Utopian System

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"Speaking of which," Dionz interjected, "perhaps we should send our visitors back before certain system irregularities become noticeable? Not that I'm worried about minor rule violations, but..."

The god's casual tone didn't quite hide his concern.

As they prepared to return, Elio watched his enhanced companions with mixed feelings. Pride in how far they'd come, worry about the challenges ahead, but also growing confidence in their capabilities.

"Be careful," he said one last time as Dionz began opening their return passage.

"We will," Lila promised. "Focus on reaching level 29. By the time you're done, we'll have something impressive to show you."

As they disappeared back through the divine barrier, Dionz closed the passage with a flourish. "Well! They've certainly grown capable, haven't they? Almost as if everything was proceeding according to some grand design... not that I'm suggesting anything of the sort!"

Elio turned toward his next challenge portal, but his mind was already racing ahead to the deposit battles. They were ready - far more ready than he'd expected. Now it was his turn to keep pushing forward, to keep sending them the power they needed to expand their empire.

"Ready for level 29?" Dionz asked cheerfully.

"Ready," Elio confirmed, though part of him wished he could be there to see their battle for the deposits.

But they didn't need him there anymore. They had grown beyond that kind of dependence. Now they were partners in building something greater, each doing their part to forge a new future.

♢♢♢♢

[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: 30% COMPLETE]

[ESTIMATED TIME REMAINING: CALCULATING...]

'So boring…'

'You're doing it again,' Zara's consciousness prodded within their shared mind space.

'Doing what?' Nala responded with practiced indifference.

'That thing where you pretend you're not amused by my company. I can literally feel you suppressing a smile, you know.'

'I am doing no such thing. I am merely enduring this boring confinement with appropriate divine dignity.'

'Right,' Zara's presence radiated skepticism. 'That's why you keep coming up with excuses to continue our conversations even when I try to give you space.'

'I do not make excuses! I simply... maintain necessary communication to prevent mental stagnation during analysis.'

'Uh-huh. Like when you spent an hour asking me about different techniques just to prove humans waste mana on inefficient magic preparation?'

'That was... research.'

'Sure. And I suppose that laugh when I told you about Kriz getting scared by his own mirror reflection was also "research"?'

'I did not laugh. I merely... acknowledged the inherent illogic nature of human behavior.'

'With a laugh.'

'Divine beings do not laugh at mortal antics.'

'Tell that to your suppressed giggles when I described Lucien's frog judging everyone.'

The shared consciousness rippled with what might have been Nala's amusement, quickly masked as contemplation. 'I was simply analyzing the psychological implications of attributing human emotions to amphibians.'

'For three hours?'

'Time is irrelevant in divine analysis.'

'Speaking of analysis,' Zara changed tactics, 'why do you keep checking the progress so obsessively if you're so above human impatience?'

[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: 30.001% COMPLETE]

'I am not checking obsessively. I am monitoring with appropriate divine attention to detail.'

'You've looked at it twelve times in the last minute.'

'Your count is inaccurate. It was only eleven times.'

'Ha! So you were counting!'

Nala's consciousness retreated slightly, caught in her own admission. 'This conversation is becoming counterproductive to proper analytical meditation.'

'Oh? Is that why you're already thinking of another topic to discuss?'

'I am not...' Nala stopped as she realized Zara could indeed sense her searching for a new conversation thread. 'This shared consciousness arrangement is becoming increasingly inconvenient.'

'You mean because you can't pretend you don't enjoy talking to me anymore?'

'I do not enjoy...' Nala began automatically, then felt Zara's awareness catch the obvious lie. 'This is absurd. I am a divine being. I do not develop rapport with temporary consciousness cohabitation.'

'Says the goddess who just spent twenty minutes curious about how humans celebrate.'

'That was purely anthropological interest!'

'Really? So that warmth I felt when I described children's parties was just... divine research enthusiasm?'

Nala fell silent, unable to deny what they both could feel in their shared awareness. After a moment, she tried a different approach.

'It is... concerning that extended consciousness sharing appears to be affecting divine objectivity.'@@novelbin@@

'Aw, are you worried about getting too attached to me?' Zara's tone was teasing, but there was genuine understanding beneath it.

'I am concerned about maintaining appropriate divine distance from mortal perspectives.'

'A bit late for that, isn't it? Considering you're literally sharing my body and memories?'

The reminder brought a tension to their shared space. Both of them had been carefully avoiding discussing certain memories - both ancient and recent.

'That was not by choice,' Nala said stiffly.

'No? Then why did you really trigger this analysis? Because I'm starting to think it wasn't just about verifying memories.'

The question hung between them, heavy with implications. In their shared consciousness, both could feel the weight of unspoken truths.

[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: 30.002% COMPLETE]

'The analysis proceeds at an acceptable rate,' Nala said, obviously changing the subject.

'Now who's making excuses to avoid difficult conversations?'

'I am not avoiding anything. I am maintaining appropriate focus on the system's progress.'

'Right. Just like you maintained "appropriate focus" when asking about my first time meeting Elio?'

The mention of his name sent ripples through their shared awareness - complex emotions from both consciousnesses tangling together before they could suppress them.

'That was... relevant to understanding current circumstances.'

'Was it? Or were you just curious about how he makes others feel too?'

'This line of inquiry is inappropriate for divine-mortal consciousness sharing.'

'You realize I can feel your discomfort with this topic, right? Just like I can feel how you actually enjoy our conversations?'

'Perhaps,' Nala said with what might have been a touch of humor, 'the system analysis should include an evaluation of inappropriate consciousness bleed.'

'Admit it - you're starting to like me.'

'I am tolerating you with divine patience.'

'While enjoying every minute of it.'