Link Between Realms

Thirty days wasn't too long a time, but it wasn't too short either. Especially when you considered that you were pretty much stranded here.

At least there weren't any meteor showers here, unlike the other cracked realm.

The rest of them were likely going crazy from worry that they weren't yet back, but those who were still in the other crack between realms weren't able to do anything about it.

Alec had asked whether Vivian knew what the time ratio difference between the two realms was, but she hadn't been able to give him a proper answer since she knew even less than they did.

She'd appeared in this place suffering blood loss and severe injury, amongst other things.

They were actively searching for a place that could possibly lead back to the previous crack between realms, but they weren't having any luck.

"…Vivian," Alec said, tugging the back of her shirt.

Alec's lips twitched when he realized what he just did. Ah, he really…

Habit was a terrifying thing. He started acting cute without even thinking about it! Alec wanted to swear. He really wasn't doing it on purpose, damn it!

It was because of all the people that surrounded him in the sect that gushed over his cute actions that he subconsciously used it when he was trying to get his way!

Alec furrowed his brows before smoothening them out before the humanoid magical beast reacted.

No, this couldn't be allowed to go on any further. His dignity as a System was at stake here!

Alec detached his hand.

He felt like he was steadily losing his normal habits and replacing them with bad ones. It was a terrible situation.

"?" Vivian turned around; a question clearly visible on her face.

Alec smiled up at her, and the woman seemed to melt at his cute smile, which made him inwardly feel like starting up another round of swearing. Just when could he disable this [Character Type: Gentle]?

"Did you ever try going underground?"

Vivian paused as she thought about it. "No," she said slowly.

Alec nodded, when he saw that her eyes had lit up as she considered his words.

If he was right, then the link back should be underground. No matter how unlucky she was, she would have eventually found it had she been constantly wandering around in this place, but she hadn't.

Alec theorized that this crack between realms was like a twin to the other crack, but what if he was wrong?

What if the reason why the two cracks were so similar was instead because the two realms were mirrors of the other?

That would make a lot more sense. Why was it that the Obsidian Aqua lake ended up leading to the surface instead of underground?

If so, they had to find a place that would allow them to head under.

Alec sat down instead of going off, passing off the job to the Spectres.

Dominique shot Alec an unreadable look before he left, but he didn't say anything.

Vivian slowly sat down when she saw that he had no intention of leaving. She had a feeling that this kit was not as simple as he seemed.

"Alright, let's talk," she conceded. She still didn't know why the sect allowed such a young disciple out that he managed to get caught coming to this place.

By right, unless there were special circumstances or unless he had sufficient strength, the sect would not allow him to come out, let alone her husband.

She had a feeling that this kit was evaluating her, almost. While she might have been displeased had anyone else other than this kit dare test her, she still felt a bit guilty over her actions towards him earlier.

But she didn't regret it, since it had led up to the most optimal scenario she never even dared imagine.

"How long have you been here, Vivian?"

Vivian frowned softly. Her features still looked young and fresh, but Alec didn't know if it was because she was a magical beast that she looked that way, or if it was the reflection of how old she was in her original form.

Or was it just that the magic that worked over cracks between realms, freezing her time here?

There was so much he still didn't understand.

"I don't know," she finally admitted. There was a faraway look in her eyes, but her tone was indifferent.

He didn't know if it was because of the indifference, but that just made it more convincing for him.

She continued. "It's been a long time. Definitely longer than my kit's been alive."

So, the time in the crack between realms and the time outside was different.

Alec jerked when he felt the connection between himself, Bunbun and Fenrir grow a lot louder. They'd crossed over to this realm.

Which meant that the link between them was indeed one way and not related to time. it seemed that looking for the place that would link them back was most likely underground.

The two creatures hadn't originally jumped down with them, so they were on the other side of the crack between realms.

Alec patiently waited for the two to come towards him. He wasn't worried that they would be unable to take care of themselves since he saw their battle prowess during the monster horde already.

They'd grown tremendously, and he would have to work a lot harder if he wanted to keep up his growth speed and match them. It was too shameful if he wasn't able to beat them in battle when he was their master.

Alec talked longer with Vivian, getting a better feel of her personality. He still didn't quite know what to think of her.

When she wasn't threatening them, she seemed quite mild and mellow, but back there, she'd been a force to reckon with. Her aura, for a lack of way to describe it, demanded attention from the room, and the pressure had been no joke.

She was definitely a magical beast that had once reached the summit, but what was she like as a person?

As his subordinate's mother, he wouldn't tolerate it if he got hurt because of her.

While he might not have a right to interfere like that, he just couldn't leave it alone. Not after reading about Dominique's life story so far.

After talking a lot longer, Alec started to get a feel of her personality.

She was confident in herself, but she also knew when to step back and when to advance. She was able to carry the conversation rather smoothly, and the most important part of all, she sincerely loved Dominique and Dorian.

Despite the status that she enjoyed, she never once flaunted it, and instead conversed naturally, almost like they'd known each other for years. She was able to carry on the conversation regardless of the topic, showing that she was knowledgeable.

The longing that she felt had been shoved deep, deep down, where almost no one would be able to tell, a stark difference from yesterday, where she'd shown it on her face in her desperation.

She'd regained her calm now, making it a lot harder to read her, but Alec preferred it like this.

Someone who wore their hearts on their sleeves would be taken advantage of, and as the sect master's wife, she'd likely have to face things others wouldn't.

Then and there, Alec made the decision that he wouldn't interfere with their family affairs.

As much as he considered Dominique part of his family now, Dominique had his own thoughts and actions. No matter how much Alec set up the stage for them, both sides had to be willing to converse in the first place.

Yet, why was it that he felt a bit put out?

It was at this moment that Bunbun and Fenrir came tearing down the path, launching themselves at Alec.

The side of Alec's mouth quirked up as he caught the two in his arms, where they frantically nuzzled his face, causing Alec to laugh in surprise.

Alec gently patted them until they were satisfied, not realizing that Vivian had been staring at the scene with a motherly smile on her face, barely resisting the urge to pinch his cheeks. She still felt apologetic to this kit, so she was quite nice to him.

"Bunbun, Fenrir, did you bring anyone with you?"

The two creatures sent over the feeling of 'no', causing him to feel a bit helpless.

Before they went back there, they'd have to take care of themselves. Hopefully the Spectres would get along with the mercenaries.