Universe's End

The two of them stared at the world spirit, who had changed once more, this time appearing as a living embodiment of a volcano. Her skin was dark as obsidian, assuming it wasn't literally obsidian, with veins coursing with golden magma, and her hair was a twisting ashen grey topknot.

"Aelia," Rory nodded to the world spirit. "It's been some time,"

"Well over a decade for me," Zoey added.

"What do we owe the pleasure?" Rory continued, pretending he hadn't heard her earlier words.

"You two," The world spirit said, her eyes narrowed. "Are not behaving."

"Not… behaving?" Zoey seemed confused, turning to look at Rory. "Do you have any idea what she means by that?"

"I think so," Rory said before rolling his eyes. "But why doesn't the wise world spirit inform us mere mortals?"

"This," She waved her hand, tipped with steel-colored talon-like nails. "It isn't correct."

"Enlighten us," Rory said.

"You are supposed to be competing with one another, refining one another like an axe to a grindstone, not galivanting around."

"Says who?" Zoey countered.

"Says me," Aelia all but growled, glaring at them.

"Uh-huh," Rory said, unimpressed. "Someone has gotten rather self-important."

"Excuse me?" Aelia all but stepped back, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"Here is my little theory. Now that you've got considerably more people and growing by the year, these people probably only know of you through stories passed down, ironically, from us." Rory waved a hand between himself and Zoey. "Us founders. With so many people who know of you but don't know you, they probably say your name in hushed tones, almost reverential. Maybe a few are even offering prayers? Does that sound like I'm in the ballpark?"

Aelia said nothing, only glaring at Rory.

It was Zoey's turn to chime in, picking up what Rory was putting down.

"Oh my god, do you think you're a god now?" Zoey all but laughed in her face. "I remember first meeting you, you were closer to a giggling teenager, and now you're thinking you're some divinity?"

"Impudence, both of you. It's because of me that you've both had the chance to grow as you've had."

"Hmm, how about no?" Rory said, shutting down the world spirit. "Ascensions existed even before you did. What we've had is a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship. Except now someone is power tripping. Or wait… no, something has you frazzled."

Aelia was once more silent.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Rory laughed. "You're bugged out over something, and so when you see us working together, you feel like we aren't doing things how you feel like we should. 'Oh, you founders must be rivals who blah blah blah' yes, you said that once, but I don't see any rules that state we have to."

Was Rory always happy to have Zoey peppering him with questions and the like? No, but overall, he wouldn't deny that the fact that the two of them–three if he counted Eia—had managed to defeat a mid-tier-seven Trial boss, something that wouldn't have been possible on his own.

"So, what's the real issue?" Zoey asked, staring up at Aelia without flinching.

"I could withhold the rewards from this Trial for such behavior," Aelia threatened.

"Nah, five dollars says that Eon would have something to say at that point," Rory countered, seeing straight through her bluff. "At best, you're probably allowed to delay them for a bit."

"Bah." Aelia nearly spat the sound out, grinding her teeth for a moment before relenting. "I shouldn't be too surprised it was you of all people who caught on."

"Hey, what about me?" Zoey interjected, only to be ignored.

"Yes, I am frazzled. I have a looming deadline that may result in my literal death, and you two are off merry-making! In under a hundred years, I need my founders to overcome the trials and challenges my siblings will present, and that will require each of you to have at least reached the eighth realm. Is it conflict that breeds growth, and you two are not in conflict?"

"Siblings, as in other planets in the solar system?" Zoey asked.

"Correct."

"I appreciate the foreshadowing," Rory said, playing the role of smartass. "But we've still got quite a bit of time, don't we? It's not ten years from now, now, is it?"

Aelia was silent.

"Exactly. Perhaps your nature advocates only for conflict against your foes," Rory said, giving her at least some leeway in understanding her reaction. "But not everything necessitates direct conflict, man against man."

"Man against Woman," Zoey corrected.

"Semantics," Rory countered before continuing with his spiel. "Have we let you down before?"

"That depends on your classification as-"

"Have we let you down before?" Rory repeated, cutting off the world spirit like a parent scolding their child.

"No," Aelia finally huffed.

"Exactly. So let us handle things our way. Didn't we just finish slaying a mid-tier 7 Trial boss? Perhaps if we were directly clashing, that could push us to growth, but is this not proof of our growth as well?"

Aelia was again silent.

"Reward, please." Zoey stuck her hand out, wiggling her fingers.

"You are not incorrect when you state that I have grown accustomed to being deferred to as a higher power," Aelia rolled her eyes at Zoey. "I've sometimes forgotten how flippant you lot can be, aside from the Spear who has never given me the chance to forget in the first place."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Rory snorted, amused. He'd heard mentions of the Spear occasionally, but this was the first time he found himself entertained by something relating to them, that over the years, they had made it a point to harass Aelia consistently.

"Fine, I will let you two proceed as you are," Aelia finally said after a moment of thought. "But if I suspect you two of falling behind, then trust me when I say I will make sure to make your lives a living hell that will force you two back into top condition."

"Uh-huh," Rory said, unfazed. Years ago, such a threat coming from the world spirit of the planet he called home may have concerned him, but now he rolled with it as just another consideration.

Rather than vanish in the blink of an eye, Aelia's body began to harden, turning into a statue of pure black stone before dissolving into ash and dust that gently blew apart.

"Theatrical," Zoey noticed.

"Extensively," Rory agreed. "Bit of a prick, honestly."

He was half daring the world spirit to return to have the final word, but there was no sound or movement; her attention turned elsewhere, or otherwise choosing to ignore his remark.

"So, when are we going to get our, oh wait, never mind."

A notification had appeared across his vision, opening up into a full display a moment after.