The mood in the tent was so bad that Elizabeth was half sure a simple spell would have an easier time making friends.

"What is it," Elizabeth asked as she did her best to not sound pissed as she felt, she wanted to do nothing more than hug and soothe Rossie as she was hugging herself while silently crying.

"Eli!" And the next second Rena rushed into the tent too, she was still dressed on her Izanami-style shift. "We need to-"

And before saying anything else she took in the tent, she noticed the Valkyrie girls standing against the walls with their weapons lowered and faces looking down.

A pair of them stood at the sides of Rossie as the pink-haired girl hugged something against her chest.

"...Did I arrive too late?" Rena asked.

"...Please take Rossie to our apartment and look after her while I deal with the problems here." Elizabeth said as she sighed.

"*sniff* I can help with whatever problem there is," Rossie said as she tried to stand, only to fall back onto the floor.

Elizabeth sent a pulse into her ring and felt Rossie's body and her grief. But also something else… Regret, not for the loss, but for having recovered her emotions.

Elizabeth didn't dwell on that for now; everyone dealt with grief differently. What she did was something else.

"Eli-Eli?" Rossie said as her body started moving toward Rena, "What are you doing?"

And while puppetering her body, Elizabeth made her hug Rena. "Please wait for me at home, okay? You need rest, hugs, kisses, and being pampered." Elizabeth said as Rena nodded.

"... I'm not weak," Rossie said in defiance, Elizabeth could feel her struggling against her will, but even so, the skill remained the same. Perhaps a stable Rossie could have won against Elizabeth.

The rings had been designed to react to altered states of mind, so as long one was stable, they would prioritize the body's owner over the influence of someone else.

But Elizabeth was the one more stable at the moment. Not Rossie.

"I know, you are the strongest one here. Had I lost something as important as what you lost…I would have rampaged against the world, against the one that took it from me." Elizabeth said with a sad smile, "I would hate the one that pulled the trigger."

She would hate herself for Devouring Beatrice, no matter the reason under why it had happened.

"I would never hate you!" Rossie quickly said, she was a smart girl, she caught on what Elizabeth meant.

"I know, that is why I said that you are a strong girl." Elizabeth smiled while saying that, a sad smile, "But even so, you need rest and someone to soothe your hurt Soul, and Rena can do that for you now."

Rena nodded and returned the hug back; Elizabeth let her influence over Rossie fade away and was pleasantly surprised when Rossie didn't fight back against the hug.

"I'm no longer the only people you care about, so please. Let Rena help you." Elizabeth said while turning her attention to Reginald and Jenna, "I will go as soon as I find what's the problem here."

"We will wait for you then." Rena said putting a little more strenght into her hug to Rossie, "Don't take too long."

And so, both Rossie and Rena were surrounded by shadows as they teleported away.

…That didn't suit Rena at all, Elizabeth would need to develop more her Fire skills, Rena deserved something more in line with her.

As did Rossie…

"*clears throat* "Elizabeth turned to look at the one that walked forward, "We will follow after the Mother Goddess,"

One of the Valkyrie Girls said, as she took a step toward Elizabeth.

Now…what to do…

"You are not beholden to me," Elizabeth stated it, it was not a question, Elizabeth flexed her Authority, something she usually didn't do.

She didn't like the fact of forcing the Shadow Dragons to do anything for her.

But extending her Authority over Shadows, she tried to make the Valkyrie Girls kneel at her.

None so much as flinched.

"No, we are not." The Valkyrie that stood forward answered Elizabeth as if nothing was happening.

"You are…Skuld was it?" Elizabeth asked, "Why are you telling me this then, if you are not one of my Minions, nor one of those that wish to be my servants. Why are you reporting to me?"

Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what to do with them, she could of course take them in…But she doubted they would do so. Not if they had been made with the express purpose of opposing her and if they had shown no faith in her either.

"We are to follow our Master's wishes, she gave us instructions as to what to do after…" Skuld said letting the words trail.

"After my demise." Elizabeth finished the phrase, Skuld nodding to her words.

"But our secondary Mission was to make sure The Mother Goddess was cared and looked after, as we understand…None of your servants truly has her as a priority, not over you." Skuld stated Elizabeth wanted to deny that.

She had made the Royal Guard to protect Rossie, even now she could feel the Shadow Dragons whose Mission was to protect Rossie standing guard near her.

But then…she remembered the fact that when she called upon her Shadow Dragons, all of them. Some members of Rossie's guard had answered too.

"*Sigh* Yes, even if I order them to protect Rossie, some are bound to come to me in my time of need… So you are saying that you will protect Rossie above all?" Elizabeth could appreciate that, if true.

"Yes," Skuld answered, "our main Mission for now will be the protection of the Goddess Mother. We will expand upon that and explore our new goals as time goes."

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

So why did they want to inform her then?

"You are free to do as you wish then." Elizabeth said, "You don't need my permission for that; if anything, you will need to convince Rossie to let you stalk around."

Elizabeth smirked at the idea, she could imagine what Rossise would answer, she would either send them away or tell them to join the Shadow Armada.

"We only wish to inform you because our base of operations is within The Shadow Haven." Skuld said as the other Valkyries started sinking into shadows…what?

"What?" Elizabeth…had not opened those portals. How?

"We are denizens of The Shadow Haven," Skuld said as if guessing Elizabeth's question, "Of course, we can return to our home plane."

…But that was Elizabeth's Soulscape…

"You may wish to think of a name for the planet; there is so much more than only the Shadow Haven." Skuld said as the portal of shadows opened behind her, "We will be keeping an eye on you too Elizabeth Starbright. Remember that the moment you become a danger to the Goddess Mother, our weapon will be pointed at you."

And in that tune, Skuld and the remaining Valkyries left.

Elizabeth did a quick scan, but sure enough, she was not able to find them in the Shadow Haven, even though she knew for a fact that they entered it…

They weren't near any of her Shadow Dragons…

Dang it.

"Elizabeth…I know this seems to be a bad moment…" And if that was not enough Jenna spoke yet again, "We really need to move."

"AAAAAAGHHH!!!!" Elizabeth couldn't help but scream at this, first Beatrice. Then her stupid Valkyrie Order, and now Jenna?!?!?!?

And of course there was still Reginald at the back waiting his turn!

Couldn't they let her rest?

She was still mad at the fact that she hadn't been able to save Beatrice!

She was Her Minion!

Why? WHY?!?!? WHY?!?!?!?!?!

"WHAT IS IT?!?!?" Elizabeth totally didn't scream in frustration at Jenna.

"The Nine Stars are coming. [The Elementalist] and [The Monk] reported back to base that the [Shadow Tide] was neutralized; if you don't wish to come under their scrutiny, then you need to leave, now." Jenna said looking behind her.

Elizabeth turned to look there and noticed the [Echo] of Morgana maintaining a barrier.

"They have space locked the whole place, they will notice it when I leave and with who I do." Jenna said, turning to look at Elizabeth, "Can you return to that Shadow Haven place? You said it was your [Soulscape] right? They should not be able to detect you there."

[The Nine Stars]?

They moved now?

After everything was settled?

Good, she needed to release some stress…This would do just fine. She had seen their levels, and they were weak.

"Mistress." Reginald took a step forward at this moment, good, she needed someone to direct her forces, now that Beatrice was gone…

Right…Beatrice was gone…

"We can't fight against them," Reginald said, making Elizabeth do a double take.

"What are you speaking about? They are weak." Elizabeth said confused. "I need to release some pent-up stress and they dared to come to me, when I have so much bullshit to deal with."

"Mistress." Reginald said in a serious tone, "Was Maximilian Windsor weak?"

….

Dang it ™

"...No, but that was because he had access to my skill," Elizabeth said.

Actually, what happened to that thing? She had sent it back to her Armory…

"He was supposed to be weak, yes, but do you think the powerhouses of this plane did nothing after the Advent?" Reginald asked in a measured tone. "That they stood at the level Lady Jenna saw and didn't attempt to increase their power."

…Of course…not.

The people that tried to caught to her Papa and Mother would not be that simple, the machinations of the Italians…The machinations of the Galaxidae…

They probably attempted to do their best to rise in power… And if any of them had contact with the Galaxidae…

"Dang it… They will probably be more powerful…" Elizabeth sighed and looked down as she balled her fist and felt a warm liquid fall onto the ground.

Her nails sank into her palm.

"Exactly, we need more data. We can't fight them on their terms." Reginald said, "Not after we lost Lady Beatrice, her job must be reassigned…Good thing you raised a new highly intelligent Minion."

She what?

Oh, right, she had that new girl…Could she trust her with this?

"Fine, we will leave. Here." Elizabeth sighed (again) and threw a ring to Jenna, "That is a Minion, give it to Morgana and she will know where I am."

And after giving that to Jenna she turned to Reginald, "Let's go back…We will make a stop at the Shadow Haven and then…well, I guess we can go look at the stupid birds."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and focused on all the Shadows she had control over in the area, then pulling at the multiple things that could be used as evidence of their stay here, she pulled.

The tents, firepits, and trunks they used to sit in. Everything they had been in contact with, all of it got pulled into her Shadow Haven…

Or well, into…whatever she ended up naming her Soulscape, since the thing seemed to be evolving into something more. Something that she also needed to deal with.

"See you later Jenna." And like that Elizabeth and everything that was evidence of their stay dissapeared of the countryside of Germania.

The only thing remaining was the fight debris, but that could be attributed to [The Shadow Tide]. And Elizabeth didn't want to pull at something so close to two members of the [Nine Stars] if she was evading them.

Instead she focused on more pressing matters, as she descended upon her Spire. The heart of her [Shadow Haven].Her base of operations was what was supposed to be her Soulscape, a place where she could realize and practice her Magic in peace without affecting the real world.

But this had changed so much and was becoming so much more, the fact that her real body could even exists here was proof enough that this place had changed, how and when? Elizabeth wasn't entirely sure.

"Okay, first of all... How is Beatrice's...leaving will affect us." Elizabeth said sitting on the closer chair she found.

They had landed in one of the offices within her Spire, one that she didn't use much, but seemed to be used by some of her Shadow Dragons.

"Most of her work can be delegated for some time, but someone will need to take charge, we can try to move them to the Shadow Dragon Council but..." Reginald answered turning to one of the doors.

Elizabeth turned to look that way and expected someone to pop out from it... Only for nothing to happen.

"Really?" Elizabeth asked, confused about the bait, "What is the problem with having the Shadow Dragon Council taking care of it then?" Elizabeth asked since no one had walked in.

"*Sigh* Please walk in, our Mistress is waiting for your answer." Reginald said speaking to the door.

Sure enough, someone walked in, one of her Royal Guards to be precise.

"I greet the Mistress of Shadows," Said the Royal Guard falling to one of his knees.

"...And?" Elizabeth asked.

"I beg you pardon Mistress? What do you require of me?" The Royal Guard asked confused.

"...Are you serious? Didn't you hear what we were speaking about and come here for that reason?" Elizabeth asked to the Royal Guard.

"We are always at the ready for your commands Mistress," The Royal Guard answered.

"...is he okay?" Elizabeth said turning to Reginald.

"That is how it is, most shadow dragons while being sentient, aren't quite...at the sapience level." Reginald said with a shrug, "There are exeptions of course."

She was aware of those exceptions, too.

"Myself, Beatrice, Reginald, Lord Nyxfyre and of course Aura and now Mordred." Reginald said enumerating the top shadow dragons, "I have not checked on the new denizens of your...demesne. But I don't expect much from them."

Right...the stupid birds.

"So while they are capable of some thought, they don't have the wisdom or can't make decisions by themselves?" Elizabeth asked, turning to the Royal Guard, "Is that correct?"

"If you have deemed so, then yes, Mistress, that will be correct." The Royal Guard answered.

Yeah, she wouldn't trust the minion that couldn't even understand what she wanted from them, so Beatrice dealt with these? It probably felt like talking to a wall...

No wait.

"Mordred," Elizabeth said to no one in particular.

"You called Mistress?" And sure enough, the black-haired girl appeared a second later. "What do you require of this humble one?"

...Right...this one was still like that.

"What about her Reginald? I'd rather not give Aura more power if possible..." Elizabeth didn't want the sadists to have more power if possible.

She was, after all, evil.

"She meets all the requirements, and while new, can be brought up to speed easily enough. What now we need is to make sure all the administrative needs are met." Reginald said, turning to the black-haired girl. "Pleasure meeting you Mordred."

The black-haired girl did a small curtsy, "Pleasure to meet you too Lightning Dragon," and refered as such to Reginald.

That was... quite the interesting nickname there.

"Hah," Reginald barked a laugh, "Well, that does fit my current job."

Was it because of the stupid thunderbirds?

"Well, if everything is okay, you will take care of the administrative needs of the Shadow Haven," Elizabeth said, turning to Mordred, "If you need any help, please ask Reginald, Aura, or myself."

"As you command Mistress," Mordred said with another small bow.

Elizabeth...would get used to that some day.

"Reginald, what can you tell me about the Valykrie Girls. Why can't I detect them? I should be able to see anything that hapens within my Soulscape." Elizabeth turned to Reginald, she doubted Mordred had information about that.

Maybe Aura?

...She didn't want to owe favours to Aura.

"That is correct Mistress, anything that happens within your Soulscape is under your purview, but this place. What started as the Shadow Haven is much more now." Reginald said summoning a holographic projection of Aquila.

The ruined city was recovering slowly as more Minions joined the rebuilding efforts.

The apartment building where Rossie and Rena's Apartment were stood there still.

The image focused and highlighted some buildings, one was the apartment building and the other was the spire.

"Technically, only these two places are part of your Soulscape." Reginald said pointing at those two buildings.

"And then what? What about the rest?" Elizabeth asked, there was plenty not highlighted, for starters the image was enlarged showing the rest of the city.

The wasteland on the outside, the village of the thunder birds wich now had a letter [Thunderbirb Village, name pending].

Dang it.

"Well, that is for you to decide Mistress," Reginald said, "But as Skuld said, you may want to give a name to this place, while Shadow Haven is a good name to describe the fallen city of Aquila... That does not apply to the rest of your demesne."

"But what is this place?" Elizabeth asked once more, "You have not answered my question."

"This is your World Mistress, it will be what you desire. But while it is yours, you will only know about things that happen around people that follow you." Reginald said pointing at parts of the map that showed a fog...

She could get some vague impressions of what happened there, but unless one of her Minions moved there (And she could command them to do so from here), she wasn't able to see anything there.

"The Valkyrie Girls don't worship or follow you, Mistress, so while they are denizens of your demesne, they will not show up there unless you stalk them. And such an act could be seen as hostile..." Reginald pointed.

Elizabeth...did not like the implications of that.

This sounded like...like something she had not wanted to think about.

"Shall we build a temple then?" Mordred asked from behind, "Perhaps we can proselyte them if they are somewhere within the Shadow Haven."

"...Let's...Let's not do that for now, we do need to build a temple since I want Beatrice's soul to be safe, but...but let's put a stop on the whole religion thing," Elizabeth did not want to think about that.

No, she was aware that she was starting to(perhaps) take in some of the traits of her Mother.

But taking the steps to take the hoodie?(Godhood)

She was not ready for that, she still had to think about Rossie's promise. And about fulfilling Beatrice's wish.