The Outlands

“So, um, what’s this going to be like?” Tess asked nervously. “I know you said I’ll be unconscious, but…”

“It’s totally understandable to be nervous.” Amy said reassuringly. “You’re undergoing a huge change, most people would be nervous about that sort of thing.”

Amy patted a padded table in the middle of the room. “Just lay here and I’ll take care of everything. As for how it’ll affect you, it depends on the person, but you’ll probably feel a little off for a day or two after; your soul is adapting to Worship, and unfortunately there’s not much of a way around it.

“Hopefully the fact that you’re an Appointed and are already more accustomed to Worship than the average soul will ease the process, but if you have a headache or feel queasy, I would recommend just resting. It won’t actually help you recover faster or reduce the intensity of the symptoms, since this is a soul issue and not a body issue, but you’ll probably feel more comfortable. Likewise, medicine and healing magic isn’t going to help, but most people say it’s not much worse than having the flu.”

“That’s it?” Tess asked, blinking in surprise.

“Yup. Before we begin, though, do you have any questions about Higher Beings and what it means for you to become one?”

“So…I’ve heard a bit and just sort of want to make sure I’m understanding right, but I’m basically becoming one of the gods, but like…not publicly?”

“Yes and no.” Amy replied. “Gods are, in essence, just Higher Beings with a defined role and place in society, it helps with the efficient gathering of Worship. At a base level, though, the only difference is that you won’t have a Domain.” She held up a hand, forestalling any further comment. “A Domain is an area that I have explicitly put you in charge of. Any Worship-generating activities related to that Domain will go primarily to whatever Higher Beings are in charge of that Domain, with only a bit going to me.

“After a year or two has passed and I’m absolutely sure there are no unexpected side-effects related to Descent, I’m going to revisit Domains with the Appointed. There’s a very good chance I can make it so all Appointed are collectively in charge of the ‘Appointed Domain’ and that’ll help boost your Worship production a bit.

“Other than that, you’re mostly just going to be getting a suite of benefits that come with being a Higher Being; most notably, you’re going to stop aging regardless of your level, you’ll be effectively immune to mental effects that don’t use Worship, and if you die, there is absolutely no chance of you ever being permanently dead. To permanently kill a Higher Being, you have to go through a very specific process, the only way it could happen is if another Higher Being tries to do it to you, and I will notice far before it gets remotely dangerous for you.

“Unfortunately, being a Higher Being does mean that even most resurrection spells that would have worked on you as an Appointed won’t work anymore, I think Life is basically the only one who has something that can do the trick aside from me. But, even if you don't get resurrected with an ability, you’ll revive after you would gather enough Worship via normal means or if someone provides that Worship.

“I don’t foresee it being a problem, though, we haven’t had an Appointed die in centuries, and even if you’re in training you always have Descent to back you up. Really, your daily life shouldn’t see many changes…wait, I’m lying. Just by virtue of being a Higher Being, you’ll find it easier to use system-based abilities on Mael, thanks to your innate Worship.”

Amy frowned. “But you’ve already been using Monster Breeder…no, I suppose that has too much Worship in it to count, even if the individual abilities tied to it don’t. Regardless, you’ll find yourself more powerful on Mael. Anyway, does that answer the questions you had?”

Tess nodded, climbing up onto the table and laying down. “I think so. I’m ready to start whenever.”

“Alright, we’re done.” Amy said, leaning over Tess.

“What?” Tess asked groggily. “But we didn’t even…”

“I put you to sleep the moment you said you were ready.” Amy explained. “How are you feeling?”

Tess sat up, turning her attention to her own body. “Fine?” She said questioningly. “No different than I did before, and I don’t feel sick or anything.”

Amy raised an eyebrow. “Nothing at all?” She asked skeptically.

“If it weren’t for you suddenly being right over me, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you had done anything.” Tess confirmed.

“I suppose that you would be much more accustomed to Worship than most Appointed…well, no use in dwelling on it, you’re definitely a Higher Being now.” Amy said, shrugging. “Your mother is waiting just outside the room, why don’t you go talk to her and let her know you’re okay?”

Tess nodded, hopping off of the table. “Thanks, Amy.”

“Of course.” Amy replied, giving Tess a fond smile.

Tess left the room, and sure enough Fortune was sitting on a chair outside, wearing a worried expression. As the door opened, she looked up, then burst into a relieved smile. “How do you feel?” She asked, standing up and walking over to give Tess a hug.

“I feel fine, Mom.” She said. “Not sick or anything. Amy thinks it’s because I’m more used to Worship than most Appointed.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Fortune said, stroking Tess’s hair gently. “Amy assured me it’d be fine, but I couldn’t help but worry, you know?”

Tess smiled happily. “Thanks.” She said.

Fortune blinked. “For what?”

“For waiting for me. It makes me happy to know you care that much.”

“Of course I care!” Fortune said emphatically. “I’d do anything for you.”

Tess rested her head on her mother’s chest. “Um, if you don’t mind, do you want to grab something to eat with me?” She suggested. “I haven’t eaten since the morning and I’m hungry.”

“I’d love to.” Fortune said. “While we’re on the way to the kitchen, why don’t you let everyone else know you’re alright? They’re worrying too.”

“Yeah, I will.”

Tess smiled as she dismissed the chat window, then gave her mother another hug. “I’m so lucky to have you guys.” She said. “I love you.”

Fortune turned, giving Tess a smile as she returned the hug. “I love you too.”

---

Tess shifted nervously before she spoke. “Um, hey, it’s been a while, Mom, Dad.” She said, laying the bouquet of flowers down on the grave in front of her. She was in the cemetery in her town in Mael, and while these graves didn’t actually contain her parents’ bodies, they had made a point of making them anyway. It had just felt…right. “You might not recognize me, but it’s me, Thomas. I…haven’t been by to visit in a while, and a lot has changed.”

“We know.” The voice of Tess’s father rang out, causing her to look up in shock. There, in front of her, were the transparent figures of her parents, hovering slightly over their grave.

“Mom…Dad?” Tess croaked. “Is it…really you?”

Tess’s mother nodded. “Fortune asked Amy for permission for us to come talk to you, she knew you had been curious about us. When she got permission, she came and had a chat with us, and gave us enough god power to appear for half an hour.”

“So…you did go to the afterlife, then?” Tess asked. “You weren’t reincarnated?”

Tess’s father reached out to tousle Tess’s hair, but he had no physical presence, so his hand ended up going straight through her. “Yes. Given how you’d be adopted by Evan, Amy brought us and Ellie’s parents to the afterlife instead of reincarnating us, on the off-chance you’d become important like this.”

“I…I’m sorry.” Tess said, tears starting to form in her eyes. “I know it may not seem like it, but not a day has gone by that I haven’t missed you.”

“We know.” Tess’s mother said gently. “And love isn’t a zero-sum game, Tess. Fortune cares for you deeply, and we don’t feel like your love is diminished just because you found another parent. More than anything, we’re just overjoyed that you’ve found family again. Seeing you so happy lately has, in turn, made us incredibly happy.”

“We’ve been watching you this whole time.” Her father added, reaching out to ineffectually wipe away the tears that were starting to spill from Tess’s eyes. “And we want you to know that we are unbelievably proud of you. You’ve been through so, so much, and you’re every bit the intelligent, strong, confident, gorgeous young woman we knew you could be.”

“Not that we knew you would be a woman, but I always had wanted a daughter.” Tess’s mother said, giving her a smile. “Just to be absolutely sure, but you’re fine with this, right? I’m sure there are ways to get you back to being a boy, and if we raise a big enough stink, we can make it happen.”

Tess nodded. “Um, to be honest, if I could make it so that everything about my life would stay the same but I went back to being a boy…I wouldn’t. I don’t know, it’s not like I would be devastated if that happened, but…well, this is me now. It hasn’t even been a year, but I’ve had so many new and amazing experiences in the time that it feels like it’s been much longer.

“Looking back…I’m even grateful it happened. If it hadn’t, then Ellie and I wouldn’t be together, and the same would probably go for Maven. It caused me a lot of distress at the start, but it’s given me more happiness, if that makes sense.”

“Of course it does.” Tess’s father replied. “And we wholeheartedly support you with whatever you choose to do with your life. Which…speaking of, congratulations on the wedding. We’ll be watching in spirit, even if we can’t be there in person.”

“I can’t wait to see what you look like as a bride.” Tess’s mother said. “Or…knowing Ellie, you’ll probably be dressed as the groom, but whatever you wear, I’m sure you’ll be absolutely stunning. Really, it makes me wonder where you got that beauty from, because it certainly wasn’t your father.”

Tess’s father rolled his eyes. “Very funny, we all know exactly where it came from. Don’t listen to her, Tess, even with your changes, I can see plenty of myself and your mother in you still. And even if I didn’t, you’re still our precious daughter, and nothing will ever change that.”

Tess sniffed, reaching up and wiping her eyes. “Thank you.” She whispered. “It means the world to me to hear you say that. Um…” Tess floundered, wiping her eyes once again. “There are so many things I wanted to say to you two if I ever talked with you again, but I just…can’t seem to find words right now.”

“It’s okay.” Tess’s father said soothingly. “Take your time. Even if we run out of the thirty minutes of time we have, we’ll be listening from the afterlife.”

“I just…I just wish I had told you I loved you more.” Tess sniffed. “I wish I had been more appreciative of everything you did for me. I took it all for granted, and I didn’t realize how good I had it until you were gone.”

“Tess, you were a child.” Tess’s mother said. “It’s okay that you were unaware. We never thought that you didn’t love us, and raising you was our joy. We said it before, but we really couldn’t be happier with how you’ve turned out, you’ve gone so far above and beyond everything we ever could have dreamed possible.”

“I don’t think any of us could have envisioned anything like this being even remotely possible.” Tess said wryly.

“Yes, but even if we ignore the more supernatural part of it all, we’re still happy with how you behave and the direction you’ve decided to take your life.” Her father replied. “You have the capability to do a lot of good, and we’re happy to see you pursue that.”

“Speaking of supernatural,” Tess’s mother began, “Fortune mentioned that you went through an enormous change yesterday? She wouldn’t tell us what, though, she said it was your news to share.”

“You don’t know?” Tess asked. “You were watching, right?”

“We can’t see any system messages, nor can we pierce attention-deflecting wards or see into the realm of the gods.” Tess’s mother explained. “So, we’re in the dark.”

“Oh.” Tess replied. She took a moment to look around, prompting a laugh from her father.

“Fortune warded the area, no one can see or hear us.” He said. “She said everyone will just see you paying respects at your parents’ grave as normal. So, do feel free to share.”

Tess nodded. “I…well, how familiar are you with the gods? You mentioned Amy, so you know her, at least.”

“We know she is the head god, but we’ve only heard her name.” Tess’s father said. “And other than that we only really know of the existence of the other gods and of you and your wives’ status as Appointed.”

Tess took a deep breath. “Well, without getting into too many details…as of yesterday, I am effectively a god in all but name and public perception. Ellie, Maven, Gramps, all of the Appointed will follow suit in the next few months.”

There was a prolonged moment of silence, Tess’s parents looking at her in disbelief. “That may be the most shocking thing I’ve ever heard, and I heard a lot of shocking things after I died.” Tess’s mother said.

“I can’t believe it.” Tess’s father said, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Our little girl, all grown up and ascended to godhood.”

“It’s not…really like that, but it’s the closest analogue.” Tess said. “Appointed won’t suddenly become as powerful as the gods, but it was a step we recently figured out how to take. It doesn’t affect our relationships or feelings at all.”

“I’m just teasing.” Tess’s father replied, giving her a smile.

“I know, I just…” Tess paused, words failing her once again. “I love you.” She said. “I love you two so much. I don’t want you to feel like I’m leaving you behind or anything.”

Tess’s parents shared a look. “We love you too.” They replied.

They spent the rest of the half hour they had together talking and reminiscing, and all too soon they were saying their goodbyes. Once Tess’s parents had returned to the afterlife, Tess took a moment to dry her eyes again, then set off for home, feeling like a weight she didn’t know she had been carrying had been lifted.