Altheria's POV
With a sharp upward swipe of her clawed hand, the fractured space near the wold head above the bed collapsed completely.
A swirling dark vortex formed in its place, its pull fierce and unrelenting. The shards of space and the remnants of the wolf head were consumed by the void.
The barrier I'd erected held firm and shielded the other items in the room including the siblings from being drawn into the vortex.
Once the debris was completely annihilated, Nyx moved her claw in a fluid motion. The spherical dark barrier covering the area above the bed lightened and slender tendrils extended from it.
They latched onto the fractured space, weaving it back together seamlessly. In moments, the once-broken space was mended and restored to its previous state as if nothing had happened.
I watched, stunned. My mind raced as I recognized what I was witnessing. The innate spatial manipulation of the Abyssbound Night Dragons...
It was a branch of the dark dragon lineage so rare that many considered them extinct. While destroying space wasn't difficult for Heaven Connection beings like us, restoring it to its original state was another matter entirely. It was something we'd long thought impossible.
This limitation was the reason why whenever a conflict erupted between Heaven Connection beings, the battlefields where they fought were typically declared forbidden regions afterward.
The instability of the space left behind that was riddled with dangerous spatial rifts and razor-sharp space shards rendered such areas uninhabitable for any living beings.
Nyx had never revealed her space abilities in the earlier years of our friendship. I'd only read about such feats in ancient texts during my research into her lineage and she had shared this secret knowledge with me after our bond had strengthened through countless trials.
Watching her now, I was reminded of how little of her true strength she had ever displayed. No wonder she was known as the strongest dragoness of the Agate Star World, though if they knew her true power they would raise their bars even more.
I sighed and let her vent her anger without interruption, knowing the depth of attachment she had for her disciple. When she turned to me, the coldness in her dark golden eyes froze the air between us, and her dark golden eyes which had now turned into vertical slits sent a chill through my entire body.
"Altheria, give me the location and details of that countess's residence. I'll ensure they regret their actions so thoroughly they won't have the chance to reflect on their mistakes," she said, her tone as sharp as a blade.
I understood the implications of her words and didn't bother trying to stop or reason with her. Nyx wasn't someone who allowed such provocations to go unpunished.
"As for that brat Lucien," she continued, her menacing smile spreading as she cracked her knuckles,
"If I find proof of his involvement in this ambush, I'll kill him. I don't care if he's the son of that loathsome Kieran Vael. Besides, it's been too long since I last taught him a lesson."
I couldn't suppress the small sigh that escaped me. Inwardly, I offered a silent prayer for Kieran Vael. Nothing good ever came from Nyx setting her sights on someone. Still, a thought struck me, and I decided to intervene with a calculated reminder.
"Nyx," I said in a measured tone, "it would be detrimental to your and Ethan's reputation to target someone from the younger generation, no matter how much they deserve it. Ethan suffered no real loss from Lucien's schemes. If anything, he emerged stronger and more victorious.
You should have more faith in your disciple's abilities. When the time comes, Ethan will deal with Lucien himself whether by defeating him or killing him, if the need for that arrives.
That will speak louder than anything else. And if Kieran dares to step in, that's when your assistance will truly matter."
I painted a vivid and enticing picture to sway her thoughts. I knew Nyx didn't care for politics or social consequences nor did she have the burdens of leading a race like I did. But if she killed Lucien out of rage, Ethan's reputation would inevitably take a hit when he entered the Abyssal Sanctum. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire
Worse, he would attract unwanted attention that could potentially compromise the elaborate disguise we were trying to maintain and plan for him.
Kieran with his cunning would surely uncover the truth if he focused all his resources and focus on the matter.
Ha! I care so much for your disciple Nyx, and think so much about his future, unlike a fool like you who can't even think properly, I thought with a hint of sarcasm though outwardly I maintained a mask of concern and sincerity.
My expression was that of a friend earnestly worried about her impulsiveness. At last, the icy glint in Nyx's eyes softened though her face retained a stern look.
"But I still need to kill the chicken to warn the monkey," she said, clenching her fists so tightly that the air itself seemed to crackle and pop with pressure.
"I have to let them know that if they step out of line again, I'll crush them into smithereens."
I nodded calmly, though my thoughts lingered on Nyx's terrifying physical strength. In terms of raw power and body toughness, I knew I was no match for her.
"Enough of that," she said, her voice easing as she turned her gaze toward Ethan. "First, I need to take care of my little dragon. He must be exhausted after everything that's happened. Rest is what he needs to overcome this trial on his own."
Her tone left me cringing and I couldn't hep but vomit inside my mind at her weird actions and words. She carried Ethan in a princess style and put him on the bed.
I arrived beside her ad observed his pale but serene face that looked like he was experiencing a sweet dream. He looked so calm and innocent like a little boy.