The Eminence of a True Monarch of the Shadows

[Third Person's PoV] 

"Consider yourself fortunate that Alpha and the others care for you as they do," Cid said, his voice dripping with a cold, restrained malice. "If it weren't for my reluctance to harm any version of them, I'd have ended you myself." He scoffed, eyes narrowed in disdain.

Before anyone could respond, an unsettling ripple of shadow coursed across the ground. From the darkness emerged the others, materializing with an otherworldly fluidity. The sudden appearance stunned everyone, their eyes wide as they beheld Shadow, who grimaced and clutched his abdomen. He wiped blood from his lips, expression dark with a mix of pain and anger.

Cid was a bit surprised to see them. "What are you all doing here?" he asked, trying to mask the concern that leaked into his voice.

Aurora stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "You were taking too long," she snapped. "Did you forget that time flows differently within that shadow of yours? We were worried sick." Her gaze softened, however, when she spotted Celeste safe in Alpha's(2) arms. Relief washed over her, and she rushed to cradle the child, pulling her close.

"Oh, my sweet baby," Aurora whispered, tears gathering as she rained kisses across Celeste's forehead and cheeks. The little girl's expression lit up with contentment, her eyes half-closed in bliss. But then, Aurora's voice turned stern. "I ought to spank your little bottom for disobeying me. Didn't I tell you not to teleport away like that? You could have gotten seriously hurt!"

Celeste's eyes widened, her smile faltering. She gazed down, guilt washing over her small features. "Swrry… Mwmmy," she mumbled, her voice trembling.

Aurora softened instantly, pressing her forehead against Celeste's. "You scared me so much," she whispered, a slight quiver in her voice.

Cid shifted, his eyes landing on Alpha, who stood proudly as she carried the two newborns in her arms. "Should you really be standing?" he asked, a worried crease forming on his brow. "You just gave birth."

The air crackled with surprise as Alpha(2) took in Cid's words, her eyes darting between the newborns cradled in Alpha's arms. "Wait... she did what now?" she sputtered, her shock plain as her gaze settled on the two tiny elves with their golden hair and shimmering eyes. They were exquisite, like something out of a dream.

Alpha handed Loriel over to Cid, who received his daughter with care. "Don't worry, dear Husband," Alpha said with a confident smirk. "Remember, I am strong. Recovery is second nature to me."

Alpha(2) blinked, trying to make sense of the sudden development. "Husband?" she whispered, as if tasting the word for the first time.

Without warning, Alpha raised her hand, and the ground beneath them shivered as thick, ancient roots erupted, coiling around Shadow's legs. Beta(2) tensed, eyes narrowing. "What are you doing to him?" she demanded.

Shadow's fingers found her shoulder, his touch gentle despite the strain on his face. "It's all right," he said, his voice low but steady. "She's healing me." He closed his eyes as a wave of relief swept through him, the roots pulsating with energy that knitted his ruptured organs back together.

Cid glanced sideways at Alpha, a wary grin playing on his lips as he cradled Loriel. "You know, you could have left him like that a little longer."

Alpha chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. "As much as you might wish that, my dear, we cannot bear to see your counterpart in pain. Even if he's scum, our compassion for you extends to him."

A stunned silence filled the room until Epsilon(2) gasped, wide-eyed. "Wait… Are you and Alpha seriously… together? And you had babies?" Her voice trembled on the edge of disbelief.

Alpha's eyes shone with pride as she introduced the twins. "Yes. Meet Loriel and Lorion, our son and daughter. They are twins, if that wasn't clear."

Shadow and Alpha(2) exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. Alpha(2)'s cheeks turned a deep crimson, and her ears twitched in embarrassment.

Epsilon stepped forward, brandishing her wedding ring like a trophy. "Actually, we're all married to him." She shot a glance at the others, who followed her lead, displaying their rings proudly.

"WHAAAAT!?" The collective shout made Shadow flinch, his dark eyes narrowing as he scowled. "This proves you're an imposter," he snapped. "I'd never reduce myself to being a normie with a harem. That's beneath the Eminence of Shadow."

The girls shared looks of disappointment, each one glancing away, their eyes shadowed with unspoken thoughts. Beta folded her arms with a heavy sigh. "Wow… I already don't like him," she muttered. "I thought meeting your counterpart would be amazing."

Delta approached Delta(2) cautiously, her eyes narrowing. Both sniffed the air, sizing each other up like wary wolves.

"You're strong," Delta(2) declared with an excited grin.

Delta's expression darkened, brows furrowing. "You're weak," she said, crossing her arms defiantly. "Delta isn't supposed to be weak."

Delta(2) bristled, her grin morphing into a snarl. "Weak? Delta(2) is NOT weak!" She lunged forward, and the room tensed with expectation.

Epsilon, meanwhile, pointed at her counterpart with a sudden burst of laughter. "Wait… are you using slime to—"

"SHUT UP!" Epsilon(2) screamed, her face turning scarlet. "You're one to talk! I bet yours are fake too!"

Epsilon's grin widened as she squeezed her chest. "Au naturel, sweetheart."

Epsilon(2) collapsed dramatically, pounding the floor with her fists, tears streaming down her face. "WHY IS THE UNIVERSE SO UNFAIR?!"

Epsilon simply cackled, throwing her head back with a maniacal laugh that filled the room.

In the corner, Gamma and Gamma(2) approached each other with hesitant smiles, only to trip simultaneously and crash to the ground. They smacked their heads together with a dull thud, rolling on the floor clutching their foreheads. "Ow, ow, ow!" they chorused, voices intertwined.

Celeste burst into peals of laughter, pointing with tiny fingers, her eyes squeezed shut in glee until her face turned bright red.

Cid felt a tug at his coat and glanced down to find Eta staring up at him with an expectant look. "What is it?" he asked.

"Pick a pair," she said, her voice completely serious. "I need to dissect two counterparts to analyze atomic structures across universes. Epsilon is the most viable option if you're unsure."

"WHAT?! Why us?" both Epsilons shrieked, glaring at Eta in betrayal.

Eta's expression remained impassive. "Simple process of elimination. Alpha is the first wife and indispensable. Beta has her infiltration and authorial connections. Gamma funds our research and is doted on by our husband. Delta is our muscle. Zeta is an invaluable spy and assassin. And I… I'm needed for science. You're… redundant."

Tears welled in Epsilon's eyes as she looked up at Cid. "You wouldn't let her, would you? I'm not useless… am I?"

Before Cid responded, he brought his hand down in a playful karate chop on Eta's head. She winced, rubbing the sore spot. "Ow!"

"No one's getting dissected," Cid said firmly, offering Epsilon a reassuring pat on the head.

"But… science," Eta muttered, pouting. She let out a deep sigh before mumbling to herself. "I guess I'll find my own counterpart to study…"

Before she could slip away, Cid caught her by the back of her coat. "Not happening."

Alpha(2) shifted uncomfortably. "Please, keep your Eta in check. I don't want ours dissected."

Eta slumped to the floor in defeat, muttering, "You're no fun…" Seconds later, she slouched against Cid's leg, her breathing evened out as light snores escaped her lips.

A collective silence settled over them, punctuated by a few awkward coughs and the soft sound of Eta's snoring.