And we are now at the end of this 6-chapter update. This was the block of chapters that I've been looking forward to writing the most, since I'd been planning it months in advance.

Please enjoy.

Chapter 70: The Traveler

The stranger known as Viatorus had made a sudden proposition to them.

"We're not going anywhere with some stranger." Vali refused to let her guard down.

"And what do I need to do to ease your paranoia?" Viatorus crossed his arms.

"Start by telling us who you are, really."

"It's as I said. I'm from the Abyss. If getting rid of your attackers wasn't enough to prove my sincerity, then I guess I'll have to use facts. Vali Lucifer, the daughter of Ileana and Rintilr Lucifer. You're the White Dragon Empress. You're one half of the Songstress of Serenity." He then pointed at Adelaide.

"You're Adelaide Motoié, a former normal person who awoke powers from your original lifetime along with being the host to an Avitur's powers. You're the other half of the Songstress of Serenity."

"You're the Host of Bahamut, Issei Hyoudou. You died a few months ago but came back to life through unknown powers after your last battle with the Aviturs. Trust me, if I wanted to harm you, I'd have done it already. I just want to talk and help, if you're willing to take a gamble on that." Viatorus gestured out of the alleyway.

"Why're we going out in the open?" Issei's eyes travelled all over the place.

"No one will attack you out in the open. The last thing your Alliance needs is to have mortals side with the Novella Caelum." Viatorus then stopped in front of a restaurant.

It was appalling to find that this stranger from the Abyss was taking the Trio out to eat dinner.

"Let's go inside." Viatorus held the door open for Issei and the others to enter.

They had no idea what to do at this point. Was this man an enemy trying to get in their good graces?

Even so, they couldn't stay out in the open for long. They also needed a moment to rest as well. They'd been running nonstop ever since they got out of Alliance Headquarters. They didn't even have anywhere to go for more answers. They had to take this chance if this man could give them answers.

"Welcome, how can I help you?" The Waitress asked.

"A table for four please." Viatorus politely asked.

"Excellent."

The Waitress led them to a table near the window.

"What can I get for you?" She asked after getting drinks for them.

"Anything they want." Viatorus smiled.

"We're okay." Vali was in no mood to eat.

Viatorus flipped through the menu.

"I'll take your Menu Sampler #1 and Menu Sampler #2 and Menu Sampler #3, please." He said.

"Excellent. I do apologize, but it'll take some time to get all of that cooked and done at the same time." The Waitress apologized.

"No worries. Take your time."

The Waitress then left to send in their order.

"Who're you? Really?" Issei asked as she left.

(Final Fantasy XV OST – Somnus ~ Instrumental. Play Song.)

"That's not exactly important. What I told you is the truth. You can choose to distrust me, if it pleases you. The Abyss directed me here while I was on my travels. Surely, you can feel the Abyssal power from me." Viatorus opened his hand to show the familiar energy that felt just like Issei's.

"I was passing by and I'm kind of on a journey right now. A little bit of reflection, if you will. Seeing as how the Abyss can't directly interact with you, I'm working that job."

Issei continued to glare at him with distrust, wary after having his trust broken twice already.

"You can stop glaring at me. I meant it when I said I'm here to help." Viatorus held his hands up in a form of peace.

"How do I know that?" Issei leaned closer.

"Because that's what you believed in as well, remember?" Viatorus seemed to challenge his perspective, meeting his eyes. Underneath that cloaked hood, Issei could see two glowing blue eyes.

Issei paused. That was right. He had also believed in that. He still wanted to believe in that. However, the recent wounds that he'd been dealt made it hard to trust anyone right now. History was repeating itself and Issei had no idea if Viatorus was trying to make it happen faster.

"I know the world is cruel. I come from an even crueler world. Sometimes, you trust others so much and then they do something that goes completely against your beliefs. It's seen as a betrayal on your part. However, I encourage you to think deep and long about this. Some people are tricked like how you were tricked. Some people are just scared. Some people are angry, sometimes rightfully so. In the end, we all just do the best with the hand that life deals us. It leads us to clash and it leads us down roads that diverge. Things change, people change. The people that you thought were your friends might not be your friends and your enemies might become friends. And the ones that you thought betrayed you, might not have betrayed you. They were either deceived, misguided, or just didn't know and circumstance took hold of the situation. That doesn't mean you can immediately fault them. Still, based on what I've seen, I can safely say that Enki has it in for you three." Viatorus sipped his tea as Issei scoffed.

"So, this is a therapy session?"

Viatorus only looked amused at his angry quip.

"I made that mistake twice, boy, and it cost me very dearly. It changed me each time into more of a monster. I'd rather you not do that. You need to take a moment and examine the little things inside of the big picture." Viatorus leaned over, looking Issei dead in the eyes.

Behind those calm eyes, were very tired eyes, eyes that had seen more than anyone should have, immortal or not. Issei knew those eyes well since they were like his own, but perhaps even more dead.

"The road ahead of you is going to be long and painful. That's the fate of anyone who gets involved in this, willingly or not. I want you to remember my words, Issei. Now, enough of this paranoia and whatnot. We should talk about more pressing issues."

"What's going on here? Is Adelaide's soul clear of control or not? If you're here to help and you've been watching us, then you can tell us something actually useful." Issei asked.

Viatorus looked at her, his eyes glowing suddenly before returning to normal.

"I'm sorry to say that small traces of the Void are ever present within her. Vetrazin's consciousness is no longer in her mind, however. The Void's grip might not reach her, but its touch is still in her soul."

"Can we remove it?" Issei was eager to rid her of any control aside from her own.

"That's possible. However, the Abyss and the Primordial Forces try not to interfere unless it's a dimension-affecting problem. They may not be inclined to help you. Instead, there's a chance. If you can get to the Well of Souls, then you could be able to get rid of the part that is Vetrazin and complete Adelaide's soul. You can't carve out a piece of someone's soul and plug it back in. It'll be incomplete and adversely affect a person."

Issei took a deep breath. There was still a bit of hope.

"However, the Well of Souls isn't here. It's stored in an alternate place out of space and time, removed from anyone who would dare to use it. If you can take Adelaide there, then you have a shot at removing the Void's taint." Viatorus warned.

"What about the brainwashing done to Vali and Adelaide?"

Again, Viatorus seemed to scan the twins.

"You can take relief in the fact that they're clean. Adelaide's brainwashing was a one-time use. I chalk it up to poor magic work from Enki. A good inventor but terrible spellcaster."

"That'd explain why Enki was in such a rush. There was a time window for him to brainwash us while you were away. That's also probably why my grandfather and family got taken out of the picture." Vali began to piece the clues together.

"It was probably those sessions where he hooked us up to machines. He must've been embedding code words into my head to start this. When it only worked once, he must've tried to put permanent brainwashing on us both…" Adelaide soon followed.

"All so that you two could be used to control me." Issei finished their statement.

Viatorus merely clapped.

"Indeed. Bahamut is quite literally, an engine of destruction. You two girls are the key to controlling one of the greatest powers in this galaxy."

"Now that we've established that Vali and Adelaide aren't under any control, can you tell us where the Well of Souls is?"

Viatorus stared at him, then Vali, then Adelaide.

"How far are you willing to go?" Viatorus dropped his friendly tone for a serious one.

"I'm willing to go as far as it takes. None of us asked for this. I just want us to be free. If the world is hellbent on creating problems just because they're scared of the possibilities, then I'll fight it. I've had enough of fate's games." Issei responded.

"I see." Viatorus had a content smirk.

"If you can make your way to the original Galaxy, there'll be a gateway there. The Original Galaxy is far and away from here because there's a dimensional rift that the final battle tore. You can use that rift to travel to the Well of Souls. However, the Rift is random. You could end up anywhere. You need to bend it to your will so that it'll point you in the direction you want. Once that part's done, you have to actually find it. When you do, use this." Viatorus took out a tiny fragment of metal that was littered with magic symbols.

"You can use that shard to channel some of the Well's power and have it do what you want. However, be careful. The Well is sensitive, powerful, and more ancient than all understanding. Be warned, you need to respect its power and only do what you say you'll do. You mess with powerful forces beyond imagination and it'll punish you in ways you could never fathom." Viatorus warned.

The way he spoke made it sound as if he knew one of them was going to have thoughts like that.

"Thank you." Issei quietly spoke. Whether or not he would mean it remained to be seen.

"No problem. Consider it as a little bit of compensation for your good work." Viatorus nodded.

"So, why're you helping us?" Vali decided to be blunt, the question having been gnawing away at her.

"Because you deserve it. As you said, none of you asked for this. Fate just chose you for it. I don't want you kids to lose your futures because the powers that be decided to mess around. I've been around for a long time and I've seen this sort of thing happen a lot. I'd rather try and stop it from happening whenever I'm aware."

For a moment, Viatorus sounded a little old, in every sense of the word.

"So the Abyss really is just sending a spokesperson around to help? What about that time it appeared in front of us?" Vali asked.

"That was because the Void violated the ancient laws. A Primordial Force is forbidden from direct interference. Since the Void tried to directly dispose of you, the Abyss had leeway to intervene."

"Why?"

"The Abyss and the Void are powerful, yes, but the most powerful forces in all of existence are fate, time, life, and death. You can't avoid any of them. When a Primordial Force gets involved, fate kicks in and aligns events that punish those aligned to that Force."

"How come the Primordial Forces don't do anything?" Issei couldn't help but feel outraged, his frustration bubbling over again.

Viatorus gave him an understanding look, as if he'd been asked hundreds of times already.

"When a child falls, what do you do? If you pick them up over and over, they'll always be waiting for you to do it for them. If you don't pick them, they never learn to do it on their own or they spiral into bad behavior sourced from your negligence. You can only pick them up a certain amount of times at certain points so that they can learn to stand up on their own and learn to walk. Sometimes, if you do too much, it can cause harm. If you do too little, it causes harm. If your needs were taken care of for you all the time, then you grow spoiled, complacent, and incapable of anything. You take things for granted. There'd be no point in living if everything was done for you." Viatorus gave them understanding smiles.

"When the original Galaxy was lost, the Abyss realized that it gave too much power to an individual that was ill-prepared for the task he was given. So, it repaired everything. It tried to help but when it did too much, the other factors in the equation didn't work. Issei here, died over and over and no one learned a thing from it. The Aviturs kept coming back and the pantheons just watched because they came to rely on Issei cleaning up their mess."

Issei felt a small twinge of regret because of his words.

"But, if he didn't then the Aviturs and other forces at work would've doomed this place several times over if he hadn't. We can't always have what we want whenever we want. Sometimes, we've gotta do things with our own two hands and earn the big things."

Vali nodded, understanding what he was saying, even if she wasn't completely accepting of it.

(Final Fantasy XV OST - Somnus. End Song.)

"Alright, here're your orders." The Waitress brought over some coworkers, laying Viatorus's orders down on the table.

"Eat up. You've got a long road ahead of you. You're gonna need your energy." Viatorus remained gentle.

After their meals were done and the plates were cleaned, the four continued talking. Issei was most eager since he finally had the chance to answer something he'd been dying to know.

"How did I come back to life?"

Viatorus was silent, almost as if he couldn't choose his words.

"It was because of a phenomenon. Through the use of an ancient item and a Longinus, a phenomenon spread across the multiverse and all reality. A number of miracles happened. For you, it was your resurrection."

"But why?" Issei was dissatisfied with his answer.

"Perhaps it was for this moment or another. Maybe it was an act of pity. Regardless, it was the work of a singular phenomenon that'll probably never be replicated."

"So you're saying that I just got lucky?"

"In a way, yes. You get to be here with the people you love, don't you?"

Issei had to agree with that.

"Then what am I? No one knows what I am. I'm certainly not human anymore."

"No, that would be implausible. A normal human body can't handle Bahamut's power. It's like sticking a nuclear reactor inside of a common fan. Everything you did killed you faster. As for what you are, I'd say you're an Abyssal now. You're a being born from the Abyss's power with a body and powers only available from the Abyss. In a way, you're like me, since I'm the same thing. You just have the form of a human. Everything else is different."

"Anything I should know?"

"Not really. You're just going to live a very long time, you're faster, stronger, and can output more mana that you ever could as a human. You're nothing short of her." Viatorus pointed at Vali.

"And what about me?"

"Likewise, you're also a bit like Issei. It's just that you have some Void power in your soul. I'd recommend you steer clear of it, lest you invite consequences. The more you draw on it, the more the Void might be able to control you."

"So, why's all this happening?" Vali spoke next.

"That's not something I honestly know. That's a question that predates my life. I've never had any interactions with the Void or its spawn. I only learned of it on my travels."

"This really is all ludicrous." Issei chuckled at the ridiculousness of this entire situation.

"What makes you say that?"

"Since you don't have any answers, then that means that we can only go off what we know. What we know is that we need to go through hell over and over to fight a proxy war. None of this makes sense as to why we have to deal with all this. The people we trusted stabbed us in the back. The people next to us are hungry for power. The people that we can't see are plotting to use and kill us. And for what? Unrivaled power? Domination over others?" Issei sneered.

(Doctor Who OST – 9th Doctor Theme. Play Song.)

Viatorus knew that look. It was the look of defeat and exhaustion. Issei's faith and beliefs had been shaken to the core and now, he'd reached a turning point that could completely change who he was.

"In our worlds of angels, demons, gods, spirits, and beasts, there are so many things that cannot be explained. Sometimes, we get dealt a hand that we hand. We've still gotta play it, nonetheless. Life isn't always about getting what we deserve or only earning what we think we want. Sometimes, life throws things our way and all we can do is make the best of what we've got." Viatorus could only offer a sympathetic smile.

"We're rather tired of that." Vali's eyes seemed to wander into the distance.

"I know you've all been hurt. Life is painful. You lose things. You gain things. You learn. You also forget. That's just how life is. You can only just keep doing what your heart and mind tell you, realistically. Not everything is the way it seems and you don't always have to walk the path laid out for you. Sometimes, you've just gotta say no and walk a different path. If you're tired of this kind of fate, then fight fate. Fight until fate decides to put you on a path that you can work with. Prove yourself and why you deserve that path. Don't just surrender to it forever." Viatorus then refilled everyone's cups.

"Are you talking from personal experience?" Adelaide managed to speak for the first time since they'd sat down. The way he spoke made it sound like he was trying to impart some sort of lesson.

"Yes, I am. I was expected to be a weapon, and I fulfilled that role to the letter. Things kept getting worse and worse as to who I was. Then, my life changed after some life events. It got to a point that I decided I wanted to change the path I was on. I took matters into my own hands and decided to stop reacting to everything. I forced fate to let me choose which of its roads I wanted to take. I was tired of the natural choices. Now, I'm here." Viatorus didn't sound too bitter when he responded. He almost seemed satisfied.

"How old are you?" Vali was curious, seeing as how he kept acting like he'd seen a lot.

"About 2,617 now." Viatorus grinned.

"Really?" Issei asked.

"Yep. Been around the block before, kids. That's why I don't want you screwing up where I did. Trust me, it marks you for life. You're probably already marked for life but you can't let all the bad things keep weighing you down all the time. There's nothing wrong with reflecting but just don't let it take your future away from you. When we lose our way, it takes someone with a different perspective to remind us of these things." Viatorus fondly smiled.

"You got a lady too?" Issei couldn't help but question him about that. There was just something about his smile that gave him that impression.

"Eight of them, actually." Viatorus shrugged.

"WHAT?!" Vali and Adelaide were flabbergasted.

"Yep. Which is why I want you to seriously think on who's waiting for you." Viatorus looked right at Issei.

"I know that."

"See that you don't forget. I used to be ready to die at any moment. I've had countless times where I wanted to die. It was only until recently that I realized just how much I mean to others and how much they mean to me."

"So, what're you trying to message us?" Issei's head was spinning now with all this information.

Viatorus sighed out of exasperation.

"This knife needs sharpening." He pointed at Issei, bringing chuckles out of Adelaide and Vali.

"Look, bottom line is that a lot of terrible things happened but you can't let that keep you down or knock you into a downward spiral. Life is always going to challenge you and hurt you. Even so, if you keep persevering, you just might get what you need but only if you're in the state to accept it. Almost this entire time, I've noticed that you kids were merely being swept along by fate. If you're as tired of it as you say you are, then my advice is for you to take matters into your own hands and pick a fate that you want."

(Doctor Who OST – 9th Doctor Theme. End Song.)

Viatorus then took a deep breath before scoffing. Issei and the others looked at him as he went silent.

"Now, you kids should get going."

He produced keys from his coat.

"Got a car waiting for you in the parking lot. It'll take you to a ship that's primed and waiting for you. Be warned, you can't travel too fast with your speed or you might get detected." Viatorus dropped the keys into Issei's hand.

"You also have company." He pointed out the window.

Outside were individuals that the group didn't know. Unfortunately, they were looking straight at the restaurant from across the street.

"The car will automatically take you to the ship. After that, you're on your own. The ship and car are enchanted to hide your presences from even gods but don't take your chances." Viatorus's eyes remained peering out the window.

"What about you?" Issei asked.

"I'll take care of the people following you. I don't know if I'll be allowed to help you again since the Abyss was quite explicit about my interference." Viatorus stood up as he paid the bill and left a tip.

"Make sure to take the back exit. Now, off you go, kids." The hooded stranger was as gentle as possible. Perhaps he'd be the last person to be like that to them for a long time.

While the trio left, Viatorus cracked his neck and knuckles.

"Right, not my universe, so no killing." He had to remember that rule.

Viatorus walked out the restaurant, stopping in front of the eight people walking toward it.

"Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. How may I help you today?" Viatorus politely asked.

"Move aside." One of the men commanded.

"I'm sure we can be civil about this. What do you want with the kids?" Viatorus continued his jovial stance.

"That's none of your business."

"I'm sure you've got your reasons but quite simply, can't you turn a blind eye just this once? The kids didn't kill anyone and I'm sure you don't want to hurt them, either. I'm sure you're just obeying orders. However, believe me when I tell you that what they're doing is important for everyone and it's the right thing. Leave them be, please." Viatorus pleaded.

"Who're you?" A woman asked.

"Just a helper passing through." Viatorus shrugged. That was probably the most honest he'd been since he'd arrived here.

"Step aside or you'll pay for wasting our time. Don't think we won't hurt you." The lady in the center stepped forward.

Vali, Adelaide, and Issei scrambled toward the back, but Issei paused when he looked at who the eight people were. They were Artemis, Baraqiel, Tsukuyomi, Gabriel, Baldur, Ganesha, Amenhotep, and Sobek.

"Now's your chance to leave. Don't make us harm you." Baraqiel's stare only intensified as electricity arched around him.

"You've got no idea who you're dealing with." Amenhotep stepped forward to intimidate Viatorus.

Viatorus merely rolled his eyes. It was as if he was just so done already.

"He can't take those guys." Issei gasped.

"Get them." Artemis's eyes trained on Issei the moment they came into her peripheral vision.

The moment Baraqiel tried to step forward, Viatorus's arm propped up, preventing entry.

"We need to help him." Vali was ready to hop into action.

"Like I said, kids, get going." Viatorus called out.

He turned around and smiled.

"I've got your backs."

Adelaide bit her lip as she forced Issei and Vali to get in the car.

"What're you doing?!" Vali was incredulous at this cowardly measure.

"We have to get to the end. If we get captured now, it'd just waste Viatorus's efforts." Adelaide slammed the door shot and turned on the car.

The moment they got inside; they were alarmed by all the Magitech.

"Destination set. Stealth barrier and stealth spells active. Estimated travel time: two hours." A computer voice said as the car automatically drove off.

"Pursue them." Artemis said.

"Come on folks, can't we just talk this out?" Viatorus made one last plea.

The moment Gabriel spread her wings, a wall of phantom swords appeared in front of her.

(Naruto Shippuden OST – Kokuten. Play Song.)

"What?!" She yelped in alarm.

"I'm sorry, but I must require your attention now. I simply can't let you go after those children." Viatorus sighed, dropping his jovial expression.

"We need to take him down and pursue." Artemis notched an arrow.

Viatorus opened his hand, materializing a black katana, sheathed.

"Guess words just don't work here, either." He sighed, rolling his eyes.

Baraqiel dashed forward, only for Viatorus to suddenly warp in front of him, instantly teleporting in the flicker of blue particles. He punched him in the temple with so much force that Baraqiel was jettisoned into the sky, becoming a mere dot in several moments.

"Oh…" Issei trailed off as he saw that from the back of the car.

He backflipped, dodging an arrow from Artemis, before whacking Amenhotep across the head with his sheath. With one fluid motion, he used him as a shield to block several of Artemis' arrows. Pushing forward, Viatorus opened his palm, firing a massive black and cerulean beam that was so powerful that the entire sky above rumbled as the clouds dispersed. The beam blasted into Amenhotep, who crashed into Tsukuyomi as the two were shot off into the unknown.

"Holy Shit!" Issei hung on for dear life as the resulting shockwave caused an earthquake around the entire area.

Viatorus unclicked his sword, swinging his sheath at Artemis, who knocked it aside. In that split second, he warped over, kneeing her in the gut as he sliced apart her bow before lifting her above him. With a series of rapid kicks imbued with mana, he bashed her far into the heavens.

Mid-motion, he deflected Gabriel's beams of light with his katana before flipping his sword to the blunt side and warping in front of her within the literal blink of an eye. With one simple swing, he unleashed a mana-enhanced attack that sent Gabriel to her knees, knocking her to the ground with another massive shockwave.

Viatorus spun into the air, missing a blast of fire from Ganesha, kneeing him in the face while moving. Viatorus then landed, gripping Ganesha by the collar and flinging him into the air as he fired dozens of beams that kept hammering Ganesha farther and farther into the air. Each time the beams hit, a massive explosion erupted.

Baldur swung his sword at Issei as Sobek went at Viatorus from the front. Jumping between the gap of their attacks, Viatorus spun in the air. He unleashed a wave of mana from his sword that slashed at both of them with the blunt side of his sword to prevent from cutting the two.

The two were knocked into the distance, smashing into mountains and the deep waters of a lake far away, respectively.

(Naruto Shippuden OST – Kokuten. End Song.)

Viatorus casually pulled the sheath of his sword over to him with telekinesis and placed it back over his blade.

"I do appreciate you all for going easy on me. But still, wow, you guys must've been lazy in this universe. You're not as strong as the ones from my dimension." Viatorus remarked.

"Who are you?" Gabriel asked.

"Like I said. I'm just a guy passing through, helping the good people. The actual good people, not the ones who say they are. When you get back, you should do a very thorough investigation of your Alliance since it's clear you're morally compromised. Those three kids wouldn't be on the run, otherwise." Viatorus walked closer as Gabriel tried to get up.

Gabriel shivered as she looked at his eyes. His glowing cerulean eyes had turned a shade of crimson for a split moment, igniting a primordial sense of fear that was even more intense than the fear Bahamut ignited.

Gabriel got the message; however brief and silent it was. Whatever Bahamut could do, this man could do far worse. With a snap of Viatorus's fingers, the broken asphalt began to come back together. Without another word, he warped away.

He went to a mountain, watching as the car he gave Issei's team drove off into the distance.

"Just like the old days, solving other universes' problems." Viatorus sighed to himself.

"What do you think?" A spirit in blue armor appeared. It appeared kingly, with royal armor, a flowing tattered cape, and glowing blue eyes.

The air around it bent to its presence, as if terrified, yet revering it. It felt cold but at the same time, it didn't have the same threatening and ominous feeling that Viatorus could invoke, but it still conveyed power far beyond anything the traveler could exhibit.

"I approve. The boy is strong. He's a bit shaken now, but he'll pull himself back together. The other two are great too. Despite all the insanity, they're willing to actually look around and understand what's going on. Still…" Viatorus trailed off, his initial smile fading.

"You know better than to play with fate, Viatorus. You know what happens if you interfere too much. These people need to sort out their own problems. You can't go rushing in to take care of everything. You've already done that on a massive scale that has tossed fate around as if it were a toy. Trust me, this might come back to haunt you." The Abyss sternly warned Viatorus.

"Is it really so bad to want a happy ending?" Viatorus' flippant mood did little to relieve the Abyss.

"Not when it's not earned. The boy earned his resurrection by your hands. However, you cannot have everything that is priced so high." The Abyss responded.

Viatorus scoffed.

"That's just like you. There's gotta be a price for everything. I have no intention of fighting all his battles. I knew he and the others can't handle fighting so many gods at once yet and they needed the push. So much has gone wrong already. One lifetime of happiness is nothing big to ask for when he's suffered for so many thousands of lives."

"Then why didn't you tell them all the answers?"

"I wanted to, but sometimes, doing too much does more harm than good."

"And will you return home? It's been six months now. They aren't doing well, at all." The Abyss asked.

A long pause washed over Viatorus as he lost his calm expression. One could say he looked guilty.

"Yes, I will. Once I'm done here, I'll make my way home to my own dimension. I just wanted to see how things are in this insane multiverse of ours. I wanted to see if things will finally change."

"Uh…wow…" Adelaide gawked.

In front of them was a large ship that grossly shamed the Vestige ship. This ship was thrice as large. It was almost like a house on wings. There was a living room, control room, bathroom, kitchen, medical bay, and a small armory. All of it was magitech.

"There's even hangar in this thing." Vali looked around as the car parked inside said hangar in the ship.

"So, if it's anything like the car…" Issei wondered.

"Computer, give us a map of the world." Adelaide jumped straight to the point.

Instantly, a hologram appeared in front of Issei, showing exactly what he wanted.

"We're going to have to get clues on where to find a way to the original Galaxy. Sadly, nobody knows, so we'll have to do the same old thing, which is research." Issei was exasperated by the constant shortage of information.

"Fat chance of that working well. The Alliance is after us now and I really don't want to go near the Novella Caelum." Vali rested her head on a table.

Adelaide was hesitant about her idea, but she had no clue on where to start.

"Then let's ask the people that can see where we can't."

"Which is?" Vali looked up at her.

"Let's go see Merlin."

"What makes you so sure that's a good idea?"

"Merlin's one of the very few people who's detached himself from the pantheons and the outside world. He can see outside his field of vision and he's lived for a long time. I'll bet he's got some good info to give."

Issei and Vali traded looks. It was better than nothing.

"Computer, set a course for England." Vali made the call.

"Course plotted. Estimated travel time: one day." The AI reported.

"Can't we go any faster?" Vali scoffed in disbelief.

"Faster travel could present problems. Deities and mortal governments could detect our movements if speed is increased. Do you wish to continue?" The AI asked.

"Remember what Viatorus said. We need to avoid unnecessary risks." Issei reminded Vali.

"But we can't just waste time." Vali said.

"Sometimes, we just need to reroute our time to something else, like planning ahead. Remember, the Alliance is after us now. We don't know what they're planning, either so we can only try to avoid them at all costs. We may be strong, but we can't fight a ton of deities all at the same time. We're going to have to do something different and play things stealthy this time." Issei said.

Vali sighed as she took a seat. She'd nearly forgotten that they didn't have any factions backing them anymore.

"Right."

"Computer, what has Viatorus left us?"

"Former owner: Viatorus has left seals that will conceal the bearers from divine detection. Please place hand on scanner." A scanner popped up from the floor.

Issei did as told, causing a magic symbol to appear on his hand.

"Stamp complete. You are now undetectable to deities."

"Computer, give us all information on Viatorus." Vali demanded.

"Results inconclusive. No stored information in database on Viatorus." The AI beeped.

"Figures. Can we really trust this guy? What if we're in a trap?" Vali looked at Issei, slightly nervous.

"I don't know. I feel like he's alright. He's kinda scary but, I felt like he really did want to help. Sure, my word doesn't really mean anything anymore, but still…if he really were an enemy, I think Bahamut wouldn't have been so quiet around him. Actually, Bahamut seemed…sad." During the whole time they sat with Viatorus, Bahamut seemed melancholic for a split second.

"Why?"

"No idea. Maybe because they're both from the Abyss."

The two then noticed the silence. Ever since their escape, Adelaide had been eerily withdrawn.

"What's wrong?" Vali walked over.

Adelaide refused to make eye contact with anyone, her eyes glue to the floor.

"I'm so sorry." She choked out.

This moment was coming sooner or later.

"We all have responsibility." Issei put a hand to her shoulder.

"Yeah. I blamed you and even tried to attack you."

"I also ignored what was happening."

"Still, if I had tried harder, if I had done something, this wouldn't have happened." Adelaide stared at the mark on her wrist.

"What's done is done. We can only move forward." Issei shook his head, wanting her to stop blaming herself. Now that some silence was afforded to them, Issei was able to piece himself back together. Most of all, he couldn't be vulnerable while Adelaide was still frazzled.

"I was being controlled and I never noticed. I was such a naïve fool." Adelaide derisively laughed at herself.

"Hey, no more of that. We all got manipulated and in ways that we didn't expect. You chose to trust, which isn't wrong. Yeah, all of us should've been more vigilant, but like Issei said, what's done is done. We've gotta accept what we did wrong and move on. We've got problems to solve and we can't do that if we keep beating ourselves up." Vali gently sat Adelaide down.

"Thank you." Adelaide sniffled as she wiped away some of her tears.

"We'll get through this. We're going to get to the bottom of this, clear our names, and get our lives back."

This wasn't a hope. This was an oath. Issei was done letting fate toy with them.

And that is a wrap on this 6-chapter package. I hope you enjoyed it. I certainly had some fun writing them. Again, I want to thank all the readers that stuck with me this far and I appreciate everyone who showed consideration. I still won't make any promises on the update schedule, not that I ever did. So, as per usual, whenever I get the chance, I'll update.

So, until next time folks. Stay safe and stay calm in these crazy times.