Chapter 131: Astra!

It didn’t take long for Astra to arrive at where Jax was, the Storm Dragoness arrived with Thunder.

Not the violent kind that shattered towers or split the sky in half, but a rolling, playful storm that announced itself long before she appeared.

~WHOOSH!~

Wind surged through the high command spire’s open terraces, banners snapping hard as arcs of pale violet lightning danced harmlessly along the obsidian railings. The air pressure shifted, light and sharp, charged with ozone and rain that never quite fell.

Hydra arrived some moments before her and smirked as she stepped aside, "She’s in a good mood. Don’t mess it up," She gave a cheeky comment to Jax, who didn’t immediately turn.

He remained at the edge of the spire, hands clasped behind his back, eyes still on the sprawling capital below.

He watched some of the high speed railways zoom by, carrying newly acquired resources that they had obtained from raiding the Merchant Foundation.

He could spot Demons happily walking around, no longer feeling the pressure of past years. Under the leadership of Jax, it was a new era.

Then, as he was watching this, the wind condensed.

A figure descended from the storm in a smooth spiral, boots touching stone without a sound. Lightning peeled away from her body like shedding silk, fading into sparks that winked out midair.

Astra straightened and beamed.

She was tall but slim, her build elegant rather than imposing, with long silvery-white hair tied loosely behind her back that fluttered constantly as if caught in a private breeze.

Her eyes were a vivid, electric purple, bright with energy and curiosity, and when she smiled it felt like the weather itself warmed in response.

She was the Storm Dragon he’d taken as a Mount alongside Hydra, though they hadn’t had much of a chance to interact since then.

"Demon King!" she said brightly, giving an exaggerated bow that somehow still carried draconic grace, "You called?"

Jax turned then, finally giving her his full attention as he looked at her relaxed posture and the way the air bent subtly around her presence.

"It’s unfortunate," he said calmly, "that we haven’t spoken properly since the day you swore your allegiance."

Astra blinked, then laughed lightly, "Yeah... that’s kind of on me. Things got busy and I couldn’t join you two. Also, Hydra scares people."

Hydra scoffed, "It’s not my fault people couldn’t handle my poison,"

Astra waved a hand dismissively, grinning. "See? Intimidating."

Jax allowed a small smile. "Regardless, I’ve reviewed the reports. The Merchant Fortress you led the assault on, Skyvault Helior, collapsed faster than projected. Minimal losses and Maximum yield."

Astra’s chest puffed up just a little. "They built that place and it ended up being perfect for me. Lots of natural wind and lightning for me to use in battle, it was so much fun,"

"You dismantled their storm lattice personally," Jax continued. "And you intercepted three evacuation convoys before they could escape."

"Four," Astra corrected cheerfully, "One tried to hide in a cumulonimbus bank. Cute idea, Didn’t work cuz I could sense the wave moving around them when they moved,"

Hydra laughed under her breath.

Jax inclined his head. "Well done. You’ve earned a reward."

Astra’s eyes lit up instantly. She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, rocking on her heels. "Oh? Dealer’s choice, or...?"

"You may ask," Jax said. "Within reason."

She didn’t answer right away.

Instead, she straightened, studying him with open curiosity—no fear, no reverence, just interest. The Demon King. The one everyone whispered about. The one who broke systems instead of kingdoms.

Then she smiled, wide and unapologetic.

"I want a date."

Hydra choked as she heard that, a bit of her poison leaking out but disarmed by Jax’s aura while the Demon King himself just raised an eyebrow.

"A date," Astra repeated, nodding firmly. "I’ve heard things."

"Oh?" Jax said, tone even.

"Mmhmm." She began pacing slowly, hands gesturing animatedly. "That you’re terrifying on the battlefield, ruthless to your enemies, strategic to the point of cruelty—"

Hydra nodded along. "All true."

"But," Astra continued, spinning on her heel to face him again, "also that you’re surprisingly romantic. That you actually listen. That you don’t treat the people who follow you like disposable tools."

Her purple eyes softened, just a touch.

"And I figured... if I’m going to fight for you, bleed for you, ride storms under your banner—then I want to know the man I chose to follow."

Silence stretched as Jax regarded her carefully now, seeing not just the Storm Dragon’s power, but her intent. Honest. Direct. Unafraid.

"Astra," he said at last, "you don’t strike me as someone who asks lightly."

She grinned, "Storm Dragons don’t do subtle. Let’s do this," she said, punching her fist against her palm.

Hydra crossed her arms, watching with open amusement. "You do realize," she said to Jax, "that if you say no, she’s going to sulk and accidentally cause a week-long thunder season."

"I would never," Astra said immediately. "It’d be two days. Maybe three."

Jax exhaled slowly, then turned from the balcony, walking past Astra toward the interior of the spire. He stopped after a few steps.

"Very well," he said. "A date."

Astra froze.

"...Wait. Really?"

Jax glanced over his shoulder. "You asked for a reward. I accepted."

Her reaction was instantaneous.

The wind exploded outward in a joyful gust, lifting her hair as lightning danced wildly around her boots. She laughed, bright and unrestrained, spinning once in place before catching herself.

"Yes! Okay. Great. Amazing. I, wow."

She cleared her throat, trying and failing to look composed. "I mean. Of course. I expected nothing less from a powerful, confident ruler with refined tastes."

Hydra snorted. "You’re adorable."

Astra shot her a playful glare. "You’re just jealous."

"Hardly."

Jax watched the exchange with quiet interest. "We’ll arrange the details after I finish reviewing the remaining strike reports."

Astra nodded rapidly. "Take your time! I’ll be.....uh, around. Not hovering. Casually existing."

She paused, then added, "I like high places. And storms. And... food."

"Noted," Jax said.

She beamed once more, then stepped backward as the wind wrapped around her again. "Looking forward to it, Demon King."

With that, she vanished upward in a spiral of white wind and violet lightning, leaving the air humming in her wake.