Reigan Shen. He hovered nearby, watching while his weapons prepared to destroy Redmoon Hall.
Then the launchers inside the other portals took aim, and Yerin knew his target wasn’t the Hall.
He was after her.
If she used the Moonlight Bridge, Tiberian’s technique would destroy the Dreadgod cult. That would be a violation of her oath. She’d survive for another second, but then her spirit would turn in on itself and Shen could kill her anyway.
Yerin extended her Goldsigns and smelted her anger and fear into stubbornness. If she hadn’t died when the stars went out, she wasn’t going to die now.
And besides, help was on the way.
A voice echoed over the whole scene, dwarfing even the clash between techniques.
“Close.”
The portals to Yerin’s sides zipped closed as fast as they’d opened, but the one containing Tiberian’s Remnant only trembled. Shen was keeping his focus on it.
The space behind Yerin warped, and someone was standing behind her. She let out a breath of relief at the familiar presence, and Little Blue gave a cheer like frozen bells.
A thick bar of Blackflame shot through the portal and toward Tiberian’s spirit.
The Remnant reacted immediately, shielding itself with a crackling bolt of lightning, and the Striker technique slammed into it.
“Put away your toy before I break it,” Lindon said.
Shen allowed the portal to close, and responded at a normal volume. Lindon and Yerin were likely the only ones on the ship with ears sharp enough to catch it.
“You already took one of mine away,” the Monarch said. “I had prepared the labyrinth for myself. It’s only fair that I take a toy of yours in return.”
His eyes moved to Yerin and he gave a lazy, feline smile.
“Oh no, he called me a toy,” Yerin said in a flat voice. “I’m so angry that I’m stupid enough to hurl myself at a Monarch.” She slammed her sword back into its sheath.
Behind her, Lindon felt…silent. She was sure it was the effect of the Void Icon, but it almost made her shiver.
“I have not yet begun to take from you,” Lindon said quietly.
Then Yerin did shiver.
Reigan Shen raised his eyebrows. “Do you feel proud that you’ve alienated every possible ally before the other Dreadgods come for you?”
“What do you know of the Dreadgods?”
Dross whispered into Yerin’s mind. [Scary, isn’t he? We were practicing this on the way over in case he ran into a Monarch. When he felt you were under attack, I thought his heart was going to stop. Not that a heart attack would slow him down anymore. I feel like he could keep fighting if all he had left was a head.]
Yerin was too startled by the voice to pay attention to its message. Dross! You’re back!
[You know, I had this whole plan. I was going to pop out when you least expected it—well, that was my backup plan, I had another plan where I pretended to be the old me, then I shifted back…it doesn’t matter now. Anyway, I’m back!]
Little Blue gave a tinkling gasp and held out her arms.
[Awww, I want to come out…but Lindon’s having a stare-down with a Monarch. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.]
“Do you really want to have our grand battle now?” Reigan Shen had summoned a goblet full of wine from his apparently infinite supply and was gesturing with it. “When you have so much to lose?”
Lindon didn’t back down an inch. “Draw your weapon and find out.”
From Yerin’s shoulder, Little Blue stretched out her hands again and gave an insistent chirp.
[Awww, who can resist it when you ask so politely?]
Dross manifested next to Lindon and Little Blue dove onto him with a cheer. When she began chattering to him, his eye watered.
His body was entirely made-up and projected, so he didn’t have any tears, but Yerin thought the sentiment was worth it. She put her hand on the back of his head—he felt more solid than he ever had—and rubbed his scalp.
“Started to think we weren’t going to see this side of you again,” Yerin said.
With one tentacle, Dross wiped away a tear. [You two are the nicest to me, you know that? Well, except Mercy, but she’s nice to everybody. Where is Mercy?]
The strained tension between Lindon and the Monarch had grown somewhat awkward. Reigan Shen looked regally displeased.
“…apologies,” Lindon said eventually. “Why don’t you go prepare another ambush for me, since I won’t let you stall me long enough for the others to arrive.”
Reigan Shen sipped his wine. “This is hardly conduct befitting a Monarch.” Then he vanished.