Geez. At least they are willing, happy slaves. Yet.. There's got to be something else I'm missing. "Well.. would anyone like to show me around this place? Also, could someone tell me why I'm your master? I mean, you just met me.." He knew he mostly wanted a tour for the sole reason that it would give him some privacy with one of the foxgirls, though he was also curious about his new home.

The girls looked confused.

"You're our master because.. you're our master. We've been waiting for this day.  Waiting for you - waiting for a very long time."

Sophia nods.

"I can show you around, master."

 He felt something very strange, now. He had the strangest feeling that.. he possessed their souls. They really were his, every one of them.

He nodded to Sophia. "I will folllow your lead, vixen."

Do they love me.. or are they just utterly loyal? Or both? he wondered.

In the next hour Max is shown around his own temple. He is shown the eating chambers, shown the sleeping quarters and living wings, shown the kitchens and the baths. He is shown the training rooms, the libraries, and finally.. he is shown the greatest thing of all: the Gate of Methodes.

Max looked into the mirrored bottom of the pool. "It's beautiful.. so this can take me to any realm I know of safely? And I'd like to look around in the armory.. I know it's unused, but I think I'm supposed to go there.." He said wonderingly. The intial shock and doubts had begun to ebb away. He had intially thought this was a wet dream made real, but now, staring into this pool.. he realized this was something far more grand.

"Any realm you know of and any you don't," replies the foxgirl. "The armoury? This way, master."

She took him to the armoury. There wasn't much there. Blades, spears, armour... but wait: there was something. A sword. A beautiful, beautiful, sword.

Max turned to Sophia. "Can I have a hug, Sophia? I mean, if that's okay with you.." He said. He needed one right then.

"Of course, master."

Sophia moved towards Max, and her arms found their way around him. She was very soft.

He broke away from her after a few seconds, then strode over to the blade. "A long time, blade.. a very long time. Now I understand everything." He picked up the sword and drew the sheath, the hilt fitting perfectly in his hand. The blade awoke in his land, infusing itself a shimmer of divine power. He sheathed blade and belted it over his back. Walking over a nearby trunk, he opened it find more suitable clothing for the task at hand. He donned the outfit swiftly.

"The beginning of a fantastic adventure.."

He turned to Sophia. "When I sleep here, I expect both you and Karina to share my bed." He said, smiling. In truth, he meant this in the most innocent way possible; they were both very soft and warm and would be nice to snuggle with. Knowing the Foxgirls, Sophia would take it the wrong way and Karina would not even think of him meaning anything but snuggling.

He then walked past her, waving goodbye, as he headed to the Gate. "Where first? Hrm.. Dagorlad sounds good."

And with that he leapt into the pool, transporting himself to Dagorlad, where Metatron ruled.

A flash - memories, a thousand of them - a great tower - a greater realm - land, eternal - dazzling lights - and Max was there.

(Resume play in (Metatron) Dagorlad)

Max shook his head, bewildered. "Okay.. let's try this again. Litheris." He then entered the pool.

(Sorry about that.)

A thousand flashes - a feeling like lightning, but more - ten spheres - a dying tree - a history reversed - blackness -

and he was there.

(Resume play in Litheris)

A stranger enters the region of the Temple..

Max returned, blade drawn and ready to get dangerous if the stranger intended to harm his foxgirls.

The foxgirls, it seemed, were waiting on the stranger; when Max found them he was receiving a back massage and eating grapes. He was a dark man, with agile eyes and wild hair. He looked at once fully relaxed and extremely tense... it unnerved Max a little. He wore black, and with it the Seal of Odin.

The blade shone with divine power; Max's stance was confident. "I trust you have enjoyed the hospitality of Xi? You are here to speak with me concerning an oath, correct?"

This man's arrogance angered Max. This was his home.

"Correct."

The man had a sort of swagger about him. He reminded Max, just a little, of James Bond.. what, wait? Who was James Bond?

"My name is Alan of Nuyaark, Recruitment Officer and Inquisitor (Earthborn Weapons) 0008/002 respectively. Red band. I'm here to give you your oath-sword, or to offer you a sphere-bound unbreakable oath (if you so desire it), as well as your Seal of Odin and details on what to do next. Right?"

Max nodded. "Yes. Could you please give me more detail on the oathsword's function and purpose?"

"Of course. It is a small, silver blade which must be worn at all times. It is sentient, but will not act in any case except for one where you yourself are working against the Conclave's wishes. It may also impart advice in certain situations."

He nodded.

"You also have the opportunity, if you so desire, to take the unbreakable sphere-oath of the Callisti."

"All times? I cannot remove under any circumstances? Also, as for the oathsphere, I appreciate the offer but must decline."

"No problems. Completely voluntary. You will, of course, have to take it if you ever desire to become a Low Lord.."

He nodded.

"The blade should stay on at all times. It's been crafted as not to be in your way - soon you'll even forget about it's presence."

"Would it stab me in the neck if I were to break a law of the conclave?"

"It would do something that is arguably worse, friend."

"Which is?"

"Spontaneously combust, leaving you a wreck of fire and ash."