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PoV :
1. Virgil (The Leader of the Argent Dawn)
Recap: Elinor decided to raise Voukey first, her Songweaver Mythic-Grade Flock General that can project the Nexus in a set area for a limited amount of time for Elinor to communicate across vast distances and receive reports. We’re getting things going!
Now, we’re going to pick up with the Argent Dawn—Elinor’s new religious-based system that grants her living followers powers. How is it going with our crew … OH MY, he-he-he, I see some people are getting some. >.> *whistles*
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The scent of sweet fruit lifted into Virgil’s nose as his mind stirred; hot skin pressed into his chest with the gentle streams of cooled air that slid across his sternum.
Cracking open an eye, he saw a mess of peanut butter locks covering Gloria’s face as she pressed against him. Her soft breasts put pressure against his body while she slept, releasing deep, even breaths.
Adjusting his partially numb right arm, Virgil smiled, wrapping it around her back to feel her smooth skin; the action caused her to moan, snuggling in closer and tightening her hips, and hooking her thigh around his knee. He could practically feel himself melting into her warm embrace.
Leaning in, he kissed her forehead before lying back and puffing out a sigh; his chest shook a bit, feeling the bit of drool leaking out of her mouth.
Aww, you’re adorable…
Keeping his grip around Gloria’s shoulders to help stabilize her, he let her entangle him after moving a bit; clearly, she didn’t want to let him go, and after a moment, her muscles loosened again, giving him a relieved groan while snuggling closer to his core.
Virgil’s mind drifted with his gaze in the dimly lit space, far from prying eyes in a room located at the palace’s distant East Wing. It had been four days since the Empress had bound the Argent Dawn with her powers, which triggered a gradual transformation that had been mildly painful.
The constant, flaming pull of his muscles before tightening, ripping, and fracturing bones wasn’t as bad as it sounded, but was uncomfortable enough to make a few of them break down into tears—Gloria had been strong, though, but Virgil’s first episode brought him to his knees.
Now, he felt more sore than anything else—but that could have been a product of the fevered movements Gloria and he made only several hours before.
He reached down to gently grip behind her right thigh and knee, pulling her further across his large muscular frame as she sleepily listened to his heartbeat. Getting her into a more comfortable position atop him, he smiled, resituating his thin, feathered pillow to get a better look at her sleeping face—if he had a phone, he’d totally be recording right now, but instead, he just had to commit it to memory.
Pulling the rest of the sheet across her naked back, he tried not to let the blood leave his brain without success; he never thought he’d be in this position with one of his best friends since eleven years old, but that changed a week ago when they’d both hit a new low, finding comfort in one another’s arms.
Now, things were evolving at a rapid rate, and it might have had something to do with their changing figures; it wasn’t only their physical appearance that was being reformed, as well, but their personalities were solidifying into something more stable, influenced by the Empress’s unlimited drive and Sari’aél’s encouraging radiance that was being instilled inside their souls.
He’d always been somewhat brave growing up—by his early thirties, he’d gotten between several fights to break things up in their wild little jungle town before they got out of hand—even being stabbed once, if only a shallow flesh wound. There had always been a spur in him to be a hero, but adult life didn’t give you infinite opportunities, and the few options he had to leave that town for the bigger cities he let slide by.
Now, though, he promised himself to never let that happen again; the Empress’s unstoppable drive was like a drug, filling his heart with the strength to press forward, and he never once regretted the pain he’d suffered while changing over the last few days. In fact, it served as a marker.
Virgil had grown several inches, reaching 6’4”, a whopping 193 centimeters tall; his muscles expanded and figure tightened to such a degree that he hardly recognized himself—the Empress was merciful.
His black hair thickened and lengthened to the point he could tie it back into a ponytail, including the ability to double braid his beard, which Gloria absolutely delighted in fidgeting with and fashioning the style.
He’d obtained the ideal heroic body he’d always wanted, and the price was so simple, worshiping a literal goddess—what else could she be after everything he’d witnessed, even if only a newly rising deity?
Vision returning to Gloria, he couldn’t help but marvel at her own transformation, growing to 5’8” from her previous 4’11”. Her round face had lengthened, dark brown hair lightening with her eyes; the woman’s full lips were like butter against his, and her figure gained shape in every place she desired—she was the picture of fitness and health.
The Empress was good, and not everyone wished to be some fantasy supermodel, such as Triana; the woman was even taller than him now at 6’7”, hosting barbarian-like muscles and a brash attitude to match.
Closing his eyes, Virgil breathed a long sigh, thinking back at his life; he’d abandoned his old name, it didn’t matter anymore—this was who he wanted to be.
The Ri’bot’s raid had been an utter nightmare for most of his neighbors, but Virgil saw it as a chance to end his dull and lifeless existence in his backwater jungle town. Sure, it had been bad for the first few days, yet he’d stepped into the video games he escaped his personal hell with; toad people kidnapped him, and now he was in a fantasy world.
It was clear as day; the only way to go was forward. Thinking about everything he’d lost was pointless, but the one thing that frustrated him was his lack of power.
These toads had supernatural agility and strength that humans could never match; it was all too apparent when they first appeared. They had subdued him in a matter of seconds before he even knew what was happening, and it had been so aggravating—until he’d learned about a small group of kids that gained powers.
During their time being marched through the jungle, he’d heard the whispered hope of people, talking about some teens that might be able to save them with these miraculous powers. Of course, when the opportunity arrived and their captors panicked, rival toads on all sides, what did the kids do—exactly what any normal teens would in a war-like zone—they panicked and ran.
Sadly, two of the five were killed by the Komath Clan and snatched up during the confusion; he wished he could have saved them, and his efforts only earned him a fatal wound that Tiffany was able to heal in time.
Looking back, he saw how desperate they were to think a bunch of frightened teens that randomly gained powers would instantly face almost certain death to rescue them. The naysayers and bitter men and women mentioned all of their families had been killed during the initial attack.
He found himself wondering what happened to those poor kids; surely the Empress knew about them, but it was a fool’s hope to believe they’d survive for long on their own.
Luckily, not long after Tiffany came to the Xaltan Clan and brought them under her heel and they were transported to this colossal city fortress. Rumors then cycled, people fear-mongering and trying to find companionship with one another; it was a stressful first couple of days, but those that had been previously rescued by the Empress had offered them comfort.
Finally, when the rumors of Tiffany’s proposal reached him through the various groups, he’d jumped on it in a heartbeat.
Virgil was more than convinced Elinor was a rising goddess the moment she literally returned the dead back to life, and not only in the prime of their youth but with abilities to further protect her budding Empire, as well.
He was determined enough to die if it meant he’d be able to be the person Virgil knew he was meant to become—the life of a gardener or craftsman wasn’t for him; he was born to be a champion, and being the goddess Elinor was, she’d been able to grant that to him.
Of course, it hadn’t been all sunshine and rainbows; the last few days had been hell on everyone’s bodies as they went through their respective metamorphosis, yet everyone involved was more than willing to deal with it given the progress they saw in themselves.
Cracking open an eye, he heard the rattling clatter of bone against the granite floor; ever since High Lady Tiffany performed the ritual to bind him to the Empress four days ago, he’d only been able to sleep twice, and this second time was out of pure exhaustion.
He smiled, looking up at the ceiling while listening to the distant taps that echoed through the halls; they still had some time before the Undead reached them; the Royal Court made a point out of communicating through Unintelligent minions.
Gloria groaned, her soft fingers and clipped nails pressing into his right pec before stretching out her neck and using his hard abs to lift herself up. “Mmh … Why did your heartbeat increase…”
“Morning, beautiful,” Virgil gave her a crooked smile while supporting his head with both hands.
She snorted, brushing back her messy peanut butter brown hair and focusing on the bulging sheet to her right. “Right … So, that’s how it is, huh?”
Virgil raised a hand in a dismissive gesture, brown eyes sliding down her tan skin while raising an eyebrow. “I mean, can you blame me when I wake up to a vision like this—I’m a man, after all, and you look even more beautiful now than you did last night.”
Gloria rolled her eyes, but there was an unmistakable smile in her eyes. “Mhm … How long have I been out?”
Pursing his lips, he arched his back a little, feeling the burn and pops his body made as the sheet fell off his torso. “Three … ugh, hours or so,” he mumbled, settling in again.
Her gaze slid from between his legs to his face with a light giggle before draping herself across his chest, giving him a low moan. “Gah … I’m exhausted! How are you feeling because—yeah, you’ve gained more muscle since I passed out,” she mused, sliding her fingertips down his thighs with a devilish grin.
“Well,” he popped his tongue, shifting his gaze to her tempting eyes, “heh, I don’t think that’s going to calm me down!”
“No?” she teased, drawing her hand back across his skin as she slowly moved up again. “What should I do … Aren’t you going to guide me through this procedure?”
Virgil hissed, rubbing his forehead. “I would … Gah, I totally would, but … we might want to get dressed because someone’s coming to talk to us.”
Gloria’s caramel eyebrows pulled together, focus shifting to the door. “Damn … and when I had you all excited,” she groaned, flipping over to her back and pulling the sheet over her exposed chest and torso. “So, how long do we have … Is it the Empress? Wait … I think I heard it … Tapping?”
He slid his fingers through her hair, causing a longing groan to pass through her throat. “You’re guess is as good as mine, love … You’ve seen how active all the Undead are. Oh, and just your daily reminder, I can summon a lance now, so…” he trailed with a crooked smile that he knew would infuriate her.
“Ass…” Gloria grunted, shifting away to slam her heel into his side.
“Oof … C’mon,” he snickered, rubbing the sore spot. “You’ll get your own powers; Tiffany said it would be different for each of us.”
She shifted positions to hide her exposed breasts, motioning for him to toss her the garments next to him. “Yeah … I’m just worried what it might be … I don’t know; what if I turn into some stripper or something?”
Virgil laughed, ignoring her motions and reaching over to brush back the sheet and pinch her butt.
“Hey!” she barked, slapping his chest with the back of her hand, but there was a blush and smile on her full lips. “I thought someone was coming? C’mon!”
“They are,” he yawned, snatching her undergarments two feet to his left before tossing them at her. “The halls echo pretty far away, but no one’s between us, so I think we’re their target; we still got a minute at their pace.”
“Your stupid enhanced hearing,” Gloria grumbled, shaking her head and slipping her arms through her bra. “Do me up…”
Sitting up, he complied, noticing her eyes between his legs again; naturally, Gwen and Lucky made it very clear to them that intercourse needed to be restricted due to the lack of birth control, but that didn’t mean they were barred from all forms of stress relief and left it up to their imaginations.
Neither of them was a virgin; that didn’t mean they had extensive experience in the field, and he found comfort in her body and she in his throughout their transformation.
The garments Violet had crafted were as resilient as steel and as flexible as cloth; Tiffany figured they might gain armor, weapons, or magical abilities through their growth—everything was up in the air.
Throwing on what they could, Gloria and Virgil just finished putting on their pants when a skeletal Ri’bot walked through the door with its hands behind its back and green flames licking off its bones. Judging by the posture, Virgil could guess who was controlling this Undead.
“High Lord Edmon,” he bowed his head, Gloria doing the same beside him, struggling to find the loop in her belt. “We apologize for being so far away from the rest of the group.”
Edmon’s smooth, deep voice held a bit of amusement. “No matter. The stress you’ve gone through over the last few days must have been … exhausting,” he chuckled. “I can understand why you’d need time alone.”
Gloria’s cheeks darkened, but the Court Member continued on without pressing the topic. “In any case, the Empress has issued the Argent Dawn’s first mission.”
Virgil and Gloria’s eyes darted to one another before returning to the flaming skeleton.
“So soon?” Gloria asked.
The man’s voice turned serious. “Is that a problem?”
Gloria swiftly lifted her hands in protest. “No! Heh, I’m just—just a little shocked.”
The saliva in Virgil’s throat dried up; this was what he’d been waiting for. “We’re ready at any time, High Lord Edmon!”
“Good,” he said, head shifting between them. “Gloria, go rally the others and inform them to prepare themselves; you will gather in the Palace Grand Hall—all twelve of you. It will be a long journey, so pack accordingly.”
Gloria slammed her fist over her chest in acknowledgment. “Right! Umm … even those Ri’bot children?”
“That would include the number twelve; gather everything in the Entry Hall,” Edmon stated in a slightly sharp voice.
“Right! Right…” Gloria mumbled, darting back to grab her boots and hastily exiting the room at a hop, tugging on the items.
“Oh, and Gloria…”
She stopped at the door, half bent over, doing the hobble-hop, Gloria looking back with her hair brushing the floor. “Y-Yes?”
“You’ll have time to freshen up. Make the preparations and then make ready to present yourselves.”
“Thank you, High Lord Edmon!” Gloria stammered, running down the hall.
Virgil felt a little bad for her, but the woman was like that when nervous.
Flaming skull returning to him, Edmon chuckled. “She seems like a diligent woman.”
“Yeah, she does everything at full force,” Virgil laughed.
“Right…” Edmon gestured to the remaining pair of boots. “Go ahead.”
Moving to the makeshift bed he’d made for Gloria and him, he sat down and laced up the items. Edmon didn’t comment until he was finished, making his way to the door; Virgil followed without prompt. “How has the martial-combat training been proceeding?”
He forced a breath through his teeth. “Ectria doesn’t go easy on us … She says we’re making progress.”
“Understandable.” Edmon shifted the toad’s burning eye sockets to him. “None of you have any formal combat training, and as a Xaria, Ectria will make an excellent tutor; after all, you’re starting at the same level as Utilia, Koma, and Gomal, which should help you run through the basics.”
Virgil’s lips tightened just thinking about the exercises the Ri’bot woman put them through. “No one but me can understand them so far, but I’m sure it shouldn’t be long until the others can tap into the Empress’s translation gifts—I believe the Ri’bot are starting to understand a bit.”
Edmon nodded. “It is faith-based, which shows how dedicated you are, Virgil, and proves what Tiffany saw in you. How has Elluinara been faring in combat training?”
His thoughts returned to the blue-scaled Nalvean; he hadn’t been able to speak to her for an extended period of time since her addition two days ago, but she seemed very proper. “Eh … Ectria and her go at it—it’s incredible how she uses her red water like a whip. I think Ectria said she’s a natural, but Elluinara hasn’t been able to land a hit on her.”
“Expected,” Edmon stated, watching Gloria disappear down another hallway to grab their team. “Your opinions on Ina’ko?”
“The … Yaltha’ma?” Virgil asked, testing the name on his tongue. “She’s interesting, but I don’t see her as much of a fighter—more spy work, really.”
Edmon didn’t respond for a moment, likely in a few other unheard conversations. “Mmh … A spy would be a good addition to your group; have her scout things out and listen in on various groups in the shadows. Hidden ears can uncover a lot of needed information.”
“I’ll see to it.”
When the Gatekeeper didn’t immediately respond, Virgil let his eyes wander, unable to stop himself from studying the enormous Quen’Talrat halls.
This fortress was a fantasy wonderland, illuminated by brilliant crystals that provided a perfectly even light throughout its lengths. It was like being in the house of literal giants; they were toddlers compared to the colossal creatures.
One of the most exciting things they’d been taught was the Quen’Talrat technology; certain gestures on the huge gem-like stones the size of a human indicated specific commands.
A more recent addition was made by the new apes the Empress raised, which created access terminals for smaller creatures to use. Even the smallest thing this alien technology could do boggled his mind—not to mention the ability to produce endless supplies of water from gems.
His focus returned to Edmon as they neared the furthest showering district, meant for overflow. “This is an important mission, Virgil; you will be the spark to change opinions about our Empire … The Empress specifically selected the Argent Dawn for this task—you will travel to a Nalvean City-State with your order.”
Virgil’s throat went dry, and his stomach swirled with elation at the opportunity; he hadn’t dreamed of such a chance coming up so soon since all of them weren’t even on the Ri’bot children’s combat level, and now they’d be going to a whole new culture.
“Are we entering a battlefield there?” he asked, tightening his belt and focusing on the skeleton.
“He-he-he. No.”
“Oh … I see,” he whispered, lips pulling in. “I understand; we have a long way to go to be capable soldiers to even scratch the caliber of the Empress’s other units. ”
Edmon released a low hum that drew Virgil’s gaze.
“The Argent Dawn is worth more than just a fighting force, Virgil. You are, in a way, a representation of Sari’aél’s influence on Elinor and this Empire.”
His bony hands tightened at his back. “Your mission is to provide support to a Nalvean City-State; you will be receiving tasks directly from the Stateswoman or her management team. Since you are the first to tap into the Empress’s translation gifts, you will be directing your fellows, which puts you in a prime position to be the face of humanity for the Empire in that region.”
It didn’t sound like a horrible mission, and the implications were swiftly branching out in his mind. Folding his arms, Virgil nodded, stumbling a little and having to catch himself—he was still getting used to his changed body and weight, which oddly felt far less heavy than before his transformation.
“I see … So, we’re showing that the Empire can be useful, and we’re invested in building this relationship with them … How long will we be staying in this City-State?”
He’d already seen three different Nalvean salamander women. Elluinara primarily spent all of her time among the Ri’bot, which limited their interactions; he was excited to learn more about her.
The skeletal Ri’bot turned its flaming emerald eye sockets to him. “Currently … at least a month or two, and that can change at any time, given the circumstances we are in.”
Yes! We’re going to finally be able to be the Argent Dawn! We’ll be helping out and gaining experience … We can also train!
As if reading his mind, Edmon continued. “During your stay at the City-State, you will be continuing to learn basic combat skills. Ectria will find Castellia more than a match for her to improve herself when she is available.”
A low growl rumbled the air. “Also, be warned, there are dangers that you’ll need to be aware of … We have enemies everywhere; when you arrive, go straight to Castellia be informed, but keep your wits sharp, and have Ina’ko practice her stealth traits in discovering potential plots … A lot can happen in a month.”
Virgil chuckled, looking around them as more Undead came into view, lining the halls. “Three weeks, and look where the Empress has brought us … She truly is divine.”
“That, she is,” Edmon returned, his tone becoming pleasant.
Entering through a wide-open door, they moved around a 7-foot-tall barrier that had been constructed to separate both sides of the colossal public showering room; the Quen’Talrat seemed to have no restraint toward males and females bathing together, which the Ri’bot shared—though not the humans or Nalveans.
The area was entirely composed of some unique form of granite that had some kind of material plastered on the ground to give grip. Like most of the fortress, it was black, yet tiny gold or blue speckles were mixed in that were a little mesmerizing to look at.
Shimmering blue crystals covered the ceiling that released streams of powerful jets of water; at first, they had to stand in the spray to wash, but some of the Quen’Talrat the Empress had raised managed to dial it down and provide remote access to control the magical contraption.
Grabbing one of the makeshift towels on the male’s side, he began to strip. “I suspect we’ll be getting dried food to hold us over, or will we need to hunt—are we even allowed to on Nalvean lands?”
“Good questions,” Edmon hummed. “We have more than enough funds to hold you over, and the Empress will be giving you at least six months’ worth of Nalvean currency to sustain yourself. Yet you should be frugal; Elluinara will teach you the common prices and how to not get scammed. As to your journey, Antonietta is gathering enough dried fruit and meat to hold you over.”
Depositing his items in a cubby hole, Virgil noticed not a single space was filled, showing they were empty in the early hours of the morning. Bowing as Edmon finished, Virgil could feel his heart blaze. “I cannot express my gratitude to the Empress.”
Edmon moved to the doorway leading to the showering area. “Indeed. Mirelitel City-State is on the far northwestern corner of the Nalvean Empire. It is roughly a ten-mile hike downhill to the river where you’ll take a Ri’bot vessel until you reach a great lake called Menifil. Once across, you will disembark and walk through Imiraka City-State to reach Mirelitel—Elluinara will be your guide.”
Committing the information to memory, he walked around the corner to fiddle with the strange crystal device the size of his body that acted as a control mechanism; they required sweeping gestures since it was built for creatures over four to five times human use.
An intense downpour of warm liquid fell from the gems, and he stepped into it while taking the small tray with the few showering tools they’d been able to fashion. “Do you know the exact distance for the entire trip? Ten to the river, and how long from there?”
Edmon hummed, and he watched Virgil wash off his sweat and dirt that was mixed with Gloria’s from the night before. “Ten to the river, ninety-two to Menifil, sixty-two to seventy, depending on your route, through Imiraka, and to reach their capital city, fifteen—roughly one hundred and eighty-two miles, one way.”
“So, we’re going to be traveling for a while.”
“At least a week, given the terrain and the need for rest.”
“I’ll gather the appropriate supplies,” he replied, using one of the strange sponge-like objects they’d found to help scrub off his dead skin.
Edmon stayed perfectly still outside of the downpour. “I will return in a moment.”
Virgil lifted an eyebrow. It must be hard bouncing between different people all the time.
Returning to his daily routine, Virgil blew his nose to rid it of snot and finishing up the shower. He turned off the massive rainfall and dried off halfway through when Edmon finished whatever took his attention.
The man’s voice grew more solemn, shifting to face him. “The mission is as follows:
“You are to report to Castella, the ranking soldier that will be close to you. She will inform you of your secondary mission, but overall, you are there primarily to gather combat experience in daily training with their soldiers, build our relationship with them, and provide whatever is needed to Stateswoman Lukuroha … within reason. Understand?”
Virgil repeated the instructions back to him while putting on his clothes.
Edmon stared at him as he finished. “Hmm … good. Now, we’ll get your funds, food, and then there will be a send-off for you.”
A smile brightened Virgil’s lips, thinking about the events he’d seen in-game cutscenes and movies. “Oh?”
“Nothing big,” he stated, motioning him to follow. “We have large trading plans for the Nalvean Empire, and gaining a stable foothold with Mirelitel will be the first stepping stone on your journey through their lands, promoting the Empire.”
Purpose now in his breast, Virgil couldn’t have been happier as he followed Edmon to the treasury to get six colorful bags of tiny gems, saddle Burgh, his horse, and return to the Great Hall to meet with the others and finalize their preparations.
Maps:
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