Chapter 296: The Goddess & The Dragoness

Back on the other side of the plane, the western kingdom of Valtoria was under siege by the Shades, and Breta, led the charge to push them back. The sky was dark and overcast, and the smell of death lingered in the air as the two armies clashed.

Breta hovered above the ground, her glowing spear held high, and her light blonde hair flowed behind her in the wind. Her imposing figure, standing tall and radiating a fierce energy that could make even the bravest warrior cower, as they watched her charge.

The battlefield was a chaotic mess. The ground was covered in mud and blood, and the screams of the dying and wounded filled the air. The Shades were a formidable enemy, their numbers along with their dark magic ripped through the human ranks with deadly accuracy.

But Breta was undaunted. With an expressionless face and fierce determination, she charged through the enemy lines, her divine spear cutting through flesh and bone. She fought with a skill and grace that was unparalleled, her movements fluid and deadly causing the Shades to fall in waves before her, their bodies evaporating before her divine might.

The human soldiers were inspired by her courage and bravely followed her lead, rallying around her and pushing back against the Shades. Her aura was enough to fill them with courage and renew their spirit. Together, they fought with a ferocity that shook the very ground beneath their feet.

The battle was long and grueling, but by the end of it, Breta and her army emerged victorious. The Shades were pushed back, their ranks broken and scattered. With that done with, she stood amidst the rubble, victorious, her spear still raised in the air, a symbol of hope for the people of Valtoria.

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the battlefield, Breta surveyed the carnage. She had led the army to victory, but the cost had been great causing her to frown. The ground was littered with the bodies of the fallen, and the air was thick with the stench of death. She wasn't used to taking care of the mortals, not to mention they were awfully fragile, something she had come to learn after a few dozen battles.

Sensing something, Breta turned around, she then saw Lord Arcturus approaching her with a heavy sword stained with dark blood. The man's towering figure and battle prowess were impressive feats for a mere mortal. The man's face betrayed his tiredness, but his eyes remained bright as he looked at her in awe, worship, and respect. She was already used to such a gaze by now.

"My goddess, your leadership on the battlefield is unmatched. We have fought the Shades back, and their forces are retreating," he said, bowing deeply before her.

Breta regarded him with cool indifference, "It is my duty as a goddess to protect my followers and defeat our enemies."

"But my goddess, your power and skill in battle are truly awe-inspiring. I am honored to serve under your command," Arcturus said, still bowing.

Breta merely nodded in response, "Your loyalty is appreciated, Lord Arcturus. We must continue to push forward toward the old capital to meet with the others."

Arcturus straightened up, his eyes still fixed on Breta, "As you command, my goddess. We will follow you to the ends of the earth," his eyes already held a hint of fanatism as he gazed at her. A side effect of being in close proximity to a divine being for prolonged periods of time. She didn't need to consciously exert her powers and the mortals would simply follow her.

Breta gave him a small smile, "I have no doubt about that, Lord Arcturus. Rest and tend to the wounded. We will continue our journey tomorrow."

Lord Arcturus bowed his head. "As you wish, my Goddess."

'I wonder how that fool is doing,' she inwardly muttered as she thought back to the figure of her scaly friend.

****

Far off in a distant land, a certain white Dragoness soared through the skies, the mountain range below her seemed endless, with towering peaks stretching as far as the eye could see. Her excitement was palpable, as she gazed at the small figure flying alongside her.

"How much further, Halbor?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

The elf gave her a polite smile, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I'm sure you can already sense their presence, my lady. Just beyond that mountain."

Immy nodded eagerly, her mouth watering with desire. "I heard brother Aether speak of how delicious they were, but I didn't expect them to be so difficult to find," she admitted.

As the duo flew toward the mountain, they landed on the peak and glanced down at a group of fantastical creatures grazing in the meadow below. The creatures were unlike anything Immy had ever seen before. They were tall and slender with iridescent blue fur that shimmered in the sunlight. Their antlers were long and branched, adorned with small glowing crystals that sparkled in different colors. Their eyes shone with intelligence, and they moved with a fluid grace that made Immy's heart race with excitement.

"There they are, my lady, Crystal Stags. It is hard to come across a herd since they are almost always on the move."

As Halbor's words trailed off, Immy's eyes widened with excitement as she gazed upon the magnificent creatures before her. The Crystal Stags were truly a sight to behold. Their fur shimmered in the sunlight, and their horns glistened like diamonds, her stomach growling at the sight of them.

Without a second thought, Immy launched herself into the sky, her wings beating powerfully as she soared towards the herd. The wind rushed past her face as she descended upon her prey, her sharp talons extended and ready to strike.

The Crystal Stags scattered in terror as Immy landed among them, her claws sinking deep into the ground as she dug in. Her stomach growled fiercely as she selected her target, the largest stag in the herd, and prepared to pounce.

With a sudden burst of energy, she leaped forward, her jaws snapping shut around the stag's body. The creature let out a piercing cry, but it was too late. Immy's sharp teeth had already claimed their prize.

She relished the taste of the succulent flesh, savoring the flavor as it filled her mouth. For a moment, she forgot about everything else, lost in the pleasure of the hunt.

'Ah, I need to thank brother Aether, truly the mortal plane is the best!'