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Chapter 99 - Going Home
🕑 Added 2018-06-06 15:38:35 +0000 UTC "[It's the ocean!]" I stand at the edge of the harbor and call out towards the sea stretching out endlessly in front of me. We've been inland for a while now, and it's always refreshing to see the wide open blue.Some passersby laugh and whisper at my behavior, but I don't care. Our colorful group is already causing people to stare at us with a mix of curiosity and derision. Especially Korenga's tall frame and Aurelia's golden skin are drawing attention. Of course, she put on clothes - albeit dazzling golden ones - when we entered the city since it would have caused even more of a commotion. The news of Kairaki's fall hasn't reached here yet, and obviously neither has the information about the appearances of those responsible for it. Otherwise, they would either swarm the heroes or run away from the usurpers that we are.
But as expected, this is a pretty big port city, so the water around here is quite dirty and smells bad. Must be because the sewers are directly connected to the river, which is the same as the one capital is built next to - the Maheranui. It's already carrying all the filth from the villages and cities from upstream, and with its slow flowing speed, it tends to gather around.
Such a place is going to be the location for our farewell?
"[Let's go to have a meal.]" I turn to my companions and suggest this. When I think about it, we left Mereana without saying a word. She has many important things to worry about now, so I think it was the right decision to slip out quietly; can't have her show weakness of emotions in front of her new subjects. But with Awhina and my children, I'll make sure to take my time to have a heartfelt farewell party.
To that end, I follow my nose and search for the best-smelling tavern in the city. I can spend as much money as I want here since I won't be coming back to this nation for a while after this. And carrying a large number of coins around will only ensure that I'll either have to jettison it from my body because of some unforeseen circumstances, or lose it in some way. I'll give the rest to Awhina, in case she decides to make a stop in a port city and needs to find a place for the night - I'm sure my children won't need it since nature provides plenty for a Crawling Chaos.
Thus, I find a spacious and comfortable tavern I deem acceptable for the occasion. I remember our time in Anutawa and the big lunch we had together. Back then, Mereana was still around, but our number hasn't changed; Aurelia is with us this time.
I'm actually looking forward to seeing her eat. Since her body is made of gold, and I know from our time on the moon that she has no metabolism, I don't think she can eat at all. Where would it all go?
Of course, she doesn't eat. Why did I think she would? Throughout our meal, Aurelia has been watching me with a smile. But it wasn't a love-struck expression or anything like that; she's gauging my table manners. The only time I ever ate in her presence before was when Juzual gave me that huge whale-like creature on the moon. Back then, I just swallowed it whole, so there wasn't much to observe.
Luckily, I seem to get a passing grade; when our eyes meet, she doesn't look disappointed. Still, that's quite some pressure she's exerting on me, to the point where I'm not really noticing what I'm eating.
The others are making merry, understanding that this is their last meal together for the foreseeable future. Of course, Korenga is the loudest of them all, but my children are learning from her quite readily. I would prefer if they didn't, but they'll be separated soon, and I don't want to be a stick in the mud during such an occasion.
I look at Awhina, who's joining them in her own way. She wears her heart on her sleeve and has never been one to hold back her voice either. It's one of the qualities I've always appreciated in her.
On the other hand, Tokomaha is still sullen because of what happened on the bridge of the Chaos carrier earlier. The only reason she couldn't just lock herself in her room is that I took that room with me when I undid the transformation of the airship. Even then, she knows that all of it is me and I could slip through the walls just like that time right after our battle against Roamukao when I visited her during a very intimate moment.
The situation with her needs to be resolved sooner than later, but for now, I don't want it to put a damper on everybody's mood. At least she isn't refusing to eat and is digging in silently.
"[Alright, let's go to the beach.]" When we're done and leave the restaurant, I turn around to the group and decide. Our talks have returned to the imminent farewell, so I need to steer things in the right direction.
"[Aren't we getting a boat in the port?]" Awhina asks and exchanges a look with the twins. They shrug, not understanding my motivations either. "[Or are you still stalling?]" She's grinning while saying this, thinking that I don't want to get separated from her just yet.
"[It's the long-awaited beach episode!]" I spread my arms and announce in a cheerful tone while ignoring her teasing. Then my shoulders droop, and I smile self-deprecatingly. "[Not.]"
"[Huh?]" Everyone makes in unison, confused about my strange mood swings.
"[We don't need to buy a boat. You two can be boats.]" I point at the twins. "[You need to learn how to use your bodies for all kinds of things, not just straight transformations like the dragon template.]"
"[Ohh! Like you turning into the big balloon?]" Uten comments.
"[Ohh! Even though that form is pretty ugly?]" Saten adds.
"[Yes, just like that. It saves money, and you can practice your transformations.]" I put my knuckles to Saten's head and grind them into his temples while replying casually.
"[It's the beach!]" I spread my arms and call out towards the sea once again. In this world - or at least this nation - there is no concept of sunbathing and swimming in the ocean as a leisure activity, so the beach is empty. The sand is a beautiful white, similar to the one at Aoranam, and the water is much clearer than the stuff that flows through the harbor.
Nobody shares my enthusiasm, and this is the second time I've made this gag within a short period of time, so it doesn't even draw any confusion either. Awhina and the twins do look happier than they did at the port though, seeing a beach that reminds them of home. They take off their sandals and start walking barefoot, feeling the sand between their toes.
I guess they want to go by sea because they're feeling nostalgic about sailing on the waves.
I'm going to teach Uten and Saten how to transform into boats, and preferably a self-propelled one. It only requires some simple magic - or whatever the power I've been using really is. I've taught them the wind burst spell on our way across the Nukumania plains, although they haven't been able to master it to the point where they can emulate the Chaos warhead mode. Still, it should be enough for this purpose.
"[Alright, follow my example.]" I wade into the waves and go in until they reach up to my thighs. My legs expand and grow into a pair of hollow buoys which merge at the center and turn into a boat-like form. Basically, I'm a human upper body attached to a jet-ski.
"[That looks pretty lame.]" The twins comment in unison and frown at me, obviously having no intention of copying me. Those little...
"[Alright, how about this.]" With this, I shape the jet-ski into a traditional boat, create a single mast, and form a sail. Then my body rises out of the planks and turns into a complete human once again - albeit attached to the boat through the feet. It looks like one of those canoes used by the fishermen of their home villages, so their happy reactions are quite understandable.
"[That's more like it!]" They look excited. "[Teach us how to do that.]"
"[Well... in this form the journey will take longer.]" I cross my arms and voice my concern. It's their time they'd be wasting going with a traditional vessel rather than one that can move like a jet-ski, but from their expressions, I can tell that they don't mind. Awhina clearly doesn't mind either.
"[I did it!]" Saten is the first to grasp the concept of transforming in a way that makes it feel like it will turn into something outside the body.
I first practiced this when I was on my way to the moon, by creating a life-sized version of myself inside the mind-bending depths of my other-dimensional body, to... interact with Aurelia, who was my prisoner at the time. Using the same principle on the Chaos carrier, I expanded my exterior body to turn into the giant airship, while creating a human-sized avatar to interact with the passengers.
It's understandable that it would take the twins some time to understand how it works since it must be a really strange feeling. Unexpectedly, this time it's Saten rather than Uten, who is able to do it first. The latter usually seems to get the hang of transformations faster, but maybe this was something far more out there than simply changing the structure of the body.
Maybe there are more differences between the twins than I thought. I feel melancholy well up when I realize once again that I won't be able to teach them anything else for the foreseeable future.
"[Just wait, I'll get it right away, too!]" Uten, never one to let himself get outdone by his little brother, proclaims with a pout. He's just so cute.
As expected, he only takes a few more tries to achieve the same level of proficiency as Saten, but the latter is standing by with a smug expression. He already got his victory, so he's obviously quite happy. In either case, with this, they can both take on the job of carrying Awhina back home.
So this is it. They'll return to Aoranam and Ototawa, and I most likely won't see them for a long time. I'm sure that my battle against the sorcerers will take a while and I won't have the freedom to just go into Chaos warhead mode to fly across the globe for a quick visit. When things calm down over there, I'll make sure to come here, though.
"[Come to mama.]" When we stand on the beach again, I spread my arms and invite the twins into my embrace. Just like in the pyramid, they quickly take the invitation and jump into my bosom, burying their faces into my chest. As before, I don't really mind and squeeze them to me. But then I hear sobbing.
Uten and Saten are both crying.
Stop it, or I'll have to cry, too! Suppressing my tears, I let go, and we separate again. Their eyes are reddened, and their faces are wet, but they quickly wipe the tears away and try to act tough. I squat down before them and caress their cheeks.
"[Make sure to protect Awhina along the way, you understand?]" I remind them of their important task, to take their thoughts off this farewell. I'm sure the demi-goddess can handle herself, but this way, they won't constantly think about our separation. "[And don't cause too much trouble for Rangi and Ruiha.]"
I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes now, so I have to cut my speech short to pull them in for another hug. But they understand that it's hard for me, too, and let their emotions run wild.
"[We will miss you, mama!]" The twins breathe into my ears between the sobs and tighten the embrace.
"[I know. I'll miss you two, too.]" Finally, I feel a tear roll down my cheek as well.
When we separate, I ruffle their hair and stand up to face Awhina. She's been watching silently, making sniffling sounds while trying to suppress tearing up herself. I walk up to her and am once again reminded of our pretty large height difference.
In the end, our relationship never went further than close friends. We discussed it and came to such a decision, despite the obvious fact that we have those feelings buried deep inside our hearts. Maybe next time, when I come again, we'll both see things differently, and then we could try again.
"[Take care of yourself, Awhina.]" I look up to her, and she returns the gaze with her fascinating hazel green eyes.
"[May Areteniha guide you back to my side one day.]" She replies with what I assume is a common phrase in their village, to hope that two people can meet again. Then we both notice at the same time what those words imply and chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
Areteniha is indirectly the one who's going to guide me, and those who're coming with me, across the ocean and back to the Dominion. Using this phrase that incorporates the God of the Sun whom we actually met in person feels strange now. But considering we know that she's real, it makes Awhina's wish seem much more real, too.
Finally, we put our foreheads together and touch the tips of our noses while closing our eyes. It's the farewell gesture that only people in her village use, and I feel honored that I have been wordlessly included with this. When we separate, she opens her eyes and looks deep into mine.
"[I will be waiting for your return as long as I live.]" She says with a smile and tears in the corners of her eyes. If I didn't know better, I would have taken it as a confession. But I know that she thinks her lifespan is far shorter than mine, and that we might not meet again for decades, if not centuries.
"[I won't take that long. I'll come back before you know it.]" I hug her and bury my face between her breasts. At least this much I'm still allowing myself to do. Then I pull away from her and point at the twins. "[Keep an eye on those two, don't let them run too wild.]"
"[You hear that? Your mother tells me that I have the authority.]" Speaking in a half-joking tone directed at my children, Awhina puts an arm around my shoulder and squeezes me. "[I'll make sure they turn into good men during your absence.]"
"[I'm telling you, it won't be that long.]" I laugh. Then I notice Aurelia's dumbfounded expression as she looks at the twins. From their outfits, she must have assumed that they are girls, but she was just told otherwise. I suppress a chuckle at the sight.
"[Greet Rangi and Ruiha from me. Tell them that the wind is watching over the chaos for a while longer.]" Tahiri comes up to Awhina and pets her hair, even though her height difference to the latter is the same as mine. "[I'll come by again for some Oripiaw, so make sure you have a lot stocked at the time.]"
"[I understand, Tahiri.]" With a nod, the demi-goddess replies in an earnest tone. Despite having lived with her for the past year and journeyed across the nation, she still treats the God of Storm with respect. While it's not at the level of treating her as a figure of authority, she can't seem to bring herself to be as casual with her as she is with me.
"[Sounds like the Oripiaw is good over there. I'll come around for a visit, too.]" Korenga speaks with her arms crossed and a determined nod.
"[I'm sure you'll just drink it all up and leave nothing for Tahiri.]" I quip, and she laughs. Everybody joins her, as they get pulled along by her voice
I turn to look at Aurelia, who has been watching everything from a short distance away. She doesn't feel like joining this extended farewell scene; she met them all only a day ago, so there isn't anything she could say.
But on the other side, also apart from the group, stands Tokomaha. She hasn't talked at all since our little argument earlier this morning, although it's clear that she doesn't plan on just leaving. I'm sure she's waiting for me to come to her and make things right, or maybe thinking of a way to do something on her end. In either case, her relationship with these three wasn't anything special, and they've only known each other for a few weeks.
Awhina suddenly walks over to the little goddess, who stares at her in surprise, and starts whispering into her ear. Due to the angle, I can't see the latter's expressions, and the demi-goddess is making sure to keep the volume low enough that I can't hear. I'm sure I could switch the interior of my ears to another template that has enhanced hearing, to eavesdrop on them, but I won't do that. There must be a reason for this secrecy.
When she's done, Awhina returns to our group, and I peek past her just in time to see Tokomaha turning away with reddened cheeks and a troubled expression. I'm sure she just got some advice on how to try and mend our relationship.
"[Oh yeah, I remember you talking about making the whirlwind guide them back home.]" I turn my attention to Tahiri since we're nearing the moment of separation.
"[Hi~]" A female voice makes behind me, and I spin around in shock. Floating over my shoulder is Aratio, the God of Whirlwinds, wearing her completely translucent dress that hides literally nothing, and blinking at me with a mischievous expression.
"Woah!" I jump back in shock, and she giggles, her silver eyes fixated on me.
"[I have to admit, she's a cute one, mama.]" Aratio's shape wavers, and she warps right in front of me, accompanied by a breeze. "[Hey, let's go and have some fun~]"
My heart skips a beat when her face is right in front of mine, an almost manic expression in her eyes while she licks her lips. In a way, I do feel physically attracted to her appearance, and that outgoing personality seems like she could be a really fun person to hang out with. But she's Tahiri's daughter...
"[Stop that. You have something to do first.]" Her mother reprimands her and delivers a chop to her forehead.
"Kyaun!" The God of Whirlwinds makes a cute noise and holds her stinging head.
"[You can join up with us later if you feel like it, but for now you have to guide them back to Aoranam.]" Tahiri points at Awhina and the twins. "[And don't lose interest halfway and leave them out on the sea.]"
"[I know I know~]" She rolls her eyes in the same motion as she twirls her entire body in midair, making it look like her eyes actually stayed in place, Aratio answers in a flippant tone. "[What a shame. See you some other time then, cutie~]"
She waves at me and winks before her body disperses into thin air. Then a breeze passes by me and flips my skirt up. I'm certain she just inspected me down there with this, though I don't really mind since there's nothing to see.
Hmm, she seems quite interesting, now that I got to see a bit more of her. I wouldn't be averse to the idea of her joining our party after finishing her job here, even if only because of her powers. It's totally not because I wouldn't mind having fun with her or anything like that.
"[Let's not drag this out too long.]" Awhina announces, not because she wants to cut our time together short, but because she doesn't want to make it harder for us to separate than it already is.
Uten takes on the first shift of being the boat since he's still peeved that Saten outdid him in the transformation training this time. Pushing his boat part out into deeper waters using his human part while Awhina controls the sail and Saten uses an oar he created from his own body to help, the three set out on their journey back home. When Aratio's wind catches in the sail, they gather together on the small deck and wave at us.
Soon, they disappear in the distance, and the farewells are over. I turn to those who are left; Tahiri, Tokomaha, Korenga, and Aurelia are standing by, waiting for me to announce the continuation of our journey.
"[Aorutihaua!]" I call out towards the sky. Then I remember who I'm dealing with and regret it immediately.
From within the blinding circle in the sky, a drop of light comes down in our direction, but it doesn't radiate as much brightness as Areteniha. What it lacks in luminosity it makes up with speed though, as it doesn't decelerate at all.
I turn into the Chaos warhead, activate my boosters, and sweeping Aurelia and Tokomaha off their feet, quickly putting distance between where I just stood earlier. Tahiri and Korenga can take care of themselves, so I don't try to pull them away. It turns out, I did it just in time, as a split second later the sound of a huge explosion rings out from behind me.
A wall of dust and fog is thrown into the air, but the God of Storm graciously blows it away quickly when she manifests her body again in the same place she kept standing in until the impact. Where I stood only moments ago is a large crater, and the sand has been turned to glass. Korenga has been swept off her feet and is stuck head-first in a dune, though she's obviously unharmed.
"[You called?]" The Child of the Sun stands in the center of the crater, wearing their trademark helmet and the Golden Shawl around their shoulders, speaking as if their entry was perfectly normal.
"[Next time, how about slowing down?]" I put down Aurelia and Tokomaha and snap at them, knowing that it's pointless to argue. Tahiri told me that Aorutihaua is also known as the God of Meteors. Meteors are also called shooting stars, which resemble tiny and quickly moving suns. In either case, I'd rather they didn't simulate a small scale extinction event right onto where I stand.
"[Ehhh...]" With a disinterested tone they turn away and put their arms on their hips.
"[Oh well... Do you know the way now?]" I change the subject and ask. Areteniha knows the world's geography well and even understands the politics of the various nations; she apparently likes to watch the world from her home somewhere near or even on the sun. But her child is mostly living on the planet and never paid much attention to the world of man before their shawl disappeared, so she had to teach them the way.
"[Yes. Follow me when you're ready.]" They turn around, the glowing eyes under the full helm directed at me.
I look at Korenga, who has unburied herself from the sand. Tahiri is floating on a small cloud with her usual aloof expression. Aurelia is standing next to me, giving me a neutral glance. Tokomaha, having been saved from suffering the same fate as the Black God by me just now, is finding something in a direction opposite of me very interesting.
Well, everybody is ready.
"[Let's go.]" I state and begin to transform into the Chaos carrier again. Finally, I'm going home.
