A Goddess

The sun hung high in the sky, shining right above the beautiful city of Sofenia. The rays of warm light bathed the building in its grace. 

It was noon, a time when the streets should be bustling with children playing. One of their parents may be out shopping while the other was likely on their lunch break. 

However, the scene right now was far from such an ideal one. 

"We were too late." said a woman who seemed to be in her 30's. She looked at the city streets that were filled with people lying on their backs. 

There was no joy in this sight as all of them were unconscious, their faces pale and emaciated. Even the bright sunlight shining directly on their faces could not wake them. 

Soldiers were flitting about on the streets as they guarded the 10,000 unconscious adults. The city gates were closed as soldiers stood tall on the walls. 

"If only we took care of those beasts faster." the woman said with melancholy.

Her golden blonde hair, tied in a singular bun, rustled beautifully in the heavy winds. She stared at the city with icy blue eyes. 

She was floating right below the clouds as she spoke to the companion beside her. 

"We could not be any faster General Karina. That monster was something geared towards our weakness." spoke another woman. She was dressed in a nun outfit. 

Her blonde hair was a lighter shade and her blue weys were more compassionate. It worked well with her kind face that reminded one of their mother. She also seemed to be in her 30's. 

The women were floating above Sofenia their expressions were full of regret. 

"Let us not waste our time in feelings of regret. We must learn what transpired here." the nun said as she patted the back of General Karina. 

A dull noise rang as she did as the lady was decked in a full set of knight armor. General Karina also wore a blue cape on her back that had an image of a red western dragon. 

The logo of the Zlatan Empire and its royal family was proof of General Karina's identity. 

General Karina sighed and said "You are right Sister Emily. There are better things to do than lament." 

The two ladies slowly made their way downward as they landed in the city center. 

There, she found the 3 men sitting on the ground. They were silent with heavy expressions. 

Thuck!

As soon as they heard the noise of the 2 ladies landing somewhat heavy on the ground, the men lifted their heads up in shame. They weakly stood up, indicating their fatigue. 

Thomas Vornix, Commander Evan Rothensburg, and Mayor Marcus Vanderson bowed lightly toward the female general. 

"We pay our respects to General Karina Zlatan." they three said in unison. 

"Be at ease." Karina said. The men exited their bow and stood straight. 

"May the goddess bless us. Welcome Sofenia, Holy Sister Emily." said Marcus as he was the only one who knew her. 

The other two followed suit after knowing who she was. Sister Emily didn't speak but did give a small nod to the men. Clergy from the Temple of Helena were known to be of little words. 

"Report what happened here, mayor." asked Karina as she tried her best to not look at the half-dead bodies. 

"As you wish." replied the mayor.

A couple of minutes later, he finished explaining all the details and variables the best he could. At certain points, Evan and Thomas also added the extra point they knew of. 

The main points they discussed were the betrayal of a merchant named Anton London, the blood cult's strange spells and demands, and the possibility of war. 

The point that the general felt most worried about was a possible war orchestrated by the bordering kingdoms.

The cult hadn't killed any of the general populace and only took away most of their blood. Given they had escaped, they probably would be wasting their time chasing them. 

If there was one thing the cult was good at, it was hiding. 

Moreover, the possible war and an alliance between the kingdoms held greater concern. 

"You all did the best you could in this situation. Your efforts will not go unnoticed by his majesty. " Karina was serious. 

Even though the damage had been done, there was no point in punishing the nobles of this city. 

They were not meant to handle something of this level so had done well enough. No lives were lost. 

"Ah.." the men let out sighs of relief. It would be good if they didn't receive punishment from the empire. None of this was their fault but they thought they would have to take at least some responsibility. 

Karina's words were as good as the emperor's she is his older sister. 

"That said, who is planning on keeping all of these people alive? They are on the verge of death." Karina could hear the individual heartbeats of every single being on the ground. 

They were beating so slowly but at least they were beating. The lack of blood was obvious as their faces were pale white. 

"The Zocratens have opened their warehouses. We are using the herbs they had in stock to feed them diluted magic medicine. The Vornix's are also contributing diluted pills." the mayor explains. 

"Good. As expected of the proud nobles of Sofenia.

I'll have his majesty reward them at his birthday celebration a month later." Karina nodded in approval.

"The goddess will surely bless them for their kindness." Sister Emily added. " I shall take head to the temple in this city. I have yet to meet the sister that assisted you all." 

Sister Emily said nothing else as she flew away, towards the Temple of Helena in the city. 

"I would like to meet the ones who were involved since the beginning. Take me to your nephew." Karina looked at Thomas as she said this. 

...

...

...

Far above the clouds, far beyond the reaches of races that inhabited the Zlatan Empire. Far beyond the Evansia Continet and the rest of the continents in the Irgasna Realm. 

Above this expansive realm stood a purple palace. With countless spires and towers placed in a symmetrical manner, this abode was of utmost beauty. The place was held up by cobalt blue clouds. 

In the main hall of this palace was an extravagant throne room. Gems and golden engravings dotted the purple pillars. There was a throne made of blue ice at the very end of the hall. 

On it sat a tall woman with long, pristine legs. She wore a silver dress that floated as if it was as light as a feather. She had her legs crossed as she played with her blond hair. 

He had her face proper on her chin as she had a bored look. Even such a look could not distract someone from her otherworldly beauty. 

She sat there, looking like an untouchable being of heavenly origin. However, to certain people, her face would be familiar. To others, it was a face they found to be a perfect copy of someone else. 

"Hmm..." suddenly, her icy blue eyes glowed. Her bored expression turned sour as she waved her hand. 

I mirror floated from the corner of the room and stood in front of her. Images flashed by at an incomprehensible speed. The mirror was shaking with how much information it was presenting. 

"Huhuhu..." she let out a sweet chuckle after the images had ended. 

"Interesting. A small empire on an unremarkable continent. Let me see how entertaining you could be." 

Her face now donned a heavenly smile as she laughed in anticipation. 

"Ariel." she called out.

A feminine figure with angel wings appeared from golden light. She was bathed in white light so no one could see her appearance. \

"Yes, my lord." said the angel in a tone filled with excitement. 

"Go down to the realm. Take some of your sisters with you. Send them to keep an eye on Blood Gods devotees. As for you, keep an eye on this boy and his fiance." 

The lady on the throne gave her orders and the angel nodded. 

"May I have some fun while I'm there?" asked the angel. 

"Sure. You guys have been bored up here." replied the woman. 

"As you wish my lord." The angel said as she disappeared with the same golden light she came with. 

It seems that she was in a rush. 

The woman chuckled once the angel was gone. 

"I hope the little ones don't disappoint me. Especially the one that looks like an avatar of me." 

...

...

...

Back in Ryan's room, he was still sleeping soundly as his mother sat beside him. 

In front of the room, Karina sat on a chair as she shut her eyes. She was also turned from hours of light and a tough fight against a strange group of monsters. 

Though she had already recovered physically, her mind was still fatigued. 

"Are there any princesses that have not been engaged yet?" 

While she was resting, Karina heard the voice of Nahira Vornix. A commoner turned sole wife of a Marquee. Not just any Marquee but the clan of Vornix., a clan comparable to some weaker ducal houses. 

Not that any of the ducal houses were weak. 

This lady had asked her a strange question but Karina had no reason to not answer it. 

"There are 3 princesses that have yet to find a partner. Why are you asking this? I heard that your son i adamant at only having one wife. He even has a fiancee." 

Karina was stumped by this question as only Nahira's older son is semi qualified to marry a princess. Her younger son isn't even a question since he's not going to be the heir. 

Ryan was infamous in the capitol for his utmost dedication to one lady. Something rare in the male heirs of a noble family. They usually have at least 3 wives. 

"Hehehe...I have a surprise for his majesty's birthday. I am sure he will be overjoyed." she replied in a cunning manner. 

Karina was taken by surprise. She didn't like the sound of that. Something able to bring such joy to her strict brother would not be simple. 

"If she succeeds, it will be a wonderful sight to see." she thought to herself. 

Nahira looked at her son, her eyes were the same of his.