Too quiet for a place meant to rule twelve thousand lives.
Commander Marza stood at attention as the heavy doors sealed behind her. Across the chamber, Empress Jezrell sat near the balcony window, hands folded, gaze drifting outward as if she could still see the city beyond the stone.
"Your Grace," Marza said. "We need to discuss last night."
Jezrell turned, startled. "Last night?"
"Yes," Marza replied evenly. "You left the castle."
Jezrell's brows knit together. "I did no such thing."
Marza held her gaze. She pressed a button on her wrist.
"Well then what is this?"
A small hologrpahic video of Jezrell speaking with Mira.
Silence.
Marza "And you used your philo!"
Jezrell exhaled, shoulders relaxing as the truth slipped free.
"...It isn't fair," she said softly. "That I must remain locked away like a relic while the people of Dragon Hive suffer."
She stood, moving toward the window again.
"I saw the city, Marza. Truly saw it. The lights... the people... it was beautiful. Especially at night."
Her eyes shone, not with ambition, but wonder. "but last night i had to help them, the parasite seemed to be veyr difficult to defeat."
Marza's jaw tightened.
"That is exactly why you must remain hidden," she said. "The parasites do not want gold or weapons. They want you."
Jezrell flinched.
"I am tightening security," Marza continued. "You will not leave the castle again."
Jezrell's shoulders fell.
"...I understand."
Then, quieter:
"I'm sorry, Marza."
Marza scoffed lightly. "You're stubborn. Just like my daughter, Venus."
Jezrell smiled. "At least Amazons don't have cages.."
Jezrell, They don't have Philos Abi either "Venus is a strong Amazon," Marza said, pride slipping through her armor. "And she'd kick your butt if you didn't follow orders."
Jezrell laughed. "Two Marzas in one lifetime... how lovely."
Marza allowed herself a small smile.
Dragon Hive Academy: Courtyard
Plum sat on a bench between Einstera and Xiu, staring down at her food tray.
Sushi. Eggs. Wraps.
Her stomach churned.
"Ugh," Plum muttered. "Everything on this island is disgusting."
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Xiu gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, Plum, you've been looking kind of old lately. I think your diet's catching up to you."
"She doesn't look old," Einstera said gently. "Just tired."
"No," Plum sighed. "She's right. When Scytherians don't eat properly, we age rapidly. My scythe hates everything here."
She rubbed her stomach.
"at this rate, I'll be an old lady by the end of the semester."
Xiu laughed nervously. "Wow. I'm so glad I'm an Amazon."
"I'm sorry, Plum," Einstera said, squeezing her hand. "You'll find something that satisfies you."
"I hope so," Plum said. "If I fail the final Black Ops exam... I'll never find my soulmate."
Einstera rubbed her shoulders.
Across the yard, Roxer and Jah Jah shoved a smaller student into a wall.
Roxer flexed, glancing at Plum.
He said to himself.
Damn she's looking fried, I might have to start hunting for some fresh meat.
Xiu flushed. "Wow... he's so strong."
Einstera gagged. "I think I'm going to throw up."
Plum watched coldly.
"I can't wait for the day we slaughter them all."
Xiu blinked. "Inside voice, Plum."
"...Right. Sorry."
Military Base: Surveillance Wing
Chief Arell stared at the screen.
Footage played silently.
Odon arrived home.
Entered his house.
The camera remained fixed on the exterior.
Hours passed.
Morning.
Soldiers knocked on the door.
No response.
Arell slammed his fist into the console.
"Damn it," he growled. "Just like the others. They vanish without a trace, Odon was are strongest soldier."
Ulice "Don't you think it's kinda strange this many people went missing at night shortly after the incident on the iron wall?"
Arell, he ran a hand through his hair.
"We need cameras inside homes," he muttered. "Everywhere."
Ulice "...but that would cause an uproar."
Aral straightened.
"We may not have a choice, I'll consult Commander Marza."
District Census: Evening
Mari drove the transport slowly, stopping at the center of each county.
Mari "I still feel kinda dizzy from yesterday, whatever the empress did I can freel abi running threw me."
Mari's eyes widened, and suddenly she could see electricity everywhere, threading through the ground, crawling inside buildings, pulsing through every vehicle like the whole world was wired into her vision.
She pressed a button.
Digital census files dispersed instantly, pinging personal devices, terminals, home consoles.
"This is the last checkpoint," she murmured. "Time to add them all up."
Numbers climbed.
Then stopped.
10,207.
Mari's breath caught.
"...No."
Her hands trembled.
"Five hundred soldiers. That means... over thirteen hundred civilians."
Her vision blurred.
"...Just like before."
Mari, Memory
A cartoon played softly on the TV.
Bright colors. Laughing animals.
Young Mari sat on the floor, wrapped in a blanket.
Her parents watched her fondly.
"Time for bed," her mother said, tucking her in.
Later that night, Mari woke up.
The house was silent.
"Mom?" she whispered. "Dad?"
No answer.
The living room was empty.
The TV was off.
Mari gasped, snapping back to the present.
Her fingers clenched the steering wheel.
"...It's happening again."