—Inside the new and improved [Hover]—
"As I was saying before… boss," Ember began, her amber glow steadying as she edged closer to Prism, "there's another entity who might be of interest to you."
She had been interrupted earlier by Cream's territorial flare-up, now she seized the lull to finish what she had started.
"Is that so?" Prism's prismatic facets caught the interior light and scattered it in soft rainbows. "Tell me more."
"Yes, boss. His name is Aqueous, and he's… he's my counterpart, sort of…" Ember's light flickered with sudden embarrassment, the words catching as though she had said more than intended.
"Sort of?" Cream echoed, curiosity sharpening her creamy radiance.
"Please, continue." Prism encouraged gently.
Ember steadied herself.
"My object allows me to generate intense, hot flames. His object enables him to produce something called liquid–specifically, cold water. That water… nullifies my flames completely."
"I see," Prism said thoughtfully. "That is quite interesting. Good work, Ember."
"Thank you, boss." The praise landed like cool light on warm metal. All he did was praise me but. Why does that... Why do i feel… good?
Ember did not yet fully understand the quiet warmth that spread through her core. Being recognized by someone she respected–someone clearly superior, carried a subtle but powerful weight.
It affirmed effort, sparked motivation, and quietly reinforced the bond of mutual respect. All of it hinged, of course, on that respect flowing both ways.
"Doesn't that mean he's better than you?" Cream asked, her tone edged with pettiness now that Ember had received direct praise.
"It means he is my equal," Ember corrected sharply, "not better. Do you understand?" She emphasized the point with deliberate force.
She would never concede superiority to Aqueous–not in front of this group, and certainly not to Cream.
"Whatever you say." Cream replied, the equivalent of rolling non-existent eyes flickering through her light.
"Why you–"
"In any case," Prism interjected smoothly, "he has piqued my interest. Lead us there."
"Understood, boss."
The [Hover] accelerated–slicing through the luminous void at light speeds. What felt like mere minutes passed–though, measuring time and distance in the boundless emptiness was largely meaningless. Soon the vessel slowed, the top panel parting to reveal their destination.
They drifted out into open space.
"Look who it is." came a voice rich with anticipation and unmistakable excitement. Aqueous's deep blue glow pulsed brightly, almost playful.
"Hello… Aqueous." Ember replied, hesitation threading through her tone.
"Those two clearly have history." Cream whispered.
"I agree." Aloe murmured back.
"What brings you here?" Aqueous continued, addressing Ember directly. "Have you finally come to settle the score, my rival?"
"Tsk." Ember's light snapped with irritation.
"Did he just say rival?" Aloe muttered.
"Things just got interesting." Cream replied.
"Right?" Aloe agreed.
"Would you two stop gossiping… without me." Gold grumbled, suddenly feeling excluded.
Prism observed the unfolding scene with quiet fascination, like a viewer watching the backstory of a familiar character finally unfold on stage.
"I need to talk with you." Ember said.
"Normally you just attack first and talk later." Aqueous teased, his blue light rippling with amusement.
"Well, things are different now." Ember answered, calm and measured.
Normally that single remark would have ignited her. "I can see that." he conceded.
Ember gave him only the briefest, most tantalizing summary of the situation–enough to spark curiosity, nothing more. She knew mystery was the surest bait for Aqueous.
"Fine," he said at last. "I'll meet this entity. I want to see what kind of entity could change you this much."
"You'll meet boss soon enough."
"Boss?"
"Don't worry about it, at least for now."
"Alright. If you say so."
"Do try to make a good impression." Ember added. "For your own sake."
She drifted back toward the group to fetch Prism.
You really have changed, Aqueous thought privately. And by quite a lot.
—A short while later—
"All of you, return to the [Hover]." Prism instructed. "I would like to speak with him privately."
"Alright, boss." the others chorused, retreating without protest.
"Will she be alright?" Ember asked, genuine concern flickering in her glow.
"Don't worry." Cream answered confidently. "Boss doesn't act unless victory is already assured."
"Yeah." Gold added. "You can trust boss lady."
"It's easier to just go along with whatever boss is planning." Aloe offered gently.
The three of them had long since learned to read Prism's quiet certainty. To them, she operated several steps ahead at all times, the present moment was merely the execution of a plan already formed.
"I see." Ember said softly. A faint wave of reassurance settled over her, an unfamiliar but welcome sensation. She recognized the aura Prism projected, calm, absolute competence. The kind that made doubt feel unnecessary.
From inside the [over], the others watched as Prism and Aqueous conversed alone, their lights flickering in private dialogue.
"Greetings," Prism began. "My name is Prism. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The name's Aqueous. Nice to meet you too. You're the one Amber mentioned?"
"Yes. In fact, she is my servant."
"Servant?" Aqueous's blue glow tilted toward Ember's distant amber light, then returned to Prism. "Truly?"
"Yes."
"If you don't mind my asking… how did that happen?"
"I don't mind at all."
Prism recounted the encounter, how she and Ember had met, how Ember had challenged her, and how decisively she had been overcome.
Aqueous listened in stunned silence. To him, Ember had always been the sole entity worthy of rivalry, the only one whose strength demanded acknowledgment. Hearing that she had been utterly bested, without exaggeration or embellishment, shook him more than he expected.
To think she was overwhelmed so completely… He searched Prism's light for any trace of falsehood and found none. She doesn't seem the type to lie, which means...
A reckless impulse flickered through him–the desire to test Prism's strength for himself, to challenge her directly and see what she was truly capable of. But instinct overrode the thought almost instantly.
Don't even think about it.
Whether Prism had subtly released an intimidating aura or whether his own senses had simply recognized the danger ahead, the conclusion was the same. A direct challenge would be foolish in the extreme.
Prism noted the brief spike in his light and the immediate suppression that followed.
He's not bad, she thought. He sensed the risk and chose restraint. Wise.
Aqueous reached his decision.
"In that case… please make me your servant as well."
"I will gladly accept you." Prism replied.
That was quick. "Are you not going to ask about my intentions?" he wondered aloud.
"I suspect they have something to do with your rivalry with Ember. Am I correct?"
"Partially, yes." Aqueous's glow steadied. "Amber is the most prideful entity I know, aside from myself. She would never submit to just anyone."
"It seems you know her very well."
"I pride myself on knowing everything about my rival."
He explained their long-standing arrangement. As acknowledged equals, they revealed every strength, weakness, and trump card each time they clashed.
The reason for this was because victory had to be undeniable, free of excuses or hidden advantages. Pride demanded nothing less.
"That is quite commendable." Prism said.
"You may think so, but we did it only to satisfy our own selfish desires."
"Regardless, the result remains true. Sometimes the outcome matters more than the motive behind it."
"I can't argue when you phrase it like that."
"Setting that aside," Prism continued. "your joining us will benefit you, Ember, and myself. That is the primary reason I accepted."
"I admit," Aqueous confessed. "I was also curious about the entity capable of not only defeating but changing Ember so profoundly."
"I figured as much. I have no issue with curiosity."
"Thank you for having me, then."
"Good. The others will brief you on the mission."
"Then I'll ask Ember. I've been meaning to speak with her more anyway."
"Let us return. Oh–one thing I nearly forgot."
"What is it?"
"Call me boss from now on."
"I heard the word from Ember earlier. Is there any special reason?"
"Apparently it is a necessity." Prism said dryly. "It will be in your best interest if you wish to get along with the others."
She had never pressed Cream for the true origin of the title. Cream grew visibly uncomfortable whenever the topic arose, and Prism had chosen not to force the matter. If Cream wished to explain one day, she would and if not, then that's that.
"Then I will do so, boss."
"Good."
Aqueous was formally reintroduced to the group as Prism's newest servant.
"By the way," Ember said with deliberate pettiness, "you're now at the bottom of the command chain."
"What?"
"It means you obey my orders." she clarified, relishing the moment.
"What?!"
Prism watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction.
This will suffice for now.
Five felt like the right number. If more were needed later, she would just find them. For the moment, the group was balanced.
She reached out telepathically to her master.
[Lord Cubix.]
[Yes. Have you accomplished your mission?]
[Yes. I have gathered five of them. We are making our way to you now.]
[Good work. I will await your arrival.]
[Thank you, Lord Cubix.]
"Boss?" Cream spoke aloud, the first to notice the subtle shift in Prism's light.
The others turned, curiosity rippling through their glows.
"It is time to move to the next phase" Prism announced.
"Does that mean we're done recruiting?" Cream asked.
"Yes. It is now time for all of you to meet my master."
The boss's master. They each thought in near unison. I wonder what they are like.
"He will judge whether you are worthy," Prism continued. "Do your best not to disappoint."
"Yes, boss!" came the reply, five voices in rare, perfect harmony.
"Good. I like the motivation." Her facets glinted. "If any of you have questions about improving your abilities, ask me before we arrive. I will provide whatever guidance is needed."
They returned to the hover. The vessel sealed, accelerated, and streaked through the void, trailing its signature comet-tail of refracted light toward the most consequential meeting of their existence.