Cloak of Midnight Shadow

Assassins take the darkness with them. There is nowhere that they cannot hide. The assassin steps in between, hiding from the very light itself. This skill masks the assassin from all perceptions and renders them unable to be seen or detected. 5 Seconds.

"Clothes."

It was a simple request, but I turned it into an Imperial Command.

It took moments for my auto-identification skills to enable as I felt the dormant connections to the skills sitting in the back of my brain. I could feel the energy and mana channels engaging for the first time in what I now knew to be five thousand years.

Names, Classes and other hidden stats were supposed to be displayed.

All I got were names.

Xarius Buswell

Sarah Owens

What is going on? Why is it not working?

Statia: You will not have access until you fully accept your vows. You must do it soon.

Ok.

System, do you hear me?

SYSTEM: Do you accept all the rights, assets and obligations as Empress Of the Empire, Holder of the Writ of Justice, and Defender of the Hunter Throne? Do you a...

Shut it. Yes, I do. Give me access.

SYSTEM: Oath Lodged. Pending Review. Please standby.

I waited a moment.

What is going on?

Statia: My calculations and simulations predict that your father's engrams have clouded the matter. It should not take long. Deal with what you have, not what you want.

I forced a smile even though I was cloaked.

Xarius was bowing perfectly as if he had been practising for this moment. His eyes were looking down.

Despite my Cloak of Midnight Shadows, Sarah was impossibly staring straight at me, blushing as I caught her looking. She passed me a set of black nano-weave under armour.

Better than nothing. The canister was slightly smaller than I was used to, but the familiar text was comforting. I placed the container against my chest and stared back at her as the armour spread over my body. Sarah passed me another set of clothes, something similar to what she was wearing, loose but firm, baggy long pants and a top that I had to pull over my head. Hardly clothing fitting an Empress.

I loved them.

I put them on slowly. We were staring at each other. I smiled at her. She was stunning. Tall and athletic, I could see the muscle definition in her arms and legs. Her body was curvy but hidden under loose clothing. Her face was captivating, with large expressive eyes, a pouty mouth, and her dark red hair pulled back into a long braid nearly to her waist.

I could feel some warmth in my cheeks. The most beautiful thing about her was her aura. It was intoxicating, chaotic and powerful, so different, commanding, and disrespectful of Authority simultaneously. It wrapped me up and caressed me with its warmth. She cared. She cared about me. It was not pity, I felt some of that but also guilt. It was strong. It reminded me of the Emperor's Aura. Shit, it might even be stronger than The Crows, and he had laid me low. It was powerful and intoxicating.

It was all I could do not to throw myself at her, begging to find out more, to be near that confidence and presence. It made me feel a little embarrassed. I was acting like a hormonal youth.

I was an Empress. I was a Moonblade Assasin. I needed to get a grip

My Moonblade training had beaten these responses out of me, and here I was, acting like a Novice. Maybe I could hunt down that rat Tasar and ask for a refund. He was such a ... damn, I needed to get my thoughts in order.

Focus.

I disengaged Cloak of Midnight Shadow.

"It is customary to kneel in the presence of the Empress", I said, flexing my aura and engaging Imperial Might.

Imperial Might

None are above the Empress. All must kneel. Flexing your aura and imbuing it with Imperial Might forces those reluctant to bend the knee to kneel before you. It may be considered a hostile act and can trigger self-defence skills. It can also be used as an attack. Contested Spirit/Karma

"Not happening. Screw your shitty games, princess", she said, not moving, "I didn't drag you back here to kneel. I want to make sure you are ok."

Xarius knelt perfectly.

I was shocked. I loved her, and she was amazing. No one had ever spoken to me like that. I smiled. It was meant to convey anger and respect.

I offered her my hand to see if she would take it and show some respect.

"Daughter, stop playing. We have things to do. There is no time for your juvenile games." I saw my father's form fade in, a projection. Shit. I was not ready for him. He was dead. If he put himself into an engram to protect me, I would kill him again.

I ignored him. Engrams were not people.

Sarah looked at him and said, "Give her a few Rax. She has just thawed or whatever. Don't be impatient just yet. "Then she ignored him and looked at me.

"I am so sorry." she stepped forward and hugged me with tears.

At first, I was shocked. Nobody touched the Imperial Family—ever. I had never been hugged like this. It was strange, comforting, sad, and pleasurable, all mixed together.

Then I hugged her back as she cried on my shoulder. I was confused but soon realised she was discussing my father's death and the circumstances of my rescue. To be fair, I was not that fond of him and had probably spent less than a year of my life in his presence. I was sad but not devastated. Just because he had donated genetic material to the incubator -- which is how my mother was referred to -- did not automatically create a loving family bond. My mother was dead. My friends.

It hit me. I may have fallen as the emotional shock caught up to me.

The incessant whisperings from the Writ grew louder in the face of my weakness.

I blinked, fortified myself and somehow drew some comfort from our hug.

"It's ok". The hug was so good.

"Enough", Raxemius started again," as I said, stop playing games. We need to get busy! If I had known the state …."

I cut him off, "No time for games! You are not my father. You are no longer Emperor. You are a simulation."

The engrams started, "I possess all the knowledge and memories. There is no difference. I am Raxemius Janar. You will respect me."

"No. Respect is earned. You are not my father."

"Obviously, I should have reined you in before …."

I was angry. Not only was this nothing like my father, but there was also a sinister edge to his tone, "Stop that thought. If you wish to remain my adviser, stop with your attitude. I thank my father for sacrificing himself to save me, but he is not here. Already, there are deviations."

Satia: 13% deviations from predicted behaviour patterns. It is worth noting that we are compiling everything we know, which is not complete.

The engram paused. Then ignored me, "Xarius, as Primus of the First Cohort, you will be in…."

Fuck, I didn't think I would have to flex my Authority yet.

"Engram, stand down. You are not Raxemius. You are a simulation. An inferior one if this is how you are acting. In the end, my father was a coward. He could not face his burdens. He betrayed me, as he did not live forever as he promised his daughter! Now he left me to pick up the pieces of his shit! Be gone. I will discuss your role soon."

I was so angry.

"Sarah, I thank you. You will dine with me tonight. It will be a private but formal dinner. I will find a suitable reward for your service to the Empire. You may go."

I dismissed her, "Xarius, Primus, come. We have much to discuss".

They all stared at me.

Raximus' projection started, "You were always headstrong, now you …."

Can you shut the projection off?

Statia: I can, but please don't be so hasty.

Shut it off.

The projection disappeared.

Xar, as Primus of the First Cohort, stood straighter. He nodded, "That was decisive, hasty perhaps, but decisive. Now, as he said, we have much to discuss", and he performed a perfect turn and marched out.

I followed, leaving Sarah staring at me.

I swore she said something about having nothing to wear.

I may have sashayed a little on the way out. There was no time for games, indeed. Wasn't life one great game? Hadn't Raximus been the greatest player of all time?

SYSTEM: Oath Accepted.

As the ruler of the Empire, you are now expected to live up to the standards established by the First Emperor, Raxemius Janar.

Fight Corruption and Chaos, and Protect and Defend the Empire from threats, without and within.

Keep the secrets of the Writ of Justice.

You must present yourself to the Writ of Justice and be deemed worthy.

Uphold the honour of the Hunter Throne.

You must present yourself and sit on the Hunter Throne to gain full access to its benefits.

Long Live Empress Raechina Avidan Janar, First of her name.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

EMPIRE BROADCAST: Long Live Raechina Avidan Janar.

For the next 24 hours 50% Experience Bonus. 15% increase in regeneration.

Title Acquired: Empress.

You are now the Empress of the Empire.

As the last remaining member of the Imperial Family, you now hold all Authority over the Empire and its citizens.

All Imperial Assets are now yours.

Title Acquired: Lord Hunter of the Hunter Throne.

You are entitled to sit on the Hunter Throne.

Attunement Required.

Title Acquired: Keeper of the Writ of Justice.

As the legal guardian and keeper of the Writ of Justice, you are now responsible for keeping its secrets and protecting it from all threats.

Negotiate with the Writ to maintain this title.

Effects: Justice is no longer blind. You see the roots of Injustice.

Skill Acquired: Imperial Shield.

Once per day, you may ignore damage.

Skill Acquired: Imperial Temporal Shield.

Damage over 10% of your health is now dealt into your future as damage over time.

NOTE: Future you may be killed by past you.

Skill Acquired: Imperial Mandate.

You may generate quests. Experience and Rewards can come from personal or Imperial sources.

Skill Acquired: Imperial Benevolence.

Passive: As long as you work in the Empire's interests, citizens and beings are more likely to follow your decrees and have a 3% increase chance of success in their endeavours.

Class Frozen.

You may no longer gain levels in your Moonblade Assassin class.

You still have access to all skills, powers and benefits of the class.

You will lose incompatible skills.

Incompatible Skill Lost: One Shot.

Incompatible Skill Lost: Step of Death.

Incompatible Skill Lost: Blades of Terror.

Incompatible Skill Lost: Double Down

Class Acquired: Empress. Tier 5. Level 1.

+25 to all stats per level.

Experience is linked to the growth of the Empire.

Class Skill Acquired: Imperial Might

Skill Acquired: Imperial Memory (Tier 5)

Skill Acquired: Regal Bearing (Tier 4)

Skill Acquired: Imperial Contracts (Tier 4)

Skill Acquired: Imperial Economics (Tier 4)

Skill Acquired: Imperial Bureaucracy (Tier 5)

Skill Acquired: Imperial Cloak (Tier ???)

Skill Acquired: Duel My Champion (Tier 5)

Skill Acquired: Empress' Favour (Tier 5)

Title Acquired: Bureauromancer (Imperial) (Tier 5)

Strategic Asset Acquired: Imperial Treasury (Tier 5)

Renown Gained:

Imperial Renown: You are loved by the Empire.

You are Hated by the Karass Collective.

You are Neutral with the Drakes

You are Neutral with all other factions.

SYSTEM: Warning. You are the leader of the Empire within an unaligned territory.

Do you wish to claim this territory?

No

Do you wish to notify the Owner and accept hospitality?

Yes

SYSTEM: You have been granted indefinite and perpetual access to the territories owned by Luke Hammond.

You are Friendly with Earth Inc.

You are Friendly with IPC.

Level up x 3.

You are now Level 3.

The entirety of these hit me at once. Despite my stats and resilience, I stumbled, caught out, and did not expect it. I blanked out for a moment.

Moments later, I was lying back on the bed in the infirmary where my stasis coffin had been. I was covered in a light blanket, and despite the comfortable temperature, I was shivering. Hot and Cold. I felt worse now than at any time I could remember. My brain was ice cold and burning up, my senses screamed, and I felt the pleasure as my stats jumped.

I was not getting my previous +25 per level. It was an amazing +35 with my percentage bonuses and the bonuses provided by the Writ of Justice and the Imperial Class Skill: Imperial Might. Shit. I was not giving that up. It was such a cheat. By level 10, my class-specific stats would be blown by close to 500 points. The only downside was that it was difficult to level the class Empress without doing Empress-type things.

Despite utter nausea, I could still fragment my thought process. It distracted me from how my body felt.

That was nearly a 7% jump at each level. Raxemius never told anyone his level, but it must have been high. I would have guessed he was a level 40 or 50 Emperor.

I would double most of my stats with just ten levels, so I needed to find out how to level quickly.

My brain was racing too fast. My body felt laggy.

I was still purging the toxins and removing the lack of energy from my attack, but I could feel the influx of energy and the repairing happening now that the source of the damage was gone.

I felt the skills settle into my skill array matrix. The part of me that housed the subroutines to fire off the skills. I kept my eyes closed, and despite knowing several people were around me, I would take the time to settle this. It was a tempering of my body and spirit into a new configuration. At a certain level, I knew I was moving beyond what a regular Tier 5 individual would be. I inwardly snorted at the thought of a typical Tier 5 being. Maybe a few, a dozen at the most, were at this level. Maybe more if you counted the Drakes and their rivals, Judgement. My thoughts were screaming at a rate I needed to control.

Statia: Meditate, Calm. Focus.

She was right. If I started meditating, I would be able to control this process. Then, it would probably feel less like I was dying of some illness, and I would be more in control.

Statia: Calm your thoughts. Your body is adjusting. Seven of your stats crossed the 500 threshold simultaneously. Your body, mind, and spirit need to become aligned. Your Karma is a concern. It is negative, which is why you are experiencing a drop in Karma.

Fuck. Did anyone scan for…..

Statia: You have a Karmic Leech. I have summoned someone who can deal with this. It is concerning that they still have hooks into you. This room is shielded as best it can be at the moment.

Fuck The Crow. I wish he were still alive. I would kill him.

Statia: Be careful what you wish for. What we are dealing with is more subtle than The Crow.

I feel so bad, Statia. I can't concentrate. I should not be this weak. Can you dampen the nausea?

Statia: I have dampened the nausea as much as I can. Your Karma is an issue. A negative stat can be fatal. If it were Endurance or Intelligence, you would probably be dead, Tier 5 or not.

I did feel slightly better.

Thanks, but stop with the negative crap. Please give me some good news. I need something to concentrate on.

Statia: Well, I don't know if this will make you feel better, but Luke Hammond is in worse shape than you. He is recovering next door. He solo killed an Incursion Master while dealing with another Tier 5 entity. You are attending his party in a few days.

Is he going to be ok?

Statia: Yes. He has remarkable endurance, and from what I can see now that your Imperial Identify is online, his Luck is nearly double yours.

Good, but two essential questions, Is he good looking and WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?

Statia: Calm. You are doing well. When I found out about the Gala, I inquired about fashion and a tailor. Sarah has put me in contact with her Fashion Stylist, a designer who has several highly regarded contracts, Caesura from Grace Apparel. He has signed a binding secrecy oath. I have provided your measurements and contracted him to furnish you with a wardrobe appropriate to your station, which will arrive over the next few days. I would recommend putting him on a retainer.

I don't care about the stylist. Wait, yes, I do. If he is good, hire him. I noticed you didn't answer my first question.

Statia: It is not for me to judge biological attraction. It is confusing enough being a newly minted sapient being. From my analysis and running scans of his features against what the Empire as a society considers attractive, then yes, he is. He is also a Powerhouse, Owner of a settlement, A baron in the Empire, and solo killed an Incursion Master. He might be a good match for your Consort if he has a stable personality. I will test his genetics and run a full scan into his background. The system trusts him.

What does that even mean? No. Stop. I don't want to have my love life managed by someone I have not met; I have no interest in being a political pawn. See the trouble it got me into last time. No, let me rephrase that, I will not have my love life managed. If I want something to happen, it will. I will not whore out my position of Empress to fill the Consort role. You are ordered to let me decide. If I marry, it will do that for love. Or at least deep affection, hell, even lust and physical attraction. Fuck love, that is a fallacy that I dreamed of when my rat father threw suitors at me. How are the finances and assets of the Empire? While waiting for this bloody tempering to finish, I may as well work!

One of the functions of the Imperial Family was to ensure succession. It became a directive from the class, and the longer there was no clear succession, the stronger the drive to solve the problem was. My class insights told me we were close to 5000 years without clear succession, and it needed to be fixed. Traditionally, that was the position of the Consort. Shit. A traditional Imperial Lord could have a COnsort and a mistress and still have a legitimate heir to another as long as all the system and class formalities were observed. Five thousand years of inertia to fill a role that my damn dead father could have done something about.

My mind was still racing.

What resources and assets do I have access to?

Statia: Well, the assets are down from what you knew. The fringes of the Empire are in decline with the recall of the Legion. The growing number of independent colonies and breakaway states decreased the Empire's overall assets. The reclaiming of the Imperial City will make a vast improvement, and I would prioritise that. It needs to be done to fulfil your obligations to that damn Writ and Throne.

What about funds?

Statia: Well, there is an anomaly there. Your father Gifted the entire Imperial Investment portfolio before his death. We only have three days' worth of taxation, a considerable amount, but it is less than .01% of the missing funds.

Fuck. Who, how much, and what can we do to get it back?

Statia: He gave it to Sarah Owens. It was just over; well, let us say that an individual should not have access to that amount of money, and she could not feasibly spend it in her lifetime. Legally, there is nothing we can do to get it back. It was gifted, and he was the Emperor. He recorded it and lodged it with the Local Authority, which ratified it when it was connected back to the Empire.

Fuck.

Statia: That is language unbecoming an Imperial. I don't think she understands or knows how much she has.

Not much we can do.

Statia: You are taking it calmly.

Well, I have some highly recommended clothing coming. An attractive man is throwing a party for me. What is to get upset about?

I became aware of a man entering. I opened my eyes, despite the Imperial Identification making it redundant.

Rahsaan Maalouf Tier 2 Level 15 Combat Medic

Xariaus was with him.

Rahsaan looked nervous as he approached me. "Hi, I am the highest ranked. Well, I have a skill with the best chance of getting rid of the parasite. I've had recent practice with them."

He smiled an awkward smile. "This will hurt me more than you."

He lied, but only just.

It took two hours for the leech to show itself, and then it was contained and disposed of. I was not conscious of that.

I pinged Sarah, letting her know it would be a late dinner.

Once my tempering was done, my Karma was not negative. It was a big fat 1. I left the infirmary and went to the supposedly 5-star resort that this start-up colony had.

At least I would have decent company for dinner.