Several days had passed since I had captured my new pet. Thankfully the hydra didn't try to attack me after I had passed out for a couple hours on the floor, as though I was still semi-conscious it would have been a pain to stop it as I couldn't move my body. The never-ending meat had been enough to draw its attention as suspected and it was much easier to go after a non-mobile piece of meat than a immense goddess who had previously caused it harm. As I lay there watching it had grabbed the meat and dragged it into the pond to eat in seclusion. No one walking by the body of water would have even known such a huge monster was down there lurking in the depths. Luckily there were only two other beings in my castle and neither of them were going to get caught.
Something I discovered upon waking up was that the effects of the meat on its mannerisms were both positive and unexpected. While I had thought initially that having an easy source of endless food would make the hydra less likely to attack things I was surprised to find it actually became quite docile. It had eaten meat for literal hours on end to the point I became worried its stomach would burst which had been an unforeseen consequence I was unable to stop while knocked out. That fear however was proven moot as it did eventually stop eating, the way in which it acted making it seem almost satisfied.
Imagine living your whole life in a constant state of hunger only to one day suddenly have the strangest feeling you can't explain. For the first time you experience this fullness and think that maybe you can stop worrying about food for a while. That would be enough to make anyone docile, even a monstrous snake beast. This result was the best outcome I could have hoped for as well for now my pet could actually interact with mortals without fear of them being attacked. For now though he just spent his time in the pond eating whenever he got hungry.
Over the next several days the poop issue was also taken care of when I introduced an earth golem to the garden, something I hadn't done before. This construct was put in charge of turning hydra droppings into fertilizer for use on the plants all around the area which was very useful indeed. While I was at it I also created other golems to manage the garden itself, finally taming the previously free growing forest into something pleasant to look at. It wasn't that I cared either way particularly, though it was obvious visiting mortals would enjoy it more controlled.
At this very moment I was kneeling by the edge of the pond at my full goddess size, my left hand reaching out to rub the tops of my pet's heads. The hydra was standing just before the shore in the water with several of its heads eagerly moving about my hand to be patted. It was sort of like a giant and deadly snake headed dog. Well more like a pet python really. Not something you would ever leave your kids alone with but certainly an animal still capable of affection.
While attending to my pet I saw in my extended goddess vision the approach of my other two house guests. Both Neske and Barthenor were walking through the dense foliage of the garden to approach me, my own immense size making it impossible to miss even in this forested place. They had been aware of the hydra but had steered clear due to the inherent dangers. Neither of them were actually afraid of the beast but rather didn't want to interfere with what was clearly an animal I owned.
As they approached I finished my petting of my pet's heads and withdrew my hand.
“I named him Flavio.” I said without turning my head. “I couldn't think of a better Greek sounding name.”
After my hand moved away Flavio let out a low friendly sounding hiss from a couple heads before lowering them. He then slid backwards into the water like an alligator might and soon vanished uder the surface with surprisingly little waves.
Barthenor looked somewhat interested in the beast but as he lacked the ability to truly feel emotions he didn't show it. Neske on the other hand was quite clearly disgusted by the quite obvious abomination in the natural world. Something that was obviously quite ironic coming from a literal undead creature.
Both of them continued walking towards me and came to a stop about one-hundred feet away from where I was kneeling. Barthenor in front with Neske coming to a halt just behind him. She was still quite shy around me despite the progress we had made together. That was something I couldn't truly blame her for considering her history.
Barthenor bowed his head before speaking back to me in his hallow undead voice.
“I have no opinion on your choice of names exalted one.” He said. “The creature is not capable of intelligent thought in either case.”
I let out a shallow sigh as I changed to my human size and turned towards him. The lich and his minion had started calling me things like “exalted one” in their continuous quest to avoid calling me “goddess.” While I understood their hangups it was slightly infuriating they kept dancing around the issue. Hopefully they would just get over it soon and use the preferred term.
“Yeah I'm aware he's not sentient.” I replied with my right hand on my hip. “He's surprisingly sympathetic though.” As I said this I turned my head to look out over the water surface. “Most animals actually have the ability to feel and express emotions you know. A big snake lizard thing isn't any different.”
Barthenor nodded his head. “It is as you say.”
Neske had been quiet up until now and finally decided to speak. Ever since she and I had come to be on more friendly terms she often asked questions to learn about the things I said. Many of the things she heard from me were in reference to an entirely different world after all and I had no problem answering questions from someone willing to learn. At least as long as they weren't dangerous questions.
The vampire stepped up next to her master and looked at me with a slightly nervous look on her face.
“What is this 'Greek' you mentioned?” She asked. Then she bowed quickly. “At least if its permissible to ask.”
I turned my head back to look at her and waved my left hand in the air before replying.
“Yeah its fine. Greek is just something that comes from Greece. Its a country in the world I came from.” I put my hands on my hips. “A really old one too. They had many different monsters and gods supposedly running around back then like Flavio.” My eyes shifted to the side. “Not that I got to spend any time there though.”
Seeing the disappointment on my expression Neske bowed and stepped back behind her master again.
“I-I'm sorry!” She quickly apologized. “I didn't mean to bring it up!”
I turned back and shrugged. My feelings weren't that strong about it anyway as it wasn't like all those stories were actually real. At least they weren't in my world anyway. Here in this world though such stories were real and as a member of the race of gods I was now responsible for the course history would take. Honestly pretty intimidating all things considered.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
These two didn't need to know that though so I just smiled weakly at the vampiress as a way to comfort her fears.
“You didn't upset me don't worry.” I reassured her.
This did ease her fears and it was evident on her face. With that taken care of I turned to look at Barthenor instead.
“So did you two need something?” I asked.
Barthenor nodded his head and looked at me straight in the face. Even though he had little emotions he was still capable of feeling them a certain extent. That made his willingness, no commitment, of looking at me directly when speaking to me even more impressive.
“We have come to give you our answer.”
He was getting straight to the point which was expected of him. The answer he was talking about was probably going to be whither or not he would officially join me or not. Right now he was still technically my prisoner and although he had been proving himself trustworthy over these last few weeks he still wasn't officially in the clear. Joining with my cause as a true ally meant he would have to dedicate himself completely to me and my goals and was not a choice anyone should make lightly. It seemed now however that both he and his minion had made their choice. Of course Neske was free to make her own choice but it was obvious she would follow in her master's footsteps.
I nodded and crossed my arms across my stomach.
“Alright go ahead.”
Barthenor then did something wholly surprising and actually knelt down on his knees in front of me with Neske following suite. He then bowed his head before me and spoke with a great deal of conviction.
“I have decided to accept you as a goddess.” He said calmly. “Through much thought and deliberation it is clear that standing with you is the logical motion rather than against you. Though I make it known this choice is not made only out of self preservation but also out of respect for your way of rule and dedication to remain benevolent. There has never been a goddess such as you and likely never again shall there be. I am aware my past actions in this world have left a black mark upon my soul and your willingness to forgive me my crimes has allowed me to find forgiveness for myself. Your dedication to the furthering of knowledge throughout the land is also of particular praise. These schools of yours a worthy cause that I see fit of even my involvement. While mortal life is still something I view with indifference I cannot deny the value of increasing their learning. Perhaps in joining you in this venture I can redeem myself for the past.”
There was a slight pause before he bowed his torso forward as well. A lich humbling himself before a goddess, a sight not widely seen in even the most expansive of fantasy works.
“Please accept me into your service oh Goddess Jenna. If you should allow it I would willingly serve to further your goals of education throughout the land.”
This was actually quite shocking to me and I stood there a little stunned while Neske began her own little speech. It took some focus on my part to not allow my shock to show on my face, though thankfully neither of them were looking at my face due to their bowed heads.
Neske's voice was slightly shaky at first but as she continued speaking it started to strengthen alongside her resolve. She had also clearly thought a lot about this decision and it was likely not easy for her even considering her master's own choice.
“Goddess Jenna I too pledge myself to you.” She began. “This is not only because my master has done so. You have shown me that it is possible for a goddess to be benevolent which I would have never believed before spending time alongside you. The way you treat the mortals is confusing to me, yet shows that you consider even lower forms of life worthy of protection.” She looked a bit nervous again. “While I don't yet share your views in full I now see the worth of lower life and see how your worldview has benefited me. Even as your prisoner both me and my master have been treated well by you when you could have simply destroyed us. I will serve you with the best I can, though I beg of you to allow me to stay close to my master.”
Honestly hearing these words from the two of them was truly unbelievable. Of course I had sort of expected this to be the end result of my time with them but really it had been more hope than actual foresight. Having them on my side was certainly going to a much needed boost to my repertoire of allies. To be perfectly frank the idea of destroying them was never really something I wanted to do but would have likely been necessary over keeping them imprisoned forever. An actual sigh of relief thus escaped me as it became clear I would not have to commit to such a depressing form of action.
A genuine smile of joy spread across my face as I stepped forward to the two kneeling undead. I then reached down to each and turn and gently lifted their chins with my left hand to force them to look at me. Such a strange sight this must have been. But here in my domain there was no worry of what others might think.
“Very well.” I replied. “Barthenor and Neske. I accept you two into my service. I'm so happy you decided to join me!”
The two of them looked up at my face and while the skeleton's expressions were not obvious the look on the vampire's face was clearly that one someone who was sobbing. There were no tears of course but had there was a strange red tinted fluid leaking from her eyes in their place. Possibly a form of blood or plasma. Either way she was an emotional mess and I felt way too awkward to step in and try and comfort her. It was obvious she was crying out of mainly relief and it would probably be best to allow the two of them to console each other.
With a slightly awkward shuffle I stepped back from the two and put my hands on my hips. Even though this was a bit uncomfortable for me I still had to finish out their inductions into my service before leaving them to collect themselves. There was also a great deal of excitement building in my chest and I'd hate to be all peppy when they were going through such a rough emotional time.
“Well for now the two of you will still stay here in the castle until I've smoothed things over with a few important humans. I hope you understand.”
Barthenor nodded.
“Of course.”
Neske was still trying to get herself under control and her response came through her continued sobs.
“Y-Yes g-goddess.”
I smiled again this time in an attempt to be comforting.
“Very good!” I replied. “Once I'm ready to release you back into the world we can talk about your assignments.” I lifted my left hand up to my chin and looked up in thought. “We'll also need to have a celebration at some point too. But I'll figure that out later.” I then looked back down at them. “Anyway for now you two just relax. I'll see you soon alright?”
Immediately after they had given their acknowledgments I turned around and walked away, trying my best to not appear to be too much in a hurry. Overly emotional scenes were a weak point of mine after all and I really had no idea what to do in them. I was kinda worried for Neske as I didn't think a lich would be particularly adept at comforting someone either, but he was the one that she loved and was a better fit than I was for calming her. Either way I just wanted out of there as quickly as possible so I didn't make things worse.
In short order I was once again alone in the vast confines of my goddess domain, the titan sized surroundings reminding me of just how alien I was to these people be they living or not. The fact I was able to convince them to join me gave me great hope for the future in regards to other powerful threats that I might face. Perhaps even other goddesses could be turned into allies or even friends. That would of course remain to be seen as other goddesses would likely be more powerful than I am.
For these two however my thoughts could instead turn to how I would have them help me make this world a better place. With Barthenor it was clear already that he would be helping out with the schools and also with the mages of the kingdom. His knowledge of magic and science will be invaluable in bringing about a greater age of knowledge and wisdom to humankind.
Neske on the other hand had less obvious uses. My first goal for her is to have her finish helping the werewolves rebuild their lives and then perhaps help other smaller villages prosper. I hate taking her away from her beloved master but I'd ensure she had plenty of time to visit with him as well. They would also likely be working together quite often as well I imagine.
At this very moment however I had more immediate matters to see to: namely informing the kingdom as a whole that these two would be working under me. I didn't really feel it was my place to fully announce it to the public so I'd do my usual of telling key people and having them spread the world through their networks. That also saved me the hassle of meeting with a bunch of nasty humans myself. This would be done through the usual suspects like Quarely, old man mage, the prince, and a few others. Of course my high priestess and priest would also need to be told too.
So with my head held high and hope for the future filling my heart I opened a portal before me and stepped through to my first location. With a lich and vampire lord on my side truly things were only beginning to get exciting.