While it feels somewhat arrogant of Rasaec to affirm this, it doesn't change the fact he is likely right. No other human has reached his level of fame or his access to the Lake, yet it's doubtful it will be impossible for anyone else to reproduce his feat as long as humans survive.

“A wise Lisilese once said that clans broken come together, while clans united come apart.” The Emperor continues.

“Odd saying.” I note.

“Do you know what it means?” He asks.

“That an Empire too strong will suffer internal strife while split Kingdoms will unite against external enemies.” I venture an interpretation.

“It is a delicate balance to strike but I've so far warded against this prophecy.” Rasaec says with a smile.

“The Empire will fragment with your death, that is evident to all who bother to think on it.” I comment.

“Exaction, not even I can match my own glory.” The Emperor says with a self-deprecating chuckle.

“Does this saying not mean humanity would eventually reunite anyway?” I note.

“After much suffering.” He agrees.

“Can the Chosen of the Lake even die?” I question with a raised eyebrow.

“You're asking if the legend holds truth.” He says with a grin. “Would it matter to you?” He asks.

“Would you tell me the truth?” I return.

“I think I would, yes.” Rasaec answers with a serious nod.

I pause and the Emperor awaits my response as he runs his fingers through his hair again, further displacing his golden laurel circlet. What if he's Chosen? Would it change anything?

It would change my perspective, but my decisions? I consider the question but reach no answer. If he is Chosen, then I would at the very least need more proof than the man's words.

“I don't know.” I admit, feeling the itch to find out the truth.

“Then let's leave it at that.” The Emperor says with a smile. I scowl, feeling disappointed. “I'll soon depart for the east.”

“What?” I ask, startled.

“I've not shown myself on the battlefield in two centuries, why wouldn't I shock the world once more?” He asks rhetorically. “It's no small amount of time, even for the Rykz, they won't expect it.”

“Why tell me?” I question, now understanding why he wanted me to follow him.

“You won't reveal this as it would put the Empire at too much a disadvantage.” He dismisses with more certainty than I feel.

“That's no answer.” I push him.

“Because you'll either fall in battle or grow to influence the relationships of three species and it costs me naught to build some goodwill.” Rasaec states quite simply. “You are no human, but nor are you Rykz, and you certainly aren't a Lisilese. Who, then, are you? A madwoman or an Empress in the making? I'm curious.”

“Do you not fear I would favor the Rykz?” I ask.

“With the actions you've taken in the Empire? I would be foolish to fear either Jessica Freepath or Elizabeth Vil would forsake humanity.” The Emperor dismisses. “Our paths may differ but who am I to say mine is the correct one?”

“You're the Emperor, Chosen of the Lake.” I utter with a smirk that causes Rasaec to grin.

“Even if my path is correct, yours may yield more results as there has always been a wide gulf between ambition and reality.” He tells me with a shrug. I frown as a ludicrous idea occurs to me.

“You anticipate your own death in this war.” I venture.

“I always do.” He tells me without losing his smile. “Who knows when the Lake will recall me to its burning waters? I merely hope to be there to witness whether you'll become a conqueror, a corpse, or a being standing at the crux of three species.”

“Why do you think I'll forge a relationship with the Lisilese?” I question with a frown. “I plan to do battle against them.”

“There is no better way to forge a bond with the Lisilese than to fight them.” Rasaec says with a sigh. “But there is no guarantee of success as they can be as fickle as humans.”

“Is this why the Order wants Liz to go fight them so much?” I ask.

“Yes, a warrior of your and her caliber is a great boon when fighting the Lisilese.” The Emperor tells me.

“Why? How could a single fighter be so significant they would pardon her?” I press.

“You could say that, but you could also say they're insignificant as well.” Rasaec utters mysteriously. “You'll understand.”

“I doubt it.” I impolitely dismiss, pretty sure he's being vague on purpose.

Since the cold bloods worship their greatest warriors and elevate them as leaders, then it makes sense a human who can fight them would be important but a singular warrior is also quite useless in a war, no matter how skilled.

“Haha.” Rasaec chuckles. “I've been told your pet name for Lady Lance is 'kitten' while yours is 'jay' but I can't help but feel like it should be the opposite.”

“You're overstepping, Rasaec.” I directly rebuke with a cold tone. “It matters not which of us the names fit.”

“I suppose.” The Emperor ponders. “As skittish as a wild cat, impossible to grasp if startled, and most dangerous when cornered.” He says in monotone.

I close my fist, feeling that the words sound like a threat but unable to truly confirm it because it felt like he was reciting something he memorized. I scowl and run my gaze over the surroundings.

The Exemplars are still spread out around the garden and there are no visible runes, at the very least there are no active constructs in my surroundings which doesn't help calm my nerves.

“Why did you send flow to Izla Meria if you were prepared to lose the island? And why did it injure you?” I question, unable to hold back my desire to know the truth now that my instincts are on alert since I may have to escape or die trying. “Why would you even need to do so personally?”

“That's quite simple, the flow was dedicated to me so I have the most control over it, allowing the least loss. As for being wounded, anyone would be if they tried to channel hundreds of thousands of portions through their body.” Rasaec answers simply. “I sent the flow to Izla Meria because it could have been what tipped the balance in your favor, allowing either victory or retreat with the least casualties.”

“You took a risk to fix your mistake?” I press.

“You can view it that way.” Rasaec acknowledges.

“How laughable, all you had to do is agree to peace.” I mock him but also myself for believing in him at the time.

Images, memories, flash through my mind and overwhelm my sight. I once again hear myself ordering Ulf to protect Teva and thus die. Darkness overtakes the scene and a bright scorching fire scours my left side with a ghostly reminiscent pain.

A dozen peasants wielding their tools suddenly run away from me only to be struck down with swords held by gallant Nobles sitting tall on their steeds. A golden cloud then falls upon me and tears through those around me.

I tremble and try to push back these memories as despair overtakes me. I draw my broadsword, a weapon of quality but also one without adornment as befitting for a warrior.

I hear screams but ignore them as desperate faces appear before me. Crack. The dry sound of a necks snapping echoes in my ears, accompanied by the breathing cry of dying drones calling for help.

I witness myself skewering Leomi only to feel water being poured down my lungs by a vile insect with the disdainful face of an old enemy, Patrick who kicks my stomach as I lay powerless to retaliate.

I raise the broadsword that's kept me safe for so long and shape a sundering construct. More yells reach my ears but they are drowned by the cacophony of all the battles I've fought to reach here.

I seize my other two weapons with strand of hardened air and lift them up parallel to the first, applying another sundering construct to each blade before anchoring each of them together.

The weight in my hand almost triples. I loosen my grip on the handle and let it fall to seize it in a reverse grip. I then stab downward towards where I recall the Emperor was, caring none about the fact he calmly stood up as I prepared my blows.

The three blades shear into the hard marble like they would in soft butter until half their length is buried in the bench which is when my arm stops. My hallucinations clear up, blood fades from my sight, the screams dull until they vanish, and the odor of smoke dissolves.

What's done is done. If the day comes I kill you, Rasaec, it won't have anything to do with the past. I peer down at the three broadswords stuck in the bench and raise my head to lock gazes with the Emperor's bright green eyes.

I hear many heavy footsteps from Exemplars rushing over and distinguish from them my fiancee's own rhythm. The Emperor lowers the fist he raised, ostensibly to demand silence, and crosses his hands behind his back.

“I will not deny your freedom, Jessica Freepath. It's yours to take, the same way Elizabeth Vil obtained hers.” Rasaec tells me with a serious expression. “I'm in fact honored you hold enough respect for me to seek my agreement considering the consequences my decisions have had for you.”

“Sirrah.” I spit out with disdain, utterly furious the answers I sought were so mundane but unable to hate this man from the depths of my heart.

Rasaec nods to me in acknowledgment of my feelings. I snap around and depart, staggering towards Leomi with a sharp pain in my chest. I ignore the Exemplars' glares and the murderous look on Shayle's face.

All that matters to me is that Lance's expression is tense from the terror she felt when I drew my weapons against the Emperor. I push myself until I reach her arms and let myself fall in her gentle embrace.

“Take me away.” I request.

“You would dare escape?!” Shayle bursts in anger, her gray hair shaking around her head as she raises her hand surrounded by a golden halo.

“My fiancee has expressed her wish, I shall thus go through with it unto death.” Leomi coldly utters as her grasp tightens, almost bending my cuirass' steel bands.

The Shade pauses for a moment, hesitating as she glances to her Emperor, clearly unwilling to act against Lance without approval. Rasaec shakes his head and looks to the blue sky.

“Jessica Freepath is free, none are to hinder her.” He declares with a firm voice. “Her blades are to remain here in perpetuity.”

The Emperor evidently waited for Leomi to make her stand known before speaking and I can't help but shiver as it is clear the man is similar to Arkur of Telnur, everything he does is for the Empire.

Riip. Lance's dress rips as the cloth catches on my armor as she picks me up to carry me out of the garden. I let my head rest against her chest and grasp for my breath as my moment of intense emotion catches up to me.

“You're fucking insane, Jess.” Idali grumbles. I throw her a quick glance and notice a spot of ink on her fingers. I decide not to tell her how useless it was for her to come here.

“Leave, Idali. Go back to Edusa, I'm sure she's waiting for you.” I murmur.

She freezes in the middle of her step and a slight blush takes hold on her cheeks as the blond nods almost timidly. I shift to Yvonne whose hands are shaking far away from her sword's handle.

“This is your last chance, Yvonne.” I gently whisper. Leomi glances to her sword-sworn with a hint of frailty to her eyes yet she doesn't express her opinion.

“I've made it long ago, I'll see this through to the end.” Yvonne replies with a touch of steel in her voice.

I give her a firm nod and close my eyes as I allow myself to fully rest within my love's arms, knowing in the depths of my heart that she will keep me safe no matter what it costs her.

--- --- ---

I awaken in a carriage inside my love's arms but in a different set of clothes than those my sister wore, I'm wearing a black military uniform. My back and thigh are painfully pulsating because of a viscous substance, telling me they applied bandages.

I look out the window to find we're outside Kruzser and are traveling along a paved road. Only Leomi and Yvonne are here which means Idali left without saying goodbye. And I'm supposed to be the evil one.

“It would have been a huge blow to the Emperor's reputation to have us both die in his Palace without a good explanation but who is he? He could have remade truth that none would contest.” Leomi says with a rough voice. Her words give me a chill.

“Still talking about this?” I mutter.

“Jess!” Yvonne exclaims with a relieved expression.

“No, sister is deep in slumber.” I deny.

“We didn't want to broach the subject in Kruzser.” Leomi explains as a wide smile appears on her lips, soothing my worries that she loves my sister more than I.

“Jess had no other choice.” I tell them as I shift off my love's lap to sit on my own. A flash of agony shears through me as my weight falls on my thigh. “How's your pride?”

“I'll have to admit it is bruised.” Lance replies as she throws me an annoyed look. “I hadn't even the guts to confront the Emperor about his plans for Nobility.”

“Oh?” I probe.

“His refusal to cooperate means little but the fact he wasn't even interested in discussing my plans means his own are more sinister than I originally inferred.” Lance explains.

“You sure?” I ask with a frown as I search my vague memories of my sister's meeting with Rasaec.

“It's instinct.” Leomi confirms. “But 'sinister' may be too big a word, it could be that your paranoia has affected me and he simply aims to strengthen his authority in the future.” She adds.

“How long until we arrive at the gathering and how long will we stay there?” I ask.

“A day, and we'll remain three to four to wait for those responding to your sister's call to arms.” Leomi tells me.

“Okay, you'll teach me the voice enhancing construct and the disruption construct during our free time.” I command.

“As you wish, my love.” Lance agrees with a smile. “I've missed you, Elizabeth.”

My heart trembles painfully at her casual words and I can't help but blush a bit because I hadn't expected such a straightforward admission. Yvonne hides a knowing smile behind her hand.

“So cute.” My treacherous best friend whispers.

I throw her a glare while discreetly reaching out with my hand which Leomi catches within hers and then lays on her lap. I turn my nose up to both and fully open the curtain covering the window.

“Uhla!” I bark out.

“What?” She yells back.

“Come in, I need you.” I reply.

“Hey! Why does she get to when I'm sequestered outside like a guard dog?!” Rowland protests from atop the carriage's roof, surprising me. He's learned to be discreet, impressive considering his useless bulk.

“Because you are a guard dog, now be a good minion and bark loud if you spot an ambush.” I harshly respond.

“Yvonne!” He whines.

“Woof.” My best friend responds in all seriousness.

“I'll feed you later, Rowland.” Nahl mocks, his voice coming from the driver's seat.

“Khaha, khakaka!” I explode in mad laughter, attracting weird gazes from my two companions.

I ignore them as I'm in a great mood now that my sister has slayed some of the demons haunting us. I turn to Uhla as she opens the carriage's door and point her to the bench seat in front of me with my chin.

“You remember the construct shown to you?” I ask her.

“The fortifying construct?” She ventures.

“That's the one. I need you to learn how to use and adapt it to my heart's needs, can you do this?” I question.

“I can, but I don't understand.” Uhla admits with a quizzical expression.

“You hold more knowledge than I do on healing, I cannot afford to go about this blindly.” I explain.

“No, I get that, but you trust me on this?” She asks with a frown.

“I trust my judgment of you, your intentions are pure.” I calmly state, causing Uhla's eyes to widen. “Don't get all teary-eyed on me and take my tunic off.”

“Woo, woo!” Yvonne jeers with a low voice.

Uhla throws me a glare but reaches out to undo the buttons of my shirt to loosen it so she can lift it up and reveal my left flank. Her expression stiffens at the sight of the wreck of scars spanning such a large expanse of flesh that many remain half-hidden by cloth.

“Don't get distracted.” I tell her with a harsh tone.

Uhla timidly nods and reaches out to place a cold palm on my chest just above my heart. She closes her eyes to concentrate. I feel a strange sensation as our fields of absolute control brush against each other and her flow permeates my skin.

I transfer some dozen portions to her which she uses to first diagnose the state of my heart before creating the fortifying construct which she anchors within my chest.

Uhla doesn't immediately activate it as she first probes the other constructs I've anchored to my heart and takes control of them to make adjustments so that they function together without interfering, impressing me and confirming I've made the right decision.

I inspect her work once she's done and nod in thanks before shifting to rest my head on my love's lap to take a nap while we travel, aiming to recover as much strength as I can during the journey to Telnur.

--- --- ---