Twelve Shadows

Once again, Astasia's popularity had gone up. Fans and worshippers of the elf were shocked to find out that the elf would drop all kinds of formalities to a mere hunter. However, they respected the elf and decided to respect Astasia as well. At this point, no one in the world should not know who Astasia is, unless they don't watch TV or don't read the news.

"Kai, do you really wanna come with me?" Astasia questioned him with an obvious expression of worry. From the beginning, she had planned to confront the Demigods alone, but Kai insisted on coming.

"How could I let my fiancé face the troubles alone?" He smiled while stroking her hair.

Astasia could only sigh by his decision.

She doesn't even know if she will come out alive, but it was worth a try for the sake of her home where her family lives.

"Just promise me you will run away when I'm in trouble, okay?" Astasia say but Kai laughed as a response. For a moment, she was quite shock by how he reacted because she was serious about it, yet it looked as if he took it as a joke until he replied, "Do you have any idea what will happen to me if you're dead? Do you really think I would run away if I see you in trouble? I'm not so weak to do such things."

Saying such romantic things while looking cool melted her heart, "I'm so happy to have you by my side," she giggled and stole a quick kiss from him before stepping inside the dungeon with Kai.

Moments later, the dimension behind them closed indicating that the dungeon gate on earth must've disappeared. Unlike last time, Astasia and Kai appeared in an unfamiliar place. Even Astasia herself didn't know where she was in Aether, but that fact alone confirmed that she was in the territory of Demigods, "How do you wanna do this?" Kai questioned in a calm manner.

"What do you think? We will visit them through the front," she smirked as the couple peacefully approached the entrance of the kingdom of Demigods. It was covered with a strong magic barrier with a few guards guarding the perimeter. When they noticed Astasia, they didn't even question her identity and immediately attacked.

Since Demigods are separated from the outside world, anyone who isn't a Demigod is classified as an outsider and every outsider is to be considered an enemy and must be eliminated on the spot, "Jackie, handle them by yourself," Astasia commanded while her guardian smirked in enjoyment.

Astasia's guardian, Jackie, lived up to her frightening reputation. Each one of her guardians can be considered as powerful as a high ranking demigod member, so taking on a bunch of nameless gate keepers was an easy task for her. Before she knew it, all the guardians were attacking the demigod city where every one of their kind fought back.

It seems like they didn't spend their time in isolation for nothing. They made sure every Demigod could fight and protect their territory, but unfortunately for them, Astasia's army of guardians proved to be more powerful when half of their kind were dying from the swords of the guardians.

"Tch, I can't believe she actually ambushed us alone," the King of the Demigods sat on his throne while human and elf slaves from Titan city sat around his presence like dogs. Their necks, wrist, and even their ankles were chained. Not to mention, they were naked, "My twelve shadows, bring her to me... Dead or alive," the King smirked, "I'll make sure that bitch crawls like a dog while begging me to spare her life."

The twelve shadows are the top ranking of Demigods who stood just below the presence of the King. Not only were they powerful, but their appearance, mana, and even knowledge excelled, but most of all, they were loyal to the king even if it means death or eternal suffering, "Kai, they're coming," Astasia no longer smiled as the appearance of the twelve shadows stood before them.

"Oh? There was a cutie here all along?"  Angelina, one of the twelve shadows, licked her lips while staring at Kai's figure. In the members of the shadows, there were only two women, and those two women eyed Kai's figure.

"Couldn't get enough of us, so now you go to that kid?" Roy said, the second leader of the group.

For some reason, all the attention rested on Kai while Astasia's presence was completely ignored, "Our goal is that woman, don't forget" Angelo, the leader of the group, spoke in a well mannered tone. For a second, Astasia thought that it was a shame that she's going to kill him. Perhaps, she can use another method to spare his life.

"You can go handle that bitch, I want this boy as my pet," Angelina smirked, but before she could utter another word, she was on the ground with Astasia's feet resting on top of her stomach, "How-"

"For a woman who spreads her leg just for anyone isn't worthy of Kai."

Before Astasia could slice off her head, Roy attcked her with his full power since he was quite fond of Angelina despite her lust. Meanwhile, Kai was smirking at Astasia's adorable reaction before joining in the fight.

He faced the leader himself while Astasia took on the rest of the members by herself.

This would have been an impossible fight if her guardians weren't around to battle the other minor demigods, so thanks to their help, she and Cassandra were able to face off against the other eleven members, "Do you think your boyfriend could handle the leader alone? He's as strong as the eleven members combined," Cassandra says.

"Of course. Who do you think he is? He wouldn't be my man if he can't fight the leader alone"

Meanwhile, Kai clashed swords with Angelo on equal power. For every time their sword meets, a gush of wind would occur to show just how powerful their attacks were. However, a little mistake on Kai's end almost cost his life but he quickly recovered from it and took it to his advantage to defeat Angelo. However, as Astasia had requested, he spared him.

"Good job darling!" Astasia kissed him. She was already finished with her fight against the eleven shadows like it's nothing, every one of them gone, "Where are my comrades?!" Angelo raised his voice as Astasia snapped her finger, "They're alive, don't worry. I just turned them into my guardians," she smiled.

Guardians are categorized into two. The original members of the guardians and the ones who are chained by Astasia. The original members are allowed to come in and out of the summoning room without permission from the owner of the power while the other guardians must seek permission for every action they take. In a sense, it's eternal punishment.

"Angelo, I have two proposals for you. Either I let you go and restore your kind or you become my guardian," she smiles evilly.

"Queen Astasia, while it is true that you're powerful, it does not mean you're the strongest.  My king has more cards up his sleeve, so don't overestimate yourself," Angelo smirked, but he didn't attempt to fight knowing how he had already lost the battle. Due to this, Astasia placed her hand on his forehead as a bright light shone, forcing everyone to shut their eyes.

"What did you do?" Kai asked while Angelo lay unconscious on the ground.

"Oh nothing. I just erased his memories. But more importantly, we have to be careful. Fighting the shadows while summoning my other guardians is taking a toll on me." The usual confidence in Astasia's face had faded away while sweat began to trail down her pale cheeks.

Fatigue was evident.

Meanwhile, the king had silently sat on his throne after watching the fight of Astasia and his shadows. He was extremely disappointed at the causality that had occur, "We're going. Titania, make sure to keep our baby safe," he spoke to a calm woman possessing purely white hair and bright red eyes.  Even her horns were uniquely shaped, yet she still looked beautiful than most.

"Your highness, we can handle this matter alone," two people kneel in front of the king but he took off his fur cape and glared at the two, "Don't take that woman for granted. She's stronger than the rumors describe her."

"Understood, your highness."