Chapter 273 Into the Storm
I soared through the darkness of space, propelled by my newfound speed and strength. My goal was clear - confront the Sisters and save my planet from their wrath. It wasn't an easy task, but I had grown stronger over time, gathering knowledge and abilities that would help me face these godly beings.
Octavia's voice echoed in my mind as I drew closer to the site of our upcoming battle. "Stay focused," she whispered her presence a steady source of comfort against the building anxiety. It was just the two of us now, with Gaia and Dawn having merged into Venus and Mercury, respectively, to help me in my fight against the Sisters. Their absence was felt deeply; they had been integral parts of my journey so far.
As I neared the place that I assumed the Sisters would land near the sun, I could see it engulfed in a cosmic storm that raged around its surface. The sight of this infernal storm was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. I knew I had to brace myself for the ferocious gales and celestial disturbances that awaited me within it, but nothing could have prepared me for what lay ahead.
"Octavia," I whispered through our mental connection, seeking reassurance from her vast wisdom as we drew nearer. "What do you think awaits us in there?"
"There's no way of knowing for sure," she replied solemnly, her voice laced with a hint of apprehension. "The Sisters are ancient beings, born from Tiamat eons ago. Their powers are unmatched, and their malice knows no bounds."
I swallowed nervously before steeling my resolve. "Well, if they want Earth, they'll have to go through us. We'll give them one hell of a fight!"
With those words, I plunged into the tempestuous depths of the cosmic storm, bracing myself against the intense forces ripping through space around me. The winds howled like banshees, each gust an icy blade that threatened to tear me apart. Solar flares exploded all around, creating new hazards at every turn. Yet, my determination remained unwavering.
It seemed like only moments had passed when Octavia's voice suddenly echoed inside my head with an urgent tone, "Daniel! Can you sense that? A powerful presence is near!"
Her warning sent shivers down my spine as I strained to detect our adversaries amidst the chaos of the storm. And then, a massive single draconic-looking space ship appeared out of almost thin air.
While part of me was awestruck by the massive ship, the other wondered why there was only one?
"Octavia, there's only one ship," I said with my voice betraying the worry I felt.
"Perhaps it's a trap," she responded. "Or maybe they're overconfident and believe that they don't need their entire fleet to deal with us. Either way, we must remain cautious."
Closing in on the ship, I prepared myself for whatever surprises the Sisters might have in store for me. As I approached the vessel, I could sense the overwhelming power radiating from within its hull.
"This is it," I muttered under my breath. "Let's do this."
With an unwavering grip on our mission, we maneuvered toward the ship at breakneck speed. As if sensing our arrival, the ship began to open up, revealing a docking bay large enough to accommodate my entry. I couldn't help but wonder whether this was a gesture of goodwill or another layer of their trap.
Regardless, the hesitation wasn't an option. As I passed through the entrance into the belly of the ship, I noticed several dragons adorned with gold and crimson armor bowing in respect – or fear – towards me as I made my way deeper inside. The air was thick with tension as I continued forward, acutely aware that all eyes were locked on me., ready to see how it would all unfold.
The interior soon opened up into a vast chamber where, amidst dazzling golden décor and lavish furnishings, stood the formidable figure of Galliadra herself. The powerful dragon looked absolutely regal, her metallic scales shimmering against the soft lighting that illuminated her presence.
I forced myself to maintain eye contact with Galliadra, trying not to let my fear show. We stared each other down, sizing each other up before the battle that was about to commence.
"And so we meet, Daniel," she spoke with a voice like thunder, filled with both disdain and amusement. "I hope you are prepared for the storm that awaits you."
"I am," I replied, my voice steady despite the ever-present fear gnawing at me. "I will do whatever it takes to protect Earth and those I love."
For a moment, she didn't respond, merely considering me with a predatory gaze. Then, almost imperceptibly, her expression seemed to shift.
"Intriguing," Galliadra mused. "Perhaps this battle will be more interesting than I anticipated. However, know that praise her greatness, the True Goddess, Tiamat, has sent us here for a reason, and we are unstoppable."
"Is that really all you do? Repeat your mother's name and do whatever she tells you? Just how old are you?" I asked, making the dragon narrow her eyes at me as she looked down at me.
"How dare you?!" Galliadra snarled, her powerful voice echoing throughout the chamber. The fury in her eyes was something to behold – as if she could incinerate me on the spot with nothing but a mere glance. "Our loyalty to Tiamat, the greatest goddess of all time, is unbreakable, and it is through serving Her that we have become the unstoppable force we are today."
I refused to back down, despite the overwhelming rage emanating from her. "I am sure that is what your youngest sister thought, Calishora, but now she is my wife and loves me far more than she ever did your mother. You know that she does not consider you even people. You are nothing more than a part of her that will be absorbed one day. Are you really fine with this?!" I pushed. I was going to fight her, one way or another, so I might as well push as hard as I could to see if there was even a chance for change.
Galliadra's face contorted with anger, and for a brief moment, I worried that she was about to unleash her full fury upon me then and there. However, just as quickly as it had surfaced, the rage appeared to dissipate, replaced by an unnerving calmness.
"Enough," she hissed through gritted teeth, her voice cold and controlled. "You may have swayed one of us away from Tiamat's path, but your words will not have such an effect on me."
I could sense that pushing her further might only serve to escalate the situation, but I couldn't help but give it one more try. "Galliadra, please listen to me. There's a chance for a different existence - one where you choose your own destiny instead of blindly following orders from Tiamat."
For a fleeting moment, there seemed to be a hint of doubt in her eyes. However, she quickly masked it with defiance. "You overestimate your ability to influence me," she replied sternly.
"How can we have a meaningful conversation if you're unwilling to see past the blinders of your loyalty?" I challenged her. "Come on; let's talk like equals. Take a human form, and maybe we can find some common ground."
Galliadra hesitated before scoffing dismissively at my suggestion. Taking a deep breath, she acquiesced to my request with a resigned sigh.
Slowly, the powerful dragon began to shrink and morph into a humanoid shape. Her golden scales shifted seamlessly into smooth, glowing skin while crimson streaks ran through her lustrous raven hair. The transformation was nothing short of breathtaking, as Galliadra now stood before me in an imposing yet undeniably beautiful human form.
Her features were chiseled, with high cheekbones and piercing golden eyes that retained their draconic power. Standing tall with an air of regality befitting her status as Tiamat's daughter, she wore a flowing gown adorned with the same gold and crimson color scheme from her scales. The gown hugged her figure, showcasing her toned physique and accentuating her every curve.
Upon her brow rested a golden Licanta, each of the Sisters' signature crowns that controlled their powers while in humanoid form. Galliadra's Licanta was intricate and unique, with delicate interwoven patterns forming an ornate design resembling both flame-like tendrils and dragon scales. It extended around her head like a wreath, symbolizing her control over fire and time.
This beautiful yet imposing piece couldn't be more different from the one I had crafted for Calishora. Hers had been simpler and more elegant, reflecting not only her individuality but also the new life we'd built together – free from Tiamat's grip.
As she looked me up and down from her new perspective, there seemed to be a glimmer of curiosity shining through her stoic facade. Even as she continued to maintain her defensive posture against me, I could tell that our conversation had struck some chord within her.
Despite my intense focus on the seriousness of our meeting, I couldn't help but admire the stunning transformation before me. The fusion of beauty, power, and regality standing before me reminded me once again of the daunting challenge I faced in convincing her to change sides – or, at the very least, reconsider her blind loyalty to Tiamat.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺