Arrive back home.

The sun is nearly set by the time your party reaches Castle Phoenix. It's dark, though the sky still has a hint of blue--hardly any clouds, though the moon is bright. It's quite imposing to see the silhouette of the castle walls blanketed in darkness, though it also feels amazing. It's all yours after all. You can't imagine anybody taking you down in the same way you defeated Sa'dis. That man was arrogant and foolish, and his people were barely loyal in comparison. You aren't trying to raise an army. This is a home.

You take a deep breath in as you stop through the entrance.

Eva, Niki, and Amara are quite exhausted. They say they're going to take a load off inside--eat, rest, eventually sleep. You reply that you'll going to join them, but first, you just want to take a brief walk through the illuminated streets of what's effectively your own village.

Peony takes your hand as the others stroll away. "Pardon me, m'lord."

You turn. "What is it--"

The dryad lifts one leg and pushes her petal-soft lips against your mouth. The kiss lingers for a moment before she slowly pulls away with a smile. "Thank you for everything today."

"Oh. It's no problem at all," you reply. The moonlight almost makes her look like she's glowing. She really is a beautiful woman. A being of pure nature.

She giggles and then begins skipping off. "I'm just going to check in on all my little flower babies, so call me if you need me!" The gentle laughter continues to be heard as it gradually disappears into the night.

At least for this moment, you're left alone to relax.

The distant sound of birds, the gentle breeze--it's an incredibly comfortable walk. Everybody is inside eating dinner or getting ready for bed, so you're left to enjoy this brief refuge from the noise that often comes with many of the residents. Not that it's a bad thing. You've become rather accustomed to the chaos after all this time. It actually feels a little wrong now when things are so peaceful.

You spot a figure not far away. It's standing out in the grass with a rake, cleaning up fallen leaves from the trees around it. You don't recognize who it is, though they're wearing a straw hat and overalls.

It's a woman. As you near, you make out her bright pale skin and her red eyes in the shadow of night.

Who could that be?

She watches as you approach. Even when you become close enough to see her properly, it takes a long moment of staring to discern who it is. Then it hits you--her complexion, her beauty, her fangs. It's Catherine, the high vampire. You've only seen her as Dajy's plaything for so long, yet here she is before you, cleaning up autumn leaves. Not only that, but she looks completely different.

Apart from her hat, she wears black overalls that look incredibly similar to what Laira wears, though she actually wears a top beneath them. Her white, button-up shirt is quite fancy and the sleeves reach her wrists. She has a pair of matching boots with crimson studs and trim along the bottom. Her hair has been cut as well. Now it's quite short, like a bob-cut, except the bangs are styled to hang all the way over her right eye. Upon that is a streak of red from her scalp which boldly contrasts against her black hair. An expensive looking earring is pierced through her left ear--a silver skull with ruby eyes. While she may be a farmer right now, she still stands with an imposing demeanour, and her natural curves can't be so easily hidden.

She rests the rake against the tree nearby, brushes a hand through her hair, and steps right up to you with a piercing visage. "You've returned."

"... Uh. I have, yes," you say with a step backwards. "Is this another one of Dajy's games?"

Catherine lets out a long sigh. "Lord Warren. I need to speak with you."

"Lord?"

"I want to join this place. And I mean for real. Not as a pet, but as one of your people. Don't mistake this for me being tamed, all right? It isn't like that. I'm a grown woman, and far older than you. Remember. I was the first Queen Catherine. After me was Queen Francine I, and then Queen Francine II. Then finally, the Queen Catherine II you know today. No, it was only partially because of Dajy. She may have broken down my defenses, but it opened my eyes and made me think about my life, and my choices. Can you guess what went on between her and I?"

"I'm imagining a lot of bondage stuff," you reply.

She crosses her arms. "Well stop imagining it. Yes, she treated me as a toy, which I admit wasn't the worst thing I've experienced, but she also spoke of interesting things. Spoke of you. You have to understand. I've lived for many years, and it's incredibly rare to meet somebody in power who cares as much as you do."

"She set you free and you didn't run away, so that's all the proof I need."

Catherine removes her hat, tosses it aside, and runs both her hands back through her hair with a deep hum. "You know, my plan was to rule Tivera. After Sa'dis completed his plan of taking over. But I don't hate the queen. I thought a lot about how she's... well, my only family member alive. I want to save her. I hardly know anything of this Thadius, but I want to see him pay." She steps closer to you once again and grabs onto your shirt. "So don't mistake any of this for me going soft. I've lurked as a harbinger of the shadows for longer than you've been alive. But I'll say this. You're already a far better man than Sa'dis ever was."

You place a hand over hers upon your chest. Her skin is cold. "I'm surprised Dajy gave up her toy."

She rolls her eyes and lets you go. "She had her fun. I know she got off tying up such a powerful woman, but you know, without her exploiting my weaknesses, I would best her in combat."

"So how could you serve somebody like me?"

"Leadership isn't just about power. I may not be of use in the daytime, but I'll be more than happy to serve as your ultimate creature of the night, Lord Warren, Demon King of Tivera."

Without her bound, I'm kinda scared to find out what would happen if I had to handle both her and Dajy at the same time. But a very specific kind of scared. The kind that makes my heart race.

"I'll be happy to have you, Catherine."

"Call me Cat. It'll be less confusing that way. You know, when we save my great great granddaughter."