Fiance?

“Fufufu, quite the ladies man, aren’t you?” Zahramiik teased.

‘Shut up, Cheshire cat.’

“Erm, a pleasure to meet you, Myria. I am, as you have heard, Veloth.” I returned her greeting with a similar bow, although mine was far more ungraceful considering how little I have actually been in my original form. In fact, I am definitely taller than I used to be last time I took note. The extra tails are also an odd feature. Even mother had one extra tail since last I saw her.

“So, were they your prey?” My mother asked. What is she talking about?

‘She means those Norns. Your species are the natural predators to gods after all. In fact, long ago there was a pitched battle between gods and mana spirits. See, a group of gods foresaw their end and sought to destroy the race that would bring it. Instead, they solidified their fate, along with many others they roped into their scheme. The results? Both gods and mana spirits are now very few in number throughout existence.’ Huh, Zahramiik was helpful for once.

“I guess you could say that. How did you find me, mother?”

“I felt a pull a few times and it tugged at my curiosity.” she shrugged before continuing, “ Once we locked onto your position your strength served as a beacon that would be very difficult to lose.” Perhaps those ‘pulls’ were my attempts at summoning her to me?

“Are you going to claim this world?” Myria asked, gazing around her and into the distance. “It is fairly pretty in its own way.” Claim this world? I wonder… I already have a harem. If I were to settle down… oh. The harem. I was so caught in the cliche of ‘parent picks out future spouse’ I forgot that situation.

“Ehh, I guess?” I responded to Myria’s question. “Mother, I need to talk with you privately for a moment…” I nudged my mother away from Myria.

“Oh?” My mother exclaimed and allowed me to lead her away. Myria was still just gazing about at the landscape. “What’s wrong, Dear?”

“Erm… Mother… I have…” Damn, this was hard to say for some reason, “That is, i’m… engaged…” There. Got it out.

“Well of course darling. Myria is a nice girl. I’m sure she will make you very happy and give birth to lots of-”

“T-th-th-th-that’s not what I meant!” I stuttered, the image of baby Veloths and Myrias in my head. “What I mean to say is… I’m ‘engaged’ to three… others… on this world…” I squeezed out. I shut my eyes tightly as I said, waiting for an inevitable rebuke.

“Oh! Have you found a way to procreate with other races as well? That’s my boy! Single handedly repopulating our clan! It could be a competition between you and your father-” The rebuke did not come…

“Wh-wh-wh-wh-what are you talking about!?” I exclaimed with sheer embarrassment. Also, did she mention my father? A competition? Of wha- ohhh… If I could blush through fur… “What about Myria? Won’t she be… You know… Upset?”

“Oh, most definitely. She is a young woman, so she is quite single minded and possessive. You will have your hands full with her. Oh, I should go tell Jargen the good news. I’ll leave you to your hunt and your… fiancees. I need to pester Jargen for some… alone time… If we are to keep up with you.” Wait, she is going to just up and leave? Oh, she was serious about the competition. So she and Jargen… father… are going to… Wait, expunge. Expunge those thoughts. No more of that.

“You’re going already? But…” I attempted to protest.

“Oh, I’ll be back soon and see how your hunt… and fiancees… are doing. It would be unwise of a parent to interfere in such a pivotal point in your life. Be well my magnificent child.” Just like that she shot off into the sky. I stared after her until she quickly became invisible to my eye.

I turned my head toward Myria who was looking at me with an expectant expression, head half cocked to the side… How do I go about this?

“Just tell her. What could go wrong?” was Zahramiik’s input.

‘Plenty could go wrong. It could be cataclysmic...’

“Nah, all you gotta do is treat this like that one dungeon. Remember the one where I accidentally rolled need on that super rare mount drop? And then I got it? And then I traded it to you!”

‘... You traded it to someone else remember? Wait, no, stop that. You aren't him!’

“Ok, so maybe bad analogy, but point is we ran the dungeon another seventy eight times and the mount dropped again! So no matter what, everything will turn out ok!”

‘... You accidentally rolled need on that too. Then you accidentally sold it for more than I could afford on the auction board… I would accidentally slit your throat if I could… Your analogy is way off by the way.’

“Oooh someone is salty.” Inner monologue aside, I guess I had to tell her.

“Uhm, well, I guess you are staying with me, Myria. I should tell you before we return to the place I have been residing… I… Am engaged to... three others... “ It felt like my heart leaped out of my chest as I said. I expected Myria to cry, or to strike me, or any other numerous reasonable reactions other than what I received.

“Oh, that’s good. So where are we headed?” Was her rather simple answer and smile. Was she even paying attention?

“Th-this way.” I said as I turned to begin walking in the direction of the castle. I would have teleported us but I wanted to be sure of Myria’s demeanor… What was that white blur that just sped past…? Oh, it’s Myria. And she is running in the direction of the castle. She also appears to be emanating a bloodlust so intense it could be seen, felt, heard, smelled, and even tasted.

‘Well, Fuck. It’s the dungeon all over again...’

“Whooo! Boss rush! Let’s go!” Zahramiik exclaimed wildly as if he had lost his sanity. I began teleporting to catch up with Myria...

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