Bonded Summoner-Chapter 22BS7 - : Warrior’s Trial

Jake’s party once again was sitting in their special box to watch the special events at the arena. Nessa was hugging tightly into Jake’s side, with Tanda on the other side, her tail wagging.

Nora and Clara were both here this time, along with two echidna children to watch the younger warrior tournaments. They couldn’t stay seated, miming and dancing to the fights with their own training weapons.

The two bird girls with a teen’s appearance showed an excellent ability to mimic the other fighters, making an interesting show of their own. The two stood across from each other now, the match about to begin.

Clara, the golden hair and feathered girl, wore a silly mustache to match her fighter. She scowled at Nora as she flourished her sword, just like the combatant in the arena. “Rodrigo, my nemesis. I will defeat you with this blade, and avenge my brother.”

Nora the raven hair and feathered girl returned her scowl with a contemptuous gaze, and twirled her spear as the other warrior prepared for battle. “Hmph. I will crush you just as I crushed your brother. Prepare to lose!”

The two dashed forward as the other warriors did, the two trading attacks. They tried to match their fighters, but there was definitely quite a bit of improvising. The two had fun as the snake girls all cheered them on.

Nora disarmed Clara, and brought the spear to Clara’s neck. “Hmph. Spears are better than swords. Maybe once you learn that, you can avenge your brother. For your loss, I will…take your mustache this time!”

Nora’s spear flashed, taking off the fake mustache, and Clara cried as she balled her fists. “Nooo! First I lost my brother, now I lost my precious mustache! You will pay for this next tournament, mark my words!”

The snake girls clapped at the exaggerated performance, and the parents all cheered for them as they bowed.

Tanda had to give the two girls a hug for their performance, her tail wagging all the while. “You girls did great! Do you think you’ll be able to do it again for your other sisters?”

The two girls nodded, and started replaying the scene again. The Refuge was definitely going to be noisy with mock fights for the next few months.

Nessa laughed. “Those two are so cute. I think they’d have done well in this tournament!”

Ophelia replied from her seat to the side, “I do think this would have been a good experience for them, but they’re waiting to make their debut. They didn’t want their younger brothers and sisters to feel left out.”

Before their hearths ignited, it was like his children were at Tier 0. However, it was like they also weren’t truly at Tier 0 at the same time, thanks to being children and unable to level. Still seen as children, it wasn’t really allowed or fair for them to participate, since it was dangerous. Jake was sure he could have probably pressured Old Man Xuan and got permission for them all to join, but he’d rather not take advantage of his privilege for something like this.

Most of them were certainly strong enough, and he definitely thought Nora and Clara, Blaze, Rene and Nyxa could do quite well in the tournament. His other kids were around a year younger than them, but he thought they could actually win against some of the participants.

Throughout the past few days, aside from the martial arts and magical arts tournaments, there were numerous exhibitions. There were group battles, artisans showing their craft, and even a few challenges that resembled miniature Battlegrounds shown on the display that took place at other locations.

Fhesiah had gotten to show off her alchemy, winning the competition earlier in the week. Ophelia somewhat wanted to compete with her smithing, but she was still learning the ins and outs of utilizing Qi. Her Runic Crucible was a little bit of a cheat and allowed her to use it to some extent, but what she learned in the last week would really put her ahead of where she was, she just needed more time with it to master the techniques.

Each activity had been fun to watch, and even Blaze and Sharona had been entertained enough that they didn’t beg to play more Space Wars.

Instead, Nessa had asked to try it out to bond with them a bit, and so Jake joined her and the two snake girls in a game.

Two more novices fought in front of them at the moment, the final battle of the day for the novice tournament. He knew what was going to happen next. The date had been fun, and his feelings for Nessa had already increased.

Seeing her with his family had cemented his feelings, and he knew it wouldn’t be long before his feelings for her deepened, and that he could say he loved her.

It certainly helped that he could feel how deep her feelings for him were.

Jake squeezed Nessa’s hand. “Tomorrow’s the big day. Excited?”

Nessa gave him an amused look. “You know the answer to that already, I hope. In truth, it is only a formality compared to your bond, but it still symbolizes our union. I can’t wait.”

Blood added, “And, solidifies it to the multiverse and The Alliance. With it, I do believe Jake is not far from raising his noble rank. In the War Trial, this should grant him true control over quite a bit of the battlefield.”

The Obsidian Blades and their allies only had one Tier 3 world each, with a handful of Tier 2 and Tier 1 worlds split among them. In total, Jake’s holdings had surpassed them as individuals–so long as he too owned a Tier 3 world. They were all still Barons, and had been working hard to reach the Count level as well.

However, Nessa and Jake had given them a number of setbacks thanks to them bringing their crimes to light with the Sector Council. Combined with Hearthtribe beating them off a few worlds in the first Tier, especially the peak Tier 1 worlds that ultimately became Tier 2, the extortionists might not actually make it before the War Trial began. It was for this reason that Hearthtribe would become active soon, to claim the worlds they were focused on instead.

Jake smiled at Nessa. “Of course I know how you feel, you have made it very clear. And my feelings for you are growing, even if we haven’t quite reached the next stage yet–the bond is proof of that.”

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Nessa frowned at that, and hesitated. He felt a bit of worry over her bond, an almost…fear. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and her tail tightened more around his waist like a belt. “That’s okay. It feels wonderful as it is, and I can feel you already care about me. I’m not going to let you go now, but…it might be just as much you, as it is me. I’ll…tell you when I’m ready, I promise.”

Jake arched his brow at that, and nodded. “I see. Whatever it is, I’m sure we’ll be able to handle it.”

Tanda hugged her from the side. “You’re so cute! I love seeing you with him, and I’m sure you have nothing to fear. I can’t wait until we can fight together, too.”

Ophelia smiled. “That’s right. We’re just a wedding and a honeymoon away from looking for some real fights.”

Nessa looked more than a little excited about that, her tail tightening around Jake’s body further. He wasn’t sure if it was from the wedding or from the fighting. He would go with both. She definitely fit in to his family when it came to this aspect, there was zero doubt about that.

The final match of the one-on-one Tier 0 tournament came to a close, and the winner was announced. The fighters moved off the stage, and Old Man Xuan’s voice sounded off again from the announcement pillar in the center of the arena.

“For those looking forward to the Battle Royale of our youngsters, I regret to inform you that it has been pushed back. We have a sudden, special event that has taken its place about to begin. But worry not. I do think this special event will be exciting entertainment as well.”

Nessa frowned, confused at Old Man Xuan’s announcement. “What…is going on? A special event?” She looked back at her schedule, holding an information crystal in her hand. Of course, she had been rather familiar with it, as she had planned much of the focus for their own watching and participation in the events.

And, most importantly, had been involved in planning the actual events themselves. Something outside of the schedule had her more than a little concerned.

“Tomorrow is to be the wedding ceremony of Baron Jake Hart and the daughter of the Divine, Tyr: Baron Nessa Tyrsdottir. As one might imagine, to marry a direct descendant of a Divine requires their approval. In order for Baron Hart to earn the right to marry his daughter tomorrow, he must pass a Trial that I will now administer.”

Nessa’s eyes widened. “All partial truths…so strange. My father…”

Old Man Xuan continued, “The two will face this challenge together, proving they belong together and can fight on the battlefield as one, as Nords and Cultivators do. Only by protecting his bride and overcoming these challenges together will they earn the right to be wed. Do you accept this challenge, Baron Jake Hart, and Baroness Nessa Tyrsdottir?”

Jake smiled as he stood, and began to get himself ready for battle, stretching and flexing his body and mana.

Nessa’s eyes widened, as she watched him closely, and inspected his emotions over his bond. “You…don’t seem surprised. You set this up? With…my father somehow?”

Jake reached out his hand out to her. “I did. I figured you would enjoy this. We’ll fight together on many battlefields, but our first true battle together will be to earn your father, a Divine’s approval. I think that’s a worthy moment to remember, is it not?”

He knew that Nessa didn’t really need him to go through this Trial, that he had already won her heart. But knowing that she would find it romantic and so would his other wives, made him want to do it for her, and them.

Nessa’s smile was wide, her heart beating heavily in her chest as she looked at the cheering crowd. She was filled with excitement, but also amazed and thankful for Jake and his efforts. “Oh, how I love this… Thank you…”

Jake focused on Old Man Xuan, and made sure his voice carried across the arena with mana. “We accept. We will face this challenge, and prove that our love is worthy.”

Avalara’s deer tail was fluttering in excitement. “Oh yes, this is wonderful. Make sure you film this, Faye! I’ll need it later for…things. Oh, and the kids will probably like it too!”

Nora’s wings were fluttering with excitement, “Woo! Go get ‘em, dad, and new mommy! You can do it!”

Clara said, “Yes! Daddy is going to crush it!”

Fhesiah chuckled, and replied to Ava, “I’ve been recording everything–not to worry.”

Avalara, Tanda, and Ophelia were swooning at the act, and he knew that even though he was doing it for Nessa definitely got their motors going as well. They all loved this, and he was reminded of Ava’s moment where he faced her challenge. That by fighting for it, it made it more significant in her mind, a memory that they would all never forget.

He wanted this for Nessa since it was the biggest gift he could give her.

They both swapped clothing in their Storage Rings, bringing out their weapons and armor. Nessa’s equipment had been a little surprising when he had originally seen it. It was a sleek light blue battle dress, with thick, articulating serpent scales. It covered her body like a glove, but the scales looked dense and protective when seen under his Gaze.

Jake couldn’t wait to enchant it.

He covered himself and her in his hearthflames, and flew down to the center while holding on to Nessa’s hand. The large announcer’s tower was the backdrop for their fight in the distance, and Old Man Xuan stood in the air, looming over them. The stone arena was made of thick tiles, that were extremely dense. Few had broken or shattered during the entire tournament, only the strongest able to shatter them and send shards out.

The crowd cheered, a storm of voices echoing across the large open space. It seemed people were psyched up for this romantic challenge.

Hexagons appeared from the Framework, and they received a message that this was a sanctioned Trial. By passing the difficult challenge, it was possible for even Tyr to provide a reward to him.

Old Man Xuan spoke, “First, is the test of warrior’s fortitude. To weather the storm of evil violence requires an iron will to stand up to their blows. Defend yourself and your battle bride.”

Stones of various shapes and sizes rose up around him and Nessa, and began to swirl. From large boulders that could crush an entire house, to small spheres and tiny disks and shards of stone.

They swirled around the arena and moved haphazardly, and even the large boulder moved with intense speeds. Not only that, but these were stones dense with Qi, and the smaller ones, with aether. Not only were many large and heavy, but they were harder and heavier than giant chunks of metal.

Uncle Xuan was running the formation, and Jake got the feeling he could make things as easy or as difficult as he wished. Thanks to control over a well of energy within the formation, it was entirely possible he could bring about a power far beyond his own–which was already more than Jake could handle without calling a goddess.

Nessa let a small pond form beneath her, just about the size of her usual ring her tail would create. She readied her katana, and several snakes of ice rose from the waters. “You shouldn’t need to defend me so much. I can retreat to my lake.”

She was proven right, as the stones were soon shot at her and Jake rapidly. Entering her water, she was able to dodge them without issue. But her sword flashed outward from the water, cutting stones in half. And Jake deflected one with his shield, while he dodged another with a twist of his torso.

A giant rock was dropped toward her lake from above, so Jake sent a blade of hearthflames to bisect it, and a blast of wind from a simple runic spell to divert the halves to the side. To his chagrin, despite cutting the rock in half and blasting them aside, the halves rejoined the storm of stones surrounding them.

So now he understood that outlasting was the name of the game, especially since it was the first of three challenges. He moved over and stood within her lake, finding the shallow, cold water pleasant to the touch rather than freezing.

Jake took on the resonant state of the Guardian, the runes on his armor glowing blue. The explosive deflections of his Aura became enough to send the stones off-kilter, and he used his hearth’s flames to generate small, efficient barriers and shred the incoming rocks as he kept on the move around her lake.

Nessa focused on slicing only the largest of stones in two by sending sharp blade waves from the water, and Jake kept on with his efficient defense. Only when the largest stone fell down straight toward Nessa’s lake did he act with a stronger spell, sending a huge spear of hearthflames to pierce into the stone and split it into numerous, smaller chunks.

In addition to shrinking the stone with their attacks, the energy within them was being expended as the storm continued its assault. Nessa’s serpents covered some stones in ice, and her lake swallowed them up and ejected them. And Jake’s cutting flames continued to shred the larger stones, even as he continued to dodge, dashing out of the way of the most deadly attacks.

Eventually, the storm of stones ran out of energy and fell to the ground, and the challenge was completed.

Old Man Xuan’s voice echoed throughout the arena. “Very good! These two fought together well, protecting each other from the storm of violence. Now for the second challenge: the test of a warrior’s skill.”

The stones from the challenge and many more flew over and were molded together and smoothed out with a new infusion of the formation’s Aether. They formed into two large stone golems holding spears in their hands, with lines of Aether running through them like circuits.

The two golems charged forward, and Jake materialized his Divine Hearth weapon as a spear, and brought out his floating shield. He didn’t underestimate these golems for an instant, thanks to his Umbral Gaze. The amount of energy contained within the enemies was immense.

Nessa’s head peeked up from beneath the lake, looking at Jake with worry. “These two are strong, Jake, but I know we can do it. If I do need to use my mirrors, I will need your help to protect them.”

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“Got it.”

Each swing by the two golems was filled with immense power and speed, and Jake didn’t dare take a blow directly on his shield. That would cause him to be sent flying, and just might require him to fix up a broken rib. Not only that, but Jake was still trying to sell that he wasn’t much of a melee combatant.

At the same time, it was an appropriate test of skill, just as the test had called out for. They were strong and fast for their size, but thankfully, it was difficult for them to attack at the same time without getting in each other’s way. Angling his shield and moving himself covered in hearthflames as if he were flying, Jake was able to redirect their blows and dodge their spear thrusts.

In return, he targeted the joints of the golems with some well-aimed bolts of hearthflames, as Nessa spread out her lake to encompass more of the arena. The ice began to spread up their legs, the chilling cold slowing them somewhat.

He started whittling away at them, by positioning himself with one golem in the way of the other and countering with attacks.

Ducking low, a wide swing of the spear missed and allowed him to send a scorching ray and strike the other in the leg powerfully, which caused the stone to melt and weaken.

Jake then felt an echo of spirituality, a predator of the frozen lake. Nessa’s blade flashed out of the water as she rose from the depths in a leap, and sliced deeply into the joint of the golem’s leg where Jake wounded it. The strike released some kind of cold venom into the leg, and the ice began to spread from the wound as she returned to the water.

The two repeated this combo onto the other golem, slowing its movements significantly. With the two targets slowed and stumbling, Jake was going to start to dismantle them, and pierce deep into the core in their chest now that he didn’t have to spend so much time dodging.

Then one of them stomped with their good leg, sending earthen Qi into the ground. A hail of stone fragments shot from the ground and were sent flying his way. The quake sent Nessa’s water away from them, revealing the stone arena beneath it. The energy within the golems turned them a more purple hue, and then they sped up, removing much of the invading frost in the process.

Taking on the resonant state of the Sage, he started mixing in blasts of his Hearthflames and rapidly cast runic spells to slow them down. The stone became even more resilient, now that it had the purple haze empowering them further.

Cycling through his Tier 2 spells, he then tried bolts of all the main elements: fire, ice, lightning, wind, and even stone, and nothing caused more than a light crack against their unbreakable stone. Knowing how Old Man Xuan had constructed them now, he could see just how durable the golems were.

Thankfully, Nessa was with him, mirrors rising from the edges of the lake. Then, the damage done from before also remained, one of the knee joints making it difficult for them to move perfectly. Serpents rose from the water, and her sword flashed from within the serpents and even caused the golems to be distracted by them, trying to attack them with their spears.

He then targeted the cracks with his Hearth spells and his Divine weapon in the shape of a spear, launching it with a throw combined with gouts of hearthflames. Like an echo of his swing, he released a blast of his Spear of Hestia attack when his spear connected to the cracked leg joint, blowing off the golem’s leg and sending it to the ground finally.

And Nessa did the same on the other, her sword flashing out and targeting the weakened leg, removing it. Once the golems could do little more than crawl, the two layered freezing spells on them until they deactivated.

The crowd cheered at their destruction, though Jake was already sweating it. If the last challenge was a lot harder than that, he probably wouldn’t have enough gas in the tank.

“I can see why he’s the Champion of a Goddess. And my golems are no easy mark, are they?”

He looked at his son, who seemed to shrink in his chair at the mention and his gaze.

“Now, for the last test.”

A massive stone slab began to rise nearby, a thick, dense block that was filled with Aether. Golden hexagons from the Framework formed an area where they could no longer flee. A wave of Qi was sent out in a pulse like a tremor, and it contained a powerful spirituality of a stone cultivator.

Nessa’s lake suddenly shuddered, and it started to twist and turn into mud as the stone they stood on shook. With more than a little alarm, Nessa was forced to flee and reabsorb her lake, floating above the ground next to Jake.

“The final test is the test of a warrior’s superiority. A Divine daughter’s husband must be superior to his peers. This is Aether-infused stone, much like the golems you faced. As you noticed, magic does not work well against it. If you are unable to form cracks in it, it will land on you and Nessa. Show your strength and your resolve, that you can protect her and each other when the challenge is insurmountable.”

As the stone slab floated into place above them, Jake could feel just how much Aether was within it. And it was no joke at all, the thickness making it as large as a several story building completely made of magical stone falling on their head. It was to the point where Jake would need to use some Divine Energy, for sure.

Jake asked her, “Can you target one spot, in the center? Weaken or thin it for me, and I will pierce through.”

Nessa’s eyes were full of determination as she grasped her katana’s hilt. “I’ll give it my all.”

Two serpents of frostfire emerged from within her, their mouth’s open and their deadly fangs glimmering in the light as they swam through the air. Once again, Jake could feel a predator lurking. Those that encroach her lake would pay for their trespass, the serpent ready to release its deadly toxins.

The giant slab filled with immense amounts of Aether energy began falling down towards them slowly, and Jake went all out–he hadn’t just been staring at the threat approaching, he had been preparing.

Using his Hearth Runes, he quickly layered both Giant’s Growth and Einherjar on himself, the prismatic light starting to cover him as he grew and became huge, and the same onto Nessa.

She grew along with him, her heart thundering in her chest. The thrill of battle consumed her, and he could feel how much she wanted to defeat this challenge with him. But an even larger feeling than her thrill, was the amount of conviction and trust she held for him. Nessa believed if she gave it her all, Jake would take care of the rest and defeat anything that stood in their way.

He found resonance with his family, taking on their state. The group was all looking on as they cheered him on, all wanting him to succeed in his heroic and romantic task. Berri was cheering very loudly, loving the idea that both of them became big. All of his wives were filled with excitement, including Nessa and his potential future brides, Sati, Ruby, and Bree, too.

The two serpents flew at the slab first, and Nessa swung her katana in a series of quick slashes, sending numerous blades or fangs of ice at the stone. Each carried the strength of her dao, a deadly, sharp fang. They cut deeply into the center as he wanted, and her two serpents of frostfire crossed the center mark, doing the same and piercing into the stone and expending some of the Aether energy contained in it.

Shifting his Divine Hearth weapon, he utilized it like a Construct–creating Hestia’s spellform out of it. Then, like enchanting with his hearth flames, he lined it with his runes much like he was enchanting a spear, enhancing the spear of flames further. The Greek Key pattern covered the entire construct, and the amount of hearth mana he spent on it was immense.

Then he infused his will, his dao of family into it. The weight of his bonds and the flames of his family brightened, causing the spear to give off a golden, prismatic light. Asking for Hestia’s blessing, his divine energy entered the spear tip, coalescing and enhancing the effect further.

With all his strength, Jake hurled the spear at the slab, and pushed it with his pyrokinesis like a rocket. It struck the center of the cut she made with a thunderous crackle, before it exploded, sending a plume of flame piercing deeper into the slab, and reaching the other side of it.

It pierced a hole and caused stone to crack and shatter from the powerful blow around it, sending shards of stone scattering around them–but the giant slab mostly held together, unbreakable as Old Man Xuan held on with his will.

Holding on to Nessa’s hand, the two shrunk from removing their Giant’s Growth, and flew first through the hole they created as the giant, heavy slab of stone slammed into the ground with a deafening crash.

The two landed on top of the slab, and raised their held hands together. The crowd roared at their success, and his family all cheered in excitement. Jake and Nessa’s chests were both heaving for air, and they had truly expended much of their resources to succeed.

Old man Xuan started to announce something, but the sound was drowned out by the hexagons of the Framework appearing above and around them, and a storm started to form. Thunder and lightning crackled, and the crowd went silent, amazed by the change in the arena.

A bolt of lightning blasted downward and struck the ground with a thunderous roar, leaving a glimmering staircase in its wake.

Jake wasn’t sure what the crowd around them could see, but he doubted it was very much, thanks to the Framework’s hexagons and the storm. He could still see the crowd, but it was almost like a shower’s glass, and the figures were somewhat distorted.

Nessa’s eyes widened as she looked at the top of the stairs. “It’s… Father.”

Tyr appeared at the top of the stairs, the Norse warrior god covered in animal hides and chainmail armor from head to toe. He was dressed like a Norse warrior who just stepped out of a battlefield, and his hammer was hanging from his waist. He walked down the stairs with strength, his steps firm and with purpose. His eyes were filled with Divine lightning, and his body radiated power.

But when he got to the base, he smiled like a cat that got the cream, his entire demeanor shattering. “You two really did it, I’m so impressed. So how was it, daughter? Was the Trial everything you’d hoped it’d be?”

“Dad, you’re here!” Nessa ran forward, and hugged him tightly. Tyr was several feet taller than her, and even Jake, so it did look like a child hugging her father. “I can’t believe it, you really came. And you worked out something special with Jake!”

The God of Justice and War laughed, and returned his daughter’s hug and swung her around before putting her back down. “I did. He reached out to me through Hestia, and passed along that he wished to earn my approval–even if he already had it. I am busy with things, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to be there for my daughter’s special day. Thanks to your victory, I have a nice reward for you both.”

Nessa looked up at him, “You’re going to stay for the ceremony?”

Tyr smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it. And guess who else is here?” He turned, and looked to the top of the stairs.

From the top of the staircase, a new figure appeared, causing Nessa’s eyes to widen in shock. A woman who wore light and dark blue cultivator robes began to descend toward them, the fabric billowing around her. She had long and straight black hair, and looked like a much more mature version of Nessa, her Asian features much more prominent.

“Mother?”

The woman arrived in front of them and gave a small smile to her daughter. “I am here as a projection, daughter. I have missed you so.”

Nessa hugged her mother, though Jake could see with his Umbral Gaze that she was a construct, not all that different from what he could create when he manifested a template. A type of magical projection that could go anywhere, perhaps. On the other hand, Tyr was here much like Hestia had been, in the flesh.

Nessa was full of emotion, both happy and sad, as she thought of the past. “I’m…so happy to see you, mother. I have missed you so much.”

“Me too. I am sorry, love. My nature had made this form fleeting; a struggle. Hearing you had found a mate made me want to see him with my own eyes. But most of all, I wanted to see my daughter all grown up. So I worked hard, and now such things are possible.”

“You mean… I’ll be able to see you more often?”

Nessa’s mother nodded. “Once this Sector has reached the right stage, then yes.” She smiled. “I wish I could have done so sooner, for you. But...” Nessa’s mother hesitated, and froze as she looked at Tyr. After a moment of silence, things became a little awkward.

Jake realized that perhaps this was her being limited by the Framework on what she could say.

To be present at all had to do with their upcoming wedding ceremony, the world not being Contested, and likely every sentence they spoke was filtered and checked by the Framework for their intentions. Passing hidden messages about some prophecy or foresight that could help them in the war could be possible otherwise, but a parent passing on their love to their child was no problem at all.

It just meant that in a sense, their family moments with Tyr and Nessa’s mother were not private, and could likely be reviewed by another Divine, and possibly Tartarus itself. Not a great thought.

Nessa searched her mother’s eyes, and must have picked up on this. “It’s okay, Mother. While I missed my time with you, I was well taken care of–I understand that my childhood had to be different from most. And now, I’m just happy I can see you again, so we can make up for lost time.”

Tyr approached Jake, and cleared his throat. “For your victory in your trial for my approval, I can grant you this gift.” He held out his hand, and within it was a strange sphere, with a cold and fiery half, about the size of a plum or apple. “For your usage, it is a cyclical treasure that has found a balance between Yang Flames and Yin Ice.”

Jake couldn’t control his thoughtful frown as he looked at the orb in his hands, thinking about Fhesiah and her many concoctions she’d made these past few years. Was this guy seriously giving him something like one of her weird pills–

“I’m not sure what you are thinking lad, but I am awarding you these opposing treasures that match you and my beloved daughter. If you are going to do something strange with them, that would be you that made them strange.”

Jake cleared his throat. “Of course. Thank you, Divine Tyr.”

Tyr chuckled. “It was well-earned. I am glad that Nessa has found herself and found love, and I know it’s in part thanks to you. She was a sheltered girl, and while I know that I too can be blind in my pursuit of justice, she was…”

Nessa and her mother’s eyes were narrowed on Tyr, and he sensed this. Looking alarmed, he coughed and said, “I mean, she was young yet, all have flaws, and a young adult, even more so. She was passionate about her beliefs, with a strong sense of conviction. Like me, her confidence in her values was inspiring. However, she was…perhaps a little prideful, and was a…bit self-righteous. This made me worried about her future.”

Nessa’s mother arched her brow. “You’re one to talk, husband. She learned much of what she knows from your words, and watching and learning from you and your actions.”

“No, he’s right, mother. I was self-righteous, judging others when I myself had never struggled or endured, let alone accomplished anything worthy of note, to match all the advantages and blessings I’ve received. I had no compassion, no empathy for those that failed when their morals and virtues were tested. It was when I felt loss and struggled, that I began to question myself. Actually, it was Nana that helped me the most, to see the world in a new light.”

While Nessa put on a mature front in front of her parents, Jake could feel some lingering pain over their bond, and Tyr gave her a knowing, sad smile.

But her mother seemed oblivious to this, giving a bright smile. “How wonderful that my mother would help you so, that you have a piece of her with you. I’m glad that she could be there for you in my stead these past few years.” She looked at Tyr with a hint of blame, her face taking on a light scowl with her eyes narrowing. “I had wished this for you from the very beginning.”

Tyr groaned. “I admit that I have been stuck in my ways, too.” He turned to Jake once more. “We got side-tracked. Jake Hart, I thank you. For being one of the few men worthy, to help give my daughter the drive to move forward once again.”

Jake looked over at Nessa, and saw she was a little down over this detail, and her emotions in turmoil. There was pain in her heart, and the amount of it was surprising to him. He knew the events that led to her being placed in the token in the first place were somewhat traumatic, but up to now, she had seemed fine. This must be related to the pain he was feeling, and the topic she didn’t want to share.

He looked over to her in question, and she hesitated, but shook her head. She had a pleading look, so it seemed she still thought it was not the time.

Tyr continued, “Now, we have a crowd waiting for us. And I’m sure you’re looking forward to meeting your daughter’s new family and celebrating.”

Their meeting over, the Framework’s hexagons disappeared along with the golden stairway. Jake and Nessa raised their arms in victory once more, and Tyr proclaimed his approval.

“They have succeeded my warrior’s trial, and I, the Divine Tyr, give their union my blessing.”

The crowd applauded, their shouts and praise filling the arena.

Her father’s approval earned, Jake pulled out the beastkin custom–the mated necklace. It was the most recent version, which included his wives’ gems and his own, becoming the eight hearts as one. Soon, he’d have to update all the necklaces with Nessa’s stone, but now that it was largely made of special living plants grown by Ava and Tanda and infused with metal, it was relatively simple to make modifications.

Jake placed it on Nessa’s neck proudly, and gave her a kiss in front of the crowd. The crowd cheered once more, and Old Man Xuan hyped up the next event, the Battle Royale. Jake and Nessa flew back to their VIP box, and Tyr and Nessa’s mother had no issues just flying up and joining them.

Nessa introduced all of Jake’s wives to Tyr and her mother, and they all said hello. The echidna girls could all feel that Nessa’s mother was a special snake girl, even if she didn’t look like one–from what could be visibly seen, she was human through and through.

They spent some time with Tyr and Nessa’s mother in their VIP box, and Nessa focused on catching up with her mother and father, sitting with them as her time together with them would be limited. The two didn’t talk overly much, and it was mostly Nessa that spoke, chattering away about things, though Jake understood that the two were very restricted in what they could discuss, so that was just simpler.

Jake eventually asked her, “So how was the trial, Nessa? Did you enjoy our fight?”

She answered from between her father and mother, “I’m so happy we did it! The fights were enjoyable, but Uncle was rude to my lake! I’m going to have to spend hours cleaning it.”

Tyr chuckled. “Worry not, daughter. The special environment will take care of any of that, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right. Tomorrow…” Nessa looked over at Jake with her amorous gaze once more, and her mother chuckled.

“How cute, daughter. You are so in love…and yet, I was told this was some kind of political affair.”

“W–Well, my feelings have been building for Jake for a long time. More than five years since I made it my goal to get his attention, and started building feelings for him.”

Her mother frowned. “Five years is long? Tyr visited my lake for a hundred years before I even let him view my true visage. And nearly a hundred more before we shared our first kiss.”

Nessa frowned, looking up at her dad. “You did all that, but you barely spent time with me when I was born? I feel…cheated.”

Tyr coughed. “I wasn’t…always at her lake during all those years. I visited many times, but we Divine move quickly through the cosmos. The last few decades have been busy, and I truly regret being unable to spend as much time with you.”

Nessa’s mother rolled her eyes. “I know he was seeing other girls during that time. Just like all the Norse, probably around half of his projections are seeing his other women even as we speak.”

Tyr scratched his cheek, and looked a little ashamed. He raised his finger as if to speak, but then put it down again.

Nessa’s mother narrowed her eyes on him. “Look at that–he can’t even deny it. At least your husband is doing it in front of you, where you can see it, daughter. Of course, my husband never deceived or misled me, as that goes against his nature–his Essence. But he keeps his lovers separate, probably because we’d be enraged to see him with another. He’s likely with some woman that would make me mad right now, like a fiery cow beast, or a bird of lightning, or something.”

“That… I’m sorry.” Tyr chuckled a little awkwardly. “It just…never works out well when you girls meet, and I’ve learned my lesson. I’m envious of Jake here, who can keep all his women together and happy somehow.”

Tanda nodded. “If your wives can’t find harmony, you will end up with a noisy nest, and never know peace.”

Avalara nodded. “This the beastkin know, and our dear mate understood this from the beginning, did he not? From before he had begun dating Lia.”

Fhesiah chuckled. “That’s right, he knew that part, even if I had to twist his arm to move forward. Did you hear that though, Jake? You have a Divine’s envy.”

“I’m a very blessed man, and I’m about to become even more blessed tomorrow.”

Nessa beamed, and came over to Jake to kiss and hug him, and sit on his lap. “Just one more day…”

The girls all made pleased sounds, and Jake was swarmed with happy emotions over his bond, and shortly after, with girls giving Nessa hugs and well wishes.

All of the girls were excited about the ceremony tomorrow, where the Hart family would increase once more.