Maya
"Huh, what are you on about," Griffin says,
"Wait, the- who the hell are you!?" Hamartia whispers.
"Oh, I guess me and Maya unfused, huh?"
"Wait, where is she?"
"Try looking on the floor"
"So should we help her into bed?"
"Yeah definitely"
"Wait she has no clothes on"
"I don't either. Cry about it"
"Bellatrix was nicer"
Hamartia grabbed me by my legs and Griffin grabbed me from under my shoulders. And they both sat me at the bottom of Heba's bed,
"Alright I'ma go check the door" Hamartia said while putting some pants on over her underwear
"Right then I'ma watch TV."
Griffin says, grabbing a remote off the tan carpet. Hamartia opens the door and meets a silver barrel to her face.
"Put your hands up and don't scream, now walk toward your friends and wake them up."
The man in front of Hamartia instructed her. Hamartia compiles hesitantly. When she turns around, she finds Griffin nowhere to be seen. She nudges Heba.
From the shadows Griffin attacks the man using the ooze around her body as giant claws swiping at the man. The man dodges as his armor that covers him head to toe begins to glow purple releasing an evil aura. The giant cannon he carries on his back fell after one of the claws ripped the straps off.
"It can never be easy, huh?" The man said while putting his handgun into his holster. He reaches out towards Griffin as a sword is conjured into his hand. He points the sword at Griffin and speaks.
"let's dance"
"bet"
Griffin responds and they start clashing, destroying a wall, and continuing outside. Hamartia wakes me and Heba up and explains the situation. She then conjured some clothes for me to wear jeans, sports shoes and a sports bra. I went out to help Griffin, it seemed like it was a stalemate by the time I got there.
"Not too bad," the man compliments Griffin.
"You're not too bad yourself."
As Griffin swoops down for another assault, rain cascades from the sky transforming the lush grass into a quagmire beneath our feet. With a surge of power, electricity crackles around me, illuminating my surroundings. A vivid blue flame dances within my left eye, glowing. The stars in my hair glow intensified as I propel myself forward in a blur of motion. Each strike I deliver is infused with raw energy. Amplifying their impact as I soar through the air and land a devastating kick that fractures the earth beneath us, missing the man.
"That would've been ugly if-."
Before the man could finish, Griffin came behind him and punched his back. Sending him flying toward my direction with a charged punch imbued with electricity. I shatter the man's helmet sending him flying a couple of feet forward. He lied on the ground for about a minute as me and Griffin waited for him to get back up, but when he stood up my heart *THUMB THUMB*
"Hercules…?" I said in disbelief.
Back at the kingdom he was my older brother. He was taken in by my father after the Greek gods took away his vision, in fear of him. He was taught to see through the eye of the universe. And he became a level one star-caster/weapon caster with the ability to create weapons out of nothing. I always looked up to him.
As he stood before me his eyes looked healed, but they were dark purple and dead inside, no life. "So, you know now huh? This is why I shouldn't play around with my prey." His helmet regenerates and he touches the ground as a white explosion knocks me out.
"That's one~Now~, two."
Griffin was injured in the explosion, her ears ringing. So Heba used some healing magic to help her, and Hamartia stood against Hercules. Hercules conjured a spear, it was black. Its head glowed dark red. He then charged over toward Hamartia. But Hamartia stood there confidently with a smirk. When he got close, giant spikes ripped out of the ground. Hercules dodged it, but his chest plate got damaged but healed within seconds.
"Ha-ha nice trick. I didn't see that coming." Hercules said while pulling out a second spear
"You talk too much"
Hamartia rushed over toward him. Creating a giant ice war hammer into her hands by freezing the rain around her. It was about 13 feet tall. Hercules then cuts off the head of the war hammer in milliseconds.
From the sky, a woman with angelic wings and a halo comes down from the heavens with a fiery blade and Pierce's Hamartia spine.
"AHHH!"
Hamartia cries as the light in her eye's fades.
"Hamartia!"
Heba yells, reaching out toward her. The woman comes down to the earth.
"You always play too much; you could have killed her as fast as me." she says lecturing Hercules.
"I know, but I wanted to have some fun. It was my first mission~." Hercules said while taking off his helmet. The woman walked over towards Hamartia, taking her sword from her body.
"Damn, I see why too. What a waste of such a Beautiful Body," the woman said as she kicked Hamartia's body.
"You get your hand away from her!"
Heba shouts while pointing her staff at the woman's face. The moons in the sky shined on the women. The rain stopped, revealing long black silky hair and a mask with the eye of God on it, in which she wore,
"Fine, we got what we came for, anyway."
The woman's grip tightened around my arm, pulling me into the concealed airship that silently hovered in the sky.
A young star born girl cries at the edge of a black platform facing the see. "What world, why are you crying?" A women asked approaching the girl from behind.
"Because I give, I cant fly like the rest of my siblings, so I cant play tag with them."
"I see…" the women says before sitting down next to her. "Have you even tried catching them?"
"No its pointless. Why would I even try?
"Look Maya, everyone is delt different cards in life some, worse then other, but that don't mean you don't try. You have powers to, use them." The women says hugging and kissing the young girl before walking away.
As consciousness returned, I found myself confined within a dimly lit cell.
"You're awake," a guard said standing outside my cell.
"You're about to meet the cloud queen. You're in some deep shit." The man continued. I sat there silent. I was at my wits end, after seeing Hercules that night… It made me give up, my father still hasn't come looking for me and I'm about to meet the most ruthless queen that ever ruled.
The following day commenced grimly, as an electric collar was fastened securely around my neck. Flanked by two imposing guards, I was forced into the queen's throne room, where a hostile crowd jeered violently, brandishing banners of the cloud kingdom. The vast expanse of the chamber resembled a more ancient coliseum than a seat of royalty. My gaze fixed downwards as two armed soldiers forced my head to bow upon a scarlet carpet adorned with glistening threads of gold. Seated upon the throne was a young girl, her presence overshadowed by Lucifer the god of destruction ominously hovering above her. The god of destruction is one of the three overseers of the universe.
The supreme deity known as Dierdre or also known as the cube. The god of creation known as Faith, a star born like I am. Then there's the god of destruction, they watch over the universe keeping it balanced. It's my job to defeat these three individuals to take the throne as supreme deity.
"Let's begin the trial."
The queen's voice sliced through the room, instantly hushing all other sounds. Rising from her shimmering silver throne, she advanced towards me with deliberate steps. With a regal air, she placed her bare foot upon my head, asserting her authority in a silent yet powerful gesture. Her attire was a striking combination of elegance and strength. Her white gown resembled a bridal dress, adorned with gleaming armor-like shoulder pads and intricate metal detailing along the edges of her skirt. Unlike the others, her mask stood out in silver hues, embellished with a majestic golden eye at its center. As she addressed me, each word spoken carried weight, emphasizing her dominance as my head was pressed firmly into the unforgiving ground.
"You and your family have committed treason. Do you plead guilty?"
I stayed quiet
"If you choose not to speak, then I will have no choice but to make you my slave Darling~" she let out an evil smirk. There was no point in speaking, it would only make the situation worse.
"Well, welder, get the brander,"
She spoke softly as she gracefully returned to her throne. The brander, a relic of ancient power, it has the power to control the minds of its victims to wielder's will. Suddenly, two mechanical contraptions emerged from the floor flanking me, their cold metal arms securing mine in place, immobilizing me completely. In a swift and brutal motion, they tore away my sports bra, leaving my chest bare and vulnerable. With calculated precision, the welder reappeared, holding the ominous brander in hand, kneeling before the queen.
"Take it, my lady." The brander, resembling a spear with a luminous flat head and an ornate handle of gold and white, was firmly grasped by the queen as she advanced towards me. With precision, she aimed it at my chest, ready to strike, but just before the impending blow, *PAW PAW* gunshots shattered the tense silence. The unexpected sound caused the brander to slip from the queen's hands as her guard swiftly rushed to her side, guiding her back to her throne. Suddenly, a mysterious cube materialized above the throne and descended into the ground.
In the midst of the chaos that ensued, Lucifer observed with a hint of amusement as explosions rippled through the room, inciting panic. The ground quaked beneath me before giving way entirely.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a dungeon straight out of a fantastical tale. Standing before me was a woman whose skin emitted a soft pink glow. She was cloaked in black, concealing her features as she gazed intently at me with an air of mystery.
"Please take this and take the throne and free my kind" she said, offering me a golden sword.
"Is that Excalibur?" I asked, recognizing the sword
"Yes, it is, please take it."
Stabbing the sword into the ground before me, I reach for its handle, causing a gust of wind that unfurls her cloak. Beneath it stands a woman, not flesh and blood, but a crystal golem. Her hair shimmers in hues of pink, her eyes radiant blue like sapphires, and her skin resembling the raw beauty of unpolished rose quartz. A gentle smile graced her lips as I lost consciousness, clutching onto the sword. In the background, a man silently approaches behind her.
"Did she take it?" the man asked
"Yes, Mr. Merlin"
"Well, a new queen has been born then, and your people will be free."
Merlin took off his hood, revealing his glowing blue right eye. The woman put me on her lap, waiting for me to wake up. I dream of a pink grassy field and a woman appears in front of me. She wore armor that looked like a dress similar to the cloud queens. She had fangs and black hair, along with black fox ears on top of her head. She laid down in a Sakura tree on one of its huge mighty branches. Looking over at me, "About time someone came to claim the sword." It looks like my soul went inside of the sword. "So, are you supposed to test me?" I asked,
"Naw, not today, my friend. Merlin explicitly chose you to use Excalibur." The woman teleports in front of me in an explosion of flowers and grabs my shoulder. "Make sure you put on a good show for us." She said while pushing me into the grass, and I woke to find the crystal golem girl brushing my hair. "You're awake, you ready to make this world shake?" The woman asked.
"Yeah,"
I stood up to find armor purely made out of white cloth, and a chainmail skirt and arm sleeves. The Excalibur turned into a Khopesh. Now you, the reader, might be asking. "When do I start to kick ass and stop crying like a little B word." Well, I'm here to tell you, it's ass kicking time.
"Alright, let's do this. By the way, what's your name?" I asked.
the woman responded
"Faith,"
"Thank you, Faith,"
"Don't mention it."
My ascent is swift as I soar through the opening where I had tumbled from. Before me unfolds a chaotic scene. The queen commands her troops from afar, while the enemy advances with a deadly combination of firearms, blades, and mystical powers holding up banners of a broken Ankh. Determined, I make a beeline towards the queen, only to be intercepted by Lucifer. Despite his alluring visage, I remain steadfast against his allure. With a Khopesh gripped tightly in my right hand, I lunge at him, but he skillfully parries my strike with a gleaming golden spear. The halo hovering above his head intensifies like a blazing inferno.
"Looks like you're gonna be a challenge." He says while smirking.
I charge the energy in my body up, creating a shock wave across the room. The freckles on my face glow white, my eye pupils glow pink and the stars and planets in my hair glow brighter.
"Looks like I'm fighting a real-life star borne. They are even more beautiful than the stories say" Lucifer says.
While getting ready for another attack, I shoot through the air towards him, stabbing him in the chest.
"You talk too much."
I pull back the sword splitting his head. With a final blow, I charge up an energy attack releasing it on to him before he could reach the ground, incinerating his body into ashes. Now that's one way to kill a god,now for the queen. I rush over towards her, but I lose consciousness having used too much power falling toward the ground.
The attacking force realized that the god of destruction was defeated. They rushed in and took my body before retreating. Having realized I put a giant hole in the cloud kingdom's defense, they wanted to come back with an even greater force. The force being two supercarriers. They descended upon the floating city as big as moons. With a flash! Two parts of the city were bombed and Like locus, ships fled out of the supercarriers killing any survivors.
Underneath the city, a woman destroys an entire fleet of cloud ships on her own. This was the might of the Broken Anker. I woke up in a hospital bed. To my left Griffin sleeps soundly as if she was watching over me all night. To my left Hamartia was drooling all over my cover asleep. I rub Griffin's hair, and she begins to wake up.
"Hmm" still half asleep, she looks at me blankly for about ten seconds, and then she realizes.
"You're awake! sit still Ima grab the nurse." She runs off in excitement.
I look around the room. It was practically all white. To the left of my bed was a sofa, and then I glared to my right. I see through a window, upon my eyes, a city far advanced than I ever seen stands before me. In place of a sky was a clear dome where you could see that I was on a ship orbiting my planet. I nudged Hamartia.
"Hey, Hamartia"
No response. I guess she's having a really good dream. I start to try and recall the events that happened. "Wait, what happened?" I think to myself, the nurse walks in.
"Hello Ms. Maya, I'm Kelly, your nurse."
Griffin stands behind her shaking as if fighting the urge to move.
"You must have a lot of questions regarding your situation. But first we must run a couple of tests if that's ok with you Ms. Maya?" Kelly continues.
"Yeah, that's alright." I respond as Hamartia continues to sleep soundly.
"But we can wait until she's awake," I suggested as Hamartia continued to drool.
"Of course, Ms. Maya, I will be back in about an hour." Kelly walked toward the exit but before she left, she whispers something to Griffin and leaves.
Griffin entered the room with; glossed lips. Her jean skirt danced a bit as she walked, and her white T-shirt reflected the light at me from the window.
"You look cute." I blurted out.
Her face turns red; she turns around to hide face *ahem ahem* She clears her throat.
"Must you be so straightforward, Mai?" She turned back around.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help myself."
"I will let slide just this once. Thank you for the compliment. But how are you feeling?"
"I'm pretty good, just a little confused."
"I wouldn't blame you, but I can't really say anything myself."
"Why?"
"Someone else wants to tell you, it's a surprise"
"Oh, I see."
"Wait, where's Heba?"
"Oh, she went to handle some business with Queen Patra, but don't worry, she will be back soon.'
"Damn Hamartia has been asleep a long time."
"She stayed up for three nights waiting for you to wake up. I wouldn't be surprised if her schedule was flipped"
"I see" I stroked Hamartia's hair.
Thank you, Hamartia. Hamartia wakes up, her eyes glowing pink
"You're awake."
Hamartia jumped on top of me. Her arms wrapped around my neck. She was warm. I could feel her heart pound, and then I felt tears fall on my back.
"I thought you would never wake up."
"I wouldn't go down that easy." I responded, hugging her back.
Griffin comments, "So dramatic. You just met the girl."
She smiles while sitting down on a nearby sofa. Hamartia lets go, wiping the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry, I am being a bit dramatic"
"It's alright"
Thirty minutes later, Kelly returned to conduct the tests. She meticulously examined my body systems, starting with my heart and cell command center. Despite my outward appearance resembling that of a female, I lacked organs necessary for reproduction, except for breasts. This was a consequence of a divine curse that rendered women and men unable to bear children conventionally. To conceive, one had to be married and deemed worthy by the God, who would then provide as many eggs as desired. These eggs were then planted in the ground, leading to the growth of giant fruits on trees after ten months.
In this society, relationships differed significantly from those on Earth. Individuals could have up to three spouses simultaneously out of genuine affection rather than physical pleasure. Upon bearing children, breasts would grow in correlation with the number of offspring.
The cell command center served as a secondary consciousness, allowing us to utilize our brains fully (100%) and direct our cells' functions efficiently.
Moreover, within our bodies are cores enabling us to access superpowers or energy known as "abilities." While any race could possess any ability, certain races exhibited innate tendencies towards specific powers. For instance, Calists naturally wielded telekinesis while Star Born individuals like myself could enhance power levels through transformations. Elementals faced a unique predicament, as they were restricted to manipulating elemental forces, such as fire, water, earth, wind, and occasionally nuclear elements, due to a curse.
Interestingly, sixty-eight percent of the universe's population assumed female forms without it impacting their physical prowess significantly thanks to the constant flow of energy coursing through their bodies round-the-clock. Consequently, gender roles held no significance in this society, characterized by an intricate energy-based system governing abilities and relationships alike.
Kelly finishes up the tests. Oh yeah, one final thing: you ONLY grow breasts after you have kids so if you don't have kids, you don't have nipples, and no female organs so completely smooth down no holes at all. So, keep that all in mind.
"You're all set, feel free to leave when you ready"
"Okay thanks"
"Just doing my job. Call if you need anything"
"Will do"
Soldiers walked in as Kelly exited the room, their presence commanding attention. The soldiers lined up in perfect formation. Standing parallel to each other on opposite sides of the room. Each one solemnly placed a hand over their heart before casting the hand to the side, exuding an air of discipline and dedication. Their armor gleamed black with a soft blue light emanating from it, reminiscent of Hercules' attire. Following them, a woman entered the room. She was striking in appearance, with her eyes concealed by a blindfold, her porcelain skin resembling freshly fallen snow. Her attire was a stunning deep red and gold kimono that draped elegantly around her slender frame, contrasting beautifully with her long flowing black hair.
"Mother?" I exclaimed
"Welcome home, dear," she responds, with her arms open wide. I jumped out of bed to hug her.
"It's been too long, Mother."
Behind me, Hamartia and Griffin whisper.
"Should we tell her that her ass is hanging out?" Hamartia whispers, trying to hold in a laugh.
"Naw, it would ruin the moment. She will realize soon enough."
I feel a wind blow between my legs and then my face turns completely red at the realization I have no pants on. I walk back as fast as I could backward to wrap a cover over myself. My mother signals to the guards to leave.
"I thought I raised you to be modest." My mother chuckles.
"It was an accident!" I said while putting on clothes from a dresser that sat in front of my bed. I put on a white shirt tucked into white high-water pants. After I'm done the soldiers walk back in but this time they kneel. My mother brings out a medal pendant.
"I'm proud of you Maya." she says as puts it in my hands.
"I wish I could have given you a proper ceremony. High commander Maya of the broken Ankh/Anker"
My mother solutes and I do so as well with the pendent placed at my heart. Tears began welling up in my eyes. As the soldiers lower their heads.
"Thank you, mother, for this honor."
This was a complete shock, the role of a commander is already crazy on its own. A high commander is on a whole new level. This was an unforeseen turn in my life's journey, stirring unexpected emotions within me.
As the day unfolded, I found myself aboard a colossal vessel known as the National ARK Defense (NAD). It dwarfed even the largest planets in size. Functioning not only as a formidable warship but also serving as the sanctuary for the residents of Broken Anker. Leading dual lives intertwined within its vast confines.
I was given my own living quarters, but Griffin, Hamartia, and Heba wanted to live with me.
One day Hamartia and I went to a Japanese style bathhouse together.
It was quiet, awkwardly quiet but soon a voice broke the silence.
"What do you think of demons?" Hamartia asked.
That is quite the interesting question. Demons are a species of humans that are from Gehenna. They are typically seen as evil, but it seems particularly succubus are not fazed by the curse of God. So, they have all that stuff. But demons aren't their real name, it's a racial slur, they're real names are Nephilim.
"If I'm being honest, I believe demons are just as human as anyone else." That was all I could say.
Hamartia moved through the large pool of water behind me. She then poured shampoo into my hair.
"What are you doing," I asked
"Let me do this for you." she said with a soft smile.
I continued softly washing my tale as she washed my hair.
"Do you wanna know a secret?"
"Sure."
"I was born in the abyss, don't tell anyone okay,"
In the initial week of living together. Our living situation proved to be rather promising. Following our relocation. Funds from the government ensured financial security for years to come. Rendering conventional employment unnecessary. Our home is situated in a lofty skyscraper, giving us a breathtaking view of the city below. Gazing skyward, you could see my home world through a giant dome. Each of us enjoyed individual living quarters within our residence. However, Hamartia inexplicably gravitated towards sharing a sleeping space with me.
"Why do you wanna share a room with our master?" Heba asked. We were all standing in the living room, including Griffin.
"Because" Hamartia responded Standing behind me, her face was red in awkwardness
"Because? Because of what."
"Don't make me say it out loud," Hamartia shouted
"Know what doesn't matter. Let's gets these boxes into their rooms"
Heba picked up about five boxes using her physic powers, and everyone else followed after.
Griffin's eyes glowed as she gave Hamartia a death stare, but as weirdly as it was, I ignored the interaction.
"Hey, you want to go out with just the two of us?" Hamartia asked
tugging at my tail, we were walking up a white carpeted stairs case one day when we got back from a grocery store. The evening light shined on us from the glass door in the lobby.
when she tugged at my tail, a cold chill went through my body.
"You mind not touching the TAIL." I snatched it away.
"Oh, come on I know you like it~ no need to pretend."
"Boundaries"
"But you did-"
"I will think about it," I said as I continued up the stairs.
My face turned red as I continued up the stairs. I need to get my head out of the gutter, and plus, what would Meggy think? I didn't know if it was because she was a half succubus, or because she was really cute, either. I liked her, but I don't need to act on anything.
Chores were split between all of us; I was responsible for me and Hamartia's room while Hamartia was to clean the kitchen. Heba cleaned her own room and bathroom. And finally, Griffin who was responsible for cooking which she was surprisingly good at despite never cooking a day in her life. But life can never be perfect. After about three months of living in the high-rise Griffin and Hamartia got into a fight but none of them would tell me or Heba why.
"Hey, why are you two fighting?" I asked, but they both just walked away, not breathing a word. Later that night, Hamartia came to bed.
"Is it ok if I sleep on the top of the bed with you tonight?"
She asked, while having her tail curled around her left leg. She looked really cute, but something felt wrong about this, but I still let her sleep at the top of the bed with me, because what could possibly go wrong.
"Yeah, sure."
The lights turned off and I rolled over to go to sleep, but I couldn't fall asleep. Hamartia tugs at my shoulder.
"Hey Mai, how do you tell someone you're in love with them, but you barely even know them?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe I would find a way to get closer to them first"
"Then Maya, how could I get closer to you?"
This was a confession, but I'm not sure how to respond to this. I do like her, but am I ready for a relationship like that? I think back at Meggy. What would she think? The girl she loved and died for, moves on so easily I'm not sure if I can. I turn around to face Hamartia.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," I responded
"Oh, I see." She turns around gripping the cover.
"But to be honest, I would love to be closer to you, Hamartia, as friends"
I put my hand on her shoulder. Later that morning Griffin and Hamartia were still fighting so, me and Heba came up with a plan. We lowered them into an advanced training cage with them blindfolded.
We locked them inside and told them they could take off their blindfolds. We watched from a window high up in the room where we could control how strong the golems were in the room.
"Hey, what type of sick joke is this?" Griffin yelled
"Yeah, the hell is this," Hamartia cut in.
"We're not gonna let you out until you both make up. Me and Maya are tired of y'all bullshit!" Heba cranks the golem's difficulty level hard. "Have fun~" I said while walking away from the observation with Heba.
Hamartia
Damn how could she do something like this. This is cruel. I hate talking about feelings and stuff unless it's about love of course. The golem came out of the ground and there were two of them. One woman-shaped and one male-shaped they both had spears and in the middle of the room was a flag.
"Alright I will take the girl you take the male" I said creating a sword out of ice.
"Got it"
And with that, we dash into battle. The golem throws her spear behind me while simultaneously teleporting behind me. kicking me onto the ground, she catches the spear and points it at me. Griffin, on the other hand, is struggling as well to keep up with the pace. What are we supposed to…
I look on top of their heads and realize they have halos, meaning they have the power to destroy planets at will. Shit how the hell are we supposed to beat those things. Their silver bodies reflecting the light in the room intimidates me, making me think; Maybe I should talk things out with Griffin.
"Yeah, I'm cooked" I say, accepting defeat.
"Same here. This argument is not worth the trouble."
"You hear that, we give up! We're willing to talk it out!" I yell out but no response no response.
No way did they forget we're in here or something? The golems don't let up, keeping the pressure on. Me and Griffin barely could hold off their attack; the golems only allow us to defend because of their incredible speed. Griffin, using her brain, creates a double of herself out of the ooze on her body. The double is much faster and flexible and starts to beat the golem. She then rushes over to me making it an easier fight. We both teamed up on the female golem and me following Griffin's example creates my own double out of water. Then the tides were shifted and so we thought.
The male golem had destroyed the original double, and teleports behind Griffin knocking her out and slamming into her to a nearby wall. I was grabbed by my neck, rendering me helpless and after a couple of seconds they vanished.
"Are you ready to talk it out?"
We hear a voice from a speaker. "We've been said that, you ass holes." I point at the window that Heba looked down at us from.
"Whoops didn't hear you. We were watching a movie, well, talk. Let us know when you are done." Heba responded while drinking her smoothie.
"Got it." From here I wasn't sure how to start the conversation, but Griffin started it for me
"I don't like the fact that you are pursuing Maya."
"How is that any of your business?" I crossed my arms.
"Because it is not fair, you're a succubu-"
"Part succubus!"
"Yeah, and you still have the same properties as one. Sleeping in her bed every night is slowly brainwashing her, you know."
"And so, what if it is? How is this any of your business?"
"Because I'm her friend, and if you felt the same way, you would stay away from her."
"There's more to this than you just trying to be her friend, isn't it?" I pointed at her
"What are you on about?" Griffin avoids eye contact and crosses her arms, visibly uncomfortable with the accusation "It's because y'all fused. You like her too," I Exclaimed
"No, we only did it to escape the prison." Griffin stepped back.
"But you liked it, didn't you!" Griffin looks down at the ground, continuing to avoid eye contact.
"So, what if I did? I've known her for much longer. You literally just met her, about a couple of months ago."
"Have you ever heard of love at first sight?"
"You are impossible!"
"I know, it's in nature."
"No, what, we don't have to like each other but we both can agree on helping out Maya with her mission."
"I couldn't agree more."
Maya
And with that Griffin and Hamartia stopped fighting. They ended up wanting an apology, so me and Heba decided to take them both out to eat. We ended up having a pretty good time. And for the next three months after that, nothing significant happened, until a woman knocked at my door.
"Hello, is this the Dreamer household?"
"Yeah, do you need her," Heba responded after she opened the door.
"Yeah, we need to talk."
"Well, come in." Heba directs the woman toward our living room. It only has a single couch on its left
"Alright I'm going to grab Maya, be right back"
Heba heads upstairs to fetch me. She finds me helping Griffin with her makeup. She recently got into the dark and edgy look, but she is still as joyful as ever.
"Mai, someone wants to speak to you." Heba taps me on my shoulder.
"Who?"
"Some women are about as short as Griffin."
Griffin cut in "Why am I the reference?!"
"Ah, here, let me finish her makeup and I will be right down. Her name is Terra by the way. Keep her entertained"
"Okay got it."
Heba
Once I had relayed the message to Maya, I descended back down the stairs to ask the woman to hold on for a moment. Her hair was reminiscent of Maya's. Instead of stars and planets, it had strange luminescent symbols. The entirety of her arms and legs were mechanical. It gave her a cyborg-like appearance. She was bare-chested, a practice not uncommon amongst Egyptians. She also sported an ocular lens in her left eye. However, what struck me as utterly bizarre was the hollow space where her heart should have been. Injuries like those are gotten from battling against divine beings like the warriors of black.
"Were you once a part of the god ritual?" I asked as I sat down next to her.
"Naw, I get that a lot. It was from a scientific experiment gone wrong."
"Oh, I'm sorry"
"Ne, you're alright, it was worth it in the end"
"Oh, how so?"
"Check it"
Terra's left eye emitted a soft, pulsating light, casting a mesmerizing glow that enveloped us. In an instant, the world around us dissolved. We were floating in space; Terra smiled at me before we were snapped back to reality. My voice was caught in my throat, overwhelmed by the experience.
"Impressive, hmm. This is the power you get when moving towards the throne of God, but I got my ways to bypass it,"
"What was that?"
"Distorted world. A dimension that the universe allows me to create and manipulate freely"
"Wow, you seem to be very powerful. What do you want with Maya?"
"I'm supposed to train her to become universally dominant,"
Universal dominance: After one has gained a halo, they can infinitely expand their power. Killing strong foes will help in expanding your ability. Also, you can by using your powers to the limit over and over again. That said, once you've expanded your powers enough. You can start bending the universe to your will, allowing you to disobey the laws of physics.
"I see, so who put you up to this?" I asked
"Her mother can be persuasive," Terra says while looking down, shaking in fear.
"Hey, you said someone wanted to see me Heba?" A voice came from the staircase.
Maya descended the stairs, her feet padding softly on the wooden steps. She wore; a loose white T-shirt that draped slightly over her frame, paired with white socks. The twinkling stars that had decorated her hair earlier had vanished. Her ebony tail, tipped with a shimmering crystal, swayed gently as she moved downwards. Fatigue etched lines on her face.
"I'm sorry. Did I catch you at a bad time?" Terra spoke up.
"No, you're ok. I didn't think it would be so tiring doing someone's makeup." Maya stretched her arms into the air.
"Anyway, did mom send you?" Maya asked.
"Yeah"
"Sorry if she forced you to come here. I know how she can be sometimes-"
"No, not at all" Terra cut off Maya
"Weren't you just shaking in fear, at the mention of her name," I added
"No, what are you on about?" Terra's ability to act was pretty impressive. I suppose you would want to look good in front of your new student.
"Oh, I see then, so are you, my teacher?"
"Yep, and we start next week." Terra hops up with hands on her waist enthusiastically.
"Oh, ok well I'm going to sleep. Feel free to stay however long you like, make yourself at home."
"Okay thank you for your hospitality, Maya"
"Don't mention it, Morah,"
Griffin made a dramatic entrance after Maya left the room. She descended the stairs in a daring ensemble. Showcasing a short skirt paired with a rebellious T-shirt that had the bold statement "fuck the world" written on its chest. Her outfit was completed with edgy black eyeliner, trendy star brand shoes, thigh-high stockings, and striking black lipstick. Notably, she had applied skin blender, a futuristic cosmetic product that promised flawless, crystal-clear skin for an extended period of time.
"Wow, you're really rocking quite the emo look over there. Are you feeling alright?" I asked with concern.
Chuckling, Griffin replied "Couldn't be better. Now that Maya's nurse fixed up my wardrobe malfunction. No more clothes exploding off of me, and I've always had a secret desire to embrace the emo style."
"That's great to hear. Any plans for today?" I asked.
"I'm heading downtown for some events. It's been ages since I've mingled with people," Griffin explained.
"Have a blast. By the way, have you seen Hamartia around?" I questioned.
Griffin shrugged, "No idea. She's probably off plotting to touch Mai in her sleep." With that comment, Griffin left the house. Maybe it was time for me to go check on Maya.
"Hey Terra, everything okay? Need anything?" I offered.
Terra shook her head, replying, "Nope, all good."
"Alright then. Just so you know, my name is Heba. Feel free to reach out if you need anything," I said before leaving.
I ascended the stairs, my footsteps muffled by the carpet. I found Maya slumbering deeply. Her upper body lay sprawled on the bed, her shirt rucked up to expose her bare back. Gently, I tucked her into bed and spread a cover over her, before quietly exiting the room.
As I closed the door behind me, a faint sound of footsteps reached my ears. I swiftly reopened the door to discover Hamartia in the act of removing Maya's cover. a chilling realization dawned upon me that Griffin's was not kidding.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" I exclaimed as I caught Hamartia in Maya's room.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Helping Maya sleep."
I glared at her. "Get out of here, you little pervert. She's only fourteen."
Hamartia smirked. "Technically, she's twenty-eight in Earth years because time on her planet runs slower."
I shook my head in disbelief. "Regardless, consent is non-negotiable."
With a lecherous grin, Hamartia suggested, "Come on, just one quick squeeze…"
Refusing to entertain her inappropriate behavior. I swiftly employed an advanced technique that sent a targeted energy surge to her mind, causing her nose to bleed, and making her fall to the floor. After securing Hamartia with restraints and placing her on the living room couch downstairs, Terra excused herself claiming she had "Urgent matters to attend to."
I decided to unwind by watching TV in my room for the next couple of hours until Maya finally woke up.
"Why is Hamartia tied up on the couch?" Maya asked
"I caught her trying to touch you in your sleep"
"Oh ok, thanks, for stopping her. She has been a little aggressive lately smacking my ass and touching me. It's getting old,"
"That's a problem"
"How do I deal with her?"
"Hmm, we should try talking to her together"
"Sounds like a plan" We descended the stairs together. Finding Hamartia seated on the floor before us. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again. Please let me go," she pleaded.
"We want to believe you, but your behavior has been consistently inappropriate." I responded firmly.
Hamartia attempted to justify herself. "Isn't it normal for two people who are interested in each other to touch each other?" Maya crossed her arms and averted her gaze from Hamartia, clearly uncomfortable with Hamartia's statement, "I do have feelings for you too, but I'm not ready for a relationship at the moment. Please respect that," Maya pleaded.
Frustrated, Hamartia questioned. "If we both like each other, why can't we be together?"
Before Maya could respond, I interjected firmly, "Maya said no."
"You're not part of this, Heba! Maya, at least tell me why?" Hamartia's voice echoes through the room. Maya's eyes glisten with unshed tears as she responds. "It's because if I choose to be with you… it would feel like a betrayal to Meggy." Her words hang heavy in the air.
"Every night, I'm haunted by dreams of Meggy, angry and hurt, blaming for her death!" Maya confesses, her voice trembling with emotion. "And every morning I wake up beside you, the weight of shame and guilt crushes me."
"How long have you been carrying this burden?" I ask gently, attempting to comfort her as I glared at a Hamartia. As silence settles between us, Hamartia remains wordless. Her expression is a mix of shock and understanding.
Maya takes a deep breath, wiping away her tears before speaking softly, "It's alright, Heba. She deserved to know."
Maya
Following our confrontation, Heba and I released Hamartia from her bindings. A thick silence hung between Hamartia and me for the remainder of the day. As night fell, Griffin burst through the door with a raucous laughter echoing off the walls. Clearly under the influence of heavy drinking. "Ohh~ it's been ages since I've had so much fun," she slurred out.
"Damn, you could have at least told us you were going out for drinks," I said, shaking my head.
Hamartia was quick to assist Griffin. Guiding her towards the couch as she continued to chuckle incoherently. "You know, Hamartia," she hiccupped, "You should join me next time~ It'll be twice as fun."
With a light laugh escaping her lips, Hamartia responded, "I might just take you up on that offer."
"What's got you so glum?" Griffin asked suddenly.
Taken aback by her question, Hamartia replied defensively, "What are you talking about?"
Griffin peered into her eyes intently and while touching the tip of Hamartia nose and says. "It's difficult to hide your feelings when your aura is practically screaming help me."
Just then Heba appeared from upstairs and offered helpfully to Griffin. "Looks like you've had quite an evening. Need some help sobering up?"
"Yes please~" Griffin responded with a lopsided grin on her face. Heba puts her stub on her forehead and casts a healing spell.
"Perfect, that should do it," Heba affirmed. Griffin replied with a gracious, "Thank you", her head tilted to one side as a smile spread across her face. She seemed like any ordinary young girl at that moment.
However, that night marked a shift in Hamartia's behavior towards me. Her comforting presence was absent from our shared bed. She began to withdraw over the next couple of days, barely speaking to me. Despite my attempts to bridge the growing chasm between us. I was met with an unsettling sensation each time I tried. As the week drew to a close, Terra initiated my training regime.
The first week was dedicated to power boosting. A grueling exercise that had me locked in a room strikingly similar to the prison where I first met Griffin. My task was simple yet straining. Expend as much energy as possible. The aftermath of these sessions left me drained, both physically and mentally. Each day would end with me collapsing onto my couch at home, succumbing almost immediately to sleep. By the third week of this rigorous regimen. I had managed to manifest a small halo in the form of a petite star. Confirming that my powers had surpassed my body's limit. Over time; this halo will grow in size marking my progress.
Terra beamed at me, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Your progress is remarkable for such a short time," she commended.
"I still have room for improvement," I replied earnestly.
"True, but you progress if perfect." Terra countered, her voice filled with conviction. "You're currently ranked among the top twenty strongest individuals in the universe."
"Wait, really?" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes, according to the warrior of black ranking system. Tomorrow, I have a special training session planned just for you, so be prepared."
Later that evening. Griffin treated me to a celebratory drink for achieving this universal ranking. As we mingled with her eccentric friends. One of them with striking green hair exclaimed, "You're not only a princess but also one of the elite twenty! How cool is that?"
I chuckled in response to the praise. "It's flattering, but not as grand as it sounds."
"And you're humble too! Please marry me!" The green-haired friend dropped dramatically to her knees in jest.
Griffin's other friend's quick intervention prevented any further antics as she whisked the green haired girl away for some fresh air. Griffin then wrapped me in a warm hug from behind, causing me to almost spill my drink.
"Enjoying your sudden fame?" Griffin whispered softly into my ear.
"It's surreal; everything happening so quickly," I confessed with a hint of bewilderment in my tone.
"I understand; it must feel overwhelming. But brace yourself; tougher training awaits from now on," Griffin warned gently.
Feeling drained from the day's events, I decided it was time to head home early. Griffin offered to accompany me, signaling an end to the eventful night.
We set out as the clock struck midnight. The chill in the air touched our skin as the city lights illuminated the night sky. Large ships glided through the darkness. Griffin struggled to walk on her own, prompting me to hoist her onto my back for the journey home. Upon our arrival, we found Hamartia dozing on the couch, and Heba fast asleep. Taking charge, I gently changed Griffin into fresh clothes and tucked her snugly into bed. As I settled in front of the television near where Hamartia lay sleeping. I Battled my fatigue from the long day of training.
Closing my eyes I think about Meggy and about the last words she said to me. "Please live the life I couldn't!" Those words echoed in my head. Picking up the remote to change the channel, to get my mind off things. I was interrupted by a voice behind me. "I was watching that." It was Hamartia. I thought she was asleep. "My bad I thought you were asleep." I quickly changed the channel back and put the remote on the shoulder of the couch.
Standing up; I placed my shoes back on and headed over to the front door. "Where are you going…?" Hamartia asked as I slipped on a jacket. "Oh, I'm just about to take a walk." I say as I zipped up my jacket.
I reached for the door handle, it was then, Hamartia stood up behind me. "Can I… Come with you?" Silently looking back. I noticed something about her face. She had this worried expression. Or was it nervousness? I had no reason to not let her go but it's going to be so awkward, but at the same time we haven't talked, in a while… "Sure, you can come." I finally answered. My stomach felt a little queasy after saying that but I'm just overreacting. I never did well in these types of situations, when it came to emotions. Later steam from our breath danced in the air as we sat on a bridge over a highway, our legs dangling over. *chink* looking to my left I see Hamartia trying to light a cigarette. After a couple seconds battling with the wind, fire began to burn, and with a breath, smoke was shot into the air. "I didn't know you smoked." I commented trying to start up a conversation. "Yeah, it's an old habit I picked up back during the great war." Her voice sounded dry, lacking emotion. No, maybe just a hint of sadness in her tone.
"I take it you fought in the war?"
"Yeah, I did…" Once again, the awkward silence continued. I gaze up looking at the planet in the sky.
I miss my home. What would Faith and Emma tell me to do? Soon my train of thought was interrupted. "Look, I'm sorry Maya." Looking to my left Hamartia was looking down at the cars below us, their lights mesmerizing.
"For what?" I asked
"For pressuring you. It wasn't right."
"But you already apologized."
"I know but I gotta know. Are you still mad at me?" Hamartia leaned over looking me in the eye.
"Hamartia, is that why you haven't been speaking to me?" Hamartia averted her gaze back to the cars below.
"…Yeah."
"Hamartia! I'm not mad at you."
"You're not."
"Of course not. I'm not mad at you."
"I guess I was just being paranoid."
"Yeah, you were, but it wasn't your entirely fault, it was on me as well, I didn't communicate how I felt, only leaving you to guess. Ha-ha, as you can tell I'm hopeless when it comes to emotions, or communication. So sorry for making you feel bad." Hamartia continued looking at the cars as a smile cracked across her face. "That's a relief." She exclaimed.
"You know I do like you back but I'm not gonna ask you to wait for me, but I just need some time. The guilt and fear, I need time to heal." Hamartia then hugs me. "Take as long as you need, I will always be here for you, relationship or not." Water began to fall onto the arm holding me as my hand landed on it. This wasn't water, but Tears? I guess I didn't know how much I needed to hear that.