At the heart of Astralis, crystal halls shimmered open to endless star-filled vistas, with thrones of pure potential set in friendly circles and floors aglow with constellations that drifted like living dreams.
The air was laced with soft melodies of possibility and the sweet scent of night flowers, their rose-gold motes floating gently in the glow.
Nia lounged sprawled across a vast void-silk divan, tall and imposing at 6â7", her long jet-black hair streaked with white flowing like dark rivers over the cushions.
Four black-and-white horns arched regally from her brow, while twelve immense wings of multicolored flame tipped in hungry crimson rested lazily behind her.
On her forehead, a void-black sun mark pulsed faintly with a steady, obsessive rhythm.
Even at ease, she exuded a yandere intensityâeyes like endless voids rimmed with crimson flame sweeping the hall with possessive warmth, her dark armor hugging every curve while thrumming with a restrained, ravenous hunger.
Beside her, Katherine lounged with effortless graceâwhite hair streaked with faint crimson cascading freely, refined features, eyes glowing a steady crimson that masked an intense devotion beneath a serene exterior, her form draped in blood-essence silks that rippled like living veins.
They lounged in bored reposeâlimbs loosely tangled, the aftermath of slaughter lingering in faint crimson smears on armor and the subtle necrotic scent clinging to the air, a pause from wiping out the last of the Noctis and Nocturne Vampire remnants.
Nia let out a dramatic sigh, wings giving a restless twitch.
"Eight centuries of slaughtering our way through... and now? Just boredom. Those vampires died screaming beautifully, but without him, itâs all... hollow."
Katherine chuckled softly, tracing lazy patterns in the air that blossomed into fleeting blood-red roses before vanishing.
"Yeah, who are you telling? We painted universes in crimson. But man, itâs hard not to miss that guy."
They chatted lazilyârecounting past conquests, playfully teasing over their shared yandere quirks, laughter drifting gently through the vast hall.
Then Nia straightened slightly, her gaze softening with uncharacteristic vulnerability.
"Katherine... come with me to the Narakava?"
Katherineâs brow lifted at that, aware of the ongoing war and the slight connection, but still finding it a bit random. Nia sighed, as if reading her thoughts.
"Look, I know Ashy will probably go there eventually. But I miss my mom!" she admitted.
Truthfully, she wasnât on bad terms with Shia either.
She just hated the rumors and nonsense Shia used to spread about Ash.
Anyone opposing Ash was an enemy by default, though that didnât mean she disliked herâShia had never caused physical harm. She had only told blatant lies that the nobles were all too eager to believe.
Not only had she been keeping tabs on her mother for the past eight centuries, but she had also watched her in battle many times.
Katherineâs crimson eyes softened, her easy smile spreading.
"Oh? Whoâd have guessed you could miss anyone besides Ash?"
They stood, stretching in perfect unison, auras flickering for a moment as they made their way toward the palaceâs grand archway that opened to the Astralis skies.
As they stepped into the corridor, rose-gold light swirled around them, and Elysia and Creara appeared in bursts of playful energy.
Elysia, with long white hair flowing like moonlight, four elegant horns, and white eyes gleaming with mischief, floated with her hands on her hips.
Beside her, Creara mirrored her elegance, her hair a rose-gold essence shifting through hues of creation, eyes like white voids alive with dancing colors, wings shimmering with potential light, and a smile both warm and teasing.
Both were in their small spirit forms.
By now, everyone was well acquainted with Elysia and Creara, and they had even learned about the existence of the multiverse. Still, they werenât allowed to see it or interact with any of the beings within.
Not yet anyway. At the moment, Ash was conducting a bit of an experiment and wouldnât let anyone disturb themânot even himselfâuntil he felt it was ready.
"Oh~?" Elysia purred with a playful, yandere lilt. "Sneaking off without Master? He might not be too pleased about that..."
Creara giggled, covering her mouth.
"Awww, our little sisters are planning to visit family? How adorable. But you know how possessive Ashy isâhe might get jealous."
Nia froze, wings flaring instinctively, obsessive worry flashing in her eyes. "He... wouldnât..."
Katherine tensed, subtle but clearâdevotion edged with concern.
The spirits burst into laughterâElysia clutching her sides, Creara wiping away a playful tear.
"Got you!" Elysia teased.
Creara waved her hand, rose-gold light weaving into two delicate bracelets brimming with infinite potential, glowing softly.
"Hehe, take these. Theyâll teleport you anywhere you want, as often as you like. Now, go spend time with your mother and meet the rest of your family. Master would want you to have this moment."
She spoke the truth... she was his heart, after all.
Nia and Katherine shared relieved glancesâsmiles returning as they slipped on the bracelets.
With a flashâthey vanished, reappearing directly in the 19th Universe home of the Narakava and more specifically right in the world of Nara.
----
As always, even in the midst of war, Nara was wrapped in "friendly" conflictâvast, interconnected continents stretching across light-years, scarred by endless battle lust, crimson forges spewing war-flame into blood-red skies.
The air thick with the roars of clashing hordes and the distant cries of slaughtered beasts, the ground quaking beneath the steps of colossal Asura warriors.
Nia breathed in deeplyâthe scent of blood and fury was familiar, almost comforting. "This... feels Asura-esque, right?"
Katherine shrugged, a laid-back smile spreading as her blood-silks rippled in the hot wind.
"Suppose so? I never met purebreds myself. Word is theyâre total psychos."
Nia chuckled, wings parting slightly as they soared over the scarred plains. "Compared to us? Hard to say whoâs really psycho."
They chatted with easeâsisterly banter in full swing.
Katherine teasing Niaâs obsession, Nia ribbing Katherineâs hidden quirks, both laughing quietly over their shared devotion to Ash, the world below just a distant murmur as they flew toward the Asura heartlands.
A task prompt bloomed before them in rose-gold script, but it wasnât Elysiaâs voiceârather, Crearaâs warm, playful tones echoed in the air.
[Task: Join and help the Asuras win the war... End it in the most Primavus way imaginable.
Reward: Anything your heart desiresâCrearaâs promise~]
Katherine grinned, a spark of desire lighting her eyes.
"Oh? These spirits are quite delightful, arenât they?"
Niaâs expression went flat at the comment.
"Sure... when theyâre not convinced Ash belongs solely to them!"
[UMMMM, HE DOES!] Creara and Elysia chimed in playfully. The two Primavus spirits loved to tease these particular women, knowing they were the biggest yanderes of them all.
And while their tone was teasing, they were absolutely serious.