Aaric returned to Hades after his chat with Shizu and gave him a thumbs up, getting a nod from Hades.
"Well, I'll go see my island. Thanks for the help," Aaric thanked Hades and waved at him before going to find the girls.
He found them chatting and giggling with Hera as they whispered to each other as if sharing some great secret.
"Girls," Aaric said out loud with a shake of his head, letting his presence be known and getting raised eyebrows from two girls and one goddess.
"It is nice to see you, Lady Hera," Aaric said and gave a bow to Hera.
"Is your gift thing done?" Daphne asked him, getting a nod and a thumbs up from him.
"Are your gossips done?" Aaric asked with a grin.
Hera chuckled and got up before pinching Aaric's cheek. "You should be congratulating me right now," Hera said.
"Lady Hera is getting married to Prometheus," Luna said when she saw Aaric tilt his head.
"Oh!" Aaric exclaimed. "Congratulations, my lady," he said, scratching his cheek in embarrassment.
"Thank you, dear," Hera said and kissed Aaric's forehead before leaving.
"When is the wedding?" Aaric asked the girls as they got up and walked with him.
"Are you interested in the gossip of girls now?" Daphne asked him, giving him a side eye and a scoff.
Aaric went behind her and picked her up like a princess, getting a yelp from her as she hugged his neck instinctively.
"I am always interested in what my girls have to say," Aaric said with a chuckle.
"Well, she told us it will be after Hephaestus is reborn," Daphne told him with a smile.
Aaric nodded and smiled at Luna before they both started flying toward their island with Daphne still in Aaric's arms.
They paused when the island became visible and just stood midair, looking at how grand and beautiful it had become.
The golden tree could be seen even from such a distance, and the island had more than doubled in size.
They saw that the desolate-looking metal sphere was now like a flat metal city floating high above the golden tree, with web-like tendrils leaving the structure and going down to the land.
A protective dome shimmered above the whole island and flickered before forming an opening for them as they stood in front of it.
They entered the dome and saw life all around the island.
Small animals, mythical beasts, and little fairies were everywhere, mingling with each other.
Luna smiled and giggled as a little dragon and a giant nightingale tackled her as soon as she appeared.
The guardian stag they had made also appeared and nuzzled against Aaric to get some affection.
Aaric smiled and placed Daphne on the stag.
He then sat behind her and snaked his hands around her waist before holding her tight, making Daphne blush.
"I'll join you in a little bit. My Cherry here wants some love," Luna told them with a giggle as she scratched the little dragon under the chin and gave her kisses.
They nodded, and the stag took off into the sky, flying slowly toward the golden tree.
Aaric and Daphne were in their own world above the stag.
Daphne was completely facing Aaric now with her legs locked behind him as they kissed passionately.
When they reached the tree, the stag floated midair as Daphne was completely on Aaric's lap, kissing his neck and face.
Aaric reluctantly pulled her away. "A little longer, my light," Aaric whispered to Daphne, making her sigh.
They got down from the stag after a bit and looked around to see different types of phoenixes and dryads roaming nearby.
The phoenixes were different from the ones in their world, bigger and with a hint of divinity.
They had different colors and elements like fire, ice, water, and others.
The dryads were of short stature and had green skin with golden patches on them.
Aaric petted the phoenixes and greeted the dryads before he noticed something beside the tree.
He saw two tree trunks beside the golden tree, each with a pool of blue water floating above it.
He looked up and saw the fruits were gone. Aaric tilted his head and moved to touch the golden tree.
"Hello, how have you been?" Aaric asked the tree after placing his hand on it.
The tree rustled and happy feelings flowed through his mind.
"Can you tell me what these are?" Aaric asked, gesturing toward the spheres of water.
"Blanks," the tree said simply, and some information entered Aaric's mind.
It seemed the spheres of water were the most malleable form of life. If one gave them a type of energy, they would adapt to it and form into a being based on that energy.
"This is exactly what I needed. Thank you," Aaric said, thanking the golden tree with a smile, making it rustle in happiness.
"I'll bring those things the next time I come to the Dreamlands," Aaric muttered to himself and moved toward Daphne, who was petting some phoenixes and talking to Velka, who had appeared at some point.
"How are you doing, Velka?" Aaric asked the giant spider with a smile.
"Great, great. I did a lot of things and you should visit more. Well, time works different in the waking world so it can't be helped," Velka started blabbering happily as usual.
"Well, I think the preparations for the dimensional isolation are complete. We just need some divine energy now. The AI has some divine energy but not enough as it is just a demi-god," Velka said after a tirade of new things she had discovered.
"I think the Olympians will be happy to help. Or maybe even my gods," Daphne suggested.
"I'm sure they will, but I think it's time we get our own gods for the protection of this island," Aaric muttered with a grin.
"How?" Daphne asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I'll show you, but it will be the next time we come here," Aaric said, poking Daphne's nose.
Luna arrived at that moment with Cherry and Noctell flying beside her.
She greeted Velka and listened patiently as Velka told her about the things she had done since they last met.
{Suggestion. A drop of water from the divine source required for inspection.}
Aaric heard in his mind and glanced toward the well.
{Caution. Contact with the water is not advised. Place it in an isolated space and grant me access to it.}
Aaric heard as he moved toward the well. He nodded and raised his hand above the water as a drop started floating toward him.
A portal then formed beside him and he guided the drop of water into it.
{Analyzing.}
Aaric nodded as he heard that, and he and the girls went to their cabin on the island and relaxed there for the rest of their time until they woke up.
A/n. Well, give me your thoughts on the chapter.
And power stones, all of them.