Finally, they reached the blackened ground and found nothing left of Gabriel. It was not even clear where his body had lain before.
"Guess it's not surprising he simply vaporised," Erik smirked wryly after jumping out of Elora's arms and looking around. "It's definitely what would have happened to us if I'd waited any longer with checking on him."
They did, however, find a few pieces left of Gabriel's weapon, and the source of that barrier. Just as before, it had likely created it's own, miniature barrier around itself, thus staving off the worst of the explosion, after which it's natural endurance also it to remain largely intact.
Waving her hand, Elora used her magic to gather the pieces, then handed them to Erik. "Maybe there's sothing interesting to learn there," she shrugged. "That barrier was certainly interesting."
Nodding in agreent, Erik scooped up the pieces into his dinsion. With that done, they looked around. For the first ti since arriving there, the city was silent. No more explosions rocked the place, nor did the harsh sound of screaming or fighting echo.
Ozone, dust, and ash still burned the nostrils, while disturbed aetherium fizzled in the air, but there was no more danger, and peace finally settled.
Erik and his wives looked at each other and smiled.
"I'd say the first expansion of our empire went exactly as planned, don't you think?" Elora asked Erik, grinning excitedly as the final tension left their group.
Smirking, Erik nodded. "I'm glad you're happy, love, because I think we all know who the administrative part of this acquisition falls to."
Elora's expression fell a little. Although she loved being the shadowy empress behind Erik's throne, she didn't enjoy the administrative duties that often fell on her… unfortunately, she was good at them, and too proud to do a bad job on purpose.
She preferred being the spy master and chief scientist over the steward.
Yet, there wasn't really anyone else who could do the job, either. Ankhur had his hands full with Enkare Nkai, and he wasn't really a part of their family, anyway. Erik himself would do a terrible job, and none of Erik's other wives or servants were particularly suited for the job, either.
Beside them, Astrid and Emma were doing everything they could not to look at Elora or end up in her view. They were practically whistling innocently, begging not to be noticed.
"We need to find you a wife or servant who's good at this kind of stuff," Elora grumbled softly, sending sideways glares at at her sister-wives.
Erik chuckled and shrugged, hands in his pockets. "Perhaps Nobuntu? From my impression, she's probably pretty good at that sort of stuff."
Smirking, Elora walked over to him and caressed his cheek with playful sensuality. "That's assuming you can actually conquer this one. She's not been very receptive, so far, has she?"
The corners of Erik's mouth twitched a little, as he was personally unhappy with how little progress he'd made towards lting that woman's heart and loins. He didn't necessarily feel like marrying her, but her cold and elegant deanour made him desire to force her expression into one of twisted pleasure.
Still, perhaps with ti he'd succeed. For now, he ignored Elora's teasing, but grabbed her hand from his cheek to kiss it warmly.
"Perhaps my mother can help?" he suggested, cocking an eyebrow. "She may seem like more of a fighter and leader, but she must have so administrative experience from creating the Enclave, and even before the awakening she was the leader of our village, and a small coalition of other shapeshifter villages near us. Plus, she's looking for things to do besides training…"
Elora appeared interested, but before she could respond, their conversation was interrupted by a sombre trio. Zahra, Zohran, and Nasir approached them slowly, each of them seemingly undecided on how exactly to act towards them.
Upon noticing them, Erik and his companions turned towards them, watching with varied expressions. Emma, smiling serenely and standing a step behind Erik; Astrid, grinning smugly, arms crossed in front of her chest, next to Emma; Elora, much the sa as Astrid, but standing directly next to her husband, her wings still prominently displayed. Finally, Erik was calm, confident, and even sowhat indifferent.
The trio naturally noticed Elora and looked at her with part fascination and weariness, but not surprise. They'd not seen her before today, but despite her earlier size, she'd been hard not to spot by their enhanced senses during the battle and after, which was also the reason why Elora wasn't hiding now.
They might have assud Elora was simply a human Arcanist with so strange affinities and spells, but there was a kind of aura around her that made them realise she was sothing more. Not to ntion that they knew she was the one who closed that portal, and she clearly had a more prominent position next to Erik than even the two wives they'd t already.
When they were just a few steps away, they halted, and a charged silence followed. Erik and the others looked at them in ways that promised they would not be the first ones to talk. The trio recognised this, but had no idea where to start.
Finally, Zahra simply bowed her head. "Thank you for saving us," she said respectfully, a far cry from the way they'd interacted before.
Without needing prompts from her, Zohran and Nasir followed her lead. Nasir's tone was a lot colder, but just as respectful, while Zohran's tone was respectful, but more in the way a warrior would respect his better.
Next to him, Elora cocked an imperious eyebrow. "This is a nice display, but it's not yet good enough. There is a particular tittle you're supposed to be addressing him with, now that you've called for his help in staving off the hunters. Bowing your head is also not good enough in this mont."
The trio flinched. They knew what she ant… They knew what Erik's help entailed, and they'd confird as much to Emma just before. They'd also talked about this among each other, and having seen Gabriel's power, there was only one conclusion to make: with the world as it was now, they had no right to stand on their own two feet.
For a mont, they glanced at each other, their heads still bowed. Perhaps they hoped for Erik to contradict this woman's statent, but only silence followed her words.
Thus, finally, they all sank to one knee.
"We greet our sovereign, the Silver Emperor."
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