The First Flicker of Life [ * ]

"Ahhh! Ahhhh! Fuck! Ahhhh! Ahhh!"

It's been almost fifteen more minutes since we've finished our first attempt with Cornelia, and here we are, still trying to get her pregnant on the quite lewd altar. I say trying, because after stuffing her hungry snatch with so much of my seed, we should be certain she is going to pop out a whole damn football team when we are done, including the coach.

Currently, my beautiful magician rests her tummy on the surface of the altar while strongly gripping the far edge of it as I pound her right into the divine counter from behind. Her tender buttcheeks are already fairly red from how much my pelvis has been smacking against them with our quite passionate coupling. The chamber is still filled with echoing slapping of flesh as she throws her ass back at me with relentless vigour.

I have long lost count of how many times I exploded inside Cornelia's tight channel, which seems just oh so much more desperate to squeeze me in its excited contractions than usual. But, we have already established that long ago. This incredible lady is just that eager for us to finally enter the next step in our relationship. Even though we might have skipped one, involving a few public vows.

That can still be fixed later, though.

"Al! Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhhh! Don't slow down, you bastard!" Cornelia shouts at me while shooting me a glare over her bare shoulder.

I snicker and shake my head. She's become so damn sensitive to pick up even the slightest hint of my thoughts wandering off. And she still has to clench her teeth from the massive pleasure we are both involved in.

"I pity all the men of this world if our daughter inherits her mother's temper." I smirk at her and lean forward to reaffirm my grip on her shapely waist.

Cornelia clearly aims to snap back at me with one of her witty responses I love so much, but I shut her mouth with a mighty shove that takes away her ability to form coherent words. Hammering into her pussy fast and hard as per her wish, I rain kisses and pecks on her shoulders and neck, enjoying the mighty moans and cries my beloved releases into the air.

Sensing another wave of pleasant contractions around my cock, I move my mouth to her cheek. "Here goes another. Take it all."

As I time my last swing with her orgasm, Cornelia's eyes almost roll to the back of her head, her knuckles going white from the force with which she grabs the edge of the altar. A long, alluring cry breaks out of her throat as she peaks for the n-th time. My load fills any remaining space in her wrecked love nest before leaking out in copious amounts as I pull out. A literal waterfall of white pours from between her spread folds, and from how it looks, it can continue for hours.

"Haaaah… Haaaaah… Goddess almighty…" The charming mage pants heavily with her chest slammed into the altar's surface.

I place a kiss on her flushed cheek, consulting my mental clock. "We need to start getting you cleaned up, love, or we won't make it in time. We have less than five minutes."

Before I can step back, she catches my wrist with a surprising speed and strength. "No… Please… Just one more… For a good measure…"

A small chuckle escapes my lips but I smile kindly at the definitely somewhat desperate woman under me. I can't help but want to reassure her even more, even further. I really didn't think trying for a child would affect my dear Cornelia so much. Again, with trying not being the correct word in our case.

Or maybe she is just this much into a fertile act.

"We'll be late. And even with my boosts, your pussy can take only so much pounding. Don't worry. I know you are pregnant. I'm sure of it. With how hard you worked for it, there is not the slightest shadow of doubt. Come on. Before you end up bedridden because of too much dicking." I affectionately brush our lips together while threading my fingers through her hair.

"It will be way too suspicious if we step out at exactly the thirty-minute mark… We should finish late, just a minute or few…" Cornelia looks at me with the most adorable puppy eyes I have ever seen from her. "Though, you are right… Maybe I really should let my pussy rest a little… So, you know, just this last time, we could make absolutely sure I'm pregnant… with you filling my other hole?"

I roll my eyes at that. She's getting ridiculous with it. But, I can also tell that she is not lying about her initial reason.

"All of this seed will burst right out of you the moment I thrust up your ass." I smirk at her.

Cornelia's eyes go wide and she hastily pushes me away. Turning around in a flash, she changes her position from lying on her front to sitting on the edge of the altar with her feet on her sides. A single flick of her wrist later, a replica of my cock appears in her hand and she shoves it into her leaking entrance, sealing the flow by impaling herself on the dildo so far and hard that only the last bits of its bottom end remain outside of her body. Of course, quite some of my cum escapes during that motion, but she effectively blocks the rest in her snug passage.

A shudder passes through her entire body right after the quick stab and Cornelia lets out a half-moan half-sigh of pleasure. She then looks up at me, pushes herself off the altar, and immediately stumbles on her spaghetti legs, letting me catch her before she falls. Somehow, the replica keeps itself firmly lodged in the embrace of her spread folds, which looks both comical and alluring.

Cornelia meets my eyes with a slightly shy look. "Thank you. For going with my silly antics. I still stand by my earlier words, though. You should put it in my butt for the finale. Simply enjoy yourself."

I steal a loving kiss from her. "You are still silly if you think I haven't enjoyed fucking you silly for the last thirty minutes. Your pussy is as magical as you are. Trust me."

She chuckles with a sly grin. "Maybe, but I know just how much you love fucking my ass. And… I love it too…"

The last bit is nothing more than a whisper but I catch it perfectly clear nevertheless.

With a light sigh, I peer deep into her enchanting violet eyes. "Fine. I would be a horrible husband if I continued to reject a special reward from my beautiful and magnanimous wife."

Her smile grows in response. At least until I look past her and she definitely notices the impish spark in my eyes.

"But, we are not going to waste time this round. We are gonna pray hard."

Cornelia yelps as I lightly throw her up, putting her body in a spinning motion, and catch her back with one arm around her belly as her back now snuggles to my chest. Using the other hand, I cover my member with the necessary substance to aid our prayer. She shivers faintly when my tip pokes her upper ring, holding onto my arm and glancing back at me with yearning, expectation, but also a bit of curious confusion.

I start walking ahead, teasing her closed anus with a little prod at each step, but not slipping it in yet. Calling forth my Void Chains shaped as wide and firm belts, I position them in a way that creates stairs towards the centre between the two main statues. Cornelia's eyes widen as we leave the ground and her feet dangle in the air, only mine finding purchase on the purple steps. If not for my hold on her, she would have been sporting a pleasurable invader in her backdoor long ago now.

We arrive at the height of my and Lumina's faces and I nibble on Cornelia's neck just as we land on the final step, allowing myself to slide into her narrow back passage. She groans softly, gripping my hair with one palm and pulling my head to the side so we can kiss as I fill her up.

With a quite strong pillar upholding her weight now, I let go of her body and grab her ankles, pulling them up at the front. Cornelia shudders as I spread her open and guide her own hands to her legs so she can hold them for me instead. Retracting my own hands, I brush a finger against the bottom of the replica stuffed in her pussy and smile as it starts vibrating, evoking a surprised gasp from my eager lover.

"Now, come on. Pray to our benevolent Goddess to make you pregnant. Pray for a healthy and strong baby. Pray… for us!"

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

A throaty moan escapes Cornelia's lips as I pound into her butt for the first time. I start hammering her backdoor at a regular pace. With both of her holes busy with their respective pleasures, I need to control myself if I want her to be able to speak.

"Ahhhh… Ahhhh… Our dear…. Goddess… Ahhhh… Ahhh… Your devout believer… Ahhhh… Ahhhh… Wishes to offer… Offer… Ahhh… Offer you this prayer…"

My smart and talented wife manages to play along and does her best to come up with some nice and polite prayer before coming herself from me pummeling her anus. She keeps her eyes locked on the Goddess' face, though she does take a peek or two at my own depiction now and then. I don't admonish her since I'm a god technically too so I guess she can do a double prayer.

"My humble self… Ahhh… Directs these cries and sounds of love… Ahhh… To you and your brother in godhood…" she continues, getting quite creative. "Please… Ahhh… Let this… display… of our faith… reach you…"

I barely hold my snort. Yeah. Lumina is certainly getting a great show if she looks at us from her statue's perspective. Dropping Cornelia's ass on my cock with a single hand under her thigh, I use the other one to caress and fondle her perky breast, still nibbling on her collarbone from behind.

"Ahhh… Ahhh… Our loyal pair… Ahhh… Has but one wish… Ahhh… We beg you… Bless this coupling… To bear us the conception we desire…" Cornelia really gives her best. "As my beloved husband… Fucks my asshole open… Make sure that his virile seed bears fruit in my fertile womb!"

She peeks at me over her shoulder with a smug smile, showing that she can dirty talk proudly in the middle of a serious prayer. I grin back at her, nodding in approval.

"Ahhh! Ahhh! Goddess Lumina! Ahhh! We offer you this upcoming climax! Ahhh! For your merciful blessing! Ahhh! Ahhh!" Cornelia wraps it up and kisses me. "Now, my husband! Fuck me! Fuck me like the Goddess deserves to see me fucked!"

I very much oblige and move both of my hands to her thighs, spreading them open just a little more while supporting her own hold on her legs, and start pistoning into her ass like a machine. Cornelia throws her head back over my shoulder and screams in pleasure at the top of her lungs, her voice wavering with each powerful thrust. She is giving the prayer her all, and so should I.

Making use of all my safe and comfortable abilities, I tune our boiling orgasms to their limits, and we burst into a cacophony of shuddering groans. I flood her constricting anus with a tsunami of milky delicacy while Cornelia peaks so hard her pussy squeezes the magically-glued dildo out of her spasming channel and sends it flying right at the Goddess' face, leaving a trail of white in its wake and bouncing off Lumina's cheek.

Knowing that Cornelia would be ruined at the loss of our grand efforts of filling her up with my cum to the brim, I hastily shove my fingers between her folds and smack my palm against her girly mound to seal it shut. She squeezes my digits a few more times before her high finally recedes, leaving both of us out of breath.

We stare deep into each other's eyes while panting, feeling amazingly good, unsure if due to our massive mutual orgasm or an actual blessing coming from Lumina after she listened to our heartfelt request. Then, we glance at the Goddess' statue and freeze for a moment, witnessing her divine visage… facialed hard with our combined liquids.

After a second, we burst out laughing together, which evokes a few muted moans from my beloved Cornelia as it causes her body to bob up and down on my cock still deep in her backdoor.

"Somebody will have a hell of a mystery to solve to figure out how the fuck did that get there while they are cleaning up the chamber." I snicker into Cornelia's mouth as we find each other's lips for a post-coital kiss.

"Elea will have to warn her acolytes not to lick it off, I bet." She snickers back.

Gently holding onto my dear magician, I take us back to the ground and set her on the edge of the altar, sure that she might need a moment before being able to stand properly. Naturally, with my fingers stuck in her pussy, I keep myself pretty much in her chest so we continue to kiss like teenagers in first love.

"Alright. Let's clean you up and go." I finish it with a peck on her nose.

"No!" Cornelia protests immediately, holding my wrist in place. "Don't remove it!"

I roll my eyes at that. "Cornelia, you will drown everyone in the hall of prayers with that Decanter of Endless Seed between your legs. No panties will withhold that amount of cum."

She gives me a slightly embarrassed glance, but then her eyes sparkle with a new idea.

I'm pushed back while she slaps her own hand over her lower lips to keep them shut and brings the pointer and middle fingers of her other hand up in deep concentration. I watch her mutter a few magical words before their tips turn blue with visible white frost.

My brow rises curiously as she brings them down too and brushes them alongside her slit, from back to front, shivering just a tad. Where she touches, a thin layer of ice forms, pretty much glueing her folds together. It looks like a bluish bandage has been slapped on her crevice to preserve the last bits of her modesty.

Kind of hot.

While clearly being damn cold.

"Will that be okay?" I ask with just a tiny bit of concern, stepping forward to brush my fingers against the magical seal.

She snorts at me. "Did you forget who I am? Ice and cold are my second nature. It's quite pleasant, to be honest."

"If you say so." I shrug. "Let me take care of the other side, then."

She flushes again after barely calming down her red face but doesn't reject my offer and I get rid of all the evidence between her tender butt cheeks. Before I can magically wash myself too, Cornelia supports herself on my thighs and slides down to her knees so that she can give me a parting blowjob. Caressing her hair, I accept this kind gift and wait a minute as she cleans me up with a stretched smile.

"Done." She releases me with an audible pop. "Now your seed is everywhere in me. We can't be more sure."

I chuckle and help her up. We exchange a loving kiss and get dressed. Taking one last look at the chamber, and the defiled face of our lovely Goddess, we give her the last snicker and move to the exit, noticing the intense buzzing a little bit too late. I hastily close the gate before anyone has a chance to hear the dildo we totally did not forget about.

Hopefully, anyone with better hearing will just assume it's a simple fly.

Dead silence falls upon the main hall as all attention turns to us. Cornelia clearly gets super anxious under their gazes so I gently wrap my arm around her shoulders and squeeze her arm as I guide her to the front. Lianne and her mage join us again and the two of us hold Cornelia's hand each as the man repeats his spell for us.

After the golden glow fades from his palm, we literally drill holes in Cornelia's smooth tummy, awaiting the inevitable. Honestly, even I get a little worried that maybe half an hour is too fast as nothing happens for what seems like an eternity, just to experience the heaviest wave of relief I have ever lived through when a tiny little spark of yellow light twinkles inside her pelvic area.

Intense murmuring takes over the chamber in an instant, joined by some enthusiastic applause from the women present in the audience. Cornelia trembles as all the strength flees from her legs and she stumbles into my chest. I hold her firmly as she first touches her belly before both of her hands fly to her face and cover her lips and nose as a downpour of tears descends upon her noble cheeks. 

She sobs happily as her shoulders shake and Lianne is embracing her in an instant. I spot other of my women run onto the stage and join the loving hug, whispering sweet words to my beloved magician. Elea, Neira, Sirgia, and Shino are the closest, while the rest aren't deterred by the lack of space around us and simply stand nearby with huge smiles.

If I didn't know any better, I could think that Cornelia has been trying for a child for months if not years. But, I can't disagree that this is a very emotional moment. I wonder how many people notice me shaking underneath my suit.

Knowing that she is in good hands amongst her fellow sister-wives, I leave her with them and slowly step forward. The show must go on, as they say. Taking a deep breath, I follow them walking off the stage with my gaze and turn my attention back to the crowd.

"Thank you everyone for your patience. I apologise for taking a little longer than intended, but I'm sure you can understand that it would have been improper to rush a lady. But, we are back. And as you might have seen, we are back with a little seedling of a new life. I'm proud to have witnessed this moment, and this brave woman who was willing to share her most intimate event publicly with all of us. I'll be praying to our loving Goddess for the child's bright future," I start my speech before I start thinking about running after my ladies and joining them in pampering Cornelia.

"When can we get our blessings?" one woman asks immediately after the last word rolls off my lips.

"How do we pray properly?" a man repeats an earlier question with even more reverence.

"How much do we need to donate for your services?" another chimes in, looking to belong to a less wealthy category.

"Slow down, please. Let's not shout over each other." I try to take control of the situation before it descends into pure chaos. "First of all, you don't need to pay anything. Our temple will be supported by the earnings from the business on the other side of the street so there is nothing to worry about in financial terms. As for when we are going to start, later today. But, you don't need to wait in front of the temple for hours. Our acolytes will accept reservations for specific hours at all times so you can put your name up even now and simply come later to receive your blessing or talk if that is your wish. You are always welcome in this prayer hall, though."

Everyone listens intently and no more questions come in so I continue to the last of the previous batch.

"As for praying specifically to me, I would like to ask everyone to have an open mind to what I'm going to explain." I try to show a warm smile. "As you might know, I'm a Demigod of Lust first and foremost. While simple words of appreciation, polite wishes, and heartfelt requests are very much welcome, there is a more efficient way. And by efficient, I don't mean that the other method gets more of my attention or that I ignore the simple way, but just that my divinity grows quicker and stronger, thus my future blessings also become more diverse and powerful."

People lean forward at that, awaiting the big reveal. I swear, they are going to be so fucking disappointed, hah.

"The other method is… making love. Fucking. Sex. Copulation. Coitus. Intercourse." I release a quiet sigh. "Take care of your and your partner's pleasure, and I'll hear you. You don't need to explicitly think of me during the deed. Simply enjoy it. You may even treat vocal appreciation as devoted prayers, so don't hold back. As long as you have me and Goddess Lumina in your hearts, we will receive your feelings clearly, no matter how small and quiet and insignificant in your eyes the prayer is."

The silence prevails as I scan the attendees with my eyes. I don't think I spot any extremely disgusted or displeased expressions, though obviously, not all are straight-up happy about the news. I do find a bunch of shy smiles, flushed cheeks, and amused glances between intimate partners. 

"If there are no other important questions, I think we will wrap up this first sermon here. I would like to offer our lucky lady my assistance and also take care of the other matters connected to our first day. The stands to sign up are present on your sides and also outside of the temple, just for today. Please, don't rush to the acolytes and remain respectful in this house of the Goddess. And mine." I end and wait for a bit to see if anyone speaks up again.

Thankfully, people begin to disperse and try to stay civil while pushing forward to the registration booths. Not everyone, of course, but it looks like at least over half of the current visitors do have the intention to at the minimum ask about the blessings as our priestesses are briefed to introduce more details and answer more questions.

At first, I simply walk off the stage and mingle with the crowd, exchanging a few words with my close friends and other random people, but then I move outside so that the gathered there can have a chance to see me for real and match the voice with the person. I take about half an hour, waiting for the inside of the church to clear out a bit, and then return.

Seeing none of my ladies around, guessing that they took Cornelia out of sight into one of the closed rooms, I notice Petros leaning over one of the walls in the back with his arms crossed over his chest. I honestly didn't think he would come but I guess it's a big event. And as the master behind our sculptures, he might have wanted to see how people react to them.

Nevertheless, I decide to join him and express my thanks once more. He didn't cause much trouble during our cooperation and his work was most likely the best we could have gotten. He spots me rather quickly but only his eyes move to meet my arrival.

"So, a demigod, huh?" His gaze wanders my figure with the same coldness as usual.

He did know ahead of today, of course, since he made my depictions, but anyway, before I can open my mouth, someone else reaches us, and I find Lyona standing by my side.

Ah, shit.

"That is correct." My Vampire receptionist nods. "And it's definitely earned, not given, from what I've heard and seen myself."

Petros glances at her briefly, Lyona holding his gaze firmly without a flinch, before he grunts to himself.

"I came here to clarify something," she continues.

Oh no.

"It recently occurred to me that, even after my rejection, you might still be hoping to become my Blood Mate if I change my mind sometime in the future," Lyona says, which makes his eyes widen in shock before shooting to me, around us, and back to her.

I'm pretty sure she's just dropped a bomb she isn't supposed to even spell out in public.

"Do not worry, Petros. Do you really think we need to hide before a demigod? That we even can?" She delicately raises a brow at him and he frowns, perhaps realising that she might be onto something. "Alastair knows of our nature. He's seen through me in an instant. And through you too. And he doesn't detest our people. He, just like the Goddess, cares for us."

The Vampire guy does become a bit less tense, but his secretly furious glare doesn't change as he looks my way.

"But, I'm rambling." The tiniest hint of a blush tinges Lyona's cheeks. "What I wanted to say is that I only see you as a friend, Petros. A good friend. And an amazing artisan. But, I can't do my part as a good friend of yours to support you and your talent if you continue to act poorly towards males who come in contact with me."

For the first time, I see him wince. Barely, but he does. Seems like even a hardass such as him can't be immune to his crush's words full of disappointment. Deep down, he has to know he fucked up.

"Therefore, I ask of you to stop viewing me as your candidate for a potential mate. I would like to retain our friendship, but I'm not romantically interested in you. My blood… is already sworn to someone else too," she adds.

His brows bolt for his hairline at that admission and I feel Lyona's fingers gently intertwining with mine. He spots that little gesture, obviously, and that makes it certain who is that sworn someone. I assume she means the oath she took.

Before she can open her mouth again, Petros shoots me one more firm glare and pushes himself off the wall. He walks past us and heads straight for the exit with a hasty and clearly agitated step. A heavy sigh brings my attention back to the scarlet-eyed girl.

"That was much harder than I thought it would be." Lyona offers me a tiny, wry smile.

"It's only natural. He is your friend. I could tell you didn't want to hurt him, no matter how he acted in the past." I squeeze her hand reassuringly.

"I hope he doesn't make any trouble for you." She looks at the way our friend escaped.

"I hope he doesn't make any trouble for you," I repeat her words. "I'm a stranger. I can deal with him easily. You might be strong and talented, but I can tell you are kind and loving in your heart."

"Thank you." Lyona nods softly. "Congratulations on your first child, Master. It's a happy day."

"It is." I grin at her. "I'm still kind of in denial. Who would have thought?"

"I am confident that you will be a great father, Master. You care for those close to you greatly. The mercenaries adore you so much," she adds and I can't help but feel warm inside. "What are your plans now, Master? Do you maybe have a moment?"

"Yeah, I should. Why?" I glance down at her calm face.

"The escort task begins soon. The Queen is here and we could discuss the final details together," she explains.

"Sure." I shrug. "It shouldn't take too long and you do deserve some of my time after bravely confronting your secret admirer like that."

I lean forward and place a chaste kiss on Lyona's pale cheek, which gains a bit more colour. Her fingers stay interlocked with mine as we make our way to the headquarters on the other side of the nearby wall. As usual, I don't want to rush anything, but she has already declared herself as my woman as far as I'm aware, and she deserves proper affection in return. Especially now that the overly-attached suitor is out of the picture.

When we step out of the temple, Ross stops us for a moment with my good friend Barren, the shopkeeper. The three of us banter for a moment while Lyona remains mostly silent and mysterious as per her usual character. I try to ignore the knowing looks both of them give me after noticing our hands and steer the conversation onto the topics of the new faith and similar stuff.

But, I sense that Lianne is somehow already in the headquarters, awaiting our arrival, so I excuse us and promise to talk later. They shoot me thumbs up as we depart and I can only shake my head at those two perverts. Do they really think I'm going to bed Lyona less than an hour after making child-bearing love to Cornelia? Do they really think I'm that much of a leecher, unable to keep it in my pants?

I swear...

We reach our destination and step into my office. The Queen quietly sips on a cup of tea, most likely brought by one of the girls currently standing by the walls. The whole team is present and they smile at us as we enter. Plus, a few appendages wag and twitch too.

"Wouldn't you rather stay with Cornelia?" I ask as the two of us sit opposite her.

"I already flooded her shoulder with my tears of happiness and squeezed dear life out of her for long enough. She will be fine without me pestering her for a minute or two. Our big family will make sure of that. We all love her so much. And in the meanwhile, someone does have to continue being a responsible leader." Lianne giggles giddily.

I can see her hands shaking faintly, still full of emotions, for sure. I bet the tea has a calming effect on her. She is right. As a Queen, she needs to at least appear composed and confident. And so do I.

"Well, then. Let's get to business and not waste this precious time. The sooner we get this done, the sooner both of us can get back to celebrating with our family." I smile at her warmly. "Lyona? Would you be so kind?"

"Of course, Master." My Vampire receptionist makes a respectful bow. "Here is all the information about the convoy, the route we chose for this mission, the nearby towns and settlements, possible dangers and threats, and my suggestions for the participants."

A few document folders materialise on the table as she waves her hand. I open them and slowly go through the contents.

"I'll study all of this diligently. Thank you, Lyona. Amazing work." I place another peck on her soft cheek, causing Lianne to smirk at us impishly.

"I'm just doing my job, Master," she replies with a hint of a smile. "Her Majesty assisted us in gathering this information greatly. In the future, we will have enough numbers to send our own scouts ahead of time, but right now, we need to rely on external help if we want to provide the best services. May I present my thoughts on the party you will be leading while you check the other aspects, Master?"

"Go on." I nod.

"I believe you should take Ressia as your ranger. She has great senses, is skilled with her bow, and has experience in the type of terrain you will traverse most of the time. She can fill the spot of a scout and ranged attacker. Nothing will escape her attention," she starts.

The person in question puffs her chest out as her tail swings from side to side like mad.

"For the main melee attacker, I suggest Yuru. She has already proven herself to be very effective against heavy targets. She is quick, and most importantly, small. No one expects such a tiny girl to swing a giant greatsword with the strength of an Orc and obliterate their shields," Lyona continues.

Yuru doesn't react much, though I'm pretty sure she is blushing hard under that cute fur of hers as her colleagues pat her head and bump her shoulders. When our eyes meet, she smiles shyly and looks away.

"Then, your ambusher. Oniri. She is the most stealthy of our troops right now. Her techniques to remain unseen and unheard are pretty much unheard of. As a Foxkin, her sight at night is near perfect and her agility is unrivalled. Her steps make no noise, resulting in her target's death before they even realise that they are in danger," the Vampire lady suggests.

Ah, yes. The golden-haired foxgirl in a ninja outfit. Why am I not surprised? Looking around, I can't seem to find her, until she does want to be found and I spot a fraction of her long ear behind one of the other girls. It twitches and disappears silently. I can imagine a sweet smile on her pouty lips as she shows me what she is made of.

"They are the core of the party, and most fitting in my humble opinion. The other three are a more flexible choice, though I suggest a healer, a defender, and a mage for a complete spectrum of roles since we don't know what we can expect in terms of hostile encounters. I suggest Fullenn the High Elf as the healer, Besfi the Tiefling as the heavy-armoured defender, and Suna the Dark Elf as the lightning mage. But, that is only one of the combinations I came up with," Lyona wraps it up and looks at me with that collected expression of hers.

"Perfect. Since you are going to be assigning teams a lot in the future and I have to trust you on that, let's make it a real test of your mettle. I'll go with your main suggestion. Girls whose names have been called can consider themselves chosen." I nod at her appreciatively before glancing at the not-mentioned mercs. "I'm sorry ladies, but your big time to shine will have to wait a little longer."

They all shake their heads while congratulating their chosen friends. They haven't been working long together, but it looks like they are already forming nice bonds. I really love to see that.

Now, we'll see how those bonds fare in the field.