Demeptah POV

The hull of my flagship shuddered as we made the jump into the aetheric void. Through the semi-transparent panels of the bridge you could see the purple waves and star-like objects glistening in the sea of souls.

Yes, it has been a while since I had the time to observe and marvel at such things. Still, longer journeys through the aetheric sea wasn't without its peril. While most of our larger vessels were designed with such travel in mind the aetheric sea was the great unmaker of things. Whatever it directly touched it seemingly unmade.

And if given enough time and direct exposure even our ships would be all but reduced to raw aether particles. Which would explain why in more recent times the Djinn have favored more portable and direct teleportation methods such as artifacts. But even those new technological marvels had their limitations.

In order to transport a large enough group of people to a single place at once left void travel by ship the only viable method. Unless of course you would want each battalion of your troops to appear several hours or days apart.

From the raised dais of my throne at the bridge directly behind the captain, the view of the great void filled my vision. The great emptiness that harbored all of the souls of all realities. Containing everything that have and will ever exist, but also bringing destruction to all.

'The beginning and the end, death and rebirth are all the same.' I humored in my mind. A saying Vago would speak of frequently when he was my personal tutor.

It was hard to believe that it was our race that found a way to carve out a small safe haven within such a place. But I suppose if pushed to its limits a species would do anything to survive.

I can still remember my father, my creator showing me such sights. The great sea of souls, and telling me his dreams. Oh, the things he would share with me. Of the great future that was just waiting for us out there in different worlds, in different realities. Of how we would explore such wonders of not only this universe but countless others.

I still miss those days. While in the moment I hated being trained to near death every single day there was a comforting feeling thinking back to it now. I was never unsure of what the day would bring or if I would live to see another day. Just that the day would hurt like hell. But still I grew, eventually matching then succeeding my tutor's expectations until I was standing shoulder to shoulder with my creator.

He crowned me his grand general, his right hand in our war against the asuran invaders. He would rest his large hand on my shoulder as we would talk deep into the night of plans. Not just of the war but for our people's future.

But now, that man is no more. I have confirmed it with my own two eyes. That... that thing on that throne is not him. He is not the man who created me. He is not the man who I would have given my life to protect. No, that thing. It can't be him.

The deck shuddered once more as we exited the aetheric void and arrived at our destination.

"We have arrived my lord." The captain announced as I slowly turned my attention to him. Then turning my attention back to the panels that faced the outside world I peered through them to see our destination.

"It would seem Erurda has been preparing for us." I said with a small chuckle.

From what I could remember and from the records I have found in Oliurk's fortress Erurda's realm was originally a lush jungle world. Having the outward appearance of a beautiful paradise with its color plant life. But to any who would enter without permission would be quickly consumed by the hostile lifeforms that called her realm home.

An interesting form of home defense I would say. Having such annoying pets would be a chore. But it was within Erurda's style to have things to show off her wealth and power. It was a good defense for any who was uninformed, but to any half decent Djinn force it would be trivial to burn through all of it. And it would seem she has expected just that.

The once densely packed jungles were all gone, in there place was a harshly cold environment. With what seems to be a never-ending blizzard that made visibility poor.

Even tracking down her realm was a pain. It would seem that the traitor of the Djinn High Council knew the price on her head. I knew of the Imperial forces that made constant sweeps within the void in order to find her. The only reason I was able to find this place at all was thanks to the fact one of her higher ranking officers had contacted me first.

She has done well in hiding and fortifying herself. But it would seem these old coots have forgotten what I am capable of.

"We have the initial scans my lord." An intelligence officer said as aetheric particles rearragned themselves in the middle of the bridge to form a three dimensional image.

"The overall structure of her main fortress seems hardly changed my lord." The officer spoke as the image spun slowly.

"She still holds her family's position highly it seems. Hubris will be her downfall." I responded.

A rather large castle-style fortress, emulating our ancient past. While many of the accessories were removed you would have to rebuild the whole thing to get rid of the stink of wealth and noble stain this castle had. Even from this distance and resolution I could see the large spirals and statues all carved to her likeness. So much so that I could see the structural flaws in its design made in favor for aesthetics.

'Pathetic, how the mighty have fallen.'

"Open all channels, we will give her a chance." I announced to the whole bridge as I saw the officers rush to work.

I could feel myself being connected to the aetheric pathways that we used for communication. I fully opened myself up so everybody within this realm could hear my voice.

"Erurda, this is Demeptah. I will make this simple and brief. Either you join me or perish." I curtly spoke as I ended communication. If she knew what was good for her she would peacefully surrender and turn over her realm to me.

But I have a feeling her pride and honor wouldn't allow such things. Not that I minded of course, I was itching to stretch my legs and lead an army again.

"Has she properly received my words?" I turned to the captain.

"She has my lord. But she is refusing to respond." He replied.

Most likely trying to find a way to flee again I suppose. She has been getting good at that these days. And I am tired of this cat and mouse game with her.

When suddenly alarms flared red on the bridge. Even without the captain telling me I could them.

A small fleet of ships rising into the sky to meet us. They weren't the prized warships my father had gifted to Erurda's family for their services but they are still a bother.

"All main guns aim-"

I raised my hand to halt the captain's command. No, this was a diversion. Trying to by herself some time to find a escape route.

"Reroute all main generators into our shields. We are blitzing right through them." I overwrote the captain's command. The entire ship hummed with aetheric energies as a pale bubble of violet surrounded us.

"But my lord." The captain tried to protest.

"Have the rest of our fleet transit now. They will be more than enough in dealing with those tin cans."

The captain now understanding my plan quickly turned to place his own orders. From the viewing panels I could see the fleet of Erurda's ships quickly coming for us. Their guns and cannons were already blazing. Their shots and spells harmlessly bouncing off of our shields.

My flagship then lurched forward at incredible speed. Something you wouldn't expect from a vessel this size. And it would seem even Erurda hadn't predicted this. I could see the armada quickly trying to disperse and evade my ship that had now become a massive bullet.

But it was too little too late, as my ship cut through the center of the enemy fleet. While some of the smaller ships barely escaped destruction many of the larger vessels were less lucky. While some of the smarter ships had raised their shields to survive the worst of my attack many more were either completely demolished or heavily damaged.

Massive balls of fire clouded the viewing port as my ships lanced directly towards the fortress for a ground invasion.

Aetheric particles rearranged themselves once more to display the image of the rest of my fleet. The fabric of reality screamed as hundreds of my ships ripped through the aether to appear high above in the sky. And they exited the void with their guns blazing, as their cannons fired massive volleys of aetheric fire at the already damaged and panicked ships.

We soon came to a resting position directly above Erurda's fortress. And already there was a dome of protective aether and mana. While it would have been enough to hold off an full assault from a standard Djinn ship. My was no ordinary ship of war.

Yes, the pride and joy of my fleet. The Indomitable Wraith. A personal gift from my creator and hand designed by him. He had gifted me this vessel when he crowned me this grand general and has been with me throughout the great scouring. What a shame it had been collecting dust in Oliurk's storage.

"Shall I prepare for aerial bombardment my lord?" The captain turned to ask.

The reasonable and efficient choice would be to finish this quickly. While Erurda does command a sizable force, having assassinated three other Highlords and having absorbed their forces into her own. It was diminutive by comparison to the army I had. But no, the end of a Highlord of the Djinn no matter how disgraced shall be one with honor. I will go in there myself and drag her out for a honor duel if it kills me.

"No, I have other plans." I said as I turned to leave the bridge.

Erurda POV

The sound of reality tearing as a massive warship entered my realm was coupled with the alarms blaring away in my central fortress tower. A screen appeared before me as it showed a hazy visual of the new threat.

It wasn't any of the usual Djinn empire ships. It didn't fall into any of the know class categories the empire used. Its black and deep grey surface showed various scars, visual trophies of the many battles and victories the ship had endured. On one side of its front hull was a tally, counting up to 21. Numbering the major asura generals this vessel had fell.

Even just this unclear visage of the warship was awe inspiring, crafted by the Emperor's very hands as a gift to his most favored general and warrior.

The Indomitable Wraith.

It was a ship with a long and successful history. And while Oliurk had only kept it as a prized trophy if would seem its rightful owner had taken it back to unleash its full might.

"Raised shields to maximum!" I barked as I prepared to take my praetorian guards to the deeper bowels of my fortress. If Demeptah wanted to finish this quickly with an aerial bombardment I would need to forsake my families fortress castle.

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Still, I wasn't expecting my life to be on the line for this. I couldn't help but kick myself, greed for more had driven me to awaken the general from his slumber and I was paying the price for it.

I had considered joining him on my own volition but I had heard the reports of him publicly executing any Highlords that opposed him and mind shackling the rest to his will. And I doubt he would openly accept a Highlord who went behind the council's back. No, the logical decision would be to be done with it and just kill me on the spot.

No, as a Highlord myself I shall not go down without a proper fight. I had already unleashed a good portion of my fleet to meet Demeptah in the air to act as distraction to buy me some time. His ship has already jammed long distance teleportation so that wasn't an viable option. I needed to gather more energy to break through the disruption spell. And in order to do that I needed more time.

My field captain looked back at me. His old face betrayed the look of determination that still burned in his grey eyes. He had insisted he lead the ground defense if Demeptah were to try a normal invasion.

"It had been a honor my lady." He said as he saluted.

I could only nod in return

When a sharp pain pierced through my head. I could feel the might of the Grand General of the Djinn Empire as he spoke directly to me through my mind.

"Erurda, this is Demeptah. I will make this simple and brief. Either you join me or perish."

A moment of silence hung between the guards and I. When eventually one of the guards turned to face me. "Shouldn't we give him a response my lady?"

I could only shake my head. There was no real option. If I were to surrender I would be signing my own death warrant. But knowing Demeptah and his past behavior he wouldn't even accept it and demand a honor duel to the death.

I had poured through all the historical documents on Demeptah, and while they were sparse and seemingly censored it showed his pride and arrogance. Even during the Great Scouring on many occasions he would personally challenge the enemy general to a duel to the death. This was also the reason why he was forced to enter stasis due to his heavy injuries only time could heal.

My vision shifted slightly as I peered through the eyes of my field captain. He was overlooking the three dimensional projection of the aerial battle. Demeptah's massive vessel had chosen to completely ignore my own fleet as it blitzed through them. Tearing some of the ships too large and slow to move out the way into pieces as it accelerated towards the surface.

And just behind him up in the air more portals leading to the great void opened up. Turning the entire sky into an ominous purple as the rest of his vast fleet joined in the fray. My fleet already in disarray were torn to shreds as his fleets punched through my defenses.

"They don't call him the grand general for nothing." The field captain remarked as he prepared his own weapon to lead a ground defense. In in turn began to make preparations to head to the deeper layers below my fortress.

I had already sent most of my scientists and rune crafters to begin figuring out a way to bypass Demeptah's teleportation blocking field. While most of the Highlords has ample knowledge and manpower to do so on any regular basis, Demeptah's flahship was the exception.

While many of its more detailed specification were unknown to all but the Emperor and Demeptah, it seemed almost purpose built to combat other Djinn elements.

My praetorian guards joined me as we all turned to head down the long and winding stairway down. I looked over my shoulder to have one last look at my captain. Even now after all this time he seemed determined. This particular one had served my father for many years and although our ideologies clashed in many aspects he still showed fierce loyalty to my family.

That was what I had thought when a sudden smile appeared on his face. It seemed unnatural, the way his face seemed to mold around the accommodate his smile. When I was momentarily blinded by a flash of bright white light. My arms shot up to cover my eyes as I could feel my guards take defensive positions around me.

I was momentarily dazed as my senses struggled to come back to me. The first time I felt was the freezing breeze of the outside as I was blinded by the white snow. I had to blink a couple of time in an effort to both restore my vision and make sense of what I was seeing.

My own field captain, the one who had served me for my whole career as a Highlord was kneeling not to me. But to someone else. My head craned to look up at this new figure.

His gleaming ruby-red cloak of dragon scales and heavy glaived that glowed with raw aetheric might was enough evidence to see who it was without looking at his face.

Demeptah.

I stared up at him, my guards all pointing their spears with me behind them. His scarred face seemed mostly healed now. In fact he seemed taller and bulkier than when I had originally awakened him. It would seem he was given enough time to fully heal from his previous injuries.

Still a burning rage erupted out from me as I pointed an accusing finger at my kneeling captain.

"You betrayed me?!" I bellowed. But Demeptah spoke in response.

"That is a ironic word. Coming from you." His low voice seemed to shake the very ground with each syllable.

My captain rose to his feet and turned to face me. He still held his smile but his face still seemed somehow wrong. He placed his hand over his face and seemed to wipe away something. And what was revealed was someone I had never seen before.

I took a step back, no. Could this be some sort of trick to knock me off balance? Or was he really-

"It would seem you don't care very much for those under you Erurda." Demeptah said with a look of pity. Pity not for me but for my own soldiers.

"Now I would hardly consider that a worthy payment these men and women under you deserve for their service." He took a step forward, seemingly unbothered by the wall of spears and swords pointed at his neck by my guards.

"What have you done to my-"

"What do think happened my dear? Come on, you may be slow but you can't be that dumb right? If so, my father did a very poor job in choosing you as one of his Highlords."

"Father?" I questioned, making me almost forget the situation I was in. The Emperor is Demeptah's father? But- no, at least seeing it now there was some resemblance between the two. It would also explain his unnatural intellect and power but when? And why did the Emperor keep his own progeny a secret to us?

If it was know then we would have had a clear heir and successor to place on the throne when the Emperor was no longer fit to rule. It would have prevented thousands of unnecessary deaths of Djinn who started to climb over each other for more political power. Or was this also some part of the Emperor's plans.

Nevermind that. I gave the mental order for my praetorian guards to attack. And they lunged all at once. Their blackstone armomr shimmering with purple as they struck forward with their spears.

The initial attack was all they could do as their spear shattered into tiny glass-like shards against Demeptah's armor. They didn't even have time to react as Demeptah's lance manifested itself as sheer blinding light and disintegrated them all into dust.

Now nothing stood between me and the once grand general of the Djinn empire. He towered over me, his eyes changing hues into deeper purples as he stared down at me. And for once in my life I left small.

"No!" I yelled in defiance as the ground beneath me cracked with the power I wielded. A veil of amethyst fire engulfed my body as I charged forward. From my dimensional storage my retrieved my twin swords, each crafted by myself to be an extension of my own body. As soon as they touched my hands my reacted instantly to my mana and aether as they roared to life.

Erratic tendrils of arcane lightning and deep green flames erupted of of my blades as I aimed them towards Demeptah's face. But he seemed unfazed by my efforts. In fact he took the time to smile back at me, which only enraged me more.

In movements that seemed even unreal to me Demeptah sidestepped my attack and delivered a knee directly to my stomach. The blow sent me straight in the air as I had the wind knocked out of me. And even before I could respond he teleported in front of me and with a solid downward strike of his fist sent me flying into the ground.

The force of the impact sent a good portion of my castle falling as the shockwave made a clearing free of snow.

I winced as I struggled to pull myself up from the ground. Several ribs and spinal fragments broken with multiple ruptured organs. I could already feel the healing effects of the runes that decorated my body but the pain was still very much there.

Demeptah floated gentle down, not as much as a small scratch on his armor.

"I suppose this could be considered a duel of honor between us." He said almost as if he was telling a good hearty joke.

With a roar of pain I snapped my left arm back into its socket as I stared up at him. "You arrogant bastard!" I roared as pillars of fire erupted out from the ground. Demeptah dodged them without effort but hitting him wasn't my goal.

The columns of flames all bent around and gathered towards me. And I could feel the mana and aether that began to flood every inch of my body. Yes, all of the gathered mana and aether I had intended to fuel my escape out of here. The chances of me escaping in one piece was nonexistent at this point, so I might as well use it.

It felt as though my heart would rip its way out of my chest as I continued to drink in more and more of the mana and aether. My core ached and cried out in protest but I didn't care.I was going to show this spoiled brat what a true Highlord was capable of.

As the energy transfer was almost done I could feel my entire body glowing warm as each and every single rune on my body was illuminated. Staring down at my own body it appeared as if I was a being of pure glowing light. I knew I wouldn't last long in such a form, even with all the work we Djinn was done harnessing raw aether directly still proved too much for our lesser bodies.

'Very well, I will just have to finish this quickly.'

I could hear clapping and I stared back up to see Demeptah with an amused look on his face. "Masterful final gambit my lady. Let's see if it pays off."

His lance returned to his hand as it began to glow a brilliant white. And with this he made the official declaration.

"Let the duel begin."

The singular beam of light shot out from the end of his lance. Kicking myself off the ground I evaded the attack. But was caught off guard as the aftershock of his attack striking the ground sent me flying off course.

Quickly correcting myself I braced myself as Demeptah was upon me. In mere seconds we became two streaks of light dancing in the sky as we exchanged blows. Each blow with enough force to level small towns the force of our attacks soon dissipated the blizzard I had cultivated on my realm as the bright sun shone over us.

I still needed to end this. So in a desperate attempt I called back my two swords into my hands. Channeling the aether and mana I unleashed blades of wind, each tinged a hazy purple with aether. Demeptah tried to dodge but I reached out with my mind as the space between him and my spell folded until they overlapped and my spells found purchase.

He staggered backwards in the air and seizing this chance I reached out again and closed the distance between us. Pooling all of my waning strength into my two blades I stabbed towards his unarmored face. And just as I was about the finish him off the sudden blast threw me backwards.

I fell back only to find the two swords in my hands were all shattered as if they were made of glass. I stared back at where was Demeptah was when his hand wrapped around my face.

His face stared back at mine. And I couldn't help but feel satisfied with having dealt a blow to his face. His left side was heavily burnt and scarred, looking like cooked skin. It wasn't life threatening by any means but it was something at least. But for the first time since he had arrived to my realm he looked a bit displeased.

"It would seem I had underestimated our fellow traitor here. I will make note of that for the future." He said as he slowly tightened his grip on my face. The pressure at each side of my head was so great that I thought it would pop like a balloon.

I reached out for my mana and runes away but all I got was disappointment. Looking inside I could see that my core that once glowed a blazing white was a dull grey with a large crack running across its entire surface. Even now I could feel my whole body begin to shut down and slowly die.

Demeptah seemed to relax his grip somewhat to allow me to speak my final words.

I struggled at first, coughing up only blood and what I could only figure were parts of my flesh from inside my body. But I was eventually able to form the words.

"Go on then. Do it. Just know that you will never be your father." I cursed with a smile on my face. Have him live on that. The fact that no matter what he does that he will never live up to what his father has done. It was the hard truth many of the remaining Djinn had to come to terms with.

Our glory days were over. We have been exterminated from the real world and replaced. All we are now are mere relics of a bygone age. A reminder of our races' failures.

But Demeptah seemed amused by my words.

"Oh, my fair lady. You have no idea what has befallen our beloved Emperor. And that 'thing' is merely my creator. Nothing more, nothing less. And as for you, I believe I still have an use for you."

My eyes went wide as my mind raced through all the possibilities on why he would bother to keep me alive but before I could reach a conclusion my vision went to black as my mind drifted off.

It was then, when I was drifting off into a slumber I didn't know I would awake from that an old memory resurfaced.

It was the Emperor, although he didn't call himself that then. He had come to my family's home calling himself the outlander.

And while he didn't have the title he certainly looked the part of an Emperor. Clad in master crafted blackstone armor with golden detailing he appeared before my father. Asking for our families aid to his efforts in fighting back against the asuras.

I was still a young adult then. When I overheard him talking to my father.

"You may call me mad-"

"Mad? I would favor insane. You want to lead our people against the asuras in a war? You think that a race of people who have only know peace and diplomacy would-"

"You'd be surprised at what people are capable of when the necessity arises." The man who would be called Emperor replied. His voice had the alluring tone that made you want to hear his words, as if they were sweet gold.

"Heh, you sound as if you had lived a hundred lifetimes."

"Perhaps. But are you willing to throw away everything you and your family have built and wait for death? Or are you going to-"

"I was going to join you anyway there is no reason to shame me into it!" My father complained.

"I recall you calling me insane."

"And you are. But with my old age I have learned that every once in a while you need someone insane to push the ball forward."

"Very well. Shall we invite your daughter to join us."

"My daughter?"

The Emperor gently opened the door to my father's study and I stumbled in. I still could picture the dumbfound expression that would be on my face as I was caught red-handed.

"Erurda, what have I told you about-"

"No it's alright. Come young one. Sit with us." He said as he beckoned me to sit next to him.

"I am no young one." I said as I made my way to the seat.

The Emperor let out a small chuckle as he responded.

"No, I suppose not. Apologizes, a bad habit of mine."

"And you don't look that old yourself." I accused.

He stared back at me. And I saw his eyes, deep and dark as the void. Yet there was something else in them. Something lying just beneath the surface, waiting for me to dive in deeper.

"Looks can be deceiving child." He finally said.

Calling me a child again. But then again in comparison to him I do suppose we only amount to a child.

I didn't fully understand why this memory of all things was what came back to me but I felt a familiar warmth in it. Like a old forgotten sweater or a cozy winter's afternoon spent next to the fireplace.

I suppose there could have been worse memories to drift away to.

As the memories of my first time meeting the man that could be called Emperor continued I drifted into a deep slumber that I didn't know if I would awaken from.