A wary step carried me through a surprisingly modest doorway and into -what I assume to be- the primary chamber of Moriaki Vel. The smooth floor had been intricately patterned with a countless number of interconnected circles, though most of them were neatly hidden beneath various decorations. Magically infused lanterns softly illuminated the pale walls as their seamless embrace encircled the room and rose to form a pointed ceiling. Eight deep red banners clung to the walls in strategically placed locations, likely meant to highlight its perfectly balanced structure.

My eyes settled on two unapologetically hostile figures, neither of whom made any immediate attempt to attack but the stale air betrayed a concerning level of confidence. I stopped, just over two-hundred feet away from the far wall and no more than fifteen strides from my would-be opponents. I suppose this is the part where we pointlessly negotiate or exchange dull -though informative- monologues before the fight.

“A scrawny elf… foreign hat… locally-bought clothing… sudden, yet incredible power… who the hell is this? You do know that I’m going to kill you now, right… elf… thing?”

The taller figure mumbled impatiently, only half-directing a few distracted thoughts in my direction as an intimidating golden staff materialized in his right hand. He appeared to be human by design, but his goat-like features and intimidatingly large frame more resembled that of a narrow-headed minotaur. At his side, the grey-eyed bunny-person apathetically twirled her flawless white staff while patiently waiting for a command. This must be the archbishop I’ve heard so much about.

“Well, that depends… I’ve never fought a goat before. At least… I don’t think I have.”

“What’s a ‘goat’?”

My right toe slid across one of the patterned circles, feeling the temperature change slightly as it brushed the cool metallic surface. I smiled politely, then drove my heel into the floor, causing the metal ring to leap from its previous position into the air just in front of me. I instantly wrapped my thumb and forefinger around the blade-like outer edge, brought it up to my ear, then hurled it vertically across the room.

As I had expected, the projectile was brought to a halt just before splitting the fancily clad archbishop’s head in two, hovering silently in place. I was barely able to perceive a wave of magical energy radiate from my target’s brilliant golden artifact, which was likely used to hold the decorative bronze circle in place. It would seem my opponent’s abilities are quick and powerful. Maybe I should throw something else at him, just in case this was a fluke.

As my fingers wrapped around a hefty chunk of the marble-like floor, I heard air sliding across a metallic surface. Dropping the stone, my hand protectively clasped the black cowboy hat while I pushed off the ground, narrowly dodging a circular blade. I landed with an audible thud, my unflinching figure cracking the brittle -and likely expensive- flooring. My eyes met the goat-man’s square pupils. Behind me, the disk idly spun in a way that was undeniably threatening.

“Impressive… but not really. What were you planning to do? Just kill me, then walk away with Ms. Divilet?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Okay, then.”

The archbishop shrugged, then lazily swung his staff horizontally through the air in front of him, causing several other bronze rings to dislodge. An explosion of dense stone destroyed the room’s glamorous design while dozens of bladed drones chaotically whipped around the room. The air became distorted with a blur of moving objects, but I found it decently easy to dodge the occasional strike while maintaining eye-contact. I think movies downplay how awkward these situations can be.

Something else moved to my right, larger than the decorative rings and twice as fast. I leaned backwards slightly, catching the end of a white staff in my palm with a clap of air that blew away the nearby rubble. Two glassy eyes watched me as if peering through a dense fog, manipulating my newest assailant’s thoughts with a dissociative magic. Her speed didn’t match mine, but I’m assuming she wasn’t sent in to fight for ability alone.

“Grace… shit.”

“What’s a ‘shit’?”

The archbishop’s interjection irked me more than it should’ve, and I grabbed one of the nearby flying disks with a small amount of frustration, spun around backward, then sent it spinning toward his head. Of course, it stopped before reaching him.

I had hoped Grace would be able to resist him, but I should’ve known better. She was barely standing when we arrived and had entered of her own free will, but…

I looked over at her, receiving nothing more than a blank stare in return.

The disks froze, then clattered to the floor just as I landed ten feet away from my grey-eyed friend. This is already frustrating… maybe I can talk her out of it? Hopefully she’s still capable of independent thought, even if it’s heavily restricted right now.

“Grace, you- “

“Oh, right--it’s pointless. Talking to her, I mean. I’ve “reconstructed” her mind to avoid another incident, so she’s essentially dead.”

I paused, trying to process his words.

“You’re lying.”

“No; I, unlike you, have no reason to lie. All of her conscious thoughts are sent directly from Mavros. Even if you did happen to pin me down—which you can’t—a flick of my wrist would end her life, so resistance is useless.”

The archbishop lazily waved the decorated staff to indicate that it was “Mavros”. My knuckles had become white, and my opinion evident through the expression I now wore. He must be lying. This isn’t how the situation is supposed to play out—not in a world where I’m strong enough to… keep her safe.

A memory pushed through my subconscious, boldly standing at the forefront of my mind. It was painful, but I had already dealt with it.

The girl from my memory died, and there was nothing I could’ve done to stop it; so, I stopped caring. After wandering for over a year, I stumbled across a scene that put me in the hospital but saved a young woman from a terrible fate. In that itchy white bed, Lily’s death became an experience, one that should no longer haunt me.

A wave of nausea struck me, but I was in no way crippled by it. The memories continued to flood my mind; returning the lost education and interests all the way up until death silenced them. I even remember when my father gifted me his beloved hat, and the exact significance of that moment.

The world slowed and the dim light grew ten times brighter, but I didn’t make any move to attack or retreat. My thoughts adjusted to the influx of adrenaline, forcing all emotion away and leaving only one very direct mission.

“Give me the weird artifact, you… whatever you are. I’ll probably kill you quickly either way, but this saves both of us some effort.”

My hand slowly lifted, nostalgically feeling the sturdy material for a moment, then gently removing it. I can see the forces that hold this world together and how easily they could be ripped apart, but I’m still helpless when it comes to speaking with girls—especially when they’re hypnotized and trying to kill me. Besides, I doubt mere words can break this trance.

“What would happen if I broke ‘Mavros’ before you killed Grace? Would she be freed?”

“I don’t know. She might be returned to ‘normal’ -whatever that is- but you can’t. Give me the head-ornament.”

I paused at the unhesitating response, a slight glimmer of hope shining through this otherwise dreary situation. He might be lying, but the confidence everyone seems to have in the staff’s abilities leads me to believe otherwise. The room fell silent as tension weighed on the air; a fight for Grace Divilet’s clouded mind is no longer pending.

I wonder, now that my mind is open, if that staff can match my abilities. I should have limits, but I’ve yet to find them. If nothing else, this might be a determinative fight.

“I see you’ve decided t-”

With a bright flash of light and a slight gust of air, I teleported behind the archbishop, grasping Mavros with my right hand and bringing a left knee in contact with his goat-like head with significant force. The imposing figure exploded instantly; his innards reduced to a mere paste that smeared itself on the wall just off to my left. A fairly awkward movement, I now realize, but successful nonetheless.

In response, a miniature tornado appeared, whipping the air whipped around the cone-shaped room and hurling a torrent of debris into any structure that couldn’t react quickly enough. Fortunately, it didn’t last very long, and Grace emerged unharmed. The trance had not been broken, but perhaps I can talk some sense into her now that the staff’s power is idle.

“Grace, can y- “

“You reek of Lilah’s science.”

The staff interrupted me with a sly voice, its brilliant surface now radiating even more magic than before and pulsing with a soft light. It would seem Mavros has a mind of its own… so, I guess the staff is completely useless to me now. I’m not even going to risk gifting it to Ella. That elf may be powerful, but she’s also very easily influenced.

I placed Mavros’ decorated head on the outside of my left heel, then lazily raised my right foot.

“Fool. I was forged by the great Mystic himself. Do you really think a mortal could damage me?”

The light became brighter as an impressive show of magic coursed along the staff’s entire length, making it become denser.

“Yes. Why? Are you scared?”

“Of course not! I, who slays without discrimination and possesses an ultimate power, have no reason to fear you!”

I placed the sole of my foot on its cold handle, readjusting my grip as if in preparation, though it was more for show. Applying pressure, I realized how impressively durable it was and second-guessed my ability to destroy it. Damn, I really don’t want to deal with this thing… maybe I can just hurl it into space? Does this universe have space?

“M-Mystic damn you! What are you!? Get off me, you boorish monster of hell!”

Ah, so I am having an effect. I could push a lot harder, so breaking it shouldn’t be too difficult, but I need something else off my mind first.

“Release Grace.”

“Agh-AHAHA! What if I just killed that damned bitch, huh!? How about I “release” her from being a pitiful existence on this world!?”

I applied a little more pressure before continuing to speak.

“Then I’d become sad… and angry. How long do you think it would take for me to calm down? A day? A year? How long do you think I can live with these abilities? I could be immortal. Do you understand, or should I explain it to you?”

My grip tightened.

I looked up at the bunny-eared ‘chosen one’, who swayed back and forth with an empty gaze that wandered the room. The small white staff skillfully twirling in her hand froze abruptly as something about it caught her eye. A black mark manifested, ruining the otherwise uniform design as she was partially freed of the spell, followed by another one. Her eyes brightened, and there was a spark of recognition in the new expression she wore, though no attempt was made to approach or retreat yet.

“Something I… probably should’ve mentioned.”

The staff interrupted my thoughts with an unnerving phrase, its voice strained but still able to convey a malicious tone.

“Without magic… powerful enough to… replace my own… She’ll die!”

Grace collapsed as her bond to Mavros was finally broken. Her once white hair, now decorated with streaks of black and crimson, lay strewn across the mutilated floor.

“You’d better think of something quickly! Ha- “

*Crack*

I lifted, then broke the staff over my knee, allowing the mystical energy to erupt before rushing over to pour it across the fading black-eared bunny-creature’s dark staff. I don’t know if this will work… it is a lot of magic, though. Even I could feel its effect on the surrounding air, which pulsed gently as if drawing breath for the first time.

Something loud exploded just beyond these walls, momentarily pulling my attention away from the task at hand. I need to do something to help the others as well… I looked back down with a small sense of urgency.

Seconds passed like minutes, but the power continued to flow without response. Soon, the energy faded; the staff had been emptied and Grace was still unconscious on the floor. My frustration grew more intense, the connection between myself and the surrounding world gradually strengthening with every passing second. I was, however, unable to discern any sign of life in the body next to me.

“Shit. If only I could only use magic…”

I jumped slightly as something hummed. It would have been almost indescribable had I not been familiar with rapid popping of a powerful engine roaring to life. The walls vibrated with energy, releasing an unpleasant white light that, when added to my irritable state of mind, nearly caused me to reflexively destroy the entire structure.

“Hah. Magic. You pathetic little worm!”

The engine-like voice exploded from the walls, an intimidating effect… if I wasn’t already extremely pissed off, I might’ve even hesitated.

“That’s right! It is I, Mavros! Did you think you could rvvvt-vvrrrrt!”

Dropping an odd black hat on Grace’s motionless frame, I turned my attention to the hostile structure. To be honest, I’m not certain what I did, but the room became quite a bit… smaller. It almost felt as if I had grabbed reality and forcibly ‘zoomed out’. The vibrations that allowed it to speak were instantly inhibited by my upper back and hands, which nearly obscured the cone-shaped wall entirely as the rest of my body filled the room.

I used the air around Grace to create a shield, telepathically carrying her out of the building as its walls crumbled beneath my fingers.

“Gagh! What the-!?”

Able to speak again, Mavros began summoning magic to hurl pebble-sized chunks of debris in my direction. I intensified the pull of gravity on the area around it, which obliterated the petty attacks almost instantly and continued to grow larger.

“Mystic, damn this mortal…”

My bare foot lifted, hovering over the Moriaki Vel threateningly. A shadow, which I soon realized was mine, blanketed the… earth. This, however, isn’t Earth, so… what is this world’s name?

“Who are you?”

The dark voice came from below, inquiring about my identity in a dramatic fashion. I thought back to a particularly enjoyable story from my previous life, then smiled dryly; I’m aware that no one else could possibly understand this reference, but then again, I doubt anyone will hear me anyway.

“Nobody.”

Driving my heel into the screeching structure, I felt how the ground crumbled and slid with every movement, as if being reduced to sand. A loud crunch and the release of a chaotic, yet familiar energy brought the Moriaki Vel and Mavros to an underwhelming end. Well, at least from my perspective…

Noticing the ripple of debris, I realized that, had I been a normal size, this would likely have been infinitely more impressive. It doesn’t really matter, though; I didn’t come here to fight, but retrieve a friend. Crushing the assholes that hurt her is more of a happy side-effect.

Releasing the mental ‘grip’ I had on reality, my body snapped back to its original size at a disorienting speed. This induced a brief confusion, causing me to momentarily stumble around until I could adjust to the new environment, then return my attention to Grace.

The bunny-eared warrior’s black-and-red hair drifted weightlessly; her frame seemingly unresponsive despite being inundated in magical power. I brought her closer, suddenly becoming aware of her hands, which tightly gripped the brim of my hat instead of the blackened staff next to her. I brought the object closer, allowing it to gently brush up against my friend’s arm and chase away her coma.

A soft transfer of energy caused the blackened hair to melt away, replacing it with deep red silk threads. The peaceful awakening was a welcome contrast to this morning’s otherwise violent theme, and when her eyes opened, the flood of relief left me feeling weak. Perhaps that’s a side-effect of increasing my mass enough to crush a mountain underfoot… that’s still one hell of a limit to push.

Judging how powerful Mavros was compared to the inhabitants of this world, I think it’s safe to assume this will likely be the most dangerous interaction we’ll encounter. Of course, now that such a thought has crossed my mind, something infinitely more threatening is almost definitely going to occur…

“Hm? Wait… what? Ash?”

“Yes?”

The instant Grace touched the ground, she stirred as if just fully recognizing reality. Her eyes stared intently in my direction as she slowly adopted an upright sitting position and continued.

“Am I… dreaming?”

“Probably not, but I wouldn’t be surpri-hey, what!?”

Faster than lightning, she pushed off the ground and slammed into me even though I was barely an arm’s length away. I wound up flat on my back, staring up at the stunningly beautiful face of a crimson-eared bunny-girl, though only for a moment. Before I could say anything, her forehead approached and something warm pressed against my lips before quickly retracting.

I was frozen, unable to think clearly enough to formulate a response. Well, this is another world after all, perhaps a kiss is given a bit more freely or with different intentions than in our world. Yeah… for the sake of my mental fortitude, I think this uncertainty is probably for the best.

“E-even if it’s just a dream… I can’t believe I… kissed…”

The figure blushed furiously, burying a deeply shaded face in her palms before rolling off my stomach and instantly falling asleep on the ground next to me. I remained still, a sudden revelation overwhelming the rest of my mind, as I desperately tried to calm down. Naturally, this confusion was based more in uncertainty than anything else, since jumping to conclusions almost always ends poorly.

“Hmm… it would seem you’re falling behind, Ella… what am I to do with him?”

To my right I heard Ella’s voice talking to… Ella? I turned, but instead of the spacey blonde elf I had expected, I locked eyes with a similar creature that appeared to radiate confidence.

“Wha…Who are-“

“Should I burn him?”

The figure chuckled for a moment, then immediately stopped and took a slightly defensive position. Is Ella… possessed?

“Well, why not? I won’t kill him… unless he’s too much of a pussy to handle it.”

Yup. She’s definitely possessed. How did this happen—isn’t Ella an incredibly powerful mage or something? Maybe this being is the source of her power… like some kind of limiter on her power to keep her from being too overpowered. How boring.

“I’ll say ‘pussy’ if I want to! Ugh… just shut up already, would you? No, you go away! Judging from the size of your boobs, I’ve probably been asleep for years, so give me a few damn minutes!”

Wow… okay, I’m curious. Scared, but also incredibly curious… it doesn’t seem to be exceptionally hostile, so we might be able to avoid a fight if I play my cards right. I stood, patiently dusting myself off and subtly moving in front of the unconscious bunny-girl as an indignant expression faded from the adjacent possessor. Noticing my cautious demeanor, its face angled into a dark smile and turned to address me with a certain hunger.

“You… don’t belong here… do you? Likely not in this world, and definitely not this plane of existence.”

“Pretty much... I’m from another world.”

I relaxed slightly but didn’t drop my guard, hoping Ella’s new… or old friend would do the same. Fortunately, she did.

“Hm. Me neither. I’m El. A being that has been trapped on this plane as Ella’s twin personality since birth, and probably the only creature on this planet more powerful than you. That is, of course, unless a god came to visit without my knowledge.”

“Cool. I’m Ash, a ‘normal’ man who was killed on a magicless world called Earth and brought here so a goddess named Lilah could piss off another god named Mystic.”

Yeah, I said “man”. It sounded really stupid, but ‘guy’ comes off as lazy and ‘boy’ would show that I still think of myself as a child. I mean… I am lazy and, by some standards, a child, but El’s presence is shockingly intimidating. It was reflexive. Please don’t notice…

“Oh?”

El’s purple hair waved slightly, weightlessly trailing behind her as she casually stepped forward.

“A ‘man’, huh? Wait, you’re engaged to Ella, are you not? Though I’ve temporarily taken her place, this is still her body… with my magic and your host body, the resulting child would… be…”

Oh no. Hang on… I think her purple dress just became a skirt. Are those magic clothes? Damn that’s awesome.

“Okay, then… ‘man’ of Earth. I’ll avoid activities that involve killing you… until after Ella scores. Is that cool with you?”

Wait… “until after Ella scores”? What does she mean by sco—

My thoughts were interrupted by Ella’s body colliding with mine, the deity’s purple hair fading back into blond, and the magical dress dissolving rapidly. Again, I collapsed, but this time it was to soften the abrupt impact; again I lay still, but this time it was due to the paralysis side-effect of a stunning technically-an-elf-princess’s breasts pressed against my own exposed chest.

How the hell do I react to this situation? Is there a ‘gentlemanly’ way to lift a naked young lady off your own? Do I just use telekinesis? Oh no. A physical reaction on my part is happening. Holy fuck, stop!

I swiftly teleported several feet away, using telekinesis to slow Ella’s fall and constructing a rudimentary structure from the surrounding rubble. I made sure to pack the material tightly so it wouldn’t crumble and avoided creating a roof altogether, since it was only meant to preserve her… dignity.

I let out a long breath.

“At least everything worked out. I suppose Lilah returned these supernatural abilities since she can’t directly interfere. Meh… plot armor is only for the good guys, anyway. Here, I’m more of a wandering belligerent than anything else…”

Hey, I’m pretty easy to talk to when I get me alone. Heh heh… I amuse myself. Wait… I forgot to ask what the name of this world is. Shit.

I sensed a shorter figure approach rather quickly, its movements precise and doubtlessly belonging to Brook.

“Hey, Brook--”

“Yes, master?”

The reply came quickly. I’m impressed that she has so much energy after fighting that beast-like strategist.

“What is the name of this world?”