The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

Chapter 285: Blood Moon [Sacrifice Part V]

--POV General --

As the days passed, the battle raged on in the center of Zal country, a war of great importance and yet known to only three countries, what irony. The outcome of such a great event would decide the future of the entire Continent, or so everyone thought. As the forces of each country converged on a single point, the hour of the great clash was also fast approaching, the beginning of the end.

Almost three days had passed since Elysium's first victory over the Capital's soldiers, and the situation had already changed. The humans entrenched within the city walls no longer had any means of escape as the Empire's soldiers finally entered.

For three days and nights, citizens, knights and paladins had exhausted themselves barricading the streets, every passageway, every nook and cranny, despite the danger coming from outside.

Wood, carts, tables, anything could act as a barrier, and as loud thuds from the main gate echoed throughout Zal, the now dead city had become a veritable battlefield. For all the citizens hiding in cellars, shelters and double-locked houses, this was just the beginning of a never-ending nightmare, as it was for the nobles who had also barricaded themselves inside the walls of the great castle.

Vancesia's dragon-riders still hadn't arrived, but although they were sure to do so soon, the same was true of Freya. Accompanied by her family, vampires and former dragons, she set off in the direction of Zal, determined to walk on the city's ashes.

A little further back, however, little Princess Shiro, on the back of a mysterious dragon, sped towards the capital, determined to prevent a disaster from happening.

All were converging eagerly on the same single point, unaware of the outcome of events and what they would have to sacrifice for their ideals. This point was where the Supreme was, also ready to do anything to prevent the destruction of Humanity, starting with the city of Zal. But where were them as the humans of the Capital trembled ?

Lurking in the shadows, they waited for the Empress to finally close their trap.

As the head of the Church bided their time, dull thuds echoed throughout the city and kept bouncing off the walls. Like a knell tolling the beginning of the end, the soldiers of Elysium were about to breach the last ramparts protecting citizens from the horrors of war. Needless to say, with the might of Freya's army, the gate and walls would have fallen much sooner, but where was the fun in that ?

To weaken their enemies psychologically, the Chaos Commanders had all decided to wait three nights before entering Zal. After having found Luna, who had been there for weeks, they now needed to gather information about the main danger they were facing: the Supreme. Although confident, there was no room for error, as this time the 10 women were solely responsible for the lives of an army of warriors.

They weren't fools either, they also knew that this was the moment to prove to the Empress and the Queen what they were capable of. True, the two rulers of the Empire were on the road with vampires and dragons, but that was no reason to expect help and act like frightened, cowardly Commanders. Elysium was growing, and they had to prove themselves worthy of leading this rising power.

After lengthy discussions, each section was to join forces with another to form five groups led by two Commanders and Lieutenants. Each group would cover the south, north, east, west and center of the city, leaving only the castle stretching into the distance.

Obedient citizens would be spared in the absence of direct decisions from Freya, everything was ready, now they could finally invade the Capital.

As the midnight moon shone high in the sky, the great gate and Zal's protective walls fell with a deafening noise that shook the ground. This was it, they could enter the human city, and for those who had fought in the previous war in the Dark Forest, this meant a lot. So much so that no sound could be heard where the various silhouettes of Elysium Empire soldiers stood.

Not a word, not a breath, all were as if frozen in time as a cloud of earth and dust dissipated with the wind. This moment was symbolic: they who had come so far, who had been humiliated, persecuted, hunted and killed, had become the hunters. They didn't know it, but this was the very first step on the road to conquering the entire Continent, the promise of a future.

Before these warriors stood not a human city destined to be razed to the ground, but the promise of a future that could be grasped with both hands. It was the freedom, the courage, the strength, the determination of an entire nation guided by a couple of powerful dreamers dreaming of a fairer life.

But just as an entire army had frozen as one, the voice of a young woman rose from the right side, bringing everyone back to the present moment.

"FOR ELYSIUM !!!"

It was Alayna. The former Princess of Zal who had regained her strength in three days and now stood proudly alongside Commander Luna and Nixia. Her voice had sounded like a cry from the heart, heartbreaking but at the same time full of passion and devotion.

One of the only humans to have been accepted by Elysium, she herself had launched the assault on the city where she had grown up, her former people and the convictions that had caused so much suffering.

At her words, a powerful aura formed by all the fighters seemed to explode from all sides as the march began. All rushing forward in rhythm, creating a cacophony. Thousands of feet struck the ground, making it vibrate as the sound of swords and shields mingled with the piercing cries of warriors thirsting for justice. It was the deafening melody of death raining down.

Like a devastating black shadow, thousands of soldiers rushed through the streets at breakneck speed. Centaurs, tigers, beastmen, wolves, kobolds, minotaurs and so many other creatures pounded the cobbled roads in rhythm, shaking hearts and even souls.

In the sky, sphinxes, half-dragons, harpies, griffins and half-wyverns flapped their wings in unison, searching the entire city for any enemy presence.

This was not long in coming, as thick lines of knights and paladins had formed just before Zal's main square. Blocking the only available route to the castle and the Church of the Protectors of Humanity.

Forming a shield from their bodies, the humans were ready to give their lives to protect their country, which had already suffered so much in recent months, not to mention all the civilians hiding in houses and cellars.

In three days, they'd had just about enough time to come up with a strategy, thanks to the egos of the two Princes, seething with rage after losing the first battle. Nothing mattered at that moment but the insatiable desire to crush those who had dared to put them in such a situation.

These creatures who had not only killed their father the King, but had also "brainwashed" their sister or maybe worse to win her over.

In just a few minutes, the battle had resumed in the very heart of the city, drowning the night in a sinister melody...the melody of war. Elysium soldiers swarmed through the streets, invading every nook and cranny with a look of superiority on their faces.

For the very first time, these rejected beings could walk among Zal without having to be humiliated, they could walk with their heads held high, displaying the flag of their Empire.

Alone they were lost, but together they were powerful, unstoppable and filled with a courage they had rarely experienced. Was this true freedom ? Power ? Buoyed by these new feelings, the Empress's warriors were gradually making their way towards the castle and the Church, despite the humans who were doing their best to hold them back valiantly as best they could as a last bastion.

Was this really how it was all going to end ? Paladins and Knights could only doubt: was this the end ? Just like that ? So easily ? After losing their princess, their king, the leader of the Paladins, the Captain of the Knights and more than half the army, this was just another humiliation. An inimitable rage had seized Elysium's warriors the moment they had passed through the walls...it was too late.

Empress Freya hadn't even made her appearance yet, and Vancesia's reinforcements weren't even on the horizon, when the outcome of the battle already seemed to have been decided. Or so everyone thought...or so it seemed.

As the blood sputtered in the middle of the besieged city, a recluse inside the castle prepared to make their entrance and change the fate of all those who thought they were lost and defeated.

For in the midnight sky, unnoticed by those too busy defending their ideals, the moon had begun to veil itself discreetly, slowly darkening the world. A few red spots resembling drops of blood were even appearing on its face, which only a few minutes ago had been luminous. And yes...in just a few minutes, everyone would witness a rare event that, unfortunately, could change everything.

_____

"THEY'LL SOON BE AT OUR GATES !!!"

"LET'S GET OUT OF TOWN !!"

"You wretch ! Which way do you even want to go ? They're everywhere ! And don't be a coward. Let's pray !"

"Pray ? I'd rather be a living coward than a dead believer !"

At Zal Castle there was panic, the many nobles and Protectors of Humanity couldn't think straight frightened by the growing threat. For the first time in their lives, they felt in mortal danger, hunted down by those they had abused and killed all their lives. Unable to find a solution, all they could do was shout and argue in the main hall, where the large doors had been poorly barricaded.

Imagine, how can you not turn into a destitute coward afraid of death when you grow up rich thinking the world wouldn't change ? There had always been rich and poor, human and non-human, power and powerlessness, and so those who had to be protected and those who had to give their lives. For those who hoped the world would never change, fear was just the beginning of a long, endless nightmare.

"It's time"

Despite the growing chaos turning to madness, a calm voice had uttered three words almost like a discreet yet powerful whisper. The Supreme had appeared through the throne room dressed this time in a long scarlet toga covering them from head to toe.

A menacing aura emanated from their entire being, along with a palpable excitement that made their voice tremble as they spoke, as they approached the palace gates.

"The Prophecy...at last...after all this time..."

The night had only grown darker, heralding the arrival of a phenomenon known to happen only every 10,000 years, and the Head of the Church was ready. Sage the Holy Scholar right behind their heels, they mumbled words that the panicked humans didn't understand, too busy drowning in confusion. Had they finally lost their mind ?

How could they possibly make a difference when the situation already seemed so hopeless ?

Yet everyone had regained their composure, almost hypnotized by the Supreme's sudden, powerful and charismatic presence. While outside the castle the symphony of war continued its deadly melody into the bloody night, things were about to change. With a swift, powerful kick, the Head of the Church destroyed the barricade at the entrance, opening the palace gates for the first time in 3 days.

"WAIT, YOU CAN'T DO TH-..."

As nobles who had regained their wits were swept away by a shadow as they tried to stop the Supreme from continuing, the noises and shouts became more deafening. The sky was as dark as ever, but the previously bright moon was covered by clouds.

Stopping in front of the grand staircase leading to the main square where the battle was taking place, the Supreme raised their arms in a cross before speaking again.

"IT'S TIME TO RESTORE THE NATURAL ORDER. You will all perish"

Suddenly, just as the Supreme was finishing their sentence, the moon reappeared, tearing an icy smile from the face hidden by the toga. In an instant, the Capital of Zal was illuminated once again, but with a blood-red glow, as each fighter paused to look up at the sky. What was going on ? Bathed in this light, they could all feel their strength increasing along with their mana.

Was this a blessing from the gods ?

The Blood Moon. As the Prophecy had foretold, a scarlet moon had appeared, boosting the mana of all who touched its rays. A veil of blood covered everything on the horizon, and while all Elysium's soldiers rejoiced at this strange phenomenon, the Supreme was about to begin their macabre plan.

But then, who would be willing to make the greatest sacrifice to see themselve triumph over all obstacles and ennemies ?

This was just the beginning, and soon all the actors in the play would be reunited, as the silhouette of Vancesia's dragon riders loomed in the distance, followed closely by Freya herself, followed unknowingly by little Princess Shiro.

________

FULL STATUS

Names : Freya / Lucifer Nightshade

Age : 0 year old / Mentally : 25 years old

Sex : Female

Course: Ice Demon Wolf of Chaos - Adult

Race : Imperial Demon

Titles :

- Demon Goddess of Primordial Blood and Death (former - until all powers are recovered) - 35%.

- Wrathful Lucifer (7th Sin) - Master of the uniques Sins Demons (to unlock it, please gather the other 6 - 3/6 - (locked)

- Dragon tamer

- Ruthless slayer

Level : 47/70

Exp needed for next level: 7 000 / 48 000

HP : 170 000 / 170 000 MP : 85 000 / 85 000. BLOOD : 100 / 100

Strength: 660

Defense : 660

Agility : 666

Endurance: 663

Speed : 662

Intelligence: 660

Charisma: 500 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 1 600

Married to : Gaya Nightshade

Daughter : Shiro Nightshade

Twins (son & daughter) : Tyle & Altaïs Nightshade

Little sister : Kira Nightshade (Greedy Fox)

Big sister : Kalaa Nightshade

Empire (menu)

Subordinates: 15 491(keep growing)

Humans killed: 153

Souls: 0/3

Elements: Ice / Chaos (Freya) - Blood / Death (Lucifer)

Skills (all):

Attacks :

- Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of hell (Lvl 6)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)

- Fighting techniques (Lvl max)

- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)

- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 7)

Défense :

- Ice demon wall (Lvl 6)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

- Pain Resistance (lvl 6)

Attack/Defense :

- Domain of the Ice Empress "Frozen Wrath" (lvl 4)

- Death Gaze (lvl 1)

Others :

- Humanoid form

- Demonic form (linked to the title so incomplete) - 20%.

- Ice creation (Lvl 6)

- Detection and control of mana (lvl 6)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)

- Master of Souls (lvl 3)

- Lucifer's Threads of Blood (lvl 3)

- Healing Blood (lvl 3)

- Reminiscence (lvl 2)

- Analysis

- Telepathy

Passives :

- Commander (lvl max)

- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]