“I’m a cloud.” An ashfen sprawled on the floor next to Blake’s chair groaned, speech heavily slurred. He propped himself up to reach for his glass again.

The revelry had died down, the influence of drink and smoke too strong for dancing or song. Still, Blake could feel his stomach twist. It seemed the night was coming to an end, and there had been no sign of Liera. Had she managed to establish contact? He glanced to the side at Asah as she returned to her seat beside him. Blake gave her an expectant gaze, but she shook her head.

“I couldn’t find her,” she whispered.

Blake bit his lip, staring intently at the door she had left from. If she wasn’t back soon he’d go find her himself, pretext be damned. He tried to focus on the Emperor’s conversation to stop himself from worrying. The intensity of the discussion between the man, the nobles and the fourth Blade seemed to have sobered them all up slightly.

“They are more like natural phenomena, are they not?” One noble ashfen asked. “Disasters or blessings.”

“There’s little written about the lesser aspects.” The fourth Blade kept the smile on his face throughout. “But there are mentions of conversations with them. Of course, none can compare with God, can they, sir Vince?”

Vince had been part of the circle, but kept quiet until addressed. “It’d be profane of me to voice an opinion on such a deeply religious matter,” he said, furrowing his brows. “I will trust the fourth Blade’s knowledge.”

“Of course…” The fourth Blade scratched the back of his head.

“Fourth, don’t ask our guests controversial questions,” the Emperor scolded. He glanced around the room. “Speaking of which, I think we’ve all had our fun.” His arms trembled as he pushed himself up against the table. “It should be time to talk soon.”

Blake saw Vince visibly relax. From what he understood, the revelry had been a first for him as well. “As you wish, your majesty,” he said. “Shall we head to the convening room to discuss the details?”

“There is no need. This will be quick.” The emperor didn’t refuse help this time. He let the fourth Blade support him around the table and up the throne. With a grunt, the Emperor sat himself down, pressing his back against the crystal seat. The music went silent with a quick motion, and some of the ashfen sober enough to move returned to their seats. All of a sudden there was a silence as conversations died down.

Blake felt Asah shifting uncomfortably beside him, and he could understand why. What sort of conversation could be held in a room that reeked of smoke, with nobles passed out on the floor? At the very least, the Emperor should be on even ground with them and not sitting in his throne. Blake glanced to the side door again, but Liera still hadn’t shown. He could tell something was wrong.

“Would you like me to begin, your Majesty?” Asah asked.

The Emperor held up a hand and brushed his white hair behind an ear, pushing it forward. Blake noticed the clanking of metal against stone coming from outside, growing ever stronger as it neared them. The main doors to the throne room flung open and Raizel walked inside, about a dozen guards following behind her.

“I am sorry to interrupt,” she said with a smile, “but I found a human ambassador who had gotten lost in the palace.”

Blake’s blood froze in his veins. He fought for breath as a guard stepped forward, letting Liera’s body slump to the ground with a soft thud. Blood dripped from the man’s plate. “Liera!” Blake screamed harder than he ever had. He vaulted over the table and rushed to her side. The guard lifted their spears to intercept him, but Raizel held up a hand. “Liera!” He hugged her, feeling for her body’s warmth and pressing an ear to her chest. She had a heartbeat still. “Wake up! Wake up damn you!”

Liera groaned, eyelids fluttering. The blue of her iris was gone, replaced by an empty white. “I can’t… see.”

“What did you do to her?” Blake looked up at Raizel, more desperation than fury in his voice.

“Me?” Raizel chuckled. “I simply showed her the way back.”

“No. By the laws, no.” Blake shook his head in disbelief. He looked around frantically, holding her closer to his body. Asah metallic knees clacked to the ground as she knelt next to him. She looked into Liera’s eyes.

“She’s been soulburned.” Her voice had a calm that gave Blake hope. She reached into her robe and pulled out a small leaf, placing it in her mouth. Some strength returned to her and her hand squeezed Blake’s. Her eyes shone with a bit of color.

“Liera!” Blake leaned down to look into her eyes. “Can you hear me?” Liera nodded softly. Blake turned to Asah, tears welling in his eyes. “By the Arbiter, thank you!”

“Don’t.” Asah struggled for the words. “I– It’s temporary, Blake. I only gave her time.”

“Time…?” Blake shook his head. It couldn’t be. He felt the hot tears spilling down his face and fought back the knot that had formed in his throat. “What happened to her?”

“Her soul is empty. All the nora she had gathered throughout her life is gone. Without it, the connection between her mind and body will continue to weaken, until...” Asah placed a hand on Liera’s chest and wiped a tear from her cheek. “The drug I gave her is strong. It will guide her mind through her most formative memories, draw power from them. But the nora it will grant her won’t be enough.”

“There has to be a way!” Blake denied it. He hugged her a little closer. “I won’t let you go, I promise! You can cure her, right? You can save her with your magic.” Liera looked up at the ceiling, eyes losing focus. She seemed unable to hear him. The drug was taking effect.

“Until we find what is stopping her magic from returning to her body, this is all I can do,” Asah said softly as she stood. “Have her lie down. Once the drug’s effect starts to fade, talk to her. Recall your most intense experiences together. Relive them. It should help.”

Blake gently placed her down on her side and stroked her hair. He clenched his fists against the floor below. How had it all gone so wrong?

“Now that every bit of doubt has been cleared,” the emperor said. “We may begin.”

“You knew about this!” Blake surrendered to the seething hatred. It was his fault. “You were waiting for her!”

“Of course. You think I wouldn’t know of a traitor in my own court?” The emperor chuckled. “I wanted our conversation to be honest and without any hidden agendas.” The man’s voice strengthened. “And I wanted you to know how merciless I can be.”

“Bastard!” Blake screamed. He pictured the Emperor’s broken, bleeding body in his mind and it felt good. His hand reached for his sword and the spears came thrusting again, aiming at him from every direction with their sharp tips. He ached to rise to his feet, to meet them all head on. To rush up to that damned ashfen and plant the metal in his chest, even if it meant dying for it. He gazed up at the man with bloodshot eyes. “What sort of uncivilized ruler hurts an ambassador?”

The emperor’s expression became grim. “Did I not show you hospitality?” He extended both arms and motioned around him. “Did I not allow you entrance to my palace and hold a feast in your honor?” He scowled. “I treated you fairly, but you betrayed my trust. Despite that, I am willing to offer you peace under new terms.”

“What would those terms be?” Vince joined by Asah’s side, standing between Blake and Raizel like a shield, pretences dropped the moment the Emperor admitted he knew about the traitors.

“Silyra’s utter and complete surrender.” The Emperor let the proposition hang in the air for a few moments. “Do not think me unreasonable. What I offer is unprecedented. It is a chance for your citizens to be equated to ashfen citizens, your lords to ashfen lords, and your King to become my aide and highest administrator. No strings or guile.”

“Even if we were to agree, the moment it is free none of that will matter,” Asah replied.

“I care not for rumours spread by zealots and fanatics.” The Emperor gave her a knowing smile. “What I want… Is something else entirely.”

“What more could you want?”

“What I’ve always been denied.” The man’s hands gripped the throne’s armrests. Blood dripped down the translucent crystal. “Immortality. Do you know how long I’ve languished in this body’s constraints? How much I’ve struggled for a way to break them, not once realising that the answer was in front of my eyes all along.” The Emperor paused, drawing a breath. “They say a man dies twice. Once, when he draws his final breath, and then again, when his name is uttered for the last time. I have a chance to do what none of my ancestors could. After millenia of ceaseless war, I will be the one to finally break Silyra.” He stared down at them with unhidden desire and a joyous smile crossed his face. “Do you get it now? You’re my key to eternal life. Your demise… It will immortalise me. I will be remembered. Forever.”

He leaned back in his throne, white hair falling in front of his face. “Whether as a benevolent uniter or a ruthless conqueror, that will be your choice.”

“You’re mad.” Vince shook his head. “Do you truly think Silyra will lay down weapons and surrender to such outrageous demands? There’s a reason your predecessors never reached its capital. What force can you muster when half your cities are burning?”

“Ah, so you learned.” The Emperor removed the crown from his head and spun it in his hands, admiring the gems embedded around it. “The loss of a few million soldiers means nothing. Not when there are billions of others waiting to trample on their corpses and take their place.” He leaned forward, toying with the crown in his palm. “It is time for you to choose. The terms I have set cannot get more generous, so I shall accept no negotiation. Surrender, or perish.”

Blake cursed inwardly, inching a little closer to his sister. Everything had gone wrong tonight. Their strongest card turned out to be inconsequential, or at least so the Emperor claimed. His readiness for war made Blake inclined to believe him.

“I see.” Vince snuck a glance to Asah, and she nodded. “Then I shall speak with my king’s voice, my king’s name, and my king’s authority.” Vince raised his voice to make sure every noble and servant in the room heard him. “Silyra does not accept the Emperor’s terms.”

The Emperor leaned back in his seat, whole body visibly relaxing. “Good… Good. Then deliver this message to him.” He cleared his throat with guttural sounds. “Muster your armies and prepare your defences. Train your soldiers and your mages. You have six months time. After that, we will be at war.”

Blake felt a shiver down his back. He cast a nervous glance around them, at all the ashfen staring. Soiled by wine, pleasures and sweat, and yet they were smiling. “Carry her,” Vince said with a low voice. Blake hugged his sister and lifted her up as gently as he could. He took cautious steps, shielding Liera with his hands as much as he could. Raizel cleared the way for them to pass through the long corridor. The blank part of the mural that led to the throne room… Blake finally realised what it was for.

“I expect resistance!” The emperor cackled madly behind their backs. “Give me a last stand worthy of history!”

It was a canvas to be painted by Silyran blood.