The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

- POV General -

"I didn't expect Priest Magnus to pass out before I even finished telling your story..."

In a luxurious room adjacent to the Japanese lounge the imperial family was gathered to rest while the twins and Lia were in another, more modest room. The conversation between the Elysium group and the vampires had been cut short because halfway through the story the Dragon Queen was telling, Magnus had fainted. It was so sudden that the meeting had to be cut short and the family guided to a private resting place.

So, sitting on a couch breastfeeding her two babies, Gaya expressed how shocked she was at the turn of events. Freya beside her had been lost in thought for several minutes, not responding, leaving her two sisters to do it for her. Kalaa was bringing in drinks from whatever had been made available to them while Kira was throwing herself into the couch after picking up an apple from the fruit stand.

"I think it's just too much information that made his brain kind of snap and then Freya put his mind to the test twice so it makes sense"

"Mmmh but still *chomp* choming from an imminent vampire I echpected betcher. Oh fuck, thatch thfing ich good~ *chomp* yum~"

The three-tailed fox had dropped the mask of the Commander, becoming again this gluttonous and talkative, almost childish young woman. After a week's journey, not counting the Doppelganger's village, they had traveled without respite, so it was good to settle down. Everything was going so fast, one day the war was over and the other they were in a Kingdom they didn't know existed not even a month ago.

If the others relaxed the pressure, there was one who did not leave herself any moment to breathe always caught in an infernal whirlwind of thoughts. The Empress had not said a single word since they entered the room, seeming to stare at Shiro much more cheerful than in the morning. The Queen in one look understood what was going through her mind as she laid the sleeping twins on her side, getting closer to her wife.

"You're still worried about taking the kids, aren't you ?"

"Mmmh..."

"Hey~"

As Freya turned her head, called by the dragoness, a tender kiss was placed on her cheek, unexpected but devilishly effective. As if the pressure and stress left her shoulders, she immediately felt more relaxed, immediately breaking into a small smile. In turn her wife gave her back this smile before snuggling up to her, resting her head on her shoulder letting her crimson hair tickle her neck.

"With the Supreme it would have been out of the question to leave Shiro in the Empire during our trip here, Angel the same not to mention the twins, honey, we are safe for now. You're here, I'm here and so is the whole family so even away from Elysium they will never be safer than with us~"

The dragoness had raised her head to look into the she-wolf's eyes with the same warm smile that characterized her. She also didn't know what was going to happen from now on but it didn't matter to her as long as she was surrounded by those she loved. After several seconds of looking at each other in silence, finally a little laugh came out of Freya's mouth, who realized that she too had the right to relax a little.

"You're right, my love~"

Grabbing her wife's chin, the Empress approached her to kiss her without even caring about those around who were looking away. The kiss was tender, full of love and trust, both were the pillar of the other and together they were the family. While the atmosphere was much more relaxed, a somewhat embarrassed voice brought them out of their bubble after a long minute of kissing.

"Ahem *cough cough* And by the way, what do you think of this lady V ? In any case, whether you're the one who's able to free her or not, we've found some powerful and mostly numerous allies for the future~"

Kira, who was sitting next to Gaya and Freya on the couch, had almost blushed, feeling strangely more curious about what love was for a while. Wanting to change the conversation she automatically switched to the subject that was a real mystery for the moment. For her it was only the beginning of this month but things were going perfectly well, at least that was what she really thought.

"It's not as simple as that Kira"

"Huh ?"

"Priest Magnus has recognized Freya as a powerful being but there is still a long way to go before we can talk about safe and trusted allies. They don't know it yet but we are literally talking about overturning the established order for decades and decades. Despite the presence of Gaya and Freya, if this Lady V is not released I doubt the vampires will agree to follow us into an all out war..."

Kalaa was right, the Empress and the Queen had not come here simply to talk politics and establish stable diplomatic relations. It was more than that, they were looking for people who would stand up and fight with them against Zal and all the others. This was no small thing and it required an almost unshakeable determination and courage beyond any deep fear.

Rekindling the flame of a whole people was not easy, but it was even less easy when these people had lived a whole life hidden underground far from humans. Why would they decide to stand up and fight those who had been hunting them for thousands of years ? Freya alone could not do it, for the first time she found herself with her back against the wall, never imagining that this quest could change everything in her plans.

"So if I understand correctly we are obliged to find a solution to free her ? But once we do, how can we be sure that everything will go according to our plan ?"

"We can't be sure."

Freya had regained her serious air considering the subject of the conversation, even if this time she did not feel this ambient and heavy pressure anymore. Indeed she was not sure of anything, so many questions but it was not for as much that it was necessary to give up and it was far from being her mentality. Everything in its time, it was necessary to think and to foresee as one goes along and it was what the she-wolf had planned to do while she turned towards her sister.

"Kalaa, you don't know a V or a Goddess with her appearance, is that right ?"

"Yes, I don't think my memory is failing me, this girl doesn't remind me of anyone, nor her name, nor her face yet she seemed to be looking for you. If only Magnus had told us a little more about her element, the way she was...I-...I didn't recognize her but that doesn't mean anything"

The Empress' older sister had searched her memory, but the statue had not reminded her of anyone she had known in their past lives. Many things had already changed, starting with the loss of her godlike body, replaced by a human one. Kalaa had not lost her memories but it was hard to remember an entire existence and at this moment, for now at least, the girl did not remind her of anyone.

"That's right, didn't he say that Lady V appeared after the Age of Extinction ? If I'm not mistaken, you too Kalaa'nee-san came here hoping to find onee-san or destroy this world. Yet you were sealed and you also disappeared from the Domain of Gods and Goddesses...or whatever you call it"

"So you mean it has to be someone that the Nightshade Goddesses Lucifer and Kalaa knew ? I think so too yes"

Kira had raised an important point, no matter what the answers were, there was only one that could answer it and there was no doubt that it was related to the two sisters. After Lucifer's death and Kalaa's disappearance shortly thereafter things had continued to move forward in their House despite the absence of a leader. Perhaps V was a subordinate of one of the Gods who had pledged allegiance to them, sent to find them or for something else.

The threat of the human Nations was already weighing on Elysium, but the threat of the Gods and Goddesses of House Luxumbra should not be forgotten. Titania was busy elsewhere and did not know about Kalaa's return, still convinced that Kira was slowly slipping into her camp. Freya knew that in an instant everything could change because it was hard to fight on several fronts, that's why she needed more power.

Fortunately, where the group had set foot was not only populated by vampires but also by dragons. The Priest had said he was not particularly fond of them, but not to try to get them to join the cause would have been completely foolish. Lady V's story was one thing but their efforts should not be focused on her alone so leaving the subject aside, the wolf turned to her wife.

"What about the dragons Gaya ? Do you think they will make good allies, powerful and also able to follow you back to their former freedom ?"

"I don't know....I've never really met any other dragons than those of my clan, we lived in the mountains of Vancesia cut off from almost everything. My presence might not make a difference because even if we are the respectful type among ourselves, they won't follow if they have too much to lose"

Dragons were not the type to fight for a cause that was not their own, as hunted as vampires, dragons had been hiding for decades. The Queen had never had the opportunity to meet any of them, so once again she could not be sure of anything. And what kind of dragons were there in this city ? However, it was not impossible and with good arguments Gaya was a little more confident.

"That said, I know how much of an instinctive need it is to roam the skies, coupled with dragon pride, maybe it would be possible to convince them. Jade said we would go meet the ones in the city tomorrow after we finish our conversation, we'll see..."

"Let's hope then that there are fire dragons, that could play in our favor"

"Eh *chomp* why ?"

Kira, who had already finished the entire tray of fruit provided, did not understand why Kalaa had said that, too busy chewing to think. She often said that chewing good food prevented her brain from functioning asleep with food, the better it was, the less effort she made. Looking up with a look of both desperation and amusement, the she-wolf set about refreshing the memory of this gluttonous yet adorable fox girl.

"Don't you remember that Gaya now manipulates fire ? This new power has probably been awakened thanks to the sharing of our mana since mine, like yours and Kalaa's, is different. This makes this magnificent dragoness here, one of the only ones I know of, capable of manipulating two elements"

"Honestly I'm not sure what I can do right now, only that depending on my will my flames can burn like a sun or be totally harmless"

After these words, the dragoness made appear in her hands a crimson red flame of the same color as her hair which ignited at once right after. These flames burned next to the Empress who had not moved an inch because they did not give off any heat. Not like in the cave during their lewd moment when she had to use her own ice aura to be able to touch her without getting hurt.

"Oooh yes yes onee-san, it's true, any being connected to you evolves in a faster and more abnormal way for the standards of this world. Me, the Commanders, the Sins, your kids, your wife so you're right, it's a good thing, fingers crossed !"

"Yes, now it's clear, let's see what more we can learn about this girl and advise as we go along as far as the dragons are concerned. I think we're good."

As Freya ended the conversation, a small white head appeared on the side of the sofa, leaving only two small fluffy and wriggling ears. Then, two small hands came to rest on the armrest before two big curious purple eyes came out from behind. Little Shiro had been attracted to the subject and as her tail wagged, with a shy and soft little voice, she asked a question.

"Are you going to try to save her ?"

At first surprised by this sudden appearance and question, the she-wolf eventually smiled before placing her hand on her daughter's head with tenderness. Gently caressing her soft hair and happy to see that she was better since her nightmare, she nodded. At her answer, Shiro opened her mouth and eyes wide unable to hide her joy before shaking her head and taking a serious face, which was quite rare.

"I'd love to help you !"

This time it was everyone who was surprised by her words, not being able to ignore that the little Princess seemed to have made a decision. This was the case because since the night of her nightmare, the desire to become stronger had grown, afraid to be afraid again. The images were still spinning in her mind but this time the statue of the girl strong enough to help a whole people was there too, giving her the strength to make a decision.

"Hop, come here~ What do you mean by that my little moon ?"

Intrigued, the Empress grabbed Shiro by the waist before lifting her up and putting her on her lap, curious to know what could be going on in her head. Why did she look as serious as that ? Was it something to do with the sad look on her face all day or the quest ? Then, as the room fell silent, the little girl took a deep breath before addressing her mother and then, to everyone's surprise, Kalaa.

"Mommy, I would like to learn how to use my mana and master my element. A-Auntie Kalaa, I agree to take the test...please teach me"

"Cough cough !!!"

At that moment, the cup in Freya's older sister's hand shattered on the floor as Kira choked at the sudden and shocking declaration. For the first time the little Princess had called and acknowledged Kalaa but had also made a most important decision. The test she was talking about was risky and even accompanied and advised by the former Goddess of Time, only Shiro could do it and try to pass it.

It was not a decision to be taken lightly and yet the determination and seriousness could be read in her big bright eyes. Freya and Gaya still didn't know what she had seen that day in her nightmare but something had definitely changed her. They didn't know it yet, but this brave decision that Shiro had just made alone would save all their lives in exactly one month.