Elinor walked through cracked doors as her minions opened them, ordering them to shut it again. She barely noticed the grand display of the hallway’s aesthetics as she made her way to the entrance. The pulse of thunder occasionally shook the tower.

He couldn’t handle being under someone else … it’s not like I don’t understand him. Still, I can’t help but feel annoyed … angry even; Emotional Loss can be such a bother. If only I could turn off hate, can I? No, didn’t think so.

If I got my hands on a Warlord, then I could have started making plans to advance, but now … now I’m back to square one. If I can’t defend myself with an ax, then I’ve got to build up my defense. There’s no possible future where they don’t attack me. Not only is it logical, but emotionally it makes sense. The Toads went to Earth for…

Her steps slowed, but her minions had already caught up to her much shorter strides; she told them to go crack open the door in advance, green irises falling to the gemstone mosaic floor.

I don’t know exactly why they went through the crystal. What were they after? Are they having some kind of social or economic issues that I can exploit? I need more information.

Her focus moved to Dalria as she appeared; the two Quen’Talrat pulled on the golden rungs, opening the way for her to exit. Both the Toad-woman and Yaltha’ma hurried to their feet but kept their silence; they followed her with their eyes as she strode past them, stopping beside Ke’Thra’Ma’s skeletal remains.

She took one last glance at the colossal bones before turning her vision up toward the murals.

Things are looking up, despite the setback. Ke’Thra’Ma left me a wonderful inheritance … his sanctuary, especially. Now that I have a chance to catch my breath, what are the most pressing issues?

Our defense is critical; Edmon is working on identifying our weak points. It would be best to keep him at work. However, he’ll need workers to be able to accomplish those tasks. I need to max out my current unintelligent units, preferably with Quen’Talrat … although, perhaps a few of the Thélméthra would be helpful.

If the Thélméthra are like normal spiders and can use silk or some kind of variant … the issue would be getting them to a high enough level to regain some of their organic forms. It’s the same for … wait, can unintelligent undead regain their original forms … ah, okay, they can. However, it depends on what type they are.

Tiffany, are you finished with Gwen’s ritual?

“Yes, she was so cute and nervous! I love having the little thing around. She’s now working on having the Yaltha’ma carry out all the rubble that their small bodies can handle. Oh, and I learned that the main sect of our little fox-monkies has two-thousand three hundred and eleven followers. It’s a start.”

Are you busy with something?

“Oh, goodness, I should have noticed you were looking for me to do something; I kind of lost myself exploring!” She chuckled apologetically. “Nothing of significant importance. I’m just looking around to find anything of value. How is the conversation going with Ke’Thra’Ma?”

A dead-end. He will not be joining us.

“The nerve; after offering him the chance to serve you! We should throw his bones in one of the hydrothermal pools.”

Yes, I’m angry, but I also understand his position, and after gaining a better understanding of his past, I doubt he would have been that compatible with an Empire of diverse races. I respect him, but I am still bitter about the results. No, what I need from you is to study this Life Energy room.

“Oh! What a treat! I’ll have my guide bring me back to you at once.”

Another thing, Tiffany.

“Just say the word.”

Elinor took a moment to collect her thoughts, trying to use the thunder outside to refocus; Dalria and Te’la were both fidgetting as they watched her, not daring to ask her anything.

I learned that unintelligent undead can gain ranks and level up; they can even regain their flesh and meat, but what are the limitations on that? Could you explain that part of my abilities while you make your way to me?

“It would be my pleasure! So, the only difference between unintelligent and intelligent undead is their capacity to function without orders. The unintelligent ones can even understand a certain set of rules or a routine, but they’re basically no different than a computer program. They must be told what to do and when to stop.

“That’s it; they can gain levels, gain a class, and have all manner of abilities related to them; however, you would need to individually rank each of them up or give them orders as to which abilities to take. It’s a lot of macro and micro work, which is why you’d normally put intelligent undead in charge of managing them. Is there something you had in mind?”

Yes, I think we need to strengthen our workforce. Since Ke’Thra’Ma will not be joining us, our ability to mount an offensive will be severely limited. I think we need to focus on bolstering our defenses and army before the Toads have time to prepare.

“Hmm … we could, but we do have the option of creating Assassin-Class minions to act as forward units. I was talking it over with Edmon, trying to come up with a strategy that we could bring to you, and it seems like the most favorable option.

“Our reasoning is the Thélméthra; after picking the brain of a few of the Elder Yaltha’ma … oh, not literally,” she added with a tinkling laugh, “but we learned that they were quite adept assassins … very similar to spiders in our world. They sound like truly devilish creatures that adapt quickly to their environment.”

“Hmm,” Dalria and Te’la both stiffened as she folded her hands behind her back, staring down at the floor below; they shifted a bit around the throne to stare at her, expecting her to say something, but Elinor paid them little mind.

Interesting … what abilities does the Assassin-Class have, and have you been able to determine which Grade their spirits are, based on their stories?

“Oh, too many to list, and each minion that is given the Assassin-Class will develop Sub-Classes and divert their focus based on their skills in life. They are all brought into the confines of the system, sharing a piece of your power to grow and develop themselves within the parameters you set, if you do give them a path; if they’re left to develop themselves, then they’d naturally gravitate toward their familiar skillset.”

Right … I recall your earlier explanation.

“That being said, I do have something that … umm, I’d like to do with them. I mean, the Queen at least is of Mythic-Grade based on what I’ve heard. If she was able to put up a fight against Ke’Thra’Ma, then she’d need to be at least at that quality. There’s also the details I’ve heard about their conflict … she was at a significant disadvantage.

“Ke’Thra’Ma held something the Yaltha’ma call God’s Fire … they describe it as white flames; it’s no wonder they call him the White God. Anyways, he could burn their thread with ease and used different mythical weapons. I mean, he was a real brute from what I’m hearing. The weapons were something he’d found on his journey; sadly, they were taken by some of the other races.

“However, the Queen managed to damage the gorilla, despite him using tools and being at a type advantage. She hurt him more than anything ever had, and she poisoned him … what a lady she must have been, which weakened him substantially. At the height of the war, with the races rushing into the fortress, and ill from the disease, he fell in battle against the highest elite warriors of the other races.

“I heard he was quite stubborn and foolish about his invulnerability, however, since there were open wounds … he lost two arms and a leg to the Queen and her daughters … he still thought it was no big deal. On second thought, perhaps it was better he didn’t join us,” she mused. “He had the protagonist syndrome … indomitable will would carry him through everything. Who needs blood? Being poisoned … that’s for the weak!” She laughed.

Hope started to spark in Elinor’s chest, which was soon dulled to be replaced by anticipation; she recalled how the massive white ape had cursed the Queen. Her experience with the creature had opened her eyes in many ways.

Say what you will, Tiffany, he certainly was a sight to behold. I suppose there was a reason why he was a Transcendent-Grade spirit; he was not weak. If he’d only taken a few different steps in life … I guarantee you, it would have been him and not the Toads that attacked that town.

“Oh? Was he that impressive?”

Even without hearing his life story, I certainly empathize with him; he was a pillar of a creature. We just weren’t compatible.

“Well, if you respect him, then I wish I could have been present to listen to your conversation. I bet it was spectacular! I’m about halfway back to the Throne Room.”

She turned to stare at the Toad-woman and Yaltha’ma two meters to her left, standing in the gray light of the neighboring throne. She silently appraised them, causing them to fidget.

I need to gain some information from Dalria and send Te’la to prepare her group for my visit. Could you inform Edmon of the development? I like the plan you two came up with; we can solidify the details later, and ease his mind about not being present. We require a suitable defense as soon as possible.

“Of course! I’ll console the worrywart; he’s such a nervous Nellie. It’s too easy to tease him.” She said with a fond tone.

Thanks, Tiffany. I’ll see you when you arrive.

“Should I run? Maybe I should … I want to see this Life Room!”

Elinor giggled, causing both Dalria and Te’la to force down a hard swallow, oblivious to her conversation. No need to rush.

“So,” she said with a small smile, “Te’la.”

The creature swiftly bowed her head. “Y-Yes, Empress E-Elinor?”

“Do you have a name for the Thélméthra Queen?”

She quickly shook her head. “N-No … it’s been lost over the generations.”

“I see … go tell your leader, the one that speaks for your entire group, that I will be coming to meet them. Once you have set up the meeting, then return to guide me. I don’t expect they’ll be too accepting with just your word, but let them know that I will be coming. If they fight, then they’ll die … and you know death is not the end with me.

“However, it is not my intention to harm them. I have come to help bring the Hidden Ones out of the shadows, and I look forward to meeting the Thélméthra Queen. My meeting with Ke’Thra’Ma was quite … illuminating.”

Dalria’s eyes shot to the bones atop the throne before returning to her. “D-Does that mean…”

“No, I will respect Ke’Thra’Ma’s wishes; he will be at peace. He’s fought his fight, and I’m pleased with what he has left me.”

“Empress Elinor—I-Isn’t going to bring back the White God?” Te’la whispered, head still bowed.

“No. He has served me more than he knows. I am pleased with what he has done.”

“T-Then—Te’la goes to deliver Empress Elinor’s message!”

She watched the little fox-monkey break into a run, leaping down the steps to disappear beyond the room. Once she was gone, Elinor turned her focus back to Dalria, smile fading. “Now, while I wait for Tiffany to arrive, why don’t we get to the bottom of things?”

Dalria rubbed her left wrist, chest fluttering. “W-What do you mean? Tiffany … why—why is she coming?” She asked, voice cracking.

Tiffany terrifies her. I can’t blame her, though … if Tiffany were my enemy, then I’d be horrified, too. Wait … am I empathizing with Dalria? That’s odd. Tiffany still has that image of the beautiful happy mom I remember, but she has this new obsessive edge that can even send a chill down my own spine.

Her compassion is gone … no, it’s not. Her kindness has been completely driven toward me. Sympathy is strongest within people’s in-groups … it’s a hierarchy in itself. I never thought about that. I’m at the top of her focus list, so everything revolves around me. When people were talking about bias’ in school … huh. We’re all bias in terms of empathy; we love our dogs more than others.

Compassion is one of the biggest sources of in-group bias, then. A mother grizzly bear, protecting her cub … that’s what I’ve turned my dad and mom into. I never thought about it before, but empathy is not a limitless moral virtue. Interesting … actually, in history class, people with compassion on their mind have committed some of the most atrocious acts on record. It depends on who you’re empathizing with…

Letting the thought trail go, she returned her focus to Dalria as she trembled, waiting for an answer. “You don’t need to worry about Tiffany; you just need to answer my questions. Understand?”

Dalria flinched as if she’d whipped her. “Y-Yes.”

The reaction made Elinor pause for a moment. It’s crazy how much someone can change in such a short time … she was so powerful and confident. I suppose anyone would crack under the same circumstances.

“Hmm,” Elinor’s lips fell a little as she watched Darlia avoid eye contact, staring at her feet. “What can you tell me about the reason you attacked my world?”

“I—I don’t know why the Chief decided to accept the alliance with the Roxim and Delthax Clans. It was the—the … I can’t remember—everything’s a b-blur.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Explain.”

“I’ve been—there’s just—it’s hard to remem—recall … my mind,” she stammered and quaked, bowing her head a little more, “my mind isn’t—I don’t—my memories … a lot.”

Tiffany…

“Yes? I’m only a few minutes off; I’m just walking down the main road. The storm is about to really come down. The rain should be heavy … I just remembered this is a jungle.” She chuckled.

Dalria says she’s having issues remembering things.

Tiffany let go of a ponderous hum in Elinor’s mind; she began to examine Dalria’s situation with an edge of excitement. “Ah, yes, that could be a side effect. I mean, the thing has been under an intense amount of stress, for one. I’d be surprised if she weren’t having memory loss with the rapid changes to her brain chemistry. Let’s see … if I were to compile the possible outcome…

“First, we captured her, which, as she explained, was a major taboo and not supposed to happen with her fundamental beliefs. She was forced into servitude and unable to even take her own life—another blow to her core beliefs.

“The Blood Subservience Ritual compels compliance through pain; the intensity of it could easily explain away time lapses in her cognitive ability. Couple that with the constitutional fear of Ke’Thra’Ma, what you’re accomplishing, and the parasite that I inserted … well, that’s another issue that could be causing problems.

“My little darling was already making its home in her mind, making a home, finding the best feeding pathways … leaving behind alterations with its movements as directed. Extracting it just as it was latching on could have also caused some lingering issues; however, the mind is shockingly resilient, given time, she should recover.”

Elinor took a long breath before letting it out in a slow stream, trying to listen to Dalria’s babbling words while gaining the appropriate information from Tiffany.

Thanks, Tiffany. I’ll see you in a moment.

“My pleasure!”

The only things she could gather from Dalria’s jumbled phrases were, “Crystals must be dealt with … conquer is the only way … glory … resources … right of passage … secret treaties mission.”

Elinor held up her hand. “That’s all, Dalria.”

The Toad-woman breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing her sides as she retreated a few steps. Elinor turned her attention back to the floor below as she thought.

She was fine twenty minutes ago … a little frightened, but not this babbling mess. I can’t really say it was anything done by an external party; I doubt Te’la did anything. Dalria may be under control, but she’s still an extremely fast warrior. It’s not likely it was the Yaltha’ma.

I suppose it’s just a psychotic break; the stress just became too much when I asked her about their mission. It may not seem like that big of a deal for me, but to her, it was probably a massive betrayal … her culture is so honor driven that it was the final straw.

She looked back at the warrior as she twitched; Dalria was sweating, pulses running down her body from time to time as she mumbled an unintelligible phrase every so often.

“Dalria?”

A few seconds passed before her head snapped up. “Y-Y-Yes?”

“Take a break; relax a little in this room.”

“N-No more—q-questions?”

“Not at this time; why don’t you try to get some sleep. You must be exhausted.”

“T-Thank you,” she replied jerkily, almost mechanically lying down beside the throne; sharp shakes cascaded down her body at uneven intervals, but she closed her eyes, clearly trying to sleep.

“You don’t have to sleep if you don’t want to … just try to relax, and if you want to, then you can sleep.”

“Y-Yes…”

Elinor glanced down as she heard Tiffany’s soft hum echoing through the halls; her cheerful tone seemed a bit unnatural for the environment. The woman was walking with purpose, but not rushed. She still wasn’t used to seeing her mother’s exposed skin; the lower part of her shirt had been threaded into a sort of shoulder bag that she seemed to have found the time to reinforce.

If these spiders are skilled at weaving … maybe they can make some new clothes. Perhaps I should look into that once we get a bit more free time.

Tiffany’s smile grew as she sent down one of the Quen’Talrat to carry her up to the platform. “Oh, how thoughtful; thank you, Empress Elinor! Edmon was rather distraught when I informed him, but he understood the circumstances,” She said with delight as she moved to sit on the skeletal beast’s palm.

“He was rather elated by the news that you’d accepted our plan. I swear, he did a few cheers in his mind … alas, that’s likely the best I can imagine the poor man doing. He’s so stiff!”

Her lips fell once reaching the top. “My goodness … I didn’t think it would be that bad; is she muttering in her sleep?”

Elinor shook her head, looking over at Dalria; her sharp tremors increased upon hearing Tiffany’s voice, and she released a mix of groans and grunts that were only intelligible to herself. “I told her to try to relax and sleep if she could.”

Her minion set the witch down beside her, and Tiffany’s lips became a line as she folded her arms underneath her chest. “Hmm … if it’s this bad, I might need to administer a sedative-hypnotic agent. I did bring some Calgar Root.”

“Go ahead and use it; if you think it’s needed.”

She hummed thoughtfully while extracting the ingredients, using the knife to press the juices out and her fire to collect it. Bending down to Dalria’s twitching body, she cleared her throat. “Open up, Dalria … there we go … close and swallow. There we go; give it a few seconds and … passed out!”

“I didn’t think there would be an adjustment phase,” Elinor whispered.

“Yes, well … we’ve had other things to concern ourselves with,” Tiffany said with a light giggle. “However, this does make me worry about Gwen … the poor woman is under similar stress … mixed with a whole lot of loss. Perhaps I’ll need to prescribe her some sleep to rest her mind.”

The question seemed to pop out without her realizing it. “Will I sleep again?”

“No,” Tiffany said with a short sigh. “Sleep is not something we undead are blessed with. Although, time-lapses are possible if there is a temporary loss of power! So, I suppose that might count. However, dreams … no.”

“Hmm,” Elinor glanced down at Dalria’s peaceful form as her throat and chest expanded in slow rhythms. “It’s interesting to find the sacrifices required for … whatever I am now.”

Her eyes lifted as she ordered her minions to open the doors again; she left Garu at the throne to warn her if anyone else entered the room. “In any case, let’s see what you can make of this room.”

Tiffany clapped her hands together before rubbing her shoulders with anticipation. “Tingles are shooting through my body! I’m so excited! A room full of Life Energy? This could be a diamond mine for the Empire. Of course, Edmon sees a massive bomb, but it could be so much more.”

Walking through the cracked doorway, she had her minions close it before moving to pull the golden rungs on the second barrier. Tiffany glanced around at the dark hallway, displaying their cosmic representation.

“Interesting taste,” Tiffany mused. “I suppose it’s meant to illustrate the ascension to heaven. The rise to godhood.”

Elinor’s irises lifted to observe the designs on the ceiling. “I didn’t think about that … it would fit Ke’Thra’Ma’s personality. He saw himself as transcending the confines that fate had dictated to his race … raising them out of the depths of their bondage with a trail of gore.”

“He must have been an engaging conversationalist! What did they look … oh, my…” Tiffany trailed off as her minions opened the doors ahead of them, casting the brilliant glow into the hall.

They stepped onto the grass in silence; her minions came inside, closing the door. Elinor nodded. “It sort of does have that feeling of stepping into heaven.”

She snapped her right index and middle fingers, four orange flames sparking into existence as she hurried to each flower, passing her fires through everything she could while muttering to herself. Tiffany seemed to be in her own little world, moving from object to object, examining every inch of it before passing to the next.

Elinor casually made her way to the massive tree in the center, eyes centered on the branches, and leaving the witch to her craft. While she waited for Tiffany to procure answers, she let the calming atmosphere soak through her.

Demon was the first to mention the hate inside me … how will I respond when my fury rises … how will the dredges of my wrath forge the malleable seed within me? Ke’Thra’Ma mentioned something similar … still, I wish I could have witnessed their failing hearts when they finally realize what stands before them … a hurricane with an inferno raging below.

My emotions are all over the place, but my racials are keeping them dulled to the point where I can function. It’s hard for me to express my rage since it’s suppressed by the Reactive Skills of my Kind … Empress.

Her mind naturally turned back to one of the Aviator songs she’d listened to several hours earlier, No One Will Save You. The image of the pure serenity surrounding her, twisted and used to fuel her vision of the future coursed through her thoughts.

A smirk lit her lips as she studied the red monolith; the words of the song continued to unfold in her mind. Her eyes wandered toward the brilliant fruits growing out of the leafless branches.

I don’t know what form my hatred will transform into, but I don’t see it going away. It’s only because of this seed that I can stay calm … I’m forced into this box, but that’s only proving to temper my wrath.

Her green irises moved to Tiffany’s enthralled face as she began to study the ice bridge, mumbling to herself as she slid her fingers down one of the main posts, set into the dirt. After a moment, she walked back down to join her.

Tiffany’s glowing orange eyes and smooth fingers followed the ice railing. “This is … marvelous, Elinor. Eternal Ice … I don’t sense any enchantments cast upon it. It would require something like … thermite to shape it.”

The witch’s focus moved back to the flowers. “The white ones smell like freshly baked bread! My mouth’s watering just thinking about it … but my former self…”

Elinor giggled, finishing her statement. “You were on a bread-free diet to keep your weight in check.”

“It was so unfair,” Tiffany said with a sad smile. “I love the taste, but now that I’m undead, we’ll have to make some! No need to worry about my weight now.”

“We can eat?”

“Of course!” She looked up at the Triforce symbol, lips pursing as she held her left index finger to her chin. “Well … if the undead is a high enough rank … and a Flesh-Type, but those are the two requirements. Oh, oh, and the flowers release pollen that combats viral infections!”

“What about the Queen’s poison? Is it not strong enough to work against that if Ke’Thra’Ma couldn’t rid himself of it?”

“Oh, so, their bite isn’t really viral or bacterial in nature; she injected her venom into the ape. I’ve picked one of the Elder’s brains on their effects, and there are actually several types of poison they can use, but among those is the standard neurotoxic and necrotic venom.

“From the story, she must have used both on him; the neurotoxin weakened him while whatever type of necrotic venom she used—it ate right through his flesh and even his bone. It’s quite fascinating!”

“Can I use them as power?”

Tiffany’s cheer fell. “Unfortunately … nothing so far. These certainly are miraculous materials, and I could use many of them in a great many rituals; however, they could not be converted into usable energy for you. This water…”

She dropped one of her flames into the liquid before running her fingers through it; Elinor was a little surprised to find it completely undamaged when she lifted it up to sample it. “Tastes like sugar … how fun!”

“You can touch it? A single drop dissolves my skin.”

“Ah,” Tiffany brushed her hair back as she released a low hum. “Your Artificial Body is a Death Energy construct; it’s utilized into a corporeal form, but ultimately, it’s just energy. You know, E equals MC squared and all, good ol’ Einstein; however, I am not. I may be kept alive by it, but it’s not like the water can really purify me unless it’s literally pumped into my veins.” She chuckled.

“Oh, but your diamonds are a hub for Death Energy … we cannot be throwing this life infused water at you! We should be careful—for sure, but sadly, even this water is not in a pure form for you to draw from. Perhaps its source stones, that you mentioned before.”

Feeling a little upset about the disappointing news, she tried to hold out hope. “What about the fruit or tree?”

Tiffany puffed her left cheek to the side as she eyed one of the nine white trees on the outside. “I checked those trees, and while yes, they are drawing in the life water, it’s not living water … if that makes sense. It provides support, but it is not a basis of what you can draw energy from. If a creature bathed in this water while you drained it, then it would give you more.”

Rising, she walked over to the center tree, studying the monolith with interest. “This looks promising, though! Let’s see…” Her tone died as she slid her fingers down the structure, pressing her flames up against it.

Elinor’s black lips dropped a bit as she moved around to study the witch. She seemed to be in deep concentration, and after a moment, she hummed, moving to the roots before following it up the trunk, finally reaching one of the few fruits in range.

“What is it?”

“Give me a moment … there’s a lot to examine and connect.”

A few more minutes passed as she walked around the tree, running her fingers over the long twisted trunk and glowing red monolith. Eventually, she plucked one of the fruits, twisting it around in her hand and playing with it in the fire, muttering, “Fascinating … interesting … unusual … it might just work.”

“What might work?”

“Oh, my apologies,” Tiffany said, tone still low as she hugged herself, arms holding up her chest for a moment as she took a deep breath, studying the glowing fruit in her fire. “The pillar is some kind of conversion tool, but … there’s something very peculiar about it; it is definitely a lot more complicated than just that. It’s been programmed to do this simple task.

“It is capable of so much more … I say that, but I can’t exactly say how or what it could do. We’d probably need to fill the Royal Cabalist Title to get someone with the proper expertise to examine it to be sure.”

“Royal Cabalist?”

“Ah, that’s the Arcanist of the Royal Court; in the magic circle, you have the Arcanist, Necromantics, and Witchery Classes. There are a lot of subdivisions, but those are the primary schools.”

Another piece I don’t have yet. I suppose that will have to wait. “You were going to say something else about the fruit or tree?”

“Yes,” she turned her attention back to the tree before her orange irises slid to the water. “The Life Stone is releasing Life Water, which is being absorbed by the flora; however, the tree is sucking it up, and the pillar is aiding in converting it back into raw Living Energy, which has changed the tree’s structure itself.

“I wouldn’t go so far to say that it’s alive, but it’s like the catalyst for life; the fruit it is producing … in essence, this fruit is exactly what you’d expect from a fairy tale. If a grandpa ate this fruit, then it would restore vitality to all of his cells, renewing them, and returning him to the days of his prime.

“Now, that’s a rather wasted effect of its properties; we’re talking about a cure to … basically everything. This is pure Life Force … unblemished … refined … in comparison to humans, this is botulinum toxin to you, the most toxic substance in existence to a Lich. However…”

“However?” Elinor pressed, feeling her excitement skyrocket.

A wicked smile lit Tiffany’s smooth lips. “It’s usable … an extremely potent source of energy for you … more than thousands of lives. A single drop could return a stage four cancer-ridden elderly man to a spry bel homme.” She said, reverting to her French roots.

“Perfect!”

“That being said,” Tiffany’s smile turned forced. “You cannot touch it, and I suspect that given an extended period of time here, you might experience some adverse effects with the energy radiating out of the fruit. The skin actually acts as an amazing container, but the energy contained inside is so condensed that it’s even bypassing that to a certain extent.

“Prolonged exposure for myself would probably start to have an effect! The waters down there would kill the skeleton units you have since they don’t have any outer protection against the cleansing effects, but this thing is like a living nuke if utilized properly.”

“So, I should use Life Tap on it?”

Tiffany’s lips became a line as she studied the fruit. “That would work, but I suspect it won’t be quite that easy. Because of the skin, keeping the energy in, it will be difficult to extract the energy. I think you’ll need to level up Life Tap to make better use of it.”

Elinor hummed darkly, glaring at the small object in Tiffany’s flame, floating in front of them. “I guess cutting it open wouldn’t be good?”

The witch shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m just hesitant to attempt it; if it went off like a grenade or nuke, then goodbye us. I suggest we keep this area off-limits, and the doors always shut; it’s a good thing Ke’Thra’Ma designed it to be so isolated.

“This is like a Nuclear Power Plant for you that could detonate on us if we’re not careful. Extremely useful and clean energy, but it does carry with it devastating consequences. This could solve your energy issues for … basically forever if we can better understand it.”

Activating Life Tap, she quickly grasped what her advisor was saying; the process of absorbing the energy was slow, but the power was astonishing. “It’s … I’ve already doubled the amount of Death Energy I got from that creature Quin brought back … yet, extracting it is as slow as molasses.”

Tiffany breathed a long sigh. “Trying to corrupt the Life Energy of something so dense and shielded is difficult.” After a bit of time, Tiffany rubbed her shoulders, looking up at the tree as a shiver ran down her body.

Elinor’s brow furrowed as she watched the familiar creases in her former mother’s face. What could possibly scare her? “Is something the matter?”

“I’m concerned about—what will happen when these fruits ripen … fall … what will they become? With the amount of energy they hold … it just worries me. We don’t know the time limit or the consequences.”

Eyes returning to Tiffany’s fire, Elinor folded her arms, watching the thick green fog leaving the fruit, leading to her earrings as she absorbed the energy. “We’ll have to consult Edmon … I’d rather not make Ke’Thra’Ma’s same mistake. Demon said he’d never met creatures with such hubris as humans … let’s make sure we don’t fall into that trap.”

Swapping to their private communication, Elinor continued.

We have our own Nuclear Reactor that could be my death … this should only stay between you, Edmon, and me, not even the future Royal Court. This is our ace in the hole and my kryptonite. Now, I just need to get the Thélméthra on-board.