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“You're back quicker than I thought. Did the little transmigrator manage to kick you out of his dream?”
Amanises had just returned to her divine kingdom, “ No, but Adam was quite upset about me ‘disturbing’ the kitten's sleep, so I decided to leave.” And she came to a sight that she considers most divine.
Her beloved Lilith was laying in the garden, surrounded by flowers… completely naked. The Evernight Goddess quickly forgot about all that had happened as she stared at Lilith's body, practically getting a nosebleed. Oh how blessed I am that My Beautiful Lils has such a big heart! And is a nudist… sorry naturalist.
Walking over to sit next to Lilith, she decided to mention, “You're going to either love him or hate him.”
“Oh, and why is that?”
Smirking, Amanises replied, “He has the guts to call me a Bitch to my face.”
Hearing that, the earthen mother burst out in loud laughter, the sound being sweet on the demonic wolf’s ears.
~~
Medici didn't know why he was suddenly travelling to the southern continent. He wanted to be in Buckland because he could feel the upcoming war boiling in his non-existent veins.
Eventually he comes across the reason for the unnatural call. It was a blond hunter, or more specifically something in him. Looking around the room he appeared in he saw plenty of sketches and art supplies. Not bad, reminds me of Ouroboros… and he's a Hunter, sequence 5…
“Who are you and how did you get on here?”
Anderson had been sketching away, trying to take his mind off the thing growing inside him, and the troubles of finding reliable people to join his crew. He was not expecting an Evil Spirit to show up, especially not one with long red hair and wearing black armour. If it wasn't for the situation, I'd love to ask him to pose for a portrait. He was also acutely aware of the thing in his stomach pulsing.
“Who I am isn't important right now, what’s important is that thing inside you. Tell me about it, blondie.”
He's provocative, was he a hunter before becoming a spirit. Mustn't have been a good one. “I don't know, all I know is that it was put there by some blond priest.”
Blind priest? Oh ho! “ A spectator?” Anderson nodded at that. “This'll be fun.”
Medici stood in a pious manner and started to pray to the Fool, “... Your son's gone and fucked up. He impregnated a guy.”
~~
Klein went to the grey fog when he heard a new prayer, and was surprised to see it was Medici. Looking at the star he saw that he was with Anderson Hood, but the moment he heard ‘impregnated’ his thoughts stopped.
~~
“Uh, was that prayer supposed to do something?” Anderson was staying cautious, he could tell that he wasn't a match for the spirit.
“Sit tight, He'll be here any moment now.”
Just as Medici finished speaking, Anderson saw all the colours around him become more vibrant, and suddenly a new person, being, stepped into the room. He had elven features, bright yellow eyes and was wearing a strange black and yellow outfit that was very intricate and flowy.
“Medici, what do you mean one of my sons impregnated someone?!” The voice was cold, matching the expressionless face. Oh how I would love to paint a portrait of Him, the angles and lighting would need to be perfect though.
“Well Blondie, why don't you tell Mr. Fool here about what's growing inside you?” Medici had given Anderson a light kick to get him to focus.
Looking at the now named Mr. Fool, wait Mr Fool as in the God that cursed…crap I need to focus! “Uh, Hello my Lord. So, uh, a blond priest looking spectator soaked me in some potions and planted a crystal inside me that's been growing like a baby, I guess? I've been trying to complete my Demigod ritual in hopes of absorbing the thing in the process of becoming a high sequence beyonder.”
So the spectator he offended and owed a task to was Him then? I know those two don't understand humanity, but this needs to be dealt with appropriately. “Anderson Hood, does the spectator in question look like this?” About his hand, Klein conjured an illusion of his son's face.
“Yes, that's him!”
“I see. In that case, Adam, would you please come here?” Anderson did not understand why He simply called the name, but he quickly realised the reason when the spectator in question showed up.
“Is there something I can help with Mother?” Mother, but it's Mr. Fool a man? Genderless or Gender fluid perhaps? Something must show because Mr. Fool decided to speak up. “I prefer masculine pronouns, only a select few are allowed to refer to me in the feminine.”
Turning his attention to Adam, Klein continued. “ Care to explain the situation with Mr. Hood over here?”
Looking at Anderson, Adam gave his mother a gentle smile, “A rather indigenous idea I came up with! You see, the crystal would grow and feed on his body, itself becoming an ideal vessel for Medici here. One human life is a sm-” before he could continue he was hit over the head with a sandal. Though hard, it was the unexpectedness of the hit that affected him more.
“Mother? Why? Isn't a stable vessel for Medici a good thing?”
“ Tell me Adam, is Anderson Hood a hardened criminal in any capacity?”
“No?”
“Was he fully aware of the process being done to him and the consequences thereof? Was he consenting to it out of his own free will?”
“No…” Adam couldn't understand where his Mother was going with this, it was only one human life?
Before he could think further, Thwack, he was hit again.
“Mother! Please do not hit me again! What's so important about a single human life?”
“Single human life? It's not about human life so much as an innocent life! If he had willingly agreed to give up his life to create a vessel for Medici it would be one thing. If he was a remorseless criminal I wouldn't even care as much. I've killed plenty of people myself, but I draw the line at purposely harming innocents in this manner. I have overlooked your hand in the war to come because it takes more than one person to start a war, but this is a completely different situation! What would your Father say knowing you purposely harmed the innocent?” That last bit hit Adam hard, knows all too well his Father's sacrifices.
Medici and Anderson subtly glanced at each other before looking back at the entertaining scene in front of them, a terrifying scene, but entertaining none the less.
“Do you remember what I made Amon do?” Adam did not need a bigger hint than that. He carefully walked around Klein, keeping an eye on the sandal in his hand before blowing deeply before Anderson.
“I humbly apologise for the experiences I have put you through and for implanting the vessel inside you.”
Anderson was looking between Medici, Mr. Fool and Adam, the spectator angel bowing and apologising to him. “So, uhm, mind explaining this whole situation to me?” While saying ‘situation’, he waved his arm over Adam. Medici, hearing the question, just shrugged and looked at Klein.
“My errant son will continue to stay bowed and apologise until you are satisfied.”
Hearing this, Anderson took a quick step back, holding his hands defensively in front of him. “No, no it's ok! Really! No need to apologize any further!” He did not want to risk the Angel coming back later to take revenge for the humiliation.
“There's no need to be afraid, my son would not risk my ire by taking revenge on you. The humiliation of apologising in such a manner is part of the punishment.”
By now, Adam had started saying his third apology. “No, no! It's fine! I, uh, I accept your apology Adam.”
After hearing that, Adam stopped speaking, and slowly stood up straight, his face was mostly blank besides a slight downturn of his lips. He gave a nod of acknowledgement to the hunter before turning to face his Mother again. “Is there anything else Mother, or may I leave?”
“That depends, do you have any other projects like this running around out there?” Adam thought over all the things he currently has going on before responding. “No, I do not, Mother.”
“Good, remember, do not harm the innocent. Those who indulge in evil deeds are free game. If you are unsure, you can ask me for advice, okay?”
“Okay, Mother.” With that said, Adam disappeared.
“Hot damn, I don't think I've ever seen that brat swallow his pride so completely.”
Raising an eyebrow at Medici, contemplating hitting him, Klein decided on a different course of action. “Considering the situation, I believe you would be best suited to help the baby hunter with becoming a demigod, yes? I would suggest asking Ouroboros for assistance, He has marked Anderson before.”
Before waiting for a response, Klein turned around and entered the spirit world.
Medici swallowed his response when he saw Klein leave. Scratching his head, he turned to Anderson. “Guess I'm stuck babysitting you Blondie, so mind telling me about how you know Ouro?”
Is this how Danitz feels with Gehrman around? I'm never making fun of that again!
~~
On his way back, he heard a new prayer, but he didn't even need to go above the fog to see who, he was familiar with that voice. Without hesitation, Klein changed his destination to the Corpse Cathedral.
~~
Grisha could sense someone entering the Cathedral, RuiRui, and looked up at his room's door to see a most stunning sight. His beautiful Eve was standing in the door, dressed in a stunning black and yellow hanfu. But the part that caught his eyes the most was the bright yellow eyes. He truly looks more divine than any god that exists, past and present. Before he could let his eyes feast further, the hanfu disappeared. An illusion then, should I imagine him the real thing?
“You know, cameras exist in this epoch so why not take a picture?”
“A picture could never do justice to sight before me.”
Klein smiled at the complement, but as he started to turn his eyes back to brown when Grisha stopped him. “Please don't, I quite like the yellow eyes. Combined with your Asian features, it makes you look far more stunning, like a true exotic god!”
“So, the himbo’s got a thing for exotic coloured eyes hmm? Well… I'll keep them like this just for you ~”
While talking he made his way over to Grisha, and after finishing talking, he leaned down to give the sitting man a chaste kiss.
Grisha was not satisfied, he reached up to Klein’s neck, pulled him for another kiss, one that was a bit deeper, and most definitely longer. He was just planning to lick Klein's lip, hoping to deepen the kiss even further when Klein pulled back, giving him a cheeky smirk, “Tease.”
“Always, and as much as I would love to continue this, I will not until you're fully healed and resurrected.” Taking the opportunity, he sat down next to Grisha, leaning into him.
“I know, I know. ‘You can't give proper consent when you aren't mentally capable’, I haven't forgotten but a man can hope can't he?” He gave an over exaggerated sigh, all the while leaning on Klein, wrapping his arms around him. “So mind telling me why my Aurora order has been going on about three new holy sites in their prayers?”
Hearing about that, Klein gave a low chuckle, Grisha could feel the vindictive satisfaction coming from it. “Oh it's not much, our sons helped me with a little personal project you see. At the Bayam Storm Cathedral Adam helped me give the Airhead’s people a phobia of storms, lightning, and oceans in the case of the sea king. In Balam Amon helped steal the Know-it-all’s books, and I burned them before His followers. Amon is having fun stealing any new books they get or write. As for the Blazing Narcissist, I had Amon steal some of the darkness from the Forsaken Lands and drop it right inside His main Cathedral. And I may or may not have spoken some messages about how they are traitors and being cursed in the name of the Fool. Your Cultists have been gathering around those spots claiming them as Holy Sites, worshipping both of us there. The three churches are trying their best to stop them, but are stretched too thin trying to find my worshippers.”
Klein proudly bragged about his actions, and Grisha can't help but marvel at his boyfriend's creativity and bravery. Taking Klein’s he drew his attention to himself. “ Please promise me that you are staying safe? I can't bear the thought of losing you, not again or ever.”
Hearing that brought a soft smile to Klein's face. He took his hands from Grisha's and held his face instead. Klein brought their foreheads together, “I promise you, I am being very careful and not taking any uncalculated risks. Besides, I'm not doing this alone, our sons are quite protective of me, and Ouroboros and Medici are too, despite their best efforts in hiding it.” After declaring that, he sealed his promise with a kiss, and a second one too. Can't you resurrect faster? These kisses are the real teases!
“ Well I'm quite sane as is.”
Klein pulled away from Grisha hearing that, using his confusion to flick his ear. “ Really? Reading my mind just like that? No wonder your brats are so rude, it's the example you set for them.” Klein wasn't really upset, just putting on a show.
“Oh so now they're my brats? No longer our sons? How harsh my Sweet Ming. Whatever would they think after hearing that?” Grisha leaned back, putting a bit of distance between them, but his lips were curled in a teasing smile.
“I know what they'll do. They would do everything to get back in their Mother's good graces, even if it means pranking their Father, or perhaps even because it means that they'll get to prank you. I wasn't kidding when I said those two are overprotective.”
Hearing about how his sons treat his beloved Fairy, Grisha couldn't help but smile. “You don't mind them calling you Mother?”
Klein shook his head, “It took a while to get used to it, but now, I actually kinda like it.” Klein himself had a gentle smile, he was thinking about the time he spent with his sons the last few months.
“I've got a surprise for you.” Klein slowly stood up and walked over to the table. Make sure Grisha was watching, he reached into the historical void and pulled out a rechargeable speaker with a USB plugged in. Seeing this, Grisha recognised it. He slowly got up himself as Klein was focusing on turning the speaker on and setting the music to splay.
After getting the speaker to work, Klein turned around to see Grisha standing in an exaggerated bow, one hand extended. “May I have this dance Zhou xiānsheng?” “It would be my pleasure Dr. Adams.” Klein took Grisha's hand, stepping in close. He put his other hand on Grisha's shoulder while resting his head on the crook of his neck. He could feel Grisha taking him by the waste, pulling him even closer, if it was possible. Soon they started to gently sway to the music softly playing in the background.
They spent the rest of the afternoon like that, gently dancing together and quietly talking about all sorts of things.
“I need to leave.” Klein unfortunately had to end their time together. “It's going to be a full moon tonight, and one of mine is affected by Bethel's ravings, so I pull her into the Castle to be safe.”
“Bethel Abraham?” This was new news for Grisha.
“Yes, he's been corrupted and sealed away, but on full moons his seal weakens and can interact with the world, but it's mostly mad ravings.”
“Oh, I wonder how Amon and Antigonus are handling that.”
“Antigonus lost control some time ago and was sealed away on the peak of the Hornacius Mountains. But why did you bring up Amon? Is he close with them?”
Losing both Bethel and Antigonus after my betrayal? Oh, my poor Crow! “Those three were thick as thieves, even before I was betrayed. I would bet a lot that they were more than just friends, or they became something more after, perhaps.”
“Oh, I didn't know. Neither of them have mentioned anything in that regard, but I can see why they wouldn't…” walking over, Klein gave Grisha a final hug, “It's time for you to rest again. Focus on getting better and let me worry about our sons, mkay? I'll make sure both are healthy and safe.”
Leaning into Klein, Grisha breathed in his scent deeply, memorising it. “I trust you with them, but you shouldn't forget to take care of yourself too.” He placed a his on Klein's head before lifting his face and giving him one last kiss on the lips. “I hope to hear more interesting stories from you next time. I love you my A’Rui.” With that, he let go and went over to the bed.
Klein gave him one last smile, “And I love you, you simp, always.” With that he left.
~~
Miss Magician was once again above the grey fog. She was hoping to find out more about Fairies, but Mr. Fool was preoccupied with a red Star, and she would not dare to interrupt Him with whatever He’s busy with.
Klein on the other hand was watching as Trissy completed the ritual to talk with Mr. Door, Bethel Abraham, to learn about the way to enter the Tudor Ruins.
~~
“So the key is a bit of blood from each pathway?”
“Yes, that is correct. As for the ritual to set me…”
Trissy didn't hear anything else. She had lost control of her body! Just like that night! Am I going to die now? She watched as her hand pulled a monocle out of nowhere and put it on her right eye.
“Hey Bethel ~ been a long time, huh?”
Mr. Door was quiet for a moment before he whispered, “Amon, is that really you?”
“Yeah, yeah it's me Starlight. I'm here. I miss you, you know.”
“Oh, my dear crow…”
Amon took an unnecessary breath. “Starlight, I know time is short but I need you to listen okay? I need you to separate one of your characteristics and a Worm of Star. I'll do this ritual again to collect them when you have.”
“Amon, please tell me you're not planning to…”
“I'm not, well not anymore… My Mother woke up and will be needing them, so please? Can you do this for me?”
“Amon-”
“Please Bethel, once Mother is fully the Lord of Mysteries, he would be able to help you, you and Antigonus both.”
“Alright, I'll try, but it might take some time.”
“Thank you, Starlight.”
Soon after the ritual ended, Trissy regained control of her body, but had no memory of Amon even taking over.
~~
Back in the Castle Klein saw all of this. Seems like my himbo was right, they were more than just friends.
Checking where Amon's main consciousness was, Klein pulled him above the fog. “Little Crow”.
Amon could tell his Mother was watching over the ritual and probably saw everything, so getting pulled to the Castle was no surprise. Hearing him call Him Little Crow, Amon turned into bird form and flew into his Mother's waiting arms. Snuggling in, he could help but ask in a small voice, “You'll help right?”
“Yes.” Short and definitive. I will free them both of corruption. Klein promised that to both himself and Amon.
Fors felt like she was intruding on something special, sacred even, so she kept to herself trying not to think blasphemous thoughts… like how cute crow Amon is, and how peaceful Mr. Fool looked taking care of him like a doting parent, no! Bad Fors! Stop! You are not writing a story about a parent whose child was turned into a bird and they must find a way to break it. No! Stop thinking things like that! Focus on anything else! Like the table, it's a nice table.. but…