It is quite pleasant and I am seriously tempted to go back to sleep, but then my tummy growls at me. So I carefully extract myself from the two of them without waking them up. Then I pull a bunch of food out of the pouch and start stuffing my face again.

From how hungry I am you would think I hadn't eaten in days instead of a few hours. Hopefully this level of hunger means that I will grow quickly, at least enough to wear the belt. However, as I am eating another problem crops up, I sense one of the goddesses looking at me and I can feel her shock.

While I can't tell which of the two it is, I figure I better explain myself quickly. The longer I wait the more trouble I am likely to be in, but it can at least wait until I finish eating. Once I am completely stuffed, I create the soulscape and invite the two of them.

Inside the soulscape I quickly realize I am back to looking like my normal self. This must be the residual self imaging that Morpheus mentioned in the Matrix. Before the goddesses arrive I have to concentrate to shift to my new body.

Seronia says "Hey Ash, what's up? Huh? Cute!!!!"

From that I know that it was Krenocia who saw me and Seronia has no idea what's going on. However, as she runs over, picks me up, and starts cuddling me, I find myself unwilling to explain just yet. Mainly because she is currently holding me against her chest and I am more than happy to stay there.

Krenocia, when she arrives, looks both worried and furious at the same time. However, when she sees Seronia holding me to her chest and the look on my face she can't help but laugh. Seronia ignores her and continues to cuddle me, while I stick my tongue out at Krenocia.

Krenocia says "Sister, put him down! He is enjoying it way too much!"

Seronia says "I don't want to! He is super cute and fuzzy!"

Krenocia says "He also has a broken soul. Put him down before you make it worse."

Seronia says "What?!" and puts me down.

"Wait, what do you mean broken? You just mean damaged, right?"

Krenocia says "No, I absolutely mean broken! Not only is your soul missing a chunk but what's left is riddled with cracks! What exactly did you do to yourself this time?!"

So, I sit down and tell them everything that happened in as much detail as I can. I already know it won't do any good so I don't bother trying to make any excuses. As I am telling them about the gem and what it did I also create an image of it in hopes they will recognize it.

Seronia says "I'm sorry, I've never heard of anything like that."

Krenocia says "You said it was trying to ascend you?"

"Yeah, it said ascension failed when I broke out of the egg."

Krenocia says "Blitz being destroyed explains the missing part of your soul, but I think the cracks are because of the gem. To make you into a god it would first have to break down your soul. I have never seen anyone with a soul as damaged as yours. I have no idea how you are still alive!"

Seronia says "Is there anything we can do for him?"

Krenocia says "I can try to fortify his soul to prevent further damage, but I am not a healer. His soul will have to heal itself over time."

"How long are we talking?"

Krenocia says "Hundreds of years, maybe as much as a thousand."

"What?! Seriously?!"

Krenocia says "Yes! The worst part is, we won't be able to make you a god or reincarnate you until your soul is healed!"

Seronia says "I might be able to speed up the healing, but only after you return to being a soul."

"Meaning after I am dead?"

Seronia says "Yes. I am sorry."

"Don't apologize, it's no ones fault but mine."

Krenocia says "Yes, you and that stupid curiosity of yours!"

"The gem was pumping out huge amounts of fire mana, how could I not be curious?!"

Seronia says "Did you try to identify it before you touched it?"

"Umm, no."

At the same time both of them reach out and smack me in the head, which I deserve. To be honest the thought of trying to identify the gem first never even crossed my mind. Once again I didn't think and just acted, so they are right in the fact that this is my own fault.

"So, all that aside. Does either of you know what an alpha beast is?"

Krenocia says "No, I don't."

Seronia says "Actually, I do. An alpha beast is similar to a primal beast, just lower in power."

"You mean like the controller?"

Seronia says "Exactly. That thing is a primal beast, something from long ago that shouldn't exist anymore."

"Are you saying that alpha beasts are also things of the past?"

Seronia says "As far as I know, yes. But my memory can't entirely be trusted, as you know."

"Well, it would make sense. The gem is probably something ancient. After all, it was in the middle of a volcano."

Krenocia says "That is probably true. Something like that couldn't have been created easily."

"So, what should I do with it?"

Seronia says "Wait, you still have it?!"

"Yeah, I went back to collect the eggshell only to find it had returned to being a gem."

Krenocia says "Don't touch it again!"

"I wasn't planning to!"

Seronia says "However, if you can bring it back with you, maybe we could make use of it."

"It is safely stored in my pouch now so that shouldn't be a problem."

Krenocia says "What do you plan to do now?"

"I will find a safe place and spend a few days there. I am technically an infant right now. I need time to grow a bit."

Seronia says "Alright, at least that should keep you out of trouble!"

Krenocia says "I wouldn't bet on it! Ash can find trouble anywhere!"

With a final laugh at my expense they both pet my head and rub my ears then disappear. As soon as they are gone I create a full size mirror so that I can finally get a proper look at myself. My face is basically that of a tiger cub with a slightly longer muzzle, but my eyes haven't changed.

While I can't argue that I look cute and fuzzy, the dragon eyes still make me look dangerous. When I end the soulscape I find Brightfire and Nala awake and waiting for me. So I pull out food for them to eat for breakfast and eat some more myself.

Once I am done eating I shapeshift long enough to explain the plan to Brightfire. I also inform her that until I grow bigger she is in charge of carrying my pouches. Then I drop shapeshift and we head towards the beach we first arrived on.

Once there we look around until we find a decent spot to set up camp for a few days. As soon as we find one I take a nap until lunch time, leaving Brightfire to build the camp. Since she is carrying the pouches it is up to Brightfire to pull out the dishes for lunch.