[center] [h1][color=turquoise]E[/color] [i]m i l y[/i][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/UCPz7e1.png[/img] [color=turquoise]"S-so lewd!"[/color] [color=888888]— Emily[/color] [/center] In an extravagant throne muddled by countless bodies of slain soldiers and unconscious adventurers, [url=https://youtu.be/GET8ax8uWXk]there stood two men.[/url] [b]"...They still yet perpetuate the strife and unbalance that tears Allyia apart for naught but their own amusement. Our world, our towns, our fortunes, and even our existence... they mean nothing to them. That the very subjects of this ruination revere them is the height of irony and I shall not suffer it any longer. We must needs purge this world from their wretched influence."[/b] Tirius, Usurper of the Hallowed Throne, Slayer of Celestials, and formerly, The Light of Allyia, descended the steps of the elevated throne he had sat on moments prior. His was a presence most intimidating by the hostile air around him, the titles he had earned through unimaginable feats, and his signature panoply that inspired dread to all who opposed him. The once obsidian-black armor had been forever stained by the pure-white blood of the gods he had slain, and little needed to be said about Revolution, the god-absorbing sword that had once been thought of to be mere myth. Despite this commanding presence, a lone man stood before him, positioned to protect his allies, who succumbed to the overwhelming pressure. That a single wave of Tirius' hand could incapacitate the people he'd fought with up to this point was a testament to the absurd strength he called his own. Without a shred of doubt, the young man knew that should he so desire it, Tirius could single-handedly bring the world to his knees. What would the world's armies be to a man challenging the gods themselves? But that is why the young man could not back down. No matter how much he wanted to. Despite the fear gripping his heart and the lingering admiration, he felt for Tirius, who had once been like a father to him long ago. It was true that the destruction of the Heart of Light would render the Celestials powerless to shape the course of fate as they saw fit, but it would likewise spell the end for life on the planet, as it kept in balance the flow of aether within all of creation. Yet with this revelation coming from Liliana, a Celestial who had sided with humanity, there could be no understanding. His determination to save humanity was unyielding and he would not give in to what he believed to be yet another one of the Celestials lies, not anymore. This left only confrontation. The young hero could not help but to recall his past experiences with Tirius, back when they were like family. Not once did he ever land a single blow on the man when they sparred. No, he was never even close, and Tirius had only become stronger with time. But so had he. That he was standing here proved as much. Tirius leveled his sizable sword towards the young hero. [b]"I shall allow no obstacles to bar my path. If that means I must get rid of you, then so be it! But make your last moments worthwhile, oh student of mine!"[/b] The world seemed to blur before turning black. .... .... .... [url=https://youtu.be/pCiKxvnfqis]"Oh, jeez, finally!"[/url] Sitting on her bed and facing a small tv nestled into the corner of her room on her nightstand was Emily, who had had about enough already. This cutscene had been the definition of hype the first couple of times, but now it was just frustrating. The game did not allow her to skip it and she had failed on the boss fight multiple times. She had adored this game so far but given the current year, what sort of poor design was that? Unskippable cutscenes right before a difficult fight? There was still one difficulty tier higher! This run lasted even less time than last before she found the hero of the story succumbing to his wounds. The fatal blow inflicted by a move that had a misleading visual that made you think you weren't in the hitzone. She hoped maybe they might fix this later, but she wasn't going to count on it. She sighed in frustration as she would now have to watch the scene yet again. [color=turquoise]"Horse Pucky!"[/color] Emily growled, then covered her lips in embarrassment. The fight was hard and she was beginning to blame her failures on the game rather than herself and she had just said something bad. Seconds later, a buxom figure appeared at the doorway, brandishing a lollipop which she put into her mouth. [color=F65772]"Oh, is something the matter~? Hilaria thinks you sound upset~"[/color] the ancient asked, evoking what was perhaps a routine startle from Emily. Her bed might've caught aflame had she been transformed. Regaining composure, Emily worried that Hilaria might not want to be in her presence anymore what with the strong language she was using. To blurt something terrible like that out while she had company over simply was rude beyond all imagining. Beet red in the face, she waved her hands. [color=turquoise]"Oh, please forgive me! I accidentally got frustrated and let that out. I know, it's very poor manners."[/color] Hilaria paused. [color=F65772]"...What."[/color] she didn't seem to know what Emily was talking about immediately, but then picked up on it. [color=F65772]"Oh, yes, poor indeed~ Hilaria might have to reconsider letting you feed her~"[/color] she crossed her arms and shook her head in mock disapproval, which Emily took seriously (and apparently as a bad thing) and her expression pleaded for forgiveness. Naturally, Hilaria would die a thousand times before she willingly removed a source of food over... whatever it was Emily did, so she pretended to reluctantly accept her apology. [color=F65772]"Since it's the first time, Hilaria can look past this transgression~"[/color] Thankful for this second chance, she nearly leaped out of her bed to hug Hilaria. [color=turquoise]"Oh, thank you so very much!"[/color] she spoke as they parted. Maybe someone else might feel a bit shameful for messing with a girl so innocent, but such piddling worries would never impede her unceasing quest for cuisine. Hilaria would, however, have to admit to herself that she was curious as to what would drive a girl like Emily to do something she thought was unacceptable. [color=F65772]"Whatever might have caused you to... spew something so... vile~?"[/color] she asked. Emily turned and faced her meager television connected to a console that was a generation behind the standard. Inserted into it was a copy of Chronicles of Allyia and it was currently displaying a "Game Over" screen, evidence of her recent defeat. [color=turquoise]"I, um, think I got a little too carried away playing my game..."[/color] she sheepishly admitted, which prompted Hilaria to walk over and observe the thing. [color=F65772]"Can Hilaria play~?"[/color] [color=turquoise]"Oh, uh..."[/color] Emily clearly didn't expect Hilaria to be interested in the console, but she had no reason to deny her request. [color=turquoise]"S-sure!"[/color] she went over to the edge of her bed and sat down, with Hilaria plopping down right beside her. Emily handed her busty guest the controller and then proceeded to explain the general control scheme. Hilaria listened intently until Emily asked if she wanted to start from a place much earlier and easier, considering it was, as far as she was aware, Hilaria's first time playing. To that, Hilaria shook her head. [color=F65772]"No need~ Hilaria doesn't mind figuring things out here~"[/color] she told Emily, beginning the cutscene once again. ... ... ... [b]"If that means I must get rid of you, then so be it! But make your last moments worthwhile, oh student of mine!"[/b] As Tirius' speech (and the cutscene) ended, Hilaria was given control of the hero. She began moving and jumping erratically, clearly trying to get a feel for how the game worked. While she did press attack buttons at one point, she never actually hit the boss at any point and only managed to avoid attacks with rather blatant tells. Tirius eventually whittled her health down to nothing and the hero fell once more. [color=F65772]"Mmm~"[/color] Hilaria didn't seem perturbed by this, though. But perhaps fearing repeated deaths would frustrate her guest like it did her, Emily once again made her offer to have her start at an earlier point in the game. And again, Hilaria declined. As yet another instance of the cutscene had finished, Hilaria entered the ring with Tirius for a second time. Her movements were far less clunky and this try was more focused upon attacking. She hit Tirius a few times, mostly on accident as she was learning her moves, but did about ten percent of his health before losing again. [color=F65772]"Ok~"[/color] Hilaria said suddenly, starting up the cutscene once more. [color=F65772]"He's finished~!"[/color] Emily merely gave a tilted head and a confused expression in response. She wondered if Hilaria was frustrated and just saying that. Considering she barely scratched him last playthrough, it was hard to believe she'd pull it off this time. Hilaria avoided the attack Tirius opened the fight with each time, and laid on a few hits of her own as he was recovering from the animation. And when he then wound up a big AOE attack, Hilaria jumped just in time to avoid the slice. In a flurry of button presses and stick movements, Hilaria blew past her former record of ten percent and managed to her forty before Tirius managed to land any attacks. Emily nearly went slackjawed as the fight continued, with Hilaria reaching the ninety-five percent mark. Tirius was nearly finished, but that merely meant he was more likely to throw out the attack that caught Emily unawares on more than one occasion. And then he did just that, as Hilaria was far too close to think about avoiding the attack. Tirius plunged Revolution into the ground and the ground trembled and then erupted as Hilaria was mid-animation for a heavy swing of her own weapon. It was certain doom for her, as it was a two-part move that did massive damage. It would knock the hero down, and then Tirius would do a leaping plunge for added damage. Looking at her remaining health, this move would surely spell her end. It had last time, after all. Hilaria, of course, was not able to avoid the hit. Emily looked away right as she saw the strike reach her and her health rapidly dropped. It was a terrific run but what was to be done. She heard a death cry and then sighed and turned to the screen as it faded to black another time. She turned back to Hilaria and offered a smile. [color=turquoise]"Oh, that was such a good attem---"[/color] just as she began to say that, a cutscene began playing out with Tirius reeling back and falling to his knees in defeat. [color=F65772]"Is he the final boss~? Hilaria doesn't think he was that hard after she learned the controls, though I guess using that hyper armor move was needlessly risky~"[/color] she stated, crushing any notion of self-confidence Emily had as a gamer. She was so flabbergasted it took her some seconds to catch up with what had happened and pick her jaw up. [color=turquoise]"I-I think he is the penultimate boss, since there's still some loose ends in the story..."[/color] she answered shakily. [color=turquoise]"Um, Hilaria, do you play games very often?"[/color] her impression of the girl certainly led her to believe that was not the case but then what the hamster was this? Placing the controller down on the bed, she nodded. [color=F65772]"Hilaria has played her fair share of video games~ A lot of boys really like them so when she hangs out with them they ask her to try~"[/color] she elucidated. [color=turquoise]"B-boys!?"[/color] Emily almost yelled, then she cleared her throat. Her experiences with them thus-far left a lot to be desired. And it would be disingenuous to say she knew how to interact with them. But she was curious. [color=turquoise]"U-um, I mean, so do ya hang out with b-boys often?"[/color] [color=F65772]"Yup~"[/color] [color=turquoise]"O-oh, how is it like...?"[/color] Hilaria shrugged and though she wasn't entirely sure how to answer the question, gave it her best shot. [color=F65772]"Okay, Hilaria guesses~ She remembers her first time and it was painful, but then it wasn't so bad after~"[/color] [color=turquoise]"W-w-w-w-w-waah?!"[/color] Emily flared red, not expecting such a... bold answer from Hilaria. If there was one thing she did not want to do, it was judge people for being different from her. But to be so open was still a little unnerving and caught her off guard. Hilaria looked at Emily weird after her outburst. [color=F65772]"Is something wrong~?"[/color] she asked as though she hadn't just blurted out something like that. [color=turquoise]"O-o-o-oh, it's j-just that... well, those things with boys... i-is it normal to just.... um, say that...?"[/color] she stuttered out. Hilaria narrowed her eyes at Emily but then continued. [color=F65772]"Hilaria thinks so~?"[/color] she answered in a way that sounded more like a question than a statement. [color=F65772]"Does it really surprise you that much~?"[/color] she eyed the blushing Emily who briefly looked away. [color=F65772]"Well, Hilaria will say that there's usually only a few things boys nowadays want to do and it's usually playing video games~"[/color] Emily suddenly snapped back. [color=turquoise]"D-doing what?"[/color] [color=F65772]"Video games~ But she supposes that sports aren't too uncommon either~ Not to the point where it should be surprising, she thinks~"[/color] [color=turquoise]"O-oh, you meant games! Games! Oh, yes, that's what ya meant!"[/color] she nervously chuckled. Tilting her head, Hilaria questioned Emily. [color=F65772]"Hilaria wonders what you thought she meant~?"[/color] [color=turquoise]"...oh, um, well..."[/color] still tinted red, she answered in a low voice what she really thought Hilaria was talking about. [color=turquoise]"Well, since you were with boys and you said it hurt at first... I thought that, um, maybe that you might sorta possibly be... well, h-h-holding hands or something. Sorrysorrysorry!"[/color] she frantically began apologizing. [color=F65772]"...what~"[/color] Unlike what Emily probably thought, Hilaria was far from being offended. The mistake did not bother her. Or, at least it did not bother her in the way her nervous host feared. [color=F65772]"...how does pain factor into holding hands, Hilaria wonders~?"[/color] As if describing it was another 'bold' act, Emily reddened further. But since she had offended, at least in her mind, her very own guest even after she was so kind to forgive her for the earlier slight, Emily knew she could only go ahead and resign herself to such a fate. [color=turquoise]"W-well, 'cus, um, when ya get so nervous and your heart feels l-like it might explode..."[/color] Hilaria began to wonder if Emily was even real at this point or just some fictional character she made up. [color=F65772]"...sure~ Totally~"[/color] she tried to make sure her brain didn't go entirely on autopilot to cope with the [s]type-2 diabetes she was probably contracting from the sweet cinnamon roll[/s] whatever it was Emily was doing. [color=F65772]"...well, Hilaria was talking about games~ At first it was really hard and annoying but Hilaria eventually adjusted to them~"[/color] [color=turquoise]"I see! Y-yeah, s-sorry bout that..."[/color] [color=F65772]"It's okay~"[/color] Hilaria assured her, standing up. [color=F65772]"Hilaria will get out of your hair, for now~ Thanks for the breakfast~"[/color] she told Emily as she went to exit the room, stopping at the door. [color=F65772]"But jeez, Hilaria thinks that is quite the reaction~ It would have made more sense if you thought we were having sex or something lewd~"[/color] [color=turquoise]"S-s-e!...."[/color] Things blurred before fading into complete darkness, only this time it wasn't the game that blacked out.