A Journey That Changed The World

Archer stood on the fortress wall, watching streams of survivors rushing toward the gates as some Drakeguards left safety to guide the fleeing people. He had spotted them after kissing Maeve a few hours ago.

When the orange-haired beauty rushed toward the entrance to open it. There were over one hundred men, women, and children being chased by a horde of undead that appeared from the surrounding forest.

Without thinking, he quickly cast dozens of Mana Blasts that sliced through the air before slamming into the undead horde. A deafening cascade of explosions tore through the battlefield, shaking the earth.

The ground shuddered as zombies and ghouls, caught in the blasts, were obliterated in an instant, rotten flesh and bone reduced to ash and ruin. Yet, the tide of the undead surged forward; they emerged from the smoke and shadows, undeterred by the carnage.

More of the shambling horrors poured into the fray, their hollow moans rising like a chorus of the damned. His sharp eyes narrowed as he assessed the unending onslaught. His mind raced, calculating every move.

In a flash of mana, he vanished, reappearing in an instant behind the fleeing survivors using Blink, who were shocked when spotting him. Archer called forth his forces from the Domain, their presence surging into the real world.

Moments later, the Chull, hulking behemoths clad in glistening, iron-hard chitin, their massive claws snapping zombies in half. Beside them skittered the Nightmare Ants, a seething swarm of insectoid horrors with mandibles that gleamed like obsidian daggers.

Their eyes glinted thanks to the predatory malice. Together, they formed a living wall of muscle and exoskeleton. Archer’s voice cut through the chaos, calm yet commanding, as he ordered the horde to fight the enemies.

”Kill all the undead and save the living!” he bellowed.

The Chull charged when hearing his voice, their heavy steps shaking the ground, while the Nightmare Ants surged in a frenetic wave, their chittering cries a prelude to the slaughter that was about to happen.

Seconds later, the undead met them head-on, claws and teeth clashing against chitin and claw. He felt the air grow thick because of the stench of decay and the metallic tang of blood as his forces carved a path through the enemy.

Sometime later, the battlefield was chaos, the air thick with the acrid stench of charred flesh and the relentless clamor of combat. The Chull’s massive claws rending through decayed limbs.

Nightmare Ants skittered in a frenetic dance of death, their razor-sharp mandibles slicing through zombie after zombie, leaving a trail of dismembered corpses in their wake. Yet, for every undead creature felled, two more seemed to claw their way from the shadows.

Hollow eyes fixed on them as his gaze remained steely amidst the carnage. The survivors, now bolstered by the summoned horde, sped up. ”Get to the fortress now!” Archer barked, his voice cutting through the din like a blade.

He raised a hand, mana crackling at his fingertips, and unleashed a pulse of searing light that incinerated a cluster of ghouls lunging toward them. The blast illuminated the battlefield, casting grotesque silhouettes against the smoke-choked sky.

But the undead were not without their horrors. From the mist emerged a towering abomination, a nightmare amalgamation of stitched flesh and bone. It let out a guttural roar, shaking the ground as it charged toward the Chull.

Archer’s eyes narrowed; he recognized the creature as a Flesh Titan, a monstrosity born of necromantic sorcery. ”Hold the line!” he commanded his creatures.

Archer had to look up at the Flesh Titan, prompting him to lunge forward while transforming into his Dragon form. His body began to morph as his limbs grew until he towered over the undead creature.

With a single swipe, he turned the enemy into blood mist as he took a deep breath and released a stream of violet fire that washed over the approaching horde and forest, causing all the zombies to burn to a crisp.

Following this, Archer made sure his fire didn’t burn any of the people fleeing toward the fortress and targeted the undead. The remaining ash was swept up thanks to the wind as the battle came to a stop.

He returned to his human form and appeared outside the fortress as the last group of humans appeared. They were being guided by some Drakeguard who saluted whenever passing by.

Just then, a string of babbles erupted in his mind, scaring the shit out of him as he jumped back only to realize it was Freya talking. A big smile crossed his face, catching Inara, Maeve’s, and Ashoka’s attention.

The Tigress stepped forward, curiously questioning. ”What’s got you smiling like that?”

”Freya started babbling in my mind,” he revealed. ”I don’t know how she’s doing it, but it looks like my daughters can contact me just like you girls.”

When the trio heard this, their eyes sparkled, and their smiles stretched wide. Archer, his heart practically dancing, sent a quick message to his beloved Sia. ‘My love, is our little darling ready to be teleported to me?’ he asked.

Time seemed to stretch as they waited, each second tingling. Then, Sia’s voice came through, laced with astonishment and a touch of wonder. ‘How did you know, my heart? Our little darling is perched on her cot, her tiny eyes gleaming like she’s expecting something.’

Archer let out a warm, rumbling laugh as he summoned his eldest daughter, and in a twinkling burst of light, she materialized right in his arms. The moment her bright, curious blue eyes met his, her whole face lit up like a constellation of joy.

She squealed happily, her little body wiggling and bouncing as she wrapped her tiny arms around him, clinging tight as if she’d never let go. Her giggles bubbled up like a sparkling stream.

His heart ballooned, completely captivated by his precious daughter’s radiant, boundless joy. Her giggles sparkled like tiny fireflies, lighting up the wall they were standing on. As the trio of women caught sight of the little bundle of sunshine cradled in his arms, they froze, their eyes wide.

Freya’s head whipped toward the group, her white curls bouncing, and her sharp gaze softened instantly. The little girl, nestled snugly against her father, spotted the trio and broke into a dazzling, gummy smile that could melt even the frostiest heart.

Her tiny hand shot up, waving with such enthusiastic delight that her whole body seemed to wiggle excitedly. She babbled, causing Maeve to gasp, clutching her heart dramatically, while Ashoka let out a soft. ”Oh, she’s an absolute angel!”

Inara, usually so composed, couldn’t resist the infectious joy and waved back, her smile growing as wide as the little one’s. The atmosphere buzzed, every heart lifted by the tiny girl’s greeting, her sparkling eyes promising a world of love and mischief.

After the heartwarming exchange, the trio swarmed around the little girl, their faces glowing. Each woman leaned in, planting gentle, feather-light kisses on her rosy cheeks, their fingers ruffling her soft hair.

The little one giggled, her eyes twinkling with delight at the shower of affection. After a final round of coos and warm smiles, the trio reluctantly returned to their tasks, their laughter lingering in the air like a sweet melody.

Now, alone, Archer felt a quiet contentment settle over him. He made sure he held her tightly and flew up to the highest tower in the fortress. The wind danced around them, carrying the scent of wildflowers and adventure.

He settled onto the stone ledge, the world sprawling out below, and carefully placed little Freya in his lap. Together, they gazed out at the breathtaking landscape, rolling hills kissed by sunlight.

Far-off mountains rose tall beneath a sky brushed by delicate, wispy clouds, while rivers gleamed below, shimmering in the sunlight. Archer’s voice grew tender, brimming with a father’s endless love and cherished dreams for his little Freya.

”One day, my little lady, all of this will be yours to cherish. I’m building this world, brick by brick, so you and your sisters can grow up wrapped in joy, surrounded by love, and free to chase every dream that dances in your heart,” he revealed.

At his words, Freya’s face lit up like a starburst. She clapped her tiny hands with glee, her laughter bubbling up like a springtime brook. Leaning forward, she pressed her head against his stomach, nuzzling close as if to soak in every ounce of his warmth.

He chuckled softly, his fingers weaving gently through her silky curls as he marveled at the perfect, fleeting moment, his daughter’s trust, her joy, and the endless possibilities that lay ahead for her in the world he was building.

They remained perched atop the tower, wrapped in the glow of the late afternoon sun. Freya nestled closer in his lap, her tiny fingers tracing invisible patterns on his arm as she babbled as if having a conversation that only she could understand.

Archer’s heart swelled, his gentle smile mirroring her contentment as he continued to play with her silky curls while answering her with whatever came to mind, and the baby seemed to love the attention.