The bedroom was dark, dimly lit by the glow of the DNA from Morgana's hand.

She sat on the floor by the edge of her bed, legs crossed as she stared in awe. In truth, she had no idea what she was really getting herself into. This seemed like such a big deal, something that would shape her experience in UNOVR for the rest of her time here. And yet, she was tempted like nothing had really tempted her before. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the DNA like she was just being handed the answer to so many unknown secrets.

The ability to control nightmares...

Dreams were an avenue of science that was still not fully understood. There was no way to study them, no way to attempt to research what they really meant. But here, in this world, she could not only do that but so much more.

Wait, did she say "Dark Hot Wings?"

Ruby was pulled from her thoughts by those words, looking over at Morgana. Destiny. A complicated word that she had a fairly complex relationship with. What other destiny was there except the one you forged for yourself?

"I accept." Ruby opened her own palm, revealing a similarly floating DNA strand.

LEGENDARY DNA: KYOGRE
1/5

An equal trade. It was the only way to make this fair in her mind. She looked up at Morgana with a wide grin on her face, and a damn near sparkle in her eyes.

"Destiny is ours for the taking, and I see no reason to wait for it."

Ruby had to admit, seeing the whole settlement being created from next to nothing originally was super interesting. She had joined just after the Beta, and staying in Briarbane most of the time meant she had a front-row seat to the development of the town. And she had to admit, it had definitely come into its own.

In fact, it was solely because of this desire to see what had changed in the town that she stepped out of the house for the first time in a few days, and began to casually walk about. It was fairly peaceful, all things considered. The dark and gloomy aesthetic originally spooked her a bit, but now it just kind of felt a little bit endearing. It was just an art style, and she was admittedly growing to enjoy it.

She was granted free admission into the Gallery of Endless Memoire, and even Ruby had to admit it was kind of interesting. Was she also within the paintings? She couldn't recall doing anything super interesting worthy of painting, but perhaps she'd find out inside at some point.

Her Munna, Murmur, lazily floated by her head as she walked inside. It mumbled something lazily and Ruby turned to face them. "Yes, I know. You're always sleepy, my dear."

"Muuu-"

Ruby rolled her eyes, affectionately patting the Munna as she walked further into the gallery. Only Munna stayed behind for a second, their lazy eyes were locked onto something in the distance. Or perhaps, someone. Deciding it wasn't worth the energy, nor the concern of their trainer, the lazy Munna just rolled mid-air, slowly floating over towards Ruby as she went to examine some of the pictures.

Ruby was paused in front of a dramatic painting, eyes wide and very distracted by it. Moltres emerging from their egg, surrounded by flames of rainbow and burning spirits by their side. The phoenix born again, an awe-inspiring painting. Just who painted this? Not only was the subject matter incredible, but the actual composition of the artwork was stunning.

"Woah," Ruby whispered under her own breath. "... This happened when I left, didn't it?"

She was expecting to have to fork out a few BYTES to get in, but the receptionist took one look at her and gasped. "Oh! You must have been the model for 'Curse of Medusa'!"

"I am," Bergamot said immediately, then "Wait, what?"

"Over there."

Distracted momentarily from pursuing Ruby, Bergamot followed the woman's line of sight. There was a huge portrait on the wall done in shades of black and white, almost like a colored manga panel. A Galarian Slowking with glowing eyes was focused on a human woman with writhing Ekans for hair, her face contorted in a screaming mask of agony.

I feel like I should be offended, Bergamot thought.

"Ohohoho, yes. Tis I," she said smugly instead, "Now, be hush-hush and don't tell anyone you saw me." She slid an iron ingot across the counter as a bribe and continued into the gallery, high heels clicking quietly on the marble floors.

She hadn't seen Ruby pay either. Did that mean NPCs were in the portraits here as well?

The glasses-wearing teen was standing in front of a familiar-looking scene when Morgana found her again, gazing up at it. It was an incredible depiction, not that Morgana had seen it herself, either. She'd been embroiled in the battle at the greenhouse when the egg had hatched, and during the excitement she'd ended up attacking the Ascended legendary in the air. Not her proudest moment, but not one she'd take back, either.

"Why did you leave?"

There were few places to hide in the open, muse-amplifying chambers of the gallery, so Morgana decided to give up on stealth. She approached, looking the artwork up and down. "I thought I saw you at the party, but we didn't talk. I'm Morgana." Her eyes turned to fix on Ruby. "Then again, you already know that, don't you? We're sisters, after all."