A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 651 Two Futureʼs One Choice

[Catherine Volkovitch POV]

A wave of sorrow washed over her as she listened to his heartbreaking plea. She knew that his pain ran deep and felt a profound sense of compassion for him despite the atrocities he was about to commit.

In a voice heavy with sorrow and determination, he declared, ”Because of their cruelty, because of their emperorʼs actions, all the Novgorodian people will perish from Thrylos along with their allies.”

Catherineʼs heart sank as she realized the extent of his vengeance. She knew there would be no mercy, no reprieve from the wrath of the Draconian Army.

She watched as Archer commanded his soldiers to butcher the survivors. ”Show them no mercy! These are the people responsible for the deaths of my girls, for the deaths of your queens! They have taken from us that which can never be replaced. That which will haunt us for eternity.”

Archerʼs voice thundered with rage. ”For every life lost, for every drop of blood spilled, let a million of theirs pay the price. Let them feel the weight of their rulerʼs decisions; let them suffer the consequences of their actions.”

His soldiers surged forward, their battle cries echoing through the streets as they descended upon the unsuspecting citizens of Novgorod in a frenzy. The sounds of clashing steel and agonized screams filled the air.

The once lively streets were now painted red with the blood of the innocent, and the air was thick with the sounds of screams and cries of anguish. She could see Archer was consumed by a never-ending rage over his loss and change.

Catherine felt a deep sense of guilt and helplessness, knowing that she could do nothing to stop the massacre that was taking place that was down to her sonʼs stupid decisions that brought doom to their empire.

But suddenly, the vision shifted. The scene began to blur and fade away, replaced by a new image, a white dragon banner unfurling on every city across Verdantia. It symbolized power and domination, a stark reminder of Archerʼs unstoppable march towards conquest.

As the vision expanded, she realized with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that this was no mere dream. It was one of many futures that could happen. Once a symbol of hope, the white dragon banner now served as a chilling herald of Archerʼs oppressive rule.

With a heavy heart, she knew that the world was about to plunge into darkness. Archer, who was once a beacon of light and hope, had now become its greatest threat. And as the white dragon banner continued to spread, engulfing the world in its shadow.

ʼʼDo you want this future? Or the one Iʼm going to show you, girl?ʼʼ A voice was heard from behind her.

Catherine spun around to spot a robed figure standing there. She asked in a suspicious voice. ʼʼWho are you?ʼʼ

ʼʼI am whatʼs to be, whatʼs been, and what came before. Could you answer my question, girl?ʼʼ

She nodded. ʼʼYes. How do I prevent him from falling?ʼʼ

The figure started laughing. ʼʼYou must rid yourself of the thing youʼve cherished for so long.ʼʼ

Catherineʼs confusion was palpable, evident in her furrowed brow and questioning gaze. Sensing her uncertainty, the figure before she spoke. ”Your sonʼs desire for conflict with the white dragon has far-reaching consequences, as youʼve seen. But what lies ahead, should his plan fail and we thwart the Dark Godʼs intentions, is a vision I must now reveal.”

”Dark Gods?” Catherineʼs voice trembled with disbelief. ”How can a mortal woman be entangled in the godʼs games?”

ʼʼMore than you know, Catherine Volkovitch. You must step up and choose when the time is right. Now, witness the fruit bore from such trouble. ʼʼ The figure spoke in a neutral tone.

The figure waved its hand as it spoke for the last time, ʼʼThe choice will appear, and your whole being will tell you to go against it, but if you do, the first vision will come true, and you shall see everything you hold dear burned to dust under the white dragonʼs rage.ʼʼ

The next scene surprised Catherine. She saw Archer lounging on a sun-soaked island, a peaceful smile gracing his features as he lounged on a chair. Surrounding him were women of all ages, appearances, and races, relaxing while chatting in small groups.

But what truly shocked Catherine was the sight of a large pack of children around him. Little girls swarmed over Archer while giggling and laughing as he playfully interacted with each one.

His laughter echoed across the island as he kissed the heads of each one who squirmed in his embrace with sheer delight. It was a sight that seemed so different from the darkness she had witnessed before.

Thatʼs when Catherine spotted her granddaughter, Yevdokiya, among the throng of women. With a beaming smile, Yevdokiya held a little girl with white hair and piercing blue eyes, staring at Archer with love.

She watched him look over to the little girl, who shyly looked away. Catherine watched as Archer cast a spell to appear behind Yevdokiya and the girl. He gazed at the shy child with a gentle crouch and softly said, ”Yelena, would you like to come to Papa? Iʼve missed you dearly.”

The timid little girl peeked at him, eliciting a radiant smile from her granddaughter. Yelena quickly descended from her motherʼs arms and toddled over to Archer. Her heart swelled with affection as she witnessed the scene.

Archer scooped up the giggling girl, her laughter filling the air as he showered her tiny face with loving kisses. Thatʼs when Catherineʼs world changed as a grey-haired little girl with violet eyes appeared.

She watched the girl tugging at Archerʼs sleeve, prompting him to bend down and smile as he picked her up. He asked in a sweet voice, ”Tatiana! Whereʼs Mama?”

Catherineʼs heart skipped a beat as she watched the child, a mirror image of herself, point southward. Confusion clouded her mind as she saw herself, her long grey hair tied back into a ponytail, approaching Archer and tenderly kissing him.

Thatʼs when the sound of girls giggling caught her attention as they chased each other around not far from Archer and the women. The youngest, a little blonde lion girl with a mischievous glint in her violet eyes, scampered on all fours.

Behind her, a tiger girl with striking white hair and brown skin bounded after her sister, her beautiful brown eyes alight with joy. She closed the distance between them with each playful leap, her laughter mingling with her sisterʼs.

As Catherineʼs gaze swept over the scene, she noticed three more little girls joining the playful fray, each exuding a unique charm and mystique. The first girl, with her supernatural appearance, seemed almost otherworldly.

Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, highlighted by cascading locks of snowy white hair that framed her delicate features. But the girlʼs eyes caught her attention, a mesmerizing shade of blue.

Next to the first girl, there was another. Her skin was smooth and chocolate brown, shining with energy. Her hair, though, was as white as the clouds above. But what truly set her apart were her eyes – a soft, delicate red that shimmered with an inner light.

As she moved, Catherine saw colorful feathers adorning her, resembling the majestic feathers of a phoenix. Then there was the third girl, her presence imbued with a devilish energy that was impossible to ignore.

The little girl chased after the other two, her fox ears twitched with excitement. Her hair, a deep brown, flowed behind her as she moved swiftly. Her eyes, a captivating shade of violet, shimmered with intelligence and curiosity as she raced through the forest.

Her playful laughter was mesmerizing to her. Together, the three girls ran all over the island, their laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the melodious trill of beasts flying overhead.

With a heavy heart, Catherine tore her eyes away from the scene, readying herself for the future as the vision ended. She awoke from the vision and reappeared in the same hall where she had spoken to her son Anatoly.

After doing that, she shook her head to clear it of the cobwebs and decided to call for a meeting with some of her friends. She pulled out a communication device and spoke into it. ʼʼLadies, can we meet? I have some important information to share.ʼʼ

A moment later, an excited voice broke the silence. ”Cathy, is that you? When did you start using this channel again?”

”Since we need to put a halt to my foolish son Agnes,” Catherine replied firmly. ”Inform the others to gather at the Summer Isles. I need to speak to everyone.”

ʼʼOkay, red-eyes. Titania will bring Morgana, the woman teaching that poor girl how to become a ruler, and is bringing her everywhere.ʼʼ Agnes commented.

Catherine sighed. ʼʼThatʼs fine, and stop calling me that! Weʼre not children anymore, woman.ʼʼ

All she got in reply was a cackling laugh before the device clicked off, causing her to sigh with annoyance.

[Please let me know if you spot any mistakes, and I will edit them. Thank you]