A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1573: Ten Girls And One Boy

Archer was sitting at the window of the tower that the three women were in, giving a perfect view of the Green Sea. He noticed swarms of monsters roaming the endless landscape that stretched as far as he could see. Maeve sauntered over to him, cradling her stomach as she drank some fruit juice.

ʼʼNow winter is coming, should we continue to invasion or hold off until summer?ʼʼ The orange-haired warrior woman asked.

ʼʼWait, the soldiers need some rest and a break from the constant fighting,ʼ he answered, surprising his wife.

ʼʼThatʼs noble of you; most rulers would keep moving forward despite the weather.ʼʼ

Archer laughed at her words. ʼʼMost yes, but not me, I prefer having my soldiers at one hundred percent, then working them to the bone,ʼʼ he revealed, taking a sip of the dragon ale Sera gave to him sometime ago.

ʼʼThat does make sense,ʼʼ she replied before suddenly thanking him. ʼʼThank you for always coming to see us, Arch.ʼʼ

ʼʼIsnʼt that what a husband is for?ʼʼ Archer grinned. ʼʼEven though youʼre a warrior, youʼre still a woman who needs the one she loves.ʼʼ

Maeveʼs cheeks went bright red, but she giggled and spoke. ʼʼYes, youʼre right, darling, even though there are loads of us.ʼʼ

Following that, the two continued chatting about the war on Orientia and all the battles they were involved in. He knew she led the legions to many victories, but there were defeats along the way. Maeve told him about an ambush the Alliance sprung on them, and only thanks to Inara, they escaped.

He got annoyed but calmed down and questioned. ʼʼWhy did you summon me? All of the harem do it?ʼʼ

The young woman shrugged. ʼʼI didnʼt want to disturb you, but in the end, we escaped and defeated the enemy army, leaving no survivors.ʼʼ

Archer gazed into her eyes before speaking to put things straight. ʼʼMaeve, you could never disturb me. If youʼre in trouble, I need to know. I want to be there for you, to help in any way I can.ʼʼ

Stepping closer, he gently drew her into his arms and passionately, as if sealing his vow. Maeve felt a shiver of delight ripple through her, the warmth of his touch igniting a spark that danced along her skin. She melted into the moment, her heart quickening as she returned his kiss with similar hunger.

Her fingers brushed against the rough stubble of his cheek, anchoring herself to him as the kiss deepened. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the intensity of their connection, a silent promise that spoke louder than words. Once the couple broke apart, Maeve was beaming.

ʼʼThank you,ʼʼ she whispered, putting her forehead against his. ʼʼFor everything, my love. Iʼm glad you stole me away all those years ago.ʼʼ

Archer smiled. ʼʼSame, Iʼm glad we met back in the College of Magic. I wasnʼt going to attend, but Iʼm lucky I did because I met you,ʼʼ he revealed.

When the orange-haired woman heard his words, her gray eyes sparkled with love and admiration before she leaned in for another kiss. Afterward, they rejoined the group, their conversation turning to the Green Sea. While the others went to bed for the night, he was still brimming with energy, teleported to the towerʼs summit to unwind in solitude.

He appeared on the top and sat on the edge while watching the landscape across the river, only to see a troop of horsemen coming close, his eyes narrowed as he realized they were hunting some goat-looking monsters. The warriors hunted with bows and were green from head to toe.

ʼʼOrcs!ʼʼ he excitedly thought.

Without a second to waste, he summoned his wings and flew toward the group to watch them closely. When he did that, the Orcs spotted him and started shouting. ʼʼThe White Devil! Run!ʼʼ

ʼHuh?ʼ

Perplexed, he stopped approaching the warriors and turned his attention to the goat they had hunted. Quickly claiming it for himself, he teleported back to the tower. On the rooftop, he prepared to cook the goat, all while gazing out at the formidable fortress his legions had constructed.

Archer set to work on the towerʼs rooftop, the moon casting a silver glow over the sprawling fortress below. He kindled a small fire, its flames licking the night air, and expertly prepared the goat, seasoning it with herbs from his pack. The aroma soon mingled with the cool breeze.

When the meat sizzled, he uncorked a bottle of dragon ale, its rich taste warming him. Taking a deep swig, he leaned back against the stone parapet, the moonlight glinting off the bottle. The fortress stood resolute under the starry sky, while he savored the quiet moment, the crackling fire, and the potent ale, lost in thought.

As he sat, a shrill ring pierced the silence, startling him until he remembered the phone heʼd bought on Earth. Fumbling, he pulled it from his pocket, and Alexaʼs name flashed on the screen. He answered, heart racing, only to hear her desperate cry. ʼʼArch! Help me!ʼʼ

Before he could respond, menʼs voices snarled in the background, and the call abruptly cut off. Fury surged through him, igniting his powers. In an instant, he teleported to Alexa, his childhood love, whom he hadnʼt seen since sheʼd learned about the millions heʼd killed over the years.

Moments later, Archer appeared in a dank, underground prison, his rage boiling over at the sight of Alexa, her navy hair disheveled, struggling against a group of men forcing her toward a cell. His vision narrowed, fury consuming him. In a flash, he appeared behind the armed leader, his hand a blur as he tore the manʼs head from his shoulders in one brutal motion.

Blood sprayed across the stone walls as Archer unleashed his wrath, tearing through the others with savage precision. Limbs fell, screams echoed, and soon the corridor was a grotesque canvas of gore. Alexa, freed from her captors, stared at him, eyes wide with awe and confusion. ʼʼWhat happened to you, Arch? You look… older.ʼʼ

ʼʼA lot of time has passed, Lexi,ʼʼ he said, his voice heavy with regret. ʼʼItʼs been four years since I last saw you. You stopped answering my messages through the tattoos. I thought you wanted nothing to do with me.ʼʼ

ʼʼHow old are you?ʼʼ

ʼʼTwenty-four now, it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago,ʼʼ he answered. ʼʼNow letʼs get out of here, Iʼm low on mana thanks to teleporting here from the palace.ʼʼ

Archer grabbed her hand, teleporting them to Michaʼs house in a flash. To his shock, the place was a hollow shell, and dust-covered furniture and eerie silence greeted them, stoking his irritation. Forcing himself to stay calm, he turned to the woman. ʼʼWho were those people? The U.S. government? Where are Elizabeth and the twins?ʼʼ

Alexaʼs eyes darkened. ʼʼIt was the new presidentʼs orders. Theyʼre hunting us because weʼre your women. Elizabethʼs in hiding with the others thanks to loyal friends in the government helping them out,ʼʼ she revealed.

ʼʼAlright,ʼʼ he replied, calmly.

Before Archer could do anything, Alexaʼs voice wavered. ʼʼDo you hate me now?ʼʼ

ʼʼNo, Lexi, I still love you,ʼʼ he said earnestly, his eyes searching hers for a spark of reciprocation. ʼʼI never wanted things to change, but killing became my reality, until Freya was born. That little girl shifted something deep inside me.ʼʼ

ʼʼYouʼre a father?ʼʼ Alexa gasped, her shock palpable.

Archer nodded proudly. ʼʼYes to eleven children. Ten girls and one boy who was born a couple of months ago.ʼʼ

The navy-haired womanʼs eyes widened even more as she demanded. ʼʼCan I see them, please?ʼʼ

Without a word, he waved his hand and created life-like images of his children, causing her face to light up. ʼʼThe oldest is Siaʼs, right?ʼʼ

Archer opened his mouth to respond when a figure emerged from the shadows behind Alexa. Instinct surged through him. He yanked her behind him, shielding her with his body as a gunshot shattered the silence. In a heartbeat, he summoned his wings, enfolding them both to protect her.

The bullet struck his armored feathers, bouncing harmlessly into the dust-covered floor. A blur of movement streaked past, too fast for human eyes. From the darkness, a Dark Wraith materialized, its form a swirling mass of shadow and malice, eyes glowing like twin embers in the gloom.

His pulse quickened, not with fear, but with recognition. A wicked grin curled across his face, his voice dripping with venom. ʼʼAeris, my wife,ʼʼ he commanded. ʼʼKill them all. Spare no one.ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, my love,ʼʼ she replied before the scene turned into a nightmare.

Aeris tore through the government agents, her claws destroying flesh and bone. Within moments, the attackers were reduced to grisly chunks of meat scattered across the blood-slicked floor, the air thick with the coppery stench of carnage. Archer sighed before looking at Alexa.

ʼʼYou may hate me after this, but this is who I am now, Lexi,ʼʼ he revealed, face covered in darkness. ʼʼAnyone who dares hurt the people I love deserves no mercy.ʼʼ

Archer looked at Aeris. ʼʼProtect her until I return. Make sure she goes to the other women,ʼʼ he asked, voice holding back a rage that would forever change Earth.