Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

In the middle of a vast, seemingly infinite white space, an illusory young woman comprised of pale, bluish-white light could be seen looking around with a terrified and confused look on her face. The last thing she could recall was attempting to cross the street on the way to her job. She didn't have a car so she was forced to walk nearly forty minutes to and from work six-seven days a week.
"What happened? Where is this place...?"
Immediately following the illusory woman's words, an eccentric-looking figure wearing a black and white theater mask manifested out of thin air, shouting, "Congratulations, Soul #48859358221! You have been given the exclusive opportunity to reincarnate into a world of your choice. To make your journey a little easier, I will also offer you a total of three wishes. I trust you already have something in mind~?"
Though she was nearly startled to death by the figure's sudden appearance, it didn't take long for an excited smile to develop across the illusory woman's face. For a brief moment, her body became noticeably more solid as she excitedly asked, "Are you serious!? You're telling me that reincarnation is actually real!?"
Snickering in response to the woman's excitement, the masked figure was about to answer when a hand suddenly appeared out of the void, firmly grasping his shoulder before a man with dark skin and even darker hair appeared to say, "I'll take it from here. You can go back."
"Who the fu-"
Before the masked figure could finish his exclamation, the illusory woman watched in confusion as the dark-skinned man pulled his body to some unseen location. A feeling of intense anxiety washed over her, but, before it could diminish her previous excitement, the man smiled toward her and said, "Sorry about that. Lokur can be a bit of a trickster at times. He likes to lure people into a false sense of security using the promise of wishes. While it is true that he would have granted each of them, it wouldn't be long before you came to regret your decision."
"Now then...shall we discuss the specifics of your reincarnation...?"
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Observing his Template dealing with the God that had tormented Shion, a smile developed across Vahn's face as he prepared to depart the Actualized World. He wasn't entirely sure his decision had been the correct one, but, knowing Shion would now be able to live the life she always envisioned for herself, he chose to believe it was.
"Welcome back..."
Opening his eyes, Vahn was unsurprised to find darkness obscuring his vision. Instead of panicking, he grabbed the waist of the woman that had made herself comfortable on his face, mumbling, "It's good to see you too, Shiroyasha..." before pressing his nose into the aromatic white fabric pressing against him.
"Mmnnn...you're always such a...naughty boy..."
"Says the woman literally sitting on his face..."
"Ufufufufu..."
Turning towards the golden-haired goddess wearing bright red lingerie and a transparent white crop top, a teasing smile developed across Shioryasha's face as she asked, "What? Are you worried that I might steal your beloved 'Chichiue' away from you~?"
Glowering in response to Shiroyasha's words, the golden-haired beauty, Mordred, exhaled a pouty snort as she retorted, "Not even in your wildest dreams."
Punctuating her statement, Mordred pushed Shiroyasha off of Vahn's face. In response, the white-haired demoness just snickered before fixing her posture and purring, "So violent..." in an overtly sultry tone.
In an effort to prevent the two from arguing, Vahn rose to a seated position before pulling Mordred to sit in his lap. Her aura of hostility was immediately replaced by an air of bashfulness, a ruddy hue spreading through her cheeks as Vahn wrapped his hands around her waist and gently caressed her abdomen.
"What brings you here so early in the morning? Is it related to the festival in the North...?"
Though she squinted her eyes at Mordred's sudden and drastic change in behavior, Shiroyasha didn't lose focus as she casually replied, "Of course. What other reason could I possibly have to sneak into your room and sit on your face~?"
Understanding that Shiroyasha was just messing with him at Mordred's expense, a smile developed across Vahn's face as he playfully remarked, "Who knows~?"
Rolling her eyes, Shiroyasha reached into the sleeve of her kimono to produce a rather extravagant-looking letter, explaining, "This is a letter penned by Sandora, the Princess of the Salamandra Royal Family. Fearing that it would be imprudent of her to send you a direct invitation, she has asked that the Thousand Eyes Community convey her desire to have you attend her Coronation Ceremony..."
Accepting the letter, Vahn's expression revealed a hint of incredulity as he asked, "This isn't 'that' kind of situation, is it...?"
Adopting one of her characteristically mischievous grins, Shiroyasha didn't hesitate to answer, "Of course it is. You are currently one of the most talked-about individuals in the entirety of the Little Garden. More importantly, you are one of the only Pure-Blooded Dragons residing in the 4-7-Digit Gates. Don't tell me you never considered this sort of development...?"
Ignoring Shiroyasha's remarks, Vahn took a moment to read the rather 'heartfelt' letter penned by the incoming Leader of the Salamandra Community. The wording was extremely formal but Vahn could feel the emotions Sandora must have felt while writing it. There were traces of fear, a hint of nervousness, and a growing feeling of resolution that built with each character written. By the time she had finished writing, it was clear that she had thoroughly convinced herself that she was doing the best thing for her Community.
"This is why children shouldn't be burdened with the fates of billions..."
Though Vahn's were meant as more of an intrapersonal gripe, Mordred didn't hesitate to chime in, saying, "I don't know. She seems like a qualified leader to me. She may be a little young but she is clearly putting the interests of her people before her own. I don't think it's fair to look down on her conviction just because of her age."
Seeing a bit of herself in Sandora, Mordred felt compelled to take the young Dragoness's side. She also believed that Vahn was the best possible choice for anyone searching for a mate. It didn't really matter that Sandora's intentions were motivated by political intrigue and a misguided belief in the importance of blood purity. If given the option, Mordred genuinely believed that her Chichiue was the best possible choice anyone could make in regards to a political marriage.
Shiroyasha, agreeing with Mordred's sentiment, albeit for very different reasons, nodded her head in affirmation, supplementing, "The angry lion girl is correct. Princess Sandora still has a significant amount of room for improvement but it's an undeniable truth that she has earned the respect and adulation of her people. She has been the acting Leader of the Salamandra Community ever since she was a mere eight years old. Viewing her as an ordinary adolescent is ignoring the achievements she had accrued in spite of her age."
Restraining the urge to sigh and roll his eyes, Vahn planted a kiss on top of Mordred's head before answering, "I have never once looked down on her age or achievement. My comment was more a matter of personal opinion. I sincerely believe that children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, should have the option to live freely and decide for themselves the path they wish to take. As impressive as Sandora's achievements are, it doesn't change the fact that she was denied the option to decide her own fate. She was forced to bear the burden of another and simply performed well..."
Unable to refute Vahn's statement, Shiroyasha decided to shift things back to the more important topic at hand, asking, "So? What are you going to do? Even if you forcibly seized control over the North and ordered Sandora to make the most of what remains of her childhood, do you think that she, a girl with the conviction and capabilities to become Floor Master at such a young age, would simply nod her head and accept?"
"..."
Taking advantage of Vahn's silence, Shioryasha's expression became less serious as she reminded him, "That girl, Sarina, was even younger than Sandora when you first encountered her. If you are that concerned with her mental wellness, allow her to spend a few years in one of your Actualized Worlds. That's killing two birds with one stone. Not only does Sandora get to experience what it's like to live a relatively normal life, but, once she has matured, you won't have to feel guilty about her pining after that not so little toy in your trousers..."
"Even if your words make sense, there are some things you shouldn't say..."
Though he could understand where Shiroyasha was coming from, Vahn regarded Sarina, Nono, and even the problem children as exceptions. It would be one thing if Sandora proposed the idea of her own volition. Considering it as an option before they even had the chance to meet just felt...wrong...
Shrugging her shoulders, Shiroyasha averted her gaze from Vahn's as she muttered, "That is one of the things I will never understand about you. I don't know if it's due to sentimentality or some other factor but your behavior is so contrary at times. This shouldn't even be an issue yet you manage to create drama where there was none..."
As much as she had come to appreciate Vahn, there were aspects of his character that Shiroyasha simply couldn't fathom. Sandora had already demonstrated her willingness to 'sacrifice' herself for the sake of the North Side and the Salamandra Community. Had she been a few years older, Vahn wouldn't have batted an eye at her proposition. It wouldn't have mattered if she had been forced to bear the burden of leadership at such a tender age. He would simply do everything in his power to ensure her happiness from that moment forward.
Though no one else regarded her as such, Sandora being what Vahn considered a minor clouded his judgment. This was something that simply didn't make sense from Shiroyasha's point of view. She knew that if Sandora had possessed a more mature appearance, Vahn wouldn't have felt even an iota of guilt. Inversely, he would have absolutely no qualms about her current appearance if she was beyond a certain chronological age. It was easily one of the most mind-boggling and annoying aspects of his character...
Shaking such thoughts from her mind, Shiroyasha appended, "Just do as you see fit. Even if there are times where I can't even begin to fathom the thoughts running through your head, I trust that you will always do your best to help the people around you. Regardless of how things develop, I'm confident that you will be able to set Sandora on a path towards obtaining happiness..."
On that note, Shiroyasha was prepared to leave but found herself unable to do so. The surrounding space had effectively become severed from the rest of the Little Garden. She could easily break out, but, instead of doing so, she looked towards Vahn with a knowing smile and asked, "Oh? Feeling a bit guilty, are we~?"
Offering a wry smile, Vahn extended his hand to grab Shiroyasha's thin wrist, answering, "You came all this way...don't be in such a hurry to leave. At least allow me-"
Meeting Mordred's gaze, Shiroyasha interrupted Vahn by asking, "How about it, lion brat? Mind if I take another seat on your Papa's face...?"
Though she snorted through her nose, Mordred didn't refuse Shiroyasha's request. Instead, a smile developed across her face as she said, "Just don't expect me to support you when your back gives out..."
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'That's one way to wake someone up...','I blame society...','Get it? Because she is old (O w O)...')

After seeing off Shiroyasha and escorting Mordred back to her Community, Vahn encountered Leticia, Heng'e, Mirajane, and, somewhat surprisingly, Nono en route to his recently constructed Throne Room.
"Good morning, girls. My day just got 400% better."
In response to Vahn's greeting, the first three girls, each dressed as Maids, offered polite bows, replying, "Good morning, Master." As for Nono, she returned a faint smile before performing a half-hearted curtsy and saying, "I had a dream about you last night." in her characteristically gentle and soothing tone.
Raising his brows, Vahn remarked, "Oh...?" as he extended his arm for Nono to grasp. She happily did so while the other three girls exchanged glances with each other before promptly returning to their respective duties. Such interplay always made Vahn feel a little awkward, but, now that he had reclaimed his status as an Emperor, he was doing his best to get used to it.
Speaking aloud the thoughts that Vahn had elected to keep hidden, Nono craned her head up at him and asked, "Are you lonely...?"
Without needing to consider his response, Vahn shook his head, gently patting the hand Nono was using to cling to his arm as he explained, "Let's just say I've never been fond of formalities between close family, friends, and lovers. Even if I'm an Emperor, a Sage, a God, or something even greater, it doesn't change that fact I'm still me..."
"Mmm..."
Not sure how she should respond to Vahn's words, Nono simply hummed before leaning her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. If he was feeling lonely, she would do her best to stay as close as possible to put him at ease.
Understanding Nono's thoughts, a low chuckle emanated from Vahn's throat before he enjoyed the remainder of their journey in silence.
Similar to the one he had constructed back in Avalon, Vahn's newest Throne Room was circular in shape. It also had a tiered gallery, but, unlike the previous one, there were seven tiers representing the various Gates of the Little Garden. If you looked at it from above, the room served as a current and constantly updating map that showed the position and Gate number of each and every single Community.
Though most people wouldn't understand the purpose of the room's layout, those that did would quickly become solemn. Some thought he was mad, but, recalling the words Indra had spoken near the end of the Gift Game, none were brave enough to voice their thoughts aloud...
Seemingly oblivious to the chamber's oppressive ambiance, Nono accompanied Vahn all the way to his Throne before unhesitantly taking a seat next to him. This earned her an appreciative smile from Vahn, who, taking advantage of the fact they were alone, leaned in to plant a chaste but lasting kiss on her lips.
Though her reactions lacked any sort of vigor, Nono's heart was aflutter as she happily reciprocated Vahn's affection. It had been months since she made the 'selfish' decision to entrust every aspect of their relationship to him. Most of that time had been spent studying healing and sleeping alongside members of the Eurasia Family. She had basically become an honorary member of said family, so, as time passed, her personality and aura had gained an ethereal, dream-like quality...
Separating after nearly twenty minutes, Vahn took a moment to admire Nono's panting expression before brushing aside her sweat-dampened bangs and asking, "You mentioned something about a dream? It must have been quite something for you to leave your bedchamber..."
Nodding her head nearly thirty seconds later, Nono took a moment to nestle closer to Vahn's chest before whispering, "It's difficult to explain...I didn't actually see you. It was more like you were there with me...almost like you were seeing the world through my eyes..."
Despite a number of objectively terrifying memories appearing along the periphery of her thoughts, Nono's aura remained as calm and placid as the surface of a subterranean lake. Even in the midst of the incredibly realistic dream, she never once felt as though she was in danger. So long as Vahn was nearby, she knew there was nothing in this world that could harm her.
"I saw it...a being of pure destruction...three heads bound by stakes...wings of pure darkness...skin whiter than bone...red eyes that could pierce through the veil of all things..."
Opening her eyes, a hazy glow could be seen emanating from the depths of Nono's aquamarine eyes as she appended, "It looked straight at me...through me..."
For the first time since she began her recounting, Nono's voice and aura wavered. She wasn't truly afraid, but, recalling the creature's gaze, she couldn't help feeling exposed and vulnerable. Even in the literal heart of the Aldrnari Empire, she could still feel its gaze upon her...
Noticing something that Nono couldn't, Vahn reached his hand between her still-developing yet already extraordinary breasts. Instead of grasping at them, however, he extended his hand into her body without her notice. Immediately thereafter, the feeling that she was being watched faded from Nono's mind as Vahn removed what could best be described as a parasitic tumor attached to her fate.
"Hmmm...?"
As the mystical light faded from her eyes, Nono looked down to find Vahn's hand buried in the center of her chest. A hint of confusion flickered across her face before shifting into a naturally seductive smile as she looked up and purred, "Naughty..." in the type of voice that would send shivers through a person's spine.
Retracting his hand from Nono's chest, Vahn bent down to plant another kiss on her lips before whispering, "You really know how to bring out the beast in me..."
Instead of responding to Vahn with words of her own, Nono guided his hand to her left breast before playfully snapping her teeth. She may have developed the habit of letting him take the lead but that didn't mean she would just lay there and do nothing. Rather, the moment Vahn managed to flip her switch, Nono could become exceptionally proactive. It was almost as though she spent the majority of the time they were apart storing energy...
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Following his unplanned tryst with Nono, Vahn was lost in thought regarding the parasite he had found in her body. It wasn't difficult to imagine where it had come from, but, knowing there were still methods people could use to influence the people he cared about, Vahn couldn't help feeling annoyed.
"I never imagined a day might come where someone was able to touch my bottom line without even existing..."
(*At least you were able to notice it before it could mature into something legitimately threatening. Now you can coordinate with Da Vinci to develop countermeasures.*)
Though he nodded his head in response to Sis's words, Vahn's mood didn't improve. Even if he and Da Vinci were able to develop a means to safeguard every single person affiliated with the Aldrnari Empire, that still left trillions of people as potential hosts for the 'parasite' he rightly associated with the Demon God. So long as a single person carried the 'parasite' within them, the Demon God was fated to return no matter how many times it was killed, defeated, or sealed.
(*Sounds like your only options are to seal it away or reach the pinnacle of existence and eliminate it directly.*)
Nodding his head a second time, the image of Enkidu briefly appeared in Vahn's mind. As far as he knew, there was absolutely nothing on par with his Limit Broken Enkidu in terms of its ability to seal. The only caveat was that it simply didn't feel 'right' to use his Enkidu in such a manner. It was more than capable of sealing the Demon God, but, based on its 'temperament', Vahn knew it wouldn't be particularly enthused if he used it for such a purpose.
As strange as it sounded, Enkidu seemed more interested in binding women and rectifying fertility issues than sealing away Vahn's enemies. It didn't help that the latter genuinely disdained the very notion of sealing people away or imprisoning them for all eternity.
Though he was confident that Enkidu would comply if he forced the issue, Vahn was unwilling to burden the ever-faithful chain with such a responsibility. Neither of them would be comfortable with such an arrangement, so, after a prolonged period of deliberation, Vahn exhaled a tired sigh before shaking his head and muttering, "Whatever...so long as I can shove him back into the seal when he awakens, I should be able to buy more than enough time to reach the pinnacle..."
With others managing to seal the Demon God on more than one occasion, Vahn was absolutely confident he could do the same. He was pretty sure that Izayoi and the other Problem Children were supposed to be the ones to defeat him. Considering their current levels, there was even a chance that Vahn may not even need to act. Any reasonably powerful member of his Community could 'fodder' all three Problem Children with relative ease.
Feeling a little better about the situation, Vahn allowed the flow of time to return to normal. He had effectively separated himself from the Principal Axis in order to afford himself a functionally infinite amount of time to think. Now that he had organized his thoughts, he was ready to tackle the sixty-three audiences scheduled for the first half of the day...
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Though she lamented being forced to stand in a queue like some common riff-raff, Amaterasu did her best to appear calm and dignified as she awaited her turn for an audience with Vahn.
Fortunately, while most recently risen powerhouses would go out of their way to put on airs and drag things out, Vahn didn't seem particularly concerned with such pressure tactics. Barely a minute would pass between the moment an individual first entered his Throne Room and the moment they returned. More importantly, everyone that emerged would invariably have a smile or a considerably relieved expression on their face.
After the fiasco regarding Nanako, Amaterasu wouldn't be surprised if Vahn decided to hold a grudge. Had their positions been reversed, she would have readily forced him to beg and grovel in exchange for her forgiveness. Even then, the chances of her actually forgiving him were very nearly zero.
Banking on the fact that Vahn was considerably more magnanimous than she, Amaterasu waited a few weeks for tensions to die down before requesting an audience. She doubted he would forgive her immediately, but, so long as she demonstrated her sincerity and a genuine desire to cooperate, there was a good chance they could work something out.
Assuring herself that everything was going to be okay, Amaterasu's back straightened even further when her name was called. Her nervousness intensified as she drew closer to the Throne Room, but, compared to the pressure she experienced within the actual chamber, it was like exiting an area of zero gravity only to find yourself in the deepest depths of the abyss.
"Hmmm? I thought I sensed you waiting outside. You are incredibly brazen to enter this place of your own accord..."
Recovering her senses in response to Vahn's words, Amaterasu swallowed the knot forming in her throat before attempting to lower herself to the ground. Instead, an invisible force prevented her from doing so as Vahn commented, "I am not your God and you owe me no loyalty. Now, tell me, what compelled you to visit me so soon after our previous encounter...?"
Feeling another knot forming in her throat, Amaterasu made several attempts to clear it before ultimately giving up and replying, "I came seeking to make amends for my past behavior...now that I have had the opportunity to better understand the situation, I have come to understand just how foolish my actions were..."
Surprising Amaterasu, Vahn rolled his eyes in response to her words before waving his hand and saying, "That is usually the case when people allow their ego to guide their decisions. Due to the perceived difference in our status, you allowed your arrogance to blind you. Well, lucky for you, I don't really care about such things. So long as you stay away from my bottom line, you are free to live and act however you please. Just remember the warning I gave you prior to ripping you into pieces. Every action has consequences. For those who believe themselves beyond reproach, I am that consequence..."
Without waiting for Amaterasu's response, Vahn waved his hand to deposit her near the exit of the hallway leading up to his Throne Room. Shock briefly marred her face, but, shortly thereafter, it was replaced by the same expression of relief exhibited by every other person that had come seeking to apologize for past grievances. She was a little upset by Vahn's casual dismissal, but, knowing there were no hard feelings between them, Amaterasu exited the hall with significantly less anxiety than she had entered it...
The Sage Dragon Emperor was truly magnanimous...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Nono behaves like such a stoner...','Evil is not so easily subdued...','You know you messed up when you have Kemonomimi and Vahn didn't even try to pet you...')

Though the Gift Game hadn't ended how he expected, Vahn wasn't particularly bothered by the development. Fenrir and Mikoto were a little miffed at having their fights interrupted, but, when it came down to it, neither really cared about fame. A whispered promise was all it took to color their faces red and qualitatively improve their moods.
The hardest person to appease in the wake of the Gift Game, sans the Communities that feared the Aldrnari Empire's takeover, was Wu. She wasn't anywhere near as angry as Vahn expected her to be, but, before she was willing to forgive Caulifla and Kale for their unintended slight, she demanded a grand celebration to acknowledge the fact they were now a couple.
While not exactly a wedding, the event was attended by many within the Heavenly Domain and nearly every member of the Sage Dragon's Hearth. Wu enjoyed each and every moment but her favorite part was when Caulifla, Kale, Goku, Broly, and their children came forward to pay their respects and acknowledge her as their Ancestor. She also enjoyed what followed quite a bit, but that was a secret affair between Vahn and the three monkey-like women.
On the topic of celebrations, a grand festival was organized by the Thousand Eyes Community to acknowledge the formation of the Aldrnari Empire. A number of people accused them of trying to steal the thunder from the Salamandra Community's upcoming succession ceremony but the truth of the matter was they still had five days set aside from the time allocated for the Gift Game. A lot of people had migrated to the East in order to witness the event first-hand, so, instead of sending them home early, Vahn invited them to stay and attend his Inauguration and the subsequent, five-day celebration.
To get the other Communities on board, Vahn offered a plethora of Gifts and other rewards to any and all who were willing to support the festivities. He achieved this by inviting many of the highest-ranking individuals in the East to participate in a private banquet catered by Rindo. Very few people appeared on the first evening, but, by the fifth, well over a thousand people had come by to discuss business and sample Rindo's incomprehensibly delicious cooking.
Among the guests that Vahn personally greeted were members of the Nine Realms Alliance and White Raven Community. He had heard about the assistance they provided, and, while completely unnecessary, he had never been the type to ignore gestures of kindness. It didn't matter that they had only helped in order to further their own goals. When it came to politics and inter-community affairs, such exchanges were as common as stones on the ground.
Though Vahn ultimately refused Odin's invitation to join hands and form an Alliance, Vahn swore an oath that he would restore the World Tree to good health. He also agreed to accept a few members of the White Raven Community into the Aldrnari Empire's soon-to-be-developed Aldrnari Institute. This included Vor, two breathtakingly beautiful Valkyries named Hrist and Lenneth, and, somewhat surprisingly, Muninn herself.
With Vor, Hrist, and Lenneth appearing in 'extremely' revealing gowns, it wasn't difficult to imagine why they had been chosen as representative of the White Raven Community. Muninn, however, was something of a curveball. She was clearly there to act in the interests of Odin, but, at the same time, she showed a genuine interest in the technology of the Aldrnari Empire. When the discussion of the Aldrnari Institute came up, she immediately took an interest, and, by the end of the conversation, all but 'insisted' that she be allowed to join.
Though the task had clearly been assigned to Vor, Hrist, and Lenneth, Muninn spent the rest of the evening attempting to seduce Vahn. This was clearly noticed by Odin and several other guests, but, demonstrating very little regard for the opinions of others, Muninn didn't give up. What genuinely surprised the guests was when she and Vahn disappeared into a side room before returning a few minutes later.
While it was no secret that Vahn had an inordinate 'fondess' for beautiful women, the guests that had participated in the festivities across multiple evenings had seen him politely refuse more than a dozen different offers to have a 'private discussion'. The majority of these offers came from literal Goddesses of Love, Beauty, and Sex so it was a surprise to even Odin when Muninn returned to the banquet hall with a faint smile and an absentminded expression on her face.
What many of the people attending the ball-like event were unaware of was that Vahn appreciated genuine intrigue and sincerity far more than he appreciated beauty. Muninn may have approached him with similar intentions as the other girls at the party, but, hidden beneath her pretense of duty was a genuine desire to learn more about him. His very existence fascinated her, so, even though he would have preferred if she approached him after the party, Vahn eventually succumbed in the face of the snow-white beauty's persistence.
Needless to say, Muninn became 'very' popular once her success spread to the other attendees of the party. Those that had previously approached Vahn wanted to learn her secrets while Vor, Hrist, and Lenneth wanted to know if their mission was still a go. In response, she notified them that their mission hadn't changed but that it would be difficult for Hrist, in particular, to approach Vahn.
Though Hrist felt more than a little vexed by Muninn's words, Vor and Lenneth were equal parts nervous and excited. According to Muninn, Vor needed only to be honest and Vahn would quickly 'reward' her efforts. As for Lenneth, she had specifically been chosen because of her earnest nature and unshakeable conviction.
When Lenneth learned that there was even a remote chance the World Tree could be restored, she offered to give her everything in order to see it done. This had come as quite a surprise as Lenneth's duty among the Valkyries was the preservation of the present. She was the Valkyrie that should be the most opposed to drastic change, but, after witnessing the suffering of her people over the last three hundred years, Lenneth had slowly come to the realization that preserving the present meant toiling and sacrificing oneself for the benefit of those that walked the same path and followed after you.
For the sake of her people, and, more importantly, her younger sister Silmeria, the Valkyrie assigned to safeguard the future, Lenneth was willing to sacrifice even her pride. This was more than enough conviction to win Vahn's favor, but, at the same time, it drastically decreased the chances he would lay a hand on her.
Vahn had never been the type to take advantage of others or pressure them into making sacrifices in exchange for his assistance. Lenneth's particular brand of sincerity actually placed him in a bit of a bind as it compelled him to refuse her advances while simultaneously rendering his assistance.
In many ways, Lenneth was actually the best possible candidate to infiltrate the Aldrnari Empire and secure a close connection with Vahn. His refusal of her advances would invariably develop into an overwhelming feeling of obligation that her pride would compel her to repay. The more he refused her, the stronger her feelings of obligation would become until both of them eventually just broke down, confronted, and accepted one another. In the end, their feelings would turn into a powerful bond comparable to true love. It was simply a matter of time.
For similar yet contrasting reasons, Hrist would find it very difficult to close the distance with Vahn. She was one of the original Valkyries, and, much like Lenneth, she was charged with preserving an aspect of fate. More specifically, she was the Valkyrie charged with preserving the past. As a result, she was also willing to do whatever it took to restore the Nine Realms Alliance to its former glory. The things that distinguished her from Lenneth were her disposition and her personal allegiances.
Whereas Lenneth was a stoic and reserved woman who properly considered each and every word that parted her lips, Hrist could transition between being exceptionally cold and extremely alluring in the blink of an eye. Her true nature could be likened to a breathtakingly beautiful but venomous snake. Whenever she entered a room, she would immediately become the center of attention. As a result, those she rewarded with her own often felt as though they were the most important person in all of Creation.
In actuality, the only people Hrist cared about were her sisters. Even then, she would not hesitate to kill them if she believed they were a threat to the Nine Realms Alliance. To that end, those seduced by her would often find themselves with a dagger buried deep into their spines. In spite of this, the people that had fallen victim to Hrist would rarely lay the blame on her. Instead, they would lament the fact they couldn't experience just one more night together...
Though she was easily one of the most ruthless Valkyries, Hrist was paradoxically the gentlest of Odin's daughters. During the weeks, months, or sometimes years leading up to her assassination attempts, her act was so convincing that many of her victims would actually believe they were at fault for her betrayal. Her association with the past allowed her to ascertain the innermost desires buried deep within a person's heart.
Explained simply, spending time with Hrist made people feel extremely nostalgic. Some people had even likened it to falling in love for the first time each and every day they were together. For this reason, there were a surprising number of people that actually looked forward to being targeted by her. She was well known as one of the most capable assassins in the entire Little Garden. Many just didn't care. For beings that could live for tens of thousands, if not millions of years, the experience of falling in love for the first time was indescribably precious...
Unfortunately for Hrist, Vahn could re-experience falling in love whenever he wanted. Rarely a day passed where he didn't look back on his time in Danmachi with fondness. He could recall each and every moment spent with his loved ones with crystal clarity, so, unless she could demonstrate some form of sincerity, Hrist had no hope of breaking down the walls of his heart. After all, unlike the vast majority of people, Vahn simply didn't have any. People were able to come and go as they pleased. The caveat was that his heart was so vast that finding a place to leave your mark was exceptionally difficult without him personally revealing the foundation...
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Aided by Muninn's advice, Vor awoke to find herself lying naked against Vahn's chest. The previous night had been her first time, yet, instead of feeling pain, she enjoyed every moment from start to finish. Now, instead of feeling muscles aches or abdominal pain, a pleasant warmth permeated her entire body as she stared at Vahn's sleeping face with an unreadable expression on her own.
"You're awake...I can feel your intent wandering my body. Tell me, what are you searching for...?"
Opening his eyes, Vahn surprised Vor by tilting her chin up and planting a chaste kiss on her lips. It was so unexpected that she was wholly unable to respond. As a result, traces of anxiety appeared in her aura as the notion she had just missed an opportunity washed over her body and mind.
Amused by Vor's surprisingly innocent yet opportunistic thoughts, a light chuckle emanated from Vahn's throat as he rewarded her with a second kiss. This time, Vor was more than prepared, her tongue immediately entangling with his as she pushed herself further up his body.&nbsp;
Though it hadn't been his intention when he kissed her, Vahn didn't prevent Vor from mounting his body. Instead, his hands immediately gravitated towards her paradoxically firm yet pillowy bottom, a subtle tremor spreading through her body the moment his fingers sank into and began to knead her supple flesh...
Breaking away from the kiss, Vahn allowed Vor a moment to catch her breath as he answered her previous question. When she heard the words that had come out of his mouth, a far more powerful tremor ran through her body, as, the moment Vahn brought his lips near her ear, he revealed that she was no longer incapable of bearing children. Did he have the intention of knocking her up? Not at the present moment. He just didn't like that neither she nor any of the other Valkyries possessed the ability to bear children. They could have sex, but, for the sake of ensuring they treated each of the Einherjar equitably, they were intentionally made barren. This was something Vahn vehemently disagreed with, so, even though he had no intention of impregnating any of them, even Odin could not prevent him from restoring the function all females, by right, ought to possess.
The Valkyries may struggle with their emotions but they were not machines. Treating them as such, at least in Vahn's opinion, was simply wrong...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Granny Wu (O w O)...','Muninn be like, "Let me just step right in..."','Sage Aldrnari strikes again xD...')

Chapter 2248: Invitation