Glorious: The Ascension

Both of them just laughed at her. However they agreed and everyone got into the hover car. As it took off flying back to their base the group felt like today had been a major victory.

Upon returning to base, the group began to go about preparing to relax after a hard day's work. Benedictus went to go prepare food for everyone. Marcelina and Roksazza both went to their homes in order to have some privacy as they bathe and look at what's in the ascension shop that they can afford. Charles and Emma started diving into the river helping each other catch a lot of fish to be cooked. 

While the food packets were heating up in the boiling water, Ben decided to take a look at those two items that he had got from completing those two quests earlier. Looking at the Shaman's Necklace, it provided him with a passive mana regeneration of 10 points per minute, and whenever he summoned an undead creature with a necromancy spell the undead would gain double it's HP and EP. Looking at the Chieftain's Ring, it boosted the damage of all spells that he cast that specifically dealt necrotic damage by +200, and all undead that he summoned built an extra +100 damage for all attacks they successfully landed.

After checking the two new items he had gotten he immediately equipped them both. Seeing as they didn't require attunement he could instantly feel as the power both items gave took effect. It was a decent increase in power that he actually seemed to appreciate. Even if it was more necromancy focused it would quickly become useful especially since he had an ability point to spend on gaining a new spell. He decided that it only made sense to get something necromancy focused given the items that he just got. Currently though he could only take a level one death spell because he had not used any points on gaining death spells beforehand. So he chose to take Siphon Death.

Siphon Death allowed him to be able to absorb the last remaining embers of lifeforce within a corpse that has been dead for no longer than a month and heal himself for 3 to 24 HP. With his Halo active it would technically boost it up to 203 to 224 HP. Any source of healing that he could get was a bonus in case of emergencies. 

By the time he was done selecting his spell and looking over his items the food was ready and he began taking it out of the boiling water and opening the packets and sliding the food inside onto plates. From there he opened the nearby window and called out to both women. 

Hearing their names being called for dinner both Marcelina and Roksazza came over. Marcelina was the first to speak up asking, "What's for dinner tonight?" 

He handed her a plate, "Beef, chicken, and bacon ravioli. I also made some heated up a different type of packet so we could all have a side of mac and cheese to go with it." 

"This food looks strange to me, but I guess the rations that you get in the packets are based off of food that is common on your home world. Some of the rations that I just purchased seem to be based off of food from my home world. It might be interesting to see how you all like my people's food," Roksazza remarks after making a slightly surprising realization.

Ben looked at her while handing her a plate of food, "That might actually make a lot of sense given how technically several dozen Gods oversee the trials. I'm certain that they have people well-versed in the cultures and cuisine of different worlds and have found a way to accommodate people's tastes. I'd be interested in at least seeing what the food on your world looks like and if our people can actually eat it."

"I think you should be able to since I am clearly able to eat human food. Human food does taste good so I think you all might like my people's food too," she replied with a nod and smile. 

"Well I'll go ahead and get the chairs set up so you can start the bonfire," Marcelina said as she walked over to go set up the chairs that they would sit on around the central bond fire.

Ben thanked her and noticed, "Thank you. That would be wonderful. I think Emma just finished catching her fish for her and Charles." 

He left his own plate of food in the house while closing the window so no pest flew in to trying nip at his meal. He headed outside and went over to the little setup he had made where he could properly clean, cut, and gut all of Emma's catches before cooking them around the bonfire for her and Charles to eat. At this point he's gotten it down to a rhythm where he can easily get it all done in a matter of only a few minutes. 

Seeing Emma with three fish hanging from her mouth ready for him to take and prepare, he got to work. He easily stripped all of the fish up their scales and removed all of their fins with no issue. Next game slicing open their bellies and removing their innards before taking off their heads. All of the parts that he chopped off and removed were put to use fueling the fire as he toss them into the bonfire after he lit it with a simple bit of flame.

Once the fish were ready to cook he went and grabbed some of the seasoning that he had personally set aside for Emma and Charles's food and he sprinkled and rubbed on that seasoning. Which was just a mixture of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. From there he put them on sticks and set them far enough into the range of the bonfires heat that it would cook it in a matter of just a few minutes. 

Not long after the fish was ready he took it out of the heat of the bonfire and sat them on plates for Emma and Charles to eat. He then went to go wash his hands and grab his own food. Using a little bit of fire magic to reheat his food by manipulating the flow of heat in a controlled way to simulate similar effects to microwaving is meal. He then joined everyone outside taking his seat in between both women. 

"Today was something wasn't it," Marcelina jokingly asked after the eventful time they had. 

"I wasn't expecting things to have reentered the hidden dungeon. And those things are ugly as hell. Surprisingly though they were not as dangerous as I initially thought," Roksazza chuckled. 

Ben remarked while chewing on some mac and cheese, "I think that's because we were a little bit higher level than they were. The gap in their stats and ours was just a little bit too much."

Marcelina agreed while reminiscing just a bit, "Yeah I can really start to feel it now. When I first arrived I felt so weak and helpless, but looking at how much stronger I am now..... It feels like a whole different story." 

"Looks like you're really happy with the choice Ben helped you pick. If I knew he was good at such things I might have waited before I chose my own legendary path. He could have probably helped me find something a little bit more suiting," Roksazza noticed while taking another bite of ravioli. 

"What even is your legendary path by the way? I don't think you told us yet," Marcelina questioned curiously about it.

Roksazza finished chewing and swallowing before answering, "It is called the Chakra Champion. As you know I manipulate lifeforce energy called more commonly, Ki. It allows me to push past my physical limitations at the cost of reducing my lifespan in very, very, very, very, tiny incremental percentages. However those tiny percentages add up over decades and I can produce my overall lifespan by quite a bit. However it takes decades to find the way to properly learn how to effectively use Ki to its most optimal point where you're not as drastically cutting down your lifespan. But by that point you already look several decades older than you actually are and will probably die from similar to causes to that of old people within another few decades." 

She stops for a moment to take a few more bites of macaroni and cheese. At the same time she holds up a finger indicating that she is still trying to explain but wanted to eat a little bit more. She then continues, "That is because my people live longer than yours by at least another century and a half..... Anyway it essentially allows me to focus my energy in a more frontline battle focused way allowing me to dish out greater damage while tanking more hits. It also allows me to find a way to better efficiently use my Ki. Thus of course reducing the negatives of using the energy source that I do. It's really good overall."

"Sounds like to me you've picked something that you knew would benefit you the most. I think you made a good decision. I doubt that you would have needed my help in that case," Ben remarked after listening to her explanation. 

"I'm glad you think so. After all you and I have to be at least relative in power if I am to truly live up to being the current strongest of my people. You are definitely most likely the strongest of yours at the moment," Roksazza responded in a competitive playful way.

"That makes me curious actually. When Ben became the first human to reach level 10 he got an amazing title and a great ability. What did you get when you reach level 10? I'm sure they gave you a similar reward right," Marcelina wondered remembering how Roksazza should also have gotten something like Benedictus did.

Roksazza nods and informs them both, "I did get the same thing, but just like his were random so were mine. I am not ashamed to admit that I think luck was on his side because he definitely has the better title. My title is called, Sovereign Sage of Swords. On my homeworld it was a title that was only given to one person in our history who was a master of swordsman. She was capable of splitting a mountain from the land in a single swing of her blade and turning it into tiny bricks of which she built a city with. The city she built would go on to be the capital of the largest empire on my homeworld and she would be the first sovereign of that empire. History told that she was a commoner woman who have been saying by some of the greatest masters in our history to slay the wicked king that ruled over her homeland before she began her reign."

"Sounds like big boots to try and fill," Marcelina nervously says. 

"Not really. I am not her and I do not have to live up to her legacy. I am already renowned on my homeworld for my own deeds. My focus is on carving my own legend and hopefully that ends with me obtaining godhood, so that my people will never fear what lies beyond the realms," Roksazza nonchalantly shrugs it off. 

Ben commented playfully, "Spoken like a true hero."

"As for my ability... It is called Love's Tender Embrace..... I know it sounds lame.... It's a healing to ability. It allows me to heal someone that I true care about by 50 HP per second by taking them into my arms and holding them. It also purges all illnesses from their bodies from poisons to diseases and whatnot. It can even break curses. It doesn't really fit with my style of combat but it could be useful," Roksazza informs them kind of embarrassed. 

Only to see how they look at her with smiling laughing faces. Ben places is hand on her shoulder and tells her, "I think it fits you well. I can tell that you're very kind hearted woman. Maybe the system gave it to you by random chance. Or maybe it was fate giving you an ability that shows that side of you hoping that you don't forget it along the way to godhood." 

Roksazza blushed slightly but it was hard to tell in the evening lighting around the bonfire. She just nodded and thanked him, "That.... is a very kind thing to say. I appreciate it." 

"I hope we become friends then. I'd love to see how it feels snuggling up with you. I bet it feels like being held firm and close while also being surprisingly thought and fluffy," Marcelina jokingly wondered. 

"I didn't know you like girls," Ben spoke in surprise.

"I like both. I prefer guys more but the ladies have a lot going on that I enjoy. I'm surprised I never actually mentioned that. Guess it didn't matter as much when staying alive was more important. Now that you bring it up I wonder.... Are you straight? Because you come across like this straight guy who both knows how to talk to women very well, but who is also afraid to talk to women at the same time," Marcelina replied and asked.

"You notice that too?! I thought I was the only one," Roksazza added on. 

"What are you talking about? I'm not afraid to talk to women," Ben replied slightly confused and a little bit insulted.

Marcelina explained a little, "It's not entirely like that. It's just there are times where it feels like you are actively avoiding talking to me because I'm a girl. Like you have this worry in the back of your head that I might suddenly start screaming at you for some reason." 

"You know how life was back on Earth. Shit most women nowadays were we're from will shout to high heaven that a guy they don't like talking to them is some kind of sexual harassment or attempted assault. It's happened enough times with women who just found me ugly and just wanted me to go away. That's why I try not to talk to any woman for too long. I don't want anyone even trying to repeat that bullshit," Ben reminded her of things back home and clarified. 

Marcelina remembered and agreed, "I see. Yeah most of them women back home who did that shit ruined my dating life. I went from having at least 10 guys a day trying to ask me out to none in like a year. I know it sucks trying to find someone back home with our current society."

"Well I haven't really been looking for anyone myself," Ben responded.

Marcelina actually seemed kind of confused by that statement, "What do you mean?"

"I haven't tried pursuing anyone in over a decade," he answered. 

"Is finding a mate on your world that hard that you would refuse to even look for one," Roksazza asked him genuinely trying to find out. 

Benedictus answered without explaining too much about his own personal situation, "It is bad but it's not that bad yet. I just have my own reasons."

Both women took notice of his demeanor and tone, but especially of his uncharacteristic avoidance of talking about his true reasons for choosing to be single. They both had a few guesses as to why but even without saying a word to each other they shared a knowing look as if they were in agreement. They kept their unspoken consensus to themselves, and went silent for a moment.

Emma then came over and pounced on to Ben. She began nuzzling him and licking his face. He couldn't help but feel happy to receive some affection from his new best friend. Benedictus began petting her face and back while placing a dozen tiny kisses on her nose. 

He picked her up and held her like a huge baby. Emma just snuggled into his arms and licked his chin. The girls just laughed at how the little cutie could turn the slightly scary loner they knew into such a big harmless softie. 

"I think Emma helps bring the best out of you. You seem a lot happier whenever she is near. She definitely loves having you around too," Marcelina noted while thinking how adorable Ben looked with Emma at the moment. 

Ben agreed while reminiscing, "I've always had a lot more of a connection with animals. People have always treated me very badly with only a few that I could ever say I cared for. But every animal I've ever interacted with has always shown me nothing but kindness and love. They help... make it easier to live when life does everything it can to break you."

"I agree. I once had a loyal pet back home that always was there to uplift me spirits when I was in need. She was a very smart girl. Your word for the type of animal she was I think would be, a bird? Either way I miss her. She died of old age a little over a decade ago," Roksazza concurred and talking about her childhood pet.

Marcelina picked up Charles and nodded while rubbing his tummy, "Yeah I completely understand. That was why I chose Beast Tamer myself. Animals are just easier for me to work with. They all mostly act only emotions and instinct. Makes them a lot more predictable than people. Plus most are cute in their own way, like my Charles or your Emma."

Benedictus nodded along for a little bit before he started feeling tired and ready to sleep. He looked at both of the girls and told them, "Well ladies I got one more thing I plan to do before I call it a night." 

He held Emma in his arms and told her, "I'm going to make you stronger." 

She made a sound of happiness and licked his face in agreement. The knowledge of how to perform the ritual was already in his head and all he needed to do was set it up. Doing so was actually relatively simple as he just needed to make the correct symbols on any surface and place Emma in the middle. From there he just had to say the right incantations. Thankfully he had the ability to manipulate the very ground beneath them and used a simple Minor Geo Manipulation to manifest the exact perfectly made ritual circle.

With the ritual circle ready he just placed Emma in the center of it and gave her a little kiss off the forehead, "Okay Emma, I'm going to need you to sit right here and wait until I tell you to move." 

She gave a nod and he gave her a couple pats on the head. Stepping away he backed up to the appropriate distance and stretched out his hands and began channeling raw magic from himself to the ritual circle. He began speaking the incantations.

Watching this from behind the girls were actually interested in seeing what would happen as they were quite intrigued by the results and whether or not it would cause drastic changes in Emma. At first all that happened was the magic circle had lit up and started to glow multiple colors and shift between different shades and hues. However when the magic circle turned white the energy began to swirl around Emma who didn't seem to react in any way behaving as she was told.

As Benedictus uttered the final words of the incantation the magic circle erupted with light forming a pillar of glowing white light in the sky. When the light had faded Emma was transformed once more. All of her blue scales had now become golden. Her red fur mane was much longer and more luscious. She had seemingly doubled in size in all proportions. She now had a another set of much smaller horns. And her eyes were solid red.

Benedictus seemed proud that it worked. He walked over and started petting Emma for following his instructions well. She was very happy that he was giving her a lot of affection and started looking his face some more.

The girls seem to admire the whole process as they had watched it and thought that Emma looked so pretty when it was over. They came over and started to pet her as well admiring her beautiful gold scales. Charles approached and gave her a sniff just to make sure she was the same Emma. When his nose confirmed that Emma was indeed still the same one he remembered from moments ago he started to lick her face. In return Emma nuzzled her face against his. 

Suddenly it all stopped when Ben decided to pick up Emma and head in to his cabin for the night. He told them all, "Well guys I'm gone to bed now. Say goodnight Emma." 

To everyone's surprise Emma waved and spoke in a little girl's voice, "Goodnight friends." 

All of them grew silent and stared at her in awe. Ben looked down at her in his arms and was greatly confused. He asked in shock, "Emma did you just talk?"

"Yep yep." She answered cheerfully when he asked. This time he could even see her lips moving and here the voice coming from her mouth. 

It took Benedictus a moment to process all of this and in the end he concluded, "I guess the ritual gave you that ability?" 

"Yep yep," she answered once again now wagging her tail a little like a dog. 

"It didn't mention that in the description of the ability. It might have something to do with you becoming my familiar though....." Benedictus remarked aloud while contemplating. 

"Yes. Now magic give me strength to speak like uncle can," Emma confirm to his guess. 

Hearing her say the word uncle and realizing that he is most likely who she's talking about he asked just to be certain, "Uncle....? Wait are you talking about me?" 

"Yes. Uncle is the best. I love you, Uncle Ben," Emma answered in between nuzzling her cheek against his own. 

"Okay that's adorable. I'm a little jealous. I wish Charles could talk so I can hear him tell me how much he loves me," Marcelina says kind of actually envious but that is interrupted by Charles who crawls up her leg and hugs her. His affection makes her happier. Even though he couldn't tell her that he loved her he could show it.

Roksazza spoke up and seem to be still in shock, "I'm not going to lie I wasn't expecting talking animals to now become the new normal. That's going to take some getting used to." 

"Yeah I agree with you there. Personally I'm a little bit too tired to even think about it anymore so I'm going to go to bed," Benedictus agreed and continued making his way to his cabin. 

Emma seemed happy about the prospect of getting some sleep, "Yay! Sleepy time!"

With that the group all agreed and went off to get some rest for the night. They all collectively mentally agreed that today was a long day. So they were going to hit the hay and hope that tomorrow was a lot more relaxed.

Once inside his cabin, Benedictus placed Emma on the bed and got out of his other clothes that he had been wearing all day. He grabbed a pair to change into after a shower. Hopping into the shower he washed away the dirt and grime of the day and allowed the water to relax him after he over exerted himself once again. 

After his shower he tossed on a clean pair of boxers and a pair of shorts. He didn't really like to wear much in the way of clothing when he went to sleep as he could only really sleep in an environment that was either cool or cold. Trying to sleep in warm or hot environments has always made him either stay up all night or have constantly interrupted sleep simply from waking up repeatedly. 

Laying in the nice soft comfy bed that he had gotten for himself days ago, he started feeling a lot more comfortable here. The second he got under the covers Emma moved up on the bed to get in her usual cuddle position. However now she was a lot bigger so she took up a lot more space than she did before. 

Her size did not stop Ben from wrapping his arms around the cute creature and giving her the usual goodnight kiss on her forehead that he always did. With only a couple candles lighting the interior of the cabin he and Emma started to fall asleep together. However this time Emma had something she wanted to say now that she could speak. 

"Uncle Ben..... I wanted to tell you something....," he could hear the nervousness in her voice as he could tell she was still unused to both speaking and not sure about what she was about to say herself. 

With his eyes still closed trying to doze off he'd simply replied, "Go ahead Emma. I can still hear you." 

"I just wanted to say thank you... for saving me..... When those bad bugs hurt mama and took her away, you hurt them back and saved me..... I didn't want to be eaten.... Thank you for getting me unstuck," she spoke very nervous and definitely a little bit shy about what she was saying.

Ben didn't even open his eyes and just held her a little bit closer. He placed a couple more kisses on her forehead, "I do it again in a heartbeat. I'm just sorry I couldn't help your mama too. But as long as I'm around I'll do everything I can to keep you safe." 

She just nuzzled into his arms and said, "I love you, Uncle Ben." 

"I love you too, Emma," he said without hesitation as he truly meant it. 

Deep down he agreed with what the girls were saying earlier. He really did care for Emma and she was actually quite a positive influence in his life. His mental health is always been pretty bad given the childhood that he had and the even more emotionally destructive adulthood he's dealt with, but having a pet around has always helped. Almost all of his pets regardless of their type of creature seem to understand whenever he was feeling mentally unwell and would come to ease his burden. 

Emma was the exact same, until now. Now it felt like she was more than just that. She started to stop feeling like a pet and start feeling more like a genuine member of his family. With her voice he felt like he had a deeper connection with her simply because he could understand her now. It almost felt fitting hearing her calling him uncle and a part of him felt joy being called that again.

As he lay there his mind started thinking back to his life on Earth. He thought about his family. He thought about his god-awful parents that he hated, and would be happy to never see again after this is all over. He thought about his older siblings. Last time he had talked to his sister she was trying out the dating life for the first time, but was struggling since she was almost 40. When he had last saw his older brother it was to celebrate the adoption of his brother's second daughter.

But all that was over 2 years ago, and he didn't really speak much to any of his family after what had happened. He didn't really speak much to anyone after what he had went through. He just closed himself off for so long until the pain stopped. 

But it never stopped, his dreams were always haunted by ghosts of his past. Every ally that died in the war. Every person that he could not save. And especially her. 

She was always on his mind. He still remembers waking up and seeing those beautiful emerald eyes. He remembered her smile that always seemed to be able to lift his spirits even in the worst of times. A beautiful curly ginger hair blowing in the breeze was a sight that always filled him the sensation of home. The feeling of her soft dark caramel skin as she would always wrap herself into his embrace. She hated when he told her about how beautiful her freckles were. 

He could feel the tears welling up through his closed eyes. Thinking about her always made him emotional. This time though he felt Emma's tongue licking his face and his mind flashed to memories of some of his dogs and cats that used to do the same whenever he was sad. 

He heard Emma try to comfort him, "It's okay Uncle Ben. I'm here. I'll keep you safe." 

A few tears fell from his eyes as he pulled her a little bit closer but said nothing. He tried not to get emotional, but a few whimpers and sniffles scaped him along with a couple more tears. All the while Emma just wrapped her paws around him in return and held him softly to try and ease his suffering. Her uncle was strong, but everyone has things that make them sad. She knew that he was no different from everybody else. 

Eventually they drifted off to sleep in each other's embrace. Asleep came to them it was peaceful. Soon morning came they awoke to a nice relaxing cool day. Clear skies and decent weather seem to be in store for them. Benedictus was the first to wake up as usual, and today he felt was going to be a great day. Especially with Emma by his side to support him.