From Real to Realm

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

Qhemeria’s heels echoed through the beautiful marble hall as she walked. She always did enjoy the way everything looked so polished. Even now, she could see her reflection in the floor when she looked down.

“What do you think the meeting is about?” Feyris asked.

Qhemeria sighed. No matter how often she tried to shake off the Goddess of Lust and Fertility, she always wanted to chat. “I am unsure at this moment, Feyris. What do you think it may be about?”

Feyris bit her lip in concentration. “I bet it’s about your pet.”

Qhemeria’s footstep faltered, eyes narrowing. “My what now?”

Feyris giggled. “You know, the girl you reincarnated. The one that rightfully should’ve been mine.”

Qhemeria sighed heavily. “We’ve been over this, Feyris.”

Immediately, the Goddess of Lust stepped in front of Qhemeria, pouting. “I don’t care. This girl, Christina, asked YOU of all people to give her a dick. That just oozes lust! I can’t believe I’d never considered such an idea before!”

Qhemeria stepped around her, choosing not to reply.

“You’re only the Goddess of Love and Passion! I embody Lust!” Feyris argued. “It’s my whole thing, you know? You should’ve at least asked for my help! I mean, come on, I would’ve given it to her right then and there.” She grinned. “I wonder if she would’ve been able to resist touching it?”

“Feyris, it’s distasteful for a Goddess such as yourself to be thinking of such things,” Qhemeria said, wagging a finger at her. “Try and have some more restraint with your colorful imagination, please.”

Feyris pouted some more as they continued walking. However, she didn’t say anything else about what happened. Qhemeria was sick of having this argument with the other Goddess. Ever since the other gods and goddesses found out, Feyris had been a bit pissy about it. Qhemeria couldn’t blame her; Christina, now Valnarei, did ask for a dick. It was a first for Qhemeria, so she gave her something she thought would make her happy. It wasn’t until Feyris asked about it that Qhemeria realized it was too much.

“She’s huge! She’s going to tear her partners in half! It’s too big!”

Feyris had lost her mind when she heard how big Val was. It was unnatural to say the least, easily beyond the normal sizes people expected. Qhemeria originally offered to do something to fix it, but Feyris stepped in. The Goddess of Lust was rarely serious, but this was one of those moments. Qhemeria was forced to sit to the side as Feyris implanted a Passive Trait within Valnarei to make it easier for her partners to handle her size. Of course, Feyris was more than happy to hold it over her head from that day forward.

“Do you think she’s fucked anyone yet?” Feyris asked randomly.

Qhemeria coughed in shock. “Feyris! Language!”

Feyris giggled, shrugging her shoulders. “Hey, it’s a reasonable question, you know. She’s got plenty to share. At least now she won’t hurt her partners thanks to that passive I gave her.”

Suddenly, a dark-cloaked figure stepped into the hallway ahead of them.

“Ugh, Senara. Do you think she’s going to be as broody as normal?” Feyris asked, elbowing Qhemeria.

“I can hear you, Feyris,” Senara said, turning to wait for them. “I am not broody. You just happen to have enough energy for the both of us.”

Qhemeria smirked. The Goddess of Death and Transition didn’t mince her words. “Good morning, Senara.”

The Goddess of Death bowed lightly. “Good morning, Qhemeria. I take it Feyris is once again complaining about the young lady you saved?”

Feyris huffed.

“Feyris, can you give us a moment?” Senara asked. “Please?”

Both Goddesses noticed a change in Senara’s tone and expression.

“Yeah. I can do that,” Feyris said, nodding. “I’ll head to the main hall.”

Senara waited until Feyris was out of earshot before speaking. “I helped someone pass over a few days ago.”

Qhemeria tilted her head. “You help countless people and beings cross over each day.” Qhemeria gulped. “What made this one stand out?”

“Your essence.”

Qhemeria’s heart dropped. “No… don’t tell me it was Valnarei Strouss?”

Senara shook her head slowly. “It wasn’t. Her name was Elza Blount.”

Qhemeria placed a finger to her chin, thinking. “I don’t remember someone by that name. Who was she?”

“She died within the dungeon. Thankfully, her soul was able to escape before being plucked,” Senara said, sighing heavily. “When she realized what had happened, she asked me about her friends.”

Senara stepped forward, placing her hand against Qhemeria’s forehead. Qhemeria already knew what to do, so she closed her eyes and let herself go.

When she opened her eyes again, she noticed the black hair obscuring part of her vision. She would be able to see what occurred days ago through Senara’s eyes. Qhemeria couldn’t move or speak, but she saw a girl with a long purple braid in front of her.

“I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?! Please tell me my friends are okay!” Elza begged.

Qhemeria could feel her essence just barely clinging to this girl. She could also feel how Senara hesitated for just a moment when she noticed it as well.

“I have not met anyone else from your adventuring group, Elza.” Senara spoke softly and clearly.

“But I was killed by a Soul Mimic! It’s dangerous! I need to help them!” Elza turned and started running. The girl was panicking, looking for a way out of the dark void around them.

“Elza Blount, I am here to help you pass over,” Senara said, hand reaching out.

Elza stopped running, panting. Even after running full sprint, she’d made no progress. She turned around, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want to leave everyone behind! I don’t want to die!”

Senara softly nodded. “I am sorry.”

Elza balled up her fists. “Sorry?! That’s it?! I thought you gods and goddesses could do anything! Then send me back! Bring me back!”

Qhemeria could feel Senara’s emotions. The goddess was heartbroken. This kind of responsibility wasn’t for the weak of heart. Senara was likely the only one capable of handling such situations countless times every day. Qhemeria felt sad for her. It was natural for mortals to fear and resent the idea of death.

“Elza, I can’t do such a thing. None of us can.”

Finally, the girl collapsed to the ground sobbing.

Senara slowly approached, her long black cloak dragging along the ground. When she stood before Elza, she crouched down and wrapped her in a hug.

“I know nothing I may say can make this better,” Senara said, gently rubbing Elza’s back. “But when you move on, you can see those who passed before you. You’ll never want for anything.”

With Senara’s help, Elza slowly stood up. “Just promise me something. If someone named Mina Krenos, Lucia Lionel, Amarisse Trunelle, or Valnarei Strouss die, tell them I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger to help them.”

Senara nodded, then started walking with Elza.

Just as they started walking, Qhemeria’s vision faded, and then she was standing back in the marble hall.

“Valnarei Strouss.”

Senara nodded. “The very same you reincarnated. That is why I sensed your essence on that girl.”

Qhemeria rubbed her chin. “The reincarnation was a bit rushed. It’s possible I wasn’t thorough in hiding my essence. Maybe the meeting today is because of her?”

Senara shook her head. “I disagree.”

Qhemeria tilted her head. “How can you be so sure?”

“She is correct.”

Qhemeria and Senara both turned to see the Goddess of Light and Justice standing down the hall.

“Today’s meeting isn’t about Valnarei Strouss. Come now, the meeting is about to start,” Lioran said, waving them toward her.

Together, Qhemeria and Senara made their way down the hall.

If today’s meeting wasn’t about Valnarei, then Qhemeria could only guess what was happening.

Qhemeria and Senara walked behind Lioran into the amphitheater. Everyone else was already present for the discussion except one.

“Where is Veydran?”

Neither Senara nor Lioran answered her question, which worried her even more. Thalyes was standing at the front, waiting for the final three people to take their seats.

As soon as they were seated, the God of Knowledge and Memory cleared his throat. “I’m glad everyone could make it. We have an important conversation today.”

Qhemeria looked around at everyone. Even Feyris was paying attention, more intently than usual.

“Veydran has disappeared.”

Qhemeria’s eyes widened. Others gasped while some started whispering amongst themselves.

“What do you mean he ‘disappeared’?” The God of Stone and Strength was standing with arms crossed. “We aren’t allowed back on Athyris. Where else could he be?”

“Calm down, Dramul.” Lioran chided.

“After thoroughly checking the pantheon, he was nowhere to be found,” Thalyes continued. “At this very moment, we can only assume he’s on Athyris. As for what reason, we are equally unsure.”

Dramul huffed. “Yllara? Have you tried using your visions?”

Qhemeria glanced over at the other goddess.

“I tried but couldn’t find him,” said the Goddess of Dreams and Prophecy. “It is unusual, I should be able to pinpoint anyone, especially one of us.”

“Ha! Who cares if he ran off? It’s been boring around here long enough.” Iskavar propped his legs up. “About time something new happens.”

Qhemeria rolled her eyes. The God of Trickery and Change always was like this. As long as he was amused, he didn’t care what happened.

“Someone needs to drag him back,” said Kovarn. “There’s no telling what may happen with him back on Athyris.”

“I agree,” Elarune said softly. “We do not know how the world will react to such an entity. Much has changed.”

Kovarn looked like he was pissed. It was on-brand for the God of Storms and Wrath. Qhemeria wasn’t sure he wouldn’t march down planetside just to drag Veydran back.

Elarune brought up a good point, though. How would the wilderness react to such a potent divine source? It made sense that the Goddess of Nature and Wilderness would think that far ahead.

Thalyes sighed. “No one is going after him. It is my hope that he will return soon. For now, we keep our eyes open.”

That decision didn’t sit right with Qhemeria. It had been centuries since they left Athyris. The world wasn’t used to a god anymore. Such potent divine power being present could do any number of things.

“Is it possible he has bad intentions?” asked Lioran.

The air was sucked from the room. No one spoke a word as they all considered the question.

Thalyes’ expression was tense. “I do not know.”

Iskavar sat forward, his face pensive. “I’m all for fun, but there’s such a thing as going too far.”

Lioran nodded. “But we must consider it, no?”

Feyris’ expression was filled with worry. Plenty of the other gods mirrored hers.

“That’s why we must go and retrieve him!” Kovarn yelled. “If he won’t come back of his own accord, we make him!”

Qhemeria stood up. “Think for a minute, you dolt! If we all go back, there’s no telling what will happen. And what if we do find him? If he refuses to come back, are you going to fight him?”

“Absolutely! I can handle the God of War and Rage,” he said, crossing his arms with a smirk. “If everyone works together, then it’ll be a breeze.”

This time, Senara spoke up softly. “Imagine the deaths such a battle will cause.”

“We wouldn’t kill him,” Kovarn corrected. “I doubt he could kill any of us if he tried either.”

Senara shook her head. “Not us. The mortals. The battle would surely involve them.”

Kovarn opened his mouth to argue, but stopped. “You’re right. It’s unlikely they would stand idly by. I see your point.”

Once Kovarn took his seat, Thalyes spoke up. “For now, we wait. Veydran will likely return. When he does, we can ask why he left.”

When no one else spoke up, he nodded. “Qhemeria, Feyris, stay after.”

Qhemeria froze, sharing a confused look with Feyris. The Goddess of Lust only shrugged her shoulders in response.

Slowly, each god left the room one after the other. Some were pensive, going over the situation in their head. Others were conversing, some offering ideas, others asking what the right choice would be. Qhemeria and Feyris followed the flow to the benches at the bottom of the amphitheater.

As soon as everyone was gone, Thalyes sighed. “So, I’ve heard there is something you’d like to tell me.”

The goddesses exchanged a glance.

“Don’t act coy,” he said. “I know you reincarnated someone from an entirely different world, Qhemeria.” He turned to Feyris. “And I know you gave her a free passive. So spill.”

Qhemeria sighed. “You’re right, I did do that. I felt like it was the right choice because of the situations both families were in.”

Thalyes raised an eyebrow. “Both families? Elaborate.”

Qhemeria nodded. “The Strouss family here on Athyris had a daughter. The magic running through her was reacting adversely to her soul. I am unsure exactly what was happening, but I chose to swap her with Christina, the girl from a planet called Earth.”

“You swapped them completely?”

Qhemeria shook her head. “No, just their souls. Christina died in her sleep on Earth. I happened to pluck her soul before it finished crossing over. During her life, she’d been good-hearted. I could list off dozens of situations where she showed a kind heart. I felt she’d be a good choice.”

Thalyes rubbed his chin. “Continue.”

After taking a breath, she did. “I offered the swap to her, no strings attached. I would require nothing from her. It took a little bit of convincing, but she eventually accepted. I haven’t looked in on her since. I want to give her privacy to live her life how she sees fit.”

He nodded. “While I don’t rightly approve of your decision, I see the logic behind it. Now, Feyris, mind explaining why you gave the girl a passive?”

Feyris shrugged. “The girl wanted a dick. Qhemeria decided to handle that bit on her own. Turns out, she gave her one that was entirely too big. I couldn’t imagine a mortal handling it with ease, if at all. So I gave her a passive so if she found a partner who consented, it would be possible for them to have sex.”

Thalyes paled for a moment. “I wasn’t aware such a thing was possible.”

Qhemeria nodded. “It was a surprise for me. I could see into her memories when she was thinking about it.” She blushed hard. “There were some interesting things I saw.”

“Did you stop for a moment to consider how such a change might be detrimental? No such gender or anatomy exists on Athyris.”

“I know that,” Qhemeria said, raising her hands. “I made sure to mention such a thing to her. She decided she would blame it on the magical illness already coursing through the girl.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Such a flimsy plan.”

Feyris once more shrugged. “Ah, who cares. I doubt she’ll tell many people. I really wanna watch her use it on someone.”

Qhemeria scoffed. “Such dirty thoughts.”

Feyris rolled her eyes. “Like you haven’t thought about it since seeing her memories. I bet you’ve thought about letting that mortal take you. ‘Oh, Valnarei! Harder! Harder!”

Qhemeria blushed, slapping Feyris’ arm. “How are you a goddess with such a mouth!”

Feyris giggled. “I wouldn’t say no if she offered.”

Thalyes sighed, rubbing his temples. “Get going.”

With his permission, Qhemeria and Feyris left the meeting room. They were bickering amongst themselves about Valnarei.

Thalyes sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed. “What are you doing, Veydran?”

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