Authors Note: Real life is slowly intruding into my free time to write so it might take longer for a new chapter. Also my creative juices are having trouble flowing lately which adds another layer of lateness.

Other than that not much to say.

Here is the chapter. Enjoy!

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Chapter 21

A warm orange light bathed the land, as the sun began to peek over the horizon. Calgar was sitting down and leaning next to a sturdy tree. His silver armor sparkled as it reflected the morning light.

He glanced at Auromi, who was wrapped up in multiple layers of blankets made from her magic, and sleeping soundly next to him. He had made a miscalculation. He thought that they could make more progress after leaving Yumi behind, but Auromi’s body was mortal too. It needed the basics of life such as food and sleep.

This is why they were camping out at the edge of the woods. The soft rustle of leaves caught his attention and he peered into the thicket. Luna appeared, covered in twigs and leaves and holding an animal that she had killed. It was small, only about the size of a grown man’s torso. It had a long slender tail and back legs with stubby front legs.

She ran up to him while smiling. “Father! Father! Look what I got!”

“Oh, what a splendid catch you have there. I’m sure Auromi will appreciate your hard work.”

Luna set the creature on the ground and sat next to him. “She better! It was a nightmare trying to find an animal that wasn’t scared senseless by your aura.”

Calgar had been emitting an intimidating presence that would trigger a living being’s primal instinct. When it came close enough it would perceive the aura as its greatest fear and would run away. Calgar was using it as a sort of pest repellent.

He apologized. “Forgive me, was the radius too wide?”

Luna shook her head. “No, it’s not your fault Father. It just meant I had to search a wider area. You’re still not used to controlling your strength yet right? It can’t be helped.”

He nodded. Calgar was struggling with using the right amount of energy to achieve his desired results. Most of the time he put in too much energy and the effects would be wider or stronger than intended.

Luna leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. A few minutes later, Sol appeared from the forest, holding a basket of fruits and berries. She noticed Luna returned before her.

She set the basket next to the dead animal and knelt down. “It seems I was late.”

Calgar gestured to Auromi. “It’s alright, she’s still asleep.”

Sol shook her head. “How ridiculous for a Goddess to need sleep, what has become of this world?”

Luna shrugged. “It’s not all bad. Being able to sleep lets you do things like this.”

She crawled into Calgar’s lap, and snuggled up into his chest. He gave her a questioning look before patting her on the head. She then closed her eyes as if she was falling asleep.

Sol stared at her with envy. “… I take it back. Sleeping isn’t all bad. Now Luna, move aside and let me try it.”

Luna opened one eye and wagged her finger back and forth. “Not so fast my sibling. You’re in charge of breakfast aren’t you? It doesn’t look ready to me.”

Sol clenched her fist and silently cursed. “Fine, but afterwards I get a turn.”

Luna pretended to sleep again. “Maybe, it’s quite comfortable here. If you take too long, I might not want to give it up.”

As if accepting the challenge Sol’s arm was wrapped in a bright light. Using her own magic, she transformed her forearm into a brilliant blade, similar to her sword form. Wielding it with uncanny precision, she dismantled the animal and cut the fruits and berries into fine pieces.

Next, she brought forth ten rocks the size of a human's head, and placed them in a circle. Using her transformed arm, she cut down a sizable branch from a nearby tree and chopped it up into smaller sizes and threw them into the center of the circle of rocks.

With a snap of her fingers, the logs were ablaze. The fire crackled and hissed, but was safely contained. Sol then used magic to transform another rock into a smooth pan and made it hover over the fire. She then threw all of the ingredients into the pan and turned back to Luna.

Using her thumb she gestured to her. “There, now move it.”

Sensing the unusual bloodlust her sister was emitting, Luna scoot over and vacated Calgar’s lap. Sol approached him and knelt in front of him. She was fidgeting.

Gathering her courage, she asked. “May I Father?”

“Go ahead.”

She timidly climbed into his lap and leaned her back against his chest. As Calgar ran his hand through her hair, she closed her eyes and smiled. Luna snickered at how relaxed her sister looked.

From the mass of blankets came a yawn and Auromi lifted herself up with one arm, while rubbing her eyes with the other. As she blinked a few times to chase away her drowsiness, she witnessed Sol relaxing in Calgar’s arms.

Still half asleep, she muttered. “How envious… I want to sit in his lap too…”

Calgar looked at her. “Good morning Auromi. Did you sleep well?”

She looked around and realized where she was. Her cheeks grew flush as she was overcome with embarrassment. She buried her head under the blankets.

A few moments later, Auromi’s shaky voice could be heard. “G-good morning everyone.”

Luna was covering her mouth trying desperately not to laugh. Sol reluctantly left Calgar’s lap and returned to cooking breakfast.

As she walked by the bundle of blankets to the fire she greeted her. “Good morning to you as well.”

Luna was able to calm herself somewhat and squeezed out a greeting. “Yeah, good morning.”

Calgar stood up, using the tree as a support. “I’ll be a little ways away so you can get dressed.”

Luna replied. “I’ll come get you when she’s done.” He nodded and left. Once he was out of sight, Luna called out to Auromi. “He’s gone, so you can come out now.”

Auromi once again reemerged. “What a horrible way to start a day.”

Luna smiled. “I quite enjoyed it though.”

Auromi shot her a glare and Luna looked away. Sighing, she made sure Calgar was truly gone and got up. She stretched as she stood, raising her arms high into the air and fully displaying her naked body to the world.

When she first came down from the Celestial Realm and had to sleep, she did try sleepwear, but soon found it to be incredibly uncomfortable and restrictive. It wasn’t long that she grew into the habit of sleeping in the nude.

Waving her hand over the blankets, they turned into particles of light and surrounded her. As the light gathered over her body, they turned to clothes in an instant. Over her torso was a white shirt and blue jacket. On her legs was a pair of brown leather pants and on her feet a set of black sturdy boots.

After creating a hairband and tying her long silver hair into a low ponytail, she was finished dressing.

Luna rose from the ground. “Now that you’re up I’ll go get Father.”

Auromi nodded. “Thank you.”

By the time the two returned, breakfast was ready to be served. Sol had created additional plates and utensils from stone and served a portion to herself, Luna and Auromi.

Luna pushed all the fruits and berries aside and took a big bite out of the meat. A bright smile was plastered on her face as she savored the meat’s delicious taste.

Sol pointed at her plate. “Luna, eat the fruits too. I didn’t pick them for you not to eat it.”

Luna made a sour expression. “No way, I only like the taste of meat. I don’t need the rest.”

The sisters began to argue. Auromi and Calgar were sitting off to the side.

He asked her. “How does it taste?”

After swallowing a bite she replied. “It’s good. Did Sol always know how to cook?”

Calgar shook his head. “No, she was taught a little bit by Yumi. She won’t admit it, but I think cooking interests her.”

“Is that so?”

Auromi ate everything on her plate and set it aside. The twins were still arguing, however the contents have changed from finishing food to who would win if they fought. Seeing as they would continue on Auromi asked Calgar about their plans.

“Do you have an idea on how we are going to proceed? What exactly is the plan Calgar?”

“The immediate goal is to gain power. But I’m conflicted in how I should do it.”

Auromi tilted her head. “I thought we were going to the planets power spots to absorb the excess magic?”

Calgar nodded. “We are. However they are spread out all over the world. I doubt I will be able to gain enough power just from one or two of them. It will take a lot of time.”

“And you’re afraid more fighting will happen by then?”

“…Yes.”

Auromi put her hand on his shoulder. “I understand the urgency, but there is no need to rush.”

There was a hint of anger in Calgar’s voice. “That’s odd for you to say. Do you not realize that war brings death? You of all people should agree with me on finishing this as soon as possible. Don’t you care for the lives of the mortals?”

Auromi nodded. “I do care about the mortals. I don’t want to see them die, but I came to terms with that eons ago. Do you not remember Calgar? It was you who taught the other Gods that there are some things that are more important than others.”

Calgar looked away. “What could possibly be more important than the wellbeing of the planet?”

“Well, you are.”

Calgar looked back. “Surely you jest. Without the planet we have no home.”

Auromi stared back at him. “And I’m telling you, that to me, you are more important. I’ll say it again, I love you Calgar.”

“Then your love is blinding you.”

“Perhaps, but I’d rather stay true to myself than lie about how I feel.”

Calgar grumbled and stood up. “Luna, Sol, stop your bickering. We are heading out.”

The girls answered back. “Yes Father.”

Auromi got up and said under her breath. “Seems I made him upset.”

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There is a large forest that encompasses the south of Ganar and the northern part of Nerim. Its name is the Malik Woods. It was these woods that the group had camped by. After eating breakfast they had continued traveling south, following the directions Auromi gave as she searched for the power spots location.

They had passed through some small villages, but mostly tried to avoid the larger cities if they could help it. They had acquired a small amount of food that could be easily carried and a rough map of the surrounding area.

As they traveled along the road leading deeper into Nerim, they came across a fork. The right path seemed to continue on in the same direction they were traveling, while the left path looked to gently curve and travel east.

After confirming the direction with her magic, Auromi pointed down the right path. “We should go this way.”

Luna looked at the crude map in her hands. “According to this, that road leads to a mining city called Extirus.”

Calgar asked. “A mining city? Have mortals found a way to harvest magic?”

Auromi shook her head. “No, they shouldn’t have. They are most likely mining the ore that has been soaked in magic and using that.”

“Hmm.”

They continued down the road. After spending another night camping, they were able to see a large mountain range ahead of them by afternoon. As they approached, they could begin to make out the image of buildings that had been built into the sides of the mountain itself.

The mountains had formed a sort of semi-circle and the city of Extirus was built in the middle of it. Mining shafts littered the mountainside here and there. These shafts were dug out by individuals, hoping to score big money by hitting a vein of valuable ore.

Calgar asked Auromi. “Is the power spot here in the city?”

Auromi nodded. “Yes, it appears to be building up underground and is leaking out the many mine shafts on the mountains.”

Many makeshift buildings were strewn about in front of a large wall and gate that blocked access to the mountain range. People were bustling about buying food, daily necessities, and tools like shovels and picks.

Auromi caught an older looking man with greying hair and asked him. “Excuse me sir, is this the city of Extirus?”

The man turned to her and laughed. “Well missy, I can guess that you’re not from here are ya?”

“No, we just arrived today.”

The man gestured to the buildings around him. “This is the main part of the city. You can find inns and shops all over the place.”

“Out here? Then what is behind that wall, if not the city?”

“That’s the entrance to the mine. Originally, this area was only meant for the miners to work for the Empire and supply the magical ores within to build powerful weapons for the army. Over time, more and more workers and their families arrived and the buildings you see out here were built to house them, thus the birth of a fake city.”

“I see. Can anyone go inside? Or is it restricted?”

The man eyed her with suspicion. “Why are you interested in going in the mine?”

Auromi gave a disarming smile. “I was hoping to see it, since I came all this way. But if outsiders aren’t allowed, I’ll give up.”

“…Well then you better give up. Only workers and military officials are allowed entry. It isn’t open to the general public.”

“Thank you for the information. I’m sorry to take up so much of your time.”

The man waved his hand. “Nonsense, it was my pleasure. Please enjoy what little this city has to offer.”

After the man left, Auromi turned and faced Calgar and the twins. “You heard what he said. What do you want to do?”

Luna exclaimed. “Kill them and enter!”

Calgar hit her on the head. “Knock it off Luna, now is not the time.”

She held her head. “…Sorry Father.”

Sol offered a suggestion. “Can we not use Auromi’s mind magic to gain entry?”

Auromi shot the idea down. “My mind magic is permanent once used. I’d rather only use it as a last resort.”

Luna said. “Then I guess that leaves sneaking in? But how and when should we do it?”

Auromi asked Calgar. “What about you? Any thoughts?”

He nodded. “We’ll go with sneaking. As for how we do it, I’ll explain it over dinner since we will wait for nightfall anyway.”

Luna jumped up and down. “Oh! Then I want meat! Specifically chicken!”

Sol scolded her. “No, you need a more balanced meal or your taste buds will rot.”

“For the last time, I don’t need the food for nutrition! I just want the taste!”

“And I’m telling you it will all taste the same if you don’t try new things.”

Calgar sighed and turned to Auromi. “Shall we find an inn to rest at?”

Auromi smiled and walked with him. “Sounds good to me.”