Eldritch

 

"This is so cool!" (C)

"Thanks. I think I have a creative knack for stuff like this." (I)

"Not only that but also how you looked when you did it! It was such an impressive sight! You just pointed somewhere with your arm and stuff happened. For example how you made the trees. It looked like you wove them into existence. This is what I call an act of creation! Not just some boring standing still and stuff comes out of nowhere. It has to look the part!" (C)

 

I'm not really sure if I can follow Chiaki here.
What I'm sure about is that her standards for how godlike beings are supposed to be are nothing I should take to heart.
However, as long she's happy it's fine and I filled my good friend balance.
Maybe I can ask her next time for help if I mess up again and need the nuclear version of a positive energy battery.
Doesn't sound too unlikely.

 

"And? Is this place what you had in mind?" (I)

 

Even the water should be at a comfortable 32°C.
There's nothing to complain about.
I even checked twice that there's no tentacle monster within the lake's depth.
I'm pretty sure that I didn't leave any wishes unanswered.

 

"It's perfect! You know, sometimes I had my doubts if you would get the hang of this outer goddess thing but now you completely convinced me!" (C)

 

What the heck is she talking about?
How is a spa resort connected to wielding unlimited power?
Screw it, it's Chiaki.

Now she's touching the lake.
That one is a bit darker than I'd have liked it to be, but that might just be the general lack of sunlight.
Probably something like missing color wavelengths that make blue water appear black.
But it's still completely normal water.

 

"I really want to jump in! Come on, Iori!" (C)

"Just wait a moment. There's something else I wanted to show you. I added a little surprise for you up there." (I)

 

I included a certain gimmick to the waterway which I'm sure she will appreciate.

 

"A surprise from an outer goddess?! What are we waiting for down here?!" (C)

"After you." (I)

 

The stairway is one of those steep stone mountain temple ones.
Mostly because I like how they look.
Yet one should climb those carefully since they lack a railing in case one slips and falls.
But that doesn't keep Chiaki from sprinting up there like trained athletes would do a hundred meters in horizontal.
With my tireless body, I manage to stay close behind her, mostly to prevent the mentioned accident if she slips.
Fortunately, I don't have to mind a fall.
Soon we're up there and for a nightmare creation, it has a really relaxing atmosphere.

 

"Oh my god! You really established a hot spring spa here!" (C)

"Oh, apparently yes." (I)

 

Seriously, the waterfall was supposed to come out of nowhere from some stone.
I certainly didn't include a steaming hot pool on the side of the mansion.
From there it flows through a small channel below a bridge that connects to the mansion and ultimately down the waterfall to the lake where it cools off.
While it's beautiful it certainly wasn't planned like this.

But apparently, my demonic subconscious took some liberties when I described the mansion as a hot spring spa.
Also, it added some plants from the nightmare forest.
If I'm right the edible ones.
It kinda adds to the sight.
Not that I dislike the result but I worry about the implications.

 

"Wait, if you answer like this it means this wasn't the surprise! What is it?! Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!" (C)

 

Sigh, I should do her the favor or she's going to start a light show in her excitement.

 

"Actually, what I prepared is this." (I)

 

And I point at the waterway.
While I said it comes down as a waterfall this is only half of the truth.
What you can see from up here is that the water while traveling down makes several erratic loops to the side.
It goes left and right and differently steep or angled curves till it finally flows into the not-too-high waterfall on the lower end.

 

"Oh my... You didn't!" (C)

"Yes I did!" (I)

"Is this a water slide?!!!" (C)

 

I smirk at her.
That's precisely the point.
I made extra sure that there's not a single rough or sharp stone on the way down.
You can sit down here on the top and the water carries you safely down, through the loops, and ultimately to the waterfall where you get safely expelled into the lake.
It even looks somewhat natural while you're looking at it from the outside.
It's simply perfect.

One just has to jump on for a ride.

And Chiaki does just this.

But why the heck in all her clothes!?!

 

"Whooooohooooooohhhhhhh!" (C)

 

I don't use the waterway but instead, jump down from the edge of one loop to the next till I'm standing directly next to the waterfall.

I try my best to make a stern expression.

 

"Chiaki, what about your clothes?!" (I)

"Oh, right. They're too cumbersome for a bath." (C)

 

And there she goes getting naked again.
Instinctively I cover my eyes.
All twenty of them.

The bundle she simply throws on the beach.

 

Why are you looking so embarrassed?  You’ve already been naked for much longer than I have!" (C)

 

Oh shit!
I totally forgot to switch back to my human body.
The only good thing is that my pitch-black skin, slight fur, body armor, and generally abstract appearance make it so that there's not much to look at.
Well, technically I'm quite the sight, but you know in what sense I mean this.
So I don't see a reason to change yet and give up on my position.

Still covering my eyes I speak to her.

 

"Can't you at least wear something? I know we didn't bring anything but I could make something like a swimsuit." (I)

"So you think if you have the stuff that is essentially your body rubbing really tight against all my privates this would make everything more modest?" (C)

 

In an instant, I feel like I'm becoming beat red.
No idea how this combines with my demon form.

 

"Grumble"

"Okay, okay, that was just a joke. God, no reason to start the apocalypse." (C)

"S-sorry." (I)

"But seriously, there's no one else here but us and we're both already naked. I don't see any issues. I mean we're both girls!" (C)

 

Isn't that what they're saying at the start of every single Yuri-manga ever made?
Please, I really need to stop thinking about it.
Sigh, I'll just cover my shame in water.
And so I jump into the lake.

 

"The water is great, right?" (C)

"I created it, so I guess I would know." (I)

"Sure, sure. Now let's just have fun!" (C)

 

And if Chiaki declares something like this there's no force in the multiverse to stop her.
We dabble together in the water, sometimes simply dwelling a bit, and Chiaki is using the water slide so often it seems a bit too much.
She's sprinting faster up the stairway than she's sliding down.
While I can't grow physically exhausted, at the end I lazily lie down on the stone beach.
This is actually quite nice.

 

"Hey, Iori! I think I'm slowly growing tired. Why don't we go up there and see what else your spa has to offer?" (C)

 

Well, there might be fresh milk in some fridge and we weren't in the hot spring yet.
But Chiaki's curiosity drives her first into the mansion.
She opens the big front door and there are two loungers, positioned so one can enjoy the waterfall scenery.
I guess that's one more creative liberty.
Though, I'll take it.

 

"Oh my gosh, those are perfect!" (C)

 

I don’t know if something like extreme relaxation exists, but if not, Chiaki is currently inventing it.
But I'm a tag-along by nature and lie down on the lounger next to hers.
Hah, it's undeniably relaxing.
Maybe some kind of light condition would be nice but this world isn't ready for a day-night cycle.

But a massage would be nice.
I literally can't grow tense if I don't want to, but from my current feeling, I would appreciate it.
I can almost feel how something is pressing all the right points.
Urgh, yes, right there.

 

"Hah, this is so nice. Uhh, I didn't know you also have massages in store." (C)

"Yes, me... neither!" (I)

 

At this moment my eyes and a thousand more rush open.
The pressure came from outside and had nothing to do with me!
I turn around and focus with all I have on the source of my comfort!

There's... a maid?
Well, not directly a maid, the uniform isn't according to my prejudiced image.
Rather there is a pair of Japanese twins in white spa gowns, with short but totally even sliced black hair.
One of them is still kneading Chiaki, who doesn't bother to turn around, the other stepping a polite distance away from me, both giving the impression of perfect professionals.

Anyways:

 

"Who the heck are you!?!" (I)

 

Now Chiaki finally turns around as well.

 

"Whoah!" (C)

 

The one at her side starts to speak.

 

"Shall I continue?" (spa girl)

"Sure." (C)

 

And she turns back on the lounger.
JUST HOW CAREFREE CAN YOU BE!!!

 

"Grumble"

 

Now the other one speaks as well.

 

"Lady Iori, we are your servants!" (spa girls)

 

Or rather both of them, in perfect synchronicity, at the same time.

 

"Uh, but... How?" (I)

"We are simply here to ascertain that you have a pleasant stay." (spa girls)

 

Wait!
I only wanted a spa mansion, not spa caretakers!
How could I mess this up?
Was it masseuses included?
What in every dimension's hell?

 

"You seem stressed. Please let us help you to alleviate this strain." (spa girls)

"N-no, first I want to figure out what is going on here." (I)

"Uuuuhhhhhh, but they're really good." (C)

 

Sigh, Chiaki is useless in blissful nirvana.

 

"Can we be of assistance in some way?" (spa girls)

"Shit. And I wanted to avoid this." (I)

 

As it is I can't even dodge this situation since they seem to be pretty well-informed.

 

"Is there a problem? Can we help?" (spa girls)

 

Are they now also therapists?

 

"Sigh, I wanted to avoid this. I really don't wish that anyone is worshipping me." (I)

 

"This is no issue. We aren't worshipping you."

 

"Worshipping is what the insecure do to reinforce their faith. There's no need to assure oneself about an undeniable fact. You are absolute and there's no doubt about this." (spa girls)

 

Great, so they're one step beyond mere worshipping.
That's not necessarily a soothing state of affairs.

 

"And you, you were created along with the mansion?" (I)

"By your will, to provide all the comfort you associate with this place." (spa girls)

 

Certainly not by my conscious will but I don't need to rub it in for them.

 

"Ehm, I'd like to ask, and please tell me if it's troubling you, do you two really have to always speak at the same time?" (I)

 

This time only the one next to me speaks.

 

"By your request, we will cease to do so. Yet we aren't separate beings but merely the conscious purpose of this place to provide comfort. We did only assume this form as the most soothing appearance to conduct our services." (spa girl 1)

"The most soothing? You don't have to force yourself around me." (I)

"This isn't necessary. We only wish to make you feel comfortable." (spa girl 1)

"Please, just act natural around me." (I)

 

Now Chiaki also got out of her massage coma.

 

"I'd like to see it too." (C)

"As you wish." (spa girls)

 

At this moment the two literally melt.
Purple tendrils emerge from the accruing pink gooey mess, eyes stare unblinking from within all their folds, and their tentacles merge with the ground and even each other till they cannot be separated anymore.
Fluids gush out of their insides and are subsequently absorbed by the now living floor and likely pumped back into them.
I'm close to throwing up.

That was a bad idea!
A really really bad idea!

Abort!
Stop this!
Return!

I don't even say anything and the two already shrink back and an epidermis grows over all this horror.
I think they might have something like a mental link to those they serve, or simply to me.
And I'm really not good with all this horror stuff.

 

"Lady Iori, maintaining this shape is no effort at all. We'll gladly provide our services in this form." (spa girl 1)

"Oh, what a waste. Don't you think they could give good massages with all these tentacles?" (C)

 

Seriously, just what is wrong with this girl?

 

"You don't need to provide any services to me. I absolutely don't want to exploit you." (I)

"Lady Iori, comforting the guests in accordance with this place's purpose is our whole existence. You're by no means exploiting us. You're only allowing us to fulfill our purpose." (spa girl 1)

"Are you aware that I might never return here? Do you really want to make your existence depend on this one single moment?" (I)

"This is no issue. We are merely the animated wish to serve you. Without any intent to sound offensive, I would suggest you stop thinking too deeply about it and just enjoy your time here." (spa girl one 1)

 

Damn, they're making good advertisement.
Ahh, forget about it.

 

"Sigh, whatever. I don't know anymore what to think. Just do whatever you like." (I)

"May I provide a massage?" (spa girl 1)

 

I'm past giving a damn about all this craziness.

 

"Sure, whatever." (I)

 

And so she starts.

Ghuuuuhh.

I need to admit that she's good at what she's doing.
Just the right strength to her grip, firm, and very skillful.
It almost feels as if she has more than two arms.
Damn, now I'm sure that I was just touched at more than two places simultaneously.
Just ignore it, Iori, and by no means look behind you.
Though the massage is actually on a level that I would pay money if I had any.
It's even long enough for me to consider it being finished and not one of those that end with an unsatisfying clap on the back.

 

"God, I think I needed this." (I)

"Even if I didn't, there's no way I would have skipped on this." (C)

"Thank you for your praise, Lady Chiaki." (spa girl 2)

"Did you hear this? I'm a 'lady'!" (C)

"Yes sure, 'great magician'." (I)

 

It's really nice here.

 

"Would you wish for a meal?" (spa girls)

"A meal?! Is there anything they don't have here?" (C)

"Careful, Chiaki." (I)

 

After all, this is still nightmare land.
So I turn to the spa girls.

 

"What exactly do you have in mind?" (I)

"There is an assortment of native plants in the immediate vicinity of the mansion. Also, the storage has a large variety of popular dishes. Naturally, we would freshly prepare everything in the well-equipped kitchen." (spa girl 1)

"You can cook!?!" (C)

"Of course. This is all part of our role to provide the very best service." (spa girl 2)

 

Sure, what else.
They leave the room and directly after this, I hear noise from the kitchen.
I sit down with Chiaki on the step to the mansion and look out at the waterway.

 

"I really don't know what I should think about this." (I)

"You're worrying too much again. They seem pretty well set up here. I'm not even sure if they're... Well, living beings. Okay, in some way they are but, you know, they don't feel actually real. More like... an AI to the house. I think it would be more like leaving a machine with voice speech somewhere." (C)

 

I'm extremely doubtful about this viewpoint.

 

"You really think it is okay to just leave once we're done here?" (I)

"Sure! They're living at the best place ever and are not bothered about it. They even repeatedly told you that themselves." (C)

 

We talk a bit longer till out of nowhere one of those caretakers manifests behind us.

 

"The meal is prepared." (spa girl)

 

No idea which one this is or if there is a difference in the first place.

We are guided to the side room and I almost can't believe my eyes.
They prepared everything one could imagine with what they had at hand.
Little potato, or rather coroca sticks, arranged vegetables, perfectly presented meat, shrimps, dips. It looks perfect.
And the smell alone is a delicious promise.

Nothing against mum's meals, I always feel the love with which she prepares them, but this is simply high class.
In a restaurant, one would have to pay a fortune for this.

 

"That's what I call service!" (C)

 

I need to admit she has a point.
We start slowly eating and it absolutely keeps up with expectations.
And I don't even have to worry about gaining weight or becoming full and can simply enjoy it.
Though halfway through I rationalize that I should savor the taste if it doesn't matter how much I stuff myself.
I don't want to become the embodiment of gluttony.
That's simply a bad image.

But Chiaki isn't holding back either.
She stuffs herself full to the rim.

I don't know how this will carry over when I bring her back out.
Maybe I should do her a favor and subtract the extra weight from her.
Or maybe not. Sounds a bit too invasive for my taste.

 

"Are you satisfied?" (spa girls)

 

They're asking both of us.

 

"Absolutely! This was great!" (C)

"Yes it was. Thanks for everything. But now we really need to return. But... is that really okay for you?" (I)

"Of course. We only exist in case someone wishes to enjoy the comfort of this place. There's nothing more to this." (spa girls)

"See? I told you!" (C)

 

It's still a bit hard to align with my morals that I'm basically abandoning them in the literal nowhere, but I can only believe their own testimony.
With mixed feelings, I swallow Chiaki before she can become too aware of it and hop over to our home dimension.
This was certainly a special episode.

However, there's one thing I need to admit.
I can't complain about the service.