The Infinity Chronicles Volume 1

Chapter 2A, Act-7: The Rise of the MGE...

Chapter 2A

The Rise of the MGE

Date: 30-Sept-2328

Imperial City, Marrok

Act 7: "Life-Mates and a Champion..."

Alex lounged with Cygna as Ashia spoke to them mentally. They lay atop a pile of pillows in the back chamber of Ashia's temple, an area cordoned off from the rest of the temple and usually reserved for high priestess functions, mating rituals, etc.

"So Master, are you ready for your trials?" Ashia had asked him.

"Yes slave girl, I am ready for the rituals."

Those rituals were the Life-mating rituals. Alex was never afraid of the 'C' word, like so many of his friends, and he felt an unusually strong connection to Cygna. He wouldn't let her slip away, like he had seen among a fair majority of his friends. She looked at him, a mix of trepidation and excitement in her eyes. From all accounts, it was possible to both fail AND die during a ritual, where you would be tempted by all manners of false love, from your past as well as your present.

He had spent the better part of the day trying to clear his mind of distractions, and to focus on his feelings for Cygna.

"Can I pass the ritual, yet still be killed by it? And what are the up and downsides of being life mates?" He asked both Ashia and Cygna. Cygna said nothing, only looking to the floor. Ashia spoke softly in his mind.

"Yes, you can, and to answer your other questions, if you succeed and survive the process, I'll explain the upsides. The downsides are rather harsh. If either you or Cygna are killed, and I mean permanently killed, the other dies with him or her, Master. If you are successful, you will have achieved a level of connection with your intended that very few ever reach. I wish you all the best." As she became quiet in his mind. Cygna handed him the goblet with the sacramental wine, which he took a long pull from.

He was unconscious in seconds.

He awoke, to find himself back aboard the Nimitz. Clarissa was there, dressed only in a pair of panties, and two flowery pasties covering the speed bumps she had for nipples. She held her arms out to him. He took a step forward, and then remembered why he was seeing her.

'Cygna, I have to focus on Cygna.' He kept telling himself as Clarissa hugged him and made the usual bodily suggestions she had done when she wanted him to take her. He fought his raging libido into a bottle and sealed it, figuratively speaking. Pushing her away, he said "Loving you is what got me into a world of shit with the Navy, and I don't want that again. Just go away." And she disappeared.

The image before his eyes changed, and he found himself standing in a lavishly appointed den, in a house that was vaguely familiar.

"Alex, look at this huge balloon I bought today. Want to come upstairs, and make this bad girl blow it up for you?"

Alex turned to see Maggie Caldwell, all 5'8" of her, with soft curves and a willing smile, standing there, her full red lips wrapped around the neck of what looked to be a 3 meter paddle shaped balloon. The jar was straining now, but he redoubled his efforts.

"No Maggie. Not anymore. I have someone in my life now, and she means the world to me."

"NO! You won't pass me off for some hussy!" She screeched, reaching into her purse and pulling a small pistol!

He dropped into a combat stance, looking for a way out. He saw none.

"You will make love to me, on this balloon, or else!" She screamed, pointing the gun at his head.