Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Grand Prince Yaulander kos Strylaph enters the research laboratory in the annex of his estate, where Archmagus Baelok of the Imperial Institute of Magery has been working tirelessly to deconstruct the magic of a captured golem of the Fievegal that attempted to assassinate the Grand prince.

Or, at least, that is what Yaulander believes.

Baelok has dark bags under his eyes, and he is running on restorative magic and stamina potions that have all but instilled actual mania on the high ranking sorcerer.

“Your Imperial Majesty! Welcome! You’ve come at a most fortuitous time! I have worked tirelessly just as you requested and I thought for sure I was going to fail but I didn’t give up and here we are on this most auspicious morning when I have the most magnanimous news!”

“Calm yourself and take a breath, Archmagus,” replies Yaulander as his knights file into the room with him, as well as Nesparu pel Contarro, his close aide.

“Yes, yes, of course, your Majesty. I’m just so excited to share this news, I’ve hardly had any sleep!”

Nesparu remarks dryly, “It appears you have not had any sleep for the better part of the week, Archmagus.”

“Hmm…” murmurs the half-elven man as he scratches his chin, his eyes twitching and his body trembling a little. “Perhaps… Pray tell… what day is it?”

“Fifday,” replies Yaulander as he studies the Archmagus and his prize.

“F-... Fifday? Already…?” This news is unsettling to Baelok, who paces around in a circle as he tries to make sense of the number of days that have passed.

“That is correct, Archmagus. Three days have passed since we last spoke. Now… what news do you have, and take your time saying it, or I will have you locked in the dungeon until the boredom alone puts you to sleep long enough to calm down.” Yaulander speaks with a grim tone. It’s no secret he is callous with the lives under his command, and he maintains his position by sheer wealth and divine authority, having descended from one of the oldest families of the Empire. Myths and legends exist around the Strylaph family name. He always dances with the line between ruthless overlord and cruel tyrant, and even the Archmagus of the Empire could find himself in hot water if he crosses the Grand Prince.

“Yes,” replies Baelok as he takes a breath and does his best to calm himself. He then gestures behind himself at the apparent suit of armor standing all on its own.

“May I present; the golem.”

The golem crosses its arm in front of its waist and bows, and the motions alone cause Yaulander’s knights to grip their swords, nearly drawing as fast as they can as the squad’s battlemage snaps his hand up, ready to defend with magic.

But, the golem doesn’t do anything else, and Baelok explains, “I have gained rudimentary control over the golem. It has many advanced layers of magic defense, including some form of script-trapped dispel discharges and several varying types of concealment spells.”

“Speak in Common, Archmagus,” growls Yaulander. “I am educated on magic, but I don’t have time to decipher everything you’re saying.”

Baelok clears his throat and faces the blond human once more. “I’ve broken through many layers of defensive magic designed to prevent discovery and control of the golem.” He snaps his fingers, and the golem drops to its hands and knees. Baelok takes a seat on its back, and he says, “I finally understand what I’m up against. This magic… it’s revolutionary. If anything, it is a tragedy that it has been lost to the ages.”

Everyone is surprised at the golem’s behavior at Baelok’s behest. True, a golem is a machine-like being that is completely obedient to its creator and master, and humiliation is not a concept to them. Zuzia, who is standing nearby, still tries to resist many of the things that happen to her, or the things Yaulander orders her to do. In battle, some of her resistance could cause that momentary slice of hesitation that could lead to defeat.

But then, that is why slaves are used in the first place.

They are expendable.

Golems, on the other hand, require significant amounts of mana to create, control, and sustain for any meaningful amount of time. In general, they are excellent battle-swayers as a heroic gambit to unleash a powerful or devastating surprise attack with a soldier that no one cares if it returns or not. Yaulander could send one million golems to a heartless death, and no one would bat an eye, other than the wasted resources if it was made of particularly valuable materials.

All of that said, it doesn’t solve the primary problem facing Yaulander right now.

He needs to prove that it is a golem of the Fievegal.

“What of its memories, or its creator?” asks the Grand Prince.

The manic, sleep-deprived Archmagus stares at him in shock for a moment, legitimately brain-frozen. For a moment, he has forgotten why he has been working so tirelessly.

Yaulander growls, “Archmagus?”

“Apologies! Yes, your Majesty. Forgive me.” Baelok uses his handkerchief to wipe his face, and he notices that it accumulates a surprising amount of grime. “I only just made the breakthrough on the defensive magic to take control. Now that I know what I’m up against, it should only be another couple days or so.”

“This golem is key to proving the Fievegal’s involvement in the attempted assassination of an Imperial Grand Prince, Archmagus Baelok. I hope you have not forgotten that.”

“Of course not, your Majesty! That has been at the forefront of my mind, the driving force of my efforts these last three days! I admit that I underestimated the defensive magic. In fact, this has opened my mind to so many more possibilities. Scholars will be picking apart this unprecedented system of arcana…”

“Focus on the task at hand, Archmagus,” replies the Grand Prince. “The Empress intends to marry the Fievegal’s lecherous leader and put the Empire in a subordinate position to a bunch of hedonists and barbarians. If you wish to help me protect the Empire, you will need to work faster. If you need more assistance, then tell me now.”

Baelok looks at the other mages that are in various states of exhaustion as well. As a half-elf, he has been able to work day and night, using a combination of magic and potions to avoid the need for sleep. But, his assistants and colleagues are humans, gatonines, shenwulves, and boruans. Each is talented and highly educated in magecraft, from magic circles and scrolls to chantless spellcasting and mana manipulation, yet they are limited by their nature. Only legitimately rare miracle children possess magical talent far beyond the norm, and several of them are professors of the Imperial Institute of Magery and currently keeping the academic side running.

“I have the bodies I need, your Imperial Majesty. I cannot emphasize enough that we are treading new water, at least from the perspective of the Empire. This magic is ancient; forgotten or never brought to the east.”

Yaulander sighs, and he looks to Mri’kala’xen. “Mri’kala’xen, do you have anything to say on the matter?”

Baelok’s eye twitches. Appearance-wise, the half-archoneldwyn and the half-elf look to be about the same age; mid-thirties if they were human. The problem is, both races can live for many centuries under the right circumstances, and he has no gauge of her knowledge or experience. He only knows that the few archoneldwyn he ever heard anything about were assassins, thieves, spies, and fraudsters.

The caramel-skinned woman opens her eyes, having stood by next to Zuzia silently and obediently, this time not constantly casting magic on Yaulander. He’s still wearing his eye-patch at the moment, but she is still dressed in extravagant, exotic clothing from the far east, meaning she has not yet upset the Grand Prince.

If anything, she seems even more comfortable with her position than the last time he saw them.

Mri’kala’xen makes eye contact with Baelok, and the two of them study each other for a moment.

It’s unnerving how unreadable she is, and she gives a small smile when she realizes it.

“I’m afraid the magic I am educated in has remained limited, your Imperial Majesty. I will, of course, obey any command your Majesty gives me, but I may get in the way of Master Archmagus and his colleagues more than I would help. Forgive me for my limited utility, your Majesty.”

The blond man studies the half-archoneldwyn for a moment, and he takes a breath and sighs. “The moment you have access to the proof of who created this golem, and anything else that can tie it to the Fievegal or the Citadel, I expect to be informed. Time is of the essence.” He starts to leave, and he pauses. “Count Contarro, have proper meals prepared for our glorious mages, and make sure they have plenty of mana and stamina recovery potions.”

“Of course, your Majesty. I’ll see it done immediately.”

Yaulander nods, and he says, “Archmagus Baelok, I will ensure your efforts are rewarded greatly if you succeed.”

“You humble me and my colleagues, your Majesty,” replies Baelok with a bow.

The Grand Prince and his entourage file out, but as they’re exiting, he notices Zuzia, the otherworlder slave captured by the Empire.

Her expression is blank, but she doesn’t look at anyone else in the room.

The only one she looks at is the golem.

That said, Baelok is an attentive soul, even as his mind is desperately deprived of actual restful sleep. But, even in his faded alertness, or perhaps, a near-delirious hyper-awareness, the half-elf notices one more thing.

Maybe his gaze is stuck on the person he trusts the least, but as Zuzia is studying Cheshyret, Mri’kala’xen glances back at Zuzia and smirks.

Baelok does his best to swallow the lump in his throat. He’s thankful that his mind is rattled and he’s sweating from tireless exhaustion of his mana and stamina, since it helped hide his nervousness. A couple of centuries have given him a pretty steady composure most of the time.

But, it’s no secret that Yaulander will not tolerate any inadequacy in his campaign against the Fievegal. He has already led a great number of lives to their deaths, and many rumors surround him beyond that.

Baelok turns to look at his colleagues, who are all relieved, sighing, massaging their eyes, and various other methods of decompressing from the tension.

And, his eyes settle on Cheshyret for a moment. The golem’s head tilts only slightly, and Baelok knows they just made eye contact, even if the golem doesn’t have distinct ‘eyes’ in the normal sense.

They’re playing a dangerous game, and Baelok truly has received a great deal of unprecedented magical knowledge, with Cheshyret handing over some outdated magic and the means to break through it to allow the Archmagus to lead his team in cracking through the defenses.

However, at some point, he’s going to have to keep his end of the bargain, and it makes him sweat just thinking about it.

***

With Emerald’s help, Daniel escapes the pile of bodies in his bed, still “trapped” in Yaulwembor’s dreamscape as they undoubtedly bicker and discuss things further. Some part of him knows that Ryuogriar likely kept everyone inside after Daniel was exploded by Geirahoel to discuss something; likely the curse.

Even if Yaulwembor can’t detect it, the abyssal creature is aware of her ability to detect and block her. He doesn’t trust her suddenly disappearing fully, and he’s thankful everyone else seems to be aware of it.

To keep himself busy, Daniel tells Emerald that he’s going to the hangar to relax in the lounge and have a drink. He knows it’s not the best thing while he’s healing, but he hasn’t had anything since returning to the Citadel, and he’s able to focus more without the laugur decoction, even if he’s in pain at the moment.

Emerald agrees to inform everyone once they wake up, so he hopes he gets at least an hour or so to indulge in one of his neglected vices.

The hangar is alive with military and logistics operations being sent to Mattarglos and the Empire via shuttles to try to help ease the burden for the refugees as they are allowed to trickle back into Urflasdat. There is also a dedicated shuttle for the Selkethia hive, but it seems to be out already on delivery.

Those who see Daniel salute him crisply as he’s passing, and he repeats his usual “Carry on, thank you,” so that the workers and soldiers can keep working uninterrupted.

When he enters the hangar lounge, however, he is met by someone he didn’t expect.

The lounge is meant to be shared by anyone, but it has mostly fallen into being a private location for Daniel and his inner circle. And, presently, Aramellianna, Wenlianna, Ahok, Roetta, and Zuzia are seated around the lounge seating. The dragon has her egg in her lap while the ladies discuss various things.

Nearby, the three mercenaries, Wulfsten, Halkadon, and Verbert are cleaning weapons and discussing the Dragonslayer rifles with Helbeit, Resken, and the newest Dragonslayer, Muindis, the Stalvaltan Guard captain that led the raid on the Citadel. He’s still in training, but he apparently did Hekate a humongous favor, so she rewarded him with the Dragonslayer title, which naturally comes with a pay raise.

The Dragonslayers are the fastest to notice Daniel’s arrival, and they immediately stand up. “A-!”

“Stop!” calls out Daniel as fast as he can.

The mercenaries, confused but quick to pick up the clues, also scramble to their feet, but relax when they notice the Dragonslayers drop their guard.

Aramellianna remarks warmly, “Your Grace. Should you be out of bed at the moment?”

Wenlianna is about to stand up and run to Daniel, but Zuzia is the fastest to her feet. “Daniel!? I… I’m sorry. I just… I was told…”

This is a bit surprising for Daniel, given their last conversation, but he doesn’t mind at all. He can tell from the glasses and open bottle on the table that they were sharing some wine.

“Please, I’m the one intruding. I didn’t think the lounge would be occupied. Please don’t let me ruin your relaxation.”

“You’re welcome to join us, your Grace,” replies Aramellianna. “Though, perhaps I can only speak for myself.”

“Agreed, it would be an honor, your Grace,” adds Helbeit confidently. He’s a large human by Zenkon standards, making him one of the few that rivals Daniel in height. “I do believe I owe you a drink, even if you’re the one who brought these ones to Zenkon.”

The others chuckle, and Ahok adds gently, “I don’t mind. Wenlianna and I were discussing better designs for mana delivery.”

Daniel looks to Zuzia, which prompts pretty much everyone else to look at her. She hesitates for a moment, which remains strange to Daniel. She glances at the others, and then back to Daniel. She’s not afraid of him, but afraid of something else that involves him, it seems.

“A-Actually… Um…” She takes a breath and exhales. “Daniel, if… If I may… I… I need to talk to you… in private.”

“Strictly you and me?” asks Daniel to confirm more than anything. It’s not fair to simply ask her if the lounge is private enough, since it could be almost anything that any number of the people present would be better off not knowing for a variety of reasons. And, he knows he can trust her well enough.

“If… you would…”

Daniel nods. “We can go to my ultra-secret hideout then. No one will accidentally walk in on us. Except maybe Doephluev.” Daniel looks over his right shoulder, and his heart does skip a beat, since the woman he cannot believe manages to do so every single time is standing right behind him, waiting patiently like a wife who has always followed exactly one to three steps behind him.

For their part, Wenlianna, Roetta, and Aramellianna chuckle bitterly.

Zuzia looks at them, and Roetta explains, “He’s talking about the sewage plant. Most of us can’t stand to go down there…”

“The smell’s not as bad as you’d think,” replies Daniel. “Though, I have asked anyone pregnant to avoid it entirely, just to be safe.”

“This gigantic castle, and the best place for some privacy is the sewage plant?”

“I’m on a ticking clock before Hekate, Ryuo, and Geirahoel track me down and drag me back to bed under lock and key,” retorts Daniel. “It will buy us an extra five minutes at least while they bicker about who has to come retrieve me.”

Zuzia sighs. “Let’s just… talk in that bus over there.” She points at one of the buses that’s being repaired after suffering a wreck from one of the drivers overestimating its offroad tolerance to get around certain obstacles. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it’s one of the documents Daniel had to review during his daily paperwork sessions with Sundenelle and Aramellianna running the Fievegal like the well-oiled machine it deserves to be.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Daniel nods. “Please excuse us, and go back to relaxing. Wenlie-Mukori… If you can convince Lady Ahok to join us, I don’t mind discussing magic inventions in my prison cell. When I’m not signing my life away, of course…”

Wenlianna giggles. “You are supposed to be resting, Mukori. I will delay the others for a time for Zuzia’s sake, but I have not wanted to disturb you. Besides…” She stands up placing her hand on her chest. “I happen to be a rather world-renowned Magic Artisan myself, with quite a few inventions to my name. I can handle something as small as moving mana from our various power sources to the core.” She whips out her notebook, showing it to Daniel proudly. “But, I have at least three whole books of things you still owe me an explanation on. So hurry up and recover so I can steal you away!”

Daniel and the others laugh, and he bows. “Yes, my beloved Mukori. As you command.”

Daniel then follows Zuzia to the bus, and she asks as they get out of earshot of the lounge, “‘Mukori?’ Unless I was wrong, that’s a word used exclusively by you and the dragons, isn’t it?”

“Technically, yes. But, also technically, Wenlianna and her sisters have a dragon ancestor.”

This causes Zuzia to stumble for a moment. She knows from seeing Tekten and Jieka that the rules of ‘compatible’ lovers doesn’t seem as strictly adherent to the rules of biology that Earth has come to know. The easiest way to rationalize this away in her mind is to accept ‘magic, m’kay?’, but it is surprising to learn that Wenlianna, of all people, is a descendant of a literal dragon.

“Wh-Who is it?” asks Zuzia.

“We don’t know the dragon ancestor, but one of her… like ten-greats grandmothers was half-sister to Reignleif.”

“R-Reina? The… Your Reina?”

Daniel chuckles as he opens the door for the bus to let Zuzia on. “The Reina I love, yes. Her daughter, Gyualen is named after her sister.”

“I see…” After Daniel closes the bus door, Zuzia turns around to face him.

Daniel tries to remain casual, and he asks, “Do… you mind if I sit down?”

“Y… I… Yes, maybe that’s for the best…”

Daniel takes a seat and sighs as if he just came back from a hard day’s work. He’s still somewhat hungover-feeling from Yaulwembor, but the pain in his eye is more like a tender ache; something he can ignore as long as he doesn’t agitate it.

When he looks again, though, Zuzia is still standing.

“Did you kill someone?”

“N-No… I just… Daniel…” She balls her hands into fists and looks away, her expression incredibly pained.

“I… I did something terrible… to you…”

Daniel is wholly confused, and he cocks his head. The only thing she has done is rightfully vent her anger at him about what happened to Urflasdat, something he has done very little to atone for.

“If this is about Urflasdat…”

She shakes her head. “I trust you to keep your word… I just…” She sinks to her knees, holding her hands in front of her face. “I’m… the one who can’t be trusted…”

Daniel hesitates for a moment, but he decides Zuzia is a mature and rather tough woman. There’s likely little he can do to harm her physically or verbally, other than helping her get out of whatever this is as fast as possible. “Aren’t Poles supposed to be brutally honest? You’ve spared no feelings of mine so far, at least. Tell me what it is, and I’ll devise the most destructive weapon in history to destroy you.”

She looks up with horror, but she quickly realizes the last part is a joke. She winces, looking aside. “You might actually feel that way…” She takes a breath and sighs.

She looks at Daniel, her gaze wavering, but her resolve solidifying by the moment. If he didn’t know better, he’d be afraid she murdered one of his children by accident.

“I… um… I… was… intimate with Ryuogriar…”

There’s a potent silence that fills the bus, and Zuzia bows her head with her eyes closed, awaiting Daniel’s response. Her Earth instincts brace for a strike, for screaming, or to even be shot. Her Zenkon body can probably withstand any of it, but her instincts are still hard to overcome when she makes no effort to do so.

For his part, Daniel is completely stunned. With her strength, he genuinely thought it would have been an accidental death, a broken bone, or a destroyed treasure.

Any of those would have made sense to Daniel.

But, it sinks in why she would bring this up under such intense fear and agony, yet still resolved enough to confess in spite of her terror.

Daniel finally lets out a sigh. “I was afraid you hurt someone…”

“Y-... You…! I… Didn’t I hurt… Do you not care…!?”

“Of course I care about Ryuogriar. If she had decided it herself, I may be married to her and her alone. And, I’d like to think I would be unwaveringly faithful to her. But…” Daniel gives Zuzia a soft smile, somewhat disparaging himself, but not regretting what has come to be. “I trust Ryuogriar probably the most out of anyone in the Fievegal. Hekate is right up there as well, but I know that Ryuogriar, in my absence, knows me well enough to carry out the best course of action that I would still be comfortable with the outcome. She is loyal to me to a fault sometimes.” Daniel scoffs. “If anything, she was trying to recruit you, not betray me.”

Zuzia blushes and looks to the side. “S-... She said… as much…” She swallows a lump in her throat, immediately standing back up to protest. “But… I’m sorry. I… I got swept up in her rhythm, and some part of me… I can’t deny… some of my residual anger…” She slumps and adds softly. “I… I have no good excuse… B-But, I’m to blame! Please don’t secretly lie to me and then take it out on Ryuo. I could and should have stopped her, and…”

“Please relax, Zuzia. I’m genuinely not mad.”

“But… We… I… I made her… unfaithful…”

Daniel chuckles a little bitterly this time. “I would have little room to complain at this point, given my own situation. But, as I said, I trust Ryuogriar. My expectation above all else is that I know whose child I’m taking care of, even if it’s not my own, and that I at least have some say in that child’s creation. That’s what happened with the first three dragon hatchlings you’ve met. Though, we weren’t romantic partners at that time. If… it’s with other women… I don’t mind any of the ladies having fun. I’ve told Ryuo so. I can’t keep up with everyone. So, as long as you don’t try to steal Ryuo away from me, I don’t mind if you and she share a little entertainment. Though… if she has her way, you’ll be looking like Doephluev before year’s end.”

“No!” exclaims Zuzia. “N-No…”

“I know. But, I mean it.” Daniel stands up paintstakingly and offers his hand. “There’s nothing to forgive this time. Though, I’ll be upset if she starts denying me in favor of you…”

Zuzia scoffs. “Don’t tempt me with a challenge to overcome, Harbinger. Or, they’ll have to give me the title of ‘Harbinger of Calamity’.”

Daniel laughs. “If it is a title so easily passed, I would just give it to Hekate. She wants a middleschooler-level evil nickname of her own.”

This time, the Polish brunette laughs, adding, “She would, wouldn’t she!?” She continues laughing for a moment, and Daniel laughs along with her before she shakes his hand. “I… had a lot of fun, so, while I’d like to tell you that it was a ‘one time thing’, I… Listen, I will never be a part of your harem. Ever. And, even if I act like I am, you and I…”

“Relax. I’m fine with that. Though, please don’t take this the wrong way and let me finish; I’d consider myself lucky, and whoever does win your heart truly will be a very fortunate person. G-er, uh, angel, dragon, or whoever.”

Zuzia blushes a little at this. She wonders if Daniel actually already knew about what started in the baths, and what ended in a tangled mess of human, dragoness, and angel.

Daniel then gestures at the seat behind her, and he requests, “Since it seems I haven’t been arrested again, I’d like to talk to you as well.”

“Oh… Uh… Alright.”

Zuzia takes a seat, and Daniel reclaims his own, relaxing for a moment. But, he sits up and leans forward towards Zuzia in the catty-corner bus lounger seat. “Zuzia, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“A… favor? Of me? Specifically?”

Daniel nods. “I hope to build a statue to commemorate and memorialize those lost in the mana fire, and to give people hope when they see it. Not unlike the Statue of Liberty.”

Zuzia is surprised by this for a moment, but she quickly connects the dots. She knows that the Statue of Liberty, arguably one of the most recognizable monuments on Earth the world over, was a gift to the United States by France. It was to celebrate their alliance as well as the USA’s Declaration of Independence at its 100th year. It also commemorates the abolition of slavery in the USA, standing as a symbol of the “American Dream” long into the future where Zuzia, Daniel, and Rikuto all appear to have come from.

And, it hits her why Daniel is suddenly bringing this specific thing up in private; not because he wants her permission to build it.

But, because of the role he intends to ask Zuzia to fill.

She turns pale, and she asks, “Wait… you want me to… model for it?”

Daniel chuckles and looks down at his hands folded between his knees. “You guessed that fast.”

“I can’t imagine I’m the first person you’re asking about this! But, are you serious!?”

“I am…”

“Why me!?” yells Zuzia. She sees that Daniel isn’t just messing with her, and she relaxes, letting out a sigh. “Seriously, why me?”

“It’s not like anyone other than those who know will likely recognize you… probably. And, more importantly, you very visibly took a stance to protect everyone you could. Hekate is a conqueror before she’s a liberator, so a statue of her might feel… threatening to people. But, I believe a statue made to look like you will carry a gentle, reassuring feeling that people will sympathize with, while also feeling inspired by.”

Zuzia hesitates for a long time, deep in thought. She is conflicted, because she doesn’t want to accidentally be worshipped, which she is certain someone probably does with Lady Liberty. But, she understands Daniel’s intent. Zuzia was seen by many at various stages of the battle fighting against all of the terrors, without the baggage of someone like Hekate, who is known to be an upstart Empress who isn’t afraid of a fight. Even if she’s adorable, and a statue of her would be amazing in Zuzia’s mind’s eye, Hekate is a symbol closer to turmoil and adventure, rather than endurance and survival.

And, as an Empress, it will likely be much easier to recognize her, and dissociate the innocent intentions behind the statue and associate prideful or other malicious feelings with it.

“What kind of pose are you thinking of doing? A-And dress? Because I’m not wearing anything embarrassing. A-And I don’t want to look like a shameless ripoff of Lady Liberty just because no one here but you, me, and Rikuto would see it.”

“And, I don’t want it to be embarrassing at all,” replies Daniel seriously. “I was thinking she would be praying, facing the crater. Though, perhaps facing away from her would be more meaningful. Maybe… if she’s facing the city…”

Zuzia is quiet for a moment, doing her best to picture it and ponder her own thoughts on how to pose and position such a statue. It’s not a guiding beacon towards the ultimate dream of freedom and democracy, but a guardian who shielded as many people as possible, and prays forevermore for those whose lives were taken in the process.

Daniel, of course, didn’t maliciously kill anyone. It’s not unreasonable to call them sacrifices, even if the choice to do so was taken from them. And, the statue is a symbol Daniel seems to hope will give people comfort and reassurance that, even in the face of disaster, people overcome.

“I’ll do it. But, I want it to be top-secret information that I’m the model. Gag orders and throat slitting. The works.”

Daniel agrees, “I understand. Though, I… do have a rather shameful request that I’m sure you’ll listen to after what you told me a few minutes ago, right?’

She scowls at him, and he replies with a soft chuckle, “Sorry, bad joke. Seriously, I would like the hands to… reflect yours.”

Zuzia winces slightly and she looks at her own hands. Because of Sayrdarralouche’s final form, the material was able to slice her hands to near literal ribbons, leaving many scars all over her hands that she would be embarrassed about, if she were actively trying to be a supermodel or an aristocrat.

She is one now, but that’s beside the point.

“Why my hands? You want to put scars on the statue?”

Daniel gives a sincere nod. “Even if we’ll be hiding that it’s you, I do want to acknowledge what you did to fight off Sayrdarralouche, particularly.”

“But… I endangered a lot of people. Hekate is the only reason I’m not a hypocrite yelling at you…”

“None of us are without scars of some kind,” replies Daniel softly. He can tell Zuzia’s gaze momentarily glances at his right cheek, but she says nothing about it.

“Then… maybe we should give her an eyepatch,” murmurs Zuzia.

Daniel shakes his head. “No. That would be a step too far, I think. If anyone thinks I’m putting my own vanity into this gesture, it will lose all meaning. Hekate and I have to remain completely sterilized from the statue itself.”

“Hmm… That’s a fair point, I suppose…” Zuzia sighs as she flops back in her own seat. “Fine. But, I assume we’re going to carefully plan it and build it right, right? So… let me know when the planning meetings are.”

Daniel nods. “Of course. Right now, it’s just talk. But, I hope to pick up the pace here soon.”

“So… you’re… really not angry?” asks Zuzia once more as the two are finally able to enjoy a moment’s peace.

“I’m really not angry. I trust Ryuo. And, I know I can leave your recruitment safely in her hands.”

Zuzia opens her eyes to glare at Daniel. “You know, I may still be bound by magic contract, but I know three guys right over there that will happily kick your American butt for me.”

Daniel laughs. But, just as he’s about to retort playfully, fearsome pounding starts striking the door of the bus.

“Daniel! Daniel, you dirty sex-haver! If you’re in there doing it with Zuzia, I’m gonna be really angry!”

Both humans bolt upright, startled by the sudden onslaught and the voice they both recognize very well.

“I’m leaving teeth marks in your face! Raaah~! I don’t know if I can beat Zuzia, but I know I can beat you, Daniel!”

Rather than disintegrate the door, teleport the bus out from under them, or smash her way in, Hekate continues pounding on it with her fists in rapid succession.

The embarrassed moment of horror hits Zuzia’s expression first, but her eyes dart around, and the moment they lock with Daniel’s, a realization hits her. Daniel can feel his own expression drain of life, and the Polish woman immediately bolts for the door, whooshing out and scooping up the feldrok teen in a hug before Daniel can even raise a single word of protest towards either of them.

“Maleńka, oh Maleńka! My little savior! My precious little sister! You have to help me! Save me from this evil, scheming gacharza, Maleńka! He’s trying to seduce me!” <A/N 1>

But, seemingly knowing Hekate well enough, Zuzia manages to hold onto her the instant Hekate starts trying to scramble after Daniel, as if she’s hugging the feldrok girl, but instead, holding her back.

“Daniel! Daniel, you butt! You’re supposed to be resting! Let me at him, Zuzia! I’m gonna chew his, um… I’m gonna chew his arms off!”

Daniel can only laugh as he disembarks from the bus carefully. He feels a little bad that Hekate is becoming overly sensitive about his eye. He knows it’s not pretty to look at if the bandages are removed, but it’s more that she’s ashamed that she couldn’t prevent it. And, Hekate is the furthest from fault.

“Why does no one ever hear me out on these things?”

Treia retorts from nearby, “Goodness, the mind truly boggles, doesn’t it?” She feigns a more lady-like perplexed expression with her hand on her cheek, letting out a ‘forlorn’ sigh.

The gatonine Empress is surrounded by many of Daniel’s paramours, who snicker at Daniel or roll their eyes. The wayward mechanic can only laugh as Hekate finds it surprisingly difficult to escape from Zuzia, who claims to need protection. Instead, she looks more like a rebellious stuffed animal providing the assistance needed through being hugged.

Vaergraes makes a similar expression, cupping her own cheek with her hand. “Indeed. And, he has so many of us that he neglects while attempting to seduce yet another.”

“Oh for F-...!” starts Daniel as he palms his face, wincing when he accidentally touches his cheek.

“Stay back, Daniel! I’m armed, and I’m not afraid to use her!” Zuzia holds Hekate under the armpits turning her around to aim her at Daniel, and the feldrok teen lets her arms, legs, and tail droop in exasperation, since her feet are dangling off of the ground due to the height disparity.

She looks exactly like a defeated cat surrendering to its fate in the hands of its family.

“You know, Zuzia… I watched you with my own eyes as you threw a giant monster a mile in the air.” She looks over her shoulder at the honey-haired brunette still holding her with lifeless, cold eyes. “You could beat Daniel pretty easily, too…”

“Wh-What are you saying, Maleńka?”

“Who was seducing who all alone on the bus?” asks the feldrok as her expressive ears go completely upright and her eyes go wide with judgment.

There is exactly one second of silence as this question sits heavy in the air with Hekate’s death glare locked onto the Polish brunette.

Without warning, and with a perfect amount of force, Zuzia flings Hekate straight at Daniel, and she immediately runs the opposite direction across the hangar as the feldrok teen yelps, “Wah-gaoof!”

Hekate lands in Daniel’s arms, the human narrowly managing to catch her and keep his balance, and the surprised ravenette blinks twice before immediately shouting, “Zuzia! Zuzia, get back here! Traitor! Seducer! Kidnassinator!”

Hekate springs out of Daniel’s arms and gives chase, and Daniel is left with his arms still where they were, laughing in disbelief.

“Don’t mind if I do,” states Treia’s voice as she swiftly slings herself up into Daniel’s arms, bracing herself for his shift in posture as he manages to catch her. She snickers at the human while holding onto his neck and shoulders. “You can seduce me, Daniel. If you must.”

“That was amazing,” replies Jeavana from nearby. “I wish I was so bold.”

“I was seconds from doing the same,” grumbles Doephluev, and Treia gives her a broad grin of victory.

The gatonine then hoists herself up, kissing Daniel’s left cheek as her own tail swishes back and forth happily. “Daniel, we really do need to get you back to bed.”

“It’s only my eye that’s still healing,” replies Daniel.

“Very good,” states Ryuogriar’s almost-predatory voice of matriarchal authority and unwavering command. “Then, you can join us for the next formal audience in two days, Mukori. It will be so relieving to have our Emperor join us and carry out his most dignified duties for the Fievegal.”

Daniel’s smirk dissolves, and Treia grins up at him even more deviously. “I had to, Daniel. It’s only fair.”

“On second thought,... My legs. Oh, and my arms. Maybe my spleen…”

Ryuogriar corners him by hugging him from behind, not interfering with Treia’s moment of cuddle, but also ensuring that Daniel can’t escape either. “You may allow us to pamper you, Mukori. You will find few objections…”

The mechanic takes a breath and sighs. “No. I’d rather start moving around again. I’ll take it easy, so… please go easy on me. At least a little.”

She grins and rests her chin on Daniel’s shoulder. “I have explained things to Yaulwembor as well. She shall begin her education soon, and will attend the audience with us. We’ve devised a plan to try to help her understand after the fact what was said and done, so that she might eventually become an Empress in her own right.”

“Thank you, Mukori…”

She kisses his cheek as well, adding gently, “I love you above all others, Mukori. Even with your flaws.”

“I’m the luckiest man alive,” replies Daniel.

“Good… So, what was it you were saying about your ‘prison cell’?”

Again, Treia grins wickedly at Daniel, and he knows at once that the ‘secret’ conversation was hardly a secret at all, not least of which because of Treia’s sensitive gatonine ears. Which also likely means Resken and Halkadon, the shenwulves, heard it almost as well as Hekate certainly did.

Daniel turns to face Ryuogriar, and he starts to push Treia towards her. “Here, hold this…”

Treia instantly whines, “Hey! Don’t you dare! No!” She immediately pulls herself firmly to Daniel’s torso and bites his shoulder, causing him to grunt and complain as everyone laughs at them.

Ryuogriar then says, “Help me drag Mukori to the lounge at least.” Jeavana and Emerald both jog forward with warm laughs, helping “steer” the mechanic into the lounge to join the others.

For one last desperate plea, Daniel calls out, “Help! Help me, Hekate! I’m being seduced! They’re seducing me!”

Others around the hangar laugh or shake their heads, though there may be some jealous gazes mixed in, assuming anyone doesn’t immediately recognize who the group of fools are.

But, Hekate never appears, and Daniel asks dryly as he gives in to his own fate, “Where is that little dummy whenever I’m the one who’s not at fault.”

“It’s always your fault, Mukori,” retorts Geirahoel bluntly. She is surprisingly without Enya for a change, but Neith is standing right behind her, playing with his niece. The orange dragon adds with her arms crossed, “When it’s not your fault, it can only mean it’s stupid Onii-chan’s fault.”

Neith hangs his head as he chuckles in defeat, somehow catching strays after quietly hiding in the background.

Once more, it seems like everything is going back to the strange that is ‘normal’ for the Fievegal.

***

A/N 1: “Gacharza” is a fusion of Polish word components (hopefully properly done) “Gach + -arz”, which is hopefully a seemingly Grandpa-inspired way of calling Daniel a “professional lover/paramour”. It’s a bit less overtly vulgar than the other options I could find so she’s not THAT bad of an influence on Hekate. Please correct me if I’m wrong!