The last visit ended my tour of the Void. I took Nirgir back to his cage, climbed back up the long steps, and walked back outside of the house. I looked back at my home away from home. I didn’t want to go back, but I feared what would happen to me if I neglected to see anyone else. I’m not going to make the same mistake again. I closed my eyes and began to feel the Void slipping away from me. Soon after, I opened my eyes again to be in complete blackness, no starry backdrop anymore. I looked around until I found the outside of the shadow, then stepped out of it. I took a deep, audible breath of fresh air and looked around. Xinex and Xin’ier were standing at the steps of my great, black marble fortress on guard.

“Thank you for the ride,” I faked a proper tone. They simply nodded as I walked by and ascended the steps. I passed multiple statues of great allies in the past. The three sisters each had their own, then long fallen warriors filled the gaps. At the top of the steps, the path split and circled around a much larger statue of Lucelle, the demon. I had it erected after the last day I saw her with hopes that she would eventually come back. Lucelle was my best friend; she never would have done anything to hurt me and she fought for me with her whole heart. She was empowered by Nimor, a mad alchemist who tried to help my mother drain me of my father’s gift, and was then caged and used as a weapon to defeat Akan and, simultaneously, me. Akan’s master plan, using a Great One to rule over Mercelon, failed when Lucelle challenged it. I captured the Great One while it was distracted, drained Lucelle of the Darkness, and then she left. It was sometime after my mother fled that the pool of black blood Lucelle lied in was empty. I missed Lucelle dearly, and wished she was still out there somewhere, maybe waiting to come back.

Longer than a minute went by before I realized I was still staring up at the statue. A drop of rain snapped me out of my trance and I quickly went inside the large double doors of the front entrance. Inside, I was greeted by one of the Rescued. The Rescued is a band of children that fled their homes in search of anything ranging from knowledge to freedom. Many of them had bad home lives, but some just wanted a clean start. It was a publicity project I started a while back, something that Elyse recommended to gain the favor of other countries’ leaders, but I did it for my enjoyment at this point. I knew there was no man who would aim to gain my hand and have me bear his children, so this satisfied my ‘motherly’ needs. I watched them grow up and see me as their mother, and I watched many of them leave this fortress as a completely different person.

The boy in front of me was around the age of fifteen years old with the name of Jameson. “Welcome home, Miss Everlock. Is there anything I may fetch for you?” He held a handkerchief over his arm just like a butler and wore a sharp 3-piece suit. A scar went from the top of his cheekbone up through his left, blinded eye and ended above his brow. He was otherwise looking quite pristine; I was impressed.

“Thank you, sire. I would like some time alone, but a cup of tea to my chambers would be wonderful in say… twenty minutes.”

“Of course, with the vanilla as well?”

“Please, thank you.”

He bowed his head. “Thank you, Empress.” He turned on a heel and halfway rushed off towards the kitchen. He was such a well-developed child, I was going to make sure that he would find himself a wonderful woman when he got older. On the topic, there were parts of my mother’s legacy that I didn’t continue, such as completely automated soldiers and guards. In an attempt to seem less hostile, almost all of my staff was sentient. They were all variations of species and races, but as long as they did what they were supposed to, I welcomed them. Some call me a tyrant or a witch, but if they would just take the time to get to know me, I think they would find that I’m not the ‘Dark Ruler’ I was revered as around a hundred years ago. Pff, the nicknames people gave me back then, and even now. According to a report from one of my ‘visitors’ in the dog region, I’m known as “fresh meat.” Those animals are lovely, aren’t they?

I went up the winding maze of halls and steps until I got to the door to my chambers. I tapped my finger on the lock, then siphoned the mana I placed in it until the latch clicked open. That’s right, Elyse, I have magical locks; they keep the snoopers out. I entered my bedroom and went straight into the attached bathroom. After pulling Elyse’s hair products from my Void safe and putting them down on the edge of my bath, I went back out and lied down on my bed. The covers weren’t nearly as soft as Elyse’s and my pillows weren’t as perfect. I thought about it for a bit, then sprang up from the bed. I went to my working desk in the room and picked up one of the Void rock spheres I had lying around. These things were so great at conducting mana that I used them for everything when it came to enchantments.

I took the stylus, or wand, from the desk and smoothed out the sphere into a flat plate. I took a handful of Elven Mist, a catalyst for enchanted items, and generously sprinkled it onto the plate. With the stylus again, I made the mist fall inside of the Void rock so that it would stay in place. I put the tool down and then placed my hands on the plate before sending myself into a meditative state, focusing on relaxing and revitalizing feelings. Subconsciously, I implanted the feelings into the plate with my Psionics knowledge, but quickly forgot what I was doing as my eyelids began to close.

A knock at the door jarred me awake. I got up and opened it, seeing Jameson with the glass of tea in his hands. “As you wished, Empress,” he said with a bow. I took the cup, thanked him, then dismissed him for the night before closing the door. I put my back against the door and took a long drink, feeling as groggy as ever. I didn’t enjoy naps that much since they always left me more tired than I was before. The Void rock plate was still sitting on the desk, so I took it and went over to my bed. I placed it on the sheets, then used Psionics to displace it inside of the mattress. I lied back down, took a deep breath, and then waited. Almost no time went by before I began to feel tired again, so I knew it was a success. I had to pull myself away from the bed, though, or else I would have fallen asleep again.

Another knock at the door, this time a young woman named Cassandra. She told me there were special visitors for me in the throne room and that I had to go ‘at once.’ No one in my fortress tells me how quickly I need to get somewhere, so I dismissed her and turned back to grab my staff from my closet. It was made of wood stripped from the magical Darkwood tree and trimmed with pure silver, one of the better conductors of mana. Lastly, it was topped with a Void rock sphere infused with magic from my gift, so it amplified my power. I curled my arm around the staff and began my march towards the throne room; whoever thought they could come without invitation would pay dearly.

I went up into the balcony that circled over the throne room, added after I took this place, and looked down. I almost scoffed at the sight of my visitor- it was Judican, the Light Sun. Where was your brother, Yubik of the Dark Sun? They were celestial brothers who ruled over nothing in particular, but are known for being the guardians of the Sun. I’m not sure they’ve ever done anything deserving of the title, but they are close descendants of Argoncin, God of Light. I wasn’t a stranger to them, but it was odd of them to come into my home unannounced.

I very lightly tapped the staff on the railing and watched a dark fog begin to take over the room. Judican stood still, which was standard. His crown emitted a light brighter than a candle, but still only gave him a few feet of vision. I wonder why he didn’t spend more time with Elyse; him and her were nearly built for each other. However, I bet she would say the same thing about Yubik and myself. Yubik wasn’t interested in me, though, and I knew that.

After the fog had taken over the whole throne room, I created an illusion song in the room. It was eerily peaceful and I hoped it would put him on edge, but I doubt he cared much. I went around the balcony and picked myself up to sit on the railing. With a smile, I dived down into the fog and let myself fall into the shadows. It felt like I was swimming through nothing, a feeling I very much enjoyed. It was a pain, however, since not many people liked fog leaking through the whole fortress. I pushed through the fog and emerged next to Judican, trying my best to be silent as I raised the staff to soak up all the fog again. When it was all gone, the room was back to normal, but with me in the room with the Light Sun. Perfect execution, I thought to myself.

“Quite an entrance,” he said. His voice was happy, but I could tell he was already fed up with me.

“Nine out of ten?”

“Eight and a half.”

“I can work with that. What compels you to not send word of your arrival?” I spun the staff into a resting position against my shoulder and went to sit up on the black marble throne.

“You know we don’t visit unless it is of the utmost importance, Lady Everlock.”

“’We’?”

As if on cue, Yubik appeared out of nowhere from behind Judican. He had slick, dark hair and a well-shaped face. His eyes were almost all black save for a thin, white rim. He was much more muscular than Judican, something I was very fond of. I liked the way his hair was cut short and how he held himself with such confidence. His voice was low, but demanded attention. “Good day, Dark Ruler.” If anything, the title coming from him was a compliment; I loved it.

 “Thank you, Dark Sun, for the pleasantries.” I shot a snarky look at Judican, then looked back. “What can I do for you two?”

Judican continued to speak, which made me think it was all his idea to come, “You know of Erzen, correct?”

“Erzen, the toxic muck?” I knew what he was talking about, but I wanted him to explain it again.

“Erzen, the demon slayer. He’s making his rounds again, and we fear he will be here in Aylryssandia soon, something that should be of your concern. You should know that he knows of your origins.”

“I’m Void-born, not a demon. He should be cautious if he plans to come to my land.”

“It’s why we’re here,” Yubik said with a casual voice. “He broke out of Hellreach, gods damn those useless keepers, and he wants your head.”

“A lot of people want my head.”

“Do you want help or not?” Judican snapped.

I gave him an angered look, which made Yubik reword his brother’s question. “We can give you support in the form of sentries and guards, if that is something you are interested in.”

I looked at him with a relaxed expression. “I’m not worried about an overzealous assassin, but I do worry about the gods’ intervention. Why do you all insist on interfering in a mortal’s cause on the ground?”

“When a mortal kills an immortal with sheer brutality, we begin to wonder the same thing, dear woman.” Judican never had a way with women, it’s no wonder he hasn’t hitched himself to Elyse yet. “Words have been exchanged and we fear Hordin is involved.” Hordin, God of Giants. Hordin hated anything that wasn’t a giant, which was made very apparent by how he liked to aid his subjects in everything they did. I don’t remember the last time I got any help from the gods. They probably still resented me for my father’s gift, the unlucky bastards. ‘It’s ungodly to have the Void at your side,’ Argoncin once told me through the mouth of a priest.

“Why would Hordin assist an Elf?” Erzen was a Dark Elf, much unlike a giant, but he did only have a bias towards demons, so I guess I could maybe see how the God of Giants would take notice.

“Hellreach was attacked by giants the day of his release,” Yubik answered.

“Hm.”

“Would you like our help?” Judican asked.

I looked over to Yubik, who repeated the question with half a grin. “Would you like our help, Empress of Aylryssandia?” He added a faint bow for effect.

I tilted my head and looked around as if to ponder the idea. Finally, I said, “I will accept sentries on the borders, but nothing more. They will be modeled after the demon statue outside of the entrance.” I knew the gods loved to make material things for mortals, so I had the upper hand. “And they will screech like sirens when anything resembling the likeness of Erzen or a giant try to enter from anywhere except for the main road.”

“Interesting choice. It will be done, Lady Everlock. Thank you for your time.” Judican turned and began his walk toward the doors.

“Good day, Bright Sun!” I called, making a slight joke of his title. Yubik stayed a few moments before turning, but looked back when I addressed the Dark Sun by name.

“Was there anything else you needed, Empress?” I loved the way he called me an empress.

“Nirgir is growing very well, but misses you. Would you like to visit him again sometime?” I’ve taken mortals and immortals to the Void before, but I’ve brought Yubik more than once, something very few others can say.

He nodded, giving a smile. “I would like to see the little guy again, thank you for the invitation. Exquisite staff, by the way, Dark Ruler.” He turned back to the entrance and strolled away. I watched him all the way to the door and until he was out of sight. I sighed heavily and turned myself to sit sideways on the throne with my legs dangling over the side. It wasn’t until then that I realized there was an audience of workers at the door to the side of the room.

“Would you like anything, Madam? Perhaps some privacy with your staff?” one of the older ladies laughed. The others burst out in laughter as well, clearly having watched most of the encounter. I flashed some fake demon fangs and created an illusion sound of something like a Void creature’s growl, which made them flee back to their workstations. Yes, I did want some privacy.