(7) Striking Range

Nephthys smiled as she observed the starfield, stretching for miles around her. It was malleable, and she had formed it over the exterior of Nemesis and its surroundings, excluding the interior. She did not actually know whether it would be possible to penetrate Nemesis with her field, as there were potent barriers on top of the crashstone, already mana-resistant itself.

She felt…good. Really good. The power running through her body was euphoric, dangerously so. She had never done any drugs, but she imagined this must be what being high was like. The power poured from the void in her chest, suffusing her with the strength to do nearly anything she could imagine, if only she could figure out the spellcraft.

She did not need spells to be who she was, however. Her Celestial abilities were ingrained into her being. The instant she brought the night sky down, knowledge of who she was, what she could do, filled her mind. Her birthright lay before her, waiting to be claimed.

She lowered her arms, holding her right hand in front of her. One of the stars shot down and hovered in her hand. It was so small, so delicate, yet it held unbelievable potential. Her smile grew as she examined it, sparkling like the most beautiful of gemstones, yet ethereal and fleeting.

Power gathered around her, some strange resonance between herself and the star in her palm. Mana gathered, circling. It was so dense, so potent, that cracks of purple lightning sprang up around her body.

“Mistress, if I may?” Ramose suddenly asked.

Nephthys’s smile fell. She had forgotten he was here. She turned around, regarding him with an expression that could freeze the magma beneath them. He was bowed a full ninety degrees, carefully avoiding looking at her. That was wise. Who did he think he was to interrupt? With the power in her hand, she could obliterate—

“Forgive my impertinence, but I would suggest holding off on further experimentation. I do not know what spell you mean to unleash, but I can guess its destructive potential from the potent mana you wield.

“As you mentioned, we have been isolated for two centuries. I would advise against large-scale damage to our immediate surroundings until we know more about the situation.

“We also have scouts out. Some have returned, but some have not. I would be remiss to not mention them, as the devastation you could unleash would undoubtedly endanger them should they be anywhere near us right now,” he explained, never raising his head.

Nephthys’s visage melted from a temperature that could freeze Hell over back to her natural, impassive neutral. The star in her hand rocketed back into the surrounding void, and the darkness retreated into the sky, carrying the moon’s cold void and the starfield’s surreal majesty with it. The sky returned to its overcast red, and Nephthys ceased circulating her mana.

“Apologies, Ramose. I got carried away, nearly forgot myself. I would not intentionally harm a member of Nemesis,” she said, turning away from him.

“No need to apologize, my lady. I am unworthy. It is my job to make such recommendations. Thank you for your consideration,” Ramose responded, straightening from his bow to clasp his hands behind his back.

Nephthys crossed her arms to hide her shaking hands. Why had she gotten so carried away? Why had she had those thoughts? That was not her. She had never had a desire to unleash destruction of any kind. She was afraid to light the campfire on her grade school field trip, for crying out loud!

She thought back to her drug comparison and thought it apt. She would have to be careful calling on the Celestial powers. They were not to be used lightly. And when she did use them, could she remain herself?

“You found me because you had something to say, yes? What is it?” she asked, working hard to keep her voice steady, though it was noticeably easier than it had been in her human body.

“Indeed. I have gathered the Nemesis members in the hall below. I thought you might address them. It has been two hundred years, after all,” he said.

Great. Not only was she shaken by a sudden identity crisis, but she also had to give a speech? What was this guy’s game? Was he trying to undermine her? Make her seem incompetent so he could eventually take her position?

“Very well. Lead the way,” she said, backed into a corner since he had already—apparently—summoned everyone.

Technically, she had asked Ramose not to interrupt her until morning, and it was now morning. Perhaps he interpreted that to mean she would be ready to play guild master by morning. Was that being too charitable? He probably just wanted to make her look bad.

What was she even supposed to do? Did she thank everyone for essentially being prisoners for two hundred years? Was she supposed to have some grand plan for the guild, like creating a nation and taking over territory or something? She did not want to be a ruler, and she would be betraying her people by becoming one.

Her ancestors did not spend centuries of toil and strife overthrowing monarchies just for her to travel to another world and start one herself.

Ramose led the way through the wide halls, the path winding down the pyramid in four sections. There was a magic lift in the center, but he seemed keen on walking, perhaps for the drama? It would be pretty hard to arrive dramatically in an elevator.