It's Been a While

~~ Author Note ~~

https://discord.gg/6PBf4ccNCT

Hello, readers.

Sorry for not uploading in over a week. No real excuse, to be honest. I had the chapter done; I just needed to edit it. I procrastinated. Oops. I have another chapter almost finished that I'll upload either later today or tomorrow to make up for it.

Feel free to comment here and berate me for my laziness.

As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

~~ End Author Note ~~

***

Waking up from a peaceful slumber, Dianthus opened his eyes, feeling refreshed. Although the rest was short, Dianthus welcomed it. Due to his mental instability, he had not slept very often. During the times he was able to sleep, it was often fitful and unpleasant.

The bedroom was still pitch black due to the mana lights being turned off for the time being, though he could see just fine. Spreading his senses over the house, he found that everyone was still sleeping.

Tilting his head towards his right, he saw the beautiful goddess hugging his arm with her head nuzzled against his shoulder. Dianthus donned a warm smile while he gazed upon Semiramis' blissful face. He glanced towards his chest, where a large bump was present in the sheets. He lightly chopped at the mass.

"Ouch!" a voice exclaimed from underneath the blanket. The blankets shifted, and a head popped out from underneath. With small tears at the corner of her eyes, Eruza gave him an aggrieved look. "Why'd you hit me?"

Dianthus chuckled and rubbed her cheetah ear with his free hand. "You shouldn't sneak into others' bedrooms." He moved his hand beneath the blanket and pinched her bottom. "Especially naked."

"Hehe," Eruza giggled, her tail moving the blanket as it swayed in joy.

"Why don't you go check on the girls so I can sleep in peace," Semiramis said as she released his arm and turned over.

"I suppose I'll do so." Dianthus began to sit up, forcing the naked Eruza to move away from him. He bent towards Semiramis and planted a kiss on her cheek, eliciting a smile before she drifted back into the land of dreams.

He got off of the bed and began to change into his scattered clothes. "What about you, Eruza? Do you want to come with me? Or, are you going to stay here and get some sleep?"

"I wanna come with you!" She excitedly jumped off the bed and hurried towards her clothes.

Dianthus chuckled. "Well then, let's go see how the three girls are doing."

Eruza jumped onto his back and clung to Dianthus like a koala. "Let's go!"

"Just leave already!" exclaimed the exhausted goddess from the bed.

Dianthus smiled wryly. "We'll be back, Semi" A vortex of violet flowers swirled around the two as they disappeared from the bedroom.

***

Dianthus and Eruza appeared from within a whirlwind of petals within a bleak realm. Eruza quickly noticed they were falling through the air towards the inky abyss below them.

"Boss, I don't mean to sound worried, but aren't we falling right now?" she asked with apprehension.

"Yes, we are," he replied stoically.

Eruza, in the calmest voice she could muster, exclaimed, "Ahhh... Boss, do something!" She began shaking his shoulders as her legs tightened their grip around his waist.

Dianthus snickered.

"Stop laughing, and do something! I don't want to die!" Eruza teared up, knowing he was messing with her.

He caught her arms, pulling her from his back and into a princess carry. "Alright, alright." He released his white wings from his back and flapped them, stopping their descent. "I'm sorry," Dianthus apologized, "but your panicking face was quite cute."

Eruza's cheeks puffed up as she turned away and pouted. Dianthus leaned forward and licked her cheek, eliciting a giggle from her. "Stop. That's gross."

Dianthus smiled and said, "I suppose we should get a move on." He once again flapped his wings, propelling them forward through the void-like space.

Eruza curiously looked around while being carried by Dianthus. The entire realm was bleak and full of dark colors. The sky above was a shadowy purple with very little light emitting from it. Below them lie a pitch-black abyss. Occasionally, she could see a faint and eery iridescent blue-green light treading the darkness.

"What are those lights down there?" she asked and looked towards Dianthus for an answer.

Dianthus glanced down briefly. "Those lights are various souls that are trapped within Semi's domain. They serve as a battery, constantly providing strength to her and this world. Typically, Semi will trap souls down there after she finishes her research." He emphasized the last word, hinting that the research is nothing pleasant.

"I-I see," Eruza stuttered, remembering the research she and the others experienced upon their first meeting with the goddess. She could only imagine what Dianthus described to be worse.

"Rather than focusing on the souls, take a look ahead of us," he said.

Eruza turned her head and opened her mouth wide in awe. "What is this place?"

In front lie a breathtaking ancient city overrun by nature. Many marble structures were laced with shrubbery, moss, and flowers. Olden walkways cracked and worn down by the passage of time wove between the buildings and over streams of crystal clear waters. The pristine water ran throughout the city like a maze, ending with large waterfalls that dropped off unto the abyss below. At the city's center was a majestic castle that looks to have suffered from the woes of time. Vines and cracks dominated the walls. Though the kingdom looked ancient, it held a natural and chaotic beauty that only nature could create.

"Welcome to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon!" Dianthus happily introduced the floating kingdom.

As they flew over the city, Eruza took in the view of her surroundings. She was awed with the beauty the town held despite being overrun by nature. The only other place Eruza had seen that could compare was Dianthus' realm. However, the essence of what made them so beautiful was different.

It only took a few minutes of flying before they arrived at the large castle. After landing, Dianthus retracted his wings and spread his senses over the structure. He discovered the presence of the three girls on the second floor.

Dianthus walked in the direction of the nearest staircase while still holding Eruza. "Um... Not that I'm complaining, but aren't you going to put me down?"

"I didn't plan on it." Dianthus flashed her a cheeky smile, "I'm quite enjoying the feeling of your thighs."

Eruza lightly blushed. "F-feel free to touch them whenever you want." She attempted to entice him but stuttered due to the butterflies in her stomach.

He chuckled and continued to walk. It didn't take much time for the duo to reach the location of the three girls. Upon arriving in front of the door to the room, Dianthus knocked. After several seconds the door opened, revealing a beautiful blonde girl wearing a gorgeous red dress accentuating her already prominent figure.

The girl smiled. "It's nice to see you again."

Dianthus smiled as well. "Though it wasn't too long for me, it seems it has been quite some time for you since we last met."

Eruza curiously looked at the blonde. Confusion was evident on her face as she asked, "Who's this girl?"

"I'm not surprised you don't recognize her," Dianthus said as he let Eruza down out of his arms. "The last time you saw her, she was much younger than she is currently."