Village Head's Debauchery

"I entrust my responsibilities to you for the tbeing," Orion stated, directing his attention towards former Village Chief Brane. With the awakening ceremony approaching in a few days, he needed someone reliable to manage affairs during his absence.

"I'll do my best. May Nak…" Former Village Chief Brane began, then swiftly altered his words. "May all of you return safely from your journeys."

The key figures all nodded, exchanging brief words of farewell before it was tfor departure.

Orion, Fifi, Stronghold Leader Seth, Captain Seig, Leif, the other gods' chosens, and Vylkr warriors clasped hands to form a connection. Orion activated his gift, and instantly, they vanished into the sky with a fierce bolt of lightning.

Queen Selene watched the unfolding scene with longing flashing in her eyes as the fierce bluish lightning bolt pierced through the Primordial barrier and vanished into the clouds.

"Cback soon," Queen Selene whispered before turning on her heels and departing with the others.

…....…..

Second Border City

Patriarch Rylan's residence

"They're finally asleep," Patriarch Rylan remarked, brushing his hands together as he descended the stairs and joined his daughter for breakfast.

"You were up all night showcasing your techniques and teaching them, so it's no surprise they had trouble sleeping," Isadora remarked, taking a bite of her kalna fruit. She savoured the flavour, never tiring of these fruits.

"Leif and the others were testing their skills to ensure they were ready to leave the floating island. If I didn't find a way to keep their attention, they would have been a distraction," Patriarch Rylan explained, recalling the pressure on Leif, Leona, Ryker, and the other gods' chosens to lead Orion and the others successfully.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, noticing his daughter's distant expression.

"Nothing," Isadora quickly shook her head, feigning ignorance to her momentary distraction during her father's explanation.

"Is it because of Village Chief Orion?" Patriarch Rylan immediately caught onto the reason behind her demeanour.

He would be foolish not to recognize his daughter's current fondness for the architect of Orion's Cities, who was also the new Village Chief. However, having encountered many lecherous men like Orion, he couldn't help but feel she should have chosen a more suitable partner.

"No, it isn't related to him," Isadora responded, shaking her head in denial of her father's assumption.

"Okay, since you don't want to tellthe reason, I'll stop asking," Patriarch Rylan replied. Although he wished his daughter were more like her younger brother, who had secretly started a relationship with Leona, whom he approved of, he had no choice but to let her follow her own path.

"Did you inform Village Chief Orion about what I told you regarding our race's settlement?" he asked, his tone serious. Now that Orion had descended from the floating island, It would been a problem if she hadn't informed him.

"Don't worry, I've informed him about it. He simply toldthat he'd think about it. He hasn't givenan answer yet. But I think he wants to leverage Leif and the others' usefulness during their exploration to finalize his decision," Isadora sighed, recalling Orion's response when she had asked him this question several weeks ago.

Patriarch Rylan nodded thoughtfully, "Regardless, as long as you informed him on time, that's good enough. I know that Leif and the others will do their best, so they don't have to worry," he responded.

"But since they are gone, we must look after the race directly. So, finish up quickly so you can join me. Helpalso wake up your brother when you're done," he added before focusing on the kalna fruits before him.

Isadora nodded and swiftly devoured her fruits. Her mind raced with thoughts of accomplishing the task Orion had left for her before his departure.

…....…

Below the floating island

Hidden within the clouds, Orion, Fifi, Stronghold Seth, and eight Vylkr warriors stood atop a massive, majestic creature with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle spanning over 55 meters (180ft), and the tail of a scorpion. Its fur and feathers were a striking crimson-grey, adorned with wisps of purple flemanating at various intervals.

Meanwhile, Captain Sieg, Evadne, Leif, and the other gods' chosens perched atop a colossal winged beast resembling a deer with a wingspan exceeding 50 meters( 164ft). Its scales possessed a dark, iridescent black that shimmered with deep blue and violet hues in the light. It had razor-sharp talons and a long, serpentine tail tipped with a venomous stinger, glowing with a menacing crimson light, its mouth bristled with rows of jagged, obsidian-like teeth.

Each of the accompanying warriors had been selected from among the best in both strongholds, possessing immense strength and unique gifts capable of overpowering anyone at the slevel. They might have brought even more or less if they fully understood the levels of danger they were about to face.

"How surprising! It appears we already have a few unexpected guests," remarked Stronghold Leader Zogar, squinting into the distance at a group numbering less than fifty men and women who had set up camp near the immense, deep crater formed by the Aegis of the Arctic Deity when it lifted their territory into the sky.

"It seems Patriarch Rylan was correct. The event of the Vylkr veil phenomenon truly has drawn the attention of several others," Orion nodded in agreement.

Several stood around the area, effortlessly fending off the Vylkr vines and preventing them from encroaching on others within the protected zone. With thick metal bracelets on their wrists and wielding enormous weapons that would pose a challenge even to seasoned warriors within an ordinary 'Hierarchy of power', it was clear that they were gods' chosens.

"It appears they are investigating the massive crater," Fifi remarked, scanning the area to see if there were any other hidden individuals they might have missed.

"I'll scout the entire surroundings to check for anyone else. Wait here until I return," Orion replied, also keen on searching for any others in hiding or those further away that they might have overlooked.