The Ruler's Rift

Rewind

Celeste lay like a block of ice, melting into her tears. Morning brought her to her throne. She didn't remember dragging herself there, but she must've. She looked to her side, but Amber was missing. The week went on the same, a blur. No Lucy, no Amber. No mother or father. She truly was alone. Except, loneliness had mercy. Her subjects did not. Their demanding, screeching voices filled the empress's ears every day. As the week stretched on, she sat there and listened to their barking requests. She granted funding, negotiated, and heard them out. Not one asked about her slumped posture, wet eyes, or apathetic voice. And every time she gazed outside for reprieve, she saw them. She saw the frolicking, selfish mass who convinced her to stay at the battles.

If only she'd gotten there sooner, Amber would be alive.

Maybe they only intended to comfort her?

Impossible - she told them how worried she was. They didn't care. And now, far below, they bustled about enjoying the thrills of the gala without sparing a thought to the one who'd prepared it for them.

That turbulent war ruled Celeste's life for the following week. She forced herself through her duties. She didn't eat and she barely slept, bickering with herself all while her paranoia and hatred grew.

By day, she went easier on her subjects and blamed herself. After dark, her wicked heart begged her to punish the populace. Celeste shook, rattling between the rift of her mind. She resisted her hatred, knowing that Amber wouldn't want her to despise her empire.

At the Talents of The Promised, Celeste watched the awful mass of parasitic people, bulging about like a tumor with their feeble attempts to amaze each other. She wasn't impressed by their talents or their care for others. They were lacking in both departments, and she had little to say when she reluctantly declared a winner. Still, they were happy to cling to her and ask her for more. No one asked about her advisor. No one wondered about her own state. If only she could consult Amber.

But never again would Amber speak or breathe or laugh. Celeste would never see that warm smile or that sincere grin. She'd never get to spar with her aunt or teach her about magic. Amber wasn't around to help, and Celeste couldn't be there for her ever again. Amber had left for whatever lingered beyond without a talk or trace.

On the following Wednesday, Celeste's chest tightened with anxiety. She couldn't take it. Nightmares of Violet and Lucy and everyone else plagued Celeste. She physically shook when trying to leash her mind. Amber would never want this.

"I can't do this anymore," Celeste spat. Nova looked at her with one ear pivoted. "I won't hurt them, but...I need them to get away from me."

"They're everywhere, your majesty," Nova protested. "The gala is nearing its close. You can't just cancel it midway."

Celeste dug her claws into her throne. With only the two of them in the dusky throne room, the empress didn't hold back her ire. "I can do whatever I want," she hissed. "If you have some objection, I'd like to see you say it without a throat!"

Nova held her hands up and nervously laughed. "I wouldn't stop you, heh," the fox explained, "but we can't possibly get all the ships to pick them up early. And not even you can teleport them all home."

The demon growled; her eyes widened and glowed. "They need to get away! I can't take it anymore, they've no respect for Amber or me! They have no respect for anyone but themselves! They take and take and take!"

"I understand, your majesty! But without some sort of emergency, there's just no way to get them out of your hair right now."

The queen's voice went low and dark. "Then I'll give them an emergency." She rose from her seat and headed for the door.

Nova padded after the demon. "What are you going to do? Will I be in danger?" She asked.

"I'll make them run away and stay away," the empress promised. Magic raced through her veins and clouded her mind. Feeding on her desires and emotions, the essence of her will sparked out of her eyes in an erratic, colorful display.