Somewhere which could be considered a "secret place"--a secluded area for a sacred purpose–bookshelves align the walls, giving this space a circular shape. There are no windows or any sources of light–except for the singular lamp burning a green flame from the center point. Within the depths of this snug dimly-lit chamber, a man in black kneels on an altar–he dares not to lift his face from the carpet.
"I humbly come before your presence as your faithful servant. Please hear my plea, Alectrix."
The lowly voice coming from the man's lungs lifted up towards the ceiling. In response, a faint glow envelops his body, though he remains unwavering from his position.
"I acknowledge you, Zateon. What is your plea to me?"
"This evening the events of the Pristine Festival will commence. I pray that the festivities go well as planned, that you may guide my speech so that it touches the hearts of the people, and that everything concludes to your pleasure. Please grant my petition as you see fit, my goddess."
"I will grant your request to the fullest extent of my abilities. With that being said…"
"...?"
Everything down to a single molecule came to an abrupt silence. Seconds pass by, and still not a single wave of sound was emitted or heard. Nothing was truly frozen in time, but in the presence of a goddess, who would dare to risk interrupting her very next word?
"Pardon me, but if I may ask–what could it be, Alectrix? Your tone indicates that there is a serious matter you intend to discuss with me. I am listening earnestly."
"Thank you Zateon, I knew that you would do nothing less. At tonight's festival, there will be a particular guest attending, looking to meet you personally."
"A particular guest, you say? I often have guests who want to meet me…for various reasons. I assume that this person is someone I know about–could it be that Dark Mercenary I hired? I ensured that she wouldn't bother me after she completed her assignment, so there's no reason why it should be her…"
"She isn't the one in particular."
"Then who else could–?! No, it can't be…after all these years…"
For only just a moment, Zateon's eyes opened before he quickly forced them shut once more.
"Are you still holding on to that person? You must let her go–for good. Regardless, your guesses have all been incorrect. There is no woman in the equation; a man by the name of Vex is your guest of honor."
"Vex? Surely you're possibly mistaken, goddess. He is–or rather, should be–"
"Irrelevant. Your assumptions about reality are completely irrelevant. Vex is alive and he is coming to the festival."
"Hmph, did that woman lie to me? After all of the money I paid her…no, the more likely explanation is that something unplanned happened after she thought the job was done."
"Whether it is unplanned, unfortunate, or whatever have you, is unrelated in the grand scheme. Zateon, why do you think that I advised you to send Lady Endori to the Water Palace?"
"...to be a distraction. Vex must have headed for the palace in hopes of ultimately tracking me down. Endori, a young lady with a heart of strong desire, would surely derail Vex…well, that did not last very long. Nevertheless, none of that concerns me–my goal with Lily has been accomplished. I encourage that man to come and see my handiwork for himself."
"Zateon, I admire your confidence and intellect, but your wisdom cannot compare to that of a goddess. Whatever you intend to do, I do not want Lily returned to the slave trafficking system, and I don't want you to harm Vex either. If you betray my desires…"
The once faint glow enveloping Zateon shifts to a dark hue. The exposed hairs on his body straighten up.
"Understood, my goddess. I never intended to do so in the first place and that fact has not changed. You have my word, I will welcome my guest with open arms when the time comes for us to meet."
"Then the matter is settled. You have my blessing."
"Amen."
After the final word is said, and not a moment too soon, Zateon opens his eyes as he lifts up from his kneeling position. His state of awareness of the surrounding environment gradually returns to him–the faint glow completely fades away into nothingness.
"...or should I say, the two of us will welcome him."
Knock knock
"Master, the girl is ready."
"By all means, come in."
"As you wish, master."
The door that sealed Zateon from the outside world is opened by his faithful servant, Emma. As she does so, the darkness dissipates as a bright light overtakes the room. All it can do is hide within Zateon's shadow.
"Please step forward, Lily. Apostle Zateon awaits your presence."
"Okay, Lily's ready."
Emerging from behind Emma's backside, Lily steps forward and positions herself directly front and center. She is dressed anew, no longer wearing her former dress; instead she wears suspenders paired with a long skirt that extends a little past her knees. All of this is accompanied by a flower bow in her hair and a warm expression on her face that creates a radiant glow.
"What do you think, Apostle Zateon?"
Like the proud little girl that she is, Lily playfully twirls around, showing off her new look unashamedly, with no hesitation whatsoever. Such a sight would make any parent feel a sense of accomplishment indescribable. Zateon, fully taking in the wonderful sight before him, cannot help but to warmly smile–straight from the heart.
"You are truly a new creature, Lily. It's time to show the world."
"Uh-huh, let's show him!"