Relief

You appear in the living room of your castle, and there’s several shouts of surprise. Looking around, Anna, Maya, and Kali are here, staring wide-eyed at your arrival. Lynn still clings to you, and you gently lift her and carry her to the couch, sitting down with the shivering goblin in your lap. She looks up at you with wide purple eyes. “T-thank you…I was so s-scared…”

You softly strike her cheek. “I know, Lynn. You’re safe now, this won’t ever happen again, I promise.”

She hugs you tightly, burying her face in your chest. You see Anna dart out of the room, presumably to tell the others. Kali approaches, concern on her face. “Are you ok? You’re bleeding…again.”

You wipe your nose and shake your head. “I’m fine. Maybe a bit too much strain on my mind, but it’s over now.”

Maya nods. “And Marcus?”

You shrug. “He was alive when I left, but probably wishes he wasn’t. Bast was not happy.”

Kali looks at you curiously. “Bast was there?”

You nod. “I’ll explain everything once we’re all together.”

As you say that, the others start arriving. Sadie runs into the room and hugs both you and Lynn. “Yay, you’re back! Are you ok, Lynn? Joshie saved you as fast as he could!”

Lynn nods, wiping away the last of her tears. As the rest of the girls arrive, she smiles at the outpouring of love and happiness. Soon, everyone is asking questions, but stop and listen intently when you explain what happened.

Uzume chuckles when you describe how you manhandled Marcus. “I wish I could have seen that! Smug asshole.”

Rachel looks at you in confusion. “So you…absorbed his magic? Can he get it back?”

You shrug. “Well, I had to release most of it, my mind can only hold so much. And no, I don’t think he can. In the end I don’t think it matters. As I said, Bast didn’t seem to be in a forgiving mood.”

Clarissa nods. “So…are you really this ‘chosen successor’?”

You sigh. “Marcus seemed sure of it, but I have no way of knowing. Your prophecy said something about godhood, but who really knows.”

She smiles. “You’ll always be godlike to us.”

You chuckle. “Thanks, Clarissa. And all of you. Let’s let Lynn relax, this probably wasn’t pleasant, to say the least.”

You try to stand, but the little goblin clings to you. The whole experience seems to have left her unwilling to let you go for now. “I’m going to bring her to bed. I’ll see you all later, ok?”

General agreement, and plenty of group hugs as you carry Lynn out. She sniffles a little, looking up at you. “I’m s-sorry…it’s just…I’m scared to b-be alone right now.”

You nod. “I understand, no need to apologize. I’m always here for you. Always.”