“Please tell me you’re not serious.”

Karla snickered. “But it’s got a good ring to it. Y’know, since we’re all technically creatures of the dead and what not.”

“I’m not-“

“No one asked you, Frifri!”

Jeffrey deflated, his tongue flicking out in defiance. Though it was true they were mostly creatures who belonged in the underworld, a name like the “Tower of Undeath” seemed much too uninviting for it’s own good. This was supposed to be a safe haven not just for them, but any creatures that wished to fly under the banner of the Kingdom of Luizitine, after all. Including any willing creatures of the Light. A name like Tower of Undeath would simply scare away potential allies.

“I do not plan on creating a monolith, Minion Karla,” Luizitine said. “An empire needs many accomplices to stand on its own. Sir Jeffrey is but the first of many I hope to see flying our banner one day.”

Karla frowned, the ghost sitting back with arms folded though she didn’t press the issue furhter. Even so, the praise earned a gracious nod from Jeffrey. Perhaps in time they’d learn to see more clearly. No doubt fostering better Undead and Living relations would be something he’d have to face as future ruler of Angelas. But that would have to wait until after they’d secured control over the city. For the time being, they still had a castle to defend.

From atop the news station, Luizitine could see the many fallen officers the humans had sent against them. Those that Karla had taken out, at least. Though she couldn’t physically touch corporeal beings, her advances in illusion crafting worked well in incapacitating the lesser willed minds. And perhaps she would have been ineffective against those of stronger minds if not for the gift she’d recently unlocked.

“Did you kill them all?” Luizitine asked.

“Huh?” Karla sat up. “Oh, you mean those guys? Yeah, for the most part. A few of ‘em shot each other in the mess. Was pretty funny, actually.”

Luizitine could only nod to that, though Jeffrey recoiled slightly.

Karla the Ghost was useful only for spying and misdirection. But Karla the Banshee was a deadly adversary, as the policemen found out all to late. Luzitine smiled at the sight, feeling a surge of pride as he recalled that initial meeting with his first knight. A ghost who he almost abandoned, but faced death head on without fear. For her to be at his side now was only another reminder of why he had to expand their empire. Not just so Gingee and Jeffrey could be free, but so that Karla could be bequeathed a title befitting her knightly stature. The future leader of their growing forces.

The Knight-Commander. Assuming she could learn to manage others wisely. Simply wrangling Gingee appeared to give her more than enough practice in that regard, though she didn’t seem to realize it. Not yet, at least.

Gingee’s head rose.

“Bark! Master!”

Luizitine looked over as the devildog began sniffing the air, a growl rising in their throat.

“It’s her,” Gingee said. “Bark. I smell the bad lady. She’s coming.”

Luizitine nodded. It was only a matter of time before the mages arrived given the gravity of their message. But that still left one question unanswered. Would the wizard show his face tonight? It would have been cowardice to run, but there had been lives where’d he’d attempted such endeavors. Never for long. Even if it took decades, that man would always return ready and willing to face him again.

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But Luizitine wasn’t ready to fall to his blade just yet. As the line of vehicles came streaming in, he braced himself for a wizard sighting, whatever form he chose to take. So long as they were human, his soul could have hidden in anyone on the planet. Including someone who lived far outside the city borders.

“Minion Karla, be ready,” Luizitine said.

“Way ahead of you.”

She floated forward as the mages began to dismount.

Though none stood out in particular, Luizitine took notice of the Felissa woman at the helm of the group. Her eyes weren’t yet activated, but she stared up at the three perched atop the news station. Gingee continued to growl, but Karla was quick to take the focus away from all of them.

Her arms rose, a torrent of black smoke billowing out around her. It snaked across her frame, enveloping the ghost completely before taking a massive black shape. Hands of smoke billowed out. Sharp horns curled around her massive head. Eyes devoid of light took form, hollow holes staring down at the puny humans below.

It was Karla’s idea, of course. If they were to be conquerors, they needed to make a grand impression on the masses. And while the broadcast had worked wonders, Luizitine knew they’d need something just as grand for the mages. Something that would make even the likes of Felissa waver. Karla had practically leapt at the opportunity, promising to deliver the biggest illusion she could just for her.

The smoke creature opened its mouth and a lifeless body dropped down, making several of the mages step away, guns raised. Felissa’s eyes immediately activated, the glow illuminated in the darkness of night.

“Who among you is the wizard?” Karla’s voice came out, a heavy boom echoing across the area.

The body melted, becoming only bone and then evaporating completely. For an illusion, Karla had gotten a lot better at conveying realism. Luizitine watched each person’s face carefully. While they looked equally frightened, it was difficult to tell who responded to the call as of yet. For as little as they knew, the wizard could have been masking his reaction.

“If that wizard is here,” Karla continued, “let him face King Luizitine. Alone.”

The last bit did get more reactions, one of which was from Felissa. She unsheathed her sword, stabbing it forward.

“What’s wrong, spirit?” she called. “Too scared to come down here yourself? Is that why you’re hiding up there?”

Karla’s gaseous frame didn’t waver, though a piece did come off from the back, smoke peeling away so that Luizitine and the others could see the ghost within. She gave an annoyed gestured down to the group.

Though Karla had regained some courage from her outburst, it didn’t look like the others were as brave, even if they tried to hide it. After years hunting them, he’d learned the subtleties of humanity. How they’d hold their swords a little tighter. How there movement would became a little more rigid. Or much too loose if they’d really became panicked. So far it didn’t look as if any would drop their weapons by accident. And it was doubtful anyhow the wizard would out themselves so easily.

Luizitine nodded, Karla smiling as the gaseous window closed around her, the booming voice rising again.

“As you wish.”

The smoke arms rose, clenching into fists before slamming down towards the group, who opened fire as one. But Karla’s smoke beast vanished just as quickly as they did.

“Look alive!” Felissa warned. “She’s not done yet!”

The mages held their guns at the ready, some waving them out like madmen while others managed to keep their composure through the thick of it. Just watching them made it even clearer that the wizard wouldn’t be revealing his hand. Luizitine sighed.

“Gingee. Jeffrey. We’re moving on to our original plan.”

They both jumped up, Gingee barking and Jeffrey saluting. Luizitine leading them away just as he heard the first scream from below. And the second. And the gunfire which ensued. Knowing Karla she’d keep the mages entertained for a while. The real question would be how the wizard would respond.

But then, he’d trained the ghost well. He had little doubt she’d be able to react accordingly.