Chapter 5 Intermission

3rd pov

Dark Citadel, Same Night of Mika's Return.

The Dark Citadel, the Dark Elves' last bastion in the badlands. It's a sizable spiraling tower with a large hall on its roots. It was designed to look like a spiraling tree to camouflage itself with the forest that once surrounded it. Now, It's the only piece of structure capable enough to withstand the badlands' erratic nature. In abnormal weather or Mana poisoning, this towering structure would protect all its inhabitants. The magical protections erected upon its walls are still functioning after hundreds of years before Olga's arrival.

In one of its dining halls, two old friends are currently eating and discussing their current situation.

It's a huge dining hall, but it was dimly lit. A long table for a feast sits in the middle of the room where 3 people are eating on it.

The Dark Queen, Olga Discordia, sits at the head of the table.

Beside her is her loyal attendant, Chloe, a half-breed Dark elf.

Situated on the other side of Chloe and beside Olga's seat is an old blind lycan. An old friend of Olga

Currently, the 3 are eating and discussing the past events of the last 5 years.

" Can't I change your mind old friend? I can lend you Chloe if I must if it can help you with your problem." Olga begged her old friend.

"Hah, you shouldn't. Chloe, you're a good warrior But that monster that lurks in the badlands in the last 5 years is not to be trifled with." The old Lycan's voice is very rough and deep, a sign of how truly old he is. His blind eyes look at Chloe akin to a grandparent warning his pup.

" But lord Ruben-"

" No Buts, Chloe! " Chloe tried to protest but the old lycan, Ruben, was adamant about his decision.

"You are young, girl. Even if you're a dark elf, you cannot fight that thing! Whatever it was, it doesn't belong here in this land. It's an invader, a foreigner and it's decided to make the badlands as its hunting grounds." he warned her, in a serious tone of voice.

Chloe can only nod and listen to the old lycan. The old lycan is an old friend of her lady. When she was young, it was the old lycan that always visited to check on her health, much to Olga's indignity (" as if I could trust you to take care of a pup alone in this tower of yours."). He is also the one who taught Chloe how to fight. She respects and listens to him as much as she does to Olga.

"Did your investigations manage to find whatever it was? The monster that lurks in our land." Olga's voice, with a hint of anger, took their attention back to hers.

That monster was the source of Olga's anger for the last 4 years, which appeared 5 years ago. Its appearance was never recorded when or where it came from. No one actually saw it. It was not noticeable but suddenly monster tribes or nests would go silent. Investigations would be launched by the Lycans ( they are good trackers and instincts when it comes to hunting) to find out what happened. All they would find is the charred remains or sometimes butchered bodies. This perplexed the lycans. Their tribal camps and nests are situated in safe zones created by Olga for them to breed and prosper. How come they are attacked with no sign of the attacker? They ruled out the humans, they would die first in the badlands before they could find a monster nest. The high elves would be detected immediately by Olga if they entered the badlands, their magic would be a beacon for her. The only thing they could agree on was that it was done by a new predator, born from the badlands' harsh environment.

This occurrence is not uncommon in the badlands. Sometimes, creatures living inside of it mutate and turn into something much more horrifying. The last mutant creature recorded by the Lycans (they are the hunters/exterminators) is a giant monster-eating worm. It's so big it can swallow two orcs in one gulp. The ensuing feast after its death is massive due to its abundant meat. The Lycans could only salivate by eating such meat. The mutant's meat is saturated with Mana but not poisonous. It instead improves the quality of the meat. As they salivate at the thought of eating mutant meat, one of them wonders.

Why are the bodies not eaten?

The following silence after that statement is deafening.

For the next five years, monster tribes and nests will continue to disappear. Their remains are found by other monsters as a warning. They all knew. Whatever it was, it was not attacking for survival.

It was slaughtering them for sport.

Olga will then order a new policy. All monster tribes or nests should change positions every month to avoid the monster's attacks. She would create new safe zones and collapse the old ones. She would do this for her subjects every month. It worked, and the attacks stopped.

For a year.

Suddenly it resumed, this time with increased frequency. Monster tribes and nests went dark left and right. Olga's remedy no longer works. Olga's monster legion dwindled in numbers. The imps went extinct, their underground caves turned into lava pits. The minotaur coerced by Olga was slaughtered down to the last one. The trolls have turned tail and went into hiding in the forest of Esride. Their loyalty to their tribe comes first and their safety is being threatened by this monster. They would instead try their luck in the forest against the humans rather than fight whatever it was hunting them. It was noted that the trolls reported strange streaks of lights at night, flashing in the badlands as they looked from their treetops. The lycans are grateful but the clue instead gives them more questions.

What flying monster can fly and burn its victims?

Obviously, some answered a dragon but why was it not eating them? It's only hunting them for sport. The lights meanwhile are a head-scratcher. None of them ever saw these lights.

The attacks still continued as the Lycans investigated. It was not long until the once proud legion of 100,000 monsters became a measly 5000, now soon to be a 1000 as the lycan clans have decided to go back to their homeland to avoid the beast.

"*sighs* nothing. No hint of what it is. Olga, we are being slaughtered here. Once, I had a proud 20 Lycan clan following my leadership. Now, I only have 4 of them left. I have to decide for my clan's safety. Come with us with Chloe, you'll be safe in the highlands. No human would hunt you two there." The old Ruben begged Olga, worried for his old friend's safety.

Olga can only sigh at his offer.

Olga helped Ruben in unifying the lycan clans of the highlands when she was recruiting monsters to her army. It earned her his loyalty and his clans. The Lycans are loyal and simplistic creatures. These made them quite good companions, some kingdoms even coexisted with them. Their only downside is their beastial urges but it can be circumvented by training or of old age. Ruben was the former. Lycans who manage to quell their beastial side are Alpha candidates and are important to the clan. Ruben would ask for Olga's help when she heard of her recruiting monsters. She would have to help him unify the disorganized lycan clans of the highlands in exchange she would have the clan's loyalty. She delivered.

The Lycans would become Olga's subject and would join her war against the humans. Most lycans actually relished and enjoyed the war. Their beastial urges are quelled by the violence of the war. Their numbers went up as they took women for breeding.

" You know I can't leave Ruben," Olga sighed.

" You're still trying to free the dark elves from enslavement when they are the ones who left your protection" he argued.

" I made a promise to dissolve the Dark Elf slavery. You know this already. I can't give up now, not after all I have done." she clenched her hand in anger.

Chloe looked at her Queen in concern, remembering her days as a slave.

The old lycan can only stare at nothing.

After a few moments, he finally spoke.

" Looks like I can do nothing to change your mind about your war. Tomorrow, all lycan clans will journey back to the highlands to recover in strength. I will take my leave now for the journey." He stood up from his seat and bowed to Olga.

"Thank you for leading us, all these years," he said to her.

He then looked at Chloe's, opening his arms. Chloe immediately stood up from her seat to hug him. Tears streamed from her eyes as this was the last time she would see him. The old lycan is already at the end of his lifespan. Death would claim him before they could see each other again.

" Look at you, you have grown into a fine woman. Take care of your Queen and yourself for me. After this war visit me in the highlands, will you? I will be waiting." he held her tight, trying to remember how she looked right through his touch and nose. Suddenly another weight joined their hug.

" I will miss you old friend" Olga whispered, She can't trust her voice to quiver if she talks. Their embrace wouldn't last for long but they will relish in it, one final time.

*timeskip*

Olga watched on top of her tower as the moving figure of her old friend ran through the badlands under the moonlight. Sorrow filled her chest as she knew this would be the last time they would meet.

" Goodbye old friend." her voice echoed in the wind.

When Ruben's figure went past the horizon, she would finally come inside alone. Chloe had long fallen asleep from the emotional goodbye they shared. She would then go to her study where she can plan and relax at the same time. Her study room is a large room akin to a library. Towering shelves filled with magical tomes lined up the walls. In the center is a huge detailed magical map she had created to monitor her monster subject. A huge amount of moving dots is currently running through the map towards the East. She could immediately tell that this was the lycan clans preparing for their journey.

Once it was filled with numerous dots signifying all of Olga's legion. Now all that remains is a measly thousand taking refuge under her tower. The orcs, one of her creations, took residence under the tower's protection away from the dangerous monster lurking in the badlands. They are the last of her forces left.

"How mighty I've fallen" she grimaced, holding her head. Looking at the map fills her with pain. Her proud legion is no more.

"If you could just see me right now Celestine" she sighed.

For the rest of the night, Olga would plan and ponder how she could continue her war against Celestine with such measly forces. Not knowing that the future would give her the opportunity to end this war.

*Timeskip*

Feoh

Same Night.

The kingdom's first line of defense against the tide of monsters against the Dark Queen. It became a kingdom of knights and mercenaries, seeking glory in combat. This is also one of the most devout kingdoms to Celestine. As the first defenders against the monsters, the kingdom became regular patrons for her. Asking for blessings and thankful prayers for living another day.

The kingdom is also ripe with riches as many merchants sold their wares in the kingdom. From armaments of war to precious items, there are many things you can find in this kingdom.

But not everything is well. The kingdom is filled with corruption. The nobles inside the richer side of the kingdom hide deep dark secrets of deceit and malicious intent. The current bishop of the kingdom is a power-hungry fool assigned by the Pope to take power behind Arcturus' back. He is not alone with this endeavor, together with Prime Minister Beasley, a politically savvy old man, both of them would help each other out. Giving favors to one another. Beasley would give the church power by convincing the nobles to follow the church's demands. In turn, the church will be sure to repay and help its clients.

The Arcturus, currently Alicia Arcturus, leader of the kingdom, has no absolute idea of this takeover of her kingdom. Both the Bishop and Beasley manage to trick her as their partnership is for the Goddess. Instead, she allowed the two to lead on her behalf as she focused on the defense of Feoh. A stupid decision.

For years, the two would steal money and land from the people. Poverty would run rampant as two had their way with the kingdom.

On the outer side of the kingdom. Huge slums filled with beggars and starving people filled the road as a Church carriage drove through it toward the Arcturus Fortress. A huge contingency of knights is escorting the Carriage, these are the Dawn Templars, Eostia's strongest knight order in the Seven Shield alliance. An order of female knights serving under Celestine in which they receive powerful blessings akin to the Seven Shield Princesses. The people tried to beg for food from the Templars but they were discouraged by them. Somehow, a little girl of 10, manages to go near the carriage. She knocked on the door to ask for food. Forcing the carriage to stop in order not to run the girl down. The people immediately clamored to the carriage but the knights quickly formed a formation to protect the carriage.

"Can I have some food?" the girl asked politely.

"You are not supposed to be there girl," a templar exclaimed as she jumped down her horse to take the child away.

Suddenly the door of the carriage opened. The girl gazed with eyes wide open as the Goddess Celestine stepped out of it. The high elf is a beautiful example of her race. Long golden hair flowed behind her back almost reaching the ground, fair-skinned with a body made of sin. Her modesty is covered by a simple white bra and a loin cloth.

"Your grace, you shouldn't come out." A knight followed her outside the carriage. This is Claudia Levantine. The strongest knight of the Dawn templars. A close friend and Celestine's protector.

"I'm sorry Claudia, I can't help it. I have to help them, you know this already." Celestine's melodious voice answered her knight. Cladia can only sigh at her friend's kindness.

Celestine approached the girl. She noted her rackety dress made of old cloth tied together.

" Are hungry my child?" She asked to which the girl nodded timidly.

"Everyone takes all the food we have and gives all of it to them." She ordered her knights as she took the girl's hand and pulled her towards the carriage.

"But your grace-"

"Don't worry about the food Claudia, I'm sure Alicia will give us some supplies. But first, make sure this girl gets to eat. All of them." Her order is absolute.

The crowd roared at her kindness.

The goddess is truly kind

Thank you, Celestine

Her grace is merciful

Long live the goddess Celestine

That night the people of the slums of Feoh feasted on the Goddess's gifts.

*timeskip*

Arcturus Fortress, later evening

"Feeding those people took a lot of our time, your grace." Claudia's stern voice scolded the now sleepy goddess.

"I'm *yawn* sowwy." She said in a sleepy voice. Tonight's activity tired her the most as she healed some of the beggars. Instead of just feeding the people, she also started to heal some of them with visible injuries. This caused the people to almost mob her for help much to Claudia's charging. It took until the evening before the last man was healed before their journey resumed.

"Celestine, make yourself presentable. We are now entering the fortress." She looked out the window as their carriage entered the massive gates of the fort. She pinched her nose as Celestine fell asleep in her seat when she looked back at her. Her dress is disheveled, and one of her ample breasts is hanging out. It took some time to wake her up and fix her dress to be presentable in front of the Arcturus princess. She managed to do this before they stopped in front of the fortress entrance where Alicia was waiting for them. Years of experience in handling Celestine have helped her speed up the process.

Alicia greets them in her knight garb as they step out of their carriage.

"I welcome you to my humble abode, your grace. It is nice to see you, teacher." She greeted them both with a low bow in respect.

"It's also nice to see you, Alicia. You have grown into a fine woman now." Alicia blushed at her teacher's compliment.

Alicia was Claudia's squire and student when she was young at the time when her parents were still alive. She returned to Feoh at the news of her parents' death. It was Claudia's teachings that led her to rise in the ranks of the Holy Iris Order, Feoh's prized Knight Order, becoming its leader at the young age of 18.

"Ah, thank you for accepting us on short notice Alicia." Celestine apologized as her presence in Feoh was an abrupt decision made by her and Claudia.

"It's my duty to serve you, your grace. Feel free to use my kingdom as if it were yours." She bowed in respect. Alicia is a devout believer in Celestine. She had an earnest desire to serve her goddess at all costs.

Celestine can only giggle at her eagerness.

"We can talk about our purpose here tomorrow when the others have arrived. Can you show us our quarters dear Alicia?" A hint of sleepiness slips out of her perfect facade.

"Certainly, your grace." If Alicia had seen the goddess almost fall asleep while standing, no one can prove it. She then led the two to the rooms prepared for their arrival.

Claudia signaled her knights to finally rest and find their quarters for the night as she followed the two. The trio would arrive at a luxurious room with a king-size bed, which Celestine immediately collapsed into. Claudia can only sigh at Celestine's carelessness in her image. Alicia meanwhile can only look in confusion between the two, she had no idea how tiring their journey was.

"I'll take it from here Alicia. Thank you again for your hospitality." She told her as she went to a nearby closet to grab some sleepwear.

"It wasn't a problem for me to welcome both of you to my home, dear teacher. But…" she trailed off.

"But what, Alicia?" Claudia asked her as she started to shed armor. She had no problem getting naked in front of Alicia as she was once her squire and one of her duties was to help her teacher dress in armor. Alicia is already used to seeing her teacher naked. It's just like the old times when they were once master and student.

"Why did you summon all the seven shield princesses here in Feoh and you had me contact the Black Dogs (kuroinu) mercenary? What do you need in King of Mercenaries?" She spat at the last one. The black dog's company has been causing trouble in the kingdom for a couple of days. They have been here since she contacted them. Beasley is currently having a hard time running damage control in the ruckus they had made for the past couple of days.

"Damn mercenaries," Claudia muttered as she massaged her forehead. She can already feel the upcoming headache when she sees the report of their behavior. She promised to help in managing the mercenaries tomorrow as recompense to her poor student.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused in my decision Alicia. I promise, tomorrow I will take charge of handling them."

"Wait, your decision? Not her grace?" She asked confused at Claudia's statement.

"It was my decision to gather the seven shields here and Vults mercenaries." She confessed.

"But why?" She can't help but ask.

Claudia is a woman who does everything with a purpose. Claudia's orders to gather the seven shields and the mercenaries confused her but she still followed it and made preparations for their arrival. Vult's mercenaries arrived first with Vult's right hand, Hicks, a disgusting example of a man. Meeting him was an unpleasant experience with how he shamelessly ogled her knights and herself. Turns out Vult is still at Rad doing his business.

"I'm not supposed to reveal this until we have all gathered but with how poorly I treated your hospitality, I can tell you a few things." Claudia sighed. Her decisions have given her poor princess a hard time.

"I have been receiving vital information from the Karrok outpost. For the past 5 years, they have been sending a scout to the badlands to take vital pieces of information in it. They have been sending us maps and notes about the nature of the badlands. Celestine and I have been going through all of it for the past five years. After a few discussions and planning we have decided on a course of action. We are going to send a campaign to the badlands to attack the Dark Citadel."

Alicia gasped at the huge revelation.

"That's why I gathered all the shields here in Feoh, to fine-tune this campaign. This will be the first campaign with the highest possibility of success, Alicia. Once we are all gathered, I will reveal all the reports and maps I have to discuss our plan of attack"

"Wait, what is the black dogs' role in this?" She asked with a frown.

"They will be the first force we will send to the badlands."

"You would give those dogs the glory of killing the Dark Queen!" She exclaimed. Killing the Dark Queen is a long-time dream of Alicia. The thought of the black dogs stealing the glory in killing the Dark Queen Olga fills her with rage.

"Those savages don't deserve such honor."

"Alicia!" Claudia's stern voice doused her rising anger. She bowed her head in shame. A very quiet apology was given for her unknightly conduct.

Claudia can only sigh as she finishes slipping into the sleepwear, a simple white gown covering her whole figure. She approached her sleeping friend and started to strip her of her clothes. Her friend likes to sleep in the nude.

"Ahm, I'm sorry for my conduct, teacher." Alicia apologized. Claudia felt a pang in her chest as she looked at the apologetic stance of her student. Alicia looked like a child who did something wrong. Standing straight with her hands joined together in her lap, her eyes can't even look at her straight. Alicia is the daughter she can never have.

She tucked in Celestine's naked figure and walked back to her student still standing in the middle of the room. She cupped Alicia's face with her hands and started to comfort her. Her voice is akin to a mother softly talking to her daughter.

"Alicia, you should understand. This is the first campaign in years that has the possibility of ending this war. But do remember, the Badlands is a cruel place. All previous campaigns caused thousands of deaths with no result. Even with vital information, we can't tell if we will succeed. It's the reason why the black dogs are here. They would be the preliminary force to go inside following the information we got. If they return in failure, their reports would be vital in confirming what information we got. Do you understand dear Alicia?"

Alicia merely nodded. Still ashamed of her anger.

"If by some miracle they managed to kill the Dark Queen, then that was it. We are finally free from her threat. So don't be mad, sweet child, be thankful that the monster is finally dead." She finished.

"I'm not a child anymore, teacher."She whined.

"You'll always be a child to me, Alicia."

"And my only daughter." She added in her head.

"Now go on and get some sleep. It's too late already. I will take Beasley's job in handling the mercenaries tomorrow. Shoo, go on." She pushed the smaller woman outside the door.

"Goodnight, teacher."

"Goodnight, Alicia."

Alicia would then walk back to her room to sleep. Today has been tiring for her. Meanwhile, Claudia lay beside Celestine to finally sleep. Her fatigue finally caught up to her and she immediately succumbed to sleep.

Unknown to Claudia, Celestine is currently having a dream vision, a dream that allows the dreamer to see past, present, and future. This is one of Celestine's unwanted abilities, unwanted due to how uncontrollable it is. She had no control over what she would see in her dreams. Sometimes, it shows past events of her life, other times it would be the past of her shields (which is a major breach of privacy) allowing her to understand them. But this time, her dream visions have focused on one thing for the past 2 years. The dream showed her about a certain young boy wearing sophisticated knight armor. The boy would then join and fight in a war.

A great war among the stars.

CHAPTER END