As he arrived at the café, Elliot was already there, sipping on coffee.

"Hello, young man," Elliot greeted with a warm smile. "I take it you've spoken with the Archivist?"

"Yeah," Vas replied, sitting down and casually pulling out his phone. "She sent you this," he added, showing him the sigil.

"And...?" Elliot asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She wants to talk to you," Vas explained, going over what the Archivist had told him.

Elliot's face grew serious. "I see. Do you mind waiting for me here for a moment?"

"Go ahead," Vas shrugged. "I'll order something while you're gone."

With that, Elliot stood up and quickly left, heading to his apartment. His usual calm demeanor was replaced with an urgency, as though the task ahead was far heavier than he let on. The ritual needed to be done carefully. He prepared the space, recalling every instruction precisely as the Archivist had described.

As Elliot completed the ritual, the world shifted, and once again, he was pulled into the depths of the Void. It was a familiar place, yet it never lost its chilling presence. He felt it immediately—the weight of countless unseen eyes staring at him. Ancient, incomprehensible gazes bore into his soul, and the oppressive silence felt like it could crush him at any moment.

"Welcome back, Thoth," a voice echoed from the shadows.

The Archivist stood before him, but this time, she was completely cloaked in black, her form shrouded, leaving only a hint of her ethereal presence. Elliot—Thoth—felt a deep shiver run down his spine. This wasn't the playful, enigmatic being he had encountered before. No, this was the true form of the Archivist, a being of immense power, older than time itself.

"It's strange to be back," Thoth said, his voice wavering. "Are you going to make me stay?"

The Archivist's voice remained calm, yet there was an undeniable weight behind her words. "No. I wanted to clarify some things."

Thoth nodded, feeling smaller than ever in the Void's vast emptiness. "What do you need to know?"

"Vas said you wanted to help him. Is that true?"

"Yes," Thoth replied, his throat dry. "I want to help him... I don't know how I got out of here, and I don't want to be a pawn for someone unknown."

The Archivist's silence hung in the air like a storm cloud, and the pressure of the Void intensified. "Good. Now I know where you are, so taking you back will pose no issue if need be. Be careful."

"Understood," Thoth whispered. The Archivist's presence was overwhelming, suffocating even. This was no mere god—it was a being far beyond comprehension, one that played with the fates of lesser entities like him. She was ancient, and her kindness was a mask she wore when it suited her.

And with that, Thoth was cast back into his apartment, his hands trembling as he returned to reality. Facing the Archivist was terrifying, and the knowledge that she could take him back at any moment weighed heavily on him. Though some had escaped the Void, it was a place no one could truly leave behind. The Archivist might seem lenient, but she was a reminder that even gods had masters.

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While Thoth was dealing with a terrifying ordeal of his own, Vas indulged in a small pleasure: a slice of red velvet cake paired with matcha tea. He knew exactly what Thoth had set out to do, but that didn't mean it warranted his attention right now. His focus was elsewhere, on the calming rhythm of his tea and the quiet ambiance of the café.Suddenly, a prickling sensation told him he was being watched. He turned his head toward the source of the feeling and spotted her—Zola, standing near the entrance. Her expression wasn't friendly; in fact, she looked downright irritated, her eyes fixed on him like a hawk spotting prey. Vas gave a small, casual wave, hoping to soften the edge, but it only seemed to spur her on. She marched over with purpose.

"So, out with your girlfriend again?" Zola asked, voice dripping with accusation as she folded her arms.

"I told you already," Vas replied, keeping his tone calm, "I don't have a girlfriend."

"You sure?" Zola's eyebrow arched, daring him to lie.

"Yeah. What do you need me to do to prove it?" he asked, more amused than annoyed.Without missing a beat, Zola shot back, "Let's go out." Her serious expression melted into a mischievous smile. "Tonight. Let's get drinks, maybe dance a bit—you still owe me a dance, remember?" She pointed a finger at him like she was sealing a deal. "So, pick me up at my place. Like a gentleman."

Vas blinked, caught off guard by her sudden directness. He wasn't used to people cutting through pleasantries so quickly.

"Alright, no problem," he said with a half-smile. "Want to grab something to eat with me while I wait for someone?"

Zola was surprised, not by the invitation, but by something rarer: Vas was smiling. A real, genuine smile. She couldn't help but soften a little.

"Sure," she agreed, slipping into the seat across from him.

"And before you say anything," Vas added, "I'm buying."

Zola chuckled. "Alright, deal."

"So… how are you doing? I heard about what happened." Vas asked.

Her face darkened, and she glanced away for a moment. "Yeah, it wasn't the best experience," she admitted.

"You know," Vas said, his voice quieter now, "you could've called me. We're friends. You can talk to me about this stuff."

Zola's eyes narrowed slightly. "Really? Then why didn't you call me?"

Vas sighed. "It's not that I don't want to be there for you. I just… don't know if you want me to be."

Zola shook her head, her tone softening. "When you're friends with someone, you don't wait for an invitation to care. You just… reach out."

Vas looked away for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Is this about your siblings?" Zola asked, sensing there was more beneath the surface.Vas's eyes flickered with surprise. "How much do you know about that?"

"I asked Lily once," Zola admitted. "She didn't tell me much, but I got the feeling it wasn't a happy topic."

"Yeah, pretty much," Vas said, his voice distant. "Those times I went out with all of you? That's more time spent with them than I have in years."

Zola studied him, the weight of his words settling in. "That explains a lot," she said softly. "But what about Lily? Why does she seem to know so much about you?"

"Ask her," Vas said, shrugging. "If you two get close enough, she'll tell you."

"Oh, come on," Zola said with a grin. "We've only known each other a month."

"And I'm pretty sure you'll worm your way into her heart." He smirked.

"I suppose," Zola said, eyes twinkling. "Or, you know, you could just tell me yourself."

Vas leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his lips. "Nah. Maybe later."

Zola shot him an exaggerated, incredulous look. "Oh, that's how you wanna play?" She leaned forward, a playful glint in her eyes matching his.

And just like that, they fell into easy conversation, laughing and teasing as they waited for the arrival of Elliot. The moment of tension had passed, replaced by something warmer, more genuine. In that quiet café, amidst the steady hum of voices and clatter of cups, Vas realized just how good it felt to let his guard down, even if just for a little while.After a while, Elliot finally returned. Zola, noticing the man, was taken aback by his presence. It was clear she knew who he was, and it wasn't every day you met someone as well-known as Elliot.