Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 699 - 698 - Counting the Dead

Reya was not sure how to feel.  Lord Frey had finally returned but the mighty dragon that came back with him was apparently part of the family.  She was dead.  None understood how she died but there was no life or Qi left in her at all.

It was not like the Fiends that left husks as her flesh was completely intact.

She had saved their Lord with her power and quick thinking.  The body was currently under heavy guard by strange soldiers who did not obey anyone save the wives of Lord Frey.  They also insisted on calling them Empress or Imperial majesty at every turn!

Reya saw the smudge face of Lind as he had returned to his human form when he finally passed out, but the strange gateway was still functioning even with him out cold.

It was clearly related to him by its color, but none knew how or would explain it.  Only Lady Fey said she felt some kind of Law in use yet not what it was.

"Have you slept?"  Reya turned to see Qing enter.  Her usually calm face looked concerned and happy at once.  Her delicate hands checked Lind but then held his face gently.

Reya turned to keep guard and pretended not to hear the tears.  They were happy tears for sure.

She was far from the first wife to come visit him.  Annabelle had collapsed after crying her eyes out and Lysanna had not been far behind her.  Kora had to be helped but she simply acted like Qing and smiled while crying to see him alive.

Cyntilla had made everyone clear the room so no one was exactly sure but Reya had seen her misty eyes.

Shoti had simply put her ear to his chest and seemed to soak in that he was there and alive.  Fey and Tal had followed most of them after that, dragging an exhausted Illyria with them.

All of them simply touched his hands or laid near him for a time.  The reality that he was there was still sinking in.

"I am afraid we have more bad news when you wake, my love."  Reya nearly jolted at the words.  A lot of people had died, millions of them.  She knew some of her retinue were missing and was worried but she was not allowed out yet.

She feared the worst but was happy to at least be able to watch over Lord Frey once more.

"Make sure to rest or I will be cross."  Reya jumped and bowed before promising to sleep.  She then set up one of the leather padded chairs next to the bed.  The room was not too luxurious as they knew Lind preferred lowkey accommodations.

"Where is Master?!"  A young girl's voice suddenly echoed when a teenager looking young girl bolted in.  She ignored Reya who wanted to stop her but the look of concern was too familiar.  Also, she had the same emerald lined cloak as some of the others she had seen.

She was about to ask who she was when the aura of a peak Sun Tier washed over the room.

"Lua, I told you he was fine, just exhausted.  He fought hard for–"  A woman with raven black hair and pale skin came in and noticed Reya.  She bowed low but Reya was on guard.  Who was this woman and why did she put Reya on edge?

"I am Kin, a direct servant to Emperor Frey.  This is Lua, his second direct disciple I am told.  I have heard of someone with hair such as you, would you be Reya?"  Shock flooded her as she nodded.

Kin smiled and summoned a book.

"I was instructed to give updates to you on a few things.  Namely who we are and also to avoid any misunderstandings.  There are other officials coming as well as…other people."  The tone changed on the last 2 words and Reya needed no explanation.

They were pests!

She took the book and began to read as Lua reassured herself her master was safe.

⬧⬧⬧⬧

The days and weeks that followed were shocking to the entire Heaven Realm.

The Fiends had been dealt a massive blow and forced to pull far back from any semblance of where they had been before.  The death toll, however, was massive!

Of the 3 million Romana led, only 800,000 survived.  Most of them were Maidens but good friends had died.

Lady Gua had come in their time of need with many beasts but they were all dead.  She had rescued several Sky Realm bests of the Moebius Sect that had been hiding in the rubble.

She had stayed behind and despite being a peak Sun Tier, she could not stand up to the Immortal Fiends.

It was a tragically common thread in the reports.  Wyndam had died saving his family.  Lysanna had only heard once it was over.

Teylin was barely holding on after a building collapsed on him but Lind's burst of harmonic Qi kept him holding on.  No one knew if he would revive.

Jorn learned that all the demons he brought with him were dead and gone while he was likely going to be lucky to recover.

Carla's sect mates were all dead.  They had died saving the wounded in the last attacks.  So close to the end but it was just a sea of dead.

The more the reports came in, the more devastating they all realized their side of the battles had been as well.

All told, 7 high level powers were simply wiped from the world entirely with nearly all the subject powers consumed as well.  Hundreds of medium and low level powers no longer existed.

Even though the Fiends had to pull far back. The Alliance was not much better.

In that smoking ruin, a powerful woman flew over with vibrant blonde hair and a massive sword on her back.  Her battle dress was made of the finest refined silk and covered with metal plates on vital areas.

Valkyrie was shocked at the level of devastation.  She also sensed the corpse of another Shard Tier being but it was under heavy guard by the strange people.

She had not come to pry but she saw the white flickers of movement and landed to get an update.

"Disciple, report."  The woman with sandy hair and blood stained robes looked up in confusion at her.  While her aura was restricted, Valkyrie was still well known to all the Heavenly Maidens.

"Senior, I am busy but Vice-Sect Master Melody is at the central area if you need details."  Valkyrie was about to punish the upstart when her words sunk in.  Lind had reported the ruin of a Heavenly Maiden Sect revived and that he taught them all he knew.

They followed their tenants and wanted to rejoin if it was allowed.  She had never approved of any woman named Melody but she grasped the situation.

"In the future, learn who your Sect Master is, disciple."  She then flared her Immortal aura and the woman paled.

She at least looked apologetic as Valkyrie flew off but then the partially exposed corpse made Valkyrie feel guilty.  Such harsh work was not easy to do.

She was not stopped by any guards but she noted the emerald cloaked soldiers watching her carefully.  They did not provoke but they were prepared to act.  Well trained soldiers indeed.

She finally arrived but it was chaos.  She did not impose on anyone actively healing, helping, or clearly running on errands but she found a young girl looking around for something to do.

"Excuse me, I am looking for Vice-Sect Master Melody.  Do you know where she is?"  The young girl jumped but then looked afraid and Valkyrie realized she had not retracted her aura.  She quickly did so and the girl calmed down.

"Um, I am not sure where Auntie Melody is.  She wanted to see if my Master was awake but he exhausted himself against that–that–that bastard!"  Anger suddenly entered her voice and Valkyrie felt peak Sky Realm aura from her.  She was quite young so that was impressive.

"I just need to find your Master then, where is he in this mess?"  The young girl looked around but then shook her head.

"Master is inside, he–he is not allowed visitors while they work on him."  Concern was clear on her face and Valkyrie softened.  Such a loyal disciple was a good thing.

"I will see if Lysanna or someone else knows.  Excuse me."  The young girl looked surprised.

"You know my Master's wives?"  The question made Valkyrie freeze in place.  She slowly turned back to the girl.

"Your master is Lind Frey?"  Valkyrie saw pride shine at that question.

"Yup!  Master saved me and taught me a lot!  He–he also prepared me for this kind of thing but I am not strong enough to help."  Valkyrie realized the girl meant battle.  She then gently patted her head and saw her look up in curiosity.

"There is no rush to fight.  I know your master of old.  He is not a man to wage war without need and prefers peace."  The young girl nodded but then smiled as she turned around.  A woman with clear eyes and a pristine white robe stood behind her.

"Lua, her majesty Shoti wants to see you.  Go back to the Emperor's room to meet her."  The young girl bowed to them both and ran off.  The woman then bowed low to Valkyrie.  "Emperor Frey gave me your description as well as several others in case I ever met you.  I am Melody, the current Vice-Sect Master of the Heavenly Maiden Sect inside the Law Binding."

Valkyrie noted her wording but also her steel.  She nodded in approval, but knew there would be issues, yet the flow of Qi and her quality was above even most of her own disciples.

"I have already spoken with the other branch leaders.  Reclaiming a lost branch is not unusual but I will admit there will be some resistance, yet the–Emperor–was once a guest elder and knew much about us.  I at least credit with him being thorough."

Melody frowned but said nothing.  Valkyrie sighed internally as clearly they were allies with Lind Frey.  Also, Emperor?  Since when?

"Lady Melody, the Emperor has awakened and requests your presence if it is possible."  A man in an emerald cloak suddenly appeared.  Valkyrie was shocked because she had felt nothing!  How had he gotten so close and only a Sun Tier?!

"I am currently meeting with the Sect Master of the Heavenly Maiden Sect.  My authority will likely be rescinded but I will come as soon as I can.  I owe him that much."  Valkyrie's eyes narrowed.  Steel was not the word for it.  Reckless abandon might be better to presume what she would do with Melody.

"As you wish."  The man vanished and Valkyrie could just make him out.  The technique he used was strange.  It was like his very soul could be muted!

"We have much to discuss, but if Lind Frey is awake, I too wish to speak with him.  Let's go."  Valkyrie spoke and took off but noticed Melody did not.  She looked confused as the woman blushed.

"We–we don't know how to fly yet."  Shock was then covered by some giggling as Valkyrie landed.

"We will walk then."  The 2 Maidens marched through the chaos of the camp toward the central towers at the heart of the Moebius Sect.