Levi, Jubelle, Sasha and Leila froze for a second while enjoying drinks at a human restaurant in Primrose.
"Woah, a goddess just joined our party. What does that mean?" Jubelle asked his friends in a whisper.
"A goddess? HA, you had like two drinks..." Sasha said while slurring her words.
"Lightweights! I am the winner! What was our bet again?" Leila joked.
"How did somevone loxed in a tow-ver drinks out all ov us?" Levi mumbled, baffled that someone out drank him.
"The bet was simple. Whoever drank the most got everyone else's rewards on the next dungeon run. Want to see something even cooler?" Leila bragged.
Sasha burped again and said "sure! Cooler is cool I like dat about youze all, we're all waaaay cool."
"So noze re-vards for Leeee-eye?" Levi said as began to fall out of his chair.
"Easy big guy, I'm glad I didn't take part in this contest," Jubelle laughed as he prevented Levi from falling off his chair.
"Purify," Leila whispered softly and all of the alcohol left their systems.
"Woah. I feel completely sober. What other awesome thin---"
Leila cut Sasha off and whispered.
"Sh. A group of demons just entered. It'd be best if we disappear."
Sasha and the group, now sober, teleported away before being spotted.
******
The car ride home was quiet as Brie and Sora, after asking Celeste politely not to eavesdrop, communicated telepathically to one another.
"So technically I'm a god? That's crazy." Sora said while shaking his head.
"Yeah, and your Mom said something about how you haven't unlocked your true powers yet," Brie said with a smile.
"Hm– My 'true powers' also seem a bit scary. I don't see how anything you saw could be used for good?" Sora asked.
"That's not necessarily true… just imagine if that was an enemy territory or city, you'd be able to destroy it with one spell!" Brie exclaimed.
"Yeah, but what if there are innocent bystanders or something? There has to be a way I can stay in control. It seems like I was acting purely out of anger?" Sora asked.
"Well, maybe that's how Celeste and the other gods know you're still on the right path? You thought about innocent bystanders before anything else!" Brie joyfully exclaimed.
"But, yes, to answer your question. You were definitely not the calm Sora we've all grown to know and love. Even though it was horrifying, it helped me understand why your Mother showed me the visions. It's to remind the party and me to always ensure you stay on the path of Savior," Brie said while illuminating the Savior Party seal on her hand.
Sora's illuminated too, which made him smile.
"You're right. Anyway, we have to sit down with everyone and figure out what to do about this next council meeting."
"Yes, and I can help because I'm Queen now!" She joked as she did her best Queen pose.
Sora laughed and put on the Crown the king gave him on Brie's head. Sora smiled at how beautiful it looked on her. He loved her blue hair. He couldn't recall a single person from his life on Earth that had blue hair.
"Look, we're home, let's show Celeste around." Sora said. "Celeste, you can listen again."
Celeste just looked out of the car window, staring off into nothingness. She didn't move or acknowledge Sora's statement. Brie tried telepathically speaking to her. They both tried making loud noises. They even waved their arms in her face. Nothing worked. Celeste simply continued staring out of the car window as they pulled into the garage.
'Guess she really can just tune everything out.' Sora thought as he politely gave her a tap on the shoulder.
"Oh, sorry. I got lost in my own thoughts. Is that some sort of signal?" Celeste said politely.
Brie and Sora laughed and began verbally speaking.
"We've been trying to get your attention, but no, it's not a signal. We're just simply trying to let you know you can listen. Thank you for the privacy," Brie said with a smile.
"Thank you and it's not a problem. Sometimes it's nice to hear silence. This world is so loud… so many thoughts, so many prayers, so much love… so much hate…" Celeste said sadly.
"Well, how about a tour? Maybe that will get your mind off things?" Sora asked.
"No thank you. Sorry, I've kind of seen everything since I watched over your party from time to time."
Celeste said frantically. "Sorry I know that sounds creepy! I had to know which path Sora is choosing and well, I'm glad he has all of you."
"It's totally fine. We understand, we just won't let the others know," Sora said with a smile.
Jubelle and the others teleported into the garage unexpectedly.
"Woah, what's up? Everything ok?" Sora asked nervously.
"Yup, we're absolutely fine. A group of demons walked into the human restaurant we were in, so we wanted to get away before being noticed," Levi said.
"And this must be the goddess that joined our party? Hello, I'm Jubelle!"
"Nice to meet you Jubelle, I'm Celeste."
The party smiled and gave their introductions. Once they were finished, Sora hurried them inside.
"We have a lot to go over," he said. "Let's head inside and get comfortable."
*****
After explaining everything about the car ride and the King leaving to pass away peacefully amongst the elves, Sora made a change to their seal conditions.
"Everyone, I'm really sorry I have to do this. I trust you all, even with my life… but the King trusted me with this secret, so I have to ensure its safety," Sora said.
"System, please add a condition to the party seal for each member: if they ever contemplate talking about elves with anyone outside this party, they immediately forget elves exist."
The party all nodded in agreement as the conditions played in their head, and they all immediately accepted.
"We get it bud– don't stress!" Levi said while patting Sora on the back.
"Oh, come on Levi this is where we call him a drama queen…" Sasha said while laughing.
"The lovebirds are definitely drama queens," Jubelle said.
Sasha let out a deep sigh as Leila looked confused.
"We're missing golden opportunities. Anyway, Celeste, you're the one always sneaking around leaving those notes? What's the plan for the next council meeting? Isn't it next week? Sasha asked.
Sora and Brie went red in the face as they completely forgot about the meeting.
"Yes. I think we should have the meeting at your castle, Sora."
"I don't have a castle." Sora said. "How the heck am I supposed to build a castle in a week?"
"Here, join arms with me like this," Celeste said with a giggle. She had them all lock arms with one another, forming a small circle.
They teleported about two miles outside of Sora's property.
"Just give me a few minutes," Celeste said with a wink.
She began waving her arms and brand-new walls emerged from the grass. They replicated the walls surrounding Sora's walls around his property. In the center now stood a smaller castle. Its amethyst color looked beautiful, and the group stood in awe.
"Uh…" Jubelle said. "What just happened"
"Ha! We've stumped the genius! Nice job Celeste!" Levi boasted with laughter.
"She's a goddess, genius. She can create almost anything she wishes and if she lived with the King for this long and she's with us now—she obviously has Athena's blessing," Sasha said.
"Correct. Athena blessed me with some creation magic before I left. Just basic things, nothing too spec---"
"Ha! This is anything but basic! Does it have all the security my original walls have?" Sora excitedly interjected.
"That and more. It's reinforced with magical resistance, and the castle has the 'Blessing of Athena," Celeste said.
"What exactly does that entail?" Brie asked curiously.
"You see the large, white beacon at the top?" Celeste asked.
The group nodded.
"When danger is near, it changes to red. When allies are approaching, it turns green!" Celeste exclaimed. "It does some other things as well, but I'll explain those later."
"That's amazing. Thank you Celeste. I still think we should have the first meeting at the Uthra castle so we can break the news about the King," Sora said.
"I agree. That way, hopefully no one starts fighting at the meeting," Bree said somberly.
"What did the King tell you and those closest to him?" Sora asked Celeste.
"The King left me with instructions," Celeste said with a sigh.
Celeste continued, as a few silver tears fell from her eyes.
"Those tears… are beautiful." Sasha said as she gave Celeste a hug.
Sora and Brie grabbed each other's hands. Jubelle, Leila and Levi stood silently with their heads slightly bowed.
"Tonight is the night the King passes away in Haven. There's a lot I have to do tonight to ensure his secret remains safe, but ultimately, tonight is the night that the Uthra King Joseph Tanguin finally leaves this world," Celeste said sadly.
The group hugged each other. They knew the significance of these words and the battles that would follow.
"That's when the chimes will start to play and white smoke will rise from the King's Keep," Levi said sadly.
"Tonight is the night Haven loses its King."