CHAPTER 20: Nostalgia

"So this is what you need my help with eh?" The genie Ruby said somewhat irritated sounding as she looked on the pillar with a gem on top of it that looked as if it could hold some sort of energy.

Within the Atlamillia Toan pondered to himself confused as he'd ever been while his allies looked onto him. Was this truly what he needed help with from this new genie girl. Frankly he was getting a bit tired of these tag alongs. Xiao was well meaning and friendly but Toan couldn't help but imagine that she would be far more tolerable if she was just a regular cat, he thought for a few seconds what would've happened if he had used the animal changing potion he got from that weird man in black on his llama back in Norune. He laughed a little. Then there was Goro who has been completely delightful like a saint on this entire adventure. But what ruined Goro completely was the fact he was basically wearing a skirt and seeing him in action was unbearable for him. Now there was this new genie girl and for what the kind seemed to imply by his demeanor around her was that she was scary.

Toan began to receded into his happy place as he started to sit down and then lay down. He was basking in the sun next to his home near the pond as Paige came and brought him milk.

How was Paige Toan thought about her often. If the fairy King had found some other poor bastard Toan would be in Norune and thinking of hanging out with his friends, or fishing. And Paige would be there. She would be happy. They would be together forever and always...but he wasn't there for her. For the better of the world right? For the future right? Toan was tired of being a hero, but this was his responsibility for whatever reason. Ironic. It was his act of bravery in attempting to save Paige in that horrible night that solidified his fate. And perhaps of he just cowered in fear maybe he would've been spared this head ache of an adventure.

Xiao's eyes crept from Toan laying down to Goro as if she was giving him permission to be the voice of reason in this moment of awkward tension.

"He is the creepiest quiet kid I have ever seen. Believe me I know a thing or two about kids like that. I WAS ONE."

A loud voice boomed throughout the atlamillia of the genie girl, Ruby.

"UM hello?! New girl here asked a question a moment ago, no response whats the deal?"

Goro chimed in

"You do exactly what you're told genie and go forth!"

"IF I WAS YOU KID I'D GRAB THAT KIDS DAGGER AND-"

Xiao decided to give her 2 cents

"We appreciate you, you're doing a great job!"

Ruby stopped her threat and shrugged off the irritating Goro. She looked over to the pillar and shot a bolt of magic at it, lighting it like a torch.

The door opened, it was time to descend further into the shipwreck.

Toan could hear what was going on around him. The journey was progressing whether he had any say or not. This was his life now. Saving the world and making sure he didn't die in the process. He desperately wanted to return to normal. When he finally met up with whoever started this mess he'd make them pay for these lost days of his youth he should be enjoying. There was no more time to rest his eyes and be in his happy place he had to gather Atla and continue to restore this place.

A/N: Always think about this story. I recently started Dark Cloud again but this time I decided to not enhance my health or thirst stats in order to make it harder because I find the game way too easy. Where as Dark Cloud 2 is IMO needlessly complicated though its still a incredible game I wish to get more into when I can. But I decided since I'm replaying the game why not continue this story to make the play through even more interesting. Writing the game out makes me appreciate the more simple and mundane aspects of the game such as the scenery or the dialogue you won't always catch the first time around.