The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

- POV General -

While the Imperial family was still on its way to the south of the Vancesia Empire, a detachment of the Elysium army was on its way to the capital of Zal. Commander Luna and her ten best spy soldiers were to lead a very important mission. Entrusted by the Empress herself, failure was not an option, carrying the weight of an entire nation.

It had been a week since Freya had left the Dark forest and the intelligence section had left following Myles. Tied up, the only survivor of the army had been put on a horse that had not stopped galloping to Zalhythe for a very specific purpose. Indeed, the man carried with him a sinister message for the city's most powerful leaders in the form of a small object hanging around his neck capable of recording.

The Empress was waiting for every word she had spoken into the magical object invented by the dwarf master Yuric to be retransmitted to the letter. But that wasn't all, the head of the King of Zal imprisoned in the ice served as a gift but also as a warning. So it was up to Luna and her Lieutenant galloping behind the half-extinguished Myles to make sure everything went according to plan despite the stress coming from one of them.

"Commander...do you know how her Highness' trip is related to our mission ?"

Ash the leopard half-human hadn't been able to stop himself from asking this question as he finally smelled a strong scent of humans...the city was near. He knew that what was happening was important but still felt completely lost especially since the Empress had left. The Commander, her eyes still on the horizon, answered in a very calm way, piquing her interlocutor's curiosity.

"Her objective has not yet been revealed to us, it must remain secret, but everything has a meaning, it serves a goal much greater than destroying the capital and its human leaders.

"A greater...goal ?"

The Lieutenant waited eagerly to hear the rest, wondering what huge thing the she-wolf might have planned for the future. Expand the Empire throughout the Dark Forest ? Turn the mysterious Supreme into a slave in Elysium's pay ? Take over Zal's entire army ? He didn't know. After a few long seconds of silence where only the sound of hooves echoed, Luna finally spoke again without ever looking away.

"Yes, a much greater goal. Her Highness had an ambition that no one before her had ever dared to have or even imagine. That day...the Empress was like...a goddess dressed in a coat of light."

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The young panther woman had said these last words almost in a whisper to herself remembering that moment perfectly. She would never forget that day when Freya had gathered the Commanders to tell them of her project that could seem totally crazy. As the two soldiers galloped toward Zal she began to explain her eyes filled with admiration and respect.

______

< A few days earlier in the Elysium Empire >

In the great throne room of the mansion, only the Commanders were gathered in front of her Highness the Empress and of course her Majesty the Queen. Sitting on their throne at the top of the stairs, they watched in an almost frightening silence. Nixia, Naïa, Luna, Thorunn, Emilia, Caipy, Persea, Ralph, Ynir and Trioa were all there dressed in black, but beside them also stood Kira, the new Commander.

Apart from them the great hall was empty, every sound echoing like thousands bouncing off the huge pillars bearing the flag of the Empire. The large windows overlooking the private imperial garden let in the moonlight, which flooded the room with its soft but cool silver glow. After several minutes of silence, Freya finally stood up slowly before uttering only one word showing the importance of her announcement.

"Commanders"

Her long black hair reached her waist and shone under the moonlight, as intensely as the piercing violence of her ever so mysterious eyes. The she-wolf seemed to read the soul of each of them, her horns made her as noble as terrifying especially since she never smiled. The cold beauty of the Empress always gave a little something to her faithful warriors who couldn't take their eyes off this mesmerizing young woman.

Freya wore a beautiful navy blue and gold imperial suit, obviously enhanced by her black furry imperial cloak engraved with the symbol of the Empire of Lights. She stood there proudly, towering over the others without saying a word because she didn't need much more. The she-wolf was a beloved, respected and feared leader, so once her vibrating eyes had finished piercing the crowd, she finally deigned to continue.

"It is time to finally share with you the dream I have had since we built this place, no...since I arrived in this world, the ultimate goal I have set for myself that can only be possible with the help of each and every one of you. You already know my plans for the capital of Zal, but this is only the very first step toward that dream..."

The young women in line did not dare to make a single sound or even breathe, hanging on the lips of the she-wolf eager to know the rest. What could this dream be that the Empress was nurturing ? She who seemed so different, capable of anything and above all never afraid of anything, what could be the dream of such a being ? No one was moving, the seconds seemed to last for minutes and the minutes for hours.

Hearts beat rapidly in the chests and bodies began to tremble as the atmosphere changed dramatically. Enveloped in a powerful and oppressive aura, they didn't even blink anymore. The she-wolf had her violent eyes shining, her face was most serious and at that moment, no one could ignore the shivers that came from her mere look as the words finally came.

"THE UNIFICATION OF THE ENTIRE CONTINENT !"

The Empress had uttered this sentence in a powerful, clear and sure voice as if Pandora's box had suddenly been opened. An immense shock seized all the Commanders who could not believe their ears. It was crazy, far too crazy, almost unthinkable, and yet Freya had spoken these words with such assurance, such determination that time seemed to stand still.

This upheaval could be seen on the faces of all 10 young women except Kira, they had felt a tremendous pressure and did not know what to say. It was as if the ground had opened under their feet while an instinctive fear began to make them all tremble in unison. Unification of the continent...that meant world domination, but despite all they had accomplished so far, were they allowed to dream about it ?

After all, even though many persecuted people had joined Elysium today, this project brought out an innate fear in the 10 young women. Would they be strong enough to realize this impossible dream ? Victory meant a better place to live for all races, but defeat meant a fate far worse than death...for all. It was frightening, terrifying, and as everyone tried to come to their senses, the Empress continued.

"Yes, the land will be bathed in rivers of blood and it will undoubtedly be a time of darkness like the continent has never known. A bloody and merciless war will descend upon every nation until only one is left...ours. The journey will be rough, many will die, despair and fear may even eat away at us, but I assure you here and now, if we succeed..."

"..."

"For the very first time in history, half-humans and beastmen will walk in this world with their heads held high! I don't claim to be able to end wars, but in my heart I am sure...that never again will anyone have to hide or be ashamed of being different."

The Commanders listened to her words and as the Empress spoke, they felt fear turn to excitement. It was not just anyone who had formulated this desire but the one who so far had managed the feat that no one before had ever done. The she-wolf with her charisma and strength alone had built an Empire and thus offered a place where different people could all live away from hatred but it was not enough.

"Commanders, I ask you... will you follow me in my insane dream of conquest ? Will you spill your blood to make our Empire the greatest ever known ? Are you willing to share the weight on your shoulders ? The weight of a whole generation and even future ones. Be my sword and shield and together...let us take up our arms and march upon this world to shape a brand new one where all will have their place !"

The Empress' voice as divine still echoed in this huge hall, this was where it all began and as she finished, she gently placed a hand over her heart. At that moment, the rays of the moon seemed to sparkle with a unique glow, falling on the ruler and cloaking her in an almost blinding coat of silver light. At that moment the breathtaking she-wolf looked like a powerful and divine being able to change everything.

With these simple words Freya had just set fire to the hearts that had been darkened by fear a few minutes ago. From those simple words she had turned into an even greater excitement and as always she had managed to ignite that special flame in their souls. Never before had the Empress' eyes shone with such determination and what she gave off was so unique and powerful that it was indescribable.

"Let us give a future to those we love, let us fight for those who have fallen before us and let nothing be in vain. You once feared the dark. You once feared death. You once feared the endless void and what it held within but I will lead us from the ashes of your greatest failure. I will unite you all with my black legions, I will unify what remains and usher in a blood age of conquest, revenge and freedom."

The she-wolf knew very well what all this meant and yet under the moon as witness to her statements she was still resolute. Gaya at her side said nothing but her soft wet amber eyes vibrated filled with pride, admiration and so much love. The Queen had already decided to follow her and as she discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, the young women in front of them bowed in unison.

"WE ARE THE CHAOS COMMANDERS OF THE ELYSIUM EMPIRE, WE WILL FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU GO AND WE WILL FIGHT BY YOUR SIDE UNTIL THE END, YOUR HIGHNESS !!!!"

The Commanders had certainly hesitated in the face of the fear that had suddenly gripped them but they would never forget what Freya had done and offered them. They were ready to follow her even to Hell and no matter how bloody the path, they would not give up. So it was in this throne room that for the first time, surrounded by her wife and her greatest warriors, that the Empress made her ambition known.

______

"T-THE CONQUEST OF THE WORLD ???"

As Luna had finished her short tale, Ash had not been able to help but shout his surprise as the information shared was so huge. Everything was mixed up in his head, the same fear that had invaded the Commanders also took him and that the young woman understood better than anyone. Still galloping at full speed behind Myles, the warrior in a serious voice revealed what she was really thinking while her heart was pounding.

"I too was terrified of the idea, but if it is her...if it is her Highness then I am sure it is possible. Can't you feel it, Ash ? Things are changing and the world is about to undergo an unprecedented upheaval, and we..."

"Commander..."

"...we are the sword and shield of the Empress. We who have been freed from our chains, it is time to put out our fangs and claws in the service of her dream which is also ours. Ash, she is the one... the one we have all been desperately waiting for, the one who will bring us out of the darkness and restore the balance of all things."

It was Freya who had given them strength, courage, hope and had revived the dreams in their hearts and ignited the flame in their souls. At last the time of the uprising had come, announcing the era of those who had hidden for too long from the cruelty of humanity. Luna also thought of her parents who had sacrificed themselves to Zal so that she could survive and a feeling of making them proud kept growing inside her.

"And the beginning of this new era begins here...with us, Lieutenant, we have one month. The first step toward realizing the Empress' ambition, the first step toward our dream of freedom. We owe it to all those who are no longer here today..."

"B-But what if the war were to begin without the return of the Imperial family ?"

"Then we will have to keep fighting, hold on with all our strength and wait for her return no matter what, that is our duty. Because...the future of the country...no...the future of the continent and the world will depend on the outcome of this very first fight."

As the young woman finished her sentence, the goal they had to reach was finally beginning to take shape on the horizon. Zalhythe the capital of the first country targeted and which was indeed going to mark the first stage of this great dream. The two soldiers then stopped to observe and before resuming the road, Luna finally turned to her Lieutenant with a sweet smile and words that instantly swept away all fear.

"Let's try to honor the mission we have been given and trust her Highness as she trusts us."

[N/A : Music for this chapter available on discord]