Athena's cheeks went red, but she giggled. ''Well, I don't intend to take a mate, my swarm is my passion and life.''
The trio began laughing, amused at the statent, before Detra revealed. ''You say this, Athena, but you've never t him. He's like a drug, addictive, once he gets your claws in, you fall head over heels for him.''
''Then you're popping out children for him,'' Embera added with a giggle.
Following that, Detra approached the nearby rail and looked out over the fleet that had started moving once again. She was glad Archer was okay and not suffering thanks to the Mana Storm that hit Draconia. While standing there, she spotted the Deep Sea Stalkers swimming between the vessels.
The sea stretched out in a misleading calm, its surface a glassy mirror, but it was a stark difference from the chaos brewing in the skies above. The air was thick with the sharp tang of salt and the promise of a storm. Detra stood at the ship's bow, her thick cloak wrapped tightly around her slender.
Despite its weight, it did little to shield her from the creeping chill that seeped into her bones, carried by the gusts sweeping across the deck. From the far end of the deck, Embera's voice cut through the howling wind. ''Dem's, co inside! Inara's seen the signs, a storm's rolling in from the west, and it's coming fast!''
Detra's gaze snapped toward the horizon, her yellow eyes narrowing as she scanned the western sky. There, a nacing wall of black clouds lood. They churned across the heavens like a living thing, casting a shadow that swallowed the sea in a creeping blanket of darkness.
The sight sent a shiver down her spine, not from the cold but from the raw power of nature's wrath unfolding before her. She clenched her fists as she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with frustration. "Damn this wretched weather. Always conspiring against us.''
Her words were swallowed by the wind, but the defiance in her tone lingered, a spark of resolve amidst the gathering storm. Turning on her heel, she cast one last glance at the encroaching darkness before striding toward the warmth and safety of the ship.
***
(Nefertiti, Talila, Brooke, Nala, Sera, Alexa, Elara)
Alexa was sitting at the back of the airship as they flew through a sea of clouds that obscured their view. She was regretting coming here, but that thought was extinguished when Nefertiti and Talila appeared from a nearby room. The two won greeted her with a warm smile.
''Lexi!'' the pink-haired woman spoke first. ''I'm glad you ca with us. We can get to know each other better.''
''That sounds good to , Nefi,'' she replied, happy that they didn't hate her.
''So how long have you known Archer?'' Talila suddenly questioned.
''Many years, it would be close to twenty now,'' Alexa revealed before offering. ''Would you both like so tea?''
They nodded and sat down opposite her as Nefertiti continued. ''Does it bother you that he has all of us? Especially from coming from Earth?''
This made Alexa think, and seconds later, she shook her head. ''I admit, at first, when he told about you girls, I was viciously jealous, but once I got to know the new Archer, I realized you lot were keeping him tethered to reality.''
She glanced at the window and continued, a worried expression crossing her face. ''I know his a few broken strings away from burning a world or two down,'' she glanced at the two won. ''Thank you for saving him.''
Nefertiti and Talila looked shocked, but soon a bright smile lit up their faces as the brown-skinned elf spoke first. ''It was you and Sera who kept him sane, but I appreciate it and look forward to becoming good friends.''
Alexa was about to talk, but the airship began to shake as the captain's voice echoed through the speakers. ''Attention, everyone! Buckle in. A storm is hitting up as we fly past Avidia!''
The three won strapped themselves in thanks to every chair having a belt to hold them in place. Monts later, the airship shuddered, caught in the grip of the storm over Avidia. Thunder roared outside, shaking the hull as lightning illuminated the cabin in stark, flickering bursts.
They clutched their seat belts, their faces tense as the vessel pitched and swayed. Loose objects clattered across the floor, and a low hum of straining engines vibrated through the walls. ''Hold steady!'' the captain's voice crackled once again. ''We're pushing through, but it's gonna be rough!''
Alexa gritted her teeth, her knuckles white against the armrests. ''This storm's no joke,'' she muttered, glancing at the reinforced windows where rain lashed in torrents.
A violent jolt rocked the airship, sending a surge of nausea through her stomach as the vessel lurched precariously to starboard. Her hands gripped the chair as she supported herself. The hum of the engines strained through the deck. She cast a wary glance through the window, breath catching at the sight.
Monts ago, the airship had been in a sea of clouds, the soft, cotton-like wisps glowing faintly in the moonlight. Now the sight revealed the expanse of the ocean. The storm's fury was unmistakable; waves crashed against each other. A massive wave surged upward, slamming against the underside of the airship with a bone-rattling thud.
Alexa's heart pounded in her chest, her pulse loud in her ears as the craft shuddered under the impact. The airship leveled out, and she exhaled a shaky breath. Yet, as the storm raged on, she couldn't shake the sense that the skies held more dangers than the sea below. She looked at the window once again just as they shot out of the black clouds.
''I hate Long Winter,'' Talila muttered, annoyed as she unbuckled herself. ''I heard it's worse back on Draconia, waves are crashing into the shore, causing chaos.''
Nefertiti nodded. ''Yes, I got Aisha's report. The mages have put up shields around the coastal towns and villages,'' she revealed.
''What about the ports and cities?'' the silver-haired elf asked.
''They're already protected by Mana Generators,'' the Succubus responded. ''Husband and Dellah planned for all situations, or so I've been told; the others know more about it.''
Following that, the journey continued for another week or two. Archer made sure to co and see them, making all seven won happy. By the ti they reached their first destination, the group was ready to explore the first of the floating islands to see what they could find.
***
(Ayrenn)
After leaving the palace behind, Ayrenn headed east toward Eastwatch, a lively city where ships set sail for Verdantia. As she trekked across Draconia, her eyes caught a whirlwind of sights that shook her. The roads were packed, hundreds of rchants hustling along, their carts overflowing, all bound for other continents.
The paths buzzed with life: traders shouting, wheels creaking, and the air thick with the energy of folks chasing their fortunes across the seas. Despite the Long Winter, which had blanketed Draconia in frost, Ayrenn was stunned to see the people thriving. Villages she passed pulsed with activity.
Farrs tended to hardy crops that sohow flourished in the cold, root vegetables and frost-resistant greens stacked high in market stalls. Blacksmiths hamred away, their forges glowing bright against the snow, crafting tools and ship fittings for the bustling trade routes.
She spotted a group of children, their cheeks rosy from the chill, laughing as they played with sleds on a hillside, their joy untouched by the cold. Further along, she ca across a band of minstrels, their voices carrying over the wind as they sang tales of distant lands and warm sumrs long past.
Their music drew a crowd of travelers, fur-clad nomads, jewel-covered rchants from the south, and sailors swapping stories of storms and sea monsters. Ayrenn paused to listen, her heart ward by the people. Even in the horrible weather, they bartered, laughed, and dread.
A week later, Ayrenn arrived at Eastwatch, a bustling city far livelier than she'd anticipated. She pulled her hood low, concealing her identity to avoid unwanted attention. Eager to explore Verdantia, she joined the queue, curious to see how the ceasefire had transford the place where she grew up.
She spoke to Archer about it, and he even offered to tag along but she wanted to do it alone thanks to having the dragon tattoo to fall back on, allowing her to escape from any situation that arose. While in line, the Hoguards ushered people forward after checking their cargo and giving them so papers.
The rchants paid the entrance fee and stepped into Eastwatch, ready to trade with the world. Ayrenn knew most of them have been cooped up on Draconia thanks to the war, but they did make a fortune trading in the nurous city's that dotted the massive island that was the heart of the empire.
''Next!'' one of the soldiers shouted, prompting her to step forward.
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