...
[================================================]
The mun of Aurumus were so grateful to Meloetta that they named her their Queen.
...
For as long as she ruled with kindness and benevolence,
the mun of Aurumus would respect her.
...
For as long as she ruled with impartiality and put the interests of her subjects first,
the mun of Aurumus would follow her.
...
For as long as she ruled with strength and wisdom,
the mun of Aurumus would defend her.
[================================================]
Pawniard sighed. She laid her chin to rest on her wrist. Her other arm was resting in her lap, bolted stiff inside a sturdy metal cast. The wound didn't ache at all anymore – it should only be a day or two before it was fully healed.
The young steel type focused intently on the repeated clip-clop generated by the hooves of their Sawsbuck draftmon. The rhythmic sounds helped focus her mind, drowning out the bustling city street around them. She and Joltik had visited cities on jobs before and were accustomed to the crowds, but the population here in Subarbore… this was on a different level.
She should have expected as much, though. Pokémon were flocking to the capital from every corner of Aurumus. Some were even coming from other lands. The blooming of the Great Tree and the Queen's Tournament – a once in a decade event – was drawing near, and countless were eager to take part in the festivities.
How irritating, she thought with a sigh. She hated crowds, but there was no escaping it this time. They already had their next job lined up; coming to Subarbore was a necessity. At least the pay is good...
Her gaze drifted over the crowds nearby, over the rooftops, and to the colossal trunk of the Great Tree a distance away. A massive stone structure stood beside the tree, reaching almost a fifth of the tree's full height. It stood imposingly, its tall spires and towers reaching up towards the tree's canopy, their stonework impeccably crafted.
Castle Aurumus. The seat of the kingdom's government.
In truth, there was another reason Pawniard had decided to come to Subarbore. The city was the home of Meloetta, Queen of Aurumus. An immortal goddess who ruled over the land with beauty and grace. Pawniard didn't expect to be able to meet her, but just to be in the same city as her was good enough for the mun. She hoped to find the time to visit the castle and pay her respects.
This string of mercenary work was only preparation for her. When she was old enough, Pawniard intended to undergo the Knightly Trials and become the goddess's knight. She could imagine it now - kneeling before Her Majesty, who placed a blade on her shoulder and graced her with the title.
"I know that face…" a voice muttered irritably beside her – just before a sudden spark jolted through Pawniard's steel body and made her flinch. "You were fangirling over the queen again, weren't you Pelagia?"
"Urgh…" Pawniard grumbled. "That was uncalled for, Jutta."
"Stay focused, you dedecus!" The little mite snickered as she chastised Pawniard from the seat beside her. Her bright blue eyes flared with the passion of a Pokémon ten times her size (which still wouldn't be very big). "Don't forget, we're here on a job!"
"Of course," she replied with a cold grunt, turning away.
"You two alright in there?" The pair jumped to attention as their Sawsbuck driver called out from in front of the carriage, peering over his shoulder to look back at the pair. "We're approaching Ristorante Granchio in the Sagah District. Pardon the protest."
Pawniard narrowed her eyes, glancing over at the dense crowds that lined the sidewalks. It was only now that she realized that these weren't traditional festival-goers. They were protesters, or passersby that had happened to get caught up in the crowd. Many of them were waving signs and shouting. "What are they protest-"
Her gaze fell upon one of the signs: [RIGHTS FOR - ALL - POKEMON!]. She suddenly wished she hadn't asked.
"This here establishment serves savage meat," the Sawsbuck answered. "You must not be from around here… It's been a topic of debate lately."
Oh no… Pawniard thought, freezing. The draftmon didn't realize the can of wurmples he had just opened. Maybe it'll be fine. Maybe she'll be o-
"Bunch of fools," Joltik grumbled, leaping onto the windowsill beside Pawniard's shoulders. She looked out at the protestors and her eyes furrowed with rage. "They don't know anything about savages! I bet they've never even seen one!" She trembled with rage. Crackles of electricity leapt from the mite's body, charring the wood around her. "They've never had to know what it's like to live in fea-"
"That's enough Jutta." Pawniard placed a hand on the mite, who looked up at her with teary eyes. Pawniard looked down at Joltik with a reassuring expression. "It's ok. You're ok."
Joltik Jutta locked eyes with her friend for a moment, tears dribbling from each of her four eyes and sizzling as they struck the scorched wood below her. She shook her head and wiped the tears from her face. "Right, right… I'm ok."
Pawniard lowered her hand, allowing the yellow mite to crawl up her arm. Joltik came to a stop on her shoulder, where she nuzzled up to Pawniard's metal cheek. For a moment, the sounds of the crowd around them seemed to melt away.
The Sawsbuck raised a brow at the exchange between the two children, but sighed as he pulled up in front of a tall, grandiose building. "Well, this is your stop."
He walked around, opening the door for them. Pawniard hopped down, and he looked down at them with a concerned expression. "And… do be careful, will you?" He glanced over at two buff Pokémon guarding the entrance, keeping the protestors at bay. "Savage meat aside, this place has certain ties. You probably shouldn't-"
"We told you already," Pawniard shot him a piercing glare. "-that's none of your business, sir." Joltik clicked in agreement as her steel type companion started to walk towards the entrance. "We can handle ourselves."
"Always have. Always will."
They could immediately see the foreign décor as they walked into the lobby of the high-class Ristorante Granchio. It gave off an aura of class – open and spacious, with walls and furniture of white and gold. Elegant glass chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, giving off soft light from glowing crystals embedded within them. It was almost like walking into a building from a different continent, not that Pawniard held any particular interest in the difference in culture.
What did hold her interest were the species of Pokémon that filled the building. There were a few Aurumus-native species she recognized – like the abundant Cincinnos, Watchogs, and the many variations of elemental monkeys. But there were more foreign species than she had ever seen in one place before. She happened to recognize a few of them as originating from the continent of Sagah – Hariyama, Zangoose, Lucario, Corphish, Buizels… But what was that feathered weasel sitting with that Krokorok in one booth? She was pretty sure that wasn't a native or a Sagahn species.
Pawniard was familiar with the biology of most native Pokémon… she knew the location of their vital points, and how best to subdue them (or worse) if need be. The Sagahn species… not so much. It was concerning, but not enough to dissuade her. They weren't coming here as enemies.
"Oh…" The Roserade host looked down at the pair of children as they walked up. He knew their purpose from just a quick glance. Then, with a hint of sorrow in his voice, he addressed the pair. "You two are here to see him, I suppose."
They didn't answer.
The Roserade sighed, ushering them deeper into the building. "This way."
Pawniard glanced around at the numerous tables that filled the restaurant's main dining floor. It was far from empty, though not as packed as it should have been considering that Subarbore was currently hosting the biggest festival of the decade. She supposed the protesters outside had a lot to do with that.
But she wasn't looking at the diners – the young steel type was scanning the building's exits and its security. She didn't expect to need it for anything – yet. It was yet another habit engrained in her during her upbringing. Like the guards outside, many of the security mun wore striped suits that denoted them as mafioso of the Mano Group.
The Mano Group… aka The Hand. Pawniard and Joltik both knew the organization well. It was a necessity in their line of work, though they had never interacted with them directly until now. They were among the most powerful criminal empires known to Aurumus's underworld, founded over fifty years ago by immigrants fleeing from the rule of a tyrant in the continent of Sagah.
The Roserade led them up a spiral stairway leading to the second floor, where a pair of Pokémon in suits – a Sableye and a Pignite - were standing guard on either side of a closed double doorway. Strange… they seemed young for mafioso. Barely in their teens. Not that I'm one to talk.
Wha-? A sudden shiver ran down Pawniard's body as the doors opened from the other side, and a lean blue Pokémon emerged. It was a Sawk, wearing an empty yet confident expression on his face and draped in a colorful floral-patterned Gi. Walking behind him as he exited the doorway were two more teenage Pokémon – a Druddigon and a Bouffalant. With her trained eyes, Pawniard could tell that the three were strong. Oppressively so. The trio barely glanced in their direction before walking off, leaving Pawniard and Joltik alone with the two mafioso and a slightly ajar doorway.
The Pignite looked the two over for several seconds, then poked his head inside to call out: "Oi, boss! Got two more mercs for ya!" A muffled voice answered from inside, calling them in.
The Pignite looked back at the pair. "You will show tha' boss respect, understood?" he instructed, opening the door to lead them inside. The pair stepped into a private dining room, filled with another half dozen young mafioso. Sitting in the center was the mon whose invitation Pawniard and Joltik had come to answer. Pawniard looked over the boss silently.
"Capo Simipour," the Pignite continued, "the genius mon who achieved the rank of Capo at the age of 17. He's offering you a chance to share in the glory of his upcoming regime."
Capo Simipour was an imposing individual who glared at them with a gruff expression, completely devoid of the friendly demeanor that was commonly seen among his species. She could clearly see his mixed Slaking blood from his hefty physique and piggish nose.
"Upcoming regime?" she asked coldly, stepping towards the young mafia leader without fear. "Was this not an escort mission? I thought we were to protect you through the Queen's Tournament?"
The two Pokémon on either side of Simipour's table instinctively leaned forward, as if to intimidate her and Joltik. A mixed-blood Throh and a Sagahn species that Pawniard didn't recognize – a winged insect with a large red band around its neck and curly antennae. They each looked strong, but they stepped back as Simipour raised a hand.
"Let's see…" Simipour said, shuffling through some papers in front of him. "You two are… Joltik Jutta, age 12, and Pawniard Pelagia, age 13."
"Vigil."
"What?"
"It's Pawniard Vigil Pelagia."
"Pelagia…!" Joltik whispered in her ear with urgency. "Play nice! We're in the Pyroar's den, remember?"
Capo Simipour scratched his chin. "Vigil, huh? Can't say I've heard of that family." He grunted, looking intently at the pair. "You two are a little on the young side... but you came with strong recommendations, so I'll look past that." Setting the papers down, he leaned back in his chair. It creaked under his weight. "The job is as described. My mun and I intend to enter the Queen's Tournament. You will help ensure our victory."
The blue monkey closed his eyes and chuckled. "Straightforward enough, no?" With a snap of the Capo's fingers, the Throh beside him pulled a scroll out of his suit and unfurled it on the table. "Simply sign here if you agree. If not… you are free to leave." He opened a single eye and looked down at Pawniard and Joltik with an intimidating look. "I would appreciate it if you kept all of this between us, of course."
Pawniard stepped forward, standing on her toes so she could scan the paperwork on the table. Then she looked up, glaring at the monkey coldly. "Someone mentioned something about an upcoming regime… care to explain that? You don't mean to overthrow Don Slaking, do you?" Her gaze narrowed suspiciously, staring Capo Simipour in the eye. "Or perhaps… the queen?"
Simipour met Pawniard's expression darkly. His lip curled into a smirk. "Pignite was getting ahead of himself," he said, shooting the pig Pokémon a look that made it sweat uneasily. "Let's just say winning the tournament and acquiring the Golden Fruit is merely a steppingstone for me." The Capo brought a hand to his drink, then lifted it to take a sip. He finished and continued speaking.
"My uncle is a strong leader that has taken the family far, but he is too content living in the shadow cast by the Queen and her Knights Aurumus." He chuckled. "No, I have no intentions of overthrowing him, but when I win... I will make them see."
His palms smashed down on the table as he stood up, leaning forward to cast a towering shadow over the pair. "My uncle. The Queen. They will ALL know that - I - am the future of this land…!"
Pawniard looked up, unamused. "… ok."
Simipour stared her down for a moment, before breaking into a laugh. He slumped back into his chair with a heavy thump. "I like you, kid." He took another sip of his drink, though a good portion had spilled from his outburst. "How about this. We'll have you sign up for the tournament's Keldeo Path – we don't have any soldiers posted there yet, so you can be our agents there and keep us informed."
The steel type was silent for a moment.
Pelagia turned and began to walk away. "I appreciate your offer, but I think my partner and I will need to give this mission a little more thought. We will return with our decision later. Have a pleasant day."
There was a sudden silence in the room as Pawniard walked slowly towards the door. On her shoulder, Joltik whispered angrily in her ear. "What are you doing!?"
Pawniard didn't respond. She'd talk everything over with her partner later… She hadn't liked the way Simipour had spoken about the Queen. There was nothing illegal about the job in and of itself. No rules prohibited helping others in the tournament, even if those 'others' were known criminals. But if Simipour indeed planned to expand his empire and become a nuisance to the Queen… she didn't want anything to do with that. He should be grateful for the life of peace Meloetta provided him and every other mon in Aurumus. Such a Dedecus…
"That's…" Simipour muttered, setting his drink down, "disappointing."
He made a motion with his hand, and Pignite immediately stepped between Pawniard and the door. "I hate disappointment. And I hate to be kept waiting even more." The monkey stood up threateningly, prompting his associates to do the same. "So, let's have you come to a decision right now. While you and I are together in this room." He smirked. "I do hope you make the right choice. For your sake."
…
It happened in an instant.
Joltik flew from Pawniard's shoulder as the steel-type Pokémon turned around and rocketed forward. She leapt onto the table and caught the collar of the monkey's suit with her bladed hand, then spun. The sound of cracking glass echoed through the room as Capo Simipour flew through the window.
The other mafioso in the room all stared at the scene, mouths agape in shock.
"HEY!" Joltik roared from midair. "A LITTLE WARNING NEXT TIME!"
Pawniard backflipped off the table, dodging a backhanded strike from the Throh beside it.
"I apologize for my rashness." She landed on the floor in a three-point stance. The winged bug Pokémon opposite the Throh zig-zagged through the air towards her, delivering a flying kick to her side. She blocked the kick with her metal cast, then drew blood with a lightning-fast slash from her good hand. "But he had it coming."
"I thought you were supposed to be the rational one!" Joltik howled as her body lit up, released a surge of electricity that struck several approaching mafioso. "This is because of what he said about the Queen isn't it? You're obsessed!"
Pawniard leapt backwards, just as a fist from the Throh smashed through the wooden floor. "It's not an obsession," she growled back at the mite, "…it's just- gah!" She was interrupted as Throh's foot buried into her stomach, sending her flying into the ceiling.
She fell from the ceiling along with several chunks of splintered wood, while the winged bug zigzagged upwards. It slammed into her in midair, launching her across the room. Pawniard crashed into a table, breaking it.
"PELAGIA!" A web of electricity flew off Joltik's body and enveloped the winged bug, entangling it. The winged insect fell to the floor, convulsing. She shot towards Pawniard, expertly weaving under the feet of the larger mafioso. She came to a stop next to the debris of the collapsed table, sending a quick spark at Pignite as he rushed towards them. "You alright!?"
"Urgh…" Pawniard groaned in reply, pulling herself up along with fragments of shattered porcelain. "I'm fi-" Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Throh's figure hulking above them. She shot her hand out to snatch Joltik off the ground before a fist could smash down on her. She jumped and spun in the air – concluding with a kick to the red Pokémon's jaw.
The Throh stumbled as Joltik jumped out of Pawniard's hand, unleashing a powerful blast of electricity that blew it off its feet.
The two both landed at the same time, glancing around the room to see other electrocuted mafioso slowly rising back to their feet. Pawniard glanced down at her partner. "We have to hurry out- "
"How-" a voice drew their attention from the far wall, "-DISAPPOINTING." Standing in the frame of the broken second story window was Capo Simipour. Bruised, bloodied, and very – very – pissed. He stepped down onto the floor, clearly seething. "I ask to have a simple conversation, and you respond with unprovoked violence."
"You said you didn't want to be kept waiting," Pawniard replied, standing straight and glaring at him coldly, "so I made my answer short and simple."
Simipour's face contorted in fury. He grabbed the edge of his table, then instantly leapt into the air with it. "YOU'RE BOTH DEAD MUN!" he howled, slamming the table down on the two like an oversized hammer.
The pair separated, letting the table smash into the floor between them. Pawniard's gaze narrowed, while smoky wisps of dark energy began to leak from her body – especially around the blade of her right hand. The blade glowed purple and seemed to crackle with an unholy aura. [Night Slash!]
She shot forward, carving a deep gash into Simipour's side. She continued past the monkey as the dark energy dispersed – but her momentum was suddenly stopped when he stuck out his arm and hooked her torso with a clothesline.
He pivoted in place, dragging her along with his arm, then retracted it as the momentum launched her into a nearby wall. She violently bounced off it with a pained grunt, falling to the ground at his feet.
Pawniard's eyes shot open in fear as he opened his other hand and raised it over his head, preparing a brutal chopping motion. There was no time to dodge.
"BRICK BREAK."
A sudden jolt of electricity made the monkey freeze in place. Pawniard rose to her feet and kicked off the ground, slashing his leg. She passed behind him, landed on the ground, and turned.
Her bladed right hand gained a bright silvery color as she concentrated on it, reinforcing her steel skin and sharpening it. She leapt towards Simipour's back, pitching her hand forward to stab her blade deep into it. [Metal Claw!]
He jumped.
Pawniard passed through the air where he had just been standing, just as his feet hammered into her back from above. She was smashed into the floor, sending chunks of wooden tiles flying around her.
She lifted her head, struggling to stand. Her opponent had already turned his attention to the other side of the room, where Joltik was unleashing a storm of electrical attacks at the approaching group of mafioso. She saw Simipour glare down at the young mite, and her expression flooded with rage. "DON'T YOU DARE!"
She kicked off the ground, a surge of dark energy erupting from her body like a cloud of shadows. Her blade came down on the monkey's back, drawing a howl of pain.
Capo Simipour turned and glared down angrily at the shadow-clad Pawniard. Blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth. "YOU." He clenched his hand into a fist, rearing it.
"PUNK!"
His fist smashed into her face, sending her flying. Pawniard crashed hard into the wall. Meters away, Joltik cried in pain as one of the mafioso tackled her into the floor.
…
Simipour caught his breath. His fist remained clenched for a moment, but opened as he relaxed. He began brushing himself off, looking across the room to where Pawniard laid below a crater in the wall. She slowly sat up. Metallic gray blood leaked from her dented face as she glared at him with hate-filled eyes.
He glanced back at her with a smile and began to walk towards her. He stepped over the shattered glass on the floor and began to laugh. "I didn't expect this much fight from you. You've impressed me." He stopped a few meters away, towering over her.
"But now," he continued, "it's time to end this." He looked down at her violently. "You've made powerful enemies, Pelagia. A lesson must be taug-"
"Oh my~"
...
Everyone froze as a surge of pressure flooded the room like a tidal wave. It felt as if gravity had suddenly magnified, like they were being pressed into the ground by a heavy lead blanket. The mun in the room turned towards the source of the pressure – a small green Pokémon standing in the broken window frame.
A Maractus.
The cactus Pokémon clasped her hands in front of her face, concealing the lower half with a pair of leafy sleeves.
"Apologies for the interruption," she said, looking over at them with her bright yellow eyes. "I was in the area and couldn't help but overhear you kiddos roughhousing on the playground." Keeping her hands together, she lowered her sleeves to uncover her mouth - revealing a childish grin. "Just figured I would come and remind you to play nice, kay~?"
She hopped down off the windowsill and walked calmly into the room. Throh quickly sprung into action. He whipped his arm to smack the cactus Pokémon with a backhanded strike. She extended a hand, stopping the attack dead with a single finger.
"Hey now, what did I just say?"
One of the mafioso stumbled backwards in horror. "I-is that… a knight?"
"You idiot!" another snapped back in a hushed tone. "You don't know who that is!? She's a big fish!"
Gray blood dribbling from her dented face, Pawniard looked at the new arrival. Her mind was hazy from shock but was processing the scene as it unfolded. She could tell just from the aura the Maractus seemed to exert… this Pokémon was among the strongest she had ever laid eyes upon. And they were in the capital – it had to be one of the Queen's knights! Her mouth fell open in awe.
A loud thump resounded through the room as Capo Simipour suddenly prostrated himself. "Dame Maractus… I humbly beg your forgiveness." His face was practically pressed into the floor, sweating bullets. "I sincerely hope that our inconsiderate actions did not inconvenience you!"
"Forgiveness!?" Maractus brought her hand to her mouth, covering up a surprised gasp. "Why there's nothing to forgive!" She came forward and pat him on the head. "Just – save the roughhousing for the tournament, ok?" She smiled cheerfully while Simipour held his breath. "Oh, but… keep in mind, it's all in good fun!"
Maractus's gaze moved to the side of the room, where an injured Pawniard was sitting. Her smile twisted into a thoughtful smirk. Suddenly, she disappeared in a blur. Pawniard jolted in place, realizing that the older Pokémon was now standing beside her.
"Oh wow. They really did a number on you, huh?" she said, patting Pawniard's helmeted head. "Were the big kids ganging up on you? That's not nice."
Pawniard was at a loss for words, simply staring back at her. The Maractus was only a few inches taller than her, but it felt like she was sitting in the shadow of a titan.
The cactus hummed, pulling out a small potion and handing it to Pawniard. "Here, this is some of the good stuff – straight from the Queen's garden!" Pawniard perked up at the mention of the Queen. "Doesn't do at all to have you so banged up right before the tournament!"
She saw Pawniard's reluctance and nodded reassuringly. Pawniard took a big gulp. She was surprised as the pain from her wounds began to rapidly fade. There was an intense itching sensation as her injuries began gradually closing. It would probably take a couple hours, but still… it was far faster than any mon could recover from naturally. I didn't know healing potions could work this fast…
"Th… thank you…" Pawniard said uneasily, prompting a bemused chuckle from the cactus.
"Think nothing of it!" she started to walk back towards the window, "just do me a favor and try to enjoy yourself in the tournament. Don't let the big kids ruin it for you."
"WAIT!" Pawniard stumbled after her. She stopped, not turning back. "The Goddess Meloetta… you know her… don't you? How… how is she?"
"Goddess?" Maractus was still for a moment. "You mean the Queen? You want to meet her, do you?" She turned her head, smiling while sunlight shone through the window with radiance behind her. "Make it to the end of the tournament, and I'll introduce you!"
…
"Oh, and by the way." Dame Maractus stopped before the window, turning to address Simipour. Her sunny yellow eyes became blazing supernovas while her lips twisted into a frown. An intimidating aura seeped from her form, smashing down on the young mafioso like the foot of a titan. "Tell your uncle that I'll be having a ⸤ talk ⸣ with him soon."
A shiver went down the monkey's spine at the sudden intensity of her words. He looked back at her in a cold sweat. She immediately shifted back into a cute smile, closed one eye, and wagged her finger. "So make sure he keeps his calendar open, okay~? I'll bring tea~!"
...
There was a minute of silence after Maractus jumped out of the window. It felt like a hurricane had passed through the room – and it was already a mess from their fight!
The silence broke as Pawniard spoke up.
"Yeah, so… we're just going to leave." Pawniard pointed her hand towards the door, which was slightly open. More mafisio were peering through the gap between the double doors in bewilderment.
Simipour grit his teeth and responded with a growl. "Sure."
"That was… something," Joltik said, resting in the seat of another carriage. "We got lucky this time, but the Mano Group… they won't let something like this go." She groaned, rolling onto her back. "Rejecting a job is one thing, but seriously… why'd you have to go and throw their boss out the window!"
Pawniard was silently staring out the window. The way the setting sunlight shimmered through the multi-colored leaves of the great tree Aurum… It was so beautiful. No wonder the Goddess Meloetta had decided to form her kingdom here, nearly a thousand years ago.
"We need to leave town, asap." Joltik started muttering to herself, desperately trying to piece together a plan from the shattered fragments of their failed negotiation. Everyone will be busy with the tournament, so slipping out should be easy. But we'll need to lay low for a while. Maybe one of the other syndicates will take us in? I do have an in with The Fang up north. "
"No," Pawniard said simply, stopping Joltik's rant. "The tournament… I'm entering it."
"ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Joltik hopped back onto her feet, jumping onto the windowsill to glare at Pawniard eye to eye. "Stupid dedecus! We already know the Mano will be participating! If we run into them, it's over! They'll hunt us down like savages!"
"Jutta…" Pawniard replied, glaring at her with a look of unusual sincerity. "The Queen… I might get to meet her." She shifted herself, standing up straight so that she could stare down at Joltik. "Jutta, I was born to meet the Goddess, to serve her. It's who I am - I can feel it coursing through my metal veins!" Joltik stuttered in surprise. "I'm going to meet her… no matter what it takes." She walked over to the opposite side of the carriage and sat down. "Even if I have to do it alone."
"ARRGHH! You're IMPOSSIBLE!" Joltik hopped back down and walked to Pawniard's side.
"Fine, I guess we're in this together then."
Pawniard smiled.
The incense burned with a soothing aroma, placed in front of a lone tombstone.
"The 99th tournament is approaching…" the Queen said, her hands together in prayer. "It's hard to believe… it's almost been a thousand years."
Meloetta sighed. "I think you'd be happy to see how the kingdom has grown. You never did live to see any of it, did you?" She was silent. Somber. "I've done all I could, keeping it together. Making sure the mun of Aurumus can live their lives peacefully and happily."
…
"You would have done better…"
A loud knock resounded from behind her. "Enter."
A tall, lean Emboar stepped through a stone archway. Red flames leaked from the collar of his fashionable black suit. "My queen," he said, holding a fedora against his chest with respect. "Your Round Table has assembled. The preparations for the first round have been finalized. They await only your approval."
"Thank you, Winchester." The queen stood and walked elegantly towards him.
Behind her, the incense burned before the gravestone.
[Pelagia, of the Vigil]