The Web of Iron

Chapter Ten: Aftermath

Rioletta's spell was broken, and the demoness was gone. Unfortunately, the door was locked, and Kiyora didn't know how to open it. She didn't know the first thing about treeships. She wasn't like Reya and Tenius. So she waited, and boy, was it creepy. Outside she could see treeships surrounding the Black Star, but it wasn't much comfort.

The webs hanging from everywhere were bad. Just because the moans of the damned had faded away didn't make it a nice spot. She wished she hadn't sent William away so quickly and that Tenius hadn't ditched her.

Then the door slid aside, and into the room walked Lieutenant Escalus. She was holding her weapon in hand, which had spider blood on it. Behind her, Kiyora could see many soldiers. They were working to free those seized by Rioletta from their cocoons. None of them were conscious.

"Kiyora Yagos, what happened here?" said Escalus.

"Oh, this?" asked Kiyora. "I got captured but managed to break free and vanquish the demon responsibly. However, I did have a bit of help. It's kind of a long story."

"You'd better explain yourself," said Escalus. "And where is Emperor Ictargo? We received his transmission but haven't found any sign of him. He hasn't been heard in centuries." She paused and looked at soldiers flanking her. "You men, take charge of the machine. Set a course back for the capital." Then she looked back to Kiyora. "Where is the other?"

"Other?" asked Kiyora.

"The other who was with here with you," said Escalus. "We detected several other life forms. Two were immensely powerful, the demoness Rioletta and Ictargo, we presume. But there was a third unlike all the others.

"Where is he?"

"Oh, William's gone back to his world," said Kiyora. "As for Emperor Ictargo, I don't remember where he went."

"You don't remember?" asked Escalus incredulously.

"Oh, you know what, forget this secrecy nonsense," said Kiyora. "Emperor Ictargo helped us out. Turns out, he's actually in mortal form, but his mortal form becomes super powerful in his dreams. He is sleeping right now.

"The name of his mortal form is-"

"Quiet!" said Escalus. "I don't want to know."

"What?" said Kiyora.

"If he told you that it was an act of unparalleled trust!" said Escalus. "You aren't supposed to go around saying that!"

"Well, he didn't tell me that. I figured it out on my own. Besides, he's a real jerk," said Kiyora. Before Escalus could say anything, a soldier approached and bowed. This one was male. "Lieutenant Escalus, we've rooted out most of the remaining spiders on this deck."

"Good," said Escalus. "Move the sweeps downward. Free everyone you can."