The Queen of the Underverse - Chapter 15
- Donovan Evans-Foto Dono
- Sep 23
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 7
A Note from Queen Lyra: Ah, Chapter 15. Strange, isn’t it? I’m dead, and yet my voice still trails after the story like perfume on an empty throne. That’s the trouble with queenship in the Underverse — you never quite leave, even when you’re gone.
Rebecca thinks she’s only carrying a tree trunk. She imagines herself improvising, astronaut-turned-barbarian, battering her way through mercenaries. But we both know she’s hefting something heavier: the kind of weight that decides who lives and who doesn’t.
Shean is nearby, bristling and muttering in that charming Chameloid way. He hasn’t realized what he’s guarding. None of them has. Blood has been spilled, and in this place, that changes the rules of the game.
I can’t help her now. I can only watch, same as you. Still — there’s a peculiar joy in seeing someone else stumble into destiny with such stubborn defiance.
Read on. The dead are only spectators, but the living… oh, the living get all the best parts.
—Lyra, Queen of the Underverse (fallen, but still laughing in the dark)
—Yuunral Naretar: “Blood changes the rules of the Underverse, but fashion never does — and that T-shirt will haunt me forever.”
Previously on *The Queen of the Underverse*…
Rebecca thought she’d found her way home, but the Underverse had other plans. A busload of younglings in chains, a mercenary ambush, and a Chameloid Provider named Shean later, and she’s right back in the thick of things. Now blood has been spilled — and that changes the rules of survival.
Now – Rebecca and Shean find themselves outnumbered and outgunned, but not out of the fight. With mercenaries closing in, a battered aetherbus full of younglings, and one very questionable T-shirt, survival depends on wit, grit, and a little reckless improvisation.
Ye saga continues…
Chapter 15 - I Shaved My Balls For This
Shean watched as the man known as Echo soared overhead — and then came the horrific crunch. A tree trunk smashed into Rook’s face, and blood sprayed everywhere. Shean squeezed his eyes shut just as it splattered across him.
A familiar voice cut through the chaos.
“Well, I think I got ‘em.”
He opened his eyes. The strange woman from before stood there, still wearing the ridiculous T-shirt that read I Shaved My Balls for This. She was grinning, tree trunk in hand.
“So, Shean, right? I don’t suppose I can get a ride now?”
He tried to laugh and winced in pain. “Don’t make me laugh. Hurts too much.”
She helped him to his feet.
“I can deal with these cuffs for you. At least break the chains until we find the keys.” She tugged sharply, snapping the connecting links. The cuffs stayed, but his arms and legs were free.
“Thanks.” He rolled his shoulders. “Ya know where da rest o’ dem mercenaries are?”
Rebecca shook her head. “Nope. I was hoping you did. I’m guessing three left?”
Shean sighed. “Four. An’ dey went dat way, near as I kin figure. Prob’ly huntin’ fer you.”
Rebecca bit her lip. “Then they’ll be here any second. Should we retreat?”
“We can’t. Blood’s been spilled.” His expression darkened.
“I don’t understand. Their blood?”
“No.” He glanced toward the cages. “Younglings’. Spilled blood gives da mercs power. Can’t run.”
Rebecca dragged a hand through her hair. “Oh, fuck.”
“Yep.” Shean scanned for a weapon. Rook’s sword lay nearby, but he was no swordsman.
“Well, I’ve got my stick,” Rebecca said, hefting the tree-trunk like a baseball bat.
“I wish I had my ManaShard.” He flinched as she swung it past his head. Gonna take my fool head off with dat ting.
“What’s that?” she asked, adjusting her grip.
“ManaShard shoots mana bolts. Fast, long range. If ya know how t’ use it, can wreck someone quick. Got off a couple shots before dey jumped me.”
“So… like a gun?” She pulled a pistol from under her shirt. “Like this thing?”
Shean gasped, snatching it. “Where’d—?”
“Flying guy dropped it. Echo, right?”
“Ok, new plan. I’ll guard ya. You open da cages. Dis time, I’m ambushin’ them.” He vanished before her eyes.
Rebecca froze. “Oh my god! You can turn invisible?”
He popped back into view. “What’s wrong wit’ ya? No such ting. I’m camo. Chameloid — we mimic. If I was invisible, light’d bend round mah eyes. Couldn’t see a thing.”
Rebecca scowled. “Didn’t have to be such a jerk about it.”
“Just free da kids, woman. Get dem back on da aetherbus. I’ll shoot anyone sneakin’ up. Trust me — dey won’t see me comin’ dis time. And quit swingin’ dat log near mah head!”
She gave him a withering look. “I didn’t have to save you, you know. Took out two already. Those kids know you — you should get them.”
“Oh fer cryin’ out loud. Don’t got a key! Yer da one swingin’ a bloody tree. Open da cages!”
Rebecca shook her head. “You really should have led with that.” She hefted the trunk onto her shoulder and marched toward the aetherrucks.
Shean ducked as she swung around. “Tell ’em Shean sent ya!”
Cassian and Vesper tracked the intruder from where they had left Silas and Thorn, who were still bickering over the aether coil wedged under the log.
The two slipped through shadows, silent and practiced, until the aetherrucks came into view. Echo was missing. Rook should have been near the aetherbus with the Chameloid guarding him, but that spot was hidden from their vantage point. The aetherucks, with their cages full of frightened younglings, had all of their attention.
There she was — a woman walking up with a massive tree trunk balanced on her shoulder. She leaned it against the vehicle and started talking to the kids.
“Did you see her carrying that?” Vesper whispered. “There’s blood on it.”
Cassian scratched his chin as though studying a fine meal. “I wonder where Echo and Rook are? You think that’s their blood?” She looked vaguely familiar, though he couldn’t place her yet.
“Does it matter?” Vesper growled. “Go sneak up on her. Quick jab, while her back’s turned.”
“Me? You’re the trained assassin.” Cassian shot him a look. “Besides, I’m sure she’s already cut the Provider loose. If that’s not his blood, he’s out here somewhere.” He scanned the shadows. The azure moon, Thalune, cast enough light to show distortions — if the Chameloid was cloaked nearby.
“What are you on about?” Vesper frowned.
“The Provider’s a Chameloid, idiot. Blending in, waiting to jump us. He probably found his gun again — Echo took it off him for no reason. Man’s as magical as a turnip.” Cassian squinted harder, looking for shimmer in the air.
“The way she carries that trunk…” Vesper muttered. “You think she’s the new Queen?”
“That bitch is dead. Market confirmed it. Abyssal Saints confirmed it. No new Queen.” Cassian sneered. “You’re just stalling, Mr. Assassin. Fine. You draw her out, and I’ll back you up.”
Vesper folded his arms. “I don’t like being bait.”
“Well, I don’t like getting shot,” Cassian smirked. “Next time I’ll be bait.”
“Tempting. How about you be bait now, and I’ll be bait later?”
Cassian sighed. “She’s about to crack the cages. Younglings loose means we chase them.”
“Fine with me,” Vesper said flatly. “I can still round up little freaks.”
“Blood’s been spilled. That’s bonus pay.” Cassian licked his lips for effect.
“You fucker. That’s my profit too.” Vesper glared.
Cassian ignored him, eyes on the woman at the cages. “Yum.”
“Fine. I’ll do it. You’d better cover me.” Vesper slid into the shadows.
If this works, good. If not, I’ll still grab a youngling, Cassian thought, smiling as he slipped on his yellow-tinted bone-framed glasses — the Eyes of Tomorrow. Two seconds into the future, at the cost of headaches, paranoia, and, occasionally, smug clairvoyant murder.
Alright, Buttercup, he thought. Try sneaky Chameloid shit now.
Silas and Thorn stood over the oversized aether coil wedged beneath the log. It hadn’t taken them long to follow the tracks here, but the damn coil was still stuck. Thorn tugged uselessly at it, as if brute force might solve the problem.
“Cut it out, Thom.” Silas smacked her on the shoulder, knocking her off balance.
“Fuck off, Silas. Just trying to figure out how one person could’ve lifted this thing.” Thom rubbed the sore spot.
“Look — no other prints. Unless they flew.” Silas glanced up at the sky, almost disappointed when nothing swooped down. “Someone strong enough to move this… alone.”
“The only person I know who could do that is dead. Lyra’s dead, right?” Thom arched an eyebrow.
“Oh, she’s dead. Abyssal Saints confirmed it. Market confirmed it. Nobody took her place.” Silas spat.
“They could be lying. Maybe Lyra found some fresh meat. New kid on the block.”
Silas rubbed his hands together. “That would suck for us. But if she’s fresh, maybe not full-blown Lyra yet. We could still kick her ass.”
“You still got that Queen’s Surprise?” Thom asked, eyes gleaming.
Silas grinned. “Do I ever.”
Thom rummaged in her pack and produced a small, crystal-blue flower, wrapped tightly.
“This would never have worked on old Queen Lyra. But a noob?” Silas grinned wider.
“One way to find out.” Thom’s smile matched his, violence lighting her up.
“Let’s get back before the other idiots screw it up.” Silas checked his weapons, humming tunelessly. I really could have used the firedrake for this. I think I’ll skin the Chameloid.
He chuckled at the thought. Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Twenty Minutes Later…
Cassian lay on the ground, two of his special daggers buried in him — one front, one back. He couldn’t tell where his right arm was; it seemed to be missing altogether.
Beside him, Vesper lay with a hole where his chest had been. The Chameloid had gotten him first. Vesper had made good bait.
Silas and Thorn were gone — nothing left but a crater where they’d stood, chunks of rock and soil blown sky-high. The aetherrucks lay broken on their sides. Cages were open. Younglings cried — sweet music to Cassian, even as his vision blurred.
Neck’s broken, maybe. Funny, doesn’t hurt much. Must be the blood loss.
A shadow fell across his face.
Her. The woman in the ridiculous shirt. I Shaved My Balls for This. He would’ve laughed if he could. Blood streaked her arms and face — maybe hers, but more likely Vesper’s. She carried the tree trunk, slick with gore.
Recognition hit him. He’d been wrong about her. “Hello,” he gasped.
She looked down, voice low and final. “You will never harm another child again.”
She raised the trunk.
He managed a rasp, words bubbling up with his last breath: “So it’s true. There’s a new Queen after all.”
THUNK
––To be continued
Next Time on *The Queen of the Underverse*…
Every battle has another side of the story. Chapter 16 rewinds the clock — twenty minutes earlier — to reveal how the fight really began, and what was at stake before the first blow landed.
Don’t miss Chapter 16 - *Twenty Minutes Prior...
© 2025 Donnavon Evans
September 23, 2025
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