Lewd Dungeon, Chapter 397

Chapter 397 – Wedding, Part 1

It was one week to the day after the end of the Divine Trial, but all talk about the dragon, and how the Monkey King defeated him, had fallen by the wayside. Oh, it wasn’t like people had forgotten it. In fact, the videos taken from drone cameras were still some of the most-watched videos on different site. However, the world moves on, and there is always something new to draw the public’s eye.

In this case, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the ancient city of Athens, and to the Parthenon, in particular. Today was the fall equinox, one of the two days out of the year when day and night were balanced. After this evening, the nights would start getting longer. It was a day that was sacred, or at least special, to many faiths and peoples throughout the world, even if it was only as a means of marking the seasons passing.

Now, though, representatives from countries around the world had descended upon Athens. Of the three hundred and fifty individuals invited to the ceremony itself, only about fifty were political leaders, such as the Greek Prime Minister, or the American President, along with their significant others and some of their adult children. While no one had made an official declaration limiting the age of mortal attendees, most people acknowledged that bringing children to a skyclad wedding, especially one held in the traditions of my church, was a bad idea. The only aliens in the political delegation were Ambassadors Nyca Zygrash of the Fimaazro and Qeiri of the Dogik.

The next two hundred of the guests were representatives of the different Adventurers Guilds from around the world. And not just from this world, either. A contingent of six was there from Bluemountain, led by Kilyn and Naesarra Longshadow, with Esabel Threeshield, the fallen Queen of Vinastra, Tanila and Radelia Threeshield, formerly Princesses of Vinastra, and Alea Longshadow, former Archmage of Vinastra (and mother to the other Longshadows), behind them. The two Longshadow sisters held their heads high, while their mother and the former royals kept theirs bowed. It had taken time, but the four had been trained properly.

Fifty of the remainder were avatars or monsters from various dungeons. Most were from European dungeons, but not all. A Void Goblin stood as representative of the Majin no Shiren dungeon on the moon, which I’d conquered. The Kitsune avatar of Silver Mercy’s dungeon was there, as well. In fact, every dungeon which was part of the Global DEN had a presence, here.

The last fifty spots, then, were for the gods. The main players of the Greek pantheon were here, of course. Zeus and Hephaestus looked particularly uncomfortable standing next to the very visibly pregnant Hera and Aphrodite, respectively, but the rest of that contingent were enjoying themselves. The Norse gods were here, as well, with Freya at their head, and so were several of the kami from Japan, led by Susanoo. There were other delegations, as well, such as Coyote dragging along a few Native American gods, but the three standouts, from a mortal perspective, were the divine messengers, Saint Peter, Moses, and Muhammad, each of whom was looking rather uncomfortable at their manner of dress, or lack thereof, but they weren’t going to rock the boat when I’d helped them deal with their problem of mortals poisoning their faiths.

Everyone was standing, dressed in black hooded robes which hung open in front, revealing that everyone was naked underneath. A privacy ward had been placed around the Parthenon, so no paparazzi would be getting scandalous pictures. That hadn’t stopped one ‘enterprising’ soul from trying to plant hidden cameras in the changing rooms, but that sort of thing had been expected, and I’d not only destroyed the cameras, but transported the idiot to the Breeding Halls in my dungeon.

Maranda Cortez

High Elf Female

Level 12 Blessed Hand of Kuronoth / Master Alchemist

Market Value: 6,345,873 gp

Zannah Bane

Dark Angel Female

Level 12 Holy Sword of Kuronoth / Blessed Enchantress

Market Value: 8,450,500 gp

Two figures stood at the altar, Maranda Cortez and Zannah Bane. My Hand and my Sword had grown, breaking through into Tier 2. Both had already been Tier 2 races, so those did not change, but they were now a Blessed Hand of Kuronoth / Master Alchemist, and a Holy Sword of Kuronoth / Blessed Enchantress. As the officiants of this wedding, they were dressed the same as everyone else, except each of them had golden collars around their necks, emblazoned with my symbol. Naturally, Zannah’s robe had been altered to allow for her wings. She was also the only person with a weapon not stored safely in their inventory. However, while the [Silver Sword of Ceremonies] and [Silver Shield of Ceremonies] could be used like any other sword and shield, as their names suggested, they were more ceremonial items than tools of combat.

The time came. It was noon, and the sun was high in the sky overhead. Zannah clashed her sword against the shield, once, twice, thrice, but instead of a clash of metal, the sound echoed like a silver bell being struck. As the final tone echoed against the marble of the ancient temple, Maranda spoke. She didn’t raise her voice or yell, but the magic in her collar made it so that everyone heard her, as if they were standing next to her.

“Hark now, and listen, all you who have come here! This is the time for blessed joinings and new beginnings! Just as the sun overhead chases away the shadows, all those here have bared themselves, so that there are no secrets in this place. For no matter whether it is the Bonding of Dominance and Submission, the Bonding of Bonds, or, as in this case, the Bonding of Equals, it is an unassailable truth that secrets and lies are a poison that will destroy even the strongest union. Only through honest communication can a bond grow, and thrives, and so we begin that communication here and now.

“The first step to being honest with those you are connected to, however, is to be honest with yourself. For no bond is truly complete when one of its members tries to deny their own thoughts and feelings. There is no shame or dishonor in seeing another person, and finding them attractive, or looking upon someone’s body, and envying them for what they have that you lack. Whether we be gods, mortals, or dungeons, that kind of thinking is only natural. What is unnatural, and shameful, and dishonorable is to deny those thoughts and feelings, pushing them down and burying them, as though they never existed.

“For how can one grow stronger, if you do not acknowledge where you are weak? There is no crime in weakness of thought or feeling. But you must acknowledge that weakness, and work to confront it, and become better through that effort. And you must acknowledge your strengths, as well, and ensure that they are used. Insecurity is a lie you tell yourself, and so you must acknowledge the truth, or you will ever be less than you could be, and your bonds will suffer.”

Zannah spoke next, and her voice was transmitted just the same. “Bonds are forged in many ways. Logical deals, partners in battle, friends who’ve grown together, and so many more. However, Bonds are almost always broken by betrayal. Lies, whether to your self or your partner, are a betrayal, just as secrets kept unspoken are a betrayal. When there is no communication, or when both sides do not truly listen to what is being said, then a Bond is doomed.

“When we speak of Bonds such as the one you have come to witness, there are many who would say that straying from the marriage bed is a betrayal, while there are others who would say that taking one’s pleasure where they can is no betrayal, so long as you return to your bond in the end. In truth, both are right, and both are wrong. These expectations must be clearly spoken and shared. Not just before the Bond is forged. Communication between bondmates is no simple ‘one and done’ affair. Each of us is always changing, always growing. And so we must revisit conversations of the past from time to time, instead of lying to ourselves, and assuming that nothing changes.

“This is even more important in those areas where Bonded do not agree. If they are true to their bond, then they will speak, openly and honestly, and work towards a compromise that both can live with. However, this compromise must be maintained through communication. Otherwise, what might be a keystone supporting your Bond may become a millstone around your necks, dragging it down.”

Maranda spoke again, “In the Church of Kuronoth, there are three types of Bonding ceremonies. Today, we witness the Bonding of Equals, where there is no dominance or submission. All those in such a bond are equals to each other, none above the others, though this need not mean they are equal in all things. Just as a Fighter would defer to a Wizard on questions of the arcane, but that same Wizard would defer to the Fighter when it comes to a melee, so is it with bondmates. No two bondmates are the same, and so, even when they stand as equals, there is no submission in allowing the other to take center stage when their skills are needed, so long as you always keep open and honest communication between you.”

Zannah held up her sword, and an orb of light roughly as bright as a torch appeared at the tip, before it rose up, into the air, and then split, moving towards each side of the open area before the altar. “When Equals come to be bonded, they must come separately, yet at the same time, so that neither can be said to be leading the other, and that neither is ‘first’ amongst these Equals. Now, let the two who are to forge their Bond come forth. Let those who have gathered here see them, and see that they have no secrets hidden!”

That was our cue. In the spotlight to the audience’s right, Athena appeared in the shape of an owl, flying down from a high place where she’d been hidden. As she entered the light, her form glowed, and she was now standing there in the flesh, wearing an open robe like everyone else, but hers was made to look as though it was entirely comprised of an owl’s feathers, and a circlet of polished brass rested upon her brow.

At the same time, I used smoke and shadow to announce my presence, as I had done more than once in Swamptown, and other places. The smoke coalesced into the body of my avatar, and the shadow became a robe, black as midnight, but with the symbol of my church emblazoned in silver that glowed softly with an inner light. Naturally, I had nothing on underneath, the same as Athena, and everyone else here. I had nothing to hide, after all. Around my neck hung an amulet upon an iron chain, with a blood-red stone in the shape of a crystal, which represented the core of my dungeon, back in Florida.

As one, Athena and I approached the altar, and each other. As we moved, the lights above us moved as well. Each was arrayed slightly in front of us as we walked, so that it did not cast our faces in shadow. Twenty paces for each of us, and then we stood before the altar. I could see the nervousness on Athena’s face, along with the determination. She had chosen this, after all, and she was not a goddess who would idly turn back on a decision, once made. Not when this event would be key to shaping the future of Earth. I winked at her, with the eye not facing the crowd, and then, as one, we turned, and knelt at the altar.