Chaos Upon Arrival

Void Multiverse, Space Between Universes.

{BGM: Fanfare (FFIX)" -- Nobuo Uematsu}

After leaving the Arifureta Universe in stasis, Tatsuo, Sumire, James, Shizuku, Aletia, Shea, and Tio were traversing the Space between universes while wrapped in pillars of light. And while Shizuku, Aletia, Shea, and Tio were free to admire the sights, the countless sparkling lights that represented different worlds and hear the music playing in the background, Tatsuo, Sumire, and James were experiencing soul rending pain, as their bodies were being reverted back to their states when they left their worlds. At the same time, the pain was intensifying as the gains they made during their time in the Arifureta Universe was being etched into their very beings, as well.

"I agreed to come with Alaverus... I mean Sataniel, but I didn't completely believe him." Shizuku muttered while watching the different lights blur as she passed by them at high speed.

"If you didn't believe him, why did you follow him, then?" Shea asked curiously.

Hearing Shea's question, Shizuku, who was not with the others when they were ejected from the world, finally noticed that there were people other than herself and James present. However, Shizuku could not reply to Shea's question. Though, the blush that colored her cheeks was more than enough of an answer.

"I see." Tio said with a smile while using her fan to cover it. "It makes perfect sense, now. That's a good reason to go."

"Huh? Wh-wh-what are you talking about?" Shizuku stammered, her usually calm tone raised by several octaves.

"Oh, it's nothing." Tio said in a playful tone, making Shizuku turn even redder.

Meanwhile, Aletia, having remained silent stared at Tatsuo with worry. Based on what Tatsuo had told her about his first [Mission], his body was being changed on a fundamental level right now. And she knew he was experiencing pain like nothing she could imagine.

"Are you worried about them?" Tio asked, having noticed Aletia's expression.

Responding with a nod, Aletia did not take her eyes off Tatsuo, Sumire, and James. Though, most of her attention was on Tatsuo.

"Don't worry, they're all strong." Tio said, her tone taking on a soothing quality. "They'll definitely make it through this."

Once again nodding in response, Aletia had no doubt that Tio was right. However, seeing Tatsuo, Sumire, and James, three people she had come to call comrades in such pain, she could not help but worry.

Understanding Aletia's feelings, Tio wanted to pat her on the shoulder consolingly. Yet, the pillars of light surrounding them did not allow them to make physical contact with the others. Meanwhile, having overheard the conversation between Aletia and Tio, Shizuku's and Shea's attentions were also drawn to the three experiencing pain.

However, before either Shizuku or Shea could comment on Tatsuo's, Sumire's, or James' states, the pillars of light they were all wrapped in started to drift apart.

"I guess this means we're all headed to our different destinations." Tio said while looking around and seeing herself and Tatsuo drifting away from the others. "Well then, I wish you all the best. I hope when we see each other again, we'll have all grown stronger. That way, we'll be able to play a more significant role in protecting our world when we return."

In response, Shizuku, Aletia, and Shea could only nod in response, as they were rapidly traveling away from each other with James and Sumire, respectively.

A moment later, Tio was no longer able to see any of her companions, as they were quickly approaching their destinations. Then, Tio turned to look at Tatsuo, whose furrowed brow had loosened, signifying that his adaptation period was over. Even so, she noticed just how exhausted he looked.

"You'll be able to rest soon, Master." Tio said softly. "We'll be in our new home shortly."

As she spoke, Tio could not help but blush. Although she had not fallen for Tatsuo like Liliana of Heiligh, Aletia, or Shea, her relationship with Tatsuo was the most intimate she had been with a male in her five hundred plus years of life. And she had to admit that spending so much time with him and getting to know him better was causing a feeling of butterflies in her stomach.

While Tio thought about her new life in another world, the pillars of light carrying her and Tatsuo across approached a particular light in the Void before sinking into it, bringing their journey through the void to an end.

Hub World, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.

A moment later, Tatsuo and Tio appeared standing at the foot of Tatsuo's bed in his apartment. However, Tio was surprised to see that the entire world was monochrome in color. Yet, that did not last long, as the time in the world restarted, the monochromatic pallet faded into its natural colors.

At the same time, Tatsuo, exhausted from his evolution, collapsed forward. Luckily, before he could fall to the floor, Tio reacted quickly, wrapping her arms around him and supporting him to stand.

"Mast--- *Cough* Tatsuo, are you okay?" Tio asked in a concerned tone.

"*Pant* *Pant* I'm fine." Tatsuo replied through ragged breaths. "This is actually a lot better than the last time I went through this. The pain lasted a lot longer back then."

"That must mean that your will is being tempered." Tio said as she helped Tatsuo sit on his bed. "And that is quite the boon."

"Although I agree, this pain really is like nothing I've ever experienced." Tatsuo replied while smiling through the lingering pain. "But I won't complain. Not that it will do any good."

Hearing that, Tio smiled while rubbing Tatsuo's back soothingly.

'*Sigh* If she were like this all the time, I would have no issue with bringing her here.' Tatsuo thought to himself while glancing at Tio's smiling face from the corner of his eye. '*Sigh* But that's just a pipe dream. Because I know what she's really like.'

As if she could sense that Tatsuo was thinking something bad about her, Tio's face reddened, and her breath got a little heavier. Still, her smile did not change.

'*Sigh* At least she can control herself when the situation demands it.' Tatsuo thought while seeing that. 'So, I'll take what I can get.'

While he was thinking about Tio, Tatsuo received a [Notification] in his mind and on his smartphone.

{[Notifications]

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the [Mission]!

Your rewards will be distributed momentarily. Please wait.}

Seeing the new [Notification], Tatsuo could not help but smile. And Tio, seeing Tatsuo smile, smiled along with him.

"I take it you received a proof of completion, so to speak." Tio said while smiling gently.

"That's right." Tatsuo replied excitedly. "And that means the rewards are not far behind."

"Hmm... I'm interested to see what kind of reward you will receive." Tio said in an interested tone.

And just as Tatsuo thought, he received another [Notification] shortly afterwards.

{[Notifications]

Rewards have been distributed.

-Obtained: 2,000 Coins.

-1 random invitation has been sent out to the [Dimensional Chat]. Please wait for recipient to accept.

-Obtained 1 Random Reward. Would you like to start the lottery? Y/N}

"And there it is." Tatsuo muttered. "Now, Let's see---"

*Bang!*

However, before Tatsuo could choose to receive his random reward, his door was kicked open, drawing his and Tio's attention away from the completion notice.

"Tatsu-Kun, are you okay?" Mai, who rushed in through the kicked open door, asked while quickly surveying the room. "Don't worry, your Mai-Nee is here. I won't let whoever managed to break in escape."

In the next instant, Mai narrowed her eyes dangerously when she noticed Tio, who was sitting next to Tatsuo on his bed and rubbing his back. 

"You! Who are you?" Mai said angrily. "Get your hands off my Tatsu-Kun, you thieving cat!"

In response, Tio tilted her head, amused by the Mai-Nee Tatsuo had spoken of a few times in the past.

"*Sigh* I should have known." Tatsuo muttered while lowering his head and covering his face with his hands. "I don't know how she knew, but I really should have known that she would know if another woman showed up here."

"Didn't you hear me?" Mai asked angrily as she summoned one of her fans into her right hand. "I said get away from my Tatsu-Kun. Otherwise, don't blame me for what I'll do."

"Mai-Nee, wait." Tatsuo said in a tired tone. "Let me explain what's going on here."

"You don't have to say anything, Tatsu-Kun." Mai said in a tone filled with righteous fury. "I know a thieving cat when I see one."

"A thieving cat, huh?" Tio asked, sounding more and more amused as time went by. "Does that mean you are Tatsuo's girlfriend, Miss?"

Immediately, Mai's momentum faltered.

"Because from what I know, Tatsuo's girlfriend's name is not Mai." Tio continued.

Immediately, Tatsuo turned his head in Tio's direction with a panicked expression on his face.

"Tio, what are you doing?" Tatsuo whisper shouted.

At that moment, Tio realized she had said more than she should have. She then turned to look at Tatsuo with an apologetic tone. Though, Tatsuo could see in her eyes that she said that on purpose, looking forward to the punishment that would follow such a slip of the tongue.

"Tatsu-Kun, what does she mean?" Mai asked, looking as if she was on the verge of tears. "How could you? What about our promise that summer under the Sakura tree?"

"*Sigh* Mai-Nee, doesn't this ever get old for you?" Tatsuo asked in an exasperated tone. "I mean, can't you at least come up with some new, fictional, material? You know, to keep things fresh. I mean, it would be more fun, even if not less annoying, if you made me feel like it was the first time, every time."

"I'll consider it." Mai replied in a serious tone. "Now, tell me about this girlfriend that woman spoke of."

*Bang!*

"Ow!" Mai cried in pain as she collapsed to the floor while reaching up to hold the top of her head.

"That's enough, Mai-Chan." Sumire, who was now standing in the open doorway with Kasumi standing behind her, said after jumping up and punching Mai on the top of her head.

"But Sumire-Sama~~!" Mai whined while tears welled up in her eyes. "She said Tatsu-Kun has a girlfriend. I need to find out who that thieving cat is."

"Then what?" Sumire asked as she stepped past Mai, who was crouched on the floor.

"I'll eliminate her." Mai replied in a dark tone.

"*Sigh* I saw that coming." Tatsuo and Sumire muttered in unison.

Sumire then decided to ignore Mai completely. Instead, she chose to approach Tatsuo and hug him into her arms.

"You just got back, huh?" Sumire asked in a motherly tone. "Are you hungry? Do you want Mommy to cook something for you?"

"I guess a little something to eat wouldn't hurt." Tatsuo muttered into his mother's embrace. "Thanks, Mom. And I'm glad to be back."

With that, Tatsuo wrapped his arms around his mother's waist, making Sumire smile brightly.

"Tatsuo-Kun, are you alright?" Kasumi asked after walking around Mai, as well. You look really exhausted. Also, why don't you introduce us to your new friend?"

"Yeah, I'm alright, Kasumi-Neesan." Tatsuo replied. "And this is---"

"You can introduce your friend over a meal." Sumire said, interrupting Tatsuo's introduction. "For now, just get some rest. I'll let you know when the food is ready. Inter-dimensional travel can be quite taxing if you're not used to it."

With that, Sumire let go of Tatsuo. Then, she pulled Kasumi closer and made her sit next to Tatsuo. After that, she made Tatsuo lay his head on Kasumi's lap and rest his legs across Tio's.

"You two, take care of Tatsu-Chan until the food is ready." Sumire said with a smile. She then turned around as she continued. "Mai, come with me to help with the food."

"Why me?" Mai asked in a petulant tone. "Kasumi can cook, too. I wanna take care of Tatsu-Kun~!"

"Because I know what kind of taking care you'll try to do." Sumire shot back. "And I'd rather not have you fight with our guest when she tries to stop you from taking advantage of Tatsu-Chan. Now, come with me and stop arguing."

Mai pouted in response to Sumire's words. However, she did not argue. So, Sumire, and Mai, with heavy steps, left Tatsuo's room to prepare something to eat, leaving Tatsuo, Kasumi, and Tio in the bedroom. And instead of starting to talk immediately, both Kasumi and Tio watched Tatsuo, who had closed his eyes, for a few moments.

"I know Sumire-Sama said that we should wait until the food is ready, but I'm Tenshin Kasumi." Kasumi said, introducing herself while bowing her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." Tio replied. "And I'm Tio Klarus. But feel free to call me Tio."

Meanwhile, as Kasumi and Tio took the opportunity to get to know each other, Tatsuo looked back at his [Notifications]. He then chose [Yes].

{Notifications]

Beginning Lottery Spin. Please Wait.}

While the reward lottery was spinning, Tatsuo decided he would take a look at the [Dimensional Chat to see what he missed while dealing with Mai's antics.

{[Dimensional Chat]

Vampire Princess has joined the [Dimensional Chat]

James: Damn, that was horrible

Sumire: Yeah, My whole body hurts

Sumire: I can't even stand up on my own

Sumire: It's a good thing Aletia-San and Shea-San were here

Alfonzo: You're back already?

Alfonzo: Well, I guess time did stop for us

Lici: Hello, new member

Lici: Vampire Princess, that's Yue, right?

Vampire Princess: Yue? Who?

Lici: Huh?

Alfonzo: Sumire said something about Aletia, right?

Alfonzo: Then, it's who you're thinking, Lici

Lici: Huh?

Alfonzo: You forgot, Yue was the name Hajime gave her

Alfonzo: Aletia is her real name

Lici: Oh!

Lici: That's right!

Vampire Princess: ???

Sumire: I'll tell you about it later

Vampire Princess: Okay

Sumire: For now, change your name

Sumire: You should read the rules, too

Vampire Princess: Okay

James: By the way, where is Tatsuo

Alfonzo: No idea

Lici: Maybe he's busy

Lici: I'm sure he'll get on soon

Lici: Anyway, how was your trip to Arifureta?}

In response to Elicia's question, Sumire and James told Alfonzo and Elicia about their time in the Arifureta Universe. And when they got to the part about the world freezing...

{[Dimensional Chat]

Alfonzo: LMAO 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Alfonzo: Wait... You two did all that to keep the world safe while you were gone....

Alfonzo: Then, the world froze when you left?

Alfonzo: LMAO 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

James: Yeah, yeah, laugh it up

James: Damn, I hate wasted effort

Lici: Hey, look on the bright side

Lici: You'll have more time to plan when you go back, right?

Sumire: I told Tatsuo-Kun the same thing

Vampire Princess changed ID to Aletia

Aletia: Finally figured it out

Lici: Anyway, what rewards did you get?

Alfonzo: Yeah, I Wann know, too

James: Oh, I'm pretty happy with mine

James: I got Tenseiga from Inuyasha

James sent file Tenseiga.jpg

James: I'll just have to be careful about showing it off when I visit Yasaka

James: I'm not sure if he has one

James: But if he does, it could be an issue

Alfonzo: There's even Inuyasha in your world?

James: The only one I've ever met is Sesshōmaru

James: But I wouldn't be surprised if there were more here

Lici: What did you get, Sumire?

Sumire: Um... I got something called the Scutum Cloth

Sumire: I'm not sure what it is, though

Sumire sent file Scutum Cloth Constellation Form.jpg

James: Seriously, you got a Silver Cloth from Saint Seiya

Sumire: Uh... I guess so?}

And that was the moment when Tatsuo joined the chat

{[Dimensional Chat]

Tatsuo (Admin): Alright, I'm here

Tatsuo (Admin): Had to deal with my family

Tatsuo (Admin): Mai-Nee lost it when she saw Tio

Alfonzo: Tio?

Alfonzo: Fuck

Alfonzo: My condolences

Lici: Yeah, I'm not sure I would be able to deal with a masochist like her

Alfonzo: Oh, we already know you can't

Alfonzo: You run at the sight of Darkness

Alfonzo: And Karen asks you to tie her up every time she sees you

James: Wait

James: Karen Lilica is still alive?

Alfonzo: Yeah, Lici saved her

Alfonzo: Made her give up her Celestial Keys, too

James: Damn

James: Good job, Lici}

{[Notifications]

Reward chosen!

-Obtained: [Skill] – [Purification Magic – B]}

At that moment, Tatsuo finally received his random reward. However, when he saw what it was, he was a bit disappointed. Especially since his last reward was an [Ability] like [The End]. But since he could not do anything about it, he just read the description of [Purification Magic].

{[Purification Magic – B]

-With the use of Seals or Rituals, the user gains the ability to purify a target of curses, malicious or unnatural energies, or foreign material. However, the more powerful the objects or energy to be purified, the more [Energy] required to do so.}

'Although this isn't my preferred kind of skill, I guess it could come in handy.' Tatsuo thought to himself. 'Well, I'll have to work on it even if I don't have to use it too often. It's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it, after all.'

{[Dimensional Chat]

Tatsuo (Admin): I just got my reward

Lici: Ooh! Whatcha get?

Tatsuo (Admin): Purification Magic

Tatsuo (Admin): Not exactly what I was hoping for

Tatsuo (Admin): But it could come in handy

James: Damn right it can

James: That means it could probably cleanse poison, right

Tatsuo (Admin): Looks like it

James: Not even Asia's Twilight Healing can do that

James: So, that's some real clutch shit

Tatsuo (Admin): I know

Tatsuo (Admin): It's just not what I was hoping for

Personal Ninja has joined the [Dimensional Chat]}

The addition of an unknown member of the [Dimensional Chat] let everyone know that the random invitation had been accepted. Yet, no one was exactly sure who the new member was. Though, some of them had guesses.