This choice: Skip to when the expedition team sets out • Go Back...Chapter #45Skip to when the expedition team sets out by: TheCloneO   After five days had passed, the new team was ready for their journey to the mountains north of Zofia Castle. While Alm had wanted to set out sooner, Celica and Clive were able to convince him to delay a bit longer so that the royal couple could take care of some outstanding issues regarding their country's rule that piled up during their previous journey. Within that span of time, the other Deliverance members had more or less adjusted to the existence of their monster girl peers, though some welcomed them more warmly than others. After some discussion, Alm had asked that Faye leave the bulk of her duplicates behind in Zofia so as to condense the size of their traveling party, to which the slime girl firmly insisted that Shade be allowed to leave a clone of herself behind for company. While the Hero could not for the life of him understand her recent attachment to the foreign Exemplar, he eventually had to give in to his childhood friend's demand.
For their part, the transformed duo had settled into a rhythm wherein they managed to sate each other's needs tolerably while not causing the goo girl to multiply further than Shade could keep up with. It did leave Faye just a bit less well-fed than her companion, but neither of them complained since they had to exercise more caution not to get caught with so many more people around.
While Silque and Genny had their hands full with their duties upon returning to Zofia, they also promised Alm that they would continue researching the shrines and myths of Valentia with Shade's help during his absence. Unfortunately, they did not have any time to do so before the mountain expedition started, so the group had to make do with the info that was already known up to that point.
On the morning of their departure, the Whitewing sisters were the first to arrive at the meeting spot where the Deliverance's convoy was ready and waiting. Talking amongst themselves, they began to discuss the Altar and whether they should use it.
"I'm just not sure," Palla started, "While I most certainly am tempted by the prospect of gaining more power to help protect the kingdom, this whole 'Children of the Gods' business feels like a big unknown to me."
"I kinda get what you're saying," Est replied, "Though if I'm being honest, I find the thought kind of exciting."
"Exciting?" the eldest sister asked.
"Yeah! Did you see Shade in the training room a couple days ago? It was awesome seeing her cast multiple spells at the same time like it was nothing!" the pink-haired sister spoke excitedly.
"I do have to admit, it was something else seeing that," Catria added calmly.
"Maybe, with power like that, I could stop being a burden getting kidnapped all the time..." Est said as her tone rapidly lost energy.
The green-haired falcoknight looked at her youngest sister with compassion before replying, "I... understand where you are coming from. I need time to think about this, but I will consider it for your sake."
Speaking up, the blue-haired sister said with a serious tone, "I just have one condition for us. I'd like that if any one of us decides to use the altar, we should all use it no matter what, as family."
"Right, I too feel that we shouldn't let something like this get in the way of our family," Palla concurred.
Est's smile lightly returned as she agreed, "Yes, let's do it together, if we do."
As they reached an accord, the trio could hear two women talking while approaching, mixed with with the sounds of hooves on the cobblestone. Turning to look at the source, the Whitewings saw Clair and Emma approaching while leading their single-horned pegasi by the reins, apparently deep in conversion.
"...All I'm saying is, I'm not opposed to being changed like the Exemplars, but I just wanna watch everyone else do it first so I know what to expect!" the young falcoknight huffed at the blonde walking beside her.
"I wasn't trying to say anything to the contrary," Claire replied, "I was just saying that I can't guarantee I'll use the Altar. I personally find the idea intriguing, but I worry what my brother would think if I did."
As the pair drew close, Est called out and waved her hand, "Hi Emma, hi Claire! How are you this morning?"
"Quite good, thank you," Claire responded.
"Hey Est! I'm fine, and you?" Emma chimed.
"Yeah, I'm doing well too. Looks like the five of us are the first ones here, huh?" the pink-haired flyer said.
"Not for long," Palla stated, gesturing towards her left. Turning to look in the direction the eldest sister indicated, the group saw three more women headed their way: Mae, Shade and Faye. Surprisingly, Shade and Faye looked perfectly normal to them as if they had never changed at all, excepting that the white-haired woman was certainly more curvaceous than she used to be. Exchanging greetings as they arrived, Catria spoke up with a question she thought of upon seeing their disguises.
"So Faye, I thought I remember Alm saying that you could bring several of your split bodies along with you for the journey, but I only see one of you here. Did something change?" the bluenette asked.
Looking around to make sure there weren't any other people around, Faye replied, "Oh, there's no mistake here." Shifting back into her goo state, Faye suddenly began subdividing until there were eight of her standing together, each one quickly resolidifying with her human appearance again. "I just compressed eight of myselves together to attract less attention on the way here," three of her said in unison. After saying this, she had all but one of her bodies climb into the back of the convoy and close the flaps behind them. "Ahh, much better," the remaining Faye said, "It feels a bit stifling to bunch myselves up like that for too long."
"Wow, when'd you learn to do that?" Mae asked intently. "Last time I saw you pool your bodies together, you kept growing in size!"
"Heehee, I've been practicing," Faye said coyly.
"That's cool. Do you think you'll learn to do anything else new over time?" the Priestess queried with growing interest.
"Mmmmm, who knows?" the country girl answered.
From there the girls continued their conversations for about another ten minutes, until Alm and Celica themselves finally arrived. "Ah, it appears you're all early, I'm glad to see it," the Deliverance leader said with a smile.
"Oh! Alm! Celica! Good morning!" Mae bubbled upon seeing their arrival.
"Good morning to you too. I trust everyone has completed their preparations for the journey?" Celica asked.
After receiving answers to the affirmative from everyone, Alm stated, "Excellent! Shall we head out then?"   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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