A Journey That Changed The World

(Nefertiti, Talila, Brooke, Nala, Sera, Alexa, Elara)

The Draconian Airship landed on the floating island that was covered in a thick layer of mist. Alexa glanced out the window, only to go wide-eyed as a massive storm was heading their way. She was going to warn Brooke, but the brunette appeared in the lounge. ”We’re resting here until the incoming storm passes. You six can explore this place while I guard the airships.”

When Talila heard this, her red eyes lit up as she looked at Sera, who was too busy stretching, muttering about the rough ride. The Silver-haired elf giggled and spoke. ”Let’s check out things, Seraphina.”

”Yes, let’s go, Tali,” the Dragoness replied, grinning.

She summoned her wings and took off, flying toward the nearby mountain as Talila sprinted off behind the redhead. When the others saw this, they looked confused as Elara spoke up. ”I’ll set up a camp for the soldiers and get patrols to go.”

”Do it, Lara,” Brooke said from behind. ”We need to protect the ships in case any monsters try and attack them.”

After the journey through the clouds, Brooke, Elara, and Alexa elected to remain at the camp, protecting the Airships. Meanwhile, Nala and Nefertiti walked off to explore the landscape. Their boots crunched against the dirt of the floating island. In the distance, a shimmering lake caught their attention, its surface reflected the light.

The women exchanged a glance while a contingent of Oathkeepers followed at a cautious distance. The soldiers moved, casting long shadows across the ground. Each knight gripped their weapon tightly. Yet as the two approached the lake, no threat appeared from the surrounding forest.

A body of water nestled in a cradle of gnarled, silver-barked trees, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence. The sun, high and radiant, bathed the landscape in golden warmth, reflecting off the lake. But the peace was fleeting. Within moments, the sky darkened, as though a painter had swept darkness across it.

Thick, roiling clouds churned above, swallowing the sunlight and casting an ominous pall over the island. The air grew heavy, charged with the approaching storm. A low rumble echoed in the distance, and a cold wind whipped through the trees, sending a shiver down Nala’s spine.

The Long Winter that had plagued their journey across the floating isles had found them once again. Nefertiti’s pink eyes narrowed against the sudden change, looked skyward. Her bubblegum-pink hair whipped wildly in the wind. She planted her hands on her hips, glaring at the storm as though it were a personal insult.

”Damn it,” she muttered. ”This blasted Long Winter is starting to wear on my nerves. How much longer do you think we’ll have to go on for?”

Nala, standing beside her, adjusted the heavy cloak draped over her shoulders, her gaze fixed on the storm. ”Hard to say,” she replied, her tail swaying side to side. ”The storms here don’t follow any pattern I can read. Could be hours, could be days. All I know is we’d better find shelter before it breaks over us.”

The lioness glanced back at the Oathkeepers, unmoved by the rising wind, and then at the lake, its once-mirrorlike surface now shook violently. ”Let’s keep moving. There’s something about this place that doesn’t sit right with me.”

Following that, they couldn’t find anything while searching and returned to the Airships that were getting secured to the ground as the wind picked up. Tents were set up all around the crafts, causing the women to climb inside their personal tents. Alexa was making tea as she looked at Nefertiti and Nala.

”Do you two want a hot drink?” she offered. ”It’s getting cold outside?”

”Yes please,” both women answered.

Brooke appeared in the tent, looking concerned as she revealed. ”Tali and Sera haven’t returned. Do you think they’re okay?”

”Yes,” Elara responded as she stepped into their space before taking off her cloak. ”They’re strong and Seraphina’s a Dragon that would fly if anything was wrong.”

***

(Ayrenn)

Ayrenn was sitting on a bench waiting for her ship to be ready. Jethro had left ages ago, promising to go see Archer once he finished his book. While sitting there, she was people watching. Dockworkers went about loading hundreds of ships as other people went about their business.

As she was waiting, her attention was abruptly captured by a crowd gathered around a towering Mana Screen. The display projected a breathtaking scene unfolding in a distant city somewhere in the empire. But it was the person she saw that made her heart race; she spotted Archer standing resolute against an apocalyptic threat.

A colossal swarm of creatures surged toward the city, their numbers blotting out the horizon like a storm of malevolent intent. Yet, her lover remained unfazed. With a confident smirk curling his lips, he raised a single hand, and in an instant, a violet beam erupted from his palm.

The beam tore through the swarm with devastating precision, obliterating the creatures in a blinding cascade of light and ash. The sheer power of the display sent shivers racing down her spine, her heart pounding with a mix of awe and disbelief. The crowd around her buzzed with fervent excitement, their voices a chaotic blend of wonder and reverence.

”How can one man wield such power?” a woman nearby gasped, her eyes wide with astonishment as she clutched the edge of her shawl, unable to tear her gaze from the screen.

”That’s no mere man!” a grizzled man shouted, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. ”That’s our Emperor Archer, a Dragon God in human form! Like Tiamat, but this one’s here to shield us from the darkness outside Draconia!”

His words were met with a chorus of agreement, the crowd’s passion swelling as they watched the Mana Screen replay the moment of Archer’s triumph, the violet beam carving through the swarm like a divine blade. Her own breath caught in her throat, the weight of the moment sinking in.

Just then, a horn echoed out, bringing her out of the scene only to realize the ship was ready to depart. Ayrenn stood up and stretched before walking toward the gangplank as other passengers joined her. Once on board, she was led to her cabin, which the captain personally showed her.

The captain was a tall man with a friendly smile and looked to be in his late fifties. He turned to her. ”I’m Kofi, I must thank you for choosing our company, my empress,” the older man whispered as they closed in the room. ”I know you don’t need guards, but I need to ask, can I assign some people to guard you on our voyage?”

”No need,” she responded, smiling as an amused sparkle appeared in her violet eyes. ”No one can hurt me here, so I’ll be fine, captain, thank you for your offer though.”

Following that, Ayrenn stepped into her room and noticed it was big enough for her with a comfortable-looking bed sitting on one side. She sighed in relief and took off her cloak, revealing the tight white dress she was wearing. The High Elf removed it, leaving only the blue panties and bra before collapsing on the bed, causing her big boobs to jiggle everywhere.

”This is nice, but I need some sleep,” she muttered, feeling the exhaustion taking over.

As Ayrenn settled in, a sense of ease washed over her. She cast a glance through the wide, salt-sprayed window, where the bustling port of Eldorhaven unfolded before her. Other ships, their sails catching the evening breeze smoothly out of the harbor, their hulls slicing through the water.

The weather was surprisingly pleasant compared to how it was a few days ago, with only the faintest wisps of clouds streaking the azure sky, granting the fleet a unhindered departure. The High-Elf’s heart stirred with quiet excitement as the ship beneath her creaked and swayed, joining the procession toward the open sea.

As the coastline faded away, the jagged peaks of the mountains emerged on the horizon, their silhouettes cradling Draconia. The mountains seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, their craggy faces a silent promise of ancient secrets and untamed beauty. Ayrenn’s lips curved into a soft smile, her thoughts drifting to his unexpected trust.

He wasn’t bothered by her dream to explore Draconia; this filled her with both gratitude and a spark of adventure. She imagined wandering through the uncharted valleys, where unknown monsters were said to have once soared, and felt a thrill at the prospect of uncovering the land’s mysteries on her own terms.

Ayrenn had always wanted to travel and wanted to do it with Archer, but understood he was busy. He did promise to visit her in the next few days, which excited her, helping her fall asleep. By the time she woke up, the storm had hit her part of the sea, sending the ship swaying side to side.

‘Damn weather is horrible,’ she thought, sighing in frustration.