"I've been watching you since you entered the Forbidden zone. And in these three days, I can already say with confidence that you two like each other," Geminia said right to the couple's face.
Idan and Arabel shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"But I also noticed that there is some kind of problem in your relationship," Geminia said, turning to Idan.
"Unlike a girl, I can see that you're much more attracted to her than she is to you. I don't understand, what's stopping you? Why don't you, as a man, try to make the first move and try to win her over?"
Idan, hearing these words, became even more confused.
It was the first time someone had talked to them about their relationship so openly and directly, looking them in the eye.
"As for you, I don't understand why you people complicate things so much and suffer over nothing. Sometimes it's enough just to make a decision and solve problems as they arise, instead of having to suffer without even taking the first step," Geminia turned to Arabel this time.
Arabel, hearing Geminia's words, was a little confused at first, then plunged into thought.
It had been two months since they had entered this world, and their relationship was undoubtedly better than it had been at the beginning of their acquaintance.
They learned to trust each other more and to take into account their partner's opinions when solving important issues.
However, despite this progress, Arabel still did not fully accept Idan as her boyfriend, let alone her husband. She saw in him only a necessary loved one or a friend in misfortune.
He wasn't unpleasant to her, rather, he was even attractive and pleasing to the eye. She didn't know what love was, and she couldn't tell for sure if she liked him or not.
Even after all this time, she couldn't get rid of the influence of her upbringing. Her ideas about marriage were distorted because of the way she was raised in the family. Therefore, she did not know what to do in this situation.
From all these thoughts, she began to get confused and, as Geminia said, complicate things even more. The more she thought, the deeper she plunged into this whirlpool, and the answer eluded her further and further.
"Maybe it's worth simplifying everything after all and..."- without finishing the sentence to herself, she turned and looked at Idan.
He turned to her, too, and looked back at her.
Their eyes met, and this time they didn't look away. They looked at each other, trying to make a decision.
It wasn't until the creature changed once again and took on the appearance of a strange beast, they hadn't seen yet that they looked away from each other. And only then were they slightly embarrassed.
"Ah, I'm sorry for meddling in my own business. But when I look at you from the outside, I see how you seem to like each other. However, for some reason you are holding back and behaving very strangely, not trying to meet each other halfway. And so, it is every time. It gets annoying to watch this every time," Geminia said, apologizing and explaining the reasons for her action.
Suddenly, the usually taciturn Nemo started nodding in agreement with Geminia's words.
As Geminia had said, the relationship between his juniors had been annoying him for a long time. He was the closest to them and often saw them spending time together.
Idan and Arabel noticed him nodding in agreement with Geminia, and both of their right eyes twitched.
"Let's see how you'll behave when your three women you're involved with come after you!" Idan said in his mind, looking at Nemo.
"I apologize again," Geminia said, and her voice sounded sincere.
She would never interfere in other people's relationships. But these two were special. They kept a lot of secrets, both came from another world, and it was obvious that they were a couple.
However, their behavior did not match the image of a loving couple, and this caused Geminia great irritation.
In the end, she decided to step in. But how events will develop further is their choice.
Idan and Arabel remained silent, but Geminia's words made them think.
"As for me, you've probably already guessed who I am. Like Limbo's consciousness, I serve as a judge and supervisor," Geminia finally revealed herself. "However, unlike Limbo's consciousness, which is the judge and supervisor for this entire 'playground,' my task is to keep order in a small 'playground' known as the Forest of Doppelgangers."
Now the trio realized why Geminia wasn't afraid of Limbo's consciousness. This Forbidden Zone was her personal territory.
"Does this mean that the other eight Forbidden Zones also have judges and supervisors?" asked Idan, leaving his thoughts about his relationship with Arabel for later.
"Of course," Geminia replied.
"Wait, if you're the judge of this Forbidden zone, you have to control the beasts. Then the waves of beasts..." Arabel began, but Geminia interrupted her, immediately understanding the question.
"Yes, you're right. I was the one who directed the waves of beasts against you," she said.
Then, without giving them time to recover, she asked a question.: "Have you ever asked yourself why you weren't attacked by doppelgangers in the Forest of doppelgangers?"
Yes, the group noticed the absence of doppelgangers from the entrance to the middle layer.
"Are you really..." Idan began, but Geminia interrupted him too.
"Yes, I was the one who ordered the doppelgangers not to attack you. But you must understand that despite my status as a judge and supervisor, I also obey certain rules. In exchange for the recall of the doppelgangers, I sent other creatures against you."
That was the answer to the question that had plagued them since the end of the third wave of beasts: why were there no doppelgangers and why did the strength of the beasts increase with each wave?
"You said earlier that you and Limbo's consciousness are "companions." Why aren't you helping him catch us?" Arabel asked, not quite understanding what kind of relationship Limbo and Geminia had.
"You know, this rule—obsessed fool has been annoying us all lately," Geminia replied sharply, addressing Limbo's mind. "And by all of them, I mean the other judges and supervisors."
Once again, everyone was amazed and distracted when this strange creature lying on the table suddenly changed its appearance. This time, instead of cute little animals, it turned into a disgusting six-legged insect, causing the couple to be rejected by its very appearance.
"Come here!" called Giminia to the insect. Without any disgust on her face, she picked him up and gently ran her hand over his back.
"Why does she keep changing her appearance?" Distracted by this creature, Idan couldn't help but ask.
"She has only recently been born and is still unable to fully control her abilities. She has a special connection with the Forbidden Zone, and because of this connection, her gift from time-to-time mimics all living beings living in this Forbidden Zone."
Geminia did not hide the information about this creature, but proudly shared it.
She wasn't worried about this information becoming public because she was the most powerful being in this forbidden area, and no one would dare harm a member of her race.