Capítulo 28: Introductions
~~ Author Note ~~
https://discord.gg/6PBf4ccNCT
Hello, readers.
I'm not dead, nor is this dropped. I've had writer's block for a while now. That, combined with being busy, means uploads have been delayed for a period. It might continue to be delayed for a while. I'm not sure yet.
Anyways here is a more extensive than normal chapter as compensation.
As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.
~~ End Author Note ~~
***
'So comfortable,' Kikyo thought to herself. 'This sweet scent is so calming and relaxing.'
She stretched her stiff limbs and resettled into a comfortable position to rest once more. However, she suddenly sat upright, her eyes shooting open in coordination. "My senses have returned."
Kikyo's eyes teared up as she relished in the familiar, yet almost forgotten, sensations that bombarded her. Her prior body was simply an earthen husk that possessed minimal functions. Just the ability to see and move again was already a luxury. Yet now, she could breathe in the marvelous smells of the surrounding flowers. She could feel the soft and warm soil beneath her. She could once again experience being alive.
Kikyo dug her hands into the dirt. She raised her hands and let the soil fall between her fingers. "I truly am alive once more. He kept his promise."
Kikyo struggled to calm her rampant emotions as tears trickled down her face. She quietly sobbed until she felt a small hand touch her cheek. Kikyo looked up and saw a small blonde fairy watching her worriedly with her sparkling amethyst eyes.
"Have you calmed down now?"
Kikyo turned to the familiar voice. "I am sorry to have shown you something so unsightly." She wiped her tears with her sleeve. Once her face was dry, she bowed towards the man. "Thank you for granting me another chance at life."
The tiny fairy saw Kikyo's movements and mimicked her gesture, bowing while hovering near the priestess' shoulder. The scene earned a chuckle from Dianthus.
"There's no need to thank me. I've just upheld my end of our deal." Dianthus reached forward and used his index finger to rub the fairy's head. "Why are you bowing too, silly?"
"Umm, if you do not mind me asking, where are we, and who is this?"
Dianthus stopped rubbing the fairy's head. "It's a bit late, but welcome to my realm. As for this little one," he gestured towards the fairy, "she is Peony. She's the physical manifestation of this world's will. When she found out about a new incarnation, she rushed to meet you."
Kikyo held a finger out towards the fairy. "Nice to meet you, Peony."
Peony grabbed hold of Kikyo's finger with both hands and smiled. Peony's bright smile melted Kikyo's heart. She couldn't help but praise how adorable the fairy was inside her head.
"Since it seems Peony has taken a liking to you, I suppose we ought to finalize your position as an incarnation."
Kikyo nodded, "What do I need to do?"
"You needn't do anything. I've already created your body with being my incarnation in mind. I just need to inject some mana infused with my conceptual power into your body."
Dianthus kneeled and placed two fingers against Kikyo's forehead. "This will only take a second."
Immediately light pink energy gathered at the tip of his fingers. Kikyo felt a strange warmth envelop her whole body, yet that wasn't the only difference. It was faint, but she could feel the emotions of the flowers around them. She could vaguely tell that they were congratulating her.
"So, how is it?" Dianthus asked as he retracted his fingers.
"It is strange," Kikyo pondered as she looked at the swaying plants. "I can tell what the flowers are feeling even though they can't speak. It is odd but comforting at the same time."
Dianthus chuckled. "You'll get used to it. It won't always be this noisy. They're all just excited to be able to communicate with another person."
"Your wives are unable?"
"No," he shook his head, "they can't. None of them possess the same conceptual divinity, nor does their compatibility allow them to become incarnations. Not just anyone can become an incarnation. My wife, Semi, has been a true goddess for a long time, yet she has never found an individual that could become her incarnation."
"I see... So my compatibility is what caused you to take notice of me?" Kikyo asked.
"That's partially true. Though, if I disliked you as a person, I wouldn't have approached you regardless of said compatibility. However, I'm glad it worked out. Now Peony can communicate with someone else as well. She won't get lonely as easily."
Kikyo touched the small fairy that hovered curiously near her shoulder. Peony giggled when she felt the priestess' finger poke her belly. "They are not able to communicate with Peony either?"
Once again, Dianthus shook his head. "Peony is still in an infantile state. So, she can't manifest to those disconnected from my conceptual power. You could see her immediately because you already possessed a fraction of my energy from when I remade your body.
"How about we end the boring talks there. Instead, why don't I show you where you'll live and introduce you to everyone else."
Kikyo stood up to follow Dianthus. Peony landed comfortably atop Kikyo's head, nestling amongst her silky black hair to sleep. She chuckled at the antics of the little fairy.
"I apologize for Peony's behavior. It seems she has already grown attached to you," Dianthus apologized whilst the two walked towards the nearby house. "Also, I'm embarrassed that I allowed you to rest outside during the night. The flowers acted on their own while I slept."
"It is fine. I'm already quite attached to Peony as well. As for resting outside, it does not bother me. Feeling the sun's warmth as soon as I awoke was a pleasant experience. I did not realize how much I had missed this sensation."
Seeing the sad look on Kikyo's face, Dianthus patted her on the shoulder. "From now on, you'll be able to experience everything you've missed. I won't be a good boss if I don't let my housekeeper do as she likes."
He flashed her a small smile which prompted her to laugh lightly into her hand. "I suppose I will have to thank you in advance then, master."
Kikyo followed him into an exquisite wooden house, the likes of which she had never seen before. Though, she didn't show much surprise. Everything she's experienced since meeting this man was already far out of the ordinary for her. She kept calm as she followed him through the foyer and into a spacious lounge.
"Wait here. I'll go fetch everyone so that I can introduce you."
Dianthus disappeared into the nearby hallway, leaving Kikyo alone with a sleeping Peony as her only companion. She curiously looked around the room. Though ordinary, it was luxurious in Kikyo's eyes. The small wooden huts she stayed in before paled considerably in comparison.
She walked over to the nearby couch and rested her palm upon the cushion. "Such a strange object."
"It's for sitting on."
Kikyo turned towards the voice.
"Nice to see you again," Semiramis said with a smile. She walked over and took sat down on the loveseat near Kikyo. She patted the spot next to her, "Come, sit with me."
Kikyo obliged and sat next to the goddess, albeit somewhat awkwardly.
"How does it feel to be alive once more?" Semiramis curiously asked.
"It is strange, but in a pleasant way. I could not be more thankful for the opportunity your husband provided me. I do not think I could ever repay him."
"You could always repay him in the bedroom."
A slight blush crept its way onto the priestess' face. "I would not dare. I do not think he's interested in my body either. I am simply his servant."
The goddess chuckled. "Relax. I was only kidding. But, if you ever do wish to warm his bed, let me know. I'm sure I can make it happen."
A cute voice rang out behind the two of them. "Shiro has another mama?"
The redness spread further across Kikyo's cheeks, leading Semiramis to laugh joyfully. "Maybe soon," she answered the little girl. "Why don't you sit with me till your father arrives."
Shiro nodded and leaped up to the goddess' lap. Semiramis caught her and began to stroke her soft, silky hair. Shiro happily hummed from the pleasant sensation.
Soon after, four more women walked into the lounge, two with a slight limp. Rina took a seat on an empty armchair while Eruza, Hitomi, and Ui moved to a couch. After sitting down, the four of them directed their attention to the newcomer.
"Who is she," Hitomi asked the goddess.
"She's the incarnation of our dearest husband."
Kikyo bowed her head. "It is nice to meet you all. I am Kikyo."
"Hello, I'm Ui."
"Name's Hitomi."
"I'm Eruza."
"My name is Rina. Nice to meet you."
"Shiro is Shiro."
All the women giggled at the little girl's adorable introduction.
Semiramis ruffled the fox's hair. "If your father were here right now, It'd be impossible to pull him away from you after that introduction."
"Umu," Shiro nodded. "Papa is a daughter-con."
Her words earned another round of laughter from all of the women.
"Sounds like everyone is getting along well enough."
Dianthus walked into the room and took a seat on an empty armchair. Three girls walked in after him and sat upon the last couch.
"Papa!" Shiro excitedly shouted. She left Semiramis' lap and hopped up onto Dianthus', much to the former's dissatisfaction.
Dianthus started scratching behind Shiro's fluffy ears, eliciting a quiet purr from the contented kit.
"I'm sure you've all gotten acquainted already, but I'd appreciate it if everyone could introduce themselves again for those who just arrived."
Upon his request, each woman present began to introduce themselves.
"I'm Semiramis. I'm both a true goddess of death and a loving wife to the true god of flowers."
"I'm Eruza. I'm a yokai and also a loving wife."
"I'm Hitomi. A yokai and wife."
"I'm Ui. A rabbit yokai and Dianthus' wife."
"My name is Rina. I'm also a yokai and the friend of the three of them."
"Hello, I am Kikyo. I am master's new incarnation."
"Nice to meet you all. My name is Roxanne."
"Hello. I'm Shinoa."
"Fremy."
"Shiro is Shiro and papa's daughter."
Dianthus leaned his head down and kissed his daughter's cheek. "How can my daughter be this precious." He lightly pinched her cheeks. "I might die from an overload of cuteness."
"Wuuu..." Shiro pushed at his hands. "Papa, stop. Shiro's cheeks are gonna come off."
Dianthus obeyed his daughter's wish. He rubbed Shiro's head and chuckled. "Now that everyone is acquainted, I believe it's time to address some things."
Seeing the curiosity evident on everyone's face, Dianthus continued.
"First off, I, as well as my wives and daughter, live in this realm. Of course, miss Kikyo will begin living here now that she is my incarnation. I want to extend an invitation to the rest of you."
He looked at the three girls first. "I'm sure you three are tired of living in Semi's domain alone." He turned towards Rina next. "Although we're not acquainted, I offer to you as well. I'm sure Eruza, Hitomi, and Ui would love for you to live with the three of them."
Almost immediately after the offer, Roxanne accepted his invitation. "The three of us will happily accept." Beside her, the other two nodded as well.
"I'll accept the offer as well. If only to make sure you don't mistreat Eruza, Hitomi, and Ui." Rina gave him a hostile glare, but to Dianthus, it was no more intimidating than a small puppy.
He ignored Rina and addressed the three girls instead. "I'm glad to have you here in my realm."
Although the words were nothing more than pleasantries, the three couldn't help but take it more seriously. On the other side, Rina pouted from being ignored. Eruza couldn't help but wearily smile and rub her friend's back.
"Secondly," Dianthus continued, "I'd like to ask the three of you what you wish to do. Your souls have been repaired, and you've fully grown. If you'd like, I can find your original worlds for you to return. I'll take responsibility for whatever you wish since I've decided to intervene prior."
"You'll take responsibility?" Roxanne asked.
"Yes, you have my word."
Semiramis smiled. "You said it yourself."
Eruza, Hitomi, and Ui giggled off to the side. Rina and Kikyo shook their heads. Despite not knowing the backstory, they could tell where it was going.
"Shiro will have new mamas," his daughter chimed in.
"We'd like to be in a more intimate relationship with the intent to become your wives."
Seeing the look in Roxanne's eyes after her statement, Dianthus could tell she was serious. The other two girls also possessed the same gaze.
"I see you're taking advantage of what I said. No doubt Semi recommended this tactic."
Shinoa put up a peace sign and smiled. "Hehe, she said you wouldn't go back on your word."
"Semi..." Dianthus breathed out a tired sigh.
"Oh, my," the goddess placed her hand in front of her mouth. "It seems the cat's out of the bag. I may have given them some advice."
Shaking his head, Dianthus turned back to the three girls. "You're right that I'm not one to go back on what I say. It's why I don't make promises lightly."
He ran his hand through his hair in thought. "Alright, I did say I'd take responsibility. Despite my words not holding such meaning, I'll do as you wish."
The three girls smiled and exchanged victory glances with each other.
"But," Dianthus' voice broke their small celebration. "It'll be a test relationship."
"What do you mean?" Roxanne questioned.
"I mean, the relationship isn't final. I don't dislike you girls, but I also hold no romantic feelings towards the three of you yet.
"Just the same, you three have only interacted with me for a brief while. If you don't enjoy being with me, this will allow you to back out should you change your mind. Otherwise, there would be no other options for you girls. I won't let go of what's mine, including my wives."
Roxanne met Dianthus' eyes. "So we just have to make you fall for us then?"
"I suppose that's correct. Though, how will you guarantee your feelings for me won't waver first?"
"Oh, sounds like a challenge," Roxanne said.
"Count me in. I'll make sure you fall head over heels for me," Shinoa declared.
"Me too," Fremy interjected.
Dianthus ruffled his daughter's hair, "I guess I'll look forward to it."
"Is there anything else you wanted to mention?" the goddess asked.
Dianthus nodded. "I wanted to talk a bit about my past and why I'm in this world. You already know this story, but I'm sure it would be good for the others to hear."
"About time you opened up more." Semiramis smiled at Dianthus. "I was thinking about creating a truth serum if you didn't."
Dianthus shivered. "I'm glad you didn't. Otherwise, I might not be alive to tell my story."
Semiramis giggled sweetly at his words. The others present didn't laugh along. To them, the goddess' laugh was the same as the reaper's calling.
Dianthus lightly coughed to return attention to himself. "Anyways..."
He proceeded to tell about how he wound up traveling to this world—starting from the followers of Nyogtha using Honami as a hostage to seal his bloodline. He told them how it was planned by the god so that he could use another artifact to destroy his soul.
He explained his gratitude towards Semiramis for assisting him and helping to save the fragments of Honami's soul. Lastly, he told them about how he was planning to hop between worlds to revive Honami and gain enough power to destroy Nyogtha.
The reactions towards his story differed drastically for each person. Most of them reacted by displaying rage and even bloodlust towards the god known as Nyogtha. The others showed sadness for what Dianthus had experienced.
"If I ever meet that god, I'll tear him in half," Hitomi said with a snarl.
Eruza raised her clenched fist. "Count me in. How dare he mess with our husband."
"Don't worry, papa. Shiro will protect papa."
Dianthus heartily laughed and rubbed his daughter's head. "Thanks, princess. However, none of you will be able to help me against him currently. You'll need to at least reach the level of true god if you want to help. Though, I do appreciate the sentiment."
The girls who expressed their anger either verbally or physically became dejected. Dianthus saw this and shook his head.
"There's no need to fret; I'll help you all to reach that level. Until then, I'd appreciate help finding the fragments of Honami's soul."
"Of course, we'll help you," Ui enthusiastically claimed. "Right, everyone?"
All the women agreed to assist, the only exception being Rina. Though Dianthus didn't care, nor did he particularly notice.
"I suppose I'll thank you all in advance for the assistance."
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