My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 295: Holy war 33

"Do you wish to sleep?"

"Yes," Adrian replied. Right now, he did not want to do anything else. The constant worry he had felt for what could have happened to Elena during the months he was away had been eating at him ever since he woke up with his newfound soul and powers. He had always thought it was his fault that she was kidnapped, so when the relief came and Elena was finally in his arms, he really didn't want to let go of her.

Nyarla nodded at her younger brother's request and opened up a portal nearby. "Well then, I'll leave you two alone. And don't forget, Adrian, two days from now the other girls will soon wake up. It would be better if you finally master controlling your powers by then, as it would be a hassle explaining everything to them."

"Got it..."

With Adrian's confirmation, Nyarla vanished into the portal she had just made.

Adrian lay down beside Elena, pulling her close. The warmth of her body and the gentle rhythm of her breathing soothed him, easing the tension that had gripped him for so long. He kissed her forehead tenderly, feeling a wave of love and protectiveness wash over him.

Elena, still asleep, snuggled closer to him, a contented smile playing on her lips. Adrian watched her for a moment, his heart swelling with emotion. He had been through so much to get to this point, and now, with her safely in his arms, he finally felt a semblance of peace.

As he closed his eyes, the weight of his exhaustion began to take over. His thoughts drifted back to the battles he had fought, the enemies he had faced, and the sacrifices he had made. But all of that seemed distant now, overshadowed by the simple joy of being with Elena.

In the quiet of the room, surrounded by the protective runes and the gentle glow of divine energy, Adrian allowed himself to relax. His body sank into the bed, his arms wrapped securely around Elena. He knew there were still challenges ahead, but for now, he could rest.

Resting right next to Elena, Adrian hugged her deeper and more tightly than ever, unable to hold himself back. Despite the ongoing heat her body gave off, he closed his eyes, reflecting on the immense relief and love he felt having her in his arms. Yet, amidst this moment of peace, his mind wandered to the challenges ahead.

He would soon have to explain everything to the other girls. Aria already understood what he was, but the others were still in the dark. He hoped for the best but knew that wasn't the most appropriate approach. He understood the meaning behind his sister's words about controlling his powers better. The best way to explain everything to them would be to pass on his memories instead of explaining everything from the start, as he had done with Lilliana recently. However, considering the risk, he felt quite apprehensive.

But now, it was greatly needed.

Adrian knew that mastering his powers was essential. If he could convey his memories accurately and safely, the girls would understand his journey and the battles they faced. This method would forge a stronger bond and eliminate any misunderstandings. But the thought of transferring his memories, exposing the raw truth, and possibly overwhelming them weighed heavily on him.

'I'll train later. For now, I just want to be with my love,' he resolved.

Closing his eyes, Adrian allowed himself to drift into a wondrous dream, entwined with Elena. In his dream, they were free from the chaos of war and the burden of their responsibilities. They walked through serene landscapes, hand in hand, basking in the simplicity of their love. The dream offered him a glimpse of the life he desired—a life where they could be together without fear or conflict.

In the real world, the gentle rise and fall of Elena's breathing reassured him. The warmth of her body, the steady beat of her heart, and the softness of her skin all anchored him to this moment. Despite the tumultuous events that had transpired, this was where he found his strength. The love they shared was his sanctuary, a source of unwavering resolve.

As the hours passed, Adrian remained vigilant, ensuring Elena was comfortable and safe. He watched over her, his heart filled with a fierce determination to protect her from any harm.

…..

"Oya~?" Loki exclaimed, genuinely surprised by the sudden appearance of a portal next to him. As he observed the doll-like figure emerging from it, he tilted his head slightly, hovering above a map-like monitor projecting the entire continent below. "You're here early, Nyarla. Is Adrian and Elena okay now?" Considering the presence, he felt entering the castle a while ago was Adrian's, he assumed Nyarla would stay by her brother's side, comforting him.

"Yes… Adrian wanted to take some rest together with Elena," Nyarla explained, taking a seat in an empty chair nearby.

"I see, so they're already back to baby making, huh? The youth are seriously energetic these days, eh~?" Loki quipped with a mischievous grin.

"... He wanted to rest," Nyarla replied, her expression unchanging.

"Pfft~ hahahaha! I know, I know. Man, you really can't take a joke, huh, Nyarla?" Loki waved his hand dismissively, laughing hysterically at Nyarla's overly serious answer.

He then whisked his hand in the air, projecting a scene on the screen before them.

"So, our forces have fallen back?"

On the screen, a scene unfolded showing the demonic forces they had sent deep into the empire suddenly retreating, pulling back almost all the way to the border once more.

"Hehe~ I didn't expect this either, Nyarla. I thought the damned lizards were just going to stay neutral, but I guess they're properly joining now."

Up above in the skies on the screen, hundreds of dragons could be seen assisting the humans, working together to wipe out the demons. Although this wasn't exactly a surprise considering the imperial family's connection to the previous Dragon Lord, it was still quite the hassle.

Dragons weren't opponents to be underestimated, and their active participation in the battle wasn't something they had anticipated.

"How much are the losses, Loki?"

"Well, at the moment, we've lost over 200,000 demons, at least. Including the angel slaves we sent, we've basically lost almost 300,000 if we round it off."

"I see…." Nyarla's expression remained stoic, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. The sheer number of losses was staggering, and the involvement of the dragons complicated their plans significantly.

Loki continued, "The dragons joining the fray changes the dynamics. Their strength and coordination with the humans are proving to be a formidable challenge. We need to reassess our strategy."

Nyarla nodded, her mind racing through various scenarios. "We'll need to bolster our defenses at the borders and reinforce our troops with more powerful entities. The dragons' aerial advantage is significant, but we can counter it with our own aerial units and anti-air defenses."

Loki smirked. "I was thinking the same. I've already ordered the deployment of our wyverns and gargoyles to intercept the dragons. We'll also enhance our ground troops with more resilient units to hold the line."

Nyarla's eyes glowed slightly as she reviewed the battlefield. "We should also consider deploying some of our elite units. The Valkyries and Nightstalkers can create havoc behind enemy lines and disrupt their coordination."

"An excellent idea," Loki agreed. "We'll also need to keep an eye on their movements. The dragons' presence might be a precursor to something bigger."

As they discussed their strategies, Nyarla couldn't help but think about Adrian and Elena. Despite the dire situation, she trusted that her brother would rest and recover. His newfound strength would be crucial in the battles to come.

As they continued their discussion, Loki suddenly spoke up. "Should I send Fenrir there next?" he suggested, his smile widening with a hint of mischief.

Nyarla shook her head. "No. Fenrir's presence would only add more energy to the causalities on the goddess's side and might interfere with our initial plans."

"Okay~" Although Loki wanted to let his little cutie pie have some more fun, he let it go. He knew Fenrir was fairly satisfied fighting someone of similar power to Thor. Even if Luwanal was like a Walmart version of Thor, a god of storms was still a god of storms. Luwanal might not have been up to par, but his existence as a god made him somewhat worthy enough to be killed by Loki's beloved child.

Loki could only wish that Jörmungandr and Hel were here as well. A holy war like this would've been a very good reference for the future Ragnarok that was next to come after this. He envisioned the chaos, the destruction, and the ultimate fulfillment of their destiny. The thought of Ragnarok filled him with a sense of anticipation and excitement that was hard to contain.