Maybe on a Tuesday.

Sleep did not come easily after last night; partially because of the chains that seemed bound to my arms. I had no dreams, something that I looked back on kindly while eating breakfast. After yesterday, I've had all the visions I'd care to have for a good long while. Being the second to finish eating (Sammy being the first) I'm pulled aside into the hall by Gabbie; Ariel appearing in his usual way soon after.

"So..." Says Ariel. "I've sent a messenger for Citrinas. She'll know your Other is making a move here during her arrival... how are you holding up."

I look down at my new hands, and the chains on my arms; my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm not sure how I feel... I don't know what these chains are, and we have an honest to Gods clash of titans ahead of us. I'm not sure if our group can handle it."

The deity gives a wink. "Oh please, Citrinas can destroy meteors with her brain. This'll be an easy first target... but, what about the other issue."

"Still processing it." I answer, coldly. "I assume you didn't see him during your time in the Heavens."

He winced at those words. "Nope. Honestly, I'm not looking forward to the next meeting."

I take that as my cue to leave, walking back towards the dining area, catching Ashes as she leaves. I take her by the shoulder.

"Are you sure about what these are?" I ask, shuffling the chains on my arm. "I still find it hard to believe."

Ashes pats me on the shoulder. "Look Big-Man, I know you're worried; we all are. I verified them as best as I could, but it's not an exact science to find out if something's made of Sou-"

Sammy, walking out after a second serving, bumps into us as we were conversing. "Oops! Sorry Boss! Still not used to walking with these people-y legs."

The rest of the party had already finished their meals, heading to their rooms to prepare. I took the time to head out of the house, and up towards the hill. Taking a seat at the picnic blanket, I wait for the others. According to Ariel, we had until mid-day; that was the planned time of Citrinas' arrival, and thereby, the planned time of Urgog's scheme. I ran the memory back through my head time and time again; the three women. Helen the Bandaged Waitress, Oro the Cook, and Un-Oz the Other...

Another memory flashes through my head; the last second before awakening.

Enoch.

I still didn't know how it was used; or what it would even do to me. I do, however, have a bad feeling that I'll have to use it. Soon. Sooner than any lesson about it can come.

"Hey, Chap. I'm supposed to be the glum one."

Scott, having finished his prep work, takes a seat at the picnic area. He seems to have added a few new flourishes to his suit, repairing the odd wear and tear that had accumulated over time. Most notable was on the back of his suit, the image of a spider-web, trapping a butterfly; embroidered with golden hue thread.

The Tailor smiles. "Oh, like it? Trixie said that heros from your world's stories usually had a fun little symbol, and what with having to slay a Dark Lord; a heroic look was in order."

"It looks great." I say; seeing Sammy waddle up the hill, falling, and then turning into a pile of blue ooze.

She then slips her way up the hill in a goopy form, returning to her human-looking self once at the picnic blanket. "Oh, Boss! Are we having more breakfast?"

I shake my head, smiling a bit as I sigh. "No, just waiting. Got anything you want to say before the big... event."

The Slime looks puzzled for a bit, then has an epiphany. "Oh! I can do this now!"

Sammy holds up her hand, shaping it into the form of a dull axe-head. "I'm trying to make it sharp, but it's really hard."

"Makes sense, it's a squishy material." Says Ashes, who had somehow snuck around the hill, and up behind me. "Notice anything different?"

Worked into a shoulder-pad, replacing the one that bad been destroyed days prior, were a wide array of my shed scales. These in particular seemed to be the ones from my first use of Final-Form, back in the Siren's Dungeon. It even jingles around as she takes a seat.

"I helped with that!" Says Zana, who has soared overhead with her Boomstick; seeming very proud of her involvement. "I held them in place... sometimes."

Zana's hat had a new adornment, it seemed. A belt with a buckle, holding the tip of her long cap in place, so that it no longer flopped to one side. The belt itself seemed to have several loops of leather; a place to store ammunition, I assumed.

I thought her spells didn't need ammo...

Popping out of that hat, and crawling out from Zana's hair, was Trixie. Nothing really seemed different about her, that is, until she got a bit closer. Under her eyes, two little lines had been marked on her cheek; copying that one "action movie" character she told me about a few nights ago.

"Oh, this wee fairy is bloody excited! But also scared absolutely fuck'n terrified!" She says, landing down on my shoulder. "Would have had a pint for the nerves, but we've only got the fake-stuff."

"**** is a depressant, Trixie. As well, you said you had a family history of alcoholism; I would suggest not having any at this time." Says Eve, who had quietly worked her way up the hill. "Oh, and Scott. Dart is loving the pocket you added to my furs."

The Compuro sits down with the rest of us, just as a high-pitched voice calls up at us. "Hey! The portal is down here!"

Ariel and Gabbie were down by the exit; a shiny new metal clamp for the Alma worked into the Priestess's staff. The rest of us rose and moved down towards them at our own paces; some flying, some walking, and some... sloshing. One by one, we left the Domain, until I was finally ready to pop out the other side myself. Of course, not before being yanked by my hair.

Cilla, with her newly stringed crossbow in hand, was looking at me with a harsh glare. "Isn't there someone you should be saying goodbye to, Monster?"

I slapped myself in the face, before spinning about. Behind Cilla was our daughter, Carrie. She seemed a tad worried, but was still her usual adorable self; silly cloak and all. She holds up her arms, and I pick her up, lifting her up and onto my shoulders in a piggyback ride.

She leans down over my head, using my horns as support. "Do you really have to fight another Bad-You, Papa? Why can't we just have a tea party and be nice?"

"Sometimes, that's not how that works, Sweetie." I answer, a small smile on my face. "Now, be a good girl, and stay in the house; Papa is going to go beat up the bad people, and then we can go get lunch somewhere... maybe some candy, too."

"Yay! Hehe..."

Cilla picks the giggling Carrie off of my shoulders, and sets her down to the grass. "There's some jam sandwiches already made in the Kitchen if you get hungry, a jug of milk, and a large casket of water. I left you some extra ink-wells for drawing, and a stack of parchment. Remember that Rocky will be here to play with you, and to run to him if strangers somehow find this place. Oh, and please do your math assignment before we come back."

"Ok Mama." Says the small Dungeon Core, wobbling about towards the house; mimicking Sammy's odd difficulty with her new legs. "Love you!"

"I love you too, sweetie." Says Cilla, once more glowing in that radiant way I had seen some nights prior; she turns to me, whispering. "Let's hurry... I don't like leaving her here any longer than we have to."

We step through the portal together. "Prissy, she'll be fine."

I hadn't even noticed that we had been holding hands until I felt the cold, dry air of the lab on my skin.

"Now, let's get to the Temple."