They all left the Golden Shrine together and walked through the temple halls to the eting room. Rick could feel the weight of everything that had been said settling on his shoulders.
The Archon, the corruption, the two possible futures, and the need to bring the Seven Major Powers together before it was too late.
But at least now he also felt more powerful. His powers, Liora’s divine protection, and the support of his partners all gave him hope that they could really succeed in this endeavor.
Rick saw that Carmilla and Natasha were already sitting at the big table when he walked into the eting room. Fredrich stood at the head of the table with a few Academy mages behind him.
The Guildmaster Roderick was seated at the head of the table, reviewing so papers. In the center of the table, a communication crystal glowed softly, indicating Sylvia’s distant presence.
"Finally," Carmilla said with relief when Rick and Liora ca in. "We were getting worried."
Rick said, "Sorry," as he sat down between Carmilla and Natasha.
"The gods gave Liora important information."
That caught everyone’s attention. Everyone looked at Liora as she sat down across from Rick.
"The gods sent a vision," Liora said, and her voice sounded like it had the power of the gods. "About the Shadow Covenant, the Archon, and what we need to do to stay alive."
She continued by sharing all the information she had previously conveyed to Rick. The Archon’s ancient nature, the thousand-year-old plot, the real goal of taking over the Seven Major Powers, the planned quickening of corruption, and the two possible futures.
As she spoke, the room got more and more tense. Everyone looked shaken by the ti she was done.
"Four months," Fredrich said in a low voice. "That’s even shorter than we thought."
"That’s why we need to do sothing right away," Liora said firmly.
"Rick needs to go to the Eastern Wastes and make a bond with Demon General Zara."
"The gods have told us that this is the best thing for us to do next."
The communication crystal made Sylvia’s voice sound distorted but clear. "I agree."
"The demon realm is to the east of the place where the corruption started."
"Zara is the only one who really gets the threat, and that bitch probably needs so help."
They all flinched hearing Sylvia just call her a bitch out of nowhere, and of course Rick had to ask. "W-Why did you call her a bitch...?"
"Dragons and Demons has their own story to tell, and I can tell it in this kind of situation because you will have to cheat on with that bitch."
"Sylvia... you know that Rick’s for all the Major Power, right?" Liora joined with a scary grin that made Rick flinch again.
"I know, I know. Well, let’s say she’s a bitch because..."
"...her mouth won’t shut the fuck up! And there’s more to it... she always laughs at every word she says!"
"I see..."
"So about the location," Carmilla said, her protective instincts kicking in. "The Eastern Wastes are dangerous land."
"Demons don’t exactly welco people with open arms, especially humans like us. And of course, the demon king is there as well."
"What?! Demon king!?" Rick was shocked hearing that. "Don’t tell I have to fight that!"
Carmilla answered. "Probably not because he’s retired but still holds the title."
"Thank goodness... (Hearing about the demon lord in this world, I know right away that it’s my job to get rid of him)."
Natasha said, "Don’t worry. That’s why we go as a group there"
"Rick, Carmilla, Liora, and . We’re probably strong enough to deal with threats but small enough to get around quickly."
"I wish I could join you," Sylvia said through the crystal, her voice full of anger. "But I can’t be away from the Northern Peaks for that long."
"It’s challenging enough for the Dragon Council to stay together as it is. Internal politics could tear everything apart if I leave."
Rick said, "We understand," and he reached out through his bond to comfort the Dragon Queen, who was far away. "You’re doing what you need to do there."
"We’ll take care of this."
"You’d better," Sylvia said with a worried look in her eyes. "You’re going to make furious if you die in the demon realm."
"And I’ll probably make those demons extinct as well."
"That’s the fourth death threat I’ve gotten today," Rick said quietly.
Fredrich coughed. "I can set up a portal to the edge of the Eastern Wastes."
"It will take two days to set up, so you have ti to get ready."
"When you’re done, you’ll be on your own because keeping the portal open over that distance is impossible."
"Two days," Rick said, nodding. "That’s enough ti to get what we need and make a plan."
After discussing that, they talked about logistics, backup plans, ergency signals, and what to do if the Shadow Covenant attacked while they were gone for another hour. Rick was ntally drained but focused by the end.
They had a plan.
They had a goal.
And of course, they had a chance.
Carmilla grabbed Rick’s arm as everyone started to leave. She said softly, "We need to talk."
"All of us tonight."
Rick looked at her, then at Natasha and Liora, who both nodded their heads in agreent. "How about my room at the temple?" he asked.
"Your room, it is then," Carmilla said again.
...
Rick was sitting on his bed that night with his three partners, who were all close to him. Carmilla was on his right, Natasha was on his left, and Liora was at the foot of the bed. The mood was serious but not too tense.
Carmilla started by saying, "In two days, we’re going into the demon realm."
"This will be risky and more dangerous than anything we’ve seen so far."
Natasha said, "We need to be honest with each other about our fears."
"Stop hiding behind walls and acting like everything is fine when it isn’t."
Liora nodded. "We’re stronger when we talk to each other honestly."
Rick looked at each of them in turn, feeling the ties that held them all together. He said, "To be honest... I’m scared."
"Not really scared of dying, but of failing... of letting you all down... and the worst... is making the wrong choice and seeing the world burn because I wasn’t good enough."
Carmilla held his hand. "I’m afraid I’ll lose you, seeing you die and not being able to do anything about it."
Natasha held onto his other hand. "I’m afraid that my weakness will be what breaks us."
"I would rather not give in to torture and give the Shadow Covenant what they want."
Liora touched his leg. "Gods, I’m scared that you’re wrong."
"That we’ll still fail, even with all this power and all these connections. That everything I saw in the vision will happen."
They were quiet for a mont, letting the truth sink in between them. Rick then squeezed both hands he was holding and looked at each of them with determination.
He said firmly, "We’re going to deal with this together."
"No more splitting up and going into danger by yourself."
"Together we live as a team, or not at all."
"Agreed," Carmilla said.
" too," Natasha said again.
" three," Liora said.
Thereafter, they talked, made plans, and simply enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of the night. Rick sensed their bond strengthening, not due to any system chanics, but because of genuine love and trust.
Even though Rick’s bed was only ant for one person, all four of them squeezed onto it when they finally went to sleep. Carmilla was on his right side, Natasha was on his left, and Liora was curled up at his feet. It was small and uncomfortable, but they all wanted to be together.
"I want to thank every god that made this happen for ..." Tears of happiness start pouring down on both his eyes. "...I can’t believe that I get a chance to sleep on the sa bed with three milfs."
"But still... thank fucking god they don’t want to have sex tonight! If they did, I’ll fucking end up like a skeleton! All dried up by these three!" Rick sighed.
"For now... I’ll enjoy this and rember it as the happiest mont of my entire life..." Rick moved both his arms so that his palms started resting on Carmilla’s and Natasha’s tits.
"I’m truly in heaven..." Rick felt their love and trust around him like a protective blanket as he fell asleep.
They would start getting ready for the trip to the Eastern Wastes tomorrow. They would have to deal with Demon General Zara, the Shadow Covenant’s inevitable interference, and any other threats that ca their way.
But right now, tonight, they were together and safe.
And that was all it took. That would have to be enough for now.
Everything would change again in two days. The trip to bring the Seven Major Powers together was about to beco even more dangerous.
Rick also understood that not all of them might survive what was coming. But they would face it together.
Always together.
Because...
Rick and his partner had promised each other to always be together, and he was determined to keep that promise, no matter what.
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