New home, new friends, and a new goal.

"Are you sure this will work? The portal in the Sewer is still open..."

"Just do it already, yeh whipper-snapper!"

My fingers were currently tucked neatly into a sliver of reality, prying it open within a compact silvery tube. I could feel reality slowly open, seeping a golden hue into the contraption.

"Wow. Been a while since my ol' Lambie's had a Domain in her." Says the Old Man, cackling to himself. "Well, the marked door in the lower levels should lead to your little home; and don't break this damned thing, you hear? Highly delicate, and expensive, machinery."

"Understood." I reply, pulling my hands from the tube; the mast at the center of the ship closing around it.

I look around at our new means of transport; our new home. The deck, a hardy foreign wood, was both spotless, and shining with polish. The planks were unpainted; left it's strange, natural shade of faded pinkish orange. Up above, the sails were a pure, delicate white; a familiar flag flying from the very top pole, up in the Crow's Nest. Her mark. That Sapphire-Heart on a silver ring; similar in design to the key now nestled in my pocket.

"Man, it's so good to be back here!"

Ariel's illusory manifestation walks around; the rest of the party doing the same. Each Of them were poking about at differing parts of the top-deck, with an oddity amongst their actions that put a spike of pain in my chest. Gabriella seemed to be avoiding her brother; even going so far as to hold her staff particularly far away from herself. Before I can inquire further, I hear shuffling as Citrinas arrives; someone following her aboard.

Kaki, the Pale-Painter Oni, was just behind the Chosen; look around the ship with the same amazement as my friends.

"Oooh, Veil-Wood. Very nice." Says Kaki, sliding a hand across the railing. "I can practically feel the Spirit-World through it's touch."

"There is no practically about it." Says Citrinas, plain-faced as ever. "This ship is just as real in the Sekmorti as it is in Sekvita."

I remember those from Cilla's lessons. Sekmorti, the realm of the dead, and Sekvita, the land of the living...

"Oh! There he is. Pardon me, Lady Pumpklin." The Oni bows humbly, before walking most graciously in my direction.

"Kaki? Why are you here?" I ask; the others onboard looking over at us. "And where's that sister of yours?"

"Oh, Hakai? She's out helping organize the cleanup; lots of blood and bodies, filthy work, the usual for her." She clears her throat, taking another bow; this one far more regal in form. "As for myself; I have come to offer my services to you."

Had I something to drink, I'd have spat it out. "What!? Aren't you-"

"A gladiator? I was; and will continue to be so should you refuse my offer." Kaki maintains her bow; something that must be an absolute pain for her back. "I joined the Arena for sanctuary; something I would never have done, if not for the respect owed to my dear little sister. I have already told her my intents... now, what will it be?"

"Ugh..." I sigh, still conflicted about our coming vote. "We're having a vote on another person joining later; we'll do yours at the same time."

"Vote?" Asks a puzzled Oni, standing from her bow. "Hmmm... I would have thought you the absolute leader; the Head of the Harem."

I quickly pinch her lips together; my eyes darting around to see if Carrie were anywhere near. Thankfully, she and her mother were far enough away (up near the wheel) that the innocent thing wouldn't have heard a peep. My hand is batted away; a puffy cheeked Kaki looking utterly offended by my actions.

"Well! If that's how you treat a proper lady..." She pulls at her breast-binding slightly, allowing one of her inky-black nubs to poke through. "...then I'll need payment. Although I prefer gold."

...

One short meeting later, we were within the Lamb-Chop's lower levels; at the "Domain-Door" that I had activated. It was somewhat out of place; being a rather ordinary design for such a fantastical flying ship. Pulling it open, I see directly into my Domain; no blinding golden portal needed. I was steps away from entering when a hand finds my shoulder; one with red-tipped gloves that left a shudder down my spine.

"Monster, correct?" Asks Citrinas; having snuck right behind us without a single sound. "I have three subjects to speak with you about."

I motion for the others to go on ahead. Once they each make their way into the portal, the door closes, seemingly of it's own accord.

"What's up?" I ask, turning around just as I hear...

"Edict: Teleportation."

*blip*

Just like that, tripping backwards at the sudden spacial shift, I find myself in a room within the ship; one without doors, or windows. Bubbling flasks, runic scriptures of stone, and arcane notes are neatly organized on a large desk beside an absolutely enormous bed, with silky purple sheets. A small, creaky chair just by the desk seats the the God of Knowledge's Chosen. Yet more notes pin the walls, and where there are not notes, there are shelves; shelves lined with book after book. Some of the collection are the published works of authors that Cilla recommended, while others were entire notebooks, stuffed with yet more research of unknown subjects. Over in a corner was a large, metal box; which shook violently in short, random intervals.

"This room will ensure absolute secrecy; very important, given the subjects I wish to discuss." Says Citrinas; acting as though teleportation-based-abduction was just another breath of air. "Firstly, on the key I gave you."

Pulling myself to my feet, and gathering my senses, I ask the obvious. "What about it?"

"It unlocks Tomoko's room, here on the Lamb-Chop." She says, standing from her chair with a slab of runic stone in hand. "I have never entered it myself; she never kept any secrets to learn."

"And the others?" I ask.

She pulls a ring of keys from her cloak as she passes; placing the stone slab on a wall, and lining it up at a perfect angle. "Alkadabuki was the only one with any notable... literature."

Wait, did she just get aroused? Of all the people... no, it must have been my imagination....

"Secondly." She continues, acting as plain as parchment. "The Grand Succubus is now in my custody; still **** after your battle, but alive. I would request that you provide me with a single use of your Mark of Submission, on the tablet to your right."

"On my wha-" Turning in the direction I was told to, I run nose first into a slab of black stone, falling onto my ass.

"That can wait, however." I feel smooth, bare hands at my shoulders; a pair of red-tipped gloves tossed just to my side. "Thirdly..."

"...I would like you to impregnate me."