Chapter 12

"Whoa, this place is epic."

"Yes, it is amazing. It's also really beautiful when it's day time. Not to say it isn't nice looking in the dark, but I prefer it in the day time.", she said, looking out the window. I leaned against the wall next to her.

"I'd like to see it in the day time."

"You might. Just don't tell anyone I have this place... I don't need people snooping around the world trying to find this."

"Don't worry my lady, you have my word. I'll keep this place just between us."

"Good... now... ~goes away from the window and sits on one of the chairs at the table. I follow and sit across from her~ Lucky... before I tell you what's going on with me, I know what's going on with you. Sometimes when you're around me, ~slightest of slight chuckles~ you act just like how I've been acting around you just earlier. I know you like me.

"I didn't think I returned those feelings, but now... now I'm questioning everything... Logic says that I like you too, but I'm not sure I want that to be my reality. ~my heart sank~ I've never experienced love in all my 1,000 years of life, let alone with someone of the same gender..."

"Should we stay away from each other for a while then?", I asked, hoping that the answer won't be a 'yes'.

"I don't want to do that... I don't think I'll like that very much, and I know you won't."

"But, if we can't stay away from each other and you don't want this to be your reality, what will we do?" She shook her head slowly.

"I don't know... and I didn't say I didn't want it to, I said I wasn't sure if I wanted it to. Lucky, this is what I was talking about when I said I needed to sort things out. I need to sort out whether I want this to be my reality or not. Can you give me more time? I need more time to know for certain if I truly want to accept this as my reality or not."

"Ok. I'll give you more time. Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting. I'll always wait for you." Ianite laid her forehead on her arms and groaned.

'That line didn't help...', she thought to herself. Wait... I just heard that. I know that wasn't directed at me. She looked back up at me after a minute.

"How about this? We'll test the waters, as the saying goes."

"You sure?"

"No, but we'll never know if I take forever to decide, will we?"

"I guess. Well, I should get back home. We all need to sleep the night away."

"Ok, I'll take you home." She vanished, then I was teleported to her. We were on the roof.

"Well, this is good night. Have a good rest and I'll see you some other time.", I said, hugging Ianite good night.

"Good night Lucky. You rest well too. If you have a nightmare, call on me. I'll be here in no time." I nodded.

"I will." I went downstairs to my floor and got into bed.

'Wow, so we're official... it's so weird... I never thought this day would ever happen. I'm glad though.', I thought to myself. I grin like a fool. I got to sleep pretty easily. The events to get the Air stone took a lot out of me.

~Ianite's POV~

After Lucky went to her floor, I went over to my throne, which still is expanded for two people. I lounged in it. Hey, it's big enough now, why not? I put my hands behind my head and looked up at the night sky.

'So... Lucky's a half-born Wizard, potions master, psychic Priestess huh? In all my life I have never heard of such a being. She's pretty powerful. In power, she's up there with the Wizards at least. Of all the people to have feelings for. Actually, even getting feelings for someone... I'm not sure if a god or goddess should...

'The one they have feelings for will just unalive after 80 years, if they're lucky, or even luckier, they could live to 100, but then the god or goddess would live so much longer... how can a celestial being get over that heartache? Should I even risk the heartache? Ohhhh, what should I do? I mean, I already told Lucky that we could test the waters, so saying no right after would be a little rude... it'd also shatter her heart... I don't wanna do that. ~sighs~ I'll be fine. It'll be fine.', I thought to myself. I turned over to face the back of the throne and closed my eyes. I fell asleep right there.

~Normal POV~

In the morning I woke up and I realized I never took off my armor... oof, ow... I took it off and put it all in my ender chest, along with my weapons. I went up to the roof so that I could sit on the edge, but I saw Ianite sleeping on her throne with her back to me. I smiled gently and went over to her. I knelt down and gently laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Ianite? It's morning. You gonna wake up?", I asked softly. She curled up a little more.

"5 more minutes...", she said quietly. I chuckled.

"Alright, but after 5 minutes, you're getting up. I'll sit right here and keep watch over you." I sat in front of the throne with my back against it, keeping watch. Two minutes passed and I heard her move. I looked behind me to see her facing me.

"You getting up?" She shook her head.

"Not yet. So, sleeping with all your armor on, that's gotta be uncomfortable..."

"Yeah, I'm real sore... I just realized when I woke up I was wearing it. I was real worn out from yesterday's events so I wasn't even paying attention when I got into bed."

"Oof, would a shoulder massage help?"

"Probably. Do you mind?"

"Not at all, I was offering." I stood as she sat up, then I sat back down on the ground in front of her and leaned back against her legs, then she started massaging my shoulders.

"Yeah, you're really tense. You gotta pay more attention, sleeping in full armor isn't good."

"I'd agree that I do need to pay more attention, though sometimes I'm way too exhausted to even think. Thankfully though I don't do that often."

"Well, on the days you need your armor, I'll remind you to take the armor off before getting to bed. How's that sound?"

"Sounds good." After the massage, I felt so much better. I stood up. "Man, I feel loads better, thanks Ianite." She smiled in return. I held my hand out and she took it. I helped her up, then she let go.

"I probably should meet with Dianite. We need to figure out how to get Mianite back to normal."

"May I tag along?"

"It would probably be best if you stayed here."

"Ok, well, I hope you can figure something out for getting Mianite back to normal. Say hi to Dianite for me?" She smiled gently.

"Thank you Lucky, and yes, I'll tell him you said 'hi'." I smiled, then hugged her, then she went on her way. I watched as she left, then when she was gone, I sat on the edge of the tower, like I had originally planned. A couple minutes passed and Sparky sat next to me.

"Oh, hey Sparky. What's up?"

"Nothing, I saw you watch as Ianite left. You really like her. I mean, I know you like her, you kind of went off yesterday after Tom asked you the second time. I think Ianite might like you back, judging by her reaction to what you said and by her half lying. What do you think?"

"She does, but she's not quite sure if she wants it to be her reality. Right now we're testing the waters, see how it goes." Sparky looked surprised.

"So, you two are actually a thing? ~I nodded~ Wow... um, congrats?" I grinned.

"I mean, maybe. Like I said, we're only testing the waters. It may be a thing, it may not be in a few days. That's how long I give it. The way she was talking, I give it a few days before she knows for sure."

"Oh, I think it'll be longer. Don't worry so much Lucky. I think things'll turn out fine."

"But what if they don't? What if she decides 'no' and then how will our goddess/follower relationship be? It'll probably be a very awkward relationship. Like, ugh... Sparky, should I be doing this?"

"Lucky, listen to me. Live in the moment. Don't think about what could happen. Think about the here and now. You're in a relationship with your crush, which is amazing. More often than not that doesn't happen, so you're very fortunate... heh, you could say you're even lucky ~I smirked and lightly punched his arm. He chuckled~ that you're even dating your crush. Even more lucky that your crush is a goddess and she even said yes, even if it means her needing to test the waters. That's a big deal. So, do you feel better?"

"Yeah, I do. You're right. I should be thinking about here and now, and I am very lucky to be in such a relationship with a goddess. Thanks Sparky."

"Anytime. Hey, I'm gonna expand my tower, want to help?"

"Sure. But... what about Ianite's throne?"

"Good question... Maybe we should wait." I nodded. So Sparky and I hung out and talked for the day then Ianite came back. I stood and hugged her.

"So, did you and Dianite figure something out?"

"Yes, we have a plan and he says 'hi' back. We need you and Dec to work on the Tank of Judgement. You're the Priest and Priestess. Being a Priestess, you do have tasks to do sometimes, so tomorrow you and Dec will meet up on the Tank of Judgement island. Sparklez, only those two will be allowed. Keep away for now. ~Sparky nodded~ Lucky, let's go somewhere else and talk. Let me tell you everything you need to do. Dianite is talking to Dec right now." I nodded, then Ianite disappeared, then I was teleported to her. We're at her secret place. We sat outside on the edge of the hill. She told me everything I must do. After she finished telling me,

"Wait, you mean to tell me you must be included in the tank too? But why? You don't have the Darkness."

"I know, but all three of us need be included for this to work." I sighed, I'm not happy about it, but if it must be done, then it must be done. I nodded. The side of the hill we're sitting on is facing the sunset, so as the sun is setting, I watch it. Through my peripheral, I can see Ianite's watching it too. After a few minutes, she sighed and leaned against me with her hand resting on the ground behind me.

"I know I'm putting on a brave face, but honestly, I'm worried for the Tank of Judgement. I'm worried that it might not work. It's been messed with before." She then told me how Tom and Dianite messed with it to have it say Tom was Team Ianite.

"I'll figure something out to keep it from being messed with this time Ianite, don't you worry. Things will go smoothly, you can count on me.", I said, putting my arm around her waist and smiling gently. She smiled gently back, then rested her head on my shoulder.

"I know I can, my champion.", she said softly. I rested my cheek against her head and we watched the rest of the sunset. After the sun was gone and it was dark, "Can we stay like this Lucky, and watch the stars?"

"Of course." We watched the stars, and she pointed out some of the constellations. As time went on, she got quieter and quieter. Eventually she was quiet, no words or anything and the pressure felt heavier on my arm. I looked at her and she had fallen asleep. I smiled gently. I gently laid her on the ground so I could stand up, and when I did, I picked her up carefully and carried her to her room. I gently set her on her bed and pulled the covers over her.

"Good night my lady.", I said as I gently brushed her hair out of her face then I went out of the room and saw she had a loveseat. That will be good enough for me. I laid down on it and closed my eyes. I had little trouble getting to sleep on the loveseat.