The night was still and filled with silence. The only noise that can be heard is the whining of the animals and the song of the wind. The dark night sky would sparkle with its brilliant diamond-like stars. The city would be loud and busy with its various entertainments and sinful pleasures. Gomharra would be merry and vibrant until it's time to rest. The gates would be closed to protect the citizens while the guards would begin to patrol. One by one the lights would die out as the residents each take their rest under the safety of their homes. The homeless would find shelter under some shade while the stray cats would begin to prowl. The sultan would lie asleep on his bed, his face nestled between the bosom of some concubine who would curse and spit his name in her dreams.

The night is so quiet and comforting. There are no maelstroms and desert storms to worry about. Everything was perfectly still. It was a calm and peaceful night like all the others where you can go comfortably into sleep without worrying about a single thing.

That's until the wolf howls came in.

Everyone ignored that terrifying sound at first thinking that it was a jackal or some mad dog. But then the soldiers posted on the garrison disappeared one by one until a watchman finally noticed the peculiar massive silhouette staring at them from the battlements. It had the shape of a massive dog but no dog would be as big as a house. No, it was a monster.

And so they rang that bell to wake up the whole city and inform them of an attack. Once the loud metal ringing resounded through the air, the creatures began jumping into the battlements and slaughtering every soldier they could find.

"What the hell is all that commotion all about?" asked the Sultan as he was unceremoniously woken from his sleep.

"We are being attacked, sire! Monsters! Monsters are leaping into the wall and killing our soldiers!" informed the vizier.

"Then what are you standing here for? Go wake up the soldiers and have them protect me." roared the Sultan as he poured himself a drink.

"But what about the people? Those are massive ruthless beasts we can't have them unprotected? Who will pay the tax once they are all gone?" reasoned the vizier.

"To hell with them! I want all those monsters exterminated. Samsara is a defendable fortress. I'm sure the soldiers can handle a simple siege for tonight. We have many stocks that will last us a few years."

"Yes, sir. I will inform the general at once." replied the vizier before bowing and taking his leave with haste.

"Bloody barbarians trying to attack my precious city again. Haven't they learned their lessons yet when I crucified their comrades before? You, whore, get me some more wine." The woman poured him a cup before smirking maliciously.

"No, sir. I'm afraid that we need you sober for what our mother plans to do with you." The sultan paled as white as paper when the woman suddenly transformed into a she-wolf who stood erect on both feet. The other concubines began transforming into similar appearances which made him stumble on the floor and crawl against the wall to get away from them.

"You shouldn't have insulted our beloved mother like that. And now you will taste the fury of the Wolf of Destruction." Runa said as she pulled out some ropes.

"No please, no. I will give you anything you want! You want gold? You want money? Food? Slaves? I'll give you anything, just spare me!!" begged the sultan as the she-wolves began closing in on him.

"Our mother has already given us everything. Just wait quietly while she makes her way here. She will be joining us shortly once all your soldiers are dead." Alaska said while she and the other she-wolves barricade the door with strengthening spells to lock everyone out.

"Yes. Our brothers demanded blood for the insults you've uttered to our mother goddess. We, fae, are only here to make sure that you do not escape into the night while they work hard outside."

"Since when did you come in here? How did you infiltrate our venerable and secure palace?"

"You are really sloppy when it comes to women. When we were offered as gifts to serve as spies, you thought that we are harmless because we are women. That was your first mistake which proves to be the most fatal. You underestimated women thinking that we are meek and mild but now look who is beating you."

It didn't take very long for the soldiers of Gomharra to prepare and fight back. Once the bell rang they armored up in an instant, grabbed their weapons, and went out to battle against the attacking barbarians. They were quick to take formation and identify their enemies' locations. The elite soldiers immediately mounted the finest warhorses and rallied their troops outside the gates to meet the enemies on an open field. They were fairly confident that this would be a quick fight because other than the Ashura Tribe they are the only city in the whole continent of Indra with the most soldiers accounting for 500,000 strong. But with the ferocity of their enemy and the fury of the woman leading them, their numbers count for nothing.

Ruby was in the middle of the charge riding Swift Wind, the fastest wolf who is Fenrir's son with a wind goddess. She is being flanked by both Skoll and Hati from either side while the Centarial wolves form triple layers of wall around her. Fragarax was in the vanguard of her charge leading his brothers and making sure that no swords or arrows would come as close as a mile from her. With his dual swords drawn out, he was hacking away at the soldiers who dared to advance against his queen and mother.

Ruby had arranged her soldiers into a flying wedge formation to charge against the enemies' phalanx. If they successfully penetrate through the enemy they could divide their forces to fight individually against her ferocious and bloodthirsty children. Ruby posted two layers of spearmen on the vanguard to break through the enemies' formation. They are followed by three layers of skirmishers to provide support and back up to the front and lastly, a wall of Centaurial Wolves serves as the Queen's guard around her.

She learned a few strategies when Dyrroth would force her to participate in some sensual activities, like giving him a blowjob. He would ramble on about which formations and military tactics would be better suited to use against a certain enemy formation. He was very detailed with his explanations and what he plans to do which includes the terrain and the architecture of the enemy fortress he would attack. He was mostly speaking to himself but Ruby was a good listener and often remembered important details. She never knew that his peculiar habit of discussing warfare-related information when doing lewd things would come in handy one day. She guessed that nothing is really wasted in life.

"Mother, prepare for impact in five minutes." informed Fragarax.

"I see them increasing their archers on the battlements. I think they're preparing to rain arrows on us." informed Hrod as he observed the garrison.

"Don't worry, the Wolgriffs are already airborne. They will immediately create a tempest once they open fire against us. They guaranteed 65-70% of missed arrows we need to account for the 30% which are likely to land on us." added Skoll.

"The druids are ready to create shields for us if that happens. What we need to worry about are the Hellfangs and Arctic Fleet going according to the plan instead of tearing the throat of the enemy soldiers." cut in Ruby.

"Don't worry mother, Skoll and I will direct them to their task while you focus on infiltrating the city. Some of our legions are already inside trying to open the door while I received confirmation from the far that they have the Sultan bound in ropes."

"Excellent. Now charge forward my children and slaughter all those who would dare stand in your way!" Ruby ordered as her cavalry sped up to increase the force of impact against the enemy phalanx. She observed that the enemy had a firm wall made of several layers of pikemen so she ordered the third to the fifth layer of her wedge to throw their spears to disorient the enemy. Hundreds of spears flew forward and the majority of them found a target.

Soon her cavalry successfully penetrated through the enemy lines dividing them into two combating forces. Her skirmishers began doing their job to attack the enemy hoplite while she and her Queen's guard head straight for the gates. The enemy archers began releasing a torrent of arrows to try and help their comrades but really, once Ruby's soldiers broke their formation it was more of a slaughter than a battle. For every dead wolf, there would be hundreds of fallen men.

The beasts would leap very fast and tear their throats before they could even see them coming. Those smart enough to form a group and take on one wolf at a time managed to catch a few unguarded soldiers but they would be instantly killed by a Hellfang's fireball or a Centaurial pack. Even with a broken formation, the wolves would work on teams so that each and every one of their brethren would be supported once they are wounded or incapacitated.

When Ruby and her cavalry reached the front gates the garrison soldiers tried pouring tar on them before setting them on fire but the Arctic wolves would quench those flames by releasing a huff with their frigid breaths. The hellfangs shot fireballs to destroy the gates but it only tore a few holes in the massive metal door. Skoll and Hrod made themselves useful by swelling in size and charging through the gates. Their hulking bodies smashed against the solid metal breaking it into billions of pieces and successfully opening a path for Ruby to take the city.

Her Centaurial guards made sure to clear her path and flick away any spear or arrow that was directed towards her. The once incredibly defendable fortress of the enemy seemed to have been made of paper walls as her army overwhelmed their arrogant and destitute forces. And of course, desperate situations require desperate measures.

It was no surprise to her when the enemy turned to use black magic against her. First, they released a poisonous miasma to suffocate her to death but Ruby came prepared. It was disappointing of them to expect that their backwater magic could hold a candle against old Runic sorcery. So when the miasma reached the fur of her wolves they immediately turned into harmless snowflakes. When they released fire against her the Arctic Fleet merely flew them out like candles on a windy day. Hexes proved useless as protective runes had been inscribed on their bodies so really it was a slaughter and not an attack.

Some of them managed to get lucky by throwing a boulder that collided against Swift Wind's face leading to her being thrown off her saddle. A werewolf named Ronan caught her before she could even hit the ground, even though she was perfectly capable of landing on her two feet, before helping her up and fighting off the nearest enemies. Ruby took out her scythe and began hacking the idiots who tried to fight her. Adrenaline had been coursing through her veins all night constantly screaming to spill more blood. Her body was so excited to kill and fight but she made sure beforehand to drill something into her children.

They can kill all the soldiers they want but they must spare the noncombatants who would beg for their mercy. Additionally, Ruby made sure that they will not harm any civilians nor rape any women. They will not be punished hard but she made it clear that they will frustrate her in doing so. The wolves seem to be desperate for her favor so she's quite reassured that they will follow through with her will.

Ruby pulled out Gleipnir II, the chain of her scythe to spin it around and pluck the archers shooting her from the rooftops. The foot soldiers who tried to approach her met their doom with the Crescent blade of Ferðastjarna, the name she had chosen for her scythe which means "Wandering Star". It seemed like an appropriate name given that Terizla forged it using a magical metal extracted from a comet. He said it had probably seen worlds beyond our understanding while collecting stardust across the vast cosmos.

Ruby was beyond thrilled to use it in her first warfare. Sure it makes her feel guilty to kill fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons but if the burden of their lives is the price she must pay in order to protect Dyrroth, then she will take them by the hundreds just to bargain his soul from Death's grasp. If her life was on the line the demon wouldn't even hesitate before killing people just for her so Ruby merely used that reason to temporarily satiate her guilt.

Soon enough Fragarax and the others are by her side. She mounted on his back before leading the charge once more towards the palace. Once through the courtyard, the number of soldiers increased along with their strength. The archers also became more accurate and intelligent when targeting her wolves by taking out their eyesight before going for the vital parts.

Fragarax and his brothers made sure that no arrow would even come remotely close to her by expertly cutting them down midair or repelling them with shields. Meanwhile Ruby used her left hand to secure herself by holding onto his armor while her right hand decapitates the head of the enemies along the way. It was excellent teamwork. Skoll and Hrod seem to be enjoying themselves while they penetrate through the enemy ranks unstoppable by anyone who stood in their way. Fragarax, Maddox, and Svalbard would protect her while the Fleet Wolves assassinated the enemy one by one.

The war finally ended when they reached the room of the Sultan where he is being kept by the fae. Ruby dismounted Fragarax and took off her cloak. She was panting and gasping for breath, her body still shaking with excitement and adrenaline. She pushed away the strands of her hair that obscured her face. Her long golden hair was styled in an elegant braid while a battle tiara imbued with runes protects her head. She unfastened the buckles of her armor and allowed the heavy metal to drop against the marble floor. It released a loud noise that made the sultan squeal with fear as the crimson blood of his fallen soldiers dripped from the armor onto the floor of his excellent palace.

He knew he was defeated and could do nothing about it. But what he couldn't accept was the fact that he was defeated by a mere girl. He could accept it if it was that arrogant Ashura barbarian who would defeat him, but this? This nameless girl with only a pack of monsters is unacceptable.

"Go on, you slut! Kill me! Drive your blasted sword into my heart and end me! I curse you and your hideous monsters! May you die a thousand deaths. I swear that my gods will smite you out of your high chair and take everything that you hold dear!"

"Paris, silence the squealing pig." Ruby ordered with an emotionless disposition as she approached one of the concubines cowering in the corner of the room. The wolf Paris heeded her command and took out his knife. The fae held the sultan's arms while the werewolf opened his mouth to cut out his tongue. His deafening screams resounded throughout the empty corridors of his former palace making the Lords quake with fear while awaiting their doom.

Ruby knelt down to the slave's level. She recognized her as the one who poured wine for her when she first visited this place. The girl, only a few years older than her, shook with fear as she lifted her hand. Ruby grabbed the girl's collar and uttered a small incantation. In an instant, the heavy metal bands that hung from her neck snapped into pieces.

Ruby stood from the ground and abruptly threw the collar into the burning brazier which burned a vibrant red. The ugly ring that once symbolized their captivity and the heteronomy of their freedom melted away into nothingness.

The woman whose name is Shera stared upon the beautiful face of the girl who broke her collar. Awestruck and fascination were clearly written on her face as she watched the intense emotions projected by the delicate features of the foreign woman's face. There was a brilliant fury in her verdant eyes that burned as bright as the fire in the blaze. There was triumph as she conquered one of the strongest cities in the continent of Indra. And there was also sadness in her mighty face.

Shera gasped as she saw tears flowing down from her emerald-like eyes. This unbelievable girl who led an army of ferocious and ruthless monsters is weeping for those who have suffered in this kingdom. She was weeping for the abused, the soldiers who have died, and the lives that have been destroyed because of the greed of powerful men.

"What are we going to do with the sultan now, Lady mother?" asked Fragarax.

"Tie him up and put him in the dungeons. Gather all his soldiers who surrendered and put them there as well. Provide food and medicine and have some of this city's healers tend to them. Alaska, gather the Werewolves who are uninjured and order them to establish a hospital in the city for our soldiers. I want a total body count in five hours." Ruby ordered as she stood on the dais for all her children to see her.

"Lyubim, the sun is rising which means that the people of this nation will begin to ask questions so I will hold an announcement to inform them of my plans. Give me a few hours to prepare and send out word that I want them to gather in the plaza after lunch."

"Yes, lady mother." replied the winged wolf as he unfolded his pristine white wings.

"And all of you, don't forget to have your breakfast and a few moments of rest. You've done well tonight so I will make sure that you are rewarded."

"Uhmm, excuse me. But what about us... What will happen to us now, your ladyship." questioned Shera as she meekly raiseda her head to stare at the crimson-wearing girl. Ruby raised a confused brow at her.

"I thought I made it clear with what I did. I tossed your collar into the fire and melted it which means that you're free now. You can do whatever you want. Go to your family, marry the man that you want. That sort of thing. No man, woman, or child is now a slave in this city. Not under my watch. I'm liberating this place from slavery and establishing worker's rights." Ruby replied in a cheerful voice.

Shera was especially surprised that she wasn't struck or punished whatsoever for voicing her question but what surprised her the most is the unbelievable words of this girl. She spoke to her as if she was her equal and not as some lowly slave and she told her in that sweet voice of hers that she will end the suffering of her people. She will give them their freedom.

"Huh? I'm... Free?" she mumbled as she processed the information.

"Oh, that's right! Summon the Master of the Coins, some merchants, and a few economists to my hall tomorrow. I need to discuss somethings with them." Ruby said to Lyubim.

"What do you plan to do with those people, mother? Do you want us to torture them?" asked Skoll as he went to her side.

"No, I need to discuss how much money this Sultan has so that I know how much I can spend. I also need to estimate the cost of labor for the mining job and the amount of money we will use to extract the ores from the mines. I don't want to waste time so we should do things this instant. It's a fairly risky job so I'll pay the miners a good fee for their labor."

"You're going to waste money on something like that? Why not whip them to submission? Simple as that. The Aegyptians used the same technique and provided them with good results. That's what slaves are for, mom." mused Hrod.

"You weren't listening, geez! I said I'm abolishing slavery because it's barbaric and evil and unfair. Imagine not getting something in return for working very hard and being abused for no reason at all. Isn't that very frustrating?" Ruby explained as she furiously booped his nose.

"Well, I guess that's pretty annoying. Anyway, can I sleep now?"

"Yes, do whatever you want and get some breakfast. I heard that they have a huge stock of high-quality meat somewhere here. Go find that or something but leave a good portion for the others." said Ruby as she sat on the Sultan's Throne.

"Now that we've conquered this land do you want to rename it?" asked Skoll as he took his place beside her.

"Well, I'm still thinking about that. I think I'll enjoy the feeling of my victory before worrying about the boring stuff. Can you give me a few moments to catch myself? I need some time to ponder before we begin the celebrations."

"Of course, mother. Take your time. I'm sure you'd want to savor your victory and take it all in. Brethren, let's move out and give our mother some time for herself." Fragarax said as he beckoned his kin outside of the door along with the human servants.

Once the last wolf left and the door banged shut, Ruby went over to the veranda to gaze upon the length of the vast city she just conquered. The light of dawn finally broke through the darkness and casted a golden light upon the city. Even with the damage it sustained during her attack, the splendor of the edifices and the gardens shined with the morning light. The city was truly beautiful, glorious, and mighty. Even though it was established from the suffering of its people, now it is finally free. The heavy miasma of corruption seems to have been lifted from the atmosphere and replaced by hope and possibilities.

It was heartwarming.

A faint smile spread across her lips as she stared into the south where the half of her soul rests. They may be separated by thousands of leagues and hundreds of mountains and rivers but her heart remains by his side. Her love was unwavering even as she reached the precipice.

"Is this what you felt when you were conquering, Dyrroth? Is this why you liked it so much?" she spoke almost to herself.

"It feels exciting. The pleasure of winning is very sweet and the power you hold in your hands is just exhilarating like an addicting drug." There was nothing but the gentle breeze to hear her words. No strong and powerful arms to hug her body. It was the crisp cold of the morning wind which kissed her cheeks instead of his warm lips.

"I wish you are here to see me now. Will you be proud? Will you praise me? Tease me maybe. Well, whatever it is, I can't wait to tell you everything."

"I'll see you soon, Dyrroth."