V3 C3 - The Vampire Ball

The Grand Ballroom of Castle Bathory lived up to its name.

It was the largest room in the building, stretching for more than two hundred metres in length, and it was even more spectacularly decorated than the rest of the castle. Food and drink tables lined the walls and there were hundreds of guests gathered in small groups, sharing small talk amongst themselves.

There were more than a hundred servants on duty and there were guards stationed at every door, window and balcony. Further, hanging like bats from the ceiling upside down were dozens of the grey monsters David had seen earlier.

When he’d asked Lilith what they were, she’d confirmed what he suspected; they were gargoyles.

“Introducing his lordship, Lord Ruthven, head of the Vampire Court and his imperial majesty, the Demon Emperor Lord Allaric and his escort Lady Lilith.”

All went silent as Lord Ruthven led David’s party onto the upper floor of the ballroom. From there, they stood atop a balcony that hung over the room and Lord Ruthven stepped to the front to begin his address.

“Esteemed members of the Court, welcome,” Lord Ruthven said with a friendly smile. “It has been quite some time since we had this many members of the Court in the same place, though I’m sure you will all agree that such an occasion deserves such attendance.

“As I’m sure you all already know, today is a special day. Today marks the day we have the great Demon Emperor himself, his majesty Lord Allaric, here.” Lord Ruthven gestured to David behind him. “In less than a year, he has fundamentally changed the land of Saint Themis forever. His strength is so great that he could defeat all of us here alone, without breaking so much as a sweat.”

I hope that’s the case.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Scylla smile and puff out her chest, whispering, “At least they know their place,” to her sister.

“If you would all join me in raising a glass to his majesty, the Dark Lord Allaric. Glory to his majesty!”

“Glory to his majesty!”

The crowd then applauded as Lord Ruthven and Lilith knelt before David once more.

I can see a few eager faces, and more than a few bitter ones too, David thought as he scanned the crowd quickly. No one seems to be openly hostile per say, but I wonder how many of them are truly happy to be serving me.

Lord Ruthven said that the Court knew they were beaten, but did its members?

“And now, I would like to invite his majesty to share a few words with us before we begin tonight’s celebrations.” Lord Ruthven stepped off to the side. “Your majesty, the floor is yours.”

You never mentioned this, Ruthven!

David thanked Lord Ruthven and stepped forward.

Every set of eyes was locked onto him.

Thank God I don’t have a fear of public speaking.

“Thank you, Lord Ruthven, esteemed members of the Vampire Court, for your invitation here tonight. I have heard many great things about you and I look forward to strengthening the relationship between us. I hope you all enjoy yourselves this evening.”

David stepped back and the crowd clapped slightly quieter than they had during Lord Ruthven’s speech, a detail David, Lilith, Ruthven and David’s party didn’t miss.

I just hope there’s no trouble tonight.

After his speech, David and Lilith descended holding hands and were quickly surrounded by members of the Court, though most kept a good distance between them.

They were eager to meet the Demon Emperor, but were anxious about getting too close to him.

Three of them, however, were invited over by Lilith.

One was a man who looked to be in his early twenties with light brown hair, blue eyes and he was wearing a suit that was just as fancy as Lord Ruthven’s.

Another was a woman dressed in an elegant grey ball gown wearing a pearl necklace and white-gemstone rings. Her hair was a pale white and flowed down her back.

The third was an elderly looking gentleman in a white suit and with a black tie, and he also had glasses. Despite his apparent age and that he used a cane to support himself, David could tell that he was, or used to be, a strong warrior.

“This is Spurius Lartia, owner of the second largest mercantile company in the whole empire.” Lilith gestured to the younger looking man.

“I have heard many great things about you, your majesty. I eagerly await the day when I may proudly display the Satyr’s Skull on my men’s shoulders.”

“Likewise, Spurius.” David shook the man’s hand. “I hope that you and your company will serve the empire well.”

“Beside him is Lady Guinevere Fabia, lady of the town of Frostfall.”

As Lady Guinevere curtsied before him, David whispered to Lilith, “I thought Frostfall was ruled by a male mayor?”

“It is, in the eyes of the public.”

“Fear not, your majesty, I assure you that I control Frostfall and will gladly rule it per your wishes.” Guinevere smiled slyly. “The people might think that my husband rules the town but that is far from the truth.” Her eyes changed to a soft amber. “He is nothing more than my puppet.”

“…Is that so?”

So, these vampires really do have powerful charm magic? I wonder if it’s as strong as Mania’s.

“And finally, I have the honour of introducing you to the new lord of Silverten, Lord Valeria Gens.” The elderly looking man bowed deeply to David.

“The new lord?”

“Yes, your majesty,” Valeria said with a sneer. “The former lord among others betrayed the Holy Empire recently by not sending their soldiers to Black Port. They ‘betrayed’ their prince and he, among others, was purged by Prince Julius following his conquest.”

David didn’t try to hide the disgusting smile that crept across his lips.

“Who could have known that there were that many traitors to the empire?” He mused with a small chuckle which Lord Valeria shared with him.

“It’s a great tragedy, but, thankfully, they have been replaced with much more loyal ones, your majesty. They would never betray their master.”

To think that the Vampire Court had a hand to play with the situation in Black Port.

As Lilith and the others continued talking without him, David’s eyes wandered.

Merchants, lords, ladies and more.

It’s almost impossible to refuse this alliance, isn’t it?

***

Despite being the daughter of a prominent noble, Rebecca had never attended many balls or parties in her life.

She was only ever allowed to hold hollow birthday parties in which her parents would show off their wealth and influence, and push her to one side.

They only allowed her to attend to help her find a suitable marriage partner.

No matter who they chose, whether they were handsome and kind or ugly and crude, they all made Rebecca’s skin crawl the same way.

Gingerly, she sipped from her wine glass and sighed. I wonder if I should be happy that those days are long gone.

Over two hundred days ago, when the Demon Emperor had arrived at her home, her life and the fate of Themis had changed forever.

For her, it was for the better.

She shook her head. Why am I still thinking about this even now?

“Lady Rebecca, is something wrong?” Jessica asked beside her.

“…I’m fine. The wine was just a bit stronger than I expected.”

“If you think this is strong, then clearly you haven’t drunk enough in your life, milady,” Cain chimed in, finishing his own glass. “This stuff’s far too weak for me to enjoy.”

“Well, you always went for the hardest ales when we were adventurers, so it’s hardly a surprise this doesn’t faze you a little. I have to admit.” Lucy sipped her wine again. “It’s got quite a kick to it.”

“Not enough of one.”

“Cain, this is a formal ball,” Jessica reminded him. “They aren’t going to have strong ales and drinking contests.”

“I know, I know, it’s just…” Cain looked troubled. “I don’t really know what to do at these sorts of things.”

“You could always ask Lady Rebecca for advice. She’s had by far the most experience.”

“Only as a decoration, I assure you,” Rebecca said softly. The adventurers gave her pitying looks. “You don’t have to make those sorts of faces. I’m fine now. Ever since his majesty took control of the castle.”

“I heard from the kitchen staff that he was very scary that night.” Cain shivered. “I can’t even begin to imagine how terrifying that must’ve been.”

“You’ve seen him angry before.”

“Not like what they described, milady.”

“It wasn’t as bad as they said, I’m sure.”

“They said he was so furious he could’ve gutted the lot of you.”

“He…could’ve, but didn’t.” Rebecca smiled. “Not after he learned what my parents did.”

“…Right.”

“…Could I ask you three something?”

“Of course, Lady Rebecca,” Jessica said.

“Do you all know what’s…happened to you?”

The three adventurers shot her a confused look, then looked to each other and then back to Rebecca.

“What do you mean?” Cain asked.

“I mean, you know.” Rebecca glanced over her shoulder and saw that no one else from their party was nearby. “That you’re Awoken?”

At that gentle whisper, Cain burst out into laughter and the two women smiled warmly at Rebecca.

“Of course, we know, my lady,” Lucy replied.

“And you’re okay with this?”

“Okay with what?”

“Being a part of his majesty’s forces.”

“Why wouldn’t we be happy?” Cain’s eyes changed to a deep purple colour. “Thanks to Lady Mania, we’ve awoken to the greatest truth of them all; his majesty is the future of Aangapea.”

“That’s how we all feel, Lady Rebecca,” Lucy added; her and Jessica’s eyes became the same colour as Cain’s. “It’s thanks to his majesty that we’re still alive now and that we’re able to help guide Aangapea into the Demon Empire.”

“…Even after knowing what they did to you?”

“Lady Rebecca, are you-?”

“No! Of course not.” Rebecca grasped her arm and shut her eyes. “I just…”

“You’re still conflicted, after all this time?” Jessica gently asked; Rebecca nodded. Jessica wrapped her arms around Rebecca and brought her into a soft embrace. “I know what you mean to say but, I promise you, we don’t hate who we’ve become or what’s happened to us.

“I still have my old memories of our team and Roland, but all that does is remind me of how weak we used to be. We were naïve, foolish and had it not been for Lady Mania using us in her experiments, we would either have died that night or in pointless rebellion against his majesty.

“We are nothing but grateful to be standing here today.”

“Milady, with all due respect, you should be happy for yourself and those you helped,” Cain added. “Because of you, all those people at the Dread Keep are alive and safe. You helped protect the people of Black Port and Cliff’s Edge too and, I’m sure, you’ll do nothing but your best to look after the citizens of the Demon Empire.

“You have a right to happiness and you should be.”

Rebecca nodded and held Jessica back. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, Lady Rebecca.”

***

After half an hour of introductions, David and Lilith were finally alone, allowing him to relax a little for the first time since the ball had begun.

“I’m sorry, Lord Allaric, I didn’t think that there would be this many people wanting to introduce themselves to you so soon. I hope they didn’t upset you.”

“Far from it. They all seem like promising allies. Still, I didn’t realise just how great the Court’s influence was.”

Lilith smiled proudly at him before looking out at the hundreds of guests in the hall. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? My father made the Court what it is today almost single handedly. If it wasn’t for his guidance after the fight against Themis, our kind would have long since died out.”

“Then, I must offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to Lord Ruthven the next chance I get.”

“I’m sure that will make him very happy, Lord Allaric.”

“Lilith.”

“Yes?”

“You can just call me Allaric when it’s the two of us.”

“Ah.” Lilith smiled bashfully and looked away from him. “But that would be far too forward before we’re married.”

“Yet I can address you without saying lady? Doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

Lilith giggled. “I guess not…A-Allaric.”

David smiled. “Thank you, Lilith.”

Out of the corner of his eye, David saw Lord Ruthven snap his fingers twice at the orchestra who, after a few moments, began to play an elegant song.

“Allaric, may we share our first dance?” Lilith asked, holding out her hand to him.

“Of cour-”

Shit.

“Lord Allaric?”

David started to sweat.

I don’t know how to dance!

Not once had David ever danced in his life, not at weddings, at his school’s discos, or even when he’d gone to friend’s houses for parties.

Hailey often used to try to make him dance, but he would always stubbornly refuse. Even when she did drag him up to dance, David only moved his arms a little unless Hailey ‘helped’.

“…Is something the matter, Lord Allaric?” Lilith asked too softly for anyone else to hear.

“…I don’t know how to dance.”

He thought, for sure, that Lilith might laugh at him for that proclamation but, instead, she just smiled as sweetly as she always did.

She took his hand in hers and led him out onto a balcony, shutting the doors behind them.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologising, Allaric?”

“Well, I mean, you seemed like you really wanted to dance and-”

“Would you like me to teach you?”

“Huh?”

Lilith placed both of her hands on his hand and repeated the question.

“You…aren’t disappointed or disillusioned with me?”

“Of course not. If anything.” She giggled tenderly. “It made me fall for you a little bit more.”

David’s face suddenly felt hot. “Really?”

She nodded. “Really. I’m sure that there are many things that you can do that I cannot, Allaric, so I will no doubt have to rely on your abilities moving forward. You give off such an aura of invincibility that I feared that I would be nothing more than dead weight dragging you down.

“I couldn’t be happier to know that I could help you in some way, even if it’s just as simple as teaching you to dance.”

David smiled at her and lovingly embraced her cheek with his free hand. She was startled at first, Lilith closed her eyes and nuzzled against his palm.

“…Thank you, Lilith. I would love for you to teach me.”

***

From a distance, as per her orders, Hilda watched David closely.

She made sure that no one near him intended to threaten his life, she made sure that she allowed the Court to see her Dragon Metal armour, and she made no effort in talking to anyone else.

Not even to Eva who stood stiffly beside her.

It didn’t matter if they were a member of the Court or one of the vampire’s servants offering her a refreshment, Hilda ignored them all the same for she hadn’t been ordered to talk to them.

“Aren’t you hot in all that armour?”

“…I’m…fine. It’s nothing…compared to what…I’ve been…through.”

“…I see.”

An uncomfortable silence lingered between them.

Ever since Hilda had been a prisoner, Eva had looked out for her, brought her food and kept her alive but, after David took control, that duty had fallen largely to others.

Mania trained her to be strong, David named her his knight and Eva was often too busy managing the rest of the servants to worry about Hilda.

In all that time, however, Eva had always wanted to ask Hilda one question.

“Hilda, are you happy?”

Without hesitation, the Satyr Knight nodded.

***

Fenrir kicked off the ground hard and flew through the air towards the alpha werewolf, a massive four-metre-tall black beast with a white back.

The alpha crossed its arms in front of itself to block the attack and snapped its jaws at her fist. Fenrir pulled her arm back, spun around in the air and slammed her foot against its bottom jaw, dislocating it.

The alpha shrieked as it rolled countless times against the dirt before slamming its back into a tall tree. The alpha leapt up, growled, and charged at Fenrir.

Fenrir dodged its first three attacks, but the fourth sliced across her stomach, lightly scratching her and drawing a few drops of blood. She clicked her tongue and kicked at the werewolf’s stomach, but the alpha caught her foot and threw her over his head.

Fenrir spun in mid-air so she landed in a crouched position just as the alpha struck again. She ducked and dodged its attacks, before punching it twice in its dislocated jaw. The alpha screeched in agony just as Fenrir smashed her knee into its bottom jaw, breaking it.

The wolf, unable to take the pain, collapsed onto its back, clutching its snout and whimpering softly.

Fenrir stood over the defeated werewolf and pressed her foot down against its throat, choking the alpha.

It struggled and gasped for air, clawing desperately at the fur on Fenrir’s legs, but she wouldn’t move, even if its claws hurt her.

“Do you submit to the Dark Lord?” She asked, applying more pressure to the creature’s throat.

The alpha didn’t respond as its strength began to fade; it lowered its arms and nodded to the best of its ability.

“Good.”

Fenrir stepped off the werewolf and it desperately gasped for air.

The onlooking crowd of fifty others couldn’t believe it.

Their alpha had ruled over them for a century and hadn’t lost a single fight in that entire time.

When Fenrir glared at them, they quickly became docile and prostrated themselves before her.

They knew that even if they all attacked her at once, they wouldn’t win.

From the side, Abaddon applauded Fenrir’s efforts before conjuring a portal behind him. “Good work. I’ll be sure to tell the others at the Keep of your efforts.”

“Thanks, Abaddon,” Fenrir called back with a grin.

“Are you coming back to the Dread Keep tonight or are you staying at the castle?”

“I was planning on staying with this bunch.” The werewolves cried out a little bit but they went silent after Fenrir gave them a fierce look. “I need to see how useful this lot really is.”

Abaddon nodded and departed, leaving Fenrir alone with her newly acquired soldiers.

Master, I will never forget your words for the rest of my life.

We are strong, but there are those just as strong as us in this world.

***

Before tonight, David had never been able to dance but, with Lilith’s guidance, he was now able to move elegantly to the music coming from the ballroom.

She had led him at the beginning until he gained the confidence to take the lead. Then, they spent twenty minutes dancing together on the balcony. Anyone who came looking for them was sent away either by Hilda or Lord Ruthven’s guards.

As they had danced, the two gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes, not sharing a word.

Both of their cheeks had turned pink and both wore bright smiles.

To anyone who knew what the Demon Emperor was like in public, such a sight would be unimaginable.

Even to David, it didn’t feel real.

What the hell?

Why is this so much fun?

Why can’t I stop looking at her?

Why do I feel this way about her?

Have I actually fallen for Lilith?

When Lilith noticed that he was staring at her more intently, her blush deepened and she looked away from him.

She’s so cute!

“A-Allaric.”

“Y-yeah?”

“T-the song’s already finished.”

“Huh?”

Embarrassed, David broke away from her and scratched his cheek. “S-sorry. I was just having too much fun to notice.”

Lilith giggled. “I’m happy to hear that. However.” She looked back into the ballroom. “I think we might be missed inside. Tonight is in honour of your majesty and it wouldn’t be good for the star to be absent for so long.”

“I suppose so.” Before Lilith went back inside, David grabbed her hand. “Before that though.” He pulled her back into his arms. “Might I ask you for something first?”

“W-what?”

David lent closer to her face and whispered, “Might I have a kiss from a beautiful lady?”

Oh God, you idiot! He screamed in his mind. You suck at romantic stuff! Idiot! Stupid! She’ll-

Lilith meekly nodded her head and closed her eyes.

David closed his and pressed their lips together.

As they kissed, Lilith put her hands on his chest and the two continued kissing for a few, long, blissful moments.

When they broke, Lilith’s face had become even more flushed and David had managed to push down his embarrassment from before.

“A-Allaric…”

“Lilith, I’ve decided what my answer will be to your father’s proposal.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m sure you already know, but I’d like you to be by my side as I announce it.”

Lilith pressed her head against his chest, embracing him giddily, and screamed, “Yes!”

When they re-entered the ballroom, David asked Lord Ruthven for silence and proclaimed his intentions.

“Hear me, esteemed members of the Vampire Court! I, Allaric, Emperor of the Demon Empire, hereby announce that not only will I sign the Demon-Blood Covenant here tonight, but I also declare my intentions to marry Lady Lilith!”

***

After the party had ended, David had escorted Lilith up to her bedroom, intending to do the gentlemanly thing and just leave it there rather than take things further.

However, when he turned around after bidding her a goodnight, she hugged him from behind and whispered, “It’s tradition in the vampire court to mark a marriage with a first night together.”

David smiled and said, “Okay.”

She led him into her bedroom, locked the door, then stripped down till she was only wearing her underwear.

The two kissed, embraced and she helped David undress. Then, they kissed once more as David led her towards the bed, gently laying her down on the covers.

“U-um, Lord Allaric,” she whispered, holding his back. “I-I’ve never, um…I’ve.”

David smiled and kissed her lips softly. “It’s okay. I’ll take the lead and I promise you that I won’t hurt you.”

Lilith blushed and smiled brightly back, before kissing his lips.

***

After the ball had ended, Lord Ruthven had retired to his bedroom and found two women inside waiting for him.

One stood by the window and the other was beside the door with a dagger in her hand.

“I wonder if his majesty knows that you two are here.” He locked the door. “Have I done something to offend him, or have I offended you two?”

Scylla poked his back with her dagger urging him forward towards Charybdis who had an unusually fierce scowl on her face.

“Did you tell her to do it?”

“Do what?” Lord Ruthven asked back. Scylla prodded his back with her dagger. “Are you asking if I told her to seduce him or not?”

“Did you?”

“No, I did not.”

“Liar,” Scylla drove her dagger a bit harder into his back, just enough to draw a drop of blood.

“Why would I lie to you?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“Because it wouldn’t be of any benefit to me, would it? What would I have to gain by lying to my new master?”

“You are someone who has ruled over the Vampire Court for hundreds of years, yet you handed over that power and your beloved daughter to our Master so willingly that I can’t help but be suspicious,” Charybdis said. “If you told Lilith to seduce our Master and make him fall for her, you could, in theory, use that connection to gain control over the whole Demon Empire.”

“I wouldn’t dare do such a thing.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Scylla asked.

Lord Ruthven exhaled and gently pushed Scylla’s dagger away. “Because I love Lilith. I would never, ever order her to do something so abhorrent. I’ve raised her since she was a babe and all she’s known is a life inside the castle’s grounds.

“She’s never seen anything beyond the Beast Woods, but she’s read every book in our library a dozen times at least.” He smiled remorsefully. “I’ve always been looking for a chance to take her and the rest of the Court back out of hiding and into the world. I’ve always been scheming in the shadows to find a way but, alas, nothing ever truly came about it.

“As powerful as we are, we only held that strength in the shadows, never in the light. If serving the Demon Emperor allows us to stand in the light again, then I will gladly do anything for that.”

“Even selling off your daughter to our Master?” Charybdis asked.

“Lilith’s the one who asked me to put that clause in. After we began observing his majesty and hearing more of his deeds, Lilith fell in love with him. She wanted to be with him. She knew that the marriage would also solidify the Court’s allegiance to the man she loved and vice versa, so I couldn’t object to it.”

“So, you’ve done all of this for her sake?” Scylla questioned.

“If it was for my daughter’s sake, I’d do anything.”

***

After Lilith had fallen asleep, David stared aimlessly up at the ceiling for a while before giving up and admitting he wasn’t tired.

Carefully, he climbed out of the bed so as not to disturb Lilith and walked out onto the balcony. With a weary sigh, he lent his arms on the railing and gazed down at the beautiful scenery.

He could see three moons and countless stars in the sky, animals and creatures of all shapes and sizes moving gently through the darkness and there was a soft, pleasant breeze in the air, drifting a sweet fragrance to his nose. The moonlight illuminated the treetops and made the whole place look magical at night.

How did such a place ever get the name ‘Beast Woods?’ He looked back at the bed and saw Lilith’s cute sleeping face. I never thought I’d be the type of guy to fall for someone after a single day, yet here I am. He closed his eyes, his heart filled with joy. It’s quite a nice feeling.

Then, he felt someone hold him from behind and froze.

“The moon’s beautiful tonight, isn’t it?” Eris whispered beside his ear as time stopped, draining all the warmth from the world.

David slowly opened up his eyes and gently pushed her arms off him. “Is being happy a violation of your rules, Eris?”

She giggled as she spun through the air before him. “Not at all. I just came to congratulate you for managing to be happy after everything you’ve done.”

David frowned a little but quickly recovered and shrugged. “David Athelward didn’t do any of that. The Demon Emperor did.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Even though David was speaking so confidently and dismissively to her, she still didn’t lose her smile.

“No matter what you do, Eris, it won’t work. I’m not going to bend and break like you want and, more than that, I have something that I’ve wanted to say for a while now.”

Eris purred. “Go on.”

Upon hearing how eager she was, David involuntarily gulped and paused before he spoke again.

“…You lied to me. You’ve been interfering with this world, haven’t you?” David didn’t look her in the face as he continued talking. “I started suspecting as much back when I heard the report from Mímir about the Great Disaster rumours, how the bishops were saying that the Great Goddess had visited them and told them of the coming doom. More than that, I heard from one of Jorōgumo’s spider spies in Elvast about the Divines and that they can hear the Goddess’s voice as well.

“Apparently, it only speaks to them during times of great crisis and compels them to act as well, which means that either you have been intentionally stepping in and pushing pieces around as you so please to make things more entertaining for yourself or that you’ve had someone else do that for you, thus making sure that technically you haven’t broken your own rules about not interfering with this world.”

“That seems to be based an awful amount on conjecture and no definitive proof, but you aren’t wrong,” Eris said with a carefree tone. “I did move things around just a tad to make the show more interesting.”

David frowned. “I knew it. Doesn’t that go against one of your rules about this game? That you wouldn’t interfere?”

“So what?”

“So what?!”

Eris flashed David a devilish smile. “That’s right. So what? Does it matter if I did lie to you or not? Don’t forget, David Athelward, that I am not bound by those rules; you are. If you break them, then you suffer. If I break them.” Eris giggled. “It doesn’t matter.”

“…I thought as much.”

“Oh? I thought you’d be more upset about it.”

“If I wasn’t already used to you lying to me, then I would be. If anything, it makes it easier for me to distrust everything you say and suspect that everything’s a trap or intentional ploy by you to sabotage me.”

Eris laughed. “Is that so? I hate to break it to you, David, but that won’t be the case moving forwards.”

“What do you mean?”

Eris floated towards him and landed before him. “Once the heroes have been summoned to this world to fight you, we will draw up a new contract, one whose rules we’ll both have to follow. Unless you break one of those rules, I won’t interfere anymore.”

“And why should I believe you this time?”

“Because, at that point, I won’t just have one person summoned to this world to watch: I’ll have thirty-one people and all of them will act differently so there won’t be any need for me to do more than make things fair for both sides.”

“Since when did you care about making things fair?”

Eris giggled. “Since I decided you had a year to build up your empire.” Eris flew up in the air on her wings and spun in the air, her body slowly turned into feathers. “I can’t wait to see the day the Satyr Skull flies high above the cities of the Holy Empire and spreads terror throughout the world.”

With that, Eris disappeared.