“Not this time,” she told him. “Yes, some of our friends might perish on their journeys. Fate can be cruel that way. But those that are able wil... return to your side – if not immediately then very soon afterward. You have given them something they won’t find elsewhere no matter how often they seek. You have built a home for them here, Joseph. You have taken this land that man and heaven had forsaken and you have built it into a haven for everyone. The friends you have ... the family you have. "Don't go selling yourself short, Joshua. You're a rare breed." God says."No. You know what? He's not worthy ... yet." Ares scoffs."Huh?" Joshua says.Ares flies at Joshua, throwing a punch. Joshua finds that he can easily catch it."What the hell?" Joshua asks."Oh, you are right, he is rare. Even in a spiritual form, he can still fight." Ares smirks.Ares pulls back his arm, and throws a kick that Joshua blocks, but the kick still pushes him off to the side."What're you so scared of, Child?" Ares. Join us and be loved and acceptedand become what you can ultimately be."Hand in hand, the three of them stood.++++++++This was a morning that differed greatly from her routine of prayer,reflection and rejection of her male self. It was a truly blessed day. Shewas being prepared for the Ceremony of Acceptance, the last step inbecoming a true Near Sister and joining the ranks in full. It was a day ofpampering, love and joy. She did not shower as she usually did but wasmeticulously sponge bathed. “I'm not trying to start a fight,” I said, holding out my hands. “It came out wrong.” I swallowed. “Was it Kevin?”Her fingers clenched about the garnet pendant at the mention of her boyfriend. “No.”“Oh, okay.” I swallowed, my head swiveling about to stare off into the brush. The forest all looked the same, dark and green bushes around the trunks of towering trees. I couldn't see more than a few feet before the forest swallowed up everything. Silence hung between us. I wanted to reach out and.