Chapter 23: Dribbling Deceptions

 

I woke up Friday morning in my own bed, sandwiched between Shayna and Elly. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep in the living room with everyone else after a long night of planning and strategizing. Somehow, we'd all made it to bed. As I blinked the sleep from my eyes, I marveled at how chaotic my life had become in just a week since my resurrection.

Has it really only been a week? I thought. Is this what the rest of my life is going to be like?

I carefully extricated myself from between my wives, trying not to wake them. Elly mumbled something I didn't quite catch but remained asleep. Shayna instinctively scooted over to cuddle with Elly, filling the warm space I'd left behind.

The smell of coffee and bacon lured me to the kitchen. As I entered, I was greeted by the sight of Gloria and Ashani seated at the table while Mary bustled about, serving breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the savory scent of crispy bacon and fluffy pancakes.

"Good morning, ladies," I said, scanning the room. "Where's Nikky?"

Mary's cheeks flushed a deep red as she busied herself with the coffee pot.

"I'm right here, stud," Nikky's voice called out. She sauntered out of Mary's bedroom, completely naked, her red hair tousled from sleep.

I raised an eyebrow. "Uh, did you kick Mary out of her own bed?"

Nikky grinned, her blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "Mary's not my slave, Bobby. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the company of a beautiful woman." She winked at me. "Unless you're jealous and want to join next time?"

I couldn't tell if she was serious or just teasing. Before I could respond, Nikky moved to Mary and gave her a quick, but passionate kiss. Mary's eyes darted to me, seeking approval. I nodded, letting her know it was okay to pursue any relationship she wanted. The kiss didn't last long before Mary went back to cooking and serving us, somehow managing to be in the right spot at the right time for every step. The second the bacon or pancakes needed to be flipped or pulled off, she was right there, all while also making freshly squeezed orange juice and brewing the perfect cup of coffee.

Mary set a plate in front of me, piled high with golden pancakes, crispy bacon, and scrambled eggs. "Breakfast is served, Master," she said softly, her eyes downcast but a small smile playing on her lips.

I took a bite and almost moaned. The pancakes were light and fluffy, perfectly complemented by the sweet maple syrup. The bacon was crisp and salty, and the eggs were seasoned just right. "Mary, this is incredible," I said, making sure to catch her eye. "Thank you so much."

Mary's smile widened, her red eyes shining with pride.

Shayna stumbled into the kitchen, looking adorably disheveled in nothing but an oversized nightshirt. Mary immediately handed her a steaming cup of coffee. Shayna took a sip and sighed contentedly. "Mary, this is perfect. Just the way I like it. Thank you."

Then Shayna noticed Nikky's state of undress. I tensed, expecting an explosion, but after a couple of tense seconds, Shayna just shrugged. "Damn, girl. If I had a body like that, I'd walk around naked too."

Nikky preened under the compliment as Shayna turned to leave. "I'm going to wake up Elly," she called over her shoulder.

Gloria watched this exchange with a bemused expression. "You know, Bobby," she said, her voice tinged with both admiration and concern, "I can't decide if you're the luckiest guy in the world or if you're destined to crash and burn spectacularly." She gestured to the kitchen full of beautiful women. "You've got those amazing wives who obviously love you and are looking out for you. But your destiny... it's fraught with danger. If you're not careful, these women might burn you out before you even get started. Or worse, you might take them down with you."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, I know. Believe me, I never wanted a polyamorous relationship. This literally fell into my lap. But... I have no regrets."

Just then, Elly and Shayna entered the kitchen. Elly, having overheard my last comment, wrapped her arms around me from behind. "And you better not have any regrets," she said, her voice full of warmth. "Because I love you, Bobby Brody. And I love Shayna. And I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world."

Shayna joined our embrace, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "What she said," she murmured.

I looked around the kitchen at the assembled women – my two wives, my compatriots in that damned quest, and my... whatever Nikky was. Each of them had their own strengths, their own quirks, their own reasons for being here. And somehow, improbably, we were all in this together.

Ashani cleared her throat, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "As touching as this display is," she said, her regal tone tinged with impatience, "perhaps we should focus on the task at hand? We do have a dangerous immortal to capture, after all, and I believe you mentioned something about returning me to my tribe."

Right, Charlotte's voice echoed in my mind. Let's not forget why we're all here. Ardin isn't going to capture himself, you know, and you'll need all the help you can get.

I nodded, reluctantly pulling away from Elly and Shayna. "Ashani's right," I said. "We need to finalize our plan. But first, let's finish breakfast. No sense facing a potentially world-ending threat on an empty stomach."

As Mary served up dishes to Nikky, Shayna, and Elly, I noticed Shayna's brow furrow with concern.

"Mary, have you eaten yet?" Shayna asked, her voice gentle and caring.

Mary's eyes widened slightly, a small smile gracing her lips. "Thank you for your concern, Mistress Shayna," she replied, her voice soft and melodious. However, I couldn't help but notice she didn't actually answer the question.

Before I could press the issue, Nikky reached out and pulled Mary into her lap. "Someone else can tend to the food," Nikky declared, her voice playful but with an undercurrent of authority. "You need to eat too, beautiful."

I watched as Nikky began to feed Mary from her own plate, the two of them giggling and exchanging heated glances. It was... distracting, to say the least. Despite my best efforts, I found my eyes drawn to Nikky's curves, her naked form on full display.

Damn, Bobby, Charlotte's voice echoed in my head, tinged with amusement. A little quality time with that fox would probably bump you to the next level. Just saying...

Not happening, I thought back firmly, trying to tear my gaze away from the spectacle before me.

Suddenly, I felt Elly lean in close, her breath tickling my ear. "She's pretty hot, isn't she?" she whispered, a teasing lilt to her voice. "But I thought you weren't interested in redheads..."

I nearly choked on my pancake, coughing and spluttering. Once I'd regained my composure, I turned to Elly, keeping my voice low. "Okay, yes, I noticed her," I admitted quietly. "But my heart belongs to you and Shayna. Always."

Elly grinned, clearly pleased with my response. But before she could say anything, Nikky's sultry laugh filled the kitchen.

"Why, thank you, Bobby," she purred, her blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "You're not so bad yourself."

I blinked in surprise. There was no way she could have heard me from across the room. Filing that information away for later, I decided a change of subject was in order. I stood up, moving towards the stove.

"Here, let me take over the cooking," I offered, reaching for the spatula.

Mary's eyes widened in alarm. "Master, please, there's no need-"

"Hush, you," Nikky interrupted, tightening her hold on Mary. "Let the man cook if he wants to. It's his house."

I managed to save the current batch of pancakes and bacon, though they were a bit well-done. As I flipped a fresh batch onto the griddle, I turned to Ashani.

"So, Ashani," I began, trying to keep my tone casual, "tell me more about your race. What exactly would it take to get you reinstated as their princess?"

Ashani straightened in her chair, her golden eyes gleaming with pride. "Surely you jest," she said, her voice regal and slightly condescending. "The Nagini are the most magnificent race to ever grace this earth. Our proud warrior culture, our rigid caste system, our superior physiology - these are all common knowledge."

I exchanged a bemused glance with Shayna, who just shrugged.

"Humor me," I pressed. "What can we do to return your status?"

Ashani paused, her expression growing somber. After a long moment, she spoke. "The gnolls would have to confess that they never defiled me," she said quietly. "Or I would have to prove my innocence."

I frowned, remembering the scene in the gnoll cave. "The gnolls are dead," I pointed out. "Is there another way to prove you're... clean?"

Ashani's cheeks flushed slightly, but her voice remained steady. "I am still virginal," she stated matter-of-factly. "But my uncle refused to listen or have me examined. He's the one who banished me. It would take a mighty warrior to get him to listen." She shook her head, her long hair swaying. "I see no way forward."

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I realized what I might have to do. Would I have to fight for Ashani's honor? Was it really worth it? There had to be another way...

Oh hell yeah! Charlotte's voice exploded in my mind, practically vibrating with excitement. You'd better start leveling up, Bobby boy. This is gonna be epic!

I groaned internally, flipping the pancakes with perhaps a bit more force than necessary. How the hell had my life come to this? One minute I'm a normal college student, the next I'm sharing my body with a over-zealous succubus and contemplating fighting some sort of snake-person royalty to restore a princess's honor.

"Is everything alright, Bobby?" Shayna asked, her voice laced with concern.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking about our next move."

Gloria raised an eyebrow. "Care to share with the class?"

I hesitated, looking around the room at the assembled women.

"I think," I said slowly, "that we might need to make a detour before we go after Ardin."

Ashani's eyes widened. "You don't mean..."

I nodded. "We're going to clear your name and get you back into your tribe. We need all the help we can get against Ardin, and having a Nagini princess on our side with her tribe behind her could be a game-changer."

Not to mention all that sweet, sweet EXP you'll get, Charlotte chimed in.

Not now, Charlotte, I thought back.

"Are you sure about this, Bobby?" Elly asked, her voice soft but concerned.

I met her gaze, then Shayna's. "No," I admitted. "But I think it's our best shot. We need allies, and Ashani deserves justice."

Nikky grinned, her blue eyes sparkling. "Well, this ought to be interesting," she purred. "Count me in."

As the others began to discuss the logistics of our new plan, I turned back to the stove, flipping another batch of pancakes.

As I flipped another batch of pancakes onto a plate, I heard a faint, distant ringing. It took me a moment to realize it was my phone.

"Shit," I muttered. "Can someone take over here? I need to get that."

Without waiting for a response, I dashed out of the kitchen and down the hallway towards my bedroom. As I ran, I heard Shayna's voice behind me.

"Did you guys hear a phone?" she asked.

"I didn't hear anything," Elly replied, sounding confused.

I burst into the bedroom, lunging for my phone on the nightstand. I managed to snatch it up just before it went to voicemail. Glancing at the caller ID, I decided to stay in the room for some privacy.

"Guardian Rhinehardt," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. "What can I do for you, sir?"

Derrick's deep, authoritative voice came through the speaker. "Bobby, I need to see you. Today."

My stomach clenched. "Sir, I have classes today. Is it possible to-"

"The teachers won't notice if you miss one day," Derrick cut me off dismissively. "This is important, Bobby."

I hesitated, thinking about the classes I'd already missed this week. It didn't sit well with me, but I knew I couldn't go against my boss in the Knights.

"Alright," I conceded. "Should I meet you in Consul Willmont's office?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "No," Derrick said firmly. "And it was weird for Consul Willmont to be in charge of new recruits. Someone else is already filling his role. Come to my house. I'll send you the address."

I bit my lip, holding back the fact that I already knew where one of my basketball idols lived. "Okay, I'll-"

The line went dead. Guardian Rhinehardt had already hung up.

I lowered the phone, feeling a mix of anxiety and frustration. When I looked up, I saw Shayna standing in the doorway, her expression worried.

"Everything alright?" she asked softly.

I sighed, running a hand through my brown hair. "That was Guardian Rhinehardt. I have to meet him today."

Shayna's frown deepened. "What about our plans with Ashani?"

"We'll have to do it this evening," I replied. "I don't think I have a choice in this meeting."

Shayna nodded, understanding but clearly not happy about it. We made our way back to the kitchen, where the others were finishing up breakfast.

"I have to leave," I announced to the group. "Ashani, we should plan on heading to meet your tribe this evening."

Ashani nodded regally, but Gloria's face darkened. "The Knights," she spat, her voice filled with venom. "The sooner you break out from under their thumb, the better you'll be."

I understood her sentiment, but the reality wasn't so simple. "I know, Gloria, but they've got their hooks in me too deep. I can't just walk away."

Nikky chimed in, her blue eyes serious for once. "You're playing a dangerous game, Bobby. I saw how hard it was for Susan and Bernard to live a double life."

The mention of my father sent a jolt of anger through me. Rather than get into another argument about him, I decided to leave.

"I need to get ready," I muttered, heading back to the master bedroom to shower and prepare.

As I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over me, I heard the bathroom door open. Elly and Shayna slipped in, their expressions a mix of concern, determination, and playfulness.

"I don't remember how we got to bed," Elly said, "but I'd planned on having you ravish me before we fell asleep."

I wondered if Mary was somehow the culprit for how we'd all managed to end up in our beds, but that then led to thought about what Nikky and Mary got up to with the rest of us asleep, and with my wives right there, ready and apparently willing, they took precedence in my thoughts.

"You mean after I was drained twice yesterday, you planned on going another round with me?" I asked as I pulled Elly into my embrace. Our lips met in a passionate kiss, and it was Shayna who answered my question.

"We watched you fuck two other women yesterday," Shayna said, her voice already thick with desire. "And while you played with us while deep in Demitra, we could only watch you fuck Adam's mom senseless. I planned on taking you as soon as we got home, but then we had guests, and you know how that—oomph!"

I'd released Elly's lips, but only to pull Shayna into me, and the three of us shared a three-way kiss.

Shayna pulled away from our kiss, her blue eyes dark with desire. "I need you," she whispered, her voice hoarse with longing. My body was already on edge, and her words only served to heighten my arousal.

I groaned, my grip on her hips tightening. "I need you both," I confessed, my gaze flicking between Shayna and Elly.

Elly took that as her cue, dropping to her knees in the shower. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked up at me, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Let me get you ready for our wife," she purred, her hands reaching up to cup my balls.

Before I could respond, her lips wrapped around my cock, taking me deep into her throat. A strangled moan escaped my lips as I felt the wet heat of her mouth engulf me. She'd always been good at this, but now... it was like she was trying to prove a point.

As Elly bobbed her head up and down, her hands caressed my thighs, her fingers teasingly close to my balls but never quite touching. Meanwhile, Shayna pressed her body against me, her lips seeking mine in another passionate kiss.

Our tongues danced together, a passionate pas de deux that set my senses ablaze. I could feel Shayna's nipples hardening against my chest, a testament to her arousal. My hands found their way to her modest breasts, squeezing and kneading the soft flesh as our bodies moved together in rhythm with Elly's mouth.

After a few moments, Elly pulled back, gasping for breath. Her eyes glittered with challenge as she spoke. "I'm gonna need some help with this beast," she said, her fingers still wrapped around my thick cock.

Shayna didn't need to be asked twice. She dropped to her knees beside Elly, her ice blue eyes locked on mine as she took me into her mouth. Together, they worked in tandem, their tongues teasing and tormenting me, driving me wild.

"Fuck, I'm not gonna last," I groaned, my hands tangling in their hair. Both women preened, clearly proud of their skills. But I needed more. I needed to be inside one of them.

I pulled away, my body trembling with need. "Shayna, get up here," I rasped, my voice husky with desire.

She obeyed, her eyes dark with desire and need. I pressed her back against the shower wall, my hands roaming her slender body as I kissed her deeply. Meanwhile, Elly stayed on her knees, her eyes locked on my cock, licking her lips hungrily.

I entered Shayna in one smooth thrust, lubricated by my wives' saliva and Shayna's natural fluids, groaning at the tight heat that enveloped me. She moaned, her nails digging into my back as I began to move within her. The water cascaded down on us, adding to the sensuality of the moment.

Elly watched, her eyes gleaming with lust. "I want to ride you next," she murmured, her eyes never leaving my cock as it slid in and out of Shayna.

Shayna gasped, her head falling back as I pounded into her. "Yes, ride him," she panted. "Ride him hard."

I could feel myself getting closer to the edge, the pressure building within me. I knew I wouldn't last much longer, not with the two of them working together to drive me wild. But I didn't want it to end, not yet. I wanted to savor every moment of this exquisite pleasure.

As I moved within Shayna, I could feel her body tightening around me, her muscles clenching as she approached her own climax. I knew she was close, and I wanted to make sure she got there. I reached down between us, my fingers finding her clit, and began to rub it in time with my thrusts.

Shayna moaned, her body convulsing as she came. I could feel her muscles milking my cock, urging me to follow her over the edge. And I did, with a roar of pleasure that echoed through the shower.

As I came down from my high, I pulled out of Shayna and looked at Elly. She was still kneeling on the shower floor, her eyes dark with desire. "Your turn," I said, my voice low and husky.

Elly grinned, her hands reaching up to cup my balls as she took me into her mouth once more. Her tongue and skill were on point as she cleaned our combined juices, and I didn't even have an opportunity to go soft before I was ready for round two. I let out a low growl as she sucked and licked every inch of me, her eyes locked on mine with a mischievous glint.

"My turn," Elly breathed as she guided me to sit on the shower floor. Elly straddled my legs for a brief moment, her fingers tracing my chest and abs before lowering herself upon my length. I entered her in one smooth stroke, groaning at the tight heat that enveloped me. Elly moaned, her head falling back as I began to move within her, her hips rocking in time with my thrusts.

Shayna moved behind Elly, her eyes fixed on us. The sight of her watching us was intoxicating, and I could feel my desire spiking once more. "Let me help," she murmured, her hands reaching around to caress Elly's breasts and sensitive nipples.

I groaned, the sensation almost too much. Shayna's fingers teased Elly's nipples as I thrust into her, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. The water from the shower beat down on us, adding to the intensity of the moment. The steam filled the air, making it heavy with the scent of our arousal.

Elly leaned back on her hands, her head falling back as she turned to our dark-skinned wife. "I want to taste you while he… oomph… ruins my pussy." Her voice was breathless, her words coming out in gasps as I continued to pound into her.

Shayna let out a low moan at Elly's words, before planting a passionate kiss on her lips. I felt Elly tighten up around me as she experienced her first orgasm of this session. Her body shuddered, her muscles clenching around my cock as she cried out in pleasure.

Shayna soon stood, and squatted over Elly's hungry lips while still facing me. I watched in awe as some of the seed I'd planted in my short wife slipped from between Shayna's nether-lips and dripped down onto Elly's waiting tongue. The sight was almost too much for me to handle, and I felt my own orgasm building.

Reaching forward, I took Elly's pert nipples between my fingers and tweaked them lightly, eliciting a hungry grown from my wife. Her back arched, pushing her breasts further into my hands as she continued to devour Shayna.

"Oh, shit!" Shayna gasped, once her labia finally kissed Elly's soft lips. Then Shayna's blue eyes met mine, dark and hungry, as she tried to speak while Elly ate her out. "Damn, Bobby… She's… huff, I mean, you're good at this and—Oh!—all, but our wife knows what she's doing."

"Fuck, I'm already close," I gasped, my body on edge. The scene before me was just too good! The sight of Shayna's pleasure-filled face, the sound of Elly's wet lips on Shayna's flesh, and the feeling of Elly's tight pussy around my cock was almost more than I could handle.

"Come for us," Shayna whispered, her eyes locked on mine. "Let us see you fall apart as Elly makes me cum."

Her words sent me over the edge. I came with a hoarse shout, my body shuddering as I filled Elly with my release. Elly cried out, her body convulsing around me as she reached her own climax. We clung to each other, our breath coming in ragged gasps as we rode out the waves of pleasure.

Finally, I pulled out of Elly, my legs feeling like jelly. Shayna wrapped her arms around me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "That was..." I began, searching for the right words.

"Incredible?" Shayna supplied, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Life-affirming?" Elly suggested, her cheeks flushed with a pleased smile.

I laughed, pulling them both close. "All of the above," I agreed. "But now, I really do need to get ready to meet Guardian Rhinehardt."

And you better level up soon, Charlotte's voice chimed in. We've got a big quest ahead of us, and you're gonna need all the help you can get.

 

* * *

I pulled up to Guardian Rhinehardt's house, my stomach churning with anxiety. The Kindred Gladius's engine purred to a stop, and Seraph's voice filled the interior.

"We have arrived at our destination, Bobby," the AI announced. "I detect Al's Jeep is already parked in the driveway."

"Thanks, Seraph," I muttered, my mind racing. What was this meeting about? And why was Al already here?

As I stepped out of the car, memories of our last encounter with Guardian Rhinehardt flooded back. The gnoll cave, the chaos, the deaths... and the lies I'd have to maintain. I took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing my story. Mary, dead. The Nagini, escaped. Somehow, I'd managed to drag both Rhinehardt and Al out of that hellhole after using the last of Mary's health potions.

You've got this, Bobby, Charlotte's voice echoed in my head. Just keep it cool.

I approached the front door, my hand raised to knock, when it suddenly swung open. Standing before me was a woman who could've stepped right off the cover of a fashion magazine. She was tall, probably 5'10", with legs that seemed to go on forever. Her honey-blonde hair cascaded in perfect waves over her shoulders, framing a face with high cheekbones and full lips. Her eyes, a piercing green, looked me up and down with barely concealed disdain.

"You must be Bobby Brody," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "I'm Veronica Rhinehardt, Derrick's wife. You're late."

I opened my mouth to apologize, but she'd already turned on her heel, expecting me to follow. As we walked through the house, she spoke over her shoulder.

"You know, it's quite generous of Derrick to give you young Knights any attention at all," Veronica said, her tone making it clear she thought otherwise. "He's such an exceptional man. Perhaps if you work very, very hard, you might one day be half the Knight he is. But I wouldn't count on it."

I remained silent, gritting my teeth against the urge to respond.

Oh, darling, Charlotte's voice rang in my head, laced with amusement. If you only knew what your 'exceptional' husband was really like. I bet you'd trade him for our Bobby in a heartbeat.

I had to stifle a laugh at Charlotte's commentary as we entered what I could only describe as a sports fanatic's dream den. The walls were lined with signed jerseys and photographs of Derrick's illustrious basketball career. A massive flat-screen TV dominated one wall, while a fully stocked bar occupied another. Leather couches and recliners were arranged around a coffee table that looked like it cost more than my old dorm room.

Derrick and Al were seated on one of the couches, deep in conversation. As we entered, Veronica sauntered over to her husband, clearly expecting some sort of acknowledgment. Instead, Derrick barely glanced at her.

"That'll be all, Veronica," he said dismissively.

For a split second, I saw a flash of hurt in Veronica's eyes before she masked it with a haughty expression. "Of course, darling. I have better things to do anyway," she said, tossing her hair as she left the room.

Poor thing, Charlotte mused. He doesn't appreciate what he has because he never had to work for it. It was just handed to him on a silver platter.

I've had to work for my wives' appreciation, I thought back. And I love them all the more for it.

I'm working hard to earn your appreciation too, you know, Charlotte added, her mental voice softer than usual.

Instead of replying with words, I sent her a wave of genuine appreciation. It wasn't love–we weren't there–but it was something.

"Bobby!" Derrick's booming voice snapped me back to reality. He was smiling, but there was something in his eyes that put me on edge. "How've you been since our last... adventure?"

I swallowed hard. "Honestly, sir? I've been having trouble sleeping," I admitted, then added the lie I had prepared. "I keep having nightmares about the way those gnolls laughed."

Al let out a genuine laugh from his seat. "Man, I hear ya. But let me tell you, Jolene wears me out every night. I sleep like a baby!"

I forced a smile, but it faded as Derrick leaned forward, his expression growing serious.

"Bobby," he said slowly, "tell me again what happened to Willmont's maid."

My heart rate spiked, but before I could panic, I felt Charlotte's calming presence.

Let me help, she whispered in my mind. Use my acting skills.

Taking a deep breath, I met Derrick's gaze steadily. "It happened so fast," I said, my voice steady and tinged with regret. "One of the gnolls caught her with a brutal blow. Before I could react, another had grabbed her and was carrying her off into the darkness. All that was left behind was her bag of potions."

Derrick's eyes narrowed slightly. "We never found her body," he said, his tone neutral but probing.

I shrugged, careful not to offer any more information than necessary. "I'm not sure what happened after that, sir. It was chaos, and I was focused on getting you and Al out of there."

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable. I could feel Derrick's eyes on me, searching for any sign of deception. But thanks to Charlotte's influence, I managed to keep my expression neutral, meeting his gaze without flinching.

I felt my palms grow sweaty as Derrick's mood suddenly shifted. He shrugged, as if the topic of Mary's disappearance was no longer important.

Bobby, be careful, Charlotte's voice echoed in my head. He still suspects you of something, but he's not sure what. I can sense it in his thoughts.

I nodded imperceptibly, keeping my eyes on the road.

Al cleared his throat, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "So, uh, do we have another mission coming up?"

Derrick shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "Nah, I figure I gave you boys enough time to recover from the last one. But if I'm going to supervise and lead you, I ought to get to know you better."

I saw Al visibly relax, but I felt Charlotte tense within me. I didn't need her to tell me that this could all be a ruse. Forcing my posture to relax, I asked, "What did you have in mind, Guardian Rhinehardt?"

"Please, call me Derrick when we're not on an official mission," he said, his tone casual.

He's working to ingratiate himself, Charlotte warned. He wants you to drop your guard.

"Well, I've got a surprise for you boys," Derrick continued, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Charlotte's lack of concern eased my worry, but I couldn't help wondering if this was really worth missing my Friday classes.

"Let's go for a ride," Derrick announced suddenly. "Follow me."

He led us to his garage, and I couldn't help but gape at the sight. It was a car enthusiast's dream come true. Sleek sports cars lined one wall, their paint jobs gleaming under the overhead lights. Vintage classics occupied another section, each looking as if it had just rolled off the assembly line. In the center, a rotating platform showcased what I assumed was Derrick's pride and joy – a limited edition supercar that probably cost more than my entire college education.

Derrick tossed me a set of keys, grinning. "Ever driven a Lamborghini Aventador, Bobby?"

I stared at him, speechless. My finger hovered over the key fob, heart racing with excitement. But when I pressed the button, it wasn't the Lamborghini that beeped – it was a nice-looking pickup truck parked in the corner.

Derrick burst out laughing. "Oh man, you should've seen your face!"

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I took a closer look at the key fob, realizing it couldn't possibly be for the Lamborghini. I moved to hand the keys back, but Derrick stopped me.

"No, no. You really will be driving," he said, still chuckling. "I dismissed my driver for the day. I want to see how you handle yourself behind the wheel."

Shrugging, I made my way to the truck. Derrick climbed into the passenger seat while Al scrambled into the back, practically vibrating with excitement.

As I started the engine, I couldn't help but appreciate the deep rumble and the sense of power it exuded. It might not have been a Lamborghini, but it was still a damn nice ride.

"Where are we headed?" I asked as I pulled out of the garage.

Derrick waved his hand dismissively. "Just drive. I'll tell you when to turn."

From the backseat, Al's voice rose an octave as he rambled. "I can't believe I'm riding with Guardian Rhinehardt! Do you know he's never failed a mission? He's a legend among the Knights! They say he's going to be running the whole organization one day!"

I tuned out Al's fanboying, focusing on the road and Derrick's occasional directions. After a few minutes of silence, Derrick turned to us with a grin.

"So, boys, how are things going with your wives?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Al's response was immediate and enthusiastic. "Jolene is incredible! She's so submissive, does anything and everything I ask. I couldn't be happier!"

I hesitated for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "I'm still getting used to the idea of having two wives," I admitted. "But I can't believe how lucky I got. They're both amazing."

Derrick nodded, seemingly satisfied. "And how about your homes? Are you happy with your living arrangements?"

This time, Al's response was less enthusiastic. "Well, it's nice, but... I don't know, something feels like it's missing."

"As you move up the ranks and prove your potential, you'll get better quarters," Derrick assured him. Then he turned to me, eyebrow raised.

I decided honesty was the best policy. "It's so much more than I ever believed I'd have," I said, thinking back to my childhood home. "A hell of a lot better than what I grew up in, that's for sure."

Derrick's next question caught me off guard. "And your vehicles? How are you finding them?"

Charlotte's warning bells went off in my head, though she couldn't pinpoint why this question felt dangerous. I thought back to the sudden potential windfall I'd discovered when looking at vehicles, careful to keep my expression neutral.

Al, oblivious to any tension, shrugged. "I chose to stick with my Jeep. It suits me just fine."

I kept my eyes on the road as I answered. "I just got mine yesterday, actually. Still getting used to it."

As we rounded a corner, Derrick suddenly straightened in his seat. "We're here," he announced.

I pulled up to a street basketball court near the beach. The sun glinted off the ocean in the distance, and the salty breeze carried the sounds of waves crashing against the shore. A few people were shooting hoops on the court, their laughter and trash talk drifting our way.

As I put the truck in park, I couldn't shake the feeling that this seemingly casual outing was anything but. Derrick's questions, his careful observations–it all felt like a test. But a test for what?

Stay alert, Bobby, Charlotte's voice whispered in my mind. I don't know what game he's playing, but we need to be ready for anything.

I nodded imperceptibly as I unbuckled my seatbelt, preparing to face whatever Derrick had in store for us on this sunny beach-side basketball court.

As we stepped out of the truck, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The sound of basketballs bouncing and sneakers squeaking against the concrete filled the air, bringing back memories of countless hours spent on similar courts.

Derrick nodded towards the players on the court. "Bobby, you recognize any of those guys?"

I squinted, taking a closer look. My heart rate picked up as I realized who they were. "Holy shit," I muttered under my breath. "Those are your teammates from the NBA!"

Easy there, fanboy, Charlotte teased in my mind. Try not to drool.

Derrick grinned, clearly amused by my reaction. But his expression quickly turned serious as he leaned in close to Al and me. "Listen up, you two," he said in a low voice. "These guys don't know about my... extracurricular activities. So watch what you say, got it?"

Al and I both nodded, understanding the importance of keeping the Knights a secret.

"I thought it might be fun to get a little game in with some of my teammates," Derrick continued, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Al shifted uncomfortably beside me. "Uh, Guardian Rhine- I mean, Derrick," he stammered. "I'm not exactly... good at basketball."

I clapped Al on the shoulder, feeling a surge of confidence. "Don't worry, man. Just follow my lead. I'll make you look good out there."

Derrick let out a hearty laugh. "We'll see how well you actually play against professionals, hotshot."

As we approached the court, I felt my palms start to sweat. Derrick called out to his teammates, and they jogged over to meet us.

"Boys, I want you to meet some friends of mine," Derrick said, gesturing to Al and me. "This is Bobby and Al. They're part of a social project I'm working on."

I tried not to wince at the 'social project' comment, but before I could dwell on it, Derrick started introducing his teammates.

"Bobby, Al, meet Jerome Washington, Brandon Keller, and Teaton Smith."

My jaw nearly hit the ground as I shook hands with each of them. Jerome stood at an impressive 7'5", his brown skin glistening with sweat, his shaved head reflecting the sun. He wore basketball goggles that somehow made him look even more intimidating.

Brandon, the shortest of the three at 6'9", had short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He gave us a cocky grin as he shook our hands.

Teaton, standing at 7'1" with close-cropped brown hair and dark skin, nodded politely but seemed eager to get back to playing.

"Nice to meet you boys," Jerome said, his deep voice matching his imposing stature. "Hope you're ready to get schooled."

Brandon chuckled. "Yeah, we'll try not to embarrass you too badly in front of your mentor here."

I felt a mix of awe and competitive spirit rising in me. "We'll see about that," I shot back, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

Derrick quickly divided us into teams: Al, Teaton, and me against him, Jerome, and Brandon.

As we took our positions on the court, I could see the nervousness written all over Al's face. "Just relax," I whispered to him. "We've got this."

The game started, and it quickly became apparent that Al wasn't exaggerating about his lack of skill. Within the first few minutes, he managed to dribble the ball off his foot and out of bounds. A few plays later, when I passed him the ball, he fumbled it so badly it bounced off his chest and right into Brandon's hands.

"Come on, Al," I called out, trying to sound encouraging. "Keep your eyes on the ball and your hands ready!"

But my advice fell on deaf ears. Al's coordination seemed to abandon him completely every time the ball came near him.

As the game progressed, it turned into more of a two-on-three match. Teaton and I did our best to cover for Al, but the other team's taunts were getting under my skin.

"Hey, Derrick," Brandon called out after scoring another easy basket. "Where'd you find these guys? The Special Olympics?"

I gritted my teeth, feeling a surge of anger on Al's behalf. I could see the defeat in Al's eyes, and even Teaton was starting to look frustrated.

That's when an idea hit me. I had this new telekinetic ability–maybe I could use it to help Al out, just a little bit. But I'd have to be careful not to make it obvious.

The next time Al got the ball, I focused intently. As he went to dribble, I gave the ball the tiniest nudge, just enough to keep it from bouncing off his foot again. Al's eyes widened in surprise as he managed to dribble a few times before passing it back to me.

"Nice one, Al!" I called out, and I could see a small smile forming on his face.

Clever, Charlotte's voice echoed in my head. But be careful. You don't want to draw too much attention.

I nodded imperceptibly, continuing to give Al subtle assists throughout the game. His confidence seemed to grow with each small success, and even Teaton started passing to him more often.

Despite our best efforts, though, we were still no match for three professional basketball players. The game ended with a resounding victory for Derrick's team.

As we all caught our breath, sweat dripping from our faces, Jerome approached Al and me.

"So, what kind of social project are you guys, anyway?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice. "Some kind of special education program?"

I tensed, not sure how to respond, but Derrick smoothly stepped in.

"It's a mentorship program I'm involved with," he explained, patting me on the shoulder. "Helping young men from disadvantaged backgrounds get a leg up in life. You know, teaching them discipline, teamwork, that kind of thing."

Jerome nodded, seeming satisfied with the explanation. "That's cool, man. Good on you for giving back."

As the pros started to gather their things, preparing to leave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment despite our loss. Al was grinning from ear to ear, clearly proud of the few plays he'd managed to pull off.

"Thanks for the game, guys," I called out, trying to keep the awe out of my voice.

Brandon flashed us another cocky grin. "Anytime, rookies. Maybe in a few years, you'll actually give us a challenge. You might even almost have some skill, Bobby. Almost."

As we watched them walk away, Derrick turned to us, a glint in his eye. "So, boys," he said, "what did you learn today?"

'That I should never be on a basketball court," Al groaned as he wiped sweat from his brow. His pale skin glistened in the late morning light, and his face was even redder than it usually is with all his freckles.

"You actually started to get better at the end," Derrick offered. "But what can you expect when going up against three pros?"

"Yeah," I cut in, my voice evincing my suspicion. "Wouldn't it have been more fair to split Al and I up, rather than dump us on Teaton?"

"More fair?" Derrick laughed in a way that mocked more than enlightened. "That would have ruined the whole point of this exercise."

"Which was…?" I asked after a couple seconds of silence.

I listened intently as Derrick explained the purpose of our impromptu basketball game. His eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and calculation that made me uneasy.

"I wanted to see how you two worked together as a team," he said, his gaze flicking between Al and me. "And I have to say, I learned quite a lot."

He turned to me first. "Bobby, I was impressed by how you chose to support Al rather than getting frustrated with his lack of skill. That kind of leadership is crucial in the field."

I nodded, feeling a small surge of pride despite my wariness.

"And Al," Derrick continued, "your persistence was admirable. Even after multiple slip-ups, you kept trying. That's the kind of determination we need in the Knights."

Al beamed at the praise, his chest puffing out slightly.

"I also noticed, Al, that you're a quick learner," Derrick added, his tone thoughtful. "It was almost... weird how quickly you improved towards the end there."

I tensed slightly, wondering if he'd noticed my subtle assistance.

"And Bobby," Derrick said, turning back to me, "you've got some real skill on the court. With some training, you might even have a shot at the big leagues after college."

Don't let it go to your head, Charlotte's voice echoed in my mind. He's buttering you up for something.

Derrick's expression suddenly turned serious. "However," he said, his voice taking on a stern edge, "I did notice a few things that need work."

He fixed his gaze on me. "Bobby, you seemed distracted a couple of times during the game. In a real fight, that kind of lapse in focus could get you killed."

I swallowed hard, nodding. He wasn't wrong–I had been distracted by using my newfound abilities to help Al.

"And Al," Derrick continued, "you need to work on your coordination. In the field, your fellow Knights will be relying on you to watch their backs. You can't let them down."

Al's earlier pride deflated visibly, but he nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir," he said quietly.

I could see both of us taking Derrick's words to heart. Despite my suspicions about his motives, I knew he was right about the importance of focus and coordination in dangerous situations.

Suddenly, Derrick's demeanor changed again, his stern expression melting into a friendly grin. "Now, who's hungry?" he asked cheerfully.

Wow, Charlotte's voice chimed in. This guy's mood shifts faster than a chameleon changes colors. He's really putting on a performance to get you two to drop your guard.

"I'm starving," Al admitted, his earlier dejection forgotten at the mention of food.

"Me too," I agreed, realizing how much energy the game had taken out of me.

Derrick's grin widened. "Great! It'll be my treat. Let's head back to the truck."

As we walked back to the vehicle, Derrick chuckled. "You know, this is why I brought the truck instead of one of my sports cars. Didn't want a couple of sweaty men messing up the leather."

We piled into the truck, with Al taking the driver's seat this time and me in the back. As we pulled out of the parking lot, Derrick started giving directions.

"There's a great sandwich shop just down the road," he said. "Take a left at the next light, Al."

A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of a small, cozy-looking shop. The smell of fresh-baked bread wafted through the air as we stepped out of the truck.

As we entered, a large black woman behind the counter broke into a broad smile. "Well, if it isn't Derrick Rhinehardt!" she exclaimed.

Derrick's face lit up with a grin that seemed genuinely warm. "Momma Gleason!" he called back. "How's the best sandwich maker in California doing?"

Momma Gleason laughed, the sound rich and hearty. "Oh, you charmer. I remember when you were just knee-high to a grasshopper, all skinny and awkward. Look at you now, Mr. Big Shot NBA star!"

Derrick's cheeks colored slightly, but his smile never wavered. "Aw, come on now, Momma. You're gonna embarrass me in front of my friends here."

"Good," she retorted with a wink. "Someone's got to keep that big head of yours from floating away. Now, you boys have a seat, and I'll bring you something special."

We made our way to a table in the back corner. As we sat down, a young boy approached our table, his eyes wide with awe.

"E-excuse me, M-Mr. R-Rhinehardt," the kid stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Could I... could I maybe get your a-autograph?"

Derrick's face softened into a kind smile. "Of course, buddy," he said, taking the small book the boy held out. As he signed it, he asked the kid about his favorite basketball team and players.

He's good, Charlotte commented. Look at how humble and approachable he's acting. But inside? He's eating this up. Thinks everyone in this shop should be honored he's even here.

I watched the interaction closely, trying to reconcile Charlotte's insight with Derrick's outward behavior.

As the boy scampered away, clutching his autograph book to his chest, Momma Gleason approached our table. She carried a tray laden with an assortment of sandwiches that made my mouth water instantly.

"Here you go, boys," she said, setting the tray down. "I know how much growing boys can eat, especially after working up a sweat."

She turned to Derrick, her expression softening. "And thank you again for that donation to the shop, Derrick. It's been a real lifesaver with everything going on."

Derrick waved off her thanks with a modest smile. "It's the least I could do, Momma. You've always been there for me."

Oh, please, Charlotte scoffed in my head. He only made that donation to boost his image. And get this–he used the Knights' money to do it. Talk about generous with other people's cash.

Momma Gleason's face grew serious as she glanced out the window. "I tell you, I'm worried sick about all this chaos in the world. That Gulf of Mexico incident... and now the bombing in Wyoming? It's like the world's gone mad."

Derrick's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Well," he said, his voice carefully controlled, "I'm sure the magical creatures–these so-called Lydenese–will get what's coming to them for causing all this trouble."

Momma Gleason frowned slightly. "I don't know, Derrick. The Gulf incident, maybe. But the news is saying it's looking more and more like those Paladonic Knights might be behind the Wyoming bombing." She sighed heavily. "I just wish the world could know peace for once."

I watched Derrick closely as Momma Gleason spoke. His face remained neutral, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the slight twitch in his jaw. It was clear her words had upset him, though he was working hard to hide it.

He hates hearing the Knights badmouthed, Charlotte observed. But he can't exactly defend them without blowing his cover, can he?

Before Derrick could respond, Al spoke up. "But the Knights are there to protect humanity," he said earnestly. "They wouldn't do something like that."

Momma Gleason gave Al an odd look. "Honey, the Knights are labeled as a terrorist organization for a reason. Any group that goes to extremes like that is evil, no matter what they claim their goals are."

She seemed to catch herself then, shaking her head slightly. "Oh, listen to me, souring the mood. You boys enjoy your meal now. I'm sorry for bringing all that heavy stuff to the table."

As she walked away, I could feel the tension at our table. Derrick's face was a mask of forced calm, Al looked confused and a bit upset, and I... I was caught in the middle, trying to process everything I'd just heard and seen.

As we dug into our sandwiches, an uncomfortable silence settled over our table. The tension from Momma Gleason's comments about the Knights still hung in the air, making each bite feel heavy.

I had to admit, though, the food was incredible. The bread was fresh and crusty, the meats perfectly seasoned, and the vegetables crisp. It was easily one of the best sandwiches I'd ever had.

"This is amazing," I said, breaking the silence. "Thank you for bringing us here, Derrick."

Al nodded enthusiastically, his mouth too full to speak. He swallowed and added, "Yeah, thanks for mentoring us today. It means a lot."

Derrick's expression softened slightly. "You're welcome," he replied, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."

We finished our meal without much more conversation. As we stood to leave, I made a point of approaching the counter where Momma Gleason was working.

"Thank you so much for the food," I said, smiling warmly. "It was incredible."

Momma Gleason beamed at me. "I'm so glad you enjoyed it, honey. You come back anytime, you hear?"

"Oh, I will," I assured her. "Maybe next time I'll bring my ladies with me."

A strange look crossed Momma Gleason's face at that comment, but it quickly passed. She shrugged and smiled again. "Well, whoever you bring, they'll be welcome here."

As we piled back into Derrick's truck, I could feel the shift in atmosphere. Derrick's jaw was clenched tight as he started the engine, and he pulled out of the parking lot with more force than necessary.

The drive quickly turned into a white-knuckle experience. Derrick wove through traffic aggressively, barely slowing for yellow lights and cutting off other drivers left and right. I gripped the door handle tightly, my heart racing.

"Can you believe that crap?" Derrick suddenly exploded, his voice filled with anger. "The Lydenese must have framed the Knights for the Wyoming bombing. It's so obvious!"

Al nodded vigorously from the passenger seat. "Absolutely, sir. The Knights would never do something like that. They're the good guys!"

Derrick's rant continued as he swerved around a slow-moving minivan. "The world just doesn't understand how evil the Lydenese really are. And that Ambassador Snow? He's the biggest threat to humanity we've ever faced!"

"Totally agree," Al chimed in. "Snow's probably behind all of this. He's got everyone fooled with his 'peace and understanding' act."

I listened to their back-and-forth, trying to keep my face neutral. "It's a complicated situation," I offered, hoping I sounded supportive enough. "But I'm sure the truth will come out eventually."

Nice save, Charlotte's voice echoed in my head. But Derrick's not buying it. He wants full-throated agreement.

As if on cue, Derrick's eyes flicked to me in the rearview mirror. "You don't sound very convinced, Bobby. Don't tell me you're falling for the Lydenese propaganda too?"

I swallowed hard. "No, no," I said quickly. "I just meant that it might take time for all the evidence to come to light. But I'm sure when it does, it'll vindicate the Knights."

Derrick seemed somewhat appeased by this, but I could still feel his suspicion. The rest of the drive was a blur of near-misses and angry honking from other drivers. By the time we pulled into Derrick's driveway, I was silently thanking every deity I could think of that we'd made it in one piece.

Veronica met us at the garage door, a plastic smile plastered on her face. She leaned in to kiss Derrick, but he barely acknowledged her, accepting the kiss with minimal enthusiasm before brushing past her into the house.

"Come on, boys," he called over his shoulder. "We're not done yet."

I caught a glimpse of hurt in Veronica's eyes before she smoothed her expression back into that perfect, polished mask.

Inside, Derrick turned to face us. "I want you both to keep everything we discussed today in mind," he said, his tone serious. "Learn from it. Understand the real threats we're facing."

He glanced at his watch and frowned. "I've got an important meeting to get to. Veronica, see them out, will you?"

As Derrick disappeared deeper into the house, Charlotte's voice piped up in my head. Important meeting, my ass. He's off to see one of his mistresses.

I felt a twinge of discomfort at Charlotte's casual invasion of Derrick's mental privacy, but another part of me was grateful for the insight. It had probably kept me from saying the wrong thing more than once today.

Veronica's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "You boys are so lucky to have Derrick mentoring you," she said, her tone syrupy sweet. "He's just the best, isn't he?"

As she led us to the door, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. Her entire identity seemed wrapped up in being Derrick's wife, with little sense of who she was beyond that role.

"Thank you for having us," I said politely as we reached the front door.

Veronica's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she opened the door. "Of course," she replied, her tone clipped. The door closed behind us with a bit more force than necessary.

Al turned to me, his eyes bright with excitement. "Man, what a day! Derrick's amazing, isn't he?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak without revealing my true thoughts.

"Well, I better get going," Al said. "Thanks for being such a great teammate today, Bobby. See you around!"

As Al headed off to his car, I approached my SUV. "Seraph," I called out, "take me home, please."

The AI's calm voice responded, "Of course, Bobby. Initiating drive sequence now."

As we pulled out of Derrick's driveway, I let out a long breath. "What a day," I muttered.

You can say that again, Charlotte chimed in. That Derrick is quite a piece of work, isn't he?

I nodded. "Yeah," I said aloud. "And poor Veronica. Did you see how he treated her?"

Mmhmm, Charlotte hummed. Classic case of a trophy wife who's lost her shine. She's built her whole life around him, and he barely even notices her anymore.

As Seraph navigated us smoothly through traffic, I found myself pondering the complexities of Derrick and Veronica's relationship. It was so different from what I had with Shayna and Elly.

Thinking of my wives, I felt a surge of warmth and appreciation. "Seraph," I said, "can you call my wives, please?"

"Certainly, Bobby," the AI responded. "Initiating call now."

As the phone began to ring, I settled back in my seat, grateful for the stability and love in my own relationships. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew I had a strong support system to face them with.

 

* * *

1103 AD

 

Ardin stood at the edge of the dense forest, his bandaged eyes seemingly fixed on the lifeless body of the griffin before him. The majestic creature's golden feathers were ruffled, its eagle head twisted at an unnatural angle. He could sense the unease radiating from the Templars around him, their emotions a mixture of awe and revulsion. The scent of blood and death hung heavy in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest floor.

Stepping forward, Ardin's voice cut through the tense silence. "This is why we exist," he declared, his tone firm and unwavering. "To rid the world of such abominations." He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "I have fought and killed many such creatures. It is our holy mission to cleanse the world of their evil." His words carried the weight of years of experience, each syllable infused with unwavering conviction.

The air grew thick with tension as Brother Thomas spoke up hesitantly. "But... it caused no harm to the villagers. How can we be certain it was truly evil?"

Ardin's jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation passing across his face. He could feel the doubt seeping into the minds of his followers, threatening to undermine everything he had worked so hard to build. The memory of Venita's betrayal flashed through his mind, fueling his resolve. He would not allow these men to falter in their sacred duty.

Turning to face Thomas, Ardin's expression hardened beneath the bandages covering his eyes. He could sense the young Templar's uncertainty, the wavering of his faith. It was a weakness Ardin could not abide, not when the fate of humanity hung in the balance. He drew in a deep breath, preparing to deliver a lesson that would quash any lingering doubts among his disciples.

Ardin turned to face Thomas, his expression stern despite the bandages covering his eyes. "Brother Thomas," he began, his voice taking on a lecturing tone, "you forget that all creatures not created by God are inherently evil. They undermine His authority and good works." He quoted scripture with practiced ease, "'And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.' Isaiah 13:11. We are the instruments of His will, Brother Thomas. Do not let your eyes deceive you."

Thomas looked away, his conflicted emotions palpable to Ardin. The blind warrior could sense the doubt swirling within the young Templar, threatening to undermine his resolve. Ardin's heightened senses, sharpened by years of living without sight and his God given abilities, picked up on the subtle shift in Thomas's breathing and the tension radiating from his body. He could almost taste the young man's inner turmoil on the air, a bitter tang that reminded him of his own struggles with faith and purpose.

Undeterred, Ardin pressed on, his voice growing louder and more impassioned. The words flowed from him with a fervor that surprised even himself, as if some greater power was speaking through him. "I am gathering like-minded men to follow me in our crusade against these wicked creatures. Together, we will form a brotherhood dedicated to eradicating evil from this world." He felt the weight of his mission settle upon his shoulders, a burden he had carried for so long, but one that seemed to grow lighter with each convert to his cause.

The Templars listened intently, their reactions a mix of awe and unease. Some were captivated by Ardin's words, while others exchanged wary glances, unsure of what to make of this blind man who seemed to see more than they ever could. Ardin sensed the shifting currents of emotion in the area, the way some of the men leaned forward, their hearts quickening with excitement, while others drew back, their skepticism a palpable force. He heard the rustle of chainmail as some shifted uncomfortably, the soft murmur of whispered doubts, and the sharp intake of breath from those who found themselves moved by his passionate plea.

Ardin turned to address the group as a whole, his voice ringing with conviction. "I call upon each and every one of you to join me in this holy war against evil. Together, we will rid the world of these abominations and restore God's order." He paused, letting his words sink in before adding, "We will continue to spread Christianity throughout this godless region. The heathens will either see God's glory and love, or we will send them to meet St. Peter at the pearly gates. We were sent to this country to spread Christianity, and we will do it by word or by sword."

A heavy silence fell over the group as the Templars considered Ardin's words. Slowly, one by one, they began to nod in agreement. Their voices grew stronger as they pledged their allegiance to Ardin and his cause, the power of his conviction winning them over.

Ardin's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he sensed their acceptance. "Know this," he declared, his voice carrying a hint of pride, "I have the church's blessings in our endeavors. From this day forward, you are no longer mere Templars. You are now members of the Paladonic Knights. Our mission remains the same, but now we are better, stronger, and smarter."

As the newly christened Paladonic Knights murmured their approval, Ardin turned his head towards the horizon, his mind scanning the distant landscape. A pang of sadness washed over him as thoughts of his wife, Venita, surfaced unbidden. For a moment, he allowed himself to remember her touch, soft and warm against his skin, her melodious laugh that once filled their humble home with joy, the way she used to look at him with such love in her eyes, those mesmerizing orbs that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe.

But the moment passed quickly, like a fleeting shadow across the sun, and Ardin's sorrow transformed into a burning fury that threatened to consume him whole. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip, his jaw tightening until he could hear the grinding of his own teeth. The memories of her deceptions, the bitter truth of her nature as a false goddess, flooded his mind like a poisonous tide. The betrayal cut deep, deeper than any physical wound he had ever endured, fueling his resolve to rid the world of all such creatures that dared to mock the divine order.

If I ever meet her again, Ardin thought, his inner voice cold and unforgiving, a glacial whisper in the recesses of his mind, it will be the last time she draws breath. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, a mixture of anticipation and dread coursing through his veins. He could almost taste the bittersweet victory on his tongue, imagining the moment when he would finally confront her, when he would make her pay for every lie, every moment of false happiness she had given him.

Ardin's eyes hardened, the warmth that once resided there now replaced by an icy determination. He turned back to face his Knights, seeing in their eager faces the instruments of his vengeance, the holy warriors who would help him cleanse the world of the taint of magic and false gods. A cruel smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he contemplated the righteous path that lay before them, a path paved with the bones of the unworthy and the ashes of the unholy.

"Brothers," Ardin spoke, his voice carrying across the clearing, "our work begins now. We will scour this land, root out every last abomination, and bring the light of God to those who dwell in darkness. Are you prepared for the challenges that lie ahead?"

A chorus of affirmations rang out, the Paladonic Knights' voices united in their newfound purpose. Ardin nodded, satisfaction coursing through him. He had taken the first step towards his grand vision, and with these men by his side, he would reshape the world according to God's will.

As they prepared to move out, Ardin's keen senses picked up on the lingering doubt in some of his followers' hearts. He knew that not all of them were fully convinced, that some still harbored reservations about following a blind man or about the righteousness of their cause. But Ardin was not concerned. He had faith that, in time, they would see the truth of his words, the divine nature of their mission.

And if they didn't... well, Ardin had ways of dealing with those who strayed from the path of righteousness.

 

=======================

So... It looks like I slowed down a bit. Got a little busy with work over the last couple weeks. Still, this is better than months in between updates, right?

Charlotte

 

Chapter 22: Mens Mundi Machinations

 

I felt like I’d been punched in the gut as we left the Roper residence. The Kindred Gladius hummed beneath us, its advanced safety features and comforting size a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. Elly and Shayna sat on either side of me, their silence a heavy shroud over the car's interior.

"I can't believe I just did that," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. The weight of what transpired inside that house pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. "It was wrong, so wrong. She's a married woman, and I... I did that."

Elly reached over and took my hand, her touch a small comfort amidst the storm of my guilt. "Bobby, what's done is done," she said softly. "We can't change the past."

I glanced at her, the streetlights outside casting a warm glow over her face. "But how can I live with myself, knowing I betrayed someone else's trust like that?"

"You're not a bad person," Shayna piped up from the other side, her tone firm. "You've always been kind and considerate. What happened tonight... it was out of character for you. I think we all got caught up in the moment."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Maybe, but that doesn't excuse my behavior. And Adam... I've never considered myself a bully, but tonight, I feel like I was the worst kind of tormentor."

Elly squeezed my hand again, her eyes filled with understanding. "Adam's been a thorn in our side for a while now. He's always trying to provoke you, to get a rise out of you."

Shayna chuckled darkly. "I have to admit, though, watching him squirm was incredibly satisfying. Especially after everything he's put us through."

I shot her a sharp look, and she held up her hands in mock surrender. "I'm not saying it was right, Bobby. Just that a small part of me enjoyed it."

"Me too," Elly admitted, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "It was... intense."

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "This isn't who I am. I don't want to be the kind of person who revels in someone else's humiliation."

Bobby, Charlotte's voice echoed in my mind, her tone surprisingly gentle. Adam had worse thoughts about Shayna and Elly while you were all chatting before dinner. If you knew the fantasies he entertained, you'd likely turn around for an encore performance… Or beat him to a pulp. He more than deserved what happened tonight.

A flash of anger surged through me, directed at Adam, but I quickly wrestled it under control. "That doesn't give me the right to…  Damn it, I fucked his mother right in front of him, while she taunted him. How did it even go that far?" I said aloud, my knuckles turning white on the steering wheel.

Shayna's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she studied me. "You know, I'm a little surprised you did that with a redhead, considering your... feelings towards them."

I opened my mouth to argue, to say that Milena wasn't a redhead, but then I stopped, the image of her fiery locks suddenly vivid in my mind. How had I not noticed that? My heart raced as I stumbled over my words, trying to come up with a reason, but only feeling more upset.

Charlotte sighed mentally, her presence a reluctant admission of guilt. I might have... influenced your perception a bit, she confessed. You still need to level up more, and I didn't want your... prejudices to get in the way of that.

My anger flared, this time aimed at the succubus sharing my body. "You messed with my mind, Charlotte!" I exclaimed, the car swerving slightly as my grip tightened on the wheel.

Bobby, I did it for your own good, she insisted, her mental voice firm. Your dislike of redheads is unreasonable and based on a single traumatic experience. You need to move past it.

I shook my head, frustration welling up within me. "That's not your decision to make, Charlotte. It's my life, my mind. You had no right."

Elly and Shayna exchanged worried glances, sensing the tension between me and the unseen passenger in my soul.

I gritted my teeth, trying to focus on the road while wrestling with my anger at Charlotte's manipulation. The tension in the car was palpable, and I could feel Shayna's eyes boring into me.

"What did she do?" Shayna demanded, her voice tight with barely contained fury. "I swear, if that succubus is messing with your head, Bobby..."

I sighed, knowing I had to explain. "Charlotte... she altered my perception. Made me not notice Milena's hair color."

Shayna's face contorted with rage. "She what?! How dare she manipulate you like that! I knew we couldn't trust her!"

Before I could respond, I felt a strange sensation, like my mouth was moving of its own accord. Charlotte's voice emerged from my lips, startling both me and my wives.

"Listen, I did it for Bobby's own good," Charlotte said, her tone defensive. "He needs to grow stronger, and if he gets hung up on something as stupid as the color of a woman's hair, he'll never get better. He needs to level up, and get over Megan. It's holding him back."

Elly, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "As much as I hate to admit it, Charlotte has a point. Bobby, you do need to get over your hangup about redheads. I understand that Megan hurt you, but that was one person, not all redheads."

I felt a surge of betrayal at Elly's words, but deep down, I knew she was right. Still, the violation of my mind was something I couldn't let slide.

"Charlotte," I said firmly, regaining control of my mouth. "I don't care about your reasons. You will never manipulate my mind again. I want your solemn vow on this."

There was a moment of silence before Charlotte's voice echoed in my head. I... I vow never to manipulate your mind again, Bobby. You have my word.

The rest of the drive home was tense and silent. As we pulled into the driveway, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. On the one hand, it was good to be back home, but on the other hand, I still had to live with what I'd done at the Roper residence.

Mary greeted us at the door, her white hair gleaming in the porch light. "Welcome home," she said, her red eyes darting between us. "You have guests waiting in the living room. Also, I modified the AI in the Gladius as soon as it arrived. It won't be reporting anything suspicious back to the Knights."

I nodded, grateful for Mary's efficiency. I'd forgotten that the AI could be spying on us, and felt myself go a little cold with how careless we were on the ride home from Milena's home. Thank goodness I had someone like Mary looking out for us. "Thank you, Mary. Who are our guests?"

"Ashani and Gloria," Mary replied, leading us towards the living room. I felt my heat drop at those names. They could only be here for one reason.

As we entered, I saw Ashani in her human form, sprawled dramatically across the couch. Gloria stood by the window, her posture tense.

Ashani pouted as soon as she saw us. "Finally! We've been waiting for ages. Do you always keep your guests waiting like this?"

I bit back a retort, reminding myself that Ashani was a princess and probably unused to waiting for anyone. "I apologize for the delay. We had some… unexpected business to attend to."

Gloria turned from the window, her eyes sharp. "We don't have time for pleasantries. We need to discuss our mission to defeat Ardin. Any ideas on how to take down someone the gods couldn't put down?"

The gravity of our task hit me anew. How were we supposed to succeed where literal gods had failed?

Bobby, Charlotte's voice whispered in my mind. Remember, you've leveled up once already. We should discuss that with the others.

I cleared my throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Before we dive into strategy, there's something I need to share. According to Charlotte, I've... leveled up."

Mary glanced at me curiously, her eyes widening with interest. "Leveled up? What does that mean exactly?"

"I'm not entirely sure," I admitted. "Charlotte, care to explain?"

I felt the strange sensation again as Charlotte took control of my mouth, her voice emerging from my lips. It was disconcerting, but I allowed it, knowing she could explain the leveling system better than I could.

"Leveling up is a process of personal growth and power accumulation," Charlotte began, using my throat and mouth. "It requires Bobby to form connections with others, typically through intimate encounters. Each new experience or partner provides more substantial growth, while repeated interactions yield diminishing returns."

I watched as Mary's eyes widened with interest, while Ashani leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

Charlotte continued, "Bobby's current stats are as follows: Strength 10, Constitution 10, Dexterity 9, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 8, Willpower 12, and Charisma 13. He's at level two, with two unallocated stat points."

As Charlotte relinquished control, I furrowed my brow. "Wait a minute," I interjected. "Why am I not at level three yet? After what happened with Mrs. Roper... I mean, that was pretty intense and unique."

I felt a mix of emotions as I thought about the encounter - guilt, shame, and a twinge of excitement I didn't want to acknowledge. It was confusing, to say the least.

Charlotte's voice echoed in my mind. You're close, Bobby, but not quite there yet.

"But why not?" I argued aloud, forgetting for a moment that the others couldn't hear Charlotte's side of the conversation. "That situation was beyond unusual. How is that not enough?"

I don't make the rules, Bobby, Charlotte replied, her mental voice tinged with frustration.

"But you literally created this system!" I exclaimed, drawing confused looks from the others. "You came up with it after the Pillar of Light gave you the idea."

Charlotte sighed mentally. While I might have created the system, I had to work within the Pillar of Light's parameters. Besides, too much growth too fast could literally damage you, Bobby.

I glanced around the room, noticing the varied reactions to our one-sided conversation. Shayna's face was a mask of concern and uncertainty, likely still processing what she'd heard on the way home. Elly, on the other hand, looked cautiously optimistic, her eyes darting between me and the others.

Mary, despite her obvious excitement, was trying to maintain a subdued demeanor in the background. Her red eyes, however, betrayed her keen interest in the conversation.

Gloria cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "I've seen plenty of cases where individuals received power they weren't prepared for," she said, her voice grave. "It often ends in destruction - either they're driven to madness and get themselves killed, believing they're invincible, or they destroy everything they hold dear in pursuit of more power." She fixed me with a stern gaze. "I recommend caution, Bobby."

I nodded, understanding her point on an intellectual level. But emotionally, I felt a surge of frustration. "I get what you're saying," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "But we're up against Ardin here. Even the Pillars can't defeat him. How are we supposed to stand a chance if I don't get stronger, sooner rather than later?"

Gloria's expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "It's not that the Pillars are incapable of defeating Ardin. They're limited in how they can exercise their power. As the Pillar of Darkness stated, they have to take into account balance and free will."

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of our task bearing down on me. "So what are we supposed to do? Just hope we get lucky? I have no intention of going out and screwing everything that moves, just to level up."

Ashani, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, spoke up. "Perhaps we should focus on strategy rather than raw power," she suggested, her voice carrying a hint of royal authority. "After all, even the mightiest warrior can fall to a well-laid trap."

Elly nodded in agreement. "Ashani's right. We need to be smart about this. Bobby, your increased abilities are an asset, but they can't be our only plan."

I saw Ashani open her mouth to say something, but I looked at Shayna, who had remained silent throughout the discussion before the princess could speak. "What do you think, Shayna?"

She met my gaze, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "I... I don't know, Bobby. This whole situation is so far beyond anything I ever imagined. Part of me is terrified of what you might become if you keep... leveling up. But another part knows we need every advantage we can get against Ardin."

Her words hit me hard, reminding me of the delicate balance we were trying to maintain. I was changing, becoming something more than human, and it scared me more than it excited me.

Mary, seeming to sense the tension in the room, stepped forward. "If I may," she said softly, "perhaps we could approach this from a different angle. Bobby's growth is important, yes, but so is the growth of the team as a whole. We each have unique skills and abilities. Maybe we should focus on how to combine them effectively."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards Mary. Her suggestion made sense and seemed to ease some of the tension in the room.

Gloria nodded approvingly. "That's a wise suggestion. We need to play to our strengths and cover each other's weaknesses."

"Okay," I said, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's break this down. What do we know about Ardin? What are his strengths and weaknesses?"

I watched as Elly's brow furrowed, her eyes distant as if trying to recall something important. "Can we hear the prophecy again?" she asked suddenly, her voice breaking the tense silence that had fallen over the room.

Charlotte took control of my mouth, her voice, using my vocal cords, recited the prophecy with perfect clarity:

-

From ancient times, a legend stirs,

The First of Knights, now fallen low,

His sacred vows to ash and burrs,

A god of vengeance, wrath to sow.

-

Against him stands the Knight's Son bold,

A soul thrice-risen, destiny-bound,

To face the one from tales of old,

Whose rage now shakes the very ground.

-

The First, once pure, now tainted dark,

His righteousness a twisted thing,

Seeks to unmake the Pillars' mark,

And chaos to creation bring.

-

The Knight's Son, born of hope and strife,

Must walk the line 'tween light and shade,

To save or end the First Knight's life,

And stem the tide of ruin made.

-

Through trials fierce and battles grim,

The Son must forge a path anew,

His strength tested, his future dim,

Yet to his sacred purpose true.

-

When hope seems lost, the thrice-born soul

Shall shine with power long foretold,

To make the broken cosmos whole,

Or let the fires of chaos hold.

-

In final clash of new and old,

The Knight's Son faces his cruel test,

Will order reign or darkness bold?

The fate of all hangs on this quest.

-

As Charlotte continued, I noticed Shayna's face contort with discomfort. When the recitation finished, she muttered under her breath, "I hate when she does that to my husband."

Charlotte continued, "I understand, Shayna, but it's the only way I can communicate with everyone outside of my mens mundi. Unless you'd prefer I transform Bobby's body into my form, but then he'd have to speak out of my mouth."

"Absolutely not," I said firmly, voicing my thoughts. The idea of my body morphing into Charlotte's form sent a shiver down my spine.

Shayna's face paled, her discomfort evident. "That's... that's even worse," she stammered.

Gloria cleared her throat, drawing our attention. "We could use my mens mundi if it's that big of a deal," she offered, her tone neutral.

Ashani, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, piped up. "What's a mens mundi?"

Gloria turned to the Nagini princess, her explanation concise. "It's a shared mental space, almost like a dream world. The owner has complete control over the environment, and time moves differently there."

I watched as Shayna's face twisted with indecision. She glanced at Elly, a silent conversation passing between them.

Elly spoke up, her voice gentle. "Shayna, remember what you promised? About giving Charlotte more of a chance?"

Shayna's jaw clenched, her internal struggle visible. Finally, she let out a long sigh. "Fine," she said, her voice tight. "We'll use Charlotte's mens mundi." She turned to Gloria, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Gloria, it's just-"

Gloria held up a hand, cutting her off. "I understand," she said, her voice calm. "I'm a newcomer here. I'll need to earn your trust."

Ashani stretched languidly on the couch, her human form still managing to look regal even in such a casual pose. "Well, this is all very interesting," she drawled, "but I'm not even remotely tired. I don't believe I could fall asleep anytime soon."

I couldn't help but agree with Ashani, but also knew that Charlotte could pull me into her mens mundi with ease, regardless. Hell, she'd even done it while she stayed away and cleaned the kitchen after my disastrous attempt at making dinner for my wives.

A devilish grin spread across Gloria's face. She waved her hand, and suddenly, Ashani slumped over on the couch, fast asleep.

"Falling asleep won't be a problem," Gloria said, her tone matter-of-fact.

I stared at Ashani's sleeping form, then back at Gloria, a mix of awe and unease settling in my stomach. "That's... impressive," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "And a little terrifying."

Elly moved closer to Ashani, checking her pulse. "She's okay, right?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Gloria nodded. "Of course. She's just sleeping. She'll wake up feeling refreshed."

I felt Charlotte's presence stir within me. We should get started, she urged mentally. The sooner we enter my mens mundi, the more time we'll have to strategize.

"Alright," I said, addressing the room. "Charlotte says we should get started."

I watched as Gloria took charge, her voice calm but authoritative. "Alright, everyone, get comfortable. We'll be entering Charlotte's mens mundi soon."

Shayna and Elly moved closer, each taking one of my hands. Their touch was reassuring, grounding me in the midst of this surreal situation. Gloria, to my surprise, sat next to the sleeping Ashani on the couch, even going so far as to place the Nagini princess's legs over her own.

My eyes fell on Mary, who stood uncertainly near the edge of the room. Her red eyes darted between us, a mix of curiosity and hesitation in her gaze.

"Mary," I said, my voice gentle, "you don't have to participate if you don't want to. This quest could be dangerous, and I don't want to put you in harm's way."

Mary's posture straightened, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that took me aback. "Master Bobby," she said, her voice filled with conviction, "my loyalties lie with you. I will do all within my power to keep you safe." The emotion in her voice was palpable, and I could see the devotion written clearly across her face.

Elly leaned in close, her breath tickling my ear as she whispered, "I think the maid has a crush on you, Bobby." Her tone was teasing, but I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me at the idea.

Shayna, not to be left out, whispered from my other side, "She is hot, but it would be inappropriate to do anything while she's a slave."

I nodded, agreeing with Shayna. "Exactly," I whispered back. "I have no intention of taking advantage of an enslaved Drow elf."

Mary, who had been standing silently, suddenly spoke up. "Master Bobby, I am at your disposal in ANY way you deem fit," she said, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of... something I couldn't quite place. "I just want to ensure that I'm not overstepping my bounds."

I felt a twinge of guilt at her words. "Mary," I said firmly, "while technically you're bound by our magical contract, I cannot and will not treat you as a slave. Ever."

Mary's cheeks darkened, and I wondered if she was blushing. She muttered something under her breath, so quietly that even with my enhanced hearing, I wasn't sure I heard her correctly. Did she say, "I'd be okay with it if you did"?

Before I could ponder it further, Mary moved, curling up in a ball on the floor in front of me and my wives. The gesture was so unexpected, so... vulnerable, that I felt my heart constrict.

It's like a loyal dog, curling up to protect its owner, Charlotte's voice echoed in my mind. I bristled at the analogy, not liking the implication.

That's not funny, Charlotte, I thought back. She's a person, not a pet.

Before I could voice my displeasure aloud, Gloria raised her hand. "Everyone ready?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.

I barely had time to nod before a wave of drowsiness washed over me. My eyelids grew heavy, and the world around me began to blur. The last thing I saw was Mary's red eyes, watching me intently as consciousness slipped away.

As the darkness enveloped me, I felt a strange sensation, as if I was falling and floating at the same time. Colors swirled in the void, coalescing into shapes and forms. Slowly, a new environment materialized around us.

We found ourselves in what looked like a luxurious hotel conference suite. Plush carpets covered the floor, and ornate furniture adorned the spacious room. A large window offered a view of a starry night sky, though I knew it wasn't real. At least it wasn't her usual display of hanging red silk curtains and lush pillows strewn about.

"Welcome to my mens mundi," Charlotte's voice rang out, no longer confined to my mind. I turned to see her standing near the window, her succubus form on full display. Her reddish skin gleamed in the soft light, her bat-like wings folded neatly behind her back.

Shayna tensed beside me, her grip on my hand tightening. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, silently reminding her of her promise to give Charlotte a chance.

Elly, on my other side, looked around with wide-eyed curiosity. "This is amazing," she breathed, taking in the opulent surroundings.

Gloria rose from the room's couch, sliding Ashani's massive tail off her and waking her. The Nagini princess was now in her snakelike form as she blinked in confusion, her six arms stretching languidly as she took in her new surroundings.

"What... where are we?" Ashani asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

"We're in Charlotte's mens mundi," Gloria explained patiently. "Remember? We discussed this before you fell asleep."

Ashani's slitted-pupil eyes narrowed. "Before you put me to sleep, you mean," she grumbled, but there was no real heat in her words.

My attention was drawn to Mary, who was no longer curled up on the floor. Instead, she stood rigidly near the door, her red eyes darting around the room as if searching for potential threats.

"Mary," I called out softly, "you can relax. We're safe here."

Mary's posture softened slightly, but she remained alert. "Of course, Master Bobby," she said, her voice steady. "But I will remain vigilant, just in case."

Charlotte clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Now that we're all here," she said, her tail swishing behind her, "let's get down to business. We need to discuss our strategy for dealing with Ardin."

I watched as Gloria shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting around the opulent room. Despite her unease, there was something about her that drew my attention. A presence, an aura of power that seemed both familiar and foreign. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I decided to keep my observations to myself for now.

Elly broke the silence, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I've been thinking about the prophecy," she began, her voice hesitant. "The part about a 'thrice-risen soul' confuses me. Bobby was..." She trailed off, catching herself as she remembered that the Knights' ability to resurrect wasn't common knowledge.

Gloria jumped in, her voice steady despite her apparent discomfort. "Sonia recently informed me about that particular... capability." She glanced at me, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her face.

Ashani's tail lashed angrily, her human upper body tensing. "Fucking Knights," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "They don't even have the courage to die properly!"

I felt a twinge of defensiveness rise in my chest. "If I hadn't been reborn," I pointed out, trying to keep my voice level, "I wouldn't have been there to help free you from those gnolls."

Ashani's face fell, her anger deflating slightly. "You're... different," she mumbled, not quite meeting my eyes. "You don't count as one of those... bastards."

Elly pressed on, her curiosity apparently outweighing her caution. "But Bobby's only risen once," she said, her eyes darting between Gloria and Charlotte. "Does that mean he has to... die two more times?"

I felt my stomach lurch at the thought. Dying once had been bad enough. The idea of going through that twice more was almost unbearable. And hadn't Sonia, the Pillar of Light, informed me that being resurrected was no longer a possibility?

Charlotte's voice cut through my rising panic. "Actually," she said, her spade tail swishing thoughtfully, "at this point, Bobby and I share not only a body but a soul as well. Since I've been resurrected twice, that should count for all three."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Sharing a body with Charlotte was one thing, but our souls? The implications made my head spin. Would I never be free of her?

Before I could voice my concerns, Shayna's hand tightened around mine. "Bobby," she said, her voice low and intense, "you'd better not go off and die ever again. I mean it."

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, babe. I plan on sticking around for a long, long time."

Shayna's eyes narrowed, clearly not appreciating my attempt at being light hearted. But before she could say anything more, Ashani spoke up.

"What do we actually know about our target?" the Nagini princess asked, her voice sharp with impatience.

Gloria straightened, that strange presence about her seeming to intensify. "Ardin," she began, her voice taking on an almost lyrical quality, "was once a devout man. A true believer in his faith, unwavering in his convictions." Her eyes grew distant, as if seeing into the past. "But something changed him. Twisted his righteousness into something dark and vengeful."

I listened, fascinated and horrified in equal measure. The way Gloria spoke, it was almost as if she knew Ardin personally.

Elly's voice cut through my thoughts. "But if the Pillars couldn't properly contain Ardin," she said, her tone worried, "how are we supposed to?"

Shayna nodded in agreement. "I mean, I'm good at what I do, but taking down a being with godlike powers? That's a bit outside my skillset."

I looked around at our ragtag group – a succubus, a Nagini princess, two women raised by Knights, a mysterious woman with an unexplained aura of power, and a dark elf maid. And me, caught in the middle of it all. How were we supposed to stand against a fallen god?

I watched as Gloria's expression turned somber, her eyes distant as if lost in memories. "If there was a way to reach the loving man Ardin once was, we might be able to stop his rampage," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "However, after Ardin's heart was broken... I don't know if there's anything left of him. He went on to form the..."

Gloria paused, her gaze shifting to Charlotte. The succubus nodded, a silent understanding passing between them. With a wave of her hand, Charlotte conjured a door out of thin air. My jaw dropped as Nikky, my mom's renter, strolled through it as casually as if she was entering our living room.

"What the hell?" I blurted out, my heart racing. Everyone except Gloria and Charlotte tensed, clearly as shocked as I was.

Nikky's mischievous smile spread across her face as she took in our stunned expressions. "Well, well, well," she drawled, her eyes twinkling. "Looks like quite the party you've got going on here, Bobby." She wagged her finger at me playfully. "You really should talk to Susan more often, you know. She was getting worried and sent me to check up on you."

Panic seized me as I realized how much Nikky was able to see. Charlotte was in her succubus form, Ashani was in her Nagini form, and not as obvious, but Mary's pointed ears slightly poked out from her white hair. My mind raced, trying to come up with plausible excuses. "Nikky, I can explain," I stammered. "This isn't... We were just..."

Nikky's laughter cut me off. "Relax, kiddo," she said, grinning. "I walked into your house and found you all passed out in the living room. Figured it must have been one hell of a party." She gestured around at the opulent surroundings. "Next thing I know, I'm walking into this fancy imaginary hotel conference room. Gotta say, your subconscious has good taste."

Mary's voice piped up, trembling slightly. "But... but the house doors were locked," she said, her red eyes wide with confusion and fear. "How did you get in?"

Nikky's attention snapped to Mary, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Holy shit, is that a drow elf?" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet. "This is amazing! Awesome! Incredible!" She rushed towards Mary, her enthusiasm overwhelming. "I can't believe it! Not all the elves are dead!"

Mary let out a small yelp and darted behind me, using my body as a shield against Nikky's exuberance. I felt a twinge of protectiveness as I placed a hand on Mary's shoulder, trying to reassure her.

Nikky skidded to a halt, a shrewd gleam entering her eyes as she took in the scene. "Well, well," she said, her tone teasing. "Looks like someone's building quite the harem, Bobby." She affected a mock pout. "And to think, you so thoroughly rejected my advances when you came to visit your mother after getting married. I'm hurt."

I felt my face heat up. "I'm not trying to build a harem," I protested, acutely aware of Mary still pressed against my back and my wives' eyes on me. "I'm more than happy with what I have."

"Bobby isn't building a bigger harem..." Charlotte's voice chimed in, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"...yet," Shayna finished, surprising me. The two women regarded each other, Charlotte's face alight with joy and hope, while Shayna's expression remained cautious but open.

Elly wrapped an arm around Shayna's waist, giving her an encouraging squeeze. "I'm proud of you," she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

Gloria cleared her throat, her authoritative presence drawing everyone's attention. "Nikky," she said, her tone chiding, "you're late."

I blinked, confusion washing over me. "Late?" I echoed. "What do you mean, late?"

Gloria turned to me, her expression serious. "Nikky is the last member of our party," she explained. "She's a—"

"Close family friend," Nikky cut in smoothly, flashing a winning smile. "I was asked to assist with your little... adventure."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Oh, wonderful," I drawled, sarcasm dripping from every word. "One more person along for this insane ride. And why, pray tell, do they all have to be attractive women? Is this some kind of cosmic joke?"

Gloria's response was as blunt as it was unexpected. "I appreciate the compliment," she said, her tone matter-of-fact, "but my heart belongs to another man."

I felt my face flush, embarrassed by my outburst. "I... that's not what I meant," I stammered, trying to backpedal.

Ashani's tail lashed, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed Nikky. "And just what skills do you bring to this... party?" she asked, her tone dripping with skepticism.

Nikky's grin widened, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, honey," she purred, "I'm full of surprises."

I groaned internally, wondering how I'd ended up in this situation. A succubus sharing my body, two wives, a Nagini princess, a mysterious woman with hidden depths, a drow elf maid, and now my mom's flirtatious renter. This "quest" was shaping up to be more complicated than I could have ever imagined.

I stood there, my mind racing as I pieced together the puzzle before me. The way Gloria spoke of Nikky, the casual acceptance of our bizarre group, my mother's history of protecting magical creatures... It all clicked into place.

"You're not human!" I blurted out, pointing at Nikky.

Nikky's sultry laugh filled the room, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She gave me a non-committal shrug, her expression seeming to say 'maybe, maybe not.' The secretive smile playing on her lips only added to the mystery.

"Well, well," Ashani hissed, her tail swishing behind her. "Looks like our little group just got more interesting."

Shayna stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "If you're not human, what are you?" she asked Nikky directly.

Nikky's grin widened. "Now, now," she purred. "A lady never reveals all her secrets on the first date."

Shayna rolled her eyes. "This isn't a date," she muttered.

Mary, still partially hidden behind me, peeked out. "Is... is she dangerous?" she whispered, her red eyes wide with concern.

I placed a reassuring hand on Mary's shoulder. "I don't think so," I said softly. "My mom trusts her, and that counts for something."

Gloria cleared her throat, drawing our attention. "Nikky's exact nature isn't important right now," she said firmly. "What matters is that she's here to help us deal with Ardin."

"Can we please get back on track?" I pleaded, trying to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand, as though I wasn't the last one to go off on a tangent. "We were discussing Ardin and how to stop him."

Charlotte nodded, her expression growing serious. "Bobby's right," she said, her tail swishing behind her. "We need to focus on the task at hand."

Elly stepped forward, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Gloria," she said, her voice hesitant, "you were saying something about Ardin forming... something. What was it?"

Gloria's eyes met mine, a weight in her gaze that made me shiver. "Ardin," she said slowly, "went on to form the Paladonic Knights."

The room fell silent as the implications of her words sank in. I felt as if the floor had dropped out from under me. The very organization I'd been inducted into, the one my father had been a part of, had been founded by the man we were now tasked with stopping.

"Well, shit," I muttered, summing up the collective mood of the room.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of our situation settling on my shoulders. "Alright, let's summarize what we're up against," I began, my voice steady despite the churning in my gut. "Ardin, once a devout man, is now a fallen god with a vendetta. He's powerful, vengeful, and apparently the founder of the Paladonic Knights. He's broken out of whatever containment the Pillars had him in, and now we're tasked with stopping him." I turned to Gloria, raising an eyebrow. "Did I miss anything?"

Gloria nodded, her eyes distant. "There's one more crucial detail," she added softly. "Ardin's power deals with knowing things. I'm not sure how it works, but he usually knows more than he should."

"Oh yeah... That too," I muttered, feeling a headache coming on. "Because why not make this even more impossible?"

I looked around the room, mentally evaluating each woman and their potential contributions to our mission. My gaze lingered on Elly and Shayna, worry gnawing at me. They were both pregnant with my children, a fact that filled me with both joy and terror given our current situation. Elly's intelligence could be invaluable, and I remembered how easily she had tossed me to the ground. As for Shayna, her cheerleading skills might not seem immediately useful, but I had a feeling her athletic prowess could come in handy.

Gloria remained an enigma, but the powerful aura surrounding her hinted at hidden strengths. Mary, our drow elf maid, had already proven herself capable and cunning. I shuddered slightly, remembering what she'd done to her previous master.

My eyes fell on Nikky, and I couldn't help but smirk. She struck me as more of a trickster than a fighter, but I hoped her mischievous nature would be an asset in unexpected ways.

Charlotte, of course, was a constant presence in my mind. A succubus sharing my body and soul... It was still hard to wrap my head around. Despite our differences, I knew she had my best interests at heart. Her confession of love for me still left me conflicted, but now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

Finally, my gaze settled on Ashani. I'd seen her fight the gnoll alpha, and her strength was undeniable. But there was also an air of pampered royalty about her that made me wonder how she'd fare in a prolonged conflict. As I studied her snake half, a question popped into my mind.

"Ashani," I asked, "are you poisonous?"

Ashani's eyes narrowed, and I could see a flicker of amusement mixed with exasperation. "First of all," she said, her voice dripping with barely contained disdain, "the correct term is venomous, not poisonous. Poison is ingested or absorbed, venom is injected." She paused, clearly enjoying the chance to educate me. "But to answer your question, yes, in my Nagini form, I can inject a very deadly toxin if I choose. However," she added, her nose wrinkling slightly, "I prefer not to bite things. I'd rather use my strength and arms than rely on my venom. The taste it leaves in my mouth is... unpleasant."

I nodded, filing away that information for later. "Good to know," I said, trying not to dwell on the image of Ashani's fangs.

Gloria cleared her throat, drawing my attention. "Bobby," she said, her voice curious, "Charlotte mentioned something about you 'leveling up' earlier. Can you explain more about that?"

Before I could respond, Charlotte's voice echoed excitedly in the room. "Oh yes!" she exclaimed. "Bobby, remember you have unallocated stat points, and you can choose a new ability now!"

I groaned internally. "Abilities?" I asked hesitantly, already dreading the answer.

Charlotte's grin was worrying as she began listing options. "Well, you could choose 'Silver Tongue,' which would enhance your persuasive abilities in... intimate situations. Or perhaps 'Tantric Touch,' allowing you to channel sexual energy for various effects. Oh! And there's 'Pheromone Cloud,' which would make you irresistible to those around you for short periods."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Charlotte," I said, trying to keep my voice level, "how exactly are any of those supposed to help us defeat a being with godlike powers?"

"Well," Charlotte replied, her tone matter-of-fact, "the more connections you make, the stronger you become. And these abilities would certainly help you make... connections."

I looked around the room, suddenly very aware of the women surrounding me. They all regarded me with varying degrees of disgust, curiosity, and in Nikky's case, intrigue.

"Charlotte…" I began, hoping I didn't sound as annoyed with her as I felt. "Please tell me I have more options than that. Something to make me a better fighter, or more resistant, rather than something to manipulate those around me. You should know how I feel about manipulation by now."

I watched as Charlotte's excitement visibly deflated, her tail drooping and her wings sagging. Before she could respond, Nikky piped up with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Oh, I don't know," she purred, her voice dripping with suggestion. "Some of those abilities sound pretty useful to me. Especially that 'Pheromone Cloud.' I bet that could come in handy in all sorts of... situations."

I regarded Nikky for a moment, wondering if she had some secret kink she wasn't sharing. But I didn't dare ask, especially not with everyone else around. Instead, I turned back to Charlotte, who seemed to have recovered a bit.

"Alright, alright," Charlotte said, her voice a mix of resignation and determination. "I've got some other options that might be more your speed, Bobby. How about 'Phantasmal Fabrication'? It lets you create convincing illusions. Or 'Cerebral Invasion,' which allows you to read surface thoughts and potentially plant suggestions. There's also 'Psychokinetic Manipulation,' giving you the power to move objects with your mind."

I mulled over these new options, considering how they might work with my unallocated stat points. Each ability sounded potentially useful, but I needed to think strategically.

"What do you all think?" I asked, looking around at the group.

Elly stepped forward, her brow furrowed in concentration. "The illusion ability could be incredibly versatile," she said thoughtfully. "It might help us avoid confrontations altogether in some cases."

"I'm not too sure how well illusions would work against Ardin," Gloria said. "Like I said, he seems to know more than he should, and he might be able to see right through any illusions you can conjure."

"Oh," Charlotte seemed even more depressed. "I figured that way Bobby could create an illusion of me, and even make it talk so that I wouldn't have to use his mouth anymore."

Shayna let out a sour grunt. "Yeah, that would be nice… But being able to read minds? That's a major invasion of privacy," she added. "Even if we're up against someone as crafty as Ardin sounds, I don't like it."

"Besides," I chimed in, facing my inner succubus, "You already know how I feel about reading people's minds. If I really needed it, I could just ask you to do it."

"But you'd be skipping the middle man!" Charlotte argued. "And I'm telling you, if you knew half of what Adam was daydreaming, you'd either go back to his house and cave his skull in, or ravish Melina right on his bed and make him sleep in the wet spot."

"Wait, what?!" Shayna demanded, her hands balling into fists as she prepared for a battle. "What was that degenerate thinking?"

"Nothing!" I shot out, trying to defuse a situation before it could get us further off track. When Shayna turned her cold blue eyes on me, I almost regretted cutting in. "It's probably just Adam being Adam. Besides, I'm not saying it's right, but all men have fantasies about any attractive woman they see. We can't help it. Most of us know better than to ever consider acting on those fantasies, however."

"Oh really?" Nikky asked in a syrupy sweet tone. "Then I'm curious what fantasies you've had about me?"

"Or me!" Ashani added herself with a tone that seemed a little too hopeful.

"Ladies!" I tried once again to get things back on track. "Now is not the time to discuss—"

Charlotte cut in before I could finish, facing the confident redhead. "When he said any attractive women, he meant that he finds attractive. You don't fall into that category."

Ouch! I thought, wondering where that catty attitude had come from. Sure, I wasn't very particular to redheads, and I wasn't overly fond of Nikky, but she didn't deserve that.

"What about me, Bobby?" Ashani asked, and I struggled to hold back a groan. When I turned to face her, she was back in her human form, and though she stood taller than me, and was well-muscled, she was also very naked. "Am I not attractive to you?"

"Enough!" Gloria's voice shook the very air with its power and authority, that left a vacuum in its passing, pulling all of our attention to the woman. There was no way to ignore the compulsion to look. All of us were affected, though Charlotte seemed the most stressed by that single word. Had it stressed her mens mundi? "None of that matters right now. Does anyone else have any input on his ability options?"

Mary, still partially hidden behind me, spoke up softly. "If I may, Master Bobby," she said, her red eyes wide, "the ability to move objects could be very useful in both combat and stealth situations."

I winced slightly at Mary's use of "Master" but decided now wasn't the time to address it. "Those are all good points," I said, nodding to each of them. I felt the weight of their eyes on me, expectant, and squared my shoulders as I looked between them.

As I pondered my options, I noticed Ashani's tail lashing back and forth, her face a mask of boredom and frustration. She must have transformed back after Gloria's shout.

"Is something wrong, Ashani?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She let out an exasperated hiss. "All this talk of 'leveling up' and abilities... it's so tedious," she grumbled. "I don't understand the appeal of these video games you humans are so obsessed with." Her eyes narrowed as she continued, "If I hadn't been falsely accused of being sullied and expelled from my tribe, I could have brought real power to this fight. My people are warriors, not... whatever this is."

I made a mental note of Ashani's comment about her tribe, filing it away for later. But right now, I needed to focus on the task at hand.

I weighed my options carefully, considering the words of those around me. The ability to create illusions could be useful, but as Gloria pointed out, it might not work against Ardin. Mind reading felt too invasive, and I wasn't comfortable with that level of intrusion. Finally, I made my decision.

"I think I'm going to go with Psychokinetic Manipulation," I announced, looking around the room. "Being able to move objects with my mind could be incredibly versatile in both combat and stealth situations, just like Mary said."

Charlotte's voice piped up, a hint of disappointment coloring her tone. "Are you sure you don't want one of the first options? The 'Silver Tongue' ability could be really useful for gathering information or manipulating situations to our advantage."

Before I could respond, Shayna let out a derisive snort. "Oh please," she said, rolling her eyes. "You're just trying to get more action for yourself."

Charlotte bristled at the accusation. "I'm trying to help Bobby get stronger, faster," she retorted. "The more connections he makes, the more powerful he becomes. It's not just about our pleasure."

"Enough," I said firmly, cutting off their bickering. "My decision is final. I'm choosing Psychokinetic Manipulation."

Nikky's eyes lit up at my declaration, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Ooh, telekinesis could be fun to play around with," she purred, giving me a suggestive wink. "I can think of all sorts of... interesting applications."

I felt my cheeks heat up at her implication but chose to ignore it. Instead, I turned to Mary, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Thank you for your input, Mary," I said softly. "Your suggestion was really helpful."

Mary's red eyes widened, and for a moment, it looked like she was about to throw herself at me. But at the last second, she caught herself, pulling back with a visible effort. "I'm... I'm glad I could be of assistance, Master," she mumbled, her dark cheeks flushing a deep purple.

I noticed her aborted action and felt a pang of sympathy. Mentally, I reminded myself that I wasn't willing to do anything with her as long as she was bound by her slave contract. It wouldn't be right, no matter how much she might want it.

Charlotte's voice sullen as she spoke up again. "What about your two free stat points?" she asked. "I recommend putting them in charisma. It could help with social situations and maybe even boost the effectiveness of your abilities."

I rolled my eyes but caught sight of Shayna opening her mouth, no doubt to make another snarky comment at Charlotte's expense. Quickly, I made my decision. "I'll put one point into dexterity to get it up to 10, and one point into intelligence," I said. "I figure that'll help me with my new skill."

Charlotte sighed. "Your intelligence stat won't really help you with Psychokinetic Manipulation," she explained. "It's your willpower that will affect that."

I nodded, remembering that my willpower was already at 12, which Charlotte had mentioned was above the normal human theoretical cap of 10. "I'll stick with my decision," I said firmly. "Especially the dexterity." A plan was starting to form in my mind, involving Ashani's tribe and potentially gaining allies for our fight against Ardin, but I kept the details to myself for now.

"Alright," Charlotte conceded. "Are you ready to learn your new skill and allocate your stat points?"

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's do this."

Suddenly, a warm sensation began to spread through my body, starting from my core and radiating outward. It felt like liquid sunlight was flowing through my veins, heating me from the inside out. My skin tingled pleasantly, and I could feel every nerve ending coming alive with sensation.

As the warmth reached my brain, it was like a fog lifting. My thoughts became clearer, sharper, and I could feel new neural pathways forming. The concept of psychokinesis unfolded in my mind like a blooming flower, each petal revealing new possibilities and applications of the skill.

At the same time, I felt a surge of energy in my muscles. My body felt lighter, more responsive, as if I could dance on the edge of a razor without losing my balance. The increase in dexterity was subtle but unmistakable.

The sensations built to a crescendo, and for a moment, it felt like every atom in my body was vibrating in perfect harmony. A wave of pleasure washed over me, not quite sexual but deeply satisfying on a primal level. I let out a soft gasp as the feeling peaked, then slowly ebbed away, leaving me feeling invigorated and more alive than ever.

As I came back to myself, I realized I was breathing heavily, my body covered in a light sheen of sweat. I blinked, looking around at the others in the room, suddenly very aware of their presence.

Nikky's eyes were fixed on me, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Well," she said, her gaze dropping pointedly to my groin, "looks like someone enjoyed that little power-up. Maybe those 'connections' aren't so bad after all, hm?"

I felt my face flush hot with embarrassment, but before I could respond, Gloria cleared her throat loudly. "Now that that's settled," she said, her tone brooking no argument, "we need to focus on our next steps. Bobby, you mentioned you had a plan forming?"

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Yeah, I was thinking we might want to look into Ashani's situation with her tribe," I began, glancing at the nagini. "If we can clear her name and maybe even get some allies from her people, it could be a big help against Ardin."

Ashani's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed suspiciously. "And how exactly do you propose to do that?" she asked, her tail twitching nervously. "My tribe cast me out, believing me to be... defiled. They won't listen to outsiders, especially not humans."

"We'll figure something out," I said confidently, even though I wasn't entirely sure how we'd pull it off. "For now, let's focus on gathering more information about Ardin and his movements. We need to be prepared for anything."

 

 

 

* * *

1084 A.D.

In an instant, Ardin saw through to the true Venita. Or rather, to the vile creature that’d deceived him, sending him on a perilous journey that tested his faith, when he should have been at home to protect his family.

Only his family was also a lie. Despite his uncanny ability to see truths and know things that should have been beyond him, Ardin struggled to understand the truth of his reality.

As the wicked pagan goddess held him, Ardin’s mind was overwhelmed by images and impressions that were beyond a regular mortal to comprehend. He was no longer a regular mortal, but still close enough that he struggled to parse the onslaught of information.

With a supreme effort of will, Ardin focused his mind on what he could. Venita held a physical form that itself held in a powerful being. She wasn’t human, and he knew this wasn’t her true body. He sorted through her last two weeks and wanted to throw up.

She was the proprietor of this den of inequity. It was bad enough that his wife owned and managed a business, but that it was this particular endeavor was disgusting. The amount of sin that occurred within these walls hourly was enough to make any pious man weep and beg for redemption. How could his sweet, loving, Christian wife allow herself to sink so low? But that wasn’t the worst thing.

She’d lain with another man the day before he’d arrived. He saw everything in her memories. The man was wealthy, politically connected, and she’d not wanted to do it, but had to, to keep her unholy business unmolested. He saw through the last fortnight, and knew that she’d had many offers, but turned down all but that one. He saw her reasoning and reluctance to accept the liaison, but was also unable to not witness the deed, and the act she'd pretended to get the man off as quickly as possible.

He felt a physical revulsion at her touch and wanted to release the small amount of food in his stomach, but managed to hold it in. Over the last few years, he’d learned how to pretend. Many were disgusted at the sight of him, and despite his abilities, he’d trained himself on keeping his thoughts and emotions bottled up. A necessary habit formed from living amongst the two-faced and corrupt humans who professed to be humble Christians, but behind closed doors, acted with lustful, greedy hearts.

“I’m here, now,” he managed to say through a throat that barely wanted to cooperate. “We can… we can be together again.” That lie roiled his stomach, but somehow he managed to get the words out. His mind raced, as he worked to come up with some way to flee this retched place.

“You’ve… been changed,” she said, after a bit of hesitation, pulling away to look at him. He knew what she saw, but for once, didn’t try to hide anything. His body was gaunt, but strong. His hair was long, almost falling to the middle of his back. But the biggest change since the last time she’d seen him was his lack of eyes. Smooth skin now covered the area his eyes once held, though that was no detriment to him.

“I’ve…” Ardin thought of how much to tell her, before firming his resolve. “I met some people you knew in your old life. When I returned to our village to find it destroyed, the man was angry and did this to me.” Ardin touched the smooth skin over his eye sockets and shook his head.

“I’m so sorry,” Venita wailed, and he knew she meant it, but her sorrow couldn’t reach his broken heart. “I didn’t think any of them would still be around. I hoped you would be able to get the fruit and return to us. I hoped… But none of that matters, now. We’re together again.”

Her mention of the fruit reminded him that he still had one remaining bite left on it. Despite having taken two bites already, the fruit had remained healthy and unspoiled. The crazy thing had actually healed over, and merely shrunk in size after each bit to look whole, if diminished. In a panic, he sent out his thoughts, looking for it, and found it safe among his meager belongings. He didn’t trust this woman, this charlatan that'd masqueraded as a pious God-fearing woman, and intended to get as far away from her as he possibly could.

How much of their marriage was an act like with that politician? How much had she pretended to love him, all the while lying to him about who and what she was? Unfortunately, his abilities didn't reach that far into the past.

He knew it was a sin, but he had to lie to her a bit more. She was already a being of power, and if she ate another bite of that fruit, who knew what it would do to her.

“That fruit is the only reason I’m still alive,” his voice came out thick with emotion, as he recalled the pain of being blasted with the lightning. “After I was hit with the power of that old man, I ate the last of the fruit. I was healed by the grace of God, but my eyes…” He couldn’t tell her about his abilities.

“That doesn’t matter, now,” Venita told him, and he knew she meant it. Her love and concern for him were like daggers in his chest. In a way, they hurt more than when that pagan god had tried to kill him. He couldn’t be with such an unclean woman, much less one that thought of herself as a pagan god. “We’re together again, and nothing will pull us apart ever again.”

He knew that a part of him was being hypocritical. He’d broken nearly every commandment in an attempt to get back to her, including infidelity, but her betrayal went way before that. She’d pretended to be a virgin on their wedding night, something that he sincerely doubted, now knowing that she was a pagan goddess of love and beauty.

“Nothing,” he told her. In his heart, he meant it as all that was left of their relationship and marriage, though he knew she would take it as a reply to her sincerity. “I’m feeling tired. I think I need some more rest. Will… Will you still be here when I wake up?”

She regarded him for a moment, her eyes inscrutable, before she offered a wide smile. “I will be right outside. Just say my name and I’ll be back in here as fast as possible, my love.”

Ardin nodded, then pulled away to rest. He wasn’t tired—another lie, but what was one more?—but needed to be alone with his thoughts. Physical contact with her was still overwhelming, and he needed to plan his exit. He knew it hurt her, but he was unable to return the words of affection as she got up and left the room.

He waited for Eothan to quietly check on him one more time, while pretending to sleep, before getting up.

He pulled out the ambrosia, looking at the strange, mystical fruit one last time, before popping it into his mouth and moving for the window.

He was high up, a fall that would kill or cripple most mortals, but he was no longer entirely mortal. With the last bite still whole in his mouth, Ardin glanced back one last time.

Goodbye, Venita, or Aphrodite, or whoever you really are, Ardin thought as his heart broke for the last time. I pray to God that we never meet again.

Without any further hesitation, Ardin climbed out the window and allowed himself to fall. His legs buckled when he hit the solid ground outside, and someone screamed. He felt his bones poking out of his shins, and the pain was tremendous, but he ignored it all. The fruit had broken open in his mouth and he quickly chewed and swallowed, feeling his body become whole once more as new strength and vigor suffused him.

Getting back to his feet, Ardin rushed from the gathering crowd. Behind him, he heard a familiar voice shouting.

“Ardin? Wait, my love, please come back!”

In the early evening light, the man who’d once been Ardin vanished amidst the bustling streets. The fisherman from a small village on the coast of the Northern Sea was dead. In his place, raced a grown man, filled with righteous power, intent on doing God’s work and punishing the wicked.

Especially those who didn’t follow His commandments, or worse, weren’t even human.

Well, looks like I'm able to keep this approximate pace. Let me know if you feel the quality is dipping, or what you think!

Ashani

Nikky