A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1402 1402: Is This Your Home, Empress?

Archer gritted his teeth as the tsunami slammed against his shield, causing his arms to shake as Mother Nature was something else. Olivia and the surrounding sailors were shocked at him holding back at sea.

The wave washed over it until it subsided, forcing him to let out a deep breath as he dropped the barrier. He quickly noticed the ships shaking side to side, thanks to the overwhelming force that was about to destroy them.

Following that, Morenaʼs voice echoed in his mind. ʼDarling. Iʼve found little children wandering around in the far south, some of the Wendigoʼs were going to kill them, but I got there in time.ʼ

He was confused and questioned the necromancer. ʼThey came from the homeless camp I created in the north? How did the little shit get down there?ʼ

ʼYou donʼt know, husband? The Mana Storm has caused chaos in the Domain, a massive tsunami hit the northern coast and was the kidsʼ south,ʼ the mature woman revealed.

ʼʼOh shit,ʼʼ he mumbled in awe, responding. ʼIʼll be there once the storm stops, take them back to the camp.ʼʼ

Morena giggled as she revealed. ʼOh, theyʼre okay just cold and hungry. But I must admit you have found some fine explorers we got here husband. Maybe you should start up such a school.ʼ

Archer nodded in agreement and started patrolling the surrounding sea to make sure the 1st Fleet would be fine if he were to leave for Emberport.

***

(A few hours before Archer defended the fleet from the rogue wave)

Morena was traveling through the southern part of the Domain while riding her undead Griffin. She was searching for some sneaky creatures that her husbandʼs shadows brought in that caused trouble.

ʼʼDamn things are trying to get into my home,ʼʼ she muttered in frustration.

Moments later, the older woman spotted a group of Wendigos rushing through the flooded grassland, prompting her to order the Griffin. ʼʼSwoop down so I can summon a Tyrant on top of the bastards.ʼʼ

A screech rang out in response as the monster dived down, she readied her spell that brought out one of the new experiments that her sister helped with. When they got close to the ground, she summoned one of them.

Following that, a black portal tore open the sky, and from its depths emerged a colossal ten-foot humanoid, clad in battle-worn leather armor, crashing into the Wendigo horde with earth-shaking force.

The Tyrant obliterated two of the snarling creatures underfoot. Their bones crunching as the rest whipped around to face the intruder, their hollow eyes blazing with hunger. Morena gazed at her new weapon, a towering juggernaut that dwarfed even the mighty Oathkeepers.

She watched as the Tyrant unleashed carnage. It seized Wendigos in its iron grip, ripping their forms in half with a guttural roar. Others it crushed beneath its thunderous stomps, while sweeping aside swarms with devastating swipes, sending broken bodies hurtling through the air.

The battlefield trembled under its relentless wrath, as the monsters were slaughtered and the Griffin descended to the ground and landed. Morena climbed off its back, going around collecting blood, hearts, and other organs she needed for her experiments.

ʼʼI swear Dem owes me a lot for doing the dirty work,ʼʼ she muttered while putting it in her storage ring.

Following that, the older woman continued traveling across the flooded landscape until she came across a scene that caught her eye. A lone boy stood in front of the Wendigos to shield three other children behind him.

ʼʼArcherʼs already raising the next generation of warriors,ʼʼ Morena mused, a proud smile crossing her face.

Suddenly, she leaped from the Griffinʼs back, plummeting through the stormy sky. A Death Eagle, its wings slicing the air, swooped in, catching her in its talons and gliding her safely to the ground, unscathed.

Morena waved her hands, and two Tyrants appeared just as the previous one joined them. The monsters circled her as the Wendigos rushed at her. They got to work killing anything that came close.

She dismissed the creatures when the young boy paled when seeing them. The necromancer smiled, greeting the children. ʼʼHello little ones, it looks like youʼve been lost in the wild for a couple of days.ʼʼ

***

(Back at the hollow under the tree)

Asta watched as the horrifying monsters got closer to their hideaway, causing him to grab the knife off Rev when the strange whistling stopped as a screech echoed above. ʼʼIʼll distract them and you guys run.ʼʼ

He rushed out, ignoring their calls, only for the creatures to stop moving as they watched him with a curious gaze. The others followed him and stopped in shock when three massive humanoids appeared, crushing and killing the first ones.

Asta clutched his sisterʼs trembling hand, her eyes wide. ʼʼStay low,ʼʼ he whispered, as the first newcomer charged.

Its massive fist smashed into the creatureʼs chest, sending it staggering with a sickening crack. The beast roared, swiping wildly, but the second one caught its arm, twisting until the bone snapped like dry twigs.

The third stomped forward, its boot crushing the creatureʼs leg into the mud, pinning it as it thrashed. Rev gasped, his voice barely audible. ʼʼTheyʼre… unstoppable.ʼʼ

They moved with brutal strikes, tearing into the humanoid like wolves on wounded prey. One ripped its remaining arm clean off, black blood spraying the ground. Another drove its fist through the creatureʼs skull, silencing its final shriek.

Within moments, the monster lay in ruins, a broken heap of flesh and bone. Ashaʼs jaw hung open, her spear forgotten in her hand. ʼʼHow do they do that?ʼʼ she murmured.

The strange humanoid creatures stood over their kill, their dark eyes scanning the shadows for more threats, their presence a towering promise of destruction. The children exchanged glances, their fear giving way to a flicker of hope; these giants were their shield, and nothing would stand in their way.

As Asta ushered the children forward, his gaze snagged on a peculiar figure, a woman with snow-white skin and piercing blue eyes, her face etched with the wisdom of his grandmotherʼs years. She leaned closer, dismissing the lurking creatures with a wave, her smile warm and knowing.

ʼʼGreetings, little ones. Youʼve been wandering these wilds for days, havenʼt you?ʼʼ she said.

ʼʼWho are you?ʼʼ Lev asked, stepping out from behind him.

The womanʼs smile grew wider as she introduced herself. ʼʼI am Morena, Wife of the White-haired man who brought you here.ʼʼ

ʼʼHe likes women grannyʼs age?ʼʼ Asha curiously questioned.

Asta watched Morena giggle as she ruffled his sisterʼs hair while answering. ʼʼYes, he does. Many of us are older than him, but enough of that. Would you little rascals like some tea and biscuits?ʼʼ

The childrenʼs eyes sparkled as the two girls beamed when they heard this. ʼʼYes, please!ʼʼ they exclaimed.

Following that, they noticed the older woman muttered something as if a portal had appeared. Seconds later, a massive Undead Dragon stepped through, scaring them all, but the other three grabbed onto him.

ʼʼWhat are you three doing! Donʼt hold me!ʼʼ he barked while shooing them away.

Morena laughed. ʼʼThereʼs nothing to worry about, this creature is my ride in the Domain and harmless, think of him as a big pussy who loved head rubs,ʼʼ she revealed.

Asta gave a firm nod, watching her scramble onto the Tyrantʼs massive back, then gestured for the others to follow. ʼʼHurry, kids, letʼs move before the storm roars back!ʼʼ

The children scrambled onto the Undead Dragonʼs back, getting comfortable as he watched the older women order the monster to take.

***

Morena was flying home while scanning the four children, only to realize they were hungry and looked dirty, thanks to the wave they got trapped in. She made sure the dragon flew as fast as it could.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the walled-in area that shocked the kids as the oldest boy questioned. ʼʼIs this your home, empress?ʼʼ

She looked at him and nodded. ʼʼYes, it is, my husband built it for my baby sister and me years ago, which was nice of him.ʼʼ

Following that, the dragon dived down, landing with a smooth thud, causing the children to look worried, but Morena reassured them. ʼʼJump off now, youʼll be safe in this place until Archer can get here and take you back to your parents.ʼʼ

Asta and the others slipped off the monsterʼs back as she did the same thing; she dismissed the creatures back to where they came from. Once that was done, she led them toward the entrance to her home.

The four children trailed behind the white-skinned woman, their steps hesitant as they approached a stone staircase descending into pitch-black shadows. The two youngest girls froze, eyes wide with fear.

One pointed a trembling finger into the darkness and whispered. ʼʼMiss Morena, are there monsters down there?ʼʼ

Morena started laughing when she heard this, but shook her head with a giggle. ʼʼNo darling, itʼs my home and youʼll be safe here.ʼʼ