Chapter 201 - 2.78 A test of Patience
The next three months of the two young ones' lives flew by quite quickly and Diana couldn't get over the fact of how slowly the other planets' life moved.
"It's so boring to watch, what's the point?" She laughed while holding Xander's hand.
"Yeah," Xander said with a laugh. "I try not to focus on it because I'll start to get sad but this time it's completely different! The first time when I was with my parents and little brother and sister I just wanted to go home so badly, but this time, it's been such a fun experience getting to know you better and help you adjust to life as a goddess." He admitted with rosy cheeks.
She blushed too, "I know… I never thought living with another boy would be so… comfortable? I think that's the right word. We don't fight, we're able to work through disagreements, even that really bad one we had about Athena's blessing."
"Yeah, sorry about that. I just honestly didn't want you to jump into something on the first day, or first month here without getting to know me and getting to know life in Paradise first. I'm glad we were able to talk about it and get past it and I'm glad you finally came around. I promise when we both feel comfortable enough to where marriage is an actual reality, we will receive Nana Fena's blessing, I promise."
She smiled. "I'm glad you talked me out of it if I'm being honest! I was so over the moon that all the memories of you and I were gone and that I was in Paradise, it was all just so romantic. But just because we're destined to be together forever doesn't mean we should rush into a marriage. I mean just because Julius and Rissa got married so young doesn't mean we have too!"
Xander smiled. He was glad everything was going so smoothly and glad she was adjusting to the much different, peaceful life in Paradise. There wasn't noise, no birds chirping, no wind, just peace. They tried several times to get Hope to fly inside of Diana but without Athena's blessing, it just wouldn't work.
"So what do you want to do today?" Xander asked while holding her hand, sitting on their front porch of the realm created for his parents.
"Well seeing as how we have this entire realm to ourselves, I was thinking we could portal to Exteria for a day and say hi to everyone?"
"Can't. Sorry. That would just disrupt our timeflow way too much and I don't want to overdo it with my powers. I know how you feel though, you miss everyone, don't you?"
"I do. I can understand why you basically forced your parents to bring you back," she giggled.
"Yeah… I miss everyone too but we have to remember, for them, it'll just be two days so there's no need to worry. They look happy and Emery and Emma are handling it just fine. I'm just surprised my dad let me come, that's all."
'Shit, I shouldn't have said that. I can't exactly tell her he was an Orphan and now she's super intrigued and curious.'
"Why's that? Because you're their oldest son?"
"It's a little bit more than that…my dad grew up very isolated. Grandma Ditey left when he was a baby and Grandpa Cyrus only stayed until he was around 7, so the King at the time and his guards, teachers, and tutors were really all he could interact with. Then there was Luna… and well, you know all about her. I think maybe we should meet her soon."
"That's so sad! I bet he's happy to have such a large party and big family now, though! You're kind of in the same boat, though, aren't you? You grew up in Paradise with your family and your phoenix, away from everyone you love. That had to be really hard, wasn't it?"
"Yes… it was and I was glad when I got home they put me in school. It was nice to be around everyone I missed so much but it's going to be really weird going back and being just a year younger than Julius! You too! Although, we won't age very much once we hit 18 I don't think. My mom still looks 21 and my dad doesn't look much older than 25."
"So you're stuck with me forever," she teased.
"Willingly stuck with you forever, yes. Like I promised you before, if things ever get to the point where you're in danger I don't care how dangerous it is, I'll just keep rewinding time until you're safe."
"I think you should probably reconsider that promise, Xander," Athena said politely.
Diana gasped.
"Don't worry young one, I don't foresee that needing to be the case. I think a better promise would be if you were in danger to portal you here." She said with a smile.
'Damn, I scared the hell out of Diana.'
"Sorry Diana! See, that's why she's the absolute ruler and I'm just a silly young god who happens to love a beautiful young goddess who puts up with my nonsense!"
Diana finally laughed. "Well, we're in this together, don't forget that."
"Indeed you two are. I figured you two would like to train today. As you know, the war is brewing on Exteria but we are all watching closely."
"What do you think Diana, do you want to do some training?"
"Heck yeah I do! I want to push my foresight to the next level and I want to figure out these new abilities that keep floating through my head or I see myself using in the future."
"Be careful not to rush those, dear. They will develop when they are ready. Today's lesson will be about patience." Athena said with a kind smile.
"Patience, what do you mean?"
"Xander, I am teleporting you somewhere in Paradise and you have to find your way back without her help. She has to wait here without attempting to save or locate you. This is a vital test as if she were to come looking for you, I have gods and goddesses located across Paradise who would do everything in their power to stop her."
"They wouldn't hurt her, right?"
"No, but they would send her back and each time would be more miserable than the last, so Diana, I encourage you to stay put. You need to trust Xander to get back to you."
"What about me? Will I face any obstacles?"
"Of course you will! Do you think I'd make it that easy?" Athena grinned.
"Well Diana, what do you think?"
"I think you better get back to me quickly and not leave me all alone!"
Xander gave her Hope, who sat nestled on her shoulder and gave her a passionate kiss.
"I'll never leave you alone. I promise."
"Ok, off you go then!" Athena said as she teleported Xander away.
"How long do you think it will be Athena?" Diana asked nervously.
"Could be a day, could be a year. It's all up to him."