There was a golden circle on the floor, which they had been told about. Neeko led them to the golden circle, then stepped aside with a precise bow. The party arranged themselves as instructed, with Lumi taking position at the front as their leader.
"Your Imperial Majesty," Neeko announced formally. "I present the adventurers who captured the Wings of Darkness Commander Afton S. Crow."
Empress Aria’s gaze swept over them, and Lumi felt himself being asured in ways that had nothing to do with physical appearance. It was a common the among many important natives that he’d t, they would all examine and inspect him in so asure.
"Rise." She commanded gently, and they obeyed. "Let us dispense with excessive ceremony. You have done the Empire a great service, and I would know you as individuals, not rely as a group."
She focused on Ryan first. "You carry yourself as a knight, though you wear no order’s insignia. Tell , what drives a man to seek knighthood’s virtues without its formal bonds?"
Ryan straightened, clearly both nervous and thrilled to be addressed directly. "Your Majesty, I believe that knighthood is about ideals before titles. Service before recognition. I strive to embody those virtues."
"Well spoken." Empress Aria replied with a small smile, then she turned to ToraX next. "And you, warrior. What do you fight for?"
ToraX, uncharacteristically subdued by the formal atmosphere, took a mont to gather his thoughts.
His real answer was simple. For Fun. It was a ga after all, that wasn’t exactly an answer he could give. "I fight for my friends, Your Majesty." It technically wasn’t a lie. "I admit there’s a thrill in adventure, but I seek to help those who deserve it."
"Loyalty, then. A virtue often undervalued in these complex tis." The Empress quickly evaluated the answer, then her gaze shifted to VICE. "An archer of evident skill. I know you were at our training grounds earlier. I hope they were of use for you. How long have you studied the bow?"
VICE managed to maintain his composure despite the praise. "Since I could hold one, Your Majesty. I was taught that excellence is not a single act but a habit. Every arrow shot is a chance to be better than the last."
"Wise teaching." The Empress’s attention moved to HazyNova, and her expression softened slightly, recognizing his discomfort. "Fear not. I understand many do not look at thieves kindly. However, I recognize your class, and thus I know who likely taught you. I only ask, will you stand with the light?"
HazyNova’s response was barely audible, but firm. "Always."
Empress Aria gave a firm nod. "I believe you."
Finally, her gaze settled on Lena, and sothing complex flickered across the Empress’s features. "Young mage. Chief Knight Alice used words like ’unprecedented’ and ’impossibly talented’ in her report. She also used words like ’concerning’ and ’uniquely challenging.’"
Lena, who had been struggling to keep herself silent, exploded with relief at being addressed. "Your Majesty!" She took a deep breath to compose herself. "Yes! You are right, I admit I can be an experience, sotis, which may concern others. I extend my gratitude to Chief Knight Alice for such praise."
Then Empress Aria laughed. It wasn’t mocking, but gentle laughter. "Chief Knight Alice did warn about you. However, rather than sothing to be worried about, I see an earnest woman doing her best. Whether you are an experience or not doesn’t change that."
"I’m an experience!" Lena agreed cheerfully. "But Lumi told I’m worth it, and he’s very smart, so it must be true!"
"Indeed." The Empress’s gaze finally settled on Lumi himself, and the warmth faded into sothing far more intense. "Lumi. Leader of this remarkable group. You learned from rath, who speaks of you in terms I’ve rarely heard him use. You orchestrated a capture that should have been impossible, given your capabilities. And you bear knowledge secretive enough that I cannot speak in this court."
Lumi bowed his head slightly. "Your Majesty honors with her attention."
The Empress gave a small smile, continued. "You have done the Empire a great service in capturing Afton S. Crow. Not just that, but you’ve also provided intelligence that may reshape our understanding of our enemies. For this, you have my sincere gratitude."
She paused, and when she spoke again, there was steel beneath the gentle voice. "With that said, gratitude and trust are different things. I am aware of everything. From small details like VICE practicing forms in the courtyard to larger matters like the fascinating interrogation session with our prisoner. I am kept well inford."
Her eyes locked with Lumi’s. "I am particularly interested in the restrictions you labor under. The knowledge you possess but cannot share. The chanical details of how your people resurrect after death, vanish at will, and alter others’ perceptions of them. Divan and rath have shared what you could tell them, and I’ve drawn what conclusions I can from implication and observation."
Silent gasps escaped from the side of the players. VICE, ToraX, Ryan, Hazy... not Lena though. She was more composed. They quickly exchanged glances and looks that clearly spoke one expression.
’WHAT!?’
’THEY ACKNOWLEDGE GA CHANICS LIKE RESPAWNING AND LOGGING OFF!?’
Their shock, however, would not slow the conversation down.
She began explaining aloud. "There are very few ways that sothing like resurrection could happen. Everything thus far has led to the clear conclusion that you are affected by a divine authority."
She gave a small pause. Her gaze shifted from the group as a whole to Lumi specifically. "The Goddess of Ti, the Goddess of Life, and the God of Light. Theoretically, any of these could be behind it."
"However, given how constrained the Goddess of Ti is, and the non-activity of the Goddess of Life, I’m more inclined to believe that this is the work of the only active god. The God of Light."
She gave the group a knowing look, then dropped a bombshell.
"This is an issue, as the God of Light... is the Dark one."
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