Worthy Core

DAY 900

"So, you said you wanted to talk to me about something?" Xenia eyes the two guests in her office, having a decent idea what this is about. True, they'd recently spent some time down in Grassbrook so she hadn't been privy to all of their recent conversations, but that alone is a pretty good indication of what the topic is going to be. Wagering it would be a serious conversation, she'd even agreed to burn avatar time for the occasion.

Prince Thaddeus glances at his wife before nodding. "We've been talking - our companions and us - and we believe that the time has come, Xenia. We'll be returning home. To my realm, that is."

Xenia eyes the serious expressions on Thaddeus and Tizzy and raises an eyebrow. "Figured this would be coming sooner or later, but was there anything in particular that made your mind up?"

"Nothing personal, if that's what you're asking!" Tizzy quickly speaks up, as if worried that Xenia might be upset. "There's a couple of reasons, really. One is that winter's completely set in now, so even if we wanted to spend some more time in this realm, we'd be stuck for another couple of months doing not much anyhow."

Thaddeus continues the reasoning. "Also, the crisis of the siege and war seem to be truly past at this stage, and there's few stormclouds on the horizon. If there were more threats which you faced I'd feel honor-bound to offer my assistance, but it seems as if you have everything well in hand at this point."

The dungeon master does have to smirk a little at that. "Yeah, I suppose I'm doing alright these days. But what about the most important thing?"

The prince doesn't need any clarification. "You mean, my desire to prove myself as worthy of our house? If you'll pardon the pun. First, might I ask your own opinion on that matter?"

Before she answers, Xenia's smirk turns into a full-on grin. "Self-improvement is a journey, not a destination, kiddo. It never ends."

Tizzy can't hold in a snort at that response. "Sounds like dodging the question to me..."

"What, you want a gold star or somethin'? Fine, you've got it. You've done good work, you've learned some humility and how to work with others for a common cause, and you bagged yourself a cute little wife. You've got my blessing, go forth and multiply and all that stuff." Her answer does cause Tizzy to blush, but Thaddeus returns a solemn nod.

"...I also feel like I'm not the same person I was when I first arrived. I do have to thank you, again, for...educating me. I wish perhaps it hadn't been necessary."

"Heh, lessons in the form of ass-kickings are the type I'm best at." Xenia chuckles quietly. "So this is all of you? Everyone from your group?"

The imp shakes her head. "We've been in touch with Norlash, but he let us know that he's staying here. Well, in the Valleylands, specifically. Seems to have been setting down some roots with the local orcs. Ruckus seems to be happy with working with the Association too, though it did seem like he was tempted by the offer to come with us. And Violetta, well...even if she might have wanted to join back up with us, we don't know where she got off to. Started a new life of her own, probably. But the rest of us who've been hanging around - Tad and I, Hylii, Reed, and Nalain - we'll be sticking together. " Her smile turns toothy. "Tad still owes them a bunch of backpay and some fancy titles, after all."

"Not least of which will be that of princess." Thaddeus nudges his wife, causing her to blush again. "We'll be performing the crossing ritual in a few days, time enough to both to prepare and make our farewells to everyone, but we wanted you to be first to know."

"Appreciate it. And I'll probably have going away gifts for everyone - hell, we should have a little party or something too - but I did have something in mind for this I can hand out now." Xenia opens up a drawer from her desk and pulls out a shiny piece of jewelry. She tosses it Thaddeus's way, and the man catches it before realizing what it is. The large, crystal-clear gem in its golden setting is quite recognizable to the prince once he gets a good look, however.

"...This is one of the gem necklaces Beatrice had crafted from your former hilt, yes? The ones she used to help travel to this realm in search of you?"

"And one of which you used to follow after her, yup. Fortunately I was able to scoop up a lot of her unique gear without the dungeon system automatically eating it all, but I've got both of them now and it's not like I need more than one as a memento. And...well, just in case you or anyone else from the family ever feels the need to stop by and say hello..." She trails off as her eyes narrow. "...In a decidedly more friendly way than your first visit...well, maybe it might help you find your way."

Tizzy's eyes widen. "That's, uh, probably gonna be a heirloom for sure, I think. I mean...you're not planning on changing realms again anytime soon, right?"

"Haha, not if I can help it! Definitely gonna try and set a record here if I can. So who knows...maybe grandkids to visit one day? Eh? No pressure or anything."

Thaddeus chuckles along. "No pressure. Thank you, grandmother. It's...a relief to know that after everything, we may still be welcome back again one day."

The reincarnator smiles. "Tell some good stories about me over there, huh? And who knows, if someone stops by in a few hundred years, there's no telling how much I'll have to show off..."

When Lyota alights in front of the Grand Hall at Dragon's Jaw, her arrival is marked by many. For a hundred paces around, all who feel a measure of unpunished guilt shiver in her presence - and who does not bear at least a sliver of guilt, after all? The fury demon ignores them all however and heads for the main entrance of the redesigned structure.

It had formerly been the palace of the Dragonlord - carved out of one end of the canyon that makes up the city, and turned into both an administrative center and a grand residence. The residence portion had been repurposed following the tyrant's demise, in the end. Some of that had been to create a vault and armory for the nation, storing the dragon's hoard of artifacts, while the rest had been used to expand the government bureaucracy. No longer was the Domain ruled by a single clawed fist, but half a dozen powerful leaders. Individuals straddling that thin line between respected elders...and potential warlords.

There's only one of those Lyota is here to see today. Unfortunately, the first person to greet her as she steps through the main entrance is not the person she'd been looking for, or expecting for that matter.

"Well, if it ain't a sight for sore eyes! My jaw almost dropped off when I saw you make that landing!"

Lyota freezes as a man in armor approaches her. "...Dave? What in the hells are you doing in Dragon's Jaw?"

The skull performs a mock gasp. "What, you think I can't rub elbows with the high-and-mighty? I'll have you know that you're looking at the first-ever ambassador from the Worthy Lands to the Domain of...well, whatever they finally decide to call it. The Southern Domain seems to be winning these days, but doesn't quite have the same pizzazz as the old name, you know?"

The demon gives her former coworker a wary look. "Xenia made you an ambassador? ...No offense."

"You know it! She said I should be her eyes and ears down south, shaking hands and scaring babies! And who better to represent a dungeon than an evil skull, right? Besides, I've got wandering feet, you know. I can't work as a dungeon guardian, and challenging the dungeon's kind of a yawn when you already live there. So here I am! Down in the sunny south where I can work on my tan and hang out with the cutest demons on the continent!"

"I hope you're not including me in that number." Lyota scoffs before softening. "I suppose that makes some sense, though. I was actually here to speak to Cerise however, I don't suppose you know where she is?"

"Do I? Hells, I was just about to do my daily Fifteen Minutes of Annoying Cerise! C'mon, follow me!"

Indeed, the skull and his enchanted armor march through the former palace with great confidence, taking twists and turns without a second glance. Along the way kobolds and demons pull back in fear, and Lyota's not sure if it's because of the undead's presence or because of hers. Eventually though Dave reaches the target office door and swings it open, stepping inside without even bothering to knock first. "Cerise! I brought you a surprise!"

"Oh hells, Dave, not another one of your surprises - wait, is that Lyota standing behind you?" As the fury steps inside she sees Cerise sitting behind a desk covered in paperwork - although not for long, as the succubus quickly gets to her feet. "It's been some time - and if my senses don't deceive me, you've achieved it, haven't you?"

Lyota nods. "My ENLIGHTENMENT has fully settled into my soul. I now provoke fear in the guilty with my mere presence, and the energy it creates sustains me...and more. I daresay I could fly from the southern end of the continent to the northern in less than a week these days." She pauses before bowing her head to the Enigmatic Emissary. "Although you deserve congratulations as well, do you not? May I ask what your final role ended up being in the new government?"

Cerise comes over and clasps Lyota in an embrace before answering. "Well, my star rose quite highly with my work in bringing the war to a close. In the end we did actually end up with a few small slivers of additional land, and many here see the creation of the Worthy Lands as a blow to the Rainlands. It's...not the glorious future many were hoping for, but it's close enough to a win. Or at least a silver lining."

Dave laughs. "Should've asked Xenia for support in a coup, then you could've been head honcho of this entire organization!"

The diplomat rolls her eyes. "And lost my head a week later. No, in the end I don't actually have the seniority to be an actual head of the government - but I was able to play queenmaker for others. A few older succubi owe me quite a few favors at this point, and that's worth more than gold."

Lyota allows herself a smile. "I'm glad to see you're doing well, then."

"Well, and busy. But what brings you here, Soul Lasher Silverstar? If you're looking to rejoin the Domain we'd be happy to have you in any position. I wouldn't mind having you working under me once again."

Dave raises a finger. "Was that an innuendo? That sounded like an innuendo. In which case I say - leeeewwwd!"

The fury demon glares at Dave with her best penance stare, only eventually giving up after realizing that the undead apparently feels no guilt for anything he's ever said. The realization shocks her, but she quickly covers it by moving on. "Actually, I was thinking of starting something of a personal mission. Well, not so personal...I was wondering if perhaps other demons from the Domain would be willing to join me."

Cerise tilts her head. "Oh? You make it sound like some sort of quest."

"Perhaps. I know that on the Old Continents there remain a number of demon enclaves, many of which went underground following the Age of Warlocks and what came after. And I know that, according to the tales, these enclaves may include many of the oldest and wisest of us. I wish to travel those lands, and find them. Learn of their wisdom...and see if perhaps some might now be willing to join this new Domain, now that it's no longer in the hands of a dictator."

Cerise's eyes almost literally glow. "Now that indeed sounds like a great service for our people - and I say that both as a demon and as a citizen of the Domain. I have too much to do here to join you...but if you're looking for companions to join you, I can think of quite a few I would like to recommend."

"...I'm not taking Dave with me."

"...Well, it was worth a try."

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