Day 1

My summoning was flawless, it was the purest amount of mana that flowed into the hall of heroes, searching for an equal match. The first touch of her power was like slipping into a dream, it pulled me through the gates with such soft grace, I floated into the world like a feather. It was the strongest source of magic I have ever felt, I was pleased with my master. That is until I opened my eyes to her.

She stands directly before me, cloaked from head to toe in a crimson hooded cape. Her face is covered by a black silk handkerchief so only her eyes are visible. The only skin showing was her delicate and perfectly manicured hands. Which were unexpectedly lacking magical circuits.

But how does one summon a servant without any magical circuits?

I reach further searching for any morsel of power source, but she has nothing, yet she is somehow supplying me with just enough mana to keep me here.

Strange and disappointing.

She approaches me slowly, watching me with candle lit eyes that shine like polished jade stones .

"I thank you for answering my call, hero." She bows her head.

I scowl in retort.
"How is it that one with no magical circuits is able to summon a servant in the first place? Your call was flawless and yet here you stand before me with not even a drop of mana inside you."

She looks up.

"Not all magic has circuits. Magic comes from all around us, just be grateful you have been summoned and I would ask you not to refer to yourself as a servant. You do not serve me... we are allies...and possibly friends if the fates decide...come on let's go...."

"How do you suppose we win this war without mama?" I ask crossing my arms.

"Trust." Is all she says.
And before I can speak anymore she turns and walks away towards the forest beyond.

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Day 2

The sound of wind chimes, like a wet thumb on the edge of a crystal glass fills the air. The spring breeze was sweet with floral scents and fresh rain. Nothing like the dusty sands and barren wastelands at home. I enjoy it here, this calm and quiet reserve, nestled deep in the forests of a foreign land I know nothing about. Her home was welcoming, full of life and beauty, everything here had its place and purpose. She lived simply, without the constant hum and buzz of electronics or phones like in Chaldea.

Chaldeas was not a place I was fond of and I was thankful for being summoned here, instead. But how is it she was able to bypass Chaldeas completely? I know that mages still practice the art of traditional summoning, but since it's creation, very few if not any have been successful.

Then a smell interrupts my thoughts. An aroma of spices and oils, hitting a pan, sizzling it's flavors into something she is cooking us for breakfast. I assured her that servants do not need to eat, but she insisted on pleasuring my taste buds with her culinary skills.

Very well.

"Odysseus, it is ready." She calls to me through the kitchen window. I stand tucking my chair back in and make my way to the dining room. I walk into the room, she sits in front of a delicious meal, plates laid out perfectly and food carefully placed on platters.

"Are you trying to fatten me up?" I ask playfully.

She laughs through her oversized hood.
"Maybe, although I don't think food would make any difference on your appearance." And her voice trails off into a quiet whisper.

"Hmmm...you're probably right."
I take my seat kiddy corner to her, and watch as she takes slow subtle bites of her tiny plate of food hiding as much as she can of herself from me.

"And why is it your plate is not full? Don't tell me you need to lose weight, you could be swept with just the slightest breeze." I roll my eyes.

Her hood turns slightly towards me.
"I have trouble eating, especially after the summoning. It will get better." She says in monotone as she takes another small piece of her breakfast, being careful not to touch the food to the edges of her cloak. Why is it she hides her face from me?

"Do you always eat with your cloak and hood on?" I ask curiously.

"Only when I have company... which is never." She replies again with an emotionless tone.

"And why is that?"

"I like to keep to myself."

"That is not the question I was asking. Why do you hide your face?" I ask, taking a bite off my plate. The rush of flavors on my taste buds was like euphoria. The only other woman who had caused a near orgasm by cooking for me was Penelope. I begin to devour my plate, savoring every taste while I await her answer.

"Trust." She says so simply.

And I stop eating for a minute, putting my fork down. That was a very confusing answer for me.

"What does trust have to do with seeing your face?"

She drops her fork to the table and stands taking her plate with her. She throws the food in the garbage and places the plate and utensils into the sink full of soapy water.

and now I feel I have insulted her in some way.
"My lady it is not my intention to insult you, I am merely asking a question which I would like an answer to." I explain.

She sighs.

"There must be trust in each other, revealing myself to you would only hold us back and make things complicated."

So... she doesn't trust me, then what kind of bond do we have?

"You do not trust me?" I ask louder than I intended.

She turns leaning against the kitchen counter.
"I believe it is you who is lacking trust in me."

The memory of our conversation yesterday play back in my head. I can feel my brows furrowing at the thought, this all makes no sense. But she leaves the room before I can say anything else.

————————————

Day 3

I awake to the sound of breaking glass. Immediately I sense something lurking in the shadows of her home. I jump out of bed , materialize my armor and call forth what little mana I am given, it hums inside my skin awakening my senses. I scan her home searching for the entity.

Then a creaking outside the room, the floorboards skim each other under a heavy thudded footstep. I approach the door to the room as quietly as possible and wait for the entity to pass so I can get the jump on it. It creeps by slowly, breathing heavy, scraping its claws across the floor.

3...2...1...

I barrel through the door, surprising the creature and sink my dagger into the back of its skull. It writhes and twitches in pain before falling to the ground and disappearing through the cracks in the floor. Then a scream pierces my mind.

"ODYSSEUS!"

"Master!" I shout and take off down the hallway towards her room.

I can hear a scuffle and thud come from inside, then the sound of shattered porcelain. I creep open the door and slide in daggers drawn. It was dark in the room and I could barely see two feet ahead and like a nightmare come to life, a creature of darkness hovers over my master. With one elongated arm and a claw ridden hand inching its way under her nightgown.

I let my daggers go and summon my bow, drawing a deadly arrow infused with mana.

"Hey!" I shout at the creature. It turns its head towards me, letting the moonlight from her window expose its face. Masked in black bone with only its mouth exposed. It laughs, with a toothy grin.

And I shoot. But to my dismay, my arrow hits the wall above her and the creature slips away into the shadows then out the door...

It's dark presence leaves the room and she gasps for air clutching her neck.

"Kali, are you alright?"

She coughs and sputters as I come to her side.

"Stay there, I'm fine." She croaks.

I pause watching her move in the moonlight. She coughs a few more times before sitting up.

"Fuck." She curses under her breath.

I step forward again.
"Odysseus..." She warns.

"I cannot see your face in the darkness, please let me see if you are wounded." I argue.

She pauses for a moment and I hold my positions. Finally she sighs.
"Alright, promise me you can't see?"

"I promise, master, here I'll go close the curtains."

She huffs in annoyance.
"Don't call me that!"

And I chuckle as I shut out any light that could possibly expose her features to my eyes.
"My apologies, Kali."

I stumble my way over and sit down beside her. From the looks of her shadow in the darkness she has positioned herself on her knees clutching a pillow.

"Where did it hurt you?" I ask cautiously, inching my hand towards her knee. As my fingertips touch her knee she lets out a short breath.

"I'm not hurt...I'm just...scared." She whispers.

"Are you not able to defend yourself?" I ask. In all reality, a mage that is able to summon a heroic spirit like myself, should be able to defend themselves efficiently.

"I was still asleep. I couldn't move." She replies.

"Hmmm...sounds like a sleep spell." I stand, now that I know she is ok, there is no need for me to be invading her space. "I suggest you start putting up barriers to keep that servant and other servants at bay."

She gasps.
"It was a servant?"

"Yes. Assassin class I am guessing." I reply and walk towards the door.

She stops me.
"Odysseus wait."

"What is it Kali?"

"I...will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Her voice shakes as she asks.

I pause considering her question. It would be wise to stay close to her for the night just in case more dark shadows appear.
"Of course." I reply, and dematerialize my armor down to the basics and slip into bed beside her. She instantly curls up, snuggling into my neck.

Now isn't this a twist of fate, never upon meeting this girl, had I thought I would be sharing a bed with her. She feels warm and soft, smelling of vanillas and citrus fruit. Instinctively I stroke her hair from the top of her head down to her shoulder and back, just as I used to do with Penelope. She nuzzles in further and begins to drift off.

What have I gotten myself into?

————————————
Day 4

The clang of sword and lance ring through the night. We have run into another servant on our quest to get groceries. She had dressed me up in more modern clothing to blend in, which I don't mind, the jeans were much looser than my armor, and the t-shirt although tight around my chest and biceps is soft and made of stretchy fabric. And onward we went into the city, we had made it to the market area, it was full of people, making me more anxious as we went on.

It wasn't long before we spotted another master, and his servant wasn't far behind, scaling the roof tops above. I armor up, and draw my bow only to be pushed into an alleyway by Kali.

"Are you crazy? People can see!" She snaps.

"Hello!" A voice calls from behind us. We both turn in the direction of the voice to see a tall man in blue, with a crimson lance draped across his shoulders. He sits perched up on a chain link fence, smiling slyly.

I push Kali back behind me, and she latches on, peeking around my side.
"A quarrel here is not wise, lancer."

He chuckles.
"You're right, we can take it up top!" He looks up at the roof tops. "It's quiet up there, we can make all the noise we want."

"You're on!" I reply and I step forward only to be pulled back by Kali.

"Kali, let go."

"It could be a trap!" She protests.

But I know better than that, for I have fought this man once before. He is noble and full to the brim with a knight's pride. He has distaste for trickery and ruse, he would never stoop that low. That was for the creatures that creep in the night.

"I assure you this man has no interest in tricks. Now go home, you will be much safer there." I reply, shooing her away.

"Eh mate, what's up with your master? I'm not sensing any mana. Is she sick or something?"

"That is my business not yours, child of light. Shall we?". I wave my hand towards the rooftop, and leap up landing on the top, and he follows suit.

I position myself at the other end of the rooftop, spinning my daggers, eying up the enemy before me. He stands watching me grinning wildly, as if his master had finally let him out of his cage. I have to admit, I was feeling the same way. As much as I enjoyed my time at Kali's home, I craved a good fight, I craved blood and the feeling of victory.

"You ready?" He asks.

"Always ready." I reply.

He chuckles.
"You remember last time we fought?"

"Yes! How could I forget such skill with a lance?"

"Oh you flatter me, Odysseus."

"Do YOU remember the last time we fought?" I ask.

"Of course, with impenetrable armor and your skills with daggers, how could I forget."

I laugh.
"Shall we carry on where we left off? I believe I had you on the run."

That comment seemed to piss him off and excite him at the same time. He grips his lance in a lunge stance and shoots forward at lightning speed. He sweeps his lance upwards, spins, then comes down with it. I dodge his first strike and block the rest with my daggers and leap back.

"Well done, lancer." I bow.

He bows and lunges forward once again, sweeping his lance towards my ribs, I block with my dagger in the right hand, spin and duck low cutting into his calf repositioning myself behind him at a distance. He curses and stumbles to the side.

"Great move sir." He smiles, as his wound instantly closes up.

A charge of mana bursts through his lance. Red electrical energy explodes from the tip, he strikes again this time using the power drawn. He swings his lance repeatedly around himself destroying anything in its path. I barely leap out of the way, but his last swing makes contact with my right shoulder sending me soaring into a vent. It crushes on impact creating a cloud of dust and rubble. I stand shaking it off, only to feel the tugging pain of a dislocated shoulder.

"A great strike! I'm impressed." I say playing it off as I reset my shoulder back into its socket. One jerk of my arm and it was back to normal.

"You haven't seen anything yet."

And he moves into a stance, drawing a mass amount of mana. I know what this is...he is about to unleash his ultimate strike and I am in no position to use mine. Not with the lack of mana my master provides me. Damn...

His lance explodes with red rage once again, and I ready myself. Although I know that this strike will end with my heart skewed like meat on a stick, it is all I can do. Double damn...

He raises the back end of his lance ready to let it fly, then suddenly he stops his mana draw and curses holding his head.

"Ow! What the fuck?" He shouts.

And to both of our surprise, there is Kali, in her hooded crimson cloak, holding an arm full of rocks. She has pelted him in the head with a substantial sized rock and is getting ready to send another flying towards him. We both stare at her shocked.

"Kali!" I shout. "What the hell are you doing?"

Her hood shifts towards me.
"Saving your life!" She shouts back. And I curse as many profanities as I can possibly say in one sentence.

Lancer walks over to her blocking her pathetic attacks with a flick of his hand. He grabs the back of her hood and throws her to the rooftop floor ahead of him.
"Wow you really got the short end of the stick, eh buddy?"

I place a frustrated hand on my forehead, feeling slightly embarrassed by her.

"It looks like I have."

"Well from the lack of mana she produces, this is barely an even fight, mate." He shakes his head. "I'm gonna let this one go for now. You're going to die out there anyways...good luck...you're gonna need it."

And he takes off into the night.

Kali gets to her feet brushing the dust off of her cloak. Through my anger and embarrassment I lash out at her. It is not in my nature to be so unkind to a woman, I am usually a gentleman, but this girl is...useless. She has already called our death, it is only a matter of time and it has only been four days.

"Stoning a servant to death?... Is this the eighteenth century?....Dammit Kali....He is right you know, I really did wind up with the short end of the stick. We will be lucky if we make it through the next few days!"

She clutches her robes and lowers her head in silence.

"What am I supposed to do here? You aren't able to provide me with any mana, I don't even know how I am still here. What the hell is wrong with you?" I continue to scold.

Then small droplets of water hit the rooftop floor. And my retort dwindles into regret and shame.

I sigh.
"Let's go home, you need some rest and I need some time to think."

—————————————

Day five

My usual day begins with Kali and I chatting over a delicious breakfast, then sitting outside watching the trees blow in the wind while drinking coffee. That has now taken a turn for the worse. With my attempt to make coffee by myself, I end up covering the kitchen in it. I spent the next hour cleaning it up... who would've thought I could make an entire cup of coffee spontaneously combust. After a few more attempts I finally figured it out, although it is nothing like the coffee Kali makes.

She hasn't come out of her room in hours. Her room was quiet with the occasional sound of short breaths and sniffles. I know she had slept for a few hours after we arrived home from our run in with the blue lancer. But my persistent calls to her and offerings of food are to no use, I'm starting to think she will remain in that room until this war is over.

What did I do to deserve such a master? Haven't I suffered enough? I still replay my summoning, trying to understand how it was possible. Her call to me was the purest form of magic I have ever felt, and yet here she is supplying me with barely enough to keep me upright. I don't get it. And talking to her about it now? well...I just don't know what to say.

So I wait, until she pokes that masked face out of her room.

——————————-
Day five

The light shuffle of feet on the kitchen floor tells me she is up and about, most likely looking for a snack. I return to the kitchen to find her sitting at the dining room table devouring a ham sandwich like it was her first meal.

"Hungry are we?"

She nods through her hood and continues to massacre the meal in front of her.

I sit down kiddy corner in my usual spot.
"Listen Kali..."

But before I can even begin to get into it she stops me. She places her quarter of a sandwich onto her plate and pushes it aside.

"I know what you're going to say. And you don't have to say it, you are right I am not trained in any sort of magic. I have no magical circuits, I have never used mage magic before. But that doesn't mean I am useless. You are here because I have called for you, you will fight by my side in this war just as I will for you. For that is our bond and any reasoning behind that is unnecessary. We will win this war, I guarantee you."

I listen to her words, but still don't believe her.

"How do you plan on supplying me with the strength I need to win, when you can't even muster up a protection spell?" I reply.

"Stop acting like you know all about me. You know nothing! My magic does not come from circuits embedded into my veins. It comes from the very earth we stand upon. You will see soon enough..."

"I don't understand, what you are saying is impossible. But if you wish to keep this a secret then so be it. I just hope our next interaction with a servant doesn't end up with you trying to beat them with a stick." And I stand just as frustrated as before and storm out to the porch to sit and watch the sun set.

—————————————-
Day 7

We walk the bridge quietly together, coming back from the city after running errands. I insisted that I join her for protection despite her many protests. When she finally gave in, I threw on some modern clothing and we left her house in silence.

That silence lasted the entire trip out until we reached the bridge connecting the city to the countryside. We walk side by side quietly, and I notice her glancing out over the ocean. She stops suddenly, leaning over the side of the railing. I join her, being careful not to get in her space.

"So...I saw you bought more of those cinnamon cake things...I really like those." I tell her in hopes to break some tension.

She laughs.
"I know you do."

And I bump her arm gently with mine.
"Are they for sharing?"

She laughs again.
"Of course, as long as it makes you happy."

I began to think about our time together, some of my favorite times were chatting about my previous battles, which got her overly excited to the point where she would try to reenact the scene. I had always fought for a purpose, in every war there was something driving me forward, pushing me to my limit. But in this war...well I don't really know what I am fighting for. Then it dawns on me, I haven't asked Kali what she wants from this war? What is her purpose?

"Kali..." I turn to her straight on.

"Yes?" She replies, still looking at the ocean.

"What do you want from this war?"

She hesitates to answer fiddling with the string hanging from her cloak.

"I want to learn to control my power."

That was an unusual answer considering she has no mana.
"What power?"

"Ummm...Well... There's something inside me that I have trouble restraining. If I let it out, it does more harm than good..."

This isn't piecing together very well.
"What is it?"

"Well...When I was young I..."

Then a shockwave of mana interrupts us. I feel it vibrating through my skin as it approaches.

A servant...

But not just your average servant, this was of equal match if I had my full mana potential. But in the state we are in, we might as well pick up a stick and start hopelessly swinging.

I tuck Kali behind me with one arm, she clutches onto the back of my shirt.

"Odysseus?"

"It's a servant, a strong one...I'm going to need you to unleash that so called power of yours or I won't make it out of here alive and neither will you..."

She chokes on her breath.
"Odysseus...you're the best thing that has ever happened, don't forget that. If I let go, promise me you will come home? You have to make it through this...I need you" She replies in desperation.

Those sweet words hit my heart right in the center. They were similar words Penelope spoke to me before I left our home. And I give her the same answer as I gave Penelope, all the while knowing this will most likely be the last time I see her.

"Of course, Kali, it is where I belong at home...with you.....now get out of here." And I gently push her away, then walk towards our enemy.

———————————————-

The beast was far too powerful, and without the mana supply I needed, my strength didn't last long. Blood dripping from every orifice, bones cracking underneath the weight of my armor. I am just an inconvenience to this monster.

He was the size of a clydesdale horse, and just as muscular. With surprising agility, speed, and a weapon just as deadly. It was cloaked, invisible to the naked eye, which made dodging its ripping strikes impossible. To add another challenge he was able to regenerate after being destroyed. Yes I had him down once, despite my lack of mana, but it would seem the beast has more a few more lives than expected.

Breathing heavy, down on one knee, I gave it my all. Do I regret this war? The summoning? I did, but I now realize that maybe my purpose isn't to win this war, it isn't the reason why I was summoned in the first place. Maybe it was to save a girl from her own destruction.

I reach out to Kali through our minds connection.

Where are you? I ask.

She responds immediately.
Right behind you.

Painfully I turn back looking over the crumbling bridge the beast and I had nearly destroyed. And there she is standing in the middle of all the chaos, crimson cloak blowing in the wind. She walks slowly towards me taking one of her delicate hands, she unties her cloak at the fastening. It falls open blowing to one side, revealing elegant curves clothed in black with lace trim. Her mask and hood were next, she pulls on the mask dropping it to the ground and pushes her hood back letting the entire cloak slip off her shoulders. It wasn't just her emerald eyes that caught my breath, it was the anticipation building in me over her features she had kept hidden from me for so long.

She held ethereal beauty, captivating me more than I even knew. And I realize it was the cause of my own resentment towards her. I wasn't ready for someone new in my life, but like a flame to a candle... it lit, ever so slowly and began to burn it's way inside me over the last week.

I stare unable to move, bound by her grace. She walks past me all eyes on the beast ahead. The only words spoken to me was a warning to materialize as much armor as possible. And what happened next was unbelievable.

—————————————-

It was as if time had slowed in a vortex of destruction. The very earth we stood on cracked open, bits of debris began to rise into the air as if gravity itself had been lifted. The sky above filled with dark clouds, spiraling upon themselves in a storm of pulsing electricity. And there she stands, in the middle of it all, one delicate hand out stretched by her side and the other waiting for our enemy.

In thought she whispers.
Ready yourself and your Trojan horse my hero.

Her words echo through my mind, and from the connection between us, a force of power ignited through me. I was full in a fraction of a second, my mana levels over spilling to the point of breaking, it was almost unbearable. But I push through it, I have to, for her....

Our enemy grips the hilt of its weapon in both hands, growling. He shifts a foot back preparing for his next attack, all eyes on Kali. He draws in a colossal amount of mana, and roars then shoots forward with speed I cannot match. He was on her in seconds before I could do anything. She stands still, the only part of her moving was her silky black hair blowing in all directions. She waits...

As our enemy comes down on her, she lifts her hand towards the blade.

"KALI!!!!" I shout. This was it, we were both done for.

Then a loud crack of thunder in the sky followed by a strike of thick blue lightning and the ground quakes below us. It hits her hand just as the weapon does and stops it completely. Try as he might, the servant cannot move the blade. Then she pours her power into it in waves of shattering strength.

The first wave annihilated the invisibility cloak surrounding the weapon. It wisps away like smoke disappearing into the air. Revealing a long thick cleaver riddled with razor sharp edges. It was almost impossible to anticipate the length of that weapon when cloaked.

The second wave was stronger forcing me into my back. I scramble to my feet, only to watch the very weapon explode. She crushes it into dust in one single blast, sending her enemy tumbling backwards across the rubble.

He leaps to his feet with a dangerous roar and comes at her again. With the last wave of her power she calls forth not just one but several thick streams of lightning from her hand. They hit him directly in the chest sending him careening through the air. He tumbles to a stop before his own master, who stares blankly at Kali.

Another thought from her drifts into my mind.
He has one life left...this one is all yours..

The best words I have ever heard come from her. And I begin to draw my own mana, pulling it from Kali into my circuits. Then a sudden shortage... she is losing control.

Keep it going Kali, do whatever you did before, but keep it in short bursts. Don't overload me or I ..well...I'm not sure...but there is a possibility I may explode.

She drops to one knee, keeping her focus on the task. And slowly but surely, she begins to pump mana into me in small bursts. But what are small bursts to her, are large enough to max me out in seconds.

I call forth my Trojan Horse (Troia Híppos), and with a flash of light it appears before us.

"Aegis connected."
"Noble Phantasm departing from the hangar." It calls to me. Opening itself up, much like an indestructible suit of armor made from the blessing of the goddess Athena herself. I secure myself inside becoming as big as our enemy and just as strong.

"Multiplex divine protection, simultaneous connection, mana amplified, strike in annihilation form!"

"Troya Hippos! With this, it's settled." I shout, and the armor begins to move forward just as Hercules has finished his regeneration. I send one more though to Kali, who is barely hanging on.

Hang in there Kali, one last strike...then we go home...

And I open the heart of my armor calling out its name.

"COMPLETE ANNIHILATION!"

All magic sources flow into its core, ready for a mass explosion towards my target who is readying himself for the hit. But he won't survive this, there is no servant who has.

We have won this battle......Next is the war...

————————————-

She lies on her bed, eyes closed, fists clenched, muttering things I cannot understand. Unleashing the power inside her, has done some damage to her mind and body. Although she is healing from the help of our connection to each other, she is sick...very sick. It is all I can do but to be there by her side until the convulsions stop and she is resting peacefully.

Only now do I understand the reasoning behind her many secrets. Not only could her power destroy what is around her, it could destroy herself. This is why she chose the holy grail war, to have a servant aid in controlling such a force...so she said. But I believe it is more than that, it is for her survival over gaining control using our healing connection.

I also understand why she hid her face from me. Beauty like this is a rare sight, and beauty like this complicates things. If I had fallen for her looks right away, I wouldn't have earned respect or trust enough to let her take on a servant. I would have held her back out of protection, therefore holding her back from her purpose in this war. There had to be an understanding in place first, I needed to listen to her and all of these matters take time. So hiding distractions was the best thing to do...a smart woman she is...

I sit back in the chair I have situated beside her, thinking about all of this. She is cursed in more ways than one, my only hope is that she makes it through the rest of the night.

————————————————

Kali finally settled after a few hours, she sleeps soundly now, with shallow peaceful breaths not like what they were before. I have crawled into bed with her, cradling her in my arms. When she begins to dream I stroke her hair calming her visions. When she begins to heat up, I lower the blankets just enough to cool her. She is doing much better, I am impressed with her ability to heal so quickly, for what her body has been through most people would be worse off..much worse.

I run the back of my hand across the soft skin of her cheek, then through the black strands of her hair. She groans, turning her head slightly upwards towards me.

"Kali?" I whisper.

She groans again then whispers my name.

"I am here." I reply.

She rests a hand on her forehead squinting her eyes.

"Are you ok?" She asks.

"Yes, I am fine. Are you ok?" That is the real question here.

"I'm not sure yet." She replies sitting up. I watch her silently, as she opens her eyes and looks around the room.

She curses.

"What's wrong?" I ask sitting up with her.

She sighs.
"I can't see Odysseus."

"What? You can't see?" I begin to panic.

"Calm down, this isn't the first time. My vision will correct itself in a few hours..or so. But I am freezing cold, I'd like to have a hot shower." She pauses. "Can... you help?"

I stare at her not knowing what helping her shower entails and swallow nervously thinking about the water touching her soft skin.

"Odysseus? Please just this once." She pleads, snapping me out of my fantasy.

"Uh...alright." I have never been this nervous to touch a woman. But I will do my good deed as she needs, I am still a gentleman.

I help her off the bed and into the bathroom. It was large, with a long vanity, a powdering area and a shower that could fit at least five people. I lead her over to the vanity, while flicking on the light switch. Suddenly the power shorts out and every bulb in the room bursts causing her to jump. She clutches my shirt pressing her forehead into my chest.

I hold her close soothing her.
"It's ok. It was just the lights. They all...burst?"

"I'm still actively carrying electricity, enough to shock any other source. There are candles and a lighter under the sink, light four or five."

"Stay there.." I subconsciously tell her while I fetch the candles and lighter. They smelled of honey and oatmeal, their wicks spark as I light them. I carefully place them in different areas of the room to get the most light out of them, then turn my focus back to Kali who is attempting to untie the string holding her top together. I gulp back a breath as I watch her, deciding on the precise moment to intervene.

She curses, pulling on the wrong end of the bow creating a double knot in the string.

"Here..." I say and lower her hands. And with one short pull the string comes undone. She pulls open her shirt, revealing a provocative sheer lace bra.

"Do you want me to leave the room?" I ask, still unsure of my presence here.

She shakes her head.
"Turn on the shower please."

I do as she says, turning it on just hot enough to make your skin tingle. Then look back at her.

"Anything else?" I ask.

"Yes my boots." She replies lifting a leg up.

I come down before her, analyzing my next task. Her boots were thigh high and tight with zippers down the sides and one buckle near the ankle. I start with the buckle, then move up to the zipper. I remove the boots exposing her black leggings and stand waiting for my next command.

She begins to unbutton her pants, and I stop her.

"Kali...I can leave the room if you need me to." I say, repeating myself.

"Odysseus, if I didn't need you here I would tell you." She huffs.

"Ok..."

I close my eyes as she takes her pants off, I hear them slide down her legs and hit the floor. Next was what I am guessing is her shirt, from the slow movements, then I hear that hit the floor. It is taking all that I have not to open my eyes and fill them with her sleek design.

"Odysseus?" She asks. "Are you still here?"

"Yes." I reply.

"I need help with my...bra...please."

Those words sucked the breath right out of me. I stand there dazed, not sure what to do. It was getting incredibly hot in this room.

"Odysseus...I'm sure you have seen a woman's body before" She calls again.

"Hmmm...yes...but..."

"It's ok, I can't quite reach the strap..." She replies.

I open my eyes to her almost nude backside. I gaze upon her, letting my eyes glide from her long legs, to her thighs, and up to the curve in her lower back. And something catches my eye, a long scar starting from her lower back, running all the way up to her right shoulder. It was an unusual scar, one that had been caused by some type of burn. It resembled the lightning that I saw course through her earlier.

"You're looking at my scar...it was burned into me when I was seven." She explains.

"I'm sorry Kali." I reply, pushing all my desire aside. I come closer to examine it, letting my fingers touch the tissue, I can feel energy pulsing through it.

"This is where your power comes from." I say.

She nods.
"Mmhmm...they say after lightning strikes a tree, nature's mark has been bestowed upon that tree. If it were to be stuck once more, it's power is transferred into that tree, and that tree becomes one of the most pure sources of magic."

"You have been struck before?" I ask.

"Twice. Storms run wild here, just...bad luck I guess."

"Not bad luck, it is a godsend." I reply.

I run my hands from her shoulders down to her waist, sending a shiver into her skin. Then I take the strap and unclasp her bra.

"Thank you." She says, and removes the rest of her clothing. I lower my eyes avoiding her naked form and take a step back away from her.

"Let's get you in the shower."

She turns to me, catching my view, her big emerald eyes glistening in the candle light.

"You see me now...all of me..." She says, placing her hands on my chest. "I wish I could see you."

I laugh at the irony.
"The tables have turned." I reply deviously.

She laughs back, and begins to shiver again. I turn her towards the shower and guide her by her hips. Every bit of this was making me long for her touch. I fight with myself not to let my hands wander too far, as I don't want to take advantage of the girl while she is vulnerable.

With my deepening desire for her, we make it over to the shower and she clumsily reaches out a hand to test the water while knocking over some soaps.

"Shit." She curses.

"It's ok, I will...well...I..." I can't even finish that sentence. I doubt she wants anyone washing her down, but I also don't see how she is able to do this herself when she can't even find the bottle of soap.

She places her hands on mine.
"I'm going to need your help with this...sorry."

"I have to be honest Kali...I'm struggling with this."

She giggles, then presses her back side up against me, making sure to get the most out of this tease.

"Kali..Don't start something if it is not what you truly want." I warn.

"If I didn't want this you wouldn't be here right now." She replies. And that was that, before either of us could even think about it, I have turned her around to face me and picked her up, carrying her into the shower, her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs around my waist.

I dematerialize my under armor down to nothing and she gasps, squeezing her thighs tighter. I place us both in the shower and sit down with her in my lap. Hot water spills over us, soaking every inch of our bodies as she hums sweetly at the sensation, her skin prickling from the shock of it. She leans back away from me, closing her eyes, letting the water drench her hair as she runs her hands through it. I watch her mesmerized, not wanting to rush any moment of this. It has been so long since I had a woman this beautiful in my lap and I plan on enjoying every single minute of it.

I watch the drops of water hit her full chest as she comes back to face me. I lean forward running my hands up her thighs and further.

She hums again.
"Kiss me."

I had almost forgotten how, so I come in slowly, taking my time as I get into my rhythm. She takes my hands from her hips and places them on her breasts, which has me almost at my peak right then and there. I reluctantly stop and pull away, taking a break before I lose it.

"Kali...it's been a very long time." I explain.

"It's ok." She whispers. "If you don't want to do this you don't have to."

There is absolutely no way I can just get up and leave the room now. Nor do I want to.

"If I wanted to leave I would have already." I reply.

She kisses me again then whispers,
"Make love to me."

And we spend the next hour loving each other. I praise the gods for sending me to her, and I will do whatever it takes to protect her. Even if it is from herself.

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