A story created by Proximatic / Dan. A crossover between Hyperdimension Neptunia and Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins).
. . .
After transforming into the powerful Purple Heart, Neptune handily defeated the Commandments of Purity and Reticence in battle, inherently weakening the threat of the Ten Commandments.
Satisfied with her victory, and having gained an extra wave of supporters and Shares along the way, Neptune continued her journey up the Britannian countryside.
Crossing through a forest first, Neptune takes a short break in a quaint hamlet along the edge of a cliff that leads to the ocean beyond.
Finding herself becoming acquainted and friendly with the locals, including a trio of children that lived there, she was suddenly hit with a small, shocking onset of homesickness.
But not letting it stop her in her tracks, the Goddess once more continues her trip up the countryside, and is ready to help anyone in need.
We now continue from where we left off. . .
Britannia — Countryside
Chh-chh-chh. . .ssshhheeewn. . .
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The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker OST — Outset Island
0:01 •— 2:06
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ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ: —•
It has been thirty minutes since Neptune left the cliffside village where she took a break. The sun was still high up in the sky and Neptune was in a cheerful mood, smiling as she leisurely walked through the vast fields of the eastern coast of Britannia.
"Hmhmm~!"
Quiet humming emerged from the Goddess as she paced herself, arms behind her head in a casual manner and eyes glistening with joy. Her mood was as bright as ever, like the stars in the sky.
As she gazed up at the vast expanse of the sky, she marveled at the sight of numerous flocks of birds soaring overhead in perfect formation. The rhythmic flutter of their wings and the synchronized movements of their bodies yet again left her in appreciation of nature.
Her eyes then shifted towards the horizon, where she could see majestic horses galloping freely, their manes and tails flowing in the wind, as if they were racing towards a setting sun. The sound of their hooves pounding against the ground echoed through the air, adding to the breathtaking scene before her.
Neptune then turned her attention to the trees, noticing the leaves dancing playfully in the air, being carried away by the gentle breeze. Each leaf seemed to have a mind of its own, swirling and twirling in a graceful dance, before finally settling on the ground.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and tranquility wash over her, as she basked in the wonder and magnificence of the world of Britannia.
"Maybe here. . .yeah, here's a good spot! It's got a big ol' metaphorical X on it!"
As Neptune reached the top of a hill, she stops in her tracks and takes in the breathtaking view that stretches out before her. The sky is a vast expanse of blue, with fluffy white clouds that seem to tease her with their ever-changing shapes.
Neptune settles down on the grassy hilltop and stretches out her legs, feeling the soft blades of grass tickle her skin. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, feeling the fresh air fill her lungs. As she opens her eyes again, she gazes up at the sky, watching the avian nature fly by.
With her arms acting like a makeshift pillow, Neptune lays back, taking a rest and letting a sense of relaxation fill her, as the Britannian nature encapsulates her in a daydream.
"Ooh, I haven't called Nepgear ever since I got here! Maybe I should give her a ring-ring-ring and see how she's doing!"
In a swift motion, Neptune jolts upright and reaches into the pocket of her Parka Dress. She retrieves her trusty N-Gear, a portable device that has been by her side through thick and thin. As she presses the power button, the familiar start-up screen with the iconic 'N-Gear' text greets her, with the equally iconic Planeptunian emblem next to it.
It might seem a bit strange for Neptune to attempt to call Nepgear in a world where electricity isn't even technologically utilized yet, much less the ideas of the Internet or cell reception, but the N-Gear has a special functionality that allows the user to call other N-Gear users in different dimensions!
It can be quite handy sometimes, especially in situations where you and your younger sister have been inexplicably transported to another dimension that is devoid of any humans, and where monsters make up essentially the entire population.
"Mmmh-boop! Just gotta enter the menuuu. . .aaand boop!"
Ring ring ring. . .
. . .
« Hey, this is Nepgear! Sorry for not answering your call, I'm probably busy doing things with Onee-chan, or making progress on some important work right now. I'll be sure to get back to you soon! »
Despite Neptune's eagerness to speak with Nepgear, her call went unanswered. She had hoped to catch her during a free moment, but instead was met with Nepgear's voicemail.
"Huh. . .well, she's probably grinding her butt off to get all that boring work and junk, so I'll give her another ring later! I've had that happen to me before, so it's aaall good!"
She does feel a little let down that she was unable to speak with her younger sister at the moment, she won't let it hinder her progress. The current situation is only temporary, and it's likely that Nepgear will take a break soon enough.
"I guess I can keep movin' along, then! I gotta reach the next event marker, otherwise I'm not going to be able to progress the story!"
Turning towards the fourth wall.
"And I'm sure you would be pretty disappointed if that were the case, riiight, reader?"
Wink, wink!
Undeterred by Nepgear's apparent unavailability to engage in conversation, Neptune forges ahead with her sunny disposition intact. The rays of the sun only serve to enhance her already bright and cheerful demeanor, both literally and figuratively.
Despite the non-responsive situation, Neptune remains steadfast and determined to remain upbeat. Her unwavering positivity is a testament to her character.
"Man, it's been a little while since I last saw those Holy Knights or whatever they were called. . .Holy Trinities? Holy Grails? Holy Swords? Holy whatever, honestly! I just wanna see a couple of them! Are they in a three-year hibernation or something?"
Four references in one go; if you can spot them, you deserve a gold star for that.
As if right on cue, a group of Holy Knights ride by on their horses, heading northeast. However, Neptune was unable to speak with them regarding their intentions due to their swift movements, leaving her feeling quite perplexed.
"Ehhh? They just passed right by me and don't even bother to try and stop to ask me 'hey, little girl, what're you doing out here' or even 'hey, whose this sassy, lost child'? Sheesh, they sure don't like the young-looking people!
HEEEY! HOLY KNIGHTS!"
The Goddess puts her hands together and shouts out to the traveling Holy Knights, hoping to catch their attention. . .and to that end, she actually succeeds, causing the group to turn around and come to her after having just passed her.
"What is it, young lady?"
"Do you know where the heck I am? I've been walkin' up this countryside for so long that I forgot where I was going! There's not even a map in the top-left corner of the screen to help me!"
"Ah, so you're lost, are you? Well, it seems like we are slightly south of a rather peculiar construct that we were ordered to investigate by our King."
"Eh? Construct? You mean like some sort of famous attraction?"
"Something of that sort. We were told that this was created as a result of a Giant's ability to manipulate the earth beneath us, creating various terrestrial pillars and spikes."
"A. . .Giant?"
Giant. . .she has a friend who is a Giant. . .but she didn't know that they possessed the ability to use the ground to their advantage. She assumed that they possessed strength so significantly above the norm that you'd be crazy to fight one unprepared.
"Correct. Giants. . .they possess a magical ability known as 'Creation'. This ability allows them to establish a profound connection with the earth, granting them the power to control and shape it according to their will.
By harnessing this power, they can even transform their bodies into metal, rendering their skin impervious to harm and granting them an unparalleled level of endurance."
"Oooh. . .that sounds really cool!"
"Though, their whereabouts are mostly unknown. Whilst some are seen in battle with tribes, the rest of them have seemingly gone into hiding, and we have yet to rediscover their base of operations."
"I see. . .so you're saying that there was a Giant that went out there and did something to make this li'l attraction that you're all going to investigate."
"That is right. Though, it would not necessarily be right of us to leave a young girl here without a sense of direction. . .if you would like to come along with us, then you are welcome to. We can guide you to the next settlement after that."
"Oooh, really? Thanks so much! Oh, but uh, no horse for me please. . .I'm sure I can keep up with all of you no problem! Being at the max level has its benefits, after all!"
As the Holy Knight group exchanged perplexed glances, it was evident that they were struggling to comprehend the meaning behind Neptune's words. Her request to not be seated on the horse with any of them seemed straightforward enough, albeit somewhat confusing in its own right, but the meta-talk that followed left them utterly bewildered.
"No horse? Well, I suppose if you are more comfortable with keeping parallel with us on foot, then so be it."
"Heh. . .just watch and learn, folks!"
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The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker OST — The Great Sea
0:01 •— 2:41
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ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ: —•
As the esteemed Holy Knight pivoted his steed around, his voice boomed across the tranquil landscape — "Hyah!" — and he soon galloped off towards the northeast, with the rest of the group following behind him.
Neptune, with a heart full of excitement, felt the thrill of adventure coursing through her veins yet again as she sprinted alongside the Holy Knight group, reveling in the sensation of the wind ruffling her silky strands.
Glancing up at the celestial lamp, she realized that it was now halfway through its daily round, indicating that it must have been early afternoon. The soothing sounds of rustling grass and bustling nature filled the air.
"Sir. . .do you know what could have caused something like this to happen?"
"Not necessarily. It's possible that the Giant was in a battle with a tribe, and resorted to using their magical ability to exterminate them quickly."
"What if they were trying to impress others? Heh. . .I bet they've got some real good talent shows!"
"Don't be ridiculous. The Giants are a race who pride themselves on their combative abilities; they'd never do this to put on some sort of show."
"Oh, relax, I was just kidding."
"Well, whatever probably happened, I just wanna see something new! It's been dull just traveling up the countryside and waiting for the next town to pop up! I mean, the last place I went to was super nice, but still!"
"Young lady, I'm sure you'll find some excitement in seeing something such as this, so just be patient and you will be satisfied."
As Neptune and the Holy Knights traversed numerous hills and fields, they eventually caught glimpses of earth columns in the distance. That could only mean one thing: the supposed Giant-originating construct was just ahead. As they approached, the sight of stone pillars began to fill their vision, forming a vast cluster rising from the earth.
One couldn't help but wonder what purpose such a swarm of columns could serve, and for whom among the Giant race intended for it to be created, if either by themselves or someone else? The questions swirled in the minds of the Holy Knights as they drew closer, eager to uncover the secrets that lay within this awe-inspiring spectacle.
After taking another minute to arrive at their destination, the Holy Knights dismounted their horses and stared at the multitude of earthly stalagmites. Neptune skids to a halt beside them, with her hair falling back into position from a lack of wind. Even a single column seemed to span a hundred feet into the sky.
"So. . .what exactly are we meant to do here?"
"Our task is to determine the root of this issue. Let's begin our investigation by searching for clues. One of you, climb to the top of these pillars to check for any signs of Human activity in this vicinity. The rest of us will spread and inspect for any items of interest."
"So a Giant made this thingy? That's so awesome! I'm totally gonna send this to Nepgear and show her the kinds of things that I found here!"
Neptune once again retrieves her N-Gear from her pocket and activates the camera mode on the device. With a steady hand, she captures an image of the pillars that are clustered together and saves it to her gallery.
"Young lady, what are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm just taking a picture of this since it's all supernatural and mysterious!"
"Taking a picture? As in. . .painting? But how can you paint on such a tiny rectangle, and with no tools?"
"Oh, right, I forgot you peeps are super first-gen. . .well, you'll learn about it a long time down the road, don't worry about it! It ain't a key item for you juuust yet!"
"I. . .see. I suppose I won't ask anymore."
Neptune went back to her leisurely attitude, putting her hands behind her head as she walked around the perimeter of the cluster of pillars, staring at its rough and rocky formation with curious yet observational eyes. Something about seeing these made her wonder. . .just how far can the Giants be pushed?
"Giants being able to do stuff with the earth, though. . .I've barely even seen this type of power before! Blanc can do it, and I can do it a little bit, but I not on a scale like this! This is top-tier stuff! Like, game-breaking, for realsies! Someone should nerf the Giants or something! Except maybe Diane, because she's my friend."
Pacing some more around the pillars, Neptune eventually approached one of the Holy Knights, tapping them on the shoulder to get their attention. Seems like she's seen as she needs to, so she's ready to head out!
"Heeey, do you know where the next town is? I mean, you guys did say you'd guide me to where it is. . ."
"Oh, uh. . .it's to the northeast of here, just a few miles or so. You can probably make it there on foot in no time, since you're pretty fast."
"Ooh, so not too far from here, huh? Well, that's good for me! I've got a bit of a limited MOV (Movement) stat, so it being pretty close is a good thing!"
"You are certainly quite strange. . ."
"Thanks folks!"
Neptune was thrilled to have a brief yet fulfilling encounter with some Holy Knights. Having left Camelot just a few days prior, the sighting of these knights brought her reassurance. It was a reminder that she wasn't entirely 'on her own' on this small divergence and that there was still a lot to explore and discover.
This encounter truly added some much-needed life to her perception of the world around her. She felt grateful for the experience and couldn't wait to see what else awaited her.
And no, this is DEFINITELY, 100% not the writer simply being unable to come up with some more unique scenarios.
With a final wave goodbye to the Holy Knights, Neptune eagerly set out, her heart filled with anticipation for that which awaited her. Her eyes shone brightly like the distant stars of a nebula, their familiar violet hue reflecting her desire for some good ol' fashioned F-U-N.
Arms spread out to the sides like a playful child, she sprints beyond the horizon, heading to the next location.
. . .
| Nepstation Broadcast Jingle! |
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↳ currently playing ;;
Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory OST — Nepstation
0:01 •— 2:33
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ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ: —•
". . .yep, just one second, I gotta do this thing and then you can send over the pudding. . .'kay-bye."
Beep!
"Hey there boys, girls, ladies, gents, and anyone else who's a 0.5 or a 2, it's time for another airing of your favorite meta-centric broadcast! Neeepstation!"
You know that some people could find that offensive, right?
"Well, it'd be awkward to just say the real terms upfront, especially when I'm trying to make a binary reference!"
Jeez, you're going to get us taken off the air, Neptune.
"Hmph. . .! They'll get what I mean either way, so it doesn't really matter. Regardless, we got a whole new Nepstation for all of you to enjoy!"
Yeah, I mean. . .can you believe it? Doing two of these in a row after we didn't do one two chapters ago? That's gotta be some sort of world record.
"Well, we didn't quite get our gold splits on that front, Prox-box, but a green is better than a red!"
. . .you know, I feel like people aren't ever going to get some of these jokes.
"That's on them for not being gamers like us!"
Regardless, isn't it time to move on to the reviews? Or, I should say, review singular.
"Oh, right! It's nice that we got a new review after a super long hiatus thanks to your shenanigans—"
Hey!
"—but I was expecting at least one or two more. . .after all, it was the first chapter we've actually done in almost two months!"
Well, hey, you win some, you lose some. It's better that we be thankful we got a review at all.
"And only from the side, too! I guess those Wattpadders haven't really gotten around to ya yet, huh?"
A friend of mine said that it's probably because I uploaded the chapters all at once when I decided to port them, so. . .you know, take the good with the bad. At least it's getting some attention.
"Alright, so this comment is from an anonymous user with the alias 'That guy', and he writes. . ."
« Welcome back »
"Aww, thanks! It's been a hot minute, I know, but I'm happy to be back!"
Yeah, it's definitely been a while. And, well, real life stuff and other things that interest me have kept me occupied from this.
"Aw, don't sweat it, Danny!"
« Here we get a really cool fight and some forshadowing. I really like this fight. »
It was definitely a lot more different than I initially intended it to be; at first, I was just going to have this be a close match with Neptune coming out on top as the protagonist. . .but then I thought, why not have her transform and kick some serious ass?
"I'm just too good! You didn't even need to tell me to transform since I was gonna do it anyways!"
Oh, shush.
« Also this characterization of Nep is really mature when she chooses to be and like that. It's less she is lazy and more she prefers emotional and being humor. »
Yeah, you are definitely going to see a lot more maturity and seriousness from Neptune. It's going to be gradual, but it is guaranteed. Primarily because I want to focus on the high points of VII Neptune's writing in that game.
"Hey, hey, no need to make our readers all depressed and shaken all of a sudden! I can be pretty happy when I need to be! It's a protag's oath! Just because I broke down in tears in that one non-canon ending from VII—!"
Alright, I get it.
« I am interested in the changes from just this fight. »
It won't just be the fights that change, but some events in the canon of Nanatsu no Taizai will also change, albeit modified in such a way that it doesn't outright break story elements. This is to try and fit Neptune into the world more than just "lol NNT but Nep".
"You'll just have to wait and see what comes next, y'know? It's exciting stuff, for real!"
Oh, wait. . .I apparently got word that we have a new review. Like, from three seconds ago.
"Ooh, really?! Lemme see!"
Nah, I'm reading it this time. We alternate, remember? So, from user 'IsekaiFanBoi', they say. . .
« V for Victory in Neptune's voice has been engraved in my mind and I could perfectly hear it here. »
"Mwehehe. . .I'm just that iconic, y'know? Being hilarious and quotable with everything you say has all the benefits you could ask for!"
All depends on which voice, though.
But, either way, that's all the time and reviews we've got for this airing of Nepstation.
"Aww, really? I had a good joke to close it out, too! It was long, but a good joke!"
Yeah, sorry about that. But, hey, it's nice to see our hard work picking up some more traction, y'know?
"For sure!"
Anyways. . .see you all next time.
"Bye-byyye~!"
{ Audience Applause SFX }
| Broadcast End |
. . .
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Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 OST — The Aegean
0:01 •— 3:02
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ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ: —•
As the late afternoon sun beat down upon the rolling fields of Britannia, Neptune continued on her journey, eager to arrive at her next destination. Despite her tardiness, she couldn't resist the urge to wander and take in the stunning scenery of the lush countryside.
The verdant green grass stretched out before her, beckoning her to explore its every nook and cranny. With a spring in her step, Neptune pranced through the fields, relishing the tranquility of the moment.
But then, to her right. . .
. . .thud. . .thud. THUD!
As she tilts her head to the right, her gaze falls upon a distinctive and somewhat unusual brunette. The carefree woman is skipping about, wielding her signature war hammer with ease.
With each leap, she seems to seamlessly blend into the natural surroundings, allowing the world to flow around and beneath her in a mesmerizing display.
"Hehee. . .woohoo!"
Indeed, it was Diane, out and about in the countryside! Neptune hadn't seen her since her departure at the Kingdom of Camelot, and was quite surprised to see her here! The Goddess called out to her Giant friend.
"Hoooy! Diaaane!"
As Neptune's cheerful voice echoed through the air, it caught the attention of Diane who was wandering outside the Kingdom of Camelot. She halted in her tracks, scanning her surroundings for the source of the sound.
"Huh? Was that. . .?"
She eventually turned to the left, meeting eye-to-eye with the pinkette and smiling brilliantly. Bright like the sun and quick like the wind, Diane ran over to Neptune, crouching down in a slav squat position to speak with her friend.
"Wow, I didn't think I would find you out here, Neptune! I thought that you were already all the way up Britannia at this point!"
"Ehehe. . .well, y'can't really blame me for taking my time, now, can ya? A somewhat-below-modest AGL (Agility) stat can really hinder a girl when you least expect it!"
"Danchō and the others said that they reeeally missed you when you left! You and Danchō especially were super good friends!"
Neptune couldn't help but blush girlishly as she confidently folded her arms, smirking as she heard those kind words.
"Heh! Of course they would miss me; the Protagonist always brings a certain mood and light into a group whenever they're at their worst! I'm not called the 'Seriousness Breaker' for nothin'!"
Diane curiously tilted her head, intrigued by this supposed title of "Seriousness Breaker" and where Neptune actually got said title from.
"Seriousness Breaker? Do you. . .break the seriousness?"
"Well, in a literal sense? No. But in a story-telling and metaphorical sense, heck yeah!"
"Ehehe. . .classic Nep, I see."
"Yeeep! Classic me; can never go even an hour without making some of the best lines ever!"
Diane chuckled at the comedic tone and attitude of her tiny Goddess friend, holding a hand out for her to climb on.
"I'll let you come along with me on my own little adventure, too!"
"Woah, you're adventuring around too? Does that mean that you don't know this place just like me? Being a new player. . .well, not "new" new at this point, but still new enough to where I'm totally unfamiliar with everything else. . ."
"Eheh. . .I know Britannia like the back of my hand, actually. But I don't know which one it is. . ."
"It's gotta be your right hand! You're. . .right-handed, yeah? It's your dominant hand, either way!"
"You're right!"
Neptune, in a swift motion, hops onto Diane's palm and sways her body left to right, with the Giantess bringing her up to her shoulder.
"I'll carry you to where I'm going. I'm sure you're probably pretty tired from all the walking and running you've done ever since you left."
"Ooh, fast travel. . .I like it!"
The Goddess gracefully hopped over and perched herself on the Serpent Sin's shoulder. From her elevated position, she was able to take in the breathtaking view of the shimmering body of water to her side.
The sun's radiant beams danced playfully on the surface, casting a mesmerizing pattern that seemed to stretch out infinitely in all directions. The waves gently lapped against the shore, creating a soothing melody that blended perfectly with the peaceful surroundings.
Gentle breezes caress her skin and whimsically toss her lavender hair to the side, while tiny leaves dance around, following the air's flow towards the endless sky.
"Woooah. . .it's like I'm getting a world map view of all this! Or. . .or I've just unlocked camera mode and I'm able to look at everything I want to now!"
"I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm guessing you really like the view, huh? I can feel the earth's pleasant warmth in me, too. . ."
"It's been a while since I've just been able to go up high into the air and actually take a look at the things around me. . .I can't fly in my Human Form, and using my HDD Form would be a waste of Shares, so I just take what I get!"
"You could always ask me to do this more often if you're really into the sights!"
"Ooh, so you're like my support party member. . .giving me extra buffs and abilities that benefit both of us!"
"I suppose you could say that! Teehee~!"
"Oh, but before we go. . .can you give me one second?"
"Huh? What is it?"
"Just feelin' the need to check in on my sister!"
"Your sister. . .?"
With her N-Gear in hand, Neptune attempts to call Nepgear once more. It's been a couple of hours, so she feels as though now would be an apt time, as she's assuming Nepgear would either be finished or on a break.
Ring ring ring. . .
« Hey, this is Nepgear! Sorry for not answering your—! »
Neptune quickly hung up after hearing the voicemail once again. Now she was starting to feel both a bit down and concerned. . .Nepgear usually answers her calls, especially ones from Neptune.
Maintain positivity. . .she's likely still working! Yeah, that's gotta be it. Or. . .maybe she isn't. Maybe she's deliberately ignoring Neptune's calls. . .
Neptune's mind is in turmoil as she struggles to decide which possibility to pursue. Her emotions are evident as her expression becomes a little downcast. She's torn between whether Nepgear is too occupied to respond or if she is deliberately ignoring her calls.
"Did something happen? You look upset. . ."
"D-don't worry about it! Just having a few technical difficulties right now! Must be the cell service being bad. . ."
A pretty obvious bluff, but Diane doesn't want to press further. She knows boundaries exist, thus she just faces forward and begins trekking once more.
"Sooo, who's your sister?"
"Her name is Nepgear. She's a big tech nut who loves to experiment with new inventions and all sorts of machinery. Tearing down robots and making them into different machines for herself, or just. . .making a super-duper versatile console."
"She sounds really smart!"
"Mhm. Super smart. . ."
Glancing away for a bit, Neptune reminisces some more. . .
She can feel it again. . .
. . .
"Hoooy, Nepgear. . .can we play yet? I'm bored!"
"Ehehe. . .just a second, Onee-chan! I'll play some games with you and Uzume when I'm done with repairs!"
. . .
Arm extended. . .hand held out and ready to grasp. . .voice quivering.
"Nepgear. . ."
Diane, curiously, turns to face Neptune, who was appearing to be reaching for something. Something. . .tantalizing, in the eyes of the Guardian Goddess.
"What're you doing, Neptune?" she asks confusedly.
The whiplash of hearing Diane's very audible voice in the real world snapped her out of her flashback, jerking her hand back to her side and sitting in a more normal and upright position.
"Don't worry about it!"
"You seem like you're really having a bit of a rough time. . .do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm doing fiiine. . .really, you're just being too worried and protective."
"If you say so."
The pair continued to travel up the Britannian countryside, taking in all of the luxurious sights and natural beauty around them. From the trees of luster, to the tidy rock formations. . .the clouds of many shapes, to the lakes of luminosity. Each sight was something to behold.
"This really reminds me of a place back at home! Like, those wide open fields of Lowee, always surrounded by this kind of nature. . ."
"You must have a really beautiful world, Neptune!"
"Huhu~! Only the best! I feel like you should come and visit some time! When you, y'know, can. It ain't always easy to dimension-hop, y'know!"
"I can only imagine. . ."
The more they traveled, the lower the celestial lamp became. It was at around a 50-degree angle now. . .meaning it was getting later into the afternoon. On the horizon, however, seemed to be some sort of new rock formation. . .a cubic rock, perhaps?
"Ah! There it is! We're almost there!"
"We are? I dunno about you, but that just kinda looks like a rock to me, Diane."
"That's my home, Neptune. . .Megadoza! It's where I grew up for a while!"
As they traveled closer, the rock formation became clearer. It appeared to be some hammer-like structure, with a "hammerhead" at the tip of an unevenly built rock spire.
"Oooh, that's where you came from? Sweet! But, uh. . .how come you decided to come back here? You never talked about it when I was with you, Meli, and the others. Did you just wanna pay it a visit or something?"
"Well, I was feeling a little nostalgic. . .ehehe. . .I remembered all of the fun times I had with my best friends here."
"Huh. . .well, that definitely explains it! So, what is this place even like? It's huge, first and foremost. . ."
"Don't worry, you'll see! Mwehehe!"
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time OST — Goron City
0:01 •— 2:06
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ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ: —•
The Sin of Envy begins to climb up the rock formation, eventually latching onto a small opening within the hammerhead itself, and climbing inside of the home of the Giant race. The sound of her boots pressing against the earthly material echoed within the chamber.
"Woooah. . .it looks so much bigger on the inside than the outside!"
. . .as did Neptune's voice.
"Yep! All of the Giants live in here! For the most part."
"It's like one of those hallways in a school, where it looks so short, but when you go into the classrooms, it's super big!"
"Hey, do you hear that? Someone's here. . .no, two people. I can sense one of them is from the Giant race, but who's the other? I can't even sense their magical power."
"Whoever it is, we shouldn't let our guards down. What if it's invaders?"
"Hey, now, what's the matter, people? Don't you recognize me?"
As a few members of the Giant race turn to make eye contact with the pair, they widened their eyes in shock and awe.
"Diane?!"
"Diane?!"
"Diane?!"
"Woooah, look at that, Diane! You've got yourself a little fan club outside of the kingdoms!"
"Where did you go? We thought you were. . ."
"Aaah, you don't have to worry about that! I just went off and made a group of friends that are there with me all the time! I even made a new one! Say hi to them, Neptune."
"Oh, yeah, duh! Hiya! I'm Neptune! But you can call me Nep, or Nepu, or Neppy, or whatever the heck you want."
"Neptune. . .does that name sound familiar?"
"Yeah. . .word through the grapevine says she's the one who took out a pair of Demons all by herself in a town at one point."
"Woah! You really did that, Neptune?"
A cartoonish, holographic array of stars shimmer around Neptune's face from the pure confidence and pride on her face.
"Heh. . .newbies like those gray dudes have nothing on someone as experienced and leveled-up as me! I'm just too good!"
"You must be very powerful to have taken down a Demon all by yourself, young lady. . .very impressive."
Hopping off of Diane's shoulder and landing on the ground beneath her, Neptune placed her hands on her hips and pumped her chest out a tad.
"It's always nice to see my greatness be recognized, y'know? The protag never loses their edge!"
"Eheh. . .don't mind some of the things she can say sometimes. I don't know what she's talking about either!"
With her eyes turning into the classic white dots, Neptune turned around and stared up at Diane, arms now folded over her chest with a childishly upset expression.
"Hey! What I say makes a lot of sense! You just don't get it because you ain't caught up on the meta right now! I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, y'know!"
As Neptune finished her speech, the group surrounding her stood in silence, their faces etched with confusion and curiosity. It was understandable why they were feeling bewildered, as their societal dialogue was far more lax and natural in comparison to that of Neptune's realm.
"What? Why are you just staring at me like you've all seen a Lost Soul?"
"Well, it's. . .we're really not sure what exactly you're even saying, so. . ."
"D'aaagh. . .always like this. . .I say a bunch of cool stuff that all of my other friends back home can understand, and then when it comes to this place, nobody even understands a single word I say!"
"Aww, relax, Neptune, it's just words. . ."
"Hmph!"
The Goddess, still pretty bitter about this fact, folds her arms over her chest with a pout on her cheeks. It's just not something she's accustomed to; almost all of the people she comes across understand her meta, fourth-wall-breaking attitude pretty quickly, but this? It's a little hurtful. Not necessarily in a way that affects her in the long run, but more like a petty burst.
"At least you've been around me long enough to know a few of those things, Diane."
"Ehehe. . .only one or two!"
"Naaah, it's more than that!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Yare yare. . .they're going to keep fighting, aren't they?"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Perhaps we should leave them be."
"If it wasn't, I wouldn't be so confused!"
"I'm saying new stuff, so that doesn't matter!
"Heh. . .seeing them like this is oddly satisfying."
"Yeah, well. . .you're. . .you're a real cheater!"
"How dare you?! I have a clean gamer track record, thank you very much!"
"What does that even mean?"
"Bwaaaaah—!"
The Giants who witnessed their small disagreement couldn't help but chuckle at how petty it was. It was amusing and heartwarming to see them argue over something so insignificant, yet in a friendly manner that disqualifies it from being an actual argument.
"Hey, isn't it getting to be a little late? The sun just went down the hills."
"Yeah, we should be resting up soon. Diane, in case you're curious, your room hasn't been touched since you left. You can sleep there."
"Really? That's so nice of you guys!"
"No need to thank. You're a part of us, after all."
As the Giants spectators bid farewell, they waved at the two, signaling the end of the evening. The onlookers then made their way to their own quarters to rest and prepare for the upcoming day.
"Well, I suppose I could just. . .sleep outside somewhere."
"Ehh? No way, come and sleep in my room! I don't wanna leave a friend out, after all!"
"I wouldn't be. . .y'know, intruding, would I?"
"C'mon, Neptune, we're friends! Friends always help each other out, so just come and sleep in my room! If you're worried about being cold, you can always cuddle me!"
"I'm not worried about being cold, I just wanna give you some personal space!"
"Mmmh, nope! You're going to sleep in my room because we're friends, and I don't want to hear otherwise!"
With a joyful skip in her step, Diane quickly scoops up Neptune, cradling the little Goddess in her hands. As she makes her way back to her room, she can't help but take in the soothing feeling of the sun's luminous paint splattering through the narrow crevices of the hammerhead formation.
The warm, orange tint that fills the inside of the structure has a tranquil air, and she takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature in front of her. Her connection with the earth, too, helped to strengthen this pleasance.
Neptune, though not as vocal or active about it, also felt this same level of tranquility from the fiery gradient of the celestial lamp's rays of light, letting out an inaudible sigh of relief as she places a hand over her heart.
"Now theeen. . .are you sure you don't want to cuddle? You're gonna be warm for the entire night?"
"I mean. . .if you're so insistent and willing for it, then I don't mind. . .I-I just don't want to be all up in your personal space. . ."
A little bit curious, Diane tilts her head and seats herself on the softness of her "bed", which was actually just a bunch of flattened straw, and places Neptune in front of her, legs crossed.
"You've really been acting weird lately, Neptune. . .is there something wrong? We're friends. . .we can always talk about it. King says that to me all the time!"
"Diane. . ."
Pondering a bit, Neptune is weighing her options.
On one hand, she is being given an opportunity for consolation by a friend of hers, and also giving her a chance to open up just a little bit more, not unlike what happened multiple days ago in the Kingdom of Liones.
But on the other hand. . .she doesn't want to try and wring in others in a topic that doesn't involve them, especially on such a personal level.
With that in mind, though. . .would Diane really understand Neptune's feelings? Her nostalgia and longing for a place she called home. . .does she know what it is like on a level such that she can show real empathy to Neptune?
"Well, if there was something wrong, then I'd totally tell you, right? I'm not the kind of person with the Silence status on me at all times!"
". . .if you're really sure that there's nothing wrong, and that you're just acting a bit weird out of nowhere, then I guess I'll believe you. But I won't forgive you if you've lied to me about your feelings, okay?"
"Mhm. . .!"
"Good. Now come and give your friend a nice. . .er. . .small hug!"
The Giantess laid on her side, left arm stretched out a little bit as she is opening herself to a soft embrace with the Goddess. The Planeptunian chuckles a little bit, walking forward and letting herself become trapped in the embrace of the Serpent Sin.
"Fwaaah. . .good night, Neptune. . ."
"H-huh, already?!"
Aaand snoring ensues. . .looks like she has already fallen asleep. Unusual, but at the same time, adorable.
. . .
As nightfall came, and with Gaia's satellite rising into the sky, the pearl white light from Selene slowly invaded the chamber. A stampede-like noise occurred above them, and the sound of rain outside bounced within the wide room of Megadoza's grand structure.
With the Goddess awakening from her short slumber, that yearning feeling stirred in her heart yet again. Quiet shuffles echo nigh-silently throughout the room as Neptune slowly reaches down into her Parka Dress pocket, taking out her N-Gear one last time.
Beep. . .boop. Blip.
Ring ring ring. . .
« Hey, this is Nepgear—! »
Beep!
Shuffling noises once more. . .a lone tear drops onto the straw, with the hushed sound of slow breathing following.
. . .
Ring ring ring. . .
. . .
. . .ding—!
『One missed call: Nepgear.』
End of Chapter 12!
To be continued. . .