Shattering (Victoria POV)

Victoria paces back and forth, listening to the report from the gate. With a sigh, she waves a hand, dismissing the messenger. As soon as they’re gone, she snatches a goblet off her desk, hurling it against the wall with a shout of rage. The glass shatters, splashing wine on the wall like a blood spatter.

Kaeli was taken. How was that possible? How could they dare? Victoria struggles to calm her anger, her mind clouded. There was a hollow feeling in her stomach that she couldn’t place. An unfamiliar emotion wells up in her, quickly suppressed. She didn’t get where she was by allowing emotions to get in the way.

It wasn’t even the taking of Kaeli that bothered her. In truth, the technomage had been less and less useful of late. Victoria ignores the faint sensation of loneliness and loss, choosing instead to rage at the audacity of the kidnapping. They simply took her, and walked out, and brushed aside any attempts to stop them.

From the descriptions, it could only be Nicholas and his pet golem girl. But the way rumors were flying about the fight at the gates, he must have learned some new tricks. Reports had a man in silver armor and a small red headed woman, moving at blinding speeds. They went through Victoria’s elite Nullifiers like nothing, leaving six of them dead in seconds, before vanishing like smoke.

As she regains her control, her door opens again. Victoria opens glares, prepared to shout at the person who would dare intrude unannounced. The words die unspoken when she sees Niran step inside. Two robed figures remain outside as he closes the door. Victoria is surprised to see that he has two hands once again, somehow having regained the one lost in the battle at Hope.

She can hear amusement in his voice as he speaks from the depths of his hood. “The Great One wishes to speak with us. I expect it’s over this latest failure of yours.”

Victoria clenches her fists. “MY failure? And what were you doing, mage?”

Niran shrugs. “I was in my lab. But it was your vaunted Nullifiers they went through to escape.”

Victoria huffs. “Fine. I heard no summons, though.”

“Nevertheless, he calls for us. Come.”

With that, Niran turns and walks out, followed by the robed figures. Victoria grits her teeth, stalking after them. Strangely, she can’t seem to skim their minds with her powers, but considering they seem to be working with Niran, that’s unsurprising. Niran’s mind has been untouchable for years.

A mystery for another day, then. Along with how he regrew his arm. For now, there was a likely angry god to explain things to. And then retaliation to plan.

Soon, they reach the chamber of the Great One. Victoria can hear that he’s agitated, pacing and muttering. She enters, followed closely by Niran. Strangely, the two others enter as well.

The Great One turns in the dim light of the chamber, his chains clanking. “What is happening? One of you has gone away! This cannot be!”

Victoria steps forward. “Kaeli was taken. The leader of the rebels…”

“ENOUGH! I do not need explanation. This cannot be allowed. The corruption must be contained!”

Victoria shakes her head. “I do not know what to do, Great One. They simply vanished.”

“Then she must be found. There is more going on than you know, Victoria. The barrier has fallen. And the corruption…something has changed.”

Victoria starts to speak, but Niran interrupts her. By laughing. “So, I’ve heard enough. I think it’s time to shed the pretense.”

Victoria turns to face Niran, as the mage lifts his hands, pulling back his hood. She gasps at the sight of him. Once, Niran was a relatively normal elven man, but now…

His skin is mottled grey, and there is something moving beneath the surface. His hair is gone, and his eyes are a strange, sickly glowing green. Niran smiles, showing rotted teeth.

“I am so much more than I was. The corruption is not a curse, it’s a gift. And the world will embrace it.”

Before Victoria can react, the robed figures sweep forward, grabbing her arms in an iron grip. Their strength is unnatural, holding her in place as Niran pulls a set of manacles from within his robes.

“I have too much to do to deal with you right now, so you’ll be joining the Great One in this cell while I set about making some…changes.”

With a laugh, he clamps the manacles around her wrists. Victoria gasps, feeling her magic being locked away as well. Suddenly weak, she drops to her knees. Niran chuckles, turning to the Great One, who is straining against his own chains fruitlessly.

“Niran! You traitor! You dare?!”

Niran shrugs. “Of course. I serve a new master now. The corruption speaks, and I listen. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have much to do. I’m sure Victoria will keep you company. At least until her mind finally submits to the greatness of the corruption.”

With that, he turns and walks out the door, his robed minions following behind. The Great One rages, shouting almost unintelligibly. And Victoria simply stares at the floor, her mind reeling from what just happened.