An interesting event took place on the fifth floor of the Dungeon of Damnation. In one of the hidden caves, Asme, Caera, Seraphine, and Sarron appeared at Avi's summons.
The women weren't pleased with their company. For some time, Asme and Caera had avoided Seraphine like the plague. When their relationship got back on track, it suddenly fell apart like a house of cards.
FBI agents, not knowing the details, could have suspected the little fairy of treason, or worse, conspiring against Ramiel. Preparing a meeting with the strongest and closest people to the Dungeon Master without his knowledge looks extremely suspicious. However, one couldn't be more wrong. Since the fight with the humanoid rat, Avi has decided never to betray Ramiel, no matter how much he might change.
If he wants to destroy the world? No problem, the fairy will help him do it.
" Khm... Dear ladies and Sarron, although we all may not like each other too much and are fond of each other, let's try not to jump down each other's throats this once... at least listen to the end of what I have to say. "
Avi's high-pitched voice echoed through the empty space. It acted like an excellent fire extinguisher during a minor fire, temporarily saying goodbye to the crisis.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to the hovering fairy.
Avi felt an invisible pressure directed at her despite being their official superior.
Ba - Thump
Her steady heartbeat turned into a rushing train, and a huge lump nestled in her throat, blocking all words.
" So why have you gathered us here? I have more important things to do than... entertaining children... "
The necromancer didn't hide her contempt or disgust for some of the female attendees of the meeting. Her venom-covered words should serve as sufficient proof.
Seraphine's abrasive remark sobered Avi. She took the initiative before an uncontrollable fire erupted. A split-second delay and things would have gotten unpleasant.
" AS I SAID, try not to jump down each other's throats... you probably don't want to give him another reason to worry... he hasn't had it easy lately anyway... "
Avi breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the flames that heralded the coming war fade in the blood-red irises of the horned beauty. The fairy was truly playing with fire by defying Ramiel's instructions.
He ordered them to stay away at all costs until they returned from the abyss. What did Avi do? She ignored him and did what she felt like doing. If he found out, Avi preferred not to think about it.
Cough
The fairy straightened her posture, adding a touch of confidence.
" As you all probably know, Ramiel isn't from the same place as us. Around the same time in his world, a special period is going on right now called Christmas. We all know Ramiel very well and what he is like. You've probably noticed that he hasn't been at his best lately... Anyway, considering the mess he's been in lately, you can't blame him. And so I am full of admiration that he hasn't fallen into depression yet. All in all, it's hard for him... "
Avi interrupted, glancing meaningfully at the two women sitting next to her. It was thanks to them... or the more appropriate word would be for them, that Ramiel was still holding on as such. Things would have been bad for him if it weren't for them.
" Ramiel won't admit it, but he's more homesick than you might think. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I do it on purpose, don't take those words personally... but unlike you, he has something to return to. "
" Ramiel hasn't quite accepted the fate that has befallen him. When he's alone, he's often caught reminiscing about old times... By appearing here, he lost everything he worked hard for for years... "
Suddenly, Avi felt sorry for Ramiel. The man really gave 120% of himself before he died so that the people he cared about could live peaceful and carefree lives...
How did it end? This... probably everyone remembers...
" That's why I thought we could do something for him together... We could replicate Christmas or at least Christmas Eve dinner for one evening. You might not understand because we don't have that in our house, but it means a lot to him, or at least it did... "
" Will we help him with this? "
Caera whispered softly and shyly. Her soft voice caught everyone's attention, confusing the elfess.
" Yes, I am sure of it! Listen... "
Avi spent an immeasurable amount of time explaining the intricacies of holidays, traditions, and rituals, then presented everyone with her plan.
Seraphine let out a tired sigh. In the time she had sacrificed, she could have passed another milestone on the path of the necromancy element. She respected Ramiel for his strength and agreed to follow him but saw no point in participating in this venture.
" Avi, if you didn't plan for me to participate anyway, why did you bring me here? "
Seraphine had been bothered by this for some time, but she didn't interrupt the fairy's lecture out of courtesy and the hierarchy that prevailed in the dungeon. She waited patiently until she finished.
" Well... We literally don't need you... we just need your room. Ramiel never comes there without a reason, anyway. Unfortunately, that isn't the case in other parts of the dungeon. When he wants to be alone, he wanders off unexpectedly. I wouldn't be surprised if he even found this room. "
" Coming back, I thought that if I hadn't invited you, you would have felt offended... No matter how you look at it, Ramiel values and respects you because of your knowledge and skills. There is a reason why he gives you a free hand in many matters. You are smart. You should have noticed this long ago from the way he gives you a leadership role in the abyss when he has to deal with a stronger enemy. "
In fact, Avi was right. Seraphine would have felt offended. However, it didn't change the fact that she hated it when some rats scurried around her lab.
" Fine, I'll agree ... but nothing is free. I want the bimonthly funds that the Master has allocated to me for research in advance. The price is non-negotiable. "
Suddenly, Avi's energetic enthusiasm sank darkly into the ocean. She expected it wouldn't be easy, but it was a robbery in broad daylight! Seraphine's budget was one-fifth of Ramiel's expenses anyway. The fortune teller couldn't agree to this.
" Three weeks. "
" Two months. "
" Three weeks "
" Two months and one week."
" One month is my last suggestion. "
" Two and a half months."
Avi gritted her teeth.
" I didn't want to do this, but you forced me to. With the authority of a fairy, for the greater good, I order you to agree to the terms I have presented. - A one-time payment of one month's research budget! "
Seraphine had no choice but to agree. She was constrained by the laws by which the universe was governed.
~~~~~~
The massive abyssal gate opened with a bang. The skeletons guarding it jumped up in terror. Their bony spears pointed toward the impenetrable darkness. They were ready to sacrifice their existence to stop the approaching intruder.
Fortunately, the uninvited guest turned out to be none other than their Master. Seeing his cold eyes, they returned to their posts.
A tired Ramiel had just returned from another hunt. Lately, he had been losing himself in work or training to avoid thinking about some of the things that had been preoccupying his mind. Free time? He forcefully banished the word from his dictionary. It only caused unwanted problems and stupid thoughts.
The man hadn't had time to cross the dungeon gates well when the familiar voice of the fairy resounded in his head.
' Ramiellllllllll, wash yourself. Even from where I am, I can smell your stench. When you're done, come to Seraphine's lab. We need to talk about something. Don't even dare put me to bed. It's important. '
' Can't we postpone it until tomorrow? I really don't want to solve any more problems between Seraphine and Asme and Caera... '
Don't I allow them too much? - A brief thought crossed Ramiel's exhausted mind.
' No, and this isn't another argument. When you come, you will understand! Otherwise, I will bite you all night! '
" ... "
" I need some time to bring it up ... " The man walked towards the makeshift shower, muttering under his breath.
He was standing in front of the stone door of Seraphine's laboratory some time later. Like any scientist, she valued privacy and sanctity, and Ramiel respected that. He usually didn't interfere with her research and development unless he had something particularly important. After all, her strength is his strength.
The door opened with the unmistakable sound of stones rubbing together as a bit of Ramiel's mana entered the magical formation carved into the rock.
Impenetrable darkness greeted Ramiel at the entrance. He reflexively raised his guard, but as soon as he felt the familiar trail of the two women's mana, he lowered it.
" Avi ? "
" Come here, Seraphine's experiment didn't go as she predicted... You can probably see what happened, or rather, you can't see... Ugh... it's difficult... "
Ramiel didn't have to look long for the perpetrator of the commotion. In the middle of the room, a simple magical formation activated, absorbing visible light.
Destroying it wasn't the slightest problem for him. Only one thing puzzled him, what was Asme and Caera doing here. Spending every free moment with the women, he could recognize their subtle scents even in a garden overflowing with aromatic flowers.
" How did Seraphine screw up such a simple thing? "
No matter from which side Ramiel looked at the magical formation, he could see the basic flaws in the design of the support circle. Even novice hunters can create something better than this thing...
Snap
A single snap of the fingers was enough to make the failed formation a thing of the past forever.
" That's it... "
Along with Ramiel's voice permeated with exasperation, the impenetrable gloom faded from his eyes. It now resembled the morning mist in the middle of spring.
" Now explain one thing to me. Didn't I make myself clear... "
Ramiel broke off in mid-sentence, unable to believe what he was seeing.
In the middle of Seraphine's laboratory stood a tree. At first glance, it looked ordinary, but when Ramiel looked at it closely, he noticed several incongruous elements.
Handmade ornaments resembling baubles hanging on a Christmas tree dangled from the branches. They were interspersed with green moss, mimicking the golden chain that wove between the plant's lush branches.
Most of all, Ramiel liked the crystals, which now and then changed color to imitate the bright light. In his first second, he thought of Christmas lights. This brought a shy smile to his face.
When the effect of the first impression passed, he turned his attention to the rest. Twelve dishes lay on the makeshift stone table. Considering the dwindling food supply, Ramiel considered it a veritable feast.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small bundle of dry grass, deceptively resembling hay.
Feeling the intense gaze of two figures on him, Ramiel turned his gaze in their direction.
On the opposite side of the table sat Asme and Caera, who couldn't wait for Ramiel to honor them with his presence.
Asme's hand moved forward, encouraging the man to join them.
Her beautiful face was adorned with a charming smile that would seduce any member of the opposite sex within a radius of five hundred meters. It was meant to hurry Ramiel along. Sometimes, he needed a little encouragement.
" Ramiel ... maybe - maybe you'll sit with us ... " Caera's shoulders moved nervously, and pointed ears flicked downward. In a way, she was trying to compete with Asme. She may not have had as strong a charm as her, but she still gave it her all.
Ramiel's intuition kicked in before his mind had time to process the information. Within a second, he found himself between the women.
Suddenly, he felt the firm and hot peaks of the women flooding him from both sides. He had long since become addicted to the heat they produced. A simple touch was enough to make all the problems consuming his mind disappear, like winter snow when spring arrived.
" Merry Christmas, Ramiel, on the occasion of Christmas. "
The sweet voices of Asme and Caera caressed Ramiel's ears with frightening synchronicity. As you can see, hours of training weren't in vain.
At the same time, a small snake wrapped itself spirally around his index finger, hissing pleasantly in the process.
Ss ( Merry Christmas).
" Merry Christmas! "
Avi popped out of a small package adorned with a pink bow. Her purple hair was hidden under a red hat, topped with a white and fluffy pom-pom, which vigorously hopped to the rhythm of the fairy's vigorous movements.
With lightning speed, Avi found herself next to Ramiel. She threw herself at him without a second thought, snuggling into the man's chest.
Ramiel sat as if he had been caught off guard. No words could leave his throat, which had shrunk to its limit. He had expected everything, but not this. The pleasant surprise prepared by the brazen fairy surprised him profoundly.
A peculiar kind of warmth filled his heart, radiating to the rest of his body and reviving old memories. The last time... he felt similarly during Christmas... when his family was still together.
" Ramiel? Are you angry? "
Avi let out a quiet and uncertain whisper. Embarrassment was painted on her face, and her eyes were bathed in fear and confusion.
Usually, Ramiel's silence meant nothing good.
" You've been walking around depressed lately, and Christmas are approaching... I thought... you know... at least for a while you'll feel at home... like on Earth... "
A lone tear wandered down Ramiel's cheek. Although she was the last one left on the battlefield, it contained a sea of unspoken feelings.
Unexpectedly, Avi squealed.
Ramiel's rough and massive fingers scared her to the marrow of her bones.
" Thank you. "
Ramiel said nothing more. One word was enough to convey the feelings churning in the depths of her heart. Although he didn't show it at first glance, it meant a lot to him.
" Aren't you angry? "
" Why should I be angry? For organizing all this? "
Ramiel's index finger found its way to the top of Avi's head, tenderly patting her carefully arranged hair.
" Am I the best? "
" You are the best ... Ugh "
Ramiel felt the slender, delicate fingers pulling subtly on his ear. He involuntarily tilted his head to the side, but it didn't help much. It was a well-coordinated attack from both sides.
" Honey, didn't you accidentally forget someone? "
In Asme's melodious voice, he sensed a subtle tremor caused by slight nervousness.
" It wasn't just Avi who was working hard ! "
Caera's sweet voice assailed him from the opposite direction. Also, like Asme, she was fed up with Ramiel's short-sightedness. Who knows, maybe... if she pretends to be offended, she'll get some kind of Christmas present.
Ramiel smiled under his breath at the women's behavior, confusing them with it.
It took him exactly a second to lock them in a tight embrace.
" You are better than the best... "
A faint murmur reached the minds of Caera and Asme, causing a scarlet blush on the faces of both women...
This was just the beginning of the attractions planned by Avi. After a festive dinner, all five gathered around the campfire. Their time was made more pleasant by carols from Ramiel's childhood, sung by Asme. Her melodious voice gave a deeper meaning to the long-forgotten songs. Finally, after a few minutes, all four joined in the fun together. Even occasionally, Ramiel could hear Sarron's timid hissing.
Avi had really put a lot of effort into preparing the lyrics. Sifting through Ramiel's hazy memories wasn't the easiest thing in the world.
After the songs, it was time for everyone's eagerly awaited gifts. From Caera, he received a handmade leather bracelet decorated with subtle ornaments alluding to the forest's wild vegetation. It was nothing special, except for a simple magical formation that briefly pierced the first layer of space.
Asme gave him a necklace of pink Infirnyt crystal.
Unfortunately, Ramiel had no gifts for the women... but Caera and Asme weren't disappointed. They received another prize, which they will certainly not complain about 3:) This night will remain in the memories of both women for a long time.
At the end of the day, Ramiel was grateful to Avi. Thanks to her, he could break away from the gloomy and gray reality... At least for one evening, he could feel like he was in a real home. In difficult moments, the warmth of home always gave him new strength. When he is missing... a gloomy period in his life begins...