One by one Arthur and the others exited the teleportation gate, each shaking out the sand as they entered.

"I never would have guessed we would have to dig in here," Claire commented as she tousled her hair and sand began pouring out.

"Dig? I can't believe we had to endure a sand storm," Tess replied as she did the same.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Arthur replied as he withdrew his armor and the sand just fell to the ground. "But at least I was able to get some kind of understanding of that secret room."

The underground room in the desert level was an emergency treatment room the Dijin installed during the construction of the relic tombs. Even though the floor was intended to kill intruders, when their own went through the last thing they wanted was for them to die. The room was intended as an emergency room for injured Dijin that were traversing the relic tomb, but hadn't unlocked the healing branch of vivum. The table was a vivum artifact that was capable of healing even the most severe injury in a matter of seconds. The map's purpose was obvious, but the small stone-like artifacts and the pedestal were still a mystery. The only thing they knew for certain was that the stones were charged with aether from the pedestal when placed in the slots. Although he had no evidence, Arthur theorized that one of these rooms was on every level, and that it was a pure coincidence that they even discovered it.

"Yeah well, you can cook dinner tonight to make it up to us," Theo replied.

"Deal," Arthur replied as he looked around the room. The room was completely white marble with matching columns every twenty feet and several domes in the ceiling. About a hundred feet away was the gate to leave, to the left was a large pool of steaming water, to the right there was a fire pit with a flame already burning surrounded by several marble benches, and in the middle was a fountain of water. All this room needed would be some marble statues and it would have looked like they were in a Roman palace.

"Hey, is this one of those ummm, rest areas? No sanctuary rooms," Lilia asked, correcting herself.

Arthur looked around. "I think so. Let's check it out. I've seen a room before that looked like a sanctuary room but in fact was another floor."

Everyone looked around. The water in the pool was hot but comfortable, the water from the fountain cool and refreshing, and the fire good and hot. Everyone agreed, it was in fact a sanctuary room.

"Alright, let's eat some food and we'll head out after a good nights sleep," Arthur stated.

"How do we even know when it is nighttime? I haven't even seen a sunset down here. And doesn't time flow differently here too?" Curtis asked.

"You know what I mean," Arthur replied dismissively.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I hear that hot water calling me," Claire stated. "Can we set up some kind of curtain?"

"I second that idea," Lilia replied as she pulled her bed roll from her ring.

"Same," Tess said as Kathyln nodded and they both did the same.

"I've got some rope," Curtis said.

He and Theo tied it to opposing columns and everyone started draping their bed rolls or blankets over it. The four girls then stripped naked and climbed into the hot water.

"Ahhh, this feels so good," Lilia thought out loud.

"Mhmm. I have a washcloth, but I'm really wishing I brought soap right now," Tess commented as she scrubbed her arms.

"Hey," Claire whispered. "As much as I'm enjoying this bath, am I the only one worried on of the guys will look over and sneak a peek?"

"Curtis wouldn't as long as I'm here," Kathyln stated confidently.

"What about Arthur or Feyrith," Claire asked.

"Arthur has probably seen Tess naked so much that he doesn't need to bother looking over," Lilia stated.

"A-and Feyrith wouldn't dare look over at the Princess of Elenoir while she's bathing," Tess stuttered out as she blushed from Lilia's comment.

"So that leaves," Lilia cast a sound dampening spell. "The only one we need to worry about being Theo."

"D-do you really think we need to worry about him?" Claire asked as she blushed slightly.

"To be honest no," Tess stated flatly. "The other guys would probably beat him pretty bad if he tried."

"And on the topic of you and Theo, it's about time one of you made a move," Lilia stated.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Claire asked defensively.

"Even when we were in school it was pretty obvious you two were crushing on one another," Tess replied, and Lilia and Kathyln nodded in agreement.

"That's the problem with stubborn people, it took five years for one of you to finally crack and make a move," Lilia said.

"And now what?" Claire asked as she looked down, looking insecure.

"Well," Tess moved closer through the water. "That's for you two to decide."

"Us?"

"Yeah. Maybe you should just start with a talk to see what's next. As much as you two have been crushing on one another, it took you both forever for him to make a move, and you probably wouldn't have if he didn't first."

"But if we start dating, what if something happens to one of us? We're at war right now, what if he dies? What if I die? It's going to hurt us both so much."

"Then at least you will have known how each other felt. Wouldn't that be better than wondering what if?" Tess asked, bumping her shoulder against Claire's.

"I guess you may be right," Claire replied as she looked more confident. She then gave Tess a provocative look. "Although, if you keep touching me like that while we're both naked, I may start to question my sexuality."

Tess splashed her in response.

—————————————————————-

As agreed, Arthur made dinner. Cheating a little, Arthur used Aroa's Requiem to turn the dried meat they brought back to fresh and juicy, and used it to make it into a stew. He was pleased with himself, not because of his meal, but that this proved that he could improve upon his runes. With gaining a better understanding of the Aevum rune, he was now able to reverse time for organic non living matter, like the already dead meat, but he could tell that bringing a living thing back to life was still beyond him, but it was still a step forward.

"Good plan Theo," Curtis commented with a smile as everyone ate Arthur's food. "Arthur's cooking is the best."

"Yeah. I was going to forgive him, but I figured we might as well get something good out of it," Theo replied.

"Yup, Arthur will make a great wife," Regis teased as his flames flickered while he laid on the floor, earning a few laughs.

"So Tess was saying that you two won't be living in the palace for a while, that you were going to be building a house. Did you find a location yet?" Kathyln asked.

"Yeah we found a spot," Arthur replied as he finished his bowl of food. "We went searching during our week after the wedding."

Tess blushed a little. Everyone who noticed thought it was because of the nature of the week, and never considered anything could have happened during the search.

Everyone finished their food, but before they could do anything else Claire pulled a bottle of liquor from her dimensional ring.

"What are you doing with that?" Arthur asked, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Since we're all in a safe place, I was just thinking we might as well have some fun," Claire replied as she pulled out some shot glasses.

"So you want us all to get drunk?" Curtis questioned. He wasn't opposed to a shot or two, but even he questioned if getting drunk in the relic tomb was a good idea.

"Not all of us. I was thinking of playing a little drinking game. And to make sure no one accidentally goes through the gate... Regis, could you guard it?"

"Fine, this should be funny at least," Regis replied and walked over to the gate.

"What kind of game?" Lilia asked.

Claire set all the shot glasses down and started filling them. "It's called never have I ever." She started handing out the shots.

"I'm not familiar with this game," Feyrith replied as he took his glass.

"It's simple, I'll start. Never have I ever attended Xyrus Academy. Since we all have, we all take a shot." Claire took her shot, and the others followed. "We'll all go around taking turns like that until the bottles empty or someone passes out."

"Ok, I think I get it," Feyrith replied.

"Ok, my turn," Lilia stated. "Never have I ever, nearly died."

Arthur, Elijah, and Theo took a shot. The others questioned Lilia since they all have been fighting in the war, but she clarified as near death experiences.

"Never have I ever moaned my lovers name," Claire said as it became her turn again.

Everyone except for Theo, Elijah, and herself took the shot. As Feyrith took his, he held up his glass in the air with his eyes closed tightly, then took the shot.

"Feyrith?" Curtis said questioningly, confused as to why they knew nothing of him ever even having a girlfriend during the whole time they knew him.

Feyrith just shook his head and looked down, not ready to entertain any questions on the topic. The questions continued and the alcohol continued to flow. Pretty much everyone was a bit tipsy at this point except for Arthur, since his Asura body processed alcohol much faster than theirs. As the questions continued it became clear that there was a pattern to Claire's questions.

"Never have I ever had sex outdoors in the open."

Curtis, Lilia took their shots, as did Tess and Arthur. Claire had developed a certain intrest in sex, but refused to ever perform the act with just anyone. She believed in true love, so she would only be willing to do it with Theo, all he had to do was make the first move. Seeing as until just recently he did nothing, Claire's sex life lived vicariously through her friends, and just recently she expected Tess to be one of those people she lived through. The problem was Tess wouldn't share, so she decided this drinking game would be the best way. However as people became drunk all the questions became more sexually geared, to the point where Feyrith asked one.

"Never have I ever slept with Arthur Leywin."

Tess took her shot, so did Elijah. Quickly everyone's eyes started shifting between the two with confused expressions.

"I think we need to clarify the question a bit," Arthur stated. "Feyfey, did you mean as in have sex?" Feyrith drunkenly nodded.

"Oh," Elijah said sharply as he wobbled. "In that case no. Now I need another shot." He extended his arm out wobbly.

"Sorry, all out," Claire replied, and tossed the empty bottle into the fire where it shattered.

"That took a weird turn," Kathyln commented.

"No wonder he never had a girlfriend," Theo stated.

"WE JUST SHARED THE SAME BED FOR A NIGHT!" Elijah cried out. "We were both fully clothed. It was back before Xyrus academy the Helestia manor."

"Don't they have multiple rooms with beds?" Curtis asked.

"I was a guest of Arthur's so his parents didn't want to ask anything of the Helestia's. We had to share a bed that night until I got my own," Elijah explained, trying to convince them.

"Whatever you say," Claire replied, not believing him.

Meanwhile, Tess drunkenly slapped her hand on Arthur's right cheek and turned his head to face her.

"You don't have any interest in men like that do you?" She whispered.

"I'm only interested in women, and only have eyes for you," he whispered back, then pecked her lips. She continued to eye him suspiciously. "Do you want me to prove it?"

"How?" Arthur wagged his eye brows in response, causing Tess to gasp. "But our friends are here!"

Arthur leaned in to her ear and whispered. "Don't worry, I've got a plan." His runes glowed, then suddenly they disappeared, and were seen in their bedroll asleep, with Tess' hair a mess and her face buried in his chest, his bare right arm around her.

"What the hell just happened?" Curtis asked as he saw them.

"No clue, and I'm too drunk and tired to care," Theo replied, then stood up and walked off to roll out his bedroll. Claire was then seen unrolling hers right beside his, as he looked at her surprised.

—————————————————————-

Warning, smut till the end

Nearly everyone had either passed out or fallen asleep, though considering how drunk most of them were it's hard to tell which. Though in Lilia and Curtis' bedroll, there was still some movement. With her eyes closed she bit down on her fist to keep her moans from escaping, as her other hand moved furiously under the blanket.

"Lilia?" Curtis asked groggily from behind her, as he woke from her noises.

"Shhh, go back to sleep," she said in a soothing voice.

Curtis smiled sleepily, and moved closer into the spooning position, and wrapped his left arm around her. He felt her left arm going down, and followed it so he could hold her hand as they slept. He began to wake up more as he realized her hand went into her pants, and his eyes widened as he noticed wetness on her fingers.

"Lilia?"

"Ugh, I couldn't help it. The alcohol combined with the game, I'm just...you know," Lilia replied shamefully.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Curtis whispered in her ear, then started kissing on her neck.

"Mmm," Lilia let out a quiet moan. "Not only because you passed out, but because our friends are right here," she whispered back.

"And they are all asleep, and you know a sound dampening spell right?" He asked rhetorically as his fingers moved hers aside and began to rub on her clit.

Lilia whimpered a little as she nodded her head, his touch turning her on even more. "Lets go behind one of the pillars," she suggested with a whisper.

"Why not the pool? We've never done it in water before, and it would be easy to hide if anyone woke up. And if anyone did come over we could just say we were taking a dip."

"But the water..."

"It's not like anyone would drink it anyway since you girls bathed in it."

"O-ok," she agreed.

The two got up and crept over as quietly as possible. Since the sanctuary room was safe, they were all wearing lighter, more comfortable clothing to sleep in, so their steps were barely autable. They took one last look back as they reached the pool to ensure everything looked safe, then began stripping down. Lilia was naked first, mostly because she was scared to be caught, and slipped into the water. Once in she looked up just as Curtis kicked off his pants, and stared hungerly at his fully hard member.

It was about a foot long and big enough around that the first time they had sex Lilia thought it was going to rip her in half. In all honesty the first several times they had sex was painful for Lilia, no mater how much she was in the mood. Only after a few weeks did it start to feel better, as her body naturally stretched little by little to accommodate. Now she could handle his full length, and it felt amazing to her.

Curtis sat down on the edge of the pool to slide in, but Lilia got right in front of him with a mischievous grin. Curtis grined as back, as he knew what was coming next. Quickly Lilia cast her sound dampening spell, then grabbed his member and began stroking it. Curtis began moaning quietly as her warm wet hands moved up and down his shaft. He then inhaled sharply as she put his tip in her mouth and sucked on it lightly. Her tongue moved around the head causing him to moan louder, then practically yelling as she immediately took half his length into her mouth. She began bobbing her head back and forth as she played with his balls in her right hand. With every bob she took a little more every time until he was hitting the back of her throat, and there was still a little more to go. When she next bobbed back down she took his entire length, taking a few inches down her throat.

"Oh fuck!" Curtis cried out in pleasure.

She did this two more times before she felt his member twitching, and she completely removed it as she looked up at him with a devilish grin as he took deep breaths to keep in control. One of her favorite things to do to Curtis was to edge him, bring him to the point where he was about to peak, then stop as he tried to calm down. As much as Curtis wanted to release he kept holding on. His biggest weakness with sex, was his lack of stamina and long recovery time. It didn't take much for him to pop, and he hated it. He wanted to have whole days with Lilia just having sex again and again, but his body wouldn't cooperate.

Lilia watched Curtis carefully, so when he looked calm and relaxed again she slowly ran her tongue over his tip, allowing her to get a taste of his precum before taking his whole length again. She bobbed her head a few times before stopping so he could control himself, then repeated. After the third time he had had enough, and gently pushed her back before completely entering the water. He reached down and lifted Lilia up by the ass as he attacked her neck. Lilia reached around him and dug her nails into his back, causing him to moan into her neck.

During their years of intimacy Curtis eventually learned he liked a little pain to accompany their love making, specifically from her nails and teeth. As Curtis abandoned her neck and started sucking on her breasts, Lilia began nibbling on his ear. Lilia shuttered in pleasure as he moaned into her breast, and scratched into his back even harder. Wanting more she reached one of her hands down into the water and grabbed his member, then started rubbing his tip on her clit.
Curtis moaned loudly and gave her ass a squeeze as he spread her cheeks.

"Oh no you don't," Lilia whispered and gave his cock a good squeeze. "I don't want your shaft up there this time. My womanhood is practically crying out to feel you inside me."

"As you wish my queen," Curtis replied, and with a buck of his hips pushed his shaft inside her.

"Ahhh," Lilia and Curtis moaned together with the sudden penetration.

Soon they both started moving their hips together. Within the sound dampening bubble was filled with moans and the sounds of splashing water. Wanting to go into a different position Lilia grabbed his shoulders, digging her nails in as she pulled herself up.

"I want a different position."

"What else can we do?"

Lilia smiled as she dismounted him and swam to the edge of the pool. Quickly she first looked to make sure no one was awake, then pushed herself up and laid on her stomach with her legs still in the water. Raising her hips she slid her right hand underneath herself, and with two fingers spread her lower lips. Curtis smiled lustfully as he moved closer, this was a favorite position of his. He grabbed his member and lined it up with her entrance, rubbing his tip in the process, then slowly pushed it in until his pelvis was pressed against her back side. He then pulled his member halfway out then thrust it back in. As he continued to thrust his hips at a steady pace Lilia's fingers worked her clit right by Curtis' member.

Curtis moaned loudly as he felt Lilia's body tightly hugging his member as he thrust. In a matter of seconds he could feel the buildup, followed by the release. The warm feeling of Curtis' cum filling her womanhood was the latest thing she needed to push her over the edge. As Curtis' pace slowed her walls clenched around him as if squeezing every last drop of cum.

As he pushed himself all the way in one last time he bent over on top of her and placed gentle kisses on her shoulder. As this all happened they both failed to notice the water sloshing where it met her sound dampening spell. If Lilia had, she would have remembered the negative of casting that spell over a not solid surface. As the water moved, gaps in the spell formed for split seconds. It wasn't enough to allow much noise to escape, definitely not enough to wake the others up from their distance, but it was enough to catch the attention of anyone who could be awake, such as a black aetheric wolf whose glowing purple eyes were fixated on them, and had been for quite a while.