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UE Rewrite: B2 — 11. A Push For War
🕑 Added 2023-07-30 03:12:05 +0000 UTCAuthor Note: Trying a new break style. Let me know what you think about them.
1. Elinor (Our Undead Empress!)
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Elinor managed to push Valentina to the point they reached the Crystal Sanctuary within the next three days. It still impressed her that Nicole, the little twelve-year-old druid girl, had created this with the help of the Plant Callers two months prior; it showed the potential these Lesser Seeds had.
Rain showers were common, but she kept the tiger girl’s spirits up by giving her the task of hunting with the Horsemen. In the meantime, Elinor continued to upgrade her physical prowess with the Skill Point she got from reaching Level 16 and further tested out her independent Limit Breaks.
Unfortunately, it only activated on the undead within her Nexus, proving once again how critical the Feat was, yet it was tied to her empire as a whole, meaning she needed to bring these clans under her banner as swiftly as possible.
Elinor was becoming more accustomed to this chattery jungle, though, and the sounds insects, animals, birds, and reptiles made were now more recognizable. There was so much to explore in this valley now that she’d obtained a general idea of its layout. The world was so unique, vibrant, vast, and rich with life compared to Earth.
At night, when Valentina slept, she would use her chains to climb the trees to view the magical alien skies and the unusual lunar spheres. Even more curious, there were hidden satellites in the heavens that could only be seen by the light they blocked.
Quin acted as her adoring cheerleader on the way up, and in the darkest hours, when the clouds overcast the valley in a cloak of shadows, she found herself turning her gaze from the rumbling heavens to the black spire, situated in the middle of the colossal black fortress of Kel’mal’tha.
Occasionally she caught sight of the black walls to their north, poking out above the rising shelf, cliffs, and trees. Elinor found herself staring at the towers and central spire for hours at times, envisioning what it might look like to observe the valley from its lofty peak.
She would master this new home of hers. The tides were turning, and the game was shifting to new heights. Butter and her strategy meeting set things into perspective with the Susime in the picture.
They weren’t just some teenagers, fumbling around in desperation; ever since her little sister made her appearance, something had changed inside her to give her a vision she’d searched for back on Earth. Almost everything before felt so small compared to this drive now pushing her forward.
Still, all of it would have been lost without her mother’s sacrifice. Her father had hope that he could find her mother again within the Witch Queen, and she was happy to let him try. Elinor had to be practical and deal with the reality of their situation, though, and part of that was in resolving the questions about herself.
There was a concealed truth pulsing within her impure, rousing soul. She’d felt it not so much in her thoughts as in the actions she took, whispering of a constant current in a solemn depth below her understanding;. A blackness of unholy, lifeless flows that she floated along in her search for a home she’d left behind and that waited in hopes for her return.
In the silence, high above the canopy in the rare still moments of twilight, she could feel a pull beyond some unseen veil. The mysteries regarding her transformation, ascension to this lich empress station, and unlocking the Greater Seed within her were wrapped in a blanket of intrigue; it was one reason why she’d brought Valentina on this journey with her.
If she ate the Lesser Seeds of the fallen, as she’d done with Carlos’, then was its purpose only to serve as food for her growth, or was there something more buried beneath the surface of this enigma? Was her Seed the cause and foundation of her powers, or was it more of a key that unlocked the first door of something else sealed deep within her soul? She wasn’t sure.
In the end, answers would come as she pressed on. And anyone that stood in her path to these answers, and counted themselves unfortunate enough to be her enemy, would feel the fear of death as they fell beneath her feet, only to rise back in service of her empire and vision.
Death was a punishment to some, to others, a gift, and to many, a favor. In this path of refining and unforgiving flames that was life, she’d felt the core of souls forged and broken. She’d felt the pulse of spirits like Quin, walking in the footprints of giants to reach whatever glory they sought, yet every trail for the strong and weak alike would eventually take them to the same destination, her kingdom, where she would welcome their service.
* — * — *
Elinor’s spirit kept focus as she walked through the foliage in Quin’s wake, her horsemen discovering the sanctuary’s location. Valentina’s sweat-slicken face dropped out of a nearby branch, fur-covered chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
“T-They opened the gate… Are we going inside right now? Please say we are!”
She smiled as the tiger girl trudged after her slow pace around the trees to reach the large entrance. White had already reported back that their way was clear, but the hardass Horsewoman of Conquest had wanted to push the teen a little harder. Her Horsemen of the Apocalypse seemed to have taken a fondness for the spirited and mouthy Beastkin, which wasn’t good for Valentina since the four were made for the tireless task of death.
“Excellent. Go inside and freshen up before we start our daily sparring match.”
“Mmgm—right away,” she growled with a strained smile, glowing yellow eyes twitching in the fading light of twilight. “I only almost got shot three times today by White, but what are three or four new bruises to keep me up at night… Goodie.”
She jogged off to quench her dry throat as Quin held a large branch up for them to pass. The giant ape gave the teen a beaming smile as she went by, internally cheering for her to keep on the grind. Valentina was making strides, yet there seemed to be a sharp difference in how their Seeds responded and grew that Elinor was seeing; her Greater Seed was expanding more outward, while Valentina was focusing inward toward herself.
“Oh, and I smelled that that blind guy is inside,” the girl snarled back. “I hate that guy.”
Staff held behind her back, Elinor continued after the tiger, intrigue sparking at what the Legend would bring her. White hadn’t spotted General Roman Novák inside, but he could be sleeping behind the leaf curtains or in one of the facilities.
She glanced toward the trees as Yeppa jumped down to join her; the Lethix scout had made a scouting trip at her order. With the sanctuary being up for two months now, it was bound to draw some surrounding attention.
It was amusing to see the ri’bot struggling now after having laughed at Valentina’s frail stamina when they first started their journey; now, he was the one starting to lag behind due to their relentless push through the jungle.
“W-We’re here?” Yeppa panted. “How do you have so much… endurance Empress? And Valentina has—has increased her stamina significantly since we began…”
“Adaptation,” she responded with a slight twist to her tone upon seeing the open drawbridge gate; a lot had changed since she’d exited this sanctuary several weeks ago. “You are accustomed to moving for a short time and remaining in one space to spy on individuals. If you remain as my escort, you will see significant gains by keeping pace with the dead. Anything to report?”
He frowned and looked northwest. “Clanless are gathering. It appears they are mostly females and children—a few weak warriors, but nothing of concern—they seem to have been forced out of their place by their wounds.”
Elinor’s smile lifted. “Quin, take Yeppa to them and guide them to the sanctuary. Let them know the Great Chief of the Dead will see them and provide them with a safe place to rest, food, and whatever medical support we can offer. I wish to hear their story.”
“What?!” Yeppa’s swimming eyes darted to the five-meter-tall four-armed ape gorilla as she reached down to snatch him up. “Empress—I’m not supposed to leave your s-side for long!”
Quin’s girly voice carried through the jungle as she jumped into the trees to take him to the ri’bot pack. “It is a good thing I am taking you; it won’t be a long trip! Which direction?”
Her horsemen met her at the entrance, surrounding her as she proceeded into the tense sanctuary. Only a few dozen warriors manned the giant, sheltered clearing; there were an equal number of lower warriors from the Delthax and Roxim that had been left behind. They’d managed to gather a decent amount of supplies in the nearly two months they’d been stationed here, and she saw one of the Delthax at the ritualistic communication station that Tiffany had constructed.
Valentina had gotten a drink and was looking sullenly at the nice private bathing area the Plant Callers had constructed with Nicole and input from other humans. A few backpacks and rucksacks were spotted beside the sleeping cubicles impressed into the back walls, where Roman likely rested. Chief Zargoth of the Roxim hadn’t arrived yet, which disappointed her.
The torlim rider that captained the Roxim forces in the sanctuary showed a recurrence to join her with Elinor’s death squad, wrapped in their unique colored flames, escorting her path inside. Elinor waved a hand to dismiss her horsemen as he hesitated, with the Delthax leader lingering back, as well.
The ri’bot jumped as the horses rose up on their hind legs, flames shooting through their nostrils as they flipped around and shot into the twilight to gather the required Death Orbs; she’d require more after the daily toll at midnight struck. Elinor pointed at Valentina to join her when catching her gaze, making the girl breathe out a heavy moan in protest.
“Empress!” the man swallowed, leaping down from his mount to walk alongside her; the Delthax leader was talking on the ritual device, so another warrior shadowed them to report back to his commander.
“The human under your rule—the one called The General—has returned with several Clanless leaders. He insisted that you would want to meet with them, but you had already left the Wixum camp, ahem, for the Lethix… before we could inform you through the Putrid Speaker.”
There was a hint of unease in his tone at the mention of her meeting with the hostile clan, and he didn’t say anything about when the Roxim Chief would make his appearance. She was a norm-shaker, which would naturally elicit fright among those lower on the totem pole since they didn’t know where they stood without their superiors there to tell them what to do. They feared her, and that did come with some advantages.
“Wonderful. Do any of you know first-aid or how to dress wounds?”
“Yes, we have a few warriors trained in such practices?” he said, seemingly wondering how that connected to some Clanless leaders being inside the sanctuary.
“Then have them prepare to treat some clanless coming that are in need of support. Bring out supplies they need, be it food or medical care. Hold nothing back. I will have some of my escort hunt for more to triple your stock before we leave. Explain to my horsemen what is required when they return, and they will fetch it. Now, where are we on Chief Zargoth?” she asked, expecting her orders to be followed without question.
His fervent eyes darted to the open door, where her horsemen had just exited, with Valentina now approaching them. “Our chief will be here in… two more days, runners have reported. I’ve heard we are mobilizing and keeping a close watch on the Komath with the special tools you call… binoculars? We have things to report.”
“That’s positive news,” she hummed, spotting the sullen cat girl, arms folded under her bust and staring at the wall as she fell in line. “Val, go wash up before we meet with some clanless leaders.”
Her ears flew up, glowing eyes now sparkling. “Are we not playing ‘pick on the cat’ tonight, and I’m taking part in real government shit? Wait… Are you saying I stink?!” she hissed, ears reversing course.
“Yes,” Elinor flatly stated. “You’re a filthy cat that has been sweating, rolling around dirt, and falling out of trees into mud—”
“Once! And it was White’s fault!”
“Then why did you let it happen?” she shot back, making the girl’s cheeks color. “I know she’s scary, but stand up for yourself. Now, go clean that smelly fur and get yourself presentable. Ri’bot have sharp noses, and I don’t want them distracted. Shoo.”
Valentina scampered off, grumbling about her being an unnatural monster that didn’t sweat, and that ‘Her Majesty’ smelled like death, so maybe she should be the one to take a bath. Elinor saw the unsure look on the Roxim commander’s face and chuckled, looking after the girl as she slunk off.
Having Valentina around helped to ground herself and reminded Elinor how some of the humans still saw her. She couldn’t let the teenage, human part of her die, and Valentina was here to help with that. Elinor had to be more than just an empress of death.
“Umm, Empress,” the Roxim torlim rider said, trying to get her attention. “What should I tell these clanless that are coming?”
Then again, she also had to be an empress of death. Elinor took one last look at the magical place the twelve-year-old German girl had made with the help of Valdar’s company of Plant Callers and zeroed in on her next destination.
“Let the injured know that I will send for their leader when I am ready for them. That will be all, Group Leader.”
“Empress.”
He left, somewhat bewildered by their encounter by the look on his face. The nearby Delthax seemed to catch most of the conversation and rushed off to report to his own boss, still talking on the ritual radio.
No doubt, Xaria Meji had made it back and reported their encounter with the Lethix Xaria, Chief, and Elder Chief to Chief Kalix. Kalix already didn’t like her, nor the Lethix, so she would probably need to send Carlos ahead to further explain how things were going, and maybe set up something else to really get things moving. In any case, she’d need to update them at some point in the next hour after they reported she’d arrived at the sanctuary.
Proceeding toward the sleeping area, she snatched one of the camping chairs that some of the ri’bot had been using and set it up outside of the bunk where the backpack lay.
“When were you alerted to my presence?” she casually asked in a low whisper, crossing her legs and staring out at the bustling warriors as they prepared for the injured.
A low chuckle came from behind the leafy screen as it peeled back to show the rather muscular and very tan blind general; he was a lot older than he appeared after the lights changed them, much like Carlos.
“It’s bad luck to wake an old man…”
“Funny, when you look to be in your early thirties,” Elinor conversationally returned. “How was your trip into the wilderness?”
“Hmm. Eventful. Ugh…” He swung his legs over with a grunt, stretching out his stiff muscles and rubbing his far more scraggly beard. “I caught you about three-hundred meters out. Frightening stuff, those horsemen. Props on the fear factor; they have style.”
Elinor’s gaze lingered on a few scars across his previously markless body, his ripped shorts and mess of a shirt showing a rough journey, but the blind Legend wore a far more energetic smile than he’d shown before. He was liking this new world.
“From what I hear from your old mom over that radio, you’ve done quite well for yourself in these negotiations. Smart play, setting up a communication network in the center of the valley; have you thought about doing the same so these Chiefs can talk to one another to cut down on wasted time? I assume you’ll be spreading it around for the impending war.”
“Actually, I only just thought of that idea,” she sighed. “If your goal is to point out how I could be more efficient, then point taken. I could have brought a witch or two with me to set things up, but I’m stretched somewhat thin with everything I have in the works.”
Roman leaned against the wall of the cubical, white eyes glistening with an inner light.
“On the contrary, from everything I’ve observed and heard, I find your decisions very compelling and noteworthy. If you hadn’t had the forethought I gave you credit for, then my work would have been wasted. Seeing things play out how they have, Empress, I’m more inclined to work with you than ever. So, how is the war?”
“And what war would that be?” Elinor innocently asked, emerald eyes tilting to him with her smirk. “Is that what the Clanless leaders fear?”
“Oh, you’ve caused quite a raucous in the ri’bot badlands,” he mused, his gaze drifting toward the bathing area before sliding to the direction Quin and Yeppa were in, leading back the injured clanless.
“I see you’re offering a hand to the poor group the Komath Xaria compelled.”
“Is that who they are?” Elinor hummed. “So, they were who attacked us when my mother was murdered.”
“And I find it interesting you did that only just after learning I was here. I don’t think the two were connected, though. You were already plotting to recruit the Clanless.”
“It kind of is interesting,” Elinor slowly returned, her focus tilting to the closed curtains of the ri’bot Roman had convinced to make this journey to speak to her. “You accurately predicted what I’d do and helped me skip a few steps. What’s the current consensus?”
“Hmm.” A frown wrinkled the man’s face. “A lot of fear circles the badlands with that Delthax murder caravan you took around the Lethix territory. The Clanless Combat Coalition is in an uproar after Carlos and Mika, accompanied by the powerful Delthax High Warriors, took out a huge part of their rag-tag military… that I assume you turned into your own soldiers.”
They just happened to have an alliteration name when translated, eh?
Elinor sat back, holding her fingers against her stomach with a thoughtful gleam in her eyes as the first pack of clanless shuffled in, sporting all manner of wounds.
“I didn’t get much from those low-hanging fruit via information, and if that is what they have to offer as ‘military,’ then they’re in a sorry state, indeed. From what I hear, this Coalition isn’t all that loved in the Clanless community; it’s more like a fascist regime.”
“You’d be right, as ironic that is coming from you,” Roman sighed, rubbing his neck and giving her a side-long stare. “Almost half the valley is considered unclaimed, and the Coalition runs it, for the most part. They’re lucky most of the major clans are too superstitious to push into the cursed lands and focused on the real threats; their organized and Mystic-enhanced neighbors.”
“Their numbers?” she asked, ignoring the jab.
“Eeh. Nothing to write home about,” he returned. “Plenty of downtrodden ri’bot that will flip on the drop of a pin—rejects hoping to survive another day and looking for anyone to take them in or offer a better life—they want stability.”
“Well, isn’t it fortunate for them I’m looking for more citizens? And I am quite stable. I expect a culling to be made to set an example for turncoats if some of them start taking my side. And that means I need to systematically dismantle the Coalition’s leadership in one fell swoop to avoid losing more valuable lives. It will also give me recognition as a leader that can deliver and play with the big clans.”
She shifted her gaze to the resting leaders; some were no doubt awake and listening to their low conversation. It was easier this way.
“You brought them right to me as a gift… How thoughtful. And what about the Scarlet Hand? I thought you were going to put your attention into them, yet here you are, shifting focus to get into my good graces. What happened?”
He laughed and gestured at his scars. “How do you think I got these… No, their Scarlet Eye almost killed me and made me rethink my odds. They’re guarded by an entity like that Shade character that attacked you. It’s too dangerous to go poking around them without furthering my strength—and a little backup—so I changed my tactics, but what I did see might interest you.”
“Go on.”
Roman was silent for a short time, pondering what he should say to best get her to view things more in his favor, no doubt. He hopped off his bunk, prompting her to rise and follow him. It was a touchy subject that could get the other leaders more antsy and skittish.
“Last I saw, the Scarlet Hand split off from the main Komath… and they were speaking to some unusual white-scaled salamander-like people south of the plains. I figure you have some news on them because they gave me some shivers. It was them that first alerted the second army to my position.”
Elinor’s thumb rubbed her staff, considering the news of a new player in the southeast. “Possibly the nalveans, but not the scale colors I was told; they tend to have more greens, reds, blues, and yellows in their scales. I haven’t heard of any white ones from my discussions on them.”
“Well,” Roman whispered, staring at the Delthax leader, speaking on the ritual device while looking their way. “Something told me they weren’t welcomed around those parts due to the heavy cloaks and paint they used to change their scale color to those very shades. I suspect the second army may be circling back into the valley, as well.”
“That’s a good sign,” Elinor grumbled, considering the damage on the ri’bot that came for shelter, food, and treatment; it was worse than she thought. “Maybe I can pique the Nalvean Empire’s interest in their white-scaled brothers passing through their lands. It’s an angle. Any idea why the Cultist Xaria’s army is returning?”
Roman shook his head. “Not for certain, but they were keeping close to the valley’s southern mountains—on the inside—oh, and Krava may have joined the cult. So, care to share what your more expansive network managed to find now?”
Elinor went silent on their slow walk around the mostly empty sanctuary, her gaze lingering on the large diesel rigs they’d left behind while processing the information. If Krava did join the Scarlet Hand, then it was possible their whispering eye could direct them in the right direction to find the two Great Chiefs in order to call the War Council Summit.
She had to pick up her pace, and there were a few things Roman could help her within that regard. Butter was handling the northwest Susime, Klaus the southern empire, and the Legend had given her a way to rally a hidden army with the Clanless. Everything was coming together nicely, yet the Scarlet Hand had thrown another dagger at her side.
Stopping beside a sorted cluster of crates and large supplies or furniture that was too bulky to take on their first trip to the Wixum, Elinor began examining what else might be useful to bring back in the long-run if they managed to get safe passage through the Lethix’s territory.
“Are you trying to imply the Cultist Xaria circled back—to meet with the Xaltan?”
Roman leaned back, blind eyes drifting to the side; he’d obviously lost his sunglasses somewhere in the last two months. “It’s possible.”
“I see…”
She began browsing some of the random assortments of goods, smiling upon finding a new set of blue-tinted glasses and handing it to the interested man. He cleaned them off on his shirt and stuck them on with a thankful nod; they fit astonishingly well. Roman wasn’t her subordinate but worked his own angles. He wanted access to her ever-expanding network, a friend, and a safe base to operate from, which she could provide.
“What you gave me certainly is useful, Roman,” she stated, moving on to circle the many goods to continue looking for anything of use. “But it is a far cry from the vast information gathering my empire has generated or that I have gained through my alliances with the ri’bot clans. What I need is specialized reconnaissance done. If you want everything I have to offer, I’m going to need more.”
“Ah.” The dark-haired man’s mouth twisted as he produced a sword from black smoke and used it as a cane; he was telling her he wasn’t helpless, and she offered him a comb for his beard from a pile that he accepted. “I’m one step ahead of you on the black fortress.”
“I thought as much,” Elinor returned, a tilt lifting the corner of her mouth. “How do you know I don’t already have information on it?”
“I don’t,” he admitted with a shrug. “But it is highly unlikely you have much on it since the ri’bot clans you associate with have little to nothing to do with the ri’bot badlands. Plus, it was too much of a risk for you to add another enemy to your list at your current stage. Was I right?”
“For the most part,” she laughed. “The fortress isn’t only what I want information on. In the Wixum territory, there is a cave with something inside that keeps melting my unintelligent undead. I need someone who can see without being seen to figure out what it is and how much of a threat it poses.”
“Hmm. Likely a new weapon to add to your arsenal,” Roman nodded with entertainment; it was clear he was missing these kinds of discussions. “Something dangerous and mysterious too close to home for comfort, as well… Can’t you use ghosts for that task, though?”
Elinor grimaced at the proposition, slowing to examine the state of a rocking chair. Given all of her forethought across the board, how did she miss that easy solution? She hadn’t used ghosts since she first changed. Then again, all of her Royal Court were focusing on a lot of other tasks while she centered on the bigger picture and negotiations to give that topic deep thought.
“It is an option, but something tells me you can get far more answers in a much shorter time,” she said with a tad more annoyance than she would have liked. “The black fortress?”
He shook his head, showing a wry grin. “A dead-end right now; a barrier seems to be around the entire thing. Maybe your Elite Hunter could provide answers, but as far as I’m told by the Clanless and my own study, there’s no way inside for more than six-hundred meters away from the walls. It’s impenetrable.”
“Perhaps for the ri’bot,” Elinor considered, thinking back to everything she’d learned about the Fire Wars; one of the Great Nations had found a way to disable it if they’d been able to siege the place.
Roman’s chest shook with silent laughter as he turned to study all the clanless coming inside, tears and thankful words passing between them and the warriors taking care of them.
“That being said, I could only examine a tiny portion of the field, and the vagabond ri’bot living nearby tells stories about terrifying flying mammals that can call down fire from the Supreme Chiefs for those that linger too long nearby. So that it with a grain of salt.”
“It’s something to investigate when I’m in a better position.” Elinor spotted a sopping-wet Valentina exiting the bathing area in brighter spirits. “Now, let’s get this discussion with the clanless leaders over with, and then we’ll report back to Tiffany so you can get up to speed on the state of my empire.”
The blind man gave the scowling tiger girl a smirk, Quin and Yeppa now joining the party. “I was right in thinking you’d be fun, Empress. What have you heard about a Legend’s Quest?”
Green eyes narrowing, Elinor shook her head. “Nothing. Something tells me you want something more with that comment, but we’ll discuss that later after our current business is concluded.”
“Fine by me. Hello, Stripes. You seem to have grown stronger.”
Valentina showed her teeth. “Bite me!”
Elinor lifted an eyebrow. “I was unaware you two were acquainted.”
“A few chance encounters when everything went south,” Roman dismissed. “I tied her up and tossed her into a closet so she wouldn’t get captured on the first sweeps. She was stupid enough to jump out and try to fight back two hours later, ending in being tied to a stick and dragged off.”
“Humph!”
“Spicy,” Elinor chuckled. “Well, let’s get down to business.”
* — * — *
Elinor returned to her seat by the sleeping area as Roman gathered the very discolored and splotchy ri’bot, so mixed in shapes and colors that no two were the same. The clans seemed to be very centered on their blood purity, making Elinor wonder if it had something to do with what little Garu had told her about his very powerful clan and the various Mystics.
There was something involved in their DNA that they didn’t want breeding out or messed with, such as the Ethereal’s mass ability to manipulate water into mist or the Delthax Plant Callers. She could see why it was of great concern for each clan and how she might need to reorder her thoughts to take that worry into account. Perhaps Tiffany could be of better help in that area.
The Clanless Leaders were really just community-appointed spokesmen than actually holding any real kind of authority. Clanless didn’t really group up, comprising more of small, loosely knitted families that were more nomadic, breaking up when resources grew scarce or predators entered an area, in order to lead them away.
There were many deadly threats in these parts of the jungle. All of the big clans had driven out the dangerous creatures from their lands, funneling them across the river divide.
When she called over the woman that represented the other devastated clanless leader, she saw hope and gratitude in her pain-stricken face at the hardship they’d faced since being forced to attack them by the Komath Xaria. Apparently, they’d been used as hostages to create the distraction, and they couldn’t finish the job due to the hurricane.
Elinor made them all the same offer; join her, follow her rules, and they would see peace. It didn’t take much to convince them, and a short display of her powers to bring back their dead solidified her in their hearts. It would take a lot more work to get the rest of the badlands to come under her flag, but after resurrecting a few influential figures in the group, she had representatives to start preparing the way for the uprising.
She sent them out to rank up and regain their physical form with the horsemen. When they restored their flesh, the hidden soldiers in the badlands could start going to work, and if all went well, they could systematically start assassinating the Coalition leadership. Her horsemen would whip them into shape with what time they had, and they were motivated.
Valentina drew quite a crowd, wondering if she was some kind of Ragnlar variant or some feared cat-like predator that prowled the Clanless territory and hunted them. It was the king of the jungle, an ambush animal that loved tormenting and tricking its prey with illusions. It lit a spark in Valentina to want to fight one at some point as she spoke to the children and their mothers.
Elinor saw a piece of herself in the feisty tiger girl, so it made her smile to see her finding some joy in learning about a new challenge. Valentina’s dreams had shifted as they traveled, and now the tiger wanted nothing more than to beat her since Elinor always won their matches. It wasn’t easy at first, but Elinor quickly adapted to her stealth tactics and was getting better with her bo staff.
Once all that was settled, she went to the radio to talk to Tiffany and see how things had progressed since she’d left. As she’d feared, Xaria Meji rushed off to report to his Chief about his companion’s capture by the Lethix and the deal she was striking.
The Witch Queen was thrilled to send some witches off to connect their ritual-fueled devices. Plus, the one in the sanctuary needed to have maintenance done soon, or it would stop working. The ones passing between the Lethix, sanctuary, and presumably, the Roxim, would need an escort.
Carlos and Mika hadn’t returned yet from the mines, which they couldn’t discuss openly with Yeppa nearby; they were most likely covering things up to make it look like a Clanless attack. Butter was already there, able to travel a great distance if the wind was on her side and she didn’t get plucked out of the air by some bird, which was more than possible.
Roman made a few comments regarding their positioning, delighting Tiffany regarding some of their urban planning. It seemed like her father and Roman would get along well when they had a chance to talk.
In the end, Tiffany chose a few of the Serving Court to escort her witches with a small company of unintelligent undead she had remaining. Hopefully, they’d make it to the Lethix leadership before Elinor so they could make the connection between the Delthax and Lethix Chiefs for when the Flex Chief showed up to see what they had to offer.
Roman decided to strike out on his own and make it to the Wixum to get a head start on their cave venture as she waited for Chief Zargoth to show up. Tiffany said she’d be anticipating his arrival.
Two days did leave Elinor with the chance to sharpen her impression in the Clanless’ minds and set up their assassination missions. They didn’t need to be High Warriors to deal with the Coalition, who hid behind numbers, slight training, and fear rather than true strength, and throughout her time waiting for the Roxim Chief, she oversaw their sparing with Quin. Nothing curbed terror like facing a giant, five-meter-tall, four-armed gorilla child that could literally cover her silver fur in flames.
On the day the chief was supposed to arrive, Elinor spent much of the morning sparring with Valentina to the excitement of the enthralled Clanless; they didn’t have much entertainment in their brutal and fright-filled lives.
* — * — *
Elinor held her staff at her back with the dozens of ri’bot looking onward as Valentina ran across the diesel rigs they’d brought together to act as a sort of arena. The tiger’s speed had picked up, indicating she’d put points in the area to try and counter her chains.
“Should I turn my back to you?” Elinor teased, waiting for the tiger to find an angle to attack from. “You’re always such a scared kitty when it comes to making the first move.”
Quin giggled, sitting at the open entrance to the closed-in zone, and a few ri’bot kids laughed at the comment, sparking Valentina’s annoyance.
“You have eyes in the back of your head! It’s not fair,” she snarled, claws keeping her attached to the wood sheets they’d covered them with to give the cat grip; although, they’d really sharpened over the past week and might be able to cut into the sheet metal. “Your chains can attack from anywhere near your body, too, and you keep upgrading them…”
“Adapt,” Elinor returned, flipping her staff around in a twirl; the Roxim were enthralled by the game preview she’d promised, even if watered down. “If someone keeps making the same move over and over again, then you can guide them wherever you want. Do something new.”
“Then I will!” The tiger jumped off the wall with a grin in her bright orange eyes, and Elinor’s chain split space, spike-end aiming right for her eyes. “Predictable!”
Valentina’s hands swiped the air, and Elinor expected a kinetic claw slash attack, but instead, a tiger-themed barrier came into existence. She flipped herself up into a spin, another slash creating another arched platform as Elinor’s chain broke through the one she’d used below.
“How’s that for something new?!”
She shot down from a new angle, pouncing at her. Elinor simply made a slight alteration to her footwork and held her staff against the ground.
[Limit Break Activated: Chain Break I]
“Not—this time!” Valentina snarled, creating new barriers to redirect or reposition as four chains shot from different angles to snag her; all Elinor needed was one to connect for it to be over for the tiger. “Not fast en—”
Elinor smiled, as one of her chains connected to her staff, pulling it in a new direction for the girl’s raised chin to plant squarely on the end. Head jerking back, hisses were heard from the crowd as Valentina went limp, for Elinor to catch out of the air.
“Woop—eh-hehe…” Her chains barely shot inside and repositioned in time to curb the momentum from keeping the tiger and her from falling into a tangled heap. “I’ll admit, that was pretty good, Val.”
“Uggh… My tongue,” she cried, barely understandable as her eyes spun.
“Maybe don’t grin like a fool with your mouth open when attacking?” Elinor chuckled, hearing a commotion from outside as the sound of the gate lowering caught everyone’s attention.
Quin…
“I will take her to the bathing area to rest, Empress.”
Ash jumped down from the platform to join her, gray flaming skull fluttering with his cloak as he joined her side, his voice whispering death. “You still wish me to accompany you, Empress?”
Elinor handed off the stunning tiger girl to Quin and handed the tall visage of death her bo staff. She eyed the war scythe on his back and sickles attached to his armored waist, only just visible behind the thick veil of gray fire.
It’s best to show a little grit during first encounters to show you’re not easily pushed around. Let’s meet our new ally.
Exiting the arena, she saw the green-splotched Chief of the Roxim alone, confusing her a bit. When she neared, the well-armed middle-aged ri’bot gave Ash and her an appraising stare.
“I am here to travel back with the Empress of the Dead to speak with the other Clans Chiefs. The Xaltan seems to be preparing for war.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Elinor glanced toward the communication device they’d planted two months prior. “Well, it’s good we can get things in motion.”
Change of plans, Quin. We’re heading back to the Lethix. Throw Valentina over your shoulders; we’re in a hurry. Ash…
“My sisters and brother are returning, Empress.” His pale horse galloped over, trailing flames as he mounted and held out a hand for her to get on.
Elinor swung up and gave the brooding Warrior Chief a smile. “I hope you aren’t tired or too proud to accept a ride.”
“I brought my own,” he stated, pointing back at the gate where a large war torlim waited.
“No offense,” Elinor laughed, “but I’m positive my horsemen are faster, and speed is what is required.”
He smirked and made a whistle that brought his mount inside and told his warriors to care for him. “Then I will test your confidence, Empress. Fennel has told me you are not one to underestimate, and… with an Elite Hunter at your back, and a mount of flames, I can see why.”
War rushed through the entrance in a trail of crimson flames, laughter deep in his throat and muscular horse rippling with muscle as he stopped in front of the chief. “Shall we ride, Chief Zargoth? I can hear the drums of war!”
Elinor left swift instructions to the Delthax leader to pass along the message; the Xaltan seemed to be taking advantage of the chaos to rush a conflict and take the valley before any side was ready to retaliate. It was just the push she needed to force the Chiefs and their clans to put old grudges aside. The most powerful clan in the valley was on the move.
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