It takes but only a few moments for all the golden particles of light to swirl around their respective victors, yet even those brief heartbeats leave my mouth hanging and a question on the tip of my lips. Is... is that it? All of the bullshit craziness I usually have to contend with or worry about when trying to get stronger, and they don't even face a rainbow colored - yet polite - jackass oozing power? What the fuck?!
'Honey, it's supremely unfair to try and compare the tribulations that you have with ones that others do, even for the half-step. Plus, we know that this Heaven is a bit... different. Whoever created it seems to be perfectly fine with people getting an easy ride to the peak of mortal power, only to strike them down when they attempt to go break those bonds and ascend to Immortality.' I hear whisper gently inside my mind, a smaller hand coming to intertwine fingers with mine in reassurance.
I... I get that, but still. Seeing the difference before my eyes is vastly different than us sitting around a table talking about it. Its... I pause as a small tear threatens to poke its way past my eye, It's not fair.
'No. It's not.' Is all she replies after shifting in her spot on our laps to give me a soft, lingering kiss on the cheek.
By the time the small words of remorseful agreement are passed, the girls all stand and begin to inspect themselves over. Likely sensing and feeling the difference in power from what they had not but an hour ago while I do my best to reign in the somewhat childish hurt from before.
I should be happy that things aren't as hard for them as it is for me. And I am. But a part of me also is jealous about it all the same.
A mental sigh turns to verbal as I hang my head down and stare at Ios' hand wrapped in mine. Maybe... Maybe I should talk to them about this. If they haven't felt it already...
Whatever internal and external survey they wanted to perform complete, I distantly hear the three combined footfalls approaching our spot on the rim of the arena. Raising my head back up, I give them a smile with as much genuine energy as I can muster. Though it fails to widen to my ears.
"G-good job you guys~. Y'all really knocked it out of the park~." I call out to congratulate again with as much sincerity as I'm able. Each of them giving sheepish looks as they take in my subdued tone and smile.
Akiko's voice fills the space before the awkwardness does, her own tone soft yet compassionate like usual, "There is no need to hide your true thoughts, my love. All of us here can sense your discomfort, though you are getting more proficient in shielding your emotions. You are displeased that they faced an 'easy' trial for their ascension to the peak of the 5th Rank." She pauses as the girls finally come to within arm's reach, all of them looking just as surprised at their own sudden success which... does help some.
"To be frank, I am also quite shocked by their strength. Though I imagine that is not the part that is upsetting to you, dear." She tags on at the end of the break before squeezing me into her side and kissing the top of my head softly.
I nod a bit, shoulders slumping slightly even though it feels silly to be envious of them. "It's just... all of my tribulations this far have been scary. Wild. Even though the 3rd one was... peculiar, the lead up to all of that prismatic lightning was terrifying. Seeing such a... different response to reaching the peak kind of made me, well. Jealous. Even if I feel stupid about even thinking or feeling that way."
I chose my words carefully just in case the sky above took it as some form of challenge or some dumb ass thing like that. Thankfully by the end of the admission the starry and ringed night sky remains clear. Much unlike the mix of emotive faces that look to me in reply.
"I will admit..." Jun Li begins just as carefully, "That I was also quite stunned by the results. I was prepared for it to be a much longer and drawn-out affair, like my challenges usually are due to my lack of direct combat strength against constructs and the immaterial. So believe me when I say, this is abnormal for myself as well, my darling."
"Likewise, I am also shocked. While not as unfair of a pairing as Jun Li and Heavenly energy, my combat forms and techniques mostly rely on defense and calculated strikes, as well as area of effects. My tribulations are usually quite grueling as it is difficult to win a battle of attrition with such a foe." Sam says almost in thought as she holds her chin in one of her hands.
Gerra looks around to all of us, pink tail swishing happily behind her. "I don't know what y'all are talkin' about~! That was a blast~!Nothing more satisfying than hearing that glorious sound of my maul smacking down an opponent in my opinion~!"
Nearly the entire group sends her a deadpan look. Only a single peal of giggling laughter to be heard amongst the six of us, and it is slipping from my lips easily. After a few moments, all I can do is shake my head to rid myself of both the sudden mirth and the lingering heaviness of the situation.
"See, this is why I love you Gerra. You always know just what to say~." I jokingly tease up to the happily beaming catkin, her tail now whipping back and forth like a muscular whip as her canine's poke through her smile.
The rest of them finally have their own little breathes of laughter before Jun Li walks over and wraps my hand in one of her midnight dark tails. "You feel steadier, my love, but I just want to be sure. You are not... upset at us?"
I give her a kind look, leaning down to brush my lips against her obsidian fluff before meeting her eyes once more. "I was never upset at you, any of you. It was more like... frustration about my - and this world's - circumstances. I would never be jealous of you guys getting stronger, and I'm beyond happy that you all succeeded of course."
For some reason, Ios gains a devilish little smirk after looking around and seeing the still concerned faces of the newly bonded women. "You know..." She says in a sickeningly sweet visage of her usual high-pitched tone, "If all of you are still feeling like you need to reassure little Aims here, there is one thing you could do to make sure she goes back to her happy, cheery self~."
Questioning eyes all turn toward the smaller woman as a knot of worry begins to slink into my stomach. Those mischievous green eyes look around one more time before landing on me, her tongue darting out to lick her lips provocatively, "All of you need to solidify and perfect your new foundations and energy flows~. And I happen to remember a certain red-haired beauty proudly stating she has just the perfect skill for such a task~."
My eyes go wide as I look up to see energy crystals ding above all of their heads, their looks gaining that same predatory feel that Ios just flared at me. With survival instincts screaming that I won't make it out of this in one piece, I go to dart away even if I know the action is futile. Sadly, I'm proven right as I don't even flinch from my spot, rooted in place by the squeeze of ten tails. Six white, three black, one pink.
"Ara~. Don't be so eager to leave, my love~. I believe spirit Ios' words warrant some... exploration, would you not agree~?" Akiko sultrily breathes into my ear, her husky voice making my spine shiver and my hear thump inside its cage.
"N-now look, I absolutely will h-help but w-wouldn't all of you like a chance to test things out? O-or... Right!! W-we don't want to get all messy here on this cold h-hard ground! Let's go back to the estate at least!" I beg and plead, and surprisingly they look like they consider my words for a moment. Alas, only for a moment.
"To see that you think of me so ill prepared, my love~." Akiko says as she nips my neck a couple times, an involuntary moan spilling out of my trembling mouth. "It wounds me~. I must rectify such a flappable notion here and now~."
With her hand outstretched, a near carbon copy of the big bed in the pleasure dungeon materializes onto the flat space of the arena. The only difference being it holding four wooden posts etched and inscribed with concealing glyphs and symbols and long paper talismans showing the same draping from the top of those posts to the stone floor. One single glance is all it takes to confirm that perhaps not even Heaven would be able to see or sense what happens on that mattress.
"I believe it is time for all of us to thoroughly refine ourselves before we venture towards the forest~. A most critical matter that should be seen to post haste~." Akiko continues on with the air of authority dripping in lust to which everyone present seriously nods in agreement to.
With a soft plop, I'm deposited onto the center of the mattress as each of them begin powering the talismans and runes. A faint, opaque bubble quickly surrounding us before they all turn to me with smiles that tease at both the upcoming heaven and hell.
A large lump of desire struggles to slither back down my throat as my legs slightly close and rub together, arms pulling me backward against the headboard as all of their clothes dematerialize into their rings. Or softly land on the ground, in Ios' case.
Despite the fact that my tummy is already pooling with warmth, I give them a desperate smile and beg one last time in an attempt to keep my mind whole, "C-cant we talk about this first?"
The mattress is as silent as they're responses as they slink and slither on it towards me, my body suddenly and completely entangled in limbs, tails, and stroking nails.
Akiko leans up past the looming faces of the others, a genuine caring smile gracing her lips that brings a spark of hope to my heart like a ship lost in a storm spotting a lighthouse. Right up until she cheerily replies to the previous question. "No~."
Any further pleas are quickly turned to moans as the silver light from above shines down its splendor.
Many centuries later, dual cultivation sects would often wage wars in attempts to wrest control of this spot from whatever power happened to lay ownership to it. The reason given was always the same, that it felt like a battle between divinities of lust and desire waged erotic war unto themselves and forever marked this holy site. Needless to say, the mountain top itself had become a natural treasure for those who used such carnal arts.
My thoroughly noodle limp, dazed, and drained body had been carried like a battlefield prize back to the estate and into bed where I promptly passed out until the sun once more barely rises across the horizon. Bleary eyes blinking uncoordinatedly until my sleepy vision sharpened like normal. With a loud, stretching yawn that seemed to be bumping into all kinds of soft obstacles, my legs stretched until shaking regardless.
I roll over with a contented smile after the feline like exertion, burying my face into the earthy and floral smelling pillow that felt better than any memory foam equivalent back on Earth. I drape my arms over whatever I'm lying against, the silky soft feel sending tingles down my spine that shake my legs unbiddenly before my palm rests on a soft yet firm and greppable cushion.
For some reason, a silly smile begins to slip on my face as I squeeze whatever I'm holding only then for said pillow to give a raspy, husky moan. I pause. Then squeeze one more time to make sure my still sleepy brain isn't halfway toward a wet dream only for another moan to follow the action.
With creaking and stuttering movements, I extricate my head from its resting place to be met with the lust filled red eyes of a certain black furred kitsune, a sheepish smile meeting her more predatory one in return. "G-good morning, Miss J."
"Good morning to you..." She all put purrs out before leaning over to whisper into my ear, "Miss Amelia~."
Despite the events of last night, I nearly become drowned in arousal at just her words. To say nothing of how her chest presses against my face as she holds my head to her breasts. Or the thick thigh that somehow slithers between mine so effortlessly.
It's then that another voice speaks up from behind me, dripping in just as much pink venom as the wonderful temptress who holds me. "Hoo~? Seems the little bird is ready to go again if my nose is correct~."
I shift as much as I can, Jun Li's hand holding my head firmly against her more than generous chest like she doesn't want to let go. It is enough still to see the playful smirk of Gerra as she props her head on her crooked arm, tail swishing lazily yet with purpose behind her equally as naked body.
"G-good morning to you too, Gerra." I manage to squeak out as her free hand begins to trace along the curve of my ribs and waist before cupping my rear.
"That it is when I wake up with such beautiful women like yourselves in the same bed as little ol' me~." She replies with a cheeky tone while she squeezes the cheek in her hand, a similar reaction to what Jun Li had when I had done the same to her now occurring from me.
About this time, the door to the pleasure room - which I only now belatedly realize we are in - opens up to reveal Akiko who takes one look at the little act on display before she shakes her head with a soft laugh.
"While I am glad that you three are spending more time together, I am afraid we are lacking for it at the moment. The sun has already risen enough as it is, and if you three wear yourselves out again, we will surely lose the day. Come, join Samantha, spirit Ios, and I for a bath and then we will depart for the Cerulean Forest."
I give her a questioning look at the phrasing, only for memories of what they did to me last night to roar back to the surface. Well, and what I did to them~. Specifically, these two~. At a certain point, Akiko, Sam, and Ios just kind of took a back seat while the three of us vied for control and pleasure until I was finally defeated by a joint assault.
An awkward cough echoes around the stone as my face heats up to an almost unbearable degree, both from the spicy memories and the lewd position she walked in on as I reply, "*Cough* T-thanks, we'll head right over. Promise. Love you."
"And I you, my love~. Don't tarry too long, the sooner we depart the sooner we will arrive. If we are lucky, we may yet arrive before anyone else ventures from whatever campsites or bases they have established." She says with a wink before closing the door and sauntering off.
Gerra, who has a small pout at not getting to go for another round right away, gives a dramatic sigh before leaning over to give me a surprisingly soft kiss on the lips. Which also makes her head nuzzle into Jun Li's breast, making her giggle from the furry ears no doubt tickling her sensitive skin.
"Guess we shouldn't be the reason we're all late to the party. But you owe me another round now, little bird~." The catkin says with a smirk as she leans back.
Before I can reply, Jun Li squeezes me even further into her soft body and tacks on to the declaration, "I-I as well am due another round since we were interrupted. It is only fair."
I can't help but smile like a dork at their obvious attempts, and how I was also thinking of offering the same thing anyway~. "Well, not like we have to schedule it or something. I'm always more than happy to have a good time with either of you~. Though both at the same time is kind of mean since I can't fight back as much."
I regret the words as soon as I state them, that familiar knot of worry signaling I have done something that cannot be undone.
As if to confirm my intuitions, Gerra looks up towards Miss J who meets her eyes in return.
"Both then?" The southern drawl questions.
"Both." The watery one replies with conviction.
They each look back to me and then state with utmost seriousness, "We'll take our repayment at the same time, in that case~."
I groan slightly as my big mouth just punched a heavenly, sensual ticket that future me is now going to have to cash out... Oh well, future me's problem, not mine~. And not like it's really a problem at all~.
Still, its part of the little game we play~, so I give an equally dramatic sigh before accepting my inevitable defeat. "*Ugh~*Woe is me~. Well, guess I'll just ask you to be gentle in your upcoming victory~. But we really do need to go get cleaned up, we straight up reek of sex right now."
That finally spurs them to action - even though they giggle at my obvious statement - and we soon find ourselves washing each other off while the waiting other trio watch us with amused smiles. Joining them in the steaming herbal water after we're all squeaky clean, Akiko allows us a few minutes to luxuriate in the pleasant sensations before speaking out.
"Now that we are all gathered, I wish to finalize what we should do regarding the - rather certain - possibility of having to parley with other cultivators in the forest."
Everyone who was resting leans back up to a more attentive posture, Akiko turning to me to which I nod my head to give her assent to continue.
Keeping her eyes locked to mine, she continues on with a solemn tone, "Your interactions with cultivators at large have been few and far between until now, Amelia, so I merely say this to preface the next course of action I wish for us to take. While Mara is a relatively peaceful world, the greed and lust for power of others is not something that can ever truly be extinguished.
Those that are likely frolicking at the site of your arrival are after such things. Power. Resources. Wealth. Opportunity. And by usual customs, they are correct in doing so as long as they can back up their claims to the location with force if threat fails. I will let you know now, threats will fail on us. Each of us, including yourself, can not only overpower any half-steps they may hold in their ranks, but we also have the truest and most urgent claim to the location by both merit and need."
She pauses, searching my eyes for a second before exhaling a breath and resting a hand on my shoulder. "When it comes to blows - because I have no doubts in my heart or mind that it will - I want you to be the one to face them. After dialog breaks down, I will present you as our champion to the no doubt foolish challenge they will issue. Do not reveal any of your strength before they have selected their combatant. As soon as that person is decided, however, I want you to unleash everything. And I mean everything, my love."
Sweat begins to gather on my brow, and its not because of the naturally humid and hot climate of the bath. "A-Akiko, I can't hold my Intent Domain up that long. Maybe two or three minutes at most, even with all my recovery skills and stuff active. W-what if I pass out mid fight like I did with you? I don't want to spend points to constantly pop stamina pills right before Sandra comes back."
She gives me a little smile as her other hand comes to cup my cheek. "My love, the number of people who can contest you in that form for more than a few seconds are sitting here in this bath with you. Truthfully, if you were fresh and used that Intent Domain at the beginning of our fight, I don't know if even I could have given challenge until you succumbed.
Trust me when I say that it likely will not even come to physical blows after you unleash that terrifying power. Cultivators are sometimes idiotic, but rarely suicidal unless given proper reason or spurred on by misinformation. They will choose to flee rather than face someone who can kill them with a flick of a finger."
I mull her words over, pressing my cheek into her hand as my head hangs down in thought before Ios speaks up from a couple feet away. "Are we sure we even want to let them leave? Won't they report back on some new monster of a powerhouse and the unjustness of how they were bullied out of their 'rightful claim'? And yes sweetie~, you are a monster. Better to just start accepting that that is how the vast majority of people are going to see you now."
I huff as she answers the unspoken reaction to her words but agree with them all the same. Akiko shakes her head before answering back to Ios, "There are benefits and detriments to both options truth be told. If we let them leave, though, it undermines their claims and softens the reveal of Amelia's power which buys us time. They will be too terrified to linger and observe whatever ritual is required to return Sandra, and their superiors will merely be suspicious instead of seeking us out for the compensation of their fallen sect members."
A chuckle from across the way belonging to a pink haired woman doing the most adorable doggy paddle through the deeper parts of the water sounds out. "Assuming they actually will turn tail and run. Soon as the little bird shows off her wings, those seniors could just as likely accuse us of bullying their juniors and spitting on the 'honor of the challenge' or some other shite. Way I see it, it'll still come to blows regardless of what we do."
Samantha sighs from my other side, her fingers having been playing with my hair this whole while. "You always think it is going to turn it to a fight, kitten. I agree with Mistress, especially since I'm the only one aside from her that has actually fought Amelia. If you could even call it that. Senior or not, they all will see that resistance is futile."
My eyes wander over to Jun Li since it seems like we're at the round table portion of the discussion, her red eyes contemplative before she perks up and realizes I'm staring at her with a small blush, "I concur with Gerra. If we follow your plan, Madam, then they will cry foul and things will likely escalate. Amelia's overbearing power or not. They will likely invoke their sect's names and the like to try and push us off..."
She takes a breath before steeling her eyes somewhat, that beautiful red gaining an edge. "After ruminating on it since we decided to use the forest for this rite, I feel disposing of them if they fail to leave on their own is the better path. Though that task should fall to us and not dear Amelia."
"I agree." Akiko simply states with a nod of her head, making me give her a confused look. She chuckles before saying, "Despite the further trouble it would cause and the plan I put forward, it would honestly be the better option for our current goals to simply eliminate anyone present. And it would also give you combat experience, which you are sorely lacking at the moment.
I posited the plan I did because I know killing is not something you are inherently at ease with at this moment of your life. I will leave the choice to you, my love. For now, let us approach without the intention to kill and try to dissuade them through dialog."
I can only nod my head, a sudden and heavy blanket of burden laying atop my shoulders that seems to sour the mood ever so slightly. Regardless, we all hop out of the bath with resolve filtering between bonds and a certainty weighing in my chest. If anyone gets in the way of me reuniting with Sandra, then I willslaughter them. Regardless of how much I might hate it afterwards.
Donning the battle dress and the metallic bands, I give Ios a goodbye kiss to Ios since she's opting to stay here and watch over the estate.
"You sure you don't want to come?" I ask as I hold her hand and give it a squeeze. She merely giggles and shakes her head side to side.
"I'll still be with you, silly. I just don't want this body to get in the way or get dinged up~." A more stoic set on her face slides into place as she squeezes my hand back. "Whatever happens, we all love you. Do whatever you need to do to bring our sisters back, no regrets."
I smile, her words similar to my own thoughts as I lean down and kiss her. "No regrets. I'll try. Be safe, we'll be back soon~. Love you."
"Love you too, sweetheart~. Give 'em hell~."
I meet up with the others just past the entrance to the estate, Torii arch looming large above us. Akiko opens her arms invitingly and I hop up without hesitation, a small round of affectionate giggles making its way around the group before all of their feet lift off the ground and begin arcing towards the forest that brought me here.
Hold on Sandra. You're almost back.