A Journey That Changed The World

Archer and Demacia listened to the people’s stories for some time until they got back to drinking their free time away. Once the last person finished speaking, the tavern’s owner shooed the newcomers away and turned to the couple with some fresh drinks. ”Sorry about that, the workers here are curious about you, my lord.”

”It’s fine,” he waved the man’s concerns away, sipping on the new drink. ”It wasn’t a bother, I enjoy getting to know my citizens and hearing about their lives, it’s fascinating.”

The Necromancer smiled at this before taking the offered drink and taking a sip, only to shiver, making him laugh. Archer started drinking alongside Demacia as the duo enjoyed themselves. While doing that, the owner brought over some food that smelled delicious, making his stomach rumble.

It was grilled monster meat with added spices, prompting the older man to explain, placing the dishes in front of them. ”These are my finest meals, I hope you both enjoy,” he bowed before going to serve other people.

Demacia glanced at Archer, an amused twinkle in her big blue eyes as she spoke. ”Seems like you’re an emperor the people love. No wonder, though, I don’t see anyone starving and everyone seems happy.”

”Because I’ve put several barriers between them and the poverty they came from,” he revealed, taking a sip of the ale that was sweet. ”If they become homeless, that’s on the person or family. I cannot overlook stupid people who still fall with help from the government and its many programs.”

”So you’d see them die in the cold?”

”Yes.”

Demacia was taken aback by the instant response; there was no emotion on Archer’s face. Just then, the tavern owner added when walking back in their direction. ”Our emperor has guaranteed every citizen food, shelter, and opportunities no other realm would dare to offer its people. If someone squanders that, then it’s on them, not my lord.”

”It makes sense, you don’t want to coddle anyone too much, or they won’t be able to fend for themselves,” she muttered with realization crossing her face. ”You’re making sure they can survive if anything happens to you!”

Archer let out a soft chuckle, but Demacia and the older man remained stone-faced. She pressed, her voice sharp. ”You’re not planning to die, are you?”

His smile faded into a calm expression. ”No, not planning on it,” he said, shaking his head. ”But if it happens, I’m at peace. Freya’s ready to lead the empire when she grows up, and my legacy will live on through them all and you girls. If I go, it’ll be for my women or my children, nothing less.”

Demacia’s eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing her face as she leaned closer, voice dropping to a tense whisper. ”Do you know something about that?”

Archer nodded. ”Yes, I’ve been having visions of my death for years now. The gods are fickle creatures and are so easily offended,” he revealed, taking another gulp of the ale. ”And I truly cannot die because this body you see isn’t the real one.”

He raised his arm and made it go translucent while he continued explaining. ”I’d just vanish into nothingness, but I learned to let go of fear so I could live my life, and now look how things have turned out?”

Demacia’s smile wavered as she grabbed his hand, but a spark of confidence appeared in her eyes. ”We’ll bring you back. With your power, we’ve become the strongest Necromancers in Thrylos.”

The older man, overhearing her words, quietly stepped away to tend to other patrons entering the tavern. Archer’s grin widened, and he pulled the dark-haired woman into a warm embrace, coaxing a bright smile from her in return as he spoke. ”I won’t die to anyone, I’ll be fine, Dem.”

After their heartfelt exchange, the couple settled in, the aroma of the monster meat and stew filling the air. They began to eat, their movements unhurried, savoring both the meal and the moment. Demacia radiated, her earlier doubts replaced by a smile that seemed to light up the dimly lit tavern.

Her eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and contentment, reflecting the warmth of the flickering fireplace nearby. Each bite she took was accompanied by a soft hum of satisfaction. Following that, they stayed in the tavern for a while, eating and drinking before getting back to the tour of the town.

When the duo stepped out, the cold air brushed against their skin, prompting him to wrap a thick cloak around Demacia, making her smile grow wide as she spoke. ”Thank you for bringing me out here, handsome.”

”I’ve been meaning to spend time with you and Morena, but with the war I was always busy,” he said, a guild ridden expression crossing his face.

The young woman waved him away, grabbing his arm. ”Don’t worry about it, silly. We know you’re busy, and honestly? So are we, since bonding with you, we’re able to create so many creatures to aid the empire. It’s amazing to be able to do things our grandmother only dreamed of.”

”Well then, if you both are happy, then I won’t say no more.”

Following that, the couple began exploring the rest of the floating town, where the town hall was being worked on by mages, who created massive stone blocks while nature mages decorated it with rare wood. He was shocked at the men and women still working even though it was nearly pitch black.

The workers didn’t pay attention to them as they were too busy working. Demecia continued along Main Street until reaching the edge of the platform. Nothing could be seen apart from the Draconian ships patrolling around the town. Archer watched the vessel slowly pass by as the Necromacer stood beside him.

”This place is so dark,” she said, gazing into the abyss.

”Yes, it is, it’s even worse below the waves.”

Just then, the duo sat down just as Demacia asked. ”How’s Mary’s expedition?”

***

(Hemera, Hecate, Leira, Mary, and Aeris)

”Hemera! Come look at this thing!” Aeris’s excited voice echoed through the viewing room.

The Sun Elf, Dark Wraith, and Leira were watching the monsters passing by. They’ve been in the Deep Seas for some time and haven’t found any of the realms, but Hemera ignored that when spotting a colossal creature resembling an armored crab, its jagged pincers the size of tree trunks, locked in a ferocious struggle with a grotesque, eel-like fish.

She noticed the fish’s razor-sharp teeth gleamed as it thrashed, its sinuous body coiling around the crab’s shell in a deadly fight. The ocean floor churned with clouds of silt, stirred by the violence of their clash, as the two titans battled for dominance in the alien world beyond the glass.

Following that, Hemera pressed closer to the mana glass, her breath catching as the crab’s pincer snapped shut with a force that sent a shockwave rippling through the water, faintly vibrating the hull. The fish retaliated with terrifying speed, its elongated jaws clamping onto one of the crab’s segmented legs.

The struggle was primal, a clash of titans in the inky depths, and the sheer ferocity of it held the crew in rapt silence. ”By the Light,” she whispered. ”They’re enormous. I’ve never seen anything like this in the scrolls.”

Aeris, her red eyes wide with awe, leaned forward, her hands braced against the console. ”Look at the crab’s armor! It’s like stone. And that fish, those teeth could shred steel.”

She glanced at Hemera, a grin tugging at her lips. ”Think we could take one in a fight?”

Mary, standing motionless in the shadows, let out a giggle that sent a chill down Leira’s spine. ”You’d be a fool to try,” the older woman said. ”These are no mere beasts. They’re Primordials.”

Leira tapped a few commands into a monitoring panel, her fingers dancing across the mana interface. ”Let’s hope they’re too busy with each other to notice us,” she muttered, her eyes flicking to the monsters. ”The last thing we need is to get caught in their brawl. The hull is strong, but I wouldn’t bet on it surviving a direct hit from either of those monsters.”

Outside, the battle raged on. The crab reared back, its multitude of legs scuttling across the ocean floor, kicking up clouds of silt that swirled like smoke in the lights. With a sudden, violent lunge, it drove its pincer into the fish’s side, eliciting a piercing shriek that reverberated through the water and into the sub.

The fish writhed, its tail lashing out and striking the crab’s shell with a crack that echoed like thunder. For a moment, it seemed the fish might gain the upper hand, its body coiling tighter around its foe, but the crab’s strength held firm, its pincers snapping. Aeris’s grin faded, replaced by excitement.

”Do you think this is a sign?” she asked, turning to Hemera. ”The legends spoke of monsters guarding the secret realms. Could one of them be protecting something nearby?”

Hemera’s golden eyes narrowed as she studied the chaotic scene. ”It’s possible,” she said slowly, her mind racing through the ancient texts she’d read. ”The old books mentioned sentinels of the abyss watching over the paths to the hidden realms.”