Raul, The Whispering Shadow

The deed was done, and I was finally allowed out of that mental chamber. I saw the man was still there, but he appeared extremely tired. A bit of blood dripped from his nose, some kind of nosebleed. Lady Mimi placed his form back on his chair. Letting him rest his head on top of the desk. There was no crime to report, other than a crimson dark elf going missing within the next five minutes. Though something told me, that the bastard wouldn't be too torn up about it.

I felt empty, and hollow. I finally achieved my revenge, many times over. Yet, as I stared at the man I had known in my earliest days. I couldn't help but feel sorrow. I sank into the shadows, lady Mimi following after. We fled the same way we came, making our way back to the home we fixed up. I let out a small sigh, my hands shaking a little.

I looked towards the lady, as she gently cradled her newest addition. Silence passed between us for minutes, before she finally spoke. "What do you intend on doing now?"

I looked at the walls we had painted earlier today. Then at the floorboards that were sanded down and refinished. A subdued smile played across my lips, as I saw this place in a new light. With a slow breath, I steadied myself to answer her properly. "You planned all of this, didn't you?" She didn't bother answering my question, so I continued after a few seconds. "I think I'm going to the urn garden, I need to ask for my wife's permission to move on."

The lady tilted her head, a brow raised. "I do not understand what you mean by that."

I was grateful she didn't go through my memories, as she did with the bastard. She probably felt my shadows would have informed me otherwise, so I let out a small laugh. "I hope you never have to understand, but I'll explain it. There is an afterlife when we die, and when you visit someone's ashes they might come to you. Spirit callers can be hired to talk to the dead, but I'm not going to disturb her slumber. It's complicated, but it's something that I have to do."

The lady nodded slowly, "Very well, you can stay here as long as you desire. I'm going to take this one to the Underground, and set a few more things into motion. If you need a purpose, I will find you one. Though I think we both want the same thing for you."

I smiled at that, "Yeah... I'll protect my daughter, and the other two. How certain are you that we won't be betrayed by that bastard?"

She smirked, "If he does betray us, then I'll be very curious to find out how and why. Besides what can he pin on us? Trespassing is a minor crime, and we were defending this child from his advances."

"Yeah, that is fair. By the way, I've never seen a crimson dark elf before. What is their skin's history?"

She rolled her eyes with a slight sigh, "It doesn't really mean anything, and I suppose alabaster is more common?"

I frowned a little, "I thought your skin was pale because you are clearly a monster. Was it white before?"

Lady Mimi just gave me a blank stare, "Red means warrior, white means usurper, black means assassin, purple means noble ruler, blue means wise ruler, yellow means mad mage, green means capable builder, orange means excellent trader, silver means excellent knight of blade or spell, pink means potent healer, bronze means wonderful cook. Are you happy now?" She crossed her upper arms.

"Wait, there are bronze and silver dark elves? I've never knew there were so many colors for your kind."

Mimi took a deep breath, "Some bronze and silver dark elves can look metallic. Though usually we say bronze and silver instead of gray or brown. Like I said before our skin color doesn't mean much of anything, besides pink dark elves always have the giving blood for some reason. The metal skins can take a little more heat, but beyond that there isn't much of a difference."

I shook my head, "My apologies, my lady. It's just rare to actually get answers about dark elves, and their skin tones. Don't you think it's strange to have so many different hues?"

"I think it's more strange that you're talking to me about this, instead of seeing your wife's ashes. If you don't want to see her, I'd ask that you chose a more pleasant topic to discuss than the skin tones of dark elves."

I winced a little, feeling a bit low for using this discussion to delay the inevitable. With my head low, I entered the shadows again. I made my way towards the urn garden, where every noble's ashes were held. Thick marble columns rose up in the field of flowers. Walkways and paths of stone cutting through the sweet fields. There were grounds keepers going about their task, some urns moving into a mausoleum when a noble family's blood line ended and such was confirmed.

There were a few signs resting among the flowers, advising no dark magics. I had to step out of the shadows, in front of the gate. The place warded with null magic around its threshold. Anyone that saw me, knew not to question my sudden appearance. There was no treasure to be gained here, no corpses a necromancer might want. Only the ashes of the deceased, and those here to mourn them. I looked up at the cloudy sky, realizing that rain was coming tomorrow.

It was on a night just like this one, that I met her. I crossed the threshold, entering the urn garden proper. There was no roof, save for the ones on the mausoleums that laid on the edges of this garden. I walked the first path, knowing that the urns were moved around on a yearly basis to let those searching for the departed feel just the faintest bit of joy at finding them. I could just ask a grounds keeper, but it was tradition to find them on your own.

The paths looped to connect three or four pillars at a time, some places with the grass rose high enough to hide other visitors to keep everyone from disturbing each other. The perfume of flowers lingered in the air, reminding me of her scent. That sweet gentle smell with a tint of acid to it. She always worried about how she smelled; considering her blood magic, and the talent that allowed her to turn her blood into acid. The green witch of the South, that I was told to kill.

I remembered the weeks I spent hunting after her, following her trail through the fire kingdom. She had done nothing wrong, nothing to deserve death. Yet, it was ordered against her, for the talent she held. We couldn't let it fall into the hands of the fire lord, we couldn't let them use a talent stone to take it from her. When I finally found her, she was fleeing the enemy kingdom, a group of mercenaries chasing after her. She was barely an adult, her skin pale from the blood she lost.

I reached the first pillar, searching for her at once. Still remembering that night, watching from the shadows of the nearby trees. Listening to what the men would do to her when they finally caught her. I let them pursue, to save my strength when I needed to end them all. How the chase went on for hours, my poor dear already exhausted.

Alas, she wasn't here, and so I went towards the next pillar. Still caught in my memories, when she screamed about not wanting to die. How she didn't want to kill anyone anymore. The men thought they were clever, bringing a null magic user with them. I remember watching as she sprayed them with blood from a cut on her wrist. The null magic doing nothing while the momentum simply carried acid straight at them.

I arrived at another pillar, and began my search again. Still remembering how those men cursed, before firing a crossbow at her. The others yelling that they needed her alive. They weren't well trained, but I merely observed. After all, I only needed her dead. No one needed to know of my presence. How she screamed when the bolt hit her shoulder. The other men advancing on her. That was when I made my move, killing the null magic user first.

Her ashes were not at this pillar, so I moved to the next. I was so younger then, more reckless than I had the right to be. The man's last breath was spent activating his field, only to have it cling to me. I was afraid I might never regain my magic, but the kill had been clean and quiet. I managed to slay another with the dagger from the first. I slashed into the third, before the fourth turned to face me.

I began my search again, upon arriving at another. Still lost as I was in my memories of that night. I was on the defensive, my dear having fallen to her knees from blood loss. She was barely able to stay awake. The fight was a brutal one, giving me a few scars on my side. I stabbed the third through his heart, sliding the dagger between his ribs, but he grabbed my wrist as their leader began to swing his sword towards my neck.

Finally I found her ashes, just as I remembered her final act of defiance. She used what little blood she could spare. A small gout of it spraying the man in the face with acid that ate at his flesh, throwing the blade's arc enough for me to dodge. I slew the last man, before turning towards her. I knew then, that I should have left her there. That I should have let her die, but she saved my life in that moment.

I teared up, looking at her green urn, the lid flaring out like a witches hat. Her favorite flowers painted around her name. One that I couldn't bring myself to speak out loud, or even think about without wincing from the pain. I rested my head against her urn, crying quietly. It felt so hard to say anything to her, so painful. I said I would protect her, that I would keep her and Sarah safe.

I gripped the handles, that looked so much like the staff she gave up when we left the fire kingdom. Those days we spent recovering in the woods, while I hunted and foraged. Telling myself that Eclipse could use her talent instead. That I would find a way to repay my debts to her. How she gave me love, showering me in kisses and hugs for saving her. How she always gave me joy I didn't deserve.

"Y-you have... been avenged." I choked out those words, knowing she probably never would have wanted me to avenge her. I ran my fingers along the handles, feeling the divots and twists. The tears running down my cheeks, and falling off my chin. I didn't want to disturb her slumber, and I hoped she might hear me. All I was good at, was killing. I wanted to retire, and learn more from her, to live with her when I had enough coin to keep us all happy.

I regretted the time I spent away from my family. I should have stopped sooner, and stayed with them. I should have worked inside of Eclipse, and kept an eye on them. There were so many things I should have done, so many things I didn't do. All because I thought there would be time later. The precious moments I kept avoiding, all because my hands were so filthy compared to her own. I couldn't even hold my little Sarah when she was born, because I feared tainting her.

If any of us should have died, it should have been me. I wouldn't have even thought twice, but yet I live. I headbutted her urn, keeping it still as I gripped the handles, "Tell me what to do... please..." Just like that, it felt as if a dam broke. Everything I did wrong, finding its way to my lips, voicing my doubts. I'm not strong enough without her, I can't do this alone. I don't know the first thing about taking care of a child. I headbutted her urn a few more times, the material stronger than my flesh and bone.

I cried, happy to be alone, to not let her see me like this. Maybe one day when I am strong enough I'll talk to her, probably with our little one when she is fully recovered. I took deep shuddering breathes, still unable to let her go. I wasn't ready to move on, or perhaps I never would be. I wasn't ready to love Cynthia, but I would protect her and Drake just like Sarah. That's what I needed to do, and it would be done.

I pulled myself away from the urn, wiping my face. I didn't dare remember how she looked when she died. I bottled that memory up, and I was still too weak to face it. One day though, I might be able to, but tonight was not that night. I turned away, feeling a warm embrace on my back. Her scent lingering on the wind. How she whispered, "I love you." As she had done so long ago.

It all felt like a lifetime ago, like I was a ghost of who she wanted me to be. Who I was supposed to stay for her. I steadied myself, listening to the shadows. Realizing that those were probably her final thoughts before she passed. Those shadows under her urn had held onto them, and it was the only sound that cut through to me. I looked at the clouds above, seeing arcs of lightning among them. It was going to rain hard in the coming days.

With a deep breath, I walked away from her urn, promising to return again. To talk more, and one day talk to her spirit. For now, our daughter needed me, and I had to be there for her. I might be filthy, but maybe it wouldn't rub off on her. I left the urn garden, then the innermost walls. I just needed to buy the story book I used to read her. It was a start, and she had to catch up to her age mentally.

I looked up at the sky, realizing I would always be in someone's debt. I just needed to make sure I was indebted to the right people, and everything would hopefully work out alright.

Mimi

Raul seems to be doing well enough, especially since he made it home on his own. It was mildly annoying to get out of the innermost walls, but naturally they were meant to keep others out, instead of keeping them in. Thankfully the shadow exchange worked as it needed to, and I was able to carry the newest member of the Hive to the portal.

Judging by the silence from the tunnel of the Underneath, the newest personality was making their way there. A few moments later, Gray was there, enacting our plan. He was effectively a spy that was meant to guide her top side, and into the innermost walls. I couldn't make a Hive there, but that didn't mean I couldn't have a separate entity do it for me. I needed all of the information the nobles were keeping to themselves. Especially if Kobe planned on taking the throne in a year or two.

There was no benefit to taking over the kingdom, and holding that position. It would make Eclipse weaker to have a successful coup, so I didn't need to become the Queen of this place. I just needed the bodies left over after the battle, to grow my Hive, and access to all those delicious minds and how they did their magic. The second I understand how everything works, and how to make it all, is the second my enemies are helpless. I just needed a way to kill the Old One, so that I may devour him.

I licked my lips, while confirming everything was in place. Gray was giving me feedback from what he was doing with the new mind, that has taken to calling itself Whisper. Truly, it wasn't very strong, and even Scix or Beru could probably crush it at their current strength. Though the point was to induce strife, and let it grow. Whisper left half her forces and most of her bodies at the tunnel, while Gray took the bugs inside a few bodies. They were teleported deeper into the dead-zones where a few patrols of giants were conveniently placed. Now they just needed a key to activate a portal leading top side, and I knew just the person that would have such.

Looking at the sky, I figured it was about midnight. I checked on Vivi, and Wyatt to find they were still doing their nightly study sessions. A couple screamers were placed outside the window, before they started chirping like crickets. I used the shadows to make my way to the location Vivi would eventually meet me at.

I only had to wait an hour, before she came with Brian. Brian was keeping watch, to make sure no one followed, while my bugs were spread out to ensure the same. Vivi pretended to smile, "It does impress me, how you find more unique ways to let me know we're going to talk."

I shrugged, "You didn't like me kidnapping Brian, and you didn't like me sending bugs directly to you. Are you going to say you didn't like the chirping?" I smiled back at her.

Vivi shook her head, "No, chirping is fine. My spies have reported a few interesting things going on beneath us. Though I expect that's what you're here to report about, correct?" Her face became passive, as she likely decided she didn't have to waste the effort in pretending.

I nodded slightly, "The Fiend's Eye is no more, the hags leading them are dead. I have control over their group now, and am working on infiltrating the Minotaur. As far as I can tell, they haven't made any big moves since Mal hasn't. Smaller gangs are growing, and the tribes should be united."

Brian smirked, "I heard you showed quite a bit of strength down there. While Mal is taking credit for the magic bugs, can we assume that you're behind them?"

I nodded, "You'd find out sooner or later anyway, since Mal is working under the King"

Brian rubbed his hands together, "Thank you for breaking my curse by the way. Vivi here knew about Mal's connection for a while, though Wyatt doesn't know yet. Naturally we'd like to keep it that way."

"Of course, what information do you have for me?"

Vivi pulled out folder filled with documents. I scanned them, finding that the golden circle church was making moves to get into the Underground. Things were mainly calm top side, save for a few territories outside the walls shifting. I handed them back to her after I was finished reading. "What do you think about building a few outposts outside the walls? Do you believe things will be calm in the Underground for long enough to manage that?"

I grinned, "We can start with the East side, since I have some plans for the West in the future. There are tunnels I need to lock down, specifically the ones leading right into the Underground, but I should be free to do that in a couple weeks. Naturally you will provide the resources for my Hive to build nests there so your workers can do their job, correct?"

Vivi nodded, "Yes, resources given to you for the job you have done so far. It is unfortunate that we have to build towards the East, but it is a start, and gives us a way to properly establish better trade routes with the elves. They are very excited about the Count's crusade, and how we're just giving them the land bridge after he's done."

I raised a brow, "He's that far already?"

Vivi shook her head, "Not yet, but in a few weeks or even months he should be there. I expect the Fire Kingdom's Navy might cause a problem, but the map and territories are changing by the day. I'd advise against going South until the 'war' is over, but if you do I expect you to have a very good reason."

I stretched my wings a little, "I won't go down there anytime soon, unless I need to. My current goal is to lock down the Underground, and potentially the Underneath. Though I will take breaks from that, and help you with those outposts. We're going to need a bit of food, and I do have my Hive working on helping a few nobles with their crops this Summer. I'm going to grow and expand, without putting a strain on Eclipse's resources. It's slower, but it should prevent the food shortages I might have caused Underground."

Brian shrugged, "We have warehouses full of food up here, the real issue is that our King decided to not let any filter down for some reason. He's getting sloppy, and letting the nobles bicker more than usual."

"Oh really? Any idea why?"

They both shook their heads, with Brian doing some more talking. "He usually runs a tight ship, keeping the Kingdom going with cold efficiency. Typically he sees problems coming before they even start, and deals with them. If he's letting this happen, then he views it as a needed outcome."

"I see, the difference between the elites that go out on their missions, and those that linger here. You aren't the people to ask, since your job revolves around domestic disputes, and solving problems with our Underground neighbors."

Vivi nodded, "Yeah, the king didn't afford the guilds, or even the Guard a lot of political power. Just immunities on a few things, and gave us the coin to scrape by. Oswald helped a lot, but he isn't here anymore, which means we have to play favorites with nobles. Quite a few of them are buying favors, and corruption is spreading. Which is why I am more than willing to work with you, so we can help each other."

This was interesting information, and it explained why she was willing to let me grow stronger in a way we both benefited from. I get updates on what is going on with the nobles, and access to raw material, while she gets muscle for her own expansion. Vivi likely has a plan to build up a few outposts into proper villages, or even towns in case something unfortunate happens. Which is why she didn't push too much about the East outposts. "Help each other we shall, speaking of which I may need an extra key for a gate. I'm expanding, and multiple entrances and exits will be useful to me responding quickly."

Vivi's eyes glowed a little, "You have something planned, will it impact our operations up here?"

I thought for a moment, then nodded. "Potentially, I do not plan on it involving these walls, but I will need you to turn away from a few gates now and then. It will affect the nobles much more, and has a very high chance of benefiting us both."

Vivi nodded, "I can guess at what you're going to attempt, and I will ask that you do your best to be careful. Even Wyatt's status cannot protect you from the elites if they deem you a threat. You shouldn't rely on the king's mercy either, if he gives you anything, then he intends on using you." She held her arm, "I'll keep a few entomancer guards near the base in case of an emergency. The spots for the outposts will be drawn up in a few weeks, and I look forward to 'employing' you during that time."

I waved it off, "Of course, and thank you for the advice. Until we meet again." I left through the shadows, making certain everything was taken care of. With Raul dedicated to protecting Cynthia, Drake, and Sarah, it meant it was finally time for Beru to expand outside the walls. Especially considering Berry, and Rose were the only ones I could use to tend to the farms, with everyone else busy Underground. Hopefully a new personality will come out of my little skirmish with Whisper.