Ainne exchanged pleasantries with the noble scions in front of her.

“Greetings, Lord Renfree, Lady Esperanz, you both look marvelous tonight. I hope you both are enjoying the festivities?”

The other nobles the two heir to the Archdukedoms were talking to dispersed as Ainne arrived, knowing it was not yet their turn to be greeted by her. The heirs turned to her, clearly annoyed to have their prior conversations interrupted although they smiled nonetheless.

“Ah yes, greetings to the star of the ball, and our Empire’s newest Champion! We are enjoying ourselves quite well, thank you for asking.” Lady Circe Esperanz said.

Of course, the slight of omission was telling, as the other woman didn’t compliment Ainne’s dress. Still, she pretended as if the barb was unnoticed.

“I am glad, truly. I would not want to be the source of more discomfort for the both of you.”

At this remark, both of the scions' expressions darkened briefly. They had both had their Awakening’s delayed so they could undergo the ceremony with Ainne, and the two had made their discomfort clear to her prior.

Still, the Awakening had now come and passed, so that wasn’t the reason they hated Ainne. No, they hated her because they loved each other. And of course, the royal family couldn’t let two Archduchies unite in marriage…

“Greetings, my princess. And no, I would not say you have caused us any discomfort.” Lord William Renfree said, speaking for the first time.

His greeting was curt and bordering on disrespectful, but again Ainne simply kept a polite smile plastered on her face instead of punishing the transgression. There was no point in calling out his obvious lie, just like Ainne felt there was no point in playing nice.

Still, for the stability of the Empire, and her mother, Ainne tried.

“I am truly thankful that is the case. Please, let me know at any time if there is something I can do for you tonight, but please excuse me while I greet the other guests.” Ainne said with a slight dip of her head.

Then she turned and went to do just that. At least, Ainne tried.

“I heard your brother has joined the Legion. That he is skipping straight to Grand Hastas because you are all so special, and the rules are what you make them.”

Ainne paused, uncertainty and curiosity creeping up on her. The other girl, as if sensing her vulnerability, continued on.

“Beyond that, I hear he’s nothing special. That he got battered about by the other Legionnaires. After today, I expect that will be a common occurrence for your family.”

At this, Ainne finally turned around, the other girl's words having evolved past subtle dislike and blooming into an open spat between their houses.

“What did you just say about my family?” Ainne asked in a frigid tone.

“Oh, just that you should get used to them being beaten like dogs. You’ll even get to witness it, tonight.”

Circe had a smirk on her face, and next to her William looked smug. Arrogance oozed off of them in waves, and it only served to steam Ainne’s anger. Ainne tried to give the noble another chance.

“You should apolog-”

“Ah, behind you, it's happening. Now, watch with your golden eyes, princess.” William interrupted, pointing with one finger.

Ainne spun again to where he indicated, just in time to witness treason.

“Tyrant!” Archduke Esperanz shouted, while stalking towards Ainne’s mother.

“Today is the day your reign of terror ends. Luminos has chosen me to take over the Empire, our God trusts my insights! The Holy Family is a worthless title, and I will prove it now. To me!”

The stately man stormed across the ball room, and at his word a host of Legionnaires came out of the wings.

“No…” Ainne said softly, aghast.

Together, the traitors unleashed their Domains, their Shaping Spaces extending to the physical realm. The Empress was powerful, but even she was helpless under such an onslaught of authority. All Ainne could do was tremble helplessly as the tragedy unfolded.

‘But you aren’t helpless, my child.’

A strong voice whispered in her ear, giving Ainne strength. She didn’t realize it, but an internal light began to radiate from her skin, and her feet lifted off of the ballroom floor. The distance between her and the conflict seemed to fade away.

“Now, I will be the Ruler of the Luminous Empire. Emperor Gustavo the first!”

Ainne felt a Shaping enter her Space unbidden. The heat gathered in her temple, and she searched for an excuse to hold back. Ainne tried, she tried to find any reason at all not to do it.

‘Do it.’

Ainne let loose.

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Two golden beams of light speared from her eyes and directly through the Noble Archduke’s back. Then, the rays pierced through another few of the Legionnaires behind him, and the marble flooring beyond them.

Ainne accidentally moved her head slightly, and killed two more of the traitors before she closed her eyes and dismissed the Shaping. Partial silence hung heavy on the air, as her mother panted from the ground still. Everyone stared at the new Champion of the Empire’s display.

Ainne had tried her best.

* * * * *

Grud awoke, still in the Ancestor’s Cave. He jolted around, but the only other person with him was Dura’Mon. The Dragon’s scales had changed color and his form was bulkier. Still, a new sensation at the back of Grud’s mind told him it was his Companion.

The Bond had worked.

It felt like a cord connected to the back of his head, but it filled Grud with a warmth that the Ork found pleasant. Grud appreciated the cold, but being toasty was still enjoyable to him.

He dragged himself to his feet, and moved Dura’Mon back onto the sled. The Dragon pawed absently at him, but Grud could tell he wouldn’t awake for a while longer. Grud then pulled the leather straps and began the journey back to his shack.

The snow had picked up while Grud had been under, but he could still see the sun through the falling flurries. Its position was markedly different from when the Companions had entered the Ancestor’s Cave. Almost a fourth of the day had passed while they had Bonded.

Grud was thankful that no one had stumbled upon them while they had been unconscious and vulnerable. Anyone would have immediately reported Dura’Mon, if they didn’t kill the Dragon on sight.

Almost subconsciously, Grud made a Form Space for the Cold Cloak and let its comforting Shape rest over him. It felt startlingly different than what he was used to, but it wasn’t bad.

If anything Grud felt great, like the Cold Cloak was empowering him beyond what he was normally capable of. He flew over the snow, the extra weight Grud was pulling almost forgotten as he stretched his legs.

Flurries fluttered around his tusks as Grud ran, his laughter ringing loud over the snowy landscape. It felt freeing to move so easily across the long distances, and Grud let himself bask in the new sensation.

The trek that had been so arduous only hours ago went by in a blur. Grud almost regretted it when they arrived at his home, wanting to keep running until he collapsed.

With a sigh, Grud slowed down, and stepped onto the sled to let its momentum carry them both the remaining couple dozen of strides.

“Alright, we’re here.”

When there was no reply, Grud bent to try and hoist the newly much heavier Dura’Mon through the shack’s door frame.

“Fine, I’ll do it myself.”

As Grud’s calloused hands touched the Dragon’s scales, his Companion abandoned the pretense of sleep and began uncoiling on the sled. Grud stepped back and let him reveal his new form properly.

Feet larger than Grud’s head gripped the ground with claws that could gut an Ork. Dark, burnt red scales went up Dura’Mon’s four powerful limbs, his Companion putting the most wellbuilt ox to shame. The small barbs coming from the scales glittered under the sunlight, as their color contrasted with the white of the snow falling.

Huge leathery wings were extended almost twenty strides into the air, so tall they may have been visible down closer to the village. They reminded him of a drake's wings, but Grud noticed they had another spine through the membrane, and of course, Dragon’s had separate forelegs and wings unlike their inferior cousins.

Of course, while Grud had been inspecting him, Dura’Mon had examined Grud right back. A reptilian face gazed at him, eyes surprisingly wide and emotive. A short snout with ridged nostrils at its end showed the barest hints of the fangs beneath.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The Companion Bond let them have some understanding of what the other was feeling, and something approaching an agreement was made.

“Hmph. Follow Human.”

Dura’Mon turned, and walked away into the shack and forced Grud to follow.

Or at least, he tried to. Instead, Grud’s new companion misjudged his new bulk and got stuck in the doorway at the base of his neck. He struggled not to laugh at the Dragon’s plight after he had tried to be dramatic, but he could feel the embarrassment coming through Bond.

Then, Dura’Mon cracked the doorway and Grud gasped. The newly reinforced wood fell to the sides as Dura’Mon shook his body, splintering it effortlessly. Grud held his breath while he watched his home shudder. Thankfully, after shaking for a moment, it stayed upright.

“Now, let’s talk.”

Listening to Dura’mon’s words, Grud walked through his broken door, and prepared to properly meet his new Companion.

* * * * *

Emethia opened her eyes for the first time in an era. She was startled for a moment, but she was exactly where she should be. It was good to be home, although the city of Kurdlach she remembered was no doubt vastly changed.

She sat up, her lithe body still bare. Emethia was in a small box like room, the filth of the ages evident in the corners of the ornately decorated chamber. Beneath her was the remnant of what had once been a plush blanket.

Now, Emethia brushed rotted bits of it from her silver hair. Time was the enemy of the physical plane, and only a miracle had let her have this second chance. A second chance for her people.

A small smile graced her lips, as she thought of the boy who had brought her back. He didn’t know yet what the World had planned for him now that he had been marked. It would be the journey of a lifetime, and Emethia would have to aid him on his path, for everyone’s sake.

And there was something she could do for him now.

Emethia pulled a lever and stepped out into her bedchambers. Nothing but the stone frame of what had once been her four poster bed remained. Piles of dirt were scattered throughout the room, where other furniture once was, small plants growing in abundance.

Lichen grew on the walls, and the ceiling had a tangle of roots running through it. Emethia mourned her comforts, but was glad the space had been reclaimed by nature. No one else had been using it.

Instead of dwelling, she moved over to a pile of dirt and fished an item from underneath a few layers of sediment. She held up the thin metallic cloth, letting the light of the Runes wash over it.

The dirt of the ages fell right off it, as Emethia had hoped it would. She had made sure to have the Thoughtweave prepared before her slumber, and that forethought was paying off now.

Emethia quickly slipped into the thin garment, happy for at least some minimal coverage. Propriety at least slightly handled, she moved onto the more pressing issue.

The boy wouldn’t survive at this rate, not against the defenses of Kurdlach. She would have to look out for him, or the World may take back what it had promised her. So Emethia strode down the corridors that belonged to her, making her way to the command room.

The sound of her footsteps were the only interruption of the silence. Emethia remembered a time when this hallway would have been as busy as any thoroughfare, servants and maids scrambling in every direction, as the lords and chamberlains came and went according to their business.

Now, the only other life were the plants, who as much as they may want to, would not be bustling around the halls anytime soon. It was hard to be nostalgic for something that was clearly dead and gone.

Instead, the halls felt new to her now, even though Emethia remembered the route easily. With the decor disintegrated and the torches of the past long since history, she walked through the changed memories of her past.

Then she stopped.

Here was where it had happened. Where she had been given a choice that she had never expected, and one that Emethia would never forget. Could never forget, even if she tried.

It was several minutes before her breathing steadied. She straightened out the Thoughtweave as if there was someone there to see her. Then, she moved on. She had bought herself enough time to unpack that, just… later. Not now.

Instead, Emethia continued down the hallway, and entered the doorway at its end. Inside, the Runes from all over Kurdlach reached their central point where they converged on a stone plinth.

The carved lines crossed the floor in a wave of color and light. Emethia stepped across it on her way to the plinth, looking at the screens as they began displaying their information at her approach.

There were a variety of crystal orbs on the plinth, each connected to the Runes by flowing currents of mana. The energy made a gentle hum that filled the room with its ambience.

Emethia took two of the orbs in her hands, and began adjusting them. Doors closed and opened on the screens, entire sections of the ruins becoming inaccessible. Emethia awoke guardians on routes she couldn’t close, hoping their presence would deter the boy and lead him to the proper exit.

The edges of their security revealed a false basilisk prowling the perimeter of Kurdlach as well. That was a threat beyond the marked boy, so Emethia activated their defenses remotely, watching the beams of energy force the Monster from its stakeout.

Then, she pressed gently on an orb she had ignored up until that point. There was no obvious reaction from her position in the command room, but on the surface the result was obvious. A large beam of purple light extended into the air, announcing the ruins' existence to the world.

Then, her task was done, at least for now.

Emethia absently sent a Shaping towards the nearest vine, and extended her open hand without looking. In seconds, a bright golden fruit had grown from a fresh bud on the vine, before dropping directly into the proffered hand.

Violet eyes stared at the screens while Emethia bit down into the juicy and sweet morsel. Now, she would wait, and enjoy the entertainment.