A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1666: The Misty Mountains

(Kaelira)

Kaeliraʼs instincts screamed that they werenʼt alone, her gold eyes scanning the shadows, noticing the faint trails of mana. She sensed them before she saw them, humanoid figures lurking in the shadows. The things were wrong in a way she couldnʼt figure out, lurking just beyond sight.

It was a prickling, a whisper of danger that made her pulse quicken. The Wyrm Princess raised a hand, signaling for everyone to stop. Khela shot her a questioning glance, while Jasmine scanned the rooftops. ʼʼSomethingʼs here,ʼʼ she whispered, her voice low but firm. ʼʼNot monster. Not human, either.ʼʼ

She couldnʼt explain the feeling, but she knew whatever stalked them was close, watching, waiting. They pressed forward cautiously; the place seemed to tighten around them. A sudden clatter made them flinch, weapons half-drawn. Kaeliraʼs gaze darted to a sagging building ahead, its door ajar, revealing a sliver of darkness within.

The air grew heavier, laced with an unnatural odor, twisting her stomach. She motioned for the group to spread out, keeping to the shadows of the dilapidated structures. As they neared a crooked alley, Kaeliraʼs senses flared again, sharper this time. She froze, her eyes locking onto a faint movement in the darkness.

A humanoid with limbs too long, its movements too jerky. It slipped behind a pile of debris before she could get a clear look. Her heart thudded, but she kept her voice steady. ʼʼEyes up. Theyʼre close.ʼʼ

The group tightened its formation, weapons ready. A low rasp echoed from the alley, followed by the soft scrape of something dragging across the dirt. Kaelira peered into the shadows. Another figure shifted in the distance, then another, their forms barely discernible but unmistakably humanoid, yet twisted, as if their bodies had been warped.

Their eyes glinted faintly, like distant stars in the dark, and the air pulsed with their presence. ʼʼThey know weʼre here,ʼʼ Kaelira murmured.

The figures didnʼt attack, but their movements were deliberate, circling, herding. The village felt alive with their presence, a trap closing around the group. Her mind raced, piecing together the grim truth: the missing adventurers hadnʼt just vanished. Theyʼd been taken, or worse, transformed into whatever these things were.

ʼʼStay close,ʼʼ she ordered, her voice cutting through the tension. ʼʼWeʼre not prey.ʼʼ

As grotesque humanoid figures lurched from the shadows, their twisted bodies shambling closer, Kaelira steeled herself for a battle against horrors she couldnʼt imagine. A bone-chilling howl split the night just as one of the creatures lunged at Cera. With a powerful punch, she sent them collapsing into a heap of gore.

Khela grabbed the Demi-Human and Jasmine, pulling both back as Kaelira took out the humanoids until every single creature dropped dead. The Wyrm Princess was breathing heavy after killing dozens. She glanced at the other three and smiled. ʼʼLooks like chaos reigns beyond the walls, these were humans changed by a Necromancer,ʼʼ she revealed.

The Water Elf looked shocked at her words as Cera questioned. ʼʼHow would you know that by looking at them?ʼʼ

ʼʼI can sense the dead mana coming off them,ʼʼ she answered as the three continued until finding a group of adventurers.

They were held up in a temple but were overwhelmed by the mutated humans, scaring the other three as Kaelira commented. ʼʼLooks like most of the people who came out here died.ʼʼ

ʼʼItʼs expected considering the Green Sea is dangerous, especially since Long Winter appeared,ʼʼ Jasmine added.

Following that, the group grabbed the Adventurers Cards to prove they were dead and continued until coming across a city a few days later. It was alive with people, but compared to the Draconians, these people looked depressed. Kaelira noticed they were just surviving life, not actually living.

Her eyes narrowed at this before she glanced at Jasmine as they stepped through the cityʼs entrance after paying the toll. ʼʼWhatʼs wrong with this place?ʼʼ

ʼʼThe Zhaoryn Kingdom tried to play both sides, but the Draconia smashed them in one pitched battle led by Empress Elara, who commands the famous 1st Legion,ʼʼ the Water Elf revealed.

The Wyrmʼs Princess gold eyes narrowed as she inquired. ʼʼThen why didnʼt Draconia take this place?ʼʼ

ʼʼTheyʼre,ʼʼ Cera was the one to speak, causing everyone to look at her as she explained. ʼʼItʼs because of the ceasefire and Long Winter that stopped them from continuing, Emperor Archer cares for his soldiers.ʼʼ

Following that, the four explored the city only to leave shortly after, thanks to it being rundown, and the number of beggars that bothered them was too much. Kaelira led them back to the wall after finding another ten adventurers who had been butchered by the locals before being eaten.

This shocked the group, and the Wyrm Princess wasnʼt surprised as starvation pushed people into bad situations. She knew all too well,l thanks to witnessing it up north on the continents. When reaching the wall, she heard tales of the emperor appearing in the far west, causing her to want to go to meet him.

ʼʼKae, he will go to Westreach to get a ship back to Draconia,ʼʼ Jasmine said. ʼʼWe can meet him there.ʼʼ

ʼʼGood, letʼs get going,ʼʼ she replied to the Water Elf.

The group headed toward the train station to travel to Westreach to see if they could meet the emperor.

***

Archer was sitting in Ashkari Cityʼs square, looking at the trembling City Lord, before turning to the parents and finally speaking. ʼʼWill you two accept my decision?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, my emperor,ʼʼ the father answered.

The woman nodded as he turned to the daughter with a smirk. ʼʼI shall make her my lover and give you both five gold coins each to settle the matter.ʼʼ

When the mother heard this, her eyes widened in horror as she pleaded. ʼʼPlease, my lord. Let her live her life, let her choose who she loves!ʼʼ

The daughter was taken aback; she looked at Malakia and Meredith, only to feel small in front of the older women. He watched the fatherʼs expression change to one of greed as he countered. ʼʼGive me ten and you have my blessing.ʼʼ

Archerʼs smile grew as he suddenly declared. ʼʼThe mother has the final say over her daughter getting married, and thatʼs the end of the matter.ʼʼ

The father went to complain, but his gaze narrowed at the human before standing up. ʼʼYou should be ashamed of yourself. How can you attempt to sell your daughter!ʼʼ he said, slapping the man.

A loud clap echoed out, sending the man flying as he continued speaking, turning to the daughter. ʼʼLive your life and find love without the worry of your father; he wonʼt bother you anymore,ʼʼ he reassured.

When the mother heard this, her eyes widened in admiration, but Archer looked at the women as the trio vanished from Ashkari. They appeared a mile away from the city in their disguises, allowing them to continue on their journey across Orientia. He enjoyed experiencing the eastern continent.

Archer learned that the empire was still working on improving the place, as most of the new cities were still being built. Days later, the three appeared outside another train station as the blonde commented. ʼʼWant to get the train again?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, because if we go east, Iʼll experience more of the continent,ʼʼ he answered. ʼʼI want to see the Misty Mountains or camp atop the stone pillars.ʼʼ

When Malakia heard this, her eyes widened as she commented. ʼʼThat sounds good, I canʼt wait to see all this.ʼʼ

After their encounter, the trio resolved to pause their journey at the majestic mountains, a natural stop along the winding route to Westreach. They boarded a first-class carriage. As the train moved steadily through the foothills, the mist-shrouded peaks of the Greenblood Range loomed in the distance, their jagged silhouettes piercing the dawn sky.

Archer, ever captivated by natureʼs grandeur, pressed his face to the wide glass window, his eyes alight with wonder at the beauty of the mountains. Wisps of fog curled around the craggy slopes like ghostly ribbons, and the first rays of sunlight glinted off distant snowcaps, casting a golden glow over the rugged landscape.

The scene stirred something deep within him as he imagined the ancient tales woven into those peaks. The women, meanwhile, exchanged quiet glances, each lost in their own thoughts about the road ahead and the mysteries the mountains might hold. As the train glided into the station, the trio gathered their belongings.

Their anticipation mingled with the faint scent of flowers and charcoal wafting through the open windows. The platform bustled with life, vendors hawking steamed buns wrapped in bamboo leaves, silk-robed merchants bartering over crates of spices. The station itself was a marvel, its arched roof adorned with detailed mosaics depicting cherry blossom groves and legendary swordmasters.

Blades forever shown glinting in eternal combat; it was a form of respect to their ancestors and notable figures in history. Archer was surprised by the east and had to admit he liked the place and wanted to spend more time here.