Chapter 34 – The Encounter with Sin

Blanc's POV

*EARLIER THAT SAME DAY…*

Like Neva said, it only took a few minutes for us to reach the border between the Celadon and Lilac Kingdoms. And once we crossed, the sky had immediately changed from a spacy daylight void with Lowee pieces floating around to a starlight sky with the world's very own aurora borealis flowing brightly above us all.

"Everyone…we have arrived at the Lilac Kingdom." Neva said to us.

"Woah…it's so pretty…" Lidelle said in amazement.

"You really weren't kidding when you said it's always night here." I said. "The difference is literally night and day."

"And there isn't a single shattered piece of Lowee anywhere in the sky." C-Sha added. "How come this area remained unaffected?"

"It's believed that the Lilac Kingdom has its own gravitational pull." Neva explained. "Due to it being so far south, it's possible that its gravity is equivalent to that of the Moon's."

"B-But that's zero-gravity!" Lidelle yelled in shock. "So, you're saying that we can just float if we wanted to?!"

"Sure, you can. In fact…Dongurigaeru is doing such a thing right now."

"Ribiiiiit~! Ribiiiiiiiit~!" We then finally noticed Dongurigaeru as he was just floating above our heads. Seemingly enjoying the lack of gravity.

"I guess he's too light to stay on the ground." C-Sha said with a sweatdrop.

"A kingdom that has its own force of gravity…that's freaking amazing." I said to myself in complete awe. "If we get any free time in this story, I'm definitely going to research this phenomenon."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Lidelle gained a huge sweatdrop.

I should probably tell her at some point about the 4th wall thing…

"Anyway…where do we go from here, Neva?"

"Uh…let's see…Pleione Cove should be close by. If we take this road coming up, we should be able to…"

*RUSTLE*

"Wh-What was that?"

*RUSTLE*

"Something's moving in that bush over there." C-Sha said.

"Damn…did the monsters already respawn?" I asked as I brought out my hammer.

"I really have no idea what you mean by "respawn"." Lidelle said. "But if it really is a monster…"

*RUSTLE*

*RUSTLE*

"Wait…this aura I'm feeling…" Lidelle then began stepping forward towards the bush.

"Lidelle? What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm getting this strange feeling…that I know what's in this bush."

"What? How is that even possible?"

"I-I don't know. It's just…" She continued inching herself closer and closer to the bush until her face was near inches from its leaves. And as the rustling continued…

*RUSTLE*

*RUSTLE*

*RUSTLE*

…

…

…

"ARF!"

*THUD*

"ARF ARF! ARF ARF! ARF ARF! *LICK* *LICK* *LICK*"

"*SPIT* *SPIT* P-Poochy!"

"ARF ARF! *LICK* *LICK* *LICK* *LICK*"

"O-Okay! Poochy! I missed you, too! J-Just…*soft laughter* pl-please stop licking me~! It…I-It tickles~! Hahahahahaha~!"

"ARF ARF!"

W-Wait, what the hell?! THAT'S Poochy?! A ghost dog with a missing eye?!

…

I know Lidelle's the Demonic Princess and all…but having THAT as a pet is flat-out insane!

"Oh, dear…I was worried about Poochy running off and getting lost. But I guess he found the scent of his owner, huh?"

And now walking up to us were two people. One was a woman with long green hair and wearing a pink mini-yukata. She looked kinda like an older Lidelle…but the aura around her was definitely something else.

And the other one was shorter and more dark-skinned. Having short purple hair, wearing a purple dress and purple shoes, and in her hands was a silver scale. With multi-colored stars on each side keeping it perfectly balanced.

These two were definitely the most eerie people I've met thus far.

"Mother!"

"Raum!" Lidelle and Neva cheered as they rushed to hug the person they each knew best.

"Lidelle…so, this is where you ended up." The woman, who I'm betting is Lidelle's mom, said. "When you didn't return home from school last week, I really got worried."

"Yeah, well…long story short, Ridel's at it again."

"Ridel…*sigh* it seems like that "daughter" of mine refuses to learn her lesson."

Her "daughter", huh? So, I guess she kinda accepted that clone to be a second daughter of sorts…

"Raum! I'm so glad you're okay!" Neva cheered. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

The girl, who I'm guessing is Raum, replied with a simple head shake of "no".

"*sigh* That's a relief. So, I guess that means you were able to escape in time, huh?"

This time, Raum responded with a simple nod of "yes". It was weird that she hasn't spoken a word since being reunited with one of her friends. Maybe she was just shy or something…

"So, it seems like quiet a few people have ended up here as well." Lidelle's mom said. "First, it was Ocean Prince…then I run into you and Dongurigaeru…"

"Ribbit!" Dongurigaeru greeted her while still floating in the air.

"…And then here are two more people."

"Oh, um…my name's Blanc." I said. "I'm from a world called Gamindustri and rule a nation called Lowee."

"And I'm C-Sha. Member of a group called Gold Third which is also from Gamindustri." C-Sha added. "It's an honor to meet you face-to-face like this, Your Majesty."

"I still don't see how…" I gained a sweatdrop.

"*giggle* Glad you feel that way, C-Sha. But…I did step down from the position years ago. So, you can just call me Yumi."

"May I at least refer to you as "Lady Yumi"? Someone as rich in royalty as you are should have at least some title next to it."

""Lady Yumi"…it has a nice ring to it. If it feels right to you, then I don't really mind."

"Thank you so much, Lady Yumi." C-Sha said with a bow.

"Do people normally suck up this hard to you and your family?" I whispered to Lidelle.

"Yeah…they do. It's one of the things you deal with when your family rules Hell."

"Huh…"

"Blanc. Lidelle." Neva called out to us. "I would like for you to meet Raum. The Libra Princess and guardian of the Libra Opal."

Raum, standing next to Neva, greeted us with a simple wave.

"Nice to meet you, Raum. I'm Lidelle."

"And I'm Blanc." I added. "Nice to meet you."

Raum's only response was a simple nod with a small smile.

…

…

…

"Uh…Neva. She hasn't said a word this entire time."

"That's because Raum doesn't talk." Neva said. "She's always been mute."

"A-Always?!" We both yelled in shock. To which Raum replied with yet another simple nod.

"You can get a response out of her if you ask yes or no questions. But other than that, holding a conversation is out of the question."

"Have any of you ever wondered why she doesn't talk?" Lidelle asked. "Shyness, hard of hearing, ANYTHING?"

"It's never bothered anyone. Plus…Raum seems to like the fact that she doesn't talk. Right, Raum?"

Raum gave the same response as the other times before.

"Well…if it's fine with everyone else, then I guess it's fine with me, too."

"Yeah…same here." I added.

"Now then…" Yumi said. "…since introductions are now out of the way, I assume you know what's going on here right, Lidelle?"

"Yeah…I do." Lidelle said. "A few days ago, I met this girl named Resta… who is from this world known as the Babylon Nebula and is called the Scorpio Princess. And then after Ridel got involved…

The story was basically one ginormous recap of what happened to us and how we all ended up here. And although most of it was stuff I already knew, it was shocking that these psychos tried to destroy Primp first. From what Lidelle's been describing to me about it, that world doesn't seem all that threatening.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong once we get there…

"…And that's what led up to now."

"I see…that's some ordeal." Yumi said. "To think Ridel would go to such lengths as fusing worlds just to kill us. She's really gone off the deep end."

"By the way, Mother…as to how you got here…did you happen to fall into a star-shaped portal somewhere in Primp?"

"A star-shaped portal?" Yumi thought for a moment. "Come to think about it…I think I did. I was looking for you after you hadn't come back from school and brought Poochy along to help. That was when the sky had turned dark all of a sudden and these giant landmasses appeared soon after. And before I could fully comprehend what was happening, I was falling through a random portal."

"And then you ended up here, met Raum, and started looking for the Zodiac Stone, correct?" Neva asked.

"Well…I wasn't entirely sure what we were looking for. She just looked distressed and I offered to help. So, this "Zodiac Stone" is what she's looking for?"

"The Zodiac Stones are gems that give us power born from the constellations they are based on." Neva then took out her own as an example. "My Zodiac Stone, the Capricorn Emerald, is connected to the constellation of the same name. Along with every Capricorn scattered across the universe."

"I see…that's some power from such a tiny gem. It's truly impressive."

"Indeed. Which is why it's very important that we get them back in our possession. If they fall into the wrong hands, it could spell disastrous for our worlds."

"I see…that does sound bad." Yumi went silent for a bit. "Well…I'll do my best to help out. I may be only human…but I do have the backings of Puyo Hell with me."

"Thank you ever so much, Lady Yumi!" Neva cheered. "Your help will be greatly useful! Right, Raum?"

Raum replied with a simple nod. It's still odd to me that she never talks…but somehow, I'm starting to get used to it.

At least I won't have to worry about her annoying me to death. Unlike another purple-haired girl I know…

"But just one more thing I have to ask." Yumi said. "Lidelle…you mentioned before that Ridel was working with people from this Gamindustri place. Who were they again?"

"Uh, well…I don't really know them." Lidelle said.

"The mastermind behind it all is a girl named Kurome Ankokuboshi. Stupid name, I know." I added. "The other person is a nuisance purple-skinned witch named Arfoire."

"A…Arfoire?" Yumi's face suddenly went pale.

"Mother, are you okay?" Lidelle asked. "You look panicked."

"I-I'm fine. It's just…N-No way…d-did she really survive that mirror incident?"

Mirror incident? What could she mean by that?

But before any of us could ask what she was talking about…

"So…you still remember me huh, Yumi?"

We then saw the source of the voice up ahead walking closer to us from a short distance. A person who I've been wanting to get my hands on for over a week. And make her pay for what she's done to my home.

And that person was…

"Though, I have to admit…a narcoleptic idiot like you becoming the Queen of Hell was definitely unexpected. I guess you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

"So, it really is you…*giggle* long time no see, Arfoire."

"Ew, what?! THAT'S Arfoire?!" Lidelle asked in mild disgust. "Why does she look like the personification of a mid-life crisis?!"

"N-Now that I'm looking at her with a clear mindset, I never noticed how…r-revealing her outfit is." Neva said with a faint blush while also covering Raum's eyes.

"Riiiiibit! Rib-ribbit!" Even Dongurigaeru was disgusted by the sight of Arfoire's outfit. Which by then made me realize just how the hell was this legal to put in a video game.

Maybe that's why our games are always Rated T…

"Grr…SHUT IT! ALL OF YOU!" Arfoire yelled in anger. "I already had to deal with the criticisms once already and I'm NOT gonna sit through them again!"

"Then freaking dress your age." Lidelle and Neva said.

"GRAAAAAH!"

"Guys…now's really not the time for that…" C-Sha said with a sweatdrop.

"Hey! Arfoire!" I shouted in rage from having to look at this woman after what she's done to my home. "I've got some choice words for you, bitch!"

"Well…if it isn't the always violent White Heart. Figured I would run into you here. What, with pieces of Lowee floating above this world right now."

"WHO'S FUCKING FAULT DO YOU THINK THAT IS?! YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME AND I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU SUFFER!"

"Hmph. I honestly can't tell if these events changed you or not. But that doesn't matter…I'm not even here to deal with you, anyway."

"WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING…"

"Blanc…if you don't mind, would you leave this encounter to me?" Yumi asked.

"Huh? Seriously?"

"Mother, do you really know this woman?" Lidelle asked.

"Yes. We go way back. That's about it, really. Seeing her again isn't much of a happy reunion."

"I can say the same about you, Yumi." Arfoire said. "It took me a while to find you…but now that I have, I can FINALLY have my revenge!"

"Revenge? For what happened all those years ago? You really haven't let that go?"

"How the hell could I when I have to look at myself every day?!"

Revenge? Look at herself? Geez…I never thought I would be interested in this purple hag's backstory. What the hell is she talking about?

"Honestly…you and Melody were always the carefree ones. It pissed me off to no end. Both of you annoying the hell out of me. Pulling those stupid pranks every damn day! Always being better than me at that stupid game!"

"Stupid game?" Yumi went silent for a bit. "Oh, I see now. *giggle*"

"Wh-What? Why are you laughing?"

"Because, Arfy…this isn't all about what Melody-senpai did to you back in high school. This is also about you always being weaker than the rest of us. Isn't it?"

"Wh-What?!"

"Weaker?" The rest of us asked.

…

W-Wait, did she mention something about high school?!

"Even back when you were known as a Celestial Witch…you were always weak compared to the rest of us. It angered you. You resented us all more than you already did before. Even Rulue-senpai was better than you. And she had no magical powers whatsoever."

"Tch! Shut up…!" Arfoire mumbled in anger.

"We invited you to join simply because we wanted to help you. But no matter how many times you played, you just never got any better. It was sad. Pitiful, even. But in the end, it was also pretty funny. Seeing you throw those hissy fits like a little child."

"Shut up!"

"To realize that you're still groveling about it all despite it being years ago…I'm not really sure what it has to do with fusing worlds and magical stones…but to have THAT be your motivation for revenge just shows that you're still the pitifully unpopular witch girl nobody gave a damn about. Such is life eh, Arfy? *giggle*"

"Shut up…shut up!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

"SHUUUUT UUUUUP!"

*BOOM*

"Gaaaah!"

We were all nearly blown away by a surge of raw energy that came from Arfoire slamming her staff on the ground in a fit of rage. The power was so strong that we even felt a shift in the gravity in this kingdom. Dongurigaeru would've been blasted into the sky if Lidelle didn't catch him at the last second.

Damn…that power…she's never been THIS strong before. Where did she get this extra power?

"You little bitch! How DARE you speak to me in such a manner?!" Arfoire shouted in a furious rage. "Not only am I the Deity of Sin…but I'm a year older than you, damnit!"

"That may be true, Arfy." Yumi said. "But remember…I'm the Queen of Hell. I have the power to damn your existence for all eternity. And I think it's the perfect punishment for the destruction you've caused. And then once you get there…the things I'll make you do~…*giggle*"

"M-Mother…" Lidelle said with a huge sweatdrop.

"Tch! You cocky little sadist! I don't care what title you have! You and those other accursed misfits will rue the day you ruined my life!" Arfoire then pointed her staff at Yumi in a threatening manner. "And with this Zodiac Shard, I'll make sure to see it all to the very end! Hahahahaha!"

Zodiac Shard? The hell is that?

As that thought was running through my head, I noticed Raum flailing her arms in a panicked fit. Trying to get our attention.

"Raum? You okay?" I asked. To which she replied with a frantic "no".

"N-No way…th-that shard…" Neva said in disbelief.

"Neva, what's wrong?" C-Sha asked.

"Th-That shard! On the tip of Arfoire's staff! It's a piece of the Libra Opal!"

"Wh-What?! A piece of it?!"

"Ah. I see you've noticed." Arfoire said with a small smirk. "I had no use for something so pointless as controlling tiny little stars in the sky. So, I shattered it to pieces and implemented a single shard to give my staff a well-deserved upgrade. The destruction of the constellation's brightest star is a nice little sacrifice in my eyes. Don't you think so? Hahahahaha!"

"Th-The destruction…o-of Libra's brightest star?! Oh, no…" Neva was in so much shock that she could barely talk.

"I-Is that bad?" I asked.

"Libra's brightest star…also known as Zubeneschamali…not only is it the biggest source for the Opal's power but it's also the biggest star EVER. Having enough astrological power to be easily mistaken for a lost planet."

"Y-You're kidding…"

"I-It's THAT big?!" Lidelle asked in amazement.

"Yes. It truly is. And with a star of that size, its astrological power can get backed up easily. Which is why the Opal gained so much from it. As a way to keep it stable. But now…with the Libra Opal in pieces…no longer able to fully contain the constellation's astrological power…Zubeneschamali will become unstable. A-And at this rate…" Neva went silent. Both she and Raum were trying not to cry as their bodies began to shake rapidly as if they were about to pass out.

"N-Neva? R-Raum?" I asked.

"Go on. Tell them." Arfoire taunted them as her smirk became more sadistic. "If these brats are truly your friends, you would tell them the inevitable outcome, right?"

"Arfoire, what are you talking about?" Yumi asked.

But before she could answer, Neva broke her silence and told us what was going to happen because of the Libra Opal being a single weak shard. Not being able to do its job.

"I…I-In just 1 hour…Zubeneschamali will explode in a massive supernova. A-And destroy the Babylon Nebula."

…

…

…

"Wha…WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"

And it was something NONE of us could ever believe.

Author's Note: The reunion with Yumi and Raum also led up to an encounter with Arfoire, who broke the Libra Opal into pieces and doomed the entirety of the Babylon Nebula. All to get revenge for something that happened in high school.

Pretty petty, right?

Yeah, so…I know I keep apologizing for these huge gaps in chapters. But I really do mean it this time. Therefore, I'm going to be putting more time into this story. Mainly because there's a certain spot I want this story to be in and it's nowhere close to that. Which stings even more when you consider that this story is nearly 3 years old.

Thanks for reading. Later.