Valentina glared at the thick metal bars of her cage, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface; it was wide open because it wasn’t meant to keep her in but to act as a structure to tie her up. She was a prisoner, and the worst kind…used as a fashion product.

The massive black fortress carved into the side of an obsidian mountain loomed over her, straight out of a fantasy movie. The place was enormous, with stone walls as black as night and thick metal gates that were currently shut, keeping her trapped in this open courtyard.

This is so stupid, Empress, she thought, her prayer dripping with exasperation. I should have been paying more attention to how you conducted business with all these toads. Now look at me—locked up like an animal. Blegh.

She shifted uncomfortably against the vines twined around her limbs, pulling her tight against the x-cross bars of the cage that was far too large to be meant for humans. The smooth, black marble-like ground beneath her was a stark contrast to the jungle she was used to now.

Her eyes moved to the strange terminal-like devices placed all around the courtyard, the clanless guards of the Blessed Elite, as they were called, pressing their hands against symbols to make the gates lower or raise. It all looked eerily similar to the giant black citadel she'd been studying, currently to their southwest.

Of course, it’s the quen’talrat’s doing. Everything here screams ‘big, scary gorilla people.’ I can see Quin just laughing at me about how I talked all big, and here I am, tied up…practically naked.

Her ears twitched as a few discolored female ri’bot approached, wheeling giant buckets filled with suds—animal fat soap. The storage devices were meant for quen’talrat. She growled lowly, remembering how they had shaved her yesterday; it was becoming more frequent.

My fur’s barely had a chance to grow back—my hair’s not even to my shoulders yet—and they’re already going to scrub me down again to—ugh…‘make my fur shine.’ Empress! I could break out so easily…but I can’t if I want to fulfill my mission. What am I supposed to do?!

The ladies seemed to be in bright spirits as they started scrubbing her defensive pelt; somehow, these women were far too good at collecting her hair without harming her. Valentina sighed, a mix of embarrassment and relief washing over her.

At least it’s not painful…and it’s keeping the resistance leaders off the chopping block. Yeah, look at the bright side, Val; your defensive Feat Grade and Ranks are skyrocketing! I should go back into my internal world and try to figure out another strategy.

She relaxed her fur as they worked, knowing it would be easier for them to trim it, collecting every fiber they could. Her fur was like body armor, and it was something the Supreme Leader, or so he called himself, was quite fond of, especially her tiger-themed color pattern and soft feel.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, she thought bitterly. If the stupid resistance leaders die, there won’t be anyone capable of rallying the scattered groups to join you, Empress. And it’s not like I can do it since I’m just a scary kitty-cat to them.

[Beast Queen’s Coat II - Advanced to S-tier]

Valentina's mind drifted to the recent events that led to her capture. The clanless leaders, the ones Roman had brought together, had been caught in a trap set by the Supreme Leader. One traitor had been lured with promises of alliance and protection, only to be ambushed and taken prisoner, blowing the stack on the whole operation.

None of this is my fault, Empress; I didn’t know how to get into their stupid, impenetrable quen’talrat fortress! I got the code down now, but all the leaders are split up and could be killed at any moment. At least right now they’re brought out and shown to me daily for my cooperation.

If only I’d paid more attention to The Empress and how she handled these things. Diplomacy is so much more complicated than I thought. She sighed, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. But I won’t give up. I’ll find a way out of this. Somehow.

The ri'bot continued their work, seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil. As they finished scrubbing her down, Valentina sent her prayer to her empress.

I’ll get through this. I’ll find a way to make it right… You would do that.

Valentina shivered, feeling vulnerable with her fur shaved down to practically her skin, leaving her almost hairless. Her emerald eyes narrowed as she watched the female ri’bot wheel the buckets away. She swore she’d get revenge on the Supreme Leader. He was strong, but she’d gotten a lot stronger, too. Tonight, when everyone was asleep, she’d strike. She’d been watching the guards change shifts and she’d be ready.

Valentina felt her cheeks burn as the ri’bot finished scrubbing her down. She could feel every breeze against her exposed skin, her fur shaved down to practically nothing. Vulnerable didn’t even begin to describe it. But there was something else simmering beneath the surface—a fierce desire for vengeance for this daily humiliation.

I swear, Supreme Leader, you’ll be begging when I’m through with you… You don’t just leave a girl naked in public! At least there aren’t any humans around, but I’m not some mindless animal. Tonight, when everyone’s asleep, I’ll strike, Empress.

Time seemed to stretch and warp in her cage, the hours passing like days, yet she could tell it went by due to her gradually returning fur. The courtyard was a hive of activity, with military units of the newly founded Clan of the Supreme Leader bustling about; several took time out of their day to jeer her, praising their new ruler. The name itself was a joke; they weren’t even creative enough to come up with something better.

The sun dipped below the horizon, and the noises of the jungle outside the high, 50-meter-tall walls grew louder. Giant crickets chirped their song, and the occasional distant roar of a Ragnlar made her ears fly up as it echoed through the night. Unlike the other ri’bot who thrived in the jungle, these toads had poor eyesight and needed fire to see. They’d abandoned the jungle generations ago, relying on the stone fortress for protection.

Torches flickered to life around the vast area, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The guards were alert at first, but Valentina knew their routines. She’d watched them for days, memorizing the patterns and waiting for the right moment.

Almost there, Empress. Just a little longer.

The shift change came, and the guards’ vigilance began to wane. Valentina flexed her muscles, testing the strength of the vines one last time. They were tight, but she’d been working on loosening them without the toad’s notice.

As the night grew deeper, the sounds of the jungle seemed to encroach on the fortress. The guards lit more torches, their flickering light dancing on the smooth, black marble-like ground. The Supreme Leader’s fortress was imposing, but she knew these ri’bot were playing soldiers compared to the warriors of the jungle clans, and they had nothing on Empress Elinor. She had a mission to complete.

Her moment came when the guards moved to the far side of the courtyard, their attention diverted by some minor commotion. A giant rock that flew out of the sky? It didn’t matter. Valentina took a deep breath, summoning every bit of strength she had, flexed her fingers, and broke one of the twine locking her digits, wrists, and arms in place; her muscles were coiled and ready.

Alright, bastards! Time for the hunt.

Her large, feline eyes glowed as she called upon her predatory instinct, slipping through the bars and into the long shadows. She moved silently, her keen senses guiding her through the dimly lit courtyard.

[Melding Shadows II: Activated]

[Beast Empowerment II - Advanced to D-tier]

Seconds had passed since Valentina had escaped, her heart pounding with a mix of frustration and exhilaration. The scent of ri’bot hung in the air, ripe for the hunt. She rubbed her sore wrists, flexing her claws and stretching her body out as she prowled through the shadows. Her eyes locked onto the changing guard, her muscles coiling with anticipation.

Alright, bastards. Time for the hunt.

With a swift, silent leap, she launched out of the darkness, her claws slashing through the first guard’s throat. Blood sprayed, and she pounced on the second guard, who was just turning to see his stiffening companion, mouth opening in shock.

Her bloody fist jabbed down his open gullet, cutting off his croak. She snatched his tongue, making him gag and fumble his torch, casting more shadows over the area as it fell. With a brutal yank, she ripped it out of his throat, a gurgled cry dying in his blood-filling lungs. Yet, she hadn’t been as undetected as she’d thought—she’d somehow missed someone.

A shiver ran down her spine to the tip of her spiked tail when a calm, deep voice praised her, breaking the silence of the courtyard. “Well done. Efficient and ruthless.”

Fur standing on end, Valentina’s bob-cut hair whipped across her face as she leaped away, centering on a tall, handsome bunny man sitting on a large metal storage crate. [Beastial Instincts] screamed at her to run, but she knew she wouldn’t escape. Sweat broke out across her body, yet she jumped at him anyway, projecting a claw-like slash of physical orange energy at him.

The man dodged it effortlessly, his movements smooth and calculated. Valentina’s frustration bubbled over as she launched into a series of attacks, each one met with a serene dodge or one-fingered deflection. His voice was calm, almost bored, as he critiqued her.

“Your form is good for one solely relying on instinct, but you’re too predictable, and your fear of me is making you stiff. Adjust your footing; set a solid foundation.”

Valentina snarled, her anxiety rising as the rabbit continued to evade her strikes with ease. His critics felt like a master educating a student, and it grated on her nerves, taking her back to The Empress’ playful comments.

“Your speed is impressive—”

[Blitz I: Activated]

“Oh, a sharp and sudden increase?” he mused, immediately matching her. “But you’re not using it to its full potential. Anticipate, don’t just react.”

Her breath came in short, furious bursts as she dashed after him across the courtyard, afraid if she looked away, he’d draw his two sheathed blades and cut her in half in an instant; she had to have drawn attention, though. Why weren’t the alarms being sounded?!

Each failed attempt added to her frustration. She tried a feint, hoping to catch him off guard, but he smoothly sidestepped, his eyes reflecting complete serenity and never leaving hers.

“Better, but still not enough to get your revenge. You need to think several moves ahead.”

She growled, the sound low and feral, her patience wearing thin. Who does he think he is, critiquing me like this, my dad?!

Valentina’s belly cramped as he slipped by her thrust, his fingers lightly tapping her side, sending a jolt through her body; it didn’t hurt so much as make her lock up as if hit by static shock! She stumbled back, her rhythm broken while glaring at him.

“W-What’s your deal?” she snarled.

“Focus, Valentina,” he said, left arm resting against his sheathed blade hilts. “You’re letting your emotions control you.”

Her claws flexed in and out. “Is that right? Then quit taunting me!”

She launched at him again, this time aiming to drive him toward the obelisk by the metal doors of the mine’s entrance; by some miracle, the guard resting against its side hadn’t noticed their dance. If she could just get to the weird console and open the mine gates, she could sprint to the prisoners.

The bunny suddenly stood his ground and met her with a series of blocks and parries, his expression never changing. She just needed to—Valentina’s ears flew back as she realized what he’d just called her before being sent into a tumble.

“You…know my name? Who are you? Why aren’t…” she trailed off, a lump forming in her throat as she rolled over the stone to right herself beside the obelisk guard, only…all that met her were dead eyes and pale skin: he’d been dead for a while.

Eyes widening, she stood straighter and darted back a few feet, scanning the courtyard, now registering that none of the ri’bot but her guards had moved for a while. Some of them should have changed positions.

“You’re…with The Empress?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Clapping came from the deep shadows of the gatehouse, and a familiar scent of decay wafted on the wind as the thin woman and man within revealed themselves: Death and Famine.

Valentina’s breath caught in her throat as she saw Black and Ash walking across the courtyard, their entertained, deliberate steps contrasting sharply with her earlier frenzied fight. Her heart raced, not out of fear, but from the surge of emotions that jabbed at her eyes like tiny spears.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” she mumbled, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow and rubbing her hot nose with a forced grin. “Black, Ash… Hah. What took you guys so long? I’ve been praying for, like…days. I was about to clean up this whole fortress on my own. What, did Ms. Empress need her beauty sleep? Where is she?” she asked, looking into the air because it was just like the undead lady to come rocketing out of the sky with a showy entrance.

Black’s thin lips curled into a smirk as she adjusted her gloves. “We thought you had a plan, Valentina; we’ve been waiting for hours to see what you’d come up with. And…ahem, most of these ri’bot have been dead since twilight, courtesy of Grace.”

Ash’s skeletal fingers clapped together with a hollow sound. “Impressive display, though. Grace, that was some wonderful tutelage.”

Grace’s soft chuckles were as serene as his unchanging expression. His gaze swept the fortress walls, where Valentina now realized there must have been more than fifty dead toads, all without a single drop of blood being released to the wind.

“She has potential; she just needs a little refinement. To be honest, I believe Queen Camellia would be a better fit for her. The Empress sent us here to support you while she handled other business.”

Valentina’s fur bristled, both from embarrassment and irritation; it stung a little her hero hadn’t come herself to rescue her, but she understood she was the busiest person in history—the undead girl never even slept.

“You…were watching me for hours! Ugh. Wait, was that rock your doing?! It was! And refinement, huh? Well, if you’re done watching the show, maybe you can lend a hand?” she growled, ears pulled back and cheeks red as she crossed her arms.

Ash tilted his head, his hollow eyes focusing on her. “I see you’ve developed more of an attitude this past week, Tiger, and they gave you quite the haircut. It’s certainly a fashion statement for the other teens when you get back.”

Valentina rolled her eyes, a snarky smile playing on her lips, now feeling totally safe with some of the empire’s biggest hitters beside her. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’m thinking of starting a trend. Maybe call it ‘forced fashion’ or something.”

Black stepped closer, her expression softening slightly while rubbing her head and messing up her hair. “You’ve done well, little cub. Now, tell us the tale. We can just wait for the doors to open for the next shift. I don’t see any need to rush, and…they seem to have a lot of food,” she chirped.

Her dark-coated giant horse materialized from corrosive fog, and she sent it prancing off to kick open the wooden boxes to eat their stored fruit. “Interesting place, by the way. How do we get these obelisks to cooperate? Do you suppose they’re the same as the northern lake one High Queen Butter discovered? We just scaled the walls with our Feats, and Grace is an absolute monster!”

Valentina took a deep breath, her focus shifting to the task at hand. “Alright, so, this is what happened…”

She felt somewhat pissed, sitting in the middle of a fortress she would have trouble taking out herself while these Horsemen and rabbit—correction, hare—man just swept in and took out the wannabe soldiers without anyone’s notice…including her.

Valentina explained the painstaking effort and time it took to round up the clanless since they were in tiny family clans across the valley. This Supreme Leader weirdo was subjugating most of them with his band. She’d taken out most of the generals fine enough—well, there were some close calls, but nothing a good ol’ ambush couldn’t solve.

Going over the rebellion leader’s stupidity and capture, she capped it off with the more fascinating part—this fortress.

“So, yeah… These runic obelisks here are some kind of ancient quen’talrat tech, or something,” she mumbled, her tail swinging left and right as she pointed the glowing runes out to them. I’m sure Quin will be able to tell you all about it. “All these guys seem to know is they require specific hand motions against certain symbols to activate. It’s like a password, but with gestures—actually pretty complicated.”

“No joke,” Black mused, sliding her slim finger down the edge. “Not only would you need to know the right symbol, when there seem to be over two dozen, but the proper hand motion… What is this sonic gun you mentioned that they use to knock people out?”

Valentina pointed them up to the wall, where sleek-looking metallic dishes were spaced. “It’s one of those, but on a portable stand he makes six girls carry—don’t ask me why he thinks they require a female ri’bot, but as far as I’ve seen, only females can pull the trigger. Probably a messed up setting when they were playing around with the code or something,” she shrugged. “I did that on the library computers once.”

She approached the nearest obelisk, her claws retracting as she demonstrated the motions. “Anyway, first, you touch this symbol here—looks like a spiral with a cross—and then you slide your hand up to this one—an inverted triangle. It’s all about precision and timing.”

Ash and Black watched intently, their eyes following her movements. Grace jumped over ten meters with each hop until he reached the top of the wall to study the devices, his big ears no doubt still silently listening.

“Interesting. And once activated, what happens?” Ash questioned.

Valentina glanced at him, her orange eyes gleaming as she made a single line down the last symbol. “Once activated, the gates to the mines will open…without a sound.”

The obelisk hummed to life under her touch, its runes glowing with a soft, eerie light. One by one, the colossal gates to the mines began to rise into the ceiling to an interior meant for giants, and Valentina’s heart pounded with anticipation.

“That’s where the prisoners are kept. I can follow their scent. I honestly don’t think the clanless will be good for soldiers, though. Also,” her eyes narrowed as she darted forward to take out the lazy guards, not expecting an attack. “I want to kill the Supreme Leader.”

Black nodded, her fingers flexing as she casually followed, a heavy aura overlapping Valentina and the guards; her scales tipped the opposite way, and the men’s bodies began to shrivel while hers filled with a burst of energy, pushing her forward faster than she’d ever run.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t explore a little. Perhaps we could bring back a few souvenirs for The Empress. What do you say, Grace?”

“…It’s too large; I can’t even hear it’s full size. Although, a short venture wouldn’t hurt. It is all up to our team leader.”

She almost missed her slash when Grace somehow appeared ahead of her, peering down a nearby branch before turning to give her a decision-making stare.

I’m trying to kill things! she sighed, wanting to cry at how far behind she really was in the empire. Give me a break—that’s what I’m talking about!

[Level Up - Level 15]

[1 Stat Points Added; 1 Available]

[1 Stat Modifier Point Added; 1 Available]

[1 Refinement Point Added; 1 Available]

[1 Branch Feat Point Added; 1 Available]

With Black’s dualistic enhancing and debilitating support, the guards were left throatless before they could let out a cry.

Thank you, Empress! I’ll get stronger! I’ll push harder!

Valentina’s bloody fingers quivered, a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, satisfaction bubbling up inside her at the progress.

Grace observed her with a calm, appraising look from within, while Ash and Black casually walked beside her. The tension in the air was palpable—at least, it was to her—but it was the kind of tension that made Valentina’s blood sing with excitement.

“Alright, team,” she whispered, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Let’s break out the stupid prisoners and make the Supreme Leader regret his life choices. Maybe I’ll even get my fur back in the process as a trophy.”

Ash’s hollow eyes flickered with amusement, summoning his wicked-looking sickles that he spun in a slow circle, sliding the ends together to create a haunting sound that echoed through the deep halls. “I’m sure your fur will grow back stronger than ever, Val. It certainly looks formidable…at least where you have it,” he noted.

Prowling forward while sniffing the air, she rolled her eyes and glanced at the receding fur around much of her body. “Yeah, because that’s the real priority here. For your information, my Feats get stronger the less fur I have—like condensing my tiger powers into speed, senses, or power. Just focus on not getting us all killed by some quen’talrat death trap, okay? That’s about the only thing I’m scared of right now.”

Black’s grin widened. “With you leading the charge, what could possibly go wrong, fluffy tail? Usually, White’s the one galloping ahead, but you’re our little shining horse today, sweetie.”

Valentina snorted, her claws flexing as she followed the first path to the left that descended further into the wide corridors. Most rooms seemed to be sealed shut, and, by the scent, no one had ever visited inside, which probably meant more than a year.

“Oh, I’ve seen plenty go wrong so far, so don’t you worry about surprises. But that’s what makes it—no way.”

Valentina stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as the wall to their right rumbled and shifted. It revealed a colossal open cavern that seemed to stretch infinitely into the heart of the mountain. Bridges, platforms, and intricate railing systems spanned the void, disappearing into the darkness beyond even her [Darkvision II] Feat.

“Woah,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the ambient hum of the cavern. The sheer scale of the place was staggering, making her feel like a tiny insect in a giant’s lair.

This really is fantasy…

“May Nungal guide my way.”

As she took a moment to process the sight, Grace vanished from her vision with a gentle prayer on his lips. One second, he was there, and the next, he was gone. Shouts echoed from down the hall seconds later.

Valentina spun around just in time to see Grace reappear, his long ponytail whipping through the air as he dispatched five toads in a blur of motion. One of them managed to draw a poorly crafted knife before Grace effortlessly stole it and used it to jab into the previous owner’s chest, returning it to him.

She gulped, watching the scene unfold. “Uh, what’s his story, Black?” she mumbled, half in shock and half filled with jealousy. “How did he end up in the Empire? He’s definitely not undead, but he’s just as terrifying.”

“Grace, showoff much?” Black called out, a smirk tugging at her lips despite the tension. “Leave some for the rest of us, handsome.”

He gave them a serene smile, not touching anything from the fallen toads, his eyes reflecting an almost amused calm as they neared. “Just ensuring our path is clear.”

Ash snickered, his skeletal fingers clinking together. “Don’t worry, Val. We’ll let you handle the next batch, and I think you’d be better to hear the story from The Empress’ lips. I’m sure you’ll make it entertaining with your frenzied boxing.”

Valentina shook her head, leading the group deeper into the cavern. “Keep making fun of me; I know I’m a little kitty in a big world.”

She was surprised when they mirrored her, moving with practiced stealth—her craft—the eerie quiet only broken by the occasional distant rumble. A few more quickly assassinated toads later that had no business being warriors, and they finally reached a heavily guarded room—the barracks, apparently.

Of course, they’d be through the most heavily guarded place! Half the room is still awake…and are those slave ri’bot women and men in the corner? Damn. They used most of them for sport. I guess the Supreme Leader attracts a certain type of clan…

Figuring the so-called ‘resistance leaders’ were just beyond them in one of the rooms, Valentina frowned. The individual families she’d met in the jungle had more heart than these guys, but they did put on quite the show when she first met them.

She pouted a little when the three monsters beside her looked at her for guidance.

I want to have them! I know I’ll make a ton of noise with this many, though…

“Fine… take them out. Wait…”

Death’s bone-like face cracked, the light in his deep-socketed eyes glinting. “If we’ve discovered our target…then I see no reason to hold back.”

Valentina’s heart pounded in her chest as the bony man in robes stepped into the light, his sickles flashing with an unholy glow. The room fell silent, the toads frozen in place, their eyes wide with terror at the unearthly figure’s reveal.

The clash of his sickles stopped conversation and snatched all eyes. His hollow, haunting voice echoed through the still halls, a dark mist rose around him—an ashen war steed emerging from it beside him, its clicking hooves striking her brain. Valentina almost felt a little pity for them…almost.

“And I looked, and beheld a pale horse, and his name that sat upon him was Death, and Hell followed with him…” His voice was a chilling whisper.

Death moved with eerie elegance, his sickles slicing through the air with deadly precision. Each swing reaped the souls of the panicking ri’bot, their bodies crumpling to the ground before rising again, animated by the dark magic that flowed from the torrents of energy now filling the space. The undead toads, now under his control, turned on their living comrades, adding to the chaos.

Valentina watched in disbelief as the dead began to flood the hallways, more corpses crawling out of the hellish mist that followed the Horseman. Screams filled the air, mingling with the stench of brimstone, sulfur, and decay. The fortress had become a living nightmare—and this was only one of The Empress’ generals.

She shivered, feeling the weight of the situation press down on her. This is insane... I knew Death was powerful, but this... This is something else entirely.

Despite the terror around her, she couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction. It served them right for turning against their own people for a little taste of power.

Ash and Black moved with her, their presence a comforting reminder that she wasn’t alone in this madness. They made their way deeper into the fortress, passing gates, the screams and cries of the dead and living resounding through the stone walls. Valentina led them to the right room, wondering if she’d get a chance to kill the Supreme Leader—she hoped so. Still, Death was putting in work for her!

[Level Up - Level 16]

[1 Stat Points Added; 2 Available]

[1 Stat Modifier Point Available]

[1 Refinement Point Available]

[1 Branch Feat Point Available]

Entering a side room. Inside, the clanless elders trembled, their eyes darting between the four guards, who seemed more interested in their stick game than the chaos outside. Valentina didn’t hesitate. She leaped forward just as they looked up, confusion twisting their faces, her claws flashing as she dispatched the guards with swift, brutal efficiency—Grace even complimented her!

The elders cowered as she turned her gaze on them, her orange eyes blazing with fury. “Get up,” she ordered, her voice cold and commanding. “We’re getting out of here, and you’re going to gather everyone you represent for a speech in the courtyard. Now!”

They scrambled to their feet, their fear palpable—not from her, but the shadow of literal Death looming on his horse behind her. Valentina didn’t wait for them to gather their wits. She turned to her team, her expression determined.

“Let’s move. This is not how my story is going to end. I’m going after the man who had me shaved naked for the last few days! Is he still alive, Ash?”

The ghostly figure’s bone-like mouth cracked into a smile underneath his cowl. “I figured you would want to handle him yourself. I’ve trapped him on a bridge. He was, hehehe, fairly easy to identify with his attire.”

Valentina’s blood boiled. “Good. I’m going to bite his throat out and watch him suffocate on his own blood!”

“Yikes!” Famine snickered, her thin eyes twinkling. “I think we’re rubbing off on you. Why don’t I help a tiny bit?” she asked with a wink.

“No complaints from me,” she cackled, taking the woman’s extended hand to swing onto the back of her horse. “Grace, can you guide them out while I take care of a side quest?”

“By all means, My Lady,” he smoothly replied with a deep bow. “May the flavor be as sweet as the honeydew of a first kiss.”

Almost thrown off by the comment, Valentina prepared herself for her boss fight. He made a fool out of her, which meant he made a fool out of The Empress, and she couldn’t face her idol again until righting that sin.