Chapter Twenty-Six

Set In Stone

Kaden struggled to his feet, his chest aflame with pain and his damaged armour leaden.

All eyes were fixed on the petite woman now standing in the middle of the clearing, bits of shattered dragon scale and broken steel around her. A mellifluous nimbus surrounded her and her eyes...

They were the worst, burning with light which hurt to behold.

He had thought that Davion was a monster. He had believed that Slyrak was the greatest threat he would ever face.

Though it was the duty of a Dragon Knight to hunt dragons, Kaden had studied the ways of other foes. Dragons were elemental and fundamental power made manifest, and there were things which coveted that power too.

Now he knew that his suspicions were correct. Now he knew why this woman was freakishly strong. Now he knew what had happened to the Eldwurm of Earth, and now he knew why this woman cavorted with Davion.

She was a Demon, and she sought Slyrak's power too.

Kaden's armour still held power, but less of it. No matter what happened, this Demon had to die. Even his vengeance against Slyrak could wait when faced with so evil a creature.

'Kill it!' Kaden bellowed. 'Kill the Demon!'

His men closed in, weapons swinging towards the possessed girl. As Kaden fought against the weight of his own armour and weapon, he heard a man scream and saw a Knight hit the ground, choking on his own blood, his lungs speared by his own ribs. His breastplate could have been crumpled by the fist of a giant. The second she kicked in the chest, pulping the organs his cuirass was meant to protect. Blood sprayed, splattering across the grass and the Demon's skin and clothing.

Kaden dragged himself forwards, every step sending spears of agony through his side where Marci had cracked his ribs. Neck bones snapped like twigs and another man fell, his head twisted at a weird angle. Every punch and kick was punctuated by a flash of light, and every blow resulted in another dead Dragon Knight.

Kaden lifted his heavy blade and forced what power he could through his wrecked armour. His last man tumbled past, his spine snapped and his ribcage crushed.

She came for him next, covered in the blood of his men. It came for him. What he faced was not human. It could not be human!

He used his armour's power to phase around the first attack, and swung his sword around to decapitate the Demon's vessel. She ducked under it, then came up and drove an uppercut into his stomach.

Kaden felt the air explode from his lungs. The plate protecting his midriff was now forced into his gambeson, pressing against his stomach. Blood welled up from his mouth and he gasped, one lung punctured. Kaden tried to phase away, but only managed a couple of feet and ended up facing the wrong way.

He spun round just in time to see Marci finish her spin, the back of her fist striking his helm.

Kaden fell, his head ringing like a bell. He felt her foot collide with his torso and he tumbled, more ribs cracking, his cuirass splintering under him. Eyes watering, he ripped off his dented helm and spat reflexively as his mouth filled with blood. Several teeth spilled into the bloodied grass.

With a snarl, Kaden came up with his sword whooshing through the air.

She was too close, she caught his arms and pulled.

Kaden screamed as both arms were wrenched free of their sockets, his bones splintering as his vambraces were crushed. He felt his weapon being yanked from his hands.

Kaden staggered back, howling with pain. Blood soaked his sleeves where bits of shattered bone poked through his torn flesh.

Eyes filled with light, her face contorted with fury, Marci lifted his sword easily, impossibly, and brought it down in an unstoppable arc. What remained of Kaden's sundered armour was not enough to stop it.

The blade sank into his ruined spaulder and sheared through the little steel left to protect his torso. It carved through his gambeson and flesh. Bones split and blood gushed as the blade finally came to rest above his waist.

Kaden's last look was one of disbelief. He had slain every kind of dragon and survived an Eldwurm's wrath. Now he was ended by his own sword in the hands of a small, mute woman. Her face was something out of a nightmare, covered in blood, her hair matted with gore, her eyes burning with arcane power.

He had thought that a dragon would kill him. Maybe it would have been Slyrak.

He had not thought that he would be killed by a Demon.


Marci let Kaden drop, still a vague shape in her vision. Her eyes were burning and her skin felt hot. Still her heart thundered in her chest, faster than it had ever done before. All she could hear was her pulse booming in her ears. The blood was wet against her skin, hissing away into steam even as it dripped off her fists and her face.

The power began to wane, the strength fading away. Sweat beaded across her forehead, prickling across her body. Her limbs trembled and she swayed, her vision dimming.

She could not see.

Marci placed her hands over her eyes and blinked rapidly, then withdrew them. She was still blind. She could smell blood, she could hear people breathing shakily around her. She put out her hands, trying to find Mirana.

'Marci?' Something vague moved in front of her. Something large.

Marci blinked again and the shape became clearer. It was Davion. The blurriness retreated from her eyes. Though she could not see it, her eyes had returned to their usual pale brown.

Mirana yelped as she tried to move. Marci, now able to see clearly, hastened to her side. Mirana's leg lay oddly and there was an awful protrusion just below the knee, the fabric covering it wet with blood.

Marci found a knife and carefully cut away the cloth. Kaden had snapped the bone, driving part of it through Mirana's shin. Mirana's skin was pale and waxen, covered in sweat.

Davion knelt down next to her and grimaced. 'Damn.'

'D-d-don't...' This feeble command came from one of the few surviving Dragon Knights, one of the only ones who had stood with Eserren. He was pointing his sword at them, the weapon shaking along with his hand. 'S-s-stay where you are!'

'Leave it!' Caewyn ordered, her tone unusually brusque. She was crouched next to Eserren, who was sitting up and probing the back of her head. 'Mum! Are you hurt?'

'Fymryn,' Davion called. 'How badly is Sagan hurt?'

'I think he'll be fine.' Fymryn answered, trying to keep Sagan still. 'It doesn't look too deep.' Sagan grunted with irritation as Fymryn peered at the wound. Luckily for the lunar tiger, the thrust had gone off-target. The point of the spear had torn a small chunk out of his flank, but he was a tough beast.

'See if you can find something straight, and find some rope or straps. See if you can find some alcohol too.' Davion caught Marci's eyes. 'We need to set her leg and bind it.'

Mirana groaned. 'I don't suppose there's any point in telling you to leave me? I doubt that other Dragon Knight is just going to let us go.'

Eserren sighed as she looked up, still being fussed over by her adopted daughter. 'I don't know who or what you are,' she muttered darkly, 'but you are not without decency. You saved Caewyn,' she nodded respectfully to Marci, 'I won't forget that.'

'What will you do?' Davion asked warily.

Eserren turned her head towards the bloody mass of broken metal, shattered dragon scales, splintered bones and ruined flesh which had once been Kaden. The surprise was still there in his empty eyes. 'I need to take my surviving Knights back to Steelpoint Vigil to recover. I have no illusions. Against your silent friend, I would be an easy opponent, especially now.' She clambered to her feet, helped by Caewyn. 'See to your friend's injuries, then leave.'

'Thank you, Eserren.'

'If I am ordered to hunt you, I will.' Eserren warned him. 'Until then, Davion, I will not look for you. Come, Caewyn, we're going to teleport, then we'll come back to bury the dead. Don't be here when we return, for all our sakes.'

Caewyn dithered for a moment, then hurried over to Marci. She lifted Marci's arm and pressed the eye-shaped amulet into her hand. 'Thank you.'

Eserren halted on the edge of the clearing. She turned her head, looking over her shoulder at Mirana. 'Faith can inspire us to move mountains, Princess. But faith can drive us to do the unthinkable too. Make sure your goddess tells you the truth, lest you continue to serve a lie.'

Mirana was in no state to argue. Marci could feel unease creeping through her as the Dragon Knight and her squire left, helping their wounded comrades to limp away. Caewyn paused to wave at them, then ran after Eserren and disappeared amongst the trees.

Eserren had said that she was not a liar, and Marci believed her. She had a reason to hate Selemene, and Marci dreaded Mirana finding out why. Though she was not as devout as Mirana, she also feared learning the truth herself. She had sworn to serve the Dark Moon Order too, and she too had believed that she had been serving a good cause.

Had they both been serving a liar? People called Selemene a usurper. Though Her faithful claimed that She had good reason for driving Mene away, they had never explained why. Zealots never needed a reason, but Marci did.

Despite what people said about her loyalty to Mirana, she felt that she had many good reasons to serve her. If they had been deceived, then she worried more for Mirana than she did for herself. Mirana had devoted herself to serving Selemene, just as Marci had vowed to serve Mirana.

There was no time to dwell on that now, though. They could set Mirana's broken leg, but there was always the risk of infection. If gangrene set in, she could end up losing that leg or worse.

Fymryn hurried over with a discarded spear, a couple of leather straps and lengths of rope, and a metal flask full of alcohol. Marci attempted to snap the spear in half, but failed on her first attempt. Whatever she had done, or whatever that voice had driven her to do, it had left her weakened.

Gritting her teeth, she at last managed to break the spear over her knee. At least the sudden weakness was not permanent. Though she knew that she shouldn't have, she had grown reliant on her unusual strength. It was easy to take it for granted.

Davion held out the flask for Mirana. 'This is going to hurt.'

Mirana took the hint. She drank from the flask, then bit down on the leather strap Davion held out next. Marci held her still, trusting Davion to set the fractured bone. With her strength waning and waxing unpredictably, she did not trust herself to do it. Davion clearly knew what he was doing.

Mirana's yell was strained. Marci had snapped more bones than any of them, but even she winced. When Mirana opened her mouth and released the strap, Marci saw the indentations left by her teeth.

'Not done yet.' Davion warned.

Marci put the strap back into Mirana's mouth. Davion took a bandage from Sagan's saddlebags, soaked a spot with alcohol, then tied it around the gash on Mirana's leg. Mirana issued a pained hiss, and continued to wince as Davion used the broken shaft of the spear as a makeshift brace.

Mirana rested against Marci, finally able to release the strap. She was panting heavily. Marci was surprised that she hadn't passed out.

'That's the best I can do.' Davion wiped his brow, smearing it with Mirana's blood. 'We need to get you to a physician. If your leg gets infected...'

'I understand.' Mirana murmured.

Marci exchanged a grim look with Davion, neither of them needed to put their concerns into words. With her leg broken, Mirana would slow them down. Nor would she be able to use her bow. They had few medicines on hand. If an infection set in, they would be forced to amputate her leg.

And if they bungled that, Mirana would die.

Marci looked round, then indicated Sagan.

'Maybe,' Davion nodded. 'Can you ride side-saddle, Mirana?'

Mirana managed to chuckle gamely. 'I was first taught to ride side-saddle, before I met Sagan.'

'Good.' Davion stood and approached Sagan. His injury was fortunately minor and would heal with time. 'I'm going to see if I can modify the saddle. We need to keep your leg as still as possible.' A tall order, but they could not afford to carry Mirana any other way. If they ran into monsters, they would need their hands free to fight. On Sagan's back, Mirana might be able to use her bow, though riding side-saddle would make it difficult.

Without intervention, it would take at least six weeks for Mirana's leg to heal. There was still a long way to go, days in which Mirana's condition could worsen.

Marci and Davion helped Mirana up onto the saddle. Mirana winced and gritted her teeth as they set her in place. Marci used a discarded sword-belt to hold her in position.

Fymryn rummaged around in Sagan's saddlebags and pulled out the map. 'I think we're here.'

'Yeah, that's Prillen.' Davion agreed, taking a look. 'How much further?'

Fymryn shook her head. 'On this side of the river? I'm not sure. A week perhaps, but...' she glanced at Mirana and then leaned in to whisper, 'it's going to take longer now.'

Davion sighed. 'We need to get her leg treated properly.'

'I can hear you both.' Mirana announced. 'My leg's broken, not my hearing.'

'Just trying not to worry you.' Davion muttered.

Marci edged over and tapped a spot on the map, a settlement marked Trestaine. It was maybe two or three days away, as the wildwing flew.

Davion nodded. 'Yes, that could work. Trestaine is pretty big, there should be plenty of healers to chose from. There might even be acolytes of Selemene.' He looked in the direction of the city, only able to see trees and the vague shapes of mountains. 'It won't be easy. Mirana? What do you think?'

'What about the sage?'

'What about your leg?'

'The lotuses are safe with the sage, Mirana.' Fymryn added.

Marci whistled to Mirana and held her gaze. It was obvious what she thought. For her, the lotuses came second even if they had technically been her responsibility. Mirana came first. She always came first.

Mirana sighed, knowing that she could not win this argument. Marci had made up her mind. They were right anyway, injured like this she would just slow them down. 'All right. We'll go to Trestaine first.'

Marci smiled reassuringly at her before moving to pick up Mirana's bow. There was also an intact quiver lying nearby, a better alternative to the improvised one they'd made outside of Prillen.

Marci crouched and scooped it up, feeling blood on her fingertips as she stood. The quiver's previous owner lay dead nearby. Both of his legs were shattered and bent weirdly, his skull cracked open.

Marci had killed him. She could only recall him as a vague shape. Marci had killed many times before, but whatever had happened to her, the strange power which had partially blinded her but increased her strength tenfold, was new.

Now she knew that the voice in her head was not product of her imagination. What the hell was it? Better yet, who was it?

Marci's gaze landed on what remained of Kaden, his own sword still lodged in his torso.

Marci felt her shoulders sag as she looked upon her gruesome work. He had been one of the greatest Dragon Knights in history, an inspiration to many, Davion amongst them, and she had killed him.

She did not regret it. She had been trying to save her friends. Yet now the Dragon Knights would be even more determined to kill them. Even if she had been ruthless enough to kill Eserren, Caewyn and their allies, the Dragon Knights would have found out sooner or later. When somebody like Kaden went missing, they would want to find out why.

And though Marci could kill, she was not a murderer. Eserren and Caewyn had ended up defending Davion. She couldn't have killed them after that, not unless they gave her no choice.

But what was Davion going to think of her now?

Marci looked down at her undamaged hands. Had they been right about her? Was she a freak? A Demon? But how could she be? Her family had been human and unremarkable.

What was she? Nobody knew where her abnormal strength came from. Not even Selemene's clergy or Selemene herself knew.

A hand came to rest on her shoulder. From its size, she knew that it was Davion's. She felt a little calmer as the warmth from his palm bled through her tunic.

'Don't blame yourself.' He told her softly. 'It's his fault, not yours.'

Marci heard the truth in his words, yet still felt afraid. Until now, she had been in control of her own actions. Though she had been in control when the light had filled her eyes, she still had no idea how she had unleashed such power. Had she even done it herself? Or had it been that strange voice?

Marci looked round at Davion and moved her hand across her eyes. They'd worried about him losing control. What if she was just as bad? What if she was worse? If she hurt Mirana or Davion...

Davion reached down and tilted her head up with his finger. He looked into her eyes, his gaze soft and warm. He smiled at her, a better declaration of trust than any words he could have spoken.

Marci smiled weakly in response.

'Chin up, Songbird.' Davion whispered.

Marci felt her smile widen a little more. Songbird. She hadn't been called that for years, not since she had lost her voice. She should have felt sad, or at least nostalgic. Yet it felt nice when Davion said it. She trilled softly in response. Thank you.

Marci returned to Sagan and took his reins. Mirana smiled reassuringly at her from where she sat as Marci led Sagan away. They left the dead where they lay, knowing that Eserren would be back to bury them.

Marci could not leave her doubts behind so easily. Instead, she swore to herself that she would fight to remain in control.


It was all coming together.

Kashurra stood with the others as they gathered, finalising their plans. This was the first meeting the Wraith had attended, and she stood out like a sore thumb, clad in dark clothes and boiled leather, her face marred. There had been an argument over her weapons until Gavenus, always the sympathetic lynchpin, had kindly explained that everybody had to leave their weapons with the doormen, even Turlenas and Marsian.

She also looked a little lost. Here she was, an elf and a criminal, rubbing shoulders with people she usually went to great lengths to avoid. Though elves were not as badly ostracised in the Imperium as they were elsewhere, they were still misunderstood and mistreated.

Shabarra had hated the idea of a group of elven outcasts building a new enclave so close to Rasolir. The Wraith knew this personally. She was the only one of that fledgling community left alive now.

Would Mirana have a problem with the few elves in the city when she returned? Only time would tell, but Kashurra was confident that she would give them a chance. She had proven that with Marci many times over. As for Marci, she had always been on the side of those in need.

Some might have argued that Mirana had needed nothing. Kashurra knew better than that. She had needed Marci, otherwise she would never have changed, and Marci had needed Mirana to give her courage when others had taken it from her.

'How many mercenaries can you smuggle in via the barges?' Gavenus asked of the Wraith.

The Wraith shrugged. 'Depends on how big they are and how much they're carrying. It might be better to bring in their weapons and armour separately.'

'I have an alternative solution.' Turlenas said. 'I have spoken to some of the armourers who supply the city watch. If we give them an incentive, they will forge extra weapons for us. I've already made a deal with the quartermaster. He'll alter the records, and I can send the surplus elsewhere, where the Wraith can retrieve them.'

'How much will you need?' Gavenus asked. He was wealthy, and to give the Imperium a better future, he would give anything. For him, money was a small thing to lose.

'At least four hundred drakes.'

'You'll have six hundred. The civilians who will join us will need weapons too.' Gavenus promised. 'Does that help you, Wraith?'

The Wraith nodded.

'Lina? Are you ready?'

'I've been ready for months.' Lina assured him.

Gavenus smiled, knowing full well how eager she was. 'Ask a foolish question, get an obvious answer.' he mused. 'What we will ask of you after will not be easy, though it will be temporary.'

'I know.'

'Are you sure about this, Senator?' Marsian asked. 'Why not take the place of regent yourself? You're well known in this city. You're respected.'

'I am a representative and a politician.' Gavenus responded smoothly. 'Lina is already a leader. As Kashurra rightfully said, the people will want to follow her. She has what I do not: charisma.'

'It's true.' Kashurra concurred. 'The people of Misrule considered Lina to be an example worth following. If Misrule had not been annexed, she may well have ended up ruling it.'

'It's not as fancy as this place,' Lina remarked, 'but it is home. It's worth fighting for.'

Just as Kashurra had expected. She would hold the Solar Throne if only for the sake of Misrule, that would do until Mirana returned.

But Lina was also ambitious, he knew this. If she held the Solar Throne and refused to relinquish it, he would have to fall back on a secondary plan.

Kashurra was nothing if not adaptable, he had to be. If he was not, this all would have ended six years ago.

Kashurra had just a few more steps to take before the rebellion could begin in earnest. None of them would be easy to take, and if the truth came to light they would hate him. But that was a small price to pay for the sake of the future. Every war had its sacrifices, and this war was far from over.

Blythen would have the ingredients he needed soon, and then he would be ready to get rid of the next obstacle.

He was nothing if not adaptable, but some things were always set in stone.


Eserren stepped into the chamber and bowed before the Castellan. Every Dragon Knight outpost, with the exception of Dragon Keep, was controlled by a Castellan—the highest authority in each castle.

'Where is your squire?' Castellan Nolen asked, his eyes scanning a parchment scroll.

'Here, Castellan!' Caewyn popped out from behind Eserren, smiling brightly. Sometimes, Eserren wondered how she could remain so upbeat. She'd had a horrible start in life, she'd been in danger, she'd killed man and beast to survive, and only hours ago she had seen a whole bunch of Dragon Knights die messily. Yet she still remained cheery. It was as if she existed just to spite misery and misfortune.

There were different kinds of fortitude. Caewyn might not have been physically strong, but she had a tough spirit. She was perhaps the one bright spot in Eserren's grim life, and she never regretting taking her in and raising her for one moment.

Nolen stepped out from behind his oaken desk and held out the scroll. 'You had orders to apprehend the traitor Davion and his allies.' He threw the scroll back onto the desk. It fluttered over the edge and landed on the cold stone floor. 'Yet you come back here and have the temerity to tell me that you let him go?'

Eserren did not flinch. 'I did. I take full responsibility.'

Nolen scowled and stepped closer, his violet-scaled armour rustling. He had risen up the ranks after slaying a particularly large void dragon, a rare achievement for any Dragon Knight since they were so dangerous. 'You let a traitor escape. For all your bluster about honour, you allowed him to leave. And you let his friend live after she killed one of the greatest Dragon Knights in history.' He finished the last sentence with a snarl, now standing almost nose-to-nose with Eserren. 'I risked my position by letting you take in this girl as your apprentice. And this is how you repay me.'

Eserren moved closer, standing a couple of inches taller than Nolen. 'Kaden deserved it.'

'You dare?' Nolen hissed.

'I told you, Castellan, I told you everything.' She paused, exhaling heavily. 'You have no children, Castellan. But how would you feel if you did and somebody threatened to kill them?'

'I think you forget that your squire is not actually your daughter.'

Caewyn shifted and looked down at her feet. At the end of the day, it was all too obvious.

'Family is more than blood, Castellan.' Eserren stated, her words instantly lifting Caewyn's mood back to its usual happy state. She beamed up at her surrogate mother as Eserren continued to speak. 'Kaden threatened Caewyn. He brought dishonour upon us all. He would have had her killed in cold blood just to get what he wanted: revenge. He had his Knights butcher my men, fellow brothers, to kill people who I believe are decent at heart, no matter what they are. If Davion's friend had not killed him, I would have done so myself.'

Nolen stamped. His armour flared and several loose objects bounced across the room. Caewyn ducked behind Eserren, who did not flinch. An inkwell bounced off her armour, spilling ink across her cuirass. She did not react.

'It is not up to you to interpret orders, Lady Eserren.' Nolen hissed. 'If you believe that you are entitled to disregard orders—from the Fathers themselves, no less—just because you are one of the few women allowed to join the Order, you should think again!' He moved behind the desk again, forcing himself to calm down. 'You are the best dragon hunter in this castle, Eserren. And though it galls me to admit it, your squire shows promise too. But if you disobey me again, I will have you both cast from the Dragon Knight Order. Do you understand me?'

'Yes, Castellan.'

'Good.' He picked up the scroll and held it out. 'Your new orders.'

Eserren took the scroll and read it with a frown. Caewyn stood on tiptoes to try and see it.

Eserren finally looked up, then handed the scroll to Caewyn. Caewyn read it more quickly, gasping when she finished.

'The Fathers are giving one last chance, Eserren.' Nolen announced. 'You are to find Davion and his possessed ally. The other two are not as great a concern, but if they get in the way, deal with them as you see fit. But Davion and the Demon known as Marci must die.'

'She's not a Demon, Castellan.' Caewyn piped up. 'She's a bit scary, and she doesn't talk much—she doesn't talk at all, really—but she's also really nice too.'

'Be silent!' Nolen barked.

Eserren scowled fiercely at him.

'This is your one chance to redeem yourself, Eserren.' Nolen reminded her. 'How easy do you think life will be for a disgraced female Dragon Knight and her elven squire if you refuse? Come back with proof of the deed or don't come back at all. Understood?'

Eserren was silent for a long, tense moment. Caewyn looked up at her, conflicted and scared.

'I understand.' Eserren acknowledged quietly.

'Then go.'

Eserren turned smartly and marched towards the door. Caewyn jogged after her.

'Eserren,' Nolen called just before she could leave. He sighed. 'I really did mean it. You are the best dragon hunter here. Don't fail. I would hate it if the Order lost another good Dragon Knight.'

'Kaden was a good Knight until today.' Eserren stated. 'But I am not him. I am not doing this for revenge. If they surrender, I will take them to Dragon Keep alive.'

'But your orders—'

'I am a Knight, Castellan.' Eserren reminded him forcefully. 'I will live as a Knight and die as a Knight, whether I am part of this Order or not. Is that understood?'

Nolen grimaced. 'I hope you are ready to prove that, Lady Eserren.'

Eserren did not say another word. She swept out of the chamber, with Caewyn following as quickly as she could.

Nolen unfurled another scroll, this time containing orders for him. He had already seen to them. As directed by the Fathers, he had arranged for word to spread throughout the province of Kestren regarding Davion and his allies. Upon their heads now lay a bounty big enough to drive the most desperate of people to take up arms against them. Though Nolen doubted that any ordinary people could stop Davion and the Demon he called a friend, it would help the cause.

They would be welcome in no village, town or city now. Alone in the wilderness, they would struggle. With luck, the Dragon Knights would find it easier to stop the renegade and his allies. Eserren and Caewyn were just two of many hunters.

The Order would never forgive the death of Kaden, not even when his killers were dead.


If anybody with medical training is reading this, I apologise if I've gotten any details wrong. I'm not a doctor, so I'm expecting to have gotten a few things wrong. Forgive my ignorance, but the NHS website wasn't very specific about what to do if a maddened Dragon Knight breaks your leg out in the wilderness.

I'd also like to offer thanks to annbe11, XxHikenNoHitaloxX, ShinigamiNoKitsune209 (who is also working on an interesting AU Dragon's Blood story) and vitoria trapp for giving me some brainwaves which will be useful later on. Brainwaves are always welcome and much appreciated.

Oh, and a little head-canon for Unazaki, since you seem to like what I say about dragons in this AU: void dragons are not the most aggressive (like radiant dragons, they like to be left alone, though they are easier to anger), but are very dangerous due to their control of gravity. In this AU, they can literally crush their enemies on a whim.

As for the name of the previous chapter, and the choice of words used by the "Voice", the power which causes Marci's eyes to glow and increases her strength is called "Unleash" in the DOTA 2 game.