We finally ascend up to the sandy looking chamber where we first arrived. It looks as it did before, with little changed, besides the fact that the entrance to the First Sage's abode is now as plain as day.

"Don't you need to prepare for the transfer, as you have in the past, Seria?" I ask.

"No. This entire chamber is fascinating. It is far better built than several other destinations, and this is one of richest spiritual points in the world, it seems. Mmmm... in the ages past, though, none of the points needed the preparation, so perhaps this was a superfluous construction at the time? I cannot say."

Right... teleporting armies were a thing in the past before the worlds magic began to deplete.

That’s the other issue here, isn't it? Even if we stop the demon invasion, and we co-operate with whatever the agenda of Thanatos is... however will we be able to save the world?

Cultivator is probably doing what he feels is necessary. Though of course, I don't think any human could possibly condone these methods. Culling strong people and forcing summons to free up power is a seriously severe solution, isn't it?

Whilst I'm pondering along, it seems Seria had already set up her transfer formation. That’s so obscenely fast it rather supports her earlier spiel.

"Nii! Let’s go." Kiku scoops up my hand whilst I'm distracted. Since there is no notice from the others this appears to be another pre-planned agreement. When Kali takes up the other I assume it has something to do with how these were unconscious when we arrived.

This time, when we warp into the void, everything seems a lot more distinct to me than on the previous trips. The weird shifting greens and purples of the void. This time, me and the girls also appear as shimmering light in the void as well, rather than me feeling and seeing nothing besides the shapes of hands in mine and the swirling chaos. I also feel the protective presence of Aeris more solidly, wary of everything.

I guess actually being there once does that.

There is also no chorus of unintelligible voices this time.

I do get the impression of being watched though. I entirely expect that to be Thanatos, though I have no proof.

"+h3

Consider me corrected. I hear a strange voice at last. But this one... it sounds like Seria. And it’s not entirely unintelligible. I sense the uncertainty in her tone.

"Seryamerya! Do not follow that route! It’s strange! Its full of dead spirits!"

Ouch. Aeris... volume please. But I guess she is trying to get through to Seria's spirit. Sounds urgent, so I'll let her off.

Suddenly, the whole axis shifts in lurch and we are heading an entirely different way. I think. With how featureless the void is, it’s hard to tell. I wonder what happened?

Another few moments pass, and then light suddenly blinds me for a moment, then fades.

We've arrived.

To the familiar wall of crossbows in the summoning chamber.

I'm sure this chamber must have an advance warning system considering how prepared they always are for us.

Fortunately, it seems that this time, Kako has a better handle on her men. None of them unleash on us.

Kako is actually hard to notice because there is also an obscenely beautiful silver haired woman next to her, clad in a flowing blue robe that nonetheless is formfitting in all the important places, much like the one Yuuzu wore, though this version is clearly more ceremonial and unpractical.

"Whaa!? Mel!! Meeeelllll!"

Aria shoots by me like a bullet, her similarly blue cape flowing behind her.

Ah. This is her big sister, Melody. She must have recovered whilst we were away?

I can finally confirm it was D... DD? Well from the glomp hug alone I can...

Ahem.

Aria's lovely older form that I saw briefly a while back appears in my mind and transposes over Aria as she hugs her sister. You can admire the similarities. Though I actually liked Aria's version better. Probably some bias involved there, but the spikier hair, smaller chest, and spunkier smile are serious bullseyes for me.

Heh. I'm hopeless.

Melody is rubbing Aria's head gently as they separate from a brief but intense hug. The rest of us walk forwards towards the other princess more gradually, giving them space.

"I'm truly relieved to see you safe, Aria. You..." she pauses, narrows her eyes for a moment "...you've really grown up whilst I wasn't looking."

I freeze, and a shiver runs up my spine. I gulp to myself. Does this woman have scary intuition?

Aria cocks her head and smiles like a cherub.

"Yeah! I'm much taller, right? And I'm way stronger. Though it’s all because of these girls and Elijah, to be honest." Aria happily titters. Is she unaware? No… wait…

"Right, you certainly are. It seems the Ser Etranger has left quite the piercing impression on you."

Melody's voice is as melodic as her name. She looks up at me with a shining smile, but unlike Aria's, it absolutely doesn't cover her eyes. These blue pools are windows into an abyss.

Yep. I'm dead.

But then, Aria sighs. Her entire demeanour changes to practically a battle posture.

"Yes... he certainly has." Her tone is now as flat as her chest.

Melody suddenly appears shocked and her gaze shoots to Aria, who has crossed her arms.

"Is ~this~ really the first thing you're saying as soon as I'm back, Melody? This? When I haven't seen you in months. This? When I was worried sick about you and summoned instead. This?"

Gods. Aria. So cool. I fell in love with you all over again.

Wait. So… I do love her now, huh? Huh.

Well. It was inevitable...

Melody is truly stunned from this denouncement, it seems.

But then her ample chest moves in a deep breath and sigh. She shakes her head, and then produces a small but genuine smile.

"You really have grown up. I'm sorry. I... I didn't realise this was actually your resolve after all."

Aria huffs for a moment.

"Hmm... hahhh... you've always been too protective of me. I guess I was an irresponsible brat for a long time though. Can't be helped. I forgive you. Just... make sure you lay off that in future. I'm no longer a little brat to be coddled. War... war does that to you..."

She unfolds her arms, and then pats Melody on the shoulder this time. It seems that Kako is looking on in amusement at Melody's constantly shifting face.

"Haha... I broke your lovely stoic face again, Mel. Next, you'll be lazing around in public. Bwahahaha...." Aria guffaws. "Anyway. I'll introduce everyone to you..."

Then Melody's face goes straight and serious and it suddenly seems like bags appear under her eyes as her head droops slightly. In a moment, she has lost all of her imperiousness.

I feel something terrible is about to happen.

"Before that, Aria. There is something you must know. It is about Liron. He... he's..."