Prism emerged from the shimmering [Hover], the other Entities trailing close behind her in a loose, luminous formation.
As they drifted out into the open expanse, a welcoming line of Entities floated before them, perfectly arrayed on either side of a wide, invisible path that cut straight through the Void.
Directly ahead of them loomed an immense structure, suspended in the emptiness like a dream made solid. No other word suited it so well as 'castle'.
Flanking the grand entrance stood two colossal statues, each one an idealized rendering of Milady. Her multicolored radiance was captured in sweeping, elegant curves that seemed to breathe with quiet power.
Beyond those sentinels, the exterior appeared almost austere, with smooth walls of pale and translucent material, unadorned save for the subtle play of inner light that hinted at greater wonders that lay within.
"Welcome, to the Cosmic Celestial Castle." a beige Entity voiced, granting passage to Prism and her subordinates. "The name given to me by Majesty,is Beige. It is a pleasure and an honor to finally make your acquaintance."
Prism steadied her herself, calming her mind before she spoke. "Thank you." she replied, her multicolored facets pulsing evenly. "My name is Prism, and it is a pleasure meeting you as well."
Prism's subordinates only pulsed once to greet Beige. And in turn, Beige pulse once to acknowledge their greeting.
"Please, enter." Beige pulsed her lights in a suggestive manner.
"Thank you." Prism accepted.
And with that, Prism and her subordinates passed beneath the towering archway and entered the structure.
Inside, the atmosphere changed at once.
More Entities moved through the vast halls, but these ones were different compared to the ones from outside. Not in the simple fact that they were moving, but how and why they were moving.
They were purposeful, synchronized, as well as almost ceremonial in their grace. They were fast and moving all over. Yet, they were able to move without interrupting one another.
They carried miniature objects of many hues, placing each one with meticulous care into precisely designated alcoves, pedestals, and niches.
Their motions flowed without hesitation or error, a living choreography of their devotion and skill.
The interior itself stole the breath from every newcomer.
There were tall pillars that rose on either side, each one of their surfaces sculpted into gentle, repeating likenesses of Milady that spiraled upward in harmonious repetition.
High above stretched a domed ceiling painted, or perhaps grown, entirely in her image. It was made up of swirling galaxies of color that shifted slowly, as though she herself were dreaming across the vault.
But the single most astonishing feature was the floor, or rather, surface.
It was a smooth, faintly luminous surface that stretched beneath them, the first and only solid plane any of them had ever encountered in the boundless Void.
Not only that, but it stretched and rose to encompass their sides, as well as enclose high above them. It was this surface that made the Entities see that they were 'within' something, rather than just feel that way.
It supported their weightless forms with gentle resistance, allowing them to glide just above it rather than drift aimlessly like they normally would need to.
Furthermore, as long as they were above this surface, the Entities wouldn't need to use their own energy, even thought it would be a miniscule amount, to float, fly or drift on their own.
This was designed specifically for the Entities that were tasked with decorating the interior of the structure. Since they would be moving a lot, they would eventually run out of energy.
Cubix realized that each Entity was different in one way or another. Some had a higher energy capacity, some had a high energy consumption even when doing something like flying, while others were simply inefficient with using energy in the first place.
As such, they would eventually get tired and run out of energy, inhibiting them from doing their given task.
In order to prevent this, Cubix designed the floors, the walls, as well as the ceiling, to allow Entities to move around without using their own energy.
The Cosmic Celestial Castle would absorb ambient energy from its exterior, and then use it within its interior for many purposes. And the idea proved to be effective, very effective.
Wow! they all thought at once, their collective glow flaring brighter in shared astonishment.
They advanced slowly. Their heads, figuratively, turning in every direction to drink in the marvels of their new surroundings.
From the outside, the structure had seemed modest in scale, yet within, the space expanded impossibly. From chamber opening into another chamber, to gallery into atrium, each room more breathtaking than the last.
This was the only structure of its kind in all existence, the sole monument raised, by Milady's will and Cubix's effort, in a realm that had previously known only formless light.
Among the many busy Entities, one presence dominated everything else.
He floated beside an enormous throne whose every surface had been carved with breathtaking artistry.
Intricate filigree, with interlocking geometric patterns, and cascading waves of complementary colors that seemed to sing to one another.
Yet it was not the throne that commanded attention, it was the cube who guarded it.
Cubix radiated a pressure unlike anything the newcomers had ever felt before, even from their boss.
It was overwhelming, yes, but not truly oppressive. It flowed around them like a calm, deep current. It was gentle, inevitable, and utterly assured.
His six perfect faces reflected the ambient light in steady, prismatic pulses, each facet calm and unreadable.
They drew nearer until an unspoken signal bade them to halt. Then, as if finally on cue, he spoke.
"Greetings to you all." Cubix said, his voice resonant and clear, carrying the quiet authority of absolute certainty. "My name is Cubix. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance."
The simple sound of his voice alone rooted them in place, as if denying them movement unless if he permitted it.
In that single moment they understood, bone-deep, figuratively of course, the chasm that separated them from the Entity that floated in front of them.
His presence alone carried the weight of eons, so much so that his mere gaze made their own small lights feel fragile and fleeting, as if they could shatter in any moment.
Indeed, such was the Entity known as Cubix. Master to Prism, as well as personal servant of Milady.
"Greetings, Lord Cubix." Prism replied, her triangular form dipping in formal deference. "I have completed the mission exactly as you had entrusted it to me."
"Indeed you have." Cubix answered, approval warming the edges of his tone. "You have done exceptionally well. It fills me with great pride to know how dependable you are. Thank you for your hard work, Prism."
"Thank you, master. This humble servant exists only to serve. Such is my role, and one in which I am grateful for." Prism's words rang with unfeigned sincerity.
With a subtle pulse of light she urged the others forward.
"So then, I take it these are the ones you spoke of?" Cubix asked, though the question was largely rhetorical. Interesting... he thought to himself, his facets pulsing with subtle interest as he slowly examined every single one of Prism's subordinates.
"Yes, milord. I have gathered five individuals who have displayed the characteristics that you wished for."
"That does seem to be the case. That said, they appear rather timid, wouldn't you say?" he pulsed once.
Prism couldn't tell whether the pulse was playful or not. Clearing those thoughts away, and focusing back on the matter at hand, she spoke.
"They are simply overwhelmed by your presence, milord. It is only a natural reaction for them, as it was the same for me as well."
"Is that so. Well, then I suppose it cannot be helped." Cubix turned his attention fully upon the gathered spheres. "It is a genuine pleasure to meet you all."
"The pleasure is entirely ours." Cream answered, gliding forward to speak as their representative. Her pale, creamy glow remained steady and composed, without a sign of tremor, or flicker of uncertainty.
"You must be their spokesperson."
"Yes, Your Eminence. I am known as Cream. The two on my left are Aloe and Gold respectively. The remaining ones on my right are Ember and Aqueous respectively."
Each one of them gave a slight pulse of light whenever their names were called out. Feeling that it was not yet time for them to personally speak up, they chose this method to show their greetings instead.
As for Cream, she held herself with perfect poise, with every modulation of her light conveying calm competence. They way in which she conducted herself not only pleased Cubix, but also made him hold her a bit high on regard.
"You may return to your place." Cubix instructed gently.
"Thank you, Your Eminence." Cream complied, gently drifting back to her comrades' side.
The others watched in quiet admiration.
Cream had conducted herself flawlessly, and her example steadied them all. Not wanting to disappoint their boss with their behavior, they too, remained dignified, reserved, and respectful.
[Good work out there.]
[Thank you, Boss.]
Prism sent the private pulse of praise to Cream alone. It was a small encouragement that was meant to reinforce her confidence and inspire the rest by example.
Cubix regarded the assembled Entities once more. He then glanced at Prism, gave a small pulse of acknowledgement, then back to the group.
"Alright then, I will now conduct an individual evaluation of each of you." he announced. "I am sure you all knew that you were chosen so that you may be evaluated. Thus, there is no need to go into full details about your evaluation, at least not here or now."
They all pulsed in agreement.
"Good. Then we may go."
"Understood," Prism replied at once. "I will make the necessary preparations."
"There is no need." Cubix voiced, stopping her movement. "Rather, you will have a separate task to fulfill while the evaluations take place."
Prism drifted forward half a pace, her form brightening with readiness.
"I live to serve." she declared, her tone seeming eager to start.
Her subordinates observed her closely, mentally cataloguing every detail of her posture, her tone, and her unwavering certainty.
"In the meantime," Cubix continued, "you will have the honor of entertaining Milady. The specific details regarding that matter will be given to you by her personally. That said, there is not much that needs to be done in the first place. Still, I do hope and expect you to put in all the effort that you can master in this mission. And I trust that I do not need to explain to you, why that is. Do you understand, Prism?"
"Understood. Leave it to me, Lord Cubix. I will not fail you. And I will ensure to use every ounce of my very being in order to make Milady feel entertained." Prism replied with sincerity, her tone calm and confident.
"Excellent." Cubix mused with a steady approving pulse. "Then we shall begin."
With that, the audience concluded.
Prism turned and glided toward the deeper chambers where Milady awaited, her prismatic radiance already calling like a distant beacon.
[Just remember all training that we've done, and do your absolute best. Above all, be yourselves, and do what you do best. Good luck, I'll see you when your evaluations are completed.]
Prism sent a message to all of her subordinates, offering them her final words of encouragement before their evaluations began.
Hearing their boss's encouragement, the group steeled themselves with renewed determination. Each one of them resolved themselves to give their all and ensure that they passed the evaluations.
They followed Cubix in the opposite direction, toward the evaluation wing. During their short travel, Cubix explained how their evaluations would be conducted, and they all listened with perfect focus.
—Evaluation Chambers—
A simple waiting area opened before them. The was a soft ambient glowing light, a handful of specialized resting nodes, and one smooth oval doorway set into the far wall. Beyond that portal lay the testing chamber itself.
"Cream, follow me inside." Cubix instructed. "The rest of you remain here until given further instructions."
Though the words were a command, his delivery remained calm, measured, and almost kind even.
"Understood." Cream replied without hesitation.
The others settled onto the waiting nodes.
They were curved, translucent platforms engineered specifically for Entities like them. Once positioned, the nodes activated with a faint harmonic hum, gently stabilizing their drift so they could rest without effort, conserving energy while they waited.
Inside the chamber, the evaluations would begin one by one.
Outside, the remaining spheres exchanged quiet pulses of light, nervous, excited, as well as determined. Whatever tests Cubix had prepared for each of them, they would face them as best they could.
They had come this far. They had been chosen. And somewhere deeper in the castle, Prism was already fulfilling her own vital mission of keeping Milady's attention occupied, ensuring that the final entertainment unfolded exactly as intended.
The oval door slid soundlessly open.
"Cream." Cubix said again, his voice carrying gently through the threshold, "we begin with you."
Cream's glow flared briefly, bright, steady, and unafraid.
She drifted forward.
The door closed behind her with the soft finality of destiny.