"When will she wake up?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry.

Athena responded softly, "Sylphet, it's only thanks to you that she didn't suffer an impact against the stone road. She is suffering from overexertion. She went beyond her limits in that fight and is lucky she didn't die."

Even so, I couldn't help but worry. My lady fell into a coma-like slumber after that fight and hasn't eaten or drunk anything in the last two days. Of course, I'm worried sick, "I just wish I could do more for her right now."

Next to speak was Kotoha, "I understand, but I trust in her endurance. You should too, so relax, Sylph. The best thing you can do right now is stay by her side."

Izuna was lying down in her bed at the inn. She was carried up here thanks to the efforts of Athena and Kotoha both. The scene of the battlefield flashed before my eyes, which began to sprout beads of glistening tears as I remembered Izuna falling from the sky. Then I heard a quiet moan from beside me and saw Izuna groaning, her fists clenched. I reached out, held her hand softly, and stroked her cheek with my other before muttering, "Everything will be alright, I promise."

***

I groaned from the pain I was in, and my eyes fluttered open. I expected to see a roof over my head, but instead, I found myself in a field of flowers. "Wh-where am I? Wasn't I just in Alara?" I turned my gaze to look around. There were snow-capped peaks in the distance toward the west, and an endless plain flowed to the east. I didn't understand where I was, but it felt vaguely familiar. I felt my gaze being pulled towards the woods in the north. It was as though an invisible hand was guiding my head. There, I spotted a massive palace, larger than anything I had ever seen.

I climbed to my feet and followed the invisible guidance into the majestic forests. Birdsong and other animal sounds echoed around me as I walked through the grand woods. The scent of pine and fresh, flowing water entered my nose, and I glanced in that direction. A crystal-clear creek cut a winding path between the trees, with splotches of broken ice flowing with the gentle current. There were lily pads with frogs of various colors hopping from pad to pad. It seemed to be mid-spring in a northern region somewhere.

I shuffled over to the creak, which seemed to reflect the sky far above, and gazed into it. The first thing I noticed was my eyes. My contacts were missing, leaving my true eyes in plain sight. The next thing I noticed was that my hair was pulled back in a long, dirty ponytail, which left both eyes in plain view for all to see. The argent crescents seemed to glow with power, and that aura of power was starting to cause ripples in the creek. I stepped away to avoid disrupting the ecosystem. What is going on? I reached the belt at my hips and found that my hand had passed through the air. I glanced down and saw that there was no belt. Likewise, I found that my outfit was different as well. I was wearing what appeared to be an alabaster, spaghetti-strapped top with a padded bust and a baggy emerald jacket. A beige flounce skirt and white stockings covered my lower half, and I saw wedged boots that were the same blue and white as everything else. I touched my neck and found a pendant that, when I lifted it to see what was at the ends, revealed a beautifully engraved silver owl.

This is beyond wack. I no longer feel sore, but I feel more power flowing through me than I did when I unsealed my spear's power. Exponentially more, to the point that I can't even feel the limits of the depths. I reached out towards a tree, and then reality seemed to warp more and more as my hand got closer. My very presence, suppressed as it was at that moment, warped reality. I looked down the path I had taken there and saw a bizarre trail of twisted trees. The creek now flowed not through its banks but through the air. Even the rocks were deformed and twisted as though they were made of clay. I pushed myself to suppress the power as far as I could and took another step forward. The path I was just on didn't warp any further. I took another step, and nothing was destroyed. "Haahh," I heaved a tired sigh.

From then on, I moved down the path, keeping a strong focus on suppressing the power that was flowing out of me. I must be dreaming, but then, why does this feel so real? I began contemplating my current situation as I wandered ever closer to the grand palace. It was so absurdly large that it felt a lot closer than it was. I swear, I've walked at least ten kilometers already. Why does it feel as if I haven't gotten any closer this whole time? As soon as I had that thought, reality warped before me. Once the distortions returned to normal, I stood before the first step of the palace's entrance.

I stretched out my hand to open the grand, gilded double doors of the palace. They opened on their own and revealed a stone path lined with fields of spider lilies. It was a beautiful sight to behold, if not a tad ominous. I continued down the path, the invisible force continuing to be my guide and leading me ever deeper.

Eventually, after passing through a nigh-infinite number of corridors, I reached the central chamber of the palace. The door didn't open on its own for once, so I pushed it open myself. Within the room, I found myself in a massive library with shelves spanning to the ceiling hundreds of meters up. The chandeliers were carved with the elegance of a swan, creating an enchanting atmosphere that sucked me in. The books seemed to fly about with minds of their own, organizing themselves or flying off to be read by someone else. At last, I found the lounge area, and the force that dragged me along vanished. I look around the room and find enormous aquariums filled with an assortment of aquatic life from various worlds and dimensions. Some were nightmare-inducing creatures with massive jaws and beady eyes, and others gave the impression of an intelligent life form. I turned my gaze to the center of the lounge room and found a girl who looked just like me, but wearing a different color scheme of red and white. She was reading a book and taking notes as she worked away, so I took it upon myself to take a seat.

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After what felt like an endless passage of time, the girl spoke. "Oh, dear sister, you're already here? This is a surprise; I could have sworn my math was right. Eh, I suppose it doesn't matter; I'm not the goddess of math, but the goddess of history and time," She sits up, looks me in the eyes, and makes a surprised gasp. "You reincarnated yourself and sealed away your powers to find and develop a social life? Were you truly that lonely sister?" A sad look crossed her expression for a moment.

I shook my head, "I can't say for sure, but it's what I've been told is the most probable explanation of my situation."

She hummed for a moment while kicking her legs cutely with an adorable head tilt. Her palm was pressed against her cheek as she considered my answer. "I see, so you sealed your memories as well. In that case, you don't even realize I'm your twin sister, Historia, the primordial goddess of history and time. You are my dearest twin sister, Izunami. You are the primordial goddess of creation and death," She paused for a moment and stood up to move closer. She sat down directly beside me and leaned against my shoulder. "I feel repentant for locking myself away for centuries at a time to work on my projects. So, since it seems like you very nearly died in the mortal world from breaking the first seal on Achlys. Why don't I abuse my time manipulation to allow you to train until you can handle at least two seals of your powers being unbound."

I hesitate there because it is a very enticing offer. However, after witnessing the level of destruction that I left in my wake simply by existing on my way here. I was all the more certain that I was better off staying within my mortal constraints. I shake my head for the nth time since I started my journey. "While I appreciate your offer, I worry that it might be too much power to live a life in the mortal world alongside my new friends. I'd like to avoid warping someone's body into a hideous amalgamation. I happen to like being able to be close to others. It's a lot of fun and really comforting."

Historia frowned for a moment, then blurted a sudden exclamation, "Ah! That's right, you were always more extroverted than I was, suffering an extreme bout of isolation because no one wanted to interact with you but me. They were all terrified of you; those idiotic louts couldn't see the kind heart you always carry. You would never lash out without good reason."

My face flushes in unconscious embarrassment as I look down as she speaks. She looked at me and smiled, then shook me like a crazy person as she spoke again. "You could always have interrupted my work, Izu-chan, why didn't you? No wait, as long as your memories are sealed, you wouldn't know. Frick, ah, eh, shoot. I'm at a loss now."

"Ahahaha-ehehehehe-gahhaha, oh my gods, you are a dork! As much as you say I could interrupt your work, if the wait between when I arrived and you noticing me is any indication, I would still be waiting at least a hundred years before any interaction at all. Besides, love and friendship are different from a sister's bond. There are things you couldn't have given me no matter what."

Historia's mouth formed a gleeful grin at that, "As if being related is a big deal, Izu-chan, we're both primordial goddesses. Even among human-born gods, ince-" Flick "hey!"

I flicked her forehead to interrupt her. "Sorry, but I just don't want that kind of relationship with a blood relative. Besides, I have my own tastes, and as cute as you are, you're too much of a loner for me," Besides, I added in my head. I consider those types of relationships taboo, even for a god. Though, I suppose if a sibling's genetic make-up was altered to be different enough, I suppose that would be ok then. But that kind of thing is exclusively an idle fantasy for a fringe group even in a world of sci-fi and magic like mine.

"I suppose I must relent then, which is a shame too. Perhaps I'll follow you down to the mortal plane," Historia spoke with dead seriousness.

I was quick to shake my head and put my hands on her shoulders. "You must stay put. I don't know why, but I get the feeling that it's no longer possible to create a new mortal form. I've had that feeling for a while now, ever since I got the title called, 'The Last Queen of the Vampires.' I've had this hunch that if my mortal body dies, I will never again have a chance at a normal life."

Historia held out a hand, and a book flew from a shelf to her palm and opened to a specific page. "So, it would seem. Your hunch was spot on, as usual. A shame though, I figured breaking up the monotony for once might be nice."

I smile at her and stroke her head with soft, calming strokes. "I'll see if there's another way when I get the chance on my end. I promise."

"Thank you, Izu-chan, you're the best as always!" She perked up just as fast as her mood fell. "Ah, shoot, it seems it is time. Well, take care, my dearest Izu. I think we will meet again whenever you come close to death, but do try not to take unnecessary risks to see me again. I love you, sis!" With that, the world around me began to fade into nothingness as I regained consciousness in the real world once more and opened my eyes to see the oak roof of the inn.