“B-Bruce? You’re, uh, taller than the last time I saw you,” Phil said, slowly taking the big man’s hand.

Bruce smirked. “I imagine we have this beauty to thank for that. Ok, before she reveals her big plan for saving the world, I just want to thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?”

Bruce pointed at the frozen women. “For taking care of them.” He walked over and looked at Britt and Reese, a sad smile on his lips. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them look at someone with that much adoration and love in their eyes.” His gaze fell upon Rose next. “But I’ve never seen such hatred in hers. I’m so sorry, my friend. It’s not even your fault.” His had reached out to cup her face, but he stopped before he touched her, letting his hand drop to his side. Turning and walking back to Phil, he grabbed the smaller man’s shoulders. “Please, have patience with her. It may not be easy, but she’s worth it. Her passion is like a pendulum. One day she’ll swing back to the woman I knew, before I became a monster, and she’ll be one of your greatest assets, allies, and friends.”

“Of course,” said Phil. “I never intended otherwise.”

“And…” Bruce continued hesitantly, “should anything more develop, I can’t think of another man who’d be more worthy of her love. I certainly wasn’t.”

Phil couldn’t say anything. He struggled to find something, anything, to say, but came up short. Fortunately, Gaia gave him an out.

“Well, this is all very touching. Should I leave you two alone for a bit, or may I explain why I pulled him out of your head?”

Bruce rolled his eyes and let his arms drop from Phil’s shoulders. “Are all goddesses this tactless, or is it just you?”

Gaia shrugged. “My older sister is far worse, so count yourself lucky. Now, if I may? Good. Bruce, it’s time for you to move on.”

“Time to begin my eternal suffering for my many sins?”

“Beats the hell out of me. No one knows what happens when you die, not even us deities. If you believe in that sort of thing, however, I’d say you’re in the clear. You may have noticed something about Phil while roaming around in his head, I’m correct in assuming?”

“That he’s probably the nicest guy to ever walk the Earth? Yeah, I may have seen evidence of that. I couldn’t find a single hateful thought in there. Not against Rose, not against me, not anymore at least. Not even against Chuck, and that guy threw him off a balcony. Even Christ got mad and flipped tables once or twice. Impressive mental porn collection though. I really underestimated Britt’s flexibility.”

Gaia shook her head and smiled. “Anyway, any corruption that was in your soul has been cleansed. As his fae lover pointed out, the purity of his soul is phenomenal. Phil, the reason no one thinks you have a power is because it’s a passive one. If people spend enough time around you, any spiritual… corruption, I guess that’s a good enough term to keep using, gets cleansed. The more intimate your relationship, the stronger the effect. That’s why Tina’s attraction to you increased a hundred fold overnight. That’s why Reese finally began treatment. That’s why a succubus fell madly in love with you after one night of sticking it to her like you were drilling for oil. You were a kind, if lonely, person before the incident, and the power you inherited from Bruce here manifested itself off of that.”

Phil stared at her in confusion. There have been people he hasn’t liked before, and plenty of impure thoughts of just about every reasonably attractive woman he’s ever met. From his own perspective, if he was that great, then the world was one large pile of dogshit.

“Not liking someone and hating them are two different things, young man. In fact, the only time I can find in your memories where you’ve actually wished harm on someone was after you found out what Bruce did to Reese, and I’d call that a perfectly reasonable reaction. Since he was already dead by your hand, it didn’t really count. As for ‘impure’ thoughts…” She shrugged. “Despite what some crusty old men said thousands of years ago, being horny isn’t a sin. Hell, getting laid isn’t a sin. Sleeping with someone else’s woman isn’t a sin, either, but it does make you a colossal asshole, so don’t do that. You can trust my word against theirs on this. I’m the goddess, after all.” She winked.

“Riiight,” Phil said slowly. “So my power is what? Soul Cleansing? Doesn’t sound very useful in a fight.”

Bruce smacked on the back of the head, catching Phil completely unawares. “Dummy. If you use a power like that well, you won’t even have to fight. Besides, that’s what the girls are for. They’ll throw the punches so you don’t have to. Even that suit you’ve been wearing was mostly for defense, right? Phil, you’re not a fighter, man. Don’t try to be. Be a leader. The kind of leader I couldn’t be. The kind of leader my father isn’t.”

The the mention of Bruce’s father hit Phil like a truck. Bruce knew his father had put on an act, and even thought he understood why, but Phil didn’t, and that’s what he was counting on. Gaia smiled knowingly beyond Phil’s eyeline, but said nothing.

“You have the potential to be the best of us, Phil. Learn to embrace and harness your skill. Use it to guide everyone to a better future. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, since I hate it every time someone says it in a movie or tv show, but you can literally save the guild, and the world, with… love.” He grimaced saying the last word, which kind of ruined the impact of what he was saying, but Phil got the message. He said he’d help the girls be the best that they could be. He’d be pretty stupid to not try and be the best that he could be as well, right?

He nodded. “Alright. I’ll do my best. That’s all I can promise. So,” he said, turning to Gaia, “what’s the plan? How do we save Rose?”

Gaia’s eyebrows rose. “Interesting. I tell you Britt is going to die, and you ask about saving Rose.”

“Saving Rose saves Britt. Ideally everyone walks away from this in a better position than where we’re at now. I’m sensing Bruce has something to do with this, since I don’t think you yanked him out of my head for a motivational speech.”

“You’re far too clever. If only my daughter had met you instead. Alright, we’re not going to have much time after I release you, so I’ll tell you now that you won’t have Bruce in your head anymore. I know he helped with the suit, but I’ve rigged up a surprise for you there. Your memories that were blocked with charm magic will be restored as well. There were quite a few, actually. I’m only doing that as a thank you for what you’ll do in the future, and I think you’ll find them quite useful, especially once you relay them to Rachel. Bruce, you know what your job will be, right? Don’t bother answering, I already know you know. This will be your final act on this plane. Make it a good one, ok? Phil, just stand there and be awesome. If Bruce does his job, everything will be alright.”

Phil nodded, placing his trust in these two. “Will we meet again?”

She shrugged. “Who knows? I’m a very busy goddess, you know? I’m overdue for a vacation by a few millennia though. I think it’s time I met my daughter’s family. Don’t you worry though. I’ll keep an eye on you. You’re my favorite human in centuries.”

“Um, thanks? I’m not sure how to respond to that.”

Gaia smiled and pulled him into a tight hug, smashing his face into her bountiful chest. Then she leaned down, bringing her mouth to his ear. “Maybe one day you’ll be lucky enough to experience a goddess’ true skills. If you thought the succubus was heavenly, wait until I show you what’s truly divine.” She brought her face around to his, winked, then pulled him into a passionate kiss. Then Philip’s world went white.

*

As if he hadn’t just had his tonsils cleaned by a tall, achingly beautiful woman, Phil found himself once again facing Tina and Rachel, gripped on all sides by Britt, Reese, and Rose. From those gripping him, he felt love, adoration, and hatred that rapidly changed to confusion, then sorrow and regret. He felt Rose’s grip on his arm loosen, then it tightened on him again, harder than ever, as if she was clinging on for dear life.

He was suddenly hit with emotions from in front of him. His eyes were locked on Tina and Rachel as he was hit with blasts of overwhelming joy and an intense sexual energy that had him hard as a rock, testing the threads of his pants.

“Almost done, guys,” said Jack. He shook his head. “There is a surprising amount of energy flowing through here…”

Phil noted his worried tone but focused on keeping himself from being overwhelmed by the emotions flooding into him. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be doing beyond just standing here. Jack hadn’t said anything like this might happen. None of the girls said anything either.

“Stay calm, my dear,” Gaia’s voice whispered in his mind. “I’m giving you a boost so you’re on the same level as your women. Accept their feelings and show them yours. You’re a communicator, Philip. Embrace it all. Embrace them all. Just save a spot for me.” With a parting giggle, the sultry voice went silent.

Taking a breath, he allowed himself to accept all that was given to him, trusting that nothing would happen to him with his party around. He projected a calmness within him. An eye in the storm of emotion flowing in to him. He returned his feelings for everyone. How much he cared for everyone. His desire to protect everyone. His wish for a long and happy life with everyone. His determination to see through Bruce and Gaia’s request to make the world a better place.

Eyes widened all around him before he was hit with another wave of emotion. It was so intense he felt he could see the flow of energy connecting the six of them. Jack’s eyes were huge, following the same paths as Phil’s and he realized that he wasn’t the only one who could see it. A rainbow river seemed to appear from beneath the floor, flowing from the direction of Tina and Rachel to Phil and his party. Tendrils circled up each member of the party, locking the women in place until the tendrils reached the center of their chests and immediately shot out from them, all centering on Phil. The simultaneous impact of the five tendrils lifted him off his feet, holding him a foot in the air and breaking his contact with the ball. Just before Jack could let go of his orb, it all ceased with a flash and Phil found himself standing on the ground again, the five women collapsed on the floor.

Jack released his hold on the orb and backed up a couple steps, staring at Phil with wide eyes.

“What the hell was that?” he asked.

Phil wasn’t paying attention to him though. He was already down on one knee making sure the girls were alright. They were awake, staring at him in wonder. Even Rose, whose glares had been a permanent fixture since they’d started this. They slowly started to sit up, nodding when he asked if they were alright.

“That was… a lot more intense… than I thought it would be,” breathed out Tina. Phil turned and saw her and Rachel crawling over to him, both breathing heavily and staring at him.

“I saw him,” said Rose in a near whisper. “I saw Bruce!”

Phil’s head whipped around to meet her gaze. “You did?” he asked.

Numbly, she nodded. “It was only a brief flash, but it also felt like a lifetime. He said goodbye and asked me to stop blaming you for his mistakes.” She suddenly lunged at him, throwing her arms over his shoulders and sobbing next to his ear. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry, Philip! I’m sorry! I’ve been so horrible to you! He was right! You only did what you had to. I’m sorry! You’ve been so kind and understanding and I’ve been a monster!” She wailed in sorrow, both at Bruce’s goodbye and her treatment of Phil, the tears falling freely. “Please! Forgive me! I’ll do anything you ask, just please forgive me!”

Phil wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as she cried. He knew saying that there was nothing to forgive would be a mistake on his part. It would be denying the remorse she felt at her actions. Rubbing her back he forgave her, both in words and in his heart. He’d known she was going through rough times and dealing with a lot of repressed emotions. Now she could truly begin the healing process.

“I forgive you,” he told the brunette. “You don’t have to do anything more than be yourself and do what you feel you need to do to get better, alright? All is forgiven.” Looking over her shoulder he saw Britt and Reese. Britt was smiling at Rose’s back, but Reese was crying as well. He held out a hand towards Reese and pulled her in for a hug with his other shoulder. “You ok?”

Reese sniffled. “I saw him, too. He said he didn’t have much time, but he kept apologizing for what he did to me. It was him, Phil! The old Bruce. He said he didn’t want forgiveness, just that he was truly sorry for the pain he caused me.” She reached back and took Britt’s hand. “He also said he’s never seen you more beautiful. Love suits you.”

Britt barked out a laugh, attempting to cover up a sob. “Of course the jerk wouldn’t visit me. He knew I’d punch him.” Her words carried no heat, though, and she smiled warmly at Phil.

Jack flopped into a nearby chair, uncertain about what to do, if there even was anything to do beyond reporting what just happened to the council. He’d witnessed many bondings before, but never had he seen the fireworks he did today. The depth of the devotion these women shared for this young man was beyond anything he’d ever experienced. What was it about him that drew them to him like moths to a flame? Jack pondered this, shaking his head as he watched the five women gather around the unassuming man. For the first time since he’d taken this position, Jack wished he had a camera or two installed in his office. There was still something to confirm, however. Phil’s contact with the orb had been broken. Had the bonding actually worked?

“Phil,” he called. Six pairs of eyes focused on him. “We need to see if the ceremony worked. Your original three can confirm that what just happened isn’t normal for a bonding ceremony, so I can’t be sure what the results are.”

Reese and Britt nodded in agreement.

“What’s supposed to happen? How does it normally feel?” Phil asked.

“Well, I’m not sure how it feels from the party leader’s side, but for me, I felt a small tug from within, like someone was jerking a fishing line embedded in my chest,” said Reese. “You could tell the ceremony was done when you felt a slight tension between yourself and the party leader, like you were both on opposite ends of the line. At least, that’s how it felt to me.”

Britt nodded. “Yeah, it was something like that. Not what we just felt. This was…” she trailed off, trying to find a comparison that would fit.

“Like a joining of souls,” offered Rose, who was getting her tears under control. “I felt your conviction.”

“Your desire,” said Rachel.

“Your joy,” said Tina.

“Your kindness,” offered Reese.

“Your love,” finished Brittany. “I felt it all. We were one, all of us. I could sense the others too. It all happened so fast, but I’ve never felt so…”

“Complete?” suggested Phil. “That’s how I felt. You were all within me. But Jack’s right. We should test it out, to see if-”

“They’re black,” blurted out Rose, who immediately turned red and covered her mouth.

“What?” asked Reese.

“H-he was going to ask me what color my panties were!” she said, embarrassed.

Four pairs of eyes were suddenly drilling holes through the man in the middle of their group while Jack stifled a chuckle.

“You were going to ask Rose about her panties?” asked Britt, slowly popping a knuckle on each finger under her thumb.

“Wait! I have a good reason for that!”

“It better be,” said Reese, accompanied by nods from Tina, Rachel, and Britt.

“I was thinking about asking Rose that because it’s not something she would’ve volunteered. Certainly not to me. I’m sure Britt also would’ve objected to the question, but Rose was a more reliable barometer, since she’s not in a relationship with me, right? But how did you know I was going to ask you that?” he asked Rose, desperately trying to deflect the attention away the nature of the question.

Rose shook her head. “I don’t know. I just knew, you know?”

“Yes,” said Jack. “That is an interesting development. There are teams out there that have worked together for so long that they can communicate with just looks, but I’ve never seen anything like a team that seems to know what their leader wants before even he does.” Jack leaned forward in his seat, scrutinizing the six still seated on the floor. “I do hope this new ability you’ve discovered doesn’t lead towards any stray thoughts causing issues.”

Phil shook his head. “I don’t think it will. It’s still about intent, isn’t it? I doubt me thinking ‘I want a sandwich’ will send anyone running towards the kitchen. If I intended to ask someone something as a favor, I’m confident they’d still be able to choose to do so or not of their own free will. It wouldn’t be an issue until I knew I was going to get them to do something, whether they wanted to or not. For instance…”

Five pairs of eyes suddenly went wide and focused on Phil.

“Are you sure?” asked Reese.

Phil smiled at her. “You of all people should appreciate that measure. There’ll be no repeats of history here.”

Jack looked at all of them. “What?”

“If Phil were to use his position to order anyone to do something solely for his personal benefit or pleasure that they don’t want to do,” began Tina.

“We have full authority to deny the order and take what measures we can to either subdue or kill him if necessary, then report him to the guild, regardless of any orders he may attempt to give to protect himself,” finished Britt.

Reese leaned over and kissed Phil forcefully. “I love you so much,” she said after breaking the kiss.

“Philip Thomas, the more I learn about you, the more interesting you become, you know that?”

“I’ll take your word for it, Jack. I’m just me.” Phil stood up, then helped each lady to her feet as well. “Is there anything else I should know or do?”

Jack shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. As far as the ceremony goes, as unusual as it was, it’s done. You’re now a six person party. I don’t know what else that little light show may have done, but I trust that you’ll inform me if you start growing another head or something?”

Phil smiled. “Of course, sir.”

“Then I can think of no further reason for you to be here. I am going to have to report all this to the council, you know, so prepare for that. You’re dismissed. Don’t forget to pick up cards for Miss Warren and Miss Hart. They’re guild members now, after all, and Ms. Cooper should have already started the paperwork.”

“Alright. Thanks.” Phil started ushering the women through the door when a thought struck him. “You know, Jack, Ms. Cooper works especially hard at your side, doesn’t she?”

Jack frowned in confusion but nodded slowly. “Yes, she does…”

“Have you ever thought of taking her out to dinner to express your appreciation? Tell her how you… feel?” Phil smiled. “I think you’ll find her more receptive to your gratitude than you think. Anyway, just a thought. Have a good day, Jack.”

Jack watched the door close behind Phil, his eyebrows hiding in his hairline, completely at a loss for words. There’s no way anyone knew about that! He hadn’t told a soul. However, he mused, that guy was an anomaly. Shrugging, he pulled out his phone and sent out a text. What’s the worst that could happen?

J: Care to join me for dinner?

A: It’s about damn time.