Third Person POV.
The Barren World - that's how the majority of the planets in the Mortuus Galaxy are called. Ruthless and despotic Empress - Morena Sirius, the unquestionable ruler of these cosmic territories.
Once upon a time, the Mortuus Galaxy was a flourishing nest with perfect flora and fauna, as well as happy dragon-born inhabitants. In those times, Morena's father ruled the galaxy, expanding the dynasty by adding to his harem and breeding uncontrollable offspring.
In her childhood, Morena was a very cute and obedient girl due to her mother's gentle upbringing, but the heartless attitude of the then Emperor towards his daughters made Morena a cruel woman.
Her father saw them as an excellent resource that could be sold to other sects and galaxies to establish alliances, trade, and other types of relationships.
Unwilling to accept the fate of a bargaining chip and a princess in a cage, Morena asked her mother to make her strong. Due to the high marriage age, which at that time was one thousand years, Morena managed to become strong enough to defy her father's orders and break free from marriage.
Along with this event, a serious problem arose: a large number of children fought in the race for the position of the Emperor's heir, which became a fatal moment for the Sirius dynasty.
In the stellar system of the imperial family, intrigues had been brewing for centuries, the result of which was the ultimate death of most of the Sirius family's offspring. Due to the Emperor's male incompetence, his wives, common children, and greedy conspirators orchestrated a bloody massacre in which Morena also took part.
Her mother was far from being as strong and influential in the Sirius family, but Morena managed to achieve personal power in the field of Necromancy magic. Using the primordial power of Death and Soul, Morena struck her father in the back at the opportune moment and took control over him, turning him into an undead known as the Dracolich.
Morena had no warm feelings towards her dynasty due to the lack of family unity, so she destroyed a large part of the Sirius family along with her dead father.
To her regret, every authority has its price, and Morena paid for the Imperial crown with the life of her own mother, the only person who meant something to her.
Suppressing an overwhelming sense of devouring guilt, Morena made the decision to turn all the inhabitants of her Galaxy into undead. She was one of the first to join the new alliance of Despotic-Galactic Empires and Sects (DGES) to protect herself from the pressure of stronger sects and galaxies.
At the present time, her Galaxy is inhabited by the undead, and despite the planetary peculiarities, many star systems have become popular trading hubs. The main income of the Empress comes from military contracts that the Dead Kings sign with various factions, who use the undead for their own ambitions and needs.
One such contract is aimed at annexing the planet Earth.
*Footsteps*
The loyal servant, who was once Morena's father, appeared before her, the Undead Queen in an instant. Rising to one knee, he placed his right hand over his heart and said, — Mistress, your instructions have been carried out. Amplifying artifacts, magical amulets, several costumes and masks are stored in the spatial ring. I also took the initiative to gather several hundred of the rarest monster cores, as you know that's what we do.
— You've done well, Dracolich. I expected nothing less from you, — Morena arrogantly stated, — After all, for us, any cores are just currency used throughout the Universe, and for my new 'ally,' it's an excellent gift that stimulates more efficient cultivation.
Morena's statement was correct, except for the word 'ally.' No coins made of any metal held much value compared to energy.
It was precisely the concentrated energy in the cores of monsters and humanoid creatures that was the most valuable currency. Naturally, artifacts, potions, amulets, and equipment imbued with magical energy or made based on it also held value, but the cores of monsters, conveniently measured by the number of Stars concentrated within them, were the only currency.
The Dracolich placed the ring on the table and, one last time, looked at the imperial throne with Morena seated upon it, then turned around to leave.
Morena approached the table, took the ring, and through clenched teeth, growled, — Tss-s, you're still too young to compete with me, Evelina!
Morena pondered with irritation about the recent events, «It's very unpleasant to realize that Ereb has painted a target on my head that encompasses an entire galaxy belonging to Niks! While Ereb's father and also the Patriarch of the Sect, may be stronger than his estranged daughter, he lost to three Pendragon daughters in that decisive battle for desired freedom. Many thousands of years have passed, and the three formidable Pendragon maidens have become even stronger. Alas, I am not their equal, no matter how much I slander Evelina.»
Morena understood that she was powerless at the moment. Her main ally, albeit unintentionally, had betrayed her when he insisted she keep an eye on his nephew, Thanatos, about whom the former dynasty from the sect had heard rumors.
This careless maneuver gave the pitiful human whelp access to blackmail the Great Empress, as any transmission of information about the spy to Niks would be a fatal mistake for Morena. The Undead Queen knew Niks well due to their shared past, which had placed them on opposite sides of the barricades.
After signing the tedious paperwork, Morena spent the entire night sitting on the throne, contemplating how to extricate herself from this difficult situation.
— Niks has no idea that I turned a close friend of Thanatos into a spy, but she already knows that I am interested in that pitifully weak planet. Therefore, she has an inkling that I am interested in the mysterious heir of the Pendragon family, about whom there are countless false rumors, — Morena muttered aloud, tapping the armrest of the throne.
Nearly eighteen years ago, the estranged Empress, commanding darkness and poison, suddenly began acquiring any means that could revive, preserve, or save the lives of living beings. The situation had become so dire that imperial decrees ordered all inhabitants of her Galaxy to bring any remedies or items related to the energy of Life, Nature, Soul, and Orderliness in exchange for generous rewards and untold wealth.
The mysterious story took a more provocative turn when Nix entered into a secret agreement with an antagonistic imperial dynasty from the enemy Alliance. Fortunately, no one from the DGES Alliance dared to challenge Empress Nix directly, but many quietly understood that the issue was either with the problematic newborn child or someone in their family had suffered grave injuries incompatible with life.
Morena and her allies from different Sects knew that it was a lie. The issue lay with an unknown-gender heir, as any injuries sustained in battle could easily be reversed by the Time Queen, Isida Pendragon.
The Galactic Empress of Mortuus spent another hour fruitlessly contemplating a way out of the impasse. Realizing she was wasting time, Morena took out a teleportation amulet and transferred the spatial ring to the planet Earth, right into Evelina's bedroom.
Morena composed a message in the communication device for Evelina.
Morena: All requested items are in the ring that is in your bedroom. Especially for you, dear Miss Palmer, I have included instructions for all the items and gifts. Enjoy them at your leisure, and don't bother me.
Evelina had just finished breakfast with her friends and Thanatos when she received a message from the Undead Queen. The green-eyed brunette had managed to overcome her fear of the majestic figure and was at ease when communicating with Morena.
Evelina: You're such a kind and responsible little girl, thank you so much! I gently kiss you on the forehead for a job well done, ha-ha-ha. Keep up the good work, and someday I'll let you lick my heel as a generous reward.
Morena: You bitch o___O go (─‿‿─) fuck yourself <(￣ ﹌ ￣)>.
A vein bulged on Morena's forehead as she read the offensive message, in her opinion. This phenomenon was something remarkable, considering she didn't have any veins on her forehead. Instead, the Flame of the Soul burned atop her head, allowing her to control billions of undead in passive mode.
Morena struggled with all her might and willpower to restrain herself from rash actions against Evelina. It was surreal for her to be in a subordinate position, as Morena had literally turned her own father into an undead slave who would kill any target and carry out any orders for her.
Such contempt from a mortal drove her insane.
*Crackling sound*
— Kra-a-ar! I swear by the Goddess Femiartha that I will make this little girl suffer in the most terrifying ways!
The strike against the luxurious patterned floor was so powerful that it shattered into tiny pieces.
The beautiful throne of Morena was surrounded by tile debris, but despite the furious blows, the throne remained intact, symbolizing the physical invincibility of the owner's will.
...
POV Thanatos.
Over the past half hour, I killed weak undead creatures from the Second and Third Star near the eastern gates of Montauk.
For many young cultivators, it was a tough challenge, but for me, dozens of monsters were nothing serious.
I awaited Evelina without tension and observed the powers of Stellar Cultivators: one girl controlled sound waves, two guys manipulated light, a few more people created enhancing spheres and orbs, but most soldiers controlled elemental forces like fire, water, lightning, and other types of energy.
Are all fire cultivators immortal or is Sergeant Brown just special? I would also like to die, crumble into ashes, and reappear in the same body from the ashes of my previous self. Although I don't really want to die.
I wonder how to kill such people? Maybe shatter their ashes into pieces or interact with Vial of Soul. One of these options is definitely deadly for these cheaters.
My thoughts were interrupted by Evelina's muffled voice, — Thanatos! I hurried to you at maximum speed, forgive me!
I didn't even have time to turn around when gentle feminine hands embraced my muscular body.
— Evelina, you've been so happy all day. Did something good happen?
The green-eyed girl released me and nodded happily, — Of course, something happened! I can finally be with you! It makes me the happiest girl on the planet.
I turned around to kiss Evelina on the cheek for such warm words, but my mouth hung open when I beheld the divine-like girl in a sleek jumpsuit that accentuated her more flexible and athletic body lines.
Evelina formed a ball of acid in her palm and hurled it at the nearest zombies. The monsters dissolved before my eyes, and I watched in disbelief.
— Evelina, you... you look beautiful in this suit! And it seems to me that you've become stronger, — I spoke with breathlessness, swallowing saliva out of excitement.
It's not easy to restrain oneself next to such a delightful beauty, but luckily I'm used to Nemesis, who surpasses Evelina in natural charm.
— He-he, you're right. I just broke through to the Third Star, and Agatha gave me this tactical suit. Thank you for the compliments, I'm getting really shy, but it's incredibly pleasant to hear it from the only man who means something to me.
I noticed that Evelina's figure became more athletic with each breakthrough, and her face acquired smoother contours. It's a shame she can't constantly walk without a mask due to her strange health condition.
I placed my hand on her cheek, covered by the mask, and brushed away a few strands of hair, revealing a delicate earlobe to my gaze.
Evelina raised her head to gaze at me with a seductive look and whispered softly, — D-do I need to remove my mask, Thanatos?
— What? Why remove the mask? I just wanted to feel your face; it really has become so soft.
— FOOL! — Evelina hit my chest and turned away to escape from me. Realizing she didn't know where to go, Evelina turned back to me and asked, — Which way should we go?
Did Evelina think I wanted to kiss her? Damn, she's actually right, but at that moment I was more focused on her beautiful skin.
I rolled my eyes and answered ironically, — We need to go east. There's an army of undead led by some dark figures over there...
— The damn Dark Liches! — Evelina immediately growled, clenching her fists. She confidently headed east, intending to dissolve all the monsters into oblivion.
— Hey, don't rush so much!
I had to catch up with her because she showed no signs of stopping. Apparently, Evelina had a personal conflict with the Dark Liches.