The day after Isis arrived at Kuromueina’s home, she was introduced to the others living under the same roof. That said, there were only two of them...
"Now then, Isis. Let me introduce you. This is Ein!"
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I welcome your arrival. I am Ein, Chrome-sama's attendant."
"Ah... p-pleased to meet you... I am... Isis... Um... attendant?"
"Ein just decided to call herself that, so you don't need to worry about it."
"Chrome-sama! I have made up my mind. To repay the massive debt of gratitude I owe for your care, I shall master the Way of the Attendant! Yes, I will work until the day I am known as the Definition of the Attendant Itself! I will become the perfect servant!"
"Uh, right. Well, do your best."
"Yes, ma'am!!"
Kuromueina offered a vague word of encouragement, her expression somewhat exasperated as she watched Ein declare her intentions with a clenched fist. Even such half-hearted words seemed to have a profound effect on Ein; her motivation flared so intensely it felt as though literal flames were dancing behind her.
Isis watched the display with a bewildered expression before tentatively asking a question.
"Um... Ein... aren't you... afraid of me?"
"Afraid? Ah, I see. You do possess quite a staggering amount of magic power. However, it is of no concern. As an attendant, I must never show weakness before my master. One cannot fulfill their duties if they are shaken by magic power of this level."
"Ein is strong, so she isn't frightened by your magic power, Isis. The other one should be fine too... right?"
A look of relief washed over Isis's face when she saw that Ein didn't recoil like other creatures. She offered a small, happy smile. She had finally found someone else who wasn't afraid of her, just like Kuromueina.
Kuromueina then turned her attention to the final member of the household—a massive being in the form of a magic beast easily over ten meters tall. She looked toward Megiddo.
"Honestly, I’m getting excited! A strong one finally showed up! Hey, you said your name was Isis, right?"
"Y-yes."
"I'm Megiddo. Good to meet ya. Since fate brought us together, let’s have a fight so we can get to know each other!"
"Eh? ...Fight?"
"That's right! Fighting is how living things truly understand one another! Well, you look like an undead-type, but whatever. You’ve got a will and you can talk, so you count as a living creature to me!"
For a battle-maniac like Megiddo, Isis and her aura of overwhelming magic power were a welcome sight. He was practically itching for a brawl.
It was a reaction unlike any Isis had ever experienced. She looked around in clear confusion.
"Ah... um... I don't really... know how to fight."
"What?! Even with magic power like that?"
"Yes... I've never... fought."
She wasn't lying. Isis had never been in anything resembling a real battle. Most creatures died just from her proximity, and those who survived usually fled immediately.
Kuromueina, Ein, and Megiddo were the first three people she had ever managed to have a real conversation with.
"Well, I'll be the one to teach her how to fight from now on."
"Hmm. I've got it! You'll figure out the tricks as we go! Alright, let’s start with—"
"Megiddo? Would you like to 'understand' me first?"
"Ah, no, that's... I’ll behave."
Megiddo clearly couldn't win an argument against Kuromueina. At the sound of her smiling threat, his massive frame seemed to shrink.
After giving a wry chuckle at his behavior, Kuromueina spoke to Isis again.
"Oh, and you’ve probably noticed the massive tree next to the house? That’s the World Tree. It’s a concentrated mass of powerful life force, so it won’t wither even if you get close. You don't have to worry about it."
"A big tree... it's amazing."
"I know you’re anxious because there’s so much you don’t know yet, but I’ll teach you everything. I’m glad you’re here."
"Ah... yes!"
As she looked at the three of them welcoming her with warm smiles, tears welled in Isis’s eyes and she beamed. She felt, for the first time, that she had truly found the place where she belonged.
A snowy plain stretched beneath a layer of thick clouds. Amidst the swirling flurries, Isis stood once again before her other self, who was clad in a black hood.
"So, you've returned."
"It isn't just Kuromueina... Ein and Megiddo... they accepted me too. This is... where I belong."
"I see. If you want to believe that, then fine. But I think differently. This isn't where you belong. At the very least, it isn't the home you were truly searching for."
"That's... not true."
"Is it? I think you’re simply settling for a pale imitation. But it doesn't matter. If you've really found your place, then so be it. If not... eventually... you'll have to face the truth."
Isis couldn't find the words to immediately deny the shadow’s claim. She didn't know why. She should have been able to tell this being that she was wrong, and yet, a part of her heart accepted the words as truth.
The reason eluded her, but she was struck by an eerie, indescribable feeling that the being before her knew Isis better than she knew herself.
The snow on the plain seemed to fall with even greater intensity.