As the remnants of the once-proud Vylonia Empire crumbled under the relentless onslaught of molten fury, the Thorenzians and Vylonians stood together, their gazes fixated on the destruction before them. The recent revelation of Sariel's true identity – Lysandra Delacronix – hung heavy in the air, a bombshell dropped by Prince Monday that had left everyone, especially Luisa, reeling in shock.
Luisa's voice was barely a whisper as she turned to her son, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity. "Monday, how did you come to learn of Sariel's true identity?"
Princess Athena, sensing the tension in her mother's tone, couldn't help but question, "Mother, is something amiss?"
Taking a deep breath, Luisa explained, "The name Delacronix is one that strikes fear into the hearts of those who hear it."
The rest of the group listened intently, their expressions a mixture of confusion and concern as they struggled to process the gravity of the revelation.
"Monday," Luisa continued, her voice laced with urgency, "who revealed Sariel's identity as Lysandra Delacronix to you?"
Prince Monday hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I heard it directly from Sariel herself. She boasted of her lineage, confessing that she was not from Vylonia at all."
"And where did she claim to originate from?" Luisa pressed, her eyes searching her son's face for answers.
"Aethelgard, Mother," Prince Monday replied, noting the shock that rippled through his mother's features as he continued, "Aethelgard Empire. The stories of Vylonia and Aethelgard's ancient rivalry are well-known, even if they ended centuries ago. When I heard the name Aethelgard, I couldn't help but recognize its significance. It was then that Sariel confessed her true name to be Lysandra Delacronix."
Luisa took a moment to process the information before responding, "Aethelgard, you say? I see..." Her tone was carefully measured, belying the turmoil of emotions beneath the surface.
Elara, her brow furrowed in confusion, voiced the question on everyone's mind. "Who are the Delacronix, and what is the significance of the Aethelgard Empire?"
"We will discuss this further as we make our way to safety," Luisa assured her, her voice taking on a commanding tone as she addressed the Earth Hera wielders, including Valerus. "First, I need you to construct a large, house-like container with enough seating for everyone. Once we are all safely inside, use your Earth Hera to transport us to our destination. Don't forget to include an opening for fresh air and a means to observe our surroundings."
"Understood!" the Earth Hera wielders replied in unison, their determination unwavering in the face of the chaos that surrounded them.
The Earth Hera wielders worked with practiced efficiency, their synchronized movements testament to their unity of purpose. As they toiled, the remaining Thorenzians and Vylonians watched in awe, their eyes fixated on the rising structure. The combined population of the Thorenzians, El Zoranda clan, and Vylonians totaled a staggering 1,978,231 souls – a sea of humanity that stood as a testament to their shared resilience in the face of adversity.
"It's truly astonishing," Princess Athena whispered, her eyes wide with amazement.
Luisa, her lips curving into a knowing smile, approached her daughter and sat beside her. "Indeed. Witness how they've set aside centuries of conflict to work together for the greater good."
Princess Athena mirrored her mother's smile. "That's true. United by our common humanity, we share the same lifeblood beneath our skin."
Luisa's voice took on a philosophical tone. "In the end, we are all human. Despite our cultural, linguistic, and ideological differences, our hearts beat with the same rhythm. Wouldn't it be more prudent to embrace harmony rather than perpetuate the suffering brought about by our discord?"
"Your wisdom knows no bounds, Mother," Princess Athena praised, her admiration evident in her voice.
Luisa chuckled. "Do you truly believe so?"
"Absolutely, Mother," Princess Athena affirmed.
The two fell into a comfortable silence, their bond strengthened by the shared moment of introspection. It was Princess Athena who eventually broke the quiet, a thought nagging at the corners of her mind.
"You know, Mother," she began, "why don't we strive to become a single, unified nation? We've harbored animosity for generations – isn't it time we put our differences aside? With Vylonia in ruins, wouldn't it be wiser to join forces with the Thorenzians?"
Luisa regarded her daughter with pride. "I see my daughter has inherited my wisdom."
"I learned from the best," Princess Athena replied with a warm smile.
Luisa's expression grew contemplative as she mulled over her daughter's proposal. "Such an endeavor would be no easy feat. Not everyone shares your open-mindedness, and there will be those who oppose the very notion. But the possibility, however challenging, remains within our reach."
As the mother and daughter continued to observe the Earth Hera wielders, their conversation – and the hope it carried – echoed in the hearts of all those who bore witness to the extraordinary collaboration before them.
As the combined efforts of the Thorenzians and Vylonians brought the colossal structure to completion, a palpable shift in the atmosphere could be felt. Gone were the tensions and divisions that had once plagued their interactions; in their place stood a newfound sense of camaraderie and connection. The people chatted, laughed, and shared meals, the somber mood of just a few hours ago all but forgotten.
Luisa, her voice ringing out with authority, beckoned the group to take shelter within the confines of the massive structure. "Now, let us all go in," she commanded, and without hesitation, the people complied.
As soon as everyone was seated, the Earth Hera wielders focused their collective energies, propelling the structure forward at an incredible pace. For the first nine minutes of their journey, a hush settled over the crowd, punctuated only by the rhythmic sounds of the wind and Earth Hera at work.
Breaking through the silence, Princess Alexandra directed her question at Luisa, her voice echoing within the expansive space. "Luisa, we are on our way back home. Will you now tell us about the Delacronix clan and the Aethelgard Empire?"
Luisa, ever the commanding presence, began to share her knowledge with the eager listeners. "While I possess limited information about the history of the Aethelgard Empire, I am aware that they were once Vylonia's greatest adversaries until half a millennium ago."
A wave of disappointment rippled through the crowd at Luisa's words, but their curiosity was quickly rekindled as she continued. "However, I do have some insights into the Delacronix clan."
All eyes and ears were once again trained on Luisa, their anticipation palpable. Valerus, still diligently working alongside the other Earth Hera wielders, voiced the question on everyone's minds. "Who are the Delacronix clan?"
Luisa, her lips curving into a smile, praised Valerus for his multitasking prowess. "It is commendable that you can balance your duties and listen attentively, Valerus."
Princess Athena, her cheeks flushing crimson at the interaction between her mother and Valerus, observed the exchange with keen interest.
Luisa continued, steering the conversation toward another mysterious group. "What I am most curious about is the House of El. Who are they?"
Elara, her brow furrowed in curiosity, ventured a question. "Are they from Aethelgard as well?"
Luisa clarified, "No, the House of El is, in fact, a Thorenzian clan comprised of seven distinct sub-clans. Lord Ozai often spoke of them in his tales of Thorenzia's past."
A chorus of murmurs and whispers filled the space as the Thorenzians exchanged glances, their interest piqued by this enigmatic clan.
Princess Alexandra, her voice laced with surprise and fascination, pondered the implications of this revelation. "Does this mean that the House of El is an integral part of our history?"
Luisa confirmed, "Indeed, they are Thorenzian. However, much about them remains shrouded in mystery."
The Thorenzians exchanged looks of astonishment as they absorbed this new information, their thoughts churning with questions and speculation.
The journey unfolded with the rapt attention of the people focused on Luisa as she delved deeper into the history of the Delacronix clan.
"The Delacronix clan," Luisa began, "They are a devious group, notorious for their practice of dark magic," she explained, her words punctuated by the gasps of surprise from her audience. "Given the recent revelation of Sariel's true identity, it seems plausible that Lysandra Delacronix may have utilized her clan's ancient magic to summon the volcanic eruption that decimated Vylonia."
Thane, his curiosity piqued, inquired, "If they possess such power, then the Delacronix must be a force to be reckoned with, aren't they?"
Luisa affirmed, "Their strength is undeniable. The Delacronix contribute significantly to the military might of the Aethelgard Empire, rendering them nearly invincible. Compared to Hera, their dark magic is extraordinarily potent." Her tone grew grave as she continued, "But like the Vylonians, who sought to complete Project Paragon to bolster their military might, the Aethelgardians, too, seek a source of power to ensure their dominance."
Caius, his brow furrowed in thought, asked, "And what might that be?"
"Immortality," Luisa revealed, her words sending shockwaves through the crowd.
Isolde, stunned by the revelation, momentarily ceased using her Earth Hera, causing the structure to falter. Valerus quickly chastised her, "Isolde, don't stop! If you stop, you'll pull us back!"
"Right! Sorry!" Isolde apologized, redoubling her efforts to maintain the momentum of their transport.
Luisa continued, undeterred, "I cannot say whether immortality is attainable, but I've heard no news of their success. The Aethelgardians began their quest long before the Vylonians started Project Paragon. While the Vylonians achieved their goal five centuries ago, the Aethelgardians have yet to taste success. Even now, it is reasonable to assume that they are still pursuing immortality, and one clan stands at the heart of their efforts – the Delacronix."
A heavy silence fell upon the crowd as they digested the weight of Luisa's words, their expressions somber as they pressed on toward Thorenzia.
Meanwhile, Lysandra Delacronix, a stark figure atop a camel, made her way toward the imposing gates of the Aethelgard Empire. Clad in white and bearing a black sword at her waist, she drew the attention of the gatekeepers as she approached. Upon her arrival, they welcomed her warmly, granting her entrance to the mighty citadel.
"Welcome, Lady Lysandra," the gatekeepers greeted her.
"Is Arthur away on a mission?" Lysandra inquired, her eyes surveying the familiar landscape of her homeland.
"No, Lady Lysandra. Lord Arthur is in his chambers," the gatekeepers responded.
"Very well," Lysandra replied, a sense of contentment settling over her as she ventured further into the nation. "It's good to be home."