Stability - All things good come at a prize.

A new morning and Ulal spends it looking out of his office. Behind him Catherine groans as the daylight falls into his bedroom. Three days have passed since the people of Brikstrat have entered the city. In the following council he declared Zerine district leader of Erschja, the south-eastern district. She had been a bit reluctant, saying that she had no idea about art so giving her the lead over the artistic district would be a bit weird. Ulal had simply explained to her that her purpose was to govern and inspire, not to create art herself. In the end Zerine agreed.

Ever since then Ulal had spent his days with primarily two things, smoothing differences and helping the bureaucratic process. Now he is looking after the mass of people that is about to leave the city and go to Brikstrat to continue the rebuilding. It is a solely female mass, the males were quick to say that they see no reason to help rebuilding if they are going to stay here. Many females agreed but many more said that they wanted to remain a part of Estara.

There is Ulal’s current problematic. There are currently three thousand women that want to leave. Three thousand capable, schooled and most importantly energy spending people. He can’t have them leave and although they are bleeding people by the day they are still enough to rebuild the city.

Ulal looks at the Focus Throne. The ornate chair is brimming with power as the energy of seven-thousand people pulsates through it. Many enchantments have become active by now but many still lay passive.

“What are you staring at that Throne for?” Catherine asks. Covered only by a blanket she walks to the window. “Pondering about my next moves.” Ulal says and turns back to the outside. “I can’t have them succeed in rebuilding Brikstrat. I need to convince them that living here is better, that Estara is the worse choice.”

Catherine nods, “I understand. Well, the warm homes surely don’t hurt in the coming cold months.” “That is not good enough.” Ulal mutters. “The closer they come to rebuilding the city the more people will be reinvigorated. I want the opposite. I need them to give up in mass, the remainders will despair and the whole movement will break apart.”

“What is your plan then?” Catherine asks and walks back into the bedroom to grab her robes. Ulal once again looks at the throne. “I need to blind them with luxury. Warm homes are already good but what about private waterways? Heated water, Enchanted objects, public and private kitchens.” “All of that is in the plans, isn’t it?” Catherine shouts from the bedroom as she dresses, “But you will need more people to get all of that to work.”

Ulal makes his decision. “Catherine.” He says in a serious tone. “You and the council will have to reign over the city for a while.” The apprentice is shocked and stumbles out of the bedroom just in time to see Ulal sit down, “What are you doing?”

The Focus Throne is meant to be a binding point for all the energy in the city, the person that sits on it can redistribute the power into different circuits or even use it for some giant spell. However, one could just as easily give ones one power to the circuit from here. Hans did it by directly coming into touch with the magic but that is a thing only a being as powerful as him could do.

“Giving the energy needed.” Ulal says and closes his eyes. The energy leeches away from him as he taps into the magical circuit and concentrates everything he can give into it. “Tell the council they will have to work without me for a while.” He says, his voice slowly fainting into a whisper. “And don’t you dare fuck this up.” He falls into a half-conscious state.

Catherine stares at her master and then outside. In the twilight of morning a purple spreads through the runes of the city. As it hits everything every single enchantment becomes active, the fountain’s stream becomes stronger, the stones become warm and wet as the ice that settled down over the night melts, the whole city fills with magical energy.

Catherine looks again at Ulal. Leaned back in the throne, arms resting on the sides, feet firmly on the ground as he sits there, eyes closed. “We better not then.” She says and walks away.

Powering the life energy of three thousand people. It is not much energy per person but it adds up to an insane sum. Not as insane as transmuting a hole into a mountain but still a fairly ludicrous amount of power.

Catherine walks on the stairs and always fall as they suddenly start moving under her. An enchantment she completely forgot about, the stairs wind down quickly and she arrives at the bottom floor.

Hours later she explains the situation to the council. “So, we, uh, have to do this without, Lo-, Ulal?” Zerine asks. The brunette is looking considerably better in the red dress, the bruises on her face having all swelled down to unsightly dark blue marks that are getting smaller by the day.

“Correct.” Aclysia says. “You seem pretty calm about this.” Catherine says, “I expected it.” The immortal simply states. “We discussed the possibility.” That is no surprise to Catherine, Ulal always talked to Aclysia about something. With the way Uklag revered her that is nothing weird.

“All we have to do now is make sure that everything stays intact.” Catherine taps on the table. “Zerine, Glenn you two are best suited to deal with the public. Please tell them that Ulal is working his hardest to invent things that will make life even easier.” Glenn nods but Zerine looks a bit taken aback, “Why should we lie about this?” “Because the fact that the city leeches power is not common knowledge and we would rather have it stay that way.” Tarzana says, she smiles brightly, not at all fazed by the announcement of Ulal’s preoccupation, “The normal person is not happy with such a fact. Just think about what your reaction was.”

Zerine gives in; she indeed had been shocked by just about everything that was revealed to her at her first council attendance. “Okay.” She says weakly. “Good. Aclysia you and I will make sure that some of such inventions actually hit the market. The economy is pretty stable I hear?” Glenn nods, “The Sander system works well even with the newcomers. Although we have some problems with the bureaucratic side.” “Then give some people who are willing to work for a short duration a bonus. Just make it very clear that they will have to work elsewhere once the crisis is deal with.” Catherine commands and turns to Tarzana. “I hate to rely on you again.” She says towards the Cult leader, “But you are the only one with enough people to keep the schooling effort going. Will you do that?” “Of course.” Tarzana agrees happily.

“Good, I will also inform the army to patrol the streets and make sure that the law is abided by.” Catherine says. “Anything else?” The question is met with silence. “Then go after you individual tasks.”

Author’s note:

HELLO!

Do not ask. That is becoming my greeting these days. Whatever. Funatic here, you might know me because you are reading my story. Also from other announcements. This is another SIDE STORY HUB! YES! AREN’T YOU EXCITED?!?

So who will get the honour this time while Ulal is stuck on the throne?

Catherine – A story about District Arcana and the search for more mages.

Aclysia –Alchemy and a glimpse into her thoughts.

Glenn and Zerine – The normal people stuck in a political landscape of superhumans and mages.

Tang – Keeping the public peace as well as dealing with a stalker

Tarzana – Spreading the Cult and fighting the Schism

Also some other chapters that concentrate on interesting newcomers that Ulal has to deal with personally. I won’t spoil you who is coming but it won’t be another writer so don’t get your hopes up.

This time around the side stories do have actual heavy story relevancy, especially Glenn’s, Aclysia’s and Tarzana’s. I suggest you read all of them, even if the main path is available again.

That is all.

Funatic OUT!