UE Rewrite: B5 — 8. Second Chances

PoV:

1. Elinor (Our Lich Empress!)

Undying Empire Index

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The alien heavens stretched endlessly above them, twin moons casting their ethereal glow across the life-soaked valley below. Constellations wheeled overhead, their unfamiliar patterns painted in silver and gold against the cosmic void, while comets traced their ancient paths between the stars.

Butter continued to circle Tempest with obvious delight, her hands running along his mirror scales as she murmured admirations. The wyvern preened under her attention, his electromagnetic organs sparking gently in response to her touch, creating tiny lightning displays that danced across his metallic hide.

“He’s absolutely magnificent, Priss,” she gushed, pausing to stroke the creature’s neck. “The way his scales catch the moonlight—it’s like he’s made of liquid starlight.”

Elinor watched her sister’s enthusiasm with fond amusement, but her gaze inevitably drifted back to the slowly expanding circle of emerald decay below. The massive death torlim, born from Mika’s sacrifice, pulsed with hunger, its corrupted energy spreading.

Despite the tragedy Butter had gone through, this was undoubtedly game-changing. Yet, through the Nexus, she could feel Butter’s lingering tension beneath her excitement. Her guilt and fascination were at war, her attention occasionally drifting to track the creature’s slow movements in the distance.

Breathing in deeply, Elinor smoothed out her borrowed dress and clasped her hands at her front while scanning the valley and turning her sight heavenward. This place is beautiful… Splendid work, sister. You did better than you give yourself credit for.

The wind whipped across the rocky ridge, carrying with it the eternal mist from the northern waterfalls and the scent of alien flowers that bloomed only under these strange stars.

Butter gradually came to a stop beside her, hand still resting against Tempest’s side as she followed her gaze. “There is a lot more that I haven’t said… Mistakes I made that were foolish and could have been avoided if I had, I don’t know, channeled my inner Priss?”

 Rolling her eyes, Elinor bumped shoulders with her twin but zeroed in on her discomfort. Okay, I’ll bite, but I don’t think for a second you haven’t learned from these ‘mistakes,’ as you call them.

“Mmgm.” The blonde fidgeted a little with her hair, taking a moment to frame what was chewing her up inside. “Let’s just say that I let all the power I had from Utelira get to my head and I became a little…too showy and reckless. I caused Rachel a lot of trouble. The lunar hare I told you about on Earth.”

Go on, Elinor prompted, studying her from the side and recalling the four individuals she saw facing Ashrit on the outside as they faced her within Butter’s soul. It isn’t like you wanted Ashrit to ruin your party.

“Well, this is…sort of before all of that,” her twin sighed. “I threw caution to the wind and didn’t think anyone could challenge me when Utelira’s power gave me access to so many abilities and resources from my past life as Ashrit. But…there was a certain organization that specializes in hunting deities, so that was a bit of an embarrassing moment. A proud moment for Adoncia,” she added with a grin at her maid, “but an embarrassing moment for me.”

Pondering that revelation, Elinor glanced down at the gown she’d borrowed, focus shifting between the exquisite stitching and style.

Personally, I believe you are being too hard on yourself, Butter. You thrive in social circles, showcasing beauty, and live a different type of life from me. That isn’t bad or any less powerful. It makes you unique. And your internal vision of me is distorted. I am far from perfect, Sister….

In fact, I think if I had taken a more Butter-approach mindset, Red and the Roxim wouldn’t have suffered so much… We each have our strengths. Of course, I can tell you that all I want, but only you can choose to believe in yourself…as I know you do. Nungal’s power shook you because she entered your soul… I would probably feel the same way.

Her sister showed a tight, vulnerable smile. “If you say so…”

Adoncia and Theresa maintained a respectful distance, both maids understanding the weight of what was happening before their eyes; they didn’t twitch.

The night air was crisp at this elevation, carrying sounds from far below—the distant rush of water over stone from the river that cut through the valley’s middle, the whisper of wind through the jungle canopy, and the sight of an entity of death.

Butter, Elinor voiced, feeling a beat in her heart that hit something right inside her core.

Her sister looked up from where she was admiring Tempest’s wing structure, golden hair flowing in the breeze. “Hmm?”

A pressure eased off Elinor’s chest as she spoke what was now written on her heart, smiling up at the streaking comets. I have a new proposal regarding our sisterhood, but first, I’d like to tell you my plan for our new friend down there.

Butter tilted her head, examining the death-soaked crater. “I think it’s pretty obvious from my perspective… You’re going to absorb it. You’re not the type to waste resources.”

Nothing so…short-sighted, Elinor’s smile turned imperial as she gazed upon the expanding decay, the emerald glow painting the zone in otherworldly light. For Jet’tara’s transgression against you, and Mika’s loss…I’m going to put him to work. I have someone I can put to work in ‘the mines,’ so to speak, to give me exactly what I need for the largest resurrection operation in our empire’s history.

“For…me?” Understanding dawned in Butter’s brightening eyes, her old zeal flooding back with a vengeance. “The hundred and twenty-seven thousand,” she whispered. “You want to bring them all back at once. Oh, you devil! That is going to spark a wide range of emotions across all spectrums. Are you…including the ri’bot in this plan?” her twin inquired, a sliver of doubt creeping into her tone, and for good reason.

Eyes open wide, Elinor’s smile grew as she took her sister’s hand and moved to Tempest’s wing. Falling into the leather bed, she looked up at the tapestry of art above, letting her twin’s curiosity stir.

…You know, she whispered, squeezing her hand, I think all of this is a second chance.

Butter’s eye creased, a small smile twitching upward as she shifted to her side to stare at her. “What’s gotten into you, Priss? You’ve been acting fairly…sisterly and supportive. It’s beginning to scare me. I’m not sure if you’re dodging my question or just…living in the moment? It’s almost like you have a piece of me inside of you.”

No dodging… I’m planning on raising them all, Butter. This is it… Every single person who wishes for a second chance.

Elinor turned to face her sister fully, noting how the alien constellations painted everything in sharp, otherworldly detail within Tempest’s reflective wings. The twin moons cast overlapping shadows across the ridge, creating patterns of silver and gold that shifted as the heavenly bodies continued their eternal dance.

What do you think?

Butter’s mouth bunched to the side, aquamarine eyes wandering skyward. “Mmm… It’s ambitious, sis… Impossible, I’d say. But you always seem to find a way to overcome the impossible… Irkalla did. You don’t have nearly enough slots to sustain it all, unless…”

Her twin’s eyes widened, reserved excitement bubbling up. “You can’t mean…”

Elinor’s grin widened, her teeth gleaming in the moonlight. No, you’re right. It is impossible, even if I awakened Irkalla’s memories, and I had all that cold domination. I cannot do it, Butter… Well, at least, I can’t do it alone, she whispered, meeting her twin’s gaze. 

The words hung in the air between them, carried on the wind that whistled through the rocky outcroppings. Below them, the death entity continued its systematic consumption, oblivious to the plans being made for its future. Above, the comet painted its trail across the alien sky, a beacon of transformation in the cosmic darkness.

“You…want to do a joint resurrection? As sisters? Working together?” she breathed, her voice rising with barely contained enthusiasm. “Combined Life and Death energies to create something a binding force between us, like I did with Adoncia, Mika, and White…but for hundreds of thousands?! Is that… Can we do that?!”

Laughter bubbled up in Elinor’s chest as she leaned back and puffed out a long sigh.

How should I know? I’m just saying that you, yes, you, she huffed, playfully elbowing her fatty blonde, managed to make something that could change everything for us. Play it out for me.

Butter squealed—an actual, delighted squeal that echoed across the ridge and made Tempest’s head swivel toward them from his position nearby.

She bounced off his wing and onto her toes, hands clasped together as her signature exuberance exploded back to life, her dress swirling around her in the mountain wind.

“That’s brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” She spun in a small circle, golden hair streaming behind her like liquid starlight. “You bring them back from the dead, and I resurrect them to life now that their spirit and body are united again. They’re not sustained by your Death Energy or taking up any court slots. And my Life Energy is a one-time use. They still remain within the Nexus, without the cost, because they sustain themselves on normal food.”

She looked down at the torlim, grinned, and danced back over to collapse into Tempest’s wing next to her. “I think…your crazy plan will work, Priss. I’ll need to bring back all the corpses here, organize things so they don’t overextend, and draw the toad’s notice. Oh! Mom can set up a ritual projection so everyone back in Nethermore can see!”

Butter, Elinor interrupted gently, though her smile remained warm as her sister snuggled next to her. There’s more to discuss than just the resurrection mechanics. You’re missing something important.

“Humph. Of course, I’m missing something important,” she sighed, knocking heads with her lightly. “Go on, gloat.”

Elinor didn’t respond at first, simply letting the feeling in her cold heart sprout out. It felt like a blooming was happening in real-time.

Around them, the night air carried the scent of the crisp mountain atmosphere and humid mists that were slowly rolling in. The alien constellations continued their wheel overhead.

I…don’t like how things are between us.

“How do you mean?” Butter’s lips pushed to the side, propping her head up with her elbow and wrist to stare at her. “I thought we were making great progress as former mortal enemies. Is this the moment you choose to strategically stab me in the heart? Haha. It wouldn’t be the first time,” she mumbled softly.

That really would be like me, wouldn’t it, Elinor whispered, feeling a pain in her chest at the admission. I can’t tell you how I’ll react when Irkalla eventually rears her ugly head and my past bites us…but, right now, I want to acknowledge what we both know needs to change.

The wind caught Elinor’s borrowed dress, the blue silk rippling in the mountain breeze as she studied her sister’s tentative, reluctantly hopeful face in the overlapping moonlight.

Our previous arrangement is no longer viable. We keep circling around questions of authority and jurisdiction, and it’s creating friction we can’t afford. You hiding this from me is proof enough of that…and there are things I had glazed over in our strategy meeting, as well.

The admission hung between them, Butter slowly closing inward as her bright irises darted around her face, looking for answers.

“So…you’re saying I broke your trust, and we can’t rely on one another? I’m confused… The fun resurrection idea is…no longer possible?”

Butter, Butter, Butter… Elinor repeated, clicking her tongue before reaching up and flicking her forehead.

“Ouch! Hey, I can still feel pain, you know… What was that for? Priss?!”

For going exactly where we’ve always been going…life after life, Elinor huffed, reaching under her to draw her twin in. No, I’m saying we rule jointly, you blonde bimbo butterfly… Genuine consultation and shared decision-making. But when we reach an impasse—when we fundamentally disagree on a course of action—I have the final say. Why? Because I’m the big sister!

Butter’s flustered posture immediately softened as she melted into her arms, her hot words breathing against Elinor’s ear. “Now that…sounds impossible for us. And big sister? Please, what can you do that I can’t, big sis? Emotionally sucker punch me?”

…Make hard choices that will break people’s hearts… Yours included, if necessary.

 Butter was quiet for a long moment, her gaze fixed on her emerald irises. Then, she shifted to study the scene below, the battle site where she’d lost Mika. When she finally spoke, her voice was smaller than Elinor had heard it in recent memory.

“You heartless ruler…taken to pragmatic, logical extremes. That…is so you. The compassionate heart that says there is kindness in cruelty… Fine. I can give you that, if, and only if, it doesn’t concern my domain in Life. Then, we settle it, no-holds-barred in our soul, without prejudice and understanding one another’s position, even if we don’t like it.”

That’s…rather vague, but in practice will play out in a structured way. Essentially, I get to be the bad sister, and you get to be the fun sister. Sounds like a good deal, for one of us…

“No, I understand,” Butter mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her elbow with a strained smile. “It’s just… There’s more that I need to say…” she whispered, her words barely audible above the mountain wind. “Something that’s going to hurt to admit, but…”

She met Elinor’s gaze directly, her lower lip beginning to tremble.

Butter, what is…

Elinor reached out, but Butter held up her hand defensively, scooting away a little on Tempest’s wing.

“No, I have to say this. I have to…because you…you are stronger than me, Elinor. I have to admit that. In combat, in warfare, in the kind of decisive action that wins battles and breaks enemies. And that…that really hurts to acknowledge.”

Elinor’s chest felt like a vice had gripped it. This wasn’t the admission she’d expected—not from her proud, competitive little sister who had just conquered an entire world to prove her worth.

She wanted to say that was crazy. Dismiss it…but knew that would only cut Butter to the marrow. This wasn’t something she could just say. She was cutting her own soul open.

“It hurts because winning is part of who I am,” Butter continued, tears beginning to track down her cheeks in the moonlight. “Not just for me, but for everyone under my protection. Every person who looks to me for hope, for victory, for the promise that we can overcome anything. It feels like I’m betraying them… Betraying Rachel and everything I said. A hypocrite… But I can’t hide what I know anymore… And I know that you’re…that you’ve always been…”

Her voice broke, the sound carried away on the wind that howled across the ridge.

Elinor moved without thinking, closing the distance between them, but Butter held up a hand again—a small gesture that somehow stopped her dead in her tracks.

“No, let me finish—don’t take this from me, as well,” Butter whispered, smiling even as tears fell like silver rain in the alien starlight. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to admit—it feels like my soul is literally burning inside…but it’s true. In all our past lives, in every iteration of this cycle, I feel it in my bones—you win. You always win. Ashrit felt it. And that means…”

She took a shuddering breath that misted in the cool mountain air.

“That means I’ve been fighting a war I can’t win while pretending it’s a competition between equals. And that’s not fair to either of us… I think that’s what you wanted to show me from the start. I do. I’m…not as strong-willed, as responsible, or as smart as you.”

Elinor stood frozen, watching her sister’s careful composure crumble away to reveal something raw and honest underneath. But everything in her soul told her: this is wrong.

Butter…look at me.

Aquamarine eyes met emerald under the dancing light of twin moons and distant stars.

Even if what you’re saying is true—and I’m not certain it is—that doesn’t make you any less valuable. Any less important. Any less powerful.

Elinor’s voice grew fierce.

Do you think I could have built this without you? Do you think I would have gone through life after life, fighting someone I didn’t think was worth my time? Do you think I could have inspired fifty thousand people to abandon their entire world and follow us into the unknown? No, Butter. No, you have strengths I do not possess.

Slipping her fingers into her twin’s, Elinor squeezed, not breaking eye contact as Butter hiccuped and watched her with true vulnerability.

Do I think I’m the better fighter, physically, even strategically? Yes. Do I think I’m smarter and more responsible? Yeah, I think that’s self-evident. Duh. I’m the big sister! Do I think I’m more strong-willed? Absolutely not. In that, we are equals. And do you want to know the most frustrating part that I have to admit?

“What?” Butter choked. “You have to save me after beating me to death?”

That’s maybe a close second, Elinor snorted, showing conviction in her eyes as her voice softened and she said, but no… The fact that you have qualities I have yet to achieve, and it took eating my twin to figure out I’m a total asshole.

“Priss! True, but Priss!”

What I’m trying to say, Butter… She drew the lovable blonde in and wrapped her in warmth—well, emotional warmth since her body didn’t produce heat. I’m trying to say that I love you, and you are worth more than the universe to me. I may flick your forehead and call you names… But I would crush anyone who hurt you. We’re sisters. We fight. We bleed. And we love to hate each other…but we’re sisters.

“Yeah?” Butter laughed through her tears, clinging to her. “Well, maybe I am weaker in some areas, but I’ll beat you one day. Mark my words, sister! I’m going to put you in the dirt…”

Keep dreaming, you fatty butterfly…but I’ll be proud if you ever manage it. I can make the hard choices, yes. I can be the iron fist when necessary. I’m their security. I’m their stable foundation. But…I can’t be what you are—the light that gives people hope, the warmth that makes them believe in something better…that brings them life. That’s your strength, and it’s one I don’t possess.

Butter’s tears had slowed, but her smile remained fragile. “You really believe that?”

I believe that if there's one thing I can count on, it’s that you’ll never give up… I mean, Butter, you literally almost beat me in our last fight. Yes, she added with a tilt of her head, I was severely handicapped, with cooldowns and the like, but the point stands.

“Excuses. Excuses.”

Haha. Just know that this admission isn’t surrender from you, Butter. It’s not. It’s honesty about where we stand right now. Elinor’s voice softened. And from that honesty, we can build something stronger than either of us could manage alone… That is why I want to do this joint resurrection…as sisters.

The words hung in the air between them, a bridge across the chasm of their competitive history. Then Butter laughed—a sound bright with tears and relief and something that might have been gratitude, echoing across the ridge like music.

“You know what the worst part is?” she said, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I spent so much energy trying to prove I deserved to stand beside you that I completely overlooked the obvious path…that we can stand together.”

Before Elinor could respond, Butter lurched forward, sending them both tumbling down Tempest’s wing and almost completely off the ridge! Their maids launched toward them in a panic, Tempest immediately jumping upright.

Yet, they stopped just before the fall, laughing, their dresses tangling as they fought for balance on the rocky outcropping under the alien sky.

Who else can get me to laugh and roll around with them, sis? You know me—

“I do! The gothic, gloomy, brooding twin, who apparently stomps on princess’ faces for fun.”

Mom told you about my first conflict in Kaspir, huh? Well, there’s more to that story.

“Oh, I’m sure. I just wish I were there with you to see it… So, we’re sisters? Ouch!”

Elinor flicked her on the forehead again, smiling down at her since she had gained the high ground, silver hair framing her face. Don’t state the obvious… I love you, no matter how cold my heart gets. So, if Irkalla shows up…will you save me if I’m beaten?

Butter’s vision hardened. “Not that I think that’s possible, but…” Fingers rising, Elinor let the flick smack her in the forehead. “Don’t state the obvious. No past life is going to take away my big sister.”

Good…

They held each other as the mountain wind whipped around them, two figures silhouetted against the impossible sky. Below, the death entity pulsed with hungry intelligence, waiting to be harvested. Above, the comet traced its ancient path between unfamiliar stars, painting streaks of light across the darkness—a celestial reminder that even the most entrenched cycles could eventually find new trajectories.

When they finally separated, both were smiling—real smiles, not the careful masks.

“So,” Butter began, stepping back and smoothing down her dress in the wind, “let me guess. This torlim is going to become your new energy harvester? Ash can finally stay still for a day without the whole empire being on watch because you don’t have enough Death Energy? And you don’t think that’s a bit…vulnerable to us?”

Actually, Elinor hissed, rubbing the back of her neck and smiling at the two maids, who returned to their post, that is a real weak point in our empire, sis. I think we need to make a few of these torlim harvesters… Maybe I can split it somehow. Good point. As for the harvest idea? Yeah, you caught me.

“Knew it! Do I know my sister, or what?”

Butter ran her hands along Tempest’s neck again, the wyvern rumbling contentedly under her attention while his electromagnetic organs sparked.

“You already know we’ll need infrastructure in place before we can attempt something on this scale if we’re bringing back potentially two hundred thousand souls, ri’bot, humans, torlim, and everything else in between,” she noted. “Let me guess, already in the works?”

You do know me, Elinor smiled, gesturing for Theresa to approach. Her maid stepped forward through the mountain wind, producing a sealed letter from within her robes. Mom and Dad showed me a rather daring plan before I left… Everything you need to know about securing Nethermore and establishing our permanent base of operations is detailed there with my own…sisterly criticism, she added with a smirk that had her twin show a dubious smile.

“I’m practically vibrating with curiosity. I suppose this is where we separate? Where will you go next? Perch on a tower and brood over your empire?”

I wish, Elinor groaned, rubbing between her eyes and shifting to smile at the two maids. No, I have an appointment with Mom…with the hag. She chose to unify her old and new personas… To face it head-on.

Butter’s face immediately filled with concern, her hand stilling on the wyvern’s neck. “Elinor, that kind of restoration could put enormous stress on her psyche. Are you sure she can handle integrating both aspects of herself? I’m assuming this is actually an incremental process?”

I don’t think it is, Elinor whispered, somewhat worried herself. And yes, it will probably require time to process everything. Dad knows that. But it’s better to face it sooner rather than later, in my opinion.

The admission sparked something painful in Butter’s expression as she looked out over the valley. “I wish I could be there for them… Her and Dad.”

A lightbulb flashed in Elinor’s head, drawing her twin’s quizzical gaze.

Maybe you can…Once we execute our city infrastructure plan, I might send her to you for a while. Give her some personal time with you while she adjusts, and give you the chance to reconnect with our mother… You are the daughter she never got to fully meet.

Butter’s lower lip immediately tucked under. “You’re going to make me cry again! I’d love that, but…what about our aunt? I’ve sort of kept an arms length for now since, well, she showed me pictures, but I wasn’t sure if she was just trying to butter me up, so to speak.”

Nice… Elinor trailed off, a little torn herself after hearing their parents discuss her controversial aunt. I’m not sure how that will go. What group is she in?

“The first, but they had some delays, I think, and the second overtook them… Something about transporting a mummy?”

Elinor opened her mouth and then shook her head. I’m not even going to ask right now. If she’s in the second group, then she’ll be at the gate tomorrow… In that case, I should probably bring it up to Mom when we go see the hag, because this could trigger some…problems.

“Oh?”

It’s complicated… You’ll have to talk to Mom about it.

“Well, okay then. So… See you when I see you?”

Elinor chuckled and moved in for a more gentle hug. Sounds good. See you soon.

“See you soon!”

When they separated, both were smiling with the kind of peace that came from finally understanding their place in each other’s lives under these strange stars. Elinor moved toward Tempest, who had descended to a more accessible position on the rocky slope, his mirror scales reflecting the twin moons and distant comet.

Oh, and Butter? she called back through the Nexus as she approached her mount.

“Yes? Don’t get too emotional on me, Priss! You’ll lose your edge. Then I might actually beat you,” she winked, throwing a punch in her direction.

I’ll believe it when it happens. But try not to destroy that death torilm before I return. When we harvest it, there might not be much left of its personality.

Butter’s laughter followed them as Elinor settled into Tempest’s harness; she didn’t get a clear answer from her twin.

Theresa climbed up behind her with practiced ease despite the mountain wind. The wyvern’s powerful muscles bunched beneath them as he prepared for takeoff, electromagnetic organs sparking with anticipation in the alien air.

“That was sweet, Empress.” Theresa’s voice was that of a mother who had seen many a sibling fight as she watched the blonde skip over to the helicopter with her maid. “It has budded a new level of respect within me.”

Tempest launched himself into the heavens, his wings catching the light of twin moons and distant stars. As they climbed higher, the ridge falling away beneath them, Elinor felt the familiar rush of flight mixed with something deeper—a sense of completion that had been missing for far too long.

My sister is a handful… But I wouldn’t want to rule beside anyone else. Keep this private, Theresa.

Through the Nexus, she could still feel Butter's presence, bright and warm and no longer tinged with the desperate competitiveness that had defined their relationship across countless lifetimes.

“This is to be a secret, Empress? That is…unfortunate,” the head maid whispered with true mourning. “It was beautiful. I wish more of our citizens could have witnessed that conversation. It would do much to ease their concerns about your non-human demeanor and ruthless executions. The Xaltan conquest has sparked some…dissenting views to resurface.”

Elinor considered her concern, watching the impossible stars wheel overhead as the mountain wind buffeted their flight. Below them, the valley spread out in all its engineered glory—lush jungle giving way to the towering spires of Nethermore in the distance, the endless rise of the northern mountain, with its eternal blizzard cutting into the heavens. To their left.

As magical as that might seem, and it would certainly help contextualize many things for our people, not all reactions would be positive, she quietly stated. Because of that, I am certain this is the right decision. I need to remain a strong, indomitable figure in their minds—someone who represents security and stability, not vulnerability.

“But surely showing that you care for your sister—”

Would humanize me in ways that could undermine confidence during critical moments… We are in a hostile world. They need to see a terrible, horrific monster who is on their side…that will scare off all the monsters who are not.

She looked off in the direction where her twin’s helicopter flew. Butter can be that vulnerability, that light they look to for hope and emotional connection, that can temper me during critical moments. My purpose is to provide structure, stability, and the unshakeable foundation upon which everything else rests. Without that…they can’t truly be free.

The maid was silent for a minute before whispering, “I know you are not the simple teenager you were when our lives were set to the pyre of that Crystal, but that is truly tragic, Empress. Yet, also beautifully poetic. Perhaps I will create a song from that emotion and burden you both share… Thank you.”

Elinor didn’t respond.

Theresa didn’t expect a response.

And that helped Elinor more than she would admit.

This was a new beginning.

A second chance for twin sisters, eternally locked in conflict.

They flew in comfortable silence for a while, the mountain wind carrying them toward the comet-streaked horizon. Now, it was time to help her mother face her worst demon…herself.

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