Champions Vol. 02

"Oh man, this was a good idea," David announced after coming back to the surface from dunking himself the first time. The water was cool, but not cold, and felt amazing on his overheated skin.

"I agree," Sapphire moaned, licking her lips while she watched the glistening water droplets roll down his muscular chest and shoulders.

Hearing the note of hunger in her voice, David took a closer look at his love. Her face was flushed, and her nipples were standing at attention. The mischievous twinkle had not left her eyes, but was now joined by growing lust. Moving toward her, David stood up fully in the water. They were far enough out from the beach that more gentle waves were teasing the bottoms of her breasts, but every so often a taller wave crash over her breasts, teasing her nipples with its faint touch.

David moved forward and lifted Sapphire up, pulling her to his chest as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His manhood was swelling quickly from the feel of her naked body against his, her magnificent orbs crushed against his chest as he squeezed and caressed her pert ass.

Purring in delight, Sapphire draped her arms on his shoulders and crossed her forearms behind his head, pulling him into a scorching kiss. Their lips caressed one another as their tongues dueled. She could feel the tip of his swollen rod poking her from below, and began to grind herself gently against it. Momentarily pausing their kiss, she released one arm, and reached down to take hold of his excited member. Sapphire was ready, and she intended to help David enter her.

She was not prepared for the sudden appearance of a devious smirk on his face, and was shocked when he tossed her up and away, dunking her into the waves. She reemerged sputtering to the sounds of his laughter. What the hell was that? But as she thought it over she realized that between Laurena and herself David rarely ever succeed in surprising them anymore. Meanwhile they constantly delighted in tricking or surprising him, especially in the bedroom. Perhaps from his point of view, she'd had that coming for a while now.

Shaking her head, she decided there was a much better way to resolve this. "You are so dead," she yelled at him with faux outrage, and swam/ran towards him. Laughingly he tried to get away, but didn't really try too hard. Once she was in range, Sapphire leapt onto his back, dragging them both into the water.

Seconds later they emerged laughing, and continued to splash and play in the tropical paradise.

* * *

Lying naked in bed with her head rested on her fiancé's bare chest, Phoebe luxuriated in the feeling of loving comfort that surrounded her. Varus' arm was wrapped around her, and he was softly stroking her back. With her responsibilities at the temple and his role protecting the city they rarely had time to spend together like this, but ever since the guards had stopped Galen the city had quieted down.

There had been some discussion of disbanding the city guard now that the threat was over, but Phoebe and Varus had agreed with war coming it was better to keep them active. Their ranks were already less than half their original size, with only those sentenced to pay penance remaining. The rest had volunteered for the army, and left more than a month ago. Some would return to serve as the city's militia, bringing more knowledge and better training with them; but until then the existing guard prepared as best they could.

"What are you thinking, my love?" Phoebe inquired softly.

"Normally, at this point in the day I would be reviewing the issues that were dealt with today, planning how to address the one's we were not able to resolve, and wondering what fresh problems would arise tomorrow," Varus replied. "But right now all I can think about is how happy I am to have you in my arms."

Phoebe smiled joyously at his words. She knew he took his responsibility as sheriff seriously, but she loved that he was able to put them aside when she was with him. She decided that now -- when he was relaxed and happy -- was a good time to revisit the discussion of their marriage.

"Just imagine how much nicer it would be if we could spend every night like this," she suggested.

"I think about it every time we separate, my love," Varus replied. "But then I remind myself that I love you enough to wait for you. When we finally wed, I want there to be no regret on your part. You spent your entire life working to become a priestess, and you have not even spent a full year as one yet. Two years may seem like a long time right now, but that time will pass quickly enough. And when it does we will have the rest of our lives together."

"So you no longer fear I will choose service to Eros over you in the interim?" she demanded with mock haughtiness.

"I would never claim that I can compete with our god," Varus laughed, knowing his fiancée well enough to pierce her deception by her voice alone. "However, the God of Love would surely be cross with us if we abandoned a bond as strong as the one we have forged. But you spent over a decade preparing to be a priestess; you should at least get some time to enjoy it."

"The last few months as a priestess have not exactly been enjoyable," she grumbled.

"It's true that the job has been much more difficult since losing Pelagios," he replied soothingly. "But consider how much better the city is now. You were with me today, walking the streets. Surely you saw what I saw."

Phoebe grudgingly admitted that she had. Her first impression of Exitibus had not been positive. Many of the houses, shops, and even side roads were in disrepair. Most of the people ignored one another, and there seemed to be far too little love in the city. The first worship service she had attended had been abysmal, with Pelagios rambling nonsensically half the time. She hated to think ill of the deceased, but the old priest had been doing a poor job leading the faithful of Exitibus.

However, since she assumed responsibility for the temple its attendance had quadrupled. Worship services were filling back up, and she had even had to add extra services on busy nights because there simply was not enough space to accommodate the Blessings for all the attendees in a single service. Further, with the help of Varus the city was improving as well. The two of them had opened the temple coffers and began paying for repairs to the roads. This in turn inspired those with the knowledge and aptitude for magical and non-magical repair to interact with much of the population. Friendships were started, and neighbors began to interact with each other again. Many houses that were once worn or crumbling now stood tall, freshly repaired and painted.

When the pall of Pelagios' death had finally been lifted from the city, a new vigor and sense of community had been instilled. The people of Exitibus had come together for common defense, and the town was safe again. Neighbors that had never bothered with each other before now broke bread together, and helped one another. It was a miraculous change, and one that she was proud to have a part in.

"Yes, I did, and I have never been more proud than when I consider our part in it," she finally replied. "I just wish I had you with me every night. With our responsibilities we see so little of each other," she sighed. Then she rose up and hovered over him, looking into his eyes. "And I want to start a family. Our children will be beautiful, and I want to meet them soon," she added with determination.

Reaching up, Varus pulled her down on top of him and kissed her. Her breasts were compressed between them, nipples hardening in arousal from the steamy kiss. After a few pulse quickening moments of lip excitement, Varus allowed his love to break away from the kiss to draw in a breath.

"You do not fight fairly, sir," she joked, raising a leg to straddle him fully. They had already had sex once that night, but she was now ready for round two.

"I am forced to," he replied with a loving smile. "If I did not, you would be able to talk me into anything."

Leaning forward, she stroked from his collarbone to his throat, stopping to circle a scar on his neck he had carried for years. Continuing upward, she traced his jaw-line and slid her fingers into his long brown hair, their tips brushing against the second, uglier scar at his temple. He had shared the story of how he got them with her shortly after their first time together. He had suffered an accident as a child, falling from a tree onto jagged rocks. The cuts had gotten infected, and he had nearly died before his parents had gotten him to the priestess for healing. Varus was embarrassed by the marks, so he wore high collared shirts to cover his neck, and wore his hair long and parted to the side to cover the one at his temple. Phoebe thought they were beautiful, because they were a part of him.

"Hopefully our children will be less clumsy than their father," she said with a smile, stroking his scars lightly.

"And if they aren't, then they will always have their mother," he replied, love in his eyes.

Phoebe hoped that one day her love would not be embarrassed of his marks. After all, plenty of people had scars.

*** Chapter 28: The Trial of Empathy ***

031445JUN13 DW

14^th of Pyanepsion, 2351 EC

The Isle of Eirini

"Welcome to the Tomb of the Fallen."

Laurena was surprised at the woman's voice coming from behind her. She had found the temple empty, but just like the exterior, the interior was in excellent repair. She had noticed massive murals stretching along three of the walls, and had walked forward to inspect the closest one. The voice had interrupted her before she had barely taken a look at it.

Turning around, Laurena saw the speaker. She was a beautiful woman of indeterminate age. She could have been anything from early twenties to late fifties for all Laurena could tell, because she was not entirely there. The woman was a spirit, her translucent form hovering just above the marble tiled floor. She was dressed in white robes similar to the ones worn by priestesses, but these were more elaborately embroidered than even the finest ceremonial robes at the Great Temple. She also exuded a feeling of peace, with a gentle half-smile on her lips.

"Th-thank you," Laurena stuttered her reply. She was trying to maintain her calm, but this was the first ghost she had ever spoken with. A feeling of familiarity tugged at the edges of her mind, as though she should recognize this woman.

"I am aware how difficult your trip here was, but know that I was impressed with how you overcame all of the challenges you faced," the spirit's voice spoke. It was disconcerting to Laurena, because the spirit's lips did not move at all. "Being a Champion of Eros can often feel like a monumental responsibility, and sometimes the crushing weight of duty can easily overwhelm you if you let it. It is good that you accept the aid and support of friends already, for during my time I found that their presence was often the only thing that got me through my darkest hours."

Suddenly Laurena realized who this was. Looking down she grasped the pendant at her neck and scrutinized the figure etched into the top of the miniature sarcophagus. It was a perfect likeness of the spirit before her.

"Ophelia?" Laurena gasped in surprise.

"Yes, Laurena. My time as Champion ended two decades ago, but until I was returned here I could not go to my final rest in Eros' palace among the stars," the spirit of Ophelia replied. "It was a long wait, but from what I have seen of you already it was worth it."

Laurena did not know how to respond. She was in the presence of the former Champion of Eros, the one who gave her life to protect all the people of Erosius. She was raised in the Great Temple surrounded by tales of Ophelia's exploits. For nearly five centuries this woman had fought battles, negotiated treaties, resolved conflicts, invented entirely new types of magic, and during it all spread the message of Eros' Love. Never in her life could Laurena have ever imagined how humbled she felt at this moment.

"Yes," Ophelia continued compassionately, "I can imagine how you feel in this moment, conversing with the spirit of the last Fallen. I was fortunate enough to have avoided similar circumstances when I was chosen, but even then I was stricken speechless."

Laurena could only nod, her voice still beyond her grasp.

"Unfortunately time is not your ally, and the longer we tarry the more lives will be lost. Some are already beyond saving," she sighed sadly. "My efforts to stop Enyo were not as successful as I would have liked, and her forces were merely delayed. They are sailing for Erosius as we speak, and I doubt that the people there will be able to defend against them without you and your companions. Our god was forced to sacrifice much in order to prepare our world for the coming fight, and victory is still not certain.

"I can see that you have many questions, but they are stuck behind the lump in your throat. Perhaps I can ease your burden," Ophelia's spirit said, and she moved forward, reaching out to gently touch Laurena on the shoulder.

A sense of absolute peace descended upon the Champion, granted her by Ophelia's spectral contact. Her worries and fears of inadequacy were banished to the furthest corner of her mind, and she was finally able to find her voice.

"What are the Trials?" Laurena asked.

"They are a tool. Their intent is to help you become a better Champion of Eros by exposing weaknesses that exist within your character," the spirit explained.

Laurena's heart fell. That sounded all too similar to some of her darkest days in recent history.

"Yes, I reacted similarly when I discovered their purpose," Ophelia said, noting Laurena's despair. "But think on this for a moment: do you believe that all Champions are perfect when they are chosen?"

Laurena considered the question. She doubted that any Champion was perfect. But she did not like the idea of having her flaws pointed out to her. She was working to get better damn it! Was that not enough?

Sighing, Laurena realized that once again her pride was getting in the way. This was part of becoming a Champion of Eros, something her god had chosen her for. She again reminded herself that if she was not equal to the task then he would not have picked her. She could do this, no matter how unpleasant it sounded.

"No, I do not believe that every Champion before me was perfect," Laurena answered.

"Then you understand that each of us made mistakes during our time as Champions," Ophelia's spirit replied. "Some of the same mistakes were repeated more than once, because they were the result of flaws within us that we were either unaware of, or refused to address. The trials will expose you to your own negative thinking, which may someday harm you, or those around you. What you do with that knowledge will be up to you."

"When will the Trials begin?" Laurena asked the spirit of Ophelia.

"They have already started," she replied with wan smile. "You had to endure the Keeper's trial just to get here."

"Keeper?" Laurena asked with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. "You mean Eek actually is the Keeper of the Tomb?"

Ophelia chuckled. "Yes, he is, although he sometimes forgets that it is his responsibility. It has been his and his alone for a very long time. His mind sometimes wanders."

"How long?" Laurena queried. "I could not determine his age, but he acted as though he had been here for many winters."

"That is his tale to tell, as is his true name and how he came to be the guardian of this Isle," Ophelia replied. "If you wish those answers you will have to ask him."

Bowing her head in acceptance, Laurena considered what her next question would be. "What does a Champion do?" she finally asked.

Ophelia replied with the description of duties that matched what Laurena had been taught in the Great Temple. It described grand actions and hallowed deeds, and was short on details.

"What I mean is day-to-day. What does a Champion of Eros do in the time between saving the world from encroachment by rival gods, negotiating treaties between nations, and protecting the innocent?" Laurena clarified. "For the last twenty years there has been little conflict or upheaval in Erosius. While many of the older clergy have said that the land is not what it once was when you walked it, I still do not understand what a Champion would do each day to make Erosius better."

"That is a good question, my dear," Ophelia replied with an expression of satisfaction. "The answer however will be difficult for you to understand. Think back to all of the worship services you have attended. Do you remember how much happier, and contented the attendees were when they left?"

Laurena considered the question. She could clearly recall numerous times when the faithful would leave a service in better spirit than when they came in. She nodded an affirmative in answer to the question.

"Good. Do you think that it was the magic of the ceremony that caused this change?" the spirit continued.

"No, it was the feeling of community and sharing of love that helped them," Laurena replied quickly, offering the answer that she was taught in the Great Temple.

"Are you certain?" Ophelia asked calmly.

Laurena hesitated. The answer she offered was exactly what she had been taught from the beginning of her training as an acolyte. How could there be any different answer?

"Allow me to show you an alternative answer..." the spirit offered, reaching forward to touch Laurena on the temple with her fingertips.

* * *

David and Sapphire lay in each other's arms. They were sprawled out on a large blanket that Sapphire had pulled from her bags, allowing the sun to dry the sea water from their skin. Sapphire had wanted to use a spell of cleansing, but David had convinced her to try 'air drying' with him. The wet sand on her feet was annoying, but the relaxing comfort of lying with a naked David while the sun played on their skin made up for it.

These lazy moments with her love were Sapphire's favorite. As much as she enjoyed having sex with him -- and she really enjoyed having sex with him -- she enjoyed these times more. They were peaceful, uncomplicated moments where they both set aside their pasts and their futures and just embraced the present, basking in the comfort offered by the other's mere presence. To her it had a magic more powerful than anything else in the world. She did not even have to reach out to David through their bond to know that he felt the same way.

"David?" she began lazily.

"Yes, love?" he replied, not bothering to open his eyes.

"Why do you think Eek pretended he was not the Keeper, if he actually is?"

Opening his eyes at the question, he looked down at her. She was still relaxed in his arms, and had not moved her head to look up at him. He realized that her reason for the question was more an exploration of his thinking on the matter than any interest in [eek]'s motivations.

"I suspect two possible reasons," David eventually replied. "One, he legitimately does not realize that he is the Keeper. It is obvious he has been alone on this island for a long time, as indicated by his speech, actions, and mannerisms around us. Not to mention the 'conversations' he has with animals that cannot talk back. It is possible that he has been here so long that he has either forgotten who he is, or he discarded that identity in anger because it was that person who accepted the duty as Keeper; a job which forced him to be alone on this island.

"Scientists -- that's people who study and discover the 'science' we have talked about in my world -- found that humans are inherently social creatures. The longer they go without socializing with other humans the worse their mental health becomes. Essentially, a man who is left alone long enough eventually goes crazy.