As Leomi takes me out of the building, I spot a man waiting just at the corner of the door wearing a black robe over a white tunic. I recognize the scholar who was interested in my knowledge. He perks up at our appearance and trots over.

“Dame Freepath.” He speaks up with a sober expression, far less excited than last we met.

“Sir Yhan, is it?” I calmly ask as I look down at him, taking full advantage of my fiancee's height. “Do you know of this?” I question as I shape the construct I was just taught.

“Hh.” The Haitia royal exhales as he leans over to inspect it, nodding shortly after.

“Is there an issue with it?” I press.

“No, it seems to be in order.” Yhan affirms.

“What is it you wish of me?” I directly question as I dismantle the construct.

“A discussion, over tea perhaps?” He proposes. “I've been made to understand your mastery of kinetics is instinctual but perhaps you have some light to shed on my shortcomings.”

I blink at his humble request and look to Leomi who narrows her eyes, clearly unwilling to share me. I make a slight smile at her protectiveness and turn back to Yhan.

“I can give you ten minutes if you come along.” I tell the scholar because he is to work on my plow, and has displayed humility I can't help but admire.

“Leave the University?” He hesitates for a moment. “I, suppose I can for a short while.”

I nod and Leomi immediately resumes heading to the carriage without wasting time. The royal stays standing where he is for a moment before hurriedly following us. Lance smoothly deposes me on the bench seat before taking hers at my side while he settles in front of me with an eager look on his face.

“What do you think kinetic force is?” I directly ask the man.

“... hmm.” Yhan exhales as he quietly ponders. “A force akin to that of wind and fire?”

“No.” I directly deny. “Wind is the movement of air, it is driven by kinetic force but the two aren't equivalent. Fire... fire can produce kinetic force but the two energies aren't comparable.”

“I know it is a vibration, that it travels through matter.” Yhan affirms, giving me pause as I hadn't thought of it that way but it makes a lot of sense to think of it that way.

“Interesting.” I acknowledge. “Yes, it may be thought of as a vibration but let us speak more concretely. Think of a surface of water being blown on by the wind, the ripples are a result of kinetic force.”

“Does that not contradict your earlier affirmation that wind is not kinetic force? In this example, it would seem like there is a transfer of kinetic force from wind to water.” Yhan comments. “The tides could then be thought of as a seaborne gust of wind.”

“You're wrong.” I straightforwardly tell the man. “Kinetic force is ephemeral, it barely exists for the smallest increment of time when there is an impact between two moving particles.”

“...” The scholar falls silent with a scowl.

“When air travels, it is called wind but that is devoid of kinetic force until an impact occurs.” I say. “Water being blown shifts because of kinetic force but the energy in itself does not last longer than the impact.” The man's eyes widen as I explain.

“Does it mean vibrations in themselves are not kinetic force but the impacts between each particle are?” He asks.

“Exactly.” I agree. “The reason it is so difficult to control it is precisely this, that force is too ephemeral to do so.”

“Then, how...” Yhan trails off.

“Intent.” I reply. “If your intent is precise, your knowledge sufficient, then you can give shape to the direction of each impact.”

“That is difficult.” He mutters with a grimace, as if making an understatement.

“As all things, you must begin with a first step.” I say, amused. “You cannot store kinetic force, it is either produced in the moment or redirected upon the instant of its creation.”

“But wind contains it.” He notes, raising his index.

“No, it does not.” I directly deny as I take a moment to think of how to explain. “Think of it as potential. The faster and heavier the wind is the more kinetic force will be produced but, until impact occurs, there is none to be found.”

“But isn't that a way to store it?” He questions. “If one can maintain a constant gust of wind, then it is the same as storing it.”

“I suppose that is true.” I acknowledge with a shrug. “But what use would it be? You would burn more energy maintaining such a system than you would by creating the same amount of kinetic force with a simple explosion.”

“Oh.” Yhan murmurs as he blinks in embarrassment.

“You can redirect the kinetic force already present but it requires having control of the zone, which isn't easy to do unless you're using unstructured energy.” I note.

“That isn't my area of expertise, I am more concerned about the theory.” The man waves the concern aside, clearly uninterested about battlefield applications. “I wish to understand how the Lake put the world together.”

“Ambitious.” I softly murmur as my mind's gears turn. “I've interacted with vibrations before to recycle kinetic force but never as such.”

“It is a powerful tool but not so easy to control.” Yhan notes.

“Hm.” I softly exhale as I reach out and pluck a hair from my head.

I place it before my eyes but encounter the royal's curious gaze which leads me to set the hair aside and continue the discussion with the scholar, telling him some of what I know about manipulating kinetic force but not so much he could come up with a construct before it becomes relevant to my plans. In the end, we stop to drop him off not far from the University.

“I've heard our Emperor expressed interest in meeting you, Dame Freepath.” Yhan says out of the blue after getting off the carriage.

“He has.” I confirm, puzzled as to why he is mentioning this.

“Dame Freepath, tradition dictates you present yourself to His palace.” He directly tells me.

“Is that true?” I ask Leomi.

“I'm not sure.” She squints. “But it feels familiar so it likely is.” She confirms.

Yhan frowns a little at being doubted so openly but he doesn't say anything and politely inclines his head in a salute before departing. Is that the reason I've been told several times, to invite me without directly doing so?

“Are you going?” Leomi asks.

“Tomorrow, or the day after.” I reply. “With you.” I add.

Lance nods as the carriage departs. I turn my gaze to the streets as we journey back, finding that quite a few people are celebrating out in the streets. It takes me a moment to recall that the Emperor announced a victory over the Rykz as the sun rose in the morning and the curtain fell on the first act of our revenge.

“How are you?” Leomi questions, pulling me from my scattered thoughts.

“I'm okay, kitten.” I gently reply. “Simply exhausted.”

“Jay.” She frowns.

“Chirp.” The bird on her shoulder deadpans at me.

“I am.” I affirm with a firmer voice. “It may not last since I'll lose mobility when I begin using the construct but, for now, I am merely tired.”

“Then, the promise...” Lance trails off, referring to the fact we agreed to spend time together to mourn and rest once we took care of our foes.

I open my mouth to answer but a thought from my slumbering evil sister makes me pause. Liz' smirk stirs my lips but she swiftly returns to her rest. I slowly lay my hand on the pouch at my waist. Leomi's eyes widen a fraction before narrowing as a flicker of unease goes through her traits.

“Both to be fulfilled very soon.” I tell her.

“Hrm.” My fiancee grunts indistinctly without acknowledging the pledge my sister made to her.

I let my eyes close and concentrate on taking deep slow breaths as the carriage takes us back. My methods must change now that I can no longer rely on my prowess as a warrior. The wrenching pain squeezing my heart remains but it has faded to the background as my body recovered from the night's battle.

“How could they track me?” I ask Leomi with a soft voice.

“If you're worried they'll find clues to uncover what you did to evade them, don't be.” Lance quickly answers to alleviate my worries before settling down. “There are ways to follow someone as long as the trail is fresh but it isn't entirely reliable, especially in a city. As long as they've not implanted a beacon construct somewhere on you, and they didn't or you couldn't have escaped in the first place, then they truly lost you in the commotion you made.”

“Okay.” I murmur, relaxing somewhat. “We're going to have to leave Kruzser soon, there is no guarantee my writings will remain hidden much longer.”

“Can you tell me what it is you wrote in detail and how you planned to use them?” She probes.

“Can you tell me what authority titled Nobility will have over the establishment of laws under your reforms?” I question in return.

I know she freezes without needing to open my eyes and take a deep breath to allow my emotions to settle. I gaze to her in the end, finding her pinching her lips together which confirms that my guess was spot on.

“Even if you manage to convince Nobility to follow and enforce laws made by elected Councils of low born, I know you well enough to guess you would never give such a structure free reign as it would be unwise.” I explain how I figured it out. “You will give Nobles some indirect control over the content of these laws.”

“The shape of it is still unclear.” She sternly replies.

I nod and let my eyelids fall once more, knowing she'll refuse to speak of her plans as I'll refuse to speak of mine to avoid clashing before the time comes where either of us has the power to change the Empire.

--- --- ---

I wake as the carriage stops to find myself held in my fiancee's warm embrace. I make a bright smile so as to chase away the concern deeply rooted in her gaze. The corners of her lips rise but her worries remain.

“Shall I carry you, my love?” She offers with greed on her sharp traits.

“I should be able to walk now.” I deny, unwilling to let myself wither away in her care no matter how sweet the temptation.

I rise to prove my words and carefully descend from the carriage. The Hospitalier's headquarters was half-devastated by the blast of my constructs but most of the debris has been cleaned up.

There are imperial guards posted in the surroundings led by Exemplars, likely as a safety in case I conspired with Elizabeth Vil to hide her, but there are only a few hundred so they mostly believed what they saw.

The atmosphere of the Hospitaliers is somber, surprising me because it clashes with the cheerful mood in the rest of Kruzser. Mary walks up to us with a stern expression, her gear still bearing marks of the night's battle.

“Freepath.” She utters, the coldness in her voice gives me a chill.

“Say what you will.” I direct as she turns to Leomi, matching her tone. Mary shifts back to me.

“Elizabeth Vil often went too far but she did not deserve death.” She utters with a snarl before turning back to Leomi to make a stiff salute. “Grand Commander.”

Fascinating, you still command their respect despite last night's slaughter. They'll get over it, no matter what you are worthier than I am of their respect according to their values.

Let's hope they won't get any weird ideas when the rumor I've crippled myself to kill you spreads, I would hate to kill Leomi's people. Focus on strengthening our heart, it must withstand the Little one before our plans kick into motion.

“Establish a temporary encampment outside Kruzser's western gates and gather all recruits there, we shall depart for Telnur before the week's end.” Leomi commands.

“Acknowledged.” Mary coldly responds.

I slowly drag my weak body along as I enter the headquarters, feeling like a burden to myself. I run into Idali and Uhla inside, both apparently waiting for me. The latter seeming dazed.

“You know of this?” I question as I shape a fortifying construct in front of Uhla. She absently nods. “Is there anything odd about it?”

“I'll tell you if there is.” She replies while extending her hand out. I cut my link to the construct and give it to her as I turn to Idali.

“Gather the others and spread the word that Jessica Freepath is recruiting warriors, all are welcome to join me.” I direct Idali who blinks, stunned. “They'll be free to come and go as they please but will be paid only after fighting once we arrive in Telnur.”

“Uh, are you sure...” She starts.

“I am. If they can't trust me on this, they won't trust me to lead them in battle.” I cut her off. “So as to the issue of gathering an army, the Emperor won't object so no other will.” I affirm. “We'll be going to see him tomorrow or the day after.”

“Where do I tell these warriors to gather?” She hurriedly questions, apparently worried I'm going to run off, which I was about to.

“Wherever their camp will be.” I offhandedly reply while vaguely waving my hand at the Hospitaliers.

This is short notice, because I decided on impulse to do this, but it's been a long time since Leomi announced her plans to gather an army so many will be prepared. I wonder if my name will be enough to convince even a hundred.

I make my way towards the stairs, moving as slowly as an elderly woman as I feel glares on my back. Leomi soon appears by my side to carefully wrap her arm around my waist, discreetly supporting me as I climb upstairs.

As I enter our apartment, I find Yvonne waiting worriedly with Rowland holding her hands in his. It suddenly occurs to me I've left the Little one and liangi relatively out in the open but a glance around tells me my best friend took care of these loose ends to my plan.

“How did it go?” Yvonne asks me.

“I'm now a cripple for all intents and purposes.” I calmly tell her.

Leomi conceals the tremor that goes through me at the admission by tightly pulling me against her. It's enough to fool Rowland about my mental state but not Yvonne whose expression tightens.

“She's lucky to be alive.” Lance's cold statement sends me into a spiral of anguish because, had I still the strength, I would've fought her.

“Leomi!” Yvonne exclaims in reproach.

“Being nice led to this, I'm done watching her kill herself.” My fiancee rebukes my best friend, revealing the repressed anger she felt towards my actions.

I close my eyes to control my temper which rose in response to the hurt her words cause me but Leomi doesn't give me a chance to control myself as she drags me towards our room.

I try to fight back but my efforts come to naught as she can easily overpower me. I am currently so weak she could win against me with her natural strength even if I used lion strikes. Yet, in spite of that, she doesn't forcefully push me inside when I lay my hand on the door's frame to stop her.

“You do realize I could do whatever I want to you right now? Strip you naked right here to fuck you in front of them both.” Leomi offhandedly remarks.

“Chirp.” The jay on her shoulder pecks my fiancee's neck and flies off.

I hear Rowland choke on his breath. The fact she didn't conceal her voice from them causes me to fiercely blush in anger and embarrassment as I glare up to her but, along this, I feel a burst of fear as well because I've no doubt she would enjoy doing this to me.

The worst part isn't so much her words or the fact the idea of experiencing another night being dominated makes me slightly wet but the fact a minion of mine now clearly witnessed me in a position of sexual weakness.

It's a mystery why I care so much about it but I shift to glare at Rowland who swallows hard. It takes him a moment but he lowers his eyes. I face our room again, far from satisfied but knowing it's all Leomi will give me at the moment, and stop resisting.

Lance drags me in and slams the door shut before delicately but firmly leading me to the bed where she lays me to begin shedding off my armor. I allow her to do so without resisting, too preoccupied by my thoughts.

Being overwhelmed may be exactly what I need to evacuate the deep anguish borne of my weakness but I do not wish for it. Yet my reluctance is precisely the reason it would feel so good to be ruthlessly taken.

This contradiction of desire, fear, and unwillingness makes me confused to the point where I find myself lying naked on our bed before realizing it. I glance up to Leomi who returns a stern glare.

“Don't give bullshit me, kitten, what is it you're plotting?” I question with a scowl, having realized she almost played me for a fool.

The corners of her lips rise into a small smirk and she seizes my wrist to press it down while using her knee to push down on my left side. I frown and fight her knowing full well I'm unable to resist in this way but am far from powerless yet unable to stop myself because my every instinct repulses against this feeling of impotence.

I jerk my arm down but her grip is stronger than iron. I try to roll one side to the next but her knee prevents me. I try to arc up with my spine but her weight alone is too much for me to lift. I snarl and keep fighting, I shake and push to the point where saliva escapes my lips.

“You can cry, my jay, just let it all out.” Leomi gently whispers.

“Rhhhrr.” I growl at her.

As my body keeps struggling madly like a rabid animal, my mind doesn't lose itself. I focus on her expression and take note of the minute changes to it, how her worries and fears are slowly taking over as I refuse to quiet down, a few touches of doubt even appear within minutes.

I forcefully stop myself from fighting, causing her to stare at me, stunned. I let my body powerlessly fall on the mattress as I gaze to the ceiling without any emotion.

“Jay?” She asks in anguish, revealing how little confidence she had in her own gamble.

“Let go, Leomi, I'm not going to break down.” I tell her.

She makes a thin smile and releases me to let herself fall by my side. A glance informs me that she is trying to conceal her embarrassment before facing me again.

“It's not that you're wrong but that I cannot afford to let loose, not yet.” I explain.

“Then we see the Emperor tomorrow, end this so that we can turn to the future.” Lance dictates.

“Hm.” I quietly acknowledge. “Hold me to sleep before you go.” I command. Her arms barely fold over me that I feel myself wink out, having exhausted the last of my energy.

--- --- ---