We exit the shower, with me once more lagging behind in a beyond pleased and relaxed set to my face, legs fully of jelly and wobbling like a baby deer toward a fresh pair of underwear and one of the new robes that Sam went and got for me. Ios chuckles at my lackadaisical speed, and when I turn my head to her she just sends me a flirty wink back and then flits off toward the door with her drone. Apparently it charged up enough for her to come join us for dinner, or she still had enough charge left. She did say it would last a full day, and it’s only been what… 18 hours going by the clock in the room.
18 hours to take me from slightly overpowered to basically beating any 4th realm with three of my stats. My mind begins to wheel a bit from the thought, like it does every time it crosses my mind now. A month ago I was crying in bed in some shitty apartment nearby the community college alone and scared, and now I’m in a new universe able to beat like 80% of the population’s naturally gained numbers over years and years of training and hard work. I feel a tinge of… a lot of things. Apprehension, anxiety, pride, delight. Those and more all whirling inside of me and mixing together to create a confusing landscape of colors and wants inside my mind and soul.
I feel a soft hand rest on my cheek, urging my face upwards to look into the amethyst eyes of Akiko as she gently asks, “Are you well, my dear? If you are no longer feeling up to socializing, you can always stay here and rest. I will bring you some food and then let you have the night to recover.”
I pull her hand back and give her a kiss on her palm, wrapping her in a slight hug afterwards as I quietly say out, “No, I’m okay. Thanks though. I was just… processing how crazy today… well… honestly everything that’s happened since I landed here has been. It’s insane to think how much I progressed in just under a day. I kinda see why you said what you said earlier, if my growth rate continues at even half this pace, I’ll be out there fighting Apogee ranks in a month. It’s… scary. But also exciting? I don’t know, there’s a lot of emotions all wrapping up and coiling inside of me about it…”
I feel Akiko return the hug as she agrees with me, her voice still motherly and filled with compassion as she strokes my hair softly, “I can only imagine, my love. You put geniuses to shame, not only because of that system of yours, but by your tenacity to keep moving forward while still taking the time to reflect and center yourself. You still have much to learn, mainly about customs and practices in our society, but also about fighting in a real environment. Be proud of your accomplishments, for they are many and deserve to be praised, but do not let your ego tell you that you are superior or infallible. Arrogance is one of the surest ways to harm or death in our world. Also…” She says as we scoot back from each other a little.
“Do not be so eager to think of competing with Apogee Ranked cultivators. While yes, you could possibly overpower someone even as powerful as I before you even breach the 4th Realms, there is more behind a cultivator of that level of power than just themselves. If you slight them, or defeat them in combat that is seen as dishonorable, entire sects or continents could rally and call for your punishment, or worse. Shockingly, I truly do not see that being an issue for you to overcome with raw strength and power, but I am more concerned about your mentality if that were to occur.
You would need to raze untold numbers of lives to the ground, uproot any and all who share discontent with you root and stem to ensure a blade does not find its way into your back, or the back of those you cherish. You would need to make public, and bloody, examples of why that kind of action should not be sought from any surviving members as well as other rival powers who may look to exploit an opening. Politics, essentially, and gruesome at that.”
I shiver a bit as the brutal logic marches its way from her lips to my mind, making me only really able to nod in response to her certainty. She gives a kind smile and rub of my head, fingers scraping lightly across my scalp as she follows on, “It was not my intention to frighten you, my darling, but merely explain the grim reality that teeters on the edge of civility when it comes to powerful cultivators like myself or those of my station. That unyielding and unflinching sense of justice, or preemptive action, occurs all too often when a leader of a sect is offended or takes some perceived slight, and often times cordial words and apologetic tones will not be enough to satiate their desire to mend their wounded pride. Take care with those you interact with, and those who you speak candidly to. I will always be by your side, same for the others no doubt, yet it is often wisest not to shed blood in the first place unless no other option remains available. Do you understand?”
Once more I only nod in response, her tone coming off more as a teacher than a reprimand, but it still makes me feel a bit of shame internally at those lofty ideas of becoming untouchable. Well… Maybe I would be, but she’s right. For one it isn’t just me that I need to consider, but the others as well. Including Sandra, Ilya, and Ios. Not to mention… I honestly don’t know if I would be able to do what she suggested. Essentially wipe out an entire city or worse because some loud-mouthed person and I got into it, or someone got jealous of me or Sandra, or tried to hurt Sandra…
I feel anger flare to life in me like a raging inferno as soon as I think that and quickly come to the conclusion that that is probably the only situation in which I would absolutely choose the nuke option, no questions asked or hesitation. I shake my head a few times, trying to corral my wayward thoughts to something less depressing and infuriating all at the same time back to a more neutral ground. Akiko gives me another brief hug as I’m wrestling internally before wrapping a tail around my hand to lead us out to the kitchen area.
Considering it’s well into the evening now, I’m surprised to see the table just now being set with the latest batch of heavenly smelling food fresh from the kitchen. Samantha, Jun Li, and Gerra all put the finishing touches on the table – plates, knives, forks, etc. – and turn to give us a wave in unison that would be a teeny bit creepy if it weren’t for their charming smiles lighting up the night. I chuckle a bit and give them my own half smile in return, waving the hand that isn’t in a fluffy prison back to them.
Like last time, we all sit down – Me in-between Jun Li and Sam this go around – and begin sharing what happened during the day with various words of praise and thoughtful conjecture about this or that event or occurrence. It’s… nice. The blooming sense of home inside of me further being built and strengthened as Jun Li shields her laugh at a risqué joke that Sam says while she wiggles her eyebrows toward both of us, or when Gerra comes by with the next batch of food to give a small kiss to Akiko’s cheek which makes her blue tipped white tails go into overdrive.
I sigh out in contentment, letting it all wash over me like warm ocean water that splashes softly against your toes as you sit in the sand. The salty breeze of happiness and belonging fresh on its air and full of promises and purpose as it wafts around me. I’m broken from my little daydream by Akiko asking if I wanted to share what we got up to today, making me startle a bit as my head jumps out of the hand it was resting on.
“Uhm sure!” I say as I turn to the rest of the table, bouncing my vision between the three beautiful women as I begin to tell the tale, “So after some… hiccups this morning, Akiko, Ios, and I went and finished off the ranged quests I have. Well, the ones I can reasonably do for now, at least. It… I got so many stats now it’s kind of scary you guys, haha.” I laugh nervously as I rub the back of my head.
Gerra flashes me a knowing smirk as she takes the brief break in the story to comment, “Oh, I’m sure you and the Madam had quite the ‘hiccup’ indeed, little bird~. We heard you singing from all across the estate! Jun Li had to ask me for ‘some personal time’ when all was said and done~.”
The flash of red on my face is immediate and blazing, cursing myself again for not figuring out how to make that damn privacy enchantment automatic or something! I spare a glance back to Jun Li who just turns her head away from mine, but her neck is just as red as her eyes so I can pretty much guess the reason behind doing so. I just sigh and reach up to pat her shoulder a couple times as I respond to the cheekiest of all sexy southern cat ladies.
“Y-Yeah… Sorry about that, I uh… I’ve always been kind of… loud. I’m still not used to the privacy enchantment, so I keep forgetting to turn it on or have Akiko do so. I hope I didn’t annoy you guys too much?” I say apologetically to the group.
Sam shakes her head next to me, turning to give me a keen but still kind look as her stoic voice responds, “Think nothing of it, Amelia. It is a testament to the relationship between yourself and the Mistress. What this adorable vixen at the end of the table means to imply is that we are all just happy that you are finding joy and pleasure. Not to mention it is quite erotically pleasing in its own way~.” She winks to me which makes me fidget uncomfortably a bit, but I do my best to keep her smoldering gaze as I retort back.
“W-well, I’m g-glad you liked it, I guess.” Nice, Amelia. Really showed her. I shoot my gaze to my hands, the burning on my face threatening to become its own miniature star by this point as various giggles sound from around the table.
Akiko finally gets the conversation back on track, albeit to a slightly sadder subject to start with. “Alright loves, don’t tease her too much~. She has more to share, mainly about some things she learned of her mate as well as what she plans to do next, isn’t that right Amelia?”
I shoot a thankful look over to the snowy kitsune, even if I now have to awkwardly recount the frustrating and slightly depressing events about Sandra. *Sigh* At least it all ended well and I had Ios and Akiko with me. “Right. So, last night I was able to heal Sandra’s outer shell back to full. No more cracks or anything leaking her Qi left at all. But when I checked the progress, I wasn’t even at 6% to healing her. Needless to say I had some… intense emotions about that little factoid. I ended up trying to commune with my soul, but that only worked after I woke up and cried some, which is when Akiko bolted to my room.”
I pause and give each of them a kind look full of gratitude. “Thanks for that by the way. I don’t want to come between you guys and your personal times with each other, at least that’s still how I kind of see it for now. But hearing that you all were just as worried and sent her to me with your blessings really touched me. Trust me when I say I needed her by my side last night, and I won’t forget your kindness.”
The three of them look a bit stunned for a second, apparently not expecting me to either be so upfront with my emotions or the sincerity with which I said all of it. Either way, I feel the dainty arms of Jun Li wrap around me above my breasts and pull me into a hug as she rubs her cheek on my head. “Oh my Miss Amelia, it was no inconvenience to us at all. You are such a sweet person, but please do not feel like you are at fault for needing assistance and comfort. We will have many more nights together in the future with the Madam, but you needed her that night and we all were aware of the importance of making that a reality.”
Samantha echoes her words from the side, even displaying a rare bit of soft affection as she reaches out and holds my hand, “Jun Li is correct, Amelia. I would have been quite upset at the Mistress if she returned last night, even if it meant diving into conjoined pleasure with her. There are more important things than physical connection, as amazing and rewarding as it is. You are new, so new, to this land and these customs that you remind me of myself all those decades ago. It is expected you will need some care and love as you find your footing, and for now the Mistress and your spirit are the two closest to you to provide that.”
Whoa, shit. I didn’t expect a lore drop out of the blue for Samantha like that, but I’ll take it~! Not to be left out of the sudden Amelia gassing up tour, Gerra hops into the conversation too, “That’s right, Amelia. I know I like to joke around and be a bit of a flirt, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say we’d rather you not be a puddle of tears and fears all isolated and alone. You’re a good girl, and I don’t just mean it like the Madam likes to say~. You have a kind and loving heart, and anything we can do to help you keep it is good in our eyes, darlin’.” She walks over as she’s talking, eventually ending up by nuzzling the other side of my head across from Jun Li, with both of them now purring loudly and vibrating my skull. Samantha just chuckles and gives the tops of my knuckles a couple passes with her thumb before she let’s me go and leans back to enjoy the sight. Traitor.
Just when I’m about to become a bit too overstimulated from the affection beast kin, Ios chuckles from the side and bails me out. “Well, as adorable as this all is, there is a bit more to go through ladies. If you want to keep snuggling our dear, sweet Aims, then I’ll fill you in on the rest~.” More traitors!! I’m surrounded by Judas’s!!
I pitifully flick my eyes to Akiko who seems to be drinking the sight in with a look between absolute unfettered delight and lust, my mind quickly pivoting away from why she looks at us like that so I don’t just lay down and let them have their way with me… Alright, well, pretty sure that thought just made it worse…
The two women decide to not let up, cuddling me even harder as Gerra trades places with Samantha and wraps me up in a hug from the front. Now I’m squished between both her and Jun Li, both of their breasts pressing against me and mine as they take turns affectionately resting their heads against me. Ios just laughs and continues on, content to let me writhe in my fleshy and amazing new confinement, “So, after Akiko and I were able to talk to her and calm her down some, she ended up having a vision of sorts from her soul. We’ve taken to calling her the Empress, going by all the royalty motifs and what not. Regardless, the Empress told Aims that she needed to learn more about souls to start healing Sandra again, both intellectually as well as with her cultivation in the path.
When she woke up, there was another sad moment where… well, I won’t go too much into her emotions until she’s ready to talk again. Whenever Miss J and the kitty release her~. At any rate, she renewed her determination and had some more fun with Akiko, and then we all went and did the quests like she said. Here’s her new stats, if you were curious about just how far she came in a single day.” Ios finishes up, my head now being slightly smushed between the competing breasts of both women as they, somehow, move to start hugging on each other through me. It’s kind of rude, honestly, but I can’t really complain about being nose first between Gerra’s still sizeable cleavage~…
I eventually get to come up for air as Ios produces a truncated version of my status page, just showing off the ability scores. Nearly instantly, all three of the girls’ mouths hang open, both Gerra and Jun Li sitting up and leaning closer to the page in shock. I make a slight escape and launch myself into Akiko’s lap, eager not to be in that situation again. At least… not yet… it was nice though… Akiko chuckles as she starts to pet my hair while I lean my head against her chest, both of us turning back to the girls who seem to be coming out of their stupor.
“Remarkable,” Samantha says out quietly as she leans back and rubs her chin, “Going by what the Mistress told us about the discussion of what those numbers represent, she is already superior to any 3rd Realm. Half as so for any 4th as well. After a single day… I would be terrified if it wasn’t such a nebulous concept to reconcile with. Surreal, at the least.”
You’re telling me… Jun Li simply nods in agreement with Sam, while Gerra takes on a look that is very similar to Akiko when she gets randy about me getting stronger. I shiver a bit and lean up towards Akiko’s ear, trying to make my voice as quiet as possible, “Uhm… Is Gerra a Berserker too?”
Akiko gives a silent laugh as she shakes her head and leans down, the edges of her lips tickling the inside of my ear as she whispers, “No, my love. She, and most cat kin, are naturally drawn to power but do not derive the same satisfaction that we do. If anything, seeing your rapid growth is more of a dominance challenge for her I would wager. While we do not adhere to something as crass as a ‘pecking order’, the phrase is adequate enough to describe her state of mind right now~.”
Oh great. Don’t tell me I’ll have to hop in the ring with Gerra now too… I look over to see the three of them and Ios talking more about what my stats mean and future plans for my growth, Samantha advocating for more allowances for STR and CON now that Wisdom is going through the roof. Seeing an opportunity to follow up, I lean back toward Akiko, “Am… Am I going to have to fight Gerra for that to work itself out? I already don’t want to fight Samantha…”
Akiko answers me back conspiratorially once more, mirth apparent in her tone as she says, “I suppose you could, she is always amenable to sparring~. But Gerra will likely find some odd and unique way to try and test you. Sex is always an option as well, of course, but she is rather inventive and dedicated when she sets her mind to something. I suggest to just leave it be for now, she won’t challenge you until you are further along in your journey.”
Seeing no other avenue to really tread on the subject for now, I simply nod and lean back, watching the others wrap up their talks as they begin to sit back down. Taking the initiative, I decide to keep the conversation going, “Right, so that’s where I’m at now. Tomorrow Akiko and I are going to spar while I channel my first body technique, try to see how long I can fight with it going on before I tucker out. If it’s for a long enough time…”
I breathe out slowly, some anxiety about the next sentence starting to spring up within me as the approaching reality becomes more and more certain, “If it lasts long enough, then I am going to take the second tribulation. I know I just broke through not long ago, but now that I know what to do to overcome Sandy’s roadblock to healing, I can’t just sit around and train for months and months. I… I need her back. There’s too much I need to tell her and have her say to me, not to mention that having her back is something that is screaming from inside me every time I think about it or her.”
Everyone takes in what I say in varying reactions. Ios gives me a small smile, while Jun Li has a much brighter one that is just overflowing with romantic awe. Apparently she’s a softie at heart too, but I kind of already knew that~. Samantha just gives an approving couple of nods, while Gerra adopts that hungry look in her eyes once more, her pink tail whipping behind her periodically as her ears raise and lower from her head a few times. Akiko gives me a gentle kiss on the top of my head before she says out to the group, “If you all would like, and Amelia gives her blessing, you are free to come and watch both the spar and her tribulation. It may help foster relations between you and her if you see just what she is up against regarding the Heavens, and that she is not just an adorable, darling precious girl who has graced us with her light. She is also a dedicated and determined fighter up against severe odds, willing to do what needs to be done. What say you, Amelia?”
Suddenly in the spotlight again, I stammer back, “Uhh… I mean, I don’t see why not? So long as you guys aren’t busy, I mean. I’ll try my best not to make a fool out of myself, hehe…” I say as I laugh nervously for the second time tonight. Akiko seems beyond pleased at me accepting the proposal, and the others also look quite excited to get to see me in action for the first time.
“Very well then,” Akiko begins, “we shall reconvene at the first training room on the left so that Amelia can test her limits against myself. After that, I would imagine she is going to be quite spent, so while she recovers Jun Li will work on pills to help her with her second tribulation with our assistance. Spirit Ios, you should confer with Amelia either tonight or when she recovers about what you can procure for body and soul cultivation, since we will be primarily limited to aiding her spiritual path.”
Ios nods back as she says, a bit of a flirty tone coming out from her high-pitched voice, “Consider it done, foxy~. You guys about to head off and catch up where you left off last night~?”
Akiko gives a faint blush as she replies, “I think we shall, but if anything arises that needs my attention, do let me know, my love. Why don’t you and spirit Ios retire, you have been through much today. Especially with my attentions~.” Ending with a saucy wink and peck to my cheek, I feel the spot she kissed flame with a blush as I hop off her lap, the eyes of the girls now pressed upon me which further deepens the crimson on my face.
“U-uh yeah! I’ll do that then! Thanks for today, Akiko. I mean, not like, thanks for the sex but for just being with me and stuff. And helping me with the quests, of course! But yeah, I guess also the sex too, that was nice… *Ahem* Okay I’m done. Goodnight, everyone!!” My rambling mind fully pulls the rip cord as I dart to each of the girls and give them a quick hug, my red hair dancing in the breeze behind me at my speed. Jun Li and Gerra both give me quick kisses on my forehead before I disengage with them, and Sam even leans down and lengthens the hug for a few moments as she chuckles, no doubt enjoying my anxious antics.
With rapid steps, I find my way to my room and slink through the doorway. Akiko was definitely right about this being quite the day, I’m exhausted… I slide the door closed behind me as I breathe out a sigh of relief and begin shucking the new robe off as well as my bra and panties. I make my way to the bathroom and brush my teeth before I go to bed, something I’ve been forgetting to do for a few days now and it’s beginning to irk me and my habit-forming brain. Sanitation complete, I bodily launch myself into the comfy covers and begin the binding ritual that is needed for maximum sleep efficiency~.
Ios’ form hovers into view as she gives me a little smirk, watching me wrap my arms and legs comfortably around and roll to the side. “What’s up Ios?” I ask out curiously.
“Nothing, I just wanted to watch your little ritual~. It’s endearing to see, hehe~!” I stick out my tongue at her as she giggles softly. “Well, I actually wanted to ask you about something, if you wanted to talk for a second before you head off to sleep?”
Curious, I shuffle back against the headboard so I can look at her properly, “Sure, Ios. You know I’m here for anything you want to talk about.”
Again, that soft smile, her emerald eyes twinkling in the hologram as a blush creeps slowly to her face. “Sweet as always~. Well, I know you got quite a few shop points today, from the quests and your sexy times with Akiko. Speaking of, you got some more from the shower afterwards, might wanna check that in the morning~. I know we talked about my body earlier today, but I want to make sure you know that I want you to get all the stuff for not only your crafting skills, but proper weapons, armor, and the manuals for Akiko and the girls too before we think about getting me corporeal again.”
I frown a bit, seeing her logic but feeling the weight drop out from under me. I was absolutely thinking that, that we had almost saved up enough to bring her to the real world properly… “I know that look in your eyes, hun.” She says as she breaks through my melancholy, “Again, you are just the best, and you make me feel so good inside from how much you care. But I won’t let a personal want of mine come between a need of yours. I have patience, sweetheart, I’ll be able to hold your hand, give you a hug, kiss you on the cheek goodnight in no time. You come first.”
I sigh as I look back up to her, the devotion in her eyes nearly drowning me as my heart starts to pick up its speed. “O-okay. If you’re sure? I just… You deserve to be in the form you feel comfortable with, regardless of how badly I want to finally give you the most bone crushing hug right now.”
“I am.” She says quietly, miming her hand up to rest on my cheek. “I do have a… compromise… for the time being, if you wanted to hear about it?”
Hope rekindles inside me as I eagerly nod ‘against’ her hand. “Hehe~! You’re such a cutie~. Well, you know how you were asking me to look for… toys?” I nod, slower this time as I squint my eyes suspiciously to her… “Don’t give me that look! Just hear me out! There’s a… suit that you can wear that gives tactile feedback from a controller. It’ll feel like hands are touching you, kisses dusting your body, and… and it has an opening for other similar types of toys that can be inserted to give haptic feedback, like vibrators and stuff. If we got that, I could synch to all of it and… well… God, I’m a multi millennium old being, why am I flubbing this so badly?!” She says as she ends her rant with a huff, blowing a few strands of her curly blonde hair out of her face before she turns away in a glaringly red blush.
I’d be gushing over how cute she’s being if my legs weren’t trying to close together on themselves at the implications she’s saying. “Like… Like a full body suit?” I ask out cautiously.
She turns back to me, obviously still embarrassed a bit as she answers back, “W-well, mostly? You’d be wearing a headset that has ultra realistic VR capabilities. We’d essentially be in a virtual plane, but… but you would feel it when I touch you, in real time. Sadly, we couldn’t kiss on the lips unless you go full gimp, which I don’t think you’re down for, but everything else? You’d feel it all, and so would I. The way I would configure the suit, it’d be like I was touching myself as well as you, and your emotions feed back into me anyways.” She ends with a shrug.
I swallow a heavy lump of arousal and desire, the tantalizing mental image of what she’s saying nearly leaving me speechless. Thankfully, I stay coherent enough to chokingly say out, “Buy it, all of it. Right now.”
