Chapter Nine: Overreach

"There are many stories in endless cultures about it…trying to take what you should not…attempting to get too close to the sun only to have it burn your wings. I've seen many of these stories take shape, I know all too well what happens when people delve too far into powers they aren't prepared for…merely being burned would be a mercy."

Emily –

"Don't you think you should have told me?" Father was irritated, and normally he could cover that up well when it came to me but I knew this must have really gotten under his skin. I sighed and shook my head with a shrug at him.

"What could I have said that I'm not telling you now? The Outsider passed out after getting injured and now he won't wake up? I was sort of hoping he'd be up by this morning." I answered Corvo's question honestly.

"What good is he to you as a Royal Protector if no one sees him?" He was doing his best to keep his voice level but I knew he was completely against me leaving now. "What if he doesn't wake up on this trip of yours? What will you say then?"

"I'll deal with it. I took care of myself while you were frozen." I pointed out. Of course, my mistake in Delilah's ritual was why we were here but father was kind enough not to immediately point that out, only level me with a dubious stare. "I think he'll be all right."

"You can't know that, you apparently thought he'd wake up. You should have told me about the attack last night, what if more assassins had been waiting to shoot you on the way to the docks this morning?" Eternally the high-protector. Then I suppose he'd been doing this job since before I was born. I wasn't sure how to explain it…I just figured the Outsider would wake when his energy was regenerated.

Not that his lack of wakefulness hadn't given me an interesting morning. I'd fallen asleep next to him, keeping him company or keeping myself company was hard to say. Probably both since I hadn't wanted to leave him alone but I hadn't wanted to be alone either. When I woke, I headed to make the final preparations without him having budged. I expected that he was simply so tired he didn't stir but I didn't make any attempts to wake him then. It was later when I returned that his unconscious became a concern. No matter if I shook him or called to him he didn't move at all.

I could have told Corvo then, but I knew he'd try to cancel everything and it was too late for that. Politically I couldn't cancel this tour, not completely, the birds with letters designating my schedule had already been sent out and calling it off would have been a nightmare. Instead I had snuck The Outsider to the ship, carrying him over a shoulder. It was time consuming but I managed to make it without being seen, often thanks to the very powers he'd given me. Which I discovered worked regardless of his strange sleep. Still, I wasn't sure if that would just prolong his rest so I used them as sparingly as I could afford. It was a small marvel I'd reached the ship without being noticed.

Corvo had come to make final security checks before he would return to work on city rebuilding plans. He'd walked in to me putting the Outsider in the bed of the quarters he was meant to have. The Royal Protector's quarters and my own shared a bathroom so my security guard would always be nearby. That was a convivence in this case since I may need to take care of him. Of course, I had to explain the attack yesterday and that I wanted to continue forward regardless of this development, less easy to do.

"This is quite dangerous. If he doesn't wake before you get to Driscol you have no way of even finding the woman, the one he needs for his spell." Corvo would continue to try and convince me to stay while I tried to convince him it was fine that I go. It was all quite difficult, nothing today was going smoothly.

"He told me enough about her that I will improvise if I must." I answered. "Father, I am going to Driscol and I am leaving today. Imagine how it would look if the trip was cancelled after being announced?"

"Boats are delayed all the time, particularly this time of year. You could postpone by a day or two without anyone judging something amiss." Father had been doing this a long time, he was difficult to put anything past. He was right, a delay wouldn't hurt either…but I shook my head at him all the same.

"Father, trust me." I replied, taking his hands when he looked out the window seemingly trying to decipher another way to convince me otherwise.

"Emily, it isn't you that I don't trust." His gruff voice was slightly more emotional and he squeezed my hands. "I just got you back."

"I know. I know." I answered, my own irritation softening at his gentle side. He was being more father than royal protector, that usually got me to back down. But I couldn't give in this time. "But even if you don't trust the Outsider, he took a bullet for me. I mean, clearly he took what you asked him to do seriously."

"Why are you so intent on leaving now?" He asked.

"It's my mess, and it's a large one. If I don't start cleaning it up I'm not sure I'll get the chance. You know as well as I do that the Outsider doesn't belong here, that we must get him back to the void. That we have to make sure Delilah isn't planning something else." I stated, rambling a little but I was serious. Still, I couldn't tell him the main reason. Before the Outsider had lost consciousness he'd specifically asked about this trip, about leaving today. Not only did it seem a poor omen to ignore that, but I had agreed to take him, I had agreed to leave today. I felt as though I owed it to him to follow up on that without any lies or excuses. It felt like a promise I'd made him.

"I still don't like it but I can't control you. I'm going to have some extra supplies sent to your room though…I want you to be on guard." Father finally backed down at my continued insistence and I breathed out a small sigh, glad that he wasn't going to keep arguing with me. "If he doesn't wake up by the time you reach Driscol…"

"He will." I assured though father had gotten me starting to doubt my opinion. Was there something more to his lack of consciousness? Was it Delilah's doing? I could be walking into some sort of trap – or floating into it in this case. But I couldn't afford to act on that paranoia…any delay could end in our failure.

"If he doesn't, do what you can not to be in public unless you have to." Father finished despite my interruption. Pausing to kiss my forehead before frowning at the unconscious new 'royal protector' on his bed. "I'll tell the guards that he came last night and spent the night also going over security so he'll be resting. It will buy a little time before questions start at least. I'll let them know that you snuck on board as well, it'll keep them on their toes. Don't linger here too long though, they'll need to see you before they'll be willing to leave from the docks. I'd give it about 10 minutes so I can finish my checks."

"Thanks dad." I grinned at the way he rolled his eyes at me before leaving. I would miss him even if it wasn't a long trip. I'd missed him so much during my time away from the palace and I was already leaving him again so soon. Still, if anyone was capable of surviving, of taking care of my throne while I was away, it was my father. I sighed after he left and walked toward the bed. Was I making a horrible mistake? What if father was right, what if the Outsider didn't wake up again?

I put my hand on his pale face. It was cool but not sickly, the exact level of cool one would expect for the boat below decks this time of year. He was still breathing in the same steady way he'd been before I'd lost consciousness next to him the night before. What the hell was keeping him out this long? Was it because of that strange power he'd used? I hadn't told father about the experience, I still wasn't sure I could put it into words without shivering…and that would have kept him from letting me leave for certain. Must all the men in my life be so incredibly difficult?

"Outsider. Outsider." I shook his shoulder hoping he would budge but nothing more happened than some of his Stygian locks fell into his forehead. I sighed and stopped shaking him, reaching up to push the bangs back out of his forehead. Instead, whispering in annoyance at him. "For being so offended for being called a pretender, you sure are good at being just dishonest enough to not technically be a liar. You said you'd be okay by today…if you don't wake up by tonight I'm going to call you a liar forever."

The threat did no more than the shaking had. I pursed my lips, annoyed by the situation. Was I really doing the right thing? I had some information on this witch…I probably could have sent father to get her and kept the Outsider in the vault. But instead I'd insisted on us leaving, soon. I was sitting here next to him hoping he would wake…it was sort of pathetic. I'd missed my chance to tell him that I had feelings for him, the assault had shattered that…I was about to say it and then the blood burst from his shoulder. Had it really done this much damage?

He didn't look like he was in pain though, and when I'd taken off the bandages this morning there wasn't a single mark on his shoulder. Peeking now it was still the same, there was no physical indication of a single thing wrong. I scowled as much at my ineffectiveness as the lack of any clues as to what was causing his unconsciousness. Did he have to be an enigma even when he was sleeping? I heard people above calling out orders and shook my head. Whatever the problem was, I wouldn't be figuring it out right now. I got up and headed out of his room, taking care to lock his door before I headed up to greet the crew putting a pleasant smile on my face so I could properly greet those I needed to and make note of the names of the men here. It was going to be a long day.

As the day continues…

I had spent the afternoon walking about with Captain Mikael Aderson, a middle-aged man with a well-kept if worn beard and uniform. He was no longer military, but he was one of the few ships we could trust with this mission having formerly been a member. My military was too depleted after the coup and defectors. I couldn't take one of our few military vessels on such short notice so we'd used upgrades to his ship with craftsmen built swiftly as part of his payment. His ship was upgraded both inside and out and he would get half of his payment for the service up front an half when the tour was finished. I didn't like having to rely on him but I had little choice.

Despite his somewhat dour appearance a smile had come to his face almost immediately and there were several insistences as to how honored he was to be escorting me and the new royal protector. Then he asked if I'd like a tour and I had accepted. That took much of the day after the ship had left port. Once they were set in a current the Captain had held up his offer of a tour, which apparently meant explaining nearly every device on the ship I wasn't sure about. I knew much more about ship going but I was a bit tired by the time I joined him for dinner in his quarters, which were some of the nicer ones on the ship. Arguably nicer than mine or the Outsiders but I wasn't going to argue.

"It's a real pity the royal protector cannot join us. I expect he must stay quite busy." The Captain turned to polite conversation at dinner. I wasn't sure if I was delighted the discussion of the ship had ended or if I'd miss it having to speak about what was basically unconscious baggage at this point in the trip.

"Yes, it's all been very rushed." I agreed. "I can't blame him. I'm tired as well. I expect I'll sleep well."

"The sea is good at lulling one to rest." The Captain stated, as if to reassure me that I would be fine. I had to admit he had a likable personality other than the obsession with his boat. "I hate to impose on your majesty, but I never learned the Royal Protector's name. I believe since he is new it didn't make it onto most of the papers."

Thankfully I'd just taken a bite of my dinner so I had a moment. Shoot. A name. What was I going to call him in front of everyone else…we had discussed a lot and the need for a code name had come up but we'd never decided on anything specific. Then again, we sort of lost time on detail creation while he was in this strange coma and I was playing nursemaid.

Any name, just say any name Emily…

"Artemus…Wigmund." I managed not to sound too unsure as I said it aloud. "Artemus Wigmund."

I'm an idiot…

Really? What was wrong with me. I'd just given the Outsider one of my art teacher's names I'd had a crush on as a child mixed with a form of Wyman... Well, I suppose he'd have to notice that if he hadn't already realized that I acted strangely around him.

"I haven't heard of him before." The Captain stated thoughtfully. "Then I suppose when Corvo Attano took over for your mother most hadn't known of him either. It seems to be becoming a practice for royal protectors."

I smiled at his joke and took another bite of the fish, which was cooked fairly well. I had to admit the crew had found themselves a fair chef. I was quiet though, I had said I was tired so hopefully the Captain would assume that was the reason. I felt quite stupid but it was too late to go back now. It wasn't like I could just tell someone that I'd forgotten his name and used the wrong one. Artemus Wigmund was what I'd have to call him in public. Ugh. Father would know right away if he heard it. I wanted to crawl back to my room and drink…

"I appreciate all the time you've given this afternoon Captain, but if you'll excuse me. I am feeling quite tired so I believe I'll retire to my quarters." I said politely after wiping my mouth, motioning him to sit when he started to stand as I did. "No sit, sit. This is your ship. Enjoy your meal."

"Have a good evening Empress Kaldwin." The Captain said, returning to his seat at my gesture. "I'll see you on the morrow."

"And you." I offered before I escaped away from the conversation. I was still a bit hungry but I'd eaten most of the meal and I just wanted to get away from him before more questions were asked. I was already making mistakes and I hadn't even had any wine yet. "Sarah, be a dear and run me a bath, I want the water scalding hot."

"Of course, majesty." My attendant for the trip was quick to move at my request and I sat on the edge of my bed, pulling the boots off that I'd worn and glancing to the door of the Outsider's room on the opposite side of our shared bath. It made sense for the royal protector to have their own entry to the Empress' room but I was just a bit frustrated that right now my roommate was nothing more than more decoration.

I could check in on him but I doubted anything would have changed, I expect if he had woken up he would have come looking to find where he was. It was sunset outside the circular window of the ship…and he was still unconscious. I was tempted to throw him in the water when it was ready.

I finished taking off my boots and took my scarf off next, folding it neatly and setting it on the vanity in my quarters. My coat followed, I was starting to form a neat pile. I had gotten used to caring for my own things in the months while I was on the Dreadful Wale with Meagan. I heard the water running as the attendant returned to my room.

"Should I set out some clothes for you, your highness?" She asked.

"No, I'll attend to it in a moment. Please get me a bottle of wine and leave it near the bed. After that you may go and get dinner and rest for the evening." I said, not too surprised by her hesitation. New attendants were never sure what to expect from me. She stared a moment longer but thought better of arguing so she nodded and closed my door on the way out of the room. I headed to the bathroom, smirking after I checked the water. It still wasn't as hot as I liked it so I had to turn it up…something else I was used to with new attendants. I guess it wouldn't do to burn your employer on your first day.

I glanced over the variety of perfumes and soaps they had on a shelf…trying a few before setting one next to the tub. I set out some new clothes, went to get the bottle of wine I'd heard my attendant deliver, finished getting undressed and got in. It was the first moment I had felt relaxed all day. I shouldn't have been surprised at that exact thought the back of my hand began to burn…the complex arcane mark the outsider had given me glowing at the painful sensation. I could hear movement in his room and muttering in a language I didn't recognize…

The Outsider –

The island…

I knew it well.

I'd visited it only from time to time…but that concept adds up to a high number over several thousand years. The edge of the void that had captured the view of my rebirth. The hooded figures that had been both architect and demolitionist to the Outsider – captured for centuries in stone. I often came here when I gave my mark to mortals, reminding myself what the abuse of power looked like. But why was I seeing it now? How had I even gotten to the void? My connection to it felt muted, far away, as though despite seeing it, I wasn't there…not as I should be…

"I understand now…please…I don't want it…"

The voice drew my eyes toward the back of the alter, a thin woman with her arms curled around her knees rocking so slightly I hadn't noticed her before. I didn't walk closer…in the void I didn't need to…I broke apart and simply reformed near the area I wished to see. That much I could still do here…it came so naturally even if I was and wasn't there at the same time…my eyes widened slightly at what I saw…

Delilah…curled up on herself, continuing to mutter as she rocked, holding her knees.

"I don't want it." She repeated, sounding nothing as I remembered her. The confidence had been replaced by grief-stricken madness… "I don't want it. Please, I understand now…take it away. Take it away! I don't want it."

She wasn't speaking to me. But I was certain she'd somehow called me here. Who else could have? Unless it was simply the void pushing out of bounds to show this to me. Even without my presence to focus it, it acted on its own from time to time. Delilah must have realized she was in a fake reality and come here looking to claim more of me, to absorb my power. Yet…she was undoubtedly found wanting. The prize she sought with such vigor had led to her downfall…

"I don't want it!" She cried out suddenly, screaming upward as she pounded her fists into the alter behind her. Black tears ran down her face, her eyes different than before. She had taken enough to have the same blackened gaze I did. She noticed me for the first time. "You…"

She scrambled backward, away from me as if I were going to kill her but I didn't move. This was perhaps the most interesting thing I'd seen in ages, just what was the void doing?

"You…" She relaxed when I didn't attack her, but still rubbed her arms as if trying to banish a chill that refused to leave. "You are here? But…you aren't here…"

"Perpetually." I answered, a sardonic amusement entering my voice. "You seem to have succeeded Delilah…you've gotten more of the void…it seems you could take more power if you liked. After all that trouble, you've given up on the plan? Are you not enjoying it?"

"Get it out…get it out of me…" She grasped at my hands, shaking them before falling to her knees. The shadows ran through her, out of her…they were the black tears down her face when she began to cry. "It…all of it…I don't want it! I don't want it! Take it back! I waited, I waited here…this was where it started…where it always started. You…this was you…not me. Never me. I don't want it…I don't want this…but you're here now. You're back…you can…stop…punishing me…I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Her begging broke off as she sobbed, pressing her face into my leg. The girl that had caused so much of this trouble in her search for power. She'd climbed to her goal over a river blood and built her ladder from bodies…all for her desire to claim my power…and when she received this much…when she truly saw the void…it had broken her. After her entire life, when most of her days had threatened to crush her but only formed her into a diamond…the void had left her dust.

It would have been better if she had died…

Yet, I hadn't been inside the void. I wasn't the one using any sort of power to punish her. The most amusing part was that she was punishing herself. I remembered the early years of my life now…how painful the loneliness was…but I'd always been alone even in life. Where for all her claims of not having power…Delilah was almost never alone in her years, she'd always had people around her. Perhaps she had no idea how much she'd grown to rely on her ability to manipulate others, but in the void, there was no one to manipulate, and certainly no one to worship her as so many had in her real life.

"Delilah…" My voice seemed to get her to control her unstable emotions enough to sniffle and look up at me, her cheeks a mess of dark tears. "The ritual will take time."

"I know…I know...you aren't here yet. You are, you aren't. I don't want this…please. I'll wait…take it. Take it all back. I understand…" She spoke in the same broken way as before, letting go of me to curl her arms around her knees again to start rocking. "My time…it's not up. It should have been, but then wasn't…I don't want it. Please…take it. Not now…you can't now…but steal it back from me. End my clock…wont' you end it? Please…promise me you'll end it…I won't take anymore of you…I can't. I don't want it. Just say it! …that it will be over…"

Was I looking at what I could have become? What I might still become in the future?

In my case the power had awakened quickly, the nothingness was set aside easily enough when I could distract myself with the timeless knowledge of the void…but since she was trying to siphon my essence her powers were only weak mimicked versions of mine. With the void locked off she could see nothing…and lacked any form of outlet. She was trapped here while I'd been trapped in the real world…it had been exceptionally little time there but it had been eternity for her here. An eternity of waiting for me to end it…

"It'll end yes, it all is disappearing…so you'll fix it…you'll have to come back. You'll have to take it. Take it! I don't want it!" She insisted, jumping up again and grabbing my shoulders to shake me with far more vigor than the first time.

With me in the real world and the void locked away…it was simply reverting to nothing...this was the only island I could see. Lacking connection to the real world to form echoes of any other places, the void only had my memory left…even her own connections had ebbed away sometime since the ritual. In the end…Delilah was not nearly as strong as she'd hoped. A part of me was disappointed in her failure…another was just as glad that she intended to return the pieces of me she had taken.

"Please…tell me…will it always be this…forever?" She got close enough to be staring into my face, her dark gaze was quite close to empty…it held only madness in its depths. I thought to tell her it was her fate, it was what she deserved…but I didn't.

I pitied her.

"No, it will not always be this way. It will take a long time…but I will take back what is mine." I answered. I'd reached up to touch her but drew back after barely brushing the back of my fingers across her cheek. When she'd reached out to me nothing had happened but when I did the same it burned. So much of my spirit wanted to return to me. To its rightful place. Even without the ritual it was trying to escape her by burning her flesh…but here…that meant nothing.

She didn't even do more than wince at the pain, and her face was grateful as opposed to twisted in agony even with her cheek burning a bright orange beneath the lines of liquid darkness. I realized then for certain that she had summoned me here…that perhaps she'd been trying to summon me here since she first had taken more power but found out she was jailed in the void. Yet, as things were, her power was still my power…how much had she burned through just to make this desperate plea? I didn't get the chance to ask, for a moment later the void was gone and I was aware of nothing.

End Chapter

Delilah is such a non-relatable villain for me. There was pretty much nothing about her story that made me feel bad for her since she used bad things that happened to her to just promote the cycle of abuse. I hated that for the low chaos ending she got to just go and live happily ever after. So, I decided to punish her a bit more for her transgressions XD. Also I got some of my work done so I decided to write more even though I was gonna wait so I wouldn't burn out…I'm sure anyone reading doesn't mind.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Connor – Uh thanks I think? I've just been into it. My muse gets that way sometimes.

Tigerfur – Heh right? You'll still get to see more reactions yet…

The Whispering Sage – Thank you very much, I hope you keep enjoying it!