Nil and I remained in our tearoom until it was time for us to go to sleep. Once I told him I was okay with dressing goth for a day, I probed a little more on the subject. Nil looked embarrassed by his request, but I imagined he felt awkward asking me to wear a specific outfit. Getting it passed Empress Senna might be a little tricky as she was a bit strict on formalities like that. My dad might protest a bit as well, especially given the outfit was Nil’s idea. Nil looked ecstatic that I was onboard with dressing in that style. I remembered Nil tended to favor shades of black and darker styles, but I always assumed it was for him to mourn all the losses in his life.

  Nil looked sad when it was time for us to part our ways for the night. I was dreading going to sleep because I knew was going to cast itself. I still couldn’t piece what about him was so odd. Like, I understood that he had that angry gaze, but something about him was driving me nuts. What did part of my brain put together or notice? Nil still hadn’t moved from leaning into me, which was enjoyable. I mentally probed for each of our parents, seeing if they were free to ask.

  Emperor Azzeck inquired. Huh, I was expecting Empress Senna to be the one to respond.

  I checked, curious how he would react.

  Emperor Azzeck answered nearly immediately. Huh, I was expecting a bit more of a back and forth than that.

  I replied. That was surprisingly easy; hopefully Dad was as agreeable.

  I probed, waiting for his response.

  Dad inquired. Let’s do this one step at a time.

  I informed Dad. I could feel his sigh.

  Dad asked back in a deadpan. Yea, that was not a difficult thing to deduce. Part of me wanted to act like that wasn’t true, but that would be difficult to sell.

  I asked. Nil relaxed more on me, enjoying me stroking his hair.

  Dad stated with a bit of a chuckle. Okay, from his perspective, which of these would be the smallest ask?

  I began before I could feel Dad’s skepticism.

  Dad verified with a bit of incredulity in his voice.

  I clarified for him quickly.

  Dad checked with a bit of relief.

  I explained to Dad.

  Dad probed, keeping a surprisingly straight tone.

  I asked as Dad let out a chuckle or two.

  Dad teased me, knowing his answer.

  I confessed. Nil was a cute dork like that.

  Dad probed. Well, time for the step up in difficulty.

  I told him, waiting for his reaction.

  Dad inquired in a tense tone.

  I informed Dad. He took a sigh that leaked through our . I knew this was a difficult topic for him at times.

  Dad guessed. I went silent as I thought of how to clarify it.

  Dad pressed when I didn’t immediately refute his point.

  I confessed. Dad took a moment to compose himself.

  Dad verified. Thank the Lords Dad understood that side of Nil.

  I confessed sheepishly. Wait, Dad said Nil land.

  Dad asked with an almost defeated tone.

  I pressed. Just because Nil tended to view the world differently didn’t mean it was Nil land.

  Dad clarified for me. What future? I had a decent guess, so I was not going to press that point at this time.

  I checked, hoping Dad was okay with it all.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Dad told me, which made me smile.

  I replied, feeling this odd giddiness. I really did enjoy spending time with Nil, feeling this immense fuzziness all over.

  Dad stated with a chuckle.

  I informed him as he left to do his nightly patrol.

  “Come on Nil, we can go snuggle on your bed.” I told Nil who looked elated.

  “I’ll ask Dad or Mom.” Nil replied excitedly.

  “I already asked your dad.” I informed Nil, who looked a bit uncertain.

  “That should be fine.” Nil conceded after a few moments.

  “What, did you think that it should be your mom’s permission?" I checked. His face gave away the answer.

  “No.” Nil lied while burying his head into me.

  “It’s fine Nil. Come on, let’s get ready to sleep.” I prodded him.

  I leaned back as Nil stood up with a face so excited I could almost imagine a little tail wagging behind him. We got ready for bed, where Nil joyfully wrapped around me, holding me protectively into him. He nuzzled his head between my horns as he gently stroked my hair a bit. I wrapped my arms around him, nestling deep into his embrace. Nil was radiating so much enthusiasm as we snuggled.

  “I love you, world.” Nil told me softly.

  “I love you too, dork.” I replied, settling into his arms with a massive smile on my face.

  We stayed cuddled together, slowly drifting off in each other’s arms. Unfortunately, no matter how pleasant and pleasant it was with Nil, had a mind of its own when it came to sleeping peacefully. I was sitting around, trying to figure out where and when I was remembering. It likely had something to do with Ryker, which thankfully narrowed it down. The time he was alive and the time I interacted with him was a thankfully narrow window. I was surrounded by Avon, seeing the familiar sights and sounds. It was a tavern where I saw the Burgomaster, Nautilus, Ryker, and I sitting at a table. Ryker was wearing his uniform from his time in Modinar’s army, a slightly blue gray, tall black boots, and a cap covering his bright blond hair. He was calmly sitting there, seeing the Burgomaster and Nautilus glaring at him. To be fair, Nil figured it out when most were kept in the dark of her true ambitions and feelings towards him.

  “Ryker, this is the Burgomaster of Avon, Burgomaster, this is Ryker of Modinar.” I introduced them.

  “Don’t you mean Ryker of the ash heap?” the Burgomaster taunted, gauging Ryker’s reaction. Ryker didn’t even flinch or show his displeasure.

  “Modinar might physically be gone, but it is my duty to carry on the will of the people.” Ryker replied calmly, not even looking at the Burgomaster or Nautilus.

  “How noble of you. Impressive given most people seem overjoyed it’s gone.” the Burgomaster continued. Again, Ryker didn’t remotely react to her taunting.

  “The democratic land of the people it was becoming after the revolution was a massive improvement for the greater good of Tenebrae.” Ryker told her calmly, sounding exactly the same as before.

  “Democratic land? With you as the supreme ruler?” the Burgomaster inquired, clearly finding the idea ridiculous.

  “I am always the Hero of Modinar, no matter how many defeats I face. Every attempt I make will forever be for the righteous cause of Modinar.” Ryker declared with the same conviction he always had. It was amazing how confident and self-assured Ryker was; even with how hateful he tended to be, Ryker had this sense of duty or resolve that seemed unshakeable.

  “Good thing you protected them from being evaporated.” The Burgomaster pointed out.

  “I was not strong enough this time to stop Nil from using , but eventually the glory of Modinar shall shine at the end of the world. If you are trying to taunt me, you are wasting what little breath you have left.” Ryker shot back, still as calm as before.

  “Ya th’eatin’ her, lad?” Nautilus snarled at Ryker, her eyes getting intense. Past me shifted uncomfortably, but Ryker seemed unbothered by the anger of Nautilus.

  “No, I am simply stating fact. Eventually, her ambition will be her demise. I know that nothing I say will sway the Burgomaster from the path she has decided, I am simply seeking the backing she can provide while she can.” Ryker told her with the same unshaken, steadfast resolve of his. Wait, Ryker was right; the Burgomaster did eventually die brutally at the hands of Nil. How did he know? Was it that obvious to an outsider?

  “What does that mean?” the Burgomaster probed, with her face still neutral. I knew from experience that her current eyes meant she was irritated her taunting was not getting to Ryker at all.

  “You have a level of ambition you lack the ability to obtain and are poking the scourge of Tenebrae thinking an indirect approach stands a chance.” Ryker explained. His face was as unenthusiastic and unbothered as usual; he clearly hit a nerve of the Burgomaster.

  “Oh? And a head on fight with him will end well?” the Burgomaster taunted Ryker. Ryker quietly looked at her for a few moments as he phrased his thoughts.

  “I am creating a banner to rally against him as attempting to work in the shadows will amount to nothing. I try to create a coalition against him, a united front against his tyranny, but every time I try everyone thinks I am insane. I have never managed to figure out the combination of words and actions that open people’s eyes to the reality everyone wants to avoid.” Ryker sighed, sounding disappointed with himself.

  “Ya amazin’ly ar’ogant, brat.” Nautilus taunted. Ryker looked at her and chuckled.

  “I simply have a vision that I wish to see for Tenebrae; a glorious vision for the future where those with the will of Modinar flourish. It is called having resolve and conviction.” Ryker retorted.

  “What about those who stand against such a glorious vision? Those who do not have the will of the democratic land?” the Burgomaster inquired with a bit of a chuckle.

  “Kill them; let Utol decide where they belong as it is not on Tenebrae.” Ryker stated matter-of-factually. His eyes were intense as Ryker was clearly not joking. There was an awkward silence for a solid minute after.

  “I do not wish to waste your limited time, so are you willing to fund my endeavors? As I know how you operate, I will keep you as a silent partner.” Ryker checked, not caring about the awkward silence he made.

  “I would like to think about it before giving you an answer; I do not like rushing into things.” The Burgomaster informed Ryker who looked like he expected that answer.

  “That is fine as I have all the time in the world. You, much less, so do not think over it too long.” Ryker replied. His gaze was steady as could be.

  “How would we even know that you would keep your mouth shut? That you would keep your word as a silent partner?” Past me interjected, clearly a bit annoyed by how Ryker was acting.

  “Dead men tell no tales; I will likely die before that would ever come up in my experience.” Ryker retorted as faded around me.

  I was standing in a bit of a void as I was not awake yet, but the had ended what some part of me wanted to show that memory to itself. I mean, Ryker was always weird, so how did that memory help? It just confirmed everything I thought I already knew. I mean, Ryker correctly called the Burgomaster dying from her own ambitions. It was kind of obvious she eventually was going to irritate the wrong person, but with Nautilus protecting her very few could hope to exact their revenge. That was not a problem Nil had, nor did it explain why that particular memory was selected for replay. What was I missing? What was so off about him that my brain felt the need to use ? What was I missing?