Epilogue

The Inkling before her was without a doubt, the stupidest creature she had ever seen. The female officer wasn't even aware of her presence, even though she had been in the room for nearly an hour. Granted, she was hiding in the dark recesses of the war-hall, but at one point had come within striking distance. She had been warned by her master that this Inkling had managed to get one of her clan killed – an embarrassment to every single one of them – but so far, she had not seen any shred of realization despite knowing of their existence.

As she was about to remove the commander from their mortal coil, the door suddenly cracked open, an unarmored Inkling being beckoned inside the hall with a "Yes?"

"Commander Yuzuki, General Arata of Fort Chai sends word." The female logistic officer calmly said.

"The one armed? What does he say?" Yuzuki asked, a look of quiet despair written on her face.

"The swarm is moving in our direction. He believes the jellyfish are going to give up their assault on the river and focus on the more vulnerable territories, such as ours. We may have to send for reinforcements from the western forts."

"Are we so stretched here in the north that we must rely on even the Blood Lord? Have we seen any signs of Satsujin, the Black?"

"She is still missing, General Yuzuki."

She watched as Yuzuki sighed deeply, before shaking her head in disappointment. "Send thanks to Arata. I'd rather us wait before we send word to the corruptor's minions. Have we heard anything about Range recently?"

"Supposedly, he has secured the Minami Delta. Shall I draft a letter to him asking for aid?" The logistic officer asked.

"No. He'll never make it here in time. Leave me, please." Yuzuki said, her tiredness evident to all who watched.

"Yes, general. Good night."

"Good night." Yuzuki sighed, watching the door close behind the robed Inkling. She watched as Yuzuki flicked over one of the wooden pieces that represented this rocky region, her own piece from what she could gather.

She neared the woman, knowing she had spent far too long watching and raising the weapon coated in her own ink. With a swift motion, she carried the blade through the general's neck, watching as Yuzuki grasped at where she was struck, wondering if something was wrong. As Yuzuki turned to see if anything was behind her, a small translucent hand pushed against the general's forehead, the movement separating the neck from the shoulders as her head fell to the ground.

"Good work as always, Meimei." One of her clan's voices spoke, his body a thin outline to her adjusted eyes. As she tasted the small bit of foriegn blood that had stained her blade, Meimei began ordering her competitive subordinate, who had failed in his assassination of the general.

"Send word to Kyokan, and tell him that his treacherous pawn has been dealt with." She spoke, kneeling next to the garrison leader's stunned face. Meimei picked the warm head up, staring into the dead eyes before placing it on the table.

"As you say… She sounded close to this Range character. Shall I investigate?" The ever-subservient clan warrior asked.

"No need. We'll be dealing with him next."