A Journey That Changed The World

(Hemera, Hecate, Leira, Mary, and Aeris)

While everyone was doing their only thing, Hemera, Hecate, Leira, Mary, and Aeris were traveling deep under the sea after entering a ravine that led them to an underwater world that shocked all five of them. As they stood on the viewing platform that was built specifically for the expedition.

”Look at this place, it reminds me of the jungles in the books Arch collects,” Aeris commented as she reappeared from their private quarters.

The group was looking at a massive jungle that stretched for miles with glowing moss lining the rocky ceiling above. Flying monsters passed by, unlike anythign they’d ever seen, surprising Hecate as her red eyes glowed with fascination. Hemera scanned the mana screen for any sign of monsters before she turned to Captain Morris.

He was the second-best sub commander to Olivia and commanded. ”Gather me one hundred marines, Aeris, myself, and Leira will lead them onto land.”

When the older man heard this, his eyes widened in shock, and he tried to stop it. ”I wouldn’t advise that, empress. This place is uncharted; it could be full of danger, and the emperor would rampage if anything happened to any of you.”

”Rest assured, Commander, we’ll be perfectly safe,” the Sun Elf, Hemera, her golden eyes gleaming under the soft glow of the mana lights. ”Archer took every precaution. Should any danger appear, his magic will whisk us away to safety in an instant.”

Commander Morris, his face etched with concern, let out a sigh. He ran a hand through his graying hair, his gaze flickering between Hemera and the expanse of the inner pool. After a moment, he bowed his head. ”As you say, Empress,” he replied.

Hemera turned to the other two women, Leira and Aeris, ready to board the smaller sub that was designed to take them to the surface. The Sun Elf ushered them in as the Draconian Marines were in formation by the pool. She turned to the commander, who was a woman in her forties, and questioned. ”What’s your name?”

”Melina, my empress,” the commander replied.

”Okay, Melina. Once we hit dry land, stay behind us and let us scout ahead,” Hemera explained. ”You’ll set up a camp while Aeris looks for any monsters, and Leira will be here to help us if we find any ruins, thanks to her research.”

Following that, after everyone entered, Hemera secured the hatch behind Leira and Aeris, the submersible’s interior humming as it powered up. A young sailor, clad in a navy jumpsuit, took the helm, his hands steady on the controls. ”Systems green, Empress,” he reported.

Hemera, Leira, and Aeris settled into their seats, the viewport offering a clear view of the shifting underwater world. Melina and her marines strapped in behind them. The sub detached from the massive mothership with a soft jolt, the pool’s surface rippling above as they began their ascent.

Through the viewport, the deep ocean’s inky blackness gave way to shades of turquoise and emerald. Schools of bioluminescent fish darted past, their glow fading as their subs’ lights pierced the water. Leira leaned forward, her green eyes tracing the screen. ”The canopy’s thick, ruins are likely, but we’ll need to explore on foot to be sure.”

Aeris frowned. ”Picking up faint thermal readings. It could be monsters or something bigger. We’ll know more when we reach the surface.”

Hemera’s gaze remained on the viewport, watching the water brighten. ”Whatever’s out there, we’re ready. Eyes open, everyone.”

The sub broke the surface, waves lapping against the metal, creating a relaxing sound echoing through the inside. The sailor cut the engines, and the hum faded, replaced by the distant roars of unseen creatures. Beyond the glass, the jungle appeared, a wild expanse of tangled vines and towering trees.

Everyone exchanged glances as they prepared to disembark. Moments later, the sub glided toward a nearby beach, the driver expertly navigating through the shallow waves. That’s when the jungle’s edge came into view; golden sand met the green wall. The water grew calmer, the sub slowed and settled onto the shore with a soft crunch.

Hemera, Leira, and Aeris unstrapped themselves, exchanging glances before the hatch hissed open. Warm, humid air flooded the cabin, carrying the scent of salt and earth. They stepped onto the beach, the sand warm beneath their boots, and a shared smile spread across their faces.

A white glow radiated from gems on the roof of this underground world; it shone over the untouched shoreline. Leira knelt, her fingers brushing the sand as she scanned the jungle’s edge. ”This place feels alive,” she murmured, her mana-map flickering in her hand.

Hemera surveyed the treeline, her hand ready to cast a spell, while Aeris’s sharp red eyes darted toward the undergrowth. A rustle broke the silence. Three blue goblins, no taller than a child, burst from a nearby bush, their jagged claws glinting and beady eyes gleaming with malice.

Their guttural snarls echoed as they lunged forward. Aeris reacted instantly, her form shimmering and darkening as she transformed into her Dark Wraith state. Shadows coiled around her, her eyes glowing faintly as she moved. In a blur of motion, she struck. Her claws are slicing through the air.

Moments later, the first goblin fell with a choked squeal, its body crumpling to the sand. The second barely had time to raise its rusty sword before Aeris’s shadow-wreathed hand crushed its throat. The third tried to flee, but a flick of her wrist sent a dark tendril lashing out, pinning it to the ground before her blade ended its struggle.

The beach fell silent again, save for the gentle crash of waves. Aeris reverted to her human form, brushing a strand of hair from her face as if nothing had happened. ”Clear,” she said.

Hemera and Leira approached the Goblins, crouching beside the bodies. Hemera prodded one with her boot, noting its leathery blue skin and elongated fangs. ”Never seen this kind before,” she said, glancing at the catwoman. ”Any records of these in your books?”

Leira activated her mana-map, scanning the creatures and cross-referencing with her database. ”No matches,” she said, frowning. ”But their physiology suggests adaptation to this underwater world, maybe a local mutation. I’ll need samples.”

She pulled a small kit from her storage ring, carefully extracting a vial of the goblin’s blood and a fragment of its claw. Hemera stood, her eyes returning to the jungle. ”If these are what greet us on the beach, the deeper jungle’s going to be interesting.”

She turned to Melina, who was directing the marines to unload gear from the sub. ”Set up camp here, but keep sentries posted. Aeris, take point and scout the treeline. Leira, stay close, we’re going to need your expertise when we hit those ruins.”

Aeris nodded, already moving toward the treeline, while Leira sealed her samples and stood, her gaze lingering on the goblins. The marines worked, erecting a perimeter as the light dimmed, casting long shadows across the sand. The jungle loomed, its secrets waiting just beyond the first line of trees.

***

As the women were exploring the underwater world, Archer was crouched in front of the campfire, coaxing it to life using Dragon flames. The blaze roared, casting a warm glow across the campsite. Meredith and Demacia slept soundly in the tent. Malakia sat nearby, her yellow eyes gleaming with fascination as she watched him, a sly grin spreading across her face.

”I’m glad you asked me to come with you guys,” she suddenly said.

”So am I, Mala,” he responded, giving the older woman a charming smile. ”Sorry, you haven’t spent much time together; life always seems to get in the way.”

The lioness laughed and suddenly hugged him. ”I understand, handsome. You’re a father, husband to many women, and emperor of a world-spanning empire. It’s reasonable that you’ll be busy.”

Archer chuckled and returned the gesture just as he finished making some tea for them. He handed the older woman one, who smiled at him. ”Thank you, Arch,” she said, smiling.

Following that, the two began drinking in silence, watching the land around them. Seconds later, he spotted a caravan traveling through the night, surprising Malakia, who commented. ”Being here still surprises me; people never travel at night in my homeland, they avoid it at all costs.”

”Well, if trade never stops, then the tax only ever increases, which helps the empire in the long run,” Archer explained as he heard a rattle coming from a bush behind him.

He turned around only to see a dog-sized rabbit pass by, looking for something to eat. When he saw this, it put a smile on his face as life was still thriving despite the Long Winter. While he watched this scene, Malakia brought his attention back to her. ”How are we traveling? Shouldn’t we go from East to West? Hitting Avidia during the journey to the next one?”

”That might be better actually,” Archer replied. ”Maybe once we hit Sunfire City, we can head to Eastwatch to get a ship east?”