Chapter 20

He took a deep breath, held it, let it out. “I no longer command The Just Alliance. Someone take the Link. I’ll talk to you later.”

Tithian took control of the Link, and Mark dropped out of it altogether.

He was still personally holding his limit in power, and controlling almost every bit of raw power in the district. Ideas started to fire off in his mind.

Understanding had given him power, power had given him more understanding, which had given him more power, and now he suddenly grasped the next level of understanding.

‘There it is. The key to becoming a god.’ he thought in profound amazement. ‘I know how to achieve the next order of power. From there, the process would be unstoppable.’

He looked down at the small, warm form of the elf he loved so much cuddled against his chest, her face covered in tear tracks, her face slack with exhaustion. Then his view of her blurred as his own eyes filled with tears, and he softly kissed her cheek.

“I don’t want it.” he stated aloud. “I’m not ready for divinity.”

He released some of the power he was holding by heating the air for miles around a tiny bit, and withdrew his collecting field to the areas surrounding Zarkog and himself. The rush of thoughts trickled away with the excess power, but he still remembered the last great understanding he had reached.

“A strange choice, refusing deification.” Visinniria chuckled as she appeared beside him. “Understandable though, considering your youth. And you can still take the last steps any time you wish. Though I certainly hope you plan on doing so in time to help deal with the greater demons.”

“I don’t even want to think about that right now.” Mark said with a slow headshake.

“Again, understandable.” the elven goddess of war grinned as she considered Zarkog’s broken body.

“You know, he’s going to die in about half a minute if you don’t let him have some power.” she idly commented. “It’s your choice, but he’s not without potential, and he might be useful.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Mark tiredly nodded. He flew down as he carefully transferred Talia to his left arm. Even in her sleep, she was still tightly gripping his portable Truthstone in her right hand. He gently pried it from her fingers as he reached the ground, cast the question and the Compulsion into it with most of his remaining power, and slammed it against Zarkog’s ankle with all of his natural human strength.

The gargantuan dragon was shivering all over from his agonizing pain, and barely noticed the further insult of the blow, but he shuddered and spasmed powerfully from the energies of the Compulsion and the binding vow.

“Childish.” Visinniria giggled. “But...”

“I know, understandable.” Mark nodded with a slight smile as the Marking of The Just Alliance colored Zarkog white, with the blue emblem of the Truthstone placed on his front and back, the two of them large enough to cover most of his torso.

Mark withdrew his energy field from around Zarkog, who managed to cast Healings on himself before he passed out.

Mark’s four companions landed around them, triumphant but subdued by the experience, and by the presence of the goddess.

“Will he live?” Mark asked, without much apparent interest in the answer.

“He’s Healing.” Visinniria judged. “He won’t be walking or talking for a few days, not with that jaw and that hip, but he’ll eventually pull himself together.”

“Fine.”

They stood there staring at the fallen foe for a long minute before Mark spoke again.

“So, I take it that you and the other gods will keep your word. You’ll rejoin the world as citizens and swear Osbald’s Oath on the Truthstone?”

“We will, but not yet. We think such an occasion deserves to take place at a great public event. We do still have the egos of gods, after all. I’m sure your comrades will have a ceremony and celebration of your victory, once things have settled down a bit. We’ll make our appearance then, swear on the stone and declare for The Just Alliance, and help toast your triumph.”

“Ah. Okay.

“Say, do you think you could let me feel your aura? I could really use that right now.”

“For the Six of Hilia and my beloved Ria, I could do that.” Visinniria smiled, and her aura shone forth from her like a shower of contentment and well-being. “And for my favorite weapon, my favorite elf, and my favorite man, I can do better than that.”

With that she leaned close over Talia and brushed a stray blond lock back from the sleeping princess’s forehead.

As Visinniria touched her skin, Talia awoke, feeling completely content and refreshed, and gazed up at the divine elf. “Goddess.” she smiled, and nodded in greeting.

“Hello Talia.” Visinniria smiled in return. She lowered her head, and their lips met in a kiss. When she straightened, Talia was grinning in giddy bliss.

Then Mark was graced with the elven deity’s kiss. For a moment his passion was fired to the burning point. He ran the fingers of his right hand up into her luxurious mane of red curls and held the back of the goddess’s head firmly, so he could return her kiss hungrily and hard. Then his ardor magically cooled, and he released her as she gently pulled away, and he was left with a wonderful feeling of happiness and pleasure.

“Ahhh.” he sighed in contentment, then turned to his companions.

“You are the finest friends anyone could ask for.” he told them. “We really did achieve a great victory today. Thank you for everything.

“And now I think we’re due for some real sleep, with nothing but normal dreams. You’re officially off duty. Feel free to get some rest or have some fun, whatever you prefer, and we’ll see you at the next Assembly meeting. As long as it’s not for at least twenty hours. Now get down here and give us a hug.”

The dragon and unicorn couples shrank to the size of ponies, and The Six huddled together in an affectionate and tearful embrace.

Ria manifested at Visinniria’s whim. “Why don’t you join them?” the goddess smiled. “It’ll be good for you. You don’t have to move or anything.”

Ria suddenly smiled in her stiff, folded-arm posture. “Thank you, My Lady.” she psionicly murmured, and drifted over to The Six, who affectionately welcomed her into their group hug. And while her skeleton remained as rigid as steel, this one time she was not insubstantial, instead her hair and skin were as soft and warm as any woman’s, and her sense of touch as sensitive.

When the moment finally felt right to end their embrace and step back, Equemev said; “I love you all, as much as my own brothers and sisters. I know we all feel that way.

“We’ll see you later.”

Then she and Silaran were gone, followed a moment later by Povon and Kragorram.

Visinniria then graced Ria with her kiss, though of course Ria made no move to return it. Still, her pleasure was apparent in her voice when it ended.

“I love you, My Lady. Thank you.”

“I love you as well. Farewell till next time, which will be soon.”

Ria disappeared.

“Well, I guess we’ll be going too.” Mark said. He gazed downslope at the nearby city, where healers, damage control teams, and the forces of The Just Alliance were hurrying about their work.

“I was hoping I could accompany you.” the red-headed deity giggled mischievously.

“Oh?”

“Yes. I’d like to thank you both for everything you’ve done.”

“Oh. You mean, ah ... In the elven way?” Mark stammered, unsure he was understanding her correctly.

“In the elven way, for the lives all of my people, which you have most likely saved. That’s a lot of gratitude.” she giggled again like a teenage girl, and drifted up to hug them both with warm affection. “Well? It’s not an offer that comes along every day, you know.”

“Uh, sorry, I was just boggled by the idea of sharing lovemaking with a goddess. Of course we accept, and we’re very honored to do so.”

“I know, but then, so am I.”

An hour and a quarter later, they lay sprawled about on the huge bed in their cottage in blissful lethargy.

“That was ... Heavenly.” Talia murmured.

She started to cast a cleaning spell, but Visinniria blocked her.

“Excuse me?” Talia asked in surprise.