"That's no way to speak to your host," Stalwart said. 

"You're my warden," she spat. "And this is my prison." 

"You wound me," Stalwart said. "I spared you when you fought Hartwell. I wouldn't do that for my prisoners." 

"What do you want?" she asked again. 

Stalwart sighed heavily. "I'll be leaving tonight," he said in a quiet, calm tone. "I won't be coming back for a very, very long time. I'll cut to the chase. I want you to take Hartwell's place." 

Elsa's thin eyebrows furrowed. "I don't follow you," she said. "I lost the fight against him." 

Stalwart had granted Lady Vogel a fight against Hartwell. The winner would then be granted control over the underworld chapter in all of Biarkh, not just Merinsk. Elsa suffered a humiliating loss, but Stalwart spared her life. 

"The world will soon tremble at the mere mention of my name," Stalwart said. "I want you to take over the affairs here. You're an excellent businesswoman. It would have been a great loss if you died back then." 

"I won't accept your pity," she said. "Your family's been nothing but a nuisance ever since I learned your name." 

"I never knew you to be so... Ah, what's the word for it? Ah! Stingy!" Stalwart said in an amused tone. "What happened between you and my grandson was a mistake. Move on, look at the future and what it holds for you." 

Elsa's eyes narrowed into slits. "I'll tell you what the future holds for me," she hissed. "A lifetime of servitude to you, or a slow death! I choose the latter thank you very much." She crossed her arms and looked away. 

"The last thing I want is the heavy burden of killing you," Stalwart said in a fatherly tone. "I know what you are, Elsa Vogel. You��re the last in your line, it'd be a shame if you disappeared, just like that." 

"What do you know?" she asked, venom pouring out of her furious eyes. "You think your power and influence allows you to look down on people. You think you're better than all of us, don't you?" 

"I am, and I do, but that's beyond the point," Stalwart retorted. "I know that your kind only gets stronger if they're a pair. You need a partner to make you stronger, to help you grow into what you really are." 

Elsa's jaw dropped. She immediately looked away without uttering a word. Stalwart chuckled. "You thought you'd kept your secret well," he said. "Nothing remains hidden for too long Lady Vogel. Instead of hiding your true nature, I'm giving you the chance to wear it as armor. You're not the last of your kind, Elsa. I can tell you where to find him." 

She turned to look at Stalwart again. Doubt still rummaged through her, but inside all that chaos, a glimmer of hope was born. She couldn't help it. This was her nature, and the man before her wouldn't say anything about her kind unless he really knew...

It was the mad wizard after all... Of course he knew...

"I'll tell you where to find him, if you accept to take Hartwell's place," Stalwart said. 

"What's in it for you?" she asked with narrowed eyes. "You know perfectly well that I won't swear loyalty to you." 

Stalwart smiled. Elsa was like an open book to him. She's done everything he's expected so far. 

"Then don't," he casually said. "I don't care for your loyalty. In fact, let's just call my favor to you today a debt; one that I'll come knocking one day to claim." 

Elsa recoiled. "That's worse than swearing loyalty to you," she said. "Don't get my hopes up then just crush them like this!" 

"The underworld chapter in Biarkh shall be yours to command," Stalwart said. "You���ll be dealing with the most powerful men and women in and outside the western continent. Your influence will grow, and so will your powers. Moreover, you'll be the first woman to declare rebellion against the Mad Wizard... and succeed!" 

"What?!" Elsa asked. She thought she'd imagined Stalwart say she'd declare rebellion.

"You'll declare war against me, as did the entire western continent," Stalwart calmly repeated. "You'll have all my resources in Biarkh under your disposition. Make use of them. Make them believe your story. In exchange, I'll show you the pair you've desperately been seeking. Unlike my grandson, this one has real dragon blood in his veins, just like you." 

"And all I have to do is pay you back when you come knocking?" Elsa asked. "That's just too good to be true." 

"I'm in open war against the Church of Dhobor," Stalwart said. "This very war will determine the future of our planet. You may owe me a debt, or I may just die and you'll gain the entire Biarkh chapter. You can also curl into a ball in here and cry yourself into an early grave. Your kind doesn't do well in isolation. Choose, and do it now. I don't have time to ease your doubts or convince you to make your mind." 

Elsa was tortured. On one hand, she'd find purpose in life. Her kind was venerated once. Her ancestors were wors.h.i.+pped as G.o.ds. Now they were reduced to a sorry state, desperately seeking a partner to thrive with. 

'Extend the line!' A voice constantly whispered to her ever since she came of age. 

She'd tried everything. From orgies to recruiting men she deemed strong enough to bless her with child, nothing worked. She'd surprise herself sometimes obsessing about keeping her line, surviving. It wasn't a simple burden to carry. 

For years, she thought herself the last of her kind. If there was one with whom she could form a pair, her kind would thrive once more. She was still young, stronger than her mother ever was. She could still bear children. She'd raise an army of her own. 

She weakly nodded. "What do I do?"

"I'll fill you in on the details tonight," Theolonius Stalwart said with a victorious smile. "Will you join me for dinner?" 

Although she hated the man, he'd always been true to his word. Elsa even learned to respect him overtime, as her hatred for his grandson intensified. Her alliance with Stalwart filled her with apprehension, but what he was offering in return was well worth the risk.When she met the mad wizard later that night, it was with a light heart and a warm smile that she returned his welcome. 

She was ready to listen to his plan. She'd fulfill her destiny no matter the cost.