Nyxara waved a hand dismissively. "Zen is an honor-bound warrior. All spirit this, honor that. Tradition. Balance." She rolled her eyes. "The usual macho nonsense."
Several brows twitched.
"He's strong," she conceded. "And he's a good teacher if you want clean execution and control. But that's not what I want you to learn."
Vex spoke before Quinlan could respond.
"She's not wrong… Zen helped me refine my curse application. Just with a few tips, I already feel more precise. He's excellent at that."
Her eyes shifted to Nyxara, and they darkened as she had to concede, "But… I also think he may not be the right one for what this demon wants." "That said!!!" her voice rose. "Hubby, you don't need to bee perfect in every aspect of bat! We're training hard to protect and help you ascend. We fight together with you for that very reason!"
Quinlan looked at her.
He understood immediately.
Nyxara wanted him beaten and even butchered on repeat. Pushed into ugly, close-range fights where hesitation meant failure. Vex did not want him taking that kind of hurt. She wanted to shield him from it.
He couldn't help but smile, feeling blessed his lover was so protective of him.
"You will never bee obsolete, none of you will. You are my beloved warrioresses, my gorgeous partners in crime who get drenched in the blood of our enemies so that we can ascend together. That will not change."
He looked around at them, one by one.
"But I still intend to bee the best possible version of myself."
Vex lowered her gaze, lips pressing together. Then she nodded.
"I know…" she admitted softly.
Quinlan ensured this amazing woman would get extra love soon, together with Blossom. They were the only two who didn't laugh at him a moment ago. The rest… Some behavioral correction might be required.
With that decided, he turned back to Nyxara.
"Alright. Hanae, Kyrissa, Dragnar, or Malakar, if he's willing." He paused. "Which is unlikely, bringing me to my second question. Why is that old bastard so grumpy? Is it history, or is he just bitter by nature?"
Nyxara hesitated to answer.
"That is a secret I should keep..."
Then she leaned closer and whispered, "But for you… I might be willing to utter it…"
Quinlan went still.
Malakar had been a bit unpleasant and distant since the day they met. Yet he never stepped over any lines; in fact, sometimes he helped even if he did so while grumbling. Even now, he was willing to spend his time and energies to shield his women so they wouldn't die to the lingering divinity in the air.
Did he really want to hear something Malakar did not want known?
Did Malakar deserve Quinlan going behind his back?
He shook his head. "No. You can keep it."
Nyxara blinked.
"Aww…" She slumped dejectedly. "But I wanted to exchange the information for a deep kiss."
"You would make an enemy of him for a kiss?" Quinlan deadpanned.
"For a kiss with you? Easily," she replied without hesitation.
Quinlan closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.
"What a shameless woman."
She smiled brightly. "Thanks for the praise!"
He shifted her aside and stood. "I'll listen to your advice."
Nyxara's face crumpled instantly.
Tears welled, far larger than necessary, spilling freely as she waved both arms at him when he started walking away.
"Be safe!!" she cried. "e back stronger. And don't forget me even for a second!"
She sniffed loudly, leaning forward to showcase her bouncing bosom as if that alone might pull him back into her warm embrace.
Quinlan turned away. "What a drama queen… As if she couldn't talk to me at all times…"
Behind him, Nyxara continued waving and sobbing with full dramatic mitment as he walked off.
Quinlan stepped forward, and the world shifted, and the primordial realm weled him back. The air felt thicker here, older. Ancient power lay in it without pretense, contrasting greatly with his newly formed and budding soul realm.
He glanced to the side.
A small leafy head peeked out from between Luminara's arms, wide eyes bright, a grin stretched across Rosie's face as she waved at him enthusiastically. She looked entirely too fortable nestled against the warmth of her grandmother's chest.
Quinlan sighed.
"Really?" he asked dryly. "You aren't concerned for your father one bit, are you, young lady?"
Rosie straightened instantly, placing a tiny hand against her chest. "Rosie is greatly concerned, of course!" she declared. "But Rosie doesn't need to see inside the soul realm to know what's going on. Rosie can multitask."
Quinlan snorted. "My daughter is truly an opportunist."
"She learned from Daddy!" the leafy girl decreed proudly.
Before his mothers could begin speaking at length about their numerous worries and concerns, Quinlan stepped in and pulled them both close. "Everything is fine, Mothers. Nyxara is behaving properly, and I am not being corrupted. You don't need to worry."
"We'll see…" Miri murmured, unconvinced.
"That demon corrupts without her victims noticing…" Luminara added quietly.
Quinlan chuckled, resting his forehead briefly against theirs. He loved them for their overprotectiveness. In a life where he felt immensely responsible for protecting numerous people, it felt great for once when the roles were switched.
They never stopped guarding him, no matter how far he climbed.
He turned to the gathered primordials.
"Nyxara advised me to focus on melee bat, specifically under the guidance of Hanae, Kiryssa, and Dragnar. I intend to give her my trust and follow that advice."
He met their gazes in turn. "That's why I ask: would any of you be willing to help me?"
"That creature remended me? I must say I'm surprised…" Kiryssa grinned cruelly, letting Quinlan know there was likely some history between the women. But the drow grinned, happy and excited. "You can count on me."
Hanae inclined her head gracefully, posture immaculate. "It would be my honor to train my friends' son and our only hope."
Hearing the phrase 'our only hope,' the reaction was immediate and powerful.
"Absolutely not!" Miri snapped, stepping forward without hesitation. "You are forbidden from burdening Quinnie with something like that. Forget the idea entirely."
Luminara nodded at once. "He will not carry that weight on his back."
Hanae did not retreat. She smiled, calm and elegant, hands folded before her.
"I only speak the truth."
That did not help.
The air tightened. The primordials shifted. Quinlan already knew where this was going.
"I won't get an explanation," he said evenly.
Miri's shoulders eased a fraction. She looked at him with regret plain in the way her hands clenched together.
"We can't, Quinnie."
He nodded once. "That's fine."
There was no bitterness in his voice, no protest. He turned instead toward the last of the three.
Dragnar stood like a slab of stone, arms crossed, eyes fixed on Quinlan. After a moment, he gave a single nod.
That was enough.
Quinlan returned it.
He looked toward Malakar, wondering if he should ask, but the old man was sitting with his back to him and looking toward the distant clouds. Quinlan didn't need to ask to know the answer.
Now, he had his three temporary teachers selected.
The brief but brutal training began soon after.
And when it ended, it would be time to return to Thalorind.
A war was waiting.
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