--- Aphrodite POV

My form shatters against the Spirit Plane boundary, minute particles of being dispersing, which with a mindful effort I gather back to me on the “other side”. I am an insubstantial yet foreign body on this plane of existence and the system messages distract me from all else as they scroll by.

{Divine Dominate 106% upon entry:

24960 Worshippers +12% Divine Dominate Fertility Realm +5% Divine Dominate Disorder Realm +5% Divine Dominate Truth Realm +5% Divine Dominate Death Realm +5% Divine Dominate Initiate Worshipper +1% Divine Dominate Adept Worshipper +3% Divine Dominate Priest Worshipper +5% Divine Dominate Cardinal Worshipper +3% Divine Dominate High Priest Worshipper +7% Divine Dominate Site Consecration +1% Divine Dominate Shrine Consecration +3% Divine Dominate Temple Consecration +5% Divine Dominate Major Temple Consecration +7% Divine Dominate Great Temple Consecration +10% Divine Dominate Cathedral Consecration +20% Divine Dominate Minor Holy Site +1% Divine Dominate Significant Holy Site +3% Divine Dominate Major Holy Site +5% Divine Dominate

If reduced to 99% or less your Quest will end, and you will remain on the Spirit Plane.}

{Your manifestation upon Spirit Plane entry is 33% existence. Your presence upon the Spirit Plane will cost you existence, your actions upon the Spirit Plane will cost you existence, and spell casting upon the Spirit Plane will cost you additional existence. Your Divine Aura is null and void on the Spirit Plane. Your Divine Magic is one use upon the Spirit Plane. Your worshippers cannot sacrifice magic to you while on the Spirit Plane. When your existence is 0% you can leave the Spirit Plane if your Divine Dominate is 100% or more. You can expend Divine Dominate to remain on the Spirit Plane although once your Divine Dominate is 99% or less you won’t have a choice. If your Divine Dominate reaches 0% your Soul will be injected into the Soul Stream and without a life spark you will revert to a Spirit Entity and remain forevermore on the Spirit Plane.}

[Successful Spirit Strike; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 32%]

Not a pain, more like a gouge into the insubstantial form of my body removing a meagre substance. I return my attention to the present. Three opponents face me, and I strike out with my fists lacking any real weapons. Each strike in turn destroys them. They resemble Lizard Kin and as they disappear, I notice the forest on either side of the path fade and ebb. Familiar though, I squeeze my eyes shut and slowly open them and yet the scenery remains. I … I am on the Path of Tears …

[Combat concluded; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 31%]

In the distance, which isn’t far … I concentrate and the haze of nothingness forms into more of the path and I can observe several more Spirits awakening to my presence. I am certain there are more beyond the unknown …

[Vision of Spirit Plane extended; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 30%]

“Goddess I arrive in time to witness your glorious triumphant …”

My eyes snap right, what now I ask myself.

His Tiger Kin eyes widen before he regains control over his singularly solid form … “You are a shade … how?” asks Grandmaster Mateus, Priest of Aphrodite.

I am certain my dumbfound and silent non-response is not the answer he expects.

“Don’t take any actions my Goddess, don’t form any more reality upon the Spirit Plane, this path we are upon I recognise it and you only need your immediate surrounds … in your present condition. My consciousness will commune with the Masters of my Kin. Until then conserve your existence. On second thoughts summon a Cult Spirit to you, its magic will be able to protect you and possibly serve to conserve your existence.”

His perfect serene, crossed-leg form floats to my right. I poke him and he is solid, my finger though, disappears into him. This is what he expected of me, a solid form standing defiant upon this otherworldly plane of existence. Thirty-three, no … thirty per cent existence pitiful and a dread overwhelms me. Am I to fail before I have begun?

[Fatal acceptance of your existence upon the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 29%]

No, I silent scream, this plane of existence hates upon me at every turn. I open my eyes, not realising they are shut. Several spirits advance towards me, they slow, they wait for others I can’t see to join them, how many per cent will I lose, one certainly, what toll will their strikes at me cost?

“I call Magus Drexel Marner to the Spirit Plane.” Choosing him is an easy choice, his mana pool being huge.

[Requesting another while on the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 28%]

A shadow form slowly coalesces before my eyes, a long white beard, a wizard’s hat, and an aged face, smiling. A predator’s smile though … which quickly turns friendly. Perhaps I misread, on the Spirit Plane, he would be the hunter …

“I am honoured you call upon me Goddess, although given your current state I must insist you leave the Spirit Plane, you will not survive, and the world will mourn your loss.”

“Perhaps the application of your magic will allow me to resist the effects of the Spirit Plane to ensure my existence remains as complete as possible?”

He removes his hat and scratches his bald pate. “Let me think upon the possibility …”

A couple of images manifest before me. Orcs? Each in turn bows and turns to face the onslaught. Another, the same, a curt bow and about-face. And more and more and my heart swells, a giddy joy accepting unexpected allies, I know not how, wherefrom or why but they with reservation serve me. Should I order them forward? That will be an action … will they defend themselves and me without an order? I need a commander, the only one I know of on the Spirit Plane is the former Dog Kin Ames, God of War. He needs to join me … but how?

[Requesting another while on the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 27%]

What!? Did I request him? I only thought … no I don’t even finish, I have lost two per cent during the Grandmaster’s absence … now a third and only one following his advice, the other two due to my folly.

“A fine pickle you are in Goddess. Perhaps best if you retreat, fly back to the real world while you can?” says a gruff barking voice.

The Minor God of War Ames floats above my hoard of Orcs and I notice the odd Ogre amongst the gaggle for the first time. I could examine him, his Divine Dominate, yet to do so …

“What is this Goddess? You don’t need to summon another, I will be enough I assure you,” rails the Magus.

His tone isn’t pleasing, and I snarl back. “Have you found a way to protect my existence?”

“Umm, not as yet I …”

I don’t allow him to finish turning my full attention to the new arrival. I don’t issue the Magus with an order in case the Spirit Plane considers such, an action. Questions though, seem to be free.

“What is your current Divine Dominate?” I ask.

He draws his sword and shield in a well-practised flourish. “A mite personal is that question … why?”

“Perhaps I could offer you payment for loyal service Dog of War?”

A barking laugh and then his eyes narrow. “What sort of payment?”

“Share your Divine Dominate first …” I reply.

{Ames, Minor God of War; Divine Dominate 42%}

“No Goddess, you can’t offer such a boon!” shouts the Magus.

Ames bats the Magus away with his shield sending him sprawling. “Obey your Goddess you weaselly Spirit and do what she has bid before you speak of what you know nothing about. This is God’s business.”

The Magus flips himself to his feet, his hands gesturing, not an insult so I can only guess a spell? Then a calm returns to his face, he smacks his Wizard’s hat against his thigh and takes a generous amount of time to place it upon his head. Next, he smartly swivels around, his back to both of us.

Ames whispers to me, “He is a bit uppity for a Spirit is he not.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder as if I didn’t know who he means. “Now back to God’s business, you were sayin’?”

“I will offer you two per cent Divine Dominate for loyal service for my entire stay on the Spirit Plane.”

He sheaths his sword, throws his shield upon his back, and tucks two thumbs behind his belt. “Why two per cent and not one, what will that do for me? After all, I would have settled for one … oops probably shouldn’t have mentioned that …”

I can’t help but friendly smile at him. “I am a Goddess of Truth, so the offer of two per cent stands and upon granting this you will rise to Lessor God Ames, my friend.”

He howls, he actually howls! Next, he is on one knee before me. “I swear upon a mercenary contract to serve as War Commander to the Goddess Aphrodite while she exists upon the Spirit Plane for the boon of two per cent Divine Dominate.”

I will him two per cent Divine Dominate and then await the verdict of the Spirit Plane. My eyes cast about, expecting the message …

“What are you looking for?” he asks.

“I willed you Divine Dominate … I thought as an action …”

“Nah, I must complete my service first …”

“In advance!” I shout.

[Granting Divine Dominate to another while on the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 26%]

[Divine Dominate reduced to 104%]

I know the Grandmaster will be, um disappointed but if I fail, I don’t want to take the chance of leaving behind a debt. Magus turns to throw me a look of disgust, mumbling, “He now commands your army Goddess …” Then shows me his back again.

Ames glows for several moments and shortly after he stares directly into my eyes. “The other Minors counselled me to ignore your call, especially Tor. False they called you, power-hungry and yet.” He wipes some grit from his eyes. “I am honoured to serve you, lass, aye honoured. Now let me inspect your troops …”

He hovers above them, and they salute as one. What he says, their response I hear none. I realise at that moment I have deferred the command of my troops to another exactly as the Magus warned me, the Spirit Plane severing my link to them. I can only hope the God of War can talk directly to me.

“Twenty-six per cent Goddess, I hope you have done much in my absence to warrant the loss?”

Grandmaster Mateus returns.

“I summoned a powerful Cult Spirit and gained a commander of my troops …” I offer somewhat meekly.

“A Lessor God, excellent, there is a rumour, never mind for now. Your Orc and Ogre troops are a boon from the Twin Dungeons … I see now why they are here. The name of your Cult Spirit?”

“Magus Drexel Marner,” I reply. “He is busy trying to discover how he can utilise his magic to shield my existence.”

A pipe, trailing a thin ribbon of smoke appears in the Grandmaster’s hand, the long stem of which he taps upon his chin. “You must trust me in this, he won’t succeed.”

“He is a Master of Sorcery I am certain …”

The Grandmaster waves his pipe. “I didn’t say he couldn’t succeed, I said he won’t succeed if what I have learnt is true.”

“What have you learnt?” I face the accuser.

“Only rumour, his success or failure will or will not confirm the truth. For now, it matters little, he is busy, and my presence will curtail much. I would ask a necessary boon.” He pauses, waiting for me to ask the obvious.

“What is the boon you request?”

“One per cent Divine Dominate, Goddess.”

He asks plainly as if asking for supper while puffing on his pipe.

“Why?” Again, I ask the obvious and feel a smallness, I continue to diminish while already feeling like a stranger in an even stranger land.

“As a Priest, your boon will anoint me High Priest, which I believe necessary as this journey continues.”

“And if I don’t?”

He takes a deep draw upon his pipe. “I am loyal and devout, and my advice comes from a pure truthful place. Boon granted or not I will not leave your side. Unfortunately, I am working with rumours at the moment and have others trying to shift through them to reveal the truth, all the while trying to ensure I am prepared as best I can.”

[Granting Divine Dominate to another while on the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 25%]

[Divine Dominate reduced to 103%]

I action the request before I outthink myself and end up dithering. One side effect he realises in the same instant as I, we are intimately joined, I can read his heart, his absolute faith.

“A surprise but not one which concerns me, my Goddess.”

“I am certain as a High Priest you will serve me well.”

He smiles behind his pipe while his eyes fix upon Magus. “Adept Magus, have you succeeded yet? Our Goddess’ existence weakens while you dally … perhaps another would be more proficient?”

Do or don’t is the Grandmaster’s push and his actions cost me no existence. An important lesson, I need to work my will through others and trust them to be loyal.

“Lean upon me, Goddess.” He grasps my hand and places it upon his shoulder, his floating body lowering to ensure the task is comfortable, even though the gesture is meaningless for a shadow upon the Spirit Plane.

“Do you hear me, Goddess?”

“Grandmaster?”

“Another gift from your boon Goddess … imagine the landscape into my mind and I will pay the cost to form the same upon the Spirit Plane. Secondly, no longer share your system messages with your Priests. I will ask if I need to know, while the Magus will have to guess.”

I will the system messages to be denied to my Priesthood and the Spirit Plane allows me without penalty. “Is the Magus under that much suspicion?”

“He has one task, and his success or failure doesn’t require such information so why take the risk if he eventually proves disloyal?”

“How can a Priest of a Truth Goddess prove disloyal?”

He puffs several times on his pipe as we observe the battle of Orc Spirits against various Kin Spirits, my soldiers adopting a defensive posture for the moment.

“Sorcery, some perverting of the Disorder Rune, maybe a combination of many things. This is suspicion only Goddess, I do not condemn before proof, I only take precautions while the truth is pending.”

The battle spirits fall and then shoot skywards as trailing glowing arrows of light until they disappear from my limited view. “Are they destroyed?” I ask without realising, although thankful, that I do so via our link.

“They are on the Spirit Plane Goddess, their existence is destroyed only and after a time they will reform and return, although I am not certain the same will occur for our losses.”

“How do I order Ames forward then?”

“You don’t and neither do I. He is the God of War he knows your mission and knows best how to clear the way.” I catch the turn-up of the Grandmaster’s Tiger Kin maw. A smile? I wonder.

“Adept Priest Magus, have you succeeded as yet, I suspect our God of War is ready to move forward and as such the Goddess will need to expend existence to paint a canvas of geography upon the Spirit Plane,” shouts the Grandmaster.

He is enjoying himself and the Magus shuffles his shoulders, the sole response. Annoyance?

Several creatures manifest and hurry, flying to join the Orcs, I recognise them instantly, Karpies.

“It would seem your Dungeons have supplied flying archers, so I will enjoy observing our God of War and how he adapts his tactics to account for their abilities …”

[Maintaining your presence on the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% of existence. Current Total 24%]

“Just standing around I have lost one per cent of existence, you sure we can’t hurry our God of War?”

Circles of smoke waft upwards and I admire the display of absolute calm. “He has a plan, and we must honour it.”

“Goddess I wish to serve.”

I jump, or my presence jumps, my hand briefly lifting off Mateus’ shoulder.

Before I can answer Lessor God of War, Ames stands between myself and the Neophyte God of Hunting, Swift Spear.

“You took your time, what convinced yer?” asks Ames.

“Tor. He nags worse than any Lion Kin Matriarch I swear.”

“Swear loyalty to the Goddess and then scout ahead so my army doesn’t march forward blind. Be quick about it or as her War Leader I will refuse you this opportunity to demonstrate your loyalty.”

He leans upon his spear and points a finger at Ames. “You are a Lessor God, but how?”

“My worship greatly expands, of course, my Prophet finally convincing the Wolf Kin and Fox Kin numbskulls. Now do you swear or not?”

“Grandmaster I would like to ask him some questions first before I accept his service.”

“Ask and I will put them to him.”

“Why do you now lower yourself before a woman when in life your disrespect is well known?” asks the Grandmaster.

Swift Spear works his mouth trying to reply. I am not sure if he is shocked more by the question or the questioner.

On one knee he finds the words. “My perception reaches beyond myself now. I must succour my people, teach them the skills to not only survive but thrive now I am aware of the future doom called humans. To that end, I appreciate the contribution of all in a Pride and I hear tell stories of my son’s triumph while in the company of other kin, male, and female. My pride is secondary to the many Prides who worship me and therefore depend upon me. Any ambition to be Ruler God long gone, the creation of a God Plane and my liberation from the Spirit Plane the priority.”

“A long speech for a Neophyte God who could be easily vanquished, what is your Divine Dominate?”

“My people follow the ancient hunting trails they are migratory …”

“Divine Dominate?” insists the Grandmaster on my behalf.

“Twenty per cent, a Shrine declared a Minor Holy Site, the one within your Temple Goddess.” He lowers himself almost prostrate, his spear laying free beside him.

[Granting Divine Dominate to another while on the Spirit Plane; you lose 1% existence. Current Total 23%]

[Divine Dominate reduced to 101%]

“Arise Minor God Swift Spear and swear your loyalty,” demands the Grandmaster on my behalf.

His head rises, his eyes meeting mine. “You trust me to swear loyalty after granting your boon? I don’t understand?”

“The Goddess needs honest loyal assistance anything short of that is worthless. Swear or begone from her sight,” growls Ames.

The Lion Kin God of Hunting nods at Ames and then climbs to one knee. “I swear upon my spear to serve Aphrodite faithfully and loyally, to hold her as my Ruler Goddess regardless of Quest failure or success.”

I step forward and placing a hand on each side of his head kiss the furry top. His ears lay back in reaction and as I step back, he rises to his feet, nodding his head in salute. In an instant, he and Ames disappear.

“How do they do that?” I ask.

“More importantly the cost Goddess for a Hunter God, you cannot afford such generosity and think to succeed …”

“The rules are while I maintain one hundred per cent Divine Dominate, I can leave, until then I will strive to complete the Quest. If I fail, I fail.”

“You haven’t factored in a massive loss of existence greater than your current per cent, which will then reach into your Divine Dominate for payment.”

I lean heavily upon his shoulder and my existence is such that I slip through, less than a shade now, possibly a weak ghost. My vulnerability is all the starker. The folly of my generosity was never before clearer, given Ames knew best his words urging the desperate Hunter God to swear loyalty for nothing. I have no doubt now the Hunter’s sense of honour would have been enough to secure the oath and I catch myself before I descend into despair and lose another per cent of existence. Mistakes, I am continuing to commit them. Those around me are sincere in their actions and I must trust them more.

--- Cardinal Pex POV

The door to my prison squeaks. So soon? He doesn’t need to feed me, so has he grown weary of my presence and feels sufficiently secure to end me? I … I welcome such a relief I decide in a single heartbeat. I would only lament not farewelling my love, yet she knows without being told, I am certain.

“Good to see you are still here.”

Always the same worn-out greeting although this time full of triumph, and superiority. I fear for my Goddess as I have every day, unable to commune with her since I found myself in his prison.

He claps his hands again and again and his steps … is he dancing?

“Your Goddess burns through her precious resources on flunkies without making any progress, such delicious circumstances will see her bowing at my feet, regretting her ignorance of my achievements on her behalf.”

I stay silent. I am certain he has more to say and I don’t want to direct the conversation in case I take him away from spilling as much as his present euphoria will permit.

“She misunderstands you see, the Neophyte God is subject to others, vulnerable while their uncontrolled Divine Aura attracts challengers, the journey to Greater God should have been long and hard, yet she completes so quickly and before her Cathedral is consecrated. See that is a singular point of vulnerability, earning the Ruler God Elect and instantly becoming dependent on her followers.”

I bite my lip, swearing and cursing him will interrupt, and I need him to reveal more of his scheme and somehow, I must endure the torment of the Arch Priest Allene Corser’s unbridled happiness. His anointment as Arch Priest was only possible somehow due to the Goddess’ absence when declared Ruler God Elect. Who is he to the Goddess? Alba would know, forever on the Goddess’ finger, privy to her journeys … and yet not present on Aphrodite’s body when entombed in the Cathedral. I thought the Arch Priest removed the heirloom, perhaps not, hopefully not.

A loud clap brings me back to the present.

“Your shocked silence is appreciated as I am sure you now sense the hopelessness of your situation but know an obedient slave is always of value.”

I draw in a deep breath; how would he …?

“The Stone Giant Cardinal Taha shared her fears for your safety with me, such heartfelt concern and knowledge of your slave past, fearing the worst urging a search for you. I explained you are beyond my control, given a holy quest by the Goddess herself in fact and she and others believe. Months you have been absent, and they trust my words still, such blind faith amazes me yet as Arch Priest to be expected.”

--- Prophet Nami POV

“Prophet Nami you are most welcome, what business calls you to this humble Temple of our Goddess?”

“Perhaps a glass of wine first?” I ask.

She pauses a moment before accepting my unusual request. I have never been known to request wine in the past, nevertheless, I follow her to where we are best placed to discuss what I must. The Temple Anteroom.

“Don’t pour a wine for me High Priestess, I just need some private time with you.”

She fills one glass, not a second, placing the bottle down and reclining into her lounge. Her eyes need to look up, I am no longer a Stone Giant child.

“I am listening,” she states plainly.

“Do you have the Goddess’ ring?”

“Possibly, has the Arch Priest sent you to fetch the heirloom? Did he finally realise its absence?”

I step forward and without asking grab both of her hands. “In the Goddess’ name answer truthfully.” I release her hands. “I am not playing a game High Priestess our Goddess could be in danger.”

“Prophet forgive me. Nasim’s death, the Goddess rising and Pex … well I am alone even when surrounded by many … with your arrival, I should be more welcoming.” The High Priestess presses the stone tray attached to her lounge and a slide of some sort gives way. Reaching within the High Priestess holds up the Goddess’ ring.

“May I?” I ask as I reach for the heirloom. The High Priestess hesitates and then drops the ring into my open palm.

“I apologise, somehow I needed to keep it in my care … I don’t know why, and I admit my action is not proper.”

Her eyes are downcast, her body slumping back, lacking all energy. Whatever happens, I decide I need to stay at the Temple beyond completing my purpose.

I slip the ring on my smallest finger and yet as I push the ring expands in width until I can push it home.

“Alba, do you remember me? Nami?”

“Yes, the big little Stone Giant sister, where is the Goddess?”

“She is on a God Quest and I need your help, what do you know about Allene Corser?”

“Oh, Little Sis, in a word broken, please don’t trust him/her, ever …”

“You need to explain, and I need to tell Alasse so forgive any interruptions.”

I listen and repeat Alba’s story for Alasse’s benefit and by the end, we hold each other.

“Thank you, Alba, know that Allene Corser is the Arch Priest of Aphrodite presiding over her Cathedral.”

Several of my heartbeats go by before Alba replies, “How did this happen?” she asks, and we enter into another long discussion, along the way forming a plan.

“Magus is the dangerous one and he is a Cult Spirit and as such, we should try to summon him, and often,” suggests Alba, which I share with Alasse.

“Being so powerful, how could we succeed?” Alasse asks, her doubt clear.

I briefly cup her face in my hands. “Alba suggests success is not required, each time we attempt to summon him he will need to expend time and magic to resist, the random distraction almost as good as summoning and binding as any great magic he is trying to perform will be interrupted.”

“Who and how?” The tremble in Alasse’s voice is all the more apparent now.

“Alba will lead the summoning, she will move between you, Adepts and Initiates, in turn, drawing upon their magic for each attempt, starting strong.”

Alasse nods. Her head snaps up, staring me in the eye. “How did you know to be here now, at this moment the Cathedral is many days of travel away?”

I gently hold her hands in mine. “My original journey concerned Pex, she is missing although our Arch Priest proclaims, she is on a Quest for our Goddess. Big Sis encouraged me to search for her and I thought the best place to start would be with the person who knew her best. Tiger Kin waited for me in Quest Town with a story to tell adding another reason for my visit.”

“She is missing, we must find her.” Tears stream down Alasse’s face. “We must …”

“I know this is difficult.” I hand Alasse the Goddess’ ring. “First distract Drexel with all the magic you can lend to Alba then once done and handed to another we can continue our search for Pex together … yes?” I wipe her tears away with my large thumbs, awkward and fumbling.

She half sobs, half laughs grabbing at my hands. “You should have stopped with words, but yes, first things first.”