Liebe said, "How may I help you, Mr. Warner?"
Warner said, "I came here to apologize."
Liebe said, "Ummmmm… apologize for what?"Licht whispered, "Don't you understand? Dude's being polite — in simple terms he wants to say 'I'm sorry' — but now I have to kill you."Liebe whispered, "If I die, tell Alysa I did it with a 9/10, okay?"Licht said, "I would, but seems like a lot of unnecessary work, so — nope."
Liebe said, "Umm, Warner, why are you apologizing?"
Warner said, "I have been far too casual and rude to you."
Liebe said, "Umm, that's okay. Plus I prefer casual to always formal."
Warner said, "It wasn't right of me to act so close to the god of darkness. Forgive me."
Liebe said, "Dude, how many times do I have to tell you I'm not the god of darkness you're looking for?"
Warner said, "No — now I'm sure. My sister looked at you and her selective mutism is cured. She can talk."
Mey said, "That's true. You freed me from the past."
Liebe said, "Dude, have you ever heard the term 'actually standing up for a friend'?"
Warner bowed his head. "What can I do to worship you?"
Liebe said, "Don't you understand the meaning of the word? I'm not your god. Trust me."
Warner said, "Now I'm more sure than ever — we have to leave for Aldina right now. There you will awaken your true power."
Liebe said, "Umm, listen, dude — I understand what you're thinking. It's not that I don't want to be friends, but being revered as a god is far too much."
Warner went down on his knees again.
Alysa woke up and said, "What's going on?"
Liebe said, "Finally awake."
Alysa said, "That was a nice nap."
Liebe said, "Same here, but please get off me."
Alysa said, "No — it's nice here. You smell nice, and I like it."
Liebe said, "Okay, but we have guests."
Alysa got down.
Warner said, "I brought you this, Mr. Liebe."Liebe said, "Is that what I think it is?"Warner said, "Yes — a two-kilogram cube of aldinium. Mr. Licht told me the forge was a hobby you enjoyed and that you are always hunting for rare metals. This is what I can offer."
Liebe said, "I can't take something this expensive."
Alysa said, "What's so expensive about aldinium?"
Liebe said, "It's expensive because it's only reliably mined in Aldina and parts of Caldina. Even though it's found all over the soil in trace amounts, in Aldina it's extremely rare — about seventeen aldinium particles per billion soil particles."
Warner said, "I also brought this — a 500 g cube of artinium."
Liebe said, "How did you get that? That's rare in Aldoria."Warner said, "I had people work on it."Alysa said, "Is artinium the same?"Licht said, "Same group, except it's found in trace amounts in Aldoria while it's comparatively more common in Caldina."
Liebe said, "I can't accept this. It's far too precious."
Warner pleaded, "Please, Lord — accept it."
Warner added, awkwardly, "Lord — is it true you found my sister's wings delicious that night at the bar?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, they seem delicious. Maybe we can fry or grill them."Alysa said, "I'll do it — ranch or honey sauce will be best."Warner laughed nervously and placed his hand on Mey.
Mey understood what Warner was about to say and cried, "Brother, don't do it!"
Warner was joking; he backed off. Liebe placed his hand on Warner's forearm. "Stop, idiot. Don't you understand? It was a joke — plus they're far too cool to eat."
Tears streamed down Warner's face. He said, "Lord, I don't know if you are the real god of darkness or not, but you changed our lives. Because of you, twelve years of pain and suffering vanished in a week. The sister I worried about now talks — she talks to me. I thought I would have to live all my life worried, but you showed us broken wings can heal. We were the only people here to be acquainted with so much suffering, and you took that away. As the future king and a diamond warrior of Aldoria, I will open Aldoria's border for you until the day you are ready to enter and awaken. Even if it takes a billion years, the people of Aldoria will be awaiting your return. We will be waiting for you no matter what."
Mey said, "Yes, Lord Liebe — it's true. You are the true god of darkness." She teared up. "I lived my life in darkness, but in a week you freed me. I never thought I'd fly again."
Liebe smiled. "Don't sweat it. And, Warner — don't rip off your wings. They suit you. Perhaps someday those wings will let you soar into the future."
Warner bowed. "I will take my leave then. Please accept these insignificant offerings from a humble follower."
(Aside — Liebe thought: Dude, WTF — you call hundreds of grams of aldinium and artinium 'insignificant'? Licht whispered: What is he saying? That gift is easily worth more than fifty thousand gold. Liebe whispered: I know — damn. You got a girl — make that two — and a week of naps and killed a supreme devil. How lucky are you? Licht whispered: I know it's weird.)
Liebe gave an impish smile and murmured to Alysa and Licht, "So you guys don't have any problems with gay-ism?"Licht said, "Of course not — you're my best friend. I don't judge."Liebe said, "So you support my decisions?"Licht said, "Of course I support you no matter what."
Liebe looked at Alysa with that crooked smile. "Alysa — you're okay with this, right?"Alysa said, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
Liebe turned back to Warner. "Alright, Warner. As the 'god of darkness,' I have found the perfect way for you to redeem yourself."
Warner said, "Please, Lord, I ask for your wisdom."
(Licht whispered to Liebe: Damn — so direct. Your intentions seem evil.)
Liebe said, "To purify your soul, you must find and catch Licht, and fuck him a hundred times — sincerely and loudly. That will be your penance."
Warner blinked. "Understood, Lord of Darkness."
Licht groaned, "I hate you more than anything."
Liebe laughed. "I know. Now run — or the hundred might just murder you."
Licht vanished in an instant as Warner bolted after him, shouting, "Please, sir, stop — I need your help to purify my soul! I will be sincere!"Licht yelled back, "No thanks — my dignity matters!" He thought, When I find Liebe, I will murder him.