"Let's go." The Airship slowed down until it reached the stop above a large clearing. An elegant stone path stretched into the distance. From the ship, one could notice many villages dotting the horizon, yet the capital was just far enough not to be visible.
Aqua did not wish for the Elves to see the Airship just yet. Neither Endurance nor her Power should be flaunted about; there were far too many dangers lurking about. Thus, Sheira's proposal was rather ingenious.
Nobody would question her, while she preferred if Azure got full credit, the girls seemed adamant about letting her bask in the pride of her achievement. Aqua approached the middle of the deck and opened the portal.
"What are you waiting for?" Aqua smiled as she ushered everyone to gather themselves and pass through the portal. Laura and the Golden Rose went through first with their unconscious soldiers, closely followed by Sheira and Azure.
The group passed through the swirling portal. In a moment, they found themselves under the massive airship. Then, after everyone passed, Aqua herself walked through the gate. She turned towards the ship and stretched her hand forward.
The ship crumbled in a combination of pale blue mana and dust. The ship rushed toward her hand. The dust swirled and danced in her hand as it slowly reformed the wooden idol. Aqua's lips stretched into a thin smile as she gripped the newly reformed carving.
She opened her pocket dimension and threw the idol in before she turned to Sheira and Azure. "Ready to go. But give me a moment, there is something I must do."
"Very well! So if we follow this main path, we should pass a village in less than 10 minutes of walking. Am I right, Azu? I haven't had many opportunities to explore this area." Sheira wrapped her arm around Azure's shoulder.
"Why Azu…" She sighed, "Yes, the village of Kam. If I remember correctly, they used to sell carriages; it was one of their main specialties." Azure spun as to remove the leech that was the princess.
"What do we do with the Golden Rose? I know we kind of brought them here to judge them, but there might be too many of them. The only reason they aren't revolting is because of Aqua." Sheira's eyes wandered to Laura and Golden Fang.
"They are still vile criminals, even if Laura helped us. We will let the king pass judgment and decide what to do with them. Though I grew to like Laura, I wouldn't want them to be too harsh on her." Azure's ears slumped down.
Sheira's face gained a smug expression. "We could turn her into a maid too, you know~"
Azure merely shook her head, "What's with you and putting everything that moves into a maid uniform? If I don't get thrown into a dungeon too, I will plead for leniency… at least for her."
"Hah! It is as I thought, you only want to see Aqua in it! Naughty girl!"
Sheira stepped forward, before she dug her heel into the ground and spun toward Azure, "You said that they are all as powerful as you, right? Imagine if we managed to recruit them! I really doubt our flimsy dungeons could hold someone like Golden Fang."
A slight breeze ruffled their hair.
"Sheira… where is Aqua?" Azure looked around in panic.
"Oh, look at you, acting like a worried lover already? She said she had to take care of something. We should trust her as usual." Sheira placed her hands behind her back as she walked toward the Golden Rose.
While they were her former captors, they too were victims of the Red Dawn. Of course, she had not forgiven them, but she did not hate them either. Their attack was part of the reason she was safe and a reason she and Azure met Aqua.
Who was she to defy fate? The answer was simple: she was nobody. The Red Dawn was never destined to kill her; that was why Aqua appeared. However, she did not realise that her destiny was to become a goddess.
It felt surreal, yet it filled her with excitement. Nobody could call her powerless anymore. For now, they can. I know only one spell, ha! She joked in her mind, although she wished to learn all the spells Aqua was willing to teach her.
While Aqua drilled it into her head that she should not seek power to prove herself, it did not mean she could let go of the opportunity to pay back her siblings for bullying her.
Sheira snapped back from her daydreaming, "Azu, I think we should go. Aqua will surely be fine."
"B..but." Azure gazed into the distance, desperate to locate her heroine.
Sheira sighed, "Azu, stop being a lovestruck mess. How are you gonna handle going on a mission without your future wife?"
"I AM NOT LOVESTRUCK!" Azure screamed. "I am just worried…"
"Sure you aren't." Sheira tapped Azure's hand before she grabbed it and pulled the girl toward the remaining group.
"Fine… but I am still not lovestruck! I just like and appreciate her." Azure's face gained a red tint as she followed her friend.
The duo approached the Golden Rose. As usual, Sun God was merely peering into them with intensity befitting his name. Aqua did not explicitly ask him to observe them, yet he did it anyway.
They were recently under the effect of an artificial time fragment; thus, he had to make sure they were safe. Although his presence made Laura and the rest terrified for their life. "Hi, Mr.Bird," The voice reached behind him.
His form crackled and changed slightly as he turned, "Mr. Bird? Really? Do not abuse your position as someone whom Aqua considers a daughter. I will not tolerate it."
Sheira shrank back, "Sorry! I just wanted to break the ice."
The crackling stopped for a moment. "It is not a problem. I can make exceptions for those that Aqua holds dear, which includes you and that green girl behind you."
Azure's eyes widened as she dramatically pointed at herself, "Me?!"
"Girl… you might not realise it, but when my Aqua is around you two, she has never been happier, even if she does not show it. You two are becoming her treasures in this world; thus, I extend courtesy of tolerance, for her sake." The Sun God's form expanded, giving him enough size to stare Sheira in the eyes.
"However, if any of you DARE hurt her…" The silence that followed spoke more than the words could. The Sun God had threatened them, if they hurt Aqua in any way, he would not let them get away unscathed.
"I would not dream of that! I promise!" Sheira bowed deeply, quickly followed by Azure, who merely copied her friend's gesture. "Same! Aqua deserves happiness!"
"Good… now, girl." His fiery head turned to Sheira once again. "You better listen to Aqua, she mastered the Aether to such an extent that not even I have anything to teach her anymore. You could not ask for a better tutor than her."
The princess blinked in surprise, suddenly the threatening presence of the Sun God was replaced by pleasant warmth. She grinned widely, "We will be great friends, I can already tell!"
Azure sighed, "Sir, Sun God. Would you be willing to tell me anything more about Aqua? What does she like and dislike… You seem like you know her very well." Her ears twitched anxiously.
Sheira couldn't help but let out a hearty chuckle, "Hahahaha, Azure! You really are lovestruck. Stop pretending!"
"N.. No! I just want to know!" Azure's face turned red in an instant.
However, the Sun God merely stared at them, his blazing form did not reveal anything, then he spoke, "No, why not ask her yourself. She needs connections to her own kin. Although I would not recommend connecting with her naked form just yet."
The Sun God's form changed color as he cackled.
She pouted as she turned to the side, "Great, now I even have a being beyond comprehension teasing me too…"
Sheira covered her mouth, "I agree, Azu, you need to wait before you go to bed with your heroine, buy her some food, maybe a fancy date…"
Then both Sheira and Sun God let out cackles. "Why me…" Azure covered her head.
Sheira approached Azure and placed her hand on her shoulder, "Sorry, Azu, but it's fun to make you blush."
"Mean…" She pouted.
The princess flicked Azure's forehead before she let go of her friend and turned to the Sun God, "Name's Sheira, it's glorious to meet you, sir!"
The Sun God observed her with curiosity, his head tilted slightly. "You are a curious girl… I will remember your name, student of Aqua."
"Well enough talking, Azure, let's speak to Laura and head out," Sheira commanded.
The duo approached Laura, who was still stuck above Fang. "Laura, are you ready?"
"Ready to be thrown into a dungeon for sure… at least Fang is alive, so that brings me solace." She exhaled loudly.
Sheira tapped her cheek as she tilted her head, "Don't be so down, I am alive, so I will plead that you were first mind controlled and then helped us escape. They won't keep you for long."
Laura's lips curled up into a smile, "Thanks… princess."
"How are the rest of the roses?"
"Terrified… that's why they are so quiet, they are terrified of him." She raised her finger towards the Sun God.
Sheira tapped her foot against the ground as she curiously stared at Laura, "I don't think he is that terrifying, I find him kind of adorable."
"Adorable?!" Laura's eyes widened.
"Yep, but enough chatter, we need to head out. I will leave Azure with you."
After some quick preparation of the Golden Rose, the group embarked on the trip towards Kam Village.
Azure followed right behind the Golden Rose; she had to make sure that none of them ran away. Yet despite her mission, she looked around for a specific girl. Aqua, where did you run off to?