A sudden shimmer of light appeared in the middle of the convenience store, right above the snack aisle.
Nyx squealed. "Ooooh, a teleportation! Who's it this time?"
Bella tensed, dagger ready. "Another late-night intruder? Great…"
From the light stepped a regal figure, radiating elegance and authority. Her long silver hair flowed perfectly, her emerald eyes sparkled, and a golden crown rested delicately on her head. She was the Elf Queen Feria, legendary ruler of the eastern forests.
"My apologies," Feria said with a polite bow, surveying the fluorescent-lit aisles. "I was promised delicacies… rare fruits, exotic pastries, magical wines…"
The Demon King, still jittering from his Blue Bull, blinked at her. "That… this is your idea of delicacies?"
Feria's gaze swept the store. Cup noodles stacked like towers, soda cans wobbling precariously, candy wrappers littering the floor, a slightly burnt microwave humming in the corner. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Arthos tried to step forward. "Your Majesty—uh, Queen! Welcome! We—uh—defended the store! We… clean!"
Nyx giggled and waved from behind the counter. "Welcome to retail hell! Hope you like chaos!"
Feria raised an elegant eyebrow. "Chaos is… not exactly what I had in mind."
Bella muttered, "Welcome to your new delicacies."
The Demon King tilted his head. "Perhaps she hasn't tried the noodles yet." He waved a steaming cup in her direction. "Try the human cuisine!"
Feria hesitated, then carefully took the cup. She sniffed it delicately, her expression unreadable. She sipped. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting," she said finally, placing the cup back on the counter. "I expected something… more refined. This… is… edible, I suppose."
Nyx clapped. "See! Not terrible!"
Feria sighed. "I had traveled across dimensions expecting the finest delicacies… only to find… a convenience store at midnight."
Bella leaned on the counter, smirking slightly. "You get used to it. Or you starve."
The Demon King nodded sagely. "Indeed. Sometimes the strongest warriors… endure the simplest foods."
Feria's eyes swept across the chaotic group: drunken heroes, jittery generals, a rogue tossing Pokémon cards, and an assassin elf glaring quietly.
"…I see," she said slowly. "Perhaps I shall stay. At least, until the humans close the store."
Nyx squealed. "Yesss! New friend! And maybe someone to keep this place under control!"
Bella groaned. "Or at least survive the night shift."
The store had gained a new visitor—and the night was far from over.