The morning sun rose over Brockton Bay, casting a hazy light over the foggy streets. The city was in chaos. The news of Lung's death had spread like wildfire, and the delicate balance of power between the gangs had been shattered. The ABB, leaderless and fractured, was left vulnerable. The Merchants and Empire 88 wasted no time moving into their territory, vying for control of the drug trade, arms caches, and safehouses.
In the midst of the chaos, the Protectorate and PRT scrambled to understand the new threat. Lung's death wasn't just a power vacuum—it was a seismic shift. The presence of the Fairy Queen, Glaistig Uaine, was no longer a whisper in the dark but a looming shadow over the city. Dragon and Armsmaster worked tirelessly, sharing data and drafting containment strategies. But their plans felt futile. Glaistig Uaine's abilities were unlike anything they'd faced before, and her unpredictability made her even more dangerous.
---
Glaistig Uaine stood on the roof of their former shelter, gazing out at the city with a serene smile. Rose sat nearby, clutching her knees to her chest, her expression grim. She hadn't spoken much since the fight with Lung, and Glaistig's constant calm only made it worse.
"The threads are aligning, little sorceress," Glaistig said softly, her green eyes glowing faintly. "The Dragon of Kyushu was a worthy addition to my court."
"You killed him," Rose snapped, her voice hoarse. "You didn't have to—"
"He was a predator," Glaistig interrupted, her tone gentle but firm. "And now he serves a higher purpose. Look."
She raised her hand, and a spectral form materialized beside her. Lung's specter, its fiery aura dampened but still smoldering, loomed over them. Glaistig's smile widened as the specter knelt before her like a loyal knight.
"With his strength, we can rebuild. His former subjects will fall in line."
Rose shivered, turning away from the specter. The sight of it unsettled her, a constant reminder of how far things had spiraled out of control. "You can't just take over a gang. This isn't a fairy tale."
"But it is," Glaistig murmured, her voice lilting like a song. "And you, little sorceress, are a part of it."
---
By midday, Glaistig Uaine had moved them to Lung's former base, a sprawling compound on the edges of ABB territory. The remaining ABB capes, Oni Lee and Bakuda, were waiting inside, their expressions a mixture of defiance and fear. The presence of Lung's specter behind Glaistig silenced any objections they might have had.
"You belong to me now," Glaistig said simply, her tone regal. "Your master serves as my knight, and you will serve as my subjects. Together, we will weave a new court."
Oni Lee glanced at the specter, then back at Glaistig. Without a word, he nodded and stepped aside, his loyalty transferring as easily as flipping a switch. Bakuda, on the other hand, scowled, her hands twitching toward a grenade at her belt. Rose tensed, but Glaistig waved a hand, and Lung's specter stepped forward, its aura flaring threateningly.
"You will fall in line," Glaistig said, her voice cold. "Or you will join the threads."
Bakuda hesitated, then dropped her gaze. "Fine," she muttered. "Whatever."
"Good," Glaistig said, her smile returning. "Now, little sorceress, let us make this place worthy of our station."
---
Glaistig Uaine led Rose through the compound, gesturing to the walls and floors with an almost childlike enthusiasm. "Use your magic," she said. "Let us craft a sanctuary for our court—lavish and free, as it should be."
Rose hesitated, her wand trembling in her hand. "This is... this is insane."
"It is destiny," Glaistig said, her tone soft but insistent. "Trust the threads, little sorceress. They will guide you."
Reluctantly, Rose raised her wand. She muttered incantations under her breath, her magic flowing into the walls, the furniture, the very structure of the base. The drab, utilitarian compound transformed before their eyes. The walls became smooth and white, adorned with shimmering ivy that glowed faintly in the dim light. The floors turned to polished marble, reflecting the light of chandeliers that appeared overhead.
Rose's magic wove intricate patterns into the furniture, turning simple chairs into thrones and plain tables into works of art. A massive stained-glass window formed at the end of the main hall, depicting a swirling, otherworldly scene that seemed to shift and change as they looked at it.
When it was done, Rose stepped back, exhausted. She stared at the transformation, her emotions a chaotic storm. Part of her was horrified by what she had done, by how easily she had given in to Glaistig's whims. But another part of her—a part she didn't want to acknowledge—felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
"It is perfect," Glaistig said, her voice filled with awe. She turned to Rose, her expression uncharacteristically warm. "You have surpassed my expectations, little sorceress."
Rose looked away, her cheeks flushing. "Don't call me that."
---
Far away, in a high-tech command center, Dragon watched the transformation of Lung's base through her surveillance feeds. The Fairy Queen had taken over, and the ABB had already begun regrouping under her banner.
"This is worse than we thought," Armsmaster said, standing beside her. "She's not just a villain cape. She's building an empire."
Dragon nodded, her expression grim. "We need to act before she solidifies her control. I'll lead the operation personally."
Armsmaster frowned. "Even with the Guild, we're not prepared for her abilities."
"We'll have to be," Dragon said firmly. "If we let this go unchecked, she'll become unstoppable."
---
That night, Rose sat alone in her new quarters, staring at her reflection in a gilded mirror. The girl staring back at her looked like a stranger. The lavish surroundings, the ornate dress Glaistig had insisted she wear—it all felt wrong, like she was losing herself piece by piece.
She thought about Taylor, about their brief conversation and the hope she had felt. That hope was slipping away, replaced by the suffocating presence of Glaistig Uaine. Rose didn't know how to stop her. She didn't even know if she could.
The door opened, and Glaistig stepped inside, her expression unreadable. "You are troubled," she said softly.
Rose didn't respond.
Glaistig moved closer, placing a hand on Rose's shoulder. "You are meant for greatness, little sorceress. I see it in the threads."
Rose shrugged her hand off, her voice shaking. "You're obsessed."
"Perhaps," Glaistig said with a faint smile. "But obsession is simply passion by another name. And my passion is for you."
Rose's heart sank. She didn't know how much longer she could hold on.