So Demitallis and Celest just decided to up and leave…

I stretch and feel the helmet bounce against my hip- “Right… I wonder what Minma is doing.” I pick it up and look at it again, before leaving the room. It’s Minma’s mask, the one she and Olmia were using to communicate. She told me it was great for hiding information between one another.

As I leave the room, I walk down the large hallway, I passively greet a troupe of clowns dancing their way down the hall, one of them of course bouncing on a ball. They definitely weren’t creepy. I wasn’t so nervous I thought I could die at that very moment…

I pass by some floating skulls with wings, a little pale fairy with pink hair, then a cabal of powerful looking warriors, running in some random seeming direction. “What’s with this place?” I asked as I stopped next to a short metal skeleton… It’d been a couple hours, and I’ve already seen WAY too many strange people to be okay with…

“I know, right? I just got here, and I already have no idea where to go.” The Skeleton turned out to be a girl, she’s dressed surprisingly similar to Olmia- “Uh- Hey… Would you happen to know someone named Minma?” She stared at me, then folded her arms…

“Who’s asking?” She of course had to ask, and I pulled out her helmet, surprising her. “Does THIS help any?” She took it from my hand, and put it on her head- “Why do you have this?!” She screamed while I kept my arms folded.

“Minma gave it to me, ‘told me she wanted to continue your legacy. Can you contact her?” I ask, and she nods. “Yeah, I’m doing it right now, I’m just getting a little bit of interference from subspace. I’ll tell you about THAT later-” She answers, and we wait for a minute.

The mouthpiece on her mask dropped down and she fell to her knees- “Can she hear you?” She’s silent, VERY silent… A single tear drops from her chin, and I realize that she has been talking to Minma this whole time… I suppose that’s the purpose of the extendable mouthpiece…

I wait for almost half an hour in stark silence as she speaks with her sister, until she looks at me again, and I perk up in response- She taps a button on the mask, and walks over to me… “Thank you. I’ll be heading out now. I need to see my sister at the door.” She tells me, and I watch her leave…

“How about I go with you?” I ask, walking close behind her, deciding her new journey would be interesting enough. “Sure. We’re headed for the eighty-seventh district. The gate should be in eyesight once we get there, come on.” She tells me, and I give her a quick fist bump-

I realized something. “You DO know the way, right?” She stares at me for an extended period of time… “Totally. I’ll figure it out. It’s like- you just go up, right? This is as far down as the Underworld gets.” She answers, and I fold my arms. “Right, let’s go find directions.” She quickly agrees and we move on.

We make our way through the empty halls, our footsteps and the metallic rattle of Olmia’s skeleton. “Is anyone here?!...” I called out, but no answer… “Why’s this place so huge?!” Olmia screams, slamming her foot into the ground- The area shakes for a brief second, causing someone to finally come out.

It’s a cube, with smaller cubes for hands and feet. They float around its body, like some sort of gravitation connection, allowing them to move the body without muscles. “Hello. You were shouting about something?” He asked, using telepathy as we stared at him…

“What are you?” I ask, and he grabs something from behind himself… It’s sunglasses, he puts them over his nonexistent face, then poses. “Who am I? Well..” He chuckles… “I’m the most important person in the world.” I fold my arms.

“Okay. Well if you’re that important… Then you should know the way to the Eighty-Seventh District.” I tell him, and he gasps, surprising me. “You can’t go there! Do you have any idea what’s going on?!” Olmia and I look at each other, then sit down on our knees to get to his level.

I place a hand on my leg, and reach for him. “Okay. What’s wrong?” He stares at us for a minute, shifting in place as we wait for him to answer. “I’ve got nothing, actually. It’s that way, just ask the Gate Guardians on the way, they’ll update you on how close you are.” He explains, and we stand up again…

He’s literally just a stark white cuboid… thing… “Thanks… But didn’t you…” I try to ask, but he interrupts me. “Oh, things changed, my future-sight told me. So it’s safe now. I’ll tell you if anything changes.” He tells us before running off, his feet clicking against the floor as he goes.

“Well… Now we know the way. Come on.” Olmia tells me, pointing in the same direction as the Block-Boy. And so we move out, freely ascending islands with minimal resistance, meeting many of the Underworld’s inhabitants, and showing Minma that this place doesn’t have a defined ‘DOWN’...

“Oh…” She said, as we continued upwards, getting a ride from a tall Skeleton Boatman’s gondola, slowly guiding us upwards. “What’s your name?” I had asked. “Chaos.” He answered with a whisper, a deep purple miasma billowing from his mouth as he spoke.

And finally, we came to one of the gates. “Hey up there! You’re one of the guardians, right?! We’re looking for the Eighty-Seventh District!” I call out, but the cerberus up there ignores me… A young girl jumps down from the side, she’s even shorter than Olmia-

“Right here! Sorry! You came from The-Center-Chateau, right? Just head straight up, you’re going the right way.” She explains to us, surprising me with how eloquently spoken she is… “Sorry about Shelly, she doesn’t like socializing… You’re about eight districts away, so don’t worry.” We thank her and move on, Olmia finding herself slightly annoyed she had to wait a solitary second while I shake the sweet girl’s hand.

After a good long while, we finally arrive at the Eighty-Seventh gate, and find Minma up there, looking around. “There she is.” I tell Olmia, as she stares, her sister Minma looking almost UPSET to be here… Olmia climbs up, and Minma instantly turns to the sound of her footstep-

“Olmia?” She asks, as I climb up after her sister. “Hey. So I really died, huh?” Olmia quietly pulled her helmet off her head… “It was this guy named Captain Volarisk, turns out. The guy is huge, and there’s nothing we can do to defeat him at this moment.” Minma tells her, as she walks up with a stern look on her face.

“Honestly, Minma. I’m just glad to be reunited… But…” Minma quirks an eyebrow and shifts onto her left leg. “What’s up?” She asked, her cute face doing nothing for the serious look she’s going for… “I can’t leave…” Minma was shocked, she didn’t know what to do…

She looked up at the cerberus guarding THIS gate, and it puffed with fire from its nose as a warning. “Shit… Well this place isn’t so bad. Come on, I’m sure if we talk to Helvetica, we can convince her to let you out.” Minma reasons to her sister, and Olmia looks back down.

“I suppose I didn’t try to argue… Hey, maybe you’re right. Come on, you too, Veloura.” She tells me, and we all descend.

We land on an island that seems to be a huge filming location - Olmia and Minma of course, had to crash land on the star actors… “What the hell are you doing?!” The producer screamed at them, as the two actors stood up and threw the two goblins off each other-

“Sorry. We’re-” I try to explain what happened, but the head actor throws his hat into the ground- “Enough! I will not have this! I am an ACTOR! Goodbye, Poll.” He roars, as everyone leans away, and he focuses on the producer… “Ahmm…” I hum, as he marches away, while the actress follows quickly to try and bring him back…

“Hollorov, please! The episode HAS to come out!” He calls to him, as I sneak over and grab the Goblin Girls- “YOU!” “You have ruined everything!!!” He screams at us, still sitting on his producer chair while I hold the two small girls… “What am I supposed to do now?! Huh?!” He continues, louder and louder, as I grow more and more nervous…

I reflexively shove the Goblin Twins in front of me and bend my legs- “Please stop shouting at me!” I yell at them, as everyone just goes quiet- “V-Veloura- Please put us down.” Minma tells me, and I drop them on the side of the bridge. “Are you two twins?” Poll asks…

“Yes… Why?...” Olmia asks, as Poll rubs his chin. “Show me your faces, you could be just what I was looking for…” He tells them, and they look at me. “Do it. Just make sure he doesn’t yell at me anymore.” I tell them, and after a minute of convincing, they finally do.

Poll stands there, bent at the knees as he stares at them. His finger bones click as he taps them together, and they lean away as he leans closer… “Alright, get them dressed. We have found our new actors!” He grins and claps his hands, placing a cigar in his mouth as he walks away.

“Wait! But, we’re busy-” I called out to him, making him turn around and sneer at me… “And so was I, but your friends ruined it. Get to your dressing rooms, you can help them do their hair or something, child.” He tells me, as I look down at Olmia and Minma…

The employees run over and pick them up- “Hey! We’re not actors! We’re bounty hunters!” Minma shouts, flailing her arms as the skeletons run off with them, and I’m forced to follow…

Later, we find ourselves in the Goblin-Twins' fitting room, as I help them with makeup and trying out dresses. “You’re surprisingly good at this.” Olmia says, as I help her into a large black dress. “Yeah, I used to help my mother dress my baby siblings all the time.” I tell her, as I sit here on my knees.

“Didn’t you lose your mother? You’re not projecting onto us- are you?” Minma asks, as I brush her off with a motion of my hand. “Nah~ Me? I would never~...” I assure her, as I pick Olmia up and sit her on the couch, and check the dress’s shoes- “Oh.” I say, noticing it has a special holster piece to help it stick to her feet.

“Alright, hold still, I’m used to this.” I grab her foot and slide it gently into the black shoe, before doing the same with the other foot. I help her onto the floor, and hold her hands as she wobbles like a newborn deer. “Aw… Just like Jelal…” I say, as I let her go and cup my mouth…

She falls to one of her hands, and I pick her up again. “Let’s walk together a little. Is that okay?” I ask, smiling as she stares at me. “I’m not a kid.” She tells me and I nod. “I know, absolutely. Would you allow me to hold your hand?” She frowns at me…

She stands up and throws down her arms. “FINE.” She snarls as I help her walk around a little, while Minma watches her sister fume until she finally gets the hang of it. “Alright, you’re next, Minma.” I tell her, as I thank fate itself for this wonderful chance.

She leans away from me again, holding onto the chair too large for her. “Go ahead, it’s YOUR time to SUFFER.” Olmia tells her, as I walk over to the walk-in closet and look for a nice dress. I chose a white one, and walked over to find her missing- “Where’d she go?” I ask.

I checked the dress again- It’s for children! Isn’t that just adorable? “She’s hiding behind me.” Olmia tells me- “YOU RAT!!!” Minma screams, running out from behind her sister, as I bounce off the walls and pounce on her. “Gotcha!” I say, as I pick her up by her sides, while she flails her arms some more-

“No! Bad touch! Stranger danger!” She shouts, making me laugh. “Please. You’re the adult here.” She suddenly stops, while I place her on the ground, and take a look at her heavy armor. “I see… mhm… alright…” I mutter as she sits there nervously…

“Do you ever take this off?” I ask, and she shakes her head. “She sleeps and bathes in it, that’s how she keeps it clean.” Olmia answers for her, making her blush as I lean away. “Alright, you do it yourself, your sister can help you get the dress on in the bathroom.” Minma is instantly stupefied as her sister laughs at her...

“Come on, sis. Like we used to as kids.” Olmia teases her, as she drags her now defeated sister. “YEAH… It’s time for me to leave, I have seen everything now…” And with Minma defeated, the fitting process is made a lot easier. Just as I finish fitting Minma into her new white shoes, we hear a knock.

“Almost done! Give me five- no, ten minutes!” I call out, as I take a glance at the twins, surprising them. “What now?” Minma asks, as I pick her up and sit her on my legs- “H-Hey!” She says, as I pull her up to my chest, and grab her hair.

I begin working gently, pulsing compressed air to untangle it. “Like I could let my little ladies go out there looking like this.” I tell her, as I begin working at it. “Not thirty minutes ago did you tell her she’s the adult here-” Olmia points out for me as I begin devising a way to make her some of her own hair.

“But you’re still little~ and you’re both ladies~ So I think I’m absolutely right~!” I sing and finish the four large braids I made going down Minma’s back… “There you go.” I tell her, as I point her to the mirror, showing her someone she’d never seen before…

Once again I find her flustered at my work. “Alright, I’ll give you a nice length down to your hips, since I can just make your hair.” I tell Olmia, as I place my hands on her head, and begin constructing her new hair. “I don’t get anything special?” She asks and of course I’m inclined to nod.

“Absolutely. Your beautifully straight hair will compliment Minma’s.” I explain as I flow it down her back and finish constructing. “There you go. Beautiful.” I tell her, placing her in front of the mirror with Minma, who’s been stunned silent by her own mirror image this whole time.

Minma takes her sister’s hand, and looks down at it. “Is this really us?...” She asks, as Olmia sits down- “I’m a skeleton… How did it come to this?...” Olmia asks as Minma consoles her… “Just look at our DRESSES… We can’t be together like this…” Olmia tells her sister, who looks at their reflection…

“Come on, Olmia, I promise I’ll get you out of here.” As a knock sounds at the door, and the twins stand up. “Come in! We’re ready!” I call out and Poll bursts through the door, squealing at their sight- “PERFECT~! I can see it now, my new love story! Two Princesses in love.” He says, and I suddenly realize where this is going…

“Forbidden love, the most dramatic! As sisters, they know it’s not right, but even nature demands them be separated. But with the power of their love… It might just pull through!” He announces as they look at each other, and jump to either end of the room- “N-No! I did NOT agree to THIS!” Minma shouts as she points at Olmia… “I am NOT kissing HER!!!” Olmia screams as she points at Minma, who grabs a couch cushion and throws it at her-

“Would you like to try and save Hollorov’s: ‘Lady of Time’? I’m sure his millions of fans would love to see how you fuck THAT up.” Poll tells them, and they look at each other. “He won’t be back until next week, so we have to substitute it with SOMETHING.” Poll tells them, and our jaws drop…

“But why does your plot have to be so creepy?” I ask, and he rolls his cigar. “Please. People eat this stuff up. It’ll be great filler for when I get back to the show they care about.” And THAT. THAT is what I take exception to! I walk up to him, surprising him as I poke his chest.

“They will be AMAZING actors! Everyone’s going to want THEIR show!” I shout at him, and he chuckles. “I’d love to see you try, they’re still GOBLINS.” He says, as I point up at him, since he’s actually kind of tall- “Just you wait and see! Doesn’t matter if they’re goblins or not… Now go! We’ll be out in a minute!” I scream, as I point at the door and he leaves…

“I can’t believe you just did that to us…” Minma tells me as I turn around and look at them… “Oh.” It hits me and I realize I’ve been tricked… “WHY?...” Olmia asks, her jaw agape as I sit down and poke my fingers… “Listen.” I tell them, and they walk up to me with their fists on their hips…

“Oh THIS’LL be GOOD! Right, Olmia?!” Minma asks her sister- “OH~ I bet it WILL~, Minma!” Olmia replies as they look at each other… “Listen.” I tried again. “Mhm?” Asks Olmia- “MHM?” Minma- “MHM?!” Olmia again- “WHAT IS IT, TRAITOR?!” MINMA- “ANSWER US!!!” OLMIA-

So anyways, we arrived at the set…

All eyes were on us, not because our star actresses looked so good, but because of the makeover I had to let them give ME, because of how badly I just screwed up…

The entire set has changed, it was originally a big stone town with a gorgeous bridge as the centerpiece… “Who makes the sets?” I ask, so impressed how quickly they changed from THAT to THIS.

THIS is a huge castle extending into the sky with a beautiful gate and a huge yard, it takes up almost half the island, surrounded by a small town that would have to feed into it. “I’m calling this show: Royal-Rebound.” Poll tells us, as he slides his hands in front of us, like we’re supposed to be imagining how that name could be good in any way…

“Please no…” I say, surprising him. “Oh. I didn’t think you guys would care. Well, fine. Tell me what YOUR great idea is.” He says, brushing his nonexistent hair to the side as he steps back. “Glorified.” Olmia said, her arms folded in disappointment. “WELL~! I actually like that!” He says back as all the other actors and actresses begin leaving their fitting rooms.

“Now, you better prepare for the next few days. We’ll be filming all of your shots for the next season. I’ve already got the script written in my head, and I’m lookin’ ta’ make bank!” He says, and the twins simply frown. “Why ME? I’m still grieving over my dead sister…” Minma rests her head in her hand.

“And I’M still grieving over my dead ME. Come on, let’s just get this over with. 'Hope he doesn’t actually have us do anything weird.” Olmia tells her sister, guiding her over to the gate. “Stop there! Those dresses are perfect for this shot! Now sit down in front of the gate.” Poll excitedly announces through his megaphone.

As they sit down and follow his instructions, everyone gets onto stage and he prepares the camera… He takes two, one with all the actors and actresses, then the next one with EVERYONE. Everyone but him, of course…

A little later, I ran up to him, curious... “Hey, Poll. How come you didn’t include yourself in that photo?” I ask, and he looks down at me, then shuffles my hair- “I’m the producer. That’s why, brat. Now go find some way to make yourself useful.” He tells me, and I walk away to get him to release my poor hair-

End of Chapter: 10√C “Duo-en-Touro!”

Thank you for reading.

“And remember, everyone~! Don’t say my name. Thank you for reading!”

“Th-Thank you… You’re very kind…”

“Where’d YOU come from?”

“Get that out of my FACE! I vehemently REFUSE!”