“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

― Benjamin Franklin

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Tabitha sat on her crystal throne, her Rod of Might locked inside the armrest of her throne like a joystick. She was alone in the throne room, her guards outside the doors. Giving their Queen some time to herself. In truth, this was the first time she has been alone in days, perhaps even weeks. After all that has happened to her in the past three months, Tabitha needed some time to herself. To really think about the unbelievable path her life had suddenly taken. She was not just a she-devil of the Nether Realm, she was the Devil Queen of the Great Crystal Pyramid of the Nether Realm. And not just any Devil Queen either.

Tabitha was the resurrected, reborn, Olana. One of the most powerful devils in the Nether Realm, perhaps throughout the multiverse and that was a mind-blowing thing to consider. Tabitha did not just think that she is Olana, she knows that she is Olana. Because, for some reason Tabitha had Olana’s memories. Each day that passes by, Tabitha was gaining ever more access to Olana’s memories. And with access to Olana’s memories, Tabitha was gaining knowledge. Knowledge forgotten by most, and knowledge she would use in her war against Romanto.

Tabitha was making plans inside her mind, plans that she would sure to put in reality. Nosgoth, her thoughts said to her. It was one of the first of the outposts to be active, but she did not activate the Great Pyramid of Nosgoth. At least not yet. Preparations had to be made for that world because Nosgoth was not your typical mortal realm. According to Olana’s memories, Nosgoth was overrun by the undead. Undead like liches, vampires, ghouls, zombies, and many other undead creatures Tabitha did not care to think about. Before The Fall, the forces of Olana were beating the undead. Claiming the land for the living and destroying the taint and corruption of the 13 Lich Kings. They are the 13 of the oldest most powerful liches ever to exist in the multiverse. They have spent thousands of years trying to claim Nosgoth for the undead. Something Olana has fought against since there are many Arcadian tribes living in Nosgoth. As well as humans, elves, dwarves, fae, orcs, and other sentient beings.

But it was Olana doing the most damage to the undead, and with her absent Tabitha fears that the undead has made significant head way in claiming Nosgoth. She would have to reactivate the Great Pyramid of Nosgoth to see what has happened, but first things first. Tabitha would prepare an army to face the undead, and with almost a hundred thousand demons at her command. She would be able to unleash her full might on the undead. Tabitha frowned, whenever she thinks about the undead. A well of anger and rage fills up her very core. The undead had taken from Olana, they had destroyed three Arcadian tribes on Nosgoth. Olana had vowed to destroy the undead and the 13 Lich Kings, but there was another memory. When Tabitha focused on it, she nodded in understanding.

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Somehow, the 13 Lich Kings had something to do with her downfall at the hands of Romanto five thousand years ago. Tabitha was not quite sure on the details, but Olana was certain that the Lich Kings were involved. In time, Tabitha would remember. For now, Tabitha had to attend to some new souls down in her Soul Chamber. Apparently, now that the Arcadians have access to the Crystal Pyramid inside the Nether Realm. Their souls can reach it now. The Soul Chamber contains thousands of soul jars, it was a way for Olana to contain the souls of Arcadians who had died in battle. Olana would judge those souls, and if proven worthy she would give them three choices.

One, they can choose to have their souls spread across the nature of their homeworld as their ancestors did of old before Olana. Two, they can ask to be reincarnated back into their tribe or to a different one. And three, if they so wise. They can become one of Olana’s warrior companions, a Harkun. They can fight for all eternity for their Lady. Seeing how the Arcadians are a warrior people, the third option sounded like heaven to them. Most of time, many Harkuns would choose the third option. Very few have chosen the first or second options. With the recent assaults by the Romantians, Felltross, and Drags not just on Avalon, but on multiple realms. Tabitha had thousands of Arcadian souls to take care of, and she would do it. She would have thousands of new Harkuns, but it would take some time for them to be trained in their new bodies as demons. Luckily, Tabitha had many ancient Harkuns more than willing to teach the new generation.

I will prepare, and when the time comes. I will destroy the 13 Lich Kings, and after them comes Romanto and any who has sided with him. Tabitha thought as she continues to make plans in her mind. What she had to do would not be easy. Romanto is powerful, and he defeated Olana at the height of her power. Tabitha is powerful, and with every Great Pyramid reactivated on the mortal realms. Tabitha’s power grows, but she will not get too cocky. She is fighting a god after all, and as powerful as she may be. Tabitha is still just a devil, so, she would have to plan carefully. Tabitha sat back comfortably in her throne. It will probably take a long time, perhaps centuries even. But I will make Romanto pay for all his crimes. Not just crimes against Olana, the Harkuns, and Arcadians. He will answer for the crimes his church has committed upon the earth. For all the families and loved ones murdered by his followers. I will get vengeance and justice for those he has wrong.

Tabitha vowed this to herself. Her path was clear, and she would not stop until it was accomplished. It would be a long fight, but it is a fight she had to take up. Even if Tabitha had no plans to challenge Romanto himself. The God of Deceit and Treachery would never leave her in peace. Olana tried to avoid Romanto, yet, he came after her in the end. Tabitha would not make the same mistake twice. She lifted her head to see the landscape and sky of the Nether Realm through the crystal walls of her pyramid. It was raining outside her fortress. Apparently, Tabitha discovered that with the combination of earth, fire, and air. The Crystal Pyramid could make it rain. There was even a rain cycle programmed into the pyramid. Tabitha saw no need to change it, she was glad to see something familiar even in this hellish place.

Tabitha smiled and thought. Yes, I will defeat Romanto. No matter how long it takes.