James stood tall over the flat expanse of wasteland. They had purposefully stopped away from any settlements in order to practice his magic. With his hands raised, the ground trembled and shifted. Splitting open, walls of gray stone rose up, intersecting one another before curving into domes.

They weren't the most majestic homes, but they would serve their purpose for the night. Inch by inch, the walls connected, sealing the dome completely from the elements. Three of them took nearly an hour, and he hadn't made the doors yet.

Soul Magic: Level 2/10 (+1)

It was a nice increase and he felt his magic click in his soul. He understood what he was doing wrong. The earth didn't want to be commanded. It was too stubborn. He needed to coax it out. Sweet talk it with promises of grand designs. Tempt it with the blood of his enemies. Seduce it will luxurious glows and life.

Applying those few changes, the ground erupted around the area; five more domes rising from the ground. He still needed at least five more, and for those, he strived for larger structures. He promised the stone that it would survive the ages for sheltering his people.

It was enough.

The domes finished within another hour and the doors were created, letting the animals into the shelters. He hadn't smoothed out the ground for all but one of them. His own shelter was rolled flat, with a small opening in the center of the ceiling. Amber was stacking wood in a firepit, preparing them for a few simple pleasures.

Zenaria took his hand as he finished. "That was really good, James."

With a soft smile, he squeezed her fingers. "Thanks. I hope I didn't bore you too much with my showing."

Putting her pen behind her ear, she waffled her hand. "Eh…"

"Jerk," he teased.

Pulling on him, she led him over to their small domed home. Amber was now sitting around a fire, her bedroll laid out and ready for the setting sun. Everest was inside, curled against the edge of the dome, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames.

Amber jumped up when he entered. "There you are!"

Frowning, he asked, "okay?"

Hurrying to his side, she grabbed his free hand and pulled him to the ground. Pushing him to sit, she claimed his lap, wrapping her tail around his waist. "You didn't set up the baths, mister."

Letting Zenaria go, he held the nekorian's hips. "I guess your tail will have to remain dirty for yet another night."

"Hey!" Batting his leg, she huffed. "Get the tubs out."

Sliding her off his lap, he stretched his arms above his head. "I think I'll clean Zenaria first."

"Yay!" the kitsune cheered.

Chuckling, he left the dome and pulled out three of his modified tubs. The water dispensed was still gold, a reflection of his past self.

Shadow Paw found him as he was filling the first tub. With a chuff, he rubbed against James before licking his hand.

"It's good to see you, Shadow Paw," James said softly. "How is your mate doing?"

The panther seemed to smile as his tail waved excitedly behind him.

"Is your family going to be okay for where we are going? I'm tempted to make you stay near Mother."

A grumbling growl escaped the panther as he turned away.

"I'm just worried." Kneeling before the great cat, James rested his hand on Shadow Paw's head. "Don't push her over the next few days. We'll arrive when we arrive. None of us are in a rush, and I need more time with my new skills."

Nodding, Shadow Paw started walking away, having talked through what he needed. Mother took his spot, her body wrapping around the dome. "Your magic is strong."

James regarded the structures. "They are simple and good practice for the home I'm going to build one day."

"The one where our children can play together." Humming, Mother lowered her head to the ground. "I miss watching Luna smack Amber back into place. The nekorian is very physical."

"That she is," James said with a laugh. "There's nothing wrong with that. We already love each other, its just a matter of the time we need."

"You love Luna more though."

The statement struck James powerfully for how right it was. "I do. I swear I can feel her in my soul, keeping me calm."

"Makes one wonder…"

Stopping the tub from overflowing, James moved to the second. He could have filled them all at once, but something told him that he needed these conversations.

"How are your skills?" Mother asked.

James pulled up his character sheet.

Name: James Matson

Soul Strength: 12.01

Soul Skills

Devour

Setting of a Thousand Suns

Blade of the Soul King

Armor of the Soul King

Soul Temple

Sight of the Violet Eye

King's Army

Soul Domination

Soul Retribution

Familial Bonds

Royal Craftsman: Level 1/10

Soul Magic: Level 2/10

Soul Pulse: Level 5/10

He only focused on his Soul Skills as they had changed the most. Devour was an expansion of Soul Siphon. He didn't know the extents that it increased to, but he believed that was how he broke through The Pact defenses. Setting of a Thousands Suns was his new Soul Strike. The power at the tips of his fingers spoke of destruction and death if he simply wanted it.

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His sword and armor were self explanatory and he didn't need to test them. Soul Temple was the odd skill. His Soul Storage had increased to a temple, that seemed to have unlimited space. But there was more to it than that. He didn't know what exactly, but Luna would likely know.

Sight of the Violet eye let him see souls without stretching out his senses. He could see their emotions, defenses, and many details that would come in handy. It was still overwhelming, using his crystal eye, but with more practice, he knew he could master it.

King's Army was going to be exciting to use. He could create multiple Soul Puppets of the gold soul to fight with him. The limit was based on how much of his own Soul Energy he wanted to put into them. Dozens could be created.

Soul Domination wasn't apparently different from Soul Control. He didn't know what changed if he was being honest. He didn't even know how to test it, and no apparent knowledge came from the skill.

Royal Craftsman and Soul Magic were nice increases. He still needed to learn new crafts as basic skills, but Royal Craftsman allowed him to effortlessly wield the tools he needed. When he made the sword, all he had to do was snap his fingers and it was forged. He knew enchanting would be like breathing. He wouldn't even need runes to enchant now. On the other hand, tanning still needed all of the chemicals.

"The skills are good, but diverse," he finally answered. "There's much to experiment with, and I need to fight to understand most of them."

"You'll have your fights soon, I promise."

Resting his hand on Mother's snout, he smiled. "I really think Luna is calming me. I should be very angry over the thoughts of killing my enemies."

Laughing, she reached out and turned off the faucet. "You should hurry and fill the third bath. Amber isn't going to wait much longer."

Waving her off, he moved to the tub and started it up. Steaming water bubbled and swirled in the bottom, creating a golden shimmer that he marveled at.

"Amber!" he called out.

He only had to wait a second before the naked nekorian was jumping into her tub. Setting bottles of shampoo on the edge, she placed a brush before humming. "If you wash me and Zenaria, we'll wash you."

Zenaria more demurely entered her water and set down her products. The kitsune wasn't shy about showing him her body. In fact, none of his family were shy about being naked in front of one another. They had done mixed baths since the beginning.

Everest joined them and dropped a polishing towel near his feet. "Help?"

She used her cute baby voice that pulled at his heart, making him pick up the towel. Amber splashed her with water while growling, making the child giggle and run away.

"I need more hands," James murmured.

"Start with Zenaria," Amber stated. "Her tails take the longest and I'd like to soak for a bit."

Zenaria hummed in bliss as she held up the bottle of shampoo. Smiling, he took it from her and lathered up his hands. Running his fingers through her fur, he pulled the day's worth of dirt from the fibers and softened the fibers.

"I love your tails," he said without thinking.

Zenaria blushed down to her chest as she met his gaze. "Really?"

"Yes," he admitted. "They are very soft and comforting. Like a warm blanket on a cold night."

"Thank you," she whispered.

Amber chuckled at them. "Let him pamper you, Zenaria. He's good for it tonight."

Touching his chest, James focused on the calm feeling his soul was producing. He didn't know why nothing was bothering him, but he was thankful for the reprieve from emotions.

Half an hour passed before he moved on to Amber. The nekorian purred as he washed her tail and hair, making sure all of the road dust was gone before cleaning her ears. With each gently touch, she nearly shivered and her eyes dilated as she watched him.

Swallowing hard, he quickly moved to his own bath and got in. Before the ladies could help him, Priest arrived.

"Nightly tradition?" the man asked.

"Yup!" Amber chirped. "A clean body is a good body."

"Any more stories you are willing to share?" James asked.

Nodding, Priest moved to the dome and sat against the wall. "When she was five, she scared your grandmother to prematurely grow white hair."

"I thought all Valiants developed white hair?" James questioned.

"Only the non-royals and disciples." Priest waved him off. "Your mother got it into her mind to that she could fly. I don't know if it's a collective thing all children think about, but your mother like many others, attempted."

Amber giggled. "With a sheet?"

"With a sheet," Priest confirmed. "She thought tying it around her neck and jumping from the castle would allow her to glide, if not fly. Thankfully, your grandmother caught her."

"What about my grandfather?"

Priests smile diminished. "He was a good man, but not there for her childhood. He had many disciples and factions that he had to oversee. As the king of all Valiants and the Underworld, he was powerful with influence and prestige. Just not enough time for his child."

James was surprised to find Zenaria rapidly writing in her book, taking in every detail as if she was offered water in the desert. Her pen flowed with vigor as her tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth.

Not wanting to bother her, James said, "you should sit down with Zenaria tonight. I'm sure she has many questions about the stories you told today."

Smiling, Priest nodded. "I can do that."

Amber drained her tub before walking over to his, still dripping gold water. Instead of standing by his side to help clean him, she pushed him to sit up and slid into the tub behind him. With her legs wrapped around him, she started massaging his shoulders.

"You're in my bath," he stated.

"Yup."

"Why are you in my bath."

"Are you really complaining," she countered. "I'm behind you and not in your lap. Enjoy the moment, James. I promise not to push you too far."

Settling down, he let himself relax. He had always had a close relationship with Amber, and this really was just another day between them. The only difference now was that Luna wanted him to be her mate.

"Do you think the others are happy?" James whispered.

Amber stopped her massage. "I know they are. Luna is likely barking orders and plotting her full day of pampering you are going to give her. And the child you will give her that first night."

"Yeah," he said softly. Touching his chest, he closed his eyes and laid back against Amber. Her soft breasts pressed against him, cushioning his tired body. All the while, her tail danced around his legs, rubbing his thighs.

"Want me to get out?" she asked after he settled. "If this is too much…"

"You're fine," he whispered. "I'll just close my eyes for a moment."

Amber kissed his ear as the world began to fade away.

***

"He's out," Amber whispered to the others. "Help."

Zenaria put her book and pen away to hurry to her side. Together, they sat him up and scrubbed his body down while Priest did his best to aid them.

"Does he normally fall asleep in the bath?" Priest asked.

"Lately, almost every time," Amber answered. "He doesn't show it, but he's exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. He never stops, and he never takes a break."

"With Jamie gone, I don't know if he'll enchant anymore," Zenaria said softly.

"I'll convince him." Amber drained his tub and summoned a towel. "Let's wrap him up and get him to bed. Priest, can you hold him up?"

Obliging, he large man picked James up like he was a child and helped dry him. Amber didn't linger as she moved swiftly. She was more than happy enough to help him relax. And she had succeeded.

"When are you going to make a move on him?" Zenaria asked.

Scoffing, Amber took James from Priest. "I'll have you know I'm a very dignified woman. He'll have to make the move on me."

Giggling, Zenaria followed her into their temporary home and helped tuck the man in. Priest moved to sit near the fire, while Everest joined them once again, dropping her towel off in Amber's lap.

Sighing, Amber started wiping down the dragon, making sure to polish each scale. Mother blocked the entrance with her head, joining them.

"Do you really think Luna is affecting his soul?" Amber asked.

"Yes," Mother answered without pause.

"How is that possible?"

Priest pursed his lips. "What was their relationship before she died?"

"She was his wife and soulmate," Amber answered. "She sacrificed her life to save all of us and keep his soul from taking damage."

"Ahh…" Smiling, Priest pressed his hands together and rested them against his lips. "How very interesting."

"What changed?" Zenaria asked.

"Oh, I have no idea," Priest admitted. "But I've noticed his soul feels unlike anything I have experienced before. It's sturdier and denser than it should be. As if…"

"As if there were other souls in there with him," Amber finished.

"There are," Zenaria stated. "He has our entire family in his soul. They willingly gave him their strength when he needed it the most."

"That shouldn't have been possible," Priest said. Tapping his fingers against his lips, he added, "it doesn't make sense. If that was possible, it would have happened before."

"It was Luna's skill," Amber pointed out. "She called it Soul Sacrifice. All of us were wrapped in power that linked us to James. Even with Luna's death, it didn't fade until after the battle."

"Are you sure nothing like that has happened before?" Zenaria asked.

"I'm positive. If that were the case, one of the Valiants would have reached violet or immortal before James's time."

Amber scooted her sleeping mat over to James's side and curled into his back. "It doesn't matter. James is strong enough to finish the fight before us. He's going to reach the immortal soul and bring everyone back."

No one wanted to ruin that statement. Zenaria pulled her book back out and started asking questions about stories that James would enjoy. When she wasn't writing down stories, she was writing in a second book, weaving a story of her time with the man.

Amber rested against James and hummed a pleasant tune. Mother started to snore lightly, snuffing out their flames before they were done. With a shared laugh, they all settled down for the night.

"Don't wake up on top of him," Zenaria teased.

"No promises." Yawning, Amber kissed James's cheek, making him smile in his sleep. She was going to make sure he smiled each day, and she would care for him in every way that she could. For now, that meant she was the rock he needed over the turbulent week.

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