A Journey That Changed The World.



[Ella, Halime, Talila, Nala and Maeve's POV]

When the five watched Sofia fall toward the ground, she quickly turned into an eagle with a flash of light before catching the wind and slowing down. The burgundy-haired girl gracefully landed as a woman walked out of the shadows below.

Ella commented before jumping off the ledge, "Let's see who's down there. Be ready to fight, ladies."

While falling, the half-elf thought about her pale-yellow dragon wings just like Archer did when summoning his, and they suddenly sprouted from her back. The beautiful wings slowed her fall, and she hit the ground on two feet without any injuries, shocking her.

Next to descend was Talila, her silver wings gracefully slowing her descent, while the other three girls employed magic to ease their fall. As they all landed on the ground below, they realized they were encircled by women clad in detailed armor.

While Sofia spoke with a mature woman who resembled an older version of herself, the soldiers surrounded them as the five were distracted. The sight of this incensed Nala, prompting her transformation into her Primal form alongside Halime.

Ella and Talila turned into their dragon forms as Maeve jumped on Nala's back and readied her sword. When Sofia saw this, she spoke in her unique accent, "'Mama, don't attack them; they're my new friends."'

The five watched as a woman approached, ignoring Sofia. They prepared for a fight, but to their surprise, the stranger bowed and spoke in a friendly manner, "It's a pleasure to meet the wives of Al-Maseeh At-Tinyan."

Ella and the others were taken aback, stunned into silence. Sofia giggled and explained, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. We converted to the Fireheart Faith. It's a good religion and resonates with us."

"You follow our husband's faith?" Nala questioned as she returned to her humanoid form. The older woman nodded before introducing herself, "I'm Lysandra Volkovitch, General of the Battle Sisters, daughter of the Pope, and mother to this rascal."

When the five girls heard this, the same thought appeared, 'She cannot meet Archer! He would be smitten with her.'

Lysandra was a devilishly beautiful mature woman with burgundy hair just like Sofia's, but hers was in a classic mother's hairstyle, which suited her. Her features were striking and beautiful despite her age.

Sofia's mother had a charm no younger woman could match, thanks to time and experience. The five noticed she was a curvaceous woman thanks to the armor straining against the massive chest and hourglass figure.

Ella shook her head and introduced herself. "I'm Ella Wyldheart," he motioned to the other girls: Nala Lionheart, Talila Wyldheart, Halime Nagendra, and Maeve Avaloch.

Lysandra smiled friendly as she spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you, lovely ladies, but we need to get back to business. The Pope knows you're on Verdantia, but not why. We can use this to our advantage."

"How? Don't the strongest Novgorodian soldiers guard the Holy Trees?" Maeve questioned as the others nodded.

The mature woman smiled, "That's where my little bird comes in handy; she is a powerful druid and can turn into many monsters, including the notorious Poison Jungle Frog that emits the sleeping mist."

When the five heard this, their eyes widened as Ella clarified, "We're going to knock out the guards?"

Lysandra nodded as she answered, "Well, you ladies will have to deal with the soldiers in the orchard, but I have faith in your skills."

"Why can't you help us attack it?" Halime questioned as she stepped forward.

The mature woman looked at her with a sweet smile. "Little snake, it's not our time to join the fight. We cannot do it so early, as the church is still strong and has the backing of numerous empires across Thrylos."

"Agrippina is spreading the Fireheart Faith along with Archer's deeds," Ella revealed. "You want his religion to take over so the Church of Lights influences dwindle?"

Lysandra beamed, "Correct! If the Battle Sisters betrayed the church now, it would be pointless. We can wait for the right time, then turn our blades on the real enemy who took my husband from me," she said as her green eyes gleamed with malice.

"Father is with the stars watching us, Mama," Sofia commented sadly. "He wouldn't approve of what we're doing, but we have to make a stand before Grandfather takes Nonna from us."

"That stubborn old woman insists on staying near him because she thinks it's smarter,'' Lysandra replied to Sofia before returning her gaze to them.

"Do you accept our help, ladies?" the older woman inquired.

Maeve, Nala, Halime, and Talila looked at Ella for the answer, causing her to laugh, "Leaving it to me to decide, eh?"

"You're the leader for now and have done a good job so far," Talila replied with a smile

Ella shook her head before responding to Lysandra's offer, "We accept."

The older woman beamed before taking out two necklaces and handing them to the half-elf while explaining, "These are communication devices that will allow us to keep in contact. Give the second one to the White Dragon when he wakes up."

"'Thank you, Lysandra," Ella said while putting them in her storage ring.

Afterward, everyone took some time to get to know each other better. Lysandra eventually mentioned that she needed to return to the capital to report their lack of findings. Once Sofia's mother and the Battle Sisters departed, the group prepared to attack the orchard where the Holy Trees were located.

Sofia explained that they couldn't fly over the walls and would need to split into two groups to enter the city through the main gates. Ella and Sofia formed one group, Nala and Halime made up the second, and Maeve and Talila comprised the last group.

They would take the south, east, and north gates before meeting in the city square, where Sofia led them to the fortress where the trees were. After making their plans, the groups split

up once and bid farewell.

***

[Ella & Sofia's POV]

As the dup approached the Southern gate, Sofia took a robe from her storage ring and handed

it to Ella, "Here, take this. It's an initiates uniform; the guards won't think twice about

letting us through with these," she explained.

Ella took it with a smile but questioned, "Did you give these to the others?"

"Unfortunately not, I only had my old one, which would fit you perfectly as it is a few years

old," Sofia said.

After that, they joined the line of traders, adventurers, and pilgrims traveling to the great temples of Novgorod. Ella saw many people passing by; over a hundred soldiers were

marching past while heading south.

When seeing this, Sofia explained, "The empire thinks you girls are causing chaos in the south, but it's just the Swarm appearing from the mountains."

Ella nodded with a smile before waiting. It took them an hour to get into the city, and she was shocked when she saw the inside. White stone buildings comprised most housing and stores in this part, but she spotted beautiful round domed structures everywhere. She noticed that the Novgorod Imperial emblem adorned most people, and banners hung from the walls. The half-elf was amazed at how clean and rubbish-free the cobbled streets

were.

Novgorodian soldiers patrolled the streets while the people went about their lives with smiles. While Ella was busy looking at their surroundings, Sofia spoke, "The emperor has increased security all over the empire alongside the high elves, but if we cause a big enough distraction, that will draw out most of the soldiers."

Ella nodded, "I have an idea, but it will cause a lot of damage to the city."

Sofia shrugged, "It doesn't matter, we need one tree, and that's all."

The duo then walked through the streets and went to the city square to wait for the other girls.

It took them an hour to reach the meeting place, where there was a massive fountain with a

polar bear monster and a woman riding atop.

When Ella saw this, she was amazed. Still, Sofia explained, "That is my Aunt Anastasia Volkovitch during the battle of Azura Pass, where she beat back a demon army from Avidia

and banished their king into the sea."

"Does she hate the Pope?"

Sofia nodded. "Not really. Anastasia stays out of politics while she explores. She's Uncle Anatoly's wife and the Empress, but it seems she hates staying in one place, which annoys the

imperial court."

Ella giggled. "Will she try to fight us?"

The burgundy-haired girl shrugged. "Probably. She's a battle junkie, after all. The Empress

loves a good fight."

Following that, the two of them bought some food from one of the stalls before finding a place to wait for the others. When they did, Sofia commented, "I hope the others were able to enter the city without an issue."

Ella was just about to speak when explosions rang out from the east, causing Sofia to grow concerned as the half-elf resumed, "Nala and Halime have run into a problem, but I'm sure

they'll be fine."'

"Will they be okay? Should we see if everything is fine?" Sofia questioned in a concerned tone.

More explosions rang out, followed by a rage-filled roar, screaming, and crashing. As this happened, more roars erupted from the west, causing Ella to jump up. "Something must have happened. Let's get to the Holy Tree Fortress."