Of course, a blue alien with pass-through lungs stood on the opposite side of the table as me. That was the asshole who let the flagship skip through the universe. I hided them sternly.
There was a tapping noise to catch my attention. A bear man, similar to Beargor stood at the head of the table. He wore a power suit, as if he were about to go mining on an asteroid or something.
“Why am I here?” I asked between clenched teeth. I was smart enough to realize I was brought here against my will for a reason.
“It’s time for you to go home,” the aquatic manager said in a surprising friendly tone. The smug being was very chipper and spunky. Almost to the point where I felt it was worth it to hurt him, or was it a her…
I scoffed and said, “Great, the portal is back there with my friends and family.”
“I’m losing,” the barman admitted with a tucked chin and deep frown. I rolled my fist forward for him to get to the point. “The universe will be two power houses, not three. Justicars will break up without a lifeline. Fighting you, while being collapsed on by the others… was less than prudent.”
“I think you missed the part where I’m going home. I take it your Joran?” I asked and he nodded. “Then I was brought here to help the balance maintain three powers, not make Machew or Warg stronger…”
My muttering was helping me through the situation. I saw a few ‘no shit you idiot’ glances from the council. Luckily they said nothing to provoke me over the edge. I was surprised they were wisely letting my rage simmer.
“I need the army orbs, well the wyvern one. If you do -”
“On a condition,” I pulled the orbs out of the Justicar robes I wore. When I set them on the table they were intently stared at. The reason I was here was starting to make sense. “You get these orbs to survive the coming war. I get a promise from your alliance you will never return to Prox.”
He grimaced in anger about not being able to hunt me, or maybe about needing help. I wasn’t sure, but I knew he was not enjoying this. “The Justicar alliance agrees and it has been witnessed.”
“I probably should have said the same thing to Warg,” I said to no one in particular.
“I hope you rot in Prox and never exit that cursed universe again,” Joran said with disdain.
I had a really witty smartass reply that never got to leave my lips as I was ripped out of the futuristic boardroom.
∞∞∞
When I was returned, it was onboard the Gorilla on the top deck at the bow of the ship. The transition was sudden, unlike any other, and very odd... We were only a few feet from the portal, my confusion grew when I noticed my family around me.
“How long was I gone?” I asked while patting my body down.
Nicole raised an eyebrow and replied, “Huh?”
“I picked up the orbs, and -”
“Then you said to rush onto the ship,” Zoey said, giving me a funny look. She was holding Mysti tightly and both elvath beamed smiles. “You forced us into a chaotic hustle. Then had us pause for a minute. You just had to double check to ensure everyone is aboard who is going home with us and gave a final warning now to use gliders to leave if people had doubt.”
I frowned. This was a first. The managers had either used my body,f or taken away memories. Both were not okay. Then I saw everyone was looking to me for guidance. Fretting over the transgression seemed trivial in this defining moment, leaving me to decide on accepting the situation.
I glanced at Gemini, “I’m glad you're coming. All of you, you mean the most to me. Did Groz make it?”
There were sad shakes of heads.
“I wish I could have saved him,” I mumbled.
They grew confused.
Gemini looked to Nicole who shrugged. “You just said a sappy goodbye to him,” Gemini mentioned with furled brows.
“So, assume...” I paused as I rubbed my temples in frustration. “I missed everything from when the wyvern army vanished,” I replied sadly.
“Oh, I know this one,” Mysti said with a smile. “The admiral surrendered. Turns out Groz was going to stay behind and protect those from Prox we weren't able to save. Under Warg no less. They had a deal, no betrayal or deceit. Merely he would stay if you achieved success. There are millions of Prox dvaren still here. He said you may not be able to save them all, but he wouldn’t give up on them.”
“Did a lot of dvaren stay with him?” I asked with a despondent tone. At least he lived and his cause was noble.
“Only a few,” Gemini replied with a warm smile. “Are you ready to show me Vin and the griffins?”
I smiled and nodded. Of course, waiting could mean this damn thing closed.
“Hey Axle,” I said to the lad chatting with Orion off to the side. I raised a hand and pointed to the opening. “I have Vin to manage, a ton of toddlers to play with, and some lovely ladies I have desperately missed. Take us to Prox.”
A single drum beat signaled to go forward. I felt the ship lurch under my feet, heading for the portal. Two years in purgatory, almost a full year in the Master Verse and I was finally going home. I pulled my wives into a group hug as the dirigible accelerated into the green shimmering. The feeling was euphoric, and I welcomed the blackness of the transition.
∞∞∞
I was alone, in a dark cavern, and completely confused. Eerie fog came up to my waist that billowed everywhere I looked. Why was I alone? Hmm… Against a far wall three bright portals displayed images. The shimmering scenes cast light against the gloomy dark.
My confusion turned to curiosity. I walked for the light, feeling painfully alone. I already missed the warmth of my group hug that had been stolen from me. This had to be a test by the creator for me and me only. That was my only logical conclusion. Why else rob me of my friends and family at this pivotal moment. I was not happy but determined. If this was a test I would pass it like all the others. My feet crunched over loose gravel, my bare feet were soft and weak.
When I left the dark for the bright lights of the portals I looked down at my hands. I was me, just naked and exposed. I was also without magic. Hmm.
There was little else for me to do besides to study these portals. If they were here, then they were here for a reason. A purpose that obviously I couldn’t ignore. The far right portal called to me with a jungle setting.
If I had to guess it was the forest jungle from that sandworm island on Vin. My steady pace brought me to a halt about five feet from the portal.
Bright yellow sunshine burst from above, piercing the canopy of the jungle fronds. A thick underbrush hid the jungle floor. Colorful birds, much larger than were native to Vin, hopped around the trees.
Okay, this wasn’t Vin. I studied the scene with fading interest. There was just a jungle that in all likelihood was somewhere I’d never been. Why was I being shown this? Right when I was about to walk away I heard the faintest whispers of a mighty roar.
The calm birds dispersed in a fleeing panic. A running human woman in a loincloth with a chest wrap burst out of the foliage. She carried a sharpened stick while shifting to look over her shoulder. Her face told me she was terrified, running for her life. But from what.
The foliage shook, the trees bent, and some cracked when a large carnivorous dinosaur chased the woman. While I watched the scene unfold there was a revelation. This woman needed my help. A wooden stick arrived in my hand and I was drawn to save her.
I shook the feeling off, releasing the stick to let it clatter against the cavern floor. Whatever pull the scene was having on me I fought. With heavy feet I slowly left the front of the portal. She would escape or die, my ability to save her would only happen if it was a last resort.
The next portal over was fifty feet to my left. When I arrived I crashed to my knees. I saw Swan. It had been so long since I had seen the planet I grew up on. There were air cars dancing high up as AI guided them.
I knew it was Swan because of the skyline, it was home. An old ho
me, but home, or was it. There were subtle differences. The residents were different, more cybernetic. The technology was advanced. As if I was peering into the future, a future I would have experienced if I never went to Vin.
The portal zoomed in to show a door with a window screen cutout. On the bottom of the foggy glass there was red lettering. ‘Classified - Cryogen - Do Not Enter’. I frowned and was about to leave when the portal switched to show the inside of the room. Standing erect was a futuristic preservation chamber. My face rested inside the pod.
I was feeling the pull to enter the portal. There was a tug telling me to go to the future. Was it real or fake, I was uncertain. I was… beyond confused. No… I shook my head. Whatever that adventure was I wanted no part of it.
I peeled myself off the cavern floor, running for the last portal, and overpowering the feeling of my body wanting to go back.
Before me rested the last opening. An angled top down view of a vast castle encompassed the shimmering image. I saw bright beaches outside tall walls, calm blue water rocked over ocean reefs, and children played joyfully while being monitored by mothers.
My children. My wives. I saw Amber chatting with Velia and Bella while a little girl no older than two came running over for help with a scrape on her knee. There were so many kids having a blast on the beach that my heart swelled with joy. There was more than a simple tug to join them. There was an undeniable yearning to be their father, a loving husband, and to fix the problems of Vin.
This was my happily ever after. There was even a dock nearby with a fishing boat. A griffin tower watched over them with keen eyes. My entire being longed to be there. I knew there might be all new problems to tackle, but with my family at my side I would happily take them on. The serene scene of my wives and children playing came to a halt.
Amber looked up, pointed directly at me. Lila, our daughter, followed her mother’s finger. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but I knew she was saying daddy was in the stars and that he would be home soon. There was so much happiness in my heart from the sight that it hurt.
I leaped into the portal for home. My mind twisted until I was back on the Gorilla with the others. We were heading for Vin to join my dearly missed family.
THE END OF BOOK 5
Series Epilogue
On the shores of Vin.
I walked the sandy shores of the beach, regaling in the tales of my adventures to Bella, Velia, and Amber. Nicole introduced the new arrivals with the wives of Vin and this gave us time on the beach.
While I wanted to smother my ladies in love, I had a lot to catch up on, including some births I missed. My desire to see my newest children had to wait. Amber put her foot down as my Empress that I needed to have a chat. There was a plan for my arrival and I needed to trust her judgment.
That lovely redhead sure had a way of making me feel like everything was in good hands. It didn’t hurt that she wore a lovely summer dress with ample cleavage exposed.
Kor splashed in the water not far off the shore, hunting for fun. A dozen of his kind had been released in these waters with the rest meant to be distributed elsewhere when the griffins were due to travel.
A flock of sheep were shepherded by Cora who waved lovingly. I couldn’t help but still see her as being bloated with twins and now she happily helped farm. The evening glow basked her and the flock in a wonderful display.
The warm salt air brought the fresh scent of summer day. I couldn’t help but soak up the wondrous feeling it was to be home.
A throat clear, told me to listen more attentively. I nodded at Amber as she informed me details about the Vin Empire. I asked for the status of our nation in a summary, wanting to dig into reports during my morning routines.
“In summary,” Amber said with a cute smile, “our Empire is stronger than ever and the age of stability has found a home on Vin. We are seeing record growth in commerce, amazing expansions of farmlands, and life is improving for us and our allies. We just need babies.”
“Yes, yes, Amber did fantastic. Your family has missed you so,” Velia said sincerely. “And we are very excited for my babies. Our nursery was expanded to accommodate our soon to be growing family. We never had a doubt. Our faith was so resolute we had the dwarves build you a boat. Nothing fancy, just for fishing.”
I may have let out a slight squeak of delight. Not a very manly thing, but was there a greater man toy than a boat. Hell, I wanted to go fishing now. Okay, maybe after some mind blowing sex.
Bella said, “We have the entire castle built to suit our growing needs. Your return was in doubt by some, and we let them leave. Some of your harem guards weren’t family material anyway, having political aspirations. Not that they’ll be missed with the long legged elva you brought home.”
“Bella,” Amber tisked.
“I tease,” Bella replied. “I just wished I had been at your side in the Master Universe.”
“There has been unbelievable harmony in the Empire. Without a doubt, Bella has been distraught,” Amber said.
Bella walked closer to me when I wrapped an arm around her. I kissed her blonde hair lovingly.
Velia smacked my ass, saying, “Ladies rule.”
“I missed you all so much, it is hard to explain. Finally Vin is free and I am home. And what a fine home you built,” I said, stealing a glance at the towering castle that shrunk in the distance. “And where am I being brought to?”
“The children will need time to adjust. Everything will be in baby steps to start Gryff. I want to have the wives and children see you one or two at a time,” Amber said.
I saw a beach house on the water with a simple boat attached to a dock.
“Awe, I’m not sure I like this idea,” I admitted.
“You’ll never be alone, I will brief you every morning, and before you know it, you’ll be breeding your wives to increase your lineage,” Amber said.
I smirked. “I sure do like making babies. You ladies make me a lucky man.”
“Answer me this. Do you want a dozen children pounding on your door crying for you? Or do you want to rest, recover, and then have the children crying for you?” Amber asked. “You will be home soon, and this is how we get to show you we missed you. Children during the day, wives at night and no interruptions.”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out the lovely ladies had figured this all out. If Bella, Velia, and Amber were all on the same page, then I should be on that page with them.
I nodded. “I think I understand. I really do. There’s no menace to defeat or threat to conquer. If I take my time, enjoy my family, I can ease back in while making the least waves. Sounds relaxing. I guess I can put the sword aside and let the magic simmer for a bit.”
Velia pinched my ass and said, “Pipi and I have the first night. She has your razor and scissors ready to clean you up and make you all handsome. Plus… double blowjob followed by a threesome!”
I chuckled with a head shake of dismay. “I just,” I paused the heave out a content sight. “The sex is great but being around you all is everything I dream about. Are you sure there’s no looming threat or village in need of saving?” I asked Amber.
All three of them chuckled as if expecting this question.
Amber kissed my fuzzy cheek and said, “There’s always a fire somewhere, but dear husband. There is no threat at the moment that needs your help. What does need you, is your family. Over the coming months, I look forward to having a son in my belly, and my husband on his throne. Welcome home Gryff. Now go enjoy your fun, you’ve earned it.”
Velia peeled away and I chased her, letting her stay a few paces ahead of me. Pipi stood on the balcony of the beach home, waving for us to join her with a setting sun as a backdrop.
At that moment, I couldn’t have been a happier man.
AFTERWORD
Final words. Thank you for reading this book. I hope you enjoy my work and I appreciate you. I’m available on facebook and discord. If
you can. Thanks to Sean Hall, Gaius, and Discndat for cleaning this mess up. If you find something, hit me up on facebook and I’ll fix it up for the next guy. Leave a review on book 1, follow my author button on amazon, and stay classy.
Cheers, Marcus Sloss
Gryff Boxset Page 187