Chapter 43 - On The Beach

"I am okay, Kaitlyn." Zell said as he got up off the beach. He let out a deep sigh and stared out across the breaking waves. "The water sure is beautiful. I wonder where this beach even is."

"Are we not going to talk about what just happened?!" Kaitlyn cried out. "I thought you died! You were fine and then just BAM on the ground motionless."

"Sorry about that." Zell smiled and looked over to the crying cat girl. "The creator of the universe had some words for me."

"The creator?" Kaitlyn was puzzled.

"Yeah, she wasn't too happy about my latest stunt." Zell sighed. "She stripped me of my power of time and space, made Anna leave me, and gave me a stern talking to."

"Oh no!" Kaitlyn yelled. "Does that mean we are stuck here on this beach? To-to-together?! Going to have to rely on one another for comfort and support… Eventually there will be those lonely nights…" Kaitlyn's face becomes reddened.

"No, we are not stuck." Zell laughed. "I just wanted to take a moment and watch the waves. You know I still remember the first time I took my kids to the beach. They were terrified of the water. Every time I thought they were going to get in a wave would come and they would run back screaming. Ha! Come to think of it, my grandson did that on his first beach trip."

"I always forget you have a whole other person inside of your head." Kaitlyn said. She walked over to where Zell was sitting and sat next to him in the sand. "This isn't like you to be so calm and still. Normally you are full steam ahead and on with the mission. What happened while you were gone?"

"I did something I can never take back." Zell said calmly. "I do not regret it one bit. I only wish I could do it again. To feel the life of the person who took my family leave their body. It was a wonderful experience." Zell laid back on the beach and took in the sunlight. "It feels good to not just roll over and take it. To just do what needs to be done and not worry about anyone else. Maybe doing what she wants won't be too bad."

"What did she ask you to do?" Kaitlyn asked, looking down at Zell, who had now closed his eyes to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

"She wanted me to bring peace." Zell said.

"That's good we were already on our way to do that." Kaitlyn replied.

"By killing the demon lord and ending my sister's reign." Zell said.

"She wants you to murder people?!" Kaitlyn said. "She's no better than that Steve guy!"

"You may be right." Zell chuckled. "Still, we have to do what she says. You saw how she just yanked me to her realm. I don't know how I can defy her."

"Would you if you could?" Kaitlyn asked.

"The old me would have never." Zell replied. "But now, I don't know. I do not think just doing what she wants just because she is god is the right thing to do. Having met these other gods, I can tell they do not have any interests other than their own. I feel like they only want to use us as pawns in their stupid game they are playing against each other. Anna seemed worried about her. The whole time we were on Earth I could sense her fear, well I could feel it. But I had to get my revenge, I needed my family to have justice."

"And you feel better now?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Better than you could ever imagine." Zell said. "Now that my family has justice, I know they are resting in peace, and I can move on with my life."

"Move on?!" Kaitlyn asked, surprised with a hopeful tone.

"Yeah, my old woman would want that." Zell smiled.

"So do-do you have anyone in mind?" Kaitlyn asked nervously.

"Nope, but I am sure I will find her one day." Zell said.

Kaitlyn's bubble popped and she looked as if someone had just murdered her puppy. "Oh, I see." She said sadly. "I am sure she is."

Zell opened his eyes and could tell Kaitlyn was visibly upset. "Don't cry." He said. "I know you are upset that I looked like I died, but I am fine I promise."

"Your so stupid!" Kaitlyn yelled and slapped Zell across his face. "I like you! Okay?! You're strong, and smart, and kind, and strong!"

"You said strong twice, Kaitlyn." Zell teased.

"Shut up!" She yelled back. "You are strong, but just so stupid!"

"My wife used to tell me that all the time." Zell laughed. "I am sorry, I didn't think a nonhuman could have feelings for a human."

"Well, I didn't either!" Kaitlyn said. "But here we are! Now you think I am an idiot!"

"Hey, now." Zell said. "I think you are cute."

"Really?" Kaitlyn said, calming down a bit.

"Yes, Kaitlyn, you are really beautiful." Zell said. "It's just that you are a bit young for me."

"I am older than you!" Kaitlyn yelled.

"That may be true for this body." Zell said. "But I have all the memories of my past life back, deep down I am an old man. I like my women mature and fully developed."

"I'll be that way in time." Kaitlyn said.

"In time, yes." Zell replied. "Maybe then something will change, but I am sorry to me you are still a child."

"So are you!" Kaitlyn fussed.

"Let's just move on." Zell sighed. "Look, I don't trust god. If we can find a way to not kill the demon lord, I say we take it."

"But won't she kill you if you don't?" Kaitlyn asked.

"I don't know." Zell answered. "But something isn't right. She claims to love all life and even got upset about the death of Steve. Then she immediately tells me to kill the demon lord and my own sister. There is more to her story, we should try and discover it."

"Oh, I have a question." Kaitlyn said standing back up. "With all that death what about the world soul?"

"God says it doesn't exist." Zell said. "She was actually visibly upset about it. Another sign there is more at play here. Still, we need to at least act like we are going to do as she says. We need to avoid suspicion since I do not know what she is capable of." Zell stood up and walked over to the door.. "So, are you ready to go back to our world?" He said as he opened the door.