Book 5. Chapter 45: Relaxation?

Book 5. Chapter 45: Relaxation?

Jake woke up from their wonderful night together wide awake. Not needing sleep in the first place, he only fell asleep for a couple of hours for his own enjoyment, and he was fully rested. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled a relieved sigh.

For the first time in months, he had no place to be, no fire that needed to be put out. Jake could finally just donothing. He was covered in warm bodies, as Ophelia and Tanda monopolized his sides. Fur and fluffy feathers covered his body, their hearths more than keeping him warm.

Jake was bathed in the Presence of his girls, and it felt great. He just basked in it for a moment, a contentment filling him as he did nothing.

Berri was giggling in her sleep, rubbing her belly as she lied next to Jakes head on her massive coil. She had a big dopey smile on her face, and Jake thought it might be her permanent look for a few months, since Fhesiah had assured her she was pregnant now.

Bloods golden eyes snapped open. Its my smile too, Milord. I cannot wait for our child to come. She looked at Tanda and Ophelia, And these ones too. I cant wait to see our kids play together.

She smiled with pride. The wiki doesnt contain an entry on our unique races, but it appearsmany of these high races are in fact less fertile at higher Tiers. Their life span is more, but their immense mana and faith levels interfere with conception. But our mixed origin with the Hearthians makes it a sure thing, I guess? Or our bond? Perhaps we should ask Hestia.

Ophelia had wanted a child just as well as Tanda and Bloodberri, but she wanted it to be more naturalonly for it to happen their first time without birth control anyway. Something about being a Hearthian made it a sure thingif they both desired it.

There might also be other factors or costs they are not aware of, but Jake didnt feel anything being expended.

Fhesiah confirmed success with her Divine Sense on the three of them, but it was like Jake knew down to his soul that they were, before she even checked.

Fhesiah and Blood floated Ophelia and Tanda away from surrounding Jake, and hugged them into each other next to Jake. The golden and the black-haired girls expression somewhat frowned from being removed from Jake, but otherwise evened out as they got comfortable with each other.

The two replaced themselves at Jakes side, Bloods large body taking up his right and Fhesiah as a kitsune his left. He hugged his lovely wives to his side tightly, as he enjoyed their embrace.

Blood nuzzled up to Jake as her golden scaled hands roamed Jakes body. Her claws were retractable, and her hands felt smooth on his body.

She sighed in contentment. This is wonderful, not having a place to be for a time. We do have something that must be done soonyou had submitted Morwens report to the council, but they will not meet for a time.

Fhesiah idly circled a finger around Jakes chest ring. Im sure that will lead to some conflict. Ill be leaving the Sector for a time, but with how long it takes others to move, I suppose Ill be back before anything major happens.

Hmph, if they come knocking at our doors, we shall crush them like the bugs they are. I have been looking into these War Games, and if anything, they are more likely to motivate and strengthen our people.

Jake asked, How do they work?

It is different at each Tier, though it appears more things are added as you rise. On any Tier 1 world both Guilds have presence, additional facilities will be allocated within the Headquarters. The first, is a kill board, and conquest tracker. Each kill of the enemy will take a percentage of their conquest. It is one of the costs for allowing war declarations in the first place.

Jake thought he understood the implications. So, unlike normal where it is merely a race for each guild in their contribution or conquest points, there is an opportunity to steal their contribution for your own. But they cant take Highlands from us, can they?

Blood shook her head. We will be under a grace period for a few years, as we rise up in Tier. However, the additional facilities would in fact allow them to take ownership from usgiven enough time and dominance. It would take a significant time investment with how high our conquest here was. Years of us being defeated over and over, without us making any conquest anywhere else would be required.

Fhesiah frowned. I thought the Framework doesnt like things that take away from the war. They cant fight outside of a city or nodes radius, right?

Blood nodded. That is correct. The truth is, after a respawn, there is a grace period where it is possible to head outside the city and earn conquest for your guild. Then, on a non-contested world like this one, joining Sector Incursions to reduce the enemys overall number of Rifts Sector-wide is difficult for the enemy to stop, allowing Guild members to earn conquest and preventing the world from being captured.

She continued, The Player versus Player, or PvP, can almost be entirely avoided. Guild members must return to Headquarters to capture or realize their CP, and this forces them to need to come there, where its another place it can be stolen. Then, there can be minor battles which resemble the battlegrounds we faced that occur as events which force conflict periodically, that earn a lot more points for the kill boardthis requires investment on the aggressors part to enact.

Jake found this idea interesting, and saw how the Framework could see this as a method to train warriors for potential conflicts against the enemy. It gave them a safe place to experience battlegrounds like what they might experience against Tartarus, while making them competitive to earn more conquest.

On most worlds, Conquest took many months or years to complete. It was only because Highlands was so close to failure, and also because Tartarus wanted it so badly, that things moved so swiftly.

A one-week respawn of several people was a detriment to the conflict, but they would not be powering Tartaruss conquests with their deaths. Because of this, it appeared that was usually a price worth paying to make people more competitive, as long as it wasnt abused.

What about the natives? We hadnt heard about them being outright slain by the Adventurers, but they definitely abused them.

Blood nodded. When the world is at war, killing a native is not allowed and protected by the Frameworkas their soul could be collected by Tartarus. Even when we win, those souls are sort-of ransomed by the Alliance, after all.

She continued, Outside of the war, it is possible for a Framework person to kill a native. However, its heavily discouraged. They will lose both Contribution Points and Conquest Points, in significant numbers. However, that doesnt stop other terrible, despicable practices.

Jake had begun frying various foods, having more than one massive wok going filled with rice and vegetables. He was cooking like he needed to feed an army, but it was really just four womenthat would normally not even need to eat.

The hot flames blazed into the bottom of them, as he used spellforms to shake and stir their contents around.

Ithanks, Blood. What did you find?

Jake could tell she shared the details with Fhesiah, before she replied, I found what might be a nice pair for that Dao treasure you purchased, with the Source Energy? It is a sort of painting, which is originally a Tier 3 itemhowever, it is inert, its dao energy consumed. Still, it holds the truth of the dao for powerful kitsune flames, and it mentions if paired with such an item like the Source Energy one, it may help bring about an epiphany.

Jakes eyebrows rose in surprise. A Tier 3 item, you say? Can we have such a thing?

Blood chuckled. Apparently, it is only allowed on a non-contested world, or otherwise unable to leave our Refuge. It turns out that as a Tier 3 item, it would be powerful as a barrierthe paintings power as a shield would be insane, even for us. Though, I guess it might be a bit too heavy to be used that way.

Fhesiah nodded. Yes, items with heavenly energy probably perform closer to a half a Tier above most mana-infused items, too. Well, for us at the bottom of the second Tier, I guess this painting would be formidable. Anyway, the description does look like something that might help me. How expensive is it?

Jake waved it off. It doesnt matter. If it helps you at all, its worth it. Ill find a way to afford it if I have to. Was there anything else, Blood?

Fhesiahs hearth flickered, filled with warmth. Blood was about to respond, but Fhesiah interrupted, hugging into Jake. My, that was sexy of you, husband. You really mean it? Youll do what it takes, to get me what I need?

Jake side eyed her, continuing to operate his woks. I didnt think this was new to you, you should already know? Each of you girls are everything to me. If we dont have a way to get what you need, Ill just have to make a way.

Blood cleared her throat. It wasnt that expensive, for the record. If there were ten paintings, we could afford them all, by moving things around. Having loot, Credits, and CP at the moment makes things a little less straightforward, but we can manage. Ill put in the order?

Fhesiah nodded. Thanks, Blood. I appreciate it. So, was there anything else?

Blood nodded. There does appear to be a potential Source Energy treasure and a potential claw material for core formation, but it is at a local cultivator auction. We can try to have an agent win it, in the next two weeks. It should arrive here just in time, before you leave. Its the best we can do.

She once again shared the information available, and it was clear that it was limited. However, it looked like it was much better than nothing.

Fhesiah frowned. That lookstoo good to be true. These are definitely going to be expensive, right?

Blood continued helping Berri with her telekinesis. Thats right. However, I think we can make it happen, at least to obtain one of the items. If you want to earn your keep, this is in fact an auctioncouldnt you make some of your amazing pills, for us to sell or trade there? That way, you can pay for some or all of it on your own.

Fhesiah hummed, and then hugged into the much larger Blood in the air. Youre right. Thank you so much, my dear sister, for looking into this for me. How long do I have to get this to our agent? Id kind of like to go since auctions are fun, but with our time so limited, Id rather be here.

Blood hugged her back with one arm, as Berri whisked up some frying batter in the other. Less than a week. Ill let them know it is a go.

Jake smiled, as he finished cooking up the first batch of Highlands chicken vegetable fried rice. It sounds like, one way or another, youll be just a little closer to what you need. Ill talk to Valtor and see if theres anything else we can do to raise our funds rapidly in the near future with our crafting. Im sure Ophelia and Tanda would love to help.

Berri nodded. And me and Blood, too! Well make all sorts of neat bone armor, and Hearthtribe will help too! I know it. Ill get all the spriggons to help if I have to.

Fhesiah sighed, her heart and hearth filled with the warmth of family. Thanks, husband, Blood and Berri. Family is a wonderful thing, knowing I dont have to go it alone. Lets get this food ready so we can eat.

They worked together to prepare enough meals to fill an army, then eventually called in Tanda and Ophelia.

The large table filled with various meats and magical food was laid out. The aromas filled the air, and each was happy to dig in and eat.

Berri was especially ravenous, eating an entire T-rex leg, and probably way too many roasted muckbills on a stick.

I think the baby likes the muckbills the most. I need more!

Tanda laughed, her tail wagging. Thats just your desires leaking. That baby cant be bigger than the size of a pea, it cant have a preference yet!

Ophelia sighed in happiness, enjoying her roasted auril boar. The skin is so crispy, and the pork is so good. I can eat this all day!

They each enjoyed their Highland berry shakes, which Jake added his various supplements to. The Divine Hearth of the Refuge likely filled their strange bodies with everything they needed, but it didnt hurt to be safe.

They each patted their stomachs happily, as their meal came to an end. They had no place to be, but they were all together and happy.