"That is very true. Standing around here is just avoiding the conflict, and having them all together is really only going to make it worse for me the longer I put it off. What is your name?" I asked, and the woman smiled.
"Lanny, I am not special," She said, and I snorted.
"Special enough to give me some very good advice. Be here tomorrow morning if you are interested in getting out of that guard outfit and might want to try some adventuring. With the proper training, anyone that wants to can become an explorer, and there are plenty that will want to sit in the city to work as guards. What this world needs are more adventures and people equipped and trained to go on them!" I laughed, and Lanny smiled.
"I will consider your world, Cat God Galio, but I think that you should go deal with your own problems," Lanny said, and I nodded, about to open a portal but then stopped and then adjusted the portal to Tallia's kitchen.
"I will talk to you tomorrow if you are here!" I said and hopped through into my goddess's kitchen.
After the portal closed, I turned and knocked on her bedroom door twice.
"You may come in," Tallia called from the other side, and when I opened the door, she was smiling on the other side. "Very good of you to use the door, but aren't you supposed to be doing things right now?"
"Prisoners are dealt with by Morgana, and I have people training the Amazons, but neither are the reasons that I have come to get you," I said as I closed the door and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Oh? That is rather wise of you," Tallia said with paise in her voice, but I shook my head.
"No, both were Nemoria's idea," I said, and Tallia flinched back in surprise.
"What does she have to do with this?" She asked as she quickly sat up.
"Remember the Lamia that I just met? Lexi?" I asked, and she nodded, so I explained everything that had happened, including the bit about Kadeon and the 499 worlds. During the explanation, Tallia listened intently but then got out of bed near the end and changed into her typical goddess dress from the oversized white cat sweater she had been in, wearing nothing but her underwear. I really wished we didn't have to go, but I was going to need some alone time with this woman again soon!
"So, I assume that you want me to come with you?" She asked after, and I nodded.
"I think that would be the best, and you have never been to my home, so it would be nice to show you around," I said, but Tallia frowned.
"While that would be really nice, do you really think that you have time for that right now?" She asked, and I nodded.
"Time is stuck to me. Since I am from the Upper Realm, time always moves there, but if I am up there, time doesn't move here. Since both realms are connected as planes, I can show you how it works after we go, though," I said as I got off the bed and grabbed one of the white cat stuffies from a shelf.
"Put that back!" Tallia growled, and I gestured for an Astral Portal to open to my place.
"Just get through the portal, and I will show you. No harm will come to your toy in the process!" I laughed, and Tallia scowled as she walked through, and then I joined her, still holding the cat. "Now watch."
I stuck the stuffed cat back through the portal at the top of the opening and then let go. I let it fall halfway and then pulled my hand back, so no part of me was in the Mortal realm, and the bear froze in the air.
"See?" I said, and then looked at my mother, who looked like she was about to bore holes through me with her piercing stare at me. "What?"
"I see you, umm, brought my, and I mean your goddess, along. Fitting it seems for the conversation," She said and then looked at Tallia. "Why don't you come and sit over her. I won't bite, and my son is clearly enthralled with you," Nemoria said, and Tallia seemed a bit hesitant, but I couldn't blame her. Still, I gave her a light push.
"Go on. My mother is bad, but she is better than most," I whispered, and Tallia nodded, going over to sit by her. I looked over to where the two Lamia were and nodded my head. "Sorry for taking so long, but I wanted Tallia to join us for this."
"Not a problem. The more, the merrier, in my opinion. I have learned so much already, and I can say that no other has had the pleasure of visiting the god of our world's home! I am waiting with anticipation to see what happens next!" Lexi said with way more excitement than seemed due to me, but I could see why this would be exciting for her.
"Well, I am sure that you will find out soon enough," I said and turned back to my mother. "Where is Kadeon and the Winds?"
"He is working on Fate and Murphy with the three female Winds and Cancer. Leave them be for now and come join us. Having Kadeon around will only make things more confusing, and the Guides have agreed to explain what they want from you. I will answer what I am allowed, but the rules have not changed," Nemoria said, and then three hooded figures just appeared out of thin air.
"Welcome, Galio," They said as one and then floated down to cushions, but I frowned at them.
"Isn't that my line when you enter my house?" I asked, but the first shook its head and the robe gold. Angelios.
"We created everything, so we own everything. Thus, we welcome you to your home, which is ours as well as everything. I am the Guide of this world, and to reach outside of the first veil, you will have to bring unity to this world," Angelios explained, and the next nodded, and the black robe turned a wild vine-like green. Hellios.