“Are all human males like Jack?” Thea dug her bare feet into the warm sand, still nursing her current in a line of several-too-many colorful mixed drinks while looking over the lake which sparkled with the reflections from the stars. Her snowy hair had been freed from its hold and dangled down her bare shoulders, glistening in the full moon’s glory.

Robin scrunched her face and turned to look directly into Thea’s captivating eyes. “There isn’t a single human like him,” Robin said as if that should’ve been the most obvious thing in the world. “He is unmatched.” Robin’s gaze glazed over as she lost the battle with the liquor that washed through her.

Thea lifted her cup and took a sip, smacking her lips and squinting as she swallowed. Her planet did not have an abundance of sugar-producing plants like Earth. The flavor was exotic yet powerful and each sip caused her mouth to tingle with song. She traced her tongue over her lips, collecting the last bits of flavor. “What an amazing thing, to be mated with not only the strongest and smartest of your species, but for him to also be so caring and supportive.”

Robin burst out in laughter. She sloshed her glass, spilling some of her drink onto her dress, but continued laughing. Her laughter echoed across the empty lake. A redness flushed her face as she struggled to find her breath. “That’s a good one,” she finally choked.

Thea looked on with confusion. Her drunken state sobered slightly as she asked, “Did I say something wrong?”

“No no. No.” Robin assured her, still catching her breath. She raised one hand to her chest and inhaled deeply, forcing her laughter to subside. “Wow that was a good laugh,” she said. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I am no more human than you,” Robin finally explained. “When Jack tamed me, I was just a violent little green goblin. And now,” Robin stood and twirled, fanning her flowing violet dress and dancing in the sand before falling back to her seat. “I don’t really know what I am. I was an Ogre for some time. Now the system says I’m a Monster Princess. But,” she lowered her voice. “I’m on the path to become a Seraph. Whatever that is.”

Thea appeared surprised.

“What?” Robin asked.

“You were a goblin?” Thea started with the first of her questions. “You evolved? That’s possible?”

“Yup, green little thing. This high,” Robin raised her hand to explain. “I was the first goblin he fought in the tutorial.”

“Hold on,” Thea stopped her. “You were a monster from the tutorial?!”

Robin nodded. “So were Thunder and Lightning.”

The two who became Storm,” Thea confirmed.

“Yup,” Robin said. “They were so little when we first tamed them.”

“How is that possible? There just isn’t enough time to progress so far in a single skill—”

Robin grinned again.

“And you’re going to evolve again? Into a Seraph?” Thea repeated.

“Eventually,” Robin sighed longingly. “There are a lot of requirements. And then I think I’ll finally be able to bear Jack’s child.” Suddenly, Robin’s eyes opened wide. She pulled open her information screen and shared the display with Thea.

~Evolutionary Path~

Monster Princess -> Seraph

[Slay]

Darkness Creatures: 0/10000

Demonic Generals: 1/3

<????>

[Consume]

Fallen Seraph Blood: 0/5

Falling Star Dust: 0/10

<????>

[Mission]

Guide Lost Souls: 2/1

Rejuvenate Dying Planetary Core: 0/1

<????>

“Woah,” Robin said, reading the screen for the first time in a while. “When did I?” She squinted, reading the now completed mission to guide lost souls as well as the one-third completion of slaying demonic generals.

“Wow,” Thea exclaimed. “I had no idea that was possible.”

“Do you know what a Seraph is?” Robin asked. “Or anything else in the list.” She leaned toward Thea, pushing, hoping for some more clues.

“Of course,” Thea said. “Every child knows of the Seraphs. They are gods, messiahs, and angels of stories. It is said that they spent their lives traversing and wherever they went, life thrived. But in a dark corner of the universe the tendrils of corruption sprouted and latched on to an unsuspecting trio of Seraphs. As their minds turned to violent darkness, they looked at each other with confusion and disgust. With tear-soaked eyes, the kindest of the three released the others from their horrid fates. But, before it could turn its hands and take its own life, the corruption took full hold. The first fallen Seraph. Also known universally across the worlds as Hades, Satan, or the one Demon God. But, they were supposed to just be stories. Nobody ever believed they were real.”

Robin smiled, clasping Thea’s hands in her own.

“Robin!!!!” Ella’s voice echoed from the sky as Storm rocketed toward the beach and landed a safe distance from the two. “Big sis!” Ella leapt from the wolf and threw sand with each of her steps. She spread her arms and threw herself into Robin’s ready embrace.

“Almost time?” Robin asked, dismissing the evolution screen and adjusting herself so Ella could sit between her legs and look out to the lake.

“Five minutes,” Ella said. “Also, we saw Marissa and Tim kissing,” Ella giggled.

“I missed it?!” Robin shouted.

“You missed it,” Ella teased.

“Noooo!” Robin exaggerated her disappointment to play to Ella’s glee. “I told you it would happen, didn’t I?”

“You did,” Ella agreed, leaning back to rest in Robin’s embrace.

“Come here,” Robin motioned to Storm.

“Mistress,” Storm said hesitantly. “I want to grow stronger.”

Robin tilted her head. “Because you lost?”

Storm nodded and whimpered, “I don’t want Master to throw me away.”

“Nonsense!” Robin shouted, drawing the Warg to her side. “If you want to get stronger, we will train. But, even if you said you never wanted to fight again, Jack would never throw you away. How many lifetimes have we spent together?”

“More than I can remember,” Storm purred slightly as Robin began stroking the fur on her neck.

“And how strong is Jack?”

“He’s the strongest there can be,” Storm huffed.

“And yet—”

“Jack!” Ella interrupted, pointing toward the figure who descended from the sky. He walked as if down an invisible staircase and then approached the four sitting together on the beach. “Come sit!” Ella said, patting the ground between Robin and Thea.

“You,” Jack pointed toward Storm.

Storm lifted her head and looked straight into Jack’s eyes.

“Come here,” Jack said, kneeling in the sand to meet Storm’s forehead with his own. “Close your eyes and open your mind,” Jack commanded. “I want you to feel. Feel everything that I am. Feel every thought that I have. Look as deep, as far, and as wide as you need.”

Storm pressed her forehead harder, joining her mind with Jack’s consciousness.

Jack could feel her self-doubt. Her worries. Her fears. Her terror of being left behind. Her love for him. Her love for Robin. Her desire to please him. Her need to be validated. Jack swelled at the thoughts. He hadn’t realized just how much anxiety Thunder and Lightning had been holding in.

Storm felt an entirely different wave of emotions. Yes, she felt Jack’s own doubts and fears about the world. His anxiety about eventually leaving his family behind. But, she pressed past that and found something that burned stronger than a million suns. She pushed into the warmth and she felt Jack’s love. It was a love reserved for her. It was all of the feelings he held toward her. All of the memories he cherished. All of the thoughts he’d ever had.

“Thank you, Master,” Storm said. She pulled back her head and howled toward the moon.

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize earlier,” Jack said, scratching Storm’s ear. “Now that you have your voice, promise me that you will share whatever fears you have with me. I don’t want you to feel such terrible things ever again.”

Storm stopped her howl and waged her tail.

Jack scratched her for another few moments and then took a seat beside Ella, motioning Storm to come join at his feet.

“Ready?” Jack asked Ella.

“Ready,” Ella said back.

Jack held out his open palm. “On your call,” he said.

Ella pressed a finger into his palm.

Jack let his mana surge, triggering the most intricate and dazzling fireworks show that Earth had ever seen.