“I am just an archfey.” I responded.

  Lucy snickered.

  Izanami was still watching me, contemplating things. Then her eyes started glowing.

  I felt a soft breeze, I smelled flowers and it felt like the warm sun was shining on me. All around me I could feel nature, I could feel the forest. That was her aura. It was so gentle but I could feel the power.

  “The forest greets you, Lady of Storms.” Izanami said.

  “Feels kind of nice but I prefer your aura, Amaya.” Lucy mused. She did not seem alarmed despite the power on display.

  Lilith’s face was unreadable but she was studying Izanami and me. As I looked around the room I saw a lot of surprised faces. I already knew that not all immortals were on the same level. Kitsune could have up to nine tails, for example. But even with one tail they were powerful. Mantus, the demon lord we had killed, was not one of the strongest. We had certainly grown since then. I was confident I could beat Lilith and she was supposed to be one of the older ones.

  Yet I had never considered a real hierarchy among archfey. Looking at Chione, she was clearly not in the same league as Izanami. Lady of the Forest. I had assumed it was just a title given to her by the elves. People liked fancy titles. But what if meant more? I had been called the Lady of Storms before. Was there more to that? Or was it just a title for any storm archfey?

  I nodded towards Izanami, who seemed to be waiting for something. “The storm greets you, Lady of the Forest.”

  She smiled and her aura disappeared. “Maybe we should all meet for a private conversation. Amaya, Lucy, Lilith and Chione, would you join me in my study?”

  “Sure.” I agreed, although I was still lost in thought. I did not fully understand my own powers. Should I ask Izanami for guidance? First I needed to ensure that we were on the same side. She was friendly, for now. But I had only just met her.

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  We were led into a nice small room with two couches and three chairs. They were arranged around a small coffee table. As we entered, glasses floated from a cabinet towards the table.

  I sat down on a couch and Lucy joined me. Chione and Lilith took a chair, Izanami sat down on the other couch. A bottle floated to the table as well, then our host offered us drinks.

  “Thank you.” I accepted and took a sip. It was a lovely red wine, a rather potent one. Even I could feel it.

  “Now that we have all settled here, tell me about Beira. If you are hunting her you must consider her a major threat.” Izanami said.

  I pondered her question. “I am not sure how much you know, but Beira has infiltrated the Inquisition and used it for her experiments. She is trying to manipulate souls and has succeeded with certain runes to enslave humans. She is still working on other races.”

  “Beira has changed their souls? And yet you managed to free some?” Izanami asked.

  “I cannot undo the changes to their soul. I can merely destroy the spell controlling them. The changes ensure the enslavement ritual is a part of their body. It could be empowered again, if they get caught. My people are working on a solution but we have not found one, yet.” I clarified.

  “That does sound troubling.” Izanami agreed while glancing at Chione. Maybe she had heard a different story from the other archfey.

  I continued: “That is not all. She stole the staff of dominion but I managed to destroy it. She is still looking for the crown. She has experimented with undead, she has mutated fey, humans, demons,... She is trying to ascend to something greater while building an army.”

  “I can see why you pronounced your judgement. I will respect it.” Lady Izanami said.

  “Lady Izanami, Lady Beira deserves a trial!” Lady Chione insisted.

  “Do you dispute any of the accusations?” Izanami asked.

  “I… I do not.” Lady Chione admitted.

  “The storm's judgement stands. I shall not interfere.” Lady Izanami said.

  “I am not sure where Beira is hiding. I believe she has fled to the fairy realm and has abandoned her mortal followers, for now. Do you have any idea where her stronghold might be?” I asked.

  Izanami shook her head. “Sadly I do not. I shall instruct my people to start looking. If you are willing to stay here for a few days I might be able to offer some information.”

  “I would be honoured to stay for a bit. Your wine is excellent, by the way.” I said.

  “It is. Maybe we can buy some.” Lucy suggested.

  “For your own personal use or as part of a larger deal? I was informed you also had other business to discuss, besides Beira.” Izanami said.

  “Ah, yes. That involves Lilith here as well. We are planning to turn Iron Rock into a centre of magic. We want to improve the relationship between the mortal and the magical races.” I explained.

  Izanami looked interested. “Intriguing, tell me more.”