The next morning Angelica and I were in bed. In our sleep Angelica had maneuvered herself to be the little spoon. We were both pretending to still be asleep. This seemed to be happening for a few reasons. The first was neither of us wanted to wake the other. It perpetuated past that because both of us were taking the opportunity to cuddle. Barring hot summer nights it really is one of the best little pleasures to rest in the comfort of another. The last reason was it was fucking freezing outside the bed’s warmth. The candles had burnt down a while ago, and the tent wasn’t heated any other way.

I was pretty sure it was close to five in the morning. The sun would be coming up soon. Then we would be heading out to the tower. I hadn’t panicked yet, but the reality of sending thousands of people to go fight and die was settling on me like a massive weight. It wasn’t crushing yet but that was mostly due to me not fully comprehending it.

I just needed to focus on the immediate needs, while simultaneously planing for the future in a way that didn’t fuck things up for everyone.

It is simple really.

“You’re tensing up,” Angelica said, not moving.

“I’m just preparing for the day ahead,” I admitted, “I think it is going to be hard.”

“Can I help?” She asked, not moving from under the blankets.

“I don’t know, what are your logistic skills like?” I asked.

Angelica laughed, “Awful, I was a mid level grunt in the command structure back in my adventurer days.”

“Aren’t you an adventurer now?” I asked.

“Adventurer is a gig in the Fantasy Coast. It is regulated by requiring people to be in a guild. They are basically mercenary companies that hunt mobs and clear dungeons. I am not actually filling a contract right now. Technically I am still a guild member in good standing.” Angelica explained.

“That makes sense,” I said, I prepared to get up.

“Really?” Angelica asked. She shifted to keep the blanket.

“Where there is a need an industry will arise,” I said, still not getting out of bed. “It’s not complicated like the mechanics of food.”

Angelica shook her head, not quite laughing, “Anything else bugging you?”

I had to ask,“Okay there is one thing. The stinger in the movie. How are they talking to Revan? Wasn’t he old Republic.”

Angelice struck like lightning. She rolled like a crocodile and gave me a similar grin, “Now how would you know something specific to the fandom like that?”

I frowned.

Angelica poked my chest finger her finger as she continued to verbally prod, “Hmmm? Hmmmmmmm? Hmmmmmmmmm?”

I sighed, “I -the titan- watched basically all of the Star Wars content. Mark and Kate were obsessed with Star Wars. Everything I know about Star Wars is against my will.”

“And yet you ask questions,” Angelica countered. Yeah she could have just as easly ended that with checkmate.

I considered my answer. Being out maneuvered this early didn’t bode well for the rest of the day.

Angelica just smiled at me. She didn’t say it but it had the energy of someone chanting ‘One of us! One of us!”

I really did need to get my game face on. Sure this was fairly low stakes. Oh, now Angelica had another in to tease me… that was just awful, but I was certain that before today was done I was going to fight with one god or another. I needed to be on my toes. “I like Star Trek.”

Celeste’s Eye flashed , “It’s okay to like both.” She said it gently, kindly even. That said I could see the amused glint in her eyes and the grin barely containing a laugh.

“Alright you win,” I said, giving up this debate, “The movie was cool. Besides I can’t win angst both of you teasing me,”

Celeste kissed me. A quick peck on the lips. It was a light touch but my heart skipped a beat.

After that Angelica gazed back at me with her pretty dark brown eyes, “Teasing is a strong word. I am just having some fun.”

“It’s fine,” I said, preparing to actually get up this time,

“Good, cause I'm not gonna stop.” Angelica said, stealing the blanket.

“Are you not getting up yet?” I asked.

“If I can get away with it, I would like to get a bit more sleep. You know, wait till sunrise.” She said, rolling herself up in the blanket.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I told her, equipping my gear. I picked up the Carnyx of Gabriel. The thing seemed immovable for a brief instant before snapping into my hand light as a feather. The message carved into the ice flashed in my mind. ‘Don’t Kill the Demon of Frost’. The people he held were being tortured. That had to stop. I could still hear Richard's last words “I am trying to save the world.” Angelica meant to kill Richard…

I stepped out into the cold and closed the tent behind me. The chill bit deep. The camp had changed. Two thirds of the tents had already been taken down. Teams of goblins were rolling them back up and stuffing them in bags. Other groups were following and loading everything into one of the trucks. Against the predawn light I could still see the contraption that was the Stew Shower.

“We ride at dawn I guess,” I muttered. Heading back toward the camp.

“You took someone for a ride last night,” Adora said, appearing from nowhere. The fact that she moved like a Narrator really did piss me off.

I paused. I guess we are doing this right now. I decided to keep walking.

Adora fell into step with me. Today she was rocking meticulously braided brown hair with flashes of red highlights. Her makeup was darker than normal, almost understated. She was wearing a fashionable grey coat that still opened enough to reveal a golden necklace covered in gems. Her hands were wrapped in tasteful gloves. Her legs were clad in black slacks and her feet were in ‘practical’ shoes that only had two inch heels. She was here on business. She walked across the snow without issue. She did leave footprints but she didn't sink past the surface.

“You know that means I owe you a reward,” She weedled.

“I am good, thank you,” I said, politely. I was just not going to engage.

“Talk to me, Sweet Moose,” Adora prodded. Literally she poked me hard enough to break my stride.

“If you want to pay me back you can apologize,” I said, still walking.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“To you?” Adora asked, she didn’t understand.

“To Angelica and Celeste,” I said. I wasn’t a fan of how she was treating me either, but I could take it. Things hit different when it happens to people you care about.

“Ew, no. Besides gods don’t apologize,” Adora said, shaking her head.

I rolled my eyes and started walking faster.

“What has you all huffy. I mean all the fun you had last night is because of me,” Adora demanded. She did not like my lack of deference.

I stopped in my tracks. I had to confront her.

“No, what happened last night happened in spite of your interference,” I explained.

“Oh please,” Adora scoffed, “If I hadn’t pushed you, none of you would have done anything. All of you are wound too tight. Has she even told you anything about her past like-”

“I am not interested in whatever drama you are trying to stir to cheapen what Angelica, Celeste and I have,” I shut that shit down.

Adora gazed at me in disdain, “Are you going to pretend you are above it all? Like you are the only one who knows love. Was that some great act of romance when you had her-”

“Seriously, were you just watching us the whole time last night?” I spoke over her. “That’s kinda sad.”

“What I do isn’t your concern,” Adora said, her tone dangerous.

“And that wasn’t a no,” I pointed out. I considered it for a beat then added, “Pervert.”

Adora rocked back like I had slapped her.

“You know, you are talking a lot of shit for someone that is only at level ten,” Adora said.

“And you rely on the fact most people are too afraid to criticize your fucked up abuse to pretend you are a good person,” I pointed out.

“If I am so bad then why do I have more followers than any other god?” Adora argued. Her body language shifted slightly. She was squaring up for a fight.

“Because you have high Face Attribute and branding,” I pointed out, “By your argument Nadia is righteous because they can kill anyone who says their bad.”

“If you think I am going to take this disrespect from you, you are truly mistaken,” She warned me. I could sense the power radiating off of her. She was stronger than I was. I was certain a tremendous amount of her attributes were put into Face, but it would be optimistic to say the least to think she didn't have higher physical attributes than me.

“Expecting basic accountability is not disrespect. It’s not my fault you can’t distinguish between other’s inability to stop you with consent,” I braced for impact.

It came faster than I expected.

Attack from Adora Successful.

You take 16 points of damage

You have been knocked back 30 yards

Mental Resistance blocks the effect of Soft Touch

Titanic Regeneration plus 46 hit points

HP: 600/600

The back of Adora’s hand collided with my face. This was very much a contemptuous backhand rather than a legitimate attempt to hurt me. It did hurt a lot, but I regened through it immediately. The knock back was a bit of an issue as well. There was some crazy acceleration but a successful acrobatics check and I was sticking the landing just fine. Although I did slide the rest of the distance.

The really odd bit was while the pain flashed through me, and my teeth reset themselves as I healed. An idea popped up in my mind. It was an odd one too. It was ‘I really should be more respectful to Goddess Adora. She has been so kind to me. Really I owe her-’ thankfully around the time I was flying through the air. Mental resistance fell upon that idea and crushed the life out of it. Think and Elephant Seal body slamming… well basically anything.

“Violence huh? How kind and loving,” I said. This was a bit of a calculated risk. Adora’s first hit was clearly not her best shot, but I am guessing she didn’t rely on her physical damage. I strongly suspected she leaned hard on Face.

Adora eyed me annoyed. She hadn’t expected me to keep my feet. She let out a put upon sigh. She then blurred across the distance. Alright we had speed comparable to Celeste, possibly faster. I manifested a layer of Ablative Shell, a split second before she hit me with a wicked jab to the solar plexus.

Attack from Adora Successful.

You take no damage, blocked by Ablative Shell.

You have been knocked back 30 yards

Mental Resistance blocks the effect of Soft Touch

HP: 600/600

No tumbling this time for me. I still was knocked back but being ready for it really changed the feel of things. Mental Resistance went straight for the throat of the mind effect and bit down till it got to the gooey center. The shell was cracked pretty good, but such is life. It had held so it had at least one good hit left in it.

Cool. Maximum survivability for the win! “Are you done with your tantrum?”

Adora didn’t take the bait. That said as she talked she removed gloves, a ring and her earrings, “You are the one trying to escalate. Let’s get things back on track, the reward, what are your thoughts on proper charm?”

“Adora, these sick games you play are disgusting. Stop meddling in my life,” I told her.

An ugly glint flashed in her eyes, “You’re right.” When I didn’t take her bait she continued, “You deserve something bigger than an epic scale blessing. Besides, once I turn it on you’ll be powering it anyways.” I could see the idea pop into her head, “I know just the thing Great and Terrible. It fits since you're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy.”

Oh wow another catty attempt at emasculation, what a shock, “You can call me Dorothy. I relate to her. She killed witches.”

“You don’t get to call me names,” Adora said flatly.

I shrugged, “If the house fits. Don’t want to be called mean names, maybe try to stop being a bitch or get in good with the Lollipop Guild.”

Yep. she was gonna hit me hard this time. Hurray. I wanted this. This may not have actually been the smartest decision. That was a lot of fire. I am so glad an indeterminate amount of frozen wasteland was behind me.

I tried to dodge. Nope

Since her fist was past my defenses meant Block was out of the picture too.

Let’s hope this works.

Attack from Adora Successful.

Deflection Check… Successful. You take no damage.

Mental Resistance blocks the effect of Soft Touch

Counter-Attack failed.

Her fiery punch of doom bounced off of my chest and up over my shoulder. As the column of fire launched past me and devastated a snow drift, and all the ground underneath it behind me. I tried so very hard to counter with a good ole haymaker.

Adora dodged it with just a quick juke to the right. She did not neglect Mobility.

Expend Free action? Yes/No

Note: you must select the total number of seconds spent before activating.

I selected one and hit yes.

I willed a craft check to wrap around Adora’s feet. Probably wasn’t going to hold her but it might slow her down enough

Adora started moving through my time stop, “You get this isn’t going to work on-”

Attack Successful. Adora takes 3 damage

I got her with a right hook. The impact did knock the smug look off her face, but didn’t really do fuck all beyond that. Adora was divine scale and high level. Digging in to context clues I was certain she was about level 50, probably above level 75 what with her talk about apotheosis being a lie for gods. Assuming she was level 75 and got 40 HP a level that meant that his had done 0.1% of her total HP.

She stepped back. Then flitted out of my reach. She gazed shocked for a moment. I have no idea how long it had been since she took damage. She touched the side of her face. “That didn’t take long. Another Titan Spawn brutalizing a woman.”

“Gods don’t apologize and they don’t get to play the victim” I wasn’t having this bullshit. “Get your hooks out of Angelica and Celeste, and actually take care of your follower Aiko before you even try that shit.”

“You hit me,” She spat back. She had tears in her eyes. I don’t think they were crocodile tears either. HP loss hurt bad.

I wasn’t sympathetic.

“You are more exhausting than talking to a toddler. Yeah I hit you after you hit me three times. You started a fight. This is a fight.” I dropped the teaching voice, “I have given you so many chances. If you fuck with me and mine again, I will fight you every time, and at some point our roles will reverse.”

I could tell she really didn’t want a fight. Not through any que or tell, but she waited too long to make a move. Power radiated off of her, “If you want to fight, I am not afraid-”

The eyes of the Titan are upon you

“You forgot about the big guy didn’t you?” I asked. I wasn’t exactly banking on his help, but I was gonna capitalize on it.

Adora didn’t answer.

“Just get -and then stay- the hell out of my way,” I told her. Mostly because I sincerely doubted I could stop her if she got the bright idea to hurt the goblins or anyone else really.

Adora vanished into the wind.