Join me, and I’ll make sure that you exist in my new world…
God!Volo AU! This is a what if Volo won the final battle with the player, and actually managed to beat Arceus (somehow, let’s not question how this history-obsessed twins killed god), and Volo is actually close to achieving his goal of creating a new world. He’s offering the player one last chance to join him… after all, he’s not heartless, he’s just been hurt by Arceus’ flawed world enough that he knows that he can make a better one. So, the question remains, will you accept, and exist in the next world?
(note: HI omg i'm so sorry for being radio silent these past few months, i have had a lot of life changes going on and the writing bug left for a good while there. but she's back...i think. requests and salva me are still in progress, but until then, have something extremely self indulgent! i love you all lots; thank you for sticking with me for all this time. <3)
read on ao3
The setting sun shone brightly through its window in the western wall of the church, illuminating the open cathedral in orange hues. Cass tried not to let the sun get in her eyes as she concluded the evening’s service, instead focusing her gaze on the worshippers beneath her. The raised platform that held the altar allowed her to see everyone in the room, their faces cast in shadow from the sunlight.
As Cass concluded the service, she turned, bowing at the altar. No matter how many times she did so, she could always hear Volo laughing, self-satisfied, in the back of her mind. It never got easier, no matter how long she spent in his “perfect” world. She held back a sigh, standing straight and making her way down the steps to the congregation. They’d risen from the pews now, talking amongst themselves and gradually making their way to the door.
Cass smiled, lingering on the last few steps, simply watching them. If nothing else…the people here were wonderful. And if they entrusted her with their spiritual care, then she would keep watch over them until the end of time. That was the promise she’d made at the top of the mountain…and she was a woman of her word.
“Lady Cassandra!”
The formal name in such an informal tone snapped Cass out of her thoughts; she glanced up at the source. Adaman was approaching her, a wide smile on his face. Cass tried her best to smile back; it was never easy, seeing anyone from the old world. They were the same, but different, as anyone who’d had their memories stripped from them would be. “Yes?” Cass replied, making her way towards Adaman, hiding her inner turmoil with practiced ease. “What can I do for you?”
Adaman laughed, and Cass found herself flushing. “More like what we can do for you,” he replied. “A few of us are having dinner together. Irida, Mai, Kamado, Laventon…Practically the whole town. We’d love to have you there!”
Cass’s breath caught in her throat; she wanted to go, she wanted to go more than anything. To spend time with everyone that she loved, everyone that she cared for…
She shook her head. “I’m afraid I cannot. I have duties to attend to here.”
Adaman frowned. “You sure? You practically never leave the church, it’s good for you to get out sometimes.”
‘I know that, and you know that…’ Cass thought bitterly to herself. She shook her head again, smiling sympathetically. “Perhaps another time, Adaman. I do appreciate the offer.”
Adaman returned her smile with one of his own, though there was noticeable pity in it. “Alright…Take care of yourself, though, alright, Lady Cassandra?”
He stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. The touch sent a jolt of panic down her spine, but she found it in herself to smile anyway. “I will. Thank you.”
–
The cathedral was painted in shadow now, the light of the moon from the skylights the only source of illumination. Everyone had left; everyone but Cass. She slowly walked among the pews, eyes looking out for anything left behind. Beside her, Lunaire did the same, his paws making no sound as they padded against the marble tile.
When she had deemed that her work was done, she exhaled, facing the altar. Beside her, Lunaire nudged her leg, and she smiled, leaning down to pet him. “Alright, buddy,” she said softly, the sound echoing off the high walls. “Let’s go home.”
Home…that’s what it was, wasn’t it?
Cass ascended the steps of the altar, Lunaire following close behind. When she reached the top, she walked past the table and pressed her hand onto a well-hidden symbol on the wall. The symbol–a pair of curves notched with lines at the top and bottom, a relic stolen from the world left behind–lit up, and the wall trembled before fading into a bright, golden light. As she’d done many times before, Cass walked through the light, making sure it closed behind her before moving on.
No matter how many times she entered and left this domain, it was always, always beautiful. Perfectly polished white marble lay beneath her feet, and streams of cool water trickled past on either side of the path. Overhead, the stars shone brightly, unhindered by any earthly lights and closer than anyone in the town could ever see. Cass didn’t take any time to appreciate it, however, instead keeping her focus on the temple up ahead.
As she entered the large, open space, Lunaire peeled off to another part of the domain. He barked softly, as if saying goodbye; Cass smiled at him gently and waved. Then, she turned to face the center of this large area, mentally preparing herself for whatever was to come.
“You kept me waiting today, Cassandra.”
Volo sat elegantly in his ornate throne, decorated in an outfit of white and gold. He gazed at her from across the room with a glint in his eye that could best be described as amusement.
“My apologies, Lord Volo,” Cass replied, not meeting his gaze as she bowed at the waist for him. “My duties kept me longer than I expected…May I approach?”
Volo didn’t respond immediately, causing Cass to risk a glance upward. Volo half-heartedly waved a hand in the air; his fingers closed, and in them appeared a length of golden filament. The thread grew in length, skating across the floor towards her. When it reached her, it arced upwards, circling her neck before being pulled taut. Cass held back a grimace as the thread thickened into what she knew was a collar.
Volo tugged, gently at first, and Cass began to walk towards him. Apparently, she wasn’t walking fast enough; a second tug made her stumble, and she tried to ignore the way Volo laughed as she picked up the pace. When she reached the throne, she stopped, unsure of what Volo wanted from her. Sometimes he would have her on his lap, holding her close in some imitation of romance. Other times she would kneel at his feet, often for hours on end. Her knees hurt just thinking about it.
A hand reached out and grasped her wrist, pulling her even closer. The former, then. A small mercy.
Cass did as he silently asked, settling herself against Volo’s chest. Almost immediately, his lips were on her, gently pressing kisses everywhere he could reach. His arms caged her, holding her almost suffocatingly close. “I missed you,” he whispered.
“You miss me every day,” Cass replied.
“It’s true.” He grazed over her shoulder, applying a little pressure with his lips. “How can I help it? They get to see you so often, my love…”
Cass’s breath hitched when Volo bit into her flesh, not quite hard enough to draw blood yet. “You wanted to go, too, didn’t you,” he continued, his grip on her tightening ever so slightly. “My sweet little priestess wanted to run off with someone else…”
‘It was just dinner,’ Cass thought; she didn’t dare vocalize that. “I’m sorry,” she said instead. “I wouldn’t…”
Volo kissed the bite mark he’d left, a remarkably tender gentle for someone so vile. “No, you wouldn’t,” he repeated. “You promised, after all.”
That damn promise…Everyone was fine, everyone would be fine, but in exchange, Cass had to put up with this. His, for all time…There was a time she would’ve liked that.
“That’s right, my love,” Volo continued. “There is no end. We are eternal.”
