Zombie Princess (3)

The cathedral's circular chamber responded to the Zombie Crown's awakening, crystallized darkness spreading outward in patterns I'd calculated months ago during the planning phase. Everything was proceeding exactly as I'd designed it.

"Positions," I said, my voice carrying the authority of someone who had orchestrated every detail of what was about to happen. "Rose, northern point. Rachel, eastern. Reika, you'll anchor from the west."

They moved without hesitation, trusting in the plan I'd spent weeks perfecting. This wasn't some ancient ritual we were stumbling through—this was a precisely engineered magical operation, every component selected for maximum efficiency and minimal risk.

"Kali," I said, meeting her black eyes as she stood in the center holding the crown. "Ready?"

Her nod carried complete confidence in my planning. "The preparatory work was thorough. Your calculations were perfect."