Chapter 22 Part 1: Ainz

Ainz looked at Aura and Mare. The two of them were sniffling, having finally gotten over the whirlwind of strong emotions which had assailed them, but they still huddled on the bench together. With regret, Ainz knew that he would likely need to comfort them more in a few seconds. It was time to disinter Bukubukuchagama's body, to see if there was any chance of revival.

He realized her had forgotten to ask Kaiju exactly where the body was buried. He was confident that Bukubukuchagama was indeed buried on the island because of the automated voices left behind, so he felt confident that he would eventually find her if it came to that.

[Message]

The spell suddenly guttered out as the anti-magic effects of the island kicked into action. Goddamnit. Ainz contemplated what to do. Can we just dig up the whole island? It will be tricky without magic, and besides, I'd hate to do that at Bukubukuchagama's grave. If this even is her grave.

Ainz looked for Kaiju. If he could communicate with the slime, his problems would be solved. It would raise questions why the Supreme Overlord would allow something like this to slip his mind, but he could deal with that later. The important thing was to find Bukubukuchagama and ascertain whether he could resurrect her.

"Aura, can you sense Bukubukuchagama's resting place on this island?"

Aura inhaled à couple times, focusing. However, after à minute, her ears drooped and she gave Ainz à negative look.

"No, Ainz-sama. I regret to say that I cannot sense her."

Ainz considered. Digging up the island was essentially out of the picture. He would not desecrate her grave in that way. Additionally, using magic wasn't an option either, due to the island's restrictions. That left only one slim hope, before he would need to send one of the elves back to Kaiju for instructions, and accept the disgrace. He made a guess, and called out.

"Island, where is Bukubukuchagama buried?"

Sure enough, he received a message from Bukubukuchagama.

"Hey, just to be sure; who did you say you were again?"

"Momonga, Leader of the Supreme Beings of Nazarick."

"If you are Momonga, you would know the code."

"Glory to Ainz Ooal Gown, may we crush our enemies underfoot, and sow their lands with salt."

"Yep, that is correct. If you would direct your eyes to that tree, you may notice the snake. Give it a pull."

Ainz relayed the information to Aura and Mare, and told them to step back, which they did, obediently. He walked forward, and grasped the golden snake in his hand. It was coiled against the tree tightly, and he was having difficulty moving it.

However, when he pulled it towards him and upwards, it moved without resistance. The snake unraveled from the tree like it was made of rope, and he pulled it away in his hand. For a second, nothing happened. Did I break it?

His worries were assuaged when the ground began to move. It shuddered, before being parted into two halves by an inexorable force. When it had parted, à marble coffin appeared in the bottom of the pit, and slowly rose into the air.

Aura and Mare gasped, and gazed at it as it hovered in front of them. Having the longest arms, only Ainz was able to reach the coffin from where it hovered. He pulled it towards him with an outstretched arm. It floated slowly, but he quickly had it over the ground.

"Aura, Mare, I will let you open it."

"Thank you Ainz-sama! To think you would bestow such honor on us!"

"Y-yeah, thank you, Ainz-sama!"

The twins grasped the heavy marble lid, and after à silent second, they lifted it up. The marble lid must have weighed half à ton, so they slowly maneuvered it to the ground. Inside, was another, smaller sarcophagus. Rather than the imposing, marble edifice, it was a smaller statue. The marble coffin was so large that this sarcophagus was upright inside of it, and yet it did not reach the height of the internal space. Aura lifted the golden sarcophagus out of the marble one, and held it to the sunlight triumphantly. Her face was glowing.

She triumphantly held the priceless possession of her creator to her chest, holding it so tightly that Ainz was worried she would crack it. Mare reached out his hands as if to take it from her, but she spun around so he was only facing her back. He scampered to the other side of her, but she turned again.

Ainz spoke up.

"Aura, place it on the ground in front of me."

Aura reluctantly placed it on the ground in front of her master, and stepped back, fidgeting, as she itched to pick it up once more.

Ainz reached forward, and picked up the sarcophagus. It was harder for the strength of a magic caster to carry, but it was manageable. He examined it closely, trying to find a way to open it. Bisecting the effigy was a clean crack, stretching straight from top to bottom. Can I pry it open?

He placed his hands on either side of the sarcophagus, and gave a gentle pull. Mare gasped, but stayed silent other than that. He pulled harder, feeling it begin to shift. Ainz pulled even harder, and it slowly came open. He braced to see a decomposing pile of slime inside, and opened it all the way. Inside was an ornate jar, with a note attached by string to the neck of the jar. Is this the wrong grave?

He picked up the note.

You know that I always wanted to be cremated

- Bukubukuchagama

Ainz's eyes traveled to the jar as he realized what he was looking at. Her ashes…! A profound disappointment filled him, as he realized that he had truly been to late. It was a cruel joke by the universe, to toss him a bone, only for him to realize it was made of plastic.

No… there is still hope. Even if it costs some XP, I have plenty more in [Avarice and Generosity].

Ainz walked over to the beach, holding the jar while the note fluttered in the wind on its string. Behind him, Aura and Mare followed, apparently picking up on his mood. They could tell something had gone wrong.

"Ainz-sama, what was that jar? What's in it? And where is Bukubukuchagama-sama?"

"Hush, Aura. I will tell you in time. For now, we have more pressing issues."

Ainz knew his silence must be taking a toll on the dark elves, but he didn't feel very sorry. A feeling of selfishness overtook him. They are just NPC's. What really matters is my friend. He beat down the emotion. NPC's werent code anymore. They lived and breathed, and it wasn't fair to leave them out of it.

"Forgive me, I allowed my emotions to get the better of me."

"No, it's our fault for pestering you! Please forgive us!"

"Ah, very well. What is in this jar is…"

He searched for a good way to put it before giving up. He would just need to be blunt.

"What's in this jar is Bukubukuchagama's ashes. This is no mere artifact of hers, but her burial urn."

"What? I was just holding the ashes of my creator?"

Aura's face was a paragon of shock and dismay. A tear came out of one eye, and she began to sniffle.

"Yo-you didn't let me touch it! Ai-Ainz-sama, may I have it?"

"Right now, all that matters is Bukubukuchagama's resurrection. For that, I need to get off of this island carrying this. Therefore, if you wait for ten minutes, you may hold Bukubukuchagama herself, rather than her ashes!"

Aura and Mare instinctively took a step back, and Ainz walked toward the beach where the rowboat lay. He climbed in, and the rowboat automatically moved into deeper water. Ainz began rowing quickly, using the strength of a level 100 character. He skimmed across the water, heading towards the dock. Because of the way you row, he could see the faces of Aura and Mare on the island.

They looked heartbroken.

Part 2: Kaiju

Kaiju sat on the pier, watching baby Mare scoot across the water. It was truly strange to see her friends as they had been during her early life, as children. Their adult forms were far more familiar to her. As she watched, Mare was called by Ainz-sama (Exalted be his name), and he rowed over to the island.

The three of them listened for a second to what Kaiju knew must have been the customized greetings Bukubukuchagama had left. Her mother had created recorded messages for over 200 people. One for each of the 41(May they live forever), and many more for other significant people. Some people had received more than one message.

It was a project that had consumed Bukubukuchagama's restless energy in the last year of her life, culminating in her final resting place. She remembered how her mother had lain in the golden sarcophagus, and done something. Her essence had fled, ascending in motes of golden light. After it was over, all that remained was dust.

Kaiju knew that the party would have been currently asked if they were everyone. As she suspected, Ainz-sama looked over to her, an unspoken question in his glowing eyes.

"No, I won't be coming."

He nodded, and turned away from her. Silently, Kaiju rolled some distance away. Behind her, there was a silhouette. She quickly turned, around, seeing the figure of an elderly man sneaking up on her, holding a cane.

She was about to attack him, when she recognized who it was.

"Jackson."

"Kaiju-dono."

"What are you doing here? I thought you would be at home."

"That dragon left a golem at my home. They may welcome me, but they don't need my assistance with a beast like that around. So, I came back here. I spent the better years of my life in service to her. It feels right to spend my last ones that way as well."

"Hmm. did you know there is another Supreme Being in the world."

"There is only one Supreme Being in my eyes."

"She had many comrades. She would have been devastated that she has missed this one."

"Yes, she would have been. Who is it?"

"Momonga-sama."

Jackson nodded. They had been taught the names of their 41 gods as children, and aside from Bukubukuchagama, Momonga was most revered. Bukubukuchagama had taught that death was a rest after a life of hard work. For the most part, that was true. There had been no battles for centuries. Thus, Momonga had become an idea of the final father.

"He is the best one to come back, I feel. Perhaps the master of death itself could bring her back."

"Maybe. But is she dead, or ascended? I saw her essence float upwards, and fade. It doesn't seem fitting that a Supreme Being would end their life in the House of Momonga. That is where lesser flames dwindle."

"Kaiju, we can always hope. I would give much to see my savior again."

Kaiju had lived nearly 150 years in service of the Supreme Being, and almost everyone who had ever met the generous and cheerful World Shaper felt similar.

"As would many. They should be done by now. Shall we look at them?"

"Yes. Lead the way."

Kaiju rolled forward, back onto the pier. Momonga-sama was in the rowboat, heading back. I still don't understand why he changed his name. In the rowboat at Momonga-sama's feet, a golden jar glittered. Kaiju recognized what it was. Her ashes! What is he planning on doing with them? Should I stop him?

"Jackson, he is holding the ashes. Should I try to stop him?"

"We both know you couldn't. And besides, how could he resurrect her without her ashes? I think it's a good sign."

Kaiju moved her body to mimic a nod, an action she had seen her mother do thousands of times, and backed away from the edge of the dock.

Momonga-sama truly looked like a Master of Death as he stepped out of the boat. His black robes flared, and he held the Guild Weapon in his hand, glittering coldly. Kaiju felt like a cold wind was blowing from behind him, and indeed, his robes fluttered in a gale that no one else seemed to feel. She instinctively gave him more space as his aura flared up, causing grass at his feet to die. However, he didn't seem particularly angry. It is simply how the God of Death should be, I feel.

"Kaiju. I have your mother's ashes in my hand here, and I will resurrect her shortly. Do you have any particular spot you would like it to be done?"

Kaiju looked at the jar in his arms. Behind him, the boat disappeared, reappearing on the island for Aura to enter. She glanced back at Momonga-sama.

"No, my lord. Right here would work."

Momonga-sama nodded, and grasped the jar tighter. She saw bony fingers tighten on the Guild Weapon, and Momonga-sama's eyes flare up.

[Greater Resurrection]

She felt the wind blow again, and one of the gems on the Staff was glowing brightly. However, nothing happened. She heard Momonga-sama muttering.

"Worth a try. On to the next attempt."

Kaiju and Jackson had backed up quite a bit to allow the Supreme Necromancer to work. Behind him, Aura clambered onto the dock. She appeared to quickly make sense of the situation, and stood to one side.

[Distort Morals] [Greater Resurrection: Holy]

This time, a bright white light emanated from his hands, causing the jar to glow and shake. A different gem glowed on the Staff. However, for the second time, nothing happened. Once again the Supreme One muttered.

"Final try before I make a wish."

[Asclepian Reversal: Wrath of Zeus]

Kaiju gasped at the legendary 10th tier spell. It was known for being the strongest resurrection spell in 'Yggdrasil.' In the distance, lightning flashed from an unknown source, as the sky was clear. Thunder boomed in response, and a bright flash of lightning cleaved from the heavens, striking the jar. Kaiju was worried that it would damage the jar, but it didn't. However, it also failed to resurrect the World Shaper. Despite the heavy feel of powerful magics, the Supreme Being refused to descend. Momonga-sama's chest heaved in a very human imitation of a frustrated sigh.

"Buku, I will return you to me at any cost, even if costs a use of my ring!"

The ruler of the Supreme Beings of the Great Tomb of Nazarick gestured. One of rings decorating his hands glowed brightly, emanating a scorching light.

Around his feet, a magic circle glowed into existence, spinning beneath his robes with fantastic speed. He glowed with blue light, as if backlit by a powerful spotlight.

"Oh hear me ring, I wish! Resurrect Bukubukuchagama, twelfth member of the Supreme Beings!"

The jar shook and glowed golden before shattering. The ashes scattered in the wind, before glowing a golden red, and being drawn together into the shape of a slime. Golden motes appeared from the sky, channeling into the dust made approximation of a Supreme Being, filling it with divine essence.

Part 3: Aura

Aura gasped in shock. She had been disapointed by the results of Ainz's previous spells, and become increasingly prepared for failure. However, when the Supreme One had chosen to use his full power, the power reserved only for the Supreme Beings, she had felt the world bend over backwards to accommodate the desires of Ainz-sama.

Wind whirled, dust flew, and even trees hundreds of meters distant groaned as they bent backward. In the eye of this storm, the Master of Death forced life back into a shell of dust. Aura felt excitement growing. She could practically feel the warm appendages of her creator hugging her, praising her, loving her. In front of her, the last of the golden motes channeled into the body, filling it up like a balloon.

However, something was wrong. The last of the glimmering motes had entered the ashen body, yet it didn't look fully inflated. Next to her, Ainz exclaimed, and gestured again. More golden motes appeared in a flurry, entering the body, but it was still only 75% full. Aura felt a void of disappointment and heart crushing despair settle upon her. She had been so prepared for the possibility of failure- the Most Supreme had warned her to be several times.

But coming so close, to literally see the half-formed body of her Creator hanging in the sky, and then having it ripped apart hurt the worst. Aura looked up. Ainz-sama was casting spell after spell, more than anyone in Nazarick could have consecutively cast on the body. Aura had assumed he had failed after the storm ended, but she felt a flicker of hope rise in her chest again. The Supreme Beings held all of reality in their hands. If anyone could do the impossible, it was Ainz-sama. As she watched, Ainz cast a flurry of spells, and the dust fluttering around Bukubukuchagama's body fluttered into place, turning pink. He cast spells quickly, effortlessly using magic that left Aura in awe. Slowly, under hundreds of spells from every tier, her creator was reformed.

Parts that danced into dust were reined in and stabilized. The essence was magnified and shifted to cover the body. Slowly, a perfect image of Bukubukuchagama appeared, made of her own ashes. Then, Ainz-sama cast a final spell, and the dust blew away. Underneath was the perfect form of Bukubukuchagama.

Aura felt a stirring of life in that slime, and suddenly, full consciousness. She ran over to her creator as she slowly descended, and stopped next to Ainz-sama. In that moment, she had witnessed the true majesty, the difference that separates mortals from the Supreme. She would tell all of Nazarick when she returned home. For now, it was sufficient to feel gratitude dwarfing all other emotions. All emotions, that is, aside from love. For in front of her, her creator stood.

Before she could move a step, she heard the rich tones of her master next to her. As usual, they were calm and confident. Despite that, she could feel stress underlying the tones.

"Aura and Mare. She may look stable, but I assure you she is not. The only thing holding her together is hundreds of charms of permanence and binding cast by me. I can't hold the mana cost for long. Use your five minutes wisely."

Aura felt the shock of overwhelming sadness again. She had gone through a topsy turvy of 'here she is!' and 'nevermind, she really isn't! Gotcha!' so many times already. When she had seen the physical form of her creator in front of her, she had dared to hope. Now, when it had been snatched away for the last time, she felt an incredible despair. But she steeled herself. For now, her creator was in front of her, and there was no time for grief. She would spend the time the Supreme One gave her wisely.

Bukubukuchagama looked up, and her body suddenly became very animated. Aura heard Momonga saying something, but she wasn't listening.

Aura leapt forward, slamming into Bukubukuchagama. Mare soon followed as both of them were grasped firmly in slimy coils. It felt right to be there, like children hugging their mother. She exuded a pleasant and familiar scent, and her body was warm and comfortable.

"BUKUBUKUCHAGAMA-SAMA!"

Part 4: Bukubukuchagama

She slept, curled into a ball. The afterlife was a place of sensation, not of reality. It was endless warmth and comfort. You stayed for a couple years, and then you disappeared. She instinctively knew this, despite never having been told. She encountered no others, though she was sure that there were many more. She tumbled through the dark, in perfect peace, for eternities. Suddenly, she was snapped from her sleep. The familiar warmth was there, but it was cooling, fading. She was being pulled out! She felt her essence siphoned like a straw as an inexorable force pulled her out of Death.

A shrieking whirlwind pulled her out, and she felt parts of her essence be stripped away, fading. She felt only pain as her essence was forced to become corporeal. And then, she was bound back into physical form, infused into ashes. She felt herself become real once more, and hundreds of cruel barbs lashed her in place. She felt her body rise to surround her, and then the dust cleared, and she no longer felt pain.

She felt the surety of being alive, the strength. Being in the world felt good. However, she could feel a faint sensation. Her essence was slowly twirling away, disappearing back into the peaceful place despite the magic holding her in the mortal realm.

Finally, her mind cleared, and she looked around. In front of her was someone she unconsciously referred to as her 'Summoner.' It was a tall, imposing skeleton mage holding a sta… Momonga? Could that be you? Next to the undead stood two small humans. No wait, those are elves. It's Aura and Mare! What the hell is going on? Why are they children again?

However, before she could ponder the strange events, the undead nodded, speaking in a rich and confident voice.

"Hello, my old friend-"

However, before she could hear him finish, she was hit by two powerful impacts. She reflexively grabbed them, and held them. When she realized that it was Aura and Mare, she stopped, and held them more gently. Oh, little Mare! Fierce Aura! I had forgotten how perfect your child forms were.

The feel of her two children snuggling against her and crying, speaking incoherently, rose intense motherly feelings in her. She grabbed them close and made soothing motions over their darling heads.

"There there. It's alright."

They sniffled incoherently, muttering something and begging forgiveness. That won't do.

"Hush, babies. Talk to me."

Behind them, she noticed the undead. It must be Momonga. He called me old friend. However, she felt a certain feeling of strain coming off of him. She felt his voice echo in her mind as a [Message] spell was cast.

"Hello, Bukubuku. I cant keep this up for long, so please hurry. I have much I would have liked to tell you, but we are running out of time, and they deserve this. Maybe I'll Wish for you again."

Bukubukuchagama couldn't respond while snuggling the twins, but she extended a tendril, making it nod at Momonga, and make a sad face emoji. She knew that you could not wish for the same thing twice. She wouldn't ever talk to Momonga again, and she felt a sudden surge of gratitude that he recognized who needed her more.

Bukubukuchagama diverted her whole attention towards the children grabbing her.

"Hey, guys. GUYS! My time here is limited. As much as I like to snuggle, we should also talk, you know?"

Aura nodded, slightly more collected than Mare, who was attempting to bury himself inside her, so deep was he snuggling.

"Do you guys have anything to ask me?"

"D-do you love us?"

"Of course, my little babies! You two are my most precious creation."

"Then why did you leave?"

Bukubukuchagama had been asked why she was leaving hundreds of times by her guardians when she announced it. Thus, she already had an answer prepared. However, it seemed to melt in the face of such cuteness. But she plowed through.

"Us Supreme Beings have many duties across the many realms of existence. I was not abandoning you, I simply have many responsibilities. To us, Nazarick is like a vacation."

She sensed that the answer wasn't satisfying what were, essentially, two orphans. Bukubukuchagama decided to add a bit of herself to the answer.

"But, if I had known you two were still in this world, I would have come and gotten you."

They nodded. For the next 200 seconds she frantically answered questions, about them, life's meaning, her plans, about Supreme Beings, and most importantly, if she loved them. They kept coming back to that.

"Y-you actually love us?"

"Yes, my dears. Without a doubt."

Before they could ask something else, she heard the rich baritone of an Overlord. Momonga. He walked over to her, and placed a hand on the twins's shoulders. They looked up at him, and seemed to sense his intent, falling silent. They did not, however, let go of Bukubukuchagama.

"Bukubuku, I would like to talk before I let you go."

"Of course, Guild Leader."

"Did you care?"

Bukubukuchagama knew he meant about Yggdrasil. Pero had told her that the game was everything to Momonga, and that he didn't even have a family. She could understand if he wanted to know if people felt the same way he did.

"Yes, Momonga. Real life got in the way, as it always does. But for a time, it was my greatest love. Still is, especially after coming here."

"I have been so lonely, Buku, but now that you are here, I can't think of anything to say.

Aura and Mare seemed startled that Ainz was lonely, but it was hard to tell since they were buried in her side.

"Then, let me tell you this. I missed you, every day. Also, you are not alone. There may be another one of us in a hundred years. I have waited and waited, but it was always just humans. Someday, we might all be reunited. Find them."

"I will. I won't let there only be one of us here at a time. I missed you too."

She made a heart emoji with her movable skin, and then a smiling one. Momonga could do no such thing with his bony face, but she got the impression of sad joy. Then, the Overlord stepped back, and let her children hug her in her last moments.

Bukubukuchagama felt fulfilled as she felt the last of her Guildmates MP run out. One by one, the charms keeping her in the mortal plan winked out. Parts of her began to disappear as Momonga's elegant spellcrafting fell apart.

Parts of her dusted away, leaving more and more empty patches hanging where purple flesh used to be. However, Bukubukuchagama was content as she was whisked away back to the peaceful place. She could sense she wouldn't wait around very long there.

The last piece of her to remain in the New World had a smile emoji on it.

That's the end! I know it's not the ending everyone wants, but it's what you get. Also, side note- I don't think I'm gonna work on Nazarick in the 22nd Century. I did it sort of as homage to Carlos, since I thought he was inactive. Seeing as he isn't I'm going to leave that concept to him. I'll write something else, I have plenty of ideas. See y'all around