To say that Traya was surprised and shocked whewo of them not only returned early from training but had the rumors she heard while out-and-about doing some daily chores firmed by Peter and Ennalyssa themselves would be an uatemeer, slightly bemused, was fairly certain Traya looked like she was about to faint, but caught herself at the st moment. The rest of that day ent reading — Peter to learn more of what he could, Ennalyssa for studying; they took breaks, of course, as Peter was not looking to bore her and make reading or learning un-fun.Traya also helped both of them with some, of what would be sidered basic, math as Peter was adamant about learning and was ho about his g mathematical skills from his previous life.

  After a dinner of deliciously tender seasoned and roasted meat (Peter chose to remain ignorant as to the source) with something that looked like purple fingerling potatoes that were salted, seasoned, and basted in butter as well as a cold sad Peter found himself extremely tired and excused himself to go to bed earlier than his usual the past week.He tried to ighe worried ghe two dies gave him, but when he saw the tears starting to form in Ennalyssa’s eyes he k and hugged her, wiping them away gently. “I’ll be fine, I promise.” He whispered to her, “Just promise me you’ll not give Miss Traya trouble when it es to bedtime, alright?” “Alright.” She agreed without hesitation, hugging him extra firmly for a long moment before letting go.

  Rarely did it happen that wheer y his head upon his pillow did he fall asleep instantly.He was immehankful he made it to the bed, feeling a sudden drop in energy as he slumped onto the fortable mattress before flopping bad drawing the covers over himself. Peter was out the sed he closed his eyes and exhaled to rex.

  It took him, if he had been awake to clock the time, perhaps a good two or three mio bee aware of the fact that he was… separated… from his body. Not actually dreaming, but still asleep. He was elsewhere.A very familiar elsewhere, in fact, despite the outwardly different look that appeared to him. Oh.A familiar sound now; a giggle. ?Yes, ‘oh’.? Na’at appeared, a smile wide on her fad glimmering eyes bright. She ed him in a hug, ?I ’t believe you did that, hun!? Na’at pushed herself away, holdier at arms-length and beaming at him, ?That was beautiful.?

  I… thanks… I…Peter reeled a little, feeling heavy still from when he passed out in bed. ?Easy, hun, you went through a lot of athyr pulling that stunt.? She chided gently, reag out to stroke his hair, bing through it as a doting mht, ?Are you feeling woozy? Need a seat?? I wouldn’t mind oo be ho.With a nod, and a wave of her hand, Na’at summoned one — creating it from the pure energy or material of her little pocket dimension; inter-dimensional quantum meics was not somethier wao think about, sidering he was currently trying to learn basic math in base-12. It was the two ‘extra’ hat seemed to be tripping him up.

  ?How are you feeling?? Na’at asked curiously, sitting down on the couch she jured up and beier to join her, as he did she jured up a coffee table and a tray with drinks and cookies again. That… isn’t keffe… ?his is cao’khe.? So, the Aetyrosan version of cocoa?The Goddess of Chaos nodded, ?Yup!? Gimme~Peter leaned over to grab a cup and a cookie, nibbling on it with a sigh and blowing oeaming a’at giggled, ?After the week you had, I imagine you ‘desperately’ his.? She o the table, adjusting her feather-like hair to rest more vely, half-turning on the couch so she could better face her son, ?Drink some, it’ll help you rex.? She assured. Any whiskey?Peter snorted i. ?If you’re serious, I could jure some.? She teased, ?But I suggest going with the virgin hot cao’khe first.? He blushed, nodding, giving the cookie he had taken a hearty bite before sipping carefully at the hot cao’khe. Peter sighed as the warm, and fvor, filled his mouth and body as he swallowed. So… what is it? ?It’s hot cocoa. No trick.?Peter shook his head, ‘speaking’ gently. No, no… not what I meant, Mom. What is it that you ‘summoned’ me here back to your realm for? ?You needed a break, a… safe pce… in case you o talk about things.? She whispered, her dusky ember red skin going darker in blush, ?As I said — after the week you had…? Ah. Peter nodded, sighing as he sipped at the hot cocoa, shoving the rest of the cookie into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Brushing the crumbs away and sipping more of the cao’khe to wash the cookie down he sighed, I am so tired — I just… all week. Just all this week, all my ‘training’ has been has been people kig my ass and not listening to me. Just… what the hell. I haven’t done anything and pissed off one of the guards because I got a sed helping of food! ?It is a shame he targeted you instead of turning that aowards the actual source of woe.? d’Zaier… and likely Havengard too. ?Very.?Peter sipped at the cao’khe, taking a rger gulp as it cooled; not g if it was all mental and he could probably gargle with boiling water if he wao; you enjoyed/savored hot cocoa, even its substitute. I feel like I’m in over my head. Wasn’t the pn to go in and, you know, quietly make ges, try to figure out what’s going on? I’ve made a mess of things… ?Hush. No, you haven’t—? Na’at reached out aly, almost worriedly, put her hand on his cheek. When he didn’t pull away at her touch she pressed her palm just a little more firmly against it while gently rubbihumb against his cheek. Yes. I have, though!At this Peter stood up at his protest, walking away from the cou a nervous fit of energy — sipping at his cup agaiuro look at her before tinuing. I made immediate enemies with Havengard, and I didn’t do anything! I rocked the boat at every ce when I should have just kept quiet. I… I’m not smart enough to be Ennalyssa’s teacher, and that’s not even sidering I know nothing of this world myself. Sure I’m learning but… ?Go on.? Na’at enced, sipping at her own cocoa. How am I supposed to protect her, Mom?His words were filled with pain, and a himself for failure. I’m not a fighter… what I am thinking standing up to that teacher… and d’Zaier himself. With his power within the Church Luminous… ?As powerful a foe as he is, remember you have an equally powerful friend though.? And about that! Vaunn, and Heimardt, even Broseff! Every one of them says, or acts like, they care but what are they doing to actually help her? ?I imagihey, like you, are doing all they within their power, sweetie.? She stood up and walked over to him and hugged him, kissing the top of his head, ?With d’Zaier’s nearly-iron grip, Vaunn is doing all he to fight back.? …I know… ?Oh, hun, I’m not angry, and not lecturing you.? She stroked at his hair gently, ?I’m sorry that you’re dealing with that and I’ve been trying to help all I behind the ses.? I— I know. It’s just frustrating since… we were trying to be ‘quiet’ but I feel like I’m drawing attention to your as… ?Not at all. You haven’t gone around shouting you're my Godchild, after all. If anyone suspects you are a Godchild now, after that stunt of yours, they haven’t figured out which you belong to.? Na’at pointed out, ?Maybe… we should think about giving you all that knowledge about Aetyros so you make your way around more on your own.? I’m still not sure that’s a good idea… and I know, I’m stupid for handicapping myself like that, even now. ?You aren’t stupid, Peter.? She gentle admonished, ?You’re angry, frustrated… but not stupid.? You’re right about that. I just… there’s got to be something to do to make this work. But after calling down all the gods, you included…Na’at snorted a ugh, ?The looks on everyone’s faces. I’m fairly sure people were expeg you to just disappear after that, but the fact you didn’t should be telling to them.? What the hell did happen, by the way? Those shadows reag up and grabbing me, all of a sudden. I mean, you saw how readily d’Zaier was ready to eh the sword that Xtha gave me! ?Which is telling on his part and why both Xtha aepped in as they did.? She paused, ?I… when she spoke up… I was surprised.? Sounds like you two have a history… ?We do.? Na’at answered holy, turning to look away from Peter, ?But… that isn’t something I want to talk abht now. I will, I promise, but…? Hope so. I mean, I put a lot of trust into you, oh Goddess of om…?Do you… Do you mean that seriously, or just… I don’t even know the words right now.? She shifted in her seat, looking unsure as she ed her hands around her cup, resting it in her p. Another versation we should have but… I’m trying to separate myself from my past life. I was given a new body and a new life… and since you did that…Na’at nodded, ?Still, you do have a point, you’re putting a lot of trust in a Goddess of Chaos. Something I appreciate and will reward you for, I swear.? You know I didn’t do any of this for a reward… ?I know.? She smiled, ?But to answer your question… I have no idea why Xtha did that, with the sword. And after the ‘trial’ adjourned she futzed off to her own pocket dimension to get back to her work.? Na’at expined, ?So I couldn’t ask her why she did that.? Fun times abound. ?Worried about what will happen now??Peter nodded, I’m worried about Enna, and Traya. I’m worried that calling on all of you… ?That was incredibly ballsy of you to do, and it showed everyone you had to fight this past week they were being lied to — they were wrong about you. Yeah, it was dramatic but it should have opeheir eyes.? I still don’t know what to do, Mom. I have a target on my back, regardless, because of d’Zaier and Havengard. Even with allies to help me.Peter paced bad forth, sipping the hot cao’khe and trying not to wave his arms around too wildly as he spoke to his godly mother. ?You’re worried about them targeting Ennalyssa to get to you.? You bet your ass I am. Both have less-than-subtly made it clear they have absolutely no qualms about hurtio quiet me.Na’at stood up and put herself in his way, making him stop short and take a step back, looking her up and down in surprise. Saying nothing at the moment Na’at hugged him aly kissed the top of his head, squeezing a little tighter, ?Easy, easy Peter…? She whispered, feeling his chest shudder against hers, ?It’s okay, hun, I’m here for you.? I feel so… alone… I’m not… strong enough… or smart enough…He shuddered, hicg a little as he ed his arms around her. ?You aren’t alone.? Na’at gently reminded, ?You have me, and Traya. I mean, Enna, the dear, was ready to take on three people twice her size for you.? That was ballsy.Peter sounded proud of her, chug softly despite his curreional storm roiling inside of his core. ?And, as you noted before. You have allies with Shepherd Vaunn, Broseff, and others. Your ‘trial’ probably turhers to your side.? She offered hopefully.Peter mumbled a grumble. ?Do me a favor, Peter, please.?Peter paused, listening, but Na’at could feel his hesitation ?Don’t hold baymore.? Na’at requested, ?I’m not saying start trouble… I’m saying don’t be afraid of ending trouble. Standing up, and fighting back… that isn’t going to make you a bully, or a monster.? She stepped back a little, raising his face to look at hers, ?I know, you don’t know how to fight… and, well, that will be taken care of tomorrow.? She smiled impishly, usihumb to wipe away the tears that had fallen down his cheeks, ?You are strohan you allow yourself to be. And I don’t mean physically, my love.? She whispered, kissing his forehead. Na’— Mom, I…Peter sighed, wanting to look away shamefully but uhanks terong hand. ?You will get proper training, I promise.? Na’at whispered, expining, ?Physically, and magically. You and Ennalyssa both, actually.? Good. I want to make sure I protect her, and others.Na’at smiled, ?Would you have taken my offer if I had told you that you were to be the hero?? …I would have, but not flory, or wealth, or anything like that…She nodded, ?Tell me.? I… people… would need me. It doesn’t matter what I think of myself; if I be a hero or not… People would have needed me. People do need me. Ennalyssa, others…Na’at nodded, ?And stepping up to help them… that is what I’d call heroic, my dear. You might not think you’re strong enough… because you’re scared, worried… but… I think you know a quote that’s quite fitting about this, don’t you?? Ce is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. ?That’s a good one, yes.? Na’at smiled gently, approvingly at him, ?And it’s something you’ve proven time and again this past week, my son.? She stroked at his hair tenderly, ?Every m you woke up, went to the training, did your best despite those targeting you. And don’t think for a mihat having enough and calling on us Gods makes any of that less. Everyone has a breaking point where they just ot take anymore.?Na’at touched his chest, over his heart, and he felt a warmth flood through him. ?You value peace, and peaceful resolutions, you want to see those around you enjoying pead happiness. This is a wonderful thing, Peter, but a disservice was doo you when you were not taught how to protect that pead happiness. Properly, I mean.? Even a peaceful man has to fight. ?I uand that you don’t like it, but sometimes words fail. A writer must put down the pen and take up the sword, to twist a saying.? She gave a sad smile, ?For now, dear, sit and rex. You are safe here. Tomorrow is a new day, and I promise you that things will look better when you wake up.?

  She led him back to the coud sat with him, p him another cup of the cocoa substitute that he found himself rather enjoying. Taking a sed cookie Peter sipped at the thick, luscious drink slowly, sav the bitter-sweet fvor. Mmm~ ?That’s it, Peter. And… don’t be afraid to e to me if you need another break, or just to talk.? There is something to be said about doing so face-to-fastead of just having a voi the bay head.Peter admitted, shifting so he could hug Na’at. Thank you. Truly, Na’at.She ed an arm around him and smiled, ?You’re wele, my son. However… you’re still going to feel like absolute crap when you wake up.? Peter blinked, giving a thousand-yard stare across her little ‘living room’ and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply before letting go a long, tired sigh. Fuuu~uuuck.

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