BXBX NOVEL Chapter 253 Like A Farewell
- POV General -
The sun was shining high in the sky and made the forest below it glow, where the Elysium convoy had stopped to eat. Near the road where the carriage was waiting before leaving, a campfire had been built but the plates around it were now empty. Everyone seemed to be quietly digesting the good meal but only one was pacing the dusty path kicking it with her bare feet and grumbling.
"Damn, it's been almost two hours since they left..."
"Kira my dear, don't tell me you're scared for the two most powerful beings in the Empire haha~"
"N-No...it's just that it...ahem...stresses me out"
Despite what Kalaa had just said and despite her answer, the younger sister couldn't at all not worry about her older sister who was somewhere in the forest. She didn't show it but behind her annoyed look she felt strangely lost when Freya wasn't around. Kira, who had lived a long time in the Empress' mind, had never left her side even after she had found a physical form.
Not feeling her presence near her was more disorienting than she had imagined, though she wasn't even sure she understood the feeling. The silver-gray-haired fox girl was restless, confused and even felt ready to jump into the forest just in case. Just as she was about to do so, the young brown-haired bunny girl had appeared right behind her with a tea made from plants growing in Elysium.
"K-Kira sama, here have a drink, maybe it will r-relax you a bit~"
"Ah uh t-thanks Lia."
Surprised by this sudden attention, Kira couldn't help but smile blushing just as Lia did before running off to take care of the children. In front of the scene, Jade leaning against a tree raised her eyes to the sky while Kalaa smiled and the sin sisters pretended not to have seen anything. Suddenly, while everyone was silent, two shapes appeared from nowhere, startling the whole group
"Sorry for the delay"
Freya had appeared carrying Gaya in her arms, both dressed in white outfits reminiscent of the ones they had at their wedding. No one had felt or seen them coming causing a defensive reaction at first. Then, after a few seconds, those in the camp finally recognized the Empress and Queen and while everyone relaxed, Kira who felt relieved still showed her displeasure.
"AH HERE YOU ARE AT LAST ! I was wondering what you were up to, normally hunting wouldn't take you this long onee-san and besides you were with Gaya. What could have taken you so long ? And why are you wearing different clothes ? Did something happen to you like you tore them or-..."
As she had spoken, she had watched the two women and had come to understand on her own what had really happened. Kira could also see the hickeys in the dragoness' neck and even without that, she knew her older sister too well not to guess. She who had spoken so quickly without stopping was now totally speechless, not even knowing what to say, seized with an unexpected embarrassment.
"Mommy ! Mom ! How was the hunt ? Did you eat yet ?? We were waiting for you before we left so I played with Miss Lia, Angel, Titi and Ati hihi~"
Breaking the silence, Shiro who paid little attention to details had rushed towards her mothers with her arms wide open to welcome them. She had in her hand her lifelong doll named Lily and still had that same innocent smile and so cute. The little girl had played so much that she didn't even have time to worry, her laughter and unique smile seemed impossible to tarnish no matter what the situation.
"Well...we haven't yet but don't worry about us, my little moon~"
"Oh ! Mom Gaya are you okay ? You look...tired"
"Y-Yes yes ahem don't worry~"
As Freya set Gaya down on the ground, the two answered their daughter who had finally wondered why the dragoness wasn't walking. Her answer caused Kalaa to chuckle while Kira facepalmed her face not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the scene. Still rolling her eyes, Jade was surprised to discover a new facet of the Empress and Queen who had terrified the humans to their very souls.
The more time passed, the more the vampire let herself think that this trip to her land was going to be more fun than she had imagined. Soon the little group would be able to head south again, passing by a place the dragoness knew very well. For the moment, everyone was enjoying the nice weather and the joyful atmosphere for once far from everything but especially from the war and the daily responsibilities.
______
Several hours had passed since the return of the Empress and the Queen, the convoy coming from Elysium continued its little journey slowly. In five days their destination was to be reached and for that they had to venture out on the most direct paths. After the human village, there was the forest to cross and then a rather dangerous passage rarely used by humans crossing a part of the central mountains.
This place, Gaya knew it only too well, or at least its center because it was there that she had spent a large part of her life until this tragedy 10 years ago. Yes, the group was crossing a mountain range directly connected to the ancient home of all the earth dragons who had lived in this world. The place was empty, the air was dusty and there was nothing around except rock as far as the eye could see.
The group was on the west side on a more direct path and the carriage, its passengers and the riders were all silent. Only the sound of hooves and wheels could be heard in the sky, which was now covered by large gray clouds. Inside the carriage made of ice, the Queen was looking out of the window with a closed look, her eyes empty but still expressing a deep sadness that she could not hide.
For Kalaa too this place was special because it was at the foot of these same mountains that she had spent thousands of years sealed up like a monster. Unlike Gaya, however, she had no particular attachment if not indifference. The white-haired woman had decided to turn to the future, abandoning all those tragic memories, which was not the case for the dragoness.
She looked out the window without saying a word, in her world completely invaded by her past as joyful as painful. All the Queen's thoughts were with her father, her mother, her companions and all those who had fought valiantly to ensure a future for their race. Freya, sitting next to her, felt her wife's hand squeeze hers tighter and tighter, and understanding the longing that burned within her, she broke the silence.
"Gaya..."
"..."
"Go ahead."
The Empress had pronounced these simple words while plunging her serious and tender eyes in those of her beloved. She didn't need to hear her speak to understand what she was thinking and didn't need to ask any questions to know what she wanted. No matter how long it took, the she-wolf was determined to give her this all-important moment and if Gaya didn't have the courage to do it, she would give it to her.
At that moment, the carriage stopped in the middle of the dusty road while the dragoness looked at everyone inside one by one. Her eyes lingered on the wicker basket where Tyle and Altaïs were smiling before she grabbed it with trembling hands. Then, taking the hand of her little brother Angel, the Queen turned her gaze to her wife with hesitant eyes reflecting a little fear.
Without saying a word, Freya opened the door to the ice carriage with a snap of her finger before smiling and stroking her cheek gently. It was enough to give Gaya the courage she needed and so it was with a smile in return that she walked out with the twins and her brother. Without waiting, her dragon wings sprouted from her back and once she was sure Angel had done the same, all four of them flew high into the sky.
"W-Why did mom leave without us ?"
Shiro who had understood absolutely nothing, had broken the silence again with very worried eyes, hesitant, not knowing if she should speak or not. She had felt that the atmosphere had become different but did not understand why they had left and where, so suddenly. After a few long seconds, the she-wolf then turned to the little Princess before taking her in her arms and going out in her turn while answering.
"It's by this big cliff that we are going along that your mother was born and lost a big part of her family. This place means a lot to the earth dragons and as you know, Angel, your little brother and sister are also descendants of it."
"S-So this is their real home ?"
"Hahaha~ no sweetie, their home is in the Empire by our side, it's just that since what happened, your mother has never been back here. She needs to grieve once and for all and it's important that the others set foot in this land that is so full of the history of their thousand year old race. It's a bit...like a farewell"
The little white-haired girl didn't understand all the words her mother was saying and found them complicated but nodded her little head anyway. She was still lost but knew that this place was important to those she loved and that was good enough. As Shiro looked up to the sky to look at the cliff, Freya nodded to her two sisters who responded with a big understanding smile and a thumbs up.
"My little moon, you're not afraid to fly in my arms, are you ?"
"No, because mom trains me often hehe~"
"Then hang on tight, we'll go join the others~"
Obeying her mother, the Princess clutched the she-wolf's shirt before closing her little eyes very tightly, in the end still a little fearful. Chuckling softly at the result she had predicted, the Empress took her turn to fly away before the eyes of those who remained on the ground. It took her only a few seconds to be already very high and to spot in the distance where her wife and the rest of their family were.
It was not difficult, behind the cliff were valleys of dry land and in the middle of one of them there was a big almost dead tree on a big flat space. At this very spot the crimson color of their long hair could be seen in this dull, sad and dead scenery. Swooping straight ahead, Freya descended through the air taking care not to go too fast for Shiro before landing a few feet behind Gaya, Angel and the twins.
Dropping her daughter gently to the cracked ground the Empress kept an eye on the others without speaking, not knowing what they were doing. The dragoness was kneeling in front of the leafless tree and seemed to be praying while muttering a few barely audible words. Tyle and Altaïs, who didn't understand, were fidgeting in an attempt to get out of their basket, while the ever-silent Angel was listening intently to what his big sister was saying.
"Mommy why are we..."
"Shhh~"
As Shiro raised her small, confused voice, Freya indicated for her to remain silent while placing a finger on her lips before beckoning her to look. This place was full of history and memories for the dragoness who felt her heart racing, her eyes closed and her body trembling. The smell of the earth, the warm air, the sound of the wind echoing in the mountains, everything was so familiar and yet everything had become so different.
The ground was dry and cracked far from those once green valleys, the air that had carried the scent of flowers was dusty, and the great tree pride of the dragons was now only dying. Yes, these once lush lands were now only desolate after the war that had devastated everything. Yet, even though all the beauty of this landscape was gone, it didn't matter to Gaya anymore...she was back.
The Queen had flown here but finally didn't know what to do, overwhelmed by too many emotions at the same time to think properly. She felt the presence of her wife and daughter not far away as well as the presence of her twins and little brother. The dragoness was not good at farewell speeches turned to the past, so, taking a deep breath she decided to simply tell.
"Mom...Dad..."
Like a farewell looking to the future, a heavy farewell carrying all the hope of the dragons who had not fought in vain, Gaya began to speak. Surrounded by ghosts of their own, The Queen, her brother, the little prince and the little princess carried the hope and pride of an entire race. The mother of dragons, kneeling in front of this tree, spoke one last time to those to whom she could not say goodbye, whispering what she could never say.
___
FULL STATUS
Names : Freya / Lucifer Nightshade
Age : 0 year old / Mentally : 25 years old
Sex : Female
Course: Ice Demon Wolf of Chaos - Adult
Race : Imperial Demon
Titles :
- Demon Goddess of Primordial Blood and Death (former - until all powers are recovered) - 30%.
- Wrathful Lucifer (7th Sin) - Master of the uniques Sins Demons (to unlock it, please gather the other 6 - 3/6 - (locked)
- Dragon tamer
- Ruthless slayer
Level : 45/70
Exp needed for next level: 0 / 46 000
HP : 170 000 / 170 000 MP : 85 000 / 85 000. BLOOD : 100 / 100
Strength: 660
Defense : 660
Agility : 666
Endurance: 663
Speed : 662
Intelligence: 660
Charisma: 500 (imperial she-wolf)
Attribute points to allocate : 0
Married to : Gaya Nightshade
Daughter : Shiro Nightshade
Twins (son & daughter) : Tyle & Altaïs Nightshade
Little sister : Kira Nightshade (Greedy Fox)
Big sister : Kalaa Nightshade
Empire (menu)
Subordinates: 5865 (keep growing)
Humans killed: 153
Souls: 0/3
Elements: Ice / Chaos (Freya) - Blood / Death (Lucifer)
Skills (all):
Attacks :
- Demon Claws (Lvl 5)
- Bite of hell (Lvl 6)
- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)
- Fighting techniques (Lvl max)
- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)
- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 7)
Défense :
- Ice demon wall (Lvl 6)
- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)
- Pain Resistance (lvl 6)
Attack/Defense :
- Domain of the Ice Empress "Frozen Wrath" (lvl 4)
- Death Gaze (lvl 1)
Others :
- Humanoid form
- Demonic form (linked to the title so incomplete) - 20%.
- Ice creation (Lvl 6)
- Detection and control of mana (lvl 6)
- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)
- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)
- Master of Souls (lvl 3)
- Lucifer's Threads of Blood (lvl 3)
- Healing Blood (lvl 3)
- Analysis
- Telepathy
Passives :
- Commander (lvl max)
- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]