God Simulator: The Goddesses In The Simulation Are All Real

Linsley offered a small nod. "Exactly. She's not in her right state of mind. The gift amplifies negative emotions, and with her already spiraling from the situation here, she couldn't hold herself back."

Ted let out a deep breath, his gaze softening as he looked back at Lucy. "She must've been through hell, huh? To see her like this… It's not like her."

"She'll recover," Linsley said firmly. "But right now, she needs time to stabilize."

Ted's attention turned to Aurielle, who raised an eyebrow at his scrutiny, even while bound. "And her? Let me guess—she pushed Lucy's buttons."

Aurielle managed a muffled sound that might've been a teasing remark if not for the golden chains.

Ted sighed. "Figures. She's good at that."

Linsley crossed his arms. "Aurielle's antics didn't help, but Lucy's state of mind is the bigger issue. That's why I restrained her—for her own good."

Ted shook his head, his lips twitching into a small smile despite the chaos around them. "You really haven't changed, bro. Still the one keeping everyone in line."

"Someone has to," Linsley replied, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "But don't get comfortable. You've just gone through a Second Awakening, and your SSS-rank gift might be powerful, but your flux is unstable. You need to work on controlling it."

Ted nodded, his respect for Linsley evident in the way he carried himself. "Understood. But what's the plan now?"

"We regroup," Linsley said simply. "The Dominion will send reinforcements soon, and we're not ready to take them head-on. Next time, we'll hit them where it hurts."

Ted's gaze lingered on Lucy for a moment before he turned back to Linsley. "I'll leave her to you, bro. You're the only one who can get through to her."

Linsley nodded, summoning a shimmering portal with a wave of his hand. "Go through. Stabilize your flux. We'll plan the next move from there."

Ted hesitated briefly, then stepped toward the portal. "Got it. But… thanks, Linsley. For everything."

"Don't mention it," Linsley replied, watching as Ted disappeared through the portal.

Aurielle made another muffled sound, her violet eyes glinting mischievously.

Linsley snapped his fingers, and the chains around her dissolved.

Aurielle stretched her arms dramatically, her grin returning full force. "Finally! You know, you're really heavy-handed with those chains. Not exactly my idea of fun, you know?"

"Focus," Linsley said sharply. "We're not done here."

Aurielle smirked but didn't press further. "Whatever you say, big bro. Let's just hope Lucy cools down before she tears your head off."

Linsley ignored her, turning back to Lucy. The golden chains around her dissolved with another wave of his hand, and for a moment, she hovered in the air, her expression unreadable.

"Lucy," Linsley said, his voice low but steady. "I know you're angry, but this isn't the time for it. Ted needs us. We'll settle everything later."

Her crimson eyes flickered with frustration and lingering hurt, but she didn't lash out. Instead, she folded her wings slightly, her silence speaking louder than words.

Linsley glanced at Aurielle. "Let's move."

As the portal shimmered before them, the three of them stepped through, leaving behind the ruined battlefield and the chaos of the Astral Dominion's forces closing in.

…

The portal opened into a secluded underground chamber, dimly lit by soft, glowing crystals embedded in the walls. The air was cooler here, free of the tension and bloodshed they had just left behind.

Ted stumbled slightly as he exited the portal, his flux still unstable from his Second Awakening. He steadied himself against a nearby wall, taking a deep breath to regain composure.

Linsley stepped through with calm precision, his sharp gaze scanning the chamber. It was one of his hidden safe zones, a fallback location prepared by himself in case something like this ever happened.

Aurielle, ever the wildcard, appeared last, her violet eyes darting around with curiosity. "Well, this is cozy. You sure know how to pick your hideouts, Linsley. I almost expected a throne in the corner."

Linsley ignored her comment, turning to Ted. "Sit down. Stabilizing your flux is the priority right now. If it continues to run rampant, you'll burn out before you're of any use."

Ted hesitated, glancing toward Lucy, who stood silently near the edge of the chamber.

Though the golden chains that had once bound her were gone, her posture remained stiff, her crimson eyes flickering with frustration and embarrassment. She avoided Ted's gaze, clearly unwilling to address her earlier outburst.

Ted's shoulders stiffened as he turned back to Linsley, his voice subdued. "Bro… about Lucy… I get it now. Her Fallen Angel gift, the side effects, the jealousy—it all makes sense. But…"

"You're wondering why I restrained her," Linsley interrupted, his tone steady. "Because she wasn't thinking clearly. If I hadn't, she might've caused more harm—to herself, to you, and to us."

Ted nodded slowly, though his concern for Lucy remained. "I just want her to be okay."

"She will be," Linsley assured him. "But first, you need to stabilize. Sit."

Reluctantly, Ted complied, lowering himself to the floor. Linsley extended his hand, summoning a glowing, circular artifact from his Real Fantasy gift. The artifact hovered above Ted, pulsing with a soothing energy that began to regulate his flux.

Aurielle leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she watched the process with mild interest. "You know, for someone who just had a major tantrum, Ted's pretty quick to play the obedient little brother."

Ted shot her a sideways glare, but before he could retort, Linsley's voice cut through the room. "Aurielle."

"What?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"Not the time," Linsley replied curtly, focusing on Ted's flux stabilization.

Aurielle shrugged, though a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Fine, fine. I'll behave—for now."

As the artifact continued its work, Ted's aura began to stabilize, the erratic surges of brown flux subsiding into a steady, controlled flow. He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply as the pressure within him eased.

"Better?" Linsley asked, his gaze steady.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Ted opened his eyes, nodding. "Yeah. Thanks, bro."