[ She laughed in his face, for Akua was just that sort of villain. Oh, she could contradict him, of course. They had not intended to use it at first, but instead have it ready to strike when Zenith became too big for their britches, but Akua knew that the argument would fall on deaf ears. It did not matter to Amos that they had planned it in realization. It did not matter that they struck first. Because he was above reproach in this. He likely had his reasons, but that mattered little.

No, Amos was clearly angry about this, and Akua was well aware. Those who let their hearts lead them often were. ]

We did, dear heart. [ She said, even as she let her skin burst into flame, a spell to force Amos back when his hand connected. Or try to.

She could not fight him hand to hand, of course, she knew that. She had never been the one to drive into the muck, like the Warden had. No, she was for the back line, the power. ]

How long do you think we had it?

[ Her tone hissing, almost mocking. ] This was not the first weapon I built, after all. The last?

[ Her fingers crooked like a director, and the entire space started to rumble, the ground beneath Amos's feet becoming unsteady, and then hot. Hot enough to burn rubber. Her own body seemed not to notice, a slight sheen to her skin, as if she were shielded. ]

The last one summoned fleets of fiends. You are fortunate I only sought a single shot.

[ The last one had led to a schism, the downfall of a Dread Empress, A Doom, and her death. ]