Godly

Godly
Chapter 31: Back to Khepria

I pass through the portal and come face to face with a large Unari about eight metres long. I gently place the young Unrai down where she slithers ahead a bit and then looks back to me. I then change to Hercules, making the portal close shut and carry the still out-cold Unari in my left arm towards the larger Unari.

I bow my head to them, getting a hesitant one in return before they turn around and slither down the tunnel. The little girl Unari slithers over to me and surprises me by coiling around my right leg, climbing up, and settles around my shoulders and neck.

I can't help but smile as I start walking down the tunnel, following the larger Unari to the exit where a few Unari including Avir'ra are waiting for us.

I gently place the out-cold Unari down and then change to Kukulkan. The little Unari gasps as she slides down my neck a bit until she's stopped by my upper wing joints.

"I have returned with two Unari who've been held prisoner," I say and look down the out-cold one. "This one has been drugged with something to make them aggressive. I suggest taking them to a secure location and restrain them should they still be aggressive when they awaken," I warn and recommend.

Avir'ra looks sadly at the scars and wounds on them before turning to a large Unari.

"Please take Li'kan to his mother and keep watch over him," she asks them, getting a nod in return before they take Li'kan and slither away. Avir'ra then turns to me with a smile. "Thank you for returning them home, we thought they were victims to the Kagogres," she then says to me.

"I am happy to have helped them come home, but now I must return and need one of you to come with me to talk to the Minotaurs to discuss peaceful co-habitation," I reply as the little Unari around my neck decides to slither up the back of my neck and rests her head on the top of mine, parting the feathers in doing so.

Avir'ra slithers over to me and gently takes the little Unari off my head and places her on the ground. "Go home, Ni'ka. Your mother has been distraught since you've been missing," she tells the little girl who nods and looks at me.

"Thank you for saving us," she says softly, bows, and quickly slithers away towards the caves further back.

I smile and look to Avir'ra who speaks up. "I shall go with you, I wish to see for myself the elders of the Kagogres," she tells me.

"Okay, then please pick two others to go with you as guards, while some others and I will defend you should something go wrong, I would feel better if you had others to protect you as well," I suggest to her, making her hum in thought.

"Very well," she says and turns to two of the biggest Unari here, each a massive ten metres long and at least three feet wide. "Javar, Rin'tiv, you two shall accompany and protect us should the worst happen," she tells them.

They both slither closer and bow to her. "We shall do so, Den-Mother," Javar replies. His black scales have a slight dark blue sheen to them and a scar a metre long on the left side of his body.

Rin'tiv has dark grey coloured scales and the dark grey fur down her back has a light grey line an inch long from the roots from head to tail.

"Alright then, I'll open a portal, we'll go through, then once we're all there, I'll change back into Kukulkan," I tell them, getting nods from them.

So I change to Janus and open a portal back to the Magai's Hut. I then float through the portal and see the others standing to the right side. Turning back to the portal I gesture to Avir'ra and the others to come through. With a bit of hesitation, Avir'ra comes through first, followed by Rin'tiv and Javar.

Once through, I change back to Kukulkan as the Unari carefully look around the hut. They all instantly stop the moment they spot the Magai. A tense moment passes by as they just stare at each other for a good ten seconds before Jurai speaks up.

"We are ready to talk and negotiate with the Unari," he says as he and the other three Magai slowly step forward and take seats on the cushions at the centre.

Chrysalis, Cadence, and Luna all have surprised expressions at the sheer size of the Unari present. While they're getting over that, I turn to the Unrai. "The Minotaurs are ready to begin negotiations, please take a spot near the fire pit," I tell them.

I watch as Avir'ra warily coils up near the pit while her two guards stand ready behind her. I sit between them all and look to each of them. "Jurai, this is Avir'ra, representative of the Unari," I tell him and look to Avir'ra. "Avir'ra, this is Grand Magai Jurai, representative of the Minotaurs."

They look at each other before nodding. "Who would like to speak first?" I ask both of them.

Over the next hour I translate for them, the Unari demand the Minotaurs cease hunting them, and in return, when an Unari dies, their body will be given to the Minotaurs. I also add the offer of teaching some Minotaurs how to smith and dig for metal so they wouldn't need as many bones for tools or armour.

The Magai discussed this for a good thirty minutes before agreeing. So with that settled, word has spread throughout Hornhiem that hunting Unari is now forbidden. A lot of the hunters were upset or angry about this, but after the Magai explained why with Avir'ra, Rin'tiv, and Javar next to them, most were satisfied, but not all of them liked it.

Once that was sorted, I made my case about Celestia with Luna's help and the Magai have agreed to aid in restraining her and her mind-controlled forces.

"I am glad we have come to an agreement, Jurai. Now I must return to Kephria and either start plans of capturing Celestia, or finding more allies for when we do... But I think the longer we wait the worse it'll be when we do," I say and sigh as we're all sitting in the Magai's Hut again.

Jurai drums his fingers on his knee in thought. "I would prefer we sort this out as soon as possible. There's no telling what she could do to anyone with the sun under her control," he says with worry as the other Magai frown.

I chuckle getting raised brows from them. "I have taken away her control of the sun, but I don't know if she'll be able to retake control if her power grows any more than it already is," I reply.

Jurai frowns at me with a huff. "Then I would like to act as soon as we can. The sooner we stop this nightmare, the sooner the threat is removed," he tells me and stands up.

The other Magai stand as I inform Avir'ra what's happening.

"So we are all in danger?" she asks me.

"Yes, but we'll find a way to stop her and prevent any unnecessary deaths," I reply and look at the Magai talking to each other.

"Then may I offer some of our strongest Unari to aid you in this matter?" she says with conviction.

I look back to her with a raised brow. "Are you sure? Our goal is to not kill or harm anyone and release Celestia from the nightmare possessing her. I have no doubt if a large fight broke out, there will be casualties."

She nods her head. "I understand, but if what you have described is true, then we won't be spared her wrath should this Celestia find us. And you have helped us with the Kagogres, so we shall help you in turn," she replies with a slight smile.

I return the smile with one of my own. "Then I accept your offer, I will make a portal to your home when we are ready to face Celestia. For now, I will check in on you and the Minotaurs from time to time to make sure you both keep to your agreements and no one violates it. Are you ready to go home?"

Her smile widens and she nods. "I and every Unari thank you for helping us today, and yes, we are ready to return home," she replies.

I change to Janus and open a portal back to the waterfall. All three Unrai bow to me and the others before slithering through and down the tunnel. I close the portal and look to the others.

"If we are done here, I would like you to gather four to six Minotaurs who would be interested in learning how to smith, as well as about ten to learn proper mining and possibly an earth Magai to learn how to make sturdy and safe mineshafts," I say to the Minotaurs.

Stonehoof steps forward. "I will learn about these Mineshafts you spoke of, and teach other magai how to make them as well," he says resolutely.

"Alright, then gather any you think would fit the roles I mentioned and then we can get started," I reply and turn to Luna, Cadence, and Chrysalis. "Shall I send you back now, or wait for the Minotaurs?" I ask them.

They look at each other before Chrysalis speaks up. "We'll stay, I'd like to talk to Jurai about trading some of our surplus of iron for some wolf pups for our own forces that Shyla can raise, perhaps your wolf there can be the alpha of them," she says, making me frown.

I look at Orion to see him panting happily as he's getting petted by Whisper. "And how would we feed them? I can't make enough meat to feed them all constantly," I reply.

She smiles with a knowing expression. "The forest that borders Equestria and the Badlands is home to an abundance of wildlife. It'll be good to let them hunt for themselves and good combat practice against other predators. Besides, A pack of fifty should be enough," she says and walks over to Jurai who regards her with caution.

So we wait for a good twenty or so minutes as Stonehoof left to gather any Minotaur he could find, said Minotaurs slowly coming into the hut with packs and camping supplies. In total, a group of seventeen Minotaurs are sitting down on the logs around us and look at us with mixed expressions.

During the wait, Luna, Cadence, Chrysalis, and I discussed what to do when we get back. I will be trying to make Luna a new horn with the moonstone while Chrysalis and some changelings will make an embassy for the Minotaurs in a section of one of the empty city segments. We will also make areas for other races if they want to build an embassy as well.

Stonehoof walks up to me with the other Minotaurs behind him. "We are ready to leave when you are," he says.

"Great, I'll open a portal to an empty segment of our city where you can set up camp and we'll build a wall around it for you," I reply and open a portal to the south western segment. "Please go through and wait until I can set your area up," I inform Stonehoof who nods in reply.

He then turns to the other Minotaurs. "Head through and wait until told otherwise," he orders them. They all pick up their packs and supplies along with enough hide and logs to set up about three large tents.

Next I let a grumbling Chrysalis who seems to have failed getting wolf pups from Jurai, a giggling Luna and Cadence through then turn to Whisper. "Do you want to stay here, or would you prefer I send you back to your village?" I ask her.

She rubs her hands together and walks up to me. "I would like to see your city, and ask if you can supply me with more of your water so I can practice my magic more often," she asks shyly. Orion walks over to us and I scratch his ears.

"If you want to, you can stay with the other Minotaurs or if you'd like, your own personal room in the hive, or perhaps you're own small house?" I reply and look to Orion and point to the portal.

He looks at my hand and then to the portal before looking back to me, barks once and walks through the portal.

I turn back to Whisper as she replies. "My own house? You'd really build me one?" she asks, surprised.

I smile at her shocked expression. "Why not? Could be a larger house if you want to bring your family as well," I tell her as I see Flameheart walk over to us.

"I am sending two fire Magai with you as protectors for our people, this is not for negotiation," she tells me sternly as two red robbed Minotaurs stand behind her. I notice Jurai sigh and shake his head as if he saw this coming.

I chuckle making her frown at me. "Fair enough, as long as they don't cause trouble than they're welcome," I reply and gesture to the still open portal.

Flameheart huffs and nods to the two Magai who bow to her and walk through.

I look back to the young Minotaur and smile. "Well then, Whisper, you ready?" I ask her.

She quickly checks her pack and nods. "Is it okay if I can have that large house so my family can come too?" she asks me.

"Sure, but any luxuries will have to be earned through work," I reply and hold my hand out to the portal.

She looks at it and her smile widens as excitement shines in her eyes, she takes a deep breath before walking through the portal.

With everything sorted, I say goodbye to Jurai and the others before heading through myself.

Once through and the portal is closed, I change to Geb and sigh feeling the familiar earth and stone around me, I look around and estimate how many segments I can make for embassies, looks like a good eight can be made.

Placing both hands onto the ground I feel for all the stone needed to raise an eight foot tall, one foot thick wall and lift it from deep underground. Once raised, I make gateways for each area and stand back up. Each area has enough space for eight large buildings and an open area for gathering in.

"Done. Stonehoof, you may pick any one of these areas and begin setting up your embassy, just don't build any higher than the main wall. If you require any food or water, let a changeling know and you will be provided with what we can spare. If you require a portal back to Hornhiem, also ask a changeling to find me," I explain to the Earth Magai before changing into Khepri.

"Very well, I thank you for your hospitality and look forward to a better future for all of us. For now, we will set up camp before we get to this blacksmithing and mining training," he replies and bows before heading into the third walled area to the right with the other Minotaurs right behind him. The two fire Magai are standing guard at the entrance to the area.

I ask four changelings to stay and keep an eye on them and or if the Minotaurs need anything. They salute and four fly off onto the main wall near the entrance to the segment. With everything settled, I head back into the central segment and notice there's more ponies here now, at least thirty more of them.

"Where did they come from?" I ask a nearby changeling guard.

"They arrived just a few hours ago, they're the only ones to escape Celestia's forces when their village was assaulted and the rest was taken by her brainwashed guards," he replies.

I frown and look back to the refugees, it would seem we'll need to deal with her as soon as we can. But first, I need to see about fixing Luna's horn.

"Alright, get a few more blocks of houses built for them, as well as a house for a family of about four minotaurs," I ask him.

He closes his eyes as he relays what I asked to the hive mind. "Done, my King," he says and opens his eyes.

I nod to him and look to Luna as Chrysalis walks past me. "I will go check on my eggs before heading to my office," she tells me, ending with a kiss to my left cheek.

That puts a smile on my face as I look back to her. "Alright, I'll be heading to the forge to see what I can do with that moonstone for Luna," I reply before she walks off.

Turning back to Luna, I gesture her to follow me. "Come on, Luna, Cadence. Let's see what we can do," I tell them, getting a smile from Luna.

"What about me?" Whisper asks nervously.

I turn around to face her as she walks over to us. "You can come with us or ask a Changeling to find you a room until your house is built," I suggest to her.

She thinks for a bit and adjusts her pack. "I think I should find a room so I can put my pack down..." she replies.

"Alright," I say and turn to a nearby Changeling, who happens to be Peachy. "Peachy, can you find Whisper Wind here an empty room in the hive please?" I ask her, making her bounce over to us.

"Hi, Carl! Sure, I can find her a room! Come on, Whisper!" she says and bounces up to a wary Whisper who hesitantly follows the still bouncing Changeling.

I chuckle and follow them down into the hive with Luna, Cadence, and Orion behind me.