Somewhere deep within the ancient, tangled roots of No Man's Land, the air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and old growth.
"It wasn't fair, dear sister!" Veyron's voice cut through the quiet, vibrating with protest. "How come Lunara gets to go back to Elysium while I stay behind? And he didn't even tell me about it!"
Nyxara watched her with a look of practiced patience. "Now, now, my dear Veyron. I am sure my husband had your best interests at heart when he made the decision. Besides, it is no secret that you have a rather... peculiar relationship with Thysera."
Veyron pouted, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "She started it. I was just minding my own business."
"Oh, sister," Nyxara replied, her tone carrying a hint of comedic doubt. "We all know it wasn't Thysera who started that rivalry. You were the one who decided to compete with her out of nowhere."
"Don't undersell me like that!" Veyron huffed, sulking further. "I thought you were on my side. Hmph!"
Nyxara giggled at the display and pulled the warrior goddess into a gentle embrace. Veyron resisted for a fraction of a second before leaning into the warmth.
"I am on both of your sides," Nyxara said softly. "I love you and Thysera equally. But I also know you can be passionate—and very competitive. It is very much like you."
Veyron clicked her tongue, though she didn't pull away. She sighed, her posture finally relaxing as she looked out into the trees.
"You know, sister, you're becoming less and less like the goddess who is supposed to govern the afterlife. Back in Elysium, you stayed in your domain and barely spoke to us unless it was a major occasion. Meeting Natsu changed you. I'm actually thankful to him for that."
Nyxara smiled, resting her chin on Veyron's shoulder.
"Lunara told me the exact same thing today. I didn't expect to hear it twice in one afternoon."
Their quiet moment was suddenly shattered.
The earth lurched with violent force, throwing the surrounding trees into a frantic sway. Leaves rattled through the canopy, and somewhere in the distance a flock of startled birds burst into flight. A heavy, suffocating pressure saturated the air, followed by a deafening roar that echoed from the shadows of the deeper woods.
"Oh my," Nyxara said, her voice remaining calm even as her eyes brightened with a tint of amusement. "We have a visitor."
Veyron straightened up, her gaze snapping toward the source of the noise. She exhaled a long, exasperated sigh as she prepared to move.
"These critters certainly know how to ruin an intimate moment, don't they?"
The earth shook with every heavy stride. In the distance, ancient trees groaned and snapped as something massive forced its way through the undergrowth. Leaves shivered along the forest floor as smaller creatures scattered in panic.
"Heh, you're quite the big boy, aren't you?" Veyron said, watching the treeline with genuine intrigue.
As the beast approached, rabbits, foxes, and other forest creatures scrambled past the goddesses in a frantic bid for safety.
From the deep shade of a twisted oak, four shadow soldiers emerged. They sank to their knees, bowing low.
"Mistresses, how may we be of assistance?" the lead soldier asked reverently.
Veyron waved them off.
"Go assist Lunara or something. We'll be fine."
The soldiers began to retreat, but Veyron called out to them as an afterthought.
"Oh, and tell our lord we'll be joining him shortly. I just need to handle this critter real quick."
With a final bow, the shadows melted into the ground and vanished.
The trees ahead burst apart.
A bear-like creature, standing twelve feet tall, lunged into the clearing. It was a monstrosity of flesh and metal, with claws made of jagged steel and a jaw to match. Thick, metallic hides covered its massive frame like natural armor. It roared, the sound vibrating deep within the goddesses' chests, and charged with reckless abandon.
Trees were toppled like twigs as the beast swung a massive right claw in a lethal arc.
Veyron didn't flinch.
She caught the strike effortlessly with her left hand, a smug grin tugging at her lips. She didn't even look at the beast. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Nyxara, who was watching with fond eyes.
"What do you think we should do with this one, sister?" Veyron asked.
Nyxara sighed, her expression one of mild exasperation.
"Whether you keep it or not, its fate is already decided, isn't it? Besides, you've already dealt the blow. I don't know why you're asking me, Veyron."
As if on cue, the beast's head slid from its shoulders.
Veyron caught the massive, armored skull in her right hand just as the body crashed to the earth with a final, ground-shaking thud.
"I guess it was useless to ask. Sorry, sister," Veyron said, her face alight with satisfaction.
Nyxara shook her head.
"Ever the show-off. I suppose some things never change."
A moment later, the shadow beneath the corpse began to boil.
Darkness swelled outward like living ink, twisting and gathering until a towering figure rose from the remains—mirroring the beast's size and armor but woven entirely from living shadow. Within its skull-like face, twin neon-purple eyes ignited, burning with the same eerie glow that marked every servant of the abyss.
"Oh, look how majestic you are," Veyron murmured.
She held out her hand. The shadow beast lowered its head, pressing its snout against her palm like a loyal dog.
"Good boy. You'll be a fine addition to the legion. Serve your lord well, beasty."
Nyxara watched the scene with a look of defeated amusement before stepping forward to join in. She patted the shadow's flank, fascinated despite herself.
"And to think I'm letting this happen. What has the universe come to?"
Veyron finally turned away from the shadow beast and looked toward the distant clearing where the farm lay hidden.
"Shall we go back, sister?" she asked.
Nyxara giggled softly. "I take it you're feeling better now?"
"What are you talking about?" Veyron replied, her usual smugness returning in full force. "I was always fine."
With a silent command, the two goddesses began their trek back toward the heart of the farm, the massive shadow beast trailing behind them like a silent, loyal guardian.
As the late afternoon sun began to dip toward the horizon, the dense canopy of No Man's Land finally began to thin.
Lunara led the way with a casual, swaying gait, while Cassia and her group followed with their hands never far from their weapons.
When they stepped out from beneath the last of the twisted oaks, the transition was jarring.
The oppressive weight of the forest—the feeling of being watched and hunted—vanished instantly.
In its place came warmth.
A gentle breeze brushed across their faces, carrying the scent of fresh soil and ripening grain. The silence of the forest gave way to the soft rustling of crops and the distant clucking of farm animals.
Before them stretched a vast, sprawling farmland.
Golden wheat swayed under the fading sun in slow, rhythmic waves. Orderly rows of vibrant vegetables stretched across the landscape, irrigated by clear streams of water that glittered in the light. The air hummed with life rather than the silence of the grave.
It was a pocket of impossible prosperity situated in the most hostile region of the mortal realm.
"What am I looking at?" the cleric asked, his voice barely a breath. He stood frozen, his eyes wide with quiet bewilderment.
"Are we dead?" the mage whispered, her hands trembling as she looked at the lush greenery. "We must be, right? This… this can't be real."
Even the soldiers, hardened by years of service, lowered their shields. The contrast was too much to process; the farm felt more like a dream than the nightmare they had just survived.
Cassia was struck silent.
She scanned the horizon, looking for the trick—the illusion or the snare—but her senses told her everything was genuine. The soil was rich, the water was clear, and the crops were thriving.
"How is this possible?" she whispered to herself.
Lunara stopped and turned back to them, her veil fluttering slightly in the warm breeze.
"Welcome to the edge of the world," she said lightly.
"Try not to trample the produce. My lord is quite proud of his harvest."