His vision dark and closed, Ren feels himself weighless above ground but still standing upright. He feels his four limbs spread out and straightened. Tingles of buzzing pain tied around his wrists and ankles. A similar sensation to a sleep paralysis's numbness. He could only flexes and pulls his fingers, no other joints has responded to his command.

"Oh my, this is that fox I told you about before! Tell me, is this mere coincidence? Or were you planning this all along?"

A voice both familiar and unfamiliar to him. Familiar as in he heard it before, unfamiliar as in he doesn't know much of its owner.

"Ah, I remember how feisty this one was. How'd you even tame him?" That voice says again. It has a slight echo of a man's and a woman's tangled together. A voice so out of this world, or more specifically, out of earth.

Groaning, Ren slowly opens his eyes, his blurry vision meeting the magenta glow emitted from a colossal thing in front of him- A giant sakura tree surrounded by three torii gates.

Startled, his pupils jolt around. He sees that he is stuck in a some sort of a circular crucifix that holds his limbs with knots made out of electricity.

But the rest of the sight isn't making this anymore concrete. He finds himself in the middle of a giant, dark room. Dusty, cracked bricks being its floor, walls and pillars. Bioluminescent plant life scatters around the corners and sides of the room, on the wall or hanging from the unseen ceiling. Most of those plants glows dim purple, creating a starry sight that contrast the dark.

But the true source of light in this lampless room is the phenomenon in its middle, the giant sakura tree that is surrounded by three crumbling and dusty torii gates. Ominous magenta veins glows, spreading throughout the tree's barks as if they're circulating its own glow. Those veins circles on the center of the tree's pillar-like stem into a spiral shape. In the center of that spiral is a giant and glowing purple fox mask, surrounded by nine petal-like structure that vividly pulsates a glowing gradation of purple to pink, then to blue.

"Oh! He woke up! My, how exciting!" That voice speaks again, distracting Ren away from the sight.

The voice belongs to a certain someone with only one facial feature, the yellow slit that runs down from the center of her face to her thin, non-existent feet glows in excitement. That Jellyfish Woman's voice is as playful as ever as she floats in front of Ren, one tentacle hovering inches from his cheek, almost touching him.

"Miss Cubozoa, I'd prefer if you refrain from touching him, please," Gently, the Manticore's voice comes from behind the Jellyfish Woman, prompting her to retract herself back onto the floor.

"Ah, I do apologize for that. I guess my curiosity has its negativity."

"If you'd like, you can watch the whole ritual commence. But please, do not interfene with the process, nor its subject."

"Hmm, well, these kinds of affairs back at Xczyuar isn't as strict as the ones here on Earth. But well then, aside from that. I suppose you have kept your part of the bargain, yes? That's the only reason I've been waiting here~" Cubozoa hums, her body bouncing with each words.

"Of course, Miss Cubozoa, the artifacts that you've requested will be delivered to your estate shortly after this."

"Heheh, no no! That won't do!" She immediately dismisses his words, "I would like to see atleast... One. With my own eyes. Right here, right now."

Her demand leaves him out of words.

"In particular, I would like to see that Triangle," She continues, looking up at her own lightbulb, "The abstraction of earthlings to be capable of trapping an ancient god inside a little device is fascinating don't you think?" She then goes back to face the Manticore, tilting her head as she do so.

"The Triangle, huh?" A slight huff comes out of his mouth, "Well, it managed to slip out of our hands, sadly. But, if you'd like to see any of the other artifacts, I could bring it here in just a second."

"Huh? What do you mean? 'Slip out of our hands'? Oh, do correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't understand those words," Her words echo out with a ripple of disappointment.

"..." Struck by silence, he smiles, "I meant, I failed to meet your end of the bargain," A more or less frustrated sigh comes out afterwards.

"Hah! That's more like it!" The Jellyfish jeers, to the Manticore's dismay, "Untrue to those rumors, I'm actually forgiving to those that are truthfully honest," She puts one tentacles onto her 'chin', lowering her head to match the Manticore's height, "But for you... I guess you can interpret this as an apology from the mess my Grandmother has done to you."

"Now, for my part of the bargain..." Standing upright, she raises one of her tentacles forward. Its tip suddenly opens like a glowing, macabre flower. An object then squeezes itself out of it, held by red strings that extend themselves from each of the tentacle's 'petals'. That object is a familiar doughnut-shaped pen holder. The same one that Ren saw from that time he met her in that Incubus club. The 'Toy' that Sion stole.

"This is what you asked for right? They say that this device is the sole reason an entire civilization collapsed, so, you might want to be careful with it~" She twirls the device around, stopping to check and observe it here and there, "I myself has no idea how to operate this device. But... It seems you have a good grip on how to start. Guess all those archeology finally payed off, huh?"

He opens his palm, receiving the Jellyfish's gift, "I do have a way. But, if you know any information regarding this device, feel free to join me and help."

"Hmm... I'd love to. But... My kids are starting to get bored here. I was actually planning to go to Thalassenia, but you really had to drag me to your mess, don't you?"

At that, it's as if a nerve within him clicked, "Do keep in mind that this is due to your grandmother's doings. You were the one that decided to bring your kids along, so don't blame me."

Seeing his clutched fists, Cubozoa chuckles briefly before looking towards the giant tree, "Right, right... But... Either way, the sight of that giant fox really kept me and my children's interest. But even then, they're children, they get bored easily. I suppose you must've had the same experience, right?"

His edge suddenly turns soft- eyes softened and a sigh let out, "It's... hard to say... I suppose."

"Well then, I'd love to stay longer and see what you'll do with this handsome fox of yours. But... I couldn't keep my children and my new collections waiting," She then pulses her way past the Manticore, floating towards the exit, a giant and crumbling stone gate a distance away from the giant tree, "As the old earthlings of the French variant say, au revoir."

The gate opens and closes with an aggressive rumble as if an earthquake is shaking it. And when silence finally takes over, no more of that Jellyfish's annoying voice, or no more of this ruin's ancient foundation, The Manticore turns around, now facing his potential son-in-law.

Smirking, he holds the donut-shaped device with both hands. Firmly and gently, he presses it with both of his palms, resulting in a silent click. The device then 'spreads', breaking itself into multiple pieces that surrounds a holographic circle the center of the device emits.

That circle has an inverted pentagram etched. Causing a shudder within Ren.

"W-Wha... What are you... Gonna do to me..?" His ears fold back, his tail freezing in place.

Just like always, he only answers with a tone pure and refined. With a smile gentle and kind, "You have nothing to fear, son. You're special. That's why, It must be you... And no one else."

-----

Opening the wooden door, Sion steps in first with Azayaka following behind him. The scorpion sighs as he releases his Knight's coat and hangs it onto the hangar beside the door. Azayaka leans forward as she looks around the mediocre class apartment— with dirty wallpapers and cracked floorboards, also with spiderwebs hanging from one or two corners. Her sight then arrives at the living area, located in front of the kitchen that stands by her right. A light blue shark-tail hanging from the sofa's handrest is the first thing she notices. The TV in front of it playing an episode of Mighty Rangers.

"Sion! You're back! Can you cook something? I'm kinda hungry. But don't cook something hard though! Cuz I just got my teeth replaced," From whoever is lying on that sofa, a carefree male voice says.

"Pay rent first," Sion simply answers, throwing his shoes off before walking towards the kitchen. The kitchen seems nothing out of the ordinary, consisting of a row of fairly clean kitchen islands and cabinets, and the necessary fridge, sink and stove. Aside from those necessities, racks and jars of spices and other powdered ingredients are present on the counter alongside rows of yellow, thin eggs lying on a soft pillow inside a basket.

Repeating his actions, Azayaka follows Sion with her black, leather jacket now hanging from her embrace as she stands behind him, her eyes always averting themselves down.

"It's fine. Don't be so nervous. Just sit, make yourself at home," He reasures, pointing his gaze towards the barstools assigned to the middle counters.

"Who're you talking to?" The one lying on the sofa asks as Azayaka sits.

"Do you wanna eat? I don't recall you having anything at the party," Sion offers as he opens the fridge.

"It's fine... I... I'm not that hungry," She answers as she fiddles with her hair.

"Well, just you wait till you smell my cooking. I'm sure you'll be hungry," He grabs the carton of milk from the fridge and places it on the counter beside the stove and that basket of yellow eggs, before reaching up to grab a small bowl.

"Okay, who the fuck are you talking to-" The voice, Kao rises up from the sofa only to be struck silent by the sight, "O-Oh, Aza, right? Wha... What're you doing here?"

As Sion cracks an egg into the bowl, he responds, "She's gonna stay here for a while. So, give up the guest room, you have to sleep on the sofa now."

"Oh, okay," After a slight pause, he connects the rest of Sion's words, "Wait, what? What the hell do you mean!?"

"This ain't your place. So, do that or get kicked out. That's the rule."

"W-Wha- even so! That's not how you should treat me!"

"Well, a freeloader is a freeloader. I'm being generous here."

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me..."

"Um, i-it's fine. I'll sleep on the sofa, he can keep his room," Azayaka breaks the ice between them.

Sion turns around to face her with his a brow raised, "You sure? It won't be much different from the cell. The sofa's pretty small too, you'll wake up with your back aching."

"No, really, that's fine... I only wanted to get out from my cell cuz... It reminds me of something I don't want to remember. I don't actually care if its comfortable or not."

"Oh, well, okay then. You do you," Sion then goes back to beating his eggs, adding milk into the mixture every other second.

"Haah... Thanks, Aza. Sometimes Sion is a dick to me like that. Wait, correction; he's always a dick to me!" Kao pouts as he goes back to lying on the sofa.

"That depends though. Remember, you were the one begging me to let you stay here."

"But that doesn't mean I wanna be treated like shit, y'know..."

Groaning to that last plea, Sion sighs and add another egg to his mixture, "Goddamn it. Fine, I'll make you food."

At that, Kao pulls his fist down with a proud smile, "Heheh... Mission success..."

After looking at both directions, Azayaka lets out a small huff and smirk before going back to Sion.

"Hey, Sion, I changed my mind. Can you make one portion for me too?"

"Oh, I was already making one for you. Cuz I just know that you'll be entranced by my good ol' scrambled eggs."

"Scrambled eggs? For dinner?"

"Heh, just wait till you smell it."

"Okay then, I'm counting on you."

To that hopeful note, the room fall silent except for the TV playing Mighty Ranger's action packed scenes. Kao keeps on letting his brain rot as he enjoys the show that is supposedly made for children, meanwhile Azayaka balls up her jacket on the counter and lays her head onto it, using it as pillow as she stares outside the window to her left. That little banter in between Sion and Kao is distracting enough for her to cheer up a little, but now that it's quieter, those thoughts creeps up her mind again.

What could he be doing to Ren right now? Would he be okay? The fact that the Chief delayed the planning for his rescue is quite unacceptable. But what can she do? She couldn't and shouldn't just go on her own when she has all the help she needs here with the Knights. But... She really needs to do something. Something quick that is.

"Keep you eyes open when I'm here."

"You'll never be alone."

What could those words mean? Literal or figurative? Either way, with that obvious warning coming from the new Chief of Intelligence Agency herself, she mustn't take any risk. Perhaps, she should take it slow this time. Just think positively! That's what Ren would say to her now, right?

"Here ya go," Sion slides a bowl to her front, pulling her back to reality.

Immediately, her previously gloomy eyes are brightened by the outrageous shine the dish reflects. Almost spilling out of the bowl are whipped cream-like scrambled eggs topped with chopped green onions and powdered parsley. It's colors are perfectly golden, with a hint of torched dots here and there. It is steaming out a mellow and gentle, savory fragrance, differing from normal eggs while almost similar to a block of creamy, unsalted butter.

"So this is why you're so confident... Heh, you're right. It does makes me much more hungry all of the sudden," Azayaka says, licking the drool that escapes her lips.

Smirking, Sion then slides a spoon towards her, "Well, hurry up and give it a taste."

"In spite of his personality, Sion does have a redeeming quality. But aside from being a great cook, nothing else comes to mind," Kao says, sitting on the barstool beside Azayaka. But his remark causes Sion to slides his bowl towards the edge of the counter, "W-wait! I was just kidding! I was just kidding... Heheh..." He grabs his bowl just in time to save it.

Azayaka quickly digs her spoon into the hill of cream sitting in the bowl. It passes through the egg easily till her spoon meets the bowl's bottom. Then she scoop out a bite, discovering that there's rice hidden under the egg.

Then finally, she takes the bite.

A burst of mellow, savory umami coats her tongue, enveloped by the gentle, cream-like texture of the egg. As the green onions and parsley bring their aromas through her throat and into her nose, the rice balances out the otherwise overpowering egg. With how smooth everything is, she doesn't even need to chew, simply using her tongue to melt the egg is exactly the thing she does. And finally, after that heavenly experience, she swallows the delicacy.

"This is so good... What kind of egg is this?" She is already preparing to take another bite. The sharkman beside her doing the same thing.

"Oh, It's my unfertilized egg."

"Hmm?"

"Huh?"

Just like that, both of the fae's and the sharkman's spoons stop right before reaching their mouths.

"Are you..." Azayaka says.

"For real..?" Kao continues.

The confidence Sion has immediately disappears, replaced by the same bewilderment plaguing his consumers, "Um... Yea?"

At that Azayaka and Kao looks at each other. Both of their eyes wide, filled with horror.

"D-Does that mean I just ate your unborn child?"

"What!? No! You have it all wrong!"

"What the fuck, dude!? You should've told us before we ate them!"

"Like I just said... It's fine! It's nothing like that!"

The two still stays silent in shock, both placing their spoons back into the bowl.

"Haah..." Sion takes a deep breath before he begins, "Unfertilized eggs, are just eggs. There's no babies inside them. And there's noone's sperm inside them."

"And this is fucking first grade biology," He adds, finishing his explanation.

"Now, please finish the food that I so hardworkingly made for the two of you. Else I'll kick both of you out."

Azayaka and Kao looks at each other once again, both shrugging at the fact. Then they all drown themselves in the delish sea of flavors once again.

-----