Wakey wakey. Come on; it's time for school.

I wake to find myself somewhere I recognize from my time with Hakai, and Kaki; the female barracks of the Arena. Pulling myself up from my bed, I rub at some wrappings on my head, which were covering up a bump on my forehead; gained by bravely slamming into a wall face-first. Looking around, I see my Party either resting, sitting, or standing about. Rising up, I head towards the two I see lying nearby; Zana and Gabbie, both sat up in bed, with Eve between them.

"Remember, if you begin to show signs of lingering trauma..." Whispers Eve to the Mousey Mage, only to snap to attention as I approach. "Oh, Monster! You're finally awake. Cilla needed you to go with her to collect Carrie."

"How is everyone?" I ask, looking to the two resting ladies. "You two especially."

"Oh, I'm f-fine." Says Zana; smiling gently. "I hope you're doing well."

Gabbie, seemingly a tad lost in thought; mutters. "I'll be ok..."

Checking the beat of their hearts, it seems Zana is genuinely ok; Gabbie... not so much. Rather than press on it I walk away, giving a small smile and wave.

"Well, I'll go find Cilla." I add, looking around for our Fluffy Friend; spotting her at a table with Trix, and Sammy.

"Monster! Finally." Cilla says, pulling down her red hood. "We should hurry this along; those jam sandwiches won't last Carrie forever."

Waving farewell to the two remaining at the table, we pass by Scott; who was currently having a chat with one of the Arena's nurses. Exiting the barracks, we run into Ashes...

...and Un-Oz; chatting in the hall.

"Are you sure that would work?" Asks Ashes, keeping her voice low.

Un-Oz nods, making several hand-signs; when did she learn sign-language?

"Hey, you two." Barks Cilla, seemingly annoyed at the pair. "Zana needs you right now; get the Hells back in there!"

Ashes groans; annoyed about something as she waves her hands dismissively. "Fine... come on Anaz."

".kO" Says the Stitch-Woman, following closely as the two return to the Barracks.

Leaving the Arena, we make our way towards the hidden sewer; heading through the darkness, past the lab, and into the record-room with the portal. The lack of intrigue or issue reaching the Domain felt strange, especially after such a long day of stressful rigors. Entering the golden portal, the sight of Rock the Golem bashing on the front door puts me on high alert.

"Intruder! Intruder!" Yells the Golem, whacking away at the door; from the looks of the scratches, he had been doing so for hours.

Cilla rushes to the door, slamming it open and running inside; I'm not far behind, running as fast as I can.

"See? When the water begins to boil, that is when you add the noodles... but be careful. The pot is very hot."

"Ooh! Ok!"

The sight gives me sobering combination of confusion, and dread. Oro, the Chef from See'n Red, was currently in our kitchen, teaching Carrie how to cook. Her attire from the tavern was gone, replaced with a new outfit entirely; with her long scarlet hair pulled back into a pony-tail. A white, frilly blouse lay beneath a black-blue over-shirt. Covering the lower half of her humanoid form was a wide, short-ish skirt, which overlayed that same black-blue cloth over a white poofy cloth. She smiled gently as she showed Carrie the proper way to handle a pot of boiling water...

That one of Urgog's Agents was so close to my daughter caused a shiver down my spine...

If... If it had been Bose...

I shake the thought for my sanity's sake. Cilla, crossbow in hand, quickly vaults the counter connecting the Dining Hall and the Kitchen, aiming at the Serpent all the while.

"Carrie!" Cilla says, with her finger on the trigger; itching to pull. "Get away from her!"

Oro raises her hands slowly, turning to face us; smiling all the while. "Oh, me?"

"But... we were making dinner..." Says Carrie, wobbling over to her Mother's side.

I enter the Kitchen, Chains at the ready; getting an excited beat out of the Snake-Woman's heart as she spots me. "Why are you here?! How did you find this place?!"

"Why am I here?" She asks; calmly, sweetly cooing in each word. "Why, to make a meal for my husband, of course."

Her heartbeat... She isn't lying. Is Urgog here!?

Oro giggles as I grow panicked, seemingly reading my mind. "No; Darling. Not that one... You."

Cilla grits her teeth, close to pulling the trigger; I hold my hand up to her weapon, point to Carrie. "Get her out of here."

After a short glare, she nods, taking Carrie with her as she slowly backs away; keeping locked onto the Serpent. Once Cilla is out of sight, Oro coils her long, shifting body; effectively sitting down.

"As for how I found this Domain; I was tasked with locating it by your Other, Darling. Madam Halicarnassus gifted me with a device to spot illusions; although, I had to throw out my gloves after using it. Perverse, that one..." The She-Snake made a mock face of disgust, before breaking into short bursts of giggles. "I found your lovely Daughter here; so I decided to teach her basic kitchen safety, how to prepare a good, basic breakfast, and lunch. We were onto dinner when you arrived."

"Well then..." I grip my chains tightly; still not hearing the quickened heart-beat of a liar. "Urgog retreated; his forces defeated. Most are dead, some are captured."

Her face lights up at this news. "Truly? Then I made the right choice, staying here. Much better than dying... especially now that you've found me; Darling."

"Why are you calling me that? And what's this with me being your Husband? I don't even know you." I say; listening closer.

"Oh; of course..." Oro covers her mouth, a small blush appearing on her cheeks. "Well, when I was young, I asked a Seer to tell me my future. She said I would meet a 'Man, made into many men,' from a far away land, and the least of him would be my lover. So, when I came of age, I came to Lunari; seeking out my soul-mate. I thought he may be a Slime, to be honest... then, I met Urgog. He told me of your Earth, it's foods; the one's he remember, and I did what I do best. Next I know, he's opened a Tavern within a massive Mimic, and the most infamous Illusionist in the World following his commands..."

"More than you bargained for, I gather?" I ask; finally, something from her heart... regret.

"Yes... while I may be a Lamia, I have never been of the inclination for mass ****; or Heresy... I prefer cooking, to be frank. So, I plotted, as my kind like to do. Urgog spoke of hunting one of his 'Others', and came to trust me enough to let down his guard. So, I bid my time for a chance to escape. Now, here we are." She rests at ease; a weight lifting from her shoulders as she finished her story.

Still tense, I ask. "So. What happens now?"

"Now?" She replies, shrugging; apathetic to the result. "That is up to you, Darling. Do you want me to stay? If not, maybe my handsome Slime Prince is still out there."

Well... she's been truthful; she didn't hurt Carrie either...

"I'll have to talk with my friends." I answer, opening the door to the Dining Hall. "Until then, stay in the Domain. If you leave, then it's a no either way."

Oro winks.

"I'll have dinner finished when you all return."