Chapter 073: Answers At Last

When I opened my eyes to see the clearly upper-class office, along with feeling a soft comforting rumble under my feet, I realised that I had returned to a familiar space. I still wasn't exactly sure where this train was running to or from but I at least knew it well. There was even a very amicable face in front of me.

Rather than being sat in front of the desk; I found myself sitting upon a very comfortable leather sofa that was clearly for more congenial conversation.

That figure seemed to be pouring themselves a nice bourbon - meanwhile I was still resisting the temptation to ask the question everyone likely had. Do they have a clam or sausage? Clearly they're a very handsome girl or boy however it was impossible to tell which…

It was a question I couldn't be sure of unless I saw it myself. Some may say "they didn't have breasts so they were clearly a man" but I remember clearly that my birth mother didn't have a chest. Therefore such a sentiment can only be seen as a grievous error in judgement.

"I am glad you managed to make it back to us, I will be honest with you, we panicked when you suddenly vanished shortly after entering the game but that doesn't matter as long as you're safe." They spoke slowly with the same calm. However it was hard not to notice the open relief that they carried.

Popping the cork out their glass bottle as they began to pour the fluid into a short glass. "Although I suppose we were overly worried as you are a competent girl. There is no doubt I am going to hear a lot of complaints about wasting the favours we cashed in to try and find you."

Chuckling to themself as I just found myself enjoying the serene atmosphere that I had long grown to find just as comforting as my own home.

They took a cloth to wipe the wide rim of their alcohol storage - letting out a sigh at the silly requirement for just pouring it into one of the three glasses. "It really is stupid that the rim is so wide. Whose bright idea was it to make sure that the perfectly good drink ran down the side of the class if you didn't pour right?"

Shaking their head.

"Speaking of, do you want a glass?" My ever friendly psychologist asked as they turned around with that same quant smile… Only to immediately freeze and drop their glass on the floor. It wasn't hard to figure out what their surprise was about.

What was surprising was the fact that they suddenly appeared in front of me while forcibly using their hands to tilt my head back.

I didn't need both my eyes to know they were staring at the eyepatch that was covering my face as those glasses shimmered with a strange light. A pained click of their tongue echoed out as she stepped back for a second. Moving a hand to push their glasses out the way while rubbing their own eyes.

All I could do is watch with a tilted head only for it to soon end up being my turn to be surprised…

As smudged blood could be seen under those glasses.

"Wha-"

Unfortunately my question was interrupted since that now serious but handsome face moved closer to me without worry about their own injuries. Gently removing the eyepatch from my face while I was still taken by surprise. "What happened to you to get attacked by the divine demon…"

"Finally a name to go with the fist…" I half jokingly thought and accidentally said out loud which caused the brow of that spiritual mental health professional.

I did feel some heat from across my cheeks since it was hardly the first time that I had accidentally let my thoughts slip through my lips. Still I was pleased to see their smile come back - even if filled with some mirth at my expense. This enigmatic figure was one I had been with for the entirety of my new life.

They happened to also be the only people (in this life) that I could fully discuss my past life with as I could hardly unload such a heavy topic on my parents or siblings.

Well, other than my personal system, but she's a bitch.

Their hands soon brushed through their perfectly set hair as they let out a hearty laugh that helped relieve a lot of my own embarrassment. It also reminded me that I should answer their questions as I trusted them enough to tell them. "Well I-"

"Hold up." Suddenly they interrupted me - something that was rare with how polite an individual they always appeared to be - walking to arrive behind their desk. "Let me make some preparations before you tell your story; this is my territory but the last thing I want to do is get you in trouble."

At first I was confused what they meant by "get you in trouble" however it didn't take a genius to realise they were talking about potential spies.

Honestly… I could only be thankful for that since I had no idea what I was dealing with.

Soon enough they arrived in front of their desk where they leaned over; seemingly pressing something on the underside where their legs usually would rest. With my new senses I picked up on spiritual & some other weird energy flowing through all the walls as if encasing us. They also seemed to notice that.

"It would seem that you've been quite busy in that other realm. I could already feel that you have a far more refined control of your energy but you have come even further - I had the help of that little monk that helped when you were shot at before." Offering me that information with a smile as they soon sat down.

From there they motioned for me to take control of the conversation with a simple hand motion with an all too familiar smile. "Now feel free to say as much as you are willing to."

With that I began to spin the tale of my adventurers through the world of Axis (surprised I even remember the name of that accursed planet) for them. Their concern was clear when they heard about my rocky start in the world. Appearing quite proud when I told them about me using their advice to help.

They didn't say a word, though, even as I talked about the incident that lost me my eye. Patiently listening without making overt noises that could distract me. Although it was interesting to see the various facial expressions they made; one being disgust at my master followed by a face plant when I mentioned that.

Even expressions of intrigue upon hearing me discuss my time studying the differences that the world had compared to what I found out in my past life.

Soon it became… Relief?

At least when I talked about the god hunters; this made it clear to me that they indeed knew far more about what was going on than me. Though I couldn't really accuse them of lying or hiding it from me. They did hide the information itself (clearly) but they never pretended that they didn't know it.

Something about that openness made it hard to be angry - if before I may have been enraged however I have now learned how dangerous reality can be. If they thought that some secrets could help keep me from dying I could hardly blame them. Clearly I needed all the help I could get.

"The god hunters is a good organisation and a group full of honour however I believe you could have chosen a better tutor but no matter." Nodding as they finally spoke after I had finished my account.

A moment of silence remained between us as her host presented her with a cup of juice that they got after standing up to answer the door. Clearly having called for room service… At some point. Either way the drink was sufficiently sweet enough to keep me appeased.

"I think it's about time that I share a little bit with you in turn; honestly I would have liked to wait a little while longer before doing this however that would be rude to you. To begin with… I think it's best I start by explaining why we have had the chance to enjoy these meetings." Saying with a sigh.

Taking a moment to catch their breath while using a single hand to readjust their glasses - pressing on the bridge of their suspiciously simply looking specs. "You are a princess of spirits from the Stratos bloodline which means little right now. However each descendant receives certain… Protections, so to say.

This primarily comes in the form of having a member of the elite group called Birds of Prey - those both most loyal and with the greatest strength - look after them. Acting as a guiding force so the young spirit can overcome their challenges without having to rely on their birthrights."

That… Actually answered a lot.

If it did hurt a little knowing that they did it just because they were ordered to; maybe it wasn't my safety they were worried about but their own?.

"So you did all this due to fearing my-"

"Nope."

Eh.

"Do I look like a bird, to you?" Chuckling as they once again stood up to head towards their prized alcohol before repeating the process they performed earlier Pouring themself a drink with the only saving grace being that they had three g- wait didn't one of them break?

Somehow all those glasses were whole again…

"Those birds don't hold much of a comparison when it comes to me; honestly I find it concerning that you have so little faith in me. I am no regular spirit, much like yourself, as I have my own special cocktail of circumstances outside the control of the powers that be." Lifting their drink as the light reflected off.

Even without looking at me, due to the reflection, I could see their glasses as the familiar imagery of clocks slowly ticking appeared on the lenses.

For the first time I realised that maybe I truly wasn't alone when it came to facing those terrifying figures that suddenly surrounded me… Better still? Maybe those terrifying figures had always been there. A thought that brought a self deprecating laugh to leave my lips.

Still my caretaker continued. "It is true that I decided to fill the role as caretaker but it was under no orders from your mother. I cannot say that I'm not afraid of that wicked cat you call a mother - she can terrify just about anyone at the best of times - but that had nothing to do with my choices."

Letting a small chuckle escape their lips before sliding that glass to their bottom lip, lifting it slightly so the drink slid right in without the requirement of sipping, savouring their drink for a brief moment.

Although they didn't keep me waiting for long.

"Part of the reason I didn't explain anything about myself is that I am a unique existence as, just like you, I am neither a spirit nor a demon… I am both. Not that our situation is exactly the same; I find myself without a true name for such a reason." Hearing that my mind fell towards a certain nameless goddess.

A train of thought that seemed to have been noticed by my host. "Ah, you do not need to worry, I should more accurately say that I was born without a true name. You see most entities possess a true name when they are born that they can use to gain certain benefits but it can also be taken advantage of.

It is due to the uniqueness of my… Nativity, if it can be called that, which I found myself out of the realms thus unable to receive such a thing. There is no reason to pity me as I can just go by the name of Twilight Camellia when it is required, ah, and Twilight is my family name."

Shaking off any worries I may have had before they even sprouted up; turning to face me while leaning against the front of their desk.

"For prosperity's sake I believe it is fair to be upfront about my own divine nature, yes I am a god but no I do not technically belong to a singular power system, I live between realms after all. My domain is the space we are in - which is called limbo - as well as being the god of destiny." They said slowly.

I took a moment to take in their words before I decided to ask some questions of my own. "Limbo as in between life and death also do you therefore have control over everything that I have ever done"?

Those seemed to be the most important although they seemingly took them by surprise

Still they answered after a moment of thought. "Your thoughts are neither right nor wrong which is fair as it is something your civilization would not have come across. Limbo is technically between life and death but that is just because it's the "space" between all realms thus fulfilling that role by default."

Even adding quotation marks around space with their space hand.

"Destiny, meanwhile, can be more accurately considered the different paths one can take than the be all and end all that makes up a person. Technically it is more accurate to call me the god of decisions since I was born from the power of those who never got to make a choice." They tried explaining it simply.

Something I was thankful for as I could feel an oncoming headache over all the complicated talks revolving around families & divinity.

Then something clicked.

A factor I had been confused about since learning about the game bringing people into foreign worlds in completely different universes. Possibly even realms. A question that should logically come to anyone who did any research into the potential (or lack thereof) methods to travel between universes.

"So you are the one who controls the game's function to send avatars to foreign worlds!" To that they just offered a surprisingly mischievous smile that I wouldn't have expected from them.

"I indeed had a hand in that but it is more akin to permission than direct interference."