A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1664: By The Ancestors

(Colestah, Halime, Llyniel, and Kassandra)

Kassandra was relaxing on the fortress walls, gazing out at the stormy sea that sent waves crashing into the defences. She felt the stone shaking, forcing the expedition to calm to a stop. While sitting there, Halime appeared, covered in dirt and leaves, making the Kraken giggle at her look.

ʼʼHali, havenʼt you bathed yet? You look like youʼve been crawling through the underbrush,ʼʼ she said, grinning.

The snake woman laughed at her friendʼs words, explaining. ʼʼWell, when there are hundreds of monsters that will go into the sanctuary back on Draconia when we get home.ʼʼ

ʼʼInteresting,ʼʼ she replied just as a roar echoed across the sea.

Kassandraʼs dark eyes snapped to the distance, only to see a pod of Death Whale passing by the port. They were the size of a Battleship and looked fearsome, causing Halime to comment. ʼʼItʼs a shame we canʼt capture one of those.ʼʼ

ʼʼArcher could,ʼʼ the Kraken added, smirking. ʼʼHis Dragon form is a mountain now. Probably could pick them up with a claw.ʼʼ

Just then, Colestah appeared on the wall, wrapped in a thick cloak as she complained. ʼʼDamn weather is horrible.ʼʼ

The others laughed at this but agreed with the Water Elf. Halime was the next to speak as she glanced out at the anchored fleet. ʼʼHow long will we be stuck here?ʼʼ

ʼʼA month,ʼʼ Kassandra revealed. ʼʼThe weather isnʼt calming down.ʼʼ

When the brown-skinned snake woman heard this, her yellow eyes glowed with excitement as she rushed off to find Llyniel. Once she was from the wall, she let out a relieved breath, muttering. ʼʼDamn aura of those sea monsters is bad, letʼs find Lyn so we can find some more critters.ʼʼ

After ten minutes, she discovered the Wood Elf readying to depart the fortress, accompanied by their guards. Together, they ventured into the humid embrace of the jungle, the Oathkeepers fanning out in a protective ring, their hands resting lightly on sword hilts, senses sharp for any threat.

The air buzzed with life, iridescent beetles skittered across mossy trunks, and faintly glowing vines pulsed underfoot. Llyniel, with her keen elven senses, pointed out tracks which were invisible to Halime: a claw mark here, a tuft of shimmering fur there. Their first find was an elusive Glimmerwisp, a tiny creature trailing motes of light like a living lantern.

The Wood Elf coaxed it into a woven net with soft words in her native tongue, her movements deft and reverent. As they pressed deeper, the jungle grew wilder. The Oathkeepers tensed when a low growl rumbled nearby, but the Elfʼs calm kept them steady. Soon, they spotted a Crested Serpent, its scales flashing like polished jade.

Halime helped Llyniel corner it, marveling at its beauty as they secured it for study. Each capture felt like a triumph, the bond between the friends strengthening with every shared glance and whispered plan, while the Oathkeepers stood as silent guardians against the jungleʼs dangers.

The brunetteʼs sharp gaze darted to a faint shimmer high in the canopy, a telltale sign of a rare creature. ʼʼThere,ʼʼ she whispered, pointing to a cluster of glowing flowers. ʼʼA Starveil Moth. Its wings hold the essence of moonlight.ʼʼ

Halime nodded, her heart racing with excitement. She followed the Wood Elfʼs lead, climbing a gnarled vine with surprising agility to reach the mothʼs perch. The creatureʼs wings, fragile as spun silk, flickered. Llyniel murmured an elven chant, her voice weaving a calming spell, and the creature fluttered gently into the snake womanʼs outstretched hands.

She cradled it carefully, passing it to the Wood Elf, who secured it in a crystal-lined pouch designed to preserve its luminescence. As they descended, a sudden rustle broke the jungleʼs rhythm. The Oathkeepers drew their blades in unison, forming a tighter circle around them.

From the shadows emerged a hulking Thorned Behemoth, its hide studded with jagged spines, eyes glinting with intelligence. Halime readied her magic, but Llyniel raised a hand, signaling calm. ʼʼItʼs territorial, not hostile,ʼʼ she said softly. ʼʼIf we show respect, and it will let us pass.ʼʼ

The brunette stepped forward, her movements slow, offering a sprig of luminous moss as a gesture of peace. The behemoth snorted, its massive head lowering to inspect the offering. After a tense moment, it lumbered aside, allowing them to continue on with collecting new monsters.

Halime exhaled, her admiration for her bestfriend growing. Llynielʼs knowledge of the jungleʼs creatures was unmatched, and her calm under pressure was infectious. Further in, they stumbled upon a clearing where a pair of Sapphire Wyrmlings coiled around a glowing pool, their scales refracting light like living prisms.

They worked in tandem, using a combination of stealth and the Elfʼs enchantments to lure the wyrmlings into runed nets. The Oathkeepers stood watch, their presence a quiet reassurance as the jungleʼs chorus grew louder with the approaching dusk, signalling for the night beasts to emerge.

Each captured creature felt like a step closer to unraveling the new lands mysteries, and the snake woman felt a thrill at the thought of what they might find next, with Llyniel by her side and the Oathkeepers watching their back, they felt safe. By the time they finished their collecting, Kassandra wanted to help take the monsters back to the Domain where Archer prepared a place for them.

***

(Agrippina, Dellah, Vivienne, Aeliana, Valariana)

Dellah was the first to ride the lift down alongside Valariana, holding her massive warhammer. She glanced at the blonde with a knowing grin. ʼʼReady to fight, Vala?ʼʼ

ʼʼOf course,ʼʼ the tall Chull answered. ʼʼThatʼs why Iʼm coming with you. The others can guard the surface with the other queens.ʼʼ

The Dwarven woman let out a nervous giggle as her keen yellow eyes caught movement along the tunnel walls. Massive spiders emerged from the shadows, their skittering legs sending a chill down her spine. Valarianaʼs lip curled in a sneer. ʼʼFilthy spiders. Nowhere near as tough as our husbandʼs creatures.ʼʼ

Just then, the lift groaned as it descended into the inky depths, revealing a vast underground chamber that unfolded like a world unto itself. Many different biomes sprawled in every direction, lush groves, jagged rock formations, and shimmering pools, each a marvel of the subterranean realm.

Dellahʼs breath caught in her throat as the lift came to a shuddering halt, fully unveiling the underground expanse before her. Her wide eyes sparkled with awe, reflecting the faint glow of luminescent fungi that dotted the cavernʼs ceiling like a star-strewn sky. The underground world stretched endlessly, a breathtaking tapestry of alien beauty.

Verdant mosses clung to towering stone spires, their vibrant greens contrasting with the deep blues of glowing crystal pools. In the distance, a river of molten rock snaked through a scorched plain, its heat shimmering in the air, while nearby, a forest of translucent mushrooms pulsed faintly with life.

ʼʼBy the ancestors,ʼʼ Dellah whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant drip of water echoing through the chamber.

She stepped forward, her boots sinking slightly into the soft, earthy floor, her earlier unease about the spiders forgotten. ʼʼItʼs, itʼs like the heart of the world laid bare.ʼʼ

Her fingers twitched, itching to sketch the impossible biomes that coexisted in this hidden realm, each one more wondrous than the last. Valariana, still gripping her axe, glanced at Dellahʼs enraptured expression and softened, a rare smile tugging at her lips. ʼʼAye, sister,ʼʼ she said gruffly. ʼʼThis place humbles even the strongest of us.ʼʼ

As the lift settled with a groan at the cavernʼs floor, a growl rumbled from the shadows. From the underbrush of glowing ferns, a pack of sleek, silver-furred wolves lunged, their eyes glinting. Valariana reacted instantly, her fist slamming into the snout of the nearest beast with a sickening crunch, sending it yelping back into the foliage.

ʼʼStay sharp, Dellah!ʼʼ she bellowed, dodging a snapping jaw.

Dellah, her awe replaced by adrenaline, gripped her warhammer with both hands. With a fierce cry, she swung the heavy weapon in a wide arc, its head connecting with a wolfʼs flank. The beast howled as it tumbled across the ground, its companions hesitating at the sight of her unyielding resolve.

ʼʼNot today, you mangy curs!ʼʼ the older woman roared, her voice echoing off the cavern walls as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Valariana, ready to face the rest of the pack in this strange, wondrous underworld.

While Dellah and Valariana explored the underground Agrippina, Aeliana and Vivienne were on the surface, watching the horrible storm bare down on the Hollow thanks to Long Winter affecting every part of the world. The Elemental woman looked at the giant Nightmare Ants hauling monster bodies back to the warehouses so the soliders could eat.

ʼʼWhen are the Legions going?ʼʼ the redheaded beauty asked from the nearby tent.

ʼʼAnother week,ʼʼ Agrippina answered. ʼʼDepends on how Del and Valaʼs exploration goes.ʼʼ

ʼʼDid they send another message?ʼʼ Vivienne inquired.

ʼʼNot yet,ʼʼ the white-haired woman replied. ʼʼBut all their doing is fighting the Hollow monsters until they get exhausted.