The spider's attack on the mall lasted two more hours. The DSD managed to destroy many creatures in a series of explosive battles. Now and then, you could hear the sounds of attack names being called and explosive weaponry. Rioletta escaped, though, alongside a large number of captives. While she was on the onbranch, news of it flashed across Kiyora's mind as if it were the strangest thing in the world. Yet she suspected, no, knew, that in a few days, it would be pulled.

And everyone would begin to forget again.

Of course, she had bigger problems than just that.

"You are grounded, Young Lady!" said Mom.

"But Mom-" began Kiyora.

"I told you not to go into anything dangerous, and you directly ignored me!" said Mom.

"But I wasn't even looking for the Black Star when the spiders attacked," said Kiyora. "I was just checking out the mall with Laurus and Tenius!"

"I don't want to hear it!" said Mom. "For the next week, you aren't going anywhere except school! Now go to your room!"

"I hate you!" shouted Kiyora before storming upstairs.

She threw herself onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling. As she did, she remembered how she had reacted to seeing those people bound up in silk. Why had she responded that way? It had been horrible beyond description. Yet it had gotten her far more interested than she would have liked to believe.

Did she have a kink for that kind of thing? What did that say about her? She hadn't reacted the same way with Wraith. But then Wraith had been pure cruelty. There was none of the physical element.

Why did none of this seem real?!

On a whim, she picked up the phone and made a call. Laurus picked up. "Who is it?"

"Hey, Laurus," said Kiyora, "is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," said Laurus. "No one would care if I got home late. However, Dad was pretty pissed at me for not bringing the wine. He uh... never mind. How did your Mom take it?"

"I'm grounded," said Kiyora. "Something has been bugging me, and I wanted to talk to you first."

"What is it?" asked Laurus.

"Why did no one die when Laughing Wraith possessed the entire city?" asked Kiyora.

"Why are you asking me that?" asked Laurus. "Would you rather someone had died?" There was an edge in his tone.

"No!" said Kiyora. "But... look, I've seen how he operated in the dream world, okay. What he did here was tame in comparison. Did you hold him back or something?"

"The city wasn't as deep in his power as it could have been," admitted Laurus. "But no, I didn't. You've got to understand we were kind of the same being. His mind occupied the same space as my mind. One minute I'd be doing something normal, then he'd manifest and make me do something.

"Even so, I... I don't think it even occurred to him to try killing anyone. Me going after you with a shotgun was my idea."

"But that isn't anything like the Wraith in the dream world," said Kiyora. "Even if he didn't kill people, he mutilated them horribly. But no one was even seriously hurt."

"I don't mean it didn't occur to him to do something horrible," said Laurus. "I mean in the sense of... how do I say it? Okay, when you are late for school, it doesn't occur to you to sprout wings and fly there, does it?"

"No," said Kiyora. "Why would it?"

"It wouldn't," said Laurus. "Because that is not something you can just do. Not without powerful magic, anyway. So because it is an ingrained limitation, you don't think about straining it."

"Are you saying that Laughing Wraith could not kill people?" asked Kiyora. That was just weird.

"No," said Laurus. "I'm saying he seemed to regard it as something he couldn't do. Not here, anyway. It infuriated him to no end."

"So then, what was he trying to do?" asked Kiyora.

"Wraith didn't make plans," said Laurus. "He just did stuff. His ideal world was a universe where everyone was stuck in a perpetual nightmare. Unable to wake up or die.

"A universe without death. A universe of perpetual misery," He paused. "And on that pleasant note, I'm going to bed. Sweet dreams."

"Okay," said Kiyora. "Good night." She hung up, set down the phone, and leaned back on her pillow. She decided she'd deal with the dream world for now. "Okay, okay, so where was I? Right, there was that whole playing the sides thing. Okay, I think I'd better get a second opinion on all this."

She had trouble getting to sleep. The day's events still bothered her. When eventually she drifted off, she found herself in a training field. There she saw William, holding his sword and shield, clad in his black skull armor.

"Hey, Will-" began Kiyora. Then she noticed Raynald De Chevlon rushing at him. "Oh, you're busy."

Raynald was clad in bright armor. The steel ring he always wore on the finger of his withered arm shone over mail-clad fingers. He surged at William and struck with a serrated blade. William defended against a flurry of one-armed blows, holding his well. Kiyora sighed.

"Right," she said, "I'll just sit here and wait while you two go at it."

And she looked around to realize she was standing in the courtyard of the palace of Arsheen. There was an audience as well. The Lady Azgora and her retainers were watching the fight by a pavilion. Her golden hair was tied behind her head. She was clad in her silver armor. Duke Vanion was also there, clad in a blow cloak that concealed his body. William's younger siblings, the twins Soren and Calgora, were held by servants nearby.

Kiyora walked to the Duke. Vanion nodded to her. "Dreaming Goddess, you return."

"Yes," said Kiyora. "What is going on?"

"I think your powers of perception are sufficient to understand that much," said Vanion.

Kiyora turned back to the fight. William was circling as Raynald continued his offensive. William kept the shield up, and none of Raynald's strikes were getting through. Kiyora looked to Azgora. "Raynald fights William all the time. What's the big deal?"

"I have been instructing William to use his shield," said Azgora. "It is my hope he will finally defeat Witherarm."

"You should not name him, so, Azgora," said Vanion.

"I despise him, and the feeling is returned," said Azgora. "Were it not for you, we would surely have killed the other."

Kiyora looked back to the fight. It was going on much as expected. William seemed to be playing defensively. "This is boring. All he's doing is defending."

"That was my idea," said Vanion. "Raynald has only one good arm, so he cannot teach William to use a shield. Thus it fell to Azgora to instruct him in the art. Since she had other duties, she needed more time. So William was primarily trained in Raynald's aggressive one-handed style.

"He uses it on reflex. I suggested he attempt a more defensive strategy to tire Raynald out."

"So do you think he'll beat him?" asked Kiyora.

Raynald lashed out and, this time, caught the edge of William's shield with the serrations of his blade. With a wrist movement, he knocked the shield wide and then twisted his weapon around. William parried the initial blow and several more, but Raynald gave him no time to recover. He was driven back in a flurry of lightning-fast blows, then lost his footing and fell. In an instant, Raynald's sword was at his throat. The ring on Raynald's withered ceased to glow.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"That ring on Raynald's finger," said Kiyora. "What is it? Is it magical?"

"That?" asked Vanion. "I don't know. He always wears it, however. I've never seen him without it. Not even when we were boys; it must be magical if it grew with his fingers."

The silence held for a moment. Raynald sheathed his sword and drew off his helm to reveal his scarred and evil-looking face. However, it might have been handsome and rogueish without all the marks. "Well done, William," he said. "Seathorius and Khasmir have done wonders for your skill."

"It doesn't seem to have helped me much against you," said William as he stood up.

"Well, I am the greatest swordsman ever to live, so that is to be expected," said Raynald. "Still, I almost took that contest seriously. You should be proud."

Azgora stood and approached William. "Your defense is too static. You did not use enough footwork and became complacent. You would have paid for it with your life in true battle."

"None of my other students can match him yet," said Raynald. "Well, except Tanith. But she's older and has more experience. You might show the boy some respect."

"I would see you continue to improve yourself," said Azgora. "Felix, bring us spears."

Felix came from the sidelines carrying two spears. Raynald's expression darkened. But Azgora paid him no more notice. He sheathed his blade and stalked over to stand on the sidelines.

"Why does Lady Azgora hate Raynald so much?" whispered Kiyora to Felix.

"Azgora considers physical disabilities a sign of moral weakness," said Felix. "A sort of curse bestowed by the gods. She's suspected that-" He paused. "Why am I telling you this? You've been coming in and out for months; how is it possible you don't know this?"

"Eh, I don't pay all that much attention to things I'm not interested in," said Kiyora. "Plus, I haven't talked with Lady Azgora yet."

Felix paused. "Well, in any case, Lady Azgora hates Raynald because he has a withered arm. Raynald, on the other hand, is the swordmaster for Duke Vanion. He trains the troops in whatever stronghold he is in.

"The catch is that because of his withered arm; he can't train wall infantry."

"Wall infantry?" asked Kiyora.

"Okay, there are two kinds of infantry," said Felix. "Wall infantry and mobile infantry. Wall infantry form a shield wall with spears and hold the enemy army in place. Mobile infantry fight in melee and are meant to flank and outmaneuver the enemy. Raynald is one of the greatest swordsmen in Harlenor, but he can't use a shield, so he can only train mobile infantry." He paused. "Didn't Azgora tell you about this a few months ago?"

"She did?" asked Kiyora. "Oh, right, I forgot."

Felix sighed. "Lady Azgora takes charge of training wall infantry because of that. And she's very good at him, but it is a mark of shame that he has to have her fill in for him, and it reminds him of his disability. So Raynald hates her because of that."

"I always figured it was because she was always calling him-" began Kiyora.

"Don't say it," hissed Felix in an urgent tone.

"What?" said Kiyora.

"Azgora is the only person allowed to say that. Anyone else dies," said Felix. "In Antion, a couple of nobles used the insult on him and ended up dead in duels. Their friends all ganged up on him and tried to murder him, and he killed all of them too. After that, Raynald was commanded to leave the city, and people stopped mentioning it.

"They call it the two-hour massacre.

"Raynald only tolerates it from Azgora because she is Vanion's wife. And because she is one of the few people who can match him in a fight."

"Who won?" asked Kiyora.

"When they fought?" asked Felix. "Vanion broke it up before a victor could emerge, but I'd put my money on Lady Azgora."

"Why?" asked Kiyora.

"She can use a shield and is stronger," said Felix. "It would be her battle to lose."

Kiyora turned her attention back to William's fight with Azgora. However, it was more of a stalemate. Both circled the other, looking for weaknesses. Every so often, they would clash, and William would end up the worse off. "William isn't doing very well, is he?"

"No, he is not," said Felix. "He doesn't have as much practice with a spear and shield."

The fight halted suddenly when two children started crying. Kiyora looked up and realized that all the fighting had woken up the children. Azgora halted her battle and stood up straight.

"Your brother and sister desire to be fed," said Azgora. "I will attend to them."

"Why is she taking her children to watch combat training?" asked Kiyora.

"Lady Azgora believes that war is the ultimate purpose of existence," said Felix. "She wants her children to experience it as soon as possible."

"Yeah, but she sheltered William, didn't she?" asked Kiyora.

"It is a cultural thing, I think," said Felix. "In Lady Azgora's homeland of Themious, men are treated as property and regarded as weak. Azgora likes that men in Harlenor are competent. But she was somewhat conflicted regarding how she should treat William.

"Or so I assume. This is largely theory.

"Is there a particular reason you are here?"

"Oh, see, the High Elves are planning to invade Seathorius, and they want my help to wipe out the satyrs," said Kiyora. "But I don't trust them any more than I trust Arraxia. So I offered Arraxia an alliance, and I've started playing both sides to try and get the best deal.

"Sort of a policy of enlightened self-interest."

"That makes sense," said Felix. "And you intend to ask Duke Vanion for help?"

"Yes," said Kiyora.

"Want my advice?" asked Felix.

"Sure, I guess," admitted Kiyora.

"You don't want either of them to win. The status quo is to your benefit," said Felix. "The best end for you is one where both sides fail to achieve anything. If Arraxia destroys the elven armies, she'll want to invade Qor'Dana. If the Elves defeat Arraxia, they'll want to extend their influence over the Nakmar.

"King Andoa has spent most of his life trying to fix relations with the High Elves and has largely succeeded. He won't throw that away to save a bunch of dwarves. The Nakmar will end up being vassals in your lands."

"Right," said Kiyora. "And why are you going behind Duke Vanion's back to tell me this?"

"Duke Vanion would agree with me," said Felix. "He doesn't want anyone to gain total dominance over Seathorius as long as he can use Savior's Run for his ends. Also, I've invested in some business ventures in Seathorius. Wine. The satyrs sell it to the Otters, who sell it to my men, who then sell it in Artarq.

"If the Elves genocide the satyrs? No more wine. If the satyrs become the dominant power in Seathorius? They start making war on their neighbors. No more wine."

"What exactly are you doing with the money you make from all this?" asked Kiyora.

"Make more money," said Felix. "Though I use a large portion of it in the service of Duke Vanion. I'm hoping to pay for the army."

"For what?" asked Kiyora.

"For war, obviously," said Felix. "The raishan crisis ended just before a new wave of mercenaries arrived in Artarq. We've put them to work, weeding out the remnants of the raishans. But there is no loot to be gained from that, so we have to pay them somehow.

"Duke Vanion also wants to keep them around for a bit. I'm not sure why."

"What are you trying to gain by all this?" Kiyora was curious.

"Aside from more money?" said Felix with a smile. "It ingratiates me to Duke Vanion, and Duke Vanion is becoming more powerful daily."

"Right. Hey, thanks for the help Felix," said Kiyora. "I'm going to go make plans right away."

And she teleported away.

Arraxia was not lounging when Kiyora found her. She was in the throne room of Baltoth's Retribution. And she was hanging from the ceiling by her tail, which had wrapped around the chandelier. Her eyes were closed, and she had grown wings. Said wings were now veiled around her like those of a bat when sleeping.

When Kiyora approached, her eyes opened, and the wings disappeared. Arraxia crossed her arms and stretched her neck."Well, I see you've come back. What is it you want now?"

"Oh, nothing," said Kiyora. "I just thought I'd tell you I talked to Queen Dawn of the High Elves. She says she'll give me the western half of Savior's Run to do as I will if I help her conquer you."

"And you trust her to honor her word?" asked Arraxia.

"I trust her about as much as I trust you," admitted Kiyora. "Anyway, I kind of like her offer. It'll give me much more land, and I won't have to worry about you scheming anymore."

"You're trying to pressure me into making concessions," noted Arraxia. "It won't work."

"Oh, I don't want any concessions," said Kiyora. "I just want our earlier agreement with only one tiny change. I want to be in charge."

"And why would I want to let you command my armies?" asked Arraxia.

"It's in your best interests as well," said Kiyora with a shrug. "If you were in command, the elves could tell Antion that they are fighting an evil demon. If I'm in command, they are just launching unprovoked aggression."

"...As you wish, my dear Kiyora," said Arraxia.

Then she dropped down from the chandelier and made a perfect three-point landing. "I shall indulge you. You will be given joint control of Baltoth's Retribution. And my armies shall fight alongside yours, and you will be in command. With the understanding that if you fail, I will take command and will not be questioned."

"Kay," said Kiyora. "Now, let's get down to business. What would you suggest we do to defeat their invasion?"

"Well, provided I can fix Baltoth's Retribution, I planned to shift the terrain. The elves will walk right into an ambush," said Arraxia. "Then we can slaughter them all."

"Right, I like it," said Kiyora. "Just one change. How about we use Baltoth's Retribution to waste the elves' time until they get bored and go home?"

"You're joking," said Arraxia in deadpan.

"You used the castle to direct William here, didn't you?" asked Kiyora. "All we have to do is keep them running around in circles until they get so sick of it that they quit the field."

"Elves enjoy music," said Arraxia. "I'm not sure it is physically possible for them to become bored."

"Don't worry," said Kiyora, "you always bore me."

"Adorable," said Arraxia. "I do not like this plan. It would leave their army intact. I think I'd much rather just kill them all. More dead elves could only improve the universe."

"Well, too bad," said Kiyora. "I don't want a reputation as a Dark Lord, so we're going to humiliate them a little. We have to use this castle."

"Yes, and there lies the problem," said Arraxia, tail flicking around her. "Baltoth's Retribution is quite inoperable."

"Oh," said Kiyora. "So, how do we fix it?"

"Melchious managed to get it operating by forcing me to bind my spirit to it," said Arraxia. "I'm certainly not going to do that again. I only just escaped from this castle; I'm not going back. But without being bound up in it, I'm having great trouble controlling the landscape.

"The kind of precise misdirection I used against William is simply impossible. So unless we can find a way to regain that control, we'll have to use my plan of killing them all."

"Okay, okay, so we'll mobilize the Nakmar and the satyrs and get them ready for war just in case," said Kiyora. "Now, how do we fix it?"

"I lack the raw power to control Baltoth's Retribution," admitted Arraxia reluctantly. "Not without merging with it. You might possess that power, but you have no experience. If we join your power with my skill, we might achieve what you want to do."

"So how do we do that?" asked Kiyora.

Arraxia motioned, and part of the wall receded to reveal a passageway. With a strut of her hips, she made her way to the passage. Turning, she beckoned to Kiyora with one finger. "Follow me."