A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1637: Lock The Mana Valves!

(Lucrezia, Aurelia, Ashoka, and Eveline)

While Archer and the others ventured on their expeditions, Ashoka spearheaded an expedition through the treacherous Eastern Passage. Their ships battled raging storms and encountered monstrous sea creatures. Lucrezia, the formidable Death Witch, faced these threats head-on.

Transforming into her colossal Mosasaur form, she snapped Blood Whales in two, undaunted by the perils of the deep. The creatures were the size of buildings and managed to sink one of the Destroyers, only to be killed by Aurelia, who sliced through the water, using her magic to keep the fleet safe from the nonstop attacks.

By the time the fighting stopped, Ashoka spotted an island in the distance. ʼʼHead toward that place, captain!ʼʼ she exclaimed through the device used to communicate with the fleetʼs officers.

Eveline, the rabbit woman, appeared on the bridge looking sick, thanks to the constant swaying, she quickly complained while steadying herself against a railing. ʼʼAshoka! When will this end?ʼʼ

ʼʼSoon, Rabbit,ʼʼ the Tigress answered, giggling at the white-haired womanʼs reaction to their journey. ʼʼWhy come with us if you hate sailing so much? All youʼve done is be sick and complain since leaving port.ʼʼ

ʼʼI didnʼt want to be left behind,ʼʼ Eveline admitted. ʼʼPlus, Iʼve always wanted to explore the world. Itʼs Archerʼs damn stories that encouraged me into this.ʼʼ

Just then, a melodious laugh echoed from behind the pair. They turned around only to see Aurelia standing there looking exhausted. The Mermaid smiled, sitting in a nearby chair. ʼʼThe swarms have backed off. Luce killed the leader and devoured it in front of the rest of them.ʼʼ

Moments later, the door slammed open, and a soaked Lucrezia stepped in, complaining about the rain that had just started. Ashoka was about to talk to the blonde, but was stopped when the sun beamed down on them. This confused everyone on board, prompting Eveline to excitedly point.

ʼʼLook, thereʼs an island we can take shelter on!ʼʼ she exclaimed.

Following that, the captain, who was an older woman named Clara, appeared from her private room. When she saw the four of them standing there, she bowed. ʼʼMy ladies, I got your message and agree. We need to shelter in place, weʼre in the eye of the storm, and it will get worse.ʼʼ

The group looked concerned, but the captain pointed out of the bridge window to the far west. ʼʼLook in the distance, the clouds are black as night. Out in the middle of nowhere, that means trouble.ʼʼ

Ashokaʼs gaze followed her pointing finger, spotting a storm looming on the horizon as they emerged from the eye of the storm. She steadied herself in her seat, signaling the others to brace as it closed in. The fleet pressed forward, sails taut and timbers creaking, racing toward the distant islandʼs faint silhouette.

It was a roiling wall of black clouds and lightning, surged closer, its winds howling like a predator. Ashoka gripped the chairʼs arms, her eyes fixed on the helm as the captain barked orders. Waves churned higher, rocking the ship, but the islandʼs promise of shelter drove them onward, each heartbeat a race against time.

The ships plowed through the growing waves crashing against the hull, causing the vessels to shake thanks to the force. The Tigress gripped the armrest as the others looked worried, but Lucrezia commented. ʼʼWe shouldʼve taken the submarines, itʼs calm in the deep.ʼʼ

Her words drew blank stares from the group, their faces deadpan as they fixed their eyes on the blonde, who became nervous at the sudden attention. ʼʼYes, we couldʼve used it, but itʼs unnecessary,ʼʼ Aurelia was the first to speak. ʼʼThereʼs one trailing the fleet, and the waters below will get rough; being inside those things wouldnʼt be pleasant.ʼʼ

Caraʼs voice rang out as she clarified to the women. ʼʼA fleet of Draconian ships is perfectly suited for this expedition,ʼʼ she informed. ʼʼThe storms may be ferocious, with gales and towering waves battering us, but these vessels are built to survive. Powered by the emperorʼs mana generators, their reinforced hulls and mana shields will deflect the worst of the stormʼs wrath, keeping us safe.ʼʼ

Eveline opened her mouth to reply, but the ship suddenly pitched sharply to the left, its metal frame groaning under the strain. Her face drained of color. Seasickness overwhelmed her, and she doubled over, vomiting onto the gleaming steel deck as the crew exchanged grimaces.

Overhead, the storm erupted. Menacing black clouds rolled in, cloaking the sky in an oppressive shroud. The wind howled fiercer, rattling the shipʼs plating as the fleet drew nearer to the island, its jagged silhouette looming through the relentless downpour.

***

(Colestah, Halime, Llyniel, and Kassandra)

Halime was watching Kassandra destroy a swarm of Deep Sea Sharks that tried to target their sailors who were fishing in small boats. Her massive tentacles wrap around the creatures, crushing them with ease. The snake woman was shocked at the power of her friend.

ʼʼSheʼs so strong,ʼʼ Llyniel the Wood Elf commented from beside her. ʼʼBut you know, Afcher loves us for our smarts and how we help in other ways.ʼʼ

ʼʼI know,ʼʼ Halime sighed. ʼʼItʼs just frustrating that weʼre not as powerful. Look at Kass, Luce, Brooke, Ari, or Teuila. Theyʼre strong warriors or world-ending mages, but Iʼm just here researching poisons and warming our husbandsʼ bed.ʼʼ

Just then, the Kraken Princess leaped from the water, landing on the deck with a thud before speaking. ʼʼThat may be true about our power, but thereʼs more that you do. Look at perfecting the crops so they wouldnʼt be affected by pests or poisons?ʼʼ

ʼʼOr the fact that you cured the Plague that erupted alongside Aisha,ʼʼ Llyniel added.

Halime didnʼt know what to say as the Water Elf, Colestah, leaped out of the water and landed beside the snake woman, speaking with a warm smile. ʼʼArcher doesnʼt care about a womanʼs power, just their personalities, and I know he adores you and Llyniel here.ʼʼ

The two women in question blushed as the older woman continued. ʼʼTake Aisha, Fianna, Edith, and Meredith? They arenʼt fighters, but he still loves them? I saw him chasing some of the harem through the palace.ʼʼ

Everyone laughed as Halime cheered up when remembering the sweet words Archer whispered in her ear before leaving on the expedition. She shook her head as a bright smile appeared. ʼʼI understand now, just like Dellah Ironfoot, he loves me for reasons only he can explain.ʼʼ

ʼʼOh, he certainly loves that Dwarf and you, Hali,ʼʼ Ashoka giggled in response. ʼʼHeʼs mentioned that he loves it when you bite into him and give him a tour around your labs.ʼʼ

Halimeʼs deep brown cheeks flushed darker as the groupʼs laughter echoed across the deck. Moments later, Captain Leona, Malakiaʼs younger sister, appeared near the entrance to their private quarters. She commanded the fleet sailing westward while the Tigress led the entire expedition.

ʼʼWeʼve sighted an island a few miles ahead,ʼʼ the grey-haired lioness announced, her voice cutting through the biting wind. ʼʼIt has a bay where we can anchor and ride out the approaching snowstorm. Prepare to adjust course.ʼʼ

The crew leapt into action at Leonaʼs command, their boots clanging against the metal deck of the ship. Halime joined them, her hands steady despite the biting cold seeping through her gloves. The vessel thrummed, slicing through the waves toward the island. As the fleet entered the bay, the storm intensified, icy winds shrieking and pelting the hull with snow.

High cliffs shielded the ships from the worst of the weather, and the engines pulsed steadily, guiding the Flagship to anchor beside the fleetʼs other ships. The snowstorm struck in full force, a blinding whirl of white cloaking the world, flakes hissing as they melted on the warm, mana-charged metal.

ʼʼSecure the conduits and lock the mana valves!ʼʼ Leona called through a speaker, her grey hair whipping wildly as she monitored the ship.

Her voice cut through the stormʼs roar. Halime and the crew moved fast, sealing the glowing conduits and double-checking the anchor. The shipʼs faint blue glow reflected off the bayʼs calm waters, a stark difference to the chaos beyond. As the final valve clicked into place, she exhaled, her breath misting in the frigid air.

ʼʼDamn snow, always creating problems out here,ʼʼ Kassandra commented, annoyed. ʼʼThe Deep Sea is in chaos, forcing the sand to blot out everything.ʼʼ

Colestah nodded in agreement. ʼʼYes, I can see it, I bet the Blood Crabs will come out now and try attacking the ships.ʼʼ

ʼʼDonʼt worry about that, my ladies,ʼʼ Leona reassured. ʼʼThe weapons will kill anything that attempts to climb on board.ʼʼ

Llyniel and Halime giggled at this as the Wood Elf added. ʼʼI do hope so because some of their auraʼs are impressive.ʼʼ

The lioness waved her away. ʼʼIʼm certain of it, Iʼve seen these things tear apart stone,ʼʼ she said.

Following that, the four women got ready to secure the beach for the legions as they climbed into a landing craft heading toward the nearby shore, as the feeling of being watched came from the forest.