A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1629: The Swarm Queen

Archer and Ophelia were sitting in front of a colored window, allowing the duo to see the snow covering the shield that protected her garden. He turned to the older woman, a curious expression appearing as he asked. ʼʼDo you need anything? Food? A well?ʼʼ

ʼʼI have one out back and my magic,ʼʼ she responded, beaming at his offer. ʼʼAnd food is fine, I have a basement full of stuff to survive through the Long Winter.ʼʼ

After speaking, Ophelia stood up and continued. ʼʼNow let me cook us that meal, itʼs getting colder and the fire wonʼt keep it out forever.ʼʼ

Just then, a Mana Storm unlike any other roared to life above, a clap of thunder shattering the peace, a wave of raw energy surging across Draconia —a tide that seemed to drown the very essence of the world. Archer staggered, his breath catching in his throat as the thread of mana that fueled his body snapped like a rope.

His chest heaved, each gasp a struggle, and he faltered. His legs buckled, forcing him to drop to one knee, his trembling hand clawing at the nearby chair as he fought to draw in even a flicker of the energy that had once flowed so freely was cut. Ophelia watched with a mixture of concern and exasperation etched across her face.

She muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the stormʼs fury. ʼʼA damned Mana Storm, of all the cursed times for one to strike.ʼʼ

Her tone was laced with frustration, but her gaze softened as she studied the young man. Worry welled up inside her when she realized he was dying. The Mana Storm raged on, making everything worse, its chaotic energy searing through his veins like molten fire. His vision blurred, the colors of the world dimming as the inferno inside him consumed his strength.

His body felt as if it were being torn apart from the inside, each pulse of pain threatening to drag him into oblivion. With a final breath, his world plunged into darkness, and he collapsed to the floor. Opheliaʼs heart lurched at the sight. She wasted no time, her hands moving with the practiced grace of a seasoned mage.

Whispering an incantation under her breath, she summoned a gentle current of magic, its faint glow wrapping around Archerʼs motionless form like a protective cocoon. With a flick of her wrist, she lifted him from the ground, guiding his unconscious body through the air toward the safety of her modest home nearby.

The stormʼs assault battered the walls of her sanctuary, but the wards she had etched into the stone held firm. As she settled Archer onto a simple cot in the corner of the room, a faint shimmer caught her eye, portals, flickering in and out of existence, struggling to take form within her home.

Their edges crackled, only to collapse as the stormʼs interference overwhelmed them. Opheliaʼs brow furrowed. She recognized the mana that created the portals; they were the work of his women, no doubt desperate to reach him in his moment of vulnerability. The storm severed their attempts to appear.

Her gaze fell to the tattoo etched across Archerʼs abdomen, its lines pulsing faintly despite the stormʼs oppressive weight. It was more than ink; it was a link to those tied to him through magic and fate. Opheliaʼs fingers brushed lightly over the marking, her magic coaxing it to life.

With a spell, she sent a message through the harem network, reassuring the women on the other side that he was safe, for now, under her care. The storm might have severed their connection, but her words would find them, carried by her dwindling mana. Outside, the Mana Storm howled on, a force of nature that didnʼt care for the lives it disrupted.

Inside, Ophelia stood watch over Archer, her mind racing as she pieced together the implications of the stormʼs untimely arrival. It was no mere coincidence, she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. Something had stirred the currents of the world, and Archer, for better or worse, was caught in the heart of it.

***

(Demetra, Embera, and Inara)

ʼʼWhat happened to our husband?ʼʼ Inara asked, stepping in from the balcony. ʼʼI heard a strange womanʼs voice through the tattoo.ʼʼ

ʼʼIt was Ophelia Blackfire,ʼʼ the Demon Shark revealed. ʼʼA long-lost love interest who lives in the northern mountains of Draconia.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhat is he doing that?ʼʼ Embera questioned as she materialized in their private quarters.

ʼʼTo visit her obviously,ʼʼ Demetra responded while making some tea. ʼʼShe has been one of the women who has rebuked him, and it drives him crazy.ʼʼ

ʼʼSo sheʼs rejecting him?ʼʼ the lioness said, red eyes narrowed in annoyance.

The blue-haired woman giggled, shaking her head. ʼʼWell, yes, but itʼs clear sheʼs interested in him. Otherwise, why would she stay here? Watching over him?ʼʼ

ʼʼThatʼs stupid,ʼʼ the Fire Elf commented. ʼʼAt least heʼs safe, we can get back to the expedition.ʼʼ

Following that, Demetra turned toward the window once she finished making her hot drink and approached it only to see waves washing over the decks as they sailed past the Northwood Continent. She noticed the land was quiet and found it creepy as goosebumps washed over her skin.

Just then, Inara appeared beside her and revealed. ʼʼDid you just feel that? Something strong is following the fleet, but it doesnʼt seem hostile?ʼʼ

ʼʼYouʼre right,ʼʼ she replied, yellow eyes narrowing as something began rushing toward their ship, causing her to point. ʼʼSheʼs coming toward us, itʼs a Swarm Queen and sheʼs stronger than all of us.ʼʼ

In a heartbeat, the fleet ground to a halt, ensnared by an unknown force. From the depths below, a mass of colossal eels emerged, their bodies coiling through the water with eerie precision. The creatures didnʼt attack, their glowing black eyes fixed on the ships, forming an impassable living barrier that held the fleet in place.

The air grew thick with tension as the crew exchanged wary glances, the creak of the shipsʼ timbers mingling with the faint hum of the eelsʼ movements beneath the waves. Demetra, Inara, and Embera sprang into action, their footsteps echoing with purpose as they raced toward the main deck.

They navigated the narrow corridors of the lead ship, their minds racing to decipher the strange behavior of the eels. Once arriving, the water erupted as a figure landed in front of them. Demetra stepped forward only to notice a woman standing there, a smile crossing her face.

She took in the stranger, she was wearing a dress that clung to her hourglass figure, the fabric barely contained her chest, and her curly green hair cascaded down her back as a bright pair of green eyes examined them. She nooded before speaking. ʼʼGreetings, Ladies. I can smell him on you. Where is this man?ʼʼ

ʼʼWhy do you want our husband?ʼʼ Inara questioned.

ʼʼHis mana can help my swarm grow stronger,ʼʼ the stranger revealed. ʼʼI want an alliance, Iʼll provide a horde of powerful sea monsters and heʼll help them grow stronger.ʼʼ

When the women heard this, they sighed as Demetra responded. ʼʼWe cannot return to him, a Mana Storm has struck him down, siphoning his mana to the point an old friend needs to keep him alive until it stops.ʼʼ

The woman nodded. ʼʼAnd why are you traveling into the Dark Abyss? Itʼs dangerous, you know?ʼʼ

ʼʼWeʼre exploring the Northern Passage for new lands,ʼʼ Embera answered. ʼʼWe needed a break away from our homelands and became explorers.ʼʼ

ʼʼStrange, but so be it,ʼʼ the woman said. ʼʼI am Athena, the Swarm Queen of the Deep Sea Stalkers. Iʼll accompany your ships to make sure theyʼre safe.ʼʼ

The trio was going to reject such an offer, but Athena added. ʼʼI know of many lands in the Abyss. Many are full of powerful beasts that could aid your husband.ʼʼ

ʼʼAre there others like you?ʼʼ Demetra finally asked.

ʼʼSwarm Queens?ʼʼ the green-haired woman nodded. ʼʼThere are two more, but they are bitches and hate the outside world.ʼʼ

When the others heard this, they were wary of the newcomer, but she seemed harmless, causing Inara to grow suspicious. ʼʼWhyʼre you acting so friendly? That swarm could destroy this fleet, instead their protecting us?ʼʼ

Athena glanced at the lioness, vanishing only to appear right in front of her, a smile crossing her face. ʼʼYour husband holds the power of a god, and I want my swarm to grow even stronger. Who knows? We may return to land and will be able to wipe out his enemies in a wave of sharp teeth.ʼʼ

Embera glanced at her harem sisters, sighing. ʼʼSheʼs just his type as well, thick, older, and gives off that mature vibe he loves.ʼʼ

Demetra growled at such words but had to agree. ʼʼYouʼre right, weʼll keep an eye on things.ʼʼ

ʼʼOh, I see heʼs a man of culture,ʼʼ Athena teased, an amused expression appearing. ʼʼI do like a handsome young man, never been with anyone, so I have no experience in such matters, but Iʼve explored the world and seen many things.ʼʼ

ʼʼSheʼs another Brooke or Mary,ʼʼ Inara rolled her eyes. ʼʼShe will butter him up and heʼll have her screaming his name in no time.ʼʼ