It has been two weeks since our time in the library, and there has been no change to my magic, and my tattoo is fully healed with no issues. My relationship with the queen has gotten better, and she hasn't done anything inappropriate yet. Even having this tattoo with this temperature enchantment, I still feel a chill around her just from remembering. I may not be physically cold, but the feeling lingers in my memory. I ask Ash, remembering my first day here, "Ash, you said there was a lake that helped you awaken, correct?" Ash perks up, "Yes, the lake is in the forest near the castle where my tribe is from."
I reply feeling at a loss since there has been no sign of improvement, clutching my magic core, "I think I may need to visit this lake to awaken my powers. I do not know what else to do, and I have been trying so hard. I will go see if I can ask to take a field trip. If I get permission, I will let you know so you can meet us outside, so you can join us, though depending on who is coming with, it might determine if you need to stay out of sight or not." Ash says, bonking his head against my hand, begging for more pets one last time before I leave, "I understand." With that, I walk out of the room and ask Sir Stirling, "Can you accompany me? I need to ask someone in the royal family if I can take a field trip." Sir Stirling nods in that stoic manner of his, "Of course."
The first royal family member we find is (take a quick guess) Queen Felicia. I take a deep, slightly shaky breath, and I call out, "Queen Felicia, may I have a moment of your time?" She looks at me with those eyes like she wants to play those horrible games and says, "For you, my little pet, yes." I reply, steeling myself with courage, "A local told me about a special lake near here I could go to help unleash my magic. I was wondering if I could get your permission to go?" Her expression changed, and she went aggressive in an instant. I could have defended myself here, but it seemed like a death sentence if I did, and she whips out icicles pointed at my neck. I feel the cold sharpness of the ice, and it pierces my skin ever so slightly, causing a little blood to trickle.
Sir Stirling has his sword drawn and is showing a magnificent ice blade. NICE. Though now is not the time to admire it. I put my hand up to show I am still talking, give myself a moment to see how it turns out, and see if I can de-escalate the situation. The queen says, "That lake is a royal secret on royal property, and I know the princess has not told you. If she did, there would be hell to pay. The only locals are us in the royal family." I sigh and close my eyes, fearing this may be my last day on Gaos, then reply, "I promise it isn't what you think. If you promise you won't hurt them, I can show you who told me of the lake and explain everything." She releases the ice magic, and I open my eyes, "Ok, after you."
I take her with me back to my room and ask if Sir Stirling can join us in the room to be on the safe side. Once inside, I ask Queen Felicia one more time, "Your highness, you promise not to hurt them?" She nods and sighs, "I guess I promise." With that, I call out to Ash, and he very timidly comes out and goes straight to me since he is terrified of the queen. I introduced him, "Your highness, this little guy is named Ash, and he used to live in the forest outside the castle. He is the local I was talking about. You see, I have the ability to speak to animals."
Queen Felicia says, "So you can talk to this….Rat…thing? It told you about the lake? Not the princess?" I nod and gently scratch Ash's head, "That is correct. If you doubt my ability, I can prove it to you if you would like?" She thinks about it and says, "If you don't mind. This is a pretty tall tale, and I have never heard of anyone who can speak with animals. So forgive me if I don't believe you." I reply, "Fair enough. Ash?" He looks up, ready to rock. I look around the room to see if I can find something small enough that maybe he could fetch. I then think about my earring. So I removed my earring for this demonstration and threw it across the room. "Can you grab my precious earring, Ash, and then bring it back to me?" He nods, runs, grabs the earring, and brings it back. The queen says, raising her eyebrow elegantly in surprise, "Wow. That was quite impressive. Ok, you are off the hook for now. I will allow you to go. Just make sure you have your escorts."
I replied while putting my earring back in my ear, "Thank you, your highness. Would it be possible to keep my friend here a secret? I would like to protect Ash as long as I can if possible." Queen Felicia replies, "Whatever. I don't care about a silly rat anyway." Ash, offended by being called a rat twice now, is getting mad and is rather floofy in response. I pet him to try and calm him down, and I reply, "Thank you, your highness, for your discretion. I appreciate it." I say with a bow. She just gives a curt nod and leaves.
Once the door closes, Sir Stirling, Ash, and I all do an audible sigh. That was intense. One wrong move and I would have been on my next life. I take a look at Ash, "Don't listen to her. She is just mean-spirited. You are not a rat, but a very gorgeous squirrel." He runs up on my shoulder and hugs my face when I say that. I would die for this squirrel here. I love him so fucking much. I look to Sir Stirling, "We officially received permission, so let's go if you are ready." He nods, "I am always ready. Let me grab Brody, too. Just in case." I tell Ash to meet us outside so he doesn't attract attention from people inside. Then we head out.
We arrive at the lake in about 15-20 minutes of walking through the forest by the castle. Ash guides us all the way there. Once we get there, I remove the loincloth, keep the top and underwear on for modesty, and get in. I start off by just putting my feet in and thinking positive thoughts, but nothing much more happens. I decided to just go for it, get all the way in, and start swimming. Ash joins me in the water, and we start to play a little bit in the moment. I start laughing and enjoying how my knees are handling swimming right now.
"I really love this body"
When those words escaped my mouth, I felt my magic awaken. My body emitted a bright light at first that faded almost instantly. It was a weird thing to experience. Like my body used 'flash' (a move from the Pokémon games), but my own eyes weren't affected, though something like that would have made me blinded in my old body (my eyes were super sensitive), or maybe because I am a light magic user, the light didn't bother me now. I do not know. I have magic, and now I just need to learn how to use it. Ash says with his eyes adorably sparkly with excitement, "Whoa! Was that light your magic?" I nod, smiling, feeling a huge burden lifted from my shoulders, "Yeah, buddy, the lake did the trick, and I can use my magic now." I say with a smile. He then looks a little bummed after my words with his ears droopy, "I was having fun playing with you though, and now we have to leave…" I then reply after a light chuckle at his adorable display, "Just because we completed our main mission does not mean we have to leave, right?" I say as I look at Sir Stirling and Sir Brody, who are onlooking, and they nod, "You already received permission to be here, so might as well enjoy it while we are here." I point my arm at him in agreement, "See." While saying that, I grab Ash and throw him as hard as I can to the deeper part of the lake, and all I hear is "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" He swims back and says excitedly, "Again! Again!" We continue playing like that for a while, and we are having fun.
After a while, Sir Stirling suggests we start heading back so we can get out of the lake. I ask, remembering what he said a few weeks ago, "Ash, are you able to use your wind magic to dry me off, as well?" He replies, "Sure!" He activates his magic, swirling air around like a gentle twister. After several moments, I am dry. "Thank you so much, Ash! That sure is handy." He says, "Yep!" He says as he dries himself off next. I throw my goddess-garb loincloth back on and meet up with Sir Stirling. He says with that stoic voice of his, "It is getting late, and to be safe, we should probably go back." I replied after hearing my stomach growl, "It was fun while it lasted. Though I am getting hungry now." Ash says excitedly at the prospect of food, "I am too! Let's get some food." He says very excitedly as he spins around me. I say, "Alright, buddy, let's go."
We eat our lunch in our room, and the princess runs in, "Mother said you went to the lake?! How did it go?" She says almost frantically and impatiently. I reply with a calming, reassuring tone to help ease her panic, "Mission accomplished. I can officially access my magic, and I feel in my chest my abilities." Vi rushes to my side and hugs me and sighs in relief, "Thank the goddess. I don't know what I was going to do if your magic didn't awaken. I didn't want to tell you to worry you, but do you remember that situation I told you about a few weeks ago in the bath?" I replied, recalling the sad details, "About the sick people in town?" Vi confirms still holding me, "That is the one. It has gotten A LOT worse, and I need you. I need your light magic. I didn't want to tell you earlier because I was scared that the pressure of my needing your magic would not help the situation. So I figured it was best to wait for you to unlock it, so you wouldn't have to worry about me. Tomorrow we are going into town. I need you to save as many people as you can." I replied, excited that I can finally be of use, "Absolutely. That is exactly why I wanted this power, and why I even have it in the first place. You don't even need to ask me, Vi." This is part of my mission after all.
She breaks away from the hug and gives me a passionate yet quick kiss, "Thank you, Zoe." I look at Ash, "We will need you too, Ash. I would like you to meet us outside of the castle and go with us into town." Ash, really excited yet pitifully asks, "Do you really think I can be of help?" Be still, my heart. This squirrel is so adorable. I reply, breaking away from Vi so I can look Ash in the eyes, "You help me just by being next to me, but seriously, your flying ability will be vital for reconnaissance. When we get to town, while we start healing everyone, I want you to see if there's a source for what is making everyone sick. Like maybe toxic water or toxic plants that animal life like yourself can pick up on better than we humans can. If you can't find us in town when you are done with your mission, you can just meet us back here at the castle. Sound like a good game plan?"
Ash spins around in the excitement of having an official mission, "You can count on me, Zoe." I pet him yet again and say, "I already know I can, buddy." I turn to Vi and ask, "I would like to try my powers at least once before we go. Is there anyone here that is hurt that could use healing?" Vi thinks a bit, "I think Nat may have burned herself earlier in an accident. I noticed it earlier when she was getting my tea. Here, let me summon her real quick." She goes to the hallway and brings Nat inside, "Nat, let Zoe see your arm." Nat nods and walks to me. I touch her and think with intent, 'HEAL'. Her skin starts to glow around where I am touching, and her burn is disappearing. She looks elated and shocked at how quickly it healed, "Wow. So THAT is light magic." She says while giggling a bit. I just remembered my idea the first time I was put in a room here, "Ooooh! Let me see if I can use Purify to clean the chamber pot!" Nat is fully invested now because it is her job to clean it, and excitedly shadows me into the small bathroom in my chambers as I touch the chamber pot and intently think 'PURIFY'. The chamber pot cleans and turns spotless with a flash of light.
Nat squeals with excitement, "Princess! I must borrow her on chamber pot rounds. Please?" Vi responds after chuckling at her childlike excitement, "If she has the time, then yes, she can, but only if she has the time." Nat curtseys to Vi and replies, "Understood, princess." I giggle in excitement over my new powers, "Wow, I love this magic." My core roars with a loud sense of approval, and I start laughing, holding my chest as it lights up in approval. Nat and Vi can see my core light up inside, and Vi says in astonishment, "I have never seen someone's core from the outside before. I wonder if that is because of your light magic." She approaches and looks at my chest closely as my core continues to burn bright in approval of what I said earlier, and says, "That is truly fascinating."
I think I want to see if I can clean the surfaces of this room with 'purify' too. Like cleaning the floor, armoire, table, window, balcony, etc. I probably should wait until after Nat leaves, so I don't want to break her or anything like that. She would probably feel a lot of different things if she saw me do all that in an instant. Though if I can use purify for larger surfaces, then I can at least make it one less room for Nat to clean, at least. If this does work, that would be HELLA convenient. Cleaning is always such a chore. As I continue to feel in love with my magic and become a part of it, my chest continues to shine bright, as if someone is holding a very high-lumen LED flashlight from inside, going out. I wonder if it will do this every time I use magic, or if it is just because it is the first time? I don't know. I guess we are going to fuck around and find out. I mean, I don't care if I look like Iron Man if it means I can use light magic. I giggle about that thought, and my core continues to burn with my acceptance of the light, too. My thoughts right now are just making my core so happy.
Vi says while continuing to examine and touch my chest, "Wow. I feel it too. It is really warm." She chuckles in fascination, "I have never felt someone else's magic core before. I am just in awe right now." Nat asks very curiously, "Is it ok if I touch it too?" I nod, and she comes in and touches my Iron-Man looking chest. She giggles too in fascination, "Wow. This is so cool. Is it too hot or anything? It feels awfully warm." I shake my head, "It is a perfect toasty feeling. As if I am my most complete self. Like my very soul is being hugged. Very similar to how I feel with the goddess, but just not as intense as it is with her. To be honest, I never thought I could feel anything like this outside of Goddess Aruna's presence. It is like she is with me and is the reason I am hugged right now."
I do a little happy wiggle because of all the feelings I am experiencing, and Vi giggles, "By the goddess, you are so fucking cute," she says, smiling after the giggles. "Nat, would you be so kind as to leave us? I need her right now. Unless you would like to watch." Vi says this, winking to Nat. Nat shakes her head with a quickness, "Oh no. I am good, princess. Have fun." She says, giggling a bit as she exits the room. Vi says with those piercing blue eyes dripping with desire, "I need you now." She says with one hand on my core and the other pulling me in for a passionate kiss. We start taking clothes off while kissing, while also making our way to the bed. I fumble a little bit and giggle, still feeling happy with my magic-feeling and then push her on the bed with a little bit of force, like I know she likes. She purrs and smirks that sexy smile of hers while reaching up for me and pulling me in for more kisses. She likes it when I pin her down, so I grab both of her wrists in one of my hands and hold them above her head again. She pretends to struggle while I hold her down, and she purrs, "You are so strong. I was actually trying that time." She giggles a sultry, sexy giggle very similar to what her mother might do and continues to kiss me with passion.
I, as always, am pretending she is my Liz. With each touch and each kiss, I imagine I am placing them on her, not Vi. I can only perform these concubine duties while thinking of her. Even though Vi herself is not bad at all. I really like her a lot. I would even go so far as to say that I love her, just not in THAT way. Just a friendship love. I can't imagine loving anyone other than Liz. The hole in my heart still yearns for her and aches terribly. Liz was not only my wife but also my best friend, my confidant, my everything.
While continuing to hold her down, I touch down her side, feeling the curvature of her waist with each skin cell of my hand ever so slowly. I get my thigh and grind on her as she likes, and I feel she is really wet. My thigh is soaking wet from her, so I take my hand, wasting no time putting two fingers in slowly at first to make sure she can adjust and then pumping with more of a rhythm. She moans loudly when I enter her, "Goddess, yes!" She continues to moan and yell with pleasure. I pump with a lot of force now, also using my thigh behind my hand for a little extra stimulation for her. I kiss her neck while she moans and yells in ecstasy. Continuing to pump my hand and thigh while kissing her neck. Refraining from giving her a hickey here. I move my mouth to her shoulder, which can be easily covered with clothes and give her a kiss and start sucking to leave the hickey. Keeping suction with my mouth, I continue to pump hard with my hand and thigh, and then she arches her back in pleasure in a wave of orgasms. I continue to make it last as long as possible, as always, while still sucking tenderly on her shoulder until she purrs in completion at the end and collapses down in a relaxed position, trying to catch her breath.
I release her shoulder and remove my fingers and kiss her shoulder where there is a nice hickey now and ask, "Do you need me to get you some water, Vi?" She nods, "Yeah, but give me a minute. Woooooo! I am still waiting for the feeling to return to parts of my body," she says while still breathing really heavily. I kiss her again and get up and pour her a glass of water and sit in bed with her with the glass in my hand, waiting for her to be ready to sit up for it. She looks at me with a tender look and grazes her fingers over the hand I had on the bed initially to support myself when getting into bed with the water, but I am in a solid position now.
She grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze, "You are amazing. You know that, right?" I lightly chuckle, thinking she sounds like Liz in this moment, oh how I miss her, with my brows slightly furrowed in pain from missing her, "When you say things like that, you remind me of her." I sigh and continue while gripping my chest, feeling the hole where Liz called home in my heart, "I hope she is doing well. I have been tempted to ask the goddess to show me what she is doing now, but I know she will be mourning me and seeing her heart be broken like that would devastate me. I just ask the goddess to protect her and try to hug her heart as she hugs mine, so she knows she is still loved." I say this, and I start crying. Vi, now recovered, sits up and takes the water from my other hand, then goes back to holding my hand, "I sometimes forget she lost you, too. I see your sorrow from your loss, forgetting it was actually you who died, not the other way around. It is sad that death did not stop the pain. I think if I had the choice, I would have no memories of my past life when I got reincarnated. Seeing your pain seems like it would be unbearable and unthinkable for me. You are stronger than I am."
I reply while still crying, "Says the one who kept a straight face when you were burdened so heavily by your people's situation. You are stronger than I am in that regard. Just because I look strong on the outside doesn't mean I am that strong on the inside." Vi responds in a reassuring tone and gently squeezes my hand, "You are also strong. I have seen your strength when confronting my mother the day after she did terrible things to you. I heard that you were also very brave and de-escalated a situation where my mother held icicles to your throat. Stirling told me everything. I was literally going to ask her if we could possibly tell you about the royal magical lake, but I didn't realise you already knew about it from Ash. I forgot he called that forest out there his home. OBVIOUSLY, he would know about the lake and its magical properties. I feel so comfortable with him being here that I simply forgot. To the point where I don't think I could ever enter this room when you are gone and not think of Ash."
Ash, blushing, yells affectionately to the princess, "Awww thanks, princess! I feel really comfortable around you, too!" Like the little cutie he is. I giggle and relay what he said to Vi. She giggles and says, "You are so welcome, my little cuddle bug." As she says this, he comes down from his perch and cuddles Vi. He is SO FUCKING CUTE! AHHHH! I could just eat him up right now. He is so cute. I do a little happy wiggle in response to his cuteness, "Ash, you are so fucking cute." I say as I reach over to scratch him with my free hand since my other hand is still holding Vi. Vi responds, looking away from Ash and into my eyes, "So are you." Ash nods in agreement, "I think you are, too." I reply dramatically, pretending I was shot, "OOOF! Now I am getting double-teamed." I say as I laugh. It is now that I finally realise I am not crying anymore, and I don't remember when I stopped. Vi lets go of my hand and reaches up to pet him, "Ash and I are on the same team. I like it." She giggles, "Our team name can be Vash!"
I start giggling now, "That reminds me of Vash the Stampede. An outlaw from my first life from a television show called Tri-." I stopped talking and giggling immediately. The goddess put a mute spell on me at my request for anything I didn't want to share, and it activates here. Upon realising I almost said the word "gun" in this world. I do not want anyone in this world to even know something like that exists or could exist. I continued, "I can't say anymore. Sorry, I almost got too comfortable and almost shared too much. Sorry." I smack my head with my palm gently, "Not to say I don't trust you two. I trust you a lot, actually. It is just that I was brought to this world for peace, and some of the knowledge I have can bring calamity instead. If anyone knew you knew of something so powerful, they would probably torture you to find out what you know. Forget I said anything, actually. Sorry, I just ruined the cute mood." I say dejectedly.
Vi says with a warm expression, "We want your future. For your information, you didn't ruin anything. In fact, I don't quite remember what you said after you were getting double-teamed," she says with a wink and Ash giggles and says, "Remember what?" Vi continues smiling that elegantly warm smile of hers, "You are still cute, Zoe." Ash nods in agreement while soaking in pets from both of us. I lean over and kiss Vi and Ash, "I am lucky to have you two. Without your support, I do not think I would have ever awakened my magic. I owe my magical awakening to the two of you. I also would be terrified and alone without you two, I know for a fact, and you, Ash," I turn to him and continue petting him, " You set my heart at ease immediately. You quite literally melted my fear away just by being my friend and just being here. You guys are my family in this world, and I would be lost without you." I shed a few tears at the thought. Vi reaches over and wipes them away, and Ash runs over and gives me the biggest hug on my face. Vi gets up, puts her glass down, comes back to bed, and we all cuddle before going to sleep.