The city slept like the dead at night. The overwhelming pressure and exhaustion that had been piling up for weeks had finally dissipated. The initial cleanup had taken a long time as well, and the full work would take weeks. Removing thousands of bodies wasn't an easy task, even when magic was involved. But once the weary citizens entered their domiciles, they simply collapsed without a word. There was no grand celebration, or ceremony. That was planned for later. For now, the people needed their rest.

Even Aenon napped in peace in his oversized bed. Despite his insistence, Henry had refused to cut down on the luxuries in his private room. The new furniture was less of an eyesore than before but regal, nonetheless. Aenon, like most people, slept in and only woke up around noon.

But he didn't get out of bed immediately, simply lying there as he stared at the ceiling above. It was a blank canvas now, with little to no decoration. Just the way he liked it. Bane was sleeping next to his bed, while the other wolves were nestling in the Shadow Realm. The pups though were hunkered down with Jenny in her own room. Interestingly, except Bane and Venge, none of the wolves had gained sapience. Even among the pups, only one of them was close to achieving it. They were smarter than dogs, but that was the limit.

Aenon let his Soul Authority scan the entire city. Very few people were up and about, including the mansion staff. He could sense Mira in the kitchen, feverishly pushing herself to prepare for the day. He sighed as there was nothing he could do to curb their zeal to serve. Especially on a day like today. At least they seemed to be content and well fed.

The feeling coursing through Aenon's body was surreal. It was like someone had coaxed him into a comfortable paralysis. He just didn't feel like moving his muscles. Every second that he lay motionless felt like a hard-earned reward.

"Greetings, Alpha," Bane spoke from the side. But he too didn't bother moving, simply opening one eye respectfully.

"Good morning, Bane," Aenon responded with a smile. After the chaos from yesterday, it felt cathartic to laze around like this.

And so, they did. No complicated plots, no bloody conflict, no political upheaval. In this tiny moment, no thoughts took purchase in Aenon's mind. Without realizing it, he fell asleep again.

When he woke up next, Aenon sensed a lot of activity in the city. Based on it he assumed that it was much later in the day. Especially since Mira was dutifully waiting to the side with a tray of food.

"Good morning, Lord Fenrast," she said with a bow.

"Hello Mira," Aenon replied with a smile as he sat up.

Her soul felt…livelier. Aenon could feel the relief radiating off her as she set up the food on the side table. She had even begun to hum a soft tune, something Henry would have given her an earful for. But Aenon didn't mind. He quietly went to the bathroom to freshen up, and by the time he was back, his bed was made.

"Thank you, Mira," Aenon said.

"My pleasure, Lord Fenrast."

Aenon took his seat, with Mira serving him the food. As usual, it was delicious. But when compared to Mrs. Ashvein's cooking, it was lacking.

"How's your family?" Aenon asked as he enjoyed the meal.

"They are doing well. They weren't on the frontline like most people, but their contribution netted them several levels and Titles. My father is quite ecstatic about it."

Mira's tone was jubilant, as she started elaborating on the status of everyone she knew. Which was half the people who stayed back from the looks of it. Her casual banter didn't end for a while, even after Aenon was done eating. He in turn just listened in silence, not interrupting her flow.

"…and my mom's friend—you know the one who does the tailoring—picked up a broom and threw it over the wall…"

On and on she went, with Aenon listening in amusement. She would probably have continued till nightfall if not for the knock at the door.

"Enter," Aenon commanded, giving Henry and Thalindra permission.

Mira hastily started clearing the table, keeping her eyes trained on her work. Henry eyed her sternly but didn't say anything.

"Greetings, Lord Fenrast," Henry said with a formal bow. Thalindra mirrored the gesture.

Aenon waved it off and asked directly, "How's the cleanup?" He chose to ask for the less grim news first.

"Quite efficiently," Henry responded. "Most of the carcasses will need to be incinerated, but we will butcher and examine most for cores before doing so. The resources the city will gain from it are staggering."

Aenon nodded in acknowledgement before turning to Thalindra. "What's the death toll?"

It was morbid to ask the statistic like that. But Aenon didn't know how else to address it.

"Of the two thousand three hundred combatants, five hundred sixty four were killed," Thalindra said solemnly. "Two hundred thirty of them chose to stay behind as undead."

The numbers were not good to look at. Losing a quarter of your fighting force—even if a significant chunk did choose undeath to stay back—was a bad image. But because they were outnumbered by an army of more than three times their size, the losses felt like an achievement.

Aenon pursed his lips, digesting the information. They had paid a significant price to repel the threat, but the deaths still weighed on him. Especially after the outburst from that woman last night. Even though Aenon had rebuffed her, her words still haunted him.

As if sensing his thoughts, Henry spoke up softly.

"These numbers are phenomenal by Multiversal standards, sire. If any other city had gone up against such odds, their annihilation was all but guaranteed. Like I mentioned before, most city leaders abandon their post in such situations. The fact that you stayed true to your words and led the charge is gratifying to say the least."

Aenon could sense the man's feelings. They were completely genuine, as was the resolve that had transformed into something more. Calling it loyalty wouldn't do it justice.

"Thank you, Henry," Aenon said with a tight smile.

"If this is about the woman from last night—" Thalindra began, but Aenon cut her off with a raised hand.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I get it, Thalindra," he replied in a low tone. "Coming out unscathed in a war is wishful thinking. There is always a price to pay."

Aenon left a lot unsaid but based on the feelings he got from the three in the room, they still wanted to try comforting him. Which is why he changed the topic.

"What of the preparation for the next phase?"

Thalindra held her tongue, having a pained expression on her face. She withdrew several crystals which she placed in an orderly fashion on the table.

"These are the recordings from the entire operation," she said seriously. "We will make several thousand copies and spread them in the Alliance cities."

This was the retaliatory blow that they had planned for. The Alliance had tried to break them from inside. It was only fair that they experienced the same.

Only this time, the schism would be formed based on truth. The oppressed masses of the Alliance would see first-hand how vile their supposed benefactors were. Their secret schemes to make a city submit; and their decision to destroy it when they didn't yield. All under the guise of betterment and safety.

But no matter how they tried to spin it, the people would feel the weight of dictatorship. The subtle signs that their safety came at a cost. And for people from Earth, it wouldn't be that hard to point out. After all, pre-integration most countries enjoyed democracies. Putting such people in an autocratic regime was a hard pill to swallow. The only reason it had worked was because of the unfamiliarity of this new world. But given an alternative option—one which aligned with their pre-conceived notion of basic human rights—it was hard to see the populace reacting any other way but abandon their leadership.

And for the select few who desperately wanted to continue this new hierarchy in favor of their own gain, the horrors in the recordings would be a stark reminder that they were not the elites. That their false sense of superiority was nothing but scraps thrown their way.

In this new reality, power was earned. And it was freely available to anyone who wanted it.

"What if they claim these to be fake?" Aenon asked.

Henry shook his head. "System recordings can't be faked. These crystals are available through the Multiversal Auction. Not cheap, but very crucial when it comes to spreading the truth. Which must be why the Alliance has outlawed the item from their cities. They have been systematically purchasing these in bulk and disposing them. If not for our inside man, we wouldn't have been able to make so many copies."

Aenon smiled at the mention of the 'inside man'.

"You certainly put him to good use," Aenon quipped at Thalindra.

"Nothing he didn't already want to do," she returned his mischievous smile. "Just make sure you have their fee ready when this is over."

This was all, of course, Thalindra's doing. She had planned and orchestrated the entire thing. Her sharp-witted planning when it came to politics never failed to amaze him.

"Certainly," Aenon replied, not forgetting the cost the spies had demanded for setting their plan into motion.

Aenon leaned back into his chair with his eyes closed. The coming days would be a different kind of war. One he was not good at, but something he really needed to learn if he wanted to face entities like the Overseer and the Empire. Luckily, he had capable people by his side.

"Alright," Aenon finally said with a sigh. "Let's wrap it up for now. We have to prepare for the evening ceremony."

Everyone bowed in acknowledgement and prepared to leave. Except Thalindra, who had something more to say.

"I apologize for not letting you know about the undead," Thalindra said nervously after the other two left. "Quite frankly, I didn't know it would happen. I was merely trying to mark the end of the siege. But the orb did something I was not expecting. It channeled—"

"No need to explain yourself," Aenon cut her off. "We are soul mages, remember? I can sense what you feel. And honestly, it was the right thing to do. Giving them a second chance." Aenon hesitated a moment before adding, "It makes me feel less bad about my decision to push them into the confrontation."

Thalindra looked lost for words as she looked at him. But eventually she decided not to pursue it further. She bowed respectfully and left with a sad smile.

Aenon stood up and walked up to the window. There was a huge commotion outside as people ran about to prepare for the solemn event. He looked at the busy hubbub with a distant eyes. It will take a long time for the streets to be lively again. But at least this was a start.

Bane emerged from his shadow and sat down on his haunches next to Aenon. He too looked at the recovering city in silence.

"I do not envy your burden, Alpha," Bane finally spoke. "For I too bore it once. Sending those who trust and follow you into death's embrace is not easy." He stayed quiet for a moment before adding, "But it is something every Alpha has to do."

"Hmm," Aenon responded glumly.

He stood there for almost an hour, letting his mind clear out of any thoughts.

Eventually, he headed for the bathroom to clean up. After a quick shower, he entered his walk-in closet for the first time. An assortment of formal robes and dresses were neatly arranged. He directly picked the one that fit the current occasion: an all-black formal attire.

Just as he was ready, Mira knocked at the door. As she entered, he noticed that she was dressed in all black as well.

"It is time, sire," she said in a subdued tone.

Aenon nodded as he walked out, with her following close behind. As they made their way, Aenon's retinue kept growing. First his personal guard, then Jenny, Ignar, Velastra, Thalindra, Boff and Toff. Everyone was dressed in the same somber colors.

As they made their way to the courtyard, the city had already assembled to mourn their loved ones. The people stood in a wide circle around a central clearing that held neatly arranged coffins. Silent sobs punctuated the crowd as Aenon walked ahead.

Three hundred thirty four coffins, draped in all black.

And an almost equal number made from unadorned wood.

All the slain lay together. Their allies. And their enemies.

A chilly wind blew across the clearing, yet no one reacted to it. Quietly a steady stream of people began to walk forward and lay down mementos and flowers. Some broke down and cried, others walked stoically, holding themselves together for the benefit of others.

Aenon stood there for the hour or so for everyone to get their turn to pay their respects. Only once everyone was done, did he approach the fallen. Quietly, he bowed and placed a copper coin on each coffin.

Once done he moved onto the ones who hadn't received any tributes. He repeated the silent ritual for the unmarked coffins. Confusion and anger rippled through the crowd. Yet no one dared to question him, holding their tongue despite the discontentment.

Once done, he walked back to his earlier position and looked at the crowd. Their malice and hate filled eyes said it all.

Aenon absorbed it all in silence, before withdrawing another copper coin. The one he had received a lifetime ago. He held it up for everyone to see.

"I was given this coin on the first day of this new reality," Aenon announced to the attentive crowd. "The lady knew nothing about me and yet spent almost an hour lecturing me about the value of life. She handed this to me to prevent me from recklessly throwing away my life in pursuit of Goblins. This coin was the first currency I received in this world — not as a reward, nor as a payment, but out of kindness."

A stunned silence followed as people stared at the unassuming piece of metal. Ignar and Jenny's eyes widened in sudden understanding — they finally knew why Aenon had once demanded a copper coin for their lives.

"That is why I associate a life's worth to be in this coin," Aenon continued. "An object of insignificant value. Yet a simple gesture has elevated its worth to something priceless. A life, to me, is the same. Its worth is not the person itself. But in how they are perceived by others."

Aenon stored away the coin in his pocket before pointing at the coffins.

"Their lives were not precious because of what they did or didn't do. They are so because of how you view them." He turned to the wooden coffins. "In life these were our enemies. In death, they are nothing more than the fallen."

The hate and scorn began to ebb away with his words. No one present could find it in them to push back against his logic. For it was universally true. Before, or after the System integration. The men and women who fell in battle were just that: soldiers on the opposite side. Their views and motivations may differ. But after the embrace of death, none of it mattered.

Aenon raised a hand towards a nearby torch, pulling the flames into his palm. With a wave of finality, he cast the fire to spread to all the funeral pyres. As the last of the fires was lit, he bowed his head in reverence. An act that was followed by everyone present.

The crowd watched the flames in introspective silence. Some reliving past memories; others looking towards their future. The inferno rose higher as a gust of wind picked up, turning the blaze into a violent twister.

But within the fires something miraculous happened. Something that not even the death mage could explain.

People looked on in wonder as faces began to appear within the torrent. They showed neither pain nor sadness. Only a silent acceptance. Faces that Aenon knew all too well.

But Aenon had eyes only for one. A woman; her scar free face showing a soft smile.

"Thank you for honoring my death," her ghostly voice reached none but Aenon. A haunting melody that faded along with the illusion. "My name was Tess."

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