Naru Huan, Blackflame Emperor, was not having a good day. For that matter, he wasn't having a good month, either. The Naru Clan had ruled the Blackflame Empire for only two generations, and if things kept on as they were, two generations might very well be all they got.
The Seishen Kingdom's surprise attack had caught them completely flat-footed. He'd cursed himself every day since then for not seeing it coming. King Dakata had always been a belligerent bastard, and this was exactly the sort of tactic Naru Huan should have expected out of him.
He tossed the latest report aside with a sigh. It wasn't telling him anything he didn't already know. The Seishen Kingdom already had an edge on the Blackflame Empire in numbers of Underlords, and it would have only gotten worse since they'd been driven out of Night Wheel Valley. Worse, while they tended to their injured following the attack, the Kingdom would have had time to dig in and build fortifications on the other side of the portal. He'd been going over reports for days, but really, they all said the same thing: they didn't have the strength to break back through.
The Empire was already teetering on the brink of collapse after the Bleeding Phoenix and Redmoon Hall had rampaged through their western territory. The favor of the Akura Clan could have saved them, even left them stronger than before. But now that they were effectively barred from raising new Underlords before the deadline the Heart Sage had given them passed, they seemed very unlikely to receive that favor. And if the Seishen Kingdom received it instead… Well, Naru Huan likely wouldn't be Emperor for much longer.
There was a knock on the door. "Come," he said, grateful for the distraction. A Skysworn Truegold entered, pressing his fists together and bowing. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but you have an unannounced visitor," he said. He seemed uncharacteristically hesitant.
"A visitor?" prompted the Emperor.
"An Underlady, Your Majesty. She claims to be the disciple of the Heart Sage."
Naru Huan's eyebrows tried to climb his forehead. He quickly schooled his expression. He hadn't even known the Sage of the Silver Heart had a disciple, although that was no real surprise. The business of Sages was far above him and his entire Empire. "Is this visit in an official capacity?"
The Skysworn shook his head. "She arrived with no warning and instructed us to tell no one of her presence except you, Your Majesty."
So she wanted this visit kept quiet, which presumably meant the Sage did as well. That was certainly preferable to a public reprimand for his failure, although it was no guarantee to be good news. "This office is secure. Escort her to me at once," he instructed.
The Skysworn bowed again and left. Naru Huan drummed his fingers on his desk. The fact that the Sage had sent her disciple instead of coming herself was… interesting. Of course, there was every possibility that she just didn't consider this task worth her time. But if she just wanted to deliver a message, there were other channels she could use. That meant she at least considered the message sensitive. His mind raced on ahead, but he clamped down on the train of thought. Overly optimistic guesses would just lead to disappointment.
In a few short minutes, his guest arrived. She was a young woman, likely younger than any of the Empire's Underlords, but that was to be expected. She was tall, with long, black hair, and she had winged Goldsigns, although they were insectile instead of avian like Naru Huan's. As lightly as he could, he scanned her spirit. The sensation he got reminded him of turning over a rock to find a mass of writhing centipedes beneath, and he barely stopped himself from shuddering. He could believe that this was the Sage's disciple.
She pressed her hands together and bowed politely. "Thank you for seeing me so swiftly, Your Majesty. I am Akura Taylor, disciple of the Sage of the Silver Heart."
"It is always our honor to receive an emissary of the Akura Clan. What message does the honored Sage have for us?"
"My master is not pleased by the course the competition has taken," replied the Akura. The Emperor struggled to keep his face neutral. "The purpose of the exercise was to raise strong Underlords to represent the Akura Clan. Cutting the pool of possible contenders in half does not serve our interests."
Naru Huan bowed his head, pressing his fists together. "I take full responsibility for our failure. I beg that any punishment be given to myself as an individual, rather than our Empire as a whole."
"The competition is not over," she said. "You have not failed yet."
"With all due respect, I see no way we can reestablish a beachhead on the other side of the portal. I trust you believe me when I say I have been considering little else."
She nodded. "The Seishen Kingdom stayed within the rules my master set, but only barely. They violated the spirit of the competition, if not the letter. She will not directly interfere, but she will give you a chance to redeem yourselves."
The Emperor still didn't let himself feel hope. "What aid has the honored Sage seen fit to give us?" he asked carefully.
The Akura pulled a dream table from her pocket and placed it on his desk. "This contains a complete disposition of the Seishen Kingdom's forces on the other side of the portal."
That was… significantly more than nothing, if not quite as much as Naru Huan had hoped. It would make retaking the portal merely extremely difficult, rather than outright impossible. "My thanks to the Sage. We will not fail her," he said, hoping he wasn't lying.
The Akura nodded, then smiled slightly. "Well, now that my task is complete, I find myself at rather loose ends. You see, my master is quite busy at the moment, and she instructed that I see to my own training for the next month." She paused deliberately. "Would you happen to know of any nearby training opportunities appropriate for an Underlord?"
Finally, Naru Huan allowed himself to smile back. No, the Sage wouldn't directly interfere, but it seemed she was willing twist the rules as badly as the Seishens had. "As a matter of fact, I can think of one. Unfortunately, it's only open to citizens of the Blackflame Empire. Of course, as Emperor, granting citizenship is well within my remit."
"I see. How convenient," said the Akura dryly. Her smile vanished. "My master wants this situation resolved quickly. How soon can you have your forces prepared to attack?"
He considered briefly. "Two days will be enough."
"That will do," she said, nodding. "I will leave it to you to arrange the attack, but I believe I know how I can be of the greatest use. The Seishen King has created an Overlord-level barrier on the far side of the portal. A large battery of Lord-level launcher constructs has been set up behind that."
"No less than I would have expected," said Naru Huan, grimacing.
"I can sabotage the launchers before you begin your attack. But I'll need the help of one of your Underlords to pass through the barrier."
He nodded. That would be extremely valuable. "Which Underlord?"
A slight smirk appeared on her face. "Guess."
The Emperor sighed.
Eithan stared at the small beetle crawling across the table. The beetle stared back at him.
It wasn't a real beetle, of course. It was a Forger technique, one so subtle that the vast majority of Underlords wouldn't have noticed it. Even most Overlords would probably overlook it. But they were revealed to Eithan's bloodline sense. There were thousands upon thousands of them swarming unseen through Stormrock, moving in an intricate and beautifully choreographed dance.
He examined the young woman at the center of the dance. No one passing her on the street gave her a second glance. Her Goldsigns were withdrawn, and her spirit was veiled well enough that even Eithan couldn't see through it. Her prosthetic arm was covered by long gloves. She had the physical refinement of a sacred artist who's body had been reforged in soulfire, but it wasn't pronounced enough to be noteworthy. Truly a remarkably unremarkable young woman, given what he knew about her.
He studied her carefully as she walked, considering everything he'd managed pull from his apprentice about her. He had a decision to make, and he didn't have much time to make it. Not a flamboyant person, certainly. Someone who actively avoided the spotlight. Someone who appreciated subtlety. Reserved, but not cold. Someone who enjoyed quiet companionship.
"Have you decided, Underlord?"
He turned, smiling brilliantly. "I believe so. A pot of your finest red tea with one spoonful of honey for my friend. And I will have a Rosegold Slammer with an extra slice of banana."
"Of course, Underlord," said the waiter, bowing.
It took her only few minutes to reach the cafe. "Welcome to Celeste's Bistro," said the hostess as she entered. "Do you have a reservation? I'm afraid we don't accept walk-ins."
"My associate already has a table on the roof," she replied.
"I see. And your associate is…?" asked the hostess with just a touch of skepticism. The roof seats at Celeste's were some of the most exclusive in Stormrock, after all. They gave an excellent view over the edge of the floating city, which was probably quite nice for people who couldn't constantly see everything around them.
"Eithan Aurelius."
The hostess quickly stepped back, bowing rapidly. "Of course, of course. My apologies for not realizing. I'll show you to him."
"No need, I can find my way."
"...Of course," muttered the hostess, looking a bit dazed as she swept past.
True to her word, she made her way straight to the partitioned corner of the roof where Eithan sat. He stood as she approached, giving her his most dazzling smile. "I really can't express how much I've been looking forward to meeting you," he said.
"Have you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course! It isn't every day one gets to meet a Sage's disciple. Well, I suppose it actually is most days for me, but think how blessed I am to meet two Sages' disciples! But where are my manners? Eithan Aurelius, former patriarch of the Blackflame branch of the Aurelius family and current highest ranking janitor in the Skysworn, at your service." He bowed with a flourish.
She watched him in silence for a moment, as though making sure he were finished. "Akura Taylor." A woman of few words. That was alright; he had plenty for the both of them.
With flawless timing, the waiter arrived with their drinks. He sat, gesturing for her to do the same. He paid careful attention as she raised her cup of tea and inhaled the scent. Well, he was always paying careful attention, but more so than usual. A tiny smile of enjoyment, followed by a brief flicker of irritation that he'd successfully guessed what she'd enjoy. Eithan's smile broadened, and he covered it by taking a sip of his own drink.
"You know why I'm here," she said eventually.
"Of course. But before I agree, I have a single question for you." She inclined her head slightly, inviting him to continue. "What do you use on your hair? The volume, the luster! I simply must have your secret!"
She considered him for a moment. "I won't ask if you enjoy playing the fool, because you obviously do. But we both know you're not a fool, so I have to wonder what your real game here is."
"My dear, hair care is hardly a game!" She said nothing, staring at him impassively. Well, he honestly would've been disappointed if it was that easy to get a rise out of such an advanced dream artist. He dropped his offended facade and cracked a grin. "Why don't you tell me what my game is, since you're so convinced I have one?"
She stared at him a moment longer, then shrugged, smiling slightly. "At the moment, you're clearly trying to see how hard I am to annoy. I rate the effort a four out of ten at best, by the way." He clasped his hand to his chest in agony, which she ignored. "The more interesting question is what you're doing in the Blackflame Empire at all. You clearly don't care about political power, or you'd be well on your way to displacing Naru Huan as Emperor. If you'd moved somewhere with stronger vital aura, you could likely have reached Archlord by now, so you aren't in any hurry to advance, either."
"You seem to have a very high opinion of me," he noted.
"Tiberian Aurelius clearly had a high opinion of you. I trust his judgement."
Obviously he wasn't the only one here aiming to get a rise out of the other. "Perhaps I've learned my lesson, then, and just want to enjoy a quiet retirement."
"Yes, everything you've done for the last few years has certainly given that impression," she said, voice drier than dust.
"Was my hand not forced? I merely defended myself from the Jai Clan, and from Redmoon Hall. Aside from that, I've done nothing but pursue my own little personal projects, until the honored Akura Clan called for my service."
"Your little personal project, which will likely result in all three of the Blackflame Empire's competitors in the Uncrowned King tournament having the last name 'Aurelius'?"
"That seems somewhat premature. I am still the only Aurelius Underlord in the Empire, after all."
"And Charity sent me here specifically to ensure that there are two more by the time she selects your competitors."
"Well, there you are, then," said Eithan, smiling broadly. "If the Sage of the Silver Heart has commanded it, then clearly I am nothing but a loyal servant of the Akura Clan."
Taylor considered him for a moment. "Charity believes you're trying to rebuild the Aurelius family, and perhaps become their new Monarch. If that is your goal, we have no objection as long as you don't try to claim any of our territory. The lion is no friend of ours."
"You sound skeptical. Surely you don't doubt the wisdom of the Sage."
"She sees the bigger picture. But I spent nearly two months living with your apprentice. Yerin really doesn't trust you very much, you know. If you're trying to instill loyalty, you're doing a terrible job of it. And she knows nothing about the real Aurelius family, either, rather than the offshoot of it in this backwards little empire. I don't think you're raising her to be the equivalent of Charity or Fury for the Aurelius family. I think you're playing your own game."
"Such a deeply suspicious mind," said Eithan, shaking his head sadly.
Taylor leaned forward. "You can play your games. But if your schemes get Yerin killed, I will take it… personally. Are we clear?"
In his mind, Eithan added another name to the short list of people who's threats actually concerned him. "I swear she will come to no harm while under my protection," he said, for once entirely serious.
"Good," said Taylor, nodding. She leaned back. "Now that that's done with, what are your thoughts on getting through the portal?"
"Hold on," said Eithan, holding up a hand. "You never answered my question."
Taylor looked at him blankly for a moment, then sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's like this naturally. I just wash it regularly."
Eithan grinned. He'd never doubted he'd be victorious in the end.
Seishen Daji strutted through the camp as though he owned it, spirit unveiled. Sacred artists dropped to their knees as he passed. As far as he was concerned, he did own it. Now that he had finally advanced to Underlord, his place in the Uncrowned King tournament was all but assured. His brother Kiro had failed in the task the Sage had set for him, after all, being nearly killed by a mere Gold. Daji would never have given such a pathetic showing. He only wished the Blackflames hadn't been driven off so completely, so he could have further proved his worth.
The camp spread all around the portal. It was the Blackflames' old camp, in fact, abandoned in haste when they'd retreated. It wasn't nearly so comfortable as the castle his father had raised by their own portal, but there was honor in having seized it from the enemy. By now, it was clear that the Blackflames weren't coming back, but he still patrolled every night. It did the common folk good to see their Prince out and about, ensuring the Kingdom's security. Besides, it gave him an excuse to get away from his brother and… her.
He passed by one of the many launcher constructs surrounding the portal. This one, he'd helped craft himself, and he took a moment to admire his work. It would fire a huge spike of forged earth madra with enough force to bring down a cloudship. Even if he couldn't fight the Blackflames directly, he could at least show his skill in fortifying the camp against them. He'd been doing his part for the Kingdom while his brother had been recovering from his injuries from that Gold.
Daji placed his hand on the launcher and frowned. Something felt… off about it. He extended his spiritual perception, examining it. The reassuring weight and strength of earth and force madra radiated from it, but there was something else, too. He looked deeper, searching for the central binding that empowered the construct. It was there, but it seemed… dimmed. Almost dead. Focusing on it, he sensed something else, a sliver a foreign madra. It was like a worm that had chewed its way into an apple, hallowing it out from the inside. It even felt like a worm to his spiritual senses, dark and squirming. Alarmed, Daji stepped back. He'd never heard of a parasite that fed on constructs before. No, the more likely explanation was that it was a technique. And that meant…
Daji ran for the next launcher, leaving surprised yells in his wake. This one he hadn't personally worked on, but he knew what he was looking for now. The core of this launcher had been infected with the same foreign madra as the other.
A trio of Golds appeared behind him, his father's soldiers. "Honored Prince, is something the matter?"
"The launchers have been sabotaged. Raise the alarm," he commanded them. Their eyes widened, and they bowed hastily before sprinting away. A moment later, he started running as well.
The sound of a gong repeatedly echoed through the camp, drawing surprised yells from those who had already been asleep. But the alarm had been sounding for less than a minute when it was joined by the cracks and booms of techniques being unleashed. He looked up to see the barrier around the portal flashing with light as techniques struck it from the other side. It began cracking almost immediately.
Kiro and Meira came stumbling out of the house they'd taken over just as Daji reached it. They both looked as though they'd thrown clothes on in a hurry. He grimaced, then pushed his disgust aside. There was more important business to deal with. "What's happening?" demanded Kiro.
"The Blackflames are attacking! They've sabotaged the launchers! We need to hold them until Father gets here!"
Kiro nodded. His armor appeared from his soulspace, covering him, and his swords a moment later. Annoyed that he hadn't already thought to put his on, Daji did the same. Meira produced her staff as well, the green scythe blade flickering into existence on the top.
With a massive crash, the barrier around the portal shattered. Half a dozen cloudships and swarms of sacred artists on individual thousand mile clouds poured through. Daji sensed the spiritual presence of an Overlord; Naru Huan was leading the attack himself. He began cycling a Striker technique. Then the world turned into a nightmare.
The massive pulse of shadow and dream madra came from nearby, passing over him with a disturbing skittering sensation. In its wake, the shadows came to life, exploding into swarms of insects so dense that they blocked all sight, and even his spiritual perception. For a moment, he flailed wildly, but then calmed himself. Whatever this Ruler technique was, it couldn't hurt him through his armor. He realized he recognized this madra; it felt the same as the technique which had sabotaged the launchers. It was a coward's technique, relying on stealth and deception, not a true warrior's attack. He'd find whoever was responsible and put them down.
He stretched his spiritual senses to their limit, trying to see through the swarm. It was like trying to peer through dense fog, but he caught flickers. There! He raised his sword, deflecting an incoming Striker technique, then sent a pair of his own Striker techniques back. Blue bolts shot from the tip of both his swords, flashing away through the storm.
He had no idea if they'd hit or not. But a moment later, the exact came technique came flying back, catching him in the chest. He flew backwards, but it hadn't breached his armor. What was this? He'd never heard of a technique that could reflect other techniques before. But then, it would sort of fit with the other cowardly tactics his opponent was using, wouldn't it?
No matter. He had more than Striker techniques in his arsenal. If he could just get a little closer, his opponent would be caught by surprise by the range his Forger technique, the Titan's Blade, could give him. He assumed a guard position, once again straining his spiritual senses to see through the swarm. He was catching more flashes now, figuring out how to see through the technique. There! He swung both swords at a barely-perceived figure, channeling his madra into them. They extended to four times their usual lengths, and he felt the impact as they connected.
Something whipped back at him through the storm, again slamming into his chest, and he felt the armor crack. Before he could even begin to react, his legs were hit, too, and then his arm. It was physical objects hitting him, not techniques. He lashed out with both swords and cut through something, some sort of long tentacle, but there were more. A storm of blows knocked him off his feet, and something wrapped around him, squeezing his armor until it began leaking madra. One arm was still free, and he sliced and cut desperately, trying to free himself.
Finally the attacks ceased, and he pushed himself backwards. His armor was badly damaged, weighing him down instead of enhancing his strength. He struggled out from the coils of whatever had wrapped around him, pushing himself to his feet. He still needed his armor to protect him from the swarm… But maybe not. He'd gotten a feel for the technique now, and it really wasn't all that threatening. He could keep it off him with his own madra, although it'd be a constant drain. But it would let him move freely, and that was essential if he wanted to end this fight. He nodded, returning his armor to his soulspace-
A technique struck him in the back, and he screamed. The swarm was inside him, he could feel insects burrowing under his skin, eating him from the inside out, crawling through his guts. In desperation, he flushed madra and soulfire from his core, trying to purge himself. It vented from his body in a diffuse cloud, but it worked. He lay on the ground, panting, his madra channels aching, but there was no physical pain. He let out a sigh of relief; it'd been nothing but another illusion.
Then something horribly cold clamped around his neck, and his spirit screamed in agony. It was a collar, he realized, a halfsilver collar. With it on, he was as helpless as a Copper. He scrabbled at it desperately, but it didn't give.
The swarm dissolved into smoke and was gone. He looked around at a scene of devastation. Branches and vines had thrust up everywhere from the ground, tearing through buildings. That was what had wrapped around him! But… That was Meira's technique! The bitch had betrayed them! He looked over in a rage, only to find Meira sprawled on the ground with her own halfsilver collar around her neck. Kiro lay several feet away in a similar condition.
With creeping dread, Daji realized what had happened. He'd never landed a single blow on his real opponent. He, Kiro, and Meira had been fighting each other the entire time.
Spiritual pressure bore down on him. He looked up to find the Blackflame Emperor looking down at them, his emerald wings beating slowly. A woman hovered next to him. She had wings too, dragonfly wings, and she radiated the power of an Underlord. Rage rose up in Daji; she had to be the one who had humiliated them so completely.
"NARU!" The shout boomed through the camp. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SONS?"
Seishen Dakata stood on a gold thousand mile cloud perhaps fifty feet away, glaring furiously at Naru Huan. "Not a thing," replied the Emperor. "This young Underlady, who I recently granted citizenship in the Blackflame Empire, defeated them in honorable combat." Daji sneered.
His father's glare turned to the woman. "Who do you think you are, that you can treat my sons as such?"
She replied in a voice utterly devoid of emotion. "I am Akura Taylor, disciple of the Sage of the Silver Heart."
The words seemed to strike Dakata like a physical blow. Daji felt it as well. He'd been so sure that his father's gambit had paid off, that the Sage wouldn't punish them for their aggression. And she hadn't… directly. Instead, she'd sent her disciple to make it clear just how far beneath her they stood.
"Does the honorable Sage have words for me?" asked Dakata through gritted teeth.
"She does not," replied the Akura. "My task is already complete. It is Emperor Naru you must now come to terms with."
Dakata bowed his head in silence for a moment. "So be it, then. What are your terms to return my sons to me, Naru?"
"The terms are simple," replied the Emperor, his voice cold. "Withdraw. You drove us out. Now we return the favor. Swear an oath that you will withdraw all your sacred artists from Nightwheel Valley for the remainder of the competition."
"And the Sage has no objection to this?"
"You were tested and found wanting," said the Akura. "Now you must face the consequences of your actions."
Dakata visibly sagged. "I understand. Your terms are acceptable. I, Seishen Dakata, swear on my soul that I will withdraw all forces under my command from Nightwheel Valley." There was a ripple in the air as his words bound him. "It's done. Now release my sons."
The Emperor landed behind Daji in a gust of wind. The collar on his neck fell off at his touch, and Daji breathed a sigh of relief as his spirit flowed freely again. A moment later, Kiro did the same next to him. "What about Meira?" he asked.
"What about her?" snapped Dakata. "If she cannot even protect you, then she is useless. Let them keep her, for all I care!"
"Father, please-"
"ENOUGH! You have both failed me utterly tonight. Do not push me further."
Kiro hung his head. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. Then he walked away. After a moment, Daji followed him.
"No," whispered Meira as he passed her, then louder. "No. No! NO! PLEASE, NO! I'M SORRY! I WON'T FAIL AGAIN! PLEASE! PLEASE, DON'T-"
Silently, the Akura landed behind Meira. She brushed her hand across the back of Meira's head, there was a pulse of dream madra, and Meira collapsed bonelessly. The Akura caught her, lowering her to the ground gently. "We will be happy to keep her, if you are enough of a fool to throw her away," she said.
Daji shook his head. Good riddance. At least some tiny good had come from all of this. He trudged forward to face his father's wrath.
sad ending for Meira. 