May 31, 1912 AZ

As the train rumbled through the mountains, Maxillio tensed. Earlier in the day, their submarines had emerged from the depths of the sea. They had returned to the village of Bacoprina before boarding a train on their way to Lumagris. This time, they took the railway through the mountains. Through the windows of the carriages, Maxillio could see rows upon rows of craggy peaks flashing past. The bottom halves of the peaks were covered with dark green pines and their upper halves were rugged and covered with veils of snow. 

Here and there, Maxillio could see rich blue rivers flowing past. Some rivers sliced through pine forest and deciduous trees. Others emptied into little mountain lakes with deep turquoise waters. In the skies above, he could see dozens of flying boats sailing through the skies. He recalled the bombing of Soporito City and quickly turned away. He thought of the mission ahead. Then, he quickly glanced behind him. 

They had separated into three groups. The assassins were transported in windowless freight carriages. They would leave the train when she slowly rumbled through the tunnel that led to the bridge. The second group lay in the car with Maxillio and Alanea. This group was subdivided into two halves. One half would pretend to be soldiers who had aided in the capture of the smugglers. The other half would pretend to be the smugglers. They were to meet the Emperor. The third and final group was in another passenger car. This group was led by Jose. They would separate from Maxillio's group and scour the tower in search of any of the Emperor's bodies. 

Maxillio rehearsed the plan in his mind dozens of times per second. Once they had entered the confines of Lumagris, there would be no turning back or refinements to the plan. They had to make do with what they had. If any changes were necessary, they would have to be made as the mission was unfolding. There would be no second chances. He had to rehearse exactly what he would do and anticipate some challenges they might encounter. Once he had finished rehearsing the plan, he kept an open, adaptable mind ready to respond to any unanticipated changes. 

Maxillio quickly glanced through the windows. They had entered the valley that Lumagris occupied. The train hurtled over tracks carved into the sides of the mountains. Every now and then, the train would cross stone and metal bridges, enter through tunnels, and emerge into the open light again. He could see the river that led into the city and the fields of farmland that provided much of the city's food. 

Then, they had approached the mountains nearest the city. Below and to the side, he could see the familiar buildings of the city he knew so well. Ahead, he could see the two stone bridges that led into the tower. Above the tower, he could see the palace. The Emperor awaited them there and his bodies were scattered throughout the city. Jose had reassured him that all of the Emperor's bodies had to be in Lumagris. They could only separate from each other so far before they lost the shared consciousness that linked them. 

Even so, knowing his enemy lay in a single city did not do much to reassure him. The train had now rolled into a little station built on a platform on a mountainside. There, a dozen guards awaited him. This was the first trial. They had to trick the guards into letting them pass without allowing the assassins to be discovered. If all else failed, Alanea would attempt to subdue them with her awakening. Maxillio glanced at her. She nodded. The plan unfolded now. 

One guard approached his passenger car. Maxillio opened the door and leapt down to greet him. He saluted the guard and the guard saluted back. The guard said "welcome back Commander Martel. You've been missing for quite some days." 

"Indeed," said Maxillio. "My apologies for that. Commander Alraque and I were pursuing the smugglers that have extracted the Velwyrms from the ghetto. These smugglers were really something else! They led on a chase across the sea to Soporito. However, we were able to capture them." 

The guard raised an eyebrow. "Why have you not contacted other members of the military for their aid in this mission? Why have you not informed the higher ups of your absence?" 

"It is the heat of the moment," Maxillio replied, keeping his voice steady and calm. "I was so ecstatic at the thought of bringing these disgusting fiends to justice that I failed to consider the implications of my actions. For that, I apologize." 

"Are the smugglers in the this car?" 

"Yes sir." 

"Why are you bringing them along this path? This railway is designated for materials meant for the Emperor." 

"You see sir, I thought that it would be appropriate for these criminals to be tried by the Emperor himself. To free hundreds of Velwyrms from the ghetto is a capital crime. What better way to try a capital crime than for the Emperor himself to decide upon the verdict? This will surely set an example to any future smugglers that they cannot escape the Emperor's justice." 

The guard said "we shall be inspecting the contents of this train first." 

Then, the guard beckoned to the others. Five other guards boarded the train alongside the first. The stalked down the length of the car. When they saw the group masquerading as smugglers, one guard smashed his rifled into his head. The 'smuggler' slammed back against the seat. The guard muttered "serves you right you bloody scum!" 

Alanea struggled to calm herself. Now was not the time for battle. They had to maintain their masquerade at least until they had reached the tower. Fortunately, the guards did not commit anymore acts of violence. They departed from her car and stepped aboard the next car. Jose awaited them. The guards quickly saluted to Jose before inspecting Jose's group of 'guards.' Then, the inspectors left the train and approached the freight carriage. 

Maxillio waited for Alanea to step into position. She placed her back against the wall and expanded her soul field. She waited until all six guards were inside it, then activated her awakening. Immediately, overwhelming fatigue filled the guards' bodies. She summoned all her might and placed it into the activation of her awakening. The guards struggled to remain awake. One of them tried to utter a word of warning. However, he collapsed before he could make a sound. All six guards slumped against the group. 

The remaining guards noticed their comrades collapse. However, Alanea was faster. She leapt out of the car and landed amongst them, her awakening still active. Immediately, these guards as well were engulfed with fatigue. One of them raised his rifle towards her and the others braced themselves for battle. Maxillio tensed. Then, he relaxed as these guards too collapsed. Alanea stepped away from the guards and approached a little cabin built beside the mountain. Inside was a lever that opened the towering steel gates that led into the mountain. She pulled down upon it and the gates swung open. 

Then, she boarded the train again as it slowly rumbled through the tunnel. Then, when they were obscured from sight by the tunnel, the freight car doors slide open and the assassins leapt out. The tunnel was massive. It held only one rail, but was wide enough for four. All along the smooth brick sides of the tunnel were rows of orange lights and the occasional grey steel door. These doors led to shafts that in turn, led down into the base of the mountain. Through these shafts, they would be able to enter Lumagris. 

One assassin slid the train doors closed, then followed the others down one shaft. They were all dressed in black overalls with white, short-sleeved shirts. It was the standard dress for workers. Disguised as these, they would carefully scour the city for any signs of the Emperor's bodies. Maxillio watched them go. When the final assassin disappeared into the shaft, the door closed and they vanished from sight. 

The train maintained its slow pace through another set of gates. Then, they emerged onto the bridge. The train slowly rumbled over the bridge. Through the windows, Maxillio observed the planes flying through the air. He hoped they were not an omen. Ahead of them lay another set of steel gates that led into the tower. This was it. Their final confrontation with the Emperor was beginning. 

The operator slowed the train to a halt right before the gates. The gates opened and the train slid inside. Inside the tower, they entered a cavernous corridor. The railway here was lined on both sides by granite platforms lined with marble pillars that held up the roof. Brass chandeliers hung from the roof, bathing the station in warm, orange glow. On the platforms were dozens of servants and maids, railway workers and Petroknights, all of whom were busy with their individual tasks. 

The train ground to a halt beside the two platforms and workers slowly approached it. Maxillio led his group of 'smugglers' and fellow 'soldiers' out of the car and onto the platform. The workers backed away upon seeing a whole row of men with hands tied by chains. The Petroknights saluted to him and he saluted in return. Jose was the next to disembark. Everyone on the platform bowed to Jose. Maxillio nodded to Jose, who promptly returned his gesture. Jose led his 'guards' towards a massive set of crimson double doors. The doors opened into a marble corridor furnished with pillars and little brass lights. They had begun their search for the Emperor's bodies in the tower. 

Maxillio remained in the station alongside Alanea and the rest of their group. They carefully scanned their surroundings for any signs of the Emperor's bodies. There were none. They slowly marched past the Petroknights and other workers and towards a set of blue double doors. They marched through the corridor and up three flights of stairs. Before them were a set of immense black doors with guards stationed just in front of them. 

Alanea saluted to them and asked "permission to proceed?" 

"State your business," said the guards. "Why have you brought a chain of prisoners here towards the palace?" 

"We wish for the Emperor to try these particular criminals," said Maxillio. "These scum are smugglers that have enabled hundreds of Velwyrms to escape the ghetto. We wish His Majesty to try them as this will surely serve a fine example to deter other smugglers from attempting their stunts." 

The guards nodded and opened the doors. This was it thought Maxillio. On the other side way the lobby that led into the palace. The group slowly marched through, careful to maintain a steady pace to avoid raising suspicion. When the last person had stepped through the doors, the gates slammed shut. Maxillio quickly scanned the lobby. The towering room boast turquoise walls and white carpets. The walls were lined with granite pillars tipped with gold. On both sides of the room were a series of oaken doors. 

One set of doors swung open and the Emperor stepped out. Maxillio tensed upon seeing the Emperor. The man was as majestic as ever, striding towards them with steady footsteps. The Emperor gave no clue as to what his thoughts were. However, Maxillio caught a glint of suspicion in his eyes. Maxillio felt his heart sink. They were not off to a good start. Still, they had come too far to turn back now. 

He quickly bowed alongside Alanea and the members masquerading as guards. The Emperor said "what is the meaning of this Commander?" 

"Your Highness," said Maxillio. "Please forgive my lack of messages stating our arrival. However, I felt that this matter was far too urgent and important to be decided by anyone but Your Excellency." 

"Explain yourself," said the Emperor. 

"Yes sire!" said Maxillio. He quickly saluted, then said "the men in chains are smugglers. They have smuggled hundreds of Velwyrms from their homes in the ghetto and sent them across the sea. I believe that if you were to try them Your Excellency, then it will serve as a marvellous example to deter other such smugglers in the future." 

"And what makes you think that?" retorted the Emperor. "These so-called 'men' have decided to defy me once by smuggling those wretches out of their hive. What makes you think that, if I were to try them, they would be deterred?" 

As the Emperor spoke, Alanea, Maxillio, and the members of their group scanned their surroundings. They expanded their soul fields until they had engulfed most of the palace. They sensed the presence of eight Petroknights scattered throughout the palace. They could also sense three of the Emperor's bodies scattered throughout as well. Noting the positions of their enemies, they poised themselves to strike. As the Emperor finished his final words, Maxillio leapt towards the man, his blade outstretched and coated in a sheathe of white spirna. 

The Emperor's eyes widened and he tried to evade. He was too slow. The saber pierced his heart. The white spirna, the conjuring of inauguration, induced death upon those it hit. Upon contact with the Emperor's body, it forced the body into decay. The Emperor's form turned grey, then cracks appeared on his skin. The cracks spider-webbed across his skin until they covered him from head to toe. And then, the Emperor's body was reduced to nothing more than a pile of dust. The grey dust formed a cloud that hovered in the air before the dust particles grew smaller and smaller, transformed into tiny flakes, and then, one by one, disappeared from sight. In the span of one millisecond, the Emperor's body was no more. 

However, more enemies were on the way. Sensing the disappearance of one body, the Emperor's other bodies scattered. Some ran deeper into the palace whilst others descended towards their location. The Petroknights too descended the palace. One of them leapt into the air and slammed into the ground. Maxillio looked up as the roof collapsed. Ten men plummeted towards them from the shattered roof. Amongst them, he could see two of the Emperor's bodies. That left one body unaccounted for. 

The Emperor's bodies landed on the ground before them, surrounded by his Petroknights. The 'smugglers' leapt upright and tore the chains apart. Freed from their bounds, they leapt at their enemies. Maxillio and Alanea rushed in as well. Alanea activated her awakening, inducing fatigue on every single enemy. Their own forces fell upon them as well. One by one, they slaughtered every last one of their foes. Then, they scoured the palace in search of the final body. They found him hiding atop the roof. 

Maxillio leapt at him from one side. Alanea leapt at him from the other. Maxillio coated his blade in a sheathe of white spirna. Alanea morphed her spirna into a sword she held in her hand. She swung high. He swung low. The blades cleaved the Emperor at the neck and at the legs. The Emperor's bodies were reduced to nothing more than dust. And yet, they could not celebrate. Beneath them, they could hear explosion after explosion rocking the tower. The battle was far from over. Jose's group was in trouble.