Zell and Kaitlyn walked back to the pond slowly, the danger had passed, and they felt as if they could relax.
"I am glad they didn't hurt you, Kaitlyn." Zell said.
"They were nice about it actually." Kaitlyn said. "But they wanted to capture you, so they put me in a cage to try and lure you to the village. Their plan worked a little too well."
"I was worried something might have happened to you." Zell said.
"Thanks." Kaitlyn replied. "I am happy that you are concerned about me. I worry about you too. I felt like I was betraying you running away from that snake. I was terrified you were going to die. I was actually about to turn back when the villagers caught me."
"I should thank them then." Zell said. "That last attack of Anna's would have killed you if you were closer."
They arrive at the pond and Annanuki is waiting for them at the water's edge, still in her human form. She noticed them and stood up. "You sure took your sweet time." She fussed. "Don't you know it is rude to keep a goddess waiting?"
"MY apologies." Zell replied. "There were complications."
"Those mortals are always so tiring to deal with." Anna sighed. "I honestly don't know what Steve sees in them."
"Steve?" Zell asked with a puzzled expression.
"The god of space and time." Anna said. "He renamed himself Steve, said it was hip or whatever. He is an odd one, but one must respect the wishes of another if they wish to be called something. Though I don't know what was wrong with his original name of Choron."
"I mean Steve is easier to say." Zell shrugged his shoulders. "Regardless you asked for our return, and we have. What did you want to discuss with us?"
"Right." Anna started. "As you may have guessed, being a god or goddess is terribly dull and we do whatever it is that entertains us at a time. For the past six thousand years I have been relaxing in this pond. I grow tired of it, yet there is nothing I have not done or experienced. Life has lost its spark."
"You want me to kill you?!" Zell interrupted her.
"No!" Anna smacked Zell across his face. "Why would you immediately go there?! Let a girl finish before you interrupt her!"
"Sorry." Zell said.
"There is something I have not done and the thought of it intrigues me." Anna said. "I have never entered into a bond with a mortal. Unfortunately, if I tried, the poor mortal would likely explode from my overwhelming godly power. However, now that I met you, I think you can handle me." She reached out her finger and ran it across Zell's chest. "How does that sound? Do you want to ride my lightning?"
"What would it entail?" Zell asked.
"You and I would become one." Anna said. "It is quite intimate. There are two roles in a union with a god or spirit. One of domination and the other submissive. Since I want to experience something new, I will be submissive. I will become no more than a voice in your head and all my power and ability will become yours. Our levels will be multiplied, by one another and you will reach a height higher than any mortal or god has ever dreamed of reaching. However, there is still a risk. Should your body be unable to control the massive power that is created, you will die where you stand."
"So, our levels are not added?" Zell asked. "They will be multiplied? What level are you?"
"Four hundred Thousand." Anna said.
"Wait, why do you even have a level?" Zell interrupted. "If the goddess created you first. And she didn't create levels until after systems were created on Earth, how do you have a level?"
"We gods thought it looked fun, so we added the system to ourselves." Anna explained. "So, can your body handle four hundred thousand multiplied by two million? A Level of eight hundred billion?"
"I think I can do it with limited." Zell said. "But why should I bother risking my life just to keep you entertained?"
"Is it not the lifelong dream of mortals to entertain the gods?" Anna asked.
"No." Zell said. "You are going to have to offer something better. I need a way back home for myself and Kaitlyn."
"I will tell you where to find Steve, if you survive." Anna said. "He will be able to grant you passage back to your planet."
"Okay you have a deal." Zell said. "What do we need to do?"
"Close your eyes and allow me inside of you." Anna said. "Don't worry I'll be gentle, I know it's your first time."
"Hey now!" Zell said. "What exactly are you talking about?!"
"My spiritual essence." Anna said. "You humans always have the most perverted minds. Now open up and let me in."
Zell closed his eyes and braced himself for the powerup. [Set limited to 0.01%] He thought to himself. That will make me level eight hundred thousand, instead of eight hundred billion.] Zell's body began to feel warm and at peace, he could feel energy rushing in from every pore. Outside it looked like Anna was giving him a tight hug and slowly fading into nothing. Kaitlyn looked on in awe.
[Why didn't you try and stop him!] She thought to herself. [Please don't die Zell, I need you.]
When the feeling ended Zell reopened his eyes. He could see the world completely differently than he could before. He could see the essence of everything he could feel the life around him. He felt as if the sky and wind were but a part of him.
[How does it feel?] Anna said from inside Zell's head. [Can you feel nature? If so, it worked, you have my power, the power of a god.]
[It worked.] Zell replied internally. [Now that I survived, can you please tell me where Steve is?]
[Fine, a promise is a promise.] Anna replied. [I will teach you how to find him. Close your eyes and focus on the wind. You should be able to feel everyone and everything in a large radius. We are close to the Village and Steve has stayed close to them, he enjoys watching mortals as they develop, only to bring another civilization later that is more advanced and have them fight to the death.] Zell did as instructed and felt an odd disturbance in his field. [That is it you found him. Now go make him take you home.]