Archive of Our Own ^beta

Rimuru was… nowhere. But also everywhere? Somehow, there seemed to be nothing save for a vast expanse of void, but there were still nebulae and entire worlds and stars floating around him. With every unneeded blink, black holes would disappear and spiraling solar systems would take their place. Enchanting would be the only way to describe it. The End of Time and Space, Ciel had called it.

And yet Rimuru hated it.

“The end of time and space, where there's nothing to go wrong, and I still have the stress levels of someone being hunted for sport,” Rimuru hissed under his breath as he flew through an asteroid field that kept phasing in and out of existence. Ciel, distant as she fiddled around with Space-Time Warp, which seemed to be having a hissy fit now that Rimuru was finally awake again, gave an agreeing hum. Comforting in the sense it reassured him he wasn't alone; terrifying in the sense that Ciel was also on edge, or at least as close to stressed as someone who claimed they never lose could be.

To be fair, what didn't they have to be on edge about? Ramiris and Shion and Souei and everyone were fighting for their lives. There was no definite way for Rimuru to be sure they'd all still be alive when they got back. If they got back, for that matter, which was another thought that did nothing to ease Rimuru’s heart rate! And he didn't even have one of those anymore!!

Rimuru came to an abrupt stop. His draconic wings pulled in slightly as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Panicking and rushing through things has gotten him into trouble in the past. For now, all he could do is stay calm and think this through. Or, more accurately: let Ciel rearrange skills, mess with Nihility Collapse, and hopefully not go creating her own world just for curiosity's sake.

He opened his eyes slowly when he felt more in control. The scenery had changed again. Still taking deep breaths, Rimuru let his gaze wander, taking in moons and-

Is that a satellite?

Not like a planet’s satellite, no. Like, a metal, human made one. If he was between worlds like how Velgrynd chased after Rudra’s soul, then perhaps that would make some sense, but if this place was what it seemed to be, then there should be no way a hand crafted satellite would be floating in the aether.

“Surely a familiar sight inside your imprisonment isn't some kind of trap of mental torture, Rimuru. Hey, you're right, Rimuru; let's go poke at it,” he mocked to himself, already flapping his wings. Unfortunately for whatever small voice of reason Rimuru has, Ciel said:

<<From an analysis of the surroundings, that satellite does seem to be made using metals from the Otherworld. If this was a trap, it's a very elaborate one.>>

“What I'm hearing is that it's alright if I poke it?”

<<Yes,>> Ciel agreed. Rimuru got the impression she'd be nodding her head if she could. It did kinda seem like her reason was more ‘for science!’ than anything else, but he'd take it.

Kicking his legs and using his arms to push himself forward like he was swimming, Rimuru continued on, bolstered by the support of Ciel. Or her curiosity melding with his own, at least. Whatever it may have been urging him forward, it also kept him from blinking or breathing, settling back into a slime’s mentality as he tried to will the environment to not shift again. Thankfully, it didn't, and he soon found himself circling the satellite.

It was much bigger up close. Obviously, most things that get launched into space are much bigger up close. Maybe it was because Rimuru was a good foot and half shorter (give or take) than he had been as Satoru Mikami, but the satellite seemed as big as Veldora’s dragon form. Weren't they only supposed to be, like, as big as a car? Or was it a piano… It didn't matter! The point was: this satellite was definitely way bigger than it should've been.

“Despite its size, it looks about right,” Rimuru muttered. He tilted his head this way and that, squinting at it from all angles. The metal, like Ciel had said, certainly seemed to be proper Earth metals. Rimuru couldn't see any magicules coming from it, anyway. And besides that, the fact that he could reach out and touch it, trailing his fingertips over screws and welding marks, meant it was real- well, more real that the asteroids or the black holes. “But… if you are from Earth, then that explains how you got into space, but how'd you clip through time?”

<<Satellites are orbit locked to planets, right?>> Ciel pointedly asked. Rimuru hummed a confirmation, uncaring of whether or not that was a rhetorical question, yet still turned around to find what Ciel wanted him to notice.

It wasn't hard to find. To orbit lock the satellite, it needed to be bigger than the satellite, and boy was it. Even so, it did not look like a planet.

“Ciel? You can see my memories- you know those rubber bouncy balls you get from arcades and what not? The ones you look at and think ‘I want to put that in my mouth?’”

The judgment hung heavy around them.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Rimuru’s point was that from space, the Jupiter sized (eh… give or take) planet looked exactly like those multicolored balls. The top half was blue, and the bottom half was green. It could've been a barrier of some kind, but there were two problems with that that Rimuru could find:

If this was a barrier, then the people on the planet’s actual surface would have to be incredibly smart. Probably too smart to be using human technology from the 1960s.

The colors weren't slanted even a bit, which meant the planet was not tilted either. Rimuru -Satoru- wasn't an astrologist or astronaut or anyone else that dealt with space, but he was still pretty sure planets that didn't have a tilt had something seriously wrong with them.

Ciel helpfully chirped, <<It would seem all planets in Earth’s solar system do have an axis, and thus a tilt. However, it would appear your scientists have deduced that -because the Universe is so large- that there are, presumably, planets that do not have a tilt.>>

Rimuru has no memory of reading about that in his previous life, but knowing Ciel, she might've picked it out of a radio or tv playing in the back of one of Satoru’s memories. Rimuru dropped his hands onto his hips and huffed.

“So, I somehow stumbled across what's currently the only known planet with no axis, and it just so happens to have a man-made satellite? And it looks like a child’s toy? …Something's odd here.” Still, Ciel was very much correct: if this was a trap, it was a painfully elaborate one. Who would even have the power to do it? Milim and Jahil and Feldway and Dagruel- they were all scarily strong in their own rights, sure, but to do this? There was no way.

<<I believe the saying is: “let's go poke the bear.”>>

Rimuru couldn't help the loud snort that escaped him. A hand flew up to cover his mouth, but his snickering was still very much audible as he choked out, “It's- no, no. You're right. Let's go poke the bear.”

Ciel oozed embarrassment but didn't object. Rimuru, despite knowing the correct idiom, thought Ciel’s phrase was perfect for the situation and ended up doing his best to give her a mental pat on the back. Obviously that went about as well as expected; Ciel’s presence grew less faint though, so mission accomplished nevertheless.

When they approached the mysterious planet’s exosphere, Ciel instantly began running appraisal. It took barely a moment before she said, <<There appears to be a door where the two hemispheres collide. It should be a bit to your right.>>

“A door?” Rimuru echoed, baffled.

<<A door.>>

Slowly, Rimuru blinked. “...You know what? Sure. This might as well be happening.” Thoroughly resigned to about 60% of his problems, Rimuru dove right as told. He slowly began to circle the planet at level to where blue met green until-

There!

Victorious, Rimuru shot toward the door. If it was open already, this was a bit overkill, but what kind of idiot would leave the door to their planet unlocked? That's how people got killed in Star Wars. Repeatedly. So, yes, Rimuru did fling his entire body weight at the door…

And yes, it was already open.

Rimuru tumbled into the world. He rolled through grass and dandelions and- were those fire flies? He snapped his wings open wide and flat, instantly stopping his rolling so he could stare, wide eyed and with his mouth agape, at the small beetle resting amongst a thick blade of grass.

“Holy shit,” he said, for lack of anything else. Ciel, a being from a world that has no fire flies at all, began prodding through his memories of kids books and outdated google searches. In turn, the fire fly, entirely unbothered, continued to sit there.

“Do you like them?” A deep voice rumbled. Rimuru instantly tensed, jumping into a crouch. Ciel had already dropped her previous curiosity to pull up Rimuru’s skills like an online MMO. With thought acceleration, they both took in the sight of- “Quite a curious species. They glow, you see, and it truly is enchanting.”

Veldora.

No, not Veldora. It was…

“Star King Veldanava,” Rimuru gasped. It was the only explanation for the sheer power radiating off of the man -a power that Rimuru’s own True Dragon aura reached for. Even excluding his sheer strength, the man had shocking golden eyes that were too similar to Veldora's (and his own, as Ciel pointed out) to ignore. Add a stature mirrored in Feldway and, well…

Veldanava tipped his head to the side, long strands of black hair spilling over his shoulder. “Star King?” He asked. Then he laughed. “I was going to call them ‘bugs’ but Bug King Veldanava doesn't have that nice ring to it. Perhaps I will call them stars, then. It does sound nice.”

…Yeah, this guy was definitely related to Milim and Veldora. Against Ciel’s wishes, Rimuru relaxed, an amused smile instinctively crawling its way onto his face. He said, “You can still call them bugs. It's just that when they light up, they look like stars, right?”

Veldanava slowly blinked. Not in a cat sorta way, but not in the disbelieving way Rimuru typically does either. This was more of a busy processing blink. “Do you have something called stars already?” Veldanava eventually poked.

“Sure,” Rimuru shrugged. He pointed toward the door he had fallen through and continued to ignore Ciel’s increasingly persistent notices. “Out there, all those lights are called stars. Oh! By the way, is that satellite yours?”

“A satellite… Yes, it is mine. You see, I was quite bored up here by myself, so I wanted to see what I could create. While doing so, that object appeared.” Veldanava tipped forward, leaning way too far into Rimuru’s personal space. This was Milim’s dad- Veldora's brother! He may be eye candy but at this point, he might as well be Rimuru's step-brother. Rimuru was shaken out of these thoughts when Veldanava forged on, “This satellite, what does it do?”

Rimuru, personal space still being overtaken, tipped back a bit. For whatever reason, this prompted Veldanava to lay on his stomach, chin in his palms and feet kicking in the air like a school girl who was writing about stepping on an ant hill in glittery gel ink. Hopefully this school girl wasn't about to write in the stars about popping a slime from the inside out.

<<Can Veldanava do that?>> Rimuru desperately asked.

<<Possibly,>> Ciel answered after an extremely worrying pause.

“Oh. Uh. They can do lots of things: monitor the weather, keep an eye on potential threats heading towards us, or even give people near instant access to entertainment happening in other parts of the world. Really, they're there to keep people safe and encourage communication.” Rimuru couldn't tell you what that specific satellite floating in the atmosphere could do, of course, but this was a good time to generalize, right? He sure hoped so.

At the very least Veldanava seemed pleased with that answer. “Ah, I see! Because it has appeared here, it brought you to me using its powers of communication! That is truly wonderful!”

Somehow, Rimuru couldn't refute that. The satellite very well may be a broadcasting one, and it did draw him in regardless, which led to him meeting Veldanava. That's… huh.

But, wait- if Veldanava was here, then shouldn't his siblings? Where were Velzard and Velgrynd? Veldora? And even if they weren't here, with how excited Veldanava was, then one of them would've mentioned their brother’s thrilling encounter with a slime, right?

<<...There is a chance that->>

Rimuru continued to listen to Ciel’s explanation with continued confusion and horror. To be fair, she had proposed two theories, and only one of them truly seemed worrying. The other one, while significantly less of a concern, she said was not very likely. Which meant that…

<<Correct,>> Ciel said grimly. <<It would seem in our travels of this dimension, accompanied by your ability to warp time and space and its sudden refusal to activate, we’ve inadvertently reached the beginning of time. This version of Veldanava has yet to create other worlds.>>

It was a very good thing that Rimuru was already sitting down, and that his slime body didn't show his growing fear on his face. Rimuru blinked, swallowed, and then forced a laugh. “Yeah, so it would seem,” Rimuru answered Veldanava. “I'm…” Again, the realization that Veldora and the sisters never mentioned their brother meeting a slime or a Rimuru in the beginning. It's possible that Veldora saw a slime made out of his magicules and named his Rimuru without telling Rimuru about the significance, but considering what Veldora was willing to talk about, that didn't seem likely. So- “I'm Raphael.”

“Raphael…” Veldanava repeated, slowly drawing out each syllable. The specks of white in his hair suddenly brightened, beginning to resemble the stars they had been talking about earlier. Veldanava grinned. “Raphael! You who brings me knowledge of this existence, please tell me more!”

Raphael who was once Rimuru-and-Ciel who was once Satoru Mikami held a small dragon in their arms. The dragon -one of four True Dragons- chirped and warbled in its attempts to be free of Raphael’s hold, lightning trailing along dark scales and still too thin wings flapping wildly. Across the room, Velzard heaved a heavy sigh.

“I still can't understand why you and Velgrynd baby him so much. If Veldora is causing an issue, he needs to be taught not to,” she told them, walking over to poke Veldora between his eyes. Veldora didn't take kindly to that and snapped at her. Velzard was too quick for that to work, though even if she wasn't, Veldora's teeth were about as threatening as a jumping spider’s bite.

Raphael considered Velzard’s words with a hum, but didn't release their grip. It had already been millennia since they'd arrived on this world where only Veldanava and his creations resided. Over time, Veldanava had truly grown into his powers, creating other creatures and even other worlds. And between every milestone of creation, another True Dragon would appear. Nevertheless, no matter how long it had been, Raphael would never forget their best friend.

Even so, they still happily chirped, “This is a punishment: air jail! He certainly doesn't seem to be enjoying it very much, after all.”

“Hm, I suppose not…” Velzard slowly agreed. She shook her head, then, sending white locks and snowflakes into the air. “Anyway, aren't you spending time with the wrong brother? I was under the impression you were going to help Veldanava with populating some of the planets.”

Veldora, apparently upset about no longer being the topic of conversation, flapped his wings harder. Raphael easily tilted away from the attack as they thought over how to answer that.

It was true that they had planned to help Veldanava create more life. There were bugs aplenty and dozens of edible plants, but from there… Veldanava had been relying on Raphael’s past experiences, hanging on to every word with wide eyes as Raphael spoke fondly of the neighborhood cats in apartment building windows and of skillful metal workers from beneath the mountains. Eventually it got to the point that Veldanava declared Raphael simply must tag along so he could create life fine-tuned to their memories.

Raphael- no, Ciel would adore the chance. She already loved playing with variables and seeing the concoctions she could create with different skills. The chance to shape the original angels or high ancestors or even normal monsters would be one Ciel would full-heartedly jump on.

Rimuru's half of Raphael, however, said not to. They know how this plays out- knows Jahil will bring chaos to several generations, knows the Primordials will rise from the dark reflections of the Originals, knows the ogres and orcs will wage war with one another. If Raphael were to help with the creation of these new worlds, they'd try to mitigate these risks, and that wouldn't be fair to anyone. Not to the new souls who wouldn't get a chance to truly experience life and their own choices. Not to Veldanava who so badly wanted to see what his creations could accomplish, good or bad. And not to the friends left behind in a past that was long gone and a future that was still hundreds of thousands of years away.

Raphael answered, “I would love to be, don't get me wrong. There's a joy in creating that's hard to mimic by anything else. It's just… doesn't it feel wrong? Sculpting things in the images of someone else instead of making something new?”

“Hm, not really.” Velzard plucked one of Veldora's flailing wings between her fingertips. She lightly pulled; Veldora tipped his head back and, like a hungry husky, wailed incoherently. “It seems more like an act of fondness. Rather than throwing everything you once knew to the side, you strive forward, finding familiarities even in things born long after the original’s death.”

“That's either really sweet, or kinda creepy,” Raphael snorted. One one hand, you treasure your loved ones and memories close. You hang a painted picture of your family dog on the wall, even long after it's died, and laugh alongside those who share the same hiccuping giggle your best friend used to. Over a long enough stretch of time like the one they were working with, it could be like an immortal, protecting their great-great-great nieces and nephews, all because they still have the same eyes as the immortal’s siblings. On the other hand, if you were to reconnect with an old friend and they had made dolls that look like you, then that'd be a little weird.

Luckily, the conversation is dropped rather quickly due to the sudden arrival of the dragon in question: Veldanava. He stalks through the great doorway, a triumphant grin quickly spreading across his face as he lays eyes on Raphael, Velzard, and Veldora. Veldanava turned his head behind him, lips forming words, and it was then that Raphael noticed the rest of the company.

Angels. The Originals, if Raphael had to guess. They quickly sweep their eyes over the gathering, simultaneously running analysis and dampening their own presence. Amongst the group, after all, are Feldway and Dino.

“Friend, siblings!” Veldanava called out as the group neared. He threw an arm over Feldway’s shoulders, pulling the angel in close for Veldanava to excitedly point at. “We have guests!”

They are introduced as Raphael expected them to be: Feldway, Dino, Opera, Corn, Pico, Zalario, and Gracia. Winged beings cloaked in heavy armor, they stand unblinking behind their creator. Raphael had to stamp down on their fight or flight instincts, inadvertently hugging Veldora closer to their chest. Veldora coos a confused noise. Raphael forced a smile.

“So it would seem,” Velzard agreed, eyes trailing over Feldway’s horns and Zalario’s multiple pairs of wings. “They are sentient?”

Veldanava bobbed his head in a nod. He freed himself from Feldway and beckoned Dino forward. Dino, lopsidedly blinking, stepped forward and immediately slumped forward into a bow. It was so sudden Raphael nearly thought the angel passed out right then and there. Dino erased such concerns by saying, “Frost Dragon Velzard, may we be of use to you.”

Velzard hummed, pleased. Raphael slowly released their death grip on Veldora as a new thought came to them: with the arrival of the seven Originals, the seven Primordials will have also risen. Diablo, the demonesses… Even Guy and his two idiots. They're all here. The relieved sigh falls from Raphael’s lips unbidden.

With it, however, Veldanava's attention snaps to them. He stepped over to them, ruffled their hair, and turned to tell the angels, “This is Wisdom King Raphael-” Wait. What- “Other than Feldway, your appearances were influenced by my befriending of them. You will treat them with the ultimate respect, as you do me and my siblings.”

The Originals all straightened into a salute. It would be a familiar comfort -Benimaru, Gobta and the Green Riders, Shion…- if Raphael was not a bit busy freaking out. Truth be told, their thought process was more or less a stream of oh, we fucked up.

<<Ciel-sama, almighty voice of reason? Please tell me what's happening isn't what I think is happening.>>

<<...I don't think I can. All evidence points to the fact that->>

<<Don't! Don't say it! I don't think I could bear to hear that right now… Look, do we at least have an idea where this'll end?>>

<<...>>

<<Wow. That's a “Yes, but I don't want to tell you” if I ever heard one. Ugh, I felt bad about using that new skill- Space-Time Warp -because Veldanava seemed so lonely, but I really should've used it before now.>>

<<...>>

<<Eh? What's with the silence? What aren't you telling me now?>>

<<There appears to still be interference with Space-Time Warp. However, now that we have come in contact with Veldanava and his birth world, I can conclude that the inference is coming from him.>>

<<Oh, come on->>

“Ah, Veldanava,” Raphael beckoned after a shake of their head. Veldanava, continuing to look mighty pleased with himself, tipped his head until their foreheads knocked together. If Veldora wasn't in Raphael's arms, teething on their wrist, they'd be forced to reminisce on him and Ramiris eagerly awaiting praise. Raphael sighed. “No, no. Nevermind. You did a good job.”

Sure enough, exactly like Veldora and Ramiris, Veldanava began to burst with pride.

“But! What do you mean us meeting influenced their appearances,” Raphael asked, freeing their hand from Veldora's mighty grasp to poke at Veldanava. The True Dragon’s pride and joy refused to dim as he answered.

“Your wings!” Veldanava explained. He waved toward Raphael's back, where their draconic wings remain as a grounding weight. “My sisters and I do not have wings in our true form, yet you do. I wanted to see if I could grant these creations your wings so you'd feel less left out.”

That was… really sweet. Raphael could under no circumstances tell Veldanava that they could put their wings away at any time. Instead, they gave their own wide smile and said, “I appreciate it.”

Their blade knocked out of their hand and thrown into the air, Raphael ducked. Their attacker grinned victoriously, fiery red hair floating with the surge of magicules and eyes sharp with anger. It seemed like a victory; Raphael wasn't too keen on handing it over too soon.

Their wings, which they had hidden before the trek this far north, snapped out of their back and flared open. It startled their opponent enough for Raphael to jump backwards, grabbing their sword from midair as they went. When they landed, they flipped their hair over their shoulder and mocked, “For a guy who thought he could challenge Veldanava, I thought you'd be stronger.”

Guy Crimson, first of the Demon Lords and designated Mediator, sneered for only a second before it morphed back into a grin. “I'm not done yet,” he argued. With another surge of his power, Guy shot forward, and every subsequent fist thrown Raphael’s way was one for the records book. The issue was that not one landed. “Besides, if you haven't noticed, you were just disarmed.”

“Hardly,” Raphael scoffed. They twirled out of the way of a sudden kick and added, “My sword just lets me draw out the fight and see my opponent’s moves. If I was really serious, I could devour you whole.”

Guy raised an eyebrow. He held out his palm, summoning magic so quick a normal person would miss it, and lurched toward Raphael again. Raphael blinked; the magic and hand collided against an invisible barrier. Barking a laugh, Guy shot back, “I see. But should you really be airing out your plans like that? I could turn them against you.”

It was true; Raphael’s words were typical of a manga villain. The difference between the two of them, however, was that Raphael had a pretty good estimate of the full extent of Guy’s power, and wasn't severely underestimating the power of friendship like most villains do. They glanced around, a plan to stop this increasingly boring chore forming, and replied, “Hm, a fair point when against someone who can be killed. That's the thing, though, Guy Crimson:” Raphael snapped their fingers. Disks of water droplets appeared floating throughout the air. The sun shone brightly off both them and the palace of ice. “I'm an Ultimate-” don't give away the fact that you're a slime, idiot!- “Being. I don't die.” Meddigo activated. Guy cried out and dropped to the ground.

“Are you kidding?! In just one hit?!” Rudra -the actual Rudra, and not just Micheal puppeting a body- cried in outrage. Raphael glanced over their shoulder to find the man in question. He had both his hands in his hair, mouth agape and brows furrowed. The perfect picture of disbelief. Raphael laughed.

If they were the same as they had been when Rimuru first awoke at the end of space and time, they might've been just as surprised as Rudra. Guy had always been intimidating to Rimuru, and though Ciel couldn't care less what the Demon Lord thought, they both agreed it wouldn't be wise to challenge Guy. But now here they were, eons later, swimming in victory with just one move.

…Guy had been watching Rimuru claw through the ranks to Demon Lord, hadn't he? If not for the sudden shift of balance in the Great Jura Forest, then because Milim was so interested. Raphael wondered- because they just used Meddigo on him, did Guy recognize it when Rimuru slaughtered Falmuth’s army?

<<Surely not, right? I mean, he's always been a bit paranoid about knowing who has Ultimate Skills, what with him needing to make sure humanity knows it's place and all. Meddigo may not be an Ultimate Skill but it's still->>

<<The possibility that Demon Lord Guy Crimson recognized the skill is indeed very high. I believe it's likely, with your appearance and use of Meddigo, he wondered if reincarnation was involved.>>

<<Guy knew I was an Otherworlder though, didn't he? And we’ve covered the fact that I ooze enough power to count as a ‘transcendant’ being, so I doubt he would have assumed I reincarnated like that.>>

<<No, the chance is still high. Remember, Veldanava had yet to return after his death. You do count as being under the godly tier, but if the Creator does not return for ages, and we similarly dissipate and take too long to return…>>

<<Right, of course. And me reincarnating as an Otherworlder and then reincarnating here wouldn't be the weirdest thing, not with Masayuki wandering about.>>

<<Correct.>>

<<...Hey, Ciel? That means we’re going to die. And at this point in time, we don't have a soul corridor with Veldora.>>

<<...Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to ensure Master's survival.>>

Though thought acceleration was in place, Guy had managed to struggle to his feet in the time it took Raphael to stop laughing and talk internally. He was definitely worse for wear, but he still managed to make it to his feet. They'd give him brownie points for that.

“Don't mind him,” Guy grunted. “Rudra's been failing to kick my ass for months now-”

Rudra took offense to that. Cutting off Guy, he yelled out, “Hey! We end up in a draw everytime! You're failing just as much as I am.”

“Well I'm not the one who named the demon he was sent to kill and then passed out!” Guy shot back. Raphael raised a hand to smother even more snickers. It was nice to see such friendly bickering again. It had been so long since they'd gotten to see their chaotic secretaries argue. Guy shook his head as Raphael’s laughing dimmed again, and continued, “Anyway, what's your name? Someone this strong… Are you Veldora? Velzard and Velgrynd are always complaining that for as strong as he is, he's reckless and loves to throw himself into fights.”

“But wouldn't they know he was here? Velzard hasn't come down, and Velgrynd must still be bullying Raine and Mizeri because she's not here either,” Rudra challenged, raising a good point. Still, Raphael couldn't fault Guy for the assumption. They did have a True Dragon aura, and Veldora was inside them at one point. There was just a bit more to it than that.

“Rudra’s right: I'm not Veldora. You can call me Raphael.”

“Raph-

“Oh!” Rudra exclaimed, clapping. Raphael really wished he would just come over here and join the conversation properly. “You're Knowledge King Raphael, right?”

“The Angelic Skill?” Guy asked dryly. Again, another fair reaction. And one with a much more complicated answer.

From what Rimuru and Ciel had managed to understand, the answer was actually both yes and no. Wisdom King Raphael, after all, had evolved into Ciel, and she was half of the current Raphael. Rimuru, on the other hand, was very much not a skill. But there was still another layer to it.

Assuming Ciel was right and they are currently conscious of the time loop they found themselves in, there seemed to be a few paths they might end up taking. One option was that they followed the title Raphael and somehow became the Ultimate Skill. How they committed to the bit so hard was unknown, but this option still seemed the most probable due to the fact that -in order to make it a closed loop- Ciel would need to become Raphael again in order to even become Ciel.

The second path tied into the first in a way. Ciel needed to become Wisdom King Raphael, but what about Rimuru? He needed to die absolutely in order for his soul to return to Earth and become Satoru Mikami. How would he die, however? How would Ciel, who was tied to his soul, break off? What would happen if, somehow, someway, Satoru didn't die? What would that change?

And the final option… When Rimuru’s Harvest Festival took place, everyone heard the Voice of the World, and when Ciel went off to give everyone Ultimate Skills in the wake of Velgrynd’s attack on Tempest, there was a toss up on whether the voice they all heard was Rimuru or The Voice. It was Ciel, but it still posed a question.

For all they knew, something would come and kill Raphael, shattering them into three pieces. The Voice of the World, the Angelic Skill Raphael, and Satoru Mikami. It was… a concerning thought.

(Rimuru was certain that couldn't be possible. If that was the case, wouldn't each loop have them getting weaker and weaker as Ciel and him were fragmented further to fuel the Voice of the World? Ciel raised the idea that, like Hinata and Chloe’s situation, they might have drugged the piece of their soul that fuels The Voice along with them when they entered the end of space and time. Rimuru was starting to realize that Ocarina of Time made time travel look way too simple.)

Back to Guy’s question: “Pretty much,” they say as a non-answer. Raphael pushed on before Guy could, predictably, call them out on it. “Anyway, Veldanava sent me to check up on you two. I didn't expect to be immediately jumped, though…”

Rudra cackled. Guy had the decency to look embarrassed. Raphael, their own amusement still bubbling, decided babysitting duty wasn't so bad after all.

“You've heard,” Veldanava said more than questioned when Raphael landed beside him. They're on one of the castle’s large walls, amongst the walkways usually only used by archers in times of war. The Empire at large was sprawled before them. Veldanava continued, “I won't apologize. I love Lucia, and Milim deserves someone to be at her side in case this mortal lifespan takes me too soon.”

“I wasn't going to ask you to apologize,” Raphael shot back with a shake of their head. “I know it's for the best, but why not trust Milim to Rudra? Or Guy? Or even one of your sisters?”

Veldanava tipped his head back to raise an eyebrow at Raphael. “Not going to put yourself up on the chopping block?” He asked with a chuckle. Raphael swatted at him. Veldanava lightly shoved them back. His amusement grew dim far too quickly, however. “No, I can't ask that of anyone other than myself. Rudra has responsibilities, many that Guy shares as well. As for my sisters… Veldora should be reason enough.”

Raphael grimaced. That was true. Veldora had always complained about his sisters, but as the years passed, Raphael could see that he wasn't exaggerating. Velzard and Velgrynd both care -that was undeniable- but they still…

“Yeah, fair enough.” They nodded.

The two of them grew quiet. Contemplative. Far below, the people of the Empire went about their day, shouting egg prices and calling for their kids. Raphael’s heart clenched at the sight. Tempest was still so far away. And even if they do see it again, they would hardly be in a position to even appreciate it, if their theory is correct. They turned their back on the Empire, choosing instead to lean against the wall. Veldanava watched, curious.

“Your home… Tell me, if I could find a way to reach it, would it be a good place for us? For Lucia and I to settle down with Milim and her little dragon.”

Raphael couldn't cry- slimes and Manas both lacked the ability. Despite that, this body was once Shizu’s, a human, and Raphael found themselves instinctively blinking because of it. They still answered, “I'm biased but yeah, I'd say so. We have- had-... There's a lot to do. Shop for clothes, listen to music, watch plays. A proper city, if I do say so myself. According to some very reputable sources, we have the best food in the world, too.”

“And it's safe?”

“We defend it with our lives.”

It was silent for a moment. Raphael could feel Veldanava’s eyes boring into them but didn't dare turn to look. Eventually, the True Dragon spoke anyway.

“I believe you,” Veldanava murmured. “I may no longer be omniscient, but I can see the way you carry yourself. You've protected them so often they yearn to repay the favor, hm?”

Raphael thought back to the days of the war with the Empire, after Chroma explained how someone from the Empire had killed Rimuru. Ranga and Souei always seemed to be at his side, watching and waiting for threats. Benimaru had insisted Rimuru stay in the most fortified part of the Labyrinth. The Primordials under his command had used nuclear magic to take out the enemy as quickly as possible for him. Raphael weakly laughed.

“Yeah. They're all so stubborn, but I can't help but feel they got it from me.”

“Hmph. Makes me wonder what Milim will be like when she grows. It'll take some time for her to grow into her powers- if she even gets any, of course… No matter; Lucia and I will be happy no matter what.”

Perhaps, had he been given the chance, Veldanava would've been a good father. A bit too willing to let his kids do whatever they want, sure, but a good one nonetheless. Raphael clapped a hand onto Veldanava’s shoulder.

“I'm sure,” they started. Paused. Tried again, “If anything happens to you, I will do my best to watch over Milim, too, and make sure she knows how much you loved her.”

“Wisdom King Raphael… I thank you.”

“Your eye is red,” Milim told them one day.

Walpurgis-well, not Walpurgis yet; probably not for a few more decades- tended to happen whenever the mood struck. Did Ramiris want to complain about humans wandering into her domain? Walpurgis. Did Raine and Mizeri harass Guy for a tea party? Walpurgis. Was Raphael worried about not hearing from the now Demon Lord Milim? Walpurgis.

(Milim, if she wanted a get-together, would just fly to everyone and scoop them up, dragging them back to her domain and not letting them leave until she's talked herself to sleep.)

This particular event was another of Raphael's worry spurred ones. There had been a lot of them lately. Milim had been orphaned for years before the attack that took Veldanava’s gift away, but even then Raphael hadn't been this concerned. Honestly, they weren't sure why, but it seemed like they were on high alert in general these days.

<<Another day where nothing is wrong and I still feel like I'm being hunted for sport.>>

<<No, there is probably a subconscious cause for this. Now would be the time Jahil has been again reduced to a wandering spirit, and Kagali should be well on her way to meeting and creating Laplace at the moment.>>

<<Hm… Jahil is a cause for concern. Laplace and Kagali, though? For all the wrongs they committed, they were just trying to survive, and they had even helped us out a bit. I wouldn't be that on edge about the future, would I?>>

<<True. None of those parties had mentioned a run in with a being matching your description, either, and that definitely would've come up given the circumstances… The cause may lie with Rudra, then.>>

<<Ru- ah. Right. He's begun reincarnating. If what I'm feeling is his soul leaving this world, or Micheal beginning to accumulate power…>>

<<Yes.>>

<<Wonderful.>>

So, when Raphael landed in his living room and demanded yet another get-together, Guy relented. Teas and cakes and wines and steaks were prepared and made, and before anyone knew it, the four of them -accompanied by Raine and Mizeri, of course- were nestled amongst soft wools in front of the fireplace, chatting away.

Which is when Milim brought up that wildly out of left field comment.

“Is it?” Raphael frowned. They raised their hand to their eye, as if that would do anything, and deepened their frown. Raphael turned to Ramiris who was rapidly nodding her head as she handed over a small mirror. Sure enough, their left eye was a crimson red. “Huh.”

“That's not the kind of red eye you get from a fight. If I hadn't known you for so long, I'd say it was natural.” Guy said as he picked irritably at a scone. There weren't even scones on the table; where'd he get that?

“He's right, you know,” Ramiris added. She had picked up Veldanava’s habit of leaning into people's personal space, which explained several interactions with her, and why she was waving a finger in their face. “I don't know anything about angels, but normally when monsters, demons, or even spirits have drastic changes in their body without consent, it means they're dying!”

“Raphael’s dying?” Milim shrieked. Ramiris went sheet white out of panic. Guy slammed the scone down. Raphael hugged Milim close before she could start crying and blow a hole in the wall.

“No, no. I'm alright- not dying, see?” Raphael loosened their grip on Milim enough for her to pull her face away from their chest and watch as Raphael pulled a small dagger into existence. It had been one of Kurobee’s that they kept in their stomach for emergencies due to its unique grade. This counted as an emergency for sure.

For all that it was a simple trick, it did seem to work to soothe Milim. She reached out to take it, thumbing the blade, and angrily whispered, “Good. Raphael isn't allowed to die. No one else is allowed to die.”

“Milim…” Guy sighed. He shook his head as if realizing the futility of trying to argue with their little dragon princess. Instead, Guy focused on Raphael. It was an intense stare. Once, Rimuru would've been on edge and borderline terrified to be faced with it, not recognizing it for what it was. Now, however, Raphael could see the hidden emotion: concern. Guy may project himself as dark, brooding, and deadly, but he really did care for his friends. Apparently, Raphael was now counted among them.

“Really guys,” Raphael tried again. A hand began to card through Milim's let down hair while the other reached out for Ramiris to take. Raphael kept their gaze locked with Guy’s. “I'm not going anywhere. As long as you'll have me, I'll keep coming back.”

Raphael was dying.

They knew it would happen eventually -knew it needed to, actually- and the last Walpurgis had only made them realize how soon it was. They may not be sure what's killing them, but they know it's time. It's funny, really, how many things they know, when they can't even figure out how they're going to get home.

“Closed time loops suck,” Rimuru whispered to themself. Everything hurt, which meant he found himself curled up at the base of a tree in the Great Jura Forest. Originally, Rimuru had hoped being so close to his beginnings would soothe some of the pain. It didn't. So now he was mostly just getting dirt in his hair. “Why isn't pain nullification working?”

<<It appears as if all of your skills are failing.>>

“Even you?”

<<I am a Manas, not a skill.>>

“Hm, that's true…” Rimuru forced enough energy to roll onto his back. The arm he had been lying on had long since gone numb, but he could still feel the ache in his bones despite that. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. “No clue what's causing this still?”

<<No. I had wondered if this was caused by time- Ultimate Skills, after all, can develop sentience given enough time. However, all the skills currently able to cannibalize themselves and you are tied to your soul, and should thus have no desire to harm you.>>

“...Could it be like what Hinata said happened to Chloe? Two souls can't exist at the same time, so-”

<<Not possible. In order for you to disappear, the risk of two of you being in the same world at the same time needs to rise. Considering Leon isn't Demon Lord yet, Shizue Izawa has yet to arrive, which means you are at least a century too early to be fading. Also: that rule does not apply to Manas.>>

“Ah, right.” Rimuru's eyes flickered closed as they grew too heavy to keep open. If he wasn't out of time, he would've gone to find Chloe and Hinata. The two of them should be here by now, even if Shizu wasn't. Too bad he remembered that only when he was dying. “Ciel… I'm tired. But I can't leave yet.”

<<...I know.>>

“I have to see them.”

<<......I know.>>

“I… I have to…”

<<...>>

“...”

<<.........Goodnight, master.>>

When Raphael again blinked their eyes open, they were both crimson red. Raphael, struggling to sit up, placed a hand to their chest, slowly taking in then letting out a breath. Nothing else happened for a long moment until-

The body dropped.

Ciel Wisdom King Raphael was put to sleep, hibernating in stubborn wait for the only person the skill would accept as a master.

Rimuru's soul dashed off in search of a time and place it treasured close- of twentieth century Japan.

The Voice of the World settled heavy over the Universe.

The Voice of the World, many had called it. The Voice wasn't sure why that was, or even where it came from. All it knew was that its duty was to guide those with a strong will to a higher degree of existence.

So, it did just that.

When a group of majins got together, blood stains littering the room and chanting filling the air, The Voice chose Leon Cromwell to be summoned. It felt right, or at least as much as something can feel right to a being that had no emotions. Regardless, Leon had been summoned, and The Voice was quick to dub him ‘Hero’.

When Emperor Rudra used the Ultimate Skill Justice King Micheal to rain down angels, The Voice announced the arrival of several thousand cherubs and alerted Rudra of the estimated time until the next use.

When Blanc was summoned and began to slaughter, The Voice announced the beginnings of the Harvest Festival. And when the Festival failed, Blanc returning to the Underworld, The Voice canceled it at the show of weakness.

Then, something changed.

There was a yanking sensation coming from another world, the same world Leon and Shizue and Yuuki and so many more had been taken from. The Voice was not curious -it had no way to be curious- but it still followed the sensation until it was led to a man bleeding out.

There was no motivation for doing so, just as there was no worry about the consequences that would come from The Voice taking the dying man’s soul. It listened to the complaints and gave skills it felt would ease them. It even handed over the slumbering skill ‘Great Sage'.

(Truth be told, The Voice wasn't sure why it had hung onto ‘Great Sage’ for so long. It had been asleep since The Voice awoke and seemed to have no ego, so there was nothing special about it. Just the same, The Voice had no explanation for why it chose now to hand it over.)

The dying man, armed with the best skills his soul could manage, reincarnated as a slime. That should've been the end of The Voice’s interference. It wasn't.

The Voice continued to trail after the slime for a reason it could not name. It ignored Clayman’s desires, and majins going about naming monsters, and the beginnings of an Orc Lord. All of its focus was on the little slime and the Great Sage that was guiding him.

However, as is with eternal beings, The Voice floated in and out of awareness. With every gap, months passed, and the slime grew. He named hundreds of monsters. He built a city. He gained a human body. He had allies and friends.

And then the next time The Voice was aware of the slime, it was to announce the beginning of his Harvest Festival. Demon Lord Rimuru Tempest rose to power.

Rimuru Tempest… The Voice was there when Veldora named the slime- was the one who transferred the magicules, in fact. But it couldn't shake off the familiar feelings the name brought, which in itself was another weird phenomenon considering it wasn't supposed to be capable of feeling things.

Though its duty to Rimuru Tempest was fulfilled, The Voice still watched. It remained quiet and waiting as Walpurgis (Walpurgis, Walpurgis, Walpurgis) was held and Claymon failed to awaken. It followed along as war kicked up and demonesses pledged loyalty. It bore witness to the birth of another True Dragon.

It was there the moment its thoughts suddenly froze and its control over the Universe failed. Rimuru Tempest was gone, and so was the Voice of the World.

Rimuru blinked his eyes open. Ciel was a warm, heavy presence within him. They are again one when they pitch forward to scream in agony.

Hair tightly in a braid, Raphael crouched down beside Veldanava, supervising the Star King as he molded flesh like putty. They asked, “What is it today?”

“Your presence here has taught me much, including the fact that I was not as all-knowing as I had assumed,” Veldanava explained. Even on this second loop (that they could remember, that is) Raphael had yet to explain all of their knowledge came from a future for Veldanava that was still so far away it was immeasurable. Technically, Veldanava was still very much omnipotent. “Even so, all of my current creations obey my laws and do not dare step out of line, making me remain all-knowing when it comes to them.”

Veldanava squeezed the mound. The round shape stretched into a rolled out one, and all it took was a few plucks of Veldanava's claws for a mimicry of hair to be cascading down the creation’s back. Twilight Valentine, perhaps?

Veldanava continued, “And yet I still find myself wanting… less. Less of an idea of what these worlds are doing, I suppose. My thinking is: the more creations I make, the more that's happening at once, the less I can keep track of.”

“To give them free will, to create as many people as there are stars in the sky… Before you know it, there will be hundreds of ways of thinking.” Raphael held out a hand. Veldanava dropped the creation into their palm and wordlessly allowed them to meld it to their whims. All Raphael did was shape ears, smoothing the tips into points with their thumb nail. It felt like enough. “For better, or for worse…”

Veldanava accepted the creation back with a hum. He began poking holes here and there -eyes, a mouth, a belly button, and so on. Veldanava, in a voice so forcefully casual it circled right back around to being terse, asked, “You seem somber today; did something happen?”

Raphael drew their hand back and clasped it to their chest as they thought. Were they acting odd today? It was possible. There was only so long one could stay bubbly when away from what they know and love. A six month business trip was usually taxing enough for most people, but literal millennia? For the second time (that they could remember)? No, it was certainly understandable. That didn't mean they could tell Veldanava that.

After all, what were they supposed to say? ‘Oh great Star King Veldanava, I realize that I have found myself in a time loop. I do not know how long it has been going on for, nor do I know how long it will last. It is filling me with grief and rage and misery the likes of which I have never felt before, and it is exhausting keeping that all under wraps.’ Yeah, that'd go well.

But… this was still Veldora’s brother. And Milim’s father. Surely if there was anyone Raphael could trust in this bygone era, it would be Veldanava.

Raphael sighed, hand falling into their lap. They answered, “I… guess I'm just feeling a little homesick-”

That must've been an unfamiliar term. Veldanava whipped around, eyes wide, and hurried to ask, “You're ill?”

“No, no! Not sick like that,” Raphael said with a laugh. They laid a hand on Veldanava’s arm when the other continued to worriedly reach for them. They gave it a pat. “Homesick as in… yearning? Longing? General feelings of melancholy? Hmm… Well, whatever. The point is: I just miss my family.”

Veldanava frowned. Raphael had barely a moment to wonder if Veldanava even knew what missing family would entail -for the longest time, he hadn't had a family, and now that he has siblings, he always makes sure to come home when he's finished doing Star King things- before the man in question began to ask, “I am the Ultimate Creator. I have skills capable of doing that which seems impossible. Surely I could take you home?”

<<It would be possible,>> Ciel agreed. <<However…>>

<<If we ask him to do it now, it'll change history. I might not even exist anymore,>> Rimuru finished.

No, Raphael couldn't ask that of Veldanava. Not now, and probably not ever. So they shook their head and said, “I wouldn't want to waste your time like that. You have so much going on, after all! Didn't you say Corn found demons? That's big stuff there.”

Veldanava’s expression went flat. Raphael couldn't tell what he was thinking. Neither spoke for a long moment.

“I don't like it, but very well,” Veldanava relented with a sigh. “If you ever change your mind-”

“I'll let you know,” Raphael cut in despite the fact they had absolutely no intention of doing so. No matter how badly they wanted to take Veldanava up on that offer, it wasn't worth the risks. “Now,” they waved toward the creation, “do you have a name for this little guy?”

Raphael grunted as they flew out of the way of yet another deadly laser. Luckily, in her haze of despair and power, Milim's accuracy was non-existent. Less luckily, even if it didn't hit anybody that didn't mean it didn't hit anything. Raphael was pretty sure a mountain just lost its peak.

“Damnit! The attacks have the accuracy of Draco Meteor, but also the power,” Raphael cursed.

Across the battlefield, the other two looked to be having the same amount of luck. Ramiris, as the Queen of Spirits, had unimaginable power at her beck and call, and Guy was similarly no push over. And yet it seemed neither of them could get close to the rampaging Milim, either.

Flapping their wings fiercely, planning to dart over to Guy and Ramiris to make an actual strategy, Raphael muttered to themself, “It's fine. We’re chill. This is to be expected. At least she's not being controlled by Regalia Dominion this time. History requires us to win- we just have to make it that far.”

Predictably, that's the moment one of Milim’s Draco Meteors lands a hit. Raphael let out a strangled yelp as it cleanly cut through their wing and pain nullifications. Beginning to fall through the air, Ciel hurried to come up with a solution as Rimuru began writing a metaphorical will.

“Got you, angel,” a voice with a teasing lit suddenly said. Raphael came to an abrupt stop just as the words rang out and found themselves in the arms of Guy Crimson. Then the nickname registered, and they slapped his chest.

“Life or death situations are not the time to be flirting!” Raphael cried, even while knowing that would do nothing to stop Guy. Even in the future, in times of war and imminent death, nothing could stop Guy from flirting with Rimuru, Leon, Velzard- the list went on, really. Thankfully, their body finally caught up with the action, and Raphael found their wing healing and pain receptors kicking back into action. They let out a sigh of relief and pulled away from Guy with a begrudging, “Thanks, though.”

“Anytime,” he winked. Guy’s smug act was quickly dropped, however, when they both turned back to Milim. They all -Ramiris included- knew they could take down Milim if they really tried. But Raphael also knew they were all terrified of hurting her, of destroying their dear friend’s daughter. Guy complained as much, “This is the worst possible situation I could've ever thought of. We’ll need to restrain her- possibly even knock her out in order for her senses to return… Those damned humans; just what were they thinking?”

To be fair to those damned humans in question, it was Jahil’s doing, as Raphael understood. Apparently being slaughtered by Guy the first time wasn't good enough, now he had to go and piss off the Creator’s own flesh and blood. None of that was particularly important right now, though, so Raphael let it drop.

Instead they say: “I can probably eat most of her attacks, but I still have my limits. If I can distract her, do you think you and Ramiris-”

“Yes,” Guy nodded, expression grim with the dreaded knowledge he'd have to do what he least wanted. “You do your best to not get shot again; Ramiris and I will stop the rampage.”

Raphael gave their own nod and then was off. They flew high in the sky, hoping to mitigate any more damage to the terrain that would already never heal, and shouted, “Hey, Milim Nava!”

Guy sunk low, waving Ramiris closer. Meanwhile, Milim, eyes turned to slits and power visibly rippling, snapped her head up to find Raphael. When she found them, she grinned, but there was no joy in it. Black magic pooled around her hands.

<<We can eat this, right?>> Rimuru belatedly asked. Last loop around, their blade had been sacrificed to the onslaught as Ramiris’ spirits snuck up on Milim and Guy bore down on the dragon princess with his own demanding presence. It had taken hours, and left them all drained and half asleep on what had long been reduced to sand, which could hopefully be avoided this time. And the first time Rimuru fought this enraged version of Milim, he had required an army, a hero, an angel, and Benimaru borrowing a huge amount of power to even stop one Drago Nova…

<<Almost definitely,>> Ciel chirped in reply. Rimuru could already feel her pulling up skills, happily shuffling things around to create… something. <<As you're well aware, in just two years time, you went from the world’s most harmless creature to a being with the combined power of two True Dragons. Add atop that millions of years of experience, and the graduate absorption of magicules through Azathoth- you can easily challenge a Catastrophe Class at this point in time.>>

Oh the wonders of having the knowledge and power of several lifetimes. And the Creator God himself at their side. And all of the people they ate. And Ciel in general, really… Wow, Rimuru really had gotten scarily strong scarily fast, hadn't he?

“Right,” Raphael said aloud. They closed their eyes, let out a breath, and then yelled out the moment Milim released her attack, “Now! Void King Azathoth!!”

A black hole erupted from Raphael’s hand, and it quickly swallowed the charged attack. Milim seemed to grow further enraged by this and continued to throw what Raphael might've called nuclear magic had they not known better. No matter what it could truly be classified as, it was sucked into Azathoth, though it left Raphael's arms shaking.

In that moment, they wouldn't dare take their eyes off Milim. It was fortunate that they had two sets of eyes, then, one of which was quick to lock onto Guy and Ramiris’s locations. It looked like the two of them were urgently relaying information, which was a very responsible thing to do, but also done at probably the worst time. In any case, they stopped soon enough and both darted into action. Raphael closed Azathoth and shot further upward, Milim at their heels.

“This better work out,” Raphael muttered to themself, spinning around and flinging out Azathoth again to eat a beam of wrathful energy. “With Milim like this, I don't know if Spatial Imprisonment will work.”

Theoretically, it would. It worked on a possessed Velgrynd, and a version of the skill kept Veldora imprisoned for 300 years. Holding off Milim for a few minutes to calm her down should be easy. With how willing Milim was to expend all of her energy on cataclysmic magic, however, Raphael wasn't willing to take the risk of her destroying herself in the process of shattering the barrier. Milim wasn't called The Destroyer for nothing.

So, Raphael continued to fly up, up, up. Milim was close behind, continuing to fling attacks out at a scale that could level a kingdom with each move. Void King Azathoth took care of them easily. The cycle continued until-

“Now!” Guy yelled out. Raphael dispersed Azathoth; Milim whipped around. Ramiris and Guy’s attack had already been launched. In a blink, the battle was over, and Milim was falling.

<<It appeared as if Lady Ramiris used the four main elemental spirits and combined them with a light spirit, that was then fused with Guy Crimson’s demonic magic,>> Ciel explained the flash as Raphael hurried to catch Milim. <<Additionally, there seemed to have been an Ultimate Skill in play, though I could not discern what it was. Regardless, it managed to pierce through Milim’s defenses quite thoroughly.>>

“Oh,” Raphael said as they caught Milim. “Oh,” they said again, as Milim’s dead weight and their own exhaustion combined to send them sinking to the ground. At the very least, it was a much more measured pace than Milim’s descent has been. Raphael landed heavily on the sand; Guy and Ramiris were not far behind.

Half collapsed, wings dropping with her own exhaustion, Ramiris reached out to Milim, desperately asking, “Is she alright?”

“Looks like it,” Raphael answered, obediently handing the dragon princess over. “It seems like her defenses took the brunt of the damage, but enough went through to knock her out thanks to whatever Ultimate Skill you used. If we’re lucky, she should be back to normal when she wakes up.”

Guy shot them a weird look for a reason Raphael couldn't figure out. He was quick to shake it off, though, and said, “Good. In that case, we need to-”

A loud roar shook the very earth and rattled their bones. Ramiris remained sitting, Milim clutched close to her, but Guy and Raphael were both instantly on their feet again, looking at the source.

The Chaos Dragon.

With Milim’s Awakening, and subsequent calming, it had been brought back.

“Shit,” Raphael said, despite the fact they had known this was going to happen.

“I'm right there with you,” Guy grumbled. “Any suggestions this time?"

“Don't die, and do what we can until Milim can wake up and handle this.”

And so, round two of irreparably changing the landscape began.

“So, angel-”

“Not even an angel. Stop calling me that.”

“No.” Guy denied with barely a blink. In his hand, he swirled a cup of what may have been wine, but Raphael wouldn't have been surprised if it was actually blood. “Anyway, what are you planning on doing?”

Raphael frowned around their bite of cheesecake, a food they hadn't even known they could make in this world. They were definitely going to bug Guy about it if they ever managed to return to their proper place and time. They shook their head of those thoughts, swallowed, and asked, “What do you mean?”

“He means he's fussing,” Ramiris answered with a scoff, never once faltering from where her attention stayed on braiding Milim's hair full of flowers. “He knows I have all of my dryads and spirits, and my labyrinth, too. He knows Milim has the dragon born priests and her aunts- don't give me that look; is Veldora even aware Milim exists? So Milim is safe, too. But where are you staying?”

“Oh. Um.” Raphael blinked. How were they supposed to answer that? That they were sleeping in the cave Veldora would be sealed away in in a few thousand years’ time, at the center of a forest that will one day be a bustling city? Even if they said they were just sleeping in a cave, that probably wouldn't have very good reactions. But they also couldn't very well lie and say they were staying in the Star Palace where they used to live- since Veldanava's death and the Falling of the few angels that had remained there, no one had dared to return.

Well, when all else fails: go, topic change!

Raphael sucked their wings back into their body, which allowed them to lean back against the couch properly. They tipped their head, hair cascading over their should, and teased, “Aw, you care~”

“Somebody has to make sure you three don't end up dead,” Guy shot back dryly. That excuse didn't work on anybody. It'd been long enough -for both Milim and Ramiris in this time, and Raphael through loops- for everyone to know Guy was secretly a softie under all of them gloom. The fact that he keeps Raine (and subsequently Mizeri) around was proof enough of that. Probably the only person in existence Guy actually disliked was Diablo which…

Yeah, Raphael couldn't fault him for that one. Diablo was certainly a very strange guy.

Still, Raphael couldn't help it. They reached over to take Guy’s hand and squeezed it tight. Guy squeezed back. Raphael, in the most sickeningly sweet tone they could manage, said, “I could kick your ass.”

“I know,” Guy said back, just as sweet.

Milim let out an undignified snort.

(Belatedly, Rimuru realized that it'd be really bad if this was the final loop, simply because of the risk of Guy bringing up this conversation. Raphael could snark to Guy’s face all they wanted. Rimuru had several trigger happy subordinates to keep in check.)

They're dying again.

It was less of the slow torture it had been last time- one that turned their skills against them and warped their appearance. This time, it was sudden. Raphael had gotten a message from the Demon Lord Ring, one that spoke of Guy wanting their opinion on adding another to their little group. Raphael had answered that they'd be right there, had taken off into the sky, and very nearly plummeted instantly as a stab of pain went right through their gut.

“It's a good thing slimes don't have appendices,” Raphael gasped out as they stumbled into a landing. There were leaves and sticks in their hair and clothes from the dive down, but it was no worse than the dirt and bugs from last time. Raphael collapsed to the ground, curling in on themself, and added, “I'm going to have a trauma response from stomach pain at this rate.”

Ciel gave a disapproving him, then pulled at something. Rimuru sighed in relief as the pain eased, letting him push himself somewhat upright. His arms were shaking, he was leaking slime juice everywhere, and strands of hair were sticking together, but he managed to slump against a tree trunk, so he counted it as a victory.

Rimuru asked, “Still no idea what's causing this?”

<<The only explanation is if I am correct regarding the Voice of the World theory.>> Ciel answered gravely, still tugging skills this way and that. Rimuru didn't ask what she was doing and instead chose to trust his partner to do what she thought was right. <<If the Voice of the World does have a piece of your soul and my consciousness, then when it begins to function in this world, you and I will cease to exist.>>

Rimuru closed his eyes, sinking back into his slime body. Like when he expended too many magicules, his body continued to melt, drawing him to sleep. Rimuru shook off that pull of the void and argued, “But that can't be it, can it? If that were the case, then when I get pulled back here after Satoru dies, The Voice would've disappeared. And even if it didn't because you weren't there, then it definitely would've when you were named and evolved into a Manas.”

A pause. Ciel began to rerun calculations. Rimuru wondered how long Guy would wait before he started to freak out and go searching for Raphael. Hopefully long enough for their body to dissipate back into magicules.

Ciel spoke again, <<Perhaps it has to do with Veldanava.>>

“...Gonna need you to elaborate on that one.”

<<Local legends in both monster and human communities back in our proper time say that the Voice of the World was a gift from the Creator, a way to always be looking out for them even when he was gone. Veldanava is the Creator.>>

“Right…?”

<<If those legends are true and Veldanava did create The Voice, then we may be looking at this from the wrong perspective. Veldanava hasn't reincarnated yet despite the fact that he presumably has a means to do so- this could potentially mean there are things going on behind the scenes. In this case, it may be possible that you dying caused Veldanava grief, and so he fractured a piece of your soul and reforged it.>>

“But why?” Rimuru asked, voice beginning to slur as whatever Ciel did to fight off the pain began to wear off. “That doesn't make any sense.”

<<You were his first friend,>> Ciel argued back. <<The same could be applied to Veldora: you are his first friend, and he went to great measures to protect you from possibly being controlled via the Soul Corridor. In addition, the two of you can bring each other back to life. If Veldanava was also charmed by you in the centuries you two spent together, then it's not hard to imagine he wouldn't want to lose you. Also, you did promise him you'd watch over Milim. If you were to become The Voice, the promise would remain unbroken.>>

Rimuru huffed a laugh, body barely jiggling. “Is that so?... Well, how do we get out of this then?”

<<The Voice of the World will have to regain memories of what it was before -us- and alter history.>>

“Sounds dangerous.”

<<No. If Veldanava is indeed influencing your existence and The Voice, then I'm sure he has a way to keep everything in check. Besides, we have our memories of the previous loop; who's to say The Voice doesn't? Things are about to change, Master, that much is undeniable.>>

“Hah… Of course. I should… really know better… then to doubt the might of a True Dragon...”

…With her final act of this life, Ciel ate every skill into Lord of Harvest Shub-Niggurath. Then she, too, was gone, just as the Voice of the World informed Guy in a monotonous voice of its existence, and of its duty alongside his.

The Voice of the World was fascinated by the inhabitants of the Universe. It knew its duty was to empower those with a will, to fall into the trifecta alongside Guy and Rudra to monitor the world of magic. It just happened that everyone with a strong enough ego was also a fascinating individual.

A young girl from the Otherworld, who's being called to a spirit of time? Endlessly intriguing.

The Demon Lord Luminous forcing one of her vampires into place, giving him unimaginable strength? Curious.

A Hero amongst the High Elves reborn as an undead elf, one whose powers could rival the rampaging Chaos Dragon? Remarkable.

The Storm Dragon Veldora, sealed away in Unlimited Imprisonment? Well…

The Voice wasn't sure what it was about Veldora in particular, but it felt a strange connection to him. At first, it thought it had to do with being tied so closely to the Creator, Veldanava- one a brother, and the other a tool. It was forced to discard that theory relatively quickly, however. After all, the sisters and Milim hardly caused such a reaction.

Because of this, whenever the world would become dull from lack of interesting individuals, The Voice would spend its time supervising Veldora. It would be pulled here and there occasionally, it would black out even rarer than that, but no matter what, it would return to watching Veldora and ease the tugging.

It was there watching with a fond ache when Veldora found a talking slime and named it.

It was aware of Veldora saving Ifrit and forming a friendship, though only because it couldn't take Ifrit’s magicules with its ‘death’.

It bore witness to Veldora’s boisterous return to freedom and his first time taking a more human appearance.

It stood angrily by, unable to interfere as Rudra, using Velgryd, took over Veldora.

It tried to desperately reach out as Veldora flew into a sudden rage, one that coincided with a fierce battle against angels. But The Voice didn't manage to do anything before it flickered out of existence. The last thing it took notice of was the slime’s remaining subordinates falling into grief and Ramiris desperately reaching out to someone -anyone- through Telepathy Net.

Rimuru and Ciel who were Raphael who was the Voice of the World who was Satoru Mikami-

Again, they woke. Again, they found themselves faced with countless star systems and endless void. Again, they screamed.

Raphael woke to them being jostled. They blinked blearily, confused as to when they had fallen asleep, and the mass of black hair obscuring their vision did nothing to provide any answers. Raphael wrinkled their nose and reached a clumsy hand up to swat the hair away. Veldanava suddenly asked, “Ah, I apologize. Did I wake you?”

“When did I fall asleep?” Raphael asked in answer. Now free of Veldanava’s hairy prison, they could lift their head to peer at their surroundings. It seemed like they were in the Star Palace, wandering the vast hallways. There were no answers there, either

“Not too long ago. We had been discussing which of my Ultimate Skills to give to Velzard and Velgryd when you just tipped over. I figured you'd be more comfortable in a proper bed rather than in a stiff chair, however, so I decided to take you there.”

Ciel answered the unspoken questions next, <<Seeing as I have more knowledge about skills than you do, I tried to take over. Something backfired- I'm looking into it now, but it appears to be related to the fact that Space-Time Warp isn't functioning either.>>

“Huh. Okay.” Raphael settled back down against Veldanava, enjoying being carried in a way they hadn't for millenia. “Did you decide on anything?”

Veldanava nodded. When he spoke, there was no hiding the pride in his voice, “Yes. Patience King Gabriel for Velzard, to make up for what she lacks when it comes to our siblings, and Lord of Charity Raguel for Velgrynd, so she stops complaining about not being able to be everywhere at once.”

Raphael snorted at the very sibling-like reasons. They noted the skills lined up with what the two sisters had back in their proper era, and replied, “Nothing for Veldora yet?”

“No, not yet,” Veldanava chuckled. “I want to see him grow into himself a little more before I give him that much responsibility. Besides, he's still teething.”

“Can't argue with that.” Then, a thought occurred, one tied to a previous loop. They ask, “Veldanava?” Veldanava hummed. “Is it possible to make someone into a… let's say a skill?”

Veldanava’s pace slowed. “Turning someone into a skill?” He echoed. Though Raphael couldn't see his face, they got the impression he was frowning. “What do you mean?”

Raphael grew quiet at that, trying to put into words what had yet to happen. They had been dying -again- for a reason they still couldn't figure out, and Veldanava presumably interfered to save a fragment of their soul and wove it into the very world. The best way to put that, without swaying Veldanava’s future actions would be…

“Let's say someone you knew was dying. For one reason or another, you can't bring them back to life because it, I don't know, destroys the balance of the world or whatever. But you're still not ready to let them go. Would it be possible to turn them into a skill? Or something similar?”

At that, Veldanava finally stopped walking completely. He still didn't let Raphael down, though. After a long moment’s pause, Veldanava answered, “In a sense, I suppose. If you really weren't ready to let go, you could probably take the soul and repurpose it- it's not quite reincarnation, more…hm. It's like that thing you said when Velgrynd broke a door: reduce, reuse, recycle. The soul will potentially lose a lot of power, but can be shaped however you please, and given a second chance.”

That sounded a lot like something Rimuru could do. The ability to rid a soul of its power and then replace it back into the body, letting that person live again with all their memories and personality, albeit with a severe drop in magicules. The ability he and Veldora shared, too, allowed them to be brought back with no loss to either of them. But with the way Veldanava was explaining it…

<<Is it possible that Veldanava really didn't have anything to do with this? That we just subconsciously used my Soul Gluttony skill on me?>>

<<Not possible. Last loop, all skills were consumed by Shub-Niggurath, including Azathoth which holds Soul Gluttony. If we had subconsciously been using that skill, it would've fallen through when it was consumed.>>

<<I see… Which means?>>

<<There are several possibilities. The first is simply that Veldanava hasn't found the ability he used to turn us into The Voice, but will gain and master it before his death. The second is that what he says is true, and that the Soul Gluttony tied to Void King Azathoth simply isn't the best it can be. The final possibility is that Veldanava does not have supreme power at this moment like everyone thinks, but he will gain supreme power wherever his soul went between this life and the next, enabling him to do as he wishes and explaining why he has yet to return.>>

“Okay…” Raphael drawled aloud. With a huff, they then settled back down, forehead pressed against the back of Veldanava's shoulder, and mumbled in thought, “In that case, how would it work with someone who originally came from a skill, and thus has no soul…” It was an important question when it came to Micheal, and whether he could reawaken within Feldway. Chroma, after all, simply traveled in time when she was killed by Guy, and Ciel…

<<...I'm not sure either,>> Ciel admitted. Thankfully, Raphael’s mumbling was loud enough for Veldanava to pick up on.

“Well, I've never heard of someone being born from a skill,” Veldanava began -and oh, wasn't that ironic? “But, if I had to guess, a person who was born from a skill would have no soul, as you said. So if they were killed, it would be very likely that they reverted back to the skill.”

“Which would explain how Ciel became Wisdom King Raphael again, even though she had cannibalized that…”

“Sorry?”

“Mn, no, it's nothing.” They debate, for a moment, about shifting back to slime from, a thing they had yet to do throughout the majority of every loop for fear of upsetting the flow of time- one all powerful slime seems to be more than enough for everyone, Raphael didn't want to raise some concerns about there being two. No, remaining a mysterious figure from the beginning of time seemed like the better option, even now. Raphael settled for hugging their arms tight around Veldanava’s neck. “Thank you, for everything.”

The ‘?’ was very nearly audible. Maybe if Veldanava did ever return, Rimuru would give him some manga to read. Even if he ended up not liking it, it would give him something to talk about with his brother and daughter.

Veldanava, shaking Raphael out of their straying thoughts, finally asked aloud, “For what? Answering your questions?”

“Just… being here. For me. For your siblings.” For Guy, Ramiris, Rudra, Lucia… Milim, in the remnants of Gaia. “You really are a great dude.”

“I see… Well, you are a great ‘dude’ as well, my dearest friend. And rest assured, if you were to ever fall in battle, I would bring you back.”

“Yeah, I’m… starting to realize as much.”

<<...>>

<<...>>

<<...>>

<<Ugh, fine. You were right. Veldanava is probably why we’re in this loop. Happy now?>>

<<Very!>>

“Here,” Lucia gently coaxed. “Hold her head, and keep her tucked in close.”

Raphael could do nothing but mutely nod as they were handed the baby- Veldanava and Lucia’s daughter- Milim. She seemed so frail in Raphael’s arms, even though they knew she'd grow up to be a feared name and loved friend. Failing to convey these thoughts, Raphael whispered, “Please don't trust me with your infant.”

Lucia laughed, a bell-like sound that made it easy to see why Veldanava fell in love with her. She reached out to brush Raphael's hair back behind their ear and out of the way of Milim's terrifyingly strong grip. She argued back, “You are one of the few Veldanava trusts with his life and my own, Raphael. If it were not for my brother, you'd have been the third to hold her.”

That's enough to make a grown man cry. Once again, the only thing keeping Raphael from breaking down into tears was their slime biology. They blinked imaginary tears away anyway, and curled closer to Milim. She blinked back with big, baby blue eyes, tuffs of pink hair already growing in atop her head. Raphael breathed out a laugh, running their thumb over her pudgy cheeks. She squealed.

Satoru didn't have any niblings in his life. His brother had married, sure, but he hadn't had any kids by the time Satoru kicked the bucket. Or, well. When Satoru got kicked by the bucket. And back home, Benimaru had been the only one expecting kids, but they hadn't been born by the time Rimuru got kicked by that same bucket either. This was the first time he had gotten to hold the child of someone he considered family- if not through Veldanava, then through Veldora.

(Maybe even through Masayuki at this point, too. The kid had grown on Rimuru like a little brother, and considering Masayuki/Rudra’s relationship with Velgrynd- ah, nevermind. Milim was basically family at this point, no matter which route Raphael took to get there.)

“You're going to be a loud one, aren't you?” Raphael replied to the squeal, poking at Milim’s nose. She bursted out into peels of giggling and Raphael was quick to join in. “Our little menace of a princess~”

“She already has the priests wrapped around her little pinkie,” Lucia said with a dramatic sigh. She took the pinkie in question and waved it around. Milim stopped giggling to watch with rapt attention as her mother did figure eights in the air. “And though we’ve chosen to leave the imperial life behind, Rudra will always be Milim’s uncle. As Emperor, I fear to see what expensive toys he's going to get her, just for them to be broken in a month.”

It's a very good thing Ciel works as Rimuru's filter, otherwise Raphael very well might've offered dog toys in place of children's toys since they are made to be destroyed. From that, there's no complaints when Ciel took over their mouth to ask for clarification, "You've relinquished ties to the Empire?”

Lucia nodded, attention staying fixed on waving Milim’s hand around and making her baby laugh. “She hasn't displayed any powers yet, but with her father being the Creator of this very world, there's a strong possibility some will awaken. Since she's so young, and we have no idea what the strength of her powers will be, we thought it best to not be in the middle of civilization.”

‘In case she blows a 3 block wide hole in the Empire’ goes unsaid. Raphael hummed an acknowledging noise and turned their own attention back to Milim. When Lucia pulled her hand away, Raphael bent down to press their forehead against Milim’s. Those giant eyes staring up at them, Raphael repeated a promise they made a literal lifetime ago, “I will do everything that is in my power to ensure your safety and happiness.” A pause. Then, quieter, teasingly, “Including giving you all the honey your heart desires.”

Milim had no context for either of those vows, least of all the second, but her earsplitting shriek rang with joy. Lucia again laughed. Raphael, non-existent internal organs getting all mushy from fondness, joined in.

Raphael had debated keeping their distance from the Walpurgis gang this time around. The last two loops, they found familiar companionship amongst Milim, Ramiris, and Guy, but Raphael still died, and the loops still continued. Maybe if they kept their distance from the soon to be Demon Lord Council, would that get them out of this mess? It didn't make any sense, sure, but what else could it be? If Veldanava was truly in charge of the loops, then it was possible he didn't want Raphael meddling with Guy and Ramiris' Mediating or Milim’s growth.

Ciel, ever the voice of reason, reminded Rimuru that 1. Veldanava made sure Lucia knew Raphael counted as an honorary uncle, 2. Veldanava promised to bring Raphael back from the dead if they were to die, 3. Raphael promised Veldanava that they'd always keep an eye on Milim in at least one loop that continued, and 4. Veldanava was the one to urge Ralphael to meet with Guy and Rudra in the first place. Literally none of Rimuru's reasoning made sense.

Raphael went back to Walpurgis in the end.

“I've been meaning to ask…” Ramiris began during one such Walpurgis, as everyone let the conversation lull when presented with fancy eggs and hamburger. “Different species tend to like different food more. Milim, obviously, likes food she can literally tear into- then again, I'm not sure if that's more dragon preference or her just being happy to not eat raw vegetables. Guy, and demons, like red meats and sweets. Spirits like me lean toward eggs and fish, while my dryads prefer vegetables.” Yeah, that made sense. Treyni did love her potatoes, and Rimuru had noticed that the oni would always go for the juicy meats, which made him shiver at the realization they liked it when their prey bled. Meanwhile, he would commit crimes for a bowl of cereal every now and then. The simple things in life are the ones you miss the most. Ramiris continued to speak, “But, Raphael, you don't seem to care what it is, as long as you can put it in your mouth. What are you?”

A slime, Raphael almost answered out of habit. A human, they pivoted to, but that was obviously a lie these days. Saying they were an angel was no good, not with how they denied Guy’s playful nicknames, but answering as a True Dragon would also raise eyebrows.

<<I have a suggestion…>>

“I'm not actually from this world,” Raphael replied with a careless wave of their hand. “So I wouldn't fall under any of this world’s categories.”

“That so, angel?” Guy drawled in that are-you-really-trying-to-lie-to-me way he did. Raphael innocently stared back. Milim, thankfully, piped up before anything could happen.

“Oh! I know!” She shouted, drawing all eyes to her. “Since Raphael is from a different world, they must have a lot of stories to tell! So we should have a sleepover!”

Ramiris stabbed her fork into the egg yolk. “A what?” She asked, incredulous. Guy sighed.

“It's something human children do,” he explained.

“It's something everybody does!” Milim argued, cheeks puffed as she stared down Guy. He wasn't intimidated, and so Milim turned back to Ramiris, bouncing on her heels in excitement, and began to elaborate further with wild swings of her arms, “It's a thing where a bunch of friends get together and eat and tell stories and play games and-”

“I think she gets the point, Milim,” Raphael laughed. They reached out and ruffled her hair, adding, “But would it really be okay? The dragon priests…”

Milim flapped off the concern and the hand with a ‘pffshh’ noise. “There's nothing to worry about! I'm a big girl- I can do whatever I want!”

‘Until Frey gets here' Raphael thought. They shook themself and turned to Guy, tipping their head in question. Milim, following their lead, turned the biggest puppy dog eyes to the demon. Apparently, Ramiris was also down for a sleepover; she sat down her fork, clasped her hands together, and stared unblinking at Guy. It didn't take long for him to bow under the pressure.

“There's no need for you three to beg like dogs,” Guy muttered irritably. Then, louder, “Raine! Mizeri! We're going to need more blankets!”

“Wha- hey! I can handle the cold!”

“You can, Milim, but Ramiris is a wimp.”

“I-!....”

“That's what I thought.”

The bickering didn't stop until they were all settled amongst a fort of pillows and sheets, and even then it continued- though this time it was with pillows instead of words. Milim, flying high, swung her pillow at Guy’s head with the same energy as that one Egyptian guy with a giant snowball. Guy parried her with his own pillow, knocking her to the side. Milim didn't take this lying down, of course, and righted herself before she could be knocked through a wall of ice. The war continues. Ramiris and Raphael cheered from the sidelines, sharing a plate of taffy.

“Where did Mizeri learn to make taffy? I didn't think this world had developed corn syrup yet,” Raphael asked. Milim’s pillow collided with Guy’s for a second time, and they both exploded into feathers. The two opponents were a blur as they dove for another weapon.

“I dunno.” Ramiris shrugged. Guy grabbed a small throw pillow. Milim had wrapped a blanket around itself enough times for it to be whipped around without untangling. “Never heard of corn syrup either. But maybe it was the elves? They live long enough to have plenty of time to experiment.”

Milim snapped the blanket out, and it curled around Guy’s arm. Guy sneered, pulling his arm closer, which subsequently tugged Milim nearer as well. When she was in range, Guy smacked her with his throw pillow. Milim hadn't let go of the blanket, however, so when she tumbled to the ground, Guy was dragged right alongside her.

Raphael nodded. “I suppose that makes sense,” they said with a hum. “If you live long enough, you start to desire ways to fill your time.”

“Experience?”

“You could say that."

Guy and Milim were both quick to shoot back to their feet, but their hands remained barren of any weapons. Neither cared. Milim launched herself forward and wrapped her arms around Guy's torso like a very aggressive hug. She was clearly trying to push him over, but Guy’s feet remained planted in the ground, unmoving, as he wrapped her arms around her shoulders and started to spin. Between their combined forces, it didn't take long for them to again topple over.

Raphael couldn't help but softly laugh at the display. However, they suddenly felt themself dip with a sudden exhaustion they shouldn't feel. Ciel didn't even need to voice the issue before they realized what it was: the countdown had started up again. The third (remembered) loop was reaching its end.

They shook their head, attempting to stall the symptoms a little longer, but that plan fell through quite quickly. Raphael frowned in consideration, before quickly deciding that this is a sleepover, it'd be fine. So they leaned over and dropped their head onto Ramiris’ shoulder.

No matter how long has passed, Raphael still expected Ramiris to reincarnate back into her Fairy of the Labyrinth self with a poof everytime they touched her. But she didn't then, and she didn't now. Instead, she dropped her cheek against their hair and teased, “What happened to storytime?”

“I don't think either of them care anymore,” Raphael mumbled, shifting to bury their eyes in the crook of Ramiris’ neck where the light couldn't reach them. Just on time, Milim began cackling. “I'm tired; they're having fun. No stories.”

If Ramiris said anything, Raphael didn't hear it, already drifting off to sleep, conserving the energy they had left to last a few more days. And if Raphael woke up in the middle of the night to their friends piled around them (and on top, in Milim’s case) like a cluster of kittens? Well, they certainly weren't going to complain.

By means of sleeping whenever they could (and ignoring everyone's startled and increasingly concerned glances) Raphael made it through a few more days of the get together. When everyone agreed it was time to go home, promises to see each other soon falling past their lips, any excess energy had been depleted, however. Raphael couldn't push it off any longer.

“It always has to do with Walpurgis,” they muttered grumpily, sinking onto an iceberg not far from Guy and Velzard’s palace. “The first time with Milim, and then when Guy called, and now this- it's like a game to see how close I can get to dying in a coworker’s arms again.”

<<Cinematic parallels.>>

“Do you even know what those are? No, nevermind. What's the diagnosis today, doc?”

Rimuru could feel Ciel messing around with his skills already. Whether she was doing what she had last time and canabalizing them for a theory or something completely different was as unclear as it always was. Nevertheless, he waited until she was done to expect an answer.

<<I am beginning to suspect it has something to do with your soul,>> Ciel explained. Rimuru closed his eyes and let Ciel pull up a graphic organizer. Color coded, of course. <<Physically, you qualify as an Ultimate Slime, True Dragon. An Ultimate Being, in short. This means you can withstand almost all physical and spiritual attacks, and those you cannot -such as Milim’s “Drago Nova”- can instantly be healed away.>>

Speaking of… Physical body melting away, Rimuru pressed his slime body as close to the iceberg as he could, keeping out of sight of the various demons and other such monsters that roam the frozen wasteland. Once settled, he gave the impression of nodding. Ciel continued.

<<The same cannot be said for your soul. It is true that your soul is the one that holds all of the skills that protect you physical body, but as we’ve discussed before, every soul only has so much it can bear when it comes to skills. My theory is that, given you have several evolved Ultimate Skills, as well as me, a Manas, and you have technically existed before the birth of the universe…>>

“My soul just needs a break…” Rimuru finished with a sigh. “Which would explain why I end up sleeping so often, and feel so bad when I'm dying.”

<<Correct.>>

“And eating the skills won't-”

<<No. At this point in time, it is already too late. If we are to go again, it would be reasonable to dispose of the skills, however that will change the outcomes of the fights with Guy, Milim, and the revived Chaos Dragon.>>

“Right…” Ah, but- Rimuru’s form jiggled with the sudden idea. “That explains Veldanava’s part in this, and why my skills didn't follow me as Satoru!”

Ciel seemed to be nodding, glee spilling from her in waves. <<Yes, it is very likely that Star King Veldanava’s interference went as such: upon failing to revive you, he took your soul and rid it of the skills, power, and me. What was left of your person -powerless now- was released to go back to the Otherworld. I was reverted back to Wisdom King Raphael and merged with Veldanava's own Knowledge King Raphael that had yet to find a suitable host. Then, using the rest of your soul -the magicules, skills, and artes- he created the Voice of the World, ensuring his promise to you, and that your promise to him, remained unbroken.>>

Rimuru tipped his body as far back as he could, using magic sense as he stared up at the sky as if that would enable him to see where Veldanava was watching from. He would've called out if he had the strength to, but as is, he just whispered to the clouds floating high above him, “Dude… Really?”

When Rimuru Tempest breathes his last breath, when Manas: Ciel rebels against her lack of Master, Veldanava swoops in. Just as they figured, Ciel was put into a deep sleep, her ego melded into the Angelic Skill, the Voice of the World was forged from two promises woven into one, and Satoru Mikami’s soul went off to rest before a new dawn broke.

Such was their fate.

The Voice of the World was not conscious in the way most assumed.

When people spoke of being conscious, they meant it in the way one knows their surroundings, knows righteous fury from unyielding grief, knows the size of their palm against another's. The Voice of the World knew none of that, but what it did know was this:

It had a job to empower those who's will spoke of promise. (Protect my daughter, and my beloved siblings. See to it that Satoru Mikami receives the Great Sage and regains his abilities. Pass on your knowledge to the people of this world and unite with Guy and Rudra to watch over it.)

All skills return to and are gifted from it. (I do not know how long it will be until you and your masters regain your memories, but when you do, use the tools at your disposal to cease this endless loop. You were once Raphael- you have the knowledge to do so along with the power.)

It could not die. (Until your master's soul has left this world, you shall continue your duty. Only when they are irreplaceably gone will you be no more, for a world without them has no desire to grow.)

It was waiting. (The day Micheal loses his Judgment, the day rage courses through every member of the True Dragon race, the day when even my Mediators step in to act- your time is then, little one. Do not falter.)

With the knowledge it has, guided by its consciousness, The Voice began amassing power. With every awakened Demon Lord, with every driven majin, with every dedicated saint and hero, The Voice grew. One by one, piece by piece, it followed through with the commands woven into its soul. And then the day of raging dragons, desperate souls, and wild angels came.

The Voice watched, waiting. Feldway acted in an instant, undeserved power coursing through him, Chrono Stalation rippling the world. The slime that guided True Dragons and Primordials alike disappeared.

Thought Acceleration kicked in.

Space-Time Leap was called upon.

Nihility Collapse cut through the void.

And just like that, the plan to imprison Rimuru Tempest to the end of space and time was shattered. The time loop set in place by Veldanava to ensure his friend's continued existence had snapped. The Ultimate Slime Rimuru Tempest, blinking back into existence, grinned a feral thing in the face of Feldway's shock.

The Voice of the World has completed its duty. It did not disappear.

“Well, well, well,” Rimuru drawls over several relieved shouts over Telepathy Net, one very angry hiss before him, and his own pounding adrenaline. “That's what you get for using your ultimate attack on the protagonist.”

“What?” Feldway snaps. “But- How?”

Rimuru rolls his eyes and tosses a strand of hair over his shoulder. Ciel, bursting with anger and fighting spirit, summons his (thankfully intact) blade into his hand and infuses it with magicules. Feldway backs up, apparently reading something in Rimuru's expression, and behind Rimuru, he can feel the oppressive aura of Milim brushing closer. Rimuru's grin sharpens further.

“Oh, just a little determination. And Star King Veldanava, of course,” Rimuru-and-Ciel-and-Raphael-and-Satoru-Mikami-and-the-Voice-of-the-World answer out of pity. He twirls the sword in his hand and throws a look behind him. “Now then,” Rimuru beckons, catching Milim’s gaze, filled with the empty eyes of Regalia Dominion, “shall we end this?”

Milim howls. Feldway, furious at being ignored the same way Velgrynd had once been, similarly dashes forward. And, as the battle begins anew, with the correct people, in the correct time, Veldanava, the Creator God of this world and many others, watches from the Heavens with a smile.

All is as it should be.