The Ruler's Rift

Too Good to be Lies

Whirring died down; the mechanical hum of the ship's life scattered to the frozen breeze. As the door opened once again, Celeste couldn't wait to step onto Mystearlia's surface. One step into the snow and its aura, dark and infernal and alluring, rippled through her horns. Nova followed into the cold wasteland. Celeste said, "I appreciate you taking me back here on such short notice, Nova."

"Of course, I'm happy to help!" Nova sang as she pawed into the snow. "And I like surprises but you've got me so curious, Miss Superbia. Why did you want to come back so soon?"

The demon's wrath peaked. The trip to Mystearlia had kindled it further; every passing star increased its pressure. Now, it'd evolved from an ember to a bonfire to a pit of hell. All patience vaporized within its flame. "Oh, that's rather simple," Celeste hissed. "I needed you someplace where no one would witness this."

Magic flared to life, ignited by anger so hot that it burst from Celeste's eyes in a cosmic display of magenta and blue. Her hair boiled into a billow and she focused her psychic power on Nova's ship. The fox screamed and fell as the hunk of metal lifted into the air and trembled. Dents barraged its surface like bullet holes, then like sinkholes, then black holes. With her mind and magic, Celeste crumpled the ship like paper. It crushed into itself - a dying star of steel.
With a shout, Celeste sent the fist-sized ball of metal over the horizon.

Nova stared into the dense fog of winter where the remnant of her ship vanished. She blinked slowly, chest heaving. "I...guess I can always buy another-"

"You're going to tell me everything," Celeste declared. She stepped closer to Nova threateningly. Her hair had settled, but sparks of magic still danced around her eyes. "Because buying a replacement won't get you off this planet, Nova. You can't teleport like I can."

"Ah...clever, aren't you?" The fox said as she got to her paws. "Okay, Miss Superbia. How can I enlighten you?"

"Explain," Celeste ordered. She shoved the letter against Nova's chest.

Nova skimmed it. "What's there to explain? I wanted to see your troupe's work for myself!"

Celeste growled.

Despite a quick laugh, Nova's eyes shone with primal fear. She folded the letter and said, "Miss Superbia...you do scare me, but I'm afraid that, more than anything, I'm thrilled about this development." She stepped closer to the Mystearlian. "I just knew your psychic prowess would be breathtaking."

"You clearly knew all about me!" Celeste spat, poking the paper. "When we met, you feigned ignorance. Why did you pay so handsomely to bring me right to you!?"

"I think you already know."

"I don't! Tell me!"

"Oh, Miss Superbia...you're smart. You have a very high intellect - and we both know whom you got it from."

"Quit rambling and answer me!"

"You're lying to yourself..."

As much as Celeste longed to tear the dog limb-from-limb, she wasn't ready to have a person's life on her hands. She'd wreck Nova's ship and threaten her, but she couldn't kill her. With a huff, Celeste turned and grumbled, "You aren't worth it..."

"So I won't get to see your violent side after all," Nova said, clicking her tongue against her teeth. "How about this? We're both reasonable women...answer me one question honestly and I'll tell you everything."

Celeste opened her mouth to reply, but Nova interrupted, "Wait, let's go inside first. I'm freezing."

The tense pair entered the dark, lonely palace once again. They walked over the same gaping, empty moat, and they passed under the same intimidating, huge spires. Missing was the comfort of Lucy; she wasn't present to douse any flames. They found themselves a secluded room, its purpose lost to time. There, Nova kindled a fireplace with her magic. Even with her flames' mystical properties, the logs were so old and cold that they refused to light up for what felt like an hour. Mild warmth crawled into the space, and Nova began, "Okay, I'm ready for our little discussion. Just answer me one question."