Chapter 1592: You’re My Papa
Archer noticed his daughters wanted him to continue, so he did. ’’When I arrived, I found a tiny red Fairy Dragon who was lost, injured, and needed help. I killed the monsters and from that moment forth, Seraphina has been a part of me.’’
’’So, mother was a dragon when you met her?’’ Kela curiously asked. ’’How did she get her human form?’’
’’She bit me,’’ he chuckled and went on to explain. ’’I remember she saved me from something and bit into me, my mana and blood poured into her, turning her into the woman you know.’’
When the trio heard this, their eyes widened as Kela questioned him once again. ’’How did you meet my Mama?’’
Archer leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he gazed into the flickering firelight. ’’Her empire and Hemera’s were locked in a bitter feud, you know," he began, his voice carrying the weight of old memories. ’’Clashing ideals, endless skirmishes, chaos that threatened to tear both sides apart, thanks to their hate for each other. But I stepped in, taking both princesses as mine, stopping the war.’’
He smiled at the grey-haired girl. ’’Thanks to me, they’ve been at peace ever since."
Following that, Archer paused, his violet eyes glinting with a mix of pride and amusement. ’’Your grandparents, the elders, and most of the nobles had their plans, of course. They wanted me to marry one of your mother’s older sisters, a political match to seal the alliance. But I had other ideas.’’
His smile deepened, softening his features. ’’I chose Hecate. My quiet moon witch, as I call her. She’s always been one to seek peace in her own company, wrapped in the stillness of her thoughts and her magic. But I love how she’s been stepping out of that shadow, bit by bit, trying to break the mold she’s lived in for so long. And we’ve been together ever since, building something stronger.’’
When the trio heard this, they all nodded in agreement as Freya added. ’’Mama Hecate is lovely, she rarely talks, but is good friends with Mama Nefertiti and Leira.’’
Archer continued to relax after that and sighed in relief just as Ravena appeared in front of him, a big smile on her face, a hopeful look in her eyes. ’’Can I cuddle you, Papa? It’s been a while since you’ve done it.’’
Without a word, he leaned forward and pulled the little redhead into his embrace. Her face lit up with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling as she nestled comfortably against him, fitting perfectly in the crook of his arm. She tilted her head, resting it softly on his shoulder, a sigh escaping her lips as she melted into the moment.
Just then, Kela appeared at his other side, causing him to reach out, pulling her into the growing cuddle. The grey-skinned girl’s laughter bubbled up as she joined the cozy huddle, her own smile mirroring the warmth of the redhead’s. The air around them seemed to hum with a quiet, shared happiness, the kind that needed no words to be felt.
Noticing Freya lingering nearby, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement, he extended his mana, like an invisible thread weaving through the air. The soft glow of his magic tugged her forward, pulling her into the cuddle pile. She tried to resist for only a moment, her lips twitching with a smile before she gave in.
The oldest of the trio, Freya’s smile was softer, more reserved, yet no less genuine; her eyes reflected a quiet gratitude for the simple, unspoken connection they all shared in that moment. Archer couldn’t be happy even if he were trapped in the Terravian realm until he defeated the god.
As he lay there, the faint rustle of leaves and snapping twigs outside sharpened his senses. Suddenly, the roars of the Broodmaw erupted in the night, followed by the sickening sound of tearing flesh. The monstrous guardian was tearing into a group of stealthy creatures that had crept toward the camp, their forms barely discernible in the moonlight.
With terrifying precision, the Broodmaw’s razor-sharp scythes sliced through the intruders, cleaving them in half. Their screeches echoed briefly before fading into the stillness of the forest, silenced by the Broodmaw’s onslaught. A wry smile tugged at his lips as he lay there, safe inside the tent.
He could almost picture the panic in the eyes of the creatures. They had likely never encountered anything as ferocious as the Broodmaw. The thought amused him; a chuckle echoed in his mind. The predators of this land had just met a force far beyond their reckoning.
Following that, Archer felt a stream of mana flowing into his body, making him feel even better. He looked at Kela, her red eyes staring back at him, a small smile on her face as she whispered. ’’The pain was coming back, I thought I’d stop it.’’
’’Thank you, Kela,’’ he responded, kissing the girl on the forehead. ’’Your mother would be proud knowing you’re helping me.’’
When she heard this, a bright smile crossed her face before she went back to sleep. A storm passed overhead just as a rainstorm started. The tent was battered but stood firm in the wind. He relaxed and was warm, thanks to his three daughters keeping the cold away from him.
After that, Archer took out a blanket, wrapping it around them all. By the time he woke up the next morning, Freya and Kela were gone, while Ravena was curled up on him, letting out adorable snores. This put a smile on his face just as the aroma of tea hit his nose, and he quickly checked the Broodmaw only to realize some were missing.
This caught his attention, prompting him to send out a wave of mana, only to see mountains of corpses littering the mountain ledge they were on. Just then, his eldest daughter appeared, holding a cup of tea that she handed to him. ’’Here you go. It will warm you up, Papa.’’
’’Thanks, Frey,’’ he replied, taking the offered cup. ’’And you calling me that makes me feel so old already.’’
The white-haired girl giggled. ’’Well, you’re my papa, why wouldn’t I call you that? Even if you aren’t much older than us now?’’
Archer laughed at his eldest’s words but agreed with a nod. ’’You’re right.’’
Following that, he began playing with Ravena’s soft red hair, putting a smile on Freya’s face as she commented. ’’Looks like some things don’t change, you’ve done that to all of us children, and we love it.’’
’’This?’’ he motioned toward the hair. ’’It puts me at peace, and her hair is so soft.’’
When Freya heard this, her cheeks went red as she whispered, voice full of hope. ’’Can you do it to me as well? Please?’’
’’You don’t have to ask,’’ Archer replied, using his magic to pull her toward him.
She sat down in his lap after Ravena moved to the side as he began running his fingers through her snow-white hair. The two girls enjoyed the quality time with their father and revelled in it. The redhead mumbled, getting even more comfortable. ’’I’m glad you’ve always been like this, Papa, no wonder the boys adore you.’’
’’Boys?’’
The girls went stiff as Freya slapped Ravena’s arm. ’’Don’t say too much! Remember what Mama told us?’’
’’Sorry, Frey,’’ the youngest of the three whispered. ’’I forget sometimes.’’
’’Don’t worry, girls,’’ Archer reassured. ’’I’m not gonna ask you about your other siblings, or new mothers, or anything from your lives. I know what messing with time can do, and I’d rather avoid that mess.’’
When the two heard this, their eyes widened, but they were interrupted by Kela, speaking from behind. ’’Looks like the weather will calm down in the next day or two, the moon is very talkative.’’
’’Does it speak to you?’’ He inquired, curious about what powers his children had.
Kela nodded. ’’Yes, she’s eager to see the Terravians wiped out. They’ve been causing problems in this world,’’ she answered.
Archer’s eyes widened as he thought, amazed. ’Oh wow, they’re strong. Maybe the gods are involved again?’
’’Papa, we cannot tell too much or it will mess up everything,’’ Ravena suddenly revealed. ’’But all we can tell is that your future is much darker without wiping out these Terravian worlds; many will die, so we were sent here using Frey’s time magic.’’
’’Don’t worry, I have no interest in that stuff,’’ he admitted. ’’I’m just happy that I got to meet you and Kela while seeing Freya again.’’
When the trio heard this, their faces lit up, but his senses flared to life. He instantly cast a shield around them just as several monsters smashed through the tent. They slammed into the violet barrier. His anger exploded before vanishing, and he grabbed the strange tiger-looking creatures.
Archer snapped its neck with a sickening crunch before slashing the others using his claws, sending blood flying all over the place.