As Vualla stood poised on the rocky outcropping of headquarters and looked down other the battlefield, time seemed to slow. She could pick out every single detail of the Nether Beasts that were leading the charge against the Aether defenders. She could see their inky black fur and talons, hear the reverberating noises of their battlecries.

She could feel their fierce joy as they killed. And she wanted to stop it with every fiber of her being.

This is what Randidly taught me. Vualla thought with remarkable lightness. Her hands clenched into fists. That I always have a choice. Everything I thought, everything I feel… I can choose to do whatever I want. I can follow those desires toward my goal, no matter how unlikely it is. That’s what freedom is.

Surviving if she went down to face that Nether Gatekeeper seemed entirely unlikely because that familiar voice that showed Vualla the track in her life was whispering now that this was too soon. She was too weak. If she went out now, she would die. And even if that was true, Vualla knew she would step forward. Because she wanted to, that was all the reason she needed.

If she wanted to become the person who would make her father proud…

I won’t stand back and wait for when I know the perfect thing to say. Vualla looked down at her gauntlets. I won’t become like these Commanders who wait for their perfect opportunity. Sometimes you just need to step forward and shape the world to become the opportunity you need.

And if I see you again Randidly. I’ll tell you that, to me, you-

But Vualla stopped herself there because the urge to cry rose up in her chest once more. Instead, she fixed her eyes on the Nether Gatekeeper.

“For the sake of your lives… I’ll bear the burden of destruction.” Vualla whispered quietly. Then she took several steps forward. Then she was running, then sprinting, her legs blurring as the distance between her and her target was devoured by her long steps. Soon she had built up so much momentum that each of her steps left a large crater in her wake as she hurtled down the mountain toward the battlefield below.

When she arrived, her image billowed outward and prepared to rip and tear.

*****

For a time after Vualla’s abrupt departure, the discussions of how to address the threat continued. But it was immediately clear that many of the Commanders present were swayed by Vualla’s words. The fact that they shared her opinion was evidenced by the fact that one had spoken up. Despite Lord Miln’s insistence that the Nether Prince was of paramount importance to their strategy, they refused to voice any support of him against Commander Terith’s stance.

Yggdrasil felt rather happy that his treant face was rather naturally unexpressive. Otherwise, he would need to use a branch to cover his smile as Lord Miln’s annoyance became increasingly pronounced.

“...so you will not surrender the Nether Prince for anything less than a direct order,” Lord Miln said grimly. Just as tight-lipped, Commander Terith nodded slowly. The terms of the ultimatum were laid out. Now it just depended on which path Lord Miln took.

Lady Iellaya had given Yggdrasil some background on the behind the scenes politics of the battlefield. Most of the time, the Commanders were perfectly willing to look the other way from what personal projects the Supreme Commander used their influence for… as long as the Supreme Commander refrained from issuing any direct orders to the Commanders.

There seemed to be some sort of code of honor at work to make such a rule workable, to the effect that most Commanders would obey requests even if they didn’t like them as long as they were reasonable. But it seemed that for whatever reason, everyone in the room agreed that handing over the Nether Prince crossed that unspoken line. It was not a reasonable request to make, even with the Nether King breathing down their neck.

Perhaps especially with the Nether King breathing down their neck.

Which made Yggdrasil extremely curious about the Nether Prince. He had just assumed that it was a moderately powerful individual within the Nether hierarchy, but they wouldn’t have such a bitter argument over this individual if they weren’t special beyond that.

After a long glare, Lord Miln looked down at the table. “...well, I suppose that’s enough for now. There is an army at our doorstep, ladies and gentlemen. We all have work to do. You are dismissed.”

Then, after a pause. “Ah, Lady Iellaya and retinue… stay. We must speak on a personal matter.”

Perhaps because of Lord Miln’s obvious pressure on Commander Terith during the meeting and the fact that she had earned significant respect for enduring the lion share’s of the attacks thus far, several Commanders exchanged glances and then looked at Lady Iellaya for guidance before they left the tent. She smiled in thanks for their concern but shook her head slightly. Seeing her decision, the lingering Commanders left.

Very soon, there were only five individuals left within the Command Tent. Lord Miln, Lady Iellaya, Abiodun, Yggdrasil, and the strange Cail Tweocs.

Lord Miln wasted no time. “The image of Randidly Ghosthound that was sent into the Great Rift has fallen heroically in battle. Truly, who could have expected that his Aether Key would be assaulted by the army of the Nether King? His sacrifice will not be forgotten… but per our agreement, the other images of Randidly Ghosthound will now come under my jurisdiction. Believe me, I will remember this favor, Lady Iellaya. If its in my power in the future… I will make your dream come true.”

Cail Tweocs chuckled darkly, but Lady Iellaya just stared at Lord Miln for several seconds. Then she spared Yggdrasil a meaningful glance. The feathers on her arm flexed and then settled back against her skin, as though she was considering something. Finally, she opened her mouth and said. “Does it really need to be this way…?”

Twisting his mouth, Lord Miln said coldly, “Are you trying to avoid our deal, Lady Iellaya?”

“No, I’m just trying to add an addendum to the deal.” Lady Iellaya’s face was carefully blank. “This image owes me a favor. And let’s not beat around the bush; you plan on disposing of this man immediately once you possess jurisdiction over his adrift images. So I would ask that you briefly allow the images to reunite with the body so this man can repay this favor before you take what you want from him.”

Lord Miln stilled. His eyes were strangely haunted as he stared fixed at Lady Iellaya. “What a novel theory. That I would covet the body of a Heretic.”

“Just private speculation. Please, forgive me if I’ve overstepped.” Lady Iellaya barred her teeth toward Lord Miln. “Even with a body and reunited with his images… there is no possibility that this man would be a threat to you, right? What is the harm in allowing me this?”

The atmosphere became increasingly cold. Once more, Cail Tweocs chuckled, a little louder this time. Abiodun gave Yggdrasil a meaningful look that said something like, ‘this is all we can do for you. Please take this chance.’

Yggdrasil shook his leafy canopy in amusement. Truly, what a farce.

While the heavy atmosphere remained heavy, Yggdrasil took a step forward and entered into that powerful battle of wills. “...before we decide anything, I would advise that neither of you jumps to conclusions. Wasn’t it part of the original deal that you would use the array around the body to check the status of the Grim Chimera image?”

Both powerful figures blinked at Yggdrasil.

“...is there any meaning to doing that? Even I cannot stand against the forces of a Nether King,” Lord Miln said with a twist of his mouth. “The image has definitely died.”

Yggdrasil performed a short bow and clasped two branches together. “Then I suppose there is no harm in checking. Please.”

Lord Miln sighed. Lady Iellaya remained silent, but she was looking at Yggdrasil with a burning intensity as her feathers slowly fluffed upward. Her eyes begged him to allow the new deal she was arguing for come to pass rather than pursuing this foolishness. Because once Lord Miln followed the request, he would be much less willing to agree to another.

Yggdrasil didn’t waver. He had faith. He had been told to ready himself, and now it was time for him to act.

Hopefully, I’m reading this right. Yggdrasil admitted to himself inwardly.

“Fine then.” Lord Miln turned away from his desk and scanned the rows of pods behind him. His eyes flicked back and forth for a few seconds, but then he smiled wickedly at one in particular. He raised his hand and swirls of purple energy gathered around his hand. With a light gesture, those swirls of energy formed a complex series of geometric lines and flowed toward the pod in question.

Those strange purple energy glyphs flowed into the pod, and-

...nothing happened.

Lord Miln blinked. Then he coughed awkwardly and made another series of sharp gestures with his hand. This time when the purple glyphs formed, they were much more brilliant and blinding; these had been loaded up with power. With a flick, they flowed forward. But again, when these glyphs sank into the pod, nothing happened.

“The pod failed…?” Lord Miln muttered. Then he turned his sharp gaze toward Yggdrasil. Although the glance was laden with suspicion and killing intent, Yggdrasil did not waver. He simply remained in his half-bow position and let Lord Miln come to his own conclusions.

Slowly, Lord Miln settled down. He turned toward Cail. “Master Tweocs… it seems the body has managed to cut off the bindings of the pod. I am unsure how this would be possible… but it might mean he has a few tricks up his sleeve. Can I trouble you to suppress anything that he attempts.”

“Of course,” Cail Tweocs piped up with glimmering eyes. “I have long wished to meet Randidly Ghosthound. This is just… some extra anticipation. Hehehe…. I do hope he has something extraordinarily special planned for this. Otherwise… well, I have been told my disappointment is disastrous for those who betray my faith…”

Yggdrasil shivered. But he believed. The main body knew what he was doing.

Much more assured now that he had Cail Tweocs’ agreement, Lord Miln moved. For the first time since Yggdrasil had seen him, Lord Miln left his desk and walked directly over toward the offending pod, which continued to stand completely unresponsive. Once he was right in front of it, Cail tried to open it once more with the purple energy. The sigils disappeared once more without a trace. Shaking his head, Lord Miln began to conjure a set of heavy purple armor for himself out of that same energy.

When he bristled like a lavender fortress of neon light, he reached around the side of the pod and engaged a hidden mechanism. There was a terrible grinding noise as Lord Miln forced the gears to move, and then there was a light pop as the pod cracked open.

Energy crackled outward as a dense wave of Nether spread outward. The air began to vibrate and warp. The metal of the pod hissed and steamed as the energy rushed outward and immediately began to corrode the surrounding pods. Alarmed, Lord Miln took several steps backward and glared at the opening.

The hissing slowed to a sigh as more and more slate-grey smoke billowed out of the opened pod. Snorting, Cail Tweocs waved his hand. “These sort of amateur tricks…!”

A gust of wind whipped away all of the smoke, revealing the contents of the pod to everyone present.

Lord Miln’s jaw dropped. “The body… is gone…?”