The energy filling my throne is more than enough to feed my enervated flesh and soul. Drawing upon it’s vibrant succour I call upon it to change my body, to make me into something more than I am.

To make me stronger.

The mana rushes through me, invading every cell of every twitching muscle, skin, bone and all else besides, depositing a small pocket of energy within. Something that will be refilled on its own through time. The cells react quickly, adjusting their position throughout my body to better reflect the perfect image of health that I demand of them

Rebinding Tissue, one more adaption in a long list.

The breaks in the bone, reinforced with cheap paste, and now further reinforced by my own adaption, are still a burden on my body. I can still feel the pressure running through every crack no matter how well it’s held in place, and the pain is quickly making its return known, but regardless, I know that I can fight in this condition. Though, perhaps not quite as well as otherwise.

“Are you done?” Vii asks, rising from the table where the healer has tended to her wounds. It soothes my pained heart to see her whole again.

“I’m done.” I say, standing from my throne and seeking my own treatment from the kind healer that has aided us all this while. The plucky young human girl still stands by his side, helping while learning the tricks of the trade. With a tender hand, the healer starts his work.

“Thank you for this.” I say, letting the healer do his work. As always, he’s rather particular about it, but when done, and everything is properly reformed to how it should be, I’m confident that I have nothing to worry about.

“Less work now that you’ve ended all this fighting.” He says, but his tone suggests that he sees it as a positive thing.

“You’ll always have a home here, even if all sickness and injury is eradicated.” I say. “You’re work is appreciated.”

He nods, and the girl at his side follows in the motion before they both head back to their new clinic in the city. They’re adapting to life here rather well, and it’s nice to see that my actions have made a difference, even if it was at great cost and suffering.

“Are you ready for the trial?” Nel asks, resting a hand on the throne behind me. With control over the mana flowing through it, I can prevent it from causing her discomfort.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I say, taking my seat again.

“The first trial.” Vii whispers, jotting down notes in her little book once again.

“And yet it’s all a pointless show.” Eshya snorts. “We know how it’s going to end.”

“Yes, and it is important that the people here know that you will give them a chance to defend themselves should they ever be in the same situation.” Nel says.

“It would be better if we could investigate the situation a little more deeply.” Adler says, “Or if we could do something other than cause more death and suffering.”

“Prisons won’t hold a person, or serve us any good, and collars are not something I want to use.” I say, “He’s teleported a powerful enemy into my throne room. That’s not something that we can take lightly, especially if he’s a repeat offender.”

“Are we ready?” Red says, poking her head in through the doors.

“Ready.” I say, sitting up straight and trying to give the appearance of a regal and proper monarch. This is justice that we’re delivering, and I can’t do that without the trust of my people. I just wish that so much of that trust didn’t come from simple appearance and assumptions.

The doors open wide and from the stairs, Red’s soldiers lead the dour Khet into the room. His downcast expression isn’t entirely that of surrender however, it seems he’s trying to think up an escape.

“Are the screens functioning?” I ask, turning to look at the little baubles that have been enchanted to function as cameras. Vii, using her recording Skills, and the research and development team worked together to get these things ready. Wally, curled up over his computer as always, was already familiar with the idea of television, so it was a relatively exciting matter for him as well.

The screens are spread out through the city, and I’m sure that more than a few citizens have taken an interest in the trial proceedings covering the only channel.

“Everything is functioning properly.” Ria says, resting by the side of the room and messing with something of her own. Her crystalline wings move slightly, nervous, but whether it’s about the technology or the trial I can’t really say for sure.

“Then let’s continue.” I say, turning towards Khet, who stands before the throne with a nervousness that can’t be disguised. “Khet, you brought a device into my home that allowed for a powerful entity to teleport here, all while knowing that they were a potential enemy. Do you have anything to say in your defence?”

“I apologise. I wasn’t aware of its purpose.” He says, “I was paid to deliver it, I thought that maybe it was meant as a gift. I was as surprised as anyone when the enchantments on it started working, and that noble lady came walking through.”

“So you claim that you didn’t activate the device?” I ask, “That it worked on its own?”

“Yes, Empress.” He says, holding back from giving further excuses.

“Are you aware that I can see everything in this city, Khet?” I say, and he shivers. The plants that form his flesh writhe as he tries to maintain his composure. “It’s a Skill of mine, and I saw everything you did that day, and the day before.”

While true, I never actually paid attention to him, and while it could be theoretically possible to record that information, it would take something more serious than a Skill to do it. I don’t think Chip can hold that much data on it’s own.

“I was not aware…” Khet says. “Then… I… This was a trap from the very start… You already knew what I was doing from the very first moment…”

His unsettling laughter fills the room, as he stares up at me.

“Fine. I wanted to be rid of you.” He says, his voice dipping low as he tells the truth. “Do you know how hard merchants and crafters have to work to get anywhere? How much mana we can afford to consume for ourselves, when it might be better to trade it away instead?

“Then violent idiots with big sticks come along, and they can take everything that they please… This entire system is madness. I was just doing what I needed to do to get ahead in this awful reality.”

I let his words hang in the air, and while none in this room seem impressed, I wouldn’t be surprised if some craftsmen and merchants were moved. He’s not entirely off base, but he’s certainly twisting things to his favour, even now.

“Certainly. Life is hard for those who cannot fight.” I say. “I knew that myself, falling onto a wild planet where I had to sink or swim, I tried to learn how to fight for myself. The only reason I survived was luck.

“Reality, and nature, are unforgiving and unkind. I want to pull us away from that. To provide a space where we can be safe from that violence, where those who are weak can get ahead in life through other virtues. A world where kindness isn’t a weakness to be taken advantage of.”

Red is yawning, clearly unimpressed, Adler is intrigued, but similarly not intrigued. I’ll have to cut this short.

I set my eyes on the camera for a moment before turning back to Khet.

“You could have changed your mind. You could’ve worked as an honest crafter and merchant, and I would have done all that I could to support you. After all my worries about your guild, you impressed me. The organisation truly seems to be helping those who have joined it, and without causing anyone trouble.

“Instead, you chose this path. You chose betrayal.” I say, looking down at the man. “I wish that I could find a reason to trust in you again. I wish that I could find a way to resolve this where you would live as a good citizen of your own free will.”

“I will. I will not do anything wrong ever again.” He says, bowing low.

I stand from the throne and step down towards him. Each step feels like a burden, and I know that this choice is irreversible. One more weight on my shoulders, but the burden only sets my feet more firmly on the ground.

Resting a hand on his shoulder, I close my eyes.

“I don’t believe you.” I say, pulling at his mana. I start with his silvery support device, causing so much pain that he passes out in an instant, but I do not stop there. I keep pulling mana out until there is nothing remaining in his corpse.

“Justice has been done.” Adler says, stepping up to the body and bowing low towards it. “May I dispose of the body as per his request?”

“You may. He may have been a traitor, but I will not show him disrespect in passing.” I say the lines we practiced, seeing nothing but tangled thorns covering the floor before me.

My own hands so easily took his life, in this show of authority. It feels proper, but I’m not sure I can call it justice, myself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The lakes waters sway with a gentle current, the great beast still swims here, among its family. I’ve yet to make a final decision on what should be done with it but knowing that it could be made into an intelligent person capable of compromise, my more bloody and exploitative thoughts are a little more difficult to consider.

“Do we have everything?” I ask Nel, halting the tapping of my foot. A sign of nervousness that would earn me a scolding from my tutors in proper etiquette, which I cannot seem to escape.

“Gold, mana shards, a beacon, modified support devices, and the shopping lists.” Nel says, patting the bag lightly, before passing it on to Vii and I. Even with bricks of gold inside, it’s a light weight to carry. Likely because the gold has been stripped of all mana.

Apparently gold and other precious metals are relatively cheap here, so long as they’re light on mana, so they make for a good trade item to bring back home. The mana shards have a slightly different purpose.

“The ships definitely coming here, isn’t it?” Vii asks, hoping from foot to foot as she looks at the small marker floating in the waters. It’s supposed to work as a beacon for the rebel ship coming our way.

“It is.” Nel assures her. “With how much we offered them, they were happy to take our request.”

“Well, I guess all we can do is wait.” Just as I say it, the space before us warps, and the air is displaced as a large ship sinks into the waters where the mark was left to float.

“Ahoy there.” The captain of the ship waves to us, while hanging off of the side of the vessel. Chip has taken to translating him rather liberally, but I don’t mind.

“You’re right on time.” I say, “There’s no troubles I assume.”

“No troubles at all.” He says. “We’ll need you to help us navigate to that homeworld of yours, but if it’s interesting, I might just make it a permanent part of my trading roster.”

It’s how the deal had been put together, so there’s no nasty surprises for us, and the species onboard are as varied as I’ve come to expect. Though maybe there are fewer insects compared to normal.

Nel discusses the details with the captain as the labourers move goods aboard the vessel. We’re not buying anything this time around, but apparently he’s leaving us a list of goods he can obtain for future business purposes.

“Leaving now. I’ll see you in a weeks time.” I send out the message to Eshya and Adler, both of whom have gone ahead on the combat course excursion. It feels wrong to be leaving them behind, but the situation isn’t so kind as to let us do everything as we want.

“Nel, take care of everything, and Red, take care of Nel.” I say, looking at the pair of them.

“It’ll be fine.” Nel says. “Arduelle is looking out for us, and I’ll be sure that she doesn’t take things too far. She won’t mess with us while you’re gone, at the very least.”

“I can’t promise that nothing will happen,” Arduelle says, popping by to say goodbye. “There will likely be the first Grand Council meeting in a little more than a week though, so do be excited for it.”

“Great, more nobles to deal with.” I say, dreading the thought.

“I’ll make sure no idiots think that they can try anything while you’re away.” Red says, glancing at Arduelle. “With you gone, there’s no one stopping me from tearing them apart.”

“Just keep it within reason.” I warn her, stepping up the gangplank. There’s already a good few things being hauled up and into the vessel, things that we couldn’t find a use for. How much longer we can trade in riches stolen through conquer I don’t know, but for now it’s enough.

“Don’t want to stay for longer?” The captain asks, looking between Vii and I.

“I’d rather just get going.” I say. Turning to look at my city.

There’s no need for prolonged goodbyes, Nel waves us off, and Red stands beside her with a relaxed expression. I think some time away from violence has taken some of the edge off of her, but then again, maybe not. Arduelle just waves politely without showing any emotions.

The cities towers rise high behind them, and in the streets my people work hard. They’re building their lives here under the promise of my protection. I will not fail them.

“Come here, and shove your hand on this thingy.” The captain says, pulling me along. “It’ll do some magical something or other and get a read on this world that you’re talking about.”

“How?” I ask, trying to think of how that would work, using my limited understanding of space magic.

“Heck if I know.” The captain says. “I just know it works.”

“I think the teacher said something about enchantments like this…” Vii says, rubbing at her head. I’m sure she’s flicking through the appropriate textbooks in her mind, trying to find information on it, but I doubt she’ll figure it out in the few moments we have.

I place my hand on the enchantment, a little nervous about what’s going to happen next. I still don’t fully trust the man, or the rebel faction he’s with, but I don’t have any better alternatives for travel unless I want to go pleading to Arduelle. I need to know if we have an option B, relying on her for everything is too dangerous.

“Off we go.” The captain calls, setting off the enchantment in the wooden deck. The ship itself resonates with the power, the wooden boards beneath my feet a catalyst for the magic, bringing enough mana into existence to fuel the process and send us flying out of reality and into a new one.

Darkness and stars fill the space around us, but the light of one shines far brighter than any other.

I stand and walk to the edge of the deck, gazing through the shimmering barrier that separates us from empty space.

There, just within reach, is a bright blue world, familiar little islands scattered all over.

It’s smaller than I remember.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stats and Skills

~Mana Form:

Current mana density: 32,718 / 60,892 units

Current mana volume: 16,262 / 30,266 shards

Mana volume at crystallisation density (Max. mana volume):

Kyra: 30,266 shards

Kyra’s armour: 20,777 shards

Kyra’s throne: 1,109,298 shards

~Forms

Mana Canon

-Annihilation Heart (Adapted)

-Blood Fuel (20,000 mana shards)

-Bone Magic Storage (40,000 mana shards)

-Nail Shifters (50,000 mana shards)

Dancer

-Flash Nerves (8,000 mana shards)

-Quick Perception Mind (Adapted)

-Burst Reflex Muscles (35,000 mana shards)

-Layered space Muscles (80,000 mana shards)

Turtle

-Rebinding Tissue (Adapted)

-Catalyst Sweat Glands (140,000 mana shards)

-Repulsive Skin (80,000 mana shards)

-Prehensile hair (10,000 mana shards)

-Fatty Tissue Blood Storage (100,000 mana shards)

Investigator

-Wide eyes (5,000 mana shards)

-Wide ears (5,000 mana shards)

-Sharp nose (5,000 mana shards)

Misc.

-Clean bowels (Adapted)

~Favourited Skills:

-Tag and Film

-Trapping

-Stealth

-Mana surge movement

-Annihilation defence

-Annihilation flame burst

-Annihilation net

-Eyes of an Empire