Feathers glided along the smooth surface of the vanity as Sebas cleaned Lady Carissimi's room. She hadn't been present within the tomb in seven months but Sebas made sure that everything was tidy and cared for. Lady Carissimi was too loyal and kind hearted to abandon them like some of the Supreme Beings as of late. Sebas stepped back to examine his work when he heard the soft tinkling of bells and strains of a violin.
She was back.
Sebas turned and bowed to his lady but she gave no response. The angel simply left the room without a word. The butler followed to make sure she was alright but was able to go no further when she entered the eighth floor.
Sebas caught sight of his reflection and admired the little diamond feather on his lapel with pride. Only he had received a feather so far and it filled him with warmth to know Lady Carissimi favored him.
Sebas was about to continue his rounds when he heard the bells and violins. His eyes locked on Carissimi as she approached and bowed to his creator's sister. The angel walked past him without a word and towards the eighth floor.
Sebas heard the whispers. Lady Carissimi had been attacked and was still recovering in "IRL", the realm of Supreme Beings. It would seem that she'd been caught off guard in a weakened state and had been unable to fight back. This worried Sebas as he eavesdropped in Lords Touch-Me and Momonga, the two discussing her trips to the eighth floor and a "surprise" to help her recover.
The sound of bells and violins paused the Supreme Beings' conversation. Lord Momonga tried to speak to her but Lady Carissimi ignored him and walked away.
Straight to the eighth floor.
Sebas was determined to make sure his mistress didn't get hurt and was greeted properly. So here he was, waiting at the entrance to the eighth floor for Lady Carissimi. The butler had sped through his tasks for the day and placed himself there to await her arrival.
Sebas watched as Lady Carissimi rounded the corner and paused at the sight of him. He bowed politely and waited for her to approach so he may properly greet her. He heard her sigh and start walking again, her footsteps silent as she approached. She stopped again in front of Sebas and he kept his eyes respectfully trained on the ground. He only looked up when her hand lifted his chin.
Lady Carisimmi looked at him with that sweet smile and left, walking without a single word into the eight floor.
It's been a week and everyday, Sebas waited outside the entrance to the eighth floor. And everyday Lady Carisimi was faithfully greeted by the butler.
Just as always, Sebas bowed as his lady rounded the corner and waited for her to enter. But today was different. Instead of entering without a word, today, for the first time in a month, Lady Carisimmi spoke.
"Sebas," She whispered as she raised his head. She and the butler locked eyes for but a moment when she stepped closer and hugged him. Sebas stood stock still, unable to move for some strange reason.
"Thank you."
Releasing him, Lady Carisimmi walked into the eighth floor.
Carisimmi entered the eighth floor after greeting Sebas, her heart heaving and feeling dead inside. She was depressed, undeniably so. Eight months have passed and the pain is still fresh in her mind. Her children were dead, she was paralyzed from the waist down and her career was over. But the worst of all was that she could never have children again. The one thing she'd dreamed of now forever out of her reach. She hasn't spoken to anyone outside of her brother when necessary and spent all of her time after therapy logged into Yggdrasil and hiding. The eighth floor was forbidden but Momonga had allowed this as he couldn't bear to see her not come back. She just wanted to be alone to wallow in her misery.
Carisimmi walked in silence when she spotted a used but unactivated data crystal floating in the air. The angel moved cautiously over to the floating item when it suddenly activated. Unbeknownst to her, it was her presence that activated it, releasing a gift from her fellow guild mates. Carisimmi covered her eyes as an angelic light filled her HUD. The light slowly died and took shape before her, tears leaking from her eyes in IRL.
There, floating right in front of her, was a giant fetus. The fetus of an angel.
Carisimmi carefully grabbed the fetus and started to read its flavor text and wept, all the pain she'd been bottling up crashing over her like a tidal wave.
Name: Victim
Race: Angel
Epithet: Sacrificial Fetus
Bio: The lost child of Lady Carissimi, the Great Nephilim of Nazarick.
May the souls of Carisimmi's children rest in peace. We may not be blood, but we are still family. We love you Carisimmi and we made this child in honor of the ones you lost.
Carisimmi held onto Victim tighter than anything she ever had in life. This was her baby. Her babies made it!
"It's okay." She cooed to the child. "Mommy's got you."
Victim has a mother. And his mother is very protective of him. His mother had been unable to carry him to term from what he understood and he couldn't be reborn in her womb. So she carries him in her arms. He doesn't mind because he knows he is loved.
".ymmom uoy evol I"
For a year Carisimmi carried Victim everywhere. She never left the guild and just held him, cooing to the fetus like it was a real child. They were growing worried that the angel was too attached to Victim and a stop had to be put to this behavior. Momonga tried to ask her to stop carrying him everywhere but she wasn't having it. She attacked anyone who tried to separate them, diamond feathers slicin their HP to bits. They were going through health potions at an unholy rate and she was their only healer. So they gave her space.
Until the attacks started.
A spy had sold the information and they began to come in droves. Ainz Ooal Gown was battling itself and was divided was the word of the streets. Wave after wave of players came to attack the Tomb. Some to conquer, others to steal the World Championship Dress. For five days, the guild was under attack with no healer to help them. THe treasury was dwindling from reviving NPCs after every attack. Finally, Momonga put his foot down and made Victim the eighth floor guardian. He could no longer leave and Carisimmi couldn't move him. The angel, wracked with grief, finally stood against the invaders.
Carisimmi, by herself, decimated seven thousand players in less than an hour in a battle known only as the Legendary Wrath of the Unholy Angel.
The Wrath, as it was known within the guild, pushed them into the number one spot on the continental server. With this jump in position came more ram and the ability to add new NPCs without the use of data crystals. The guild was proud of this achievement and celebrated, opening their ranking prizes and chatting endlessly into the night.
But Carissimi was still inconsolable. She appeared normal but anyone could see the broken soul she held. Everyday the line that separated the illusion of control in Yggdrasil and the pain of IRL blurred as she fell back into her pit. Deeper and deeper she spiraled until an idea came to her.
To make children that no one could take from her.
The sound of terrified screams and giggles do little to sway Sephiroth's appetite as he chews thoughtfully at a chocolate. He's calm and unbothered by the events around him as he watches Nigun continue to run about the glass maze he's trapped in. Nigun runs helplessly as he slams into the crystal clear glass, unable to identify a wall from an exit. The table next to Sephiroth rattles just slightly when Nigun crashes into the wall Sephiroth is seated on.
A look of disgust creeps on Sephiroth's face as the man tries to climb the glass and begs for mercy. He manages to jump high enough to pull himself up on the ledge and looks at Sephiroth with hope in his eyes.
"Please!" The man begs, his hand reaching for Sephiroth's boot. A chunk of flesh is missing from his arm and Sephiroth cringes at the sight of the blood. With a negligent wave of his hand, a spell circle appears above the bite and heals the wound.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Gratitude bleeds from Nigun's lips once the pain is gone. All the man can see before him is a merciful goddess as he pulls himself up further on the ledge. Sephiroth's disgust turns to disinterest as he plants the bottom of his boot on Nigun's face and pushes the man back into the maze. The man's screams fall on deaf ears as Sephiroth's attention is turned to his now empty teapot.
With a sigh, Sephiroth removes his hair tie and combes his fingers through pink curls as he waits for Karma to finish tenderizing her meat. He idly popped another chocolate in his mouth and chewed slowly when Karma raked her claws behind her prey and nicked it. She really seemed to be enjoying her treat.
It's a shame she can't eat him just yet.
A maid arrives moments later with a fresh pot of tea and message. "Good evening, Lord Sephiroth." She said with a bow. Sephiroth gave her a polite, closed eye smile, the maid swooning internally. "Lord Demiurge has requested your presence."
Sephiroth stood and turned to let Karma know they were leaving when the maid interrupted him. "Lord Demiurge wants to see only you, Lord Sephiroth." The maid said as she straightened up and placed the teapot on the table. Sephiroth raised a single brow but nodded in acceptance.
Karma had stopped to watch the proceedings, having tackled Nigun and was now perched on his chest as he struggled. The girl watched sadly as the incubus walked away. She wasn't allowed to kill Nigun yet and if Sephiroth left that meant meal preparations had to be put on pause. Sephiroth stopped and looked over his shoulder at Karma, an unspoken message being sent through their gazes.
"Yes!" Karma cheered and grabbed Nugun's face to talk excitedly to him, her teeth becoming a shark like grin. "I can snack on you as long as it's non-fatal!"
The maid smiled at the young guardian's joy and poured a glass of milk for the girl to enjoy with her snack.
"WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF FUN!"
The bathroom is silent aside from the sound of flowing water. Sebas is composed as he runs a soapy cloth across Carissimi's naked skin. With each breath comes a soft sigh that strums at Sebas's feelings. The butler can tell his mistress is conflicted and is unable to find words to express herself. As her butler, it was his job to help her in every way he could. Even when she didn't ask.
"My lady, your demonic form is quite beautiful." He murmured, moving onto her hair. He hoped that this would be an appropriate icebreaker. The angel sighed and pulled away from Sebas to turn around. Her arms folded on the edge of the bath and she laid her chin on them to look at the butler. "It didn't feel beautiful." She muttered, her eyes fluttering closed when Sebas's fingers returned to her head. The firm yet gentle pressure across her scalp relaxed her but she still felt tense. The massage stopped and Carissimi took that as her cue to rinse. She dunked under the milk's surface and re-emerged with questions on her tongue.
"Was I too harsh?" She asked the butler as she clung to the edge with just her fingers. Her gaze was locked on her hands as she avoided eye contact. "Did I overreact? Am I even a good person?" She sank lower into the bath, her bottom lip barely brushing the surface. "How do I know that I won't hurt you or the rest of Nazarick?"
So that's what was bothering his lady. Sebas looked at his mistress with pride and awe at her concern for them. She obviously feared the power she held and worried over her demonic traits making her cruel. She worried about losing herself and hurting those meant to serve her. What an amazing woman he served…
Slowly, almost as though he were afraid of frightening her, Sebas grasped Carissimi's chin and lifted her face to look at him. His hand was firm but gentle as he cradled her face, his eyes resolute and honest as he spoke. "M'lady, you are the kindest soul to have walked all the realms of Yggdrasil. You are the Queen Mother of Nazarick and take your role as such very seriously. If you were truly to hurt Nazarick, you wouldn't be worried about harming it in the first place. The fact that you worry shows you care."
Carissimi is speechless at her butler's conviction. Here was Sebas, the NPC with the highest good karma in Nazarick, telling her she was good. She had no idea where this " Queen Mother " thing came in but she didn't care. Her heart was beating like a drum and her mind light. A heady feeling consumed her as she acted on something she never thought she would. Carissimi lifted a hand and cupped Sebas by the back of his head, pulling herself out of the milk and exposing her breast to the open air. She didn't give herself the chance to back out, her other arm supporting her weight on the edge of the bath. She was dripping milk everywhere but she didn't care, pressing her lips to Sebas's in a gentle kiss.
Sebas feels his heart almost burst from his chest at the feeling of lips against his own. There was no chance to respond as Lady Carissimi quickly let go and climbed out of the bath, modesty forgotten as she used only her wings as cover. Sebas was frozen in his spot for a few seconds before his body finally listened and moved. He quickly exited the bathroom and saw his mistress fumbling to tie her nightie in place. Her movements are sluggish and unfocused as he nears. Sebas mentally berates himself for not realizing sooner that she was exhausted. She'd burned a significant amount of magic and hadn't eaten all day.
Sebas took over tying the straps of the nightie and scooped the angel into his arms. He carried her over to the bed and laid her down carefully on her side. Sebas was unsurprised but pleased when Carissimi pulled him into the bed. His jacket and gloves were still folded in the bathroom so he carefully removed his shoes and climbed into the bed. The butler tensed slightly when Carissimi came close and rubbed her nose into his neck and nipped slightly as the skin.
"You smell nice…" She mumbled sleepily, her sense of control flying out the window with her exhaustion.
His blood began to heat and instincts that were normally kept in careful check roared in his head. Unknowingly, Carissimi opened herself to courtship with her actions. Sebas was now seen as a prospective mate and he intended on proving himself until she deemed him worthy of her hand. Thoughts of her laid out in his hoard, stomach round with child and breast heavy with milk filled his mind. Sebas barely held back a growl and just relaxed as the angel scented him further.
He now bore her scent on his throat and he couldn't wait till she bore his mark on hers.
Sephiroth arrived at the seventh floor without much delay. He'd never been to this floor, or any other floor, before. This mattered little to him as he focused on finding Demiurge and not sightseeing. The smooth obsidian was slippery beneath his heels but his steps did not falter or waver. The incubus was completely at ease and moved with a grace that no human could ever hope to achieve as followed a line of crumbling columns. The screams of the tortured and damned were nothing but white noise to his ears, the appendages twitching ever so slightly as he listened out for Demiurge.
The seventh floor was beautiful with its rivers and falls
of lava. The glow and heat of the fire made everything shine with elegance of eternal damnation. Sephiroth watched bemusedly as a lava slime slinked it's way across the crumbling statue of Greek god, the torched stone slowly turning to ash as time took its toll. Humans placed these gods on such high pedestal gold and carved visages of stone. But gold can be stolen, stripped and melted. Stone would always break and crumble . Humans think so highly of images of greater self and do not realize that they're still just that. An image.
A pity that such high ideas of grandeur came from such pitiful creatures.
Finally, Sephiroth arriyat the Blazing Temple and was greeted by an imp. "Good evening Lord Sephiroth." The imp bowed and guided him into the temple. "Lord Demiurge is expecting you." They walked through empty halls with not a single soul in sight. Even so, Sephiroth could still hear the slight murmurs of the shadows as he was led towards their master, Demiurge. Sephiroth was still slightly miffed at being written off by the elder demon but was otherwise unbothered. He was mute and thus couldn't talk, so why would Demiurge try to speak with him. Karma was his voice, and did a good job at it too.
The imp stopped in front of a black, wooden door and knocked loudly. A firm "Come in!" was heard from the other side. The imp opened the door and stepped aside to let Sephiroth in. The incubus quirked a brow and walked into a study.
Thick tomes and various scrolls lined the shelves and called to Sephiroth. His fingers itched to take one down and start reading but he had business to attend to. Business first, knowledge later. Sephiroth walked over to a desk and sat atop it, peering curiously at the maps and designs laid out on it. His fingers slowly moved over the sheafs of parchment, stopping on one in particular. Were these plans for a throne…?
"Sephiroth, I'm glad you could join me."
Sephiroth looked up and blinked owlishly at Demiurge, as though the man hadn't appeared out of nowhere and spoke in his ear. Sephiroth twisted his body to fully face the demon and crossed one leg over the other. His hands came to rest on a knee as his face clearly said I'm listening.
Demiurge smiled at the unflappable boy and held out a single seed. Sephiroth leaned forward with interest and inspected it but didn't touch. It was small and fibrous, rather unremarkable in appearance but…
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes in suspicion. All of Nazarick knew of his love for gardening and his meticulous, almost obsessive care of his plants. What was the demon getting at?
Sephiroth leaned back and waited for Demiurge to speak.
Seeing the distrust in the younger's eyes, Demiurge laughed. "Mare aided me in finding a suitable apology gift today. Lady Bukubukuchagama gifted him with a pouch of random seedlings before she left for the realm of the Supreme Beings permanently." Demiurge moved closer to Sephiroth and placed the seed in his hand. "This is a Cerbera odollam, also known a the "Suicide Tree". It is one of the deadliest plants in the realm of the Supreme Beings." Sephiroth lit up, or at least as much as he could. His ears perked slightly and both brows raised, his excitement clear to the demon. His tail was even wagging a bit, the bone scraping slowly against the desk. "I apologize for dismissing you. You are a guardian of Nazarick and as such, should be treated with that level of respect."
Sephirorh appreciated the gesture but hearing Demiurge apologize was a bit awkward. Deciding to change the subject, he noticed the pink flower pinned to Demiurge's jacket. Sephiroth pointed a finger at it and rolled his eyes internally when Demiurge practically preened.
"Lady Carissimi gifted me this as a token of her appreciation." Demiurge cupped a hand over the rose and went on a spiel about the rose and its rarity and value in IRL. Sephiroth just shook his head and left to plant his new seed in his garden.
The walk back to the 9th floor was uneventful other than the fact that he could hear the maids gossiping. They apparently "shipped" him with Demiurge and the fact that he just left the Blazing Temple and his hair was untied didn't help. Sephiroth could really care less at the moment, speeding towards his garden. The sight of large cherry oak doors brought a smile to his face. It was quickly wiped away and replaced with a cool, neutral look as he stepped inside.
A large botanical garden greeted him, two large bushes of Juliet roses on either side of the door. These were the only plants that were purely aesthetic in the whole garden. Everything else can and will kill you. Sephiroth smiled as he walked further into the garden, the toxic fumes doing nothing to his poison resistance buff. His eyes softened as he gently potted the seed in a new pot of soil and placed it in a well lit area. He'd have to research the plant later but that should do for now.
Sephiroth decided to take a quick gift for his creator and grabbed a pair of shears. He swayed as he moved, his heels silent as he moved across the stone walkway. Several deadly critters watched him from the foliage, curious of his good mood. Sephiroth carefully snipped delicate blooms to create a beautiful bouquet: white angel trumpets, snakeroot, calla lilies and bloodroots to create a solid base of white. He added hydrangeas, foxgloves, bleeding hearts and wolfsbane for a splash of color to brighten the room. The large blooms draped delicately over his arms as he carried them with him back to his creator's room.
Sephiroth paused and thought worriedly for a moment before continuing on his trek.
Marigolds would have just looked wrong with the rest of the flowers.
Safety and comfort.
That was the two most prominent sensations as she woke up. Carissimi blinked sluggishly as she slowly joined the waking world. Her eyes gradually adjusted to the faint light of the lanterns around her bed, sleep still heavy on her face. A few tries later, Carissimi finally cleared her vision, eyes falling on the man below her. Sebas was watching her intently, obviously being awake for some time. Carissimi feels her cheeks heat up but can't find herself to be ashamed. Sebas makes her safe and secure: something she hadn't had in a long time.
"Uh, good morning Sebas." She said as she slid off of him and quickly moved to the edge of the bed.
Okay, she was a little embarrassed.
Swinging her legs off the bed, Carissimi stretched and sighed at the popping sounds her back made. Her wings opened to their full size and created a small gust that lifted her nightie. With a small squeak, Carissimi dropped her arms and held down the skirt.
Behind her, Sebas hid a smile at his lady's antics. One moment she's bold and coy, the next she's shy and reserved. A remarkable mistress he had. Sebas straightened his clothes as best as he could and bowed to his mistress when she turned to him. "I Messaged a maid to have breakfast brought up. Lord Sephiroth and Lady Karma have already started their meal." Carisimmi's face warmed as he straightened and moved to the lounge.
Karma and Sephiroth were both seated across from each other on couches, the table between them laden with food. The two of them pretended not to notice Sebas leaving the bed nor his wrinkled clothes. Sephiroth sips quietly at a cup of tea and eats a tart delicately but keeps stopping to throw Karma an unimpressed look. His eyebrows convey a whole conversation as Karma viciously tears into her meal, bits of blood and flesh hanging from her jaws as she digs in. She slowed down everytime Sephiroth looked at her, taking a moment to chew and actually taste the meat. Sephiroth didn't want her to choke but she was so happy to finally eat Nigun. Demiurge had a maid bring him up with breakfast since the man had no information left to offer. Karma had carefully pricked the sides of his throat with a claw, slitting his vocal cords without killing him to keep him from waking Lady Carissimi.
The man was screaming noiselessly as he watched his body be devoured by a child. His last moments would be filled with horror and dragged out as spells kept him alive and aware. Even with his vocal cords cut, he could still give a barely there whisper, begging for a death that was slow to come. And it was music to the little cannibal's ears.
Karma took a big gulp of her strawberry milk and hummed in appreciation before offering a sip to her captive.
Carissimi stood next to Sebas and made sure to avoid looking in Karma's direction. Instead, she turns to fully face Sebas and cranes her neck and looks him in the eye. Deftly, she removed her guild ring and placed it on Sebas's right ring finger, the ring changing size accordingly. "Thank you, Sebas. For everything." The butler opened his mouth to respond but Carissimi held up a finger to stop him. "You are someone I care deeply for and plan on having in my life for a very long time. You are the head steward of the Great Tomb of Nazarick and as such, you need to be able to move unencumbered within its walls." Her head tilted to the side and smiled innocently. "Besides, I hope that you can sleep here every night. Your room is rather far from mine and I don't want to interfere with your duties by making you late in the mornings."
Sebas was once again speechless. He was meant to be courting her yet here she was, providing him gifts. What a strange (magnificent) mistress he had.
The butler bowed and took his mistress's left hand, kissing her ring finger. "I am honored, my lady. I will not fail you." He said and straightened back up. Sebas opened a "Gate" into his room and left. Carissimi smiled and waved at his departing form until the portal was gone. Once the magic had dissipated, Carissimi walked into her lounge area and dropped herself somehow gracefully into the couch next to Sephiroth. She curled her legs elegantly beneath her form as she propped her head up with an arm on the armrest. Her nightie barely covered her lower parts in her position, the silk fabric easily sliding to expose the curve of her butt.
Nigun screamed whisperedly when Karma deftly scooped out an eye when his sight caught on her cleavage as she leaned into her to grab a muffin.
The three of them ate their breakfast in companionable silence, the atmosphere warm and happy. Sephiroth read a book on poisonous plants while sipping silently at a cup of jasmine tea, Carissimi stroking his now loose hair as she watched Nigun try to wiggle away from the table. He was missing an eye, a good chunk of his shoulder and all the flesh from an arm sans the tendons, only his on the right side though. Karma had filled her stomach with strawberry milk and proclaimed "the meat needed to season a little longer". She looked so proud of herself, her swirling pupils glowing with mirth as put a foot on his hip and pushed down, a litany of cracks and snapping coming from his body as he tried to scream bloody murder. The child giggled so cutely and naively that she seemed to radiate innocence.
That was a lie.
A part of Carisimmi's mind told her that she should be uncomfortable with the cruelty and suffering the man was going through but a greater part was pleased. Warm contentment meant buzzed within her at justice, even this twisted version of it, being served. A voice at the back of her head screamed for sinners to be punished and by any means possible. This man worshipped a false god, not she or Momonga. They were above all of them. These weak humans were nothing but slaves to wheels of time. The village had gained the protection of Nazarick and would be accepted into her light. But all others will be judged.
Carisimmi blinked dazedly as she came down from whatever was happening, her mind going off without her. The glow of her eyes faded as she refocused on her surroundings. Carisimmi looked at the cup of tea she'd been drinking with a confused expression before resuming her breakfast. She pretended not to see Sephiroth pull out a rapier and jab Nigun with it, a random poison keeping him awake, aware and most importantly, quiet.
Sephiroth gave a small huff through his nose and stood, his tail swishing lazily behind him in a content manner. Stepping on the still fleshy hand of Nigun, he walked over to Carisimmi's vanity and held up a dress for her to see. It was a simple, off the shoulder white sundress with red lace flowers on the edge of the skirt. A layer of white, see through material covered the shirt and brought it to a floor length. Sephiroth picked up a matching red lace choker and wrist length gloves with his tail for comparison.
Carisimmi's head tilted back slightly as she gave a small, heartfelt laugh. Sephiroth was such a sweetheart. "Thank you, Sephiroth. A lovely choice." She said as she stood. "Let me take a bath first." The angel stood and started to tug the ties of her nightie when the bedroom door opened. She paused as a maid walked in and bowed politely.
"Good morning Lady Carissimi." She said cheerfully and straightened back up. "Lord Momonga has requested your presence immediately."
Carisimmi blinked at the maid's sudden intrusion but just sighed at her message. Her wings shifted irritably at the idea of not taking a morning bath but she and Momonga did need to talk. "All right. Tell him I'll be down in a moment."
"Of course m'lady."
With another bow, the maid departed. Carissimi shuffled over to her vanity and quickly prepared for the day. Sephiroth helped Carisimmi into the dress and combed her hair into a loose braid that fell between her wings and covered the fact that there was no back to the dress. The back of the dress dipped to her lower back, obviously to allow her wings full movement without being irritated by the rub of fabric. Sephiroth heard a choking noise from the lounge area and noticed that Karma was out of view. Quickly, he walked over to check on his fellow guardian and make sure it wasn't her choking.
Alone at the vanity, Carisimmi took a moment to look at her back in the mirror and tried to move her wings. Her eyes were locked on the movement of the muscles below her skin. She took in the way that the closer her wings got to the base, the feathers went from straight and sleek to fluffy and downy. Slowly, she managed to extend a wing around herself to closer inspect it. Her fingers ran reverently across the feathers, the outer ones smooth and glossy likes planes of glass. The inner feathers were slightly rounder in shape and softer, like swaths of silk and cotton.
Curiously, she grabbed a feather and pulled. The feather came out easily. It was fully formed and a beautiful shade of ivory with a golden tip. Carisimmi spun it by the shaft, admiring its change from organic to stone. The feather grew cold to the touch as it slowly became see through, the white seemingly burning away to reveal diamond. The gold coloring at the tip shone like sunlight. The feather caught the light of Carisimmi's aura and reflected it into a wash of moon bows with scattered beams of sunlight .
An idea popped in her head and Carisimmi quickly opened her inventory and stashed the feather away. She stood from her seat quickly and almost knocked over the vanity with her wings. Her steps were quick yet measured as she moved towards the door. With a quick pause she threw over her shoulder. "Sephiroth, make sure Karma doesn't make too much of a mess with her food. Karma, do try to have some table manners."
Carisimmi gave them no chance to respond and left quickly. Outside her door, she noticed several maids and remembered her position. "Ok. Just remain calm." She thought to herself. "Deep breathes. You are a leader. You must act like it." Carisimmi's breath evened out and she walked with her back straight. As she passed, each maid bowed politely to her and she gave a small "Hello" in kind.
She held herself with a poise and elegance that she always strived to emulate in IRL. Her footfalls were light and airy as she walked the halls to Momonga's office. On the outside, she was the epitome of grace and beauty, the finest that Nazarick has to offer. But inside is turmoil.
Why did Momonga want to see her so early? Was this about her outburst? Did she hurt someone? Did she disgrace the tomb?
Only her impressive resume as an actress allowed her to remain so calm when she finally arrived. She held her breath as the massive double doors opened and her name was announced.
Showtime.
"Good Morning, Lord Momonga." Carisimmi said with a slight curtsy, her wings dropped low in a sign of respect. The maid present and Albedo bowed low to her in turn.
"Welcome, Lady Carissimi." They both chimed. They stood back up and watched as their lady crossed the room and sat on the arm of their lord's chair, placing a hand on his shoulder and leaning into his space. Albedo burned internally at the act of disrespect and nearly lashed out to reprimand the angel before she caught herself. Ths was Lady Carisimmi, a Supreme Being. She was far above herself in rank and should be treated as such. But oh did it eat at Albedo to watch the angel move so casually and disrespectfully with her beloved.
At the very least, the woman was not a love rival.
"Good morning Carissimi. I trust you are feeling better?" Momonga questioned as he took Carisimmi's hand and kissed it good naturedly. Carisimmi gave a small snort at the action and moved to kiss his cheek in retaliation. Albedo seethed further when her lips pulled away and left an imprint in a dark , almost blood colored, red. Carisimmi's gentle smile and flit of the eyes was easily mistranslated into a possessive smirk by the succubus.
"I feel perfect. Thank you for asking." She slid off the arm of his chair and rolled her shoulders, her feathers fluffing up as her back cracked. Albedo barey restrained a twitch of the eye at "obvious" signs at courtship and flirting. "You wished to see me?"
"Ah, I did." Momonga turned his attention from Carisimmi to Albedo and the maid. "You are dismissed."
The two bowed once more and left.
"Hm…" Carisimmi sighed and plopped onto the desk. "You're taking this pretty well Momo?" She asked and she made herself comfortable. She watched curiously as Momonga dropped his head in her lap and huffed. His words were slightly muffled but still clear enough for her to hear. "I'm taking this too well." Carisimmi stroked his head lightly and waited for him to continue. She did this with her fiance all the time before…
"I think I might be affected by some status racial buffs. If I feel too much, it's like a cap is suddenly put on my emotions." The lich sat back up and looked her right in the eyes.
"I felt nothing when those humans were being killed yesterday."
Carimmi knew that she should judge him but couldn't. She had her own vice from that same village. "I enjoyed watching those soldiers be killed. She confessed. Momonga was a little shocked by this. While her karma was as high as her brothers, it was still on the ood side unlike the rest of the guild. "I was so happy to see them be punished for their crimes. An eye for an eye I suppose. Justice was being served." She said wistfully. Momonga studied the satisfied look on her face before answering. "I believe we are both becoming more like our racial classes and character backstories. You're a nephilim, both angelic and demonic. Those feelings must be derived from the strong sense of justice of your angelic side. Angels have been known to deal extreme punishments for perceived sin. And given your supposed father… those feelings may be further amplified."
Carisimmi sat frozen as she processed what was said. Was she really going to become that ?
Oh dear.
"But that wasn't what I wanted to talk about?" Momonga continued and cut off her train of thought. "I wish to take on the guild's name as my own." He said and laced his fingers together. Carisimmi;s brows furrowed as she placed her weight on an arm and leaned forward. "Why would you wanna do that?" She asked and tilted her head to the side. Momonga noted with slight amusement that no matter which way she tilted her head, her halo stayed floating the same exact position above her.
"I hope that if we can spread the name, we may be able to find others. Maybe other members of the guild are here in this world too and are out there."
Carisimmi's heart fluttered at the idea, with worry or hope? She didn't know.
"If you think it can help us find any of our friends, I'll stand behind you." She said. "But we must be prepared for it if it's an enemy instead."
Momnga nodded. "Thank you. I take your words to heart." Carefully, he picked up her much smaller hand and stared at it. So small and dainty she was. Frail too. She was a healer, support. A sacrifice. Her defense stats were extremely low and her health points just as low.
"I may be the guild leader but we are both leaders. We shall stand side by side on equal grounds." He told her as he closed his fingers around her hand. "I may sit on the Throne of Kings but you shall sit beside me on the throne of Hell."
Carisimmie laughed lightly at his declaration and smiled so sweetly it almost broke Momonga's nonexistent heart. "So I'm gonna get my own throne then? It better be comfier than yours.
He would protect her from all that wished to hurt her or possess her. She was his only true friend in this world. His and his alone.
"Of course. Can't have you sitting on my arm forever."
The throne room was filled to the brim, from the lowest maid to the highest of the guardians. Each floor was well represented and the might of Nazarick was barely contained in the massive hall. Even then, this was barely the tip of the iceberg. The eighth floor still had yet to reveal itself, sans one small guardian.
Victim.
The angel watched as his fellow Floor Guardians bickered amongst themselves. Never had he seen his fellow guardians together like this. These were the strongest warriors in Nazarick but they were so…odd.
"Hey Mare, lemme see your ring again?" Aura prodded at her brother. "Must be nice to have the favor of both Supreme Beings. Especially Lady Carissimi!" Mare tried to hide his face as he was poked and teased by his twin. Aura tried to act like it's nothing, but jealousy still hangs over her like a cloud. She'd been so close to Lady Bukubukuchagama and her abandonment stung. The fact that Mare was so close to the Supreme Beings and was so obviously favored by one burned. "C'mon Mare. Tell me what her hugs are like!"
Mare squeezed and dashed away with his staff clenched tightly to his chest. He ducked between Shalltear and Albedo, the two women practically at each other's throats as they argued. "Lord Ainz would never allow a disgusting lamprey like you be head wife!" Albedo taunted, her eyes narrowed with vicious mockery. "Oh? And he would let a filthy whore like you be his?" Shalltear mocked with her fingers held delicately to her face. "I would be a much better wife than you!" The two women continued to bicker, completely ignoring Mare as he peeked at his sister from between them.
Mare had hoped that the two arguing would be enough to deter his twin but he had underestimated her persistence. "Oh no you don't Mare!" She yelled and charged. Mare squeezed his eyes shut and tried to run away. He bumped into Karma, who was trying to keep the skull she was picking at away from Sephiroth. The incubus was trying, and failing, to get her to put it away.
The two collided and Mare fell to the ground with a small "Oomph." Karma managed to stay on her feet but the skull was thrown from her hands and onto the floor. The skull rolled right into Aura's path and tripped her. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. The slow rip of Karma's cheeks as her snack was kicked back into her face. The look of horror in Mare's eyes as he realized what happened. The snarls coming from Albedo and Shalltear.
Aura braced herself for impact, prepared to stop her descent before she even hit the ground. But the fall didn't happen. A set of hands gently caught her beneath her shoulders and knees and held her in a bridal hold. Sephiroth stood gracefully and twirled then out of the way of Karma's. His tail snapped forward to hit the girl on the back of her head. Karma helped and held the spot tenderly as she turned to face him. The torn cheeks and bloody fangs were gone and a cute pout was in place as her eyes watered.
"Why'd you hit me?" She whined.
Sephiroth shot her a dull look and gently set Aura down. He tilted his head and smiled gently at her while patting her head. Aura just looked at him in awe as he smiled at her and her heart beated just a little faster in her chest.
Doki! Doki!
Sephiroth pretended not to notice the blush creeping across Aura's face as he stood and grabbed the skull from the floor. The bone had been picked clean though an eye was still in one of the sockets, staring emptily into his own. Sephiroth deftly plucked the eye out and tossed it into Karma's awaiting mouth, sticking the skull in his inventory for later. She hummed happily as she chewed her little morsel, all murderous intent evaporating instantly. Sephiroth stared blankly , unimpressed with the sudden change in emotion. Turning to Mare, he offered his tail and pulled the boy up. Sephiroth patted him on the head and turned his attention to the still bickering females.
His face remained blank but one could just feel the irritation and disgust coming off of Sephiroth. His lip quirked downward ever so slightly. Feeling a change in aura behind, Sephiroth turned around to see what was the fuss. His irritation grew and disgust turned to begrudging amusement at the sight.
How exhausting.
Demiurge and Sebas were standing almost face to face, a barely acceptable space between them. The two were posturing in a hardly reserved manner. Demiurge had caught Lady Carisimmi's scent on Sebas and confronted the butler. The two were now silently posturing as Demiurge understood what the scenting meant and it burned him. Jealousy unlike any other filled the demon as he challenged the butler. The challenge was ceased before it could start when Cocytus slammed his spear on the ground, signally the arrival of the Supreme Beings.
As one, everyone kneeled as their Supreme Beings entered and ascended to the Throne of Kings. Lord Momonga was the first to sit, his impressive form filling the throne and instilling a sense of awe in all. Carisimmi's fingers dragged across a pauldron as she stepped closer to their lord. With an elegant turn of the heel, she fell gracefully into his lap and sat sideways across his lap. The image they presented was stunning. His all encompassing power and stature paired with her effortless grace and heart made for a powerful pair.
Albedo wanted to cry. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight of Carisimmi seated so casually on her beloved. Her beloved caressed…held... comforted this woman so easily and openly. They had a relationship that she could never even hope to have.
But she was more than willing to try.
Carisimmi made herself comfortable in Momonga's lap and curled one leg under herself and draped the other off the side. Even with this uncaring position, she maintained an air of authority as she kept her head high and wings slightly flared. This was it. This was where everything changed.
"First," Momonga called out, his voice echoing easily across the hall, "We apologize for moving on our own. Albedo will tell you all that has happened." Albedo preened slightly at the acknowledgment. "However, there is one thing I must say immediately." Momonga raised a hand and pointed a finger at the rows of flags hanging from the columns.
"Greater Break Item."
His flag instantly disintegrated with blue flames. The denizens gaped in shock at the action, shock and worry. Was he leaving them? We're theyleaving them?
"Lord Momonga has decided to change his name and I concur." Carisimmi purred. Her voice was unnaturally smooth and cool. Unbeknownst to her, she was subconsciously using "Command Mantra". Demiurge shivered at the feeling of her latent magic rolling over him. "From now on, his name is Ainz Ooal Gown. You shall call him Ainz."
Ainz watched as Carisimmi worked her magic. He'd been a big fan of her movies in IRL, especially her last one "Kill Me Before I Die". She was an amazing actress before the attack and to see her here… Back in her element and so full of life. It was amazing. She'd been hesitant to put herself in this position but with her here and so at ease in his lap, it shows that he values her. She had a level of familiarity with him that proved he trusted her and saw her as an equal. She ruled beside and that was not a question.
"If there are any objections, stand and voice them now!" Carisimmi called, her voice loud and firm. The sudden change in tone sent a shiver down the spines of all who heard. The message was clear though. She was kind, but she will be firm. Question her authority and face the consequences. No threats or examples were needed.
Just her voice.
Albedo broke the silence, her head bowing further as she spoke for fellow servants. "We have heard your precious name. We devote our absolute loyalty to our venerable leader."
"Hail Lord Ainz Ooal Gown!"
The two players watched and listened as praise and declarations of loyalty poured from their subjects. Their loyalty touched them and seeped into their very being.
Carisimmi stood from her spot and channeled all the confidence she once possessed in IRL. She stood tall, chest pushed slightly out and one leg in front the other with her arms spread wide. Her wings snapped open to their full span, a strong gust passing over the gathered denizens. Her eyes glowed with a pink sheen and her aura shined a little brighter.
"This is an absolute order! Make Ainz Ooal Gown an eternal legend!"
Cheers erupted throughout the hall and thundered against the walls. Yes, the Great Tomb of Nazarick would be eternal.
As the throne room slowly cleared out, Carisimmi caught sight of Victim. Her heart clenched painfully and her body moved on its own. "Victim!" She called out to the little angel. Victim and the rest of the guardians paused their departure to watch as Carisimmi descended the stairs at a hurried pace. Carissimi's face was locked in a bright smile, too bright for any heart to remain icy with. Carisimmi glided down the last three steps and swooped Victim into her arms. The two angels twirled midair for a second before Carisimmi landed and planted a kiss on Victim's temple. She cradled him close and held him tightly as she subconsciously pulled all the children closer to her with her wings, her magic lulling them into a state of total peace.
"I've missed you so much…" She whispered to the fetus.
".rehtom ,oot uoy dessim I"
The adult guardians stiffened at his words. Lady Carisimmi was his mother? Did this mean…
Victim is the heir to the throne of Nazarick?