Chapter 659 The Light After Darkness
Chapter 659 The Light After Darkness
I took Xena and introduced her to Eliza and Breya, and then left them after cuddling with Grace and Eliza who was holding her. I still needed to go see Xieus. It had been a few days since we had returned, but she had been held up in Morgana\'s old room here in Eliza\'s mansion. I had let her have some time to herself, but I didn\'t want to leave her alone after everything that just happened.
"Xieus?" I asked from the door to her room, and then waited for a moment before the door slowly opened.
Xieus was across the room sitting on the edge of her bed, and smiled slightly as I walked into the room. The door closed behind me, and I found that it was the pink-haired Rem, but she was now human. She was also in a maid\'s outfit that looked rather fetching on her, but she was not the reason I had come.
"How are you feeling?" I asked as I turned back to Xieus after giving Rem a winning smile and thumbs up for her maid outfit.
"Like a new person, and this new body is amazing," Xieus said as she looked at her pale human hand, but then looked up at me questioningly. "I am still trying to understand how you can control a being like that?"
That actually made me laugh as I walked over and sat down on her bed. "Control is hardly the right word for our tenuous agreement," I groaned, but she shook her head fervently.
"No! I watched her take full control of your body and destroy everything, but no one died! That is not something the Akasha that resided over me would have ever done!" Xieus declared, grabbing my arm, but I smiled, putting my hand over hers.
"Let\'s just say that I have a valuable bargaining chip. Another is being like Akasha called Truth resides within me. Needless to say, they don\'t like each other. While neither of them is really favorable to have in my mind, I can use them against each other to keep them both in check," I smiled, but Xieus didn\'t seem convinced.
"Can\'t they hear you? Aren\'t you scared that they will punish you for talking so brazen?" Xieus asked, but I shook my head, turning up my nose.
"Oh, they can hear me, but those two both know that they are using me and I am just their pawn for the most part. I take my jabs when I can, but I think that just further entertains them. All I have to do is let the Queen loose to rampage every once in a while, and Truth just wants to see what he can\'t. I am just a galactic pony taking two 4th dimensional monsters sightseeing," I sighed with a shrug.
"If you say so. You are extremely old and strong, so it makes sense why you would have a better time controlling her," Xeius said, but my eyes bulged.
*THUMP*
The press had built up in my mind instantly, and with a single hammer-heavy heartbeat, I was forced out of the driver\'s seat of my body. My hand lifted up to Xieus\'s face, and she froze as a devilish smile came over my face against my will.
"Don\'t worry, child. You are no longer my pray, and I am not allowed to hurt you even if I wanted to, but this Godling does not control me, the Queen of the Abyss, Akasha!" My voice hissed unnaturally, but then my face broke into a smile. "Still, I will not lie and say this coward holds no sway over me, but it is no more than the conditions of our Pact. Still your heart and know that I am forced to keep you safe, even if that means destroying everything in my path! Hahaha!"
*THUMP*
I let go of Xieus\'s face with a gasp, and sweat broke out over my forehead. This creature was a monster, and I had to be careful with her. I had no doubt in my mind that she would destroy everything in her path. I could rebuild this world, but not exactly as it was, or with the memories of everyone in it. That was something I could not let happen.
"Sorry about that," I manage to say, forcing a smile. "She likes to make herself known sometimes. As for your comment about my age, let\'s just not even go there. I am one of the oldest beings in existence save for the two in my head and the one with Kadeon now. No point and reminding me just how old I am-"
"You are 16,023,776,433 years old in total," Rem said, cutting me off and stabbing me in the heart.
"How the hell do you know that?!" I demanded, and she just shrugged.
"I have the ability to see how long a demon has lived in total, but I had only ever tried it on demons. Turns out that it works on you as well," Rem said without remorse.
"Bah, whatever I am a god," I said, waving my hand and turning back to Xieus. "So? What would you like to do for now?" I asked, then pointed my thumb behind my shoulder. "And what miss brimming with personality?"
"Rem requested to serve me and I accepted," Xieus said, and then asked, "I hope that is fine with you?"
I turned back to Rem, and she nodded. "The lady wishes to explore the city and then hopes to join you on the ship the others are talking about as you explore this world. I wish to accompany her as her faithful servant."
"Hmm, going out into the city sounds like a nice change of pace. I think some fresh air and sunshine would be good for you, Xieus," I said, nodding thoughtfully as I turned back to Xieus.
"And you both joining us on the ship is also fine, Rem," I continued, glancing at her as well. "There will be plenty for everyone to do, and we have the entire world to explore!" I laughed
"Thank you, Galio," Rem replied, giving me a respectful bow. She seemed more human now, even without her demon form. As a maid serving Xieus, she might find a new purpose for her existence.
"Then it\'s settled," Xieus said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. I noticed that she was relaxing a bit more now. Talking about something other than a troublesome past inhabitant in her mind seemed to ease her anxiety. "I look forward to that."
I gave her a reassuring smile and stood up. "Once you get settled in, the two of you should head out and explore the city. There\'s a lot to see, but just be careful out there. There will be people from all over the world coming for this event over the next week."
"You have nothing to worry about. Queen Xieus is under my protection and I will not let anything happen to her," Rem said with an icy determination, making me put up my hands.
"Hold on tiger! Just make sure that you don\'t kill anyone!" I exclaimed and then sighed. "I am sure the two of you will be fine."
As I left Xieus\' room, I found myself feeling hopeful. Despite all the chaos and madness that we\'d been through with Kadeon, we were stronger and more united than before. The Goddess Games were soon upon us, and with them, a new adventure awaited.
I was ready and, more importantly, my wives—past and future—were ready. We had a world to explore, a new generation to raise, and a whole host of challenges to face. But as long as we were together, we couldn\'t be stopped.
I looked forward to what was coming, with my heart thrumming with promise. All the goddesses and all those who were to become goddesses were gathered for the games in one place: Northwall. An odd anticipation filled the air, with whispers about the magic and greatness of this place filtering through excited murmurs.
I was ready, and so was this realm, ready for a new era, with new Goddesses and a new King to lead them all. The darkness of Kadeon was now a thing of the past. It was time for light and glory to take center stage.