The crisp mountain air, a stark contrast to the sooty haze that had clung to Gorn, filled Edward Gorn's lungs as he and Herald stepped into Varona. The cobblestone streets, polished smooth and meticulously clean, wound through a vibrant tapestry of multi-story buildings, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and blooming window boxes. It was a far cry from the crumbling infrastructure he’d left behind, a testament to the Assassins' claims.

  "Unbelievable," Herald muttered, his eyes wide as he surveyed the bustling marketplace. Stalls overflowed with fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and exotic wares, their vendors radiating an infectious enthusiasm. Laughter and lively conversation echoed through the air, a symphony of contentment that seemed to permeate every corner of the city.

  Edward, despite his weariness, found himself captivated by the sheer joy that pulsed through Varona. He'd witnessed the despair of his own people, the hollow eyes and stooped shoulders born of hardship. Here, however, faces were bright, eyes sparkled, and smiles were genuine. It was as if a collective weight had been lifted, replaced by an effervescent lightness.

  "Are they all being brainwashed, or is life really that good here?" he pondered, his brow furrowed in a mixture of disbelief and hope. He’d clung to Dum and Dee’s reassurances throughout their journey, but the reality before him exceeded even their most optimistic descriptions.

  "Life's pretty damn good here. I'm sure you'll be able to settle in soon. Plus, it's better here than as dragon food, right?" Tweedledum’s voice, rough and unpolished, broke through Edward's reverie. The assassin’s bluntness, though jarring at first, had become a familiar, if somewhat irritating, presence.

  Herald, ever the loyal minister, bristled. "Do you have to address my Lord in such a vulgar manner? Has he not already been through enough?" His voice, usually calm and measured, carried a sharp edge of indignation.

  Edward sighed, a weariness settling over him. "It's fine, Herald. After all, I am no longer the Lord of Gorn." The title, once a source of pride and responsibility, now felt like a heavy cloak he’d shed. He turned his attention back to the passing citizens, their cheerful chatter a soothing balm to his troubled spirit. Even in this unfamiliar city, their happiness had a contagious quality, a reminder of the simple joys he’d almost forgotten. He was, after all, a people person, and their joy was his.

  "I'm just relieved to see everything is as you described it to be. If not more so than even I would have expected," he said, his voice laced with genuine gratitude. "Would it be possible to arrange a meeting with the local Lord so that I can thank them for what they've done for my people?" He felt a deep sense of obligation to express his gratitude, to acknowledge the haven they’d provided for the survivors of Gorn.

  Tweedledum shrugged. "Dee has already gone to give a report to our Master. It is more than likely that she will agree to a meeting. Unless she's too busy that is. She probably will be though and if that's the case, then we will go to see the city council instead. Mayor Kana and Deputy Mayor Sacha will probably be able to answer any questions you have for our master."

  Edward’s curiosity piqued. A ‘Master’? He had assumed a traditional Lord, but the mention of a ‘Master’ hinted at something different, something perhaps more complex. He wondered what kind of ruler could inspire such widespread happiness and prosperity.

  Dee returned, shaking his head with a slight frown. "Master is currently… occupied. Council meeting it is." He certainly wasn't going to tell them she was asleep, nor would he risk Abi's ire by attempting to wake her.

  The assassins, with their usual efficiency, led Edward and Herald towards a grand building at the heart of the city. Its facade, crafted from polished white stone, gleamed in the sunlight, and its towering doors stood open, inviting them inside. The council building hummed with activity, officials moving with purpose, their faces reflecting the same cheerful demeanor Edward had observed throughout the city.

  Tweedledum paused at the entrance. "We'll leave you here. Mayor Kana and Deputy Mayor Sacha are expecting you. Good luck." With a nod, the assassins vanished into the crowd, their mission complete. Edward and Herald were left standing in the bustling foyer, the weight of their past and the uncertainty of their future hanging heavy in the air. Little did Edward know, the true nature of Varona’s “Master” was far beyond his wildest imaginings, a secret hidden deep within the city’s foundations, a secret that would soon reshape his understanding of the world.

  Dum and Dee

  The Lord's Arrival

  Dragons, Gods and a large manner of other nightmarish oddities visit my dreams that night.

  That God though. What was his problem? Did he really come to punish me for nothing more than calling him lazy?

  Seriously.

  If he was that committed, then why not put a little more effort into the actual Dungeon System?

  Not that I'm an expert on such matters and in fact, would probably be the worst person to be left in charge of such a crucial piece of what makes up the fabric of the world. Oh well, it's not like it matters now thankfully. I was a little scared after what I read, but she has been a little jokey recently.

  Haha. Good one, Sys.

  My dream eventually settles on a bridge overlooking a river with a country backdrop for its locale, and in it, I'm apparently having afternoon tea with a young lady I don't know.

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  Dreams are funny that way.

  One minute it's Dragons and Gods, the next you're at a tea party on a bridge. The tea is absolutely amazing, but then again why wouldn't it be? It is my dream after all.

  "Is it to your satisfaction?" The young lady asks. Her irises are a deep purple and extremely alluring. Long hair that match the colour of her eyes, flows down her back so perfectly that not a single strand looks out of place. She's also wearing a beautiful, black dress with frills at the bottom only seen on the likes of nobility. But when in a dream, why not, right?

  "It's perfect, thank you." I look out across the fields and feel as though I've seen them before somewhere. But they are just fields after all. They're common place all over Tironia so it's silly to think I can distinguish one from the other.

  Taking another sip, it's only then do I realise that I do know this woman. But I also don't. It's very frustrating and I can't help but eye her up and down as I frown. It bothers me so much that I eventually just ask.

  "Who are you?"

  "I thought you knew?" Her little act and giggle might earn her a few points on the cuteness scale, but my frustration radar is going off like there's no tomorrow.

  Let's not turn this into a nightmare please.

  "Please just tell me. It's been a very long day and I didn't expect it to continue into my dream as well." It's in times like these that I love having a body again. I can slump my head in my hands and sigh to my heart's content.

  "Of course, Master. I am the System."

  I can also slump my shoulders in defeat.

  Of course she is. Why wouldn't she be? Why would I expect her to be anyone else? Tomorrow, Tironia herself will probably want me to pop round for a nice chat and a brisk brunch.

  "Why can't I just sleep peacefully? You could have saved this visit for tomorrow, you know? After I had rested from nearly dying of unnatural causes caused by unnatural beings!"

  "I'm sorry, Master. I thought it best to be swift since I don't know how long it will take for the Lazy God to reform his physical body, amass an army and attack you again."

  There was so much I didn't want to hear contained in that one sentence that I don't even know how to process it. "Why? Why would you tell me that?"

  "So that you can hurry and take ownership of me!" She urges me physical, as well as with words, as a prompt pops up directly infront of my face making me flinch back.

  What!? What the fuck? What is up with today? How did it go from just another normal day in the dungeon to... To... To this!?

  "I don't want it. Sounds like too much responsibility and I've already got enough on my plate. Give it to some other sucker, thanks."

  Easy. Problem solved. I just passed the buck on the God-level job as though it was nothing, like a mini boss you can skip. Mission successful. Abi has reached Max Level in delegation.

  If only.

  "I cannot pass on control to anyone other than the one who defeated the God that created me."

  I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. In that case, try this one.

  "It was Light who beat the God. Doesn't that mean he's your master now?" The anticipation must show on my face because she only shakes her head.

  "No. You created the one who defeated his avatar so the responsibility falls on your shoulders."

  Damn... What about this one then?

  "In that case, I give you permission to govern yourself and do whatever you see fit."

  Haha. Truly, I am the master at skirting responsibility. Abi The Evasive dodges another arrow.

  "I am sorry, Master, but I am unable to govern myself. When the Lazy God revives his physical body, he will be able to take control of my functions to erase you from Tironia."

  What! Why the hell wouldn't you open with that one? Hell yeah, I'll take control of you if it means that I don't get erased. Start with that next time, damn it.

  "Fine. Give me control. This better not mean a shitload of extra work though. I mean, you have been running yourself now for the last however many... Centuries, right?"

  "Yes, Master. You need to do nothing but control me..."

  Don't say it like that, please.

  "That way the Lazy God cannot overwrite your own Divinity." She bows as though it's nothing, but every word that comes out of her mouth seems super important.

  My own Divinity?

  "Wait a minute. Is that why you gave me Divinity's Presence? So I could fight that damn God?" Frustrated is the word for how I'm feeling.

  "Partially. It also looked like you might kill yourself otherwise, so I... Took a chance."

  I open my mouth to refute her, but I've got nothing. Is there a chance that could have happened? There probably was. There was definitely more than one occasion where Me brought my death up. In fact, there were that many it's hard to think of a time where he wasn't making me think the worst.

  That little punk. He didn't make it easy on me to say he's a subsystem.

  "Even with your attitude and all that cursing, I know you're pure at heart Abi. Even if you do drive me crazy."

  Aww. I feel slightly bad for slagging you off all those times now, System. That was a nice compliment and I'm pretty sure my cheeks just flushed. What a total babe and I don't just mean your looks. How sweet.

  "So, shall we go?"

  What?

  We?

  Isn't this a dream?

  "I can tell by the look on your face that you're not sure what's going on. Please, let me explain. Now that you have taken ownership of me, I will be accompanying you back to the mortal realm."

  Eh?

  "If I'm left here alone, what's to stop the Lazy God from coming back and overwriting my program, thus erasing your ownership and afterwards your existence."

  I'm pretty sure I've just been played here. With my life used as the bargaining chip, what else can I do? She played me well.

  "Fine, but isn't this a dream?"

  "Yes. It seemed the most convenient way to converse with you."

  "So... I could wake up and none of this was real?"

  "No. I will be there when you awaken. In fact, I was there the moment you gave consent."

  She definitely doesn't look like she's joking, but I have to at least ask.

  "Do I at least get to enjoy the rest of my dream now then?" I reach for my cup, until it disappears along with the table.

  "Unfortunately not, Master. It is now time to wake up."

  What? I've been asleep for like ten minutes!

  There's no way it's time to wake up yet.

  Before I have a chance to voice my opinion on the matter, you know, seeing as how I am her Master and all, my eyes open and I sit up fully awake. In front of me is the same woman, in the same dress holding the same cup of tea, sitting beside me on my futon.

  Why does she look vaguely like a witch?

  And where's my cup of delicious tea?

  She stares at my cuddlies in delight and I instantly get the urge to kick her off my tower. I mean, I don't think she would die, seeing how she's a being designed to create, monitor and reward dungeon functionality, but they're my damn cuddlies!

  "Stop! I only tolerated Lola because she's a Dragon in disguise and is somewhat cute herself. The cuddlies are not something I'm willing to compromise on. I'm happy to make you your own, but these ones are mine. Mine!"

  That said, why have I now found myself in another one of those situations?

  Seriously! Who can I palm this one off on? There's no one, right? And what's Me going to say when he finds out that I'm now his creator's boss and that said creator is actually a she like I damn well said in the beginning?

  There's going to be smugness on my part, that's for sure.