Granberia was waiting in the dressing room for the final match of the night. She'd been waiting quite a bit longer than expected. The crowd was relatively quiet, so there couldn't be extracurriculars holding things up. She was not an impatient person, so simply continued to wait and think, going over possible opponents and battle strategies. It wasn't easy, since she'd been told that the monster was unusual.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance into the dressing room of a regal looking human woman. Granberia stood up to greet her. The woman introduced herself.
"I am the Queen of Grand Noah," she said. "Congratulations on getting into the finals of our weekly tournament. It's unusual for such a strong competitor to make a debut in such a minor tournament."
"I was only passing through with my companion and she talked me into entering," Granberia replied. "I have no intention of competing again."
"I'm glad to hear that," the queen said. "because I'm afraid I've had to withdraw my sanction from this final match. The other competitor is also a new entrant, very strong, but apparently doesn't respect the rules of the competition. She made unreasonable demands, so I am ending the tournament and declaring you the winner by default."
Granberia was at first angry, but then decided that she didn't really care. The whole competition had been meaningless to her from the beginning, so a default win was of the same value as a legitimate win. She'd entered for Sara and for the people, the latter consideration she considered to be evidence of her own personal growth. Since when had she cared what humans thought of her? She found that now she did care, at least a little. Something about what the Queen had said didn't quite make sense to her.
"You speak as if I'm the winner, but that the final match will still take place," Granberia noted.
"Yes," the Queen said. "I already disapprove of these games due to the… "
"The rape that isn't really rape anymore," Granberia put in for her.
"Yes," the Queen confirmed. "I admit it's better than what went before, but it's still shameful. But what's happening now is even more unacceptable. Your opponent wishes to use dangerous enchanted weapons and has pushed for the no fatality rule to be waived."
"A fight to the death?" Granberia asked.
"I'm not sure," the Queen replied. "I don't want to make assumptions, but I got the impression she doesn't seek your death, so much as she doesn't care if she kills you or not. She just doesn't want to have to hold back."
"I can assure you then, Queen, that my own sword is enchanted, but it is enchanted to be nonlethal should I wish it so. My opponents were less safe because I was denied its use, not more safe."
"I don't want this kind of thing in my colosseum," the Queen insisted. "Your sword, that's fine, it's the death I don't want. My people don't need bloodlust added onto their carnal lust. I won't have it! I was going to try to talk you into walking away, but if you plan to use a nonlethal sword…. Maybe it would be good for this arrogant monster to be taught a lesson."
"Teaching painful lessons is a specialty of mine," Granberia said. "I understand that the match is unsanctioned and that she doesn't wish to hold back. Very well. I will not hold back either."
"Then I guess you can go out there whenever you are ready," the Queen said. "There will be no announcements, no starting whistle."
"I've been ready for some time, so I will take my leave, then."
"Good luck, Heavenly Knight."
Granberia smiled. She had not met this queen before, but she had heard about her from Luka. She was impressed.
As Granberia stepped into the colosseum for the third time, she saw that about half of the crowd had left. She wasn't surprised. This venue had been a place of horror just one year ago. Hearing that something unsanctioned and unplanned was going on had probably been enough to spook half of the spectators into not being around for it. The other half must not have been able to contain their curiosity.
The monster standing at the other end of the field was probably part of the reason many had left. She looked like a lamia with wings. Granberia looked more closely. She seemed to have aspects of dragon in her as well. She had no idea such monsters existed. She regretted not studying the different monster races more. The monster carried a short sword in each hand.
The unusual monster addressed Granberia. "Greetings," she began. "I am Saja. Do you know who I am?"
"Should I?" Granberia asked. "I'm quite sure I would remember if I had encountered an unusual monster such as yourself."
"I am the leader of the Six Ancestors," Saja replied. "The right hand of the Dark God Alipheese. Have you truly not heard of me? Who are you that you would be so ignorant?"
That Saja? Granberia thought she had figured out what the situation was. She was dealing with a madwoman. A dangerous madwoman. She would have to be put down quickly.
"I admit that the name had not jogged my memory at first," Granberia replied. "But yes, I know who Saja is. And you are not Saja. The Six Ancestors are sealed. Had their seals been undone, I would know."
"Would you, now?" Saja asked, cocking an eyebrow and approaching closer. "and who are you that you should be so informed?"
"I am Granberia, the Heavenly Knight of Fire," she replied.
"I do not know what that is," Saja scoffed. "It's quite the pompous title."
"I earned it by competing for the Monster Lord's throne," Granberia said, quite angry at the disrespect being shown. "If you are truly that ignorant, I will educate you. There are four Heavenly Knights. We serve the Monster Lord."
"By playing around at a spectator sport?" Saja asked.
"You claim to be right hand of the Dark God herself, yet here you are as well," Granberia noted.
"I am on a mission," Saja countered. "With the Dark God's return, she wishes to know as much about this world as possible before deciding on a course of action. There is a human here who claims that this world is peaceful, that humans and monsters coexist, and wishes us to… adjust to this new reality. What I've seen here in Grand Noah is quite a twisted version of coexistence. Humans cheering on the rape of their fellow humans! They need to be controlled for their own welfare!"
Granberia had so many questions pop into her mind. Was this woman claiming to be Saja referring to Luka?
"I do not like what goes on here any more than you do," Granberia said, before realizing that her own participation and humiliation of a contestant made her statement sound less than sincere. She felt ashamed at her hypocrisy. "That aside, while your story is sounding somewhat more plausible, I still know it to be a fabrication. As a Heavenly Knight, I would have been immediately contacted upon your return."
"I'm sure you would have, being one of the most valued servants of the current Monster Lord," Saja laughed. "If she'd been able to contact you, that is."
"Do not even joke like that!" Granberia raged. "If something has happened to the Monster Lord, you will pay with you life! If you are telling me tasteless jokes, you will pay with pain!"
"Oh, don't worry," Saja said, now standing only a few feet from Granberia. "Nothing has happened to your Monster Lord yet. The Dark God has merely chosen to prevent communication between her and her underlings as a precautionary measure. Other measures are soon to follow. Go ahead, try to communicate with her. Confirm the truth of my words."
Granberia mentally tried to contact Alice. She tried Alma Elma. She tried Tamamo. She received no response. Not just no response, as that wasn't terribly unusual, but she could tell that her thoughts were not broadcasting. Could it be? How long had this been going on while Granberia traipsed around the world doing frivolous things?
"I see," Granberia said, trying to maintain her composure. She was now very worried about her fellow Knights and her liege. "So you are being truthful. So you stand in this colosseum just to learn about this city? You could have done that as a spectator! Did you enter to challenge me? You needn't have bothered. You could have chosen any place to confront me and I would have gladly crossed swords with you."
"As I told you, I don't even know who you are," Saja answered. "I simply assumed that this contest would feature the most powerful monsters. I am not just here to observe. I am here to recruit followers for the Dark God. You would be a useful follower indeed. Pledge allegiance to your goddess and join me in returning her to her rightful place in this world."
"I have never been particularly religious, nor prone to following those who have not yet demonstrated to me that they are worthy of being followed," Granberia said. "Nor do I simply switch my allegiance upon request. Such an act would be dishonorable and cowardly. Alipheese the Sixteenth has proven herself to be a worthy Monster Lord, both in power and in wisdom. Whatever your master's claim to the throne, and I acknowledge that it could be legitimate, the fact is, the throne is occupied by one of the greatest Monster Lords in history. I see no call for a changing of the guard. If the Dark God is as wise as the legends say, she will be glad to see such a strong and wise Monster Lord caring for her people, and thus allow her to continue to rule and see after her children's welfare."
"The Dark God has not ruled that out," Saja countered. "The Dark God has ruled nothing out. She is open minded. But what she has heard so far does not give her the same confidence in this monster lord that you profess. The peace is fragile, unstable! The human kingdoms are stronger than I would be willing to countenance, and I see no evidence that their intrinsic nature has changed. Yet no decisions have been made. Except one. Whoever technically sits on the throne, the Dark God is supreme. The Monster Lord will serve her and so will you. So I ask one more time, pledge your allegiance, or face the consequences."
"I do not know your Dark God except from the few books that I have read," Granberia replied. "I do not follow one whom I do not know. I will say this, however. If Alipheese the Sixteenth chooses to follow Alipheese the First, then I will follow Alipheese the First with her. But I will not switch my allegiances and betray my liege. Should I not make the same demand of you? You are a monster, therefore you are obligated to serve the Monster Lord. Pledge your loyalty at once to Alipheese the Sixteenth!"
"It seems that eliminating you is the only option left to me," Saja said. "You are in rebellion against your goddess. The penalty for rebellion is death. I shall carry out your sentence at once."
"You may try," Granberia challenged.
Saja attacked, both knives flashing. Granberia knew that this could be the toughest battle of her life, and she had engaged briefly with a goddess. She had survived only because the goddess was more interested in Luka and Alice. This ancient, legendary opponent was focused entirely on her. Saja's quick attacks were difficult for even the greatest swordswoman on the planet to parry or dodge. Saja drew first blood, opening a gash in Granberia's side.
Having determined that a defensive strategy would only delay her own death, she forcibly took the initiative and hammered at Saja with powerful sword strikes. She was sacrificing some speed, but was still faster than almost any opponent Saja had ever been likely to face, and her small swords were not well suited to parrying Granberia's great sword. Saja took to the air for a moment and dove onto the dragonkin warrior to regain the initiative. Granberia sought to make her pay for such a bold maneuver, refusing to get out of the way, seeking to make Saja fall on her great sword. Both warriors paid a price for their decisions. One of Saja's small swords plunged into Granberia's shoulder, thankfully not her primary sword arm. Saja took a massive cut on her abdomen.
The two opponents gave each other some space to assess the damage. But Saja was only pretending to back off. She took Granberia by surprise and wrapped her opponent in her tail. Damn me for a fool! Granberia raged silently. Alice had beaten her with a similar trick. It was unusual for Granberia to fall for the same gambit twice!
Saja wasn't about to gloat and make dire promises to her bound opponent. Granberia was no human to be intimidated and milked. She was a great warrior, not to be played around with. Saja buried one of her swords into Granberia just under her breastplate. Granberia had never felt such pain. She was weakening fast. She feared she was finished.
"No!" Granberia heard a shout, a female shout. She felt Saja's coils loosen. Granberia made a mighty push to break the hold and succeeded, although she immediately fell to the ground, blood pouring from her multiple wounds. Who had intervened? Please, don't let it be…. She tried to focus her blurry vision.
Indeed, it was Sara, rushing to the defense of her love. Granberia dared hope that she had caught the Ancestor by surprise, at least struck a blow, but she had not. Saja had not even needed to see Sara to block her initial swing. Sara's cry had been sufficient to warn her. Granberia reached for her sword and struggled to get to her feet. As wounded as she was, Sara's valor demanded that Granberia be the equal of it. She would not last long against Saja. Why am I bleeding so much? Granberia thought. I am a dragonkin! My cuts should already be closing! Was that the enchantment of Saja's weapons? If so, the wounds inflicted on her, severe but quite survivable for a dragonkin, could very well be fatal.
By the time Granberia had gotten to her feet, Sara had been cut at least five times, blood pouring from her wounds as well. She was in a berserker rage, however, maddened by the threat to her true love and her wounds. Granberia staggered towards the battle, desperate to try to save Sara. She was too late. One of Saja's wicked knives entered Sara's chest, probably piercing her heart. Sara gasped as Saja quickly twisted the knife. When Saja yanked it out, Sara fell, unmoving. She had not even scratched Saja. The entire fight couldn't have lasted more than fifteen seconds.
Enraged, Granberia stumbled towards Saja, willing her blade to kill. She knew she was no longer a match for Saja in a drawn out fight. She was rapidly growing weaker. She bet it all on one big move. She stepped forward when she had reached the proper distance and executed Vaporizing Rebellion Sword.
Saja would never have seen such a move, since Granberia herself had invented it. In theory, there was no proper defense other than to match it stroke for stroke, only possible for another who knew how to perform it. Nevertheless, Saja showed remarkable speed and reflexes, parrying or only being grazed by blow after blow with her two swords. When Granberia was spent, with nothing left to give, Saja still stood. She was bleeding from multiple wounds, Granberia's will having been to kill her. One of her sword arms hung limply, a small sword fallen at her feet. Granberia dared hope that she would topple and fall over dead, but her eyes were piercing and she stood like a rock in front of Granberia. Her face turned into a triumphant smile.
"That is the most impressive sword flurry I have seen in my long life," Saja said. "You have inflicted wounds on me that only Seraphs have ever matched. It is a shame that you will not use those skills for the benefit of your goddess. I would have been honored to fight by your side."
"Finish it," Granberia said, spitting out blood. "If you honor me as a warrior, give me a warrior's death."
"I owe you that much," Saja said gravely, spinning the knife in her hand and preparing to drive it into Granberia's heart.
A roar erupted from behind Saja, and she was grabbed from behind in the giant maw of a great beast. Granberia through her blurred vision could barely make it out but it looked like a giant lion, standing at least eight feet tall at the shoulders. The lion had Saja's human torso in its mouth and was shaking her, before flinging her dozens of yards away, impacting a wall of the colosseum and falling into an unmoving heap on the ground.
The lion gently approached Granberia and nudged her with its snout. It had sad, worried eyes. Closer up, Granberia could see that the lion was obviously a female. It growled mournfully as it tried to lick Granberia's wounds. Where had this creature come from? Had the Queen kept such a creature and sent it into the colosseum to save her champion?
Granberia looked desperately around for Sara, knowing she had to be dead but hoping against hope that she could still be saved. Granberia's own wounds continued to bleed profusely. She knew that she herself didn't have long to live. She resolved to die by Sara's side. But where was her body? She couldn't see it.
The lion looked at Granberia sadly and began to change, transforming into the familiar, albeit naked, form of Sara. To Granberia's relief, Sara's wounds were gone. What had happened? "Sara?" Granberia said weakly. "You live! Is this… your true monster form?"
"I… I don't know," Sara said. "I think I died. I think I was reborn. Oh, Granberia! We need to get you help!"
"She is beyond help!" Saja had risen to her feet by the stands. "My enchanted blades have seen to that. Now stand aside, and let me give her a merciful death. She is bleeding out!"
"I think we'll pass on that, but thanks anyway."
A figure landed behind Saja and placed her in a chokehold. Saja, too weak from her own wounds to take on a fresh opponent, quickly lost consciousness. As her unconscious form fell to the ground, Granberia dimly made out wings and a familiar form. Alma Elma?
"Granberry!" the succuvbus said happily. "Of all the places I searched for you, this was the last place I checked! You said you'd never compete here!"
"And I can assure you, I never will again," Granberia laughed weakly. "Unless you can teleport me to a healer, I am finished. Please tell me that your teleportation abilities have not been sealed along with your telepathy. I fear I cannot survive long enough for you to fly me home."
"Shit!" Alma Elma said. "Time to go home!"
She grabbed Granberia and readied to teleport her back to the castle. "Wait," Granberia ordered. "Just one more moment. Sara, will you be all right?"
"I'll be fine! Get help! Get better!"
"What will you do?"
"I'm going home to help my people!" Sara said. "It looks like we're about to have big trouble, so my place is in Sabasa. I really hope this isn't goodbye. Please, go now!"
Alma Elma, her face etched with concern, vanished with Granberia.
Alice and Tamamo had returned in the afternoon after a days long absence and told me that there would be a meeting the next morning. Erubetie would be there by then and hopefully Alma Elma would have found Granberia. Whether or not she did, Alma Elma would be there. I'd asked Alice if things were bad. Alice told me that things seemed to be fine for the moment. No one she had spoken to had been approached by the Dark God or any of the Ancestors. Tamamo had the same story to tell. That had been hours ago. It was getting late, so it was almost time for me to turn in. As Alice once said, little heroes need their sleep.
I decided to check on Promestein before bed. It had only been an additional day, so I was sure Promestein couldn't possibly have anything new to report, but I decided to check on her, given that I had nothing else to do. Normally my days were filled with leisure time. I enjoyed just playing video games, reading, watching TV, and spending time with friends while Alice did her important work. But with a crisis brewing, even if things were quiet for the moment and I had no tasks to perform, I found it impossible to enjoy such pursuits. I needed something to occupy my mind that might contribute to our cause.
I found Promestein sitting at my desk, which she seemed to have claimed as her own. Eden was looking over her shoulder at something. Why was Eden still here? I wasn't complaining, I liked Eden, but didn't she have important things to do? When I was at an angle where I could see the screen, I saw that the game my story was based on was being displayed. The part of the game in question was a scene with Eden.
"Why do I look so sour in that picture?" Eden asked. "I am almost always smiling. Why would they portray me that way? Let me see how they drew you."
When Promestein noticed me, she exited the game. "I hope you don't think we're slacking here, chief," Promestein said. "I'm just running some stuff in the background and had nothing to do while the jobs ran. I thought I'd show Eden how badly they treated her."
"Oh, don't worry," I said. "I question many things about your character, Promestein, but never your work ethic. So you didn't like the way the game or my book portrayed you, huh?"
"Oh, no, it was fine," Promestein replied. "Your book was dead on and the game has a ton of fabrications, but nothing particularly insulting. My only complaint was that our last conversation was a lot longer and had some really interesting discussions that you left out. A lot of people came off a lot worse than me, though."
"But… then why did you sue me?" I stammered.
"I needed the money," she shrugged.
"I see," I said, reminding myself that she really wasn't a nice person, despite being an important ally. "So Eden, not that I'm complaining, but why are you still here?"
"I was told you'd be having a meeting tomorrow and I wished to attend," she said.
"You can come and go from heaven as you please, can't you?"
"I can, but if heaven and the Monster Lord are to be allies, we must develop strong ties," Eden said. "Heaven has been an uneventful place for the last year. It is not likely to be under threat from the Dark God and her followers until she consolidates her power. I am not needed there. However, I will return shortly. As much as I love being around you, you are correct that my place is there. My duties, however boring, are important."
I heard a commotion outside the room. I burst out into the hallway. Alma Elma and Tamamo were supporting Granberia between them . Granberia was leaving blood all over the floor in a trail. "Granberia!" I shouted, running to her. "What happened to her?!?
"Luka, she needs a healer, stay out of our way!" Tamamo said sternly.
I stepped aside. "I can… heal… a little." I said lamely. Alma Elma called back that I would be called if I was needed.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw my lovely wife. "Is she going to be okay?" I asked.
"She's Granberia," Alice said. "I'm confident we got her here in time. I don't know how long she'll be down for, but I think she'll be all right. Before you ask, no, I don't know who did this to her yet, although Alma Elma said she knew and would explain as soon as she made sure Granberia was in good hands. We'll probably find out tomorrow, at the morning meeting. Why don't we go to bed for now?"
As concerned as I was, I doubted I'd be able to see Granberia while healers were feverishly trying to save her. But could I really just go to sleep? "Maybe we should wait outside her room until we know she's going to be okay?" I said.
"She's Granberia," Alice stated again, most sternly this time. "we're in a crisis. She won't be the first person you care about who bleeds on our floor. If you fail to get your rest every time someone gets hurt you'll be of no use to us. I know we haven't been giving you much to do, but believe me, Luka, you're the most important person here. While preparations are going on, you may seem like you're not needed, but when things build to a climax the whole universe is likely to rest on your shoulders. You need to be ready for that. Please come to bed. Alma Elma is her oldest friend. She'll watch over her. Tamamo has some healing spells that she can use in her true form as well. She's in the best hands. Trust me."
I reluctantly agreed. I had missed Granberia, and now she was here and hurt. I really wanted to be by her side. But Alice was right. In any other situation, Alice probably would have been right there with me, waiting outside Granberia's room. We retired for the night.
I was in a cave again. Why so many caves? Caves were scary, so of course I was in a cave. I wasn't lucid this time. Alice was with me. This was definitely the Treasure Cave. I was thinking about the bell, how I needed it to get to Sentora. Alice was going on a dissertation about the necessity of letting predators eat without interference. If I saved everyone a predator caught, all the predators would die. Did I want that? While the merits of Alice's arguments were sound, it was simply against my nature to not save someone who was helpless and suffering.
"If you believe predators can't go against their natures, why would you expect me to do so?" I asked. I had not made this argument in the actual treasure cave, looking back on the dream in hindsight.
"Idiot," Alice responded.
I came to a treasure chest. Selene had kept her treasure in this cave, so that wasn't surprising. Should I open the chest? I looked questioningly at Alice.
"It's up to you," Alice said. "If you're curious, go ahead and open it. But if something bad happens to you, I'll leave you without hesitation."
This was close to what Alice had said the first time. Thinking back on it, it was so callous. All she'd had to do was tell me not to open it! Although remembering how it actually happened, she had given me more than enough hints.
Of course, in real life I never did open it. In the dream, however, I remembered none of this. It was as if I was there for the first time, making the decision all over again. Yet certain things were different. I felt my money pouch. It was nearly empty. In real life, I'd thought I had plenty of money so felt no need to take the risk of opening the chest. I was not greedy. I was only here for the bell. Yet I had run out of money on our journey before Alice refilled my pouch by selling her antique travel guide. I didn't remember that in this dream. I only noticed that my bag was nearly empty. My dream was combining two events that had occurred months apart.
I looked at Alice one more time. Her expression was neutral. I felt my money bag again. We're only on Ilias continent, I thought, and almost broke. Alice's appetite was stupendous and since I loved her I'd bought her all the food she wanted. I hadn't actually loved Alice yet, this was more of the dream confusing the timeline of events.
I needed money, so hopeful I'd find gold, I opened the chest. I did not find gold. A mimic grabbed me and started pulling me into the chest, which was actually its mouth. I was being eaten! I frantically reached for my sword but found that I had no sword. I was being inexorably pulled in. I struggled to no avail. Terror filled me. I called to Alice and reached out for her. She was still standing there. She hadn't disappeared.
"Hahahaha!" she laughed, pointing at me. "You are such an idiot! Now you're getting eaten alive!"
"Alice, please! Save me!"
"I told you, I'm not your ally, I'm not your friend. You're simply reaping the consequences of your own idiocy. My only regret is that I didn't get to eat you myself. I would have made it far more pleasurable than that mimic will."
"Alice!" I pleaded. "Please don't just stand there and watch me die! I love you!"
"You love me?!" she said, laughing. "you're so pathetic. I don't know why I ever thought you were interesting. You're just a stupid man who thinks like a child. How's that coexistence feeling, Luka? Still believe in your dream now?"
Alice left my sight, a smirk plastered on her face, as my head was pulled into the chest, the mimic eagerly dissolving me. I was going to die. I had failed Ilias Village. I was never going home. My love had cruelly rejected me and was watching me die.
Suddenly, I was yanked out of the chest by two hands grabbing my arms. I was covered in black gunk, but I seemed to be intact. I looked up, It was Alice! Had she changed her mind? No, there were two Alices! The one who wasn't holding my arms continued to stare, just smirking. The mimic simply changed back into a chest, waiting for its next opportunity to catch prey.
"Luka! Is this what you dream about?!" Alice yelled, shaking me. "Luka, why would you keep this from me!?"
I awakened, being shaken in real life. Alice was shaking me awake. "Luka! Oh Luka!" she said, holding me tight.
"It's okay, Alice, just another nightmare," I said.
"I know, I was there! Luka, why didn't you tell me you were having nightmares like that? It was so horrible!"
"Alice, did you enter my dream?" I asked.
"Yes," she said. "Tamamo taught me the spell. I know I should have asked your permission first, but your nightmares have been so bad, I wanted to see what was scaring you so with my own eyes. It wasn't just monsters, Luka! It was me! I was the villain in your nightmares!"
"Alice, I'm sorry," I said. "it's just me reliving old trauma. I'm past that. I love you, and I understood why you wouldn't help me as much as I'd have liked."
"You have nothing to apologize for except not sharing this with me," Alice said. "I know I had my reasons, and I know how tough it was on you that I wouldn't fight my cute little subordinates to help you. Being the Monster Lord isn't easy. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to. I just never thought it was that bad for you. I understand, though. I really do. But you are obviously not past that."
"We've gotten me therapy," I said. "it's helped a little."
"Please tell me there's something I can do to help," she said. "That was so horrible! How do you wake up and look at me after that? Sometimes I wonder how you ever managed to get past my willingness to let you die. How could you love me after that? Ilias wasn't far off the mark when she had you travel with me, expecting you to hate me. You should have."
"There was a short period of time where I almost did," I replied. "between Alma Elma and my first true defeat at the hands of Cindy."
"So what changed?" she asked.
"You comforted me," I said. "You showed me compassion. I expected that you'd just leave me there on the beach. I was such a baby. I should ask you the same question. How could you fall in love with a crybaby?"
"That wasn't your finest moment, to be sure," Alice said, smiling tenderly. "and to be honest, I comforted you only because seeing your strange power, knowing you were probably sent by Ilias, I couldn't just let you run around loose. I didn't admit it to myself at the time, but there was more to it than that. Seeing you helpless under Cindy, being violated by her, I regretted not helping you. I only didn't intervene because she wasn't going to do you physical harm. I was more worried about other predators showing up while you were unconscious. I stood by your body looking very intimidating for the next few hours."
"And eating all my snacks," I said, smiling.
"Yes, and eating all your snacks,"
"So you really wouldn't have ever let me die?" I asked.
She sighed. "No, I wouldn't have. I hope that helps with your nightmares."
"I think it will," I said gratefully. "But I need one more thing from you. Looking back, when did you first know that you loved me?"
"You first," she teased. "If I'm going to make a tough admission, you have to as well."
"As I said, I was probably infatuated with you from the moment I met you, but I kept the feelings in check because I didn't want to get hurt. First I thought you were out of my league, then I resented you for being so callous. It was after Cassandra, when you directly admitted that you wanted coexistence, that I thought we could really be partners. I probably was in love with you before that, but I was held back by worries that the differences between us were too great."
"So Lady's Village would be the first, official-ish moment?" she asked. "Yeah, I know it's not an on/off switch, it's a process, falling in love. At least, when it's real."
"So when did you know?" I asked.
"Truthfully?" she said. "when I woke up in a hotel, you having carried me out of that creepy house. I felt bad. I so would have just made fun of you if our positions were reversed. Not only did you never make fun of me for being afraid of ghosts, you carried my heavy ass for miles, when you were already sore, even though you were convinced I'd leave you if you were in the same position."
"So what you're telling me is that you lied directly to Tamamo," I said.
"I did," Alice responded. "I loved you, but it didn't matter. I couldn't claim you as my lover, I couldn't marry you, and yet I wanted you so badly. So our relationship, as you remember, got very toxic, with me talking about making you a slave, and getting insanely jealous all the time. Tamamo knew all of that, she wasn't asking because she didn't know the answer. Our discussion after that was even more intense than the discussion you were present for. You thought she was having it out with me inappropriately. She was actually going easy on me in front of you."
"I'm glad we're where we are now," I said. "I just wish we could have a happily ever after. I really thought that's where we were headed. This last year has been paradise. Are we fated to be happy together, or will our lives be just one crisis after another?"
"This wasn't fate," Alice said. "This was a consequence of the last crisis. It's possible that if we solve this one it will plant the seeds for the next one. But maybe not. This world has known long periods of relative peace in the past. You and I will fight to make this world better. I do believe that we'll get our happily ever after. This last year that you've enjoyed so much, I promise you, it's just the beginning. As they say on your world, you ain't seen nuthin' yet!"
She snuggled into me and we drifted back off to sleep. My dreams were pleasant for the rest of the night.
All the Heavenly Knights, plus Alice, myself, and Eden were present for the meeting. Normally they'd called such meetings war councils. I wasn't sure why this one was just called a meeting. I guess we weren't technically at war yet? Best not to think too hard about it.
Granberia was bandaged up, her bleeding stopped. She'd received blood transfusions. As usual, her recovery was remarkable, although she obviously wasn't going to be sparring with me anytime soon if she was smart. I was just grateful that she was alive. She told me that she'd let me know what had occurred on her journey with Sara when she got the chance. She said it was a very boring story until the end, but did think that I might be interested in some of the things she'd seen in some of the places I hadn't been to in a few months. The world was changing rapidly, so fast that if I had not visited a place in a few months, that place would be quite different in so many ways.
"So does anyone have any Ancestor sightings to report, other than Granberia, obviously?" Tamamo asked the room.
"Kanade and Kanon were in Plansect forest," Erubetie said. "I did not see them myself, but I was given reports of their presence. As far as I can tell, they were only scouting and observing."
"So we know what Saja, Kanade, and Kanon were up to the last few days," Alice observed. "That leaves Hiruko and Minagi. Alma Elma, any chance Minagi has been in Succubus Village?"
"I wouldn't know," she admitted. "I was looking for Granberry and never got to Succubus Village. I'll be sure to go there tomorrow and ask questions."
"I'm pretty sure we can guess where Hiroku is likely to be," Alice noted. "The queens of the north and south seas are very loyal. My worry is that if Hiroku is as violent as Saja was, they could be in grave danger."
"And there are less loyal sea monsters who would love to be queen in their steads," Granberia said sourly.
"The Dark God has made no appearance since our throne room incident," Tamamo reported. "We haven't the foggiest notion of where she might be. Okay, we're all up to speed on that, let's talk about solutions. As most of you should know, Luka has retrieved Promestein to work on a way to seal the Dark God and the Ancestors."
"That does not sound like a wise decision," Erubetie said. "I adore Luka's faith in people, but she will turn on us as soon as it is to her advantage."
"She will indeed," Eden agreed. "But the Dark God is her enemy as well. If she intends to betray us, it will not be to benefit the Dark God. I simply hope that she waits until after the Dark God is defeated to show us her true colors."
"I could easily see her just trying to seal all of us," Granberia said. "At least you did not insist on having her here at this meeting, Luka."
"I'm not as naïve as you all think," I said. "We'll give Promestein all the support she needs to do her job, as well as keep our commitments to her. She has every reason to behave herself given how much she's gotten in return. As she told me, there are no better deals to be had elsewhere."
"I have to reluctantly agree with my husband, " Alice said. "Promestein is our best chance to win and avoid bloodshed. Further bloodshed, anyway," looking over to Granberia, who was nodding off, probably due to medication.
"So, next steps," Tamamo said. She was so good at keeping these meetings on topic and efficient. She would have been a great corporate CEO. "Since they are observing and probably recruiting, we need to spread out and counter their influence. I'll go back to Yamatai. Alma Elma, you'll be in charge of Succubus and Lady Villages. Erubetie, you'll continue to monitor the springs and Plansect Forest. I only wish we had more people for this job. There's still so much area left uncovered."
"Sara will be a reliable ally in Sabasa," Granberia said, apparently alert again. Sabasa also had a large population of fairies, elves, and desert monsters. The Ancestors were sure to check that place out.
"I guess I'll go to Grangold, then," Alice said. "I feel bad about thinking this, but the Queen Ant might be gettable for the Dark God. The ant army is too important to let fall into enemy hands."
"Then I shall go to Grand Noah," Granberia said. "There are many powerful monsters in that city. My presence there, especially after the battle with Saja, will be needed to convince them that we are still standing strong."
"You will do no such thing!" Alice ordered. "You're in no condition to travel!"
"I will be tomorrow," Granberia insisted. "If it makes you feel better, I will sleep in and not leave until the afternoon."
"Fine," Alice said. "You've proven yourself often enough. If you say you're well enough, I trust you."
I knew that look from Granberia. She was ashamed. Was she not being entirely truthful to Alice?
"Then I guess Eden continent is mine," I said. "It's my adopted home and it's the largest area still not covered."
"That one's a firm no," Alice said. "I've never been able to talk to you telepathically, so if you get into trouble all by yourself over there, I can't help you. You're too important for this kind of duty. You will stay here."
"You always say you want to be more of a tech guy than a sword guy," Tamamo pointed out. "The best way you can help is to work with Promestein. And keep an eye on her."
"He also said he didn't want to be a hero," Alice muttered. "Look how that turned out. So help me, Luka, if you go running off into trouble again… I told you, when you're needed, you're going to be thrown into a very dangerous situation, with all of our hopes on you. Maybe we'll be there to help you like last time in the heavens, maybe we won't be. But you'll be the key, just like last time. We're not wasting you on low priority missions."
"Not to mention," Erubetie said. "as much as we love him, he is a human. He will not persuade any monster who believes humans should be enslaved to refrain from joining the Dark God. If anything, his presence would turn such monsters against our cause. I agree, Luka, that you can serve us best here at the castle. You know well that I will not hesitate to come and retrieve you if you are needed, even if the risk to you is great."
"I will return to heaven and prepare," Eden pledged. "I know that angels are even more hated than humans by many monsters. I will keep my host in heaven until actual fighting breaks out. Even then, I will not intervene until my own followers are threatened. I will give you monsters time to settle your own differences."
"I appreciate that, Eden," Tamamo said. "Besides, Luka, you're forgetting about Eden continent's most important protector. Micaela still lives there. The elves love her. There is no threat of any of them going over to the Dark God."
That was true. I was relieved. The meeting adjourned. I personally escorted Granberia back to her room to get the rest she needed. She was asleep as soon as I got her into her bed. I myself decided to see if Gabriella had time for some magic tutoring. She did, and began teaching me about yet another magic discipline, abjuration. Abjuration, at least the aspect of it she tried to teach me with little success, was mainly about protection spells. Even with Gnome, she worried that I was more frail than I should be. As powerful as I was, I was still human. She tried to get me to wear my magic as armor, using a similar concept to the shields I had gotten pretty decent at creating. Unfortunately, I could only get my shields to stop energy attacks, not physical attacks. She assured me that magic students take many years to learn even the basics. I should not be discouraged that I couldn't do what they could do in only a few lessons. Left unspoken was that I had little time to get good at using my power.