Chapter 38

As we arrived back at the Isle of Gathering, we got off our boats and went into the building... We still need to fix it after Gandus kablooey'd it with her lightning magic. I glanced at Gandus, who looked a bit sheepish. I chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders.

"If we all can chip in and help, it'll go much faster. What do you all say? We gonna fix it?" I asked everyone. There was a chorus of 'yeah!'s and I grinned. Blocks then showed up in our inventories and we got to building. Tom, Dianite, and Gandus were the Chaotic beings they are and slightly annoyed the rest of us. We got it done though. I looked at the newly repaired building, proud of all of us.

"Phoenix, you have earned my utmost respect with your abilities and your leadership," Mianite said.

"Seeing you interact with that skeptical spirit with patience and setting an example for him to be able to trust in your abilities was the best thing for you to do," Dianite added.

"I'm so proud of you Nix. I think all three of us can agree that you're worthy enough of being promoted to High Priestess. We discussed in length during the trip back and decided that it was time." Ianite took my hands in hers. "Phoenix Palmer, I am honored to give you your title of High Priestess. You've done many great things to earn this honor." I felt something magical happening and stepped back. My whole look changed. I'm now in a beautiful white dress with gold sandals and soulfire blue edges on top of the sleeves and the bottom of the dress. There's also a gold bit on the front of the dress at the top. I looked at Ianite, stunned.

"Wha?" I was pretty much speechless. Ianite smiled lovingly at me.

"You look gorgeous Nix." She stepped closer, got on her tiptoes, laid a hand on my cheek, and kissed me. I could feel Gandus' uncomfortableness. I'm sure she turned her head away. I grinned and kissed back, then stepped back.

"Thank you, my lovely Lady."

"You look amazing, Phoenix. I'm so excited for you," Sparky said. I grinned his way. Then I turned to Gandus.

"Right! Hey, would you like to meet Debbie and Ernest? They're my and Ianite's honorary grandparents. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to meet you and also they'd be happy to know that I was promoted to High Priestess."

"Why not? Let's do it tomorrow though." I nodded. It was getting late.

"Of course. Let's all get some sleep. Good night everyone." They all bid me, Ianite, and Gandus a good night and we all left for our respective homes. The three of us girls had very restful nights and in the morning, we were in good spirits. After breakfast, Ianite teleported me and then Gandus to Debbie and Ernest's island. I bounced a little, excited. I led the way to their house and knocked on the door, giving Gandus and Ianite a goofy grin. I haven't seen my grandparents in a while. I'm sure they'd be surprised and delighted to see how I've progressed. The door opened to reveal Ernest, who from now on I'll call Grandpa.

"Lucky, Ianite! It's so good to see you again. Who've you got here? Come in, I'll bet Debbie would like to meet your friend as well." Grandpa stood aside and we walked in. Grandpa led us to the living room where Grandma was sitting in her rocking chair. She looked up and smiled.

"Lucky, Ianite! It's been a while. How've you two been? Who's your friend?" Ianite, Gandus, and I sat on the couch and Grandpa sat in his chair.

"This is my sister, Gandus. Gandus, this is Debbie and Ernest, who I will be calling Grandma and Grandpa." I dove into the story of what happened in my village and how Gandus and I were separated. Gandus told her side of the story and of how I helped her see to reason and how I helped her join the good side. I told Gandus of what happened between Ianite and I and how I met these two. Grandma and Grandpa were surprised and felt for us and were happy that we were reunited. I then told them of what happened just yesterday, how I helped my whole village and family to move on and of my new powers and my new status as High Priestess.

"Congrats hun! I was wondering why you looked so regal," Grandma stated.

"Oh, also, you both called me 'Lucky'. That's not my actual name, it's just a nickname I have. My true name is Phoenix Palmer." I also dove into my past life and the prophecy she wrote of me. Then I told them of Aianite and of how she told us that we need an Olympics to see who the worthy one is who can take on the powers of the Elemental stones and help defeat the Darkness. Grandma and Grandpa were stunned. So now they're pretty much caught up on times.

"Wow... that's a lot. And Phoenix, huh? Such a strong name for such a strong young lady," Grandma said. I grinned, proud of my name.

"So, Gandus. How would you feel about being included in being our honorary granddaughter? You are Phoenix's sister after all," Grandpa offered. Gandus was surprised that he would offer that. I was sat between Gandus and Ianite, so I put an arm around Gandus' shoulders in support. She looked at me, almost asking if it's ok. I smiled gently and gave a slight nod. She looked back at Grandma and Grandpa.

"I'd be honored. Thank you for your offer... Grandpa." Grandma and Grandpa were thrilled to hear that. "So, also, being honorary grandparents for a goddess and a High Priestess, how do you feel about that? It's gotta be such an honor, yeah?" They smiled and nodded.

"We are very honored that they had asked us that. Being grandparents to such powerful and immortal beings is very different, for sure, but also humbling too. I say that because as mortals, we need to be real careful on what we do and how we do things, lest we be fatally injured if things go badly enough." Gandus nodded slowly, letting that sink in.

"I suppose I could say the same about being the sister to one of them. Maybe future sister-in-law to the other." Gandus grinned and winked at me. I blushed lightly.

"Too soon, sis."

"Will you though?" Gandus inquired.

"I will not confirm nor deny. You all will just have to wait." I could feel Gandus' feeling of, 'she is going to, I just know it.' Well, she's right, but not until after the Olympics. Plus, I don't have anything for Ianite yet. Hmm... what could I do? How does one make things more serious? I'll have to ask Grandma and Grandpa alone at some point while we're here today.

"You're quiet, so that means you're thinking, so that means it's definitely gonna happen. When?!" I sighed at Gandus.

"Sis, quit overthinking, it's unbecoming of you." Gandus scoffed.

"Like it's unbecoming of you to be so hardheaded sometimes?" she shot back.

"I'm trying! Plus, you're the same way too. And besides, you know how hard it is to come back into society, into a friendship with other people after 16 years of loneliness... plus... we are human. We have our faults. What matters is we learn from our mistakes so that we don't make the same ones again." Gandus just gaped at me, surprised at my response. She closed her mouth and sighed.

"You're right Nix. You're so right... it is really hard trying to be a good person. I should be feeling it worse than you, given I was on the enemy's side for the longest time... You deserve the title of High Priestess, your wisdom is one reason. I'm sorry Nix... do you forgive me?" I hugged Gandus.

"Of course I forgive you sis. I'll always forgive you." Gandus hugged me back, I can feel her desire to be good. That's good. We all can help her. I'm glad she has a solid group of friends and me, as her sister, to help her. "Now, Grandma, Grandpa. I have a question I'd like to ask you, away from prying ears. Could you come with me for a second?" I asked, standing up. They both nodded and stood as well. I led them to the guest room and put up a soul barrier. "Could you make this room sound-proof? I don't want my sister and Ianite to hear us discuss some things." I asked of the souls making up the soul barrier. Sounds of affirmation reached my ears and I felt it was good to talk now.

"What's this about, child?" Grandma asked.

"It's... I have a question. How does one take the next step in a relationship? Like... like Gandus said. Sister-in-law." Grandma and Grandpa smiled, excited about this question.

"Do you have a ring, or an idea of one that you'd like to give her to propose with?" Grandpa asked.

"Ring?"

"Oh child, you really don't know how things work, do you?" I shook my head. "Well, if you want to marry Ianite someday, you'll need to think of a ring that you'd think would be perfect for her. Then think of a time which would be best, and make a plan. When you do propose, get down on one knee, offer the ring in a box, and you can also have a small speech if you'd like, but I don't think you need one. The last words should be along the lines of, 'Ianite, will you marry me?' and I'm sure she'd say 'yes'. Then you'll need to plan your wedding, for a much later date, of course. You'll need wedding bands as well, like this."

Grandpa and Grandma held up their hands and I looked at the wedding bands. I nodded. "Now, also, when a couple gets married, they also file paperwork. It's tedious, but necessary. I don't like that there's paperwork to do, but... it's the law and how things are done so... we have no choice but to follow. That's the gist of everything, really. That's all that goes into taking the next step in your relationship. You also need to be sure you're ready to do so. Are you ready, Phoenix?" Grandpa asked.

"I'm sure I'm ready. I have the time I'd like to ask her. After the Olympics. Ring... I think I have an idea," I said, grinning. Amethyst with a sterling silver band with 'my love, forever and always' engraved on the band. I voiced that to Grandma and Grandpa and they smiled. They liked that idea. "Awesome, then that's what I'll do. Thank you for your help Grandma, Grandpa." I hugged them.

"Of course. Good luck in your Olympics and with your proposal. We have every bit of faith in you Phoenix," Grandma said. I smiled happily at them, then took down the barrier and led the way back to the living room.

"What are you scheming, Nix?" Ianite asked, curious.

"Nothing, my love. I just had a question that I didn't want either of you to hear. Kinda... personal, if you will." Ianite gave the smallest skeptical look, but said nothing else. Gandus gave me a knowing look when Ianite looked the other way. I smirked and put my finger to my lips. She smirked back and gave the slightest of nods. The rest of the time spent was catching up on other things, hearing what has been happening in our grandparents' lives since Ianite and I last saw them, back at my Priestess swear-in, if I remember correctly. Afterward, "Ia, could I stay here a bit? I need to do something real quick, away from prying eyes."

"Nix, what on Earth are you planning?"

"It's a secret, my love. One that you'll find out in time. Trust me. I promise you that you'll know when it's time to find out." She sighed lightly.

"Alright Nix, I trust you. I'll see you later." She gave me a quick kiss, then teleported her and Gandus back home. I turned to Grandpa.

"Grandpa, I'm gonna need your help. I have some emeralds in my ender chest, courtesy of Sparky's villager friends, so I can pay for the ring." I took out my ender chest and took a few stacks of emeralds out and broke the chest with my silk touch pick.

"Of course, follow me. I'll be back dear." Grandma smiled and hugged us both.

"Be safe walking." We smiled, nodded, and headed out to the jeweller. It was a quiet walk, neither of us having much to say. Though the villagers who were outside gawked at me, like they haven't seen a... well... an almost divine being. I dunno, would High Priestess be considered a divine being or would that just be gods and goddesses? Eh, whatever. Either way, still.

"Shouldn't they know who I am, given I had a whole Priestess ceremony?"

"I'm sure they do, but they haven't seen you look so regal. You were still in your other clothes when you were sworn in as Apprentice Priestess." I 'hmm'd' and just stayed silent otherwise. We got to the jeweller's and I was blown away by the amount of jewellery that was displayed.

"Whoooaaaaa." The jeweller looked up and smiled.

"Good afternoon, Apprentice Priestess." I smiled.

"High Priestess now, sir," I gently corrected. His eyes grew wide and he bowed.

"My apologies." I waved it away.

"No apologies necessary. Everything is fine. Now, I've come to look at a ring for my girlfriend. I'd like to propose to her after the Olympics." He nodded and showed me a plethora of ring bands and gemstones. I chuckled lightly. He is very passionate about his profession, I'll give him that. "I thank you for your desire to help, but I was thinking of a sterling silver band with an amethyst gem. I'd also like the words, 'my love, forever and always' on the band, if possible." I gave a good description of Ianite, because it seemed like he wanted to make sure the ring would fit her looks. He gave a nod, seemed he agreed with my choice.

"Now, the words, it'll be difficult, but can be done. Do you know her ring size?" I looked at Grandpa. He chuckled.

"She seems like she'd be a size 5, but we can resize if it's too big or too small, yes?" The jeweller nodded.

"Of course."

"Then a size 5 will do just fine for now." The jeweller put in the ring size, what it's made of, the gemstone, and the words engraved and he gave me the cost. When I heard the cost, I about fainted. That's expensive! How do people get married in this day and age? I had the emeralds though, so it was no issue, but still! "When can I pick it up?"

"In a month."

"Alright. Thank you very much sir." He smiled and inclined his head.

"You're very welcome High Priestess." I walked out with Grandpa and looked at him excitedly. He smiled serenely.

"You remind me of me when I was preparing to propose to Debbie. I was just as giddy as you are now. Now, if you need to go, then you may. I can get home by myself."

"I'll see you home Grandpa, it's ok." He nodded and we got back to his and Grandma's home with no problems. After making sure he got in the door alright, I called to Ianite. She teleported me to her as she was on the hill outside. I sat next to her and leaned against her. "Where's Gandus?"

"She met the foxes and is off with them somewhere on the island." I smiled.

"I'm glad she made friends with the foxes." Ianite nodded in agreement. For the rest of the evening, we chilled together on the hill, enjoying each other's company. I'm also real excited that I was able to have Grandpa's and Grandma's help. As I fell asleep later that night, I got to thinking of the future, all the good things I have in mind. Tonight, my dreams were filled with happiness.