ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

Ellen stepped out into the cool evening air, her attire carefully chosen to blend into the night. She wore a black, oversized hoodie with subtle frost-like patterns etched into the fabric, the hood pulled up just enough to shadow her features. Beneath it, a fitted dark blue tank top clung to her form, tucked into high-waisted black cargo pants with multiple pockets. A simple silver chain dangled from one of the belt loops. Her shark tail, wrapped in a sleek dark fabric to minimize attention, swayed slightly as she walked. On her feet were well-worn combat boots, sturdy and quiet against the pavement.

Before leaving, she had taken the time to leave a note for Miyabi and Mira, explaining where she had gone so they wouldn't worry. She also made sure to inform Victoria Housekeeping of her destination. A quick glance at her phone told her it was just past 7 PM. While Ruby hadn't set a specific time for her visit, Ellen decided that now—under the cover of dusk—was the best time. The city streets were quieter, free from the prying eyes of nosy people or, worse, potential fans. If she had any, she didn't know. And frankly, she didn't care.

After a brisk walk, Ellen arrived at Ruby's home, a modest yet cozy apartment nestled within a quieter part of the city. She knocked on the door, stuffing her hands into her pockets as she waited.

The door swung open, revealing Ruby first. She was dressed casually in a cropped red sweater with long sleeves that fell just past her wrists, paired with black joggers and fuzzy house slippers. Her hair was loosely tied back, a few strands framing her face. Behind her, Monna stood with her usual confident stance, wearing a sleeveless white hoodie over a black sports bra, paired with gray cargo pants and sneakers. Her arms were crossed, a smirk on her face. Lastly, Lynn leaned against the doorway with a relaxed smile, her outfit consisting of an oversized green cardigan over a white turtleneck, tucked into high-waisted jeans. She wore simple socks, her feet bare of shoes, a clear sign she had already made herself comfortable for the night.

The warmth of their smiles was immediate, making Ellen feel welcome. She let out a small sigh, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as Ruby stepped aside, waving her in.

"Finally! Took you long enough," Ruby teased playfully.

Monna chuckled, "Yeah, thought you were gonna ghost us."

Lynn simply nodded in greeting, her gaze scanning Ellen for a moment before she patted her on the back. "Come on in. We've got snacks and a whole lot to catch up on."

Ellen stepped inside, letting the door close behind her, sealing her away from the outside world.

The night was alive with laughter and friendly competition as Ellen and her friends huddled around the gaming setup in Ruby's living room. The glow of the screens cast a warm light on their faces, the room filled with the sounds of button mashing and shouts of victory—or, in most cases, frustration.

They started with a fast-paced racing game, the kind where every turn was a battle and every item thrown was a betrayal. Ellen effortlessly drifted around corners, dodging attacks while launching precise counters. Ruby groaned loudly as Ellen sped past her at the last second, claiming yet another victory. Next, they switched to a fighting game, one that required precise inputs and quick reflexes. Ellen's ability to read her opponents made her nearly untouchable, her character landing flawless combos while her friends struggled to keep up.

"Alright, that's it!" Lynn huffed, tossing her controller onto the couch. "We're teaming up against her. This is unfair."

"You were just bad at blocking," Ellen replied with a smirk, leaning back comfortably.

Monna folded her arms, eyes narrowing with playful mischief. "If we can't beat her with skill, we'll just have to use… alternative methods."

Ruby grinned as she rummaged through a nearby bowl filled with assorted sweets. "Hey, Ellen, catch!" She tossed a wrapped caramel right at Ellen's face, forcing her to react. As soon as Ellen caught it, Lynn used the distraction to land a sneak attack in the game.

Ellen blinked at the screen, realizing she had lost her streak. "You little—"

"More distractions!" Monna declared, grabbing a handful of Ellen's favorite candies and tossing them her way. Ellen's reflexes kicked in, her focus split between catching the sweets and trying to maneuver in-game. This gave her friends just enough of an opening to overwhelm her, landing a final hit that sent her character flying off the stage.

Ellen groaned as the words "Game Over" flashed across the screen. "You guys are the worst."

Lynn laughed, reaching over and flicking Ellen's tail, making her flinch. "All's fair in games and war."

Ellen bared her teeth slightly, but her friends were already giggling, their spirits lifted by finally claiming a win against her. They moved on to a co-op horror game next, forcing them to work together instead of against each other.

As the hours passed, the energy in the room gradually shifted. The excitement of competition faded into the comfortable stillness of the night. It was time for their movie.

Ruby grabbed the remote and scrolled through their options. "Alright, what's the pick for tonight?"

"I swear, if it's another cheesy horror movie…" Lynn muttered.

"No promises," Ruby teased as she clicked on a title, grinning as the opening credits began to roll. Ellen exhaled, stretching her arms before settling into her spot, her tail flicking lazily behind her.

The movie started off strong, its gripping story and stellar performances holding everyone's attention. But as the second half rolled in, it was as if the writers had abandoned everything that made the film great. The plot lost direction, characters made baffling decisions, and any semblance of tension evaporated.

Ellen found herself sprawled across the couch, her oversized black hoodie—decorated with subtle frost-like patterns—discarded to reveal a snug, dark blue tank top. Her long tail lazily draped over the edge of the couch, occasionally flicking as she idly ran her fingers through Ruby's hair. Ruby, nestled on top of her, had long since abandoned her cropped red sweater in favor of Ellen's massive hoodie, the fabric nearly swallowing her small frame. She clung to its warmth, barely keeping her eyes open as the film dragged on.

Monna and Lynn weren't faring any better. Monna struggled to keep her head up, her resolve waning with each sluggish moment of the film. Meanwhile, Lynn had surrendered completely to sleep, her glasses slipping precariously off her face. The two were curled up on the floor, sharing a large body pillow and an oversized blanket, their slow breathing blending with the dim hum of the television.

By the time the credits finally rolled, everyone except Ellen had succumbed to exhaustion. She alone had endured the entirety of the film, though she wasn't quite sure why she had bothered. With a quiet sigh, she let her head sink into the couch cushion. Sleep's gentle pull became irresistible, and she welcomed it without resistance.

When Ellen awoke, she was no longer in Ruby's living room. Instead, she found herself gazing up at an endless, star-filled sky, the vast expanse stretching infinitely above her. At the center of it all was a massive black hole, its dark abyss now encircled by a glowing blue ring, pulsing with an ethereal light.

Ellen wandered beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, the massive black hole with its hauntingly beautiful blue ring looming above her. The world was silent except for the soft hum of the stars that pulsed in the distance, their quiet glow bathing the field before her in a dreamlike shimmer.

A sea of flowers stretched as far as the eye could see—delicate, ethereal blossoms that swayed gently despite the still air. Their petals, a shade of deep void interlaced with glimmers of distant light, mirrored the abyss above. These flowers, untouched by time, carried the essence of Nihility itself, yet they did not wither. They simply existed, much like the entity she sought.

In the center of the field, curled in on itself, was a figure. The same one Ellen had encountered before—the mortal form of IX, the Aeon of Nihility. It lay still, unmoving, yet she could feel its abyssal gaze upon her, though no eyes were visible. There was no hostility, no malice—only the quiet presence of something incomprehensibly vast and yet, at this moment, small.

Ellen moved forward, unhurried, her steps soundless against the soft earth. She knelt before IX, their forms inches apart, but neither spoke. The silence between them was not empty but full—brimming with an understanding that transcended words.

IX's slender arms slowly lifted from their limp position, reaching towards her. Its fingers flexed in small, hesitant motions, much like a child reaching for the warmth and security of a guardian's embrace. There was something achingly raw in the gesture, something deeply human despite IX's existence beyond such concepts.

Without hesitation, Ellen leaned forward, wrapping her arms around IX, drawing the entity close to her chest. IX tensed for the briefest moment before melting into her touch, pressing itself against her with a quiet sigh that was almost imperceptible. Its body, cool and weightless like mist, settled against hers, yet she felt the depth of its presence, the quiet yearning that had no words.

Ellen tightened her hold slightly, resting her chin atop IX's head, her fingers tracing idle patterns against its back. IX curled further into her, its form nestling against her as if trying to disappear within her warmth, as if she were the only tether keeping it from dissolving into nothingness.

Time lost meaning as they remained like that, enveloped in an intimacy neither of them could explain but neither questioned. Ellen did not know why her presence affected IX the way it did, nor did she care to seek an answer. She simply accepted it, much like how she accepted the silent pull that drew her to IX in the first place.

In this moment, under the starry abyss, with the black hole watching from above, Ellen held Nihility in her arms—not as an unfathomable cosmic force, but as something that simply wanted to be held. And in return, IX held onto her, as though afraid to let go.