Chapter 22

When speaking in regards to the somewhat built-up, mystical and horribly dangerous realm that, to this point, had been referred to in a somewhat universal manner. Arthur had anticipated a world filled with adventure and peril. One that he’d be submerged in right when he initially stepped into the labyrinth's first floor, not just the city that had built itself there but the real first floor that had been promised to him. Imagineing it, as he had, to be an environment that would challenge him at every turn, like the dungeons from his favourite RPGs of the past. A place that would inspire him to finally find a reason to put some effort into making himself strong! Not just well-defended and gimmicky but, powerful in a way that might see him fundamentally changed within his human skin. Powers of invincibility! Mass destruction at the accidental loss of control during a sneeze! Command over elements and nature itself to bewilder and crush all those who might oppose him and his wife in their future reign as monarchs over an entire world! A place, if you will, that would reignite that long-dormant desire in his heart that all those old games had helped his imagination build up so tall in his childhood mind as to stand higher than anything else! H-however, what unfolded before him was a far cry from his—expectations. Instead of daunting caves or treacherous trap-laden passages, he encountered an expanse that seemed cut and pasted from a fantastical yet aggressively pleasant make-belief realm of kittens and rainbows… A landscape comprised almost entirely of vibrant meadows interspersed with clusters of fruit trees, glimmering lakes of crystal waterfalls and generally benign wildlife…

The creatures inhabiting this realm were equally unimpressive as they were bizarre. Appearing, by in large, to be designed with a layer of fearsome accoutrements, yet somehow managing to paradoxically exude an overwhelming aura of detestable cuteness. Bubble-like, translucent critters bobbed gently in the wind like oversized slimes masquerading as balloons… while whimsically frolicsome and multicoloured turkey-like birds flapped ineffectively in the air, relying on luck and an overabundance of unyielding effort rather than any noteworthy aerodynamics to stay aloft. Smaller, bunny-like animals meandered lazily, nibbling on the abundant greenery and scarcely deigning to move from the path of any who approached with all the urgency of sloths… Seeming to be perfectly okay with the notion they might be stepped on or punted to move them from the many winding flagstone pathways.

In many ways, the entire ecosystem seemed more like a flighty, fucked up, child-friendly simulation. A place where the horrifying had been implemented but strangely softened by an all-encompassing veneer of forced innocence. Arthur found it unsettling; hell, he found it outright vile on some—instinctually forbearing level... Some creatures were even downright ridiculous! The rubberized and ball-like squirrels that defied all practical notions of survival proving the pointlessness of it all as he watched one roll haphazardly into the water and—get stuck, drowning of its own accord and making him question how or why they even existed! The bugs-bunny bullshit creature just—flailing like a kickball, face down and absent the aid from its pointlessly stubby limbs… And worse were the winged snakes! The unnerving candy-inspired and gummy-worm-looking monstrosities just—flew around him with their silent gliding, not doing anything but listlessly floating through the air, occasionally bumping into things with all the spacial awareness of falling leaves... It was a land devoid of the natural predatory hierarchy, creatures acting out roles as though they’d been assigned them rather than existing within a genuine and balanced circle of life.

However, for all of it, the landscape, though suspiciously cheerful, was utterly teeming with people. And yet, rather than wide-eyed adventurers seeking glory upon the initial step on a path of daring and bold action. The majority of the softly rolling hills were populated by groups of children wielding various tiny weapons designed for combat of an individual more their size, overseen of course, by bored adults. Parents taught their young ones the art of battle, coaching them with spears and bows, each seeking to put an end to the lives of any nearby—monsters… All the while what few older individuals absent supervisory roles that there were, roamed the grasslands, dispatching the creatures in lazy teenage posies with indifferent ease.

This was not the romanticized hero’s journey Arthur had envisioned, far from it. He had expected a place brimming with potential and discovery, where each step was fraught with tension and the promise of personal growth achieved at the end of strife and sacrifice! Sadly, Instead, he was confronted with a grotesque parody of that ideal. It was as if the essence of adventure itself had been co-opted and commercialized, turning what should have been a grand quest into little else but a dreary and nightmarish routine...

The labyrinth's first floor was not the magical crucible for forging heroes he’d assumed, but rather, a sterile training ground. Filled with disenchanted people treating the priorly fantastical act of—gods, he didn't even know what to call it! Monster slaying? Adventuring? Either way, it was decidedly more a mundane task rather than some—epic endeavour. The spark of adventure was all but extinguished under the weight of what could only be presumed to be economic reality: monster carcasses, once valuable, becoming nearly worthless commodities due to ever-increasing market saturation.

In all honesty, Arthur felt profoundly cheated, insulted even! The irony of such a fate befalling himself at the seeming behest of this new universe was, of course, not lost upon him… This—realm that he had, for the first time, stepped into whilst it promised magic and transformation by equal measure was instead delivering only a lacklustre grind, one devoid of any kind of wonder or excitement, which he had so eagerly anticipated. Instead of a land brimming with potential and passion, it was a seeming place where dreams went to die, and the extraordinary was rendered utterly unsatisfactory in a way that earnestly rankled him! And, from what he saw, the labyrinth’s first floor wasn’t some mystical gateway to adventure—but was merely just another disillusioning convention, not indifferent from heading to work, mug of coffee in hand, traffic as far as ones eye could see… soul-crushing as it was blatant treachery to everything he’d built it up to be! While the black quarter had done its best to grind his morals beneath its polished authoritarian boot, this place simply—sucked all the joy from his childish expectation as though it were some—engorged leach that fed upon hopes and dreams…

“You look disappointed, my heart.” Dianna intoned, a somewhat amused quirk to her lips as she regarded him with a sidelong glance.

“It—is a deal less—shall I say… exiting?” Arthur offered offhandedly by way of reply, still looking at that drowning balloon of a squirrel before turning to gaze his wife's direction with a thousand-yard stare… “It honestly seems as though danger might not actually be a phrase that can exist here beyond what people themselves bring to the table…” His words were muttered as though he couldn't even bring himself to speak them, a lazy hand poking at a nearby floating bubble monster which actually giggled at him while its entire body distorted and wobbled away…

“And so, the true threat posed by the floor has already won.” The demoness smiled, stepping into the meadows without further elaboration.

Tulla followed close behind, slightly—less awestruck by their latest destination than any of the prior they’d visited thus far, her own eyes slowly roving over what was on offer before looking to her mother with slight accusation. She too had been promised, in no few words, to be taken to a place that might serve as a trial to her skills that were, perhaps, more intimidating than rabbits.

“The first floor isn't much so far as its—obvious monsters are concerned,” Dianna admitted, taking in a deep breath through her teeth before continuing right along. “But don't let this place fool you, complacancie on lower floors can and will prove fatal. Yet, this—place…” She ground out, clear disdain for the world around her dripping from her lips, “Does serve a purpose for us.” She turned to her daughter, levelling the girl with a long look. “You've been good…” Dianna allowed, nearly appearing as though she wanted to sigh with exasperation. “You listen, you don't run off nearly as much as you used to, you're always steadfast and punctual for you're training, and have been helping your father with his strange—workings… Thus, a reward is rather long overdue for you, girl. Hm… as you're father likes to explain it, it's high time I present you the carrot rather than the stick.” She chuckled, looking to her mate, who had a somewhat sheepish expression. And though Dianna rather liked the phrase for what it was, the reality of it all was that Tulla had been working hard. However, whether that had been born of a fear of losing what privileges she already had, in the end, didn't matter. After all, she was not about the business of trying to ruin her child's life, simply moulding it.

So, kneeling down to the wide-eyed and clearly excited girl's eye, she reached out to cup her child's cheek and rub affectionately with a widening smile. “You're going to get you're own special set of cards dear.” She revealed, watching as the spark of excitement exploded within her spawns’s eye, the wonder and disbelief hiding just below the surface of forced calm appearing practically ready to burst! “It's going to make three of us in the family to possess—significant power, but I need to know you're ready.”

Dianna waited, eyes boring into her daughter's own, gaze seeking any indication the girl might try something foolish. It was a big step for her towards the direction Dianna had been pushing her that, rather than saying a thing, her little girl merely straitened. Fixing her posture and expression to one of cold and militant indifference, eyes even going so far as to drift over her mother’s shoulder, the practical picture of a young soldier standing at parade. Dianna’s smile only grew wider with satisfaction. “You know… I think she’s actually ready.”

“For all of it?”

“Ah…” Dianna sighed, rising back to her full height as she did so. “Why not? Honestly, I find myself caring what others might think, less and less with each passing day. Why bother hiding the power she’ll receive regardless?”

Arthur considered that for a small span, clicking his tongue as he, too, tried to puzzle out, much as Tulla was while sneaking expectant glances at them, If he could get away with that very same line of logic in his own way. It only took a moment before Dinna’s eyes narrowed at him a fraction, already suspicious that trickery was afoot, even as Arthur reached into his storage space and retrieved the specialized deck he’d prepared for his daughter, tweaked and edited as they’d grown to share a bond. Without missing a beat, his wife's hand was already extended and waiting, Arthur, had he the ears and tail of a beastkin, likely would have had both simultaneously flattened in repentance. Still, he didn't argue… It was, after all, Dianna’s right to see what was in there. Thus, as she took the large tarots and began lazily looking through them, her eyebrows twitched, not just once but several times through the process. Then, she simply tucked the pile back into a neat and orderly stack and peered sidelong at him with contemplation.

“You've been—holding out…” She murmered her words more a statement of fact than anything else.

“Ugh, it would be—more accurate to say I held out,” Arthur commented with a weak smile. “Honestly, I sort of forgot I’d worked on some of those—mostly because I really just don't use them! I have extra copies for you, Dianna; they just, well—obviously, are going to need time to be useful…”

“Hmph… you do so like to tease me…” The demon growled, the sound more—sultry than sinister. Though she did turn and hand their child all the cards that Arthur had provided, a small part of him wanted to leap in the air and fist-pump! Meacha-Tulla had gotten the green light!

Much like her mother, the girl in question did spend a few moments pursuing her new—toys, bright eyes all but gleaming as she quickly began discarding the pre-existing tarots she’d possessed to make room for what was to come. Arthur, grinning from ear to ear and openly enjoying his adopted daughter's excitement, wandered closer to Dianna’s side and wrapped an arm around her. Both watching their little girl absorb the near-sum totality of her old deck to empower the new. There wasn't even any hesitation in the act… Tulla seeming to care little for the once precious souls she’d held dear and pieced together all her years in lieu of the new power on offer. He wasn't sure which among her new, rather—absurd abilities she’d employ first, yet after a mere handful of seconds, he wasn't left wanting.

Tulla, with a near immediacy towards delving right in, extended her palm as a flash of light suddenly winked a second Tulla into existence. Her doppelganger wasn't exactly a perfect clone; her colours were washed out, and her expression was neutral, with details not entirely right. One arm was too long, the tail too short, and her hair was clipped and messy like some low-budget game character. Yet, without either saying a single word, the copy suddenly erupted into the mechano-arcane equivalent of a Tulla-sized gundam!

Bulky metal armour popped into reality across the doppelganger's form. Segment by segment, intricate pieces of protection cascaded down her body. The transformation process was, quite frankly, mesmerizing; gears whirled, pistons fired, and steam hissed as the figure was changed before their eyes. The wings, initially ethereal and skeletal, rapidly coated with countless tiny cube-like objects that rolled over each other in perfect synchronicity, enveloping her from head to hooves in an impenetrable shell of high-tech glory. The individual cubes sparked briefly as they locked into place, forming a seamless, shimmering skin of metal and light. As the adaptation concluded, Tulla’s bizarre double stood fully armed and operational, like an archangel of technology and looming extinction. Gleaming silver and gold intertwined with pulsating blue lines of energy, highlighting the power coursing through the mechanical construct. Cybernetic eyes glowed an intense, alert crimson, surveying the surroundings with a steely robotic precision reminiscent of a sentry turret seeking prey.

Then, the android rose from the grass, its flaring boosters emitting a low, powerful hum that vibrated in his bones. The wings, now ridged and formidable, spread wide to lift the strange entity effortlessly so it might lazily hover just a few feet off the ground. Micro-thrusters belched pulses of flashing energy at regular intervals, keeping it stabilized in mid-air. On the ground, Tulla could not contain her abject joy. She cackled with maddened delight at the scene before her, the entire metamorphosis being like something out of her wildest dreams. She flitted around the hovering doppelganger, admiring every nook and cranny, her excitement almost palpable in the air as she shook with enthusiastic anticipation!

This was a manifestation of Arthur’s painstaking efforts to share some of his own fonder cult favourites from his childhood, sci-fi saga's filled with towering robots and advanced technologies that battled amidst the stars! He watched from a short distance away, basking in his daughter’s infectious enthusiasm. Smiling ruefully, proud yet slightly nervous about what he'd helped create. Seeing Tulla go full-fangirl was both rewarding and somewhat unnerving, like seeing a child wield a double-edged sword made of the purest excitement and uncalculated risk. His idea to create such an abomination of flesh and steel, okay, maybe he was being a little dramatic as it was much more like an iron-man suit, but, nevertheless, it had arrived while drunk. Arthur, having thought the girl would get a massive kick out of cosplaying one of the mecha’s so he’d attempted what probably should have been left alone. Creating a card that fed off her own species evolution, twisting it at the very foundations!

Suddenly, the doppelganger, with mechanical efficiency, activated its mounted cannons, targeting some smaller, harmless monsters scattered around the clearing. Streams of plasma erupted from its arm-mounted blasters, painting the scene in sporadic flashes of intense light that spelled doom for whatever lifeform failed to evade its onslaught! The creatures, clearly no match for the advanced weaponry which even his own people hadn't yet possessed, vaporized on impact, leaving only tiny wisps of smoke and scorch marks on the grass. Then, perhaps naturally, given the circumstances, things took upon themselves a darker tone, the armoured doppelganger turning with casual ease, body drifting upon the air while a massive over-the-shoulder rocket launcher built itself from those same strange cubes at a rapid pace that Arthur could scarcely react to. His mouth opened the moment he realized what was about to happen, only for a shockwave of truly concerning proportions to manifest but a heartbeat later! In the near distance, a merrily squawking gaggle of fat multi-coloured birds suddenly detonated in a geyser of flame and destruction that boomed with a deafening roar, which had Arthur—indecisive about what he’d just done… Even if both the doppelganger and its suit vanished the moment after… Which naturally led to Tulla just standing there, her own suit already beginning to encase her…

“Is there going to be a—problem with that?” Arthur whispered, slightly shellshocked and presented something of a glaring reminder that he hadn't actually tested the girl's cards and, though he’d never admit to it, was earnestly more than surprised by their capacity for violence right from the get-go… They were only of the first tier and rank! Yet already the—magical armaments that he’d cobbled together based on science and magic were proving—unusually potent… The result nearly seemed as though whatever power had agreed to their inception hadn't itself understood the—scope of potential destruction involved by science fiction… A mistake that was doubtless not to be made a second time…

Beside him, Dianna regarded the rather modest crater that was still smoking and burning in the near distance, the utterly unidentifiable charred remains of their daughters—targets causing the tall demoness to actually click her tongue with uncertainty… “I know we like to have a lot of fun together while talking about this sort of thing, dear, but… what exactly is it you've given our daughter?”

“Something I thought she’d have—fun with?” He offered, though his wife merely gave him a somewhat flat look… “I mean… she looks like she’s having fun…”

“And that thing was still at its initial rank? or whatever it was after she absorbed the other cards?” She asked again, rightly confused by what exactly was happening… Mind not seeming to have much of a comparable example to hold it against save for the automatons of her husband's own creation. Obviously, for all involved, this latest addition to his repertoire of dangerous tarots was skewed to the highly dangerous end of it all…

“Yeah, I think it might very well have been an oversight on someone's end of things…” He mused aloud, staring in wonder as Tulla soared through the air on wings of glittering stardust, “I doubt I’ll be getting away with making an—exact copy of that one going forwards…”

Another explosion slammed into them, and the multitudes of people amidst the floor began to panic and start retreating to the city or nearer the epicentre of what was going on with all with the caution provided by insatiable curiosity… Arthur's pulse quickened, matching the rhythm of the chaos unfolding around him. His breath arriving with a degree of shallowness while he scanned the pandemonium and assessed the rapidly shifting situation. Tulla, now completely encased in her own mechanized armour, hooted with enthusiasm, the servos in her armour whining with strain as she flitted about the sky, blasting the multitude of smaller monsters with arm-mounted cannons that pounded the ground below her without remorse…

Arthur already sensed the looming headache of impending consequences rearing its ugly head on the horizon... Not wishing he hadn't made the card but, what was done was done. It wasn't as though he could likely take the damned thing from her at this point...

"Alright, Tulla! That's enough for now!" He called out, his voice strained as he tried to mitigate the situation. "We need to talk about control—"

Another explosion, smaller this time, reverberated through the clearing, snapping Arthur’s attention away from Tulla and towards a span where it wandered about, peering at the multitude of spectators that all seemed to be gawking. The girl did turn around, however, conscious thought not yet lost within her private realm of triumph. Then, as quickly as it had all begun, her armour whirred and clicked as it retracted, the once fearsome suit, all gleaming composite plates, pseudo-feathered wings of angelic death made manifest—now merely a child with a gleeful glint in her eyes that quickly dropped right out from under her! Mid-flight as she was, the girl all but panicked for the first few moments of freefall before natural instincts took hold, and she was able to steady herself in the air… The transformation reversing even more quickly than it had begun, leaving Tulla fluttering above the grass with only a faint shimmer about her flesh in odd pseudo-cybernetic veins that hinted at the tech now apparently sleeping beneath her skin…

"Fun doesn't have to be—this destructive, sweetie," Arthur continued, voice somewhat exasperated and anxious as a hand reached to scratch at the back of his head while he called to her. "There's more than just rockets in there—I'm sure..."

Landing with a skittering series of hops and skips as she bled off her excess momentum, Tulla let out a boisterous breath as she nodded her head, yet still caught in the afterglow of excitement as she was, her words all but burst through her lips! "But Dad, it was awesome! Can't I just—"

"No buts Tulla," Dianna interjected, her voice firm. "There are people around. And, if nothing else, we do have to think about their safety while so close to the city. Or would you rather us be barred and labelled as criminals?"

Tulla pouted but nodded reluctantly, turning away with but the faintest spark of rebellion still glinting in her gaze… Yet, that faded as, In the distance, the city's emergency response units began to mobilize, their sirens, or, in this case, booming drumming, crying out in response to the explosions. A kind of wailing tremor, not indifferent from a blaring klaxon, joined it soon after, filling the air as the large and walled metropolis readied itself for potential danger… Arthur recognized the sound as trouble and the potential for a kind of likely deserved reckoning… He straightened up and faced Dianna, slight worry lines etched on his face, adding to the grim smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Not to end our trip sooner than desired, but—we should—leave…”

For her part. Dianna nodded, though her expression was far less concerned than his own, her gaze flicking to the horizon where silhouettes of flying figures took to the skies with the intention of scouting out exactly what was happening outside their walls. "Agreed. We can chat with Tulla about the—ramifications of her thoughtless actions later. And of course, speak at length regarding the very same issues pertaining to your tendencies…” Arthur—cringed at that, slowly nodding his head as his wife glared at him and, rightly so… “Right now, our priority should be avoiding any and all contact with Kaitrician authorities. The labyrinth isn't theirs by any noteworthy offering of evidence—however, they are the predominant force upon this floor, and with that, they do tend to police it. We can take the portal cards after I stir up a little mayhem to distract prying eyes…”

Arthur gave his wife an incredulous look, unsure if more was exactly the answer here… Nevertheless, he gently took Tulla's hand, guiding her in and urging her closer while the girls mother encased herself in her dark armour, a stark contrast in its gothic and fantastical savagery when compared to her daughte'sr—alternate and hyper-futuristic new design. Still, she proved that looks didn't always forewarn power, as with the extension of a long graceful arm, Dianna revealed her magic blade with a lazy flourish that bordered the theatrical…

Perhaps it was, in the end, all a show that the woman desired to put on… A taste, an example, something to remember them by, even if their identities weren't wholly affirmed. Arthur glanced back one last time, a protective hand on Tulla’s shoulder. The weight of the situation pressing heavily on his mind as Dianna struck the earth, the blow causing a tangible tremor to arise, even as sickly flames flashed into a vortex of heat and fire, a flaring storm of terrible flames bursting all around them! This was no longer just about a child's and, to an extent, her father's game gone awry—it, as it was turning out, was about sharing the understanding and respect due to the future sovereignty of his wife's magical might.

As they disappeared within an inferno of hellfire that could have blotted out the sun itself, portal cards already raring to go… Arthur felt the familiar vertigo of dimensional travel grip him as the tarot activated, and both he and Tulla were sent hurtling through the nauseating expanse of slipped space. In an instant, the burning tornado, the screams, the alarms and the chaotic surroundings, it all vanished, replaced, within a seeming instant, by the tranquil setting of their hidden refuge—Arthurs camp—no, their home appearing to them in a snap of surging reality… Deposited by existence itself, far—far away from nosy neighbours and pesky city authorities.

The sudden peace was as much a relief as it was a jarring change when compared to the shambled disorder they'd left behind. Tulla’s breath was still heavy, eyes wide with lingering adrenaline, Arthur’s own following in much the same suit. She gripped his hand tightly, her excitement tempering moment by moment as the somewhat serene peace that had become her comfort space battled and warred with the fresh excitement they’d all been privy to. Honestly, she looked much more interested in going right back, putting on her armour again and challenging whoever might come near! But, Arthur knew that was a terrible idea for any number of reasons, especially since her chosen weapon wasn't—well, maybe strong wasn't the right word but… economical?

Dianna emerged from her own portal not long after, the swirling colours of vibrant pastels depositing her in a maelstrom of flashing lights and vivid eldrich confusion. Her dark armour was already steaming with wispy trails of ominous vapour, the individual parts of her formfitting suit, fading away as they fell or simply dissipated on the breeze. She took a deep breath, shaking off the remnants of their recent escapade with a soft and satisfied smirk. "Well, that was quite the show," she purred with a hint of sarcasm. "I’ve no doubt they’ll be smashing their heads against the walls trying to figure out exactly what happened…”

“Chances that they got a good look at any of us?” Arthur couldn't help but ask, mind whirring with all the modern issues that surrounded criminals within his own but, long distant society… In all actuality, given advances in surveillance and the like, pulling something that showy off near a major city would have their faces in every law-enforcement database the world over!

Still unphased, Dianna merely cocked her head at the thought, clearly weighing things from her own perspective. “Not—terribly high…” She admitted, sounding less like she wasn't confident about the answer and more as though it wasn't a big deal regardless. “I mean, one never truly knows what cards another might possess, but if you're asking after the possibility that our faces and descriptions will be added to some absurd collection of instantaneous information as you're—constructs so emulate, then the answer is no. Though, that isn't to say nothing will be done after our—fun… But, so long as Tulla or—myself, for that matter, don't expose ourselves so close to the city as we just did, while flaunting our power, I doubt anything will come of this.” So saying, the demoness stretched her lithe and taught muscles, looking for all the world like she’d found delight in the entire boondoggle rather than maintaining any semblance of worry or concern. “Honestly, I can't even be upset with how things ended. Even if we didn't get to explore how the powers you have afforded yourself might handle during a trial run, I find myself modified regardless, after, of course, seeing what you decided to give our daughter.”

Arthur—felt the blow of his wife's words with that one, even as he was guiding Tulla to sit on a large, mossy rock. He crouched down, trying to keep his tone light despite the—notable gravity of the situation. Yes, he was partially to blame, okay, maybe more than partially, but that didn't mean Tulla was wholly absolved. "You—let the power go to you're head.” He intoned, watching the girl as she seemed to deflate near immediately. It hadn't been a question, nor had his tone indicated he was upset with her, Arthur merely leaving the floor open for the girl to speak her own mind and work things through to discover her own conclusions.

Tulla’s face scrunched up, still buzzing from the thrill, but—hesitated for several long moments before taking in a deep breath and just being out with it! "But Dad... I didn’t hurt anyone! And it was just so cool!"

Arthur nodded, offering a rueful smile, knowing how badass it had been with first-hand experience. He had gotten a front-row seat to it all and also had been the one who’d created the card. All the same, he needed the girl to understand certain—realities surrounding its rather unexpected power… Honestly, he hadn't known it was going to be as effective as it was… Hell! Arthur had sort of thought it would all start off as some partial transformation that would get more complete as she levelled her new card. Instead, all the power looked to be there right from the get-go, much like his time tarot, and instead, higher ranks would presumably result in efficiency rather than raw strength… "I get it. I really do, trust me… But, even when you're having a blast, you gotta think before you act sometimes. Take our home, for example,” He supplied, smiling as he rose and gestured to the very flammable grasslands all around them. “Can you imagine what might happen if you just start firing missiles willy-nilly out here? Imagine the destruction it would cause?"

Stolen story; please report.

“Wait—so you're issue isnt that I don't use them, but where I use them?”

The young man thought on that little line of reasoning for a second, earnestly wondering if she’d managed to hit the crux of his concerns better than what he was going for. Following a short glance in Dinna’s direction who seemed perfectly willing to let him be bad cop for once, Arthur—inevitably, nodded his head… After all, what in the hell would have been the point of giving the kid the card in the first place if he just intended to toss endless restrictions on it? Truth was, he was as much to blame here as she was… So caught up in his dreams of sci-fi supremacy as he’d been, Arthur had utterly failed to foresee the now somewhat obvious issues surrounding his offering a child the military equivalent of state-of-the-art combat weaponry… Fucks sake, he'd given Dianna and Bianca bronze-age weaponry! Maybe he was going a little insane out here… Or, maybe he wasn't quite insane enough! Dianna certainly didn't appear as though she thought anything was terribly wrong… And though using the murder succubus as his bar for sanity perhaps wasn't the best way to go about gauging his mental health—well, as the saying went, when in Rome…

Arthur shook off the thought and took a deep breath, turning back to Tulla, who was watching him with wide, expectant eyes. “Alright, so here’s the deal,” he breathed, trying to inject a bit of levity back into his tone. “Yes, you can use all the cool gadgets and gizmos, but you need to pick the right time and place. We don’t want to start a war with whatever city is nearest to you just because we’re having a bit of fun, right?”

Tulla’s face lit up with a tentative smile, sensing the free pass for what it was and not at all unwilling to strike while the iron was hot. “Right, she drawled, almost conspiratorially, “I’ll be more careful next time.”

Arthur ruffled her hair, feeling some of the tension ease out of his shoulders as he did so. “Good girl. Now, why don’t we take a break and—maybe I’ll see about putting together a snack… I'm not hungry exactly, it honestly feels like we've been eating all day but…” He paused, glancing at the two women in his life that appeared utterly askance at his presumption that food wouldn't be welcome. He paused, blinking between the pair that almost seemed like they were pouting, a bizarre sort of mother-daughter voodoo going on with how similar their expressions mirrored each other. And, his girls did eat a metric fuck ton of food compared to normal ladies… or—human ladies… “Ahem… or…” He coughed, switching directions as might the wind, “I could—make dinner…”

Dianna stepped closer, her dark armour now completely gone, replaced by her more casual, and somewhat ruined, attire. The sight of which was both unhelpfully sexy and—well, upsetting in a small way given they’d just bought the damned dress she’d changed into… “I will need to return to Kaitrice in an hour or so… I won't be long, but we do have property waiting in the city that will require pickup.”

“Annnd, here I was, almost forgetting about all that…”

“I only mention it so you don't forget about the extra mouths to feed; they will be our responsibility as much as our servants… And, in the empire, there are strict rules about how well we treat those who wait upon our whim. They are not muts to be tossed scraps and told to sleep in dirt, my heart.”

“Right—right…” Arthur loudly whispered, placing his hands on his hips with nervous energy as he did so. “Guess I’ll need to give the apartments a once-over as well, stock all the groceries we picked up for their first few days as they get into the swing of things and—just make sure…”

“Darling, please, their new accommodations will be night and day from anything they’ve likely experienced in the past; stop worrying over it all and allow their happiness and satisfaction with their new lives to speak for itself. Trust me! They will adore how far you've gone for them, even if they are to serve you.”

Arthur chuckled, not feeling at all eased by Dianna’s words but—trying to at least act the part. “Fair enough, honey. Fair enough. But I suppose I'm putting together a welcome feast rather than a cheese platter…”

“If that’s what you really want to do. Then do it. ” The demoness replied, looking done with the conversation a moment later. Instead, Dianna began picking off the bits and pieces of her tattered wardrobe, frowning at the loss of finery in a way that spoke volumes to the manner in which she’d clearly grown accustomed over the years to her metamorphosis destroying her clothes.

Arthur made a note to solve that little issue by way of magic or souls in the near future, wealthy as she might now be, shredding you're outfit every time you readied yourself for a scrap was—incoveneint… He still enjoyed the show for what it was, earning himself a snort of derision from his wife while Arthur shamelessly admired what was on display. It was, after all, one of the best perks of his new life… Still, despite her wordless comment towards his lechery, Dianna’s movements took on a decidedly—exaggerated poise, her amethyst eyes always seeming to watch him from the corners as she dipped herself lower than needed to change her undergarments, her new dress sliding with slow and sensuous ease, draping over her lascivious form in all the ways that utterly captured her mate's full attention. Tulla scowled and grumbled something about their relationship being weird while flying away, and Dianna eventually allowed the show to end as she made to prepare for her return to Kaitrice.

Arthur himself moved to settle in for what would likely become something of a routine inspection. One in which he was, by in large, paying more attention to what his machines were doing than the product of their work itself. Benny, at this point, was mostly running the show to a hyperactively obsessive degree of care and attention, one in which Arthur couldn't so much as find a stray hair out of place. Not that anyone was actually living within the huge servant's wing attatched to their rapidly growing home, of which he’d asked the A.I. to build over the past week, but… mostly, he felt the euphemism could stand well enough on its own.

“Benny!” He called, standing in the midst of the help-wings primary chamber, a large and somewhat tastefully decorated two-story and vaulted room that existed as a queer combination of early Victorian decor and spacer-age nonsense… The tables held no observable legs, instead, functioning off of gravity-emitting rune networks and artificial dummy lights that made the whole thing look a lot more futuristic and technological than it really was… Large screens that would allow the help to direct themselves through a burgeoning closed network of interactive holo displays not that indifferent from his RV’s, so long as nobody tried to compare what was inside of each… And it was all made entirely through the use of clever illusion magics and arcane programming.

When combined, it all aided in taking the blatant strange that existed all around him to a whole new level, but that also sort of just—worked. In fact, it did exactly that so impossibly well that he would be giving certain grim-dark fanboys an apology for bashing on their favoured empire so fervently in his past. Arthur got now… He never thought he would, but, using technology to give things a little historic and gentlemanly flare, even at the cost of complexity—was actually kind of neat… All the same, he’d already been getting sick of all the clinical utilitarianism that he himself been building with before handing things off to Benny. Quite honestly, while spacer age white and blocky was—efficiant and rather easy to pull off, he was already liking the direction things were heading under the AI’s direction more than his own. The fact that the AI had gotten so much done in a comparative short handful of hours was honestly astounding!

Thank god he had so many damned movies and shows on his phone that had allowed the construct to practically seep himself in human culture, basically overnight! The area—was a deal more furnished than he recalled it looking earlier that morning—but, then again, machines did move rather quickly once set to task… As before, concerns over giving artificial intelligence not just a technology base to work with and reproduce more automatons but teaching them magic were, of course, in the back of his mind. Yet, Arthur wasn't terrible worried… His was just a small drop in the comparatively large bucket that was his new universe. If an AI suddenly felt itself go full sentient with the wish to trundle off to create its own paradise, there were hundreds of habitable worlds it could choose from!

It didn't take long for the dapper and older image of his digital manservant to manifest nearby. The tall, elegant, refined and impeccably groomed hologram of his butler appeared in a slow mist of glimmering pixels that had become the man's go-to entrance when he found himself called upon. There had been—problems when at first, Benny had taken it upon himself to manifest in as quick and timely a manner as possible. And it had only taken one or two times of Arthur nearly having the excrement scared from his puckered star for the man to demand his AI appear in a less horrifyingly abrupt way than suddenly popping up behind the person who had called him. The whole process really only took a few seconds, and Arthur suspected that if he were to press the issue, the Ai would do away with the showy display of theatrics, but, at the moment, time wasn't exactly of the essence…

“My lord? I did not expect you're return at this hour… Was you're trip to this realm's dimensional pocket not as was expected?”

Arthur—glanced at the neatly bearded man, for the moment, trying to discern if there was a hint of sarcasm layered somewhere in his greeting… Benny, after all, was privy to most, if not all of Arthur’s machinations as of late, largely because he alone was often the greatest confidant Arthur could ask for when dealing with aspects of his workings that he deemed held a certain—nessecity regarding confidentiality. Take Tulla’s special cards, for example. Who else in the entire cosmos would even understand what he was trying to accomplish with them but the girl herself or the magic artificial butler who had more or less pieced enough of his culture together to follow it along? Quite frankly, the tone the plucky machine had used with him had immediately set off Arthur’s bullshit detector, his eyes narrowing upon his manservant with equal parts suspicion and uncertainty.

“You—almost sound as if you already know what happened…” He accused, folding his arms across his chest and staring at the gently smiling man across from him.

“I live to serve my lord.” Benny began, bowing deeply at the waist as his petticoat jacket spread to reveal a tasteful bowtie, “And if that means running simulations to better understand you're emotions, as well as towards the odds of any given situation you endeavour to share with me, I shall continue to make use of any and all aspects of my capabilities to better perform my various functions!”

“Tulla told you, didn't she?”

For the first time since he’d met the man, Benny—hesitated as though caught off-guard, his face twitching with digital distortion for but a moments junction before his trademark neutral smile returned in its place. “I have not yet broken my vow of silence with the family lord.”

“But that’s not what I asked, now was it?” Arthur pushed, wanting to sigh but earnestly not entirely surprised his hunch on the matter had been correct…

“It's—less what you think it is, lord, and more that the young mistress is actually sharing her opinions and stories with Chuck. Naturally, both he and I communicate on a regular basis for obvious reasons; thus, I have—already been filled in on the Coles notes of the situation, sir.”

Arthur just stood there, mouth halfway open as if to respond but falling as his mind tried to wrap itself around what Benny had just claimed…“Is Chuck even interested in that sort of thing? O-or, is Tulla really just that lonely?”

“Oh yes, lord! At least in regards to you're commander and spymaster. He is quite the conversationalist, especially when he is allowed to offer his insights into the few subjects he indulges in during his spare time! I believe Tulla and him are—fast friends, as it were… She doesn't much care for the smaller details regarding his interests, but she has listented to him rant at length about everything from biology to societal theoretics regarding his chosen fasicantions. It's sort of akin to a professorly role, really, and I’ve seen no need to try and step in considering how much she is learning. There is, of course, a—fascination of sorts arising in the particular social structure of insects with queens. She’s rather fond of the idea of having drones running about to do her bidding while she lounges in her domicile, being fed and weighted on hand and foot.”

“Okay…” Arthur stated, clearing his throat a moment later as he chirped up, shaking off the thoughts that were Tulla and Chuck’s rather odd relationship. Robots and demons… a match made in Christian hell, if ever there was one for him to hear… “Okay, that's—fine… As you say, there doesn't seem to be much of a downside if she’s so willing to learn about that sort of thing…”

“My thoughts entirely, my lord. Though, on another note, I feel it is important to inform you in a timely manner after the concerning progress of you're niece.”

That caused Arthur to hesitate with a full pause, his ears nearly twitching with the butlers words as he felt his entire train of thought suddenly derailed as a new one took its place.”

“You mean—Bianca?” He asked, earnestly needing to make sure… There wasn't exactly anyone else who would technically fit the bill, but it was still strange to hear the woman spoken as such. Hell, she was even older than he was! Not by much, mind you, but it was nevertheless a bizarre circumstance regardless…

“Indeed lord.”

“Alright… well then… what's the problem?” Arthur inquired, chuckling slightly as he began imagining how the woman might have already tried to betray them. Taking sketches of what she’d seen, trying to procure samples to return to her legion commanders, kidnapping witnesses… There really wasn't much she could earnestly do… but, to say he was surprised would have been a lie…

“The problem, as you say, lord, is that she hasn't returned from her expedition into the Tricen den as she had promised to do so following a heated conversation with the Costis household.”

Again, Arthur found the direction of his thoughts deviating from their expected trajectory, the young man wavering as he just stared at Benny with uncertain eyes. “Okay…” He drawled, truly struggling to find the urgency behind this latest—issue… “So, who cares? It's been like, what? Twelve or fourteen hours since we left this morning? How long has she been gone?"

“Fourteen hours, you say?” Benny mused, tilting his head with narrowing eyes. “Oh, now that is intriguing, lord, as by all rights, my sense of continuity regarding the passage of time indicates we are pushing on three days having passed, a more exact number calculating in and around at a rough two and a third cycles…”

“I mean… I'm not exactly—married to my estimate on time…” Arthur murmured, mind spinning as he worked to try and understand what exactly was being insinuated…

“Regardless, lord, it has been two full days since you and the good ladies have departed, the chronology coincidently lining up with a very similar hour to the very same in which you began you're travels.”

That was a bit of a pill to swallow… And, now that he’d been alerted to it and allowed to sit and really think about it all, it had been a little—cooler outside when they’d gotten back, a trait that had become somewhat indicative of his mornings spent on his new world… It wasn't exactly cold by any standard of metric, but it was similar to a more—shorts and sweater sort of deal… Yet, two days… that seemed utterly wrong, to say the least, but might just explain a few questions he’d had… Now he wished he’d been taking an accurate measure of the time he’d been gone as bizarre notions of time-dilation filled his thoughts. Did the world move slower in the labyrinth? Or had it been more of a casino effect? Surely, he’d of noticed two full days passing, heck, just his sleeping schedule alone would have alerted him but… If he’d been gone for two full days and, he had a working approximate of fourteen hours then… that was seven hours per full day? Hmmm… well, if it was a full eight hours per day, then that would lean towards a three-to-one ratio, which… considering Dianna mentioned she’d be gone a week and coming back after a near month… Maybe, she hadn't overstayed her welcome at all, but instead, just meant she’d be spending a week in the labyrinth which would be… roughly three weeks if the math was as close as he thought it was so… well, regardless, he’d need to measure the exact flow of time on both sides to get a better idea but, for now…

“Okay, so Biannca’s been gone for a little over two days, did we—loose conncection to the drones or?”

“Not quite, lord.” Benny allowed, his posture ram-rod straight as his virtual mustache twitched. “Though audio and visuals have been absent for Chuck at a roughly eleven hours estimation following their decent, they still are pinging via transponder, thus we know that none have as of yet been destroyed. However,” he added after a thoughtful moment, shoulders rolling as if to get comfortable, “The agreed-upon time limit in which Miss Bianca would re-emerge to discuss details of what she discovered with her parents, as well as develop additional contingencies and plans has elapsed by more than a full day. Needless to say, her parents have been trying to devise a means to contact you and have even sent runners from the village to search the city of Kaitrice for your whereabouts.”

“Fuck…”

“Indeed lord.” Benny agreed without snark. “Given you're prior orders, I did not see fit to prevent Cassandra or Tavir from entering the premises. However, certain doors were locked, and my presence was, of course, kept incognito. As Chuck only communicates via written text and, nobody else had permission to converse with him regardless, there has been a—uproar of sorts regarding miss Bianca’s disappearance. I should also mention that it seems our communications with you fare no better when you immerse yourself in the sub-dimension. The running hypothesis is that whatever magic is being used to provide our network with the thus far absent infrastructure it would otherwise require to operate can be disrupted or otherwise disabled through a growing multitude of possibilities.”

“Benny…” Arthur groaned, closing his eyes while wishing he had a cigarette.

“Yes, lord?”

“Please, going forward, if there is an emergency you deem life-threatening to a member of my immediate family, feel free to break from protocol and make an informed decision.”

“Understood, lord.” The AI replied, not appearing in the least bit chastised or concerned.

“Now, I'm going to—need to… hm… where are Tavir and Cassie? No, forget about that; where are we with assembling a team to find out what happened?”

“A force is, of course, assembled and already on the move, lord, as both Chuck and myself anticipated you're desire to intervene. We built a contingency squadron and had them on standby. We have also developed a long-distance relay unit that we believe will overcome whatever connection issues our network is experiencing—at least in the interim in regards to distance.”

Arthur made to say something, lifting a finger to point at the machine, considered if it was warranted given how Benny had acted to the letter and spirit of his orders, then sighed… “Can we deploy them—now?”

“They are already entering the cave network, lord.” Benny chimed, smiling congenially. “As you so requested, I have made the executive decision to deploy the contingency force in following with you're prior amendment to my directives.”

“Of—course… Well, is there anything else of a potentially monumental concern or—”

“Just the Costis’s holding a meeting towards if they should send an expedition of their own. Though, should this be a meeting that you also wish to attend, I believe you will make it to the newly constructed promenade in time should you leave presently.”

He was really fighting back the urge to—hit something… Not Benny, no, even though the A I could have likely resolved all of this on his own, he had merely been following Arthur’s orders. As had Chuck. In fact… even as the thought crossed his mind, a blip on his sensory network alerted him that someone was approaching the compound. He didn't even need to look at his phone or tablet to discern who was nearing… Instead, he thanked Benny for his swift thinking and departed, heading back outside to spy no fewer than a dozen Bal already heading his way. One of which was notably small enough that Arthur could piece together what happened. If Tulla had been so quick to share with his first AI then Chuck would have likely filled her in on the details as well. From there, it didn't take much finagling to imagine she headed straight for her aunt and uncle, who, upon learning of their return, would likely head right here. Naturally, his suspicions were verified as a whole war party of bal landed in his midst. Some, like Cassandra and Tavir, Barthalamu and Liasa, he recognized, others he knew were from the village, but he simply hadn't met. And, one or two faces belonged to those that didn't spark a semblance of memory about their persons but whose uniforms appeared a degree more bedraggled and roadweary than the others.

“Arthur!” Cassandra bellowed, still in the midst of descending to the ground, her expression blazing with equal parts fury and concern…

“I just heard! We're already working on it!”

“Working on it?” The older demon guffawed, staring at him like he were an innkeeper trying to penny-pinch the room service, “What does that even mean?”

She landed, near enough to him that he had to brace against the power of her wings, Cassandra looking utterly wild-eyed while dressed in full battle-rattle, though her armor held a certain degree of—wizzardry about it, more like armored robes. All the bal that arrived were, each possessing shields and spears and bows, looking ready to pick a fight with the closest opposing force they could find. Tavir landed a moment later at his wife's side, the voluminous plume on his helm marking him as an obvious figurehead amidst the otherwise matching soldiers around him. “Lad!” He half barked, half pleaded, not breaking decorum in his stride or movements, “Tell me you've got some sort of blighted good news?”

“I—do, actually; the columns Bianca took with her are still active.”

“Then where is she?” Cassandra interrupted before Tavir had a chance to say anything, the near insensate woman seething as she stalked back and forth through the dirt, furious with nobody in particular but everything at the same time… “Those caves are death-traps Tavir, how many times have I said that?”

“The golems had orders to lay down their lives for her, Cassie,” Arthur tried, sensing the delicateness of the situation as her ire flared, blazing pupils fixating on him, “And I’ve already sent more down there to try and establish contact, an entire swarm. I promise we’ll find them and figure out what's happening!”

“We should still go, and where is my sister? I need her here! Does she even know what is happening?”

“Possibly back to the labyrinth,” Arthur sighed, “And no, I doubt she knows…”

“Dad!” Tulla fluttered in after a quick deviation, landing beside him with wide eyes of her own, staring up with a determined set to her features that told him she was about to try and order the robots after her aunt if he wasn't willing.”

“They're already on their way,” He assured her, pulling her in for a hug.

“Chuck said all the scouts are okay, though! So, why can't we see them?”

“No idea…” Arthur admitted, glancing back up to meet Tavirs grim face with a somewhat neutral expression of his own, “But we’ll know something soon, and my golumns can move much faster underground than you're soldiers, Tavir.”

“How many have you sent?”

“Thirty. And that includes two of my—war bots…” He replied, lowering his tone for the final portion of his words so that only those in immediate proximity would hear.

The centurion nodded with dire understanding, having been among those of the settlement to have actually seen one of the mechanical nightmares that strode across the planes while shrouded beneath active camouflage. For most, they were ghosts, unseen and unknown, only visible by the trailing indentation of their movements through vegetation. For others, those that were aware of their existence, well… they were a—concern as much as a relief. He knew very well that Bianca hadn't taken kindly to them, and neither had Tavir at first; Dianna had outright wanted to brawl with one, Cassandra questioned the magic that made them tick while Tulla had a—unique relationship in that Arthur was fairly sure she’d ridden atop more than a few while out in the wilds. To her, his machines were—nothing sort of complete allies, possibly even bridging the gap towards pets. For all they seemed perfectly willing to stretch her authority beyond the bounds of what he’d intended, Arthur almost could say that while their loyalty was to him, their hearts belonged to her. Not that he was complaining that his AI liked his daughter—but, in line with his possible mistake regarding the—cards he had given her, allowing Tulla access to the full command of a highly advanced mechanized army that even his people hadn't yet achieved through science was—questionable parenting…

“How soon will they find her?” Cassandra queried, her gaze focused on Arthur with a nervous energy he earnestly wasn't used to seeing from her… typically, the articulate and carefuly cultured demoness was so—stoic in their dealings that, now, he couldn't help but feel for her plight…

“She will be fine, Cassie,” He whispered, moving in to give the woman a hug, She was surprised for the briefest moments before she gave in and returned the embrace, wings and arms encircling him as he squeezed her for reassurance. “My golumns would willingly risk destruction for her life. Trust me, if they are all still active, then she is fine. Communications will be established, possibly within the hour. Have faith…”

“She was already supposed to be back! And, I can't scry her!”

“I know! But, what if she’s been so successful down there that the reason she hasn't emerged is that she's kicking ass?”

Cassandra hesitated at that, slowly pulling away before her damp eyes locked on his own, wanting to believe him, wanting to consider the positive spin he was offering, but… “We should still go down!” She reiterated, turning to look at her husband who seemed on the edge of agreeing. “And where is Dianna exactly?”

“The slave markets.”

“Good! Liasa, do you—”

“No, everyone with the—ability is already down there…” The soldier stated cooly, avoiding any direct explanations as those present who weren't of the village seemed somewhat confused by the whole situation.

Cassandra spun, looking to Arthur with expectant eyes as he, already knowing what was coming, held up a hand to forestall her, “Dianna will have her hands full with finalizing the deal she made with the merchants… Either way…” Arthur took in a deep breath, looking to his daughter as he reached into his jacket pocket, retrieving what appeared as a wallet, only for cards. Then, he emptied the thing, taking all the not-inconsiderable wealth that Dianna had exchanged for them and handing the cards over to the girl.

Tulla eyed the fairly substantial bundle, the majority of those within either silver or bronze. He had a separate wallet for the iron-rank cards, each one possessing the buying power of what would essentially be a common dollar back home. Currency was—weird. Due to the fact that you couldn't break a soul, most commodities were priced accordingly, with taxation, an aspect of life that had to be paid on a quarterly basis, at least within Kaitrice. Still, he pulled out those as well, giving Tulla the sum total of the money he’d had left over from their trip which was a not at all insubstantial amount. He would have been considered a very wealthy man while within the city. A handful of gold tier cards, dozens of silver, nearly fifty bronze… All of it had been what he was planning on using to improve himself and a small smattering of—pet projects he had on the way… The veritable fortune of souls procured via Dinna’s assistance as she acted as the go-between for merchants and vendors seeking rare and valuable souls, and Arthur, well, he did as his own soul allowed him, creating well-known and expensive tarots that had fetched significant exchange in trade.

Still, as he handed her the multitude of souls, he maintained her eye to help lend to the importance of what he was asking. They wouldn't be nearly enough to get the girl to her mother's level, not even close. But, this was all he could give her, and of the two of them who knew what they were doing with the drones, she was both stronger, better trained for combat—and possessed a deck of souls that was fit for battle. Arthur still had a hodgepodge of nonsense that he still kicked down the road, ever swapping out what cards he could, which, universally, were all of a complete utility variety. She of course, wouldn't be going alone, she’d have an army of machines with her and a contignent of her peoples soldiers acting as her guard, but… This was, without a doubt, the best plan he had.

“Put most of those into what will make you harder to kill.” He told her, voice not brokering an argument. “You are also to listen to you're aunt and uncle Tulla, no exceptions; they’re in charge, even if you will hold the reins of my forces. Can you promise that?”

The girl nodded emphatically, gaze solidifying to a familiar cold indifference of discipline that he’d seen in her mother's own eyes countless times before.

“You're not sending Tulla down there?” Cassandra balked, looking at the two of them like they were crazy…”

“She’s got cards with more potential than her mother does…” Arthur whispered, still near enough to the older demoness that nobody else would hear. His words causing the woman's eyes to widen a fraction as he continued quietly. “She’s better than I am in a fight, and she will have all of you, along with my own forces to keep her safe. Tulla has command of them and knows how to use them, but you and Tavir have command of her. Keep her safe for me, Cassie.” He added, Cassandra’s face hardening with resolve as she bobbed her head, pulling in a deep breath before bellowing like an officer.

“Back to the sky! We head for the tunnels!”

The wealth of souls within his child's hands disappeared in continuous flashes as Tulla devoured their power, quick as she was able, leaping into the air as, for the first time, her metamorphosis began armouring her small form in a—bizarre and unexpected way, much to the genuine surprise of several nearby, Arthur included. Yet, none had time to comment, the group taking to the sky in a blast of displaced air as Tavir, last to depart, squeezed Arthurs's shoulder with a firm hand.

“Nothing will happen to her,” he promised, expression as iron, “you've my word, her life before my own.”

“It's going to be fine; Bianca’s probably just—having the time of her life!”

Tavir nodded once, a thin but earnest smile forming on his lips, then he was off, taking two long steps back and leaping into the air with far more power than muscles alone should allow, his wings slamming home as he gained altitude at a rapid pace, slowly catching up to the others already ahead of him. Arthur simply left, watching them all go before heading into his house to watch the proceedings unfurl.