Ccg
# The Eminence Among Gods
*Or: The Time I Accidentally Summoned a Multiversal Angel and a Dragon Goddess Because It Looked Cool*
## Chapter 1: The Ritual of Absurdity
The ancient ruins sprawled beneath the silver light of the full moon, weathered stone structures jutting from the earth like the skeletal remains of some long-forgotten titan. Archaic symbols, worn nearly smooth by centuries of rain and wind, adorned crumbling pillars that formed a rough circle around a central dais. To most scholars, these ruins represented nothing more than an archaeological curiosity—the remnants of a civilization lost to time.
To Cid Kagenou, they were the perfect backdrop for his latest theatrical performance.
"Master Shadow," Alpha's voice carried a subtle note of concern as she observed Cid arranging peculiar items in a circle at the center of the dais. Her silver hair gleamed in the moonlight, and her crimson eyes never left his methodical movements. "Are you certain about performing the ritual here? These ruins feel... different from others we've explored."
Cid glanced up, momentarily allowing the moonlight to catch his eyes before returning to his work with practiced precision. Internally, he was buzzing with anticipation. This location was perfect—remote enough to avoid unwanted attention, yet dramatic enough to leave a lasting impression on his followers.
"These aren't merely ruins, Alpha," he replied, his voice dropping to the theatrical baritone he reserved for his 'Shadow' persona. "They're nexus points where the veil between dimensions grows thin. Ancient peoples built their most sacred sites at such convergence points."
He suppressed a smirk as he set down a crystal paperweight he'd purchased from a market stall the previous day. The glass caught the moonlight, refracting it into scattered fragments across the stone.
*Complete nonsense*, he thought with smug satisfaction. *But it sounds cool as hell.*
The truth was far more mundane. Cid had stumbled upon these ruins while scouting for new locations to enact his elaborate fantasy as the mastermind behind Shadow Garden. The crumbling architecture, with its strange symbols and eerie atmosphere, had immediately struck him as the perfect stage for his next performance. What better way to impress his followers than with an ancient ritual in abandoned ruins?
Beta approached cautiously, her elegant features composed but her eyes betraying fascination as she studied the arrangement Cid was creating. "The ancient texts speak of such convergence points," she said reverently. "Master Shadow's wisdom never ceases to amaze me."
*I made that up literally five seconds ago*, Cid thought, maintaining his serious expression with the skill of a seasoned actor. The "ritual components" were nothing but trinkets he'd collected—herbs from the local apothecary, oddly shaped stones, candles scented with exotic oils. It was theater, pure and simple, designed to reinforce his fabricated mythology.
Delta and Epsilon kept a respectful distance, standing guard at the perimeter of the ritual area. The other members of Shadow Garden were positioned strategically around the ruins, ostensibly for security, but Cid knew they were as much an audience as participants in this charade.
"The celestial alignment tonight is ideal," Cid continued, placing the final component—a small ornate dagger that was, in reality, a decorative letter opener—at the center of his arrangement. "The convergence of lunar energies with the ancient power sleeping beneath these stones will amplify our ritual."
He rose gracefully to his feet, taking a moment to ensure his cloak billowed dramatically in the night breeze. The choreography was as important as the dialogue in maintaining his enigmatic persona.
"Stand back," Cid commanded, raising his hands with practiced gravitas. "The energies I'm about to channel are... unpredictable."
*And completely fictional*, he added mentally.
The members of Shadow Garden retreated several paces, their expressions a mixture of awe and anticipation. Gamma, normally the most analytical among them, was watching with rapt attention, her usual skepticism apparently suspended in the face of Shadow's confidence.
Cid began to move around the ritual circle, his steps measured and deliberate. He had spent hours practicing this performance in private, combining elements from various theatrical productions he'd seen with movements that simply "felt" appropriately mystical. The moonlight created dramatic shadows across his features as he raised his arms wide, beginning the invocation.
"Ancient guardians of the void," he intoned, his voice resonating with practiced power. "I call upon the primordial forces that exist beyond the veil of mortal understanding!"
He allowed his voice to rise gradually, infusing it with a hint of the reverberation technique he'd perfected through countless practice sessions. The effect, combined with the natural acoustics of the ruins, was impressively eerie.
"From the realm of perfect order, where chaos bends to immutable law," he continued, improvising grandly, "I summon the Herald of Absolute Order!"
Cid rotated slowly, taking in the expressions of his audience. Alpha's eyes were wide, her usual composure momentarily forgotten in the grip of genuine wonder. Perfect.
"From the domain of primal flame, where destruction and creation dance as one," he continued, warming to his theme, "I summon the Mistress of the Hidden Flame!"
He paused for dramatic effect, raising his arms higher as he prepared for his grand finale. This was the part where he would channel a tiny, controlled amount of his actual power—just enough to create a subtle light show to cement the illusion of a successful ritual. Nothing would actually happen, of course, but it would look impressive enough to further cement his mystique.
"I summon these forces..." he declared, infusing his voice with commanding authority, "for no reason at all!"
He added the final phrase as a private joke to himself. Because really, there was no reason beyond his own amusement and the maintenance of his elaborate charade.
But as the words left his lips, Cid noticed something strange. The faded symbols carved into the stone floor—symbols he had assumed were merely decorative—began to emit a soft blue glow. The light pulsed gently at first, then with increasing intensity, spreading outward from the center of the dais in concentric circles.
*That's... not something I planned*, Cid thought, momentarily confused. *Did Alpha arrange special effects without telling me?*
A quick glance at Alpha's startled expression told him this wasn't part of any prepared enhancement to his performance. The blue light continued to intensify, now radiating upward from the floor in vertical columns that began to weave together into a complex, three-dimensional pattern.
"Master Shadow?" Beta called out, uncertainty evident in her voice. "Is this... supposed to happen?"
Before Cid could respond, the blue light erupted into a blinding flash that forced everyone to shield their eyes. The ground beneath them trembled with increasing violence, and a strange harmonic tone filled the air, rising in pitch until it bordered on painful.
When the light finally faded and the trembling subsided, Cid lowered his arm from his eyes—and found himself facing something impossible.
Hovering three feet above the ground before him was a tall, slender woman with pale blue skin and mint-blue hair arranged in a thick, elegant braid coiled over one shoulder. Her eyes were a striking lavender-gray, half-lidded with an expression of gentle condescension. She wore a flowing teal and black gown with divine white sashes and silver ornaments, high-collared and formal, yet revealing just enough at the waist and shoulder to hint at something more. In her right hand, she held a long staff topped with a floating orb. Every aspect of her being radiated otherworldly calm and absolute control—like a high priestess judging mortals from above.
Beside her stood—or rather floated—another woman, even taller at an imposing 6'1", with a build that could only be described as outrageously curvaceous. Her golden-blonde hair, tipped with jade and aquamarine, fell in waves like lazy sunlit serpents around her shoulders. Her eyes, heterochromatic with one gold and one emerald, were half-lidded with a sleepy smile. She wore a revealing off-shoulder top that looked at least one size too small, straining to contain her generous bust, paired with form-hugging pants adorned with serpent motifs. Her entire presence was languid and seductive, yet faintly divine—like a sun goddess napping on her temple altar.
The blue-skinned woman spoke first, her voice calm yet carrying an undertone of immense power. "Who dares bind Vados, Angel Attendant of Universe 6, to this primitive plane?"
She surveyed the scene with clinical detachment, her lavender-gray eyes eventually settling on Cid with an intensity that seemed to peer straight through his carefully constructed persona.
The blonde woman giggled, the sound like wind chimes in a summer breeze. "Oh my! What an interesting summoning!" She floated closer to Cid, circling him with undisguised curiosity. "And such a cute little summoner too!" She clasped her hands together cheerfully. "I'm Quetzalcoatl, but you can call me Lucoa! It seems you've called upon us both!"
Cid stood frozen, his mind racing to process what was happening. This wasn't part of the plan. This wasn't part of ANY plan. Divine beings weren't supposed to exist outside of his elaborate fiction, let alone appear in response to his completely made-up ritual.
As the shock began to wear off, a single thought dominated his consciousness:
*This is the coolest thing that has ever happened in the history of fake dark organizations.*
Maintaining his composure with the skill of a seasoned actor, Cid lowered his hands slowly and adopted his most mysterious expression. Years of practicing his Shadow persona served him well in this moment of genuine surprise.
"Of course," he said smoothly, as if summoning divine beings from other dimensions had been his intention all along. "The Herald of Order and the Mistress of Flame answer my call, as was foretold."
Behind him, the members of Shadow Garden stared in stunned silence. Alpha was the first to recover, dropping immediately to one knee in deference. The others quickly followed suit, their training temporarily overriding their shock.
Vados raised an elegant eyebrow, studying Cid with growing curiosity. "You speak as if you expected our arrival, yet your world bears no record of my existence." She tapped her staff once against the ground, sending ripples of energy across the stone that momentarily illuminated hidden patterns beneath the surface. "Curious. Very curious indeed."
Lucoa floated closer to Cid, her voluptuous form now mere inches from him as she examined him with unabashed interest. "He has no divine energy signature," she observed cheerfully, leaning in close enough that her breath tickled his ear. "Not even a drop! Yet he managed to activate a transdimensional summoning seal. Isn't that fascinating, Vados?"
Her proximity was disconcerting, her presence radiating a warmth that seemed almost physical. Cid maintained his composed expression, though he couldn't help noticing the alluring scent that surrounded her—something like cinnamon and exotic flowers.
"Hmm." Vados narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting between Cid and the ritual circle. "Indeed. But more pressing is the matter of our binding. The summoning ritual he inadvertently completed carries significant consequences."
For the first time, Cid felt a flicker of genuine unease. "Consequences?"
"Oh, nothing too serious!" Lucoa beamed, suddenly appearing behind Cid and draping her arms over his shoulders in a familiar embrace. The softness of her generous bust pressed against his back, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. "We're just bound to you until you dismiss us! That's how these ancient summoning pacts work."
Her casual physical contact caught him off guard. Most people wouldn't dare approach him so familiarly, let alone embrace him from behind. Yet she did so with the easy confidence of someone who had never been rejected—or perhaps someone who simply didn't recognize conventional boundaries.
"Which could be problematic," Vados added dryly, her tone suggesting this was something of an understatement. "Given that we both have responsibilities in our respective realms."
She floated a few inches higher, surveying the ruins with analytical precision. "This summoning seal is remarkably complex for a civilization at your technological level. It appears to have been designed as a last resort—a way to call upon higher powers in times of catastrophic need."
Cid's mind whirled with possibilities. Two actual divine beings, bound to him? The ultimate props for his Shadow Garden performance! This was beyond perfect—it was destiny.
"I understand," he said gravely, slipping deeper into his role with renewed confidence. "You've been brought here to serve a greater purpose. The shadows have always known that powers beyond mortal understanding would one day join our cause."
Vados blinked, her expression shifting subtly. "Your... cause?"
"Shadow Garden," Cid gestured dramatically toward his followers, who remained kneeling in reverence. "We work from the shadows to combat the forces of Diabolos, ancient enemies of order and light."
This was, of course, complete fiction. But it sounded good, and now he had actual divine beings to back up his elaborate charade. This was the sort of method acting that legends were made of.
Lucoa clapped her hands in delight, finally releasing Cid from her embrace as she floated to his side. "Oh, how exciting! I love mortal adventures! It's been so long since I've had a proper summoning."
Her enthusiasm seemed genuine, her heterochromatic eyes sparkling with anticipation. She moved with a languid grace that suggested both tremendous power and a complete lack of urgency—like a predator so confident in its capabilities that it saw no need for haste.
Vados looked considerably less enthusiastic. "I fail to see how this concerns the balance of Universe 6. My duties as an Angel Attendant cannot be neglected indefinitely."
She straightened slightly, her perfect posture becoming even more rigid. "Lord Champa will be most displeased by my absence."
"All universes are connected," Cid improvised grandly, drawing on half-remembered cosmological theories he'd read in fantasy novels. "The threat posed by Diabolos extends beyond the boundaries of any single dimension. Their pursuit of primordial artifacts threatens the very fabric of the multiverse."
He had no idea what he was saying, but it sounded appropriately mystical. To his surprise, Vados tilted her head slightly, her expression shifting from annoyance to mild interest.
"You speak of multiversal threats with surprising confidence for a mortal," she observed, floating closer to examine him more carefully. "Perhaps there is more to you than appearances suggest."
*There really isn't*, Cid thought. But outwardly, he simply offered an enigmatic smile, one he had practiced for hours in front of mirrors until it conveyed exactly the right mixture of omniscience and secretive amusement.
"Master Shadow has always seen beyond the veil," Alpha spoke up reverently, her gaze fixed respectfully on the ground rather than directly at the divine beings. "Now we understand why. He communes with gods."
The rest of Shadow Garden murmured in agreement, their awe palpable. Beta and Gamma exchanged glances that suggested they were mentally rewriting their understanding of their master's capabilities.
Cid resisted the urge to laugh wildly. This was going better than he could have possibly imagined. Not only had he convinced his followers that he was a mastermind of cosmic proportions, but he'd somehow convinced two actual divine beings to play along—or at least, not immediately dismiss his claims.
Vados tapped her staff against the ground once more, creating a small flash of light. "Very well. Until I can determine the nature of this binding and how to break it, I shall observe this... situation."
Her tone made it clear that "situation" was a polite substitute for a far less generous assessment. She raised her staff, and a soft light enveloped the ritual components, lifting them into the air where they rotated slowly.
"These materials are mundane," she noted with a hint of disdain. "Not a single artifact of true power among them. Yet somehow they served as conduits for a transdimensional summoning." She glanced at Cid, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Curious."
Lucoa drifted over to examine the floating items, poking at the glass paperweight with childlike amusement. "Sometimes it's not the materials that matter, but the intent behind them," she observed, her voice suddenly carrying an ancient wisdom that contrasted sharply with her carefree demeanor. "Or perhaps..." her heterochromatic eyes fixed on Cid with unexpected intensity, "the summoner himself is the catalyst."
Cid maintained his enigmatic expression, though internally he was scrambling to keep up with the implications. Could his fake ritual have somehow triggered a real one? That made no sense. Unless...
Unless the ruins themselves held some kind of dormant power that his performance had accidentally activated. An intriguing possibility, and one that fit perfectly into his mastermind narrative.
"For now," he announced, recovering his composure, "we shall return to the Garden and make preparations for our divine guests. The next phase of our campaign against Diabolos must be recalibrated to account for this... fortuitous development."
As they prepared to leave the ruins, Lucoa floating cheerfully alongside them while Vados followed with dignified reluctance, Cid couldn't help but feel that his fake dark organization had just become significantly more interesting.
*Cosmic beings as background furniture*, he thought with immense satisfaction. *That's going to be hard to top.*
Little did he know that his life was about to become significantly more complicated—and that the line between his elaborate fiction and reality was about to blur beyond recognition.
## Chapter 2: Divine Domesticity
The headquarters of Shadow Garden was a marvel of hidden architecture—an elegant mansion concealed beneath the appearance of a modest estate, with secret passages, hidden rooms, and elaborate security systems that would impress even the most paranoid of spies.
At least, that's how Cid liked to think of it. In reality, it was a perfectly respectable manor house that he had purchased with funds "liberated" during his adventures, modified with a few secret passages more for aesthetics than function. The true security came from the loyalty and capabilities of his followers rather than any particularly innovative defenses.
As Cid led his divine guests through the main entrance, he was acutely aware of how mundane it might appear to beings accustomed to cosmic grandeur. Still, he maintained his enigmatic mastermind persona with practiced ease, determined not to let the facade slip even for a moment.
"These are the outer chambers," he explained, gesturing with calculated nonchalance. "The true heart of Shadow Garden lies deeper within, protected by both physical and metaphysical barriers."
Vados glanced around with critical assessment, her lavender-gray eyes taking in every detail of the entrance hall. Her gaze lingered on the architecture, the furnishings, even the spacing between decorative elements, as if conducting a comprehensive evaluation.
"Your base of operations seems... conventional," she observed, the subtle emphasis suggesting this was a polite understatement.
Her height—a statuesque 6'0"—combined with her perfect posture gave her a commanding presence that made the spacious hall seem somehow smaller. She moved with preternatural grace, her feet barely touching the ground as she drifted forward to examine a painting on the wall.
"Appearances," Cid replied smoothly, "are the first line of deception."
"How wonderfully mysterious!" Lucoa exclaimed, floating slightly above the ground as she explored the space with uninhibited curiosity. Her voluptuous figure drew inevitable glances from the Shadow Garden members present, though they quickly averted their eyes when they realized Cid had noticed. "I love what you've done with the place. Very... mortal!"
Unlike Vados's measured movements, Lucoa explored with the enthusiasm of a child, touching, examining, and occasionally picking up decorative items that caught her interest. Her heterochromatic eyes sparkled with genuine delight at even the most mundane objects, as if experiencing them for the first time.
Alpha stepped forward, addressing Cid with her usual deference. "Master Shadow, we've prepared the east wing for our... unexpected guests." Her eyes darted briefly toward the divine visitors, a mixture of awe and uncertainty in her gaze. "The chambers have been arranged according to your previous instructions."
Previous instructions that, of course, had never existed. But Alpha was quick-witted enough to maintain the illusion that Cid had somehow anticipated this development.
"Excellent," Cid nodded approvingly. "Alpha, show the Herald of Order to her quarters. I will personally escort the Mistress of Flame."
He noted with amusement the subtle flash of emotion that crossed Alpha's features—perhaps a hint of jealousy?—before her training reasserted itself and she bowed formally.
"As you wish, Master Shadow. Lady Vados, if you would follow me?"
Vados regarded Alpha with mild interest, then inclined her head slightly. "Very well. Though I require minimal accommodations. Angels do not sleep in the manner of mortals."
As Alpha led the Angel Attendant toward the east wing, Cid gestured for Lucoa to follow him down a separate corridor. The dragon goddess floated alongside him, her attention darting to each new sight with childlike enthusiasm.
"Your followers are very devoted," she observed, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Especially that silver-haired one. Alpha, was it? She looks at you like you hung the moon and stars."
Cid maintained his composed expression, though the observation was more perceptive than he'd expected. "Shadow Garden demands absolute loyalty," he replied, keeping to his character. "Each member has been tested and proven worthy of the shadows."
Lucoa giggled, the sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "That's not what I meant," she said, suddenly appearing beside him rather than behind. "There's loyalty to a cause, and then there's what I saw in her eyes." She leaned closer, her substantial chest pressing against his arm as she whispered conspiratorially, "She's completely smitten with you."
The casual contact and her direct observation caught Cid off guard. Most people maintained a respectful distance from his Shadow persona, both physically and in terms of personal observations. Lucoa, it seemed, recognized no such boundaries.
"I hope your accommodations will be suitable," he said, deftly changing the subject as he opened an ornate door. "We've never hosted divine beings before."
The guest chamber was one of the more opulent rooms in the manor, with a four-poster bed, elegant furnishings, and large windows overlooking the estate's gardens. Cid had always kept it reserved for particularly important guests, though until now, none had been important enough to warrant its use.
Lucoa floated into the room, twirling in delight. "Oh my! This is wonderful! So much room!" Without warning, she threw herself onto the bed, bouncing slightly as she landed. The motion caused certain aspects of her anatomy to bounce as well, drawing Cid's gaze momentarily before he disciplined his attention back to her face. "And so soft!"
She stretched languidly, like a cat finding a patch of sunlight, before rolling onto her side to face him. The position emphasized her curves in a way that seemed both casual and deliberately alluring.
"I think I'm going to like it here, Cid-sama," she said, her heterochromatic eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Cid...sama?" he repeated, momentarily startled by the use of his actual name rather than his Shadow persona.
"That is your name, isn't it?" Lucoa asked, sitting up with her legs folded beneath her. "The little summoner who called us here?"
"How did you—" Cid began, then caught himself. Maintaining his mastermind persona, he smoothly transitioned to an enigmatic smile. "One of many names I've used throughout the centuries. For security purposes."
Lucoa's smile widened, suggesting she didn't quite believe him but found his response entertaining nonetheless. "Of course. A mysterious master of shadows would have many identities." She winked, the gesture somehow involving both her heterochromatic eyes in a way that was oddly charming. "Your secret is safe with me."
Before Cid could respond, a commotion echoed from elsewhere in the mansion—raised voices followed by what sounded distinctly like shattering glass.
"Excuse me," he said, grateful for the interruption. "I should investigate that disturbance."
He made his way quickly toward the source of the noise, finding himself at the entrance to what had been a perfectly ordered sitting room. The space was now in a state of minor chaos—furniture rearranged, decorative items repositioned, and a valuable vase shattered on the floor. Alpha stood nearby, looking simultaneously apologetic and alarmed.
In the center of the room, Vados stood with her staff extended, small items orbiting around its glowing tip.
"This space was inefficiently arranged," she stated matter-of-factly, her tone suggesting this was a simple observation rather than an excuse. "The energy flow was stagnant and irregular. I've corrected it."
"She just... moved everything with a wave of her staff," Alpha whispered to Cid. "The vase didn't survive the transition."
Cid surveyed the room with a critical eye. He had to admit, despite the broken vase, the new arrangement did make more sense. The furniture now created comfortable conversation areas, and the room somehow felt more spacious despite containing the same items.
"I see you've taken it upon yourself to... improve our headquarters," he observed, his tone carefully neutral.
Vados lowered her staff, allowing the orbiting items to settle gently into their new places. Her movements were precise and economical, without a single wasted gesture.
"If I am to be bound here indefinitely, I refuse to endure suboptimal surroundings." She glanced around critically, her lavender-gray eyes assessing every detail. "This entire structure could benefit from similar adjustments. Your organizational philosophy lacks fundamental understanding of spatial harmony and energy flow."
Rather than being offended, Cid saw an opportunity. "Perhaps that's exactly why you were summoned," he suggested, his mind already incorporating this development into his mastermind narrative. "To bring divine order to Shadow Garden."
Vados raised an elegant eyebrow, her expression suggesting she found this explanation barely credible. "Are you suggesting that cosmic forces aligned to bring me—an Angel Attendant responsible for maintaining balance in an entire universe—here to redecorate your headquarters?"
Put that way, it did sound ridiculous. But Cid was committed to his role.
"The ways of shadow are mysterious," he replied with practiced gravitas. "Even to those who walk within them."
To his surprise, Vados actually smiled—a small, almost imperceptible quirk of her lips that suggested she found his persistence either amusing or marginally admirable.
"Indeed they must be, to justify such cosmic inefficiency." She tapped her staff once against the floor, the sound resonating with subtle power. "Very well. If I am to be trapped in this primitive dimension, I shall make use of my time. Beginning with a complete restructuring of your organizational systems."
The methodical gleam in her eye suggested this was not a casual undertaking but a comprehensive overhaul. Cid had a sudden vision of his entire operation being systematically reorganized by a cosmic being with an obsession for efficiency. It was both terrifying and potentially useful.
"Alpha will provide whatever assistance you require," he said, nodding to his faithful follower, who looked both honored and slightly terrified by the assignment.
"Excellent!" Lucoa's cheerful voice announced her arrival as she floated into the room. "While Vados brings order to your headquarters, perhaps you could show me more of your world, Cid-sama? I'd love to see what kind of place summoned us!"
"Cid...sama?" Alpha whispered, her eyes widening in surprise at this familiar address of her master.
*Oh right. I never told them my actual name.*
"A name I use in certain circles," Cid improvised quickly. "For security purposes."
"Of course," Alpha nodded seriously. "Master Shadow must maintain many identities to protect his true nature."
Vados made a small sound that might have been a suppressed laugh. "Indeed. One wonders which identity is the true mask."
There was something uncomfortably perceptive in her gaze that made Cid wonder, briefly, if she somehow saw through his elaborate charade. But that was impossible. Even with divine powers, she couldn't possibly realize that the fearsome Shadow was actually just a young man playing pretend.
Right?
"I would be happy to show you more of our world, Mistress of Flame," Cid said, smoothly changing the subject. "There's a nearby town that might interest you."
"Wonderful!" Lucoa looped her arm through his with familiar ease, the soft warmth of her body pressing against his side. "Lead the way, my cute little summoner!"
As they departed, Cid caught a glimpse of the expressions on the faces of Shadow Garden's members—a mixture of awe, confusion, and perhaps a touch of jealousy. It seemed his status had only grown more legendary with the arrival of these divine beings.
*This is working out better than I could have possibly imagined*, he thought smugly. *Real divine beings as props for my fake organization! Who else can claim that?*
Little did he know that his adventure was just beginning—and that his carefully constructed fantasy world was about to collide with cosmic realities in ways he could never have anticipated.
## Chapter 3: Town Troubles
The town of Midsomer was a picturesque collection of stone buildings and cobbled streets, bustling with ordinary life untouched by shadow organizations or divine interventions. Market stalls lined the central square, their colorful awnings fluttering in the gentle spring breeze as merchants called out to passersby. Children darted between the legs of adults, engaged in games of their own invention, while town guards maintained a watchful but relaxed presence near the main gates.
For Cid, Midsomer represented a refreshing break from his elaborate persona—a place where he could occasionally be just another face in the crowd, free from the constant performance that Shadow Garden required. Today, however, anonymity seemed impossible as he walked through the market square with Lucoa floating enthusiastically beside him.
"This is all so charming!" she exclaimed, hovering slightly above the ground as she examined a display of fresh produce. Her voluptuous figure and distinctive appearance had already drawn curious stares from every direction. "Your dimension has such vibrant colors and smells!"
Her heterochromatic eyes widened with childlike delight at each new discovery, from the mundane to the mildly interesting. She seemed genuinely fascinated by the simple market goods—handwoven textiles, fresh-baked bread, locally crafted pottery—as if they were exotic treasures.
"Perhaps," Cid suggested in a low voice, glancing pointedly at her floating form, "you could try walking like the locals? You're attracting attention."
"Oh!" Lucoa looked around, seeming to notice the staring townspeople for the first time. "Of course, how thoughtless of me."
She descended gracefully to the ground—only to immediately attract even more attention as her voluptuous figure and distinctive horns became the new focus of interest. The market vendor she approached actually dropped a basket of apples in shock when she leaned forward to examine his wares, her generous bust threatening to escape the confines of her already revealing top.
"These fruits look delicious!" she beamed, oblivious to his discomfort. "Don't you think so, Cid-sama?"
More stares turned toward Cid, who was struggling to maintain his nonchalant facade. This excursion was quickly becoming more complicated than he'd anticipated. He had thought to show Lucoa the town while keeping a low profile, but that was clearly impossible with a six-foot-one dragon goddess whose every movement drew eyes from across the square.
"Perhaps we should continue our tour," he suggested, gently guiding Lucoa away from the increasingly curious crowd. Her skin was warm to the touch, radiating a heat that seemed slightly above human normal—like sunlight captured in human form.
As they moved through the town, Cid attempted to provide some cultural context. "Midsomer has stood for over five centuries," he explained, falling partly into his Shadow persona out of habit. "Behind its ordinary appearance, it has connections to several ancient bloodlines and secret societies."
This was, of course, completely fabricated. As far as Cid knew, Midsomer was just a typical market town with no particular historical significance. But embellishing reality had become second nature to him, especially when he had an audience.
"How fascinating!" Lucoa responded, her heterochromatic eyes wide with interest. "The layered dimensions of mortal societies are so complex! Some things never change across worlds."
She walked beside him now, though her natural gait had a subtle bounce to it that continued to draw attention. Her height made her tower over most of the townspeople, adding to her already striking presence.
"Do you have a favorite place here?" she asked, her tone suggesting genuine curiosity about his preferences.
The question caught Cid slightly off-guard. Few people asked about his personal preferences—most either feared Shadow too much to inquire, or were too focused on their missions to consider such details.
"There's a bookshop near the eastern square," he admitted, the answer slipping out before he could frame it in his Shadow persona. "The owner sources texts from across the continent. Some are quite rare."
Lucoa's face lit up with a warm smile. "A reader! I should have guessed. The most interesting summoners always are." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "In my experience, those who read widely have the most vivid imaginations."
There was something in her tone—a hint of knowing amusement—that made Cid wonder, briefly, if she somehow saw through aspects of his charade. Before he could dwell on this uncomfortable possibility, a commotion erupted ahead of them.
A group of armored men bearing an unfamiliar insignia—a crimson eye surrounded by thorns—were confronting a merchant, their postures menacing as they surrounded the elderly man's stall.
"The tribute is due," one of the men growled, towering over the frightened shopkeeper. His armor was well-maintained but bore scorch marks and dents suggesting recent combat. "Lord Gorgon's patience grows thin."
"Please," the merchant pleaded, his weathered hands trembling as he gestured to his modest display of carved wooden figurines. "Business has been "Please," the merchant pleaded, his weathered hands trembling as he gestured to his modest display of carved wooden figurines. "Business has been slow. I need more time—"
The armored man grabbed the merchant by his collar. "Lord Gorgon doesn't grant extensions."
Cid observed the scene with mild interest. Local thugs extorting merchants wasn't uncommon, though he didn't recognize this particular group. Under normal circumstances, he might have intervened discreetly—a shadow operation to teach the bullies a lesson without revealing his abilities.
But before he could decide on a course of action, Lucoa was already moving forward.
"Excuse me," she called cheerfully, approaching the armored men. Her languid movements carried an underlying grace that belied her casual demeanor. "Is there a problem here?"
The men turned, momentarily startled by the interruption. Their surprise quickly shifted to appreciative leers as they took in Lucoa's appearance.
"Nothing that concerns you, sweetheart," the leader said, his tone shifting from threatening to falsely charming. "Unless you're looking to offer alternative payment for this man's debts?"
"Hmm," Lucoa tapped her chin thoughtfully, seemingly oblivious to the crude implication. "I don't think that would be appropriate. Perhaps instead, you could explain why you're frightening this poor man?"
The leader's face hardened. "This is official business for Lord Gorgon. I suggest you move along before you get hurt."
*Lord Gorgon?* Cid thought. *That's new. Some upstart trying to establish territory?*
"Oh dear," Lucoa sighed, shaking her head. "That's not very friendly. I was hoping we could resolve this peacefully."
"Last warning," the armored man growled, releasing the merchant to face Lucoa fully. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. "Walk away now."
Cid stepped forward, calculating the most efficient way to neutralize the threat while maintaining his ordinary appearance. But Lucoa simply smiled and raised her hand slightly.
"I really must insist you leave this nice merchant alone," she said, her voice still cheerful but carrying a new undercurrent of power. "Violence is so unnecessary."
A strange shimmer appeared in the air around her—subtle enough that most observers might mistake it for a trick of the light, but Cid could feel the surge of energy emanating from her. The armored men evidently sensed it too, as uncertainty flashed across their faces.
"What are you—" the leader began, but he never finished his sentence.
With a gentle wave of her hand, Lucoa sent the entire group of armored men flying backward as if struck by an invisible force. They landed in an undignified heap several yards away, their weapons clattering to the cobblestones.
The surrounding crowd gasped, backing away from what had clearly been a display of supernatural power. Cid maintained his composed expression, though internally he was reassessing just how powerful his "summoned" goddess might be.
"There," Lucoa said brightly, turning to the merchant. "I don't think they'll bother you again today!"
The merchant stared at her in shock, then dropped to his knees. "Thank you, blessed one! Thank you!"
This was quickly becoming a scene. Cid moved forward, placing a hand on Lucoa's shoulder. "Perhaps we should continue our walk," he suggested quietly.
"Oh, of course!" Lucoa agreed, apparently oblivious to the stir she had created. As they moved away, she whispered to Cid, "Those men had a strange energy about them. A faint magical signature I haven't encountered in this world before."
Cid frowned. "Magical signature?"
"Mmhmm. Nothing powerful, just... odd. Like they've been exposed to something not native to this dimension." Lucoa's heterochromatic eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced back at the recovering thugs. "It reminds me of corrupted divine essence—the kind that occurs when mortal magic attempts to harness godly power."
*Wait, seriously?* Cid's mental narrative stumbled. *Is there actually a cult trying to harness divine power in this world? Or is she just playing along with my made-up scenario?*
Before he could pursue this line of questioning, the armored men had regrouped and were approaching again, this time with reinforcements who emerged from side streets. Their leader's face was flushed with rage and embarrassment.
"You'll regret interfering," he snarled, drawing his sword. "No one defies Lord Gorgon's collectors!"
The crowd scattered, leaving the market square largely empty except for Cid, Lucoa, and the approaching soldiers—now numbering at least fifteen. They spread out, attempting to surround the pair.
Cid sighed internally. This was becoming more complicated than a simple trip to town should be. He could dispatch these thugs easily enough, but doing so might reveal more of his abilities than he preferred to display publicly.
Beside him, Lucoa looked more amused than concerned. "My, they're persistent, aren't they?" She turned to Cid with a bright smile. "Would you like me to handle this, or would you prefer to demonstrate your skills, Cid-sama?"
There was something in her tone—a hint that she was genuinely curious about his capabilities. Was she testing him?
"I think," Cid replied, slipping partially into his Shadow persona, "a measured response would be appropriate. We wouldn't want to cause unnecessary destruction."
Lucoa's eyes twinkled. "So considerate of the town's infrastructure! I knew you were special when I answered your summoning."
The armored men had spread out, forming a loose semi-circle around them. The market square had largely cleared, merchants and shoppers retreating to safety while watching the confrontation from doorways and side streets.
"Whoever you are," the leader called out, "you've made a grave mistake. Lord Gorgon doesn't forgive those who interfere with his business."
Cid stepped forward, allowing just enough of his Shadow aura to manifest—a subtle darkening around his form, nothing too flashy. "Perhaps it is Lord Gorgon who has made the mistake, extending his reach into territory already claimed by shadow."
He had no idea who this Lord Gorgon was, but the name gave him something new to incorporate into his fictional enemy narrative. A subsidiary of Diabolos, perhaps? The possibilities were enticing.
The leader faltered briefly, clearly not expecting such a response. "You... you're bluffing. No one stands against Lord Gorgon!"
"Is that so?" Cid allowed a cold smile to form. With deliberate slowness, he raised one hand, channeling a minimal amount of magic—just enough to create a subtle dark energy that swirled around his fingers. "Perhaps it's time someone did."
The display was restrained by his standards—barely a fraction of his true capabilities—but it had the desired effect. Several of the thugs took involuntary steps backward, their confidence visibly wavering.
Lucoa watched with obvious interest, her head tilted slightly as if she were evaluating his performance. "How elegant," she murmured. "Minimal power application for maximum psychological impact."
The leader of the armored men was looking less certain by the moment, but pride or fear of his master kept him from retreating. "Your parlor tricks don't frighten us," he declared, though his voice betrayed his growing unease. "Lord Gorgon's magic is beyond anything you can imagine!"
"Is it now?" Cid replied softly. Deciding to end this confrontation before it could escalate further, he made a sharp gesture with his hand. The shadows cast by the surrounding buildings seemed to ripple, creating an illusion of movement that sent several of the more superstitious thugs scrambling backward in alarm.
Just as he prepared to escalate his display slightly, a new voice cut through the tension.
"What a tedious display of primitive intimidation."
Vados floated into the square, her staff held elegantly in one hand as she descended from above. Her arrival created a momentary hush, the sheer otherworldliness of her appearance causing even the thugs to pause.
"Lady Vados!" Lucoa exclaimed cheerfully. "Have you finished redecorating already?"
"Hardly," Vados replied with a hint of disdain. "I merely grew concerned when I sensed a disturbance in the local energy patterns." Her lavender-gray eyes surveyed the scene with clinical detachment. "I see you've encountered some form of local conflict."
The leader of the armored men recovered his composure, though his eyes betrayed uncertainty as he regarded this new arrival. "Another freak? Lord Gorgon will have all of your heads!"
Vados raised an elegant eyebrow. "How remarkably uncouth." She glanced at Cid. "Is this representative of your world's typical discourse?"
"Unfortunately, sometimes," Cid admitted.
"I see." Vados sighed, as if disappointed by the entire situation. She raised her staff slightly. "Perhaps a demonstration of proper order is required."
Before anyone could react, Vados tapped her staff once against the ground. A ripple of energy spread outward, invisible except for a subtle distortion of the air. When it reached the armored men, every weapon they held—swords, daggers, even a crossbow—instantly disintegrated into fine dust.
The men stared at their empty hands in shock.
"Substandard metallurgical composition," Vados observed clinically. "Barely suitable for cutlery, let alone weaponry."
The leader, now visibly shaking, backed away. "W-what are you people?"
"People is not precisely accurate," Vados replied. "Now, I suggest you remove yourselves from this area before I decide your armor requires similar evaluation."
No further encouragement was needed. The men turned and fled, several of them stumbling in their haste to escape.
"How efficient!" Lucoa clapped her hands in delight. "Not a single building damaged."
Vados turned to Cid, her expression unreadable. "These individuals mentioned someone called 'Lord Gorgon.' Is this person significant to your world's power structure?"
Cid was about to explain that he had no idea who Lord Gorgon was, but caught himself. This was a perfect opportunity to incorporate this new element into his Shadow Garden narrative.
"Gorgon is a recent manifestation of Diabolos's influence," he improvised smoothly. "A subordinate entity tasked with gathering resources for their ritual preparations."
"I see." Vados's tone suggested she wasn't entirely convinced. "And these 'ritual preparations' involve extorting local merchants?"
"Resource acquisition takes many forms," Cid replied cryptically.
Vados studied him for a long moment, her lavender-gray eyes seeming to peer beyond his careful facade. Finally, she said, "Your world's conflicts are remarkably... quaint. However, I sensed something unusual about those men. A faint resonance pattern not native to this dimensional plane."
"That's what I thought too!" Lucoa exclaimed. "Like they've been exposed to corrupted divine energy."
Vados nodded slowly. "Indeed. A concerning development, particularly given our unexpected presence here." She turned to Cid. "It seems your fabricated enemy may have more substance than you realized."
Cid froze internally. *Fabricated enemy? Does she know?*
But Vados's next words offered no further clarity. "We should return to your headquarters. I've implemented only the most basic organizational improvements, and there is much more to be done."
As they made their way back through the now-whispering town, Lucoa fell into step beside Cid, leaning close enough that her generous curves pressed against his arm.
"That was exciting!" she whispered. "I haven't seen Vados disintegrate weapons in ages. She must be in a good mood."
"That's her in a good mood?" Cid murmured back.
Lucoa giggled. "Oh yes. If she were annoyed, she might have disintegrated the men along with their weapons."
Cid glanced at the Angel Attendant floating serenely ahead of them, and made a mental note never to truly anger her.
As they approached the outskirts of town, a sudden commotion from a nearby alley caught their attention. A snarling, inhuman sound followed by a woman's scream.
Without thinking, Cid darted toward the sound, his body moving on instinct. He rounded the corner to find a monstrous creature—something like a wolf but three times larger, with glowing red eyes and what appeared to be scales rather than fur along its spine.
The beast had cornered a young woman against the alley wall and was advancing slowly, saliva dripping from fangs the length of daggers.
Cid assessed the situation instantly. The beast was positioned with its back to him, offering a perfect strike opportunity. Drawing on his power—not the showy, theatrical version he used for Shadow Garden performances, but his real capabilities—he channeled shadow energy into his palm.
"Atomic," he whispered, not as a declaration but as a focused intent.
A thread of concentrated darkness, no thicker than a hair but containing immense power, shot from his fingertip and pierced the beast's skull from behind. The creature froze mid-stride, then collapsed without a sound, its body beginning to dissolve into dark particles even as it hit the ground.
The young woman stared in shock, first at the disintegrating monster, then at Cid.
"You're safe now," he said simply, already turning to leave before she could thank him or ask questions.
He nearly collided with Lucoa, who stood at the alley entrance with wide eyes.
"That was... unexpected," she said softly, her normally carefree expression replaced by something more thoughtful. "Such concentrated power, yet so precisely applied."
Behind her, Vados floated with a similarly contemplative expression. "Indeed. Most intriguing."
Cid maintained his composed facade, though internally he was cursing his instinctive reaction. He'd revealed more of his true capabilities than he'd intended.
"A simple shadow technique," he explained dismissively. "Nothing special."
"Nothing special?" Lucoa repeated, her heterochromatic eyes studying him with new interest. "You just deleted that creature from existence with barely a whisper of energy expenditure. That's not nothing, Cid-sama."
Vados drifted forward, examining the few remaining particles of the beast before they completely vanished. "A conceptual deletion attack," she observed. "Quite sophisticated for a mortal of this dimensional plane."
The young woman Cid had saved finally found her voice. "T-thank you," she stammered. "That thing appeared out of nowhere. It wasn't natural—its eyes..." she shuddered.
"What's your name?" Lucoa asked gently.
"Mira," the woman replied. "I work at the apothecary shop."
"You should go home, Mira," Cid suggested. "Stay off the streets until the town guard increases their patrols."
The woman nodded gratefully and hurried away, casting one last wondering glance at the unusual trio.
"That creature," Vados said once they were alone, "bore traces of the same corrupted divine energy we sensed on those men."
"You recognized what it was?" Cid asked.
"Not specifically," Vados replied. "But it was clearly not native to your world. A manifestation of some form of dimensional bleed, perhaps."
"Dimensional bleed?" Cid repeated, genuinely confused now. This was veering far from his fictional narrative into territory he didn't understand.
"When barriers between dimensions weaken," Lucoa explained, suddenly serious, "energy and sometimes entities can slip through. Usually it's a slow process, barely noticeable. But sometimes..."
"Sometimes it accelerates rapidly," Vados finished. "Often catalyzed by attempts to manipulate divine power." She fixed Cid with a penetrating gaze. "Your inadvertent summoning of us may have been less coincidental than it appeared."
Cid considered this information carefully. If there was actually some kind of interdimensional threat emerging, his fictional enemy Diabolos might have accidentally aligned with reality. The irony would be almost too perfect.
"We should return to Shadow Garden," he decided. "This information changes our strategic calculations."
As they made their way back to headquarters, Cid was acutely aware of the changed way both divine beings were regarding him. His impulsive display of power seemed to have altered their perception, though whether for better or worse remained to be seen.
What was becoming increasingly clear, however, was that his elaborate fantasy might be colliding with a very real threat. And for the first time in a long while, Cid found himself genuinely intrigued by the possibilities.
## Chapter 4: Divine Revelations
The scene that greeted Cid upon their return to Shadow Garden's headquarters was so unexpected that he momentarily thought he had entered the wrong building.
The formerly elegant but somewhat haphazard interior had been transformed. Furniture was arranged with mathematical precision, artifacts and decorations were displayed in aesthetically perfect groupings, and there was a sense of harmonious flow to the space that had definitely not existed before.
Even more surprising was the sight of Shadow Garden's members working in coordinated teams, efficiently organizing, cleaning, and cataloging various aspects of the headquarters under what appeared to be a comprehensive system.
"I see you've been productive," Cid observed, unable to completely mask his surprise.
"Merely the initial phase," Vados replied, drifting forward to inspect a newly arranged display of artifacts. "Your organization's operations lacked fundamental structural principles. I've implemented a basic framework for improved efficiency."
Alpha approached, bowing respectfully. "Master Shadow, Lady Vados has revolutionized our operational protocols. The improvements to our information classification system alone have increased our processing efficiency by an estimated three hundred percent."
"Is that so?" Cid glanced at Vados, who maintained her usual expression of dignified indifference.
"A simple matter of applying proper organizational principles," she stated. "Though I must commend your followers on their adaptability. They learn quickly for mortals."
Coming from Vados, this appeared to be high praise. Alpha actually seemed to stand a little straighter at the comment.
"We have much to discuss," Cid announced. "Convene the inner circle in the strategy room."
Twenty minutes later, Cid sat at the head of a long table with his most trusted Shadow Garden members arrayed along both sides. Vados and Lucoa occupied positions of honor to his right and left, creating a tableau that Cid couldn't help but appreciate for its theatrical value.
"Our encounter in town revealed several concerning developments," he began, slipping fully into his Shadow persona. "It seems the forces of Diabolos have accelerated their activities through this 'Lord Gorgon' entity. More significantly, we encountered evidence of dimensional instability manifesting as a monstrous entity."
He gestured to Vados. "The Herald of Order has identified these anomalies as consistent with a 'dimensional bleed'—a weakening of barriers between realms."
Vados nodded slightly, apparently willing to support this narrative. "The energy signature is distinctive. Something or someone in your world is manipulating forces beyond mortal comprehension, creating fractures in dimensional boundaries."
"We believe," Cid continued smoothly, "this may be connected to Diabolos's pursuit of the Crimson Relic."
*The Crimson Relic being something I just made up on the spot*, he added mentally.
To his surprise, Lucoa sat up straighter, her usually languid posture suddenly alert. "The Crimson Relic?" she repeated, her heterochromatic eyes widening. "You don't mean the Sanguis Lapis?"
Cid blinked, momentarily thrown off script. Before he could formulate a response that wouldn't reveal his improvisation, Vados spoke.
"The Bloodstone?" she said, turning to Lucoa with unexpected intensity. "That artifact was sealed away millennia ago by the Concord of Elder Deities."
"Wait," Cid interjected, struggling to keep up with this unexpected development. "You're familiar with the Crimson Relic?"
"If it is indeed the Sanguis Lapis," Vados replied, her tone grave, "then yes. It was created during the Primordial Chaos, before the proper establishment of dimensional boundaries. Its primary function is to thin the walls between realities."
Lucoa nodded, her usual cheerfulness replaced by uncharacteristic seriousness. "It was too dangerous to destroy—doing so would have unraveled several neighboring dimensions. So instead, it was scattered across multiple realities, with each fragment sealed by divine covenant."
Cid stared at them both, his mind racing. Had his completely fabricated "Crimson Relic" accidentally corresponded to something real? The coincidence seemed impossible, yet here were two divine beings discussing it as if it were a well-established threat.
"I... see," he managed, quickly adapting his narrative. "Then our intelligence was correct. Diabolos seeks to gather the fragments and destabilize dimensional boundaries for their own purposes."
Alpha and the others exchanged alarmed glances. This was clearly more serious than any of their previous missions.
"But why would this 'Diabolos' want to destabilize dimensions?" Beta asked, her analytical mind seizing on the logical question.
"Because," Vados answered before Cid could improvise further, "entities that exist between dimensions often seek to expand their territory. The barriers between worlds are not merely boundaries but containment mechanisms for forces that would consume ordered reality."
Cid listened in growing amazement as Vados and Lucoa proceeded to outline a cosmological threat that aligned eerily well with his fictional narrative, yet clearly extended far beyond anything he had imagined. Either this was the most extraordinary coincidence in history, or something very strange was happening.
"The corruption we sensed," Lucoa continued, "suggests that dimensional breaches have already begun. The creature we encountered was likely a minor entity drawn through weakened barriers."
"If Diabolos has indeed recovered even one fragment of the Sanguis Lapis," Vados added, "the situation is far more serious than I initially assessed."
Cid watched as his followers absorbed this information with growing concern. What had begun as a theatrical performance was rapidly evolving into something that felt disturbingly real. He needed time to think, to reconcile his fictional construct with these apparent cosmic realities.
"We must increase our intelligence gathering," he declared, buying time. "Alpha, deploy surveillance teams to monitor Lord Gorgon's activities. Beta, research any historical references to dimensional anomalies or the Crimson Relic in our archives."
They nodded, clearly relieved to have concrete tasks in the face of such overwhelming revelations.
"In the meantime," Cid continued, rising from his seat with practiced dramatic timing, "I will consult with our divine allies on potential countermeasures."
As the meeting dispersed, Cid led Vados and Lucoa to a more private chamber—his personal study, which he noted had also been reorganized with Vados's characteristic precision.
Once they were alone, he turned to face them directly. "I need to understand exactly what we're dealing with. This Sanguis Lapis—how serious a threat does it pose?"
Vados regarded him thoughtfully for a moment before responding. "That depends on how much you already know, and how much you've merely pretended to know."
The directness of her statement sent a chill down Cid's spine. "What do you mean?"
"Come now," Vados said, her lavender-gray eyes holding his gaze steadily. "You've constructed an elaborate fiction around yourself and this organization. Your 'Shadow Garden' fights an enemy you invented called 'Diabolos' pursuing artifacts you named on a whim."
Cid kept his expression neutral through years of practiced control, but internally, his thoughts raced. She knew. Somehow, she had seen through his entire charade.
"Yet," Vados continued, "by some extraordinary cosmic coincidence—or perhaps not coincidence at all—your fictional narrative has aligned with actual interdimensional threats. The question is: how?"
"I've been wondering the same thing," Lucoa added, settling comfortably onto a newly positioned divan. "You're not divine, Cid-sama. Not even close. Yet you performed a summoning that should have been impossible for a mortal of your world. And then there's that little conceptual deletion attack you used on the creature." She tilted her head curiously. "You're quite the mystery."
Cid considered his options carefully. His instinct was to maintain his Shadow persona, to double down on the fiction he had crafted so meticulously. But facing two divine beings who could apparently see through his facade, that approach seemed futile.
"My power is real," he said finally. "The organization is real. The narrative..." he hesitated, "has elements of theatrical enhancement."
"A diplomatic way of saying you made it up," Vados observed dryly.
"I created a framework that would inspire loyalty and purpose," Cid corrected. "The methods were unorthodox, but the results speak for themselves."
"And yet," Lucoa noted with a hint of amusement, "your made-up enemy seems to have manifested in reality. Quite the accomplishment, even for a practiced fantasist."
Cid frowned. "That's what I don't understand. How could my fictional Diabolos correspond to an actual interdimensional threat?"
"There is a phenomenon," Vados said slowly, "rare but documented across multiple realities, where belief given sufficient structure and energy can manifest in tangible form."
"Reality follows conviction," Lucoa nodded. "Some call it narrative causality. Usually, it requires divine power or massive collective belief. But occasionally..."
"Occasionally a single individual with extraordinary conviction and a unique energy signature can trigger manifestation effects," Vados finished. She studied Cid with new interest. "Your shadow energy. It's not typical of this world's magical system, is it?"
Cid hesitated, then decided on honesty. "No. It's something I developed independently. I've never encountered anyone else with similar abilities."
"Because it's not from here," Lucoa suggested. "At least, not originally. Your power signature has traces of void energy—the stuff that exists between dimensions."
"Which would explain how you accidentally activated an interdimensional summoning seal," Vados mused. "Your shadow magic resonated with the dormant patterns in the ruins."
Cid absorbed this information, finding it both disturbing and strangely validating. His power had always felt different, special—but the idea that it might literally be from another dimension hadn't occurred to him.
"So my fictional Diabolos..." he began.
"May have been given form through your conviction and the unique properties of your power," Vados confirmed. "Not precisely as you imagined it, but as an amalgamation of actual interdimensional threats drawn to the narrative structure you created."
"That's..." Cid struggled to find the right word, "convenient."
Lucoa laughed, the sound breaking the serious atmosphere. "Isn't it? You invented the perfect enemy, and the universe obligingly provided one! That's some impressively good luck, Cid-sama."
"Or impressively bad luck," Vados countered, "depending on how one views the prospect of facing actual interdimensional invaders rather than theatrical opponents."
Cid considered this perspective. His Shadow Garden had never faced a truly serious threat—their missions had been carefully orchestrated to provide the appearance of danger without significant risk. Now, it seemed, they might be confronting something genuinely dangerous.
"The Sanguis Lapis," he said, returning to the immediate concern. "If fragments of it exist in this world, we need to find them before this 'Lord Gorgon' does."
"Agreed," Vados nodded. "Though locating them will be challenging. The fragments were specifically designed to resist divine detection to prevent exactly this sort of scenario."
"But," Lucoa added with a sly smile, "they might respond to the same void energy that powers your shadow magic. If you could attune your abilities to search for resonant frequencies..."
"I could potentially track them," Cid finished, his mind already exploring the possibilities. This was rapidly evolving beyond his original fantasy into something both more complex and more fascinating.
"Of course," Vados noted with clinical detachment, "attempting to locate fragments of the Sanguis Lapis will likely attract the attention of whatever entities are already seeking them. You would be placing yourself—and by extension, your followers—at considerable risk."
There was a subtle challenge in her tone, as if she were testing his commitment to the organization he had created.
Cid straightened, allowing a hint of his true power to manifest as a dark aura surrounding him. "Shadow Garden exists to confront threats beyond ordinary comprehension. If this 'dimensional bleed' endangers our world, we will seal it—whether it aligns with my original narrative or not."
Lucoa clapped her hands in delight. "So dramatic! I knew summoning us to this world would be interesting!"
Even Vados seemed marginally impressed. "Perhaps there is more substance to your shadow persona than I initially assessed."
As they began to discuss strategies for locating the fragments, Cid reflected on the strange turn his life had taken. What had begun as an elaborate fantasy had somehow collided with cosmic reality, transforming his theatrical performance into something genuine.
And perhaps most surprisingly, he found himself enjoying the challenge. This was the real adventure he had always pretended to be having—a true confrontation with forces beyond ordinary comprehension, with the fate of dimensions potentially hanging in the balance.
Shadow Garden was about to become exactly what he had always claimed it was. And Cid Kagenou—the Eminence in Shadow—would need to become the mastermind he had always pretended to be.
## Chapter 5: Midnight Training
The full moon hung low over Shadow Garden's expansive rear grounds, bathing the immaculate gardens and training areas in silvery light. Despite the late hour, Cid found himself restless, his mind still processing the revelations of the day. The collision of his fabricated narrative with apparent cosmic reality left him with too many questions for sleep to come easily.
Dressed in simple training attire, he moved through a series of precise forms, his body flowing from one stance to another with liquid grace. Shadow energy coiled around his limbs, responding to his focus as he explored the implications of what Vados and Lucoa had suggested about its origin.
*Void energy. Between dimensions. Not native to this world.*
The concepts resonated with something deep within him—an intuitive understanding he had never been able to articulate. His shadow manipulation had always felt natural to him, yet fundamentally different from the magic systems others employed.
As he accelerated his movements, the shadows around him responded with increasing intensity, weaving complex patterns in the moonlight. He pushed harder, testing the boundaries of control as shadow tendrils manifested and dissipated with each precise gesture.
"Your technique is unusual," Vados's voice came from behind him. "Efficient, yet unnecessarily theatrical."
Cid completed his form before turning to find the Angel Attendant hovering a few feet away, observing him with clinical interest. In the moonlight, her mint-blue hair and pale skin seemed to glow with an inner luminescence.
"I wasn't aware I had an audience," he replied, straightening.
"I sensed energy fluctuations," she explained simply. "Your control is impressive for a mortal, but your methodology is flawed."
Coming from anyone else, Cid might have taken offense. But Vados's assessment carried the weight of cosmic authority—an angel critiquing his technique merited consideration.
"Flawed how?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Vados descended until her feet almost touched the ground. "You channel power through elaborate physical movements when direct mental projection would be more efficient. A common error among beings who develop abilities instinctively rather than through structured training."
She extended her staff, creating a small sphere of energy that hovered between them. "Observe."
The sphere expanded and contracted, split into multiple fragments, then reformed—all without Vados making the slightest physical movement. Her control was absolute, her expression unchanged as she manipulated energy with thought alone.
"Power filtered through physical gesture is inherently limited by the body's capabilities," she explained. "True mastery requires separation of will from motion."
Cid considered this perspective. His shadow techniques had always been intertwined with physical movement—partly from necessity, partly for the theatrical effect he cultivated as Shadow.
"Can you demonstrate with my shadow energy?" he asked.
Vados studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Extend your power, but do not direct it."
Cid complied, summoning shadow energy that pooled around him like dark mist. Vados raised her staff slightly, and the shadows responded—not by dissipating or being overwhelmed, but by reorganizing into precise geometric patterns that rotated in complex, interlocking orbits.
"Your energy resists foreign control," she noted with mild surprise. "Interesting. Most elemental forces yield more readily to superior authority."
She released her influence, and the shadows immediately returned to their more chaotic state around Cid.
"That resistance is valuable," she continued. "It suggests your connection to this void energy is more fundamental than I initially assessed. With proper training, you could achieve significantly greater control and efficiency."
Cid absorbed this assessment, recognizing both the critique and the opportunity it presented. "Would you be willing to provide such training?"
The question seemed to catch Vados slightly off-guard. She regarded him thoughtfully. "You would submit to my instruction? Despite your obvious preference for maintaining the appearance of omniscience before your followers?"
There was a subtle challenge in her tone—a test of his priorities and ego.
"I value effectiveness over appearance," Cid replied honestly. "At least in private."
A hint of approval flickered across Vados's features. "A more practical attitude than I expected. Very well. I will instruct you in proper energy manipulation—on the condition that you approach the training with appropriate seriousness."
"Of course," Cid agreed.
"We shall see," Vados replied, clearly unconvinced. "Remove your shirt and sit in meditation posture."
Cid raised an eyebrow at the unexpected instruction but complied, removing his training top and settling into a cross-legged position on the ground. The night air was cool against his skin.
Vados circled him slowly, her staff occasionally extending to correct his posture with gentle but firm pressure. "Your physical development is adequate," she observed clinically. "Now, close your eyes and focus on your internal energy pathways."
For the next hour, Vados