A Journey That Changed The World.

Archer was staring at Aeris, someone he hadn't seen in a long time. Her jet-black hair was still short, the same length as his. But hers highlighted her bright red eyes that seemed to burn with intensity. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

'She still gives me the same look even after all these years,' he thought with a smile.

Petite yet curvaceous, her figure was undeniably stunning, and her features carried a timeless beauty that captivated him. He found the young woman attractive and had spent some time with her over the last few years.

But lately he had been too busy to go see her. Archer shook his head before admiring the clothes she wore. Aeris wore a sleek black dress that fell just below her knees, paired with sturdy boots that hinted at her practicality.

Memories of their first encounter resurfaced, how she had cleverly disguised herself as a boy, leaving him utterly perplexed. Without warning, Archer stepped forward and embraced the Dark Wraith woman.

Aeris yelped, but quickly hugged him tighter while speaking in a reassuring voice. ''Whatever you tell me will stay on this mountain. I'll be here for you until you chase me away or we grow old together.''

He didn't reply straight away, but used Mana Manipulation to create a comfortable chair before picking the black-haired beauty up and sitting down. Archer placed her in his lap while leaning against her shoulder.

The young woman's smile grew as she ran her delicate fingers through his hair just while speaking in a caring voice, which made him smile even more. ''Were you thinking about the past? I've heard about it from the others.''

Archer nodded while closing his eyes and resting against her, ''Yes. It keeps coming up since the war started. It doesn't help that my father is fighting alongside the Alliance,'' he revealed with a tired sigh.

''Even if the world is against you, I'll always stand by your side,'' she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she cupped his cheeks gently in both hands.

Her gaze locked with his, eyes glistening with sincerity. ''Did you know I've loved you from the very moment I revealed my true self to you?''

''No, I didn't,'' Archer admitted, his voice steady as he gazed deeply into her eyes. ''But if you're willing to give me a chance, I'd be more than happy to get closer to you.''

Aeris's eyes widened in surprise, a shocked expression appearing on her beautiful face. ''You... you want me to be your lover?'' she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Instead of answering with words, Archer closed the distance between them, capturing her soft lips in a passionate kiss. Aeris stiffened at first, but soon she melted into his embrace, her arms wrapping around him as she reciprocated with just as much passion.

Following that, the couple spilt apart as the black-haired woman spoke with a beaming smile. ''Can we go on a date? Even if it's a walk.''

''Okay, let's go,'' Archer replied while jumping with her in his arms before taking off and glancing over Avidia.

To the north, vast open plains stretched out, dotted with rivers and forests. To the east, however, lay swamps, mangroves, and other ominous biomes, each more unforgiving than the last.

Archer turned his gaze to the south where the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fleets guarded the shore, their legions stationed across the coastline. ''Let's explore the east,'' he suggested.

Without another word, he soared toward the swamps, landing on a narrow path that cut through the eerie landscape. As he gently set Aeris down, she shifted into her Wraith form before enveloping his body like a protective, otherworldly armor.

The transformation took aback Archer, but a smile tugged at his lips as she muttered with red cheeks, ''I can protect you from the dark forces that dwell here. Some of them are strong.''

'She's adorable,' he thought before walking down the dirt road.

While doing that Aeris commented in a cheerful voice, ''I can feel that you've grown stronger handsome. Your mana is seeping into my body, and it's nice.''

He chuckled before sending even more into the Wraith's body, causing her to yelp before it felt like she was hugging him from behind. ''Are you trying to seduce me, husband? We've just got together and now you want to get into my panties,'' she whispered into his ear.

Following that, the two of them continued on until he sensed a new monster that caught his interest. Archer started walking through a group of trees which worried Aeris, who asked in a worried tone, ''What are you doing?''

''Going to capture more creatures for my army,'' he answered with a knowing grin as the first group rushed at him.

Without waiting, Archer used Mana Manipulation to create two deep holes in front of him just as he stopped walking. The young woman was confused and appeared next to him, but reminded him of a ghost.

He started poking her all over, which made Aeris giggle as she spoke, ''Stop it, I can still feel your touch.''

Moments later, a loud chittering started echoing around them, causing her to grab onto his arm as two massive spiders rushed out of the underbrush, only to fall into the holes he created.

The others got killed when Archer cast Crown of Stars that wiped the remaining monsters out with little effort. Once that was done, he leaned over the side to scan the new creatures he wanted to capture.

[Swampfang Spiders]

[Rank B]

'Interesting. These things could grow stronger in the Domain while fighting the other queens,' he mused, with glowing violet eyes before jumping into the hole.

They reminded him of Trapdoor Spiders back on Earth, but the size of a big cat and looked vicious and was dark green and brown that would hide them in the primal swamp they found themselves in.

When the creature saw this, it backed off, but Archer spoke in a commanding tone, ''Stop moving or you'll die. I can track you back to your colony, so there's no point in running from me.''

The monster stopped moving and started acting like a statue, thinking he couldn't see it. This made him sigh and Aeris giggle as she commented, ''Why is it doing that?''

''I don't know, they must think I'm an idiot,'' he answered.

Archer turned to the Swampfang and pointed at it before sternly scolding the monsters, ''Stop acting like a Mud Possum, you idiotic creature. I can see you, sense you, and see your organs still working.''

The spider's beady eyes locked onto his as an innocent girl's voice echoed in his mind, 'Please don't kill us. We're lost.'

He grew curious before grabbing Aeris's hand and Blinking to the top of the holes while freeing the monsters. When they appeared at the top, the other went to flee, but Mana Manipulation kept it in place.

'Don't move, brother!' the spider quickly warned in a concerned voice. 'He'll kill us.'

Following that, Archer spoke to the two Swampfangs, ''Now that you both are listening. You will take me to your queen. I want to speak to her.''

The female spider lowered its body to allow him to climb on its back as Aeris covered his body before kissing his cheek. A shiver ran down his spine as a smile appeared on his face as he got on its back.

'You know they're scared right now? The one we're riding is trying not to tremble because of your power?'' the beautiful Wraith revealed.

Archer nodded in agreement as the two spiders traveled through the swamp until reaching a fog covered forest. This caught his attention, causing him to think, 'I bet there are more monsters hiding inside here.'

Minutes later, Aeris spoke with an excited smile, ''Looks like that's the entrance to the colony, handsome.''

The Swampfang Spiders entered it as other monsters rushed toward them but the other creature hissed in warning. One didn't listen, causing Archer to destroy it using Mana Manipulation to rip it apart.

This scared the remaining beasts, forcing them to back away. Afterward, they entered the tunnel only to travel down to the queen's chambers where a massive spider was sitting, guarded by bigger versions of the ones he met.

'What brings you to my home, human?' a mature woman's voice sounded.

Archer looked at the enormous monster and realized it was sick and in danger of dying. This caused him to approach it, which alarmed the guardian spiders, but the queen let out a chittering, forcing them back.

Seconds later, he drew close enough to cast Aurora Healing, a soft violet glow enveloping the creatures as the magic took effect. He watched intently as the spider's condition improved, its eyes slowly shifting to lock onto him.

'Why are you helping me?' the queen asked in a wary tone.

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