I tried to strike a sexy pose as I awaited her arrival. Ink was still in recovery; he barely had enough mass to manifest in my palm after sacrificing most of his mass to save me. He was a good boy. I’d let him know after this. I had pressing matters.

  I felt her manifest beside me. Her coolness felt great against my new skin. She was within my aura, so I could see her. She had the most contented smile on her face. Her hair was different this time. It had more flair. The hair distracted me. Even though the other times we met, I didn't have my Sense loci aspected, but I could tell something was off about Vex. It was still very much her in form, but something was missing from the last two times. I couldn’t tell if it was because I could see more or if there was truly a difference. I must have worn my concern on my face because she spoke first.

  “You’re not wrong,” her sultry voice still sent tingles down my spine.

  “Mhrm…About what?”

  “I’m not the same.” Ah, here it came, she was a god and I a mere mortal, well not capital M Mortal, but still a huge gap between us. She rolled over and wrapped her arm around me. Despite her small stature, she still made me the little spoon. I felt my look sour. Only one woman never rejected me, well beyond a little playful hard to get. Why would a goddess be any different? Again, the look must have been on my face.

  Despite not having eyes on her face, I could still see her dark circles working. She got the cause of the face as she replayed her words. A small, mischievous smile teased across her pale lips. She shifted up to whisper in my ear.

  “Not that….never that…silly boy. I just meant I sent an avatar.” She draped her hand down to my hip and slightly over. A sense of relief flooded me. We both could feel all the tension drain out of my body.

  “I like this skin. Is it new?” She asked while drawing circles along the sides of my abs.

  “Yeah, I just had a bit of an acci…..wait, you knew?” Her laughter cued me in before I could finish.

  “I can only see so much. Only bits here and there, like a greatest hits compilation.”

  “I bet that last one was a doozy. How do you know about compilations?” I asked, confused by her use of the word.

  “Ah…just as you have been busy, so have I.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  I arched an eyebrow at that.

  “Not like that silly boy. I had to do some setting of the board. I’ve met a few more of your kind. Well, not your kind, but others from Earth. Unlike you, they aren’t shielded from view by their starting area.”

  “Starting area?” I knew the term and had an idea of the protections.

  “Mhhm, yes. You haven’t left the general area of where you arrived, so you are hidden from view. The other major players think I’m crazy or just biding my time for not choosing a paragon amongst my champions. They don’t know about you. You are going to be a late-game wild card. I’m counting on you for that.” Her purrs were doing nothing to help keep me concentrated on the conversation. She was a priceless font of knowledge, and I needed that for when I got out, but I wanted one thing, and her breath on my neck and other more hidden clues told me I wasn't the only one.

  “Other champions? Also, about getting out of here?”

  “Yes, I can’t tell you more about them, just that they exist. As for getting out of here, I’ve got that set in motion, so it should be soon.”

  “How soon is soon? Actually, better question how soon is now? I mean, how long have I been here?”

  “I can answer the second question. About four cycles have elapsed since you arrived. That’s about…”

  “Seven years.” I finished with astonishment. It had been seven years since I left. That was a punch to the gut. I took a steadying breath. This time, I rolled over to face her.

  “That’s a long time. But it’s ok” I lied. She returned my smile.

  “Just a little bit longer, love. You are getting very strong. I am a little disappointed that you didn’t adopt a Death Aspect, but if it had to be something else, a step higher, primal is nothing to shake a stick at. I can’t say any more, but just know I am very proud of you.” She gave me a little peck of a kiss at that.

  “Aris?”

  “Yea?”

  “You want to know the real reason I sent an avatar?”

  I did. I was a little let down that she was only partially here. I was willing to bet I had all her focus, but it wasn’t the same.

  “Why is that, my goddess?”

  Her face took on a predatory gleam, and I saw the hint of electric blue in her eyes.

  “I’m willing to bet that you are strong enough now to handle an avatar without almost dying.”

  Now this was the coming close to death I could get used to.