A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1494: My Gorgeous Wood Elf

Archer stood nearby, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he watched the scene unfold. In the warm glow of the flickering hearth, Hecate, Kestria, and Dara sat on a thick woven rug, surrounding the three babies, Kela, Neoma, and Freya.

The air was filled with the sweet music of infant giggles and the gentle, playful murmurs of the women. Hecate dangled a colorful cloth toy above Kela, who swiped at it, her grey skin catching the firelight as she squealed in delight.

Kestria, her brown hair falling over her shoulder, was making silly faces at Neoma, who responded in a burst of indignant babbles, as if scolding her for the absurdity of it all, making him smile.

ʼSeems like it was a good idea to rescue them,ʼ he mused in amusement. ʼIʼll give them mansions close to Dragonheart City so they can come visit the babies.ʼ

Following that, Archer turned his attention back to Dara, who cradled Freya close, humming a soft lullaby that made the babyʼs eyelids flutter. The sight warmed his heart, grounding him in a moment of rare peace.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. He turned slightly to see Osywn, his older brother, leading Ryn and Jal. The manʼs broad frame filled the doorway, his weathered face softened by a familiar grin.

Ryn, ever the joker, had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he started feeling comfortable in the Domain. While Jal, the quiet one, brought up the rear, his expression was calm but observant.

ʼʼArch,ʼʼ Osywn said, his deep voice cutting through the babiesʼ chatter. ʼʼWeʼre turning in for the night. Jalʼs already scoped out the beds, and he says theyʼre comfortable enough. A damn sight better than what weʼre used to.ʼʼ

Jal nodded, his usually reserved demeanor giving way to a small, satisfied smile. ʼʼThick mattresses, clean linens,ʼʼ he said, his voice low but clear. ʼʼTheyʼve even got proper pillows. Beats the hell out of huddling in the corner of a cell during the winter.ʼʼ

Ryn let out a chuckle, clapping a hand on his shoulder. ʼʼYeah, no kidding. Iʼd take a soft bed over a cold stone floor any day,ʼʼ he commented. ʼʼRemember that time we got stuck in that cave during the storm? Thought my back would never forgive me.ʼʼ

Archer laughed, the rare memory of him spending time together when he was younger flashing vividly in his mind, Ryn complaining loudly while trying to find a comfortable spot on the unforgiving rock, Osywn grumbling about the damp, and Jal silently enduring it all.

ʼʼYou whined for days after that,ʼʼ he teased, earning a mock scowl from his younger brother.

ʼʼWhined? Me?ʼʼ Ryn shot back, feigning offense. ʼʼI was providing morale, thank you very much.ʼʼ

He grinned, then glanced over at the women and babies, his expression softening. ʼʼLooks like the little ones are keeping everyone busy. Theyʼre a handful, eh?ʼʼ

Archerʼs gaze returned to the rug, where Kestria was now gently bouncing Neoma on her knee, the babyʼs giggles filling the clearing like a melody. ʼʼMore than a handful,ʼʼ he said, his voice full of love. ʼʼBut worth every second.ʼʼ

Oswyn followed his gaze, his gruff exterior melting as he watched Hecate playfully tickle Kelaʼs tummy. ʼʼTheyʼve got you wrapped around their tiny fingers, donʼt they?ʼʼ he said, a rare note of warmth in his tone.

ʼʼCanʼt deny it,ʼʼ Archer admitted, his smile widening.

He looked back at his brothers, grateful for their presence. ʼʼGo get some rest. Youʼre safe here, and no one from the outside world can get in.ʼʼ

Jal gave a small nod of acknowledgment, already turning toward the stairs, while Ryn lingered a moment longer, still chuckling. ʼʼDonʼt let those babies tire you out too much, Arch,ʼʼ he called over his shoulder as he followed Jal.

Osywn gave Archer a firm pat on the back, a silent gesture of camaraderie, before heading off. Once they were gone, Teuilaʼs panicked voice echoed in his mind. ʼArch! A plague has hit Pluoria and itʼs bad!ʼ

ʼWhatʼs happened?ʼ he responded.

Following that, he turned to Hecate and warned. ʼʼHec, Iʼm locking you and the babies in the Domain. The plague has hit Thrylos and will cause chaos across the world.ʼʼ

When the Moon Elf heard that, she jumped up while holding Kela. ʼʼLet me help! My medicine and healing magic can help.ʼʼ

ʼʼNo!ʼʼ he instantly rejected it. ʼʼYou will stay with our daughters, and Iʼll bring the others in here.ʼʼ

After seeing Hecate agree with a determined nod, Archer summoned over a dozen women who materialized around him, their forms shimmering briefly as the magic settled thanks to the Dragon Tattoos that each of his women had.

Before any of them could fully orient themselves, he whisked them away to the treehouse. Archer stood at the center of the room, his broad shoulders squared, his white hair catching the warm light as he faced the group.

Each woman, visibly pregnant and radiating a mix of strength and vulnerability, stood or sat on the plush, moss-colored cushions scattered across the polished wooden floor. Their expressions ranged from confusion to defiance.

Their eyes locked on Archer as he surveyed them, his normally warm demeanor was replaced by a steely resolve. ʼʼNone of you will leave this place until I say so,ʼʼ he declared, cutting through the murmurs like a blade. ʼʼDo you understand?ʼʼ

A ripple of reactions passed through the group. Some women nodded silently, their hands resting protectively over their rounded bellies, trusting his judgment despite the suddenness of his actions.

Others exchanged wary glances, their unease palpable. The air grew thick with tension as Kassandra surged to her feet, dark eyes blazing. Her flowing, sea-green robes swirled around her like waves, and her voice carried the sharp edge of a storm at sea.

ʼʼWhatʼs the meaning of this, Archer?ʼʼ she demanded, her tone a mix of fury and disbelief.

Her tentacles, usually hidden beneath her human guise, flickered briefly into view, curling with agitation. ʼʼYou canʼt just summon us like chattel and lock us away without explanation! We deserve to know why!ʼʼ

Archer chuckled before suddenly grabbing her waist and kissing the angry woman, shocking her into silence as she returned the gesture. Once they separated, he whispered. ʼʼIʼll explain everything beautifully, letʼs just say itʼs extremely bad and might change things.ʼʼ

When the young woman heard this, she nodded and sat down as he began talking. ʼʼTeuila here, sent me a message about a plague hitting Pluoria, which explains the Alliance troop movements I saw.ʼʼ

As the group heard this, Ella spoke up. ʼʼWhy are you moving us in here? Wouldnʼt the palace be enough?ʼʼ

ʼʼUnfortunely not,ʼʼ he revealed, grimacing. ʼʼIt will be tough out there thanks to the incoming drought that will hit.ʼʼ

Just then, the women erupted into a panic as Nefertiti rubbed her belly and questioned. ʼʼWhat about our families?ʼʼ

Archer glanced at the pink-haired succubus and answered. ʼʼIʼll have extra food and water delivered to them from the empireʼs stockpiles. We have enough to feed our realm one hundred times over.ʼʼ

He motioned toward Halime and Llyniel, who had just appeared. This made him laugh as he continued. ʼʼMy gorgeous Wood Elf here tripled our farmersʼ yields so we were able to store more than ninety percent of our harvest.ʼʼ

Nala raised an eyebrow. ʼʼAnd we still have enough resources to feed everyone?ʼʼ

He gave a confident nod. ʼʼAbsolutely. And before you ask about the others, theyʼre either leading a legion or deployed at sea. Once theyʼre free to return to the Domain, Iʼll teleport them here.ʼʼ

The group nodded in agreement. Archer then moved among them, sharing a brief kiss with each and promising to carve out time when his duties permitted. Moments later, he vanished, leaving them behind as a pair of eyes locked onto him.

***

Freyaʼs tiny body went rigid as her father vanished, the air growing heavy with his absence. A vision seared into her young mind: Archer, her invincible father, stood broken and blood-soaked, facing a grotesque, unfathomable monster that threatened their world.

His scales were shattered, his breath ragged, yet he turned to her, his eyes catching hers through the chaos. That familiar smile, tired, tender, and achingly warm, flickered across his face, a beacon in the storm.

ʼʼI love you to the stars and back, my little lady,ʼʼ he whispered, his voice trembling with a love so deep it broke her heart. ʼʼPromise me youʼll look after your Mama.ʼʼ

ʼʼNo, Father, donʼt go!ʼʼ Freyaʼs scream tore from her chest, raw and desperate, her voice echoing in the void.

Archerʼs smile wavered, his violet eyes glistening with tears. ʼʼMy work here is done, my sweet girl,ʼʼ he said softly, his voice cracking. ʼʼYou and your siblings are safe now. This… this was always my journeyʼs end. But know this, Freya, my heart belongs to you all, forever.ʼʼ

His image flickered, fading into the darkness of her vision, leaving her clutching at the empty air, her sobs the only sound in the silence he left behind. She began crying her heart out as she remembered his words. ʼI love you, my little lady.ʼ

Her mother, Sia, rushed to her and scooped her up but she couldnʼt talk but knew she had to push him even further so he wouldnʼt die and leave them alone.