Enter Mubrisia

Crisp, cool air caused the tapestries on the walls to wave back and forth, but it wasn’t real air. Queen Amante stood on the marble balcony, gazing up at the artificial sky with a bitter expression. Her people had been forced underground when the Overlanders had threatened their civilization. She was tired of staring at the fake world they were forced to live in. They were running out of space, and she knew it was only a matter of time before they needed to expand to the surface… or kill each other over territory.

The false breeze rustled her shaggy hair, which fell just past her shoulders in a dark red shade. I hate this, she thought, and I’d hate having to lead my people into war, but it’s that or civil war, isn’t it? Reports said the Overlanders were obsessed with “aliens,” that even a supposed sighting of an Underlander scout craft would send them into a frenzy. If her species were to emerge, what would they do? Capture and experiment on them? Kill them all on sight? She sincerely doubted any Overlander would be thrilled to see them.

Sighing, she turned and walked back indoors. The interior of the palace glowed with a warm tan hue, the stone smoothed and polished until it shone. There was no such thing as royal blood—she had won the Tournament of Rulers just a year ago. Occasionally, a Ruler’s child would become the next Tournament winner, but this was rare. Normally, when a Ruler passed away, their children simply inherited their parent’s fortune and moved into the city. Mubrisia was the main city of Underland; its modest homes were carved from the cavern’s rock and polished until they gleamed beneath the artificial “sun.”

“Muvyeht,” Amante greeted one of her advisors as they passed each other. The advisor, a dark-skinned, dark-haired Underlander, dipped her head.

“Muvyeht, ya sundare veel rosh?” the advisor inquired.

“I am feeling well, Tani,” the Queen replied in Standard. Most of the higher-standing Underlanders knew several of the Overlanders’ languages. “Standard,” being the most common, was the one most Underlanders used as well. Tani still struggled with some of the rules and words, however.

“Good. I just with Nabre in Council room. He talk of leaving for a— a— heskarvre this summer,” Tani said, stumbling over her words.

“A vacation, Tani? I suppose I could allow that, though times are growing difficult…” Amante’s gaze drifted back toward the balcony, toward the false light that made the polished stone glow.

“Yes. Difficult,” Tani nodded in agreement.

“I think I’m going to retire for the day. I have much to think about. I’m planning on a major announcement sometime this week.” The Queen gestured toward an adjacent hall.

“Alright, my Queen. If you need advice, we be close.” Tani bowed her head.

Amante swept past her, barely sparing a glance. Her footsteps echoed across the cold, hard floor. She stopped before the ornate door to her quarters and lifted her head toward the bright white light above it. A horizontal beam of white scanned her body from head to toe, flickering briefly blue. With a low hum, the door slid upward, permitting her access.

The young Queen crossed the room to look at her reflection in the mirror above the drawer, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Then she sat on her bed, staring down at her pale, ghostly white hands.

“I must do whatever it takes to secure a future for my people,” she muttered to what seemed like no one in particular.

However, a red glowing mist swirled out of the mirror.

“Then do whatever it takes, dear Queen,” the mist replied, forming into the shape of a female Underlander with long, elk-like antlers.

“But what if my choices destroy everything I’ve ever known and loved, Denara?” Amante asked, looking up at the figure.

“We all must make sacrifices for the greater good. If you want a future for your people, then we can forge one—even if it’s through fire and blood,” Denara said. Her voice was quiet, unsteady, and it echoed throughout the room despite being no louder than a whisper.

We can forge one.

“We?” Amante repeated.

“Of course. We. I can help you conquer the Overlanders,” Denara whispered.

“How? How can you do that?”

“Just listen to me. I’ll lead you through everything.” The mist flickered, Denara’s outline fading slightly. Amante, sensing that Denara was running out of time, hastened to respond.

“Then guide me. Help me keep my people safe.”

“Not too fast, dear Amante. We must discuss terms… tomorrow. When my strength returns.” Denara shook her head.

“Terms? …Oh, alright.” Amante bit back her impatience when Denara’s glowing eyes narrowed. “Go on and rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With a huff, the mist was pulled back into the mirror, leaving Amante alone with her thoughts.