-Whom The Gods Would Destroy, They First Made Ruin-

"Assault-One to Regal-One, please respond!"

A man's voice resounded in my ears over and over again as I finally caught my bearings.

Taking over for Airis hadn't gone over cleanly. After a few minutes of initial dissonance I was able to rein in control over the enormous font of divine energy that was leaking out of us.

That beam of light had quieted, and the shaking of the earth along with it.

Haaah, total control of this body is jarring.

IT WAS REALLY HARD TO GET USED TO FOR ME AS WELL.

Yeah? I understand now, Ponos. Gods, we're so squishy. How does she put up with this all day.

I stretched Airis' body out, channeling magicka into all the sore spots to alleviate the tension and pain.

IT'S ANNOYING TO SAY, BUT THE SNAKE HAD A VALID POINT. AIRIS WAS DOING TOO MUCH.

We're in this state because she has never bothered to take care of our body properly.

Lethe's soft-spoken monotonous voice whispered quietly in my mind, followed by the feeling of agreement by the collective of egos.

Wouldn't it be nice to take a rest? Just for a bit~ How about it, Ruin?

Ah. Sorry, Lethe, I don't have any plans to take it easy while I get to pilot.

STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE GRIND RIGHT AS THE PAIN HAS STOPPED? HA-HA-HA. MY KINDA PLAN!

With Algea's boisterous consent, the majority of active egos all hummed in harmony.

There were so many fun things we could do while Airis was working through whatever depressive and tiresome shit she was consumed by. I was going to take advantage of her little nap to the fullest.

Shades of annoyance crept in from a minority within the collective.

Now, now. That doesn't seem fair.

Neikea's silvery voice chimed in, her intent to stir the pot clearly evident.

Let's flip for it. Airis has that trinket of ours tucked away in a pocket somewhere, right?

I stiffened up. She actually gave some real input this time, instead of her usual nonsense.

SOUNDS GOOD.

I AGREE.

Oh, that'd be fun. Sure~

We all agreed to honor the silly game Airis played against fate and flipped her coin.

Heads, no changes to my plans.

Tails, the others get to add stipulations in their favor. Such as Lethe's desire to sit around and do nothing.

A quick flick of my wrist and the golden disc was sent soaring.

The setting sun did little to illuminate the coin's return but my control over the body was great and enhancing my eyesight with magicka was simple.

TACK.

I caught the coin on the back on my hand with a slap just as Airis did in the past.

My catching hand remained still.

Is it too late to change the face I called?

Soon, a cacophony of voices stirred in my mind.

COME ON!

This is why I don't respect you.

Show it already~

ANNOYING.

I laughed. Sorry, sorry. I'm having so much fun, it's hard to pass up any chance to rile us up.

I revealed the face with a grin, already knowing it had landed heads side up. I had won and, thanks to Neikea's meddling, cemented my reign moving forward.

Just as I secured Airis' coin back into her uniform's little pocket, the clattering of metal announced the arrival of a band of knights.

Crimson steel raced toward me from a newly opened gap in the palace walls.

A shout echoed from the back of their formation "Make a hole for the Commander!"

"Airis!" Julius pushed his way through the knights and rushed me. "Thank the Gods you're safe. I thought it was the end times after Virgo showed up. Terrifying. Then those… Huh?"

Julius stopped mid-sentence and just stared at me with a weird look.

The Knight-Captain, Flik, had followed after him and seemed confused at his behavior.

"Commander, are you alright?"

I cocked my head and narrowed my eyes.

Is he really this good?

Flik looked back and forth between us before making the same face as Julius. "Is it one of her…?"

"Without a doubt." Julius quickly answered.

Less than a minute and I've already been found out. Well, at least they're reliable.

Although both of them were already in the know about our little collective of egos rattling alongside Airis, it was quite something to see them notice a change of operator so quickly.

It wasn't like our exterior changed.

Or did it…?

I brushed a strand of hair forward so I could see it.

Nope. Crimson red, as expected. Alas, black really would look so much better… Oh, maybe I could dye our hair before Airis wakes up!

"Everything's fine," I waved my hand lazily in an attempt to disarm their concerns, "She's just taking a rest while working through some stuff."

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Both the Commander and Knight-Captain shared a look and turned back with expressions that implied that everything was, in-fact, not fine.

"Come on~" I cooed, "What's the alternative here? You gonna worry all of our knights and my attendants by making a big deal of her conscious absence?"

Flik blinked, looking to Julius.

He stared me down, "Why weren't you responding over the communirune?"

"Responding… Oh, must've overloaded? Never heard you calling."

Julius seemed unconvinced.

"Where did we meet?" he asked.

"Vanixian Academy for Divisional Officers."

He furrowed his brow, "Where and when, specifically, at the Academy did we meet?"

I huffed.

"Magister Garland's stupid class on tactics and treaties called 'The Two T's for Triumph'. It was our second year. You got full marks on the first exam and started getting harassed by jealous nobles. You beat up that mednoble's kid, and I decided I wanted your abilities for my family."

"Hmmm," Julius hummed at my answer.

Flik smirked at Julius, "Wow, is that right, Commander? You were that kind of kid, huh?"

"Name the key cabinet positions we filled for the interim government back in Tolin."

Julius crossed his arms.

I blinked.

This asshole, don't think you've won.

"There's no way we know that! Dell handles those idiots. No way he would've trusted us with that. Plus, dealing with them sounds so incredibly boring. As if the paperwork wasn't bad enough."

"Damn, that's true." Julius dropped his arms.

"Listen~ I've been sitting side seat for this whole adventure," I placed a hand on his shoulder and walked past him, toward the knights, "I woke up first, plus I inherited all our memories perfectly. You should know, since we already had this conversation. I'm her and she is me. Now, let's go have some fun~!"

We returned to the Maarin Republic's Headquarters-turned-Vanixian High Command as the sun was setting.

My desire for fun was doused by Julius, who, on the condition of not making a big deal over Airis' current status, forced me to wrap up her outstanding duties.

In the aftermath of the assault of Renault's palace, there were many issues that needed to be dealt with.

The city was in a state of panic due to Airis' magicka influx—the Seekers were looking into it, but it seemed the overflowing divine power caused a slew of problems on its own, outside of the shaky ground.

The charred husk, aka Renault's body, was nowhere to be found. Last seen: we stabbed him with Dáinsleif, and everything went to shit.

Ikuye was MIA, but that seemed less of an issue and more of a blessing at the moment.

Who knows what that battle-junkie would do if she realizes Airis is snoozing…

As such, I was beset by report after report of the day's activities: Clearing the last of the internment camps, coordinating relief efforts for Vanixian citizens and other associated non-combatants, and reconnaissance on Renaultian remnants both within and outside of the city.

One report had just wrapped up, and the deliverer looked at me eagerly.

"What is this 'projected casualties' listed at the bottom?" I asked in an even tone, while trying to mimic the superfluous gesturing Airis used when talking to her direct underlings.

"Ah, the total casualties were low, well within the initial projections the Seekers gave, but more than we had hoped. We were wondering if the number of fatalities could… maybe be reduced before finalizing?"

"Reduced?"

"With your, um, resurrection magick—if it can work like that? I apologize, Your Majesty, I'm uninformed about the particulars. It was something Her Grace, Primarch Karina, had suggested. Apparently, there were a number of soldiers who had signed their names to a list. Those who were willing to be brought back from their deaths if possible."

Right. We have that power. But would Airis use that—stupid question, of course she would. Better question is, can I use it?

I flinched as a core memory flashed in my mind. It was of myself—rather, Airis—casting the mass-target version of the spell.

Too many factors were at play for me to decide.

I didn't want to use Capricorn's soul-binding connection to access her font of alleged unlimited magicka, but without it we risked falling into a short state of disability.

Airis was otherwise occupied, still sleeping or out of contact, and I had no idea what would happen if I too fell into some altered state.

If one of the other egos took control, we could have a serious problem. They meant well, I was sure, but they weren't as fully developed in their own selves as I was.

It would not be easy to explain away.

"Your Majesty?" the scout captain waited with bright eyes.

Haah. I've gotten distracted by useless thoughts. How does Airis manage to deal with this…? I should be nicer to her when she's back in control.

"I'll review my options with Karina at a later time. For now, preserve our soldiers in a safe place."

I returned the captain's salute and was left alone in my makeshift office

The bureaucratic powers that be allowed me a short ten-minute break before a knock came at the door.

"Enter." I called out.

"K-Knight-Sentinel Ren Baker, reporting."

Mumbling from behind the closed door, the head of SI-Minervia nervously called out his introduction.

"Yeah, you can enter."

The door pulled open, and brown-haired, brown-eyed officer cautiously stepped inside the office.

I smiled at him, "Congrats on the promotion. Though it wouldn't look well to have the head of a special intelligence division be a simple lieutenant, you've more than earned the rank, so once again, Congratulations."

Baker fumbled the papers in his hands.

"Ah! I'm honored, Your Imperial Majesty."

He carefully collected his things and presented me with a bundled report.

It was titled STUDIES INTO MAGICKA INFLUX but probably should have just been called 'Aftermath Report: Airis Fucked Up The Whole City'.

"Grand-Inquisitor Vynn didn't ask for any follow up, so unless you had anything…"

Baker was begging to be dismissed.

I didn't blame him, this report was the baddest of bad news.

"No, Knight-Sentinel, I should be all set. You're dismissed."

After an exchange of salutes, I was once again alone.

When Julius gets back, I'll ask if Airis' other attendants can enter the city…

I'd even beg if necessary.

The two Furia brothers would gobble these reports up for me in a snap.

Even that bookworm girl, Neya, would be a welcome sight.

I sighed.

Is this why Airis is always sighing?

⌈STUDIES INTO MAGICKA INFLUX

By Grand-Inquisitor Hanna Vynn, Commander, Her Imperial Divinity's Crimson Seekers.

Upon Her Imperial Divinity's presumed return from the Divine Heavens, a massive accumulation of magicka was noted at the former Renaultian Republic's 'Royal Palace', centered on a large, hidden, interior chamber (throne room).

After suffering near catastrophic damage, the throne was…⌋

Hanna's report detailed everything from the state of the chamber, the events leading up to our sudden departure from and return to the mortal plane, and even the exact temperatures of the air in multiple districts.

It was scarily precise.

Supposedly, most of my companions who were still nearby had passed out under overwhelming pressure and waves of nausea that assailed them.

People were passing out in the streets.

And even those who could withstand the pressure were taken to their knees until I was able to get the influx sorted out.

Sounds like it sucked pretty bad for everyone.

Hanna didn't stop at just accounting the events. True to the title of the report, she also seemed to be treating this like some sort of message from the heavens.

⌈Divine power manifested across the entirety of the city of Axio, extending well into the outskirts and fields beyond.

Observation: Thousands of blood-spider lilies have sprouted in the areas affected by Her powers. They have sprouted equally in the most barren patches of dirt and in the most verdant of noble gardens.

Conjecture: These flowers contain the souls of the Vanixian people who were felled by Renaultian and Maarin traitors.

Supporting Evidence: In our internal records, it is recorded that an Alaetüs, with the name Mors, informed Her Imperial Divinity that the Celestial Goddess Virgo refers to these divine flowers as "heralds".

More recent records show a quote from Mors, describing these divine flowers even further: "They are the heralds for the ones who came before. Housing for their weary souls to rest before embarking on the Goddess' path once more."⌋

This is… fine, right?

There was another knock at the door and I realized I likely wouldn't be having any fun tonight.

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