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It took only a few minutes to rouse everyone and assess injuries. Besides the Empress’ existing injuries the only major ones were from the abrupt drop down into the sewer. “Fuck!” Almios screamed as Mera set his knee back in place. “Quit whining, it wasn't even that bad,” She admonished him while standing.

Almios glared and rubbed his knee. Lissa shook her head and glanced back up to the blocked grate. “So what’s the plan?” Mela asked, leaning on Lissa’s legs. “Patch up the Empress, get out of here, and then out of the city,” Lissa extended a finger for each point. “Alright the first part we can’t do, at least not here,” Mela countered, pushing one of Lissa’s fingers down.

“Why?” Lissa raised an eyebrow looking at the still unconscious form of the Empress. She seemed fine, other than her pale complexion and shallow breathing. Mela down and away, “That’s the problem we don’t know. We healed all of her injuries and nothing happened. We think it has something to do with these.” Mela reached into a pouch and carefully extracted something.

“Open your hand,” She asked while Lissa splayed out her palm. Mela gingerly hovered her hand over Lissa’s palm. Out fell red gem like splinters the largest one could have even been mistaken for a needle. Lissa hadn’t expected them to weigh anything and had to adjust quickly to keep them from falling out of her hand. She blinked and brought them up to her face for inspection.

“We think whatever those were or are is the problem. We found those embedded in some of her injuries and each one was surrounded by necrotic tissue,” Mela stole a glance at the Mera hovering over the Empress. “We’re doing our best but without the proper tools and help she will die,” Mela did not see Lissa’s lips twitch momentarily into a smile. “Good let her di…” Lissa began to think before a lance of pain caused her to flinch. Mela turned back to look at her just in time, “Are you okay?” She reached out and gently touched Lissa’s side.

“I am fine, I think the day is finally catching up to me,” Lissa smiled at Mela, “Thanks for asking though.” Mela returned the smile, “What do you think we should do to get back up?” Lissa looked at Garza stretching while his eyes were scanning the opposite end of the sewer, “I can think of one way.” Mela followed Lissa’s gaze and smiled, “He is going to love this.”

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Miriam grunted as she lifted a large chunk of masonry off and away from the gate. Slowly lifting it above her head she walked to the side and deposited it in a pile with the others. She sighed in relief and looked up at Volamire. What had caused that overpowering wave of Aether?

Out of everyone who wasn’t Gloomed only she and a few other long-standing Legionnaires hadn’t been knocked unconscious as it swept over all of them. It instead inflicted almost debilitating amounts of pain. She and the few others were able to fight through it. Miriam looked up the long road to the Emissary compound. The Gloomed that had been harassing and attacking them had as one looked up at Volamire as the wave swept them and rushed heedless of any obstacles to the academy and portals within.

She shuddered thinking about the other kingdom capitals being assaulted by an unstoppable tide of Gloomed. But right now her priorities were to finish evacuating the city. Miriam watched as a group of Legionnaire healers searched for survivors healing and stabilizing those they could and mercifully ending those they couldn’t. The falling debris from the city had taken its toll on the already beleaguered survivors. Occasionally a scream would echo along the street as people regained consciousness.

Some found what surviving family they had crushed next to them, limbs amputated due to being crushed beyond a field healer’s abilities. “Tribune Ulster,” Miriam turned towards the Legionnaire that called to her. “What is it?” She grumbled while giving them a once over. Clean and crisp armor, the only blood on them was due to stepping into the bloody streets. “The other Tribunes are urgently requesting your presence and council,” Miriam scowled and splayed her arms out, “They are only asking because they want me out of the city! I am right where I am needed now! Go and tell them to get me themselves!”

Miriam expected the Legionnaire to flinch at her outburst but she saw relief in their eyes as they processed her words, “As you command Tribune.” The Legionnaire bowed and quickly jogged towards and then out the gate. Miriam sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, she shouldn’t have had an outburst like that. Even with current circumstances it was uncalled for.

Miriam tensed and she saw all of the other Legionnaires around her do the same. A dull deep thrum grew louder above her head, and as she brought her gaze up towards Volamire she couldn’t help but widen her eyes in terror. “Everyone get down now!” Miriam screamed, putting Aether into her voice to amplify it. She felt her mouth fill with blood as her amplified voice damaged her throat, tongue and teeth. Miriam closed her eyes and flattened herself to the ground. She didn’t know how but the city was about to teleport.

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Charles felt warm water wash over him and he floundered on the ground as he regained consciousness. He tried to push himself up, but when he tried to move his hands into position he felt nothing. Looking at his arms he saw only blackened cauterized stumps. “What?” Charles murmured while propping himself up by his elbows.

Through his blurry vision he could barely make out his surroundings. He followed the blurry red fabric up and eventually reached the crystal throne. How had he gotten to the throne room? Charles tried to stand but before he could get off his knees he felt two sets of armored hands grab him and begin dragging him forward. “Ah good he’s awake, just in time,” Charles recognized the voice. It was that red-eyed monster, “Monster what have you done?!?”

They snorted, “What I did was save your life, and the lives of everyone in this kingdom.” Charles looked up towards the voice as they spoke. He expected the child, but it was the other Emissary speaking as that monster, “At the temporary expense of that child’s body. I might add.”

Charles smiled as he watched their blurry form begin to sit on the throne. They would die as soon as they sat on it without the crown he could still feel on his head. He frowned as they sat on the throne without any ill effects. “What? Expected me to die screaming? Shrivel away into nothing? Just drop dead?” The monster spoke and as his vision cleared Charles could see them smiling.

“Don’t be so disappointed,” They said while stroking the crystal throne lovingly, “After all it is only right that my own home and creation recognize me.” Charles blinked, “That’s impossible! My family found this city only occupied by horrors centuries ago!” The monster smirked and Charles could make out their mouthful of razor sharp teeth. “Oh you mean the remnants of the previous rulers? I do applaud your efforts to rid my city of their filth as well as maintaining it for me,” The monster closed their eyes and leaned back as an inky blackness spread into the crystal throne around them.

Charles looked at the monster in front of him and finally realized something else was different. They were wearing one of Elizabeth’s dresses, and he seethed knowing they rooted around in their belongings. “Thief, that dress doesn’t belong to you!” Charles shouted trying to pull Aether into himself to break free of the restraining hands. “You call me a thief, but use and call my home yours? I am considering everything you have left as tributes to me, and struggle all you want you won’t be able to break free.” Charles’ saw their eyes flash and felt his entire body become rigid as stone.

“Good, I am glad you finally are listening to your betters,” They said while slowly stepping off the throne. Charles could do nothing but follow their advance with his eyes. “I am unsure of how your forefathers did it honestly, and this is impressive indeed,” They reached out and touched the crown as they got within arms reach. “To have the talent, resources, and forethought to tie in the capabilities and senses this city grants to a crown is wonderful, shortsighted but wonderful.”

Charles watched as they began to circle him, their hand never stopped touching the crown. “I never saw the need to do such a thing as it was innately connected to me. I never expected someone to be able to usurp my control inadvertently in this manner.” They stopped and kneeled in front of him, “Impressing me is no small feat so because of your forefather’s achievements and to honor your willingness to sacrifice not only yourself but countless others to try and stop me, I will grant you and everyone in your family a quick death.”

Charles blinked twice in surprise at the blatant statement. They touched his cheek, “You should feel honored, I had intended to punish your family severely for delaying me for so long.” They smiled, “Because of you and your family you allowed me to attain supplies, an army, and knowledge that would have taken a great amount of effort on my part to obtain.

Their eyes flashed again and Charles fell forward as the magic holding him up disappeared. “You will not get my family bitch! They are out of your grasp! I made sure of it!” Charles growled through gritted teeth as he stood shakily. The monster cocked their head, “You truly think that? Then you are more of a fool than I thought.” They turned and started walking towards the throne once more. Charles screamed and charged forward but came up short, frozen in place once more. “Do you want to know something? You bare a striking resemblance to someone I knew once long ago. They were just as foolish as you,” They said while an incredibly ornate mask gently floated down towards them.

“Before I take my city back, I would like to know if you taste the same,” Charles watched as they turned while putting on the mask. He wanted to recoil in horror as the pristine and beautiful face on the mask fell inwards into an abyss. “Ah there it is, the fear, no terror. It truly does add a wonderful flavor, I know I promised you a quick death,” Charles swore he could see the smile behind the mask’s abyss as they continued towards him. “A quick death though doesn’t mean painless,” They grabbed his head and pulled him towards that abyss. Charles felt himself gain control of his body, but all he could do was scream.

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Faceless sighed contently as the last bits of the wannabe Emperor fell into the maw. “Delicious just like they were,” Turning they hit something at their feet. Looking down, Faceless realized what it was, the crown. Blood pooled along the metal top and dripped in rivulets off one floating yellow gem. Faceless picked it up, “Again impressive, but no longer necessary.” They tossed it into the pool of blood spreading behind them. Settling into the throne, Faceless smiled, “It is good to be home, now it is time to plan in peace.” Faceless pulled themselves out of Saida who collapsed forwards and was quickly caught and taken away by an attendant.

Faceless felt the city and its changes the wannabe rulers had made. The city shuddered as Faceless scoffed at the shoddy enchantments that they had done to the crystals. Thankfully they left the teleportation framework intact and they were able to quickly restore its full functionality. Pouring more power into the crystals they could see the insects below the city panic. They assumed without the proper protections the surrounding area would be destroyed with the teleportation.

The city shook as Faceless laughed at their fear, terror, and panic. Only one insect below stood unwavering. Faceless could see the golden tint in their silver eyes. Inwardly Faceless smiled. “I won’t be the only one waiting for you,” Faceless thought before returning to the teleportation. Faceless pushed out the final drops of power necessary to teleport and smiled as the landscape changed within an instant. The winding river and grasslands were replaced by ruins overrun by nature.

Faceless felt an expectant mind push towards the city, “Are you back Master?” Faceless focused on the now reconstructed body of Jasmine. She was perfect, Faceless poured themselves into her. The girl’s body convulsed briefly before stopping. Faceless opened her eyes, smiled and brushed the mind lovingly, “Yes I am.”