Dimensional Descent

"From now on I will be in charge."

Secretary Marquisette Maia's demeanor completely shifted. From a coquettish, seductive air, the atmosphere around her became oppressive and heavy. It felt as though she had become a completely different person. No… It was like she had gone back to being that old hag of over a year ago…

"First, the scouting missions will be ramping up. I want anyone with speed, concealment and sensory abilities to be inserted in a reconnaissance unit effective immediately. The only exceptions I will allow are those in commanding roles.

"All Tier 5 Admirals will be responsible for securing a ten kilometer coastal buffer. The ocean has been ruled by beasts for too long, how useless are you all for allowing this to continue?

"All Tier 5 Generals will be in rotating vanguard positions. I don't want there to be a single moment in any single day where there is not any pressure being applied on these jumping monkeys of Terrain. How long do you intend to allow them to gallivant on our turf? Is this what being a noble means to you?

"General Umbred, General Sater, General Tudo. Consider yourselves demoted. Your replacements will be the new General Milan, General Raj and General Joel."

"What?!"

General Umbred stood in a rage, his mustache furiously blowing in all his anger.

"Sit down."

Umbred felt a cold shiver course through his veins. He met Maia's cold gaze, completely unable to stop his body from trembling.

"While you were holing yourself up in the safety of this dome, those three led a vanguard against the Invalid tide. Yet, you still dare to call yourself a general and even raise your voice toward me? Who do you think you are?

years in

shock, he couldn't believe

himself, but it was most definitely one

nor did he know a Joel or Raj. All he knew was they had to be commoners because the only ones

the most. Even worse, because he couldn't

Sater and Tudo didn't even dare to breathe too heavily. They could only watch with sunken

Umbred was finished

of dereliction of duty will not be tolerated. Every offender will receive a more damning sentence than

though nothing had happened,

the more they realized that Maia had ears everywhere. Every one of her new laws of order was pointed at a very particular problem that was almost impossible to notice on a

spoke, the more the nobles felt their hearts tighten. They sat up straighter, their demeanor becoming several levels

this was if she had informants. But, it was impossible to tell who they were, it left them all

Maia put in positions of power, trying to see if they could deduce who to be wary of in the future. But, the more they tried to

much at all. It left them all in a state of limbo, as though they were suspended

they didn't know Maia was doing this on purpose by now, they wouldn't be worth the noble titles

of them would dare

commoners to enter. Level the outer city and repurpose the steel walls for some more practical

nobles felt like cleaning out their ears. What did

even bother to explain herself from start to finish. She never gave a reason for anything, but deep inside, the nobles knew exactly why she made every decision. This was the only one they couldn't quite wrap