Once Timothy had stepped through the portal he found himself once again inside the absolutely immense castle that was Jenna's domain. The walls went up into the sky in all directions with furniture that absolutely boggled the mind in its scale. Jenna had stopped immediately upon entering and stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, her mind clearly deep in thought.
“So...” Jenna said calmly.
Timothy gulped in a bit of nervousness as he waited for her to continue. When she didn't he spoke next.
“So... What is going on with you goddess? Who is taking over your body when your eyes glow like that?”
Jenna sighed and shook her head, dropping her arms to her sides with her left hand on the hip.
“It- Its not like that Timmy.” She said with a wisp of sadness in her voice. “No one's 'taking over' my body. It's just me.” There was a pause. “It's hard to explain.”
Timothy lowered himself down onto his knees in front of Jenna. Even though she was an all powerful goddess she was still in the body of a small child. Now on his knees his face was level with hers. There was great concern in his eyes as he was worried for her safety. Whatever this was her hesitation to tell him was somehow worse.
“Please goddess.” He said. “Please tell me.”
Jenna shook her head again and finally looked up into Timothy's eyes. There was a seriousness in her face but not a hint of fear or concern.
“Well its like this.” She started. “There is- well another me inside me.” Her left hand lifted up and waved in the air. “I'm sure you're aware how your thoughts work and whatnot. Basically all my thoughts deep inside my mind were manifested and sort of can take over my body.” She paused. “When I give them permission anyway.” Then after waiting for Timothy's reaction she continued. “I'm calling her 'Sub-chan' because she's my subconscious. She won't do anything I wouldn't do, but she sort of does the things I really want to do deep in my heart but normally don't. Does that make sense?” She finished tilting her head.
Timothy looked up and down the little girl's body in confusion as his mind processed all this. It made sense to him how this possession worked but it was so confusing thinking there were two Jenna's inside his goddess's body. He had heard of people having more than one personality and it was a sign of insanity. Perhaps this was just one of those goddess things humans couldn't understand.
After a few moments of thought he decided to accept this new reality about his goddess. Whatever this was it wasn't going anywhere and clearly Jenna was in control of it, at least for the most part. It wasn't a big concern for her anyway which meant if she wasn't worried he wouldn't be either. With a deep sigh he stood up again, towering over the goddess who normally barely saw him on the floor at her feet.
“I suppose if this other you really won't do anything you wouldn't do.” He said with a hint of sadness in his voice. He did crack a small smile however. “I guess that means you really wanted to burn that man to a crisp didn't you?”
Jenna blushed in embarrassment and lifted her left hand to brush some hair out of her face. Her eyes looked down at the ground for a moment.
“I mean yeah.” She said with a slight smile herself. “But I wouldn't kill him alright? She just... I just... Was so angry and wanted to teach him a lesson. She- I mean I am sure he'll be ok.”
Timothy shook his head and finally relaxed. It seemed there was no true danger here after all. Whatever this other goddess was inside her had certainly been dangerous before, the mansion in flames coming to mind as a bad memory. However she had clearly worked out that rage in some way and had full control of herself even during her bouts of fury, the fact she was so reserved in the hallway just now even under its influence being proof to that.
“Well goddess I'm thankful you're still yourself.” He said with a smile.
Jenna smiled back up at him and put her hands on her hips, the shyness she had just expressed gone once again.
“I am too Timtim!” She replied. “And you know... You are pretty cute.”
Hearing this brought back what Jenna had said in the hallway. He felt his cheeks warming up as he blushed deeply. Maybe she really did think of him as a helpless bug, it was certainly true seeing how she was a goddess. But to hear that she really did think him cute was something that made his heart flutter. In the end he just felt lucky to be so closely involved with such an amazing goddess as her at all.
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The air was still with nary a hint of wind to be felt. There were no trees for such a breeze to even rustle and no animals to make so much as a sound. Indeed the atmosphere would be deathly quiet and overwhelmingly uncanny if it weren't for the many massive torches on the walls of immense room. Here in the very domain of the goddess herself every speck of dust floating in the air bent to the will of the one who created it. Everything was larger than life as well with simple furniture boggling the mind with its scale.
There I was sitting at the table in the main dining area of the castle, my butt firmly planted in the rather simple looking chair at the wide side of the table. On the surface of the table in front of me there was a single setting of a plate, metal cup, and silverware set. Of course they were in my size and never used, merely there for decoration I suppose in an otherwise empty home.
Also on the table and next to the plate were two humans, mere bugs in size compared to everything around them. The scale of goddesses was simply on another level after all. They looked so very tiny and helpless compared to a fork the length of a city bus, its tines alone massive spears. There was nothing to fear of course as they were with me and I was a gentle goddess, most of the time.
For my part I was trying to seem interested in what was going on below me. I was resting my left arm on the table with its elbow on the surface and its hand holding up my chin. The other arm was placed down on the table and parallel to my body, its massive form looming over the little two inch tall comparatively humans below me. Truly I was a sight to behold looming above them. Though they didn't seem too aware of my presence most of the time, instead happy to continue their bickering below my all seeing gaze.
As for the two humans who fought so passionately below they were two of the ruling lords of the kingdom, each from a different province. Unlike Quarely these two were among the humans I didn't like much at all, their attitudes deeply toxic in one form or another. Even though I've had very limited interaction with these other lords they were automatically on my shit list regardless of their bad attitudes simply because they were the ruling class, an outlook I'd not have changed by these two.
First there was the lord of Rellabellum: a man in his fifties named Bisaan Nylan. He was a thin and tall man with short blackish brown hair, a short beard, green eyes, pale skin, and a strange attitude. Though he was quite rich he preferred to wear rather simple and piratical clothing. He also regarded his subjects in the most favorable manner outside of Quarely, though he did expect fanatical loyalty and dished out harsh punishments to dissenters. Perhaps it was the harsh landscape south of the Hejuk Mountains that molded this man into the person he was today.
The other lord was the ruler of Ullouseia, the province of the sea. This tubby man was named Pramodea Faraghun. He was in his forties with orange red hair that went down to his shoulders, pale skin, deep blue eyes like the ocean, and a real bad attitude. He was so very rich due to the place he ruled having the only access to the sea and thus maritime trade. Thus did he view those below him as exploitable masses to be used to enrich himself and his friends. To him others were merely consumers and even his family supposedly were not given kind treatment.
The topic of the conversation today, and the reason I was asked to deal with them at all, was the issue of the trade route that connected their two provinces. This trade route traveled through the entire kingdom and thus brought a host of goods both to and from the seaports of the east coast. There was a lot of money involved and the safety of shipments was a big deal, something that the rather underdeveloped lands of Rellabellum made uncertain. It was a certified Yukon wilderness out there.
Bisaan was standing there in front of the nearby knife of massive proportions, his hands on his hips beneath his heavy fur robes. The expression on his face was one of extreme frustration as this fat rich merchant was clearly not understanding the difficulties he faced.
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“And what would you have me do?” He exclaimed throwing his arms up in the air. “You have no understanding how prominent wolves and bears are in the wilderness!”
The tubby Pramodea crossed his arms over his chest above his belly and scoffed.
“Have the beasts put to the sword!” He replied equally exasperated. “You have men do you not? Put the lazy louts to use!” He then rolled his eyes and looked to the side. “It's not like they have much else to do out there in the sticks.”
Bisaan's face reddened anew as his temper was inflamed anew and it almost looked like he would reach for his sword to cut down his opponent then and there.
“Do you really think it that easy you coastal whore?” He said, no longer shouting. “My men have their hands full dealing with the bandits that roam the wilds. Not to mention this new threat in the undead monstrosities!”
In reponse to this Pramodea chucked and shook his head, clearly in a condescending manner.
“You think my lands don't have their own issues with pirates? If you were a true leader you'd be able to handle some simple bandits.” He then dropped his arms to his sides and shrugged. “As for these so called undead, if they exist mind you, why not pray to your goddess for salvation? Certainly that will save you. You're lands were always full of the superstitious lot.”
I decided to ignore his comment, not that it was outside my rights to interject in response. Clearly their heated argument here was simply one in a long running history of animosity between the two of them. Seemingly their frustrations with each other was enough to blind them to the very landscape they were currently surrounded by, including the massive little girl that currently sat looming above them into the sky.
A major mistake was about to be committed however as Bisaan looked out at me, the anger still clear on his face. Now it seemed he would directed it towards me. Sub-chan already wanted me to intervene and put them in their place, in a rather violent way of course, and I had to deny her. I was waiting to see what this tiny man would say.
“And what of these roaming undead creatures?” Bisaan demanded up to me. “You're a goddess are you not? Have my lands not suffered enough with this monstrous threat that you sit there in boredom as I deliberate the fate of my people?”
The look on my face was indeed one of boredom, the arguments of these two corrupt men truly trying my patience. This newest outburst however changed my expression to one of anger as my eyebrows lowered into a frown. My left hand lowered down to the table and my arm thundered down behind the men, trapping them between two walls of flesh that were my arms. They were comparable to the walls of a town, though these were living flesh instead of dead stone.
Both lords were shaken around by the impact and stood shaking on their feet only barely. The looks on their faces were those of men that had just realized they had made a terrible mistake. Of course it was now that the interjection of a third party had happened that they were suddenly reminded of the locale they were in. Their eyes widened as they looked up at the girl towering into the sky, her arms alone massive engines of destruction capable of leveling castles.
I grunted and continued to glower down at the pair.
“The only reason I'm involved in your little spat at all is at the request of the king himself.” I snapped. “It seems your petty bullshit has blinded you to the presence of your superior. You really did forget where you are didn't you?”
Bisaan was immediately apologetic, dropping to his knees and cowering before me. He craned his neck back to try and look up into my face, though it was clear he would rather not do so.
“P-Please g-goddess!” He stammered. “I m-meant no offense!”
Pramodea saw that my ire was directed in large part at his compatriot and so he felt much safer. A wily smirk appeared on his lips as he watched the other lord cower before me.
I let out a long sigh and lifted my arms away once again, the walls of pink causing the table ground to rumble as they soared through the air and thundered down once again onto the table, this time immediately before my body. Once this was done the two men seemed to be more at ease as the immense things were much further away and thus the illusion of safety returned.
“I know what you meant you little shit.” I said with one final glare. “I'm well aware of the undead threat and I'll have it sorted wholly and utterly in due time.” My expression softened into one of mild annoyance with a hint of superiority. “You have no idea the scope of crises I deal with on a daily basis. You pathetic little insect.”
Bisaan saw the change in my expression and felt it permissible for him stand once again so he did. As he stood to his feet he replied to me, still in a tone much contradictory to the domineering tyranny shown to his subjects.
“Please goddess.” He almost begged. “I-I really didn't mean to offend. You're worries are surely immense in scope. Please forgive me for speaking out of turn.”
It really did take a titanic goddess to put the arrogant in their place. While looking down at this man my thoughts wandered to the goddesses of old. The adults among them would have been at least double in size when compared to me. An fully grown adult man was a mere bug before me, barely as tall as my heel, yet to an adult goddess they were insects indeed. Even the toes of the goddesses would surely outsize humans by a significant margin. Would I grow up into an adult? How long would that take? Thousands of years? What differences in perspective will that size bring and how will I view humans differently then? I hoped my attitude wouldn't become monstrous. I didn't plan on it.
My left hand once again was lifted up to rest under my chin and my eyes softened further. There was really no point in staying angry at this tiny man. He was simply just another creature trying to survive in this world fraught with danger and mystery. His frustrations towards me were indicative of the general habit of animals to seek those mightier than them for protection.
“I'll forgive you this once.” I said in a soft voice. “Just don't accuse me of inaction ever again. Got it?”
Bisaan nodded and expressed his gratitude with lifted hands clasped together.
“Yes goddess! Thank you for your mercy great goddess!”
With him dealt with I turned my attention to Pramodea, smiling slightly as his smug expression vanished with my gaze upon him.
“Don't think I've forgotten about you either little bug.” I said, continuing my belittlement to prove my point. “You do realize I brought you here to my home for that express purpose yes? Here with me at my full size the clear difference in power is on full display. You humans are mere insects scurrying out at the feet of a goddess and its important you not forget your place.” I moved my left hand to wave slightly in the air before placing it on the table. “Yeah I'm obviously full of kindness and mercy. But that shouldn't be taken for weakness.”
Both men nodded and held their hands out in prayer towards me, showing their respects as they verbally agreed with my assessment.
“Now as for this little disagreement.” I continued. “I think I've heard enough and am ready for my decision on what will be done.”
Bisaan nodded and looked up at me with a newfound reverence in his eyes.
“Y-Yes goddess. Of course.”
Pramodea stepped back with a bit of a nervous look on his face. There would be no disagreeing with my choice of course and the greedy man had a feeling he wouldn't like what was about to be said.
“I'll of course accept any decision you've made and be happy with it.” He said clearly lying.
A small smile returned to my face as I sat up straighter in my chair again.
“Good!” I said happily. “Now here's what you'll do.” Then using my left hand I pointed at Pramodea. “You'll start sending a larger escort of armed men with the shipments you send out across the kingdom. I know that'll cost more money, but when the safety of your goods in question it should be acceptable to add more security to ensure its safety.” I then pointed at Bisaan. “As for you. You'll have to start patrolling your lands better sorry to say. The bandit thing can't go unanswered and they must be dealt with.”
My hand returned to my chin as I looked down at the clearly worried man. The life a bandit was rarely one made explicitly by choice. There was usually some kind of circumstance that fell upon men and women to drive them into such a lifestyle, something that can be addressed I believe.
“Bandits aren't created overnight.” I continued. “Their lifestyle is one born out of desperation more often than not. I'd suggest you reach out to these bandit groups and offer them gainful employment in some manner.” I shrugged my shoulders. “It's actually pretty common throughout history for rulers to enlist vagabonds for various purposes from military to domestic. You could offer them the chance to help cut down on the various dangerous animals that roam your lands, thus turning them from a life of crime and making your friend's shipments all the more safer. Two birds with one stone as they say.”
Bisaan looked down and brought his own hand to his chin in thought. It was probably something he had considered before but not had the motivation to act on.
Pramodea laughed and held his hands on his belly.
“Sound advice if I've ever heard it!” He said more to spite his countryman.
Bisaan frowned and dropped his hand, throwing a glare towards the other lord.
“Don't put the act that you're much happier with the judgment meted out to you.”
I imagined the merchant was putting on this jovial front more so to make a mockery of his opponent's clear disdain for the position he was being put into. Whatever, that was fine with me. Neither of them were going to be happy with the decision I had made as they both obviously wanted me to take their side. That would be quite unfair of me and so I chose the middle ground, something I knew a good leader would do. Find a compromise that made both parties feel either equally screwed or benefited.
I crossed my own arms across my chest and looked down at them with a slight frown once again.
“If that's everything I'll send the two of you off to your homes again.”
Pramodea clapped his hands and gave me a flourishing bow.
“Indeed it shall goddess!” He replied with a smile. “Thank you for mediating our little debate.” His tone then lowered to one that might be interpreted as menacing. “I'm sure we'll be meeting again.”
Bisaan put his hands on his hips and looked up at me once again. It was clear his perception of me was changed from when he had first arrived and he had much to think about.
“Yes.” He said thoughtfully. “Thank you goddess. Farethewell.”
With the pleasantries thus out of the way I opened two portals on the table, the glowing circles of symbols each the size of the average human. I remained sitting full size in my chair as the two men each went their separate ways into the portal corresponding with their own cities. There was clear indication that this interaction, while not changing them as people, certainly put their position in the kingdom into new light.
Once they were both gone I sat back in my chair and slumped down. I then let out a deep sigh. Dealing with these kinds of political meditations really were mentally exhausting. They were part of the territory as a goddess and while I didn't like it I'd just have to put the candle to the flame and do it. Perhaps I can go talk to Miya's parents again soon and let her talk to them as well. It was always relaxing being able to discuss things with them.