Guiding Edros

Edited by: ASaltedFish

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Edros started, "Yes… Will your spiritual experience be the same as the stabilizers, or will it be more intense?" He knew some things about guiding, but since he thought he would never get guided, he did his best to stay away from discussions that had to do with it. 

"Yes, it will be a little more intense, but not by much. If there's any discomfort, please let me know." Aster responded softly. If the room wasn't so quiet, Edros and Akimitsu might not have heard him. 

There was a long, awkward pause between the two of them. Aster didn't know what else to say because Edros' eyebrows were furrowed like he was thinking about something. Or maybe he was angry with him? He wasn't sure, but Aster didn't want to ask in case this made Edros angry.

As for Edros, he wanted to bring up the matter of Aster liking gems and pretty stones, but he didn't know how to do so. He was going through a bunch of options in his head, but he felt a lot of them would be forced or come out of nowhere. 

Akimitsu saw the two of them and felt he really needed to go back and teach Edros how to talk with people! How did he grow up to be so awkward when he was around? Had he not learned anything from how he talked with other people?! 

Ellery also wanted to scream, but he knew he had to let Aster and Edros do the talking. He did not want Aster to be scared or anxious around Edros, Akimitsu's best friend. It would make him rethink his relationship with Akimitsu because Aster was more important to him. 

He did feel a little selfish for trying to make it work, but if they really couldn't get along, he would make sure to step away from Akimitsu and Edros. 

Akimitsu coughed to get their attention. "Aster, I heard Ellery say that you like gems and pretty rocks. Edros over here has a huge collection at his estate. He even refuses to let me see them!" 

"That's because you like to touch everything without gloves. And once your fingerprints get on everything, I have to clean every gem and rock I have." Aster and Akimitsu could hear the resentment in Edros' voice. 

It was something that Aster could understand. He didn't realize that Edros had the same special interest as him! But then again, Edros had a dragon quantum beast, so he might be influenced by that… Still, he had something in common, so he felt a little less awkward and uncomfortable.

"I understand why you don't want Akimitsu to touch them without gloves. It ruins their shine when you can see fingerprints all over it." Aster looked at them with interest. "Do you have a lot of them?" 

Edros saw that Aster was willing to continue the conversation with him, and his aura seemed to brighten, even if he had facial paralysis. Even Akimitsu could see the happiness radiating off of him. 

"Yes, I own some mining planets, so I like to pick my favorites out before they are sent out to the contracted companies." 

These mining planets were originally uninhabited planets with a plethora of resources. Not only that, but most of the people working there were controlling robots. Everyone involved was paid a decent salary. 

The mining planets had more than just gems, they also had useful metals. There was even a recycling plant on them to recycle used electronics or jewelry. 

Edros provided jobs to millions of people, ensuring their livelihoods with just the mining planets. 

"When the time comes, you are welcome to come and visit my collection." He did not want to scare or pressure Aster into going, but he put the idea up there for when Aster was more comfortable with him. 

Aster saw that Edros didn't appear to be angry with him. He should be serious about his statement. "I understand. Then, when the time comes, I would like to see your collection. And… Maybe in the future, you can see mine too." 

For Edros and Aster, this was a start. 

"Then, if I see any good pieces, I will let you know." 

"I appreciate it!" 

Aster's collection was just getting started, so he didn't have a lot right now. He couldn't wait to add more to his room. 

Seeing Edros and Aster feeling a lot more comfortable with each other, Akimitsu and Ellery felt it was time for Aster to begin the guiding session, so Ellery reminded Aster while Akimitsu tapped Edros' shoulder and glanced over at him. 

Edros seemed to understand that it was time for them to get started.

Aster finally remembered why he was there and felt a little embarrassed. Once he started talking about his special interests, it was hard to stop. 

"I am ready, how about you, Edros?" 

"I am also ready." 

"Then, let's get started." Aster nodded while holding out his hands. He also summoned Lune which also summoned Edros' dragon quantum beast, Casir. He was only a little bit bigger than Lune and did his best to slowly inch closer. 

When he saw that Lune didn't move, Casir sat next to him on the floor, using his wings to cover Lune's back. It was like he was sheltering Lune from the rain. Lune didn't seem to mind and didn't move. 

Edros did his best to gently grab Aster's hand, which felt soft and warm. Aster did not tremble when he touched him, so he felt a bit more confident to hold his hand. 

"I will be entering your spiritual sea. Please do not resist. I will be gentle…" Aster whispered, but everyone could hear him. 

"I understand."

The two of them closed their eyes. 

Aster didn't feel any resistance or pressure coming from Edros when he entered Edros' spiritual sea. When he opened his eyes, he saw so much red chaotic energy he could barely see any white clouds. Even the typical dark purple space seemed to be mixed with the red color. 

He had never seen anything like this ever since transmigrating into Ellery's body. It was like Edros' spiritual sea was bleeding with no one to help stop it. 

It was no wonder that Edros had attacked him that day. With the state of his spiritual sea, it was surprising that he had not exploded yet. 

How could he even blame Edros when he had done everything he could to protect the Zevaria Empire and even saved Ellery's life twice… 

Aster knew it was not an excuse but an explanation. But also, he felt it was okay to forgive Edros. Once Edros' spiritual sea felt better, he knew that he would never have to worry about being attacked by him. 

Well, that was just a gut feeling he had. 

Finally, he looked at the large home cloud in the center of the spiritual sea. It was pure white, untouched by the chaotic energy. 

Aster could imagine Casir curled up, trying to protect himself from the chaotic energy that wanted to attach to him. He was sure that Casir would look pitiful lying there trying to protect himself.

Aster already said that he would not do a deep cleaning, and it was not like he could anyway. This spiritual sea was incredibly large and full of chaotic energy. 

He decided he would use up as much spiritual power as he could without hurting himself. It was best not to rush this kind of thing…

Aster took a deep breath and hyped himself up. He could do this. Just do what he could and then stop. 

He summoned his spiritual power into his hands and placed them on the clouds beneath him. He would start here and at the end, try to get rid of some of the chaotic energy floating near Casir.

*****

Meanwhile, Edros took a breath in and felt like he was in that winter wonderland. He opened the door to the cabin and smelled the hot chocolate. He could feel the warmth of the fireplace. 

He guided himself to the carpet in front of the fire and saw the hot chocolate appear in his hands. He took a deep breath, smelling the rich chocolate and the sweetness of the marshmallows. 

Then, he took a sip and felt the hot chocolate slowly go down his throat, warming his body up. 

Edros felt someone put a blanket on his back and curl up next to him. 

If this was not paradise, he did not know what this was. He almost didn't want to leave… 

It was the first time he had ever felt like this. 

Edros knew that Aster could not clear out his spiritual sea in one go, but it was more than enough to stabilize him until the next session. Plus, he had stabilizers on hand at all times. 

Still, he finally understood why sentinels needed to be guided. 

Honestly, he thought he would explode on the battlefield at a young age, leaving his parents, older sister, sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews behind. 

Edros knew they would be heartbroken, but that was the fate of sentinels who could not be guided. 

Now he finally had hope, hope that he would be able to live a long life. Edros finally felt that he would be able to see his family grow old and maybe find a family of his own.