Author - Thank you for reading. I had to do some things so I apologize for the delay. Again, delays only happen if something comes up and shouldn’t prevent me from posting for too long. I don't plan on abandoning the story.

This also came out to be longer than I expected due to a few reasons.

(Fun Fact: Did you know people who cuddle often get withdrawal symptoms when they are apart for too long. [nothing major though, just oxytocin withdrawal or also known as the love hormone])

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

Domain of the God’s - Meeting room

“N-Nexu, please...calm yourself.” (Cosmian)

“Yea…*Cough*...no need to exert so much...pressure.” (Carn)

“You dare say for me to calm down after what was just uncovered. If not for my chosen, everything would have been lost! Carn I’m holding you especially responsible for overlooking something so dangerous.” (Amare)

“...” (Everyone Present)

Amare glared at all the gods in contempt. The only one who didn’t receive her ire was Val as she and her both personally meet with their chosen, meaning that her’s isn’t under any control. Kronum himself was also a victim of negligence since his chosen was struck by an unseen attack due to a leak of information. Selerius was under his constant gaze as it was her chosen who was the first to be under control from what they understand.

“Summon your chosens souls. Since none of you ever felt the need to personally meet with your chosen, like Selerius’s chosen, they could possibly be under enemy control. Val you too, I have a few questions I need to ask your chosen.” (Amare)

None of the gods were able to put up any rebuttal to her demands. Val also felt no need to deny Amare’s request as well as she prepared the necessary ritual. However one god still felt the need to try to save whatever face he still held, if it was even possible.

“Why don’t you summon yours as well. I want to meet the one you so dearly treasure for myself.” (Pladius)

Amare couldn’t help scoff at Pladius’s foolish attempt to seize some control of the meeting.

“Oh, and you think I can after you all caused him to be locked out of the system. He can only meet with me under his own will now. Not to mention he is set to always appear in my dwelling. As you are all unwelcome in my abode besides Val, as well as me having no restrictions placed upon how I deal with intruders thanks to you yourself Pladius, don't even think of trying to meet him.” (Amare)

“Guh, that mutation was obviously unnatural! I refuse to believe his feeble soul was able to lock gods out of him without external help.” (Pladius)

“Be silent. Your actions are far too unsightly and unbefitting of your position. Stop wasting time and summon your chosen.” (Val)

Hearing Val’s words that were full of a venomous tone made Pladius grow ashen as his frustrations were left unheard. It’s no secret to the others that he fancied her and sought her companionship long ago. However it was obvious how she felt about him in return, especially now.

During the time Val refused his proposal for union, Pladius in no way accepted it and endeavored to forcefully put Val in a position where he can’t be refused. By using the current system the gods use to manage the realms, he almost succeeded with an unnoticed exploit as it was still in it's infancy with many flaws. The system doesn’t just manage the world's, it was designed to manage everything to prevent apocalyptic disasters.

As with anything that was newly developed, glitches and exploits were a common thing. These flaws are still being uncovered to this day as it’s functions are insurmountable. However, one of its most major flaws are without a doubt its users.

Amare being a Goddess of Love and Val’s close friend refused to allow such an awful thing and stopped his plans altogether as she exposed the exploit, making him hate her endlessly up until this day. This also led to her having free control over her home due to Pladius trying to charge into her dwelling in a fit of rage over his loss of prestige.

Gritting his teeth he can only proceed with the summoning under the scrutinizing and mocking gaze of Amare and hateful gaze of Val.

*Flash*

Under the gazes of 8 high gods, 5 souls appeared. To the dismay of Pladius, Bell and Carn, their chosen were under the control of mind magic.

With but a wave of his hand, Cosmian removed the bindings with a sigh. This was a severe blow to his pride as he failed to properly manage everyone's statuses as the appointed leader.

None of the 5 chosen were able to speak as domineering pressure weighed heavily upon them.

“Settle down you fools, are you trying to destroy them.” (Amare)

Realizing that the three were doing further harm, they relaxed themselves with some difficulty.

“Uh...why were we brought here.” (Chosen No.1 as he was the first to speak)

After looking around one of the two chosen who wasn’t under control spoke out in confusion as the other’s finally realized what was happening.

“Free, free, I’m free! That bastard is gonna get it.” (Chosen No. 2)

“Alright!” (Chosen No. 3)

“Well, took you guys long enough.” (Chosen No. 4)

“Free? What's going on? We were on our way to help more people in the South, why were we brought here?” (Chosen No. 1)

“Ah, well…*Started talking about what happened to him*” (Chosen No. 3)

“...” (Chosen No. 5)

After observing the behavior of the five who appeared, Amare felt all but the fifth one seemed a bit lacking, as the fifth only seemed to be waiting patiently as she observed her surroundings. The first to speak up also seemed a bit...lost. Which was natural, but still didn’t sit well with her as she was used to Kuro’s uncanny ability of observation.

“*Sigh* Val, I assume the quiet one is yours?” (Amare)

“*Nod* Like Kuro, she has the habit of checking her surroundings and gather information before acting out. It's one of the things she picked up during her stay in this world.” (Val)

“Hmm, she must of had a hard time so far.” (Amare)

“Hey, I want some answers!” (Chosen No. 1)

Hearing the rude command, Amare couldn’t help looking toward him and indifferently spoke back as if every word uttered to him was nothing more than an annoying task.

“Can’t you tell just from hearing your companions explanation. To elaborate, there was a problem that was discovered by the eighth chosen, mine, and we summoned you here to resolve it.” (Amare)

Hearing this the tactless chosen approached the silent girl who was trying to figure out the situation.

“So what was it you figured out since you seem to already know what's happening.” (Chosen No. 1)

All the gods and the girl herself scrunched up in disapproval at his assumption. If it was merely checking to see if she was the one in question, then that would have been fine. But he completely thought it was her who discovered the problem.

“Cosmian...you chose this one right? For him to just assume she was the one who-” (Amare)

“Ugh, don't say anymore. It’s embarrassing enough to just see it happen. Neran I suggest you end your questions and just listen before you say anything else.” (Cosmian)

“Aeria is not the one who discovered the problem. He wasn’t summoned here.” (Val)

After hearing Val’s rebuttal of his comment, Neran quickly stopped talking altogether to hear what's going on with flushed cheeks. Shaking his head Cosmian couldn’t help just explain what happened in order to move past this.

“I see, so then, the betrayal of my companions…” (Aeria)

“May have been caused by this organization. Kronum’s chosen was also assassinated by this organization, based on the information Nexu’s chosen gathered.” (Cosmian)

“*Grumble*” (Kronum)

“Wait, why was this discovered now.” (Neran)

“Yea.” (Chosen No. 2, 3 and 4)

“Unlike you 4, me and Val personally meet with our chosen on a regular basis. However, my chosen, Kuro, discovered this problem thanks to his luck as he was almost taken out himself. This group is one of the many who work in the shadows. As we aren’t omnipotent, we can only deal with things we are aware of.” (Amare)

Hearing up to this point the 5 chosen remained silent in contemplation.

“How did he overcome it.” (Aeria)

“He used his limited experience dealing with souls to forcefully enter the victim and help them liberate themselves. Doing otherwise would leave damage to the person in question if your not experienced enough.” (Amare)

“That's! Isn’t that something we shouldn’t be doing, what if he does something he shouldn't inside them. The guy is mental from what I learned in my notifications.” (Neran)

“Woah, sounds interesting.” (Chosen No. 3)

“It had to be the crazy one with the soul invasion ability…” (Chosen No. 2)

“Such an ability is wasted...if I had it....” (Chosen No. 4)

“Silence.” (Val)

“Saying such things about the someone you never met. What do you even know about him, other than from scornful individuals with no capability to even keep you safe.” (Amare)

The other gods exploded in anger at Amare’s belittling comment, all except Selerius who had long since accepted her own incompetence. As for the other gods, they refuse to be denounced in front of their chosen, or in any other situation. Amare’s actions from before was already the limit they could endure.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

“Val…these gods...” (Aeria)

“I’m sorry, a lot happened in the past. Me and Amare are now stuck with a bunch of arrogant fools with no tact.” (Val)

“Val!” (Pladius)

“ENOUGH! Nows not the time for this.” (Selerius)

“...” (Everyone present)

Silence finally returned to the meeting room as Amare and Val shot approving glances at Selerius. Pladius clenched his fist and grit his teeth with all his strength to keep himself from exploding further in anger. The chosen looked at the gods with complicated expressions. ‘Are these really gods?’ couldn’t help fill their thoughts.

“Well, we know there are enemies among us. Now we can counter attack and bring them to justice. Jason, Ren, Serious...You're with me right?” (Neran)

“Isn’t it obvious I want to kill those bastards. Just give me the chance and I don't mind following you for now.” (Jason / Chosen No. 2)

“How strong do you think they are? I hope they give a decent fight instead of just hiding around.” (Ren / Chosen No. 3)

“Let’s just end this quickly I’d rather prioritize other things.” (Serious / Chosen No. 4)

“Ugh, killing...H-how about you? I bet we can do a lot of good together.” (Neran)

Aeria coldly looked at Neran as he smiled toward her with his hand extended out.

“Don't joke around. Who would want to fight for you. Val, I’m sure I was brought here for something else.” (Aeria)

“Ah, that was because I wanted to learn of your circumstances from before.” (Amare)

Ignoring Neran as he tried to draw Aeria’s attention and pull her into his party, Aeria began explaining her situation from before to Amare. Based on what she said, she almost liberated the city she was born in by eliminating the corrupt individuals who allowed everyone not considered an aristocrat to starve. After pulling in more suitable replacements all of her allies turned on her and detained her within the cities most fortified dungeon for criminals of high priority. Enduring her captors torture and attempts to break her, she managed to free herself and escape. Only now she realized that there may have been a third group at play, if what she learned today is true.

Before Amare managed to reply to her circumstances Neran interjected in a fluster.

“Aeria, don't worry! Those people who raped you will be-” (Neran)

*Bang* before even finishing his statement he was pounded into the floor. Aeria looked upon him with a furious expression.

“Who the hell got raped you idiot! Even if I was in such a horrible situation, I had the capability to protect my virtue. Don't you dare belittle my strength again or I will end your existence regardless of your status of a chosen.” (Aeria)

Saying such she walked away from the man she no longer considered worth speaking to. Neran was left in bewilderment as the other three men laughed at his current state.

“*Sigh* I didn’t think it was possible for me to get a headache, Aeria, if their egos are still intact, Kuro may be able to free them if they are indeed being controlled. I can't guarantee it though since a lot f time has already passed. I’ll have him head over there when he finishes cleaning up in his current location. A rebellion caused by that organization in Birgen has taken up a lot of his attention for the moment when he discovered it. Fortunately he has control over most of the major powers and only has to deal with the citizens.” (Amare)

Hearing Amare, Neran oce again couldn’t help interjecting into the conversation.

“Control? Is he enslaving people? Aren’t we supposed to help the world? How can you just let him do such a thing?” (Neran)

“*Sigh* So annoying. Do you think we sent you to this world to be heroes? We told you to balance the world not corrupt it further.” (Amare)

“Nexu, there is no need for you to-” (Cosmian)

“Wait, what are you talking about? We are heroes, how can his actions be tolerated?” (Neran)

“Like I thought, you truly are a fool. Were you not paying attention to our explanation about the world's balance. If it leans too far to the side of evil, then everyone is in danger. This also applies to the side of good.” (Amare)

“Lies, how can good be bad?” (Neran)

“Haven’t you ever heard the phrase ‘too much of a good thing is a bad thing’. The concept is the same.” (Aeria)

“Don't waste your breath further, if he doesn’t understand at this point, than there is no need to waste our time.” (Val)

Neran looked angrily at the three who spoke such cruel words. He refuses to believe that slavery should be allowed and that Kuro is in the wrong. That evil should be allowed at all goes against everything he believes in.

“I’ll just go to this Birgen myself and save them. Aeria’s home city too.”

“No, you have done enough damage to this area. Go somewhere else to play hero and stay out of Kuro’s way.” (Amare)

“Damage? What damage are you talking about?” (Neran)

“*Sigh* Cosmian where did you find this one. Out of your group, you were the only one not controlled since Aeria was alone in a different location. Based on what I’ve grasped about you, this organization probably didn’t even need to worry about you and simply lead you by the nose.” (Amare)

“What...They just couldn’t get to me.” (Neran)

“You fool, do you know what happened to Korgoth after you left.” (Amare)

“We freed the city from a dictator and now the people no longer have to worry about being enslaved and forced to fight in the arena. They are safe.” (Neran)

“They are starving.” (Val)

“If not for what little aid Kuro has been able to send thus far, what little order the place held would have crumbled already.” (Amare)

“Lies, the people are safe and are no longer forced to fight.” (Neran)

Amare and Val grew tired listening to this narrow minded mortal. It was painfully obvious he would refuse their words unless he saw the situation with his own eyes. Perhaps even that would do little to convince him as he would think someone else was the cause.

“I wish to return to Tenebris, if what you say is true, then I need to make preparations for when Kuro arrives at my location.” (Aeria)

Nodding to her, Val returned her without a thought as Neran called out trying to ask her again to join him on his journey.

“The rest of you should separate from your companions. None of you have the ability to remove their bindings, so it's best you sever yourselves from them.” (Cosmian)

“What about getting back at them for binding us.” (Jason)

“They could very well be manipulated themselves. Just get strong enough to get revenge after learning a method to counter them.” (Bell)

“How the heck are we supposed to do that. All we got is the gifts you gave us.” (Ren)

“Haven’t you all tried researching the abilities that this world has available?” (Selerius)

“Aren’t those things inferior to your gifts?” (Serious)

“...” (All the gods)

None of the gods were capable of speaking after hearing this comment. Didn’t they try to branch out and gather skills to get stronger? Wouldn’t doing that make things so much more easier? Why didn’t they even think to learn other skills?

These thoughts couldn’t help race across all the gods minds. Val pulled up a screen to message her chosen on the issue and got ‘isn’t gathering skills an obvious thing to do?’ Type of reply. This allowed her to make a relieved breath while the others beside Amare stiffened at their chosens mindset.

“Well...this explains how Kuro caught up to them so quickly, in terms of strength...no, he surpassed them at this point right?” (Amare)

“Aeria has also adopted multiple skills.” (Val)

“Oh good, I was worried for a moment.” (Amare)

Hearing the leisure talk of the two goddesses, the four chosen in the center of the room felt something was wrong as the gazes of the other gods looked as if they just swallowed a bug.

“Did...did you all not seek out other skills to use?” (Cosmian)

“...We can do that?” (Neran)

“Hahahahahaha, and here I thought this was gonna be a bad day.” (Kronum)

After correcting their chosens mistake, they were sent back to immediately seek out techniques to train up. Cosmian, Carn, Bell, and Pladius had heavy expressions as they immediately ended the meeting. As it stands, until they started showing results, their ability to influence the direction of the group is now completely null.

Selerius has long since lost her position to influence decisions but has been put on probationary control due to her present mental growth under Amare’s consideration. Kronum gained back his rights to influence meetings entirely as his chosen was actually killed by a mistake on another party's watch. Amare and Val are now the leading members of this group due to present conditions. No longer will their activities concerning their chosen be hindered by the others.

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

A/N: How do you like them ‘Heroes’.

I really wanted you all to get a grasp on their characters from their first impression in this chapter. I still feel I need to do more with Aeria, but that will come with time.

Gotta have that generic hero idiot.

What are your thoughts on the current situation?