亚洲综合中美

Unimpressed nor bothered, Igna stood firmly before the four ladies. Their gazes downwards were rebutted by a harsher flare-up, his face and expression burnt a fiery ire.

“Welcome back to the Shadow Realm,” said Gophy.

“I’ll explain why you’re here,” interjected Miira, “-we’ve recently built the tribunal, consider it a first-hand account of what is to be later down the line.”

“Don’t interject so harshly,” said Intherna, “-I thought we’d be chastising the master...”

“Chastising you say?” glanced Igna, “-pretel, what are my transgressions?”

“Oh,” she stopped, “-didn’t think so far into it.”

.....

“Way to ruin the trial,” said Lilith, “-I don’t care for it. The master’s returned from an arduous battle, let’s not aggravate the situation.”

“As is wished,” nodded Gophy.

“To the throne room, it is.”

A short escapade deeper in the castle’s maze layout of corridors arrived a somewhat familiar room. No throne room, for a seating area over the well-tended garden to the back, felt nicer. The terrace expanded atop the roof neatly, the decorations and craftmanship shone in the intricate design. Here, he waited for the others, the mind wandered to and fro, ‘-what am I even here for?’

“Good to see you again,” said Gophy. The other three went about the table and sat, their outfits and overall feel were of strong leaders, the confidence and reassurance carried the weight.

“Likewise,” he returned, “-where’s Aceline?”

“Currently taking a shower,” said Cora stood behind his master.

“Fair enough.” Tea and sweets arrived on plates, the maids were bland and uninteresting, “-I honestly have no idea why I’ve come here. I should take my leave soon.”

“No, no, I excuse the strained way of conversation,” said Miira, “-our mannerisms and current state of mind are in a not so ideal place.”

“They feel guilty for not helping,” said Intherna, “-I wanted to, Gophy and Miira refused for it.”

“I was busy caring for our brats,” winked Lilith, “-I wonder how Asmodeus is doing.”

“Listen,” voiced Igna, “-can we drop the helpless act already, what is done is done, I came to check on my companions, evidently, the feeling isn’t mutual. Worry not, I expected more from me. Let’s carry on, the Shadow Realm has merged with Mantia and I’ve acquired the title of Watcher. I heard from éclair, a being in the overworld acquired powers from the late god slayer. I proudly say, the man’s been dealt with,” he gulped the drink, “-I’ll head out, good job on handling the realm, the people have smiles on their faces.” Nothing they said would have done anything, the Watcher, stoic and earnest, disappeared into the castle.

“Way to make it awkward,” commented Lilith.

“She had to do what she had to,” argued Miira, “-tis best for us, and him, to not exchange words.”

“How is that better for him?” wondered Intherna, “-I was never a goddess to care for intrigue. I take matters at face value, I don’t care about the thought and suppose strategy behind the actions. Gophy, about time you revealed why?”

“To make him stronger,” said she, “-did thee hear, he acquired the title of Watcher. Our guardian’s one step closer to the perfect being. Yes, I know, the perfect being is subjective, still, I trust his judgment. I also feel guilty for the attack, Aceline was distraught,” she called onto Cora, “-take men to the Overworld and start a security detail around the manor. We can’t allow a repeat of today.”

“Understood ma’am,” he knelt, “-might I ask for a favor?”

“Go ahead.”

“Is it plausible for lady Lilith to allow Starix to accompany me on my journey?”

“Not up to me,” she filed her nails, “-ask the homunculus.”

“Cora still holds amorous intent towards the princess,” winked Yuria.

“Oh, is that the reason,” giggled Miira, “-I see no reason to stop lovers.”

“Then it’s settled,” voiced Starix, “-I’ll work my hardest!”

Later in the afternoon, Igna was spotted in the sky beside the children. They flew from place to place, fought monsters, and laughed. The time spent away didn’t seem to matter, Saniata’s skill with the lute bemused their crowd, her use of music to affect monsters was very impressive. Meanwhile, Vanesa wiped a horde with a yawn and a half-asked incantation. Draconis fitted the olden style of combat, flaming fists to the charge, a punch would explode the land.

“Come on here,” waved Lilith, “-playtime is over.”

“Alright, enough for today,” said Igna. Vanesa quickly jumped to his back, Saniata and Draconis landed on their respective shoulders, “-nice work,” he patted their hands, “-you’ve grown very strong, and I see Draconis’s a bit taller.”

“Yes, I’m like 4 years old now.”

“Sure, you are,” the head shook mildly, “-a very strong four-year-old.”

The pretty Lilith waited beside water bottles and towels. Beelzebub cowered in her cradled arms, “-did you have fun?”

“Very,” said Igna, “-Saniata and Draconis have grown more than I would have thought.”

“Obviously, they are my children,” she snuck closer, “-you smell stronger and more confident, I like it, Igna, are you willing to bear a child of your own?”

“No thanks,” he kindly refused her advances, “-I’d feel ashamed for a lady of thy stature to bear mine.”

“Aw, such a tease,” she pinched his cheeks, “-I’m sorry about the others,” her tone dwindled, “-they’re pretty cold.”

“Not really,” he looked towards Draconis who fell asleep, “-goddesses have their own way of going about the mundane task of life. I won’t pry nor demand aid, the help as generals of the Shadow Realm is already a lot. I’m very grateful for them, they make the domain so much stronger, and in turn, make me stronger too. It’s nice to know I have a place to return if ever things are dire. What about you, Lilith, how’s life?”

“Very nice actually,” she smiled, “-I get to take care of my children, wander into town, and do whatever I want. Most of the days are used for training, the army’s gotten more proficient in handling arms of the overworld. They should come in handy as soldiers, tis a guarantee.”

“Well, a pleasure talking to you,” he handed over Draconis and Saniata, “-take good care of them.”

“I will,” veins sprawled out her fingers to cocoon the duo, “-have a walk home, I’m sure you’ll see more of the world.”

“I’ll heed the advice.”

The battleground swapped for the heavy castle gates. Guards nodded to lower the heavy metal blocks. They touched the ground with a lower dissonant boom. Vanesa settled in her favorite position; purplish support formed for her to be carried as a backpack. Even a pillow-like structure appeared, her face and lips told of a peaceful nap.

‘I see what she meant about seeing the world.’ Blond hair was spotted cupped out of view behind a building, ‘-why can’t they be upfront about their feelings. Best act oblivious.’

*PSST*

“Sorry, psst, is the latter acceptable to call for someone. Why’s lady Miira stood in such an undignified manner?”

“Come here, don’t make a mess of my evasion,” she pulled him in for an embrace, her tall stature made for the exchange to be pleasant, “-I wanted to say a few things. I’m sorry about the whole Scifer incident, I don’t know how someone could replicate his abilities. I fear there may be more, Hades’ launched his attack, before him, you’ll have to face the subordinate, the boatman will be the hardest fight – he’s the representation of the death tunnel. Take time and master the Watcher’s powers. I’ll do what I can to make the realm stronger. Totrya’s being readied for the eventual transmigration of worlds. I’ll need time.”

“Took the words out of my mouth. I appreciate the effort, thank you, lady Miira.”

“Good,” she tapped his cheeks, “-go, the others wait.”

A guess of other encounters garnered a smile, ‘-the goddesses truly are generous deities.’ Next came Intherna at the old Remington estate, the heavily fierce aura waited on the street, not even out of sight.

“Lady Intherna.”

“Cut the lady crap,” said she with arms on her hips, “-dude, I’m your friend. Just because I acquired the title of general, doesn’t mean I’ve changed. I don’t like how the others are treating you, I mean, I was the first-ever true ally you made. No matter what they say, if you ever need help, call out my name, I’ll drop everything and rush to thy aid.”

“Intherna,” he walked closer and gave a quick peck on her cheeks, “-always the one who can be relied on. I appreciate it, however, if the others say no, then, there’s a greater reason behind it. I promise to call if ever matters get dire.”

“No, no,” her face flushed, “-the kiss and now this, no way I’ll agree to such a cliché situation of, ‘I promise I’ll be back,’ cue the emotive piano. This isn’t that kind of story,” her impression of a manly voice brought a loud laugh, “-I’ll visit more frequently,” she returned his kiss, “-cause we are friends, rank, and title don’t matter, I’ll always be by your side, Igna.”

“Enough to make a man cry,” he sniffled in jest.

“Keep the drama for the overworld,” a mini-tornado of fire carried her presence.

‘She’s very eccentric,’ he walked to the manor, ‘-Gophy’s the last.’ The gate opened without signal, ‘-she’s here.’

“Igna, over here,” waved the goddess halfway up the curvy path.

“Might I ask why?”

“Nope,” an umbrella fell and she landed inches from his face, “-I was on a stroll.”

“Sure,” he smiled, “-a stroll so happens to be the driveway. What’s the matter, lady Gophy, something troubling you?”

“Yeah,” she lowered her head to his chest, “-I had a premonition of Zeus eating the apple of the all-knowing. To this day I have vivid nightmares about the pain I had to go through, I’m glad I was freed... but part of me,”

“No more,” he pinched and pulled her emotionless cheeks.

“Let go...”

“Sorry.”

The pale complexion burnt, “-why would you do such a thing.”

“To break the cycle of pity, I don’t know. Gophy, look behind us, the realm is a newborn baby, and you are its mother. Take care of it, the best way to move on is often to accept what happened and embrace something else. If you feel guilty about the gate and the attack, don’t be, I’m happy you didn’t. The absence allowed for a greater picture to be painted. Who’s to say what the future holds, thee art the general of this world, take care of it.”

“Man,” she exhaled, “-I felt bad for what happened. Turns out my master’s a bigger idiot than I’d thought. Water under the bridge, as they say, we must forge on forward. My stance won’t change,” she sniffed, “-looks like the other three have made their marks,” she gestured for him to squat, “-here,” *muah,* “-I’ve made my stand too.”

‘Her lips were cold on the sweaty forehead; I wonder if she tasted the salt...’

“Head on back, the Shadow Realm will grow sturdier, I trust.”

Back at the manor, ‘-my companions are very awkward,’ a portal opened, “-let’s head on back, people”