? My little waif, the pityable fool playing princess. The one whom I have shared my desires and dreams to.
Anna felt her world darken, the room around her fading into black as Pyra clouded her in shadow. Strangling her.
Did you not notice? For weeks now, so lost in your work, your masterpiece. Did you?
Notice… what? Anna weakly croaked in her mind.
For weeks, you have no longer worn my mask, no longer needed it for me to demonstrate my powers. My dear, Pyra leaned in, almost as if to kiss her, we are one now. The mania in her eyes terrified Anna even more. Our destinies are intertwined, like it or not. Might as well enjoy it while I’m here, my little waif.