Ninety-One Nismera

The crowd parted, creating a clearing as I landed the massive ryphor. Dust blew as its mighty body whipped and curled before coming to a stop. Several guards still hovered above me, keeping the perimeter secured.

“The legion,” I heard someone whisper and saw a mother slap her hand across her whispering child’s face.

Others landed and dismounted as I jumped to the ground. The whispers died, people clinging to their loved ones. Shops didn’t dare close their doors or windows, afraid to draw my attention to them. Gods above, I loved the smell of fear. It was almost as intoxicating as my other favorite indulgence.

I removed my helmet, my hair spilling down my back as I placed it on the saddle.

“He’s still here,” my lead commander said, and a smile bloomed across my face.

“Excellent.”

We moved as one, a whole legion behind me, shuffling down the road. Those who did not move out of the way of my army were shoved to the side, elbowed, and kicked. People murmured and stared, watching to see where we were going, making sure we weren’t coming toward them.

I loved the control I had over the realms. I had built the fear from the ground up and secured my own crown. This was paradise to me. To me, this was peace. I would never again be beneath another as I had been so many eons before. I finally had the crown and throne I deserved, and I’d be damned if I allowed anyone or anything to take it from me. The Eye would fall. They couldn’t hide forever, and today I was taking the next step in flushing them out. I was here to cut off their supply of weapons.

The alleyway was rank and filthy, and I curled my lip as I walked down it. I heard the click of locks before I even rounded the corner. Murmured moans turned to whispered shouts and then the sound of scurrying feet. These people lived like vermin, and I thought about just exterminating them all.

I flicked my wrist, and the golden-tipped spear appeared in my hand. My guards and commander stepped back. I aimed it at the door and pushed my power through it, leaving a gaping hole where the door had been. I stepped into the brothel and the screaming began.