“I-I have to go.” Anansi said in a panic. “Answer me!” Gloria shouted. “I think we should all calm down. I am certain that this was all a misunderstanding, right?” Aphrodite suggested optimistically.

“No…friend. There is no mistake at all.” Commander Buchu replied, and she increased her energy output quickly. “We saw the traitor’s soul fragment. What business do you have with the Four Eyed Dragon?” the Parrot Dragon asked quickly and Shen glanced at her.

“Nobody south of the equator has anything to do with that monster. I am going to go fetch what I need to break the curse.” The Spider-Goddess said carefully and the Dragons prepared to attack. “Let her…go.” Kagiso whispered, before he groaned again and lost consciousness.

“I wish it were that easy, my Prince. But if something were to happen to you and we could have prevented it…” the Deer Dragon rumbled hesitantly. The two Demi-Goddesses frowned at each other when they heard the deep noise.

“Can you stop the bleeding?” Commander Buchu asked quickly. “No, but I can donate enough blood to keep him alive until help arrives. Admiral Granger’s Space/Time magic may be able to save him.” Gloria rumbled hopefully. “Where do you think you’re going?” the Azure Dragon asked, when Anansi turned around. “I already told you.” She replied calmly.

“I am coming with you.” The Deer Dragon said adamantly. “Like hell you are.” The Spider-Goddess replied quickly and the spider silk sparkled. Commander Buchu’s golden eyes flashed and the beautiful Demi-Goddess stepped between the two.

“Enough! We are not getting anywhere like this. Go. I will stay here and if she does not return…then I will hunt her down and kill her myself. However, I must add that I entrusted my children to her. I trust her with lives I value above my own. Let her go or he will die at this rate. Look.” Aphrodite said, and she pointed at the Black Dragon. Shen stared at him, before he closed his eyes and knelt beside Kagiso quickly.

“What are you-”“-he is not just bleeding out. He may be immune to the poison’s effects, but he will die if his Chi is converted to it.” The Azure Dragon explained, before the Parrot Dragon could finish her sentence. Her eyes flashed, and she peered into the Black Dragon’s soul well once more.

Gloria looked up at the punctures marks in the sky and noticed the bright green liquid in the cracks. The venom splashed on the ocean of Mana and formed a glittery green pool of sickly Mana. The glittery green waters spread. They flowed towards the stone doors that connected the soul well to Kagiso’s mind palace.

Shen circled the tall stone doors and the grassy island they were on. He dove and pulled up centimetres away from the surface. The Azure Dragon ran across the surface, like a roller coaster, and a curtain of Mana rose behind him. The Parrot Dragon watched Shen’s Astral bodies run in circles. They isolated the green Mana every time it splashed down and reinforced the barrier around the Astral doors.

“Hurry.” Gloria instructed, and her gauntlets dematerialized. She hovered her hands over the Black Dragon’s shadowy scales and secreted a glittery golden cloud. The Deer Dragon clenched her fist and nodded. Aphrodite sat down and Anansi ran towards the river at hypersonic speeds. The silk sparkled and parted and she sprinted through the tunnel of magical cobwebs. The Spider-Goddess crossed the river and her energy signature disappeared.

The Parrot Dragon exhaled slowly. She peaked out the corner of her right eye and watched the numbers next to her damage indicator decrease steadily. Gloria pumped more nano-machine and Mana infused blood into the Black Dragon’s veins.

“His body is larger than yours. I will take over once you grow tired.” Commander Buchu said when she noticed the strain on the Parrot Dragon’s face. “I will be fine.” Gloria replied calmly. She dug deep into her soul, cracked open one of seven golden eggs and the number shot back up to ninety-nine.

“However, I must say. I am shocked there is a poison that can harm us.” The Parrot Dragon added. “Or have you purposefully left yourself vulnerable in order to make her feel guilt.” She wondered. “Anansi’s bite isn’t venomous. It inflicts a curse that erodes the soul, which is why so many of us fear her. You know? Only a handful of us possess that trait. Nasty stuff curses. b-but they can be broken.” Aphrodite said nervously, when she noticed the glares directed at her.

*

The Spider Demi-Goddess hopped on the slippery stones. She zig-zagged, crossed her legs and spun on the spot. The stepping stones trembled and a tiny stream crept up the western bank. The reeds shifted, the stream grew into a river and the world parted. The rapids foamed and frothed, while the waterfall in the distance sparkled.

Anansi ran up the secret river, before she flew halfway up the waterfall and dove inside the hidden cave. The Spider Demi-Goddess burst through the water, down the winding path at the back of the cave and through the bright entrance. She glanced at the colossal mountain range in the distance and the incredible tree that stretched beyond the clouds.

“He’s finally here, and the first thing I do is nearly kill him.” Anansi muttered. She grew instantly, took off and flew towards the east. The Spider Demi-Goddess flew over deserts, savannahs and meadows. She landed near a village and shrunk rapidly. The ground trembled and hundreds of people left the huts.

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Anansi smiled at her people, before she gasped and sprinted towards her palace. The gale forces winds nearly swept everyone off their feet. They grabbed onto their straw hats and wrapped their magical blankets around their bodies. The hurricane winds broke against their powerful shields, like waves against the shore.

“She’s back! She’s back!” a child shouted with excitement. He ran halfway down the stairs and leapt all the way to the foyer. The little boy landed with a heavy thud and a blur streaked past him. He scanned the room, with a frown, and seven more children joined him.

“Well? Where is She then?” a little girl asked and the little boy rubbed his itchy eyes. “Don’t rub them. They will get better.” Anansi said caringly and she placed her hand on his forehead. “Where are you going?” the little girl asked curiously. “A friend of mine got hurt and I must help them. I will return shortly. I promise.” The Spider Demi-Goddess replied, and the children frowned. They looked down at the gourd in her hand and she hid it behind her back. “Behave.” Anansi said sternly and the eight children giggled.

*

“That should prevent the curse from spreading, for now.” The Azure Dragon said, and he sighed with relief. “Will you manage by yourself for a bit? We need to report what has happened, remotely. I need someone to watch my back.” The Deer Dragon rumbled carefully and she glanced at a confused Aphrodite. Shen took one look at Gloria and the Black Dragon between them.

“Go. I will be fine.” The Parrot Dragon assured them. “What is that noise? Are you gossiping behind my back?” the beautiful Demi-Goddess asked curiously. However, Commander Buchu and the Azure Dragon vanished without saying a word.

“Rude.” Aphrodite muttered with a scoff, and Gloria rolled her eyes. She gave it some thought and sighed. “Dragon Tongue. Rumbling. Our language allows us to convey more than if we spoke words alone.” The Parrot Dragon rumbled softly and the Beautiful Demi-Goddess stood up quickly.

“What was that? I felt scared and-and…I don’t know! Was that you? Did you do that?” Aphrodite asked frantically before she clutched her chest and breathed heavily. “Do it again. What else can you make people feel? Wait, have you been doing that the entire time? No, no. My body didn’t vibrate like that last time. Aha! Amazing. A magical language.” The Beautiful Demi-Goddess said excitedly and she knelt right next to Gloria.

“Are you alright?” The Parrot Dragon asked with a raised brow. She sniffed, caught a whiff of another scent and checked her scans. “We’re the only living beings in the vicinity. Then whose scents are these?” Gloria wondered, before Jane flashed before her eyes and a thought occurred. “I am already spoken for.” She blurted out, and Aphrodite frowned.

“Hmm? Why are you blushing?” The Beautiful Demi-Goddess asked, before she caught the Parrot Dragon’s gaze. “Oh Gloria. You are much too beautiful and young to be a shy prude. My God woman, you are dressed like a nun.” Aphrodite teased.

“I am a Cleric Dragon. I am not a prude. I am proud. And I am dressed very appropriately for my profession.” Gloria replied, and Kagiso smiled. The two giants sat by his side for a few minutes, before Shen and the Deer Dragon returned.

“You are the first Demi-God I have met that has not attacked us on sight. Why?” Commander Buchu asked, and Aphrodite started sweating. “Hmm? Me? Uh…you know? I grew up-whoa, what’s that?” the Beautiful Demi-Goddess said quickly. The Parrot and Azure Dragons glanced in the direction she pointed in. Commander Buchu, sighed and vanished. She appeared in Aphrodite’s path and the Beautiful Demi-Goddess chuckled.

“In my defence, I didn’t think it would work.” Aphrodite joked, before she blew a kiss. A cloud of glittery pheromones wafted up the Deer Dragon’s nostrils and her temperature sky rocketed. “You’re an enchantress. I doubt you have any real combat skills. Well, that explains that then.” Commander Buchu deduced and the beautiful Demi-Goddess gasped.

“I am an Olympean. I am a God of Olympus! Athleticism is a given for the War Gods of the North…Former War God of the North. God, do you have any idea how big I was before everything went tits up? So close to Ascension, only to have it all ripped away from me by greedy little ugly hands! Especially for one with my lot in life! Do you have any idea?” Aphrodite roared. She blushed, breathed heavily and grabbed her right arm tightly.

“Aargh! I envy your freedom, my friends.” The Beautiful Demi-Goddess added sadly. “Don’t. I understand perfectly what it is like to walk a path paved by another. I suppose it would make sense that a species as powerful and as varied as ours would suffer similar disparities.” Shen said sympathetically. “Shen.” Aphrodite said with a tearful smile.

Suddenly, a powerful energy signature appeared to the northwest. The bright light lit up the darkness and the Dragons opened their eyes.

“It’s her. Her Chi is so different now.” The Azure Dragon said, and Anansi appeared with a flash of light. The Beautiful Demi-Goddess’ eyes bulged, and she darted towards the Astral tunnel. “My work here is done see you later!” Aphrodite shouted quickly, and she disappeared inside the light.

“Where did she-”“-to go see her sons. I have the cure here. Help me administer it.” The Spider Demi-Goddess answered quickly and she knelt beside Gloria. The Parrot Dragon took the gourd and scanned its contents. Her golden eyes flashed, and she chuckled in disbelief.

“How exactly am I supposed to use this? It’s empty.” Gloria asked angrily. “Exactly, place it inside of his soul and it will drain the venom. The gourd will take his place and you’ll shift the curse to the item.” Anansi explained concisely.

“That’s brilliant.” Shen whispered. “What would happen if one shattered the gourd? Would the curse be reapplied to its original target?” the Deer Dragon asked skeptically. “That’s why we will hand over to him. He and He alone can wind back the hands of time and break my curse. I have seen him do it.” The Spider Demi-Goddess explained, and she stared at the Black Dragon lovingly. The Parrot Dragon watched her for a few seconds, before she lowered the gourd.

“Wait-”“-it’s okay. This will work. I trust how much they will love each other.” Gloria rumbled happily and Anansi turned to her. “What did you just say?” she asked curiously. “That I trust you both.” The Parrot Dragon replied with a giggle. She extracted a bubble of Mana from Kagiso’s chest and the gourd drifted out of her hands. It floated to the glittery orb of Mana and embedded itself in the centre. The orb of interdimensional energy shrunk as it returned to Kagiso’s chest.

The gourd splashed, bobbed and floated in the ocean of Mana. It grew exponentially and sucked up every droplet of glittery green water. Gloria grit her teeth and hoisted the massive gourd. She struggled under its weight and the Black Dragon’s wispy Astral body chuckled. He snapped his fingers and faded away.

A large swell raised Goria higher, and she flew as high as her wings could carry her. The magical item devoured the bite marks as well, before it plummeted to the ocean. The Parrot Dragon corked the gourd, and it sunk all the way to the bottom. Gloria’s eyes flashed, and she looked deep below the surface. The darkness shifted and the Parrot Dragon opened her eyes quickly.

“That should do. He will know what to do when he wakes up.” Gloria reported, and Anansi sighed with relief. “Good. This is an excellent place to make your camps. The river isn’t too far, and the soil is rich. This is not how I thought we would meet. I will send someone to clean up this mess. They weave magical garbs from my silk.” The Spider-Goddess said, before she stood up and stumbled.

“Thank you. You should get some rest. He would never forgive us for overexerting our host.” Gloria replied and Commander Buchu exhaled. “I suppose she has been fighting Our Prince for three days. Still, I do not like the idea of just letting her go.” She whispered to the other two.

“I’m back! I hope you didn’t miss me too much.” Aphrodite said jovially. "Never mind." The Deer Dragon added and she took off her mask. Commander Buchu revealed a surprisingly youthful face and a calm smirk. “All I ask is that you never cross the river, or travel upstream. There is more than enough land to share. Yes, this world is home to all now.” Anansi said to her guests.