Somewhere in Hirica, underground, a city forgotten by time stood. Its stone ceiling was illuminated by fluorescent crystals, embedded in walls and pathways, mimicking the torchlight in castles. The architecture, though deteriorated, still reflected the glory of a fallen civilization. At its center, a great dark temple rose with a majestic marble structure, and cracked columns that seemed to bear the weight of the entire place.

  Inside the temple, a colossal throne sat at the top of a stone staircase, its silhouette reflected in an underground lake of crystal-clear water. A woman, covered by a black veil, rested on the throne with her back straight and chin lifted, exuding an air of imperishable royalty.

  In front of her, a dark figure bowed deeply in reverence. Its form was humanoid, and it wore a mask with hollow eyes that focused on the woman sitting on the throne with great devotion.

  —Eik, raise your head. —The woman's voice echoed through the cathedral, cold and enveloping—. You will receive your orders.

  The being known as Eik proceeded to listen to his mistress's orders.

  —More than fifty years ago —the woman continued—, that city dared insult me and took away my beloved pets. The wrath I felt that day has never faded. I had planned to exact my revenge at another time, but... everything has changed, the Princess of Babel has awakened.

  The echo of her voice spread through the underground temple like a dark omen.

  —Eik, you are well-acquainted with this woman. They call her the "Woman of Sand," am I correct?

  Eik clenched his claws tightly.

  —Yes, my lady.

  —My spies in Toki have confirmed her presence —the woman continued—. She is immortal, so don't waste your time trying to kill her. Capture her and bring her to me.

  The atmosphere grew heavier with the next revelation.

  —That woman has sealed many of my brothers, caging them as if they were beasts without will, trapping them in magical prisons. An unforgivable insult.

  The crystals in the cathedral flickered, as if the woman's rage affected the energy flow in the place.

  —To ensure the humans do not interfere this time —she continued with a malicious smile—, I will lend you one of my favorite pets.

  With a wave of her hand, a shadow emerged from the ground and materialized into an imposing dark-skinned goblin Its body was covered in tribal tattoos and it carried a staff made of dry wood. Its gaze was cruel and merciless, filled with hatred for humanity.

  —The shaman goblin and its hundreds of offspring will be under your command —declared the woman—. Exterminate the humans of Toki.

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  Eik bowed his head again.

  —And the Royal Guard?

  —I will handle them. I will make sure they are too occupied to protect their people. When they return, they will find nothing but ashes and death.

  A dense silence settled in the cathedral. Eik knew that his mission was a test, an ultimatum.

  —Eik. —The woman's tone turned colder—. If you fail... you will simply cease to exist.

  Eik did not respond immediately. He knew that his predecessors had made mistakes... and had vanished. His very existence was tied to the will of his mistress.

  —I will not fail.

  With a final bow, he withdrew, leaving a trail of black smoke behind him.

  As Eik began to move several steps down the temple hall, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman dressed entirely in black, except for her pale face. Her dark gaze was fixed on where Eik had been and she spoke to him.

  —My lord Eik, I wish you good luck on your mission. Remember that your existence depends on your success, and I wouldn't want to see you disappear like so many before.

  —A mere servant comes to wish me luck? Do I appear so weak to receive your good wishes, servant of the goddess? If the goddess didn't hold you in such high regard, I would have torn out your tongue for even daring to doubt me.

  —Lord Eik, it’s not that I doubt you, but while the Royal Guard may not be there, there are still humans with special gifts and mages who could cause you trouble. What will you do if they intervene and the Princess of Babel escapes? Then there would be no need for the goddess to erase me from existence, because failing would be the same as dying to me.

  —In that case, I have no doubts about your loyalty to my goddess. Will you accept my apology if I have insulted you? —the servant said, bowing her head.

  —Servant of the goddess, rest assured that I will triumph.

  The dark elf Eik withdrew, walking with a prose that denoted arrogance, and silence returned to the temple.

  The woman in black turned toward the throne and sighed dramatically.

  —My, it’s quite exhausting to act like this. Don’t you think, Priscila? —Her casual tone contrasted sharply with the respectful one she had used moments before.

  The woman on the throne laughed softly. Then, with an elegant motion, she removed her veil. Her face was that of an elven woman. Her skin was as pale as snow, her golden eyes glowed, and her golden hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders.

  —How did I do, my lady? —she asked with an enchanting smile.

  The woman in black smiled in approval.

  —Your performance as a cruel leader was excellent, Priscila. It is a pleasure to have an elf like you as my ally.

  Priscila, the elf sitting on the throne, smiled wryly.

  —When you disguise yourself as a subordinate and observe from the inside, you can see what they really are and what they think —she said, looking at the spot where Eik had knelt—. You can choose the most capable... and discard the weak.

  —I agree. —Priscila said this while crossing her legs elegantly—. In my case, playing the role of the cruel goddess everyone fears has also become... fun.

  The crystals in the cathedral shimmered with a somewhat jovial gleam.

  —Though deep down, I’m not so cruel after all —the woman in black said—. Fifty years of patience. I lost interest in punishing Toki... until the Princess of Babel appeared there.

  Priscila tilted her head thoughtfully.

  —It’s a shame. No one in that city should have died if she hadn’t shown up, said Priscila.

  —Exactly, Priscila. It’s all her fault —she said with a smile that turned sinister.

  The servant was the goddess, and the goddess was the servant, manipulating even her subordinates from the shadows.

  —My lady, what if Eik fails? —asked Priscila as she began to rise from the throne.

  —Nothing happens. There are others stronger and more capable who can replace him. All servants are replaceable, even you, Priscila.

  —Well, I’ll be happy to serve you until you think I’m no longer useful. After all, the reward for serving you is worth it.