The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

Chapter 275  Just a dream

– POV Shiro –

*I feel so good...I feel like I'm floating, where am I ?*

It was strange, I didn't feel like I was in the underground room of the Kingdom of Vampires and Dragons with Auntie Kalaa anymore. I could feel a little wind tickling my nose, while my body felt as if it were asleep. Was this another dream ? I didn't dare open my eyes, but just as I was asking myself a bunch of questions, a voice sounded above me, making me jump with surprise and open my eyelids very quickly.

"Who are you ?"

"..."

The emotionless face of a boy a little older than me had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, hiding the light from the place with his head. He had short, dark-blue hair as dark and bright as the ocean and deep-black eyes that reminded me of Mommy's hair. He was waiting for an answer, staring hard at me, preventing me from thinking or even understanding what was going on. It was probably a dream.

"Who are you and why are you in my garden ?"

"I-..."

At his words I turned my head in all directions trying to find the answer to his question too. His garden ? I was indeed surrounded by hundreds of plants, flowers, trees and all sorts of greenery I'd never seen before but why ? After a few seconds, I also noticed the brilliant white reflections coming from the transparent dome above although his garden was incredibly beautiful, I couldn't ignore the unpleasant sensation that was beginning to course through my my head, dazzling the place. I was actually in a greenhouse.

How had I ended up there and who was he ? It was truly weird, and although his garden was incredibly beautiful, I couldn't ignore the unpleasant sensation that was beginning to course through my body. With every little movement I felt heavier than the second before and I didn't know why, but I also had the impression of being there without really being there. Where had my family gone again ? I couldn't understand a thing.

"Are you a spirit or something ?"

"..."

"Well yes, only gods or demi-gods can be here and you look pretty weak so I'd put my divine money on a spirit especially since I don't know anyone with golden eyes and white hair here"

*What's he talking about ?*

"Besides, I don't know what you're doing, but your mana's going all over the place, so if you could just leave, that'd be fine with me, because I don't want to have to explain to Mom that someone died in the garden..."

*My mana ?*

I didn't know what had happened during Auntie Kalaa's test, but I remembered being overwhelmed by this feeling of unknown power. But it seemed to me that she had also warned me about this, had I made a mistake ? Was I stuck in my mind or in another dream ? Yet this time I hadn't fallen asleep, but was it real ? Maybe this boy could help me, but I didn't know where to start.

As I finally tried to stand up, I noticed my bare feet on the cobbled floor of the greenhouse, shining intensely with golden light. The longer I stared at them, the more I felt like I was being jostled from within, yet again, unable to explain what was happening. Had I failed the test ? Just when I thought I'd finally achieved something, it seemed I'd done everything wrong and it was my fault, but...how could I stop all this and come back ?

"Sigh...you're pretty but stupid. Your mana balance is broken and little by little it's escaping from you from your feet apparently. Either go back to where you came from and self-destruct there, or sort it out quickly, but either way, be quick."

Now that I was on my feet, I could clearly see the boy who didn't want me here, and that was normal. He was a little taller than me, his skin was smooth and as perfect as marble glistening in the sun, which brought out his dark eyes and ocean hair. I noticed that his hands were full of dirt, yet his fine clothes were immaculate, he was handsome, but his face was anything but expressive.

For some reason, I couldn't see any light shining in his chest, so what was he feeling ? Had I lost my power because of my unstable mana ? I was completely lost. Mommy and the others had warned me that once I the test started they wouldn't be able to help me, but why was it so hard ? I wanted to go home and didn't know what to do at all as I felt my throat tighten and tears well up.

"Wait, don't tell me you're going to cry ? No, no, no, stop it, I can't stand it when people cry, it makes me nervous ! And besides, my mom says crying is for the weak !"

"A-And...and my Mommy says it's good to...to cry and that even the strongest need it s-sometimes"

"Well, your mommy's nothing but a weak liar"

Mommy ? A weak liar ? Who was he to say that ? Was it my mind that made me see someone so unpleasant ? For what purpose ? I could feel the anger rising rapidly as I trembled more and more, as if I couldn't control what was going on in my head at all. The mana in me circulating through my body was getting heavier and heavier too, but for some reason I didn't know, I couldn't stop it.

"W-What's happening to you again ?"

In the greenhouse, an unknown wind had risen making all the surrounding plants, flowers and vegetation dance. My hair was blown as well as my mana continued to swirl inside me along with the lies he'd spoken. It was intense but at the same time I was still letting myself be carried away by this wave of power even though it might not have been right, at that moment...it was stronger than me.

"S-Stop that !"

Why was it so hard to control my thoughts now ? The wind turned into a gust sweeping more and more around me, leaving me lost once again. I could feel the mana stirring and escaping from me, the air growing heavier as I did my best. The boy in front of me revealed a concerned face for the first time, shouting in my direction as he shielded himself with his hands.

"Stop I say, control yourself dammit !"

"..."

"It's all right, I take it back, but don't destroy everything here or we'll both be in trouble ! Stop !"

"I-I don't know how !"

I felt myself being carried away by my anger at the words he'd spoken and even though I was aware of it I couldn't stop the process. Auntie Kalaa had said that my element was greatly connected to my emotions and at that moment it was as if I felt something was going to happen without being able to control it. I didn't even know what Time was capable of, let alone my skills. What could I do ?

I was scared, I was in an unknown place with a rude boy and my family had disappeared again, but it wasn't a dream, was it ? I had to wake up or call on what I'd learned, but it was all so overwhelming that my mind couldn't focus. I was doing my best though, I had to tame the mana spinning and heating in my body contracting all my muscles but it was so hard.

"Fine !"

Suddenly, like a distant scream echoing in front of me, I heard the mysterious boy before turning my gaze in his direction. I couldn't see much, the wind making me close my eyes not to mention the dirt it lifted preventing me from seeing with ease. It was hard, but I hadn't missed seeing him run along the cobbled path before disappearing around the corner behind a large tree with huge leaves, leaving me alone.

*Help me, don't...don't leave me...*

I was the only one left, my body was shaking and I felt tears welling up again as I felt totally alone. Was I going to die ? No, I had to be brave like Mommy and the others, I had to find a solution on my own like a big girl. Breathe and think, not let my emotions overcome me. Breathing and thinking was the only solution, it was up to me.

*Don't panic, stay calm, don't tremble, pass the test and everything will be fine*

Closing my eyes, I tried to concentrate as hard as I could, I didn't know how much time I had left to succeed, but I mustn't think about it. If everything was connected to my emotions then I had to overcome anger with something else, something powerful and precious. Right now, the only thing I could think about was my family, whom I loved, and the warmth they brought to my chest every day.

I still remembered what it felt like to be alone in a world that only wanted to make you suffer, I was afraid of loneliness. Before I met Mommy, I didn't know what it was like to smile, laugh or even just talk. When I thought about it, it hurt inside, but it was nothing compared to all the joy I'd experienced since I'd been saved, all the pain couldn't compare.

*To be brave is to do your best even when it's hard and even when you feel like crying. To cry is not to be weak as long as you don't give up*

As I repeated these words in my head, I felt my heart calm down as I clearly remembered the warmth that made me happy. Memories flooded in as if to soothe me, the faces of those I loved, the words of love they had whispered to me, I felt good. Even my mana was calming down, I could visualize these sources flowing through me and calm them more easily with a calm mind.

*I can do it*

"Here !"

I couldn't describe what I was doing or explain it, but I was acting almost naturally, trying to tame those flows. Yet just as I was beginning to do so, a voice startled me out of my thoughts as I felt someone grab my hands to slip something into them. The next moment everything became easier, as if by magic my mana yielded to my desires while everything calmed down around me.

*W-What happened ?*

Slowly opening my eyes, I immediately focused them on what I held in my hands, emitting an unexpected warmth. It was a stone, simple, oval but intensely white, making it absolutely magnificent. For some reason I felt a force I knew inside, and as I watched it curiously, the voice of the boy I'd almost forgotten echoed beside me.

"This is a mana stone possessing enough power for you as you look younger than me. It helps to suck up mana when it gets too out of control and makes it easier for you to manage it as you can see. Moonstone..."

"I-It's beautiful...t-thank you for your help"

Raising my eyes to him, I thanked him sincerely, I'd managed to better understand how to control my element but I was still surprised by his act. He had seemed so mean, so why had he helped me ? Smiling softly, I could see him turn his face away with red cheeks before hearing his annoyed tone return. Maybe he didn't like being thanked but that didn't change the fact that I was grateful.

"I-It's...it's nothing you need to thank me for, n-now hurry back I don't want any trouble and..."

He hadn't finished his sentence when suddenly I felt myself being sucked away from this place that was still unknown to me at that moment. I didn't even know his name or who he was, but it seemed it was already too late to ask as everything disappeared in a blinding light. The next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes in that cold underground room where it all began, surrounded by my family crowding around me.

Yes...it was probably just a dream.

______

- POV General -

< At the same time in the greenhouse >

"My little bunny, where are you ?!"

In the upside-down greenhouse, the blue-haired, black-eyed boy stood quite still, staring at the spot where a few seconds before a little girl with white hair and golden eyes had been standing. A new voice echoed through the vegetation, but he couldn't bring himself to answer, wondering if it had all been real. She had disappeared as quickly as she had come and he didn't even know her name or who she was.

"Ah, there you are ! "

While he was still speechless, a curvaceous woman had appeared behind him walking hurriedly in his direction. Same hair, same eyes, raising a face that many knew because yes, it was the Goddess Titania required to stay away from Freya because of another mission. She was very beautiful, dressed in a light blue dress and black heels clacking on the now dirt-filled floor.

"I felt a variation of mana coming from the garden and wondered if you knew why it-...my god but what happened here ?!? Did you exert your mana too violently again ? We've talked about this, my little bunny, but if you want to go from Demigod to God, you've got to be more thoughtful ! Sigh...some on, let's get you cleaned up, Mom is going to help you~"

Grabbing her son, still in shock, the Goddess lifted him into her arms before heading for the exit door. She didn't know what had happened here, and that at this moment the one she was holding had his mind occupied by this mysterious little girl with an hypnotizing angel's smile. Yes, the two mothers would find out much later, but this episode marked the very first meeting between Titania's son and Freya's daughter, two women sworn to destroy each other.

___

FULL STATUS

Names : Freya / Lucifer Nightshade

Age : 0 year old / Mentally : 25 years old

Sex : Female

Course: Ice Demon Wolf of Chaos - Adult

Race : Imperial Demon

Titles :

- Demon Goddess of Primordial Blood and Death (former - until all powers are recovered) - 35%.

- Wrathful Lucifer (7th Sin) - Master of the uniques Sins Demons (to unlock it, please gather the other 6 - 3/6 - (locked)

- Dragon tamer

- Ruthless slayer

Level : 47/70

Exp needed for next level: 7 000 / 48 000

HP : 170 000 / 170 000 MP : 85 000 / 85 000. BLOOD : 100 / 100

Strength: 660

Defense : 660

Agility : 666

Endurance: 663

Speed : 662

Intelligence: 660

Charisma: 500 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 1 600

Married to : Gaya Nightshade

Daughter : Shiro Nightshade

Twins (son & daughter) : Tyle & Altaïs Nightshade

Little sister : Kira Nightshade (Greedy Fox)

Big sister : Kalaa Nightshade

Empire (menu)

Subordinates: 10 801(keep growing)

Humans killed: 153

Souls: 0/3

Elements: Ice / Chaos (Freya) - Blood / Death (Lucifer)

Skills (all):

Attacks :

- Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of hell (Lvl 6)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)

- Fighting techniques (Lvl max)

- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)

- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 7)

Défense :

- Ice demon wall (Lvl 6)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

- Pain Resistance (lvl 6)

Attack/Defense :

- Domain of the Ice Empress "Frozen Wrath" (lvl 4)

- Death Gaze (lvl 1)

Others :

- Humanoid form

- Demonic form (linked to the title so incomplete) - 20%.

- Ice creation (Lvl 6)

- Detection and control of mana (lvl 6)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)

- Master of Souls (lvl 3)

- Lucifer's Threads of Blood (lvl 3)

- Healing Blood (lvl 3)

- Reminiscence (lvl 2)

- Analysis

- Telepathy

Passives :

- Commander (lvl max)

- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]