"Mind if I share a drink?"
Raven raised her empty hands. On both sides of her head, the muzzles of Silent Night and Midnight Absinthe were already leveled—so close she could feel the cold metal. She could still fight, and she'd crawled out of worse, but against the people in front of her, a straight brawl was suicide.
If she had to pick one target, she might manage a trade. Against this entire group? No chance.
"Don't," she warned, drawing her bowstring again. Her cheeks were tight with vigilance. The aura in the room wasn't loud, but it was deadly, saturated with pressure.
"You… you're that one?" Raven's eyes moved to the woman who looked plain at first glance yet made her instincts scream.
At that moment Raven understood exactly what hornet's nest she'd kicked. Slowly, carefully, she eased the string back down.
Kiana: "…"
"Raven," Himeko said, patting her shoulder with a small smile, "you're not unlucky. You're standing in front of a miracle."
"Raven, you lead," Koji added.
Raven ground her teeth, then forced her guard down. "Fine. I know the place you want."
She didn't dare defy Koji's order. She stepped out obediently to guide the way, while Koji fell in at the end of the line, smiling to himself.
From the first time I saw the stars in that other sky, I figured this was coming. Time to use the Elysian Realm properly.
"Whatever," Raven muttered. "If I'm lucky, I might even get paid."
"You don't have to pick a fight," Koji said mildly. "Just take us inside."
Raven glanced back at him. Letting outsiders enter the Elysian Realm wasn't some routine test. It carried responsibility. Still not sure how Koji had learned the route, she resigned herself and said, "Then I'll take you to the person in charge."
World Serpent Headquarters.
A hastily convened meeting wrapped up. Reports about the Elysian Realm had already spread wider than Raven liked.
On the dais, Kevin listened to Raven's briefing and stood. "The terminal glitched?"
"It did," Raven said. "We fixed it on-site, but the situation inside isn't stable. Even with the (broad) jamming, someone still managed to glimpse the feed."
"Let the guests enter," Grey Serpent replied without inflection.
Kevin nodded. If Herrschers were coming, preparations had to be made. The Realm was not for ordinary people. Everyone in the room knew it was a world of souls; nothing about it was simple.
A few turns later, they reached the outer hall. A girl seemed to float down like a petal on the wind, landing lightly before them. No one mistook her for ordinary.
"Welcome," she sang. "First time meeting… my dazzling guests?"
Her pink eyes curved with mischief as her gaze swept the group—lingering on Kiana, then on Himeko, then on Koji, where multiple, distinct soul-signatures coiled within one body.
"Elysia," Koji greeted. "Muse of the Realm."
"Oooh?" Elysia's smile deepened. "A Herrscher… and a girl who carries the highest possibility? How delightful."
"Kiana Kaslana," Kiana answered softly. "Vessel of the Herrscher of the Void."
Elysia tilted her head. "Herrscher… vessel… All so very human in the way you phrase it. I like it."
Her eyes danced toward the far seat. "And Kevin knows exactly what I mean."
Kevin rose without comment.
"Since you're here," Koji said, "I brought a small gift."
Elysia clapped. "Then let me offer a little arrangement in return."
From the corridor came the measured tread of armored boots. Durandal stepped through the doorway, posture alone radiating oppressive strength.
Kiana's shoulders tightened. No openings. No weakness. Strongest Valkyrie, indeed.
"Oh?" Durandal's eyes warmed with interest. "The Herrscher of the Void wishes to become the strongest Valkyrie?"
Kiana met her gaze. "Maybe not today. But one day."
"I'll wait," Durandal said. "Titles mean nothing to me. Beat me, and take it."
Raven watched, stunned anew. How many monsters can one city hold…
"Later," Kevin said to Durandal, calm as a glacier. "If you still want to fight, I'll accompany you."
Elysia laughed. "A spar between the pinnacle of this era and a champion from another civilization? How could I say no to that?"
She lifted a hand. Light rippled across the Terminal. "Path cleared. Please, come in."
Durandal inclined her head. "Understood."
Elysia turned, the radiance about her flaring like a pale blossom. "This is the Elysian Realm. Be mindful. Here, souls speak louder than mouths."
Kevin gave a silent nod. Raven stayed to one side. The three of them—Elysia, Kevin, and the guests—walked inward. The lights stretched their shadows long across the floor as the doors closed behind them.
(End of Chapter)
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