The simulations went by in a blur. Orange never returned, no matter how much I asked her to. The collar around my neck’s effect didn’t carry over into my simulations until I added it to my limitations. I was cognizant of it and needed to work within it for the time being. With severely limited mana regeneration, I planned on working on using what I had more efficiently and avoiding using my lycan form.

There was no skill or power attributed to efficacy, but my control did improve, and I was starting to notice it. As a test, I tried it with my lycan form but was unaffected, as it always had the same mana cost, no matter how much arcane I had.

A side effect of my training my magic efficiency was that most of my shadow powers improved because I was no longer brute forcing them like I had done for my manifestation. Improving my infusion was my focus, since that was going to be what bridged the gap between me and Elveil.

I looked at each of my shadow powers.

Shadow Magic Power—Manifestation Level 19:

This power allows the caster to create a physical representation of their magic. This base magic has no physical properties beyond being visible. Other shadow powers may alter its properties. It requires the caster’s concentration to maintain its presence. Increased levels will allow the caster to manifest larger amounts of mana in the future.

Level 19: A maximum of 65,536 cubic feet can be manifested at one time.

Shadow Magic Power—Shaping Level 17:

This power allows the caster to manipulate physical representations of their magic into various shapes. It requires the caster’s concentration to hold its shape. Increased levels will allow the caster to create more intricate and involved shapes.

Level 17: A maximum of 16,384 cubic feet can be manipulated at one time.

Shadow Magic Power—Distance Level 7:

This power allows the caster to manipulate physical representations of their magic into various shapes. It requires the caster’s concentration to hold its shape. Increased levels will allow the caster to create more intricate and involved shapes.

Level 7: Mana can be manipulated at a maximum distance of 64 feet from the caster.

Shadow Magic Power—Anchoring Level 3:

This power allows the caster to manipulate their mana and detach it from their body, leaving it in a specific location. Once released, the caster can’t alter it again. Increased levels will allow the caster to allow the anchored mana to last longer.

Level 3: Mana can be anchored for up to 40 seconds before dissipating.

Shadow Magic Power—Infusion Level 15:

This power allows the caster to infuse their body and objects with their mana. It requires the caster’s concentration to hold the infusion. Infused objects and the caster’s body are improved in relation to the caster’s arcane state. Increased levels will allow the caster to increase the percentage of their arcane infused but also increase mana cost.

Level 15: Stats are increased by 100% of arcane, and up to six limbs can be affected at a time.

Shadow Magic Power—Solidify Level 5:

This power allows the caster to manipulate their mana into a physical object. It requires the caster’s concentration to hold its density. Increased levels will allow the caster to create a denser material.

Level 5: Density is equivalent to 140% of arcane.

Shadow Magic Power—Shadow Lycan Form Spell:

The caster’s body is enveloped in shadows and becomes a large, powerful werewolf. It costs 100% of the caster’s mana capacity per second and increases all the caster’s stats equal to 240% of their arcane stat.

Increased levels of Solidify and Infusion will increase the stat increases.

My lycan form is much stronger now, but it still isn’t close enough to handle Elveil. It’s so tempting to improve just my arcane stat and use my lycan form all the time. But what Elveil said bothers me. She said, “It was a good first attempt.” So the theory stands. I could make a stronger one, so I have to distance myself from it to be able to visualize a new version.

“Wake up.”

Kuljack’s voice, accompanied by his nudging, forced me to return to the conscious world. I spent almost thirty days in my simulations. Which meant about three and a half days had passed.

“You require sleep?” he asked.

I sat up and swung my feet off the side of the bed. A certain detachedness from my situation filled me. “I wasn’t sleeping.”

“What were you doing?”

“Thinking.” An awkward silence followed my answer.

I hadn’t bothered looking away from the floor. Orange’s absence was bothering me more than I ever thought. Losing her first to Elveil and then scaring her away when I asked if she had a soul showed me how used to her presence I was. There was a hole in my heart that grew each moment Orange was gone. It rivaled how much I was missing Killa and Elveil.

The golem just stood in front of me.

I finally looked up to him. “So, are you going to tell me what you want my attention for?”

“Oh.” He fumbled with something in his hands. Then he held out a gun. “Here. I finished it. My love wants you to begin your obedience training. I persuaded her to wait until I finished your gun.”

I grabbed the gun. It was the same size as my old one, but it felt like it weighed a bit more. The metal was a midnight blue, but other than that, it didn’t look different. The gun had an odd sort of comforting weight. It was in a revolver style, with eight chambers.

I put it in the pocket of my coat, and it fit perfectly. “Will it still function with my shadow magic?”

He grinned. “It was made specifically for your shadow magic. My love showed me how your magic works and what you can do with it. Your imbuing power will also add extra power and control to it.”

I blinked. “Are you serious? You put that much effort into this, and Elveil helped?”

A low rumble emanated from Kuljack. “You will address my love properly.”

I winced. Right, I forgot. “Why would my queen do that? Doesn’t she have galactic domination to plan?”

He relaxed. “She has a plan to nurture you. My love wants to make sure that if she needs your body again, it will be better primed. And it’s like I’ve said, you will be taken care of. She takes the responsibility for your care seriously, as she does for all those who belong to her.”

I glared at him. Am I really supposed to believe that? Her reason for taking over the world can’t be so she can take care of everyone.

I stood up and sighed, running my stinger arms through their full range of motion. “Might as well get this over with then. Lead the way.”

Kuljack turned and marched to a room I hadn’t been in yet. It was larger than the throne room, but there was a very good reason for it.

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A shiver ran down my spine as I saw Elveil again. She wasn’t covered in shadow magic but was still in her bestial form of a gargantuan reverse griffon. How did she get that large? Razor sharp feathers and fur made of silver metal covered her body. Her claws and talons were easily bigger than me. The feathers of her wings were better described as colossal swords and stretched out wide.

Kuljack kneeled in front of his love, head bowed.

Elveil smiled as she noticed me. A smile of triumph. I gawked as my feet stuck to the ground. Elveil’s body was so different. She had to purchase more upgrades and exchange others. How did she get so many shards? Why did I think she wouldn’t do that? While I’ve been planning and training, she’s been improving her actual body. How far is the gap between us now? How powerful will she get if she infuses her body with a shadow form that’s even stronger than what she used before?

“Did you enjoy your nap?” The air of superiority in her voice only grew in the short few days. She flourished her wings. “Do you like the changes I’ve made? I never understand your desire to hold yourself in such a limited form.”

I snapped out of my stupor. “It’s your body. Do whatever you want with it. At least I can fit through doorways.”

A ball of shadow magic formed in front of her and was molded into a beastman version of the griffon with the same height as me. The new Elveil folded her arms across her chest. I stared at the new Elveil. Her hair was longer and wilder.

A wicked grin adorned her face. “Such a simple obstacle? Your thinking is too limited. I really should’ve replaced you. But this arrangement has its perks too.” Her shadowy body reached up and traced a claw gently down my cheek. “All your little dreams of defying me will be crushed one by one.”

As I flinched back, Elveil let out a wicked laugh. I kept backpedaling until I walked into something. I turned and saw that her real body had moved to stand behind me. She can move both bodies independently of one another and at the same time. A sense of hopelessness started to fill me.

The monstrous version of Elveil leaned in close to me. “My kitten made a new toy for you. Now it’s time to begin your obedience training.”

“It’s been a while, Rina.” Walking out from behind Elveil’s massive body was a familiar plate armored fallen angel.

“Dagiel,” I mumbled.

“Ah, you remembered me. So kind of you,” he said with a slight bow.

My arm blades slid out as I clenched my fists. “Where are my sisters?”

Something about him irks me. Maybe it has to be how this all started because of him. Was he sending us three into the dungeon to be used as Kuljack’s test subjects? And we fell for it.

Dagiel shrugged. “Don’t know. After they escaped, our last reports had them heading to the scaled sanctuary. If they are still on this floor, they’ve joined the enemy.

I wanted to sprint over and stab him. It sounded like he believed Killa and Shadara’s deaths were a foregone conclusion.

Elveil’s shadow clone stepped up behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders. “Don’t lie to me.” Something in her tone felt off. The collar around my neck felt a little tighter. “Do you want to kill him?”

“Yes.”

The word came out unconsciously. Then I thought about it. Of all the answers I could give her, that felt like the one I had to give her.

My anger gave way to fear as my fingers tapped the metal band around my neck. “What did you just do to me?”

Elveil’s beastman fingers traced the band on the back of my neck. “I gave you a new rule. It’s a simple one. No good relationship can be built on lies after all.” She then put her mouth next to my ear. “The truth is so much more fun.”

The reverse griffon put a paw behind Dagiel. “Now as for you, you’ve upset my pet. I don’t like that. How will you make it up to her?”

The fallen angel began shaking as he tried to make himself smaller. “Anything! I’ll do anything.”

“How’s this? You’ll find her sworn sisters so she can see them again.” Elveil purred. “How does that sound, my pet? Do you want that?”

“Yes.” I hate how I have to answer her questions so honestly. “But also no.”

Elveil’s shadow form stepped in front of me. “Oh, why is that?”

The urge to blurt out the answer welled up in me. I fought it as I searched for another way to answer. But the harder I fought, the greater the compulsion pulled the answer from me, making it all the harder to think.

“My entire situation is his fault. I want to kill him.” The pressure from Elveil’s compulsion deflated as I answered. But it wasn’t gone because I still had to finish answering her. “Also, I don’t want my sisters to see me like this. If they know you captured me, they will try to rescue me. They don’t stand a chance against you, and I don’t want them to die.”

“Firstly, I have not captured you; I have claimed you.” Elveil’s voice drilled into me. “And secondly, there is a path for your sisters to be reunited with you, and I won’t have to kill them.”

I can already guess. They have to serve you. That’s not a fate I want to subject them to.

Her haughty demeanor returned. “But that can wait. You have something else to do first. There’s a certain deal that must be fulfilled first. Isn’t that correct?”

I nodded.

“Well, you’ve had your nap. Now it’s time for you to get some exercise. You’re going to assault the Antennae Alliance. Kill everyone and everything you find in their base.”

I retracted my arm blades. “Why?”

A tug on my collar pulled me into the air in front of Elveil’s original body. My feet dangled as she glared at me. The stillness in her eyes was more frightening than death itself.

“Do as you’re told.” The malice pouring from Elveil terrified me even further. “They refused me, so you’re going to show them why they shouldn’t have.”

“What if they run? What if they surrender?” My voice trembled as I quivered even more.

There was no visual change, but I could feel her anger seethe even more with each fraction of a second.

“Never accept surrender.” Each word dripped with a fiery rage that scorched the air around me. “Each one that escapes will be a failure you will be punished for.”

She leaned her head over mine and whispered in a much softer tone, “If you’re a good girl and kill them all, I will give you a fantastic reward.”

I was lowered to the ground. My legs folded underneath me as I fell to my knees.

“Now, what are you going to do?” Elveil asked.

Fear drove my words. “Go to the Antennae Alliance and kill them all, my queen.”

“Good girl,” she purred.

Suddenly, all my fear was gone, and a feeling of euphoria washed through me. An alien eagerness had me on my feet, but one detail kept me from running out a door. “Where am I going?”

Elveil waved a wing towards a doorway. “Kitten, please make sure our pet gets to where she needs to.”

Kuljack gave a deep bow before heading out the doorway. I scurried after him. The moment I passed the threshold, all my enthusiasm vanished.

What happened back there? How did she do that? Did she just brainwash me?

In a sense, yes.

Orange, you’re back? I’m so sorry for scaring you. A palpable relief flooded through me.

We should not have left. But our existential disturbance can wait. Your situation is far more pressing.

Sure, but we still should talk about you.

We will.

So what do you mean she’s technically brainwashing me?

It’s beyond traditional brainwashing; it's more like reprogramming. She’s altering your neurological pathways, conditioning you to seek her approval. The collar isn’t just controlling your actions—it’s rewiring your instincts, your very thoughts.

So, even if I know it’s happening, I can’t stop it?

Awareness gives you some leverage, but it’s like trying to resist a powerful drug. She’s manipulating your dopamine response. Every time she praises you, your brain is flooded with pleasure chemicals. That euphoria you felt? It wasn’t just an emotional reaction—it was a chemical one.

But why? Why go through all this trouble?

Control. Complete and utter control. If she can make you feel good about doing what she wants, you’ll eventually start wanting to do it on your own. You’ll associate her approval with your own happiness.

That’s terrifying. How do I fight that?

We need to create a counterbalance. We’ll do our best to disrupt the signals the collar sends, but it won’t be easy. You can also try to create your own positive reinforcement for resisting her commands, but that’s risky. It will backfire heavily if she notices. We don’t recommend this option. Keeping your interactions with her at a minimum will also help.

Easier said than done. When she used the collar just now, I felt like I could do anything for her. The euphoria was so intense It’s like my brain was on fire, but in the best possible way.

That’s the danger. She’s offering you a false sense of pleasure, a chemically-induced satisfaction that feels real. But you must remember that it’s a trap. Each time you give in, the collar’s hold on you tightens.

But what if I slip? What if I start… enjoying it?

You might. That’s the insidious part.

I can’t let her turn me into her pet. I won’t become like Kuljack.

Kuljack led me through the dungeon, opening many new hallways as we went.

“Do you understand now?” He asked. “She’s benevolent to those deserving. Do as she asks, and you’ll be happy.”

Did she give him the same treatment? “Did you always love our queen? What were you like before you met her?”

Kuljac’s voice grew softer. “With my love, it was always love at first sight. I was just an apprentice back then—ages ago. Out of all the things my instructor had displayed, she walked in and picked out one of mine. The princess picked out my creation and praised its quality.”

He leaned his head back. “She gave me a purpose I longed for. Before her, my work had been heavily criticized, and I was about to seek a new vocation. Even though she was a princess, she was interested in me. We fell in love. Then her health deteriorated. The mana plague struck her.”

I clicked my tongue. “Was she always so domineering?”

Kuljack’s eyes glowed brighter as he had a dreamy look. “Of course. That’s what I love most about her. When she makes all the decisions, it makes everything simpler. All this planning and figuring out how to prepare everything for my love has been too difficult to manage. I miss just making things and making her happy.”

I fell into my thoughts as I kept up with him. So this is probably just his personality. She likely fed off his submissive personality and devotion to her and let it go to her head. He’s not evil, but he certainly isn't good either. He can’t be. He’s just misguided and impressionable. But if—and when—I deal with Elveil, he won’t give me a choice. I’ll have to kill him too.

A soft sigh left me. I’m sorry, Kuljack. If things were different, you’d probably be a good friend.