Lance glances at me with a frown, her expression void of relief. She is worried, but not for herself. Still, she sets her helmet on and leads her two friends towards the Rykz, flanked by the Duke's personal guard on every side except this one.

“You're working with these creatures?!” The Duke rages.

The outburst makes the construct he's shaping lose stability so he focuses back on it. Alarm bells resound throughout the castle. The warriors finish forming their shield wall around me and start pushing out towards the soldiers.

I throw a glance over my shoulder, the rest of the Rykz aren't showing up, they remain in the hallway. I bring my hammer down on the stone ground and yell, hoping that it'll be enough to call the two other groups over.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“Elizabeth!” Leomi exclaims.

I turn back, finding that the warriors are not only blocking them but also swinging their sabers to keep them at a distance. I make my way to her whiling pushing the drones away.

They split the shield wall to let them in but don't allow them to approach me. I frown and grab one of the Rykz by the arm to force it aside. Leomi sheathes her sword and they slowly move to allow her near me.

“We need to retreat before he finishes that construct.” Yvonne speaks up.

She's keeping an eye on the warriors but doesn't seem nearly on her guard as Edusa who is making them nervous by keeping her guard up. I slowly reach out to her with my hammer and make her lower her weapon.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“I don't have any more pheromones to mark you, so don't do anything stupid.” I tell her sharply.

“You need to retreat, Elizabeth. We're both low on flow and there aren't enough Rykz to handle...” Lance stops, looking over my shoulder.

The warriors who were holding in the hallway enter my range of detection, they're advancing at trotting pace. Marec is calling for the soldiers to use their lion strikes. I smirk and send the 'survival' signal to my limb. A few moments later, the battle intensifies as the Rykz switch from defense to wild offense.

Those on the front-line bring their shields up and step forward to bash their opponents while the secondary line throws stabbing attacks by using the spaces in-between. Half a dozen of the Duke's men directly fall under the coordinated assault, twice that number are injured. The warriors no doubt used flow to increase the speed and strength of their blows.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

The men at arms retaliate, slicing through twenty Rykz within a single minute by making use of the fact that the shield wall is no longer impermeable. I grit my teeth, somewhat saddened by the loss, but don't change my order. This is a sustainable trade.

“Leave.” I tell Lance. “I'll, shit.”

I grab Yvonne and Edusa by the collar and jump away just as Duke Meria unleashes his construct. A long and thin golden needle flashes through the spot we occupied a split second ago, burying itself in the stone floor. It pierced through three warriors and left a hole in their ranks.

The Rykz replenish their lines instantly, before the men at arms can take advantage. Our reinforcements even allow them to start flanking the soldiers. Whoosh. Crack. The air contained in the construct is released all at once, throwing me to the ground as rock fragments shower us.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

All the warriors that stood close by are blown away, sprawling to the ground and disrupting their formation. The Duke's personal guards rush through the gap, finishing off many drones before they can get back up on their legs.

Lance sustained the explosion by kneeling, using her armor's weight to absorb the shockwave. It allows her to be the first to move and intercept them. I hurriedly get to my feet and join my Lady.

I raise my weapon and deliver an overhead blow aimed at a woman at arm's torso. She tries to block with her shield but my attack shatters it and she falls down with a cry.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

My Lady and I then throw ourselves in the middle of the melee, she lets me take point and acts as my shield while I unleash wild swings that the soldiers find themselves unable to contain. I detect Yvonne and Edusa moving to cover Leomi's back.

The warriors close in on their flanks, having recovered and rearranged their ranks to adapt to the new battlefield. The soldiers that spearheaded into our lines end up having to retreat, having failed to decisively break our formation.

They lose six to my and Leomi's attacks, and another three from the Rykz who retaliate. Pools of Red and brown blood are left in the wake of their attack, mixing together to make a dark orange slippery fluid.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

Meria extends his hand out from his throne. Golden flow trickles out of Count Marec's back. Behind me, I detect that my Lady's energy is also leaving her and headed towards an incomplete construct floating over the Duke's hand.

“I renounce my oath!” Leomi exclaims, yet it is too late as what little she had left in her reserves is now headed towards the Noble.

She runs towards two crosses spears hanging on the throne room's wall. I follow her, understanding what she's trying to do. She picks one up and turns to throw it at Meria who jumps off his bulky seat, losing his hold on the two streams of flow heading towards him.

“My Lord, I need th.” Marec protests, rushing over to the man.

“You're useless, Marec.” The Duke cuts him off, grabbing him by the collar to stand, reaffirming his hold on the energy.

I grab the other spear in my left hand and use the last of my own flow to assemble a lion strike. I throw it at Meria who sees it coming, using the Count as a shield. The projectile goes through his stomach but misses the Duke.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“Henry! Margaret!” Edusa calls out.

I glance around, finding two of Lance's followers running in the throne room from the double doors of the main entrance to our right. Their spiked maces are dripping with red blood and they wield stolen shields. Behind them are eight other Nobles with similarly bloody swords.

“Retreat!” Duke Meria yells, dropping the injured Count. “Hold them here, Marec.” He adds, cruelly.

The men at arms split from the Rykz and leap back, obviously using lion's step constructs. They gather around their Lord who is receiving Leomi's flow. He focuses on finishing his construct, shaping it like a sphere.

I slam my hammer on the ground, the warriors immediately stop pursuing and hold their ground, reforming the shield wall. Barely in time as the Duke throws the construct at their feet. He then turns and runs towards an exit behind his throne.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“We can't let him run!” Lance exclaims.

She pursues, too slowly to have any hope of catching up without flow to help move her heavy armor. Not a good idea. I rush after her, pulling energy from the healing construct anchored to my leg injuries to feed a single lion's step. I kick the floor, reopening a few of my wounds, and tackle her to the ground.

The golden sphere expands, rising in the air and deploying into dozens of spikes that split into hundreds of needles. The Rykz close their shield wall around us while the construct spins, accelerating. It becomes blurry in moments and shoots its projectiles at an insane speed.

They batter the warrior's shields, they don't seem to be piercing through the Vuskyt metal but many find gaps and puncture their bodies, exploding inside and projecting brown viscous blood outwards.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

Despite their losses, the Rykz' discipline remains unshaken and they move to fill the holes in their formation and protect us from the deadly rain. Yet, it is insufficient as the maneuver opens up holes in the shield wall and costs many drones their lives.

My Lady suddenly rolls over, covering me with her body. Clink, clink. A few missiles hit her, I focus on my limb's sense and make sure that she isn't hurt. I notice dents in her armor but the golden air needles aren't getting through the steel.

The bombardment suddenly stops. I glance over her shoulder, finding that the spherical construct has expended its ammunition and is dissipating. Lance leans in, touching helmets with me.

“Are you okay?” She asks, her worried voice echoing inside the metal.

“I am, thanks.” I reply.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

We stand together, helping each other get to their feet. I first take hold of her right hand before inspecting the area. Lance's followers weren't attacked by the construct that concentrated its fire on me and the Rykz.

Yvonne and Edusa, on the other hand, sport nasty wounds. The first has had a small chunk of her left thigh blown off and it's bleeding profusely. The second's sword is broken and there is a metal shard planted in her stomach. It doesn't seem lethal. The two young women are already applying healing constructs.

Lance breaks our handhold to go check on them, her followers join up with her. The Duke is long gone by now, shit. Marec is dragging himself out of the room, grasping at a barely visible strand of flow and panicking as he tries to heal before he bleeds out.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

I look over the Rykz who saved our lives. Only a few dozen remain and they're all injured in some way, from severed claws to legs hanging by a single string-like muscle. The majority of those who fell were hit in their flat head, the carapace protecting their brains unable to block the missiles. I pat each of their backs, taking the time to thank them even if they don't understand the gesture.

They gather around me, interposing themselves between me and Lance's faction who have their weapons bared, glaring at my warriors with suspicion. I raise my hammer and deposit it on my shoulder.

“Lance, did you let her drag us into an open conflict with the Duke?” Margaret asks loudly.

“No. Meria wants to hold the wall until morning. He plans to sacrifice the population to give himself a chance to escape to Port-Odo with as many soldiers as he can bring.” She replies without looking up as she applies rudimentary bandages around Yvonne's thigh.

“That despicable little worm.” Henry swears.

“We need to catch him before he reaches the Temple, Leomi.” Yvonne says, her voice tight with pain.

“I'm not leaving you here.” She shakes her head.

“You're not, I'm coming.” Yvonne smiles thinly.

“Let's go then. We don't have time to argue about it.” I intervene.

Rh-hyyyyy, kszz.

“Shush.” I add.

I head out of the throne room, the warriors move along and maintain their defensive circle around me. I hear Edusa and Yvonne groan as they're helped to their feet. Leomi accelerates to walk by my side, the Rykz surprise me by letting her inside without hindering her.

“Are we seriously going to let these creatures roam the streets?” Some blond Noble I don't know asks.

“These warriors saved your lives.” I utter with anger. “They've done less damage to the Izla than you Nobles and your backstabbing culture.”

“Says the unfaithful traitor.” He sneers.

“Fuck you.” I reply, hurt more by the reminder that I cheated on her than anything else. “None of you cared that I dealt with the Rykz and schemed when you thought I was a Lady, and I bet you underestimated me after I said I'm not. I only used your unearned privilege against you.”

“Enough, put a lid on it until we depose Meria.” Leomi orders, seeming disturbed by my words herself. “Let's get to the stables first, it's his only way out. There are no titled Nobles in the castle and no fighters skilled enough to face us.”

“You won't be in trouble for being unbound?” I ask her.

“The rules are slightly different for Nobility, I have time as long as I pledge my oath to King Cenwalh in the meantime.” She admits shamefully. “It won't an issue as long as Meria dies tonight.” She adds with an undercurrent of violence in her voice.

She points at a side door. We make our way out, going around a small annex to reach a long wooden structure built against the keep. I hear a horse galloping away. The Duke is riding with ten of his men at arms following behind. The rest of his escort is nowhere to be seen.

“Fuck.” Leomi swears.

“The rat is running to the Temple, this is bad.” Yvonne says.

“What's the problem?” I ask.

“Duke Meria has been low on flow since the riot at the plaza but the Order has received enough to allow him to challenge a Princess head on. As the Izla's ruler, he has first claim on it by Empire law.” My Lady explains.

“We need to gather the faction.” Edusa speaks up. “We still have a chance to convince the Court to bid for parley. Commander Morgan is a realist, he'll side with us.”

“He is past listening to his subjects, Edusa.” Leomi shakes her head. “He plans to use the flow to ensure no one disobeys.”

“A gift from Emperor Rasaec shouldn't be used like that. He is distorting His will!” I exclaim, outraged.

“How do we get out of here?” Henry cuts in. “He's going south, to the Temple, but we need to go west and I saw the rest of his guard head there. He'll have given the order to lower both portcullis.”

“It's only a small detour north, prepare our horses. I need to talk to Elizabeth.” Lance replies.

“I'm not leaving you alone with her and those Rykz.” Yvonne utters firmly.

“Me neither.” Edusa adds.

The rest of the Nobles observe, apparently unwilling to trust me. I don't blame them considering I put a hole in her shoulder earlier tonight. I extend my hand out to order the Rykz to hold position and pull my Lady aside.

Yvonne and Edusa glare but my Lady takes her helmet off to return a mean glance at them all. They seem to resign themselves, yet stick around while the rest of their group enters the stables.

“Is Jessica okay?” She asks, taking her helmet off.

“Will you stop asking about that other lover of yours when you're with me?” I counter, trying to tease her.

“I'm sorry.” Leomi replies, deep regret visible on her sharp traits.

“She's fine, Lance.” I tell her.

“That's good.” She sighs in relief. She then rubs the jagged edge of her armor around the hole in her shoulder. “I only have myself to blame for this.” She notes with a grimace.

“What do you mean?” I ask, not following.

“You're jealous, I understand that.” She says, scrutinizing my eyes. “I led you on while thinking and speaking of her without explaining my current feelings on the matter, partially because it took me this long to face them. I forgive you for cheating on me, for lying, all of it. But only this once because I hurt you and you hurt me back.”

“I don't understand.” I say in a shaky voice.

“I can't be with Jessica.” My Lady says, tears flowing from her light gray eyes. No. No. No! What is this?

“Why?” I ask, a looming ball of despair forming in my throat.

“I'm no good for her. I'm erratic, unstable. I want her to the point that it's painful. I can't stand the idea that she could be with someone else. But it has little to do with Jessica, it is obsession born of guilt and memory. She deserves peace, she earned nothing from me. All I've done is hurt her, I can't...” She shakes inside her armor. “No. I won't allow myself to be with her.”

“N, no.” I manage to utter.

“I'm telling you I won't go back to her!” She shouts, wiping her tears. “Sorry. I'm, I'm telling you that I'm, I'm choosing you, Elizabeth Vil. You're real, you're... like me. Messed up.”

I try to contest, but am unable to form the words. As a last hope, I take hold of my helmet with trembling hands and start pulling it off. Her hands flash and seize my wrists, stopping me and setting it back in place.

“Please, don't.” She utters, almost begging. “I cannot see that face right now. I'm sorry.” She takes a deep breath, calming down and caressing the side of my helmet. “I'm sorry for being unable to let go. Just, just give me some time to get over her. Once the Izla is safe, we'll... try. Okay?”

I don't answer, I can't. I'm frozen as I watch the scene from a distance inside myself, like I'm not present but merely observing a stranger, like it doesn't involve me. My body seems... foreign.

“Elizabeth?” She asks.

“Leomi!” Yvonne calls out.

The warriors enter my field of detection. They use their shields to shove my... Lance away. They close the distance and form a turtle-like shell around me with their shields. I fall to my knees.

“What's happening?” Edusa asks.

“I don't know.” Lance says, worried.

The tendril connected to my spine extends and digs through my neck's flesh to wrap itself closely around it, injecting more of that cool substance to combat the pain. While it doesn't seem to have much effect on the despair I feel, it does allow me to regain touch with myself, it clears my mind.

“What you did you tell her?” Yvonne presses.

“That... that I just want to know that Jessica is safe. That she doesn't need to be jealous of her, or use her to get back at me, because I don't want to get back with her.” Lance replies hurriedly.

“What?! But...” Yvonne protests.

“Shut up!” Lance snaps. “You want to drag her into this mess again? Put her in danger? She's with Celyz, that's the safest place for her right now.”

I catch up with the situation. Consider the meaning of the words my Lady spoke, their implication. I can't take the mask off anymore. It's... poisoned. Toxic. If I show myself to be E.Vil, there will forever be a shadow over us because she will see how damaged I am and blame herself.

My Lady would either stay with me out of guilt and never truly be with me, or worse, take it as a confirmation that she is the worst possible partner for me and leave, forever.

“I don't like this, Leomi. She doesn't look okay.” Yvonne says.

“I'm fine. It was just a shock.” I speak up, standing.

I stretch my fingers, opening and closing my fists. This... this isn't the end. She is obsessed with me. That's good. I simply... screwed up a little. Miscalculated. I can salvage this. I just need to... unleash Elizabeth Vil.