We arrive on the next island. “Demistar, how many islands until we get to the bottom?” I ask, and she points her finger upward and fires a laser- “About forty-eight, if we chose the fastest possible route. Technically zero, if you want to bash through them.” She says, surprising me.

“C-Can I do that?” I ask, taking into that resting power thing she was talking about. “Totally, the largest size you’ve displayed so far has been well over ten cubic miles, tearing an island apart shouldn’t be too hard for someone like you.” She says as we look around.

A huge cloud hangs over this island, making it rain eternally not unlike the crying city that got wiped out… “Hey Demistar… Did Liyoxis really kill all those people?” I ask and she sputters, dropping me- “What the hell?! How did you- DEMITALLIS!!!” She screams as it hits me that this might have not been the time…

Serento quickly runs over to help her up- “Wh-What happened?” He asks, as she glares at me. “Demitallis is WHAT. Dammit all, kid. Do you not have any tact?” She asks, as I sit here and feel bad for what I did… “Well I mean… They all would have ended up here… Right?” I ask, and she folds her arms.

“Yeah, and it’s my fault what happened. I know. I already dealt with it, Demitallis.” She says, as I wonder how many people must’ve gone through the selection process that day… “Was this one of those events? Where thousands had suddenly got sent through?” Serento asks as he scratches the back of his head…

“Yeah, it was about two thousand years ago. It was my fault, I was protecting a young girl, and Liyoxis got worried…” She begins, placing her hands in her pockets, as I watch. “We were running out of time… He told me the world wasn’t worth the life of just one girl…” She says, looking down as concern grows on Serento’s face.

“Liyoxis was my hero… I never thought he could do what he did. He glassed the Crying City, and while it was important… It was so quickly replaced…” She continues as he places his hand on her shoulder. “I am so sorry for what happened, dear.” He says, but she shrugs.

“I got over it a long time ago. I killed her myself. She was a Kraken Princess, I would KNOW if she was here.” Demistar says, as he moves his arm and fails to find the words. “How long have you been down here?” She asks, looking at him and he thinks for a moment.

“Mm, I’m about eight-hundred-seventy-two years old.” He says, as I look around further at the island. In the middle is a large statue of a masked figure, his hands on a large sword stuck in the ground. Surrounding it are paths and tall buildings with many doors and floating stones for more paths between them…

The Statue’s mask has been built in such a way that the water that lands on the head collects and falls through the eye-holes… “Right, then you weren’t around when that happened. I didn’t even know this place existed, you know.” Demistar says, catching my attention again-

“Liyoxis simply told me there was no way she could have survived, he was adamant on that fact. I didn’t understand why, until I met Helvetica and first laid eyes upon The Underworld.” She says as he nods and rubs his chin…

The windows shine with a bright glow, since the rain would probably destroy any flowers before they would even get a chance, and all fires probably get the same treatment. It explains why this place is so dimly lit otherwise, having to use the light from their buildings.

Of course, they COULD just, you know… Use lamps. Or something that rain doesn’t destroy. Do they do it for the aesthetic? I mean, they could probably just light the way themselves, and I doubt survival is a problem. Right? But why do they care so much for the aesthetic then?

“Once again, I’m so sorry that happened to you.” Serento says, pitying her. “It’s alright. I’ve been through worse, and I got over it hundreds of years ago.” She says, as he leans on his cane and nods again. “Hey Demistar.” I say, surprising her.

“What’s with the lack of external lighting in this place? Do they do it for the aesthetic of a dark atmosphere? Or is there some external-light-eating-demon that comes and takes them?” I ask, and she stares at me for about a full minute. “I mean, kind of… Most places work off a specific theme.” She answers.

“There’s plenty of reasons for the aesthetic of a place, but most do indeed grow into large cities. Most are also abandoned or destroyed within a few thousand years. Even countries ruled by world powers get torn apart quickly, creating a new vacuum in their unprotected cities.” She says, going on longer than I thought she would…

“Oblivion’s realms got torn apart, trillions lost to the void…” She says, giving us a hit of existential dread… “So wait… LITERALLY lost?” I ask, and she nods. “Yeah. They’re probably still alive too, so long as they generate mana.” She says, and the existential dread intensifies-

“How large WAS his, uh, realm?” I ask, a little curious for a sense of scale. “It was this pocket-multiverse created as a project by Oblivion and Sapien Supreme. The worlds numbered in the thousands, Liyoxis told them not to do it, but they wouldn’t listen.” She says, and realization hits me-

“This loss of life was the worst Orion had ever experienced! It’s why EVERYONE listens to Liyoxis!” I shout, and she nods! “Yeah, not to mention the puddle kids. He tried to stop that too, he said he considered stopping that, but decided against it.” She says, once again reminding me that my existence here on Orion isn’t in my hands…

But suddenly, a roar from behind- “Hear me, denizens of Lonestone!” A tall angry skeleton screams at the top of his lungs, as we look at him- “We speak for the rebellion! The dead too deserve to see the light! Promise us your aid, and we promise you a new future-” His head is shot clean off by a bright blue laser!

Ghosts, banshees and phantoms, spirits of all shapes and sizes make their way out of the buildings, with a much fewer number of other undeads. “Sorry buddy, but Helvetica’s house; Helvetica’s rules. You’re not leaving.” She says, as he picks up his skull, and places it back on his head, glaring at her.

He slams his gloved fist into his pauldron- “We can’t just accept that… I CAN’T JUST ACCEPT THAT!” He says, as he stands on his two legs and pulls one of the swords from his side. Demistar, on the other hand, has gotten that look when she’s distracted- “There we go.” She says.

“I’ve got your data. You’re lucky you’re even here, Cottonwood, Helvetica had every right to just send you off to the void with the rest.” She tells him, trying to intimidate him with her larger sword, but his glare fills with rage…

“Orbe! I need moral support!” He shouts, and Demistar takes a few glances around, before lightning bolts somehow bounce off and arc around her body- “Ya’ got this, Cottonwood!” A short Skeleton floating on a cloud with a set of drums sticking out of his back, and an orb in his hands says, as he descends from the sky…

So Cottonwood and Orbe... Cottonwood is easily the taller of the two, easily standing over Orbe’s drums. He wears only a chestplate with dragon-head pauldrons, only now making me realize the chestplate itself is in the sort-of-shape of a dragon-head. It’s rather tacky, if you ask me. The rest of his body is very tall and skinny, hidden under a tight black bodysuit, his hip bones on full display…

Orbe, on the other hand, sits on a swirly orange cloud, he wears a single orange cloth that covers him like a mummy. His drums extend from his back with comma symbols in ascending order of each one until he reaches seven commas… He has a large Rope-Belt, the knot tied around a red stick, and finally… In his hands is a yellow orb with lightning flowing from it…

“So you really gotta’ have your crotch on full display?” I ask, surprising him as he and Demistar look at me- “I have NOTHING to hide! Literally. Anyways, water spirit. Once I’ve finished with this INTERLOPER, I’ll gladly introduce you to the R-D-R.” He says, smugly grinning as he places his hands on his chest, as Orbe snickers.

“Then we can get some R&R!” Orbe says, making the taller skeleton nod with acknowledgement. “That’ll be a good chance for morale building exercises, good idea.” He says, making Orbe clap as Demistar looks at me.

“You wanna try and deal with this for me, Demitallis?” Demistar asks as I jump forward. “Yeah, I’ll give it a shot.” I say, as Cottonwood stares at me. “By the way, I’m not a spirit…” I say, surprising them… “What is the surface like?” Orbe asks, a curious look on his face.

“It’s bright, pretty, but dangerous, much unlike this drab, yet surprisingly safe place…” I say. “Yes! She came through the gate, she’s been called here by Helvetica herself!” Serento calls out, surprising Cottonwood as he flashes his badge.

Cottonwood sheaths his sword, and folds his arms. “The surface is not our enemy, and therefore I cannot fight you. I will not sully the integrity of the Rising-Dawn-Rebellion! Goodbye!” He announces before running away, leaving Orbe to watch with us…

Orbe floats over on his cloud quickly, descending right down to my level. “It was nice meeting you, Demitallis. Here, have this.” He says, rubbing his orb and changing its color, only for it to create another cloud he reaches into… He pulls a Black Rose from the cloud, and places it in front of me.

“Don’t lose it, now.” He says, before suddenly standing up and performing a backflip into the other cloud!

“Oh.” I say, as rain falls on me… “I think I won?” I ask, as I turn around to look at Demitallis. “Yeah, I guess…” Demistar says, as she looks around, before raising her voice. “I’ll be informing Helvetica of what happened here, don’t try anything stupid!” She herself announces, as the many spirits stare at us…

“Alright, let’s go.” Demistar says, raising her arms and lowering a portal over us- We appear on an island just below the other one, I can see the rain falling from it up there… “Can’t you just teleport us all the way down?” I ask, making her look down at me.

“Well of course. But what’s the fun in that?” She asks, walking forward as Serento and I follow. “They say you should focus on the journey, not the destination.” Serento says, as we arrive at the ledge and jump off. “Alright, fine.” I say, as we descend and land on the next island.

This one a single mountain, extending into the sky, the Ghost-Island’s rain barely reaching and filling a small lake that extends to the side. At the top is a single single sword, and some sort of ornate magic shield surrounding it… “The blade of mysteries, so this is where it sits.” Demistar says, as we walk up to it.

“What the mystery?” I ask, as I jump onto the shield. “Nobody knows. It’s actually a bunch of mysteries, you see.” She says, as she kneels down and focuses on it. “OH… It’s a living blade, so it has an activation phrase. I doubt anyone knows that either, so its secrets are hidden forever.” She says, focusing on it further and further-

She stands up. “I shouldn’t tamper with it any further. Come on guys, let’s move on.” She says, walking around the shield as we follow. “A living blade? What is that?” I ask, surprising her. “Oh, they’re known better as living objects, I figured you already knew they exist. I mean, Lian was WEARING one, the day you brought her back to us.” Demistar tells me, as we arrive at the edge of this island too, and jump off.

“Yes! They’re very powerful and even MORE rare!” Serento says, as we land on the next island and jump off the ledge to the next. “I believe there is an organization out there? Professionally makes this stuff.” He asks as we look at Demistar, who first nods.

“Yeah, there’s a bunch of different places making them. Every order is custom made, of course, and takes a long time to produce, as you can imagine.” Demistar tells us as we land on the island below, it’s a giant garden with Zombies walking around and tending to their flowers.

It’s weird, their bodies are falling apart, but they’re not ROTTED falling apart. Their skin is pale, as though they’re completely empty of all fluids, as though natural processes just refuse to kick in for the rest of their bodies… “Does rotting not affect… People?” I ask, surprising Demistar and Serento.

“What’s that?” Demistar asks, as I remind myself of the basic biological process that makes up the life cycle… “You know, microscopic organisms. How’s the life-cycle work here?” I ask, and she kind of shrugs… “Well creatures eat other creatures all the time. If that’s what you’re asking.”

“No, I mean like- Do smaller organisms not eat larger things?” I ask, and she folds her arms, as we watch zombies tend to their gardens while we walk away. “Well, of course there’s microscopic ones, I’m surprised you even know about the cellular level. But yes, for some reason, creatures eat each other at all sizes.” She says, and it begins to hit me the true nature of this world.

“There’s no cycle.” I say, as I come to understand that thanks to mana, they can do anything here. The biological process on earth exists because there are limits, but here there aren’t. If I wanted to be immortal, I would just need to learn the best magic towards achieving that…

“Is something wrong?” Demistar asks, as I look at her. “No, it’s alright. I’m fine. I just… I figured something out.” I say, making her smile with a thumbs-up for some reason- “There’s my little genius. Only four months old, and you’re already coming up with stuff that took scientists years…” She says, as I realize how much of my own information I’m letting slide…

“Y-Yeah…” I say, fully aware that I’m far from anything that could even remotely be called: “Genius” We arrive at the ledge and jump off once more, descending to the next island… “So how much longer until we arrive at Helvetica’s place?” I ask as Demistar opens up a miniature map.

She points to a specific dot on the map, where I assume we are, having made such a small amount of distance… “Man, we sure are far away, huh…” I say, as I focus on it and we land on yet another island. “Yeah, but it’ll be worth it when we get there.” She says, as I look around this one, just like the other islands.

“How far away ARE we currently?” I ask, a little curious about that specific point. “We have about thirty-thousand miles to go. Rounding, of course. But don’t worry, we’ll get there.” She says, and yet here we are, thirty thousand miles away and I want none of that…

“Are you SURE? At a reasonable time?” I ask, and she nods. “Totally.” And of course, I decide to believe her since Serento is believing her too. “I haven’t been HERE in a while, it’s a good chance to get out.” Serento says, as he stretches.

This island seems to have a mechanical theme on top of all the gothic architecture. “This is one of the forge-islands, where materials are gathered and processed to make new islands.” Serento tells us, as we walk around and look at it all.

“Turns out the island’s name is Airus” Demistar says, as we look at her. “I’ve been talking to her since we got here. Look over there.” Demistar says, as we turn to look at what I thought was just a red giant round window. It pops out of its spot and a tower waves at us as the eye looks at us.

“Haha. Hey!” Demistar calls out, as Serento and I nervously wave… “Oh, here we go. Demitallis. I’ve got another mission for you. It turns out Airus broke a small part of her body she can’t reach. She’ll guide you to it.” Demistar says, as a hole opens up.

“Yeah, alright fine. I’ll see what I can do.” I say, deciding the trip can take as long as it wants, since we’re never actually going to get there in a reasonable amount of time. I descend into the depths of the giant machine, morphing my body gently around worn mechanical parts, cleaning and repairing them as I go.

I find a little drone inside, and decide to follow it until I find the broken piece, further repairing the great machine as I go, only to find that the broken piece was deep in the core, and it was huge. But worse comes to worse, Demistar has to step in, so I got to work and entered into the larger piece.

The drone couldn’t follow me, so I was on my own, bending metal into the shape I had to assume they were meant to be in, Demistar messaging me via telepathy when I’d done something wrong, or when something looked a little complex for me.

And finally, as I exit the great machine, I bend the broken hull back into shape, using magic to morph the pieces back together until it looks just right… “All done already, Demitallis. I’ll just teleport you out.” She says, and I appear on the surface with her and a giddy Serento.

“Good job my little friend! Tell us how you’re feeling, Airus!” Serento calls out, and the island shakes, only for a giant hole to open up and the rest of the island opens up further and further, as the islands move away from us, as a new island is created!

“No worries, Airus, deliveries are on their way as we speak! Goodbye!” Demistar says, as we leave and jump off the side and further into the depths of the Underworld. “So that sword is alive? But it’s asleep. So it’ll never wake up again?” I ask, still kind of on the sword-topic.

“Yes, that’s correct. I wonder what it dreams about.” She says, as we land on the next island… “Demistar. How long IS it going to take us to get there?” I ask, deciding I’ll get a straight answer. “At our current rate, twelve years.” She says, and I fire a bearing shot into her head!

“That is NOT reasonable to anyone!!! What do you MEAN twelve years?!” I scream at her as she reels back in surprise! “I can’t be here for twelve years just to get to the bottom!!!” I continue to scream- “You’ll live for thousands of years, it’s fine!” She shouts back, and I fire another bearing shot at her-

“That is ANATHEMA to ANYTHING within the region of being okay!” I yell at her, as she nervously stands away from me! “Just teleport us, it’s easy. I REFUSE to waste twelve years just trying to GET there!” I continue as we begin to float-

“Alright, I get it! Let’s just go!” She yells back at me as we teleport to another island- I look around, the distance is millions of chains that extend into millions of islands… “Happy? It’s right down there. The Core Château.” She says, as I jump over the island and off the edge, attaching a string so I can get a look-

It’s hard to describe the size of this thing, the best thing I have to compare it to was Earth’s Moon… It’s an amalgam of structures and billions of towers that link it to the chains stretching into the distance of this moon-size castle…

“Let’s go, guys!” I call out, as I jump back onto the ledge… “Where’s the closest entrance?” I ask, and Demistar points at a platform. “Right there, I’ll navigate us through until we can meet up with one of Helvetica’s bodies.” She says, as we’re teleported to the platform…

“Oh. So it’s like an Astral Projection type of deal with her?” I ask, and Demistar nods, as we descend through the platform. “Yeah, it’s just her psychic power that lets her make clones like that.” Demistar says as we’re guided through large hallways that extend endlessly, leading to more and more hallways and doors.

We walk for hours and hours until we arrive at a large door… “So is this place SUPPOSED to be a maze?” I ask, before she opens it. “No, it just kept getting bigger and bigger, and nobody can convince Helvetica to tear anything down.” Serento and I stare at her…

…

“Isn’t she the godlike-ruler of this entire nation?” I ask, making her shrug. “Listen, she’s behind this door, you’ll see for yourself.” She says, before kneeling to the ground and placing her hand on the floor. A pulse of colorful light that spreads like a wave through the room and surrounds the door, opening it instantly.

On the other side is a Skeleton with their open palm facing a glowing orb, while staring at a book… “Helvetica, look who’s here!” Demistar says, as the book slams close, and Helvetica turns around, staring at me… “Huh, so you’re finally here…” She says, as reality bends…

“Helvetica- What are you-” Demistar says, as Serento looks around with confusion, as the Chateau falls apart, and I see Helvetica’s true form once more… “Child.” A deep, powerful, booming voice roars in my mind as I sit here on its hand, unable to move…

“What it means to be alive. What it means to share that life. What it means to thrive. These are the aggregate concepts to which you apply said life, and therefore dictate your own. It was once a weakness I considered a mere sentiment to be discarded and overcome.”

“In my greatest mistake, I cast aside my life and was reborn. That was the age of the ruthless, the hateful, the merciless. I saw the rise and fall of thousands, each felled by this very skeletal hand. I was angered by their atrocities.”

“But then, I met him, Liyoxislovloragram, he was but a boy, and described to me a world I could not fathom. He told me of you, that you would suffer, that you were not to know of this. I have made my decision, Demitallis. I asked why he chose YOU.”

“It was not because you were important. Nor because you were special. But because you were the path he chose. Demitrivan, even for her position, could never comprehend what it meant to be Liyoxis. Who sees possibility in all eternity. It only made sense that even for someone like him, he had to split off, and therefore shared it with Lianlovloragram. The only possible thing he could never predict.”

“Then when Serif arrived, who single mindedly sought to indulge himself in all his worldly desires, had decided to destroy my realm, the polar opposite to his. The realm he stole from his predecessors before him, I could merely watch as he corrupted and besmirched it into merely serving his cold, excessive, lifeless order… Truly he is anathema to everything I understood life to be.”

“Then there was Arigold who too appeared one day, I felt the rumble of his birth, as fate itself shook with his mere presence. He was not to be conquered, but himself to also never conquer, to never take from others as they themselves would dare try. I witnessed the dawn of each of these entities who would shatter reality with what they would become.”

“You are not among them, you will never be among them, you cannot be among them. We are immortal, we are what mortals will never comprehend. For your home was built on rules, it was never fair to you, and it never would be. Your mind was born to thrive in your realm, not ours, that is why you will never know our splendor. Your dawn will never rise, Demitallis.”

“Understand your place in existential-fate, for your life lies solely in my hands. That is what it means to be what you call The World Powers. Where your realm seeks a cold dead space, ours is eternal. That is our existence. YOU as you are will NEVER be one of us. Not while you are still chained. Not while what makes you yourself still breathes.”

“Yet still. Liyoxis chose YOU. Where all causality had laid the future before him, to be made in his image, where he could have chosen a path so cold and distant I feel these ancient bones shudder from its icy grip… he chose… you…”

“I’ve given you my message, Demitallis, you are free.”

The world suddenly rebuilds itself around me. “Is that really what I am?” I ask, as Helvetica sits there lying against the stand, before nodding her head. “Yeah. You’re not one of mine, Demitallis. Now you know why I chose to bring you to me.” She says, as I struggle to find the words…

“Demitallis- Are you okay?” Demistar says, suddenly teleporting next to me as Serento stares at me with concern. “Yeah, I’m alright. What happened?” I ask, and she looks at Helvetica. “Your mind was stolen from your body, I looked everywhere for you.” She says, as I look at Helvetica.

“Hey.” I say. “C-Could you let the rest of my family in?” I ask, surprising her as she looks up. “Oh, sure. Why not?” She asks, before snapping her fingers. “Thank you… So you rule over the dead. You choose who goes through. Has a woman named Grandelaver come through?” I ask, and she shakes her head this time.

“Your mother. Right. That one just passed, actually.” She says, and like that I’m instantly forced to give up, already feeling the effects of the realm of Doom- “I’ve got an idea- Once they pass, they’re lost to the void, so~” Demistar says, and a young girl suddenly appears next to us-

She’s got a single fox tail, and wears a black dress. “Hey.” She says, staring at Demistar as everyone else stares at her. “Hey Luna, I’m glad you decided to visit for once.” Helvetica says, as the little girl gives her a big hug- “You never ask~ You know I love you so much, Helvetica…” She tells Helvetica as she lifts the skeleton off the ground.

“Luna, I need a favor. I need you to find a soul that passed into the void.” Demistar says, and Luna looks at her again… “I’m sorry, Demistar, but it’s not that easy for me. I can look, but I won’t promise you anything.” She says, as I realize there IS a chance…

“I’ll help you out, Luna.” Helvetica says, as she creates another skeleton dressed in incredibly decorated ceremonial robes from what looks to be doom itself. “Well, I don’t see how Doom is supposed to help me navigate the void, but I would love some help anyways.” Luna says, as she wraps the two in a veil of void and disappears…

“What just happened?” I ask, despite already having a good idea. I’m mostly just confused. “Luna just summoned them as an astral projection that can navigate the void, she’s currently trying to pull the nonexistence of Grandelaver’s soul.” She says, confusing me further…

“Can you say it in a reasonable way?” I ask, and she rolls her eyes. “She’s navigating the void, they’ll be gone for a while, but once they’re back, Helvetica will be able to bring back your mother…” She says, yet I can’t help but ask… “Why?”

“What do you mean?” She asks in return. “Why do you do this for me?” I ask, as she places her hands in her pockets. “Well, you’re my little friend. Besides, I already had the idea in case we got here too late. Sorry about not teleporting you, though. This could have entirely been avoided.” She says, folding her arms.

“YEAH. I told you it was un-fucking-reasonable. I mean are you serious? What if we were legitimately twelve years too late?!” I ask, making her nervous again, as Serento walks up to Helvetica. “Hello…” He says, as I decide to calm down and not dwell on mistakes like this.

“Hello, Serento. Demitallis, to be fair, I WAS told you wouldn’t want your mother brought back to life.” Helvetica says, and everyone looks at her again- “WHY?! Who would tell you that?!” I ask, and she kind of shrugs. “Some guy with a long handlebar mustache. He just appeared one day, told me to make sure that void passes on, then exploded into a cloud of smoke. It was so weird…” She says, as I consider smacking her…

“Why would you assume HE has anything to do with my family?!” I ask, and she shrugs again. “I don’t know who is and isn’t related to your Mother. I’m not a stalker.” She says, and I groan with anger. “Yeah, cool, fine. So my family is here? Are they all the way up there?” I ask, and she nods.

“Can you send a message to Steriya? She’s better at teleporting than you are.” Demistar stares at me as Helvetica and Serento giggle between each other. “I highly doubt that.” She says, as Steriya teleports everyone into the room. “Hey kids.” Helvetica says, as Steriya looks at her.

By everyone I meant like, literally everyone. Vexalan, Veyta, Vascula, and even Sari are here. “Did you have to bring the whole family?” I ask, as she takes a glance at me, then stares at Helvetica again… “Y-Yeah, sure, Demitallis.” She says, as Helvetica leans against the stand with the orb…

“Alright. Who the hell is here? Veloura! Can I get a Roll-Call?” I ask, and she jumps from the small crowd I call a family, landing next to me as she forms a metal rod in her hand- “Alright, Vexalan!” She begins, going through everyone as they each give a simple response.

“Celest! Kass! Jorn! Orvalisk! Steriya! Stussy! Lex! Flare! Talliopy! Glant! Veyta! Calbdin! Tenztore! Sari! Steinbelle! Dart! Vascula! Sirius! Vilstrous! And finally, Arckvolica.” She says, as Lex shows off the little kitten, of whom responds with a little: “meow”

“So Twenty Two of us. What is that, a thousandth of the total family?” I ask, and she tosses the rod away. “Steriya! Who said you could invite literally everyone?” I ask, but she’s already deep in conversation with Helvetica… “They kinda just started showing up.” Celest says, as everyone looks at her.

“Well, fair enough. We’ll be here for a while. Right, I should tell you- So Helvetica’s gonna bring back Mother.” I say, really grabbing their attention, and finally pulling Steriya from her conversation. “Really?! Helvetica can just do that?! But doom doesn’t-” She says, looking at Helvetica again, who shakes her head.

“As a ghost. I can’t recover her body. As long as I can find her soul, though, she’ll be back.” She says, and I crawl up to her. “I know where her body is. She was buried where she died in Genesis Haven. Right in the middle of the large incubation chamber, there’s a bunch of Soulblooms, you see.” I say, until Lex walks up and cuts in-

“That’s a bad idea. Arigold’s weapon tore her apart from the inside out, I doubt it would be of much use to her.” He says, as Demistar walks up too. “You must be speaking of Lixza’s Curse. Created by Lixza, of course. It uses the same magic as Robin’s rifle. There is definitely nothing left to recover.” She says, and yeah, I didn’t want to disturb her grave anyway…

Good grief…

End of Chapter: 56 “Roots.”

Thank you for reading.

“Everyone! I thank you on behalf of the R-D-R!”

“Thank you! Come visit sometime!”

And finally, like that, Demitallis meets Helvetica, the World Power of the Underworld. This place is huge, so the story will be taking place here for the time being, but don't worry, I've already got something major planned to kind of circumvent that.

Mother's coming back! I had this planned for a LONG time. I had to keep the Underworld under lock and key because of it, which is also why I had us rarely see any undead aside from Skall. But yeah, Grandelaver will come back on the 100th total chapter of the story.

I think that's everything, I can't really touch-up on many things, since I have to avoid Spoilers. And sorry Serento took a back-seat by the way, he just didn't have as much to do in this chapter, he'll have plenty later, don't worry.

---

Chapter: 57 "The answer may surprise you!"

Not the largest, not the smallest, but nicely tucked into the middle at 5000 words. I'm planning on taking a break, we've got the biggest event yet in Wet World Wonderland just ahead of us, and I need to prepare for it. Thanks for reading!

It’s already been a couple of days, and everyone’s learned to navigate the Chateau. It turns out you can just ask the floating skulls who roam around, they’ve been everywhere and know how to navigate this place really well.

I’ve been mostly just exploring, eating the strange delicacies they have down here. They actually have all kinds of strange foods down here, and I’ve gotten a great chance to try out my new tasting spell. Steriya -because of course she has- has locked herself in a room with one of Helvetica’s bodies, to field every question she can think of…

“Alright I’m gonna find something to do.” I say, surprising Veloura and Celest as I jump away. “Oh. Where ya’ goin’? I’m comin’ with.” Celest says, as she follows me out. “Helvetica. I’m hoping she’ll have something for me to do while we wait.” I say as we arrive at one of the elevators.

“Do you even know where the closest body is?” She asks, as we descend. “Skull! Can you guide us?!” I ask one of the floating skulls as Celest rolls her eyes. “Just head straight, there’s one down the south hallway you’re coming to.” It says, as it floats through a window…

“Oh, I was going for the one that was way further away. Thank goodness we have a much closer one.” I say, as we wait for the elevator to arrive at our destination, while Celest folds her arms. “Yeah, whatever. Let’s just go already.” She says, picking me up and phasing through the floor and into the walls-

We arrived in the room, leaving me surprised with this skill of her’s… “Since when could you do that?” I ask, as I notice Helvetica just standing there tapping away on a holographic screen, while she faces her open palm to the orb…

“‘Since I was born. Nine-Tailed-Foxes have all kinds of powers. Almost as many as Genies and Unicorns.” She says, as we walk up and grab Helvetica’s attention. “Oh, Celestibelle, and the Lost-Child.” She says, looking at Celest then focusing on me. “Lost-Child?” I ask, obviously confused.

“Yes…” She carries it for a moment- “It’ll be a few more days before we can recover your Mother’s spirit.” She adds, as I jump onto the stand. “I’m not here about that. Why are you always messing with these things?” I ask, since this one reminds me of the first one I saw.

“It has many purposes. They primarily act as beacons to guide the dead to me, I’ve been accepting and denying souls as we speak… It’s also made with physical Doom, so don’t touch it.” She says, surprising me again. “There’s other states of doom?” I ask, and she looks at me.

“Yes. It acts on all planes of existence.” She tells me, as I think back on how Glant used it… “Man, you’re way better with it than Glant is.” I say, and she stops typing for a moment, only for the holographic monitor to disappear entirely as she grabs me. “You know someone who wields Doom?” She asks.

“He’s my brother, he can use Life AND Doom.” She drops me and folds her arms. “You’re lying.” She says, looking at me then Celest. “It’s true. Ask him, he’s here.” She snaps her hands and he appears next to us- “These two just told me you can create Life and Doom.” She tells him.

“Yeah. It’s pretty useful. What about it?” He asks, a confused look on his face, as she stares at him, then grabs his shoulders, and glares- “Do you NOT know what that means? You are the only confirmed person on the planet who can wield TWO Pure Elements.”

“Is that bad?” He asks, and she lets him go. “You have the potential to be the most powerful creature to have ever existed, and you squander it...” She tells him, as he sits down. “So no. I don’t believe you.” She says, as he creates orbs of both Life and Doom…

“See? THIS is my proof. I just want to know how to use it in the same way you do. So I don’t hurt anyone I care about.” He says as she rolls her eyes. “Listen, if you look through life, it’s not hard. If you’re too late for that, watch the ancient miles with Doom, and call the spirit back to its old body. Make sure it has enough magic to come back-” She looks at the orb.

“Oh, one of them was killed directly by Doom. Looks like I have another target-” She says as she forms a short Metal Skeleton and places the soul in it- “What’s happening?” Glant asks, as he stares at it, and she looks at him. “Fill it with Doom, that’s your first lesson.” She says, and so he does, watching as the parts glow with a deep green shade, only to fade once again…

“My child… What’s your name?” Helvetica asks, as she places her hand on the Skeleton’s chin. “Olmia.” She says, and I of course instantly recognize her! “Hey! It’s me, Demitallis!” I shout, surprising her as I jump over! “You ARE Minma’s sister! Right?!” I ask, and she nods quickly.

“Yeah! I remember everything. We were hired to hunt you down, you brought us to that underground facility, then I…” She says, realizing she died. “Oh.” She continues, as Helvetica hugs her. “It’s okay, my child, you’re safe now.” Helvetica says, holding Olmia who looks at us awkwardly, without struggling.

“So I really died…” She says, as I watch her fold her arms and sit down in Helvetica’s arms. “Right, my child. I need you to tell me who killed you.” Helvetica tells Olmia, as the metal skeleton looks at her. “I don’t know everything… Moth told me the client had contracted Skall of all people.” She says, as Helvetica lets go of her.

“Right. That was mine.” Helvetica says and Olmia punches her in an instant, the little goblin girl’s fist rendered useless. “Listen, I’m sorry for what happened. He kept begging, and I didn’t want to deal with that deadbeat. Your home is here now, but if your twin arrives at the gate, I’ll let’em in.” Helvetica says, as Olmia’s jaw drops-

“Are you kidding me?! She can’t even see her sister?!” Glant shouts at Helvetica- “My house, my rules. She’s lucky I’m willing to go even this far. Now, go get yourself dressed, Olmia, mother is very busy.” She says, as Olmia just looks at her tiny metal skeleton. “Great, thanks.” She says, before walking away…

“As for you two, if you want to make yourselves useful, I’ve got a task for you. Glantinazor will be under my direct tutelage, while you pay for his tuition.” She says, surprising me as Glantinazor turns around and gives us a thumbs up; ‘I NEED THIS’ he mouths.

“Alright, fine. Just tell us what we’re doing.” I say, and she nods with agreement as she opens another holographic screen. “A simple target. He’s planning on conquering my realm from the inside out. I need you to stop him before he gets too powerful.” She says, as a portal opens up behind her.

“His name is Collocorro, he’s dangerous, so be careful. This portal should be close to his hideout.” She says, as I jump through, and land on the next island, Celest following quickly behind me.

We’re on another dark, and gothic island, it has a sort of Egyptian theme, towering gothic pyramids holding up diamond shaped buildings. Rivers flow around the buildings with bridges over them, as a dense population of Skeletons walking around and interacting with each other.

Celest performs a backflip and transforms into a ghost. “I’ll go ask around, see if I can’t gather any information. You do the same, Demitallis.” She says before floating away, as I jump onto the awning of a building. Some of the buildings DO have normal walls, before angling like that.

So I’ve been listening in on conversations for a little while, they’re mostly just talking about themselves, their lives, their aspirations, their favorite clothing lines… Turns out there’s a TON of them down here. Which now that I think about it, makes sense seeing as the population density is way higher down here.

“So… Ya’ hear about the weapons trades?” Someone asks, and I slide on over~ “Yeah, something about a coup, turns out one of Mother’s own guards has been trying to learn Doom.” They say, as I listen closely… There’s a few random creatures here and there, but otherwise, it IS mostly just skeletons.

“We probably shouldn’t talk about this. I don’t want to be attacked by some extremist.” The other says, and so I jump away since this is where THIS is going to end, meaning I got pretty much nothing. “Hey, Demi-” Celest suddenly says, transforming back from a skeletal dog-

“Oh. Did you figure anything out?” I ask, and she nods. “Totally. I just asked around for a bit, and learned everything.” She says, as I stare at her for a minute… “You are so lucky to have everything you have.” I say, upset she can just DO this…

“Whatever. Follow me, I know where he’s hiding out.” Celest tells me, and so I of course listen, since I’ve got no idea what I’m doing anyway. We look around as we arrive, deciding to take in the whole city as we look around. This one’s a lot more advanced, it has a sort of… Dystopian Vibe. You know?

Which fits too well, with Helvetica’s iron grip on this place, not giving anyone freedom to leave. I can only assume some people HATE it down here… Hell, the islands on the outer edge don’t even know that the one near the center has such nice food to eat, while they snack on flowers.

Her people cannot be happy like this… Not for real… The island is covered in tubes that connect to each other, all kinds of undead all over the place, while vehicles float overhead between buildings. Some of them even come in from other islands, others floating away to said islands.

“And so here we are… We just gotta go find him…” I say, as Celest carries me around, as cars shoot by at high speed, stopping at lights for people to pass. “That’s correct. How do you suppose we should find the guy, Demi?” She asks, as we look around.

“I was thinking of just jumping to the highest point, and screaming as loud as I can until he decides to come out and fight me.” I say, and she looks down at me. “That’s a terrible idea. Come on, I’ll think of something instead.” She says, as I sit here and revel in the fact that I don’t have to deal with finding him myself.

And so we walk around for a bit, Celest deciding to just outright ask them what’s going on, explaining she and I are here on Helvetica’s orders. She had a little trouble convincing them Helvetica would hire two children, until I would prove myself by showing off my power.

Word gets around fast, I see people glancing at us and whispering as we walk around, I’ve had my mana-field stretched thin… I plan to summon a force field the moment anything happens. You see, I basically dissected the skill I got all that time ago, the day I arrived on this planet…

Now I can make the shield as powerful as I like, I can enhance the density, and focus the field into a wall. I just need to train my subconscious to activate it on command, the moment something enters the field.

“He’s got to know we’re looking for him.” A VERY young Celest says, leaning against the wall as we sit here. “I’ve got my nonuplets watching EVERYTHING too, so I’ll know if he tries to get away.” She says, reminding me of the Cerberus triplets…

“So you can just separate like that? Are there any other Legendary creatures that can do that?” I ask, as she looks down at me. Her face is so tiny- “Yeah, I sometimes like to call them my sisters. But unlike the Cerberus and the Hydra, I can choose how I want to separate.” She explains, as we wait…

“You see, the Hydra, if one of the bodies is lost, two new ones will be born, and the others usually just raise it. But the Cerberus is different in that it cannot do that. Which is how you get the two headed Cerberus.” She explains, as people pass by us, some lost in their own conversations, others listen to ours, either because they’re working for Collocorro, or maybe they’re just interested.

“The Gorgon is a pretty interesting case, they have a primary body that younger sisters, -some like to think of them as daughters- are born from, growing right from their head. And not only that, they can petrify you with their gaze!” She says, telling me all about their described powers in legends.

I guess that’s why they’re legendary, huh… “What can the Hydra do?” I ask, even though I find it to be a little trite… “Tons of elemental control, each head can do something different. They’re a type of dragon, you see.” She explains as people gather around.

“Obviously Phoenixes, Unicorns, and even the Manticores can’t do that, but-” She looks around at the crowd that had built up, obviously they probably didn’t know all too much about Legendary creatures. After all, I doubt a Kraken would ever get in here…

“D-Do- Do you all mind?! I’m trying to… I’m trying to speak to my SISTER.” She says, stumbling on her words a little as she goes. Everyone mutters between themselves, the crowd dispersing and leaving a single young girl wearing a coiled dress and rings on her arms.

“You’re looking for Collocorro, correct?” The child asks, as we stare at her. “Yeah. What about it?” Celest asks, as I prepare my webbed-bearing-buck-shot. But then she begins to cry- “It’s my brother, you see, he was taken by Collocorro’s gang… He’s all I have left…” She says, tears falling from her eyes…

Even still… I can’t bring myself to trust her… “Do you know where Collocorro is hiding out?” I ask, and she nods. She’s as small as Celest, she must have died very recently… “My brother will. He comes home every week, you see…” She tells me and I practically have to stop myself from firing-

“They let him come home to you? Explain now.” I say, surprising her- “O-Oh. Yes, h-he may… be… going of his own free will…” She says and I calm down. “Fine. Take me to this brother of yours, and I’ll get Collocorro’s information out of HIM. And don’t worry, I won’t hurt him.” I say and she nods again, before we finally depart.

“So how’s magic work with you undead guys? I thought you needed to be alive.” I say, as we enter the young girl’s house and look around- “Just like how it does with everyone else. Helvetica even implants the subconscious power to hold our bones together like this.”

The front door leads into a dining room with a small kitchen right next to it. “Huh, I guess it exists in creatures of Doom too.” I say, and she nods as we walk into an open living room in the middle of the house. “Whenever he um- he comes home, right- He comes out into the back yard.” She explains as we walk in what I assume is a shed built into the house.

Finally, we’re guided out and into a nice yard with a swing hanging from a tree, and a shed in the corner. “You okay there? You’re stuttering.” Celest says, as she places her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “How about you tell us your name, huh?” She asks, as I look at the grass.

It’s strange, I can’t imagine anything surviving down here, let alone grass… I jump down and tear some out, consuming it. “Pytra, P-Pytranza Nolzsk. My brother is Gridgeveil Nolzsk.“ It IS grass, I guess Helvetica isn’t just blasting the place with Doom, I guess I’d be dead by now otherwise…

“So did your brother make this swing?” Celest asks, as I jump over to the shed and pass through the crevice between the door and the frame. I look inside, it’s just a normal shed, but the thing is… They already had a shed attached to the house, there’s no way they would need another one.

I create normal water around me, filling the room yet making sure to hold my entire body still as it rests on the ground, until I’m certain it’s entirely filled, pushing it all throughout the inner workings until I’ve given myself a perfect physical layout of the room in my memory. In other words, I’m literally filling all the open space in the room.

Anyways, I feel my body growing and slipping past the crevices into a mechanism, allowing me to investigate and activate it! And finally, like that I found her brother’s secret underground layer, because of course he had to have one. I absorb the water back into my water, and I can feel my body growing ever so slightly larger…

“DEMI!!!” Celest calls out, as she jumps through the wall and lands next to me- “What happened?!” I ask, as I charge my bearing shot… “He’s out there right now!” She screams, as I realize I must have tripped some kind of sensor, and I fire the buck-shot through the wall tearing open a nice hole for me to jump through!

It’s a knight with a huge sword, it is COMICALLY large. “So you come for my little sister…” He says, his face covered by heavy armor as he stands in front of his sister, his sword in his right arm, and his left arm out to guard his sister… “Yeah, that’s right. Tell us everything you know, or she’s gone for good.” I say, as he raises his sword.

“Fine. When you come back, remember that this was your fault.” He says, as Celest watches us, and I prepare to dodge whatever attack I see coming- He rushes forward quickly and brings his sword down as I morph my body around it and grab the blunt end!

“Got it, now get over here!” I shout as I pull him into my body- “Gridge-” Pytra calls to him, and I can’t help but spit him out… He stands up and points at me… “What the hell-” I fire a bearing shot at his head and it dents the helmet!

I stretch thin and slide across the ground as he rushes toward me, until I snake my body around him and tear off a piece of his armor- He violently shoots himself off the ground and I'm forced to pull my essence into this small point of mass as I squirm around inside his armor!

“My armor!” He shouts as I feel him lunge over where it must have landed, while I fill out the open space between his skeleton and his armor- “What the hell-” He says, as he begins to struggle and barely manages to reattach the armor piece…

“You fool! You are now my PUPPET! Wahahaha!!!” I say, as I force his body to move forward! “H-Hey! Stop that!” Yeah, I could just TELL he was inexperienced… Sirius, Ling, even Vilstrous could have each gotten out of this situation so easily compared to this bozo…

“YEAH~ I GOTCHU NOW BOI!” I shout, as I march his body over to his sister, while Celest stares with confusion. I pull the sword from the ground, and hold it over Pytra! “H-Hey… No-” He says, as I continue this bluff- “Now… YOU are going to tell me everything, or she gets it. Celest!” I shout, and celest runs over to grab his sister.

“ALRIGHT FINE!!! You win…” He says, not even giving Celest enough time to participate. “Tell me everything you know about Collocorro.” I say, as I lower his sword back to the ground, while Celest guides Pytra back over to the swing, and I slip out of the one crevice in his body that ISN’T airtight.

“I honestly don’t know much, but he’s a good man.” He says, as he sits down with his sword, while Celest pretends to keep a tight grip on his sister. “He’s our leader, the General of the New-Order, the one that will replace Helvetica…” He says, and of course I have to ask-

“The New-Order?”

“Yes, it’s our organization. He promised that once he took Helvetica’s place as the new ruler of the underworld, he would allow his most loyal members to come and go as they please… My sister and I have to get out…” He says, practically divulging his entire life story…

“Do you know how I can find Collocorro? My sister and I have been looking all day.” I tell him, and he folds his arms. “I can’t sell out my leader like that-” I fire a Bearing-Shot that barely misses his sister, and destroys his shed! “You’re not in any position to make demands!” I shout, as he stares at her…

“Hey. Over here, answer more questions.” I say, making clicks in place of snaps as I go. “Fine. Right. He’s got hideouts all over the place, he’s already headed for a different island. He didn’t tell me which, I just know he’s on his way.” He tells me and I jump over to Celest.

“Alright, he’s not here, looks like your SISTERS couldn’t find him after all.” I say, as she stands up, folds her arms, and scoffs with her nose turned up. “Whatever, let’s just go already.” She claps her hands and flashes of lightning shoot into the air before striking her-

Celest’s true human form appears in place of the tiny child, and I pick her up, already having made myself much larger from my fight with Gridge- “Hey!” I shout, looking at the two as Pytra attends to her brother- “I’ll be speaking to the authorities about you, Gridge!” I shout, and the boy’s head goes slack as he sits there in the glass, still standing well over his sister…

I jump into the air, flying miles up as I hold onto celest lightly but firmly, making sure the wind can’t take her off me. “I knew we should have gotten Demistar-” Celest says, annoying me… “I don’t want to fall in her shadow. Okay? We’ve got plenty of time to find the guy.” I say, as she glares at me.

“Are you serious?” She asks. “Yes. She’s just my friend. I can’t just let myself RELY on her. Besides… I doubt she’d actually help anyway.” I tell Celest as she lies down. “Why’s that?” She asks, as we begin to descend. “Not her country, I can still do this myself, those kinds of reasons.” I tell her, as we land near a group of people.

“Hey! Collocorro! Where is he?!” I ask, and they all look between each other- “I think I heard he was spotted on the other side of the island, leaving!” One of them answers, and I jump away quickly, realizing he must be at one of the islands on the other side…

“Great, ‘chose the furthest possible point.” I say, as I slide us across the ground at full speed, using the grip of my water like a centipede. “Don’t worry, I think I know what he looks like, I WAS watching.” Celest tells me, as I dodge cars and people as they watch us seemingly slide across what I am assuming is asphalt.

This world is so upside down, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was made from the bones of everyone who came before everyone else. “We’re headed for Westwing City, another densely populated island like this one, just more suburban.” She says, as I roll my body together while raising her to the top, and jumping!

She points at the city and I shoot a latching shot so I can reel myself in! “You think he’s laying low? This looks like the kind of place I would raise my future children.” She giggles as we land, and I rush forward. “Children? Already?” She asks, as my mana zone follows me…

“Don’t forget to watch for any guards, by the way… I won’t look so cute with a hole in my skull.” Celest jumps down and looks around. “Yeah, I know.” I began. “Man, something tells me this is going to take longer than I think.” I tell her, as she walks and I crawl forward.

“So you’re SURE?” I ask, surprising her. “What… are you… What do you mean?” She quickly asks, since it was kind of out of nowhere. “Collocorro? You’re SURE he’s here?” I ask, and she nods, giving me a thumbs up. “Yeah, I saw a bunch of people leaving all shadey like.” She says, gesturing as she walks next to me.

“And I saw three people I had decided to follow, this guy was one of them. They were on different ends of the island, so it became quickly obvious.” She continues as she guides me to a single house… “He should be in here.” She tells me, and so we walk over to the door…

Celest knocks, and I charge my bearing shot to fire at anyone who might want to try and get at us… “WHO IS IT?!!!” A man roars, before the doorknob and the door opens to reveal a large bird-man… He has wings in place of arms, with hands on the ends, the wings themselves covered by his shirt’s sleeves…

The large man steps out of the way and looks down- “Jory, I swear, I will kick your a-” A tiny skeleton with wings riding in a mechanical suit tells the large bird, until he looks up at us… “Are you a fairy?” I ask. He’s a tiny skeleton riding in a tiny mechanical suit that’s wearing a suit- “YEAH… What of it?!” He shouts, floating up to our level as we back away…

“You wouldn’t happen to be… Collocorro?” He stands there with arms folded, glaring at me until he slaps his glass dome. “OF FUCING COURSE NOT!!!” He screamed, making Celest and I back away further… “Okay, maybe I WAS wrong… Maybe the information we got was wrong?” Celest asks, as I realize how bad at this we are…

“Do you really think a guy like him would be found out so easily?!” He screams as he rages at us behind his glass dome, while I consider firing the Bearing-Shot anyway… “Yeah, we get it. We’re busy. Leave us alone.” I tell him, as he screams his head off and we run away…

“Sorry, Demi… I really screwed up this one…” Celest tells me as she sits down and places her face in her hands. “Hey, we have plenty of time. Let’s just head back, and you can work your magic.” I tell her and she stands up. “Alright, fine. Let’s go.” And like that, we move out!

We come to the end of the island, until I hear an explosion- It was Not-Collo’s house, a ship shot out of it and into the sky… “Are you kidding me?!” I asked- “I WAS RIGHT?! HE’S THAT EASY TO FIND?!” Celest asks, and I attach a string to the aforementioned ship-

I grab Celest and we fly toward it! We speed into the sky, but I am already well aware how big this place is… “There’s no way he thinks he could possibly escape like this.” Celest says, as I hold her inside a pocket in my body… “Yeah, this place is so huge…” I say, surprising her.

“Yeah, Steriya was talking about that while we were up there. Before Demistar told her to teleport us to where you were.” I slam against the ship, it’s like a giant tube-rocket. The worst part is that I have to put Celest in danger like this, I can’t just leave her behind, something might happen…

We fly past island after island, ascending faster than I could imagine… But I can hear Possibly-Corrocollo in the front, screaming his head off as guns eject from the sides of the rocket, and I’m forced to catch the bullets so they can’t hit Celest.

“That’s all the proof I need!” I scream over the rushing wind as I break through into the ship, and Celest watches as I tear it apart from the inside out! “DAMMIT ALL!!!” Collocorro screams as I barely miss grabbing him, losing my target to Jory as he flies off…

I watch as they fly off to another island covered in a glass dome. I attach a thread, and pull Celest and I toward it… “Are you kidding me?! How did we fail?!” Celest shouts as we fly after them, rushing to the glass wall and phasing through it.

“I REFUSE to lose to this idiot!” We land and I crawl around as the snow settles, inviting us to a winter kingdom with a giant snowman in the middle decorated like a castle… I search for the two ne’er-do-wells, shoveling snow out of my way as it falls from the sky above us.

“Yeah, they must not be very smart… Why did Helvetica send us on this anyway? I’m sure she’s got plenty of better guards who could deal with it.” She says, as I jump around, looking for those clowns. “I mean… Seriously? How did I not see through those two?!” I ask as I mentally barrate myself.

I push Celest out onto my top again as we look around further, snow gathering on her shoulders and in her hair as she looks at it… “‘Sure is snowy in this one. I wonder what the residents are like.” She gathers the snow that has fallen on me already and plays with it in her hand.

And on cue, a creature bursts from the ground- It’s a mechanical quadruped walker with metal tentacles… “That would be.. ourrgh kind…” It tells me as more robots burst from the ground, and look at us… “Welcome to Tra’oth, we weregh… sent to eliminate you… by Collocorragh…”

I fire a buck-shot and it falls apart… “Good to know they’re not particularly sturdy.” I say, as I attach a string and throw a biped-ape into a triped-slammer. “Alright, stand down. We’re here in the service of Helvetica herself.” I tell them, making them look at each other.

“You arrgh… Lying…” The quadruped says, its head already halfway buried in the snow. “Oh. He tricked you. Fine, I’ll leave you to the authorities. Celest, help me out.” I say, and she activates her phase-shift, allowing me to swim us through the dense layer of snow and through hundreds of hidden robots that are all kinds of shapes and sizes…

As I resurface above the ground, I find the little idiot, jumping right over him and Jory as Celest deactivates the phase-shift and I capture them! “Gotcha now, you fools!” I shout, as Jory clutches around Collorro, protecting his charge with all his might…

“JORY! I can’t see anything! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU HALFWIT?!” He screams, making me feel for Jory, since the poor guy will get thrown behind bars for even associating with Collorro… “I just told you I captured you.” I begin.

“You're done, I’m taking you back to the palace, where Helvetica will decide your fate.” I tell them, and Celest gives a little cheer for our victor. “We did it!” She shouts as she throws her hands in the air, and hundreds of robots shoot out of the ground-

“Oops…” She covers her mouth and they descend upon us- “I can’t use my Bearing-Shots like this-” I say, as I struggle to throw them around without the thread being attached to the center of my mass- “Well I can’t fight! What do we do?!” She asks, and of course, I’m forced to spit the two out so I can create a set of bearings…

I begin spinning like a vortex and fire out the bearing shots in equal directions, creating a huge set of blades as the heavy orbs tear the machines apart. “D-Demi- Please- Getting… Dizzy… Oh man…” She says, as I finally stop, and look around to see Collocorro and Jory just standing back, frightened by my skill…

“I think I’m going to hurl…” Celest tells me, as she lies down and holds her head…

“Alright you two.” I say, and Jory takes a knee. “Jory?” Collocorro asks, as he’s picked up, and Jory kicks off the ground, and I begin to feel a fuse in my head pop… “We’re chasing after them.” We fly into the air, and my suspicions of an all-too-long adventure is confirmed…

End of Chapter: 57 “The answer may surprise you!”

Thank you for reading.

“Th-Thank you. Gridge-”

“Yeah-Yeah… Thanks.”

“Thank you!...”

“FUCK OFF I’M BUSY RUNNING AWAY!!!”

*Simple-Curtsy*