Chapter 232: Communication Goes Both Ways

“So, that’s good and all, but what’ve you got for me?” Orenous asked, popping her two bodies into the centre of the room, back to back like a mirror reflection of herself.

Ann had to take a second to collect herself. Having those gorgeous gemstone eyes and perfect smile trained on her had a brain-scrambling effect on her. Kat, too, from the looks of it. Girl was practically drooling.

“Well, besides whether you’d use this form later for better reasons, I’ve got a couple. First, are you ever going to tell us why you dipped?”

“Nope! Sorry, that’s above your pay grade, and not something you need to worry about.”

“She has a point. We are hunting a possible fundamental being for reality, and they feel slighted by your egress. Knowing the reason for your departure would be useful for various reasons,” Bren pressed. “Not just for the historical records and ramifications.”

“Qu’Sella really does pick the most annoyingly astute people,” Orenous grumbled. “Listen, that’s not my information to tell. We swore not to speak of it, and that’s binding. It requires a lot of people agreeing to tell not just you five, but all mortals. I can’t make that decision alone.”

“Alright, well, moving past that, I guess?” Ann shrugged, giving Bren a look telling him to back down. “You said there are other star systems you’ve been to. Are there other planets with life on them?”

“Did they not tell you about the Hells?” Orenous asked.

“Yeah, but I thought those were parallel dimensions.”

“Oh, no, other worlds entirely. That might have gotten lost in semantics, and it might as well be. So, yeah, when you’re summoning something, that’s travelling a LONG distance to get to you. It’s why the art is so difficult.”

Bren was writing furiously, surprising no one.

“So we aren’t alone in the universe,” Ann said with an unsteady laugh. “Holy shit, Dad would love this!”

“Dad strange,” Lucia said.

“New animals and people to study? Things adapted to harsh environments that are sometimes completely anti-life? He’d be falling over himself to get a look at that.”

“And he’d open a portal tae the virus hell. Sorry, Ann, but yer Dad would be a feckin’ problem if he had the power tae summon.”

“Ok, fine, yeah, but it’s still cool!” Her dad had volumes of every animal mankind knew about, from bugs to whales. He’d written some himself! Ann could see him up late, tapping away at his laptop as he worked on his next publication. “Ugh, I miss him.”

“I know,” Orenous said in that voice which made all worries want to flee into the darkness. “Would it that I could bring them back, but I can’t. Dead, especially for that long, is dead. If it’s recent enough, there’s a little wiggle room, but not five thousand years.”

“Wait, is Death a fundamental whatchamacallit?” Rosalyn gasped.

“Not death, no. That’s presided over by a God who values his privacy. Entropy, however, is related and qualifies as what you’re thinking,” Orenous explained. “There’s another who’s their opposite, but I’m not familiar with them. Really, it’s a strange position to be in. A universal force tied to all things living and not. I prefer my domain over the infinitely interesting people.”

“So the priest saying I was touched by two Goddesses?”

“Aye, an’ that they were worshipin’ the bitch, despite ye not knowin’ ‘er,” Kat added.

“It does pose a rather large hole in your story, Goddess,” Bren hummed. “If these fundamentals were personified, it sounds like they’d be beyond what Gods would normally concern themselves with. One planet doing strange things? That seems too limited for one of their kind.”

“Oh, I agree,” Orenous said, holding her hands up in surrender. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m just letting you know what I think may be the case here. I’m more convinced this is an old spirit. If it were a Goddess, we’d know her, right?”

That question hung heavy over the room. Ann wasn’t sure. Gods were supposed to be, well, not all knowing, but far more present than a single person. Orenous and the others had proven they’re not perfect, can squabble and disagree, and make mistakes. One Goddess among thousands slipping their notice? It was possible. Ann just really didn’t want to…

“Could have,” Lucia said.

“Sorry, context, sweetheart?” Orenous asked as she tied the woman’s long black hair in a tight ponytail.

“Could have missed. One. Too many. Is possible.”

Lucia, as always, was cutting to the heart of the matter. Orenous looked taken aback by the suggestion, turning Lucia’s face by her cheeks to look up at her.

“You really do embody your Goddess,” the stone giant sighed. “If Qu’Sella is reasonably certain we didn’t miss anyone, then I’m deferring to their judgement. Eas has run the winds and has not heard whispers of a Goddess or other Diety gaining worship.”

“No worship. Destruction,” Lucia knocked the hand holding her cheeks away. She flinched as her knuckles cracked against stone. Still, Orenous let her go. Her forms flickered again and were back in the middle of the group.

“Alright, then we’re not closing anything off,” Ann decided. “If ancient priests are calling her a Goddess, it’s on the table. Like Lucia so elegantly pointed out, you Gods can make mistakes. Know I’m supposed to be respectful and everything, but you sitting here naked is really throwing me off.” Ann was really having a hard time with Orenous, seeing those tits and cock were doing things for her, and the lips, the muscles, that beautiful hair.

“Well, do your best, Chosen,” Orenous giggled. “We could sate that curiosity while we speak?”

As much as Ann’s aching junk wanted to, her mouth going dry at the proposition, she shook her head. “Nope. Alright, so, stupid question here, but with the world getting all weird now, how many continents are there?”

‘Twelve. What you knew as Asia was split up a couple of times, and so was Africa. I don’t know if they’ll be relevant to your quest, but Bren can fill you in.”

“Awesome, what happened to the moon? I keep forgetting to ask you.”

“Remember how calamitous our return was? Well, a human blessed with great destructive magics decided his goal was to destroy the moon. We were already considering limiting humanity’s access to raw magics, and that sealed the deal. It took a lot of effort to get it back to its meteoric state.”

“Shit, someone Piccolo’d the moon?”

“Or Roshi,” Orenous shrugged. “I liked that show. You remembered a lot of it.”

“Right? But how? Was it like a big beam, or some massive ritual?”

“A ritual we have sealed. You won’t be able to replicate it, so the point is moot. Regardless, the moon will never be the same, and her deity has been fragmented and incomprehensible. I feel sorry for Her, but there is nothing we can do. Time will not let us do anything to revert what was done there. Trust us, we’ve asked. He mumbled something about a purpose and wouldn’t speak with us further.”

“Are there any archives nearby or where you think we might find useful information?” Bren asked.

“That is a question for your patron. Pray to them for guidance,” Orenous dismissed the question with a wave. The way she moved was heartbreakingly beautiful, even if her joints had that sound of stone moving over stone. Even that sounded comforting and beautiful in its own way. Like a master craftsman’s work hugging you.

“Um, so, what about me? Am I going to be stuck in the whole dealing with Xirali for forever?” Rosalyn asked. She was getting better around Orenous, but still pretty nervous.

“Dearest Rosalyn, I’m sorry, but that’s likely. Until you all find a cure or convince the Goddess to reverse these things, then I’m afraid you will be living with her.”

“D… does that mean I’m gonna lose more of my body?” The Druid’s lip quivered.

“Oh, sweet child.” Orenous rushed over and pulled her into a stony embrace. Rosalyn was shaking, trying to hold back her tears.

Ann and Kat walked over and added to the hug. Neither of them could stand to see their Lamb like that.

While entering the hug, Ann also got to feel Orenous’s form for the first time. It was strange. It was still stone, but she could feel it moving like there were muscles underneath it. Everything was smooth and cool to the touch, with absolutely no give to it at all. Even the hair, which she had to wrap around, was unyielding and part of the woman herself.

“You will lose, and you will gain in equal measure, if Kat and Ann are markers to go by,” Orenous whispered, her voice soothing. Ann suspected she was pushing on Rosalyn’s panic a bit, helping the woman calm down. She added to the effort with Stoke the Flame, but gently. “I will always be with you, even if Eas has claimed your soul. You are my Chosen’s treasured lover. That alone earns my favour.”

Rosalyn sniffled and nodded, adjusting her glasses, which had been knocked askew in the quick embrace. “Thanks, kindly. I just get so scared when I think about it sometimes.”

“You are far from alone. Kat fears becoming more like what’s inside her than she lets on.”

“Oi!”

“Ann worries about losing herself to her own changes, never to return to her new normal,” Orenous continued.

“I… yeah,” Ann admitted. She’d been stomping that fear down pretty hard since it started when she got her eye-changing ability.

“Bren and Lucia both worry about how their own transformations will manifest. Neither of them shows signs yet, but it will likely be soon.”

Bren and Lucia didn’t need words. Just a silent nod in perfect coordination.

“You are not alone, child. Speak and confide in your friends. They are here for you.”

Rosalyn nodded again, now pushing back tears with the heels of her hands. “Thanks.”

Orenous leant down and placed a gentle kiss on Rosalyn’s forehead. “You, my child, are always welcome. Speak to the winds should you need counsel. I can translate if needed. I know Eas can be inscrutable at times.”

“Yeah. They don’t really talk at all.”

“No, but you get to understand them after a while. Don’t give up.”

Once Rosalyn had collected herself, Orenous relinquished her to Kat’s mighty arms.

“So, our time will be soon?” Bren asked. He was openly holding Lucia’s hand, and the Huntress had locked her fingers with his.

“Yes. I cannot say what it will be, but using these two as examples, I can tell the level of corruption needed to begin the process. Kat’s took so long because the scales covered most of her body, I think. Rosalyn’s was quick because replacing eyes is both a massive adaptation as well as a critical weakness during the process. I do love them, though. They suit you.”

“Thanks,” Rosalyn said, still cuddled up in Kat’s arms and playing with her scales.

“I’m still betting tail,” Ann blurted.

“Oh, darling, ears would be cuter!” Orenous objected.

“I know, but can you imagine his tail getting all angry under those robes? It’d be hilarious!”

“Dear Gods, I am going to need to visit a tailor if that happens,” Bren groaned.

“Maybe eyes?” Lucia joined in on the betting. “Look fierce.”

“A fierce bookworm,” Kat laughed. “I’m wit’ Orenous. I want tae see yer ears, Bren.”

“Well, what about Lucia?” Bren’s cheeks were glowing, and Ann recognised a deflection when she heard it. “She has her own transformations to go through!”

“Hmm, harder,” Rosalyn hummed. “She’s got a bird, right? I mean, a phoenix if Ann’s right, but also a weird metallic one that doesn’t quite fit her story of the ancient ones. If I got eyes, Kat got scales, both of those are literally the most symbolic things for the creatures inside of us, so with her I’m gonna go with feathers.”

“Feathers?” Lucia gasped. “Oh no.”

Bren let out a cackle, falling onto Lucia’s shoulder. “The dark and brooding Huntress sporting a brilliant plumage? That would be hilarious.”

“Watch mouth,” Lucia growled.

“Or what? Going to shut me up?”

Lucia wilted under the teasing, her cheeks dark green as she tried to look away. Bren caught her chin and gave her a kiss that made their audience gasp.

“So bold!” Ann whispered, hand over her mouth in mock dismay.

Kat made a retching noise in her throat, but even she was grinning from ear to ear.

“Secret out. No point,” Lucia grumbled once she was released.

“Oh, Lucia, you may initiate most of the time, but I am far less concerned with our privacy,” Bren laughed as he wrapped the taller woman in a hug. “But I will be discreet around those we do not know.”

Lucia nodded, then clonked his head with a tusk. A quick look of dismay from Bren, and they were back into the hug.

“It does me wonders to see you two finally coming out of your shells. Do make this as awkward as possible for Kat. I love watching those muscles squirm,” Orenous teased.

“Oi! Not me feckin’ brother!”

“Sorry dear, I have to encourage love when I see it. Contractually obligated to do so!” Orenous bit her lip, raking purple gemstone eyes over Kat’s body. “Still, those scales do wonders for you. You’re sure we couldn’t have a quick orgy while we talk?”

Ann was a little taken aback by how horny Orenous was being. The woman was always flirty, but she was coming on strong this time. “You ok?” she asked. “You’re being way more intense than normal.”

“Hm? Oh, I guess I am. Stress does that to me. I want to blow off some steam, and I have three to five wonderful specimens in the same room that could do wonders for that. Gah, but I’m already feeling the pull elsewhere. I have such limited time despite being a Goddess. Next time! Next time I’m going to have fun, me damnit!”

“Where do you go between visits? How does that work?” Ann asked, cocking her head to the side. She knew the motion made her ears flop, and Kat loved it. Orenous, by the almost heart-eyed expression, loved it too.

“Godspace. Divine realm. Whatever you want to call it. It’s so boring up there, but I need it to maintain my connection to everyone. It lets me fall into this meditative state where I can be almost everywhere at once, but my touch is far more subtle. If only I could have planet-wide orgies. It would make everyone so much happier.”

“Alright, ye horny statue. Got anythin’ else fer us?”

“One more thing, but you’ll notice it in a second. For now, keep going and learn more about these people. I like the Eyes girl a lot. From your descriptions, she sounds charming. Anyway, gotta bounce. Open your hearts to all, and accept those who share theirs with you. Bye, Felicia!”

Orenous’s twin bodies crumbled into dust and disappeared like they were never there.

“Who is Felicia?” Bren asked.

“Please, just, it’s an ancient thing. Don’t worry about it,” Ann groaned. Orenous was absolutely digging through her memories to find those goodbyes.

“What do you think she…”

“WHOA!” Bren gasped. “I got a level!”

Everyone’s eyes flicked around. It was true! They’d all gained a level!

“But, we didn’t do any fighting, how did that happen? None of us follow a crafter’s path, or diplomat, or anything that would have been relevant besides the octopus lady the other day, but that didn’t level us, which meant she wasn’t that bad all things considered, even if she kinda kicked Ann’s butt, but still, how?”

“Goddess perks,” Kat laughed. “Ann’s patron’s given’ her girl a treat.”

“Don’t say it like that,” Ann groaned. “You make it sound like she’s my sugar momma.”

“The feck’s that?”

“Ancient term for someone who basically takes lavish care of someone else.”

“Gotcha, so the royal family’s Korvas’s surgar momma?”

“Nope! Not even close. I’ll explain the details later.”

“You sure?” Bren muttered, eyes locked on Lucia’s.

Ann only barely caught the question because her sensitive ears happened to be angled just right. She kept up the banter with Kat, poking Rosalyn’s cheeks to get a giggle out of her, but listened closely.

“Alright,” Bren nodded.

Ann hadn’t heard a reply. Strange.

“Well, everyone, an announcement. Lucia wishes to share her Path and skills with everyone.”

“Are you sure?” Rosalyn asked. “That’s really private stuff, so you don’t have to if you don’t. We all do because it’s just kinda easier to trust each other, especially with what we’re doing, but it’s ok.”

“Will. Is fine. Need trust,” Lucia nodded.

“Alright Bren, crack open that journal. Time to get people updated,” Ann laughed.

Character sheets! Gonna be changing up how I do this from here on. We'll have skill discussions, or mention what little stats are increased, but the sheets will be current in the page below. I will still have core stats every chapter they do level, though, so don't be worried about that. This just makes things easier for me to track with less errors.

Here it is! Enjoy!