They Come at Night (Part 1)

"Don't waste your time crying." The Queen said from her dais. "We have until the day of the departure before the next cull. Only the strongest among us will be chosen and only because we can't trust the undead filth.

"We need enough mouths to protect ourselves but not enough to exhaust our limited resources before we build our new home. I know that I'm asking much of you, but it's the same sacrifice my husband just made.

"The same sacrifice I'll make as soon as a new and more worthy Queen is found for my son." She closed her eyes, sighing at the idea of leaving Xagra alone and burdened by the responsibility of ensuring the survival of the new colony.

"Here's my first order as Zelex's regent: live your lives at their fullest and make the best of what time we have left. I would also like to relieve you from your duty for today, but unfortunately, the undead know of our loss.