So long as we yet live, we can never know peace. Life itself is chaos, an eternal struggle to survive and thrive. Those poor and weak will steal loaves of bread, and flea from the guards that pursue, and those strongest will fight for the throne at the top of the castle, or be forced to bow when another takes the seat.

The unified states have perfected peace, as well as it can be achieved, food is provided without struggle, and there is nearly never a reason for a person to fight against a predator, intelligent or otherwise. Yet, I refused that peace.

My very nature is too beastly to accept the life they offer. I suppose to many, this makes me a villain. I can’t say that I’m not. My path has led me to actions that… are undeniably immoral, but the other options were unpleasant in their own right. I have too much that I want to protect, to give up just because of my failures.

In a way it’s not surprising that I’m going to come up against a being with such power as to rival a god. It’s in my nature to pick fights with authority figures, so it’s only natural that I’m going to eventually butt heads with the greatest authority in this wide universe.

It’s still a little shocking regardless, and I can’t help but re-evaluate my own character, particularly my flaws. Bluffing indifference, and winning fights has gotten me far, but it won’t be enough for the battles to come.

“Surrender?” Malea asks, tilting her head towards us with a smirk rising on her lips. “Now why would I even consider that? I hope you’re not inferring anything improper. Everyone is already rather familiar with your unusual propensity towards gathering women, and I’d rather hope that your propositions are at the very least a little more charming than that.”

“While I am open to that discussion, I was thinking of more practical matters.” I say. “I’m serving as a tool of the dungeons and so I’d like to warn my adversaries of that fact before they take any regrettable action against me.”

Her eyes flicker wide for the briefest moment as her expression softens and she stares into the distance. Very little of her true feelings are conveyed through her expression, but that in itself is a giveaway that she’s shocked at the claim.

“What does that have to do with my supposed surrender?” Malea asks, stepping closer and a little further from the throne.

“I intend to give my lovers and my people a safe haven here, while I serve the dungeons.” I say. It burns, knowing that for now I’m subservient to them, and I have to force down the tremors that threaten to pass through my body.

Acknowledging my position in this relationship terrifies me. It’s admitting that they can do what they please with me, that I can’t stand up to them, and that all my rebelliousness is nothing more than a pet whining to their master.

Everything that I’m doing, I can only do because they permit it. Cold tendrils slip into my mind like claws, as my guts twist in on themselves, and my heart pounds in open revolt. I can feel Arduelle’s ghostly collar tighten around my neck.

I force my expression to remain cold, and suppress it all to try and maintain my dignity, but I’m sure that more than a little of it has slipped through my guard.

“What this means, is that anyone sending assassins after us, and anyone considering war, need to be exterminated. I can’t properly focus on my grand quest, while watching my back for dangers at home.”

“A sensible, if rather brutal position.” She considers, looking me over from tip to toes. “You don’t seem overly capable in the front of politics and compromise, but brutality has a political strength all of its own, I suppose. Is there any way to confirm that you truly are what you say you are?”

The troubling question. Will Arduelle consider coming down here just to back me up to a stray princess who’s broken into my living room?

“Contact Leon.” Nel suggests, stepping up to my side. “He witnessed Arduelle’s intervention personally.”

“That stray prince, is it?” She asks thoughtfully. “To think he involved himself in this too.”

“So, are you interested in working with me?”

“Or else you’ll invite divine fury down upon me?” She asks, quirking a brow as if in doubt. I can’t see any hint that it’s a lie but I’m quite sure that she’s sweating nervously behind that mask of confidence.

“Do you want to test me?” I ask, brushing past her to take my place on the throne. The power inside of it pulses against my own skin and I feel more powerful than ever, even more so than when I cast that spell that ended the war for this cavern.

“More brutality and threats…” Malea whispers turning to face me, “Do you think it makes you charming? If so, you couldn’t be more wrong. Did no one ever teach you manners? Can you not at least speak with respect?”

“Let’s just say that you caught me on a particularly bad day, while intruding in my home. Something most would consider a threat in and of itself.” I say, leaning forwards. “What are you here for anyway?”

“To see if you are the real thing, and to crush you if you aren’t.” She replies easily, acknowledging that she’s here to cause me harm. “As evidenced by your survival, you are powerful enough to deserve some respect, but your attitude is truly awful.”

“Hey, Kyra, can I fight her?” Eshya asks, “I mean, Arduelle has promised my protection, right?”

“I’d rather not test her patience today.” I reply, hesitating as I feel that grip tighten around my neck. A phantom. Arduelle has never truly been cruel to me, but her power is a threat all of its own. “Then I’ll ask again, will you be working with us?”

“That depends, as with all things, in the particulars.” She says, striding down to stand near the teleportation device, but Vii is already guarding it while Adler pulls it aside. It doesn’t seem too heavy with most of its mana burnt out.

“I’m going to be taking over in this dungeon.” I say leaning forwards in my chair. “I want life to be pleasant for all my people as challenging a goal as that might be, and I want an end to the violence and the conflicts, especially anything targeting me and mine.”

“So, the same promise any con artist politician makes of those who support them. I’d say that you’d do well in the republic, but they’re all a little more well-spoken, they’d talk circles around you.” She says, staring back up at me now that her escape has been denied.

“Well, that’s what I want of life. Slums and suffering are unsightly, happy people make for much nicer neighbours.” I say firmly. “So, are you going to stand in our way? I’m not overly fond of the idea of tearing the monarchy down, replacing it with something better would be a challenge in the short term and I’m really not looking to take on that much work right now. Instead, I’d like to demand certain changes.”

She smirks at my words, but there’s a frightened edge to it, like she’s staring into the fangs of a hungry beast and has no chance of surviving.

“You think you could do so much? That you’re really so loved by the goddesses?”

“’Loved’ would not be the correct phrasing.” Arduelle says flashing into existence behind the white spider. “She is an incredibly rare and valuable tool, however.”

“Ah, excuse my rudeness.” Malea bows low to the dungeon, maintaining a grace that seems only slightly stiff for her surprise.

“It’s not an issue. I’ve suffered such rudeness of late that I can barely even think of your words as inconsiderate.” Arduelle says, facing me. There’s a hard expression to her, that serves only to give me a brief warning for what’s to come.

“Kyra, you need to become powerful, that much I can certainly agree with. But, the people and resources that Frey and I have gathered here ought to be used towards that ends, this isn’t simply a playground for you to mess around in.

“Rather, it could be made into a furnace with which we can make you more resilient. Here, we can force you to overcome your weaknesses, many as they are, and assist you in becoming properly powerful.”

“Only if there is safety here.” I say, looking for compromise. “Or else I might just choose to run away and do things my way.”

Arduelle sighs, but even in this there’s a grace in the performance.

“I’ve promised you safety more than the once.” Arduelle says, her voice firm. “You do not trust me completely, which is fine, sensible even, but your reactions are not as respectable. You constantly seek to reaffirm that which is already settled. If you do not trust me with your safety, then rather than whining about it, you should seek to reinforce your safety through other means and prepare for betrayal on my part.”

I shift uncomfortably on the throne. It feels too much like she’s speaking down to me, as if she sees me like a child. Worse, I can’t easily contradict her words. Malea smiles warmly up at me, able to adjust to the situation with insane haste, and still somehow look like she’s superior to me.

“Now, I’ve discussed this problem with a few associates of mine, and I’ve come up with a plan.” Arduelle says, situating herself between Malea and I. “To begin with, I’ll be reinstating the Grand Council. All cavern leaders will be obliged to meet to discuss issues that affect all who live here within Frey.”

“I’ve heard of the Grand Council, but it is well before my time.” Malea says, looking towards the dungeon. “To what ends do we meet? It isn’t voting for rules that bind us all, as the republic are so fond of, is it?”

“Not as much.” Arduelle replies. “All resolutions of the Grand Council must be made through a trial of duels. One person can succeed over a hundred, if they can overpower those hundred within the duelling ring. I intend to step in to prevent any deaths, but that I’ll discuss later with other particulars.”

“If it is your will.” Malea says, bowing.

“How does this make me stronger?” I ask, already feeling a weight settling onto my shoulders.

“It will give you an opportunity to work through your silly little trauma, so that you can maintain a dignified pose even when you are under the power of another. In this setting, someone can win a duel over you and force you to comply, without them stymying your growth and potential. You will have an opportunity to deal with those that are your equal, where violence is only part of the diplomatic process. This is a space where you will experience loss, and you will survive it.”

I shiver, my disgust overwhelming me for a moment, while I imagine just how frustrating this little game of hers is going to be. I doubt that the whole council will be made up of good and decent people.

“Furthermore, the new educational facility that you wanted, will be developed with assistance from the Grand Council. If you want it to be just how you imagined it, you’re going to have to fight for it, and even compromise where necessary. I think it should be a fun game for all of us.”

Her smile sparkles brighter than I’ve ever seen before, as she settles the issue, but her plans seem rather frightening to be quite honest. I was hoping that she would back me in unifying this space under my power, but it seems I was getting ahead of myself. I’ll have to hurry and grow stronger.

“If I may.” Malea speaks up, stepping closer with a few delicate steps. “What might we request from a duel? And is it only applicable through the council, or can we demand private duels as well?”

“The grand council is the only means of seizing territory, or dealing with matters on the grand scale, else you’d just have Kyra here picking off all the weaker members in duels and claiming all the territory for herself. Private duels are acceptable, and they should provide an additional challenge so I’ll allow it…

“How about this? Before a duel starts, both sides can make a request of the other, I’ll show up to referee and should the requests be accepted by myself and all parties involved, then the duel can take place. The loser must submit to the request of the victor.”

Arduelle smiles like she’s making up the rules for a homebrew game, I suppose it’s only right that she takes the role of a dungeon master.

“Then I would like to have a duel with Kyra.” Malea says, standing tall and facing me with a cruel smirk rising on her lips.

“With what stakes?” Arduelle asks.

“The rights of this cavern can only be settled through this grand council? If so, then I’ll have to choose lesser stakes. Perhaps, I can take your lovers into my service as maids.”

“No.” I say evenly.

“Oh, but you haven’t even made a counteroffer. Surely there’s something you want to ask of me that would be of equal value?”

“I said no.” I reply firmly. “I’m sure I can beat you in a fight, but I’m not going to put my lovers lives at stake just to play around with you.”

“Hmm? Interesting.” She laughs, looking around the room with a smile rising. Is she testing me? Seeing what sort of person I am?

“I don’t want anything from you anyway.” I say, shaking my head and leaning back into my throne. “I have no reason to accept any duel with you.”

“Oh, don’t be like that.” She says, “I’m sure there’s plenty I can offer. Maybe the secrets behind Space magic? I could tutor you in it perhaps?”

“I have access to teachers already.” I reply, intrigued by her offer, but not tempted.

“Riches? No. You don’t seem the sort to be tempted by simple things. Slaves? I could find you as many beautiful women as you’d like?”

I don’t reply, it seems the best response, since I can tell that her words are designed to get a rise out of me. I’m not even sure if her offers are real.

“I could give you the identities of our agents in this cavern.” She says, leveling her gaze at me. I refuse to turn away.

“Then I suppose you aren’t as arrogant as I assumed.” She sighs, looking back towards Arduelle. “Perhaps you could consider a way to force her into duels?”

“I’m sure you’ll find ways all on your own.” The dungeon replies.

“Oh, I’m very glad to hear that you have confidence in me.” She bows, “Is there anything I should be mindful of while tormenting her? Any lines that I cannot cross?”

“Kyra cannot be killed.” Arduelle says firmly, “The same with her lovers, but I’ll add that they cannot be tortured either. Fair fights, and competition alone, else I’m afraid I’ll be breaking my promise to my little weapon-in-making.”

“How kind of you.” Malea replies. “Then it won’t be an issue should I take everything else from her?”

“It won’t.” Arduelle replies. “In fact, it would be quite good for her to have a rival if you want the position.”

“Oh, then please. People like her should really be put into their place before they cause too much harm. This cavern could use a decent leader, not an angry brute waving about a big club.”

“If you’re not going to do it, then can I fight her?” Eshya asks, stepping closer to the girl.

“Oh, don’t be upset. You’ll be much happier when you understand your place, leadership is really a burden that you all seem unsuited to. Let me take that from your shoulders, so that you can focus on being the best you can be.”

“Eshya, we’ll leave it for now. We have class to return to.” I say, meeting Malea’s eyes. They seem to sparkle, waiting for a reaction from me, like a cat playing with a mouse. An illusion that I’ll have to break her from before she starts thinking too much of herself.

“Don’t worry, Kyra.” Arduelle says, smiling like a maniac. “I’ll make sure to find a few more villains for you to overcome. It’ll get you back into the fighting spirit and get you ready for the fights to come.”

“It’ll get you used to losing.” Malea says, smiling down at me. “We’ll have that duel soon enough.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Skills & Stats

~Mana Form:

Current mana density: 15904 units

~Mana distribution:

Category Current Max. Defence 20% 100% Offense 20% 100% Mana Sense 20% 100% Recovery 20% 100% Gluttony 10% 100% Misc. 10% 100% Efficiency 100% 100%

~Favourited Skills:

-Tag and Film

-Trapping

-Stealth

-Mana surge movement

-Annihilation defence

-Annihilation flame burst

-Annihilation net

-Eyes of an Empire

Adaptions:

-Quick perception mind

-Annihilation Heart

-Clean bowels