The main courtyard of the mansion was busier than usual that morning, not from chaos or urgency, but from a silent organization that formed whenever something important was about to happen. The sky remained clear, open, almost inviting, and the light wind that swept through the space carried with it that unmistakable feeling of departure. Strax stood in the center, his posture firm but not rigid, observing each of the figures before him with an attention he rarely displayed so openly.

Monica was the first to approach, as expected, not only because of her position, but because of the naturalness with which she assumed responsibility for everything involving Asgard. She didn't seem particularly emotional, but there was something softer in her expression at that moment, something that only emerged in specific situations. Strax tilted his face slightly, drawing close enough to leave a brief, yet meaningful, kiss on her lips, a simple gesture, but laden with silent recognition between the two. "I'll be back in a few weeks," he said in a calm tone, as if reinforcing a certainty that didn't need questioning.

Monica held his gaze for a moment before replying, crossing her arms comfortably but without losing the confident posture she always carried. "We'll take care of everything here," she stated, her voice firm but not harsh, making it clear that there was no real concern about her ability to keep Asgard running. She then tilted her head slightly, as if remembering something important in the middle of the conversation. "And don't forget to send messages," she added, with a slight arch of an eyebrow. "That magic Frieren taught you wasn't just for show."

Strax let out a small nasal sound, almost a restrained laugh, nodding slightly as he took a step back. "I will use it," he replied, simply, but honest enough not to sound like an empty promise. His eyes were already moving to the next one, maintaining that natural rhythm, as if each farewell had its own space, without haste, but also without unnecessary prolongation. Beatrice approached soon after, her presence more restrained, but no less noticeable, carrying that serene air that always accompanied her. Unlike Monica, she didn't say anything immediately, only observed Strax for a few seconds before closing the distance between them. The kiss came with the same gentleness that defined her posture, but there was a silent depth there, as if it said much more than any words could express at that moment. "Take care," she murmured afterward, her voice low but firm, holding his gaze without hesitation.

Samira came soon after, with a slight smile that mixed confidence and a certain trace of natural provocation, as if trying to keep the atmosphere lighter, even knowing the importance of the trip. "Don't take too long," she commented, leaning slightly as she approached, receiving his kiss naturally before crossing her arms. "Being without you for too long can be boring." The tone was casual, but her gaze made it clear that, behind the lightness, there was expectation.

Cassandra and Daniela arrived almost together, as was common between them, exchanging a brief glance before approaching. Cassandra was first, her light and tranquil smile contrasting with the intensity of the moment, as she received Strax's kiss with a naturalness that seemed to stabilize the atmosphere around them. "Have a good trip," she said softly, taking a small step to the side afterward.

Daniela followed, more direct in her approach, but no less present, her eyes assessing Strax for a moment before accepting his gesture without hesitation. "Try not to cause unnecessary trouble," she commented, with a slight ironic tone, although she knew perfectly well that this was asking the impossible. Still, there was a trace of genuine care behind her words.

Bella appeared with a lighter energy, almost skipping as she approached, as if refusing to let the atmosphere become too heavy. "Bring something interesting when you get back," she said, smiling as she leaned in to receive his kiss, clearly more focused on maintaining the group's mood than on any formality. "Like... good stories, at the very least."

Xenovia was the last among them, her posture firm but not rigid, her eyes fixed on Strax with that controlled intensity that defined her. When she approached, there was no hesitation, no unnecessary words before the kiss, just a direct understanding between the two. Afterward, she stepped back slightly, crossing her arms. "We'll be ready when you return," she said, her voice carrying more promise than farewell.

Strax remained silent for a moment after that, his gaze passing over them all one last time, as if registering that moment completely before moving on. Then he took a deep breath, turning slowly in the opposite direction, where the other three figures who would accompany him on the journey were already waiting for him.

His eyes first met Ouroboros, who remained quieter than usual, then Tiamat, with her relaxed and almost indifferent posture, and finally Scarlett, who already seemed mentally prepared for what was to come. He tilted his head slightly, as if marking the beginning of something, and then spoke, without needing to raise his voice. "I'll take the first round."

There was no discussion.

No questioning.

It was natural.

And then—

The transformation began.

It wasn't explosive.

But it wasn't subtle either.

Strax's body expanded almost violently, but in a controlled manner, bones adjusting, muscles rebuilding themselves in colossal proportions while white scales emerged like living armor, reflecting the sunlight almost blindingly. The air around him seemed to compress for an instant, as if space had to reorganize itself to accommodate that growing presence.

In a few seconds—

He was no longer human.

He was a dragon.

Gigantic.

Majestic.

His white body rose above the courtyard, enormous wings slowly opening, creating gusts of wind that made clothes and hair flutter around him. His eyes, still carrying the same awareness as before, descended towards the three.

And then—

He roared.

The sound echoed throughout Asgard, deep, powerful, vibrating in the very air like a clear declaration of departure.

Scarlett was the first to move, without hesitation, walking to the open wing and beginning to ascend with agility, already accustomed to it. Tiamat came soon after, with calmer, almost carefree movements, as if this were just another ordinary day. Ouroboros hesitated for a fraction of a second before following them, his movement a little more restrained, but still firm enough not to draw direct attention.

The three positioned themselves.

Safe.

Prepared.

Strax turned his head slightly, casting one last glance back, towards the women who remained there watching his departure. There were no words at that moment.

Just a slight nod.

Almost imperceptible.

But enough.

And then—

With a single powerful movement of his wings—

He took flight.

The ground below trembled slightly with the initial force, the air being pushed back as his colossal form ascended rapidly, cutting through the open sky with an impossible-to-ignore presence. In a few seconds, he was already above the towers, above the walls, above everything that defined Asgard.

And then—

He moved forward.

Towards the capital.

The sound of the wind still lingered in the courtyard even after Strax's colossal figure had disappeared over the horizon, as if the air itself lingered in accepting that that presence was no longer there. For a few moments, no one said anything. They all remained gazing at the sky, each absorbing that moment in their own way, not as a final farewell, but as the beginning of something that would inevitably bring change.

Monica was the first to look away. Slowly.

Without haste.

Her eyes left the sky and landed on the others, one by one, analyzing, measuring, confirming something that seemed to have been decided long before that morning. There was a different kind of gleam there now—not the gleam of someone who merely organizes or maintains structures, but the gleam of someone about to act more proactively.

She took a deep breath.

And then she spoke.

"Time to begin our plan, ladies."

The sentence wasn't spoken dramatically, nor hastily. It was firm, clear, and carried a natural authority that didn't need reinforcement. It wasn't a suggestion. It wasn't a newly formed idea.

It was the beginning of something already prepared.

The others reacted almost simultaneously, not with surprise, but with immediate acceptance, as if that line were merely the missing signal for them all to align completely.

Samira was the first to move more noticeably, leaning slightly to the side as she stretched her arm back and drew her greatsword with a fluid motion, the weight of the weapon not seeming to affect her in the slightest. A smile appeared on her face, sharper than before, more… interested.

"You were a maid," she said, twirling the blade slightly in the air before resting it on her shoulder, her eyes fixed on Monica with a provocative glint. "But after you became a dragon… your arrogance has grown considerably, Monica."

She tilted her head, the smile widening a little more.

"I like this new you."

Monica wasn't offended.

Not for a second.

In fact, a slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips, small but full of intention.

"All for her husband," she replied, simply, almost casually, as if that were the most obvious justification in the world.

There was a brief silence after that.

And then—

They all agreed.

Not in long words.

Not with speeches.

But with glances.

With postures.

With that shared feeling that they were aligned on something that went beyond routine or obligation.

It was personal.

Very personal.

Cassandra crossed her arms slightly, her eyes now analyzing Monica more deeply, as if trying to predict how far this would go. Daniela, beside her, let out a small sigh, but there was a slight smile hidden there, as if part of her was already anticipating the chaos to come.

Bella seemed more excited than worried, swaying slightly on her heels, as if ready for anything, while Xenovia remained firm, silent, but with attentive, focused eyes, like someone who doesn't need detailed explanations to act.

And Beatrice…

Beatrice just observed.

But there was understanding.

Total understanding.

Monica then took a few steps forward, naturally assuming the center of that small circle, her fingers slightly adjusting the sleeve of her dress as her expression became more serious, more focused—not cold, but precise.

"Strax is going to the capital," she began, her voice now carrying a more strategic tone, more in line with what she did best. "That means exposure."

She looked from one to the other.

"And exposure means risk."

Samira made a small sound through her nose, as if agreeing without needing to say it.

Monica continued.

"He'll be dealing with the Celestial Emperor," she said slowly, as if each word carried its own weight. "But that's not the only thing that matters."

She paused briefly.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"While he's away… Asgard can't just hold on."

Another short silence.

And then—

"She needs to grow."