A warm farewell, returning to the pews

(Author's note: I am trying something new in my writing in the hopes that it'll make the reading experience easier and more enjoyable. Please let me know what you think of it. :3 )

Lexi feels a swelling in her chest as tears roll down her cheeks. "I came here because of a silly quest. Thinking I would have a bout of some sort, but I didn't expect meeting someone as dear and sweet as you, Hecate." Before Hecate can respond, Lexi wraps her arms gently around Hecate's waist. Pulling her into a warm embrace. Hecate blinks as warm tears roll down her cheeks as well. Lexi's fingertips glide down just above the curve of Hecate's hip and affectionately squeezes.

Hecate gently cups the back of Lexi's head. Lightly forcing Lexi's cheek to rest on top of her bosom while her other hand strokes Lexi's lower back. "This isn't the end. Think of it as a short departure." As Lexi looks up, Hecate softly smiles. Their eyes gaze into one another's as Hecate continues to speak. "I plan to visit real soon. Okay?" Lexi sniffles and wipes the tears from her eyes. "Okay. Good." After a moment, she steps back from Hecate and glances at Mallory, whose light vibrantly pulses while floating in a small circle above Lexi's head.

"I'm ready, Mallory." A cheerful squeak escapes between pulses as Mallory soars slightly higher. "By your will, my Goddess!" Hecate and Lexi wave to one another as the world around Lexi turns completely white. Making her think of a mad painter spinning around with a massive bucket of white paint in hand. From which waves of paint cover the canvas from bottom to top. Almost as quickly as it had turned white, it is filled back in by the familiar view of the open church she had left from. (The church reference is from chapter 152.)

She looks around, seeing the very pew she was sitting on before going to see Hecate for the first time. Even though she was just there, it felt surreal. 'Goodness... My brain must be finally catching up with the ridiculousness of it all.' Her eyes lower before noticing a message icon next to Hecate's name in her friend's list. A wave of mixed emotions wash over her. 'I didn't expect a message from her so soon!' As she thinks of how to open it, the message icon disappears and the message, displayed like a quest message, appears in the center of her view.

The message from Hecate reads as follows: "I am delightfully surprised to see a way to message you after you left. I just want to say how much I enjoyed your visit. Feel free to drop by anytime. Day or night. P.S. I plan to visit your realm soon!"

Lexi warmly smiles while rereading that message before writing a reply. "I did too. Hopefully I'll have time to drop by soon. I look forward to seeing you when you visit."

Shortly after hitting send, Jacob, David, Merona, and Solace enter the church's nave. She could tell instantly that Jacob and David had undergone a drastic transformation. Jacob's expression and composure show how much he has grown within the short amount of time he had been gone. Wisdom, grace, and strength effortlessly filled the surrounding air. She almost didn't recognize him. Whereas David's demeanor had changed more so. Tranquility and a sense of strength that belie his outward appearance. Are these truly the two she had sent with Merona and Solace to the Divine Cross church?

Observe:

Title: First Prophet of the Beautiful Goddess, Guild: N/A, Class: Apostle, Name: Jacob Ordell Kaiser

lvl: 22, Height: 6' 2", Weight: 205, Age: 24, Dick size: 8 inches, Body type: Burly/Muscular, Mood: Content and Proud

Race: Human, Relationship: M 20, F 200, Hp: 460/460, Mp: 440/440, Current thoughts: I'm one step closer to being truly worthy of serving her.

Str: 35 + (0) + (25) End: 25 + (0) + (25)

Int: 25 + (0) + (25) Wis: 45 + (0) + (25)

Agi: 20 + (0) + (25) Cha: 25 + (0) + (25)

Lib: 15 + (0) + (0)

Title: Follower of the Beautiful Goddess, Guild: N/A, Class: Saint, Name: David Pirbright

lvl: 28, Height: 5' 8", Weight: 142, Age: 47, Dick size: 7.51 inches, Body type: Slender/Thin, Mood: Serene and Delighted

Race: Human, Relationship: M 0, F 200, Hp: 288/288, Mp: 510/510, Current thoughts: Is this what it feels like to be on the rightful path? It feels nice...

Str: 10 + (0) + (20) End: 29 + (0) + (40)

Int: 36 + (0) + (0) Wis: 58 + (0) + (40)

Agi: 56 + (0) + (0) Cha: 12 + (0) + (40)

Lib: 19 + (0) + (0)

(Author's note: For those interesting in how much they have grown. Jacob was last observed in chapter 143 and David in chapter 151.)

Her mind quickly absorbs the information before her. 'I see the job change has made them quite a bit stronger. Huh, it looks like David has become more infatuated with me. I can't blame him. Not to be cocky, but I am the Goddess he worships...' She smiles at them. 'Regardless, I'm glad this went well.' Her eyes glance over their forms. Checking for any signs of injury or distress. Fortunately there is nothing from what she can glean. "I see you've all returned unharmed. I trust everything went well."

Merona and Solace quickly walk to either side of her. A beautiful yet subtle smile present upon Merona's lips. Solace nods slightly just before moving to Lexi's left side, allowing Merona to take Lexi's right side. Jacob stands tall before Lexi. His figure towering over her by 8 inches. He lowers his head slightly in greeting as his right-hand moves over his left pec. "Yes, I daresay it felt like your divine grace was with us the entire time. It was like your hand was guiding our very actions."

David's eyes close as tears of joy roll down his cheeks. "To receive your blessing, your grace on the battlefield, -his words quaver and crack- was truly awe-inspiring!" Solace grins. "It was interesting too!" Merona glances at Solace. "I think you mean comforting..." He shrugs. "That too." A muffled chuckle escapes Lexi's lips. Her left hand's fingers move to cover her mouth. "I'm glad you all feel so strongly about it." Merona's F score ticks up to 200. She takes Lexi's right hand. Leaning her left shoulder gently against Lexi. "How could we not?"

Solace's lips curl into a mischievous smirk while looking at Merona. Jacob softly coughs into his right fist before pulling out a black box. The box is about 8" x 4" x 2". "I stored the phylacteries -he hands the box to Lexi- in here, my Beautiful Goddess, Lexi." He glances at David. "We feel blessed to have been given such a trial to prove ourselves to you." David nods. His face clear of tears since he had wiped them away when she wasn't looking. "I pray you find others you deem worthy -Jacob sternly looks at David and clears his throat- ..."

David swallows and nods. His eyes glancing at Jacob. "Ah, right. By your will, my Beautiful Goddess, Lexi." Lexi looks at the black box. Its exterior is smooth like marble yet lacked the shine one would see from such material. She uses a mental command to open her inventory and places it inside in such a way that makes it look like it disappears into the palm of her other hand. Jacob and David watch in astonishment. It is clear by the looks on their face that they have witnessed a miracle of sorts.

She softly smiles. "You have all done well. Go home and rest." Jacob and David bow before leaving without another word. However, David glances back once more before stepping out of the church shortly behind Jacob. Merona leans a bit heavier against Lexi's shoulder. "You aren't going to send me home right away, are you?" Solace watches Merona with a knowing yet mischievous smirk. "I am going to step out for a bit. Don't be afraid to make any noise. I plan to be away for a wwwhiiile..."

He takes a few steps away before making a run for the door. Leaving Lexi and Merona to themselves. Lexi glances at Merona. "I take it there is something you want as a reward?" Merona's eyes glance to the left, right, up, and down before focusing on Lexi's. "What made you think that?" Lexi softly chuckles while warmly gazing into Merona's eyes. Should Lexi give Merona a proper reward right away? Or make Merona work a bit for it?

Name: Lex Frost Moore

Title: Battle Commander, The Gamer

Male Title: God of Valor, Battle Commander, The Gamer

Lvl: 40 XP 3,292/8,000

Hp: 41,258/41,258

Hp regen: 1,350 per min or 22.5 per sec

Mp: 39,659/39,659

Mp regen: 928.18 per min or 15.47 per sec

Str: 103 + (0) + (3,651) End: 91 + (0) + (3,651)

Int: 86 + (0) + (3,651) Wis: 99 + (0 + (20%, 750)) + (3,651)

Agi: 75 + (0) + (3,651) Cha: 82 + (0 + (20%, 747 (746.6))) + (3,651)

Lib: 80 + (0) + (3,651)

Build: Buff/Toned

Height: 6'

Dick size: 9 inches

Female Title: Beautiful Goddess, The Gamer

Hp: 51,961/51,961

Hp regen: 1,702.28 per min or 28.371 per sec

Mp: 47,139/47,139

Mp regen: 1,086.47 per min or 18.108 per sec

Str: 103 + (37) + (4,587) End: 91 + (37) + (4,587)

Int: 86 + (37) + (4,587) Wis: 99 + (37) + (4,587)

Agi: 75 + (52) + (4,587) Cha: 82 + (52) + (4,587)

Lib: 80 + (37) + (4,587)

Build: Slender/Curvy

Height: 5' 6"

Bust size: D cup

Money: $39,547.42

Resources: 120 wood, 540 granite, 385 metal, and 60 gems.

Resource rate per day: 70 wood, 90 granite, 70 metal, and 10 gems.

Unspent skill points: 0

Inventory slots 18/40 (Black Box (Purple Sapphire, Black Jar, and Lunch Box) ,Miss Fox's Closet Key, Squeaky Hammer, Trelzox's Tear, Mother Earth's Quarterstaff, Divine Might, Round Shield of Repentance, Seong Art of Rod and Large Sword Fighting, Black Satin Dress, Swindle's Tusk, Warpstone, Red's Scale, Lizardman Scale x 20, Bylrym's Tooth, Reinforced Steel Scrap x 34, Blue Yoga Pants, Shopping bag (Blue Heart Body Stocking, Open Cup Black Bra, Black Lacy Panties, and Heart Pasties with Heart Micro bikini), Gropma's Indonesian Black Opal, and Sexy Apron.)