Capítulo 37: 29 Queens
(Queen of Nightmares/Luminous)
Sitting lazily upon her opulent throne, Luminous Valentine sipped from a glass of blood wine. It wasn't her usual vintage, yet the tantalizingly unique taste of it made her pause. It reminded her of something no, someone. Her delicate fingers tightened slightly around the glass as her thoughts drifted.
Leo Lyros.
That name had been murmured in her sanctum, carried on the lips of Hinata, her soon-to-be treasured subordinate, and Chloe, the enigmatic child of fate who had traversed the boundaries of time itself, and a close friend of her.
She swirled the wine absent-mindedly, watching the crimson liquid dance in the glass. "So, he's the one they spoke of," she murmured, her voice soft but laced with a complexity of emotions.
The mere thought of Leo brought her a mixture of irritation and... curiosity.
From Chloe's scattered tales of time travel, Luminous had learned much, including the startling revelation that Leo was no ordinary Otherworlder. A man who carried the bloodline of Lyros, a lineage steeped in divinity and primal power, was not someone to be ignored.
That blood.
It called to her.
The first time Chloe had spoken of him, Luminous had dismissed it. Yet as the child shared more, even inadvertently, the details had drawn her in. His mysterious strength, his absurd luck, and the utterly irritating fact that Hinata, of all people, seemed to have a fondness for him.
Her Hinata.
Her most treasured knight-to-be, the epitome of order and discipline, blushing like a normal schoolgirl because of some arrogant, mischievous boy?
Luminous couldn't decide what annoyed her more—Hinata's uncharacteristic softness toward him or the burning curiosity she felt toward him herself.
She stood abruptly, the wineglass nearly cracking in her grip. "Ridiculous," she hissed to herself. "No matter how unique his bloodline, could never compare to a being of my caliber."
But that wasn't true, was it?
The Lyros bloodline intrigued her. It was said to rival the power of true dragons, divine and pure, free from limitations. His blood could... complement hers. Perhaps even strengthen her, if Chronoa's stories were believed to be true.
Her thoughts wandered into forbidden territory. What would that blood taste like? Would it feel warm, intoxicating, even addictive?
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she scowled at her reflection in a nearby mirror. "Get ahold of yourself, Luminous," she muttered.
Then there were those pieces of art; she didn't know how they came into her possession. She tried to deny her attraction to them or the person depicted in them.
And yet, she couldn't stop herself from returning to the vault on occasion. Always alone. Always ensuring no one could see her moments...
Her slender fingers would trace the edges of the canvas as she studied every detail of his figure, the strength in his posture, the smug confidence in his expression.
"Arrogant fool," she'd mutter under her breath, even as her heart raced in ways it hadn't for centuries.
But it wasn't just the physical allure. It was the mystery of him. His existence didn't fit into her carefully curated world of control and predictability. He was an anomaly.
And anomalies, she knew, were dangerous, like that Slime.
"Holy Empress," Louis's voice broke her reverie as he stepped into the room, bowing deeply.
"Yes, Louis?" she asked, her tone cold and sharp, hiding the turmoil within.
"The boy, Leo Lyros, has been brought to our attention. Shall we proceed with integrating him into the Church as planned?"
She hesitated. "No," she said finally, her voice measured. "Not yet."
Louis nodded.
"Keep an eye on him," she commanded. "But do not interfere unless I say otherwise. I want to see what moves he makes, who he allies with, and... what he desires most."
"As you wish, Lady Luminous," Louis replied before bowing and departing.
When the door closed, Luminous leaned back on her throne, her gaze distant.
"Then there is his new place, Genesis Valley; I will take a look at what this Rengoku is."
(Clash Continent)
(Ice Queen/Skadi(Grayfia))
The icy winds howled outside the glacial palace atop Frozen Peak, where the Ice Queen, Skadi, sat regally upon her throne of eternal ice. Her presence was as unyielding as the glaciers themselves, her frosty blueish-silver hair cascading like a frozen waterfall over her shoulders. Around her, the court of Frozen Peak's elite gathered, and her most trusted advisors.
To her right stood her court mage, the Ice Wizard, draped in thick robes shimmering with frost and perpetually emanating a freezing mist.
A scout kneeled before her.
"Your Majesty, our spies report the emergence of a leader in the Hog Mountains and Goblin Forests one they call the Clash King. He has risen from obscurity and now controls the southeast. His conquests are swift, precise, and unprecedented. In just two months, he's unified numerous tribes and magic beasts under his banner."
Skadi's crimson eyes narrowed. Despite knowing some titbits, it was different to hear it from the witness. "A king rising out of nowhere in the Hog Mountains?" Her voice was calm, yet sharp as icicles. "And what of the Goblin Queen? Has she taken action?"
The scout hesitated. "No, Your Majesty. The Goblin Queen remains secluded behind her isolationist policies. She shows no signs of intervening, even as the Clash King's influence spreads."
Skadi tapped a finger on the arm of her throne. The Goblin Queen's inaction didn't surprise her, yet it was troublesome. The Goblin Queen's isolation meant that Skadi herself might need to act sooner than expected.
Her thoughts wandered momentarily to her rival, the Archer Queen of Moon City. Their relationship had long been a mix of friendly rivalry and mutual respect. The Moon City ruler was cunning and precise, her arrow never missing its mark. Unlike Skadi's stoic approach, the Archer Queen had an elegant ferocity that often made her the more unpredictable of the two.
The Moon City scouts had likely already reported the same news to their queen. Skadi knew Archer would be debating whether to act. Despite their differences, they both understood the delicate balance of power on Clash Continent, and the rise of this so-called Clash King threatened that equilibrium.
Skadi could almost imagine the Archer Queen's dilemma. The Clash King's rapid ascent was concerning, but Moon City was always cautious when it came to alliances. The thought brought a faint smirk to her lips.
The reports from her scouts played in her mind like a symphony of intrigue and caution. The Clash King, ruler of Aryavart and leader of the swiftly rising Anantraj clan, had not only established himself as a powerful sovereign but also demonstrated feats that showed his strength.
The most astonishing of these feats was the creation of the Titan. Its sudden appearance in the heart of the forest had shaken many on the continent. Even from the icy heights of Frozen Peak, the colossal figure was visible. The air had turned heavy, unlike anything Skadi had felt in centuries. The Titan was more than a show of power; it was a declaration.
In less than two months, Aryavart had become a formidable force in the southeast, and Anantraj had risen to Platinum I a rank that, while modest on the surface, spoke volumes to Skadi. To achieve such status so quickly meant the infrastructure, military, and leadership of Aryavart were all exceptional.
"The Clash King," she muttered, her breath forming frost in the cold air. She had yet to meet the enigmatic ruler, but his actions spoke louder than any introduction. A leader who could summon a Titan, organize a Platinum I clan, and command the respect of neighboring territories was not one to be underestimated.
Her court mage, the Ice Wizard, stood at her side, his mustache glowing faintly with a cold, blue light. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity, "the Clash King is unlike any ruler we have encountered. His achievements in such a short time suggest either an otherworldly talent or an unprecedented source of power. How do you intend to approach him?"
Skadi's frosty eyes narrowed. "With caution and respect," she said. "Aryavart's rise presents both an opportunity and a threat. If the Clash King seeks alliances, we must ensure Frozen Peak is among his trusted partners. If he seeks domination, we must be prepared to defend our sovereignty."
Despite her acknowledgment of Aryavart's strength, Skadi took comfort in the might of her kingdom and clan. Frozen Peak's Diamond II status was no small feat, and its defenders were a testament to centuries of strategic growth and cultivation:
Ice Dragon (Special A), The kingdom's most powerful guardian, a creature of ancient magic capable of freezing entire battlefields, Ice Wizard (Special A), her court mage, an expert in elemental frost magic and a master of battlefield control.
Ice Hound (Special A) is her loyal pet that can defend against the strongest attacks,
Frost Knight (A+), her champion and commander, clad in enchanted armor and wielding a sword imbued with the power of the eternal ice.
Not to mention the other powerful beings like the Greater Spirit of Ice and her elite forces, she was sure Aryavart wouldn't reject an ally like them.
Even so, the thought of Aryavart's resources, its potions, enchanted tools, and the technological advancements whispered about in the reports, gave her pause. These assets could tip the balance of power in Aryavart's favor if left unchecked, and if she was late, maybe the Archer Queen would benefit from them; she must approach them actively.
"Prepare an envoy," Skadi commanded, her voice firm. "Send the Frost Knight and a contingent of Frost Archers. They will bear gifts of glacial crystals and enchanted ice weapons. Let Aryavart see the value we offer."
The Ice Wizard nodded but expressed his concern. "And if the Clash King sees us as opportunists?"
Skadi's gaze turned icy. "The Clash King created a Titan to claim his place in this world. He values power and respect. We offer both. If he cannot recognize the strength of Frozen Peak, then he is not the leader the rumors suggest."
As her court scrambled to prepare the envoy, Skadi remained seated on her throne, her mind racing with possibilities. Aryavart's rapid rise was unprecedented, and the Clash King's identity remained shrouded in mystery. Yet, despite her wariness, she felt a flicker of curiosity.
(Archer Queen/Artemis)
Perched on the highest tower of Moon City, the Archer Queen gazed across the silvered forests and glowing fields that surrounded her domain. The moonlight painted her features with an ethereal glow, but her sharp emerald eyes were filled with thought rather than admiration for the beauty of her realm.
The reports had arrived earlier that evening, Aryavart, a new power in the Clash Continent, had established itself as a formidable force in record time. Its ruler, the enigmatic Clash King, had created a Titan and unified the southeast territories, including the once chaotic Hog Mountains. The implications of this were staggering.
The Archer Queen smirked as she considered her rival, the Ice Queen of Frozen Peak. Skadi, always methodical, would no doubt be sending her envoys to Aryavart by now. While their rivalry had always been a friendly one, there was no denying the underlying competition to see who could expand their influence the furthest.
"She'll send her Frost Knight, of course," the Archer Queen muttered, a trace of amusement in her voice. "Always so predictable."
Her trusted advisor, Callisto, a master archer and commander of Moon City's elite archer corps, stood beside her. "Do you believe Frozen Peak poses a threat to our negotiations with Aryavart, Your Grace?"
Artemis tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Not a threat. Skadi's gifts will be impressive, but Aryavart's ruler doesn't strike me as someone swayed by gifts. He created a Titan, Silverwind. That's not the act of a mere king, it's the act of someone with ambition and vision."
Usually, the Archer Queen would have observed Aryavart for some time, but this time, it wasn't the case.
The Archer Queen was fascinated the most by the rapid development of Aryavart. The creation of a Platinum I clan, Anantraj, was no small feat, especially in such a short time. While Moon City's clan, Ecliptica, held a solid position in Diamond III, the speed of Aryavart's rise hinted at something far more significant than infrastructure or military strength.
"The Clash King," she mused, her voice thoughtful. "He's no ordinary ruler. If he can rise this quickly, there's something, or someone, behind him."
Her mind wandered to the Titan. She had watched it materialize from the moonlit terrace of her tower, its form visible even from the distance of her kingdom. The sheer scale of its magic had sent shivers down her spine, and her curiosity was piqued.
Moon City's position on the southwestern side of the Clash Continent had always given it a degree of separation from the chaos of the Hog Mountains and the southeastern territories. But Aryavart's rise threatened to disrupt that balance. If the Clash King sought alliances, the Archer Queen intended to be among the first to secure his favor.
"Prepare the emissaries," she commanded, turning to Silverwind. "They will bring Moonlight Crystals and enchanted bows as gifts. And make sure they are accompanied by the Celestial Hunters."
Callisto raised an eyebrow. "The Celestial Hunters? That's a bold move, Your Grace. It might seem too aggressive."
The Archer Queen's lips curved into an arrogant smirk. "Not aggressive, assertive. Aryavart will respect strength, and the Celestial Hunters are our finest. Besides, their presence will remind the Clash King that Moon City is a power worth allying with."
As Callisto left to carry out her orders, the Archer Queen lingered by the window. Her thoughts strayed to the rumors of Aryavart's ruler, a man of great power and charisma if the reports were to be believed. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of person could rise so quickly in a land as unforgiving as the Clash Continent.
A part of her was eager to meet this Clash King. Not just to secure an alliance, but to satisfy her curiosity. Was he a tactician, a warrior, or something else entirely? And How did he acquire the Titan?
The Archer Queen turned her gaze to the moonlit horizon, her mind racing with possibilities. Aryavart represented both a challenge and an opportunity, and she was determined to seize it before anyone else could.
"Let's see what kind of ruler you are, Clash King," she murmured. "And whether you'll be friend or foe."
With the silver glow of the moon as her witness, the Archer Queen resolved to ensure Moon City's place in the new order that is about to come once the Barrier falls.
She mentally counted the strongest warriors and champions her kingdom had
Unicorn (A+), the celestial steed, was Moon City's pride; its healing magic and graceful agility made it a symbol of the city's purity and power.
Magic Archer (Special A), whose precision and versatility had earned a reputation far beyond Moon City's borders.
Selene (A+), the Valkyrie of the Moon, is a formidable warrior imbued with the blessings of lunar spirits. Her twin crescent blades had turned the tide in countless battles.
And then there are lunar spirits...
~~~~
The Titan they are talking about is Rengoku. Leo created it when he acquired it to test it, and the result was unpredictable...
The queens misunderstood it as a declaration they would have taken a less friendly approach but they knew the Barrier was collapsing the continent had to be together for upcoming tensions.
Estado de energía semanal
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Poder 
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Poder