UE Rewrite: B5 — 3. Butter's Gift
Added 2025-05-30 22:49:27 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Elinor (Our Lich Empress!)
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The platform’s ascent felt interminable as they rose from the depths toward the junction chamber. Elinor stood beside Camellia, watching the stone walls blur past in the dim runic lighting. The thélméthra drone's dissolution had been swift and absolute, leaving her without a ride back to the surface since the quen’talrat were needed to support Carlos in bringing up the segments of the wyvern.
Tell me about our escapee, she directed to Camellia as they passed Level -15, her mother still absorbed in the runic tablet’s holographic displays. The crystal substance disappeared, but there weren't any breaks in the tunnel for it to escape through.
Camellia’s crimson hair shifted as she tilted her head, her enhanced senses still processing the genetic data she’d consumed. “It appears to have found a way to swap onto the platform, squeezing through the very fine gap between the elevator and walls.”
“Oh?” Tiffany joined in, manipulating the hologram projections to swap between spheres of information. “I’m finding records of other species living in the surface ecosystems, but not finding any details on anything below that level… Are you suggesting it can shrink or reform its body?”
And which one are you referring to, Elinor pressed, her vision narrowing as they approached the junction chamber at the 10th floor.
“The female one that escaped first, Empress,” Camellia identified, kneeling down to run her fingers over the platform's smooth surface as her hair spread out across the floor, sampling microscopic traces. “By the chemical trail, it likely forced itself through the gap and repaired itself. The male went up the elevator before us and did not do the same.”
The platform slowed as they reached the circular junction chamber, its eight radiating corridors stretching into the fortress depths. Elinor paused for a moment, examining the seven areas, sealed behind shimmering force fields, but their pathway back to the Agricultural District pulsed with familiar blue energy. This fortress city held so many mysteries.
The female? Elinor’s mental voice sharpened as they transferred to the ascending platform to reach Gwen and Lucky. What about in the junction on the 10th floor?
“The male that attacked us was larger, more aggressive than the female scent,” Camellia noted, her silky threads absorbing microscopic traces. “Both of them took the same route we did in their escape, the male more spontaneously and finding the nearest open route. His residual chemical trail indicates he did not want to get wrapped up in a prolonged battle with me and was following the female’s path.”
Her brow furrowed as she moved to the wall, sliding her fingers over the smooth black stone in their rise. “But the female… She’s different. She’d been planning her escape for some time, two years previous. The elevators were likely in a different state at that time, possibly not as active. The crystal residue patterns suggest she’d been testing the elevator mechanism for weeks, maybe months. The degradation is too much to be certain on an exact timeframe.”
Tiffany looked up from her holographic displays, orange witchfire flickering with concern. “That implies significant intelligence and that she may have been the one to actually open up this pathway to begin with or cause the power instability. Not just reactive behavior, but long-term strategic thinking.”
That certainly makes things interesting, Elinor muttered, watching the level markers blur past as they ascended. So, the power redirection and issues that the yaltha’ma recognized in recent years were possibly manufactured by this adaptable species. It didn’t attack any of them, though… The question remains, where did she go, because I’d speculate the male will be following.
“The scent trail continues beyond this elevator system,” Camellia noted as they approached the agricultural level. “Both creatures used this route, but where they went from here… I’ll need to track that on foot. This is…actually kind of exciting to me, Empress!”
Oh? Elinor chortled. I suppose you are a huntress by nature and class.
Her mother’s expression darkened as she manipulated another data sphere. “Sweetie, if these creatures have been planning coordinated escapes, we might be dealing with something far more sophisticated than random experiments. They could be following some kind of…genetic protocol that went astray. We are talking about over a century of evolution that could have deviated from their programming. Perhaps we should wait for Edmon to join Cami.”
Elinor considered it for a moment as the platform rose to Level 6, her gaze shifting to the red-haired woman’s sparkling eyes and held breath; this was an important thing to the spider princess and did fall directly into her monarch position.
No. I trust Camellia can handle this hunt. Besides, it is mainly for reconnaissance and to be sure it isn’t a threat to the empire.
“Thank you, Empress!” Camellia chimed, hair fluttering in a cute way as she showed a beaming smile. “I will produce results that I may boast to Azalea!”
Tiffany’s brow softened. “I am sure you will, dearie. Just be cautious. Just know that whatever Ka’Krisna’Terva created down there, it wasn’t just about making better predators. She was engineering something with specific goals in mind, I’m sure.”
Elinor stepped off with a growing sense of unease as they passed Level 7, leading to the junction that would tell them where the two escaped to.
A female hybrid that had been planning its escape for two years, possibly the cause of the power instabilities, and now a male following her path. Yet, the real issue wasn’t the creature itself, but if it was a threat to her people.
Lucky, she inquired, coming into contact with the publicist in her Serving Court as they reached the four kilometers limit of her Nexus. Report.
“Empress!” the flamboyant socialite responded. “We have been exploring the size of these green zones and they are…extensive! Gwan is a little overwhelmed, but there are already a vast quantity of unique crops we can already harvest.”
No troubles? No dangers? she pressed.
“Hmm? Not at all? Is…something down here with us, Empress? Should I find a place to barricade ourselves in? We haven’t found many open access points but there are some.”
I’ll get back to you in a minute or so, but don’t worry the others. Just be ready for action.
“Got it.”
Stepping off the platform in the room they’d entered from, Camellia darted toward the door that would lead into the hallway, absently creating a carrying strap for the tablet in the process for the Witch Queen. By the time she took the second step, the arachnid had already opened the door by activating the runes and disappeared beyond it.
“The trail leads left outside of this chamber, Empress—if they split, I’ll follow the stronger scent first.”
Elinor breathed a sigh of relief. At least it didn’t go into the agricultural area. Now, it could circle around, but in a city so full of blocked doors and vast passageways, it was unlikely.
Track the route they used, she ordered. I want to know every tunnel, every passage, every potential access point. Find out where they went from here.
“Understood, Empress.”
And Camellia…
“Mhm?”
If you find evidence of more, contact me immediately. There’s no telling what these creatures can do, or even if the female was pregnant when she left and has offspring tucked away somewhere. We may not be dealing with individual creatures, but with an organized hive in the making.
“I’ll return with results!”
Informing Lucky that there was nothing to fear but to return, she went over all the details they’d discovered, waiting for them by the maintenance door exit. She inquired about the substance the hybrid left behind, but they hadn’t seen anything of the sort. Figuring there wasn’t much more she could do until she received more concrete data from Camellia or her mother, mind shifted to the logistics ahead.
Without her thélméthra drone, the return journey would take considerably longer—especially since Gwen would be with her, who lacked the supernatural stamina of her undead forces.
Growing a tad bored when Lucky began to get into various species and types of vegetation they’d discovered with her enthralled mother, Elinor went to the nearby bottom greenhouse section while waiting the final few minutes it would take the humans to reach her.
At least this gives me time to think, she mused, taking a moment to navigate around a flower the size of a dinner table that tracked her movement with eyeless vigilance. The clans have been in the city for a week now. They know the basics. Today’s meeting needs to address the real issues—how their roles change with fifty thousand humans arriving.
The scale of the challenge was staggering, but different than she’d initially anticipated. Managing the clans’ expectations and territorial concerns while integrating a massive human population would require delicate political maneuvering due to cultural changes.
Sure, the Colombian humans she’d liberated and protected had grown accustomed to their life and situation on this planet with her as their leader. A lot could change once the new batch of people began to show up, especially when they heard that there had been a portal back to Earth. Still, she planned to be honest with them about what happened and explain what Earth was like now, after what Butter explained to her with the first and second Oscillation.
“Empress!” Gwen’s voice carried across the agricultural space as she spotted her. The former bus passenger had adapted remarkably well to her role as official mayor of the living humans, her organizational skills proving invaluable in managing the daily concerns of her growing civilian population.
Lucky was with her, his happy face creased with recently cracked jokes as he gestured toward a cluster of strange, bulbous fruits hanging from vines as thick as telephone poles. Several other humans were bringing up the rear, mumbling with one another and cataloguing plants and bringing soil samples for her mother.
“We’ve been making good progress! If quen’talrat crops are mostly compatible with human digestion, then we’re sitting on gold here.”
Elinor met them, noting the organized efficiency of their work, hauling a hand cart loaded with things for Tiffany to analyze. After months of living in the jungle, this level of work was a breath of fresh air for them by the looks on their faces.
“Any immediate concerns?” she asked, falling into step beside them as they began walking toward the route that would take them back to the palace.
“Several updates since your last discussion with Lucky, Empress,” Gwen replied, pulling out her notebook. “The good news is we’ve confirmed food security for the current population with known vegetables and fruits, with the incoming arrivals. The challenging news we heard from the ri’bot runners is that the arriving groups are more organized than we initially thought.”
Elinor raised an eyebrow; that sounded like a good thing rather than bad.
“Meaning?”
“They’ve formed traveling committees, designated spokespeople, established their own internal hierarchies,” Lucky explained with a strained laugh. “These aren’t desperate refugees—they’re organized communities with existing leadership structures that they expect to maintain. Traveling through an alien jungle, being bright-eyed and safely guarded by unintelligent undead formation, and having a witch’s support in each group is good, but…”
“I can see how that could make integration a tad harder than it was for the Colombians. Plus, they’ll want to know a lot more about Earth and our group didn’t really have a choice in coming here.” Elinor sighed. “There will be some friction. How many distinct groups?”
“At least twelve major contingents in the pipeline right now, being told to go around the city, each with different priorities and expectations,” Gwen read, reading from a report an undead had no doubt brought Lucky through the Nexus when they were down below.
“An academic consortium, medical professionals, an engineering faction, an agricultural group from the US heartland…and yes, several religious groups with very specific ideas about resurrection ethics. Also, one or two are here seeing this journey as a new pilgrimage to ‘convert aliens.’ So, that’ll go over well.”
Elinor breathed a second sigh, longer this time. The implications were both promising and problematic, especially the conversion part. Organized groups meant existing expertise and leadership, but also competing power structures and conflicting agendas.
It seems you didn’t really vet anyone, you fatty butterly! she internally cursed at her little sister. Come one, come all, to the Undying Empire of a totally alien, hostile world… How much did you actually tell them? You didn’t even know we had this city when you opened the floodgates! Did you think we could have housed fifty-thousand more humans by the Wixum lake?
Filing it in the back of her mind with the intent to slap her twin when she got back, Elinor absently asked, “And no one died during the journey so far? I know this journey will probably be a good month before everyone arrives, possibly slightly longer, since they’re coming around the Susime mountains to enter the valley, so it’s unlikely there won’t be casualties.”
“Eh, about that,” Lucky winced, rubbing the back of his neck with a strained laugh. “High Queen Butter may have left out a few…details regarding corpses. She said she forgot to mention a few things but some of that could wait until later, she doesn’t want to, ahem, overwhelm you, Empress.”
Her emerald eyes snapped to him, narrowing considerably as her lips curved into a tight smile. “Overwhelm me? Yes, that sounds like her words… What about corpses?” she asked as they navigated through a section where they needed to make a sort of zig-zag due to locked areas.
Gwen stayed utterly silent, notebook pressed against her chest as she glanced between Lucky and her. The blonde young man was looking away as if he didn’t want to deliver this news. “She, eh, claimed that you’d be able to resurrect the loved ones of those who decided to ‘venture into this virgin world and start a new life.’ So many of the people who have come are also bringing…their dead.”
“How many, Lucky?” Elinor mumbled, fingers tightening at the expectations when she hadn’t even fully resurrected the Colombian’s loved ones.
“More than she, umm, initially estimated,” Gwen piped in, catching her glare and making her shiver with the other humans pulling the cart. “L-Latest count she gave the runner suggests close to…a hundred thousand bodies. Many families brought multiple generations, so, uh, yeah—grandparents, children who died young, sometimes…going back decades.”
That glory-loving, egocentric bitch! No wonder she went back to organize everything herself. How am I supposed to raise over a hundred thousand people into intelligent positions when I can’t even raise my max total right now is just over twenty thousand unintelligent and thirty-five-hundred intelligent!
I need to test if I can raise ashes that are all together, because that many corpses is a health hazard in the long-run. I should have tested that already…
Forget slapping, I need to spank that golden diva! Yes, adding them to the empire will increase my output once they become integrated, but how much I can sustain is also a consideration I have to keep, you dumb blonde!
Her mother was bobbing her head back and forth behind them, the tablet on the back of the cart so she could continue experimenting while on the move; she seemed to be debating the good and bad with that news. She also thought it was cute that Gwen went to Lucky’s defense, showing the pair were getting far closer, and not only as leadership partners.
Forcing herself to calm down, in no small part with the help of her feats, she asked, “I’ll…deal with that myself. Housing arrangement updates?”
“We’ve made significant progress converting the administrative buildings around the palace,” Lucky swiftly jumped in, running his fingers through his messy, sandy hair. “Your father’s team has been remarkable—they’ve figured out how to partition the quen’talrat spaces efficiently. We can house maybe thirty thousand immediately, with expansion capability as we open and make use of their furnishings.”
“The Serving Court has been invaluable,” Gwen added, glancing at Lucky with a beaming smile. “They understand both the human needs and the available resources. It’s so convenient being able to communicate spontaneously across the city, too. We’ve established family zones, medical accommodation areas, workshop spaces for different trades…”
As the pair went on, bouncing between one another, they laid out the various projects they were in the middle of conducting, planning, or gathering resources for. After a decent chunk of time, they reached the exit to the service tunnels, and Elinor paused before leading them into the maze of passages that would take them back to the Administrative Core.
Through the Nexus, she felt a flicker from Camellia—the trail was leading toward the northern districts, possibly even connecting to the underground rail system. However, just before going out of range, the arachnid reported they’d deviated toward the fungi-like crustaceans zone.
Elinor told her to keep looking until exiting the city, however they’d done it, and to mark that area. Also, any information on these warring mutant creatures would also be helpful since they’d need to exterminate or incorporate them eventually.
After Camellia went dark, she returned to the recently diverted subject as they entered the first tunnel. “What about clan integration? The ri’bot have been in the city for a week now, like the humans. How are they adapting?”
“That’s…complex,” Gwen carefully replied, looking somewhat agitated. “Each clan is processing this differently…and not all of them show us the same respect. The Wixum are excited—they see the incoming humans as sources of new knowledge and craft. But the Roxim twins are… They aren’t really, umm, interested in getting along right now, I guess. It’s, eh…” She paused, searching for words.
“No need to sugar coat it,” Lucky bluntly intervened. “They’re recruiting, Empress.”
Head tilting to the side, Elinor’s brow furrowed. “Who and for what?”
“Clanless families, Empress, that filter into the city. The twins approach them about joining the Roxim. They’ve absorbed maybe two hundred in the past few days—mostly males.”
“Ahh.” Elinor nodded, hands tightening at her back. “That’s smart…and provides the clanless with a sense of belonging. The Roxim lost significant numbers in the war with the Xaltan. Rebuilding through clanless integration was pragmatic. Are the clanless mostly female?” she asked, recalling the last discussion she’d had with the bitter twins.
“How did you—yes, actually,” Gwen said, looking mildly surprised. “Maybe sixty-five percent female, which the twins seem particularly interested in. Is that significant?”
“Very significant,” Elinor muttered, thinking back on the conversation she had with her twin about her path since leaving her. “The obelisk in the northwestern lake manipulated the valley’s gender dynamics. My little sister discovered it when conquering the hostile ri’bot to the northwest.
“It seems it hadn’t just affected the established clans—it had created a population of excess females among the displaced clanless as well. The Susime’s population control had been more comprehensive than I realized…but there is hope with integration between the clanless and Wixum high female population.
“The Lethix and Flex have an excess of males. The Roxim are different, going through a rather rough patch after the Xaltan ambush… You will need to express to the humans to be patient with them and report any potential abuse they may have against the remaining Xaltan. They lost most of their warriors in it and a decent number of males. For some reason, the Xaltan ended up sparing most of the female Roxim warriors… I’ll have to inquire about that when I get a chance.”
Gwen shivered, mind seemingly going to all the darker places that kind of decision might lead to. “Yeah, wow… It also makes me concerned about the human gender dynamics for the first time, but I guess that’s not something I should be worrying about.
No, it’s something I need to consider, Elinor internally groaned. One problem at a time…
“What about the other clans’ reactions to human integration?” she pressed.
The redhead perked back up. “Umm. The Delthax are cautious but cooperative. Young Nina is trying hard to fill Elder Chief Valdar’s shoes, but she’s clearly overwhelmed. The Plant Callers have been helpful with agricultural assessment, though, and our young dryad girl is a treat that a lot of the older women love to spoil,” she added with a chuckle.
“The Flex and Lethix are asking pointed questions about intermarriage prospects,” Lucky added with a wry smile. “The Delthax and Wixum are a bit squeamish about that, but the other two clans seem totally on board. I, ahem, had an…uncomfortable conversation with the Flex’s Elder Chief about the prospect that humans might be, eh…compatible.”
Elinor almost stumbled. They’re looking at humans as potential mates? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised…
She glanced at her mother in the back, who was staying silent but wearing a witchy smile. Mom, I know you mentioned some of the witches were wondering the same thing…
“Oh, no, sweetheart, none of them have been brave enough to approach a ri’bot to ask, and their biology is…intriguing. The male reproductive organ is on the tongue.”
…I remember you telling me that. I’ll leave that area to you to figure out with two…consenting parties. No mad experiments!
“Unless consenting!”
Just tell me the results, not the process. I have other things to consider.
“Of course! Of course! But, darling, it’s just biology.”
Yes, well, Klaus’ report about the nalvean women says otherwise and how an entire gender of a species can feel threatened by that same prospect. Apparently, there is a ‘Holy Empire’ of tree women to our far west who can breed with any race, and it’s basically nalvean suicide for males to engage with them.
“Oooh! Now that is fascinating. I want to know more!”
Mom… Elinor gave her mother a backward look that the others seemed to catch, remaining utterly silent. Were these…interests something you were into even back on Earth?
“Well,” her mother adjusted her hat and top, fidgeting a little, “I was into diverse biology, sweetheart, as a professor. Even I had my secret fiction stash of spicy content your father didn’t know about.”
And why did you decide to just tell me that, Elinor groaned. Never mind! Let’s just drop this topic.
“You asked… Sorry, perhaps that is something a mother should keep to herself,” Tiffany mumbled with a strained laugh and flushed cheeks. “It’s hard to separate some things for me still, mother versus witch monarch.”
The biological implications alone were staggering, never mind the social complexities and mental scaring she’d just endured. Suddenly, her mother’s initial eyeing of Grace had her questioning a few things about the witch—her current mother was her darkest impulses dragged to the surface.
“And the Xaltan?”
The tense mood swiftly sobered. “They’re…isolated,” Gwen carefully articulated, likely trying to puzzle through her current emotional state after her private conversation. “The other clans barely acknowledge their representative exists. They’ve been assigned menial labor tasks, mostly transportation and basic construction. There…are a lot of women, I’m told. It’s still a bit hard for me to tell the gender differences. Their few remaining warriors look broken.”
That needs to change, Elinor realized, rubbing her wrist behind her back. Marginalized populations festered into security risks. There can’t be collective guilt and punishment forever. The Xaltan needs to feel as if there is a path forward for them—a future—not just tolerated.
“We’ll address that in today’s meeting,” she decided.
They walked in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds their footsteps echoing through the ancient passages. As they navigated a familiar junction, her Nexus connection began picking up signals from her forces scattered throughout the city.
Elinor! came her father’s immediate mental voice, carrying both relief and concern. What happened? You forced Camellia to you and activated [Minion Break], so don’t tell me it was nothing! Are you injured? How much Death Energy do you have left? Do you need immediate support?
I’m fine, Dad, she replied, even as other voices began connecting through the network. The emergency is contained and Camellia is dealing with it. I’ve even got a brand new prize to show everyone. Where are you currently?
“En route to your position with Garu. ETA approximately fifteen minutes…if we can find our way through these damn halls!”
Yes, we’ll make maps, but turn around, Dad, she ordered, feeling his immediate resistance. No buts! The threat has been neutralized and tracked. Camellia is handling reconnaissance. Your architectural projects are more important right now than providing backup for a situation that’s already resolved.
The silence that returned was deafening, and she caught her mother’s absent spinning fingers, telling her to double down with the reassurance; he was daddy grizzly mode and needed to be smacked in the face with soothing words to cool down the beast.
Dad, I’m fine. I have plenty of Death Orbs, Mom’s with me, and the threat seems to have moved to the northern half of the city… I’m sorry I didn’t call you, but I needed Camellia’s talents for this one.
“…No, that’s perfectly fine. You were thinking about the future with her senses and hunting… Very well. I’ll get the details from your mother.”
“Yes, I’m here, darling. We can have a private moment about it very soon and I can give you all the details,” she broke in, shooting her a wink her mother would often do when she’d done something stupid and needed her to smooth the waters before telling her dad. “It is actually significant and I think you’ll love the future prospects.”
Letting her mom handle her bullheaded father like the pro she was, Elinor moved onto different topics. Other voices filtered through the Nexus as she came closer to the palace—Ash confirming preparations for the meeting, members of her Serving Court reporting on construction progress, and scouts providing updates on the approaching human groups.
“Empress,” came Camellia's voice through the network. “I’ve traced the hybrid’s path. It used maintenance tunnels to reach the Industrial Production District, then accessed the underground rail system. The trail leads toward an unusual hole in the northern wall, three-hundred meters below the surface. It shows signs of slow repair, but was likely created by the female two years ago in a weak point within the runic design.”
Did the male follow?
“To the hole, yes, but it paused for a time before it, attacking several clusters of the crustaceans. It may be hurt…but I believe it wounded itself on purpose in order to fit through the female’s much smaller hole.”
Well, I suppose you should seal it up for now and do a sweep of the northern area above ground to be sure it’s not lingering around the city. We’ll investigate that hole properly once we’ve secured the immediate area around and within the fortress.
“Understood.”
It was then that she learned the runner had brought a letter from Butter that was waiting for her.
Ash, she called through the Nexus as they navigated the final stretch of service tunnels.
“Yes, Empress?”
The letter from Butter that the runner delivered—have it ready in the strategic room. I want to review it before the clan meeting.
“Already prepared. It’s actually sealed with wax.”
Of course it is. I bet she took advantage of everything she could get from the US government, but, from what I understand, she helped solve a few huge issues…and caused a few more. I bet they gave her whatever she wanted just to get rid of her fatty ass.
“Only you can speak about the High Queen like that, Empress,” Ash snickered.
Elinor caught the slight hesitation in his mental voice. Yes, I know, my little sister can bring out the ‘best’ in anyone, including me.
“That, she can do, I am told. I’m looking forward to seeing how White looks now that she’s been officially resurrected…as in, alive. I heard Adoncia has become quite the powerhouse after her Oni transformation. A few of the maids are bubbling with excitement if such a transformation is possible for them.”
Yes, well, as usual, my twin has unloaded all sorts of random baggage to deal with. When I have an answer, the Serving Court will know.
“Just as I told them, Empress. The High Queen also included detailed manifests, supply lists, and what appears to be a complete organizational chart for the incoming groups. Also, several addendums about equipment and…other considerations.”
Other considerations? No, she didn’t tell anyone those, did she? She just said it to the runner so it would annoy me and I’d open it up immediately. That brat…
“I left it on the desk.”
Noted… On another topic, gather as many tarps and large wagons as you can. I need you to bring them down to the Agricultural District. Lucky can give you directions to where Carlos is breaking down its parts. I have a new mount that will make my address to the new arrivals something special. Well…if I can raise it. That has yet to be seen.
“Oh?” Ash’s interest seemed to peak. “I’ll see to it personally.”
The service tunnels finally opened into the familiar corridors of the Administrative Core, and Elinor felt a measure of relief as they reached areas with proper lighting and ventilation. The quen’talrat construction was impressive, but the maintenance passages had clearly been designed for utility rather than comfort.
“Finally,” Lucky muttered, stretching his back as they emerged. “I was starting to feel like a mole.”
“The exercise is good for you,” Gwen teased, though she looked equally relieved to be back in more familiar corridors within known territory.
“Projection?” he shot back with a wink, poking her side. “I’m undead, remember? Perfect body. I’m practically a Greek god!”
“Oh, not even! And what are you saying about me, hmm?! Hey!”
The pair were already bickering like an old married couple, but it did lighten her mood slightly.
They made good time through the Administrative Core, passing various members of Elinor’s Serving Court who provided brief status updates as they moved when questioned. The efficiency of the Nexus communication meant that most routine matters were handled without requiring her direct intervention, but the accumulated weight of information was substantial.
Construction progress in the residential conversion zones, food storage assessments, medical facility preparations, security patrol rotations—the empire was functioning, but the scale of incoming changes would test every system they’d established. Luckily, Lucky and Gwen had found a good source of extra food just in case.
“Empress,” came the smooth, honey-like voice as they approached the strategic planning room. Theresa, the former pianist turned Songweaver, approached with a stack of papers. “The cultural integration committee has prepared preliminary recommendations for entertainment and morale programs.”
Summary? Elinor asked, accepting the papers while continuing to walk.
“Music therapy sessions for adjustment stress, organized storytelling events to share cultural traditions, and recreational activities to build community bonds,” the motherly head maid replied, falling into step beside them. “We’re also proposing skill-sharing workshops—humans teaching Earth knowledge and ri’bot sharing valley survival techniques.”
Approved, Elinor decided immediately. Coordinate with Gwen on scheduling and resource allocation. And I know you are very busy already, handling something Lucky’s staff should be doing and not maid duties, but I plan to resurrect more Serving Staff shortly. We are already stretched thin, and that’s before Butter’s insane problems she’s dumped on my plate.
“Thank you, Empress, and I am here to serve in whatever position you require. Additionally, the letter from High Queen Butter is on your desk—it’s quite thick.”
I heard…
Her mother broke away to meet with her father, lugging along her giant runic tablet. At the same time, Gwen and Lucky split with those pulling the hand cart to organize a return trip for more goods.
Theresa and her reached the strategic planning room after several more minutes of walking until finally passing through the palace doors. Elinor immediately spotted the letter in question. Multiple pages of Butter’s own handwriting that made her pause—this was the first time she realized that her sister actually wrote a letter.
Butter must be so proud of herself…empowered. Why didn’t I think about it when we had our first meal together as a family? Ever since we first met, she’s been a chain on my leg I’ve been dragging, her soul damaged, trying her best to fight to be useful to me… Were there times she felt like she was dragging me down?
Her gut wanted to vomit at the very thought, recalling how vain, egotistical, and totally self-absorbed her twin appeared on the surface, but her heart told her something more…and maybe it was because they were connected spiritually so closely now.
Butter went off on her own…and came back triumphant. To her, this wasn’t just about conquest, it was about proving to me she wasn’t just a fat butterfly who happened to be attached to my soul… She wants to show her worth as my little sister…
You must have been under far more stress than you let others see…because that’s you. Happy all the time. Unbothered, carefree, picture of a bird taking flight.
Her mood immediately softened as Theresa took up an invisible position along the wall, waiting to be of use. Elinor took the sealed letter out of the stack of general reports—her personal letter to her.
The wax seal bore Butter’s characteristic flourishes—small butterflies and flowers pressed into the golden wax, with what looked suspiciously like actual glitter mixed in.
Of course she found glitter on Earth, Elinor thought with fond exasperation. She also came up with her own personal seal… I’m kind of jealous, little sis. Maybe I should make one myself.
Breaking the seal, she unfolded multiple pages of Butter’s flowing handwriting; it really did look beautiful and well-practiced. The paper itself seemed to shimmer slightly, and Elinor caught the faint scent of jasmine and Life Force attached to it.
Dearest Sister and Most Magnificent Empress,
I hope this letter finds you well and not too terribly annoyed with me! I realize I may have been somewhat…optimistic—yes, optimistic is a good word for me!—in my initial descriptions of our incoming guests, so I thought I should provide a few additional details that might be helpful for your planning. Aren’t I just the best?!
No, you’re the worst, Butter! Is probably your immediate thought, she continued, making Elinor smile. What has this golden sack of lard done this time?! Be humble, Butter. Don’t get a big head! Yes, yes, but you do know we are twins, so any insult to my fatiness in any area is also attributed to you, dear sister! Hahaha! I can always win this argument with that.
Elinor shook her head. It was the typical Butter.
First, the absolutely wonderful news! The groups are remarkably well-organized and disciplined. No major incidents during the journey so far, and the undead escorts have been performing their duties admirably. Thank you, big sis! Yes, you can thank me, too! Be humble, Priss, gosh…
Ahem. The witches I assigned to each group have been invaluable for medical support and keeping everyone’s spirits up. I do hope you’re proud of how well our people are managing such a massive undertaking! Of course, with my leadership, it’s only natural.
Now, about those “few additional details” I may not have mentioned…
The corpse situation has grown somewhat larger than initially estimated. Current count stands at approximately 127,000 bodies, ranging from recently deceased to preserved remains going back several decades.
Many families have brought multiple generations—grandparents, children, aunts, uncles, and some religious groups have brought what they call “blessed martyrs” they hope to consult about theological matters. I know it sounds overwhelming, but think of the opportunities! An entire civilization’s worth of knowledge and experience waiting to join our empire!
Elinor’s grip on the letter tightened. Blessed martyrs? You must be joking! And one hundred and twenty-seven thousand. She actually wrote it down this time instead of just mentioning it casually. You are something special, sis…
She got back to the letter, rubbing between her eyes and trying to keep a smile on her lips. Additionally, several of the incoming groups have brought rather impressive amounts of equipment. The medical people have three fully-equipped field hospitals (they call them MASH units), the engineering group has heavy machinery including something called “excavators” that look divine…but will take time to transport, along with the “bulldozers,” and the agricultural group has seeds, livestock embryos, and farming implements that could revolutionize food production! So, I’m not being careless. See, I can plan ahead.
But here’s the most exciting part! I managed to secure not one…but three CH-47 Chinook helicopters with full maintenance crews and fuel supplies! Well, your witches are taking the wind out of my sail with the detail about converting them to magic, but the point stands!
The pilots are absolutely thrilled about exploring flying in this new world. They keep asking about “air traffic control” and “flight patterns,” which I think means they want to map out the best routes through our territory. There’s so many people talking to me that I keep spinning in circles! I love it! Isn’t that wonderful?
Elinor paused, staring at that paragraph. Three military helicopters. With crews. And fuel. Her mind drifted to the soldiers she’d brought back with her from Earth when she touched down to talk a week earlier.
Many of their initial Colombian group were already wondering and whispering about the very public entrance, and due to members of the Serving Court having living members, news had spread that it had been their high queen on that helicopter. It opened up a lot of speculation and some hope for a return to Earth…to normality.
Butter, for all your good in wanting to come back with resources and jumpstart our empire, you’ve caused so many problems. I’ll need to address that in the meeting and explain the details, likely make a written notice for them to spread around so the message doesn’t get lost in a game of telephone.
She sat back and stared at a few lines, resting her head on the back of her hand.
Also, 127,000 resurrections…even with the empire’s growth through all these people coming into the empire, that’s more than the actual living we currently have. They’ll expect a grand showcase of my power and I bet Butter hasn’t tempered their expectations.
Has she even considered how much Death Energy that will cost me? Is it a challenge to push me? No, she’s definitely daring me to prove I can handle this scale of expansion.
Even if it is, it isn’t that easy, Butter. It means I need to find a better solution to my Death Energy requirements to maintain the empire. Not even the Colombians know that if I don’t have the needed cost by the end of the day, their loved ones I raised turn to dust…
Elinor’s vision narrowed while fixating on the various groups and military she’d talked about. Then there are these living soldiers… Butter has essentially obtained her own personal army. In and of itself, they’re still under the empire, but they will be initially more loyal to Butter, her vision, and style of governance than mine…
More problems, sis, but with some decent payoff in the end.
Her thoughts also immediately went to the wyvern corpse Carlos was currently dismembering.
She somehow acquired military aircraft with experienced crews, missiles, and probably a lot more she’s not telling me about. Also, these military groups that joined have their own command structure. There will be a need to properly break them into the empire.
Perhaps a showing is necessary and it will also show I’m taking their incorporation seriously. And just like Butter, I should make a show of it… After all, hopefully, I’ll have a royal mount here soon in a radiant flying lizard. She may have helicopters, but mine is an evolutionary anomaly from an alien gorilla mad scientist research zone. Take that, Butter.
The comparison was both humbling and amusing. Once again, they were competing.
There are also some…cultural considerations…that may require your delicate touch. Several of the religious groups have conflicting theological positions about resurrection ethics. The Catholics are concerned about souls and divine will, the Evangelicals are excited about my “biblical resurrection,” and there’s a Buddhist group that’s philosophically fascinated but worried about karmic implications—I had to joke to Rachel with that one back on Earth. I’ve done my best to prepare them for life in an empire, but you know how people can be about deeply held beliefs.
The academic people include some rather…spirited personalities who may not adapt immediately to autocratic governance. There are professors, researchers, doctors, and even a few former government officials who are used to committees and debates rather than imperial decrees. But, hey, Klaus did good! I tried to explain that our wisdom surpasses any democratic process, but some of them seem attached to concepts like “peer review” and “constitutional rights.” I’m sure you’ll sort them out quickly! They get too nervous around me to really talk.
Elinor sat back and could picture her flirtatious little sister, glowing with divine beauty chipping away at them. Yeah, I wonder why. You totally know what you’re doing. You just want to push them on me because it’s boring to you and you’d rather have fun dancing.
Sighing, she held up the page with a small smile.
On a more personal note, Priss, I want you to know how much this mission meant to me. Not just because of what we accomplished, but because you trusted me to handle it independently. After so long feeling like…well, like dead weight attached to your magnificent, flawless, gothic-blah!—presence… Sorry, I couldn’t keep it up. You need to wear more color! Be a little less stoic and scary. Let people see you shine!
No, no. We are opposites after all. I wouldn’t want you to also fight for my spotlight as the most gorgeous blonde in existence! Jokes aside, being able to contribute something meaningful to our empire has been profoundly important to me. Thank you, big sister.
I know I often hide behind jokes and cheerful chatter, but the truth is that proving my worth to you—as your sister, as your High Queen, as someone deserving of the title “twin”—has been my deepest desire since the moment we first met… When I awoke, bleeding all over your inner soul, and you just…accepted me.
Elinor’s lips drew together, emotion bubbling up in her chest and undead heart that rarely ever reacted in such ways after her death. She kept going, knowing how hard this probably was for her twin. They both had a certain strange instinct to distrust and be combative toward each other, yet this newest life was different, and it was bearing fruit.
This expedition wasn’t just about discovering what the Susime were all about, recruiting humans, or gathering resources. It was about showing you that Butter, your radiant, egotistical, fatty butterfly of a little sister, could spread her wings and achieve something worthy of our empire while not screwing everything up…and there were times I almost did.
I hope when you see everything I’ve worked for in my absence, you’ll understand that every decision I made was made with love and respect for my vision of sitting beside you…of our vision of family. I wanted to bring you not just numbers, but possibilities. Not just bodies, but minds and hands and hearts ready to build something unprecedented.
I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now, but the helicopters come with weaponry, by the way! Machine guns, rockets, and something the pilots call “door guns.” They were very enthusiastic about demonstrating “close air support” for our forces. I thought you might find that useful for future conquests.
I’ve included detailed manifests, organizational charts, skill assessments, and integration recommendations for each group. Everything you need to transform this chaos into order, this potential into power, because I know you hate disorder! You’re all about structure, so I leave a bunch of it to you to structure!
Elinor snorted at that. Basically, you’re saying you left all the hard parts to me… Not that I don’t enjoy that. And what in the world is with this ending? she asked herself, chest shaking with silent laughter.
Your loving sister, eager to return to your side and hear about your own adventures,
Butter
High Queen of Nethermore, Conqueror of the Earthly Realm, and Proudest Twin Sister in Any Dimension, And Lover of all Fatty Sweets!
P.S. - Adoncia has become absolutely remarkable since her oni transformation. I think the other maids might be interested in similar enhancements, if such options become available. We should experiment to let them blossom!
P.P.S. - White keeps insisting that our success was “tactically inevitable given superior leadership and strategic planning,” but I think she’s just being modest about her own contributions.
P.P.P.S. - I miss our conversations terribly. Maybe you can come visit me, so I can tell you about everything in person! I have so many stories about my adventures with the humans, with Rachel and Scarlet and this adorable magical girl—did I mention the weird cat girl?—that I’m practically bursting to share.
Loves and kisses!
Your adorable little sister.
Elinor set the letter down slowly, her throat tight with unexpected emotion. The casual mention of “dead weight” hit harder than any of the logistical challenges Butter had created.
She’s been carrying that burden this entire time, Elinor realized, rereading those lines. Thinking she was dragging me down, when she’s been one of my greatest assets from the very beginning. Honestly, I wouldn’t be here without you, little sis. Those early moments, it really was tight for us.
Although, with that being said, you’ve really jumped the gun, as usual, and expect me to pick up all the pieces. I suppose, if I attribute this in good faith…it means you believe this much in my abilities. That leaves a complicated twist in my heart, sis. I’m going to have to ground them in reality, though.
Over a hundred thousand corpses is not realistic in the short term unless we can find something that drastically changes our situation, and the majority of those resurrected will naturally want to gravitate toward the Serving or Judicial Court. That isn’t necessarily bad, and it would help settle the living much more comfortably, but I need more than unintelligent undead ri’bot as fighters for my empire.
The military helicopters, the organized groups, the overwhelming corpse situation—all of it suddenly made sense. Butter hadn’t just been recruiting for the empire, she’d been trying to prove that she deserved to be her twin while pushing her to step up.
What a cheeky little sister you are…
“Theresa,” she said quietly, her voice carefully controlled.
“Yes, Empress?”
“Send word to the clan representatives. The meeting is delayed by one hour.” She stood, folding the letter carefully. “And prepare writing materials. I need to compose a response immediately.”
“Of course, Empress. Shall I have it sent with the next runner?”
“No,” Elinor replied, a small smile playing at her lips as she thought about her golden butterfly sister. “I’ll deliver this one personally. I think I’ll surprise our High Queen with my own visit after raising my newest mount. She’s earned that much.”
As Theresa departed to make the arrangements, Elinor remained alone with Butter’s letter, processing the magnitude of what her sister had accomplished. One hundred and twenty-seven thousand potential resurrections, fifty-thousand living, three military aircraft, and enough skilled professionals to accelerate the empire’s development by decades and support their father.
My sister, the conqueror of Earth, she thought with a mixture of pride and exasperation. She didn’t just open the floodgates—she diverted an entire river.
But beneath the logistical challenges and political complications, one thing was crystal clear: Butter had proven herself worthy of being called High Queen of Nethermore and her co-equal, to a point. Not because of what she’d brought back, but because she’d shown she could challenge that instinctual drive to murder her…and call her her big sister.
Time to show my little sister that I can handle whatever chaos she throws at me—and maybe return the favor with a few surprises of my own.
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