"Grisnir!"

Grisnir could hear a feminine voice calling from the void. Shrill cries followed, a pale hand grasping, searching for his own.

"Let her go!" Grisnir reached for it, a blotted abyss enveloping him and the unknown woman. Blue lightning spread along the corners of his vision, obscuring the edges of what he can see.

"He's losing control. Seal him up!" It was the voice of Ains, raised in alarm and fear.

Grisnir's eyes strained wide as an extreme, grinding feeling etched into his mind, as if a million blades carved deep into his scalp. He hollered hard, lungs threatening to rupture. The pain escalated, extending to his entire body as his scream turned into a bestial cry. The blue lightning shifting into black and red bolts, burying his vision until all he saw was crimson.

In the pitch black bedroom, Grisnir shot up from his bed, a sheen of sweat slicking the entirety of his skin. His breath was short, his chest heaved as he panted. Grisnir wiped his face with a pillow, sighing and laying back down onto the bed. His return to slumber, however, did not come about as light taps knocked against his door.

"Just a second!" He rose from his bed, focusing for a moment before his armor appeared on him from thin air. The damage from his bout with Cocytus was still there. Wiring was desolate, circling the cracks with faint sparks flying at the uncovered tips, cracks and tears visible on pieces of the thicker armor. The entire set looked like it was on the verge of disintegrating. He opened the door, peering down to see a raven-haired maid with snow white skin showing him a stale stare.

"Good morning. Lord Ains assigned me to fetch you." She stood there, waiting for him to step out. "I am Narberal Gamma, of the Pleiades."

"Gotcha! And good morning." Grisnir nodded, striding out of the room. "Where are we headed to?"

"Follow me." She looked him up and down, her expression souring before huffing and walking away, looking back at him after a fair distance between them.

Grisnir gawked in confusion, taking a moment to realize what she wanted, dashing to catch up.

Narberal's pace was quick, posture stiff as she ushered Grisnir to the throne room. Midway in their walk, she clicked her heels and turned around, a frown on her face.

"Before we go any further, I would ask you to change into something less… degenerate." Each word was tight and suppressed, her lips baring into a grimace.

"Eh?" Grisnir brushed his chin, throwing her a baffled glance.

"Your armor, it's wrecked and I will not have you tarnish the throne room with such a dilapidated attire."

"Oh right. Sorry about that. I keep forgetting to fix this armor set whenever I break it." A small black hammer appeared in his grip before crushing it in his palm. Gleaming lights sparkled around his form as his armor reconstructed to its original and immaculate condition.

Narberal shook her head without another word, escorting Grisnir to the throne in silence. The floor guardians and pleiades stood there at attention with Ains lounging on his throne. Narberal took her place among her sisters. Aura gave Grisnir a wave and a smile. Mare's eyes widened before lifting his hand in greeting. Demiurge and Sebas nodded. Albedo glanced at him, frowning and turning away.

"Good morning, Grisnir, I take it you slept well?" Ains straightened on his throne.

"Morning Ains. And yeah, mostly. The bed was really pleasant." He made his way past the rest of the people to the front, showing Cocytus a gracious nod. The insectoid returned it with his own.

"Good. Now, with you here, let us begin." Ains rose from his throne. All eyes were on him. "With the creation of our kingdom, there are new tasks that need taking care of, additional obligations and duties for everyone, myself included."

Grisnir stood with slouched shoulders as Ains proceeded with the meeting. The lich's words faded to the background as he dug into the recesses of mind, thinking about the last time he played Yggdrasil. His match with Cocytus proved just how rusty he was. He had some knowledge of the spells and skills he knew. However, there were many abilities he forgot about, only remembering them now as he dwelled on the matter.

"Grisnir!" Ains's voice boomed. The crowd turned to him.

"Oh yes? What's up?" Grisnir straightened his posture, coughing as he clambered to attention.

"I inquired if you have any preference in your assignment."

"What a… what do you mean?"

"Let me put it this way. Do you have any skills?"

Grisnir stuck a hand on his chin, taking a moment.

"Well, aside from fighting. Honestly, not really. I abandoned education when I was young. And have been doing nothing but fighting since then."

"Okay, fighting. Is there anything else that you can do?"

"Fighting is my major specialization. Although, I have acted as a mentor and trainer. Nothing on an extensive scale like an army but for professional fighters. The best of the best. There are other skills you and I share. I trust you know what those are."

"I do." Ains nodded, strumming his fingers on his throne. "I will have you with the other members of Nazarick. Though once I have wrapped up my business, I should have your role fully realized."

"Gotcha!" Grisnir gave a warped salute, nodding before relaxing once more.

"Everyone!" Ains turned his attention to the rest of the crowd. "Our guest here will work with you all. Should you need his services, ask him. Well, you are all dismissed. Carry on with your charges."

"Yup! If you need something from me, let me know. I'm your guy." Grisnir turned to the crowd, raising an arm.

The crowd looked to Ains, glancing at Grisnir for a moment before turning to themselves. They dissolved, everyone returning to their duties. Once everyone except Ains and Albedo took off, the lich lifted an arm, calling to Grisnir.

"Grisnir, a moment, please." Ains said, turning to Albedo. "Albedo, we're heading to my office."

"As you wish. May I escort you?" Albedo bowed.

"No, sadly, this is a private matter I wish to discuss with our guest."

"But I…"

"Albedo, please. I assure you, I will be fine."

"As you wish, Lord Ains." Albedo hid her brilliant eyes through raven locks, acknowledging.

"Come, let us go." Ains stood from his throne, striding away.

Grisnir accompanied him, glancing back at Albedo before peering back at Ains.

There at the office, Ains sat down on his chair, snapping his fingers to dismiss the assassins hidden in the room. His posture was straight for a moment before collapsing, skull slamming onto the desk with a loud thud. Grisnir could hear a groan muffled by the wood.

"That meeting mentally sapped me. How long until I break character?" Ains shifted in his chair.

"You did a pretty good job there." Grisnir shrugged, giving the skeleton a pat on the back. "You said the right words and everyone was on board, myself included."

"It was simpler to run this place when you were the only sentient being."

"Wait, you kept this operation running by yourself?"

"Yeah. I was the last consistent player until the end. A guild member of mine dropped by, but he didn't stay long. I don't think he made it here with us." Ains nodded.

"Well, all I can say is I'm glad I stayed. My original body was all battered to hell. By the way, I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"That Albedo lady. What is her problem?"

"Oh, where do I begin?" Ains placed a hand on his forehead. "So, since servers were supposed to shut down, I changed one of her settings as a joke. I changed it to her being madly in love with me. Originally, she was supposed to be programmed as a… promiscuous individual."

"That explains the super over-protectiveness." Grisnir crossed his arms. "And the weird glances she gives you."

"Yes, it was my fault. I can perceive this being a source of irritation for her, but she won't tell me. Fortunately, I've seen my subordinates grow and adapt here, so perhaps she may grow out of it. Like a phase or something."

"You sound like a tired parent. Or manager. Both have to deal with children, sadly. One of them gets paid for it, though." Grisnir shrugged.

"Oh, that reminds me. What did you do in the old world? Like your job." Ains looked up from his desk.

"Oh me? I was a professional wrestler! I was just a step below the top circuit." Grisnir flexed into a pose, earning a laugh from Ains. "Other than that, I did some amateur fighting, but nothing on the professional level."

"I bet it was tough on your body. Mine was simple, nothing as extravagant as yours. There was no pain from sitting all day. Except back pain."

"It wasn't easy, but I did it because I loved it. Injuries and all."

"There's no way I would have tried something like that. Getting used to pain was tough at first. You seem to enjoy it, judging by that round you had with Cocytus. I'm glad you could give him some fun."

"What can I say? I'm a simple guy. Throw me in a fight and I'm ecstatic." Grisnir leaned against the desk. "So, why did you bring me here?"

"I have a request of you." Ains uncoiled in his chair.

"Let's hear it."

"I can only confide in someone who has gone through the same thing I have. "

"Go on…"

"As you have seen, the NPCs here revere me like a god. This has advantages and disadvantages. It's hard for them to… come to me with lesser issues. If they feel it doesn't affect me, they won't bring it up. It is tough to make them see me as anything less than a supreme being." Ains planted his hands on his desk, tenting his fingers.

"Right, so where do I come in?"

"I know words aren't your expertise, but please keep an ear out for their grievances, no matter how small. And once you do, I would like you to either raise them to me or settle them yourself, if possible. They don't revere you as they do with me. I think this is because you weren't a member of my guild."

"No problem, just being a general handy man? I got you covered." Grisnir lifted off from the desk, giving Ains a nod.

"For now, this will be your primary task. Go about and do what you wish. Once I return from my ventures, I will have something else for you to do." Ains nodded. "You can go now. I have some business that needs attending to."

Grisnir waved, turning away and making his way out of the office.

"Oh, and one more thing, here." Ains tossed an object to Grisnir, who caught it without facing the lich.

"What's this?" Grisnir inspected his palm, finding a silver ring with an embedded crystal that displayed Nazarick's crest.

"It's a guild ring. Use it to teleport around the tomb. My only request is you stay out of the 8th floor and to keep it hidden from the other NPCs."

"What's on the 8th floor?"

Ains paused for a moment, trying to find a suitable answer.

"The paperwork floor. If you go, expect lots of requests to help with paperwork."

"You had me at paperwork. Got it, I am never stepping foot there. Ever." Grisnir crept out of the office. He juggled the ring in his palm, tossing it in the air and catching it. Just as he was about to slip it onto his finger, a voice called out to him.

"You." It was Albedo, that voice and tone unmistakable. She no longer wore her ivory garb. A black and purple set of infernal armor was in its place. That massive axe of hers was slung atop her shoulder. She glanced at the ring, her helmet hiding a frown. "Lord Ains mentioned we could hail for your aid. I require your services. Find me on the 6th floor." Turning aside, Albedo disappeared from sight.

"Well, I can't say no to making a good impression. Or trying to make one at least." Grinsir acknowledged, peering down at the ring before slipping it onto his finger. He focused for a moment, thinking of the floor he wished to go to. Upon arriving at the arena once more, Grisnir stepped backwards, shifting his gaze around his surroundings.

"This place again? I don't like where this is going." Grisnir smoothed a hand against the temple of his helmet.

"I'm pleased you made it." Albedo stood stern across from him, brandishing her axe. "Now, I require your aid relieving some stress."

"And how do you suppose I go about doing that?" Grisnir took another step back. There was something off with this woman. He could sense it as well as hostile intent.

"Isn't it obvious?" She tilted her head, pointing her axe towards him.

"I mean, it is. But I was hoping you would catch me by surprise and subvert my expectations?" Grisnir raised both his hands.

There was something wrong. Something pent up within Albedo and he was the catalyst. The tipping point. The straw that broke the camel's back, and this was her way of dealing with the straw. By snapping it in half.

"How could one such as you garner the favor of our lord so quickly!" Albedo launched herself at Grisnir, axe raised as she shrieked.

Grisnir shifted, sidestepping the blade by an inch before using her own momentum against her, throwing her in the same direction she dashed to. He felt an imbalance within her body and mind, making her dangerous. Not just to him, but to herself.

"You're not in the right mindset for a spar. I think we should stop this and talk it out."

Albedo responded with a scream of her own, an ominous swirling aura building around her. There was a threatening gleam visible from her visor as she rose once more.

Grisnir lowered into his stance, exhaling and narrowing his gaze. His feet slid along the earth of the arena, body loosening as he prepared himself for the fight at hand.