Making the choice and meeting of a deity

Lexi considers Mallory's words carefully. Sending Jacob and his entourage would increase their success rate in her stead, but this felt like she would be missing out on an opportunity. She looks at the options again. Jacob and David would be granted powerful abilities that would increase their survivability, and for those around them, if they went to the Divine Cross church without causing a disruption to the world at large. If she sent them on a pilgrimage, they could convert others more easily. However, even if only one of them had their ability from a pilgrimage, it could easily lead to war and chaos.

For example, if Jacob was able to convert people with increasing speed around the world. It wouldn't take long for other religions to notice and try to fight back by any means necessary. David's ability would make her followers more energetic and have the stamina to back it up. That would easily lead to raids, vandalism, and ****. Although not the worst thing that could happen since the world is overpopulated, she didn't want to be the cause of such a tragedy. 'Ixaka and Laysa.' She glances at their options once more.

Ixaka and Laysa could be great for causing a war if they were sent to the Divine Cross church too. Ixaka's promotion to Savior, would be great for winning battles if provoked, but it would in turn make it much easier to go to battle without a justification just because of how mighty they are. Laysa's promotion to Beautificator, would lead to vanity and a sense of superiority. A little vanity and superiority isn't the worst of things, but coupled with a long life. You're just asking for a massive problem that makes you and your followers look bad.

On the flip side, if Ixaka and Laysa go on a pilgrimage, their abilities would greatly improve her followers overall. She softly sighs. 'I kind of feel like my choices are already made for me.' Mallory softly giggles while flying closer to Lexi. "Yes, but not in the way you think, my Goddess." Lexi lifts a brow. "Explain..." Mallory's vibrant purple hue bobs up and down as she speaks. "Although you can clearly mix and match what your followers do, certain choices are more prone to conflict whereas others are more peaceful in nature. Alas, individuals vary to the extent that you can't predict every action, but as a group you can see a long-term outcome with relative ease if you pay attention."

"The only question is whether you desire conflict or peace for your followers. Forgive my presumption, but given your actions thus far. I believe you want peace. If this is true, then the path is clear. You do desire peace, right?" Lexi looks at Jacob and his entourage and nods. "Yes, I would prefer peace." She takes in a slow breath. "I can't stop every conflict should they arise, but I will try to lead them down a peaceful path." A bubbly giggle is heard from Mallory's vibrant purple hue. "Such a beautiful thing to desire, my Goddess!"

"I will provide a vision to Jacob, Ixaka, David, and Laysa directing them to go where you need them to go after you say you have a task for them. Additionally, Jacob and David will head to the Divine Cross church after Merona and Solace have been summoned. Before you ask, I have taken the liberty of informing Merona and Solace of what you need." Lexi blinks a few times. "That makes things easier. Understood. No, wait. Um, where will those on a pilgrimage go?" Mallory's vibrant purple hue flies over Ixaka and Laysa's heads. "San Francisco, California and Las Vegas, Nevada respectively."

Lexi nods slightly while glancing downward. 'Those would be impressive places to make a religious impact. Both value beauty too...' Mallory slowly floats into view. "When you are ready, I will return time to normal, my Goddess." Lexi looks at Jacob and his entourage yet again. "One more thing. How do you know where I need them to go?" For a brief duration Malloy's normal vibrant purple hue dims to the point of seeming inert. After a few seconds, she returns to normal. "That is based on a few factors: the type of Goddess you are, what your followers need to do and learn from the experience, and what resources are available."

Lexi thinks a little on that. 'Hmm, that makes me a bit more curious, but it doesn't truly matter.' She moves back to where she had been before the time freeze occurred. "All right. I'm ready." As she spoke, the subtle motion of the world resumes its normal pace as if nothing had happened. However, Jacob's focus on her changes from assuredness to slight concern. "Is everything all right, my Goddess?" Her face becomes subtly flush. 'It is sweet and creepy how focused he is on me...'

She nods slightly. "Yes, I'm fine. But on to more important matters. I have a task for you." As the last word escapes her lips, their eyes widen as if seeing something truly profound. Each of their expressions have subtle changes, but all of them bow their heads by the end and say in unison. "By your will, my Beautiful Goddess, Lexi." Laysa and Ixaka bow deeply before walking away. Their gaits clearly showing they had a matter of the utmost importance to attend to. David clears his throat while looking at Jacob who begins to speak. "I don't wish to seem impatient, but will those who are joining us be arriving soon?"

Lexi looks around, noticing an open church nearby. "I'll need to summon them, but not here." Jacob and David nod without question as she begins to walk to the nearby church. Once she is certain no one other than Jacob and David are watching, she casts A.I. Mechanoid. - 50 Mp Unlike normal, two portals appear side by side. Followed by Merona and Solace stepping out. Her mana is topped off by the time Merona and Solace smile at her. Jacob and David bow their heads reverently.

Merona and Solace join Jacob and David before heading out, leaving Lexi by her lonesome. She looks up toward the ceiling. "If it wasn't for these abilities I would be an absolute mess right now..." She lets out a soft sigh, moving to sit in one of the pews. Her eyes close as she tries to relax. Silence hangs gently in the air, reminding her of simpler times. She knows she wouldn't trade her current life for her old one, but it was nice to have a little reprieve. Just as her muscles begin to relax, a notification appears in the center of her view.

Are you ready to play a Divine Match with Hecate?

Yes or No.

She blinks several times upon reading that name. 'Hecate? Isn't she a Greek Goddess?' She shakes her head while thinking about that. 'Why am I questioning this!? I mean, magic and Gaia are real. Of course other Gods and Goddesses too.' She rubs her forward temples with her pointer and middle fingers in a clockwise motion. "I guess I shouldn't keep them waiting." She says to herself while using a mental command to hit, "Yes". When she does, the world instantly turns white.

She glances around, realizing that there is nothing in all directions. "Hello?" While looking around, she takes a step forward. As her foot touches the white void, a soft crackling is heard and felt beneath her foot. A long shadow descends from her, revealing a twilight meadow filled with lush, dew dampened grass. A simple glance toward her peripheral reveals the white void is still behind her. She turns slightly, causing the twilight meadow and white void to shift in tandem, always opposite one another.

'Well, this is new.' A soft giggle is heard from her original facing. Upon looking that direction, she notices a teenage girl with mid-thigh length wavy charcoal black hair that is around sixteen to eighteen years old. Clad in white robes with a repeating blue wavy line and a circle underneath about an inch from the end of each sleeve. High cheek bones highlight her slender diamond face and slender straight nose above her ash gray full round lips. What truly drew her attention were this girl's softly glowing light blue eyes. They are accented by her curved rounded eyebrows and above them is a waxing crescent moon in the middle of her forehead.

(Author's note: For those curious of where this picture was sourced. That location can be found here.)

The young girl speaks. "Thank you for accepting my invitation, Beautiful Goddess, The Gamer, Lexi. I'm Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads." While speaking, she steps forward, causing her form to shift to one that is about ten years older, her facial features becoming more defined and mature and her hair turns raven black. Her robes waver for a moment, deepening to a dark gray and the symbol upon her forehead changes to a new moon. Much like her new form, her voice carried a strong will and definite maturity. "I'm looking forward to our little match. So, let's skip the formalities and go to the gaming area."

Hecate form changes back to a teenager as she turns to walk deeper into the twilight meadows. "This reminds me of the last match I had against Demeter. The cookies I won from her were delicious!" Lexi blinks. "Thank you for having me, Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads. That would be nice. I, I don't know what I should do anyway since this is my first time meeting another God in person." Noticing that Hecate isn't stopping, she starts to follow after her. Hecate begins to skip, causing her to speed up.

"I haven't gone over the rules, have I?" She turns around, changing back into a woman. A small table with two chairs appears to her right. Upon the table is a chess board. On Lexi's side of the board a few of the pieces have been replaced with duplicates of her followers. On the other side of the board are what she can only assume are duplicates of Hecate's followers. Hecate picks up the piece that looks like Merona, which had been in the queen's position and hands it to Lexi. "It's a simple looking chess board, but there is a catch. As you may have realized, these pieces with our followers are a representation of how they are doing on the battlefield."

Her form shifts to that of an older woman about forty or so years older. Her skin shows some wear and her hair has turned dove gray. A deeper wisdom emanates from her eyes. The robes she is wearing have changed to black and the symbol upon her forehead has changed to a waning crescent moon. Her voice is a little worn, but clearly still from the same woman. "We will be playing alongside our followers by guiding the pieces around them to give them an advantage or disadvantage depending on how well we do. Simple enough, right?"

Lexi nods slightly. "Yeah, that sounds simple enough. Are we taking turns like normal chess? Or what exactly are the rules here?" Hecate softly chuckles. "We will be taking turns as will our followers. You see, you and I will take turns as will our followers in tandem. This will make it harder to predict the outcome, but that is how real life works for us deities. We can only help guide. Direct interference can lead to dire consequences..." Lexi swallows softly upon hearing that. "That sounds quite dubious."

Hecate nods slightly. "Yes, but it isn't like it is our lives are on the line here. Now, let's see. What should be wagered..." Her eyes focus on Lexi's. "What do you have that I want..." They gaze into one another's eyes for a few moments before she smiles. "I know! I would like to borrow your maid, Gloria Trapp. Just for a few days. She seems like fun." Lexi lifts a brow. "I suppose. What do I get if I win?" Hecate warmly smiles as her form shifts back to a teenager. "Information that you forgot you wanted. So, do we have a deal?"

Lexi looks at Merona's piece. An odd warmth is coming from it. It feels like Merona's life is truly in her hands. She knew there was a risk involved with this in the first place. Although there is no point in backing out now, should she accept these terms? Or should she attempt to negotiate for better terms for her followers in case things go south?