Chapter 497 – Showing Off
I'm just a giant carriage to Irlo now. I'm still not very good at talking, but Eterna has been so kinds as to sit on my back and tell me where Irlo wants to go. As long as Eterna is awake, otherwise we have to wait a minute for her to wake up.
A funny thing is that not all the babies enjoy being on my back in my dragon form. The dragons love it, of course, and the older kids are happy, though some don't like it when I get too high up. But the babies are a mixed bag outside of that. The elements don't like it all. The Goddesses like it, but they also probably understand what is happening better than the rest.
Aurora has had fun marking how each child reacts to the new activity. I just hope I didn't scar any of my babies for life. I would like to be able to fly them all around at some point. Aurora doesn't think I have.
While trying out the new body has been a lot of fun, I did miss more of Cornelius's games. Eliyen was correct about the next games being easier, or Luck is messing with things, probably a mix with how those girls like to behave.
Kiyomi sent a few of her citizens over after I gave birth to help me with the kids, and hoping I would like one of them enough to get them pregnant. The first thing they learn is that everyone in the house has to be lactating at all times, besides the kids. They were surprised, but took it in stride, helping when feeding time came up.
They all really want to get pregnant. Lucky for them, they're kind of cute, so we'll see how it goes.
"Do I take Man? Is that really his name? That doesn't sound right," I say.
"I think he may be the first to get a nickname," Geta says. "Lactation kind of has a nickname right now with Milk also working, but I could see another goddess being born that takes milk from her. But it's hard to tell."
"Tom? Would that work? Or is that too plain?" I ask. "I guess Man for now till he can talk and tell us if he wants a different name. But back to the actual question. Should I take him? He wouldn't cheat for Cornelius, right?"
"No, he won't be able to help Cornelius to cheat," Geta says. "But are you sure you want to go? You just gave birth."
"Cornelius only has a few games left, Eliyen thinks. Anyone could be the last. I want to have one game and think about how much fun it'll be to show up as a rainbow dragon!" I say. Irlo came up with the idea. Wanting her Daddy to show off how cool he is, I guess. It took a bit to convince Nanoka to help, but when I mentioned tail grooming, she couldn't say no.
It is going to be grand, flying around as a giant glowing rainbow dragon before diving down towards the stadium. Irlo was hoping I would wait till the last second to transform and teleport into the box seat, but I'm not risking that when I've only been a true dragon for a few days. That is just asking for a massive accident. So I'll transform a bit higher up, and Nanoka moves me into the box where Shyla then has to work quickly to dress me.
That is the part that got Nanoka hung up about the plan. She's worried about me flashing everyone and didn't think my logic that everyone there has already seen me naked was enough to risk the timing. Geta is going to join us and hide my nakedness from everyone in the transfer. That and the grooming were enough to get Nanoka on board.
"He is still a baby, so he should be fine to take, My Empress," Kou says. "I'm more worried about Irlo. I know she wants to see the entrance, but the game could take a while, and I'm sure she'll get bored."
"Aurora can come, and that will keep her acting on her best behavior," I say.
"She has to teach the rest of the kids, My Empress," Kou says.
"Ah, yes," I say. "They are all taking lessons. Um, Nanoka can return her if she gets bored? But she's a princess. I don't think everyone has spoiled her so much that she won't behave in public."
"I'm fine helping her escape if need be," Nanoka says. "Can't blame the girl for wanting to see her plan in action. I'm excited to see everyone's reaction as well."
"Great, so that should be everything," I say. "You all go straight to the box while I fly in. Geta sends a message when she starts to blur me. I transform, then Nanoka moves me into the box where Shyla puts me in a simple dress. Anything I'm missing?"
"No, that has it all, My Empress," Kou says.
I really do abuse my wife's skills.
"When should we head out?" I ask.
"Now, My Empress," Kou says. "You can just fly for a bit longer if we're early, but it should be the right timing if we go now."
"Time for some fun," I say.
...
"Hello, Love," Space says.
This time she took us to the living room. Sky is floating around the room, looking more like a toddler now than a baby. It's annoying how fast kids grow up, and then the Goddesses go so much quicker, and then the ones I hardly see grow up the fastest. Contract looks older than Irlo now.
"Daddy!" Sky shouts and comes zipping over to me. I pull her into a hug and wait for Space to yell at me about the newest divine being.
"I'm not going to yell about Sky's brother," Space chuckles. "But you have got some of us grumbling. But it's a good thing. Mother wasn't fixing things as she should be. She's been there to help Power with their kid and make sure Sky knows her sisters, but she wasn't helping the mortal realms like she should've been. Some still joke that Death is more active in Fertility's temple than Fertility. It's better, but we both know it isn't as fast as it needs to be. This was good for the world. I wonder if my next ones will cause a stir like him. It's good that you'll be raising him down there where he'll have some brothers to play with."
"Yes, that is a good thing," I say. "I do hope that at least a few more Gods are created so he can have friends when he grows up."
"We'll see," Space says. "But how about we worry about our daughter?"
"Of course," I say. "Have to make the most of the visit. Shall we fly around?"
"YES!" Sky shouts.
"Let's go," I chuckle.
...
"Ok, now I just have to strip," I say. We're outside Space's temple, so nobody is around besides my wives and my kids. "Once you all get far enough away."
I'm not really good at the whole stripping while transforming thing. Eterna says it takes a while to learn, and you have to have simple clothing around that can handle moving in and out of storage without issue. Shyla can handle getting me the right clothing; I just need to figure out how to combine them. I could have... No, I shouldn't have a Goddess do that. But it would be funny to force one to help me.
Nanoka teleports them all to the box, and I just have to start flying. Shyla will section off a little corner for Nanoka to put me in, so we don't have to worry about Irlo seeing me naked.
I climb up to the few clouds in the sky. I was hoping for more cover so I could get closer before everyone would see me, but I haven't created Weather yet. Maybe I could've paid Sky to do something about it, but I shouldn't encourage my kids to expand into affinities that aren't theirs.
I'll have to count on Irlo telling me everyone's reaction because I can only see them all staring at me as I close into the event space.
I make a big circle around the event, climbing higher since the sky is clear here. Give myself more room to dive down. Do I roar as I fall? No, Nanoka said, there are some kids here besides Irlo, so I shouldn't scare them.
When I've climbed to where I can feel the air thin around me, I start my dive. I pull my wings in and head face-first towards the ground.
Faster and faster I fall, waiting for Geta to tell me to transform.
'Now.'
I retract my mana, and Nanoka pulls me into the box.
"Here we go, Empress Alzi," Shyla says. "Just a moment. Underwear first."
"I know how to get dressed," I say.
"Just making sure you know what all we're putting on," Shyla says. "But very well. What shoes do you want?"
"Heels are fine," I say. "You can make them big."
"As you wish, Empress Alzi," Shyla Chuckles.
The dress covers me completely. I'm already back to my slim self. The pregnancy weight is just fading off me. I think that is the first sign that I'm turning into a Goddess. I've never gotten slim this fast. It's been a decade since I was this thin. I didn't have the same tits back then, but it feels good not to be a massive ball waddling around for once. We'll see how long it lasts. Hopefully, I make it to Yzzorres giving birth, and I can deal with her complaining then to get the three kids I owe her in my next pregnancy.
"Is anyone else in the box?" I ask.
"No," Shyla says. "Eliyen has to prepare for her games, and the other men were called back home, unfortunately. It will be just your family."
"That's fine," I say. "If Irlo gets bored, I can play with her for a bit, and then we can all get sucked into the ending. Kou, you're going to have to tell us what is going on if the announcers ignore Cornelius again."
"Of course, My Empress," Kou says.
"So, Irlo, how did I look?" I ask.
"AMAZING! I still think I should've been riding on top of you," Irlo says.
"Never going to happen when I have to dive down," I say. "Not until you learn how to fly yourself."
"I would be fine, and it would be so majestic!" Irlo says. "But fine. Everyone was watching! They were in awe of my brilliant idea."
Yes, her idea and not the beautiful dragon in the air. This girl. "Of course," I say. "It made for a wonderful entrance. We'll see what the announcers have to say about it. The players look to be coming in now."
"Welcome back, everyone," the announcers say. "Thank you, Empress Alzi, for that wonderful show to start us off. You are beautiful in all forms and shine brightly. We hope your newborns are doing well, and we are honored you decided to join us so soon after giving birth. Thank you again for letting us set up on the castle grounds. We're able to host almost all the games of this round on the main floor thanks to your wonderful help. This will be the last round held here. After this round, we'll be moving back to the temple to finish off the tournament. But now that the players are all seated. Start the clocks!"
All forms. Someone has seen me in the brothel.
"Well, let's see how they start," I say.
...
"Is he winning?" I ask.
"I don't think so, My Empress," Kou says. "But I'm not familiar with this endgame. It could be a winning position, but I would imagine it would take perfect play to win."
"Eliyen said it would be hard to get farther than this. But it's good he made it this far," I say. "Well, I shouldn't count him out. Oh, did he just surrender?"
"Yes, My Empress," Kou says. "It requires perfect play to win the end game, but he didn't have all the information he needed to play perfectly, Is my guess at what happened. He played a great game."
"The game outlasted most of the other games," I say. "He did well. Are his wives still in the tournament?"
"All but one, and she lost in the last round. The rest won their game already."
"So he'll go spend time with them instead of coming here," I say.
"No, he'll be coming up, My Empress," Kou says, raising her eyebrow.
Oh, yeah, you can't just ignore the Empress who made her presence well known. I hope he doesn't mind. Did I put too much pressure on him?
"Empress Alzi," Cornelius says. "Thank you for coming to watch me. Sorry, it was a lose. But I made it farther than I should've."
"You played well," I say. "I want you to meet a new God. The God of Men."
"We have our own Goddess?" Cornelius asks.
"No, the first god," I say.
"Oh, that is going to cause some fun problems," Cornelius chuckles. "That is great. Thank you, Alzi. It is an honor to meet our God."
"You're the first male not in the family to do so," I say. "He likes you. Come on. Maybe you'll get lucky. Come on. Hold him. They take after me, so they're nice."
Oh, how funny it would be if he became a champion. Men having a champion. He would have to become the strongest in his family. What would they do then? Please. I need to see what happens.
As soon as Cornelius touches Man, I see the small white light flash. "Looks like he believes in you," I say. "You must have impressed him out there, new Champion."
"You can't space these things out a bit?" Geta asks.
"I'm not the cause of most of them," I say. "I'm just always there. Now, Cornelius, I'll have to work with Elora to protect you for a bit. Don't need some jealous women causing you some problems."
"Ummm, yes, thank you, Empress Alzi," Cornelius says.
"Take a seat, and we can talk for a bit," I say. "I think you need some time to think about things."
"That sounds wonderful," Cornelius says. "I am lucky to have met you and then got to see you a second time."
"I'm happy to have a friend," I say. "Luck was born after both meetings, so I don't think it was Luck's fault that we saw each other for a second time."
"You and your divine beings," Cornelius says.
"I do have a lot of them."