Nightmare

"Here." Alanna was pointing at a spot on a map in the back of one of the histories from my library. "This is your perfect spot."

I looked closer at the map "What makes a small human village near the Elven border perfect?"

"It didn't use to be a human village, this whole area was in Elven territory when Tomoko was sent by the Gods of Light to stop the war between the Empire and Elves that was going on then, back before the Grand Alliance. My father told me the whole story. She took the human's side, gave them every thing they wanted in the peace deal. Refused to even acknowledge she was Elven. But she'll remember this spot, and worst comes to worst nothing of value to you will be lost if it comes to a fight."

"Sounds good."

.

Earlier I'd listened in on the conversation between Citrinas and Tomoko herself, the Arc-Imago who had swiftly become my right hand maneuvered her masterfully.

"Tomoko, this is Citrinas, are you hearing me?"

"Citrinas! What's been going on? I've been trying to reach everyone and no one has been answering me!"

"I've been unavailable since your Empire attacked the Technocracy."

"What! The Technocracy attacked the Empire! It's why I've been trying to talk to you. They just blew Nordington off the map!"

"I assure you the Empire attacked first. I was standing on the deck of the Broadside when a group of men with bombs ran out screaming "Long live the Empire" before it and the members of the council I was trying to talk to about Elmeria's disappearance were blown to pieces. I only escaped **** by teleporting away before my shields were overcome."

"Are you serious!? I don't know anything about that, and Elmeria is missing?"

"I'm always serious. You know that. Elmeria's Runestone went off my network some weeks ago, I've been looking for her ever sense. With her gone and a attack that might have been aimed at me as much as the Technocracy something seriously wrong is going on with the Empire I think. I've heard rumors of aggressions by them against the Dwarves and Elves as well. Apparently Alkadabuki's ambassador to the Empire also left after some serious insults were made and now she is refusing to talk to me as well."

"I don't know anything about any of that!"

"I suggest you look into it then, because it sounds like you're being used. I'm going to check the last location I heard from Elmeria, if I find anything I'll let you know."

It was a bit spooky listening to Citrinas talking in her emotionless monotone again, sometimes I forget just how far she's come. Hearing the panic in Tomoko's heavy accent on the other hand filled me with confidence.

.

The village in question was simplicity itself to pacify, I just sent in Hali and the flock and the next thing I knew the human peasants couldn't do enough for me. Betray the Champion of Light? Sure, no problem! Being immune to Hali's manipulations I forget just how scary she really is. I may have dabbled in Mind Control but she's been practicing it for centuries. She didn't have the insight I did into Tomoko's hidden demons though so while I was manipulating her during the confrontation she'd be backing me up on a wider spectrum.

It turns out she could project more than just lust. She told me projecting trust made her illusions near unbreakable and fear was an excellent way to clear out animals but for this depression, angst, and dread would be the ticket. Citrinas was also sure our disguises would hold up since while Tomoko was more powerful than any of us individually she was not against Leraje, Halicarnassus, and her working together.

Elmeria was in on the trap as well playing her mindbroken self, I would be the local Priest trying to heal her. Hali, Lera, Tits, Isona and even Gaia herself would remain hidden nearby unless they were needed. I figured having too many of my girls around might tip off the Hero of Light so was just going with the best of my heavy hitters. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma were also within teleportation range with as many as they could bring with though in case I needed to call in the cavalry.

It was too bad my mana sink trick wouldn't work this time, but Citrinas assured me Tomoko would notice anything like that right off. No our best bet was psychological. She was off balance and hopefully felt cut off, maybe even betrayed, by her precious humanity. Hopefully this meant any mental defenses would have cracks a mile wide I could slip past and she has plenty of issues I could exploit. My biggest worry was just what path her melt down would take.

Everyone in place Citrinas laid out a destination rune giving Tomoko a place to teleport to then gave her a call.

"Tomoko, I found something you're going to want to see. Are you available?"

"Citrinas? Uh yeah. Yeah, it's a good time to be away from here."

"I've set you a rune, normal configuration."

"I'll be right there."

And then she was. Tomoko looked like a pale skinned elf with a wealth of long golden blonde hair, and she radiated power. Her voluminous red and white dress didn't look much like it was made for fighting in but the light purple swords crossed behind her back said otherwise. Interestingly she also wore a crown, I wondered if she was actually considered Empire royalty or if she just wore it because she felt like it. Possibly both I suppose if she **** them to acknowledge her claim. She also looked rather frazzled and sleep deprived, excellent.

"Citrinas where are?" She started asking while looking about, but stopped and got a bit more pale apparently recognizing the village. "Why are we here?" Her tired voice had gained a bit of an edge there.

"This is where I found Elmeria." She pointed to the Dark Elf who was sitting in a wheeled chair staring off into the distance, a bit of drool escaping her mouth. "Some one broke her mind, the priest here found her and has been trying to heal her."

"Elmiria!" Tomoko gasped and rushed up to her, taking a limp hand in both of hers. "What happened to you?"

"I'm afraid I don't have specifics my Lady." I told her in my human guise "She was found not far from here surrounded by a number of Imperial troops who were all dead, apparently by her hand. I was able to heal her body but so far have been unable to reach her mind."

"Why? Why would He do this? First Elmeria, then Citrinas, and now driving a wedge between me and Alkadabuki? I don't understand."

"I think it should be fairly obvious. World conquest, with you as his weapon. The real question is what will you do about it. Are you going to turn on your friends for your Empire?" Citrinas was still playing it bland but her question had some real bite to it.

Tomoko acted as if slapped turning back to the Arch-Imago. "No! I'd never turn on my friends! You know that, don't you Rina?" Such heartbreak in her voice. Halli was definitely having an effect. Time to strike.

I reached out to her mind and could feel the cracks in her persona. No defenses strangely, but still a core of great power. I'd have to be very careful about this so I applied as gentle a touch upon her mind as I could.

.

Suddenly I found myself on a flat empty plain. Ooookay I thought, what the hell is this? It was dark and bitter cold and very faintly I thought I could hear sobbing noises. I tried to concentrate on that and suddenly I was standing behind a small Asian child crying over a pair of graves. her parents? Flanked by uncaring relatives that saw her only as a burden. I was getting a lot of subtext here and obviously I was in Tomoko's mind. Interesting.

Then the graves were gone and the child was older and playing with another young Asian girl. Tag or something similar I thought. I was getting a lot of subtext again here, feelings of a lonely childhood alleviated by the finding of this second child. Her best friend that did everything together with her. Then suddenly the second girl was in front of an oncoming car while they played and now the girl who was obviously a young and still human Tomoko was cradling her friends broken body.

Another shift in scenery. A much older Tomoko, high school age I thought, was approaching a boy. Confessing her love for him, and now there was a crowd of children around them laughing and belittling her. Including the object of her infatuation.

Now we were in a small bedroom, and Tomoko was a young woman. Afraid to go outside. Afraid of humiliation and rejection. Afraid to stay inside. Afraid of being alone. I got the feeling this went on for many long years. Shut away from the world, trapped with the demons in her head.

I saw her raise the knife, a simple kitchen tool, and prepare to plunge in into her own heart to stop the pain. I couldn't let her do it. I reached out and caught her hand.

Suddenly we were in front of the graves again only now the child clung to my hand and the unfeeling adults were gone.

Then again with the children at play only the car crashed to a stop by my hand and the girls were unharmed.

Now young Tomoko was handing her confession to me, there was no laughter.

Back to the small bedroom. Tomoko looked up at me in wonder and put the knife in my hand then smiled.

.

Everything seemed to shatter and suddenly I was back in the village holding Tomoko's hand preventing her from driving one of her swords into her breast. She was looking into my actual eyes having pierced the illusion. She said simply "You." in a quiet voice and then fainted into my arms.

"Someone want to explain to me what the ever living fuck just happened?" I demanded.