It should be interesting at least.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise at her blunt question. "I-I'm sorry? Is talking with gods a normal occurrence for you?"

She had a moment of realization, "Oh, oh dear me, I am so sorry, that was rude of me."

She bowed to apologize, but I had a thought. 'I have to return the four spirits soon anyway... I suppose I could show a bit of my domain off, can't I?' I chuckled, "It's quite alright, just a little surprising." I looked over at the spirits' progress, seeing that they had done at least enough for now. "I suppose it would be possible, I need to open a gate to his domain soon to return his servants."

Her eyes went wide, "You mean... I would enter the realm of a god?"

I gave a kindly smile, "Indeed, however I will remind you to be careful. Just because it is the realm of a god will not make it a paradise, at least not to all people's standards. His domain is a place where life flourishes, but in a manner far less akin to our own."

She took a deep breath, what I believed was a mixture of calming her excitement and suppressing her nerves. She looked up and gave me a nod, "I am ready."

I nodded in return, and began organizing the spirits in a fake ritual to open the gate. I had the Spirit that possessed my mark hold Midnight, feeling having them watched over in my domain was safer than in a bush cage at this clearly unfriendly neighborhood.

After getting in positions and all casting, a gateway was opened, and the four spirits immediately went it to return to their maintenance of the ritual site. I had opened the gate a ways away from it to prevent Norma from finding it immediately, but I imagined they still knew how to get to it. I somewhat regretted using them and letting it get slightly overgrown, but I felt it was still worth it in the end, as they would have plenty of time to work.

I nodded to Norma, "You may make the choice to enter on your own, I have things I shall attend to." I walked into the gateway with my Spirit, leaving her frozen in place. After I went through, I walked into the woods a good distance, breaking any line of sight.

Once we were far enough away, I turned to Midnight. "Alright, I need you to behave a little, okay?" I looked up to the Spirit, "Please bring it to the other spirits, and make sure they understand they are to care for it." The Spirit gave me a nod and began to leave before I stopped it," And, do not return until I have taken my human form again." It gave another nod, and left.

I took a deep breath as I again went over my plan that I had definitely thought through and not made on the spot. 'Alright, I can be in my "true form" for this, as it would be questionable for me to be possessing "Matthew". I didn't just speak as possessed Matthew in the first place as that is a much more disturbing experience than I want portrayed. So, I need to be powerful, and intimidating, but not twisted and evil.' I shook my joints loose as I prepared myself.

As I released the polymorph, something felt slightly different. I could feel the mana of the area flowing into me, fueling my transformation. As I shifted into my corruptor form, I felt the growth continue. The wooden shell thickened and became more intricate. I felt the bones of my body elongate and sharpen, and the flesh that surrounded them swelled.

As I examined myself, I came to a realization. 'This level of power... This is Final Form. Then... does that mean my combined abilities make it possible to maintain my Final Form indefinitely while within my domain?' I felt giddy. This opened up great avenues, as it meant that I had a much larger advantage within my domain than I had previously considered. If I managed to get a fight to occur within my domain, it would be near impossible to kill me, and that was only with my current stats.

After examining myself, I realized I was capable of shifting my shape minimally. I had to have the same total volume of any given material, however I could gain or lose limbs if I wished. In the end, I settled on keeping with a plain humanoid body plan for now. After all, it would be easier to connect with for Norma, and easier for me to work with without needing to get used to more or less limbs on the fly. I of course did make myself somewhat lanky, as I feel it would work better than being short and wide.

I creeped through my plain, adjusting the environment as I went. I rehearsed the style I wanted to portray, something strange and otherworldly, yet still seemingly inexperienced. I wanted to let Norma make the mistake of thinking she could gain the upper hand, and then subtly set a rug to pull out from under her.

The changes I made were minimal, but I could notice them as I had become familiar with this landscape, as well as my strange sense of connection with it. The plant life grew to form a pocket around me, allowing me to creep silently through back towards the gateway. I made the grasses and vines clump together, concealing myself to prepare for a dramatic entrance.

As I approached, I found myself growing exited by what this conversation may have to offer.