Refusing My God’s Advances

Once outside of the bathhouse, I walked across the road and leaned on the side of the building. That strength was unreal! And that wasn't even Mary's full power! I could tell for some reason! 

It was the equivalent of someone giving you a playful punch with barely any weight, but enough to make a grown man go, "Oof!" to me, a baby. I had no clue why I knew this, or why I had such degrading views of our power gap.

I was a single drop to a lake, and that damn bayou just forced me to be her student! I mean, I was grateful, but I was pretty sure she took pleasure in it. Not only that, but I felt like the reason I got punched was because I touched Aria. I really couldn't think of any other reason to hit me. 

It could possibly have something to do with why Aria seemed so sheltered. Maybe the two were from the same place. I was starting to feel like I would need to have a few more questions with Mary before fully deciding. Something told me the two were involved, and so was trouble.

Letting out a sigh, I stood up straight, feeling fully healed. That was one nice thing about my new body. Even after getting hit by that dump truck of a punch, I was healed like nothing happened in less than ten minutes.

After a quick stretch, I walked into the tailor's shop and spotted the girls right away. I turned back to close the door, but barely turned around in time to catch a completely different-looking Lyra who had shot at me like a speeding bullet. She had an infectious smile plastered on her face.

"Do you mind trying not to kill me? I have tried it, and I am not rather fond of it," I growled, and she giggled as I set her down, and Shelli made it over.

The Angel-kin looked as beautiful as she did when I first met her this morning, but now she had on a loose-fitting white dress with an open back for her wings. It looked really nice with her royal purple hair.

I squatted down to look over my little demon who also wore a white dress, but hers had a back ribbon over her chest that was testing the dress's limits. It was also a lot tighter on the hips, and the only place that actually seemed to fit perfectly was her waist. Even though she was only 4 foot 4 inches tall (Don't ask, I don't know why I know!) Lyra was all women.

"Like what you see?" Lyra teased, and I nodded, making her blush, and I patted her white hair, before standing up to look Shelli in the eyes, and I froze.

"Have your eyes always looked like this?" I asked as I stared into what fell like oblivion.

"That is the result of the cursed mark. You probably only just noticed her eyes for the first time," Lyra explained to Shelli, then asked, "I am also betting you don't know what color my eyes are either, right?" 

I frowned without looking down and nodded. Lyra was right.

I looked down, and my eyes seemed to unconsciously go everywhere but Lyra's. It was the strangest thing, but when I got closer, I was finally able to see the two bottomless voids.

"You are the first person besides probably either of our masters who has actually looked into our eyes. I can't speak for the angel, but this is an amazing first for me!" Lyra giggled with a warm smile that spread to my face, even though I burned inside.

"I guess that means I have a special connection with both of you," I said, smiling back at Lyra and then turning my attention to Shelli. "And Shelli, your eyes are unique and beautiful. someone may have stolen the light from your eye, but I will get it back."

Shelli blushed and looked down, clearly not used to receiving compliments. It was interesting to see these two demons, each with their own distinct personalities and quirks. I was glad that they were becoming more comfortable around me.

"You winced a little bit when you caught me. Did you get into a fight while you were out?" Lyra suddenly asked and I looked down at her confused. 

I didn't think I had flinched, but maybe my senses were still dull from getting gut-punched?

Then, like she read my mind, Lyra spoke up. "That Five Tails hit you, didn't she? Did you touch the princess?" 

Wait! That was way more than what was in my mind!

"What do you mean princess? Aria?" I asked My brain rapidly connecting the dots.

"That healer girl is the vessel for the Five-Tailed Fox spirit. Spirits are things that we mortal non-human races aspire to. Mariella was the daughter of the leader of the Demon Fox Clan of the East long ago. She gained enough favor among all races to ascend to spirit form, but willingly chose to link herself to her best friend, a human woman, during a war between two human factions that were split across Garlandia," Lyra explained, and Shelli nodded along.

"Wait, how do you both know this?" I asked.

"We were both there, 100 years ago. Both of our kind are long-living races, and we were both on the same side. The side that lost. Because we lost, and most of the demons sided with the South and East, history wrote that we were evil, and people like the Dark Sorcerer still force us to this day to pretend to attack humans. Unlike Shelli, I don't have the restrictions that could end my life if I talk about it, but you will fix that," Lyra continued, and I sighed. 

This world was a mess, and I knew who must be to blame. 

Garland.

Suddenly, the world started to fade, and my legs gave out. The last thing I heard was the girls screaming my name as I fell to the ground like a rag doll.