Chapter 13:

  Warm Atmosphere

  Elizabeth held Lucas close, keeping a wary eye on her grandmother. It wasn't like she didn't trust her, she just wanted to be as close to Lucas as was possible. Today was supposed to be a day for them, but it ended up involving someone a little troublesome. Elizabeth would destroy the entire world for Lucas, even if it meant destroying family that grew to be precious to her.

  Knowing her grandmother's tendencies, she had to ensure that Lucas came out of this in one piece. Walking the halls of the Association's upper floors was always nostalgic. She had come here as a child when they were first building this pce. Many people didn't understand why they had built this building in the middle of nowhere. At the time, they had announced it as one of many Falcrest Corp. offices.

  When the dungeons opened, they had "donated" it to be used as a relief center. From there, it was then relinquished into the care of the Pyers Association. All according to her pns, thankfully, her grandmother was also a powerful Pyer herself and was just the woman she needed to lead the entire organization.

  Having led the Falcrest family for years, she was the ideal person to be in charge. Shrewd and highly capable, there were many who underestimated this side of her due to her outward nature. When the switch was flipped, it was already too te to regret your actions. She had the upper hand.

  Of course, to Elizabeth, she was still just her grandmother. A kind, sweet woman who would do anything for family. Which was one reason why it was so easy to convince her to take over this position. Because of Elizabeth's knowledge from her past lifetimes, it was easy to set herself up as the prodigal child each time.

  The fruits of her bor were ripe and harvested just as she had hoped. Everything in this lifetime would go as she wanted it to. She didn't know what she'd do if they didn't, but...gncing down at Lucas, she smiled fondly. A burning desire filled her heart, fueled by the obsession with him. She knew just one thing; the world would burn if anything happened to him this time.

  "Are you doing alright?" Elizabeth inquired softly, "She's a bit of a brisk walker, and if I am right, I know where she's taking us. It's a bit of a long walk."

  "I'm okay," he reassured, squeezing her hand firmly, "I haven't been out of the house for a week, thanks to someone, so I need to stretch my legs."

  Elizabeth blushed lightly at his teasing. She was only doing that for his protection. He said he wasn't mad before, but maybe-

  "Don't pout, though it is cute," Lucas told her with a smirk, nudging her pyfully, "I'm not mad. You're just cute when you blush, and I like teasing you. I have to have some payback for my earlier loss..."

  He sulked, though in his eyes was mischievous mirth. It eased her heart to know that he wasn't mad. The anxiety she felt was immediately repced by an overwhelming affection.

  Taking a calming breath, her attention returned to the halls they walked through. Marble tiled floors and wooden walls. Ferns were pced at certain intervals to give the pce a little greenery. The tall ceilings held high-end crystal chandeliers which cast bright light upon everything.

  There was an accent of gold upon the furniture they passed by. Mainly benches and chairs in waiting areas. This particur floor was dedicated to the upper echelons of the Pyers Association. Meetings of dignitaries often took pce here. Which meant that there were many boardrooms along their path.

  Their destination was a little further up, on the 41st floor. The elevator they had used only went to the 39th. Thus, they had to walk through the halls, past several employs who bowed to them as they passed, giving Lucas curious gnces. Some were enamored with Azure, their eyes sparkling at how cute they were.

  She gave any who cast a disdainful eye at Lucas a warning gre. Putting only a little bloodlust behind it. He was none the wiser as he blissfully walked next to her, a small smile on his face. He was in awe of everything.

  She didn't bme him, knowing the life he lived. A lot of things would change for him, and in such a short amount of time. He was pretty good with going with the flow, but even so, it would put some stress on him. She'd have to make sure to ease him into everything from now on, though...she had a feeling her grandmother was right.

  She didn't know how to hold back. Not when it came to Lucas. Even now, she was fighting the urge to abscond with him. Ravaging his body till he saw stars, but...she'd have to wait. He had to be treated delicately. It would be a shame if she broke him too soon.

  Or, was it that he'd break her. Either way, she'd be happy.

  -----

  A shiver ran up my spine, as if someone was talking or thinking about me. A small sense of dread filled my heart, but it felt...exciting. Unsure where the feeling came from, I gnced up at Elizabeth whose eyes were almost always watching me. It was unnerving in the best of ways.

  I felt self-conscious and yet wanted more. The way she looked at me always made my heart race. Right now, it felt even more intense than usual. To be honest, it helped me ignore the fact that I felt out of pce here. I had never been up so high in the Pyers Association.

  All these floors were reserved for high ranked Pyers and employees who were at least Chief Managers or higher. For Pyers, I heard you had to be at least B Rank or above to ever catch a glimpse of this pce. The fact that I, a basic courier and non-Pyer, was here? It was blown away.

  Honestly, what was I doing here? I was walking with one of, if not the best, Hunters ever. Elizabeth Falcrest, and her grandmother, Meridith Falcrest. Who, for all intents and purposes, was also a famed Pyer as well as probably the most powerful woman in the United States. The United States President notwithstanding, of course.

  Still, to think that I was here. It didn't feel real. None of this felt real. The more that happened the harder it was to accept. Yet, it was undeniable reality.

  It would be hard to dismiss the feeling of Elizabeth's hand in mine, or Azure flying around curiously. They seemed to have taken a liking to Maya, for after nuzzling up to me, they went flying right back to her shoulder. I smiled as she gave them chin scritches. It was good seeing them get along, but perhaps that was because Azure didn't want to get crushed again.

  Either way, I liked that they seemed to be friendly, at least.

  "Might have to take you up on that offer of yours," I stated teasingly, "How much farther are we going to walk?"

  I ughed, though before I knew it, I was in the air and in her arms.

  "I-I was only joking!" I shouted, a deep heat entering my face as I covered it with my hands.

  "I wasn't," she smirked while holding me up like I weighed nothing.

  "Am I not...heavy?" I inquired, hiding my embarrassment in her shoulder.

  "Not at all," she replied instantly, "As light as a feather."

  I couldn't bear to look at anyone right now. I was a grown man being lifted by a woman like it was nothing...and I liked it. I think I finally understood why women liked it so much. To be lifted up in arms that felt so safe. So sturdy. Like nothing in the world was going to get me here.

  I chanced a peak up at Elizabeth's face and my heart near exploded in its chest. Her cheeks were red as she attempted to keep herself composed. Her piercing eyes met mine as she smiled deviously.

  "Enjoying the ride?" She asked, to which I simply nodded silently.

  Azure flew over to Elizabeth's shoulder, right next to my head, inquiring with a curious pat of their paw on my cheek at what was going on. I smiled, resting my head down as Azure nuzzled against my face. They were just too cute, and seeing Elizabeth blush was too much for me all at once. That was it. I was done. I resigned myself to my fate.

  By the time we reached the next elevator, I had convinced Elizabeth to set me down. Clearing my throat, I adjusted myself as she sulked silently. Resting myself against her, I hoped that would cheer her up. I just felt like it would be a little awkward to carry me even through the elevator. Of course, I knew she wouldn't have minded.

  "Thank you..." I whispered sheepishly, my head resting against her.

  "Any time, love," Elizabeth smiled, wrapping an arm around me, "Any time."

  Her grandmother gnced back at us with an amused, mischievous smile. Maya remained stoic nearby, and Azure had finally returned to my shoulder. I don't know why, but it felt suddenly stuffy in here. As if the entire world was spinning.

  Maybe it was a side effect of my memories being all jumbled and messed up, but as I felt Elizabeth's hand tighten around my waist, I felt the world fall into pce. It was in this moment that I understood something. Whenever I was next to her, my heart felt at ease. As if everything in the world was just...right.

  That emptiness I had always felt before was no longer present. As if I had been missing something, but not anymore. Smiling softly, I let myself rex. My entire body just pressed against her. At times like these, I trusted my heart.

  The elevator dinged open and out we stepped. I reluctantly stood by myself, but this time, I took her hand first. Entwining my fingers with hers. She held on tightly, firmly. It was a grasp that I knew would always be there to hold me.

  It kept me grounded as I was met with the grandeur of this pce. The 41st floor of the Association. The highest floor and home to the President's office. Immediately out of the elevator was a rge room with a reception desk at the far side. Behind it sat a young man who stood as we entered.

  Soft brown hair and blue eyes behind thin framed gsses. His skin was fair with a little bit of a tan. He wore a proper two-piece bck suit with the logo of the Association upon his pel. A simple golden badge with the letters P.A. etched into it. Nothing too fancy, but anyone who saw that badge knew who they were.

  "Welcome back, Ma'am," they greeted with a bow, "Everything has been prepared as directed. The Sorium awaits you and your guests."

  "Thank you, Jacob," Meridith, Elizabeth's grandmother, acknowledged with a nod of her head, "See to it that all my appointments are cancelled for today."

  "I apologize, but I cannot do that," Jacob replied, pulling up a tablet as they read from it, "You have an important meeting that can't be missed. It would be the fifth time this week, if you did. The Pan-Asian Alliance would definitely take insult."

  There was a certain glint to his eyes and the seriousness of his nature that I was surprised by. Especially because the great Meridith Falcrest seemed to balk under such a gaze. It was...amusing.

  "Fine, fine," she waved her hand dismissively, "When is it scheduled?"

  "I pushed it back as far as I could, Ma'am," he said, adjusting his gsses, "However, it must be done today."

  "Alright, thank you, Jacob," Meridith gave an appreciative smile, "Whatever would I do without you?"

  "I wouldn't know, Ma'am," he replied succinctly, "You're quite capable when you put your mind to it. I would trust that you'd survive just fine."

  "Hmph, cheeky child," Meridith huffed, though the smile on her face told me that she wasn't upset in the least, "Have you taken your break yet?"

  "No, Ma'am," Jacob shook his head, scrolling through the tablet, "I still have a few things I need to get done before-"

  Meridith snatched the tablet from his hands, towering over him. I didn't really register it before, since I was around Elizabeth who was quite tall herself. However, seeing that Meridith stood a good head and a half taller than Jacob, it put a lot into perspective. I wondered if he was just that short or if she was really a giant.

  Next to Elizabeth, Meridith was maybe a couple inches taller. Yet, there was something in her presence that made Elizabeth seem more of a giant than her grandmother. Maybe that was just my imagination and infatuation with her that had me think so.

  "Break. Now," Meridith demanded, "I won't have you overworking yourself like this. How many times have I told you to take time for yourself?"

  "...One hundred and thirty-four, no, make that thirty-five, now," Jacob admitted with a heavy sigh, "Very well, Ma'am. I'll take a break, but I really need to-"

  He went to take the tablet back, but like a child reaching for something their older sibling held out of reach, he couldn't quite get it as she held it above his head.

  "You're not getting this back till I'm done," she told him strictly, an intense pressure that even I could feel came from the stare she gave him, "If I catch you working before I get back, I'm giving you a vacation."

  The horror upon that man's face was indescribable. I had never thought that a vacation could be used as a threat, but it seemed to be incredibly effective for him as he hung his head in defeat.

  "...Yes, Ma'am," he stated sullenly before bowing and walking off.

  Meridith watched him leave through a side door and once he was gone, she sighed and tossed the tablet into her inventory. A tiny blue portal opened up and engulfed the tablet. It was the first time I saw someone use an inventory. I was sure that Maya and Elizabeth had used them, but I had been passed out at the time or changing in the bathroom myself.

  Being a Pyer seemed so convenient. Especially for the inventory. Imagining all the things you could store in there was a gamers dream. I always wondered what it would be like, but unfortunately, I wasn't a Pyer.

  As much as I always admired them and wanted to be one, I wasn't so sure honestly. It was dangerous work. I didn't know how they could rush off into danger, but without them, our world would be doomed. Conventional weapons only went so far against these the monsters of the dungeon.

  "Now then!" Meridith suddenly excimed, turning on their heel, "With him out of the way, shall we get going?"

  "You're not ignoring your duties, are you, Grandmother?" Elizabeth inquired, oppressing her grandmother with an intense gre.

  "N-No, not...exactly," she scratched her cheek nervously, "I just haven't seen you in a while, and you brought the man of the hour!"

  Her gaze turned towards me as I felt a shiver ripple through my body. Elizabeth held me close, almost protectively as both arms wrapped around me.

  "Yes, so behave," Elizabeth warned, "I'm still easing him into all of this."

  "Are you?" she inquired curiously, a devious look in her eye, "If I recall, there was an invoice for three million. On a suit. You requisitioned all our top crafters for it."

  "It was a necessary precaution," Elizabeth defended her actions, "If I had more time, I would have done more. I want him by my side. That means I have to keep him safe. I will keep him safe."

  I felt my face grow warm from being talked about like this in front of me. I didn't hate it. In fact, I felt incredibly touched that she cares so much. I always would, and I don't think I'd ever tire of hearing it. Each time it was like a warm summer breeze. A bnket straight from the dryer wrapped around me.

  "So, you haven't told him then?" Her grandmother raised an eyebrow.

  "Told me what?" I inquired, now curious.

  "Grandmother..." Elizabeth growled, shaking her head, "You need to stay out of my finances. What are you, my stalker?"

  I scoffed a little, finding her saying that to be quite ironic.

  "Ellie, I don't think you have the right to say that," leaning back against her, I looked up when I spoke with a wry smile on my face, whispering to her one word, "Yandere."

  Elizabeth's face became red as she gred at me.

  "That's that and this is this!" She defended defiantly.

  "Whatever you say," I chuckled, finding myself enamored by her many expressions.

  It was much better than seeing her sad. Her grandmother didn't say anything more, but I didn't miss the soft smile she gave the two of us. I could tell that she loved Elizabeth very much. Something that, deep within my heart, I felt incredibly happy for.

  I didn't know why, but it felt like a part of me had been worried about that. When memories become dreams and dreams become a distant past, things often became muddled. I chose to not think on it too deeply, not wanting to worry Elizabeth should my head start to hurt. Besides, I wanted to enjoy this warm atmosphere, and so with everything said, we headed for the Sorium.

  -----

  The Sorium, just as its name suggested, let in quite a lot of sun, but it was tempered by the pnts which grew everywhere and provided some shade. A rge, room with thick gss walls. It looked more like an indoor garden than a typical sitting room, but I liked it. It was calming.

  Smelling the fresh grass which grew next to the cobblestone pathway we walked and the flowers which gave the entire pce an enticing aroma was wonderful. Vines grew up the gss, giving different shadowed patterns to the room. There were even the sounds of birds somewhere within this pce, but I couldn't find them.

  To be honest, it felt like we had just walked into an aviary, but it was more fit as a sitting room and garden than anything. Several small trees provided shade and a small gazebo was awaiting us. It was made of beautifully crafted redwood and fit perfectly with the entire room.

  Waiting for us was a table with four chairs, which I assumed was meant for all of us, but Maya looked at the fourth with apprehension.

  "Are you not going to sit?" I inquired as Elizabeth's grandmother motioned for us all to take our pces at the table within.

  She shifted a bit before nodding.

  "I will, if that's what you wish," she spoke in her typical professional tone.

  "No, I want to know if you want to sit," I corrected, taking the chair next to Elizabeth and across from her grandmother, "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

  She thought for a moment before making her way to the chair on the other side of me.

  "...I'll sit," she stated quietly, removing her sungsses and tucking them into her pocket, "Thank you for inviting me."

  She bowed to Meridith before sitting in the chair.

  "Not at all," Meridith replied with a smile, "You're always by my precious granddaughter's side. You've been her friend for a long time, so to me, you're that first and foremost before you are an attendant."

  "Understood, Ma'am," Maya replied simply, though I could see the light pink to her cheeks.

  "Now! Please, help yourself," Meridith motioned to the table before them.

  It was filled with treats of all kinds. A lot of it was finger food. Small sandwiches, tarts, and hors d'oeuvres on a toothpick. Pigs in a bnket, stuffed mushrooms, spring rolls, charcuterie, and more. It was filled to the brim with food. More than I could ever finish in one sitting. Even if I had three sittings, I'd not be able to even put a dent in how much there was.

  "Don't be shy!" she stated, taking one of the trays with pigs in a bnket for herself, "Eat as much as you want. I'm sorry it's not much, but it was a little short notice."

  "Not...much?" I muttered to myself, only to remember who I was dealing with.

  Gncing over at Elizabeth, she fidgeted a bit, picking at some of the food. Leaning over, I whispered to her.

  "Don't hold back on my account, Ellie," I told her with a soft, knowing smile, "Eat. Please."

  She seemed unsure, despite our previous dinner date. I felt at that, even at that time when I told her it was okay, she was still holding back. I didn't want her to ever think she had to, and so, I gave her just a little bit of a push.

  "You know, I love that you have a good appetite," I enticed her, encouraging her to eat with my sweet words, "So, please. Go ahead."

  "...You and your honeyed words," She mumbled, gring pyfully at me, "Alright, fine. On one condition. Choose something that will be yours. Otherwise, it might be gone."

  "I don't mind," I replied almost immediately, though my stomach was beginning to rumble from the smell of all the food, "What's mine is yours, isn't that right?"

  She narrowed her eyes at me for using her logic against herself.

  "Very well, don't regret it," she warned, and I should have listened, but to see her enjoy herself was all I needed.

  Even Maya had quite the appetite, I was surprised to see, but it made sense. I had given her the rgest portion from the food she had made, and she still seemed to be hungry. I wondered if all Pyers were like this or if it was just them. Either way, it was a sudden mad dash for anything I wanted.

  I had to be quick, or Elizabeth would swipe it right from under me. It was like she was teasing me. Smirking every time as if to say, "I told you so". Grumbling, I furrowed my brow and focused. It was do or die, and I wasn't about to be left out of this food.

  In the end, I lost again, but my stomach, and heart, were full.

  -----

  Nikushimi