[The girl's POV]
Once all the groups were back, they met up at Archer's new palace, where he was being tended to by Fianna, Lucrezia, and Aisha. Many White Dragon Knights guarded it alongside a cohort of Dragon Legionnaires.
Fifteen girls of different races and kingdoms were gathered in a meeting room as a distant explosion echoed through the palace. The room, though sparsely decorated as Archer preferred, was beautifully painted.
The white walls with violet trim mirrored his scales and eyes, a detail that had enchanted the girls when they first saw it. Ella stood up and addressed the group, her voice steady and clear. "Ladies, since our return, Draconia has faced numerous attacks. The Novgorod Empire and the Church of Light have allied to fight against Archer. They are gathering many of Thrylos powers to stand against us."
The group nodded in understanding as determination burned in their eyes, absorbing the gravity of the situation. Ella continued, "Most of us must stay here to defend our husband's kingdom. Only five of us can go to secure the Holy Leaf so we can bring Archer back to us."
The women exchanged determined looks, ready to take on their roles in protecting their home and Archer's vision. Ella paced the room while informing everyone who would retrieve the last ingredient.
"Myself, Halime, Nala, Talila, and Maeve will go to Verdantia to recover the Holy Leaf," Ella revealed. "The rest of you will protect Draconia. The generals believe the central powers are exploiting Pluoria's efforts in clearing out the Swarm."
Ella noticed a few of the women looked ready to protest. She quickly added, "Your strength is needed here to hold back the tide until Archer can wake up and join the fight." Standing before the fourteen ladies in Archer's life, Ella could see their bond and a fierce desire to aid him.
She reassured them, "By staying here, you're helping more than you know." With some reluctance, they all agreed, understanding the critical importance of their roles.
After sorting that, Aisha returned and greeted the large group of women who smiled at her before Ella assigned the ones staying here roles, "Leira, Seraphina, Llyniel, Hemera, and Demetra, you girls will defend Northern Draconia alongside the legions."'
She looked at the five, who nodded before continuing, "Nefertiti, Teuila, Hecate, Kassandra, and Lucrezia. You ladies will defend Southern Draconia. That should even out our power so the whole kingdom is covered."
Kassandra quickly commented, "Should us Sea Titans destroy any enemy fleets that come close?"
Ella and Aisha nodded before the dragonkin woman took over. "Yes, that would be for the best, but the Novgorodians know about you girls and will no doubt have a countermeasure." ''But that doesn't mean we cannot help, as the Wyvern Legions are nearly done training. The first five thousand will be ready to deploy immediately," Aishe finished.
"That's why you've kept most of us dragons back, for extra firepower if they break through the navy," Hemera mumbled, attracting everyone's attention.
Ella nodded with a smile, "Exactly. We currently have six Battlefleets patrolling the island and four powerful Titans, which should be enough. Unless they have a secret weapon, we don't know about."
Following that, they spent the days catching up and filling each other in on their journeys. Sera, Kassandra, and Demetra brought out some strong wine they all partook in until the moon shone above.
Ella stood on the balcony, looking out over Draconia. Hemera and Nala stumbled out tipsy. When the lioness saw the half-elf, she raised her glass, spilling her wine. "Our glorious leader! We will ride into the monster's jaws together!" she exclaimed.
The older woman chuckled softly. "If you find these unsettling, just wait until we venture
deeper."
Sia's face went pale. "What do you mean?"
"There are millions of monsters dwelling below the surface," Mary explained. "Archer may seek to conquer the surface, but it's the Underrealm that will truly test his resolve."
"You think Archer will want to control this place?"
Mary nodded, "He will have to; this is where the Terravians come from, along with many other vile races that have their eyes set on the surface world," she said with a smile.
"That's bad, what about the Nameless Things?" Sia questioned.
"They don't involve themselves in the surface world; only my sisters and I are entwined in the surface, trying to help out the Light Gods in their battle with the darkness," Mary said while
cooking a fire.
Sia didn't say anything and waited for dinner. When she returned to their chamber, she saw Warrior Spiders patrolling the tunnels that the Burrow Bettles had dug a few hours earlier. She heard the sounds of a vicious battle, which made her jump.
Mary reassured her, "The Warriors have found some Under Ants and are battling their way
through the colony."
The grey-haired woman took out some meat before positioning it above the fire as she continued, "We will have to deal with the Under Queen and her bodyguard once we finish
eating."
Sia gave her a nervous nod as spiders poured out of the tunnels, and a beetle blocked the way as the Under Ants chased them. When Mary saw this, she let out a resounding hiss that scared
everything.
The dragonkin woman stared at her friend, her eyes widening. "Sometimes I forget you're not
human." "Sometimes I remember when I used to have dragons for breakfast, but now I'm engaged to one!" Mary quipped, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
Sia shivered, then screamed as one of the Warrior Spiders brushed her with its furry leg. She leaped into the air and hastily hid behind Mary, peeking out cautiously. The grey-haired woman giggled, "It's saying hello, Sia; stopped being a baby."'