Chapter 268 – Freedom

"What?" I say, finding that I can open my eyes again. "I recognize you, I think." A beautiful, perfect face is looking back at me. It's similar to Space and Sex, but different. Somehow, I feel they are all perfect, yet different. How does that work?

"Divinity is a strange thing, my Champion," the Goddess says. "Sorry to make you forget my face, but I didn't want you to start asking my Priestesses about seeing me before you got that collar off. That stupid Mistress might have found a different buyer for you if you did. Anyway, I'm happy you found me before this child got impatient."

"Fertility?"

"Yes," Fertility says. "You did get Sex pregnant, but I destroyed the children. Goddesses aren't burdened by pregnancy, so I didn't wish to let that beast have your offspring for free."

"Ok," I say. My senses are starting to tell me more about the room. The collar must have taken a toll on my body, or maybe the Goddess is slowly letting me become familiar with her realm.

I'm in a soft bed, the Goddess with her belly sitting on the side. A pregnant dryad is sitting in a chair, knitting some socks and humming an ancient song.

Three heavily pregnant women in one room. Who will go into labor first?

"Dear," Fertility says, her hand petting my head, "it was the collar. I've fixed that little issue, so you don't need to worry about it. You'll be fine when you return to your realm. I have a number of pregnant women in this house, though you or I will be the first ones to pop. But I want to offer you something, dear."

"What?" I ask.

"Would you like to meet our child? I can force myself into labor if you like," Fertility says. "I had a few other options originally, but I think you'd be tired of them. It won't take too long for our child to come into this world, as my body has been made for this even more than yours has. But first..." Her soft hand moves down my arm and finds my hand. She directs it to my neck, spreading out my fingers so I cover it from my collarbone to my jaw.

Skin. Just skin. No cold steel touching my neck or hand. My soft skin is free for me to feel it again.

"Is it really gone?" I ask. "It's not just some trick of this realm or a vision?"

"You know this isn't a vision. You carry two children from Space in that realm, and then there's the one in my belly. I've wanted you to walk into a temple of mine for a while now so I could take that collar off. I made quite the deal to overpower Justice to do it."

"Thank you," I say. "Thank you. I would like to meet our child." I thought I would cry when it fell off. Maybe my lack of tears is because I didn't hear it fall, but I know I'm happy. And that's good enough for now.

The dryad speaks in an old language. Mana seems to be weaved into her words, but all that happens is Fertility chuckling.

"No, love," Fertility says. "Oh, I haven't felt a contraction in a while. Is it ok to join you in bed?"

"Um, yes. Is there something I should do?" I ask, trying to scoot out of the cloud of a bed. I don't make it far before Fertility drops down next to me.

"No, my lovers and I can handle it. You just worry about greeting our child. Fuck, they come so fast."

I don't know what she means by her lovers. The dryad is just sitting in the chair, knitting, and the door hasn't opened, so is she just going to do it by herself? "Are you sure you don't want my help?" I ask. "It is our kid."

"Kids are one of the few things that make Goddesses feel pain, but I can handle this, my champion. This isn't the first time I've given birth in this house. My lovers will know if I need help."

I guess that's true. She is Fertility, after all. So, I just hold her hand and wait.

The dryad finally gets up and takes Fertility's other hand for a second before doing the normal midwife things. Fertility doesn't scream as much as I normally do. I didn't think giving birth could look like it was just a play, all practiced movements that hardly show her pain.

The dryad speaks the powerful words again before Fertility has her first screams of labor. A baby's cry follows shortly after.

"Give her to my Champion," Fertility says. "I'll have more time after this to be with the child."

I don't know if it is Fertility or the Dryad that did it, but I'm stripped naked, and a child is thrust into my arms. The baby stops crying as soon as I get to hold her, giving a little giggle before her little hand presses the bottom of my sternum, just past my breasts.

"Contract," Fertility shouts. "What do you think you are doing?!"

The baby starts crying, so I move her to my breasts. "No need to yell at our child."

"Oh, don't play that game with us, Contract," Fertility says, ignoring my comment. "You knew what you did, and now you want her milk. Greedy little thing. You have to ask for permission to do that. And do that to my champion after she helped me give life to you? Hmph. You're lucky you're cute, and my champion isn't mad at you."

"Why would I be mad at our child?" I ask. "Wait, Contract? That's her name?"

"Yes, she is a Goddess. That is how we are named."

"Didn't you have a name before you were a Goddess?" I ask. I have a Goddess drinking from my breast. Is she even able to benefit from my Skills?

"Maybe, but I have a number of reasons to forget it. You may get a better response from the others who have become Goddesses rather than been born into it through one way or another. It is just easier to go by the affinity. It saves me from having to provide a list of names that no one will use. But thank you, Alzi, for holding my hand. I didn't know that would feel so nice."

"Glad I was able to do something."

"Yes, this was the best birth I've had. Is she being nice to you?"

"She is. It's relaxing, having my breasts being emptied. I've just gotten used to the pressure over the years."

"Sorry about that," Fertility says. "I thought champions were found early on in their lives, and I wouldn't need to worry about you. I'm sorry I was so wrong. I've been trying to make it better, but Sex has been getting in the way."

"I'M NOT GETTING IN THE WAY!"

*** Sarania ***

"Alzi is free," I whisper. "Thanks, Mother." I was getting worried about how long it was taking. I didn't think the Princess would keep Alzi as a slave for so long, yet the days kept passing me by.

While my belly has been swelling with our child.

I should've risked it and served Alzi while she was a slave. I let my fear of what they've done and are still doing to my sister scare me off. So many of my sisters are dead now. Only two succubi remain who are direct descendants of Mother, so could I really risk getting locked up? Perhaps another sister of mine is alive, but if she is, Mother hasn't said anything, and they've hidden themselves well. Too well to think they will ever come out of hiding again.

Yet I'm attaching myself to a Champion of the Goddesses. Alzi had better not turn me over, but she's too sweet to do that, and Fertility will accept me if I help her correctly.

Worrying won't help anything; I have to keep this promise. One kid won't be enough for me, and I'm sure Alzi is only growing in value for the nobles. I take out the teleportation stone and crush it in my hands, my vision going black for a second before I see a Fertility Temple. The cold air reminds me of my need for haste. I'll have to get used to serving Alzi in more than just Sex, though I haven't even served as a sexual slave in centuries. I may need Alzi to bloat me with children just so I can hide the extra fat I'm going to be getting from serving my Mistress in bed.

The heat in my core does little to combat the wind, so I push forward, trusting that Fertility will respect her Champion's deals.

Inside, Alzi is naked on the altar, asleep. A group of women and one man are in a circle around her, one of them currently being mounted by the man as they chant.

I don't see the Princess, so I should take Alzi away. The collar is on a table, so they must have somehow taken her in the war.

If they wish to have sex before Fertility, then so be it. I can even help their man give them all a chance. If they stay lucid enough to take turns.

I get them moaning in primal lust as I walk past the empty pews. A pregnant woman carrying another pregnant woman will be weird, but the worst part will be finding a place to hide.

Reaching the altar, I finally see my newest Mistress. One that has blessed me with a child and that I hope to serve for centuries to come.

"I'm here, Alzi," I whisper. I clothe her beautiful pregnant form in a simple blanket. Her breasts have filled out nicely since the last time I saw her, so I'm sure I'll have to use mana to keep up with her now. Sex has made her claim over Alzi known, the poor dear. "Let's go somewhere safe, my Mistress."

*** Alzi ***

The house shakes with the voice, and Contract starts to cry in my arms. Fertility stands up as the air vibrates with power.

The intruder isn't finished yet, "OUR CHAMPION CAN STILL FILL HER ROLE TO YOU. SEX IS NEEDED FOR YOU."

"Go away, bitch. No need to yell. No need to interfere at all. Just leave. You've done enough damage as it is. Or do you plan to rape our champion again? I would be happy to give every Goddess proof that I can make pregnancies a painful experience for even them."

"ALZI, THIS LAZY BITCH HASN'T DONE A THING FOR YOU. I'M WITH YOU ON GETTING REVENGE ON THE ENTIRE REALM. DON'T LET A SINGLE WOMAN GO FREE!"

"Sorry, Alzi, but our time is at an end. I do not wish for you to see a fight between Goddesses yet. And it seems that a succubus is taking you out of my Temple anyway. Try to see me soon; I'll have Contract around for a while and wouldn't mind carrying another child of yours if you wish. Or we can just talk about our shared experiences. I'm sorry for failing you. I'm doing what I can to correct that."

I don't get to say thank you. Instead, I feel the realm of dreams taking me once again.