Aether didn't move his pieces blindly; he moved them with careful calculation, predicting what the Master would possibly do… thinking just like him, step by step, move by move.
Sure, he knew the future and all, but the moment Aether stepped in and made his own moves, the entire board had already shifted.
Naturally, the Master would adjust his plans accordingly, adapting like a predator waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
That was where Aether started thinking like him… Of course, he didn't know the Master perfectly, not down to every intricate detail, but one thing he was absolutely sure of—the man despised leaving any evidence of himself.
He wasn't just meticulous; he was a perfectionist, a mastermind who wanted to weave the ideal scenario, one where he controlled every single outcome. He didn't make careless moves. Every action was deliberate, precise, and left no trace behind.
Considering that even Alaric had been able to fool Dora… there was no doubt about it—the Master was far from simple.
He wasn't just another scheming manipulator.
No, he was leagues above them all!!
That's why, in this part game… Aether didn't just observe from the outside—he stepped in.
If he hadn't been here to tell the truth about their relationship, Aether knew without a doubt that Sandra wouldn't have hesitated for a second to kill Raven.
To Sandra, her daughter was everything, her most precious existence, and she would eliminate anyone who posed even the slightest threat to her without mercy.
And by understanding the Master's way of thinking… Aether realized something crucial.
The Master would not involve himself directly unless it concerned Dora.
That was a major advantage for Aether... And by pulling Victor back, he had successfully backed the Master further into a corner, leaving him with fewer options.
Aether knew Victor was a highly valuable asset to the Master. There was no way they could turn him against them, which meant the Master had limited moves left to play.
There were only a few options remaining…
Either they had to kill the dragons and escape, which would undoubtedly cause massive problems—problems that Sandra would never allow. She was not the type to let her Empire suffer for a mistake she made.
That left only one final solution… killing both of them and making sure Sandra and Raven killed each other while fighting... a perfect plan to fool Victor into thinking Sandra invaded his Empire or something.
However, Aether wasn't entirely sure of the full extent of the Master's plan.
He wasn't the Master, after all.
That meant he needed to wait, observe, and anticipate their next move… hoping for something unexpected, a twist, a surprise attack.
But in the end, there was nothing.
The Master followed the exact pattern Aether had predicted, as if walking along a predetermined path, like a piece in someone else's game.
It almost felt… underwhelming?
Aether couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.
Was this really it?
Was this all a man who had lived nearly 2000 years could come up with?
He had expected more.
Something grand, something mind-blowing, something beyond his understanding. But no… the Master moved exactly as he thought he would.
Was he just too predictable? Or was Aether simply getting too good at reading him?
The Master surely had more tricks up his sleeve than what Aether could predict… right?
Well… even if he was disappointed, it was also a relief.
The more predictable the Master was, the easier it would be to counter him. And as long as Aether could stay one step ahead, then really, who was he to complain?
A victory was still a victory, after all!
Anyway,
/Celestia?/ Aether called out softly while stealthily slipping out of his hiding spot, careful not to make a sound.
/.....Aether?/
The sound of her voice, even through telepathy, felt like a lifeline.
It had only been a short while since he had last heard her, but it felt like an eternity.
His legs nearly gave out as a wave of relief washed over him. He inhaled deeply as if the crushing weight on his shoulders had suddenly lifted. His lips trembled slightly as Celestia, even from a distance, could sense the emotions radiating from him.
/Aether... I am fine/
Those words alone were enough to strengthen him. Reassurance. That was all he needed.
/Aqualina?/
/She is fine too.../
Aether exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He knew he could have reached out to Aqualina directly, but for now, he needed to focus on his current situation. He would talk to her later, once he had dealt with everything in front of him.
/Where are you guys?/ he asked as he carefully sneaked forward and saw...
Raven and Sandra were fighting.
Raven's movements were like a streak of lightning, her long, thin sword slicing through the air with precision. Every step she took was calculated, swift, and lethal.
Sandra, on the other hand, stood her ground with unshakable composure, blocking each strike effortlessly. The water flowed around her hands like a living force, bending and twisting as it absorbed and deflected Raven's relentless attacks
/Well, we are currently in the Academy… being treated/
Aether frowned for a moment, 'Academy?' before nodding slightly, /I see…/ His gaze then shifted, searching for something… or rather, someone...
A hooded figure.
She was watching the fight from the shadows.
/Aether?/
/Ah? Yes, I'm sorry. I'm in the middle of a mess right now… I'll contact you later and hear the details. For now, stay with Dora, and whatever you do, don't leave the Academy. Understand?/
/Huh? A mess? Where are you? Do you need help? Just tell m—/
/Okay, Miss Cute Pie, calm down now… You just got out of one hell of a situation. Take a breather, relax, and let your handsome, sexy husband handle things on this end/ Aether said with a smirk, his usual cocky confidence slipping into his tone.
Before she could protest, he cut off their connection, his focus shifting back to the fight unfolding before him.
Sssnnnggg!
Ssssnnnggg!
Splash! Splash!
"That's all?" Sandra asked with an amused expression, tilting her head slightly. She had expected more from Raven, considering she was the current Chosen One and all.
Was this really all she had?
Raven frowned, staring at the woman in front of her. The truth was, she wasn't even using her powers. That was all. She was in her own territory, after all—naturally, she would be the strongest one here among them.
But still… she needed to calm herself, follow her husband's words, and fight without exerting too much force. Yet, seeing that smirk on Sandra's face, that arrogant, taunting look—Raven's lips twitched in irritation.
"You should be grateful that I'm not using my powers," she mumbled, her voice edged with restrained fury.
Sandra frowned. 'What, bitch?' she thought, her brows furrowing. But then… something clicked. It was like connecting a missing dot.... Her expression slowly shifted, turning into one of mild annoyance as she realized what was going on,
'That idiot!' She gritted her teeth, immediately understanding what Aether was up to. But then… she smirked.
If this was his plan, then she was about to make things a lot more fun.
"I heard dragons are a lot more jealous than others… Shall we test that~?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.
Before Raven could react, Sandra stomped the ground, her body vanishing in an instant. The next second, she reappeared right in front of Raven, her movements fluid like water itself. A sharp glint flashed in her hand—a water blade forming at her fingertips as she slashed straight for Raven's eyes, aiming to slice them open.
Raven's instincts flared. She bent down at the last second, narrowly dodging the deadly blade, but before she could retaliate—
"I'll make sure he only loves me~" Sandra's voice whispered right next to her ear, a taunt laced with venom.
Then—
SWOOSH!
Raven's legs were swept out from under her as Sandra's foot connected, sending her shooting to the side.
BOOM!
Raven stumbled but quickly steadied herself, her body reacting instantly. However—
Sandra was already in front of her.
Her hand pressed firmly against Raven's forehead, fingers poised, a water blade ready to strike down at any moment.
Raven's eyes narrowed. Just as she was about to evade—
"I'll cover him in my scent so no bitch ever dares to touch him again~" Sandra purred.
BOOM!
Another kick. Another hit. Raven barely managed to block as she skidded backwards, coughing, but she still stood her ground yet....
"Once he knows how I taste… I'm sure he'll love me more than any of you bitches~"
BOOM!
"You will never own him. I will make sure of that!"
BOOOOM!
"I'm going to fuck his brains out so good he'll forget your puss—"
"ENOUGH, BITCH!!!!"
ROARRRRRRR!!!!
A violent purple aura erupted from Raven's body, crackling like a raging storm. Her heterochromia eyes flickered—until both turned into a glowing, ominous purple flicker.
And then—
BOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!
Sandra was thrown back with immense force, her body smashing through several buildings, reducing them to rubble. Dust and debris filled the air as the ground trembled from the sheer power of the blast.
Raven stood in the middle of the destruction, her breathing heavy, her body radiating raw power. Her dark purple horns protruded from her head, her tail lashing behind her like a predator ready to kill.
"No one… takes him away from ME," she muttered in a deadly tone, her energy flaring violently. Her gaze locked onto Sandra with nothing but pure, merciless intent.
Cough, cough…
From the ruins, Sandra groaned, wiping the blood trickling from her lips. But instead of anger, her expression twisted into excitement.
"Heh… Yeah, that's more like it, bitch," she uttered, her voice laced with amusement. A crazed grin stretched across her lips as she pulled herself up from the rubble.
Not far away, the first hooded figure watched the scene unfold, her eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"Fu~Fu~ Now this is getting interesting," she murmured, entertained.
Meanwhile—
'Okay, okay, time out! TIME OUT!!' Aether screamed internally, watching his plan crumble before his very eyes.
Everything was spiralling out of control.
He had calculated every possibility and planned every move except this.... sometimes… he forgot one crucial thing—
His wives or lovers or whoever these women he calls... were more unpredictable and dangerous than his fucking enemies!!
"Oh, my fucking—!" Aether gritted his teeth, watching as Raven and Sandra unleashed their full fury on each other.
Both of them were pouring out all their rage, all their pent-up jealousy and frustration.
And the worst part?
... He was the damn cause of it!