Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-16

Denstra met with Tenshal, Wenshai, and Endea in Sick Bay. “Broken down again?” she guessed.

“My engine’s only good for scrap,” replied Endea. “It’s been that way for a long time.

“You’re sadly correct,” sighed Denstra.

“Isn’t there anything we can do about it?” asked Wenshai.

“Like what?” muttered Denstra. “Tuurk and Talair won’t authorize repairs or a replacement engine. The only place she’s going to get one is with a heritage fleet. I’m sorry, Endea, but if you’re going to have any chance of a new engine, I’ll have to advise Arsha to ask Realmfleet to retire you.”

“I understand,” sighed Endea.

“But, Commander, that’s not fair!” protested Tenshal. “It only played up when she saved me from quarantine!”

“I’m sorry, but it’s out of my hands,” answered Denstra. “Like I said, the Endeavor…hold on, what was that about quarantine?”

“I almost picked up some cattle from Yutt’s farm,” explained Tenshal. “Endea stopped me and thinks the officer there was bribed.”

“And what facts do you have?” asked Denstra.

“I saw an exchange between Yutt and the officer when I tried to pick up his cattle, Ma’am,” reported Wenshai.

“You see?” asked Tenshal. “Endea’s the reason why I’m still here!”

“Stop it, Ensign,” ordered Endea. “Don’t go on about it.”

“Yes, please,” muttered Denstra. “You’re breaking my heart.”

“Honestly, Ma’am!” urged Tenshal. “You’ve gotta believe us! We’re only reporting the facts!”

“Commendable,” replied Denstra, “but it’s only one side of the facts.”

“Ah, Commander Welmeva!” came Tuurk’s oily voice as he and Talair arrived. “We have some good news for you, don’t we, Mr. Talair?”

“Indeed, Mr. Tuurk!” agreed Talair.

“You’re leaving Realmfleet?” asked Denstra.

“No, but the Endeavor is,” answered Talair, “isn’t she, Mr. Tuurk?”

“Oh, absolutely!” agreed Tuurk. “We’ve found a lovely heritage fleet base for her where she will be cared for and be given essential repairs.”

“She can get both here!” snapped Tenshal.

“Not on our tin, Ensign,” remarked Talair.

“Ah, Tuurk! Talair! Lovely to see you two!” called Arsha’s voice.

“Captain!” called Tenshal. “You have to do something! They’re going to sell Endea off!”

“Indeed!” confirmed Talair. “It’s quite a scenic base for her. You should be thanking us for getting this liability off your hands.”

“…Endea, you’ve served for a long time,” recalled Arsha. “You’ve been a shining example of Realmfleet ships long before you became a Mechanica last year, that’s a praiseworthy effort, perhaps worthy of retirement. So, the question is, is retirement what you want?” Endea was taken aback.

“Er, well…if I had the choice,” she mumbled, “then…no, I don’t want to be retired or scrapped.”

“Very well,” declared Arsha. She then turned to Tuurk and Talair with a big grin. “Gentlemen, have you checked the recent news?”

“Er, I don’t see how that correlates to this situation, do you, Mr. Talair?” asked Tuurk.

“I’m as in the dark as you, Mr. Tuurk,” answered Talair.

“Go on and check the Realmfleet Voting Boards and Orders Site,” advised Arsha. The two men arched their eyebrows before doing so. When they read the news, they were flabbergasted.

“Our scrapping and retirement proposal was shot down?!” yelped Tuurk.

“And all in-service ships are required to receive an overhaul in preparations for combat?!” cried Talair. “Who’s the idiot who wants us to waste our money like that?! The Final War hasn’t even begun yet!”

“Given the situation with Dr. Borg,” remarked Arsha, “I’d say that order only makes sense. Well, you heard them, you NEED to authorize Endea’s long-overdue overhaul.”

“Hold on!” protested Tuurk. “Endea hasn’t given us permission to do so!”

“So, we can’t until…!” continued Talair.

“I DO give my permission for an overhaul!” called Endea. “I’ve been needing one for a long time now!”

“Oh…very well!” grumbled Tuurk. “If you would kindly give us a detailed explanation of your issues, we’ll make sure there’s enough money for the shipyards to fix them as they give you your overhaul.”

“See if we care,” grunted Talair as the two men angrily strode out of Sick Bay and towards the exit.

“Commander Welmeva,” directed Arsha, “you and Shalvey request a set of sky-tugs to take us to the Galdredan Shipyards.”

“Aye, aye, Captain!” confirmed Denstra as she headed off to follow her orders.

“Ensigns, Thangred has already been informed of the overhaul order,” continued Arsha, “so you two help him secure any loose ends before the tugs arrive.”

“Yes, Captain!” cheered Tenshal.

“Hop on!” offered Wenshai. Tenshal climbed onto Wenshai and they galloped down the hall.

“Captain, I’ll see that Realmfleet never regrets this!” promised Endea.

“Given your service, I don’t think they will,” replied Arsha.

“So, if I may inquire, how did your dream-weaving go?”

“Splendidly! I feel like I could take on Oyed himself with my bare hands!”

“Well, don’t leave us out of the fight just yet. Hey, did you happen to get any information on a Minotaur named Tornoth?”

“Gorfanth’s brother? Oh, Gorfanth had a real funny story about that!”


What happened was simple. When Tornoth prepared to hook his horseless carriage up, the officer from the transfer yard flew in with a squadron of broom-riders. “Hey! Yutt!” she called. “I told you to leave your farm under quarantine until your cattle were cured or disposed of! Where’s your assigned officer?! Telnek, what’s going on here?!” The officer in charge of Yutt’s cattle train, Mr. Telnek the Sky Elf, didn’t say a word, giving the lead officer all the information she needed. “I don’t believe it! You accepted a bribe! Boys, do your thing!” Telnek then mounted his broom!

“We’ve got a flier!” called another officer. A few officers pursued and grounded Telnek, putting the cuffs on him.

“As for you, Yutt,” snarled the lead officer, “trying to foist potentially infected beef onto our Queen and her family and staff? You’re lucky I got here in time! Get that quarantine flag back up NOW!”

“Erm, okay,” gulped Tornoth, “since I’m in the way, I’ll just bugger off and…”

“You’re not doing anything of the sort!” snapped the officer as she pointed a finger at him. “I saw you approach that train with clear intent to deliver it!”

“That’s not my fault!” protested Tornoth. “There wasn’t a quarantine flag! You saw it yourself!”

“Well, that’s your bad luck! Whether you knew or not makes no difference! Since foot and mouth affects all bovids, even bipedal ones, I must consider you infected.”

“But I’m innocent! Honest, I’m completely innocent!”

“You’re in quarantine as of now!”

“Oh, for the love of…!”

“Ah, ah! No whining! You’re staying here until a doctor can determine your health! And don’t you even think about slipping away!” The officer turned to her squadron. “Keep an eye on him, boys! I’ll be back with a doctor!” She mounted her broom and took off. As she left, Tornoth turned on Yutt.

“Thanks a lot!” he snarled. “You’re a real villain, Yutt, you inbred mutt!”

“I needed me cattle taken!” protested Yutt.

“Yeah, well, thanks to you, I’ve probably got foot and mouth disease! Come here, you…!”

“No fighting!” called an officer.


After a few hours, a set of sky-tugs arrived, attached chains to strategic points on the Endeavor, and hauled her to the shipyards. When they arrived and set the Endeavor down into a repair berth, Endea met with the commander of the shipyards, the Mechanica extension of the tug Karalda, a Ms. Karald, to discuss what problems to expect. Endea was on a bed. “So, Ms. Endea,” mused Karald, “did you request a new engine from your Captain?”

“I did,” answered Endea, “but Tuurk and Talair blocked her at every attempt.”

“They ARE quite infamous for it. And these tickles in your hull, how often were they?”

“They only happened yesterday. I want them nipped in the bud.”

“Smart girl. Anything else we should know about?”

“Nope, just the problems I’ve already outlined.”

“Excellent. We’ll be ready to administer the purple water at your say-so.” Endea then pulled the sheets over her.

“All right, put me under!” Karald then pulled out her communicator and made a call.

“She’s all good to go!” she reported. After a few seconds, Endea gave a yawn and fell asleep, thanks to the purple water. Purple water is an anesthetic for only Mechanicas to use in repair work. Once this chemical is introduced into a Mechanica’s systems, they fall into a deep hibernative sleep, so they won’t feel the cutting or welding torches during the repair process. This was introduced purely by accident as someone was coming up with a painkiller for Mechanicas to take during repairs. The test subject of this trial, a road-type Mechanica, was almost pronounced dead until someone restarted their engine. Soon, this chemical agent was tested with all Mechanicas and was declared better than a mere painkiller.

Now, there was an unfortunate discovery of a Mechanica euthanizing chemical, but that shall be discussed later. For now, there were two ominous onlookers of the Endeavor’s overhaul, Tuurk and Talair. “Of all the irresponsible ways Realmfleet has gone,” muttered Talair, “this is certainly the most irresponsible, isn’t it, Mr. Tuurk?”

“Indeed, Mr. Talair,” agreed Tuurk. “I must say, Mechanicas are an impediment to progress. An awfully expensive one, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Tuurk?”

“I would say, Mr. Talair.” Tuurk was then struck by inspiration. “I believe the Galdredan Reliable Road Services can assist us, Mr. Talair!”

“How so, Mr. Tuurk?”

“Realmfleet has been taking unnecessary delivery jobs, Mr. Talair. Ships go from one part of a single kingdom to another.”

“You’re right, Mr. Tuurk! Realmfleet is cutting into a kingdom’s internal deliveries! On top of it being overbearing and a breach of public trust, it’s too expensive. I take it there’s someone in the Galdredan Reliable Road Services who shares our views, Mr. Tuurk?”

“A Mr. Tornoth Steelhorn, Mr. Talair. He feels as if Realmfleet is cutting into his paycheck.”

“Does he have a family?”

“A wife, his father-in-law, and two little calves, a boy and girl.”

“Then we are certainly obligated to assist in any way we can, aren’t we, Mr. Tuurk?”

“Indeed, we are, Mr. Talair.” The two moneymen then left the dock where the Endeavor was being overhauled as they both sang the Galdredan National Anthem.

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-15

After a few days, Endea and Tenshal arrived at a transfer yard. Tornoth and a coworker of his, a male Troll named Yellug, were also there with Gorfanth simply observing the whole thing. “Not taking part?” teased Tornoth.

“Not me,” replied Gorfanth. He noticed the officer talking to the engine’s driver. The driver looked incredibly angry while the officer, a human woman, was telling the driver what to do. The driver’s shoulders then slumped, and he slunk off into the cab before pulling out a flag with a germ symbol on it.

“You’re kidding!” shouted Yellug.

“I’m afraid not,” replied the officer. “If you lot were hoping to take the cattle on, you can forget it. They’re quarantined. Foot and mouth was found among this lot. We need to cure or dispose of them.”

“And I thrashed my engine to get here!” snarled Endea.

“Sorry, folks. Better luck next time.” The officer then left for her next job as doctors tended to the cattle.

“Well, now what?!” grumbled Yellug.

“I don’t know about you,” mused Tornoth, “but I’m just going to mosey around. I think there’s a job up at the Walek Lava Pit, so I’ll head up that way.”

“You need any help?” asked Yellug.

“No, it’s just a small job that needs to get to the castle.”

“All right, see you later.”

“Bye!” Tornoth and Yellug then started the carriages and took off in different directions.

“Now what’s Tornoth up to?” muttered Tenshal. “The only job up there is Yutt’s cattle train. It’s supposed to clear quarantine today and Wenshai’s supposed to take it.”

“Knowing my brother, he’ll try and take it from her,” muttered Gorfanth.

“You think he would?”

“Of course, the villain would. In a place that remote, who’d stop him?”

“We would,” answered Endea. “Come on, Ensign. We better make sure he’s up to only fair-play.” Endea got her horse to move and the cart followed Tornoth.

“Realmfleet people,” sighed Gorfanth. “Always wanting to play the hero. …Then again, someone needs to these days.”


Wenshai approached a farm with a cattle train sitting by it. “All right, there’s Yutt the mutt’s farm and…” she trailed off when she saw the quarantine flag. “Bother! It’s got infected cattle!” Just then, she saw an Inu farmer man talk to the officer standing by the train. They exchanged something and the officer took the flag down. “What the? So…it’s NOT quarantined anymore? Now that’s strange. Should I…?”

“Hey! You! Realmfleeter!” called the farmer. “Take me train up to the castle!”

“Who, er, me?” squeaked Wenshai. “Er, sorry, I can’t, Mr. Mu…I mean, Mr. Yutt. I’ve, er, got another job, so…I’ll come back later.” She then galloped off. “I’m not risking it, not me.” As she galloped off, she heard the horn of a horseless carriage and stopped to see Tornoth pull up.

“Well, well, well!” chuckled Tornoth as he stopped. “What’s a Realmfleeter like you doing out here?”

“Me? Nothing,” replied Wenshai.

“Don’t tell me you’ve come all this way for ‘nothing’,” scoffed Tornoth.

“No, Sir, I AM working.”

“You’re not hauling anything. You’re certainly not here for target practice, or your wand would have been out. What are you working on?”

“Well, er…it’s…it’s a secret Realmfleet project.”

“Secret? Don’t give me that! You went up to Yutt the mutt’s farm and found that his cattle train was waiting for clearance. What’s secret about that?”

“Sorry, like I said, it’s a secret Realmfleet project. I’m not allowed to give you the specifics.”

“Wenshai!” called Tenshal’s voice. He and Endea arrived in the cart. “Wenshai! Are you all right? You looked bothered.”

“No bothers on my mind,” answered Wenshai. “Just…a mystery. You see, Yutt’s cattle train WAS flying a quarantine flag.”

“You didn’t get near it, I hope?” asked Endea.

“I was tempted to,” replied Wenshai. “You see, the flag came down, but…”

“The flag came down?!” cheered Tornoth. “That’s your secret, huh?! It’s been cleared! Right! That’s my job!” He gunned the engine and his carriage roared off towards the farm!

“No!” called Tenshal. “Not if I’ve got anything to say about it!” He unharnessed the cart’s horse and mounted it.

“WAIT! STOP!” shouted Endea as she attempted to mount Wenshai. She then cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

“ENDEA!” called Wenshai. Tenshal gave up the chase and dismounted, heading to Endea.

“What’s the idea, gunning your own engine like that?!” he protested.

“Never mind me!” insisted Endea. “Ensign Tenshal, what were you thinking?!”

“I was trying to stop Tornoth from taking one of our jobs!”

“Even one that would have gotten you quarantined?!”

“You heard Wenshai, the flag came down!” Endea turned to Wenshai.

“Wenshai, you said ‘but’ before Tornoth took off. How was that sentence going to end?”

“Well, just before the officer took the flag down,” answered Wenshai, “Yutt spoke to him and then handed him something.”

“You see?” Endea asked Tenshal. “Yutt probably bribed the officer into clearing his cattle.”

“Oh, for Balmo’s sake!” snarled Tenshal. “Yutt, you mutt!”

“Endea, are you all right?” asked Wenshai.”

“Fraid not. My engine’s coolant pipes fractured. They had to flush the engine core with water. That means a replacement or, more likely, the end for me.”

“Not if we have anything to say about it!” declared Wenshai. “Tenshal, help Endea to the cart and harness me to it. You take the horse and run ahead to explain the situation to Denstra. I’ll follow you as swiftly and safely as allowed.”


Tornoth arrived at the farm and met with Farmer Yutt. “What are you doing here?” he barked. “Here to not take me cattle?”

“Abandon a client?” replied Tornoth. “Perish the thought, Mr. Yutt. The Galdredan Reliable Road Services NEVER forsake their clients.”

“Good,” grunted Yutt. “Take it to the castle and give it some speed.”

“At once, Sir.” Tornoth then chuckled to himself. “Eat my dust, Realmfleet!”


Once more, Arsha’s quarters were set up for a dream-weaving session. “Are you ready?” asked Falnii.

“Ready,” replied Arsha. She breathed deeply and shut her eyes, feeling Falnii touch the back of her head with her own, then felt Falnii’s cloud wrap around her. Falnii then chanted.

Dream your dream with me.

Tell your woes to me.

Show your troubles to me.

Dream your dream with me.

Arsha fell into a deep sleep once more.


Arsha woke up in the ruins as usual, but this time, she didn’t call out to her lovers. “I know you’re lurking somewhere!” she called to the monstrous version of her. “Show yourself! No waves, no flooding the fjord, nothing! Just show yourself!”

“Want to go off-script, do we?” laughed Monster Arsha.

“Your script needs a rewrite.”

“It’s yours as well.”

“Just show yourself, you freak!”

“As you wish!” Arsha was then struck from behind by one of Monster Arsha’s tails. Arsha picked herself up and forced herself to stare into Monster Arsha’s eyes. “A real nightmare, isn’t it?” cackled Monster Arsha.

“What brings you here?” asked Arsha.

“The truth, of course! The truth you’ve been denying yourself!”

“What truth?!”

“That you are unworthy! Unworthy of your lovers, unworthy of being a Captain, unworthy of your own pride! You think yourself a capable commander, but people still died! Dr. Borg still has a means of coming back from the dead! The Realmfleet Revenants are still undead! You know they DO blame you!”

“They told me otherwise!”

“Mere words! They still actually hit you!”

“Just to keep up the act!”

“And you never regretted losing them in the first place?” Arsha went quiet. “I thought so! Normally, I would have gnawed on your bones and soul! …But I sense you have a higher calling! There’s a spark growing within you! A spark of rage!” Monster Arsha then vomited searing hot liquid onto Arsha’s face. It burned Arsha and twisted her emotions.

“What are you doing?!” she strained. “What is this…this rage?!”

“You may have fought for the good of Realmfleet,” continued Monster Arsha, “but you still have five deaths on your conscience! They became Revenants because you didn’t monitor Dr. Borg closely enough after she told you she had developed a machine that transfers her soul to a new body! How can you ever forgive yourself?”

“I…I can’t!” gasped Arsha.

“Then BURN!” Arsha screamed in agony, the liquid searing her flesh. She got angrier and angrier. “Become vengeance! Learn from me!” Arsha almost took Monster Arsha’s hand…until she slammed her fist into the ground, forcing the liquid to evaporate. She then caught her breath.

“You’re right,” she gasped, “I DO hate myself for not paying enough attention to Dr. Borg. However, my willpower is stronger than my self-hatred!”

“Willpower won’t save you!” cackled Monster Arsha. Arsha then noticed the formation of the fjord. There was a pair of rocky, curved spikes on the highest hill. Arsha then grinned.

“No, it won’t. But who says it’s just my willpower that drives me?” Monster Arsha cocked an eyebrow. “My lovers have told me that my willpower inspires them. One of my biggest regrets is that I never told them that they have aspects that inspire me. Gorfanth’s steel-shaping strength, for starters.” It was then that the hill with the curved spikes…stood up! The rocks fell away and revealed a giant Gorfanth! “Then there’s Lardeth’s talent of on-the-fly innovation!” Another hill stood up and fell apart to reveal a giant Lardeth! “And there’s Malnar’s ability to keep a person’s spirits up!” More rocks fell away as a giant Malnar stood up. “Don’t forget Foresna’s hope in a bright future! I’m willing to bet that bright light that appeared as the wave came took his shape!” Rocks fell away as a giant Foresna stood up. “And let’s never forget the compassion Falnii is known for!” The last hill stood up and crumbled away to reveal a giant Falnii. Monster Arsha looked terrified! “You may be a part of me, but you will NEVER be dominant again!”

“The Realms you know and love are burning!” shouted Monster Arsha. “When they are ashes, you will beg for vengeance!”

“I won’t let that happen! Now go back to the darkest parts of my mind!” Monster Arsha hissed. “If you do, I promise you, I’ll let you out in the final battle.”

“…You mean it?” asked Monster Arsha.

“You may be the darker aspects I don’t like, but you ARE a part of me. I would be a fool if I didn’t acknowledge you.”

“…Arsha Royana,” purred Monster Arsha, “there may be hope for you yet! Until then, farewell.” She slunk off as the giant Falnii looked at Arsha.

“Awaken,” she said softly.

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-14

Endea went through the streets on a horse-drawn cart with supplies. The day was getting hotter and hotter and her engine’s condition was affecting her. The Galdredan Lava Kingdom covered a good 3/4th’s of the Under-realm’s Southern continent and she was making a long westward journey along the southern coast. She kept rubbing her sides when she could. “Oof, my engine’s bad,” she groaned to herself. She arrived at the rail station she needed to be at and helped unload the supplies. Now, by law, all other transports are supposed to yield to any horse-drawn transports. However, there was always something that made it so the law wasn’t obeyed. This time, it was hardly the other person’s fault as the horseless carriage’s brakes had failed and the accelerator was stuck in a continual climbing rate. Thankfully, the steering was still intact. As Endea got her cart moving once the train left with its cargo, the horseless carriage turned sharply to the right to avoid a collision. “WATCH IT! THAT’S TOO FAST!” snapped Endea. As she turned to her left, her sides flared again, and she couldn’t stop her horse in time. The horse broke free and the cart toppled, spilling the load everywhere and throwing Endea to the ground. The load was on the tracks too. Tenshal approached her and surveyed the situation.

“Good grief, Ma’am!” he yelped. “What happened?!”

“I had a bit of an accident,” explained Endea. “Help me pick up the stuff and…” Her order was cut off by a train whistle. “Oh no, that’s WAY too near!”

“Can’t we save any of it?!” asked Tenshal.

“Stay back, Ensign!” ordered Endea. “That train will flatten you before you even touch one!” Tenshal stayed back and the train whizzed by, smashing the supplies under its wheels. “Ones dammit!” swore Endea. “How many times have I told Arsha I need a new engine?”

“Ma’am?” quizzed Tenshal.

“My engine played up once someone in a horseless carriage whizzed by me. I would have controlled the whole situation better if I could get a new engine!”

“Come on, Ma’am, you know it’s not Arsha’s fault. It’s Tuurk and Talair.”

“This happens whenever your engine plays up?!” yelped the nearby Stationmaster.

“Don’t stand there gawking!” argued Tenshal. “Go sound the alarm!”


Tuurk and Talair met with Denstra again. Those two would never give up unless Aldarval ordered them to. “Oh, Commander Welmeva!” called Tuurk.

“What?” snapped Denstra.

“Did you hear about Endea’s accident at Sonfelor Station?”

“And if I did?”

“Commander, you and your Captain must realize,” replied Talair, “that Endea’s ancient engine is finished and so is she. Wouldn’t you say, Mr. Tuurk?”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Talair,” agreed Tuurk. “A relic like her needs to be retired from service instead of draining precious resources maintaining her. We believe she would do well among the relics being broken up to make new ships, don’t we, Mr. Talair?”

“Always on the lookout for which ship’s next to go. That’s our business and the Endeavor is at the top of our list.”

“That ‘relic’ has been a valuable resource herself!” snarled Denstra. “Her contributions far outweigh any shortcomings she might have!”

“Hm, not very fiscally responsible, is it, Mr. Tuurk?” mused Talair.

“No, indeed, Mr. Talair,” answered Tuurk. “A more competent vessel commander would have no worries keeping Realmfleet finances in mind.”

“Until such a person is either in the Endeavor’s chain of command or is looking to replace Arsha,” growled Denstra, “we shall continue to run this ship as we see fit.”

“That can be arranged, Commander Welmeva,” warned Talair. “One word from us and you may find yourself replaced by someone who has no pirate past.”

“…Threaten me or bring up my days among Reb’s crew again,” hissed Denstra, “and you’ll be inspecting the ship’s underside while it’s in the air! Now SCRAM!”

“Very well,” answered Talair. “Have a nice day. Come, Mr. Tuurk. She needs to think it over.”

“Oh, indeed, Mr. Talair,” agreed Tuurk as both men left Denstra alone.

“What am I gonna do?” moaned Denstra.


The clean-up was swift and Endea gave her statement to the emergency services. The driver of the horseless carriage came back to the scene after his car crashed, confirming that he had little control of his vehicle. Endea was taken back via an immunized Gorfanth and Malnar on their own carriage. Unfortunately, a male Minotaur driver from a new road-based delivery service arrived. The roads were becoming cheaper than Realmfleet or railways to transport goods and this driver was waiting for the chance to rub it in to Gorfanth especially. “Well, well, well,” chuckled the driver as he stopped his horseless carriage, “what have we got here? Damaged goods and a hurting ship-type Mechanica? Another efficient Realmfleet maneuver!”

“Tornoth, what are YOU doing here?!” snorted Gorfanth.

“You know this guy?” asked Malnar.

“He’s my brother,” explained Gorfanth.

“And to answer your question,” continued the new arrival, Tornoth Steelhorn, “I was just moseying around after another delivery. It was my third delivery of the day, three times more than yours.”

“Oh look, you can do math,” snorted Gorfanth.

“Ooh, tetchy, aren’t we? You Realmfleet lovers REALLY love to flaunt your pride!”

“Someone has to, since you don’t.”

“What happened, anyways, brother?”

“If you MUST know, there was an accident involving a horseless carriage and it almost smashed into Endea. One of yours, I take it?”

“Hey, you can’t pin that on us! We don’t hire reckless drivers! In all honesty, you should have called us to help with the clean-up! We’d have cleared it much faster than…Gorfanth, WHAT, pray tell, are you looking at?”

“I’m not sure, but…okay, now I’m sure! Look out! Angry mama bear!!”

“WHERE?!” Tornoth scrambled to the roof of his carriage to look for the bear but couldn’t find it. He then became aware of Gorfanth laughing at him. “Oh, very funny!” he snorted as he climbed back into the driver’s seat. “You’ll get yours! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got bigger prospects to worry about!” He started his carriage and set off.

“Okay, what made him afraid of bears?” asked Malnar.

“He barely survived an encounter with a mama bear after getting between her and her cub,” explained Gorfanth.

“…How is he not hamburger?!” yelped Endea.


While that was going on, Arsha and Falnii set up the room for another dream weaving session. “Are you ready?” asked Falnii.

“Ready,” replied Arsha. She breathed deeply and shut her eyes, feeling Falnii touch the back of her head with her own, then felt Falnii’s cloud wrap around her. Falnii then chanted.

Dream your dream with me.

Tell your woes to me.

Show your troubles to me.

Dream your dream with me.

As Falnii chanted, Arsha fell into a deep sleep.


Arsha woke up again in the ruins within the fjord. “…Fluffy?” she called. “Hooves? Bonfire? Princess? Farm Boy? …Hello? …Anyone?!”

“You can’t be helped,” replied the ominous voice. The area rumbled as the massive wave appeared. As Arsha stood, a light shone from behind her.

“…If you’re what I need,” pleaded Arsha, “please, show me hope!” With a great effort, she turned around to face the light. The instant she faced the light, a tremendous force knocked her off her feet, carrying her into the air over the wave. As the wave hit the fjord, it crashed and broke up before settling down to the bottom of the fjord. Arsha was set back down as she looked around, noticing that the fjord was changing from just rocks to plants growing on it. Some of the flowers that grew, she couldn’t identify. “What in…?”

“You dare deny the truth?!” shrieked the voice. Arsha realized that the voice was right behind her. She turned and gasped in horror! It almost looked like her, but the doppelganger’s mouth was wide and had exposed teeth. Its primary means of movement was a multitude of pink tentacles replacing the legs and long, thin arms with fearsome claws at the end of each finger. Its eyes were large and serpentine and its nine, scaled tails had toothy mouths at the tips. The rose in its hair had a pair of pink, thorny vines constantly moving, and its ears were curved and horned. Its back was hunched over, and its tongue was long and barbed.

“What in all the Realms?!” cried Arsha.

“AWAKEN!” called Falnii’s voice.


Arsha woke up in a cold sweat like last time. She regained her bearings a lot quicker as she had a question on her mind. “What WAS that thing?!” she asked Falnii.

“That was a manifestation of every bit of self-loathing you’ve ever had,” explained Falnii. “It’s every parasitic thought you’ve buried, feeding off of your hopelessness.”

“Is that why it looked somewhat like me? It IS me?”

“No, just a part of you.”

“I swear, I’ve never felt such fear in me!”

“Looking at every aspect you hate about yourself is frightening. Dream-weavers have to face that dark aspect of themselves every day.”

“How can I get rid of it?”

“…I’m sorry, but you can’t.” Arsha sighed at hearing that. “Arsha, like it or not, that’s part of your being, your very soul. Everyone has that ugly side to them, an opposite to their usual self. Some prefer to release that ugly side in their actions while others seek to bury it. There’s simply no way to get rid of it without damaging your soul. I’m afraid the next session will be where you have to confront it.”

“…Not looking forward to that.”

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-13

After the Sacchrinda Kingdom was declared virus-free, the Endeavor was told to take Malnar to the Galdredan Lava Kingdom to help prepare for the Under-Union Festival. Realmfleet was told that, because of medical reasons, Denstra would be in command of the Endeavor during the preparations. Unfortunately, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Because of the ship staying on the ground so long, the engine core was playing up, causing Endea all sorts of pain. What made it worse was that a Galdredan spring is considered the height of summer for outsiders. This particular Drewakam, a month in the Under-realm calendar just before spring is declared at its height, was a scorcher. As such, temperatures were high, and tempers flared. What made the whole crew uncomfortable was that Arsha’s main nemeses, Tuurk and Talair, the heads of the Realmfleet Financial Board, were lurking around. The Endeavor WAS an old ship and they have long sought to sell it off for scrap. Thanks to new laws being brought about as a result of the Mechanica Rights Trial, they couldn’t scrap a Mechanica ship without express permission from the ship itself. Besides, Endea was still declared “in-service”, so scrapping her was harder for them. That’s not to say that they didn’t try. The two human men approached Denstra, seeing this as an opportunity to get scrapping permission without Arsha around. It didn’t help that Denstra was in a sour mood because of two Ensigns being late for a briefing. They approached Denstra with their usual smarmy smiles. “Oh, Ones,” swore Denstra, “the last people I want in my line of sight!”

“Oh, dear,” mused Talair. “Commander Welmeva doesn’t look very happy to see us, does she, Mr. Tuurk?”

“Indeed not, Mr. Talair,” agreed Tuurk. “We were just moseying around here and heard the Endeavor was here in the Under-realm.”

“In this exact kingdom, no less,” chuckled Talair.

“You know, Arsha’s authorized for me to speak on her behalf while she’s taking care of her affairs,” snarled Denstra. “The Endeavor is still not for you to scrap!”

“We haven’t heard this from the ship herself, have we, Mr. Talair?” remarked Tuurk.

“No, we haven’t, Mr. Tuurk,” answered Talair.

“Well, ask her, if you want confirmation!” snapped Denstra. “She’ll give you the same answer as me!”

“Very well, Commander,” replied Talair. “Come, Mr. Tuurk, we must be off.”

“Yes, Mr. Talair,” agreed Tuurk. “We’ll be off, but we’ll return, and we’ll have the Endeavor one way or another.” They left the room as the two Ensigns bustled in. They nearly collided with the two financiers and apologized to them. The financiers assured them it was all right as they left. The two Ensigns then gulped as they faced Denstra.

“05:25 is when a briefing happens!” snarled Denstra. “What do you two mean by coming in an hour late?!”

“Sorry, Ma’am!” yelped one of the Ensigns, a young Blaze Elf man. “We were told to help Marshii!”

“You know, those two gentlemen you bumped into made a few suggestions on improving this ship’s efficiency!” growled Denstra. “They mentioned getting rid of a few Ensigns! I told them that I wouldn’t do it, but I may have been a little hasty in that regard! Next time you’re late, I’ll take their advice, understand?!”

“Yes, Commander!” replied the other Ensign, an Inu/Centaur Blender woman.

“Now, Tenshal,” Denstra directed the Blaze Elf, “Endea’s developing some pains because of her engine playing up. She’s at Rootan Station collecting YOUR cargo. If she’s all right, join the others awaiting cattle quarantine clearance.”

“Yes, Commander!” confirmed Tenshal.

“Wenshai,” Denstra continued with the Inu/Centaur Blender, “bring in Yutt’s cattle train.”

“Yutt the mutt!” grumbled Wenshai.

“No wisecracks, Ensign!” snapped Denstra. “Just get on with it!”

“Yes, Ma’am!” replied the two Ensigns. As they left the room, they spoke with one another.

“Hey, you don’t think she’ll throw us off the ship, will she?” asked Wenshai.

“Come on, it was Marshii who made us late,” replied Tenshal. “Besides, it’s hot here and she had to deal with Tuurk and Talair. Those busybodies can put anyone in a foul mood.”


While Denstra was dealing with her business, Arsha and Falnii sat in their quarters, alone. Candles were lit and a magic circle was set in the middle of the room. “All right, Arsha,” began Falnii, “Dream Weaving is a delicate process. Going too hard to figure out what troubles your dreams will shatter your mind. You must trust that when I wake us up, it’s for your mental health. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Fluffy,” answered Arsha.

“Very good. Now, step into the circle and sit down.” Arsha did as directed. “Close your eyes. Concentrate on the fragrance of the candles and my voice. Breathe deeply.” Arsha shut her eyes and inhale through her nose, then exhaled through her mouth, the honeysuckle smell of the candles calming her mind a bit. “I’m going to sit behind you and touch the back of my head to the back of yours. If you feel something going around you, that is my cloud.” Arsha continued breathing deeply as her eyes stayed shut. She felt the soft back of Falnii’s head touch her own and did feel the clouds that made up Falnii’s dress go around her. “Now, just relax.” Falnii then chanted a rhyme.

Dream your dream with me.

Tell your woes to me.

Show your troubles to me.

Dream your dream with me.

Falnii repeated the rhyme, her voice getting lower and softer until Arsha fell asleep.


Arsha woke up again in a set of ruins. She stood up and looked around, confused. “…Fluffy?” she called. “Hooves? Bonfire? Princess? Farm Boy? …Hello?” Panic started to set in. “Anyone?!”

“You can’t be helped,” replied an ominous voice. Arsha then heard rumbling. She left the ruins and look out to the sea. A massive wave rolled in, high enough to block the sun. Fear gripped Arsha as she froze in place. A light flashed, but she found herself unable to turn.

“…I’m alone…” she whimpered as the wave came down. It was about to sweep her away.

“AWAKEN!” called a voice.


Arsha woke up in a cold sweat, her breath stuttered as she drew it in. Her breathing then steadied as she looked around to see her surroundings. Candles, rug, a few paintings of hope on the walls, kitchen, then her other senses kicked in. She could smell the honeysuckle of the candles to the point of tasting the fragrance as it entered her nose. She heard the hum of the ship as it idled on the ground. She felt something soft enveloping her and looked down to see her legs and hands surrounded by clouds. She then remembered where she was, her quarters on the Endeavor. She then noticed that arms wrapped around her from behind. Arsha put her hands onto the arms as she sighed, relieved that her nightmare was over and knowing it was Falnii giving her an embrace to reassure her. “…It started the instant after the first confrontation with Oyed,” she explained to Falnii. “It only got worse over time.”

“I’ve seen that kind of dream before,” replied Falnii as she continued embracing Arsha. “A dream of hopelessness and despair, despite hope being right behind you.”

“Do you honestly think there’s hope right now?” asked Arsha.

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, Falnii. Oyed’s back and Dr. Borg’s getting more ruthless.”

“Maybe, but you must remember that no one knows who will win, not even Oyed.”

“And if he wins?”

“If he wins, we all won’t be around.”

“Yeah, that’s comforting.”

“If we win, though, we’ve proven that we’re stronger than he believes. He’ll hate that.” Arsha gave a small smile.

“…Yeah, he would.”

“We’ll do this again tomorrow.”

“Why not now?”

“On top of Dream Weaving being a little draining on the Dream Weaver, repeated attempts only fracture the dreamer’s psyche. I don’t want that on my conscience.”

“I see.”

“Arsha, I know you want your problems sorted right away, but this isn’t something you can just take a shot and call it a cure. This requires multiple sessions over a necessary amount of time. Besides, Realmfleet understands.”

“I don’t think Tuurk and Talair will hold off on their advice until I’m settled.”

“Come on, you have a crew that can hold them off as long as necessary.”

“…You’re right, I do. Thank you for your help today.”

“That’s what I do.” Arsha and Falnii got up and blew the candles out. Then Arsha made them a nice lunch.


While Arsha went through her treatment, Malnar got an explanation about the livestock inspections from the Galdredan Kingdom’s Crown Princess, Calandra Narven. “You’re absolutely sure?”

“The ruptured blisters around their mouths and hooves proved it,” replied Calandra.

“Oh no,” groaned Malnar. She heard a knock on the door. “Come in.” Gorfanth entered the room.

“Bonfire,” he greeted. He then saw who she was calling. “Your Highness!” He bowed to Calandra’s picture.

“Good Afternoon,” returned Calandra. “Your pauldron’s crest says you’re a member of the Steelhorns.”

“Gorfanth Steelhorn, at your service.”

“Ah, yes, one of Malnar’s fiancés.”

“That’s right, Your Highness.”

“If things go how you and your lovers plan, I’ll be bowing to you soon.”

“That day is still a way away, Your Highness. Did I interrupt anything important?”

“Actually, this news concerns all bovids,” interjected Malnar. “You’ve heard about the crew conducting livestock inspections?”

“Yes, I have. Why is that?” asked Gorfanth.

“There’s an outbreak of foot and mouth disease,” explained Calandra. Gorfanth’s eyes went wide.

“Foot and mouth? Are you sure?” he gulped.

“She just described the symptoms the non-Sentina livestock have,” confirmed Malnar. “Did you leave the ship yet?”

“No, and I’m not going out there until I’ve gotten immunized,” declared Gorfanth. “Excuse me, ladies.” Gorfanth left the room in quite the hurry to Sick Bay.

“Smart guy,” mused Calandra.

“That’s why I want to marry him,” chuckled Malnar. “I’ll assist in any way that I can. I just hope your mother’s not got… ‘plans’.”

“You and me both. Catch you later!” The call ended and Malnar shook her head as she chose “plans” very carefully.

“Queen Andwayla, PLEASE don’t do anything!”

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-12

Rooshee was interred at the cemetery near Realmfleet Max. Her eulogy was short and to the point. After the funeral, there was still the matter of Dr. Ganshar. She was laid up in the Endeavor’s sick bay as Arsha and Aldarval stood outside. “How long’s an examination like this gonna take?!” grumbled Arsha.

“Marshii’s gotta be thorough,” replied Aldarval. “Though, she’s been in there a long time.” At that moment, Marshii stepped out to meet them.

“Captain, Admiral, a word,” she requested as she motioned for them to get nearer to her. They leaned in to hear her. “I’ll be frank, that blast hit Ganshar’s hippocampus.”

“And that is…?” ventured Aldarval.

“It’s the part of the brain that controls learning and memory,” explained Marshii.

“Memory?” asked Arsha. “Are you saying…?”

“She’s got amnesia,” confirmed Marshii.

“You’re absolutely sure?” inquired Aldarval as she gave her an intense look.

“She knows she’s a Sky Elf and how to speak Sky Elvish and All-Realm Standard,” answered Marshii. “But she doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. She didn’t recognize the name ‘Jansha’ or any of our names.”

“We can’t send her back to Realmfleet Max in this condition,” muttered Arsha.

“You’re so right, Captain,” agreed Aldarval.

“We need to tell her family about this,” suggested Marshii.

“That’s the trouble,” muttered Aldarval. “She’s an only child and her parents are dead.”

“Then who can help her?” mumbled Arsha. Aldarval then snapped her fingers as she got an idea.

“Captain Yanstal always wanted a child!” she explained.

“The Steamwind’s Captain?” asked Arsha.

“The same,” answered Aldarval. “His wife is barren, and they’ve tried everything to have a child. This might just be what could give Ganshar another chance! Doctor, where’s the nearest comms unit?”

“Right here at my desk,” answered Marshii as she led Aldarval to her desk. Aldarval then gave her authorization code and connected to Captain Yanstal. Yanstal was a typical-looking Sky Elf, long, black hair, pale skin, and blue eyes. However, he had an eyepatch over his right eye.

“Admiral!” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”

“Captain, I believe I can get you a daughter!” explained Aldarval. She then outlined the whole situation, even explaining Ganshar’s old past.

“I promise you, Admiral, Elwai and I will give her the love she had never received,” assured Captain Yanstal. “Where are you right now?”

“On the Endeavor, just southwest of the Sacchrinda Kingdom. I hope you can give her a new name.”

“Elwai and I had long agreed on what to name our child if we could have one. Yultan if the child was a boy, and Urlee if they were a girl.”

“Then we’ll make sure ‘Urlee’ is ready for you. How far out are you?”

“An hour south of you, on the island in between the Western and Central continents. I’ll be at your position straightaway.”

“See you in an hour, then. Aldarval out.” She ended the call and sighed in relief.

“That DOES leave a problem, though,” remarked Arsha. “There’ll be someone who recognizes her. She WAS a famous roboticist.”

“Oddly enough,” replied Aldarval, “her features are average for a Sky Elf woman. She’ll blend in enough.”

“Then there’s no need for reconstructive surgery,” sighed Marshii in relief. “Good. That would have been a rush job.”


The Steamwind arrived and landed near the Endeavor. Arsha, Endea, and Aldarval waited in the warp room to welcome Captain Yanstal and his crew aboard. A teleport circle glowed green and brought Captain Yanstal aboard with a Ship-type Mechanica in pants, a shirt, and jacket with the name Steamwind and his registry number CRS-99173, and a Sky Elf woman. “Welcome aboard the Endeavor, Captain Yanstal,” greeted Arsha. “I’m Captain Arsha Royana and this is Endea, my ship.”

“Happy to be here, Captain Royana,” returned Yanstal. “This is my wife, Elwai, and my ship and First Officer, Steawin.”

“Hello,” called Elwai.

“Pleased to meet you,” affirmed Steawin.

“Y…Yeah, meeting you…is…the good,” stumbled Endea as she blushed.

“Oh?” chuckled Steawin. “Right back at you.”

“Steawin!” admonished Captain Yanstal.

“I’m just saying hello!” protested Steawin.

“I don’t mind,” assured Endea.

“I appreciate a good ‘love-at-first-sight’ story like anyone else,” interjected Aldarval, “but we have some business to take care of.”

“You’re right,” agreed Captain Yanstal. “Where is she?”

“This way,” directed Arsha. She led the group to sick bay. Marshii met them at the door.

“She’s ready,” she reported. She led Captain Yanstal and Elwai to Ganshar. It was so weird to see an infamous roboticist look so helpless and uncertain.

“Urlee?” asked Captain Yanstal. Ganshar looked around.

“Are…are you…?” she stumbled.

“Yes,” answered Captain Yanstal.

“My name…is Urlee?”

“That’s right.”

“What happened?”

“There was a shuttle explosion. You took a blow to the head from shrapnel.”

“I don’t remember a shuttle explosion. Come to think of it, that’s a minor thing I don’t remember. I can’t remember who I am.”

“You suffered damage to your hippocampus,” explained Marshii. “It’s very likely you won’t remember your whole life.”

“…I have amnesia?” summed up Ganshar as her face fell.

“Don’t worry, your father and I will help you regain what you’ve lost,” assured Elwai.

“Who am I?” asked the amnesiac.

“You are Urlee Yanstal, a well-loved daughter of the Sky Elven House of the Ulmath Star,” explained Elwai. “We are a small, but proud house. You are a roboticist like me, and you love your creations as if they were your own children. Even correction makes you feel ill as any parent would in correcting their child.”

“Someone took your work and made a robot for themselves, but they had no parental instincts,” supplied Captain Yanstal. Marshii looked on, thinking that it would cause her to remember who she was.

“…Did they have justice wrought upon them for stealing my work?” asked the amnesiac Elf.

“They died for their sins,” answered Elwai.

“And the robot they’ve made?”

“Joined with an enemy of the Realms.”

“Then, perhaps, I can construct a much-more loved robot. I just wish I can remember everything I’ve learned about robotics.”

“Don’t worry, I will teach you all that you’ve forgotten.”

“Thank you, Mother.” As the amnesiac Sky Elf hugged Elwai, the unloved Dr. Ganshar faded from history. In her place was Urlee Yanstal, a loved daughter.

“Come on, let’s get back to the ship,” urged Captain Yanstal.

“Doctor,” Urlee called to Marshii, “thank you for your help.”

“It’s what I signed up for, Ms. Yanstal,” assured Marshii. Urlee and her new parents walked out of sick bay and over to the warp room. After they were sent back to their ship, Arsha released a breath.

“Divine Ones, please let her live a happier life, unburdened by her old one,” prayed Arsha. She then bowed and turned to Aldarval. “Thank you for your help, Ma’am.”

“Just doing my job, Captain,” replied Aldarval. “Now, about Ms. Barmek…”


Bashoon and her parents were in their quarters, discussing why Rooshee blamed her and her alone. “I mean, I was only a minor annoyance. She knew Arsha was the one who was behind the whole scheme,” reminded Bashoon.

“You were the one who suggested the idea,” recalled Mrs. Barmek.

“You were also the one who brought the whole thing to Aldarval’s attention,” continued Mr. Barmek. Just then, the door chimed.

“Come in,” called Mrs. Barmek. Arsha then entered the room.

“Captain!” yelped Bashoon as she stood up. “What can I do for you?”

“Actually, I’m here to do something for you,” replied Arsha.

“…Should I be happy about that grin on your face?” asked Bashoon.

“As a matter of fact, Lieutenant, yes.” Bashoon and her parents looked around.

“…Lieutenant who?” asked Mrs. Barmek.

“Lieutenant Bashoon Barmek, of course,” explained Arsha.

“Me? A Lieutenant?” quizzed Bashoon. “Captain, with all due respect, I’m still an Ensign.”

“After the bravery you’ve demonstrated today, not anymore.” Arsha pulled out a new uniform. This one had yellow trim instead of red. “For your valuable service and your continued courage, Realmfleet has taken my recommendation to promote you! You are now an official member of the Endeavor’s security team with the rank of Lieutenant!”

“Lieutenant JG, right?” asked Bashoon.

“Nope, a full-on Lieutenant.” Bashoon blinked, then got misty-eyed.

“I…I mean, I don’t…”

“It’s a little emotional, being promoted. Now, this does mean that…” Arsha was then taken into Bashoon’s hug. A little awkward, given the still-clear rank gap, but Arsha rolled with it.

“Captain, I promise you, I will take my new responsibilities with honor and pride!”

“That’s what I like to hear!” Arsha then broke off the hug.

“Hey, let’s see how your new uniform looks on you!” urged Mr. Barmek.

“One minute!” called Bashoon as she dashed behind the changing screen. Her old uniform was soon draped over the screen and they waited a little longer before she stepped out with her new uniform on.

“Perfect!” praised Arsha.

“That’s DEFINITELY you!” agreed Mrs. Barmek.

“Now, while you DO have new responsibilities,” Arsha went on, “you also have new privileges, such as the right to wear your usual clothes.”

“Not that much of a difference between a duty uniform and my usual clothes,” mused Bashoon. “They’re just in colors that Goblins find fashionable.”

“And a little frillier,” reminded Mr. Barmek.

“That too,” replied Bashoon.

“Congratulations, Lieutenant Bashoon Barmek,” praised Arsha. “You’ve more than earned it!”

“Thank you, Captain!” answered Bashoon. “I won’t let you down!”

“No, I don’t think you will,” agreed Arsha. She left the room, then released a breath as the door closed to give the Barmeks some private celebration. “Now,” she muttered to herself, “to ask Falnii to use her abilities on me.”

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-11

“Who in the Depths are you?!” demanded Arsha.

“A shadow,” replied the armored figure through their voice-modulator. They then fired two more spikes that generated an energy shield. “Stay out of the way while I complete my contract.” As Arsha and her group fired on the shield, the figure marched towards the fight between Bashoon and Rooshee. Neither combatant realized the newcomer’s presence until the figure grabbed the back of Rooshee’s head and flung her into a tree. Rooshee shook her head to clear the dizziness until the figure forced her to her knees.

“Citizen, do NOT interfere in Realmfleet affairs!” snapped Bashoon.

“When your methods are ineffective, Squirt,” countered the figure, “I do nothing else but interfere.”

“…Squirt?” asked Bashoon.

“You know what it means.”

“No one in my life ever called me Squirt except…except for…Yamta?!”

“Bingo.” The figure then removed their helmet to reveal their face. It was a human woman with frizzy blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and lipstick looking like dried blood.

“Yamta, wha…?!”

“Teladashios Rooshee,” interrupted the woman, Yamta, as she cuffed Rooshee’s arms behind her back and grabbed her head. “Arrested for authorizing unlawful experimentation on sentient beings. Wanted for breaking free from Realmfleet Max.” She then drew one of her spikes and held it to her throat. “Tell me, Ex-Admiral, how many Chimeras died before they got a chance to experience life?”

“…800,097 when I was in charge, last time I checked,” snarled Rooshee.

“Eight hundred thousand and ninety-seven Chimeras,” repeated Yamta. “The blood of eight hundred thousand and ninety-seven Chimeras is on your hands. You let eight hundred thousand and ninety-seven Chimeras die before they could see the outside world.” She then leveled her gaze at Bashoon. “Sounds too dangerous to be left alive to me.”

“Yamta, let her go!” insisted Bashoon. “This is a Realmfleet matter!”

“The law states,” snarled Yamta, “that anyone with a kill-count of 100 or over outside of a wartime situation is to be executed immediately! Why isn’t she dead?!”

“We have to give people a chance to redeem themselves!”

“You’d rather fight the people you’re supposed to protect rather than the real problem!”

“Ms. Yamta!” called Arsha after the barrier was taken down. Bashoon and Yamta turned to her. “Realmfleet is NOT a death squad!”

“Realmfleet Academy flunked me after each of my three attempts!” replied Yamta. “You guys didn’t give this Largandra girl any REAL education! The Crimson Diamonds did!” She then pressed a button on the spike, and it extended into Rooshee’s neck almost instantaneously, killing her. Yamta released the body and let it fall to the ground. “One less killer. My contract is complete.”

“DAMMIT, YAMTA!” shouted Arsha. “That’s a line we do NOT cross!” Yamta then drove her fist into Arsha’s solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her.

“Stay on your side, then, Royana! I’ll stand with Dr. Borg!” Arsha then gritted her teeth and fought through her pain. She summoned her armor again and decked Yamta in her face. As Yamta fell, Arsha stood over her. “…Go ahead!” challenged Yamta. “I’m a Crimson Diamond Alum. I’ve got 101 completed contracts. Actually, 102, now that Rooshee’s dead.”

“…You need help,” declared Arsha. “I can get you…” She was then tripped up as Yamta swung her leg into Arsha’s.

“You Royanas really ARE moral cowards!” she hissed. “We’re at war with those animals! Animals like Rooshee and Ganshar! You think that because you and your mommy and daddy don’t kill, you guys are better than them?! You let them fester with thoughts of revenge!”

“That’s enough,” called Dr. Borg’s voice as a small Realmgate opened. Everyone pointed their wands at her, but she cast a magic shield around her and Yamta.

“What about the others?” asked Yamta as everyone fired on the shield.

“Not today,” replied Dr. Borg. “We must go.”

“…You’re right, the contract is complete.” As Dr. Borg continued casting the shield, Yamta followed her into the small Realmgate. The Realmgate closed and Arsha snarled as she dismissed her armor.

“Just…perfect!” she hissed.


I’m sorry to say that the incident made the papers. With people reading the articles concerning Yamta’s appearance, it caused quite a stir. Some insisted that Realmfleet should have done more while others argued that they couldn’t risk a spread of gel-pox across the Realms, so what could they safely do? A fair question, but a lot of people were still frustrated with Realmfleet, thinking that they were struggling to keep the Final War from happening. When she visited Midiriki’s house to catch up with her parents, Arsha got some more information about Yamta. Her being from Largandra was true, as was her being a former Crimson Diamond. The Crimson Diamonds are a league of assassins that are raised since birth to learn how to kill quickly, quietly, and without fuss. They’re generally employed by unscrupulous lords or the Splitter branches to remove other people. They’re generally considered a rival to Realmfleet Academy in that they produce some of the best teachers. Most Royals tend to have their children sent to the Crimson Diamonds to learn how to avoid being killed by an assassin. This is generally disliked by the Crimson Diamonds, but they cannot say much since they most likely taught the parents too and would, in all probability, use their own tricks against them. Because of this, the Crimson Diamonds don’t accept any contracts with Royals as the potential victim. Yamta had gained notoriety within the Crimson Diamonds after successfully killing the former Headmaster, putting her on the new Headmistress’ list of trouble students. Arsha and Elgrad were special cases in learning from both Realmfleet Academy and the Crimson Diamonds. Verifying Yamta’s claims was child’s play for them. “I just can’t believe it,” sighed Arsha to her parents as they had tea.

“I’m surprised Yamta’s gotten a contract with Dr. Borg,” muttered Hanako. “Her empire would upend the Crimson Diamonds.”

“The Headmistress told me and Arsha about Yamta’s history there,” replied Elgrad. “She’s not exactly one with scruples. The headmistress told me, in confidence, that Yamta would be the only one impetuous enough to accept a contract to kill a Royal.”

“Dr. Borg must need someone like Yamta in her ranks,” guessed Hanako.

“She’d probably start a new assassin school,” muttered Arsha as she rubbed her temples.

“…Arsha, are you okay?” asked Elgrad.

“I’ve been getting spun up as of late,” sighed Arsha. “What with Oyed coming back in our lifetime and Dr. Borg acting like she’s going to start the Final War. With all that went on in Kurontar and here…my dreams are NOT restful.”

“Isn’t Falnii a Dream-Weaver?” asked Hanako. “She’d love to help, I’m sure.”

“I’ve never really had her use her abilities on me,” mumbled Arsha. “I don’t want to be dependent on her.”

“Have your other fiancés tried?” quizzed Elgrad.

“Even Falnii’s been trying to get me to try,” answered Arsha.

“Then take her advice,” urged Elgrad.

“…I’ll think about it,” muttered Arsha as she stood up and left the room. Hanako and Elgrad both had the same thoughts on their mind.

“Poor girl,” sighed Elgrad.

“This wasn’t how her tour was supposed to go,” mumbled Hanako.

“I know part of the idea is to test how one handles adversity, but there’s only so much one can handle.”

“Our girl’s very independently minded, almost to a fault.”

“She got it from me.”

“I’d say she got that from me.”

“…We both compounded the issue.”

“I can agree with that.”


Arsha sat alone in the guest room, puzzling out her feelings. On the one hand, she didn’t want to be dependent on Falnii’s abilities. But, on the other, Falnii was trained since birth to be a Dream-Weaver. She would know how to help without letting someone be reliant on her. She continued thinking about her predicament until someone spoke. “Yamta was right to a point,” remarked the person. Arsha gasped and whirled around to see Laywam at the door. “800,097 on Rooshee’s hands? She should have been executed.”

“We don’t inflict harm unless all other options have been exhausted,” countered Arsha. “It’s what separates us from Dr. Borg and her followers.”

“Oh, please! Is this really the time for some sanctimonious nonsense?! You don’t see rapists and murderers every day, do you?! Well, I do! Do you happen to know how many people they’ve each wronged?! I do! Do you know how many joined Dr. Borg after Remsu made the first successful breakout of Realmfleet Max?! I do!”

“Okay, Laywam, I think you need to chill out…”

“Chilling out’s the last thing we need! Chilling out is what allowed Dr. Borg to return! She’s spoken to Oyed, you think she’s not going to start the Final War in our lifetime?! We’re squandering our resources in trying to appease her when we need to be scouring the Realms and hitting her hard! Precisely where it hurts!”

“That’s only going to provoke retaliation and lead to incalculable losses! I won’t risk the Realms like that!”

“You seem fine risking your crew! Just ask Eltan! Sheendii! Drelta! Blenter! Entran! They’re still Revenants!” Arsha’s face flared into a snarl before she buried her anger again. “You know your problem, Arsha? For all your insistence that you can handle the crown when your parents step down, you’re soft! You never took up arms when you had the chance! Numerous chances!”

“The only reason we’re talking is because Aldarval’s personally checking on each kingdom’s military readiness should the Final War start.”

“…Impossible! She can’t be doing that!”

“The attempted peace talks with the Realm Trinity Empire are a front. We need Oyed to believe we’re less ready than we are.” Laywam was floored by this revelation. “I took a risk even telling you. I was sworn to secrecy. That’s why I must insist that this conversation never leaves this room. Understand?”

“…You can count on me, Arsha. …I’m…I’m sorry for calling you soft.”

“Apology accepted. You simply didn’t have all the facts.” Laywam bowed her head, then left the room, leaving Arsha to talk to herself. “…That was stupid, Royana! Laywam may slip and this could reach Dr. Borg’s ears! …Mom and Dad are right, I need Falnii to help me.”

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-10

There was an air of vigilance on the Endeavor as well as the Sacchrinda Kingdom. News had gotten out about Rooshee and Dr. Ganshar skulking about and everyone was slightly worried. Unfortunately, the inevitable argument of what to do with them after they were caught again had come into play. Even Arsha found herself at odds with her cousin, Midiriki’s daughter, Laywam Rotano. Laywam was a genius when it came to catching criminals, but I’m sorry to say, her empathy for them was a little lacking. She never really bothered to take in that some criminals were forced to commit crimes because of desperation and felt it was best to either lock them up or execute repeat offenders. “They’ve clearly proven that they don’t care about anyone else!” insisted Laywam during a call.

“They need help!” replied Arsha. “We can’t just kill them!”

“We keep trying to help, but they keep slapping it aside!”

“We need to keep trying!”

“Arsha, if we keep trying after they keep refusing help, we’re just as insane as them!”

“And going down their path makes us saner than them?!”

“It’s not THEIR path if we’re only doing it to protect our society!”

“Laywam, do you know how many families would be broken?”

“Their families are already broken, and they want to move on without the black sheep!”

“There’s still some form of love in their hearts, I’m sure of…!”

“I hate to interrupt,” called Midiriki as she entered the shot, “but I need to call the doctors. I heard there was a vaccine report.”

“All right, I’ll see you two later,” Arsha finished the call and shut off the video feed. She then recalled what Midiriki said. “Vaccine report?” she muttered. “Computer, locate Marshii.”

“Dr. Marshii Borontho has just arrived on the bridge, making her way to the Ready Room door,” reported the computer. The door chime then rang.

“Come in,” invited Arsha. Marshii then entered the room, looking giddy. “What can I do for you?”

“We’ve got a vaccine!” cheered Marshii.

“Are you sure?!” asked Arsha.

“Positive! It’s passed all the trials and we’re ready to send it out to the public!”

“Perfect! Organize vaccine distribution efforts!”

“You got it, Captain!” Marshii ran out of the room, leaving Arsha to relax.

“Arsha Royana,” she asked herself, “what would you have done if vaccine research went any longer? …Yeah, going nuts and buggy seems to be the usual reaction.”


As promised, the poor were given the vaccine first, then it worked its way up to the Royals. The disease died out before it could get any worse and the public health restrictions were lifted. Masks came off and gloves were removed as people hugged each other in public now that it was over. However, that didn’t mean the Endeavor’s problems were done. Dr. Ganshar and Rooshee were still out there, plotting revenge on the crew. Jonthar offered full assistance and it was readily accepted. The Kingdom Guard and Endeavor crew conducted sweeps across the area to find Rooshee and Dr. Ganshar. The Maropwems also joined in the search, wanting justice done for Anful and his family. Rosalmia and two of her lovers, an Orc man from the Endeavor called Lekshanth and a Zephyr man from the Kingdom Guard called Emfemafal (sometimes called Emfem), discussed that subject. “It’s just not fair!” complained Rosalmia. “Anful’s baby is going to grow up without him! What’s gonna happen when they’re old enough to start asking questions?! What do you tell them?! A vengeful Elf and Minotaur duo killed him just to deliver a message?! How can anyone handle that kind of truth?!”

“It’s a dilemma that defies answer,” replied Emfemafal.

“I can’t think of any answers either,” muttered Lekshanth.

“You know, in a way, I hope we DON’T find Rooshee and Ganshar,” growled Rosalmia. “I don’t trust myself not to say or do anything to them!”

“Well then,” chuckled Lekshanth, “Emfem and I will have to make sure that we keep them safe from you.” The three had a good giggle.

“Thanks for listening, boys,” bid Rosalmia.

“Any time, Rosie, any time,” assured Emfemafal as they hugged her.

“Right,” declared Rosalmia. “We hung around here long enough. Let’s get going on our patrol.”

“We’re right with you, Rosie,” affirmed Lekshanth as they moved off. “Never fear.”


Elmar, Bashoon, and two Guardsmen approached Arsha and Jonthar’s position in the woods. Jonthar was kneeling as Arsha had declined her head. Both had their eyes shut as they prayed. “Captain?” asked Elmar.

“We’re all right,” assured Jonthar, not looking up. “This was the spot where Tulmek was taken, right?”

“That’s correct,” replied Elmar.

“We were just praying that he would recover,” explained Arsha. “I already increased my donation amount to mental research.”

“This shouldn’t have happened at all,” sighed Bashoon. “It simply…” She was interrupted as magic blasts surrounded them. “Oh no! It couldn’t be…!”

“BARMEK!” bellowed a voice. Rooshee then teleported behind Bashoon, grabbed her by the hair, and flung her aside. Bashoon picked herself up as Dr. Ganshar swooped in and fired her wand at Arsha’s group. As she distracted them, Rooshee towered over Bashoon.

“By the Ones!” breathed Bashoon. “Rooshee! You ARE free!”

“No thanks to you!” snarled Rooshee.

“You’re blaming me?!”

“I told you that what I was doing was for the benefit of the Realms! I told you that the fight against new diseases was getting harder! I told you not to let Realmfleet know! I ORDERED you! But no! You disobeyed orders and I paid the price! Now, it is only fitting that I return the favor! Now I will…”

“You’ll shut up, that’s what you’ll do!” Bashoon drove her feet into Rooshee’s stomach, knocking her back. Bashoon got back up and drew her wand. “You’re getting exactly what you deserve!”

“What I deserve?!” Rooshee picked herself back up and the two circled one another, daring the other to make a move. “I didn’t ask to be stripped or rank and imprisoned!”

“And if you just used your call to demand some form of apology, I would have given you one without a second thought! But no, you broke out of prison, got yourself an accomplice, and terrorized a pandemic-stricken kingdom! You’re still a callous cow and whatever regrets I had are now gone!”

“For that, Barmek,” Rooshee inserted her wand into her axe, “you can expect a whole new form of torture!”

“I somehow doubt that, Ex-Admiral!” Bashoon inserted her wand into her knife and the two fought like their lives depended on it! Bashoon made energy waves with her slashes! Rooshee made rocks fly out of the ground! It was a fight that would be remembered!


Dr. Ganshar was still taking potshots at the group, separating them from Arsha. Once they were far enough, Dr. Ganshar leapt out of the trees and attacked Arsha. “TRAITOR TO SCIENCE!” she bellowed as her kick knocked Arsha to the ground.

“Says the lady who abused her child!” growled Arsha as she assumed her armored form, this time, leaving her rose in her hair.

“I won’t be judged as a criminal! Jansha was supposed to be a prototype! If she learned her place, it would have been a new era of robotics!”

“That ‘new era’ would have been built on suffering! You practically gave her the means to join Dr. Borg!”

“That was YOUR doing and yours alone! Your constant questions gave her the means of independence when she wasn’t ready!”

“Her desire for independence was not yours to dictate!”

“She is my creation, and I WILL get her back to fix her!”

“She’s made herself beyond a mere software update!”

“SHE IS MINE!” Ganshar then leapt onto Arsha with the fury of a wild tiger! As she slammed her fists onto Arsha, she ignored the pain that came from bare flesh striking steel. The force of her blows was pushing Arsha back slightly.

“Ganshar, stop! You’re gonna hurt yourself!” Ganshar didn’t listen. As she struck, her rage increased. Her vision was so tunneled, fixated on Arsha. At this point, she was incoherent in her speech! “All right, this has gone on long enough!” Arsha knocked Ganshar back and drew her sword while setting her wand into it. She kept making energy waves to keep Ganshar at bay. Unfortunately, Ganshar was acting so animalistic, she kept moving on all fours at speeds one doesn’t usually obtain in such a posture. She then climbed a tree and leapt over the energy waves to get the jump on Arsha. She resumed slamming her fists onto Arsha. “TAWENDO!” announced Arsha as she slammed her fist into the ground. The trees’ branches then extended and wrapped around Ganshar’s limbs, restraining her in the air. Unfortunately, Ganshar was thrashing so much, the branches threatened to break.

“TAWENDO YAL!” shouted Jonthar. The branches became thicker and thicker until Ganshar couldn’t move anymore. She bellowed in animalistic fury, unable to do anything. Her roars…then became screams of tear-ridden frustration. Her goal of revenge at that night was ripped away from her! Her fear of losing to Arsha again came true! In her moment of clarity…she just resorted to loud sobbing. Arsha still held her fist to the ground as she panted, her armor dissipating and her rose turning brown. She took it out of her hair as Jonthar knelt by her, placing his hand on her shoulder while she caught her breath. “Nature magic not your forte?” he asked.

“Not at a Fae’s level, no,” replied Arsha. “Being half human is also a disadvantage in that regard, not that I want to be a full Kitsune. I love myself too much for that. …Well, I love myself a lot more than Ganshar loves me.” Arsha and Jonthar looked at Ganshar in pity as her sobs got softer.

“Such a brilliant mind,” sighed Jonthar. “What caused her to be so cruel?”

“Her own family,” answered Arsha. “They were a High Elf family that wanted a son instead of a daughter. Nothing she did would earn their approval. They insisted that their cruelty was their way of showing love to her. They died of Stoneblood disease.”

“As a father, I can assure you, cruelty is NEVER the answer.”

“I hope Ganshar can get the help she needs.”

“We shall ensure…” Jonthar’s sentence was interrupted as a large spike split into a four-pronged claw and attached itself to the back of Ganshar’s head, shocking her with a gratuitous amount of electricity. Ganshar screamed in pain as the electricity ripped through her body before the device stopped and fell off her head. Her eyes shut as her head slumped forward while the person that used the spike stepped out of the shadows. They wore a cloak and armor that concealed everything about them, including their gender. The person pulled a sleeve back before speaking into a radio in their glove.

“Dr. Ganshar: neutralized,” droned the figure in a distorted voice.

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-9

Elmar and Bashoon led the way to Anful’s cottage while a small crowd of people and a horse-drawn carriage followed. Everyone was masked and kept their distance during the journey. As they went through a forest, the wind rustled, making the hair on Bashoon’s neck stand on end. “Ensign?” asked Elmar.

“I always figured forests from the Under-realm were creepy at night,” muttered Bashoon. “You know, because of the ghosts and dangerous animals that usually live in them. This, however? I don’t know what dangers lie behind any of the trees!”

“We DO have dangerous animals here, such as bears, wolves, and cougars.”

“Cougars? Here in the Over-realm?”

“During the War of the Realms, Mid-realm soldiers brought them to try and kill any forest dwelling people.”

“Did the Over-realm bring any dangerous animals to the other Realms?”

“Why, yes. My ancestors were instrumental in introducing bears to Under-realm forests. That’s actually the reason why Anful’s family hates mine.”

“Because they were against setting bears on people?”

“No, they believed the bears were best suited for the Mid-realm.”

“…You mean you guys hate each other because of a disagreement where bears should have been introduced?”

“I didn’t say that our feud is logical.”

“That was something your ancestors did, though! Why do you guys continue it now?!”

“…You know, I never really got a straight answer on that subject.”

“Then maybe now’s a good time to discuss ending it.”

“That’s up to the heads of our families. Regretfully, for both sides, they wish to continue the feud. If I may sound like a Goblin for a minute, it’s cutting into any chance of true profit.”

“‘Feuds fuel poverty’.”

“Exactly.”

“Sir, I hate to interrupt,” called a female Troll, “but can we please focus?”

“It’s quite all right, Lieutenant,” assured Elmar. “We can afford a little chat.” That was when things went wrong. Someone fired magic blasts and spooked the horses, knocking their riders off, Elmar and Bashoon included. The supplies were saved, thankfully, but the horses weren’t coming back.

“Who’s the wise guy?!” demanded Bashoon.

“Take it easy, Ensign,” advised Elmar.

“Well excuse me for being a little annoyed after someone used us for target practice!”

“I’m sure there’s an explanation. “Let’s get to the carriage and…”

“SIR!” called the Troll Lieutenant. “The carriage’s gone!”

“G…Gone, Ma’am?” gulped Bashoon.

“Yes, Ensign, gone!” confirmed the Troll. “So’s Tulmek!”

“We need to get help here!” declared Elmar. “Ensign, Lieutenant, there’s a cottage south of here, about six mebs away! Get there and raise the alarm!”

“Come on, Ensign!” urged the Troll. Before the two could go anywhere, the Troll was knocked off her feet by a magic blast.

“Lieutenant?!” yelped Bashoon.

“Leave her!” snarled a voice. While more magic blasts distracted the group, the voice’s owner stepped from the shadows. It was a cowled Minotaur woman with red eyes with only the pupils to discern any shape to them. “It’s not fully safe yet,” growled the Minotaur, “but when this gel-pox pandemic is over, we WILL settle our affairs…Cadet Barmek!” Bashoon gasped as she recognized the Minotaur!


“ROOSHEE?!” yelped Arsha once Bashoon had brought the Troll to the cottage and raised the Endeavor over a video call.

“It was her!” replied Bashoon. “She was responsible!”

“But…how…?!”

“I don’t know, but she must have done something to the carriage! I’m sure of it!”

“This is bad! She’s supposed to be in prison!”

“I think she must have taken advantage of that mass breakout after the Over-Union festival.”

“What is the status of the rest of the group?”

“From what Elmar told me on the way, the supplies reached their destination.”

“Anyone lost?”

“Just Tulmek.”

“I hope Lieutenant Tulmek’s all right; I’m supposed to be officiating his wedding next month.”


I’m pleased to say that Arsha DID get her wish…somewhat. Tulmek was found alive but broken. Just like last time, the smoldering wreckage of the carriage was in a forested clearing. Tulmek would be found wandering a churchyard about a por north, babbling all the while and smashing in the stained-glass windows. Unfortunately, Tulmek was out of his mind, his sanity utterly destroyed by the ordeal he went through, the specifics of which would never be known as Tulmek would spend the rest of his life as a gibbering wreck in an institution. When Bashoon provided a statement to the local investigators, the case was reopened. Unfortunately, given that vaccine progress was still a month out, Realmfleet couldn’t send its own investigators to assist in the matter. In fairness, they couldn’t risk an outbreak of artificial gel-pox across the Realms, but it was still frustrating to hear the news, especially for Marshii. She was stressed out as she had to fix up Elmar on top of assisting in vaccine research. His recovery took longer than usual, lasting a good half a month before he was released. When he was, Arsha, her lovers, her senior staff, Endea, and Bashoon met in the conference room. “All right,” began Arsha, “Rooshee’s most likely going after us because of what happened in Vorkath. Everyone, we need a solution to put her back into prison.”

“Bashoon,” recalled Denstra, “you said that Rooshee’s eyes were red with just the pupils.”

“I did,” confirmed Bashoon.

“That’s not something a Minotaur usually does,” muttered Gorfanth. “‘When a Minotaur’s eyes are red, all sense of decency is dead’.”

“Meaning?” asked Marshii.

“Whenever our eyes are red,” explained Gorfanth, “that’s a good indication that we’re in a feral state. Our higher brain functions just shut off and we fall onto our animalistic tendencies. Yes, we even go THAT far whenever we’re feral. Thankfully, such cases are rare. Rarer still are cases where a Minotaur purposefully goes that far because they’re still in control. Usually, the way to tell the difference is to see if their eyes are totally red or if there’s a pupil in them. Bashoon, you said that you could see a pupil and that she could speak, yes?”

“That’s right,” confirmed Bashoon.

“Then Rooshee’s in a much more dangerous state for all of us. She’s still capable of reasoning.”

“And that plus animal instincts make for a dangerous combination,” shuddered Arsha. “I think we can safely believe that revenge is on her mind.”

“That actually gives us time to prepare,” piped up Bashoon. All eyes were on her at that point. “She’s only going for ranged attacks, not willing to get up close and catch gel-pox. She said to me that she would settle her problem with me after this pandemic is over.”

“Then we need to be trained for her,” declared Arsha. “I want all crewmembers to prepare to fight a Minotaur that’s controlling their feral state. Gorfanth, I know you’re not a member of this crew…”

“I can give pointers on how to fight a Minotaur,” interrupted Gorfanth. “Feral though she is, she’s still got the same weaknesses as us.”

“Then I need you to advise…” Arsha was interrupted by a lieutenant bursting into the conference room.

“Captain! News just reached us!” yelped the Lieutenant. “Rooshee’s accompanied by Androashius Ganshar!”

“Androashius Ganshar?” repeated Bashoon. “As in, Dr. Ganshar, Jansha’s mom?”

“The same!” replied the Lieutenant.

“Great, two ladies out for revenge,” muttered Thangred.


“Why the carriages?” Rooshee asked Dr. Ganshar when they reconvened at

“Cut off transport, supplies dry up,” replied Dr. Ganshar.

“So, what, we destroy every carriage to send a message?”

“Just enough.”

“Why?”

“We need to create a new ground for my experiments.”

“What experiments? Vaccine-related ones?”

“Don’t be absurd. I’m a roboticist, not a chemist.”

“You know, ever since we broke out, you’ve always had cryptic remarks for my questions! For once, answer straight!”

“If science isn’t straight, why should my responses be? Now, we must lay low until the vaccine is completed.”

“Elves!” Rooshee stomped out of the lab.

“Minotaurs,” grunted Dr. Ganshar as she continued her work.


Remsu was in front of a full-length mirror, examining her backside and wishing she had wings and a tail again. Because the tail isn’t thick enough to be used as a weapon and the wings only carry a Succubus or Incubus over a short distance, most Lust Demons use them as mana stores. Remove them and the Lust Demon is forever weakened. There were methods of restoring them, but it would take a lot of mana and years of study of the particular subject. Even then, the Lust Demon with new wings and a tail would need a severe mana transfusion to get them back to full power. She released a sad sigh before her mood turned angry, recalling the events that resulted in them being chopped off. The man she was once with had robbed her of them and promptly executed for it. The damage was still done and Remsu still felt like she was violated in the worst way possible. That incident was what prompted her to believe killing is the only way to deal with crime. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn’t notice someone approach. “You know Cy’s doing everything in her power to regenerate them,” assured a voice. Remsu gasped before she saw Tensam standing in the door.

“I know,” she sighed as she rubbed her arm sadly. “The pain just burns so much.” Tensam entered the room and approached Remsu. Remsu leaned into his chest and hugged him as Tensam wrapped his arms around her in reassurance. They stayed like that for a good minute before they heard a woman clear their throat. They turned to see Femfaf standing in the door.

“I don’t wish to interrupt,” she began, “but Dr. Borg has all the mana needed to restore your missing ligaments and return you to full power.”

“What?! Already?!” yelped Remsu. “Where’d she…?!”

“I have massive mana stores,” replied Femfaf. “It was easy for me to donate what I could.”

“Well…thank you!” breathed Remsu.

“The procedure’s ready when you are.”

“On my way!” Remsu escaped Tensam’s embrace and practically ran to the operating room.

“Femfaf, have you been rewarded yet?” asked Tensam.

“Just earned a seat on your wife’s council,” replied Femfaf.

“A perfect reward. We could use you.”

“I aim to please.”

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-8

It was now a month into vaccine progress. The doctors were doing what they could to help treat the symptoms, but they knew it wasn’t an actual treatment. 17 people had died of gel-pox, King Jonthar’s parents included. Jonthar had already set aside a lot of money to develop a vaccine, but he set aside more and urged the upper class to donate what they could so a vaccine would come faster. I’m sorry to say that his actions weren’t totally well-received. The essential workers praised him, as did their employers, but the previous king, Queen Keelma’s father, Santha, publicly called it a waste of resources. He believed the problem would just go away on its own, an argument he and Keelma constantly had. “You ALWAYS did lack empathy!” hissed Keelma during one such argument.

“And YOU lack clarity!” accused Santha. “You and your bug husband are wasting time on trivial people!”

“Farmers, food workers, doctors, they’re trivial to you?!”

“They can be replaced!”

“They’re not non-Mechanica machines! They CAN’T be replaced!”

“Anyone can do their job!”

“That’s not true!” Before the argument could go any further, a doctor entered the room.

“Your Majesty! Good news!” he called.

“You dare interrupt…!” began Santha.

“Dad, shut up. Someone more important than you is talking,” hissed Keelma. She turned to the doctor, leaving her father to stand stunned at what she said. “You were saying, Doctor?”

“We’ve gotten the genetic makeup of this particular strain of gel-pox,” reported the doctor. “It’s an artificial strain!”

“Artificial?! Are you sure?!” gasped Keelma.

“Indeed! And the mutation factor’s consistent! We begin experiments on one version of this strain and it already mutates to account for that! I don’t mind telling you, we could actually have a vaccine next month!”

“Has my husband been informed?”

“He’s being told the news as we…” the doctor was interrupted by a loud cheer.

“Sounds like he’s received the news,” mused Keelma. “Doctor, you and your teams are instrumental! Once you have the vaccine, deliver it to essential workers first. Leave us royals and rich people for last.”

“Understood, Your Majesty!” confirmed the doctor as he bowed and left the room.

“…You once called our methods a waste of money, Dad,” Keelma remarked to Santha. “Can you still say that?”

“Quite easily,” scoffed Santha. “And a waste of time too. You gave the unimportant people too much money!”

“They just discovered that this strain of gel-pox is an artificial strain and promised us a new timetable and you STILL say they’re unimportant?!”

“They are nothing more than pieces in a ruler’s game, something YOU’VE never grasped!”

“And there’s the difference between you and me! Don’t bother saying anything else, you WON’T change my mind!” Keelma stormed out of the room and made her way to the stables. She went to her horse’s berth and found her beautiful black and white horse speaking to the Centaur Stable Master. The conversation was…not really what she expected.

“That’s impossible!” protested her horse as she stamped her hoof in frustration.

“I’m sorry, Gale,” replied the Stable Master, “but I don’t know what to tell you! We’ve searched every inch of the grounds and the doctor and his carriage aren’t even here!”

“What’s this about a missing doctor and carriage?” called Keelma.

“Your Majesty, Doctor Anful and his personal carriage are gone, but none of the horses are missing,” explained the Stable Master.

“Anful’s one of the best stable doctors here,” remarked Keelma. “How do you just lose him?”

“We didn’t LOSE him,” corrected the horse, Gale. “He went missing.”

“That’s not much of a difference in this case.”

“Hold on, I just had a thought,” muttered the Stable Master.

“What’s that?” asked Gale.

“If none of the horses are missing, how did his carriage move?”

“…I…I don’t know…”

“His carriage isn’t a horseless one, is it?” asked Keelma.

“No,” replied Gale, “it isn’t.”

“All right, that’s put a frightening spin on this!”

“I think I need a good run to clear my head.”

“Mind if I join you? I just had an argument with my dad.”

“Hop on, then.” The Stable Master helped Keelma up onto Gale. Once Keelma indicated she was comfortably on Gale, Gale trotted out of the stables and then sped up gradually until they were in the woods behind the castle. Gale liked running in the woods, it kept her skills to make quick decisions up to scratch. Keelma just liked feeling the wind blow her hair back, it always soothed her mind. While the forest was thick, the trees still allowed sunlight to pierce the canopy.

“A lovely day, wouldn’t you agree?” asked Keelma.

“Wholeheartedly,” answered Gale. “The air is clean, the sun is out, this is a day where nothing goes wrong.” That phrase invited disaster that day. The instant Gale entered a clearing, she saw something that made her rear up and whinny in fright. Keelma almost fell off!

“Easy, girl! Easy!” called Keelma as Gale put her hooves down and moved back. She finally saw what scared Gale. There was a smoldering wreck of a carriage in the clearing. “Okay, maybe you spoke too soon!”

“What’s going on here?!” yelped Gale. “Where’d all this come from?!”

“We better get back to the castle and raise the alarm!”

“His Majesty’s not going to like this!” Gale turned around and broke off into a gallop. King Jonthar and the Royal Guard were told about the situation and a member of the City Guard told them to expect an investigation team at the site as an Elven convent in the woods had already informed them of the carriage wreck. Jonthar, Keelma, and members of the Royal Guard rode towards the wreck and met with the investigation team and the convent’s Abbess, Nanfel. She and a novice of her order were giving their statement when the King and Queen arrived. The investigators had ordered everyone to stay back as they conducted their preliminary investigations, not wanting the crime scene to be contaminated.

“Goodness me!” whispered Nanfel. “Who could have done this?”

“Hoodlums with little to no respect and even less self-control,” replied the Dryad in charge of the investigation, Redwood.

“But to strike HERE of all places?!” protested Jonthar. “Children play in these woods!”

“If they had any sense of decency,” hissed the novice, “they wouldn’t have thought to do this!”

“Yallen!” admonished Nanfel. The novice subsided, realizing she spoke out of turn.

“Don’t worry,” assured Redwood, “we’ll find these scoundrels and bring them to justice!”

“SARGE!” called an Alraune. “COME HERE! QUICK!” Redwood, the Royals, and Nanfel followed Redwood. He stopped and his eyes widened, seeing evidence that the case was now worse.

“Oh no!” he groaned.

“What’s wrong?” asked Jonthar.

“Mother Superior,” Redwood called to Nanfel, “I’m sorry to report that we need your order’s services.” Jonthar, Keelma, and Nanfel gasped when they got a good look.

“By the Ones!” breathed Keelma as she hugged Jonthar tightly, feeling very scared. What they saw was the shiny, yet still very skeletal remains of an Elf. The pelvis indicated that it was a male Elf and dental records identified the victim to be the Stables’ doctor, Anful.


When the Princesses heard about this, they were mortified and saddened at Anful’s death. News reached the Endeavor and the doctors working on the cure for the gel-pox pandemic. Everyone offered their sympathies and whatever help they could give to Anful’s family. There was little solace to be had at the poor man’s funeral. It was hardly surprising; there were just too many questions surrounding his death. The whole affair was perfect fodder for the news, and it became a media sensation, its details talked about everywhere. Under normal circumstances, the Realms’ top criminal investigators would be tasked with solving it, but that was hard to do safely, given the gel-pox pandemic. The murderer picked an excellent time to strike, even going so far as to kill him in such a way that was unknown. Foresna and Gorfanth were talking to Elmar and Bashoon about it. “Did you guys hear the latest?” asked Gorfanth. “The City Guard had to call off the investigation until a vaccine’s been made.”

“Understandable,” replied Elmar. “What else can they do, given that they’re clueless during this pandemic.”

“Come on, Sir!” admonished Bashoon. “That’s hardly fair!”

“If I came off as derogatory, then I apologize,” answered Elmar. “I merely meant that they’ve exhausted every investigatory avenue given the current public health circumstances. To be honest, though, I doubt Enfanti could solve this one.”

“You’re not really wrong,” remarked Foresna. “I mean, how does someone steal a carriage, kidnap someone, manage to not tip off castle security, destroy it, kill the kidnapped person, then dump their remains in a forest clearing, all within the span of an hour, if the investigations are any indication?”

“If you hear some of the crew,” muttered Gorfanth, “they’ve got some theories about that. I assure you, none of them are good.”

“Like what?” asked Foresna.

“How about you two wait until Ensign Barmek and I are gone,” suggested Elmar, “before you discuss those theories?”

“Gone?” repeated Gorfanth. “Where are you guys going?”

“To Anful’s house to give his family financial aid, if you can believe it,” replied Bashoon.

“I thought Anful’s family hated yours, Elmar,” remarked Gorfanth.

“The feeling is mutual,” answered Elmar, “but neither side would wish death on the other. This is a gesture to help Anful’s family, given their recent loss. Perhaps this will mend fences between our families. As of this moment, I don’t mind assisting them.”

“Good to hear,” praised Foresna. “Just make sure your robes are secured for the ride!”

“What?!” yelped Elmar, momentarily losing his composure. “How did you…the Captain told you, didn’t she?”

“Actually, I did,” giggled Bashoon.

“I’ll be putting a reprimand in your file for that,” muttered Elmar as he and Bashoon headed to the cargo bay.

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 3: The First Strike)

3 Realms 3-7

The Endeavor arrived at Vorkath and picked up the doctors and witches of Crossgene Hospital. They had full gear on, protecting themselves against the gel-pox pandemic. They examined the crew first while the supplies were being loaded. “Doc, come on!” protested a crewman.

“We can’t risk anyone bringing disease,” remarked the doctor.

“We weren’t even in the Over-realm!” argued the crewman.

“Lieutenant, let the doctor check you over,” called Arsha’s voice.

“But Captain…!” protested the crewman.

“That’s an order from both me and Marshii,” commanded Arsha. The crewman grumbled but complied.

“You know,” remarked Marshii as she came up to Arsha, “I DIDN’T give that order.”

“No, but you would have,” mused Arsha.

“…You’re right, I would have,” replied Marshii as she shrugged.

“Have all the doctors been briefed on what’s going on?” asked Arsha.

“Briefed and briefed all over again,” answered Marshii. “How soon until all the supplies are all loaded in?”

“Two minutes, according to our estimations,” replied Arsha.

“A bit long, in my opinion,” grumbled Marshii.

“We need to be careful that we’re not missing anything,” reminded Arsha.

“I know, I know,” grunted Marshii. Time felt like it was going at a crawl for Marshii, wanting to help as quickly as possible. Soon, everything was loaded, everyone was present, and all items and people were accounted for. The loading ramp then went up and the ship took off, on course for the Sacchrinda Kingdom.


The ship landed outside the kingdom, as was recommended. The doctors and supplies were taken to a small bunker near the border to work on a vaccine. As per protocol, shore leave was cancelled due to gel-pox concerns. Arsha was NOT going to run the risk of a virus on her ship, especially since the ship now had an organic body on top of being a ship. Speaking of, Endea and Thangred were having a chat at Barmek’s. “All I’m saying is,” urged Thangred, “we should pay attention to what’s going on in the Lunarimba Sea.”

“Why?” asked Endea. “It’s no concern of ours.”

“If it’s the result of Dr. Borg, I beg to differ,” argued Thangred.

“Even if you’re right,” countered Endea, “I doubt Realmfleet will be called. King Hindegar DOES tend to tell Realmfleet not to interfere in matters like this.”

“But if Dr. Borg’s involved, won’t Realmfleet be a good deterrent?” asked Thangred.

“What’s going on?” called Shalvey’s voice as she glided up to the table.

“Shalvey, you know what’s going on in your home, right?” quizzed Thangred.

“Actually, I just got news on that front,” replied Shalvey as she parked near Thangred. “Turns out it was all a prank from Queen Ulumeye’s dad.”

“Are you serious?!” snarled Thangred.

“Why, the nerve!” snapped Endea. “Faking out the people like that?! Oh, I wanna slap him!”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to get in line,” remarked Shalvey. “My home’s demanding his head for stealing our crops like that.”

“Seriously, didn’t the king pass a law saying that stealing from farm people is punishable by life in prison with no chance of parole?” quizzed Thangred.

“Which puts him in a very awkward position,” answered Shalvey.

“Oh, yeah, that’s his father-in-law,” recalled Endea.

“Exactly,” confirmed Shalvey. “If he follows through on the sentence, the media will call him too hard-nosed towards anyone, even his own associates. But, if he lets him go, they’ll say he’s too soft.”

“The media’s gonna eat him alive anyways!” realized Thangred. “How unpopular IS the poor guy?!”

“…You REALLY don’t want to know,” muttered Shalvey.


While the doctors were working on the vaccine, they had been sending Arsha their progress reports and she passed them on to Realmfleet and the Maropwems. When she had free time, she called her family to make sure they were okay. During one call, Arsha noticed that Elgrad looked twitchy. “Never been away from the throne for such a long time, Daddy?” guessed Arsha.

“Yep,” confirmed Elgrad. “Call me arrogant, if you will, but I feel like Largandra, much less the Mid-realm, would fall without me there!”

“I hear you, it’s like with me and the Endeavor.”

“Yeah, looks like you got that curse from your old man.”

“At least your impulse control’s a lot better,” chuckled Hanako.

“Hana, please, no!” wailed Elgrad.

“Wait, what?!” giggled Arsha. “Hold on, I think I want to hear this.”

“Well, when your father…”

“I’ll tell the story, thank you,” grumbled Elgrad. “When I was a Prince, I had TERRIBLE impulse control. It all came to a head when I was 150. A rather racist woman cast a curse on me that I would die the night before my 300th birthday. My parents both already went through an operation to prevent any future children, so they were really scared for their family’s future. The advisor at the time, Tonsho…”

“Wait, which Tonsho?” interrupted Arsha. “That’s, like, the most common name in Largandra.

“This guy was a Centaur,” answered Elgrad. “Not anyone you knew. Anyway, he was wringing his hands as he explained the curse to me and my parents. As they were about to demand he find a solution, adolescent me called out, ‘Wait, before my 300th is when this curse kills me?’ He answered yes and my next out-loud thought was ‘So, until then, I’m effectively immortal?!’”

“Uh oh,” gulped Arsha.

“Yeah, I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Mom and Dad said that I was technically right, but I didn’t hear the word ‘technically’ and announced that I was going to teach myself how to juggle axes while hang-gliding over shark-infested waters.” Arsha laughed like a maniac when she heard how dumb her dad was.

“Glad Grandma and Grandpa found the counter-curse in time,” she managed to get out between her giggles. “I can’t believe you would do something so dumb! You wouldn’t have caught me doing something like that!”

“Arsha,” remarked Hanako.

“Yeah, Mom?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What’s that?”

“…Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!” Arsha then screamed into her hands.

“Depths, YEAH, sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!” laughed Elgrad.

“MOM, COME ON!” wailed Arsha. “I thought you would forget that incident!”

“Arsha, ALL adolescents do dumb stuff like that,” answered Hanako. “Your kids will do something just as bad.”

“Dalengor to Arsha,” came Dalengor’s voice over the intercom.

“One minute,” Arsha bid to her parents. “Go ahead, Dalengor.”

“One of our crewmate’s was caught trying to get out of the ship,” reported Dalengor. “She’s in the brig now for fighting the security officer at the ramp.”

“Oh, Ones, the last thing I want to hear!” Arsha groaned. She then turned to her parents. “Sorry, guys, need to discipline someone. See you as soon as possible.”

“Bye!” bid her parents as she ended the call.


“It was only going to be for five minutes!” protested the Werewolf lieutenant as she faced Arsha. “Where’s the harm?!”

“I won’t risk gel-pox on this ship,” answered Arsha. “All shore leave is cancelled to prevent the spread of disease to other Realms.”

“I was wearing a mask and gloves!”

“That mask was under your nose and the gloves had holes so your claws would stick out!”

“Captain, you must release me!”

“I will only release you when I have evidence that you are as committed to this as your husband!” The Werewolf rolled her eyes as Arsha indicated to the male Werewolf guard to step forward. “Look at him,” directed Arsha. “He’s standing tall and proud, ready to sacrifice his outdoor time, knowing the risks of…” she trailed off when she saw something in his pocket. She quickly yanked it out and saw that it was an exit card, used only to leave the ship. “…Lieutenant Tentar,” growled Arsha as she moved her hairpiece to her waist, “what is THIS?!”

“…I don’t know how that got there,” gulped the male Werewolf, Tentar.

“You lie!” accused his wife, Lieutenant Enfal. “How many more do you have?!”

“I have duties to perform,” answered Tentar.

“Don’t change the subject! Where are the others?!”

“There ARE no others!”

“If you don’t tell me where the others are, I will sleep in separate quarters for a week!” Tentar growled but relented as he pulled another exit card out of his uniform’s shirt, another out of his shoe, then opened a drawer full of exit cards.

“…You hypocrite!” hissed Arsha.

“You hold me here for trying to leave, yet you planned to leave this ship yourself?!” snarled Enfal.

“Well, I have a proposition,” growled Tentar. “From now until the vaccine is ready for mass-production, we will watch each other!”

“Yes! Closely!” agreed Enfal.

“I’m holding you both to it,” warned Arsha.


“Five days!” hissed Rosalmia to her sisters as vaccine work continued. “Five days since Daddy passed that order! Five days of staying inside! Five days of not finding any more lovers! Five days of going to this very ballroom and not having a dance partner!”

“You were the one,” remarked Yasnima as she touched up her eye makeup, “that urged Daddy to pass a stay-at-home order.”

“Yeah, well, I thought it would take at least two days!” hissed Rosalmia. “Not five days of uncertainty!”

“Viruses take a long time to develop a vaccine for,” reminded Grenmaf as she and Blamfem looked over some medical journals. “We might get a vaccine in about three months.”

“That’s three months too long for someone like me!” wailed Rosalmia. “I need to find more lovers!”

“You said,” muttered Purhalmaf, “patience is key.”

“For you girls! Not me!” snapped Rosalmia. “I hate patience! Patience is for wimpy introverts!”

“Our mother was a conscious stone statue for three years after looking directly into a Gorgon’s eyes,” grunted Orsanmii, “and you can’t be patient for three months?”

“She’s just as extroverted as you,” reminded Blamfem.

“I can’t do this!” groaned Rosalmia. “Don’t make me! I need to be busy!”

“FINE!” shouted Pinalk, fed up with her red sister. “Be busy! We could all use a break from your complaining!” Rosalmia scowled, then ran out of the ballroom, making a beeline straight for the kitchen. Whenever one of the Royal Family was bored, they usually helped their staff, a tradition started by her mother. She put on a mask, a hairnet, and a jacket designed for kitchen work as she entered the castle’s kitchens. The head chef saw her and approached her.

“Is her Highness getting buggy?” she asked.

“Her Highness is losing her mind from being so bored and isolated!” replied Rosalmia.

“I believe Yalfeen would like some help on preparing the veggies,” mused the head chef. “Just wash your hands before you help.”

“Got it.” Rosalmia then washed her hands and put on gloves that were designed for kitchen work, then she joined an Elf woman chopping veggies.

“Looking for something to do during all this,” the Elf woman, Yalfeen, guessed.

“Isolation’s just torture for extroverts,” sighed Rosalmia as she grabbed a carrot and started chopping.

“I hear you. I can’t exactly travel to the Under-realm and meet with my own lovers.”

“Then you understand my predicament perfectly.”

“Granted, I only have two.”

“You still get it, though.”

“Oh, I do.”


Lunch was put together and Rosalmia helped the staff serve up the soup. Once her family arrived in the dining room, they all sat down. “Much better,” sighed Rosalmia. “Nothing like a little activity to pass the time. Hey, Blamfem, how long was it since I left you girls?”

“Half an hour,” replied Blamfem as she checked her watch. Rosalmia’s smile faded.

“…I can’t do it,” she muttered as she slouched in her seat.