A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1274: What Was Different About You

Nayeli watched the blonde elf swallow hard as she continued revealing how wrong she was about the Draconian King. ʼʼI remember on one snowy day, many years ago finding him once, barely conscious, bruises covering his ribs, his wrist twisted the wrong way… and he apologized to me as if he was the one in the wrong.ʼʼ

Her breath hitched as she choked back a sob, just as the others were getting emotional. ʼʼHe was just a boy… and they made him believe he was worth nothing.ʼʼ

ʼI messed up and need to make this right,ʼ she thought as regret welled up inside her.

When the group of women heard this, they didnʼt know how to respond, but Ella continued until Nayeli was beside herself and jumped up. ʼʼPlease, can you let me apologize to him? I didnʼt realize he was a good man, and I was out of line to say all that I did.ʼʼ

They all looked at her before Nefertiti nodded in agreement. ʼʼIʼll take her to the Domain as his by the lake, relaxing. But I think you all should go there because itʼs getting cold and the treehouse will be better to sit around in.ʼʼ

Everyone agreed, leaving Nayeli and Colestah standing there awkwardly until a portal suddenly shimmered into existence. ʼʼCome on, empress,ʼʼ Leira said with a big smile. ʼʼWait until you feel the warmth.ʼʼ

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Without hesitation, they all stepped across the portal, and the elves were ushered through. The moment she emerged on the other side, her eyes widened in awe at the sight before them.

They stood in a beautifully decorated living room, where plush sofas were arranged in front of a roaring fire, its flames burning a mesmerizing shade of violet. The sight took her breath away, and the water elf couldnʼt help but think, ʼSo beautiful, this looks like a proper home.ʼ

Nayeli glanced and noticed an enormous kitchen packed with all kinds of stuff while the living room looked homely along with staircases going to higher floors all over. This confused her and Colestah, who was standing next to her.

ʼHow big is this place? And is it a castle?ʼ she thought, looking around.

Moments later, the Empress leaned in and whispered as she gazed out of the towering windows. ʼʼCan you feel how pure the mana is here, Nay?ʼʼ she murmured, awe lacing her tone. ʼʼItʼs already seeping into my body, supercharging me… Iʼve never felt anything like this before.ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, it feels nice,ʼʼ she replied to her cousin. ʼʼBut what can produce this much? A mana cave maybe?ʼʼ

Following that, the pink-haired woman approached them with a smile and spoke in a friendly tone, ʼʼColestah. Make yourself at home and the others will get you some wine. Itʼs Seraʼs homemade stuff. Itʼs delicious, which is shocking coming from that little gremlin.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhy do you ladies call her that?ʼʼ the blue-haired elf asked with a giggle.

Nefertiti let out a long-suffering sigh before turning to the cat woman. ʼʼLeira, can you give me a sentence describing Seraphina, please? Something to make these girls understand how much of a nightmare she is.ʼʼ

Leira rolled her eyes. ʼʼA walking disaster and a professional menace who thrives on chaos, but we canʼt do much about it because Archer guards her like sheʼs a national treasure.ʼʼ She crossed her arms. ʼʼHalf the time, sheʼs pulling pranks; the other half, sheʼs roasting someone for sport while giggling, which makes it so much worse.ʼʼ

Laughter spread through the group as Hecate smirked. ʼʼThe last time I saw her causing trouble, it was poor Brooke. She was trying to make something for Archer, but Sera annoyed her so much that she finally snapped and chased the giggling gremlin all over the Domain.ʼʼ

The moon elf giggled before concluding. ʼʼWell, it was amusing as all we could hear was the gremlin laughing while Brooke was going mad. Ari had to stop her as sheʼs the only one of us that can.ʼʼ

The mental image of Seraphina screaming and dodging trees while Brooke stormed after her like an angry mother with a slipper sent everyone into hysterics. Following that, the group walked into the living room and got comfortable.

Nayeli watched as her cousin followed the others, but before she could move, Nefertitiʼs voice stopped her. ʼʼLeave the treehouse. Follow the trail behind it which is easy to see. Youʼll find a lake. Heʼs there, but this is your only chance.ʼʼ

She watched the young woman step closer with glowing pink eyes that burned with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. The sheer force of her presence felt like a dragon staring straight into her soul.

With a smile that didnʼt reach her eyes, she finished in a voice as sharp as a blade, ʼʼIf you hurt him again, there wonʼt be anything left of you to bury as Iʼll eat you.ʼʼ

ʼʼEek!ʼʼ Nayeli yelped, stumbling back as the image of a pink dragon briefly overlapped Nefertiti, which shocked her to the core. She shook her head with wide eyes. ʼʼYouʼre a dragon too?!ʼʼ she blurted.

The pink-haired woman giggled and gave a playful nod. ʼʼThat I am. Now go apologize, before I singe that pretty white hair of yours.ʼʼ

At that, Nayeli didnʼt waste another second. She bolted out of the treehouse so fast she nearly tripped, spotting a walkway that led down to the ground. Before moving, she looked up only for her breath, to hitch at the sight.

A vast, untamed world stretched as far as the eye could see. Towering mountains, their snow-capped peaks piercing the sky, loomed in the distance, while endless forests of ancient trees swayed below.

ʼWhat is this place?ʼ she thought while admiring everything around her.

Rolling grasslands gave way to misty swamps, lakes, and even a stretch of jagged red canyons that glowed under the setting sun. She stood there, stunned, as the wildness of it all pulsed with life.

ʼʼWhy does it feel like the worlds in the picture books? Itʼs so primal,ʼʼ she muttered in a voice full of awe.

Birds soared overhead, their cries echoing across the landscape, while unseen creatures rustled in the underbrush. It was raw, untouched, and more beautiful than anything she had ever imagined.

Nayeli followed the directions she was given and stepped onto the path, but a sudden rustling suddenly sounded from all around her made her freeze. Her pulse quickened as a low growl rumbled through the surrounding darkness, sending a chill down her spine.

ʼWhat was that?ʼ she turned round only to come face to face with a giant Forest Ape which made her scream.

The creatures circling Nayeli grew restless, their excitement mounting as they realized she was unfamiliar. Just as they prepared to strike, a menacing voice thundered through the trees, stopping them cold. ʼʼLeave her alone, or you die.ʼʼ

As the monsters heard this, they trembled in fear as the biggest one let out a whimper, causing the others to flee. When Nayeli heard the voice, she let out a breath of relief as the creatures were easily S Rank.

ʼAt least he wonʼt let me get attacked,ʼ she thought, her tension easing.

Ten minutes later, she arrived at a breathtaking lake. It stretched endlessly before blending into mountains and a sea of beautiful flowers that were on the opposite shore. The sight was mesmerizing, but what truly captured her attention was Archer.

He sat atop a cluster of boulders, skipping stones across the water. His white hair danced in the breeze, and his pointed ears twitched at the sound of her approach. In that moment, she saw him in a new light, strikingly handsome, almost otherworldly.

But just as she took a step forward, she froze. A massive spectral image of a white dragon emerged around him, its piercing gaze locking onto hers. There was no warmth in its expression, only an unreadable intensity.

This caused her to think as sweat dripped down her back. ʼWhy does it feel like a god is staring into my very soul?ʼ

Yet somehow, Nayeli understood that this being before her was death incarnate, and she was only alive because he allowed it. She swallowed hard, her pulse hammering in her ears as she cautiously stepped closer.

When she finally reached him, her knees buckled, and she dropped down, head bowed in submission. ʼʼIʼm so sorry for insulting you back there, Archer,ʼʼ she said, her voice trembling while avoiding his piercing gaze.

He turned toward her, his expression unreadable. ʼʼThereʼs nothing I can do to make up for it, but Iʼd do anything. Just name it,ʼʼ she continued desperately. ʼʼPlease… donʼt blame Colestah for my words. My cousin is innocent. Sheʼs done nothing wrong.ʼʼ

ʼʼGet off the ground and come up here,ʼʼ he commanded suddenly, his voice firm but not unkind.

Nayeli blinked in surprise but quickly climbed up onto the boulders. As she settled, he effortlessly created a chair for her to sit in. She hesitated before lowering herself onto it as her gaze flickered to him as he spoke.

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