Emma and Ben continued to watch as Alice stayed by Luka's side.
"Eventually he's gotta be moved out of this locker room, doesn't he?" Ben asked.
"One would think," Emma answered. "But who's going to tell Alice that?"
"Maybe we should go back to our hotel? I think Alice is going to be here all night. And I feel kinda bad to be watching her while she's mourning."
"Let's give it another hour," Emma suggested. "At some point she's going to get hungry…. Oh, God, I hope she doesn't try to…."
"How is he?" Eden asked from behind them, causing both Ben and Emma to jump.
"Geez, Eden, don't be sneaking up on people like that!" Emma whispered.
"You don't have to whisper," Eden replied. "Alice cannot hear you. The magic you are using to conceal yourself is god-level, or very near it."
"It's bad, Eden," Ben reported. "He's unresponsive."
"Not surprising. A powerful succubus is incredibly dangerous. A weak succubus is incredibly dangerous, actually."
"Is there anything you can do for him?" Ben asked.
"I can try," Eden answered. "But our best bet is Emma. Luka has healed his mind with his own power before, but he may lack the consciousness needed to heal himself. So Emma will have to figure it out. At least until Ilias gets back."
"Ilias? Where did Ilias go?"
"To deal with our two foes. I didn't want her to go, but I have to admit that aside from you two, she's the only one with the power. I just pray she isn't being foolhardy."
The three continued to watch. Alice had begun talking to Luka.
"I'm so, so sorry, Luka," Alice said quietly. "This is my fault. Who would want to do this to us, Luka? Is it Ilias? I guess it has to be. No one else is this vicious. How did she fool my Knights? I guess we don't really know the extent of her power, so maybe it's possible. It's so unfair. I'm going to take you back to the castle with me, okay? I'll take good care of you, whether you ever recover or not. I owe you that. You've been so good to me, so patient with me."
"Looks like we might have to follow her back to the castle," Emma sighed. "Whatever. There is as good a place as any."
"I love you so much, Luka," Alice sobbed. "I'm sorry if I haven't made that as clear as I could. You could tell, right? I'm sorry I didn't claim you, it's just…. Dammit, you wouldn't understand anyway. Understanding complicated things isn't among your strengths. It doesn't matter though. You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
Alice bent down and kissed Luka. She paused, as if expecting something to happen. When nothing did, she resumed talking to him.
"I don't know if you can understand any of this," Alice continued. "But I'm not giving up on you. You came back and beat that idiot succubus, even if you weren't even aware that you did it. We're continuing our journey, Luka. You and me. I know you'll come back to me soon. Maybe you just need the right stimulus."
"Well, if there's one thing the Monster Lord knows, it's a tremendous variety of ways to stimulate," Eden muttered.
"As much as I like her loyalty to him," Emma said. "I need her to go away. For just five minutes!"
"I'm afraid that's not likely to happen tonight," Eden replied. "I'm going to return to heaven. Stay close to him, Emma, and wait for your opportunity."
Eden returned to heaven. She was irritated and worried to find that Ilias wasn't back yet. She gazed at the scrying pool. It was still focused on Tamamo and Sariela. But Ilias wasn't there. Eden started to really worry, as she noticed how beaten up Tamamo was. There had clearly been a fight. And yet the two sinners still trespassed on her goddess' world!
"Ilias, I can't find you with the scrying pool!" Eden communicated telepathically. No response. "Ilias! Goddess!"
Eden knew it was futile. Her connection with her goddess didn't work like a walkie-talkie, where she could communicate and simply receive no response. The connection was always there. And now it wasn't. Ilias was gone. And yet Eden would have known if she was destroyed, she was convinced of that much. The release of holy energy would have been unmistakable. So what could have happened to her? Had she been transported off world?
"Emma," Eden called out with her mind. "However you get hold of Promestein, please do it now! The goddess is missing!"
Down on the surface, the "goddess" had caught his breath after his intense feeding session with Tamamo, and had already left the Grand Noah city limits, headed west. He didn't know why he was traveling in that direction. Only that somehow he knew that he was needed. What more did a hero need to know? His hero sense was tingling and he would follow it. Elias checked his sword. He frowned. It was strangely dull. Almost uselessly dull. Why was he carrying a dull sword that was more likely to beat his opponents into submission rather than cutting them? He shrugged. Oh well, I must have had a good reason, he thought.
After walking about an hour, Elias saw a family riding in a horse and carriage. Elias flagged them down.
"Greetings, citizens!" Elias declared. "I am the world famous hero Elias! I require a ride to Grangold!"
"Grangold?" the old man asked. "Why would you want to go that shithole?"
"Why, to do heroic things, of course!" Elias said proudly.
"Well, we can take you as far as Easton," the old man replied. "That's where we're going."
"Easton's in the Gold region?"
"Ayup," the old man confirmed. "Not much use for heroes there, it's pretty quiet much of the time. But it'll get you to within a day or two of Grangold."
Elias thanked the man and hopped into the carriage. He smiled at the two children in back, who smiled back at him.
"You're really strong," the little girl said.
"Why thank you, little one!" Elias replied. "My neverending quest to do good deeds makes me strong! Maybe one day you and your brother will want to do good deeds too, and get big and strong like me!"
"I will, but not Billy. Billy's gonna get eaten by a monster!"
"Will not!" Billy yelled. "Mom! Betty's saying I'm gonna get eaten again!"
"Kids…." The mother said sternly. "Be polite while our guest is with us. He's a world famous hero."
"I never heard of 'em," the old man grumbled.
Queen Ant looked rather unfriendly to Luka's eyes. It was a far cry from the way she'd look at him or more accurately, them(since they were two Lukas in one body) the last time they had spoken. Then, Queen Ant had promised a reward for Luka for saving her people. Perhaps that's why she was scowling? Sonya would never allow Queen Ant to reward him now!
"You have a lot of nerve, asking for my endorsement, Spider Princess," Queen Ant said angrily. "The memories of your army rampaging through here are still fresh."
"She's changed, Queen," Granberia said, this time quite sober. "After her defeat by the hero Luka, she joined him and assisted in saving the world. Saving your people."
"All of us insects assisted, save for Queen Roach, and I would no more consider her than this ambitious beauty. Frankly, I'm surprised that you would lend your endorsement to her. I'm even more surprised at Luka. Did he not have to defeat her twice before she came to her senses?"
"I… we… did," Luka admitted. "But she does genuinely care about her people."
"I would fight for all of insectkind the way I fought for my spiders," Spider Princess assured the queen.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Queen Ant retorted. "I used to think as you do, that humans couldn't be trusted and that we had to fight for our right to exist. But in the end, it was fellow monsters who tried to dominate us. The humans helped free us. This human in particular," she said, pointing to Luka.
"The world is changing," Sonya said. "Coexstence is growing. The world barely dodged annihilation. This is a golden opportunity to set the tone for the next generation."
"I couldn't agree more," Queen Ant replied. "My relations with the King of Grangold are warmer than they've been in our entire history. But I fail to see how crowning a new Queen Insect accomplishes anything towards that goal."
"Queen Bee thought she was qualified," Albert said, sounding far too hesitant for someone who was used to being a Monster Lord. Then again, Luka thought. He's not used to ordering around powerful females. It feels different when you're lording it over your bros.
"Male monster," Queen Ant said. "You are a politician, are you not?"
"Um…. I don't really think of myself that way," he replied uncertainly. "I didn't run for my current position. But I do have to keep everyone happy as best I can, so I guess there's an element of politics to the job."
"And how do you keep your subordinates happy?"
"Well… I… there's a lot of factors involved. Different tribes want different things. Some want access to abundant food, some want safety, some want women…"
"Ah, women," Queen Ant said knowingly. "So I assume the ants on your world are all male?"
"Actually, we don't have ants on our world for some reason. I mean, we have ants, but not monster boy ants."
"Interesting. But sensible. Males could never work together the way my ant girls do. Be that as it may, the point I am making is that some of your tribes value access to mates more than anything else, correct?"
"Yeah, definitely," he said. "A few years ago I had to help relocate the rabbit boys to a region that was more friendly to monsters. You know how rabbits are. All they do is hop and screw, and the hopping is only to get to their next screw, haha…"
"We ants can relate," Queen Ant said. "I guess this is more of a human political concept, but in politics, you sometimes maintain good relations through giving a group what they want in exchange for something else."
"You mean, like a bribe?" Albert asked.
"I wouldn't call it a bribe," she replied. "More a… benefit for my people. You see, I do not trust Spider Princess. Oh, I believe her change of heart is genuine, but the crisis has only recently passed. Once she gains power, there is a high risk of her becoming more ambitious and ruthless than ever. My people must be strong in case we must resist her. That means we need access to good males."
"Don't you already have free access to all of Grangold's males?" Sonya asked, fearing that she was about to be yet another monster to ask for Luka's semen.
"Grangold males?" she scoffed. "There are a few gems, no doubt, and I'm proud of the colony I've buit with those few worthy males. But to guarantee the future of my people in an environment where Spider Princess is Queen Insect, I need more assurances than that. I need to produce top quality ant girls. Warriors as well as workers."
"Well, you're not getting Luka to father your ten thousand children!" Sonya said hotly.
"Luka?" Queen Ant scoffed. "My dear, as tasty as his semen is, and as eager as I am to show my gratitude for all that he has done, I would never consider building a colony with his genes. It's Albert that I want."
"What?! Me?!"
"Your genes are stronger than the best human's," Queen Ant said. "And it won't take long. I've been saving my eggs for the right mate. Spend the night with me fertilizing them, and I will have thousands of warriors, fully mature in only two years. No tyrant will be able to overcome an army like that."
"Well…. I don't have any kids yet," he said.
"And you still won't," she replied. "Ant girls do not have fathers, at least none they care about. You would have no responsibilities in this matter. Just the knowledge that you had given me the greatest army any Queen Ant has ever led."
"Won't they be like… snake ants?" Luka asked.
"I can control their genetic makeup," Queen Ant said confidently. "They will look like ants, but have some of the attributes of lamias. They will be stronger, smarter, and have some affinity for magic. Those are my terms. One night with Albert, and my endorsement is yours, Spider Princess. With my army growing inside of me, I will have no worries about you changing in the future."
"Is giving Queen Ant an army really okay?" Sonya asked, looking at Albert with concern.
"I vouch for Queen Ant as I vouch for Spider Princess," Granberia said gravely. "Queen Ant would never commit aggression. Her army would be only for self defense. Even in the unlikely event that she fell under a hostile force's control, her army would still not be strong enough to overcome the Monster Lord'and her armies. I feel that this is a good deal for all involved."
"Well, now that you mention it, she is pretty attractive…" Albert said, staring at Queen Ant's ample breasts. "But I'm a sentimental type. I'd want them to be in my life. I guess I'll never really know ten thousand children of mine, but I'd at least like to be with them from time to time. Would that be all right?"
"It is… unusual," Queen Ant said, considering. "But then again, a male monster is unusual as well. There have been very few cases in our history of such beings. Given the unique circumstances, I will allow you to visit your ten thousand children whenever you wish. I will even put name tags on them for your visits."
"Then I think we have a deal!" Tamamo announced. "Albert, Queen Ant… you may consummate! In private, I hope. We have humans here. They get uncomfortable about that sort of thing."
"I understand," Queen Ant said. "But I must ask. You still have not received your reward, Luka. I can pleasure you while Albert fills my womb. I am excellent at multitasking. Or I can give you access to my loveliest children-"
"Luka would love some candy!" Sonya said quickly. "Luka loves candy."
"Candy," Queen Ant said skeptically. "I understand. I will order it at once. You shall have enough candy, Luka, to last you a lifetime. And our candy never goes stale. I hope that you enjoy it."
With a meaningful glare at Sonya, Queen Ant led Albert to her private quarters to finalize their deal.
Sariela and Tamamo were not happy. They searched the locker rooms. They searched the infirmary. No Luka.
"Since Alice isn't here," Sariela said grumpily. "That means she took him. But where? Do you think she teleported him back to her castle?"
"Maybe we should just call things even," Tamamo suggested. "He's practically a vegetable. Alice will be doomed to either care for him all her life, or decide to mercy kill him by eating him. Sounds like great revenge to me."
"It is insufficient!" Sariela roared. Then she calmed herself. "First, that is more a revenge on Alice than on Luka. Alice, I have little quarrel with. Luka is the one who used my body for his perverted purposes."
"I'd remind you that YOU violated him," Tamamo pointed out.
"But he enjoyed it! It was supposed to be torture and he… enjoyed it!"
"Who hurt you?" Tamamo asked.
"Perhaps I could be satisfied with this if I was certain he would remain catatonic," Sariela continued. "But you saw his revival of sorts. He'll come back, I just know it! We must find him, and take him from Alice."
"Then I get to keep him as my pet," Tamamo chuckled, rubbing her hands together eagerly. "He's already predisposed to be devoted to me, even if he doesn't remember why. I'll have him wrapped around my finger in no time, assuming he regains brain function. And if not… well, I've always wanted a man-sized doll."
"Just promise to make him miserable. None of that gooey stuff that made him love that other Tamamo for centuries."
"I have to gain my revenge as well," Tamamo replied. "But I also must reward him. His life with me will be a roller coaster of highs and lows. I'll torture him emotionally during the day, send him to heaven every night."
"At least let me have him once a year for my…. Special lovemaking sessions."
"We'll talk about it," Tamamo said. "For now, we have to find them. I'll go back to the castle in sealed form. I think I have that form pretty down pat now."
"And I will search the area, in case they left on foot," Sariela said. "But we must make haste! Time is now against us! We have no defense against the goddess should she be restored to her true form!"
"Are you sure we should have let him wander off alone?"
"He's strong," Sariela assured Tamamo. "As long as he stays on this continent and believes Ilias has commanded him to not get eaten, I can't see any monster overcoming him. Even your tails couldn't put him down."
"But he's also an idiot," Tamamo pointed out. "Idiots die stupid deaths. And what if the angels find him?"
"Thus, our time crunch. Our plot of vengeance is almost complete. We need only remove him from this world so that Ilias cannot save him."
With that, Tamamo warped to the Monster Lord's castle, while Sariela left the coliseum on foot in an attempt to track Alice. Sariela wasn't a natural tracker, but she was a powerful sorceress. She knew many divination spells. They would not be able to hide from her for long. Especially since Alice had no idea that she needed to hide.
Ben stared at his surroundings. It wasn't his first time in Heaven, but he didn't think he'd ever get used to hanging out with gods, angels, and legendary monsters. At the moment, the only monster with him was his girlfriend, Emma. Everyone else was an angel, which made sense, given it was Heaven.
"Wait, so Ilias went down to the surface to confront them directly?" Promestein asked. "Are we talking about the same Ilias, here?"
"Actually, no," Eden said. "Our Ilias is not your Ilias. I confess I was surprised that she chose to go down there herself with no backup. But she is not the goddess she once was. You must understand how close she grew to Luka and Alice during their journeys together on my world. She considered it her duty to protect them and she felt that she had failed."
"And she didn't want to risk her subordinates' lives," Promestein finished. "I just can't get my head around that. The Ilias I know has also changed quite a bit. But not like that. The Ilias I know would still have sent her angels to deal with them."
"It's what I urged her to do, but she refused to even consider risking us," Micaela said. "I don't even know how to live in a world where our goddess is like that."
"We don't live in that world!" Lucifina sobbed. "Ilias is dead!"
"She's not dead," Promestein said. "That's not what the device was designed to do."
"You stated that it was a god neutralizer?" Eden prompted.
"Yes," Promestein answered. "Killing Ilias isn't a long term solution, at least not for immortals like us. She is the spirit of the holy element. Whether she is conscious or not, she always exists, and eventually she would regain her true form. Containing her, sealing her, that's the way to control a god. On my world, Luka took away most of her power. She's been harmless ever since."
"So she's simply been depowered?" Micaela asked. "That would explain why we can't reach her telepathically."
"I'm afraid that device would have done more than depower her," Promestein said. "Now I can't say I'm completely clear on how it would work in practice. I couldn't exactly test it effectively. It was a theory, and frankly, I was hoping it wouldn't even work."
"Well, give us the theory," Ben urged. "what would that device have done to her?"
"It's designed to seal holy power within a body of flesh and blood. Spending a lot of time on Earth gave me the idea. You see, when a holy being goes to Earth, where there is no such thing as holy energy anymore, it's like a program designed on one system trying to migrate to another. It has to be translated into a form the other system can understand. So what happens when an angel goes to Earth, is that they translate into a flesh and blood human. So I created a device which would simulate that effect on the target."
"So Ilias is human now?" Eden asked. "Okay, so we simply need to find a short but lovely blonde woman. I'm sure she's been trying to contact us."
"That…. Might not be possible," Promestein said. "My Ilias especially had difficulties translating to Earth. I'm smart. She has a galaxy brain. She just doesn't always use it because she can't stand intellectual things. They bore her. That's why she created me. But since her brainpower is mostly holy energy, when she goes to Earth, she has to prepare herself. She has to compartmentalize her brain, prioritize what she needs to know. Basically, she's a 50 terabyte hard drive that has to get down to a single gigabyte of data whenever she goes to Earth. On Earth, she's still smarter than your average human, but that's only because she prepares her mind so that she knows what she needs to know to function there."
"I have no idea what any of that means," Eden said.
"Here's the Eden-level explanation," Promestein explained. "Her brain went from galaxy sized to human sized with no preparation. She's got maybe one hundredth of one percent of her knowledge, and what she has is all random and disconnected. She probably won't even know she's the goddess."
"Lovely!" Eden exclaimed. "Promestein, you have truly outdone yourself this time!"
"You don't even know me," Promestein pointed out.
"I knew your counterpart. All right, Micaela, Lucifina… we will scour the surface until we find her. We'll begin with Grand Noah and then expand our search outwards. She is mortal now. She can't have gotten far."
"Are you guy sure that's what Ilias would want?" Emma asked, speaking for the first time. "I mean, she risked herself to protect you all. If they still have that device, there'll be more holy beings walking around as mortals with no memory. Or worse. Each of them are stronger than each of you. They might just choose to kill you."
"What do you suggest, then?" Micaela asked.
"Let Ben and I keep doing our job," Emma replied. "I'll keep watch on Luka and Alice. Ben will go look for the goddess on the surface."
"We can continue using the scrying pool to locate Ilias," Eden finished. "I can't use it the way she does. She can simply will it to focus on anything, even if she doesn't know where it is. I must know where something is to focus it. But I can still cover a great deal of the world by using it."
"Then it's decided!" Promestein said. "I need to go back to my world. I probably have something that can help against those two miscreants, if I make a few alterations."
"What about Tamamo?" Ben asked. "Our Tamamo? She still doesn't know what's going on?"
"I'm definitely not telling her now!" Promestein exclaimed ."She would literally murder me!We need to fix this so she's none the wiser. As long as we give her a healthy Luka at the end of this, what she doesn't know won't hurt her."
"That's another reason why I need to stick close to Luka and Alice," Emma said. "She's bound to give me a chance to heal his mind at some point."
"Then let's all get to it!" Ben declared.