Chapter 1233: Explaining Everything (1)
Theurien and Silrat had looks on their faces that suggested that they had been told to expect something outrageous.
And indeed, Red Rage had told them to not freak out when they arrived at their destination.
"Festos?" Silrat was the first to speak, a strange look on his face that melded somewhere between befuddled and bewildered. "Is that really you?"
"In the flesh," Replicus said with a warm smile.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Theurien had no words. He looked between the Hybrid Luman body and the Progeny with a pale face.
Silrat felt a more familiar presence from Replicus' response and expression than from what Skullius had shown him several minutes ago and dragged them into his Territory.
"What in the world happened? What happened to you? I-I can't even wrap my head around
"I know, I know. Believe me, I know," Replicus said. "It's a long story and I'd rather tell it to you all in a safer place than this one. For now, I'm just glad you managed to survive."
Theurien finally managed to regain his wits.
"Right," he said and his hand trembled. He gazed at it with such intensity that one would have thought there was gold in his palm. "I've never felt more afraid than when you... that other... that thing... whatever it was, appeared. I can hardly recall what happened until just a few minutes ago."
Replicus was sympathetic.
"I can imagine."
The fact that he almost didn't manage to save these two weighed on Replicus. His heart had been in his foot the entire time Red Rage was absent.
But thankfully, despite what manner of damage Skullius did, he didn't end up killing their friends.
"For now, let's get out of here," Replicus said. He turned to Yuyui.
A large ivory key appeared in the Progeny's hand and the lime-haired girl softly pried it from Replicus' limp fingers.
With a wide smile of anticipation - as she knew how everyone was going to react to what was coming next - she took a few steps forward and pushed the key into the empty air.
At once, Ju'wtte streaked from her forehead, where the Stark Constellation was branded, and rushed towards the ivory key, activating it.
There was a loud groan, a spike in the sheer quantity of threads of Ju`wtte spilling from the key, and then a vast set of double doors appeared!
for saying that."
Everyone except Yuyui and the Hybrid Luman body barely heard what he said.
Replicus sighed.
Feeling that strength had returned to one of his fingers, he lifted it and Ju`wtte sparked from
its end.
One of the rising stairways leaned backwards along with its great rift and delivered itself in front of him. Now Replicus was facing the pulsing gateway into one of the many resorts on the
First Layer of the Hatcher.
"Come along."
Replicus was the first to sink into the rift and he appeared in what looked like a large flower- field. There was a pleasant smell from the many types of flowers - some large, some small - and the ground underneath his feet felt soft and hairy.
Of course, this was because where he was now wasn't exactly a flower-field.
The great, gently flapping, thin and colourful wings on either end of his sight announced what exactly this place was: It was the back of a particularly large butterfly. Sprinkles of glittery star stuff fell on Replicus and the other riders from the wings - who had just arrived - and soon, Replicus felt himself relax.
The tension he was feeling was washed away.
The same was true for his guests.
Elita felt her tense muscles almost turn mellow. Theurien and Silrat whose minds were racing from being plagued by a variety of emotions, calmed down, somehow coming to disregard the fact that they were on a vast, airborne butterfly.
Even Soidon cooled off.
Nine Strawlers emerged from among the flowers and started setting up large cushions and tables. Some brought different, cool juices in large glass flasks, and others brought various
savoury and sweet foods.
Soon, everyone was seated, each on a very, very comfortable cushion with multiple small tables surrounding them where delectable edibles were placed in gross abundance.
It was only then when Replicus spoke:
"Now, let me explain everything."