Archer sat on the balcony and looked into the sky. The celestial dance above seemed to mirror the rhythm of his own thoughts, a symphony of quiet contemplation.
As time passed, the weight of his eyelids grew heavier. The soothing symphony of the night lulled him into a sense of calm.
His gaze never left the stars, but his mind began to wander, weaving dreams in the tapestry of the night sky.
Unbeknownst to Archer, his tiredness finally caught up with him. His eyelids fluttered closed, and his breathing grew steady and rhythmic.
The balcony became a haven of peaceful slumber, as Archer drifted off into a world of dreams.
Morning arrived with a chorus of birdsong. The first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of gold and pink.
As the sun's warmth gradually enveloped the world, Archer stirred from his sleep. He blinked his eyes open, momentarily disoriented by the change in surroundings.
The soft twittering of birds greeted his ears, their melodies interweaving with the gentle rustle of leaves in the morning breeze.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Archer yawned and stretched, feeling the stiffness in his muscles dissipate.
He took a deep breath, savoring the crisp, invigorating air. The events of the previous night and the peacefulness of his balcony retreat flooded back into his consciousness.
Archer entered the treehouse and found Hemera seated at the table, engrossed in her meal. She looked up, her lips curling into a warm smile as she gestured for him to join her.
He walked over and settled into a chair beside her, a plate gently pushed in his direction. Upon it lay bread and cheese, a simple yet satisfying offering.
With a casual shrug, Archer began to eat, savoring the flavors that graced his palate. As he indulged in the meal, his attention shifted to the sun-elf beside him. "Is this Solarian cuisine?" he inquired.
Hemera nodded in affirmation, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Indeed, it's a dish enjoyed by all. I became acquainted with it when I met Nefertiti's mother."
Archer's smile widened, a sense of shared connection forming over the table. With the last bite, he concluded the meal, rising from his seat.
Turning to Hemera, he voiced his intent. "Would you care to join me on the road? We should be reaching Larissa soon."
She nodded and stood up as he opened a Gate to the road they had been on the previous night. They resumed walking.
However, they soon noticed that the road lay empty, shrouded in a thick fog that sent a shiver down Archer's spine.
Quickly, Hemera offered an explanation. ''This is common in Mediterra, originating from the inland sea to the west.''
He nodded, and they pressed forward, Archer maintaining his Aura Detector and Anti-Magic, yet detecting nothing.
As they walked, the surroundings underwent a gradual transformation. The fog began to thin, revealing fleeting glimpses of the scenery beyond.
In time, a distant town emerged on the horizon, its rooftops and spires piercing through the dissipating mist.
Archer turned to Hemera, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "We're nearing a town. Would you prefer to continue on foot, or do you have a preference for taking to the skies?"
Hemera's eyes sparkled, a mixture of amusement and excitement dancing within them. "Flying sounds like a delightful change of pace. Let's take to the skies."
He whispered to himself, ''Draconis.''
His draconic features manifested in an instant, and he effortlessly scooped Hemera into a princess carry before launching into the air.
Archer soared above the town, his immense wings casting an imposing shadow that startled some of the onlookers below.
For an hour, they soared through the open skies, Larissa's looming presence growing ever closer on the distant horizon.
With a powerful flap of his wings, Archer surged forward at a thrilling speed, prompting Hemera to emit an exhilarated scream as they rapidly approached the city.
Descending swiftly, Archer dismissed his draconic form and gently set Hemera down. They resumed their journey along the road until they reached the city gate.
A vigilant guard spotted them and hastened to a nearby room. Moments later, an older elf emerged and approached the couple.
However, before he could reach them, Sera and Teuila materialized seemingly out of thin air, their voices filled with playful reproach.
Teuila spoke first, her tone laced with jest, "Archer, must you always be so rough with us?"
Sera nodded in agreement, a mischievous grin dancing upon her lips.
The guard momentarily froze in his tracks, clearly taken aback by the unexpected and enchanting appearances of the two young women.
Regaining his composure, he continued his approach and addressed Archer, his voice respectful. "Young man, are you the white dragon?"
All eyes turned to Archer, their gazes intense and probing. Despite the scrutiny, Archer nodded with a genial smile as he responded, "Yes, indeed. But how did you come to that conclusion?"
The guard met Archer's gaze squarely as he explained, "The scales are a clear indication. Dragon-kin lack them, whereas true dragons possess them."
Archer's understanding deepened as he glanced at Sera, her crimson scales affirming the guard's statement.
Redirecting his attention to the moon elf in front of them, he inquired, "So, what brings you to us?"
The guard respectfully nodded and said, "The Emperor wants to meet the dragon who bravely protected the capital and the Empire."
Archer agreed with a nod. But the peaceful moment was interrupted when two more young women, looking a bit disheveled, joined them.
In response, the guard offered, "Let me guide you to the palace; it's close to the southern gate."
The group agreed and followed the guard. Passing through the gate, they caught the surprised glances of soldiers, who looked both amazed and astonished.
Soldiers whispered to each other, talking about the impressive sight of the white dragon fighting the horde and then flying westward.
Rumors spread about the dragon's return to Larissa and its possible connection to the first princess.
Archer's attention turned to Hemera, intrigued. Hemera subtly confirmed the rumors with a nod.
But his thoughts were different from what people assumed. He wasn't interested in the first princess; his focus was on the third one, the silver-haired elf with red eyes.
His heart longed for the two little girls who had welcomed him with pure happiness.
Dismissing the thought with a shake of his head, Archer decided to question the guard. ''What do you know about the third princess Hecate?''
The guard cast an odd glance his way before responding, "Actually, quite a bit. Rumors have it that she's a witch who foretells the future. What lends credence to the rumor is her silver hair and red eyes, much like the evil witch of Lunarians legend."
When Hemera heard that she added. ''She wasn't evil. There is no evidence of her apart from her existence and ties to the Lunarian imperial family, legends say she was a power moon mage.''
The elf stared at the girl who spoke until his eyes widened as he spoke. ''Princess Hemera Helios?''
Hemera smiled as she nodded her head, he nodded his head and continued. ''Yes, you are right. There is no evidence that she is evil but the stories are to scare the children.''
She nodded and the group continued on until they saw a massive palace in the distance surrounded by a guarded wall.
As Archer and the girls walked further into the heart of Larissa, the bustling cityscape began to transform.
The narrow streets lined with quaint shops and lively market stalls gradually gave way to a grander expanse.
Before them, a magnificent sight unfolded—a sprawling palace with distinct Greek-inspired architecture stood in all its glory.
He saw the palace's marble columns reach skyward, supporting ornate archways adorned with intricate carvings.
The facade was a masterpiece of white stone, contrasting beautifully against the azure sky.
His eyes widened in awe as he took in the splendor before him. The palace seemed like a relic from ancient times, a testament to the city's rich history and cultural heritage.
The group approached the entrance of the palace and received a warm welcome from the Imperial guards, who now took on the responsibility of escorting Archer and the girls.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm A tall moon elf man, clad in silver armor and a black cape, stepped forward and introduced himself, saying, "I am Constantine Vasilios, Captain of the Lunarian Imperial Guard."
Archer and the girls introduced themselves, and Constantine's smile grew as he guided them toward the entrance hall of the palace.
Soon, they arrived at an immense wooden door, which a butler promptly opened, allowing the group to enter the hall.
As Archer stepped inside, he found himself in an expansive and breathtaking hall that appeared to have been plucked directly from the pages of ancient Greek mythology.
Soft, ethereal light bathed the space, emanating from towering windows that reached up to meet the grand arches of the ceiling.
Sunlight poured in, casting a warm and golden hue over the meticulously polished marble floor.
The hall was adorned with massive columns, reminiscent of the elegant designs of the Doric order.
These columns were adorned with intricate reliefs depicting gods and goddesses engaged in celestial pursuits.
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