What the hell, Melvin! Get out! Kalli raged at me as she threw a bucket that happened to be next to the commode at me. Wait. Stay. Where did you go? You went to Luna, didn’t you? Why do you have all of those tattoos?

She practically pushed me out the door before dragging me back in and attempting to rip my shirt off.

Woah, stop! No fair. You’d kick my butt if I took your shirt off. These are gods. Oh, and um…

She stopped tugging at my shirt and pushed me away again, speaking out loud. “Okay, all gods out of the privy. Only Melvin stays. He needs to explain some things to me.”

One by one the tattoos vanished as the gods appeared. Kalli gasped and glared at me when she saw the half-naked Lyria. As the last god cleared the room, I spoke up. “The rest of you should probably wait outside too.”

Kalli nearly jumped when the shades made their appearance before thinking better of it and keeping her butt firmly planted on the toilet seat. As usual, her dress concealed her modesty.

Raising an eyebrow at me, she asked, Please don’t tell me you invited those things that killed Stefanie.

I shook my head.

No. Those are Wraiths. These are Shades. I don’t know what the differences are exactly but Wraiths seem to be controlled by someone called the Puppetmaster.

She nodded absentmindedly before noticing that I still had a tattoo. Kalli pointed at the door. That one needs to go too. Since it’s pink, I'll bet it’s another goddess.

I touched my cheek softly, causing Kalli to glower at me. Without me telling her to, Stefanie emerged and smiled softly at Kalli. “I’m sorry. I was just embarrassed to show myself. No no no. Please don’t be sad.”

It was too late. Kalli burst into tears at the sight of our fallen friend. “No, Stef. I’m so sorry. You can stay. How are you here? Didn’t you cross over into the, well, I don’t know what?”

Stefanie smiled knowingly, her ethereal hand gliding to Kalli’s cheek in a fruitless effort to wipe away her tears. “It’s fine. I’m at peace. Death isn’t so bad. The only problem is that the afterlife is sorted by world, so I need Melvin’s help to get back to Earth. I’m sort of haunting him. I hope you don’t mind. I know how much he loves you and I would never think of stepping on your toes.”

Kalli shook her head. “No! I don’t mind at all. I am so sorry that you died. I know Wendy is sad too. You should talk to her.”

“I will.” Stefanie croaked, starting to get emotional. “I miss her too.”

After that, we gave Kalli a few minutes to finish up, and then I introduced her to the gods. She gaped at them for a few moments before saying, “I can’t believe there are so many of you.”

Jagriel gave the girl a curt nod. “We cannot believe that an heir has laid claim to the throne after so long. When the connection broke, we assumed the Celestean line had come to an end.”

“Hmm, I guess gods don’t know everything.” I snickered.

Deductus, The God of Logic, laughed at my comment. “Trust me when I say, you do not want to know everything. Too much knowledge can be painful.”

The smallest goddess, Iris, took a few steps toward Kalli and whispered. “This one reeks of tragedy.”

Kalli backed away and said, “Give me a break. I just came out of the privy!”

After the introductions were done, I insisted that the gods resume their disguises as tattoos. The shades felt more at home in the many shadows of the castle, so I gave them leave to explore.

That left Stefanie. Kalli spoke to Wendy through group chat. Wendy, there is something you need to see. Do you mind coming to the Queen Suite?

Are you okay, Kalli? Wendy’s voice was full of concern. Is Melvin okay?

He’s fine. Kalli assured the girl.

Wendy’s eyes filled with tears when she arrived and saw Stefanie. She flung herself at the ghost only to pass through her and crash to the floor.

Kalli quickly rushed to her side as Joe noticed the commotion and commented through group chat. What’s going on over there? You guys are in Melvin’s room, right? We’re coming over.

Soon enough, the whole group was there. Wendy sat on the bed, consoled by Joe. Stefanie floated around nervously, frustrated that she was unable to physically touch anyone.

In an attempt to cheer her up, I suggested, “Why don’t you just possess me? You are a ghost after all.”

Stefanie froze. “Can I do that?”

“I don’t know.” I laughed. “Isn’t there a handbook for the dead? Wait, I know. Elysiana, can you please come out?”

The god that appeared was not the Goddess of Death. It was her brother, Jagriel. “Did you just summon my twin? We are not Djinn.”

“You guys are renting skin,” I said smugly, rubbing the snake tattoo on my arm. “I’d say a little knowledge is the least you can provide.”

Once again, the wrong goddess appeared. I let out a moan as the peacock tattoo untangled itself from my groin and produced The Goddess of Love.

Lyria pouted and whined. “I wish you’d rub my tattoo that way. Why do you think I placed my mark on your favorite toy?”

I sighed and said, “There’s no way I can do that. Kalli would know about it.”

Kalli huffed and said, “You can leave me out of it, thank you very much.”

Finally, The snake uncoiled from my arm and Elysiana appeared in a puff of smoke. “A haunting is certainly doable, though not advisable.”

“What do you mean?” Stefanie asked.

The features of the goddess’s face softened as she turned to address the ghost. “Sweetheart, possession is for the insane. Even normal ghosts with unfinished business typically stay away from that taboo. Taking over a mortal body comes with a lot of baggage. Are you prepared to be a boy for a little while, complete with all of those icky feelings they have? Also, since you cannot kick him out, you will be cohabitating his body with him.”

Stefanie looked at me with fear in her eyes. I could tell she was wavering. Walking over to the ghost, I whispered. “If you want to hug your friend, use my body to do it. I don’t mind one bit.”

“Very well.” The goddess said. “If you are prepared to do this you need to enter his physical body and seek out his core. Be careful not to enter it. He has a strong core and you could lose yourself. Your goal is to spread your mana throughout his body and take control. It should be easier with a willing host.”

Stefanie reached out like she wanted to touch me. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? Just for a hug?”

“I’m positive,” I replied reaching out to make contact. “I will do anything that I can for you.”

The feeling was different than anything I had touched before, even the gods. While Stefanie was made of pure mana, there was no life in it. It felt almost otherworldly, and I supposed it was.

The image of Stefanie flickered and vanished as she entered me completely. I felt her struggling to find her way through my anatomy so I reached out with my mana to guide her.

Getting a burst of inspiration, I spoke to her through the connection I shared with Kalli.

Stefanie, if you can hear me, stick to my mana channels and follow it to the core.

I hear you. She replied, sounding strained.

It didn’t sound easy being a ghost. Kalli cheered her on too. You can do it, Stefanie!

Wanting to be helpful, I pushed and tugged at her mana, giving her access in ways that had only belonged to Kalli up to that point. Her mana swirled around my core and exploded out into my greater body. I felt it enter my brain and my sense of self began to feel foggy.

She stumbled forward for a second before correcting herself and saying, “Wow, this is so weird. Oh my gosh! Is that my voice? Wow, I’m a boy. It feels kind of gross. Ooh, I wonder what it would feel like to pee standing up!”

Kalli grabbed her arm and scolded her. “And you are never going to find out. Well, unless you get reincarnated as a boy. Anyhow, wasn’t there something you wanted to do?”

Stefanie looked over at Wendy who was both crying and trying not to giggle at the same time. “Oh, right. Wendy. I am so sorry that I died and left you kidnapped. Um, Joe, I tried to save your friend. It looks like I messed up though on account of my getting killed and all.”

Joe shook his head. “No, Stefanie. I’m sorry I didn’t see his dark streak until it was too late. I am so sorry that you died.”

Then Wendy stood, and we had a moment as we stared fondly into each other’s eyes. When the girl spoke, her voice broke. “I can’t believe I am never going to see you again. I miss you already.”

Stefanie sniffled, a strange sensation to feel secondhand. “Who says you’ll never see me again? Death is not the end. Obviously. Maybe you can find Earth’s Goddess of Death and come visit me.”

“I’ll do that!” Wendy cried. “I definitely will. My mother has connections. In Japan, we have Shinigami that escort the dead to what lies beyond. I am sure we can work something out. Maybe you can even meet my parents.”

Kalli was getting impatient. “Weren’t the two of you going to hug or something? I sort of want my boyfriend back. You can talk to each other as a ghost.”

“Oh, right,”Stefanie said, awkwardly reaching out to Wendy.

As they embraced, both Stefanie and I were painfully aware that I was a boy who was getting very close to a girl. Wendy noticed as well because she giggled. “Oh my, Stefanie. Is that a wand in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?”

“Shut up!” Stefanie whined at her friend. “I told you boy bodies are gross. I didn’t make it do that.”

They both giggled, Stefanie’s feminine laugh coming through my voice. When they parted, Stefanie whispered, “Thank you, Melvin.”

Then I felt her mana leave and I was myself again. Stefanie appeared next to Wendy again in her ghost form. The girls seemed happy even though both had tears in their eyes.

The queen was less than pleased by the presence of the gods. She paced up and down the narrow space between tables in the library. “How could you forsake us? First when you ousted us from paradise and then when you let those interlopers burn the castle down. And why is it that I am no longer worthy to command the castle?”

Jagriel appeared to be the mouthpiece of the gods, for he was the one to speak. “Mortal, we do not owe you answers. The gods do not interfere in the affairs of mortals. I suggest you look closely at your offspring. They have revived traits long lost to your family.”

“We did everything according to the old ways.” The queen protested. “Was that not enough?”

Jagriel’s expression softened as he noticed Celestea’s desperation. “It is not your fault. The world has grown complacent over the generations. Ever since the system…”

He looked at me and stopped mid-sentence. I asked, “What about the system?”

Jagriel exchanged a glance with Elysiana who had just appeared at his side. “The system simplifies things. There have been some born with great potential that have squandered their talents for the security that the system provides.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Celestea said, sitting heavily in one of the chairs. “We have embraced and leveled our role as monarchs for centuries. I have done everything asked of me. How is it that I could have fallen from grace? As you suggesting that the system is flawed?”

“We cannot speak to that.” Jagriel sighed, turning his attention back to the queen. “The only thing that can be said about the system is that there was once a time before it existed. Back in those days, the awakened honed their skills and truly became one with the magic. I believe your children are walking down this path.”

Celestea looked back and forth between Kalli and Shiviria. “That’s impossible. My youngest grew up with only her father and I until just recently. Her sister was raised as an orphan with no access to magic. There is no way they are doing what you say. I would have seen it.”

Shiviria whispered in Kalli’s ear. I was able to hear it through our bond. “Mother has no idea. Should I show her?”

Kalli gave her a knowing look and whispered back. “Not in front of the gods. That would just embarrass her.”

I walked back to the Queen Suite by myself lost in thought. When Kalli started sleeping by my side, she had been alone in the world. We both welcomed the comfort that the closeness provided. However, Kalli was no longer alone. She had her family and a lot of very grateful orphans.

Even though I was surrounded by seven gods and a wayward ghost, I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so alone. When I entered the room, I was shocked to find Kalli sitting on the bed.

What? How did you get here ahead of me? How didn’t I notice you coming?

Kalli snorted. Well, if you’d stop trying to hide your feelings from me you might have a few spare brain cells to see what I’m up to. I’ve tried sharing things I was experiencing lately and you ignored me.

I sat next to her, unable to process anything except for the fact that she was with me again.

Are you staying here tonight?

She smiled. I missed you, dummy. Besides, I’m not going to let you sleep alone with Stefanie.

Hey! The ghost broke through our mental connection. I can hear you, remember? You don’t have to worry about me haunting Melvin. I’ve never thought of him like that.

Kalli blushed and cleared her throat. “Okay, you gods need to find somewhere else to go while we sleep.”

The tattoos on my body all rippled and vanished as the gods appeared once more. This time it was Lyria who spoke. “You realize we can assist you in the bedroom. I can teach you ways of pleasuring each other that most mortals know nothing about.”

I grinned at the goddess. “I already figured that out!”

Kalli punched me in the shoulder so hard that I toppled back onto the bed. “We don’t need help pleasuring each other because we don’t do that. You can all leave now.”

What about that thing we do with our mana?

Kalli blushed again but it was Stefanie who answered. What do you do with mana?

Kalli glared at me. Did you forget that we have an audience in here or are you just showing off?

As the gods shuffled out of the room, Stefanie appeared and gave Kalli a playful smile. “I can go if you two want to do it. I’ll go haunt Wendy for a while.”

Kalli’s face was so red by that point that it was starting to match her hair. “We do not do it! We have never done it.”

Stefanie giggled. “Wow, really? Wendy wondered how you weren’t knocked up yet.”

Kalli’s mouth fell open. “Um, what’s knocked up?”

I whispered the answer to her. “You know. Pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” Kalli stammered. “No way! I’m way too young for that. I don’t care what the prophecy says.”

“What prophecy?” Stefanie asked with another giggle.

It was going to be a long night but I didn’t care. I wasn’t alone anymore.