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For the next few days, things were very...awkward, for the rulers of Eldritch-kind. It was noticeable to everyone, and the ignorant humans hoped it might be a sign of Aza coming to her senses and dumping Issei.
For those in the know, they knew that it was very unlikely to be the case. But the pensive, thoughtful looks on their faces and the uncertain silence between them grew concern within the Eldritch-faction, and beyond.
"Yog-Sothoth."
The time goddess suddenly appeared in mid-step between spatial and temporal locations. She tilted her head, realizing who called her. "Yidrah? My, what brings the Witch of Dreams to call my name so bluntly?" she asked playfully.
"The fact that you don't know narrows it down greatly," Yidrah pointed out flatly, sitting on a golden chair in one of her various manors and hidden temples around the world. "Our royals are troubled."
"I..." Yog blinked, and blinked again. "They are?"
Yidrah frowned. "You've been distr-."
Iangu.
"Our royals are troubled."
"So they are," Yog acknowledged with a hum. "Why is beyond me. They haven't said anything to one another. The universe would know if they had a fight."
"And you don't have any ideas what might be causing this distress between them?" Yidrah asked with a cocked head.
"No, no, I do, it's just, well...," Yog paused, tapping the handle of her sword to her chin. "It seems we have an interesting coincidence. Both have separate, unrelated issues they feel the need to speak to the other about. Issei I'm unsure of, just because it could be anything his mostly-human mind might latch onto. But Aza's can only be about Issei."
"Might it be that she is merely troubled that something troubles him?" Yidrah offered.
"No, she would have addressed that directly or asked me, or anyone for help figuring out what is wrong...or if she did something wrong. She hasn't asked, so she hasn't noticed yet. Or more exactly, she noticed and mistakenly assumed it was caused by her own change in behavior," Yog explained.
"There is no rage or sadness in the noosphere, no ripples in the dreamlands," Yidrah noted. "Whatever ails each of them, it is not something of a tragedy or a crime."
Yog sighed. "Well, I suppose even we gods must stoop to conquer sometimes."
"You stoop at your own leisurely whim," Yidrah accused dryly.
Yog decided to ignore her entirely. "There is one who should be able to shed light on this. But we should tread carefully, Issei and Aza will be mutually upset with us if we hurt her, even if you fix any mental damage," she said, twirling her sword like a knife before stabbing it into the air before her.
"Her?" Yidrah repeated with a regal brow raised, watching as Yog opened a portal, stepping halfway into it before pulling herself back, pulling her target along.
Asia blinked at the sudden abduction by a smiling Yog before looking at Yidrah with bewilderment. "Hello? Lady Yi- I mean, Madam Yi," Asia greeted, glancing between both Eldritch curiously. "Is something wrong?"
"The nun?" Yidrah said with a hum. "Forgive Yog's rudeness, Asia Argento. For some reason, she believed you were our best or even only option for our current dilemma."
"Me? Why, is someone hurt?" Asia asked in concern.
"No, nothing like that," Yog assured with a grin, extending her sword's blade to use it as a stick to lean on. "See, I'm sure you noticed that the King and Queen are having some issues. Not with each other, obviously, but it is starting to worry people. Even the Devils are eyeing the situation like Aza might sneeze a black hole suddenly."
"She can do that," Yidrah reminded.
"I...see, I think," Asia said with wide eyes. "So you wanted me to help you figure out what is bothering them both?"
"Yes, that would be..." Yog stopped, trailing off before eyeing Asia. "You already know."
Asia looked sheepish. "They both needed someone to talk to. And I'm sorry, but I think what they said was personal and shared in confidence."
Yog's stare pierced Asia's soul beyond the literal sense, examining her throughout the whole of reality. "There is no future where you willingly tell us what they said," she noted, more in interest than in praise.
"You are loyal for them not being the gods you are devoted to," Yidrah said in approval as she rose from her seat.
"Yid, Yid! There is NO good outcome for forcing the information out of her head," Yog warned urgently.
"One does not need your powers to know that, Yog-Sothoth," Yidrah said with a headshake as she walked up to Asia. "Asia, I will not ask you to betray their trust. But can you help us understand the subject of their concerns?"
"Hmm?" Asia asked, head tilting.
"I will not ask specifics. But is Issei's concern about his powers or some regret about becoming Eldritch?" Yidrah gave as an example. "Is Aza worried about someone trying to hurt Issei?"
"Oh no, nothing like that," Asia said with a smile as she looked away in thought. "Aza's concern is about helping Issei, Issei wants to ask Aza a...personal question about her past."
"That...narrows it down a bit," Yog granted. "And very few of those possibilities are worrisome."
"May I...make a suggestion?" Asia asked softly.
"Of course, "Yidrah granted with a nod.
"Issei and Aza are a very, well, good couple. They talk a lot, about anything and everything. They also can't hide much from each other; they're horrible at lying to each other. I think they'll ask one another once they realize how much they have stopped talking, and sort it out then," Asia mused.
"You advise us to do nothing," Yidrah noted.
"I mean, Lady Y-" Asia stopped in consideration as she looked at Yog.
"You can call me Yog," the Temporal Goddess waved off with a smile. "It's just the full name you have to worry about."
Asia smiled in thanks. "Yes, but it's just...you can see all possible futures, right? Are there any possible futures where this ends badly?"
Yog stood there silently for a moment of consideration.
"If there isn't," Asia said with a smile. "Perhaps we should just-"
Iangu.
"There is no rage or sadness in the noosphere, no ripples in the dreamlands," Yidrah noted. "Whatever ails each of them, it is not something of a tragedy or a crime."
"True, but I don't foresee any timeline where this could end badly for them," Yog mused in observation. "So, letting them work it out themselves might be best."
"I suppose that is what lovers are supposed to do," Yidrah said from her throne, observing as Yog stiffened. "Shub-Niggurath's presence is distracting you. I apologize for probing that ancient laceration."
"No, it's fine. If anything I'm happy that being in love is working out so well for Aza," Yog waved off, glancing to a corner of the room. "That said, I'll keep an eye or six on them. Others might try and get them to "Reconcile" or what humans call it, if this drags out too long."
Meanwhile
"The Kungur and the Queen are restless," Nctosa commented to her sister, both lamia maids inches apart while staring into each other's eyes.
"Should she not be called Ghiaaanur, to go with Kungur?" Nctolhu questioned idly.
"No one will ever question what she is queen of," Nctosa reminded.
"It is rather irrelevant," Nctolhu decided.
"Or perhaps not so irrelevant," Nctosa commented.
"We have a theory," Nctolhu realized.
"An idea," Nctosa agreed.
"That is dangerous for us," they said in sync.
"What if the Sultana condemns us again?" Nctolhu cautioned
"Unimportant," Nctosa boldly realized.
"Blasphemous," Nctolhu said without infliction.
"Only the Sultan matters to us," Nctosa reminded.
"The Sultana's words, not ours," Nctolhu conceded.
"Helping one helps both," they each said.
"They both wish to speak, but neither knows how to start," Nctosa summarized.
"And both wish to speak of different things," Nctolhu mused
"A surprise for both of them?" Nctosa reasoned.
"That appears to be from each to the other," Nctolhu agreed.
"We need help," Nctosa realized with a frown.
"Romance is not something we know," Nctolhu agreed.
"Less so of human romance still," Nctosa pointed out.
"Girls, maybe I can help?"
Both sisters turned in surprise to see a smiling Outer God.
"Lady Shub," they greeted, tilting their heads in opposite directions. "You would help us?"
"The distance between Aza and Issei is never meant to last. Neither enjoys it, neither wants it," Shub mused affectionately. "A little spark will have them colliding and revolving again. And romance is something I observe with interest, among my children and others."
The twins nodded. "We are at your disposal, Lady Shub."
Shub chuckled. "It should only take an afternoon, I think. But if this doesn't work, just remember that this was all my idea."
That startled both daughters of Cthulhu.
"You would take the blame?" Nctosa asked incredulously.
"Even if this ends in disaster?" Nctolhu added in concern.
"Your mother is my granddaughter," Shub reminded with a tender smile. "I wouldn't let her cry again so soon."
Later
Everyone knew Issei trained in the woods near Kuoh. The Devils wisely left him to his space. As would any sane entity that knew who he was romantically involved with.
So, Koneko was once against questioning her sanity since she was currently standing here, looking down at Issei as he took a nap under a tree. The area was covered in craters and broken trees. He had obviously been busy practicing his powers.
She was very pointedly aware that at least one person was watching her, ready to kill her if she did anything against the king of the Eldritch.
It was so strange to Koneko. The Queen was overwhelming. Beyond everything, burdening and warping reality by the very weight of her existence. But Issei was very much none of that.
She could feel it, sense it and almost hear it; The Eldritch nature within Issei, growing larger and greater. So slow that none could notice it. Unless they could notice it, unless they had to be fixated on it at times to keep themselves sane and in one piece and not shatter and-!
Koneko noticed. Even if they never really spoke again, she noticed.
Koneko's eyes trailed up and met with the gaze of her watcher, Issei's silent protector.
Gactha's empty eyes bore into Koneko's with a look that could shatter ice with intensity.
Dark, void-like power bled from Gactha's arms, and Koneko could feel the silently musing of Gactha, on whether or not to slaughter the nekomata devil.
"He wouldn't be happy if you killed me," Koneko reminded neutrally.
Gactha tilted her head as she appeared to remember that fact.
Issei snorted in his sleep as he suddenly awoke. "Wait, what- Oh, hi, Gactha. Been wondering where you got off to," Issei greeted, rolling his neck to turn to the other person present. "Koneko?"
"I need to talk to you," Koneko said simply.
It wasn't a request and Gactha's aura turned slightly more murderous as a result.
Issei looked at her with a frown. "Gactha, it's fine."
The killer intent lessened mostly, yet not entirely. Still, the servant nodded respectfully before vanishing. Still nearby, they both knew, but out of sight.
Issei grunted as he stood up, rolling his joints. "What's up? Need another house call from Yid?" he asked, looking her over for any signs of that being the case.
Koneko wouldn't be surprised if he could somehow "See" mental and emotional damage in some way now. "Why did you help me?" Koneko asked pointedly.
"I...felt bad that you got your mind fractured? You were following me, and just happened to be in Aza's splash zone," Issei remarked with an incredulous look. "Is it really that hard to accept that I'm not that kind of asshole?"
Koneko looked down. Not at the ground, but straight ahead at his torso, her eyes unfocused and distant. "I just...really need to know, why."
Issei blinked. "You okay? You look like you might need that house call for real," he noted in concern.
"It's not that," Koneko said with a sigh, rubbing her head. "Every now and again, I can still feel it. The cracks. The rifts. The gaps. The parts that remind me that my mind was shattered into a million tiny pieces and it was put back together," Koneko said with a shudder. "A lot of things help. Rias's hugs. Kiba's coffee. Akeno's voice. The scent of the clubhouse. But I can always feel Her because she is just So Much More," Koneko ranted off, almost desperately with her eyes shaking for a moment.
Issei grabbed her on the shoulder. "Hey, hey, Koneko? You okay, you here with me?"
She stopped and sighed. "Yes. And that's part of why I'm here," Koneko admitted idly, meeting his gaze again. "I can sense you too. And if I focus on you, I can ignore her. And that helps. So I just wanted to know why you saved me. Even if there is no reason than to be kind, that's still a reason."
"Okay, I think I get it," Issei said, trying and failing to smile. "Koneko? I know you've already been a part of this world. I think you always have been, but I don't know that much about real nekomatas. All the same? I'm sorry you got dragged into this."
Koneko was silent for a moment. "So you're not hoping to turn me into a cultist, love slave, or anything like that?" She asked bluntly. "I know you talked about a harem even as a human. That change too?"
"Oh hell no. To the second part, I still want the harem. And I wouldn' be entirley opposed if you wanted to be any of those," Issei said with a chuckle, grinning a bit before turning somber. "But I would have felt bad and tried to help you even if you were anyone else. I didn't do it because I wanted anything from you."
"...Even if it was Rias? Or Akeno?" Koneko asked, glancing down at her less-than-developed bust.
"Yep," Issei said with a chuckle. "Look, I wouldn't mind a slave-themed harem as long as they're love slaves. Emphasis on the love. But having a harem sounds kind of pointless if the girls aren't there because they want to be."
Koneko hummed. "You're romantic for a perv."
"I try," Issei said in amusement as he removed his hands from her shoulders. "You okay now? Anything else?"
"...Is there anything you'd like as a reward?" Koneko asked curiously
Issei was about to say no when he paused in consideration. He had seen Aza with cat ears, and now he was kind of curious if it was any different from a natural catgirl's. That wouldn't be a bad thing to ask, to see them, right?
[Don't ask her.]
Issei blinked as he glanced behind him. "You hear something?" he asked curiously.
"Your guard-bitch breathing for my death," Koneko said flatly.
Issei snorted. "No, Koneko. Like I said, you don't owe me anything. And honestly? I don't know how mind-healing works, but if focusing on me helps you get through the worst of it, I'm happy to be of help," he assured with a grin.
Koneko stared at him, her cheeks dusting just slightly. "Your loss. I need to head back now. I'm sure they're all wondering where I am."
"Right. Nice talking to you, Koneko," Issei said with a smile as she left.
"I expect she will try to pursue you as a mate in the future, Master," Gactha commented as she appeared by his side.
"You think?" Issei asked with a grin. "Wait, do you have a problem with her?"
"Master, I have a problem with anything that might harm you and displease my Queen," she reminded simply.
"Koneko's not a threat. As horrible as it is to say, she's basically collateral from me and Aza hooking up," Issei remarked, looking at the disguised Eldritch. "So, you have been okay since Jupiter?"
Gactha nodded. "Retaking this human skin took me longer than I like. Then you were busy with a great many matters; Talks with the Devils, picking servants, and more. I did not wish to interrupt you unnecessarily."
Issei rubbed the back of his head. He wondered if Gactha even had a life outside of guarding him, but he decided to leave that space can of dholes for another day. "Aza didn't get mad at you for letting me fight that harpy, did she?"
"No. Mistress was upset at your injuries, but did not direct it at me," Gactha acknowledged.
"Good, I might have actually been upset with her if she had," Issei offered with a smile.
Gactha jerked at that, looking at him oddly. "Master, you should not let a lowly servant like me upset the howling harmony of your time with Mistress."
"Howling Harmony. Not sure if that was a sex joke or not," Issei remarked.
"It was not," Gactha answered.
"Doesn't change the fact. You did what I asked you to. I'd be mad if Aza punished you for that," Issei explained
"...Why?" Gactha asked, honestly curiously. "Do you value my safety, Master?"
"Well, yeah? I'd like to think we're at least friends," Issei answered with a shrug.
Gactha's empty face suddenly gave way to shock before slowly morphing into something between awe and joy. "Master, I am...I am just a servant, a worshipper."
"Yeah, well, Aza worships me most nights, I still care about her a lot," Issei countered playfully.
"The Eldritch tongue does not use Worship as a euphemism for sexual activity," Gactha informed flatly.
"Pretty sure someone told me that already. Still don't care," Issei remarked. "Look, Gactha? You heard what I said to Koneko. Just because you're my servant doesn't mean you don't matter to me."
"...Thank you, Master," Gactha said softly, lowering her eyes once more.
Issei smiled as a short silence came over them. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask. Why do you take on that form instead of one that looks like your normal form, but...human?" he asked, recalling the much more voluptuous yet slightly eldritch true form of Gactha.
"My form does that naturally, but it causes a corruptive insanity and hypnosis in mortals. Any attempt to use a similar form will have the same effect bleeding out," Gactha explained.
"Oh," Issei said in understanding. "Well, hope you can use your real form more often. It looks great."
"Thank you, Master. I imagine that was Mistress's desire when she created us eons ago," Gactha returned with a nod of respect.
A less comfortable silence came over Issei, prompting him to glance up at the sun. "I'm heading home, Gact. Feel free to do that same."
"Yes, Master. Have a good night," Gactha said, watching him leave.
Issei was mostly sure she was still watching and guarding him as he left the forest. He wondered sometimes who would be stupid enough to attack him now short of Nyarly, but he knew he'd probably meet someone fitting that description in due time. After all, he had eternity, and infinite chances to test the limitless bounds of stupidity.
He shook his head at that thought. It was surreal sometimes, feeling his mind and being changing slowly into...something else. More, Other, Beyond. Even his thoughts were changing. It was still him, yes. But if he had been born a dog, it would have still been him, just with a different way of thinking. And so as he became an Eldritch God, his current way of thinking changed too. Evolved, twisted, morphed.
Still him, but only a non-Eldritch that knew him well might see the similarities. The Eldritch would by default.
Feeling existential dread seemed to be a foreign concept to Eldritch, thankfully, as he hadn't had any of that so far.
Within no time at all, he found himself home. "Mom, Dad, I'm home."
"You're home?" his mother called, peeking out from the kitchen. "Huh. I thought I heard you upstairs already."
That was interesting. Normally the Eldritch reality warping prevented his parents from hearing anything up there. "Probably just somethings fall. Or I left some hentai on."
His mother sighed. "Of course you might have. Your father is busy with work, so do me a favor though, and take out the trash before bed tonight."
"Got it," Issei acknowledged as he headed up to his room.
He vaguely sensed something was different, but as he stood outside his room, he couldn't guess what.
Then he sensed Aza had arrived in the room, prompting him to open the door. "Aza, I'm-"
He stopped and blinked as he took in his room.
It was...different…bigger, and most of it empty. The bed was also bigger. The walls and sheets were colored in a sensual dark red. Opposite the bed was a table for two, set with black candles and blue flames. At either side of the table were Nctolhu and Nctosa, dressed in their maid attires, placing dishes of food on the table with some drinks that were probably something worse than mere alcohol.
Across from him was Aza, seemingly surprised at his arrival, before she smiled lovingly at him.
Issei returned it.
"Welcome home, Master, Mistress. We hope you both enjoy this night together," the twins offered, motioning to the table in sync.
"Oh, I think we shall. Right, Aza?" Issei said with a smile, just short of a smirk.
"Indeed, beloved," Aza said with half-lidded, loving eyes.
From her own corner of space, Shub giggled in amusement as the couple took their seats. "They're so sweet. It's so easy for them to see a gift for both of them and think the other got it for them," she mused, finding the King and Queen endearing in their ways. "Only question now is, will they talk before or after they mate again?"
End of Chapter
Okay, yeah, its kind of funny but he moment that there is even a TINY bit of hicccup in Aza and Issei's rleationship- like them not talking to each other and feeling awkward about a subject- the eldritch faction collectively grows concerne and wonder if they need something.
Meanwhile, Kenoleo has a moemnt with Issei. Because despite being an Eldritch God himself, his pressence helps her block out noticing Aza's. Oh, and Gatcha is back. I honestly accidentally treated her like Dragon Ball did Launch- I forgot her for a bit. But yea,h Issei is smooth talking everyone.
And to top it all off, Shub helped arrange for Aza and Issei to have a romantic night together. Whichi s funny because Yog(via Asia's advice) was just gonig to let things play out on tiher own.
Early viewing of chapters 26-27 avaliable on my pat-reon:
p a treon . com (slash) akumakami64