--------///----Reina's POV----\\\--------

We all stopped where we were and just stood still as the sounds of the howls kept getting louder and the ground shook harder. Our basilisks and even Jelly was shaking and seemed to be terrified. Though after a few more seconds, Jelly was doing more then shaking. Her core seemed to be growing and her body just seemed to be sucking itself into her core. We had no idea what was going on but from what i remember, this was mentioned in the book i read about slimes. This should've happened in another few years but this was the point that led up to her becoming a Demi-Slime. 

She would be vulnerable and unable to come out from her core until her new body was ready. The book said that it would take two weeks but i don't know if it was two weeks for his slime or all slimes. All i could do now was carefully take Jelly's core and put it in a inner pocket of my hybrid and grabbed my basilisk. He was still shaking and instantly wrapped around my waist twice and slithered up my back to rest his head on my shoulder. I carefully rubbed his head to try to help him calm down but even though it worked a little bit, it didn't stop his shaking.

Mina and Endis went for their basalisks and tried to calm them down too but it still wasn't working. It got even worse as the howls and shaking got even louder and stronger. If they didn't stop a few seconds later i think our basilisks would've shaken out of their scales. Though after it was all done, we all just stood around and looked at each other in confusion. We decided to get out and head to town to see if there was anyone who knew what just happened. Though when we started to move forward, we heard some rumbling... But from where we came from.

(Endis) " Ah shit... "

(Orven) " Shall we stand and fight or retreat? "

(Mina) " Retreat. We have no idea what will come out and if we fail the town would be in danger. "

Mina's words were pretty much law. Despite how much i would get on her case about it, she was the smartest of all of us and would think ahead. She got better as time passed too. The Mina of right now was good enough to impress a military commander during a siege. She turned down the position that she got offered though she did get some perks that we could use whenever we went to either capital. Mina was the brains that we relied on and that and we trusted.

With that in mind, Orven nodded and we started to run out of the cove and ran to the town. Cxivi was a moderatly sized town that could pretty much be called a full blown city, they were just down on the population needed to be classified as a city. We had to run for a bit, but when we got back to the city gates, we were able to get in by saying we were back and needed to report a threat to the town. 

Mina headed to the head official's place and we split up as Endis and Ava went to the smithy to get spare gear for themselves. Ava didn't really fight but she carried throwing daggers that Endis has been teaching her how to use incase the time comes where she has to defend herself. They've come in handy multiple times for her already and she's been a quick study which Endis approved of. He even tried to convert her to an assassin at one point but she vigorously turned him down.

While they went to the smithy, me and Orven went to the front gates and stood watch incase the thing from the rift came our way. Normally we wouldn't go this far, but as the rifts have been becoming more common, more stronger things have been coming out consistantly. The one that caused the most destruction was reported to be some weird mix between a wyvern and a tiger. The thing was fast and strong enough to fly through steel beams without having to stop.

Luckily it tried to head north and ended up in the empress' territory. The beastkin up there were warned ahead of time so they managed to put it down without much issue. Though for this, we had no idea what would come out and had to prepare for the worst case scenario happened. We kept looking until Mina, Endis and Ava came back. Mina told us how the meeting with the lord went and apparently it didn't go well.

This lord was one of those "commoners don't deserve my time" people, so Mina told me to go. I just let out a long sigh and head out. Endis came with me just incase we had to do this by force. Along the way we were just talking until we made it to the mansion.

(Reina) " I don't get how nobles are still this stuck up. "

(Endis) " I mean, you can't really change people that fast. "

(Reina) " It's still a crisis. They could atleast be less of a shithead. "

(Endis) " That's what threats and torture are for. "

(Reina) " Ehhh. I mean you're right. It's just annoying. "

(Endis) " Just look at it this way. You get to throw around your "princess of an empire" dick around in their face. "

As soon as he said that, i couldn't help but just almost choke and have a coughing fit. That just came out so fast and out of nowhere that it caught me off guard. He started smacking my back so i could breath again.

(Reina) " Gods i hate you. "

(Endis) " No you don't. "

(Reina) " Ahhh. Shut it. You bad influence. "

(Endis) " I'm the best influence. "

(Reina) " Nope. But if that helps you sleep at night then just keep thinking that. "

(Endis) " Haaah. I wish i could go back to the days you were just a shortie and weren't able to hit back. " 

(Reina) " Too bad. You're never experiencing that again. And i was just a few inches from your height. What do you mean shortie!? "

(Endis) " Nothing. Oh well. The- "

(Reina) " I'm teaching Jelly to talk back to you. "

(Endis) " Tch. "

We talked a bit more before we eventually made it to the mansion. On the outside it looked like a normal mansion. Not too gaudy not too simple. Though going in, there was at least one painting of this lord in every room and a big one just as you walk in. If we didn't ditch the butler then we'd probably have to deal with constant praise about him. This idiotic lord was a pig with light red hair but the paintings were portraying him as if he was a athletic hunk with darker red hair. 

If they didn't make sure to include the current lords name was boldly printed underneath, one would think it was an ancestor of his. That disgusting aspect and his build reminded me of Mara. All that was missing was the hair, the bad rumors that were probably already out there and the look which he would probably give me if i didn't announce my status. He'd probably still give me that look even after my status was told.

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(Endis) " You ok Rei? "

(Reina) " Huh? Yeah. "

(Endis) " You sure? You have a look that says " What the hells is that smell?" and i'm not smelling anything disgusting. So what is it? "

(Reina) " Just a bad memory. "

(Endis) " Hmm. Ok. You got us if you need us ya know. "

I couldn't help but smile at that. Endis and Mina were pretty much family to me now and we could talk about anything. Though now wasn't the time to talk about that, we had something to do.

(Reina) " I know. Though lets get back on track. We're almost at his office. "

It took a while but we made it to the doors of his office. There were two knights standing guard outside. They were just normal knights though they crossed their spears and looked at us.

(Guard one) " State your reason for being here. Do you have an appoitment? "

(Reina) " To make the pig take a rift seriously. And we're about to make one. "

Though when i said that, they both gave a difficult look on their faces the "We don't want to do this but we have too" look.

(Endis) " Hard way? Well hard way for you guys, easy for us. "

(Reina) " It's fine Endis. It's time to wave my... I can't say it but you know. "

(Endis) " Huh... Oh you're Pri- "

(Reina) " SHH! That's enough. "

(Endis) " Tch. "

(Reina) " Good... Ugh, this is going to be so cringey... "

(Endis) " Why? "

(Reina) " Cause i haven't used my authority in years and saying what i'm about to say doesn't make it less awkward. "

(Endis) " Uhuh... Well, get on with it. I definetly won't commit this to memory and tell everyone if you mess up or anything. "

(Reina) " Gods i ate you... *Ahem* Reina Von Kurusu, princess of the empire demands audience with the lord! "

The guards looked shocked and there was even the sound of something falling and breaking in his office. The guards moved aside and the doors opened up as the lord looked frantically to see me. When his eyes landed on me, he stopped and stood stiff when he was confronted by the most annoyed face i could muster. He seemed to shake a bit before he calmed himself down and bowed.

(Lord) " You look just as lovely as before. You've grown splendously. I welcome the princess. Please come in. "

Normally a small time lord wouldn't have a chance to see me. Though back when the empire was accidenly made, there was a corronation where i had to attend. And thanks to Ms.Ulderria, the event was able to be shown throught all the territorys. At the time i hardly grew and i looked relatively the same. Though now that i was taller, almost at two meters and with my lean and built frame, i was definetly way different. Though my chest got bigger, i found it annoying since they'd sometimes end up getting in the way. 

After he told us to follow, i didn't say anything and just followed him in to his office with Endis. Me and Endis sat on a couch facing the lord's desk while he sat at his own desk. When he sat down he looked composed, as if his frantic appearence from just a few seconds ago was a lie.

(Lord) " What do i, lo- "

(Endis) " We know your name. Skip that part. "

The lord looked at Endis and had a look of disdain in his eyes for a moment before i snapped my fingers and brought his attention back to me. Endis' attitude was very appreciated at times like these.

(Reina) " You're going to mobilize the guards and have the towns people retreat from the front gate. This isn't a request. It's an order. "

(Lord) " How dare you! You dare come into my territory and demand things from me! You may the princess of the empire but you are in my territory! In my Mansion! In my office! I do not need to submit to a- "

He was going to say more, though i just flicked one of my Siella's claws at him with enough force to knock him on his ass.

(Reina) " So what? This is your territory. However the people are under the protection of the empire. They are my people. I'm not letting some ignorant pig endanger their lives just because he's a fucking idiot that doesn't listen to the people with more experience and authority. Now be a good little piggy and act or i'll do it for you. Am. I. Clear? "

The lord wasn't able to respond as he just stared up at me as he wet himself. I couldn't help but just shake my head at the sight and head out.

(Reina) " Guess we'll have to do it ourselves. "

(Endis) " Guess we do. Though that was pretty ruthless Rei. Nice. "

(Reina) " It was nothing. Though it did feel good. "

The guards were looking at us while we were talking but they actually didn't seem to be scared of us. They seemed to be happy. Probably with seeing the lord get talked too like that. The servants seemed to enjoy it too since before we left the mansion, a few of them came over and gave us something to eat, there was even some candy in the mix. It was unexpected. Nice. but unexpected. Though we took them and started to make our way back to the gate.

(Endis) " Hmm... Think if i shout from here, Ava would hear me? "

(Reina) " Uhh... Maybe? Why? "

We weren't that far. Maybe twenty minutes away if we just kept walking at the same pace we were.

(Endis) " To save time. "

(Reina) " We could just run though. "

(Endis) " Too much of a waste. Anyway, let's try this out. *Ahem*.  "

(Reina) " Oh no. "

(Endis) " AVA! IF YOU CAN HEAR ME CAN YOU COME OVER REAL QUICK? "

Endis shouted at the top of his lungs, which made the people around us just turn to us and stare. I just shook my head and let out a sigh while the cause of this didn't seem to care at all. I was about to say something but then i saw Ava flying our way. The straight forward way actually worked. Though when Ava got closer, she saw that everyone was looking up at her which got her a little flustered as she went over to a roof and landed up there.

(Endis) " That works. "

(Reina) " Uhuh... "

He was about to say something else, but i just put my snaks in my pockets, unchained and swung my Siellas to the rooftop Ava landed on and retracted them as soon as i could. Endis got a laugh out of that and followed by running to the alley between the building Ava was on and the one next to it and jumped between the two walls. Though i got there first since i had the headstart.

(Endis) " Tch. I would've won if we went at the same time. "

(Reina) " Good thing i went first then. "

(Endis) " You're just mad it worked. "

(Reina) " Nope. Wrong. "

(Endis) " Su- "

(Ava) " Umm. What did i get called for? "

(Endis) " We need Rei to tell the people about what's going to go on since the lord didn't want too. "

(Reina) " More or less. So could you set up an amplifier? "

(Ava) " Oh. That's easy... But couldn't you have waited till you came back to do this? Having that many people looking at me was embarrasing. "

(Endis) " You'll get used to it. "

(Reina) " I have to agree with him on that. "

(Endis) " Why "Have to"? just admit i'm right. "

(Reina) " ... No. "

(Endis) " Tch. "

(Ava) " Can we get this done please? "

(Reina) " Yeah. Let me know when it's set up. "

Ava nodded and started to gather air while me and Endis kept snacking on the stuff the servants gave us. Ava saw them and was about to ask for one but i gave her the peach candy she loved. She looked happy and her wings started to flutter a little bit which was adorable. Ava was pretty much the little sister of the party, and i liked to spoil her whenever i could.

(Ava) " Done! Your turn. "

I nodded and handed her the rest of the snacks as i walked over to the edge of the roof. Before i got there, i took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. There were still a few people looking up to the roof since Ava flew over and me and Endis went up there. When i got to the ledge, they focused on me. Though not everyone was focused. To get everyone focused on me, i coated my hands in earth and clapped. 

The sound reverberated out and more people started to notice. This was a good roof, the building was a floor higher then other buildings around us so people would be able to notice and track where the sound came from easily. When i felt like i had enough peoples attention, i cleared my throat and started.

(Reina) " People of Cxivi, i am Reina Von Kurursu. Earlier today we found a rift inside the cove where the Sea Reapers nested. The Sea Reapers themselves have already been cleared out yet that rift is still an issue. Myself, the members in my party and the city guards will be defending against whatever comes out of the rift! However! We ask that everyone move from the front gate and seek shelther.

We have no idea what may come out but for your safety we ask that you all be a good distance away so no one comes to harm! When the issue of the rift creature is resolved we will notify you all that it is safe to return! "

With that, i was finished talking but the people underneath didn't seem to realize the severity of the situation since some of them hadn't moved yet. Though that was about to change. From the front gate, there was a massive watter bubble that floated up and popped with a massive bang... Which meant it was time.

(Endis) " Shit. We gotta go! Ava head out! Me and Rei will be right behind you! "

(Ava) " I know, i know! "

(Reina) " Everyone! Head to shelter, the creature is here! "