I lay on the ground with Lory in my arms, it felt perfect. Lory snuggled against me, “What is the plan with all those people wandering around?”

I chuckled, “We were just enjoying some freedom.”

Lory nodded, “Do you have a plan?”

“Yes, you saw Khione, she has her own room, all of us are making their own room. Like, we will have the barracks, and we can sleep there in the same room. However, you can also choose to have some time apart. Khione has her snow room, Agent is claiming the shooting range room as his own.”

Lory smiled, “What about the others?”

“Thanos has made the training grounds a global room, and he is designing his own room, it is a room where you can look at outer space and see planets. Angel has a place with all kinds of fluffy clouds. J has made a garden, he loves to spend time there. Captain and Eris will be spending most of the time near the dining hall, that way they are near the command center. Captain and Eris are not sure on what kind of room they want. Rose wants to make sure, we all keep everything cleaned up and dusted. These rooms are all a work in progress.”

I got up and changed my form into Rose. Lory got up and tilted her head, “What is up with taking her form?”

I smiled, “Rose wanted Eris to shine a bit more. Should we go join the BBQ and return home tomorrow?”

“I think Haley has some things to tell me.”

Lory gave me a warm smile and took my hand, “Are we alright?”

“Yes, I forgave you, I said some mean things too, you know I am sorry for that. My emotions were just running high. I am just curious, who wiped out my tracks.”

Lory sighed, “Last week has been an emotional rollercoaster for me, you that left, Haley who walked out on me. Abby being very cryptic about where you went to. What? I met Abby on the road here, I told her what way I was going, and that I was trying to find this lake.”

Lory gasped, “She fucking diverted me and Haley from finding you. We will question her about it when we get back to Brickton.”

We walked back to the clearing, and we saw everyone enjoying the BBQ. I looked around, “Where is Haley?”

Melin pointed at the lake, “She jumped in, went underwater and has not come back for air yet.”

“What?”

“Did she drown or something?”

Lory looked at me, “I don’t think she can drown anymore.”

Captain walked over, “Did we miss something?”

Lory nodded, “You missed your daughter drinking booze.”

I coughed a few times, “She did fucking what?”

Captain scratched his back, “That does not sound good.”

Lory sighed, “There is more, but maybe you should, I don’t know, dive her up.”

I nodded, “You should get some food, Lory.”

She nodded and gave me a gentle kiss. Eris cheered, “Huzzah, Lory is back!”

Lory grimaced, “Come here you tentacled woman, we need to have a chat, I need to apologize to you and help you with your stupid fridge decision.”

Eris ran over to Lory and basically jumped in her arms. Lory looked at me while holding Eris, “How am I supposed to deal with this?”

“Just be nice to her, that is all I ask.”

Lory shrugged, “Just go find Haley.”

I ran over to the water and dived into the lake, after a few moments of using my energy, I saw Haley, laying on the bottom. It looks as if she is just chilling. I swam over to her and poked her. She opened her eyes, “Hello, dad.”

I blinked a couple of times. She laughed, “What is the problem?”

“Can you not talk underwater?”

I shook my head. “Well, I can, my lungs apparently now filter water or something.”

“I think, I changed on a biological level.”

I pointed up, wanting to talk, and I needed air. Haley nodded and swam up. As I got up, I gasped for air. Haley just looked at me and smiled. “Are you and mom okay again?”

I pointed at them, Lory seemed to be fine, she had sat down and Eris remained on her lap. Rose and Khione were sitting next to her. Haley looked at me, “I am assuming that is a yes, and she is trying to understand your other versions better.”

“Yeah, what is up with you and not being able to drown?”

I heard a splash and Melin swam over, “Oh, the water is nice, don’t mind me!”

Haley laughed, “I kind of did something, dad.”

“Yeah, you have drunk booze.”

Melin coughed a few times, “Please don’t tell him the other thing, your mom reacted badly enough.”

I looked at Melin, “What other thing?”

Haley shook her head, “Ignore her. Some kind of horse creature almost killed me.”

“What did you just say!?”

“Yeah, that creature started dragging me down to the depths of the ocean. In a panicked state, I kind of absorbed her.”

I stretched my hand, Haley took it and brought me to her mind space. She also had a command center. It looked a bit different, it seemed to be more, fine-tuned. When we walked into, what seemed to be her house, a woman was choosing between two desks.

She smiled, “hello Haley, who did you bring this time?”

Haley ran over, “Hello Lisa, this is my dad.”

Lisa looked at me, “You look a bit, female for a man.”

I chuckled, “I have been getting that compliment a lot lately.”

She stretched out her hand, “My name is Lisa.”

I took her hand, “Nice to meet you, my name is Steve.”

Lisa looked at me, “If you are her dad, then you absorbed someone who looks like the person you look like now. I know Haley can assume my form, she tried it a few days ago.”

Haley did not seem to be paying attention. “Munchkin?”

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“Huh? Oh yes, I was just looking at the screen.”

Lisa chuckled, “I get why.”

I shook my head, “Am I missing something?”

When I looked at the screen, I saw Melin just enjoying the sun. “Seriously Haley? Do you want her to be a rebound? It is not healthy to have a rebound, Haley, you need time to let time heal your grief a little. Otherwise, she is just a band-aid.”

Haley sighed, “I know, but this distraction feels good.”

I hugged Haley, “I know, and I can see why you have taken a liking to her. Just, be careful, alright? She has feelings as well.”

Lisa smiled, “I never had such a caring dad, maybe it is your female side”

I looked at Lisa, “What even are you?”

She put her hands on her hips, “I am a Kelpie, and your daughter ate me. Now, she is well, I guess a part Kelpie?”

Haley chuckled, “I guess so, my dad ate some gods, he is a part god then.”

I sighed, “Maybe only if I assume their form, but, it does not make me as strong as a god. I also have a power limiter. For some reason, I don’t think I can win a one on one battle with a god at this moment.”

Lisa walked over, “You ate gods?”

I nodded, “Khione and Eris.”

Lisa smiled, “I have heard about them, but if you see Poseidon, tell him, Lisa is dead. I know Melin, well, know is a big word. I have seen her once.” Lisa gritted her teeth, “I guess, you can say, we are family. Poseidon is my dad, my mom is a Kelpie. My dad had fun with my mom, and left. I met him once during a family reunion. Hades and Melin were there, along with Persephone.”

I scratched the back of my head, “This isn’t just a the world is small thing, Lisa. There is a reason behind this.”

She looked at me, “What?”

“This cannot be a coincidence. Something has to be at play here, forces we cannot see, or comprehend.”

Lisa smiled towards Haley, “Your dad is much smarter than he looks.”

Haley nodded, “He likes to pretend he is dumb.”

I put my hand on my chin and stared to pace back and forth. “Someone erased my track, that person made sure you went looking for me near the sea. Lisa, why were you there?”

She shrugged, “I was taking a swim, hunting for food, when I picked up a scent. Karen and I had a fight. She is my superior.”

I nodded, “And someone wanted that orb destroyed, making sure Haley would kill Lance. To make all the dominoes fall down. Lory and I got captured by the void, to make sure Haley was born. Meaning, Alice can’t dead.”

Haley looked up, “What, how did you jump to that conclusion?”

“She might be like us, or something else. Whatever path we are following, I assume Alice has not reached the end of her road yet. She is resourceful, Abby and I have seen that firsthand. Alice is not dumb, she has most likely survived that blast, meaning, we are going to encounter her, didn’t Bella mention a space station once?”

Haley gasped, “Of course that has to be it, she must be there.”

Lisa smiled, “Well, whatever is going on, you guys seem to have bigger problems.”

“It was great meeting you Lisa, please, help my daughter whenever you can.”

Lisa nodded, “Of course, Steve.” Haley made a portal and we left.

Melin stared at us, “What is wrong, Haley, you look like you have seen a ghost.”

Haley opened her mouth and stammered, “Do you know the Kelpie named Lisa?”

Melin sighed and nodded. “Well, know is a big word, I saw her once.”

I sighed awkwardly, “Yeah, she is in Haley now.”

Melin started giggling, “I know, but damn, the universe must hate her. At least, Haley can be a good host for her.” Melin started swimming to shore, “I need to have a chat with Khione.”

Haley swam after her, “This is something I want to see!”

“What is going on between them?”

Haley looked back while swimming, “Khione murdered her beloved.”

“Oh, that, that is indeed a conversation I want to hear.” We all swam towards the BBQ going on. Haley jumped out of the pool with ease. As I climbed, I saw Melin walk over to Khione. She got up, they stared at each other.

Everyone went silent, all I could hear, is the BBQ sizzling. Melin stretched out her hand, Khione took it. Melin smiled, “I forgive you.”

Khione blinked a couple of times, “What did you just say? Seriously?”

Melin nodded, “Yes. I have spent the last week with Haley, forgiveness is more important than holding grudges. Since grudges will get you nowhere. I have been bitter, and it made me awfully lonely. You have been bitter, and it made you lonely. Perhaps, we should break that cycle.”

Khione nodded, “Back to being friends, like we used to be?”

Melin nodded, “Yes, that sounds perfect.”

Lory looked at me, “What is going on between them?”

I shrugged, “Haley mentioned something about a dead beloved.”

Khione sighed, “Yes, the man I lost because I was cold and chilly to him. Get it, me, snow, cold and chilly.” Khione shed a tear, “He went looking for love, and he found it in Melin. I am so sorry I took it away from you, Melin. You didn’t deserve that. Steve has shown me, that friendship and love are more important.” Khione let out a warm smile, “Perhaps, we can try to find our lost children one day?”

Melin nodded, “The last time I saw them, was when the underworld got invaded. They saved me when everything started to explode, I really thought they would be right behind me. If you blame me for that, then I am sorry, Khione.”

She shook her head, “They fought bravely to protect what they believed in. We have to believe, they are alive somewhere. And Steve told me something.”

Melin looked up, “What did he tell you?”

“Megan got lost in a portal, as things exploded.”

Melin gasped, “They are probably with her!”

I frowned my eyebrows, “Well, isn’t that lucky, we are looking to go there, we can pick up your children if they are there.”

They both looked at me and nodded.

“Well, I am hungry, I am helping myself to one of those hamburgers.”

Haley took my hand, “I would like one too.”