Relics and Old Relationships

__________ POV Ashton__________

To look for it I first need to return to my laboratory. I have quite a few things I need to prepare.

That 'relic' is a chest containing a few of the things I brought with me to Lake Mobius. I need it if I am to survive leisurely on the Continent.

After an hour, I reached my laboratory, a place that I won't visit for a while. I quickly started dragging out a large box out of my void space.

It was made out of strange glowing greenstone, it had strange engravings and no actual keyhole. It had a spot where one could insert a circlet.

It looked just as new, but that was just because time is skewed in that void. I've not seen this box in a few decades.

Inside it is what I need. But opening it is not as easy. This box is almost indestructible, the material used to make it is unknown to me.

I only have two of the pieces required to open this thing. It holds a few more items than what I used on the continent.

After a few fights and some debates, we decided to put everything dangerous inside this box. And the key was split into four pieces.

I got one, Netero also had one. Zigg and Linne also kept theirs, and now I have a reason to visit the Zoldyck family... How quaint.

As for why I would put my equipment in a chest that some other people restricted... I wanted to have a fresh start when first coming here.

I didn't think they'd be too helpful in Lake Mobius. And, I was partially right. I could've used them only against the king.

Certain trinkets could only be found in some of the ruins in my homeland.

They are so powerful that one might think they were all created by a coalition of powerful conjurers.

And I happen to own quite a few of them. Either scavenged or gifted to me by my teacher. But I placed them all in this large box.

There are also a few other items that were found when I was grouped up with them. This is why they also hold part of the keys.

The relics are extremely powerful, humans would no doubt wage wars for even the weakest one of them. So we decided it was best to seal them for a while.

Zigg wanted to bury the chest at first. But I managed to convince them it would be safer if I keep it with me.

The key being split Fourways was just customary.

So I have to walk around a bit. I wonder where Linne is right now... Still, I really don't like looking at her now. Especially since we used to 'get along' quite well...

Seeing her that old just doesn't feel right. She was also quite mentally scarred by her experience on the Dark Continent.

Although, most of the trauma was gone at this point. Me guiding them through it was what helped a bit. But by the time they met me they had already experienced the dangers of it.

Right now, I can only hope that she hasn't lost her piece. Otherwise, I'll have to get creative.

Still, this adventure is going to be quite memorable... If I even survive it that is. Well, I certainly won't if I don't manage to open this box. At least not easily.

I decided to call Linne first. Since I don't really know anything about her location, whilst Zigg specified that he'd keep his piece at his residence.

Thankfully, Netero always told me Linee's number whenever it changed. I didn't talk to her much after we left the Continent. Only a few 'meetings', mainly to burn some stress off.

After all, I am a human, I still have needs. Although I rarely indulge myself in them.

The awkward thing is that she had something of a relationship with Netero. But he didn't really mind. We had gotten together before the two of them had something going in that direction.

I think they had a child together now that I think about it. Netero mentioned something like that. His death probably hit her a bit.

It took a bit for her to answer.

"Yes... Who is it?" God, her voice sounds so old. I was just thinking about the past too. Clear your mind, Ashton!

"It's me! Ashton, if you can still remember me that is..." My tone remained polite and somewhat cordial.

"Oh! To think that you'd call after all this time... Is something the matter?" She certainly sounded surprised. But I guess that's to be expected.

"Well, not much. But... I'm going back home." This was the code we had agreed on. If any of us were to ever open up this chest.

The code would be 'I'm going back home' I was obviously the one that made it. A necessary precaution.

And it was to be used whenever we were not in private. Including phone calls of course. They are always tapped, especially mine.

Governments take explicit interest in my conversations with other people. It's to the point where every single one of my calls has someone listening into it.

I would've been more aggrieved if I actually used my phone a lot. But I only ever used it to call Netero. And he usually laughs at the people listening in.

Saying stuff like, "Have you launched that bomb into 'Insert random country' yet?" And "When will you let me play with the nuclear launch codes again?".

Oh, how I'll miss that retarded monkey...

"I see... It's certainly been long enough since we've had some tea. Thankfully you live somewhat close to me..." Linne has always been smart, certainly smarter than Netero.

At least in situational awareness. Netero was smart in many ways, like the fact that he was a genius in martial arts. And umm... Yeah, continuing.

"I could come by right now! It's been far too long after all." I mean, I doubt she has much important to do anyway.

"Oh, I'm at the Association's Headquarters. In Swardani City." Linee said in a friendly tone.

"Perfect. I'll be there in an hour at most!" I said smiling. I hung up after that.

Wait... Swardani City. That's where Gon was being treated...

After smashing my head on the table a few times I quickly started making my way back there.

______________________________________

hOi!

This is the bonus chapter.

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