Wow. Over 800 views, 46 favs and 60 follows. Most of which were in the first few days of posting. I'm truly humbled, and I hope I can continue to live up to all your expectations.
I started this chapter within ten minutes of posting the first, and it has taken me numerous rewrites, edits, and coffee to get this out.
The last thing I wanted was something that feels unnatural or forced, or worse, lore breaking.
Whether I've done a good enough job remains to be seen, but I'm sure I'll hear about it in the reviews. Or not.
On other news, I've updated my other fic, the Grimm-Whisperer.
Anyways, let's go!
Chapter 2:
"Don't you dare fucking touch her…."
His words hung in the air, like an executioners axe poised to come crashing down.
He must have been thoroughly convincing in his words because the effect was instantaneous.
The maids, having started to approach the terrified jackelope, immediately paled and stopped in their tracks.
One of the maids at the lead spoke up with a panicked expression. It was the one with glasses. Yuri, the voice had called her?
"Lord Knight! Please forgive us for misunderstanding your intentions with our transgressions!"
What?!
His eyes narrowed underneath his helmet and his voice hardened.
"Yeah, well, forgive me for saying you can back the fuck off, starting right now."
Gods, since when was the last time he had such an emotional outburst like that? It didn't matter, since the results were surprisingly exactly as he dictated. The maids all started to take several steps backwards, shooting him nervous glances as if they were afraid of him.
Good. They should be. He had lost too much already. Trapped in some strange place with his only remaining friend in danger, and of course he was going to go apeshit crazy if someone dared to hurt her. No-one threatened Juniper!
Albedo suddenly screamed out in panic for 'Lord Momonga', and when he chanced an errant glance in her direction, he saw that throne upon which the mysterious Momonga had been seated was now only just supporting the slouching frame of his unmoving body.
She seemed to get more desperate with her begging.
"Shut the already!" he roared.
What was going on here?!
Albedo froze in a panic, stiffening as she glanced at him shocked eyes.
"M-my Lord…?" she stammered, unsure of what to do or say.
"Why do you keep calling me that?" his voice was strained and tired as he kept his gaze alert, switching between keeping an eye on the now-submissive maids, the strange faunus woman Albedo, and the now genuflecting Sebas.
"Please forgive us," implored the aging man, his head low and bangs covering his face.
"We have deeply offended you, and for that we will offer up our lives as forfeit! But, if you could grant us one selfish request, could you please inform us of our transgressions and how we were supposed to handle ourselves, if only so our replacements can better serve you!"
Jaune faltered.
Was this some sick joke? A ploy?
"Ha?! You drag me here against my will," he breathed, his anxiety building up quickly.
"You threaten Juniper, and now you have the guts to ask me what you've done wrong?"
Maybe he was jumping to conclusions. For all he knew, these people before him were entirely innocent on the kidnapping part. But it certainly didn't change the way he felt.
When he forcefully snapped himself out of his momentary stupor, one which he internally berated himself for leaving him vulnerable, he was greeted with the sight of everyone suddenly prostrating themselves on both knees before him.
The maids practically had their heads kissing the carpet, while Sebas bowed even deeper, sweat glistening off his forehead in a thick sheen.
Albedo was no better, practically throwing herself onto both knees.
"Forgive us, Supreme One! For failing to please you and fulfil your intentions! This servant is more than willing to personally behead the Pleiades for displeasing you, and I will immediately follow suit hereafter and end my life to atone for this sin!"
Sebas whole-heartedly approved of the Guardian Overseer's response, except for one facet.
"SUPREME ONE!" he pleaded.
"I respectfully ask that you spare the Guardian Overseer as she had nothing to do with this! The Pleiades are solely my responsibility, and therefore my failure! I humbly beseech you to transfer her punishment to myself instead!"
Albedo looked shocked. It was audacious of him to dare suggest who should be punished.
Jaune felt his sword hand waver, his anger crumbling away into dust, only to be replaced by nausea.
He was experienced enough to know when to distinguish a ploy by now. And what he was witnessing right now was not one.
These people were genuinely terrified of him, viewing him as some bloodthirsty ruler demanding their lives as comeuppance. The thought of that sickened him.
"I…" he shook his head.
"No-ones being executed. Just… answer my questions. How about we start with that?"
It was subtle, but Sebas exhaled a tense breath he had been holding in relief.
The Pleiades and Albedo were no different, though at least the Overseer had the grace to keep her relief to herself, unlike the lower-levelled maids.
Their stay of execution permitted, Sebas quickly nodded.
"Of course… Supreme One. Forgive me for overstepping my bounds, but what would you expect us to call you so as to not offend you?"
"What's it matter to you?" he bit back.
Sebas instantly ducked his head.
"Forgive me, Supreme One."
Jaune flinched as he realised how rude he had just sounded. His mother would be ashamed of him for taking such a tone, especially over such an innocuous question.
"My name…" he began.
Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue and ladies love it, his traitorous mind recalled of his past dumb self. He swallowed.
"I have no name. But if you insist on calling me something…"
He was the Rusted Knight, but that was a children's fairy-tale hero, and he certainly didn't feel like a hero.
A shortening of his moniker would be more appropriate. But it sure as hell wasn't going to be Knight. Knights were chivalrous warriors. Not murderers that plunged their family sword into the heart of an innocent crying girl.
"Rusted." He forced out.
"You may call me Rusted…"
There was no questioning his choice of title. Only Sebas whole-heartedly going along with his wishes.
"Of course, Sir Rusted!"
Except that part. Sir made him feel as if he were noble.
"Just Rusted is fine," he corrected the man weakly. He let his sword lower to his side, while his free hand rested atop of Juniper's snout and stroked it affectionately.
The jackelope quietly purred, sensing the danger was now gone, or at least significantly less.
"Let's start with who you are," he began.
"Lord Rusted…?" asked Sebas.
"Your names. Who you serve. What this place is. Where this place even is. Stuff like that."
Gods he was so tired. It was only years of experience and constant training that kept him alert.
"Of course! I am Sebas Tian, Head Butler of Nazarick and overseer of the Pleiades Battle Maids."
Jaune glanced the women in question, and he couldn't help but bite back a scoff.
Battle Maids. This read like one of those dumb trashy comics from years long gone. Still, they certainly seemed dressed for the part. And who was he to underestimate them.
"I am the Guardian Overseer, Albedo," humbly offered the woman with a much more reserved tone, now that the initial standoff was done.
"Yuri Alpha. Vice-Captain of the Pleiades, and direct subordinate to Lord Sebas," offered the woman with the glasses.
It was somewhat amusing how such a clearly stern woman seemed to be so flustered now that he observed her properly.
"And them?" he gestured to the maids behind her.
One by one, they all nervously introduced themselves, not daring to stand up until given permission.
"Lupusregina Beta."
"Narberal Gamma."
"CZ-Delta."
"Solution Epsilon."
"Entoma Zeta."
Yuri cleared her throat. "Our final sister, Aureole Omega, is not present with us currently, Lord Rusted."
Sebas spoke up next, his voice carrying with it a stern authority. If the situation wasn't as obvious as it already was, or he was still in his younger Beacon years, he would have felt nervous and stiffened at the man's stern voice. As it was now, he could only feel slight pity at how tense the older man seemed. He understood the feeling much better these days.
"We of Nazarick serve the Supreme Beings of Ains Ooal Gown. That includes you, Lord Rusted."
Him? They served him? Now he was sceptical, and voiced as much.
Alarmed, Albedo was quick to placate him.
"I assure you, we do not dare lie to you. Our loyalty is to the Forty-Two, of which you belong."
He fell silent as he took in the information presented to him.
So he was a co-ruler of this Nazarick. Then that begged several more questions. Who were the other Forty-One, and where were they? And what even was a Supreme Being?
These were questions he would have to get answers to later, however, as the sound of something heavy and made of metal clattered to the ground with a thunderous clang, snapping everyone's gaze to the source of the obnoxious sound.
The sound belonged to the gold staff that Momonga had been holding falling to the ground as the skeleton's grip slackened and his body slouched further into the throne, threatening to fall over the arm rest.
Jaune was no expert in creature biology, but he was fairly confident that was not something meant to be happening right now.
The other residents of Nazarick were clearly of the same mind as Sebas sprang into action. He immediately called out to Jaune, retroactively begging his permission.
Jaune might have been mistrusting of them still, but it would have been unnecessarily cruel of him to deny them the right to tend to their Guildmaster, as Momonga had been referred to as. "Go!"
Albedo did not ask for such permission, racing over to the unmoving Overlord's side with a desperate howl of panic, crying the creature's name over and over.
Sebas instantly placed a hand to his ear and started calling for a Demiurge and Shalltear to arrive immediately. Jaune assumed it was an earpiece.
"What's wrong?!" he called out, concerned.
"Lord Rusted! Lord Momonga is not responding! Please! Help him!" begged Sebas, eyes wide open with fear.
His oath as a Huntsman came back to him. It might abandon him, but he would never abandon it, nor his principles. An oath was an oath, and an Arc never went back on his word. Sebas' words barely had registered with him and he was already moving up the dais towards the panicking people huddled over this Momonga.
Sebas barked orders at the Pleiades who instantly burst into action. Some left. Others instantly took to standing guard around the dais.
"Move aside!" he barked out gruffly.
Sebas backed up a bit, and after noticing Albedo was still clutching the Overlord, he forcefully pulled her away too. He instantly heard the sound of several portals opening nearby, coupled by racing footsteps.
Jaune looked down at Momonga, who was currently sprawled on the throne like a lifeless corpse. The red glow of his eyes from earlier was extinguished, and vibrant glow of the red orb in his chest was now just as dull and lifeless as he suspected the creature before. Speaking of.
Upon closer examination, it was quite clear that Momonga was likely not a Grimm. Rather, he was a pure giant humanoid skeleton. His bones were extraordinarily thick, with sharpened digits. His face was angular and quite sinister looking, even with no life in it. Which begged the question.
Just what the hell had he found himself in now?
There was no time however as Albedo wailed and sobbed.
He didn't know what he was supposed to do. His semblance only really worked on those still technically alive. He highly doubted the thing before him counted as alive, even when it was moving and talking earlier.
Dammit all to hell! Kneeling down, he outstretched his gloved hands, the gauntlets heavily rusted and filthy.
He felt his Aura stir as he began to glow. It poured out of his hands and streamed down into the skeleton.
Nothing happened. The pile of bones glowed a little as he poured his soul into it. What was he even trying?
After a seeming eternity, he withdrew his Semblance. Albedo could be heard sobbing. Sebas was stone-faced and silent, likely internally processing what has happening before him.
"Report, Sebas. Now!" demanded a strong, rich and sharp male voice.
Jaune absentmindedly glanced over his shoulder to view the newcomer.
A tall figure dressed in a red pinstriped suit, a steel tail swishing agitatedly behind him, while his eyes were obscured by glasses.
"Lord Rusted has tried his skills to bring Lord Momonga back, Demiurge," replied Sebas.
"However," he swallowed hard. "I fear for our Master's safe return."
Demiurge wasted no time in barking out new orders before marching up to where Jaune was.
He did an excellent job of hiding his panic, but Jaune could see right through him. Demiurge was afraid. He knew because he had been afraid so many times.
"Lord Rusted. Please forgive me, but your abilities might not be the best suited to help Lord Momonga." It felt treasonous for him to even dare suggest so, and Sebas tensed noticeably, while Albedo hissed with a scowl.
"Do you dare suggest that one of the Supreme Beings is incapable?!"
Demiurge was quick to wave off her concerns.
"Absolutely not! However, since Lord Momonga is Undead, an Overlord, traditional healing spells will have adverse results." He glanced nervously in Jaune's direction, and he got the hint. His semblance was a 'traditional' healing one. To help this Momonga was beyond his skills as he suspected.
He stood up slowly.
"Then my skills are useless here," he said.
His words must have been more upsetting than he realised as everyone appeared horrified.
"Please, Lord Rusted," pleaded Albedo with wide eyes. However, Jaune was not finished.
"Do what you can for him. I trust your expertise better in this situation."
Demiurge's eyes widened a fraction, but he didn't say anything.
"Of course, Lord Rusted," he bowed.
"Shalltear!" he barked, and a pale woman dressed in a purple Victorian dress startled.
"I will need your assistance. I need potions. Elixirs. Scrolls. Anything under Tenth Tier is a waste and not to be bothered with!"
The woman went from looking horrified to resolute in a nanosecond.
"Right! I'll also summon my Brides. If we need sacrifices or anything, just ask for it. I will happily give my unlife for Lord Momonga!"
As she should, Demiurge nodded with approval. Anything less was tantamount to treason in his eyes.
"Now, what happened to Lord Momonga?" he demanded. It was not a question. It was an order.
Stepping back, Jaune decided to finally take in his surroundings properly. He had observed where he was and mentally logged down some descriptions of the people present. Years of being a Huntsman and surviving in the Ever-After ingrained the importance of noting his surroundings and remembering any and all details. Details such as height, numbers, where the sun was, where a certain landmark was, could often prove crucial to survival. Even in his tired state, he went through the familiar motions.
Right now, his observations weren't adding up. Something seemed off.
Albedo had both wings and horns. Most Faunus did not have two simultaneous traits. Then there was Demiurge.
The man gave off a peculiar aura. His tail certainly did not seem natural, and he struggled to imagine whatever faunus sub-race he belonged to. The glimpse of eyes that sparkled like diamonds underneath his glasses certainly was peculiar.
However, the biggest offender for being unnatural was Momonga.
Skeletons did not move and talk. He wanted to chalk it up to being a Grimm, but his time in the Ever-After exposed him to many strange people and locations. Hell, even the natural laws such as physics and morality had been upturned on their head there.
He wanted to guess he was still trapped in the Ever-After, and he certainly was not going to discount the possibility, however the voice in his head earlier spoke of him being in another world?
He scoffed at that. Voices in his head weren't a new thing, unfortunately. However, the memory of the migraine attacks he experienced were.
Wherever his line of thinking was going to lead was abruptly cut short when he glanced back at where Momonga was still slumped, unmoving.
Demiurge was arguing with Shalltear and Sebas, while Albedo seemed to be just… there. She held a strange look of inconsolable grief bordering on apocalyptic fury. He dared say he felt pity for her, and even these strange people. Sure, the maids had been about to harm Juniper, and he was not going to forgive them for that any time soon. But he was still capable of empathy, or at least some form of it.
Glancing at the pile of robed bones, it was clear that this Momonga individual was not going to wake up any time soon. That was even if they were alive at this point. He honestly doubted it.
With a hoarse voice, strained from days of little sleep and constant excitement, he spoke up.
"I think he's gone…." Momonga was a he, wasn't it? At least the voice sounded masculine when it spoke earlier.
Instantly, everyone seemed to go still, and the Throne Room fell silent.
The four people gathered around Momonga all glanced at him with varying strained expressions of disbelief, sadness and horror.
Albedo looked as if she wanted to refuse him on principle, while Demiurge looked the hardest hit oddly enough, though he seemed to quickly school his expression into a more composed one.
"Lord Rusted…?" whispered Shalltear, her soft-spoken voice almost seeming to beg him that he was lying.
How could he, though? He felt nothing when he used his Semblance. It was clear that whatever they were trying wasn't working either.
"I said he's gone," he repeated, this time more firmly.
"He's left. Gone to another world," whatever the euphemism was for essentially dying and passing on. It felt unnecessarily rude to say this person they revered had 'died' to put it, so he settled for the softer language.
Demiurge looked suddenly thoughtful, while Shalltear seemed to be in denial. Sebas was faring no better, looking as if he had been just struck with a hammer. Albedo, however, ducked her head with a snarl, hiding her features from him.
"Wherever he is, he's not coming back," he spoke. His voice carried with it a tinny reverb, courtesy of his helmet.
All around him, the maids from earlier seemed to crumble to their knees in despair.
"No…" whimpered Shalltear, tears of literal blood pooling in the corners of her eyes.
He wanted to say he ignored her, but that little detail was disturbing enough to ingrain itself in his head.
"At this point, I'd say you're better off paying your respects to him, and moving on."
He let his shoulders slump, and slowly, he trundled over to Juniper, his armour creaking with each movement. In the silence that now permeated in the room, each movement was thunderous.
He reached his trusted mount, and with a single gloved hand, he gently caressed the fur on her head.
"This doesn't make sense," rambled Demiurge, seemingly to himself.
Jaune frowned. He pitied the breakdown the man was undergoing, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Shalltear suddenly burst forward, facing him. A pleading look adorned her openly crying face.
"Please! Forgive me, but how can you be certain?!"
Sebas would have normally reprimanded her, but he felt too emotionally drained himself to lecture her for insolent impropriety.
"If a Supreme Being says it, then it must be so," he forced out. He himself wished it wasn't true, but Lord Rusted had as good as said it himself. And he would be the best person to know, right? He was a Supreme Being, just like Lord Momonga.
Albedo snarled aloud, wrapping her arms and body protectively around Momonga, enveloping his body with hers. It was impossible to, however, considering how vastly bigger he was.
Jaune felt his eyes harden at Shalltear's question. He had seen death before. This Momonga was dead. He had to be. Anything otherwise would be too much for his own sanity.
Everyone took his silence as merely further reinforcement of his words earlier.
As they seemed to despair, glancing at each other uncertainly, Jaune swallowed.
"I need to go," he whispered.
Demiurge perked his ears at that, hoping and praying that he had misheard him.
"My Lord?"
"I need to leave," he repeated, this time louder for everyone to hear.
This wasn't his place. This wasn't his home.
His home was elsewhere, and it was where he belonged. Where he was needed. Remnant was on the eve of destruction, and his friends, or at least his remaining ones that survived were about to throw themselves into the good fight.
He needed to be there with them. Not here. Wherever here even was.
The Guardians all recoiled. All except Albedo who seemed lost in her own world right now.
Sebas was the one who spoke up. His voice seemed to crack.
"My Lord. What are you saying…?" a growing pit formed in his stomach as he dreaded the answer.
Jaune snorted.
"Exactly what I just said. I need to leave. I can't stay here. I didn't even ask to be brought here."
The Guardians all flinched uncomfortably.
Shalltear felt like her world was caving in. Everything seemed to suddenly become so distant, and her vision narrowed to pinpricks.
Demiurge meanwhile struggled to fight the shaking in his hands. He was meant to be so much more composed than this, so why was his body failing him now, dammit!
"Please…" he begged, his voice sounding pathetic to his own ears.
Their remaining mighty lord turned his head slightly to face them, and he all but threw himself down onto one knee.
"What have we done to displease you? Please!"
The other Guardians were quick to follow suit, even Albedo who broke herself from her mourning.
Above all, their duty was to serve. It was their sole purpose. The reason their lives had any significance and meaning to begin with.
Shalltear added her own voice.
"What can we do to better serve you!" she was desperate. They all were.
Losing one Supreme Being was unforgivable as it was, but to lose another right after was beyond disgraceful. It was a massive failure on their part to fail to meet their Lords most basic expectations.
It felt humiliating to have to even ask what they had to do to be better servants. They should already know!
"Just ask, and we will immediately carry out your will! We live and die to serve you!" added Sebas, not daring to raise his head as he joined the other Guardians in kneeling.
Jaune felt overwhelmed by the pleading voices and desperation they held. It was as if they were fearing an imminent execution of they and their loved ones.
He shook his head slowly.
"You haven't done anything to displease me," he said carefully.
"This is something I have to do. I need to go, and I need to go now. I wish you luck in wherever your own journeys take you."
He turned back to Juniper to keep soothing her. The jackelope was slowly but surely calming down now.
It was so final sounding that the Guardians couldn't help but be paralysed with fear. Demiurge felt his mind race at a million miles an hour, and that was likely not hyperbole.
His analytical mind stretched for infinite answers and possibilities. Reasons for the master's desire to depart them, what failures or shortcomings on any of their parts. What alternatives could and should be implemented, and likely should have long ago.
His mind seemed to draw blanks at every turn however.
There was one option however. One possibility. And as his razor sharp mind dissected that singular possibility, he felt the faintest glimmer of hope.
Yes, this was likely the one answer. However, simply coming out and stating it would not suffice. This required the collective will of Nazarick to come together, he realised.
While the others begged and pleaded, offering honest promises of changes if the Lord Rusted so desired, Demiurge could see they were having no effect. Even behind his visor, it was plain as day that the final Supreme Being was unaffected by their words.
He needed to be understood. And Demiurge dared to believe that he understood what their master actually wanted. And so, he took a gamble, and he spoke.
"Before you leave on your great journey, might we at least humbly request you and your summon remain to receive a final send-off worthy of your name. And to allow a chance for your esteemed self to rest before whatever great journey or ascension awaits you?"
He dared to hope he was correct in his assessment.
Jaune paused.
As pertinent as it was that he get a move on, even he knew the value of getting sufficient rest. And Juniper wasn't the only that had recently endured a stressful time.
His mind felt worn down and tired, and he kept battling the creeping tides of sleep that threatened to spill out and drown him.
His muscles felt tired, and the armour he wore, while long since accustomed to and lightweight now, was still heavy.
Rest was promising.
Food was promising.
Even if it was just for a day, it would grant him significantly better odds instead of just striking out.
Plus, he could use some of that downtime to get better bearings of wherever he was.
Or whenever. Gods he hoped this wasn't like the Ever-After. For all he knew, he might still be trapped there.
Plus, despite the initial bad footing, these people seemed to hang off of him for whatever reason.
He didn't trust them. How could he? He had encountered so much betrayal.
Cinder and her team had betrayed them all and murdered Pyrrha.
Leonardo sold them out.
Ozpin manipulated and lied to them, good intentions be damned.
Ironwood went off the deep end and turned on them in a heartbeat. Hell, even Ren seemed to give up on him, and that stung.
Alyx betrayed him, and Team RWBY…
He doubted it was betrayal, but they had certainly changed. Or maybe, upon reflection, they had always been the same, but he and the others had been too blind to see it.
Naïve. And stupid.
Demiurge dared to hope…. Lord Rusted did not refute his offer and seemed to actual contemplate what he had to say.
Being a Supreme Being, he had most certainly made his mind up long ago. This was just a test to see if his convictions were just as strong.
Finally. "I… yes. Rest does seem nice. A chance to prepare before I go would be ideal."
Demiurge quietly let out a breath he had been holding.
His suspicions were proving fruitful. Their lord had recognised his attempt for what it was, and had so graciously given them all a second chance to repent.
It was bought time with a narrow window, but it was time none-the-less. And he was most certainly NOT going to squander it.
"I – Thank you for our selfish request. We are but your most loyal servants." He bowed his head so low down that he was almost kissing the floor.
The other Guardians seemed a little slower to comprehend the intricacies of what had just happened, but what they did understand was that they had just been granted a chance.
He wanted to chuckle.
His creator, Lord Ulbert, had saw fit to grant him but a fraction of his own great mind. And while he could never compare to the heights of the Supreme Beings intellect, he could at least deign to interpret a meagre slice of understanding them.
"Please. Make yourself at rest, and allow us, your humble servants to take care of the rest. Pleiades, please help escort Lord Rusted to his quarters."
It was most certainly audacious to dare presume to know what a Supreme Being desired, but he had a suspicion that this was what their Lord sought.
Jaune frowned under his helmet.
"Actually," he said. "Is there somewhere outdoors I can go? For Juniper," he gestured with his head to his jackelope that was now staring openly at everyone without any fear.
Demiurge nearly lost his composure.
Of course he had nearly just blundered, but their master was merciful. He was still giving him a chance!
"But of course. Would the fifth floor suffice?"
Call him selfish, but he was terrified that if Lord Rusted actually left the tomb, he might take it as an invitation that his presence was not desired. And that was UNACCEPTABLE!
Jaune had no idea what the 'Fifth Floor' was, but he supposed there was no harm in checking it out.
"That will be fine," he waved tiredly.
Demiurge nodded, aware of the curiosity of the other Guardians.
"Pleiades. Would you please escort Lord Rusted to the Fifth Floor and tend to his needs. Us Floor Guardians must make necessary preparations."
They would comply, so he didn't need to check their responses. More importantly, it was their Lord's response that was telling.
He had not rebuked him, and as he began to leave with the maids, he felt more confident that his calculations were accurate.
This was all a test, and a chance for them.
"Demiurge, what are you doing?" asked Albedo.
Now that their Lord was no longer present, it was acceptable to stand up. So he did just that, and the other Guardians followed suit.
Straightening his suit and then glasses, he faced the Guardian Overseer.
"Don't you see? This is all a test."
She raised an eyebrow, while Sebas' own furrowed as he went into deep contemplation. Shalltear was the most visibly confused.
"Explain yourself," she demanded.
He smiled, all teeth.
"Why it is very simple. Based on the events that have happened, and what our Lord has said, it is quite easy to deduce that he is testing us right now. And our very answer will determine not just our own fates, but the fate of the Supreme Beings."
Shalltear gasped, while Albedo looked more alert than ever.
Seeing their dying need to know more, he elaborated.
"You see, the key is in the wording. Lord Rusted never said that Lord Momonga has departed us forever. He said that, and I am paraphrasing here, 'he's left. Gone to another world.' That is very peculiar wording, don't you think?"
Realisation seemed to slowly dawn on Albedo's face, while Sebas seemed to feel relief swell in his chest.
Shalltear still seemed to struggle to comprehend what he had just said however, and asked him.
"Wait, so there's a chance he might come back?"
Demiurge shook his slowly, a forlorn smile gracing his lips.
"More than that. The Supreme Beings have not abandoned us. They have transcended to another world, yes. We have known that since they began to 'log-off', as they say. However, as we also know, they have long prophesised a great calamity. The cataclysmic 'Shut-Down' of our world, of which there would be no going back. You felt it too, didn't you?"
He was referring to the sudden freeness he, and he comfortably assumed all of Nazarick, felt at the prophesised time.
Coupled with the ascension of Lord Momonga, and it all made sense.
Speaking of, as the Guardians all nodded along with what he said as true, that needed discussing as well.
"It is likely, however, in this 'Shut-Down', that something resulted in Lord Momonga to ascend."
Before the Guardians could jump in with their own hypotheses, he explained.
"Again, think of Lord Rusted's words. He said that Lord Momonga was not coming back, and that we MUST pay our respects to him, and move on."
He leaned back, adopting a thinking pose that he had seen his creator adopt.
"We must show our fealty to all of the Supreme Beings by respecting them when they are not just amongst us, but also when they depart."
"By doing so, we prove ourselves worthy of being ruled by the remaining One…" clued in Albedo, and Sebas finished in realisation.
"And in turn, he will remain and guide us to salvation. Possibly, even the return of all the Supreme Beings."
Demiurge nodded approvingly. His fellow Guardians were smart in their own right.
"Precisely. Lord Rusted never said that their return would be impossible."
Shalltear nodded in recognition.
"Yeah. Lord Peroroncino often spoke with Lord Momonga about all of the Supreme Beings returning one day to 'play'."
Demiurge smiled fondly.
To 'play', he mused. It sounded so much like actual play. The thought of the Supreme Beings returning to frolick amongst their ranks once again seemed so absurd and childish that it was almost perfect. It was almost a dream yet to come true.
Fantasies aside, it gave credence to his theory of their eventual return.
However, in order for that to occur, they must first prove themselves worthy to the one that remained, for HE would guide them all to reunite with their creators.
Yes, it was all beginning to make sense.
Lord Rusted wasn't going to leave them. Not unless they failed this test.
And the test was quite simple really.
Pay your respects and move on. Translated, it meant honour the passing of the Supreme Beings, and then prepare yourselves to serve me. Lord Rusted that was.
All that required was for the Guardians to assemble and swear absolute fealty to the one who remained.
"We must show ourselves as worthy of this chance," he said. His voice was firm and absolute.
Everyone was in agreement. Even Sebas, who he normally butted heads with.
The first order of business was to tend to Lord Momonga's body.
What would have originally been viewed as callous, uncaring, and daresay sacrilegious, in merely abandoning the body, Demiurge saw as merely a test of their own reverence and faith.
Lord Rusted was clearly observing their actions in not only how they handled the situation, but also in how they handled the body, the vessel, of a Supreme Being.
Lord Momonga was not deceased, and thus should not be treated as such.
There was the possibility of his eventual return, and when he did, he would need a body.
Therefore, it was imperative that such an important vessel be placed to rest within the most sacred and secure of all of Nazarick.
Somewhere worthy of His Greatness, and somewhere safe.
When he voiced as such to the other Guardians, it was Albedo who suggested an option.
"Why not the Treasury? It is perhaps one of the most secure locations within all of Nazarick. It is also the most worthy of all locations for a Supreme Being to return to. It shows Nazaricks collective wealth and value, and is befitting of not just a Supreme Being, but the ruler of them all."
Her suggestion had merit realised Demiurge as he hummed in consideration. All it required was a brief discussion with the Area Guardian of the Treasury, of which he was more than confident they would agree with him. From there, it was simply a matter of allocating sufficient space to allow for a proper resting spot.
It would have to be something beyond grand. Elegant, but also functional. It wouldn't do to have a mere sarcophagus. Lord Momonga when summoned should be able to move freely.
It certainly wouldn't do to force him to have to immediately free himself from something as blasé as a coffin. Yes, he had some ideas whirring around in his mind.
Apparently, he wasn't the only one as Albedo looked mightily consternated as she considered a befitting entombment for Lord Momonga.
"Perhaps we should discuss this after we visit the Guardian of the Treasury. We need to assess the treasury first. We wouldn't want to dare jeopardise the Supreme Ones wealth, after all."
Albedo nodded at Demiurges words, and Sebas spoke up.
"In that case, while we make preparations, we should prepare our Lord's body so it is resting in a more dignified state."
They all nodded. It was a travesty to let Lord Momongas body just hang limp off the throne.
"I will supervise the maids and see to his transport to his quarters for temporary rest." And on the off-chance he returned early, they all hoped.
Normally when the other Supreme Beings left, their body went with them as well. There had never been a case where a Supreme Being's body remained behind when they 'logged-off'.
Still, unchartered waters or not, they would prove their devotion every step of the way.
"I will help supervise his transportation," said Albedo with a firm voice, a determined fire in her eyes that warned she would not be backing down on this decision.
"As will I," declared Shalltear.
"You will do no such thing," Albedo glowered witheringly at the vampire, only to receive an angry scowl in return.
"Right now, we need the defences of Nazarick placed upon the highest alert status. That means you need to return to the first floor and quadruple the patrols and defences. Nothing is to enter!"
Shalltear grit her teeth.
"Then as Guardian Overseer, shouldn't you be personally overseeing the administration of Nazarick right now? Not selfishly locking yourself alone in a room with Lord Momonga!"
Albedo adopted a look of pure wanton murder, and Demiurge felt his lip curl downwards.
"How dare you?!" she seethed.
Before the growing tension could escalate further, he forcefully interrupted the two.
"Guardians. While we can all appreciate the devotion you have to our Lord's care, right now it is also important that we tend to our remaining Lord's needs, including assuring him of our unity with a combined show of fidelity, and an oath of fealty. There will be time aplenty where we can grieve and pay our respects. I think any of the Supreme Beings would accept such a selfish request of ours. But," he added before the two could resume fighting.
"We must attend to our duties first and foremost. Sebas," he turned to face the Head Butler. As loath as he was to admit, even he could put aside his pride and concede that the dragonoid was perhaps the best candidate suitable for the following task.
"I would ask that you instead take charge of the transportation of Lord Momonga's body. You are the most well versed in proper etiquette, and you have better control of the Homonculus maids and Pleiades."
As much as it irked Shalltear and Albedo alike, they both were more willing to concede the duty to Sebas than each-other.
Sebas inclined his head respectfully.
"Of course. I will oversee this task with the outmost priority and care."
Demiurge didn't even bother to grace his peer with a grateful smile. Such a motion was undeserving of such an action considering it was a basic obligation to show utmost respect and care with any and all matters regarding a Supreme Being.
"See that you do," he answered coldly. The unspoken message was clear. Do not dare desecrate Lord Momonga.
He had absolute faith in his fellow Guardians that such would never happen, but it was ingrained into all of them to hold each-other directly accountable. Just as it was ingrained in them to not take offense to such threats. They were said with the best of intentions in all of their minds. To best serve the Supreme Beings.
"In the meantime, we need to heighten Nazarick's defences. Once our security is all but assured, then we must summon all Area Guardians."
"All of them?" questioned Shalltear. It was understood that certain Guardians could not leave their floors, most notably the Eighth, because of the high level dangers that resided there requiring constant supervision.
Demiurge frowned.
A proper show of fealty would require all guardians present, but perhaps a compromise would have to be reached. Maybe when they presented themselves, Lord Rusted would grant them the explicit permission to all attend. He wouldn't want to dare compromise Nazarick and offend Lord Rusted in the process, as even he would likely not want Nazairck to be made more vulnerable.
Ah, there he was again, daring to make presumptions about what the remaining Supreme Being wanted. No, he would make preparations as according, but he would only act on the appropriate ones based on their Lord's decisions. If he wanted all present, then he would have them prepared. If he wanted exceptions to be made, then he would make it so.
Albedo must have been of a similar mind as he, for her answer was one which he whole-heartedly approved of.
"Alert all Guardians to be ready to be summoned at a moment's notice for an Oath of Fealty towards Lord Rusted, but inform Victim and Gargantua that they might not have to be present immediately if our Lord so desires it because of their duties."
Not only was it a logical answer, it was a safe one.
"And what do we tell the rest of Nazarick? About Lord Momonga…?" trailed off Shalltear uncertainly.
That was a valid question, and not one with easy answers. Sebas had one, though.
"We inform only the Guardians so that they can best coordinate their floors security. Such an announcement should be best left to Lord Rusted if he desires so."
For once Demiurge agreed with Sebas. If Lord Rusted chose to keep the situation under wraps, then it would be best to regulate the flow of information. Only the essential Guardians needed to know. If they were mistaken, then they could work quickly to rectify it by spreading word. Again, this was the safest option.
The other Guardians were quick to agree with his assessment.
With a plan in mind, there was nothing left to do but act with the utmost urgency and efficacy. There was no telling how much time they had left before their test was deemed finished by Lord Rusted. This whole situation could be timed for all they knew.
Jaune felt tired. The adrenaline was still pumping in his body, fighting to keep him awake and alert, but years of struggling, coupled with a hectic final 24 hours, were taking their toll.
Still, with a hand on Juniper, he soldiered on forward.
Around him were four of the Pleiades maids flanking him. Two in front leading him to the 'Fifth Floor', wherever that was, and two behind him acting as bodyguards for some reason.
He committed to remembering their names, if only so he could place a name to a face.
Narberal and Lupusregina walked in front of him, feeling confused as they led their master. Was this a test of their sense of direction, or their compliance in following directives? Or maybe he was feeling generous and giving them something to do to make them feel content? Selfishly, they all hoped it was the latter, for if it were the former, they felt like they were going to fail for some inexplicable reason.
Solution and Entoma trailed behind him in synchronised pace, the clacking of polished shoes hitting the carpeted floor echoing out in the hallways as they came closer to what Jaune presumed would be a doorway leading to their intended destination. At least, that's what he hoped. A part of his mind warned him it was a trap, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up tensely as he kept himself ready for an attack that seemed to never come.
On the other hand, the words of 'Guardians' from earlier echoed in his mind.
"We of Nazarick serve the Supreme Beings of Ains Ooal Gown. That includes you, Lord Rusted."
"We live and die to serve you!"
Those were words of devotion, uttered with such fierce assuredness that even he had a hard time disbelieving them.
Just who were these people anyways? What was Nazarick, and where was it? What was a Supreme Being, and why did he qualify as one? Was this all a misunderstanding, or had he been summoned to fulfil some sort of prophecy?
That last thought nearly made him chuckle wryly. Alas, he highly doubted he was some prophesised 'chosen one'.
This was probably some more Afteran bullshit. But then again, the voice had said he was now in its world. Whatever it was, and wherever he was. It viewed the Brother Gods with hostility, so he likely was free of their interference. Maybe. Something had still dragged him over here.
The pressure on his mind was gone now. It was as if it had never existed in the first place.
Ultimately, with no immediate threat to fight, there was nothing left to do other than try and gain his bearings, rest up, and then move on.
Glancing back at the maids subtly, he decided to amend that first part.
The maids had intended to do something to Juniper, so they were still a threat. However, he had no idea of their capabilities. Just because they were acting passive now didn't mean something would trigger them off again, or worse, order them to.
Something such as the skeleton that spoke to him. If calling it a skeleton was even correct.
It was clearly revered by this strange group of people, and it had just passed away.
Perhaps it would be better to skip the rest part, and just focus on gaining his bearings and move on. Who knew what would happen once they decided to move on from grieving and come pointing the blame at him, because knowing his luck they probably would.
Exhaling deeply through the helmet, he let his gloved hand brush against the pommel of Crocea Mors.
Broken or not, it was still a deadly weapon. He might have been a Huntsman, and therefore dedicated to the peace, but that didn't mean he was above violence. If anything, his life had taught him how necessary violence was sometimes. And how sometimes, in order to minimise it, he needed to go to extreme violence.
With his resolve strengthened, he made his vow. He would not start anything while he was in this strange place. So long as no-one and nothing tried to incite trouble with him, or Juniper. But if something or someone dared to? Well, he wasn't as averse to death anymore compared to his naïve self that first entered that boarding bullhead to Beacon Academy.
It was dangerous to do so, but he couldn't help but reminisce at his first memories of Beacon, namely, first meeting Yang and Ruby.
Namely by vomiting all over the older girl's shoes.
Ah. Such simple times. Such a shame everything had to go to shit. Anyways. Now was not the time to get lost in memory lane. He needed to stay alert and focused. Not just for himself, but for Juniper's sake.
"How far until we reach the Fifth Floor?" he asked, and the maids all seemed to subtly startle.
"Ah, we still have several floors to traverse after this one. Apologies, Lord Rusted," replied Solution with a bow of her head, never breaking stride.
"Um, Lord Rusted?" asked Lupusregina, and almost instantly she felt the nervous warning glares from her sisters. She ignored them, and proceeded with her question. Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?
Jaune grunted.
Swallowing nervously, she continued.
"Forgive me for asking, but why not use the Ring of Teleportation that all Supreme Beings carry?"
For the longest while, Jaune didn't answer, and Lupusregina felt her heart plummet to the pits of her stomach, while each beat became louder and louder, like a crescendo of drums beating together.
She had just asked something she shouldn't have, didn't she. She didn't dare speak any further for fear of upsetting him even more.
Oblivious to her inner turmoil, Jaune internally blanched.
Ring of Teleportation? Of course teleportation would exist here, acting as a proverbial pain in his ass.
And what even was the Ring in question? The mystery voice certainly had not given him a useful boon.
More pressing than that, however, was the fact the question was asked as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Honestly, it seemed like something Weiss would probably do; ask him a question with an obvious answer, and he being the big doofus he was, would completely flunk the answer.
Gods, no wonder she wasn't interested in him back then. Well, that and the overly pathetic pining, he realised in hindsight.
Forget that, however.
A quick glance at his hands did not reveal a secret ring magically appearing on them. Meaning he did not possess this artefact in question.
He wracked his brain for an answer to give. Or rather, an excuse.
Personally, he did not trust teleportation, even though his experience was limited. It just wasn't natural.
Besides, if he was going to be stuck here, even if it was only for a little bit, it would be best to memorise the layout of the place in case he ever needed to journey through here again.
His silence only served to make the maids feel more tense, as if they were being scrutinised.
The journey to the Fifth Floor remained silent. That was until they arrived near a portal.
A convenient portal, he narrowed his eyes.
The maids, likely guessing his lack of Ring, had led him to a portal. It swirled in front of him, an inky black miasma of smoky tendrils, calling out to him.
Assuming this wasn't some trap, then this portal likely indicated one of two things.
That either the people here were lazy in travelling distances, or the locations that one travelled to were really far away, or were likely somewhere inaccessible. He shuddered as he contemplated if it lead to another world.
"This will lead us to the Fifth Floor?" he asked.
Solution bowed her head.
"Yes, Lord Rusted."
Sceptical and wary as he was, perhaps it might be a key to getting back to Remnant. Maybe not this portal, but another one might. Oh well. No time like the present.
"Would you care to take the lead?" he asked Solution.
So he had trust issues. Sue him. If this was a trap, she could go first. If it wasn't, well then that would be good.
If he expected any changes in her expression, whether surprise or doubt, hell even nervousness, she didn't show it. She walked straight into the portal without any hesitation and disappeared into it, like a Leviathan ominously going under the ocean surface.
With a deep breath, and no excuses, he took a step forward into the portal, and plunged himself into the abyss.
The very first thing he saw when he exited was the stone walls of a coliseum surrounding him. The very next thing was giant tree in the distance, and his heart nearly skipped a beat. It took him a second to compose himself upon realising it wasn't that cursed tree.
Sandy ground moulded underneath his feet as his armoured boots crunched through it at a brisk pace.
Juniper emerged right behind him through the portal, followed immediately by the maids escorting him.
Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as the portal immediately vanished, and his hand instinctively tightened over the helm of his sword. He didn't unsheathe it yet, but he refused to let his guard down.
"Welcome to the Fifth Floor, Lord Rusted-su!," exclaimed Lupusregina with a spring in her step, momentarily forgetting her earlier nervousness.
Jaune ignored her, his eyes widening under his helm.
Floor? But he could see the night sky, clear as day…? It was littered with stars, yet the ground itself was lit up as if the sun were directly overhead. Actually, upon examination, yes it was mesmerising, but it also looked oddly unnatural at the same time.
It felt so… artificial….
"Would you like us to fetch the Floor Guardians for you? From my understanding, Mistress Aura is a Beastmaster and would be more than happy to take care of your… mount," said Narberal, eying Juniper with an uncertain expression. It bordered on begrudging respect, and barely veiled contempt.
"Juniper," he corrected.
"Her name's Juniper."
A Beastmaster, huh. It probably wouldn't hurt to have someone give her some fresh water and food, and maybe somewhere to temporarily rest.
It didn't take long to meet said Guardian, however, as a strange large beast, a mount of some sort, could be seen making a beeline straight in his direction from the tree.
His eyes must have been deceiving, because he could swear that was a child riding atop of a dragon as if it were a horse.
The leathery green wings, complete with scaled body and fierce reptilian head came skidding to a stop amid a plume of dust.
"Heyah!"
He wasn't sure if that was a greeting or if it was a command to the literal dragon to stop moving as the tanned kid wearing a white vest with red pants and undershirt dug his heels into its ribs.
"Hello, Lord Rusted!"
Underneath his helm, he cocked an eyebrow. Word must travel quick for them to be calling him that already.
The voice was youthful and excited.
Where the others had seemed almost afraid of him, the child before him was the exact opposite.
"And who are you?" he asked. And what are you? He wanted to add upon noticing her sharp ears.
While the maids seemed to ever-so-slightly tense at his tone, the boy in front of him took it in stride.
"Eh? Oh, I'm Aura, Lord Rusted! My brother Mare is around here also. Somewhere…" she grumbled.
The angry pout on his face was almost cute. Wait. This was Mistress Aura?
"MARE! GET OUT HERE NOW! LORD RUSTED HAS COME TO SEE US!"
Jaune almost felt silly for not having realised that the boy in front of him was actually not a boy, but a young girl. A rather tomboyish girl, but now that he looked more closely, the facial features were much softer than what a boy would normally espouse. Actually, they were very soft. Unnaturally so without any blemishes observable, even for a child.
"D-do I have to?" a meek voice called out from the coliseum stands.
Jaune turned to face the direction of the voice, and instantly he could make out the shape of another small child nervously clutching a staff in the stands. A girl by the looks of it. At least if the skirt were any indicator.
"ARE YOU DARING TO MAKE A SUPREME BEING WAIT FOR YOU?! ARE YOU NUTS?! GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW BEFORE I KICK YOUR BUTT!"
"But. It's s-such a long jump?!"
"JUST GET DOWN HERE!"
Sheepishly, Aura turned to face Jaune, nervously rubbing her gloved hands.
"I'm sorry about that Lord Rusted. Please forgive my idiot brother. I promise, he's not like this normally."
And there was the fear as she seemed to glance up at him, her eyes darting around nervously.
"C-coming sis!" called Mare, his voice quavering.
With a run and jump, Mare leapt into the air before landing on the ground with a small explosion of dust.
He wasted no time in immediately running over to them, allowing Jaune to get a good look at him.
He nearly did a double take upon seeing the crossdressing boy. It was certainly jarring, but not nearly as much as seeing the same pointed ears his sister possessed.
They weren't human, that much was certain. Actually, now that he thought about it, no-one he met so far in this place seemed to be human, sans a few maids and Sebas.
Then again, were they possessing some other traits he just wasn't seeing yet?
He wanted to assume they were faunus, but he no longer believed that theory. Especially since living in the Ever-After. Was he still there, perhaps? No, the voice was adamant he was in another world.
He wanted to scoff at that, but he couldn't really refute it either.
Too many strange things in his life by now.
"S-sorry for keeping you waiting, L-lord Rusted," stuttered the boy nervously.
Aura shot her brother an irritated glare, giving him a verbal chewing out regardless.
"Idiot. You can't just make a Supreme Being wait!"
There was that term again. What was that supposed to be? Too many questions and not enough answers.
Raising a gauntleted hand, he cut in with a stern voice.
"Stop." Instantly, Aura stopped her verbal berating of Mare, her eyes going wide.
"Just… who are you two? What are you two?"
"S-sorry Lord Rusted," quickly apologised Aura, with Mare looking just as nervous.
"I'm Aura Fiore. This is my brother Mare Fiore. We're both the Floor Guardians of this entire floor."
He was getting the impression he definitely wasn't outside like he was hoping.
"But surely you already knew that, right Lord Rusted?"
"Sis, you're gonna make him mad," said Mare, tugging on Aura's sleeve.
As if realising her blunder, she let out a meagre eep, and went stock still.
He didn't pay that any heed. He had more questions than answers at this rate.
"That still doesn't answer my question. What are you?"
At the two's confused expressions, he elaborated.
"You're clearly not human, so what are you?"
Perhaps it was insensitive, but he didn't have the time nor desire to avoid offending people.
"Ew. Of course we're not humans. Humans are gross!" icked Aura, and Mare nodded his head.
"T-that's right. A-and they're vile. T-they're weak, a-and all they d-do is cause problems."
"Yeah, you said it," Aura nodded, and all around him, Jaune could see even the maids seemed to silently agree with their statement.
Then, they're definitely not human either, he realised.
Suddenly, he was even more grateful for his helmet covering his features. Who knew how they would react to his appearance.
"But yeah, no, we're Dark Elves," exclaimed Aura confidently, though her expression suddenly changed to curious.
"Y-you did know that right? Or have you forgotten?"
Mare looked positively mortified, as if he wanted to pass out and die on the spot. Aura was unabashed in her question.
"Y-yeah," he grunted in affirmation. It was probably wise to keep this people believing their own excuses for now. At least until he figured out what was going on, and how to get out of here.
As he internally pondered his situation, Aura, feeling awkward in the sudden silence, slowly spoke.
"So…" she began, rocking on her feet.
"What brings you here? What can we do for you?"
He snapped his attention back to her, and she shuffled awkwardly.
"I-it's just Demiurge messaged us, saying you were heading up here is all," she trailed off.
"Yeah. Actually, I was hoping to give Juniper some much-needed rest. Food, water. That stuff," he listed off, and Aura suddenly fixated on the jackelope with perplexed curiosity.
"Oh," she exclaimed, eyes widening in surprise as she took in his faithful mount. Juniper watched her back with wide eyes.
"So that's your mount? Forgive me, Lord Rusted, but is it? She!" she quickly amended, sensing that he wouldn't take kindly to her referring to the creature as an it.
For the first time, Jaune couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent curiosity. His laughter echoed out of his helmet.
"She's a Jackelope. I found her a long time ago. She's been my best companion for what seems like forever now."
"O-oh," Aura deflated, and he Jaune didn't miss the way Mare and the maids seemed to be slightly upset by that statement.
Peculiar, he supposed.
"Anyways. Since you're the Beast-master around here, perhaps you'll be able to help get her sorted out?"
Aura regained her joyous expression, and practically leapt up to him.
"Really?! To look after the personal mount of a Supreme Being… Woooooww."
She was starstruck, that much he could see. He couldn't help but find her happiness contagious.
Unfortunately, Juniper was not of the same mind and instantly backed up as Aura approached it.
That caused her to frown.
"Hmmm. You certainly have trust issues. Would it be alright if I…?" she trailed off, glancing at him.
Surely there should be no harm, right? She was a child?
Reluctantly, he nodded, giving his permission.
Aura approached, but this time with a gently outstretched hand to touch Juniper's snout.
Jaune kept a soothing hand on her back, calming the jackelope down.
Her hand gently rested on Juniper's nose, and suddenly the jackelope went still.
At first, Jaune felt alarmed, but as he observed Juniper, he noticed that she seemed oddly tranquil and relaxed, her muscles losing their tension from earlier.
Aura grinned.
"Ha. Haha," she laughed. "Wow. So cool."
Oddly enough, Jaune felt happy at her enthusiasm. Despite his wariness, it felt just right. Like a long-needed reprieve for his own sanity after years of tension.
His smile went bitter as he realised that usually this was the part where something catastrophic or traumatic would happen, just to fuck with him.
His musings were cut short by the sound of an approaching voice, Demiurge, behind him.
"Lord Rusted," came the demure and sophisticated voice. The man's voice was almost seductive. As if he were some demon of temptation.
Instantly, Juniper recoiled from Aura and her muscles tensed.
She wasn't the only one as he wheeled around to face the voice.
"I see you have acquainted yourself with this floors Guardians. I hope they haven't been troublesome for you?"
Aura made a face, while Mare looked bashful.
Jaune felt his lips thin, and the urge to defend the two children despite his wariness of them.
"Not at all. They have been quite pleasant actually."
Rather than look miffed, Demiurge looked positively pleased.
"I am glad that is so, then."
Behind him, several portals opened, and the other Guardians from the Throne Room stepped in.
There was Sebas and Albedo, both of whom carried themselves with the utmost dignity and controlled composure.
Shalltear daintily appeared, this time sporting an opened parasol. The sight of it made him think of Neo for some reason. He would rather not, so he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.
The bloody tears she had earlier were gone, but she still seemed pretty uncertain. He caught a glimpse of her chewing her bottom lip nervously with… was that a fang?
They were not the only ones present.
He should have known he wasn't in Remnant. And he definitely wasn't in the Ever-After. This most certainly was a different world.
How could he tell? Well, for starters, the giant blue armoured insectoid-like… thing, that stepped through its own portal was most certainly not of his world. It was massive, and its breath chilled the air, frost forming around its mandibles as it exhaled loudly like a steam engine.
None of the others reacted to its presence, but it was not the only surprise for him to appear.
A floating pink… blob of flesh with antler-esque protrusions above its eyes and a golden halo floated towards him.
He had no idea what the fuck that thing was. But Demiurge did apparently did.
"Victim was able to spare some time to attend right now. Unfortunately, due to his duties, Gargantua could not arrive. However I have informed him to do so if that is what you desire."
Jaune had no idea what to say to that. This was all too confusing.
"Aside from him, however, it appears that all of the Guardians are in attendance, then," continued Demiurge as he made a visible effort to examine everyone present.
If that was what he was saying, then Jaune figured he had no way to refute him.
Was this intended to be an ambush? It didn't feel like it.
"Might I ask what this is all about?" he dared to ask.
Demiurge was apparently more than happy to oblige.
He gave a fervent grin as all of these Guardians formed a semi-circle before. Even the twin elves, and god was that hard to believe as real, quickly moved to join them.
Albedo stood next to Demiurge, while the others fanned out either side of them.
And then Demiurge dropped to a single knee in tandem with Albedo, and all of the other Guardians quickly followed suit.
Their heads all bowed deeply, and Albedo spoke.
"Lord Rusted, last of the Supreme Beings. Allow us to first and foremost offer forward our oath of undying loyalty towards not just Nazarick, but to you as our Lord Ruler and Master."
He had already heard it said before in the throne room, but he was still in shock from before when it happened. He still was now, to be fair, but this time he was having a harder time trying to find excuses to justify the words as a ruse or lie.
"As our Master, and the last remaining Supreme Being, we offer our undying loyalty to you, and hereby swear to fulfil every word and desire of yours with the utmost efficiency and priority. We swear our lives in service to you, and should you desire it, our deaths as well. We are yours to command and use however you deem it, Lord Rusted."
He felt his muscles tense, goosebumps forming on his skin. He got chills as the words and their ramifications sunk in.
He gazed upon these strange beings, and he felt compelled to ask. He had to know just what exactly these people even were. Because clearly no-one in this place looked natural.
However, as he looked at Cocytus, and then again at Shalltear, before trailing his gaze off to Albedo and Demiurge, he realised he needn't ask.
The twin children were Dark Elves. They were fantasy creatures in novels and sometimes old video games, right?
Well, pale Shalltear with fangs and bleeding blood clearly meant she was a Vampire if he was going off that logic.
No. He had to ask. He had to know what he was dealing with.
"Albedo. What are you?"
His words stumped her.
"My Lord? I-I don't understand…?"
"I asked the twins this. They are Dark Elves."
Aura nodded from her position. "Oh yeah, Lord Rusted wants to know our specific Racial Class."
Is that what they wanted to call it? Very well. He'd go with that.
Albedo seemed to understand.
"Ah. I am a Succubus, Lord Rusted."
He felt himself go pale as he realised his observations were turning correct.
When Demiurge saw their ruler's helm turn and fixate on him, he answered immediately. To what purpose was their Lord asking such a seemingly basic question he pondered. Alas, the greater meaning eluded him. He would think about it later. Right now, their Lord demanded their answer.
"I am an Arch-Devil, Lord Rusted."
This was impossible. This couldn't be happening, right? What did he do to deserve this?
As he stared at these people, no these creatures, he couldn't help but feel his heart plummet.
He couldn't afford to have his time wasted in this place. He had to get back to Remnant. He had to get back to stop Salem. If he could even stop her, he thought bitterly.
He was still a Huntsman at heart. He had a duty to defend the people of Remnant and stop her.
He couldn't afford to be locked away in some other world! Not again!
And to top it off, he was now in charge of a cohort of monsters! Literal monsters.
He glanced in Shalltear's direction.
There was a Vampire bowing down before him. If he were a kid, he would have been starstruck at the idea. As an adult, all he could think of was the horrible consequences of such a beast running rampant. Vampires needed blood, right? Where were they supposed to get that if not from a population of humans? Innocent people?!
Albedo was a succubus. They drained peoples souls from their bodies!
The blue insectoid certainly looked impressive and fearsome. While he wasn't afraid of it, all he could think of was what would happen if such a monstrosity was unleashed without regulation on a town of helpless people.
And then there was Demiurge.
The man, no the thing, raised his hackles instinctively, and now he knew why.
Because Demiurge was a Demon. A literal Demon.
What was he supposed to do about that?
These weren't nice people, these were monsters. Sure they proclaimed loyalty towards him, but he knew as much as anyone that words were fickle and could be interpreted a hundred different ways.
These were monsters, whose sole purpose was to create misery and feed off of it.
It made sense now.
Even the maids seemed off. Because they were.
The girl, Entoma, that he mistook for a strange faunus was some sort of mashup of smaller creatures now that he paid attention to her as she knelt before him.
Gods knows what the redhead Lupusregina was, but he had a feeling the wolf ears weren't just a benign physical trait for show like with faunus.
And Sebas? The seemingly kind and genial elderly butler? What sort of monstrosity was he supposed to be?
What eldritch abominations were lurking in this place?!
Even the twin elves? What sort of cursed beings were they to be allowed to live in this place amidst literal blood sucking and soul-feeding monsters?!
His throat felt dry as he swallowed.
He had encountered many monsters and horrors in his life. From Grimm to people, to Gods and strange creatures of the Ever-After. This shouldn't have come as a surprise.
He didn't like to view himself as prejudiced, but after a lifetime of things trying to kill him or deceive him, he had learnt one lesson. A lesson taught in blood and hardship.
Trust no-one, and trust nothing.
Albedo continued to speak in her simpering sultry voice about loyalty and some other meaningless tripe, but he felt himself tune it out part-way.
He was in charge of a den of monsters. Monsters that sought one thing. To destroy humanity.
They weren't much different from the Grimm he used to kill. Except that they were perhaps much more intelligent, and therefore dangerous.
These monsters all revered him as some god, while their patron of death had somehow died. Likely in exchange for his presence here all things considered as he recalled the timing of events and the strange voice's words.
It was Demiurges words which broke him out of his worried ruminations.
"Lord Rusted. You are the One Who Stayed. You have been sent as our salvation, to lead all of us and Nazarick to glory. To bring forth the return of the Supreme Beings."
This required careful wording.
"And if I cannot bring the Supreme Beings back…?" he dared to ask.
Such a possibility burned a hole in everyone's heart, least of all Demiurge's, and his muscles tensed.
If they could not return, or would not, then it only made sense to further their devotion and loyalty to Lord Rusted, the last of the Supreme Beings.
Regardless of the outcome, there was only one certainty. One truth.
"Then we will still serve you forever until you decide our lives have no further use. If only in death we can serve you, then will be more than happy to die for you, and for the glory of Nazarick!"
His words were resolute, and his conviction absolute. Glancing at the Guardians all bowing before him, Jaune could tell they were all of the same mind.
There was no denying it. He was the absolute ruler of a den of monsters whom worshipped him as an all-powerful deity. And he despised every second of it.
This had to be the Brother Gods mocking him and everything he stood for. To place him, a Huntsman, as the leader of monsters. It was disgusting, and he hated how it made him feel.
It felt like a mockery for all he stood and fought for. And now he was expected to lead these things?
He was a leader once before, but in his mind he failed. He had most certainly tried, but trying wasn't good enough. And why would he even want to try with these creatures?
What was he supposed to do now, though? He needed to get back to Remnant, but he couldn't do that now. Not with this cabal of monstrosities following him. Humanity was already pushed to the brink with the onslaught of Grimm. The last thing it needed was him bringing back another calamity with him.
So, as much as it pained his heart, the idea of returning to Remnant might have to go on hold for now.
If anything, his duty and obligation as a Huntsman tasked with protecting humanity all but demanded he do whatever was necessary to end the threat he was staring at before him.
But how exactly was he supposed to do that?
They claimed fealty towards him. The thought of ordering them to all kill themselves crossed his mind, but he doubted it would be that simple, so he quashed that line of thought. These were monsters. The same methods of death might not work on them. Besides, some were clearly undead. How was he supposed to kill something already technically dead? And then there was the very real possibility they could just straight out ignore him and turn on him. Then where would humanity be left with these creatures roaming unchecked?!
This wasn't a problem he could just slice away with Crocea Mors. This required careful thinking. This required planning. And above all, it required that he be convincing, he realised.
That left only one choice.
He had to stay in this world. He had to forsake returning home to Remnant for now. If that was even a possibility anymore. For all he knew, he might be permanently stranded here.
He needed to step up to the plate and be the ruler these creatures so seemed set on believing him to be. If only to stall them until he figured out how deal with them.
He had no idea on how he was going to deal with them, or if he even could. But one thing was certain. He needed to try something.
As those warring thoughts and emotions tugged on his shattered soul, he cast one last glance to the elf twins. Children.
Dangerous calamities most likely, but still children.
Could he really bring himself to kill them too?
The fact he had no answer bothered him. Not as much as the fact that he had no idea on what to do or how to handle this situation now.
Just what had he gotten dragged into now….
So Jaune's now gotten his bearings, and has realised he's now out of his depth. Nazarick has no clue what's going on so are latching onto him as their last hope, and Ainz's body is still lying around, just waiting to be a future wrench no doubt.
Well, at this point I've either cemented your interest, or I've killed it entirely. One or the other. Either way, I'm not stopping. This story is steaming ahead. When I get around to updating it that is.
Suffice to say, this chapter is the end of introductions and establishing the scene, i.e., story direction, motivations, character understandings, etc.
Next chapter onwards will be all the fun stuff, and therefore infinitely easier for me to write.
See you next update!