Thor utilized the nanites to create a table and food. Nothing too fancy, just some odds and ends that could act as finger foods as we sat down to talk. Adaline came over and sat next to me with mom and dad on the other side of her. Across from the four of us were Abi, Amanda, Desirae, and Clarence.

After everyone was settled Desirae asked, “So what’s this about Adam?”

I thought for a moment before answering, “This last little bit I was away I learned a lot.”

“About what son?” My father asked.

“About the nature of reality as presented to us and about the fate of our daughter,” I said as I reached over and squeezed Adaline’s hand.

“So why don’t you just go get her, you’re still more powerful than all of us combined, right?” Desirae asked.

“More than you know,” I said pausing to let that sink in. I looked around the table and then began, “What I’ve been able to learn brings me to a couple of conclusions that may or may not be correct, though the evidence suggests that I’m right. Well, the lack of evidence anyway. First, I have never witnessed what happens to a soul when it’s done. I have seen ‘souls’ and even moved among them but I do not know what happens to a soul when it’s destroyed.

“Why is that so difficult to understand?” Clarence asked. “If you destroy the soul, it’s gone, no big deal.”

“Clarence, you’ve come a long way, but you have got a ways to go yet. Abi, why would the destruction of a soul cause me to question what’s happened to it?”

“If I had to guess, I’d say because you didn’t see that energy go anywhere else,” Abi said.

“Exactly! When I destroyed someone I didn’t see the energy of the soul go anywhere else. To be clear, I’m not saying when someone dies. I’ve seen souls move into the designated paths for them after someone dies. The issue that has my attention is what happens to the soul when it is destroyed. That is what interests me?”

“That’s an easy one honey,” my mom said, “they go to heaven.”

“Mom, I can take you to heaven right now if you want, without the need for anyone to die. Yes, souls are drawn into an afterlife that is chosen for them by some mechanism I don’t understand based on their nature and choices. Some even get resurrected or reincarnated. Others, just give up and their souls fade away. Or someone like me comes along and destroys them permanently. Except if I was to destroy them permanently there should be a release of energy or something. I haven’t seen that happen which leads me to believe there’s something else going on.”

“Why does that matter son?” my dad asked.

“I’ll get to that in a minute. The reason I added your new abilities to you is to help prevent anyone from changing anything about you. While I’ve never seen what ultimately happens to a soul, I have witnessed changes made by those that time travel. I wanted to make sure that this version of each of you sticks.”

“This version of us? How many versions have you run into?” Amanda asked.

“A couple. That’s not the point though. “I wanted to make sure you were all safe from being changed going forward.”

“Why?” Adaline asked.

“Because I think it’s time to decide what you will all be doing going forward.”

“I thought we were going to be getting the Earth ready for whatever comes next?” Amanda asked.

“I’ve skipped around timelines and see many variations within this Cosmos. Within this Realm, I do not doubt that this has, is, or will play out again. I’m more worried about what happens to all of you.”

“You’re worried about me and Clarence as well?” Desirae asked.

“Even you two. The three of us may have had a rocky start but you’ve more than proved yourself, Desirae. Clarence too.”

“Why now?” Abi asked.

“Good question Abi. Recently I went and talked to the progenitor of Labyrinth which originally created you. As we talked I became aware that long ago the rules of reality were quite different. In fact, the rules that governed maximum levels, skills, and the like were all different. The changes to the rules are what have affected Reality the way it has. It’s why Pandora is off somewhere by herself and why I can’t just go get her.”

“I still don’t understand why?” Adaline said.

“Okay, I’ll break it down to a very basic analogy Think of reality as if it were a computer. In that computer, you have a hard drive where everything is stored. At some point, the memory was split, and one side remained as it was, while the other side grew and changed at an exponential rate, almost as if a virus had been put into it. Files could be transferred from the infected side into the original settings, but that file would have to be scrubbed and converted before it could be added. If we were to connect the two sides some of the files with the virus would get through and corrupt the original memory core. As that pertains to our reality. There are realms that were disconnected from us. If we reconnect to them the rules of our reality could destroy that reality.”

“So, we’d all still be alive,” Clarence said

“First, our daughter is most likely in one of those cut-off realities. She may or may not survive such a calamity due to her nature. Second, and more importantly, I have a feeling that a cascade event like that would be very bad for reasons that I have not determined yet,” I said

“You have a hunch?” Desirae asked.

“Yep,” I said

“Well that’s good enough for me, your hunches usually turn out okay,” Amanda said.

“Thanks, Amanda!”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d love for you to be wrong just once,” she said with a grin.

“Thanks, Amanda,” I said with a bit less enthusiasm.

“Okay, so you’re worried about our universe contaminating other Universes, why are we here?” My dad asked

“That’s a good question dad,” I said as prepared my answer, “I intend to find a way to reconnect the Realms,” I said.

“We figured that out five minutes ago dear, what do you want us to do?” my mom asked.

“I want you all to accept the path of divinity”

“Even me?” Adaline asked

“Even you,” I said

“But you’re not a God, or are you a God now?” Adaline asked.

“I am not a God; I am what the gods answer to.

“You’re what?” my mother asked as the room went silent. After a moment rapid fire questions erupted until finally the questions paused and Desirae looked at me.

“We’re all a lot smarter now,” Desirae said, “You want us to become Gods so any changes that happen won’t affect us. Or if those changes do affect us, it won’t be that bad.”

“Yes,” I said.

“What does becoming a God even mean?” my mother asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know but I figure someone will take you somewhere to teach you all about it. One thing I do know, you need to decide what your purpose as a god will be.

“Our Purpose?” my father asked.

“Yes, each God has a fundamental purpose they declare and help serve.

“What is your purpose?” Desirae asked.

“I do not have a purpose, as a god would, instead I am Fortune both good and bad,”

“What do you mean you’re Fortune?” my mom asked.

“I am the embodiment of Chaos, random chance, that kind of thing.”

“Seriously?” Amanda asked.

“Seriously.”

“Well, whoever is in charge must have a sense of humor because you are anything but chaotic in how you handle things, especially those things that piss you off,” Desirae said.

“What she said,” Adaline piped in.

“That’ll be enough out of you two,” I said with a grin.

“So, you want us to open the prompt and hit accept for the path of Divinity?” my father asked.

“Yep.”

“Any idea what will happen?” Clarence asked.

“As I’ve never stepped onto that path, I have no idea, but I would imagine that you will be translocated somewhere, and your measure will be taken. Then you’ll choose your purpose and get on with the inner politics of the divine.”

“Will we need to leave Earth?” Amanda asked.

“I would guess so unless you chose a purpose that will place you here on Earth for sure. No, I do not know what purpose would do that.”

“So, give up everything we know, and do, who knows what until you get this all sorted out?” Abi asked.

“To be clear, I may never get this all sorted out, but if I can, that sums it up.”

“Sounds good, whose going first?” Abi asked.

“I’d like to visit my parents first, Amanda said.”

“And we’ll want to say goodbye to your friends,” my mom said.

“I’ll go, once your mom and dad go,” Desirae said.

“I’ll go when Desirae does. I do have a question,” Clarence hedged, “are you going to come to destroy us if we chose a bad purpose?”

“That is not within my realm of responsibility, it is not my place to police the gods. Also, good and evil, Order and chaos are both necessary so no I don’t think I’ll be coming after you. Though fair warning to you all, if any of you chose a purpose that orbits around pedophilia, I might find a way…

“I think I would find a way to kill them first,” Desirae said cutting me off.

“Okay then,” I said in a happy tone to lighten the mood. “I would also suggest that you move anyone that you want to see safe while you’re gone up to the lifeboat where Thor can keep an eye on them. One of the other reasons I think we should stop helping directly is that the people on Earth need to start fending for themselves and growing. If they don’t they’ll never be ready for the Labyrinth or anything else that pops up.”

“Very sound reasoning,” my father said.

“Anyone have anything for me?” I asked.

Everyone shook their heads as we all looked around at each other. I picked up a buttered roll and took a bite. I swallowed before I said, “Well if you all don’t have anything for me, I think we should enjoy this meal and each other’s company, then take the week to get everything in order. It’ll also give me a chance to see if I can contact you using spells once you are transformed into divines.”

Everyone settled in to eat and eventually small talk turned into full-blown conversations about what purpose each of them wanted to serve. My Father and Desirae proved to be of the same mind and thought that they might be able to start their own Pantheon or group of gods. Maybe even for this Earth. If they could, that would be quite interesting. I let them talk and occasionally added a positive comment here or there. While I did that I started up a private conversation with Thor.

Hey Thor, how are you doing? I asked through are quantum link

Everything seems to be going okay on this end. What do you want me to do while they all go off to do, whatever it is they are going to do? Thor asked.

I’m going to share some information with you. Things we came up with in an alternate timeline as well as all the information from the local galactic group. Once I’ve shared that with you your mission will be to ensure the safety of this region of space around the Sol system and maintain the Sun so that it does not expand into a Red Dwarf. You should be able to find the mass you need to make that happen from those star systems that are barren, I said.

Is what you’re suggesting even possible? Thor asked

Oh, we’ve been much more ambitious in the past. Also, should humanity utilize the technology you provide to leave Sol, what happens out among the stars is on them. Your job is to protect Sol.

Understood, Thor confirmed.

Commencing download in 3, 2, 1

I downloaded all the information Thor had acquired and the technologies we’d built to protect the Earth in that alternate timeline/universe as well as the location and data for each and every he’d surveyed. Considering he’d managed to get most of the local galactic group it was a lot of information.

After a few moments, Thor asked, Adam, how much information is there?

I estimate it’ll take another 3 minutes or so I said

That is a lot of information, Thor said.

I returned my attention to my family and friends while I continued to download the information into Thor. When the information download was finished Thor went silent for a few, the lights flickered and Thor said, Adam, that was a lot of information.

It was. As you expand the portal network you’ll need to verify the data for each system but at least you should have places to go look for raw materials without running into sentient life, though you may. Stick to the rules we came up with before and you should be okay.

I’ll get to work right away and start verifying every system within 100 light years.

You do that, I’m going to spend time with family, friends, and Adaline, I said as I broke our connection. Thor could contact me as necessary, but he hardly ever did.

“Adam, what are you thinking about?” Abi asked.

“Just working with Thor to make sure everything will be taken care of while you’re all away.”

“You say that as if you’re sure we will be going away,” My mom said.

“The one thing that has been made abundantly clear to me is that the divine travel in their own circles. I have never been privy to them but I’m sure they exist. That means that those that become divine must receive some kind of introduction to their new roles. Also, to interact and affect the mortal realm requires the expenditure of DP at a certain point. I do not know the details of that requirement but if I was a guessing man I’d bet that anything above personal would require DP expenditure,” I said.

“What are DP?” Clarence asked.

“They’re XP for gods. DP stands for Divinity Points. You use them to do various things, which includes becoming more powerful, so once you’re taught how to gain them, don’t spend them frivolously. That’s one of the reasons I want you all to try this at the same time. I want you to have a support network with each other if that’s possible. I’m pretty sure I won’t count as a mortal, though contacting Thor might be stretching things. If one of you finds a way to subvert Thor as a minion and bring him into the fold, that would be cool.

Adaline looked at me for a second then said slyly, “You’re talking out of your ass aren’t you?”

“Absolutely!”

“You really idea what’s going to happen do you?” Abi asked sardonically.

“None what-so-ever,” I said grinning.

“Why?” Adaline asked.

I put my serious face back on, “Because I have ideas about what I want to try to do next and I want to make sure the seven of you are relatively safe before I do,” I said. I stood looking over the table at my family and friends, “I don’t know where we will end up but I’m hoping that this next little bit will better prepare us and everyone else for what comes next.”

Adaline stood beside me and reached out. I took her hand in mine, “We’re going to head up to the lifeboat. Take the week to get all of your affairs in order. Adaline and I will do the same. If you need to talk, just let Thor know and he’ll portal you over,” I said as I teleported Adaline and myself into our bedroom in The Lifeboat.”

“Are you okay Adam?” Adaline asked.

“I’m fine, just worried about our little girl.”

“Not worried about me?”

“Not at all. You know you’re going to have to be the one to hold them all together?” I asked gently

“I know. They were all pretty excited to become gods. We’d all received the prompt, but you’d said not to accept. There were some talks about it a while back but eventually, everyone decided to wait.

“I know and thank you for waiting. Because you waited you’re going to accept divinity significantly more powerful than any other divine you run into at your level.”

“What do you know about the levels of divines?” Adaline asked.

“The first ranks of divines are called the Neophytes. At that rank, you won’t be Gods and will have to learn how to gain followers. I’m sure there’s a mechanism for it, just don’t know what it is.”

“What about all of the DP points I have?” she asked.

“Use them as you see fit but I’d save them until you find something good to use them on. Any idea what purpose you’re going to choose?” I asked.

“Something dragon, darkness, or shadow related.”

“Of course,” I said.

“Enough about that. If we’re going go away for a while I want to celebrate by taking a long flight around the world followed by some uninterrupted attention from you,” she said mischievously.

“Here at Dragonflight United, we yearn to please,” I said as I opened a portal a mile above my estate in New Mexico, “After you my lady.”

“You coming? she asked as she stepped through the portal dropping toward the Earth as she transformed into her shadow dragon form.

“Yep,” I said as stepped through the portal and polymorphed myself into a male version of a shadow dragon and followed here. I opened my link to Thor who cut me off.

Got it, Adam. I’m putting the word out to local forces not to engage the two large black dragons flying around. Thor sent

That would be a very bad idea, and thanks, I sent it back as the link went dead.

Over the next three days, Adaline and I traveled around the world. We cheated a bit by using the jet stream and just gliding for part of the trip, but our Endurance and Constitution allowed us to remain aloft the entire time. We also pushed ourselves to test the limits of our speed in this form. While flying with Adaline I learned what it was to be a dragon soaring about the ground as creatures of all types scattered before her. We finally came in for a landing back in New Mexico and switched back to our humanoid forms. I followed Adaline inside, where we “rested” for the next three days.