To A New Place

"What brought on this change of thought exactly?"

Xilo would help him regardless of the reason for changing his mind. He was just super curious as to why it happened especially after he seemed so set on getting no help before. "It was almost like he wanted to die." Raran was just a walking corpse that would eventually reach its expiration date if things continued the same. Raran scratched his head as he tried to figure out how to word his response. It was something a bit hard for him to admit. Glancing into Xilo's eyes for a brief moment he saw the same old ice cold stare that never changed. The frozen abyss lurking underneath Xilo's skin never cracked or melted. "Take a breath." That consistency helped him find his own rhythm.

"It's kind of embarrassing to say honestly, when we were exploring that Astral Zone together I..failed to do much. With that little competition we did I let all the kids under me down by not doing my part. I could never use my full strength due to the potential threat of it. If I hurt those kids...I don't know..."

Raran could feel his stomach ripping itself into pieces when he thought about hurting them. Even with it only being around a month since he met them, he had grown attached to them. "It may not have happened then but who knows about the future." That what if scenario was absolutely terrifying to him to the point it had stopped him from fighting for the past couple days. He had kept himself locked up in his room unless he was needed by everyone else. That didn't result in any useful progress, he had only worried the kids. To the point that they had been the ones trying to cheer him up.

Once that happened Raran faced a wake up call.

"I doubt you let them down Raran, nor do I think you'd ever actually hurt them."

"We both know that's far from true. We both have experienced this sickening power and the things it can do. Thank you for confidence though but that's not all. I also couldn't help when Hunter came to attack us. Clearly I need help myself so would you please help me."

"Of course I will, though you might need to do that with Aeon instead of me. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning. You only got me for today so make sure you remember everything."

"Sounds good."

Xilo was wondering what he would be doing for the rest of the night however now that had been decided. Heading to the back, Xilo spent the next couple hours showing Raran what to do before going to bed. "He's different." Raran was slowly gaining a drive to do something and seeing that change was nice. It meant this home that he was giving people was doing some good. "I'm glad." Darkness swirled around his palm as that thought crossed his mind. A small smile appeared as the evening came. After helping Raran, they headed back to meet up with everyone else.

Xilo told everyone the plan and made sure everyone he was bringing with him knew that they would be needed early in the morning.

"The rest of you will be staying here, this time there's a limit on who I can bring. I expect each of you will keep up with your routines until I'm back. We hopefully won't be gone too long, I can't really say for sure. I'll eagerly await all of your progression."

Ending his speech there Xilo said goodnights to everyone before going to his room with the girls. Sleeping through the night Xilo felt morning calling as the sun peeked through the window. "It looks like it's time." Getting up, he made sure everyone else was awake as Xilo headed for the throne room after gathering everyone. IT was a bit more early than he was used to but that was fine. He could hear everyone yawning as they slowly made their way there. "bunch of sleepy heads." Opening up the door, Xilo saw Katrin already waiting for them, wide awake like she had never slept.

"Good morning everyone, I presume all of you are the ones going today?"

"Yep, I picked these few people. Why the limit this time around though?"

Crossing her leg's Katrin answered his simple question.

"Sending you such a far distance is vastly different from sending you to a city not too far away. The power it would take to send everyone is a bit much for the circles we have set up by my Father. It also limits your reliance on them, that suffice?"

"Makes sense, while I'm ready whenever you are Katrin."

Standing up she guided them to the portal room she had set up in advance for them. Throughout the years her Father had set up these areas all around the world for easy transport. The only problem with them was they couldn't be repaired since he wasn't around nor could new ones be created. "Until Felli advances at least." Once that happens then it wouldn't be a worry. Having everyone stand on the circle she counted them to make sure they were at the right number as she placed her hand on a panel. Giving the sign of her identity she activated the circle and sent them off to Tidal.

"I wish you all good luck, bring back good news for me....and seriously try not to do anything stupid alright. I do not want a repeat of Delfex this time. I can't help you in another Country entirely so you're on your own."

"Eh, you are partially to blame for that, you know?"

Getting that out right before he disappeared Xilo could hear Katrin's last words ring in his ears.

"What are you talking about, I have no memory of such a thing."

Without even being given a chance to respond Xilo felt his body fade into the void of space as they travelled far away.

"Dammit Katrin."