The Dark Empress
The Fall Of The Blood Moon
Birth into the new world
The Crash
“Help me! Help me! Help me!” A village cried out as the night sky bled the color of blood. Screams echoed throughout the village, but no one could help anyone. How come? Well, this night there were no skeletons, orges, goblins, or dragons. There was a greater enemy. One no one could imagine, one that seemed merely impossible. This enemy was spherical and it’s color was that of snow. The enemy was none other than the moon. The moon that would end all life in the Bloodfallen Empire.
Chapter 1: The BloodFallen Empire
1
The year is 3145AD, and the video games industry has made a big advancement since 2020AD. Virtual reality is where all the big leagues are at. Thanks to a new type of game system. TIVR, short for transfer into virtual reality. The system is a watch that you place on your wrist and it connects to your nervous system, allowing you to be transported into a video game reality. Why the wrist rather than a helmet? Virtual reality helmets damage your eyes and brain cells, but with the watch you have something that wouldn’t cause damage to anything severe. Nervous system is connected to your brain, so through scientific advancements, scientists found a way to trick your brain into seeing a world that is programmed. This allowed one to truly be immersed inside the game, without causing harm to your brain. No more funky headsets. No more, I wish I could be here or there. With TIVR, no dream can’t be achieved.
With TIVR, there is one game that everyone has their eyes on or is already playing. The BloodFallen Empire, a TIVR-MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Video Game) fantasy game. A game with quests, dungeons,treasures, and lastly guilds. Within The BloodFallen Empire, lies four countries. Malace, an angelic country, that will do everything to follow the words of god. Yandra, the land of Elves and forest civilization. Jahanam, the world of the demons. Lastly, Umbral, the unknown world. This world is still being developed by the creators of the game, but those who enter this realm tend to never return.
In The BloodFallen Empire, there were many classes of creatures. They range from humans, angels, elves, demons,dragonoids, and many more classes of creatures, but every class had to stay close to their country. If they were to venture out of their country, they wouldn’t have any guild or army to protect them from the other races. Many humans have crossed into demon territory and have been killed. It’s an easy pk ( Player kill ), and the game would give the player bonus points for killing another player. After Jahanam found out about this, they quickly became eager to try and pvp kill. This started what was called a raid, an organized group that goes after one country's highest bounty. Though many die on the journey, it is very useful, because you can gain God tier weapons or items from other countries.
Every country has ten god items and each god tier item can only be equipped by someone who masters all the affinity classes. An affinity class is a skill set or talent. Such as magic, archery, swordsmanship, and dark arts. If one doesn’t level up all the skill sets in the game to level 100, then they can’t equip the god items.Ultimately, revoking them from the god item or weapon. Being revoked means the player will die and restart all affinity classes. The creators did this in order to prevent the god tier weapons from going into anyone's hand. Only the top adventurers from each and every country can obtain these weapons.
Knowing this, a little dark elf created a guild of the top adventures. Most of them NPC’s (Nonplayer- characters) that the dark elf trained or created herself. The dark elf was feared amongst the world. Her name was Mei Ryo, but people called her the goddess. She created a guild named the NightStalkers. The guild was made up of every type of race. Demons, humans, angels, all of them she had. She told them that riches await them if they help her obtain the god items. For some, she even promised them some of the god items.
The Nightstalkers were motivated and helped Mei achieve a goal that was seen as impossible. Within a year, the Nightstalker’s became the strongest players in all the global servers. Creating a guild castle in the middle of all four countries. The only goal left was to finally set out to get all forty of the god items. Mei Ryo didn’t want to obtain forty god items, she wanted to instill fear into the heart of the world.She began by venturing off into the world of Umbral.
Everyone believed this would be the end of the Nightstalkers, but this was truly just the beginning of world domination. When Mei Ryo returned back from the unknown world, she was elevated to a new status. She broke the game, and became the dark Elf goddess. The other countries couldn’t fight back against her guild or her, and so Mei took over the world. Creating a new country for herself to rule. Hundra, the only country that had united all races and creatures.
2
In the throne room, there was a tall dark skinned girl, with a dark purple cloak worn around her. The cloak had gold run down the bottom and the collar. Along with the gold, she had a white crescent moon stitched right above her chest. Light would reflect off of the silver crescent. Her hand is pressed upon her cheek as she looks down upon the servants in front of her. The dark elf’s eyes were silver, and her hair was white with the hue of silver coating it. When one looked at her, it looked almost as if she lost all her humanity.
The throne room had stone pillars running through it and with the flags of every nation on them. Chandarlers hung down, projecting a pure white light, almost as if it was winter. The walls were made out of diamonds, but painted over with a stone like complexion to make the room almost indestructible.An angelic winter light shine through the white and blue stained glass. If one were to step in, their mouths would drop in awe of the holy sight.
“My queen Mei, all seems to be going well in the Yandra region. It seems as if they were more then happy to pay their taxes.” A young human boy dressed in a suit kneeled as he addressed Mei. He was young, but one not to be taken lightly. This boy, a knight, chosen by Mei Ryo to guard her, meant you had to be perfect. The white, blue haired boy that looked like a butler mastered every affinity class in swordsmanship and even now began being taught magic by Mei herself. As an NPC, this means Mei could show him one magic trick and the boy would be able to learn the ability almost instantly.
“That’s great news, what’s the status of Malace, Rex Jordan?” The boy looked up at Mei and smiled. “Of course my majesty, they are praying to their true goddess. You are the goddess that rules all in the BloodFallen Empire.” Mei smiled and stood up. “Thank you for your report, my humble servant.” Rex stood up and smiled back at Mei’s beautiful face. “Rex, I have one request for you.” The boy put his hand over his chest and straightened his back waiting for the orders of Mei Ryo. “Tell Mythril Sparks and Hilda Apex02 to join me in the counselling room. I want to discuss some things with them urgently.” He bowed and didn’t hesitate, Rex ran out the large throne room, and went to find Mythril and Hilda.
Mei Ryo walked on a blue carpet that ran through the rest of the castle. She walked towards the big golden doors with butterflies as the symbols on the door. The castle was large, one with four different floors, and each and every floor served a different purpose. The first floor was the floor Mei was on right now, one that is for her royal duties and giving commands. Then the second floor is a floor that is for hospitality. Why the second instead of the first, well this way is just in case the castle is attacked. An underground bunker would be how the second floor acts. Meaning we would have enough time to attack the intruders once we are alarmed. The third floor is for xp farming (Experience farming).
Non-intelligent monsters have been captured. Making the third floor like a dungeon. They kill them to learn new skills, level up, and ultimately use them for research. If the guild ever needs to use them for battle, they can easily summon the monsters.
Lastly, the final floor is for crafting new spells and weapons. It’s a lab that is the most important place in the guild castle. Well, other than the treasury. Luckily in the game, we can store all of our treasure in a pocket dimension, only those with a certain golden ring with the crescent moon carved on the side of the ring can enter. If somehow a trespasser enters the location, there is a guardian. A guardian that holds two god weapons as insurance.
Ultimately, any alley in the Nightstalker castle is more than safe. Any enemy of the Nightstalker, is one who will be in grave danger just by stepping into the holy sanctuary of the Nightstalker.
Mei Ryo walked past the intricate statues of goddesses. There were twenty-six statues, ranging from the goddess of the moon to the goddess of death.Each statue was a defense mechanism, though they looked like normal statues. Each one can become a goddess in the flesh, when an intruder reaches this location, these statues could easily wipe out twelve armies at max level if they truly wanted to. That was never the case though, only because the world deeply feared the wrath of Mei Ryo.
Mei came across a flight of stairs, one that could easily have twenty people walk side by side, down or up the stairs. With its beautiful white marble as the stepping stone and it’s blue and golden carpet running down it. It was truly a breathtaking adventure down and up the stairs. The castle though was far too large to simply venture to each and every location. So usually the Nightstalkers would use a skill called [ Fast Travel ] , it allows a user to travel to rooms or locations that they’ve been to.
Mei casted the skill and appeared in the council room. A large silver and gold color scheme ran along the walls. A high ceiling with two floors full of seats. One throne in the middle of the room. This room was primarily used to vote upon new rules and regulations, or battle plans. That’s why around the room there was a ring of water, and with constant water flowing. If anyone else is watching or hearing. They would have a hard time understanding what is being briefed.
Moments after taking a seat on the throne, two individuals teleported into the location and bowed. Mythril Sparks, a woman with silver hair, and blue eyes with a demonic slit for pupils. She was a kind lady, so she liked to match her appearance with her clothing. She wore a long blue dress with stars glittering from her shoulders to the top of her breasts. She wore a god item on her neck, a golden star with a white crystal in the center creating a flare like symbol. It’s hard to imagine Mythril having good eyesight though, because her left eye is covered by her long hair. She believed she was holding back her true strength for another enemy worthy of her. She only ever tied her hair back when she fought against Mei, but no other member in the game. She would beat Mei, if Mei would unequip her god items that were hidden under her cloak. The lovely Mythril was an angel, but not a typical angel. She was a fallen angel. So above her head, she had a broken red halo circle.
On the other hand, we have Hilda Apex02. She was a tomboy, she has muscles that can be clearly seen when she put on any tight or short shirt. Though she had guns of steel,Mei told her to be lean but strong. That way she can move quickly, it’s very important to be able to evade and attack simultaneously. The dark skinned, blonde hair, and pink eyed girl was dark elf. Like any elf they are short, just like Mei, but Mei is tall for an elf. Hilda was four foot two inches and Mei was five foot and three inches. Mei always teased Hilda for her height, but Mei never felt small because of her huge ego.
“My Britney, why did you call us over?” Mythril and Hilda address Mei as they stand tall and firm. Mei smiled and moved her cloak aside revealing that she was wearing a black crop top. Her stomach had a silver moon being engulfed by a black sun. “Well my fellow companions.” Mei took a deep breath and Mythril and Hilda gulped. “I just wanted to say hi! Umu! I haven’t seen you guys all day!” She broke from character and turned into a little girl that was surrounded by her friends.
“Well, you haven’t seen us all day because you’ve been sending us everywhere.” Mythril smirked and put her right hand on her hip. “Relax Mythril, it’s not like the missions were hard or anything.” Mei began to laugh at Mythril and Hilda crossed her arms. “Well sending us to fight slimes wasn’t cool. You know how long they take to kill. Especially when our class is weak to them.” Mei couldn’t help herself but laugh because she knew that they would have difficulty fighting a Havok Slime. The Havok Slime uses their enemies abilities and is programmed to harm dark elves, angles, and humans. Meaning they know all the strengths of those classes. Giving Hilda and Mythril a hell of a battle. “You both know I would have killed those slimes with no problem.” Mythril gives Mei an intense stare. “You know the only reason you’re able to do that is because you are the number one player. You simply are a no life.” Then Mei scratched her cheek and Hilda put her hand on Mythril’s shoulder. “Being number one doesn’t mean anything, like you told us Mei, my bad.”
The truth is the reason why Mei Ryo was the number one player, was due to a helicopter accident. She lost both of her legs in the accident and injured her back, so in the end she couldn’t live a normal life like everyone else. Mei’s real name was Britney Stone, and she was a well known genius. Only fourteen, but she was already accepted to Oxford university. Though, she ended up not going, because of the tragic accident. So Britney locked herself away. Locked herself into BloodFallen Empire, because she knew it was the only place where she could walk again. This was her way of escaping reality, and now at eighteen after becoming the greatest player in the game, she is recognized worldwide. She gets paid to be a beta tester of all the new equipment and limited time items. This was the world's way of giving Britney support.
“I don’t believe the accident got you here Britney, but rather this was destiny. I think it was destiny for you to become the goddess of the game. Even if someone else was in your situation, there would be no way they could rule this game for four consecutive years. You’re smart, beautiful, and ultimately our leader!” Mythril’s words made Mei laugh at herself. Mei stood up and walked to the two girls and held her arms out. The girls knew Mei was asking for a hug and the girls gave her a warm hug.
As the girls continued to converse the light emanating from the ceiling window began to turn red. This was normal, because this was a sign that the blood moon event began. The three girls looked at each other and then teleported to the throne room.
Rex was standing next to the throne waiting patiently for Mei Ryo. Mei Ryo smiled, and her heart felt warm just seeing the boy. She knew that he was just an NPC and she shouldn’t be falling in love with an NPC, but they grew up together. On top of that, his AI setting made him feel real. Sometime he felt so real, she would just converse with him about issues and he would help her solve the issue. That’s why Mei treated the boy not as a NPC but as a person.
Mei sat down on the intricate silver and black designed throne. When she sat down, all the members of Nightstalker teleported to the throne room kneeling. Hilda and Mythril both kneeled in front of the hundreds of adventures that were behind them. Mei cleared her throat and closed her eyes. A dark aura could be felt emanating from her body. The air in the room felt heavy and it was so heavy that they felt as if they were suffocating. Mei stood up and reached out into the air.
“Servants of Nightstalkers! The time has come! The Blood Moon event has finally fallen upon us for another year. Last year we were too cocky to the point we thought everything would be easily given to us just because we were the best. We are the best, but that can be taken away from us at any moment. This year, we slave the wicked witch of the north! This year we collect new weapons and items. This year they called these items, heaven gear. These items will allow one to rival the god items that we possess. The developers are doing this to break us! BUT FEAR NOT!”
The Nightstalkers looked up to their goddess and the light in the room glew bright white light. They could almost feel their souls being enlightened. “Tonight! We will obtain all the heaven gear! We will kill all other players that think they can defeat us! We are the Nightstalkers! We do not know defeat! We only know victory!” The room rumbled as the members of Nightstalkers gave off their heroic screams. “Now you know what to do.” They all saluted and charged off leaving Mei alone in the room with Rex.
“My lady, will you be joining them in the raid this year?” Mei shook her head and waved her hand opening a menu that only she could see. “This year I want to watch them.” She scrolled down to an icon of a camera and she clicked it, creating a live footage in the center of the room for her and Rex to watch.
“They are truly great noble servants for you my majesty.” Rex said in a lighthearted voice. He looked over to Mei and blushed. “I wished I could serve you in the way they do. Sometime-” A finger was put over the boy’s mouth and Mei looked at him. “Don’t say that, you are serving just fine. I just wish for you to be perfect. Well, more perfect than you are now.” He kneeled and apologized immediately. “Now stand up, my future king shouldn’t be seen by me kneeling.”
The boy stood up with his eyes closed and hand over his chest. “I’m flustered by the fact you see me fit as the future king. I’ll do my best to fulfil my role as king.” Mei smiled and stood on the throne to pat Rex. “Once you're 19, you’ll be my king and husband.” His face was red all over and he turned around in embarrassment. He realized that he just had to wait one more year and then he will be with his true love. A goddess amongst all creations.
A beep sound that only Mei can hear rang in Mei Ryo’s head. This was a sign that someone was trying to communicate with her. “Come in, tell me what’s your status?” The man on the other hand had a confused tone. “The moon seems to be bigger than usual tonight. Are the developers updating the game as we speak?” The boy raised his hand swipes towards the screen, showing the bright red moon. “Pay no attention to the moon, it’s just a new update I’m guessing. Just focus on obtaining heaven gear.” Mei waved her hand over her keyboard. “Strange, the map is showing that the moon is getting closer to the Earth. Rex can you show me a 3d model of the earth and the moon?” He bows and quickly holds his hand out. An orange beam hovered over his hand like fire, then turned into a solar system map. The moon was moving at a high rate, so fast that it was not slowing down, but only moving faster.
“What the hell is going on?” Mei stood up from her seat and teleported to the roof of the castle. She looked up in the sky and saw the horizon covered by the face of the moon. The moon wasn’t going to stop unless someone stopped it. She raised her hand and pointed it towards the sky. A light white light formed around the girl. “God item reveal, Kindred and Lotus” Pure white angelic wings come out Mei’s back. These wings allowed one to be able to move mountains through it’s powerful winds, this came from the Lotus. Mei grew two curled white horns and her teeth sharpened. This allowed Mei to boost her power ten fold, this power came from kindred. Kindred helps boost the natural raw power within a dark elf.
A beep was heard in Mei’s head. Mei put her left hand on her head. “Come in.” Mei tried to remain calm so her subordinate on the other side can be calm as well. “My lord, I can’t help but notice the moon is coming straight towards us.” The adventurer sounded as if he was shaking in his armor. Knowing that he was an npc Mei ignored it. “Everyone retreat, draw back immediately! Tell all players to log out now!” Screams can be heard echoing in the back of the call.
***
On the plains of Hundra, the adventurers froze, and all fixed their attention to the sky. The moon stood above everyone and so red it looks almost as if it’s almost blood. You could only tell that it’s the moon, by its creators and size.
“Adventurers fall back! The great goddess told us that we should all retreat back to the NightStalker castle! She will protect us if we just follow her divine ruling! All players log out immediately!” A knight in white armour used the message skill to speak to all members of the Nightstalkers. Screams of horror came from all the Nightstalkers as they ran for their lives. The way they ran looked like ragdolls.
“The goddess can’t protect us from this!” An male adventurer said, crying his eyes out. Phrases like this could be heard as the adventures ran towards the castle. Though the npc’s were loyal to Mei, this moment broke them, because if they died they wouldn’t respawn like a normal player. If they died, that’s as if they died in reality. With the moon inching closer to the Earth, it was a no brainer that everyone would lose hope in their leader. Within moments it’ll be the end of their lives, unless Mei can overcome this situation.
---
“Greater levitation.” The young dark elf activated a spell that would hopefully lift the moon back into orbit. What seemed to be three huge hurricanes pushing against the moon came out from Mei’s hand. Though she casted a strong spell it didn’t faze the moon. A small dark purple portal opened next to Mei and she struck her hand in it. “It seems as if these god items won’t be enough. I have to go ahead and use everything that I got here.” Her body began to glow purple and flame grew all over her body and then it slowly extinguished.
“God item: Zues, pandora, Hercules, Thor, Hermes, and Son Goku. Give me your strength.” A dark purple armor was formed around Mei. A bright red stripes intricately ran throughout the arms and legs. The helmet was one like a spartan, but with golden wings coming out from the side. Finally weapons of every type hovered behind the young dark elf. “Destroy.” Mei said as the weapons shot a large beam at the moon, but yet again the even though the sky is lit up like a firework, nothing is working.
Rex teleported behind Mei. He couldn’t help but let his jaw drop in awe of all the power Mei was using. It was known that if Mei had to use any of the god items then it was a serious matter. So serious that it might be a threat that she can’t handle on her own. “My lady, just log out the game. We can’t afford to lose those items.” Mei turns back to Rex on the roof. “I’ll just go back to the last checkpoint in the game Rex, it’s fine. But this moon is not fine!” Rex walks to Mei and grabs her hand. “It’s fine, trust me you need to sign out. It’s 12am anyway.” He gave Mei a confident look and a face that looked like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Mei sighed deeply and then tapped her watch. She knows that she can come back tomorrow after they fix the glitching moon. She closed her eyes.
...
Though her eyes were closed, the sound of a large fan with beads stuck inside of it crackling. When she opened her eyes the moon was so close to her that if she jumped she could touch it. She looked around quickly, questioning why she had not logged out. “Why haven’t I logged out?” Mei looks at her wrist where her transparent watch should have been but wasn’t. She couldn’t understand what was going on, but something scared her. It felt almost as if chains were chained tightly on her. Something didn’t want her to leave this game. Before she could analyze anything or even let her mind come up with an answer, the great moon fell upon the Earth.
And everything went black...
***
Chapter 2:
In the dark abyss, Mei was falling down in a void with no ground. No light shined in any corner, no sound of even air as she fell, and ultimately no one was here. Just darkness lied ahead.
Mei opened her eyes slowly and looked left and right. She tried to stand up but tumbled and rolled. “Someone help me! Where am I?!” She continued to scream and panic, but no one replied. Her voice didn’t even echo in the darkness.
After thirty minutes of screaming and crying from fear, there was a red spot of light that grew behind her. She turned over and looked at the light. “Is that an opening?” She tucked in her arms and dove towards the light but she wasn’t picking up speed. “You have already died, Britney.” A sinister deep voice echoed in Mei’s head. Mei’s eyes grew large and looked around her but she couldn’t figure out where the source was coming from. “Who are you?” Mei questioned the voice, trying to be calm. “When the moon crashed, you died because a witch transferred your soul into the game, making you into an NPC.”
Mei was so lost, transference of souls, and a Witch? Were they talking about a bot that fully transferred Mei’s mind into a game? Did an AI go against a human for once? “You must be confused, so am I, but let me tell you the witch of the unknown world did this to get back at you. In fact, all I know is that this witch was someone you used to know personally. When you first began BloodFallen Empire.” Mei was confused by the thought that someone she knew was turning against her. After all, Mei was just a girl who couldn’t move in real life. Who would be so crazy to turn against someone who was disabled.
“You sound like you know everything, tell me where I am, and tell me how do I return to any reality?” Then the light grows bigger and forms the shape of britney with her body when it wasn’t missing limbs. Mei stopped falling and actually was standing on the black floor and stared at the red light that looked like her real body.
“Who exactly are you?” Mei asks the light in a frightful tone. The light laughed in a voice that sounded exactly like Mei’s light voice and then walked closer to Mei. “I’m none other than your game saved data. I’m practically you, but the brains only.” Mei scratched her head and couldn’t stop looking at the light that stood in front of her. “Mei, in a little while I’ll disappear from this world, but you’ll be transferred to another reality. The true world of the BloodFallen Empire, but this time it won’t be a game. It will be reality and the witch that put you here will be playing against you. She’s the player and you’re the NPC in her game. This is your reincarnation, so make sure to make her pay for trapping you in this world.” Mei clenched her fists and frowned. Her temper was rising in the thought that she won’t be able to see her friends and family anymore. “Beat the witch and return home Mei.” Mei looked at the light with determination. “I will kill that witch.” The light gave one last smile and then the black disappeared.
Mei stood alone in a grass plain in her black tank top and black shorts. She was still a dark elf, but her height changed. She was five foot eight inches. She looked around her and then at herself, she didn’t know where she was. If she was transported into the world that the witch made or BloodFallen Empire then somethings definitely changed. Mei could tell that she was truly inside another world. For starters, she could feel the air, she could smell the daisies that were near her, and lastly she could feel something strange within her body.
“I still have my player body? Does that mean I still have mana?” She began questioning herself, and solving if she still had all her skill assets from the game. She was slowly discovering after trial and error that she still had magic, but it was all reset. All her affinity classes are level ten instead of a hundred.
Mei stomped the floor angry at the fact that all her hard work for being number one just poofed in a matter of minutes. “Damn it! That stupid witch!” She begins to walk in the large grass plain. For miles she couldn’t see a single mob for xp (Experience). How is one supposed to get strong without a monster? You can’t even cultivate until level twenty at least. (That’s when one uses spells to refine all their affinity classes.)
In the distance a horse can be heard neighing. Mei quickly looked towards the sound of the horse and saw a human riding a horse. Mei waved towards him and was about to speak but her vocal cords tightened and stopped her from speaking. In the last world, all the creatures were all divided until Mei forcefully put everyone together. She knew that if this was the same, she would be killed for being a dark elf. Mei breathed deeply in and out and then called out for the man. The man galloped his horse towards me. Mei’s heartbeat began to beat faster and faster as the man approached her.
“Ma’am, what are you doing out here? Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be out there alone?” Mei sighed in relief and looked up at the man. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know how I got here? I was in a castle and then I was poofed here.” The man’s eyebrow raised and then squinted. He then got off his horse and bowed. “What are you doing? You’re a dark elf, it took me a while to notice, because I didn’t pay attention to your horn.” Mei scratched her head pondering about what’s going on. She noticed the man kept staring at her feet. Mei looked at the horse. If someone was riding a horse and they were a knight like this man in front of me, then that means he was a messenger.
The man was wearing red leather pants and shirt, and he had a silver armor torso and helmet. Everytime he would move the sound of click and clank can be heard. He seemed like a kind person, but maybe in this world the dark elves rule the world. Maybe the world still has Mei Ryo’s imprint in it.
“Sir stand up.” He stood and scratched the back of his head, and a little bit of blonde hair slipped out from the front of his helmet. “Where exactly are we?” He gave me a look of confusion. “We’re in Hundra, where else can we be?” Mei put her hand on her chin. She was in the country that she made. There were so many questions she wanted to ask. She just had to question the messenger. “Who is the ruler of Hundra right now?” The man laughed and stared at Mei. After a moment of silence, the silence broke. “You actually don’t know our majestic ruler? It’s none other than Mei Ryo.”
Mei smacked her head and laughed. The man looked at Mei in greater confusion. “What’s so funny young girl?” She looked at the man. “I laughed because that’s me. Someone is acting as if they are me.” The man scratched his chin and examined Mei’s body. “You do look like her, but you're about four inches taller. Everyone knows the queen is a lot smaller.” Mei sighs deeply and then furiously looks at the man. “Don’t get hostile with me you imposter.”
Mei looks at herself to find anything that will give definite proof that she was the queen. Then she noticed she had the ring from before still on her. Her tank top had a crescent moon on it. “Does this ring a bell.” She raises her hand to the man and tugs on the crescent moon on her shirt. The man leaned in to see the ring and the logo. “Who are you young lady? This is exactly Mei Ryo’s ring and guild logo.”
Mei then sighed deeply. “Can I tell you the truth?” The man nodded and the two of them sat down. Mei began explaining the phenomenon that’s been going on to the man in great detail. The man was intrigued by the story. He couldn't find a reason not to believe her, but if the story was true, then who was in the throne? Mei asked the man to take her to the castle, and so he did. Along the way, Mei discovered that the world has been altered, but not by much. In fact, the only difference is that the world is no longer one big continent, it has five continents. The world that Mei used to know was just the centerpiece of the five. All the continents haven’t been discovered and she was told that the god items have been spread out throughout the nation. All are loyal to Mei Ryo, although the man said no one has actually seen Mei for the last year. For a year, the united world that Mei created has slowly become out of hand. Barbarrick in some locations. Some wish to go against the kingdom, because they are no longer getting support or protection from Mei. The united world is somewhat divided again.
“By the way my majesty, do you know why your power has gone down?” Mei looked at the white birds flying in the sky as they rode on a dirt road. “That stupid witch did this to me, she even tried to make me taller so then the world can mistaken me for someone else. She’s the one, I want her head.” The man gulped as he could feel a dark presence behind him coming from Mei’s body. “Your majesty, but you do know the second everyone finds out that you’ve gotten weaker, they’ll try to overthrow the Nightstalker guild.” Mei could see the castle from miles away. The pure white diamond painted brick, the intricately detailed strokes of gold flowing from top to bottom. This medieval style castle was beautiful and the holiest of all sightings.
“If they try to take over, I should know everyone's strengths and weaknesses. Also, don’t worry, the castle should still have an animal farm. I can gain my magic and other skill sets just through sheer training.” The man smiled and knew that this was the Mei that he knew. Although, it is quite strange that everyone had the same memories, but they were placed in a new world. People must not be exploring the sea, if they didn’t notice that four continents were added. The original world did not allow one to explore the outside world that was not on hundra. The game would automatically teleport you back to shore every time you reached a barrier. In this world though, the other nations can ban together to destroy the continent Mei united. Mei had to make sure the Nightstalkers were strong enough to fight off the witch.
Soon the dirt road stopped as we got to a stone road that connected to a bridge. The castle was surrounded by a ring of water. If someone were to look into the water they could see sharks and dangerous creatures that look like dragons in the water. Those were of course just for safety measures. In case an enemy were to try and raid the castle by surrounding it. A levitation spell will be casted, pulling the enemy into the water and devouring them.
“My majesty, we are home.” Mei looks at the beautiful courtyard filled with lovely flowers and trees. It was almost as if someone was in the forest of the great fairy deity. (The fairy deity is a Dryad. A goddess, who lives in the great forests of Yundra and creates the most beautiful gardens in the world.) “It sure hasn’t changed much.” When Mei looked around the courtyard, she could see fairies floating around preserving the flowers in the flower bed. In the center of the courtyard there was a statue of a white crescent moon. Angels surrounding it praying and whispering the words of their god.
“Of course it hasn’t changed my majesty. We keep everything to your standards and nothing less.” Mei smiles and head walks pass the status and stares at the large golden doors with a symbol of a butterfly and a Hellfly. (Hellfly is a butterfly that is born in the demon country jahanam.) “Wish me luck.” He kneels and nods. “I wish you luck my majesty.”
Chapter 3:
Mei opened the doors slowly and slowly walked the halls. For some odd reason, Mei’s heart began to beat heavily. Almost as if she was walking into a trap, but this was her place that she built. It wouldn’t come to bite her.
As she walked through the halls heading towards the throne room, she noticed that the statues of the goddesses watched her as she walked through the halls. They weren’t stone, but they were in a humanoid form. Standing and watching Mei as she walked the halls. After Mei passed them they returned back to their normal forms and spots. It’s strange, it’s almost as if everything is more aware of her existence now.
After a few moments, Mei finally reached the throne room. Before walking in, she stared at the door, breathing deeply in and out. Would someone be sitting on the throne? Would the witch be there? So many questions, but standing behind a door won’t solve any of those questions. Mei gathered all the courage in her and opened the door. As she slowly opened the door, the nostalgic winter light shined brightly. At first the light was blinding, but then she looked for a place to lay her eyes on. Her eyes landed on the empty throne with a man bowing down in front of the throne.
“Rex? Rex Jordan?” Mei knew that only one person could be loyal enough to not take the throne and wait for her return. The man mumbled to himself, it almost sounded like her was giving a report. Of course Mei couldn’t really understand what the young man was saying from such a large distance. She came closer and closer, it was true that this was Rex. His hair dark blue, his pale skin, suit and tie, no one else can impersonate the boy.
Mei softly put her hand on the boy’s shoulder and got on her knees on the stair step. The boy turned and looked down and saw Mei. “Who are you?” He was genuinely confused, by seeing Mei here. She looked different, taller one might say. Tall isn’t something that should run in the elf family. “You know who I am silly. I’m the queen of the Nightstalker.” Mei stands up and then walks to the throne and sits down on it. She looks down on the boy. “Or have you forgotten about me already?” He shedded a few tears and stood up. “I haven’t forgotten about the goddess that sits in front of me. It’s just-” Mei raised her hand as a sign to stop him from talking. He lowered his gaze from Mei and put his hand over his shoulder.
Mei looked around the room and then redirected her attention to Rex. “Rex, the world as we know it has changed. I can’t protect you all, like I did before.” Rex raised his head and looked at Mei with a shocked face. “What happened?” Mei sighed deeply from the thought of the question. “A witch that I knew, cursed me. She reset my abilities, trapped me in this world as a reincarnation, and ultimately removed me from my reality.” Rex’s fists clenched in anger. “How can someone do that to a goddess such as you?” Mei twirled her hair with a cold expression in her eye as she stared down at Rex. This was the face that everyone feared. This face was of Mei when she was in her tyrant mode.
Mei had two personalities, one a kind person, and two a cold hearted person. When she gets cold, she usually doesn’t care what it takes to get what she wants. One time, she killed one of the NPC’s to get experience. Lives mean nothing in the face of Mei, truly a horrible trait to have as a ruler of a country. Lives are what hold a country together.
“What is it that you desire my goddess?” Rex lowered his gaze again in fear of his life. “I want that witch's head. So I want the Nightstalkers to go to different villages to get information on the witch. Go to these undiscovered locations and conquer them. I will achieve world domination once again.” Mei paused in her speech waiting for Rex to raise his head. He slowly raised his head seeing a dark aura coming from Mei. It was bigger and more terrifying than before. The lights in the room no longer shined as bright as they used to. “Do you understand the mission?” He gulps and stands up. “I understand the mission that was given to me by your greatness. Do you wish for me to call up the floor guardians?”
Mei tapped the arm of her seat. “You can, but first bring in the maids to get me my clothing.” Rex nodded and bowed, and then he turned and walked off.
Mei looked at her ring on her finger. “The god items are spreaded out throughout the world.” Mei hit the arm seat as hard as she could but it wasn’t harmed. “I’ll have to get them all back. After I get done with my rigors training. If I train in the dungeon for a week, I should be able to gain two of all the affinity classes. Then another two weeks and I can fully max out.” This was only possible due to the fact that in the dungeon, there were two dragons from the unknown world that have been captured and placed in the castle. One was Hades’s pet and the other was a demonic dragon. Each dragon if fought alone, it could raise one’s affinity class from zero to fifty. Although, each dragon is level one hundred. Which means, Mei will barely scratch the dragon. She’ll be draining it’s health bar by a centimeter at a time. It’ll be hard but she is the only one capable, since she knows their weaknesses and strengths.
After pondering for a while, a know is heard. “Come in.” The door opened wide and four beautiful maids approached the throne. Each one of them kneeled and had a smile on their face.
Mei looked down upon the maids, noticing that these maids looked ordinary. All the maids wore a black dress with an apron over it. They wore golden hair bands with an inscription of the night sky. Stars were drawn on the hair band and in the middle, lined the silver crescent. Though they had an exquisite outfit, their beauty was world class. One would argue that they were the most beautiful women in the world. For Mei, this was one of the key things she strived for in the game. Not only does she wish her guild to be strong, intelligent, but she wanted a clan that looked astonishing in looks. Perfection was key in the clan.
The four maids come from the four countries. The demon girl from Jahanam, named Jackie Yu, was dark skinned. Although she was dark, she had tan lines underneath her maid outfit. The perfect peach mixed well with her brown skin. Her eyes pink, hair wavy and short, and her height of five foot four inches. She was the most beautiful maid of them all.
Then the angel from Malace, with her silver long hair, and light green eyes. Her name was Laila Christ, known for her beautiful eyes rather than body. Her eyes were special, because green eyes were rare. Green eyes meant you had a close relationship with the deities. So close, that you were given miracles to guide you through any problem. As long as you ask though. The only problem with her was the fact that some say she didn’t pack enough for her breast compared to Jackie. She was flat, while Jackie was plump.
We have our finest elf from Yundra, green short hair, blue eyes, and her name was Emily Garden. She was defined as the world's cutest girl. Short, tanned, kind, and most importantly she was a great servant. To note, she probably was Mei’s favorite. Medium sized breasts for a small little elf. She was a lot shorter than Laila, who was five foot five inches. Emily was around four foot three. Her height made her job more difficult, but in the end she found a way to accomplish her task.
Lastly, we have a human. Dark brown long hair, brown eyes, and wears red glasses. Though Mei always questions how this maid can dress her correctly, when her hair covers the tip of both of her eyes. She was a small chested woman, height of five foot four inches. Her name was Bethany Rose, a human found in Umbral. No one knows her origin but she was found in a coffin, she was struggling for air, and if Mei had not come to her by accident. She would have died like the rest of her family.
Mei stood up and walked down the blue rugged steps. The maids still in their position await for their queen to order them. “What do you have for me today?” Jackie smiled and looked at the queen holding her normal nightstalker cloak. Mei nodded and smiled at Jackie, then turned her attention to Emily. Emily was holding a white blouse with a rose inside the chest pocket on the right side. Mei nods and looks at Laila, she was holding a short black skirt. Mei acknowledges her and then directs her attention to Bethany. Bethany was holding a garter belt and Mei’s undergarments.“Thank you for grabbing the best clothes for my knights to see me in.” They all smiled and nodded their heads. “Well, let’s try those spells of yours.”
The maids point their finger at Mei and cast the spell, [Dress Changer]. It’s a spell that allows one to change their clothes without needing to waste anytime. The clothing swapped into the maids hands. Then they snap their fingers casting a spell to send the clothing to the laundry. They all kneels and Mei headed back to her throne and sat. The minute she sat down, the four floor guardians teleported into the throne room kneeling before her.
Each of the floor guardians look unique to their floor. The first floor guardian, the weakest one, was a classical golden knight. His height was eight foot two inches, this height alone was more then enough to scare off an army. He had the sword of Excalibur, golden blade, and a red and golden hilt. On the right shoulder of his armor, he had the symbol of the Nightstalkers. His armor gave off a demonic presence due to the blood wings that were floating behind him. He was used most of the time, only because he was the guardian of the castle. All enemies who have tried to raid the castle have died by his hand. He’s battle smart, human, loyal, and most importantly a guardian. His name was Victor Bloodfall. (Age:23)
The second floor guardian was responsible for hospitality at the Nightstalker castle. This individual was none other than Jackie Yu. (Age:16) The same maid that dressed Mei Ryo. Some think just because she doesn’t have a demon horn, she isn’t a dangerous demon. They are foolish for ever thinking that. In fact, she only doesn’t have her red horns and black scaly tail out, just to hold back her true power. When Mei first fought her and beat her to make her submit to her, she used her full power and almost won when Mei was using one of the god items. she may be beautiful, but deep down she’s a monster.
The third floor guardian was a short boy named Kindred Heavenfield.(age: 14) He was in charge of the XP farms. Every creature that spawns in our base or even captured in our base, was tamed by him alone. This short hair redhead looked innocent with blue eyes. In reality, he is the one who tamed the one thing Mei Ryo couldn’t. The skeleton dragon, known to be a boss in Umbral that no one beat with or without a god item. This boy showed up and whipped the dragon into submission. He did this to show his loyalty to the castle and to try and be chosen as the floor guardian. There is no other human more qualified to be a floor guardian of creatures than him.
The final floor guardian and the strongest guardian was none other then Crystal Break. (Age:4987) She is the oldest member and oldest person in the world. Though she is so old, she looks like a fashion model in her twenties. She wore a black dress and had raven feathers coming out from the neck collar. Her hair was so long it reached her hips and she had to constantly shake her head to move the hair off her arms and behind her back. She was the most fierce person ever. She had the ability to look at someone and read their weaknesses and strengths. On top of that, she was the creator of all magic. Meaning she had eighteenth tier magic. Not only does she have eighteenth tier magic, all her spells have been refined to be as good as eighteenth magic. Some may be confused by the tier system of magic, but in reality it’s simple. The higher the tier, the stronger the spell. Eighteenth tier is the highest tier, and it’s a tier that can rival gods with no challenge. Mei had to bring her into submission, but she never fought her. She bribed her into being the floor guardian of Nightstalker, by promising her that she can conduct all the magic experiments she desires. Mei even worries that she’s not strong enough to beat her, but this is why the purple eyed mage was chosen to be the floor guardian of the fourth floor.
“Victor Bloodfall, guardian of the first floor.” Victor looked up to Mei. “Jackie Yu, guardian of the second floor.” She looked up to Mei to acknowledge her. “Kindred Heavenfield, guardian of the third floor.” He stood up and saluted to Mei and Mei smiled at him. “Crystal Break, guardian of the fourth floor.” Crystal smiled and raised her head to look at Mei. “I have gathered you all here for the very first, because for once I am in danger.” The guardians all stared at Mei intensely. “How can someone like me be in danger you might ask. Why did I go missing for a year you might ask? Well, it has something to do with a witch.” All the floor guardians stood up. They knew that a witch was an easy mob to defeat. In fact, they are one of the weakest classes in the game because everyone knows their weaknesses.
“How does a witch make the goddess of the world in trouble?” Victor asked in an unsettled voice. “ She wasn’t just a witch, she was a player. A player that achieved magic beyond the comprehension of the game. I have no clue who the player might be, but they have beef with me.” Kindred stepped forward. “ So I’m guessing you want us to go and get some information. I’m sorry to cut you short on your whole speech, but I’d like to find this person and kill them.” Mei had a soft spot for the kid, since he was young, but all the other floor guardians balled up their fists as if they wanted to kill him. “Alright then Kindred, I summarize the speech for you all. First of all, we gather information with the nations. Second, we will explore the new four continents that surround us. Third, and this is just a warning. The fact that the moon fell on the Earth a year ago and the Earth has recovered without a scratch, means someone has magic that is above eighteenth magic. Maybe in the other nations, our magic is a second tier. So be careful and fight only when needed.”
The floor guardians kneels and swore on their lives they would try to find the name of the witch. They stood up and began walking to the door. Mei stood up and called out to Kindred. “Kindred, can you stay back for the next month. I have another task for you.” Kindred sighed and then walked back to Mei. “Come on Mei, I never get to fight anyone.” Mei shakes her head and then patted his head. “You are going to help me specifically.” He lifted up an eyebrow in confusion. “Me help the goddess herself. Never mind this is a once in a lifetime experience.” Mei nods and laughs. “I need you to let loose of the two dragons downstairs so I can max out my power again. Otherwise, this kingdom will fall.” Kindred had a grin on his face and he was about to burst out laughing. He was imagining himself bossing Mei around, and he falling on her face. “Hey! Kindred, keep it together. I need you to help me train, so let’s start training tomorrow.” After Mei shouted at Kindred he had a sad dog expression and he looked at Mei and nodded. “You get to the third floor now, you need to create the perfect breed of dragons still.” Kindred scratched his head and looked at the ground. “It’s getting harder to breed these dragons, because they are getting so old.”
Mei stared at the boy with her cold eyes. “Remember what I said would happen if those dragons weren’t born.” Mei knew that the only reason why the dragons weren’t being bred was because he didn’t go to Crystal for the eternal youth potions. Crystal and Kindred never get along, because Crystal always teased him. So, to solve the issue Mei told Kindred he’ll marry Crystal if he keeps on avoiding her. “Anything but that! She’s a monster! I’ll get you that dragon in nine months!” He poofed into the thin air.
Mei sighed and walked back to the throne and sat down. “Laila, I wish for you to accompany me. I am going to go to Greenville, to see what’s going on there.” Laila stood straight up and smiled. “I’d gladly accompany you Mei.” She walked up to Mei and stood next to her. “As for the rest of you, return to your normal duties. Protral the castle and make sure everything is how it’s supposed to be. If something looks suspicious, contact me and the adventurers immediately.” They nodded and walked out the throne room.
“So, you need a disguise. You’re too much of a distraction.” Laila looks at her wings. “Yes, they have to go.” Laila then breathed deeply and then casted a spell that would hide her halo and wings. “Now I am a human, your highness.” Mei smiled and stood up. “Now, we are ready to head to the greenville.” Laila cast another spell after Mei stood up, this spell removed the Nightstalker symbol from their clothes. “Smart, thank you very much. Hehe I almost blew off our cover.” Laila smiled and put her hands behind her back. “Well, it’s my job to know what is best for my queen.” Mei nodded and the two walked out the throne room and towards the castle bridge.
(part 1 complete)
The Dark Empress is a series meant to be dark and cruel. Plenty of deaths will take place, but the journey for our dark empress will only lighten when she finally finds the one responsible for her strange fate. So enjoy the lovely story, as our main character strives to obtain greatness in the new world. Part 1 is complete, now it's time for part 2.
