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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 9: Once-Lost Fire

Beta-Reader: Ant0nius

"They did WHAT?!"

Yep, telling Carmesi the truth was a bit of a risky move on my part. I knew she would have reacted like this angrily, but, at the same time, lying or omitting the truth was not a good idea. Not when her reaction to either of those options could have been far worse than the one I got by telling her this now.

The Fox Prime had many reasons to be furious, but, at the same time, I could see she was holding back much of her irritation. A good quality she got after years of training from the looks of it, but that it hardly contained most of that ire she felt in that moment. It was just the two of us at the moment as we were sitting in her office, away from the arena. Naerie and Hope were getting a tour around the building, so we had the time to catch up.

"It's unpleasant, yes, but it's not something that a single individual can solve."

She understood this much as she nodded. I could tell that she was incredibly frustrated by this, but Carmesi had long ditched the headfirst method that she had early on during our journey. That brief confrontation with Kayin had... severely bruised her ego in that regard.

"And you plan a special gathering for this? And then what?"

"Ambar and Kate told me they were working on something they couldn't go around publicly. They mentioned leverage and, if I have to be honest, I have no clue what it is," I replied calmly and yet curious to know what they were planning to do.

I mean, a few things did come to mind, but nothing that really constitutes absolute blackmail material. Despite leaving that thought unfinished, I had a conversation to continue, and I shifted the attention elsewhere.

"So... how's business?"

I heard of Carmesi's gym-related business, something that had made her popular and rich quite swiftly and that secured a sizable share of Prism's economy. Something that sounded a bit surprising, but Ambar reasoned how Carmesi had played smart and allowed trustworthy people to handle the marketing while she kept being herself- pushing people to break their limits, this time by training them as gym-goers rather than Knights.

The overall reviews were quite positive, some even praising Carmesi as a 'brutally honest, but good-willed trainer'.

"Tiring and smooth. It makes the needed money for the arena's maintenance. You?"

"Worked at a farm, made enough money to just... be able to move around. Ambar gave us a bit of a budget and I am making sure the kids get some education."

Carmie snorted. "Kids? These two have been eyeing you like proper women."

I ignored that comment, shaking my head at it. I mean, I did notice some staring but it wasn't... like that, right? I mean, I told them that I had kinky interactions with some of their parents, so that should act as a potential block for any thoughts like that.

"There's also something else I wish to speak with you. I am sure you heard about this Prism Light group that has been causing issues."

"I sure did, many of my Clan members were dispatched to take care of these troublemakers," The Fox Prime confirmed, sounding quite... unnerved by this topic.

A very perplexing discovery nonetheless. They were quite the threat if I was pulled back to solve the mess. Since I had been the one taking care of the situation when the Emperor was still corporeal, what were the chances of it still being as bad at that? I want to say not high, but the situation was proving to prove those odds true.

"Any clues?"

"Not much," Carmie lamented, huffing at the topic. "It's... I will be honest, we have been fighting these small cults for decades now, but none got to this notoriety so suddenly and with that much power. This Prism Light... I think it's also odd how they knew the truth."

I frowned. "The truth?"

"What you just told me about your departure. That the Gods were behind it," The Fire Crest explained, sounding a bit nervous. "They have been preaching the 'Grand Knight' is a wronged figure that was banished by the Gods for doing his work right. They didn't provide proof but all their members are convinced of this."

...Is this really Pandora's work? I mean, I guess there is a good chance it was… but how? How did she get the chance to do this sort of stuff unnoticed?

"Are you planning to stay the night? I wouldn't mind accommodating three individuals in the dorms."

"We have hotel rooms booked-" I tried to explain, but the Fox Prime narrowed her eyes on this. "I guess you want us to stay."

"And you will keep me company tonight. I already spoke with Howl and... cuddles are fine~."

I knew that cuddles were more than just that. I saw her walk up to me, hugging me tightly and showing off her muscles before standing on her toes and going for a kiss. It's been so long and I felt like this was long overdue because of how sweet it was and... at the same time, I wasn't exactly confident in what I was doing.

It's been years since I had really gone through sexual interactions with any of them, and while it felt extremely natural to bond, it also felt odd by the fact I knew they all had settled down in life. All but Adela, and that really dampened my mood. Howl told me of Vixy and the many clashes she and her mother had, then Grace had two kids and, while in an open relationship, she had matured so wonderfully that it felt odd to compare to how naive and cute she was when our journey began.

The kiss ended and I felt the doubts pushed aside as I felt the full power of Carmesi's loving gaze. It wasn't just a matter of personal regret, it was the fact that she missed the good times mixed with our own good times. And I moved in for another kiss, reciprocating the action and accepting that it was only fair to find back what was lost.

And Carmie was clearly in need of some heavy-work unwinding~.

AN

Next time... some smut and peepin'!