Reiss wished he had a [Fast Foward] skill to get through all the questions and banter. He's done the same explanations thousands of times for dozens of different people.

This is my Memory Mansion. Yes, it is safe. No, I am not trying to trick you. If I wanted to, I could have just killed you, so get your ass inside.

This was the general gist of what happened. Reiss managed to convince Lizzy to enter so he could explain. The condition for her willful entry being that her lover, er, the Queen, also be allowed in. Reiss had his reasons for being reluctant to bring another newcomer inside. However, since Eli was the embodiment of hundreds of lifetimes of work, he decided she deserved to enter.

"This place is huge. Is this all compressed space? How is this possible? Pocket dimensions are extraordinarily complicated, and anything bigger than an actual pocket is past the realm of improbable. The only explanation was that it was created by an all-powerful entity with near-limitless magical reserves. You mentioned memory. How does that relate?"

Lizzy was greedily rubbing her hands together at the thought of uncovering all the secrets laid out before her. Her thirst for knowledge was unrivaled. Eli was reluctant to agree with Lizzy's findings.

"Even if I don't know as much about Space magic as Lizzy, I have to concur. A separate space that is able to be entered and interacted with, using all six senses, should be impossible given current magical advancements."

"Perhaps the entire place is an elaborate illusion spell wrapped in space? That would be equally exciting. Illusion mages are so fickle about their secrets."

Her nose scrunched as if she remembered something distasteful.

"Even if that were the case, it shouldn't be able to fool my Mana Sight. Illusion magic is difficult to weave without subjecting the ambient mana to imbalances."

Reiss had pulled back his aura so that it didn't strike Eli as it had Lizzy.

"You're right. I am seeing some strange channels weaving through this space, but none of the trademarks of Illusion spells. The only explanation is that this is a created space. Eli, where's my notebook. I need my notebook, Eli!"

"Relax. You left it on my desk. Lucky for you, I brought it with while you were drooling at the entrance."

"Don't shame my process. You know you love it."

Reiss was beginning to understand why the two were a pair.

"As I stated. I am not an Elden but an Aurelian. We have different skillsets and certain assistance when it comes to magic. No one else in my world is capable of what I am, to my knowledge. Other than a certain pesky lizard who likes to rub his nose in it."

That last bit was muttered under his breath.

"The concept of numerical levels somehow transferring into raw power and freebie knowledge you don't deserve to obtain is completely and utterly illogical."

"I concur."

Reiss cracked his neck.

"I also agree. But that is how it is, and it is a fact of Aurelian life. The Aurelian people seldom think about acquiring power or knowledge through repeated experimentation since they ultimately will receive what they desire as long as they put themselves at risk."

"Your people 'level-up' whenever overcoming an obstacle you were previously unable to? Does that include things like opening a jar of pickles? Would I get a Skill for that when I level? Something like [Open Sesame]."

Reiss laughed. It was a good thing some expressions were universal. Along with most languages, it made everything easier and smoother—a fortunate anomaly.

"Not exactly. Unless your class was something like [Opener], you likely wouldn't gain the skill. You may be able to multi-class, though. I am not sure what classes would synergize with such a thing. Perhaps a [Rogue] who specializes in treasure hunting?"

"You're entire world must be filled with the most obscure people."

That was the Queen. Reiss guided them over to the Ladies' quarters, pressing a hand to the door.

"I won't deny it. Though, I hope our worlds get along this time. It would be a shame for both of them to be destroyed again."

He said it matter-of-factly, allowing for it to sink in where it needed to.

Pushing the door open to the ladies' room, he called out.

"Oi! Iluzy? We have some guests you are going to want to meet."

The trio walked into a pristine bathhouse. The entry was occupied with shelves for clothes and belongings. There were even conspicuous mannequins off to the side. Further in, it resembled a hot spring. Warm and steamy. The two girls looked around in wonder at the sudden change in scenery, culture shock apparent.

Then a familiar voice spoke through the steam.

"I can sense Lizzy is back. Who did you bring with her this time? The mana signature isn't on the registered list. And I told you not to enter the Ladies section! Do I have to wipe your memory of me being naked again?"

There was a splash of water from the steaming pool in front of them. A mirage-coated figure rose from the water, wrapping a towel around themselves. Lizzy was momentarily befuddled. And then it hit her as she remembered Reiss' words.

He meant that literally?

The fog curved around a tall form. She had bronze skin and vibrant violet hair tied in a knot. She walked seductively and confidently across the tiled flooring.

"You could have knocked instead. I was just about to doze off and enter a sleep cycle before you went and interrupted. I showed those girls around like usual. Same old questions. Do you need me to show Lizzy around again, too? I mean, it's not like she can't figure it out herself. Is it because of this new person? Who is it?"

The words cut off as both parties stared at each other. Lizzy stared at herself. The copy of her stared past her. Queen Eli stared as well.

"Eli... Is that you? This isn't a joke, right? Right?"

The fake Lizzy walked forward but slipped on the wet tiles, sliding forward. It sounded painful, but the girl was unharmed. She looked up slowly. First at Eli's feet, up her long legs, plump bottom, alluring hips, fit stomach, full breasts, alluring neckline, and finally to her face. The fake Lizzy looked into those wondrous shining pink diamonds for eyes.

"Eli? Reiss finally succeeded? You. You're alive? You're actually alive."

She squealed and threw herself at Eli, who toppled over with a grunt. The real Lizzy was momentarily stunned but was woken up when her copy started to peck her girlfriend's beautiful face.

"Hey! Off, you. I don't care if you are me; she is mine!"

Lizzy joined the fray and tried to pry the other girl off, but it just ended up becoming a dogpile.

Reiss watched with growing discomfort. They were all fully clothed, but something about this scene felt like he shouldn't be here for this. The right course of action would be just to leave.

That is what he did. He backed away fluidly and started to close the door.

"Iluzy can fill you in. I will wait out here."

There was more shouting and even some biting before the sounds disappeared behind the closed door.

Reiss sighed.

"Family."

=

Queen Eli had enough when the towel came off. She smacked both girls and stood up herself. Casting a cleansing spell, she made herself dry again, fixing her hair and rubbing the smooches off her cheeks with a palm. She knew her face was redder than an apple. Having two Lizzys jump her was too much. It was both her virtual nightmare and a wet dream.

Taking a breath, she looked at the two Lizzy's glaring at each other, exchanging insults.

"Fake."

"Hatchling."

"Saggy lines."

"Ignorant child."

*Konk*

"You are both idiots."

Steam rose from their heads as they both received another punch. Or maybe it was just the hot room.

"Lizzy."

"Yes?"

They both answered. Eli's eyebrow twitched.

"Iluzy. Please explain before I punch a hole in that pretty little head of yours."

Iluzy shrank as Eli loomed over her.

"Understood."

The steam was dispelled while the area became nice and cool. Lizzy and Eli sat on overturned buckets as Iluzy allowed herself to float in the air.

"First off. Who am I? I am Lizzy. A version of her. Technically, I am an illusion Lizzy created from spell and memory. Thus, 'Iluzy'. One of the Lizzy's brought me into existence through a complex spell formation that programmed me with subroutines that allowed for diverse communications and answers."

"You are an illusion?"

"I am sorry, what was that?"

"I said, you are an illusion?"

"Apologies, your question does not compute. Please try again."

Eli was slowly pulling out her maul.

"A joke. A joke. It is just a joke. Sorry."

Iluzy held up her hands.

"Seriously though, try hitting me again."

Eli looked at her sideways.

"Come on, just do-"

Lizzy whiffed, passing right through Iluzy, falling over due to being imbalanced.

"Hah! See? Illusion. I can make myself tangible if I want to. Like this."

Iluzy spanked Lizzy on the butt. Lizzy yelped and swung again, passing through Iluzy a second time.

"That never gets old."

"Iluzy."

"Right. Fine. Let me get situated."

Lizzy sat back down, grumbling. Eli gave her a sympathetic glance, but she truly did deserve a taste of her own medicine. Meanwhile, Iluzy flickered twice. She became static for a second before becoming whole once again. She sighed and spoke.

"You died. Eli."

How did they jump to that so quickly?

"So I've been told. But not how I died."

"How did it happen? Was it the Elshir Queendom? Assassins? Sickness? A duel?"

Iluzy was deadly serious. She looked blankly at Lizzy.

"It was you, Lizzy. We killed her."

Lizzy's leylines lost their glow.

"What?"

That. She wasn't prepared for that answer. Lizzy would never kill her love. Never. Not by accident or mistake during a duel. She would rather die than cause Eli harm.

"I can't believe that. I would never kill someone I love."

"I hardly believe it either. Even if she was stronger, it isn't her personality."

Eli folded her arms, shaking her head the more she thought about it.

"We had no choice."

"How can you say that? There is always a choice. I would throw away the world for Eli."

Iluzy looked like she wanted to hit something. Lizzy looked the same.

"No. You didn't. You chose to save the world instead of Eli."

"What happened? Explain it fully. Stop being dramatic and just tell me."

"Better to show you."

Iluzy planted her feet back on the ground and led them out.

The door to the ladies' room opened. Iluzy stepped out for the first time since her creation. Reiss was waiting for them, oddly silent. He followed them to a large alcove where a moving picture book played out Lizzy's life.

"We created this. Using more than just magic. It tells an abbreviated story to those who visit. But for us, it is different."

The black shards registered the presence of Lizzy, its creator. Abruptly, the dormant black shards developed vivid color and sprung to life. Everything moved as fluid and solid as reality.

They watched as the elaborate mechanical and magical sculpture moved and played. It told the story of a young girl who wanted to be a hero.

Lizzy had no mana at birth and ate everything. Her mother used her meager magic reserves to keep her baby alive until she had no more, reading her stories of the most powerful magicians who saved their country. Lizzy used to run around the room, waving a stick, pretending it was enchanted with great magic. The void that was the hallmark of Manaless ate any mana encased inside. So, she pretended it worked anyway, casting grand magic in all different pretty colors.

Left alone, she decided to change. The world didn't accept the Manaless. She had no leylines. If she had none, she would just create them herself. She took a needle and carved the mana channels herself. The glowing lines appeared. But instead of white with mana, they grew black with color, refusing to hold magic.

Unable to cast magic, she decided to challenge people to duels. Duels were for honor and glory. Never death. So she was safe. Gradually, after losing countless times and running around with a bald head for four years... Her hair began changing color.

When it changed from black to brown, Lizzy cried tears of joy. She hurried back out to fight some more, learn some more, terrified the color would revert. Instead of reverting as she feared, the dirty brown color changed to a deep dark blue. And then a sky blue. The former inert and tainted leylines she had so painstakingly carved thrummed with life. Each time she lost, she absorbed the cast mana into herself. She lived long enough to fill the void, finally achieving violet as she trained and expanded her magic pool. The leylines, a copy of her mother's, were now etched into a vibrant permanence.

She dreamed of being a hero. How could she be a hero? Why, by becoming a Queen, of course.

That changed when she first laid eyes on Queen Eli.

A magnificent and transcendent existence. What need did she have to become a Queen with someone so perfect already on the throne? What need did she have to be a hero when her people shouted Eli's name from treetops?

No. All she needed was to be by her side. Suppose she could win a duel, just one. She could wish for Eli's hand in union.

Soon though, as she served in the royal palace, things changed, and she suddenly found her emotions returned in kind. Lizzy lived in bliss, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with her love. Winning a duel was only ceremony and tradition now.

The shifting picture changed, and Lizzy's face fell.

Plague.

A Manaless plague.

A group of Manaless Eldens attacked and spread disease. They devoured all magic and mana. Starving the people and wildlife. They went berserk. Insane. They spread their formerly genetic disease like it was the common flu. The Queen tried to find the culprits but was unable to while keeping her people safe. Split between two halves, The Queen ordered Lizzy to track down the culprits.

For two months, Lizzy traveled outside the Queendom. She tracked the perpetrators down. Lizzy tried to negotiate, but her words fell on deaf ears and she was attacked. With a heavy heart, she killed them to the last.

Task completed, Lizzy returned home. But it was havoc that greeted her.

To her horror, the Queen saved her people. She sacrificed her vast mana and limitless potential to treat the people, having them regain sanity. In return, the Queen went mad. She became Manaless. She slaughtered her people and burned the nation to the ground—an unfillable void.

Lizzy tried to heal her. To fill that void. Again and again. Each time she failed was another swath of land reaped of life. She was not enough. Never enough. More and more people died while she tried to heal her love. She screamed her despair for the whole world to hear.

The final battle between the past lovers was brief and bloody.

Lizzy held the dying Eli in her arms as she finally returned for the briefest moment.

...

Rebuilding was even harder. Her people called the former Queen a tyrant, forgetting her earlier sacrifice. Loved and feared, Lizzy was regaled the hero she always wanted to be. She refused to become the next Queen and instead installed a separate system where she was the Overseer of her people.

When the worlds collided, Lizzy had to defend the Gate from strange and foreign invaders. All while quelling the unrest between the remaining Elden nations. Some tried to monopolize the Gate. Others wanted to close it.

Lizzy didn't care. She just wanted Eli back. She searched and searched for a way to bend back time.

One day, she found it.

The storybook flipped.

The first meeting with Reiss. A horrific suicide.

A second meeting ending in a full-blown fight.

A third meeting where they shared drinks.

Dozens of lives flipped by, each iteration adding a brief page.

Fail after inevitable fail.

They both failed at every turn. Unable to change what was already written.

The last page beheld a battlefield. Slaughter and blood. Death and Despair. Dying screams. A pinned Demon Lord. A rotting Lizzy. A wailing Reiss holding a blurry form.

The page turned.

Blank.

Achingly slow. It built itself. The pieces of magical stone and crystal overlapped and formed. Together they created a new image. A reflection of two Eldens holding one another. Taking comfort in each other's presence.