The servers didn't shut down... and Sephiroth didn't feel his heart stop or approach death as he probably should have. 'Did they prolong the shutdown?' Sephiroth reaches out to access his console but can't—his pale, elegant fingers just press air. "What the hell?" Sephiroth mutters, looking around the tomb in a voice that sounds deeper, more resonant, more... otherworldly. 'That's not my voice...'
Sephiroth stands up and feels disoriented. His enhanced vision seemed to pick up details with supernatural clarity, and he could sense the ambient temperature of the room through his heightened senses. It's cold, but not uncomfortable.
"Is everything alright, Lord Sephiroth?" A feminine voice interrupts his thoughts.
Looking down, Sephiroth's piercing green eyes brighten and narrow slightly in surprise. Albedo is looking up at him, worry evident on her face, her bright golden eyes shining with concern.
He stares at her for a moment in shock. 'She's speaking to me... She can actually speak! That's...' Sephiroth shakes his head. '...impossible. I must be hallucinating—a side effect of the injection!' He nods to himself, sitting back down.
"Lord Sephiroth?" Albedo repeats, gaining his attention as he looks down at her from the throne. She tilts her head with genuine concern. "Lord Sephiroth, is everything alright?"
Sephiroth remains speechless. Albedo appears even more worried, approaching him with careful steps. Shaking his head slightly, he looks back down at the horned and winged woman before him and decides to speak.
"I'm perfectly fine, Albedo. But do you know if the GM features are functional? They appear to be... unavailable." Sephiroth's tone reveals his confusion at conversing with what should be an NPC.
Albedo looks puzzled before taking a few steps back and bowing her head apologetically. "Please forgive me, Lord Sephiroth, but I don't understand what you mean by 'GM.'"
'Her mouth moves naturally, and her movements seem more fluid... facial expressions too...'
"Hmm," Sephiroth hums, slightly startling Albedo, who believes she may have displeased the guild leader. "If you would allow me to correct this error, I would be forever grateful!"
'What is happening here... wait...' Sephiroth sits back on the throne, resting his head on his hand in deep thought, his long silver hair cascading over his shoulder. 'Did I get transported to another world? It would explain some things...' He glances at the Masamune floating beside the throne, still hovering as it did in-game. 'The game physics still function... and I'm still within the tomb... but what about the outside world?'
"Sebas!" Sephiroth called, his voice carrying an ethereal authority.
"Yes, my lord?" Sebas looks up from his kneeling position, his determined eyes focused on his silver-haired master.
"Go outside and confirm our surroundings. Venture no further than five kilometers. If you encounter any sentient life, observe from a distance and report back to me immediately. Avoid contact at all costs."
"Understood, Lord Sephiroth. It shall be done." He responds, rising and walking purposefully from the throne room.
"Pleiades, patrol the ninth floor. Search for any possible intruders, however unlikely."
"As you wish, Lord Sephiroth." They turn and leave the throne room in formation.
'They understand my orders and follow them without question... That's reassuring. If I have been transported to another world, I'll need their support. But I should gauge how the floor guardians view me. If there's any opposition, I'll need to address it quickly.'
Looking toward Albedo, she watches him with a respectful smile. "Albedo," he says, and she straightens attentively. 'I need to confirm something...'
"Yes, my lord?"
Sephiroth gestures for her to approach with an elegant motion. "I need to conduct a few tests to understand our current situation better."
She steps closer, curiosity and loyalty evident in her expression. "Of course, Lord Sephiroth. How may I assist you?"
"First, I need to verify that this world operates under different physical laws than before." He extends his hand toward her, his movements graceful and precise. "May I?"
Albedo nods, offering her hand. When their hands touch, Sephiroth notes the realistic sensation—warmth, texture, the subtle pulse at her wrist. His enhanced senses pick up details he never experienced in the game world. 'She has a heartbeat... incredible. This definitely isn't the game world.'
Albedo seems pleased by the contact, a gentle smile crossing her face. "Is this helpful for your analysis, my lord?"
"Very much so," Sephiroth replies, releasing her hand with characteristic grace. "This confirms my hypothesis. We're no longer in Yggdrasil. We've been transported to what appears to be a fully realized world."
"I see," Albedo says, though clearly not fully understanding. "What are your orders, my lord?"
Sephiroth stands, his movements fluid and commanding, his long coat flowing behind him. "We proceed with caution. Until we understand more about this world and our place in it, we must be prepared for anything."
"I understand completely, Lord Sephiroth. We await your commands."
"For now, gather all floor guardians except those from the fourth and eighth floors. Have them meet me in the battle arena on the sixth floor. We need to discuss our new circumstances."
Albedo bows respectfully. "Right away, my lord."
As she turns to leave, Sephiroth calls after her, his voice carrying that distinctive otherworldly resonance. "Albedo."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Thank you for your loyalty. In this uncertain situation, I'm grateful to have reliable allies."
Her face brightens with genuine happiness. "It is my honor to serve you, Lord Sephiroth. Always."
As she departs to carry out his orders, Sephiroth settles back into his throne, his green eyes reflecting deep contemplation as he considers the magnitude of their situation and what challenges this new world might bring.