《Gods Game》


 Prologue

    "Damn it!!" The god of War shouted. His voice rang out from the vast abyss of space.


    Seven planets were pulled out of the cosmos and set in a circle before a group of beings that had no real substance to the human eye. They stared at the ring of with an eighth one in the middle. If a person could see their expressions they would notice each had various degrees of anger and disappointment.


    "Another failure!" The goddess of Love shouted in complete outrage, though her reason for being upset was far different than the others.


    "Perhaps we''ve underestimated these humans. Perhaps we need to include other races?" The god of Night said, trying to placate the frustrated one.


    "We''ve tried that," The god of Wisdom spoke up, the tone neutral. "We''ve gone to the elves, to the vampires, to the werewolves, everything. All have proven, disappointing, in one way or another."


    The collective sighed as one.


    "Then we have no choice. We have to gather them from, there." The King of the gods said.


    The collective gasped in shock.


    "But we swore that we wouldn''t! Especially after what happened last time." The god of Wisdom shouted, breaking out of his usual neutral zone.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll just have to be more careful with the lot we choose this time.¡± The King of the gods commented, sounding as if that should have been obvious.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Look at what they''ve done to their planet, to each other!" The god of Day growled.


    "They should be at the part of life where they are all mostly pacifists, and working on advancing their people and keeping their planet alive." The god of Heroes pointed out.


    "But they aren''t! They are more interested in establishing dominance over each other!" The god of Wisdom threw in.


    "I know." The authority in the tone left no room for argument or further outbursts. It was a reminder of why this one, was their leader. "But we have no choice. All others have failed. Perhaps we need a selfish group of humans to accomplish our goal. We¡¯ll play it safe this time."


    The collective said nothing as they looked at the last planet. Each sighed heavily.


    ¡°We¡¯re Gods!¡± the goddess of Love shouted out. ¡°We¡¯re better than this! We simply have to think outside the box, use our imaginations.¡±


    ¡°Considering our names are what we are the patron God of, we clearly lack imagination.¡± The god of Demons commented sounding rather bored.


    ¡°Still, I agree.¡± the goddess of Elements said softly. ¡°This could be good. This could be what we all need.¡±


    ¡°Says the one who¡¯s never chosen a champion before.¡± The goddess of Love quipped.


    ¡°I simply haven¡¯t found the right one. Who knows, maybe I¡¯ll find one on this collected mess.¡± Elements commented nonchalantly.


    ¡°Then we shall look, and we will choose.¡± The god of Demons said, putting an end to an argument before it even began.


    For a long time, they stared down at the planet in question.


    ¡°Love, here are a few for you to choose from.¡±


    ¡°I can pick my own champion Elements!¡±


    ¡°Considering the mess we just witnessed, your judgment cannot be trusted.¡± the goddess of Elements said patiently, though her annoyance couldbe heard in abundance.


    ¡°You will pick from what you¡¯ve been given Love. Or else.¡±


    ¡°As you wish, my King.¡± the goddess of Love seethed.

 Chapter One : Champion of War

    He rode on a black stallion, jumping over the fallen bodies as he launched arrows into the horizon, though he didn''t see it, he knew they struck down their targets. His army behind him, advanced forward, charging and shouting their war cries with all of their might. Before them lay their enemy, and one by one, they fell. Soon the battlefield was covered in the blood and the bodies of their enemy and comrades alike. He shouted for victory, and his men matched their voices with his own. They had been victorious, but this was just one battle, and as the men buried both the enemy and their own fallen comrades, he prepared for their next.


    His head shot up at an unfamiliar sound. A loud buzzing akin to summer beetles, but more sporadic and obnoxious sounding.


    ~What in the hell was that!?~ his thoughts screamed. He didn''t recognize it as any war call, or a weapon.


    "Kenneth!!!! Kenneth Jeremiah Ryans, you get your ass out of bed this instant!! This your last day of finals, and of school! And God damn it! You are not going to be late!"


    Kenneth groaned as he rolled over, he quickly slammed his hand down on the alarm clock, realizing the sound had been coming from it. He sat up in bed and attempted to rub the sleep from his eyes. That had been a weird dream, at least in the sense he¡¯d never had one so vivid before. He''d had similar dreams all the time, because of all the video games he''d played. Probably because he wanted adventures to go on, or at least be able to run. Hell, even a brisk walk.


    "Kenneth!!"


    "Yeah, yeah yeah I''m up! I''m Up!" He called down to his mother, muttering under his breath as he crawled out of bed. "Damn harpy, don''t you have better things to do than pick on me."


    He dressed in record time, was munching on a granola bar as he grabbed his school bag, and headed to the door to wait for the school bus.


    "Don''t forget to remind the coachto give you a special final," His mother irradiated for the thousandth time. "Oh, and here''s your inhaler."


    "I''ve already got two in my bag, and one in my pocket mom." He said annoyed. "And it doesn''t matter what I remind the coach, he''ll make me do whatever he wants."


    "But your condition!" His mother protested. "It''s clearly stated in your charts and the file at school! I''ve reminded them several times! If they try to make you do more than you''re capable of, walk away! Do you hear me, Kenneth!? Walk Away!"


    He rolled his eyes and didn''t answer her. Instead, he walked out to the bus which had conveniently arrived. He sat in the back, the assigned seats for his fellow Seniors, but where they were all doubled or tripled in their seats, he sat alone. No one sat with him. Despite the drivers insisting no more than two people in a seat, unless they were small children, no one sat with him. They avoided him as if he had the plague or something. Which was fine. He could live with that.


    School, was dull. It was the final day of school for the Seniors. The day they took the last of the finals before they were graded and they graduated. Kenneth had studied hard, and he felt he would at least pass them. Barely, but he would.


    At the end of the day came his mother''s dreaded fitness final. He''d heard that some schools only had physical education for a year, or for their first two years of high school. His had theirs at the tail end. In their Senior year. Because that was New Eastern High for you. Doing things backward since it was established in 1943. Joining the rest of the rest of his class outside, Kenneth sighed as the coach paced in front of them, arms behind his back like a drill instructor. The coach barked orders for them to do twenty push-ups, thirty sit-ups, fifteen jumping jacks, then they had to run a mile. When they were done, they could go shower off and sit around waiting for the day to be over.


    As he had expected, the coach did not give him another way to pass his fitness exam. The big man, who looked like he ate at McDonald''s every day, simply glared at him. Kenneth found it funny that a man who was middle-aged, overweight, and among the cruelest men he''d ever met was their coach. Acting as if he were some superior being, and Lorded that fact over them all.


    He heard somewhere that the man was once a promising athlete, they thought of him as a local legend. But then he went to the big leagues, and things changed. Kenneth didn''t know if the man was injured, or if the coach just walked away, but he came back a broken man. Started coaching at the high school to see that others go where he couldn''t.Only those chosen few, were deemed worthy of his affection.


    Apparently, weaklings like Kenneth were the bane of his existence, and he was especially cruel to people who were far better off than him. So whenever Kenneth said he hated gym, and he hated the coach, it was putting the situation mildly. Still, he never complained to the coach, never complained in general. Just did what he could, and if the coach got chewed out by his mother, and the principle, because he mother chewed out the principle first, then that was his problem. Not Kenneth''s. So however much his mother wanted him to correct the coach and get a different test, Kenneth merely put an inhaler in his pocket and joined the rest of his class in the lineup.


    Interesting.


    Kenneth stopped and looked around. He was sure he heard someone speaking, but there was no one there with him. He was all alone. His classmates and the coach were in front of him, and it sounded as if the voice came from behind.


    Shrugging it off, he took his place in line and began to do the required warm-ups. He managed to get through the jumping jacks fine, the sit-ups gave him some grief, but he managed without the use of the inhaler. He wasn''t so lucky during the push-ups, he got through three, then had to take a hit. He managed to do five more, then another hit.


    By the time it was done, he needed four hits off the inhaler. He looked at the track, a one-mile run, they had to loop around it four times to get the full mile. He got to his feet, his legs already shaking. He managed to run half of the track, slowed to a jog, but when he went for his second lap, the inhaler was in his mouth, and he was forced to walk. It was grueling, his chest burned, sweat poured from his brow, and walking made his legs ache. When he reached the coach after his fourth lap, he was the last one on the track, and he was shaking from head to toe.


    "You failed boy." The coach said glaring at him.


    "I don''t think I did," Kenneth said softly. "I at least earned a C."


    "You didn''t run a mile, you pussyfooted it!" The coach yelled at him. "You fail boy! You fail! And there ain''t nothing you can do about it!


    Kenneth looked up at him, narrowing his gaze. That was it. He''d had it. "Yeah, you could fail me, but when my mother asks the school to see what kind of program you made me do instead of this, and she requests to see the video footage as proof, because everyone knows the school has camera''s everywhere since they''ve been robbed too many times, you''ll be out of a job."


    He didn¡¯t like using his mother like that, but it was the only way. He wasn''t beneath using what he had to get what he wanted. Especially if it spared him a lot of grief later down the line. The coach merely glared and grumbled under his breath. Everyone and that was no exaggeration, everyone on the school staff knew of his mother''s wrath, and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of it. Every time she showed up at the school, people hid, and by the time she left, at least three people were left in tears. Kenneth knew, for all the man''s bravado, even the coach was terrified of his mother.


    Kenneth shook his head. "I''ll be in the showers, I''m sure you''ll do the right thing."


    He walked away, straight to the showers without looking back. He turned on the water cold as he sat naked on the shower floor. Man, it felt good. His chest felt heavy, but it was better than it had been when he came inside. Once his body had cooled off, and his head was no longer spinning, he turned the hot water on full blast. Breathing in the steam really helped his chest. Soon, his chest didn¡¯t burn, and he could breathe normally.


    The other guys were by the lockers, already having showered, and they were goofing off. They had two hours left of school, and they knew once they left this room, some teacher would grab them and have them do some kind of work. They were even on their best behavior, normally, they would be heckling him, today, they left him alone.


    Very. Interesting.


    Kenneth froze, his eyes opened and he looked around. There was that voice again, he was preparing to yell, but there was no one. He stood and glanced outside of the showers, but all of the guys were still by the lockers half naked. No one was even remotely near him. He shook his head as he went back into the shower to actually wash off.


    Maybe he was losing his mind. Even if a pervy old man was to peek in on him, there was nothing about him that would be sexually appealing. He was a very sickly boy, not even the girls with mental handicaps found him attractive. He was far too skinny for his height, and there was the fact that he couldn''t even walk for five minutes without needing a shot of his inhaler.


    He headed home, putting all of that out of his mind. Romantic love had been as foreign to him as France his whole life, and that wasn''t about to change now. Besides, he didn''t need it. He had what was important; his parents, a roof over his head, the fact that high school was soon to be over, and his video games. That was all he needed in life.


    Love wasn''t important. At least that¡¯s what he told himself. Being young, he could believe it for now. Though he had a feeling, as he got older, his views on the matter might change.


    His mother was thankfully out as he walked through the front door. The note on the fridge said something about a doctors appointment, then grocery shopping. Then the six messages on the answering machine said something about the delays at the office, then a flat tire, then the crowded grocery store and having to wait forever for the items she wanted.


    Free of the Harpy he called mother for a little longer, he headed up to his room, put on his headphones, turned on his computer, and lost himself in a world of dragons, magic, the undead, and lots of difficult dungeons. He would have played one of his online games, fighting with other players against others playing the same game, but that always got him so worked up, and he''d overworked himself enough that day. So when his eyes got heavy from exhaustion, he shut it all down and laid his head back for a few minutes of rest.


    "Quite the warrior you are."


    Kenneth jumped, opening his eyes to face the owner of the voice that had haunted him all afternoon, and gawked.


    Instead of sitting in his recliner in his room, he was now in a vast room with a white floor and a white ceiling high above his head. There were no walls, just the endless sea of white. There was a red plush chair in front of the white one he sat in. Sitting in it, was the most massive man he''d ever seen. Not fat massive, but muscle massive. He was resting his elbow on the arm of the chair, his face resting in his palm, grinning at Kenneth.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "I don''t know what you mean, I''ve never fought any battles." Kenneth protested weakly.


    The man grinned. "Not all battles are on the battlefield my boy. You fight battles every day."


    "Those are just video games!" Kenneth protested again. ¡°Put me in that situation in real life and I¡¯ll fail before I even begin.¡±


    The man''s grin didn''t budge. "I wasn''t referring to the simulators."


    Kenneth sat back confused now. "What did you mean then?"


    The man chuckled. "I was referring to the way you battled your ailment. The way you battled against what was expected of you. The way you battled every single day for the whole of your life. A life, while pitiful and not really worth living in my opinion, you still fought every day to live it. Now that, is a warrior."


    Kenneth said nothing merely looked around the sea of white, wondering if this was actually happening. Was this real? Or just another vivid dream? Had he taken too many hits of the inhaler after all? He had been warned about that.


    "What would you say if I said I could cure your ailment?"


    Kenneth''s eyes returned to the man immediately. Those were words he''d heard many times, and each time, proved a disappointment. He knew better than to trust those words without question.


    "I¡¯d ask what¡¯s in it for you?"


    The man threw his head back, barking with laughter. "Oh yes! I knew it! I knew you were the right choice. You are right to question me, for I will ask much of you."


    Kenneth merely heaved a sigh, waiting for an explanation.


    "You see," The man said manifesting an arrow out of the nothing and twirling it amicably as he talked. "I''m a God, the God of war to be exact. My fellow Gods and I created a world so that people like yourself and others could gain power and live easier lives. Relatively speaking anyway. Sad thing is, some have taken advantage of it, and are now ruining this paradise we''ve created. We need champions to go there, and bring balance to it."


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say you¡¯re a God? Why can''t you just wipe them out if they¡¯re becoming such a problem?"


    The man, or God, was once again barking with laughter. "Oh yes," He said as he finally recovered. "Oh yes, you are truly my champion. I had the exact same feelings on the matter, but we Gods are incapable of acting ourselves. We can influence, we can make suggestions, Hell, we can bluntly say, ¡°DO THIS!¡±, but free will and all, you don¡¯t have to do what we say. If we were to physically descend and get involved with the dealings of mortals, then how would the people react?


    ¡°In our previous experience, they would stop respecting us, and they wouldn''t follow us willingly anymore. They would start looking at us as the cause for all of their problems. Just look at your own history. At how religion was used by those in power to control the masses or wage war in their god''s name. Look how that ended up.¡±


    "So, why choose me? Surely there are others better suited to this role." Kenneth found himself saying. "Certainly ones in better health."


    The God nodded. "True, but you are the best. You, I can trust, will not betray me. You have a good heart, unburdened by so many plights, despite the fact that you have suffered. You do not hate the healthy and powerful, despite the fact that they have things you don''t. Nor do you neglect the weak because they remind you of what you are. One of my last champions, I realized too late, was burdened by such things, and turned his back on everything I asked of him. You, I can trust, once you''re cured, will perform my tasks in your own time, but they will be done."


    "So you''re going to cure me of my asthma, then drop me in some other world and expect me to fend for myself?" Kenneth asked skeptically. ¡°Without any specifics as to what purpose I¡¯m serving? Nothing and no one to help me at all?¡±


    The God looked at him shocked. Then his face slapped into his palm. "I forgot to tell you, didn''t I?"


    "Apparently, if there is more to tell."


    "Yes, there is more. You won¡¯t be the only one, there will be others. Each of the Gods is picking a champion. There will be seven at least. If the Goddess of Elements finally decides to pick a champion, then there will be eight. But do not hope for the eighth." The God said looking up at him. "Elements has never chosen a champion before, and I see no reason for her to change her mind on that now."


    ¡°The Goddess of Elements name is Elements? Following that logic, is it safe to assume that you are War?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not a very imaginative lot.¡±


    ¡°Clearly¡±


    ¡°Are you going to keep quibbling about random things, or may I continue?¡±


    Kenneth merely sat back and waited, he knew now the God was far from done.


    "As is it, every one of the champions will be offered three things. One ability, one item, and one personal favor." The God said holding up his fingers. "Obviously, your favor will be the cure so you can perform your tasks." The God said lowering a finger. "That leaves you with an ability and an item. You can choose for yourself what that will be.¡±


    With a wave of the God''s hand, a blue screen appeared in front of Kenneth and he was looking at two columns on the screen.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>abilities</td>


    <td>items</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "You simply touch the screen to pick ability or item, when you''ve chosen one, you can move onto the other. You can change your mind however many times you want, but I implore you to just think carefully so that you may save time. I''m not a very patient God off the battlefield."


    Kenneth stared at the two columns. He sighed and figured he might as well see what would happen. He touched the abilities and looked at his options.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Stealth: The path of the Hidden Champion


    This champion of War wages battles from the shadow.


    Preferring instead, to operate in secret, and quietly take out problems before they become a threat.


    Will not be a leader of armies on a grand scale, but a masterful tactician.


    Spells will include:


    Cloak - allowing the user to hide in plain sight. Duration will increase the more power the caster has.


    Eventually will be able to cast this over party members.


    Eavesdropping - allowing the user to hear from great distances at choice volume.


    Detection - allowing the user to find anything out of the ordinary.


    i/e traps, spies, poison in food or drink, etc


    Sharp Eye - allows the user to see up to great distances to hit the target dead on.


    Weapons:


    Will be able to wield and carry lightweight weapons and armor as combat will be within close quarters


    natural with any long-range weapons</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Angelic: The path of the Peaceful Champion


    This champion prefers diplomacy over a battle.


    Choosing instead to play the part of the politician and talk things over rather than raise weapons.


    Spells will include:


    Detection


    Profiling - allowing the user to read their opponent as if they were an open book.


    So they may know what the opponent is thinking and planning.


    Eavesdropping


    Diplomacy - allowing the user to charm their voice so their opponents will agree with what the user says.


    Weapons:


    The Champion will have three weapons.


    The Sword, the Shield, and the Pen.


    The Sword, so the Champion may fight in duels and preserver.


    The Shield, so the Champion may defend against unjust attacks.


    The Pen, for it, is mightier than the sword, and any treaty, deal, peace broker signed with it is final.


    Completely unbreakable. Except by the Champion or the God.


    Only the Champion may wield the pen, and should the Champion break the pen, all of the deals will be undone.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Berserk: The path of the Battle-Born Champion


    This Champion prefers a combination of Battle and Diplomacy


    This Champion knows that not all conflicts can be solved with words and pieces of paper.


    Some battles must be fought.


    Stealth, while handy for this Champion, is among its weaker spells. For an army is not subject to stealth.


    Spells include:


    Detection


    Profiling


    Diplomacy - this spell is half of its normal power with this ability


    Battle Cry - the counter part to Diplomacy. Any who hear this call take up arms and fight for the cause the Champion has dictated.


    Sharp Eye


    Weapons:


    Due to the situations of the battlefield, any weapon that fits the battle and/or situation, the Champion can and will master.


    The Pen still holds its power but is not used as often.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Frenzy: The path of the Chaotic Champion


    This Champion prefers to solve any and all conflict with a battle. To the death


    This Champion is not satisfied until blood has been shed. Doesn''t matter what for, the situation isn''t over till there''s blood.


    Note, Diplomacy is nonexistent. All problems are solved with a battle.


    Warning: this choice will affect the Champions personality to a severe degree if Champion does not already think this way.


    Spells will include:


    Detection


    Eavesdropping


    Battle Cry


    Frenzied Attack - allows the user for a brief time increase their strength to unnatural heights to slay their enemy.


    Weapons:


    Any and all weapons the Champion wishes to master they can.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    He saw no leveling system, and he suspected that War would get to that in due time. So he swallowed his questions and scanned over the abilities. They seemed more like classes than abilities, but whatever. It was the gods who made this system.


    Right off the bat, Chaotic Champion was off the table. He did NOT want something to fuck with his personality. Diplomacy wasn''t really his thing, people didn''t really listen to him when he talked. Why would that change if he went to a new world? The people there didn''t know him, and they weren''t going to listen to him right off the bat, and he didn''t exactly have the patience to try it.


    So that left the Stealth Champion and Battle-Born Champion.


    Battle-Born seemed to be the better of the two options, it offered more, and there were endless possibilities. A combination of the first two with more added in. Still, Stealth Champion couldn¡¯t be completely discredited, that seemed more like the route of the ninja. He chuckled for a moment at his childhood dream of being a Ninja, which seriously had him considering that option for a moment. In the end, he clicked, and the screen changed.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Ability Chosen: Battle-Born Champion</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Alright, now that''s done." He muttered. The screen went back to Abilities or Items, this time he clicked the Items and a new window opened.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Items</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Given the Champion has chosen the Battle-Born ability, items will reflect this ability


    As all three items are needed, the request MULTICHOICE has been activated


    Starting out item will dictate the path the Champion will favor more.


    Others will follow as Champion gains power</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Starting out Item


    Sword


    Shield


    Pen</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What the heck!?" Kenneth asked looking around the screen at War.


    "Something wrong?" War asked sounding rather proud of himself. "Can¡¯t decide which one to start out with? I assure you I mean what I say, the others will follow in time."


    "Is this even fair!?" Kenneth balked. "Will the other Gods be doing this?"


    War shrugged. "I don¡¯t know."


    Kenneth shook his head. "Alright, I guess I¡¯ll go with the sword first." He clicked the option for the sword and sat back with a sigh. ¡°Makes more sense to start with a weapon in a new place where we don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, where we¡¯ll be, or who we¡¯ll encounter. A pen or a shield would help given what they can do, but a sword is more practical.¡±


    War grinned and clapped his hands, as he did, Kenneth''s world went black once more. Instead of waking up in his room, as he fully expected, it was just another really vivid dream, he could hear birds, and felt his back up against something, a tree maybe?


    He opened his eyes and saw that he was in a center of a circle of trees.


    "I''ll be damned." He whispered amazed. "If this is a dream, it''s the best damn dream I''ve ever had."


    Through the trees to his right, he saw a road. Through the tree''s to his left, he saw a vast field with cattle like creatures grazing there. In the clearing with him, were seven other people.


    "Wait, wha-?"


    He recounted, including himself, there were eight.


    "Not a dream." He whispered, laughing slightly in shock. Then his smile fell, and his stomach plummeted down to his toes. "Not a dream."


    That meant this was real. This was very real. He was sitting, in some strange world, put there by some god. What about his mother!? He didn''t get the chance to say good bye! The last things he said to her were in annoyance and his thoughts about her since reflected that same annoyance. She constantly worried about him, ever since he was born, she was obsessed with keeping him alive. Now he was gone. Disappeared. Without a word, without a trace. This could kill her, and he didn''t even care to ask War to make sure his mother was going to be alright and move on from this.


    He was in a whole other world, with complete strangers.


    And it dawned on him as the others began to wake up, he had no idea how he was supposed to level up, or if he even could. He didn''t know the mechanics of this world, War never bothered to explain!

 Chapter Two : Champion of Love

    "Oh poo!" She whined as she looked over the champions Elements suggested. "These won¡¯t do at all! They won''t serve my purpose! There are lots of people who would be much better suited to be my champion! Just look at all of them!¡± She began to huff rapidly, ¡°Oh! Look at the LOVE spread everywhere!!"


    She stopped and admired the advertisements showcasing couples and sexual bonds. The couples in the streets. The couples fondling each other, to the couples all out making love in some public place. Oh yes! This world was ripe with the power of love! So why did she have to go with the weak ones that Elements gave her? They were all selfless and didn¡¯t care nearly enough about the pleasures of the flesh in Love''s opinion.


    She bit on her thumbnail as she looked over all of the people. Both the few Elements pointed out, and the rest of the world. She glanced back toward the heavens, no one appeared to be watching her, they must have trusted she would obey. Not even Elements was peeking in on her. Which was unusual. So she was free to do whatever she wanted.


    Damn the consequences. She abandoned the useless ones and went to search for someone who would be better suited. But they had to be perfect. With so many great choices, and being the picky woman that she was, she was beginning to fear she might never find that perfect one before she was caught.


    "What do you mean!?"


    She stopped and looked down, there was a man, looking as if he was about to break down and start crying. A woman stood before him, looking calm and apologetic. Her hair was a pale red and artistically cut, her outfit of fine quality, and Love simply adored the nails she was sporting. There was a glint in the woman''s eye that had Love eagerly watching the scene as it unfolded.


    The woman smiled at the man. "Exactly what I said, I''m sorry dear, but I love someone else now. The heart wants what it wants, and I''m sorry to say that it''s moved on from you."


    The man got down on his knees and began grabbing at the woman. "No! Please! I''ll do anything! I love you, Anna! Please don''t leave me like this!"


    The woman called Anna merely patted the man''s head and gently removed his hands from her body. "I''m sorry Nick, but I just don''t love you anymore. Maybe I will again someday. Always keep me in your heart, dearest!"


    With that, Anna swung on around on her heels, blew the man a kiss, then sashayed her hips as she walked away from the man called Nick. Love watched as the man crumbled and broke down on the sidewalk. Love could see this man would never recover from this.


    Love grinned maliciously as she sang out. "I found you."


    * * *


    Anna sighed contentedly as she walked into her apartment. That went even better than she thought it would. She was thrilled the man actually crumbled and fell to his knees when she broke up with him. Man, what a power trip! Course, the men acting all tough to her face, then finding out a few weeks later that they were drowning their sorrows in a bottle, unable to trust another woman after her was just a thrilling. She loved destroying men like that.


    She deposited her purse on the couch, and went to her bedroom, there, she unlocked a door and went into the "spare bedroom".


    When asked why it was all closed off, she said she used it for her work. Since she was one of the monitors for a couple pornographic websites, it was natural she would want to keep that work private from the rest of the world. At least that¡¯s what she told the boy-toys when they asked.


    Telling a Harvard graduate that she watched porn all day long, rated it, and categorized it accordingly was basically shouting that she wanted to jump on his wang and bounce on it until he passed out. While some men enjoyed that, others, it took a delicate hand. She had to act all innocent, and look the part. Easy enough. With the others, her more perverted side was able to come out.


    She giggled as she walked to her wall of champions. She called it that, but what few people knew of it, referred to it as the shrine of victims. The wall had large picture frames covering it. Each one with a photo of one her men, a clipping of hair, and a used condom. Each one a conquest, each one a victory. But none compared to the one she had managed to concur this time.


    Yes, she had just broken up with Nick, but the truth was, she was cheating on him long before she broke up with him. That conquest had been done and over with months ago, but he had a nice salary and her expensive tastes were hard on her budget. So she kept him around for longer than she would have normally. He was great for shopping and whenever she needed her hair done, but when it came to sex he had long since worn out his welcome.


    When the chance came to grab the one who initially got her interested in men, she seized it, and rode that wave as fast and as hard as she was able. At long last, after years of working toward this goal, she¡¯d finally managed it.


    Drew Cambel. His picture and a clip of his hair were right up there along with Nick''s and all of the others. Drew''s being the first picture, but with no additives, now his being the last. It made sense. She''d been obsessed Drew since she saw him when she was in middle school.


    Course at that time, he''d rebuffed her affections, as he¡¯d been dating her older sister. Now, with their relationship having crumbled to dust, her sister in a mental institution, Drew was a newly single man. And at long last the door he knocked on was hers, and man did they put the limits of her bed''s durability to the test. She giggled as she kissed his picture and danced back out to her room, locking the door to her "office", as she did.


    Crashing down on the bed, she could still smell him there. His sweat, his manly essence when he spilled it on the bed and not in a condom. All of it was glorious. She had been a little disappointed with the incomplete nature of her collection when it came to his frame, but now that he was hers, the wall was going to have to be dismantled. Once he moved in, she couldn¡¯t have him seeing it.


    It was after she''d laid down she remembered she hadn''t slept for almost two days. She and Drew were going at it like animals the whole night before. Drew left in the early morning, whatever excuse he gave, she didn''t remember what it was. She''d barely heard him. Her ears were ringing. She didn''t think it was possible for so much sex to make a person''s ears start ringing. Just went to show her what Drew could teach her. Such a perfect man was truly wasted on a pathetic excuse for a woman like her sister.


    Exhaustion claimed her. She gave into it willingly. She¡¯d done enough work to allow her this break, and she would need her rest for when her Drew came home.


    Only, instead of seeing black, and having vivid recollections of romantic encounters, she opened her eyes to find herself sitting on a hot pink roundabout couch. The center of it circled out allowing for the occupants to lay about comfortably on it. She¡¯d seen this kind of couch many times in the porn she¡¯d monitored, but had never actually been on one.


    She looked around, curious as to where she was. The room was small, at least that¡¯s what she thought. Several fabrics draped down from the ceiling, covering the walls, creating a rather expansive curtain around the couch and made guessing the size of the room impossible.


    When she looked back, across from her was a woman that made her question her sexuality. This woman laid on her side, dressed in something that was a mix of Leia''s slave outfit from Star Wars, and Jeannie''s outfit from I dream of Jeannie. The colors ranged from a dark maroon to a pale pink. Her hair was a long river, flowing as if it were liquid gold. She smiled coyly at Anna.


    Anna had never been one for girl play to make men all hot and bothered, but this woman, for this woman, she''d make an exception.


    "I love! your hair!" Anna gasped as she inched closer to the woman. "It''s so beautiful! Like Gold!"


    The woman giggled. "Indeed, for the Goddess of love requires nothing else."


    Anna stopped her advances and sat frozen staring at the woman before her. "Goddess!? Of love!?"


    "But of course." The woman giggled again. "And I''ve summoned you here to offer you the chance to be my champion."


    "I accept!" Anna shrieked bouncing up and landing with an ungraceful thud on the couch. Everything else completely forgotten.


    Her lifelong obsession and goal of getting one man. Her having bagged him, and her euphoria at the future she was going to have with said man, all of it lost from her memory. Her feelings about her sister, the fact that she had a sister general, forgotten. Everything that would have given her pause, anything that would have stopped her from accepting, it was as if it never existed in her mind.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "I thought you would my dear." The Goddess of love grinned wickedly at her. "For you, are perfect. You are the embodiment of beauty and love! I¡¯m Love, and I have so much to say and give you."


    Anna shrieked again, unable to help it as she jumped up and danced around before sitting back down. "What all do I need to do? What kind of powers will I have? Will I be going back to earth to make them aware of your great name and power!? Or will I be going to another world where I going to be able to create a reverse harem? OH! Or am I to make a world where women rule and men are nothing but our sex slaves!?"


    Love giggled. "My, you an eager one. You will be going to another world, and if that''s the kind of world you want to create once you¡¯ve obtained ultimate power, then that''s your choice. As for your powers," Love raised her hand. "You may have one ability, one item, and one favor. I''ll summon the screen so that you may choose."


    Anna sat back down, and a blue screen appeared before her. She rather hated the color, and it certainly clashed with the many shades of the pink and pale reds in this room, but she let the color slip from her mind as she looked at it.


    "I just see abilities or items."


    "You have to press one to see what the options are under that category." Love sighed, sounding rather annoyed. "Rather dull if you ask me, the overall system was created by the King of the Gods, we just have to put into it what we give our champions. I would have loved the chance to customize it, but sadly, we are not allowed."


    ¡°He sounds like a tight ass.¡±


    Love laughed. ¡°Pretty much, he prefers the simpler side of things. The showier it is, the more he doesn¡¯t like it. I blame his wife. She¡¯s rather plain and simple herself, I firmly believe if he¡¯d been my husband, things wouldn¡¯t be so dull.¡±


    Anna looked at her remorsefully. ¡°That¡¯s so sad, the Goddess of Love should be the Queen of the Heavens. It makes sense to me.¡±


    ¡°Enough of that now.¡± Love crooned. ¡°We can talk about me later, you have some choices to make.¡±


    Anna sighed, Love was right. But she couldn¡¯t help herself. Love sounded so heartbroken when she spoke of the King. It was clear Love had been held back, or at bay, for so long. How could anyone be so cruel to something so beautiful?


    Love was right, with a shake of her head, Anna pulled herself back to the more pressing issue. Since she was a materialistic person, she clicked items first.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Items</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The Essence of Love


    One drop of this into a person''s drink makes the person experience feeling of love for the first person they see.


    A total of five drops, cannot be replenished.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The Wand of Disbonding


    With this wand, the user can sever any bonds between people, be it love, or companionship, or a group of comrades.


    The effects of this wand will only last for a certain amount of time


    Which depends on the user''s power level and the intent behind the use.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The Ring of Lust


    As long as one wears this ring, any and all people will be sexually attracted to the wearer


    Warning: only works within a certain radius depending on the user''s power levels


    Warning, any and all, means any and all. If the user walks into a town wearing this, they will be attacked by a hoard of people trying to get at them.


    Use with caution and discretion</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Lovers Kiss


    A gloss that the user wears on their lips.


    As long as the user wears it, then any person one is speaking with will be compelled to be tempted to kiss the wearer


    If the user manages a kiss, once the gloss touches their skin they will be infatuated.


    If the gloss is tasted by another, then they will willingly do whatever the user wants.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Definitely going to have to go with the gloss." Anna said as she pressed her finger on the option. "Although, the Wand of Disbonding and the Ring of Lust have their good points too. I kinda feel bad about having to give them up."


    Love giggled mischievously and winked at her. "If you promise to keep it a secret, I''ll give you one of them!"


    Anna giggled with her, and lowered her voice, "In that case, I''ll take the wand. I''ve already got me a little something to get a man all antsy and into bed with me. Now I''ll have insurance that he''ll be there no matter what his life was like before."


    The two of them giggled terribly for several minutes before the screen changed and was on the abilities. Now Anna had to choose what kind of powers she was going to have while in this new world.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Abilities</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Match Making: The Path of the Love Champion


    With this ability, people come to the user for advice on love and seek guidance in getting the one their heart''s desire.


    The user will be a Champion for the people. One they can turn to and rely on.


    There will be no spells, more like instincts.


    The Champion will be able to see into a person''s heart and be able to tell who their soul mate is.


    The Champion will be able to hear a person''s prayers in the matters of love.


    The Champion will be able to grant wishes to their followers.


    The amount of wishes that can be granted depends on the Champions power levels.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Lustful Wander: The Path of the Lover Champion


    With this ability, any person the user targets will be filled with lust.


    Spells will include:


    Invoke - If a person already desires the user, this spell will amplify that and invoke the emotion of lust.


    Compulsion - User can charm anyone to their bed


    Passionate Moment - With this spell in place during intercourse, the moment of climax is intensified.


    Note, children will be conceived with the growth of this ability.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Climax Princess: The Path of the Pleasure Champion


    With this ability, the user can create feelings of obsession in those the user desires. Regardless of gender, or sexual preference


    With this ability, the minds and the souls of the targets will be bent to the casters whim.


    Spells will Include:


    Compulsion


    Passionate Moment - Slightly different than when used with the previous ability.


    Instead of the moment of climax being intensified, the whole experience is amplified tenfold.


    Control - Once a target has experienced the effects of Passionate Moment, they are susceptible to mind control.


    With the spell cast, the target will obey any all commands the user wishes. So long as the target keeps experiencing Passionate Moment on a regular basis, Control will never wear off.


    Slave - Temporarily makes the target the users devote servant. The user can call on them and they will drop everything to answer their Mistresses call.


    Duration of the spell depends on users power level.


    Note, Those of strong will can overcome Control if something traumatic happens.


    Note, prolonged use of Passionate Moment and Control will make the target addicted to the Champion, if the usage is suddenly removed, targets will be subject to SOUL BREAK</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Climax Princess." Anna shouted bouncing up and down after she read all of the options. "Oh dear god Yes! Climax Princess!"


    Matchmaking certainly wasn''t for her. Why in the hell would she want to help others find love when she could have every man for herself? Lustful Wanderer??? Bah! Like hell, she was going to get pregnant or let others get pregnant by her power and end up responsible for those little brats! No, there was only one path for her to take, and it matched the way she already lived her life perfectly. Only now, it wouldn''t just be for kicks with a few failures along the way. She was going to have the power to completely rule over peoples souls and break them as she saw fit! Just thinking about it made her horny as hell.


    Love grabbed at Anna and kissed her full on the mouth. Parting Anna''s lips gently and massaging her tongue against hers. Anna closed her eyes and gave into the kiss. She encircled her tongue around her Goddesses and moaned deeply wanting more than this kiss. Love pulled back with a lovers smile and merely ran her fingers through Anna''s hair.


    "You have your ability and your items now, what kind of favor would you ask of me?" Love asked in a husky voice.


    "Your hair." Anna said leaning in for another kiss. "I want golden hair like yours."


    "As you wish, my love." Love said giving Anna the kiss she wanted.


    * * *


    Anna woke slowly in a forest clearing. She stretched and felt her long hair brushing softly against her skin as she did so. She knew the hair would be golden, just like Love¡¯s had been. That beauty had given her everything she wanted. Both in power, and physically. Anna couldn''t say she wasn''t into women anymore. Her Goddess had changed more than a few of her perspectives in life.


    Love told Anna about her life. Love had been in love with the King of the Gods since she first met him, despite the fact they were lovers for a time, he only had eyes for the Goddess of Elements. Love had been forced to watch as the man she loved devoted himself to another, a woman of lesser abilities and qualities. A woman, who Love confided in Anna was as unfaithful as they came. Despite the fact that someone as plain as her was cherished by the best man there ever was, she wasn''t satisfied with just the King. Love managed to find some comfort in the God of War for a time, but even that was short lived as he began to experiment with others.


    It was only as Anna drifted to sleep in Love''s arms did she remember her old life and the man she''d left behind there. Oh, Drew! He had been her main objective in life, and she had finally succeeded in bagging him. Now, she¡¯d up an abandoned him. With a sigh, she resolved herself. She was in a whole other world now, perhaps she would find someone who could eclipse Drew in her mind and heart.


    Anna opened her eyes and examined the people in the clearing with her. Oh, such beautiful men! She licked her lips, anticipating making them all her lovers. She was aware there were other women in the group, but they were unimportant ugly whelps at the moment. Not worth her time. That would probably change in due time, given her now bisexual nature, but for now, the men held her interested. She examined each one carefully, each had muscle, each was incredibly good looking.


    But that one, just two bodies to her left in the circle, looked familiar. She hadn''t really paid attention to their faces at first. What mattered was their bodies and a certain piece of their anatomy. Then she went back and examined their faces, just checking to see if the bodies fit the faces, or was it the other way around? In any case, she had to double check, then triple check to make sure she was seeing things right.


    And she was.


    It was DREW! By some miracle, Love had granted her yet another wish! One she didn¡¯t even think to ask for! Oh, how wonderful! Her smile was bright as she straightened, moving so she could make herself known to him. He had succumbed to her charms in their old lives, now that she was perfection its self, and had the power to back it, he was liable to become a drooling mess, and she would love every minute of it.


    Desperate to see that reaction, she called to him. ¡°Drew, darling, over here.¡±


    But he didn¡¯t look her way. Didn¡¯t even give any indication he¡¯d heard her. His eyes were glued on one of the women across from him. Anna followed his gaze and froze stiff. No! Not her! NO! NO! NO! NO!


    "No!!!" She screamed standing up and pointed at the woman. "You bitch! How dare you defile the place of the Gods Champions! How dare you show your face in my presence! What the fuck are you doing here!?"


    The other woman looked up at Anna, her face stoic. "I''m sorry, who are you?"

 Chapter Three : Champion of Wisdom

    There was the bright flashes of cameras, the screaming of fans all around him. To battle the bright light, he had dark shades over his eyes. To battle the screams, he had headphones in his ears. Didn''t matter what music was playing, he wouldn''t be able to really hear it anyway, just as long as the screams were muffled. He didn''t stop to sign any autographs, he''d already sat for six hours at a panel doing just that. For the fans of his movies and those already geared up and excited about the newer one that was fixing to be released in a few weeks.


    His ring of bodyguards saw him to his limo, protecting him as panties were flung at him from every direction, and from girls who were thirteen to women who were in their forties throwing themselves at him. There were the few crazed fans who attacked the bodyguards to get close to him. Some he noticed had scissors for clippings of his hair, or worse. All of them failed as his bodyguards were trained to prevent that kind of thing.


    In the car, he sighed with relief. He pulled off his headphones and leaned his head back. God, he was tired. He could sleep for a month.


    "Mr. Perry? Mr. Perry?"


    "Alex, please, pay attention when people are talking to you."


    He opened his eyes and looked at the couple sitting across from him. His mother was his manager, and here recently, she''d hired an assistant to help her take care of things. Male, of course, as she wouldn''t have some little tart sneaking between the two of them and into his bed on her watch. Also, the male had to be as straight as a balance beam. So, of course, he was someone of her own age, and they were now making the go around as a couple. Strictly for appearances only. For years his mothers only concern was him, her every waking thought about him.


    The man, whom Alex, for the life of him, couldn''t remember his name in that moment, always called him by his surname. His mother, still treated him as if he was a child. Despite his being twenty-five years old.


    "Mom," He sighed. "Can we just not today, please? I''m exhausted, and my schedule is clear. I just want to go to the hotel and sleep."


    His mother pursed her lips together and gave him a disapproving look. "We need to discuss your next role. There are fifteen different productions that are screaming for you to be their big lead. Sadly, we can only pick five, maybe six, if you stop being lazy and push it. Sleep can wait, your career is on a high note, and we need to hold it for as long as we have the breath to do so."


    Alex rolled his eyes. "It can wait until tomorrow."


    He closed his eyes and rested his head back. He''d said what he wanted to say.


    "Now you see here young man!" His mother raised her voice at him.


    He was sure she was fixing to grab his knee, digging her perfectly manicured nails, more akin to claws, into his skin while wagging a finger at him from the other hand. That was the way it always went when he voiced his opinion on something, or when he expressed what he wanted to do. Most of the time, everyone had to put up with Alex and his mother arguing with each other, and these days, they argued whenever they were together.


    It consisted mostly of his mother yelling and screaming, how she hadn''t gone hoarse was beyond him, and his begging her to get her nails out of his skin. She was careful though, she never punctured, but she''d make bruises they''d have to cover up with makeup. Alex was sad to say he knew makeup better than most women. It was knowledge he''d rather be ignorant of.


    He waited for her next words, for her maiming him again. He prepared himself for a fight. Thankfully, that didn''t happen.


    "Now, now, Claire," the male assistant said, Alex opened his eyes to see his hand on his mother''s shoulder pulling her back into her seat. "Look at the poor guy, he''s exhausted. I''ll take him to the hotel, and see that he stays there if you''d like. You can go have that dinner with the producers and talk about seeing the scripts and weeding down to the most likely five, or six. Deal?"


    His mother pursed her lips again, but she didn''t say anything, merely glared out the window at the world. It was clear, at least to him, this guy wouldn¡¯t have his job for long if he kept going against her like this. He could tell she wanted to fire him right then and there, but the man had proven himself invaluable, and his mother did need the help. Still, even a golden assets could only push their luck so far. Seeming to understand that, the man didn''t say any anything more, and they all rode in silence.


    When the car came to a stop at the hotel. Alex got out with the male assistant, and the car pushed forward. He knew by the time his mother reached whatever restaurant she was going to, her perfect glamour would be back in place. No one outside the most inner circle of Alex''s entourage ever saw her fury. Which was probably a good thing or he''d never have another role to play in his entire life. Unless he fired her and made some major damage control.


    While in the elevator, Alex glanced at the man. "What''s your name again? I keep drawing a blank."


    "Thomas, Thomas Beaufort."


    Alex had to stifle a laugh. "Really?"


    "Yes, sir."


    When they were in the room, and Alex took off the shades and his heavy overcoats to protect him sharp objects. Unburdened by the hot and heavy protective gear, he collapsed onto a chair that was available to him. He stopped midway of untying his boots and looked at Thomas, "Why does your name suddenly sound familiar?"


    Thomas sighed. "This is why I insisted that you not know my name until you asked." Thomas turned to him and gave an apologetic smile. "I used to be the manager of Cal Powers. Before he fired me that is."


    Alex balked at him. "Really!? Why the hell did you come work for me?"


    ¡°Other than the fact that the enemy of my enemy is my ally, and your mother wanted a man who knew Cal inside and out?¡± Thomas took the seat across from him. "Well for starters, the man''s an asshole and isn''t happy unless his employees are sinking into depression. Also, he''s a closet gay. Not that I''m a homophobe or anything, just the way this man pretended to be straight and the way he treated the women around him was horrible. If any of us men wanted to keep our jobs, we had to provide, "special services" whenever he wanted. Now, grant it, giving another man a blowjob whenever he demanded it was bad enough, but there were others who had it worse. Some had to give it, others had to take it if you catch my drift. And that guy was not always pleasant about it from what I heard."


    Alex shuddered. He''d heard rumors of course, but this was show business, and people paid big money to keep their skeleton closets locked and shut tight. "I can see your desire for a new job."


    "In truth, I was sent on assignment by Cal." Thomas admitted with a sigh. "When word got around that your mother was looking for help, he had me step up and apply. There was a whole to do, as you well know when he "fired" me. I was supposed to report back to him, but as soon as I was free, I turned tailcoat and have been dodging him ever since."


    ¡°Why did he send you here?¡± Alex asked suspiciously.


    ¡°So that I might find some dirt on you and bring it to him so he could take down the competition.¡±


    "But I''m not trying to compete with Cal!!!" Alex yelled.


    This wasn''t the first time this so-called rivalry between the two of them had been mentioned. The tabloids ran with the story for weeks. Anytime Alex got a role over a Cal, it was all about the rivalry. Anytime that Cal got a role over Alex, the stories were in praise of Cal''s success and taking the rivalry to the next notch. Alex had grown so weary of it all he decided to ignore it as best he could. Whenever asked about it, he always said, no comment. Since anytime he tried to say there was no such rivalry on his part, his words got twisted, and were made to make him look like the instigator of the rivalry.


    "My dear boy," Thomas said with a fond smile. "You are five years Cal''s junior, both of you going after parts of the young heartthrob in the movies. Cal''s time is running out, and he knows that. As he gets older, his age is going to catch up with him, and he''s not one of those people that age well."


    "This is Hollywood," Alex grumbled, standing so he could pace. "He could get some work done if he was that desperate."


    "Would you?" Thomas asked.


    Alex shook his head. "No, I''d look forward to playing the more adult roles. The fathers, the husbands, the doctors, the lawyers! Not these freaking teenage vampires, or werewolves, or emo little shits that gets the girl because he emotionally abuses them.


    ¡°You know one of those roles that mom wants me to take the role of is a psychopathic serial killer? A story that happened not ten years ago? A guy about my age went around targeting girls, got them all interested in him, then emotionally and mentally abused them until he could rape them over and over and they had no self-esteem to fight back. If any of them got the courage to talk about it, he killed them. They only caught him because his remaining victims were rounded up and put into protective custody until he was put away.


    "Now Hollywood is trying to romanticize him or something, and I''m supposed to be the one to play him!? I''ve read the script, yes I went behind my mothers back and got the script before she did, so fucking what!? This asshole is made to look like the freaking misunderstood guy. The ending was undecided. Un-fucking-decided! Was he going to be saved, or would it play out like it did in reality? I mean, this man is solely responsible for destroying and taking a number of lives, but no, they''re going to see if they can try to write a romantic angle into it. We both know how that''s going to go down. And this is the role that mom is so eager for me to play?


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t care that I will be seen as a monster by the victims and their families. Doesn¡¯t matter that I want to take a break because I feel like I¡¯m falling apart. All that matters to her is I get another hot role over Cal. If there is any rivalry there, it¡¯s between my mother and Cal!"


    "Which is why I told you the truth." Thomas said strategically. "Your mother wants to keep you stuck in this position for as long as she can. She''s not thinking about the future, other than what next young heartthrob role to get you into. If you keep playing so many roles so fast, people are going to be sick seeing your mug all over the place."


    "Yeah, I know." Alex said sitting back down. "You want me to fire her, and hire you as my manager, and together, we could think about today and the tomorrows to come. You''re not the first person to pitch me this."


    "That¡¯s not what I said, or what I¡¯m trying to say." Thomas said softly. "She¡¯s your mother, and I know from experience to never get on one''s mothers bad side. Mine held her distance till she got cancer. We still didn''t reconcile completely before she passed.¡±


    ¡°My condolences.¡±


    Thomas shrugged. ¡°Anyway, I can see that you¡¯re exhausted. Hell, anyone can see that, Cal sees that. You need a break. Otherwise, you¡¯re going to start taking supplements to help you. There are two roads that path can take. You become a drug addict and lose all favor with the world, or you suffer from some kind of mental breakdown, and you may not be able to come back from that. Maybe with another voice behind you, and coming from one who¡¯s been there and knows the warning signs, your mother will listen to reason.


    ¡°After working this job for as long as I have, I don''t want to see you end up like that. Another youth worked too hard too fast and falls apart before the good times. Furthermore, I would like to see Cal taken down a peg. I''m willing to do whatever I have to do to see you successful. In whatever way you want that to be. So, on that note, go rest."Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Alex stood without saying another word and closed the bedroom door behind him. He didn''t want to think about his future, he didn''t want to think about the offer that was made, he didn''t want to think about anything other than sleeping. He stripped down to his underwear then crashed down onto the bed. The moment his head hit the pillow he was asleep.


    At least that''s what he told himself. One minute he was laying in bed, the next he was sitting a chair again. Still, he told himself he was asleep and kept his eyes firmly shut.


    "You can open your eyes, you''re not exactly asleep."


    "I know if I open my eyes, something is going to happen, and because I don''t want to deal with anything right now, I''d rather just fall asleep."


    There was a chuckle. "My, what an interesting character you are. You might as well get this over with, as I¡¯m not going anywhere."


    Alex opened his eyes now and looked at the man in front of him. They sat on simple chairs, surrounded by white. The man himself was dressed in silver robes, and despite his young appearance, his long gray hair trailed off his head, down his back, and spilled over the floor. "What do you want?"


    "A smart question indeed." The man said. "I a God, of Wisdom to be exact, and I need a champion. One that is strong, able to handle great stress, and has a sharp wit. All of which you have, you won''t suffer the same fate as my other champions."


    "What happened to them?" Alex would go back to God thing later.


    "What ones didn''t fall apart from mental breakdowns?" The God shrugged. "They either fell in battle, or they fell victim to evil and were manipulated." The God sighed morosely. "They all believed themselves to be so much more than they were. They may have been the Champions of the God of Wisdom, but if they do not heed to common sense, they aren''t very good people much less a Champion."


    "You can call a lump of meat a Salisbury steak, but a Salisbury steak, it does not make." Alex said.


    The God looked at him with a nod of approval. "Exactly."


    Alex leaned forward, "So you''re the God of Wisdom, and you''re creating Champions why? What purpose would they serve? What am I supposed to do?"


    The God looked at him. "You ask good questions, but I cannot answer all of them right now. I can say we need Champions to help make a world better. It¡¯s plagued by monstrous things, and we cannot interfere with the lives of mortals directly. We chose a Champion to do that for us."


    Alex took a careful breath and sat back again, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You realize how insane that sounds right?"


    "You have no idea.¡± The God chuckled. "So how about it, will you accept, will you be my champion?"


    Would he accept? Would he leave his world, the only life he¡¯d ever known, behind and seek some greater adventure at the behest of a God? There were bound to be dangers, life-threatening situations, and he more than likely would meet his end doing whatever this God wanted him to do. Still, if he went back he was facing what? A mother who wouldn¡¯t listen? Thomas was fired, he knew it was coming, and Alex was weak when it came to his mother. He couldn¡¯t go against her, he¡¯d tried once, and his father disappeared soon after. Perhaps the two weren¡¯t related, but it was a line of thinking he couldn¡¯t banish.


    So, a life with adventures, and possibly a much better one, for however brief of a time? Or a life riddled with strife and jobs he didn¡¯t want to do, likely falling down that dark road Thomas spoke of? Most likely in retaliation to just get away from his mother, to punish her for doing all of this to him.


    Alex smiled at the God. "Sounds like a very challenging role to play, and I always like a challenge."


    The God sighed, looking relieved, and very very tired. About as tired as Alex was before coming here. Before Alex could comment, or offer any more help, a blue screen appeared in front of him with two categories.


    "You may have one item, one ability, and one favor." The God said softly. "You may choose the first two, and ask me the last when you''re finished. If it is within my power to give it, I will. When we''ve finished here, you will be transported to where I need you. Any questions?"


    ¡°Do you have a name?¡±


    ¡°Wisdom.¡±


    ¡°Very original.¡± Alex snorted.


    Wisdom merely shrugged.


    Alex looked at his options. He didn''t think he should choose an item first. Because if the item he received wasn''t compatible with the ability he picked, it would have been a waste of the item.


    Wisdom didn¡¯t mention if he could change his answer or not, and given how he looked, slumped in the chair, eyes closed, Alex didn¡¯t want to bother him and decided to just play it smart and make the choice once. So he clicked the abilities to see what his options were.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Abilities


    Note: No matter which ability is chosen, Champion will have endless intelligence and wisdom.


    Some spells will be universal. The more powerful the Champion, the more powerful and accurate the spells.


    The champion will also have access to the system in ways the other Champions will not.


    The main job of the Champion of Wisdom is to document where the Champions have been, what their travels and trials are like, and offer guidance to them all.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Peace Maker: The Path of the Pacifist Champion


    User refuses to take part in any violence. Choosing instead to spend their time among the people, helping and guiding them.


    Natural born leader, but refuses to take such a role


    Weapons will not be needed


    Spells will include:


    Absorption - user can retain any and all knowledge they learn by word of mouth, reading, or ones owns experiences


    Eavesdropping - allowing the user to hear from great distances at choice volume.


    Detection - allowing the user to find anything out of the ordinary.


    i/e traps, spies, poison in food or drink, etc


    Profiling - allowing the user to read their opponent as if they were an open book.


    So they may know what the opponent is thinking and planning.


    Diplomacy - allowing the user to charm their voice so their opponents will agree with what the user says.


    Judgment - Allows the Champion to hold trial and sentence any wrongdoers. Be them from the Champions own group, or the occupants of the world.


    With this spell active, in combination with Detection, the user will be able to tell the falsehoods from the truth and see the intentions of the accused.


    This ability makes the Champion a vital role in the group of Champions. For with this ability, the user will be the glue that holds the group together.


    Note: If the Champion is forced into a situation where they must take a life, depending on how immersed in this role they have become, the Champion could be subject to SOUL BREAK.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Adviser: The path of the Aware Champion


    While aware of their role, this user also realizes that battles cannot be avoided all of the time.


    This Champion will be able to defend themselves and others when necessary.


    Able to master weapons when needed and only the ones befitting the wielders natural abilities and strength, and situation.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Warrior: The path of the Battle Champion


    This Champion wages battle just as easily as they wield their words.


    Mastery of all weapons, but magic is limited, and Diplomacy takes a major decrease.


    Being more concerned with battle than book work, the role in which the Champion is meant to take will suffer.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Alex looked around the screen at Wisdom, although he looked to be sleeping, Alex knew he wasn''t. "What''s soul break?"


    "It is an act that breaks the mind and the soul of a person until they are no longer themselves. Sometimes they are merely an empty shell, unable to do anything of their own accord anymore. Other times, their sanity leaves, and they become crazed villains who seek to do unto others what was done to them. Rare times, the person retains their sanity, but their personality is completely opposite of who they once were, and committing crimes becomes fun and games to them." Wisdom explained, his eyes still closed.


    "Why is Warrior such a pathetic choice?" Alex asked. ¡°You¡¯re basically saying, yeah, here, you can master any weapon you want, but you might as well be choosing for me to not help you at all because you won¡¯t do the job I¡¯m giving you.¡±


    "That¡¯s the entire point. I had to offer at least three choices for an ability, though I only had two."


    "Why don¡¯t you lay out your side of things and I¡¯ll make my choice afterward. I can tell you have a strong opinion of what role I¡¯m supposed to play."


    Wisdom opened his eyes and looked at him, "While being able to fight for yourself is useful, and at times needed, the will to fight should not overshadow the duty one has to make sure the other champions are informed and make the choices that best suit them and the others their choices will affect. I know the ways of mortals, and I know true pacifism will be impossible unless all agree upon it, but the option is there, should you want it. I know the desire for battle, to take care of one''s self is there in all things. So, should you want to be a warrior, it''s there. You can take that path all you want, just don¡¯t expect to be my Champion for very long if you do."


    Alex sighed, looking at his options. At least he wouldn''t be alone wherever he was going. Either way, if he chose this, he was to be the mediator to the other Champions, and one who kept a record of their journey together. His job was to make sure they made wise and informed decisions. He could live with that. He rather liked the idea of writing stories anyway. He¡¯d often toyed with walking away from acting and instead of play one part, creating many and seeing others play the parts he made.


    Soul Break seemed like bad juices, so he completely looked away from the Peace Maker ability. Wisdom flat out said that Warrior wasn¡¯t really an option. So, that really only left one option.


    Feeling like he''d been tricked, he clicked Adviser, and the screen changed to items.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Items</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Heavy Sleep Potion


    A drop of this in peoples drink, the subjects will sleep for an hour.


    No amount of noise or physical damage will wake them, allowing those awake to talk unhindered by unwanted listeners.


    or to keep villains from carrying out their dastardly plans


    Once the bottle is empty, it will auto-refill</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Ring of Wisdom


    wearer receives a 25% boost to all magic spells


    will never wear out of power, and will increase in power to keep increasing the user''s power as they gain power</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Wrist Guard


    wearer receives a 25% boost to one''s defense


    will never wear out of power, and will increase in power to keep increasing the user''s power as they gain power</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>pick any two, lose one forever</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What do you mean pick two and lose one forever?"


    "I mean, you can always make these things, it will take time, but eventually you can gain these things for yourself through natural means." Wisdom explained, yawning as he did so. "However, if you pick two of them now, then no matter what you do you will never be able to get the third item. You can make something similar, but it won¡¯t be an item blessed by your patron God."


    "Why couldn''t you have just said that?¡± Alex sighed feeling a headache coming on.


    ¡°Mortals love their choices.¡±


    ¡°What choices, you¡¯ve offered the illusion of choices, when you clearly only have one option in mind.¡±


    ¡°But you still could have chosen the others, and I couldn¡¯t have stopped you.¡±


    Alex rolled his eyes and looked back at the screen. The potion would definitely come in handy, so that was one he wasn¡¯t going to leave without. Considering he would have magic, and likely have to use it a lot because of his role, he clicked on the ring. He was sure there were items similar to the wrist guard in the world where he was going, and he could easily get one if he absolutely needed it. He didn''t say another word to the Wisdom. He rested his head back and waited for the new world.


    But he stayed where he was, and it dawned on him why. "I still have my favor."


    "That is why you haven''t been sent to your next destination yet."


    Alex opened his eyes and looked at Wisdom, "The other Champions, they¡¯re going to be from Earth, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    Wisdom nodded.


    ¡°Will there be others from Earth as well?¡±


    Wisdom nodded again.


    ¡°Then for my favor, I don''t want the people to know who I am. I don''t want them to be all star struck, or try to use me to their advantage."


    ¡°I can make those who would see you as an object to advance themselves simply overlook your name and the knowledge of who you were unless you tell them."


    Alex nodded, "Sounds good."


    This time, when he closed his eyes, he felt the change immediately, one minute in a chair, the next on the ground. The sound of birds drifted along the breeze that blew over him. It was the most peaceful he''d felt in a long long time. Then the screaming began. He jumped and looked around frantically for the source. Had Wisdom failed him? Did they know who he was??


    He had his answer when his eyes landed upon that was the source of the scream. A woman, she wasn''t looking at him, her chocolate brown eyes were glued on another person. For a long moment, he stared at the woman who screamed. Dressed in a short skin tight dress of hot pink, her long hair looked akin to liquid gold, was quite honestly, the most beautiful woman he''d ever seen.


    Curious as to what had upset this beauty so much, he looked where she was glaring and saw something that made his mouth drop open. There, curled up on the ground, looking as if she''d just woken up from a long nap, was without a doubt, hands down, sorry Goldie Locks, was the most beautiful woman he¡¯d ever seen.


    Her hair wasn''t as long as Goldie Locks, which fell to the back of her knees, it came down to probably the center of her back, and it was soft pale pink. Her eyes, heavy with sleep, were a pale blue. Her skin was the palest he''d ever seen, course he was used to being around women who tanned themselves till they looked like carrots, and it gave off an ethereal glow. The long dress she wore was the color of cream hugged her lustrous bosom and a wide set of hips.


    Alex found himself looking between the two, and he noticed the other men were as well. It was clear, that of the two, the pink haired one was far more beautiful in a natural way, whereas Goldie Locks was beautiful in a sexual kind of way.


    It was clear, just by looking at them, there was some kind of history there, and not at all a good one going from Goldie Locks reaction.


    If this was how they started out, by being enemies before they even began, this, was going to be a long, long, journey.

 Chapter Four : Champion of Day

    "Alright, come on, you can do this Elise." She said giving herself encouragement. "It''s just one meeting, with one big scary bank manager. Say your piece, and everything will be fine."


    She marched up the steps of the bank, walked through the huge doors, and into an even bigger lobby. Tentatively, she looked around for a sign or something that would tell her where to go. After a few minutes, she found one that told her the managers and other staff that dealt with loans and more things she didn''t quite understand on the second floor. She walked over to the escalator, clutching her bag and moving railing a bit too hard. She walked off, almost tripping when she did. Thankfully everyone around her was too caught up in their own business to notice.


    There were many desks and a couple corner offices. The man she was going to meet. Landon Michaels was in one of them. Gulping, she walked toward his office, hoping she had an aura of confidence and whatever else it was she needed at that moment. Knowing more than likely she didn¡¯t.


    She stood in the open doorway took a deep breath and put on her best brave face. "Mr. Michaels, I''m Elise Bishop, we spoke over the phone."


    He nodded and motioned her to sit down, he had his phone to his ear and was jotting down a bunch of note. "Uh huh, yeah, good good. Alright, let me know if there''s any way I can help with that. I''ll check into what you just gave me as soon as I''m done with this client."


    He hung up the phone and looked at her with a patient expression. "Ms. Bishop, thank you for coming to see me."


    "As I said over the phone Mr. Michaels, I have no idea why you''re calling me here. My parents passing was tragic, but I already know they didn''t leave any kind of will behind, and I''m not interested in selling either the business or my home." There, she''d said her piece, now she could go.


    Only, Michaels didn''t look like he was done. "I''m sorry to have to tell you this, but your parents had massive debt. Apparently, your father had a gambling problem for many years, and he took out loans on the house and the shop to pay off the debts. Only now, those debts are to the bank."


    She gawked at him as if he had just sprouted a parrot head off his shoulder and it was squawking at her. "What?"


    "Were you not aware?" He asked patiently.


    "No, I was, I mean, mama always said daddy had a bit of a habit in the past," The words were spilling out of her mouth before she could think to stop them. "She was never allowed to touch the finances, papa always assured her that things were being taken care of. That his bad habits had been kicked, and that the loans were being paid off. He even took us out to dinner last week to celebrate the fact that they''d been paid off."


    "I see the reason for your confusion then," Michaels sighed. "Well, last week was when we sent the notice that we were foreclosing on his loans."


    She looked at him in shock. "No! You can''t! It''s my home! My livelihood!"


    "I know, if you''re desperate to try to make this work, you can buy the land once it''s foreclosure is finalized, and you can make payments on the loans you require to buy it all back." He slid a piece of paper across the desk to her. "That''s how much the debt is, what the minimum payment required is, the kind of loan you''ll need, the monthly payments you''ll have to make, and the interest."


    Elise looked down at the figures and broke down crying. "I don''t have that kind of money!"


    "I''m sorry Ms. Bishop, but that''s all I am at liberty to offer at this moment. By this time on Monday, the foreclosures will be finalized, and you will be asked to vacate the premises. If you have not worked out a deal with us by then, I suggest you use the time to find alternative arrangements and take with you whatever you want to keep."


    Elise stood and walked out of the office, out of the bank, and away from the horrible place. She didn''t walk in the direction of home. It wasn''t home anymore. She couldn''t bring herself to go back to it. At least not in this moment. She ended up running away, from it all. The town, the people, and her home, that was no longer her home. There was a place she could go, it had always been there, throughout all of her life.


    A willow tree at the top of a hill. Her mother used to take her there all of the time as a child. When she was older, they would walk together, and they would sit and rest there before going back home. She had her first kiss there with Timmy Boon. Roco Morris felt her up there for the first time. Roco was the longest boyfriend she''d ever had, and he left her because she wouldn''t open her legs to him. She had cried in her mother''s arms under at that tree.


    This tree, as she rested against it, was a place where her spirit could rest. She looked up at the sky through the branches. The sun, in all its bright glory, was shining down on her, warming her skin. She sat there for a long time, trying to think of a way she could make the payments and keep her home as it was.


    In the end, she shook her head, who was she fooling? There was no way she would be able to make those payments with what she made at the flower shop, and even if she could, with the interest alone, she would end up paying twice what the house was worth. So she was caught between a rock and a hard place, be homeless, or be so far into debt with no way out that she wouldn''t be able to afford to feed herself.


    She rested her head back against the tree. "Please, dear God, please, help me find a way to fix this."


    "I can offer no solution, but I can offer an alternative."


    Her eyes shot open. Surrounded by white, she sat across from a man dressed in a golden robe. His golden, almost orange, hair curled about his head, and the perfectly trimmed beard and mustache matched his hair color. His amber eyes regarded her carefully. She stared at him in utter shock. She hadn''t even seen him coming up, much less felt the transfer from the tree to wherever she was. It had to be some kind of magic. That meant . . .


    "You really are God, aren''t you?"


    "Not the god you''re thinking of, but yes." He nodded, "I am the God of Day."


    She looked at him confused. "Like Apollo?"


    "That is one of version." He said with a tilt of his head. ¡°My  actual name is Day.¡±


    ¡°Would you mind if I called you Apollo instead? Day just doesn¡¯t seem to fit you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my name. But, I suppose whatever makes you happy.¡±


    "I don¡¯t think happy even begins to describe this situation I find myself in." She said looking down at the floor. "I have no idea why you would offer me anything. I''m not exactly virtuous, or very smart, or really pretty. I''m not worthy of a God''s attention."You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "You are also kind-hearted, brave, and smart enough to realize when you are in a bad situation where each option comes with bad results." Day said gently. "As it is, who you are as a person, doesn''t really concern me, though your traits are a welcoming surprise, and much appreciated. No, as it happens, you, have no decent options being offered to you. So I am offering a third."


    "And, that would be?" She asked nervously.


    "I am in need of a champion to go to another world in my stead. My last champion suffered a horrible fate. I need you to fix a mistake."


    "How am I supposed to do that!?" She demanded jumping to her feet in outrage. "I''m no fighter!"


    "There will be others with you, sent there to complete similar tasks to your own." He said patiently. "Furthermore, you will be given one ability, one item, and you may ask for one favor."


    She sighed and sat back down again, feeling rather foolish. Of course, a God would have others there working for him. "So who are the others that you''ve chosen? Is there anything that I should know about them?"


    "They are not my chosen. I am not the only God ruling in the heavens." He corrected her. "We are only allowed one champion apiece, and you are mine. The other Gods are choosing theirs as we speak."


    She looked at him excited. He was only allowed one out of the whole of the world and he chose her? There were other gods!? What were they like, what were they the gods of? Did he know what kind of champions they were going to be?"


    "I can tell you this much about them," He grumbled before she asked her questions aloud. "Some of them, you''ll be able to trust and will one day, think of them as family. The others, you need to be cautious of. If they make you feel uncomfortable in any way, then stay away from them."


    She looked at him confused for a moment, then she realized he was giving her what little help he could because he cared. At least, in his own way. "I understand."


    "Shall we commence with your choosing of your ability and item?" He asked.


    When she nodded, he waved his hand a blue screen appeared in front of her. There were two options available, abilities and items. She squeezed her eyes shut and reached out with her hand to touch the screen and randomly pick one. But her hand only met with air.


    "It would help if you actually touched the screen." Day suggested.


    "I know that!" She snapped at him. "Okay, random choice making is not an option here. Have to meet this head-on."


    "That would be preferable."


    "I wasn''t talking to you!" She snapped again.


    "Then, oh my dear, fearsome champion, I shall shut my lips and refrain from angering you again."


    "Darn skippy you will. God or not, I will still make you see a thing or two."


    Day chuckled but otherwise said no more. She took a breath and looked back at the screen. She touched the abilities box, it was the first one, and she had this thing about doing things in order if she couldn''t choose at random.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>abilities


    Note, no matter what ability is chosen, caster will be at half power during the night</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Sunlight Manipulation: The path of the Nature Champion


    This ability focuses more on nature, the healing of it and the people. Champion also rejects killing of any kind.


    The user will have limited access to the CRAFTING tables, so long as it brings life, and can¡¯t be used to harm anyone.


    Spells will include:


    Healing Light - By harnessing the suns light, the user can heal any life form be it plant, animal, or other</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Heliokinesis: The path of the Active Champion


    This ability allows the user to protect themselves.


    Weapons can be used that suit the user, empowered by the light of the sun, its durability and strength will increase.


    Also, this ability, allows the user to have access to the CRAFTING tables. Allowing the user to create any number of things depending on their natural abilities.


    Spells will Include:


    Healing Light


    Illusion - By pulling the light of the sun around the user they can create any manner of illusions they deem fit.


    Sun Beam - A beam, or beams, of light, will stream down from the sun and blind the target.


    Sun Burst - Similar to ¡°Sun Beam¡±, but instead of light blinding the target, the heat is harnessed from the sun and hits the target. Depending on the level of exposure and how powerful the spell when cast, can incarcerate the target to dust.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Pyromania: The path of the Battleborn Champion


    This ability allows the champion to thrive in the face of battle


    Weapons are heavily relied on.


    Healing powers do not exist in this ability.


    Unable to have access to CRAFTING tables.


    Spells will include:


    Illusion


    Sun Beam


    Sun Burst


    Gravity Pull - allows the user to use a portion or the full force of the suns gravitation pull on the target


    Pyrotornado - Pulls the fire from the sun down to the target in the form of a tornado.


    Magma bombs - Magma bombs fall from the sun onto the target.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Pyromania sounds evil! I don¡¯t want to do any of that!" Elise protested backing away from the blue screen.


    "Then simply do not choose that option."


    She sighed and approached the screen again. "And I certainly don''t want to be all hippy-dippy and willy-nilly about things. You said we would be going to another world, and I certainly don''t want to be defenseless. My aunt Wilma was like that, all about taking care of the land and no violence whatsoever, then she got stabbed to death because a couple of thugs thought she had weed on her."


    "A wise choice," Day commented lightly. "Do you think you can click the option you want now?"


    She glared at him. "You need to learn patience."


    He glared back at her. "I am a god, I have ample patience."


    "Then how come I haven''t seen much of it?"


    Day fell silent, she pressed her finger against the ability she wanted, and the items list took its place.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>The tiara of light


    a diamond tiara that increases users accuracy by 25%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The crown of the sun


    a golden crown that increases accuracy by 40%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Rings of light


    two diamond rings that increase the users magic by 25%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>rings of the sun


    two golden rings that increase the users magic by 50%</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Oh!" Elise laughed. "I could never wear a crown or tiara, I would look so stupid! But, I can wear rings just fine, and having my magic boosted way above what it should be would be a great benefit."


    With her item picked she looked back at Day, "So what now?"


    "What is the one favor you would ask of me?"


    She faltered for a moment. There was one thing she wanted more than anything. It was the locket her parents had given her when she turned eighteen. It fell open to allow there to be six pictures held inside. It had been specially ordered just for her.


    Though now that she thought about it, the money her dad spent on that could have helped pay off the bank. She sighed. She wanted it because it had three special pictures in it. One of her parents when they first fell in love, the second was a photo of them as a family when she was little, the last was the last photo taken of them before they died. She loved that more than anything, but didn''t wear it outside often because she didn''t want to lose it or have someone steal it.


    She smiled and looked at Day, "Would you see to it that my cat Miko gets to a good and loving home?"


    Day looked at her with such shock, like he couldn''t believe she just asked him that. His hand closed around something she couldn¡¯t see, and she didn¡¯t ask what it was. She didn''t expect him to say anything even if she did, so she sat down and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was in the clearing with the other champions. Before she could look them over or the place she was at, she felt something against her chest. She opened her shirt to find her locket.


    *BING*


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>I know what it meant for you to give this up. But seeing how I already had it when you asked about your cat, I thought I might as well give it to you.


    The chain will never break, and those would steal it can''t see it. Only the other Champions have, and I dare say there a few there will quickly rise to defend you. Not that you need defending my fearsome Champion.


    Miko is in a good home.


    I would have added a picture of him and his new family, but I think you¡¯ll find new pictures for the next three openings for your new family.


    Day</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Even knowing he was teasing her slightly with that fearsome Champion bit, her hand curled around her locked as a tear fell from her eyes. "Thank you, my Apollo."

 Chapter Five : Champion of Night

    "You are very strange."


    Xavier looked up, a minute ago he''d been in an alley. Sitting against the back wall of a broken down building, staring up past the tall buildings surrounding it, to the smog-filled sky that blocked the view of the stars. Brightly lit skyscrapers surrounded the crappier buildings he found himself hidden by, perhaps there had been beauty to it, but even if he¡¯d seen it, it would be nothing compared to the beauty that surrounded him now.


    He sat, surrounded by the wonders of space. His chair, made of nothing, seemed as if he was sitting on the very fabric of space. Nebula¡¯s surrounded him, stars, planets, and comets shot past. All around him there was the black ocean of space, filled with color, light, and life. Leaving a few areas speckled black.


    He looked at the being in front of him. It sounded like a man, but he really had to question if this was, in fact, a man. The being''s face was feminine, with long red hair flowing as if it were a liquid, continuously moving, and rippling down to the end. It wasn''t adorned with any trinkets, but it sparkled as what looked to be stars flowed down and twinkled away into the vast ocean of space and shone as if were a bright ruby. Xavier thought it would be very befitting hair for a Goddess to have. However, the being''s voice was a deep masculine that could not be denied. The being sat in a chair also, it too seemed to be made of the surrounding space, ankles crossed so the being''s right ankle was behind the left one, legs leaning towards the left to accommodate that position. The being wore a tight outfit that Xavier simply refused to pay too much attention to.


    "Am I on drugs or something? Cause if I am, this is the quite possibly the best, or most horrifying trip I¡¯ve ever been on."


    "Did you take any?" The being asked concerned. "I didn''t sense any toxins in you."


    "Relax, I''ve been clean for four years. Course, before that I had a few years where it didn¡¯t matter what it was, I was willing to try it. The last time I had anything was when I tried to kill myself."


    "You admit to such a grave sin so easily."


    He shrugged. "It''s not like it worked. I was supposed to take all three shots so that I would be dead almost immediately. I only managed to get one into myself. Couldn''t even finish pushing the dose in."


    The being sighed remorsefully. "What drove you to such an act?"


    He looked at the being. "I doubt very much that you dragged me here to listen to my sob story."


    "It would seem as if I have some time on my hands, and what''s it to you if I wish to spend it with you?" The being asked reclining a bit.


    It was that this point Xavier resolved himself that this was, in fact, a man. A very strange, obviously gay man, but a man nonetheless. He admired the confidence the being had in himself. He was never a homophobe. You love who you loved, as so long as everyone was of a consulting and a legal age, it didn''t matter what other people thought.


    Resting his head against his hand, the strange man cleared his throat and Xavier snapped out of his musing and paid attention to him again. ¡°Plus, now I¡¯m curious to know why you wanted to end it all, and what stopped you from doing it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡±


    ¡°As the plague my boy. I¡¯m bored, so cease with the attitude and get with the telling already.¡±


    Well, might as well tell someone about his life. Maybe he was already dead and this was his judgment day, and what he said here would affect his placement.


    "What''s there to tell?" Xavier sighed. "You hear from so many people so often that you''re worthless, you''re nothing, you start to believe it. Now if I were older, stronger, I might have been able to ignore it. But seeing I was three years old when it started, not much a kid that small can do against an assault like that. Especially when there was no one in my life to tell me none of that was true.


    ¡°My grandfather tried, but my parents cut off all contact with him, and I hadn¡¯t seen him since I was a little kid. The years went on, and all I ever was to anyone was a troublemaker. Son of a couple of drug addict whore and a drug-dealing pimp, that¡¯s all I was, and all I would ever be good for in their eyes. I had no friends, no one wanted to be friends with me. The only time anyone willingly talked with me was when they were asking for drugs.


    "So yeah, four years ago, I''d have enough of being screamed at, of being put down like I was trash. Tired of being beaten by my dad when I wouldn''t sell his drugs for him. Tired of being sexually harassed by my mother. Tired of being threatened by the same woman about being sold to some rich men so she could get high. Tired of the people around me thinking I was worthless. So I decided to give them all what they wanted and disappear entirely.


    "Ran away, got the drugs from a guy my parents knew, and ran away from him after I had what I wanted. My parents would have killed me if they caught me. Though they would have been slow and the process would have been severely painful, and that was not the death I wanted. It wasn''t as if they cared about me, they would have killed me because to pay for it all I stole from them. I rented a shitty motel room, curled up in the tub, and right as I was about to start pushing again, my grandfather came in.


    ¡°Apparently he¡¯d been helping with an investigation and was trying to get me away from my parents and have them put in jail. When the police went after my parents, he went after me. Caught me in the nick of time he always said. Brought me to the hospital, paid for my rehab when I was released. Visited me every day for the whole year I was there. By the end of it, I was better, and I was doing a lot better in life."


    "What changed?"


    "My grandfather died, shortly after I was out. Don''t think that sent me down into a downward spiral. He had a brain aneurysm, and we knew it was going to happen eventually. He made it very well known it was going to happen, but he¡¯d be damned if I went with him anytime soon." Xavier said with a hollow laugh. "I loved him, and I made a promise, so I kept clean."


    He shook his head. "No, I started to go to college to get a degree so I could help kids that are going through the same things I did. I wanted them to know that someone cared about them, someone knew what they are going through. Three years into college life and I was doing fine. Doing great actually, my life was good. I had friends, my grades were excellent, and I wasn¡¯t trash anymore. Then someone from my past transferred in recognized who I was and tried to get some drugs off of me. I pretended that I didn¡¯t know the guy. Pissed him off, he went to the dean. Told them I was selling drugs to people.


    ¡°The dean took me aside and said they would be investigating me. On my way home, I saw a couple of parents screaming at their kid. And for what? For wanting to read a book instead of playing soccer? They started to beat him so I stepped in. Said my piece, said they couldn''t do that to a kid. Thought that was the end of it.


    ¡°Then the cops were at my door, saying I was under arrest for assault of a minor. I know how those things end. With my past, with the accusations from the college, now those parents, there was no way I could walk away from it at all. Even if I was innocent, and there was next to no evidence, my past was enough, witness testimonies were enough. My life, the one I worked so hard for was over. Still, I ran. Not sure why, maybe because I knew I was innocent, and I wanted to fight for a free life. Who knows at this point." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    He sighed and looked at the being with a humorless smile. "Now I sit with some freaky being from another universe entirely. Why? I don''t know, but hey, it keeps me out of jail for a bit longer, so why the hell not?"


    "Such pain, such sorrow, and yet you have the strength and the heart to make an attempt at humor." the being mused.


    "I know I''m innocent, the world can hate me for stereotypes, but I know the truth. For now, it''s enough, and maybe one day, it will be revealed." Xavier said getting comfortable in the chair he was in. It was certainly better than the wall and the ground in the alley, he was pretty sure he''d dropped his rear down on shattered glass, but he''d been too exhausted to care in the moment.


    "It''s decided then!" the being said excited slapping his hand down on the chair. "You''re going to be my champion!"


    Xavier looked at the being confused. "Say what now?"


    "Well you were partly right before," the being said standing, spreading his arms wide, revealing the outfit Xavier refused to really inspect had long sleeves at the wrist and it trailed down to the floor, "I am a God! The God of Night to be exact! You can call me Night!" He struck a pose, slightly bent, his butt pushed back and high up in the air and held out his hand. "You can stare at me in awe now if you like."


    "Oh, I''m staring, just not in awe." Xavier said more than a little mortified.


    Night froze for a second, then turned his head toward Xavier. "Hey."


    Xavier chuckled. "You really are kind of happy aren''t you?"


    "My sexual preference has nothing to do with anything." Night said brushing his arms off before sitting again, in a rather delicate manner. "I assure you if you take my offer, your sexual preference will not change."


    Xavier shrugged. "If I''m lucky enough for love to find me."


    Night rested his head in his hand. "My what a terribly sad life you''ve lived."


    "You said something about being a champion? I''m going to assume that means a whole new life. I¡¯ve read enough light novels to know that probably means in a whole other world as well."


    "Oh yes!" Night waved his hand, and a blue screen appeared in front of him. "You may choose one ability, one item, and one favor. I''ll tell you here and now, your powers only work at night, and you''re at half power during the day, so it''s usually best if you work in conjunction with the Champion of the Day, and you will have other skills so you can fight during the day. You''ll need to watch each other''s backs."


    Xavier looked over the screen then clicked the abilities. ¡°No leveling system? Usually, this is where I learn about it.¡±


    ¡°You will learn about that with the group once you¡¯ve reached the other world.¡± Night said looking over his nails.


    ¡°When it¡¯s too late for us to change our minds and go back.¡±


    ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    ¡°You realize that tells me it¡¯s going to suck, right?¡±


    Night grinned at him. ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure, we are Gods, after all, perhaps we¡¯re saving the best part for last.¡± Night waggled his eyebrows up and down. ¡°Just like when it comes to sex.¡±


    Xavier grinned mischievously. ¡°Depends on how you¡¯re having sex and who with.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Night¡¯s face went as red as his hair, his hands flew to his cheeks as his eyes squeezed shut and he shook his head back and forth vigorously. ¡°Oh, you naughty naughty boy you! You can¡¯t talk to me that way! I¡¯m a taken man! And my lover is not a God you want to upset!¡±


    Night went on like that for several minutes, and while he was distracted, Xavier ignored him and looked over the abilities.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Shadow Dweller: The path of the Spectator Champion


    With this ability, the user has more power in the shadows.


    Can only have a physical form at night, during the day, dwells in the shadows.


    Is the role of a spectator, cannot interfere directly with the world.


    Merely whispers things through the darkness. </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Shadow Drifter: The path of the Participating Champion


    this ability allows the user to drift into the shadows at will but does not need to dwell there


    if the user dwells in the shadows during the day, gains temporary use of their full powers once emerged


    Can take slight possession over people temporarily I/e stop them from moving, talking, or seeing something they shouldn¡¯t


    Has minimal effect on peoples minds: Can enter a person''s mindscape while they sleep to get knowledge or take away memories</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Shadow Manipulator: The path of the Dominating Champion


    this ability gives the user control over the shadows


    With control over the shadows, the user can have the shadows possess people and do the users bidding. Once possessed the people have no will of their own, and will have no choice but to obey. The possession is absolute.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What the fuck!?" Xavier shouted jumping back from the screen


    "What did you say!?" Night asked shocked, going even redder. " ''Want to fuck?'' Well,¡± Night stood, turned around, and began pulling down his pants. ¡°How could I ever say no to you!"


    "That''s not what I meant you, pervy God!" Xavier shouted covering his eyes and looking away. "I meant what the hell were those freaking abilities!?"


    "Oh." Night said sounding rather disappointed. "You can open your eyes now, I''m decent."


    "You better not be naked." Xavier threatened through gritted teeth.


    "I promise, I''m not. I was merely teasing. I may have exposed my rear if you hadn''t stopped me, but that''s it. I''m loyal to my man."


    Xavier dared a quick glance, the pervy god was once again seated and was, as promised, fully clothed. At least this god was honest, even if he was an annoying perve. Xavier relaxed and took his seat as well.


    "What is up with these abilities? Why isn¡¯t there more info? What about spells, weapons?" Xavier demanded seething. "Why do you think I''m going to manipulate people to my will or some shit like that!?"


    Night looked up at him. "If you could stop a man from ever beating his wife again, would you? If you could keep a mother from drowning her children as an act of revenge against a cheating husband, would you? If you could take away the nightmares children have, would you? I could go on, but I believe you get the point."


    Xavier had no response to that.


    ¡°As for why there are no spells, all of your magic is basically instinctual, now you can learn spells once you get to the new world, and so long as you have the power levels required you should be able to use most of them.¡± Night took a breath and swirled his foot around in the space, spinning the stars and planets that were there in a small circle. ¡°As for the weapons, if you wish to wield one, or two, all you have to do is practice with it. Pretty much all of you will have the ability to learn how to use weapons fast. Provided they are a fit for you.¡±


    ¡°Fit?¡± Xavier raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Meaning someone of your stature could not wield a sword that''s ten feet long, ten inches thick, and weighs a thousand pounds.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that maybe I could.¡±


    Night raised an eyebrow now. ¡°Careful sweetie, you¡¯re wishful thinking is showing.¡±


    Xavier chuckled. ¡°So the weapons have to fit what we are already capable of being able to wield. Naturally, as we get stronger, so too will the weapons we use.¡±


    "Precisely." Night amiably.


    ¡°I¡¯m still not okay with not knowing any more information.¡±


    ¡°Tough titties.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you tell me anything?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll learn as you go.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not exactly fair!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe in hand-holding.¡±


    ¡°Not even a hint!?¡±


    Night sighed, "Just pick an ability already would you? You need to move on."


    Xavier sat back. ¡°No. I can¡¯t make a decent choice without knowing more, and knowing what the hell I¡¯m getting myself into.¡±


    A horrible wicked grin spread across Night¡¯s face, and Xavier immediately regretted his choice in words. Night raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Xavier''s eyes were closed and he was resting his back against something hard again. So it was a freaking dream after all.


    Oh well. He''d accepted his fate long before now. Then there was screaming, and he shot up to his feet. One look at where he was, and he knew it hadn''t been a dream.


    "Oh fuck." Xavier muttered under his breath.


    He hadn''t picked an ability, an item, or asked a favor, he''d left it all up to that pervy God!!!


    "Oh shit! shit! Shit!" Xavier began chanting, interlocking his hands behind his head, ignoring the fight breaking out in front of him.


    He was in another world, surrounded by complete strangers, no idea what was going on, what all was in this world, and at the complete mercy of a freaking pervy old man God.


    NOT GOOD!

 Chapter Six : Champion of Heroes

    Drew snuck out of Anna''s apartment while she was recovering the vicious savagery he¡¯d dealt her. It wasn¡¯t making love or simple sex. He¡¯d been all out brutal and had been afraid for a moment he¡¯d hurt her. As he was sneaking out, he realized she was satisfied, and that scared him even more than he was already scared of her. While a part of him wanted to actually hurt her, the rest of him pushed it aside as he hurried. All of his things were already packed away in storage, all he had in his car was a to-go bag. Now that Anna was down for the count, he could slip out of town unhindered.


    He never felt anything for Anna, despite her obvious obsession with him, and her blatant offers for sex. She¡¯d been all out stalking him for years. He¡¯d rejected her at every turn. Having been in love with her older sister, Mallory. He had to remind himself she preferred to be called Mal these days. Eventually married they married, had a son, and three years later, a daughter on the way.


    But one act, one mistake on his part, brought that life crashing down.


    True, life wasn¡¯t perfect. They had a son with a medical condition, grant it not as bad as it could have been, but Mal still had to stay home to take care of him. Leaving Drew to be the sole breadwinner. It was true they didn¡¯t get the chance to be alone together often, let alone be intimate, and he¡¯d been a weak and pathetic man when he caved for that woman who grinned and crooked her finger at him.


    He could blame the way he was raised. His father banging any woman who spread her legs, and while his mother stood back and let him. He could blame his father, who constantly said if Mal wasn¡¯t putting out he should bang Anna. Hell, both of his parents flat out said on more than one occasion to leave Mal for Anna. Maybe a child with her would be born stronger and she was better suited for him.


    In the end, it had been his choice. His weakness. The cheating had been bad enough, but then the accident, and the loss of his son, and the daughter who never got the chance to breathe when Mal miscarried from all of the stress and grief. It had been too much. Mal was now in an asylum because she couldn¡¯t cope with it all.


    Drew tried to be strong, tried to be there for her, but it only made it worse for both of them. Mal started to distance herself from him, from everyone, and he couldn¡¯t blame her. When the divorce was asked for, he gave it to her. Without a fight.


    His parents, his friends, his coworkers, all championed him. Apparently, the fault lay solely on Mal for being insane. She was in the asylum now, and she wouldn''t be there if she hadn''t been crazy from the get-go. That''s what they told him, over and over.


    He wished they would realize she was only in the asylum because he put her there.


    They didn''t listen to him though, merely said it was better this way. Now he was free to go bed Anna as much as he wanted. His parents were all out pushing him towards her. Didn¡¯t matter they had just lost a grandchild. He soon learned his son meant nothing to them. Which made his situation all the worse.


    Their cold demeanor made sense now. They didn''t care that Drew was exhausted from work, Mal from caring for their son, so their sex life took a hit. They didn''t care that he truly did love Mal, and regretted, with every fiber of his being, what happened. His choices that led to current events.


    Surrounded by all of these people as he was, pushing him to move on, pushing him in general, he couldn¡¯t mourn. He couldn¡¯t express the guilt that was threatening to eat him alive. No one would let him be to deal with it. Everyone wanted him to just forget and move on. It felt like they knew he lay awake crying at night, that he couldn''t eat or sleep. He felt so empty. They did all they could to get him to think about the future and forget the past.


    But he couldn¡¯t.


    Anna had been the biggest problem. Anytime he was in a situation where it looked like he might leave town, or be with another woman other than her, she arrived. Always looking hotter than sin, and every man in the room looked like they wanted to murder him when he told her no. Probably didn''t help there was a level of contempt, and utter disgust in his voice.


    Still, his loins sprang to action every time she showed up. Not because he wanted her per se, he had needs. But those needs were what got him into trouble in the first place, it''s what led to his current situation and life. He rejected her, and that piece of his anatomy that seemed to have a mind of its own. Again, he blamed the way he was raised. It was natural to want as many women as humanly possible, it was biology, genetic, his father would say. His father seemed to remind him of that at every turn, shouting it at him recently. It was during one of those shouting matches he learned Anna had been secretly visiting his parents and they were all in it together. To get him over Mal and onto her.


    He had to leave town, the country if he could, someday. For now, the town, the state would suffice. But if it wasn''t Anna stopping him, it was his parents. So he had to make an elaborate plan just to get away. First, he sent his parents on a trip to Hawaii. His mother had always wanted to go, and his father liked the idea of all the young woman in bikini''s, so they jumped at the offer.


    At last, after months of planning, saving, and trickery, he was on a train out of town. He wrote a letter to Mal, telling her he planned to leave. So he could come to terms with his sins and crimes against her and their children. He just had to trick Anna so she would leave him be so he could leave. He was surprised when she wrote back giving him her blessing and wishing him well. He was surprised by how touched and grateful he was by her gesture.


    He didn¡¯t know where he would go, but he¡¯d left it all behind. His phone, his apartment, he¡¯d even closed his bank, choosing instead to carry all of the cash on prepaid credit cards he didn¡¯t need his name on in order to use it. His friend at the bank, actually it wasn''t his friend, it had been one of Mal''s someone she was rather close with, helped him out. Making sure that the cards were untraceable to Drew''s former account. So he sat on a train, completely free for the first time in a long time.


    But he wondered how long it would last? Anna would look for him, and knowing her, would likely track him down and come after him. If not her, then his parents would. Out of the two, Anna would be worse. It''s not like he was going to live completely off-grid, though he was seriously considering it. He didn''t have the money, he didn''t have the means. There would always be a trail, and considering the way things were before, he knew Anna, at the very least, would not let this go.


    He wished he could just disappear from this world entirely. Maybe if he did, Mal could move on and get better. Maybe if he did, he could finally atone for what he did.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Perhaps, I can grant this wish."


    Drew jumped up. No longer sitting on the crowded train headed out of town. He didn''t bother looking around the vast white realm surrounding him, all that matter was the huge man before him with a red silk battle tunic around his waist.


    "Whatever it is yes!" He said sitting up straight. Giving this being his undivided attention.


    The being balked at him. "You don''t even know what I''m going to ask you yet."


    "Don''t care." Drew said shaking his head. "Just give me whatever it is you''re going to give me, then send me on my merry way."


    "Even if it means you will never see your world or its occupants again?" The being asked. ¡°You could die where I¡¯m planning to send you, or worse, while completing the tasks I give you,  and they will only get more difficult the longer you''re there."


    "Let me say this again," Drew said firmly. "I. Do Not. Care!"


    The being looked at him for a long moment then sighed. "Very well. I shall proceed then. I am a God, the God of Heroes. My name is Hero, yes that is my real name, please do not mock me. You will be sent to the world of Taimin. There, you must complete the tasks I ask of you. You will be rewarded with strength and power. Like the other chosen Champions you will be given one ability, one item of your choice, and one favor of your request."


    "Anything I want?" Drew asked carefully.


    Hero nodded. "So think wisely, and choose carefully. For whatever favor is given, cannot be taken back. At least, not unless something completely life altering happens. There are always circumstances in which things may change, nothing really lasts forever. Still, choose carefully, because regardless of my rambles, it will last a long long time."


    "Then I want to be exactly like you. Your personality, your views, everything."


    The being gawked at him before thundering. "I just said choose carefully!!"


    "I know." Drew said softly. "But you''re a God, how bad can you be? And I want to leave everything that I was behind. Even if it should come back to bite me in the ass in a major way, I want to be just like you so I can deal with it. Stronger, better."


    Hero looked at him for a long moment, then sighed and waved his hand.


    Before him, a blue screen appeared. Two boxes were there, abilities, and items. Before he could pick one, the abilities list was displayed before him. He sat and read all of them, for once, and carefully considered the options before him.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Light Hero: The Path of the Angel Champion


    This ability is pure light magic based, and the hero is the champion of the people.


    With this ability, the Champion will be able to grow pure white wings and will be able to fly.


    the ability to charm the people with a bright smile.


    the ability to wield any sword during battle.


    Pure white magic-based attacks.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Blood Hero: The Path of the Human Champion


    With the ability, the champion is more combat skilled then magical skilled


    The champion will still have white magic, but won''t be able to use it much.


    can dual wield any weapon of choice


    can wield weaker white magic spells


    has a chance of charming people</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Dark Hero: The path of the Evil Champion


    With this ability, the champion is all about combat and seduction


    Note, this ability will change the Champions personality


    Note, the higher levels gained with this ability, one can charm people and have them do the Champions bidding.


    Note, if the Champion has a pawn do something that goes against their personality, Champion risks SOUL BREAK on pawn


    Note, the higher levels gained with this ability, Champion will sprouts horns from the forehead,


    the higher the power, the larger the Champions horns will become.


    Note, an ominous presence will surround the Champion and steadily grow with the Champion as they gain power.


    Even Demons will shudder in fear of this Champion


    can wield three weapons at will


    Charm and seduction</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    His choices were fairly simple, did he want to go evil, humane, or angelic? Well, considering what mistakes he made and the way he reacted to them, he didn''t want to go with evil. Then again, it wasn''t like he was going to have a conscious anymore. The ability said right there, that his personality would change drastically to accommodate that ability if he chose it. However, knowing what he knew about himself now, he knew he couldn''t pick that.


    He chuckled at the angel ability, yeah, sure, why the hell not? White magic sounded cool, and it would surely keep him on the up and up. So he clicked Light Hero and couldn''t help but laugh at himself.


    "Is something amusing?" Hero asked.


    "Just laughing at myself." Drew said. "If I were to keep in line with my personality, I would have chosen Blood Hero. But, I don''t want to be myself anymore, and you look pretty angelic, so, it''s Light Hero for me."


    Hero shook his head. "You''re thought process is something I''ve never encountered before, and I don''t know what to make of it. No one has ever desired to be me, and you seem to be acting a bit overzealous about it."


    Drew shrugged. "Hey, as long as I''m not myself."


    The screen changed to the items and Drew looked through them.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Tunic of Light


    a gold battle tunic


    50% easier maneuvering


    Easier for wings to spread out when summoned as the tunic won''t rip</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Sword of Heroes


    a large sword that can duplicate its self in battle by the wielders demand


    The more powerful the Champion the more duplicates can be created</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Rings of seduction


    two onyx rings worn around the wearer''s middle fingers, or horns (can grow with the horns)


    35% more effectiveness of charming and seducing target the wearers choice to do wearers bidding</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "So each item is designed with that specific ability in mind." He said after reading each item. "Sorry, I can always get another tunic, I want to go with the sword of Heroes."


    Hero waved his hand and sighed again.


    "Was that the wrong choice?" Drew asked.


    Hero shook his head. "There is no right or wrong choice Champion, I just don''t know what to make of you."


    "Maybe you could send me on my way, and you can decide for yourself after watching me complete my tasks." Drew suggested, eager to be sent off and start his new life.


    "Then be gone Champion, and may you yet prove my first impression wrong."


    Drew blinked and found himself in a clearing with several other people. He grinned and leaned his head back against the trunk of the tree he was propped up against. He sighed blissfully. So this was his new life. He couldn''t wait to see what it had in store for him. He opened his eyes and looked around the group of Champions with him. Since he was the Champion of Heroes, then he was naturally going to be the leader. What was a higher rank than a Hero? A king? BAH! None of these people looked like royalty to him.


    Except, those two women.


    The one that was closest to him had long golden hair, it looked like melted gold, and glittered in the sunlight filtering down through the leaves. The other had pale pink hair. There seemed to be something familiar about them, so he looked more closely at them, his heart sank when he realized who they were.


    He immediately looked away from Anna to the pink haired woman curled up on the clearing floor. Mal. His ex-wife. When he said he was alright with his past coming back to bite him in the ass, he didn''t mean immediately after he got his new life.


    There she was, more beautiful than he had ever seen her. The woman he loved, and the woman he''d hurt more than anyone else. His eyes were glued on her as the others woke up around him. He ignored Anna when she tried to get his attention, he didn''t want anything to do with her, the others could wait as well.


    What mattered, was Mal. What did her being there mean for them? Were they going to reconcile and get back together? Or were they fated to stay apart and move on with their lives, not together, but as friends?


    To his disappointment, Anna also seemed to realize the situation, and her scream echoed through the clearing. If he had known Anna was going to be here, he would have said no.

 Chapter Seven : Champion of Demon

    Cameron sniffed, but her tears kept falling. She curled up in the corner, rocking herself slightly. Wishing there was some way this could end. She was an adult, being locked in a closet, hell being held against her will, was illegal. Abuse was illegal. Not that it would have stopped her stepfather. He''d locked her in this closet for the last ten years. The authorities suspected, but there was never any real proof of abuse, and none of them bothered to dig for it. It was there, but everyone just looked at the surface and walked away.


    The argument people always made when they heard about abuse stories "Why didn''t you just leave?" screamed in her mind for years. She''d tried to leave a number of times, but somehow she always found herself back here, in this closet.


    Now, she sat there, entirely by choice.


    ¡°You¡¯re a demon!¡± He¡¯d screamed at her that morning when she came down for breakfast. ¡°You force pure men to think impure thoughts!¡±


    He¡¯d dragged her by her hair to the closet, painted white inside, with pictures of his Messiah hung everywhere, the light shining brightly down on her as he locked her in.


    ¡°Pray for yourself, and for Gods forgiveness girl.¡± He¡¯d said as he stood outside the door.


    She thought about what she did wrong. But in the end, she knew she didn¡¯t do anything. She¡¯d worn the clothes they bought for her. Simple black and white, everything covered from her neck to her toes. No makeup, her hair was down, and there was no jewelry. She¡¯d kept silent, kept her eyes downcast, and didn¡¯t touch anything unless her parents said it was okay. In the end, it didn¡¯t matter, she still ended up in the closet.


    For ten years this had been happening. Same words repeated over and over. The result, always the same.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just screw her and get it over with already!¡± Her mother finally screamed at her stepfather. ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯d be the first man to do it, at least they paid me!¡±


    That had her stepfather, a "good", "pure", and religious man flying off the handle and began to beat her mother. She could hear it through the door, and no matter how much she shouted, no matter how much she screamed. He didn''t stop, and no one came to help.


    When her stepfather opened the closet door, his hands were bloody and his eyes were crazed. Instinct kicked in, and she shoved past him as hard and as fast as she could. She¡¯d never fought before, so the act its self-caught the man by surprise. She rushed to get out, but everything was locked or blocked off, trapped in the kitchen, she armed herself with a knife and waited.


    He came at her like she knew he would. Screaming, preaching, and more crazed than she¡¯d ever seen him before. She swung the blade and stabbed. When he fell, she ran. She hid in the closet. It would be the last place he looked for her. How ironic, she¡¯d run from this tiny space so many times, and now, here she sat, trying to hide from it all.


    She hadn¡¯t seen her mother, and she didn¡¯t know if her stepfather was okay. So she sat, tears falling uncontrollably, and rocking herself back and forth. She wished she could rewind time. She wished she could run away from it all. She wished she could just disappear. From this house, from this world, and never return.


    The room went dark, and she sat for a moment in darkness. It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the extremely dim lighting. Steadily, the floor came to life. Glowing a soft red hue, that seemed to pulse like a heart. The brighter it got, the more she came to realize, this, wasn''t her home. Where was she?


    "A place that is, and a place that isn''t."


    She looked up and saw a throne built entirely out of human bones. A creature with pitch black skin, looking like it had been peeled off, cooked slightly, then sewn awkwardly back on, sat on the throne. Razor sharp yellow teeth were seen as he grinned at her. She could only guess it was male as it was shirtless but wore loose fitted pants. From his back, sprouted wings that looked like sheer fabric ready to rip at a moments notice. They weren''t folded against his body, but rather, standing straight up and falling on either side of the chair. A robe laid off to the side, apparently, he''d forsaken it, choosing to show her his true self.


    "No!" She sobbed falling to the floor. "He was right! I am a demon!"


    The creature chuckled, but it was hoarse, leaving it coughing at the end. "Not yet, but you will be."


    "I don¡¯t want to be a demon!¡± She cried.


    There was another chuckle. "No one wants to be what they are child."


    "I don¡¯t want to be a demon!" She screamed with all of her might.


    "Whether you want to be or not is irrelevant, you have been marked, Cameron."


    She looked up at him, ¡°How do you know my name?¡±


    ¡°I am a God. The God of Demons to be exact. I know all who are of my kin.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by marked?¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He shifted in his seat, as he did, his wings were positioned awkwardly. "Some years ago, longer by human standards, but a short time for myself, my kin roamed every galaxy, every planet. Now, they reside in only a few. But their bloodlines have continued. You may not have the appearance of a demon, but there is demonic blood in you child. It called to me, or rather, your cries did. Your blood merely saw to it they would reach me. So now here I sit, ready to grant you your wish."


    "At what price?"


    The demon raised his hand, and a force pulled her up and pushed her down onto another chair made from human bones.


    "I need a Champion to go to the world the other Gods and I have created." He hissed. "There, you must obtain power, and much of it."


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°That is all I am at liberty to say at this moment in time.¡± He sighed. ¡°But I will assure you, the reasoning behind it will make sense and you will not regret your choices once you learn the truth.¡±


    "What of my life, my parents?"


    "The female is dead. Killed by the male. The male is, regrettably alive, but the mortals, police, I believe you call them, have learned of the situation, and they wish to find you to help you. Save you. They know you merely acted in self-defense." The demon looked at her, "If would put you at ease, I can make the mortals forget about you."


    "Does it really matter? I¡¯ll be in another world"


    The Demon chuckled. "So, you shall be my Champion?"


    "Doesn¡¯t seem like I have much of a choice." She sniffed. "I¡¯ve heard my entire life that I was a demon, might as well make it true. It¡¯s clear from the look of things I can¡¯t fight it."


    Her body shook, and tears fell from her eyes like a waterfall. She desperately wanted to fight, but looking at the demon in front of her, she knew struggling was useless.


    The Demon held up three fingers. "One ability, one item, one favor. Three things, that is all I am at liberty to grant you."


    He waved his hand and a blue screen appeared before her. She pressed the box that said abilities and read over them.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Fallen Angel: The path of the Bloodless Champion


    This ability Champion can use some white magic, choosing to solve conflicts with magic and manipulation


    does not take lives or spill blood unless necessary


    Only dark spell Champion has available is Dark Hypnosis: the spell allows the champion to fix a victim with their demon eyes and hypnotize them.


    Allowing them to manipulate the victim to an extent


    can grow two small thick black feathered wings, and remain air born for one hour</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Demon Blood: The path of the Half-Blooded Champion


    With this ability, Champion is half human, half demon, able to reason and works with others


    looks human, acts like a demon


    spills blood easily, but does not actively kill unless there''s reason to


    can grow wings and fly


    Unable to wield white magic, and white magic attacks make the Champion ill.


    has two dark spells Champion can wield Dark Hypnosis and Blood Call: a spell that after the Champion has spilled the victim''s blood, should the victim be allowed to live, or survive,


    the Champion can then call on the victim by summoning them with their blood


    Can grow two small bat-like wings, can remain air born for half of a day/night</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The Endarkened: The path of the full Blooded Demonic Champion


    With this ability, The champion will slaughter indiscriminately, blood first, questions later


    The champion is a full demon and takes on the appearance as well as mannerisms of one


    Note, Champion will be subject to personality change to allow for the ability to take life without remorse


    Any white magic attacks are henceforth lethal.


    Dark magic is the weapon of choice now. While bladed weapons and staffs are able to be wielded if desired.


    Can grow wings and fly, though prefers flight to be at night so others will not see the true nature</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Well, she was a demon, wasn¡¯t she? She clicked the Endarkened ability. Might as well commit to it fully, at least with that ability her personality would change and she wouldn¡¯t feel the need to fight what she was anymore.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Ring of Lust


    As long as one wears this ring, any person will be sexually attracted to the wearer


    Warning only works within a certain radius depending on one''s power</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She looked at the Demon, "There¡¯s only one item."


    He merely chuckled. "You will resemble a demon, my dear, not everyone will be attracted to you. In fact, most will run away in fear of you. With this ring, you''ll be able to be around the people of this new world, and they won''t run away. You''ll even be able to mate with them as you please. You''ll be a demon princess after all. It''s your job as a female royal to produce more strong royal demons."


    "I¡¯m not ready to be a parent." She whimpered.


    "Neither am I ready for you to have a weak little whelp suckling at your breast when there is work to be done." He growled. ¡°So it will have to wait. So I think, for now, you shall remain barren, your fertility shall be restored later on."


    "That''s my favor?"


    He grinned at her. "No, that it is not. You have to choose your favor, I cannot pick it for you. What is the favor you would ask of me?"


    "I, I don¡¯t want to remember anything about my past. I¡¯ll know I come from Earth, and all of my knowledge should be there, but I don¡¯t want to have any of my memories."


    The demon''s eyes rolled to the back of his head, after a couple of minutes those bright neon eyes fixated on hers and he grinned. "So be it."


    He jumped then, crossing the distance, and that mouthed crushed against her own before she fell into darkness. Light surrounded her, and the sound of birds whistled overhead.


    She opened her eyes slowly and looked around. So this was the new world huh? She looked down at her hands and saw the ability she''d chose actually had changed her appearance. Her skin was now a dark pink, her hair was much longer and no longer the muddy brown, but thick ebony locks that would put the traditional Snow White''s hair to shame. Protruding from her head was a pair of horns.


    There was a small bag at her hip, she opened and found the ring. It had a diamond band and a ruby gem carved into a rose. She slipped that on her finger as the other champions, at least she hoped that''s who they were, started to wake up.


    Inside the bag, was also a mirror, she took it out and saw that her horns were bronze colored, with engravings that seemed to be inlaid with onyx and opal. They were actually very beautiful. They almost looked like a ribbon blowing the in the wind the way they grew out of her head. Her eyes, once a deep chocolate brown, now matched the bronze color of her horns. Her red lips parted as she smiled, revealing two, very sharp canines. At least she didn''t have a row of sharp teeth. She quickly stashed away the mirror and looked around at her fellow champions.


    Then, the screaming started.

 Chapter Eight : Champion of Elements

    "Come on Mal," the orderly said softly crouching down beside her. "You should at least try to eat something."


    Mal said nothing, didn''t even move. She stayed in the corner, staring out the window. For a mental institution, they had a beautiful view of a forest outside her window. She was at the back of the place, facing the expansive forest that bordered the six-story building. It''s exterior comprised of red brick, while the interior was all pale gray concrete. She once thought the stuff was horrible, now, it seemed like the most comfortable thing in the world.


    The orderly sighed and sat down with her. "Come on sweetheart, won''t you say something? You have a beautiful voice, but I haven''t heard it in so long."


    Mal still ignored the young man. A set of dark clouds were rolling in over the trees off in the distance, a storm was coming in, and it promised to be a good show. The weather was a source of entertainment for her, one that didn''t require her to think about its story, that didn''t play with her already broken emotions. The weather was safe, and she wanted safe.


    "You still in there Chase?" A voice called the hallway. "Get your ass moving we still have other meals to deliver."


    Chase sighed and got up. "I''m worried about her, she hasn''t eaten in a couple of days."


    "She''s just a crazy bitch man, she''ll eat when she''s hungry."


    "She''s not animal Reggie." Chase said in a dark tone. "She''s a person, who''s been through some traumatic shit. Not everyone is like your great-grandmother who took a beating and kept on ticking like it was nothing. Some people do get broken, and there''s nothing wrong with that. We''re supposed to be helping them, not make them feel worse than they already do."


    ¡°No, we¡¯re supposed to be feeding these wasted sacks of flesh.¡± Reggie spat. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Keep talking like that, I¡¯ll have you written up you piece of shit.¡± Chase threatened.


    Reggie was silent. Mal had only interacted with the man once, and she knew he wasn''t the kind of person who understood why people had mental breakdowns. He thought it all to be a huge load of crap. He worked at the hospital because 1) he needed the money and it had great benefits, 2) no other place would hire him anymore due to poor conduct. Apparently, he was only able to be hired because some relative or family friend got him the job.


    She knew for certain he treated all of the patients like trash. Her included the one time he brought her her meal. When she''d thrown it back at him, he was never allowed to serve her again. She also knew he was screwing the woman down the hall in room 602. During the lunch rounds, the woman would cry and beg for his love, due to the other orderly''s he ignored her. At night, however, he would sneak into her room, and they weren''t exactly quiet about what they were doing. Still, it wasn''t her business. If the woman down the way thought the solution to her problem was to open her legs to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that came her way, that wasn''t Mal''s concern.


    Reggie was merely the most recent in a string of orderlies that woman had seduced. While she had been here less than five years, the exact amount of time she wasn''t sure, but it was definitely less than five, that woman had gone through six orderlies. Mal thought for a moment when Chase was hired that he would soon replace Reggie. However, Chase proved to be a good man, and didn''t exactly spurn the woman''s advances, he played them off as jokes. After a week the woman gave up and stuck with Reggie.


    Mal stopped listening after that. Too much drama, too much emotion. The weather suited her more.


    Clydesville Mental Institution was comprised of six floors for a reason. The first floor was for the visiting patients who had appointments with the Psychiatrists. They only came by once a week, but should the need arise, and they had to stay for an extended period of time, there were floors and ample space. The doctors who built this place had that in mind.


    The second floor was for the suicidal''s. With bars over the windows, and every security measure in place for their safety. But, in case if they failed, a fall from the second story would hurt, not kill. The third was for the people like herself who had mental or emotional breakdowns to the point they could no longer live in society, but if left alone were docile enough. The fourth floor was for the sexual abuse victims and sex addicts who sought rape or committed it.


    The fifth floor was for the violent types and the padded cells needed to contain some of them. With the windows on that level being very small, a cat could fit through them, but not a person, the occupants would have to get to the lower levels to escape. Designed that way, so if on the rare occasion one of them got out, there was no way they could get down five floors to get out. They would be caught, and hopefully not damage themselves or anyone else on their way.


    The sixth floor was for stock, there was a service elevator for when the big inventory came in. Mal watched some of the trucks come and go. That elevator only had two stops, the ground floor, and the top floor. It was safe entertainment, and big deliveries were rare.


    The place was efficient, and Mal had seen much of it during her time here. After losing her son, and the baby girl she was pregnant with, the first floor she''d been to was the fifth. But she supposed after taking a knife with the intent to kill her husband, holding her there for a few days made sense. Didn''t help that to keep herself from actually killing Drew she had stabbed the knife into her own leg.


    The physical pain blinded her from the emotional pain she''d felt for a moment, and when the authorities came, she''d stabbed her leg a few more times to add to it. She didn''t really fight them, but she did struggle because when they took her, it hurt. Physical pain overshadowed the emotional, and that''s what she wanted. She didn''t really remember her time on the fifth floor, the drugs they''d given her had kept her docile and more or less asleep the whole time.


    After the fourth day, she was brought down here. She''d been offered the chance to go home many times, one time she accepted, and shortly thereafter, had another breakdown. She couldn''t do it. Why would she want to go back out into a society where people purposely ruined others life just for fun? Others laughing as if it were a big joke? Why would she want to go back among people who were going to look at her as if she was an escapee of the loony bin? People who would try to avoid her for fear of physical harm. Those same people would have hindered her every attempt to live a normal life and try to get better. Just like they had the last time she was released.


    She''d been out less than a week, and she ended up screaming and locking herself in her house. She''d had to unplug her phone because of the constant threatening messages, and the complaints about her being out. She tried to go grocery shopping was thrown out of the store. When she didn''t make it to her follow-up appointment, one of her doctors went looking for her. She forgot who it was now, but they found her at home, curled up in a ball on a mattress in her closet. Everything is house was in disarray and used to block the doorways. Immediately, he called an ambulance, when she screamed at the strangers in the house, thinking they were there to hurt her, she was sedated, when she woke up, she was back in this room.


    It was safe, so she welcomed the familiarity numbness. She had no life waiting for her out there, and she didn''t want to deal with the monsters of humanity. She didn''t want to deal with any of it. She would gladly live and die here, watching the weather and the seasons change as her way to pass the time.


    "Is the patient still inside?"


    Mal blinked. Having been lost in thought, she''d lost track of the argument between the soft-hearted Chase and the ass hat Reggie. Now, there was a newcomer, one she did not recognize, and the voice was something else. Something inhuman.


    "Yes, ma''am." Chase said automatically. "She''s been unresponsive. I got a sigh out of her when I gave her her meal, but that was it."


    Had she sighed at Chase? Really? That was more emotion that she''d shown anyone in a month. How long had she been unconsciously reacting to him?


    "Very well then, I shall go in, see to it that we are not disturbed." The newcomer said patiently. "That means by your endless streams of complaining Reginald. I want you to continue the rounds alone, Chase will stay here to stand guard."


    "You can''t be serious!?" Reggie hollered in outrage. Causing an endless stream of crying.


    There was a loud slap, and the newcomer spoke in a dark tone. "Leave at once! This was the final straw! How dare you raise your voice like that when you know several women here are victims of abuse! Get out of this hospital and never return! Move to another town, another place, go to hell for all I care! Because you are never working anywhere in this town again by the time I''m threw with you!"


    With that, a woman, looking to be in her late twenties entered the room and looked at Mal. One look and Mal knew for a fact this woman wasn¡¯t human. There was an ethereal glow about her, and her voice radiated with power. She was dressed at the doctors of this place, but her hair was a long sweeping bright turquoise, unadorned by anything, falling from her head to her waist. Looking as if it were liquid and not hair. Mal used to spend her time reading about Gods and mythical creatures, why one would visit her now, she didn¡¯t know.


    The woman looked at her with a bright smile. Her equally turquoise eyes twinkling. "Do you prefer to be addressed by Mal or Mallory?"


    Mal shrugged.


    "I suppose I shall call you Mal." The woman said looking away and tapping her foot. "Everyone here seems to know you by that. Everyone in this town knows you by that name. Apparently, you went to great lengths to get "Mallory" used less, and "Mal" used more often." She looked back at Mal. "I respect the effort you put into that, so I shall call you Mal."


    Mal could only star at the mythical woman in front of her.


    She smiled gently at Mal. "You may speak with me child, no one outside this room will hear us. They will just hear me asking the usual mundane questions you have to deal with."


    Speak? When was the last time she¡¯d actually used her voice? A month? Longer? Could she even do it anymore. Mal opened her mouth, and supposed, she would know when she used her voice.


    "That was very cruel what you did to Reggie." Not what she expected to say, but there, some words were spoken. At least she knew her voice box was still working.


    The woman''s face became dark with rage. Her twinkling eyes went dark and her hair began to ripple away from her body as heat radiated out from the woman. "That beast has gotten thirteen different women in this place pregnant! Not all of them are like that woman down the hall who parts her legs willingly. Ironically, she is trying to get pregnant, but she won''t be the one to bear his child. All of the ones that are will be unable to keep their children because of their mental state! Six of them will die in foster homes because of neglect in the first year alone, four of them will die of drug overdoses when they are teenagers, two of them will die of STD''s before they are thirty, one of them will be beaten to death, and out of that thirteen, one girl, one precious little girl, will live to see adulthood.


    "She will grow up, fairly happy, find out she was adopted, seek her birth mother at the age of eighteen, and go into medicine so she can help women like her mother. She will be killed in a car accident at the age of sixty-three. All because of that, as you so adequately put it, ass hat. The least I can do for those children is make sure their father suffers for his crimes in a most horrible possible way."


    "You could have fired him before that happened."


    The woman looked at her remorsefully, "Then that last child wouldn''t save the lives she''s meant to. Sadly it''s the bigger picture we Gods are cursed to forever see. Yes, fifteen lives, fifteen innocent young girls will perish horribly, but, because of a surviving one, over two thousand lives will be saved. Of that two thousand, eighty percent will go on to live wonderful lives, and have good children who will contribute to society and later go one to save other lives as well."


    "I suppose that is a comforting thought, even if it is a curse for you." Mal said looking out the window again. ¡°What will become of Reggie? I''m assuming you have everything all planned out for him. Being a goddess and all.¡±


    ¡°He will leave here today, go to a bar, drown his sorrows. Start applying for jobs tomorrow. He¡¯ll fail, as every other place rejected him before he got hired here. His wife will start to get upset with him, there will be more fighting. The babies will be discovered, and DNA testing will be done. Reggie will be found to be the father, and since he will no longer work here, the hospital will villainize him and not try to cover up what happened. He will be held accountable. His wife will leave him. He¡¯ll spend a few years battling the court, in the end, his sentence will be carried out. He¡¯ll go to prison, be some man''s bitch for a month, contract AIDS, then die having been drowned in one of the toilets after a series of men take a piss in it.¡±


    "Why drowning in piss?"


    "He will go from one man''s bitch to five, to ten, to fifteen."


    "One for each girl lost."


    "Yes. Anyway, one day he will assert himself and tell them all to piss off. So they will, then they''ll drown him in it. As all of them are already serving life, there''s not much the system can do to them. This state doesn''t have the death penalty."This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Guess that goes to show you, never piss off a God.¡±


    The Goddess chuckled. ¡°Too true my dear. Too true. If you think I¡¯m bad, you should see some of the things the others have done. I¡¯ll spare you the specifics, but I will say this, mine hardly ever contain bloodshed, but the other Gods, well, let¡¯s just say after everything they¡¯ve done, we could make a planet entirely out of blood.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a name?¡±


    ¡°Elements. We took the names we are the patron Gods of.¡±


    ¡°Not very original.¡±


    ¡°I agree. I rather liked the idea of Elementia, but then Love, I¡¯m sure you can guess what she¡¯s the patron Goddess of, didn¡¯t like the individuality of my name, so I was forced to go with Elements to keep the peace of the heavens.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t come here just to have an idle chit-chat with a broken woman in an asylum.¡±


    ¡°No, that I did not.¡±


    "What does a Goddess want with me?" Mal asked looking back at her.


    Elements sat down on the bed and looked at Mal with patient eyes. Mal noticed they were back to their bright turquoise color, but the twinkle was gone. In those eyes, Mal saw the same pain she felt when she allowed it back in.


    "Because you have nothing to lose. You have been broken in every single way a woman can be broken. Yet, despite your initial reaction, have remained sane. At least sane enough to know you can''t go back outside these walls without ending right back here, but in worse condition. You are the kind of Champion I need."


    "If I have to leave these walls, then answer is no."


    "You will have to leave these walls," Elements confirmed. "But you won''t be in this world."


    "Go on."


    Elements smiled, there was triumph there, but Elements rightly kept it in check. Mal knew because there was still no twinkle in her eyes. Elements didn''t have a victory yet. "The world is called Taimin. It''s a place myself and other Gods created."


    "Why?"


    "I cannot reveal the exact reason yet, that must only be revealed in a time when you are willing to accept the exact nature of the truth." Elements answered patiently.


    "Cryptic, and makes me skeptical." Mal said neutrally.


    Elements nodded. "As right you should be. We will lie to you, we will keep secrets from you."


    "What a way to sell this lady."


    Elements threw her head back and laughed. "Yes. I suppose I am botching this, but I must be honest, or as honest as I can be." She looked at Mal remorsefully. ¡°I find myself in a situation much like you have been in your entire life. Everything and everyone falling to pieces around you. Even the man you loved most hurting you in ways you never thought he would. You are mortal, and there are limits to what a mortal can handle. But I am God, so my limits far exceed yours. Even so, I can feel it, my limit, and I need someone who''s been there, who understands what it''s like when this all comes to an end.¡±


    ¡°You seem sane to me.¡±


    ¡°You are sane, you just grieve deeply.¡± Elements sighed. ¡°I have never lost a child, but I think, were I in your place, I would be exactly where you are now.¡±


    ¡°A Goddess admitting to being fallible.¡±


    ¡°We are not infallible, contrary to popular belief. We do make mistakes, and we are weak, and susceptible to things just as much as mortals. Though my comrades would never dare admit it.¡± Elements leaned in and dropped her voice, "Actually, I¡¯ll tell you a little secret about a mistake and something the Gods would never admit to. Demon and the Love had this little one-night tryst, and they both got sick. They had been very very drunk you see, otherwise, Demon never would have bedded Love.


    "Anyway, given all of the fluids that had accumulated over their mating and their being violently ill, both from being hung over then realizing what exactly they''d both done, the two of them left behind enough of their essence the resulting mass gained sentience and life. A mass of gray took a humanoid shape and began to travel space, multiplying its self. Some of them found earth and loved the color green so much they changed their skin to match it."


    After a long time of never smiling, or laughing, it felt and sounded odd to her ears as Mal''s face broke out into a grin and laughter escaped unbidden. Elements smiled affectionately, watching and letting Mal laugh till it was all out of her system. When Mal looked back at Elements, she nodded approvingly, and triumph was there. The twinkle had returned to her eyes. In place, and not going anywhere.


    "Yes, you are my champion, and you can be healed from the current break in your soul." She said softly. "I have faith that you will be just fine after some time on Taimin."


    "Let us commence then." Elements said waving her hand. A blue screen appeared in front of Mal. "The other Champions get to pick their abilities and their items, you, won''t have that choice. Your powers are pretty much mine, though they will advance as your power grows. I''m just giving you the chance to read over your ability, then I will show you what item you will be given."


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of the Elements


    This champion has complete and utter control over all of the elements.


    Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Light, and Metal.


    Can summon them at will and use them as he/she see''s fit


    weapons are pointless, as the elements are constantly surrounding the champion, and better serve their wielder


    having power over the elements will allow the champion to predict the future, manipulate the world of Taimin it''s self, to freeze time, to tell what people are thinking, to manipulate people if need be


    there is no limit to what the user can do.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Oh-Kay." Mal said drawing out the word. "Talk about freaking OP. I''m almost scared to ask for my item."


    Another box appeared with multiple options. This one didn''t have anything to do with items.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Character Alteration</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Hair</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Face</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Body</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Your one item is the one-time use of the Character Alteration setting." Elements explained."The other Champions don''t have access to it. If they choose an ability that altered their appearance, then this setting was used so that the God could alter the Champion to suit that ability. You, get to choose."


    "Why?"


    "Because if I were starting a new life, in a new world, I would, at the very least, like my hair to look decent."


    Mal couldn''t help the chuckle that followed Elements joke. She took a careful breath and clicked hair. Beside the options, was a mirror, allowing her to see what each hairstyle looked like as she scrolled through her options. She always had short hair. Her mother always kept her daughter''s hair short, and as Mal got older, it was just easier to deal with.


    When she landed on the option of long hair, she liked the way it looked. There were a couple of different styling choices and when she found the one she liked best, she moved on. Long, with a small chunk of it pulled into a bun on her head, with braids going from her temples then wrapping around the bun to hold it in place. She thought it was beautiful, and she already looked drastically different than she did before. Elements was right, already she felt a little better.


    She then messed with the color dial, testing to see what colors there were. She laughed again when her hair was orange, but stopped when she reached the palest pink. She really liked how that looked. She always talked about dying her hair a different color. Not the usual blond, red, brown, or black. She wanted a color like blue, or purple. But this pink, something about it, just made her smile. After selecting to make that a permanent change, the texture changed to match Elements. She wondered if that was something to do with the powers of the elements themselves.


    The only other thing she changed was her eyes. They were a darker blue, like sapphires, but it didn''t look right with the pale pink. Instead, she turned them to a pale blue. That matched much better.


    She didn''t really have a problem with the rest of herself. Perhaps if this was years ago, before her breakdown, she would have decreased her bust size and her waistline. However, presently, her waist was slimmer than it had been before. Healthy eating, the occasional exercise she was allowed, and the meds she was given lowered her weight and her body size. Her bust, she hadn''t worn a bra in years, and it didn''t occur to her to change her cup size at all.


    She looked back at Elements, she had a worried look on her face and didn¡¯t notice Mal had finished.


    "What now?" Mal asked softly, getting Elements attention back.


    "This is where you would ask for one favor, but I¡¯m afraid, I have to change the rules a bit."


    "Why¡¯s that?"


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid Love has gone against us and chosen a Champion that could mean the end of you all if we do not intervene.¡±


    ¡°Who did Love choose?¡±


    Elements looked back at her worried. ¡°Anna.¡±


    Mal sat there stunned. She knew Elements meant her younger half-sister Anna. Mal became very puzzled by this. Why would a Goddess of Love choose Anna? Anna had nothing to do with love. Obsession, lust, sex, all of that Mal could understand, but love, as the concept was originally intended? No. Anna was not the type of person to find true affection with anyone.


    If that was the case, why would Love chose Anna? Surely a Goddess of Love would want someone who wanted to help others find that affection. If not, then what did that mean about the Goddess, for the other champions? A champion that could mean the end of them all, Elements had said. Did that mean Love had her own agenda, separate from the other Gods? If so, what, why?


    Elements was seething while Mal was confused. She rose while Mal stayed still and paced.


    ¡°Bad enough Hero chose your ex-husband as his champion, Love had to go and choose your sister. Whose sins are worse than even you are aware of.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve made my peace with Drew.¡± Mal said honestly. ¡°As for my sister, I¡¯m not sure I understand what you mean by all of this. I know she''s made some pretty terrible choices and enjoyed them, but you''re making it sound like something far worse than what I''m thinking.¡±


    ¡°Because it is!" Elements yelled before calming herself. "I''m sorry, Mal, you will be going into that world slightly broken because of what that woman did. The former Champion of Kings is still in a broken state because of what the last Champion of Love did.¡± Elements seethed. ¡°If Love had chosen one of the ones I suggested, you would have been fine. You would have been healed, the Champion of Kings awoken, and you all would have been fine. But now,¡± Elements stopped and looked down at Mal. ¡°Now I must ask something very drastic of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°You are Anna¡¯s greatest weakness.¡± Elements said softly coming to kneel in front of her. ¡°For while you may not know all of her secrets, you know how she thinks, how she operates. You know the truth about her that she would much rather keep hidden.¡± Elements cupped Mal¡¯s cheek. ¡°I chose you before I knew what Love did, for you are so much like me. Were you anyone else, I would have offered you the chance to back out, but now that is not an option. I¡¯m afraid it must be you.¡±


    ¡°Drew could easily tell truth about her.¡±


    Elements shook her head. ¡°Drew cannot save the Champion of Kings, but you can. I have never chosen a Champion before because I never found the right one. Now I have. If I back out now, everyone that was chosen today will die. You can help keep them alive.¡±


    ¡°How do I do that?¡±


    ¡°By telling the truth. When asked, don¡¯t hold back, don¡¯t sugar coat it, be honest, be brutal, be blunt. When they ask why; tell them everything I have said, and your thoughts that followed. I cannot answer the questions you have, but you are right to have them, and you must see to it the others have them as well.¡± Elements took hold of Mal¡¯s chin and held firm. ¡°And by the Gods Mallory, when the time comes, and you¡¯ll know when it is, do not hesitate. Do not question, and do not doubt.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill Anna.¡±


    ¡°You may yet change your mind when you learn of her greatest sin.¡± Elements stroked her hair. ¡°Taimin has a way of revealing things others wish were kept hidden. That includes us Gods.¡±


    Mal nodded. "Alright, I guess I can play along for now. At the very least, I can see where this goes. So how do I get there?"


    Elements smiled. "Merely take a nap, and when you wake up, you will be with others on the World of Taimin."


    Feeling rather tired, Mal laid down on her bed, closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. She felt Elements run her fingers through her hair, coaxing her off to sleep. She drifted off to sleep and saw her heart. As if it were a glowing jewel, shattered to pieces by what happened in her past. There, she saw her broken heart, trying to repair its self, but only being able to fit the pieces together before they fell apart again.


    Then, a light surrounded her heart, encasing it in a glass box. There the pieces remained. Suspended in the air. Not put back together, but not jumbled together in a messy pile as they had been before trying to reassemble its self. It was a spell, of some kind, she was sure. But what spell, and what it meant, she didn¡¯t know. She guessed she would deal with that in due time.


    She sighed as she opened her eyes a bit. She wasn''t in the hospital anymore, she was in a clearing, others surrounding her. She closed her eyes and decided to rest for a bit longer. Knowing who was waiting here in this clearing, she wanted to get as much peace as she could before it began.


    She didn¡¯t get her wish.


    A familiar shrilly scream echoed throughout the clearing almost immediately after Mal closed her eyes again causing her to sigh. She sat up slowly and looked to find her younger sister Anna staring down at her furiously. Anna looked different as well, slightly taller, with long blonde hair that looked like liquid gold. Her bust size was also larger, Anna always had a smaller cup size than Mal, but now it seemed they were evened out.


    Mal wondered briefly what her sister would do if Anna knew her Goddess had sex with a demon and begot the vile alien race Anna detested.


    Anna pointed her and began screaming again. "You bitch! How dare you defile the place of the God''s Champion! How dare you show your face in my presence! What the fuck are you doing here!?"


    So Anna was still playing the superiority act. Mal knew that she was going to have to keep an eye on her sister, keep her in line. Still, Elements didn¡¯t say she couldn¡¯t have a little fun with it.


    She looked at Anna confused, "I''m sorry, who are you?"


    At last, her sister seemed stunned into silence.


    "Mal."


    She looked across the clearing, and there he was. Drew. He too looked slightly different. Also taller, more muscular. He stood as well and approached her. It was true, she made her peace with what he did, but the sight of him still caused her pain in the past. As it was, she felt the glass case around her heart shudder, but that was it. She didn¡¯t feel like crying, she didn¡¯t want to scream at him or hurt him. Matter of fact, she wanted to reassure him. But she couldn¡¯t. She had a part to play, having started it. So, again, she looked confused.


    "Do I know you?"


    Drew, looked utterly heartbroken. "You - you really don''t remember me?"


    Mal shook her head.


    "I''m your husband."


    Not anymore. Mal couldn''t help but think. And she honestly had no desire to rekindle what they had. Even if her heart wasn''t in suspended animation, she would have rejected Drew as a potential partner on principle.


    "Excuse me." Anna snapped. "You mean her ex-husband. She divorced you."


    "Circumstances have obviously changed." Drew said softly.


    "So what was last night huh?" Anna demanded, sneering down at Mal before looking back at Drew determined. "You practically busted down my door to get into bed with me, and now you''re trying to make up with miss weak ass bitch over here!?"


    Drew looked at her now. "Last night was my trying to get you to shut up and stay down for a little while so I could leave town without you trying to stop me. That''s why my God chose me. I wished to disappear from that life completely so I could forever be rid of you. Had I known you would be here, I would have said no."


    Anna faltered at that.


    Mal knew what he had planned to do, and she had supported his choice. He had gone through it, and she was glad he succeeded in his attempt. She knew Drew wished more than anything to disappear from the town they were raised in and its people. Whereas Mal couldn''t face society as a whole, Drew could. Just not in that town. She firmly believed if he was in another place, he could atone, and she wanted that for him. It didn''t surprise her that his God heard him, heard the sincerity in the wish, and granted it. Drew was willing to do anything to make his life better, and better for others if he was able. He was a fine choice, Mal could admit that.


    However, knowing what was about to happen when Anna recovered from the momentary shock, Mal stood.


    "I''m sorry, but I really don''t know either of you. I was sent here by my Goddess, as I''m sure we all have been sent here by a God, or Goddess. Past grievances can wait for another time."


    The two of them didn''t look happy about this suggestion from her. Still, they didn''t exactly have a choice. The other champions stood, and it was time their journey began.

 Chapter Nine : Betrayer

    Night returned to the realm of the Gods, chuckling to himself about the Champion he chose. He found a rather entertaining one this time around, and one far better suited to the role than any of the others he¡¯d chosen in the past. They weren¡¯t exactly fit for the job, but they were the best he could find, now, he found one that he thought was irreplaceable.


    "What in the heck was that?"


    Night grinned, and turned around with a hand on his hip and a coy look on his face."Oh, I''m sorry darling, did I make you angry?"


    The two men stood alone in the corridor having both gotten back from their meeting with their chosen Champions. Where the others were he didn¡¯t know. They could have taken another entrance, or were still with their chosen. The one that approached him now was dressed in a red battle skirt and grabbed Night and pulled him against his body.


    "You are mine, and you know how I feel about sharing!"


    "Well rest assured," Night chuckled, "I have no intention of bringing another man into my body or being inside one without you there, Hero my darling."


    "How very generous of you." Hero grumbled.


    "Unless I have your permission you know I will not do anything," Night sighed and rested against Hero, "I was merely teasing the poor boy."


    "As is your habit." Hero said resting a hand on Night''s head. Then he gave a soft chuckle. "The way he reacted was rather entertaining to witness.¡±


    ¡°He has spunk.¡± Night looked up and grinned at his lover. ¡°I think he¡¯ll do a great job.¡±


    Hero smiled in return. ¡°I¡¯m happy you¡¯ve found one you think will accomplish everything.¡± Then his face grew serious as he looked around. ¡°Have the others chosen theirs?"


    Night tilted his head and listening. "I think we should go the viewing pool, I can¡¯t make out what they¡¯re saying, but something serious has happened.¡±


    ¡°Then we should head that way.¡± Hero said releasing Night and began to rush up the hallway again.


    Night looked at Hero and sensed something was off. ¡°What of yours?"


    Hero sighed over-dramatically. "He will be there. Though I honestly don''t know what to make of that foolish lad. He wished to be just like me. Personality, my views, everything, he said."


    Night burst out with laughter. "Did the boy not know your sexual preference?"


    "No, he did not. Didn¡¯t even think to ask. I''m debating on whether or not to surprise him with that, or just let him figure it out as he goes."


    ¡°Oh! Hold on!¡± Night gasped as they passed by their domain of the heavens. He quickly rushed inside and returned folding up his cloak, and waved his hand. "There, now my Champion has his item."


    Hero looked at Night in shock. "You gave him your cloak?"


    "Yes. He left without choosing an ability or an item. I gave him the ability befitting the person he is, and the person he could potentially become. As for the item, I figured I owed him one for scaring him the way I did."


    Hero smiled fondly. "You must see some great promise in him to have released your cloak to him so soon in the game."


    "I¡¯ve seen the truth of his past, and I know his future, with his new family around him, will be a bright one." Night said looking back at Hero.


    Hero pulled Night into his arms and kissed him deeply. "I think you¡¯re right. They are a decent lot this time. Even mine. For the first time in a long time, I have hope."


    The sound of the King¡¯s thunderous voice broke the moment, and they rushed to the center of the Gods domain where the other Gods were assembled. King looked furious, as did Elements, all of them stared at the viewing pool to see what had upset their King and Queen so, immediately, the answer was clear, and they shared in this reaction. Love may have been among the first to choose a Champion, but she was the last to arrive.


    When she did, and she saw the gathered Gods all glaring at her, she merely giggled mischievously and smiled wickedly. ¡°Oh dear, have I been naughty again?¡±


    "Insolent brat!" King shouted as he backhanded Love across the face. "What have you done!? We told you who to pick and bless! Yet you defied me!?"


    "Wahhh!!!" Love whined curled up on the floor holding her abused cheek. "Someone save me!"


    "All have lost patience for you." Elements said in a stoic tone. "We feel no sympathy for a creature as wicked as you."


    ¡°Not all.¡± Love grinned wickedly again grinning up at King. ¡°Someone here still wants me and wants me desperately. Come on out, my beloved King, let¡¯s show this pathetic lot who¡¯s really in the wrong here.¡±


    King shuddered and looked away. ¡°Elements, my love, I¡¯ll let you deal with this.¡±


    "As you wish my love." Elements kissed his cheek.


    With that, he left. Leaving Elements with War, Hero, Night, Day, Wisdom, and Demon, to deal with Love.


    "NO!" Love shrieked rushing to her feet again to go after King. Only to find herself knocked back. But she didn¡¯t land where she had been before. Instead, she was in her domain in the heavens. She looked back at the entryway where the others stood, minus her King.


    ¡°How dare you! Out of my way!¡±


    Her very drapings came to life and secured her in place. She screamed in fury at being held captive, and not in a way she so wanted. ¡°Release me at once!¡±


    ¡°Only if you agree to return Anna to Earth and pick a champion more befitting your role.¡± Elements said stoically. ¡°I will stand by you this time to make sure you do the right thing.¡±


    ¡°Never!¡± Love shrieked.


    Demon was in front of her in an instant, backhanding her across the other cheek. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever speak to our Queen in that manner again! Need we remind you we only find ourselves in this position because of you!? Your actions have doomed us all! Now you see fit to doom our champions as well!?¡±


    "I should have Queen!" She glared at Elements. "I am the personification of beauty and love! I am more worthy of the title Queen!"


    Elements regarded Love with cold eyes. "The past cannot be undone."


    "Then I shall claim the future!" Love screamed.


    ¡°We all know that is impossible, the future is now in ruin, and shall remain so if we do not rectify the mistakes you¡¯ve made.¡± Demon hissed as he left the room again.


    "As you for being the personification of beauty and love," Elements said in a cold tone. "You do not, but rather you personify lust and sexuality."


    ¡°Blasphemy!¡± Love barked


    ¡°As you say.¡± Elements sighed with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯ve long since given up any form of wisdom reaching you.¡±


    ¡°Though I did try.¡± Wisdom said ruefully.


    Love smirked. "Just you watch you bitch, you''ll see! My champion will rise, and become the new Queen of the Gods!" Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°I suspected that was your goal.¡± Elements smirked herself now. "I highly doubt that will happen though. My champion will personally see to your champions ruin."


    Love''s face fell as Elements¡¯ words sunk in. "Your champion?"


    Elements nodded as her face went back to being stoic.


    "Who is it!?" Love shouted. "Who is it!? Who did you choose!?"


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell you. I¡¯m just going to let you watch, and see for yourself who I chose. But you will have to do it here. In your room. You are henceforth banished from the rest of the Gods domains.¡±


    They all felt the seal of King¡¯s power, and knew he heard, and sanctioned the sentence. Love was too shocked, too worried to really react to that sentencing at the moment. The others left, and she was released from her confines. She shredded the fabrics that held her against her will in a fit of rage she couldn¡¯t lash out onto Elements or Demon. With them thoroughly destroyed, she rushed to her viewing mirror.


    Love looked down onto the world of Taimin, there was the clearing all of the Gods had sent their champions, and there was hers. She searched for the one who had Elements¡¯ powers. Sure enough, there she was. Of course, Elements would choose a woman. Love seethed realizing the beauty of this one surpassed her own Champions. That wasn¡¯t fair! That wasn¡¯t fair! That wasn¡¯t fair!


    Love inspected the girl''s origins so she could warn her champion. She needed to know why this one specifically was a threat, beyond the obvious fact that Elements had finally chosen a champion. Anna had to know this one posed a threat, and what all it entailed.


    ¡°No!¡± Love hissed having found it. ¡°NO!¡±


    * * *


    "CURSE YOU ELEMENTS!!!!!" Love''s voice resounded through the heavens. "YOU''LL PAY FOR THIS YOU BITCH!!!!"


    Elements giggled softly.


    ¡°That was rather clever on your part.¡± King grinned at her. ¡°Choosing the one person Love¡¯s Champion is unable to outdo.¡±


    Elements shrugged. ¡°It was purely by coincidence. I chose Mal because I saw much of myself in her. Perhaps, there is a being called Fate, or the fates, and they realized what was happening before we did, and intervened on our behalf. But as we no proof, I¡¯ll take this blessing.¡±


    ¡°Gods!¡± Night cursed. ¡°Will she ever stop screaming?¡±


    ¡°Just wait for the tantrum she¡¯ll throw when she realizes she cannot interact with her Champion.¡± Demon chuckled darkly.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Night shuddered. ¡°How long are you going to stay like that?¡±


    Demon looked down at his horrifying present form. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s having an episode.¡± War mumbled. ¡°Just leave him be and he¡¯ll come back to us eventually.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry Demon.¡± Night gushed.


    ¡°For what!?¡± Demon asked mortified. ¡°Don¡¯t answer that.¡± He looked at King. ¡°What are we to do about her Champion? You saw what happened last time. We cannot allow that travesty to repeat its self.¡±


    "No, you¡¯re right, we cannot." The King said firmly. "But how do we help them?"


    ¡°We do like I did with your Champion the last time.¡± Elements said stepping forward. ¡°We make them immune to Love¡¯s Champion.¡±


    ¡°You did what!?¡± Hero yelled.


    ¡°We swore when we started this we wouldn¡¯t do that!¡± War thundered.


    ¡°We have to be able to trust each other.¡± Wisdom said, his tone quieter than his fellow Gods, but no less furious.


    ¡°And if she had not, they all would have died.¡± Demon pointed out. ¡°Had she not, things would have ended with the last circle and all of the heavens and universes would be doomed.¡± Demon faced the others with a vicious snarl. ¡°Our King didn¡¯t discard his last champion and choose another this round because he lacks the power. He is weak. He cannot offer his blessing again, so the one that lives now is the last one. Should he fall, all of the eternity goes with him.¡±


    That, silenced the gathered.


    ¡°Throw your fits and have your doubts in the confines of your domains.¡± Demon looked back to the viewing pool. ¡°Elements realized then what all of you failed to until I showed you. This truly is the last circle. There will not be another.¡± He looked up at King. ¡°I agree with Elements. Love has deliberately created a Champion do the same thing, if not worse, than her last one. If they are to survive, they must be immune, and they must see this girl for what she really is.¡±


    King nodded. ¡°I share in this revelation.¡±


    ¡°If that is the case,¡± Wisdom looked at King. ¡°She should not carry the title for long.¡±


    ¡°I will need your assistance to come up with a plan.¡±


    ¡°I will offer what I can.¡± Wisdom nodded.


    ¡°You have the help of us all King.¡± Hero said softly.


    ¡°Thank you, my brothers.¡± King smiled softly. He looked down at those gathered in the clearing. ¡°Now, I think it¡¯s time we let them know how this world works. How about you?¡±


    ¡°Elements take over for mine would you?¡± Demon asked as he began to leave.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± She asked him.


    ¡°To vent my frustrations on the invalid. It will buy us some time before her next tantrum.¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t an invalid.¡± War commented softly.


    ¡°She will be by the time I¡¯m done with her.¡± Demon hissed before he disappeared.


    Every one of them shuddered. They could not kill each other, but they could hurt one another pretty bad, as they had learned in the past.


    * * *


    Elsewhere on Taimin


    The ones who formerly held the title of Champion looked out at the horizon. A new batch of Champions had been chosen. While some parted ways with the Gods amicably, others did not. Those that sought to help the new Champions succeed where they failed, prepared thing so if the Champions came their way, things were ready. The others sneered and began to prepare as well, but their welcome would be one met with blood and death.


    * * *


    One of the former Champions, a King now, high on his throne, felt the shift in the balance and power. He stopped all courtly matters and retired to his chambers to be alone. In his room, sitting in the corner, redecorated with plush cushions and soft things, was the former Champion of Days. Her eyes held no light as she stared ahead unseeing.


    ¡°Leave us.¡± He told the attendees that took care of her. He sat down beside her, but there was no indication she even knew he was there. Gently, he pulled her hair away from her ear and whispered. "Show me the new ones."


    She said nothing as she raised her hand to the mirror, and the new champions appeared in the image. A clearing in a forest. A fat lot of good that did him. He had no idea where they were, and the mirror would not tell them the location. It would seem the Gods changed the location in which they deposited the Champions. Used to be they would arrive in some kind of town or village. Where they would immediately be launched into the starting trial. It did not appear to be the case this time.


    Why? What was so different about this new batch of Champions the Gods saw fit to do things differently than they had done all along?


    He sighed, rather disappointed. So he couldn¡¯t immediately spring into action like he had planned. He could only ask one question a day, and what magic his pretty had left, would see it answered honestly. His one question that day was spent. He wished they would stack up considering all of the days he didn¡¯t ask questions. But, he let it go. There were more important matters to attend to.


    There were several beauties in that clearing, but there was one in specific that he was targeting. He grinned viciously as he watched her put a golden pendant back beneath her blouse, resting against a decently sized bosom. So that was the new Champion of Days, he grinned, and soon, she would be his.


    * * *


    Another former Champion, of Demons, looked up toward the ceiling, several miles of earth between her and the sky. "So another has been chosen. What a nuisance."


    The former champion of Love looked up at her lover. "Anyone tasty looking?"


    "Not that I can tell, no."


    "Is he there!?" The woman huffed. "Is my King there!?"


    The former Champion of Demons shook her head. "His location still evades me."


    "What of the one who replaced me?"


    "Only time will tell Heart."


    The two women fell silent. Bitterness, jealousy, and more coursed through them. They did not take the rejection of the Gods well, and being replaced stung worse than any wound they''d ever been dealt.


    * * *


    The mansion was cool and shadowed. The butler and the maid who kept the place running while their master was unable, went about their daily tasks as if nothing had changed. They cleaned, they cooked, but only they ate. Their master lay in bed, unmoving except for his breathing. In ten long years, not once had he stirred.


    As per his usual routine, the butler opened the curtains and the windows of the master bedroom in the late afternoon early evening hours. To allow fresh air into the room while the weather was still nice to do so. He sighed as he leaned against the sill and breathed in the early fall air. Weariness was gathering in him, and he was beginning to wonder if his master would ever wake up.


    The gasping of breath and coughing behind him startled the butler. When he turned, his master was sitting up in bed. His eyes opened for the first time in years.


    ¡°Master!¡± The butler cried as he rushed to the man''s side.


    The maid came rushing in with tears of joy streaming down her face and a bright smile that could not be banished. ¡°Welcome back my Lord!¡±


    ¡°How long?¡± The master croaked.


    As the maid got him water, the butler sighed. ¡°Ten years, my Lord.¡±


    ¡°The Gods certainly took their sweet time about choosing new ones.¡±


    ¡°New Champions!?¡± The maid asked excitedly.


    The Master nodded. ¡°Yes. I can sense them being brought here.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Both the maid and Butler asked.


    He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure.¡±


    ¡°Are you cured, Master?¡± The Butler asked softly.


    He shook his head again. ¡°No. I¡¯m awake, but I am still cursed. I''m afraid I will have to continue to rely on your help for a while longer."


    "We are here, as we ever were." The Butler said assuredly.


    ¡°Can''t we fix this?¡± The Maid asked.


    ¡°You cannot.¡± He said, opening the blue screen that allowed him to view the present location of the Champions. Among them, was a new Champion, one that had never been chosen before. He rested a finger against the one curled up on her side, with pink hair spread out on the ground. ¡°That one. Only she can cure me.¡±


    ¡°Who is she, Master?¡± The maid asked.


    ¡°My future bride.¡±


    * * *


    Deep in the vast abyss, a growing darkness hissed, alive, and seethed with fury. Another group was chosen, these ones, similar to their former selves.


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    "Like us."


    Eight voices hissed at once from the collected mass of thick vile. Eight huge red eyes opening and staring ahead seeing things beyond where they rested.


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "New blood."


    "MUST KILL!!!!" they all screamed viciously.

 Chapter Ten : A New Ring Begun

    The Champions each looked at each other and the new place they were in. Mal waited for someone, anyone, to break the ice and start the ball rolling for them all. She didn¡¯t know about the other Gods, but Elements gave her the impression that they were going to be together for a long time. So they should get to know each other, and maybe once they did, the Gods might let them know what they were supposed to do from here. But no one moved.


    Anna merely kept glaring at Drew, breathing heavily through her nostrils. Drew was merely staring down at his feet, refusing to meet anyone''s eyes. Everyone else seemed to be having their own reactions as well. Including one man who was pacing back and forth, hands behind his head looking severely panicked.


    ¡°Well, since no one will take the plunge,¡± Mal took a deep breath and smiled, ¡°Hello, my name is Mallory, I go by Mal, I will answer to either. I was chosen by Elements to be the Champion of Elements. Anyone else here find it rather dull that the Gods are named after their occupation?¡±


    At the very least, she got a smile out of everyone, a few even laughed a bit. Except for Anna, who was scowling at her.


    Mal decided to ignore that as she looked at the woman on her left. "Why don''t you go, next sweetie."


    The woman, who had been giggling, had a bright smile on her face as she said, "Hello, I''m Elise, and I''m the Champion of Day."


    She looked to her left, and there, all eyes widened in shock at what they saw. A young woman with dark pink skin, long thick ebony hair, and two bronze colored horns with engravings. She grinned. "I''m Cameron, and I''m the Champion of Demons."


    Cameron stepped up to Mal. ¡°May I touch your hair!? It¡¯s so pretty! It''s like its water or something! It''s glowing too!¡±


    Elise turned back to Mal as well. ¡°Me too! I¡¯m sorry, I just, if she can, can I?¡±


    ¡°Uh, sure.¡± Mal said with a shrug, looking over to the guys on the other side of the clearing. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take it from here?¡±


    "I''m Anna," Anna said stepping forward with a wide grin on her face before anyone could say something. "I am the Champion of love!" She proceeded to fix all but Mal with her best sexiest stare. Giving her hair a swirl, and her lips curved into a sultry smile. ¡°Feel free to adore me. I promise to make time for all of you.¡±


    Mal thought this is where she would usually roll her eyes. As it was, there was no emotional reaction.


    When none of the men moved, she turned that sultry smile to the other women. "Excuse me, ladies, I believe it was my hair you wanted to touch. It does, after all, look like liquid gold, far better than that stuff that looks like Pepto-bismal."


    "Maybe later." Cameron said not looking at her.


    Elise looked at Anna confused. "It doesn''t look like that medicine, it''s far too pale. Why would you say something like that?"


    Again, the shock of it all caught Anna off guard. It seemed to Mal, whatever Anna expected or wanted to happen, wasn''t going to.


    ¡°We need to keep with the introductions.¡± Mal said motioning with her hands. Wanting to keep things moving so Anna wouldn''t make this take longer than it should. ¡°Thank you for introducing yourself Anna, though the added commentary really wasn¡¯t necessary.¡±


    ¡°Here here.¡± A man on the other side of the clearing said.


    "I''m Drew." Drew said finally lifting his head. Looking determined. "The Champion of Heroes."


    "Kenneth." the boy to Drew''s left said. "Champion of War."


    "Xavier, Champion of Night." His eyes rested on Elise, his opposite.


    "Alex, Champion of Wisdom." Said the man who agreed with Mal a moment before.


    She smiled at them all. "Okay, now that we all know each other, and we know what we are.¡± She frowned and looked at each them. ¡°Did anyone¡¯s God mentioned why we are here? Like, specifically?¡±


    :: BING::


    In front of them, eight screens appeared in a circle, a screen for each of them, though at the moment each of them was shown the same thing.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>WELCOME CHAMPIONS TO TAIMIN


    As of this moment, the journey has begun. Quests, tasks, and duties will be asked of you.


    How you handle each situation, will determine how much power you gain.


    The main objective when it comes to gaining power is to ASCEND.


    ASCENSION LEVELING is fairly simple


    Grades 1-10 ranging from 1-99%


    Grades 1 and 2 are labeled as BEGINNER


    Grades 3 and 4 are labeled as INTERMEDIATE


    Grades 5 and 6 are labeled as MASTER


    Grades 7 and 8 are labeled as DEMIGOD


    Successful Ascension through grades 9 and 10 results in full Divinity


    However, no Champion in the past has ever Ascended past Grade 6.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Gods!?¡± Anna shrieked excitedly. ¡°We¡¯re going to be Gods!?¡±


    ¡°Only if we can Ascend through the levels.¡± Kenneth said with a frown. ¡°It¡¯s not like any game I¡¯ve ever played. So we don¡¯t know what it will take to Ascend. It could be easy, could be difficult. Could start out easy and get progressively more difficult.¡±


    ¡°Seems accurate.¡± Alex said with a sigh. ¡°Though it flat out says here that no one has ever Ascended past grade 6. So I think the likelihood of us becoming Gods is pretty slim.¡±


    ¡°Dream killers.¡± Anna grumbled at them.


    ¡°The screens changed again.¡± Elise pointed out.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Note: To keep there from being any confusion, all Champions will be regressed, or progressed, to the age of 21. As that the age you are all accustomed to being considered adult and are no longer hindered by age restriction laws.


    Note: All Champions will be immune to each other''s powers unless it involves saving the others life.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What!?" Anna shrieked in outrage. "That''s not what I was promised!¡±


    "So you meant to use your powers on us?" Xavier asked looking over at her skeptically. "To what end? As means to control us, or is that you can''t keep your legs closed for any length of time?"


    "WHY YOU!?" Anna yelled at him, she turned to Drew. "Are you just going to stand there and let him talk to me like that!?"


    "I already told you I only slept with you so I could exhaust you and get the hell out of town. They all heard me, and they heard your introduction where you made it obvious you were willing to sleep with every one of us.¡± Drew said, "Furthermore why would I argue against something that''s completely true."


    Anna''s nostrils flared and she took a deep breath, sensing a long-winded argument, and/or screaming match, Mal interceded.


    ¡°I think it was a smart move.¡± Mal shrugged. ¡°I mean, we don¡¯t know exactly what each other''s powers are. Also, while we¡¯re learning them, we know we don¡¯t run the risk of accidentally doing something to each other we shouldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I concur.¡± Kenneth said. ¡°Less chance of friendly fire.¡±


    ¡°And now we know we can trust each other because we won¡¯t be enthralled by another.¡± Alex said with a nod.


    Anna looked between all of them. Her expressions varying between shock, outrage, and hurt. When everyone said all they needed to say on the matter, she didn''t get the chance to say another word as the notifications changed. Each champion seeing a different thing now. And all fell silent as they looked over their screens.


    * * *


    Kenneth looked at his screen.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of War


    Ability Chosen: Berserk


    Item Chosen: Multichoice


    Item given: Sword


    Favor granted: Illness cured </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES          or            NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "No." Kenneth said softly.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to keep your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Okay, that''s fine with me." Kenneth said.


    His screen went blank but didn¡¯t disappear. Clearly, the Gods had more they wanted to say, so he waited for the others to finish with their screens.


    * * *


    Anna gritted her teeth as she looked at her screen.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Love


    Ability Chosen: Climax Princess


    Item Chosen: Lovers Kiss


    Items granted: Lover''s Kiss and Wand of Disbonding


    Favor granted: Goddess of Love''s Hair </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES           or             NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Hell no!" Anna said firmly. "I like my name thank you very much!"


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to keep your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Good!" She said. "Why would I ever want to change perfection."


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>WARNING</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>A MESSAGE FROM ALL OF THE GODS</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Items given will not work on other Champions and their requirements for usage has drastically changed.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Lover¡¯s Kiss can be used at any time, however, those immune to its effects will not succumb to its spell. Also, the target must already be feeling desire for the user for it to work.


    Its full effect has also been limited. The user must be Ascended to grade level 4 before it will have full effect.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>User must be Ascended to grade level 7 before Wand of Disbonding can be used.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>WARNING


    Goddess of Love was not supposed to choose you, be wary in what you do, or the tasks will be designed for you to fail.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Anna stared at her screen with a huff of disbelief. "You''re joking right?"


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>A MESSAGE FROM ALL OF THE GODS</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>NO!</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Love has gone against the collective and chosen an unworthy Champion, but you have been chosen nonetheless, you are being given ONE chance to prove to us you are worthy of the title.


    Should you fail, at the very least, your title will be revoked.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Anna stared at the screen in disbelief. That couldn¡¯t be right, it just couldn¡¯t be. She was chosen by the most beautiful Goddess of them all. She was chosen. She was worthy. Love assured her she was. She remembered Love being heartbroken. Was she being abused by the other Gods? Oh! How horrible! Anna broke down crying. This was not how it was supposed to go!


    * * *


    Alex looked away from his screen and couldn''t help but hear the different reactions to what was being shown the others. One of them, Anna, was crying. He looked back to his screen, it wasn''t any of his business. If it was, he was certain he would be told.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Wisdom


    Ability Chosen: Adviser


    Item Chosen: Pick any two, lose one forever


    Items granted: heavy sleep potion and Ring of Wisdom


    Favor granted: the Famous actor has been forgotten by those who would only see the user as an object.


    unless the user wishes to have it known. </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES        or        NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "No." Alex said.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to keep your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "That''s fine." Alex assured the screen, and his went blank but didn¡¯t disappear. So he calmly waited for the others to finish.


    * * *


    Elise blew out a nervous breath as she turned her attention to the screen.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Day


    Ability Chosen: Heliokinesis


    Item Chosen: Rings of Sun


    Favor granted: Cat has been given to a suitable home. Family heirloom was brought from Earth to Taimin for Champion </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES         or        NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "No, my name can stay the way it is." She said. "I''m not good with names anyway."


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to keep your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Her screen went blank, signifying she was done for now.


    * * *


    Xavier sighed and fidgeted nervously. He hadn''t chosen a damn thing, and he was standing there blind. He didn''t know what his powers were going to be, he didn''t know what items he was going to be given, or what his "favor" was going to be granted to him.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Night</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>"Hey there handsome, you didn''t choose a thing, did you? That''s okay, I chose a good one for you."   </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Ability Given: Shadow Drifter  </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>"because I figured you would want to be able to save lives, but not being a complete and total dominating dick about it."</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Items Given: Cloak of Night


    Description: Allows the user to be invisible, day or night, while under it. If Ascension is high enough.


    User can wear this during the day and be at full power, so long as the reverse side is facing out (otherwise the user could be barely visible, or completely invisible)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>"Yes, I literally gave you the skin off my back so you can be protected. So use it wisely my boy, and no using it to mess around with little hotties. *smooch*  " </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>"By the way, I owe you one favor."</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Xavier shuddered. "Oh, my devils and demons! You freaking pervy God!"


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>YOU''RE NOT ALLOWED TO CHANGE YOUR NAME!!!!!!!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Xavier muttered as the screen went dark.


    * * *


    Drew did his best to put the two women from his former life out of his mind. He wished there was a way that he could avoid women forever. Still, such a thing was impossible, he knew. His screen changed and he looked at what it was telling him.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Heroes


    Ability Chosen: Light Hero


    Item Chosen: Sword of Heroes


    Favor granted: To be like God of Heroes </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>WARNING: champion may be subject to even greater personality changes because of this favor </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES        or        NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    He already knew his personality would change, normally he would have been nervous as hell, or even losing his temper with Anna. Instead, he was calm and wanted to think of a rational way to deal with the situation. What more was there to change?


    His screen starting to flash to get his attention, oh yeah he had to answer a question.


    "No, my name is fine."


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to keep your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Story of my life." Drew muttered.


    * * *


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Demons


    Ability Chosen: The Endarkened


    Item Chosen: Ring of Lust


    Favor granted:  Memories Altered </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES        or        NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Sure, why not." Cameron said with a shrug.


    Memories altered? What did that mean? She thought back to life on Earth, and nothing came to mind. What had she done that was so horrible she asked to forget about it? Oh well, not like it mattered now.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Please Type Chosen Name Below</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She reached up to the screen which had a keyboard showing and typed out the first name that came to her mind.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Demons


    You have chosen to change your name to ~ Hexia ~ </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Is this the name you want?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES            or           NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Yes." She said.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen ~ Hexia ~ as your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "A demon doesn¡¯t need a human name." She said softly.


    * * *


    Mal stared at her screen.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of the Elements


    Ability Given: Control over all elements


    Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Light, and Metal


    Item given: Character Alteration


    Character Alteration complete.


    Alterations are now permanent


    Favor given: None


    Champion accepted request of the Goddess Elements </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Would you like to change your name at this time?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES          or           NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "No." She said softly.


    She used to hate her name, which is why she spent so much time getting people to call her Mal. As of that moment, she just didn''t care, and couldn''t think of a name to change it to. She wondered if she would kick herself later for giving up this opportunity.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to keep your name, you will not get another chance to change it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Very well." Mal said and her screen went blank.


    ¡°I guess everyone saw the same thing?¡± Alex asked.


    Everyone nodded.


    ¡°Pretty much just letting us know what ability we chose, what items, and what favor.¡± Elise said taking hold of the locket.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Anna said stomping toward her, making a grab for the pendant. ¡°Some kind of trinket meant to subdue us!? Or perhaps it makes your ugly mug prettier than it should be!¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Elise cried, protecting it and herself best she could. ¡°It¡¯s mine! My parents got it for me for my birthday! It''s all I''ve got left of them! Please leave me alone!¡±


    "Give it to me you bitch!" Anna yelled.


    Mal stepped forward and threw Anna back. Usually, Anna would have been able to recover quickly, but Mal¡¯s actions made everyone aware they were no longer who they once were. Anna flew back with a force Mal should not have been capable of. Anna landed with a heavy thud on the other side of the clearing.


    With a face devoid of emotion, Mal stared down at Anna. ¡°That is enough.¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>WARNING </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Elements has been cursed


    The curse of CAGED HEART now afflicts the Champion</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Curse can only be cured by The Champion of the Kings


    until cured Champion of Elements will feel little to no emotions</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What the hell do you mean ''can''t feel emotions''!?" Anna shouted from where she¡¯d landed, having read the screen when the others did as well.


    Mal stared at the screen. "It means exactly that, I am emotionless, or, near to it anyway. Apparently."


    Anna glared at her. "Does this mean you remember me? And Drew?"


    "Yes,¡± Mal admitted.


    Drew sighed relieved. ¡°I¡¯m glad you remember.¡±


    Mal looked at him. ¡°I feel nothing.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He said with a smile. ¡°But, you wouldn¡¯t be you if you didn¡¯t remember. And how can I begin to atone if the person I hurt the most can¡¯t remember why.¡±


    Mal nodded. ¡°I see your reasoning, but please, atone because you feel you must, for your own reasons. Not for me.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°I can do that.¡±


    "I think we have a bigger issue here everyone is overlooking." Alex said stepping toward Mal. "One our Champions is cursed. We don''t know if this will affect Mal''s powers. Furthermore, if you were all paying attention to the wording, that warning let us know about something else. Something pretty damn big."


    "There''s another Champion." Xavier, who had reread the message, said in awe. "One who isn''t here in this clearing with us."


    Alex nodded. "We''re incomplete."


    The blue screen popped up again, and all read it''s message silently.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Announcement </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Demons name has been changed to ~ Hexia ~</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Announcement </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Champions have been notified of the Champion of Elements'' Curse</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Announcement</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Champions have now been made aware of the missing Champion</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>QUEST UNLOCKED


    Travel to the nearest shelter before dark</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>QUEST UNLOCKED


    Break CAGED HEART on Champion of Elements</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>QUEST UNLOCKED


    Travel to the former Champion of Kings hidden dwelling


    Save Champion of Kings from SEALED SOUL</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>WARNING: Only Champion of Elements can cure the Champion of Kings, only champion of Kings can cure Champion of Elements</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>QUEST UNLOCKED


    Learn the TRUTH from the former Champion of Kings</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What''s SEALED SOUL?" Kenneth asked.


    "I would think it''s the opposite of SOUL BREAK." Alex contemplated aloud. "If SOUL BREAK is the breaking of the soul because of some vicious act, then maybe, SEALED SOUL, is where the victim of SOUL BREAK realizes what''s happening, and seals their own soul to keep it from happening."


    :: BING::


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>ACHIEVEMENT </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Alex discovered the meaning of SEALED SOUL


    ASCENSION GRANTED


    Grade 1 - 5%</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Well that was nice," Alex said as the screen faded, "But all I did was use logic."


    "I think we found how you will level up." Mal to him with an encouraging smile. "You are the Champion of Wisdom after all."


    ¡°What kind of truth are they talking about?¡± Elise asked softly.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I¡¯m wondering about too.¡± Xavier said scratching his head. ¡°The Gods seemed like a sketchy lot if you ask me.¡±


    ¡°No one asked you.¡± Anna spat at him.


    Alex sighed. ¡°Four quests, all in one go, I¡¯m not sure where to even begin. I¡¯ve got so many questions.¡± He looked at Kenneth, ¡°You seem to have some gamer knowledge, what do you think?¡±


    Kenneth scratched his chin where he felt stubble from a beard growing in. Odd, he never had one before. Now he was kind of anxious to get to a mirror. ¡°Seems to me like we go with the easiest one for now. Which is find some shelter before dark.¡± He scrolled through the messages. ¡°If you look at the quests, both the missing Champions curses can only be cured by the other.¡±


    ¡°So, in finding the King, we cure them both.¡± Hexia said with a smile. ¡°Makes sense to me.¡±


    ¡°Still, I highly doubt it will be that easy.¡± Kenneth sighed. ¡°It says ¡®hidden dwellings¡¯, meaning it won¡¯t be easily found.¡±


    ¡°So we make for shelter.¡± Drew said with a nod of approval. ¡°And we plan our next course of action from there.¡±


    "Sounds good to me." Elise said looking toward the sky. "There''s a storm coming.¡±


    "Yeah, I know." Xavier said. "I can feel my power growing." He looked at her. "I take it to mean that your power is lowering then?"


    She nodded. Xavier looked at the rest. "Then yeah, we need to hurry to shelter." He glanced at Mal, ¡°Can you tell when it strike?¡±


    She thought about for a moment, tilting her head and parting her lips to taste the air. ¡°The cloud cover will be over us within an hour, the temperature will cool drastically after that.¡± She looked back at the others. ¡°But the rain won¡¯t start till after dark.¡±


    ¡°Which way should we go?¡± Elise asked looking around.


    ¡°I see a road past those trees.¡± Xavier pointed out to her.


    ¡°We¡¯re in a strange world, and you want us to walk out in full view of whoever could see us!?¡± Anna glared at him. ¡°I think you should let the adults talk.¡±


    Xavier quirked an eyebrow at her. ¡°I am an adult.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, you can lend us a hand here Mal.¡± Alex said stepping toward her. ¡°You should be able to tell if it¡¯s safe using the earth, right?¡±


    She wiggled her bare feet further into the ground and concentrated. ¡°There¡¯s a cluster of building structures up the way. I¡¯d say about ten miles.¡±


    ¡°We have to walk!?¡± Anna shrieked. ¡°There¡¯s no way we¡¯d make there in time!¡± She got a thoughtful look and grinned at the men. ¡°Who wants the right to carry me?¡±


    ¡°You walk on your own two feet or you get left behind.¡± Kenneth said stepping forward, crossing his arms. ¡°That is the only fair way.¡±


    ¡°Well said.¡± Drew grinned at Kenneth.


    ¡°As much as I¡¯m sure everyone enjoys Anna putting her foot in her mouth, then watching her be taken down a peg, there¡¯s another option.¡± Mal pointed to the road.


    A man, wearing simple clothes, was walking toward the circle where they all were. He peeked in and smiled nervously.


    ¡°Beg yer pardon, bu¡¯ uh, whut ya doin¡¯ down in der?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re new Champion of the Gods.¡± Mal said stepping toward him with a soft smile. ¡°We¡¯ve just arrived, and we need to get to shelter before the storm hits.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± The man proclaimed excitedly. ¡°Come on up ¡®ere den! I got room me in cart for de lot of ya! Be bit of a squeeze, but should fit ya¡¯all.¡±


    ¡°My, what a handsome man you are.¡± Anna said stepping forward, hand on her hip, licking her lips. ¡°Got a spare seat for me up front?¡±


    ¡°Man?¡± He repeated confused, then he burst out laughing. ¡°Man! Ah ha ha ha! Dat¡¯s a funny one right der dat is! HA! HA!¡± He waved his arm. ¡°Come up ¡®ere den, we ain¡¯t got all day. Got tu get back to de misses. She expectin¡¯ de litter any day now, an I don¡¯t wanna miss dem being birthed ya know?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we understand.¡± Kenneth said following him out.

 Chapter Eleven : Secrets in the Night

    The Champions followed the man out of the clearing, to the road, and one by one climbed into the cart. Anna sulking the whole time.


    She wasn''t sure how to activate her powers, and not having people fawn all over her was really beginning to upset her. Yes, the Champions couldn''t, as she had been "warned", but that didn''t mean the others would be immune to the powers that Love gave her. Still, that idiot farmer who talked worse than a redneck hick back at home dared to spurn her advances. It wasn''t like she was offering to give him a blowjob during the ride. Not that she wasn''t thinking it, but she didn''t offer it. Certainly, that earned some points in the eyes of the Gods. Judging by the lack of windows popping up, she could safely assume that it didn''t.


    So she sat in the back, away from the others, sulking. Grinding her teeth together in frustration. Trying to think of a way to find out from Love what was happening. Anna began to wonder if Love chose her to save Love from the Gods brutality.


    Alex kept staring ahead unseeing. Mal scooted closer, getting the sense he was on the verge of a major breakthrough. There was also a trusting air about him, similar to Kenneth¡¯s. She had a feeling the first person who was going to believe the truth about Anna, would be Alex. He was scrolling through the system when he noticed her.


    ¡°You see all of our screens?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the Champion of Wisdom.¡± He said readjusting himself. ¡°It¡¯s part of my job is to know all, and chronicle it.¡± He glanced at Anna. ¡°Seems your friend there wasn¡¯t supposed to be here.¡±


    ¡°Sister actually.¡±


    He looked at her in surprise. ¡°Really?¡±


    She nodded, ¡°More on that later, forgive me, but now¡¯s not the time.¡± She gave him a meaningful look. ¡°And that¡¯s certainly not what has you so confused.¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°What Anna said, calling him a man," gesturing toward the driver, "and then his reaction, it got me thinking.¡±


    ¡°About?¡± She prompted.


    ¡°What if he wasn¡¯t a man?¡± Alex asked softly. ¡°I mean, we aren¡¯t on Earth, could it be possible? That he¡¯s something else, and we¡¯re just not seeing it?¡±


    :: BING::


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>ACHIEVEMENT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Champion of Wisdom has discovered the spell BLINDSIGHTED


    Bestowed by the Gods onto the Champions before arrival on Taimin, it keeps the Champions from seeing the exact appearances of things and the occupants of Taimin as long as they are afflicted by it.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Do you wish to remove the spell at this time</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES or NO</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Alex went to click yes, but Mal stopped him.


    ¡°Think about it,¡± she whispered, ¡°The Gods put that over our eyes for a reason. Some of us,¡± She glanced over at Anna, ¡°Are certainly not ready to see the truth in front of us.¡± She looked over the others. ¡°And I don¡¯t know the others well enough to yet to say with certainty how they will react.¡± She looked back at Alex. ¡°You may not like not seeing the truth, but even you have to agree that pulling the veil up too soon could be catastrophic.¡±


    He looked over the others as well and nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right. I was being too hasty.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just eager.¡±


    ¡°That your power talking, or are you just that good at reading people?¡±


    She bobbed her head. ¡°Bit of both I think.¡±


    ¡°Why do I get the feeling there is more you¡¯re not telling me?¡± He gave her a suspicious look.


    ¡°Because there is.¡± She said looking away, ¡°But as I said before. Now¡¯s not the time.¡±


    The ride was a bumpy and slow one. Mal ended up drifting off to sleep for a little while. Alex¡¯s cheeks went red when her head fell onto his shoulder, but he made no move to wake her. If she was that tired an uncomfortable trip like this couldn¡¯t keep her awake, then he wasn¡¯t about to wake her.


    As Mal had predicted, the clouds covered them within an hour, and the temperature began to fall drastically. The only one who wasn¡¯t shivering against the cold was Mal. Xavier covered himself and Elise, with Kenneth at least covering his top half. Back to back with Xavier, allowing Elise to be the most covered by it. Drew, Hexia, and Anna, had no coverings. Drew denied when Xavier offered, there was no room for Anna after Elise. Hexia, while she was cold, did not give off the impression that she was. Anna was curled into a small ball at the corner, shivering. Anytime she moved closer to Drew, he moved away. Alex was quite comfortable. He looked down at Mal and wondered if she was to thank for that.


    When he noticed Hexia''s lips turning blue, and that was saying something because her lips were colored pink, he realized he had to do something.


    "Sir?" He called to the driver, "Do you have any blankets?"


    "Oh, I do!" He chortled, as he tossed back a couple. "Der, dat ''ill keep ya warm."


    ¡°Hexia,¡± He called softly, ¡°Come sit on the other side of Mal, you¡¯ll be warmer." He pulled a blanket out, covering himself and Mal, with enough excess to cover Hexia, "Drew,¡± He looked at the man and tossed him the other blanket. ¡°Might as well keep Anna warm, we don¡¯t want to have anyone getting sick.¡±


    Hexia happily curled into Mal to keep warm, visibly shivering as she began to warm up. Soon, she was snuggled into Mal so contentedly that she too fell asleep. Drew, reluctantly, shared a blanket with Anna.


    "You snuggle into me, I''ll go cold." He threatened her.


    "Please!" She whined. "Alex said we need to stay warm, and these blankets aren''t doing a damn thing to keep me warm. You know how sensitive I am to the cold!"


    Drew rolled his eyes. "I meant what I said, Anna. You stay where you are."


    They had no idea how to tell time in this world, so they had no accurate way of seeing how much had gone by while they were in the cart. But when they arrived at the cluster of buildings Mal said was near, the temperature had gotten so low they could see their breath, and it was getting dark. Mal woke when they stopped, and gracefully left the cart without any help.


    ¡°De tavern is fur travelers.¡± The man who offered them a ride grinned. ¡°Go on in now, get warm. Me brother and his misses run de place. Dey treat ya right.¡±


    Anna burst through the doors and practically sobbed in relief when she saw a fire. She rushed toward it and curled up on the floor by it.


    ¡°Oh, my graciousness!¡± A portly woman said coming out of the kitchen wiping her hands. ¡°What are ya''ll dressed so silly for!?¡±


    ¡°Silly!?¡± Anna snarled pushing herself slightly. ¡°My Goddess gave me this dress! How dare you insult it!¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright, I meant no disrespect lady.¡± The woman frowned. She looked over the rest of them, and a look of realization passed over her face. ¡°Ya¡¯d be the new Champions we all felt arrive, ain¡¯t ch¡¯ya?¡±


    ¡°We are.¡± Drew said with a soft smile. ¡°And we would be most grateful for whatever beds you have to offer.¡±


    ¡°We can pay.¡± Alex said stepping forward. ¡°We¡¯ve been given some money.¡± he strolled through the system till he found the item listed as CURRENCY. When he clicked it, a bag appeared in his hand. ¡°How much for the night?¡±


    ¡°Save ya coins laddy.¡± She said firmly. ¡°Ya¡¯d be needin¡¯ it more than I.¡± She looked them over and shook her head. ¡°Ya¡¯ll be needin¡¯ cloaks, decent ones, for when ya leave tomorrow. And new clothes. Don''t know where ya where came from, but them clothes ya lot are wearing ain''t gonna cut it. Weather¡¯s only goin¡¯ to get colder from here.¡±


    She took a breath and her face went firm. ¡°The beds are stuffed with lambswool, it¡¯d be comfortable enough. Blankets are made with raptor fur, it¡¯ll keep ya warm. There are no fireplaces in the upstairs, just the one down here, we keep it goin'', ya won¡¯t need concern ya selves with that.¡± She pointed a finger at them. ¡°That also means if ya want to keep warm and not wake up in an ice box, ya keep them doors open now, ya hear? And I don¡¯t want to no funny business happenin¡¯. I don¡¯t run no brothel.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re far too exhausted to even consider that.¡± Alex assured her.


    ¡°The last batch said that too.¡± She glared at him, nodding her head at Anna, ¡°Then the harlot this one replaced nearly got herself kicked out.¡±


    "What!?" Anna reared up. "Love is not a harlot!"


    "I said nothin'' about the Goddess of Love miss." The woman put her hands on her hips and glared down at Anna. "I was referrin'' to the last Champion ya replaced."


    Anna scowled. "Why is everyone so against Love and her Champions, surely they can''t be as bad as you''re making them out to be?"


    The woman waved her hand. "That''s neither here nor there, now. Just, shut ya mouth and get warm. Ya look bluer than the sky on a spring afternoon. There''d be a blanket around there somewhere."


    While Anna looked for the blanket, the woman looked back at the others with a friendly smile. ¡°Make ya selves comfy, I¡¯m needin¡¯ to cook dinner. Gunna have to be a lot more than I planned. Never fear though, it''ll be done.¡±


    ¡°I can help.¡± Mal said stepping forward. ¡°The more hands, the faster it will get done, and we can all eat. I don¡¯t want to keep you up longer than we have to.¡±


    The woman smiled at her. ¡°The helps appreciated ya ladyship.¡±


    Mal followed her into the kitchen. The group, minus Anna who went back to curling up by the fire under the blanket, watched as Mal tied her hair back, and help the woman make dinner. While the woman, Astra, as she was called when Mal asked for her name, proceeded to skin and chop up the largest chicken they¡¯d ever seen, at least three times bigger than the largest chicken on earth, Mal set about kneading the bread. When the bird was stripped, and the meat cut away from the bones, Mal set the bread to rise and began helping cook the actual meal. Astra made homemade pasta, while Mal worked on the sauce. Astra cooked the pasta, keeping an eye on the sauce while Mal began to pull apart the bread to make bread bowls.


    ¡°Ya¡¯re good at this.¡± Astra grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t even need to tell ya what to do.¡±


    ¡°How could you let that go?¡± Xavier asked Drew quietly with a soft smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m a very stupid man.¡± Drew answered back with his own soft smile.


    "I would normally reserve judgment till I knew you better," Alex said with a shake of his head, "but yeah. You''re an idiot for letting that go."


    ¡°Anything I can do?¡± Elise asked walking into the kitchen.


    Mal gestured her closer. ¡°Keep forming these into bowls then put them into that oven there. I¡¯m going to start the chicken.¡±


    They worked in sync. Never having to tell the other what to do, or got in each other''s way. When Elise accidentally knocked something over, Mal''s air was there to prevent it and her from hitting the floor. Astra laughed heartily and joked she needed Mal around more often.  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Stunned as he was by Mal''s efficiency with people as well as the kitchen, Alex still dared a quick glance over at Anna, who was also scrolling through the system. From what he understood when he checked on his own, she was trying to communicate with her Goddess Love, but there was no answer on the other end. The notification just kept reading: ERROR, UNABLE TO CONNECT TO THIS PARTY AT THIS TIME.


    When it was all said and done, Astra went upstairs to make sure the rooms were in shape while the group sat down to dinner. The bread bowls had the pasta dish inside with cheese melted all over it, while the chicken had been cooked over an open fire before being baked with sauce and cheese on it as well. The very smell even made Anna¡¯s mouth water.


    ¡°May I just say, this looks, and smells incredible.¡± Alex said having to wipe drool off his face.


    ¡°Anyone want to say grace?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°GRACE!¡± they all shouted before digging into the meal.


    Elise and Hexia laughing as they ate hardy, even the guys were grinning ear to ear as they stuffed their mouths full of the meal.


    ¡°And here I was worried it wouldn¡¯t taste the same.¡± Kenneth chuckled. ¡°Being in a new world and all. But this tastes amazing! Way better than my moms cooking.¡± He grinned at Mal. "I know you had help, but holy shit this is good! You''re a great cook!"


    Mal smiled at him. "Thank you very much. It''s always nice to hear praise."


    ¡°Kenneth''s right." Drew laughed. "But, I think we may yet run into things that are different. This is just day one.¡±


    ¡°That is true.¡± Alex said with a mouthful of the meal. ¡°But we can talk about that in the morning. Let¡¯s just eat, and drink,¡± He poured them all drinks from the canister in the center of the table, ¡°And deal with the rest tomorrow.¡±


    Everyone agreed, and just relaxed. Anna and Hexia drank most of the contents of the canister, which turned out to be wine. Elise¡¯s cheeks went red and she became rather giggly after one cup, Xavier hid hers when she fell against him in a fit of hysterics and asked Astra to make sure she had water available.


    After the food was consumed, Anna and Hexia disappeared into a bedroom and closed the door, despite Astra¡¯s warning. The others filed upstairs and found a bed to occupy.


    Soon, it was only Alex and Xavier left awake. Alex was sitting by the fire, scrolling through the system when he got a message. His eyes bulged when he saw who it was from. He had an interesting conversation before Xavier appeared in front of him.


    "Hey, Alex," Xavier asked softly. "You slipped something into everyone else''s drinks didn''t you?"


    "I did." He said matching Xavier''s tone. "You''re very observant aren''t you?"


    "You did it in the shadows, that''s kind of my area."


    "Huh." Alex said. "And here I thought I was being crafty."


    "Why''d you do it on the first night?" Xavier asked. "Do you distrust us all already?"


    "Hardly," Alex said sitting up. "I need to go talk with Mal. Unhindered, and I can''t risk the others waking up and overhearing what she has to say. Something about the curse being in effect right off the bat bothers me, not to mention what happened between her, Anna, and Drew, in the clearing. Before we go any further, I need to talk with her."


    Xavier sat up and pulled out his cloak. "You feel like going all ''Harry Potter''s Invisibility Cloak'' with me?"


    Alex grinned. "Oh, I''ve always wanted to try that."


    Xavier laughed. "Yeah, me too. I think that pervy God knew what he was doing after all."


    They slipped under the cloak that covered them perfectly despite them being two full-grown men. They headed up the stairs, and down the dark hallway to the room where Elise and Mal were staying. Mal was sitting in the rocking chair by the window as Elise snored softly in her bed. When they removed the cloak, Mal didn''t look surprised, and Elise remained fast asleep. Xavier tore his eyes away from her and looked at Mal with Alex.


    Alex had walked forward and crouched down in front of her. The floor its self rose up providing a stool for him. He shot her a grin. ¡°Handy.¡±


    "What brings you here at this hour?" She asked them.


    ¡°You know why.¡± Alex said softly. ¡°We left things unfinished. We can talk now, and I have questions.¡±


    ¡°Then ask.¡±


    "Why were you cursed?" Alex asked.


    "Because I was broken when Elements found me." She answered honestly without hesitation.


    "Why?" Alex asked concerned.


    Xavier stood guard, though he was certain with Alex''s potion it wasn''t really needed and listened eagerly.


    "Because I''m weak. So many things happened, and it broke me. I think, if I had been here, it would have been SOUL BREAK."


    "What happened? Specifically." Alex asked. "I know it¡¯s personal, but I don¡¯t care. I need to know. Whatever happened has put you under a curse, and that could put us all at risk."


    So she told them. Bluntly, no stalling. All about her loneliness as she waited for her husband, but understanding because he had to work and was exhausted. The blatant stalking her sister did to Drew, despite their being married. Her in-laws flat out telling Drew to leave her for Anna. Her fears that someday he might. The love she had for her son, and the daughter she had been growing in her body. The illness their son was battling. The day she learned their son was getting better was the day a woman appeared out of the blue claiming she''d had an affair with Drew, demanding money for an abortion so she could be a porn star. The accident that claimed her son''s life. The loss of the baby because of the stress and grief. Almost killing her husband, but hurting herself instead so she didn''t. Her first stay at the asylum. Her only attempt to leave, and what had happened. After finishing, she looked back out the window, as the two men stared at her in shock.


    "I can''t believe it." Xavier said harshly under his breath. "There that man was, and he didn''t show an ounce of guilt!"


    "We don''t know his side." Alex cautioned his new found friend. "But I''ll admit, hearing Mal''s side of the story, it doesn''t paint a pretty picture of Drew."


    ¡°Don¡¯t hate Drew.¡± Mal said softly. ¡°He has his own demons, issues, and things he¡¯s going through.¡± She regarded them seriously. ¡°He came here so he could deal with them and start anew. I believe, emotions or no, that he deserves that chance.¡±


    Xavier shook his head. ¡°Whatever you say.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re very kind-hearted.¡± Alex regarded her remorsefully. ¡°Even with this curse on you.¡±


    ¡°Makes you wonder what kind of person she¡¯d be with emotions.¡± Xavier said softly, seeming to be a lot calmer.


    ¡°A woman none of us deserve to call ours.¡± Alex whispered.


    Mal shook her head with a sad smile. ¡°I highly doubt either of you are interested in me.¡±


    Xavier glanced at Elise but said nothing. Alex grinned. ¡°You¡¯re right, I see you more like a sister, and I barely know you.¡±


    ¡°Think you¡¯ll ever take Drew back?¡± Xavier asked bluntly.


    Mal shook her head again. ¡°My time with Drew has come and gone. There is no future for us as a couple, and he knows that. At least, he should.¡±


    "My God has a gay lover," Xavier laughed. "I''m going to laugh my ass off, if it''s Drew''s God, more so, if Drew is affected by it and turns gay."


    "It would be amusing," Alex agreed with a grin.


    Mal giggled. ¡°Oh, his parents would just love that!¡±


    ¡°What about the Champion Kings?¡± Xavier asked. ¡°What do you know about him?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Mal said with a shake of her head looking back out the window.


    Alex stood and looked out the window with her. ¡°And your sister?¡±


    ¡°Half sister.¡± She corrected. ¡°She¡¯s the product of an affair my mother had.¡±


    ¡°What more can you tell us about her?¡±


    Mal looked up at Alex. ¡°How much time do you have?¡±


    ¡°The full story can wait for another day I guess.¡± He said honestly. ¡°I just need to know, is she going to be a problem.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Mal nodded.


    * * *


    In his mansion, the Champion of Kings was sitting up in bed, but feeling exhausted. Walking on his own had proved impossible. Eating on his own was about all he could do. So, he should be able to do this. He opened the system and scrolled down to the message options. He felt the exhaustion on coming, but he had enough time to do this.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Message Board</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>You have chosen to open a Message Board with Alex


    Do you wish to continue?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES or NO</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>YES</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Am I speaking with the Champion of Wisdom?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Yes.


    I take it you¡¯re the Champion of Kings?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Call me Crow, as that is my name.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Okay, guess you already know that I¡¯m Alex.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The beauty of the system, we have access to each others names, Ascension levels, and the like.


    Tell me, how are the others doing?


    What are they like?


    What do you know of their history?


    What have the Gods told you about why you are all here?


    Where exactly are you all at?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Okay, slow down. We only just arrived today man.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Time is short.


    I¡¯m assuming you know of my affliction?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Yeah, we were notified when we arrived. Along with Mal¡¯s CAGED HEART curse. Apparently, only you two can cure each other. Has this ever happened before?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>To the Champions? Not within my knowledge no. But it is not uncommon for soul mates to be the only ones who can cure each other.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Soul Mates!?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Yes, surely such a thing existed back your world?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>If it did it was so rare and none of us really believed any of it.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>What a sad world you come from.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>You said something about there being little time?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>I''ve been in a coma since the last ring fell. I am still afflicted by the curse Alex. I cannot walk on my own, at all if truth be told. I can barely stay awake.


    If you thought by my messaging you I was cured you are mistaken. I am only awake because you all arrived.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>How long?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>A decade, according to my servants. And I can assure you, their accuracy of time is spot on.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>What happened?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>A story best told when we are all together. But I will say this, the Champion of Love ended us.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Tell me, how are the others doing?


    They seem to be doing fine. It''s an adjustment, but it''s only the first day, so I can''t really answer that one in depth at this time.


    Though the Champion of Love, Anna, as she''s called, is upset because she was promised control over all of us and we were made immune.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>As I was, perhaps the Gods have gotten some sense after all.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>What are they like?


    Well, again, I don''t really know them, so I can''t accurately give you an opinion. I can say that Kenneth is smart, Drew''s okay, Hexia is difficult to read, Xavier is a cool guy, Elise is nice, and Mal (her full name is Mallory, but she goes by Mal) is different, and Anna''s a bitch. Worse one I''ve ever met.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Different how?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Even cursed, she has an air of calm around her. Like you know you can trust her. She¡¯s quick to help, a pure goddess in the kitchen. She helped cooked dinner tonight and it was the best thing I''ve ever had. She doesn¡¯t jump to conclusions, is very prescriptive, and the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever seen.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>How is Mal?


    Do you know why she was cured?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Other than being cursed, alright.


    As for why she was cursed, I have no idea. I think if I ask she''ll tell me. Especially considering the revelations.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Revelations?


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>What do you know of their history?


    Can¡¯t speak about Elise, Xavier, Kenneth, or Hexia.


    But Mal was apparently married to Drew. They got a divorce before coming here. Before you ask, no I don¡¯t know the reason why, or if it''s related to why she was cursed.


    Drew seemed disappointed when he was reminded of that fact, so I think there may still some feelings there. But again, I can''t be sure.


    Anna is apparently Mal¡¯s sister, and whatever history is there, I can say with certainty it¡¯s not good. Anna was talking about Drew having sex with her, and Drew said only to run away from her. I don''t understand how that would work, but I wasn''t in their lives before, so I can''t say.


    Like I said, whatever history is there, it¡¯s not good.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Just monitor Anna for now. If their history was that complicated before coming here, I have a feeling it will play a key role in how Anna behaves in the future.


    I don¡¯t think anything serious will happen right off the bat, but just be cautious. The Champions of Love are always strange and fickle creatures.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>You¡¯re not going to ask me to keep an eye on Mal?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>She is the Champion of Elements, she can take care of herself. I must believe that


    You''ve already assured me that despite being cursed, she''s an exceptional woman, capable of a great deal.


    Even so . . .


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>I¡¯ll do my best to make sure she¡¯s okay. Considering she''s your soul mate and all.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Thank you, brother. That means a great deal to me.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>We just met, or rather, just started talking


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>You will learn just as I did, you grab at the bonds when presented and you forge them fast.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>I¡¯ll take that into consideration.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Do you think you can answer the last of my questions, I can feel myself slipping back into the coma, and I have no idea when I will wake again.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>What have the Gods told you about why you are all here?


    Nothing, they haven¡¯t told us anything. Other than a few quests, one of them being to find you so we can learn the truth. And about the Ascension levels.


    Where exactly are you all at?


    No clue man.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>A map should present its self soon enough. Though I¡¯m sure you¡¯re not too far from here. Doesn¡¯t seem like the Gods to put you so far away when we need to be together.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>And when we are you¡¯ll explain everything?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Yes, till then, just stay together, do your best, be cautious, but also try to hurry. We are vulnerable apart.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>I figured as much.


    Oh! Before I lose you, I received a notice that we are all BLINDSIGHTED. Mal said to leave it in place for now, that the others might not take the truth too well. I agree with her, but since you''re technically our leader, I''m going to safely assume that anyway, what do you think?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Elements is the Queen of the Gods, and there was a reason she chose Mal. Follow her lead since I¡¯m not there.


    Mal is right, you can¡¯t predict how the others will react. Somethings you will be able to see, some creatures cannot be hidden by BLINDSIGHT. That should give you an idea of how the others will react, and if it¡¯s not well, then it¡¯s best to wait till you arrive here.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>You also want to see Anna¡¯s horrified face when she realizes what kind of creatures she¡¯s been hitting on don¡¯t you?


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Watching the Champion of Love fall ill because of their own choices and ignorance is always amusing.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>So I¡¯ve gathered.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>I feel the exhaustion. I must go.


    Crow</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Sleep well. Hopefully, we¡¯ll see you soon.


    Alex</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    But Crow could not answer. He¡¯d already fallen back into the coma. Dreaming of his new family, and the one, he knew, would one day be his wife.

 Chapter Twelve : Sword Play

    After Alex and Xavier left, they headed to the room they shared with Drew and Kenneth. There were three rooms upstairs. There was the one the four guys shared, with four twin beds each set up against one of the four walls of the room. The room Anna was in, as neither dared look inside, neither could really say how big the room or the bed was.


    Then there was the one where Elise and Mal were. Elise was already fast asleep on the twin bed. On the wall opposite of it, was the full bed where Mal was fixing to lay down on when they left. Hexia was still in the room with Anna. The sounds from the two could still be heard. Still, the two pushed that from their minds as they laid down and fell asleep. It had been a long day, and if anything was clear, it was the fact they were going to have a lot more long days ahead of them.


    * * *


    Mal curled up on the bed that was available. Elise was currently passed out on the other. She said she fell asleep on her side, but when she was asleep, she rolled to her back, and there was no telling which way her body would land, where her limbs would be, or what they would do. So she thought it would be safer for Mal if she slept on the twin. Both beds were pushed against a wall, allowing a small walkway in between them, and a single nightstand.


    Mal turned down the fur and curled in. She wondered about the creature that made this fur. Astra had said raptor fur. Did that mean it was the same kind of raptor Mal was thinking of? Oh, she looked forward to finding out. Moving so her back was practically touching the wall, with a long yawn, she laid back. Slowly she started to drift off to sleep. She was at its threshold when someone crawled into bed with her.


    * * *


    Hexia snuck out of the room after Anna had fallen asleep. The room wasn¡¯t very big, but the bed had more than enough room for three or four people. Anna was currently spread out, snoring softly. She covered Anna up so she wouldn¡¯t be cold, and left the door open for heat to come in as well. If nothing else, so Anna wouldn¡¯t wake up and come after her screaming like a harpy.


    She slowly climbed down the stairs before running out the door. It was terribly cold, and she wasn¡¯t really taking care to cover up, but as her body heaved and expelled all of the contents she had consumed since dinner, heat radiated through her, and the cold didn¡¯t really affect her much in that moment because of it. Her lack of coverings turned out to be a blessing.


    She never drank wine before, or any alcohol for that matter. She knew that much about herself at the very least. She really couldn¡¯t handle her liquor, and bedding Anna wasn¡¯t something she would¡¯ve considered unless she was severely inebriated. She couldn¡¯t even fathom why she thought it would be a good idea now. At least, that¡¯s what she hoped. Having no memories of her past life was turning out to be more of a curse than a blessing.


    When she was sure she could move without falling face first into the puddle of sick on the ground, she stood, looking over the area. Fields were as far as the eye could see. Thunder echoed overhead, and lightning could be seen dancing across the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. She cautiously sniffed the air and knew the rain was imminent so she turned and went back inside. Sure enough, as soon as she was inside the door, the rain began pouring down. She watched it for a few minutes before closing the door.


    ¡°Be sure to latch the door there missy,¡± Astra said softly from by the fire. ¡°Wind¡¯s so strong it might blow open upon us.¡±


    Hexia winced but did as told. She turned to the woman and fought back tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°For what miss?¡±


    ¡°For breaking your rule.¡± Hexia sobbed. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Ah, there now child,¡± Astra said coming closer to pet Hexia¡¯s hair. ¡°It not is totally ya fault. The Champions of Love have usually been a seductive love, and ya¡¯d be young, younger than what the Gods made ya I¡¯d reckon. Spirits make the mind fade and the flesh weak. I¡¯d know, it¡¯s how I found meself married and in this hovel. Not that I¡¯m one for frivolous things, and don¡¯t get me wrong, I love me man. Still, wouldn¡¯t have happened the way it did if I¡¯d been sober.¡±


    Hexia couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    ¡°Here.¡± Astra handed her a vial. ¡°It¡¯s a simple physic. Somethin¡¯ for the headache ya carrin¡¯, which I¡¯d know from me own experience, will just be worst at first light.¡±


    Hexia took it and drank it down like she would any medicine. And as all medicines tasted vile.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say it¡¯d be pleasant.¡± Astra chuckled at the face Hexia made. ¡°Off to bed with ya missy. I¡¯d steer clear of the room ya were in. The room with the ladyship Mal still has room for another body, and I¡¯d dare say, she wouldn¡¯t turn you out.¡±


    * * *


    Mal opened her eyes to see Hexia climbing into bed with her. ¡°Everything alright?¡±


    Hexia shook her head as she laid down. Mal heard her sniffing. ¡°I slept with Anna.¡±


    ¡°So I heard.¡±


    Hexia cringed and curled into a smaller ball. ¡°I didn¡¯t even want to. Not really.¡±


    ¡°You were drunk, and people tend to do stupid things when drunk,¡± Mal reassured her.


    ¡°Yeah, but this was, I don¡¯t know, different.¡± Hexia sighed curling into a smaller ball. ¡°It was like an urge, one that was a fiery heat between my legs, and I couldn¡¯t control myself. Once Anna kissed me that was it, I wanted to see it through to the end.¡±


    Mal reached up and stroked the girl''s hair. ¡°Elements told me about how Demon and Love got really really drunk one night, and they had sex, then got sick. I¡¯m assuming once they¡¯d realized what they¡¯d done. And then the fluids that got left behind gained a life force of their own, and became the little gray aliens we hear about today.¡±


    Hexia laughed, making Mal smile a bit. ¡°I always thought they were green.¡±


    ¡°Elements said they learned to change their skin color when they got to Earth and saw the color green,¡± Mal explained. ¡°They loved the color so much their skin reflected that.¡±


    Hexia laughed till her tears were ones from laughter and not the sorrow Mal had seen before. Mal stopped stroking her hair and sighed.


    ¡°Look at this way Hexia, we¡¯re the God¡¯s champions, and they¡¯ve made some mistakes, or feel so strongly about some things that they¡¯re more than likely going to be reflected by us.¡±


    ¡°How do you mean?¡± Hexia asked concerned.


    ¡°Well, I only know about the situation with Love and Demon, and then with what you just did with Anna, similar circumstances.¡± Mal shrugged. ¡°Seems much too similar to just be a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°You think, some of the things that they did -¡±


    ¡°- or some strongly felt bonds, -¡±


    ¡°- will be acted out by us?¡± Hexia asked.


    Mal nodded. ¡°Seems likely to me. Though whether that is my power talking or something else I couldn¡¯t say.¡± She yawned, long and deep at the end.


    Hexia curled up. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for keeping you awake.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Mal said as she began to drift off again. ¡°You needed a friend.¡±


    Mal didn¡¯t see it, but she felt Hexia smile. Comforted by the fact she had a friend in Mal.


    ¡°May I promise you something?¡± Hexia asked tentatively.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t ever do anything like that with Anna again.¡±


    Mal grinned. ¡°Pretty sure your God had the exact same thoughts on the matter.¡±


    Hexia whimpered, and Mal took her hand. If nothing else, so the girl would have something positive to cling to. Hexia reminded her of the baby sisters she had back on Earth. Anna had been her half-sister through their mother when her father remarried, Mal got a few more siblings from her stepmother. One of them was just as clingy was Hexia was.


    The situation Hexia described earlier, was very familiar. A story, or scenario, that Mal heard a number of times over. She didn¡¯t know what was in Hexia¡¯s past, but perhaps not remembering was a good thing. If the events Mal were thinking of were in fact woven into the girls past.


    Hand in hand with the girl, Mal drifted off to sleep.


    * * *


    Demon looked over the pool at Elements who was whistling casually, avoiding his gaze. ¡°We swore we would never speak of that night. EVER.¡±


    She shrugged as she smiled down at Hexia and Mal. ¡°I thought it was funny.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point and you know it.¡± Demon hissed.


    ¡°Then how about this point,¡± Elements said rolling her eyes, ¡°your champion has been abused in the past. Her body reflects that, but her mind doesn¡¯t have the defenses she once did to combat it. She was suffering, and my champion helped her. That story was clearly needed to keep your champion from thinking far too much about her past.¡± She fixed Demon with a glare. ¡°Or do you disagree?¡±


    He frowned but said nothing else on the matter.


    King chuckled and rubbed Elements¡¯ neck fondly before they went back to watching the champions.


    * * *


    Mal was swallowed by dreams. She landed in a forest where she was running around with a smile on her face. With her was a boy not much older than her. They played together for a long time, eventually, they walked slowly to a wall, where he disappeared through it.


    Her arm was being crushed and began to hurt, causing Mal to wake up. It was still dark out, so she took it as a sign she could sleep some more. She rolled over, facing the wall and fell back asleep.


    This time, she was beside a vast lake, with white sand and beautiful crystal clear water. The full moon was overhead, and she was sitting a swing staring out. Blue roses with an intoxicating scent suddenly appeared all around her, and the boy from her first dream, now a man, smiled at her as he appeared behind her. His hair was the color of ebony, and his eyes the same color. He grinned down at her and her knees went weak. He leaned in for a kiss, and she let him. As his hands roamed her body she was powerless to stop him.


    Unable to deny him anything, she succumbed to desire, and that night, he took her body. Surrounded by roses, beside the beautiful lake.


    * * *


    When the sun began to crack the sky, Elise was wide awake. She sat on the floor in front of the window. As the sun slowly rose, so did her power. She let the sun bathe her in its light as it rose up. As she sat in it¡¯s rising rays and it soaked into her skin like water, she felt something within her consuming the magic of the sun and storing it within herself.


    She felt like it was a well, deep within herself, and she could only use a bucket or a handful at a time, but the well could be stored for later uses. Whether she used up all of her power in one day and needed to call upon more, or if it could only be used during the night when she was at her weakest, she didn¡¯t know. What she did know, was that well filled very slowly, as if someone left the kitchen faucet on and that was supposed to fill a deep sixty foot well. Not very productive. She wondered if it would fill faster the more powerful she became.


    She felt more than heard, the stirring behind her. When she looked, it wasn¡¯t Mal who was rousing and sitting up in bed, but Hexia. Rubbing her tired eyes, and looking a little pale that morning. Her usual dark pink skin looked magenta in color. Her golden eyes looked slightly tarnished that morning. Having seen her father hungover many a times when she was growing up, she recognized the state Hexia was in.


    ¡°There¡¯s fresh water there on the table,¡± Elise said softly, knowing sounds were heightened in this state. ¡°You can move to the smaller bed so if you have to run to the bathroom so you won¡¯t disturb Mal. I¡¯m up, and I won¡¯t be going back to bed.¡±


    Hexia nodded slowly. Elise went back to her soaking up the rays as Hexia left the bed, then the room. Elise was sure she was headed to what passed as the bathroom in this world. It wasn¡¯t indoor plumbing, but it was adequate enough. It worked, that¡¯s what mattered. Hexia, despite her state, did manage to go from room to room, and curl up in the bed Elise once occupied with a surprising amount of grace. Elise had seen her father stumble a number of times. Her mother, when her father managed to drag her out of the house, still fumbled a bit the morning after.


    Having soaked as much as she had the patience for, Elise got up and left the two women to sleep some more. She was rather surprised Mal was still sound asleep. Then again, she had no idea what time Mal finally went to sleep. Elise went to bed almost immediately after dinner. She barely remembered it. But after the emotional roller coaster, she¡¯d endured earlier in the day, then being brought to Taimin, and everything that followed. She was exhausted by the time dinner was served. She remembered having half a cup of wine, then it was in a haze after that. She did know, however, it was Xavier who kept her from having too much wine, and put her to bed.


    Astra was in the kitchen, humming a song, readying the pots and pans for breakfast.


    ¡°Mind if I help with breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Could ya do somethin¡¯ with the eggs?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Elise said stepping up to the counter, ¡°What did you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°Make¡¯em how ya like.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The eggs were huge! Though given how large the chicken was the night before, she really wasn¡¯t that surprised. She could hold one egg in both hands.


    She had four skillets for eggs, while Astra was messing with some meat. Elise didn¡¯t feel comfortable looking over that way. She was afraid she might go vegetarian if she did. So she carefully cracked some eggs into a couple of bowls, then she cracked the rest into the skillets.


    In one skillet she scrambled them. One was sunny side up. In the two bowls, she mixed in spices, in one she tossed various vegetables Astra already had chopped up. In the second, she just whisked it until it was smooth and thick. As one omelet cooked, she took some bacon and sausage, chopping them up and put them into the omelet with a few peppers, at least that¡¯s what she hoped they were and cooked it up.


    After Elise helped set it all on the table, the guys were semi-awake and stumbling down the stairs. When they smelled the food, they began to look alter, by the time they finished with some of their meal, they were all awake. Elise was happy she was able to help.


    ¡°Wonder when the other women are going to wake up,¡± Kenneth commented as he ate.


    Alex fixed him with a firm glare. ¡°Mal was up talking with me pretty late. As for Hexia, I don¡¯t think we should punish her, considering she¡¯s back in the room where Mal and Elise slept last night. She looked pretty sick when I saw her earlier.¡±


    ¡°And Anna?¡± Kenneth asked glaring back at Alex. Both of them noticing that Drew shuddered and turned a pale color at the mention of her.


    Alex shrugged. ¡°Go ahead and think what you want of her. To be honest, from what I¡¯ve seen and heard, she¡¯s as terrible as they come.¡±


    ¡°Why would the Goddess of Love deliberately choose such a horrible person as her champion?¡± Xavier asked as he munched on toast.


    ¡°I have a feeling once we find our missing champion, we¡¯ll get our answers,¡± Elise said softly sipping on her juice.


    ¡°Oh that note, I think I should tell you guys something,¡± Alex said opening his screen and letting them all read it''s contents. ¡°Our missing champion got a hold of me last night.¡±


    Each of them read silently. Alex watched as each of them processed what they read as he closed the screen.


    ¡°The former champion of Love destroyed the last ring?¡± Kenneth asked looking confused. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Given how Anna reacted when she learned she didn¡¯t any power over us, I¡¯d wager a guess it was because she controlled them,¡± Alex said with a sigh.


    ¡°When you talked with Mal, did she tell you about, what happened? Back on Earth?¡± Drew asked not looking at Alex.


    Alex took a deep breath and nodded slowly. ¡°She did.¡±


    Drew got up and rubbed a hand vigorously over his face. ¡°Come on Kenneth, why don¡¯t we go outside and examine our swords. I have a feeling there¡¯s more to them than meets the eye.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Kenneth said getting up. ¡°Far too early for emotional and revelational bull shit.¡±


    ¡°At least someone understands,¡± Drew commented softly as they walked out.


    Xavier shook his head at the pair of them. ¡°Emotions and revelations will come at all hours, best to deal with them when they arrive, and not when it¡¯s convenient for you.¡±


    ¡°You sound like one who would know,¡± Elise said moving beside him.


    Xavier looked grim. ¡°Another story for another time.¡±


    Elise took his hand and just held it as the three of them watched Kenneth and Drew go outside.


    ¡°Think I¡¯ll go watch,¡± Alex said standing up, then stopped in his tracks. ¡°That sounded a lot less sexual in my head.¡±


    Elise and Xavier erupted with laughter and Alex smiled as he walked out. Crow was right, bonds form quickly when it came to the champions. Alex didn¡¯t like seeing Xavier look so grim, or Elise looking so worried. He said the first thing that came to mind, and they laughed. At least he could do that for them. He took a seat on the chair against the house and watched as he scrolled through the system.


    * * *


    Outside, Drew and Kenneth were taking their swords out of their inventory, where they had learned the night before, they could place their weapons when not in use to keep them from being stolen. Which they found a little weird but handy. When they removed their swords from the inventory and held them in their hands once more, they looked like simple swords.


    ¡°They look to be your typical short swords to me,¡± Kenneth said with a sigh. ¡°You¡¯d think the Gods would have better swords.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking. Or at the very least, you and I would have different swords.¡± Drew said pacing around. ¡°I think we have to pull them out of the, what are these, scabbards?¡±


    ¡°That or sheath, yeah.¡± Kenneth said looking down at his sword, then nervously back up at Drew, ¡°So you think we should pull them out?¡±


    ¡°Ignoring the sexual pun and the innate desire to comment on it,¡± Drew said with a grin, ¡°yeah, I mean, we have them, we¡¯re obviously going to need them, might as well find out how to use these things. I don¡¯t think we¡¯re going to start off at a high level with these.¡±


    Kenneth nodded. ¡°You have a point there, so, on three?¡±


    Drew nodded, ¡°One.¡±


    ¡°Two,¡± Kenneth said swallowing the lump in his throat.


    ¡°Three!¡± both practically yelled as they unsheathed their swords.


    A bright flashing light blinded them for a moment, causing them to squint and look away. When they looked back, it was quite clear their swords were different. Both stared dumbfounded at their swords. Even Alex was too stunned to form a coherent thought for a moment.


    ¡°You have a broadsword,¡± Kenneth said stepping, forward to look over Drew¡¯s sword. ¡°Which will allow you to dual wield.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense, considering I¡¯m supposed to be able to duplicate this thing as many times as I want, or need,¡± Drew said examining the weapon. ¡°Course that¡¯s supposed to depend on my power level.¡± Then he looked over Kenneth¡¯s sword, ¡°Do you know what that one is?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a Claymore.¡± Kenneth said looking over his. ¡°It was made popular by the Highlanders. It¡¯s a two-handed sword.¡±


    ::BING::


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Champions of War and Heroes have discovered the secrets about their swords.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>The type and size of the sword is based on the wielder and will change accordingly.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Type and size of the sword will be based on the wielders endowment.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Alex burst out laughing. Kenneth and Drew looked at him confused. ¡°You two get what it¡¯s saying right?¡±


    Kenneth and Drew shared a confused look. Alex¡¯s hysterical laughing had them looking back at him. ¡°It¡¯s saying that your swords are based on the sizes of your dicks.¡±


    Kenneth and Drew stared at him shocked. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, the bigger you are,¡± Alex said wagging his eyes brows, ¡°the bigger your sword is.¡±


    Kenneth looked down at his sword. ¡°But I was fairly average before coming here. Or smaller than average.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s changed since we got here,¡± Drew suggested. ¡°I mean,¡± He looked over himself. ¡°I¡¯ve changed physically since arriving here.¡±


    Alex looked at Kenneth incredulously. ¡°How do you not notice your dick getting bigger?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Kenneth shouted. ¡°I don¡¯t make it habit out of examining my dick every day!¡±


    ¡°Just how bad was your medical condition?¡± Drew asked softly.


    Kenneth sighed, looking away. ¡°If I was lucky, maybe once or twice a month I could masturbate. Between my own limitations and my mother¡¯s hovering, there wasn¡¯t much of a chance. It was also more pain than it was worth.¡±


    There was a moment of silence between the three. Drew and Alex realized just how much Kenneth had missed out on.


    Drew broke the silence with a cough. ¡°Come on then, let¡¯s see what we can do with these things. Might as well get used to swinging them around during the quiet time. Otherwise, when we¡¯re in battle, it will be difficult to look confident when we lose our grip on our own swords.¡±


    ¡°Ignoring the sexual pun and the innate desire to comment on it.¡± Kenneth chuckled quoting Drew¡¯s earlier statement.


    Drew grinned at him. ¡°Appreciated.¡±


    The two took a few minutes just handling their swords to get a feel of them. Alex shook his head. Yup, that whole situation was a bunch of sexual innuendos, and Alex thought it best if he just try to figure out how to get the map function to work.


    Drew hefted his sword, ¡°You ready?¡±


    ¡°Might as well,¡± Kenneth said raising his own sword and gripping it tightly in two hands.


    ¡°You want attack or defense?¡±


    ¡°Defense for now,¡± Kenneth said falling back into his strategic mode. He always went on the defensive first. So he could gauge his opponent and their fighting style.


    Drew swung his sword about it, clasped it in both hands, imitating the way Kenneth was with his sword. He took a deep breath and launched himself at Kenneth. Each hit Drew aimed at Kenneth, he was able to block and parry with ease. It was over as quickly it began. For five minutes, Drew attacked Kenneth, then for five minutes, Kenneth attacked Drew.


    At the end, the two were collapsed onto the ground breathless.


    ¡°That¡¯s definitely going to take some getting used to.¡± Drew heaved.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ::BING::


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Kenneth''s sword skills has ascended 5%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Drew''s sword skills has ascended 5%</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s nice.¡± Kenneth said looking at the screen. ¡°Looks like the more we practice the better we become.¡±


    ¡°I think that 5% was a courtesy, Kenneth.¡± Drew chuckled. ¡°I think from here on, it¡¯s going to be difficult to raise its stats. That or it resets with each ascension level we gain. Re-gauging itself to accommodate our increase in power, and we have to work on our sword skills to match it.¡±


    Kenneth sighed leaning his head back. ¡°Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re probably the one who¡¯s right?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re not an idiot.¡±


    ¡°You two should know, your swords have message windows,¡± Alex called from his seat. Still not having found the map he was getting frustrated and his tone reflected it. He¡¯d found a number of things. The Crafting tables and who could use what, stats on his fellow champions, even Crows. Even the messages the swords were giving off. Everything else except the bloody map!


    Kenneth opened the message he could now see blinking near his sword.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>The Berserk Sword of War</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>This sword is bound to the wielder, it cannot be used or stolen by another. It would simply reappear in the hands of the wielder.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Sword will only hurt those the wielder targets for harm or has deemed an enemy.


    Will remain dull when around the other champions. So when sparring, the blade will not harm the wielders comrades.


    ¡°Hey, Drew, we can spar without holding back.¡± Kenneth grinned at him. ¡°Apparently mine won¡¯t harm the other Champions. Does yours have that option?¡±


    ¡°Hold on, let me check.¡± Drew opened his message window and read the contents.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>The Sword of Heroes</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Bound to the wielder alone, this sword acts as defense and offense and will offer counsel when asked.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Offer council, what?¡±


    Exactly that.


    Drew¡¯s eyes widened and he looked around frantically ¡°Who said that I know that wasn¡¯t Kenneth or Alex.¡±


    T¡¯was me, sir.


    ¡°Who!?¡± Drew demanded.


    In your hand you daft lummox! By the Gods, how many more times must I go through this!?


    Drew looked at the sword in his hand. ¡°What?¡±


    Yes, I speak.


    Drew shrieked and dropped his sword. Kenneth looked at him confused. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Drew pointed a shaky finger at the sword, ¡°I-I-it talks!¡±


    ¡°Oh cool!¡± Kenneth exclaimed picking it up. ¡°What do you have to say?¡±


    This pile of meat and bones does realize I cannot speak to him, right?


    ¡°Apparently it can only talk to me.¡±


    Kenneth smiled and handed it back to him. ¡°Ask it if we can spar without it chopping off a limb.¡±


    Drew took the sword again. ¡°You heard him, is it possible?¡±


    You¡¯re the first to ever request this. As it so happens, I do have the choice to be dull to all those the master has deemed allies. Harming only those the master deems as enemies, but whereas your comrade and my counterpart are limited to not harming anyone in your party, I am not. Should you deem one of them an enemy, I shall be able to harm them.


    ¡°Why are you unlimited and his isn''t?¡±


    T¡¯was the sword of War that slaughtered the previous ring of Champions.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°What did it say?¡± Kenneth asked stepping forward.


    ¡°Apparently, your sword, or a variant thereof, killed the last ring.¡±


    ¡°Not all of them,¡± Alex said from where he sat. ¡°Some of them survived.¡±


    ¡°Regardless, the damage was done.¡± Drew heaved a sigh. ¡°That¡¯s why yours is so limited.¡±


    ¡°But yours isn¡¯t.¡± Kenneth sighed. ¡°So much for sparring, no holds bars.¡±


    ¡°Oh we can still do that,¡± Drew smiled. ¡°My sword has the option to not harm.¡±


    Kenneth grinned. ¡°Sweet! Let¡¯s have at it!¡±


    ¡°So, what do I call you?¡± Drew asked the sword. ¡°I kind of feel weird calling something who thinks for itself ¡°it¡± all the time.¡±


    I¡¯ve no name to speak of. The sword said. Most of the other champions told me to shut up and let them do their thing.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t Hero give you a name? You are his sword right?¡±


    Hardly, I was made for the Champions. I do not serve the God who created me, but rather the wielder who has been deemed worthy of me.


    ¡°Okay, let me ask this, do you identify as female or male?¡±


    I¡¯ve been around meatbags for many years. Far longer than you can imagine master, but, given the way the two genders think, I find myself more aligned with the male aspect.


    ¡°I can work with that if you could choose your own name, what would it be?¡±


    Hmmmmm, the sword hummed. I don¡¯t know. Would allow me to think on this matter?


    ¡°Sure, mind if Kenneth I spar in the meantime?¡±


    Oh no, not at all. Have at it, sir. I shall remain silent for some time as I think. Is that permittable?


    Drew shrugged. ¡°I mean, I guess.¡±


    Kenneth grinned. ¡°We get approval to do this or what?¡±


    ¡°We got it!¡±


    Alex rolled his eyes as the pair grinned and went back to sparring. This time with more force than they had been at it before. Elise and Xavier came out eventually. Xavier sipping something that smelled akin to coffee sitting on the ground to watch the display while Elise stood leaning against the Inn.


    ¡°Do you want to sit?¡± Alex asked her. ¡°I can move inside if you want to stay and watch.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±


    Alex shrugged and went back to the blue screen in front of him.


    ¡°Should we wake up the rest of the women?¡± Xavier asked looking over at Alex.


    Alex shook his head. ¡°Mal will get up here soon, I¡¯m sure of it. I¡¯m almost positive Hexia will follow suit shortly after that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mal and Hexia looked pretty darn out of it when I checked them a few minutes ago,¡± Elise commented lightly.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t check on Anna?¡± Alex chuckled.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t let her,¡± Xavier said from his mug.


    ¡°Is that coffee?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what passes for coffee in this world, it¡¯s alright.¡± Xavier glanced at Alex. ¡°You want a mug?¡±


    Alex closed his strained eyes and nodded. ¡°Please.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± Elise said turning and heading back inside.


    ¡°You¡¯re right to keep Elise from Anna,¡± Alex said.


    ¡°After what we¡¯ve seen, and what we¡¯ve learned, I think it¡¯s best we all keep our distance in that regard. I know she¡¯s another champion and cohabitation and collaboration is inevitable, but during the downtime, I think it¡¯s best we keep up this space that¡¯s developed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a thing for that little sunshine don¡¯t you?¡± Alex grinned.


    ¡°That¡¯s entirely besides the point,¡± Xavier said taking another sip.


    Alex was laughing when Elise came back with a mug for him. ¡°Thanks, Elise. In any case, I think it¡¯s best we let them wake up on their own. I mean, this is only our second day here. It¡¯s an adjustment to be sure. We should probably let our bodies acclimate before we force more on ourselves.¡±


    Elise raised an eyebrow at the two men who were alternating between wrestling and swinging swords. ¡°Should we inform those two of the decision?¡±


    Knowing she was talking about his previous statement and not the women upstairs, Alex looked at her up with an amused grin. ¡°You want to get between that?¡±


    Xavier glared at Alex while Elise raised her hands. ¡°No thank you, I choose life.¡±


    Alex finally took a sip of his coffee and about had his eyes roll to the back of his head in bliss. ¡°Alright!? Xavier this is amazing coffee!¡±


    ¡°You clearly never tried the stuff I drank.¡±


    Alex look at Xavier, ¡°What did you drink?¡±


    ¡°A mix of Black Silk and Gourmet.¡±


    Alex shook his head. ¡°Never mind, clearly your taste pallet is defective.¡±


    Elise smacked Alex upside the head. ¡°Leave him alone!¡±


    Xavier grinned into his mug and Alex went back to the screen.


    ¡°YES!¡±


    Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Alex slightly shocked. He grinned at them. ¡°I¡¯ve got the map working!¡±


    ¡°Well let¡¯s see it,¡± Drew said rushing forward.


    ¡°Inside! Inside!¡± Alex said running into the Inn. He laid the screen flat on the table and opened the map function. Immediately it came to life, but they were even more confused than they were before. ¡°Well, this is about as helpful as a toothache.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not,¡± Kenneth said coming beside him and leaned over the map.


    ¡°What is this icon?¡± Drew asked touching the one hovering over the image of the Inn on the screen. It changed and revealed the quest line to find shelter before nightfall. ¡°Didn¡¯t we complete that already?¡±


    ¡°Maybe we need to get supplies and head out before it will officially clear as we¡¯ve completed it?¡± Elise speculated. ¡°But where do we go? There are a whole manner of paths! All of them different colors! How do we know which one we¡¯re supposed to take?¡±


    ¡°Might be easier than you think,¡± Kenneth said looking up at her, then back down at the map. ¡°Look here, this is the clearing we arrived in, and the road we took to get here is red. The rest are various purples and blues. If I were in a game, the red would obviously be the main quest line, whereas the purple were various quests. Some obviously connected to the main quest line, but the rest not so much. Probably just lore on the world it¡¯s self.¡±


    ¡°What about the blue?¡± Drew asked.


    Kenneth shook his head. ¡°Either unimportant quest lines, something we¡¯re not high enough level to be able to see yet, or nothing. Just alternate paths we could take.¡±


    ¡°So other than the main quest line, we¡¯ve got nothing to tell us what¡¯s important and what¡¯s not?¡± Xavier said with a shake of his head. ¡°You¡¯d think the Gods would have explained this just a bit more before throwing us into this mess.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think they were supposed to,¡± Kenneth said with a huff sitting down. He looked at Xavier grimly. ¡°Remember the notice about Mal and the Champion of Kings?¡±


    ¡°Crow.¡± Alex corrected.


    ¡°Whatever.¡± Kenneth said, ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be marching after him and rescuing him from his state. You read the messages as well as I did. We¡¯re vulnerable apart.¡±


    ¡°More than that, there¡¯s stuff only he can explain.¡± Drew sighed. ¡°What a mess.¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡± Kenneth shared a look with Drew.


    Alex looked at Elise grimly. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we wake up the others. At the very least Mal. She should see this.¡±


    ¡°No need.¡± Everyone looked up to see Mal at the foot of the stairs, yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

 Chapter Thirteen: New Skills

    Mal woke to the sound of Alex shouting yes outside. Elise had opened the window at some point, and there was a nice warm breeze coming in. Hexia was still curled up on her side on the twin bed. Mal wondered when she moved and how she didn¡¯t notice it. Oh well. New world, perhaps her sleeping patterns. Or maybe they changed during her time in the asylum and she just didn¡¯t notice it. That was entirely possible, when she zoned out, she tended to lost touch with reality.


    Awake now, and grateful nothing appeared to be wrong, she figured Alex discovered something important. With a stretch and a yawn, Mal crawled out of bed. She made quick use of the bathroom and walked downstairs when she was done.


    Alex looked at Elise grimly. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we wake up the others. At the very least Mal. She should see this.¡±


    ¡°No need.¡± Everyone looked up to see Mal at the foot of the stairs, yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Alex sighed, visibly relieved. ¡°I figured out how to open the map, took me a while and quite a lot of browsing, but it¡¯s open now, and we¡¯re even more confused than we were before.¡±


    Mal walked up to the table, more awake and alert than a moment before, and studied the map. Kenneth explained to her what he told the group, and like Alex, now that she was caught up, looked to her for an answer.


    ¡°I think you have the right of it Kenneth.¡± She said after a long moment. ¡°The red line stops just outside the hamlet we find ourselves in. I suspect we¡¯ll see more the more we travel. Perhaps the more we explore the more the map will show. I also agree with Elise, there¡¯s more we¡¯re meant to do here.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± Drew asked.


    She took a breath as she sat down. ¡°Well for one, clothes. Astra was right, we¡¯re going to need cloaks. We¡¯re going to need armed. Elements said I wouldn¡¯t need any as the elements are my weapons and defense, still would be nice to have a dagger or two.¡±


    Drew shuddered. ¡°Yeah, you are handy with those.¡±


    ¡°Anything else earth shattering I should know about?¡± Mal asked looking at Alex.


    ¡°Well,¡± he said slowly, closing the map and opening a different window, ¡°there is this.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°A conversation, with Crow.¡±


    Mal looked at Alex shocked then quickly read through it. She blew out a long breath when she finished. Well, that just happened. Their missing member claimed he was her soul mate, and wanted to learn more about her, which Alex obliged a little. Telling only what he knew in that moment. She wondered if this where she should start to worry or have some kind of reaction to the whole soul mate thing. As it was, she didn¡¯t think anything of it.


    She had a soul mate in this world, and he needed help. Her heart shuddered in its glass cage. Still suspended in animation, but if she allowed herself, she would feel the aching, the longing to help this stranger she¡¯d never met.


    Now was not the time. Easier with the curse on her heart, she pushed it aside for now. Deciding to think about it and react to it all later, when she had emotions, she looked up at her fellow Champions, minus Anna and Hexia.


    ¡°Okay, first of all, I don¡¯t think you should treat me like a leader, we should all make decisions as a group. Since I have a hard time feeling emotions right now, that¡¯s the best thing we can do. Right now I may seem normal, but I have a feeling once we start walking that red line, certain aspects of the curse will become stronger. So if I cannot make the right call, it¡¯s on you guys to make me see reason.


    ¡°Second, I don¡¯t think we should tell Anna about any of this.¡± She closed the screen and looked up at Alex. ¡°Though I suspect you guys already came to that conclusion.¡±


    ¡°It wasn''t mentioned, but I¡¯m sure we were all thinking it. Especially since he named you specifically his soul mate.¡±


    ¡°That definitely needs to stay between us.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡± The rest said at once.


    She nodded, ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°Morning everyone, what did I miss?¡± Hexia said softly when she appeared on the stairs.


    ¡°Well, only one is still asleep then.¡± Mal said standing. ¡°Alex, why don¡¯t you fill Hexia in on what¡¯s been happening, I need to speak with Astra for a moment.¡±


    While Mal was in the kitchen, Hexia sat beside Alex, and he quickly filled her in about the conversation with Crow and the map. She didn¡¯t have anything to add to it, saying she¡¯d back whatever Mal decided on.Wholeheartedly agreeing Anna should not know about Crow and what he said. When Mal came back into the room she was wearing a simple brown dress, her former cream one draped over an arm.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m going to wake up Anna.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll offer back up.¡± Elise said stepping forward. ¡°I have a feeling this is going to be hilarious.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do the same, so you girls don¡¯t get carried away or Anna gets too violent.¡± Xavier said stepped beside Elise.


    ¡°I will too.¡± Hexia said standing up so she was beside Mal. ¡°If nothing else so she¡¯ll see I¡¯m not an alley or a toy she can use.¡±


    Mal nodded. ¡°I appreciate the help.¡± She looked over the three remaining guys. ¡°Any more volunteers, or is this it?¡±


    Drew paled drastically at the thought of going anywhere near Anna, and it was noticed by all in the room.


    ¡°Come on Drew, let¡¯s go spar some more and leave them to do their thing.¡± Kenneth said clapping him on the shoulder. ¡°I still can¡¯t get over that I can breath normally and not be in any pain when it comes to physical movement.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡± Drew said sounding as if he was being chocked.


    ¡°Maybe you should make sure they don¡¯t poke an eye out.¡± Mal said softly to Alex.


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯ve already ascertained their swords won¡¯t harm them while they¡¯re sparring, but yes, I will go watch them.¡± Alex said walking after them. ¡°Mostly because I don¡¯t want to be an audience to Anna¡¯s tantrum when she wakes up.¡±


    * * *


    Outside, Drew and Kenneth were once again drawing their swords and just getting used to the weight in their hands, and working on maneuvering so they wouldn¡¯t lose their grip in battle. Drew still hadn¡¯t figured out how to duplicate his sword yet, but he figured as he ascended, it would eventually come to him.


    ¡°So, do you know if your asthma caused your pain?¡± Drew asked him. ¡°From what you said before, it seemed like any time you moved your body too much, or for too long, you were in pain. I got the impression you were in pain nearly all of the time. From what I understood from my research, there can be pain yes, particularly in the lungs and stuff, but from you made it sound like, the whole body? I¡¯ve never heard of that.¡±


    Kenneth shuffled his feet, ¡°It was across here,¡± he said as ran his hand over his stomach. ¡°Up and down my spine, into my legs, from my shoulders down to my fingertips. I¡¯ve done research too, and no, asthma shouldn¡¯t have been able to cause that. I always figured it was because my body was so frail from having asthma and not being to do anything too strenuous.¡±


    ¡°I guess that would make sense.¡± Drew said softly.


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡± Kenneth regarded him curiously. ¡°Also, how do you know so much on the subject, you and Mal seem perfectly healthy to me? Were you not always?¡±


    Drew smiled looking heartbroken. ¡°My son Charlie was born prematurely.¡±


    Kenneth saw the pain in his eyes when Drew looked at him. A kind of pain Kenneth had never encountered before.


    ¡°He was in the NICU for several weeks after he was born.¡± Drew went on. ¡°He was born with a heart defect, had to have a couple surgeries. Because he was born so early, his lungs hadn¡¯t fully developed, and he had asthma as he grew. His heart got better, but his lungs, he still had trouble breathing from time to time. We had to be ready for anything. I did as much research as I could to understand what was wrong with my son, how to help him. I worked so Mal could stay home and take care of him. So at least one of us was with him at all times.¡±


    ¡°What happened on that front?¡± Kenneth asked before he could stop himself. He immediately regretted the question as soon as it was out because the pain in Drew¡¯s expression got a lot worse.


    To his surprise, Drew answered. Alex, who was watching from the sidelines, also listened with keen interest. Also noticing the pain Drew didn¡¯t bother to hide.


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult for me to explain, so just bear with me here, okay?¡± Drew said as he began to pace, not seeing Kenneth or Alex nod. ¡°I guess to begin I need to explain the type of environment I was raised in. Experts say the type of person a child becomes is 9 times out of 10 based on the environment they were raised in.¡±


    Kenneth sat on the chair Alex occupied before, as Alex was leaning against the building this time. Both watched as Drew paced nervously. Alex was beginning to understand something, Drew never put his side into words before. He may have thought it, may have agonized over it, but never once put the thoughts into words.


    ¡°I was raised by a by a man who believed women were put on Earth to be fucked. Nothing more, nothing else. If humanity continued because of it, well that was the woman¡¯s problem, not his.¡± Drew explained as he paced faster. ¡°He only married my mother because she had me. Had I been born a girl I¡¯m sure he would have walked away and denied the baby and my mother. But because I was a son, my father felt it was his duty to teach me to think and act exactly the way he did. I¡¯d been taught from the time I could crawl, it didn¡¯t matter who, didn¡¯t matter when, marriage didn¡¯t mean anything, if it had a pussy, and you needed release, you took it.


    ¡°I seriously think my father raped a few women in the past. Even while married to my mother, he still screwed other women. My mother knew, she didn¡¯t stop him, she just let him do whatever the hell he wanted. Even when it came to raising me. I was ten when he started to drag me along for the ride and made me watch. I was thirteen when I lost my virginity. Some woman who was completely broken and helpless to do anything but what my father said. When he told her to lay back and let me fuck her, she did.¡±


    ¡°Jesus Christ.¡± Alex swore feeling he was going to be sick.


    Kenneth didn¡¯t say anything, but he was paler than he had been a few moment ago. Clearly just as sickened to the core as Alex was.


    Drew sat on the ground, tears in his eyes, but a fond smile on his face. ¡°I met Mal when I was fifteen. She had a body that wouldn¡¯t quit, and I was drawn to her. It started out as just another conquest, but the more I got to know her, the more something in me changed.¡± He looked at Kenneth and Alex at last, and they saw the tears fall. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re well aware by now it¡¯s difficult to get to know Mal and not fall in love with her in some way.¡±


    Alex nodded. ¡°Only known her for one day, but I already think of her as a sister.¡±


    Kenneth shrugged. ¡°Haven¡¯t spent as much time with her as you have Alex, but I can say, she¡¯s pretty cool, and yeah, I care about her. Enough that I want that curse on her to be lifted as soon as possible.¡±


    Drew nodded. ¡°Imagine meeting her at time in your life when your hormones are out of control, all you can think about is sex, and you¡¯re at a vulnerable state in your mental and emotional development. I¡¯d been abused, neglected, and worse yet, I wasn¡¯t even aware that I had been. I fell, and I fell hard. All I could think about night and day was her. My father began to notice, and he didn¡¯t take kindly to the fact that I was focused on just one girl.¡± Drew took a shaky breath, looking away before he continued.


    ¡°When she invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner, I went. I thought, fuck yeah, I¡¯m finally getting laid by this hottie. Then I can move on.¡± His smile dimmed and his lip began to quiver. ¡°Then I met her father, and saw the life this man lived, the way he treated his children, his wife. I learned that day there was a whole other way for a man to live, a whole other life that I had been ignorant to.¡± He sniffed and smile a bit before. ¡°So I rebelled, and my father did not take that well. To say he beat me would be putting it mildly, but I didn¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°I came clean to Mal, told her the truth about my past, about myself and my conquest of her. Instead of rejecting me like I expected her to do, she just held me. She told me the truth about her family, and how things came to be the way they were. It was then I realized I was in love with her, what I¡¯d been feeling was love. Something I had never had in all of my fifteen years. I latched onto it with all of my might.


    ¡°A year later, I met her sister Anna, a month after that, she made her deceleration of love towards me. Though it was more like admitting she was stalking me, and wanted me to her love slave. I rejected her on the spot, trying to be polite about it, but she still didn¡¯t take it well.


    ¡°Somehow, I never could figure it out back then, but somehow my father found out about the situation with Anna. He began to demand I take Anna to bed. He wanted to watch, and I suspected he just wanted me to bring Anna into the house so he could eventually fuck her.¡± Drew sighed. ¡°Given recent events, I think she went to him, and he¡¯d been sleeping with her from the get-go, and since Anna wanted me, as long as he got to fuck her, he agreed to do his damnedest to make sure she got me.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t work?¡± Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.


    Drew shook his head. ¡°Not at first.¡±


    ¡°When did your son come along?¡± Kenneth asked softly. That was what he really wanted to know about.


    ¡°We were eighteen when we found out Mal was pregnant. I married her immediately, despite my father''s protests, despite Anna¡¯s tantrums and begging I run away with her instead. I think, Anna may have tried to force an abortion on Mal, because Mal came home one day very sick, and the next day there were bruises on her stomach, but she never said, and stupid me never asked.¡± Drew¡¯s tears fell faster now as he talked. His voice heavy with emotion and shaky from his tears.


    ¡°She was about seven months along when we heard about the heart defect. They had to deliver the baby early so they could do immediate operation or else the baby would die before the due date. I don¡¯t know how anyone else reacted I was too worried about my son and Mal to care.


    ¡°But our Charlie was strong, he survived, and things were okay.¡± Drew smiled in spite of the tears, ¡°But with my working and her taking care of Charlie all day, our intimacy started to die. We were exhausted, and we just didn¡¯t get the chance to be together anymore. I¡¯d been having sex since I was thirteen, I stopped for all of one year while chasing Mal¡¯s skirt. That was the longest I¡¯d been without vaginal. Mal and I still fooled around, so it wasn¡¯t like I was going without release. During that time, we couldn¡¯t even masturbate we were so busy and then exhausted. If we were lucky, we had a quickie once a month.¡±


    Drew stood and began pacing again. ¡°Charlie was three when things took a turn for the worst. This young woman came into my life. Just randomly popped up. Every time I saw her, she was dressed and acted out the situations designed to seduce. Straight out of a porno or something. Each time I refused, but it was clear to both of us, with each time it was getting more difficult to tell her no.¡± He stopped pacing for a moment looking up at the windows of the Inn. ¡°I never told Mal what was happening. Maybe if I had, things wouldn¡¯t have turned out the way they did.¡±


    He shook his head and went back to pacing. ¡°It all came to a head one night when I was driving home in a storm and there she was. Soaking wet, and needed a ride. It was on the way so I said sure. One minute she was in the passenger seat, the next, her body was plastered to my side, hands down my pants. I tried to say no, tried to fight, but the minute her mouth was on my cock that was it. All protests died. I hadn¡¯t had a blowjob since I hooked up with Mal. I never asked her to do that, I was afraid of how she would react if I did. Seeing as I was the first guy she''d ever been with, she was ignorant when it came to sexual play, and she never offered.¡±


    He collapsed to the ground. ¡°I don¡¯t really remember what happened after that. One minute her mouth was on my cock, the next thing I was consciously aware of was my pants were at my ankles and she was laying in the backseat under me, completely naked, skin flushed, my cum leaking out of her cunt. I¡¯m not even sure how many times I fucked her that night because I didn¡¯t home till after midnight. Mal was waiting for me when I finally got there. That was the night she told me she was pregnant again.¡±


    Drew jumped up and ran to the bushes in time before he threw up. Kenneth rushed over to him to make sure he was alright. After Drew finished spitting out the last of the bile, he collapsed to the ground again sobbing.


    ¡°Three months later, she was at my door. She was pregnant too and wanted an abortion. Mal broke down crying so I took Charlie to get some ice cream. There was a car accident and I blacked out, when I woke up, the paramedics told me my son was dead. His neck broke upon impact, and died instantly. At the hospital, Mal lost the baby she was carrying, she didn¡¯t even notice at first, losing Charlie broke something in her.¡± Drew broke down more, ¡°It¡¯s my fault! All my fault! If I wasn¡¯t such a weak man none of it would have happened!¡±


    Kenneth, much to everyone¡¯s surprised held Drew close. He couldn¡¯t say it wasn¡¯t Drew¡¯s fault, because some of it was, but he wasn¡¯t totally to blame for what happened.


    Alex understood now, why Mal said to not hate Drew. Alex understood about Drew¡¯s demons and issues now. He¡¯d made mistakes, yes, but he was trying to do better, and even he could agree Drew deserved that chance. Mal realized a long time ago the circumstances weren¡¯t entirely his fault, and she forgave him. While Drew was broken down, Alex softly told Kenneth everything Mal had told him from her perspective on the matter. How she even went to great lengths to not hurt Drew.


    Kenneth smiled grimly. ¡°He was right, it¡¯s hard not to love Mal once you get to know her.¡±


    Alex nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t know many women who be as understanding as her that¡¯s for sure. Most would hate the man and blame them for everything no matter what.¡±


    Kenneth sighed as Drew began to calm. ¡°I¡¯m starting to think we were all chosen because of our tragic lives.¡±


    Alex shrugged. ¡°Speak for yourself. I was an actor.¡±


    Kenneth raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°If your life was so glamorous why are you here?¡±


    Alex chuckled. ¡°You have a point there Sherlock.¡±


    Kenneth rolled his eyes. ¡°Please, I prefer Dragon Born.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say Dovahkiin.¡± Drew muttered as he resurfaced wiping off his face.


    Kenneth laughed while Alex smiled kindly at Drew. ¡°Feel better?¡±


    ¡°A little.¡±


    ¡°Never got the chance to really talk about it before did you?¡±


    Drew shook his head. ¡°I confessed everything to Mal when I wrote her the letter explaining my escape plan. Other than that no. I never talked about it. Never really got the chance to cry either. Everyone in my old life just wanted me to move on and not think about it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit.¡± Kenneth growled. ¡°A loss like that a man has to grieve.¡±


    Alex nodded. Then looked around suspiciously. ¡°Either of you finds it weird we¡¯re so comfortable explaining our backstories, talking about our emotions, and bonding like we¡¯re bro-cons?¡±


    Kenneth nodded. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s completely weird.¡±


    Drew nodded. ¡°I concur.¡±


    Alex sighed. ¡°I need a drink or a distraction. This shit is getting too weird. Don¡¯t get me wrong Drew, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re dealing with your demons and everything, and you trust us and shit, but god damn this is getting way too touchy-feely for me.¡±


    They went inside where Alex poured them each a glass of wine and he drank deeply from his cup. Each of them chocked when a high pitch scream echoed down from upstairs.


    * * *


    Xavier decided to just offer moral support from the back as the three women tried to wake up the not so sleeping beauty on the big bed. Elise went over to the window, opened the drapes, and the window. Xavier¡¯s eyes were glued on her rear the entire time. Sure Mal had a great body, but there was something about that tight little heart shaped ass that just caught his eyes. Mal moved somewhere from beside him, when he looked at her, he saw that she knew what he¡¯d been looking at. He coughed, feeling the blush heat up his cheeks as he looked away.


    ¡°Alright, a blast of light and fresh air didn¡¯t immediately rouse her.¡± Elise said hands on her hips.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Hexia cringed from her corner.


    Mal leaned against the wall and nodded. ¡°You two each get a few minutes, Xavier if he wants it, and if you fail, I step in.¡±


    ¡°Why do I get the feeling that¡¯s a sinister threat.¡± Xavier said with a shake of his head.


    ¡°Because it is.¡± Hexia said taking a deep breath, gaining more confidence. ¡°I¡¯ll go first, Elise.¡±


    Elise nodded, and stepped away from the window and bed, allowing Hexia to get closer. Hexia shook Anna, pulled the blanket, even pulled Anna¡¯s hair. She was met with moans, groans, but when Anna gave an orgasmic moan at the pulling of her hair


    Hexia raised her hands in defeat and back away, ¡°Alright Elise, it¡¯s all you.¡±


    Elise did much the same as Hexia, only putting more force into her pulls and shakes, belaying she had a lot of experience with this type of things. The only thing she did differently from Hexia was she stayed away from the hair.


    When Elise gave up with a breathless huff and backed away, all eyes went to Xavier who shook his head. ¡°If pulling her hair made her react that way, I¡¯m not getting myself, or my deep manly voice, anywhere near her.¡±


    ¡°Then I guess it¡¯s my turn.¡± Mal said walking up to the bed and stared down at her sisters sleeping form.


    Outside, she saw the well. She pulled the coldest water from its depths up to her. Using her air, as well as her own strength, she ripped the blanket off and it was tossed into the hall as Xavier jumped into the room so not to get hit with it. With the frigid water hanging above their heads, the trio immediately rushed outside into the hall. Mal looked to them, they watched shocked as she grinned rather viciously at them before dropping the water onto her sisters bare and naked body.


    Anna woke in a fit of shrilly screams and the four rushed down the stairs in a fit of hysterical laughter.


    Drew, Kenneth, and Alex all looked at them as if they were crazy.


    ¡°What the hell has gotten into you?¡± Kenneth demanded.


    ¡°Mal,¡± Xavier chocked out between bursts of laughter. ¡°Splashed ice water down on Anna to get her up.¡±


    Alex grinned nervously at Mal. ¡°You did what!?¡±


    She smiled and fell over laughing.


    ::BING::


    <table><tbody><tr><td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td></tr><tr><td>CAGED HEART curse afflicting Champion of Elements Mal has decreased by 5%</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Alex looked at Mal with genuine relief, ¡°Well, it¡¯s not the cure, but it¡¯s a start. At least we know we can weaken it some.¡±


    ¡°My ladyship, wha-!?¡± Astra demanded hearing Anna¡¯s shrilly screaming from upstairs.


    Mal handed her the hot pink fabric that had been Anna¡¯s outfit from the day before. ¡°As promised, that heinous dress for fire fuel.¡±


    Astra grinned as she grabbed it and immediately tossed it into the great fire. The Champions watched as the flimsy thing burst into flames rather quickly. It was when the dress had burned beyond recognition that Anna came flying down the stairs completely nude, and still sopping wet. Her whole body shivering, her lips purple, and her nipple hard and erect for all to see.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°Did you not hear me screaming up there!?¡± She demanded.


    ¡°We heard,¡± Xavier glared at her, not at all affected by her naked body, ¡°We were simply ignoring you.¡±


    ¡°YOU!¡± Anna screeched at Mal. ¡°YOU DID THIS TO ME! You turned them against me like this! Now they laugh at my expense!¡± She rushed toward Drew, ¡°Drew my love! Help me! Save me from this vicious whore!¡±


    Everyone watched in mild horror and amusement as the moment Anna touched Drew, he threw up for the second time. Anna just narrowly managing to jump back in time before it splashed all over her chest and stomach. At the very least her body wasn¡¯t covered by the wine and bile that was now puddled on the floor, but her ankles and feet were standing dead center of it.


    Alex, who had the menu screen open still from having seen the memo about Mal¡¯s curse, figured out how to record videos earlier while searching for the map. He was recording one now and doing his damnedest not to laugh so as not to draw attention to himself. If he laughed, Anna would notice him, and she¡¯d come after him, then she¡¯d see the video recording.


    Anna stared down at the bile in absolute horror. Before she could scream or get sick herself, Astra appeared and dumped another bucket of cold water over Anna¡¯s head.


    ¡°Oops! Sorry, there miss! I coulda sworn he¡¯d gotten ya naughty pillows as well.¡± Astra made a face, that was semi-apologetic, semi-amused. ¡°Well, no harm no foul, at least ya¡¯d be clean now. Just needin¡¯ dryin¡¯ off is all. No worries master Drew sir, I¡¯ll get this cleaned up right fast I will.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Astra.¡± Drew muttered.


    ¡°Nonsense, tis normal to get an upset stomach around foul things.¡± Astra said patting his shoulder.


    ¡°Come on Drew.¡± Kenneth said pulled on him. ¡°Let¡¯s go back outside and get some fresh air. If you¡¯re up for it we can actually get to that second round of sparring we attempted at last time.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡± Drew said rushing out with him.


    Anna was left staring dumbfounded. ¡°What the hell is happening!?¡± She mumbled to herself. ¡°What the hell is happening!?¡± She repeated getting louder. ¡°What the hell is happening!?¡±


    She rounded on the rest of the group. ¡°I used to be beloved! I used to be special! I used to be desired! Irresistible!¡±


    ¡°Somehow I highly doubt that.¡± Alex said with a shake of his head.


    ¡°I was!¡± Anna insisted.


    ¡°No Anna,¡± Mal said stepping forward, ¡°You were merely a manipulative and controlling bitch. Here, you don¡¯t have the pull or power you once did. It¡¯s a new world, new people. You¡¯re still trying to do things like you did on Earth, and it¡¯s not going to work the way it once did. Added to that is your powers are not what Love meant to them to be because Love was not supposed to choose you.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that!?¡± Anna hissed. ¡°What lies has Elements been feeding you!?¡±


    ¡°Actually it wasn¡¯t Elements,¡± Alex said lifting a finger. ¡°I have access to everyone¡¯s stats and information. Yours,¡± He said pointing a finger at her, ¡°come with that very interesting warning.¡±


    ¡°Lies!¡± Anna shrieked in tears. ¡°It¡¯s all lies! They are abusing Love! They¡¯ve belittled her! Hurt her!¡±


    ¡°Well if she is, I can understand why.¡± Xavier said drinking some of the wine that was left. ¡°Given what her champions have done in the past.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know anything!¡± Anna screamed at him.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Elise said forcefully stepping forward. ¡°You need to go upstairs, get cleaned off and get dressed! You¡¯re walking around naked for goodness sake! And now there¡¯s puke on your feet! Aren¡¯t you bothered by that!?¡±


    ¡°I will not!¡± Anna shouted, either ignoring or just didn¡¯t hear Elise¡¯s comment about the bile on her feet. ¡°It¡¯s a natural state! And I am a thing of beauty!¡±


    ¡°Get dressed!¡± Hexia, Mal, and Elise all shouted at her.


    ¡°NO!¡± Anna screamed with all of her might.


    Kenneth came barging in and glared at Anna. ¡°Will you quit with the theatrics and banshee cries! That man who gave us a ride yesterday has newborns at home and they haven¡¯t stopped crying since you woke up. He just came here to see what all the fuss was about and make sure his brother and sister in law were alright and not being murdered!¡±


    ¡°It was Mal¡¯s fault!¡± Anna shouted pointed. ¡°Now they¡¯re trying to boss me around!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re screaming because the Devil himself fed you to a slime monster who proceeded to shoot you out of his ass and you¡¯re now covered in the slimes fecal matter you freaking bitch! Shut the fuck up!¡± Kenneth snarled at her. ¡°Get your ass upstairs, get dressed, so we can get some shopping done and get the hell out of here! We¡¯ve got bigger and more important things to do!¡±


    ¡°Well said, Kenneth.¡± Alex said with a grin. ¡°Though your scenario worries me a bit.¡±


    ¡°I back the kid completely, and I for one would pay money to see that.¡± Xavier laughed. "Even if I throw up at the end of it."


    ¡°True that.¡± Elise chuckled. Earning a fist bump from Xavier as he gave one to Alex under the table where Anna couldn¡¯t see.


    Astra appeared and threw the blanket Mal ripped off Anna¡¯s body earlier over it once more. ¡°Do as they suggest miss. I¡¯ll not be shelterin'' ya another night without somethin'' to make it damn worth me while.¡±


    Looking around, seeing she had no allies, she looked up to the heavens, her lip quivering. Wishing, hoping, begging for Love to come to her aid. But there was nothing. No answer. Not any indication that Love or any of the Gods even heard her. Coming back down to the world around her, pouted, stomped her foot and went back upstairs.


    * * *


    Going up the stairs, Anna kept trying to open a connection with Love, each time she got the same error, unable to connect, message. Giving it up as a lost cause, she looked room by room for the bathroom. She hoped she would find some nice naked piece of ass in one of the rooms. But as her and the other champions were the only ones staying here, and the rest were all downstairs laughing her expense, she realized with a sourness in her stomach it was only a fantasy, and it wasn¡¯t going to happen.


    They were the only ones in this dump and not a one of them was up for some shower fun with her. Drew even threw up on her! What was all that about!? What did he eat to make him so sick? Did he get drunk after she went upstairs with Hexia? Sure that demon bitch was fun and all, but she did nothing to ease the ache between Anna''s legs.


    How drunk had Drew been? He was a rather horny drunk depending on how much he had, and what he had. She missed out on her chance to be with Drew again because she jumped the gun too quickly and grabbed the first willing body upstairs. Well, she wouldn¡¯t be making that mistake again, that¡¯s for sure.


    Once his tummy ache settled, he would come around and see the error of his ways. Then once again he would bury that behemoth of a cock into her hot and welcoming cunt that ached for that piece of meaty man. Deciding to table all of that for now, she stepped into the bathroom and stared horrified.


    No! This couldn¡¯t be right! It wasn¡¯t a bathroom at all! The only thing she recognized in here was the toilet, and it clearly didn¡¯t have plumbing as she knew it.


    ¡°I know, really makes you miss Earth doesn¡¯t it.¡±


    Anna turned and saw Mal in the doorway. For the first time, she noticed Mal was wearing a different dress than yesterday. She really must have been upset to not notice this fashion change. The dress was as simple brown, in simple design. She wanted so much to say the dress was hideous, and Mal with it. However, it would have been a lie. Despite the dress being simple, Mal¡¯s beauty made the simple dress stunning. Mal could always see through her lies, and understand the meaning behind them. Lying to Mal in that moment would just show Mal how truly weak and jealous she was of her.


    It wasn¡¯t fair! Mal was supposed to be uglier than her! No! Mal wasn¡¯t even supposed to be here! It was just supposed to be Anna, surrounded by a bunch of hot and beefy men who would have sex with her day and night and listen to her every command!


    ¡°Ah, I see you noticed my new dress.¡± Mal said looking down with a gentle smile. ¡°I suppose I shouldn¡¯t get used to it, it¡¯s just a loaner, Astra was kind enough to let me borrow it for the time being.¡±


    Mal stepped forward and laid the dress Elements had given her on the handle on the wall. ¡°You may wear this one. You may keep it if you like. If not, I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find something far more suited to you and your tastes at the shops just up the way. Astra said one of them was a tailor. We¡¯re all eager to see what they have, we¡¯re just waiting on you.¡±


    Mal took a step back taking a deep breath as she did. ¡°There¡¯s a bath downstairs, it heats from the fireplace underneath it. Astra said if we must burden her another night, we may make use of it. Over there is a basin, you may use it to wash over yourself in the meantime.¡± Once more Mal brought water up from the well, heating it this time in the basin before turning back to Anna. ¡°I do believe that¡¯s everything. The waters warm but I¡¯d use it quickly. The air is a bit chilly.


    ¡°The toilet is pretty self-explanatory.¡± She said gesturing to the throne. ¡°Pull the lever and water comes up from the well to wash it out and bring the contents down to the pig pen. Apparently, instead of manure or such things, they use the waste they create to keep the pigs cool or warm. Rather ingenious if you ask me. Oh!¡± Mal laughed. ¡°That reminds me, be grateful we got to stay here for free last night. Otherwise, we would have had to work off the debt by doing chores around the place. Astra said something about the pig pen needing cleaning out this morning.¡±


    ¡°I already have a dress.¡±


    Mal looked at Anna in surprise. ¡°She speaks, but I¡¯m sorry to say, I miss what she said.¡±


    ¡°I. Already. Have. A. Dress.¡± Anna scoffed at her. ¡°I don¡¯t need your pathetic hand-me-downs anymore! I have a most perfect dress, given to me by the Goddess of Love herself. I shall wear that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mal said slowly drawing out the word. ¡°About that, Astra needed fuel for the fire this morning, and your dress was in the hall, and well, it¡¯s gone now.¡±


    ¡°Gone!?¡± Anna gasped. ¡°What do you mean gone!?¡±


    ¡°First of all, that dress would hardly have been appropriate back on Earth, and it certainly wasn¡¯t appropriate here. So I threw it into the fire and torched it. Worked too, we¡¯ve got a nice toasty fire going downstairs.¡±


    Anna grabbed the first thing her hand enclosed around and threw it straight for Mal. Mal saw it in time to flinch against the impact. However, instead of the painful impact she was expecting, she dissolved into air, and the object passed right through where she had been standing. Smashing into the wall behind Mal as she rematerialized and stared at the shattered pieces on the floor.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s nifty I guess.¡± Mal sighed before looking back at Anna. ¡°You¡¯ve got an hour, or we leave without you, and you¡¯re stuck with whatever I choose to buy for you.¡±


    With that, Mal turned on her heal, and closed the door behind her, leaving Anna to her devices.


    * * *


    It was exactly an hour later when Anna came down the stairs grinding her teeth as she did so. Wearing the simple dress and the simple shoes Mal left for her. To her surprise, it was now that everyone stared at her.


    ¡°What!?¡± She snapped.


    ¡°Oh me stars miss Anna, ya look lovely!¡± Astra beamed.


    ¡°You really do Anna.¡± Elise smiled kindly. ¡°That dress suits you a lot better than that hot pink ensemble did.¡±


    ¡°You mean the dominatrix outfit that would make true dominatrix''s weep?¡± Alex asked giving Elise a sideways glance.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Elise asked him confused.


    ¡°What¡¯s what?¡± He asked her in return.


    ¡°What¡¯s a dominatrix thingy you said?¡±


    Xavier put a hand on her shoulder and steered Elise outside. ¡°Nothing you need ever know about.¡± He glared at Alex. ¡°Ever!¡±


    ¡°You really do look nice now Anna.¡± Alex smiled. ¡°I think you should take Mal up on the offer to keep it.¡± He looked back at Mal. ¡°No offense.¡±


    ¡°None taken.¡± She smiled back at him. ¡°Shall we be off then? Before Xavier and Elise beat us there?¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡± Alex said standing up and following Mal to the door.


    Anna was helpless but to follow. She didn¡¯t know what to make of it. Any of their reactions. An hour ago they were all viciously cruel to her, abusively so, and no one said anything in her defense. Now, they were all kind, saying she was beautiful, and how this outfit looked far better than the precious one Love had given her.


    That one had been beautiful too. The only true difference one, Love¡¯s dress had been more geared towards her purpose, and her ability. Climax Princess. She was brought here with the intention and purpose of creating a world that was a mass reverse harem. Every man was to be hers, and all of the other women were to be glorified mind broken sex dolls for her boy toys to play with when they didn¡¯t have her in their arms. This was not the way things were supposed to go.


    But, things were quiet now. No one was trying to belittle her, no one was laughing at her. No one was hurting her while the others stood back and watched as if it were some great sport. Right now, they were nice and even seemed to like her a bit. So she took the win where she could, sighing and doing the exact opposite of her nature and remained silent.


    * * *


    As the group explored the area, they saw the Inn, the vast farm connecting it to another building they surmised was the farmer''s house. Home of the man who helped them the day before, Kenneth explained with a smile. Anna remarked they must have  God level hearing to hear her little fit before.


    Everyone decided it would be better if they didn¡¯t point out to Anna that what she forced them to endure was hardly a ¡°little fit.¡±


    Hearing Kenneth¡¯s remark, all Alex could think about was the Blindsighted spell cast over all of them. He wondered what all of the people actually looked like.


    The three-building structure wasn¡¯t far from the farmhouse, and they were shops just as they were told they would be. They did a quick look in each one just to see what each store catered too.


    The first shop was an apothecary. Selling herbs, medicines, and potions to help the weary travelers. The second store was a blacksmith shop. Kenneth and Drew were particularly excited about that one and didn¡¯t want to be dragged out. The third shop was a fabric shop. The tailor that ran the store told the group with his nose up in the air he could make them whatever they wanted, for a hefty price.


    They sat at the ring of benches outside the shops as Alex looked through the bag of money they had.


    ¡°This is going to get complicated.¡± He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°Well, obviously we have to focus on the clothes!¡± Anna interjected. ¡°That¡¯s the most important thing right now! Just pay the man whatever he wants!¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t.¡± He argued more to himself. ¡°We only have this little amount of money and we¡¯ve got a whole list of things we need to get.¡±


    ¡°Then give me the damn money.¡± Anna said stomping forward. ¡°Obviously you can¡¯t be trusted to make important decisions.¡±


    A swirl of air appeared between Alex and Anna. Mal glared at her sister. ¡°I would like to hear Alex¡¯s argument before you go on a crusade.¡±


    ¡°We do need clothing Anna, you are right about that.¡± Alex gave a small smile to Mal for the support. ¡°We all need clothes. What we¡¯ve got right now isn¡¯t going to do us much good as the weather gets colder, and there¡¯s no guarantee that we¡¯ll have an Inn or someplace warm to sleep each night. So we have to make sure we¡¯ve got clothes durable for traveling and warm cloaks or coats so we don¡¯t freeze to death.


    ¡°We¡¯ll also need potions and medicines for while we travel. The Gods didn¡¯t say we were invulnerable. We¡¯re bound to get hurt along the way, and we need to be prepared for that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I back that.¡± Kenneth said losing the boyish excitement over the weapons he could potentially get. ¡°Trust me, when you head out onto main quests, you want to be prepared for anything.¡±


    ¡°Falling into Hell where hoards of horny demons are coming at you with the intentions of a black widow while the damned souls try to use you as a meat shield to claw their way out?¡± Elise asked.


    Xavier gave her look of disbelief. ¡°You know about that, but you have no idea what a dominatrix is?¡±


    She gave him a wicked grin. ¡°Oh, that was explained already.¡±


    He paled. ¡°Who told you!?¡±


    She just laughed and went back to Kenneth. ¡°So that¡¯s the kind of prepared we need to be?¡±


    Kenneth grinned at her. ¡°Well, not that level of prepared, but somewhere near those lines yes.¡±


    ¡°It would be good to have more weapons too.¡± Alex said smiling at Kenneth, earning that boyish excitement back. ¡°Not everyone is going to need them, but it would be nice for each us to have something we feel comfortable with to defend ourselves. Drew and Kenneth seem to be our main warriors, it would be good if we could get them a few more so they have options and can respond to situations accordingly. Even with Drew being able to duplicate his sword eventually, he can¡¯t right now, he should have the option to have another sword or something.¡±


    Mal nodded. ¡°Sounds like a reasonable plan.¡± She raised a hand and a finger with it. ¡°I might be able to offer an alternative as far as the clothing goes. It may take a couple of days, but if we buy the materials I can make the clothes we¡¯ll need. I used to make all of the clothes for my son, and I even made quilts to sell at my step-mothers boutique for a little extra side cash.¡±


    Alex looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t think it will even take that long!¡±


    She looked at him curiously. ¡°I think I know my own skill.¡±


    ¡°No Mal!¡± Alex said looking at her excited and gripping her hand with a wide grin. ¡°You have a crafting ability!¡±


    ¡°I do?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°I saw it while looking for the map!¡±


    ::BING::


    <table><tbody><tr><td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td></tr><tr><td>Mal has unlucked CRAFTING


    Any piece of clothing can be created using this table. So long as it¡¯s fabric related, Champion can create it.</td></tr><tr><td>Note: Previous ability has been taken into account</td></tr><tr><td>Mal''s Crafting skill has ascended from 0% to 80% out of a 100%</td></tr><tr><td>Note: This skill is an overall score. Once it reaches 100% it''s the highest this skill can go.


    It will not reset to set standards that grow with the champions such as Weapon Skills. To keep improving and progressing forward as the Champions do.</td></tr></tbody></table>


    ¡°Told you.¡± Drew said nudging Kenneth when he read about the weapons skill. ¡°Our power caps off with each ascension level. Resetting and getting bigger when we reach the new one.¡±


    ¡°I think that may be so we don¡¯t get too stupidly OP too quickly.¡± Elise said with a sigh.


    ¡°From what little I¡¯ve seen so far, we¡¯re already going to be OP.¡± Xavier comment.


    ¡°I¡¯m more impressed by Mal¡¯s ability!¡± Kenneth grinned at her. ¡°Yours is a once it¡¯s tapped off it¡¯s tapped off skill, yet you still went from freaking 0% to 80!! Man, that¡¯s awesome! You must have been really great at making what you did for it jump so freaking high!¡±


    Mal blushed and looked away. All of them receiving the notice that her curse went down by another 5%. Drew prompted it along by telling them she made clothes for herself too. She loved the shows Charmed, and Once Upon A Time, so she would recreate some of the outfits her main favorite characters. Which had Hexia and Elise launching into a thousand and one questions. As the three of them bonded, Anna was sulking off to the side.


    Deciding to get the clothes out of the way first and focusing on the more important things like the potions and weapons, they decided to grab the fabric first. Mal said they were of very poor quality, but she could make it work. Everything she wanted would only cost them 5 gold pieces for the fabric alone if the prices tags on the shelves were being honest, leaving them with plenty for everything else.


    Alex was stoked about that. He went from not having to worry about money, to having a budget, and he was actually a surprised and little proud he was handling it so well.


    ¡°Alright,¡± The tailor said picking up a piece of charcoal and several pieces of paper, ¡°What we were wanting today?¡±


    ¡°Just to buy the fabrics.¡± Mal said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m going to make the clothes.¡±


    The tailor looked a deep breath as the charcoal dropped from his fingers as his gaze traveled up to glare at Mal. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Mal said with a frown. ¡°We are able to buy the just the fabrics aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Well sure, but someone of your, shall we say, talents, isn''t capable of doing the job.¡±


    Mal looked at him confused. ¡°I beg your pardon?¡±


    ¡°You may not be dressed as flashy as the others, but I know a Champion of Love when I see one.¡± He sneered at her. ¡°You don¡¯t have the skill required. There¡¯s only one thing the Champions of Love are good at, and making clothes is certainly not it. However,¡± His sneer widened, and he looked her over. ¡°if you¡¯re worried about the payment for my services, I¡¯m sure we can work out another kind of arrangement.¡±


    ¡°Why you!¡± Alex growled reaching over and grabbing the man by the throat.


    ¡°She¡¯s not the Champion of Love! I am!¡± Anna shrieked stomping over to the tailor.


    ¡°I¡¯m the Champion of Elements.¡± Mal said in a cool calm demeanor that made even Anna¡¯s spine shiver at the danger. ¡°And I can prove it.¡±


    She walked outside, and the tailor was dragged out by Alex, who had yet to release this grip on the man¡¯s throat. Outside, the apothecary and blacksmith were conversing outside, about what, no one was sure as the conversation stopped shortly after the group came outside with the tailor in tow.


    ¡°What did you do now Gnarby?¡± The apothecary groaned.


    ¡°I¡¯d say he put his foot in his mouth and now he has to pay for it.¡± The blacksmith grinned, very amused by the spectacle.


    ¡°Should we help him?¡±


    ¡°No, I told him what my price would be and he said he¡¯d rather die. I was rather hurt by that, so I¡¯ve resolved to never help him.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s fair.¡± The apothecary said with a nod looking back at the scene.


    Mal walked past the benches to the empty field of dirty. She looked back at the shopkeepers. ¡°Who¡¯s in charge of this area?¡±


    ¡°T¡¯would be me, darling.¡± The blacksmith said stepping forward. ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°Would you mind if I mined out some of your metals from the surrounding area?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Not that a pretty thing like you could, but sure, why not. But stop when you reach a fourth of the natural supply, leave the rest for us.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± She nodded and looked back at the ground.


    Her powers over the earth and metal bled deep into the ground. She could feel it all. All way the way down to the molten core at the center. She wondered if there was an actual world down there like in the book and the movie. She shook her head, now wasn¡¯t the time to check on such things. Instead, separated her feet slightly and raised her hands.


    She pulled her hands in, took one step forward, thrusting her hands out and up as she went. As she moved, a huge deep hole opened up in the ground several miles deep. Eyes closed, Mal could see using her magic deep into the hole from where she was standing. Up and down, up and down she brought her hands, twisting in circles as she went. Gold deposits dropping like clumps of dirt into a pile on the ground. Meshing into a huge ball and she ground them together with her powers. Over and over she did it, until she had one solid large lump of gold.


    She sighed, once it was melted down, it wouldn¡¯t be much. Sure it would be a lot more than what they had, but not nearly enough to get her point across. So she began to pull more. Pulling it from every direction, adding to the mound of gold underground, needing to make the hole above ground and the cavern bigger. Once she¡¯d reached a fourth of the natural gold in the area, she stopped and brought the now huge boulder above ground. It was now twice the size of her in height, and it would have taken the 3 groups of the Champions to fully encircle the thing.


    The thing was out for all to see, however, she wasn¡¯t finished yet. She raised her hands and summoned her fire within her. She raised the boulder of gold and melted it in the air, creating hundreds of thousands of coins while in that state, before using the air to cool it all to the touch.


    She then sectioned it out into fourths. At the tailor, she threw his coins. Smashing into his body and him into the side of the wall of his shop. ¡°There. Our payment, and your silence for the remainder of our stay here.¡±


    Her voice was cold and venomous. Seeing the raw power she possessed and still a beginner at this. The Champions could only stare her.


    Far more kindly, she placed two of the piles in front of the apothecary and the blacksmith. One for each. ¡°Would you two kindly give my companions whatever is they desire, require, or anything else. Help them if they need it, please. As we are new to this world, a little guiding hand would be appreciated.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, darling!¡± The blacksmith came forward and kissed her hand. ¡°I apologize for what I said earlier. Elements has never chosen a champion before, and as I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware Love¡¯s champions are troublesome lot. With your exquisite beauty, I just assumed.¡±


    Mal smiled kindly at him. ¡°Not all, I understand. You people have suffered because of Love and her champions, I understand your reactions. However, your friend there insult my ability without ever seeing it, and then tried to make me sell my body to him so he could make us rags to wear. I¡¯m assuming what he wears he makes himself and it is of terrible quality and craft. I simply refuse to let my champions wear such inferior garments. I¡¯ve also never sold my body a day in my life, and I plan to hold to that for as long as I¡¯m alive.¡±


    ¡°And right you should m¡¯lady!¡± The apothecary said stepping forward. ¡°I knew Gnarby was a git, but I never once thought him capable of such befoulment.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Mal looked over at his bruised body as he stood up from the pile of gold. ¡°Perhaps he¡¯s learned his lesson now.¡±


    She walked up to him, arms crossed under her breasts glaring. ¡°Elise, Hexia, please provide back up.¡±


    When the tailor, Gnarby, as he was named, looked up at her, what he saw was Mal, with Elise and Hexia at her sides. All of them looking furious. Elise, glowing with the power of the sun, her fingers playing with its light as if it were a ribbon between her fingers. Hexia, snarling. Her being a demon, with horns and fangs, she was downright terrifying in that moment. Mal held her head high, her eyes livid as she looked at him.


    ¡°You will take me to where you to store the good fabrics. That lot you have in your shop wouldn¡¯t last a week in the extreme elements which you know. You are a swindler, nothing more. I have also paid you three times what you would have made off of us if you had been able to get your usual score out of us. I want those fabrics, and I want them now. If you do not show me, I will simply go in with my friend here,¡± She said thumbing in Hexia¡¯s direction, ¡°and we will proceed to rob you of every last fabric you have in there, while my other friend,¡± she thumbed in Elise¡¯s direction, ¡°will stand guard over you while we do, and when we¡¯re done cleaning you out, we¡¯ll take back our gold, and she¡¯ll burn your shop to the ground.¡± Mal put her hands on her hips as she lowered her body slightly as she looked Gnarby in the eye. ¡°Is this in anyway unclear?¡±


    Gnarby broke down sobbing as he shook his head. Mal raised herself back up and smiled. ¡°Great!¡± She looked at Elise and Hexia. ¡°Give me a few minutes, I¡¯m going to bring the rest of the gold to Astra so we can stay another night.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± Anna demanded. ¡°Are you freaking kidding me!? All of that gold and you¡¯re going to just give it all away!?¡±


    Using her air, Mal took a small amount of gold from the three piles, slicing a piece of cloth from Gnarby¡¯s outfit, Mal placed all of the gold onto the fabric. She pulled the scrunch that was holding part of her hair up out, and used it to wrap up the fabric so no gold could escape.


    ¡°Here you go.¡± Mal said handing it to her. ¡°I suggest you store it in your inventory, you might lose it. You¡¯re also not used to carrying such weight.¡±


    ¡°I think I can manag-AHHH!¡± Anna began to snarl, but once the gold was in her hands and no longer supported by Mal, she fell to the ground under the weight.


    Mal had learned rather quickly while lifting the gold and melting it, it was a lot heavier than Earth¡¯s gold. It felt as if lead had been melted into it as well, though Mal knew for a fact no lead was inside this gold. In fact, she didn¡¯t think there was any lead on Taimin. At least she didn¡¯t feel any in the surrounding area.


    Mal looked over the rest. ¡°As I said, I¡¯m going to go pay Astra. If you remember, she said something about needing it to be worth her while if she was going to put up with Anna another night.¡± She smiled at Elise and Hexia. ¡°Make sure Mr. Gnarby over there doesn¡¯t move until I get back.¡±


    ¡°Can do.¡± Elise said with a grin.


    Hexia smiled viciously at Gnarby. ¡°We¡¯ll make sure he doesn¡¯t move an inch.¡±


    Mal nodded at them, and looked to Alex. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go with Kenneth and start getting what you two think we need potion and medicine wise. I¡¯ll pop in later to get what I think we¡¯ll need for cooking.¡±


    Alex nodded, and motioned to Kenneth to follow him.


    Mal gathered up the gold, dissolved into air and shot for the Inn, once inside, she called for Astra, who came downstairs and stared wide-eyed at the amount of gold hovering in the air. ¡°Looks like we need to stay at least another night. Where would you like me to set the payment?¡±


    ¡°Well - I - ya see, I have no idea where to even put that much gold!¡± Astra fumbled with her words before yelling.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Mal grinned at her. ¡°I can make you a safe place!¡±


    A few minutes later, in a secret room under the Inn, using a now secret door in her huge pantry to get down to it, sat a special chest. Formed out of silver, would open only for Astra¡¯s touch, or that of her blood, was now filled with the gold. Mal waved goodbye once the task was done as she dissolved into the air and launched back toward the shops.


    Astra grinned widely but still shook her head. ¡°Sweet Goddess Elements, if she can do all of that now, what in the world will she be capable of later on?¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Good question.¡± Day asked looking over at Elements. ¡°If this is just the beginning, that is rather worrisome.¡±


    Elements shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s my champion, there is no limit to what she can do. Just be grateful that chest didn¡¯t come alive or she can¡¯t feel the entire planet yet.¡±


    Even King looked worried now. ¡°She¡¯ll be able to do all of that?¡±


    Elements nodded. ¡°As she gains more power yes. She could literally destroy Taimin with the blink if an eye if she so chose.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s really dangerous.¡± Wisdom cringed.


    ¡°You need to remove her right now!¡± Night yelled, ¡°Or King you need to make your champion kill her as soon as he¡¯s cured or she might cause some real trouble! She could destroy this ring before they¡¯ve even begun if we don¡¯t do something!¡±


    A loud snap echoed throughout the heavens and Night held his abused cheek which was now as red as his hair. Elements, who had dissolved to air, shot across the room and smacked Night across the face glared at him now, eyes glowing with her fury. ¡°How dare you!? How many times has a champion of yours been the downfall of the other champions!?¡±


    To that, Night merely pouted.


    ¡°I never chose a champion for that exact reason! Because my power is so great! Chose the wrong one because of impatience instead of searching carefully for the right one has led to the many deaths you guys are responsible for! I took so long because I needed to find the perfect one! And I did! Mal is perfect for this role! She will not be like any of yours!¡± Elements screamed at him.


    With that, she turned and stomped away.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk with her.¡± Demon said going after her.


    ¡°No.¡± King said firmly. ¡°Let her be.¡±


    ¡°You want to leave alone when she¡¯s like this?¡± Demon asked him with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be alright.¡± King said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°You thought so before, and look where that got us.¡±


    ¡°Stay away from her Demon.¡±


    ¡°Why!?¡± Demon demanded throwing his hands out, ready for a physical attack, then he saw.


    Seeing his hands were different, Demon looked down at his form, realizing his monstrous self was no longer present. Meaning his sanity was back. He was once again tall, well muscled, young looking, with black hair that fell into his amber eyes as he looked back up at King.


    ¡°I get it now.¡± He said softly, turning back to the pool. ¡°You don¡¯t want me going after her because now I¡¯m myself again, and you¡¯re scared.¡±


    King¡¯s eyes glowed with fury of his own.


    Demon shrugged. ¡°Fine. I won¡¯t go after.¡± He walked up the pool and stared down at the champions as Mal arrived back at the shops and went into the tailor¡¯s shop with Elise and his own champion. ¡°But you should, she¡¯s far too emotional to be left alone right now.¡±


    No one knew what surprised them more, Demon¡¯s brazen talking to King, their leader, or King actually getting up and doing as Demon said.


    ¡°Hey, didn¡¯t your champion choose the Endarkened ability?¡± Wisdom asked Demon, desperately needing a change of topic.


    ¡°Obviously.¡± Demon said looking up at him.


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t she gone all, you know?¡±


    ¡°Hungry demon on their asses?¡± Demon said with a grin.


    Wisdom shrugged. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one way to put it.¡±


    Demon smiled warmly down at the young demon. ¡°She may have chosen the Endarkened ability, but in her heart, she¡¯s human.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the point of the personality change?¡± Hero asked. ¡°Mine still hasn¡¯t noticed his. Could that be it?¡±


    Demon shook his head. ¡°I didn¡¯t turn that part of her on.¡±


    Wisdom gaped at him. ¡°But that goes against what King approved for the choices years ago.¡±


    Demon shrugged. ¡°So go tattle on me.¡± None of them moved. ¡°I¡¯ll let her know she has the option to change her personality, but only when I think it¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°You mean, when she won¡¯t want to change her personality.¡± War muttered from his spot.


    Demon nodded. ¡°Exactly. As Elements said, we¡¯ve all had champion who brought the end of the Champions. Mine were some of them. My last one would have had I not removed my blessing in time. But my efforts were for not as we all know.¡± He touched the pool as if stroking Hexia¡¯s hair. ¡°But I couldn¡¯t let that happen again. I couldn¡¯t curse what is essentially my child.¡±

 Chapter Fourteen: New Path

    Elements sat in her garden, curled up on the bed she had in there, watching her flowers sway in the breeze she created. As the stars and cosmos danced outside of the domain of the Gods.


    ¡°How long are you going to sulk?¡± King asked from somewhere behind her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sulking,¡± She said softly, ¡°I¡¯m trying to calm down so I don¡¯t blow up like that again.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say.¡± He said with a shrug and sat on the edge of the bed, not believing her. ¡°Maybe you¡¯d be calmer if you let me comfort you?¡±


    ¡°How do you mean?¡± She asked looking at him confused.


    He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. When she didn¡¯t withdraw, he quickly deepened the kiss. Thrusting his tongue into her mouth, grinding his body against hers. Leaving no doubt where he wanted this to go and was practically demanding it with every fiber of his being.


    Instead of meeting his kisses with her own, she pulled back and began crying. Arms wrapped around herself as she shook against the violation she felt crawling over her skin.


    He sighed thoroughly annoyed and pulled back. ¡°How long are you going to be reacting like that?¡± He turned and glared at her whimpering form. ¡°I can¡¯t even hold you anymore! You keep flinching away from me! Now, this!?¡±


    She sniffed refusing to look at him. ¡°All I see is that day.¡±


    He groaned long and loud like a child still be punished for something they didn¡¯t think was that big of a deal. ¡°How long are you going to keep punishing me for that!?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She sobbed. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m trying to!¡±


    He leapt off the bed and began to pace. ¡°Maybe Demon should have come here then. Clearly, you would have preferred his company over mine.¡±


    When she didn¡¯t rebuke him, his rage flew and he thundered. ¡°How many times have you run to Demon!? How many times has his body comforted you since ¡°that day¡± you keep punishing me for!?¡±


    She looked at him now and he saw the honesty in her eyes. ¡°Never. Neither before, or after, have I ever run to Demon. What drove you to do what you did was your own thoughts. He hugged me and told me to reconcile with you. Which is what I was going to do when I saw that!¡± She looked away from and shuddered. ¡°Now every time you touch me, every time I close my eyes, I see that day, what you did. What damned us all.¡±


    Truth. Honesty. It pierced King deep into his already wounded and rotting heart. He quickly left. Unable to handle it being thrown at him so bluntly.


    * * *


    Elise went in with Hexia and Mal as Gnarby brought them below the main level, to the room where he stored all of the good fabrics. The three of them excitedly browsed the many many shelves and couldn¡¯t but touch the many fabrics Gnarby had stored down there.


    Mal going to question why there were such poor quality fabrics upstairs and finer ones downstairs when Gnarby¡¯s thoughts answered for her. Whenever customers were rumored to be in the area, he changed out of his usual clothes into the ones of lesser value. These fabrics he ordered just for himself. Dressing as if he were a king. These were for him and him alone. No one else was allowed to have them.


    Watching the women browse and touch his pretty fabrics was killing Gnarby inside. The fact they were going to take away his precious collection, even a fraction of it, was like his stomach was exploding inside of him. Mal shook her head at his pathetic nature.


    Mal walked through the room, examining the fabrics with a craftswoman eye, examining them in more depth now and was in complete awe of them. Elise and Hexia as well. There was silk, felt, velvet, cotton, denim, leather, and more. Some of the fabric Mal could only describe as a mix of velvet and silk. Was that even possible? Anna, they eventually realized, had followed and was with them as they explored.


    ¡°Hey, Mal?¡± She called from the other side of the room.


    Mal looked over at her with an excited smile. ¡°Yes?¡±


    Anna was fingering a bubblegum pink fabric with a golden floral design. ¡°Can we get this?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Mal nodded, quickly going over and adding to her inventory, then went back to looking at the others with Elise and Hexia.


    She wasn¡¯t sure how long they¡¯d been in there, but when Gnarby¡¯s lip started to bleed from his teeth digging into it to keep from openly sobbing again, Mal opened her inventory and began depositing the fabrics she wanted. Taking whole rolls, because what if something ripped and needed repairing? Or what if they got into a battle and someone¡¯s outfit was completely destroyed? She would need to make a replacement.


    Mal also intended to not only make clothes but boots, cloaks or coats for them, depending on the wearer''s preference of course. Not to mention sleeping bags, and they might need tents. Even if she could fashion a cave out of the earth, the others might not want that all the time.


    Spying some type of stuffing, and a lot of it, she quickly swiped that while Gnarby was busy trying not to smack any of them. By way of banging his head against the wall. She could feel the hostility in him brewing more and more. He wanted so much to beat them all, make them see their place, but after what Mal just did, and knowing what she was capable of, he refrained.


    Content she had more than enough she went upstairs, and on her way out stuffed every last crappy piece of fabric into her inventory as well. Making it to where if Gnarby wanted to be able to make a living with the coming travelers, and Astra mention that caravans were going to begin running through in the coming days and weeks, he would have to put out his good and private stock. His most precious collection.


    She suspected had she not been cursed, she would have cackled maniacally at what she just did.


    * * *


    In the apothecary¡¯s shop, Drew and Xavier were looking over the things Kenneth and Alex were learning about before they bought them.


    ¡°No offense, but how do we know you¡¯re not a swindler like your pal Gnarby over there?¡± Drew asked.


    ¡°The name is Taligorith. Tal for short.¡± The apothecary smiled at them. ¡°As for being a pal of Gnarby, I never was. I¡¯ve always told him he was going to get caught and taught a lesson one day. The git never bothered to listen to me, or Johntha. The blacksmith, if you were wondering his name.¡± Tal sighed. ¡°As for swindling you, I can¡¯t afford to in my profession. I sell anything bad, word about it gets around quick. I¡¯ll pay for it with my life, or never sell another herb as long as I live.¡±


    Drew nodded. ¡°I can understand that.¡±


    ¡°Besides, why would I be anything by accommodating and give you whatever you want when your pretty thing out there just bought you guys a year''s worth of nights at the Inn and bought these shops three times over?¡± Tal asked.


    Xavier balked at him. ¡°Seriously!?¡±


    Tal nodded. ¡°For sure. She set us all up pretty nicely for years to come. For the first time in years, we won¡¯t have to rely on the money and goods the caravans give us to make it through the winter. We¡¯ll still go about our business as usual so as to not raise suspicion, and to make sure we got food, but we don¡¯t need to worry about money for a long while. Even if Gnarby is furious at being taken down a peg, he¡¯ll not refuse her anything she wants seeing as she owns his ass now.¡±


    Kenneth let out a low whistle. ¡°Good thing Mal has no idea what she just did then, or else she might use that to her advantage.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Anna you¡¯re thinking of man,¡± Alex corrected him. ¡°Mal knows exactly what she just did, and she doesn¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that just the curse though?¡± Kenneth asked.


    Drew shook his head. ¡°No, she was that way even before the curse.¡±


    ¡°Again,¡± Xavier said looking up at Drew, ¡°you¡¯re an idiot for letting that go.¡±


    ¡°Long story man.¡± Drew sighed.


    ¡°I already heard.¡± Xavier nodded. ¡°Your parents were about as bad as mine.¡±


    ¡°Who were yours?¡±


    ¡°Drug addicts and dealers. People thought I was just like them. Drove me to suicide.¡± Xavier told him.


    ¡°Someone must have given a damn about you.¡±


    ¡°My grandfather. He saved me.¡±


    Drew smiled softly. ¡°Seems we each have something in common. Bad stories with only one person who cared anything about us.¡±


    ¡°Does that go for Anna?¡± Kenneth asked him.


    Drew shuddered. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°We also have no idea about Hexia¡¯s past.¡± Alex pointed out.


    ¡°Has the system told you anything?¡± Xavier asked.


    ¡°She has no memories of Earth. The knowledge obviously, but no personal memories.¡± Alex explained.


    ¡°That must suck.¡± Xavier sighed.


    ¡°Wonder why she forgot.¡± Kenneth pondered. ¡°Was it by accident or choice?¡±


    Alex shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s anyone¡¯s guess now.¡±


    * * *


    The men greeted the women when they came out of Gnarby¡¯s shop and were also greeted by the sight of a furious looking Gnarby who was panting and snarling at Mal. She merely raised an eyebrow at him, as if daring him to come after her. Tal came out of the apothecaries shop and looked between the two.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°She cleaned me out!¡± Gnarly shouted spraying saliva everywhere pointing a finger at her.


    Tal looked at Mal. ¡°You took everything from his private collection?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°Only what I wanted, but I did take everything from his shop. It¡¯s not fit for animals, why would I leave it for people?¡±


    Tal nodded and looked back at Gnarby, ¡°She has a point.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s my rightful property!¡± Gnarby shrieked. ¡°She¡¯s no right to be taking that from me!¡±


    ¡°I warned you.¡± Tal shook his head. ¡°Now you have to live with the consequences.¡±


    With Gnarby¡¯s final snarl, he disappeared into his shop, and the group went into the blacksmith¡¯s shop. Weapons of all shapes and sizes, and colors, lined the walls and inside the glass cases that decorated the floor.


    ¡°Welcome!¡± Johntha greeted Mal warmly, seeming to ignore the others in the room, ¡°Thank you so much for gracing my primitive shop with your ever-advancing beauty! Please, let me show you around,¡± he called over his shoulder as he led Mal way from the rest of the group, ¡°help yourself to anything to you like. You have any questions, wait till later to ask!¡±


    ¡°You think he¡¯s going to try to get with her?¡± Kenneth asked Drew softly.


    Drew shrugged. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t be the first to try, and Mal has every right to if she wants to.¡±


    ¡°Come on.¡± Hexia said stepping forward. ¡°We¡¯re here for weapons right. Let¡¯s see what we can find.¡±


    Everyone looked around, some weapons, they gleamed right over, others they were drawn to.


    Mal smiled up at Johntha, ¡°Maybe you should help them first, then I can look around. They need weapons more anyway.¡±


    Johntha kissed her cheek and gave her a wink. ¡°Anything for you sweetheart.¡±


    He approached the others. ¡°Alright, what are we looking for today.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Hexia asked in wonder as her hand grazed over an onyx colored bladed cutlass.


    ¡°That¡¯s Dark Might.¡± Johntha said taking it down for her. ¡°Forged with obsidian and talimite silver. One of the strongest metals demons can make.¡±


    She looked at him uneasily, ¡°Demons?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Rest assured not all of them are evil little one. In fact, many are quite the weapons forgers.¡± He handed her the blade. ¡°Give a few swings in that corner over there see how you like it.¡±


    Hexia went to the corner that was open and free of any cases or weapons. She swung the blade tentatively at first, then with more vigor as she got used to the feel. Turning her body this way and that as she did. Satisfied, she looked up at Johntha with a smile.


    He nodded sharing in her grin. ¡°That one suits you miss.¡±


    ¡°What about that one?¡± Xavier asked pointing to a crossbow like weapons.


    ¡°None of the swords draw your attention then?¡± Johntha asked approaching him.


    Xavier shook his head. ¡°The two short swords there a little, but this one,¡± he pointed up at the crossbow, ¡°that one caught my eye.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be Sharp Shooter.¡± Johntha said taking it down and showing Xavier how to handle it. ¡°Since you were drawn that one seems your specialty is long ranged weapons, not close combat ones. This one is special in that it has three triggers.¡± He showed Xavier each one as he spoke of them. ¡°First one fires one at time, second one half the chamber, the third all of them.¡±


    He glanced Xavier over. ¡°You¡¯d be Night¡¯s Champion right?¡±


    Xavier nodded. Johntha did too. ¡°Thought so. Much like Pinky¡¯s weapon over there came from demons, this one was made by former champion of Night. It was made so while using the shadows, you never miss a target. The only ammo I have for it is in the chamber already, you¡¯ll have to make your own.¡±


    ¡°You have the crafting tables for that.¡± Alex said from across the room.


    Xavier grinned down at Sharp Shooter. ¡°Sweet, guess this one''s mine.¡±


    ¡°Best take the short swords too.¡± Johntha thumbed at them. ¡°That way you¡¯re armed for close combat as well.¡±


    ¡°Who did these belong to?¡± Xavier couldn¡¯t help but ask, excited for the history.


    ¡°No one.¡± Johntha last. ¡°Just made them last week.¡±


    ¡°I like this one for me.¡± Elise said picking up an opal looking fencing blade.


    ¡°That one is just called Rapier.¡± Johntha smiled kindly at her before his expression became sorrowful. ¡°The Champion of Sun before you had that one made especially for her. It channels the sun when you strike. Shooting out blasts of it into your enemy like small pellets.¡±


    Elise smiled as she sheathed it. ¡°Sounds like she had a good head on her shoulders.¡±


    Johntha shrugged. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. Never met her.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re thinking Drew and I are the main warriors.¡± Kenneth said stepping forward.


    ¡°War and Hero?¡±


    Drew and Kenneth nodded.


    Johntha took a deep breath and looked at Drew. ¡°You¡¯d have the Sword of Hero¡¯s then, right?¡±


    Drew nodded.


    ¡°Then you won¡¯t be needing another sword, that¡¯s plenty sword for you. Rumors say you get high enough level the blade shifts into any form you want it to.¡± Johntha said scratching the back of his head. ¡°Do you have the wings?¡±


    An excited look came over Drew¡¯s face, ¡°Oh yeah! I completely forgot about that, but yeah!¡±


    ¡°Then you should have a bow and some arrows.¡± Johntha said grabbing a dark red bow with a golden threaded string. He looked at Alex, ¡°Does he have a crafting table for arrows?¡±


    Alex shook his head. ¡°Still Xavier¡¯s area.¡±


    ¡°Well regardless.¡± Johntha said handing it to Drew. ¡°You¡¯ll arrows. I don¡¯t have anything.¡±


    ¡°Fellow Champion of Heroes own this once huh?¡± Drew asked as he pulled the string back.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Johntha popped his p. ¡°Champion of War.¡±


    ¡°So how come I don¡¯t get it?¡± Kenneth asked a little annoyed.


    ¡°Because I saw you eyeing these.¡± Johntha said raising a belt filled with several small daggers. ¡°These used to belong to a Champion of Heroes. Figured you two had swapped since you were itching to touch these and the other guy walked right past them.¡±


    Alex picked up a couple of hook swords and swung them about. ¡°I guess these are for me.¡±


    ¡°Guess so.¡± Johntha smiled.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Anna?¡± Xavier asked looking around. ¡°She hasn¡¯t picked her weapon yet.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s outside.¡± Kenneth thumbed toward the door. ¡°Don¡¯t think she has any intention of coming in here or picking a weapon.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean I can help you now?¡± Johntha asked walking up to Mal again.


    She nodded. ¡°I suppose so.¡±


    ¡°Come with me.¡± He took her hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got something I think you will love.¡±


    He brought her over to the back display case. The others filed outside to wait for her. She looked inside and saw a silver dagger she smiled with eyes full of affection.


    ¡°Oh my gosh!¡± She gushed. Johntha took it out and she touched it delicately. ¡°Oh my gosh!¡±


    ¡°It came to me in a dream one night.¡± He said softly. ¡°There, I saw a beautiful creature wielding it in the midst of battle. It was the sweetest dream I¡¯ve ever had.¡± he met her eyes. ¡°I would be honored if this was the weapon you wanted.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it is! It is!¡± She assured him, but when she reached for it, he held it back against his chest.


    ¡°A weapons forger knows when they¡¯ve created their finest piece of work.¡± He said softly. ¡°Most, never part with it. Merely use it as an example. This,¡± He gestured to the dagger, ¡°is my finest work.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re not going to just give it to me.¡± Mal understood.


    He met her eyes. ¡°Kiss me as if I were your lover. Then, I will give you the blade.¡± When she made no move he smiled sadly. ¡°I¡¯m not asking for your body, just your lips.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m cursed.¡±


    ¡°You can still kiss can¡¯t you.¡±


    In answer, she wrapped her arms around her neck, and kissed him. Much like she used to kiss Drew when she attempted to seduce him. Johntha¡¯s arms came around her, and for a long moment, they were wrapped in a kiss. If he felt anything, she couldn¡¯t tell, but she felt nothing.


    When she finally set back on her feet, he grinned and handed her the dagger. ¡°Be safe pretty thing. May the one meant to have those lips forever cherish them.¡±


    She smiled and kissed his cheek. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    * * *


    Outside, the others were on the benches waiting for her. She rushed toward them.


    ¡°Hey, Drew!¡± She called, ¡°Look! Look!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not armed are you!?¡±


    ¡°Not yet!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna!¡± He whined.


    ¡°Look you, big crybaby!¡± She scolded.


    Seeing her smile and hearing her laugh, Drew looked, and everyone inched closer. She bounced excitedly as she showed him the dagger. ¡°See!?¡±


    He paled. ¡°Oh my freaking God.¡±


    ¡°Is it the one she stabbed herself with?¡± Kenneth asked worried coming closer.


    ¡°No.¡± Drew choked. ¡°Worse.¡±


    Kenneth¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°No freaking way! Just, No Freaking Way!¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± Everyone asked. All of them curious now.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Vorpal Blade from Alice Madness Returns!¡± Kenneth said running his hands through his hair.


    ¡°And it was Mal¡¯s favorite game.¡± Drew said looking away. ¡°She used to play it all the time. Even while nursing Charlie. She didn¡¯t need strategy guides or playthroughs to help get the Completion Trophy, she did that all by herself from memory. Charlie eventually got toy cooking utensils, and he used to pretend he was the boy version of Alice playing through the game with a plastic fork! For the longest time it was the music to that game that got him to sleep, nothing else.¡±


    Kenneth grinned at Mal. ¡°Sounds like my kind of kid!¡±


    Mal smiled at him. ¡°He was definitely one of a kind.¡±


    * * *


    In the room she shared with Elise and Hexia back at the Inn, Mal had the table and chair all set up. Her fabrics were out and in neat piles. She wasn¡¯t sure where to even begin with all of this. The crafting table screen was open before her, and it was blinking rapidly. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and touched the screen. It led her through a list of everything she could make, and the list was rather extensive. Given she was at eighty percent out of a hundred for an overall skill, that wasn¡¯t really surprising.


    She looked back at the crafting table and found the silhouettes of every Champion, with the exact measurements. Despite the fabrics being laid out on the table, they were also at the bottom of the screen and how much there were of each one. It was handy and would allow her to keep the progress of what she was doing for each person.


    She decided to draw some designs first, and the table offered a pencil, or rather, a stylist, like contraption. She couldn¡¯t start creating without having a rough idea of what she was going to make. She opened the drawing portion and one by one around each silhouette, she drew footwear, outfits, and she drew capes and coats, so she could have a design, either way, depending on what the person wanted.


    It took the rest of the day, but she managed to have everything designed, and what fabrics would go where she just needed to make it all. She then set about designing tents and sleeping bags. Even pillows. Those, she decided would be the first thing she would make. To test and see how the system would make it.


    It was a lot easier than a sewing machine, and a heck of a lot faster too. Each piece of fabric was pulled into the system, cut as she used the stylist to draw into the fabric where she wanted it. Running it along the edges and other places where she needed it sewn.


    Before three minutes were up, a simple sleeping bag was on the floor in front of her. With the stuffing at the bottom for a bit of a homemade bed, rough exterior to weather any storm or rough terrain. With a soft interior designed for comfort and to keep the occupant warm. She designed it to big enough to fit three people inside so there would enough room and covers and the occupant not be squished inside. Surprised by even her own skill, she stood there for a few moments just looking it over.


    As twilight approached, she had seven more sleeping bags just like the first one. And three tents. Two medium tents. One for each gender. Then one large one if they wanted to stay together under one roof. With an exhausted, but content with a job well-done sigh, all she had left to do was the outfits. Which she decided she would do the following day. She was getting hungry, and she was sure the others were too.


    She headed straight for the kitchen, despite the group being at the table looking over the system. Alex seemed to be teaching Hexia about the system, which was good. The more they all knew about it the better. She helped Astra made dinner and dessert. For the first time in her life, Astra bought some sweets from the caravan that passed through while Mal and the others were out at the shops. They had seen it on their way back and waved at the wide-eyed smiling children crowded into the back of the wagons.


    The stew was served with bread, with chocolate cake dessert. Even Astra was surprised by how it all turned out.


    She stared at Mal in wonder. ¡°I¡¯ve gotta admit, I¡¯ve never been one for female play ma¡¯am, or for steppin¡¯ out of me husband, but you make me question me morals girl.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Mal laughed full and bright, she didn¡¯t see the notice the window saying her curse had weakened by another two percent, but Alex did. He grinned and added that to the list of things he needed to tell Crow.


    ¡°How close are we to being done with the clothes?¡± Xavier asked her.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t started them yet. I got them all designed, but I made the sleeping bags and tents first. Sorry.¡± Mal said.


    ¡°Not a bad call.¡± Kenneth nodded. ¡°Especially seeing as we have no idea when we¡¯ll be sleeping in beds again.¡±


    ¡°I also made pillows.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank god!¡± Elise groaned collapsing against Mal¡¯s arm. ¡°I don¡¯t think I could have slept without a pillow.¡±


    ¡°Well, now you have one.¡± Alex laughed then yawned deeply. ¡°I think we should head to bed.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Hold on!¡± Mal said standing to stop everyone. ¡°I know everyone¡¯s exhausted but, please, this will only be a second. I need to know, cloak or coats?¡±


    ¡°I want a cloak.¡± Hexia said, ¡°With a deep hood so I can hide my face when it¡¯s needed.¡±


    Drew shrugged. ¡°I need to think.¡±


    From everyone else, it was coats.


    * * *


    Xavier was still up after everyone else had gone upstairs, using his own crafting ability. On the way back to the Inn, Mal mined several of the local metals, all to the one-fourth marker like she had promised Johntha, and gave them to him. Now they were all stored in his inventory, and he could make as many disks as he wanted.


    He spent the afternoon making ammo for Drew and himself out of straight metal. He learned as long as the end that was being shot out was pointed, he could make the dishes into any shape he wanted and adjust the holder to fit them. Now, he had over ten thousand disks and arrows, and still had more than enough metal left over. He considered for a brief second giving some of it back, but going forward he knew he would need more disks, and Drew more arrows.


    There was one other pleasant surprise of the day. Elise also had access to the crafting tables. Whereas Mal was fabrics, his was ammo, Elise was a metal worker. She learned she could create any manor of weapons or armor eventually. Elise was excited to try it, but as her level was so low, she was really going to have to work on it.


    Mal showed Elise during dinner about how to design things. Xavier suggested to help get her started that Elise help Mal by making the buckles and buttons for their clothes and gear. Elise was all too willing to try and Mal welcomed the help. He also dropped the hint about jewelry. Mostly hair clips since Mal gave her scrunchy to Anna. Who they all noticed didn¡¯t touch an ounce of the gold Mal had given her. Not even to buy a weapon.


    Xavier put away his gear and sat back with a sigh with a long sigh and thought about Elise. One look at her, and he was lost to her. Her beautiful grin made the sun shine brighter and Xavier rubbed his cheeks self consciously knowing they burning red. That woman and the things she did to him without even knowing it. He wondered how a woman like her could even exist. Would he have ever found her if he¡¯d stayed on Earth?


    He could see the appeal of Mal, hell, even the lure of Anna. Had he been back on Earth, he likely would have allowed himself to be seduced by the women. Not that he would have believed they loved him, just the sex would have been amazing. Being here now though, it was only Elise that stirred anything in him. And man did she stir. She didn¡¯t even know she was stirring, and that was both frustrating, and amusing.


    Movement from the stairs had him looking that way, there stood Anna. He was certain she¡¯d gone upstairs and to bed already. Maybe she had given the way she looked. Her hair down, glittering softly in the firelight, a sweet smile on her face. Her chocolate brown eyes deep and lustful. Wrapped around her was the blanket she had been covered with and had ripped off more than once during the day, and he knew that was the only thing she had on. Instantly, any arousal he felt, vanished.


    ¡°Hey there handsome,¡± She crooned at him. ¡°What are you up to?¡±


    ¡°I was just heading upstairs to bed.¡±


    ¡°You can share mine if you want.¡± She said extending her bare leg out a bit. ¡°It¡¯s probably a lot more comfortable than the lumps you¡¯ve sleeping on.¡± She grinned even wider. ¡°We could keep each other warm.¡±


    ¡°They are quite warm already.¡± He said getting up and walked toward the stairs. ¡°As for sharing your bed, I¡¯ve slept on the ground in the middle of New York City, on more than one occasion I might add. I¡¯ve also slept on floors for years. My parents didn¡¯t see the point in my having a bed. So those lumps you¡¯re referring to, are quite comfortable for me.¡± He reached her now and glared at her. ¡°And if I had to choose between sleeping with you or outside on jagged rocks in the middle of a snowstorm, I¡¯d take the latter.¡±


    Anna giggled as she grinned more at him. ¡°Well, of course, I¡¯m preferable than a snowstorm.¡± She took his hand and kissed his cheek. ¡°Come sweet cheeks, I won¡¯t tell that dirty blond what we¡¯re going to do.¡±


    Xavier held firm and pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°No, you ditz, I was saying I¡¯d choose the snow storm over you!¡±


    ¡°But why!?¡± Anna demanded.


    In answer, he brought her hand down to his crotch, ¡°Because even with your hand against my cock, I¡¯m as soft as pudding, and that¡¯s not about to change.¡±


    Having said what he wanted to say, he released Anna, gently pushed her against the wall. By the look on her face, she didn¡¯t expect him to just walk up the stairs.


    With a sigh, he raised his head to find Elise standing just outside her door. Cheeks burning knowing what she must have heard, he nodded and went into his room with the other guys closing the door behind him. The others were already asleep and he was grateful for their lack of knowledge in that moment.


    Elise quickly slipped behind her door till Anna had stomped up the stairs, down the hall to her room and slammed the door behind her. Elise sighed with relief. She hadn¡¯t been spotted and was thus out of Anna¡¯s crossfire.


    It didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out that Anna had insinuated Elise when she was taunting Xavier. He turned down Anna because of her? That couldn¡¯t be right, could it? Still, the thought of Xavier turning down Anna because of her made her smile.


    She got up in the first place because she was thirsty. Still needing a drink of water, she decided to go downstairs to get it instead of the bathroom. Going anywhere near Anna right now wasn¡¯t a good idea.


    * * *


    Anna was curled up on her bed breaking down. She kept her sobbing quiet. She wasn¡¯t afraid of being caught. She just didn¡¯t want anyone to see her moment of weakness.


    She was supposed to be a Champion of Love! She was supposed to have her bed and body filled every night! She was supposed to have men and women falling in love with her at every step! She was supposed to be irresistible! But she wasn¡¯t! None of the men around her was willing to put out.


    She even made at pass at Astra¡¯s husband who merely shook his head at her as if she was joking and went inside, to Astra. Drew had actually thrown up on her, and the entire time they¡¯d been here, he hadn¡¯t so much as even look at her.


    Back on Earth, no man had ever turned her down. Even married men, who spurned her at first for moral''s sake, later succumbed and nearly broke her bed once they finally gave into her. No man could say no to her for very long. Not even Drew, as she had proven.


    She loved that life. She was in power, she was in charge, and nothing stood in her way. She missed that. She never thought it could all be taken away from her in the blink of an eye, but it had.


    Here, it was as if she was a teenager again, living in the shadow of her older sister. Mal had been the smart one, the pretty one, the popular one. Actually, the only thing that made Mal popular was her naturally huge tits. Plenty of guys chased her skirt other than Drew. Girls flocked to her because Mal was nice, Mal cared about people before herself. She opened herself up to people, and they, in turn, opened themselves up back. That made her desired and coveted.


    Anna only cared about herself. She refused to let herself be seen as weak, especially when it came to other people. Hence the crying quietly and alone. She had to be the top dog, the Queen bee, and if people didn¡¯t fall in line with that, they were punished and cast out of her circle.


    In high school, that meant no one stayed around her for very long. Why would they serve her when they could go be the top dog somewhere else or be a part of an equal group like Mal¡¯s?


    Those days had been horrible. The worst part of her life next to her childhood. Now, it felt like she was right back in them, suffering all over again. Unable to overcome the large shadow that Mal cast without realizing the spotlight was on her. But then, Anna had always been surrounded by shadows. Her very creation was seeped with secrets and lies told in the dark.


    * * *


    Drew was the first guy to wake up the next morning. He didn¡¯t know if the women were awake yet or not, but he was too comfortable to really move in that moment. So he stayed snuggled under the covers just breathing evenly and resting before they started their day. He looked over his rooms mates and studied them.


    Xavier had dark brown almost black hair, but his eyes were a bright ice blue. Drew hadn¡¯t spent much time with him, and other than what Xavier told about himself, he knew nothing about the man.


    Most of Drew¡¯s time had been spent with Kenneth. He was a sweet guy. He¡¯d listened to Drew¡¯s story, about his past with Mal and didn¡¯t immediately hate him on principle. Even understood why he was running away from Earth and ended up here. Alex too, even after hearing both sides, didn¡¯t hate him.


    No offense to Alex, who sported rather fetching dirty blonde and green eyes, but he had nothing on the raw beauty that was the dark red haired gray-eyed Kenneth.


    Those thoughts stopped Drew in his tracks and he looked underneath covers to find his equipment, soft as cotton since the moment he arrived, suddenly stiffer than bone and standing straight up.


    Wa-was he gay now!?


    I¡¯m surprised it¡¯s taken, you this long sir. The others realized almost instantly that their sexual orientation changed. The sword said into his mind. You are not the first to have theirs changed. Merely the latest in a long time. The God of Night found it rather fun to change his previous champions sexual preference and watch as they slowly descended into madness because of it.


    ¡°Huh.¡± Drew said softly, then continued in his thoughts so not to disturb his roommates. ~Well alright then. Can you still hear me?~


    Of course, we need not for verbal words to communicate. The sword said. I must say, you are the first to have accepted this so easily.


    Drew shrugged. ~I asked to be exactly like Hero. I didn¡¯t think he was gay when I asked but even knowing that I¡¯m fine with it. My life sucked when I was attracted to women. I couldn¡¯t control my own dick to save my life. Maybe being gay and will give me the edge I need to keep this changing my life ordeal on the right track.~


    You, have to be, the strangest master I¡¯ve ever had. The sword commented lightly.


    ~That a bad thing?~


    No, just a fact.


    Drew took one last look at Kenneth and sighed. ~ I better get up and take care of this hard on before he wakes up. Else it would be a difficult conversation we are nowhere near ready for.~


    The sword said nothing as Drew got up and headed to the bathroom. For the first time in while, he laid his hand upon his shaft and brought himself pleasure. This time, it wasn¡¯t the picture of Mal in his mind. It wasn¡¯t the golden-haired Anna he rejected for so long. It wasn¡¯t any of the women on Earth who¡¯d caught his eye. It was Kenneth in his mind''s eye.


    After leaving the bathroom, he saw the doors open and saw Mal sitting at the table with a steaming mug and muffing beside her. He quickly checked to make sure they were alone, knowing her and Elise were going to start working on the outfits today, then stepped inside closing the door slightly. She looked up having realized he was there.


    ¡°So,¡± He said softly drawing out the word. ¡°I¡¯m gay now.¡±


    She laughed a bit surprised then looked at him surprised. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Just had my first masturbation session, and it wasn¡¯t the thought of a woman that got me off.¡± He admitted pacing a bit.


    ¡°Are you alright with this?¡±


    ¡°I mean,¡± he said as he paced. ¡°I asked to be exactly like Hero, personality, morals, everything. I guess it makes sense that my sexual preference would change if he was gay. I didn¡¯t even think to ask if he was or not. Never occurred to me that he might be.¡± He paused for a second as realization dawned on him. ¡°Which is why he said to think before asking for my favor.¡± He sighed with a shake of his head and put his hand on his hips. ¡°Yeah, I think I am okay with it.¡±


    He looked back at her to see her smiling softly. ¡°Kenneth is a lucky guy.¡±


    Drew blushed deeply. ¡°You always did know me too well.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not that hard to read.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he knows?¡± He asked worriedly.


    ¡°Probably not.¡± She said going back to her work. ¡°He seems a little too over excited about life here.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re really okay with this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my sex life.¡± She said with a shrug. ¡°And we¡¯ve been divorced for awhile now. Plus the added factor that I have little to no emotions.¡±


    ¡°Right, the curse.¡± He said with a nod. ¡°I really am sorry about my part in that.¡±


    She shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s in the past, now, cloak or coat? You never did answer me last night.¡±


    ¡°Cloak, be easier to take off.¡± he stopped in his tracks and looked back at her. ¡°That wasn¡¯t meant how it sounded.¡±


    She waved a hand in front of her face and spoke slowly. ¡°No emotion. Joke not understood.¡±


    He laughed as he went downstairs. Everyone else, even Anna surprisingly, sat at the table eating the fresh muffins Astra made. He stuffed one into his mouth as he and Kenneth headed outside to practice with their swords.


    Xavier materialized out of the shadows causing Anna to scream. Realizing who it was, she muttered something about shopping and rushed out the door. Hexia got up and headed for the bath while Elise helped Astra clean up before going upstairs to help Mal.


    ¡°I fucking called it.¡± Xavier sang softly.


    Alex looked at Xavier confused. ¡°Called what?¡±


    ¡°Drew¡¯s gay.¡± Xavier grinned. ¡°Overheard him telling Mal.¡±


    Alex snorted, ¡°Oh that. I figured that out yesterday.¡±


    ¡°When!?¡± Xavier demanded.


    ¡°While Kenneth and Drew were sparring.¡±


    ¡°You think Kenneth might be?¡±


    Alex shrugged. ¡°The kids hardly ever been able to masturbate. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s ever really had to chance to think about his sexual preference.¡±


    Xavier put a hand on his heart. ¡°Oh, that poor poor kid.¡±


    Elise came up behind the two of them and smacked them both upside the head. ¡°You two, gossiping as if you were pair of old ladies!¡±


    ¡°Well, I know why they do it now,¡± Xavier pouted. ¡°They had stuff to say and it¡¯s fun.¡±


    ¡°Just because it¡¯s fun, doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s right.¡± She said in a firm tone looking down at him.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t find it interesting that Drew was straight as a line and is now batting for the other team?¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°Not my business. Still,¡± She looked out at the two in the front yard. ¡°I¡¯d be a little surprised if we were all straight.¡±


    Alex smiled softly at her. ¡°You¡¯re awfully accepting.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡± She demanded.


    ¡°I thought southerners were all bible sticklers.¡± Alex admitted.


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Go figure a good for nothing movie star would stereotype me.¡±


    Alex flinched. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    She patted his shoulder. ¡°Are we even?¡±


    ¡°As a balance beam.¡±


    * * *


    Anna slept after her crying drag and woke with a new determination. She was going to get laid today. When even the most desperate of the Champions wouldn¡¯t bed her, it was time to look elsewhere. Kenneth, she didn¡¯t think to try, watching him spar with Drew, she knew he would turn her down. He was far too boyish, and boyish meant inexperience, and she wanted an experienced lover. Alex wasn¡¯t appealing enough, and he was loyal to Mal. She would be very surprised if the two didn¡¯t end up shagging each other senseless.


    She went straight to the shopping complex up the way, telling everyone at the Inn she was going to go buy something nice. They didn¡¯t stop her, and she would have thrown a fit if they did, or if one of them tried to come with her.


    She went straight for the blacksmith. The apothecary, she assumed was gay, he was so thin and tall, and far too feminine to be anything else. Plus his door was locked and windows were dark. Maybe he was brewing up some poison or something. So she avoided his shop. The beefy looking blacksmith was sitting at his shop, polishing a heinous looking sword.


    He looked when she entered and gave her a confused look. ¡°Can I help you, missy?¡±


    ¡°I was here yesterday.¡± She said stepping toward him. ¡°You don¡¯t remember me?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± He said with a nod, ¡°I remember you came in here and didn¡¯t by anything, even after that pretty lass gave you some of the gold she made for us.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s my sister.¡± Anna said stepping forward.


    ¡°No kidding!?¡± He laughed. ¡°Can¡¯t see the resemblance, to be honest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not surprising.¡± She said with a smile. ¡°We have different fathers. We both take after the men who spawned us.¡±


    ¡°They must be very good looking men.¡±


    Anna shrugged. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know, I refuse to have anything to do with my birth father. Even though he did try to get to know me in recent years.¡±


    ¡°How sad for you.¡± The blacksmith sighed putting his chin in his palm. ¡°Not knowing one''s father is like missing out on a part of your history.¡±


    ¡°If you say so.¡± She said stepping forward and smiled. ¡°Are you busy right now?¡± She batted her eyelashes. ¡°I could really use some companionship.¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re doing.¡± The blacksmith smiled. ¡°If it were your sister standing where you are, I would have taken you up on that offer instantly, sadly, you don¡¯t do for it me sister.¡±


    Anna frowned. ¡°Why not!?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only into men sweetheart.¡±


    She paled. ¡°You¡¯re gay!?¡±


    He nodded with that same smile in place.


    ¡°But you¡¯re a big and beefy man cake!¡± She said tearfully.


    ¡°Well, thank you kindly for the compliment sister, but I¡¯m still gay.¡± He chuckled.


    ¡°But-But you kissed Mal yesterday!¡± She shouted. ¡°I saw it! We all did!¡±


    ¡°I most certainly did, and it was the first I¡¯d ever kissed a woman.¡±


    ¡°Why!?¡± She broke down in tears. ¡°Why her and not me!?¡±


    He sighed. ¡°Champions of Love are a dime in a dozen sister. They¡¯ve roamed Taimin from the beginning. They¡¯ve caused more damage than you can ever repay. Whereas Elements has never chosen a Champion. Your sister is a rare creature, with beauty and grace to match.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair.¡± Anna whimpered as she walked out of the shop.


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± Anna looked over and saw the tailor from the day before, Gnarby, she only remembered his name because of how he insulted Mal. Then the events that followed. ¡°Come over here for a minute please.¡±


    Anna dragged her feet but she went over to him. He brought her inside and closed the door behind him. The shelves, once filled with crappy cloth, was now filled with the much better fabrics they discovered in the lower level of the shop.


    ¡°Why are all of your better fabrics upstairs?¡± She sniffled. ¡°I thought they were far too precious for you to part with.¡±


    ¡°Thanks to your sister taking all of my stock for my store, I was forced to bring up my precious collection in order to have things for the caravans coming through the near future. I won¡¯t get the fabrics I prefer to sell for weeks.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like Mal. I wasn¡¯t even aware she did it. Must really be out of it these days.¡± Anna said with a sigh. Then she looked at Gnarby curiously. ¡°How did you know Mal was my sister.¡±


    ¡°I overheard you tell Johntha.¡± He said with a dark grin.


    ¡°Who?¡± She asked.


    ¡°The blacksmith.¡± He said, that dark grin widening.


    ¡°Oh.¡± She sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t usually bother with names.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I really.¡± Gnarby said with a dark chuckle. ¡°Names are unimportant when it comes to what you want.¡±


    She looked at him confused. ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    In answer, he dropped his pants. Back on Earth, the old Anna would have been insulted, she would have thrown a screaming fit and walked away and had the flasher arrested. Here on Taimin, the new Anna, her eyes glazed over, drool came out of the corner of her mouth. One moment was all she could stand, then she threw herself on her knees in front of Gnarby and began to suck on his cock.


    Gnarby groaned in ecstasy. ¡°Ah! Now that¡¯s what I wanted from your sister yesterday! She humiliated me, hurt me, robbed me blind! Since I can¡¯t make her suffer, I¡¯ll simply take my frustrations out on you. And take care of itch you have.¡±


    Anna merely moaned as she sucked on his cock. His words weren¡¯t really registering in her mind. All she cared about was the cock that was in her mouth. It didn¡¯t matter what size it was, didn¡¯t matter if it was hairy or covered in odd bumps. It was a cock, and she finally had one in her grasp. She wasn¡¯t about to let this one go.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± Gnarby huffed and panted. ¡°That¡¯s it! Suck that cock, suck it hard! Make me cum you damn dirty bitch!¡±


    A few seconds later, the familiar taste and thick substance filled her mouth and streamed down her throat. She turned around and bent over, raising the dress Mal had loaned her to reveal she had nothing on underneath it.


    ¡°Please!¡± She cried panting as she did. ¡°Please here!¡± She spread her legs. ¡°Put it here!¡±


    Gnarby laughed manically as he obliged her. Hunching over and slipping inside of her dripping cunt. ¡°Ah!¡± He groaned. ¡°Is this what you want!?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± She shouted.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hear you!¡±


    ¡°YES!¡± She screamed.


    Gnarby took her. She wasn¡¯t sure for how long they laid there screwing, how long he lasted, or how many times he took her. But eventually, she laid completely naked on the floor, cum leaking out of her. Gnarby stood and put himself back into his pants.


    ¡°You know, you¡¯re not the first Champion of Love I¡¯ve had the pleasure of having.¡± He chuckled. ¡°One of them once told me, women were fun and all, but it was cocks they desired. All of you Champions of Love are the same. Sex addicted, cock crazed, little sluts.¡±


    Anna could only breath. That much she registered in her mind. He was right. She had changed since Earth. Before on Earth, she was in control. Any time she had an itch, she had a plethora of men she could call on, but it didn¡¯t rule her life. She didn¡¯t fall apart if she didn¡¯t get it. Here, he was right, she was a sex addict.


    Well, she thought as she walked back to the Inn, hobbling a little as she did so from the thorough fucking she got, that was fine. She was Love¡¯s Champion after all. She was supposed to create a world where all of the men were hers and the women were nothing. It made sense she was a sex addict.


    As she walked into the Inn, she looked over all of the men there and resolved herself. This was who she was now. Since her fellow Champions wouldn¡¯t keep her sated, she would find men like Gnarby who would.


    ::BING::


    <table><tbody><tr><td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td></tr><tr><td>Champion of Love has ascended 3%</td></tr></tbody></table>


    Anna grinned. That was perfect, she needed sex to ascend. That, she could most certainly do and have no problem doing. It was just a matter of finding men. Once they got moving, she was sure she could find men.


    She would ascend, and she did, no one would be able to resist her. So in a way, it was like she was starting out in High School again. It took her years to build up the reputation she had and the skill she had back on Earth. It was no different here in Taimin.


    If she had to start from scratch, then she would. Only on Taimin, her progression would surely be a lot faster. She curled up by the fire with a feeling of satisfaction she hadn¡¯t felt since she arrived here. It would take time, but time was all they had in this place.


    * * *


    With all of the clothes finished, Mal set the outfits on everyone¡¯s bed and went downstairs in her new outfit. Everyone was there, even Anna.


    ¡°Okay!¡± She said with a grin twirling around, ¡°What do you think!?¡±


    Everyone¡¯s jaw dropped. Her jacket was the deep navy blue almost black with fur lining. Her boots were dark brown leather coming to her knees. Her pants were black and clung to her skin, the material wasn¡¯t something they recognized. Her shirt was a paler cream that the dress Elements gave her, with a black corset wrapped around her waist and supporting her breasts.


    ¡°Oh, Mal! It came out wonderfully!¡± Elise said bouncing up and down.


    Mal grinned. ¡°Well, the buckles and buttons were all you.¡± She looked at everyone else. ¡°You¡¯re outfits are ready too.¡±


    No one said a thing. They all rushed upstairs. She was left standing there stunned. ¡°Well okay then.¡±


    * * *


    Less than a few minutes later, they all came back downstairs. Even Anna looked thrilled. All of the cloaks and coats had the same fur lining, but the colors varied from person to person. Only the men¡¯s outfit were similar in the fact they had tunics, semi-form fitting pants, and belts that went from their hips to an inch above their navel. Almost pirate-like in style. All of them sporting dark brown leather combat boots. Only the women¡¯s clothes really varied in style.


    Anna was the first to reach Mal. Her shirt was the bubble pink with gold pattern that she asked for. Cut off at one hip and the fabric dipped down to the back of her knee on her opposite side. A golden leather corset cut so it stopped two inches below her breasts covered her shirt. Her outer layer of her coat matched her shirt. Her pants were a dark brown matching well with her shirt. Her footwear was pair of golden leather boots that stopped at her ankles.


    ¡°Oh, my Gods Mal!¡± She shrieked. ¡°This outfit is perfect!¡±


    She went as if to hug Mal, then remember who it was, she stopped and stepped back.


    Elise¡¯s shirt was a ruffled golden fabric with a brown leather corset that just wrapped around her waist. Her shirt came down to her hips, with tan pants tugged into thigh-high black leather boots that Xavier couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of. The outer layer of her coat matching her boots. ¡°I love it!¡±


    Hexia¡¯s shirt was black with a bronze leather corset that had straps fastening behind her neck. Like Mal, with the corset covering her shirt, only the sleeves could really be seen. Her pants were the same black as Mal¡¯s while her bronze leather boots stopped at her shins. She had a cloak instead of a jacket, with a deeper hood than all of the rest. So she could hide horns and her face partially when she needed too. It too was bronze to match her boots and corset. ¡°It¡¯s perfect!¡±


    Alex¡¯s shirt was the forest green with black pants. His trench coat jacket was deep brown. ¡°Yeah, this is great stuff.¡±


    Xavier¡¯s shirt was a dark gray, with his pants black. His trench coat was black to match. ¡°You really caught our personalities when making these!¡±


    Kenneth¡¯s shirt was a dark red, with dark brown pants. His trench coat a dark brown to go with his pants. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s similar to what I would make for myself when I was gaming.¡±


    Drew¡¯s white shirt, pale brown pants, and black cloak all morphed and conformed to his body. ¡°Wow, Mal! I love it!¡±


    Mal¡¯s cheeks flushed, and tears filled her eyes. ¡°Oh, you guys!¡±


    She was told over and over again by everyone how much they loved their outfits. She eventually had to excuse herself to settle down, she went upstairs to clean up her mess. The outfits were a hit, and even she had to admit, they were great. She hadn¡¯t made anything that amazing back on Earth, but then again, she wasn¡¯t on a magical world as a Champion to the Gods.


    She noticed a system window off to the side, but she was too busy thinking to read what it said.


    What kind of gowns would she make if she tried? Would people like them? Would they like her skill? Gnarby had insulted her, and her first reaction was to beat him down for it. He had been a swindler, and a terrible person, but there were good people on Taimin. Would that be what she did with her life here? Become a seamstress?


    She wondered how she felt about that. Feel? Mal stopped all thought and really focused on what was happening with her emotions. Yes, she was feeling. Not a lot, but there was a little there. She reacted to Gnarby¡¯s insult, she felt pride in her work. It was a little, but it was there.


    ¡°Mal?¡±


    She looked toward the doorway and saw Alex who was smiling softly at her. ¡°You¡¯ve got another notice.¡±


    She looked at the blinking window. Sure enough, it was another notice of a 5% decrease of the curse.


    <table><tbody><tr><td>ANNOUNCEMENT</td></tr><tr><td>CAGED HEART curse has weakened by 5%</td></tr><tr><td>CAGED HEART curse has gone from 100% capacity to 83%</td></tr><tr><td>Champion of Elements will start to show some emotional reactions to certain situations</td></tr></tbody></table>


    ¡°Some curse.¡± She muttered. ¡°I thought only the Champion of Kings could break it.¡±


    Alex stepped in and sat on the edge of one of the beds. ¡°Maybe Elements is taking mercy on you? Or all of the Gods are. So we can have a better fighter. Maybe your powers are tied to your emotions, and the more you use them, the more likely you are to chip away the curse.¡±


    ¡°The latter seems more likely at this point.¡± Mal said sitting back. ¡°I¡¯m starting to have my doubts about those Gods.¡± She looked at the ceiling then back at him. ¡°Really, what help have they been since we got here?¡±


    ¡°I agree with you.¡± Alex said softly. ¡°They offered the illusion of choice when it came to our abilities. Xavier told me Night actually sent him after Xavier refused to make any choices for himself, demanding to know more before he did. We¡¯re also not exactly an ideal lot. Not to mention the past history between you, Anna, and Drew. There¡¯s a lot going on, and we haven¡¯t even completed the first task yet. ¡±


    ¡°What if it was intentional?¡±


    Her voice was barely a whisper, but the question spoke volumes and Alex shook his head frustrated. ¡°Then, what the hell kind of Gods are we dealing with here? What are they going to do when we learn their true thoughts?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think they can do anything.¡± Mal said softly.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°Just a hunch, but it feels right.¡± She said looking at him. ¡°I don¡¯t think they can even hear us when we talk like this. For all they know, we¡¯re blindly following their orders.¡±


    ¡°So, some other force out there is protecting us?¡± He asked incredulously.


    She shrugged. ¡°All I can say is, something wants us to keep questioning, something wants us to doubt the Gods.¡±


    ¡°And your curse?¡±


    ¡°A blessing.¡± She sighed looking away.


    ¡°You can¡¯t believe that.¡±


    ¡°Alex,¡± she said looking back at him, her expression tortured. ¡°My husband cheated on me, I lost my babies, my mind and soul broke. They stayed broken. I may have forgiven Drew, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m over it. When we arrived here, I think I had a moment when I could have broken the curse myself. Upon seeing Drew and Anna the cage rattled, but instead, I embraced the numb and pretended I didn¡¯t know them.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± He whispered. ¡°Why would you do that?¡±


    Tears, for the first time, he saw her tears fall. It wasn¡¯t like when Drew fell apart before, just a few tears, but they spoke volumes. ¡°Because I¡¯m still broken. Back on Earth, I couldn¡¯t even hear Drew¡¯s voice without having a breakdown. I couldn¡¯t hear a baby crying or a child calling for their mama without losing my mind and having a breakdown.¡± She swallowed a lump in her throat and continued with a wavering voice. ¡°There was an attendant, Elements dealt with him, but before she did, he used to walk around with this recorder, and he would play those sounds right outside my door and watch with fits of laughter as I was throwing myself against the wall and when the others came to secure me down and sedate me.¡±


    Alex swallowed bile and shook his head. ¡°Do you think he-¡± Alex couldn¡¯t even finish the question.


    Mal shook her head. ¡°A nurse is supposed to sit with the patient for four hours to make sure the sedation doesn¡¯t wear off early. The one who always sat with me read me a book while she did. She told me her story once. She could never have children. When she did finally manage, it died when it was three months due to SIDS. She went to work in the place that helped her after the death of her baby. To help women like me.¡±


    ¡°So you see,¡± Mal said looking away. ¡°If the curse hadn¡¯t been in place, I wouldn¡¯t be able to handle being here. Maybe with it breaking little by little like this, it won¡¯t be such a shock when it¡¯s finally removed. And I know it has to be.¡± She said over her shoulder at Alex. ¡°I¡¯m just,¡± she sighed. ¡°A little scared for when it does.¡±


    Alex got up and laid a hand on her shoulder. Surprised when she squeezed it tightly. He leaned down and kissed her brow. ¡°Hang in there sister. We¡¯re all here for you. We won¡¯t let that happen to you again.¡±


    ¡°Anna¡¯s excluded in that right?¡±


    Alex chuckled. ¡°Of course.¡± He stood straight and looked around. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it then.¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Yeah, something else to focus on would be great.¡±


    Out in the hall, from the shadows emerged Xavier and Elise, while the rest of the Champions, minus Anna, were standing on the stairs. Drew was hanging his head, while Kenneth had a firm grip on his shoulder for support. Alex nodded they all go downstairs so they wouldn¡¯t disturb Mal.


    ¡°And here I was thinking everything was okay.¡± Drew huffed. ¡°I guess that really was wishful thinking.¡±


    ¡°That kind of betrayal,¡± Xavier said softly, ¡°doesn¡¯t go away overnight. Or just because you two get plucked up and dropped into a new world.¡±


    Drew nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°So something doesn¡¯t want the Gods to know we¡¯re skeptical of them?¡± Hexia asked looking at Alex. ¡°Is that possible?¡±


    Alex shook his head. ¡°At this point, I¡¯m willing to think that anything is possible.¡±


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s the Gods or this other force that has us coming together so fast?¡± Kenneth asked.


    ¡°Coming together?¡± Elise repeated confused.


    ¡°Meaning forming bonds as strongly as we have so fast.¡± Hexia explained, then looked at Alex, ¡°Did I get that right?¡±


    Alex nodded. ¡°You did.¡± He looked up at Kenneth. ¡°I have no idea. Maybe a bit of both. The Gods so we won¡¯t kill each other eventually, this unforeseen force so we¡¯ll become like family faster.¡±


    ¡°Alex has a point,¡± Xavier sighed, he then looked at Drew, ¡°Cause no offense man, but you¡¯re not the type of person I would even consider having as a friend. I mean, I can see you regret what you¡¯ve done, you miss your son, and you have no intention of history repeating. But even with how you were raised, that doesn¡¯t account for all of your problems man. I know personal history hard thing to overcome, believe me, I know, but it¡¯s possible. You just have to have the willpower, and you lack it. Or you just found it far too late.¡±


    Drew nodded at Xavier. ¡°And you¡¯re 100% right about that.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Kenneth said sitting down and facing the group. ¡°We¡¯ve all got pasts, clearly, some of us weren¡¯t supposed to be here, Anna most of all, but we¡¯ll forget about her for the time being.¡± Everyone nodded. ¡°If nothing else, we need to get to Crow. He can explain everything we need to know. He can answer all of our questions. If we don¡¯t like what he has to say, we can stop this before it¡¯s even begun.¡±


    He looked around everyone. ¡°So here¡¯s what I¡¯m thinking. Earth and its history stays on Earth. We¡¯re allowed one chance, one chance to talk about the past, to think about it, and how it might be affecting the here and now. I only say that because I have a strong feeling that it¡¯s going to come back to bite us in the ass.¡± He gestured towards the stairs. ¡°Mal especially.¡± He laid his hand down on the table. ¡°From this point on, Earth is in the past, we won¡¯t let it affect our choices when it comes to each other, and how we move forward.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in.¡± Elise said laying her hand down on Kenneth¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s easy for me. I have no home to go back to. My father had massive debt, and the bank was repossessing everything. All I have is the here and now.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡± Hexia said setting her hand down on Elise¡¯s. ¡°I may not my memories of my life before here, but I do know that nothing is waiting for me back here. I too, only have the here and now.¡±


    ¡°Same goes.¡± Xavier said. ¡°Cops are after me because of my past and crimes I didn¡¯t commit. All that¡¯s waiting for me back on Earth is a cell.¡±


    Drew set his hand down on Xavier¡¯s. ¡°I honestly think the only way I can change, and atone for my sins, is by helping people here. Whether we fail or succeed, I¡¯m staying.¡±


    Alex set his hand on Drew¡¯s. ¡°I was this big actor. All my mother wanted me to keep doing was acting, I wanted to stop. I feel more at home here with you guys than I ever did on Earth. I¡¯m in.¡±


    Kenneth grinned. ¡°My mother kept me sheltered all of my life, and I¡¯ve lived more these last two days than I ever did at home.¡± He looked around at the Champions putting his hand on Alex¡¯s, ¡°For the first time, I really don¡¯t care about what I left behind.¡±


    Anna came in then, staring at the group. ¡°What¡¯s going on here.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re making a pregnancy pact.¡± Elise laughed. ¡°Everyone¡¯s going to get pregnant, there¡¯s apparently a lovely spell that allows a man to carry a child.¡±


    Anna shook her head. ¡°You and your jokes.¡±


    Elise winked at the group as they pulled their hands back. As Anna curled up in front of the fire, quiet and content, they looked back towards the stairs. Their path was set, now, they just had to walk it. At first light, their real journey would begin.


    End of Arc One: Arrival

 Lifes turmoils

    So on a positive note, I haven''t been gone a year as I have with several other things.


    I apologize for the absence.


    I''ve been experiencing a lot on my end of the world. Family drama, injuries, most of which I shall spare you the details of, but in short, life threw a bunch of crap at me and I had to clean it all up.


    I wanted to post an update to let you know, Gods Game has not been canceled. I''ve got a bunch of notes and plans to keep working on it.


    In fact, I''ve got everything I''ve written off Royal Road, and you might see some changes before the continuation.


    I''ve got plans to participate in NaNoWriMo.


    For those of you who don''t know what that is, it''s basically you write a complete novel during the month of November. I hope to work on a few stories, and Gods Game is one of them. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    One of the things I am happy to report is I''ve finished a novel and I''m going to try to start getting it published! I hope to start my research for the route I hope to take after the first week of October.


    Not sooner because my dad is visiting from Vermont for two weeks, and this is his final week with us. I don''t want to spend my entire time researching and thinking about heavy things while he''s here. While he would understand and likely encourage me, this last week is all about what he wants to do. Right now my husband is showing him the great works of Final Fantasy XV lol. He''s rather enjoying it.


    Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know, I''m here, I''m still writing, and Gods Game should see some changes, and continuation before the end of the year. I don''t want to just write it and post it, I''m hoping to write it, and put it through a bunch of editing, and hopefully a beta reader or two.


    I may put a notice on here asking for beta readers in the future. Maybe?


    In the meantime, going to enjoy my dad''s visit, rest my injuries, and get to writing. ^_^


    Take care, everyone! Hope to see you guys soon!