Author's Note

And it's in this chapter that things get... yeah, this is the chapter that made me start thinking about the 'porn' tag... Yeeeaaah, from here on out, read with extreme caution. In other words...

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!!

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

As Stateran and his wife disappeared, leaving Arela and Hikan alone in the garden, Arela blushed more as she saw her Devoted’s loving smile.

“D-D-Don’t give me those eyes… Y-Y-You’ll drive me crazy and burn my heart out…” she said, looking away in embarrassment.

Hikan chuckled and blinked his eyes. “We can’t have that, now can we?” He said, a bit of a laugh in his voice. She blushed and buried her head in his chest, lightly punching his chest.

“You’re mean…” she said.

Hikan gave an actual laugh at that and kissed her forehead. “C’mon,” he said gently. “We should head somewhere a bit more comfortable… and I should probably get the sweat and blood cleaned off.” He added the last part with a nervous chuckle. She nodded, blushing more as she thought of an offer.

“U-Um… The Great Being gave me a suite just a few halls away from the Hall of Gods… I h-h-h-have a personal b-b-b-bath in there, if you want to use it…” she offered.

“I think that would be just fine,” he said with a smile. His wings moved completely away from her and towards his back where they folded up tightly, Hikan turning his head and closing his eyes as they did. “That’s… still going to take some getting used to….”

“Come on, I’ll take you there,” she said, taking his hand and pulling him along. Hikan started a bit before getting his feet under him and following along. As he did, he found himself staring at her, memories from the true Hikan buzzing through his mind. His expression turned a bit to open confusion before melting into a soft smile that the assassin could have never have worn before.

She is so much different than the others, he thought. ...But that’s why I love her. The admittance of love in his own mind seemed to seal something inside of him as he felt a weight in his chest and felt his cheeks burn for the first time that evening. They walked for about thirty minutes until coming upon a very classy and gold decorated wooden door.

“Th-This is it…” She said, turning to him, still blushing.

Hikan studied the door, a grin forming on his face. “Y’know, if it's as elaborate as the door,” he began before giving her a mischievous look. “It’ll still only be half as beautiful as you.” She blushed more, stammering.

“I-I-I-I...:” she gulped. “Just… follow me inside…” she said as she opened the door.

Hikan gave another chuckle as the door opened up before them. He followed the angel inside and took in his surroundings with a trained eye.The walls were a marble white, all decorated in gold. The floor was covered in a white carpet, and just off the side of the door was a kitchen. In front of it was her bed, large, round, and covered in stuffed toys of ninjas with gold covers. Four doors lays off to the left side of the large room, one much farther, on the clear other side of the room. All the doors were just as classy and elaborate as the last.

Hikan gave an impressed nod of his as he looked around the room. “This is really, really nice,” he said. “But I do have one question….” He fell silent and started walking towards the bed. Once at the side, he turned and gestured towards the stuffed toys, giving a mischievous look and wide grin that asked the silent question.

“W-W-W-Well, I uh… My lord g-g-gave them, to me, out of kindness… E-Except for the one at the top… That um…” she blushed heavily. “I b-b-b-bought it when I was still alive at the Isle of Tears…”

“Isle of Tears?” He asked, dropping his grin and walking towards her again.

“Oh, uh, it’s an ancient Isle, home to the Glittering City and Snowfall Mountain, known for its ties to the God of Dreams and Wishes, as well as it’s special warriors, called Dream Knights,” Arela explained. “That toy is a representation of one, hence the complete cover of his head and blue cloak.”

Hikan took all this in, throwing one last look at the stuffed toy. “...It must be a very special memory for you…,” he said quietly before looking back to her and lifting a hand to rub her arm.

“Yes, it was. A Knight himself gave it to me before an important mission,” Arela admitted with a smile.

Hikan smiled at her softly before putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her gently towards him, planting a kiss on her forehead. “He must have seen the same thing me and Stateran see…,” he said, still smiling as he drew back. She hummed and nuzzled him.

“He was really nice, too. Most Dream Knight’s are sworn to silence and a life of being alone, but he actually broke the rule and approached me and bought it for me…” she smiled happily.

Hikan smiled as well, rubbing her back for a moment. “Truly something special…,” he said. Though it wasn’t clear what he was actually talking about….

“Okay, go get in the bath. It’s the farthest door. You can use my soap. Oh, and I’ll ask my lord if we can get something to put on your wings for a better shine,” she said with a smile.

Hikan gave one last smile and kissed her forehead again. “Thanks, Arie,” he said before heading for the door she had indicated. Once alone, he took a look around to see what he was working with. The bathtub might as well have been an indoor pool with its size, and the walls were made of gold tile along with the floor, although it was white tile. He noted a shelf by the door with a number of soaps and bottles that looked quite old school, as well as a large mirror.

He nodded his head, once more very impressed before he started to run the water for the bath. With that going, he stripped but a glimpse of the mirror out of the corner of his eye made him pause. He turned his back and peered over his shoulder at the scaly appendages now sprouting from his back. He twitched a few of the muscles, spreading and folding the wings experimentally, going so far as to reach under one arm and finger the edge of the black scales where they transferred into his flesh. After a moment, he sighed and looked away, going to the bath and getting in.

He sank into the warm water, letting his muscles relax right until they touched the new muscles of his wings. He gave a gasp and stood back up a little before he started sinking back in. Eventually, he was submerged in the water and just sat there, adjusting to the new sensation as he leaned his head back and started to wonder why this was happening to him…. Eventually, he let out a huff of scornful laughter. “...We really fucked up didn’t we?” He questioned the ceiling quietly. He turned his head when he saw Arela walking in in nothing but a small towel, hiding her modesty and cute breasts. She was blushing more than he’d seen her blush, and slowly walking towards him in the bath.

The thought to be self-conscious flashed only very briefly through his mind before he turned his head back, letting it rest on the edge of the tub. “No need to be embarrassed,” he said softly, his mood following his muscular system. “Besides, your bath, your comfort zone….” She nodded stiffly as she slowly shed the towel, him hearing her climb in next to him, covering her breasts and still blushing. He noted she had a number of scars, mostly puncture wounds, all over her body.

His eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of the scars, the wing furthest from Arela twitching. After a moment, he forced himself to look away and take a long, deep breath. He’d seen plenty of scars in his life, had plenty himself, but he could not take the sight of them on someone he loved.

“I… I wanted to bathe with you… I-I-I-I-it’s an Angel custom…” Arela admitted, having not noticed him looking.

Hikan took a moment and looked back at her. Slowly, his face softened and he gave a smile. “...Would you have done it anyway?” He asked. She nodded slowly, sinking her head into the water and blowing bubbles cutely. She was still blushing and covering her chest.

The assassin chuckled softly before looking away with a soft sigh, closing his eyes and facing the ceiling again. “...You have a cute blush, y’know,” he stated with a mischievous smile. She eeped, sinking further into the water.

Hikan gave a little laugh when he heard the water ripple. “Okay, c’mon, you’ll hurt yourself,” he said quietly before leaning forward and opening his eyes. His wings shuddered as the stimulation sent arcs of new information into his mind, the water flinging up little water droplets as they did. He started to cup water into his hands and splash it over his back and side, starting the process of clearing the dried blood from his skin. “Nph… how do you deal with this?” He questioned, eyes and face scrunched up in some strange combination of pain and concentration.

“Oh! I can help with that, here, love,” she said, jumping to help him, taking his wings gently in her soft and small hands as she softly and expertly washed them for him. The man’s body gave a shudder as she made contact, the sails vibrating in her hands as the new muscles and nerves reacted to the sensation. Hikan gasped softly, though not in pain. She giggled at this, continuing until as she was standing over him, washing his wings. She glanced down at his body and blushed brightly when she caught a glimpse of his lower half, quickly resuming looking at his wings and washing them more thoroughly.

Hikan was absolute putty at this point, the cleaning of his wings overloading his mind until he was just hunched in the water, nose just barely keeping off the top off the water. She blushed as she saw his member, hard and proud, and then stopped, jumping into the water at the center of the pool in embarrassment.

Hikan suddenly straightened up as water met his face, sputtering as he blinked rapidly. “Wh-what was that?” He questioned before looking around wildly for the angel. “Arela? Arela!?” He stood from his spot, mind going from zero to a thousand in no time. She surfaced in the water, just far away from him, pointing at his crotch with a massive blush.

“Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Your m-m-m-m-m-member… I-I-I-I-I-!” she blushed more and covered her face.

Hikan gave her a confused look before he glanced down at his manhood. “...Okay…,” he muttered before looking at her for a moment longer. He suddenly moved out of the tub and grabbed his underwear and slipped them back on to appear more decent for her sake before coming back to the tub. “Better?” she peekd out.

“Y-Y-Yes… Sorry, I… I’m…” she looked away. “I’m a virgin…” she said quietly.

Hikan gave a little breath. “I kinda figured,” he said as he let the breath out. He hesitated a moment before going over to her and putting a gentle hand on the side of her arm. “C’mon… you got my back, I’ll get yours… that way we can sorta… get used to each other. How does that sound…?” She nodded slowly, turning and allowing him to see a massive scar reaching from her lower bits to her neck.

Hikan couldn’t help it this time around. His face turned up in a snarl, a feral hiss escaping his lips and eyes flashing into orange slits for a very slight moment. He jerked his head away and got himself under control before looking back and starting to clean her back with gentle, tender hands. His callused hands hesitated over the scar before continuing on, being even more soft with the off colored flesh. He opened his mouth and another reptilian hiss echoed from him, though with a different tone to it than before. He slammed his jaws shut and turned his head, clearing his throat then turning his eyes back to her. “Who… what did-.... What happened?” He asked, voice choked. She was silent for a long while.

“It’s… It’s from my death, love. The Great Being couldn’t fix the scars. The… the large one is… Is from when a Titan gave me a…” she choked back a sob. “A go…”

“Stop.” The word was soft. Gentle. Arms wrapped around Arela as Hikan hugged his Devoted, his wife according to his terms, wings wrapping around her through sheer instinct. “Don’t continue if you don’t want to…. You don’t have to relive that pain…. Not for me… not for anyone… and certainly not ever… as long as you don’t want to….” She sobbed more.

“I… It hurt so much… H-H-H-He was so big I… I tore in half, just like that…!” she sobbed openly. Hikan held onto her, holding her close as she sobbed. He didn’t make a peep as he let her get out everything she had been holding in. Eventually, she calmed down enough to speak coherently, and whipped around to face him, hugging him back tightly. He never thought to let go as he held her closely, his hand rubbing her back.

“...I’m not letting go…,” he said in a voice so quiet it was almost impossible to hear. “Not ever….” She blushed a bit at that, as well as when she felt his member on her, still hard.

“U-U-Um… I-I-Is it… painful…?” she asked nervously.

“...The first time can be…,” he answered truthfully.

She gulped. “I meant… your p-p-p-penis… It’s… twitching, a lot…”

It was Hikan’s turn to blush, face starting to burn red. “S-sorry,” he muttered, moving back ever so slightly. “I- u-um….” She shook her head, keeping him close.

“N-No, it’s… It’s okay… But… I-I-I don’t think I’m ready for the real thing, so…” she blushed more. “W-W-Would… O-O-Oral be okay?”

“We don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to, Arela,” he answered, bringing his head back to look her in the eyes. “Only if you are two hundred percent sure….” “HIKAN!?” Starlight shouted, the bathroom door suddenly flying open as the mare opened it, only to have to stop very short as a very familiar orange glow filled her vision.

“Starlight!?” Hikan questioned as he faced her with wings spread to hide Arela protectively while his arms were raised and armored up, the canon mode activated and charging as the weaponry pointed at the mare. “What the actual HELL!?”

“I-I-I-I-” she stuttered as she looked between the canons, his mostly naked body, and the almost nonexistent visuals of the angel behind him. “Sta-Stateran said I’d find you here….”

“Love, why is this mare blushing around you? I feel an urge to report her to my lord for peeking on your lovely body that is and should only be seen by me,” Arela said coldly.

“Don’t worry,” Hikan answered, as he relaxed, putting his arms down as the canons and claws retreated into the bracelets. “It’s just Starlight.”

Starlight’s eyes narrowed. “Just Starlight?” She questioned dangerously, raising her fist as it and her horn began to glow. “How about I ‘just Starlight’ you upside the head again?” Arela was suddenly in front of her, a flurry of golden feathers around her as she glared at Starlight.

“Threaten him again… Go on…” she dared.

Starlight raised her brow at this, her confusion far too clear on her face at the angel’s aggression. She looked between Hikan and Arela several times before it finally clicked that they were in a bathroom… and the two were both either naked or mostly naked…. “...What did I miss?” She questioned as her horn and hand stopped glowing.

“Quite a bit, actually,” Hikan answered as he stepped out of the tub and activated Dorkifu’s chest piece, a low hum echoing out as steam started to leave his body.

“I thought she was going to train you,” Starlight said incredulously, still looking between the two even as the man went to start putting the rest of his clothes back on. “Not… whatever this is!” Arela wrapped a towel around herself before stepping up into Starlight’s face.

“This is our love, wench. Please vacate the premises before I make you,” Arela growled, having felt insulted by Starlight’s comment.

Starlight looked back at Arela, giving an irritated look before her horn lit up again. The angel was suddenly sliding back on the slick tile. “First off, personal space. Second-”

“Starlight,” Hikan interrupted, looking up at her with his shirt in his hand. “It is her room and it is our business. I promise to fill you in later, but for now… a little privacy?”

Starlight stared at the man with a shocked expression for a moment, her gaping mouth opening and closing as she tried to find the right words. After a moment, she just stopped and let out a sigh. “Sorry, Hikan,” she said quietly. “I’ll… I’ll leave you to it, then.” With that she turned and started to leave the bathroom. But Arela had felt like her love was challenged by the magical shove, and Hikan could see her pure rage as blinding sunlight started to pour through a window and down onto her.

Hikan was almost instantly between them, wings wide as he put his hands gently on Arela’s shoulders. “Hey, hey, hey,” he said in a calm tone. “No need for that….”

“That… that whore threatened you and insulted our love, then challenged me to a duel!” Arela cried.

“EX-BUCKING-CUSE ME!?!?!” Starlight’s rage-filled cry filled the air as Hikan wisely chose that now was a very good time to move his ass. Starlight stood in the doorway, fists clenched and glowing alongside her horn and eyes as she gritted her teeth. “The BUCK did you just call me!?”

“A damn whore!” Arela replied, sunlight building again.

“You don’t know the first thing about me!” Starlight shouted in response, starting to step forward as her normally turquoise aura started to brighten to white. “What in Tartarus gives you the right to call me a whore!? I heard my friend was hurt and that makes me a whore!?!?” Arela growled ferally as the sunlight blinded them all but her, a quick but melodic war cry sounding out as the sunlight faded, revealing her in a titanic suit of armor made of pure gold, the suit so large it gave her an extra two feet in height and made her look much more intimidating. Arela held out her hand and a blindingly gold halberd with silver and lapis engravings on the blade appeared in her hand. Starlight could feel the raw, holy power absolutely pouring from Arela.

“I will not. Ask again. Leave. Else I shall personally send you to Triyte’s Wastes,” Arela threatened, voice echoing in the armor.

“I-” Starlight reached her left hand into a portal that suddenly appeared and pulled it out as a dark blue, two-piece shield with black accents formed on her shoulder and upper arm, forearm adorned with a matching greave. “Won’t be insulted for-” Her right hand reached into a portal and pulled out a matching greave and bastard longsword that looked like it should be too big for her. “Caring about my friend!” A portal raced from over her head and down to her feet, leaving behind the matching chest piece, shin guards, and thick black and white leather armor that filled the gaps.

“Enough!” Hikan’s shout shook the room for the second time. Arela had already raised her halberd and raised it right in Starlight’s face, but stopped short of impaling her head at Hikan’s shout. She growled, trembling with anger, before slowly, very slowly, backing off.

“......Yes, love,” she said bitterly, armor disappearing along with the halberd.

Starlight stared at Hikan, nostrils flaring for several moments before the portals reappeared and washed over her, relieving her of the armor she and the man had found. Hikan stared back at her before lifting a hand and finger towards the mare. “Go,” he all but ordered. “I will explain this later, and we will discuss what just happened.”

The unicorn took several more breaths before she nodded her head. “Fine,” she replied before turning and leaving the bathroom. Seconds later, another door slam signalled that she had fully left Arela’s home.

The man sighed at that. “...I’m sorry, Arela,” he said softly, looking towards her. Arela simply hugged him tightly, still obviously angry. Hikan hugged her back, rubbing her back. He stayed quiet for several moments before he spoke. “...Why did you call her a whore, Arela...?”

“She was staring at your body!” she said, hugging him possessively. “Only I can do that…” she muttered.

“Y’know, she woke me up a few days ago,” Hikan said. “And I sleep in what I was in when she walked in. ...Please try to understand that me and Starlight have been through a lot over the last few weeks. When we hear that the other is hurt… we don’t usually know how to react until we can make sure we’re okay….” Arela stayed quiet for while before sighing deeply.

“Okay… I’m sorry… I’ll try to be more kind around your friend…” she said slowly.

“That’s all I ask,” Hikan replied, giving her a little kiss. “Thank you for trying to understand.” She nodded, no longer caring that her small breasts were on his bare chest. The hunter held onto her for a few moments longer before he leaned back slightly. “You okay…?” she looked up at him, tilting her head cutely.

“Yes, why do you ask, my love?” she asked.

“You just… I didn’t think I’d see you that angry,” he answered.

“You’re my Devoted, why wouldn’t I be…” she blinked. “Oh, right, you don’t understand Angel customs,” she cleared her throat. “Angels who see other females staring at their Devoted longingly or when they are nude, are known to take that as a threat to their Devotion’s entire status. When harmed by the threat, they take it as a challenge to their love and Devotion’s future, and thus follow through on most occasions by eliminating the threat.”

“Oookay…,” he said with a nod, his mind taking in the information. “Just… know that Starlight isn’t a threat. She’s a friend. A friend who’s been through a hell of a lot considering the world she came from. And nothing, and I do mean nothing, is going to keep me from you.”

“I understand, but if she does that again, I can’t promise I’ll be able to control myself…” Arela admitted.

“Okay,” Hikan answered, rubbing her arms and giving her forehead a kiss. “...Y’know what? I think what we need is a little R’n’R after all of that.”

“My lord has a…” she blinked, trying to remember the word. “...device, of sorts, that allows one to see moving pictures,” she offered. “I don’t understand it, but he said anyone could use it if they wanted to.”

Hikan gave a smile. “You’re talking about a television,” he said. “And that definitely would help to ease our nerves.”

“I really liked a certain picture he called… Um…” she blinked, trying to sound out the word. “My Neighbor Totoro…?”

Hikan blinked his eyes for a moment. “You guys have that movie here?” He questioned before he gave a smile. “Well, I’m glad I’ll finally get the chance to see it, but first… maybe you want to put some clothes on?” She blinked, looking down at herself and blushing.

“I...I’m going to do that, y-y-y-yes,” she said as she rushed out of bathroom in a hurry. He idly noted he felt warmer than usual.

Hikan let himself wonder about this for a long moment before he just chuckled and shook his head. He slipped his shirt on and left the bathroom into the main room. He blushed as he saw her struggling pull on a set of lacy gold panties. Apparently her butt was too big for them now.

Hikan looked away to give her some form of privacy. “You okay, Arie?” He asked, scratching his chin for a moment. She blushed, turning around slowly.

“U-U-U-U-Um… could you… help me…?” she asked, tapping her fingers together adorably. He tried not to look at her shaved mound.

“Uhhh, sure,” he muttered making his way over to her before hesitating. “Um… what.. Do you want me to do...?”

“J-J-J-Just help me pull it up…” she said, blushing more.

“Right,” Hikan said softly before he started to reach down and help her pull her underwear up like it should be. It stretched, and when he was down in snapped on, making her squeak adorably.

“There,” he said, pulling back and straightening up. “Better?” She nodded, and walked over to a dresser to pull out a cute blouse with pink straps on the arms.

He followed her with his eyes, a question starting to burn in his mind. “....Why didn’t they fit?” He asked aloud, not even realizing he had until too late. She blushed even brighter, turning around and running over to him, slamming him on the head with the butt of her newly summoned halberd.

“Idiot idiot idiot idiot! Don’t call my butt big!” she yelled over and over, blushing adorably as she hit him with each utterance of ‘idiot’.

“Ow-ow-ow-ow!” Hikan cried, reaching a hand up and stopping the halberd with his palm before it could hit him again. “Why does everyone always go for my head? Besides, it’s cute!” She blushed more, slamming it into his gut instead. “OOF!” His breath rushed out of him and he slumped to the ground, his wings going limp on the ground. “...At least… it wasn’t….. My head….” She returned to getting dressed with a huff.

The assassin took a few moments to collect his breath before he pushed himself up off the ground. “...Was that really necessary?” He asked, tensing and waiting for another striking.

Thankfully she was dressed now, a pink skirt and the blouse she picked on her chest. Her large golden wings stuck out as if stretching.

“You called my butt big,” she said firmly before walking to the door.

Hikan thought very a short moment about defending his position before just letting it slide and followed after her. “So, which way we going?”

“To my lord’s room,” she said.

“Uhhh…,” the man started lifting a finger nervously. “Isn’t that a bit… um, risky with Mez here…?” She paled.

“DETOUR!” she said loudly, taking his hand and running off down a completely different hall.

Hikan gave a surprised look as he was suddenly turned around. “Where are we going?” He asked as he got his feet back under him.

“To my favorite place in Erevale! The Light Bringer’s Memorial!” Arela cried as she pulled him along.

The hunter gave the angel a confused look before he just shook his head, smiling as he let himself be pulled along. They arrived in a large garden with sunlight pouring down on a golden tombstone, flowers and many other plants around it. Hikan stared at the memorial for a second, a look of awe on his face. “...Arela… what is this place…?”

“The Light Bringer’s Memorial, a tribute to the Great Being’s sibling and the father of the Angels,” Arela explained.

“It’s beautiful…,” he murmured still stuck in place as his gaze tried to hungrily take in the sights around him. Arela giggled.

“Yeah, it is,” she agreed.

After a few seconds, the man stopped his staring and looked towards Arela. “Why here?” He questioned softly.

“It’s a haven for Angels, so I thought you’d like it. It’s my favorite place in Erevale, too. Lots of sunshine,” Arela explained as she sat down by the tombstone.

“Well, it certainly is beautiful,” he replied as he sat next to her. He stared at the tombstone… until one of the original Hikan’s memories pushed itself to the surface of his mind. Without warning, tears welled up in his eyes as his chest tightened. Arela noticed this.

“My love? What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly, rolling over to him and hugging him.

“Just-” Hikan choked, stopping and looking away as he closed his eyes, pushing tears down his face while he tried to force the others down. He cleared his throat and took a heavy breath before he looked back at her with a sad look. “Hikan’s memories.” He looked back down at the stone. “...The last time he looked down at a gravemarker like this.... It was of a woman he planned to marry….” He clutched the knees of his pants as he felt a fresh wave of sorrow wash over him. “...They… didn’t even have a body to bury….” Arela frowned at this and wrapped her wings around him tightly.

He lifted his hand and put it to her arm, squeezing it a bit as he continued to let his tears fall. “That was his curse…,” he mumbled. “The curse I gave him… now….” He clenched his eyes shut and his hand held onto her more tightly. “I’m afraid it’ll be mine, too….” She held him tighter.

“My love…” she said softly.

His hand slips away and he wraps his arms around her, wings falling down and hanging limply on the floor behind him. “...I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you….” he whispered in a constricted voice. “I don’t know how he made it… I just… I’m… I’m so scared.” He closed his eyes and held her close, finally letting the sorrow shake his body. She reached up and kissed him.

“...We can go to Triyte’s Memorial… It… Has the ability to clear curses,” she told him uneasily.

Hikan shook his head and took a deep breath as he pulled back and looked at, wiping away his tears. “It’s not an actual curse…,” he said quietly. “It was the tragedy I chose to write for him…. My philosophy as a writer was that every character should have a tragic curse. Hikan’s… Hikan’s was that he would have his love taken away by a monster until he... could accept and come to terms with the monster he was….” She frowned more, nuzzling him, allowing him to smell the calming scent of some kind of salt in her hair. Like sea salt, but sweeter.

The hunter stayed quiet for a long while as he just took the time to take in the moment. The smell of her hair, the warmth, everything. He drank it in like a man desperately drowning and reaching for a rope. She hugged him tighter as he calmed down more, the scent really helping. He let out a sigh as he finally let the tears fade away. “Thank you, Arela…,” he said softly. “...I, um….ahem… you’re, uh… you’re hair smells nice….” His face blushes as he realizes he has no idea why he just admitted that. Arela blinked at this before giggling madly.

Hikan blinked confusedly, his blush growing and brightening. “Wh-what?” He questioned. “Wh-what did I say?” She giggled more before nuzzling his chest.

“I love you,” she said softly.

Hikan was still for a moment before he let out a calming breath and gave a smile. “Love you, too…,” he breathed as he hugged her gently. She giggled.

“The scent is Sky’s Tears,” she told him finally.

“It’s nice…,” he said softly. He let out another sigh and held onto her, looking up and back towards the tomb, letting his gaze become unfocused once more.

They stayed there for a good long while, before falling asleep under the tombstone and sunlight.

Eventually, Mez and Stateran walked into the Memorial where Hikan and Arela were, and when they reached it, Mez noted that Stateran looked sad as they approached the sleeping couple beneath the golden tombstone.

“Why are you sad?” she asked.

“My… Brother’s left after the Cataclysm. They couldn’t handle the pain of losing their children as well,” he said sadly. “They… blamed me for the pain of all of the mortals and their children. We didn’t part on good terms.”

“I… see,” She said. They walked closer to the golden tombstone and Mez made a blanket appear on them. She then sat down and patted the spot next to her. He stayed where he was, though. He slowly approached the tombstone and placed a hand on the plaque, before his eyes glowed, and it gained a better sheen.

“Always stay golden, my brother…” he whispered softly and sadly before slowly sitting down next to Mez. She wrapped her arms around him and made a blanket appear around them. Mez looked up as she held her husband.

“I always loved the outdoors,” she said, looking up at the sky. “Reminds me of Esti’s realm.”

“Hmm…” he said noncommittally, looking up at the ever shining sun his brother so loved.

“You know, you never asked about the orders to which I belong to,” she said. He turned to her.

“I didn’t realise you belonged to any,” he said, before he growled. “You weren’t forced to do sexual favors for them, were you?” She laughed.

“Oh lord no, I do many dirty things but that,” she stuck her tongue out. “Just, ew, their kinda like family… well no that’s not it… it’s hard to explain it without explaining the orders.” He sighed in relief.

“Thank God…” he breathed, squeezing her possessively.

“So… you want to hear or simply sit here?” she asked. He shrugged.

“Only if you want me to,” he said simply.

“Well, I do and you might need to know since you’re kinda part of one of them,” she said, booping his nose. He blinked.

“Wait, I have an order? I mean, all I know I have that is close to that is my Time Lords and Time Motes and Time Protectors, but I made them myself,” he said, confused. She giggled.

“Kinda, let me explain,” she put up her hand and the runes on her began to glow. Soon a yellow orb appear in thin air. “This, is you, and these,” five more orbs appeared around that one while six more appeared away. “Are the others in the first order, they contain you, The God of Time or, and I think The Father will call you, The Father of Time, Jorund, the god of Music, Livo: God of Medicine and Remedies, Deim: God of Storms, Nuther, the Allhammer, and Inldir, the One who Dreams.”

She then pointed to the other six, “Those are the six goddess of the order, there’s Esta the Mistress of the Wild Hunt, Drusillia the Goddess of the Sea and patron Goddess of sailors, Yrelia the Goddess of the Harvest and Nature, my mother, Mairead the Goddess of Valor and Honor, the angel chick will love her, and Aotl, the Angel of Fate.” Stateran hummed in thought.

“I see…” He closed his eyes in contemplation. “Why do you not have an order, my love?”

“I am, you see in the order you can’t really have a relationship with one another, so if I was part of it me and my mother can’t… you know, but I’m not part of that order,” she pointed up and six new orbs appear. “I belong to a different one, The Inbetween, there’s me, Esti the Goddess of the Sun and Healing, Utos the God of the Moon and Rivers, Nit The God of Games and Tricks, and Rar'ghon The God of Knowledge and Master of Arcane Arts.”

With a wave of her hand the orbs disappear and Mez cuddled with Stateran. “There are more orders, like the one for the Wild and Elemental Lords and… others, but so far you belong in one of them and the gods and goddess in the orders are like brother and sisters to one another not by blood but by… family. The Second allowed them to be and created the orders.”

“Hmmm… How many world’s worship me, I wonder…” he paused. “All I know is that the citizen’s of Lleiya still revere me with many titles, including God of Destruction, Creation, Balance, and apparently a patron to the tragic, both tragic heroes and tragic villains and all between…”

“I see,” Mez said. “When I asked The Father why he gave you the mantle of Time he said that your idea is that of time, time is both creation and destruction, it’s both balance and chaos, he said you dreamed of a world to create and he simply gave you the tool to do it, time itself.” Stateran smiled.

“He’s a really nice god,” he commented, squeezing her ass possessively. “But I have to say you’re nicer. Especially in the body department~.”

“Thanks love,” she said, kissing him. “I wonder, when you go to him for the runes, what title will he give you?” Stateran shrugged.

“I don’t know. I mean, he said he gave me a rune on my literal brain the first time, which explains why I sometimes see things other God’s can’t see, but he also said there was the beginning of one in place already, so he just improved it,” he said honestly. She nodded.

“Well, for me it’s the Mistress of Pleasure and, oddly, Fertility, I wonder why that,” she said, raising an eyebrow. He laughed.

“Babe, you know you love it when I fill you with baby batter ‘till you bloat,” he told her, laughing again. The two laughed which caused the other two sleeping to stir.

Hikan lifted his head, arms still around Arela as he blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked around. “Hm…?” he hummed, his mind still taking its sweet time catching up. Mez giggled.

“Aww, they’re soooo cute together!” Mez said happily. Stateran nodded.

“Indeed, though I do worry for Arela’s future mental health. She wouldn’t take Hikan’s death easily, since she is ageless like all Angels, he is likely to die long before her,” Stateran said somberly. Mez slapped his shoulder lightly.

“Don’t be so moody,” she said with a giggle. This caused Arela to stir and open her eyes.

Hikan’s eyes finally came into focus. He looked towards Stateran, than towards Arela before letting a sad look flash very briefly across his face. His arms tightened ever so slightly around Arela protectively. Arela squeaked at the squeeze.

“What’s going on, my love…?” she asked before noticing the other two, especially Mez. “G-G-Great Being, Great Mistress!”

“Great Mistress?” Mez said, looking around. “Wait, you mean me?”

“My worshippers never knew who you were, but assumed you existed, so they created you in the pantheon, as a robed woman without a face. There’s actually a statue in the ballroom,” Stateran explained.

“OoooOoo, a secret goddess in your pantheon, I have any titles I should know? Like Mistress of Secrets? Or Goddess of… Umm… something?”

“Y-Y-Y-Yes, Great Mistress, you are a-a-a-also called, ‘The Caller of Mountain’s’, as well as the M-M-M-Mistress of Longing,” Arela explained. Mez blinked at this and looked at her husband.

“Caller of Mountain’s and the Mistress of Longing?” she asked, kinda confused on the meaning of the titles.

“The uh… first title is because I made the wind in all mountain tops on Lleiya gently and faintly sing in your voice, without real vocals, and the mortals believed they were you, my lover. I never told them differently, because it was true. As for the second title, it was because… Well, when my followers made a book on me, a Bible, I suppose, I told them in my words that you longed to see me and this world, so… They gave you that title,” Stateran explained, rubbing his neck nervously.

“That… that’s beautiful…” she said, wiping away a tear before standing up. “If you don’t mind, I want to see this statue alone, you know, to see for myself. You don’t mind do you?” Stateran shook his head.

“Of course not, dear,” he said, smiling. She smiled back before disappearing.

Hikan blinked at everything he had just heard. “...What… was that all about…?” He questioned.

“A lot of things, young Hikan. My wife has not had contact with me for over seventy millennia, tis understandable there is much she does not know,” Stateran explained.

The assassin stared in shock at the number before he sighed and rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. “That sounds… yeah, that’s fair….”

Stateran smiled at him as he saw something small and fast coming towards him. He moved out of the way and turned to see a thin needle sticking out of the tree he was leaning against. He turned back to see a dark shape moving quickly as more needles shot towards him. He moved out of the way, making the two stand up quickly as they too see the needles.

“Ah, hello, Alys, honey. Haven’t seen you in years, but I recognize that lifeforce,” Stateran said calmly. The response was a needle coming at his head. He moved his head but as it passed it glowed, exploding in smoke.

“My lord! Get down, please!” Arela cried, rushing over to him. He shook his head, stopping her with his magic.

“Tis fine, Arela. This is but another of my children, albeit she is trying to kill me, but I know the true intent,” he said calmly, dodging another needle. His eyes moved as there was a blade about an inch away from his face. He calmly bent backwards and the blade passed over him. As the smoke cleared Stateran turned and saw his child there.

The woman was around twenty years old looking and had long black hair with a silver streak that was tied into a ponytail. Her skin was white with some tattoos on her arms, legs, and chest as her clothes were that were dark red and very, very revealing, but like that of a Kunoichi. Her tail was that of a succubus but with a bladed tip at the end. Her eyes were violet coloured as she held a short black katana in her hand. She narrowed her eyes as she stepped back and disappeared into the shadows. The three of them looked around as there was a needle, longer than the rest, that hit the ground.

Arela waited for something to happen but nothing came from the needle. She then felt a prick on her neck as the woman came up behind her and put a needle in her neck, making her body numb as she then fell over, the same with the assassin. Stateran watched this calmly as she disappeared again. He heard something above him and looked up into the sun where she was coming down with her blade. He sighed, eyes glowing as she simply stopped in midair, then floated down to him.

“My dear, could you at least wait to do that after I’m done catching up with your sister?” he asked calmly. She looked at him and blinked.

“Was I at least good?” she asked, hopefully. He smiled, ruffling her hair.

“Very much so, my daughter. You’d give the Dream Knight’s a run for their money. And not just one, but all of them combined. Not even they could begin to make it here without immediately getting detected,” he said proudly. She smiled behind her dark red mask.

“Hehe, got some new stuff, like shadow walk from mom’s husband, works really well…” she stared at Stateran for a moment. “Umm, can you put me down please?” He smiled and did so, ruffling her hair again. She smiled as she looked at the other two. “Who are they?”

“Hikan, a young assassin from another world, and Arela, an Angel from my personal world, Lleiya,” he explained.

“Oooo~,” Alys said, going over and kneeling down in front of Arela. “I’ve never seen an angel up close before.”

“A High Angel, at that. Note the golden wings,” Stateran said, pointing to Arela’s wings.

A whirring noise sounded out as black armor started to form over Hikan’s arms and legs. “Stateran…,” the man started, his voice low as his limbs started to bring him up as the rest of his body remained limp. “What. Was. That?” Armor folded out over his neck and the lower part of his head before his gaze raised to show that one eye had turned orange, the pupil split into a four point star shape.

“What~!? How are you moving!?” the woman asked before looking at the armor. “Whoa, soul armor, neato.”

Hikan frowned as her form shifted and he felt a blade pressing on his back. “I do suggest you calm down, the poison in your bloodstream will make you unable to move for a few days until I give you the antidote, you have that armor but I think it’s a big no no.”

Hikan turned to face her in a blur of motion, his fist pulled back and launched at her face before she could react… only for the form to shimmer and shake as the limb went through her head. “Intent can be real bitch sometimes, can’t it?” Hikan asked as he kneeled next to Arela, checking on her as the other him flickered again. “Oh… and don’t try that again.” He raised his eyes again and looked between both of them. “I’ve been here two days, and I appreciate everything that’s happened. That you’ve done for me… but you’re starting to cross lines. Reading minds, suddenly being involved in your games. I already lived that life, and I refuse to go through it again.” Stateran stopped them both.

“Young Hikan,” he said firmly. “I apologize for reading Arela’s mind, but rest assured I will not read yours or anyone else’s unless it is in another’s best interest. Furthermore, this is no game, and it never will be. I invited you and Starlight here out of the goodness of my heart to grow stronger for the terrible future that lies ahead of your world, not for myself, even if it was nice speaking with you.” He paused. “And this woman is my daughter, Alys. she is training to be the best assassin ever known, and thus found it fitting to try and assassinate me for training.”

“AND SHE DRAGGED US IN!?” Hikan shouted, his armor pulling him to his feet. “You seem to forget that I was an assassin, and the first thing we always learned was never, EVER involve civilians that are not your target!”

“Civilians?” a voice said behind him. He turned and saw a fist punched him in the face. He fell to the ground and tried to get up before a blade was pointed at his face. “Tell me, what do you call civilians that are an assassin as well and a high angel, hmm?”

“Minding their own damn business,” A black helmet formed on his head as the rest of his armor formed for the first time since he’d been placed in his current body. A sudden will-o’-wisp flew between them, a concussive blast knocking her off. With the weight lifted, his form buzzed and he appeared further away. “And I’m sick of feeling like I’m in a minefield!”

“Stateran…” Alys called to him, looking at him. “May I?” she asked, her hand glowing. He shook his head.

“No,” he turned back to Hikan. “If you dislike me or my daughter, then you may leave. But I will no longer be able to send Arela back with you. Not if you take this route.”

Hikan’s armored form was frozen where it was. The draconic guise slowly drifted back to the floor, a whirring sound filling the air as the armor peeled away. The look on his face said it all. It was the face of someone who felt betrayed. “...I’ll keep playing by your rules…,” he said in a broken voice, his body looking like a puppet. “...But… don’t drag Arela into this… it’s the only thing I ask….” Stateran sighed.

“I’m sorry, I went too far and didn’t explain why I couldn’t. I wouldn’t be able to, not because I wouldn’t want to, but because she would require your essence to maintain her body outside of Erevale. If you leave, she would feel heartbroken and lose the ability to even maintain her body here,” Stateran explained. He walked over and placed a hand on Hikan’s shoulder. “I am not here to make enemies with you. And there were never any true rules here, only that you respect those around you and be polite.”

Hikan looked up at him from his slack position. “...How long will this poison last?” He asked in a quiet voice. He then felt a prick on his arm as there was a needle in his arm.

“It should last about a second now,” the woman said as she pulled her mask down and frowned. “And… I’m sorry, Stateran did say that I have a habit of ticking others off.” With that she bent down to the High Angel and prick her with a needle before moving away. Arela got up quickly, rushing over to Hikan.

There was no hesitation as Hikan took her into his arms and hugged her close, his body trembling slightly. “Are you okay?” He asked quietly. She nodded.

“Y-Yes…” she replied uneasily. Alys frowned as she turned to shadow and moved to Stateran’s side and reformed.

“I’m… not good at this, with what their doing… is this normal?” she asked. Stateran nodded.

“I’m afraid choosing to knock them out made things much worse,” Stateran said sadly.

“How was I supposed to know that? I thought they were bodyguards of yours,” she crossed her arms as she thought about it. Stateran looked at her as her expression changed to thinking, to frowning more, to looking upset about everything. Stateran sighed, bringing her in for a hug.

“Come on, let’s go see your sister. These two need some time,” he said, pulling her out of the Memorial. For a long while, Hikan and Arela stayed in the memorial before eventually the two stood to follow Stateran and Alys. When they arrived, a new woman was with them and in the midst of speaking.

“Not at all. It only means I love you even more, my eternal lover,” he said lovingly. She smiled as she heard footsteps coming this way. Her face vanished as she pulled away from Stateran, looking towards where she heard the footsteps. “Hmm? Ah, hello, you two.”

Hikan walked with Arela down the hall, his arm around her shoulders protectively. It seemed he still wasn’t a-okay. He simply nodded in response to the greeting. Stateran noted this quickly and sighed.

“Still quite angry, I see,” he shook his head. “For what it is worth, I am sorry. But I did not know my daughter would come to assassinate me, much less bring you two into it. Please, forgive me.”

Hikan was quiet for a second before he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not angry, Statran,” he said softly, lifting his gaze to look at him. “At least, not as angry as the other part of me. Just… still calming down….” Stateran nodded sadly.

“What has happened?” Asilia asked him, to the shock of the High Angel.

“She’s… Just like the stories and legends…” Arela breathed, but trembled, remembering how the Great Mistress promised punishment for her earlier.

“Tis like I said to him, my love. Alys, your sister, came to assassinate me for her training, and these two got involved. The result was… Well, simply put, not good,” Stateran explained. She looked over at her husband before looking at her sister. Alys swore she saw white sparks coming out of the void that was her head. Asilia turned back before floating over to the two of them.

“Young one, for what my sister did is unforgivable and I’ll have a talk with her about what happened,” when Asilia said ‘talk’ Alys face paled as a cold shock went up her spine. “But please, don’t harbor any ill towards her, move on and look for a better tomorrow.”

Hikan blinked for a few seconds, looking between everyone in the room. “...I think I need a refresher…,” he muttered, putting his hand to his head before looking up at Asilia. “Forgive me but… who are you…?”

“I am Asilia, Mother of Gods, Caller of Mountains, Mistress of Longing and Bride of Stateran,” she introduced herself.

“In other words, she changed from Mezney to fit my world’s Pantheon,” Stateran explained.

Hikan gave his mind a second to catch up. After a moment, he had one thing to say. “...Gods are weird…,” he muttered before he shook his head, halting to look towards Asilia and give a little bow. “Hikan Kanshi, pleasure to meet you, Asilia.”

“No need to bow,” Asilia said before looking to Arela. “Oh, and you are?”

“A-A-A-Arela Vintswell, M-M-Mistress,” Arela said, bowing deeply as well.

“I’m surprised you don’t recognize her, dear. You did say something about punishing her for disrespecting River,” Stateran noted. Arela started to sweat bullets.

“River?” Asilia said before turning her head. “Where is River?”

“Hmmm…” Stateran’s eyes glowed and he sighed deeply. “In my brother Triyte’s Memorial, it seems. Fitting, I suppose, since he was father to the Demons of Lleiya.”

“Hmmm, I must see to her, Arela Vintsewell,” she turned back to her. “Mind joining me?”

“Y-Y-Yes, Mistress,” Arela squeaked, looking to Hikan quickly before turning back to Asilia and following her. The two headed off towards the Memorial before Asilia spoke.

“Tell me of yourself Arela, I want to know of you,” she asked.

“I...Well, th-th-there’s not much to say, Mistress…” she admitted. “I was born into a life of war, forced to train everyday lest the Demon’s of Hell take us…” Her voice started to break. “I… I died with my race during our final battle. Stretched and defiled so much I…” she started to cry openly. “I couldn’t… I-I couldn’t…” She then felt the cool hand of the Mistress on her shoulder.

“Calm Arela, I do not want to know the things that make you sad, I want to hear those of good you have seen, have done,” she said softly. Arela wiped her tears away.

“I… I’m sorry Mistress, forgive me,” she said softly, as if scared while she hugged herself.

“There’s no need to ask that,” the Mistress said, turning away to look forward. “It must have been a shock to you to see my other half, the one named Mezney.”

“Oh, um, yes, a little bit,” Arela admitted. The Mistress stopped and looked at the Angel.

“Then… I’m the one who needs to be apologising,” she said, bowing her head to her. Arela blaked at this.

“Wh-Wh-Wh-What?! I-I-I-I-I-I couldn’t - I can’t-!” Arela was thoroughly flustered, and, out of pure shock, fell to the ground unconscious. Asilia looked up at her as she was twitching.

“Oh dear…” she said before allowing the mists to form around the angel and carry her with the Mistress who was heading towards River.

Alys, leaning on top of a nook in the wall, looked down at her father and the young assassin. She was busy studying him to see how he moves, talk and holds himself up. He turned his head, looking directly at her.

“Honey, do remember your manners and greet young Hikan here, you’re being quite rude,” Stateran scolded her. She blinked at this before turning into shadows and shadow walking down to them. She had her mask down as she looked at Hikan.

“Hi, I’m Alys, sorry for pissing you off,” she said, holding out her hand.

Hikan took the hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you properly,” he answered. “And I apologize for Hikan’s temper… and for what’s about to happen.”

“Hmm?” Alys asked, not moving as her senses started to work.

“Just, don’t hurt’er, okay?” Hikan said just before he stepped backwards and released her hand, a turquoise spear of magic embedding itself into the floor where he’d been standing. As that happened, Alys was gone, disappearing in a blink of an eye… of anyone other than her father.

A flash over Hikan’s shoulder revealed Starlight, her eyes pinpricks as she swung a sword at his head. The assassin’s reaction was deft and calm as he ducked out of the blades path. Starlight’s hooves hit the ground and Hikan flipped forward with his arms behind his back, forcing the mare to block the kicks he aimed at her. The young man landed nimbly on his feet and spun in a mule kick, Starlight jumping back to avoid the blow. Starlight straightened as she felt a blade at her neck.

“You have three seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t chop your head off,” Alys threatened as her blade pushed into her neck, the mare felt some sort of magic in the blade as it touched her fur.

Starlight let out a frightened breath before she looked towards Hikan. “S-since when did you need h-help in my training?” She questioned, trying to sound confident and failing.

“I don’t,” Hikan said with a shrug, starting to step towards them. “Unfortunately, your intent was just too apparent, even from down the hall and using an invisibility spell. You have to keep that eyebrow twitch under control… but I think you need more than training right now….”

“You passed three seconds,” Alys said, pushing the blade into the mare, making her wince. A metallic click sounded out as Hikan’s armored hand wrapped around the blade. Gently pulling it back from Starlight’s neck.

“”It’s just our routine, Alys,” the man said softly, letting go of the blade. “But…,” he started looking back to Starlight. “I think this is about to get more heated than our usual sessions….” Suddenly, an ear shattering clap rang out, and all pressed their hands to their ears, turning to see Stateran with his hands together, likely from the clap. He did not look very pleased.

“Alys,” he said evenly, turning his gaze to her. She flinched at this.

“Sorry… sir,” she looked down at her feet ashamed.

“Go to my chambers and wait for me there. Me and your sister are going to have a long talk with you,” he said, tone still even and yet cold at the same time.

“Yes sir…” she said, disappearing in shadow. Stateran turned back to the other two.

“Apologies for her behavior, you two. Now, Starlight, why are you here?” He asked, tone remaining even.

Starlight gulped a bit before she answered. “U-um-”

“It’s my fault,” Hikan answered, stepping forward. “When she found her armaments and the whole thing started with the changelings, I started training her for her protection. She’s supposed to practice suppressing her intent and her sneak attack. I told her to attack randomly and without warning, regardless of our environment.” Stateran looked to him for a good, solid three minutes, seeing both mare and man sweating bullets, before nodding.

“Very well. Continue your practice, but be more mindful of those around you,” he said, though it was more of an order than a statement.

“Yes sir,” Hikan and Starlight answered, Hikan giving his usual short bow before starting to turn towards the mare. “Now where were-” He cut off as he was forced back by a slash by Starlight’s sword. He slid to a stop on the other side of the room, hands behind his back. He looked up and into the unicorn’s glowing eyes, the pupils shrunk to pinpricks once more. “I guess we’re doing this now,” he said rolling his shoulders before looking at Stateran. “I promise to keep this contained.” As he said this, four wil-o’-wisps formed and started to float around the room, light projecting from small lenses inset into them.

“Very well. In the meantime, I must see to my family,” he turned on his heel. “Do try not to harm anyone else.” With that, he left the ballroom. Hikan and Starlight continued their training, the wisp keeping them contained as Hikan pointed out some of Starlight’s mistakes. They went at it until the unicorn could no longer function correctly. The assassin put the mare on his back and went off to find the others. Halfway through the halls, though, the ground shook and trembled to the point that the man had a hard time standing. When everything grew still, the hunter began to sprint down the halls

Hikan came running out suddenly of the large building, his breath catching as he slid to a stop next to Stateran, an exhausted and sweat drenched Starlight on his back. “What the hell just happened!?” He questioned frantically, his eyes glued to the dragon as it flew away, his green irises briefly flashing orange.

“Oi! Assassin kid, you missed it!” Mez yelled at him. River giggled as she made faces like a dragon, making the High Angel giggle.

Hikan stared confused at each of them before turning to Stateran, his eyes desperate for some sort of straight answer.

“The Father, the one who gifted me my Godhood, took notice of the barrier around Erevale and all realms of my own making, and destroyed it,” Stateran explained. Arela was glaring at Starlight, he noted, but left it for them to deal with. It wasn’t his business.

Hikan, still looking a bit confused, looked around at the surroundings before shaking his head. “I… guess that’s a… good thing…?” He said, looking back up at Stateran.

“It is most certainly a good thing. It means my children can finally come home,” Stateran said, seeming to glow with happiness. Mez heard this and smiled as well.

“You mean our kids,” she said, pulling her twin, who was wearing her hood up, her face gone, to her.

“Yes, dear. All of our beautiful children will be coming home,” he said with a large smile. The two twins looked at one another before turning back to one, Asilia walked over and hugged her husband. He blinked at this but quickly hugged her back. Then, slowly, numerous figures appeared in the distance, drawing closer and closer.

Alys saw them and went into the shadows, nervous of so many of them coming closer. River was hugging her friend, bouncing in excitement for no real reason.

“Maybe Mezney should be the one to see them all,” Asilia said.“She’s really the one that birthed them, and… I’m tired my love…” Stateran gave her a sad look, but slowly nodded.

“Very well, dearest. But I’ll remember to show you our beautiful children after her,” he promised, kissing her. “And fill you up nicely after some fun~.”

“I guess that’s… fair,” she said, sounding tired as Stateran felt she was smiling at him. He smiled.

“Alright, go ahead and rest, my lovely,” he told her softly. She nodded as her being changed to that of Mezney. Stateran noticed that her breasts and ass grew a bit bigger, not the same size as normal but still large. She stretched a bit.

“Oooo, I simply can’t wait!” Mez said with a grin before wrapping an arm around the High Angel. “You’re going to see my kids! I’m so happy that I can kiss you!” Arela blushed, quickly rushing over to Hikan and grabbing him possessively

“Calm down, dear. Save it for the children, please,” Stateran said softly. Mez grinned, vibrating.

“Can you blame me?” she asked. He laughed.

“I suppose not,” he said before one of the figures approached. She was tall, not as tall as him, but tall, with multiple scars littering her perfectly tanned body. She had amber hair in a long ponytail that went down to her red short shorts, and a simple wrapping of bandages to keep her GG cup breasts in check. She rushed over and wrapped Stateran in a bone crushing hug.

“Pops! It’s so good to see you! How is everything? Did you kill that bastard? Damn, wish I was there to see the awesomeness!” the woman laughed. She noticed Mez. “Uhh… Pops, who’s the lady? You’ve never had girls over, always said it was too painful…”

“Oh, you’re feisty!” Mez said with a giggle as she circled her. “Don’t you recognize your own mother? No, wait, maybe not, oh well come here!” she then wrapped her arms around her, giving her a bone crushing hug as well. The woman blinked at this, before realization dawned on her.

“HOLY SHITBALLS! MOMMA PARRY?!?!?” the woman cried, hugging her back. Mez laughed at this.

“Momma Parry! I love it!” she yelled. “Just to be the greeting bunch, I’m Mezney, or Mez, or as you said, Momma Parry!” Mez noted that the woman was sniffling quietly and felt tears on her back, the woman obviously trying to hide it.

“My love, this is our little tough girl, Grel. She’s grown a lot,” Stateran explained. Mez smiled as she turned around and pulled Grel into a hug.

“My little tough girl,” she whispered, petting her hair. “It’s okay to cry… I missed you… and your siblings so much,” she said, sniffling as well as tears filled her eyes. Grel slowly let the tears fall freely, and the two cried for a few long minutes. Finally, Grel broke away, wiping her tears with a grin.

“It’s awesome to see you, Momma Parry. Dad used to tell me of the times you parried guys like it was nothing, and I kinda admired it,” she rubbed the back of her head. “Also… Did Dad tell you about my kids?”

“Kids…?” Mez said before beaming with joy. “You have kids! Oh my…your father, I’m a grandmother… again! Come here you!” she then picked her up and spun her around happily. Grel laughed.

“Mom, put me down, I don’t wanna flash Dad!” she laughed.

“Oh! Sorry,” she said, putting her down and simply hugging her. “Ohh I’m so proud of my little tough girl… or should I say tough Momma!” Grel laughed, pulling herself from her mother.

“Yeah, my two kids are busy with their own mortals, though, so I was the only one to come. Sorry ‘bout that,” Grel apologised.

“Oh don’t be sorry, I’ll see them soon,” Mez said as she looked down at her chest and smiled. “Also, nice you took after me a bit!”

“Heh, yeah. Ditty’s bigger, though, I just don’t care about all the frilly clothes she wears, so I’ve just worn these,” she said, juggling her boobs a bit before laughing. She noted Hikan and Starlight. “Whoa damn kiddo, you got a lot of struggle in ya, both past and future!”

Hikan blinked at the sudden attention, shuffling Starlight on his back. He gave Arela a look of mixed emotions before turning back. “Um… yeah,” he answered. “I guess having two-” he winced in pain as his left eye shot orange for a moment. “Sorry, three, lives worth of experiences does that….” Grel blinked before laughing.

“Well, guess I’ll be watching you, then!” she said with a smile. She then turned to the Void behind them. “Ah, here comes my favorite little bro!” Suddenly, just walking casually from the Void, was a man in a gray hoodie that Stateran and Mez recognized, along with black and blue hiking boots and gray cargo shorts. He had a green backpack on his back as he walked slowly.

“Is that...Feiray?” Mez asked both her husband and Grel.

“Yes, that is our little wanderer, alright. I recognize the hoodie. It’s the one I gave him, remember?” Stateran reminded her.

“Yeah, he’s been with me every once in awhile. We tag team helping mortals through strife every now and again,” Grel nodded.

“Dear, tough Momma, I would like to stay and chat but…” she then started to run. “FEIRAY!!!!!!!!” Feiray blinked, his hazel blue eyes watching her as she approached while his charcoal black Survivor style beard reminded her of her own black hair. She ran into him with a hug, his head in between her large breasts. “My little wanderer is all grown up! Look at you! So rugged!”

He paused at this, before slowly pulling her off of him. “Mother?” he said incredulously. Tears started to form in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away and smiled. “It’s… Really good to see you, Mother.” He noticed that she was crying.

“I miss you all~!” she cried, hugging him tightly. He smiled wider, accepting the hug gratefully.

“I missed you too, Mother. But following yours and Dad’s advice helped me cope,” he told her softly. She smiled at this.

“Yeah… Oh! Your father!” Mez then started to drag Feiray to the others. Once there, they found the group with Grel, and Feiray gave her a fist bump.

“Hey, good to see ya, sis,” he grinned.

“Damn straight,” she replied. Suddenly, he felt huge arms wrap around him, and saw his father’s face.

“My son…” he said, tears in his eyes.

“Oi, don’t cry, Dad. You’ll get me going, to,” Feiray said with a chuckle. Stateran laughed, wiping his tears.

“It’s great to see you, son,” he said as he placed Feiray down. As the two talked, Mez stood beside her daughter with a smile.

“So… who’s the lucky guy~,” she asked with a smile. Grel looked away with a deep blush. “Ohoo, is the tough Momma blushing? My he’s one hell of a man!”

“...Dragon, actually…” Grel said after a bit.

“Oooo, you are my daughter!” Mez said, hugging her. “You know before I met your father I slept with a few dragons, brave souls but they’re fun!” Grel blushed more.

“He’s a… Primordial, so he’s uh… got some really big packages,” Grel admitted, blush deepening.

“A… Primordial dragon… damn… you lucky girl, I never bedded a primordial!” Mez hugged her more. “So proud of you!” Mez then heard Stateran speak in her mind.

‘I can be a pretty badass and big dragon if you want, Bouncy~. I’ve seen her lover, I can top it easily~,’ Stateran said lecherously in her mind. She looked at him with a lusty grin.

‘Later, momma wants some big dragon cock,’ she said before looking back to Grel. “So what’s his name?”

“Draigo. But he’s uh… Still working on getting his two lifelong lovers to agree with having me around. They’ve accepted me, yes, but it’s more my… Habit of destroying things they can’t tolerate,” Grel admitted, scratching her cheek nervously.

“Do you love him?” Mez asked. “Do you love Draigo?”

“Well, yeah, of course, it’s just…” Grel shivered. “His Tia and Lulu are really scary.”

Mez laughed, “Those two! Hell I remember turning into the blue one!” she brought her daughter closer. “Listen, just stay true to your heart and everything will turn out fine. But if you need help, just give me a ring and I’ll come runnin.” Grel was still nervous.

“Well… He’s got a number of other lovers, too. All in his adoptive son’s world, and they had kids before I did. He’s got…” she counted her fingers. “About five more there, I think.”

“Still, I’m one hell of a fighter,” Mez tapped her chin for a moment. “Say, when we have free time, want to go see if we can fight something? Mother and Daughter against… something?” Grel grinned.

“Hell yeah!” Grel agreed. They all then heard the sound of armor clinking and clanking, and turned to see a blood stained, dented, steel suit of armor with a Spartan-like helmet, and the being was quite tall, the plumage a blood red and frazzled, and a spear and shield in either hand. Everyone stared at the spartan warrior.

“Refresh my memory honey, it been a while,” Mez whispered to Grel.

“Oh, that’s just Kraek. Ya know, Dad made him a God of War and all?” Grel reminded.

“Our little warrior, honey,” Stateran added.

“Oooo…” Mez then walked up to her warrior. “My, you sure grew!”

“And you are, Miss…?” the warrior asked, voice echoing under the helmet. She grinned at the warrior.

“I’m your mom you lug, now give me a hug!” she said, spreading her arms out. He looked at her for a long moment, before slowly, almost shakily, hugging her. When he did, she could hear very silent and forced back sobs. She smiled and rubbed his back. “There there, momma is here.”

Hikan stared about at all the beings, gods, starting to gather around them. “Maybe… we should leave them to it?” The assassin whispered to Arela while Starlight muttered something about waffles from his back.

“That might be best, yes,” Arela agreed.

Hikan nodded and took one more look around before he started to walk back towards the halls… only to stop and hesitate. “Um… sudden thought,” he said quietly. “If all their kids are coming back… doesn’t that mean that they’ll be taking their rooms back?”

“Oh…” Arela noted he was right. “Well, you can sleep with me, if you want.”

Hikan looked at her as he thought about this for a moment… before he gave a warm smile. “I think that’ll be just fine,” he said before he seemed to realize something. His hand went to his waist for a second, his eyes starting go a bit wide with worry. “But I seem to have the rest of my stuff in the room Stateran had me staying in….”

“Which room?” Arela asked.

“Uh… the one with all the masks…?” Hikan answered after a second. “...Yep, definitely that one.”

“Oh… That would be Mistress Tatiya’s room,” Arela said. “I can take you there, but… I couldn’t let myself defile such a holy room, so you’d have to enter yourself.”

“I can handle that,” Hikan replied giving a little nod. “Though, to be fair, it’s going to be kinda hard to put everything on with miss sleepyhead on my back.” He nodded towards the mare on his shoulder as she grumbled something about Pinkie Pie. Arela glared at her but nodded, taking them all to the Hall of Gods where his room was.