"We have the power. Stop this immediately and I may allow you to live." His words brought protests from both Elemaiyan camps. They were desperate to get their hands on Fox for some reason. The Ka'Mirai could turn back time for them—I knew that much—but hadn't gone into any of their reasons for wanting to do so. The Ra'Ak, too, wanted something from the Ka'Mirai, and it was too terrible to contemplate. That had been a part of their agreement when they bargained with the Elemaiya, only they intended to take Fox for themselves and destroy the rest. I shoved those thoughts aside.
A voice now whispered in my mind. I'd heard it before, when it told me of the gates in my dream. And it had explained to me then, just why I was still alive. It gave me a choice, too. That choice had been frightening at the time. But now, I was forced to make the choice, just as I'd done once before. I was choosing a path, so others might live. Now, it was time to act. Time to see what I was made of. Time.
"Then it may interest you to know," I said, flinging off Connegar's disguise, "that I am removing the rule of the Dark Realm from the High Demons." I held out my arms and Pulled Power to me. It answered so readily to my call, prepared to do anything I asked of it. Light formed around me as I gathered energy, but I ignored it. My Inner Circle was pulling in to surround me, and I was only peripherally aware. More Power came and my light grew brighter. Many of the Ra'Ak were now turning their heads—their eyes were the most sensitive and vulnerable thing about them. I'd learned that the first time I'd fought them.
"Who are you?" The Bright Queen demanded. Winds were picking up now, whipping and swirling around me. I'd left my hair loose intentionally. The Elemaiya knew I wasn't the Ka'Mirai—had known for several seconds. The Bright Queen and Dark King both recalled seeing me before, with Kifirin. They were afraid to approach me. I pulled the last of the Power to me that I needed, holding it to me. I was shining as brightly as a star by that time. Connegar or someone shielded the eyes of my Inner Circle—they stood straight and strong, unblinking, behind me.
"You wish to know who I am?" My voice was thunder, echoing across the city of Veshtul. "I am Justice!" I roared and every Elemaiya, Bright and Dark, dropped to their knees.
"Take her!" The Ra'Ak Prince shouted, and I laughed. When several Ra'Ak attempted to fold in next to me, they discovered they were held back. I could do it—with only a thought. The planet now retained a shield around it for those attempting to flee. All who stood before me were rendered powerless.
"I will pass sentence first upon the High Demons who think to kill their brothers," I announced. "You are reduced to your humanoid status," I said, and all of them turned from their Thifilathi form, shrinking and screaming. "You will no longer be High Demon," I announced. "Your power is removed and your lifespan is reduced to two hundred years. The remaining High Demons will determine your fate from now on." I heard shrieks and cries among the crowd—a few High Demons were being eaten by Ra'Ak. I ignored it.
"Now, for the Elemaiya." They were still on their knees and some were flat on the ground. "There are only a few of you who had no desire to participate in this takeover," I informed them, the power of my voice forcing them to cower. "Those I will send away with these words: You will never again be capable of gating between worlds—that ability is removed. You will also never reproduce with any others except yourselves. The days of procreating with humanoids are over. Be careful how you treat the others on the planet to which I send you. I will watch you carefully from this point forward." Only sixteen Bright Elemaiya disappeared.
"Now, for the rest of you," I proclaimed. "You are also confined to a humanoid existence and will spend your days here, serving the High Demons. Your lifespan is reduced to two hundred years and you will only reproduce with your own kind. Your days of mistreating your quarter-blood children are over. It is my suggestion that you learn the laws of the High Demons swiftly, as they deal justice quickly if those laws are violated."
"You cannot do this; you do not have the power!" The Dark King shouted, rising up.
"Test me," I thundered. Black clouds boiled over our heads, and lightning split darkening skies. "Try your own power—I know you can shapeshift." He did try. And failed. He began to curse. "Silence," I waved a hand and he dropped to the ground.
"Now, to the Copper Ra'Ak," I turned my attention to the Ra'Ak Prince.
"You cannot do anything to us—we balance the Larentii. Kill us and they die, too." He was so sure. So smug in his beliefs.
"That was true," I agreed. "Before."
"You cannot change that," the Ra'Ak Prince spat.
"I am changing it," I announced. "Your Black Ra'Ak cousins now hold the balance for the Larentii. They did not defy Kifirin as you did. Had you taken the rule, it would have been a hollow victory. You would have been Prince over the Dark Realm of dead worlds. Dead as you made them to die. You, also, are now reduced to the humanoids you were before becoming Ra'Ak. I decree this." I blew my power and light outward, just as I often blew my mist outward. Each mote of light was charged with purpose and leapt to do my bidding. Ra'Ak screamed and writhed as they were flung on the ground and forced to change. The Elemaiya were also screaming and crying as they scattered to flee the chaos. I still stood before them, no longer surrounded by light and power as they began to rise from the ground—human, frightened and unsure.
* * *
Jaydevik and his brother Gardevik now flanked me as I surveyed the thousands of powerless humanoids before me. "These are your replacements for the comesuli," I grumbled. "I don't think many of them know much about anything. You have a long road before you." I looked up at Jayd. "If you want a safe place for Glindarok while she's pregnant, she's welcome on Le-Ath Veronis." I turned to walk up the steps to the palace. My Inner Circle pulled in and walked up with me.
* * *
"Where is the balance now—and the rule of the Dark Realms?" Garde asked me later. He, Jayd, a few High Demons, the Saa Thalarr, Spawn Hunters, healers, Kifirin and I were all in the meeting hall. The other High Demons were out herding former Ra'Ak, High Demons and Elemaiya around.
"It rests with my Lissa upon Le-Ath Veronis," Kifirin announced. "I made a promise not to interfere when I made the Dark Realms. That turned out to be a terrible mistake. My mate is now what I am and she made no such promise. You will all answer to her."