A Journey That Changed The World.

Margaret picked up the volume and explained knowingly, "These books hold tales of legends, treasures, and all the mysteries you seek. Take your time, explore, and let me know if you need assistance."

Archer nodded appreciatively, briefly lingering on the alluring sight of the older woman before refocusing on the array of books that promised to unveil the secrets he sought.

As she was about to leave, he asked in a curious tone, "Where is the section on beasts?"

With a warm smile, Margaret led Archer to another section dedicated to beasts and creatures.

They strolled for a little while until they arrived at another section with two shelves stacked with books.

Standing before the shelves, Archer read the titles, considering which ones to explore.

Ultimately, he settled for two books: "A Guide to Beasts in the Avalon Empire and Its Lands" and a unique book detailing different creatures.

Archer carried the books he had chosen over to the section on legends and mysteries.

He stumbled upon an intriguing book titled "The Doom of Frostholm," capturing his attention as he'd heard of it before and was curious.

Archer approached a table next to a large window overlooking the college gardens and sat down.

He started reading about the tragic events that led to the Swarm taking over the city, resulting in the demise of all its citizens.

A particular section caught his eye as he delved into the chilling narrative—a story that read like a horror novel.

Archer felt a shiver run down his spine as he read about the horrifying scenes of Ratlings dragging their neighbors away, the air filled with desperate screams and pleas.

It was a tale intertwined with a more significant tragedy—a story of a boy and a girl.

The narrative unfolded as the girl who went missing in the chaos of the city, leaving her brother desperate to find her after all these years.

Reading about the boy watching his sister vanish into the nightmarish city, Archer couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

Yet, he became engrossed in this personal story amid the catastrophe, eager to uncover the sibling's fate amid the Doom of Frostholm.

Archer empathized with the family who had lost everything in that city as he continued reading.

Horrible and grim details of the Swarm invasion unfolded before him from the point of view of a survivor.

The pages painted a haunting picture of the chaos, fear, and tragedy that befell Frostholm during those fateful days.

A harrowing narrative depicted a city plunged into chaos, with Ratlings employing cunning tactics to seize control and capture the scared citizens.

The horrors began with the ominous tolling of a creepy bell, a creation of a mysterious stranger who appeared in the city.

Eerie sounds echoed through the city, signaling the beginning. Suddenly, gaping holes opened all over Frostholm, created by the Swarm.

These became portals for the Ratlings and all sorts of vile creatures to launch surprise attacks, catching the unsuspecting city guard and soldiers off guard.

The once-thriving city became a battleground of chaos and despair as the portals unleashed a relentless onslaught of invaders.

Invaders swarmed through the city, spreading terror and destruction in their wake as they brought death to the north.

Archer felt sympathy for the city guard and soldiers, knowing the gruesome fate awaited the captured citizens when he saw the strange humanoid creatures.

He continued to immerse himself in the chilling account of the Doom of Frostholm and couldn't shake the feeling of dread that clung to the words on the page.

Delving deeper into the historical accounts, Archer stumbled upon a chapter detailing the personal tragedy of the college's history Professor Drakebane.

The story unveiled the tragic fate of Draven's sister, Nyx Drakebane. A noble family member hailing from the Frostwyn Duchy, she had met her untimely demise two decades ago.

Nyx, the young girl at the center of the story, had vanished in a fit of rage and despair following the brutal death of her parents at the hands of the relentless Swarm.

The heart-wrenching details painted a vivid picture of a family shattered by loss and a sister lost to the darkness that ensued.

Archer pondered the fate of Nyx and the unresolved mysteries of Frostholm. He continued reading to find out more about them.

Shifting his focus to the present, a familiar seductive voice echoed in his head. ''She's still in the city, lost to madness. But the time to visit her isn't soon. You have to deal with the upcoming Swarm.''

He surveyed his surroundings, finding no one. That's when he recognized the voice as Tiamat's, her words laden with caution.

Archer took a moment to absorb the weight of her warning before she continued. "They are much stronger this time around. You can handle the cannon fodder, but the generals far surpass your strength and could kill you. But grow stronger, my white dragon," Tiamat's voice echoed in his mind.

With her warning lingering in his thoughts, Archer remained unperturbed by the impending swarm and excitedly welcomed it.

Focused on building his Monster Army, he was determined to engulf every creature in his flames and plunder Frostholm's wealth.

As the heavy silence lingered, Archer made a solemn decision. He would journey to the doomed city after he dealt with the Swarm to reclaim its lost treasures. 

Setting aside the Drakebane family's tale and the Doom of Frostholm, he eagerly delved into one of the other books to read about the diverse beasts that roam Pluoria.

Flipping through the pages looking for interesting beasts, Archer was fascinated by the myriad possibilities, particularly the sea creatures.

The notion of crafting a sea in his domain sparked in his mind, envisioning the potential to tap into the abundance of aquatic life.

He pondered how these sea creatures could assist him in the future, recognizing their inability to fight on land, a realm he was more familiar with.

But he didn't dwell on it as he was well aware of the colossal leviathans dwelling in the depths, surpassing even his dragon form in size.

The book he was reading revealed details about other sea monsters that piqued his interest, sparking a desire to capture them.

He dismissed the idea of fishing for the time being. Instead, he considered asking Teuila for help, knowing her knowledge of the sea could prove invaluable.

However, he knew that the southern sea differed significantly from the one bordering the Avalon Empire.

As his contemplative thoughts ceased, he resumed immersing himself in the book's pages.

[Krakens: These colossal cephalopods, mythical behemoths with massive tentacles capable of crushing ships and coastal settlements, stirred visions of chaos on the high seas]

Considering how to use these monsters, Archer chuckled at the thought of dropping a Kraken on a city or having it attack pirates.

But he shook his head and resumed reading.

[Dragon Turtles: Majestic and armored, these sea creatures seamlessly blended the strength of dragons with the resilience of turtles]

Archer was captivated by the idea of incorporating these creatures into his Monster Army.

A sly grin crossed his face as he imagined forcing kingdoms and empires to pay him for safe passage through the seas.

Shaking off the darker musings, he refocused on the book.

[Giant Sea Serpents: Slithering through the ocean depths, these serpentine beings offered a captivating blend of elegance and danger]

"People would be terrified if they saw me riding atop one of these creatures," he remarked.

[Giant Sharks: Swift and ferocious, giant sharks patrol the seas with predatory grace while attacking ships]

A smile crept onto his face. "They have Megalodons. I bet they're impressive."

The unfolding pages revealed even more sea creatures, each possessing unique abilities and characteristics.

From elusive water elementals to ethereal sea dragons, he marveled at the diverse denizens of the ocean depths.

The wealth of information stoked Archer's imagination, and he pictured building a formidable aquatic horde.

Flipping through the pages, he came across the elusive Sirens, enchanting creatures capable of luring sailors with their mesmerizing songs.

Having read the book on sea monsters, Archer set it aside and glanced outside, where the weak sunlight struggled through the ongoing snowstorm.

As he resumed reading, the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. Hemera, wearing a smile, joined him at the table.

Archer grinned at the sun elf and inquired, "What brings you here, my lovely elf?"

Hemera answered as she looked at the books he was reading with curiosity. ''Nala said you came here when I went to the Combat Magic class.''

He nodded before asking another question. ''Why are you out of class?''

She met his gaze with her captivating yellow eyes before responding, "Considering I'm older than the Professor, Magic Fundamentals were unnecessary for me. It was pointless."

Enthralled by her presence, Archer couldn't help but be captivated. Hemera's short, golden blonde hair framed her face delicately, cascading below her ears.

Her plump, inviting lips tempted him with incredible softness, and her flawless, light brown skin added to her enchanting charm.

[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]