"Aura," I said, my voice echoing across the vast arena. A faint smile tugged at my lips. "I don't see Mare with you."
The golden-haired Dark Elf straightened up, her mismatched eyes bright with recognition. To most, she appeared as a young girl—barely into her teens—but to me, she was Aura Bella Fiora, one of the twin Guardians of the Sixth Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. A skirmisher by design, a beast tamer by nature, and loyal to the core.
"Ah! Lord Alastor!" she exclaimed, excitement lighting up her face. "You've come to visit us?"
Before I could answer, she broke into a run—or at least, what she considered running. To my eyes, it was a blur of motion, faster than most monsters I'd ever seen in YGGDRASIL. Her movements were sharp and refined, yet wild in their grace.
Within seconds, she reached me.
Her boots—plated with hihiirokane, the same metal used in god-tier equipment—screeched faintly as they ground against the stone floor, scattering dust into the air. Yet, not a single grain touched me. Whether it was her control or sheer instinct, she stopped perfectly just short of me, bowing her head with childlike reverence.
"Alastor-sama has graced us with his presence!" she declared proudly, before whirling around toward the VIP box high above. Her tone suddenly sharpened, playful enthusiasm shifting into authority. "How rude are you going to be by not showing your face to him?"
I followed her gaze.
There was movement in the shadows—faint, hesitant, but there.
"Was Mare there too?" I asked softly.
Aura turned back toward me and nodded. "Yes, that's right, Alastor-sama. He's really timid… Oi, jump down here now!"
A faint voice drifted from above, so quiet that even my enhanced hearing barely caught it.
"I… I can't, Onee-chan…"
Aura groaned, dragging a hand through her golden hair in exasperation. "He… he… Alastor-sama, he's just scared, that's all! He's definitely not trying to insult you!"
I smiled slightly at that. Despite her impatience, Aura's concern for her brother always shone through. Her loyalty wasn't just mechanical—it was real, emotional.
"Of course, Aura," I said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I have never doubted your loyalty."
Her eyes widened a bit, then softened in relief. "Thank you, Alastor-sama."
Almost immediately, however, she spun back toward the VIP box, fury reigniting.
"The Supreme Being Alastor-sama has come to visit us, and you're still up there hiding? Get down here right now, Mare!"
"Uuu… I-I'll take the stairs down…" came the meek reply.
"How long do you want Alastor-sama to wait?!" She yelled, stamping her foot, her twin ponytails bouncing furiously. "Get over here now!"
"I-I got it… e-eiii!"
The timid squeak was followed by movement—and then, a figure launched itself from the VIP box.
I watched quietly as Mare Bello Fiore, Aura's twin, descended through the air. His landing was… less elegant. He wobbled, stumbled, and nearly fell forward but managed to absorb the impact using a quick roll. A far cry from Aura's confident descent, but still impressive in its own way.
He straightened himself up, brushing imaginary dust off his knees, before hurrying toward us as fast as his trembling legs would carry him.
"Hurry up!" Aura barked, crossing her arms.
"Y-Yes!" Mare stammered, his voice quivering.
When he finally stood before me, I found myself smiling despite his nervousness. The resemblance between the two was uncanny—identical hair, identical eyes, and identical features. But where Aura was sunlight and fire, Mare was moonlight and mist.
"I-I'm sorry I kept you waiting, Alastor-sama…"
He bowed low, his small hands clutching the staff that was nearly taller than he was. His outfit—a vest of blue dragon scales and a green cape—was far lighter than his sister's armor. A silver acorn pendant gleamed at his throat, a mirrored reflection of Aura's gold one. His knees peeked out from under his short white skirt, the rest covered by silk stockings that shimmered faintly with enchantment.
He was every bit as delicate as his sister was fierce.
"Mare," I said softly, my tone even and reassuring. "It's alright. You've done nothing wrong."
His mismatched eyes widened a little as he looked up. The tension in his shoulders seemed to melt away at my words.
"I'm glad to see that the two of you are in good spirits," I continued, looking between them.
Aura grinned instantly. "I'm positively overflowing with energy! Although…" — she gave a dramatic sigh — "It's been a bit boring lately. It would be nice if we had an intruder or two."
Mare immediately shook his head, his expression panicked. "I—I would rather not have to meet intruders… they're scary…"
Aura's grin faded, and she turned to glare at him. "Scary? You're a floor guardian! You should be saying you want to crush them!"
"I-I don't want to crush anyone…"
I raised an eyebrow, watching the two bicker. Some things never changed. Their personalities were the same—fiery sister, gentle brother. Yet, unlike the cold, static NPCs of YGGDRASIL, there was life in their eyes now. Real emotion.
Aura suddenly straightened and turned toward me, bowing politely. "Alastor-sama, please excuse me for a moment. Mare, come with me."
"O-Oww! Nee-chan, that hurts!" Mare squealed as she grabbed his ear and dragged him away.
I chuckled quietly, the sound echoing across the empty colosseum.
From a distance, Aura leaned in, whispering harshly to her brother—probably lecturing him about "acting like a proper guardian." Even from here, I could tell from the way Mare's ears drooped that he was being thoroughly scolded.
"...Intruders, huh?" I muttered to myself. "Well, much like you, Mare, I don't want to meet them either…"
At least not yet. Not before Nazarick was ready. Not before I had prepared for the world that awaited us beyond this void.
I watched the twins for a while longer—the fiery elder sister and the timid younger brother. Their little squabble stirred something warm inside me. It reminded me of my old guildmates—the laughter, the teasing, and the camaraderie that had once filled these halls.
Mare was now on his knees, pleading softly as Aura continued to scold him, her cheeks puffed out like an annoyed cat.
I couldn't help but smile. "That should be enough, don't you think?" I called out, amusement coloring my tone.
~~~
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