Before dawn came, my mother and I already said our goodbyes to Ellen. While I would have wished to stay a little longer, I'd rather not chance a pointless encounter with the Fortress of Alladen over Alteria. The Balamar Knight agreed and swiftly packed up her things. To my enjoyment and her confusion, I stared upon her with a bit of a smirk. Unlike during the travels to get here, her visage had brightened up considerably. There was something of a glistening sheen to her face and I couldn't mistake the dark purple embers of lust steadily seeping out of her body and into mine, invigorating me from the fun I'd had last night. I noticed the lack of the smell of blood. The lass must not have gotten the time for her usual activity when I'd presented her with a better option.

At least I could confirm Alteria was indeed a normal woman with her own pleasures. Of course, I never got her to admit that and I was sure she'd sooner die than accept it herself, but none of that mattered. Besides, if she got some relief before the events of the day, then all the better for her. She'd need it.

I spoke with Ellen one more time regarding the plan. Once the matters were settled, we left the tavern, walked out of Alladen Fortress, and departed from the Valkin Mountains. We then got on the road. However, instead of walking this time, we ran. We ran as hard as we could. With the magic of Delverhold fueling our bodies, we crossed the great lands of the Hæňgaram Empire.

Of course, with Alteria being a loyal soldier of the empire, we slaughtered those enemy soldiers unlucky enough to cross our path. It was nigh soul-rendering for me to not plunder the lot of their spoils, but I figured that we'd wasted enough time.

When the sun was in the sky, we ran with hastening spells. When the sun was down, we rested. Another reason I'd bothered us to do this run was that Alteria hadn't even had the time to request her turn for a watch. Once we put up the tents, she was already asleep. No matter what my mother and I did, she didn't wake up. Despite her attempts to claim that she'd take over when the night fell upon us again, neither my mother nor I paid her any mind.

She continued to sleep like a newborn babe without so a care in the whole damned world.

However, it only took four days before that care returned like a damn punch to the gut.

Even before we made it over the hill, we all smelled the stench of something burning. Yet, not even I was fully prepared for what I'd seen when we made it.

A harsh battlefield must have been here. All of it was reduced to a black, smoldering stain as far as the eye could see. I couldn't even tell the empire's allies from its enemies. Either a very talented fire mage had done this, or Seraphina had been busy.

My mother and I were silent as Alteria walked down into the blackened lands that used to contain beautiful trees and fresh grass. We walked with her. My mother grimaced at the sight of charcoaled corpses, bones still melting into steel and iron. Not even proud flags to each nation were left blowing in the wind.

"She sure didn't waste any time, did she?" my mother questioned softly to me as our shoes brushed beneath the smoke and hot ash on the ground.

"Aye, she'll have to. Zevmar was already losing the confidence of those under him even before I'd fucked his shit up back in Jokllim. No doubt he's making her whip the bastards out before the toll gets too high on his side," I said. Nei and Lei poked their heads out of my pockets and observed. I wondered what they must have thought when they saw such desolation spread out before them.

I spotted Alteria far off in the distance. She stood with a sword in her hand, holding her head down and praying to whichever god she hoped would hear.

We approached and I noticed one body amongst the others. It was the only one still left standing even if the spirit had already passed away. Its forearm was up in a defending position, a shield more than likely supposed to be attached to it. In the hot sun, the bright armor of the Hæňgaram Empire gleamed brightly, easily distinguishing it from any other metal.

Alteria opened her eyes. "I pray you not to take offense, Eric Drakclaw but I pray this will be the last time that Hæňgaram ever has to depend on or face people like you in its history. Sometimes, I can't help but see the power you wield as nothing more than the might of demons and devils," she said.

Indeed, I took no offense to her words for I'd indeed been called worse in my first life.

Alteria placed the sword down. "Your sacrifice shall not be in vain, Instructor Haaglim. You have my word. May you rest easy in Lumnina's embrace," she prayed.

We left the desolation behind and it never got much better after that. The closer we arrived to the battlefield, the more bodies we saw. Flies and maggots swarmed the rotting corpses of men and animals. Broken and battered armor lay around everyone and the smell of blood was thick in the air.

Just to get away from the smell of death and decay, we took another route that would have us coming from the south. We stopped once more and pitched our tents. Yet, we made no fire. Instead, we just sat around in the darkness for a little while. My mother questioned me on some things until it was time to go to bed.

Surprisingly, Alteria went to her own tent at the same time as us. I never heard her leave it once.

The next morning, we continued running throughout the rest of the day until we finally spotted the emperor's main camp. We were stood upon a hill and the cover of night was upon us. Soldiers guarded every part of the camp. The perimeter was surrounded by summoned stone and well-crafted spears. Numerous tents for the Emperor, nobles, calvary, and infantry units ran throughout the land. Of course, the Emperor had to have the biggest tent of them all.

"Okay, we're here, and fuck I guess we're lucky we can get in without relying on magic. The fucking place is lit up with so much magic I can feel it from here," my mother commented.

It was true. With the Mark of Hoɖ, I saw so much magic swirling around I wasn't sure where to begin with it. There were at least 500 magic arrays mixing about at the same time. Hell, just looking at all of it was giving me a damned headache. I had to turn off the Mark just to keep myself from growing nauseous.

Still, there was no need to do that. I wove my hands through the air and a brief shower of rain fell over the Hæňgaram camp. I made sure it only lasted about ten minutes. My mother and Alteria looked at me curiously, but I merely told them to relax and wait.

"Still, where's the rest of the forces? This looks like little more than a fraction of what was left over," Alteria said.

When I looked upon it again, indeed it was rather small. By Ellen's report, there had been well over 75,000 soldiers. This lot seemed to be less than 5,000, not counting the soldiers protecting other provinces. That said, it didn't take me long to think up a reason why. Other than Liara, and perhaps An'raie, I know no other living mage capable of culling mortal men so ruthlessly. It seemed I wouldn't have to worry about the Hæňgaram interference if this was all that was left.

After some time, we heard the sound of hooves and marching. "At the risk of staining the empire more than necessary, I shall thank the gods that you've arrived on time, Pirate."

Turning our heads, we saw the Crown Prince riding along with ten trusted soldiers. Of course, I couldn't go one day without a non-Balamarian Hæňgaram soldier glaring at me like they wished my head on a pike and my body pecked by gulls.

Alteria immediately greeted him with a bowed head, getting a roll of the eyes from my mother. "If she bows her head any lower, she'll be digging out worms from the ground with her teeth," she whispered.

I tried not to laugh despite the smile on my face.

The crown prince fell from his noble horse and approached us. He eyed Alteria for only a moment before he turned back to me. I wasn't sure what the lad was looking for, but I saw an unbearable amount of exhaustion behind his young eyes.

He looked back to Alteria.

"I shall ask this only one time, Alteria Balamar. Do you place your trust in the might of this pirate to keep our empire standing? I have just watched over 60,000 of my brethren fade away by the flames of a mighty dragon's breath mere seconds before we engaged the enemy. I wish to see these deaths honored and avenged under the full might of the sword of the empire. If you do not give me a firm answer, I shall behead you right here where no one shall mark a grave for your traitorous body," he said, his voice still surprisingly calm despite the threat.

As I thought, it seemed Seraphina had been busy with fixing Zevmar's mess. If she had the same abilities as I did, it wouldn't be hard to dispose of such a force no matter how large it was. I could just imagine the cruel smirk on her face as the screams of Hæňgaramian men and women rang through her ears.

Despite the threat, and the horrifying realization of what happened to her countrymen, Alteria faced the Crown Prince unwaveringly. "I have seen his work, Your Royal Highness. I have faith that he will lead the Empire to victory! Should he not, I shall surrender myself to your desires," she returned, standing proudly before him and the rest of the soldiers.

The lad swiftly turned his gaze back to mine and slowly exhaled. "Then may the gods have mercy on us all," he said. Brushing a hand through his hair, he turned and stared out into the horizon.

"The war was going fairly well. With the aid of the Mage Association, various mercenary groups, and... the pirate's crew, we were faring well. We'd pushed them back from the Plains of Saakbek to the Eastern Coast where they first landed. With the naval vessels set to back us up, victory was in sight. I kept an eye on Zevmar for as long as I was able. He fought as befitting of a Knight of Hæňgaram. However, it became clear that our victories were also within his plans, for that was where our good fortune stopped," Zevmar said, clenching his fists.

Finally, he exhaled slowly. "It was as you prophesied. Just before the final battle, Zevmar spoke of spies in the enemy camp. He spoke that our army was being led into a trap, one created by Alteria Balamar who'd employed the pirate, Eric Drakclaw. Our victories were claimed to be an attempt to drive us toward the sea where we would be immediately eliminated. Despite my words, my father trusted in Zevmar's words and so did the rest of the military," he spoke again.

"We started to give ground, to draw them out. Pretty soon, it was we who'd been pushed back to the plains. My father spoke that we would settle the battle there, but we merely gave them more room to advance their forces. Father even sent spies out to scout if Eric Drakclaw was truly waiting, but it was at Zevmar's word. They never returned and many took it as the pirate indeed waiting to descend upon us. As it turned out, it wasn't water we had to be concerned with. It was fire," he told.

I watched the soldiers that waited on him. A few of them gritted their teeth in frustration as he continued. "No one even noticed her at first. She was thought to be any other mage. Our thoughts were quickly misaligned when an entire brigade of soldiers was consumed by a wall of fire. No amount of water magic or wards against fire spared us. Our great force dropped to a mere fraction in one day. My father tried to combat her dutifully, but he was tossed aside like a newly-assigned squire. She shamed him mercilessly and stripped him of his armor. I surmise the only reason he was retrieved was because Zevmar... luckily got to him and retrieved him. That one incident has left us with much loss. The Mage Association is considering backing out, especially since they've lost almost a hundred of their High-Tiered Mages. Even a few of the mercenary groups are abandoning the empire. No matter what reward we give, it's not enough for them. Now Zevmar offers us to retreat back to the capital, he claims that there lays a method of combating not only this woman of fire but the pirate as well. Many are currently clinging to that hope," he finished.

I watched Alteria step forward. "And what does the Emperor believe, Sir?" she asked.

The Crown Prince's frown deepened. "The loss has been troubling him as of late, yet he remains of sound mind. Father has been in many wars and faced numerous losses. This one shall be just another in his history. I am unable to sway my father however and I fear that should we lead them back to Ynro an even greater tragedy shall befall us. So, though I am loathed to question, what is your plan?" he asked.

Of course, my mother and Alteria looked to me for answers.

"Simple. I'll take care of the matter myself. The rest of you lot need only observe from a distance. The best way you might be helpful is to not let yourselves be seen. Should Seraphina take notice of you, she won't hesitate to engulf you in flames so hot that not even your ashes will remain. Just make sure you have some scouts watching the battle. They'll restore the confidence of your army to take up arms and combat the threat remaining threat while I deal with Seraphina," I replied.

Tainn looked at me suspiciously. "You would challenge nearly 50,000 men by yourself?" he asked incredulously. The soldiers behind him murmured to each other, perhaps not believing I was capable of such a feat. It was quite the shame none of them had seen what remained of Nuluk. I imagined I'd have a much more faithful group than what was dealt to me.

"Aye, that I will. And perhaps you'll take it as an example of the patience I've shown the lot of your men when you gaze upon me so ruthlessly. For I should warn you, not many on Draegnar have lived for long when they look at me like that," I warned, making Alteria and the Crown Prince tense. The soldiers off to the side seemed ready for battle, but a hand from Tainn stopped them.

The Crown Prince glared at me, hard. He clearly didn't believe me but it was late and he couldn't be gone for too long. He and his men led us toward the camping grounds. On the way back, we spoke about Zevmar and what I'd discovered in the Mountains of Kiv. As expected, the royal fucker confirmed that Zevmar had no twin or sibling. He also confirmed the likeness of the man's skills on the battlefield. From his words, it seemed like the Zevmar on my side was the real one but I was too far away to try and contact Maeloson or Aesteal to find out more.

My mother and I were mostly silent with Alteria feeding the Crown Prince any information he requested. He also told us of the scouts' knowledge of the whereabouts of the enemy. They'd long since passed the Plains of Shahbek and would be entering another set of plains next to it. While the information was nice to have, it wasn't necessary. An'raie had already kept me abreast of their movements. There'd be no way in hell that I'd miss the. I just imagined how distraught Seraphina would be had we missed each other.

In time, we entered the grounds thanks to Tainn's men having guarded the entrance. Naturally, the three of us had our disguises up since there'd be no way we'd be allowed in without a fight on our hands.

When I surveyed the surroundings, it was as the Crown Prince said. A lot of the men and women held disheartened looks. Some of them just continued to stare at the flames in the fire pits like their minds were taken elsewhere. The distant wails of the injured were hard on the ears.

Tainn set us up in a tent and left us alone. As expected, it was far away from the royal and noble tents. Hell, it was barely on the edge of the commoner tents. It seemed that no matter how I'd helped, there was only so far the brat was willing to allow me so close to the emperor.

I would have liked to have less crowded accommodations. Even being near the edge, we were still surrounded by twenty other soldier tents. Though I was no soldier, I wouldn't have minded the touch of my loving mother before we went off to battle. I think my mother wanted the same thing but I resisted the urge. I did not wish to partake of her, Nei, and Lei around here.

"You actually have me in a fucking Hæňgaram camp surrounded by soldiers. My son has gotta be fucking insane," my mother said, her head on my bare chest. I brushed her hair and kissed her.

"I promised you the grandest adventure, did I not?" I asked, sighing blissfully as her legs intertwined with mine.

"I'd like one where I might not have a chance to get killed, but something tells me that's not gonna happen so long as I sail with you," she fired back, no fire finding itself in her tone.

Alteria had left to have some more words with the Crown Prince, but we knew she'd be returning soon. Thus, we could only settle for playful grabs. "Don't be stupid out there, Eric. I... I know you've beaten her before, but if she's allied to that bastard then he most likely knows how to keep her in line. He could also have that stone thing that disrupted your powers back on Delverhold. Just make sure we're not gonna shit the bed like last time," she warned, casting a glare at me.

A smile split my lips while I felt Nei and Lei plant soft kisses on my cheek. My mother eyed them for a moment before she turned to me with a lustful grin.

"You know, there's probably never been a pirate crew who's fucked right in a camp of the Hæňgaram Empire. Alteria ain't here for now. We could put on a show for the lot. Maybe give them pleasant dreams from the days they've had," she whispered as I felt her fingers sail from my chest and beneath the covers. It didn't take her long to find my cock, and wrap her beautiful hand around it.

She stroked me slowly. The beginning embers of lust threatened to rise within me.

"Mmmmmm let mate partake of us. I make mate feel good. Must be satisfied!" Nei voiced within my mind, tempting me just like my mother. Lei nibbled on my ears, almost seeming to obey Nei's silent commands to bring me closer to ravaging them all.

I laughed. "A man is about to go to war and you wish to tire him out like this?" I questioned, enjoying the feeling of my mother stroking the length of my mast. She rubbed the crown between the crevices of her fingers while Nei kissed me.

My mother smirked. "If you ain't up to the challenge, just say so. We'll just make sure you never live it down," my mother teased as I felt my cock get harder and harder. Lust started flowing into my body, pushing away any feeling of exhaustion I might have had.

I saw pieces of magic float around the tent. I was then graced with the fully-sized forms of Nei and Lei. They'd done away with their tails and replaced them with two pairs of long, beautiful legs.

Lei didn't wait for my reply. Instead, she helped herself to my cock. Slipping beneath the covers, she swallowed my shaft whole. Her warm breath blew over the cock with insatiable need. I groaned as my mother lifted up the covers. The three of us watched Lei gobble down my man meat. Up and down, she went with reckless abandon our tent coming alive with her slurping noises.

"Looks like someone couldn't wait," my mother replied before she turned my head to her. She kissed me with the same passion as numerous times before. We then separated and I kissed Nei next.

My fairmaid was still a little inexperienced at this matter, but I teased the insides of her lips with my tongue. Hers coiled around mine, yet never stopped allowing me to travel further. I tasted every corner of her mouth and she pushed back into mine, exploring the same. Hers was an intoxicating smell that sent shivers of pleasure from my lips and down to my cock, making it harder in Lei's mouth.

Over and over, I alternated between kissing my mother and kissing Nei, enjoying the fruits of their bodies.

"Mmmmmmngh! Fuck! Yesssss. Your hands feel so good on my breasts, Eric," My mother panted into my ears. I would have replied, but I fear Nei would squeal out in pleasure thus altering the Hæňgaram army to the festivities happening just beneath their noses.

"More! Moooore mate! Mate Nei's favorite lover!" Nei said, her hands covering mine while I pinched her beautiful nipples.

"Aye, a bastard is truly fortunate to have such lasses to rest beside him," I exhaled breathlessly. I kissed Nei one more time before I took my free hand and rested it on Lei's head. She purred in delight, kicking her legs this way and that while rolling her tongue over the crown of my cock.

I could tell that Lei's tongue skills had improved considerably since I'd found her on Delverhold. She was like a whirlpool, threatening to engulf my entire vessel into the depths of a sea of pleasure from which there would be no escape.

"I'll bet you really like that, don't you? Watching so many sluts pinning for your cock like helpless wenches. Each of them eager for their turn," my mother whispered. Aye, it was quite a fucking good feeling. I wasn't even ashamed to admit it was perhaps the greatest feeling in all the seas of D'orn.

"Lei, eager for more, my Mate. Lei wishes reward, yes?" Nei asked, trailing my chest and stomach with her tongue and licking Vilinlith's Essence off me. She panted and the lust started to overtake me.

"Aye, she does," I said as I grabbed Lei's head and started thrusting my hips upward into her mouth. She didn't even use her hands to brace herself. Instead, she welcomed my assault.

It was only when I was right on the edge, that I gave her back control. Lei looked at me with lust-filled eyes. "Haaaaah! Hahaaaaah! Nnnnngaaaaah!" she moaned.

The lust grew thick in the tent and I knew it wouldn't be long before the entire Hæňgaram camp would be feeling its effects. Still, that certainly didn't stop us.

All it took was one more throating of my dick before I exploded into her mouth. Rope after rope of scaling semen entered her throat and she sucked it all down without a moan or complaint. In fact, I sensed her body catch on fire, her eyes rolling up in her head while her pussy thundered with her erotic juice.

Breathless, she slipped her lips off my shaft. Not a drop of cum remained except on the side of her lips. Nei eagerly went for it, licking it up like a tasty treat. "Mmmmmm," she groaned out.

My mother and I watched the two start to make out. Nei suckled on Lei's tits while Lei fingers her sister's cunt.

I probably would have watched them all night had my mother not caught my attention. When I looked at her, I saw her on the other side of the tent with her legs spread out. I was blessed with the sight of her cunt, dripping with sex juice just eager for my attention.

"Why not pay it forward and bring that tongue over here," my mother said with a sultry smirk.

I licked my lips as my nostrils flared. "Anything for you," I said as I crawled over to her. Caressing her cheek, I kissed her one more and sailed my tongue over her naked flesh. Her sweat tasted sweet on my tongue before I came to the greatest treasure, the best offering of herself that she could give me.

I attacked it without mercy.

"Oh, fuck! Yessssss! Ooooooh gods that feels so good. Mmmngh! Nnngh! Nhhaaaaa! Huuuuagh!" She panted. My lips pulled at her clit and I swirled my tongue around deep into her core. Her fingers pushed against my head, pulling me in as much as I could.

"Oooooooh god! Yes! Oh my god! Eat my pussy, you motherfucker! Ooooooooh shit, your tongue feels so good. S-So good!" she hissed, trying to cover her mouth, but failing miserably.

My mother's lower body was equally restless, rubbing up against my face while my tongue speared her insides, licking up the delectable treat afforded to me for my efforts.

"You inside! All tents are supposed to be lights out at this late hour. What are you doing in there?!"

We all paused as my mother widened her eyes. The fairmaids swiftly looked to me for what to do as did my mother. "Answer him," I whispered.

"And say what?!" she hissed.

"Trust me," I replied.

Grumbling, my mother turned over and faced the tent, grabbing a blanket to cover herself just in case. "Erm... yes, sir! Sorry... about that. Just making sure the guns are reloaded and working right. No doubt the day will be busy tomorrow. Long Live Emperor Aldwyn!" My mother answered nervously.

"Long Live Emperor Aldwyn, soldier. Well, make haste and put out the light in your tent. We shall all need our rest after the battle. Is there something wrong with your guns?" the man asked while my eyes sailed down to my mother's gleaming, quivering, overflowing snatch. I bit my lip and felt the lust surge within me.

"Not that I'm aware of, Sir, but it's best to check these... t-thingsssssssss!" My mother hissed as I speared her womanly canal. Her walls clenched me something fierce, yet that didn't stop me from resting her ass on my pelvis. Placing a hand over her mouth, she bit her lip hard and buried her face into the tent.

Sweet seas, her cunt was tight. I started slowly thrusting my hips, but it was rather hard since she refused to let me go.

"What the fuck are... nnnnnngh... you doing?!" she growled lowly.

I didn't respond. Instead, I just fucked her harder and deeper, enjoying her smooth insides. Her ass on my pelvis, I ground my cock into her cunt. This would be a tale that no pirate would ever be able to get over me. Fucking my mother with a Hæňgaram bastard on the other side of the tent, I swore Vilinlith's essence was pouring out of me two, maybe three times as fast as usual.

"Fucking you. Burying my cock in you. Ravaging you. Take your pick," I replied as I grabbed a fistful of her hair and slapped our hips together.

"Oooooooooh shit! Oohhhhh goddammit! You-You're cock is so hard inside me!" She whispered.

"Is everything alright in there?" the soldier asked.

"Y-Yes, Sir! Everything is fine! I just stubbed my t-toe on something h-h-hard! S-So hard!" my mother replied as I pulled my hips out and then slammed them back in. Her body was a burning, quivering mess of pleasure, the risky nature of our act making her hole so much hotter. It sure didn't help when Nei and Lei joined in, feasting on her nipples while their hands vigorously rubbed her clit.

"I see. Just be sure you don't get hurt. Supplies are low and so is morale. Also, make sure you sleep light. Reports have stated that the soldiers are feeling... restless. It could be an enemy attack, but none of the scouts have reported activity. Keep your eyes open," he ordered.

"Y-Yes, sir! I'll keep my eyes open and my gun wrapped snugly under my pillow once I'm... nnnnngh... done! Ooooooooooooh gods! E-Eric, pleaseeeeee! Mmmmmmmmmngh, your cock is gonna ruin me!" she said, the latter half whispering to me.

"Very good. And what is that slapping sound? Are you well?" the soldier outside asked.

"Nnnnugh! Yes, sir! It's just a t-t-tight fit for one of these pieces. They just need to be f-forced in. A-All the way innnnnnnnnn! F-Fuck!" My mother groaned as her body ruptured, slathering my cock with a rich river of orgasmic juice. I pulled her back and kissed her. She touched my cheek while Nei and Lei continued to please the rest of her body.

"....right. Well, make sure you don't injure yourself. If I hear word of a fired round throughout the camp, your tent will be the first I inspect. May the walls of Hæňgaram guard your dreams, soldier!" the man said.

"A-And may the walls g-g-guard yours as well, Sir!" My mother replied in something of a daze, her hair messy and her eyes lazy. We heard the man walk away before I pulled my mother to me and pinned her on the bed.

"Are you fucking crazy?" she asked.

"Be that really a question that needs answering, Mother?" I asked as I shoved my cock into her cunt again. She arched back and her toes curled. Her fingers clenched in mine, I violently fucked her inside the Hæňgaram base with a passion that could turn the whole damn place into a brothel house.

Luckily for her, it only took a few thrusts before I fired a lot of cum deep into her. "Mmmmmmmmm, s-so hot! Now this is a gun I could toy with every day," she huffed as my orgasm settled. I slipped my cock out of her puss, watching the thick flood pour out.

Of course, that didn't last too long before Lei licked up my cum from my mother's pussy.

Though the sight was enough to get me hard again, I wasn't allowed to enjoy it anymore. "My turn! Mate mine this time!" Nei proclaimed, pouncing on me with great need. By the time I turned to her, I was already lodged deep within her hungry female cavern.

I closed my eyes, bliss filling me up. Unfortunately, I had to quickly rein Nei in when she nearly squealed from the pleasure. Her walls choked my cock in a passionate, and bumpy embrace. Each piece of her pussy almost seemed to release jolts of pleasing lightning through the veins of my cock.

I bent her down and kissed her ferociously. She threw her arms around me and slammed her pelvis down. "Mmmmmmm! M-Mate! M-Mooooore! Mate Nei more! Nnnnnnnnnnhgh! Mwah! Ha! Hnnngh!" She growled. It seemed she was trying to suck the rest of the cum from my balls that my mother didn't get.

"Very well then," I returned as I grabbed a fistful of her twin cheeks. I replaced her thrusts with my own, the wet smacking of male and female flesh pushing throughout the tent. Nei screamed into my lips, her body trembling. In response to her frantic state, her wings released themselves, gently flapping in the air.

"Mmmmm, not sure who's getting fucked here. I bet you enjoy watching it, don't you?" I heard my mother say as I cast a brief glance in her direction. She sat behind Lei, pushing the fairmaid's legs apart. One of her hands groped her breast while the other slide down Lei's stomach and fingered her cunt.

"Bet you wish that was you, don't you? Getting your cunt stuffed with my son's hard, thick cock. Close your eyes, imagine that's you. Imagine what my son's gonna do to you next. Fill your pussy with cum, shower it over your body, feeding it to you down your throat. Which do you want?" My mother asked, turning Lei into putty in her hands.

My mother and I locked gazes for a single moment. An alluring smirk adorned her face for she knew that her words affected me just as much as Lei. I slammed Nei's hips down and ground my cock deep within her, not letting her escape. Of course, she didn't try. Instead, she wiggled her hips as well, massaging my length.

All it took was one more slam of Nei's hips for me to unleash a thick coating of cum in her moist hole as well. She made sure that I couldn't get it anywhere else, even if I wanted to. When I relaxed, I saw Nei still looking at me.

"One more, Mate?" she questioned.

It seemed I'd neglected my fairmaid for too long. She'd become quite greedy.

I didn't respond. Instead, I lay her on her hands and knees. "Aye, fine. I'll stuff your cunt until you're fully satisfied!" I stated as I lodged myself back inside her.

"Yeeeeeeee-nnnnnngngh!" Nei nearly screamed before Lei kissed her. I pulled her hips back into mine while I fucked her again. My mother came over and kissed me as well.

I thrust and thrust like a fucking madman. Sweat poured down the side of my face while Nei buried her head in Lei's lap, her eyes delirious from the ecstasy between us. Her cunt squeezed me when she ruptured in a violent orgasm which led into my own. I fired another stream of cum into her, pulling out just enough to get her back as well.

Nei fell down, patting happily as her wings fluttered sporadically. I watched the cum ooze from between her lower lips "I think you broke her," my mother commented.

I grinned before I turned to Lei. She looked at me rather timidly. Her face was hot with arousal and desire. She pushed back and spread open her cunt just as my mother and Nei had done. Truth be told, I was a little exhausted given the role I'd have to play tomorrow, but the Essence of Vilinlith was too potent. My cock was already hard and my desires evident.

I towered over Lei. "You want this?" I asked.

Lei nodded her head eagerly. "Y-Yessss," she replied, her voice telling me just how desperate she was.

I spoke not another word. Instead, I let our hips do the talking. With her back on the ground, and feet in the air, I pistoned Lei as hard as I could. She tried to squeal but bit her lip instead. Had we been back on my ship, I would have allowed her to scream as much as she wished. Though, the erotic nature of our situation continued to fuel me. Beneath the watchful eye of Hæňgaramians, we fucked fiercely.

"NNNNNNNNNNNNGHGHGHGH~!" Lei whined. I cupped her cheek and made her look at me.

"Look at me when you cum. Under the light of the moon, let me know who embraces you so strongly, Lei," I ordered.

Lei did as I instructed. When her eyes stared at mine, our senses became one. Her mind and mine were flooded with each other's passions. She wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. She then bit my shoulder, huffing like a wild beast as she unloaded her flood over my flesh. That led me into my own as my hips locked. I speared her womb and my cum lodged into it. How I wished it might grant her my child, but it was not to be at this moment.

Lei released me and we fell down for only a moment. The lustful essence poured into me again and before my cock could even finish cumming, I was already hard. Lei squirmed beneath me and licked her lips. It didn't take us long to start again.

Perhaps Alteria should have been thankful she wasn't around. The night started to go on longer and longer as I switched between Nei, Lei, and my mother. The room stank of sex, but that didn't stop us from taking pleasure where we could. One orgasm seemed to lead into another as Nei fed Lei my cum while my mother took over for riding me. The lust exploded around us and poured into the campsite. I knew not if any bastard or bitch got lucky this night, but I figured they wouldn't mind the relaxation after the trying day they'd had.

I offered one last groan as my mother opened her mouth, receiving my seed over her face and tongue. Finally, I fell back and panted. My mother licked the side of her face. "You spoil a bitch like no other, Eric," she said.

I laughed but dared not argue. Instead, I pulled her head to me and kissed her fully once more. I'd never tire of doing it, nor of showing her just how much I truly loved her. Her tongue lingered in my mouth before we heard footsteps.

"Tent 49, lights out now or you'll be charged with insubordination. Check your guns in the morning!" the same soldier said as he walked off. My mother and I looked at each other, chuckling.

"I'm tempted to fuck you again just to piss him off," I said.

My mother laughed. "You won't see me complaining. Though I'd rather keep it forever a secret that a captain and his crew went at it like fucking rabbits right beneath their noses. Never done shit like that before. Though, do that again and the only one who's gonna get pounded is you when I punch you in the damn gut," my mother threatened. Unfortunately for her, that only turned me on more.

"Say that to the way you clenched my cock and came your fucking brains out," I returned. She slapped my shoulder before Nei and Lei returned to their original sizes and forms. My mother opened up the tent a little and pulled up the covers and lay with me until we fell asleep.

At some point, I heard Alteria return to our tent. We must have aired it out enough because she offered no complaint. I continued to drift off further into the night, thoroughly satisfied and relaxed. Absently, I felt my mother kiss my cheek before she nuzzled into my neck. Never had my salty heart known such a missed warmth as this. Not even Leah could compare.

Unsurprisingly, the camp too grew very quiet as the moon rested high in the sky. Though, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

"Eric Drakclaw, awaken. I believe it best if we leave now while others continue to rest. His Highness told me that the empire plans to move the camp back toward Ynro. I wish to not give Zevmar more time to enact his plan," Alteria said, making me grumble as she touched my shoulder.

I opened my eyes and saw her already dressed. How the lass had gotten such noisy armor on without making a sound was beyond me. I sighed, leaning up and scratching my head.

"You really make a bastard work, don't you?" I questioned, amused when she turned her head away from seeing the unclothed forms of my mother and I.

"I shall wait for you outside the tent. Do not tarry for the Crown Prince will surely lead us out," she said. I watched her go before I yawned one more.

"I liked it better when we had our own tent," my mother mumbled.

We swiftly dressed ourselves while Nei and Lei hopped into my pockets. I fed them some enchanted grass before we made our way out of the tent. As expected, Alteria was waiting for us and the ground was rather noisy with the call of snoring soldiers.

Once we made it to the front of the camp, we spotted the Crown Prince and a few others of his royal entourage waiting for us. All of them were decked out in their empire's colors. Naturally, Alteria bowed to him, but my mother and I offered him no such honor. I could tell it irritated him, yet he kept his mouth shut regarding the matter. A smart move for a Hæňgaramian rat.

"Indeed, the plan was to have the three of you go alone, but as a soldier and the heir to the throne of the empire, it makes me wretch to show my back to the enemy while a pirate covers my escape. It is a shame that bears too much weight upon my chest," he said, reaching into his horse's pouch and pulling out a map.

"Therefore, I shall be going with you. I am aware of the threat you described and I know that I'll have no chance against it. Once you've culled the numbers and distance the woman of fire from the battlefield, I will have a scout send for the Emperor. That will no doubt bring Zevmar running as well. Once he's appeared, I shall combat him with Alteria. This matter is not up for debate. Zevmar has taken advantage of his position for far too long and justice shall be dealt out. I too wish to see if this Zevmar is a mana construct or the liar who has led our homeland astray after all this time. If he's not, I already have a squad authorized to meet up with my sister in the Mountains of Kiv. Word has already been sent out to her in case of such a fate," he said, pointing to the forest that he and his men would be hiding behind while I engaged the Sairan army with open arms.

"Aye, fine. Though make sure you're properly prepared. There'll be a storm brewing today," I warned as I marched out of the camp. My mother followed behind me. It didn't take long for the Alteria and the rest of the Crown Prince's group to catch up with us.

"Have you suspected anything unusual?" I asked An'raie. I felt her spirit stir within the depths of my own.

"'I had not gone with thee to meet this second body of the manspawn thee battle against. However, if thee would deign the ostracized female knight to battle him, then mine own expertise would lead that he is quite formidable, at least when compared before mortal men and mages. His mana coils are impressively vast and fortified, there is also a light that surrounded his countenance that maketh me unable to get too close. His light magic would surely best my necromantic arts. 'Twould be wise to stay away from him. Though his light arts pale in comparison to the mystical arts of the Betrayer, it nonetheless hath the might to break our soul-bond pact and send me back to my imprisonment. Neither would be in our best interests," she warned.

I frowned as our walk turned into a run. Well, it was good that I wouldn't be the one facing the bastard at the end of all of this. Still, it wasn't some secret that light magic held power against dark magic. There was a reason many had employed the service of Hæňgaram for the Lightfeather House or the Balamar Estate. As two of the incredibly few houses that could wield light magic, they were a perfect answer against those who wield dark magic for wicked purposes. Still, he had to have some powerful light magic if even he could dispel the magic between us. Granted, An'raie and I could make the soulbond link stronger, but that would require cooperation that neither of us was likely willing to adhere to, perhaps her more than me in that regard.

My mother, Alteria, and I ran, sprinting so quickly that not even the Crown Prince and his entourage could keep up with us. Of course, Alteria had to have the bleeding heart and wait for them, but my mother and I weren't so cooperative. By the time Alteria arrived, my mother and I had been resting and gazing down at the plains before us for at least 15 minutes.

"You could have waited," Alteria said, clearly not even winded from the run.

"Aye, that we could have. When is the enemy set to arrive?" I asked.

I could practically feel the glare directed at me from Alteria. Her irritation exposed itself through her words. "By the word of His Highness' rangers, they are set to come upon us when the sun begins to descend from its zenith," she answered.

I hummed, absently hearing my mother reload her pistols. "And where be your great prince?" I then asked.

"His Highness has already split himself away from me with the rest of his men. These trees are the closest we can get to the battlefield without getting involved ourselves. He has already appointed a scout to run back to the camp with news. Are you sure you shouldn't take this time to prepare?" she asked.

I chuckled. "Believe that I already aim. I had been foolish not to properly prepare back on Delverhold. It will not be the same fate as last time," I answered, watching Nei and Lei flap their wings through the air. They stared out into the horizon, waiting with me and my mother.

As we sat there, the sun flew higher and higher into the sky until it reached its zenith. At that point, Alteria left me and prayed for our success. I wondered if Lumnina would dare hear her since she colluded with a pirate, but what could I tell of a lass like that? The Goddess and Liara never got along fairly well.

As time passed, I slowly started to gather more and more clouds into the sky.

"Try not to get yourself killed," my mother said. She then kissed me passionately. Her tongue wrestled with mine for a moment or two before she departed as well. I watched her go. Then, Nei, Lei, and I were all that was left.

Another hour or so passed by and my ears picked up on a roll of thunder on the ground. Nei and Lei took notice of it as well, the former licking her lips eagerly. I picked them up and placed them in my pockets.

The thundering got louder. Tens, hundreds, thousands, they all marched in perfect unison. A staggering wave of mana started to grow over the horizon from the great army that would soon be coming over that large hill.

Along with the thundering steps, I heard the sound of battle drums and war horns. I knew what this was for and I found myself silently applauding their hubris. The enemies of Hæňgaram had grown mighty confident after their string of victories. They blatantly announced their presence to instill fear in any hidden away Hæňgaram forces. Like a master thief, they boldly claimed what they were here to take, and though they gave their position away it wouldn't matter in the end. They knew they would win.

That said, their music wasn't very satisfying to the ears. Nei and Lei certainly didn't think so, hissing in the direction the noise was coming from.

"Sick... noise! Make... stop!" Nei pleaded in my head. I patted her head and stood up, patting my pants from the dirt. I then left the trees and entered the plains.

"I shalt agree with the creature. Why doth thee entertain such senseless theatrics?" An'raie asked.

"I be a pirate, lass. My life shall always be led by theatrics," I replied.

An'raie fell silent and one last blow of the war horn came until I saw the mighty allied forces against Hæňgaram fill the other side of the plains. Captains and Generals on their horses appeared first. Then came the shieldbearers. After them were the flagbearers, sporting at least five different nations' flags: Sairan, Ninshil, Lakkshik, Evir, and Karn. As expected, Sairan had the largest force of them all, the above-average levels of mana within their warriors were a dead giveaway.

The marching stopped. There was no doubt in my mind that they saw me. With no Hæňgaramians around, I dropped my disguise momentarily and felt the rain begin to fall upon my shoulders. The skies rumbled angrily with thunder and the winds began to pick up.

I was ready to begin, but I spotted one of the generals march his way down on his horse. Intrigued, I walked down with him until we entered the deep groove of the plains. He appeared before me, his stead shaking its head from the rain.

"You did not run, Hæňgaramian. For that, you may color me impressed. You stand here alone, prepared to be overrun by the full might of Grand Alliance. Why did you not run?" he asked, staring at me strongly.

I knew not what made him ask that question and I didn't much care either way. Instead, I held up my hand and clenched my fingers. I yanked my arm back and the General's body exploded, thousands of water and blood spikes piercing through his body in my direction. With his withering life, he looked at me in utter shock.

"Name any bastard who runs from a sure victory? Fret not, you won't be alone when you are ferried to the realm of the dead. I'll make sure your ship will have a full crew and fleet behind it," I said as his body dropped off his horse in split pieces. The animal screeched and ran off. I watched it go but a comment from An'raie made me slay the beast as well.

"The spirit of the beast is quite mighty. It shall be a good piece to serve my will," she said while I stepped on the general's body and started to plunder his belongings. While it wasn't as nice as Hæňgaramian steel, Sairan steel had its own benefits.

As soon as I reached for the sword, I blocked the blow of a bullet, the noise of a gun piercing through the air. I picked up the sword and sealed it away. I then blatantly picked the general of his armor before more guns fired. The gunners release their bullets into the air, but the wall of water I'd created blocked them all while I continued my business.

Once I was done, the Sairan general nothing but a piece of meat for the beasts of the field, I turned back to my grand audience. Standing before them all, I rose my left hand into the air like the claw of a beast.

Then came the screams.

The Grand Alliance of 50,000 men was suddenly down 10,000 soldiers. Giant spikes of water pierced through the multitude, pulling bodies high into the air. Torn apart, they fall to the ground on top of their former allies. Blood fell like rain upon those still living. I sensed the beating in their chests. Nei and Lei slap their fins in amusement before the war horn blew into the air.

Sairan soldiers scream into the air, grabbing their swords. With the ancient runes of the Sairan Empire, their blades glow with fierce flames, each ranging in a different color. They charged down upon me as the rain continued to fall.

Mages chant and fire spells at me. The clouds parted and a spear of lightning was ready to descend down upon me. Unfortunately, the spell never reached me. Instead, Nei and Lei feasted on it until it was gone. Their wings glowed with the spell's might until they opened their mouths and fired it back into the crowd.

Magic barriers flew around as the lightning tore through the ground. I inhale and charge into the coming masses. I descend upon 40,000 soldiers. Weaving my hands, the ground splits open. Tendrils of water fly into the air.

Before the soldiers could brace themselves, the tendrils slam into the ground, killing anyone unlucky enough to get out of the way. Five soldiers tried to cut me down, but one swipe from my hand and their bodies are torn to part, the water within obeying my every desire.

One shouted and crashed his blade against the wall of water to guard me. I run through the forces, surges of the sea below the Hæňgaram Empire aiding my assault. Bullets flew through the air, but they don't hit their target. Mages release more spells, but Nei and Lei satisfied their voracious appetite, eating every arcane casting and firing it back into the crowd.

The screams of the soldiers come around me. One of the generals from another kingdom slammed his hand on the ground, summoning a myriad of rock golems upon me. Mages reinforce their already impressive defensive capabilities.

Just one punch and the ground splits apart. I jump away from the strike but soon found myself peppered with bullets. Beneath my feet was a magic-sealing circle. The soldiers started to close in on me, but it didn't matter.

The winds grew even stronger and I took control of them, grabbing a hold of the water in the skies and forcing it down. To any observer, it'd seem like the skies themselves descended down onto the battlefield. I scar the plains with my attacks. Like leaves in the wind, soldiers are picked up and hurled this way and that. They tried to hold on, but one by one, multitudes are pulled into the air.

Water and blood stain the ground, yet I didn't cease. Neither did Nei and Lei. The fairmaids keep up with my pace, firing the spells of mages back at their targets. Like a dragon, Nei sprayed my enemies down with fire. Lei struck them down like she'd been blessed by the hand of Zeus. By their hand, the people fall one after the other.

A few mages tried to construct barriers for everyone. It made no difference. Horror struck their faces when spears of water punctured through the heads of their allies. They drop dead and they know not why.

"DIE!" someone shouted over my head. I barely give the poor bastard a glance while he was set to try and take my head from my shoulders. He closed in through my attacks and tightened his fist. Roaring like a beast rife with madness, he fired his iron gauntlet-coated fists at my face. For his efforts, his screams were the horn of despair for his allies.

My assailant backed away, clutching his bleeding arm. Between him and I lay a wall of water with jagged spears like the teeth of a shark. "W-What accursed devilry is this?" he questioned before he found my pistol right in his face.

"Be sure to ask your new masters that question when they judge your soul in the Ten Circles," I said as I pulled the trigger. His body fell, revealing the rest of the masses. Unsurprisingly, they stop their assault. Their captains and generals gathered them together while they stare at the thousands of corpses beneath my feet. Even the golems they'd summoned waited for further orders. Though they tried not to make it obvious, I sensed the large mana forming for a powerful spell in the distance. The soldiers adopted a defensive posture, no doubt feeling it might serve them better.

Nei and Lei hiss at them while I smirk. "Best you hurry up, Seraphina. There won't be much for you to avenge should I kill them all," I said as I close my eyes. Slowly, I clenched my hands.

The soldiers eyed me wearily. A few tried the occasional arrow or bullet, hoping one might land. I tuned out their attempts and sensed the water flowing beneath and around the lands of Hæňgaram. I grab a hold of them. A cruel smirk dawning my face, the land began to violently shake.

Confusion and fear, like diseases, ran through the faces of my enemies. The rumbling beneath our feet got stronger. Nei and Lei looked off the side of my pockets while I rotated my clenched hands up and down repeatedly.

Mighty men of war fall to the ground as the earth splits apart. I grit my teeth and twisted my body. By my might, the lands of Hæňgaram move. Unsteadied by the water I'd gathered beneath from around the lands, Horses grew unruly and threw down their riders.

I lifted both my hand. The giant, raging fury of the seas beneath the lands push up against Hæňgaram's very foundations.

People screamed and crashed into each other. They tried to steady themselves, but I don't allow them. With tumultuous winds and violent seaquakes, I shake the battlefield like nothing the bastards have ever seen in their lives. Their numbers were culled further as they fell on top of each other's swords and arrows. Explosives ran through their lines while I continued to shake up the very ground they stood on. The spell they were working on fell to pieces immediately, the mana flying away before my eyes.

Finally, I ceased my rumbling of the ground, over 36,000 soldiers kneeling before me with their faces in the dirt. Even from where I stood, I picked up on their discontent.

"W-What the fuck was that? What kind of magic was that?!"

"I know not any spell capable of such might. F-Fuck, how can one man do this?"

"I've heard stories of one man with might like this. Clearly, we cursed ourselves when we made use of his name. The name of the Destroyer of C'ula, Eric Drakclaw," another answered.

"What would a pirate be doing here?" someone else asked.

Aye, what would a pirate be doing in a war between Hæňgaram and other nations? I wondered what the lot of them might think if they found me to be employed by a knight of the empire.

One by one, they stand to their feet, shaking in their fucking armored boots. Rainwater slid off their bodies while they looked at me, anger and fear in their eyes. Despite my display, they started to advance on me, the captains barking orders to their men. While I'd never let them retreat, I wondered why they hadn't sounded such an order yet.

I was prepared to cull their numbers some more before the dark skies parted with the glory of the sun.

"ERIC DRAKCLAW!" a voice filled with great fury shouted through the storm. When I looked up, I immediately wove the water beneath my feet and blocked a blast of orange fire that threatened to burn me alive. Hot steam flooded my side of the plains before I jumped back, chuckling softly. It seemed that someone was none too pleased to see me.

A commandment of flames swirled through the air as I watched Seraphina crash down into the ground in front of me. The flames danced around her like a second skin while the soldiers behind her cried out in victory.

"Fancy seeing your beautiful face upon this rotten earth once again. Surely I couldn't have left you in such a foul mood as to warrant so much fury," I said jovially while she continued to glare at me, the flames responding to her anger. Her hair was bathed in their bright embrace and her eyes watched my every move.

"I am going to kill you. Then I'm going to burn every single vermin that dares call you Captain. From the inside out, I will burn them until nothing is left. I will burn away all that you are until no one will dare speak your name into existence ever again," Seraphina said while I snorted.

"Greater and lesser men than you have tried. Only one time has it succeeded and I warn you that there shall indeed be no second time. Not by you, and not by anyone else," I said as I raise my hand into the air.

A chorus of wails and screams moved through the army behind Seraphina. She didn't turn around to view the massacre. In fact, I dared say she didn't fucking care. She ignored their suffering, tuning it out as something inconsequential. She floated into the air as the water and blood of over 28,000 soldiers, mages, and warriors flowed down the plains.

I continued to stare at her as well while Nei and Lei sucked up the stray mana in the air. When the survivors looked upon me with unbridled fear, I wasn't put off. I'd grown used to such depressing gazes during my times at sea. Besides, I'd accomplished my objective. There was no need to leave so many numbers alive. The Crown Prince would no doubt have the rest of his father's force upon us soon.

For playing their part, the lot should be happy that I'd sent them off without too much pain. A few still alive charged at me with blind fury. Seraphina didn't stop them. Instead, she watched me dispose of them as well, Nei and Lei greedily feasting on their mana stores when the essence flew into the air.

"You witch! What stays your hand that you would let him slaughter us like this?!" one of the living generals shouted while Seraphina chuckled. Immediately, he screamed as his body was consumed by the flames of a furious dragon.

"I don't have the time to protect weaklings like you. If you don't wanna be killed, then stay your worthless lives out of my way," she answered. The soldiers behind her looked at her in utter shock, yet none of them was brave enough to respond.

"That includes you, Ena. I don't need your help. Take one more step and it's you who shall feel my wrath next," she said.

Off to the side, I spotted that same woman I'd briefly fought again back at Mapik. "Yes, My Lady," the woman replied, stepping back but keeping her hateful gaze upon me. I greeted her with a wink of my eye which infuriated her all the more.

I then turned back to Seraphina. The sheer heat from her flames was enough to burn away the water in the air around us. Heavy pockets of steam spread out over the battlefield. "You'd be doing me a mighty favor should you take out the other soldiers standing behind you," I joked before I saw Seraphina smirk.

"Do it yourself. I know you left them alive for a reason. Just as I know those Hæňgaramians are on their way to mount their pathetic offense. I'll be sure to turn them to cinders as well. Of course, that's after I've dealt with you. I imagine it'll be quite a breaker of the mind if anyone allied to you watches as I parade your ashened body through the fields! Rest assured that I shall make you rue the humiliation I've suffered under your hands!" she scowled as I watched her reach into her pockets carefully and with great trepidation.

The Lass of Fire pulled out a pair of gloves, taking special care to not touch the metal parts. She pinched the leather between her fingertips before she fitted them over her hands. She fastened them, ready for combat.

"It pains my pride to share great power with a pirate but I bet you also share the same weaknesses as well," she said, making the smirk on my face disappear. I eyed the gloves for only a moment while she sported a cruel smirk.

"Thee believeth this metal to be forged from this... moonstone that is capable of restricting thine authority over the realm of the sea. Mine understanding is that thee enjoyeth the touch of a woman. Best you to practice discipline at this time." An'raie said as thoughts of Delverhold and my first life moved through my head.

"Rest assured. Such a fate shall not easily befall me a second time!" I returned, silencing the Lonely Wail.

"I'll be thankful that a lass would prepare herself so much to receive me. Just be sure you've the grit to handle it," I replied.

The smirk on Seraphina's face dropped as the ground began to shake. Seraphina looked away from me in surprise as did the rest of her allies. Swiftly, the rain started to fall once again as the thundering earth grew more powerful. It got to such a point that she had to float in the air just to keep her sense of balance.

"B-By the gods! What is that?!" Someone questioned. Others fell on their asses in fearful silence. Seraphina turned her head and I wondered what went through her head when she saw the monstrous might of the oceans climbing so high into the sky none could see the top of the waves.

Lightning and thunder rolled through the sky as I willed the tsunami higher and higher. The waters carrying it crashed through the Hæňgaram plains. Dead bodies left in my wake were swept away as trees and forests in the distance were toppled like sticks in a flood. Along with it came the remains of enemy warships and even a few vessels of the empire. The mighty beast threatened to drown everyone present, crushing us all beneath its immense pressure.

"I see you still think me lacking," Seraphina said as she turned back to me. She held out her hand and I face the blazing inferno of a wall of fire between us and the wave I'd made. The oceans crashed into the flames, smoke and steam pushing through the air with Seraphina blocking the rest of the coming tide.

Her people cheered until I touched my hand on the ground. "Not so, dear lass. In fact, I find you to be quite adequate," I said as I jumped back. Immediately water blasted out from a spout in the ground. It crashed into Seraphina's body before she could even take notice.

"Lady Seraphina," Ena cried as the woman of fire crashed into the trees. Her wall of fire dispersed which allowed the rest of the sea to come. With so much water, the fire couldn't stand for too long. It came to me and I swirled my hands, wrapping the seas around my legs and pushing myself into the sky with it.

The forests of the Empire in the distance explode in flames as a blast of white dragon's breath. I summoned the seas to aid me, countering the strike with a blast of my own. Water and fire danced around each other as Seraphina flew toward me. She thrust her fists out, one after the other, bombarding me with bursts of flame.

"It seems the lass has learned this time," I thought.

It was rather hard to stop her advance this time as she kept burning away the moisture in the area that I'd need to halt her advances toward me. I pulled myself down while she lunged for my face with her gloves. Just the feeling that I should not let that metal touch me was enough to make me cautious. It'd be best to not toy with her too much.

Seraphina swiftly turned around, the flames surrounding her bursting through the air. It was so hot that I began to sweat in the midst of the storm. A coating of fire wrapped around her arm before she threw out her hand. The flames then took the shape of a giant beast's claw. I formed a spiraling spear of water and forced it to collide with her giant palm. The steam violently hissed before I was forced to dodge again, the palm breaking through my attack with relative ease.

"I told you, Eric Drakclaw, I will not be bested a second time by the likes of you!" Seraphina boasted.

I stood atop the flood that I'd brought. "Utter such words after you've forced me to my knees, Seraphina. Not before," I returned.

"I SHALL!" she roared as she opened her mouth and spewed the might of her element upon me. I wove my arms and the tides surfed me away. Seraphina quickly followed after me. I slapped my hands together and a waterfall of rain from the skies poured down upon her, crashing her into the flood I'd brought with me.

My hands were a flurry of movements. Tendrils wrapped around her body and I fly her through the air like the center of a raging whirlpool. Surprisingly, she used my assault in her favor. Igniting herself with fire, she lit the skies like a mighty phoenix. With a claw of fire, she burned my tendrils away and flew into the sky.

"You be in need of new tricks if this is all in your arsenal!" I taunt, moving my arms fervently. Piercing through the clouds, large blades of water descend down upon my adversary. Expertly, she dodged them all, releasing another blast of fire at me. Nei and Lei ducked into my clothes while I sank before the tides, the flames scorching the surface of the water. Hell even inside, the water started to boil and I struggled to breathe.

I watched Seraphina turn the entire landscape into a charred, barren wasteland. I continued to surf my way through the fire before I narrowed dodged a flaming fist from my pursuer. Her fist buried in the ground, she raised her other hand into the air.

Even though I'd fought with her before, I was rather surprised by the flaming dragon heads which pierced through the stormy sky, firing blasts of Helios' wrath upon me. I weaved my hands, stepping back from the pillars of fire that struck where I'd been standing. Seraphina controlled them brilliantly, making the blasts chase after me as they turned the Hæňgaram forest to cinders.

She cackled as the ground trembled beneath our feet. I swung my arm and a blade of water ripped through the ground, forcing her to fly away from my strike. I enjoyed the look of fury in her eyes when I nicked the locks of her hair.

The heads of her fire dragons continued toward me until I raised my hand and thrust out my palm. The ground split apart and a torrent of water soared into the air. Crashing against the flaming dragons, seeking to drown them beneath my might. A cloud of hot steam blew over the area before I swiftly sailed off. Seraphina quickly shot after me.

"Is running away all you're good for?! Face me, you spineless wretch!" my sister of fire roared, making me turn my head just in time to see her lips unleash an entire river's length of fire at me. While she did that, she thrust out her fists over and over, pelting me down with more of her wrath.

I laughed as I sailed away upon the water that I road. The explosions of the ground reminded me of my battles at sea. It reminded me of the wind in my hair, the smell of smoke, brim, and fire on my nose, and the thrill of my blood boiling.

"You ain't met too many pirates, have you, Lass? Ain't no man gonna fight a battle on fairground!" I hollered as I shifted the sea to the side, escaping a large fireball that flew into the distance and thundered the ground. I could even feel my boots shake through the water from the rumbling. Domes of fire caved in the ground, killing any living thing in their vicinities.

I rode the waves down the side of a cliff, feeling the heat of the flames behind me. To my luck, I came upon a large stream flowing through the valley. Taking a hold of the water, I fired it back at Seraphina in the form of thousands of water needles. She responded by summoning a wall of fire, blocking my attacks before I forced her to the ground with water from the dark clouds.

Swiftly, I threw my hands around, forcing the water to close in around her. She tried to fight back but tentacles wrapped around her arms and legs. I forced water into her lungs, hoping to make her pass out. Unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky in that regard.

The prison I'd crafted quickly started to heat up from the inside, bubbling like the surface of molten magma. I tried to keep her caged with more water, but she broke through my prison and blasted into the air. I slowly exhaled and my eyes followed her.

"Any more tricks?" she asked, her soaked hair already drying.

"Try and find out," I said as I sailed off once again. Naturally, Seraphina followed after me.

Through Hæňgaram's lands we traveled, scarring and destroying anything in our path. Seraphina fired a fireball at me so large it could have engulfed Mapik three times over. I gathered as much water as I could and bashed it into the ball of flames. Forming a claw with the powers of the sea, I shoved the ball past her and into the distance. As I breathed, the demons and devil in the Ten Circles would've been thrilled at the castle of fire that rose from there.

When Seraphina turned her head to see it, I took that chance. Weaving my hands and fingers, I grabbed her legs with my control of the valley's river. She screamed as I swirled her through the air. I grabbed my rapier and thrust it into the water. Instantly, it froze and her along with it. Swinging my arm, I forced her out of the way and back into the ground with a mighty crash that broke several trees.

Clearly the lass had gotten stronger cause not even that kept her down. In fact, I was rather surprised when she pierced through my shoulder with a lance of fire. Even with my enchanted body and fire-resist runes, she'd still managed to pierce through me with such a ferocious blast. The pain was something fierce as I grabbed my shoulder. I chuckled.

"Perhaps I should be glad I never met you in my past life. The young bastard I was probably wouldn't have ever held a candle to you," I said to myself before Seraphina burst out of the ground with a sword of fire. She swung it at me and I parried with my rapier.

Ice and fire clashed. One side burned the Empire's lands to cinders and the other froze it like the frozen mountains of Frosnimm. Nei and Lei poked their heads out and release lightning magic upon my adversary. She ducked away and retreated briefly.

"I look forward to selling those beasts as well, though not before I burn their tongues off since they wish to open their mouths so much," Seraphina taunted.

My fairmaids hissed back at her while I chuckled, mending my shoulder. "I'd rather you not. They're fairly skilled with those among other things," I replied, giving my sister of flames a wink.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I'd expect nothing left from a cur like you. Now, let's continue. I have more mess to clean up," she replied.

"You be much too tense, lass. You need to take a break. Relax a little," I said as I slowly reached into one of my pockets and grabbed a vial with a red flower in it.

"Your death will bring me sweet dreams. I can assure you of that!" Seraphina shouted as she crossed swords again. The air came alive with the brutal sounds of fire and ice. I moved my head to the side when Seraphina tried to grab me again with the gloves. I even had to swing my body away when she tried to blast a piece of fire at Nei and Lei.

She stayed close to me, never truly allowing me a moment's reprieve. That said, I didn't need it. When we clashed again, I stabbed her from behind with water spikes from the rain in the air. She snarled in pain, increasing the power of her flames all the more.

Grabbing my rapier with both hands, I shoved her off, a flurry of snow and wind hitting her face. She growled, rubbing her eyes while I fired myself into the air. Hovering over her, I lifted my hands into the air. The rain fell with greater intensity. I gathered it all to me. Like one giant tendril from the Taker of Voices, all the waters flow down and courses of lightning with it.

Seraphina finished rubbing her eyes and trembled at the giant spear of lightning I'd crafted with the rainwater acting as its handle. The air was rife with violent bursts of Zeus' fury. "You still got lots to learn, lass!" I said as I thrust my hands out, releasing the spear of water with the lightning flowing through it.

Seraphina scowled and roared, releasing a blast of fire straight into the spear I'd created. Water, fire, and lightning danced about in the skies with such ferocity that even I was forced to close my eyes. The force blew us both away. Of course, it wasn't tough for me to use the water beneath me to cushion my fall.

When I landed and found myself in the middle of nowhere. "Aye, alright. This should be far enough," I said while Nei licked her lips. Lei nodded happily. Thanks to An'raie, I could see the battle happening on the other side.

My mother clashed with the woman, Ena. The Emperor and the rest of the Hæňgaram forces had descended upon the battlefield, constantly pushing them back. Curiously, I saw neither hide nor hair of Alteria, Tainn, or Zevmar. The rest of the Balamar and Lightfeather families along with the rest of Hæňgaram's noble families descended upon the battlefield.

I watched my mother roll to the side, away from the burning flames of Ena's sword. She flung her whip, skinning the ground just between the woman's feet. How I wished I'd been over there in person to see my mother enjoy herself. The more they fought, the closer they get to the sea just as I'd planned with the Crown Prince. Of course, the enemy would be signaling to their ships about the problem and I had no doubts that the fleet would be ready to attack.

However, I had a plan for that as well. With Nei and Lei supplying me with their mana, I connected to Ellen way on the other side of the Empire's lands.

"Has everything been handled?" I questioned.

"Runes placed and the fuckers are ready to fire at anything that moves. Now, you're sure you don't wanna share in the spoils? You know me, I don't do hand-back deals," Ellen said, a note of odd mirth in her voice.

I laughed. "Aye, take it all if you wish. I ain't losing anything worthwhile. Just make sure your bullets don't hit any wayward Hæňgaramians. They don't need a higher body count," I returned.

Something good must have happened to Ellen because she quickly chuckled back to me. "They sure act like they do. Dumbasses make it hard to be a help to anyone. And what are you doing? You sound outta breath, and don't tell your balls deep in one of your sluts?" Ellen questioned.

I was about to answer before I saw a blast of fire come my way. I quickly ran off. "Aye, I be deep in her. Ain't never inside something so warm and hot. It's practically scalding," I answered as I cast a hasting spell on my face. I zipped through the forest as its lusciousness exploded in a firestorm of ash and smoke in seconds.

"Good luck with that," Ellen said before I ceased the spell.

Seraphina stopped her assault and what was once beautiful Hæňgaram lands were turned into a smokey, burnt, barren wasteland. I opened my vial with the red flower and tore off one of the petals. Throwing the petal into the air, I surrounded it with a bubble of water. Of course, Seraphina attacked it on the spot with a fistful of burning fury which boiled my bubble and the petal inside. The bubble exploded, releasing the spilled contents over our area while the wind pushed it further outward.

"There you are, Wretch!" Seraphina exclaimed, stomping down on burnt trees and charred grass. She closed in on me slowly, her armor of flames burning anything else around her. Nei and Lei growled back at her while I took a step back.

"Aye, here I be. Surely I am cursed to garner such affections from a beautiful lass such as yourself. However, surely you can see a better future for yourself than with a pirate," I returned, continuing to walk back to draw Seraphina in further.

My sister of fire scoffed. "As if I would grace you to share my bed. You seem to have run out of tricks! Once I dispel the clouds with the sun, you won't have any water to try and stand against me. I'll be ready to break you as I make you watch me burn your crew upon your own ship!" she threatened.

My lips curved upwards. "Aye, you really must learn to relax more," I said.

"S-Shut. UP! N-Now d... Nnnnnnnngh!" Seraphina groaned. She raised up a fist, no doubt ready to unleash more of her righteous flames upon me. However, before she could, she fell to the ground, grabbing one of the trees to steady herself.

"Mmmmmmmmmngh! Nnnnnnnngh! You... what did you do to me?!" Seraphina questioned as she touched her chest. She huffed in spurts, unable to catch her breath as my body felt rejuvenated by the sudden lust in the air. How unsurprising that all of it would come from Seraphina.

When I absorbed her lust, I felt what she felt. Her pussy quivered with mind-bending need. Her tits and body burned, aching to be touched and caressed. Though, if one went by her face, she sure didn't appear to be ready for such treatment. Her eyes were like death itself, glaring holes into me.

She tried to blast her attacks at me, but the growing lust made her so unfocused she could only release tiny huffs of fire that fizzled out in the rain.

Having disarmed her for the moment, I walked over to her, still cautious of her gloves. "Let's just say there won't be any smooth sailing for your trips should you share your bed with anyone else. That said, I'm sure you'll give a fucker the ride of his life if you so desire," I replied, pulling out the vial with the red flower.

"Powerful stuff this thing is. Breathe the scent of this and you'll be horny enough to fuck even a fat bastard off his rocker in a dirt tavern. However, you be in luck. I can help you not endure such a fate so long as you'll hear me out," I replied.

"B-Burn in H-Haganthaaaaaaaar!" she growled out with a moan as she tried to throw fire at me again. She didn't even get to form a fist before a wave of lust hit me, making her groan in blissful agony. She fell back into the burnt ashes, clenching her legs together while she gripped her chest.

A frown appeared on my face before I held out my hand and took hold of the lustful energies swirling around her. I extracted a hefty portion of it and watched her breathing settle. She opened one of her eyes, looking at me with a mixture of surprise and anger.

"Aye, see? Not so ha..."

A blast of fire immediately interrupted me, forcing me back while Xhalbrun lay on the ground. She continued to pant, the lust steadily growing within her again. Rather fed up, I threw all the lust I'd accumulated back at her.

"N-NNNNNNGH! Nhhaaaaaaaaagh!!" she suddenly cried as the flames of passion ignited within her. Her body arched back as a powerful orgasm ruptured through her body, her eyes rolling up into her head.

I took the lust away again. She fell to the ground, gasping for air. "Keep in mind I be perfectly capable of doing this over and over. Pretty soon you'll know how every man feels whose ever died by the hand of a Succubus in the night. Best you consider your circumstances now," I replied as she rolled over. Her eyes screamed death to me.

"I will... fucking... kill you, Eric Drakclaw! Mark... nnnnngh... my words!" Seraphina hissed while I continued to draw in the lust from her body.

"'Tis a long list that you be a part of then, Seraphina. Shall you open your ears and listen to me now?" I questioned.

She looked at me for a long time, her body starting to grow more and more restless from the effects of the red flower. "What... do you want?!" she asked, her mood none too pleasant.

I grinned triumphantly. I then held my hand up further and sucked away all the lust surrounding her body. Of course, she'd only generate more as she was still under the effects of the flower but at least she'd be able to withdraw and take care of it on her own. I would have helped, but I dared not push my luck, especially given those gloves of hers.

"You be a smart woman. Know that I'll only ask this once. What would it take you to withdraw your hand from this war? I do wish to speak with you further and I'd rather not see you dead," I answered.

"How gracious and merciful of you!" she spat. I didn't respond. We merely continued to look at each other before she snorted. "It would take more than you've got to make me withdraw. You think I enjoy playing a part in this farce? You, Hæňgaram, Zevmar, Sairan, can all rot until your ashes are blown away!"

I fell to my knees, looking at her at eye level. "You'd be surprised what I've got. Tell me and I shall see it done," I answered.

Seraphina laughed spitefully. She leaned up and ripped a part of her torso, revealing the upper part of her chest. There was a magic matrix, a rather complex one at that. "You'll see it done? Wow, a pirate has suddenly become a fifth-tier mage. Colored me shocked. Fine, then get this fucking magic curse off me! I already know you can't, no one can! I've looked all around..."

My sister of the flames ceased her tirade when I activated the Mark of Hoɖ and destroyed the source of the matrix embedded in her chest. Surprisingly, it was a bit harder than I'd anticipated. There were a lot of layers to this cursed seal placed upon her. Now I saw that it was no surprise she hadn't wielded much magic. Her mana had constantly been sucked away to further maintain the seal. I also noticed a lot of brutal controlling elements within it as well. I knew not what she'd endured, but it couldn't have been pleasant to have something like this. A matrix of this design could even control an adult wyvern or a giant Ogrlops.

I knew not how an ogre could lay with a cyclops to form such a beast, yet the mysteries of the world continued to baffle me.

Either way, Seraphina and I watched her cursed seal go up in pieces of mana until it completely disappeared. She then looked at me stunned. "You... how..." she stammered.

I released the Mark of Hoɖ from my eyes and exhaled. I wondered if I'd ever get used to the mana drain on that damn thing. Just how powerful was Liara to keep it active all the time? It wasn't like my mana pool was small either.

To my amusement, Seraphina continued to stammer on until she finally gave up. She settled on a harsh glare before she snarled. "Do not expect gratitude. I will never thank you for this! How did you even do it?" she asked.

"A man gets no thanks and you ask him to spill his innermost secrets? That ain't how it works, lass. Be that all? If yes, then meet me at this location in about two weeks. While I'd like to talk with you now, I've got other mess to clean up. Don't make me go look for you," I warned as I tossed her a rolled-up map. She grabbed it, her eyes never leaving my form as I swirled more of the air's water around me. The thunderstorm started to grow in strength and I sensed my mother still fighting valiantly to the south.

Before I could sail off, I felt a fierce wall of intense heat. I turned and saw Seraphina glowing in flames. She immediately threw the gloves off in disgust. She then burned them with her flames. "Do not think you rid of me yet. I have things on my own to take care of. I'll dismantle that damned man's plans one by one until I make him rue the day he crossed me! As for you and your Hæňgaramian pets, I'd advise you to stay out of my way! However, be you warned, this will not settle our score!" she warned as she blasted off back to the battlefield.

I watched her go before I turned back to the gloves she burned. Gathering some water, I doused the flames and stared at what remained. Small pieces of white stone lay on the ground. I formed more water and picked the stones up slowly. As they got closer to me, I grew more and more anxious. A bead of sweat fell down the side of my face. I'd not been one to show fear, yet I knew what these were even if my mouth refused to speak their name lest my thoughts become reality.

I put the rocks in a pill jar and stored them away in a scroll to be studied for another time. Nei and Lei looked at me curiously. "Mate... well?" Nei asked.

"Aye. Just remembering things I'd rather not think about," I replied, rolling my fingers through their hair. I then pushed myself into the air with a swirling tide of the storm and flew back to the battlefield.

I closed my eyes and linked my senses with An'raie's. She flew over the battlefield and I watched my mother continue to hold Ena at bay. The two were as sweaty as pigs in a furnace. Their bodies were caked in dust and dirt while the screams of fallen soldiers came around them. The ground was littered with dead Hæňgaram soldiers and enemy soldiers. Yet, they pushed on.

The battlefield was a cornucopia of bullets, magic spells, and clashing weapons. Arrows flew through the air while my mother expertly danced out of the way of Ena's flaming sword.

"Mother, do not kill the lass. Best to think I've come to an understanding of sorts with the woman of fire," I said, channeling a spell to merge my thoughts with my mother's.

"Trust me, I've tried already and it hasn't worked. Though if you could tell her to do the same for me, then I'd be real fucking appreciated, Eric!" My mother fired back. She was prepared to battle again, but I saw a look in Ena's eyes that made me urge my mother to cease her assault.

I heard her suck her teeth, but she listened. The woman, Ena, looked at my mother clearly confused. However, she backed away slowly from her reducing the power of her flaming sword. "Back away slowly," I ordered.

My mother did so. I could only assume Seraphina had warned her charge about what happened between her and I. Instead, Ena turned to a Sairan soldier. Her sword burned with her master's fury as she cut him down, armor and all.

"You! What are you do... ack!" Ena charged into the people who were once her allies. Sword overhead, she slew them like they'd never been allies in the first place. Despite her betrayal, the rest of the forces quickly got on her, attacking her with all their might.

As I got closer and closer to the battle, the more I felt the increase of mana. An'raie flew over the battle and I noticed that they were close enough to the ocean. How convenient that I saw a fleet of enemy ships just waiting for any Hæňgaramian to make it over the hill.

"Now that be quite the fleet. Shame they'll be decorating the seabed before the sun leaves the sky," I said.

An'raie didn't respond. Instead, she flew out to the side and touched the ground. "Makelik: Iluk!" she chanted as a large summoning area appeared over the ocean. My lips curved upwards when my ship crashed down in front of her. The roar of my crew thundered over the seas of the Empire.

"Give the bastards hell!" Ellen shouted as the seas came alive with the roar of cannon fire, spells, and sea-faring war.

"Eric, please tell me this shit I'm seeing is supposed to be happening!" My mother exclaimed in the depths of my mind. An'raie turned her head, granting me a vision of the battle in the distance. It seemed every enemy mage had come together to form a giant summing matrix over the area. As far as I could tell, this wasn't the spell to summon Sekria, yet whatever they were attempting to summon had to be giant.

Unfortunately, I was too far away to even attempt to try and break the spell. I had to give Seraphina one thing. On pure speed with our elements, the lass would forever be faster than me.

"It ain't. Best you be prepared, Mother. Those bastards clearly ain't gonna go down without a fight," I replied.

I was proven right when an enormous behemoth of a titan crashed into the ground. Its height was a far cry from that of Ỳmirindle's height, but it was easily capable of towering over other men. Behind it was an armor of trolls and orcs, 500-strong. They roared like vicious beasts as they began to descend upon the Hæňgaram forces.

When one approached my mother, she jumped out of the way. One strike from her whip sent the beast's soul into the void sands as others charged. One was ready to strike her down before an arrow pierced its throat. Paldadins of the empire got in front of my mother and raised their shields. Orc bashed their broadswords and blunted clubs against the finest defensive weapons in these lands.

"Hold and defend! They broke us once! We shall not let them do it a second time!" A Hæňgaram Knight-Captain hollered, boosting the morale of his soldiers with magic. They tried to remain steadfast, but the ground thundered as the titan pushed its way through the battlefield. Its blackened, yet spiky skin and deformed face shook the souls of all those present. One strike from its palm was enough to split the landscape.

I watched Ena charge the titan with her sword, but it hardly seemed to notice her strike or even the spells of those firing at it. Hell, even Lightfeather and Balamar soldiers with their light magic couldn't even faze it. How lucky for the lot that they weren't alone.

An'raie flew over to the beast and held up her hand. "'This beast shall make a fine addition to my forces," she said as she slapped her hands together. Her body glowed with dark green magic as black chains sprouted from the ground. They wrapped around the titan's arms and legs, bringing it to the ground with a harsh thud. The Lonely Wail then cast another spell over the feet of the mages who'd summoned the titan. Try as they might to counter, her runes were much more refined and her understanding even greater.

The poor bastards never even stood a chance. One by one, armored skeletons grabbed them and dragged them down, kicking and screaming, into a pool of black tar-like sludge. The flesh melted from their bones, releasing their control of the titan. Unfortunately, that only made it rampage harder. An'raie summoned more chains to hold it down while the empire peppered the damn thing with every spell known to mankind.

"Prithee to hurry, Eric Drakclaw. I am forced to expend more mana than I desire given that our souls are so far apart," she said which made me stop. I slowly inhaled and exhaled slowly.

"Aye. Right you be, An'raie. Seems I've forgotten the details of my own ship!" I said as I felt more mana leave me. Instantly, Nei, Lei, and I teleported to the teleportation array I'd set up in my room. I landed down, immediately feeling the sway of the sea while the battle at sea assaulted my ears. I charged out of my room.

"Hahahaahahahar! Leave 'em no quarter, Laddies! Pick the fuckers clean! The sharks'll not go hungry this night so long as the ship of Eric Drakclaw sails true!" one of my men hollered as they boarded one of the ships. I watched Ellen drop an empty clip, reload her pistols, and blast someone's head clean off.

Meanwhile, Nz'ia roared into the open air, his bronze body stained with the blood of his victims while his spear was embedded in one of the enemy ship's bow, five stabbed through it.

How I wished to join the lot, but I quickly ran through the deck of my ship until I jumped off the side. I landed in the sea and swirled into the air, all eyes swiftly on me.

"For Greater Fame And Glory!" My crew hollered, saluting their swords to me. Aye, for greater fame and glory indeed.

I wove my hands and turned the seas into a violent maelstrom of activity. I raise up my hands and the waters obey my command. I rose the enemy ships so high, the soldiers on the battlefield had no chance of not witnessing it. That said, on the other side, I saw a powerful tower of fire descend upon the battlefield over there, knowing that Seraphina had arrived as well.

Water and Fire danced on the corpses of Hæňgaram's enemies. I slammed the oceans down, crushing any enemy vessel that might stand against my ship. It mattered now how many spells they cast. I saw a few noteworthy ones swim through the sea, but Nei and Lei quickly took care of them. Changing their size, they slipped into the water, no qualms about drowning my enemies if I desired.

Nei especially had my ruthless streak. With the Essence of Vilinlith, she lured mage and soldier down into the sea with her. Even if some of them knew that charm magic was involved, they were powerless to resist her. She lured them further and further down until they came upon the gates of the afterlife itself.

As for Lei, she was less ruthless. One blow from her tail was enough to fell anyone. For those who fired magic at her, she fired it back with even greater force. Her magic was so powerful she broke through the barriers placed to guard against her assault.

I turned my head back to the battlefield. For the first time, I saw the emperor of Hæňgaram. His very presence distinguished him from everyone else. With one swing of his sword, he scarred the lands in front of him. One swing was enough to put down two squads of soldiers. Wind magic vibrated around his sword. Hell, not even that. He took the lightning from the storm I'd generated and added it to his own blade, mixing it with fire magic. As he swung, the roar of a dragon enveloped the field of battle. Generals and Commanders tried to restrain him but, for them, he might as well have been a damned god amongst men. Not even their armor could protect them when he cut them down.

When he raised his sword in the air, I saw the lightning obey his every command. Each bolt empowered his blade further. Enemy soldiers stepped back in fear of him in spite of his age. Then, his eyes looked at mine. I stared back at him. His gaze was fierce, fiercer than any man I'd ever known before. I saw why he'd been a legendary figure in D'orn. His body held the blessings of more spirits than even Zevmar.

We broke our gazes when the thundering crash of the titan came down. Its body was burned in the flames of hell itself by Seraphina. Orcs and trolls lay dead on the ground. The major force of the empire lay decimated by Seraphina, my crew, and the Emperor's forces. Of those enemy soldiers that had arrived on the battlefield to meet me, less than a thousand remained at the end.

A smirk on my face, I heard the blast of a horn through the plains. Archers and assassins tossed released smoke bombs while surviving mages cast dark spells to obscure sight.

They tried to run, to regroup, to fight another day, but neither I nor Seraphina would allow for such an outcome. She stared at them with a look of contempt. Holding her hand in the air, a blazing ball of fire illuminated the skies. People stared up in awe.

Meanwhile, I held up my own hand. I gathered the seas from below and the rain from above. Pulling the storm clouds into my palm, I held the fury of a tempest in my palms.

Together, we fired both at the retreating forces. How I wondered what they felt when her flames and my storm mixed together, turning the southeastern front of Hæňgaram into a violent tornado of flames that reach high enough to break through the skies and turn anything that lay in the east to desolation. The force of the explosion rocked the waves of my ship, forcing me to steady my crew lest they fall overboard.

Once we were sure the only thing that would feast on our enemies was the dirt of the ground, Seraphina and I dissolved the attack. The field, the plains, the seas, almost all was quiet except for the storm. Seraphina offered one long glare before she turned to the Hæňgaram forces.

"Before you dogs start fighting in other wars, make sure you know the enemy hidden within your gates. Everything that has come upon you has been done at the hands of Zevmar Lightfeather. He has amassed forces and promised great wealth to those who have a hand in burying your pathetic lives. Do with this information what you will. However, for your own sake, I warn you not to interfere with me and those under me or I shall finish what I started a few days ago," Seraphina said as she flew down and picked up Ena.

Then, they both vanished in a flash of fire which left only my crew and the Hæňgaram forces. Pretty soon, all forces turned to me. Off to the side, I saw Ellen and the others get ready for a battle, Nz'ia in particular walking over the corpses of the ship he was on.

The soldiers armed themselves as I made my way over to the group. The emperor's eyes, like those of an eagle, followed my every move until I settled to the ground. I couldn't help a sense of amusement when I saw the Hæňgaram soldiers tense up. Shieldbearers stepped in front of the emperor while knight-captains and spearmen flanked my sides. Even a few of the empire's mages were prepared to put me down like I was naught by a rabid dog. You'd like I'd somehow fucked the bastard's wife to warrant such a reaction.

I spotted my mother and beckoned her to me. Pushing herself through the crowd, all eyes came upon her. She came to my side silently. The emperor and I still never removed our gazes from each other until the old man finally waved his head for everyone to lower their weapons.

The soldiers looked at him, clearly confused by the order. Nevertheless, they obeyed his will and eased themselves from hastening toward their deaths.

"Lord Aldwyn!" a prestigious noble warrior exclaimed.

The emperor pushed through his men until he came to the front. His steps were loud, yet practiced and poised. Had I not my powers, or any other advantages, I'd have been hesitant to come to blows with a man like this. Amongst the dregs of the empire, this was the man who'd conquered all others, both by a blade of strength and shield of words.

The emperor and I soon stood only a few feet from each other, the storm growing wilder. I sensed my mother's unease, yet she stayed her hand.

"It seems I've indeed gotten quite old. There are pirates in my lands and traitors in my midst. Over the last few days, the name of Eric Drakclaw has corrupted the tongues of my people and spread fear throughout many. I shall only ask this once, pirate. What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice like fire and steel.

"Keeping your old carcass seated upon your throne, and making sure you've still got an empire to rule when the dust settles. Ain't no need for thanks. I can see it in your eyes just how much you appreciate the help," I returned, a smirk refusing to leave my face.

Aldwyn frowned while his soldiers seethed. "A word of thanks is wasted on a pirate. However, your presence and actions have made this matter more complicated than I'd thought. By word of Zevmar, I was led to believe you were under the employ of enemies. That you would turn against them leads me to three conclusions. Either you were never allied with them, you had a falling out, or..."

"Or..." I repeated.

"Or your heart is just that black that you would seek to kill everything and make a profit from the suffering when both forces have expended their might," he finished.

I hummed. "Aye, not a bad thought. Though I shall eliminate the last measure for you. Should I want to, even the best of your might wouldn't stop me so I've no real reason to weaken you," I replied. This was something of a half-truth as I still hated getting into battles with those of the Lightfeather House. Then there were those Balamar bastards. I fucking hated light magic.

It seemed that my response got the indignation of more than a few Hæňgaramians. However, I didn't have time to play to the whims of the emperor. "If you be so curious as to my intentions, then know this. One side of the battlefield is dead, and the other isn't. I don't usually keep a lot alive who point their swords, bows, and guns at me. Best you remember that," I warned while the emperor kept his eyes trained on me.

Neither of us made a move until the ground ruptured, not through any desire of mine or Seraphina's. My mother fell against me and I caught her as a cloud of dust came over us. Soldiers rushed to the emperor's side while I saw a tower of light crash down into the Hæňgaram lands in the far distance.

My mother and I were thrown off balance and the shockwave crashed through the sea, forcing me to keep my own damn ship from capsizing and throwing my men overboard. When the dust settled, all eyes honed in on that tower of light like it was a lighthouse's beacon in a dense fog.

My mother coughed, grabbing my arms. "Alright Eric, I think we know which bastard is the real one!" My mother exclaimed as I picked her up.

I didn't respond. Instead, I grabbed her, wrapped us in water, and flew us in that direction. We left the battlefield behind, breaking through trees and destroying roads. It mattered not to me what happened to the lands of Empire until we made it toward the tower of light, just in time to watch it fade away like it was never there in the first place.

When we floated over, we saw a massive hole in the ground. On the outer rim of the crater lay the unconscious form of Crown Prince Tainn. His armor was bloodied and one of his eyes had been punctured. His sword lay broken in a thousand pieces and he looked to be on the verge of death.

At the center of the crater, Alteria lay on top of her opponent's body, light magic pouring out of her body like an unrestrained dam, keeping anything and everything away that tried to get close. It was so bright I dared not stare at it for too long lest I go blind.

I took a step, but her magical might immediately buffeted my efforts and pushed me away. While I'd known Alteria was an exceptional warrior, I'd never seen such a healthy quantity of light magic from anyone but the Lightfeather house. I'd not known any Balamar to have such a frightening display of light magic such as this.

That said, it didn't seem like Alteria was in control of it. It just kept pouring out, draining her reserves until she'd certainly drain her reserves dry and die as a lifeless husk.

I ordered Alteria to cease her assault, proclaiming that her target had been defeated. Nevertheless, she didn't respond to my words. Instead, she just continued to stand there, her power making the ground and my boots tremble. My coat flapped in the violent winds created by her might.

"Do you plan to kill yourself, Lass?! Come back to your senses!" I shouted over the chorus of wind and breaking stone.

Still, Alteria didn't respond to me.

Sucking my teeth, I placed my hand on the shaking ground. "Mallqiu: Ibit!" I chanted. Magic runes quickly fill up the deepening hole. The light magic tried to push them back, but there'd be no way for it to properly content with this spell without effort. The runes attached themselves to the light magic and to Alteria's body. The runes started to absorb all the light magic around her.

With this, I could tell that Alteria wasn't fully aware of what she was doing. No wielder of magic would allow such a thing to happen so easily if they wished it not to.

Once her power was considerably lessened, I approached again and cast another spell, this time restricting her mana flow altogether. The light magic vanished without a trace and the crater grew quiet. Alteria hadn't acknowledged my intrusion. She just continued to lie on top of the person she'd killed.

I approached with caution, edging closer and closer. With the noise of her magic and its destruction gone, I finally heard Alteria's sporadic breaths. I also watched her body tremble like a poor man in a snowstorm. Her hands clutched the handle of her sword like it was the only thing keeping her from collapsing to the side.

The rain continued to fall, not doing much to mask the tears I knew were falling from her eyes. Wordlessly, I gazed upon her fallen enemy, expecting to see Zevmar's soulless eyes. However, I wondered if this was the wrong one since I doubted Alteia would bother shedding tears for such an enemy.

When I looked, I knew this wasn't the bastard who started this war. I didn't know who this was, but I knew he must have meant something to Alteria. Everything that I had seen from her over the past few days seemed to explode all at once now. There was no fire in her eyes. There was barely even the will to live, the same as my mother a few months ago.

As far as I was aware, the man was a warrior. I could tell by the look in his faded eyes. Not only had the bastard wielded the blade, but he was pretty damn good at it. That said, his body sure as hell didn't look like it. His face was clearly malnourished with thousands of old wounds laid upon it. Despite wearing Zevmar's armor, his body didn't fit the build. He looked like he hadn't eaten anything in months.

Despite the mud in his hair, there was no way of mistaking its snow-like color. There was also no mistaking his eyes. They looked just like Alteria's. His face was stubbled like a granite beach and his visage clearly bore no ill will to Alteria.

"I-It wasn't him. He... He wasn't here. He never was. A-All this time. I... I..." Alteria panted, water and blood pounding and cycling through her body. Her heart clenched as the man's blood spilled along the ground along with her tears.

I figured Alteria in her distress was speaking of Zevmar. If this man wasn't him, then clearly Aesteal and Maeloson would be dealing with the real one. It'd be a while before we got to their location. Even with Nei and Lei helping me, to cover such a distance would be nearly impossible.

Suddenly, I perked up. Aye, it would be impossible for a mortal man, but not a dead man.

My ears picked up on the sounds of coming soldiers. I knew the emperor and his group would be upon us soon. I also had a sneaking suspicion that the fucker wouldn't be quite so tolerant of a pirate and a proclaimed traitor in a hole just ripe for burial. Alteria sure as hell didn't look capable of offering any sort of defense for us. Hell, were she not breathing, I'd almost take her for one of An'raie's ghouls.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her up, she stumbled back against me. "It wasn't him. It wasn't him. I-I-It wasn't..." she sobbed, her warrior's soul practically eradicated from her body.

I didn't respond. Instead, I pulled her to me and picked her sword from the corpse. Laying it on her chest, I swirled us up and out of the hole. I then walked us over to my mother and the Crown Prince.

"How is he?" I questioned.

"Fucked up, but breathing. What the hell happened to her?" My mother questioned.

"Your guess be as good as mine. Either way, we're leaving. Grab the royal asshole and come here," I said.

My mother nodded and hoisted Tainn over her shoulder. "Fucker needs to lay off the roasted pig. Let me tell you," she said as she grabbed my shoulder.

I allowed my mana to circulate and teleported us back to my ship, leaving the crater, and the corpse in it, behind.

When we landed on my ship, I threw Alteria on my bed, watching her continue to mumble to herself. My mother laid the prince next to her as I placed a finger on Lady Knight's forehead, having had enough of the sorry sight.

"Sakni!" I chanted, putting her to sleep. Her eyes closed and her breathing stilled while I turned to my mother.

"Gather up some mages who can help me make sure the royal bastard doesn't keel over," I ordered.

"Aye aye, Captain!" My mother mock saluted as she marched out of my room while I quickly walked over to my drawer and pulled out a load of materials. I started mixing up the resources for a healing mix. Tainn coughed in the distance while I sat in my chair.

"An'raie, I have need of you. Send one of your beasts to Aesteal with a message that Zevmar ain't here. It's likely he's at their location," I uttered as I started grounding up leaves and pouring a blue liquid over them.

"...very well," An'raie answered before all grew silent.

My mother returned with about five mages. "Captain, when did you..."

"Later!" I exclaimed as I pointed them over to the Crown Prince who coughed up blood.

"You do know healing magic doesn't cure illnesses, right? We're not doctors" another stated as I stood up. I walked over to my bed and sat on the side.

"Nor do I need you lot to be. Just keep him from dying," I said as I opened his mouth and poured the liquid inside. The mages shrugged and began healing him to the best of their ability. His external wounds started to close and I laid a patch over his eyeless socket. At this point, I just needed the fucker and I could then send him back to his men where he could be looked at by all the doctors that he wished.

While my mages worked, my mother walked over to me. "What now?" she asked.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, suddenly very exhausted. "Well, it's clear the crown prince and Lady Knight ain't fit to continue. Whoever that guy is, he really made her lose her nerve. As for Zevmar, we'll wait for news from Aesteal and Maeloson. They won't be so easily bested by an opponent this time, especially not Maeloson. In fact, as I ponder the matter, it should have been obvious that Zevmar wasn't on the battlefield because Seraphina hadn't charged in the direction Alteria and the Crown Prince ran off in. In fact, the lass didn't even head to in Aesteal or Maeloson's direction," I said, glancing out the window and the destruction all around my ship and watching my men work to haul in their prizes.

"So... either the bastard's not here or where Aesteal and Maeloson are, or that Seraphina-girl hasn't got a fucking idea where he is. If she worked for him before, it's like he left her out," My mother said.

I cast my gaze back at her, a little surprised. My mother caught my eyes and frowned. "What?" she asked.

"I fucking love you so much," I stated which made my mother blush and the mages chuckle.

"Shut the fuck up, Eric!" she growled, pushing a piece of her hair out of the way.

I watched the mages continue to heal Tainn before I asked my mother to get Truon for me. She returned with him soon after. "Hope this is important. I was getting a good haul for myself. Brant's already making plans to get our armor and weaponry enhanced from the money we'll make off the plundering," the thief said before I threw a sack of gold coins in front of him.

"How fast are you?" I asked.

He grinned. "For this, as fast as you need me to be," he replied.

I leaned back in my chair. "The emperor and his lackeys are headed toward the northeast, the spot where that blast of light came down. Find the subordinates of the Crown Prince only and let them know that we have him aboard the ship. With any luck by nightfall, they'll come and drag him off to tend to him more than I already am," I said.

Truon grabbed the sack of gold and eagerly pocketed it. "Understood," he said. I then watched him vanish in a cloud of black smoke.

As it turned out, Truon needed to be praised for his speed. He returned an hour later from his venture and an hour after that there were three Hæňgaram warships around my ship. My crew grew tense, but I eased their concerns as the Empire's military came on board. The soldiers glared at us as one of the captains stood before me, Ellen and my mother at my side.

"His Highness?" he questioned, his eyes clearly surveying my crew for any possible hint of attack.

I thumbed over to my quarters and the captain ushered royal doctors and guards into the room. After a while, the crown prince was taken out of my room, a certain knight-captain not accompanying him. He was carried to the Hæňgaram ships and they sailed away without nary a word of thanks.

"I say we let 'em push up seawater next time!" a woman said with a scowl while the others laughed. The rest of the crew started regaling each other with the stories of their treasure hunts. In the meantime, I returned to my room with Ellen and my mother.

As I entered, I spotted Alteria on my bed, still sleeping.

I made my way over to my chair, ready to speak with Ellen and my mother some more about our further plans. However, before I could begin I sensed a presence behind me.

"Sir, I bring news."

I turned around, noting the attire of one of the Hilvirian women that I'd taken with me from before. "And what news would that be?" I asked.

"The Priests and Priestesses of Lumnina in Ynro have mysteriously started dying not just in Ynro, but all over Hæňgaram. Ordinarily, I wouldn't concern you with this, but there have been rumors that before they passed they spoke the words 'The Son of the Goddess shall receive his power and authority, to guide the world in the light once more.' Their chests have been pierced with daggers and their blood slithers along the ground, creating the image of the Lumnina's divine crest," she said, passing me a scroll.

I unfurled it and stare at a drawing she or another made of the scene. I frowned for a moment or two. With Liara's knowledge, I knew this wasn't a simple matter. This was part of a summoning circle. Though, it sure as hell wasn't one for Sekria.

I noticed Ellen come over to me and look at the drawing. She frowned, none too pleased with what she was seeing. "I've seen something like this before. One of those fuckers on the table mentioned it," Ellen said.

My mother shrugged. "So a bunch of Goddess worshippers decided to feed the worms of the dirt a free meal. What be the big concern?" she questioned.

The woman turned to my mother.

"On their blades was an insignia and name written in the Hæňgaramian language. Reports from the others have verified that both are the same on every blade that we've uncovered. On each blade are the insignia of the Lightfeather house and the name... of Zevmar Lightfeather."