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Herald of the Void
By Nim Maj
A Necron Familiar Challenge Response Fic
Chapter 12: Home
Henrietta was staring at the wall of Necrodermis screens in front of her. Herald had been very accommodating. While Tristain prepared for war she was using his Scarab network to find out what the people really thought about the war. She was in Sheol, having taken a secret Necron Portal that was built to connect the Palace with Sheol, allowing her to have some privacy while she reviewed records and absorbed all the information that was coming in from the Scarabs. Herald had provided a small living space for humans, the Necrons not needing it, and provided them with all that they needed to go about their business.
Henrietta was right now in a small control room with a touch screen Necrodermis monitor in front of her. It was largely user friendly and could even respond to her voice of she needed more information. Right now it was playing a recording of a secret meeting of agitators against the war with Albion. Unfortunately, she only had Agnes to help her go through the overwhelming amount of information.
It seemed most of the plebeians really didn't care. The nobles were mostly favouring war for selfish reasons but only by about a 6 to 4 ratio. Unfortunately most of them were very influential.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!" Agnes shouted from behind her as she too looked over the reports and recordings made by the Scarabs. Henrietta sighed. Someone must have said something particularly offensive to her knight.
"No killing yet Agnes." Henrietta soothed the Captain of her Musketeers.
"Sorry your highness." said the chastised captain. "It's just... the nerve of some of these ingrates!"
There were a minority of nobles that she would somehow have to deal with. Some like Lichmon would have to be dealt with because of their ties to Albion. However some really did fear for their country like the Duke Valliere. Speaking of Valliere, she wondered how Louise was doing. Wasn't she called home?
Yesterday
"Montmorency, I'm off to join the army now." said Guiche to his long time flare, Montmorency. His bags were packed so he could join the Army of Tristain. Being the son of a high noble, especially a general, he would probably be assigned command of a small squad right off the bat. "I want you to see me off with a smile."
"A smile? Even though you might die if you go off to war?" said Montmorency, her back to Guiche so she could hide her face.
"To die protecting one's country... Is this not the most honourable death for an aristocrat?"
Turning around to show her worried face, "Who cares about honor? If you die we'll never see each other again!" Montmorency said as her eyes watered with restrained tears.
"Do you... care that much about me?"
"Of course."
"Montmorency..."
"Guiche..." They gazed at each other with emotion-filled eyes. This sort of scene was being repeated all over the courtyard.
A scene that was interrupted with the arrival of a blonde heterochromatic pretty-boy riding in on a white dragon. He wore a blue cape over a white coat trimmed in yellow.
"He's so handsome!" was the general thought of the girls who were supposedly seeing their love interests off to war. Their old flames were quickly forgotten.
"Oh my!" said a captivated Montmorency.
"Montmorency?"
"Oh, you're still here." She said in a flat tone.
"D-Don't give me that." said a downcast Guiche.
As the new arrival introduced himself, something tugged at Guiche's leg. Looking down, he noticed a Necron Scarab.
"Me?" he asked it. It continued tugging on his pant leg. "Very well." After following it to a shadowed corner of the hallway away from the courtyard, he met up with Herald. "Yes Herald? Is there something I can do for you?" he asked.
"You... are... going... to war?" it asked.
"Why yes. Whatever is the matter?"
Herald turned to a Scarab that appeared from behind him holding what appeared to be a simple looking sabre in a sheathe. Both hilt and sheathe were made of a black metal. In Herald's reckoning Guiche had proven to be a reliable ally. Normal bodyguards would be too obvious but he would not let him go without some protection or chance of survival. He would see later what kind of armor could be provided to protect Guiche. For now, this would do.
"Take... it... and... go. Be... safe."
Guiche unsheathed the sword to reveal a black blade. "It's exquisite." Admiring the fine make if albeit simple design Guiche asked Herald, "What is it?"
"A blade... that can cut... anything." Herald replied.
"Except... the Gods."
Present
To Louise, the previous few days sucked. The new student seemed to be hitting on her and she may have reciprocated, if she wasn't someway related to the C'tan. After the Wardes fiasco, she couldn't quite bring herself to fall in love. Technically, she was a widow. She wondered how she was going to break the news to her family. She had been, married, widowed, witnessed the assassination of royalty, and let's not forget soul eating monsters were somehow related to the Void and her. She didn't even want to think of how her mother would react to hearing she had given birth to a monster.
Her nightmares were realized when the door was slammed open and a blonde woman with severe glasses and wearing a white long sleeved blouse, pink scarf, and a long purple skirt appeared.
"Louise!" she shouted. "Chibi-Louise!"
"Big sister Eleanor!" Louise cried in recognition and fear.
"Aren't you up ear-" that was as far as Eleanor got before Herald materialized before her, phasing into existence. "What on earth are you?" she asked.
Herald just wished that visitors would not barge in to his Little Master's room. Honestly he would have shot her with a stun bolt if his Master hadn't identified her as family. Maybe the next one would get shocked just to prove a point?
"Your highness..." said a rasping voice beside her. Henrietta turned to the speaker. "Yes Leonardo?" asked the Princess.
"The representative from Romalia has arrived."
"Thank you. Please show him in." Leonardo the Wraith dipped in a floating approximation of a bow and left. He soon returned followed by a blonde haired young man dressed in a fine white coat, richly decorated. The most striking part about him was his eyes, one blue and one red.
"Thank you for coming Mr.?" queried Henrietta.
"Julio. Julio Cesare. It is an honor to meet you your highness." said Julio as he took a deep bow.
"Thank you for coming Mr. Cesare. Welcome to the stronghold of the Knights of Death, Sheol. I am glad that we have Romalia's support in this endeavour, limited as it must be."
"Romalia has lost face thanks to the actions of Cromwell. With the loss of a Royal line, we appear to have not kept the Founder's Trust. We will do what we can." Turning his attention to their surroundings, "I must say, I haven't actually seen much of this place. I had to spend some time familiarizing myself with the Academy before I could come here. I'm curious to see more."
"The Death Knights are a recent addition to Tristain's strength. However, I do not look forward to seeing them put into action. With their strength we could win easily, but the loss of life would be tremendous. Thus they support us with information. Their intelligence network is second to none and getting better."
"High praise. Are you even able to keep tabs on the Pope?"
"It is possible. I have had no reason to look into the Pope's recent activities. However, since he is the head of state of Romalia, it is likely that the Death Knights do have the capability." Henrietta hedged.
"Really? Please try."
"Very well. Sheol..." Henrietta said addressing the A.I. running Sheol. "What level of information can you bring us on the Pope of Romalia?"
"Real time can be established." It rasped.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Henrietta.
"The Pope of Romalia can be observed in real time." It clarified. Agnes turned to look at the spectacle.
"I'd like to check up on the Pope's safety if you don't mind." Said Julio.
"Very well." Henrietta agreed. "Sheol, establish real time observation with the Pope of Romalia."
Sheol complied. It soon put on the screen what the Scarab tailing the Pope could see. "Rub-a-dub-dub three men in a tub..." came from the audio units on the side of the screen accompanied by the sound of splashing water as the screen showed a horrifying sight.
"Dear Founder!"
"Your Holiness! Nooo!"
"My eyes! Dear God my eyes!"
The carriage ride was a nervous affair. Eleanor was twitchy at the sight of Herald who was sitting across from them making sure she couldn't discipline Louise too much. Also the sight of him was unnerving. Herald had accidentally pierced the roof of the carriage effortlessly with the Staff of Light while getting in. Louise fidgeted in her seat next to Eleanor, facing forward, right into Herald. They passed the entire ride in mostly silence. If the golem hadn't confirmed with her that it really was Louise's familiar she wouldn't have let him come. Unfortunately Herald was also stubborn enough to refuse to ride the second carriage in front of them. Siesta was just glad she could put some space between herself and Herald. She was thankful to Herald for protecting the people of Talbes but even she needed some space. Herald, ever the perfect servant simply waited while checking updates from the Scarab spy network.
As soon as they reached the Valliere estate Herald simply phased from existence and moved out of their way. Eleanor was unnerved at the casual display of power and tried and failed to track where Herald had gone.
Greeting them was a Louise's pink haired older sister. She had a kind face, reddish-pink colored eyes and wore a long sleeved blouse with a reddish purple skirt. "Welcome home Little Louise."
"Big sister Cattleya!" Louise called out a s she ran up to and hugged her sister. "It's been a long time Big sister Catt!"
Cattleya smiled gently as she asked Louise to let her see her face. "My you've become beautiful!"
"Cattleya... Anyway how have you been?"
"Thank you for worrying." she said. "Nothing has changed." Louise looked at her sister in worry.
"Don't worry, it's just the usual." Cattleya reassured her. Eleanor moved up behind Louise.
"Cattleya, where's mother?"
"Waiting for us, sister."
"Ah. Have you seen a tall black skeleton-like golem?"
"No, why sister?"
"It disappeared into thin air..."
"My Lady..." rasped Leonardo as it woke a dozing Henrietta. Julio had joined them looking over the mountains of information that was being forwarded to the Information Center. She had nodded off while looking over the information. "Yes Leo?" she answered.
"He wakes..." Leonardo said. It took Henrietta a few moments to figure out who Leonardo was talking about. She quickly got up, hiked her skirts and ran to the adjoining room. "Your Highness?" asked Agnes as she noticed the movement. Realizing where Henrietta was going, she immediately followed her, tailed by a curious Julio.
Herald was experiencing yet another out of context problem. His master was distraught. Her genetic donors refused to allow her to join the war effort and insisted she focus on marriage. Normally Herald wouldn't care, but whatever caused his master distress was a problem and problems needed solving. Only Cattleya seemed to support Louise. It did not help their position if Louise would not tell them the reasons why. Could not in the case of her marriage and widowhood since it concerned the Princess's honor.
It seems that he would have to obtain permission and the support Louise would need to tell her family.
Nodal Command. Receiving signal.
Hello? What's this?
Updating Nodal Command.
Say What?
Gold Level Nodal Command Available. Registering Gold Level Necron Lord.
What the Frakking Hell?
Henrietta...
Louise...
Henrietta...
Louise...
Henrietta...
Louise...
Henrietta...
He awoke. Magic, Technology, Willpower, Love. All these factors had held him together. Technology subverted most of his memories and strength in a body made for unfailing loyalty and unquestioning obedience. But there were those with strong wills, strong souls, who could retain a small sense of self. They were gifted the most powerful bodies, best equipment, favour, and ordered to command.
"Hen...ri...et...ta..." was its first word. As it finally attained consciousness, an automated signal was beamed to the Necron Nodal Command system. Its ability to retain some semblance of free will automatically marked it for promotion.
Priority Command vacancy detected. Auto-promoting. Gold-level Command issued to available Necron Lord Wales Tudor. All Glory to the Star Gods!
And Wales Tudor knew what he was. What he had become. And he didn't care. All Glory to the Star Gods.
The Necron Lord was sitting up, still incomplete, but the main body ready to be upgraded. Henrietta launched herself across the room and into Wales as .oon as she reached the room and her mind registered the fact that the Necron body Prince Wales' soul had been placed into was actually sitting up.
"Wales!" she wept into his body, warm from the Gauss energy flowing through it.
"Wales Wales Wales!" she cried his name.
The Necron simply looked down at her weeping form. "I... know... you..." it said in Herald's same metallic rasping tone.
Henrietta stopped as she heard him speak. She looked up into the bodies' eyes. "Wales?" she said, dread filling her.
"I... can... not... remember... Why... do... I... know... you?"
"Wales! It's me? Can't you remember?" she pleaded to him, begging him, willing him to remember her.
Wales grasped her shoulders looking at her, gazing deeply at her, as if trying to remember.
Despair filled Henrietta.
"Wales..." she was weeping again. "You promised to love me for eternity." she cried, her voice growing more and more quiet.
"Hen... ri... et... ta." he haltingly said. And Henrietta wept in relief. Wales had changed. He may have lost most of his memory, but he remembered her name. That was enough for now.
The Necron Lord Wales did not know much, but he did know this. This being, Henrietta was familiar. And his Goddess had ordered her protection. He would figure out why in time. But for now, His Goddess commands would be fulfilled. Protect the Princess, and save Tristain. He did not know why, but it felt right.
On his left hand several runes glowed.
MIKAEL
That was unexpected... but a boon nevertheless. Herald ordered that as soon as possible Wales was to be fitted with a true Necron Lord body and given a Warscythe. In the meantime, he needed to solve his Master's dilemma.
"Master..." Herald broke the silence. Louise had run away to the dock, boarded a boat and covered herself in a tarp so she could weep.
Louise sniffled. "What is it Herald?"
"Why... are you... sad?"
She told him. All the recent pressures were mounting up. She simply couldn't take it anymore and had to have a good cry. She had many problems recently. Her magic was still abysmal despite Herald's arrival. Herald's revelations were also a source of stress due to her need to keep it secret. The Love Potion Incident, the Mission to Albion, her marriage, the Prince's assassination, her widowhood, the Invasion of Talbes, keeping all that secret, and finally her familial standing, and finally her impending marriage to whoever her parents picked.
And of course she forbade Herald to kill them.
"If... you... could... tell... them,... would you?" he asked.
"You know that the Princess won't let me. It's an honor to keep her secret, but I can't find any way out."
"If... she... let you?" he pressed.
Louise hesitated. "Yes."
That was enough for Herald. It was time to round up the members for the upcoming evening drama. "I... will... see... to it."
"Alright familiar, what is the meaning of this?" Duke Valliere asked.
This was Herald's method of solving Louise's stress. Tell everything. Sure he was learning to be subtle, but sometimes it paid to be direct. To do so he had obtained permission from Henrietta as well as escorting her here to provide support for Louise. At first reluctant, she did agree and wanted to be with Louise when she revealed what she had been up to the past month. Julio and Agnes had come along, Julio for several reasons and Agnes to protect Henrietta. Of course they were curious as to Herald's reason for calling this meeting.
Louise's family was there, the Duke, her mother, Eleanor, and Cattleya.
Finally, to round things off, Louise was there with Montmorency, Tabitha and Kirche for moral support. Herald believed that they would be able to support Louise.
"This... must... be done." Herald told them. "At last,... no... more... secrets. My... Master's... well being... is... paramount. You... must... know... and... understand." He looked at Louise. "Begin... Master."
Gulping and looking at Tabitha and Henrietta before standing up Louise spoke. "Father, Mother, we have reason to believe that my element is neither Fire, Water, Earth, or Air... it is the lost element of Void..." Louise closed her eyes waiting for the shouts of derision and disbelief.
"Daughter, I hope you are being serious." asked the duchess.
"I am." Louise then explained how they came to this decision. Of her utter failure when trying any of the other elements, her summoning of Herald of the Storm, the results of his investigation, Cromwell's words, and finally and most damning, Herald's Gandalfr runes, still shining faintly and numerous confirmations from historical evidence backing it up. They were shocked.
"So Little Louise, has been taught the wrong way all this time?" asked Cattleya.
"It appears so." Henrietta confirmed.
"So, at long last, a Void mage appears and with her Brimir's own familiar, the Gandalfr." commented Julio.
"Sir Julio, what will Romalia's reaction to this be?" Henrietta asked him.
"It's difficult to tell." he replied. "On one hand, the last time a Void mage surfaced, we had Brimir who founded our entire religion. The power wielded by a Void mage is legendary. Brimir was simply the strongest mage. And then of course he handed down our system of magic and our very religion. I'm afraid that many would like to use her power for political gain and discard her when she is no longer useful to them." Julio admitted sadly.
Henrietta nodded at this. "And the other?"
Julio smiled. "She could very well be as pivotal as the Founder himself." Louise felt a little better at that. "You have a high standard to aspire to Louise." said a kindly smiling Julio.
Duke Valliere sighed. "I can see why Louise would fail in magic. If she was taught wrong all this time then maybe we can give her a second chance. Marriage can wait a while. But you have still to convince me to let you go to Albion, to join the war effort."
"Louise will go to Albion as a member of my court. She will be protected by my Musketeers, at least openly. Herald will also go, as her familiar. He is our trump card." Henrietta sighed and leaned back into the couch she shared with Louise and her friends. "Despite my best efforts, I am afraid that Tristain wants this war."
"What?" Duke Valliere said in a loud voice. "Can't you even control your own nobles?" he demanded.
Henrietta gave him a sad smile. "I'm afraid that most members of the anti-war faction are Albion agents, or their puppets, the glaring exception being you, Duke Valliere."
"Do you have evidence?" he asked.
"All too much." Henrietta answered grimly. "You may look over it later. Herald can show you. He does not lie unless commanded to."
The Duke turned his attention to Herald. "Yes, about this familiar, just what exactly is... it?"
Herald explained just exactly who and what he was. In full 3D. Of course his explanation couldn't be complete without telling them of Louise and her relation to the C'tan.
"Blasphemy! Heresy!" was the general sentiment of the uninitiated.
Standing up the Duke growled. "I certainly hope you have some solid proof to back up your mad claims familiar!" His wife joined him, both with wands out, trembling in fury.
"I did not give birth to a soul-eating monster!" the Duchess declared. "I have been only with my husband! I find your insinuations and claims slanderous!"
Julio was hardly upset and appeared merely curious and disbelieving. "I too find your claims hard to believe. More than the words of children will be needed to convince others of your... sanity.
"Yes..." he replied. Turning to Louise, Herald asked for permission to show them. All their attention was focused on a trembling Louise, Tabitha next to her with an arm around her. Louise looked to each of the people in front of her. "Must you?" she asked. Surely having seen it once was enough. Henrietta took her other side, reached out with her hand and took one of Louise's.
"Louise Francoise." she began with a quiet voice, "I would like nothing better than to believe that Herald's claims are a lie. But I have seen too much to be so easily swayed. Your word is enough for my heart, but not enough for my mind."
Louise hesitated for several moments before giving her assent. "Show them." she said with finality, knowing it was now too late to go back. Everyone would know her greatest and most terrifying secret: that Herald did not speak any lies.
At this point Montmorency spoke up. "Um, not to be rude but, how are you going to show them?" she asked.
"The... same... way... I... convinced... you." Herald replied.
"I see." She said before getting a nervous look on her face. "Could you... do it somewhere else? I just don't think this mansion could withstand the shock." she said lamely.
Herald considered the request a moment. "Sheol... is... secret... and... safe." he conceded.
"Ah, alright." Montmorency said while the elder Vallieres looked at them in slight confusion. "That being said," continued Montmorency. "Could you just leave me? I really don't want to see that... Essence thing again."
Herald just stared at her. "Very... well." Seeing this Louise and Kirche also opted to stay. Henrietta had to see for herself but Tabitha chose to stay and support her friend. Cattleya also stayed to comfort Louise. This would prove fortunate later.
When they were assembled, Herald enfolded them in the Veil of Darkness and teleported them to Sheol.
The Vallieres were surprised at this, gasps of shock escaping them before their dislike reasserted itself. Julio and Henrietta, having travelled by Veil before were still amazed whenever it happened.
Herald turned to address them. "Now,... witness... the power... of Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere!"
Once again Herald gathered power to himself, focused by the Energy Core. Green and pink light gathered around his hands. Punching the ground, black spider-web cracks spread out from him. Darkness shrouded him as his body sunk into the shadow, and a new form emerged.
No amount of preparation would prepare them for what they saw and what happened next.
A short while after disappearing Herald returned with the shadows depositing his cargo on the floor of the living room, where they had agreed to meet up after Herald showed them Louise's Essence form. Louise took a hesitant look up and screamed.
"Princess!" she shrieked.
On the floor were the unconscious forms of the Duke, the Duchess, Eleanor, Henrietta, Agnes and Julio. Quickly calling for aid from the servants on standby outside the room, they rushed them to beds, wondering what had happened to them.
It was a subdued and sullen party that gathered once again in the Valliere's living room. The Duke was getting over his shock but the effects of Louise's Essence could still be felt. The Duchess had been quiet as well. She was beginning to look haggard from the experience. Eleanor was still shocked and had since been seen drinking tea from a trembling hand. Henrietta wavered from fear, anxiety and sorrow. Julio looked the most recovered, a grim look on his face.
They all sat sullenly before beginning the conversation. Surprisingly it was Louise who broke the silence. "Princess? What happened?" she asked.
Henrietta froze, before turning a sad look toward Louise. "I... don't know. I only know what I felt." She began. "Your Essence... as Herald called it certainly looked like you... if you were 15 feet tall and floating." she said. "It felt cold... and... heavy. As if... it was draining everything around it. It drained us all... of our willpower." That got their attention. "F-fifteen feet?" gasped an incredulous Kirche. "But, when Herald first transformed he wasn't any bigger than the real one." she explained. Tabitha and Montmorency nodded in affirmation. "And what about that draining? It drained you of willpower? How? Why?"
Tabitha proposed the first possibility. "Void" she explained. Everyone else then understood. Louise's Essence, taken to its literal meaning, a Void, sucking up everything around it.
"And that height change"? Montmorency asked.
They mused at that. "Energy... Core." Herald explained. "This... time... there was... an... Energy... Core... to store... the required... energy."
Not really getting it they nodded their heads anyway.
"Julio," Henrietta asked, "What will the Church's stance be if this is revealed?"
Julio thought a bit before answering. "Honestly? I don't know. It is possible that the Church will denounce Louise as a heretic and try to kill her, or she could be sainted. She could be evidence that Founder Brimir really was divine. As far as anyone knows, only Herald has called her a goddess. If no one finds out, she could be sainted... but if they do... well, you know what they say, 'there is only One God.'" Everyone nodded mechanically at the bleak possibility.
Herald would narrow his eyes if he could as something finally made a connection. A mighty suspicion that had been bothering him since this talk of faith and overhearing various snatches of conversation. And with a man of the cloth right here he could get an answer.
"Ambassador... Julio,... please... clarify... for me..." He requested. Julio nodded his assent as everyone took interest in what Herald wanted to know.
"Founder... Brimir... was... a Void... mage?" he asked.
Julio nodded "Yes..." he said, dragging it out trying to find out Herald's angle.
"His familiar... was... Gandalfr?" Another nod.
"Master... is... Void?"
"Yes."
"I... am... Gandalfr?" Julio nodded agin still wondering where Herald was going. They had been over this already.
"Brimir... lived... six... thousand... years... ago?"
"Yes why?" asked an honestly curious Julio.
Herald had a sneaking suspicion that this was all too much coincidence. He was silent for a little while before answering. "Improbable... Utterly... improbable."
The Duke, running out of patience, his beliefs shattered and suffering from willpower drain had enough. "What Herald? Out with it!"
"Possibly... Mephet'ran... was... here." Everyone paled at that. Herald had explained about the C'tan earlier. Six thousand years, from Herald's knowledge would put the Deceiver on this world before the Callidus Assassin incident. He wasn't entirely sure but He was tight-lipped about His awakening and activities but the dates matched up. Honestly though, this situation fit the Deceiver's modus operandi to a 'D'. To the Jokaero, he was Artemorra, Sathsarrion to the Initiates of the Gethvar, Mohagg to the Cornochinae, and Harrimoch to the Vendichi travellers just to name a few. He appeared as a benevolent god promising honor, glory and power in exchange for worship. All they had to do was prove themselves worthy. Herald had to admit it was brilliant. Six thousand years of plans finally seemed to have paid off. At least these Halkeginians didn't go the way of the Silvae. Mephet'ran truly was a master planner.
"You don't mean..." gasped the Duke and Julio. "Brimir was the Deceiver?" their exclamation got the attention of everyone only half-heartedly paying attention.
Herald would narrow his eyes even more if he could. "More... evidence." He declared before moving to stand in front of Louise.
"Now see here!" shouted an enraged Duke as he also stood up, wand in hand. "I won't have you slandering the Founder you hear me?"
Herald ignored him and stood before Louise. Pointing to her he said, "Founder's... Recital... Book."
Louise just looked up at him in confusion. Herald pointed at her again. "Search... it."
"But... there's nothing written in it..." she said, despair in her voice. Herald nodded. "Again" he said.
Louise slowly got the book out and slowly leafed through it. First the front... then the mid... Her breathing stopped.
Something was there! Dread filled her. In clear runic script a word could be made out.
"Dispel." She said, her eyes transfixed on the runes at the top of the page, clear as day. Below it, scattered all over and even on the next page were more runes, not following any order, as if scrambled.
Henrietta moved closer. "Louise... let me see." She softly requested. Louise numbly obeyed. And as her hand neared the book, the Water Ruby, which she had worn ever since Louise gave it to her, shone. It revealed more letters, filling the page, but only faintly. She gasped. "Louise... the Wind Ruby... please take it out." she asked. Louise complied. Their lights forming the "rainbow," together they revealed more runes. More spells.
"Explosion." Henrietta read aloud as they turned the page and read the spell there. "Illusion." was on the next page. And so they continued, most pages only faintly revealing themselves. But nearing the end was the most important one. It was in a prominent and protected position, not the last, but since it could be assumed to be an advanced spell, not in the front of the book. Henrietta felt her throat dry, her eyes briefly flicking toward Herald before she read it, the runes as clear as if they were just written.
"Grand Illusion."
Author's Notes:
Wales' runes have meaning. It reflects his future occupation in Louise's army. Guess the meaning behind the name! Also what job he will do and who I got it from! Cookies go to whoever gets them right! (Okay, more like honourable mention.)
I'll tell you about why I chose it later...
This chapter feels rushed to me, and I didn't get to include some parts of the conversation like I wanted to. Unfortunately that's how the conversation flowed.I'll try to include it in the next chapter.
About the transformation sequence, well, I made a bit of a mistake in it. I just played DoW Soulstorm and checked it out. The energy is a mix of green and pinkish light. However I'm sticking to black. That's what it will be from now on. The black cracks are still spot on though.
BTW, did I just blow your mind?
Longest chapter! Enjoy!
