Xavier and Mina returned with the couple and were surprised to see Sora and Brie hugging and wiping away tears. They knew not to ask but caused them concern.
"Welcome back. Hello Faye, it's nice to see you again. Aegir, it's a pleasure to meet you. Faye do you think you could do my hair again? It looked so beautiful at the wedding!"
"Of course Brie! Looks like Sora needs a haircut too. We are happy to join you. You'll have us Sora?"
"Absolutely. Can you teleport in and out of your barrier?"
"Yes I can, why do you ask? Aegir cannot. Only Fangs can."
"Would our party seal allow us to follow you if I set very specific conditions that your parents approve of to allow gods to come and go as they please?"
"Yes. Dad, that would work, correct?"
"Yes."
"System. Please initiate a party seal with Faye Fang. Use the conditions of Sasha Valencia but add that her Fang bloodline magic can be shared with Brie, Celeste and myself. Also add a condition we can teleport to her directly inside MeadowSong."
[Seal accepted and permissions granted. New party member. Original Elf: Faye Fang]
'Original? Like an Original vampire? I'll have to talk to her about that later. There's too much to do.'
"System please set a party seal with Aegir Thorne with the same conditions as Sasha Valencia."
[Seal accepted. New party member: Noble Elf: Aegir Thorn. You have 16 party members.]
'I think it's time I meet with Athena.'
Faye and Aegir both lit up with excitement. Everyone said their goodbyes. Brie made sure to grab a large amount of food capsules for Bishop. Thankfully, Sora stocked up over 50,000 in his dimensional void.
*****
During their dungeon clears, Rissa asked Sasha about growing up as a vampire and what it meant when she turned 18.
"You know this is when you are able to put your name forward to be officially adopted into one of the original families. Are you considering applying for one?"
"Well, I was hoping your parents would adopt me. If your Father bites me I'll gain the Valencia family powers and I thought being a succubus would help my chances."
"You know you can just ask me directly. How does Julius feel about it?"
"He doesn't know. Yes, would you please talk to your parents for me? I turn 18 on April 1st and was hoping to maybe become your sister?"
Sasha smiled. She remembered suggesting that Sora let the young ones into the party and it made her happy someone considered her a sister.
"My father will do anything for me but you have to promise me you know the risks of what you're about to do."
"Yes. I'm aware there's a chance I die. I'm not afraid of death."
"Talk to Julius first. If he isn't ok with it, I think you should maybe hear him out."
"Ok I will, thank you so much!"
*****
"I can't believe the D team beat us 5-3! Ugh! We were so close! Nice job everyone we did great," Lucious congratulated his team.
"An honorable match!" Levi said while hugging Lucious. "Your team did great but ours was slightly better!"
"I just think it's weird that Sora and Brie physically have been away for days but it's been a full day and night of dungeon clearing for us. I wonder when they'll be back?" Julius asked calmly.
"It's like each of us wearing a unique mask every time we do something different. One day we're Sora's party members, we're guests to elves, we're guests of vampires, and we're in battle. It's a lot." Luna admitted.
"Hey Julius, can I talk to you about something?" Rissa asked nervously.
"Sure."
The others gave them privacy but Sasha hid within earshot. She tried picking up some of the conversation, but couldn't hear any anger or fighting.
'Hm. Maybe Julius is supporting her?'
The two walked by and Sasha tried to hide but Julius laughed.
"Sasha, we know you've been there since we started talking."
"Sorry!"
"It's totally fine. I trust you and your family. It's ultimately her choice. So if you could ask your parents—"
"She's gone…" Rissa said with a laugh.
They sat down in the living room and turned on the TV.
"More news about Sora's reign of destruction. At least they're portraying him as a hero. This could have been bad." Rissa admitted.
Sasha teleported sitting on the opposite couch.
"Vampires made sure it stayed positive. Also, April first is the day you become my sister! My mom is going to be the one to do it. Something about it being weird for my dad to turn someone after turning me. It's been like 80 years!"
"Wait, the Valencia's haven't selected anyone since you?" Rissa asked excitedly.
"Nope. So consider this an honor. Just be calm and have positive thoughts and fight through the urges and pain."
Julius gave Rissa a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "you got this."
*****
Meanwhile, Sora linked with Faye, who masked them and teleported them to Sora's mansion. The party sat lounging around, talking and laughing.
"We missed the lovebirds!" Sasha screamed as she ran and gave Brie a hug.
"Woah. I knew we had elves joining us but didn't expect the sudden teleportation. What changed?" Celeste asked in surprise.
"Celeste, I need a moment with you please." Sora asked politely.
"What's up Sora? Why do you look so scared?"
"Scared isn't the right word. Nervous is more accurate. I need to talk to Athena, alone."
"I can arrange that but how else could she talk to with you?"
"Just stress the alone part please."
[Sora, are you trying to talk to the goddess without me? Why didn't you just ask me?]
"Sorry, I didn't even think it was possible and you know all my thoughts!"
[Indeed. You have never thought anything about not having me. I can sense your joy about our companionship. I wish I could feel it.]
"Me too. Let me talk to Celeste and when Athena is there, please let us have alone time."
[Certainly. I will go dormant.]
"Ok Sora what's going on?"
"Nothing, really just make sure it's tonight. It's good to finally be home."
*****
Celeste teleported to Paradise and found Athena alone, staring off into the distance.
"Hello my dear." Athena said calmly.
"Sora would like to speak to you alone. He told me to stress the alone part. I'm confused."
"Ah. So he's discovered what you realized at his first council meeting."
"Oh! Can you block his system from hearing the conversation? Not even Brie knows."
"I can. I will meet him tonight."
'Why does she look nervous? I've never seen our Omnipresent Majesty like this.