The Blazing World

The Empress follows the Duchess’s advice and undoes the changes to the Blazing World’s laws and religions, which returns it to its original peaceful state.

The spirits inform the Empress that her original planet has been destroyed by war. This news upsets the Empress, who wishes she could send troops back to help, even though she knows this is impossible. Seeing her distress, the Emperor suggests sending spirits, but they will not participate in violence. Out of other ideas, the Emperor suggests asking the Duchess for her advice.

The Duchess is happy to help. First, she orders the fish-men look for a sea passage back to the Empress’s planet. After the fish-men discover a small, frozen passage, the giant architects start building underwater ships. The Duchess insists that the Empress lead her troops into war, with the Duchess accompanying her by sending her soul in the Empress’s body. The Empress worries that the bird-men, worm-men, and bear-men will quickly die in the war, but agrees to the plan because she loves the Duchess. The women plan the invasion. Worm-men collect the wet-burning stones to use as weapons and torches. Bird-men, fish-men, and bear-men also offer their support, eager for the opportunity to show their devotion to the Empress.