ETERNAL (United Kingdom)

How does it feel to be happy without thinking about existing problems? I believe it's impossible to experience that, as there are more than a thousand forms of happiness that bring along problems. Whether it's jealousy, dislike, or even hatred and resentment.

Like me, who ventured alone to seek and find happiness, only to encounter a heap of problems. Strangely, this feels both fascinating and a little crazy.

She is a hardworking woman who is always expected to be capable of everything, learning from a young age that growing up and dealing with loneliness is not easy. Catharina Marksee, a woman born into a simple and harmonious family, before a tragic event robbed her of her joyful story. Since the age of twelve, the smile faded within her, leading her to live in solitude, at least until a certain incident where she was drawn into a sudden hole that appeared on the highway just after she returned from work.

A human girl who suddenly becomes a queen in another world. She is the woman prophesied to be the companion of the king, the Alpha, who has currently sacrificed part of his power for his people. His physical form has disappeared, waiting for his partner to come to this world to restore his strength. This prophecy is still believed by the entire population of Eternal.

The Eternal people are a race of immortal creatures, consisting of various mythological beings. This realm was built by the great elder werewolf, assisted by the immortal dragon belonging to the god. However, time has brought them to face unexpected calamities. The greed of the demon king and his partner led to the sacrifice of the king known as Alpha Piter. Yet, it wasn't just the king who vanished, but also the werewolf forces, following the king's footsteps. Until now, the survivors can only hide, waiting for the right time to breathe the fresh air in their own land once again.

"Where is this?" she whispered, looking around.

Tall grass swayed, dense and lush trees, along with beautiful mountains and the clear river water that made this place feel like paradise. Thousands, even millions of fireflies adorned the darkness of the forest at night, not to mention the chilly wind that pierced the bones, sending shivers down her spine.

"Welcome, Your Majesty," a voice whispered into her ear, its source unknown. There was no form or shadow, only the hissing sound as if reluctant to reveal itself.

Afraid? Of course, who wouldn't be afraid in a situation and condition like this, especially when she's all alone here, not knowing what led her to enter this enchanting and otherworldly realm.

Catharina spun around, her gaze sweeping over every corner of the forest within her sight. An unfamiliar yet heightened sense of awareness caused her to ease her guard.

"HELLO, IS ANYONE HERE?" she shouted, but there was no response whatsoever.

"What place is this, actually? How did I end up here all by myself?" she wondered silently about the strange occurrence she had just experienced moments ago.

Her instinct guided her tall steps toward an ancient castle building that still appeared magnificent, as if it were inhabited. Carvings of dragons and wolves adorned the castle gate.

"Amazing," she murmured, her eyes marveling at the structure.

As she took steps closer, about to shout, the castle gate suddenly swung open with the clanging sound of metal, causing her to halt abruptly. Few things could be more frightening than this, though, for someone else it might be frightening, for Catharina, losing someone she cherished was far more daunting.

"Let's see what's inside this castle, what has led me to this world."

With determined steps, she entered the beautifully sculpted castle, akin to a palace from the era of kingdoms.

As her footsteps echoed in and she opened the main door, a burst of synchronized light illuminated the castle, as if welcoming her warmly.

"I've never seen anything so awe-inspiring, it feels incredibly beautiful and truly spectacular."

The paintings on the walls and ceiling of the castle were exquisitely crafted, and the glass windows, nearly reaching the ceiling, added a touch of wonder to the building. She truly wished to meet everyone within the castle, yet since she passed through the gate and up until this point, not a single soul had come within her gaze. Silent and alone.

"Lord, why am I here? What is your purpose for me, a lone orphan, in this situation?" she cried out, her voice carrying a hint of desperation. Her words filled every corner of the room, yet still, there was no answer to be heard.

"Once again, I feel like a mad person, enduring such situations continuously," she muttered in frustration.

The castle was vast and splendid, with glistening marble floors and red carpets adorning each staircase. This added a sense of opulence and elegance befitting a ruler. It was inconceivable that such a grand castle would be devoid of occupants, yet everything within was immaculately arranged and organized.

I don't understand the purpose behind all of this that I'm experiencing; it's so sudden and a little crazy. Just last night, I was walking home from the office where I work, and suddenly, a large hole appeared out of nowhere in front of me, leading me to end up in this world.

"Look, isn't the queen so beautiful?" a strange voice whispered, as if engaged in gossip.

"Quiet, you ugly raccoon! I know that too, with sharp eyes unafraid and a strong aura, just like a leader. It seems she's the one we've been waiting for," a hopeful voice from an unseen figure interjected.

"Guide the queen to the book of spells," commanded a stern and authoritative voice, the owner of which remained unknown.

Her steps were uncertain, puzzled about where to go in this vast structure. She feared that someone might come and accuse her of wrongdoing, like a thief perhaps?!

"Welcome, Your Majesty!" the voice exclaimed, now sounding like more than one person.

"Who's there?"

"Reveal yourself, don't be a coward!" she retorted, her body turning to survey every corner of the room, a cautious stance she always took in dangerous situations.

"Go to the top floor of this castle and recite the spell from the book on the small round table there. Chant the incantation to see the unseen, and then you shall see us, Your Majesty."

Without further delay, she hurried her steps towards the top floor of the castle, her breath catching as Catharina arrived in front of a door adorned with a bold and daring dragon carving.

Click.

As she opened the door, the room instantly filled with light. Right in front of her, on the small round table, lay an impressively thick and unique book. Her eyes widened in amazement.

"Even the cover is intricately carved and sealed by a series of tree roots. How am I supposed to open it?" she wondered to herself.

Her slender fingers brushed over the cover of the spell book. As she attempted to blow away the dust on the cover, the intertwining tree roots that had sealed the book suddenly moved, unlocking the book. Truly miraculous!

"Alright, let's see what's inside this book," she said.

Her hand opened the first page of the book, revealing an illustration of a crowned dragon and a woman whose face strangely resembled hers. This couldn't be possible!

"Beauty mantra," she muttered, reading the words on the page. Suddenly, the adjacent page of the book transformed into a mirror, reflecting an elegant and beautiful figure wearing a crown. Strangely, this transformation occurred as she looked into the book's mirror.

Startled, she felt as if she had a twin when she stepped towards the glass window on her right. Her reflection changed, just as in the mirror. How peculiar.

"Okay, focus. It's not the time to explore further. Find the mantra to see the unseen, and everything will be answered."

Right in the middle of the book, she found the mantra she was looking for. The mantra read, "THE CIRCLE OF THOUGHTS APPEARS IN HER COUNTENANCE. THINK FORWARD FOR THE TRIUMPH OF THE TRAPPED ONE IN THE REAL ILLUSION, REVEAL ALL."

As she recited the mantra successfully, everything started to become visible to her.

"Nothing is happening," she wondered, scanning the entire room.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew, and the book abruptly closed, refusing to open again. Her task completed, she returned to her original position in the room, which was now bustling with activity.

As she descended the last step of the staircase, the atmosphere became lively. A variety of mythological creatures from her world's past were now present and real before her eyes. Then her gaze sharpened toward a throne that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, for there was no throne when she first entered the room.

"Hello, everyone," she greeted awkwardly.

All eyes turned towards Catharina with a radiant glow, and in unison, they lowered their heads in respect, shouting.

"Hail the Eternal Queen!" they proclaimed together.

Catharina was taken aback by the reverence displayed by these creatures before her, not to mention being addressed as a queen.

"Oh my, what now? Since when did I become their queen?" she pondered, her shocked expression endearing to some of the beings present.

"Your Majesty, approach the throne," a centaur, a half-human half-horse creature, said gallantly.

Catarina stepped closer to the throne, gazing around at all the mythological beings. Wait, since when did she become a queen? This seemed impossible – to transform from an office worker into a queen in an instant. She wanted to refuse, but she was afraid that it might worsen the situation.

Wush...

Cling...

As her body settled on the throne, thick mist and strong winds swirled around her. Two minutes later, a blinding light emanated from her body, forcing her to shut her eyes.

"Look, it's indeed the queen," they whispered in awe, looking at Catharina with admiration, even though she was still hesitant to open her eyes.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Long live the Eternal Kingdom."

Cheers of enthusiasm filled Catharina's ears, prompting her to finally open her eyes. She was astonished by what she saw. The office attire she had worn had transformed into an elegant brown gown with white ribbon accents at the waist and sleeves. Not to mention the sparkling golden crown adorned with beautiful gemstones atop her head.

"Is this real?" she thought.

"I... I am truly the queen!" she exclaimed inwardly. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, where all the mythological creatures had gathered, looking at her with hopeful eyes.

I am truly taken aback by this. I can see wondrous things with my own eyes. The magnificent room is filled with mythological beings, from Centaurs – half-human, half-horse figures – to warrior-like figures with the same combination. There's even a Minotaur group to my right, humanoid figures with the head, shoulders, arms, and legs of a bull. Legend has it that the Minotaur was a punishment inflicted by the sea god Poseidon upon King Minos of Crete, as he failed to honor Poseidon's wishes. Poseidon cursed Minos' wife, Pasiphae, to fall in love with a bull, resulting in the birth of the Minotaur – truly a tragic tale!

Then, to the left, there was a group of Sphinxes, mythological creatures with the bodies of lions, women's heads, eagle wings, and serpent tails. These beings were believed to be guardians of the gate, often depicted atop tombs. They were known for posing riddles to those who passed by them, and now I was truly encountering them in their highest position.

In the front, a group of majestic Griffins stood, arranging themselves with utmost respect. These creatures symbolized strength and wisdom, featuring the front part of an eagle and wings, while the rear part was that of a lion. Seeing them made me yearn to ride one, to experience the sensation of flying like a bird.

Behind the group of Griffins, there was a cluster of Pegasus, led by a white Pegasus, a stunning creature with wings that were undeniably beautiful. Its magnificent and robust physique was truly captivating, a remarkable blend that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.

Moving on, there were Nordic mythological creatures, like Fenrir, the giant wolf whose size was comparable to that of a full-grown elephant. Elves, known for their timeless beauty and eternal youth, exuded an envious charm. Dwarves, with their long beards, were said to be skilled weapon-makers.

My gaze turned towards the ceiling, where a formation of Phoenixes stood in perfect order, their sharp gazes fixed upwards. These fiery eagle-like birds were enthralling to behold, often symbolizing eternal life, rebirth, and life after death. Quite impressive, right?

Around the staircase, there were creatures known as Kirin, resembling deer but covered in scales with long whiskers. Their long fur adorned their head, legs, and tail, and they had a single horn. There was also the Nue, a creature with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger, and the venomous tail of a serpent – a harbinger of ill fortune.

The Nue could afflict someone with a disease with just a single gaze, sending shivers down my spine at the mere thought. However, I hadn't sensed any danger from this creature so far, perhaps because I was their queen, hehehe.

Alright, let's move on. In the very back, there was a Satyr, a creature with a human body but goat ears and horns. Additionally, there were Harpies, mythological creatures with women's heads and bird wings.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the white Pegasus said, approaching me and bowing like a knight.

"What's the matter?"

Alright, let's move on. In the very back, there was a Satyr, a creature with a human body but goat ears and horns. Additionally, there were Harpies, mythological creatures with women's heads and bird wings.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the white Pegasus said, approaching me and bowing like a knight.

"What's the matter?"

A clear expression of surprise was evident on my face, mixed with a hint of fear, of course. After all, I was the only full human form here.

"We, the Eternal nation, have awaited Your Majesty for over a thousand years. We are delighted that you are here with us now," he asserted firmly.

"Then what is the purpose of my arrival in this world?" I asked. To be honest, this was the question I had been wanting to ask all along, but it had always been interrupted by the strange occurrences I was experiencing.

"Your Majesty, you are the chosen human to lead the Eternal. Waiting for so long has been our only option to strategize the plan to reclaim our rights, the rights of the Eternal nation, and to restore King Alpha Piter!" he answered with determination.

"Yes, reclaim our rights!"

"Destroy the realm of darkness!"

"Destroy the realm of darkness!"

"Destroy the realm of darkness!"

Their cries filled the room. I didn't know what had truly happened in this world during that time. Anger, sadness, and despair were vividly etched on the faces of these beings. They seemed furious but powerless. And for some reason, I felt as though I was sharing their emotions through my own soul right now.

Could it be that my newfound role as their queen allowed me to sense the same things they were feeling?

And who is this King Alpha Piter?

"Actually, what has happened? What rights are we trying to reclaim from the realm of darkness?"

"Our rightful ownership, Your Majesty. The beings of the realm of darkness attacked the citizens of the Eternal with the pretext of wanting to rule this world. They mercilessly slaughtered our people, forcing us to flee and hide in the Evergon Forest castle," the Pegasus explained.

Unconsciously, that explanation ignited a strong emotion within me. Suddenly, my hands felt warm, and a burst of energy emanated from them. When I directed my hands towards the castle wall, an unexpected...

Crack

Thud

The wall cracked, luckily not breaking through. If it had, I couldn't even imagine the reaction of these creatures.

"Do I... do I possess power?" I stuttered, gazing at all of them, and what I saw were smiles and hopeful gazes directed towards me.

"Your Majesty does indeed possess power, and that is what we have been waiting for all this time," a Centaur interjected.

"Very well, I will accept this destiny, and let us discuss the impending war!" I exclaimed loudly, met with enthusiastic cheers and spirited shouts from every creature around me.

Suddenly... "Welcome back, my descendant," the whispering voice resonated clearly in my hearing, a voice so firm, hoarse, and almost enchanting.

I searched and scanned all the beings around me, looking for the figure behind the whisper I had heard earlier, but I couldn't find its form.

"Strange," I thought, then refocused my attention on the creatures who were cheering enthusiastically around me.

Unbeknownst to Catharina, her presence had long been awaited by the great ruler, the figure behind the whisper that greeted her. He deliberately concealed his form, for the time had not yet come. There were still many tasks to be carried out by his descendant in this world.

Amidst the joy and jubilation that welcomed the Eternal nation, far away in the desolate Deadwood Forest, which belonged to the realm of darkness, they were engaged in a discussion about tracking down the remaining members of the Eternal nation to be eradicated.

"Up to this point, we haven't been able to locate where the Eternal nation is hiding," Medusa remarked. A humanoid figure with snakes for hair, or one might say, her hair was made of snakes.

"Summon our entire force to search for them. Eliminate the entire nation without leaving a trace," she growled.

"Very well, Your Majesty," the entire forces of darkness, all followers of Medusa, echoed in unison.

Terrifying creatures with eerie bodies and ghastly faces, along with the Rogues, gathered in this region. They were the forces of darkness, seeking to dominate the world, and Medusa was their leader.

During their discussion, they were startled by a gleaming light from the sky. This certainly was not a good sign for them. The radiance pierced through the dark night sky, originating from the Evergon Forest.

"What is that light?" one of the creatures of darkness there inquired.

"No... it can't be!" Medusa snapped, her eyes emitting a fiery red aura akin to blackened flames.

"Your Majesty, it seems that the descendant of the great ruler of the Eternal nation has returned," the advisor remarked. Cloaked in black robes, he was a creature of the elf kind, but of the dark elf variety.

"Quickly, locate the owner of that light, find them, and bring them to me. If they prove difficult to bring, eliminate them!" she commanded, and the creatures of darkness immediately set off towards the Evergon Forest.

"No, my plans cannot fail if the descendant of the ruling power appears. I must kill them before they can kill me," she pondered.

Restless, indeed. For more than a thousand years, she had exterminated entire nations in this world. Now, it was the turn of the Eternal nation to be razed, yet they proved to be not as easily toppled as she had assumed.

The ruler had locked away most of the citizens of the Eternal nation, sacrificing his own power to do so. This act had kept the Dragon ruler subdued for over a millennium. And now, the descendant of that very Dragon had reemerged. This further hindered Medusa's efforts to dominate the entire land.

"The bearer of the light has returned, and it could endanger us, Your Majesty," explained the elf named Miraz. The cunning and deceitful elf.

"I am aware. Hence, we must quickly locate the remaining members of the Eternal nation. It is the only way for us to conquer these lands. So, do not question me, fool!"

Her anger flared, and Miraz could only bow his head in response.

"Everything must become mine. It must!"

Medusa's malevolent laughter reverberated throughout the dark palace chamber. She embodied towering ego, a personification of a darkened vendetta that made her lose touch with herself. Despite her somewhat beguiling appearance, the snakes that adorned her head made her undeniably terrifying.

As for Miraz, upon hearing the laughter, he shuddered in dread at the realization of what his leader truly looked like. Nonetheless, a delighted smile spread across his face, for they were on the cusp of becoming the sole rulers of this vast land. They would undoubtedly be the strongest and invincible. He could hardly contain his eagerness for that imminent victory!

Yet, would they truly emerge victorious, or would the tables turn against them? It all depended on the courage and strength of the Eternal side. The tactics they would employ to overcome the forces of darkness and reclaim their stolen homeland remained to be seen.

Back in the Evergon Forest, the Griffin leader suddenly let out a loud shriek, capturing the attention of everyone present.

"Your Majesty, allow me to introduce myself as the leader of the Griffins, and you may address me as Raph," he began.

"Alright, Raph, what's the matter?" Catarina asked, her gaze fixed firmly on the Griffin leader.

"The forces of darkness are rushing towards the Evergon Forest. It seems they are aware of your return," he explained.

"Then, how can we avoid them at this moment? We are utterly unprepared to face them," she inquired.

"There is only one way, Your Majesty: to become unseen once again."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, it's better to hide for now."

"Open the book again, recite the mantra to render the visible invisible," the Centaur urged.

Catharina tried to remain calm. If she succumbed to anxiety, everything would fall apart.

"Alright, Catarina, find a way to reach the upper floor quickly," she mumbled to herself. Her eyes widened and she shouted, "Chief of the white Pegasus, Zard, take me to the upper chamber of the castle as swiftly as possible, now!"

Zard immediately soared into the air with Catharina on his back. Meanwhile, the others waited anxiously, observing the surroundings outside. Fortunately, the castle was situated in the heart of the Evergon Forest, which somewhat hindered the advance of the forces of darkness toward their location.

With a powerful slam, Catharina swung open the door and dashed towards the round table. She gently blew on the surface of the book of mantras, causing the roots of the tree to open once more. Page after page, she read, searching for the necessary mantra. Meanwhile, the forces of darkness were closing in on the heart of the forest.

"Hasten, Your Majesty," Zard urged. Was she afraid? She wasn't afraid of the forces of darkness. She simply didn't want to experience defeat like this, even before engaging in the true battlefield.

"Be silent, Zard! You're disrupting my focus," she retorted.

Catharina read through each page of the book as quickly as she could. Her head was spinning, and finally, on the fifth-to-last page of the book, she found the desired mantra.

"The mantra to make the visible invisible. THERE BUT NOT THERE, ASLEEP THROUGHOUT TIME, SHADOWS VANISH, NO CONCERN ON THE PITCH BLACK, LIKE EMPTINESS WITHOUT A GLIMMER OF LIGHT," she recited, her breath racing. In an instant, the castle disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed.

This occurred simultaneously with the arrival of the dark forces, just fifty meters away from the castle. Fortunately, they reacted swiftly.

Huft.. huft.. huft..

Audible sighs of relief echoed in the quiet room as Catharina and Zard exchanged glances and exhaled deeply.

"That was a close call," she whispered.

"Yes, very close," Zard mumbled.

Meanwhile, those who had been transported with them also let out collective sighs of relief. They all gazed out of the window, witnessing the newly arrived dark forces scouring the area, searching for them with a significantly large army.

Up in the upper chamber of the castle, Zard and Catharina approached the window. Down below, thousands of dark soldiers were searching for their presence.

"Come, Zard, let's return to the castle's hall," she commanded.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

Zard slightly bowed his body, allowing Catharina to mount him. He then took off and flew back to the hall, while the door to the previous room closed on its own.

Outside the castle, the thousands of dark soldiers combed through the entirety of the Evergon Forest. Yet, there was not a trace of the Eternal beings to be found. Despite having reached the heart of the forest, all they saw was a vast expanse of untouched tall grass, as if it had never been touched by anyone.

"Hey, they're not here!" one of the dark elves exclaimed.

"There's no sign of their presence, even though the sensed aura led us to this tall grassland," the giant creature with horns and fangs pondered, his expression grim.

"Return to the Deadwood Forest, and report this to Her Majesty!"

Hearing the command from their superiors, the thousands of soldiers slowly left the Evergon Forest area. As the dark forces receded from the Evergon Forest, the remaining beings quickly began to discuss and formulate their attack plans.

"Now, tell me how the Eternal nation could fall under such a spell?!" Catharina demanded.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to recount a tale from nearly a thousand years ago," the Centaur began, bowing in deference to Catarina.

"And what is your name?"

"You may refer to me as Heruz."

"Very well, continue, Heruz."

Catharina glanced at the Centaur chieftain, a brave and gallant warrior who was rumored to be a descendant of the gods.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to recount a tale from nearly a thousand years ago," the Centaur began, bowing in deference to Catharina.

"And what is your name?"

"You may refer to me as Heruz."

"Very well, continue, Heruz."

Catharina glanced at the Centaur chieftain, a brave and gallant warrior who was rumored to be a descendant of the gods.

**Flashback**

A few days before the total lunar eclipse of a thousand years ago, the kingdom of the Eternal race, lived peacefully and joyfully. There was no discord or bloodshed among them; they savored each day without thoughts of war.

Living under a just and wise leader, a figure often referred to as the Great Sovereign, the possessor of the mightiest power that shielded them from all forms of threat.

However, the night of the total lunar eclipse marked a drastic change that transpired overnight. The forces of darkness ambushed them from all sides, aided by the demon king.

"Your Majesty, what must we do?" Beta, representing the Alpha, inquired with a sword in hand.

"War is inevitable. Assume your positions for the attack!" commanded the majestic figure.

He was the mightiest, a king who could transform into a formidable Wolf. Yet, ill fate befell the Eternal nation. The arrival of the demon king led the reigning ruler to sacrifice himself to protect his people.

Arkh

Argh

Bruk

Trang

Crash

krek

Arkh

Shouts, clashes of swords, arrows piercing the air, and roars filled the area, mingling with the gruesome sounds of battle. Puddles of fallen soldiers' blood painted the ground, and the deaths of countless children and families added to the tragedy. They were attacked without warning, and the eclipse weakened their strength cunningly.

"No time to lose, all of you remaining Eternal beings, seek refuge in the Evergon Forest. Stay there until the time calls for your return to this land," the King instructed.

His followers might disagree, but the King's orders were absolute. Only he and his loyal personal guards remained in the region, ready to live and die for him.

"Bold move, Medusa," he growled, glaring angrily at the woman who arrived astride a Chimera.

"Hahahaha... You're the foolish one here. ATTACK THEM!" she commanded with a thunderous voice.

Inevitably, the battle commenced. They all tried their best to hold their ground, at least until their descendants could enter the shelter of the Evergon Forest.

Meanwhile, the King, witnessing the chaos, reluctantly used half of his power to protect the others.

"Hold on just a bit longer," he yelled.

"Surrender, oh King. You have lost, relinquish all that is yours."

The King's eyes glared with anger toward Medusa and the demon king. This turmoil was brought about by the greed of those two creatures. They were indeed misguided lusts!

"Argh..." the King's cry of pain added to the tense atmosphere, his agony echoing.

A dazzling light radiated from the King's body, causing fear among the dark creatures, some of whom even perished upon contact with the light.

"Damn it, stop that foolish King, Medusa!" the demon king ordered.

He knew well what would happen if that power wasn't stopped. This war could potentially bring trouble for him.

Wush

Medusa swiftly dashed towards the King, who was now emitting light from his body. Their movements were lightning-fast, and their sword clashes resounded through the air.

Crash

Ting

Srek

Apparently, the demon king had joined the battle too, and now the King found himself caught in a perilous position. His loud cries halted everyone in their tracks.

"Argh...argh..."

The area was filled with blinding light, and those exposed to it instantly cried out in pain. The demon king and Medusa were no exception; their agony was heightened due to their proximity to the intense light.

The Eternal King sacrificed half of his power to quell the chaos, and eventually, he disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, the demon king met his end while protecting his beloved Medusa. And it was over.

"That's how it ended, and so we, the remaining Eternal beings, chose to await in this forest without making any movements. We await your arrival, the descendant of the great ruler, the grand Alpha King," he explained, his gaze fixed firmly upon Catarina.

Catharina was left stunned by the tale. Would she meet the same fate as the great ruler, or would her destiny take a different turn? She wasn't sure, but one thing was certain: her heart felt heavy as she faced the intense gazes and even tears of those who were reminded of that bloody event.

"Help me lead all of you to victory," she declared firmly.

"With heart and soul, we are willing, Your Majesty," they responded in unison.

"For Eternal."

"For the mighty Alpha King Peter."

"Long live Your Majesty Catharina."

"For Eternal."

The enthusiastic cheers from the crowd ignited Catarina's spirit. Her determination to defeat the Medusa woman seemed to burn even brighter.

"We don't have much time. Let's formulate a plan to trap them," she urged.

Head nods from each leader of the creature groups were met with warm smiles from Catharina.

"We'll conduct guerrilla tactics underground and encircle them from all sides. One of you will need to lure them to the designated location," she explained, while marking and scribbling on a map in front of them.

"But Your Majesty, isn't that too risky?" Heruz interjected.

"Indeed, Your Majesty, our numbers are limited, and that's our current weakness," Zard responded.

The plan seemed too risky, especially given their small numbers, but there was no other choice.

"I understand that our numbers are limited, and that's why I want all of you to follow my plan," Catharina asserted. Her expression was resolute, showing no hint of doubt, even though it seemed implausible to her own ears.

"We possess a great power through magic energy, and my intuition tells me that victory awaits for the Eternal people," she said confidently.

They all began to devise a plan for war preparation; there was no time to wait. The next total lunar eclipse was approaching, and they couldn't afford to delay any longer. During the eclipse, their strength would weaken, while the forces of darkness would grow stronger.

"Before the total lunar eclipse arrives, we must have succeeded in defeating them all. That's the perfect timing for this war," Catharina emphasized.

"Let's obliterate the forces of darkness together," she declared, gazing at each leader of the groups one by one. Their enthusiastic response showed their agreement and determination.

There was no time to hesitate at every opportunity. As long as they could, they had to fight and strive to achieve their goals.

That night passed with a strategic war discussion for the Eternal people. Meanwhile, for the forces of darkness, they were once again left baffled, trying to locate the whereabouts of the Eternal beings. Their vigilance heightened, especially since the light signaling the return of the descendant of the great ruler had emerged.

It seemed that a war was imminent, and they needed to prepare themselves. Frustration and anger boiled within them. Their mission wasn't complete, yet a significant threat loomed on the horizon.

"Damn it."

"No... there must not be victory for the Eternal people! Damn it, where are they, really? Argh..."

The angry shouts filled Medusa's chamber. The queen of darkness was currently frustrated, unable to find what she was seeking. And the night passed with an even more tense atmosphere.

It had been a week since she arrived in this world. During that time, she had been trying to adapt to all the new things she experienced. No electricity, cell phones, or other electronic devices that made life easier in her time.

Knock

Knock

Knock

The sound of a knock broke her reverie. Who could be visiting her room this early in the morning, she wondered.

"Come in!" she called out.

A young elven girl entered, bowing respectfully. The girl often referred to as Brill, an elf with a captivating face. If she were in her world, she might have shattered the confidence of other women with her beauty alone.

"Your Majesty, we will be holding a meeting to assess the progress of our plans and preparations to fight against the forces of darkness," she explained. Catharina simply nodded in response.

"You can go ahead, I'll prepare shortly."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Brill left Catharina's room. Rising from her seat, Catharina readied herself to attend the meeting. She chose a simple yet elegant gown, a shade of purple that revealed her smooth shoulders. Not forgetting the crown that graced her head.

"Her Majesty the Queen is entering the hall," announced a guard stationed at the door.

Step by step, with a resolute expression, she looked at all the creatures gathered in the meeting room.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," they all said in unison.

"Yes, so how far have we progressed?" she asked.

"At the moment, Your Majesty, our plans are nearing the final stages," replied Zard. Meanwhile, Raph, the leader of the Griffins, gazed at the map of the territory spread out on the meeting table.

"It seems, Your Majesty, that our first move will take place tonight."

"Yes, the sooner, the better. Tonight, we will make our first move. Remember, nothing should be overlooked, or we might all face our end," explained Catarina.

"Prepare the troops for tonight's operation, and they must be adept at concealing themselves. We can't afford any slip-ups," Heruz ordered.

They resumed discussing various tactics to be employed once the success of this initial move was achieved. After nearly half an hour of deliberation, the meeting was adjourned as they reached a consensus.

Sigh... I never thought I would experience war, let alone lead one. I, who have never harmed anyone, am now compelled to take lives to expedite the resolution of this crisis.

"Come on, you can do it, Catharina," she told herself, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.

Donning their armor, they all set off for the Deadwood territory. Catharina, mounted on Zard as her war steed, stood ten meters high and shouted,

"Let's move, for the sake of the Eternal people!" her voice resonating loudly.

Hearing her call, they all advanced towards the Deadwood territory. As the leader, Catharina took the front, flying over the ranks with an expressionless face and piercing gaze. There was no room for doubt or fear; only a burning desire for vengeance.

As they left the confines of the Evergon Forest, their entire forms became visible. This was the risk they had to take, as the invisibility spell only applied within the bounds of the Evergon Forest.

On Zard's back, Catharina concentrated to channel a protective spell to shield her entire troop. She did this to minimize the casualties that might occur.

Swoosh...

Catharina raised her hand in the air as a signal to halt and then spoke,

"Each unit, move towards all cardinal directions. Do not initiate any movement without orders from your respective generals," she instructed.

"Understood, Your Majesty," they replied in unison.

"NOW!" she exclaimed.

The entire army spread out in every compass direction. Catharina flew high, observing ahead where the Dark Palace stood. Tonight, she needed to weaken the power of the Medusa.

Swoosh...

Screech...

"Excellent landing, Zard," she praised.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Before Catharina stepped into the palace, she sent a signal to each general to commence their movements.

"That's the signal from Her Majesty. Prepare to attack," they relayed.

"ATTACK!"

Simultaneously, the generals cried out loudly, launching an assault on the forces of darkness from all sides.

Meanwhile, the enemy was taken aback by this covert attack. They never anticipated that tonight they would be struck by the very Eternal people they once slaughtered.

"Damn it... Attack them!" the enemies yelled.

Sounds of sword clashing, axe impacts, arrow whizzes, and magic filled the air in the Deadwood Forest. The Eternal forces attacked with unwavering determination, pushing back the enemy relentlessly.

Some enemies attempted to run towards the Dark Palace to report this surprise attack.

"Don't let the enemies reach the palace!" the generals commanded.

"Argh... Argh..." echoed the cries of pain from those trying to reach the Dark Palace.

Slash...

"No one will escape from this place until all of you are dead," she declared.

"For the Eternal Nation!"

"For King Alpha Piter!"

They all fought valiantly, and while some of them were wounded, it didn't deter their determination to raise their weapons once more.

Leaving the battle behind, let's shift our focus to the Eternal Queen, Catharina. She masked her aura, as did Zard, as they entered a room they believed to be Medusa's resting place.

Creak...

"It seems this repulsive creature is sound asleep in its dream," she muttered while approaching Medusa.

Lifting her sword high, then...

"Perish along with your nightmares, you wretched being," she whispered, swinging her sword toward the sleeping Medusa.

The tip of the sword came close to piercing Medusa's heart. Suddenly, the creature's eyes snapped open, its face contorted in anger as it yelled and jolted awake.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"