After a long period of normalcy, Samira reverted a bit to her panicked state. Whether it was the newness of her cock or the emotions running high for those around her, it kept her mind relatively safe. But now that it's died down, she began to have episodes of panic again. Lily was able to synthesize some potions that would soothe her emotions, and if it was too bad, make her pass out.
Still, having her around made traveling fly by faster.
Either the days were filled with her panicking and trying to exit the cabin, or she would be extremely talkative. It was a wild contrast that sometimes changed within the hour. One moment, she was conversing with one party member, then the next, she couldn't even remember her own name. Turning her on did seem to be the only thing that prevented episodes.
If they were quick enough, they could coax the panic out of her through sexual teasing. Jasmine was the best at it due to her oral skills, but even then, it was hit or miss. They did their best to deal with it while devising strategies for when they got to Restol. They'd either need to hide Samira's existence or expose her to the entire village. None of them was quite sure which to do yet.
Then, there was winter to think about.
It'd slow down their movements with the snow about to come down. They'd be stuck in Restol for longer stretches. They'd have to find ways to get stronger or for riskier contracts. But these mass excursions that lasted weeks if not months would stop. They'd only be able to focus on one contract at a time.
Then, after winter, Ryley turned 18. They'd need to be ready to face the Lady's guards by then. There was hope with the men's liberation group, but it was best to prepare for the worst-case scenario. That also added Jasmine's former party member into the mix. Which was a whole other issue, depending on how forgiving they truly were.
If that wasn't enough, there were several other issues. Purifying Samira's magic, Firewater and Silkie, the trio's origins, Victoria's words about the people of Restol, and much more surrounding Claire's Goddess. So many questions they'd have to get to eventually. Maybe with the extended downtime of winter, they'd be able to investigate more of it.
All of that and more was swirling in Claire's mind when she drifted to sleep one night. They were halfway home when she felt the Goddess's ethereal presence in her sleep. Claire once again found herself before her Goddess.
"Hello again," She smiled down at Claire as she descended. She quickly jumped towards Claire after "landing" in the ethereal space. "Been a while, huh?"
"It has," Claire whispered to her Goddess. Sensations still felt off in this space, so her touch felt a bit numb. "Much shorter than last time, though."
"Mmm," Her Goddess's hands were gliding across Claire's back. "Got busy and very distracted."
Claire chuckled softly. "I wonder why."
The Goddess pulled back and laughed along with Claire. "Anka can be truly insatiable. Not that I can't keep up."
"So it's official?" Claire bit her lip. Her eyes wandered over the completed form of her Goddess. She truly embodied the beauty of all her lovers. "Does She have on too?"
Her Goddess shook her head. "No, sadly. I am unable to affect Her form. Even if She really wants one. There's a chance I can when I get stronger, though."
Claire blinked. She hadn't realized it before, but the Goddess's red hair was no longer floating. It had weight to it. She reached out to touch the divine's hair without even processing what She had said.
"It's soft," Claire mumbled.
The Goddess paused and grabbed Claire's hand. "That was a quirk from my formless self. With a physical body now, I can feel the effects of gravity. Even if it's fake like in here."
Claire glanced around at the vast, empty space around her. Distance wasn't easy to judge in here. "Interesting…"
"Debatable," The Goddess chuckled. "I'd rather discuss your new member! How did her cocks feel?"
Claire snorted. "Different. Good different."
"They remind me of tentacles," the divine pulled Claire close. "The way they writhe and move inside seems so different."
"Yeah?" Claire tilted her head. She couldn't recall what a tentacle was at that moment. "It makes for a much different experience when we fuck. Plus, she can please two of us at once. But she's also extremely kind and bubbly, when she's not panicking."
"Ah, I wish I could do more for her," She pursed her lips. "I'm glad she has some moments of clarity because of My gift."
"Lily explained mental trauma to me," Claire ran her hands up the Goddess's body. "It's not like a scratch or a broken bone. Those can be healed by magic or treated to heal over time. Mental pain can only be treated with no guarantee of getting better. Just have to treat it the best you can and hope to get over it."
The Goddess nodded slowly. "I heard her explanation. I still wish I could help her more. But her corruption gets in the way."
"What is her corruption?" Claire asked. "Is it from her monster side or what?"
The Goddess glanced upwards. She pondered for a moment, then rested her head against Claire's forehead. "I think I can explain some of it. It is because she is half monster. That part of her has corrupted her magic. It twisted her benevolent magic into what it is now. A magic of dominance and control…"
"How can we purify it?" Claire asked. She thought back to Firewater and Silkie. Were they in a similar situation.
The Goddess stared at her for a moment. She sighed and pulled Her head back. "Fuck it. Silkie can. She can purify Samira entirely."
"Really?" Claire straightened up. They'd have to find the two. "So we should find them?"
"Eventually," The Goddess glanced back at the proverbial ceiling. "But it's not something she can do now. Certain conditions need to be met that would get me in trouble if I explained."
"So what can we do now?" Claire pressed the Goddess. "Surely there's something we can do."
"Rituals, Claire," The Goddess smiled at her. "It may be temporary, but I did leave instructions within the church."
Claire's shoulders relaxed. There was a solution on the horizon. It was temporary, but it would answer something. And that was more than what she could hope for.
"I think you'll very much enjoy this ritual," The Goddess chuckled. Her hands had drifted down towards Claire's toned butt. The Goddess gave it a few good squeezes. "I cannot wait to enjoy this…"
Claire bit her lip. She'd somehow forgotten she was in the presence of a literal sex Goddess. "You know I feel the same."
"Very much so," She mused. Claire let her Goddess grope her for several moments while she thought about their conversation so far. There was some hope for more answers when they did purify Samira's magic. Hopefully, it helped her mentally as well.
"Also," The Goddess whispered to her. "I've been thinking about My Name."
Claire was quickly pulled out of her thoughts. "Yeah? Any good ones?"
"It's much different than naming a human," The Goddess shook Her head. "I can't simply brainstorm ideas, since even trying a name on Myself could imprint it on Me. Then I'd never be able to change it."
"Oh, I-... yeah, that does sound…" Claire tried to think of a word, but couldn't.
"Names hold power," The Goddess explained. "For humans, it is quite minor. For monsters, it could be everything. For Gods, it is everything. It's our domain, our power, our magic, and our right to be Gods."
Claire's head started to hurt. She winced in pain.
"Sorry, Claire," the Goddess hugged her. "Even mentioning it could be a lot for mortals."
"It's okay," Claire took a deep breath. "I really wish I paid more attention in Theology…"
"Eh," The Goddess kissed her cheek. "I preferred someone with less knowledge and bias when it came to certain subjects. Your ignorance allows you to see things neutrally."
"You mean my stupidity?" Claire chuckled.
The Goddess pinched her butt. "You aren't stupid."
"I know!" Claire squirmed in the embrace. "Just not good with studies. You sound like my mom."
"I know," The Goddess smiled. "I heard Eve repeat that for almost a decade…"
Claire blinked. She opened her mouth to say something, but She stopped her. "I will not give you specifics."
"Fine," Claire hugged her tightly. The change in her voice was a clear signal that their talk was almost over. "Visit me sooner next time."
"I will," Her Goddess smiled and slowly ascended. "I will want to know about how the ritual went."
"Aren't you watching us?" Claire raced towards her.
"Yes, but it is always better to hear it from you."