Level Up: Voidwalker-Chapter 340: We Can Travel In Peace

Atlas was traveling further south while on the back of the Stormeagle, Raymond, who let out a loud screech that echoed across the wild sea below. He glanced over as Amethyst passed by.

'I can't wait for the winter to end,' he thought while noticing a group of creatures breached the waves below.

With a thunderous crash, a Deep Sea Whale suddenly breached the surface, its gargantuan body arcing into the air. Its hide, a shimmering mosaic of midnight blue and bioluminescent silver, glistened under the weak winter sun, casting fleeting rainbows across the mist.

When seeing this, he muttered. ''Damn sea monsters are something else.''

The creature's massive tail, broad as a ship's sail, slapped the waves, sending plumes of foam skyward. Moments later, another whale followed, then a third, their colossal forms weaving through the sea in a primal ballet.

Each breach was a symphony of power, the ocean itself seeming to roar in reverence. Atlas gripped Raymond's feathers, his heart pounding as the whales' haunting calls echoed, low and resonant, vibrating through the stone beneath his feet.

Their eyes, vast and ancient, seemed to meet his for a fleeting moment, carrying the weight of eons spent in the abyss. Following that, the storm started to ease as the monster banked to the left and headed for a nearby grassland in the Achaemenid homeland.

Raymond landed with a soft thud as the bird's voice echoed in his mind. 'I need to rest master.'

Atlas nodded before sending the Blood Bat King back to the Otherworld as Amethyst landed beside him just after transforming into her human form. The purple-haired beauty gave him a big smile.

''That was exciting,'' she exclaimed cheerfully. ''I do love flying in a storm.''

He couldn't help but chuckle at the phoenix as she suddenly hugged him. ''I prefer spending alone time with you.''

''Then that's what we'll do,'' Atlas answered. ''The other girls are training or relaxing in the treehouse thanks to the weather.''

Following that, the couple started walking deeper into the empire until they came across an old dirt road that caught his attention. The young woman turned to him, speaking. ''This may be a bandit path. Down south, they're extremely common as security isn't high on the emperor's mind for these borderlands.''

''Interesting,'' he replied as they carried on.

After trekking for an hour, Atlas spotted a caravan, prompting him to wrap a scarf around the confused Amethyst. She shook her head and questioned. ''What are you doing?''

''Hiding your beautiful self,'' he answered with a charming smile. ''I believe bandits are coming, and once they see you, something will happen.''

The young woman couldn't help but giggle as happiness took over, and she tightened the cover just as two riders flew toward them. Atlas grinned before hitting the bandits with two Void Bullets.

He watched as the azure projectiles burrowed through their armors before crashing off the horse. Amethyst quickly joined in and cast Phoenix Flames over the incoming enemies and turned them to ash.

They continued attacking the bandits with magic, which overwhelmed the outlaws, forcing them to flee. Atlas chuckled before using Void Lance to finish the scared attackers until they dropped dead.

''That was good, handsome,'' she commented. ''Let's find a town and get a room, I want to ride you in a soft bed.''

He let out a laugh, shaking his head in disbelief, before trailing after the phoenix woman, her aura lighting the path ahead. Hours later, the sun dipped low, painting the rolling hills in amber and violet as they crested a ridge, their boots crunching on the frost-kissed path.

A short journey ahead lay a quiet village, its houses huddled together like old friends sharing secrets. Smoke curled lazily from hearths, and the faint clatter of pots and laughter drifted on the evening breeze.

At the village's heart stood a small inn, its weathered sign swaying gently, proclaiming, ''The Hearth's Rest'' in faded gold letters.

His sharp eyes scanned the village for any hint of danger, but the peace here felt genuine, a rare respite from their journey. Amethyst brushed a strand of hair from her face and gave him a sidelong glance.

''A roof, a fire, maybe even a hot meal,'' she said, her voice warm. ''Think we can trust it?''

He smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting. ''If there's trouble, you'll just burn it to cinders. Let's take the chance.''

Amethyst's answering laugh eased the weight on his shoulders as they walked toward the inn. The door creaked as they entered, greeted by the scent of roasted herbs and fresh-baked bread.

The common room was cozy, lit by a crackling fire in a stone hearth. A handful of locals nursed mugs of ale, their chatter pausing to eye the newcomers with curiosity but no malice as they entered the counter.

Moments later, the innkeeper, a stout woman with flour-dusted hands and a smile that crinkled her eyes, bustled over. ''Travelers, eh? Rough roads these days. Got a room upstairs if you've coin and no trouble in your hearts.''

Atlas slid a few silver coins across the worn counter with a friendly expression. ''A room, two meals, and whatever's hot to drink.''

She nodded, pocketing the coins with a practiced flick, and gestured to a narrow staircase. ''Up you go, then. I'll send the lad with your supper.''

The room was small but clean, with a single window overlooking the village's sleepy streets. A sturdy bed, piled with patched quilts, stood against one wall, and a chipped washbasin sat on a rickety table.

Amethyst set her staff against the wall, its faint glow dimming as she relaxed, and sank onto the bed with a sigh. ''Feels like a lifetime since I slept somewhere that didn't smell of damp stone or blood.''

Atlas leaned against the doorframe, his gaze softening as he watched her. ''Don't get too comfortable. We're gone at dawn.''

But his words lacked their usual edge, and when she tossed him a playful smirk, he couldn't help but chuckle. A knock interrupted them as a boy delivered a tray of steaming stew, crusty bread, and two mugs of mulled cider that warmed their hands.

They ate in silence, the fire's glow from the common room below casting flickering shadows through the floorboards. As Amethyst set her empty bowl aside, she leaned back, her eyes reflecting the faint starlight through the window.

''Think places like this will still be here when it's all over?'' she asked, her voice soft, almost vulnerable.

''Yes, beautiful,'' he answered after finishing the mouthful of food. ''We can travel in peace while fighting monsters before finding a place to settle down.''

Amethyst's eyes sparkled with delight at his words, her radiant smile blooming like a sunrise over a battlefield. With a graceful, deliberate motion, she closed the distance between them, her movements fluid and confident.

She slid onto his lap, straddling his waist, her warmth pressing against him as the air seemed to hum with anticipation and excitement. His azure gaze followed her every move, captivated by the fire in her violet eyes and the curve of her lips.

Leaning in, she captured his mouth in a kiss that ignited his senses. Their hands, calloused from wielding weapons and weaving spells, roamed with a gentle urgency, tracing the contours of each other's bodies as if mapping a cherished landscape.

His fingers grazed the soft fabric of her cloak, then found the strength beneath, while her touch danced across his shoulders, pulling him closer, as though she could fuse their souls through sheer will.

Following that, the two of them started making love after locking the door of the room before they enjoyed themselves. Hours later, he collapsed with a heavy breath as Amethyst was out cold thanks to the pleasure.

Raegar rolled out of bed, his bare feet hitting the cold wooden floor as he shuffled toward the window. Outside, a ferocious rainstorm battered the forest, sheets of water lashing the trees, their branches swaying like dancers in a tempest.

Lightning flickered, casting jagged shadows across the room. With a wry grin, he reached for a dusty bottle of ale from the bedside table, popped the cork, and took a hearty swig. The liquid scorched its way down his throat, igniting a warm glow in his chest.

''Strong stuff,'' he mused, his smile widening as he savored the burn, the ale's bite a welcome companion to the wild night beyond.

Moments later, Amethyst pulled him under the covers and cuddled up to him with a big smile before kissing him on the cheek. Atlas soon fell asleep as the covers were warm thanks to her body radiating heat.

The following morning, he woke up with the phoenix beauty on his lap, looking at him with a knowing expression. She quickly bit into his neck, which sent a shiver down his spine like an electric shock.

''Good morning,'' Amethyst whispered into his ear. ''Now for breakfast.''

They started making love until the duo was covered in sweet and their mixed fluids.