Power and Authority

Two hours later:

Firmly grasping the glowing, glassy pearls, Tia could feel the tiredness sweep through her entire body—her energy fully drained after the lengthy crafting session, even with the potions coursing in her bloodstream.

'This should be enough for all my tools...'

She staggered down the dimly lit corridor, her body heavy, and every step a struggle.

"Do you need help?" The blonde's voice was laced with concern, her eyes studying Tia's weakened state.

Tia's reply was a mix of a growl and a whisper, her remaining energy focused on movement. "No, I just need to..."

Every step towards the dust room was a race against the clock. Tia was all too aware of the impending return to her world. The last thing she wanted was to collapse on the floor with her soul returning to her own body, breaking the unshakable image of power and authority the blonde had of her.

She also wanted to avoid startling the annoying yet pitiful minion of hers.

"So, you are going to meditate again?"

"Yes," Tia muttered, pushing through the doors into the dusty room she used as storage for her vessel. The conversation, though brief, was a drain on her dwindling reserves.

She fell onto the bed, the dust motes rising in silent protest before settling back down. The orbs' glow cast an otherworldly illumination in the room, highlighting Tia's pale features as her eyes fluttered closed.

Beep!

<<<<<>>>> 

<Annoucement > Anomaly correction has reached: 100%

<<<<<>>>> 

The sensation of floating in nothingness fully enveloped her.

Tia's eyes fluttered open, the familiar black granite ceiling stretching expansively above her. The ornate crystal chandelier swayed gently, casting reflections that danced across the room.

'So, I am back,' a heavy sigh escaped her, carrying the weight of anxiety and the stifling pressure of the golden cage.

Feeling exhausted, she closed her eyes once more, allowing the darkness to fully submerge her consciousness.

POV Red:

In the spacious and dark office with its walls built of polished black marble, the dark-haired woman raised her gaze from her black granite table polished like a mirror.

'She did it again.'

Ambient light trembled, conceding to the overpowering radiance emanating from her eyes, which, like two red stars, ignited into a red glow.

'Maybe she can be more than just a pet; she might be the key to interdimensional travel.' Elyra was tired of the empire and living in the emperor's shadow. She wanted to rule, but just the thought of facing the old man in battle made her shudder.

'Find a reality that is just a few centuries behind, and my fleet would crush them. What a nice pet, useful and pleasant to pet.' She sighed, wishing that her pet would be at least a bit more cuddly.

Her consciousness, unbounded by physical limitations, spread throughout every corner of the ship. She could feel each vibration of the space fabric and every pulse of energy.

As quickly as the disturbance started, it ceased. The reality around the ship settled, and the woman's red eyes dimmed to their usual dim red hue. A smile, however, lingered on her lips.

'A few more times, and I should be able to replicate it.' Elyra was sure of it, her confidence as the strongest Spatiokinesis user in the empire burning within her.

Still, she shook her head, 'No time to dream... at least with those things crawling between us.'

The next morning:

POV Tia:

Tia hummed a tune, a stark contrast to the cold metallic surroundings as the elevator descended to the ship's lower levels. She inspected her black coat, adorned with silver decorations, ensuring it was perfectly ironed, and presented her in the best light.

A loud 'ding' announced the elevator's halt. The doors parted, revealing a well-lit room where raw, unadorned black metal walls ruled, absent of the imperial elegance found elsewhere on the ship.

'It looks like even the Empire has enough senses not to splurge too much everywhere.'

The constant hum of heavy machinery filled the air. Tia's gaze settled on a worker engrossed in a glowing display.

"Hey, Bob, can I use the workshop?" Tia called out, and the man looked up, his face a mix of recognition and apprehension.

"Y-You're a knight... I mean, of course, madam. Everything here is yours to use."

Tia chuckled inwardly. 'Did I guess correctly? Well, there's always a Bob in places like this.' She waved him away, and he retreated quickly, leaving her alone amongst the machines.

Tia looked around herself, the various machinery making her eyes glint. It was all she needed and all she desired. Industrial-grade molecular transformers and 3D printers with all limiters removed as they were for the imperial navy.

'I am an imperial knight... no, a personal knight of a high noble, no one will mind if I appropriate one of the maintenance workshops for myself.' With her new status as a knight, even if just for show, Tia was someone of rank high enough to scare the regular grunts. She wasn't one to shy away from exploiting this advantage.

'With these, it should be no problem to process even exotics and magic metals.'

(AN: Sorry for not posting a chapter yesterday, but I believe I will not be able to post chapter wednesdays...that day is simply too brutal. I have ten hours of lectures and labs on that day, and when I get on my room, I am almost dead from exhaustion and still have to study for the next day.)