confrontation

Now before joining this army. I never thought that i would ever see a God, much less three Gods all in the same day. The sight that came before us is something that filled us with excitement and dread at the same time and how could it not? There was no way of telling where this was going. What was about to take place will be remembered for eons to come and i'm going to witness it firsthand.

I could still hear Erosa and Narvath. Makes sense considering they chose me to be their spy. I look to Chie to see that she was looking intently at the epic scene happening in the golden skies above. I could only pray that this ends peacefully.

I found myself laughing despite my hope, drawing some attention to myself as Chie patted me gently on my back which i appreciated.

The other soldiers was murmuring among themselves, wondering if Andros's army was nearby which caused me to sober up and grabbed my sword. My attention now all around me as some of the other soldiers felt the same way. Chie got her spear and shield ready. All the soldiers hesitantly raise their weapons and the mages readied their Arcadia as well. Even if nobody wanted to fight a deity, there was no reason they had to go out like cowards.

All of us were on guard for Androcien's massive army that surely just waiting in plain sight, just hidden by the Goddess's magic because it wouldn't surprise me if she could do that. Despite the many studies on the Goddess of Knowledge that was forced upon me by my mother, all the information about her abilities came up as a blank in my mind.

"Remember Kali, There no shame in retreating, especially when going against a deity." Chie told me firmly.

I could only nod. What she said brought me some comfort in these trying times. 

And yet i know i couldn't run. I think back to him, that knight who inspired me in what seemed like a lifetime ago to fight and defend the people i care about.

"I rather die alongside you than turn tail and run." I said without thinking because thinking has never been a strong core of my personality, how else would i wind up in situations like these? But still, there was no use complaining as i was already here and ready to throw my life on the line.

The smile Chie gave me made my heart feel lighter than air and made my once dwindling willpower rise to unimaginable heights.

I look down at my sword, my senses sharpened. I gripped the handle tightly.

Well there are worst ways to die. Maybe me and her can be sung about in legends for centuries to come.

-------------

She was there before them all, dressed in the simplest clothing a Deity such as herself could wear. A dark blue blouse woven out of the finest silk, a matching skirt that ended just below her knees. Her platinum blonde hair fell in waves across her well toned back muscles. Her silver bracers shining in the sunlight that Amalech provided for the mortals. The smell of fresh pine radiating off her.

"I have not come to harm any of you poor, unfortunate, and easily misguided souls that would lay their lives down for a lesser God, rest assured that you have my word." Androcien told us all from above as Narvath had to be stopped by Erosa from punching her in the face.

"How dare she insult him? we follow Narvath and Erosa because they actually get us. Unlike many of the other Gods." One of the soldiers angrily said in the back.

"I wonder if anybody going to notice if i sneak out right now. Cut my losses entirely." I heard another voice said, can't say i blame him. Chie look confused but still hadn't relaxed her battle-ready posture. I myself wondered why would Androcien appear before us now?

Does she plan to end things early?!

Even with the two Gods that stand defiantly before her...There no guarantee that she couldn't slaughter us all in a second. She could send a barrage of hawks to tear our eyes out, or maybe use some sort of ancient arcadia to incinerate us all?!

"I heard a lot of stories about her, did you know she stopped a punch from Shangor himself? One of the strongest Gods in the skies." I uttered with fear creeping up, a whimper in my voice that i hated with a passion. 

"Is that a fact? Well let hope for our sakes that the God of Thunder and Fire was holding back heavily, otherwise..." Chie trailed off. I didn't want her to finish that sentence.

"Whoever said that little informational tidbit, i just want you to know that you are terrible for morale." A sly and gremlin like voice came from not too far from in the crowd. I lowered my head in shame because she was right. What the seven hells was i thinking? Great job Kali.

"Well if it true, at least we know what we're dealing with." Chie offered as she tried to raise my spirits.

I really hope Thermes takes her to a realm of paradise if we don't make it.

"Why are you here?" Narvath asked of Androcien, his rage palpable as Erosa stared at Andros with annoyance. I hope Narvath keeps his calm, from the stories and legends i was forced to study about the Goddess of Knowledge is that she can prey on your ignorance and can easily make you flustered. 

Hopefully Erosa will keep him from doing anything rash.

"Narvath. Do not be controlled by your rage and let logic dictate your next choice." Androcien stated calmly as we all listened to every word. Narvath grunted as Erosa crossed her arms, seemingly unimpressed. The Goddess of Knowledge's body language was one of a gentle but steadfast mediator. 

I would know, my granny took on the same body language every time me and my parents got into a spat.

--------------------

"Why are you here Androcien? We were supposed to meet at Baharbor for our battle. Unless you want to come to a agreement?" Narvath asked slowly as Erosa raised her eyebrow at Andros. And Andros was just floating there, surprised that the idea of a peaceful agreement would even go through that dim-witted glorified soldier head. 

"It kind of late for that now, considering we went through the trouble of getting this army together and i already sent my doves to get a feast prepared for our inevitable victory." Erosa said flippantly as she checked her manicured nails. She checked her voguish outfit as well and smiled before slowly straightening out Narvath's red cape which he gave a silent nod of appreciation to her.

Androcien narrowed her eyes and didn't say anything.

"That why i'm saying this clearly so that everyone in the vicinity can listen to this and be enlightened. Will you allow me this moment?" Androcien asked politely, her face passive.

The air that was once a light breeze came to a complete stop. 

Narvath was taken aback by this, usually the blonde Goddess (other than his lovely Erosa of course.) would have a hint of arrogance in her tone and some backhanded words that she would sprinkle throughout her long and needlessly complex sentences.

But for her to come at him so politely and so utterly devoid of pride. The War God knew something has to be up. But he doesn't want any unnecessary bloodshed. 

He sighed deeply.

"Ok. I will allow you to speak your mind. But rest assure the moment i think you insulted my Erosa or my brave soldiers then i will personally send you flying. Do you understand?" Narvath asked as Erosa look at him with a sense of amusement and surprise. 

"You're definitely husband material, i know that for sure." Erosa thought to herself with a small grin and a blush that she made instantly disappear. 

"Of course." Aphros responded, her lips tight as she wanted to rebuke Narvath's completely baseless claim of making her fly, just because he destroyed a mountain out of his foolish rage doesn't make him any stronger than her. Any Deity worth their worship can do that without struggle.

Andros seemed to take a deep breath, the clouds seem to be in rhythm with her breathing technique. 

"Narvath, i come to you not as a enemy. But as a fellow God. Let end this pointless strife." She said to him calmly, catching both of them off guard.

---------------

Once again there was dissent among the soldiers. 

"She is the Goddess of Knowledge, it possible she came to the conclusion that this war will be ultimately pointless." I said, more to myself than to the others. 

"I don't know, something seems off." Chie mentioned, her brow knitted in worry.

"And i got all dressed up in my beautiful golden armor for nothing? Well not for nothing because i gracing everyone with my presence." Somebody wearing golden armor with studded rubies said to himself as he ran his hand through his neatly combed hair.

------

Narvath was genially flabbergasted. Erosa just looked unimpressed, she crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry...come again?" Narvath asked slowly, he need to know if he wasn't going crazy.

"It is as i said, Let's end this pointless strife. Spare the land and Thermes herself the headache." Andros declared with a gentle smile as she folded her arms. She practiced in a mirror to make sure her smile was nice and inviting instead of "A virgin whose only will to live exist in the fact that their spite is greater than their despair." As Erosa's mother Aphros so eloquently put it. Andros hands balled into tight fists.

Narvath pondered her words. The air grew still to the point even the soldiers down below held their breaths. All of them awaiting the defining moment where either they drop their weapons or for all hell to be unleashed.

Erosa simply smirked at Andros. "That it? I expected something a little more...sophisticated." Erosa said slowly, pronouncing every syllable of the last word, making sure to annoy the spirit out of Andros who went through a string of profanities in her mind.

"Yes that is all." Andros responded curtly. Erosa's grin grew wider at this. Now it was like the forest itself was holding it breath.

"Then will you admit that what i said to you three months ago had some validity?" Narvath asked with a stoic expression, Erosa look like she was holding in a laugh as she places both her hands over her mouth.

"I don't see how the validity of your statement matters anymore. We could just end this war and not waste any life. I mean, isn't that what your hypothesis was about?" Andros said with a neutral expression she tried desperately to maintain.

Narvath didn't understand that word, so he ask the smartest person he knew.

"What does hypothesis mean?" Narvath whispered to The Goddess of Love.

Erosa simply shrugged, she had no clue either.

"She always used the biggest words just to show her false superiority, this is why none of our peers like her." Erosa said to Narvath in full volume in front of Androcien who imagined the stencil she snapped from earlier. And imagine the stencil being Erosa's neck. Watching the life bleed from her eyes that weren't even that pretty. Watching her once beautiful body rot like everything else once their cycle has ended.

"I can't let myself lose control. Get a grip, calm yourself." Androcien thought as she placed a hand on her chest. She was visibly disturbed by the violent thought she had. This hasn't been the first time this happened either, hence why she took to the breathing techniques to calm herself down.

Erosa and Narvath along with the rest of the soldiers watch with baited breath. Erosa saw that Androcien's spirit was troubled and filled with repressed rage. Perks of being a Goddess Of Love is that your opponent couldn't hide anything from you in terms of their mental states nor their emotions. 

"So Andros-" Erosa started off, she flipped her golden hair back and gave the Goddess of Knowledge a sweet and delicate smile that would bring peace to one soul.

It just made Andros want to puke.

"That it? After losing against Narvath in a simple debate-"

Andros's fist came flying towards Erosa face within the time it would take one to blink. Narvath caught her fist with his hand, breaking every bone in his hand and shattering his radius. He grit his teeth, the pain was mind- breaking but he looks towards Erosa, who was now wide-eyed in complete shock and could take pride knowing that he protected his love.

"To answer your question Andros, no. I do not concede." He said it so everyone could hear him, even those in Nevaris could hear him as many nobles and merchants wondered if they should evacuate to their luxurious underground bunkers now.

A moment of silence passed between them.

"Are you serious?" Androcien said quietly. And then she begin to chuckle, Narvath still holding her fist. A light chuckle that mutated itself into a full blown deranged laugh. Disturbing not only Narvath and Erosa, but all the soldiers down below as her laughter could be heard from miles around. Hell if you were in Nevaris or it neighboring and malfeasance city of Devate, you could hear it vaguely, sparking up many superstitions. 

"Oh Narvath, you truly are the biggest simpleton i have ever had the displeasure of knowing and Erosa, somehow you're a bigger harlequin than your strumpet of a mother." Androcien insulted the two Gods with a wide grin, venom dripping off her every word that was audible to the soldiers down below. Even they felt insulted on behalf of the Gods they were following.

Erosa took off her golden earrings and gave them to two doves who flew off with them in opposite directions. Her face betrayed no expression.

Narvath, even with his slowly healing broken hand, gripped Andros's own hands tightly and said this to the arrogant Goddess of Knowledge.

"I don't care if you're smarter, you sure as the seven hells aren't tougher than me and you're not going to insult my Eros-" 

The sound that followed made everyone covered their ears in fear of being turned deaf. Andros had punch Narvath directly in the face and sent him flying through the skies at a incredible speed rivaling that of a lightning bolt thrown from Kai, God of Lighting himself.

Erosa blink for a moment. She look at the spot that Narvath was just floating at and then turn back to where he was flung to and then back at the Goddess of Knowledge who just smirked at her. Right Now, There was something inside of Erosa that burned her very soul. This wasn't just ordinary anger, no no, normal anger would come and go, hell you could even snuff it out if you're quick enough. But this feeling? This feeling demanded her to embrace it. To take it out on anyone who tried to hurt those who belong to her.

It was fury.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Erosa screeched as she rushes toward the Goddess of Knowledge, calling in tow her two twin daggers that was around the length of her forearms as they appeared in a burst of pink sparkles. Androcein could only scoffed and dodge the kicks that came faster than the average eye could see.

"I hate to admit it, but i wanted this to happened." Andros thought with great shame as she dodged a kick aimed at her temple and got in close. She landed a single blow to Erosa's stomach, stopping her frantic attacks completely. She savored the look of pure shock on that disgraceful slut's face. 

Of Course Androcien held back a little back. She knew that if she killed Erosa here than this whole situation would escalate into a real headache with Erosa's mother getting involved. 

"You're nothing like your mother. At least she knew the art of combat." Androcien told her close to her ear. At much as she hated complimenting that glorified harlot, she could at least admit that Aphros had skill when it came to battle.

Erosa's lips curled into a smile. She suddenly hugged Andros and lock her legs around her, Andros was taken off guard by this. Erosa leaned in close to Andros's ear.

"So utterly blinded by arrogance, and yet you have the nerve to look down on others?" Erosa asked her simply as a dagger went straight into Androcien's back.

Andros felt the sharp and searing pain spread through her back like roses blooming in a garden but there was something else. This dagger was also making her feel a emotion that she doesn't often experience.

Lust.

A overwhelming tidal wave of lust that threaten to drown out her common sense and logic entirely.

"What have you done to me?" Andros asked through gritted teeth as she kept her eyes down, trying to ignore the feeling of her luxurious body against her own.

"Luxurious? STOPTHINKINGSTOPTHINKINGSTOP-" This desperate mantra that Andros created was interrupted as she received a sharp kick that could shatter statues to her face, the brilliantly shining blood snapped her back to the disturbing reality. Andros enraged threw a punch that Erosa easily dodge with a smirk as she got up and close and personal with her enemy. Their lips inches apart as she placed a gentle hand on Andros's cheek. Her warm and sweet smelling breath bathing Andros's lips like acid. Making the Goddess of Knowledge terrified as the effects of that dagger grew stronger with each second she was in proximity with Erosa. Her arms began to shake.

"You fool i can-" Andros found to her horror that she couldn't even move her muscles, no she couldn't even control her eyes anymore as they stared at every feature on Erosa from her long toned legs to her ample chest to the infuriating smirk on her face and the cold dead look in her beautiful pink eyes.

"You're the one who always so fond of lessons, right? So here a simple one that even your tiny and overcompensating brain can comprehend. Never lay your disgusting hands on my Narvath again. Do you understand?" Erosa asked, her eyes peering into her very soul and her words wrapping themselves around the Goddess's brain.

"Let...Go...Of...Me!" Andros said through gritted teeth as she struggled to move a finger.

Erosa hugged her, her lips resting on the crook on her neck. The sensation driving Andros to the brink of insanity.

"You're so touch starved, no wonder you take your anger out on poor little girls." Erosa murmur with a grin against Andros's skin, making the purveyor of knowledge skin crawl and her heart beat faster than the young Zylon himself. The memories came flooding back, the fear on that little girl'S face that burned itself into Andro's soul. Her screams haunt her in the back of her complex mind.

Erosa let the unnerved Goddess go and patted her cheek condescendly.

She watches as the oh so valiant Goddess of Knowledge fled from the scene like a thunder bolt thrown from Shangor. Like the coward she truly was. The adrenaline faded from the second deity of love and a semblance of reality came to her.

Erosa stared at her hands, shocked at what came out of her beautiful lips. Did she just call Narvath hers? She felt her own magnificent heart beat faster as she entertained the thought of being in a committed relationship with him. Maybe even starting a family? 

She smiled shyly as she heard the sounds of Narvath fighting against Androcien in the distance and was too distracted by her thoughts to help out.

"...I won't say i'm in love...but..." Erosa couldn't finish the thought as she giggled to herself and kicked her feet in the air.

-------------

What in the seven hells was i witnessing? I was wondering why the Goddess Erosa was hugging Androcien until i heard what she said to her.

I gasped as all my fellow soldiers cheer violently at Erosa drawing blood from Androcien with a kick that would most likely obliterate a regular human face, the blood landed on some of the warriors in the front and they cheered, seeing it as a sign of good luck. 

I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratification when i saw Androcein lose the battle like that.

It seem Mother's beloved Goddess wasn't so infallible after all.

"Oh how would you compare me to her whenever i would fall behind even a little in my studies due to lack of proper sleep. How you go on and on about the parables of the Goddess as that would motivate my body to not collapse into exhaustion." I thought bitterly with a wide grin as the memories came in one by one. 

"Didn't realize The Goddess of Love was capable of combat." Chie noted with wide eyes. To be honest, neither was i. I know that her mother Aphros have fought against Satrina and Androcien before in that war to decide who was the most beautiful. From several stories that i have heard, Aphros was a formidable opponent that Satrina and Andros had great trouble taking down whether it be through physical means or mind games.

Even though i was a child back then, even i could see the complete foolishness of such a war that had more blood shed than a average war fought by Krania, The Goddess of War and Harbinger of Joy herself.

Not that i would ever speak out loud about it in front of Erosa.

We heard sounds in the distance of Narvath yelling and more blows that shook the trees and we all tensed up, i look back to Erosa and found that she wasn't in the skies above us anymore.

Now i heard panicked shouts and confusion. People asking for her favor and commenting on how beautiful she was up close. Then came the questioning as she seemed that she was now directly walking through the army of soldiers, they're all wondering what she was doing as they hastily made way for her. 

I heard her voice clearly. "I'm about to conversate with someone important to beating that stuck up scholar." She said in a voice that was the textbook definition of confidence. Alright well usually in the dictionary they show a artist rendition of a smiling Aphros instead but you understand what i mean.

I saw Erosa as she casually move toward me, her hips swaying and a serene smile on her face. The soldiers in front of us parting with ease like a knife slicing into a cake.

I'm very hungry. I really should've eaten before i got here. 

She stopped in front of me. My heart was beating faster and faster, i couldn't barely hear anything. Even though i already been hugged and kissed by her before that still didn't make me used to her presence.

"By my mother, you are such a virgin it adorable! Isn't she adorable everyone?!" She asked the army opinion of me as my face burned and i covered it with my hands avoid the stares. The crowd cheered and gave some whoops of encouragement along with Chie. As embarrassing as it was, it made me smile. 

"I mean, she alright i guess." I heard a voice said from somewhere in the crowd. I also agree with that opinion and felt very comforted by it. As weird as it may be to feel comforted by such a statement.

"Oh come now, she better than alright, She got the face of a typical storybook heroine." Erosa complimented, my face was burning.

"Oh you know what? I see it now." That same person responded.

"Now." Erosa said simply as she snapped her fingers, a barrier of silence surround her, Chie and myself.

"The general plan is still the same, I think this beautiful redhead here can aid you in this espionage." Erosa stated with a smile as her eyes roamed upon Chie, seemingly studying her physical appearance.

Chie blushed at the compliment.

"Um thank you and what this about espionage?" Chie asked, clearly confused by what she is about to be brought into.

I was now worried. As much as i wanted backup in case things went wrong, i didn't want it to be Chie. I know we just met and all but for some reason i didn't want to imagine her being hurt. I know it was very foolish of me.

Erosa look at me and smirked and shakes her head.

"You will protect your...comrade...right?" Erosa asked me suddenly. A teasing grin on her face as she raised her perfectly arched eyebrow. The way Erosa linger on the word comrade made my face heat up. Years spent around nobles made me very quick to pick up hidden meanings behind how one would say a word.

I know, it very sad.

I nodded frantically. Erosa crossed her arms and smile at me like a mother would their own silly child. This made me feel more at ease with the plan that we were being thrown into.

"The plan is simple my two lovebirds, We are going to have you two along with...let say four more people, you lot are going to be infiltrating Andros's army and sabotage it from the inside." Erosa stated to me like we just going to pick up fresh bread from the local bakery.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. I look to the left of me and Chie seem wide-eyed and very confused and i don't blame her cause i was also very confused.

"I trust you two will have no problem in engaging in this plan. But do you two doves have any questions for me at the moment?" Erosa asked of us with a raised eyebrow.

"Well if i may, Goddess of Love, with all due respect. Why us in particular? Surely there are more qualified candidates. My skills are more geared towards direct combat then espionage and sabotage." Chie honestly inquired of her. Erosa giggled at her response.

"Oh calm down, you don't have to do too much. Here a inquiry for you, have you ever acted before?" The Goddess asked of Chie.

"Um i have acted in a few plays before for the Rain Festivals but those was more simple roles like a dancing villager or a tree." Chie said to her honestly. 

Erosa just smirked at her, she eyed Chie with the gaze of a predator.

"You have a lot of opinions, very passionate opinions about my fellow Gods. (I felt my heart dropped as my eyes quickly darted to Chie and saw that her face was ashen.) And to be quite frank, you wasn't wrong at all." Erosa told her, shocking the both of us. Chie was wide-eyed and stumbling over her words. Couldn't say i blame her, i was on the verge of my heart giving out as well.

"I-i was only giving my humble opinion-"

"Oh quiet down, i'm not going to destroy you. I mean after all you left me, my beautiful mother and Narvath out of your criticisms. You have shown more intelligence on display in that moment than Androcien have shown in her entire life." Erosa stated with a smirk as she checked her manicured nails to see if they have been damaged at all during her fight with that over-compensating virgin.

"Not a single damaged nail, good." Erosa thought as she focus on the matter at hand.

"My apologies, Erosa, the beautiful Goddess of Love." Chie said, bowing to her.

Erosa chuckled at the respect Chie give her. Fear and respect aren't the same thing.

"But it doesn't hurt for your followers to be aware of who they're talking to and what that entails." Erosa thought with a grin as she patted Chie's cheek gently like one would a cat. Chie try not to flinch, well keyword being tried. Erosa had to turn away from her to keep from laughing. 

"Such a nervous warrior." The amused thought went through Erosa's head.

The Sounds of Narvath screaming in pain and rage reached the army as Erosa looked worried. And then like the mythical comet of we saw Narvath crashing into a tree, well crashing isn't actually accurate. More like barreling was the way his body look like as it flailed through several trees.

All the soldiers stumbled back, we readied our weapons in case of Androcien coming to destroy us all. Some ran off and i can't say that wasn't the smarter option.

Erosa was the first on the scene.

"Honey? Are you alright?" Erosa asked, wincing upon inspection of the crimson mask that adorned Narvath's enraged but rugged face. Now feeling guilt for not doing enough to help him when he was fighting for his life against Andros. 

"Narvath my flower look at you, i swear when i meet that stuck up virgin again..." Erosa muttered darkly as she healed his injured face by kissing his forehead, the wounds sealing themselves and causing Narvath to shiver in delight. Now i wasn't too knowledgeable on Arcadia, however i do know healing spells take time. Even the most seasoned mage could take up to a half hour or more to heal severe injuries. But as expected with a divine beings, those hours become mere seconds.

"Wow..." I uttered, impressed by the powers of the Gods.

"THAT STUPID STUCK UP BITCH , THE NERVE OF HER TO ATTACK YOU." Narvath roared, his voice shaking the trees. Erosa chuckled as me and Chie and the rest of the nearby soldiers covered our ears.

"I was about to say the same thing Darling, Can you believe that virgin? Laying her unexperienced hands on you." Erosa told Narvath as she kissed his cheek. Narvath hold her hands, he look deeply into her eyes.

"I'm sorry Erosa, i should have protect-"

Erosa kissed him deeply, Her tongue exploring the inside of Narvath's mouth with surprising speed. I blushed but couldn't tear my eyes away. She broke the kiss, a thick strand of salvia forming a bridge between them. I have never seen anything like that before. Some soldiers cheered when they saw Erosa kissed Narvath. I guess they just as supportive of romance as they are with war.

"Don't be so foolish Narvath (Erosa took his broken hand and a look of sorrow and regret crossed her face for just a moment, it was so strange to see that expression on the Goddess of Love's face. Her hands begin to glow a light pink and Narvath sighed in relief.) I should be the one apologizing. I should have known how mentally unwell Andros is that a simple barb from me was enough to set her off." Erosa apologized as she rub her hand through Narvath's messy mane. A surge of protective anger course through her divine veins.

"You got hurt because of me. That something i can not abide. Andros you will pay for this, i swear on my mother's beautiful curls." Erosa thought in anger as she pressed her lips to Narvath's hand.

Narvath slowly got to his feet. Erosa kissed him on the cheek and he got all red in the face. It made me happy to see such a simple act of love.

"Alright, time to put my plan into fruition." Erosa declared to us, a now confident grin on her face. Roses and pink tulips bloomed around us and we were amazed, i knelt down and smell them. I could feel myself getting intoxicated, thoughts rushing to my head that my face red as blood. I quickly got back up.

Erosa then snapped her fingers, and four people was pulled into the barrier with the quickness of a fox. And i had to stumbled out of the way to avoid being hit.

One of them was a stout goblin woman with long messy black hair and dark green skin who tumbled on the ground, colorfully cursing all the while.

"Shit! DAMNIT! BY THE HEAVY BREASTS OF APHROS!!!" The goblin yelled as she landed face first in the dirt.

"My my, such a mouth on this one." Erosa commented with amusement at the rather accurate idiom. 

The Goblin woman look up at us. 

"Oh Erosa, the sexy and beautiful Goddess of Love?! Um (The Goblin lady bowed with her face to the garden of pink tulips and roses.) i'm honored to be in your presence and your lover's presence as well. I will do whatever you asked of me." The Gobin said as Erosa just shakes her head with a smile, Narvath got down one knee and offered his hand. The Goblin hesitantly shook it. 

"Great to have you here." Narvath said to her seriously. 

The next two was both men, one with wild and long black hair and rugged looks wearing barbarian armor holding on to dear life to the hand of a admittedly handsome mage with admittedly gorgeous brown locs.

"What in the seven hells?!" The barbarian looking man exclaimed with worry as the mage kept a tight grip on his black staff. He look at Erosa and Narvath and motioned the barbarian to bow. The mage did so with grace and the barbarian clumsily fell to his knees and bow his head.

The melodic laughter of Erosa echoed in the domain she surrounded us with.

"Don't be so terrified you two adorable lovebirds, i have chosen you along with two more lucky soldiers to join Kali in a special quest." She told the two as the mage got up and smiled awkwardly and the barbarian arose from the dirt, very confused and i can't say i blame him.

"A special quest? Like retrieving a jewel from the gaping maw of a fearsome beast?" The barbarian inquired, excitement humming through his thick veins.

"I wouldn't be opposed to that but i think our jobs are going to be a little more exciting." The Mage told his partner.

Erosa nodded in agreement.

"You're right! What more exciting than being spies on the enemy's side?" Erosa asked of them.

The Barbarian could only tilt his head in confusion as the Mage stared at her before shrugging, probably knowing it was pointless arguing with a Goddess who could destroy their relationship in a instant. 

"Alright, no objections?" Erosa asked.

Nobody dared speak. 

I hesitantly took a step forward. All eyes were on me as i gathered my courage and look the Goddess of Love straight in the eyes.

"But Erosa, the sexy Goddess of Love. I'm no actor, surely there are-" Erosa's glare cut my sentence short. I felt a lump in throat that couldn't be rid of by swallowing. She gets in close and whisper to my ear. Her arms wrapping themselves around me. Her lips spoke against my skin making me shiver. 

"It seems that you already have plenty of experience acting. Just put on the face that you're so used to putting on when you have to speak to your parents." Erosa said with no emotion behind her voice, she stepped back and that gorgeous smile was on her face again.

My heart dropped, how...did she knew? I can vaguely feel Chie placing her hand on my shoulder, and i said i was fine. I think i said that as i couldn't really register sounds anymore.

It was true. As expected of a Goddess of Love. I had read tales about how Aphros could look deep inside a person's very own soul. You couldn't hide anything when it came to your feelings. It make sense that her daughter would inherit the same skill as well.

But then Erosa voice came in, clear as fresh blood on a sword.

"Now do you still think that you're not up for this task? Are you ready to be a disappointment? (Erosa place her arms on my shoulder.) Or are you ready to show the world what Kali can do?" Erosa asked me with a raised eyebrow.

I never was one for the political field like my parents, nor was i meant for business like my siblings and cousins.

Ever since i was a young girl i wanted to be a knight. I would spend hours just reading old tales of heroics by the lamp. I had to hide the book from the watchful gaze of my mother who would chide me constantly for being enthralled by those childish stories. It was because of one man i decided to follow that dream.

I still remember the day i met him. I was walking to the market, my father had sent me to pick up dinner for tonight. I was only a young girl at the time, i remember being scared and asking my parents for at least one of them to escort me. However they couldn't as they were too busy with paperwork and other business matters. 

They couldn't even be bothered to send a local guard with me just to be safe.

 I always tried to keep to myself, i kept my head low and just wanted to get the dinner from the local restaurant that i didn't remember the name of . It was a restaurant that specialize in grilled meat and fish caught from the ocean. Their food was tasty so there was that at least. I was almost there until i was pulled into a dark alley suddenly.

Three men cornered me. All of them with leering grins that made them look demonic to my young eyes, one of them grabbing me tightly by the throat. Dark spots was appearing in my vision. I felt one of their hands ripped my shirt. 

"H-help..." I muttered, knowing at the time it was pointless. I was so scared, i didn't want to die. That what was went through my mind at the time.

But now that i think back to that moment. Death would have been the best outcome. I fought back the vomit that threaten to rise through my throat.

And the hands that once cut off my air was ripped away from me as i fell on the dirt. I opened my stinging eyes to see a knight stand in front of me. His silver armor shining, a sword in his hand.

"Cover your eyes." The voice that commanded me was low, lower than i thought a voice could even go. And yet there was a gentleness in there as well. I did what he asked

The biggest one of the three charged at the Knight. And i covered my eyes. I heard a swift slicing sound and the scream of that awful man. But the scream only lasted for a quick second until it devolved into gurgling sounds.

The other two was clearly scared but their anger overrode their self-preservation as they too tried to take the knight down.

To no success. 

"Are you alright miss?" He asked in that deep voice that made me feel a peace i couldn't get at home unless both my parents was away.

I nodded numbly. I was in utter awe of this valiant defender. 

"Where was you heading to?"

I told him, and he offered his hand. 

"Let me escort you there and then i will escort you back to your house."

I was awe-strucked by his kindness.

I was able to track him down two days later and begged for him to train me.

"I want to be just like you. I don't want to be weak anymore, i want to be strong and help people." I told him, looking up at him. He towered over me like a mythical giant of legend.

The knight look at me silently, and he went back into the building. About four minutes later, he came back with a wooden training sword. He offered it to me and i accepted with pride.

"We begin training next week, come back here four days from now around this same time." He said to her with a sense of warmth. 

She nodded eagerly. 

"Wait...I never even got your name." Kali told him, realizing this missing tidbit just now.

The knight was silent for a moment.

"Tomas. And i don't think i ever got your name either." He said, a sense of amusement in his voice.

"My name is Kali. of the Bloombergs." I told him reluctantly. I wanted to leave my family name out but i knew he would figure out eventually. Besides the first key to a long lasting friendship is trust. I remembered learning this from a legend about Shangor and Miriam when they first met. 

Hah...moving on.

"Alright then Kali. I will teach you all that i can so you can properly defend yourself in the future." He told me. I was over the moon with excitement and wonder.

And the excitement and wonder didn't stop. Not even when my hands and body were soar after exercising. the routine was always simple, 10 push ups, followed by ten sit-ups and then running around the fields to build stamina.

"Stamina is important, even the strongest swing means nothing if you run out of energy afterwards." He told me one day as he treated me to a slice of cake and raspberry juice. 

"That explain why i get so tired after a couple of push-ups." I noted at the time, coated in sweat and dirt.

"Excuse me, i don't mean to pry into your home life. Did you have a proper breakfast today?" Tomas asked of me suddenly.

"My father said that i was getting too big and have decided to cut back on my portions for meals." I told him honestly, he deserved that. When my father told me this, i didn't think too much of it at the time. Just another of my parent's rules, who was i to complain? Although i did noticed that my father got bigger with each passing month.

He was silent for a moment and walked away for a moment. I continue to enjoy my cake in silence, the sounds of the horses softly neighing and conversations about what going in the richest country in the world.

"Here." He said suddenly, appearing behind me, causing me to almost jump out of my seat. I forgot how silent he could be despite his size and that was one of the things that always mystify me about Tomas. And what made him so amazing to me.

I saw that he had a plate with a giant turkey leg, rice and red beans, and freshly baked corn bread.

"It important to keep your strength up as well. You been doing a great job these past weeks." Tomas told me with a hint of warmth, he usually wore his helmet so i can never guess his expression.

I teared up.

"Thank you." I told him with a big smile.

I practically devoured the whole plate like a ravenous wolf.

I wanted to be like him. A person who defend the weak and helped others.

Every week i would come up with a new lie to my parents about what i was doing. Oh i'm just going to Cousin Henrietta for some extra studying, lucky for me she played along as long as i gave her some of my weekly allowance as payment. Getting all my chores done extra early so i can go see Tomas, i would throw my hair back in a messily done ponytail and put on more comfortable clothing so nobody would clock me. Every training session would bring new wisdom from Tomas that would surprisingly help me in other areas beside battle. The exercises kept my mind sharp as well. I was confused as why Tomas wanted me to study the map as part of my training but i soon realized that a knight must always know their surroundings. This allowed me to keep track of where my parents were, allowing me to avoid them at the right times so i wouldn't be caught.

And then came the day where he had to leave me.

"I have been tasked by the Goddess of Knowledge herself to do a great quest for her." Tomas said to me slowly, a great look of pride mixed with regret in his eyes. 

"But...will you be back?" I asked. I knew asking him to stay was pointless. He had always revered the Goddess of Knowledge. To be tasked by the Goddess you worship, why would i deny him of that? 

"I promise i will be back."

"When."

"Next month. Until them, keep up with your training."

I nodded, tears in my eyes.

The weeks went by so dreadfully slow. Keeping up with my exercise in secret proved to be easier than expected due to my parents being called into meetings more frequently. Time etching scars into my soul with each day that passed by with no news.

I couldn't wait to show him how i improved.

He didn't come back the following month. I waited for weeks and weeks, always walking by our usual spot and waiting for three or more hours before having to go back. When he did return, it was just his helmet and sword. His now shattered sword that filled me with despair.

One of his fellow knights came to me while i was crying silently. 

"Tomas said if anything happened to him, please deliver this to Kali." The Knight said somberly as he handed me a scabbard containing a brand new sword.

I held the scabbard and slowly pulled the sword out. The Sword shined in the sunlight and i stared at it and for a brief moment i thought i saw Tomas smile at me.

Why didn't she protect him?

Why would a Goddess tasked someone who had nothing but respect for her and was a good and honest man and not protect them at all?

There was really only one option.

"I'm ready." I told Erosa and Narvath, staring them straight in their eyes.

Narvath nodded and Erosa just grinned at me.

No matter what happens. I will make it through this.

I will achieve my dream.

And more importantly...

I will make Androcien face the consequences of her actions.