hadriel | [Video]

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[Not long after this.

At first glance, it appears to be Maketh holding the phone. It's her usual uniform, perfectly ironed, hair pinned up in a severe bun. She's standing outside the guardpost, rifle at her side. Everything looks as it ought to except for a single detail. The blue sash that all the guardsmen wear as a symbol of their position is nowhere to be seen.

Oh, and ignore the spray of blood across her chest. That's not important at all.]

Hello, citizens. I fear this experiment in democracy has gone on a little too long. It's high time to dispense with the nonsense and remember where we ought to stand. And what we are.

[She smiles.]

You needn't worry. The Empire loves all his children. All he asks is your loyalty.

[She pauses, glancing back at the guardpost.]

I'm terribly sorry about the mess, of course. But civilization always comes with a price. A gesture was necessary.

[Her tone hardens.]

Guardsmen, report in immediately. I want this under control.

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The Guard has undergone some changes recently. [The double sighs.] My, my. For someone with that much power, you have remarkably little vision. Shame about that.

And what do you think I should do with my powers, huh? [ Let's see what truths she can pull from this woman. ] What would you do with my powers?

[The double sighs.]

Is it not obvious? You have the power to remake your environment, but you lack the spine to fully commit to your cause.

[The double narrows her eyes.]

You could have slaughtered them all if only you'd gone further. They're hungry, you fool. So take away their food.

[In other words, kill everyone not immediately useful. Drain the strongest of their power and then deal with the rest when they're weak from hunger.]

[ Sharon bristles at that comment. Her, lacking in a spine? As if. She doesn't switch to audio this time, leaning in close as if to invade her space. ]

Don't ever suggest I lack in a spine or I will take yours to prove you otherwise. [ She has done things that Maketh could only dream of, committed to things she still has nightmares about. She doesn't appreciate it when people try to belittle her or what she's capable of or done. ]

And you're the fool. The Door surges monthly and they've gone without dinner before. [ But it was an idea she had, before, during, and after her takeover. What if she just killed them all? Take away all their little energy sacks and then, maybe, locate and kill the gods one at a time as they weaken. But she's since learned that doing so would have done little good, though it would have been a major inconvenience on Hope's part.

Sharon's working smarter now, not harder. There are only two gods that truly matter: Fear and Sorrow. Find a way to hurt what they love or treasure and she will control them, use them, and then hurt them. ]

[The double bares her teeth in response.]

Why not? You're still cowering on the ground with the rest of these fools.

[She laughs.]

They've missed dinner but they haven't starved.

Tell me, how badly do you want to win, Sharon?

[ Sharon rolls her eyes. Cowering? They wish. She does not cower, no matter what she has to face. The Order wanted her to give birth to their god and thought she would cower in the fires, but she rose up and struck them down. Just as she'll do here, though with a little more finesse this time around. ]

And they won't as long as the Door is active. Tell me, Maketh, do you have a plan for the Door?

[The double just smiles.]

Of course. My allies have power. Much like yours, as it happens.

[ Her eyes narrow now, curious. ]

Really now? Who? [ Because power likes hers is frightening and terrifying and should never exist and yet it does. If Maketh's allies have abilities like hers, then that's not good. ]

Oh, I don't know if you've earned that just yet. [No one gets all the information unless they're on board with the plan.] But let's just say we have you outnumbered. Significantly.

Numbers don't matter when I can bring out the monsters in you. [ She worries that this Maketh may be telling the truth and that bothers her, but she dares not let it show. She can only bring out the monsters in the Otherworld, not this one, but that's information few are privy to, though it wouldn't be a difficult assumption to make.

She licks her lips, though, as if considering something. ]

What would I have to do to earn that information?

[The double just keeps on smiling.]

Prove your loyalty, of course. Make a...contribution to the cause.

You seem like a smart girl. I'm sure you can think of something appropriate.

[ Make a contribution to the cause? Sharon snorts. Like that'll be happening. ]

Or maybe I'll just take the information from you? Can your many friends stop me from doing that?

Oh, I rather think they can.

[This time, the double is dead serious.]

Do you want to prove it? [ And Sharon, too, is entirely serious, daring, even. ]

Are you so eager to test yourself?

[The double shrugs.]

No matter. You'll get your chance soon enough.

No, I'm just eager to beat your face in and teach you a lesson.

[The double just laughs.]

You'd hardly be the first. Try to make your threats a bit more convincing, will you?

Do you think I'm just spitting bullshit? [ because she knows where this Maketh is at and she will come for her if necessary. ]

[The double just frowns.]

You're a child with too much power. Not the first. Nor the last, I suspect. If you live long enough, you might be something worth remembering. But not yet.

[The double smiles.]

I'm sure it will be glorious.

You know what? Scratch just beating your face in. Maybe I should lead you into the fog, let you deal with your own nightmares so nobody here has to listen to you blather on anymore.

[Promises, promises.]

All in good time.

I suggest you hide because I'm heading your way. [ The video shows that she's clearly on the move, albeit not with too much speed. ]

[Welp. Time to move on. The double has plans. She can't involve her allies just yet.]

Hmm. I'll deal with you soon enough.

Coward. [ She taunts lazily. ]

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