Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Deciding she would enter the Game Board after the Coronation Ceremony had concluded, Sandora was prepared to wish Vahn a good night only to find out mere minutes had passed since her arrival.
"Given how serious you are, I figured you would feel guilty about skipping a full day of work just to keep me company. If you're feeling tired, you are more than welcome to rest here for a while. I can also prepare something to eat if you're hungry."
Hearing Vahn mention food, Sandora suddenly recalled that she had prepared the chefs to prepare a banquet. It would have been fine if they missed it, but, now that she knew they could still make it in time, her nervousness began to build as she explained the situation and asked, "Would it be okay if I informed the others about our engagement? I think it would put a lot of people at ease knowing things have gone smoothly."
Having already presented her with an engagement ring, Vahn saw no reason to refuse Sandora's request. It was only a matter of time before people found out, so, even if she elected to announce it to the entire Little Garden, he wouldn't particularly mind. The most important thing was that it was something she wanted to do, not something she felt compelled to do.
"Of course. In fact, I'll be there right alongside you when you make the announcement. Now that we're engaged, it's only natural that we stand united at times like this."
Feeling reassured by Vahn's words, the fatigue Sandora had been staving off impacted her mind and body like a tidal wave. Under normal circumstances, she would have politely declined Vahn's offer to rest, but, recalling how tenderly he had treated her, she found herself averting her eyes as she meekly inquired, "At the risk of sound impertinent...can I request that you hold me until I fall asleep...?"
Though he was somewhat taken aback by Sandora's request, Vahn didn't have to contemplate his answer. He had practically forced her to sit on his lap just to get her to calm down, so, in response to Sandora's request, he simply smiled and answered, "I'll be there when you wake up as well..."
Feeling even more reassured, Sandora lightly headbutted Vahn's chest, her arms wrapping around his body as she closed her eyes. It would take her quite a while to actually fall asleep, but, when she did, it was inarguably the best sleep she ever had...
Compared to what followed, however, it was difficult to describe which was better. Her dream or the reality she woke up to...
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Cradling the sleeping Sandora in his arms, Vahn was about to shift his attention elsewhere when he noticed an abnormality in the young Dragoness. Her body began to heat up at a startling rate, but, instead of causing her any harm, it appeared to be promoting her growth.
"I'm an idiot..."
(*You certainly have your moments...*)
Similar to Black Rabbit, Lily, and pretty much every race that depended on spiritual energy for their development, Sandora's body began to experience rapid changes the moment her mind descended into a deep state of unconsciousness. The engagement ring Vahn had gifted her provided the same standard increase as a Shikai, the first stage of an awakened Zanpakuto. It had effectively multiplied Sandora's spiritual energy by a factor of ten, and, as a result, her body was evolving from its second stage to its third...
Though he could probably manage it if he really tried, Vahn had been told that it was exceptionally dangerous to interrupt someone's evolution. Thus, even Sandora practically inflated in his arms, the dimensions of her body threatening the integrity of her already revealing outfit, he remained silent and patient as the image of Shiroyasha appeared in his mind.
("She planned this from the start, didn't she...?")
(*Hmmm...it's hard to say. I'm certain that Sandora had factored into her plan from the start but her reaction during your previous conversation would indicate she hadn't really considered this kind of development. Given the nature of her existence, I would question whether or not Shiroyasha even concerns herself with factors such as age. In her mind, the value of a person is probably decided by how competent and capable they are.*)
"..."
Unable to refute Sis's words, Vahn remained silent as he redirected and absorbed the heat radiating from Sandora's body into his own. He also dispersed the flames that would periodically erupt from her body, and, for the sake of preventing things from becoming too awkward once she woke up, he spread his senses through her clothes and manually adjusted the spacing between the constituent molecules. The incredibly expensive and durable fabric was designed to have a reasonable amount of elasticity, but, due to the prevalence of Gag Laws, Vahn knew that 'something' was bound to give if he simply ignored it...
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Feeling a pervasive and indescribably comfortable warmth encompassing the entirety of her being, Sandora opened her eyes to find herself lying in the center of a massive, canopied bed. Confusion appeared in the depths of her eyes, but, upon looking to her right, it was immediately replaced by a hint of panic as she found a seemingly naked version of Vahn lying next to her. More accurately, he was lying on his back while she was using his chest and shoulder as a pillow...
Recoiling from Vahn's body, Sandora was unsurprised yet flummoxed to find that she was just as naked as Vahn. Her mind began racing for answers, but, before she could find them, two muscular arms suddenly wrapped around her shoulders. The Vahn that had been 'sleeping' on the bed was now nowhere to be seen. Instead, he had appeared behind her in an instant, his left hand reaching to her lower belly as his right forced her to stare up at him as he said, "I changed my mind...seeing you sleeping in such a defenseless manner...how could I not want to eat you up?"
Though her body trembled in Vahn's embrace, Sandora neither struggled nor made any attempts to break free. She had already noticed a number of irregularities with her present situation. Vahn was the most obvious but the most significant was the fact she was currently bereft of her crown. It was an artifact that could only be removed when the wearer willed it. If someone else tried to remove it, they may as well be trying to remove a part of her head. There was a chance Vahn could circumvent this, but, with their surroundings being a poor reflection of the interior of her room, it barely took a single second for Sandora to realize what was going on.&nbsp;
Sandora was, once again, dreaming about Vahn. This time, however, she wasn't imagining the scene of him tearing Amaterasu apart or breaking into her palace to whisk her away someplace no one in her Community could ever hope to reach. Instead, it was the version of Vahn she had spent the last few hours with. More accurately, it was the version of Vahn that Sandora wished she had met...
Despite feeling as though she was doing something very, very wrong, Sandora completely ignored the tiny voice in the back of her mind telling her she should wake up. Vahn had added a bit of light to her world, but, as far as she was concerned, the outside world was an unpleasant and lonesome place. She was constantly pushing herself beyond her limits to make everyone else happy, so, just this once, couldn't she be just a little selfish? Didn't she deserve to be happy?
Prompted by the thought she generally kept locked away in the deepest recesses of her heart and mind, Sandora placed her hand over her imagined version of Vahn before practically forcing it to go lower. It was surprisingly difficult, almost as though she was like trying to press a mountain flat, but, unwilling to lose yet another chance at happiness, she persisted until the end...
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(*It's almost like she's trying to pull herself into you...*)
("Yeah, I kind of noticed...")
Though Sandora's evolution had stabilized nearly an hour prior, she showed no signs of waking up. Rather, based on the electrical impulses of her brain and the fluctuations in her aura, he was pretty sure she was willing herself to remain asleep. At the same time, she was adhering to him with such tenacity and vigor that, had he been a piece of coal, she may have compressed him into a diamond.
(*I wonder what she's dreaming about...?*)
("Don't tempt me...")
(*Nyahahaha~*)
Ignoring the playfully mischievous voice in the back of his mind, Vahn spread his senses throughout Sandora's body to make sure everything was okay. He already knew there wasn't but concentrating on the more minute aspects of her body made it easier to ignore the pillowy softness pressing into his chest, the equally soft sensation weighing him down, and the far more troublesome elements of his present situation.
("I think I understand Shiroyasha's frustration now. Her age hasn't changed, yet, had this been the version of Sandora I encountered, I doubt I would have even considered making use of the Game Board. In hindsight, I experienced something very similar with Lily...")
Shrugging her shoulders within the comfort of Vahn's mind, Sis replied, (*It doesn't really matter in the end. Even if some people view you as a hypocrite, you were only acting in accordance with your principles and Sandora's own interests. She really does need to mature a bit before she goes on to start a family. As for Lily...that girl has always been something of an exception. I would be surprised if she awakens a Divinity related to motherhood or something similar in the near future. That girl is far too 'stable' for someone in her situation.*)
With Sis pulling up the memories for him, Vahn's expression became pensive as he reflected on the situation with Lily's mother. She had yet to petition him for help, but, ever since the night Lily had confessed to him, Vahn had been looking into details regarding her mother's fate.
Though it had been a little difficult as even Lily could no longer recall her mother's name, Vahn was able to piece together the pieces of the puzzle using the same method he had abused in the Tower. He had Loi-chan continually transform into people affiliated with the destruction of the No Names until she landed on one that knew both the name of Lily's mother and her present location.
At first, Vahn had been ecstatic about the discovery, but, before he could approach Jin and give the boy a push in the right direction, he asked Loi-chan to ascertain the condition of Lily's mother, Yuki. She turned out to be completely healthy, but, the moment Loi-chan transformed into her, Vahn was stunned beyond compare when he noticed Yuki's swelling belly. Shortly after that, his anger built at an incredible rate until Loi-chain clarified that Yuki wasn't being forced against her will. Instead, she seemed to have fallen in love with the man originally assigned to watch over her...
Upon pressing Loi-chan for more details, Vahn genuinely didn't know how he was supposed to feel about the situation. Yuki still cared deeply about Lily, but, upon reaching the place that had become her new home, she quickly became absorbed in her new duties and responsibilities. The Community that had purchased her never once treated her as a slave. Instead, they respected her greatly whilst the children of said Community began to view Yuki as a surrogate mother.
Mere months after she had been purchased, Yuki began to fall deeply in love with the Leader of her new Community. One thing led to another, and, ten months later, a brand new kitsune had entered the world. A few months after that, Yuki ended up getting pregnant a second, and, by the time Loi-chan had emulated her, a third time.
Though Vahn had initially suspected that Yuki was being fooled into producing offspring for the sake of future profits, this was quickly disproven when Loi-chan transformed into her husband and every significant member of his Community. There was a very high probability that members of the Ouroboros Demon Lord Alliance were keeping tabs on her, but, at least within her Community, Yuki was inarguably one of their more cherished members. If not for the contract forcing her to remain a slave, the man she had married would have released her shortly after her purchase.
Simply put, though the situation was far from simple, Yuki was currently living a free and unfettered life in her new home. She still cared deeply for Lily, but, fearing the Demon Lords may take action if she showed even a hint of resistance, she buried her feelings deep in her heart as she embraced her new family. This wasn't really a bad thing, but, imagining how Lily would react if she discovered that the mother she had been yearning for was off living happily with a brand new family, Vahn couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth. He would tell her if she asked, but, until then, he would keep tabs on Yuki's situation and make sure her new Community didn't suffer the same fate as the No Names. Lily would probably be upset when she learned her mother had started a new family but she would be absolutely devasted if her half-siblings suffered the same fate...
Sensing Sandora's grip loosening, Vahn shook his head free of wayward thoughts before shifting his attention to the diminutive yet markedly more mature redhead seated on his lap. Her height hadn't changed all that much, increasing from 142cm to 153cm, but every other aspect of her appearance had changed rather drastically. If the previous her resembled a young girl between the ages of 10-12, the current her resembled a breathtakingly beautiful young woman between the ages of 16-20.
Even Sandora's previously petite horns, the symbol of a Salamander's strength, had grown from around the width of a palm, 8.5cm, to a commendable 13.4cm in length. Considering her brothers were only around 11.3cm despite being well over a hundred years old, it wasn't an exaggeration to say her growth was staggering...
"Mmm...?"
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Sandora wants huggies (O w O)...','Oh no...','There are times when having access to the truth is a curse...')

Feeling more relaxed than she had felt in her entire life, Sandora was understandably reluctant to wake up and face reality. It was her feelings of guilt towards Vahn that compelled her to do so. Not because of the very inappropriate dream she had just experienced, but because he was forced to sit and wait for her to wake up. She didn't want to inconvenience him any further than she already had.
Opening her eyes, the first thing Sandora noticed was how close her face was to Vahn. A faint blush colored her cheeks, but, at the same time, a feeling of incongruency washed over her since she was well aware of the fact she was seated on his lap. Given her build, she was nowhere near tall enough for their faces to be this close...
Looking down, the color in Sandora's cheeks became far more prominent as she noticed the two pillowy mounds where relatively flat planes had previously existed.&nbsp;
"That would explain why I felt so fatigued...my body was preparing to undergo metamorphosis..."
Though she was presently beyond surprised, Sandora's expression didn't show it. She had already intuited that the culprit behind her sudden growth was the ring Vahn had gifted her. There was a possibility that Vahn had done something as she slept, but, even though she had only known him for a few hours, Sandora didn't think he would perform such an act without her consent.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Rather than immediately answering Vahn's words, Sandora looked to the ring on her hand with a pensive expression on her face. Her second metamorphosis was estimated to take place when she was between 60-100 years old. She wasn't particularly upset by this development but she couldn't help feeling as though a major chapter of her life had just come to a close.
"Want to try taking it off...?"
"Pardon...?"
Adopting a perplexed look, Sandora looked up at Vahn as if his face held the answers to all her questions. In response, Vahn explained, "The ring I gave you has the property of amplifying the wearer's Spiritual Energy by a factor of ten. Its true purpose, however, is to nourish the wearer's spirit and allow them to resist attacks that would damage their soul. The longer you wear it, the more resilient your spirit will become..."
Looking down at the faintly glowing ring, Sandora's expression relaxed into a smile as she asked, "You were trying to protect me...?"
Nodding his head, Vahn surprised Sandora with a warm embrace as he said, "I won't force you to explain the reasons, but I could sense from the start how lonely you were. Your mind and body are remarkably stalwart for a girl your age, but, even though you possess tremendous willpower, your heart is still vulnerable. To that end, the ring serves two purposes...it is a reminder of our union and a catalyst to both strengthen and protect your heart..."
Burying her face into the nape of Vahn's neck, mixed emotions swirled around in Sandora's chest. She was grateful for Vahn's concern, but, at the same time, she couldn't help feeling as though he had only accepted her proposal out of pity. The possibility may be minuscule, but, due to her bias towards rational thought, Sandora simply couldn't dismiss it.&nbsp;
"So you're hypothesizing that I will return to my previous form if I remove the ring...?"
Without waiting for Vahn's response, Sandora took advantage of the fact her arms were wrapped around his body to slip the ring off her finger. The excess energy in her body didn't immediately dissipate, but, like a tub without a rubber stopper, Sandora could feel it draining from her body at an incredible rate.
Though he was a little taken aback by Sandora's actions, Vahn would be lying if he said he hadn't anticipated something like this occurring. The moment he casually proposed the idea of removing the ring, he had the distinct impression he had just become a victim to Gag Laws. Thus, even when Sandora's resized top began sliding down her increasingly slender frame, Vahn exhibited absolutely no indication of surprise. Instead, he averted his eyes before promptly manifesting a warm blanket to cover Sandora's body.
Confused by Vahn's actions, Sandora sat a little straighter before immediately covering her chest as her top slid away completely. A fiery red blush spread through her face, but, instead of crying out or tearing up, she just stared intently at Vahn for several seconds before stating, "It would appear your hypothesis was correct..."
"Indeed..."
"..."
Staring at Vahn's profile, a growing part of Sandora wanted to compel him to face her. She didn't really understand the logic behind it but she felt as though his behavior reinforced the notion he had only agreed to her proposal out of pity. She wanted him to prove otherwise, but, at the same time, she felt compelled to prove his conjecture wrong through her own actions.
Suppressing her embarrassment, Sandora adopted her characteristically serious expression as she lowered her hands and asked, "Do you have a way of modifying the ring so that it doesn't amplify my spiritual energy? If I suddenly emerged from your room in my transformed state, there is a good chance it would cause needless concerns among my people and staff..."
Noticing the glimmer of spiteful conviction in Sandora's eyes, Vahn's brows furrowed into a serious expression as he looked directly at her and said, "If you wish to demonstrate your capabilities and cultivate spiritual energy on your own, you have that right. Just don't deceive yourself into thinking you are somehow proving me wrong by refusing to accept help. I am not looking down on you nor am I pitying you. I am simply doing my best to understand and support someone who is supposed to be important to me. In time, you will come to learn this is perfectly normal behavior for people who respect and care for one another..."
Taken aback by Vahn's words, Sandora found herself at a loss for her own. She was also seized by a sudden and intense urge to cover herself, not because she was half-naked, but because she felt as though Vahn could peer into her innermost thoughts. He didn't appear to be reading her mind but that did little to make her feel better. If anything, it made her feel even more exposed...
Before Sandora could make up her mind, Vahn took her left hand into his own before retrieving the ring contained within. Multiple threads of fear and trepidation appeared within her aura, but, before she could mistake his intentions, he flipped her hand over before promptly returning the band to its rightful place, stating, "Regardless of the decisions you make in the future, know that I will continue to support you. The most important thing to me, at least in regards to our relationship, is that you are happy and healthy. Even if you were just a normal girl without any status or power to speak of, I would never, not even for a moment, look down upon you..."
Taking advantage of Sandora's stupor, Vahn reached down to grab her breastplate-like top before helping to resize and fasten it to her body. He was extremely adept at helping girls get dressed, so, by the time Sandora recovered enough wherewithal to pay attention to what he was doing, most of her outfit had been readjusted to its original size and state.
"..."
Though the same nagging voice from before was compelling her to be frustrated by Vahn's actions, Sandora managed to smother it without too much trouble. She knew Vahn wasn't fixing her clothes just because he didn't want to see her body. He just wanted to help her. It was surprisingly difficult to accept, but, seeing none of the disdain, contempt, or pity most people had when looking at her, Sandora had no choice but to accept it. Vahn wasn't pitying her, he was just being considerate...
("Since when did I start viewing compassion as an indication of scorn...?")
Unable to find the answer to such a question, Sandora did the only thing she could think to do given the present situation. She lowered her head, and, with the sincerest expression she could manage, muttered an apology. Then, before Vahn could respond, she raised her head and said, "Thank you for being so patient with me...it may not sound all that convincing after my unsightly behavior thus far, but I really do mean it when I say this...thank you, Vahn..."
Exhaling a sigh, Vahn suppressed the urge to tell the young dragoness she didn't need to thank or apologize to him. He was being pretty selfish himself, so, even if Sandora was doubly so, it wouldn't really bother him. He would have just continued supporting her until she gradually opened up and accepted the fact that she was no longer alone. There would be countless people coming forward in the future, each more than willing to help shoulder her burdens. Thus, rather than admonishing or underappreciating the depth of her gratitude, he just wrapped her in his embrace and promised, "I will always be here for you..."
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Returning to her room after what had felt like an entire day, Sandora immediately collapsed face-first into her bed. There was still plenty she had to do in preparation for the banquet and her big announcement, but, for the time being, she just wanted to stew in her own thoughts.
Though she was initially ecstatic that Vahn had accepted her proposal, Sandora's excitement had diminished greatly as each and every mistake she had made during their discussion resurfaced in her mind. She didn't want to admit it, but, looking back on the way she had behaved, Sandora was able to understand what Vahn meant when he pointed out she was still lacking in experience and emotional growth.&nbsp;
Recalling how petulant her behavior had been at several points throughout the discussion, Sandora wished she could go back and smack her past self upside the head. Vahn was already making a lot of concessions on her behalf, yet, as if he had some duty to appease her, she had treated him as if he were somehow beneath her. All he was doing was trying to make her happy yet she had viewed his kindness as if he were trying to ridicule her...
Suppressing her sudden and intense urge to scream, Sandora rolled onto her back before raising her left hand and staring listlessly at the metallic band on her finger. The prospect of marrying Vahn still made her giddy, but, after their 'disaster' of a first encounter, Sandora had started to question if she was even deserving of him. Compared to the innumerable benefits she was bound to receive as his wife, what could she possibly give in return?
The obvious answer was her body, but, even before penning her letter, Sandora knew full well that Vahn had a harem that likely exceeded a hundred members. This included a number of women with distinctly draconic features, so, even if she really was the last remaining Salamander, she wasn't that special. In fact, based on what Vahn had revealed about his powers, he could effectively produce as many Salamanders as he pleased. In that regard, there was truly nothing she could offer him...
Giving voice to the thoughts lingering at the back of her mind, Sandora asked herself, "Why did he agree to marry me? Wouldn't it have made better sense to replace me with someone already loyal to him? Why does he care so much about my well-being...?"
Having never had genuine confidence in herself, Sandora was unable to find an answer to even a single one of these questions. She was able to imagine how Vahn would respond, but, as much as she wanted to trust him, she simply didn't know how to open her heart to others. Vahn had made a few sizeable dents in her defenses, but, until he had given her a 'legitimate' reason, the only logical conclusion was that he was pitying her. She believed him when he said he wasn't, but, as someone who believed everything happened for a reason, Sandora needed something more concrete to go off of if she wanted to lay her concerns to rest.
As sad as it sounded, the eleven-year-old dragoness needed proof that her life had some kind of value...if it didn't, what could she possibly hope to give Vahn in return...?
She had to find something...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Booba...','Gag Laws strike again (O w O)...','This is actually kind of sad...')

Though he had already made up his mind even before coming to the North, Vahn would be lying if he said Sandora's words weren't compelling. He still felt that she deserved a normal childhood, but, instead of looking down on her convictions and telling her she wasn't old enough to be doing the things she had already been doing for more than four years, he answered, "Sure thing. There are a few specifics we'll need to work out but I have absolutely no issues with accepting you as one of my wives."
Feeling the tensions drain from her body, a sigh beyond her years escaped Sandora's throat along with the words, "Thank the Gods..." in a profoundly relieved tone. Immediately afterward, however, a faint blush colored her cheeks as she looked up at Vahn and added, "Though I suppose it would be more befitting to thank you...?"
Shaking his head, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as he extended his left hand, palm up, towards Sandora. She was a little confused by his actions, but, after a moment of silence, the color of her cheeks became noticeably ruddier as she tentatively overlapped her hand with his.
"This is entirely the result of your convictions. You have worked hard to reach this point in your life, Sandora. From the moment onward, allow me to help carry your burden..."
Using his free hand, Vahn traced the base of Sandora's ring finger. The moment he did so, a golden band that radiated a distinct red hue manifested into existence. The most eye-catching thing about it, however, was the brilliant red gemstone embedded in what appeared to be a coiling Salamander. Not only was it mesmerizing to look at, but, gazing deep into the gem's structure, you would find a slit-like pupil staring back at you, as, rather than a simple ring, the band wrapped around Sandora's finger was the prototype for an artificial Zanpakuto Spirit.
Though her body began trembling when she saw the ring manifest around her finger, it wasn't fear that Sandora was feeling. Instead, an exhilaration unlike anything she had ever experienced surged through her body as her Spirit Energy had increased by a factor of ten in an instant.
"Incredible..."
Guiding Sandora's chin so that she was staring at him rather than the ring on her finger, Vahn's expression softened as he teased, "A paltry trinket compared to the person wearing it..."
Blushing a luminous shade of crimson that extended all the way to the tips of her pointed ears, it was Sandora's turn to catch Vahn by surprise as she suddenly closed her eyes and puckered her lips. She had interpreted his act of touching her chin as an indication that he was about to plant a kiss on her lips. As a result, Vahn suddenly found himself in a rather precarious position as he was just about to broach the subject of letting Sandora spend a few years in one of his Actualized Worlds...
(*Just get it over with. It will be a lot easier to reason with her once she is convinced of your mutual affection. If you pull back now, needless doubts will permeate her mind. She may be a capable ruler but she is still a child. She is bound to read too much into things if you hesitate over something as trivial as a kiss.*)
Though he smiled wryly within his mind, Vahn didn't attempt to argue with Sis's words. Sandora may be able to conceal it from others but he could sense the loneliness she kept hidden within the deepest recesses of her heart and mind. The only person she truly trusted was herself, but, due to her age, she wasn't nearly as confident as she pretended to be.&nbsp;
People who presented themselves as 'perfect' were often the most afraid of making even minor mistakes...
After a long period of deliberation, at least from Vahn's extremely skewed perspective of time, he finally lowered his head to plant a very chaste kiss on Sandora's lips. Her aura practically exploded, but, before she could reciprocate, Vahn pulled away with an apologetic smile on his face as he said, "We still need to discuss a few of the specifics regarding our engagement..."
Opening her eyes, a mixture of confusion, doubt, and mild disappointment could be seen reflected in Sandora's dark-blue irises. The crimson hue that had spread through the entirety of her face took mere seconds to recede fully as the serious expression she had worn during their initial introduction promptly returned.
"..."
Understanding that he had actually made things worse, Vahn caught Sandora off guard by exhaling a clearly exasperated sigh. Before she could read further into it, however, he earned a surprisingly adorable yelp from the too-serious Princess as he snaked his hand around her back and placed it on her exposed side. This was already far beyond Sandora's expectations, but, instead of stopping there, Vahn pulled her onto his lap in a single, smooth, remarkably practiced motion.
Tensing to the point that she could humble a statue, Sandora dared not look directly into Vahn's face. The blush she had previously suppressed came back with a vengeance. Instead of stopping at the tips of her ears, however, it spread down into her neck before gradually permeating through the rest of her body like a potent flame.
Further exacerbating Sandora's condition, Vahn placed his hand on her exposed, surprisingly taut abdomen. Sandora may have the appearance of a young girl but she was still descended from a Pure Blooded Dragon. Her skin was remarkably soft but the muscles concealed beneath were as firm and flexible as augmented graphene fibers.&nbsp;
Internally shaking his head, Vahn channeled calming energy into Sandora's body as he said, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to be contrary or deceitful. I just have a set of principles that prohibit me from engaging in salacious or inappropriate acts with those I perceive as minors. You are a very mature young lady, but, as much as I respect and admire what you've been able to accomplish over your eleven short years of existence, you are simply too young. Wait a couple of years, and, even if your features remain exactly the same, I will be more than willing to meet each and every single one of your expectations..."
Punctuating his words, Vahn lowered his hand ever so slightly to Sandora's lower abdomen. He was still channeling calming energy into her body, but, understanding the implication behind his words, Sandora swallowed so hard it produced an audible gulping sound.&nbsp;
"I...I understand what you're trying to say...but...but I..."
Though her expression appeared remarkably calm, Sandora's mental and emotional states were a complete mess. She had absolutely no words to describe what she was currently feeling, so, after failing to assemble something more profound, she just lowered her head and asked, "How long is a couple of years? As one of the last Salamanders, everyone is anxious to see me produce offspring. I would like to put their hearts and minds at ease...not just for them, but for my own sake..."
In response to Sandora's words, Vahn surprised her yet again by pulling her into his embrace and simply holding her for the better part of three minutes. It broke his heart that Sandora genuinely believed the things she was saying. Nearly everything she did was for the sake of others, yet, much like his past self, she had convinced herself that it was necessary for her own happiness. Unlike him, however, she had been shouldering everything on her own. She was completely miserable, but, for the sake of 'everyone else', she maintained a smile and kept telling herself that everything would be okay so long as she kept trying her hardest...
Confused by Vahn's actions, Sandora didn't immediately respond to his embrace. This was actually the first time she had ever received a hug. She may have received one when she was an infant, but, as great as her memory was, she couldn't recall events that had taken place before she was seven months old. Since her mother had died shortly after birthing her, Sandora's only memory of being held was when she was being breastfed by her Nursemaid.
Realizing that Vahn may be the first person that held her in such a caring and tender manner, a hint of moisture developed across Sandora's eyes before she closed them and snuggled a little closer to his warmth. Her crown and horns ended up poking into him more than a few times, but, instead of complaining or admonishing her, Vahn just wrapped his arms around her even more firmly until the only thought in Sandora's mind was how comfortable it was to be held. That and one other thing...
Noticing Sandora was beginning to nuzzle against his chest, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as he slowly released her from his embrace. When she looked up and noticed this, a look of shame immediately marred Sandora's countenance until Vahn affirmed, "You have done absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I just didn't want things to get out of hand before we had the chance to talk..."
Though she was still incredibly embarrassed after being caught burying her face into Vahn's chest and inhaling his aroma, Sandora managed to adopt her characteristically serious expression as she said, "I understand. Though I may need to discuss it with my brother and the Elders of Salamandra, know I will do everything in my power to abide by your conditions. Tell me what I must do."
Resisting the urge to sigh and comment on Sandora's sudden change in demeanor, Vahn planted a kiss atop the too-serious redhead's crown before proceeding to explain her options. He advised her that the 'correct' choice was to continue living as she had been. He explained his ability to change a person's race and even revealed that he had removed the tumors from her brother's lungs. In other words, there was no need for her to bear the burden of her entire species. Even if she waited tens of thousands of years to have children, there was absolutely no chance that her species and bloodline would be wiped out.
As surprised as she was by the revelations about her brother and Vahn's abilities, Sandora insisted that he explain the rest of her options. She actually knew about Sarina and Nono, so, even if Vahn failed to broach the subject himself, Sandora was prepared to mention it. If he refused, she would simply enter a different Game Board. Her age had always been a point of controversy so now was as good a time as any to do something about it.
Fortunately, the very next option Vahn brought up was using his personal Game Board to both accumulate experience and increase her strength. The third option was entering into one of his Actualized Worlds but that was easier said than done. It was also the least expedient method to achieve her goal, so, while Sandora could appreciate Vahn's desire to let her experience a normal childhood, she ultimately chose the second option. The only caveat was that she wanted to enter alongside him so they could get to know each other better. She didn't particularly care about the Dungeon or joining any Guilds. Even if they spent the entire time isolating themselves somewhere in the mountains, she wouldn't mind.
Though Vahn agreed to allow Sandora to make use of the Game Board, the notion of spending five-to-six years in complete isolation with a promiscuous Dragon girl didn't exactly bring him peace of mind. He knew exactly how persistent a girl like Sandora could be, so, while he was willing to enter alongside her, he insisted they either join separate Familia or invite a few others to enter the Game Board with them. This caused a rather adorable pout to develop across Sandora's face, but, after a long period of deliberation, she eventually accepted. So long as she didn't have to enter the Game Board alone, she was satisfied with any arrangement Vahn could think of. She just didn't want to be alone...not again...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn be like, "Well, well, well...if it isn't the consequences of my own actions. It's been a long time..."','You better keep giving that girl hugs...','Lots and lots of hugs...')

Chapter 2255: Helplessness