It was 2023, Gideon had returned to Earth and he's been here for 8 months already. He was satisfied with how the world was turning out. Why this was, is because Gideon ascertained that the evil god targeting Earth was a few orders of magnitude weaker than the evil god he faced in the other world.
With this, pressure was lesser on him, but that did not mean he would do nothing to empower and make the Earth a force not to be reckoned with. He had been training Deborah for 8 months now and she's grown even more powerful.
The world's direction was going for technology and magic to become intricately integrated. Flying around in cars was no longer impossible, so Gideon thought of other innovations that he could introduce through Jane and Rebecca.
Through Jane, with her contract with Hephaestus, she was the most ideal candidate to push the world to a more technomagical direction. With Gideon's knowledge of enchantment and forging, maybe he'd be able to allow Jane to fully utilize Hephaestus' blessing.
And Rebecca was his representative who found outlets for his ideas to see the light of day. With these two alone, Gideon had changed the landscape of business and economy in the world as well as the direction of civilization and science.
The growth of the heralds meant more power to gods they contracted when feedback was established for their growth.
With this knowledge, Gideon was tempted to take someone in as his herald. After all, awakening happened more to more people everyday. This just shows just how many gods there were on Earth.
With a herald, he would also receive a feedback of growth and it would be an endless cycle of growth for both his herald and himself.
That's why, Gideon decided to have Rebecca as his herald. She had yet to awaken and showed no interest in it, however, he had enough authority to forcefully awaken her and have him as her contracted god. After all his Supreme Divinity and Divine Authority enables him to do so.
That was why, Gideon prepared everything on their wedding day… that is, if she agreed to marry him.
After all, he still hadn't confessed to her, let alone propose a marriage.
…
Jane was just waking up after the day peaked on the other side of the globe. Gideon had returned after assigning an endless task to the assassins.
"Rid the world of unscrupulous, wicked, powerful men and women who abuse their powers to oppress the weak and the downtrodden. Once you accomplish this and clean up the world, I'll free you from your oath." It sounded good to hear, as they had a chance to do this given time, but the leader was smarter than his subordinates. He did not tell them that this was basically them being used as butchers to clean up the world. Once they were discovered, they would become enemies with the most powerful people on Earth and who would they cry to if they got caught?
However, his survival instinct did not end there and he agreed to this task without hesitation.
"We will be your sword!"
"Don't. I don't need dull swords." Gideon shut him up after his passionate words were spat out.
Gideon then directly disappeared without reporting his departure to the Musashi Clan men outside who were still pretending to hear mosquitoes buzzing around them.
The assassins also did not try their luck with the Musashi Clan recognizing them as allies so they silently disappeared as well.
Gideon had returned just in time for Jane to awaken. Deborah was right at the bedside. Rebecca was as well. In fact, only father and mother were away, having a date on the sandy beach. This was a company beach that Gideon bought in Bora Bora. He had also bought company properties where they went to previously. This was in preparation for company retreats in the future. For now, they used it as a family, who would even try to restrict them?
As Jane opened her eyes and saw Rebecca and Deborah, shock was first her expression, then calm, then she rubbed her eyes and closed them only to open abruptly the next instant… finally, when she figured they were not illusions, Jane gasped in surprise.
"W-What are you guys doing in my room? How about your vacation?" Jane thought she was in her room and these two barged inside.
"Jane, you're here with us in Bora Bora. Gideon brought you here. Can you tell us why?" Rebecca was feeling a bit anxious. She was anxious because Gideon did not explain anything yet. He just returned and went back to sunbathing. After Deborah told her about Jane being here, she felt a bit jealous. If Gideon knew what was on her mind now, he would have reacted with, "Tsk. Women."
"Bora… Bora? Do you meant to tell me that I traveled a million miles to arrive here while asleep?" Jane processed what was said and she was further shocked and confused.
"Why… did he bring me here? Is he perhaps, truly, interested in… me?" Jane said but she hurriedly covered her mouth as her gaze landed on Rebecca who had a deeper frown on her face. Realizing her slip up, Jane looked at Deborah as if begging her for help.
Deborah though was simply chuckling. She was thinking other different possibilities.
"Debbie!" Jane felt frustrated by Deborah's chuckling as if she was happy that she was getting eaten by Rebecca's dangerous stares like she stole her last piece of blueberry pie! Rebecca loved blueberry pie after all.
"What did you mean about that just now, Jane?" Rebecca finally couldn't take it anymore and asked.
"Becca, uhm, that… I was just thinking out loud, I didn't mean much from it."
"No, you have to explain this or I won't let you go!" Rebecca showed a deeper frown.
"I just…" After a moment of silence, Jane explained how she thought Gideon liked her from the fact that he always comes to save her whenever. And with the addition of this incident she found out from them, her suspicion had began to fester into what it has become when she blurted it out.
She was expecting Rebecca to be angry while Deborah to be looking at her with a weary expression but to her surprise… she was holding her laughter while Deborah was outright just rolling around the floor laughing her ass off! All without a single sound coming out of her mouth out of pure unsuppressed laughter!
"Wha-What are you guys laughing for?!" She was feeling confused and a bit frustrated with them.
"N-No, um… Jane. Sorry for laughing. It's just… um… Deon… he's not interested in you romantically, I'm sorry to break it to you." Rebecca was the one who said this as if she knew how Gideon acted when he was with someone he loved.
"How do you know?!" feeling spiteful for whatever reason, Jane retorted.
"Ahem." Suddenly, a cough was heard outside the room. It was Gideon.
"What are you guys doing?" Almost immediately, the three girls turned mum!
"Sigh. Jane, you will stay with us from this moment on." Gideon just announced it like it was normal for men to ask women to live with them like that.
Hearing him like this, Jane looked at the other two and thought they were just jealous that Gideon was giving her more attention. However, the look in their eyes were that of finally being enlightened as to how Gideon really looked at Jane.
When Gideon left, Jane asked the two what they meant with their smiles, they were confident.
"Like we said. He isn't romantically interested in you, right, Debbie?"
"Ah, yes. He's concerned that you might get into an accident while involved in a business he currently has you doing. Since you're his people, he'd do anything to keep you safe."
"Is… is that really it?"
"Yes, Jane."
"Really? Phew! I thought I would have to marry him if he said so. I would have felt awkward and not know what to say since I'm not really into him yet."
"Haha! Jane, keep dreaming!" Deborah laughed out loud again. However, Rebecca was hung up on the words 'Marry him' as it repeated on a loop in her mind.
She was in dreamland right then. She was thinking how blissful it would be to spend her life with Gideon, the man she lost and yet got back again in this lifetime!
It was an hour later that Gideon returned to them and announced that they were returning home. This woke the three of them and prepared to leave. Before that though, Jane asked to have a dip in the ocean first before returning or it would be such a waste.
After all that was done, Gideon and company left for home. That was when it all started.
While Gideon was away in another world, Rebecca and Deborah were completely different people. They were cold and competent. Unsociable yet they were the best at their jobs. They were successful. Deborah's Johnsons Enterprise had gotten to the level of competing with bigger companies locally because of Rebecca and her own efforts. Although now, it got magnitudes bigger than before, their abilities were not just for show.
The point was, right now, as they alighted the private plane the company bought for trips, of course it was Gideon's order, flashes of camera all had them in their focus. Both Rebecca and Deborah were celebrities in the business and awakened world. Although Jane was not as well-known, she was also a beauty, so she was also an interesting piece of eye candy.
The most puzzling to these media people was, that the two they knew about walked behind the gentleman who was also a stunner as Gideon had dressed up for this.
Few media people knew him. After all, Gideon's name was only known to relevant people. The dungeons he'd destroyed were kept by the awakeners and heralds as a secret. Relevant organizations and corporations also knew about him, but the general common populace including the media were kept in the dark. That's why, Gideon's name was only known to people in the business of heralds.
The puzzlement was understandable, but the more puzzling thing about this was that there was a plane parked right beside the one they came out of with large words made of intricately designed flowers, saying such a romantic thing, "Marry me."
Who could pull moves like this? Only the rich. And Gideon was no ordinary rich man, he was filthy rich. When he called people to follow his direction, numerous ingratiating companies volunteered to do this for him. Gideon took advantage and looked forward to what they prepared. Before they left, Gideon had reviewed their plans and coordinated with them.
Now, it was show time. Rebecca and Deborah and Jane as well as mother and father were not aware yet of the plane that parked right beside where their plane parked.
When Gideon reached the tarmac, he suddenly stopped which also made Rebecca and the rest stop. He then slowly turned around and knelt on the ground before there suddenly appeared a small box that could only possibly fit either earrings or a ring.
Seeing this and after blanking out for a second, Rebecca realized what was going to happen next. "This bastard!" She was caught off guard. There were no tells at all. She felt helpless yet her excitement could not be hidden by her cold and indifferent poker face.
"Rebecca Jameson, you and I have been friends for way too long. Ten years I have been away, and yet you've stayed a friend not only to me, but to my sister who needed me most in my absence as well.
"I knew I couldn't repay you for that favor, not even with a lifetime. And what I am doing now is not a repayment of what you've done for me and my family, but…
"Instead, it is an affirmation of the feelings I've held on dearly for over ten years, trying to be worthy of a woman such as you.
"Today, I ask, I don't want to make this too long, I want to you to stay with me for as long as we live. Become the mother of my children. Rebecca Jameson, will you marry me?"
Gideon hadn't rehearsed this. He was speaking straight from the heart yet the power behind his words traveled a mile away. Rebecca felt this energy and she suddenly felt weak in the knee.
Seeing Gideon kneeling in front of her, she knew this was real. Without even thinking about anything else, Rebecca said yes, and extended her hand towards Gideon.
"YES!" as soon as she opened her mouth to say yes and extended her hand, Gideon also knew that he'd succeeded in earning himself a fiancé which gave him so much more confidence in himself.
Helping him, Rebecca hung her arms around Gideon's neck before she kissed him so passionately as if she couldn't wait for this to just go to the next level!
"Ahem." It was mother who coughed to wake them up from their reverie. It was inappropriate after all for PDA's to happen.
"Becca, I know it's too fast, but I know you're one to adjust so easily. I just want to spend my days with you for the rest of my life. So, will you accompany me in this long and arduous journey?"
"Yes, of course!"
Seeing the two speaking like this as if they did not exist, the rest of the team felt that they should just return to the plane and spend their lives there.
Deborah and Jane were feeling happy for Rebecca. They were a little envious. One because her brother was going to be with her best friend in Rebecca, and the other one felt jealous of her having a relationship she couldn't have at the moment.
It was then that a marching band, and a caravan after them started making such joyful noise to congratulate the two's engagement! The airport had been filled with media personnel so they did not lack publicity.
The unknown Gideon had stepped into the light and shown himself. The media wanted to interview this mysterious man who now had made Rebecca his woman.
"Sir, please give us a moment. What is your relationship with the Johnsons Enterprise?"
Question like so, came pouring down. He smiled and simply said, "Hello. My name is Gideon Johnsons. That's right, Deborah Johnsons' big brother. After Becca and I's wedding, I'll be having my rating, at that time, you'll have more to write about than today. Please look forward to it." That was all he said before leading his family and friends out of the airport to the convoy that his vassals prepared for him. His vassals being the Musashi Clan and its allies.
…
The proposal, the revelation, the anticipation. All these things gathered in on one person. Gideon had planned to do this so that instead of Jane, he would be targeted. He plans to announce that he was the one who found Jane's talent and that anyone who has designs for her would face his retaliation. His prime example being Monster Corpus Inc. which had lost everything in a matter of weeks.
He would reveal this in the coming days.
However, today was a special occasion. After all, the Johnsons Enterprise building had become abuzz because of his revelation and proposal to miss Rebecca whom they all admired.
Returning to work was not Gideon's plan. He came here only to announce that Rebecca and him were going to get married today and be gone for a week or so. So, they better not slack of.
When they found this oit, the women in the company felt so envious of Rebecca while the men wanted to kill Gideon with their stares for stealing their goddess.
Mother and father had been quite ecstatic also. They smiled so beautifully because they also hoped to have Rebecca as their daughter-in-law from the moment, she helped Deborah when Gideon disappeared to the otherworld. So now, they felt that happiness was well-deserved for Rebecca.
Gideon had been called by Wilhelm Carter to proceed to the venue of their wedding. A mountain that was rented for the sole purpose of preparing the wedding fit for a god!
That's right. Gideon was treated like a god by the Musashi Clan. Wilhelm Carter had a hunch that Gideon was even more monstrous than his sister Deborah who was already an S-Class whose recent activities was destroying dungeons left and right. She followed Gideon's will and completely rid the world of dungeons that were a year older. This way, the evil god would lose more and grow weaker for each dungeon destroyed.
This would give them a fighting chance once the evil god decided to brute force its way to earth through the dungeons.
The mountain had become a sacred-looking place on Earth after the Musashi Clan spent their fortunes on it. When Gideon who had brought his family over plus the family of Rebecca who supported this marriage saw the venue, they all admired it and gasped in surprise and shock.
"Deon… this is where we'll get married?"
"Of course. I'm guessing you've already passed my sister's tests a long time ago, I figured, why not do it right after proposing, right? I had some of my people arrange all this while I took you guys on a vacation."
"Son, I did not know you had a romanticist's bones in you!" Mother exclaimed as she slapped his back.
Everyone chuckled out of joy as well.
Soon, the wedding was on their way and preparations were done. Rebecca was without much makeup yet her natural beauty was what made Gideon truly admire her. She knew this so she refused to have her face be caked up. Gideon found his bride to be more beautiful than ever as he saw her wear the wedding dress prepared for her.
Deborah was crying tears of joy. Jane was still feeling bitter and envious because she had no boyfriend for herself, but she was also happy for Rebecca.
The rest of the people invited here felt the joyous atmosphere. Nothing was going to hinder this marriage.
Everything proceeded as intended and the pastor who would unite the two asked both, "Rebecca/Gideon, do you take Gideon/Rebecca as your lawfully wedded husband/wife and be with him/her through joy and pain, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Both answer one after the other, "I do."
And the pastor finally announced their union in marriage.
It was also at that time, that Gideon's greatest gift for marriage with Rebecca came. He whispered, "As my wife, I can't have you bot knowing my deepest secret." He whispered everything to Rebecca and then she found herself gasping and holding her mouth agape for every detail that Gideon revealed.
"As a god, I have the authority to make you my herald in name. And I, your only patron god. Will you become my herald and walk with me in life till death do we part?"
"Yes!" Rebecca enthusiastically answered.
"Well then…" Gideon kissed her forehead and it was then that light came from the heavens to cover Rebecca. Everyone here knew what this phenomenon meant. Rebecca was awakening and she was going to choose her patron god to become a herald.
Then Rebecca heard the same voice that Gideon and all other awakened heard the first time. Then, she felt a connection with Gideon as he guided her consciousness to be linked to him.
At the instant that the connection was made Rebecca and Gideon felt such a strong connection between them that they both felt so happy for it.
"I love you, Becca."
"So do I you!"
[The process of awakening will now commence.]
Rebecca was drowned by the light of Divine Authority. Gideon knew this was Divine Authority because it was consuming his energy somehow.
"So it was like this. Heralds gain abilities that resemble their patron gods but not really theirs. If they develop it to the peak, they could make it their own and not affect the god's powers negatively at all. In fact, it would positively increase their power through feedback. That's how Bia became a Greater Divinity."
"Does this mean that if Rebecca becomes powerful enough, I would also receive feedback?" Gideon pondered slightly.
Then the contract was established between them and Rebecca's natural beauty was highly enhanced by this newfound power she received from Gideon. And since Gideon wasn't a god of something specific in the universe, Rebecca was also a clean slate. If Gideon allowed her to grow to the point of godhood as long as the Sacrosanctum Concillium Vasis Dei was open, the Earth would produce gods.
Once this happened, the Divine Realm of Earth would continue to expand and the protection they can exercise would also increase.
Rebecca received knowledge, instead of skills and characteristics. She received the memory of Gideon's magic training. She immersed herself in that memory full of hardships and finally the peak!
She shed tears for Gideon and yet she also felt proud. And now, through these memories, she could follow his footsteps into the world of magic.
Performing magic by borrowing Gideon's energy. That was the number one prerequisite. To have a source of energy to cast magic with.
At this moment when she opened her eyes, She extended her hand, palm towards the skies and uttered, "Ignis."
"It got translated as it passed to this world huh?" Gideon knew what she was doing. She was trying out her talent. Ignis was a basic fire spell that summoned a flame that burned in different colors depending on your talent, or at least that's how they explained it at first. However, Gideon knew the truth in the end. The color was merely a reflection of the caster's own understanding of fire. If the caster has knowledge of fire that is supernatural, he can even put that imagery and summon the flame. As an example, Gideon had imagined the Eternal Flame, a golden flame that needed no other sources for fuel but itself. A flame that burned itself to burn brighter and last longer.
Rebecca's flame was taken from Gideon's memories at the peak of his magic abilities. So, the flame was black and its rage could be felt from miles away scaring the normal people into crouching.
"Becca, your family… they're here." Reminded Gideon. When she heard him, Rebecca seemed to have woken up from her trance and realized. She clenched her hand to extinguish the flame before apologizing to everyone.