"My, am I the first to arrive?" Shalltear asked, stepping out of the 'Gate'.
'Shalltear Bloodfallen, has the race of true vampire and is the guardian of the first and second floors of Nazarick. Arguably one of the strongest NPCs in Nazarick.' Hypnos thought, quietly studying her behavior.
At first she came off as elegant and calm but as soon as she saw Momonga she threw away her umbrella, which turned into bats, and while blushing, ran towards him. She stood on her tippy toes to embrace him by the neck, which looked awkward considering their size difference, and passionately said "Ah! My lord! One of the only men I cannot rule above!" While blushing madly.
Thus, her elegant image was ruined.
"Shalltear," Aura called out "give it a rest."
"Oh?" Shalltear replied, a smug look making its way onto her face. "Shorty, you were here?"
Aura made a sound of discontent.
"It must be hard Mare, having such a crazy sister." Shalltear said, adding fuel to the fire.
Suddenly Aura's face, which had been slowly becoming angrier, turned smug as she said "Fake boobs."
Hypnos made a choking noise.
"What?!" Shalltear screamed, using her arms to cover her chest.
"Looks like I was right, that's why you used 'Gate', because you were in a hurry and running here would make them shift."
"Shut your mouth, you have nothing yourself!" Shalltear screamed in retaliation.
Aura, however, didn't look fazed as she said "I'm still only 76 years old, but your an undead. Must be tough having no chance to grow. Why don't you just accept what you have now?" She shrugged her shoulders with her hands palm facing up as though to say 'what can you do?'.
At this point Hypnos was covering a smile behind his hand.
Not only was this situation funny but it also reminded him of how Bukubukuchagama and Peroroncino would fight.
Thinking back he thought of all the times those two had fought with each other over the silliest of things.
Those were the good times.
'When they still came that is.'
His smile died when that traitorous thought slipped into his mind.
'Why is it that they left?
Why did they abandon us?
Why did they abandon me?'
His brows furrowed together as his thoughts took a turn for the worse
.
It didn't last long though, as his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Cocytus entering the arena.
"What. A. Ruckus." Cocytus said as he entered "You. Two. Are. Playing. Around. Too. Much. In. Front. Of. Our. Masters."
'Cocytus, guardian of the fifth floor. He basically embodies the word 'warrior'.' Hypnos thought, trying to clear up his troubled expression.
"This shorty slandered me!" Shalltear yelled, taking a fighting stance.
"I only told the truth!" Aura yelled back, also taking a fighting stance.
Hypnos's brows furrowed once more, though this time he didn't try to hide it this time, and he called out
"Shalltear, Aura, I agree with Cocytus, that is quite enough."
"I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE LORD HYPNOS!" They replied at the same time.
As they stood up straight something seemed to have struck Shalltear.
"Eh? Lord Hypnos?" She said as she looked up at him.
Her eyes widened as she realized something.
"LORD HYPNOS! PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR NOT GREETING YOU SOONER!" She yelled as she got on her knees and placed her head on the ground in front of her.
"I'll forgive you this time Shalltear because you were "in a hurry" but next time please endeavor to greet me properly." Hypnos replied before turning to the newest arrival and neutrally saying "Regardless, Cocytus, you came."
"I. Shall. Always. Immediately. Respond. To. Your. Summons. Lord. Hypnos." Cocytus responded with a puff of cold air.
"Yes, good work." Momonga said, finally speaking after awhile.
"I. Am. Undeserving. Of. Your. Praise. Lord. Momonga." Cocytus replied with a small bow.
"Everyone, I apologize for making you wait." A new voice cut in.
'Demiurge, guardian of the seventh floor and a demon set as the NPC leader when Nazarick is on the defense. He was made to be intelligent beyond belief so it'd be best to be cautious of him.' Hypnos thought, turning to Demiurge and Albedo who had just entered.
"It seems we are still waiting on one other." Demiurge said, looking around while pushing up his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
Hypnos looked around at the present guardians before it hit him who they were missing.
'Ah, yes. How could I forget about her?' Hypnos thought.
Just as he thought this an emotionless feminine voice called out from the entrance of the arena.
"I sincerely apologize for my tardiness Master, and to you Lord Momonga."
"Hm, it's fine considering you're on one of the lower floors." Hypnos replied turning towards the last guardian.
She was 5'5" with straight white hair that stopped halfway down her back. She wore an open black trench coat and a white dress shirt that had Hypnos's personal symbol on the breast pocket. The symbol was a white outline of two feathered wings connected to an white outline of his staff. She also wore black dress pants and black combat boots with white laces. Her face showed no emotion whatsoever. For the most part she looked human but because of the black muzzle that had small holes for breathing and covered both her nose and mouth it was impossible to tell.
Of course, Hypnos knew that she was far from human.
Hidden under that muzzle was the mouth and nose of a brown furred wolf and beneath the trench coat was a tail.
'Diana Belvine Artemis, guardian of the third floor of Nazarick, and an ancient werewolf-wendigo hybrid. She has two forms, her half form which she is currently in and her full form. Her personality is overall cold and intelligent and of course being a guardian, she is level 100.' Hypnos thought as she turned her lavender eyes that seemed to bore into him.
She is Hypnos's personal creation.
"Diana." He called out to her "Thank you for coming."
"Your praise is wasted on one as unworthy as I." She replied, joining the other guardians who were beginning to line up. "I would sacrifice anything to answer your call."
Hypnos blinked a little before simply giving a nod.
He was unsure how to feel about meeting his creation.
On one hand, she was almost exactly as he had imagined her from what he had seen so far and he was proud to have created her.
On the other hand, she was under suspicion just as all the other NPCs were.
"Now, everyone. To our supreme rulers, the ritual of fidelity." Albedo said, turning the mood serious.
As she said this Shalltear kneeled and said "The guardian of the first and second floors, Shalltear Bloodfallen I bow before the supreme ones."
Next was Diana.
"Guardian of the third floor, Diana Belvine Artemis. I bow before the supreme ones." She said as she kneeled.
Then Cocytus.
"The guardian of the fifth floor, Cocytus. I bow before the supreme ones."
Then Aura and Mare.
"The guardian of the sixth floor, Aura Bella Fiora."
"A- Also the guardian of the sixth floor, Mare Bello."
They both then spoke together. "We bow before the supreme ones."
Then Demiurge.
"The guardian of the seventh floor, Demiurge. I bow before the supreme ones."
Finally Albedo.
"The leader of the guardians, Albedo. I bow before the supreme ones."
One after another they all kneeled before Momonga and Hypnos.
Momonga was the first to speak
"Raise your heads." He said while letting out a depressing aura.
At the same time Hypnos was so nervous that he gave out an intimidating aura, increasing the pressure in the room twice fold.
"You all did well to gather here. Thank you." Momonga continued despite the pressure.
"Your praise is wasted on us" Albedo said, turning to look at Momonga "We have all pledged ourselves to you and Lord Hypnos. You may find us lacking, however, we vow to work hard and live up to the expectations of the supreme beings who created us."
"This we swear." All of the guardians said at once, speaking as one, committed voice.
"Wonderful, floor guardians!" Momonga said, spreading his arms and barely avoiding hitting Hypnos. "I am confident that all of you will be able to fulfill your duties without fail."
Hypnos took the time to study all of their expressions and noticed that all the guardians looked so overjoyed at those words that it was a little off putting.
"Well then," Momonga started, turning the atmosphere serious once more "Right now the Great Tomb of Nazarick is caught up in an unknown situation. I've already had Sebas survey our surroundings..."
Momonga turned to Sebas who was standing off to the side.
Sebas bowed when he noticed that he was seen.
"Grasslands?" Hypnos asked, confused.
"Yes." Sebas replied respectfully. "Completely different from the swamps that surrounded the Great Tomb of Nazarick. I could not confirm any signs of a building, human, or monster within a 1 mile radius."
"Good work Sebas." Momonga said. "It seems that Nazarick has been transported to an unknown location for some reason." There was a pause before he said. "Floor guardian leader, Albedo and defensive leader, Demiurge. Create a stronger information sharing system and fortify our defenses!"
"Yes!" They replied reverently.
"Mare," he continue "is there any way to conceal the Great Tomb of Nazarick?"
"I-It would be difficult just using magic. But, if we covered the walls with dirt and concealed ourselves with vegetation..."
"You want to smear the great walls of Nazarick with dirt?" Albedo cut in.
"Quiet Albedo, Momonga was addressing Mare." Hypnos said sharply.
"Yes! I am very sorry, Lord Hypnos."
"Is it possible to conceal ourselves by covering the walls with dirt?" Momonga continue as though the interruption hadn't happened.
"Y-Yes. As long as you allow it. However..." Mare trailed off.
"Yes, a random mound would look unnatural." Momonga agreed to Mare's unspoken thought. "Sebas, were there any hills in the area?"
"No," Sebas said "unfortunately we are surrounded by flatlands."
"I see." Momonga said
"Would it be possible to create dummy hills in the area?" Hypnos asked, joining the conversation.
"I believe we would blend in with such a surrounding." Sebas replied.
"Then that is what we shall do." Momonga decided.
"Afterwards we will cover the open areas with illusions."
"Y-Yes! I understand." Mare agreed.
"Lastly," Momonga said "I want to ask each floor guardian something."
"First, Shalltear, what kind of people are we to you?"
Without pausing to think she immediately replied
"Lord Momonga is the crystallization of beauty. The most beautiful person in this world! Lord Hypnos is a close second with his splendid ebony horns and his strong onyx wings!"
All the while her blush was growing.
'Is she into beastiality too?' Hypnos thought, thrown off by the "compliment".
Despite the passion filled compliments just laid down on them Momonga didn't seem fazed, on the outside, and called out to the next guardian.
"Diana."
"Lord Momonga is a powerful magic caster who is excellent at his job of guild master. Master is a cautious person as well as someone who loves to create things, not to mention being my creator."
"Cocytus."
"Both. Stronger. Than. All. The. Guardians. And. Worthy. To. Be. Called. The. Great. Tomb. Of. Nazarick's. Absolute. Rulers." Cocytus stated proudly.
"Aura."
"Merciful leaders who excel in foresight." Aura said smiling.
"Mare."
"V-Very kind people." Mare stuttered out.
"Demiurge."
"Lord Momonga is a man who makes wise decisions and acts upon them efficiently and Lord Hypnos is cautious and makes detailed plans before acting upon something. Both truly embody the word 'inscrutable'." Demiurge said smoothly.
"Sebas."
"Merciful leaders who stayed behind with us until the end." Sebas said.
"Lastly, Albedo."
"Lord Momonga is the highest ranking of the supreme beings and one of the most powerful beings in Nazarick. Lord Hypnos is a creator of many beautiful things as well as a comforting person." Albedo said looking up to stare directly at the.
"I see." Momonga said. "We have heard your thoughts, continue to work faithfully in our names."
"Yes!" They cried out collectively and with that Momonga disappeared taking Hypnos along with him.
-(in a random hall on the tenth floor)-
Momonga leaned up against a wall while saying "I'm tired."
"You're telling me." Hypnos replied, leaning against the wall as well "What the hell is with their glorious views of us? Those guys are serious."
"Well, does this at least prove to you that they won't betray us? I mean their views of us are borderline fanatical." Momonga asked.
"No, if anything there is more chance of rebellion because the higher the expectations they have, the more disappointed they will be if those expectations aren't met. And their expectations breach the heavens with how high they are." Hypnos replied while shaking his head.
-(Back at the sixth floor)-
The guardians began to rise seeing as the supreme beings had left.
Mare was surprisingly the first to speak.
"Th-that was scary sis."
"Seriously, I thought we were going to be squashed by the pressure." Aura said in reply.
"To. Think. That. They. Would. Be. That. Amazing." Cocytus added.
"So that is what they look like when they show themselves as our leaders." Albedo said clasping her hands together.
"So it seems." Demiurge said while pushing up his glasses.
"It. Seems. They. Have. Answered. Our. Vow. Of. Fidelity." Cocytus said.
"Lord Momonga was completely different when he was with us, he was super kind! He gave us something to drink just because we seemed thirsty." Aura said.
"S-so that's what Lord Momonga is like when he stands as a ruler." Mare said, amazed.
"It's exactly as you say." Albedo said with a calm expression, turning towards them. "That is to be expected from one of the supreme beings who stayed behind with us."
"Then I shall return first." Sebas said, cutting in. "I do not know where Lord Momonga or Lord Hypnos went but it is my duty to be by their sides."
"Yes." Albedo agreed. "Tell me immediately should one of them call for me."
"I understand, then I shall take my leave, floor guardians." Sebas replied with a small bow before walking towards the exit.
"Is something wrong, Shalltear? Diana?" Demiurge questioned towards the two that were still kneeling.
"The combination of their amazing presences has excited me so much that my underwear has gone through a bit of a crisis." Shalltear said, blushing while looking up.
"Disgraceful, Shalltear you should be ashamed of yourself." Albedo said coldly.
"What?! We just recieved so much of Lord Momonga's energy! We got such a reward! A girl who doesn't get wet from something like that is crazy!" Shalltear yelled, standing up to face Albedo.
Deciding it was better to let the argument run its course the other guardians ignored Shalltear and Albedo in favor of asking the only guardian still kneeling what was wrong.
"And you, Diana, what troubles you?"
There was a pause before she stood up and dusted off her pants while saying
"What troubles me is whatever is currently troubling my creator. Surely you notice how worried and serious his expression was the entire time."
"Yes, I noticed as well, he seems worried and agitated." Demiurge said. "Perhaps he is worried about our current situation."
"Hm, possibly." Diana replied, crossing her arms.
"U-Um, I don't think that the reason." Mare started out meekly.
"Why? Do you know something?" Diana asked, sharp eyes turning to him.
"N-no, it's just that earlier, when Lord Momonga was giving us water and before we had received the news that Nazarick had been moved, he looked worried and when I asked him what was wrong he gave a really sad smile and said "Nothing you need to be worried about". B-but he didn't deny that something was wrong." Mare said as Diana's eyes bore into him the longer he talked.
"Yeah," Aura said, concern spreading across her face "I heard him say that too and when I turned to look at him I noticed that he seemed totally guarded."
"Could it be that he was wary of attackers? Is it possible that he doesn't trust us to protect him?" Demiurge asked, a worried look making its way onto his face as well.
"Surely. That. Is. Not. The. Case!" Cocytus said, slamming the but of his halberd on the ground.
"And even if it were I would prove to him that I am able to protect him!" Diana yelled fiercely, letting out a growl at the thought of her master and creator not trusting her enough to protect him.
"I am unsure as to the reason but I do have something troubling to add." Albedo said as she walked over to the group, seemingly having finished her argument with Shalltear.
"Oh? What would that be?" Demiurge asked.
"Well, you see," Albedo started, taking nervous glances at Diana "earlier in the throne room...he was...crying."
There was silence as some of the other guardians' concern grew worse.
The one to have the worst reaction by far was Diana.
"He was what?" She asked, voice growing less human and more beast-like.
"He was...crying." Albedo said, looking away.
Diana gave out something between a growl and a howl in rage as she transformed into her full form.
In this form she was 12 feet tall and looked anything but human. Her face had morphed into something that was a mix between a wolf and a deer. She had large horns that stuck out of her head and the rest of her was covered in brown fur. Her body was hunched over with arms so long that they reached the ground. Her hands and feet had changed into claws. The only trace of the girl that had been standing before them not long before was her purple eyes.
"I'll kill them! I'll kill anyone who dares hurt my master! My creator! My god!"
Diana was in agony.
She was torn between crying and rampaging because her master was upset about something and she hadn't noticed sooner.
"Woah! Diana! Calm down! We understand that you're upset, we are too, but going on a rampage isn't going to solve anything." Aura called out.
"I agree, for the time being we need to put our heads together in order to discover the cause of this, excessive emotions will get us no where." Demiurge said in agreement.
"Not to mention the orders we were given by Lord Momonga." Albedo added.
The large beast stilled before slowly returning to her half form.
Serious expression on, she asked "What do you propose we do? I don't dare say I know the inner workings of my master's mind, however I do believe he will not tell us if he can avoid it."
"Then we just have to put him in a situation where he cannot avoid telling us." Demiurge said, his glasses glinting in the light.
"This. Is. Blasphemous! You. Would. Dare. Try. And. Force. A. Supreme. Being. To. Share. Something. He. Does. Not. Wish. To. Share? I. Should. Strike. You. Down. Where. You. Stand!" Cocytus said in outrage.
"It would be beneficial for both him and us. Besides I don't doubt that he will see through any plan we make, however, because of how kind he is, he might tells us." Demiurge said, appeasing Cocytus.
"Never the less we have spent too much time here, we must get working on our assigned tasks. This discussion can be held off for another time." Albedo said ending the discussion.
-(In Momonga's room)-
"Did you hear something just now?" Hypnos asked Momonga.
"No, I haven't heard anything." Momonga replied.
"Hm, must have been my imagination." Hypnos said dismissively
"Regardless, we should move onto the next test."