—Observation room—
The observation chamber was circular in design. It had smooth, curved walls that enclosed a perfect sphere of space.
At the absolute center of the room, floated a multifaceted projector with dozens of outwardly bent rectangular light pixels arranged in a three-dimensional array, each one emitting synchronized images outward in every direction.
No matter where one drifted, the display remained crisp, undistorted, and fully encompassing.
The seating nodes, which were identical to those in the waiting room, curved gently to cradle Entities in effortless suspension, allowing them to hover comfortably while watching whatever was displayed in the projectiom screen.
"You've done well, Prism." Milady said, her multicolored surface rippling with quiet approval.
"Thank you, Milady. Knowing that my efforts have served you brings me profound joy." Prism replied with a warm glow.
They spoke softly while the evaluations unfolded on the central display. Prism's subordinates entered one by one, each of them facing Cubix's calm scrutiny.
"They all seem remarkably competent." Milady observed, excitement threading through her tone. "And hopefully... they'll be just as, if not more entertaining."
"I agree." Prism replied, pride warming her triangular facets. "They've grown far beyond what I they were when I first encountered them."
"And you guided that growth."
"I guided it, yes, but they earned every step of that growth themselves. Their effort deserves recognition just as much as my instruction."
Milady's light shifted in subtle acknowledgment. "This has pleased me greatly. I will use this to draw inspiration from what I see here."
They watched in near silence after that, exchanging only occasional comments as each of Prism's subordinate rose to face the challenge.
"Cream, was it?" Milady mused during one sequence. "She uses her ability with exceptional precision."
"Indeed. She lacks raw attacking power compared to the others, and the same could be said about her defensive capability as well," Prism said calmly, "but no one matches her efficiency. It is that efficiency that allows her to have a perfect balance of both offense and defence. As such, she has the least energy consumption out of all of them."
"Essentially, she's a jack of all, and a master of none. Very interesting, I look forward to seeing the rest of them." Milady mused with a mischievous glow.
"They will not disappoint you." Prism declared with quiet certainty.
Not one of them, Prism's subordinates, had entered the evaluation chamber expecting failure. Every fragment of training, and every grueling session, had forged that resolve.
—Later—
"This one fascinates me." Milady said as Aloe's test played out.
"Aloe possesses the most extraordinary ability," Prism agreed. "even when compared to the others."
"Yet, the inefficiency of the wielder holds the ability back." Milady's tone carried a curious mix of disappointment and delight. "Then again, it's that very limitation that makes the display all the more compelling." she added.
Prism simply inclined her form in acceptance.
Milady's reactions often defied straightforward prediction. After all, displeasure and excitement could coexist without contradiction.
"As you say, Milady." Prism said simply.
—Later still—
"I'll admit, he exceeded my expectations with that last move of his." Milady commented as Gold's evaluation concluded.
"Gold isn't the sharpest," Prism admitted candidly, "but his tenacity compensates for that flaw. And when one least expects it, he proves himself to be invaluable."
She spoke without diminishment, only honest appraisal.
"That shield and barrier of his are quite remarkable, not to mention the way in which he uses them both. I can't wait to see what the remaining two of them have in store for me."
Milady's excitement mounted visibly, her colors cycling faster and brighter. Prism felt quiet reassurance at the fact that she was fulfilling her purpose.
—Later—
"Now that's how you entertain!" Milady declared as Ember and Cubix clashed. "She understands exactly how to perform her role."
"She is a marvel." Prism said. "In pure offensive capability, she alone stands as the strongest among them."
The battle had been breathtaking.
Two radiant forces tearing across the void in unrelenting offense, shockwaves of color and heat blooming with every collision.
"I heard she has a rival." Milady noted with interest.
Cubix had briefed Milady with a bit of information regarding all of Prism's subordinates. It was just enough information to build her anticipation, without spoiling her entirely.
"Yes. He is up next." Prism replied.
"I hope he matches her intensity. Actually, maybe not. Seeing the same kind of fight again wouldn't be fun. At the very least, he should try a different approach, while still making it entertaining for me." Milady mused, her light pulsing with cunning anticipation.
Prism simply pulsed once in response. Since she already knew how different Ember and Aqueous were, as well as their abilities, she wondered just how Milady would react to him.
In fact, a part of her was excited, since Milady would get what she wanted, watching her subordinates use different methods to overcome the evaluations.
—Later—
"So, their abilities are a direct opposite of one another." Milady observed as Aqueous's evaluation unfolded, "Now that I've seen both of them in action, I can understand why their fight would end in a draw more clearly."
"Indeed. Not just in ability, but the two of them differ in personality as well." Prism added calmly. "One has a great ambition, while the other lacks it almost entirely."
"Well, at least that was before they met you. Just after seeing them from here, I could tell that much about what they were like before."
Milady agreed with a nod of her nonexistent head.
"That said, I could also see just how much they've changed. You've done an excellent job with those two, with all of them in fact." she added with a sincere tone.
"Thank you, Milady." Prism accepted gracefully. "The fact that they were like that had sparked their rivalry. And it was that rivalry that had driven both of them to remarkable growth." she continued, her tone a mixture of pride and joy.
Moments later, Cubix dismissed Aqueous with calm finality. Thus, the evaluations were finally complete.
"Your selection of individuals has greatly impressed me, Prism." Milady started. "You've got a jack of all trades, a defensive bulk, an offensive machine, and two with interesting uses of their abilities. Truly a collection of variety."
"You honor me with your praise, Milady." Prism's light steadied with genuine relief and pride. Success. With this, I've accomplished my mission.
"For providing me with such good entertainment, I will reward your efforts."
"I will humbly accept the reward, thank you once again, Milady."
Prism knew the protocol all to well, to accept any gift bestowed by Milady gracefully, without protest or false modesty. Anything else would insult the giver, especially since it was Milady herself.
"Now then, state your wish."
"Forgive my boldness, may I request…"
—Later, in the waiting room—
Prism returned to her subordinates, who had already gathered in a loose, luminous cluster.
"Congratulations to all of you." Prism began, sincerity resonating through her tone. "Your evaluations were all a success."
"It's all thanks to you, boss." Aqueous responded first, beating Cream, as well as the others.
"Yeah, if boss hadn't drilled us on how to actually use our abilities…" Cream added, trying to hide a frustration of not speaking to Prism first.
"…then things might've gone very differently." Gold finished, his lights flaring with excitement.
Cream and Gold spoke in near unison, a rare moment of harmony.
It wasn't exactly reconciliation, since their petty squabbles would just resume soon enough. But in moments that mattered, the two of them learned to set their differences aside, and conducted themselves in a proper manner.
"It was your own efforts that have brought you here." Prism reminded them. "You must take pride in that as well."
"You're just being humble again." Aloe observed.
"Well, it seems you aren't quite the terrible leader that I thought you'd be." Ember said with characteristic arrogance.
"You still say compliments in the most roundabout way possible." Cream noted, drifting closer.
"You stay out of this." Ember said, drifting closer to her as well.
"Why don't you make me." Cream didn't back down either.
The two of them hovered face-to-face, their lights flaring in a playful challenge.
"It's almost shocking to see anyone other than Cream and Gold argue." Aloe said, slightly amused.
And with that one comment, the tension popped like a soap bubble.
"Heh, don't jinx it now." Aqueous teased with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, just wait." Ember added, conveniently forgetting her near-confrontation with Cream just seconds ago.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Both Cream and Gold demanded together.
Laughter rippled through the group in bright, shared pulses of light. Cream and Gold regarded one another for a moment.
"Here it comes." Aloe teased the two of them as well.
The laughter grew louder.
Cream and Gold exchanged another glance, both attempting to retort when–
"Before you two start…" Prism interjected gently, also teasing them, albeit slightly.
"You too, boss?" Cream asked in mock exasperation.
"Yeah, give us some credit, boss lady." Gold added in the same tone.
"I'm just kidding." Prism said, a soft chuckle coloring her voice. Then her tone sobered. "That said, there is something important I need to tell you all."
"Is something wrong?" Cream asked immediately.
"Not at all." Prism assured the Entities. "On the contrary, this is a reward for everything that you've accomplished thus far."
Prism recounted her time in the observation room. Milady's praise, the offered reward, and her single request.
—Earlier, in the observation room—
"Now state your wish." Milady had commanded.
"Forgive my boldness, may I request that you meet and speak with my subordinates just once?" Prism was so nervous, that she want sure if she had made a question or a statement.
"There's nothing to forgive. Also, if that is all you want, then I see no problem with granting your wish."
Milady had accepted Prism's request without any hesitation.
"Thank you, Milady, for granting my humble request." Prism expressed, her lights pulsing with sincerity.
"Think nothing of it." Milady said, before pulsing ever so slightly. "Go on, bring your subordinates here and I will talk with them."
After giving a small pulse of compliance, Prism promptly left the observation room to go and retrieve her subordinates.
—Back in the waiting room—
"And that's how it happened." Prism concluded.
"Are you sure about this, boss lady?" Gold asked, concern flickering through his golden light. "It feels like more than we deserve."
"Yeah boss, are you certain?" Aloe echoed, also feeling concerned.
"Well, there's no turning back now." Aqueous said.
"As much as I hate agreeing with him…" Ember started.
"That first part wasn't necessary." Aqueous grumbled.
"He's right." Ember continued on, ignoring his statement.
"The only thing left for us to do, is to prepare ourselves accordingly." Cream declared firmly.
"I suppose you're right."
"Then let's get ready."
Agreement passed among them in quiet pulses. They steeled themselves for the encounter that lay ahead.
—Observation room—
"This humble servant greets her master's master, Milady." Prism intoned formally.
Her team hovered behind her in perfect formation, respectful, composed, and ready. Their lights pulsed evenly as Prism gave her greetings.
"It's good to see you again so soon, Prism." Milady said warmly. "And it's especially good to meet the rest of you all as well."
"On behalf of all my comrades, this servant greets the compassionate creator that birthed everything, the benevolent ruler of all that lies with the Void, Milady. It is with the greatest pleasure and deepest respect that we stand before you, Milady." Cream replied, stepping forward as their spokesperson once more.
After having spoken with Cubix once, and visually learning how Prism conducted herself when speaking with her master, Cream had fully prepared herself for this moment.
From the waiting room outside the evaluation room, all the way to the observation room, Cream had been constantly planning how she would conduct herself to Milady.
She played the conversation in her mind over and over again, imaging many scenarios play out as well as the proper response that she needed to give in each one of them individually.
It was because of those factors, that Cream was able to speak as calmly and as flawlessly as she did, despite feeling the overwhelming presence of the being in front of her.
The same could be said for the rest of Prism's subordinates.
Even if Milady's presence felt as though it would tear their very beings apart, they all conducted themselves exceptionally well.
Once again, this was all because of their previous encounter with Cubix, as well as seeing how well Prism conducted herself when speaking with him.
That, coupled by the fight they had with Cubix, was the reason all five of Prism's subordinates never hesitated in their movements, but were all calm and composed instead.
Perhaps that was the reason they had met Cubix first, so that they could be used to a greater pressure than what they are used to, before directly meeting with Milady.
At least, that's what they themselves thought. Whether or not such a thing was true, remains to be known.
"I watched every moment of your evaluations." Milady started. "And I have to say, I'm greatly impressed, and thoroughly entertained by how all of you performed. Every single one of you went above and beyond my expectations. Cream, Aloe, Gold, Ember, and Aqueous, thank you, truly. You've all impressed me, and in turn, have served your master, Prism, well. Excellent work."
Those words struck deep.
To be acknowledged by Milady, the creator of all they knew, was more than praise. It was validation of their very existence itself.
Prism felt a swell of pride for her team, they had come so far, and gone through so much.
"You honor us beyond measure." Cream said sincerely. "Thank you, Milady."
"Thank you, Milady." the others echoed as well.
Gratitude and quiet pride shimmered through every light in the room.
They spoke together for some time, asking questions, reflections, as well as casual exchanges. When they finally withdrew, each Entity carried a brighter, steadier glow than they did before.
—Main hall—
"Good work, everyone." Prism said once they had returned to an open space. "You all did exceptionally well. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, boss."
"Yeah, this was all because of you, boss lady."
"This is the fruit of your efforts too. So, enjoy it."
"Okay, boss."
Gratitude flowed freely.
They had been given the chance to prove themselves before the highest authority in all of the Void, and they had not faltered.
With renewed purpose, they set off toward whatever mission awaited next, unaware of the greater fate already being shaped around them.