"Shut it, Charles. Let me speak."

Reiss preempted another tantrum. 'Charles' looked indignant beyond disbelief but clapped his mouth shut. When no one else spoke, and all he received were inquisitive stares, Reiss continued.

"To explain how I know there is a traitor, I will tell you willingly that my class is a version of [Regressor]. It has since evolved, but the main attribute of my class is Time. I have the ability to break the laws of Time beyond even the most illustrious Time Mages. I have used my ability to return to the past. This past... As in, a few days ago."

He waved a dismissive hand. Pacing back and forth, he monologued.

"Suffice to say; I know the future. More accurately than you, your eminence. I have lived through the grand cataclysm and fought in unending battles. I have lived hundreds of times and have met each of you personally. I believe I've gotten to know you all in one capacity or another."

The faintest whisper could be heard from the plump wizard.

"Is he monologuing?"

"We've all had our differences, and you all can be quite nasty when you want to."

Reiss couldn't keep the slight edge out of his voice as he glared at Charlemont. Poor Charles thought he was a reasonable and a good advisor to the Emperor. And he was. His advice so far had been phenomonal; he was loyal to the empire. During this meeting alone, all his words have been spot on. The reason for [Mage Advisor] Charlemont's distrust in Reiss was clear and perfectly reasonable. None of this was why Reiss picked him out.

They had a history, the two of them. Reiss hasn't forgotten or forgiven. He idly wondered how the sneer on Charles' face would change if he remembered the way Reiss did.

Reiss chuckled.

"Even if you all have your faults and vices. None of you ever betray the empire—all but you.

Reiss pointed up. Heads turned, being led to the hunched-over form of [Advisor] Henrietta. The old and leathery woman didn't react in any outward way. It was the same advisor that whispered in William's ear earlier.

Charles laughed. The Captains held their weapons uncertainly. Cray was repositioned. The others had various reactions. Reiss spotted Krom still standing awkwardly behind him, trying to remain unnoticed. The Emperor, true to his regality, remained calm and dignified.

"Henrietta is the oldest and most trusted of my council. She has served me since the beginning and served my father before me. If there is anyone I trust the most, it is her."

"Your trust in me is heartwarming, your majesty."

Henrietta inclined her head in the direction of the throne. She was the oldest and most frail. Even for all the empire's resources and being a valued ally to William, no one was able to keep her health from declining.

"What better disguise to wear your grace? Your champions are too strong to defeat easily. Marcine or Lionel might be a better choice, but they don't have your ear when they need it. The other advisors have ways to defend themselves. Henrietta has served you the longest; as you said, she has your utmost trust."

Reiss regretted never being able to meet the real [Advisor]. He felt like they would have gotten along.

"Henrietta lived long... Still, she died two months ago in her sleep."

Henrietta leaned forward, resting on a cane.

"You say I have been replaced? That I died? How could such a thing be possible if I am standing before you? I am no [Trickster]. Neither am I undead."

"No. You are the Enemy."

[Temporal Prison]

Henrietta froze, unable to respond. A perfect statue.

Reiss broke an arrow aimed for his eye along with a second heading towards Krom. All present could detect the use of a powerful skill.

"What is the meaning of this?

"William. You requested me to allow your champions to dispense of the traitor."

"I did no such thing."

Reiss rolled his eyes.

"Your past self. One of them. You were particularly upset that I cut Henrietta to pieces before explaining things. You ranted to me later about losing out on the opportunity for your champions to level from the encounter. I've used a rather powerful restraining Skill for this. I suggest the execution begin immediately."

"You still haven't offered any proof."

Reiss rolled his entire head. Why isn't Reiss himself ever enough?

"Your watch. It is silver. Touch it to Henrietta's shoulder. It should burn."

William turned his arm to look at the watch. It was an intricate contraption with tiny moving hands and barely legible roman numerals. The Emperor couldn't read the symbols but inherently knew the numbers. The casing was a polished silver that melded into the band that wrapped around his right wrist.

Removing himself from his throne, William plodded over to Henrietta's frozen form. Gingerly, he tapped the edge of his watch on her shoulder. A high-pitched hissing noise accompanied the steam the rose from the contact.

Henrietta moved.

A smoking hand flopped onto the floor.

"I should have warned you."

Henrietta leapt back, clutching a sizzling stump. Reiss stood near William, wielding a clock hand as a sword.

Cray loosed an arrow at Henrietta. She bit it. Another arrow. It exploded in her mouth.

The dust cleared and Henrietta was no more. In her place was a mass of writhing flesh wobbling in place. There was a pitched warbling indicating a whimper of pain.

"What the Hells!"

Gideon cursed.

"Are you guys waiting for your cue? Do you want hints? Kill it already."

Quinnerva charged with shield in hand. Lionel and Marcine were on her heels. Gideon sighed and started walking down the steps, shaking out his hands and gripping both wands.

The Shifter that replaced Henrietta roared. The sound was as if someone screamed with their mouth sewn shut. Quinnerva slammed into the mass of discolored flesh, causing a ripple to permeate through the monstrosity.

No effect. Two flesh scythes came screeching towards her head. Adeptly, she maneuvered her shield.

*Cl-Clang*

Marcine drew an arc with her greatsword. It got caught in the thick folds of flesh. A scythe aimed at her head. Blocked by a shield.

The shifter ignored the mundane arrows slapping into it and rebounded the greatsword, flinging a surprised Marcine straight into an approaching Lionel.

Tumbling in a crash of metal, they dodged the lightning. Magical light crackled through the distance, dancing off the shifter. The scythes twitched but continued unerringly. Quinnerva was pushed back.

"Will you three be joining? Lima? Nelson? Charles?"

Nelson stared dumbfounded, the youngest of the bunch. Charles' eyebrows creased while Lima could only clench her fists. Quinnerva blocked three more slashes. Another magical arrow exploded.

"I suggest some sort of participation."

"Are you crazy? We aren't fighters."

A battle cry as the Captains rejoined the fray and a curse as Gideon switched out a wand.

"Yes, but you will still level if you attack. Don't worry; Quinnie will block the attacks. If something slips by, I'll step in again."

Nelson gulped while Lima pulled out a short bow from a storage ring. She began firing while trying to find a weak point, copying Cray's attempts.

"There you go! See? Lima is quick on the uptake. Why can't you be the same, Charles?"

"..."

Is what he said, but Charlemont pulled out a whip of magical orange fire. Making his way down the steps, he uncurled his weapon and called over his shoulder.

"Nelson, stay with his majesty. You better not shoot me in the back, Lima."

"Bugger off, Charles."

Lima's snarl was menacing.

If there weren't a flesh abomination currently fending off attacks from the realm champions, Krom would be quivering in fear from Lima instead.

Krom threw a horseshoe.

*Thump*

The shifter twitched more in confusion than from any pain.

"Good man, Krom! Try to make it come back to you next time. Else you'll run out."

"Mhm."

Reiss beamed as he saw his best friend rummaging in the pockets of his overalls.

This was how it all began.

The gears of time settling into a new position.

Reiss' weapon thrummed.

A predatory grin.

=

"Why. Won't. It. Die!"

Charles bellowed, aiming his whip to wrap around the writhing flesh. Every time he thought he managed it, the flesh would slither away.

"Do you have extra arrows, Senior Cray?"

Lima fumbled the quiver that flew at her face. Cray pulled out more spare quivers and dropped them on the white marble. He would have repositioned for better shots, but he needed to remain near the Emperor in this scenario.

Reiss examined the battle. Quinnerva was effectively blocking all attacks. The Captains were only effective enough to keep the Shifter in place. Arrows were ineffective. Charles was barking. Nelson's knees trembled, and Gideon was running out of charged wands.

This was taking too long.

Reiss thrust the tip of his weapon into the ground and leaned his weight on it, bored.

"It's getting oftly heated in here. I could really go for some ice cream right about now."

"Ice cream? Is that some sort of treat?"

"Oh, I forgot you hadn't tried it yet. It is a magical dessert. I got a craving for it after I first visited Earth. I bought an ice cream machine and everything. It is sweet, cold, and melts in your mouth. I would sell a dragon's tooth for one of Mr. Frosty's original double scooped mint chocolate chip cones."

Reiss shivered in delight just imagining it.

"This isn't the time to be talking about sweets."

Nelson was turning hysterical. He wasn't used to bloodshed or intense battles of this magnitude. A few of the shockwaves were blowing away the shaggy bangs that usually hid his eyes.

"Relax, Nelson. Everyone just needs to cool off. Then we'll all be fine."

"How am I supposed to relax when that... thing is shrugging off all their attacks?"

Reiss reflected that it was probably a strange thing for Nelson to be looking to him for answers when Reiss had been an intruder not three minutes ago.

"Like I said. Just chill."

Krom shouted, startling everyone. The previously silent giant's voice resounded, deep and only a little desperate.

"Ice Magic!"

Charles and Gideon cursed a storm. Cray pulled out a special arrow, loosing. It curved around Quinnerva's shield and impacted a mound of skin with a frosty implosion.

The shifter screamed, ripping out its vocal cords as frozen flesh shattered on Lionel's blade. The shriek stunned the Captains. Scythes lashed out, aiming for both Marcine and Lionel. Quinnerva blocked one but couldn't reach Lionel. His eyes widened as the blade reached his neck.

*BOOM*

The entire room shook. The southern marble wall cracked.

Reiss landed on a single foot, the other still raised in a kick before it too came down.

Lionel rubbed his neck as he stared at the crater where the shifter landed. The battle momentarily paused. Then the world resumed as the shifter slithered back up to full height.

Reiss walked back towards the Emperor. Passing an empty-handed Krom, Reiss deposited several dented horseshoes at Krom's feet.

"Don't lose these next time."

Eyebrows paragliding, Krom received a pat on the shoulder absently as he hurried to pick up his impromptu weapons.

With everyone now on full-guard and knowing the enemy's weakness, the battle didn't last much longer. Reiss didn't need to intervene again. He looked down with a wrinkled nose at the twitching mass of skin and flesh oozing puss-filled blood.

Nelson was wiping his mouth after losing his breakfast, and Gideon was gagging harshly.

The [Emperor] stared down at the remains with mixed emotions. William wasn't sure what to feel at the moment. Disgust? Betrayal? Despondence?

With nowhere to focus his mind, he turned to the only person with answers.

"What did you say your name was?"

=

"Reiss. What was.. that?

The question could refer to many things. Reiss chose to focus on the obvious.

"A Shifter. That is what we coined them. One of the enemy."

"One of the nine?

"Correct. They don't communicate. At least, not when their identity is known. They are infiltrators who take over another's form and assumes their lives without distinction from the original. This one was a scout."

"A scout?"

Charlemont's fists shook, threatening violence.

"A single scout was a match for all of us? Preposterous."

"It is the truth, Charles. I've fought soldier-class Shifters. They're three times the size and twice as fast. None of you would be alive if it were a soldier... Except Quinnerva. And I won't explain how you would have fared against one of their royalty."

The raging red suffused in Charlemont's face diminished as his imagination played out different scenarios.

"At least, their equivalent of royalty, that is. I never figured out their social structure, and their numbers are uncountable with them all assuming different disguises."

"I believe you mentioned that this is only one of nine enemies. Who are the other eight?"

Lima posed the question. She hadn't contributed much but still fought when Nelson was cowering.

"Good question. That is what I've come to discuss with you all."

Reiss walked down the steps and over to the corpse. He kicked it once. Twice. Then with a wave of his hand, a miniscule hole in space opened nearby. The entire corpse, its blood, flesh, and pus, were sucked into the black hole.

Rubbing his temples, he turned back to the silent crowd.

"Your welcome. Where are my thanks? Seriously. Casting that gives me a headache."

Quinnerva was the only one to respond. Her voice calm despite recent events

"Thank you."

Reiss gifted a restrained smile. Then with an exaggerated flourish, he bowed to the audience.

"Now that all the fun has died down let us adjourn to more comfortable accommodations."

Reiss clapped his hands. His next words were spoken like a child unveiling their super-hero move, accompanied by the soft jingle of a bell.

"I invite you all... to my [Memory Mansion]!"