Not hers to lend, my ass. I wore the circlet and necklace. The annoying part was I had to keep reforming my chest to buttress the void. It took all of my second attention to do so.

  After a perfunctory breakfast where Ophelia's sons stared at my mothers and me, I head to the adventurer guild with Mags and Cecelia. A young man waited at the gate. It has been two years but he was taller and more muscled. Already tier two as well.

  “Sir Gregory, I see the war has been rather transformative for you.”

  “Lady Sara—” Seems the circlet has already stopped harassing me about it. Annoying where acceptance gets me.

  “Cea for now, Sir Knight. I have taken a vow requiring I go by that name.”

  He quirked an eyebrow, “Lady Cea then, I did my best training under [Lady] Maxwell. The war itself was rather brutal.”

  He has a long look now. Has the war robbed him of his desire for cruelty. Or was that Cecelia. We three walked back to the adventurer guild. His tales of war are grim. He looks around a bit then turns to me.

  “Would you be willing to make me a [Supplicant] as well, Lady Cea?”

  I slow to a stop, then look at him. “Fancy being my daughter?” I say slowly without jest. I don't wish to misconstrue.

  “Are you not allowed sons? I mean you didn't fully change [Lady] Maxwell.” He answers back.

  I suppose I didn't. Sara only wanted daughters but Cea delighted in her son. Even if the Lich denies me my memories of him I still had my later daydreams and reflections. Not to mention his third Lark where we talked the evenings away. Mostly him while I listened with a bit of wine. To make Gregory a Vampire though. Does he still delight in cruelty? A dangerous trait for a Vampire.

  “I think I can live with a son, but we should reacquaint ourselves before taking such a step, Sir Gregory. Much has changed in two years.”

  He quirks a bit of a smile but he nods. We reach the West Gate Adventurer Hall. I wave at Lindur and she rings a clapperless bell. The chime in Winctal's ear goes off, she opens her door shortly after. She squints at me but comes over.

  “You've changed again, Mourns.”

  Hmmm my vow didn't kick in, I don't feel the need to correct her. But I also feel I can't introduce myself as that unless it's as an adventurer.

  “It is as you say.” The troll woman gives me an annoyed look. Though seeing my wry smile she assuming I'm fucking with her. I was.

  “So what brings so many nobility to my hall.”

  Guess as a full knight, Gregory counts as well. I'm technically the only non-noble, but only because I have yet to swear fealty or was old enough. Though by what measure are we talking age?

  “Ah Mags has to escort me everywhere.”

  “Mourns, they already told me that. You need to pay attention more.”

  Gregory snickers behind me. See how long he will do that with my soul making him bend. Woooo calm down there, me. I don't desire subjugation. I already knew that being a [Countess] was suffocating. I take a moment to re-engage. Winctal looks increasingly annoyed.

  “Sorry, getting used to some things. I was looking to pull ten large gold and if you were able to learn about where to gather those two cores I mentioned. Oh and a new adventurer card.”

  I watch Lindur already begin to gather my funds. I smile, Elf ears disguised as cat ones. Not that it matters now that the geas is gone. Tonight I'll be remembering that, won't I. I need to keep in focus the fall out and my perspective on it. I still lack the memories of those I ate. Hopefully they will provide further basis to avoid my life mistakes again.

  “Are you coming Mourns or do you plan to fucking space out everytime you say something?”

  I frown my other attention would keep me on track but its busy k—

  “Mourns!”

  “Sorry coming.”

  -----

  “Lets see, for mental cores. The Deep Waters of Ktuhla, Na's Crypt, Pinnacle Elemental Grace. For the void, The Calamity's End in Jitninar is the only one.”

  Wait is that what they called the fortress's dungeon. I really should ask more questions.

  “We will have to do void last, are you certain you need these specific cores, Cea?” Mags asks.

  I nod, “I don't think I can accept any other until I claim those.”

  She gives a grunt on that, “Not sure who we can talk into helping with Calamity End.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “The first floor wasn't so bad.”

  Mags rolls her eyes, Cecelia speaks up. “Demonie,” I almost barked a laugh at that, stupid circlet, “the first boss was level three hundred, compare that to Na's crypt or Gadvak.”

  Ah, a level fifteen skeleton and a level forty hydra. I can see their point, if it keeps scaling up, we are talking about a Cea level threat at the end except with the durability of a dungeon.

  “Does it at least bleed?”

  “If you can cut him, with a void core that Dragon will resist void attack and mental ones.”

  The Calamity really was a dragon. Kinda disappointed to be honest.

  “I assume Yetna is our best option then?”

  "Drowning in the Deep is a real issue and the precipice of the Pinnacle is rather dangerous as well. The dungeon loves to compel intrusive thoughts like, ‘jump off’ and ‘that's totally makeable’.” Mags says with a frown.

  I kinda want to talk to the Pinnacle, she sounds like a kindred spirit.

  “So what's at the end of Na's Crypt?”

  Winctal turns to me. “A lich.”

  Ah, I could use the practice.

  -----

  After leaving Winctal's office, I spotted Glindinal scowling over a barrel. I smile and head towards her. She hears me coming and looks over to see me. Her initial smile breaks into a frown. She looks above me. The frown grows more dour.

  “You're already more Cea than Sara.” She murmurs.

  I wince at that. I claimed her as my girlfriend but she was Sara's. Not the amalgam that I was now. My mood grows more sullen. It's best to leave her be. I start—

  “Sara.” She says to my growing frown, I have to.

  I look at her with sad eyes, “Cea.” I pause and see the pain. It's a dagger in my soul. “Sorry.” I walk by her. Towards the exit. I want to run, to escape it all but I will hurt even more should I fall to the lich. I hear a huff.

  “You're like a recently tiered Elf, you know that. Someone who starts to learn who they were in a previous Lark.” I turn towards her, “Sara.” She sees me begin to correct her, “Fine ‘Cea’, how much of her history have you lived.” She is in front of me now.

  “Two hundred years, give or take. She has a hundred she kept me away from. I'm up about five years before she starts her Hybrid purge.”

  “Then you've yet to see how monstrous she is.”

  “I have a good idea—”

  “No you don't, you've seen the war hero. I was there when she claimed Arcond's crown. You will see soon enough. Can I be with you tonight?”

  My eyes widened, I took a step back. Her emotions were all over the place and she suddenly says that, why?

  “I still have to be under supervision, I know you love to tease me with boldness but that's really too much. I'm not even sure I want that sort of intimacy yet.” Speaking of, I'm pretty sure three sets of ears can hear our conversation.

  She steps closer, “Sorry.” She bites her lip. “I just wanted to be with you before you're gone.”

  I blush but that isn't fair. She is not being fair. My soul hurts for her but I…no. I squeeze my eyes for a moment and then look at her. “I'm not dying or disappearing, Glindinal. I might be merging with Cea but I still will be Sara as well.”

  She actually smiles at that, “I don't know whose strength it is that you claim that but I truly hope that's true. I still want to sleep in your room tonight though, idiot. You're a total drama psychopath when you remember harrowing stuff.”

  Systems is she just fucking with me. How does she get by my [Detect Falsehood]? She pulls me into another kiss. It's a quick one but she had slipped a bit of her blood.

  You have gained [Embrace Bliss 2] Competent 1

  Competent - Blood freely given is uncursable nor is it storable. It sustains you far better than any other. Not any more addictive than love.

  Gain 12 exp

  My thirst from the void damage is already satisfied. I have a bit of trepidation to that notification. Love can be very addictive, but I suppose I can't demand something for it to be freely given.

  “Not fair, you can cause me to squirm with just a bit of blood.” I murmur.

  “And you squirm a bit more every time.” She huffs out. “I only bleed a little and you seem even more enthralled.”

  I minced my hands, “I got a tier up about freely given blood being the best.” I murmur.

  She laughs, “I think Trikinar was right, finding where you are still the same is a joy.”

  I look at her with a smile, it trembles a bit but she met me with one of her own. It steadies mine.

  “So this is the one who you claimed to be your girlfriend.” I pale as Mags has come up from behind me.

  “You called me bold and yet wish to deny me your bed chamber.” From pale to blush. I try to run away but Mag catches my collar. Stupid durable silk. Also she called me her girlfriend first.

  “Magdeline, though my friends call me Mags. I'm this trouble maker's mother.”

  “Glindinal, I help escort a portion of her soul back to herself. The last one who claimed that title ended up undead.”

  Mags laughs, “To be honest, all her adoptive mothers are some form of undead. Right Cecelia?”

  “I certainly hope she doesn't plan to merge with us though. Cecelia Maxwell, her mom.”

  “That would be an issue. ‘Cea’, no merging with us.” Mags looks behind her to see me sitting crossed legged and pouting. They're all making fun of me. It only makes them laugh more. Glindinal takes a moment to look from Cecelia to me. Her wry smile makes me blush more.

  -----

  I have reclaimed my clinic room again. Much to the annoyance of the grousing Winctal. I should get working on Ophelia's silks. I told her they will only be in blood red at the moment which she seems fine with. Though she expects more after I gain my mental core. I huff out a sigh.

  “Problem?”

  I look at Glindinal and shake my head, “I have to make a lot of silks for the [Inquisitor].”

  “Still not sure why you agreed to make so much for her.” Mags grouses.

  “I feel I am indebted to her, also like you both have a really weird tension going on.”

  “I don't want to talk about it.” I frown but leave her alone.

  I flick a glance at Glindinal and sigh again. She gives me an annoyed look, “What?”

  “Please don't laugh.” It was annoying enough when mothers had. She tilts her head in confusion. “Just don't.”

  I engage my Fire tail. My body shrinks down as my legs shift into a carrapace and chitin. Ten legs and pincers, three scorpion tails behind me. Ten lateral eyes, five on each hip. I had my top with six arms. The two lowest having spinnerets while my middle set had the spiders hooked claws. My top right arm was just pure mithril bone while my left was a Dryad. I seem to be in a rut when it comes to these arms.

  The lip on Glindinal trembles as she looks at me, “Did you truly become a spider gnome?”

  I frown looking up at her, “This is clearly a scorpion body.” I chirped out at her, running my hands across the chitin.

  Suddenly Lea fox pops out then switches places with Lea herself. She sees me and begins laughing her ass off.

  “Oh my system you truly do have Said brain. I came here to see why Glindinal was trembling and here you are a gnome bug.”

  I give her a glare while she looks around the room. Her laughter slows down when she notices Mags. Before she can even think of swapping back Mags has a grip on her shoulder.

  “So Leander was it, ‘Cea’ here has been telling me all about your adventurers in Kargnia.”

  Lea pales then turns to me, “Cea?”

  I grip the bridge of my nose.