Alicia lay collapsed face first in Jack's crotch. Jack took heaving breaths on the rock floor. Alicia murmured something and giggled to herself. Jack appreciated the bubbly girl for a moment before turning to appreciate his skill messages.

Sensual Arts Lvl 5→ Sensual Arts Lvl 8

Soul Perception Lvl 4 → Soul Perception Lvl 6

New Skill Learned! Soul Bond Mastery Lvl 1!

Two heads are better than one. You never fight alone.

Slightly increased connectivity through Soul Bond per Level

Slightly increased efficiency when using inherent Soul Bond Magics per level.

With his new skill and increased skill levels, Jack could read Alicia even better than before. Feeling the mood, Jack righted her shuddering body, holding her head gently against his chest.

“I'm going to be honest here,” he said. “The magical alien apocalypse is starting off much better than I hoped.”

Alicia's laughter rang out before devolving into snorts. He couldn't help but laugh along, nuzzling against her.

“Looks like Ms. Perfect still has her nerd laugh.” he said.

She gave his sides a pinch, screwing her face.

“Meanie.”

“I like it,” he said. “I like the nerd Alicia. She's cute.”

She let out a soft 'Humph' but couldn't hide her bright smile.

“Do you think they've finished up in there?” a woman's voice asked.

“I am focusing on setting up this formation, Shadow,” another woman said.

Alicia and Jack tensed, sitting up in a half-cuddle.

“Do you think they're the people Wanda was talking about?”

“It's got to be, right?” she said. “She said it would be two women.”

“They called us mortals, you don't think they're actually-”

Alicia resisted Charm(Minor).

Alicia blinked twice, then shook her head. She gaze landed square on Jack. He lifted his arms away, clearing his throat, as he looked back into her hard eyes.

“I asked nicely,” he said. “Anyways, I warned you earlier about acting cutesy.”

Alicia stuck her nose into the air, letting go of the boy and crossing her arms. Jack shrugged his shoulders before turning his attention outside.

“Evening, Ladies!” he called out. “Are you two Lisa and Siri?”

“Siri?”

“Lisa?”

“I swear, the Weaver and her nicknames...”

Alicia blew out a breath, glaring at Jack.

“Don't think I won't remember what you-”

“Ladies, you don't happen to have any extra clothes, do you?” Jack asked. “We... weren't transported with ours.”

Alicia's mouth froze open for a second.

“Please!” Alicia said. “Give us something, anything to wear!

“Oh my,” one of the women said. “The Weaver is still quite the practical joker, I see.”

Two sets of linen tunics floated through a small opening in the vines. Both of them stared at the levitating clothes for a second in awe. The novelty wore off and the pair quickly dressed up and stepped outside. Their 'guests' were both dressed in the same style of linen tunics with leggings beneath but the similarities between them stopped there.

One woman had deep purple skin and black irises. She was slender and stood far shorter than five foot even with her boots. Jack had to focus hard just to look at her full on, feeling his eyes slipping off her the harder he stared.

The other woman was a few inches over Jack's six feet, full figured and unnaturally pale. She could almost pass as a normal human, if it weren't for arcane symbols and formations shifting over her skin and her effortlessly moving at speeds that made her blur.

Jack and Alicia stared for a moment before the boy waved hesitantly.

“Nice to meet you,” he said. “Jack Cassidy.”

Alicia couldn't stop looking at the shorter woman's shadow, which moved independent from her body. Jack nudged the girl, shaking her out of her stupor.

“And I am Alicia Maria Vasquez.”

The two mysterious women scrutinized Jack and Cassidy in turn before introducing themselves.

“Greetings, young humans,” the taller woman said. “I am Lisaseron, The Subjugator of the Void”

“I'm Syraviel, The Shadow of Desolation,” the short purple woman said.

“I'm Diana!” Another girl's voice called from behind them. “Hey Jack, Alicia! Been awhile!”

Jack's jaw dropped while Alicia put her hand to her mouth. Behind the two woman was a blue-haired, thin white girl with fashion glasses: their class valedictorian who'd been missing for half a year. She was sitting in an immense circle in the grass partially filled with spell formulae and glyphs and gave the two of them a wave before looking back at the formation in front of her.

“You're alive? And here?”

Alicia shook her head, stunned.

“Nevermind that. How long have you guys been here to set that up?” Jack asked.

Diana grinned.

“Just a little bit after you two started having your fun.”

Alicia blushed while Jack scratched his head, more pleased than embarrassed.

“I'm sure you all have plenty to catch up on, which you can do later. We'll have plenty of empty time in the coming months. Now, I expect The Wandering Weaver has told you little of why you were brought here.

“The Wandering... oh Wanda. I can't believe she gave us a joke name.”

“Such are her proclivities,” Lisaseron said. “I have not heard her speak a tongue she couldn't bend to her whims.”

“Speaking of language, how are you both speaking English?” Alicia asked.

Lisaseron raised an eyebrow in confusion as did Syraviel before she showed a look of understanding.

“Alicia do you know what we are?” Syraviel asked.

“Umm... Probably not human.”

“We are Goddesses. Part of that means learning a mortal language is as difficult to us as you memorizing a poem.”

“I'm sure a human wouldn't take a whole four days to memorize a poem, though,” Lisaseron said.

Syraviel waved her off.

“So studious,” Syraviel said. “Very impressive. Don't you have a formation to set up?”

Lisaseron rolled her eyes, before turning back to the humans.

“I look forward to working with you, young ones,” Lisaseron said. “The Pantheon of Licirmon has long fought side by side with mortals and it would be my honor to continue that great tradition with you.”

“Speaking of tradition,”Syraviel said. “Weren't you two supposed to be bitter rivals? I'm so glad you two were able to... make up.”

“H-He charmed me!”

“Was it Charm minor?”

“Yes...”

Syraviel rolled her eyes and gave both of them a knowing look.

“Yes, of course," she said. "Your actions were all because of the great power of Charm minor.”

“Play nice with the mortals, Shadow,” Lisaseron said. “You know denial is often important for them to maintain their bearing.”

Syraviel shrugged her shoulders.

“Anyways, I'm glad you two lovebirds are working out your differences. I can't imagine how Lisaseron or Diana could focus on the formation the way you two were moaning and groaning. Certainly not me.”

Jack smirked. Alicia slapped him on his cracked rib. The boy buckled for a second, before clenching his fist and winding back. A wall of solid shadow appeared in between them. They both jumped back, looking toward Syraviel when the shadow didn't do anything else to them.

“Enough of that. There'll be plenty of opportunity to spar later,” Syraviel said. “Let's get you two settled first.”

She took their hands in hers and sent a pulse of healing magic into them. Alicia's roughed up face and Jack's bruised shoulder instantly felt better, even his cracked ribs mending. She looked them up and down and give them a frown before a releasing a flash of dark mana over them. Jack felt the sweat and dirt caked onto his body vanish.

“Better,” Syraviel said. “Ready to learn why you were brought here?”

They nodded. Syraviel took a seat against a tree, gesturing for them to do so as well. She took a deep breath.

“I'll be honest,” she said. “I don't like bringing you two onto this mission like this. All the mortals I've fought alongside knew the risks and came of their own will, Diana included. You two have been essentially forced into this. Your other 'choices' are travelling six hundred miles of monster infested woods in half a day or facing an incursion force that would crush twenty hardened Legion Cohorts starting as unleveled mortals. I'm sorry but your best shot at seeing another sunrise is joining us on our mission, dangerous as it is.”

Jack blinked.

“Well, you sure know how to make a man feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

Syraviel gave him a dry smile.

“I'm The Shadow of Desolation and not The Shadow of Reassurance.”

Jack snorted.

“Will we be safer on this mission than here?” Alicia asked.

“Overall, yes. We won't steer you wrong. We were specially picked for our abilities in stealth, reconnaissance and akashic field subversion. ”

“Did I just hear the Shadow boast of her skills in akashic field subversion?”Lisaseron asked.

“Can it, Void!” Syraviel said. “You think The Master of the Tapestry or The Twoface Lunatic can do a mission like this? Don't pretend you're some virtuoso of stealth either, your illusion formations look like they've been drawn by mortals on moonshine!”

Lisaseron's face twitched, frowning deeper when she noticed Alicia's amusement. Alicia mouthed a sorry to the taller woman who gave a prim nod.

“Where were we? The mission, right?” Syraviel asked. “Our mission is to finally have a chance at bringing the fight to the Unceasing, instead of constantly defending against their incursions. We're piggybacking off the incursion's portal to Licirmon and using it to get into their realms. Void can explain that part better than me.”

“Naturally,” Lisaseron said. “However, I do not think expounding upon flux theory, realm interference waves and the countless calculations needed would give much clarity to the young ones. All you need to know that the formation you see me building today is like a single stitch in a robe, that is the scale of planning and maneuvering that has gone into this venture. Even then, just reaching the Unceasing's Realm will be challenging. Subverting their formation and using it to take us to a part of their realm will be like swimming up a waterfall filled with sharks.”

“Once we've reached their realm, it doesn't get easier,”Syraviel said. “When you first arrived here in Licirmon, I'm sure you noticed the System responding to you, correct?

“Yeah, Those flashing red panels nearly gave me a seizure,” Jack said.

“It doesn't get easier than swimming up a shark waterfall?” Alicia said, wilting.

“Our goal is to conduct as much reconnaissance on strategically significant points and covertly subvert their planet wide offensive formations and void defenses. There'll be plenty of ground to cover and dangerous places and monsters to fight along the way. Questions?”

Jack and Alicia sat quiet for a few moments while Syraviel looked on expectantly.

“Why us?” Jack asked. “You two are Goddesses and from the sound of things there are probably loads of humans or whatever races you guys have that are stronger than us. Why not pick someone stronger?”

“Good question,” she said. “Have you analyzed us yet?”

Jack raised an eyebrow at her.

“Analyze?” he asked. “Like a detective or what?”

“Sorry, I forgot you've just joined the system. Void! Would you show the humans what they're missing?”

Lisaseron didn't seem to react, but then blue panels appeared before the pair.

Lisaseron

Level 1 Entity

Innate Awakened

“You're... the same level as us...” Alicia said. “But you're gods? Shouldn't you be way higher?”

“These aren't our true bodies,” Syraviel said. “These are specially made vessels which contain a fragment of our divinity.”

“Levels are a very useful type of enhancement for mortals, and even the Pantheon benefit from them as well,” she said. “However, leveling up distributes essence throughout the body and soul in a less than subtle way. This essence carries hints of the aura of Licirmon and those you've killed. Essentialy, it's major liability in staying undetected for long periods of time. But we won't have that if we're level one. Another thing, awakening your Innate at level one is quite rare in Licirmon and those that do, generally awaken weaker Innates. However, both of your Innates are abnormally strong for Rank One especially Alicia's...”

“I wouldn't mind if it was less strong, honestly,” Alicia said.

“What is your Innate, anyways?” Jack asked. “All I've got is 50% more to all regeneration.”

“Don't look down on that,” Syraviel said. “Even though it's plain, for an across the board regeneration Innate it's decently high. There is much more to regeneration than just recovering your own health, stamina and mana. Alicia, would you like share yours as well?”

Innate(Rank 1): Pierce Reality

Attacks ignore 5% of all defenses, stacking up to 15% with strikes to the same spot. All critical strike damage is doubled. Critical strikes are twice as likely to inflict status effects.

“It's just ridiculous,” Syraviel said. “What a disgustingly powerful innate.”

“I have seen third rank Innates less useful than that,” Lisaseron said. “To be this strong at rank one is obscene.”

“I mean it seems pretty strong, but is it really that good?”

“The key is with it ignoring 'all defenses',”Syraviel said. “It isn't as important at your Rank but at our level of existence, your defenses are multi-layered, combat optimized and sophisticated. The fact that you, as a level one, rank zero mortal could attack my true body and ignore up to fifteen percent of my defenses with just a few attacks in the same spot... honestly, keep getting stronger and you're going to be terrifying one day.”

“The doubled chance to inflict status effects on critical strikes is also a deeply problematic thing for people to deal with,” Lisaseron said. “All that and we haven't even brought up your potential in combination attacks.”

“Damnation,” Syraviel said. “Could you imagine her ranking up a few times and combo-attacking with Doomfall or Starquaker?”

Alicia gave an affected sniff, turning askance to look at Jack out of the corner of her eye.

“Hear that Jack?” Alicia asked. “If you want to beg for mercy now, I might just let you off.”

“Want to get your ass handed to you for a third time today?” he asked. “Why would I beg a loser dog for mercy? You don't even have your little stick.”

“Alright, enough flirting,” Syraviel said. “You've shared your Innates with us. How would you both like to see our Innates?”

They opened their mouths to rebut her about the flirting but closed them instead, eagerly nodding. Syraviel smiled.

“You two are pretty good,” she said. “But it's a long way up to the top. Don't be too disheartened.”

Innate(Rank 12): Desolation Bides in Darkness

When in shadows, increase stealth of you and selected companions by 700%. All your attacks from stealth deal 15 times more damage and apply increased bleeding and Creeping Desolation with 20% reduced status effect defense.

“F-Fifteen times damage?” Alicia asked.

“It's only from stealth, though,” Jack said.

“Only from stealth, he says,” Lisaseron scoffed.

“Cut them some slack,” Syraviel said. “They've never seen a divinity in action. Want a demonstration, Jack?”

“Oh sorry, I didn't mean to doubt you or anything-”

“Good, I'm going to give you a light push. Don't resist.”

Her tiny hand pushed against his chest, with almost enough force to push him back a step.

“Pretty weak, right?” she asked. “In this form, my raw physical strength is probably not much higher than yours,” she said. “I'm going to push you again, exerting the same force.”

Jack felt an extreme pressure coming from the woman who barely came up to his chest. Every patch of shadow near him felt like a knife poised to strike. Syraviel was smiling, but the darkness in her eyes felt bottomless, holding countless dangers within. He changed his stance, bracing himself, staring straight at her. Her hand moved towards his chest again, the same gentle push. She vanished, reappearing before he could even blink. Her hand was still moving slowly towards his his chest.

She pushed him. Jack flew back, landing with stuttering steps before coming to a halt ten feet away from her. He panted heavily, looking wide eyed at her. The shadows sharpened, the darkness in her eyes so absolute, he felt like he was drowning in them. Then the pressure vanished. Even Alicia felt herself letting out a breath she'd been holding in.

“I only need to be in stealth briefly during any point in my attack for my Innate to apply.”

“That's awesome,” Jack said. “Can you teach us how to do that? How to disappear right in front of someone's face like that?”

“I will teach you the fundamentals. Neither of you are really suited for the dark depths of stealth . However, our mission also depends on your ability to stay undetected, and my Innate only amplifies what you already have.”

Jack nodded, looking expectantly towards Lisaseron. The tall Goddess gave the humans a nod.

“Since we are all in confidence, I will share mine as well,” Lisaseron said.

Innate(Rank 17): Brushstrokes Bend The Void

Paint 25 times faster. Anywhere you paint, your awareness is 12 times more acute. All your paintings can connect to one another.

“I don't suppose... you can walk while you paint, right?” Alicia asked. Lisaseron stopped working on the formation for a second. Her form crossed the fifty feet between them in a blur, stopping in front of the girl.

“Naturally, I can paint doing nearly anything.” Lisaseron said. “It would seem you are starting to understand. The Innate is the core of your power, from which everything springs from. At our level, we have mastered applying our Innates deeply yet effortlessly into all our actions and endeavors. Diana, you are the last one to share, if you would.”

“I can't believe you're going to make me follow you up,” Diana grumbled. “Here's mine. Tada.”

Innate(Rank 1): Kindling the Mind Fire

Think 20% faster. Mental breakthroughs are 30% more likely to occur.

“I always knew you were just too smart,” Alicia said. “I mean, I guess twenty percent and thirty percent isn't that much. But still!”

Diana shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh, it's pretty cool, for sure” she said. “Nothing compared to moving twenty-five times faster.”

“Do not be discouraged,” Lisaseron said. “I have advanced my Innate to Rank Seventeen and the Shadow has advanced hers to Rank Twelve. We have millennia of fighting and studying on you. Hold your head high. Some of the mightiest of the Pantheon ascended from being mortals, in fact the second strongest among us started with a Rank One Innate granting a measly 20% increase to digging.”

“What is his Innate now?” Jack asked.

“Earthrender never added more options to his innate, just increasing his digging bonus with each rank. His Innate is now Rank Twenty-Six with a sixty fold increase to digging ”

“Jesus,” Jack said. “So I guess he fights with a shovel.”

Lisaseron smiled wistfully.

“Once upon a time, yes,” she said. “In recent millennia he has preferred using drills. But he does more than simply drilling his opponents. With my instruction and his doggedness, he has since developed an extreme mastery over space, applying his digging bonus to teleportation and spatial tunnels. The point is, do not think having more options in your innate is necessarily better. It's about how well you apply it to your style and developing your style and Innate hand in hand.”

Jack shook his head in disbelief, looking at Alicia then back to the gods. Alicia took his cue.

“I'm more confused now,” Alicia said. “If you two are so strong, even though we're the same level, why didn't you bring other Gods at level one with you instead? I mean, you said my innate was strong and I agree but yours are just stupidly powerful.”

“I'm with Alicia on this one,” Jack said. “Why not go with the Earthrender guy? He hits sixty times harder than I can while teleporting all over the place. I mean, he's clearly a better option right?”

“You're almost right,” Syraviel said. “Tiny problem, though.”

TheAscendentQuill

Finally, I show the true colors of this story! The situation of Licirmon is bit complex and there are a lot of actors and factors at play. I'll be weaving in more worldbuilding and exposition as the story progresses. Still, I'm trying not to slow things down. Even though Jack and Alicia are about to hit a steep learning curve, you as the reader shouldn't feel halted. And to be honest, I'd die of boredom trying to write a chapter where nothing happens. Plot is the blood in my writerly veins and conflict is my heart. Thanks for the support! Please let me know if you see any errors!