Elinor returned to the elevator with Edmon, Aileen, and Violet after the Spider Sister scouted the space. Her gaze lingered on the High Ruler’s lift before it went out of sight, entering the softly lit shaft.
Interesting … no exits or entrances to this secretly built chamber. Edmon, do you think it would be a worthy endeavor to discover who constructed this private botanical garden?
Edmon’s armored head tilted to the side for a moment. “... Not a bad idea. I wonder if the High Ruler had most of them killed to secure secrecy; I have no doubt this area is actually below ground and likely built some time ago. The addition of the Quen’Talrat technology also implies there’s more about this architect to ponder. On the other hand, we are already juggling a few more objectives at the moment than I’d like.”
True…
She fell silent. They were making headway and discovering the traps Demon had laid for them. Yet, her forces were stretched too thin to do more.
Klaus was swamped with building her underground network, gathering leads on who constructed the princess’s mind-control device, and sniffing out potential Royal Court candidates to help rescue Iris.
Adding a new name to the search list could have consequences, stretching his newly born network too swiftly. For all she knew, adding the architect to Klaus’s list could be the final straw that broke his network, and some of his sources went to the king for support. It was also possible that the person they were looking for had a hand in this garden. The future would tell.
Edmon and Violet wouldn’t leave her side with the threat of Baxter, which took them off the table from any investigative work.
Emelina needed to guard Tal’tamine, and Aileen was dependable for her age but couldn’t be sent on complex missions, nor did Elinor feel comfortable sending the girl into an unknown situation that could lead to her death. She did have a sturdy Class and Sub-Class but was very inexperienced with common sense battle tactics as a little girl.
Castella was best utilized within a close distance of Elinor and didn’t have stealth functionality nor the tact for the art.
Sadly, Quin was trapped on the boat until her Quen’Talrat’s presence was accepted, which was more than a little frustrating to the young Elite Hunter; she desperately wished to be by Elinor’s side.
Camellia, Lecra’Moro, and Imiunarus were being gathered together as a stealth unit to pursue the names Klaus discovered … hopefully, Camellia didn’t just crash into the house like the Juggernaut she was.
No, everyone she brought was locked in a task, including the Ri’bot Xaria that Klaus took on his arrival. Xaria Welix and Xaria Iona were supposedly getting along well in their united task of converting the Clavex population.
She did need to make a little bit of time for the Mother Superior to quell her lingering doubts and gain her confidence in Klaus’s plan.
No … you’re right. It’s a topic that can be placed on the to-do list. What about a gardener? How does he maintain the place?
Violet spoke up as they made it to the VIP suite. “There is another scent in the room beside the Golariex and High Ruler; another Nalvean tends to the place.”
Elinor chuckled while making her way into the large hallway; Aileen opened and closed the bedroom doors for her. Is that so? On that note … Violet, you’ve had your taste of the Golariex in your lifetime. I won’t ruin the surprise of what they look like, especially when my first vision of the race will be the High Ruler’s fascination, but what do they smell like … taste like?
Violet passed a bowing Castella to undo the web-reinforced door ahead of them, and the Nalvean fell in line with Edmon to guide their party’s direction. Elinor would still be utterly lost in the complex and colossal palace design without an escort.
“My mother told me the Golariex are creatures of the Duskfallen Wood, and much like their earthen roots, they have a similar taste. The smell is … rich. It is unmistakable, and when in heat, quite pungent. I cannot compare the sexes since there are only females.”
Fascinating. She was in heat?
“Without a doubt.”
How very fascinating.
The doors to the hall were already opened by the time she neared, causing the outside Imperial Guards to shift their position to identify who exited. A single Nalvean rose to courteously address her once she left.
“Empress … there is a lot of activity this night. Should we expect your return?”
He didn’t falter when she lifted her gaze to stare into his yellow eyes; there was a considerable height difference. “I don’t require sleep … what is your name?”
A few of the Nalveans shifted at her question, but he responded without hesitation. “Lieutenant Nuvamir, Empress.”
“Right,” she mused, vision sweeping the others surrounding her.
Edmon swiftly took control, causing the salamanders to turn their focus on the black knight. “Lieutenant Nuvamir, Princess Tal’tamine is currently asleep. As to the Empress’s destination, I would prefer not to disclose that information for her own safety. Aileen will remain inside to seal the front for the princess’s security.”
The little 12-year-old was disappointed with the news but complied, returning inside to close the massive doors. She gave them a cheery wave as the gate sealed.
Elinor was about to walk away before pausing a small distance away from the Lieutenant, turning to give the soldier a small smile. “By the way, send word to the kitchens that my last meal will not require cleaning. There are a few … details that must be sorted out.”
With that statement, she instructed Castella to guide her to the Art Museum, leaving the Nalveans confused about her request. Elinor knew it would spark a panic, though. Someone there knew her meal was poisoned; a little panic can cause large ripples.
Her small group was tailed by two Imperial Guards, which was expected, but it didn’t concern her; the Imperial Head Captain wished to be informed about her activities. Their path through the halls was met with few signs of life except for the night watch.
Violet told her a bit about the creatures on their journey.
Castella’s brain was still reeling with the scandal they’d uncovered; the reaction told Elinor what to expect from the populous.
Golariex did have the ability to have children through various other races, not all, but some, and Nalveans were among the compatible, which meant Tal’tamine could have another sister … or several, depending on the time gap.
Nalveans didn’t have a very strict husband or wife policy, allowing for more open yet socially closed relationships. It was a private matter between parties, but royal logs were kept for each of the heirs, and none of the princesses and princes had the same mother.
That being said, Castella literally felt sick just thinking about the union of Nalvean and Golariex, which made Elinor even more curious about these northwestern creatures. They had been the ones that managed to give the allied races their first breaching point in the Fire Wars.
High Ruler Nukulara’s interest in a trading route and easier access to other lands started to take on a new light; it would no doubt help his people, but could selfish reasons be accompanying the request?
Grand Duchess Juliquah was the second most important figure in the Golariex Holy Empire, and she made the trip twice a year to Nalvean lands. Perhaps if she provided a safe range of travel, he could make the journey northwest himself and avoid such secrecy within his own home country?
The gentle echo of running water that thematically filled the palace was soothing, and the trip to reach their destination much quicker than her previous experience progressing to the royal chambers. They casually walked into the partially open art gallery.
Elinor found many of the pieces much more enjoyable with her current mood, and a thought crossed her mind when spotting the Nalvean statues on the first level. Castella … do they create sculptures with the dead body as a model or framework?
The Elite Warrior was still trying to get the internal image of her revered High Ruler and the foreign creature sleeping in the same bed out of her head. “Eh … I can’t be sure, Empress, but … perhaps in centuries passed. Why would … with a Golariex? Eww … yuck … disgusting … how could he … he ruin the Nalvean pride in such…”
Hmm … love will find a way. Elinor mused, activating Herald of the Empress II. It had a 20-meter range, which gave her plenty of searching space as they continued toward the top floor.
Her green eyes glittered with excitement upon swiftly discovering her first trapped ancient hero on the first level. He was only of Rare-Grade. Many were of a similar fashion, which was somewhat disappointing but not enough to lower her smile.
Two jumped into the Epic-Grade … capable of putting up a fight against Camellia in life was actually quite the accomplishment, she had to admit. However, they were not what she was looking for.
With their slow progress, it allowed an uninvited guest to catch up to them … Yesenia, but oddly enough, she was alone. The snake-woman also appeared somewhat tired upon meeting them on the 2nd floor.
The two Imperial Guards bowed reverently upon her approach, showing which camp they fell into, but the weaving snake paid them little mind.
“Hmm?” Elinor gave her a small smile. “What brings you out so late; couldn’t sleep, or perhaps you’ve discovered something I’d care about … so, business or pleasure?”
Yesenia rubbed her left eye with a deep frown and glare. “No … I have nothing to discuss with you.”
“Pleasure, then?” Elinor chuckled, studying her back; without a doubt, she withdrew to the 4th floor to the comforting presence of her angel.
“I don’t like her sudden appearance,” Edmon growled, marking her movements across the floor far above them. “It seems too convenient to be running into her so often.”
Perhaps.
Elinor’s eyes moved to a statue of some kind of wild cat-like monster more than five times her height, which was quite something when considering it was on all fours, nearly touching the platform overhead. There were bones of a Rare-Grade spirit inside of it, which didn’t match the fierce aesthetic.
Do we have a museum of creatures?
“Surely there is a place within the fortress,” Edmon stated, which meant he had yet to come across it.
It would be nice.
The Nalvean Imperial Soldiers that flanked them could only see their group’s silent advance and facial expressions that must have made their pauses and actions look insane.
Continuing to the 3rd floor, Elinor casually reexamined the fine and bizarre works of art until she stopped dead in her tracks, causing the procession to falter.
She stood in front of a Nalvean hero named Nukuroma, a Nalvean High Ruler that lived seven centuries ago; not much was known about the man, but unlike what she’d been told, his bones resided in the plaster. He lived more than a millennia ago, and he was a Mythic-Grade spirit.
However, it wasn’t this specimen that caught her stunned, glowing green irises as her focus lifted to the ceiling, where Yesenia waited. Edmon … the angel was alive at one point.
His armored head snapped up to follow her gaze with Violet’s.
“You can’t mean…”
A devilish grin split Elinor’s full lips. Let’s go.
The rhythm of Elinor’s heart increased as she doubled her pace, climbing the flat, circular staircase to reach the 4th level. A fire lit in her chest at the prospects before her while catching sight of the figure that could become her next Transcendent Royal Court member.
Six large wings sprouted from her back, clothed in odd, fantasy-like battle armor and wearing a defiant glare. She looked genuinely glorious.
Yesenia seemed to notice her changed countenance when her swarm of flaming butterflies surrounded the statue, analyzing every detail of the spirit trapped inside the impenetrable amber-like substance.
“Why are you here … with those? Unless … no…” Her wide eyes flashed with panic. “No … you can’t take her away from me!” She growled.
The Imperial Guards tailing Elinor shifted uncomfortably with the woman’s sudden body language.
How Yesenia could decipher her goal made Elinor wonder if her nighttime visit was prompted by Demon. The sad truth of the matter was that Elinor wasn’t in a position to destroy something the Nalveans found sacred enough to place near the center of their famed Art Museum.
In addition to requiring the political clout to secure the angel, she also needed to convince the creature to join her, which wasn’t a sure feat … she was an angel. If standard human lore stood up, Elinor would be one of the last types of people a pure being would join.
The questions rolling around her skull kept her from calling upon the ancient, slumbering spirit. Could she reject her offer on the spot? How did she get like this? Is her body really constructed out of amber, converted to this, or was this just some layered trap? Whoever she had been, she was very powerful.
“I wouldn’t worry about that at the moment … perhaps in the future, though,” Elinor mumbled in response.
“You can’t, please…” Yesenia slithered closer with desperation in her eyes.
Elinor wondered if Demon planned for her to become so attached to this in order to block her access to a possible Court Member.
Edmon blocked her path. “That’s close enough.”
The guards tightened their grips on their polearms, keeping a close eye on what happened next; it wasn’t a good position to be in since both of them had royal backing.
Yesenia paused several feet away from the Doom Guard, Violet ready to dice her into ribbons from the shadows. She stared down at Elinor from her high vantage point with terror; the calming presence the angel released was a crutch she’d come to depend on.
Elinor hummed, shifting her focus away from Yesenia with a small smirk. “Remember what I told you before? Come with something on the table … it better be good if you hope to stop this pursuit, though, and I think Demon knows why. Best be looking to sweeten the pot for your partner,” she mused, walking closer to the slumbering spirit.
“I will! I mean, I just need to … just … just give me some time!”
The Empress licked her green-tinted lips while staring up at the angelic figure with anticipation; the most significant objective on her heart was solved if she could just convince this creature to join her.
If worse came to worst, she had leverage on the High Ruler to force him to at least give this up to her in the negotiations. Of course, he didn’t have to know how desperately she needed this heavenly woman.
“You have until tonight … when I meet with the High Ruler. Although I’m disappointed in you, Yesenia, shouldn’t you value this angel’s decision?”
The Imperial Guards were utterly lost yet didn’t feel the need to intervene.
“I … I need her,” Yesenia groaned, snake-like eyes darting between her swarming butterflies and the Empress.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Well … I’m going to see what she needs. I look forward to your offer; now, you will have to excuse me. I must speak with a ghost.”
Elinor walked around to the statue’s front and called for her, giving the snake-woman a sidelong look. The angel answered.
A flurry of flaming green butterflies spun in a wide circle around the structure, and the shape of a glorious, beautiful figure materialized out of the amber.
Her full, pink lips parted in a soft intake of ethereal air, opening her lustrous, solid golden irises as the radiant hue enveloped her white, sun-kissed skin. The outfit she wore was exactly as Elinor pictured it, between a gold and bronze shine. Her light silver, lush hair fell with her, settling around her folded-in, six silvery wings that held a golden luster.
Each wing’s frame was smooth and metallic-looking while the feathers appeared to be able to flex into razor-sharp weapons, but the acute, spear-like curve her wings could make made it clear close-ranged enemies would find it difficult to harm her from the front. The six appendages could be used for both defense or offense, and now freed from her prison, Elinor was sure the bottom pair were two smaller wings.
The angel’s knee-high, black, gold-encrusted flat boots touched down on the floor, showing her perfectly curved and proportionate long legs. She hugged her body, confusion momentarily passing across her sculptured face, gaze on the floor before lifting to observe her.
Elinor couldn’t help but notice the colossal silver gemstone fastened on her breastplate, shining with an inner light. The black garment she wore under the strange armor was a shoulderless one-piece made of fabric-metal, somehow forming around the base of her wings, and the detached sleeves were kept in place by thin, high-bicep gold-hued bracers and a gloveless forearm guard of the same color that extended in a tear-drop fashion near her elbows.
At 5’9, she looked down on Elinor but up to Edmon. There was a commanding but gentle softness to her lovely face as she silently glanced around the area, wings shifting without effort to allow her a more comprehensive view. She certainly was the definition of perfectly proportionate … gorgeous or brilliant were the only words that seemed to fit her demeanor.
Yesenia was tense while staring at the butterflies surrounding the invisible spirit, only perceivable to Elinor, but she didn’t open her drawn-in lips to ask any questions. In fact, she seemed terrified to even think of the angel as an existing creature.
“Welcome back to the world of the living,” Elinor greeted with a pleasant smile.
The angel’s voice was like honey on a steel blade, elegant, sweet, and refined. “Elinor … I know who you are. You call upon the dead…” Her confused frown turned to the display the Nalveans had made out of her trapped corpse, and a sad look crossed her features. “Which means … I did not close the World Gate … so many details about my death are hazed in fog.”
She took a deep, calming breath while closing her eyes and bowing her head in what Elinor assumed was a tribute to her lost cause. After several seconds of silence, she opened her luminous eyes to face her, wings stretching out a little more to brush against the sides of her confined, invisible space.
Before she spoke, Elinor cleared her throat. Your memory will slowly return, but … ahem … would it be better to have more privacy while we talk?
“... I am not opposed, yet … they cannot see me. Correct?” She asked, turning her body while clasping her hand behind her back, underneath her third pair of wings. “This is primarily for your own benefit.”
In a manner, Elinor replied in a neutral tone, green eyes shifting to Yesenia’s anxiety-filled face. This woman’s name is Yesenia, and she’s been using the comforting aura your dead body produces to ease her stress. She’s not keen on me potentially bringing you back.
“... I see.”
She didn’t elaborate, so Elinor didn’t push, turning to proceed to the ninth and final floor where the beloved figure of the High Ruler’s affection had been reconstructed.
In the silence, Elinor’s focus wondered; the amount of thigh the angel showed would be more than a little eye-catching back on Earth, but only the left and inner-right were visible while she walked with the red sash hiding the opposite side.
Her rear was protected from sight by how her large wings flared, and the oddly shaped breastplate and collar guard obstructed any chance of showing her considerable cleavage, but her shoulders were left bare.
Is there a name you go by?
When she responded, Elinor realized her ability was translating the angelic being’s phrases to things she would understand, and most of her angel knowledge came from pop-culture and movies.
“Sari’aél was my name in life. Elinor, I am a Seraph, the burning one that enacts the highest order of judgment, directed by the High Seat. I do not serve any other.”
Hmm…
Elinor frowned while climbing the staircase, catching Yesenia restraining herself; her Imperial Guard escort was silently tailing them after Castella briefly explained that she was communicating with a spirit, which had them nervously eyeing the fluttering flames.
Sari’aél … it’s a pretty name. Why did you serve the High Seat?
They continued to climb floors with the Seraph walking behind her.
“My life was dedicated to the defense of my people from the moment of my conception in the Tree of Life. My purpose was clear, and my duty binding as the hearts in my breast.”
Purpose … dedicated … duty … in defense of your people. Did you have a choice?
“Of course. The training of a Seraph is always a choice, a privilege to defend my people. Tell me,” she challenged, “is there a free society that does not have soldiers willing to die for its continuation at its base? Above all, a Seraph fights not because they hate what is in front of them, but because they love what is behind them.”
Hmm … a famous quote in my world connects with that. Elinor smiled, examining the dozens of new artworks around her. As you sleep peacefully in your beds, our troops will be standing guard, ready to give their lives for the cause of freedom.
Elinor slowed to a stop to face the Seraph now that she was away from Yesenia’s panicked gaze.
Sari’aél … I have an Empire I’m trying to build and people that will need protecting. If you search this link we share, I’m sure you can see the life I led before arriving in this world. I didn’t choose this life, but it was thrust upon me, and I had to endure. Not only for myself, but others wish to survive, and I’m the only thing they have protecting them.
The angel’s eyes narrowed slightly, hands still clasped behind her back; she’d already tested the range of where she could move with her wings. When the woman continued to scrutinize her, Elinor continued.
Am I trying to recruit you to my side? Absolutely. I am not perfect, and I’m still a teenager … a child, really, compared to many of the creatures I’ve brought back to serve within my Empire. I need guidance.
“The hatred burning within you is not something I am comfortable with … but it is understandable,” her golden gaze fell with a hint of shame. “I did allow hate to cloud my mind when facing The Searing Concord … that disharmony allowed a fraction of a second for the Burning Hosts to penetrate my defenses and lay me bare.”
The name sparked to life the conversation Elinor had with Demon; was his own little time-bidding story biting him? There had to be a connection between what this Seraph knew and what Demon told her that would help advance her goals.
Still, she tempered the exciting piece of information. It wasn’t as if she could hide anything from a spirit she was trying to court and was this powerful; Ke’Thra’Ma had been able to dig into her actions and motivations, which made it clear that when seeking a unit at the top, it was a give and take.
The grasp of Sari’aél’s strength was actually staggering, which was why this spirit had caught her utterly off-guard. In life, the Burning One would have been more than strong enough to dominate Iris, if both were alive, which was no small feat; however, her living power would be severely scaled back if she joined, as Iris’s was. Elinor was sure the Queen had her tricks to try and even the playing field, but in terms of the raw power she felt, Sari’aél was practically a goddess, which made perfect sense. Elinor was sure of it.
If this angel joined her, then she would fill the Warlord Class as the leader over every Elite Warrior. Camellia would be thrilled, but it was shocking how controlled and disciplined this creature was; Sari’aél embodied the exact opposite of what she expected a Warlord to look like after Ke’Thra’Ma. The Great White God would have been decimated by the Seraph had they met face to face.
Sari’aél … how do you see those that face you in battle? Elinor tentatively asked.
“Hmm? Naturally, with pity,” she responded, glorious countenance returning.
It was somewhat unnerving for even Elinor to consider. This angel was ashamed of feeling hatred … because she should have pitied her foes for having the misfortune of choosing her people as an enemy. That was the type of power this race wielded, which begged another question about The Searing Concord; how did they de-evolve into the Ri’bot of today?
Camellia had the time of her life just killing everything, but all Sari’aél felt was their misfortune. The prospect sent a tingle shooting up Elinor’s spine. Yes! Yes! This was the type of person she needed at the helm of her army.
Ke’Thra’Ma was all about showing his superiority, dominating with laughter and overwhelming force. Sari’aél was entirely the opposite. A weapon that knew her people’s indomitable strength didn’t need to be exercised. She was a refined, sheathed blade that could be pulled out at a moment’s notice to show why no one fought them. Ke’Thra’Ma was a wildfire, unchecked, while Sari’aél was flowing water, capable of rising into a tsunami.
Sari’aél … I need your strength … those I protect need it. An Empress without a people is not an Empress at all … yet, so, too, an Empress without a capable army cannot defend her people’s freedom. I am not asking you to join me without reason. What is your wish? Do you want to discover if your people survived? To aid them?
The Seraph’s gaze shifted to the side with a smile and hum. “No. I know my people live and thrive. It is without question. My desire … I must ponder that inquiry. What is there I lack?”
Obviously, she didn’t care much about living, which was a bit odd for her, but Elinor had to remind herself that the only reason Iris joined her was the power-structure element in her genetic and societal upbringing. Transcendent spirits were not normal creatures.
By all means, stay out and observe as long as you wish, but time is valuable to me. Iris … I don’t know what happened to her, and I fear she’s been captured. I need to head north to save her within the next day or two. The longer I wait, the more chances there are of her to die.
Sari’aél gave her a puzzled look. “You are a thing that brings back the dead … yet, you do not act like such creatures that I have met. The death of a returned soldier is but natural in conflict.”
True, Elinor admitted, reaching the next level. However … I do not view those I bring back as merely puppets on strings for me to manipulate, which is why my powers have manifested the way they have … love for one’s people is only natural. Correct?
“Hmh,” she smiled, radiant countenance like a beacon, “you are unlike any of the creatures I have sent beyond the grave. Perhaps I will stand by and watch.”
With that, Sari’aél took on the task of a specter, silently studying the reactions through her Nexus; it felt like she was on trial this time, which might have been what these Transcendent recruitment events were. This would be one of the foremost members of her army … they better fit with it.
She told Edmon how things had progressed and what was happening, which made him a bit annoyed; who would deny her awesomeness, right?
Brushing it aside, Elinor finally came to the final floor and got her first look at the High King’s affair. Castella almost threw up just seeing it … mind still in the gutter with how it might work.
“Huh…” Elinor circled the area. It was much smaller than the lower floors, only allowing for this piece to be front and center. It was very different from what she had pictured, and she wasn’t quite sure why Castella was hacking up a lung; differences in aesthetic taste, she assumed.
She had to admit, it was an odd choice, and once realizing the connection they shared every six months, it made sense why he’d dedicate this to her. In fact, it almost appeared like he worshiped the second-in-line for the Golariex Holy Empire.
Golariex were very thin and lanky but humanoid in shape; upon further investigation and Violet’s notes, it became at least a bit clearer. They released some form of fog near their feet, clouding their lower bodies in powder-like white dust. Shadowy wisps of energy flowed off their frames, shrouding their dark-wooden bodies.
A frost coated their forearm to fingers, and orange lights shone out of the sides of their shoulders. The female race’s mouths were jagged as if they’d stepped out of a horror movie, and their sunken yellow slits for eyes made them more than a little sinister in appearance.
It wasn’t disgusting to look at, but an odd taste, for sure.
According to Violet, a pitch-black, heatless blaze formed out of their crown, acting as hair across the back of their heads, which they used to seduce prey. There were feathery vines utilized in reproduction, and its frigid coat enveloped the all-female race’s targets in a paralytic that allowed them to work their charms.
Castella was instantly convinced she was a vicious minx, corroding their society and bewitching her noble High Ruler on Violet’s mention of the practice.
Elinor wasn’t so sure, but anything’s possible in this world.
Apparently, every female Nalvean had a negative view of the race … but, High Ruler Nukulara had to maintain good relations after the war, and studious girl Violet was, she gave the Nalvean women new, quite graphic details of the process these living bark creatures went through in the mating game, making her gag and shudder.
The foggy breath they produced, their delicate white fingers, strange mouths, and two slick tongues … vines and moist underlayer … it was getting far too detailed for the crying Nalvean warrior.
To be fair, it would be tough not imagining what Violet explained when you knew exactly how your own race mated … then overlaying the image of the most revered figure in your society at the scene of the literal cultural crime, and you had a breakdown.
Sari’aél seemed somewhat disgusted by the ordeal, as well. Considering they were born from something called a Tree of Life … the memory of Ke’Thra’Ma’s room came flooding back.
Hold-up … is that what I’ve been using?
Sari’aél swiftly identified what had caught her off-guard. “No. The Children of the Sun are not born from such a tree. Our trees are much grander.”
The confirmation put a bit of ease in Elinor’s chest. Right … well, Edmon. What do you think? I’m pretty sure this is a very damning piece of information we’ve stumbled upon.
“Yes, it is,” he mumbled, probably glaring at Sari’aél from the corner of his vision behind that impenetrable helmet. “However, I don’t believe we can use it without more evidence. He no doubt knows we discovered it, which will have him on-guard. Castella, is there a way to prove he had … relationships with the Grand Duchess Juliquah?”
The Nalvean Elite Warrior was hugging herself for comfort, eyes closed with her forked tongue sliding through her sharp teeth in agitation. “Y-Yes … the … the Taperalah Worm. If it’s been more … more than a week, it won’t find the … the stuff to eat, though.”
“Okay,” Edmon muttered. “When is the next scheduled arrival?”
“Why can’t I … I can’t get it out of my head,” she moaned, “the insides … so gross! Umm … eh, not for another two months … gah, for how long … dozens upon dozens of years?”
Everyone ignored her pained mumbles; this had actually affected her on an emotional level.
“Not a viable option, then,” he mumbled. “We’ll have to settle with him being cautious about the discussion. It might as well be a sin to Nalveans.”
“It is!” Castella cried.
Elinor sighed. Well, at least we’re building our deck.
The angel took to the air a bit, causing Elinor to look up, and she couldn’t help but notice her shapely butt, visible with the angel’s wings slightly spread out. She didn’t seem ashamed by it, though.
The second thing she noticed was the Seraph didn’t even have to flap her wings to stay afloat, simply spreading them a little to keep in the air. Elinor gave her somewhat free reign, telling her butterflies to follow her, but there was a limited range.
“Working with other creatures is a new concept to me. It is … interesting. The Children of the Sun were always self-sufficient; what could other creatures offer us?”
Hmm … perhaps this will help you learn a different manner of life … learn how to protect and maintain in a new light.
“... Perhaps … I have found your conversations … unique. Such discussions were not had where I am from, nor could any other lesser creatures understand our refined language of hymns. Yet … your power would allow all to share in that glory if I were to join your host, which I find … joyful. Hmm…”
She trailed off, and Elinor had no clue what she meant by hymns as a language since everything she spoke came out in English.
Elinor released a short sigh before heading back to her chambers to ponder her next move, pausing at the Seraph’s statue to visually compare the two. Somehow, the living counterpart was even more beautiful than the timeless piece before her with all its decorations.
The pure radiance Sari’aél released was awestriking and in every way deserved the name angel.
She ignored Yesenia’s probes and made her way back to her room with the floating angel studying the alien world she’d been brought to.
Sari’aél had a secretive smile on her pink lips; it was as if the Nalvean’s attempts at art and beauty amused her to no end. On the other hand, Elinor wondered how the woman actually fought insanely powerful enemies in that kind of outfit.
The Seraph graced her with a surprising answer. “My armor is a conduit for my power, spreading out and stabilizing my defensive matrix across my skin. In truth, it is my armor that is most vulnerable, not my body.”
Fascinating … do you understand how to replicate it?
She giggled, which moved her features to stunning effect. “It would do no good for any creature that is not a Child of the Sun. In any case, I highly doubt you will find such pure and refined elements on this planet that could be used for such magnificent fashion. Ah … there is something I wish to partake in … forging a new dress that is not battle armor.”
We can make that a goal, Elinor shrugged, finding the angel more mercurial by the minute. Perhaps The Searing Concord managed to bring some back once they retreated, and it’s waiting to be discovered.
“Hmm, highly unlikely … yet I will add it to my list.”
The fact she was building a reverse-bucket list was encouraging.
She sent out a message to her maids, Castella, and Klaus. I did plan on having a fun day of discovering treats … many things have come up since then, and sadly, Emelina must stay with the princess.
“I am grateful to be of use,” Emelina promptly responded.
Heh, of course. However … I do my best to keep my promises. What good is an Empress that does not keep her word? So, Aileen, Edmon, Violet, Castella, Sari’aél, and I will find some and bring it back. Klaus…
Her Ambassador’s mind turned with questions about her naming a new person that would accompany them, but he did not pursue it. “Yes, Empress. I have discovered several leads and sent them to Camellia and her team to investigate.”
Good … but I’d like you to find some time in the next ten hours. Sari’aél is precisely the woman I’ve been looking for, and I hope she will join the Empire. That completes the most significant goal. We now need to focus on discovering more about the princess’s mind-control.
He instantly understood the importance of the possible recruit. “I look forward to the treat, Empress, and learning more about Sari’aél. If you need my help, I am always available.”
With that, she strolled back to her quarters; Emelina’s squirming emotions passed through Elinor’s private peek into her Undead’s inner heart. It was cute.
Sweets, toying with Yesenia, and getting down to business with the High Ruler was ahead of her; they’d prepared reasonably well for the encounters.