#reincaration

Leaving the village was the easy part of your plan, now that you're actually out and about.. Where exactly do you go now? It doesn't help that when you bought a map with the money Priestess Yuna gave you, you can barely read it (thanks to your blissful ignorance of thinking you could go an entire life with a GPS). 

Sure, before you died, you wanted to experience those isekai stories where the main characters survived through the worst to mild struggles that related to living in a new body. But all your aspirations you held as an adventurous teen wanting to leave home died when you went to college, only able to focus on working on the rent and studying for the next exam. 

Now you're quite literally in the middle of a dark forest with no clue of where you are or what you plan on doing next. Lovely, just lovely… 

You could make a compass with your powers of creation, but even if you were to take any precaution like that, you wouldn't even know how to use a compass. As you fumble around trying to do anything, it's already nearly nighttime. Panic swelling in your stomach as you continued down the path for any good spaces in the forest to hide away in. 

You had left the village in the morning, and yet you only managed to wander off into the forest until nighttime. Feeling a deep sense of hope, you play with the edge of your tunic, wondering how far you'll get by tomorrow. 

With leaves being crushed under your feet as you walk deeper into the forest with at least a goal to find somewhere to settle for tonight, you find a nice opening to begin pulling together a sleeping space. 

The forest grows dark around you, the chirping of owls and insects creating the night’s music as you finally sigh and decide to start setting down on the forest path. 

Rustling softly, you unknowingly allow yourself to be followed by the same eyes that have been watching you since you fell into this world with Lilith. 

・・・

The mere idea of there being two Maidens of Light was enough for the Royal Magician to seek out the entire story himself, being there the moment the bed of white flowers had held two bodies instead of one. 

The figure besides the Priestess had slipped away the moment the ceremony started to find out more through his studies of the mentioned prophecy. The name Lilith was definitely in the scriptures he had read - but the other’s name? Not mentioned, not even the optional thinking of a second Maiden could be seen as he skimmed. 

So you, being sent off to God knows where, was alarming to him when he finally returned. 

“You must understand Mica, being the Priestess of the Empire requires difficult decisions.” Yuna held her head high with a calm smile as she explained it, as if her actions were committed with graciousness and care. 

“So you sent the other Maiden off?!" He groaned as he rubbed his temple, he'd seen you and didn't have much hope but he still wanted to question the meaning of your existence. 

The other only replied with a huff, as if the decision was entirely righteous. 

“Of course I did Mica! That Maiden didn't even have any magic, if you stayed at the ceremony maybe you could've seen it yourself." Priestess Yuna crossed her arms angrily, “Just because you're the Royal Magician doesn't mean you can run off whenever you wis-”

“Whatever, just tell me where you sent the other Maiden. I have no wish to speak to you further, Priestess Yuna.” Mica sighed deeply as he cut her off.  

It's bad enough the Priestess had already shown judgement without truly testing both Maiden’s powers, but now hearing you could be out there in the kingdom's outskirts living without any protection brought a sense of concern. 

With the resolve coming together as he interrogated both the Priestess herself and one of her Priestess-in-training, the Royal Magician decided to seek you out immediately. 

・・・

The forest could sense your arrival before you even understood it, being a Maiden of creation, your powers are linked to the nature of creation itself. 

The moment you fell asleep in your makeshift camp, the shadowed figure that had been following you since you left the village peered into your tent with wide glowing eyes. Soft chirps leaving them as they watched your sleeping form, shifting closer to your feet as they crawled into the small space of the tent. 

Unfortunately, the creature’s attempts to see your face fully is cut short when you jolt up. 

The creature stills as you stare at them with wide eyes. 

“Maiden of creati-”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY TENT?! GET OUT!?" You screamed loudly to the point birds nearby flew off the branches they'd settled on for the night. 

Picking up your satchel, you decide to whack the shadowy figure helplessly while they continue to put effort into calming you down. 

“Maiden! Maiden wait!" They don't seem too affected by your soft satchel hitting their face, and they're calling you that familiar title that the others had back at the church. 

“.. Oh wait,” You put the satchel down after the realization, cheeks flushing slightly with heat as you turn your lantern on. “My apologies..?" 

You were just about to apologize when you finally noticed the creature is sporting two raven feathered arms and a matching set of black talons. As the creature grows happy you finally calmed down, you can only stare at the features. This looks like those harpy cosplayers you'd see at those livestreamed conventions.. But of course, harpies and many other unconventional species are the norm of this universe. 

“Maiden, I'm sorry for disturbing your rest." The harpy bows their head slightly before you sigh and calm yourself. 

“No no.. I'm just paranoid.." You pause when you feel the uncomfortable gaze of awe and reverence from the harpy.

“I've always wanted to meet the Maiden from the prophecies, see the entire kingdom has waited for your arrival.” Happy chirps come out of them before you hold up your hand. 

“Oh, don't be fooled. I'm not the Maiden, I actually fell down with my classmate Lilith, she's the real maiden.” 

Yet the harpy only tilted their head, confused by what you just said. 

“Classmate? What's that, do you have a mate of the Maiden class?”

“Uh.. Classmates are just people who..” You wave your hand around to look for a good way to describe the concept. “Study! Yeah, they're people who study alongside you.”

The harpy nods slowly before asking another question. 

“And you came to this world with this mate, Lilith?” The harpy claps their hands excitedly. "Two maidens! Even better than one!”

You can't help but chuckle at their excitement. 

“I suppose so.. Who are you by the way?” You finally ask as you look over them properly. The harpy isn't anything scary besides their tall frame, with eyes the color of amethyst, long lashes to surround it, and short black hair that cups the harpy’s face. Grey skin with dark scars that come from being an outdoor creature that no doubt gets into scuffles naturally. 

To even say that this harpy is cute wouldn't be a lie. 

“My apologies Maiden, I was so caught up in finally finding you I forgot my manners." Their feathers ruffle slightly as they bashfully look away, only to recover quickly. 

“My name is Celeno,” He finally presents his name before offering one of his raven feathers. When you turn it in the light, its shine is a delicate purple. "And I've been watching you since you dropped into that village nearby!" 

The sentence would've been creepy if you weren't already completely complacent with the fact that you're learning the ways of this world and their clear diversity of species. 

“Well, that's nice." You reply dryly before putting the raven feather into your satchel. 

“I was a bit surprised that they would just leave the Maiden in some village that was likely to be ransacked by the demons near the outskirts's borders." 

You snap your head as you hear that. So there are threatening forces near the outskirts.. And they left you there? To die? 

“You.. You don't mean that right?" Celeno said it so casually that you can't believe it from the get-go. 

“Nope, it's entirely true. I see the demons always find their way into that village and threaten the folk for livestock. Or crops. Or riches. Or.. “ He continued on while you zoned out. 

So you really were going to be left to the mercy.. Wait, so the kind people of that village really were suffering? When you left, you thought you only imagined it when you heard the whispers of another robbery. Maybe you.. Should go back and help them? 

“And when do you think the demons will come back?”

“Tomorrow!” The harpy smiled, showing his sharp teeth in a giddy motion. "I was so happy to see the Maiden safe and sound after leaving! 

“I think I should go back.” You decide as you begin to pack your things up. You reason with yourself, you have no goals so far, you don't even know where you should go. Maybe helping out others will give you purpose? 

In a way it reminds you of the objectives that you would complete in those rpg games. Maybe this is how you should start your journey, help out, then help out some more until you learn enough to travel. 

“No!” The screech that left Celeno made you pause. 

“I can't just leave them, after all, none of them can fight back can they?” You strengthen your resolve as you press your pillows and blankets into the satchel, struggling a bit before you remember you can just make another bag. 

“Well, no, but the Maiden should stay safe.” 

“Would I even deserve to call myself that if I watched a village be robbed of their hard work?” You halfheartedly reply, knowing well you don't actually feel any empathy about this situation. 

The harpy is about to fight back again before holding his tongue as he watches with interest as you create a new traveling bag. Glancing over, you decide to ask Celeno. 

“How about you become my guard then? Keep me safe while I try to help out the village." 

He perks up instantly. 

Bruce reveals he hasn’t heard from any of the others. He thinks they’re asleep, more wholly than Barry ever managed. It’s possible their ships are still being piloted, it’s possible they’ve been destroyed or tucked away in the vastness of space. He has seen Diana though, and she’s handling well with her amazons - still immortal, still largely unchanged through their island paradise has been replaced with a space station.

Barry doesn’t ask for her coordinates. He’s not sure he can manage. Bruce doesn’t press, watching his crew with the same heavy expression that Barry holds for his.

“I tried to keep my distance.” Bruce says.

“I’d technically married Len before I even realized who he was.” Barry sighs, earning a chuckle from his companion. “For the others... it’s hard to explain.” Bruce nods, not needing the explanation. He’d tried to keep his distance, he hadn’t much succeeded.

--

They part ways on the next cycle and Len is the only one happy about it. Mick’s already spread the gossip between the crew and they barely hide snickers as Bruce says his farewells. Bruce barely hides a snicker.

Barry is oblivious, even as the teasing continues while they go about their regular business.

One cycle, as the crew rests in the commons and Barry and Cisco play a card game (badly), the ship pings and Barry perks up.

“Got a message from your boyfriend?” Cisco teases and Barry frowns in confusion.

“My who?”

“The mystery man from the Bats ship.” Lisa explains and Barry’s face turns sour at the thought. Len is not vindicated, and he’s paying exactly no mind to the looks the crew is giving him.

“Oh my god gross.” He reacts, face still twisted. “Bruce and I are friends. Our kids are married.” The joy Len isn’t feeling immediately evaporates, although he suppose it shouldn’t. He’d over heard them talking about grandkids.

“You have kids?” He asks, focusing his tone to be conversational and still ignoring the rest of the crew.

“Just one, kinda.” Barry says as he steps over to a screen to get up the message he’s been set. “Wally’s technically the nephew of my platonic soulmate and we were living together before, you know, but his parents were horrid, and then he started working with me, so i mean, he’s my kid, you know?” He explains in a rush, then frowns. “Or was, I guess.” He mumbles.

“So what I’m hearing is the mysterious ship demon is single.” Lisa hums.

“Lisa.” Len hisses as Barry laughs.

“What? He’s my type, mysterious and literally able to become smoke.”

“No he’s not single.” Barry says. “Or if he is, I don’t think he’s moving on any time soon.” The message appears on the screen and Len tries to be subtle as he looks over. It’s a photo of four figures, two adult men and two children. The kids and the grandkids, Len supposes. At least he supposes until Ray pipes up.

“Why did you get set a photo of Dick Grayson?” He asks.

“Huh?” Barry returns, sounding just as confused.

“The black-haired man on the right. That’s Dick Grayson from intel, isn’t it?” Ray says, looking to the others for confirmation.

“Looks it.” Mick confirms. “Though isn’t the guy running an orphanage these days?”

“Of course he is.” Barry mumbles, too quiet for the rest of them to hear but loud enough to carry over the bond he and Len share. “They must just look alike.” He says, louder, “this is Bruce’s son uh, Ric. Ric Wayne.” Barry is not a very good liar. “Only so many ways the human form can be configured, I guess, bound to have repeats.” He quickly closes the photo to reply to the message and any pressing Len wants to do is halted by Cisco.

“Isn’t that Earth writing?” He asks.

“One of them.” Hartley confirms, smart ass tone earning a glare from the former.

“You must be old.” Sara whistles when Barry only shrugs. “

Are you cradle robbing my brother, mr ship demon?” Len does not throw the book he’s reading at Lisa, but its a near thing.

--

“Are you cradle robbing me?” Len questions, when they head to bed that night.

“You’re older th-” Barry cuts himself off on a retort that almost sounds second-nature, clearing his throat. “Well, I mean I’ve been half asleep for a couple thousand years, I don’t think that really counts as age.”

“Not sure I’d mind if you were.” Len admits into the stillness between them.

“Yeah?” Barry replies, just as soft. He reaches out and for a moment Len thinks, hopes, Barry’s going to kiss him. Then he freezes, for just a moment, and turns away with a mumble about going to sleep.

--

Aligning with the Bats is a blessing and a curse. They give consistent jobs and good pay, but the jobs also require more tact that the Rogues generally bother with. Len’s grateful they’ve only started a handful of incidents, and that they’ve managed to make a mostly positive name for themselves. Somehow.

He could still go without the celebration parties, though.

“Okay, so the customs here are pretty standard. The only thing we need to worry about is drinks.” Barry explains as they start to circle the planet whose so grateful about their most recent shipment that they’ve requested the Rogues attendance for a ball in their honour.

“If these are going to get us shitfaced, Cisco and Hartley are staying here.” Mick declares.

“What?!” Cisco exclaims, flustered as he twists to face the larger man. “I didn’t do anything last time! That was all Hartley!” The latter, for his input, just shrugs with a satisfied smirk.

“They won’t get us shitfaced.” Barry assures. “Not any worse than our usual alcohol.”

“What do we have to worry about then?” Ray asks.

“If someone hands you a drink, you can’t refuse it.” Bary explains. “It’s sort of like spitting in their face, huge disrespect just don’t do it.”

“Should be easy enough.” Sara grins.

“They also consider married couples like one individual.” Barry adds, “so if someone takes a drink off you and gives it to someone, it’s probably a spouse.”

He catches Len alone soon after, just before they head to the planet below.

“We’ll have to stick together.” He says, “they’ll be able to sense our bond.”

“Always happy to have eye candy at a dance.” Len says, offering his arm as Barry chuckles.

--

The system they’re in is known for having enemies of the Bats. People who think their way of running things is too democratic, that humanity should be blasting it’s way through the universe and taking it all.

Len doesn’t think of this as a human man steps up to them, offering a drink and pleasantries about all the hard work the rogues are doing. He’s so exhausted over all the meet and greeting, he doesn’t even notice Barry tense beside him.

“Can I try that?” The demon says, gesturing to the cup Len’s holding. “It smells great.” Len shrugs, handing it over.

“I’m not sure you’re aware of the customs of the people here-” The stranger starts but Barry cuts him off with more hostility then Len’s ever heard from him.

“Oh we are, but I’m his husband.” He says. Len does notice the way Cisco tenses near by. They had managed to keep that part of the deal hidden from the rest of the crew. Barry takes a swallow of the drink he’s holding and grimaces.

“You used to be a lot more subtle Eobard.” He says. Len wants to ask what the hell he’s talking about but then the stranger is trying to inch away and Bary is stumbling forward, muttering about posion before his eyes roll back into his head.

--

The planet has perfectly fine medical falicities but Len still insists on taking Barry to the ship, leaving the rest of the rogues to deal with the politics and the poisoner. He already knows it’s too late, even as he desperately hooks Barry up into the medpod. The lights around them are dimming, Len can’t find a pulse.

Then the lights are coming back and Len hopes, prays, he got Barry there in time.

“Good evening Leonard.” A female voice rings from the ships speakers. “You seem to be much further into the future then recommended. I was not aware I still had the ability to time travel, did Barry update my coding?”

“Who the hell are you?! What are you talking about?!” Len snaps, eyes darting around trying to find the source of the voice.

“I am unsure about your confusion, Leonard. Allow me to access my memory banks.” For the moment the ship is silent once more, then the speakers hum to live. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gideon, I am the ships AI system.”

“I thought Barry was the ships AI system.” Len frowns.

“Zatanna of the Justice League uploaded his conscience into my ship so that he could lead several ships from Earth to distract the Black Lanterns. Even my processing speed is no match to the speedforce. I believe several other members of the Justice League were unloaded into larger ships to act as the AI system, as their was not time to craft functional AI. My records indicate that Zatanna was killed in the escape, leaving only the stopping of Barry’s heart able to break her spell.” Len has more questions then he can count but they all catch on that last sentence.

“Barry’s... dead?” He whispers, staring at the body of the man before him.

“Only momentarily.”

“What?!” But even as he’s saying it, red sparks are beginning to trail along Barry’s body. Len steps back in shock as his eyes open, lit but lightening, before the body is gone. Just as quickly, Barry is back. Coming to a stop before Len, lightening sparking from his arms to Len’s form.

And suddenly Len understand what a year is.

“Barry, what the fuck?” Is all he can say as tears start to leak from his eyes and a flash of memories run through his brain.

“I’m sorry I worried you, I know that guy and I knew that he’d be bad news but I didn’t want to make a scene and-” Len cuts him off with a desperate kiss.

“I’m not talking about Eobard. Although we need to have a conversation about the fact you drank poison without have a super metabolism, what the hell?!”

“You... know about my metabolism?” Barry frowns, looking a little dazed from the kiss.

“I believe your sparking power has activated some of Leonard’s old memories.” Gideon explains from above.

“Gideon?” Barry asks, looking up in awe, before the words sink in and he looks back to Len in horror. “I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to! You should be able to live your new life with thoughts of-” Once more Len shuts him up with a kiss.

“Shut up, Husband mine.” Len breaths against him. “I’m just as in love with you, memories or not, so lets finally get around to consummating the marriage, shall we?” Barry is shuttering and flustered, practically vibrating as they make their way back to the chamber.

In time they’ll have to explain something and Barry will try to avoid returning their memories. He won’t manage, especially as he follows the speedforce to Dick Grayson’s orphanage and finds Wally racing up to meet him. One speedster if one speedster is chaotic enough to return half a ships worth of memories, two speedsters finish the job in no time.

--

AND THATS IT

can add more of a proper plot summary if anyone wants, rather then this mismash of plot summaries and shorts.

Walking through the dark, early morning forest, you watched as Celeno effortlessly flew above you to keep his guard up like you'd asked him to. It was amazing honestly, you even created a camera just to take photos of the curious sight. 

The sight of someone flying was still new to you despite Celeno having done multiple circles overhead the path you were following. 

“This way! I can see the village!" Celeno calls out as he flies further, you eventually lose sight of him as he disappears in the trees. You decide to make the best of it as you take more photos of the forest while letting your worries flow. 

Having a moment to yourself, you finally take a moment to let the last few days wash over you properly. When you came to this world… What were you wearing? Looking down at yourself now, you were wearing the products of the village you had been dropped in - which was a tunic and some trousers. 

But looking back on it, both you and Lilith had heavy, white robes on when you woke up then. Did the priestess take it because she didn't want you to be connected to Lilith? Or was it simply to assimilate you into the villages by making you seem like an everyday citizen? 

Either way, the moment clothes came into your mind, you felt like you had an itch to scratch. 

Maybe you should make your own clothes? There doesn't seem to be any limit on the power of creation besides making something that requires genuine life. 

But as you mindlessly continued walking down the dirt path, you suddenly heard a soft hissing getting closer. 

Moving your head around wildly, the sound took you by surprise. Trying to spot what was making that noise, you were suddenly grabbed by your backpack and lifted into the trees. Your newly crafted camera left to hit the ground with a soft crack as the lens shatters and it snaps one last photo. 

Looking down as the floor becomes farther and farther, you hold onto your backpack tightly while kicking your legs helplessly. 

“AHH, LET ME DOWN! CELEN..” You screamed until your mouth was suddenly covered by a claw, another creature? You glanced away from the great height you've been dangling from and looked at what seemed to be a face - shaded from the shadows of the tree.  

Long dark hair falls over their shoulders as their cold claws hold your tunic’s scruff, their eyes shining under the shadows. 

“Not too hasty, human." The voice is raspy yet undeniably gentle. “What are you doing in the forest? Mages and magicians alike aren't allowed to travel through these shrouds.”

You tilt your head before realizing you've been gawking at them ever since the figure had let their hand fall from your mouth. Noticing your silence, they only tilt their head curiously.

“Not a mage or magician huh? That would explain the.. Poorly tailored clothes.” You felt yourself sputter at the insult before snapping out of your awe struck trance. 

“Hey, these clothes are the products of a village's hard work. And just why would this forest not be safe for humans?” You shake your head with irritation, you felt oddly protective over the village that had taken care of you before you left. 

“I slept an entire night here safely.. In a way.” Thinking back, you were ambushed midway through your sleep by your newly acquired friend, Celeno. Speaking of which, did he forget you and hurry on by himself? 

“You must be a foreigner if you don't understand what exactly I mean,” the grip on the back of your tunic tightens before you're hoisted up further and seated on the branch. Only now do you get to properly see who grabbed you while you'd mindlessly strut the path. 

It's.. A snake? Person? Snake person?

His tail subtly shines against the wood, camouflage clearly in usage. The tail is longer than the tree as you can now see it's wrapped around the branch with some excess dangling off comfortably. 

“You seem unfamiliar with the world, and that raven you'd been with earlier is enough for me to understand.” He raises a hand to cover his sly smile as he slithers closer to wrap around the branch you've been seated on. 

“You are the Maiden of Creation, are you not?” He waits for your nod before continuing. "Your raven friend shouldn't be trusted. His loyalty is one thing, but his lies are another." 

Your brows furrow as you feel interested to listen further, heart beating faster not from fear but now anticipation. 

“I only warn you as every forest creature knows of the maiden’s prophecy, that raven isn't your friend, he's your–” 

But before the snake’s words can continue, two claws suddenly grab his shoulders before the swing of a dark head leans down within a blink of an eye, you're frozen in place as you hear him choke. 

The sound of flesh and muscle being torn fills the tense air, before you watch with wide and fearful eyes as blood seeps from the ripped throat of the snake. Some of the blood even sprays your face as you're frozen in place. Unable to do anything as he bleeds out and falls. 

Life is unable to leave peacefully as the scaled corpse's entire body goes slack, unraveling from the branch as it falls onto the forest path, dirt kicking up from his fall. 

You can only stare at the sight below you before you hear the perpetrators spitting the torn skin and muscles out. 

“So nasty! Snake!" He continues coughing while he wipes blood onto his feathers. “Did she hurt you a lot? I can make you better!” Celeno urges as he swipes gently at the blood on your cheek. The difference in his cruel and sudden murder to this friend of yours.. It's unnerving. 

His smile is too big for someone who just killed right in front of a friend. In fact he even tries to get closer to you with the exact wide, friendly smile he'd used to greet you. 

“Stay away, do you not realize what you just did?!” You order as you shuffle back, hazardously swiping at the blood that got on you.

“But.. I saved you.. I saved the maiden? I am a good protector, am I not?” His innocent tone of voice and the absolute violence you just witnessed makes you second guess your reaction. 

“I told you to protect me from the demons in the village, I wasn't even threatened by him..” You gesture to the lifeless snake on the forest ground, their neck torn brutally out. "Why did you do that?”

Now he looks even more sad and hurt, soft coos leave him as he pouts at your anger. As if anything about your anger was misguided. 

“Snakes.. Hurt humans all the time, what if they tried to hurt the maiden.” Then he explains further, wishing to calm you after seeing your disgusted expression. "Forest creatures don't like humans, so if you aren't recognized in time, they'll just tear you apart.” 

He nods, the righteous nod making sense to him. But you're still (rightfully) suspicious, after all the snake had only been conversing with you. 

Why did he decide to interrupt right before they would reveal something about him? 

Yet you're a weak opponent against Celeno’s overly-eager puppy look when he seems to gain back his resolve. 

“Please maiden, next time I protect you, I won't do it in front of you.” He clasped his clawed hands together with a hopeful caw. That idea makes you gag even further. He would do this behind your back? To think you called him cute just last night… 

“She was telling me something, something concerning you." You snorted before removing your hands from his and wiping the blood from his onto your tunic. 

‘Must've known something he didn't want me to know’ You mentally note. 

“Snakes are liars!” His feathers puff up in anger as he slams his hands onto the branch you both are on, suddenly the adrenaline of seeing someone murdered before your eyes disappears as you clutch the branch like a lifeline. 

“OH GOD! Ok!” You decide to placate him as you steady yourself on the shaking branch, “..Let's just get down and then we can continue going to the village. Remember that? Our plan to go to the village to save the villagers from the demons?”

You decide to play along, if Celeno isn't to be trusted. Maybe it's not a good idea to anger him while you're in a tree with him… 

He lights up at your words before he reaches over and lifts you from the branch slightly, causing you to gasp as you freak out until he hugs you tight against his chest. 

“I'm glad my maiden understands.” He chirps happily, until he falls off the branch calmly while leaving you to grab onto his neck tightly. Although, you feel a little weird about being called someone’s maiden. But that feeling quickly goes away once you see him begin to slide off the branch. 

“Celeno!” You screamed as he began to glide down with you helplessly holding onto him. By the time you get down, your entire body is stiff as it hits the floor after you had taken your arms off his neck. Celeno checks over you curiously with a confused caw as one of his clawed nails carefully pokes your cheek. 

At this rate you might never get used to this world… 

・・・

White silks paired with shining diamonds being draped against her figure, carefully tied veils holding her hair together – Lilith was in the midst of getting ready to meet the kingdom’s Emperor. Something about the Maiden’s duty being prophesied to assist royalty; Lilith was already familiar with being forced to be responsible and how to handle these ‘duties’ with diplomacy. 

She just didn't expect her previous responsibility to follow her into another world? 

In the midst of getting ready she got lost in her reflection whenever she stared into the mirror beside her lofty bed as she got ready, all she could do was stare blankly into her own half awoken eyes. 

‘I only got here a few days ago,’ she thought. ‘Yet I'm already expected to assimilate to this world’

Ever since she got here, she's been training to hone her so-called God given powers with etiquette classes that would kill anyone with less patience than her. Not only has she suffered the work that's been forced onto her, she's been having repeated dreams of her - no, your shared deaths. 

That desperate expression marked her nightmares as much as losing her life did. Sometimes she would touch the sleeves of the white robes you had worn before they stripped you of your presumed identity. 

It's even worse that she knows you're here in this world with her, yet she's not allowed to find you. All because of what Priestess Yuna says. 

“That… Peasant isn't worthy of being with the maiden, your place in this world is placed above all else. If we risked it by letting them back into your life, we would risk this kingdoms’ rightful life." Is exactly what she remembered her saying a few days ago. 

Of course, Lilith didn't agree with this but she doesn't have much going for herself even as the ‘all-important-maiden’. Sure, she is fed three times daily, dressed comfortably and beautifully, given her own room and bathroom, and allowed to explore the church’s grounds (under those annoying priestesses in training’s supervision). 

But is that really enough to replace the loneliness she felt in both this world as someone who is revered and in her original world as someone who was just as obsessed over? 

That's when she thought of you, what were you thinking when you saved her - she'd only seen you a few times before as you both attended the same college. And even then, these few meetings were hallway passes and polite exchanges over assignments. You didn't stick out from the crowd, and she never felt that you placed any importance on her. 

So what drove you? 

Basic empathy? If that's the case then she still wishes to meet you, wanting that same empathy you'd given previously to at least have at least one familiarity in this new place. She can't even wrap her head around the entire situation. 

Magic exists, and she's able to use it – plus she's apparently a key figure in the current solution to the kingdom’s conflicts? It's like having to forget all the rules she'd previously known just to become someone else. 

Finally pushing away from the mirror, she stands tall as she walks to her door. Remembering her lessons of how to use her powers. ‘I hope this works..’ She silently gulps as she closes her eyes. Having never used her powers yet for her own benefit since she's always being used to help others. 

‘Visualize.. Then feel as if you have the object within reach… ‘ The magician’s voice echoes in her mind as she uses the advice. 

With enough focus, she imagines something that would help her make the guards outside fall asleep. Perhaps a music box with a lullaby that creates sleep? 

Soon, a music box is slid out of her door, the tune of the small thing playing until the guards both fall to the floor. Peeking her head out the door, she feels accomplished when she sees them fall asleep to the finishing tune of the music box as she steps over them to move further down dim hallways of the church. 

Flat soles create soft patters against the stone floor of the Hall as she ventures, until she attempts to push open the doors to the ceremony Hall. Only to hear a familiar voice follow behind her as the door stays firmly in place, a stubborn thing. 

“Maiden Lilith, just what are you planning before your meeting with the king?” Unfortunately, the door has an amber eyeball that follows every move. A clear sign of Priestess Yuna’s own watchful ones, her magic in every door that she ‘blesses’. 

“I just wanted fresh air.." Lilith answers, biting her lip without turning around. ‘Please don't question it..’ She prays. 

“And that required the guards to fall asleep?” Yuna’s voice turns stern as she begins to lecture Lilith on her responsibilities, making Lilith sigh and turn to listen to the priestess begrudgingly. 

The lecture is a fading thing however once the ceremony hall door is suddenly opened by an unexpected appearance. 

“I can hear you from miles away, Priestess Yuna.” A voice calls out with a venomous tone. Lilith turns her head slightly only to see the ever familiar magician, although the composure usually found on him is dampened by something. 

Before Yuna can even greet him sarcastically, he waves the letter she had given him. The letter with your promised coordinates. 

“Where is the other maiden, they weren't present at the village you supposedly dropped them at?” His hands grip the letter, the letter Yuna’s assistants had written that held the promise of you being sent to that village at the borders. Unaware of your adventures as no one knows of your moves despite her promising you were well protected and watched over. 

For the first time, Yuna looks a little nervous while Lilith looks terrified. 

Her only potential friend in this world. 

And it seems you're already lost in this terrible world.

・・・

The blood on Celeno’s wings and face were still concerning to you, so you had forced him to drop down next to a lake to wash himself. In the process, you decided to wash as well. 

‘It's still near dawn, surprisingly, the sun has barely risen entirely into the sky.’ You note as you set your baggage down under a thick bush. 

“I can help the maiden wash!" Celeno announces happily as he inches closer before you splash water at him as your way of rejection. 

“No it's fine, trust me. I think you and I have different ways of showering.” You chuckle awkwardly as you watch him splash eagerly, fully submerging himself before coming back up with his long, wet strands of hair sticking against his face like seaweed. He caws happily before going back to splashing as you hide behind a few rocks to undress and wash the bloodied clothes. 

Honestly Celeno would make you flustered but at this point, watching him seemingly appear from thin air and then killing a snake-person.. You can't exactly say that you expect that he will ever notice you in the usual way. Plus he's technically always naked since he's just a raven with his feathers covering him entirely. 

You decide to relax against the edge of the pond, signing softly from the way the cold water calms you until you get to work. While you scrub the blood out of the tunic and pants, you can hear footsteps coming closer – nearing you! 

You almost burst out the water before looking down at your naked form below the surface. Looking down, you decide hiding might be better. After all, Celeno might get the pass of being bird-brained, who's to say that whoever is coming closer is in a similar state of mind? 

Carefully, you maneuver around the rocks to strain your ear as the owner(s) of these footsteps come closer. 

The voices are faint at first but the lively conversation between the three becomes something you can actually hear. 

“Can you believe it? The demons are taking more and more from that village and the church is doing nothing about it!" One voice gleefully exclaims. 

‘Don't tell me… ‘ You freeze against the rock. 

“It's a blessing the kingdom is blind to their lesser villages' needs, after they seem to be concerned with their precious maiden.” The other replies calmly, although the implications that the demons are stealing resources from the already poor village just makes you shake your head in disbelief. 

‘These must be…’ You feel even more terrible. Resources stolen from poverty-stricken communities and somehow none of this is reported to the church? 

“.. Wait, do you two smell that?" The third of the party pauses their conversation to an eerie pause as they all stop. 

‘Smell?’ Now it's your turn to turn around and attempt a quiet backing away… Wait, can they smell you..? 

After hearing this, you try to back up quietly from the rocks until Celeno appears out of nowhere and loudly greets you. 

“Maiden, are you done bathing yet?” He's so annoyingly adorable with his feathers and hair all drenched, but right now you're near to just choking him. “I'm ready to dry of–!”

You attempt to shush him but just pressing your hands against his lips while saying ‘shhh’ isn't enough as the rock you had just been hiding behind is suddenly punched into pieces. 

“A human and a harpy? How funny." Horns on each of their heads, the variety of tails, and even the stereotypical sharp teeth come into view from the broken rocks. 

Celeno is the first to react as compared to you who is too busy staring at each of their features with curious eyes, “Stay away from the maiden!" He courageously covers you with one arm as he walks in front of you. 

Of course the demons just had to find you during a time like this. And of course Celeno is proud to announce you as the maiden. You can only sigh as you watch the three demons turn to each other with confusion before laughing.