UE Rewrite: B5 — 10. The Reset
Added 2025-08-01 19:41:23 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Elinor (Our Lich Empress!)
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The twin moons cast their ethereal glow across Nethermore’s towering spires as Tempest descended toward the mine fortress, his electromagnetic organs sparking with residual energy from their reconnaissance flight.
Two organized militaries with aerial superiority, Elinor reflected, watching the fortress approach. Nocturnal operations, cavalry forces, and scouts that will arrive within days, no doubt. The window for securing Nethermore is closing faster than anticipated. We need to accelerate.
Landing in the fortress courtyard, Elinor slipped out of the harness, catching Theresa doing the same. She maintained her professional composure behind her, though Elinor caught the subtle tension in her head maid’s posture—the forces that were rising against them hadn’t shaken her, but did leave an impression.
Swiftly dismounting amid the chatter of ri’bot who were transporting goods through the open gates, Elinor kept her focused demeanor. Her father seemed to have constructed a network from the Serving Staff that spiderwebbed from here to the city, because it was in place when she landed. They did so much behind the scenes.
Send word to King Edmon and Queen Tiffany, she instructed, already making her way into the fortress to reach the train. I have urgent news. And send for Camellia, Grace, Famine, War, and Death. We are moving up our time schedule. I am heading into Nethermore as we speak.
“Understood, Empress,” came the response from the network as the woman spread her message. “King Edmon instructed that I inform you that they are ahead of schedule.”
Did he give you the subject? Elinor inquired with a small smile.
“Uh… No, Empress. My apologies. Should I ask?”
Not necessary. I think I understand his meaning. Deliver my message.
“At once… Mmm. I am getting reports that all those you requested are within the city and will meet you on Southern Main.”
The news further elevated her spirit as she entered the keep, privately instructing Tempest to remain for his next task before returning to the civil servant operator.
Well, that’s convenient. Tell Camellia I need her to prepare herself to rescue Azalea. If we are ready ahead of schedule, then we might as well pull the trigger. As for Red and Grace, instruct them to meet me in the terminal if able. I have a separate mission for them.
Her vision narrowed while speaking the hare’s name. Butter’s interaction with Nungal opened up more than a can of worms.
“Empress, Grace is asking if Valentina is required for another mission or if he can take her?”
No. I do require our favorite tiger girl for my own personal reasons. He will be conducting this mission alone.
“…Understood, he says. Is there any more instruction?”
No. That is all.
Cutting the communication, she felt Theresa was using the same network to move around the maids. The busy woman was likely getting updates and setting up her promised maid rotation schedule. A new face would probably be joining her once she reached her city.
Her mind flitted between each action that required her attention, rearranging priorities and setting new goals. Not a soul interrupted her thoughts as she briskly moved right into the terminal, waiting a minute for their transport vehicle to arrive.
Stepping on the transport the moment it arrived, Theresa and her were sent rocketing through the tunnels. Elinor’s gaze wandered passively through the lava-lit caverns they passed, logistics, vulnerabilities, and possibilities flooding her thoughts.
Ke’Thra’Ma must have made safeguards throughout these layers. The runic devices within them prove there must be force field defenses even along this stretch. It is a part of the bigger network of Nethermore’s runic system, not just a branch to the mines.
Her focus drifted to their rear, the faint field blocking air pressure shimmering slightly as they zipped through the tunnel.
It’s likely a bridging point between the mysterious central mountain and its top-secret research facilities within it. That means…the mines probably connect to it. What were you creating, Ke? Well, whatever it is, I’ll discover it sooner or later. For now, I have a city to take control of…
During the five-minute journey, Elinor came into range of Red. Naturally, someone like Red would want to be busy and not lounging around, doing nothing. He may be severely crippled, but he still was a General-Class undead, who happened to have extra legs in the form of his horse.
Luckily, Grace had arrived at the station before him since he’d already been on his way to the Agricultural District. She had a special mission for him.
Since you’re together, can you give me an update on your brother and Grace’s exploration of the inner mines?
A pause ensued as War communicated with the hare, then the report came, short and to the point regarding his reconnaissance.
“It is far deeper than we first anticipated. There were more mass graves, seemingly from newer tunnels, but many appear to have also been thrown into lava to remove bodies. They were marked.
“There was a giant gate that we discovered, but Grace’s ears mapped out the interior, and it sounds like a room, not a hallway. There may be a secret elevator, though.
“Lastly, we discovered large deposits of materials waiting to be transported through the track network. Most of which we were unsure of their purpose. Queen Tiffany has put it on her list of things to investigate.”
That could be useful… Tell Grace I want him to investigate a giant tower structure to the northwest of the valley. Tempest can fly by that area on his path to deliver you to your next assignment.
“Oh?” The muscular man’s smile and invested tone piqued through the Nexus. “And what will I be doing, Empress?”
Battle plans, troop positioning, and scouting… We’re preparing for war.
“My specialty. The Great Clans?”
Indeed…
Stepping off the platform when it arrived, she nodded at the pair as they replaced her, offering bows in her passing. Her father and mother joined the network’s proximity.
Excellent timing. I can explain what I uncovered…
She described the scale of the grassland city, the estimated military forces, the aerial cavalry, and most importantly, the sophisticated organization that suggested these weren’t tribal warriors but professional armies.
Elinor ended it with a brief synopsis of what had become of the Susime Valley, and her plan to raise every corpse they had at once. War exited range a full minute after she’d conveyed the important bits of information, leaving her enough time to explain Grace’s mission to the mysterious tower between two rivers.
By the time Grace’s assignment concluded, she moved onto the platform that would take her to the closest exit to the surface. Next came the critical information about Nungal’s activities with their favorite fatty butterfly.
Her father’s response came immediately, sharp with attention. “It isn’t as if this is surprising news… Nungal has her own agenda involving you two. Grace is her agent here who enacts her will. I see why you sent him away on a mission, though… We have a lot happening right now that doesn’t need further complications.”
“Yes, Edmon, but we must also consider cosmic balance and correlating events. Earth has changed, and a second time. Sweetie, Nungal is clearly operating on a level beyond the typical deities of Earth. But her goals don’t align with them, at first glance, at least… There’s a reason she has remained with you and Butter.”
Agreed… Elinor’s head tilted to the side, her vision wandering between the various gates as they arrived at the transition point. That isn’t my immediate concern, though. She’s a wild card we can’t currently counter or predict—only stay cautious of and investigate. We are being rushed to incorporate more than double our current population as war brews.
“And from two organized militaries,” her father stated without preamble as she arrived at the exit point and continued her path with Theresa. “Professional soldiers with integrated air support and cavalry. This isn’t a tribal raid—it’s a potential siege force. It was the right call to push forward with the city power grid plan.”
Elinor’s gaze shifted to her head maid as she felt one of her Serving Staff waiting up ahead. One moment, Dad, Mom… Theresa, I take it you’ve finished your goals?
“I have, Empress. I do not wish to intrude,” the mother began, her tone carrying both formality and subtle concern. “Should I wait to introduce your current maid for the morning?”
No. If it is brief, it is acceptable.
They came out onto the street, where a young woman stepped forward, her curtsy precise but obviously nervous. Perhaps nineteen, with shoulder-length chestnut hair pulled back in a practical bun and warm brown eyes that darted briefly to Elinor's face before settling respectfully downward.
“Allow me to introduce Paloma, who will be accompanying you for the remainder of tonight’s activities.”
“Empress,” Paloma said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she smoothed back her bangs behind her ear. “I am honored to serve. You…look older than when I last saw you, and you almost look…elven with your ears. Oh, is that inappropriate? I’m sorry.”
Elinor studied the girl for a moment—the careful posture, the visible effort to control her breathing, the way her hands remained perfectly still at her sides despite obvious nervousness.
Shy, but disciplined and with a few quirks, she assessed. Theresa chose well.
No need to hold your tongue with me, Paloma. I reward honesty over suppression, Elinor acknowledged with a slight nod. So long as you keep your silence as to our discussions, I welcome your participation. Stay alert and speak if you have questions.
“Oh, really? In that case, I’ll say I’m excited and nervous at what I’m told we will be doing,” the maid replied, relief flickering across her features at the direct acknowledgment and glancing at her superior, who nodded, like a proud mother. “I don’t know if I’ll have anything to add, but I will listen intently, Empress.”
Theresa promptly curtsied and began making her way down the street toward the palace, coordinating further instructions to the mass operation they were about to perform.
Elinor caught sight of her parents in the distance, riding some of the few thélméthra drones they had left. Camellia was still too deep within the city’s Research and Development District for her to reach, showing the scale of the city itself, horizontally and vertically.
Where were we…
Her mother adjusted her witch’s hat on their approach, orange flames flickering around her fingertips as she smiled down at her.
“Well, your father and I were discussing the fact that nocturnal operations will change our defensive calculations entirely. Typically, we are the ones who have the advantage at night. Most of our human citizens are adapted to daylight movement, and while they’re on the road, bunkered down at night, they’re vulnerable.”
Her father nodded grimly as she scaled the drone.
“Scouts flying into the valley mean likely kidnappings if they spot any humans in the open, they can snatch. They don’t know our anatomy, how we look, or how we react.”
“In effect,” her mother giggled, “we are the monsters to them! Plus, we don’t only have living, but the dead, and Krava would make it abundantly clear on that difference. It’s his selling point to paint us as existential threats.”
Paloma was quite skittish, the arachnid’s many, gleaming ruby eyes ominous in the twin, overhead moons. But showed a brave face; she ascended the spider’s rotating, stair-like pattern, which it used to allow them to board.
“The cavalry concerns me most,” Edmon continued as they settled into the arachnid’s carrying configuration. It wasn’t long until they were moving toward the southern gate.
“Indeed, darling, not torlim, but the fascinating creatures you described as dinosaur-sized,” her mother clapped with a barely contained squeal. “Did I tell you there was one point I wanted to be an archiologist?”
Yes, Mom, Elinor chuckled softly, thinking back to the conversation they had the same day she’d turned into a lich empress. Yes, you did, and mentioned something about dinosaur tattoos. That feels like ages ago.
“It…really does,” her father mumbled, trailing off. “Hmm.”
Her parents grew silent for a time, looking at her in a way that made Elinor’s heart hurt a little. They’d lost a lot, her parents. Both of them had descended into Hell for her.
Paloma’s wide eyes said she had no clue what she’d stepped into, remaining utterly silent.
The Witch Queen interrupted the silence.
“Ahem. That suggests they’ve domesticated megafauna specifically for warfare—rhino-sized battering rams and raptor-sized pursuit units. We need to get some of our own! It means they’ll have logistical support systems we haven’t accounted for. Feeding forces that large requires supply lines, which suggests either territory you didn’t see or magical or technological solutions.”
She paused, a bright grin spreading across her face as the buildings rushed past them on their long path toward the southern gate. “Oh, maybe Tempest can make some runs into the grasslands and do some hunting for us! I’d love specimens to study.”
Not a bad idea… Elinor reasoned.
The drones carried them across the city’s main southern road, past levels they’d barely begun to explore. Elinor felt the weight of Nethermore’s potential pressing down on her as her parents theorized and planned—so much power locked away, so many resources just beyond reach.
Her mind was starting to drift away from the conversation as it moved more into speculation. She didn’t have the time to focus on theoretical or plotting movements. She needed results. Now.
That’s why tonight matters, she decided, interrupting them. We either gain control of this city’s capabilities, or we remain sitting ducks when those scouts arrive. Tell me about everything you’ve put into place.
Her parents dove into the complexities of what they’d been dealing with, Elinor’s gaze lingering on every Serving Court member who stood along the long road. Each one provided a rapid network, capable of sending reports throughout the city for the operation.
It could have been the density of the topics on her mind, but they arrived sooner than she anticipated. They approached the southeastern gate complex, and Elinor spotted Carlos coordinating with several quen’talrat and members of her Serving Court. The man’s horns gleamed under the fading moonlight as the sun began to creep up on the night.
“Empress,” he called out as their transport settled. “Everyone’s in position. The quen’talrat and personnel who understand the basics of at least opening and closing doors are ready when you give the order.”
Excellent, Elinor replied, stepping down off her throne to survey the preparations. What’s our status on the eastern corridor access?
“Ka’Vina and Meno’rah are positioned at the eastern gate controls,” Carlos reported. “During the reset window, they’ll open the internal pathway from the Administrative District through the Industrial and Agricultural Districts to the eastern gates. The outer gate itself will remain sealed, as you instructed. Do we still only want direct access through the south gate?”
Elinor nodded approvingly.
Right now, we’re trying to balance vulnerability with access. We can expand later as we learn more about this technology.
She felt the moment creeping up on her, the sensation of electrified anticipation she rarely experienced anymore with her undead heart. Each person was positioned exactly where they needed to be. Now, all that was left was to tip the first domino and see what disaster, or opportunity, would fall into place.
Her smile grew upon feeling Tempest returning from his trip, having already dropped off Grace and War in their positions; having a flying mount was spoiling her and making her aware of a critical military function she needed to expand on, and soon.
Positions, everyone, she commanded, her voice carrying easily across the assembled teams through the nexus, spread through each person that mirrored her orders. King Edmon, confirm everyone is safe and in their proper positions. I want evacuation routes clear and emergency procedures ready if this city turns hostile.
“Already done,” her father confirmed, breathing out a long stream of mist, feeling the same electricity coursing through his veins. “Everyone is gathered in the main square outside the palace, just in case all the doors do seal shut. Only undead are in closed spaces, giving us the ability to rescue them without the worry of time, hunger, or dehydration.”
Her mother hopped up and down a little, hat bowing and robes fluttering. “I’m getting tingly everywhere! The humans are heading to this gate and should arrive before nightfall if we accomplish this now. What secrets are about to be opened? Can we recover Azelea and get a new monarch? Will we have our home, or will it try to eat us alive? I’m practically quivering!”
Elinor smiled at her mother’s giddy quakes. They’d come a long way to get here, and soon, she’d be able to talk to her old mom—the mom who she’d known all her life, as difficult as it might be for her mother in the transition.
This was a crowning or devastating moment for her empire.
Elinor moved to the central control platform where Keth’minar—the more recently raised ape’s fingers twitching—waited beside the primary runic interface that had been identified. The massive quen’talrat’s hands hovered over control surfaces designed for his species, his eyes darting between the displays and Elinor’s face.
“Empress,” he said hesitantly, “from what we’ve concluded, the cascade failure point is here.” He indicated a complex intersection of energy patterns on the display. “When I trigger the overload, the entire city grid will attempt to restart simultaneously. We think…the new number we’ve come to is that the shutdown should last approximately…sixty seconds, but—”
Shorter than we thought…and it could be shorter, Elinor finished. Which is why everyone is positioned for rapid response.
Through the Nexus, she felt her Serving Court spread throughout the Administrative District—maids and staff stationed at every critical doorway, every important passage, every access point they needed to keep open during the brief window.
Theresa and her parents’ organizational skills were in action.
Ka’Vina, Meno’rah, she called through the communication system. Status of Eastern Main Street to the Agricultural District? Any movement on the surface? I want a rapid check of every district when this is done. I want to be sure what is closed and open.
“None, Empress.”
“Ready, Empress.”
Camellia, Elinor continued, her voice carrying both command and concern; it took longer for the response to reach her due to her location inside the mostly closed and dangerous R&D District. Are you in position?
“…Ready, Empress. The moment the containment field drops and the sentries pause, I’ll extract Azalea and be clear before systems reactivate. What if the drones do not shut down?”
Then grab her and run like hell… We’re not likely to get a second chance like this. It will self-correct the damage. If we need to fight a bunch of drones… We’ll cross that bridge when it comes.
Elinor felt the weight of the moment—so many moving pieces, so many variables, so much depending on precise timing and coordination.
This is what empire-building actually looks like, she realized. Not grand gestures or dramatic confrontations, but careful coordination of dozens of people working toward a single goal. She had to rely on others in situations like this. She couldn’t do it alone.
Paloma, she said quietly, turning to direct a smile at the maid beside her. Tell me, what do you think of your first time serving your empress? Everything that you thought it would be?
The girl’s eyes widened slightly, hands tightening around each other at her front, but her voice remained steady.
“It’s…more complex and emotional than I expected, Empress. But seeing everyone work together like this… Seeing how deeply you plot and plan for our futures is…encouraging.”
“Aww, what a good girl you are,” Tiffany chirped, still vibrating to hit the button to launch.
Good answer, Elinor thought approvingly. She’s observant and honest.
Elinor surveyed the assembled forces one final time—quen’talrat technicians at their stations, leading further into the gate zone, human staff positioned throughout the critical areas, her Serving Court maintaining vigilance at dozens of access points, and Camellia deep in the dangerous heart of the Research District.
Everyone in position.
Everyone ready.
Time to see if we can seize control of this city.
Keth’minar, she commanded, her voice carrying absolute authority through the nexus as it was transmitted to every person. Execute the cascade failure on a three-second delay…
Three.
Two…
One!
The massive quen’talrat’s hands moved across the runic interface with surprising delicacy, triggering the precise sequence of overloads that would bring down Nethermore’s entire power grid.
For a moment, nothing seemed to happen.
Then, the air itself seemed to shiver.
A pressure wave exploded throughout the entire city, forcing a wince from the humans as they stumbled back, eyes momentarily spinning.
A colossal horn erupted through them with deep resonance.
Every light in the city went out simultaneously.
The sudden darkness was absolute—no runic glows, no energy displays, no illuminated pathways. Only the natural light of the twin moons and distant stars provided any visibility in the vast fortress. All that remained was the lingering vibration in their bones.
But Elinor’s undead vision cut through the darkness easily, and what she saw was magnificent:
Throughout the city, emergency protocols were activated.
Massive barriers that had stood for over a century began to retract. Runic language was written into every stone throughout the entire fortress, fluctuating and coming to life.
Force fields that had sealed entire districts flickered and died. Doors that hadn’t opened since the Fall of Kel’mal’tha began to iris open with grinding mechanical precision.
“Pathway opening now!” Ka’Vina’s voice echoed through the communication system as the eastern corridor began to clear, and the gates rose as the humans pressed the open command.
In the Research District, Elinor felt Camellia’s surge of desperate hope as containment fields deactivated and the spider woman moved to rescue her sister.
Throughout the Administrative District, dozens of voices fed through the network her parents set up, confirmed everything she’d dreamed:
“Throne room accessible!”
“Entering Throne Room—opened door… Grand arena opening!”
“Attempting to open a door behind the thrones—open! Continuing…”
“Palace central wing clear!”
It’s working, Elinor realized with fierce satisfaction, watching in awe as the whole city lit up New York Square. We’re actually seizing control of—
Then the failsafes activated.
Rather than the city-wide shield system reactivating, smaller barriers began materializing over individual districts. The Elite Residential District nearby sealed itself again. The Military Districts reinstated their protections. The outer industrial zones activated local force fields.
But the Administrative District remained open, vulnerable, its protective barriers notably absent, just as she theorized it would—Ke’Thra’Ma’s pride on full display.
Camellia, status! she called urgently.
“The drones deactivated, Empress! Empress, I have her!” came the breathless reply. “I have my middle sister, Empress! Azalea is free! All doors are open—I’m scaling stairs to the surface… Clear of the Research District’s Underground. The containment systems reactivated, but I made it out in time. Moving toward the palace in case the district seals itself!”
Relief flooded through Elinor, followed immediately by tactical assessment of their new situation.
Carlos, confirm our access gains, she ordered. What’s closed? What’s open?
Around her, stiff postures were common, waiting for the news.
Silence…
Then, the reports flooded in.
“…Eastern corridor is open from Administrative to Agricultural District,” he reported with a wide, toothy grin. “We have direct access to our food, ladies and gentlemen.”
Cheers filled the nexus, several people hugging each other and jumping up and down, including her mother. Despite her father being shaken back and forth by his enthusiastic wife, he managed to filter past the buzz to continue the report.
“Throne room, grand arena, and the central palace wings…are all accessible. But…the main gate is…unresponsive,” he hissed, looking down at the clearly open gate.
The one he was talking about was the main gates that led into the Administration District.
Elinor looked up, seeing the barriers of the other districts fade away—not gone, like the one above them—invisible unless interacted with.
On the bright side, Tempest can now fly into the city… On the negative angle…we’re exposed to aerial assaults and have already established our enemy has an air force. With every step forward, a new ball of mud comes to slap me in the face, Elinor finished with a grim smile.
Through the Nexus, she felt her Serving Court confirming their positions—doors held open, pathways secured, access maintained to newly available areas.
“Empress,” Keth’minar said nervously, holding his unique rune tool against the device and making it reveal its hidden writing, “the power grid is stabilizing. All systems will be fully operational within ten minutes, I think…but it’s asking for proper authorization genes to proceed. We need an Elite Hunter.”
Well, it’s a good thing we have one… Hopefully, Quin’s genetics will be enough.
Taking a deep breath, she looked around at her citizens, all fixed on her as a quiet took the nexus, leaving room for her to speak.
Hmm… Excellent work, everyone, Elinor declared, her voice carrying both satisfaction and resolve. No shield protection over the Administrative District. But…this is a step in the right direction. We have our city… We have our home.
As the runic lighting began to flicker back to life throughout the city, Elinor felt the shift in Nethermore's fundamental nature. No longer a mysterious fortress they were exploring, but a partially accessible stronghold they were beginning to claim.
Phase one complete. Now for the emotional payoff. Today is a celebration. We are welcoming in our newest citizens.
Tonight, I will address everyone, but for now…
We party.
The cheers flooded the Nexus once again.
Their empire’s foundations were set.
Nethermore was theirs.
And just when things couldn’t get better, Tempest rushed down in a flurry of wind, glaring at the nearby arachnid drone as if it had stolen his master.
Elinor chuckled and moved to mount the dragon.
Now, time to reunite two sisters.
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