Ai's Cave and Return

__________ POV Ashton__________

The Earth Screecher turned its head towards me as I was leaving. All of the time I spent in this cave, This creature didn't even seem to acknowledge my presence.

But now it's moving around to block my exit. I can tell it's not aggressive in any way. But it seems to want something from me. And I don't really know what to do about it.

Well... I might have an idea of what it actually wants from me. I ripped space open and took out the doll. The creature wriggled around as soon as I took it out.

I had undone its threads to find that note, but I stitched it back up afterwards.

Now, I did watch it for a bit during my stay here. I found out that there's nothing really special about it. There's no Aura to it, no indication as to show what it is.

Maybe my memories of it are clouded? Maybe I was not in a good state of mind at the time and I created my own companions.

Regardless, the doll doesn't hold much sentimental value to me. It's an item from my past, sure, but it doesn't seem to awaken any nostalgic feeling in me.

So, I don't really need this doll. I might as well give it to the Screecher. In the few days I stayed here I observed quite a few things about it.

One, it wasn't ignoring me, it was resting. Apparently, my attacks had tired it out greatly, and it needed to rest for a long time after that(even with me healing it).

And, since it decided to rest while I was here, that must mean that it started to trust me after I healed it, and it also isn't attached to me to the point where it wants to follow me.

This means that this thing is also a lot more intelligent than I gave it credit for.

The Screecher opened its mouth and the 'woman' inside extended her hands towards the doll in a pleading manner.

I didn't bother arguing with it, just handed it to her and turned around to leave. I still gazed backwards as I left. Curious about the antics of this intriguing creature.

The screeched didn't close its mouth, as I had expected it to. It kept it open as the 'woman' also stopped to wave at me, one hand holding the doll while the other waved in the air with energy and emotion.

It was a bit strange. But not in a bad way, it showed me that humans were perfectly capable of making intelligent live, highly intelligent at that.

It should also hold some memories from the Nen users that formed it, otherwise, it wouldn't have waved at me. It also wouldn't have understood the ancient language.

I left the cave with a smile on my face as the entrance closed itself, the 'Earth Screecher' probably won't move its nest from this place, but it will still conceal it properly.

I flew off, heading in the direction of Ai's cave. It's not a long journey, only around 4 days of flying. After that, I think I can return to Lake Mobius.

Well, the Zobae Disease has been classified as a threat by humanity. But there's not much that I can do to find out of its origin. At most, I can dissect the only currently afflicted patient of it.

But so much research has been done on him that I doubt I will find much of anything useful.

There are plenty of diseases to be found on this large continent. Humanity was just unlucky to discover one of the more 'deadly' ones.

They've classified it as a threat, but it really isn't one. It's just the way this world works. I never actually got sick myself. But many of the beasts died of sickness in the past.

If these beasts can die, then so can humans. I don't really know the origin of the disease, and backtracking the entire expedition from start to finish sounds like a pain.

I'd also need Beyond for that, and I don't plan on trying to find him again.

So, I'll just proceed to that cave.

-----(4 Days Later)----

Well, after months of constant flying 4 days passes by quickly.

I was able to locate it quickly enough, there were a few changes about it. Well, just more overgrown vegetation, nothing too amazing.

It did hide parts of the cave entrance though, which basically confirms that this place is abandoned. And it was also completely empty. There was nothing too special to be found inside.

Which makes sense(I wasn't expecting all that much) I did look into this place with Zigg and Netero(Linne chickened out) at some point.

Well, there are a few broken bones on the ground. Looking like they've been twisted to death, or crushed with unnatural force. These aren't human bones mind you, they are merely beast bones.

But it feels quite weird, if I remember correctly, some of the Ai's had a condition that made the requirements for wishes progressively harder for each wish(depending on the gravity of the previous request).

So, who exactly was capable of making wishes in this desolate land? And how, or rather why, did these beasts suffer the backlash of a failed requirement?

I don't remember any beasts that were capable of speaking on the continent, my teacher only communicated through telepathy, he didn't even have developed vocal cords.

Does that mean Ai is capable of reading thoughts? Did it consider the desires of the mad monsters as a wish? That's a bit of a stretch in imagination. But I don't have much to go on.

A few unnaturally twisted and crushed skeletons don't provide the most concrete evidence...

I guess I'll actually have to visit Alluka and Killua later. Alluka is the host to the only specimen that I know of.

But I still don't know how big the punishment will be for the next wish if I want to learn about these 'Older Gods'. What if the information is considered extremely important?

What if the next penalty results in the extinction of all mankind (including me)? Ai is an extremely touchy subject. Completely uncontrollable too.

I guess I'll have to travel back to Lake Mobius... How long has it been I wonder? I think it's already been almost a year. I can also stop and see how the other expedition is going.

I am in no hurry anyway. I am kind of curious as to how Cheadle and the others handled the 'Dark Continent' migration.

I doubt they had that many issues. I think the strongest monster in that place was only a bit weaker than Meruem before he fought Netero. They should be able to handle it though.

Oh well, time to prepare for a long ride... I can use Noah's Ark this time though (not like I'm heading anywhere too dangerous).

I took the small necklace and looked at the small boat sculpture. It was made out of wood. At least it seems to be, it's a conjured object after all.

When I activate this thing, it will grow to a size similar to the Black Whale, maybe a bit smaller in height. But, it is a lot tougher and it's basically a natural sea beast repellant.

The ship itself is extremely simplistic, it seems to have the design of a primitive sailboat, but it doesn't have any sails, it moves in the direction the user wants it.

It only consumes Aura at the beginning and the end of a journey... Well, I better get on it, I have a long way to go.

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