[The Empress stood on her balcony, watching the world move around her. Eugene was just inside, working on two cups of tea for them both at her request. She didn't want to be alone today. Too many things spun in her mind, and she needed the cooling autumn air.
Her nerves were on edge. She couldn't sit still, pacing the balcony, trying and failing to let herself embrace the breeze that whispered through her hair.
Restless. Like an oncoming storm.
All was well, as far as she could tell. Kendo was recovering quickly, and occupied himself currently at the training ring. Charlotte was watching him. Her Guard roved the grounds. Everything and everyone was at peace. Except her.
And then she heard it. The sound of space and time tearing. The Empress darted to the railing, just in time to see a jagged portal sparking with magic shred open like claws in the courtyard, the unmistakable figure she had been expecting stepping through.
His masked eyes snapped up to hers almost immediately, and a long moment passed between them. Recognition. Hatred.
He took a step back through the portal, coming out right behind her on the balcony. She could feel his eyes on her back.]
You do not seem surprised to see me, sister.
[The Empress took a deep breath before turning to meet his eyes again.]
Should I be, Takeshi? This is your third time coming for my head, after all.
You know I left that name behind, Mizuki.
And I am the keeper of all that you left behind, including your name.
[The Empress leaned back against the rail.]
I know why you are here. Get it over with. After all this time, I am well aware that I cannot reason with you.
As if that was ever how you solved a dispute.
You were the one to draw blade that night.
You should not have tried to stop me!
[His gloves creaked, his fists clenched. She could hear his breath hiss under the mask. Bitter hate stained his voice like venom.]
Two days, the cliffs above the Shafts. The waters will not save you this time, sister.
[The last word was almost spat rather than stated. The Empress sighed painfully, but did not let her gaze fall away from his.]
Very well, brother. I hope you are prepared to follow through, and perhaps even to tell me why you pursue me at all.
Still pretending you do not know what you did? Pathetic. You will answer for it all the same.
[Stray stepped back through the portal, his mask's eyes blazing through her until it closed.
Two days.
Perhaps she had made a mistake in adopting Kendo... If anything went wrong, it would be down to him to decide the fate of her people, and that was entirely unfair for him to have to take on so soon...
But in the moment, both their hearts had known it was the right choice.
Now she would have to ensure he didn't follow her to the cliffs. He was honorable at heart, but if his mother figure lost this duel, heaven and hell combined could not restrain him from attempting to exact revenge.
All the tension in the Empress' body gave way all at once, and she slumped against the rail, despairing. Not for the first time, she wondered why this was happening at all.
Of course, many had needed no motivation beyond pure spite... but he blamed her for something...
Her head in her hands, she hoped her Champion had overheard, so she wouldn't have to explain.]
Eugene... are you still there?
Please...
[Solitude was no longer any shelter.]