"That's true and now you have plenty of time to enjoy your freedom. Just keep your distance from the Maker until you are sure you can resist her control. I don't want to have to keep my promise to end you."
Bones says "I am not as reckless as you are. I will be fine."
"Alright. Ready to go?"
Bones says "Yes."
I turn and open a gate, putting all my mana into it to open it as far east as possible. Once the gate is fully formed, Bones walks through without another word. Once Bones is gone, I close the gate and tell Jarvis to turn the time dilation back on.
Then I head upstairs to find Lin, I find her waiting for me in the bedroom. Seeing what she is wearing and that she is holding a leash in her hands, I grin. I still have no idea what the goddesses talked to her about, but if this is the result, I don't mind at all.
Lin and I have a lot of fun together before we eventually fall asleep in each other's arms. When we wake up, we have breakfast together and then get up to check on the kids. We don't find them in the main room, so we ask Jarvis and find out they are with Brightfire.
According to Jarvis, Brightfire sent five groups into the shadow plane this time. The kids and the healing golem went with them and they have been gone for a few hours already. However, thanks to the time dilation, it will still likely be several hours before they return.
That means that for once, Lin and I actually have the place to ourselves. What's more, I realize that I currently don't have anything that I need to do. So, as I let out a growl, I start chasing Lin around the castle until I catch her.
We repeat this chase several times and have our fun wherever I happen to catch her. This is something we would never do with the kids around and that just makes it more gun. Of course, Jarvis has orders to notify us the instant anyone returns through the gate.
Luckily, when the notification comes, we are already exhausted and just cuddling. Thanks to our shapeshifting clothes, we don't have to scramble around getting dressed. So, when the first group returns, Nala finds us relaxing and watching TV.
We turn the TV off and sit and listen as Nala tells us all about her trip into the shadow plane. After she is done, she joins us in watching TV while waiting for the other groups to return. A little more than an hour passed before the next group returns, but this is the golem's group.
When I see the golem, I call her over and tell her about the shipwrecks I found. Unfortunately, even she can't tell if one of them was the one she was from. After that, I tell her about the ancient wreck that was the cause of it all.
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Golem says "Thank you very much for everything you did! I truly appreciate it, especially considering you don't even know me."
"It's fine. I also got some benefits out of this. Have you remembered your name? Or decided what you want to do?"
Golem says "Yes, my name is Chloell and I wish to stay in this world if possible. Of course, if I will be a burden, then I will leave."
"No, Chloell, you are not a burden. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. You are also free to visit the ship if you want to interact with the elves more. If there is anything you want, just tell me."
Chloell says "Are you sure? You really don't mind me possessing this golem?"
"No, I don't mind at all. You are doing a better job than the golem would have done on its own. From now until you decide otherwise, just consider yourself a part of the ship's crew."
Chloell says "Thank you. I will do my best to help everyone and not be a burden."
"Just do what you want. Oh, since you have remembered your name, I can now introduce you to Seronia. Jarvis, turn off the time dilation, please."
Once the time dilation is off, I create a soulscape and invite Chloell and Seronia. While we are waiting for Seronia, I explain the soulscape to Chloell and give a demonstration. Then, once Seronia shows up, I introduce the two of them and let them talk.
It doesn't take long for Chloell to decide to become Seronia's worshiper. Now she will be able to pray to Seronia for a refill and won't need to ask me. This also means that Seronia has another worshiper, which is always a good thing.
After they are done talking, I end the soulscape and take Chloell down to the workshop. In the soulscape she had her original appearance, so now I can modify the golem to match. After I am done, Chloell heads out into the ship and I go back to join Lin and Nala.
One by one the other teams return and Brightfire's team is the last one back. While the kids are telling us about their adventures, Brightfire is talking to the leaders of the other teams. Then she and I meet so that she can give me a report on how the kids are doing.
After hearing her report and thanking her, I go have lunch with Lin and the kids. Once we are done eating I ask Athena to summon Chloell back.
Chloell says "Did you need me for something?"
"Yes. I was wondering if you would be willing to go on a few more trips into the shadow realm?"
Chloell says "I don't mind, but I thought Brightfire said there wouldn't be another trip for now?"
"Brightfire's report on my kids makes me think they should be okay going in on their own. I want you to go with them and keep them safe."
Chloell says "Sure, I would be happy to!"
"Thank you. Is there anything you want in return?"
Chloell says "No, not that I can think of. Although, if you can make it so that I can level up, that would be great."
"Honestly, I have absolutely no idea how I would go about doing that, but I will look into it."
Chloell says "If you can't, that's alright."
With Chloell having agreed to go, I go and tell the good news to the kids. They are thrilled and of course they want to go immediately, but I tell them no. I tell them that they are only allowed to go once per day and only if Chloell agrees to go.
Of course, I am referring to a day within the time dilation, so they won't have to wait too long. The main reason for this is to make sure that they don't burn themselves out. After all, they are still just kids, no matter how strong they have gotten.
Mulan says "While we are in the shadow plane, who is in charge?"