Unfortunately, Aureas didn't have all that much info regarding this topic. Only that somewhere in my dream, there's apparently some kind of doomsday cult that worships Oroi.

Yet holed up as he was, he of course didn't bother to investigate this "minor" issue any further. In any case, I consider Mum's deployment a success and think I should bring her out again before Dad may, despite his reality bubble, find that something is off if he discovers that we both vanished.

So, Mum and I find ourselves a short time later back in my room.

"Whosh"

"Urgh. This is really not quite for me. I'm always feeling weirdly dizzy after the travel. And... exposed. Seriously, I could do without the touching." (S)

"Sorry, Mum. I guess some form of contact is mandatory." (I)

"Yes, I get it. Just don't let it become a habit. I don't think I can take a trip like this every day." (S)

"Of course, but... thank you. You really helped me out there." (I)

"Always. You can count on me if you need help. It's at least something to have been involved for once instead of only hearing the ridiculous stories afterwards." (S)

I'd like to say something against this, yet my track record doesn't really allow me to do so.

"In any case, what about Chiaki? You didn't forget her, did you?" (S)

"No, naturally not! I left her with her patron goddess at a nice cafe in town." (I)

"The cafe... in that town... in your dream... Sigh. So much for the ridiculousness. Nonetheless, you should probably get her out of there. Her mother did already call, as she doesn't get on her phone. Though I probably shouldn't wonder about reception." (S)

"Okay. Then you please tell Dad that everything is okay." (I)

And please don't let him get the idea that I talked with Mum about bees and polls. As I send Mum off, I don't waste another moment to be back in my dream. Since my revelation, otherwise known as my existential crisis, that there is no distinction between me and my dream, I realized that I don't have to manifest a body to be truly there. I am this whole construct of dream matter, and even reach far beyond this. Therefore, my scan ability is basically just me, looking into myself. Insofar, I basically know now the principles I'm working with here. Actually, there are a lot more shenanigans at play here, similar to how the nerves of the body aren't just that, but work through transference of electric, bio-chemical signals, and what else, but just a whole way more eldritchy and paranormal, but in principle, it's simply bodily awareness.

Therefore, it's the simplest task to find my friend, even in a city of a hundred thousand. The bigger trouble is to get them to notice me and urge them into an unsurveilled alley.

"Iori! You're back!" (C)

"Sure. You know that I wasn't going to leave you here, right?" (I)

"Well, sure. But you were a little awkward recently, and it could've been that time dilation started again." (C)

No, that effect is now properly locked away behind a thousand mental barriers. Possibly some pseudo-physical ones as well, the way things work here. Nonetheless, having to hear that from Chiaki kinda ticks me off.

"Sorry, but I had to deal with a deity that was going through its rebellious phase. Convincing Aureas to work with me was quite a lot of work. And not only do I still have to stomach that I apparently caused widespread destruction to this realm, no, now I as well got to know that there's a doomsday cult in my name!" (I)

"Well, someone is snappy." (So)

I don't need to get berated about my behavior by a Cheshire cat!

"And you! If you already have your all-so-great cuddle-cat-surveillance-network, then how does it happen that you're not telling me a thing about it?!" (I)

I can barely contain the quaking of the world. At least in that department, there's progress.

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"You may try to practice inner calm here." (So)

Not in the mood.

"I asked a question." (I)

Soraja doesn't exactly flinch, but I perceive a shift that might indicate she became more apprehensive.

"Maybe it was because cult members don't cuddle with the familiars of a presumed opposing deity? Aside from that, they aren't even a real problem. They may refuse to take part in any form of faith generation, but aside from some odd proclamations that are commonly seen as bewildering, there wasn't much coming from them. There weren't even any attacks. Also, it's not like this could be stopped as a whole with the current population. There'll always be some willing to dedicate their existence to what they see as an opposing force, solely to be opposing. Maybe you could even be partly at fault for this development, as it could be a side effect of the calamity." (S)

"Yeah, edgelords will always be a thing." (C)

"Fine. Whatever. You got the day with your patron goddess, Chiaki, but apparently your Mum gets worried and you should head back now." (I)

"Awh. But today was so nice. We went to a lot of shops, and I could visit the sights." (C)

"Great for you, but I can't get you out until you stop your avatar program, so if you'd please." (I)

At least, I don't know how that would affect her conscience. Would it remain here? Would the connection be cut off? Would it throw her mind into complete disarray? No, I'd rather do this carefully.

"Sigh. Fine. Let's do this." (C)

The next moment, Chiaki drops lifelessly to the ground. Well, rather the husk she left here, but it's no less problematic how I now need to get rid of what is basically a corpse. Fortunately, that's the least of my problems, as I can just swallow the whole thing up.

"Well, so much for this. I'll then just port to your temple and bring Chiaki out, okay?" (I)

I'm sure she doesn't want to interact with me longer than she has to, the same way I want to stop stalling our departure.

"Wait!" (So)

Or maybe I'm wrong.

"Look. I'm sorry about the last sixty or so years. It wasn't meant against you. I didn't plan on keeping Chiaki away from you." (I)

"This isn't about that. Well, surely it mattered to me, but there's another focus. Something of immense importance." (So)

Sure, because things can't just be trivial and without any stakes.

"What is it?" (I)

"My intimate, she... something changed." (So)

Chiaki? For real? I just fought an outer god to get her back. How can she be in danger again?

"Could you please stop being ominous and just spit it out?" (I)

"You see, as I spent the day with her, I came to analyze her internal energy. It is profoundly different from before." (So)

"Sure it is, with all the light mana she topped herself off with." (I)

"Iori. It wasn't the mana. It amplified, sure, but by now I'm confident, it's her." (So)

Okay, if Soraja opts to only whisper something in front of me, well, then I'm concerned.

"Who?" (I)

"Who do you think I mean?!! The only one who matters! The one who decided the fate of nations at her time. Anameri, the great saint!" (So)

The name doesn't ring a thing with me. Still, it sounds disturbing.

"But wasn't her ancient identity supposed to be sealed away with the corresponding memories?" (I)

"Yes, that's the point. I didn't lift the seal, and she clearly isn't fully Anameri yet. But I see more and more glimpses of her. In some way, they were the same from the start. The same soul, the same foundation, but now I'm sure there are moments when she carries herself with her old dignity and nonchalance." (So)

It... does make terrifying sense. The old Chiaki was afraid of demons, overwhelmed by the supernatural things happening around her. I took it as a form of coping, that she trained and became braver, but what if this was backed up by a good measure of ancient saint in her bloodline?

"Then what can I do? What about Chiaki?!" (I)

This... This is the most troubling as of yet. Soraja is... at a loss.

"I wouldn't know. Soul transmogrification isn't my field of expertise. Maybe, maybe this is for the better? Anameri is her true form. All of her that she sealed away. It's just... maybe it is too early. After all, she herself was the one who sealed this part of her. I, I don't know." (So)

That's little consolation. My friend is about to get diluted by several centuries of memories. Urgh, that's just too ethically philosophic of a question to deal with. For now, I should focus on bringing her out again.

So up to Soraja's temple I go, where the real Chiaki is still waiting.

"Hell, you took your sweet time! I thought you'd be right behind me! What kept you so long?!" (C)

I'm not sure if mentioning my talk with Soraja would help Chiaki. Soraja obviously thought so as well. That aside, I also had to discuss some more stuff about the state of the world with Soraja. Hopefully, we can sort things out.

"Alright, then let's go!" (C)

Not like she has to tell me twice. I certainly could use a break in my room.

I quickly gobble her up and manifest back in my room, where I can bring her out again. Impressively, Chiaki barely seems impacted by the journey.

"Nice to be here again. Your dimension is cool and all, but somehow something always feels off there. I feel much more at ease if I'm here with you" (C)

"I could certainly have done without Soraja picking at me for every little complaint she got. And the whole thing with this age of calamity I caused wasn't great either." (I)

"Nonetheless, it was nice to do this with you. We should repeat this soon." (C)

Nice? I was on edge the whole time with keeping up with everything.

"How do you mean this?" (I)

"You see, it's not like you could go all out in our dimension. So I think it does you some good to let go of the restraints from time to time. Well, with the city thing that wasn't quite possible, nonetheless, it was nice. Though if my Mum hadn't called, I might have challenged you to a mock battle. That last one was really cool!" (C)

. . .

"Cool?" (I)

"Yeah! How you grew all that stuff and I dodged around it. The clash of powers! That was really like in a shonen anime!" (C)

Is she for real? I was fighting, thinking that absolutely everything is at stake, and she makes it sound like a fun pastime.

"I didn't exactly enjoy it when I was fighting you, Chiaki." (I)

"Awh, come on! Not even a tiny little bit? Didn't see you ever going all out like back then. That must've been at least a bit of a special moment to remember for you!" (C)

"I distinctly remember how you stabbed me." (I)

I can still feel the sensation. That all-encompassing light that simply burns me away.

"Yeah, there was that. Though you took it like a champ! Well, okay, maybe not perfectly. Seemed like you had to digest that for quite some time. Huh, that's a pun, because you devour everything! Get it?" (C)

"Yes, but it's not exactly a good one." (I)

"Nonetheless, it's great that you got over it! I was worried that you might stay all grumpy today!" (C)

. . .

And this is where I lose it.

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