A long road ahead

Despite all the teasing, for once everyone agrees to spend the night simply resting. To be fair, everyone except Melora spent the afternoon having sex, so everyone is pretty worn out. Come the morning, after breakfast Victor comes to let you know that Samus has arrived. He has a strange look on his face when he does so, however.

When you and the girls arrive at the meeting hall, you realize the reason. Samus has recovered quite well, and apparently found time to clean himself up. Still hooded and cloaked, but now cutting a much more impressive figure, you can get a sense of how he used to be. However, there’s still obvious strain in his eyes, and as your group sits down, you see a slight tremor in his hands.

Nevertheless, he focuses on you as you sit, nodding as he sees your armor.

“You have acquired all that you need. Victor has informed me that you plan to infiltrate the palace and recover Kaeli?”

You nod. “She’s the best option to start with. And we owe her.”

Samus folds his hands. “As do I. And you intend to use my power to get you inside?”

“It seems like the best way. Otherwise it’s a journey of weeks, not to mention the trip back. And from what I understand, as soon as she is away from the Great One, she’ll begin to become more corrupt.”

Samus thinks for a moment. “I could get you in, but escaping you have to do on your own. If I enter the city, it would be impossible to mask my presence.”

Sarah speaks up. “Getting in is the hard part. Kaeli seems to have plans in place for getting out.”

Ferra shakes her head. “I got the sense that we ruined that plan with our own escape.”

You shrug. “We’re overthinking this a little. Unless we run into Niran or Victoria, Kaeli can just walk out. She’s one of the leaders of the Order.”

Samus nods. “You have a point. If you feel confident in this, I will aid you. However, there are other things we must do beforehand.”

You look at him curiously. “Such as?”

“The main thing will be teaching Nadia. She must learn to pull and combine the precise powers from each of you. For some, that will be simple. Alex’s fire, for example. For others, like you and Sarah, it will be more complicated.”

He looks at Nadia and smiles. “I sense the efforts you’ve already made towards building your own bonds. That will help immensely.”

You chuckle, and the trio of Cassie, Alex, and Nadia share a grin. Samus nods and continues. “Furthermore, you need to continue working to unlock the power of that armor. Nadia must be able to draw upon its strength, or this will not work.”

Oh good. More poking and prodding.

Samus stares at the gemstone set into the armor. “Do not sass me, Lilith. Do well, and perhaps I can free you.”

Wait…you can do that? How?!

The demigod ignores her, looking back to you. “I understand that you will be moving your headquarters to Thalberg soon. I will set up my camp nearby, so that we have a place to safely train. I would not want to do this in an Order controlled city.”

You nod. “Makes sense. Though hopefully it won’t be in their control long.”

Samus stands. “Agreed. Now, bear in mind what I’ve said. I will seek you out, soon.”

With that, he turns and leaves, abrupt as always. You turn to the others and smile.