Nerissa’s eyes went wide behind her helmet as Apollo said that. ’Is- Is he fucking with me at this point? Does he know that I think I know his possible secret?’ She felt her brain begin to hurt and looked towards the only one nearby that could calm down her emotions, but upon seeing Artemis, Skaja, staring at her, her eyes also slightly wide.

The word wasn’t exactly extinct, such as doctrine, but those that know of such word and its meaning were families with ancient history. Apollo was a bumpkin noble till last year, it made no sense for him to know the word.

The goddess, her ride, and the Nymph watched on as ’Apollo’ continued to talk with Serena for a few moments longer before he turned to them and suddenly appeared taken aback.

"Why are you both looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

"Other than your sssexually exotic face? Not that I can see." A third chimed in and her relentlessness had me questioning whether to bring the stick out or not.

I decided to just ignore Sithrik before addressing the duo. "Skaja, I am to tell you to meet up with the other sub-commanders for logistics? After that you are free to rest... Speaking of, I actually feel sore for once now my body is at rest. Is there somewhere I can lie down?"

"Ugh, that bitch." She muttered under her breath before smiling at me. "No problem, Apollo. Believe me when I say no one will object to you sleeping now. You deserve to rest more than everyone else today. Your command tent is set up two tents down. No one should bother you."

I nodded at Skaja before turning to Nerissa. "Wanna join me for a nap? You can still be the big spoon."

Nerissa shook her head. "Tempting offer Apollo, but I need to make a communication and then find somewhere to dump my leaves. I’ll be busy for a while."

I nodded, forgetting she entered bloom again earlier today... ’Holy Zamboni, that was today?’ I suddenly thought in realisation. With all the fighting, my perception of time had gone a bit loopy.

Shaking my head I smiled at the duo. "Very well, see you later." I then began to feel a tug around my leg.

"Yes, Come, Apollo~ To our nest!"

As I allowed myself to be dragged away, I spoke my mind. "Listen, Sithrik, about our sleeping arrangement, there is going to be a change."

...

Once Nerissa and Skaja were alone, Artemis took control of her host for a moment and spoke. "Ok, I am still certain he isn’t one of us, but something is definitely suspicious about that man."

"What should we do, my Goddess?" Nerissa asked for guidance.

Artemis looked in the direction where the... Man. Just went and shook her head. "We do nothing."

"’Huh?" Nerissa verbalised her confusion.

"I told you earlier Nerissa, I am still shattered and do not care for this current empire. So we do nothing. If Apollo does somehow turn out to be one of my kin. Great. I will be delighted for sure, but if he isn’t? I am fine with that as well, he is a powerful young human with seemingly limitless talent and an oddness for knowing and saying things he shouldn’t. Is it really that big of a deal? Look, think it over, Skaja really can’t handle more stress, she is too tired for me to be out for long. Just give my words thought, Nymph. Also, you did my sister proud today with your fighting. You made me proud."

A moment later, Skaja began stumbling in place as she cradled her head. "Seriously? the fuck are you guys talking about to block me out like that? Ugh, I need food. Ugh. I need to go speak to those geezers... Ugh."

She then left the tent and Nerissa arose to her feet. The praise of a goddess left a tingling in her heart, but her words of what to do about Apollo, heretically, did not sit right with her.

Do nothing when there is a possibility that a god was walking amongst them? No, she needed to continue her probing. Continue to investigate and watch her friend. She would never cross any boundaries of trust. She deeply cared for Apollo. The care grew each day. Especially now he had made her bloom. Again! The thought alone that she was on the verge of getting stronger after just literally finishing a cycle. She could kiss the man. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"!!!"

The thought surprised her. Giving Apollo her blessing was one thing, but to actively want to? She did not expect it. The thought of it... Didn’t sound unpleasant. Surprising her again.

Her way to show emotions was through booping. She loved giving a good boop on the snoot. It’s how she reset intense emotions. All Nymphs had something like this. A boop, a hug, some did kisses on the cheeks or forehead. Even friendly shoulder punches or a boob squeeze was not exactly ’out there.’

But this now? A kiss? On top of her booping urge? This confused her immensely.

She decided to clear her thoughts. She needed to reach out to her kin on the planet, share her findings and report that Artemis wants her shards back. Depending on who was here, they might have some elder wisdom to help her through these conflicting emotions as well.

...

Spartari-Mid world- Western front: Stradus: Fortress Moon

Her heels clicked heavily down the quiet hallway, the scenery outside was dry and sandy. Hot. Though as she walked, the area around her became significantly colder, making her presence obvious. Those that spotted her began to salute out of respect for a Tribune, before seeing the object on her head and dropping to their knees in deep respect.

Usually, Hailey would hate the sight of such ass kissing. But with the object in her hands. A large metal case. She was glad they were seeing her. Her status. It was all for her man.

That thought spurred her on. It even made her go out of her way to a storage unit where she had casually stored one of the most priceless possessions in the empire.

As she arrived at the end of the hallway, two Praetorians of all things stood guard. An odd sight as Sigismund generally did not use the Praetorians for... Biological mistrust reasons.

As she arrived in front of them. The two Praetorians barred the way in a respectful manner and spoke. "Princess, so good to see you after all these years. It warms me to see you are well. But the King is in council regarding a classified military operation. You will have to wait. Failure to comply will not be tolerated."

"How long will I have to wait?" Hailey’s tone was icy. Lacking all emotion.

"Unsure, but my allies inside have alerted the king of your arrival. Once he is ready, he will speak with you."

Hailey let out a long exhale before putting on a fake smile.

"Very well."

Right now she was not here for herself. She was here for her man. She couldn’t be, and she hated to agree with the old hag, an ’icy bitch.’ She needed to make a good impression, even if Sigismund liked her.

So she rested against the wall, a respectable distance away from the guards and closed her eyes. She internalised and began to meditate. The Jagged icy peaks she was suddenly surrounded by were growing again.

Apollo had melted them down. His love, his fire, having a literal affect on her power. In his presence, her strength never diminished, but with the peaks melted, she could feel more. She enjoyed it.

Now though, after just a few days away from him. They were back, stronger, denser and colder. More powerful. She was more powerful. All thanks to him~

In the sky above her, after that simple thought, a powerful radiance suddenly emerged in the bleak blue surroundings, stunting the growth. Her thought of him... It acted as a miniature version of the effect. She could focus heavily on it. His smile, the taste of his lips. His personality, his muscles... His dashingly handsome face, the tingling she felt when close to him...

She felt her body outside this place turn red and stopped. The peaks reacted violently. They hated the sun. Wanted to lash out against its impact on them. They grew once more. Barely noticeable, but they grew.

She experimented a few times and as she smiled, the sun practically exploded upon her revelation. She had found a balance. A way to push forward in her enhancements. She was strong right now, very, but Apollo was stronger. She had more knowledge, but Apollo had stopping power.

Now, with this, she had a way to hone herself instead of passively allowing the peaks to grow. This was wonderful.

This was just another reason why she loved her man.

This was-

"Kiyaaaaaahhh! Princess!"

The sun vanished, the peaks won this day. Overwhelming her quasi-domain. For a great darkness had descended upon her...

As she opened her eyes she dodged to the side, just in time as she avoided a tackle from the second to last person she wanted to see right now.

"Milanna..."