Chapter 348: I'm going to the Empire
Strax was still lying in his king-size bed, his body wrapped around Ouroboros, who was resting calmly on his right arm, and Tiamat, who was also snuggled up on his left side. They were awake, but preferred to enjoy the serenity of the moment alone, the warmth of physical contact filling the void that the resurrection and recent events had left.
Tiamat broke the silence, the softness of her voice contrasting with the tension that still hung in the air. "I didn't imagine that our resurrection into the mortal world would be so quick." She looked up at Strax, searching for answers in his gaze.
Ouroboros, for his part, laughed lightly. "I thought it would take a few decades at least..." She turned to look at Strax, her fingers trailing over his skin, now free of the weight of the rivalry that had once existed between her and Tiamat. "But, as always, you made it happen faster than we imagined."
Strax smiled softly, his hand caressing both of hers at the same time, relaxing for a moment in the warmth of them both. "I've worked hard for this, it wouldn't be fair to keep them waiting."
There was silence for a few seconds, but soon Tiamat spoke again, with an expression of curiosity and slight concern. "So, what are we going to do now?"
He looked at her, and the tone in his voice became a little more serious. "I'm going to the Human Empire," he said, and paused, his eyes meeting Tiamat's. "I'm only taking the two of you." Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire
Ouroboros smiled, the sparkle in his eyes reflecting a sense of exclusivity. "Finally, just the three of us... I like that." She snuggled even closer to Strax, her lips lightly touching the skin of his neck.
Tiamat, however, frowned, a shadow of doubt appearing in his gaze. "Why not take the others too?" he asked, his voice carrying a seriousness that Strax recognized. "Wouldn't that be more strategic, no?"
He sighed, his expression turning thoughtful for a moment. "They won't be able to handle what's about to happen." His tone was firm, almost grave. "I thought about taking Scarlet, but... I don't want anyone to have the chance to mess with them while we're away. I'll leave Scarlet to look after the others." He looked at Tiamat and Ouroboros, and his gaze softened a little. "You're... different. It's not just physical strength, it's mental preparation too."
Ouroboros frowned, but said nothing, just waiting. Tiamat, however, continued to question, his concern evident. "What's going on, Strax? I feel there's something else going on behind this. Are you hiding something from us?"
Strax looked at her directly, his eyes reflecting the intensity of what he was about to say. "I sense that something is going on with Xenovia, something much deeper than I can comprehend at the moment." He stood up slightly, his posture tense. "And taking more people now, at this time, would only bring more problems. I need you two." He looked at them again, his eyes intense, as if he were sharing a weight that only the two of them could understand.
Tiamat looked at him with a serious expression, and Ouroboros leaned forward slightly, seeming to realize the meaning of what he was saying. "You're right," Ouroboros muttered. "What's happening to Xenovia is a key to something bigger. If you go after her, a war is inevitable, isn't it?"
Strax took a deep breath, his fingers pressing into his temples for a moment, as if processing the enormity of the situation. "I don't know what my father was thinking when he sent Xenovia to the kingdom as a bargaining chip. He thought he could buy time, but... it only delayed the inevitable." He closed his eyes for a moment, as if feeling the weight of responsibility. "I don't know how she is, but something tells me that the war can no longer be avoided. Only the right pieces are being moved."
Tiamat looked at him with understanding. "So, what are you going to do now?" She asked, her voice soft but with unwavering determination.
Strax opened his eyes and looked directly at her. "I'm going to the Empire, and when I get there, I'll be ready to face whatever is necessary. But... I need you by my side. No matter what happens, you're the key."
Ouroboros smiled a confident smile. "We'll be with you, Strax. No matter what comes next." She leaned towards him, placing her hand on his chest.
Tiamat nodded too, his gaze deep. "No matter what happens, we'll be ready. Together."
...
A few hours had passed since the conversation between Strax, Tiamat and Ouroboros. Scarlet's mansion was silent, but the air was tense, as if something big was about to happen. Strax felt the need to gather all his wives together, as if he needed to give them an explanation and, at the same time, make one last adjustment before leaving for the Human Empire.
He got out of bed, his body relaxed after intense moments with the two women by his side. He looked at them, still there, watching him with a mixture of affection and concern.
"I need to go now," Strax said, his eyes falling on Tiamat and Ouroboros. "We have something to sort out in the Empire." He already knew that the other women needed more time to evolve, but he also knew that this wouldn't be easy to digest.
"I'll round up all the others," he said as he stood up and headed for the main hall of the mansion. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the large doors, and he could feel the growing tension in the room.
The women were there, all gathered as usual, some talking quietly, others absorbed in their own thoughts. But as soon as Strax entered, all eyes turned to him. Scarlet was lying on one of the chairs, her gaze sharp and penetrating, Daniela had a mischievous smile on her face, Belatrix was watching everything with curious attention, while Cassandra seemed a little more nervous than usual. Cristine, Beatrice, Monica and Samira were all in the corner, their gazes alternating between Strax and each other.
"We need to talk," Strax commanded, his voice calm but full of authority. The atmosphere immediately became more tense, as if an imposing presence had settled into the room. The wives settled down, waiting to hear what he had to say.
Strax looked at each of them, carefully observing their reactions before finally speaking. "I'm going to the Human Empire, alone," he said, his voice firm but full of something that wasn't just decisiveness. There was something more there, as if he were about to drop a bomb.
The reactions began immediately. Cassandra was the first to speak up, with an arched eyebrow and a mischievous smile. "Are you going alone, Strax? Why not take us?" She asked, her playful tone hiding a slight concern.
Belatrix also spoke up, her expression worried. "We can help... I can fight." She looked ready to go, as if she were willing to go anywhere for Strax.
Daniela, standing next to Belatrix, looked at him with a mixed expression of confusion and frustration. "Why don't you take us? I can be useful!"
But Strax remained impassive. He had been waiting for these reactions, and now his mind was made up. "No, you won't," he said, the firmness of his voice making it clear that this was non-negotiable.
There was a moment of silence. The wives stared at him, some with anger, others with confusion. But Strax didn't hesitate.
"I'm only taking Tiamat and Ouroboros," he continued. "And you will stay here, under Scarlet's training. She'll train you with everything she's got. And that alone will be more than enough to prepare you."
Silence overtook the room, the surprise visible on everyone's face. Expressions ranged from disbelief to apprehension. But it was Scarlet's gaze that caught the most attention. She was completely serious, without the usual smile that always accompanied her presence. There was something else in her expression - a glow of pure expectation. She knew what it meant to be trained by her.
The tension in the room increased, and Strax was in no hurry to explain further. He let them digest his words, allowing the weight of his decisions to settle in. Finally, it was Monica who broke the silence with a trembling voice.
"Training with Scarlet... That doesn't sound good." She whispered, and the tremor in her voice was clear.
Samira, normally calm and controlled, looked nervous, her eyes fleeing to the floor. "I... I'm not strong enough," she said with a sigh.
Scarlet, who until then had been silent, rose from her chair, her imposing posture causing all the other women to instantly straighten up, as if they knew the true master was about to speak.
"He asked me to train you a while ago... but now it seems he's finally decided to start," she said, her voice low but full of power. "I won't be gentle at all."
Scarlet's words fell like a weight in the room. The wives exchanged nervous glances, but no one dared interrupt her. She was the authority figure, and everyone there knew it. The room became even quieter, and each of the women reflected on what was about to happen.
"Tiamat and Ouroboros," Strax said, finally turning to the two, "I'll go with them because we can get to the empire in no time. We're Dragons, so it'll be quick. I'll go and see what's happening with Xenovia and then come back for you."
Strax turned to the other women, his eyes piercing. "Don't make me regret trusting you," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of confidence and expectation. "Stay here, practicing, until I get back."
He approached Scarlet, touching her hand possessively. "You know what to do, Scarlet. Don't let me down."
Scarlet smiled, a dangerous smile that made all the women present shudder. "Leave it to me," she muttered, her tone cold and calculating. "They'll have no choice but to become stronger."