"From what I understand, a goddess can never lose her divinity. Was I wrong?" Leanne asked with a concerned look.

"Ah, hmm, no, I was thinking ... yeah you're right. It's just that being fairly new to the mortal world I'm not entirely sure of the extent of my powers," Ada tried to brush it off with a wave of her hand. She knew that she wasn't nearly as knowledgeable as Leanne on the expected capabilities of deities in this world but with Ruciella, or Aurian here, she wasn't going to reveal more of her extensive ignorance. She decided to continue calling the girl Ruciella since she liked the name better.

Ruciella did not appear to notice Ada's stammering. She stared at Ada in wide-eyed wonder. "So are you a goddess of elements? You manipulated fire and earth like a master potter with clay."

"You can say that but we'll have to talk more later. Infodumps can take a while and really a lot of things I would be saying those watching or playing may already be familiar with," Ada said. She sometimes thought that given the simulated game-like interface of this world, she might have been taken to a simulation.

A slight confusion flashed across Leanne's face but she did not say anything since by now Ada knew that she was thoroughly familiar with her goddess's eccentricities. Ruciella did not look confused at all. "Interesting thought, Goddess Ada. Sorry, bad habits on not addressing you with your title. Several of my colleagues have thought of our world as merely a figment of imagination in someone else's world. We're maybe a world within another world. Perhaps we're merely a playground in the world of the gods."

"The simulation hypothesis by someone from our own world, Nick Bostrom, explains that. If we're living in a simulation, then the cosmos that we live in is just a tiny piece of the totality of physical existence."

"Intriguing! I have brought this up with the teachers at the Academy but most of them, especially the older ones, just told me to go away and study more practical magic. With the exception of Master Arbon and Master Usura, I think everyone at the Academy over the age of sixty somehow ended up with ostrich brains."

"That really reminds me of some of the professors at an university I was attending. Not everyone but plenty just seem to focus on the same research topic for most of their lives..."

"Woah! Deities have universities as well? You'll have to tell me what you guys learn. Sorry, I forgot to address you as Goddess Ada again. Bad habit."

"Don't worry about it. I'm not one for fancy titles."

"Heh, imagine that. I haven't heard a god telling anyone of the Galacia Club this. I think I like your style more than any of theirs. And I really hope none of them are listening. I believe ..."

"We need to leave before the city guards arrive and we need to heal his dog as soon as possible," Leanne interrupted Ruciella. Ada looked over and saw a clear displeasure and maybe what could be conceived as envy on her seer's face. Was she jealous that Ada and Ruciella's cheerful banter? How cute, Ada thought.

"That's right! Can Sçæaisøh kindly lead the way to the closest healing temple?" Ada hoped she didn't completely mispronounce his name. quickly called up systemhelper and transformed the cage holding the man back to the gold coins. She heard them jingle in her pocket.

Leanne repeated Ada's words in Exicozan. With what little dignity he could muster, he slowly pushed himself from the ground and stood up. None of the ladies other wanted to be too close to him which was not a surprise with his scruffy beard and the crazy tangled black hair, he looked like a homeless bum who hung out at city street corners. He squinted and raised his arms to block the sun in his eyes before nodding slowly. Words in a gruff tone tumbled from his mouth like gravel rolling down a hill. It was unpleasant to hear and Ada had the thought that she would have preferred he stayed in the echo chamber of the cage.

"He says that there's one three blocks from here in the southwest direction. He's not sure which temple it is but we can take a look. He said he would take us there but he's not sure how we'll move his dog without a wagon. The creature is in no condition to walk on his own," Leanne translated.

"Ruciella, do you know of any healing spells or have any healing potions?" Ada asked. In fantasy novels or video games, these were necessities.

"I really like being called Aurian more," With her sharp ears, Ada heard the girl mutter quietly. Out of respect, Ada would call her Aurian but would still think of her as Ruciella.

Ruciella cleared her throat. "I'm trained more in the elemental arts but I think I know Minor Heal. Not sure if this would work but let's see."

The magician approached the dog but before she could touch the dog, the man shouted something and rushed past Ruciella to stand beside the creature. He held out his hand blocking her further approach.

Leanne smoothed her face and responded in a voice that was surprisingly calm. Ruciella just looked annoyed. Ada asked. "What's he saying?"

Leanne opened her mouth but Ruciella cut to the chase first. She said angry, "This ostrich brain is saying that no magician will ever touch his dog Kayu. How ridiculous that a scum of the Urth is telling me that magic is an abomination against the gods!"

"I think it's time for me to use Compulsion," Ada thought. Aloud, she said, "Sçæaisøh, you listen to me. Sit over there quietly and let Aurian do her thing."

She was surprised at how readily the man complied. Without any protest or hesitation, the man, also known as the scum of the Urth according to Ruciella, walked over to the edge of the parapet and sat down. Ada saw that the man appeared to be in a daze. "Hey Leanne, how long does this Compulsion last?"

"It will last until you tell him that he can move again on his own," Leanne answered.

"Holy mackerel! I have never seen Compulsion work this fast before. We mortals have a long way to go if we ever get there," Ruciella whispered to herself. Ada wasn't sure if the girl knew that as a goddess, her hearing was sharp enough that she could hear the faintest whisper here. I'll keep quiet about that one, Ada thought.

"I think I'll leave him as he is now," Ada said.

"I think you should keep him like this until you tell him to jump off a cliff," Ruciella said with anger still in her face. "This pickled fish gill isn't worth it to keep as one of your followers."

"All life is worth something," Leanne had a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Ruciella turned to Leanne. "You sound like one of the respected elders at my Academy."

"Why, thank you," Leanne said with a smile. Ada saw that Leanne didn't notice Ruciella's eye roll once she turned away.

The dog Kayu was still quietly whimpering and made no effort to stop Ruciella gingerly touching it. There appeared a soft glow of white light which spread and enveloped the creature. A few seconds passed as Ruciella concentrated on Kayu. Ada saw no obvious changes but the dog stopped whimpering and opened its eyes.

"Is it done?" Ada asked.

"This is as much as I can do right now. I was never very good at healing probably cause it's one of the most boring magics to learn. I think the big ugly mutt should be able to walk now," Ruciella answered.

Leanne's face blushed red in anger. "Kayu is not a big ugly mutt. And you should not call him an 'it'. He is a creation of Ayula like all creatures in the world."

"Well, doesn't change the fact that it's still a big ugly mutt," Ruciella retorted.

As if in understanding, the dog arose on his four legs and growled. Ada took a step and held out her hands toward each girl. "Calm down you two. We need to take Kayu to a temple now. Philosophical talks can wait until later please."

"Yeah, we have bigger fish to fry here," Ruciella said. "Can you tell him to lead us the way. Probably it's best to leave the Compulsion there in case he tries something funny."

"Wait. Leanne, do you know a means of convincing Kayu to be one of my followers as well?" Ada asked as she stepped towards the dog. The dog whimpered again and backed up a few steps to his master. I give myself the title of Burner of Dogs with plus one damage to all dogs in the future from any of my attacks, Ada joked in her head.

"If he can understand and agrees, then yes. Unfortunately, I can no longer do this since I am no longer a member of the Temple of Ayula."

Ruciella looked at Ada with starry eyes again. "Holy mackerel! a former priestess of Ayula. Didn't know that you managed to steal one of them away."

"Yeah, Leanne and I met through interesting means. I'll give you the full scoop later."

"Better be as tasty as tarragon flounder," Ruciella grinned.

"Shall we move?" Leanne asked.

"Sçæaisøh, tell your dog to follow us. Lead the way to the closest temple that offers healing."

The man gave a soft whistle and the dog perked up his large ears. Kayu lolled out his tongue and grunted waiting for a command.

"Can you tell him to take us to the closest Temple of Ayula?" Leanne suggested.

"Hey! If you pledged allegiance to Ada here you should give up your bias towards your former master."

Leanne ignored Ruciella and turned to Ada. "Goddess Ayula offers the most complete healing in the shortest amount of time. The Temple of Mara is very good at healing people but not so much for other creatures. The Temple of Karren will not be able to heal Kayu since he is not a domesticated creature of the land."

"That makes sense. Sçæaisøh, please lead us the way to the closest temple and if that isn't the Temple of Ayula, lead us to another one," Ada commanded.

There was no nod from the man. He stared ahead and started walking in silence. The dog followed in silence as well. Ada thought it was eerie but it was better than being possibly duped by a scumbag. His pace was at a slower pace than usual but with the dog at least partially recovered, she did not feel that they needed to be in a rush. With the missing stone steps, they would not have been able to walk much faster. Ada and Leanne walked after the duo while Ruciella trailed behind. The atmosphere generated an inexplicable feeling of loss which Ada felt that everyone felt. No one said anything. Silence pervaded the place as before only punctuated by the thudding of footsteps and the clicks of the dog's claws.

They stepped on the ground floor and proceeded in silence to the front door. Suddenly, without any warning, the door burst open and three burly men dressed in the uniforms of the city guard stepped in. The man still proceeded forward as if he didn't notice though the dog had stopped walking and started growling. "Sçæaisøh, stop walking and come back!"

The man turned around and stepped beside Ada. Ruciella flexed her fingers and lightning danced between her fingertips. She remarked, "This day is just getting more interesting."

"Tell them that we are not looking to fight," Ada said.

Leanne said a few words and one of the men responded. Her face paled. "They said that we're being arrested for harming a citizen."