Kora pulled out her blade, its edges sliding out cleanly. She moved about lazily, avoiding pitchforks and clubs aimed carelessly at her lithe figure.

A sidestep here, a sidestep there, a small cut to the throat over here, it all too smoothly.

Those who survived wept for those who did not, and what better way to grief for the fallen than to join them in their graves? The people took to the streets, picking up whatever pointy tool their dull-witted fingers could reach, and marched towards the Royal Castle.

It was illogical, foolish, and rash; It reeked of political motivators. Whoever incited this will be hanged, just as the last nobles, and the ones before them, and the ones before that.

Still, it irritated Kora that she had to end a rebellion rather than to join her fellow soldiers at the training camp, probably fending off more Undead creatures. It’s been two days since the First Phase had decimated the Empire, yet their armies still war on against creatures of unknown origins--wave after wave after wave.

That, in addition to the Gods ever increasing interference, had thrown the current ruling family, the Alderanions, a real headache this time.

Yet no headache has proved durable enough to survive the caress of a very, very sharp blade to the limbs.

It did not take long for the rioters at her side to break. They were a force of three hundred, at least, against the meager force of fifty soldiers. They had tried to break into the Second District, and had almost made it too, if it were not for Kora’s platoon reinforcing the Third Gate.

Their arrival signaled the beginning of bloodshed truly. Small quarters allowed only for a limited amount of simultaneous quarreling-- greatly impairing the enemy force’s numerical superiority.

Once the Third Gate’s siege broke, it was a simple matter of flanking the enemy forces whittling down the other adjacent Gates.

There, however, were five Gates in total, and the Empire had only so many soldiers they could spare, especially after the cataclysm had begun. It was evident that whichever political force incited this riot also had both military commanders--concealed, of course-- assisting the rebels, and influence from the Second District. When the First and Fifth Gates garrison were assassinated, Kora’s Third Gate platoon was recalled.

They were forced to retreat to Third-Distract-- a much easier task, considering there were only Three Gates in total. Kora was stationed at the First Gate. Whether it was because blind luck or her rank, Kora did not care. She stood overlooking the garrison, the bridge tall behind her miniature towers.

What do I even care for, anymore?

Power, control, vengeance, an old voice whispered in her head.

Other than that, she replied to herself, bemused.

The spirit had left her, but not without awakening things better left slumbering. Kora had lost her ambition, her desire, her foolish quest for transcendence. These newfound abilities, however, kept nudging her, giving her false, ill-advised hope.

She pulled out her Status Screen, more a reminder to that fickle side rather than for the recollection of the memory.

Status Effects

Well Fed

Increase HP, STM, and Overall STM Regeneration by 10%

Deep Sleep Bonus increased by 30%

Total Growth Increased by 5%

Well Rested

Increase HP, STM, and Overall STM Regeneration by 10%

Total Growth Increased by 5%

1+ All Attributes

Permanent Crippling Internal Organ Failure

Reduce All Physical Performance by 50%

Reduce the Effectiveness of All Physical Attributes by 50%

Reduce All Physical Regeneration by 50%

Reduce Injury Resistance by 50%

Reduce Disease Resistance by 50%

There it was, the grim reminder of her impotency. No matter how much she struggles, no matter how much she whines, she would only amount to half of what she is. Whose fault was this, she wondered. Was it her gullibility, or his greed?

“Hey Kora, would you like a hot cup of tea?”

Kora tilted her head slightly, seeing Amila, one of her fellow garrisoned soldiers, striding towards her. She held two cups in her hands, their steam clashing against the bitter air.

“...I could hardly say no to that, considering you have already prepared one,” Kora replied, not bothering to hide the irritation in her voice.

Amila smiled proudly, not bothering to hide the joy in her face.

“How goes the night?” Amila asked her, nudging closer to Kora.

Kora resigned herself inwardly. This would take some time. She waved away the Status Screen, returning her gaze back to the far rooftops. Any structures built were far enough to prevent any arrows from bombarding the Gates. In there, a mix of rebels and hired men occupied the buildings, licking their wounds after their previous failure.

Soon, the Empire will begin to strike back. It was only matter of time before the command structure gets restored fully.

“No signs of hostile activities. The rebels remain to fruitfully attempt to stare these stone walls into oblivion.”

Amila paused, cup half-way up, before giggling quietly. “I meant how you were looking up, silly” She nudged the side of her head against Kora’s cheeks, tickling her sides with blank strands of hair.

Kora’s eye-brows straightened, compacting her shoulders. Weird girl.

“Fine.”

“Careful, it’s hot”

“I can see that,” Kora said as she promptly proceeded to burn her tongue on it. A wince escaped her face, making Amila laugh even more.

“I tol-”

“Shut up!” A tiny blush snuck its way onto Kora’s face.

Soon, Amila’s boisterous laughter attracted another soldier patrolling the gates. He slid beside Amila, eying them as they sipped on their tea.

“Enjoying guard duty, ladies?” he smiled.

“Very much so,” Amila replied in a measured manner, then leaned in closer to him and whispered, “We’re only missing a couple of cozy blankets and a bard to sing us tales of faraway lands.”

The soldier was fazed for a couple, caught off guard. After a slight pause he burst into full laughter, the spear against his shoulder shaking as he bent forward.

“I should have expected as much, women who voluntarily choose to engage in putting holes in people are never normal. I’m Lyke.”

She smiled back at him, “ I'm Amila, this here is Kora. She’s a wonderful person, don’t mind the disgust showing on her face, she does that with everyone.”

Lyke nodded slowly. His gaze returned the Amila.

“You two have known each other before being stationed here?”

“Nope,” Amila replied.

Luke’s face perplexed slightly, then smirked, “Oh, then how do you know?”

“Oh, that’s easy. You see, I saw her fighting. She was very merciful with the rebels.” Amila said, pointing her fingers up with a triumphant look.

“She let them...go?”

“Of course not sweetie! Anyone she crossed blades with…” Amila motioned a line through her throat “...Died instantly! Without any pain!” Amila smiled at Lyke. A homely smile. A heart-warming smile.

Lyke stepped back, swallowing deeply.

“You should have seen the way she moved,” Amila leaned in closer to Lyke, her eyes widening in wonder “No wasted movement. Pure, poised, clever, light. Her blade only touched soft flesh.”

Kora shook her head, slightly. With this body, It is not as if like I had a choice in the matter.

“Oh, I see…” Slowly, Lyke backed off, promptly excusing himself to perform his duties.

A quiet moment passed his departure.

“He’s cute.”

“He’s an idiot.”

“He’s a good person!”

“He’s just oblivious.”

Another moment passed.

Amila pouted. “You scared him!”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Exactly! You should have...smiled at him!”

Kora faced her, baring her teeth.

Amila held it in, for a few seconds, before the laughter shook her body.

“Sorry, sorry, please, that might work on hounds but not on boys.”

Kora rolled her eyes, her lips sipping the cooling tea. She returned her gaze towards the skies. This region lacked the stars her home did, but the moon was bright, no matter where you studied it from.

She glanced at Amila. Well, she's not that bad.

A full, merry face always answered her.

...But that smile still scares me.