Tag: fantasy

The crowd for the second trial was a little less than the first. It was clear that some of the Manticores thought Gorfanth had cheated in some way or that Teknar flaked out at the last second. Either way, the Manticores didn’t have much respect for Arsha’s team at that moment. Like the last time, Boltuk made his way to the center of the ring and addressed the crowd. “These outsiders have passed the first trial of strength!” he began. The crowd roared in anger. “However, there are other trials to consider! For physical strength is nothing without other kinds! Bring forth the Hunter, Nedola!” A female Manticore then strode towards the center of the ring. “As I have said earlier, since the Minotaur passed the first trial, a new challenger must take his place!”

“My turn!” declared Lardeth.

“What?!” protested Malnar. “I’m the second strongest of us! I should go!”

“Meaning that you’ll win too easily,” replied Lardeth. Malnar was confused.

“You sense it too, huh?” asked Arsha. Malnar then arched an eyebrow, wondering what her lovers were talking about. She then concentrated on her senses. It took a few seconds before she realized what they found.

“Hang on!” she called to Boltuk. “What kind of trial is this?! She’s far weaker than Teknar was! Heck, she’s weaker than you!”

“Like I said, strength is not strictly defined by physical fitness,” replied Boltuk.

“In that case, Lardeth, be as cautious as everyone says you are,” warned Malnar.

“That’s the idea,” answered Lardeth as he strode towards the ring.

“Same rules as last time,” called Boltuk. “The challenger must win either by killing her or by ring-out. Begin!” Nedola looked at Lardeth as he adopted a ready stance. Her gaze focused on his head.

“…How old are you?” she asked.

“…307, why?” replied Lardeth.

“That’s the hair of someone who’s 307 years old?”

“Not hair, clouds.”

“You’re a Zephyr?”

“Half Zephyr. The other half of my blood comes from my human father.”

“…A human father who failed to teach his son how to be masculine. Just like Zephyr fathers with their own sons.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said your people don’t know a thing about what it takes to be a man. I know all about your race of trannies.” Foresna moved towards the ring.

“Why, that little…!” Arsha held Foresna back.

“This is Lardeth’s fight!” she hissed.

“He’s manly enough for us!” shouted Foresna.

“Foresna, stay out of this,” called Lardeth. “This is between me and her.”

“You think a delicate princess like you can take me?” mocked Nedola as she circled her opponent. “You, who spends so much time on your lipstick and your dresses and your nails and your eyes? Face it, Zephyr men are weak!” Lardeth, at this time, was examining his nails.

“…He’s not…bored, is he?” asked Delselii.

“Very bored,” remarked Foresna as he saw what the trial was about.

“Even now, you prove my point!” laughed Nedola as she pointed her paw at Lardeth. “So focused on something so unimportant! Blissfully unaware of the danger because it keeps you safe!”

“…Could someone get her to stop spewing cowardly rhetoric?” asked Lardeth in a bored tone.

“…Say that to my face!” hissed Nedola, her smile dropping.

“Oh, and someone tell her that she’s not worth the effort of me talking directly to? I don’t really associate with dull, unoriginal idiots who want to weaken men so badly.” That did it! Nedola pounced on Lardeth.

“I’M NOT GIVING YOU THE OPTION TO WALK OUT OF THIS, YOU FAILURE OF A MAN!” she roared. “I AM MAKING MEN STRONG BY GIVING THEM FOCUS!”

“WRONG!” shouted Lardeth as he kicked her over him. That was when she landed headfirst outside the ring! Nedola recovered, then saw where she was.

“Wh…wh-wha?! How?!” She couldn’t find an answer until Lardeth spoke.

“Do you have any idea how many times I heard such things in my life? Let me tell you. I lost count; it was that much. The reason we wear dresses is because we’re not afraid of being judged! The most arrogant of us Zephyr men laugh at the men of other races because, and I use THEIR words, ‘Other men are all concerned about their absurd muscles and their misplaced pride in looking tough’! They’ve done this while fanning themselves and laughing like the corrupt lords they are! We pride ourselves on how we bear these words and dress as we do despite their words. For they are just that, words! You use them too much…and that makes you the worst kind of coward of all. You’re too afraid of any change or outliers. …That’s why I said you weren’t worth the effort of talking directly to.” Lardeth then left the arena.

“…You…damn…outsider!” snarled Nedola. “DON’T THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH THAT REBUKE!” She flew upwards, then dove down onto Lardeth. After pinning him, her stinger strikes his backside, flooding his insides with venom. The Manticores roared in outrage. Boltuk pounced onto Nedola and slashed her face with his claws.

“COWARD!” he roared. Manticore doctors then rushed to Lardeth’s aid and whipped up anti-venom. They injected it into Lardeth, and he stopped convulsing in pain.

“He’ll get better,” reported one of the doctors. “He’ll just be in an uneasy sleep. One of you needs to stand by him.”

“Will dream-weaving help or harm him?” asked Falnii.

“It will help. The more restful his sleep, the quicker the anti-venom will do its job.”

“Then I’ll stand by him.” Falnii then chanted.

Dream your dream with me.

Tell your woes to me.

Show your troubles to me.

Dream your dream with me.

As she chanted, Lardeth’s face became more at ease. Her chanting stopped and they were both in a deep sleep. Boltuk then turned towards Nedola. “You coward!” he snarled.

“What did I do to warrant that?!” protested Nedola.

“What did you do?! You let his words affect you, that’s what! You could have just let him leave with the grace that was due to him since he won, but thanks to you stinging him, you’ve ruined your chances of ever rejoining your sisters!”

“I can gain those chances back!”

“…No, you can’t.” Boltuk then leapt onto her and scratched a mark onto her forehead. “As the senior in this gathering, for displaying cowardice, I hereby strip you of your rights as a Hunter! Return to your parents and show them how much of a coward you really are!”

“You will regret this!” roared Nedola. “Mark my words, you will pay for this slander!” She fled from the arena.

“Sir, I…” began Arsha.

“She’s the one who broke the law,” interrupted Boltuk. “Justice has been served. Because of this, however, we need to conduct the third trial here. That will require fixing the ring up to accommodate it. Wait here while we do so.” A company of engineers and builders then set to work.

The Manticore led Arsha’s team into an arena. Thousands of Manticores roared as if they were ready to see bloodshed. “…One of the trials of strength?” asked Arsha.

“Correct,” replied the Manticore. He then took up a position in the center of the arena. “I am Boltuk Bloodwing!” he shouted to the crowd. “I come to you today to announce that outsiders claim they can pass the trials!” A lot of jeering met this statement. “We cannot let this claim go unchallenged! I have granted them only one concession! One person must pass each trial! If and when they do, another person must take their place! But, we all know that no outsider, not even Oyed, has gone past the first trial!” Everyone in the stands roared their agreement. “Let us see if they can even get past my brother, Teknar!” A cage door opened up from beneath the stands and a rather beefy looking Manticore with a darker mane than Boltuk’s strode out, filled with confident swagger. “Whomsoever beats my brother, either by killing him or by ring-out, shall have completed the trial of physical strength! Outsiders, pick your combatant!” Arsha and her team then huddled.

“Guys, I gotta be real here,” muttered Malnar, “the only one who stands a remote chance against him is Gorfanth.”

“Me?!” hissed Gorfanth.

“I have to agree with him,” remarked Lardeth. “Minotaurs are lovers, not fighters!”

“Do we really have much choice?” asked Foresna.

“I can’t believe you and Malnar!” snarled Falnii.

“Can you honestly name anyone stronger?” asked Arsha.

“Captain, are you sure that’s wise?” asked Bashoon.

“I don’t know if it’s wise or not,” muttered Arsha, “but what I do know is that we ARE pressed for time.”

“…If and when I die, I’m haunting your nine-tailed ass!” grumbled Gorfanth. The team then broke up the huddle and Gorfanth stepped into the ring. The crowd roared in laughter.

“Looks like we’re gonna be having beef tonight!” laughed Boltuk. “Ready yourselves!” The two combatants sized each other up and got into their respective ready stances. “BEGIN!” Teknar rushed along the side, catching Gorfanth by surprise and forcing him to roll out of the way. The Manticore Champion then flew into the air and dove straight down, paws first and claws out! Gorfanth ran to the edge of the ring, but Teknar was able to change direction quickly! The sudden shift in the wind generated by the flapping of his wings kicked up the sand of the ring, flinging it into Gorfanth’s face. Gorfanth stumbled backwards…and his foot missed the floor of the ring! He was about to fall backwards out of it. Teknar then rushed at Gorfanth, then put his paw to the back of his opponent’s head…and shoved him back into the ring. The crowd roared in confusion. Arsha and her team were equally perplexed. Gorfanth then picked himself up and gave Teknar his attention.

“Why?” he asked. “You had me!”

“You stumbled,” answered Teknar.

“…I don’t follow.”

“To defeat you in such a manner would be lacking in honor. I would not have EARNED the victory.”

“…I see, you see this as a duel of honor.”

“Exactly, and to take advantage of that would mean I would have been a coward. There’s only ONE true way to finish such a duel, head-on…and BRUTALLY!” Gorfanth then leapt out of the way of the Manticore as he dove down with a bloodthirsty expression on his face. He then grabbed Teknar’s wing and twisted it in a way that there was an audible snap. Teknar went silent for just one second before he was on the ground, roaring in pain caused by a broken wing. With that distraction, Gorfanth grabbed the tail, his hands under the bulb of the stinger, and spun around before flinging Teknar into the walls outside the ring. Teknar fell to the ground, groaning in pain, while the crowd sat there, stunned at what had just occurred. Gorfanth then stepped out of the ring and walked up to Teknar. Teknar then managed to look up at the Minotaur in fear and pain. “…There is a knife carved from an elephant’s tusk,” grunted Teknar. “Use it on me. At least make it quick.”

“…What?” asked Gorfanth.

“You defeated the strongest Manticore. Not only did you pass the trial, but, by law, you must take my place as Champion. And the only way to do that…is to end my life.”

“…Does that law really apply to outsiders like me?” Gorfanth then turned to the audience. “Are outsiders required to take a Manticore’s place?!”

“No,” replied Boltuk. “In his agony, my brother has forgotten that non-Manticores are forbidden from taking a Manticore’s job, regardless of circumstance.”

“And didn’t you say I had to win by either killing him OR ring-out?”

“I did. And all evidence says you picked the latter option.”

“JUST END IT ALREADY!” howled Teknar. “THERE’S NO HONOR FOR ME NOW! I LOST TO AN OUTSIDER! I FAILED MY PEOPLE!”

“AND I DON’T WANT AN INNOCENT MAN’S DEATH ON MY CONSCIENCE!” Gorfanth roared back. The arena was silent for a minute. Gorfanth sighed before continuing. “You were doing your duty according to the laws of your people. I don’t kill people that dedicated to their kingdom. I don’t want to kill you! I never did! …But, I couldn’t allow you to kill me either. Tell me, how would either of us gain? If you killed me, you would serve Oyed, and it sounds like you lot don’t like him. If I killed you, your King would hear about this and be less receptive to us. I’m tired of killing unnecessarily and fighting strangers when I should be making friends. …We’re going to the next trial and, if you insist, we can continue this fracas to its final, stupid end, or you can side with us.” Teknar appeared to consider Gorfanth’s words as Manticore doctors came to set his wing so that it could mend itself.

“…If you and your fellows pass their trials with the same amount of honor, then I will consider fighting with you against Oyed,” the Manticore Champion finally answered. “Otherwise, I am duty-bound to follow King Velkor’s commands.”

“Having passed the first trial and being the first outsider to do so in a long time,” remarked Boltuk, “follow me to the second trial. Be warned, it will test a different kind of strength. Let us pray you can endure it.” Boltuk then led Arsha’s team through a door leading to the second trial.

“The elephant is…dead?” gulped Arsha.

“By multiple claws, teeth, and giant scorpion stinger wounds,” confirmed Aldarval. “The distinct warped soul signature confirms Revenant activity.”

“That’s no coincidence. There must be Manticore Revenants.”

“We’re moving out now. Arsha, prepare your team.”

“Aye, Admiral.” The call ended and Arsha left her ready room. “We’re moving out,” she announced to the crew. “Have the infiltration team ready on my command. Nazay, take us up.”

“Aye, aye!” confirmed Nazay. Shalvey then got a signal.

“Captain, Merrim’s hailing all ships,” she reported.

“Merrim?” asked Arsha.

“She says she has information that can help the infiltration team.”

“Can it wait? We’re about to launch.”

“She claims it’s vital information that can’t wait.” Arsha sighed. She really didn’t have time for this.

“…Make sure the channel is secure, get the infiltration team to the conference room, and have Aldarval listen in on this.

---

Arsha’s infiltration team consisted of herself, her lovers, Orthena, Delselii, Bashoon, and Patrica. Merri was on screen as she explained what she learned. “It turns out,” she began, “the Manticores were the ones who gave the Sphinxes’ ancestors the designs on the barrier at the behest of King Velkor’s advisor, Overseer Toonsar Lortem. He used the barrier for his own ends in an attempt to satisfy some twisted debt. The more immediate way is to find the key to lower the barrier.”

“And that’s where we come in?” asked Malnar.

“From what I’ve heard from my spies,” continued Merrim, “there are six trials that you must pass, trials of physical strength and impeccable intellect. The Manticores were the original masters of riddles before they passed it onto the Sphinxes.”

“…Can we even afford to go through the trials right now?” sighed Gorfanth. “We may have an impressive fleet, but what if the trials turn this whole thing into a siege? We don’t exactly have the manpower OR firepower to make such a thing possible.”

“The other option is to kill King Velkor and that would enrage the Manticores something fierce. I don’t know about you, but I DON’T want to start a relationship with Manticores on that note if we’re trying to get them away from Oyed’s influence.”

“And it would keep the Sphinxes trapped in the barrier or kill them if we use the wrong key,” sighed Arsha. “Looks like we have no choice. We HAVE to complete the trials. All right, thanks for the information. We’ll do what we can. Arsha out.” The call ended and Arsha received a message saying that Aldarval heard the whole thing and authorized the completion of the trials.

“Dammit, this ain’t gonna be smooth,” grumbled Patrica.

“Understatement of the millennium,” replied Malnar. “Oyed could get wise really easy!”

“We don’t have that many options,” remarked Lardeth.

“What’s our move here?” Bashoon asked Arsha.

“We enter the Manticore kingdom as planned, but we try to assure them that we come in peace and declare our intentions to pass the trials.”

“Because a foreign power entering a kingdom while its forces are sieging said kingdom is SO peaceful,” snarked Foresna.

“Do we really have much choice?” asked Delselii.

“Not really,” replied Arsha.

---

“All ships ready,” reported Denstra as the fleet hovered over the sands where the Manticore Kingdom dwelt underneath.

“Admiral, my people are MOST excited to begin,” called Reb.

“Then let’s do so,” declared Aldarval. “I’m transmitting the different coordinates. Fire on them at my command.”

---

“Here we go,” muttered Arsha as she and her team entered a cave. They arrived at what looked like the end of the cave and were confused. “That…that doesn’t…”

“It might be a concealed entrance,” remarked Orthena. “We need to tap around.”

“You and I might have a better chance at finding the right sound,” mused Bashoon.

“Everyone, find the entrance,” ordered Arsha. “We’re on the clock.” Everyone tapped the rocks and felt around for any hidden levers. Orthena then stopped as her hand felt something. She lowered her hand near the floor and felt a breeze coming from behind the wall.

“…Bashoon, come here for a minute,” she called. Bashoon headed over to her. “Put your ear to the wall.” Bashoon did so and Orthena tapped it. Bashoon’s eyes went wide.

“That’s a hollow echo if I ever heard one!” she called. “There’s a way in behind this wall!” Everyone heard her and joined her and Orthena in locating an opening mechanism. Delselii then felt his hand sink slightly into the wall and part of the wall slid aside to reveal a tunnel.

“Good work, you three!” praised Arsha. “Now, let’s…!”

“NOT ONE STEP FURTHER!” roared a voice from inside the tunnel. Everyone drew their wands and waited intently. After a few seconds, Bashoon’s ears flicked.

“Someone’s coming!” she warned. “Someone with four feet and said feet covered in something soft!”

“A Manticore guard?” guessed Falnii.

“Most likely.” Bashoon’s confirmation was made more solid as a male Manticore with a lightly-colored mane stepped towards them.

“I am the Mouth of Velkor!” he introduced himself. “I am his emissary, his ambassador, and his means of communication with the outside world! Through my words, you will know my King’s intent! Why are you here?”

“Sir,” began Arsha, “my team and I heard rumors that your people have six trials which will determine whether or not those that take them can be trusted both in body and mind.”

“Such rumors are true. You wish to take them? If Oyed himself could not pass them, what hope do YOU have?”

“We wish to show you that Oyed’s plans will only lead to ruin.”

“There are ships bombarding the circumference of our kingdom!”

“Only so we may prove ourselves with no interruption from Oyed’s forces.” The Manticore snarled at Arsha’s counterargument.

“You consider your actions appropriate to treating with us?! Know this, we EAT those who are unworthy of our trust!”

“And you trust someone who has not passed the trials?”

“Be warned! Oyed has power beyond your capabilities!”

“Our decision is made! Lead us to the trials! We will pass them and prove we are worthier allies than Oyed and his followers!”

“…Very well, you may take them. Ordinarily, only one would take all six, but I will allow you to send one per trial. However, once that person has completed the trial, they will not take another!”

“We’ll accept this.”

“Then follow me!” The Manticore then turned and led them into the tunnel. As they walked, the secret door shut behind them. “There are three trials of various aspects of strength and three of intellectual pursuits. Choose your people wisely. There will be no do-overs. Fail even one trial, we will kill you.”

“…No pressure,” muttered Foresna.

Padding across the sands covering their underground kingdom, five Manticores were struggling to catch their breath. They couldn’t summon enough energy to fly to a shady spot, after their whole squadron was viciously annihilated by the elephant Realmfleet sent. “Too…too…brutal!” panted one.

“Must…must keep on!” encouraged another.

“Dad…Dad won’t…” The third couldn’t keep his energy up as he and his brothers fell. Their wounds were too great, and the heat was intense. The five manticores passed out, ready for death. It took only a few minutes for them to succumb. After an hour had passed, a small Realmgate opened and deposited Dr. Borg and Oyed. Dr. Borg set up the Revenant equipment around the Manticores and started chanting. “Shanwey yat talyen falunar. Shanwey yat talyen falunar. Shanwey yat talyen falunar.” The Manticores then gained the glowing veins and screamed. “Shanwey yat talyen falunar! Shanwey yat talyen falunar! Shanwey yat talyen falunar! TEL!” The Manticores then stopped screaming and opened their eyes.

“Whu…what…I’m alive?!” asked the first Manticore.

“Alive and…a little glowy, by the look of it,” remarked the second.

“That’s thanks to the good doctor,” explained Oyed.

“My Lord!” yelped the third Manticore. The whole group then lowered themselves, putting their stomachs to the sand and extending their paws while declining their heads and lowering their eyes. Their tails extended behind them, putting their stingers to the ground and their wings folded against their bodies.

“Up, please,” directed Oyed. The Manticores then rose.

“My Lord, it’s been too long since you graced our people with your presence,” chuckled the fourth Manticore. He then sensed the impropriety of his statement. “Er, not that we don’t understand, of course! We know how busy someone like you is!”

“Ease yourselves,” assured Oyed. “As it stands, I need to collect on a debt someone owes me. Someone I think you five are familiar with.”

“…Wait a minute, Dad’s always talked about a deal with someone,” muttered the last Manticore. “Was that you?”

“He’s been the master of your people’s ruler for a long time, in exchange for his soul.”

“He hasn’t been doing a good job of it,” remarked the first Manticore. “Someone’s tried to take his position one way or another.”

“Have they now?”

“How much is Dad’s soul worth to you?” asked the fourth Manticore. “I think we can be used as adequate…” His sentence was interrupted by an elephant’s trumpeting. “Oh no!”

“Steady yourselves,” assured Oyed. “Dr. Borg, now is a good time for observations.” The elephant arrived and went wild at the sight of the Manticores. They were at full strength again, so they took to the air. Two landed on the elephant’s back as the remaining three slashed at the elephant’s sides with their claws. The result…was unusual for a Manticore. The elephant trumpeted in pain! The Manticores on the elephant’s backside blinked, then the one nearest to the rear sunk his teeth into the elephant’s flesh. The one near the head readied his stinger, then plunged it right into the skull, flooding the elephant’s head with venom. The elephant thrashed around before the venom took effect. It collapsed and all its organs shut down. The Manticores blinked.

“Wh…what changed?” asked the first.

“I think it’s the veins,” answered the second.

“Wait a minute, weren’t we dead?” the third asked Oyed.

“You were,” answered the Titan, “but she brought you back to life as Revenants.” He pointed to Dr. Borg.

“And it looks like Revenant Manticores CAN kill an elephant where a mortal one cannot,” mused Dr. Borg. “I will have to study this in greater detail.”

“Revenants?” asked the last. “So, we’re undead?”

“Yes,” answered Oyed. “Now, what was your proposal concerning your abusive father?”

---

A silver-maned Manticore was cleaning himself lazily. He felt good about his life so far. His King and Queen were nothing more than puppet rulers and he was the one pulling the strings. His pride was digging into the scraps of the recent kill after he had the literal lion’s share. A female Manticore then approached him before bowing to him. “Yes?” he asked.

“Visitors have entered the Sanctum!” gulped the female. The male then fixed her with a stare.

“If it’s King Velkor, please get rid of him,” he grunted. “I’m far too busy with Overseer business.”

“It’s not a Manticore!” replied the female. “It’s…It’s…!”

“Spit it out!”

“It’s your master!” boomed a voice. Realm Trinity soldiers then sprang from the shadows and leapt onto the Manticores, beating them back with the Revenants having more success.

“WHO DARES?!” roared the male.

“I dare,” answered the voice as its owner, Oyed, stepped from the shadows. “Overseer Toonsar, how fares the kingdom?” The male, Toonsar, then recognized the face and was seized by fear.

“Lord Oyed!” he squeaked. The five Manticore Revenants then stepped out from behind Oyed.

“Don’t forget us, Dad!” snarled the first. “Or have you already forgotten that you sent us and our platoon to die at an elephant’s feet before Lord Oyed’s Lieutenant resurrected us with greater power, power that KILLED the elephant!”

“Enough!” boomed Oyed. He turned to Toonsar. “You have a debt to pay!” He advanced on the terrified Manticore. “You’ve been pulling Velkor’s strings during the entire time of hiding! THAT was our agreement! Your soul is mine now!”

“Technically, I was pulling the strings for only half that time,” gulped Toonsar, “then I was viciously mutinied upon until I regained my status just recently.”

“Then you were a poor Overseer, but an Overseer nonetheless! Have you not introduced yourself all these years as Overseer Toonsar Lortem?!” The Realm Trinity Empire laughed.

“Look, you have my payment. You have it five times over. Our original price was one soul to serve you and you’ve got five.”

“One soul is not equal to another, much less five!”

“Ah HA! So, we’ve established that my proposal is sound in principle. Now, we’re just haggling over price.”

“…Price?” Toonsar thought he had him.

“How many souls do you think mine is worth?” Oyed appeared to be calculating just how many.

“…One hundred twenty souls,” he finally answered. “You must present forty to me each day.”

“So, 120 in three days?” asked Toonsar.

“That’s the general idea.”

“Splendid.” Toonsar turned to his sons. “Boys, Daddy has a…” The fourth son swatted his father in the face, leaving claw marks around the left eye.

“I keep your sons,” declared Oyed. “A good-faith payment. That leaves only thirty-five for today.”

“Have you not met my sons? They’re noble, heroic for our cause, terrific singers, worth at least four souls each. …Maybe three and a half.” Oyed gave a look of consideration.

“…I keep your sons. 35 more to go for today, one hundred fifteen altogether. But, I wonder, Toonsar, can you live with this? Can you condemn innocent cubs, YOUR cubs, to a lifetime of servitude in your name while you roam free?” Toonsar looked back at his sons, then back to Oyed.

“…Yeah, I’m good with it. Shall we seal it in blood?” Oyed then grabbed Toonsar’s paw and burned a mark into his pad.

“Three days.” Oyed and his company then faded into the shadows and vanished.

---

“I think Dad may have oversold us,” muttered the first Manticore.

“Undersold, actually,” corrected Oyed. All five Manticores perked up their ears. “By willingly joining my service, your souls became worth a hundred.”

“…Our lips are sealed,” promised the first Manticore as he and his brothers grinned wickedly. Their father was going to fail no matter what.

“So, Reb’s working for us, huh?” mused Delselii as he and Bashoon got their food at Barmek’s. “That’s neat.”

“The woman who kidnapped the entire ship while I was an Ensign,” replied Bashoon, “is currently going through a petty squabble with another Protectorate Pirate. ‘Neat’ is not the first word that comes to mind!”

“Petty squabble?”

“Who’s gonna be the Head Protectorate for the mission.”

“Ah.”

“I tell you; pirates can act childish at times.”

“You’re not wrong. I mean, the pirates I dealt with threw a tantrum when things didn’t go their way.”

“…YOU dealt with pirates? Isn’t the Vorsholstein Estate somewhat isolated? I mean, you only installed that landing pad 20 months ago.

“I foolishly hosted the Rum-swiper Pirates a few days after its installation.” Bashoon snorted.

“Th…those guys?!” she asked, trying to hold her laughter back.

“Yeah, not really as scary as Reb is.”

“You know, I wonder how her argument with Patrica is gonna play out.”

---

“I see you’ve kept the GAPING hole in your quarters,” Reb mused as she looked at the Sailing Patch.

“I think it’ll catch on,” replied Patrica. “For me, it airs out the villainous smell of the previous commander.”

“I’d hardly call myself your commander if you were so VILE in betraying me after one job!”

“Yes, because kidnapping is SO profitable in the long run! You would have traded all that money away for zap-spice.”

“…My PREVIOUS crew would, yes.”

“Who was it who got them addicted to the stuff?”

“A HORRIBLE mistake I refuse to repeat with my new crew.”

“Reb Rojam,” called another voice. The two women looked to see Denstra come forward.

“Dear Denstra, we are in the middle of a VERY important discussion,” Reb waved off.

“This won’t wait, Reb,” answered Denstra. “Tell me the truth about this whole Privateer charade.”

“Charade?” asked Reb.

“Let me hazard a guess, you just want revenge against Dr. Borg.”

“…Oh?”

“Come on, Reb. If you really felt sorry for what you did, you would have stayed in Realmfleet Max, not joined Remsu in the breakout. Privateer, coat, new ship…cheap theatrical façade. I’m not buying it.”

“You weren’t there that night.” The two Cecaelia women then looked at each other, noticing that Reb didn’t emphasize ANY word or add one in that sentence. She was going to tell the truth of what happened, according to their experience.

“…When you were arrested?” asked Patrica.

“When we begged for help! Being arrested was merely a condition to ensure our safety at the time!” Denstra and Patrica were now captivated by Reb’s story. “It was a month before the Siege of Realmgate City. We were at the western coast of the Grilthan Forest, me, Melgem, and Jargoon, when we came under attack from one of Dr. Borg’s cousins, a Revenant Sprite man, no provocation, or warning, or offer of parlay! The three of us were peppered with magic blasts! …The ground beneath us roiled as if it were the sea during a violent storm!” Reb’s face betrayed the fear she felt that night. “Borg’s undead cousin then made one gesture…and the jungle came to life, thirsty for flesh! The trees tore Jargoon’s dorsal fin off, their vines tangling us, wrapping around my companions like crazed snakes…and wrapping around my legs! But my arms were free, and I had something that may have cost me my legs a week later but saved me in the long run. I only used zap-spice to keep my slime from eating my legs. Slimes of all types hate any form of electricity…as do plants. So, I did what needed to be done. I chucked my last remaining dose of zap-spice at the trees and fired a magic blast, causing lightning to strike the plants. The resulting actions caused the plants to release us, so we stole the shuttle Borg’s cousin came in on, our minds set on putting distance between us and the monster that perverted the natural world like that! We then arrived at the southeastern port of Realmgate City and surrendered.” Denstra and Patrica were stunned at the story.

“…So, the whole thing about revenge for Melgem, that’s not motivating you?” asked Denstra.

“We both agreed that revenge for the damage he suffered is his vendetta. I care not for the All-realm Royals or their rewards…but I’d give my right eye to see to it that ALL Fae remember the rules they have set for themselves to not pervert the natural world.”

“Not your left?” joked Patrica.

“I need my good eye to make sure my blade strikes Borg’s wicked heart!”

“Well then,” Denstra then poured some rum for all three and raised her shot-glass, “here’s to revenge against those who would attempt to take the laws of the natural world out of nature’s hands.”

“Here, here,” agreed Patrica.

“…I’ll drink to that HEIGHTS-BORN promise,” replied Reb.

---

A few minutes later, Denstra approached Arsha’s ready room. She rang the chime and was let in. “We’ve got our Head Protectorate, Captain,” she announced.

“And it satisfies both Patrica and Reb?” asked Arsha.

“Yep. Reb’s going to be part of the external assault while Patrica joins the internal team.”

“Patrica? I thought Reb would join us.”

“Reb’s more interested in making Dr. Borg hurt for perverting the laws of nature.”

“She told you this?”

“And the fact that she dropped her usual verbal tic told me that what she said was the truth.”

“That was her usual tell?”

“In all the years I served under her, it was.”

“…We’ve clearly dithered here for long enough. Tell everyone to return to their stations. I’ll tell Aldarval we’re ready.”

“Aye, Ma’am.” Denstra left the ready room and Arsha opened a channel with Aldarval.

---

Dr. Borg examined the new base. It was quite spacious. “Have to admit, the retreat DID have a bright side,” she mused to herself. “And I never really lived in a desert before. This would be a nice change of pace from the…” something then flew past her face from out of a room. She jumped back and examined the object once it hit the ground. It was a box, white, square, and advertised “Mama Alazina’s Pizza Parlor”. “…Yulduk!” she hissed to herself. His pizza addiction was starting to annoy her. She looked into the room, then at the pizza box, then got an idea. She checked the box’s weight, made some calculations in her head, then threw the box into the room. She then got proof of the results as Yulduk called “OOF!” He then stormed out of the room with a slice of pizza in his hand and looked out to see Dr. Borg sticking her tongue out.

“…Very cute. REAL cute,” he muttered.

“There IS a trash can in your room, yes?” asked Dr. Borg.

“Yes.”

“Use it!” Dr. Borg stormed off and Yulduk rolled his eyes.

As the Endeavor waited for marching orders, Denstra looked out the window of her quarters. One of her spouses, Twansa the Succubus, was cooking and humming to herself. Their husbands were busy with their own jobs on the ship, so it was the two of them alone. Twansa’s tail was swinging from side to side slowly, a tell that she had something on her mind despite her happy humming. “…Do you ever worry about your past?” Denstra asked.

“What brought that on?” replied Twansa as she added some spices to the meal.

“Just…thinking about my own.” Twansa thought about the question as she stirred the pot of noodles.

“…I used to. I thought me being an orphan would turn people away from me. Heck, I thought me WANTING to be a Second Age Housewife would turn people away from me. Thank goodness you and our favorite boys proved me wrong on both counts.” She then started plating up the spaghetti and meatballs. “Lunch!” she called. Denstra made her way to the table and sat down while grabbing the cheese and shaking it all over her meal. She then handed it off to Twansa. The Succubus shook only a small amount, compared to the mountain of cheese on Denstra’s plate. “Something about your past bothering you now?” asked Twansa.

“…Someone, actually,” answered Denstra. “A woman that mistreated me is now a Privateer!”

“And under YOUR command, strictly speaking.”

“She hadn’t been punished enough, as I was! After I parted company, I turned myself in to Realmfleet, in some form of penance for what I had done. After that, I reconnected with my parents. When I came home, my other relatives were there! They screamed and heaped abuses at me, despite my parents trying everything in their power to stop them! They refused to stop, even ordering my parents to disown me! …As you can see, my parents refused, at the cost of their reputation. No one wanted to associate with someone with a daughter that was a pirate. So…I joined Realmfleet to continue my penance. I’m the master of my life, not Reb Rojam! …I’m the master of my fate, not Reb Rojam!”

“…Forgive me for sounding this way, but it sounds to me that, as long as you say nothing to her, she IS master of both.” Denstra looked in shock at Twansa. “I made the same mistake, believe it or not. Remember when you and the boys found me? I allowed the orphanage to make me believe that choosing to act as a Second Age Housewife makes me worthless and cheap. I only revealed my choices two years into our marriage, remember? It was when I opened up that I REALLY became the master of my fate and life. If you don’t do say something to Reb, she’ll ALWAYS control you.” Denstra considered her wife’s words as they ate their lunch.

---

“Approaching the island,” reported a Vampire helmsman.

“Set us down,” replied the helmsman’s Captain, a purple legged Cecaelia woman with a patch over her right eye. The ship set down near the Endeavor and deployed a landing ramp. Arsha approached the woman and shook her hand.

“Great to see you again, Captain Looden,” she greeted.

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness,” returned the Cecaelia woman, Patrica Looden. “I heard there was another Protectorate Pirate on their way here?”

“Indeed. And…here she comes now.” Patrica’s smile vanished as Reb approached them. She then curtsied.

“Good afternoon, Arsha,” purred Reb. “My apologies for this HEINOUS delay.”

“Arsha, if I might be so bold,” hissed Patrica, “why is that woman not in chains?! She should be manacled!”

“Your thoughts match my First Officer’s,” remarked Arsha.

“Denstra’s right! We both once served under her!”

“…You served under Reb?”

“Only for ONE job!” snarled Reb. “Quite frankly, I’m amazed her TATTERED ship is still flying. The last I saw of the Sailing Patch, she was on fire, a CHARRED hulk sinking beneath Over-realm waves.”

“A soldier from the Regalin Sea Merfolk kingdom found the ship,” answered Patrica, “saved my entire crew, and got the Royal Family to organize repair efforts to make it sky-worthy again.”

“We had a deal, she and I. I contracted her to deliver VALUABLE cargo on my behalf and she chose to dump it!”

“Liberate it! People aren’t cargo, Reb! I won’t be part of a kidnapping ring!” Patrica was looking at the ship Reb came in on.

“I don’t have the Black Money in my possession, DEAR Patrica.”

“Then what’s become of that ship?”

“It MUTINIED against me when it came to life!”

“It’s a Mechanica?”

“Aye! A Mechanica that threw in his lot with that VILE Dr. Borg! All thanks to what you did! Your ‘Good Deed’ cost me MIGHTILY, Patrica.”

“And you have spared me ANY possibility of being anything other than what I am. And, for that, I AM grateful.”

“Captains, I get that there’s bad blood between you two,” interjected Arsha, “but each second we spend here arguing gives Oyed more time to permanently outdistance us. Now, I have every confidence that we will prevail and you two will be rewarded with the high station you so desire.”

“Nay, to serve doth suffice, Your most GRACIOUS Highness,” replied Reb.

“You’re looking a little sick there, Rebby,” muttered Patrica.

“…Sick?”

“Yeah, a real bad case of Brown Noser Disease!”

“ENOUGH!” Arsha’s sudden shout startled the two privateers. “…Now, here’s what we’ll do; Reb and Partrica, you two are to remain here as backup for the external fight against the Manticores while I take a team inside their defenses to see why they’re pressuring the Sphinxes into serving Oyed and how they’re doing it. Aldarval has told me that I’m leaving the position of the mission’s Head Protectorate up to you two.” The two rivals looked at Arsha in horror.

“Er, my DEAR Arsha, is that REALLY wise?” asked Reb.

“Reb and I would probably kill each other over the position,” supplied Patrica.

“That is forbidden, both by Aldarval and I. You are ordered to settle the matter peacefully. No physical combat. Not even a small catfight is permitted. Understood?”

“…Understood, Your Highness,” grumbled Reb and Patrica. They then took one another’s hand and smiled while shaking them, but the smiles did NOT reach the eyes.

“How is this POSSIBLE?!” roared Oyed as the evacuation to the Mid-realm was completed. “Two of the darkest races, having long turned their backs on the Divine Ones, and yet we STILL lost the Under-realm after they switched sides!” He then fired blasts of energy all around him. Thankfully, no one was around and nothing of value was destroyed, so he could rant as long as necessary. It took a good 5 minutes until he calmed down. “Okay, deep breath. There are still the Manticores and Sphinxes to consider. Now, remember what Tormo told you, the Sphinxes have been discovered and they’re getting aid in regard to the barrier keeping them from any civilized areas. The Manticores still have the key, so you can easily convince them to join you. It will be easier to keep them than the Drows and Shadow Dragons…”

“NINCOMPOOPS! ALL OF YOU!” roared Shefarn’s voice. Oyed stopped and followed the voice to see Shefarn berating a group of people. “YOU DIDN’T PURGE ANY DATA WHATSOEVER?!”

“We didn’t have time!” protested a Robot. “We had to leave immediately!”

“What’s going on?” asked Oyed.

“You know the evacuation of Plunder Island Stronghold?” asked Shefarn.

“…What about it?”

“They didn’t purge any sensitive data, not even our current location!”

“WHAT?!” Oyed was livid! “YOU IDIOTS!”

“Hey, cut us some slack!” protested the Robot.

“I’ll cut off your heads for this!”

“We can’t afford any loss of numbers,” called Dr. Borg’s voice as she approached the group. “They will be punished later, my Lord. For now, we must prepare for our meeting with the Manticores.”

“The sooner we get them and the Sphinxes, the happier I’ll be. I HATE deserts!” growled Oyed.

---

The Endeavor landed on an island right at the southern exit of the Caltem river, the natural border between Aridu and the Regatim Oasis. “Shalvey, open a secure channel to all Captains and route it to my ready room,” ordered Arsha.

“Aye, Captain,” replied Shalvey. Arsha then went to her ready room and sat at her desk.

“Secure channel is being requested for use,” droned the computer. “Please verify your identity.”

“Royana, Arsha. Serial Number 5-5-4-7-9. Captain of the Endeavor, Registry:CRS-2784. Secure Access code 7-9-7-8-7. Priority Alpha.”

“Verification complete. Awaiting input from recipients.” Arsha needed to only wait a few seconds before all Fleet Commanders signaled they were on the channel. Aldarval then appeared.

“Admiral?! You’re getting involved?! The briefing never mentioned that!”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” answered Aldarval. “Thank you for organizing this, Arsha. This will make the briefing easier.”

“What’s the situation?” asked a Minotaur woman.

“Everyone, are you all in your ready rooms?” asked Aldarval. Everyone confirmed that they were. “Good. What you’re about to hear does not go beyond your rooms unless necessary. Is that clear?”

“Sounds pretty serious,” muttered Arsha as she joined the others in confirming their understanding.

“It is. Everyone, we’ve finally discovered Dr. Borg’s methods in dismantling Realmfleet. The reason she attacked Realmgate City is because any plans involving Realmgates will give her the means to shut our Realmgate network down and build her own. The reason she wants to shut ours down is that it’s interfering with the construction of her larger Realmgates. She’s trying to connect her personal Realmgates to a larger one but wants it to be under her command. The Drows and Shadow Dragons would have destroyed the original ones for her.”

“Good thing they defected so quickly,” said a male Ice Elf.

“However, there ARE other hibernating races throughout the Mid and Over-realms. Both Mid-realm ones are here on the Northern Continent, one I believe Arsha is familiar with.”

“…The Sphinxes?! They’re working for Oyed?!” yelped Arsha.

“More like working for Manticores while the Manticores work for Oyed.”

“Manticores?!” gulped an elderly Mermaid. “You mean lions with large bat-like wings and a scorpion’s tail?!”

“The same.”

“And they’re walking around the Continent?” asked Arsha.

“Not yet.”

“I guess we should find some elephants,” joked the Ice Elf.

“Believe it or not, we DID send an elephant. We’re watching it now to see if the legend about Manticores being unable to kill an elephant are true.”

“And what are we doing during this test?” asked the Mermaid.

“We’re going to try and persuade the Sphinxes to ignore the Manticores and join us.”

“…What about getting the Manticores to join us?” asked the Ice Elf.

“Oyed won’t allow that to happen again with any more races,” answered Arsha. “For all his short-sightedness, he’s good at not repeating mistakes.”

“Which is why time is of the essence,” urged Aldarval. “Arsha, the instant our Protectorate Pirate friends get here, I need you to brief them. Have them join you in a strike against the Manticores from the inside. I will lead half the fleet in an external strike. The other half will continue to work on the Sphinx barrier.”

“It STILL isn’t down?” asked Arsha.

“I’m afraid not, despite all our best efforts.”

“Then the Sphinxes’ nerves are probably frayed. They’ll be prime targets for Oyed to recruit. Are you sure you don’t need me there? I’ve had some experience with them.”

“Merrim’s had more experience since you last saw her. No, I need you on the internal strike.”

“Very well. I’ll make sure our late-comers are briefed…and make sure they don’t tear each other’s throats out.”

“Yeah, they AREN’T exactly on good terms, are they?” remarked the Mermaid.

---

Back at Plunder Island Stronghold, the cleanup was finished. Reb inspected everything and seemed satisfied. “Well, my darlings,” she purred to her new crew, “it looks like my old home became MORE comfortable than ever! I’d say we all made a SPLENDID choice in becoming Privateers, wouldn’t you agree?” The crew agreed. “Well, I’d say it’s about that time. I need some volunteers to go with me and my DARLING husband to the Mid-realm to do what we can to wipe Oyed’s HEINOUS presence off the face of the Realms. I need 50. Who wishes to go?” Everyone raised their hands. “…All 1,800, I see. MOST difficult. Let’s see…” She went through the rows and checked everyone. Those she chose, she gave a gold coin to. Once all 50 coins had been passed out, she and Melgem led everyone onto her new ship, a small Interceptor-class vessel,the Divine Revenge. The ship was a Mechanica, a male by the name of Divre.

“All decks report ready,” reported Divre.

“And so do we,” declared Reb. “Mr. Alndar, set a course for the nearest Under to Mid Realmgate, then get us to our BELOVED Arsha’s position.”

“Course laid in,” reported Mr. Alndar, the Cecaelia Helmsman.

“Take us up.” The Revenge soon left the island and made its way towards a Realmgate.

While Realmfleet attacked Oyed’s occupation force, Rochak and Weltam awaited orders back at Plunder Island Stronghold. Rochak leaned against a tree, idly looking up at the sky. “…How do you think the siege is going?” he asked Weltam.

“Probably in our side’s favor,” answered the succubus.

“…One hour.”

“Huh?”

“That’s how long the siege is gonna last before Realmfleet gives up.”

“No, half an hour.”

“…Winner’s on top tonight?”

“It’s a bet!” The two then shook on it.

“CAPTAIN ROCHAK!” called a pirate. The pirate in question, a Revenant Goblin woman, ran up to them in a panicked state.

“Whoa! Whoa! Slow down! Where’s the fire?” asked Weltam.

“Behind us!” answered the Goblin. “Enemy! Protectorate Pirates! Revenants are dying!”

“How can Revenants die? You’re undead,” remarked Rochak.

“Like so,” answered a voice. “Ensakunde!” The spell hit the Goblin right in the back and she keeled over. The veins faded and Rochak checked for a heartbeat. His eyes widened when he heard none. Weltam then saw someone come out of the trees. The voice’s owner gave a wicked grin as she oozed into view.

“REB?!” yelped Weltam.

“And how are we on this BEAUTIFUL day?” asked Reb Rojam as she adjusted her new coat.

“…I see you succumbed to Legless Syndrome,” remarked Rochak as he pointed to the slime below her waist. Judging by how the slime was shaped, her legs were now consumed by the slime.

“Yes, my legs had to leave,” sighed Reb. “However, the gains outweigh this MINOR inconvenience.”

“Where’d you learn that spell?!” snarled Rochak. Melgem then approached the group.

“From the Drows, if you can believe it,” he purred. “It was quite the interesting bit of serendipity. We had a constant line between us and our new allies.”

“What was the deal? That you would still retain your pirate ways?”

“Pirate? Nay,” replied Reb. “Privateer. Or Protectorate Pirate if you DEARLY wish to be PC about it.”

“You of all people are a Privateer?”

“On a sanctioned, CRUCIAL mission under the authority and protection of the most BELOVED All-realm Crowns.”

“You’ve sunken low, you smug…!” Rochak was stopped by Weltam’s tail.

“I’m SURE the female-exclusive slur that starts with ‘C’ was going to be used, but Weltam had the right idea in stopping you, so I MAY overlook it,” said Reb. “My friends, face facts; our sands have all but run out. There’s no shame in joining the WINNING side.”

“Oyed commands the winning side, not Realmfleet!” hissed Weltam.

“…Then I am left with little choice. …Rochak Toksar and Weltam Forsorna!” That was when the rest of Reb’s force appeared out of the trees. “For EGREGIOUS crimes committed up in the open air and out on the high seas, by the authority granted to me by their GRACIOUS Majesties, the Kings and Queens of the Three Realms, and with a goodly amount of PERSONAL satisfaction, I hereby place you in the custody of the DISCERNING Judicial Branch of the Combined Realm Governments and declare you HEINOUS villains to be my prisoners!”

“You are actually doing this, aren’t you?” scoffed Rochak.

“Such crimes do include,” continued Melgem, “but are not limited to piracy, treason, murder, torture of the cruelest sort, and for siding with a terrorist who robbed me of the limbs and eye all down my left side!” He drew his cutlass and pointed it at Rochak.

“You, a cyborg Sea Elf, DARE go against a Lighting Dragon with a metal blade?”

“With the amount of anti-conduction spells coursing through my veins, prosthesis, and weapon, I would!”

“…Aye. That be the cold breath of Fate I feel between my wings,” said Weltam. “…But, I’ll have one last fight, by the Depths!”

“KILL THEM ALL!” Rochak’s order was heard as far as the beach and assistance in the form of Revenants, Robots, Golems, and Pirates came flooding towards the jungle. With the Revenant-killing spell, however, Reb’s Privateer crew had the upper hand. The Trinity Forces were reduced to a fourth of their capacity while Reb’s crew only suffered a loss of one sixteenth. Then…it all came to a head. Weltam was run through with Melgem’s sword. Rochak shoved Reb aside and dashed to Weltam to try and help her. As he did so, Reb made her way to the communications tower in time to hear a call come through.

“Plunder Island Stronghold, this is the occupation force!” came Dr. Borg’s voice. “We’ve lost the city! Prepare to receive us!” Reb then took the call.

“My DEAR Doctor, we would be DELIGHTED to host your CHARMING forces.”

“REB?!” Dr. Borg was clearly flabbergasted.

“Did you just say Reb?! As in Reb Rojam?! What’s she doing on the line?!” demanded Oyed’s voice.

“Acting very calm about it, which means she’s not in any danger in OUR headquarters!”

“Meaning she’s reclaimed it somehow!” realized Oyed. He then roared in frustration. “The Under-realm is lost to us! Retreat to the Mid-realm!” The Plunder Island Forces got word of the retreat and activated their Realmgate, evacuating as Oyed ordered. Rochak picked up Weltam’s body and made it to the last ship.

“Captain Rojam!” called one of her crew.

“Aye?” she called down.

“The enemy must be pursued!”

“Our ship may be one of the strongest, but it IS one. Even it cannot withstand the might of a fleet of the enemy’s DREADFUL size. Nay, we were ordered to hold our position once we secured my old home. …And look at the DREADFUL state it’s in! We MUST clean it up!”

“Captain!” called another member. Reb sighed.

“Aye?”

“Wonderful news! They forgot to purge sensitive information! We know where their fallback position is!”

“You understated this bit of news! This is JOYOUS! Contact Arsha at once!”

“Aye, aye, Captain!” The crewman rushed off to obey.

---

“Reb, I never thought I’d say this, but thank you for this news,” said Arsha once she was told of the Enemy’s retreat. “You served us well.”

“‘Twas an EXCELLENT honor,” returned Reb. “Shall we call up our BELOVED Admiral Aldarval?”

“Sounds like a plan. Shalvey, connect us to Aldarval.”

“Aye, aye, Captain!” replied Shalvey as she obeyed. Aldarval soon appeared next to Reb.

“I understand you have news for me?” she asked Arsha and Reb.

“We do, indeed, my DEAR Admiral,” answered Reb.

“Admiral, the enemy has fled to the Caltem River,” reported Arsha.

“My DARLING crew,” continued Reb, “is so TREMENDOUSLY clever, they were able to decode their location with ease.”

“That explains the reports I’ve been getting,” grinned Aldarval. “There’s been a build-up of enemy activity in that region! So, from what I’m hearing from you girls, it’s the result of a panicked evacuation!”

“We need to strike now!” urged Arsha.

“And we have the ships to do so now,” agreed Aldarval. “Arsha, join up with the fleet congregating on the Northern Continent’s south islands. Reb, hold position until you feel that Plunder Island Stronghold is secure, then join Arsha when you can.”

“Aye, aye!” replied the two Captains. Aldarval then left the call.

“Well, it looks like things are looking up,” mused Shalvey.

“Let’s not be TOO hasty,” advised Reb.

“She’s right,” agreed Arsha, “Aldarval wouldn’t be asking the fleet to go to the islands if she were sure this would be the final battle. We need to play it smart. Reb, I’ll see you when you get to the Mid-realm.”

“It’s a date! Ta-TA!” Reb then ended the call.

“Nazay, lay in a course for the nearest Realmgate, then take us to the islands south of the Mid-realm’s Northern Continent.”

“Aye, Captain,” replied Nazay. He laid in a course and took the Endeavor up.

Oyed received the news that Realmfleet was making an advance on Realmgate City. “The fools,” he chuckled. “They are vastly outnumbered. And, given Mordek’s hatred for Drows and Shadow Dragons, there’s no chance of peace between Realms. With his desire to make them extinct, the Realms will eventually turn their backs on all of my children. Soon, they will turn to me for guidance.” He turned to Dr. Borg. “Prepare the defenses. We keep the city until we find the Realmgate plans.”

“At once, Lord Oyed,” confirmed Dr. Borg as she bowed. She then flew off to relay the orders. Oyed grinned.

“Oh, my children, can you not feel the noose tightening around your throat?” Oyed decided to tour the castle, just to examine what he gained so far. He stepped out onto a balcony to see Tormo and Yulduk talking about something.

“See, I think they’re too treacherous for our purposes,” remarked Yulduk. “I think THEY will be the ones to do it.”

“Come on,” scoffed Tormo, “there’s no way they’d side with him. Realmfleet’s gonna try something first before they do.”

“What are you two talking about?” asked Oyed. The Revenant and Goblin whirled around to see their master.

“We have a feeling that something’s going to make things difficult for us,” explained Yulduk. “I think the Shadow Dragons and Drows will betray us at some point, even going so far as to suggest a bet.”

“And I think,” said Tormo, “that Realmfleet will try something to remove a good number of our forces before that happens.”

“Mind if I get in on that action?” offered Oyed.

“…You know what, sure,” accepted Tormo.

“What’s your pick?” asked Yulduk.

“I think that the Shadow Dragons and Drows will be the ones to wipe out Realmfleet,” answered Oyed. “Their hatred for Mordek alone is too great to allow them to consider betraying us and letting Realmfleet try anything.”

“You’re sure?” quizzed Yulduk.

“Positive. I spent a thousand years grooming them both to be my disciples.”

“…I guess that WOULD give you the inside track on them.”

“So, the question is, how interesting do we want to make it?” asked Tormo.

“100 Golds?” offered Oyed.

“…No disrespect, but what possible use could you have for money?”

“I stole some gold and wanted to experiment with the activities you mortals do with it.”

“Fair enough.” A robot then approached them.

“Lord Oyed, the enemy is here!”

“Then, by all means, destroy them.”

---

“The city’s preparing the defenses!” warned Malak as the Endeavor moved closer.

“Keep shields up until we get the signal,” ordered Arsha.

---

“Oh, that is precious!” laughed Oyed. “Dr. Borg’s main nemesis is leading the attack!”

“Arsha? Uh oh, there’s a plan somewhere,” muttered Yulduk.

“Dr. Borg’s nemesis may have Fae levels of craftiness, but she’s only a Human/Kitsune Blender.”

“Don’t underestimate her,” warned Tormo. “She’s managed to undo a few of our endeavors before! In fact, she was involved when you stepped into the Mortal Realm on that island!”

“Yes, but she was but a pawn for my children.”

“She also cracked your ribs in that morgue, remember?” asked Yulduk.

“She did WHAT?!” yelped Tormo.

“Yulduk, I thought you and Dr. Borg promised to never talk about that again,” hissed Oyed. “Besides, that was a lucky shot. She won’t get the chance again.”

“…Hey, why aren’t they firing?” asked Tormo.

---

“Captain,” called Shalvey, “Tanta’s giving us coordinates.”

“Feed them into the helm,” ordered Arsha. “Nazay, get us there pronto.”

“Aye aye,” confirmed Nazay.

---

“Erm, I must repeat Tormo’s question,” muttered Oyed as he looked through the spyglass. “Why aren’t the guns firing?”

“Something isn’t right here,” remarked Tormo as he took the spyglass and looked out. “…Oh dear.”

“What?”

“Lord Oyed, you owe us both some gold.”

“Both of us?” asked Yulduk. “Why?”

“The Drows and Shadow Dragons are shaking hands with Realmfleet,” explained Tormo.

“THEY’RE WHAT?!” shouted Oyed.

“That was 20 hours of my life!” protested Yulduk. “Those assholes!”

“Possibly the rest of it if they start firing on our guys,” mused Tormo.

“I don’t understand!” snarled Oyed. “We had them in our grasp, even…” Oyed then realized what happened, “the one that woke up before her people did it!”

“…Okay, I think we shot ourselves in the foot, letting the former last of the Shadow Dragons in on the scheme,” gulped Yulduk.

“I don’t follow,” muttered Tormo.

“She actually did it!” roared Oyed. “She convinced both species to…to make peace with Mordek! I didn’t spend a thousand years converting them to my cause just for some weak Realmfleeter to undo it within five days!”

“Think we better save our forces?” asked Yulduk.

“Might as well,” growled Oyed.

---

Even with their new allies, Realmfleet was still at a slight disadvantage against the enemy. The Revenants were quite the formidable fighters. Tanta and Dotan had teamed up and were casting offensive spells at their former allies but were quickly becoming exhausted. “I’m runnink out of mana!” panted Tanta.

“I’m down to my fire-breath!” replied Dotan as he unleashed said breath. Mordek then leapt in and slammed his hammer to the ground. “…Well, never thought I’d actually be grateful to you!” growled Dotan.

“We can discuss that if and when we get out of this!” called Mordek.

“Fine by me!” answered Tanta. It was then that the three targeted the same Revenant. “Tasuno!” chanted Tanta as she fired a purple magic blast. Dotan unleashed a fire-ball from his mouth and Mordek thrust a beam of red light from his hammer. Then…something happened. Their eyes turned into white lights and they spoke as one.

“Ensakunde!” they called. The Revenant was then struck down by all three blasts and fell. The veins on the body then faded and the eyes became what they once were. Mordek, Dotan, and Tanta were shocked at what they did. A robot then examined the body.

“…Life signs…terminated!” it reported. The Revenant had gone from Undead to just dead!

“Ensakunde!” chanted Mordek as he fired from his hammer. The spell hit another Revenant and it fell over, same as the first. Mordek and Tanta did it again with their remaining mana. “Tanta and Dotan, you two are geniuses!”

“…Tank you!” replied Tanta.

---

“They can’t possibly…!” gulped Oyed as he and Dr. Borg fought other soldiers.

“Ensakunde!” called another soldier as he fired the spell at his Revenant opponent. The Revenant fell dead, putting the Realm Trinity Empire into a panic.

“This is bad! This is REALLY bad!” yelped Dr. Borg. “We can’t sustain that kind of loss!”

“Sound the retreat!” ordered Oyed. “The city is lost!” Dr. Borg began by calling Plunder Island Stronghold to expect the occupation force…only the reply wasn’t what she expected.

“My DEAR Doctor, we would be DELIGHTED to host your CHARMING forces.”

“REB?!” shrieked Dr. Borg.

“Did you just say Reb?! As in Reb Rojam?! What’s she doing on the line?!” demanded Oyed.

“Acting very calm about it, which means she’s not in any danger in OUR headquarters!”

“Meaning she’s reclaimed it somehow!” realized Oyed. He then roared in frustration. “The Under-realm is lost to us! Retreat to the Mid-realm!” Dr. Borg sounded the retreat and Oyed opened various portals. Some of his followers picked up a few of the fallen Revenants as they retreated. Soon, the battlefield was empty of the Realm Trinity Empire. Mordek gazed over the area and smiled.

“My friends, the day is won!” The allied members cheered.

---

Arsha finally met Dotan and Tanta in person as they discussed their discovery. “It looks like we’ve got a weapon against Revenants!” cheered Arsha.

“It’s rather mana-intensive,” warned Dotan.

“With Shadow Dragons and Drows working with our mages and scientists,” assured Arsha, “we’ll figure out how to make up for that deficit.”

“Our respectif people,” remarked Tanta, “ton’t haf koot history, yet you wish to help us.”

“Because I’d like to consider myself better than my ancestors,” answered Arsha. “Call it arrogance if you will, but I’d rather not repeat their mistakes.”

“…I can get by tat,” chuckled Tanta. She then turned her gaze to Mordek. “I am equally stunt tat you assitet us.”

“…I wish to atone for my sins,” explained Mordek. “I abandoned your people when they didn’t follow my doctrine to the letter, and the Realms suffered because of it.”

“A God says that he has sinned?” snorted Dotan.

“Even we are capable of error.”

“Ten you may atone by helpink us reclaim our homes,” answered Tanta.

“Without delay,” promised Mordek. He turned to Arsha. “Captain, with your permission, I would like to stay behind and help them regain their old homes. We will speak with Orbak and explain the situation.”

“Permission granted, Lord Mordek,” bid Arsha. “Good luck.”

“Thank you, Arsha. I have a feeling we’ll need it.” Mordek then bowed to Arsha. Dotan and Tanta WERE surprised.

“…Perhaps your heart IS capable of change,” rumbled Dotan.

“What I wish to know,” muttered Tanta, “is why Oyet ant his followers left te Unter-realm. To tey not haf a base here?”

“That’s thanks to a little deal I struck,” answered Arsha.

“…Was this deal with Reb Rojam?’ asked Mordek.

“It was. In exchange for a pardon, she would act under the Combined Realm Governments as a Protectorate Pirate, a Privateer, if you will.”

“A Pirate employt by your people,” realized Tanta.

Arsha and Delselii walked along the edge of the Vorsholstein estate. “Your Black Disc is missing?” asked Arsha. “Why do you have that evil thing in the first place?”

“It serves as a constant reminder to my family,” explained Delselii. “If we ever take the easy way out to get information, it will unravel our soul.”

“So it’s never been used?”

“Not since the days Homunculi were adopted into the Divine Ones’ watchful gaze.”

“Captain!” called a voice. The voice’s owner, Malak, then approached them. “Captain, has there been any word from Dalengor?”

“I’m afraid not,” replied Arsha. “If this goes any longer, we’ll send someone to retrieve her.”

“Captain!” called Bashoon as she approached them. “To the North! A Shadow Dragon and their Drow rider!”

“Dalengor was supposed to come from the north,” recalled Arsha. “Has the Shadow Dragon given any sign?”

“It used Realmfleet Hand Code to give us the serial number. It matches Dalengor’s.”

“Where is she?”

“Flying along the northern shores.”

“Let’s go meet her, then. I’ve never seen her bestial form.”

---

Arsha and her group found the Shadow Dragon and Realmfleet soldiers training their wands on her just in case. Arsha motioned for the soldiers to stand down and allow the Shadow Dragon to land. The Shadow Dragon took the hint and landed as the Rider dismounted. Arsha fixed her gaze on the Shadow Dragon. The Shadow Dragon then tucked its forearms. Arsha did the same, then they touched elbows and then performed jazz-hands. Arsha grinned at the Shadow Dragon. “So, were you successful, Dalengor?”

“More than that!” replied the Shadow Dragon, Dalengor. “I managed to start a coup against Ank-tu! Turns out he was a bastard child and his second-in-command, Dotan, seized command according to ancient law. Ank-tu lost support when he revealed his origins to Tanta and now both Drows and Shadow Dragons are joining us against Oyed!”

“Then the time to retake Realmgate City is now!” cheered Bashoon.

“Malak, Bashoon, inform our forces that…” Arsha’s order was interrupted by Mordek coming up to them.

“What’s going on here?!” demanded the Fire God. “What is that snake doing here?!”

“Telling everyone that the plan worked,” answered Dalengor as she shrunk down. “The Shadow Dragons and Drows are now against Oyed! They never liked the idea of eternal war and they’re uneasy working with Revenants! The plan also has an added benefit of gaining a weapon to return the Revenants to a strictly-living state!”

“Do you have proof of that?”

“…I only have my word and the word of Tantu, my rider.” Tantu waved.

“The word of a Shadow Dragon and a Drow is worthless!” Mordek summoned his hammer. “When I created your races and gave you my commandments, I trusted you to follow them, and you betrayed me!”

“Our ancestors did, yes. But, we’ve long sought redemption.”

“Lies, Lizard! You are a puppet and Oyed is your master!” Tantu then stepped between Mordek and Dalengor, her eyes conveying her plea for Mordek to listen. “Spout your falsehoods elsewhere, Drow! Oyed will not entrap us!”

“It’s no trap!” said Dalengor. “The Shadow Dragons and Drows await us at Realmgate City!”

“Lord Mordek, please!” begged Malak. “We should listen to her!”

“Dalengor’s legendary for telling the truth!” supplied Bashoon.

“There is only one way to be sure!” Mordek then took out a disc of black crystal from his pocket and thrust if forward, firing black lightning from it and shocking Dalengor and Tantu. The pain was excruciating.

“My family’s Black Disc!” called Delselii. “You took it?!”

“I’m the only one who can wield it safely! Now, lizard! The truth!”

“Mordek, stop this!” protested Arsha as she got between Mordek and his targets.

“Step aside, Arsha!” Mordek shoved her aside.

“Put that thing down! It’s been banned for a reason! It’s too dark for anyone! It’s an illegal torture…!” Arsha’s pleas were interrupted as Mordek fired the Black Disc on her. As she writhed in pain, Mordek stood over her in a wrathful manner.

“Our time has run out! I do what I must to save the Realms!” Once the treatment ended, Arsha started picking herself up, only for Mordek to interrupt by blasting the ground near her with fire. “Stay down!” For once, Arsha disobeyed a God and stood up!

“This is not the way! Dalengor is not the enemy here, Oyed is!”

“Arsha, do NOT interfere!” Unfortunately, Arsha did nothing BUT interfere. She charged at Mordek, firing magic blasts left, right, and center to knock Mordek off his feet. Mordek leapt into the air, summoned his hammer, and slammed it to the ground, creating a shockwave that knocked everyone down. “Do not force my hand, Arsha Royana! The Realms hang in the balance! To defend them, I MUST command order from all races!”

“I never thought I would get to this point,” hissed Arsha, “but now I understand why the Shadow Dragons and Drows broke faith with you! You can’t be trusted!”

“I don’t need trust! I demand obedience!” Mordek was surrounded by fire.

“I’ve heard enough! If I must break faith with you to save the Realms…so be it!”

“Sound…familiar…Mordek?” strained Dalengor. Mordek snarled…then his memory went to different fights. His first ever fight against his children was when they were threatened by famine. The only way back then was to use a gem known as the Stone of Bounty to replenish their lands. Mordek tried to get a Shadow Dragon and Drow to stop their approach.

“Tan-ku, Rekta, do not interfere! The Stone is not ready yet!” The two mortals weren’t listening.

“Our people starve, and you would deny us the chance to save them?!” roared the Shadow Dragon, Tan-ku. He and the Drow, Priestess Rekta, summoned their darkest energies.

“Tan-ku! Rekta! Stop! Your people WILL be…!”

“I’f heart enough!” snarled Rekta. “If we must break fait wit you to safe our people, so be it!” The two then charged at Mordek, then the scene changed to Mortak Royana, Arsha’s first ancestor and the Queen of the Mid-realm. Mortak and those of her skin tone were suppressed for too long in the Mid-realm. Mordek was trying to dissuade Mortak from the revolution she had organized.

“Mortak, do not interfere! I’m still giving my testimony to the Mid-realm Council!”

“My brothers and sisters toil in their fields and only get the scraps,” snarled Mortak, “and you would ignore us like this!”

“This revolt will only cause despair across the…”

“I’ve heard enough! If I must break faith with you to save my friends and family, so be it!” Mortak charged at the Fire God, making the scene change one last time to when a male Zephyr was fighting against a horde of Depths-spawn as the War of the Depths began.

“Zemfar, do not interfere! You must allow us to handle this!” Mordek ordered the Zephyr. Zemfar wasn’t listening as he generated lightning. “Zemfar! No! You’ll die if you do this!”

“The Depths have opened up and you would let its spawn ravage the Realms?” snarled Zemfar. “That would make your father’s job easier!”

“Zemfar, I beg you! There is no chance of you sending even one of them back to the Depths! Let us…!”

“I’ve heard enough! If I must break faith with you to save the Over-realm, so be it!” Zemfar charged at Mordek, causing the scene to return to the present as Mordek collapsed. He panted heavily as he tried to make sense of it all…then horror at what he did and said washed over his face.

“…Lord Mordek?” asked Delselii.

“…Dr. Vorsholstein, take this back,” mumbled the Fire God as he handed the Black Disc back.

“Lord Mordek, what’s going on?” asked Arsha tentatively.

“Arsha Royana, you and your friends are the first to hear me acknowledge my sins,” answered Mordek. This surprised everyone. “I’ve been a fool, a puppet to rash actions. Arsha, I have personally wronged your family when they led other Black people in a revolt against those that enslaved them. I have wronged Zemfar when he died for his people. …I have wronged the Shadow Dragons and Drows by not helping them through their famine. I simply turned my backs to them all because they didn’t follow my orders. …I am a terrible father to my children.” He turned to Dalengor and Tantu, still on the ground, hurting from the Black Disc. Mordek got up and summoned fire in his hands. “I must save them!” He stretched his arms out and let the fire envelop the two. Surprisingly, the fire didn’t burn them, they only felt warmth as their pain and injuries were washed away. The fire then went out and Mordek helped them up. “Dalengor Mardem, I was wrong to doubt you. I have allowed my old prejudices to interfere with my judgement. It was wrong of me to break faith with your people when their leaders tried to save them from disaster. It was wrong of me to call you failures when I have been failing the Realms by breaking faith with them too many times. I was wrong…I was wrong. …I…I don’t know how I can make it up to the Drows and Shadow Dragons and…and I understand if you feel I am undeserving of worship in your eyes.”

“If you wish to atone,” answered Dalengor, “then help us retake Realmgate City!”

“…I will be on the front lines for the battle,” promised Mordek.

“Bashoon, Malak, as I’ve said before, inform our forces that we’re moving out,” ordered Arsha. “Delselii, the paperwork to stay on the Endeavor has been approved. Elmar extends his eagerness to work with you.”

“And I, him!” chuckled Delselii.

“Everyone, move out!” ordered Arsha. They all returned to the Endeavor.