A recap on what has happened so far: I died a 'tragic' accident in a factory not of my own making, pressured an angel into letting me in another world and here I made friends... And was also homeless for a while. But I made a lot of progress, creating my own first skill with the power given by... God? The first crop I have grown: cabbage, and this thing has been the pillar of my whole personality. Oh, cabbage, what uses don't you have? Actually many, the cabbage is mostly an income point and a battery for my other factories. Then I died again and met my my wife for real this time, because she had issues admitting. Then I defeated another general, and realized just how nice it is to be prepared, because without weapons or armor, I would have been absolutely obliterated by the growth chimera. Then came the meeting with the princess, where I stressed everyone out by being unyielding, at least until I realized she's chill. Then this and that happen and suddenly I'm a lord and building a heaven amidst the desert, pretty cool... I also saved Ignis Ford Dustiness, pretty cool... But how many stuff did I go through to get here? Ah, the nostalgia... I wish I could experience it again... Oh, I can, and today I will do that.
This morning I woke up, Eris was still in bed with me, her breath steady. I closed my eyes again and use Engineer's Wet Dream, and with it, I will go back in time(memory) to enjoy those moments once more.
I appeared back in that vast field, the wind howling as the tall grass moved with it. All my previous schematics present, the sky darkened, but not raining, at least, not yet.
I stepped back imagining a door behind me which leads to Axel, a copy of it, but Axel nonetheless. My plan for today, enjoy some nostalgic memories, maybe refine and learn new stuff, or learn old lessons but better.
Looking down from the unfinished wall, I saw myself speaking with Kazuma and Aqua, I kind of forgot how I even met them in the first place, reminds me of one of my friends from school... Ah, good times.
I skipped a bit further, the sun moving faster as well as everything and everyone around me. Then I saw it, my old self - sleeping on the streets, and then Chris/Eris, how my heart skipped as I looked at her. How she gave me that humbling experience, I still can't be angry at it, the gesture though... It was an experience. Funny how far we came, from strangers, to friends, to partners in soul.
Then I skipped again, to the first battle, how I carved spears, how I fought as if it was second instinct... I remember once encountering a wild boar while on a trip to the moutain with my parents. I moved more back then, more humanly. Now, I have evolved.
Then Megumin, we weren't that close at first but that quickly changed. My first skill, growth, which still didn't have it's use, but it was waiting to become viable. Then the astral storage, the most basic type of x Conversion...
As I watched the fight with Verdia, I realized, I wouldn't have made it so far without my friends... In the end, I regret nothing.
Then I moved to the snowfield forest... I looked at my old self sitting in the snow, I even walked straight to him, but he didn't seem to see me. I tried to give him a nudge, but my hand passed through, pretty easy to explain, this is information a memory, I can't interact with memories because that could mess up my mind.
I gave a sigh looking up at the mountain, mist rolling down, which actually... inspired me... Skiing, that's my next project, a ski resort, though I wondered... Is there still snow here? It's called snowfield forest, but why?
Then I deducted that it's because there is always snow here, which means, year round skiing. "This is perfect." I murmured to myself as I spread my arms and breathed the familiar air, it smelled like cold, obviously. "A new project..." I looked down at old me and smiled. "I were happier to build back then..."
I continued moving through the memories, to when I met Eris officially for the first time... When we finally came together. This moment brought me such joy. "I miss that moment..." I whispered. "But I wouldn't go back. We've grown since then."
Suddenly a warm presence washed over me and as if holding onto me, two arms were thrown onto my shoulder, a whisper coming to my ear, the one of my beloved. "Are you enjoying your memories?" Her presence was blending into my subconscious like she had always belonged there.
"Yeah... Just visiting the man I used to be."
"He was a good man. He still is."
"Maybe, but I think he was happier to work back then."
She giggled - soft, melodical. "Then maybe it's time you remind yourself..."
In that moment her presence pulled away from my shoulders and the dream seemed to slip away... I have no reason to stay here, when true joy awaits me out there.
When my eyes opeened, the real world greeted me. Eris lay with her head on my bicep, her hair a litle tangled, her expression warm and loving.
"Good morning, my love," she said, her voice soft like a sunrise.
I couldn't help but smile, her face too beautiful. "Morning, my dear."
"Had a good dream?" she asked playfully.
"Yeah. Old memories," I admitted.
She giggled, hiding her mouth behind her hand. "I know. You were talking in your sleep."
I blinked. Oh... So apparently Engineer's Wet Dream doesn't come with a mute feature.
"Well," I said, stretching, "work's plentiful again. But first, I need to deal with the Dustiness situation. Give them the money, settle their debt. After that, I might ask Iris for ownership of the Snowfield Forest - I've got some idea for it."
Before she could answer, a smell drifted through the air - sweetm gruity faintly tart.
Cherry pie.
My eyes widened slightly. "Is that..."
Eris smiled knowingly, tilting her head with a touch of pride. "Something caught your attention?"
"Yeah... You took fruit from our cherry tree," I commented softly. "I'm glad."
She leaned forward, cupping my cheek. "I wanted to make something that makes you feel at home."
I smirked. "You are my home, Eris. Because my heart is with you."
She just blushed sweetly, her eyes full of adoration.
With that, we stood up from the bed and went to the kitchen, where I saw a still-open recipe book on the counter, a few smudges of flour dusting its corners.
"Your hands do wonders," I said, taking her hand and kissing it softly.
She smiled. "Well, I had a little help. Though I might have fed one of your little creations with divine energy."
I chuckled. "So divine pie?"
"Divinely approved," she corrected, proud of herself.
After a bit, the table was seet - two plates, two forks, a few drinks - tea, coffee, and the centerpiece: a golden-brown pie that slistened with syrup and sugar. Its crust perfectly crisp, and a little cherry filling bubbled at the edges.
"Looks incredible," I said, pulling out her chair, before moving across the table and sitting opposite of her.
She rested her elbows on the table, chin in hands, watching me as I cut the first slice. "Go on. Let's see how I did."
I forked a piece into my mouth - flaky, warm, sweet, and a little tart. The flavor him me all at once, the kind of simple perfection that made everything else fade away.
My eyes closed for a moment. "...I think I just ascended."
Eris laughed, bright and pure. "Don't you dare ascend without me."
I reached across the table, taking her hand again. "Wouldn't dream of it." I said softly.
And so, we shared the pie slowly, trading little bits of teasing between bites, her laughter mingling with the sound of utensils against the porcelain plates.
After the last slice was gone, she leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper, hopeful. "So? Worth the wait?"
I looked at her - at the woman who had become my world - and smiled. "Eris... this is heaven."
She laguhed again, softly. "Good. Then my job here is done."
But I knew it wasn't.