What?

In the crisp embrace of an autumn morning, sunlight streamed into Beatrix’s dorm room at Selta Bastion, casting warm rays over her bed, inviting her to awaken. She stirred from her dreams, brushed her teeth, and went through her morning routine with an absent-minded glee. Yet, her thoughts kept drifting towards Meadow—an irresistible pull that felt both exhilarating and frightening.

What was this new emotion churning within her? It was a romantic feeling—a longing that danced just out of reach. Beatrix found herself contemplating the day she forcefully kissed Meadow. Conflicted emotions battled inside her: was Meadow disgusted with her for the way the kiss transpired, or perhaps, there was love beneath that blush she never seemed to articulate? Unsure of how to gauge Meadow's feelings, Beatrix resolved she would build a log house for them, perhaps as a symbol of companionship, or even something more.

Once satisfied with her morning routine, Beatrix set off to find an architecture firm in town to commission the log house. As she perused the plans, the thought of sharing a life with Meadow filled her with warmth. But her musings were abruptly interrupted.

A sudden surge of energy caught her attention—a powerful magical force reverberated through Selta Bastion. Instinctively, Beatrix sensed that this energy was not benign; it was something significant and potentially dangerous. Without a moment's delay, she donned her light steel armor, secured a longsword and a dagger at her side, and set off to find Meadow.

Knocking on Meadow's dorm room, she was greeted with a curious face. “Beatrix! What’s up?”

“Meadow! I feel an immense energy out there; we need to investigate. Go and prepare,” Beatrix commanded earnestly.

“Alright,” Meadow responded, her tone quickening. True to her word, she adorned herself in leather armor and hefted a massive greatsword—a weapon almost as long as she was tall.

Beatrix chuckled, noting the imposing nature of Meadow’s choice in armaments. “Your sword size sure is monstrous.”

“It’s my usual weapon,” Meadow said confidently.

“Since we’re ready, let’s go!” Beatrix declared, leading the way towards Selta Bastion's exit. As they made their way, they encountered a familiar figure—Cavanaught. He stood confidently, clad only in shorts, showcasing his muscular, vascular form as he wielded two colossal greatswords, resting one on his shoulder.

“Cavanaught! What are you up to?” Beatrix greeted him with a smile.

Cavanaught's response was a frosty glare, his deep pink eyes narrowing. “Just want to enjoy nature,” he replied sharply.

Beatrix remained undeterred. “Okay, we’re investigating something. Want to join?”

“Just leave me alone already! Just because I accepted becoming your friend doesn’t mean I like you!” Cavanaught exclaimed, an undeniable tension radiating from him, pressing against the air around them. The crowd nearby visibly flinched, but Beatrix stood firm, unfazed by his intimidating aura.

“Get lost before I show you what I think I’m going to do to people like you!” Cavanaught growled.

Meadow, sensing the discord, intervened cautiously. “Cavanaught, why do you hate Beatrix?”

“I don’t hate you, Meadow,” he replied, glancing away from her. “But mind your business. This is between me and Beatrix.”

He turned his glare back to Beatrix, adding an ominous warning. “You should be grateful that my friends like you; if they didn't, you wouldn’t be breathing right now.”

“Cavanaught! That’s enough!” Meadow reproached, her tone insisting on civility.

Ignoring both her and Beatrix, Cavanaught walked away, leaving tension hanging in the air. “Some people sure are difficult,” Beatrix sighed, brushing aside Cavanaught's hostility. “Let’s continue our investigation.”

With determination ignited, Beatrix and Meadow resumed their search for the source of the magic energy. Eventually, they stumbled across a dark cave that hummed with the immense energy they had sensed. Cautiously, they entered, and were quickly beset by hordes of dark creatures—zombies, living skeletons, and vampires—all creatures of nightmare that advanced toward them with malice.

Beatrix grasped Meadow’s hand, urgency pushing them deeper into the cave's eerie heart. “Run! We need to get to that white crystal!” she shouted, as they maneuvered their way through the throng of creatures. They reached a large chamber bathed in an otherworldly glow—the white crystal pulsed with energy, illuminating their surroundings.

Upon nearing the crystal, the hostile creatures paused, eyes wide with fear. Beatrix turned to Meadow, a realization dawning. “They’re afraid of the crystal!” she declared triumphantly.

“Let’s get out of here!” Meadow nodded, and as they retraced their steps, carrying the crystal, the dark creatures recoiled from the light.

Bursting from the cave into the sunlight, Beatrix noticed the crystal dimming in response to the light of day. “What are we going to do with it?” Meadow asked, curiosity piqued.

“I’ll experiment with it, of course. Let’s head back to Selta Bastion,” Beatrix replied, her adventurous spirit ignited.

Once back in her dorm room, Beatrix locked the crystal safely in a steel safe, a sense of accomplishment washing over her. She turned to Meadow, a smile on her face. “That was exhausting.”

“Yeah,” Meadow agreed, dropping onto the bed beside her. “There were so many dark creatures inside that cave.”

“Meadow, look at me,” Beatrix instructed softly. Meadow complied, meeting Beatrix’s gaze. “You look like an angel,” Beatrix declared, and before she could protest, Beatrix enveloped her in a warm embrace.

“What are you doing?” Meadow asked, a mix of confusion and affection in her voice.

“Sometimes in life, we just need a hug. No words. No advice. Just a hug to make you feel better,” Beatrix whispered, holding her tightly for three full minutes before finally releasing her.

“Alright, I’ll experiment with the white crystal at the academy's laboratory,” Beatrix said afterward.

“Okay, be careful,” Meadow cautioned, though her heart fluttered slightly at Beatrix’s openness.

Weeks passed as Beatrix immersed herself in her experiments, uncovering the potential of the mysterious crystal and spurring her own power.

One tranquil autumn afternoon, Meadow meandered through the bustling commercial area of Selta Bastion, lost in her own reflections until she spotted Cavanaught sitting in a quiet corner of a restaurant, buried in a horror novel.

“Cavanaught! What are you reading?” she asked, approaching him with a friendly smile.

He looked up and met her eyes with a smile that surprised her after their last encounter. “Horror novel,” he replied with an unusual warmth.

“You sure like horror novels,” Meadow noted, smiling back.

“Yeah, I love them,” he admitted, looking more human than he ever had before.

But then, Meadow ventured into uncomfortable territory. “Are you still mad at Beatrix?”

Cavanaught's expression hardened immediately, the amiable warmth dissipating. “Now this is what I don’t want to talk about,” he replied curtly.

Just then, Beatrix arrived, her energy filling the air. “Hey guys! What are you both talking about? Sounds fun!” She plopped down beside Cavanaught, cuddling close.

“Personal space, please,” Cavanaught snapped, trying to keep his composure.

“Alright,” Beatrix grinned, retreating slightly but still radiating warmth.

After fifteen minutes of silence, the ground suddenly shook, and thunder rumbled ominously. They bolted upright, eyes wide; Beatrix sensed the disturbance connected to the incredible power she had felt earlier.

“What is that?” Cavanaught asked, his demeanor shifting to one of concern.

They rushed outside the restaurant, where they witnessed an extraordinary sight: a tall man stood at the forefront, muscular and imposing, wielding colossal greatswords. It was Blindtor, the headmaster of Selta Academy.

Before him stood another breathtaking figure—Gergus, the god of all gods, a towering figure adorned in white, exuding a power that made even Blindtor cautious.

The two exchanged icy glares, tension coiling between them. “I feel a new god’s presence in your land, Blindtor—two of them,” Gergus announced.

Blindtor spit dismissively on the ground. “In my land? You should fix your brain.”

Gergus, undeterred, replied, “I come in peace, and I'm telling the truth.”

“Okay, then find them yourself,” Blindtor shot back, pointing at Beatrix and Meadow. “You two, come here.”

With a sense of inevitability, Beatrix and Meadow obeyed, stepping forward. Gergus regarded them closely. “You two will become goddesses in the future. From now on, hone your power! You will become great immortals, understand?”

“Yes, we understand,” they replied in unison, awe sinking in.

Blindtor interjected, glaring at Gergus. “Is that all you wanted to say? Now get out of here before I change my mind!”

With one last heated glare, Gergus vanished into thin air, leaving both Beatrix and Meadow stunned by the revelation.

Cavanaught approached Blindtor, looking concerned. “Father, what was Gergus doing here?”

“He was just saying that those two girls will become goddesses in the future,” he replied, eyeing Beatrix and Meadow. “Are they your friends?”

“Yeah, they’re my friends,” Cavanaught responded, shifting his gaze to Beatrix. “So, you will become a goddess in the future, huh? Don’t think I’m afraid of your power and the future you hold! So don’t be so full of yourself! I could end you if I wanted to."

“Ugh, Cavanaught! Now’s not the time to be childish,” Meadow chimed in, annoyance lacing her tone.

Beatrix, unfazed by his spitefulness, smiled lightly. “So your father is the leader of Selta Bastion? That’s cool. You sure are an interesting person.”

Cavanaught didn’t respond, his feelings buried beneath layers of complex emotion. After a moment, he turned and walked away.

“Let’s go,” Beatrix said to Meadow, leading her back to the dorm.

As they settled onto Beatrix’s bed, the weight of the day hung heavy in the air. “It seems like we will become goddesses in the future,” Beatrix mused, her thoughts still swirling.

“Yeah, there will be so much going to happen,” Meadow replied, considering the enormity of their futures.

“Let’s just be together forever and face challenges together,” Beatrix said, squeezing Meadow's hand, which sent a rush of warmth flooding through the girl. Meadow blushed deeply at the gesture, feeling a bond solidifying that was growing even stronger.

With the revelation of their divine potential and a shared future unfolding before them, Beatrix and Meadow realized they were truly intertwined in a journey ahead—a path that would be full of challenge, adventure, and the promise of something more than friendship blossoming between them. And as they faced the unknown together, an unbreakable bond was forged, shining bright amid the autumn leaves falling outside.

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