[Philian Apolesai]

"Vesi..?"

His voice was low, barely above a whisper, as if saying her name would break whatever spell had brought her here and she would vanish again. She nodded before taking a tentative step forward. There was a small smile on her face, but she hugged herself tightly as if she would fall apart if she didn't. Her arms trembled, and her body was strained as she dared to move even closer. Her eyes searched his face—or what would have been his face, had he still possessed one. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, her body shuddered once more. Traces of fear slipped into her expression, betraying how much she needed reassurance.

"Vesi!"

The words came out with more force than he intended, and he took a few rushed steps toward her. But just as quickly, he stopped himself. The mixture of confusion, excitement, and happiness had built too much, and his inhibitor attempted to wash them away, but it wasn't enough. Nothing would be enough to stamp out this joy.

"I never thought I'd see you again."

Vesi's smile widened, tears of relief pricking at the corners of her eyes. Seeing his reaction—that he was happy to see her—gave her the courage to close the distance. Her heart hammered in her chest as she whispered, "Momonga... I can't believe it either."

The wavering of her words pulled him closer. He felt a deep need to comfort her, but he hesitated. Should he hug her? Could he hug her? It seemed like the natural thing to do, but he worried how the servants might perceive it. Would it be seen as weakness, or as a benevolent ruler welcoming a lost friend back into the fold? Their ever-watchful eyes never ceased their scrutiny, and he couldn't shake that feeling. But Vesi ended up making the decision for him. Once he moved within range, she pulled him into a loose hug. It was surprising, but if she had initiated it, surely it would be alright. He returned her embrace, careful to stay as gentle as she was.

Being pressed into a cage of hard bone shouldn't be so pleasant, but it felt like years of abandonment and fears of not being accepted were all crushed by a single touch. She closed her eyes, focusing on breathing to keep herself from breaking down completely in his arms. Feeling his arms wrap around her so readily, with not an ounce of malice or lingering hatred in his actions, it felt too perfect. All her words, all her planned speeches, were caught in her throat as she leaned further into him.

Sensing her struggle, Ainz gently loosened his hold, just enough to look down into her eyes.

"Where have you been?"

He spoke softly and held her like a china doll. Her wide eyes shimmered with tears. She seemed so close to breaking, and he didn't want to risk rushing her when she already looked so fragile. But there were a few things he just had to know. Vesi pulled away from him slightly, turning to look at the corner before answering.

"I was just lost. But, Demiurge. He found me, he brought me back."

Ainz nodded, his inhibitor finally successful in calming him down. He shifted his gaze momentarily to Demiurge. The demon was still standing near the door; his usual wide smile was now absent, replaced by a softer, almost tender expression. Ainz had never seen him without his signature look of calculated amusement. But as soon as Demiurge noticed Ainz's gaze on him, he straightened. His face slipped back into its familiar, controlled smile as he took a step closer. Bowing once in acknowledgment, his eyes briefly met Ainz's. The demon's voice, usually dripping with charm, was now subdued as he spoke,

"It was my honor, Lord Ainz. Ensuring her safe return was my proud duty."

It was then that Ainz realized the strain Vesi must have gone through. She seemed less nervous now, but her body was still tense from the stress. Gently, he guided her to the sofas in the middle of the room.

"Why don't you sit? I imagine your journey here was difficult."

He spoke calmly, but underneath, he was desperate to know more—to understand what she had been through, where she had been. He couldn't imagine what could have happened to make the woman he remembered being so bright become so feeble, but he didn't want to press too hard while she was in this state. The idea of asking something that might trigger a breakdown kept him quiet until he heard her laugh. It started as a silent chuckle that shook her body, growing into the full, vibrant smile he remembered.

"It wasn't much at all, actually. I suppose I was acting a little strangely, huh? It's just..."

She trailed off for a moment to get a better look at her surroundings. Demiurge had moved to stand behind her, carefully watching over them with a very pleased smile. The occasional flash of silver caught her eye—his tail quickly swinging from side to side. Vesi let out another small giggle at the sight before she continued.

"It's just that I never thought I would be back here. And, even if I did ever find my way back, I thought for sure you would all be mad at me. But you're not. I don't know what to say."

For a moment, he sat in stunned silence. Vesi brought her legs up to her chest as she watched her words sink in. Ainz brought a hand to his chin as he tried to figure out why she would possibly feel that way, but he just couldn't understand.

"Mad? I'm overjoyed that you're here."

Vesi loosened her hold around her legs as her shoulders relaxed. Her eyes met his empty sockets, and a genuine smile finally came across her face. Without a word, Vesi threw her arms around him, holding him tight to ensure she would never lose him again.

"I really needed to hear that. It really means more than you know."

[Philian Apolesai]

Ninth had been doing her best to stand silently at the far end of the room. A Supreme Being's return was something to be celebrated, but it was her duty to remain unobtrusive, and she would rather tear her own heart out than interrupt what was unfolding before her. The pair embraced, and she was honored to witness this moment.

Surprise flickered across her face as she struggled to stay composed, the tenderness of the reunion chipping away at her practiced façade. She would never admit it, not even to herself, but a bitter taste crept into her mouth when she first saw Lady Vesi. She had left them, abandoned them and their lord. A very dark part of her didn't think Vesi deserved to be here. But that feeling vanished the moment Lord Ainz called out to her.

Their lord always worked hard to ensure they felt loved and appreciated. He knew all of their names, looked out for their health, and gave them words of affirmation. All of this was unnecessary for his humble servants, but every grace he offered them was treasured in their hearts. Yet in all her time in this world, Ninth had never seen her master like this—so vulnerable, so... happy.

Her heart swelled in a way she hadn't expected. Though she remained perfectly still at her station, a warmth spread through her chest. The joy of seeing her master reunited with someone that meant so much to him, made Ninth feel lighter. Her eyes softened as they separated. Her lips parted into the slightest of smiles because, at that moment, she was happy Vesi was there. She may have abandoned them all those years ago, but she was here now—and that reignited a light in her master's life that had been missing for so long.

[Philian Apolesai]

The weight she'd been carrying for hundreds of years seemed to just melt away with a single embrace. All the stress that had clawed at her heart, the fear that he might not remember her, that if he did know her, he would be angry, or bitter, it all dissolved in an instant. He was just as happy to see her as she was to see him. It was a miracle.

"How long have you been here, anyway," Vesi asked, pulling back to meet his eyes. "I've searched all across this world and I've never found anyone else from the guild."

Momonga's posture shifted ever so slightly at that, though his skeletal face betrayed no emotion. He had hoped—really hoped—there would be more of his friends with her. Or, at least, she would know a few rumors from being here longer. But he wasn't about to let the sting of disappointment ruin the joy of this reunion.

"Well, we only got here about four years ago, it's been seven since I last saw you," Momonga replied, his voice steady. "What about you? Have you been here since you… left Yggdrasil?"

Vesi's eyes widened in surprise. "Seven years? That's really all?" She let out a small sigh, "It's been quite a while, I haven't kept track for a while but it's been centuries. If I had to guess, I'd say it's been around three hundred years." Vesi laughed slightly. It felt a little unfair that the rest of the world had gone by so slowly while she dealt with life here for decades.

Momonga blinked—or he would have if he had eyelids. "Centuries?"

She gave a wry smile, sinking back into the cushions. "I know, right? I guess time moved differently for us. Feels like I've lived through lifetimes, but really, it wasn't that long ago that I was hunting some demons and… well, got stuck here." She shook her head. "I've been tryin' to get back ever since."

"You remember what you were doing when you were brought here?"

The fact that Vesi could so easily recall something from hundreds of years ago was shocking, he asked the question without even thinking of its possible effects. Her thoughtful expression quickly turned somber. A small sigh came from her as the memories flooded her mind.

"Of course, I don't think I could ever forget how scared I was when the whole world was suddenly ripped away."

The pair went quiet. Vesi had no more to say and Ainz wondering how to move forward from such an obvious sore point. As the silence stretched on, Ainz's mind drifted back to the days when Vesi's absence had first troubled him. Vesi's disappearance was one of the stranger ones. He remembered the morbid game he used to play, guessing when someone's sign-off would be their last. There were always tells. They would start taking days; then weeks, maybe months between each of their logons. And when they were in Yggdrasil they would do less. Spending less and less time in the game until they gave up completely. Ainz always knew when someone was about to leave for the last time, except with Vesi. She'd been active every day, hunting and chatting with everyone. Until one day, she just didn't. Finally having the closure, knowing she was spirited away here rather than abandoning him or dying alone, brought a dark comfort—one that settled in his heart like a shadow.

His thoughts were interrupted by the heavy doors of his office opening. Revealing a beautiful woman standing in the hall. Long black wings perfectly framed her body. She looked like an angel. But when her eyes landed on Vesi, her serene face seemed to flash with anger. Before Vesi could react at all, the look was gone and the angel's features had returned to a lovely smile. A small clank pulled her out of her thoughts. Demiurge's tail which had previously been peacefully swaying from side to side behind him had stilled so quickly she'd heard it snap straight. His smile was gone and now all of his attention was focused on this woman. That's when she felt it: this ominous presence that filled the room the moment the angel had appeared, Vesi had felt it before. In the woods when Demiurge had found her. He had been so desperate to get her away then, but now...

She looked back at Demiurge. He had moved slightly closer to her, his body had tensed, but he didn't seem like he would try to take Vesi anywhere now. What the hell was going on?

Vesi turned to Momonga in confusion but he had not changed at all, did he really miss that ugly glare this woman just threw at her? He met her gaze and he nodded, like he understood, but something in Vesi felt that he didn't.

"Albedo!" He called out cheerfully. "Vesi has just been brought home to us. We will surely need to throw a celebration in honor of this day."

He turned back to her and shot a subtle thumbs up her way. What question did he think he'd answered?! Vesi just smiled in return and worked to look professional in front of this woman. She had no idea what was going on, and Momonga acting so friendly with her in contrast to Demiurge's obvious fear only brought more questions to her mind but she decided it wouldn't be safe to ask any of them in front of this angel.

Vesi moved to fix her posture while the woman, Albedo, moved to stand on the right side of the couch. Looking like she was guarding over Ainz while Demiurge stood close on her left. As she approached, her face completely morphed into one of joy. Her eyes lit up and she looked at Vesi with so much happiness she began to question her sanity.

"Ah, Lady Vesi! An honor for you to finally come back to us. I'm sure Lord Ainz is overjoyed that you're here." Albedo held her hands together in front of her chest as if she were in prayer. Her voice sounded sweet but there was a slight malice underlining it and that slight jab did not go unnoticed by Vesi.

"It's so great to be back! I thought I would never see any of you again." Vesi tried to match her energy and sound cheerful. "Although," She brought her attention back to Momonga. "Lord Ainz?"

Vesi adjusted her posture once more to view them both. Albedo continued smiling down at her. The tension grew thicker but Momonga either didn't notice or chose to ignore it. He just leaned back, a smile in his voice as he spoke.

"Oh, of course. Forgive me for not mentioning this earlier. You've been gone for some time, and when I came here, I thought it would be best to... change my name." He was speaking slowly, prancing around the topic but Vesi waited patiently for him to finish. "I now go by Ainz Ooal Gown."

He brought his full attention to her, scanning her face for any possible upset. It had been a little presumptuous to take the name and now he would have to deal with any consequence it brought. Vesi blinked, caught off guard.

"Ainz Ooal Gown? As in... the guild's name?"

Momonga nodded. "Exactly. I thought it would make me more recognizable to anyone that might be from Yggdrasil and, it was a way to honor the legacy of everyone. They're all a part of the name." His tone dipped slightly at the end, this must weigh on him.

"I see... it suits you. I just didn't expect—"

"You did not expect him to change?" Albedo's voice slid into the conversation, saccharine as ever, though there was a certain edge to it. "Lord Ainz has grown much in your absence. The burden of leading Nazarick alone is not something he would take lightly."

The pointed comment went over Ainz's head, but Vesi felt it linger. She smiled, trying to brush off the awkwardness. "Of course he changed. He's always been adaptable, it's one of his best traits. I was simply a little surprised." Vesi turned back to Momonga—no, Ainz. "I think that was a wonderful idea. It certainly piqued my interest when I first heard it."

He chuckled in response. Such human sounds coming from his skeletal form were still strange, but Vesi loved that he was happy.

"Good, I was a little worried what people might think if they heard I took the name."

Vesi laughed and put a hand on his massive shoulder. A small flutter of annoyance came from Albedo but she decided to ignore it. "That's nothing to worry about. In fact, there is no one better to take that name and I think it's perfect."

Ainz chuckled again, a sound still strange and almost otherworldly coming from his skeletal form. "Thank you, Vesi. It means a great deal to hear you say that."

Vesi smiled warmly. She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Though, if I'm being honest, I might need some time to stop calling you... well, Momonga." She laughed softly, almost nervously, the familiarity of the old name slipping out. "But don't worry, I'll get used to it—Ainz."

Ainz gave her a nod, his eye sockets glowing briefly with what seemed like amusement. "Take all the time you need. As long as you're here to call me by any name, I'm satisfied."

"It is indeed a miracle for our lady to have returned after so long." Albedo crooned through gritted teeth. She was desperate to disrupt this peace but she seemed docile enough.

"After around three hundred years.."

Ainz echoed Vesi's prior words. Bringing a bony hand up to his chin as he still tried to fully comprehend what she'd said. The first thing that came to his mind was that time must move much faster in this world. He'd been in this New World for around four years now, and he remembered the times each of his friends left him. The counters next to all their names on the HUD that greeted him every time he logged in would never let him forget. She'd gone missing just three years before Yggdrasil ended, yet in less than a decade she'd lived several lifetimes here. Bringing a new question to the front of his mind.

"You said that you were lost, but where were you really? Just wandering for all that time?"

Vesi let out a breathless laugh and leaned back into the cushions. Thinking back on the life she'd lived, nothing really stuck out. Where had she been? What had she done in all this time? She had been... existing, and little more. After she realized that there was likely no way to return home, the hope that had fueled her search slowly faded. She had resigned herself to wasting away under the waves, hidden from a world that had no place for her.

"You might not believe it, but I really haven't done much since I was brought here. As you might be able to imagine, a big an' scary monster isn't welcome most places, meaning the civilizations here were never the friendliest."

She paused, her bright eyes narrowing slightly as she recalled her more recent encounters.

"Like, just recently I heard there was a skeleton sorcerer and I came to see. The humans that told me about that were all terrified, and the moment I arrived there were more prepared to attack me. That's usually just how it goes. People see me, they get scared, and then they try to kill me. After a while, I figured it was just easier to stay away. No need to cause more trouble than I already do just by existing."

Her tone was casual, almost dismissive, but there was a lingering bitterness interlaced in her words and everyone present picked up on it. To spend centuries isolated, regarded as nothing more than a monster by those around you—she did not deserve such a fate, none of his people did. The only thing he'd decided he wanted was for those under his flag to be happy. Vesi smiled through it all but he still felt that he'd failed her somewhat.

Ainz nodded slowly as she spoke, his mind racing with thoughts and feelings he wasn't really sure how to express while his guardian's masks of calm had both slipped slightly. Albedo's face softened for just a moment while Demiurge's smile had vanished to show just the slightest hint of anger.

"I'm sorry that this world was cruel to you." He broke free from his thoughts. "You deserve better than that."

She just shrugged in response. "Don't worry about that! That's the past, I still can't believe I'm here, talking to you." Vesi sat up to look him in the eyes, hoping to get her point across to him better. It worked, Ainz couldn't help chuckling slightly.

"I'm glad you're here too," he admitted, "but that last encounter of yours doesn't sound like it happened randomly. Did they seem like they wanted anything?"

"What they wanted? I dunno.."

Ainz merely nodded at her casual answer but both Albedo and Demiurge frowned slightly. Acting so lackadaisical probably didn't leave the best impression.

"I did ask them a few questions but only things that would get me more information on you. I guess I was a little too excited, I didn't get everything I could. I know they're from a Theocracy though. Said they were from the 'Windflower Scripture'."

Vesi reached into her inventory to retrieve the magical hoops she'd taken from the man and placed them on the table between them.

"This seemed to be their ace, I've never seen humans with magic like it before."

Ainz reached for the hoops the moment they touched the wood. Murmuring a couple things as he shifted them around in his hands. It was a unique magic item, of course he was excited. Some things truly never change. Vesi hadn't learned much about the item but she needed to appear more knowledgeable in front of them. Especially Albedo. The way the Demiurge's demeanor completely changed when she entered had set Vesi on edge. She kept talking in hopes of seeming useful to the judgeful eyes of the succubus that were boring into her.

"It seems to be something like a lasso. The user holds one end and when you throw the other loop around someone it will drain their mana. Not the best at it but not bad either."

Ainz only hummed in response. Still quite taken with the item he cast some spells, likely gleaning more information in these few seconds than Vesi had in her hours of fiddling with it during her walk. Finally, he placed the loops back onto the table and found the ability to respond properly.

"Indeed... Not a high drain at all but it could be useful."

Ainz leaned back on the sofa and slipped into silence. He seemed to be doing that quite often. Must be a lot on the mind. Vesi thought as she glanced at the pair watching over them. Albedo had returned to her peaceful smile while she stared down at Ainz, Demiurge's frown only deepened when she'd first mentioned humans and it never subsided. Hopefully his opinion of her wasn't already ruined.

[Philian Apolesai]

The audacity of those humans to even attempt to harm their lady ignited a deep-seated fury within him. But the knowledge that she had been attacked so close to his domain, under his very watch, and yet he had done nothing, twisted like a knife in his gut. His primary duty as her protector had been abandoned, and she was left to fend for herself—because of his negligence. It was more than unacceptable—it was unforgivable. Demiurge's mind reeled, trying to reconcile his failure with his sworn loyalty to her. How could he claim to serve her when he couldn't even ensure her safety in his own territory?

She reached into her inventory to show off an item she'd taken from the humans and the sight of it momentarily pulled him away from his thought. His mind now shifting to its potential uses as she explained it. The idea that a weapon had been raised against her was upsetting, but perhaps it could now be used to better Nazarick in some way. Demiurge watched intently as Lord Ainz turned the item around in his hands, desperate to come up with something worthwhile. The sooner he started redeeming himself for his failure the better.

When his lord placed the hoops back down, Demiurge felt a tug of curiosity pulling him forward. Before he could stop his foolish behavior, Vesi noticed his interest and made a small gesture.

"Would you like to take a closer look, Demiurge?"

Her voice carried a note of encouragement but he still hesitated for a moment. His gaze shifting between the hoops and Vesi. The thought of handling something she'd claimed as her own, something she'd fought for; it felt like a gift. A gift that someone who had failed her did not deserve. But she had offered it, and it would be rude to refuse an offer from a Supreme One, he reasoned with himself.

"Yes, my Lady. I would."

He quickly gathered up the hoops feeling her residual magic coursing through the metal. Just as his lords said, it was not particularly strong—certainly not powerful enough to do anyone in this room actual harm—but it was interesting. And most importantly, his lady had made an effort to include him in the observation which was an honor all on its own. Demiurge allowed himself a small smile as he returned the item.

"I thank you for your generosity, Lady Vesi, it is much appreciated."

As he bowed to her, he caught a glimpse of her eyes. Though she still sparkled with excitement, they now carried a weight that hadn't been there before, as if the day's trials had finally taken their toll. Her movements had slowed, her once-bright smiles now fading into something more tired. Demiurge's concern grew sharper, his feelings of joy and guilt replaced by a cold thread of worry weaving its way through his thoughts. She had endured enough today, more than she should have, and the signs of her weariness were unmistakable. Without rising from his bow, he spoke softly.

"You seem quite tired, my Lady. Perhaps you would like to rest?"

[Philian Apolesai]

The question hadn't even been directed at him, but Ainz was left the most confused by it. The gears in his undead mind turned as he examined Vesi's face. Not only did he no longer need sleep, for years now everyone in his circle had nullified such needs. Demiurge was right though. Vesi did seem a bit more... sluggish? The descriptor didn't matter, she really should get some rest. He kicked himself mentally for not recognizing it himself and there was a small tinge of jealousy with the realization that she could still enjoy the simpler ways of relaxation while ever since he was brought into this body his stress has done nothing but build.

"Oh, sleep would be nice I suppose."

Vesi seemed hesitant to go but she nodded in agreement, but then she looked a little concerned. Ah, she probably doesn't know where to go. Before Ainz could offer any guidance, Demiurge had risen from his bow and moved closer to Vesi.

"Understood, my Lady. Would do me the honor of allowing me to be your guide?"

Did Demiurge even know where her room was? Come to think, Ainz didn't know where Vesi's room was either. Well, Demiurge had offered, so it was safe to say he probably knew where he was going. Before Ainz could agree, a sickly sweet voice cut through the room.

"Ah, yes, our fragile lady certainly needs some rest," Albedo commented, her words dripping with such artificial sincerity that even Ainz caught it this time.

What the hell is her problem? He let out a small sigh. Ainz had no idea what had caused that comment, but chiding only ever made her more upset. It was best to be gentle with her.

"She has been through much today, Albedo. A little concern wouldn't go amiss."

Demiurge's face barely shifted, but Ainz caught the faintest hint of a frown forming on his normally composed features. Vesi also appeared momentarily thrown off by the comment, though she quickly regained her poise. Instead of responding with irritation, she simply nodded, her smile returning when she looked back at Demiurge.

"Thank you, that sounds lovely."

"Demiurge," Ainz called, his ever-loyal guardian promptly turned to him. "Escort Lady Vesi to her quarters. And return to me as soon as you can, I have matters I need to discuss."

Demiurge bowed deeply. "At once, Lord Ainz."

Ainz watched as Demiurge turned to Vesi, gesturing to the door as he prepared to guide her. Vesi gave him a grateful nod before they both headed toward the door. His hollow eyes followed them as they exited, his mind already churning with the conversation he needed to have with Demiurge. The demon certainly deserved a reward. Ainz had no idea the work that must have gone into finding Vesi and bringing her home. But what? There's no way Demiurge would just say what he wanted, he never does. Ainz would have to think of something himself. Plus, it was almost certain that the rest of the tomb would want a massive celebration for Vesi's return. The lights in his sockets dimmed as he sighed. This was a joyous time to be sure, but the work truly never ended.

[Philian Apolesai]

Demiurge rose from his bow, stepping forward with his usual grace as he opened the door for Vesi. She nodded her thanks, and they began walking side by side. The sound of their footsteps swallowed by the rich carpet beneath them. The hallway stretched ahead, lit by the bright chandeliers overhead. As they walked, Demiurge couldn't help constantly turning to steal glances at her. Nazarick was and always will be her home, but it had been centuries since she'd last walked these halls, and he did not miss the concern that hid beneath the surface. She still walked with a quiet grace, but he could see the fatigue. Her steps just a fraction shorter than they had been when they'd first arrived but she remained poised. It was admirable, her restraint. Especially considering the ordeal she'd just gone through with Albedo. He had been hoping the succubus would calm herself once Vesi had been brought home, but he would have to do something about her if she continued being so outwardly disrespectful.

As they moved through the corridors, they were passed by leagues of servants. Their faces all lit up at the sight of Vesi. Though they beamed with joy, they wisely kept their distance, bowing deeply as they passed. Demiurge could feel the hum of excitement rippling through the Tomb. News of Vesi's return had undoubtedly spread at lightning speed, and the maids would likely be gossiping about it for days.

Demiurge glanced over at Vesi. She looked calm on the surface, but there was something a bit unsettled in her eyes. After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke, her voice soft, though tinged with curiosity.

"Demiurge. I had a question if that's alright?"

Vesi brought her bright eyes up to meet his. Demiurge already knew what was coming but there was nothing to be done about it. So he merely nodded his head.

"Of course, my Lady. Your wish is my command."

She let out an airy giggle. A choir of jingling bells that danced in his ears.

"I'm happy to hear that. So.." She took a brief pause, her eyes drifting away in thought before they returned to him. "Is Albedo alright?"

Her question was so careful, her tone could so easily be seen as caring, and it made Demiurge want to drop to his knees and thank her for her caution. He knew this question was coming, but addressing such a thing in front of the maids would essentially be telling everyone in the tomb about Albedo's insanity. However, despite her long absence, his Lady clearly had excellent foresight on Nazarick's inner workings. All his Supreme Ones were truly amazing beyond comprehension.

The maids' full attention snapped to them the moment Vesi mentioned Albedo, he could feel their gazes. Now, he could make Albedo and his Lady seem caring.

"Albedo was simply excited to see you, my Lady." His response was calm, and measured. "Much has changed in your absence, and we are all adjusting to your return."

It was a delicate balance. Demiurge could not lie outright to a Supreme One, but neither could he fully divulge Albedo's true feelings. Vesi was sharp, however. Her eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down. For a moment, he could sense putting together that there was more to his words. But to his relief, she didn't press further. Instead, she nodded, accepting the explanation, though he could tell it didn't entirely satisfy her.

"Right..." Vesi murmured, her gaze shifting forward once more.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sound being the soft echo of their footsteps against the floor. Demiurge's mind remained alert, despite the quiet between them. He knew that, in time, the tension between Vesi and Albedo would need to be addressed, but now wasn't the moment.

Thankfully, the walk did not last for much longer. At the very end of the corridor was Lady Vesi's room. It was simple yet elegant, marked with the familiar symbol of a laurel wreath surrounding a great fish—her emblem. Demiurge moved to open it for her.

[Philian Apolesai]

Just looking at the door filled Vesi with a sense of nostalgia. The abstract shapes forming a fish surrounded by a laurel wreath she'd chosen for her symbol when she was first welcomed into the guild decorated the door and its handle. Demiurge opened it for her and stepped to the side.

As she stepped inside, the cool air enveloped her. It carried the faint scent of sea salt and something faintly metallic—just as she'd imagined it would.

It was like she'd walked into an Atlantean museum mixed with a lounge. The circular room was lined with intricate pillars, the gaps of plaster filled with her trophies and mementos of past adventures. Leading to a domed window that overlooked an underwater city. Without a word, Vesi moved past the curved couches in the center of the room to press her hand against the glass. The centerpiece of her room, just being so close to it reminded her of the life she'd had before. The window wasn't real of course; she was still miles underground. A quiet hum of pulsing magic came from it since this 'window' was enchanted. It was a looped animation she'd made so long ago with her friends. She could almost hear Blue-Planet fussing over every detail.

[Philian Apolesai]

"No, no, no, no. That's WAY too dark! We're supposed to be in the ocean, not the vacuum of space! What are these values, man?"

"These values are off?" White-Lace sighed dramatically. A crackle in his cheap mic distorting his words. "So sorry, I was under the impression that I was the artist here!" He swatted away the menu in front of him, sending it in front of Blue-Planet. "How about you do it, Mr. Critic?"

[Philian Apolesai]

The two always had a silly back-and-forth to get into when it was time for a project. They couldn't help it. White-Lace was a proud artist and Blue-Planet knew everything there was to know about nature. They were bound to butt heads, and Vesi had loved it. Back then, it was nice background noise to her own work. Now, they were treasured memories. Precious pieces of the past that flooded back to her with every item she saw. Pushing herself away from the window, Vesi moved to the walls. Everywhere she looked, a new recollection came to her mind. Skulls from slain creatures, unique flora that fit her theme, old weapons of hers, everything that had once caught her eye when she played the game now brought a sense of peace she'd never before experienced in this life.

[Philian Apolesai]

Demiurge stood just in front of the door, his sharp eyes sweeping over the room. Despite its beauty, something was missing. It took only a moment for him to realize what it was.

There was no bed.

His brow furrowed, and he turned his gaze to Vesi. She was still wandering the room, fingers lightly brushing over the artifacts and trophies, her expression wistful. Demiurge couldn't understand it—this room was beautifully crafted, but surely she needed somewhere to rest. After all, she had slept in the previous word, and she seemed tired now. A bed must be somewhere for her. That would be a predicament to solve at a later date. His Lady needed somewhere to rest now.

"Lady Vesi," he started softly, breaking the silence between them. "There's no bed here. Perhaps you would like me to take you somewhere more suitable for sleeping?"

Vesi paused and turned to him. "A bed?" She murmured with a look of confusion, as if the very concept eluded her in the moment. She muttered something else under her breath. "No, I have a bed. I needed to have one, everyone did."

Her voice was faint, like she was only speaking to herself as she wandered over to a section of wall that was covered in paintings. Vesi dragged her hand along it until she was before the drawing of the World Tree. She traced the edge of the frame, pausing at the nameplate at the bottom of the painting as though she was trying to remember something. Slowly, she pressed into the nameplate. Nothing happened immediately, but soon it gave way. The small plate was pushed into the frame and with a soft click, the wall began to shift. The entire section slid down into the floor to reveal a hidden room. A small grin spread across her face as she turned back to Demiurge.

"There it is~"

Without any further explanation, Vesi stepped into the room. Demiurge could not fathom why his lady had gone to these lengths to disguise her bedroom, but that was a failing on his part. His Supreme Ones had no need to explain themselves. He made a note of the specific painting that triggered the mechanism before following Vesi inside.

Demiurge's eyes quickly examined the hidden bedroom. Aside from the fine layer of dust that, while upsetting, he would have to excuse for the time being, the room was just as meticulously designed as the rest of her quarters. The aquatic theme continued here, and it was in everything. The carvings in the wood, the designs on the walls, the canopy that was draped over the bed, and the slight scent of sea that persisted even here. It was all lit by the small blue lights above that flickered like stars in the ceiling. It was, acceptable.

Vesi crossed the room and sat at the edge of the bed. Demiurge stayed nearby, carefully observing her with a growing sense of concern. Something in her posture seemed off—her shoulders were tense, and her hands rested uncertainly on her lap, fingers tugging at the fabric of her dress.

"Is something else wrong with the room, my Lady?"

Vesi shook her head, her smile fading as she stared at the floor. "No, it's perfect," She whispered. "It's just..." She trailed off, her voice trembling slightly. Her smile returned for a moment, but now it looked almost pained. "It's a bit silly but, I'm scared."

Demiurge's brows furrowed in confusion. "Scared?"

She looked back at him with shimmering eyes. "I'm scared that when I go to sleep, I'll wake up alone. That all of this—" her gaze swept over the room, her memories, her home, before returning to him—"It will have all been a dream. And when I wake up, I'll be alone again."

Demiurge felt his chest tighten at her words. He hadn't anticipated this. The depths of her fear. But he wasn't one to falter in the face of emotions. Stepping forward, he spoke with assurance. "You won't wake up alone, my Lady. I will be here when you wake."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed as though she didn't believe him. But then, slowly, she nodded, a small, grateful smile appearing on her face.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Demiurge watched as she lay down on the bed, the tension in her body gradually easing as exhaustion began to take hold. He stood by her side, watching over her as her breathing slowed, her eyes finally fluttering closed.

[Philian Apolesai]

That's the end of the chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. Just a lil note to let you know that I drew Vesi. If you're interested, her Unvale link is here: /character/92f5834b-e7a1-4767-ac35-ad1b03125509

While I'm here, let me say thank you for reading up to this point and I hope you keep enjoying my story3