Fires rise

Several days later, you are setting up camp for the evening with Maya, when Clarissa approaches you.

“Josh, can we talk?”

“Of course!”

“Alone?”

You nod, and Maya gives you a kiss and goes off to kelp Lynn. Clarissa watches her go, then looks to you. “Your family is wonderful. There’s...so much love here.”

You smile. “That’s the idea. This sort of arrangement wouldn’t work otherwise.”

“And I’ve been talking to everyone, about...well, joining you.”

You nod. “I know. I didn’t mention it, but the girls tell me things. Maya and Kali both told me. For what it’s worth, they both regard you highly already.”

Clarissa blushes. “Y-you knew?”

Laughing, you nod again. “I’m oblivious sometimes, but the girls aren’t. I will admit to having an inkling, though. Have you spoken with Yura about her vision?”

“Involving me? No, I haven’t.”

“She has a recurring vision of me and eleven women in front of a dark fortress. Until we came through the portal, the last three were hidden. You were the first to come into focus.”

She looks at you. “And yet you let me come to you instead of pursuing something?”

You smile. “I want you to come to us because it’s what you want, not because of destiny or fate or something like that. I’m sure you’ve noticed my interest in you, but I’m not just an idiot led around by his dick.”

Clarissa laughs. “You can see where someone would get that impression, though.”

“I said I’m not JUST that, but yes.”

She smiles. “So...what happens now?”

You reach out and gently touch her cheek. “That’s up to you, Clarissa. You get to decide where we go from here.”

She thinks for a moment. “I think...I want this, but I need to go slowly. I’ve spent my life training to fight, not to...this.”

“I understand. I want you to feel comfortable, Clarissa.”

She blushes again. “F-for now, could I just have a kiss?”

You smile and lean down, softly kissing her lips. You run your fingers through her soft, glowing hair. As you lean away, she holds position for a moment, eyes closed and a smile on her face. She opens her glowing orange eyes and blushes more. “Thank you, Josh. I...I’m going to go now. We reach the gates tomorrow, and you will meet the Forgefather. Once he gives approval, I can join you completely.”

You nod.