Maeve wasn't certain of Sidra's appearance post the Battle of the Four Armies, but she imagined it mirrored the aftermath of the conflict three months prior—countless displaced, an inconceivable number of lives lost, a repulsive scene of carnage and devastation in every corner. Yet, amid the desolation, a glimmer of hope emerged. With Aladdin's invaluable assistance, they managed to rally a substantial amount of aid and resources. Though they anxiously awaited news from the Ayce crew, any progress was embraced with optimism.
Maeve stood in her throne room, poised at the summit of the grand staircase leading to her regal seat. Intent on descending to join Aladdin, Greed, and Autumn in the common room office, a lingering sensation held her in place. In the dim recesses beyond the reach of sunlight, a figure emerged from the shadows, their aura pressing against her. It wasn't the familiar essence of Ivara or the commanding presence of Sarynn. Even Mon'Doo, the Higher of the Ocean, had a distinct announcement of his arrival. This aura emanated bloodlust, unfocused and pouring out without a clear target.
"You couldn't have been there long. Did you use Shadow Step to get in here?" Maeve inquired, her gaze fixed on the mysterious figure.
"I did," came the reply, a commanding voice delivered in a hushed tone. "Thought I'd stop back, check up on things once I heard the news." A brief pause filled the air before they continued, "You can tell your Lycan friend there's no need for a fight."
Azral, concealed in the shadows beside the figure, stood with claws at the ready. Maeve addressed the situation, her perceptive eyes narrowing. "Your bloodlust is leaking out, Azrael. Both of you come out, now." A wave of darkness swept over the room, briefly shrouding it in obscurity. Maeve descended the throne, closing the curtains to block the sunlight and lighting torches along the walls with a flick of her finger.
Azral, responding to Maeve's command, emerged first. His fur, predominantly white, stood out against the blacks and grays. "Sorry, Maeve. I tried to do what you told me, mix it in with theirs, but I guess I messed it up?" he confessed.
The mysterious figure stepped forward, a chuckle escaping their lips. "And that is precisely why I knew you were there," they remarked, their voice taking on a low hum that resonated with familiarity.
"Orpheus?" Maeve questioned, her anticipation evident.
"In the flesh, my dear," Orpheus replied, and with a surge of excitement, Maeve rushed toward him.
She enveloped him in a warm embrace, her arms winding around his tall frame as she gazed up at him with an infectious smile. Orpheus, the towering vampire, possessed smooth black skin and piercing blue eyes. His customary attire consisted of a black button-up blazer over a white undershirt, adorned with a small golden necklace gracing his collar. His pants, rolled at the ankles three times, gave the impression of perpetual flood preparation. Much like Zero, Orpheus eschewed footwear.
His hair, cropped short with a shaved sides approach, showcased an unusual fallen mullet-like structure down the middle. While this style might seem eccentric on others, the curly black locks of Orpheus effortlessly made it work.
"What are you doing here?" Maeve asked, cautiously stepping back. "How long has it been?"
"How long have you been a Warlord?" Orpheus replied. Their paths had crossed at her Warlord inauguration on the Kikimaru Islands in the upper Northeast of The Outer Realms, a period not exceeding fifty years. It was a rarity for Warlords to encounter one another; conferences only convened upon the death of one, necessitating the appointment of a successor. Much like the Shogos, Warlords represented their islands, yet unlike the Shogos, they symbolized the strength emanating from their respective territories. The intricacies of how one attained this title remained guarded within the Council of Kings. However, it was common knowledge that if called, one had to answer.
"The Kings sent you to investigate because of your connection?" Maeve inquired.
"Would you send a Mudcrab to investigate a Liger's patrol?" Orpheus countered.
Maeve rolled her eyes with a smile. "I was just about to meet with my own council. If you'd like, you can join me, and we can address your matters afterward."
Orpheus shook his head. "No, Maeve. I apologize, but that won’t do. What my people did here was disgusting and horrifying, but that isn’t why I am here."
"So, your bizarre analogy earlier was just for show?" Maeve retorted, her expression deadpan.
Orpheus smiled. "Maeve." His tone shifted into a firm one, the smile fading quickly. "I know that was Sarynn was here. It's hard to miss the second sun we have all grown to think of as part of Arrithia just disappearing and landing on Sidra." He glanced at Azral, who had made his way to the door, yellow eyes glaring at Orpheus and urging Maeve to hasten. "Arrithia is dying, Maeve. Do you know why?"
"Because Vol was traded for Fadsper, meaning the connection Arrithia had to The All Tree has been severed. If it hasn't fully recovered, not just Arrithia will die; everything will. The Burned Cosmos, the Fragmented Castle, the Highers themselves, this entire universe will blink out of existence, leaving nothing but the Void lingering in its wake."
Orpheus stood there, slightly confused, and then slowly nodded. "You seem to know quite a lot about this. How?"
"Join me and my council, and we can discuss," Maeve suggested, turning away and heading towards the door. "I am far more a part of all of this than you could ever hope to have guessed, Orpheus. I suggest you get in line if you have quarrels with the way I am doing things around here."
Orpheus had nothing more to say. He knew there was nothing he could say to make her stay. Her mind was made up.
The trio progressed down the lengthy hall, navigating the wooden corridors adorned with a smooth red rug that stretched across each floor. The rug's intricate patterns of black and gold interlocked with one another, muffling their footsteps as they pressed forward.
Azral hastened his pace, reaching the door first and swinging it open for Maeve and Orpheus to enter the room. Inside, a large table dominated the center, adorned with a detailed map of Sidra. The crackling flames in the fireplace added warmth and a flickering glow, creating a cozy atmosphere. Chairs surrounded the table, each intricately carved with ornate designs. The windows offered glimpses of the castle grounds and the surrounding landscape.
"Ah, Maeve, welcome," Aladdin greeted, standing beside Greed and Autumn. His once-pristine white gown now bore the marks of soot, ash, and dirt, giving it a charming, worn appearance. Aladdin's blue hair had grown longer, peeking out from under his turban. His tan skin and bright green eyes contrasted strikingly, creating an almost ethereal effect, as if his eyes were glowing.
Greed, wearing a red gown with his white crown hovering above his head, nodded at Maeve. Autumn, in a similar attire, approached her. His shaggy black hair and fading tan hinted at the reduced sunlight on Arrithia. With a nod, he extended a hand holding a scroll. "Word from Ayce, your majesty."
Maeve accepted the scroll and unrolled it, scanning the parchment before turning her gaze to Azral. "Take Orpheus for some food, then bring him back here."
Orpheus attempted to interject, but Maeve and Autumn had already started walking forward, leaving him in the doorway with Azral. Azral tugged on Orpheus' arm, insisting, "She's not going to ask again."
Orpheus nodded, allowing Azral to lead him from the chambers and back into the hall, where the doors closed behind them, leaving the others alone in the room.
Greed spoke up, a playful tone in his voice, "Who's big, tall, and grumpy? I thought we rounded up all the Vampires?"
"He is a Warlord, Sidra’s Warlord," Aladdin explained. "You best mind your manners."
Greed shrugged, leaning away from the map on the table. "Maeve won't let him hurt any of us, right?" He turned to Maeve, who was trying to hide her smile. "Hey!" Greed pointed at her lips. "I see that smile!" He pushed away from the table, rounding his way around Aladdin to Maeve and Autumn. He stuck his fist out toward Maeve, who promptly bumped her own against it. "Yeah, so what's the word from Ayce?"
Maeve tossed the scroll onto the table as they all gathered around the map. It was a fresh map drawn on thin paper, placed over the original one of Sidra that once adorned the Emperor's work chambers, now Aladdin's room. Over the months, they had been marking the new locations of where towns and villages would be built as Sidra continued to evolve and repair. The scattered Vampires had spread far wider than anticipated during the raids, infiltrating every place with life, feeding, attacking, and doing their best to stay alive.
Surprisingly, many Vampires were willing to surrender for a chance to live, dispelling the belief that they were under the influence of The Vampire Gods or Taurus. As Maeve's forces moved across the island, exterminating every resistant Vampire, they encountered fewer believers.
Among the four kingdoms of Sidra, eleven settlements were scattered throughout, with nearly all except Tifton located around the border. In Sidra, there was no river, making water scarce. Tifton, the capital city of the Vampires in the Centalará Kingdom, had transformed into an outpost for the few Vampires who surrendered. The Vampire City of Tarkwa had been intentionally demolished, its materials would be reused to establish new, more united cities, fostering a sense of unity in Sidra.
But they still had a long way to go.
"Shiroe and the others, they have reached the Ymir Kingdom of the Dwarves, but they haven't gotten any further than that," Maeve stated.
"So the Dwarves aren’t going to come help us?" Greed asked.
"I didn’t say that, now did I, Greed?"
"No ma’am." Greed returned to his position, continuing to etch more little houses around the castle in the northeast of the map.
Maeve looked to the map briefly, then to Aladdin. "How are things going around the castle?" She gestured to the houses Greed was drawing. "And how is everyone adjusting, living amongst one another, the Humans?"
Maeve was incredibly worried about this situation. It had been generations since Humans, Elves, Vampires, and Lycans lived amongst one another, and she expected to hear about fear and worry, thinking that the Elves and Lycans were no different than the Vampires that had slaughtered so many of their own. To her surprise, and everyone in the room, that was not the case.
"They are doing quite well. The Uthol Forest Elves have been treating the wounded on all sides, and the Lycans have been helping many of them build shelters. To many a surprise, the Humans have been sharing their food from the farmlands of the Aegru Kingdom. They are making frequent trips there with the Lycans and Elves."
"How many settlements have been established? Are people moving outward yet?" Maeve asked.
"No, your majesty. I think you should hear what they have to say," Aladdin replied, gesturing outside.
"They?" Maeve turned her attention to the far door, not the one she and Orpheus came through, but the other that led toward the stairs and down to the main entrance. "Who is here?"
"No one is here, but no one is leaving either," Aladdin stated. "They have something else in mind." Aladdin moved away from the table and toward Maeve, handing her a small piece of parchment. "They wish to rebuild in Tifton, one city, no Kingdoms."
Maeve shook her head in disbelief. A united Sidra was always the end goal but never was it to just be one city and never did it include the Vampire survivors of Tifton. "Who proposed this?" She asked.
"The newly elected Shogo of Sidra, Althea, a MoonShadow Elf."
Maeve wasn't certain of Sidra's appearance post the Battle of the Four Armies, but she imagined it mirrored the aftermath of the conflict three months prior—countless displaced, an inconceivable number of lives lost, a repulsive scene of carnage and devastation in every corner. Yet, amid the desolation, a glimmer of hope emerged. With Aladdin's invaluable assistance, they managed to rally a substantial amount of aid and resources. Though they anxiously awaited news from the Ayce crew, any progress was embraced with optimism.
Maeve stood in her throne room, poised at the summit of the grand staircase leading to her regal seat. Intent on descending to join Aladdin, Greed, and Autumn in the common room office, a lingering sensation held her in place. In the dim recesses beyond the reach of sunlight, a figure emerged from the shadows, their aura pressing against her. It wasn't the familiar essence of Ivara or the commanding presence of Sarynn. Even Mon'Doo, the Higher of the Ocean, had a distinct announcement of his arrival. This aura emanated bloodlust, unfocused and pouring out without a clear target.
"You couldn't have been there long. Did you use Shadow Step to get in here?" Maeve inquired, her gaze fixed on the mysterious figure.
"I did," came the reply, a commanding voice delivered in a hushed tone. "Thought I'd stop back, check up on things once I heard the news." A brief pause filled the air before they continued, "You can tell your Lycan friend there's no need for a fight."
Azral, concealed in the shadows beside the figure, stood with claws at the ready. Maeve addressed the situation, her perceptive eyes narrowing. "Your bloodlust is leaking out, Azrael. Both of you come out, now." A wave of darkness swept over the room, briefly shrouding it in obscurity. Maeve descended the throne, closing the curtains to block the sunlight and lighting torches along the walls with a flick of her finger.
Azral, responding to Maeve's command, emerged first. His fur, predominantly white, stood out against the blacks and grays. "Sorry, Maeve. I tried to do what you told me, mix it in with theirs, but I guess I messed it up?" he confessed.
The mysterious figure stepped forward, a chuckle escaping their lips. "And that is precisely why I knew you were there," they remarked, their voice taking on a low hum that resonated with familiarity.
"Orpheus?" Maeve questioned, her anticipation evident.
"In the flesh, my dear," Orpheus replied, and with a surge of excitement, Maeve rushed toward him.
She enveloped him in a warm embrace, her arms winding around his tall frame as she gazed up at him with an infectious smile. Orpheus, the towering vampire, possessed smooth black skin and piercing blue eyes. His customary attire consisted of a black button-up blazer over a white undershirt, adorned with a small golden necklace gracing his collar. His pants, rolled at the ankles three times, gave the impression of perpetual flood preparation. Much like Zero, Orpheus eschewed footwear.
His hair, cropped short with a shaved sides approach, showcased an unusual fallen mullet-like structure down the middle. While this style might seem eccentric on others, the curly black locks of Orpheus effortlessly made it work.
"What are you doing here?" Maeve asked, cautiously stepping back. "How long has it been?"
"How long have you been a Warlord?" Orpheus replied. Their paths had crossed at her Warlord inauguration on the Kikimaru Islands in the upper Northeast of The Outer Realms, a period not exceeding fifty years. It was a rarity for Warlords to encounter one another; conferences only convened upon the death of one, necessitating the appointment of a successor. Much like the Shogos, Warlords represented their islands, yet unlike the Shogos, they symbolized the strength emanating from their respective territories. The intricacies of how one attained this title remained guarded within the Council of Kings. However, it was common knowledge that if called, one had to answer.
"The Kings sent you to investigate because of your connection?" Maeve inquired.
"Would you send a Mudcrab to investigate a Liger's patrol?" Orpheus countered.
Maeve rolled her eyes with a smile. "I was just about to meet with my own council. If you'd like, you can join me, and we can address your matters afterward."
Orpheus shook his head. "No, Maeve. I apologize, but that won’t do. What my people did here was disgusting and horrifying, but that isn’t why I am here."
"So, your bizarre analogy earlier was just for show?" Maeve retorted, her expression deadpan.
Orpheus smiled. "Maeve." His tone shifted into a firm one, the smile fading quickly. "I know that was Sarynn was here. It's hard to miss the second sun we have all grown to think of as part of Arrithia just disappearing and landing on Sidra." He glanced at Azral, who had made his way to the door, yellow eyes glaring at Orpheus and urging Maeve to hasten. "Arrithia is dying, Maeve. Do you know why?"
"Because Vol was traded for Fadsper, meaning the connection Arrithia had to The All Tree has been severed. If it hasn't fully recovered, not just Arrithia will die; everything will. The Burned Cosmos, the Fragmented Castle, the Highers themselves, this entire universe will blink out of existence, leaving nothing but the Void lingering in its wake."
Orpheus stood there, slightly confused, and then slowly nodded. "You seem to know quite a lot about this. How?"
"Join me and my council, and we can discuss," Maeve suggested, turning away and heading towards the door. "I am far more a part of all of this than you could ever hope to have guessed, Orpheus. I suggest you get in line if you have quarrels with the way I am doing things around here."
Orpheus had nothing more to say. He knew there was nothing he could say to make her stay. Her mind was made up.
The trio progressed down the lengthy hall, navigating the wooden corridors adorned with a smooth red rug that stretched across each floor. The rug's intricate patterns of black and gold interlocked with one another, muffling their footsteps as they pressed forward.
Azral hastened his pace, reaching the door first and swinging it open for Maeve and Orpheus to enter the room. Inside, a large table dominated the center, adorned with a detailed map of Sidra. The crackling flames in the fireplace added warmth and a flickering glow, creating a cozy atmosphere. Chairs surrounded the table, each intricately carved with ornate designs. The windows offered glimpses of the castle grounds and the surrounding landscape.
"Ah, Maeve, welcome," Aladdin greeted, standing beside Greed and Autumn. His once-pristine white gown now bore the marks of soot, ash, and dirt, giving it a charming, worn appearance. Aladdin's blue hair had grown longer, peeking out from under his turban. His tan skin and bright green eyes contrasted strikingly, creating an almost ethereal effect, as if his eyes were glowing.
Greed, wearing a red gown with his white crown hovering above his head, nodded at Maeve. Autumn, in a similar attire, approached her. His shaggy black hair and fading tan hinted at the reduced sunlight on Arrithia. With a nod, he extended a hand holding a scroll. "Word from Ayce, your majesty."
Maeve accepted the scroll and unrolled it, scanning the parchment before turning her gaze to Azral. "Take Orpheus for some food, then bring him back here."
Orpheus attempted to interject, but Maeve and Autumn had already started walking forward, leaving him in the doorway with Azral. Azral tugged on Orpheus' arm, insisting, "She's not going to ask again."
Orpheus nodded, allowing Azral to lead him from the chambers and back into the hall, where the doors closed behind them, leaving the others alone in the room.
Greed spoke up, a playful tone in his voice, "Who's big, tall, and grumpy? I thought we rounded up all the Vampires?"
"He is a Warlord, Sidra’s Warlord," Aladdin explained. "You best mind your manners."
Greed shrugged, leaning away from the map on the table. "Maeve won't let him hurt any of us, right?" He turned to Maeve, who was trying to hide her smile. "Hey!" Greed pointed at her lips. "I see that smile!" He pushed away from the table, rounding his way around Aladdin to Maeve and Autumn. He stuck his fist out toward Maeve, who promptly bumped her own against it. "Yeah, so what's the word from Ayce?"
Maeve tossed the scroll onto the table as they all gathered around the map. It was a fresh map drawn on thin paper, placed over the original one of Sidra that once adorned the Emperor's work chambers, now Aladdin's room. Over the months, they had been marking the new locations of where towns and villages would be built as Sidra continued to evolve and repair. The scattered Vampires had spread far wider than anticipated during the raids, infiltrating every place with life, feeding, attacking, and doing their best to stay alive.
Surprisingly, many Vampires were willing to surrender for a chance to live, dispelling the belief that they were under the influence of The Vampire Gods or Taurus. As Maeve's forces moved across the island, exterminating every resistant Vampire, they encountered fewer believers.
Among the four kingdoms of Sidra, eleven settlements were scattered throughout, with nearly all except Tifton located around the border. In Sidra, there was no river, making water scarce. Tifton, the capital city of the Vampires in the Centalará Kingdom, had transformed into an outpost for the few Vampires who surrendered. The Vampire City of Tarkwa had been intentionally demolished, its materials would be reused to establish new, more united cities, fostering a sense of unity in Sidra.
But they still had a long way to go.
"Shiroe and the others, they have reached the Ymir Kingdom of the Dwarves, but they haven't gotten any further than that," Maeve stated.
"So the Dwarves aren’t going to come help us?" Greed asked.
"I didn’t say that, now did I, Greed?"
"No ma’am." Greed returned to his position, continuing to etch more little houses around the castle in the northeast of the map.
Maeve looked to the map briefly, then to Aladdin. "How are things going around the castle?" She gestured to the houses Greed was drawing. "And how is everyone adjusting, living amongst one another, the Humans?"
Maeve was incredibly worried about this situation. It had been generations since Humans, Elves, Vampires, and Lycans lived amongst one another, and she expected to hear about fear and worry, thinking that the Elves and Lycans were no different than the Vampires that had slaughtered so many of their own. To her surprise, and everyone in the room, that was not the case.
"They are doing quite well. The Uthol Forest Elves have been treating the wounded on all sides, and the Lycans have been helping many of them build shelters. To many a surprise, the Humans have been sharing their food from the farmlands of the Aegru Kingdom. They are making frequent trips there with the Lycans and Elves."
"How many settlements have been established? Are people moving outward yet?" Maeve asked.
"No, your majesty. I think you should hear what they have to say," Aladdin replied, gesturing outside.
"They?" Maeve turned her attention to the far door, not the one she and Orpheus came through, but the other that led toward the stairs and down to the main entrance. "Who is here?"
"No one is here, but no one is leaving either," Aladdin stated. "They have something else in mind." Aladdin moved away from the table and toward Maeve, handing her a small piece of parchment. "They wish to rebuild in Tifton, one city, no Kingdoms."
Maeve shook her head in disbelief. A united Sidra was always the end goal but never was it to just be one city and never did it include the Vampire survivors of Tifton. "Who proposed this?" She asked.
"The newly elected Shogo of Sidra, Althea, a MoonShadow Elf."
