Over the next two months Sorbella became a full blown city. Over 50,000 humans, Uthra, vampires and even demons filled up the now large city streets. The rich pounced on the opportunity to open new businesses in the city, although much of it was still funded by Brie and Sora.
Julius still enjoyed living at Sora's mansion, and even got his own unique seal created for him. He couldn't join the party, but he was given a special seal that allowed him to teleport to the party when in imminent danger, couldn't speak that he knew of Sora's mansion, and earned a share of any dungeon clearing he completed.
He mostly trained with Levi, Leila and Sera in C-B ranked dungeons. He was gaining strength by the day and his demon art was now able to control several, lower level enemies.
Brie and Sora spent most of their time in the castle but would teleport to the mansion for sleep. It was nice to get away from the castle walls and constant responsibilities of being King and Queen.
On a summer night, a few days before Brie's birthday, Athena appeared in Sora's dream.
"Hello Sora. I have a few questions to ask you."
"Sure my lady, what's on your mind?" Sora asked politely in his dream space.
"What would you do if an enemy showed up at your door and offered a compromise?" Athena asked politely.
"Hear them out and make a decision accordingly. I'm only King and although you blessed Brie and I as absolute rulers of Exteria, it's important to me all races live healthy lives free of fear," Sora responded quickly.
"Very good Sora. You know your Father passed the trial of the gods. You will not have to pass this trial. I know you can sense you are close. You can teleport at will, speak telepathically to your entire party and activate both of your eyes. You just need a little push," Athena said while she pushed Sora.
He woke up in a cold sweat. Brie was still sound asleep.
[Congratulations Sora. You are no longer half-Uthra. You have unlocked your god form.]
'I'm a god?'
Alarm bells buzzed loudly and Sora quickly woke Brie. He teleported her to the castle.
"System, shut the alarms off."
"Is this how you greet all your council members," Azazel said with a laugh.
"Hey Azazel. Sorry. It's like what, 3 am and you show up unannounced? Can you blame them?" Sora smiled.
"No. But thank you. Do you think I could have a word with you and your Queen—Nice pajamas your majesty," Azazel said with another laugh.
Brie went bright red in the face. "Thanks?" She said in a confused tone.
"What the hell is going on Sora? By the way you're illuminating. What did I miss?" Brie asked him telepathically.
"Athena came to me in a dream and asked me a question then unlocked my god form. It was weird." Sora said as they walked into the Council room of the Castle.
*****
"So what brings you to Sorbella lord Azazel!" Sora asked politely.
"Did you know I was once King?" Azazel asked.
"No, I'm sorry I did not. What happened?"
"We lived in a world of peace. Everything was wonderful… until the vampires came into existence. Then war. Absolute chaos everywhere. Everyone blames the demons, but it wasn't just us. Vampires attacked us. We attacked dragons. Humans attacked elves. Uthra attacked werewolves. It was a mess. The great Chimera went into hiding, aside from Rook, who I'm sure you've met," Azazel said.
"Celeste, is he telling the truth?" Sora asked.
"Yes," she responded.
"That's terrible. I'm guessing that's why you're upset I was made King in a time of peace?"
"You have always been a smart one, that's for sure. Yes. It is actually. That's why I've come to you with a proposition. Both of you will have to agree of course," Azazel said kindly.
"We are happy to hear you out. But with all due respect Lord Azazel, why didn't you come to Sora and me with this sooner?" Brie asked kindly.
Azazel laughed. "Defy the great King Joseph's orders with his loyal Uthra, vampires, humans and yourselves as new King and Queen? I was mad. Can you blame me?"
"For being mad? No. But I can forgive you for having your sins try to kill Brie," Sora said as Brie shot Azazel a nasty glance.
"I simply presented you with a choice. Anyway, let me rule over the werewolves and Demons. I will not start a war anytime soon as long as you allow me to do these things," Azazel said with a polite bow.
"I will agree to this with one condition. I find it odd a single werewolf has not come to Sorbella and last I checked, you had demons still sneaking out at risk of being caught and killed. Give them all safe passage to Sorbella and you have yourself in a deal," Sora said kindly.
"Brie, are you ok with this?" Azazel asked curiously.
"Yes. As long as you allow demons to live their lives where they want too, we have a deal," Brie said kindly.
"Would you like us to do one of our public announcements?" Sora asked.
"No need. No sense confusing the people. You two still have absolute rule per Athena. I thank you two for being reasonable. Sorry for the late night scare," Azazel said as he teleported away.
*****
"Well Azazel, how did it go?" a giant warrior asked him in his Lair. This was no demon.
"Exactly as planned. Get the rest of the titans prepared. We will move out for war in six months," Azazel said with glee.
*****
"Ok that was weird," Celeste said as she removed her invisibility.
"Yes, it was," Sora said.
"Wow you're a god now, aren't you?" Celeste asked.
"Yes. Athena asked me what I'd do if an enemy came to me with a proposition. Like this exact situation and I told her I'd hear them out and make a decision that was best for the people. Then she pushed me and unlocked my god form," Sora said with a smile.
"I didn't think you could possibly become any more handsome," Brie said with a smile.
"Thanks Brie! Celeste, do you think he's found one of the lost races?" Sora asked.
"Probably. I don't see why he'd be so friendly otherwise. Why would he give up his demons if he didn't have replacements," Celeste said.
"That would explain a lot. When I was reliving Sora's life, I heard in one of his studies that Titans, Chimera, dragons and elves also lived on Exteria. I don't see the Chimera joining with him, so it's the elves or Titans. I think it's time we finally visit the elves," Brie suggested.
"Damnit Brie," Sora said with a laugh. "There goes my birthday present."
"Seriously?! You were going to take me to meet the elves?" Brie shouted joyously.
"And ask you if you'd marry me there, yes." Sora said with a kind smile.
"I think it's a great idea but let me go first. I'll return and let you know if they agree to host a wedding! This is so exciting," Celeste cheered.
Sora teleported everyone to the mansion and used his speaker system to have everyone assemble in the living room.
After telling them what happened over the last few hours, he finally worked up the courage to tell them.
"Celeste just left to meet the elves. If they agree, Brie and I will be getting married in two weeks," Sora said confidently.
"Seriously?! That's so awesome!" Sasha said as she gave her best friend a hug.
"I'll be your best man, no doubt!" Levi said, claiming the position himself.
"We can make all those plans when we get word from—"
"The elves agreed to meet you two and host your wedding. Apparently the King spoke very highly of you and they're up to date with what's going on around the world. Also, you were right. The demons found the titans," Celeste said calmly.
"Let's not let that damper what's ahead of us. Azazel won't do anything in the meantime," Sera said.
Sora's cell phone rang.
"Hello?— ok we will be right there."
Outside of Sorbella stood 50,000 demons, all looking for a place to stay.
"How the hell are we going to feed all of them?" Sora asked.
"I know just the guy," Sera said with a smile. "Hey Mr. G! I hope you came stocked with plenty of food!"
"Is that Sera! I have and there are other food vendors here as well. Azazel sent us with plenty, free of charge! Can you believe it?"
"Yes, I can. Celeste, work your magic." Sora said.
Celeste created several large apartment complexes and Sora's party escorted all the demons inside.
After an exhausting day, they all finally rushed to bed.
"Hey Sora?" Brie asked.
"What's up babe?" He asked.
"Are you rushing our marriage because of the whole Azazel thing?" Brie asked with a frown.
"One second," Sora said as he got up and went to a safe he hid in his walk-in closet. After entering the pin, he walked back out with a box.
"Here's your answer," Sora said as he threw Brie the small box. It was heavy.
"You already have a ring?!" Brie asked and threw it back.
"It's been 5 months. I figured why wait?" Sora said with a smile. "I love you Brie. Almost losing you made it an easy decision. Like I said, I had everything planned out for your birthday anyway."
The two were too exhausted to fool around, but Brie was glad she had Celeste, Sasha, Leila and Sera.
'They will make sure this goes off perfectly,' she thought as she fell asleep on Sora's chest.
He had finally stopped illuminating.