"Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each."
― Plato
"Come on buddy," Ven tugged on a runic chain, linked to a collar on the Giant's neck. "Let's get you back to the system star."
His plan was to stake the foolish beast to the star itself. He could set the monster down and forget it, the system would keep it fed. Step by step, Ven dragged the Giant closer to his fate, when a shout called his attention to the surface of the sun.
"Let him go, you big meany!" A woman in a loose, white dress floated free of the system fire, a stern expression painted onto her perfect features. "You're hurting him!"
"Who the hell are you…" Ven squinted at the young woman as Ooulin rose from the star behind her. The turtle waved, a sheepish smile on his face.
"She is a lost child, saved by your Benefactor Star," Ooulin drifted to the woman's side and placed a hand of restraint on her shoulder. "This is Ven, the owner of the world we're in, be polite…"
"I don't think he's nice," The woman scrunched her face as she glared at Ven. "He's captured my friend and put him in chains!"
"Your friend…" Ven raised an eyebrow and gestured to the Giant. "You're welcome to take care of him yourself, just keep his hands off the stuff beyond this star." He tossed the end of the chain into the woman's hands and turned back to Ooulin. "I see you've been making yourself at home…"
"It's easy when the spirit of this star is so accommodating," Ooulin laughed as he drew a simple rune on the air. The light of the sun filled in the needed power, with no effort from the turtle. "I've learned much about runecraft since I've been free to experiment!"
"I'll bet…" Ven grasped onto a thought and made the turtle an offer. "How about this, you keep my Giant in check and I can provide you with a supply of these fruits." He held up a white skinned berry from the Tree of Life. "I just want to make sure he doesn't eat up all the planets when I'm not paying attention."
"Ohhh?" Ooulin took the fruit of life in his hand and sniffed. "A potent source of life, to be sure!" He hid the berry away in his shell and nodded to Ven. "I can watch over the beast, but you'll have to make peace with it, sooner or later…"
"Maybe," Ven shrugged as he watched the young woman frolic around with his Giant. "But I've got too much to do right now…"
He had a realm to explore, not to mention the fact that his true body was still locked in an evolution. It floated in an expanse of empty space, covered in a layer of tarry crystal. Who knew when the energy from his inner world would finish its work? Until then, he would play it safe and stay in his realm.
"I understand, but that creature is a part of you," Ooulin shook his head, a heavy weight in his eyes. "If you leave it to rot, you will only harm yourself."
"I know," Ven sighed as he drifted into the sky. "But he can wait for now, until we get a break from the rush of madness."
Ever since he'd brought the devil's into the mix, things had been locked in an avalanche of events that spiralled on their own. Ven longed to slow and gather his thoughts, but he had responsibilities to his friends. A few more days of effort, and he could relax and process, plan a way forward beyond the growth of Avalon.
"Very well," Ooulin nodded as the Giant lifted the woman and placed her on its shoulder. "But be careful, or she'll tame it… and you through it!"
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"I need to find a place of my own…"
Kalina gazed over the limited features of the Dragon God's miniature world. It was fun to train with Huan and Jun, but she needed more to build her strength than they did. She was a spirit of the water, separated from her ocean. Avalon had lakes, but she needed more. The interconnected flow of the open sea.
"We'll ask Ven to help us find a place where you can grow," Syy rubbed Kalina's back and wrapped her in a hug. She waved at Huan and Jun and whispered in her lover's ear. "Those idiots won't go anywhere, we'll slip off and find your ocean paradise, then swing back and rub Haun into the dirt!"
A smile spread on Kalina's lips as she dragged Syy backward, toward the bed. A rough shove laid them both flat, noses a breath apart. A twitch landed a kiss on Syy eye, a wet affair that drew a snort of laughter from the woman's throat. Kalina rolled to the side and stared at the ceiling.
"Alright… I'll send a message to the little fish tomorrow," She snuggled close to Syy, arms wrapped around the larger woman's frame. A wicked grin parted her lips as her hands roved lower. "Now help me forget my worries!"
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"I see you two are getting along…" Ven squinted at Cain and Chrisopher. Both men were deep in their cups, cheeks red in the starlight above Avalon. He turned to the bearded man, eyebrows raised. "How is the Earth doing?"
Ven wouldn't have sucked the world up, but it was the only way. Now both the planet's spirit and the resident humans had a whole new universe to contend with. The world's will could adapt, but the humans…
"They're fine," Christopher shrugged as he tipped a tankered to the heavens. "Those drones of yours have given the mortals a shock though…" He burped out a laugh. "Too late now, but I would have had the first introduction be from a humanoid, not an army of insectoid robots."
"More important than that, I've been able to grow my foundations again!" Cain staggered over and gripped Ven's shoulder, a wave of noxious breath that wrinkled the nose. "That star of yours is a wonder!"
"Thanks…"
Ven shoved the drunkard off and shook his head. This realm was a mystery. Cain knew some of its history, but Ven suspected this place predated the One God who used it to launch himself above other gods of faith. He left the pair to their fun and vanished to the depths of the realm, surrounded by a painted backdrop of stars.
"It's time to pry free your secrets…