Decision

With the episode they were watching coming to an end, Sandora happily remarked, "It's amazing how interesting and diverse the worlds of anime can be. Once the baby has arrived, we should go on holiday to one of the safer worlds."

Though it would be his third time descending into an Actualized World with Sandora, Vahn readily replied, "Sure. Not for too long, though. We don't want a repeat of what happened during our stay in Runeterra..."

Unable to restrain her curiosity, Sala sat a little straighter before asking, "What happened in Runeterra...?"

Seizing the initiative, Sandora giggled before explaining, "Vahn is popular wherever he goes. He also saves a lot of people, so those with powerful fates end up being drawn to him. During our stay in Runeterra, we ended up accumulating quite a number of bedfellows..."

Understanding what Sandora meant by 'bedfellows,' Sala gave Vahn a disproving look as she asked, "What will it take for you to be satisfied? You've already dug your claws into my sister and countless others...does the word 'restraint' not exist in your vocabulary?"

Answering before Vahn could, Sandora adopted a pouty expression as she said, "You're mistaken, Sala. Vahn did his best to avoid starting any new relationships during our stay in Ni No Kuni and Runeterra. I was the one who convinced him to share his love with others."

Not expecting Sandora's response, Sala found herself at a prolonged loss for words. She couldn't understand why anyone, much less her own sister, would want their man to sleep with other women.

Seeing through her sister's thoughts, Sandora was once again tempted to try and convince her to give Vahn a chance. Before she could, Vahn shook his head and whispered, "It's okay, Sandora. I'm sure she'll understand in due time. For now, there is something I need to mention..."

Shifting his attention to Sala, an action that caused the bronze-skinned woman to tense, Vahn maintained a relaxed smile as he revealed, "Draco Greif intends to step down as Floor Master. He has nominated you as his successor and the Leader of Five-Claws as his second. If you refuse, the position will fall to her by default."

Though Draco Greif had once asked her if she was willing to take up the mantle of Floor Master, Sala was still taken aback by Vahn's words. Ever since she fled the North, she had viewed herself as someone unqualified to rule. She also wasn't a Beast Person, Kemono, or Eudemon, so it didn't seem right for her to represent them as the Leader of the Alliance.

Adopting an empathetic look, Vahn's tone softened as he said, "You don't need to make your decision immediately, and no one is going to force you to accept. Even if you choose to remain here or seek happiness in one of my Actualized Worlds, I will not allow the Draco Greif Alliance to crumble. Rest easy, and make the decision you believe to be best for yourself. You have that right...I guarantee it..."

Feeling more relieved than she was willing to admit, Sala averted her eyes from Vahn and fell into deep thought. She felt like he was goading her to enter one of his Actualized Worlds, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't tempted. The Little Garden had never felt like a home to her, and though she felt a sense of obligation towards the Draco Greif Alliance, she wasn't ready to helm the entire organization...

Though she immediately felt guilty, Sala hugged herself in self-comfort as she meekly inquired, "Where would I even go...?"

Adopting an assuring smile, Vahn replied, "That's the beauty of Actualized Worlds. You can go anywhere and be anyone you want. I could send you to a completely innocuous world without conflict, a multiversal battlefield where you can harness your skills, or an empty void where you can create worlds of your own. More importantly, you can return whenever you want and, if applicable, bring along any family or friends you happen to make during your stay..."

Turning to meet Vahn's gaze, Sala's expression revealed a hint of disbelief as she questioned, "I can bring people back with me? Doesn't that violate the Laws of the Little Garden...?"

Shaking his head, Vahn calmly replied, "We wouldn't be violating the Law of Equivalence as we're not calling anyone from outside the Little Garden. Each of the Actualized Worlds I create exists within myself. The moment I entered the Divine Realm, the functionally infinite and diverse inhabitants of my Actaulized Worlds came with me..."

Despite the tranquility of Vahn's tone, Sala felt her body trembling due to the implication of his words. While it wasn't uncommon for powerful Gods to manifest personalized Realms within the Gates they occupied, not even the Primordials occupying the 2-3-Digit Gates were capable of what Vahn was describing. Their existence gave rise to the myriad worlds making up the Lower Realms, but there was always a degree of separation between said worlds and the Divine Realm. If Vahn's Actualized World truly existed within him, he possessed a power that completely circumvented the Laws of the Little Garden...

Seeing through Sala's thoughts, Vahn gave a playful wink and said, "Relax. If it hasn't been made apparent, I'm the type that prefers to handle things himself. I might bring a few unique and interesting individuals out to play, but I have no intention of overwhelming the Little Garden with an endless tide of formerly fictional characters. I don't view people as pawns."

Realizing how rude she was acting, Sala lowered her head and said, "I apologize...it was never my intention to insinuate such a thing..."

Dismissively waving his right hand, Vahn mused, "I'm used to people thinking much worse of me. Now, what do you want to do? Keep in mind that you don't have to make a decision right this instant."

Instead of immediately responding to Vahn's words, Sala shifted her gaze to Sandora. It was impossible to convey how guilty she felt about running away and leaving Sandora to bear her responsibilities. If Sandora asked it of her, she would dedicate the remainder of her life to serving Salamandra and, if necessary, Vahn...

Returning an affectionate, blameless smile, Sandora placed her hand on her abdomen as she expressed, "The only thing I want is for you to find happiness. I've already moved on and found my own. Isn't it about time you do the same?"

"Sandora..."

Feeling an achieving feeling in her chest, Sala placed her hand over her heart and started to tear up. She didn't believe she deserved forgiveness, much less happiness, but she couldn't help craving it all the same...

Driving the final nail home, Vahn conveniently reiterated, "Time within the Actualized Worlds flows independently from the Little Garden. Even if you decided to stay a literal eternity, not even a second would pass for us. In other words, you don't have to worry about leaving Sandora behind. She'll be here waiting for you the moment you're prepared to return."

"Ah..."

Recalling that Vahn had mentioned something similar before, a faint blush colored Sala's cheeks. If his words were accurate, which they likely were, she was being overly dramatic over nothing.

Suppressing her embarrassment, Sala forced herself to meet Vahn's gaze as she asked, "You mentioned I could go anywhere, right? Are you able to create 'personalized' worlds on a whim...?"

Making a so-so gesture with his left hand, Vahn answered, "It's not that straightforward, but basically. The only real requirement is that I have a point of reference to work from. Why, did you already have something in mind?"

Though she was tempted to ask if Vahn could create a version of the Little Garden where she hadn't run away from her responsibilities, Sala understood that it wouldn't fix things. With that in mind, she adopted a resolute look and said, "Send me somewhere where I can grow stronger and recruit dependable allies. When I return, I will take up the mantle of Southern Floor Master and work with both the North and East to ensure the Little Garden's prosperity."

Nodding his head in approval, Vahn replied, "Very well." before waving his hand to change the image reflected on the display they had been using to watch anime. On it appeared a remarkably beautiful woman with fiery red hair and matching eyes, the former styled in a manner that resembled cat ears. Her body was garbed in form-fitting armor, much like a Valkyrie, and she wielded an intricate-looking, double-sided blade in her right hand.

Without needing to be asked, Vahn revealed, "This is Mitra Paramatman. In the world I'm sending you to, she is fated to become the first of seven Hegemon-class Deities. I'm not telling you to ally with her, but you should avoid antagonizing her too much..."

Raising his left hand, Vahn produced a large, ancient-looking grimoire that closely resembled the Sacred Tome he often had Loi-chan transform into, adding, "This grimoire details the fate of that entire verse. You don't have to use it, but if you ever find yourself at a crossroads and unable to make a decision, feel free to refer to it at your leisure."

Though she was a little reluctant, Sala accepted the ancient-looking tome. It disappeared the moment her hand touched it, but, much like her other Gifts, she had the feeling she could summon it at will.

Since the world he was sending her to was among the most dangerous he had stumbled across, Vahn adopted a serious expression as he reminded her, "Never forget that you can leave that world whenever you please. You need only focus on your desire to leave, and it shall be done..."

Nodding her head, Sala adopted an appreciative smile as she said, "Thank you, Vahn. I know you're going out of your way-"

Catching the fiery-haired Dragoness off-guard, Vahn silenced her by pressing his index finger to her lips and saying, "You can thank me after you've obtained the happiness both Sandora and I desire for you...until then..."

Without giving Sala the chance to respond, Vahn subsumed her into the Actualized World he had created for her, a ludicrous reality known as the Masadaverse. The Tier of the beings within was restricted by his own, but their in-verse feats were comparable to the Little Garden's 'Big Three.' He had gone there twice before and, due to playing by their rules, suffered a handful of defeats against the verse's more powerful Hegemons...

Seeing her sister abruptly disappear, Sandora gave Vahn a side-eye as she said, "That's pretty mean-spirited of you..."

Laughing off the remark, Vahn insisted, "It's better this way. Now, what do you want to do? I can recall her instantly, or we can peek in on her to see the path she took. Either that, or we can fool around for a bit..."

Placing his hand on Sandora's abdomen, Vahn narrowed his eyes in a way that caused her entire body to tremble with anticipation. However, instead of giving in to her urges, she swallowed hard and replied, "You should call her back..."

Unsurprised by Sandora's response, Vahn just nodded before rewarding her with a chaste kiss. He then closed his eyes, focusing on the presence of Sala as he connected with the Template assigned to watch over her. He wasn't the type to leave things to chance, so he had produced a Template to keep an eye on Sala throughout her stay in the Actualized World...

Seeing the usually carefree smile on Vahn's face turn progressively awry, Sandora's expression became mischievous as she narrowed her eyes and asked, "Let me guess...you created a Template to protect her, and the two ended up falling in love~?"

Opening his eyes, Vahn's smile became even wrier as he answered, "It's a little more complicated than that..."

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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Theo be like, "Trust me, girl, Vahn knows all about restraints..."','Everyone deserves to be happy...','Vahn's Templates are just as bad as him xD...')