Luna

  Nil was still asleep after three days since the False Immortal’s Serum wore off. The air in the castle was dreary and depressed as the sheer damage inflicted by Ryker and Nyx’s attack were being fully realized. Nez was a mess, not that I could blame him. Krahinn was mourning the loss of Emperor Father Nil, and he seemed to be shaken by something else not that he articulated that. Emperor Azzeck tried his best to keep it together, but he looked like a hollow husk whenever I saw him. The Imperial Family as a whole were struggling to come to terms with the events of the last several days.I was certainly not looking forward to when Nil woke up and began coming to terms with what he lost.

  My mind was mulling over what my dad wanted to discuss. Nil tried hard to protect what was around him, and there was no question how much he cared about us. I didn’t think so because it was if it would hurt Nil that mattered, not how close I was to him. I sighed, knowing this was a messy situation. How could I possibly convince my dad it wasn’t as bleak as it seemed? He just got to witness the level of strength that was terrifying and still wasn’t enough. Being able to inflict this level of destruction and mayhem was not even close to being enough. I knew he conquered Realms unopposed with little mercy, and could remember when he appeared on Tenebrae, where the world seemed to completely protest his existence.

  The answer wasn’t overly relevant, unfortunately. It was a question if Nil could overcome it because it was either that or death. Idly sitting by would eat at my soul, and I didn't want that to be what I did again. I sighed while looking out over Umbra, seeing the price of fighting against what was coming; I knew the Void King would likely be even more destructive and exact a heavier toll. I doubted the Void King took Nil’s constant rebellion and attempt to circumvent losing well; that brief interaction he seemed to possess an immensely narrow world view consumed by his hatred of Reincarnators. That was an unfortunate fact. I needed to go talk to my dad to discuss moving forward from here regardless, and I didn't want to delay this conversation much further. Things were as calm as they were going to be for a while with a lull between planning the funeral for Emperor Father Nil, Prince Nox, and Magus Supreme Praecan. This was probably not going to be an overly pleasant conversation, but it was a necessary one. I walked to his office, gently knocking on his door.

  “It’s me, dad.” I announced myself, dreading the conversation we were about to have.

  “Come in dear.” Dad replied before I opened the door. I walked in, and he clearly knew what I wanted to discuss the instant he saw me.

  “I want to stand by Nil.” I informed him. Dad stacked his papers neatly with a sigh, mulling over how to reply.

  “I know it is immensely dangerous Dad; I would rather try and fail than sit by while Tenebrae’s future is decided.” I added on. His expression was hard to decipher as he wasn’t saying anything.

  “Luna. I… I am unsure how to phrase this; I know you realize failure means death. You… haaaa… also understand that it is only going to get more dangerous standing by Nil.” Dad began while looking at me with a pained expression.

  “I do not think either option is less dangerous than the other. With one we at least tried if it fails.” I pointed out to him.

  “That is not a great point; I do not want my daughter choosing a dangerous path for the sake of pride.” Dad shot back, rubbing his temples a little.

  “It is not pride, Dad. Either way we are stuck in the deathmatch with the Void King. I do not want to idly sit by and let the events happen to me.” I retorted.

  “Emperor Father Nil is dead, Prince Nox is dead, and even Magus Supreme Praecan is dead. Those are all powerful beings that were killed by being in the crossfire of that deathmatch.” Dad stated calmly. The weight of the last several days were clearly weighing on him.

  “I will get stronger than they were. It is possible and I know how to.” I assured him. I kept training my these last few days, but that was an immensely slow process.

  “Luna, words like that are not relevant. You want to say you will reach the pinnacle of Tenebrae, and that it will be sufficient to stop what is coming.” Dad sighed. I wanted to retort that, but I had no idea what level of strength was needed.

  “The Void King is coming regardless of what we want. Do you think hiding is going to save us from him?” I tried, hoping it was a better point in his eyes. Dad let out a defeated sigh.

  “That is the point I have come to dread because at some point we, or at least you, have stood by Nil. Because of that, I am unsure any amount of distance between us and him will change a thing on that front. Nil has brought the wrath of a being and Lord that do not care how much suffering and collateral damage they cause.” Dad admitted bitterly. His face was so frustrated at that.

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  “It’s not like he asked for it.” I muttered weakly. Dad shut his eyes as he took a composing breath.

  “That… this is hard to express properly… but that fact almost makes it worse knowing that nothing we do is changing what is coming. Our options are trying to run and hide or fight an impossible enemy that is hellbent on annihilation. None of us want to blame Nil, but the unfortunate fact is he is the reason the situation exists and when events like these transpire, it is difficult not to.” Dad lamented, looking ashamed of his feelings.

  “That is not fair.” I told him, knowing full well Dad was aware of how unfair that was.

  “I am aware Luna; all around this is horrible. My main concern is why do you want to stand by Nil? Are you sure you want to pick that path? What is in it for you?” Dad inquired as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

  “I saw what happened when I did nothing. The world was basically brought to ruin from all the war and strife, and that was the time I opposed Nil. That is a good part of why I want to try and fight with Nil, as I know everything is fair game to the Void King as long as he gets what he wants. I get to retry and not make the same mistakes, so I want to try and change the future this time, no matter how bleak it might be.” I insisted, making sure to look my dad in the eyes. He simply sighed again.

  “I know I said I wanted to discuss this more, but I have also come to realize we are kind of stuck because of times we cannot even remember. That is one of the facts I am struggling to stomach the most; events that have occurred none of us can recall have brought us here.” Dad admitted. Was there anything I could say to make it better?

  “Do you dislike betting on Nil that much?” I probed, dreading what Dad was thinking on that front.

  “Luna, that display of was immensely

  “So, what would you do?” I checked. The terror and fear it instilled in everyone was brutally apparent; the fact even Krahinn was a bit rattled spoke volumes to what was witnessed.

  “The Dawnsfield family has upheld the oath to defend Speranza for millennia; I will not be the one to break it, but I want to be perfectly clear, I think this is a march to our deaths, we just get to live with the knowledge that we are at least going down swinging. We have been dragged into this quagmire by Nil and decisions of times that no longer exist; moving forward you and Nil are going to train to a degree that has never been seen before. We should ask Krahinn if it is possible for you to get a as well, and some form of . I do not think getting an is realistic because you would somehow need to sway a Lord for that, but if this is the path you wish to take you need to fully commit to it.” Dad declared. I ran up and hugged him.

  “Thank you for understanding.” I told him, feeling relieved he was on board.

  “Luna, I do not think you realize what I just said. I said fully

  “What do you mean? Isn’t it our obligation and honorable thing to do?” I tried, hoping that was what Dad was referring to.

  “Luna, you are asking to stand by the side of the most dangerous being in existence currently because of who all is determined to see him suffer. Our family’s oath is not sufficient for that level of risk; I do not care if someone would call me a coward or dishonorable, I am not letting my daughter risk her and my life without substantial compensation for such an endeavor.” Dad clarified for me. His expression was difficult for me to decipher.

  “I don’t follow. What are you saying, or trying not to say?” I asked. What was Dad getting at?

  “We need resources and knowledge. I have deep pockets, but the Imperial Family has even deeper pockets. King Krahinn has immensely valuable insight; there might be an similar to him, maybe not the same caliber but just as knowledgeable, who can help. You need to acquire that, but what happens after is what concerns me. Should we survive, especially if you survive, I want it guaranteed you are properly compensated for the effort.” Dad lectured. He was struggling to meet my gaze at the moment.

  “Nil would obviously compensate me; he cares about those around him.” I tried as I didn’t grasp what Dad was implying. He let out an annoyed sigh.

  “As much as this absolutely pains me to admit it, Grisbane might have the correct point even if her logic is wrong.” Dad informed me while looking away. Wait.

  “YOU MEAN GET ENGAGED TO NIL?!” I exclaimed, stunned that was what Dad was saying.

  “You are wanting to walk an immensely dangerous path; it is only fair he commits to you. A minimum of Archduchess for this, and a formal agreement the Imperial Family will devote just as much to Nil as to you. That is unnegotiable in my opinion if you want to continue this path. While I trust them to do the right thing, I want the guarantee if we are going to fight by their side against the chosen being of a Lord determined to eradicate us, that you get what you deserve out of it.” Dad stated. I could tell he was completely serious. My face felt immensely crimson at that.

  “What will they think?! That’s kind of sudden!” I deflected as I tried steadying my breathing.

  “We will need to discuss it, but I am not going to let you assume all of the risk without a guarantee you will not do it in vain.” Dad answered me. He was calm. He was serious. That… I mean… he kind of had a point.

  “Why?” I squeaked out.

  “I do not care what has happened nor what others say; I am not facing down the end of Tenebrae for honor alone. What I can control is limited with most decisions having been taken away from me. This is the sole thing I can, and while I do believe Nil will do the right thing, I want it in writing.” Dad declared. I knew this was his line in the sand, and nothing I was saying was changing his mind.

  “Okay.” I conceded as my mind was racing.