POV Thanatos.
First, Morena explained to me who the Dragonborn were. They are a race of humanoid dragons that are among the top hundred most dangerous races in the entire universe.
Morena was once a Dragonborn herself, but she said she evolved into something different, into a unique being. She told me that she rules her own Galactic Empire called Mor-Rigan, located in the Mortuus galaxy, which is part of the Alliance of DGES.
— Do my parents have their own power too? — I asked, remembering Delaria's words.
— Your parents? — Morena seemed taken aback. I nodded, and she shook her head, replying, —I know who gave birth to you and who was involved in your birth, but there was never a father among them.
— But how did Thanatos come to be without a dad? — Evelina scratched her head, asking the question.
Morena quickly took my hand and pulled me along, saying, — Thanatos, come with me. I want to show you something incredible! You'll be amazed.
— Hey, what about me? — Evelina pouted, crossing her arms under her ample chest.
Morena coldly waved her hand at my brunette friend, — You can come with us, just try to talk less. I'm getting tired of your irritable personality.
I looked at Morena, who gradually led me deeper into the dark forest.
Morena walked seductively ahead, not letting go of me, while Evelina followed us from behind.
Morena tenderly held my hand, guiding me along the path through the forest thicket. We passed by the bare trees that had previously perished during our battle with Morena. But now, I felt a gentle breeze carrying the enticing scent of her slender body. She slyly smiled at me, starting to explain how the universe is structured, how beautiful and unimaginable it is.
The night enveloped us with its mysterious charm, casting a soothing spell over the once menacing forest. Morena's touch reassured me. In her presence, the darkness was not scary for me or Evelina.
The fallen trees, remnants of our previous confrontation, reminded us of the powerful forces we had unleashed. But now, there was no hostility between us. On the contrary, we were connected by a spiritual bond that evoked strange feelings in me.
On one hand, I didn't want anything to do with Morena, as she had shown herself to be a terrible and unhealthy creature. But on the other hand, I knew very little about this girl. It was too early to judge her and dismiss the possibility of a potential future together. I needed more information and time to understand the extent of rationality in these hypothetical relationships.
Her cunning half-smile hinted at a deep understanding of the universe's secrets, and I listened attentively as she unraveled their complexity.
— I am only a hundred thousand years old, but in the grand scheme of the universe, I am still small, just like both of you, — Morena explained, swaying her hips, while black smoke clouds began to form above our heads, transforming into drawings of galactic nebulae and spaces, — In reality, our universe is not as vast as it may seem. It is a spatial illusion that arises from the fact that the infinitely long plane of space has the shape you mortals call the Möbius Strip. Thus, there are only about three billion galaxies, many of which are lifeless and hidden from the eyes of the Stellar Cultivators.
I frowned upon hearing this unrealistic nonsense, — That's strange. If the universe is a closed curved line, then where is its center?
With a wave of her hand, Morena showed a vivid illustration of the universe's structure and then placed her palm on my head, gently stroking me like a small child, explaining what she thought were obvious concepts, — That is the main mystery. There is a center, but not in the way foolish people imagine. It is the biggest compressed singularity that constantly moves along the middle with a constant speed inside the closed curve of space. To simplify it, if you divide the universe into five curved lines in a grid, the center is in the third line between the second and third cells and, without changing its trajectory, moves along the Möbius Strip with the majority of galaxies.
As we continued walking, I found myself drawn not only to the vastness of the cosmos but also to Morena's intricate mind. Her brilliance rivaled her beauty, and I couldn't help but be captivated by both.
I also noticed how Evelina looked at Morena with jealousy, admiring her immense intelligence and beauty. So, I approached Evelina and whispered in her ear, — Don't worry, dear Evelina. Morena won't be able to push you out of my heart.
The ears of the satisfied Evelina blushed, and she lowered her head down with a thirty-two-tooth smile, dazzling the night forest.
— I may not be able to do this, but what about your relatives? — Morena smirked, eavesdropping on our conversation.
— What's so special about them? — I asked, adding, — Evelina mentioned that I might have some uncle. So, where do I come from?
— You come from an ancient dynasty that rules the despotic-galactic sect 'Divine Dragons.' The sect, in terms of its ideological and political influence, has expanded across several galaxies...
...
It was a night of revelations as Morena showed me the captivating tapestry of the Universe and my place in it. Her story was concise yet incredibly enlightening.
She possessed knowledge beyond my comprehension, and with every word, my horizons expanded.
I learned about the Alliance of Despotic-Galactic Empires and Sects, where our family held a prominent position in the Top Ten.
Morena explained the difference between family and dynasty. Nemesis and I belonged to the Divine Dragons Dynasty, but our family name was changed at the moment when three princesses and 'Saintly Maidens' of the sect, including my mother and two aunts, opposed the horrible intentions of the Patriarch and father. After barely defeating the Sect Patriarch in the alliance's fiercest battle, the three of them broke free, left the ancestral nest, and took control of the first galaxy, which my mother now rules as Empress - Niks Pendragon.
Many millennia passed before the three formidable women decided to expand the family. However, their pride and beliefs didn't allow them to form connections with unworthy men, so they turned to the power of Primordial Magic to create life without the involvement of the male gender.
For me, any information about the cosmos was new and deeply enthralling.
I learned that the main governing body consisted of one Empress of the Galactic Empire Styx; six Queens who ruled over cosmic sectors; and one princess raised on the family planet - Pendragon Prime.
Niks - my mother in the title of Empress; Isida - my first aunt in the title of Queen; Syrma - my second aunt in the title of Queen; Spica - my cousin in the title of Queen, daughter of my second aunt; Aludra - my cousin in the title of Queen, daughter of my first aunt; Alhena - my older twin sister in the title of Queen; Mebsuta - my younger twin sister in the title of Queen; Nemesis - the youngest among the twins in the title of Princess. And finally, I, Thanatos - the hidden Prince, known only to important galactic figures.
In addition, Niks conquered numerous other dwarf galaxies, which are now under the vassalage of my mother. One of such dwarf galaxies is ruled by Delaria Zauron.
The location of the family's dominions, Morena described as follows: Galactic Empire - Styx. Galaxy - Twilight Zone. Cosmic Sector - Capital Nucta. Governing Planet - Pendragon Prime.
On the flip side, the Divine Dragons Sect was ruled by a noble and direct line of lineage. My grandfather - the Patriarch; and the eldest brother of Niks, Isida, and Syrma - Ereb, the direct heir of the Sect and my biological uncle.
— Now I understand Nemesis a little better. It's all so high and distant from my reality that it leaves me in a state of melancholy, realizing my insignificance and helplessness... — I said, sighing deeply next to Morena and Evelina.
It puts a lot of strain on the thought processes of the head, but I'm glad I learned the basic details.
However, Evelina seemed to relish this information. Her interested and radiant expression revealed that she was daydreaming about being a princess or queen beside me.
Morena pressed her half-naked bosom against me and reassured me with the following words, — Dear husband, you don't need to worry about your own prospects. You are much stronger than any other first-stage Stellar Cultivator. You were able to overpower me when I limited myself to the rank of Third Star System, which is at least thirty Stars.
— And how many geniuses can do the same? — I asked as we approached the lake where I killed the two Dark Lich brothers.
Morena approached their remains and began releasing Death energy from her hands, which brought them back to their former "life."
Terrifying power! I had such a hard time killing them, yet Morena brought them back with a snap of her fingers.
— Your Highness, you are so merciful to your servants, — both brothers said in unison, kneeling.
— Return to your home planet. Fighting is clearly not your talent, — Morena opened a teleportation portal and sent the Dark Liches back to their native planet. Then she turned to me and said, — You are the first one who has disrupted the established cultivation norms to such an extent. Considering my age and the number of potential partners I've considered, choosing you as my eternal husband speaks for itself.
— Seriously? — I genuinely exclaimed. After thinking it over, I realized it would be foolish if Morena bound her life to someone who didn't challenge the heavens. But then I remembered the moment when Evelina defeated the Dark Lich and asked Morena, — What about Evelina?
— What about her? — Morena sneered, rolling her eyes.
— She defeated the last of the Dark Lich brothers, who was at the First Star System rank, while she was at the Third Star level.
Morena stopped and scrutinized Evelina, then pronounced her verdict, — Your short-haired little one is considered a genius among her peers. I've seen many cultivators like her, and she has decent prospects of becoming a Royal Handmaiden or even an Imperial Handmaiden.
— Royal Handmaiden? Who do you think I am, you damn bitch? — Evelina frowned, annoyed.
With that statement, Morena brought Evelina back to reality, — Don't think that just because Tanatos is a galactic prince, you'll become a queen or empress. Considering the governmental structure and social hierarchy of the Styx Empire, becoming an Imperial Handmaiden is the most you can achieve. Although if you diligently kiss Niks's feet, you might secure a place as a concubine, ha-ha-ha!
— No point in thinking about what's too early, — I said, trying to lighten the mood. Calming Evelina with caresses, I turned to Morena, — You still haven't told me what the other three of my wives could be. But let's discuss that later, so keep your communicator with you. It's dawn now, so we'll return to the base.
— Cough, the base is practically destroyed, — Morena said with a raspy voice, feigning an innocent smile.
— How do you mean 'destroyed'? Oh, God... AGATHA! — Evelina suddenly exclaimed, feeling worried.
I grabbed panicking Evelina, who wanted to run away, and reassured her, — Don't fall for Morena's tricks; she manipulates your feelings as she pleases. I'm absolutely certain that Spica and Nemesis are protecting Agatha.
— Right, you're correct, — Evelina whispered, trusting my words. She cast one last look at Morena, voicing her complaint, — To manipulate and demean me is so wrong and hurtful. I will surpass you in strength and spank you on the ass...
As we started to leave, Morena grabbed my face and sensually kissed my cheek, saying goodbye, — Become strong quickly, Tanatos, so you can return to Pendragon Prime and be proclaimed the hereditary galactic prince.
— I'll do my best, — I promised, leaving Morena's company.
On the way back to Montok Base, Evelina and I walked in pleasant silence. Evelina pondered her own prospects, while I thought about the incredible events of the previous day.
All of Morena's explanations went beyond earthly understanding, and I was undeniably enchanted by her, both literally and metaphorically.
Remembering how Morena and I walked hand in hand on a quiet path, I realized that this night became a turning point. Morena's presence opened doors to knowledge and revelations I couldn't have even imagined. And at that moment, I understood that our journey had only just begun.
I'll figure out our strange relationship in the future, but I need to keep the most important thought in mind: Morena believed in me and took a great risk. I must show that I am something more significant than it may seem at first glance.