Chapter 19: Expedition (10)

"Such misfortune! To be rendered impotent and helpless during a time of crucial experimentation and amorous adventures! You poor boy, confined to such a lack of stimulation despite having so many able and willing partners…"

Nanashi felt his cheeks heat, quickly protesting, "C'mon, that's putting it a little strongly, don't you think? What even makes you think Manaka and I are...like that?"

The Magus of Flowers raised one perfect eyebrow in clear disbelief at what he was hearing, pausing in his rummaging and searching of a nearby cabinet.

"You mean you are not engaging in such natural and wondrous activities? How else did you discover your flaccidity?"

Wishing that the ground would open up and swallow him whole the homunculus blushed and looked away, grumbling, "Can we drop this line of conversation, please?"

"Come now, young lad. Feeling frustrated that you cannot engage in the wondrous act of interpersonal coupling-"

Here the man smirked at Nanashi's twitching eyebrow.

"-is quite natural. For young souls such as yourselves physical intimacy is a wondrous adventure and learning experience, crucial to the process of maturity and coming of age."

The boy shifted uneasily on his feet, hesitantly asking, "Is...is it? I'm not screwing myself up even further or anything am I?"

The man gave him a reassuring smile, pulling out a vial of some kind of dark red liquid before setting it aside, responding, "Forgive me, I might have exaggerated slightly due to personal bias. It is perfectly normal for one to either abstain or simply go without such intimacy until they are older and function perfectly fine."

He winked flirtatiously.

"As you can imagine, I feel a bit strongly about the matter."

"Is that your own proclivities or the Incubus blood talking?"

"Oh absolutely my proclivities~!"

Sighing at the man's extremely exuberant response the homunculus stared at the odd collection of potions, plants and other odds and ends that had been gathered.

"So what's all of this supposed to do?"

"Well there are a few ways I may go about solving your issue...but I must regretfully inform you that it is nigh impossible to fix your current body. Even with all of my knowledge and experience I would hesitate in dabbling with your container to any significant degree."

He lightly poked Nanashi in the chest, the youth wincing at the confirmation of what he'd been fairly certain was going to be the magus's answer.

"Countless magic circuits of varying quality, capacity and elemental alignment with the addition of an unusual set of mystic eyes, never mind the strange craft you have displayed in addition to it. It's actually quite vexing, truth be told."

A childish pout appeared on the man's lips.

"I would suggest that the modern day Einzberns had constructed your body were it not for the sheer chaos of the circuits and other additions, their slapdash and haphazard implementation quickly causing your form to degrade, as you've no doubt been informed...but when taking into consideration your abilities I find myself at something of a loss. Whoever constructed you essentially managed to build a castle out of a loaf of bread, twenty bales of hale, an old donkey and a bucket of water."

Nanashi blinked, asking, "It's that bad? I mean, Manaka said that I'm kind of a mess and shouldn't technically be something that exists but...huh."

Merlin nodded, stating, "Thus, my reticence to attempt any form of 'remodeling' when the original product is just one dire, architectural mess. Rather, I intend to contribute to your new body in a way that I'm sure you will appreciate~!"

A slightly perverse smile lit up his features, a pocket knife slicing a small gash in his wrist that slowly dripped ruby blood into an empty vial, the Magus of Flower cheerfully explaining, "I will be constructing entirely new reproductive organs for you as well as mixing my own blood with the final product, gifting you the sensual heritage and abilities of rather accomplished empaths and seducers. You may thank me now~!"

Nanashi blinked, warily replying, "Err, thanks, but...I'm gonna be able to keep it in my pants, right? Like, I won't need to survive on, umm...sex, right?"

Feeling like his face was on fire from the inquiry Merlin merely patted him on the cheek, stating, "Have no fear, youngling. If the sheer variety of phantasmal specimens you are gathering is any indication you will have greater things to grow accustomed to than mere physical longing. And even that I shall show you how to make proper use of them."

He gave the youth a more serious expression.

"Allowing your newfound abilities and habits as an Incubus descendant to run wild without your oversight can cause more harm to your partner than pleasure."

Stiffening at the thought of somehow hurting his friends like that Nanashi settled for a grim nod, reflecting that he was going to pay very careful attention to that set of lessons.

"Now, as for compensation for this project of mine...you recall the void you and miss Manaka encountered?"

Slowly nodding the youth replied, "Kinda hard to forget, you want us to do something else with it? I'll be honest, if it has to do with getting inside the thing I don't like our chances, even Manaka was stumped."

Raising a finger like a schoolmaster imparting an important lesson Merlin stated, "True, under most circumstances...but you have little Abby with you now, don't you?"

Blinking at that he listened attentively as the older male continued with, "She possesses the means to breach the barrier and is...familiar, with the soul inside."

Nanashi was caught off guard by the sudden expression of sadness on the man's features, the sight disappearing as quickly as it came as he said, "If my suspicions are correct she is the same as Abby and I, a Nexus Persona...and she does not deserve the shackles she now wears."

Soft, flawless hands set themselves on Nanashi's shoulders.

"I do not ask anything specific of you or require that you do anymore than simply visit the occupant of that lightless place...but please, if nothing else go with an open mind."

The homunculus dully stared at the pale-haired male.

"You're not going to give me anything more than that, are you?"

"And spoil the surprise? I think not~! Besides, Abby knows the specifics and she can inform you if she so wishes."

Sighing in resignation Nanashi dully asked, "You do know the last time I got too close to that place I got knocked the fuck out, right?"

For some reason this seemed to greatly excite Merlin, the Magus of Flowers clapping his hands before happily stating, "That is truly great news! It means you and the soul you shall be seeking already share a connection, if she could so easily reach you even beyond the veil~!"

"She?"

He placed a finger over his lips and winked.

"Secret~!"

Yet again flipping towards a more easygoing and cultured persona the man finished with, "You seem to have a strange penchant for befriending those with troubled pasts and extraordinary circumstances, Nanashi...I have faith you'll do so again."

The Homunculus sighed, inwardly reflecting that this was probably going to be quite the adventure that hopefully wouldn't end up with him out like a light.

"The things I do for a working penis."

"And here we are...for what reason, precisely, did Merlin have us come all the way out here again, Nanashi?"

"Beats me, but the guy is helping us out so it's only polite and wise to do what few favors he wants us to perform, right?"

The pale-blonde sniffed haughtily, drolly responding, "I suppose so."

Rolling his eyes at Manaka's usual concern for his future wellbeing disguising itself as royal intractability he turned to Abigail, the other girl staring as if in a trance at the colossal expanse of blackness, third eye lightly pulsing with strange colors as she gazed into the abyss.

"Well if she's already got an Outer God playing host to her body I guess the abyss can't really stare back at her…"

Instead of worrying about the girl who clearly didn't need to be worried about he instead focused on trying not to get sucked into the melody of the strange song emanating from the blackness, remembering what had happened the last time he got trapped by its tune.

"Damn, it's still going strong...don't suppose earplugs would help any, huh?"

"You can hear it too, Nanashi?"

Snapping out of his ruminations the homunculus found Abigail staring at him with a tilted head, curiosity and surprise clear to see on her features.

"Yeah, I can. Is that a bad thing? And why can't Manaka?"

Tapping her chin with a dainty finger as she gave the question real consideration the blonde eventually shrugged, responding, "I'm not entirely certain why...I am able to hear it because I'm familiar with the soul it belongs to while perhaps your ability to stare into true nature of reality and even affect it drew her eye. I would imagine Manaka would be able to hear it as well…"

Nanashi smirked, far too eager to be better than the currently pouting girl at something.

"Hmph! I'm sure the song is no great piece of music to shed tears over missing."

"I dunno about that...in all honesty it's actually quite beautiful."

His murmured comment earned him a flick on the ear, the youth annoyedly rubbing it before asking, "So how do we go about getting inside? Is there some kind of special passcode or something?"

A variety of strange looks were sent his way, Nanashi feeling slightly defensive as he protested, "What, am I wrong or something?"

Abigail smiled in a manner far more polite than Manaka's exasperated expression, responding, "No, it's just that I have never heard of it referred to as a 'passcode' before."

Rolling his eyes as the blonde nonetheless returned her attention to the strange wall of nothingness he almost jumped out of his skin as she summoned a jagged and mean looking key from her own bit of nothingness, explaining, "And as for your earlier question, yes, I'm quite capable of allowing us passage inside. Although, before we embark on such a journey…"

Abigail sent the pair a surprisingly serious gaze, stating with no possibility of compromise, "Whatever we may find inside I ask only that you remain calm and allow me to assess the danger that may or may not be present before making any moves."

A spark of what Nanashi thought might have been sadness danced within her sky-blue orbs.

"If Merlin and I are correct, then this individual has long since passed the phase of being a danger to anyone."

While neither Manaka or Nanashi were ready to go that far they ultimately shrugged, agreeing with Abigail's conditions as without further comment she shoved the oversized key into the inky blackness, gave a sharp twist of her wrist-

-and Nanashi stumbled as he almost fell flat on his face, hurriedly shaking his head to clear it as he stared around the area they had ended up in.

...Not that there was much to tell, the entire landscape a strange eddy of utter midnight with odd streamers of crimson occasionally flashing by, streamers that reminded Nanashi startlingly much of magic circuits.

"Is this water?"

Feeling like everything below his ankles was covered in warm liquid the homunculus bent down to examine the stuff with the tip of a finger-

-and yelped as Manaka slapped away the appendage before sharply stating, "Do not touch that, simpleton! Do you not realize what that-"

"It's fine, Manaka. You don't have to worry."

Staring incredulously at the utterly calm and even nostalgic looking Abigail the pale-blonde winded up for a sharp retort-

"If you know what this is then you should be quite aware of the fact that not being consumed means that you are in no danger, unless you actively seek it."

The doll-like girl subsided with a terrific pout, obviously not happy with the conclusion to the minor altercation as Nanashi sighed, resignedly asking, "Okay...explain to dumb guy over here, please?"

Manaka took up the challenge, warily eyeing the shifting ooze while stating, "What we stand upon and in is a facet of the Imaginary World, Nanashi. A separate plane of reality that is neither parallel nor alternate-"

She spotted her friend's pained look, huffing in resignation before simplifying and getting to the point, informing him, "We are inside a biological factory, Nanashi. One that can absorb any and all biomatter and repurpose it for the creation of new life at the factory's whim."

The homunculus blinked as Abigail kneeled down, closing her eyes and dipping a hand into the ooze.

"Soooo...we're biomatter, right?"

"..."

"..."

"...Yes, Nanashi. We are indeed biomatter."

Demeanor suggesting that she was in considerable agony the boy inwardly smirked, proud of his little playing the part of the fool to get her mind off of things.

Of course he knew what biomatter was. Something to do with plants.

…

Okay, maybe he only had a vague idea of what biomatter entailed but it was still better than nothing.

"That's right, we mean you no harm...may we speak? I demand nothing else of you and ask only the opportunity to converse."

Abigail's quiet and nearly inaudible whisper drew the duo's attention, the 'factory' shifting and contorting around her as if in agitation before abruptly smoothing out and returning to its previous placidity, a line of glowing crimson stretching to the horizon like some demented lighthouse.

"Come, friends. She's accepted that we're here for non-violent purposes."

"Well don't keep me in suspense or anything…"

Ignoring Nanashi's petulant grumble the trio began hiking after the constantly retreating path of red, minutes - or at least what felt like minutes - passing before the homunculus asked, "So how long is this going to take? Holding my reinforcement steady is starting to get a little draining and this place definitely seems like the kind of atmosphere that would rend a squishy person like myself to bits."

Abigail gave him a reassuring smile, stating, "It's less about distance and more the intention of wishing to meet with the endpoint of this journey. Focus on wishing to encounter the origin of the song we have been hearing and we shall be there before you know it."

"Oh wonderful. More super confusing and esoteric means of travel."

"You had best become accustomed to such 'esoterism', Nanashi. Such things will become daily occurrences for you if your new body's construction comes to fruition, what with all of the phantasmal materials we are gathering for it."

Manaka's admonishing words caused the boy to sigh, resigning himself to the fact that that sort of strangeness really was going to be a common occurrence rather than a novelty, instead doing as instructed and allowing the song to take him where it would.

…

It truly was a hauntingly beautiful melody, meaning and intent now discernible as he delved deep into its majesty, certain cadences and behaviors just seeming to make sense, his eyes helping out in that regard as they seemed to absolutely thrive in this kind of environment once he activated them fully.

Lines of causality and interconnection meshed perfectly with notes and pitch, the very nature of this 'Imaginary Number' space meaning any and all forms of tangible, interactable stimuli carried within them purpose and 'weight'.

"Ah hell I really am turning into a magus nerd. I'm starting to use big words like it's nothing."

Shaking himself free of that thought they nonetheless continued to advance, Nanashi simply going along with the flow-

-and the song's pitch took on a sudden change, sounding less like a distant echo and more an immediate presence.

"Hello, Tiamat."

Blinking away his confusion at the sudden shift in circumstance the youth watched Abigail sadly smile at a woman's figure that had manifested directly in front of them without so much as an errant breeze, kneeling in the ooze.

"And, umm...what a woman. Holy shit."

She was beautiful.

Long, aqua hair that fell well past her feet if she were to stand, braided and free flowing in equal measure while titanic horns jutted from her skull, jade constructs adorned with immaculately designed metal coverings of royal blue and gold while a draconic tail was similarly adorned.

Her chest seemed to be completely exposed except for a small shawl draped across her shoulders, metal bindings intricately tying her arms and legs together while unnatural but no less alluring pupils of an x-shape rested within bright pink orbs, a strange symbol lightly pulsating on her bare navel-

"Wait...did Abigail just say Tiamat? Manaka, I heard that right, right?"

Taking a deep breath the pale-blonde slowly responded, "Yes, you did. It seems we have been coming into contact with a fair few individuals of a strange nature as of late."

"More like I've been running into them…"

The duo watched Abigail calmly but slowly stride forward, the olden goddess of Sumerian myth watching the girl with something approaching wariness.

"Do you remember me, Tiamat? Abigail Williams?"

The host of an Outer God knelt directly in front of the motionless goddess, continuing with, "I'm not the Abigail you knew at Chaldea, but I remember her time spent during the 7th Singularity, holding the line against you."

The draconic woman seemed to perk, the song that had faded with their approach returning with a hesitant tempo.

"I also remember our master, Ritsuka. What he said when he spoke to you and what you replied with in kind."

To Nanashi and Manaka's disbelief the goddess seemed to shrink in on herself slightly upon hearing Abigail's words, lips parting as a trill of music rather than verbal language slipped forth, the blue-eyed girl apparently able to understand perfectly as she replied, "Yes, I know that it seems as if there is no recourse for you, no reason to hope that humanity will ever find a means to coexist with their mother...but I can tell you from personal experience that a life of loneliness is no life worth living."

A guarded, painfully hopeful expression appeared on Tiamat's features as Abigail sent a look towards where Manaka and Nanashi were standing off to the side.

"After all, even someone like myself finally managed to find friends~!"

She turned back towards the goddess, conveniently sparing the two the awkwardness of having to maintain eye contact after such an embarrassingly endearing statement.

"And I fully believe that you can do the same, Tiamat."

There was a pregnant pause, Manaka and Nanashi watching the two stare each other down...and a heartbreaking trill of emotion tugged at both of their heartstrings, Tiamat speaking some incomprehensible response to Abigail-

-and the blonde laughed in delight, leaping to her feet and promptly giving the goddess an enormous hug, the draconic female's features showcasing nothing but surprise at the intensity of the response before she melted into the embrace, Abigail rubbing her head against the goddess's as she turned back to the dumbstruck duo, excitedly stating, "Come over and say hello, you two! She's excited to meet you!"

The pair turned to stare helplessly at each other.

"And I thought you were a strange one, Nanashi."

"Don't go putting words in my mouth."

Don't fail me now, reviewers...lemme see those kaiju milf comments!

...

I kid.