AN: I finally managed to write something~ Took me a while to finally finish this chapter. It's a rather long one, too. 5k words. That might be one of the reasons why it's taking me this long to finish it. Perhaps I should focus on shorter chapter. Anyway, I honestly don't know when I'll get the next chapter out. But I am working on it slowly. I will finish this series. It might take me a while, but I will finish it.

Enough ramblings. Hope you enjoy reading~!

Chapter 7:

The sun had barely risen when the shadow of the flying city of Maginia passed over Armoroad. It moved slowly, almost ominously, causing many of the residents to take to the streets to obverse. The city's appearance was rather sudden, so it was fortunate that they had received word of its presence days in advance.

The low, vibrational rumbling of the passing city caused Oracle, leader of the Aurora Guild, to step onto the balcony of his room. He watched with mild interest as Maginia rumbled overhead. The other members of his guild were also aroused from their sleep by the flying city, and they too, headed outside to watch as it passed, searching for a landing area.

However, Oracle wasn't all that interested in the flying city. He was more interested in what, or rather who was to be found within the city.

The stars had been alerting him to a newcomer for a few days now. A new person who would be able to help them. Although, the stars didn't tell him who that person who or what it was they would help them with. But, hopefully, they were a healer. A talented healer who could help the two most fragile members of the guild.

With everyone of the guild now awake, Oracle turned to move back inside to get changed into his zodiac robes before he moved downstairs. Everyone was gathering for breakfast, chatting idly about the flying city. He could hear the bubbling of excitement in their voices.

All Oracle could think about, however, as he glanced over at shogun Zydon as he rested in his wheelchair, was the hope that the stars were right once again. The injuries that Zydon unfortunately suffered from were far from conventional. No healer upon the island of Armoroad knew how to help him, and nothing they tried to return the use of his legs had worked.

He was well cared for within the guild. Kujura, in particular was very attentive of him. And it wasn't just from the guilt he felt. Not entirely. It might be neigh impossible for Zydon to return to how he used to be, but as his guild leader, Oracle owed it to him to at least try.

The same for Seyfried. His health was rather precarious, too. Having been an Yggdroid for over a hundred years and suddenly finding himself human again, its no wonder he doesn't know how the handle the form of a fragile, vulnerable human. He felt useless, stated as much, and had fallen into a depression because he was no longer able to lead his people like he once did.

Hoplite Razak was instrumental in convincing Seyfried to move in with them at the Observatory, the large lighthouse that Guild Aurora called home. Getting him out of his underground environment and back into the sunlight was quite the change for him. But it was necessary. The further away he was from the labyrinth and the responsibilities he once held, the better.

Oracle turned his attention toward the older monk, a professor and "mentor", though more like an adoptive father figure. He did whisk him away from his murderous mother, saving his life, after all.

"We're going to be asked to join Maginia's expedition, aren't we?" Oracle directed that question toward Holt, the older Monk momentarily pausing in his morning stretches.

"Ah," Holt uttered after a moment. "Did your cards or stars tell you that?"

"Cards," Oracle answered swiftly. "The stars tell me of something else."

Again, Holt paused for the briefest moment before he swiftly returned to his exercises. "Oh?"

"Someone is aboard that flying monstrosity that may be able to help Zydon and Seyfried."

A lull fell over the room and a silence crept in. Oracle could feel the eyes of the others on him. Four gazes in particular; Zydon, Kujura, Seyfried, and Razak.

"Ah," Holt uttered once again, but this time breaking the silence. "Is that so? How intriguing. I hope that this person lives up to your expectations."

Holt was being cautious. Annoyingly but rightfully so. They had tried several times to remove that curse that was taking the use of Zydon's legs away from him. Being half zodiac allowed him to manifest wings, so he could move about with ease. But it was still exhausting for him to do so. The curse of which he suffered was likely the cause.

"Are we really going to move to Maginia?" Joren, their guild's farmer and self-imposed caretaker, asked softly. Almost meekly. He was likely unnerved about the idea of leaving behind the only place he has ever really known.

"Maginia is planning quite the excursion," Holt replied as he continued his morning stretches. "They plan to visit an island known in myth as Lemuria. An unknown and mysterious island said to be filled with legends and treasures."

So…even if that person that the stars had told him about was unable to help, perhaps something within the island of Lemuria could instead?

"As you know, Villard is an old acquaintance of mine," Holt continued. "He requested that I help with the Maginian Museum. Of course, I don't have to agree. But…perhaps it would do as all some good to leave Armoroad. Even for a short while."

It did sound nice. Moving to a new place to get into trouble. Oracle was certain that there were inhabitants of Armoroad, especially the hoity-toity types, that would be thrilled that the Aurora Guild would be leaving. They were the outcasts, basically. They didn't reform themselves to social structure. So they were often looked down upon.

Oracle couldn't care less. His own mother wanted to abide by social beliefs, and that desperation of having a "normal" son, and not one who predicted the death of a family friend, led to her to try to drown him.

"Well, perhaps I should head out to greet my old friend," Holt said as he finally finished with his stretches. "An expedition sounds quite fun. I'll be going myself. As for anyone else, it's your choice."

While Oracle had pretty much dragged many into his guild (often without their knowledge), he still didn't feel right about making this kind of decision for them. Packing up and moving to Maginia for an expedition was not easy decision.

Oracle, however, had no problem with packing up and moving elsewhere.

So, he turned to everyone of his guild. "Take your time to make your decisions. It's up to you. Think carefully."

"Oracle, Sigil; care to accompany me?" Holt requested. A reasonable request, honestly. They were seen as his apprentices, after all.

"Of course," Oracle replied as he watched as his brother, a fellow zodiac with purple hair and a perpetual shit-eating grin on his lips lifted from his chair.

Holt folded his arms behind his back and smoothly moved to the front doors. Oracle and Sigil followed him close behind. But as Oracle walked past Zydon, the shogun reached out to snare his wrist to pull him to a stop.

"Oracle?" Zydon asked as he looked up at him from his wheelchair. "Do you really believe there's someone who can help me?"

Oracle empathised with what Zydon was feeling. He suffered greatly, perhaps more than all of them. Stabbed by a man he trusted and loved, a man who was possessed by a cursed sword, who's name would never be uttered again. The attack was nearly life-threatening, though they managed to save his life. Not the use of his legs.

He felt…useless, for a lack of a better word. He was far from it, but he was highly critical of himself. Much like Seyfried, really.

"I do," Oracle said firmly as he looked straight into Zydon's eyes. "Don't worry."

Zydon gazed up at him for a silent moment before he nodded his head. "Ok." He then let go of Oracle's wrist.

Oracle gave Zydon a small smile before he turned to follow Sigil and Holt out of the Observatory. Holt took the lead as they walked down a stone-lined path that led to the city of Armoroad. Oracle stayed a few paces back with Sigil. Sigil appeared jovial, humming lightly under his breathe while Oracle was contemplative.

"Nee, Oracle," Sigil cooed, as he usually did when he wanted his attention. "You've made you decision, hm?"

Oracle nodded his head. "Indeed."

He would still need to talk to Kardos, though. He was sure that the gladiator would accompany him. He had said multiple times before that he would stay with him, to the ends of the earth. Still, Oracle would ask. He…wanted to go to Lemuria more than Maginia.

"Sounds fun," Sigil hummed. "New people to terrify and befuddle."

Hm. Sounded that Sigil had made his decision also.

"Indeed," Oracle uttered again, a half-smirk on his lips.

As they reached the halfway mark, a sudden, tingling sensation that touched Oracle's aura caused him to immediately come to a stop. His etheric wings twitched and the third eye, found in the middle of his forehead, fluttered also. He instinctively looked up at the sky to concentrate on the feeling. Next to him, Sigil did the same.

Over the bubbling, bustling atmosphere, two very distinct and new presences could be felt. Both were quite warm in comparison to those found within the city. One was tender, ethereal in a way. Light and nurturing. The other, however, was powerful. Not overwhelming, but benignly and protectively strong. One could heal any wound, the other could defeat any threat.

That was what he felt from their auras.

Oracle wasn't an empath. Not a very well-trained one at least. But he was able to sense the presences of others all the same. Know where they were and what their intentions were. But he had never encountered anything quite like the presences that had just arrived in Armoroad.

"Hm? Do you feel that?" Sigil asked, though the question wasn't exactly necessary.

Oracle nodded his head. "I do. Two power presences."

"Extremely powerful," Sigil muttered before that shit-eating grin reappeared on his lips and he continued forward, a slight spring in his step. "Interesting."

It was. Perhaps…

Oracle shook his head and continued forward, also, increasing his steps to catch up with both Sigil and Holt. But as they approached the city, those two presences seemed to be drawing closer toward them also. Heading in their direction, even.

Looking further down the path, the sight of three figures approaching greeted him. One was an elderly man with a monocle and a cape of eccentric design. With him where two others. Younger men. Clearly both explorers.

And they were the ones that held the powerful presences they had sensed.

"Ah, Villard," Holt greeted warmly as the two small groups met. "We were just coming to greet you ourselves, old friend."

"Holt," the elderly War Magus grinned. "Still allergic to shirts, I see."

"Of course," Holt replied instantly before he punched himself in his supposedly rock-hard abs. "It would be a right shame to hide this magnificent physic."

Villard laughed for a moment before the two men grasped each other's hands and pulled themselves into a half, manly hug, patting each other on the back with their other hands. But Oracle wasn't paying much attention to the older men. His gaze was locked on the two younger men behind Villard.

One was tall with red hair and blue-eyes. His muscles were subtle, but his straight but relaxed posture indicated that he was confident without overpowering ego. He gave the impression of power, protection, and acceptance.

The other man was shorter with long orange-hair, vibrant violet eyes, and a marking atop of his third eye chakra. He was the quintessential healer; nurturing, empathetic, compassionate. He gave the presence that made people want to open up to him, seeking advice or comfort.

…It was him.

"You're heard of Oracle and Sigil, yes?" Holt's voice pulled Oracle from his observation. "Two wayward waifs that are my apprentice."

"Ah, yes. Oracle is the guild leader of Aurora, yes?" Villard said in return as he folded his arms within his robes. "Well, allow me to introduce to you the co-leaders of the Guardian Guild from Lagaard; Axel and Lynus."

The redheaded Axel gave a friendly grin and nodded. "Hey."

And the orange-haired Lynus smiled gently. "Nice to meet you."

Oracle, instead of utterly a greeting in return, walked past Holt and Villard, and moved to stand before the one with the bright aura. Lynus, was his name. Violet eyes focused in on his in curiosity, his regard toward him more of interest than intimidated. He did hold a sense of nervous, but that was to be expected.

"You must be the one that the stars told me about," Oracle said.

The medic's brow furrowed ever so slightly, his curiosity mixing with confusion. His expression soon soothed out in realisation. "Who is it that you want me to see?"

…That response. He had to be the one.

"This way, please," Oracle said simply as he half turned and motioned toward the Observatory.

Lynus nodded his head before he turned to look over at the tall man next to him. "Axel?"

"You're not leaving my sight," Axel immediately stated.

Hm…protective but understanding. Intriguing. And reasonable. He appeared somewhat curious, too.

Oracle simply nodded his head and turned to lead the two back to the Observatory, leaving Holt, Sigil, and Villard to literally talk amongst themselves. He assumed that many of his guildmates had left the Observatory. To spend some time alone, or with their partners, pondering on their decisions regarding Maginia.

Hopefully, Zydon and Seyfried were still there.

"Do you mind if I introduce you to everyone later?" Oracle asked as the approached the tall, white lighthouse.

"Not at all," Lynus replied politely.

"They are wishing to take this time to come to their own decisions regarding whether joining Villard on Maginia," Oracle explained as they reached the front doors, which were still propped open.

"Ah, yes." There was obvious understanding in Lynus' voice. "We, too, had to consider the request quite thoroughly ourselves. Thankfully, everyone of our guild, and those we hold dear, agree to join us."

"Oracle?"

Lynus' gaze immediately flickered over to Zydon's direction, drawn toward him seemingly by some unknown force. His eyes widened a fraction and he drew in a sharp intake of air, so softly that there was an almost inaudible gasp. His expression suddenly softened, almost appeared pained.

Oracle turned to look at Zydon, too, noting that the shogun looked somewhat startled, and confused. He locked gazes with Oracle, his head tilted to the side questioningly.

"Sorry, I did not mean to startle you," Lynus was the one to speak up first, his voice calming and reassuring. "I'm a medic and medical researcher, so it's in my nature to cast a cursory glance at others."

Zydon turned to look at Lynus once more, his confusion soothing into interest. "Oh, are you from Maginia?"

"Actually, from High Lagaard," Lynus replied as he walked further into the Observatory and approached Zydon.

Kyan, Zydon's twin brother appeared from the kitchen area, his posture protective as he glanced at Lynus suspiciously, but cursorily all the same. "Medical researcher?"

"Hm. I've been healing mortal wounds for over ten years now and have quite a lot of experience with curses," Lynus replied.

Curses, huh? That was a rather odd thing to state, but intriguing all the same. Many of those in the medical field don't actually believe in curses and dark spells, despite the evidence.

Kyan found the admission a little startling himself, though he didn't say anything in response.

Instead, he turned to keep a close eye on his brother. Zydon had pulled his wheelchair close to the coffee table and watched as Lynus moved to perch on the edge of the table to give him his full attention. Axel stayed near the door of the Observatory, his arms folded across his chest. He was guarded, but not willing to intervene. It indicated to Oracle that this kind of scenario was a common occurrence.

Lynus raised his hand toward Zydon. "Do you mind?"

Zydon looked at him in curiosity before he glanced down at his hand. Slowly, he raised his own hand and allowed Lynus to take it gently. Lynus covered his hand with both of his before he lowered his head slightly and closed his eyes. He stayed like that for a few moments.

Curious himself, Oracle turned to look at Axel.

Axel leaned toward him to whisper to him. "Inspecting him through his aura. He sensed something not right the moment he entered."

"Touching the person allows for greater clarity?" Oracle asked.

Axel nodded his head. "He's currently searching for the reason for anomalies in his aura. If there is something wrong, he will find it."

Oracle nodded his head also. Intriguing.

Finally, Lynus sighed and opened his eyes. He idly rubbed his thumb against the back of Zydon's hand as he tried to find the right words to respond. With a sad smile, he released Zydon's hand.

"You're in quite the state, aren't you?" Lynus said as he rested his hands on his lap. "Thankfully, you still have sensations in your legs and you can move them, but placing any pressure on them will result in you collapsing."

Oracle had to admit that he was honestly surprised to hear Lynus say that. He hadn't told him a thing, but he picked out what was ailing Zydon exactly.

The twins were also greatly surprised. "You know that? Do you know the cause?" Kyan was the one to ask.

Lynus nodded his head slowly. "A curse. It is also the cause of your fatigue."

Again, he was right.

"Can…you-?"

"It's not easily fixed," Lynus interrupted gently. "It can't be done overnight. To be honest, I will need to do some research. But, within Maginia, I have a clinic of my own. And a friend and colleague of mine is working on opening a hospital."

That would mean they Zydon would have to move to Maginia as well.

"I don't want to influence your decision of joining Maginia," Lynus continued. "It's your choice entirely. But I am staying with Maginia and I am certain that, under my care, I will find a way to help you. And if you do choose to do so, I will do whatever is necessary to improve your way of life."

He sounded determined. And sincere.

It was the sincerity that caught Zydon and Kyan off guard.

"What's going on here?"

Oracle looked over to a small room to the right of the seating room and watched as Seyfried, with his walking stick and Razak at his side walked out. Ah, good. The second person he would like their newfound medical friend to inspect.

"Take a seat, Seyfried," Oracle instructed. "A medic from Maginia has agreed to visit us."

Seyfried flickered his gaze over to Lynus, and though didn't look all that impressed, resigned himself nonetheless. Lynus stayed sat on the coffee table as he regarded Seyfried carefully. His face was professionally free from expression, but it was obvious that he was indeed watching him carefully.

"Ah, I apologise for my sudden appearance and nosiness," Lynus said as he turned his attention toward Seyfried, attempting to diffuse the minor tension in the room. "I'm a devout medic and Oracle has insinuated that he has a few guildmates that may require medical attention."

It took Seyfried a few moments to drop himself stubbornly majestically onto the couch close to the coffee table. The former Abyssal King was unused to receiving help and attention from others, and preferred to stubbornly do things on his own. But he also knew how stubborn Oracle was in return, and knew it would only drain time and energy to act rebellious.

"I'll need your hand as well," Lynus said as he raised a rather delicate hand toward Seyfried. "Will that be all right?"

Seyfried barely smothered a sigh but raised his hand nevertheless. "Very well."

Seyfried's hand was pale and fragile, even in Lynus' soft hands. Lynus closed his hand around Seyfried's quickly and much like he did with Zydon, he closed his hands and concentrated.

He didn't need to focus on Seyfried for as long as he did with Zydon, it seemed. And after a few silent moments, opened his eyes.

"Hmm. It won't be an easy fix either," Lynus said as he rubbed his thumb against the back of Seyfried's hand, again much like he did with Zydon. "It will take time. You feel disconnected to your physical body. We'll need to increase your muscle mass and loosen your joints. Gentle exercise and a refined diet are the best course of action. Once you start feeling in control of yourself once more, your disconnection will also ease."

Though Seyfried's expression didn't change from his regal and stoic professionalism, it was obvious from Oracle's point of view that he was greatly surprised by the medic's accurate insight.

Oracle glanced over at Zydon, noting the wheelchair, before turning back to Seyfriend, his gaze lingering on the walking-stick he relied on heavily. "We'll be able to bring them both with us?"

"Of course," Lynus immediately replied. "I don't see why not. I believe Villard will agree, but if for whatever reason he doesn't, I'll talk to him."

Oracle arched an eyebrow. "Hm? Quite the negotiator then?"

"His Disappointed Mum look is devastating," Axel supplied with mirth.

"Is that so?" Oracle returned, intrigued. "Must be fascinating to witness. I usually just hound the shit out of them or threaten their life to make them agree."

Axel made a noise that was a half snort, half laugh. "Sounds amusing to watch."

"Don't encourage him," Razak rudely chided, sounding exasperated. "He does it enough."

This time, Axel did realise a quick laugh and rested his hands on his hip. "Sounds good. Some people definitely deserve it."

Hmm, Oracle liked this guy.

"Finally, someone who understands me," Oracle said in a deadpanned, but humorous manner.

Razak, however, didn't find the amusement, instead levelling him with a pointed look. "Don't let Kardos hear you say that."

Oh, Kardos wasn't the jealous type. Protective, but not jealous.

"In any case," Lynus started as he pushed himself to his feet. "You really can bring everyone that you are close to you. We certainly did. We practically brought half of Lagaard with us."

"There's over thirty of us," Axel explained. "We even have our own bar-keep."

"Is that so." That was actually quite reassuring to know. "Perhaps it would make the choice easier on the others if they knew that."

"It's up to them. They'll come to it on their own." Axel dropped his hand from his hip as he raised the other toward Lynus, Lynus slipping his hand in his and allowing him to pull him toward him. "Well, we better get going. We have a few things we need to do today, too."

Oracle nodded his head in understanding. "I'll escort you back to the city."

Axel and Lynus accepted this and with Oracle taking the lead once more, he led the pair out of the Observatory. Their appearance and Lynus' quick diagnosis of both Zydon and Seyfried may be a bit out of the norm. It was rather sudden, after all. No context, now conversation beforehand.

Oracle was never the one for following social or normal convention. And, thankfully, the two didn't seem to mind all that much.

There was something very curious about the two, honestly. Nothing bad. Just curious.

"Hope you don't mind me asking; are you two engaged?" Oracle asked.

"Married," Lynus replied with a light laugh, one that was filled with fondness. "Two years."

Ahh, explained why they were so incredibly comfortable and supportive of each other.

"Wait!"

Hearing Kyan's voice when they reached the boundaries of the Observatory pulled Oracle to a sudden stop, Lynus and Axel following suit. "Kyan?"

Zydon's twin brother hastily met with the three of them. He, however, seemed to ignore Oracle, though, and looked desperately, almost frantically to Lynus. "There's more, isn't there? More to my brother?" he unexpectedly asked.

Lynus looked at him, his brow slightly furrowed. Confusion evident. But that puzzling expression soon soothed out into quite the remarkable poker-face.

"You know about that curse, don't you?" Kyan continued to press, becoming desperate. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Axel turned protective, ready to intervene, but Lynus placed a hand upon his chest and shook his head. Axel, though indeed defensive, nodded his head in return. He stayed back, expression stoic, yet a sense of pity in his eyes. He didn't know the details either, but he knew his husband well enough that his reluctance to talk was indicative to how vulnerable Zydon had to be.

"Telling him everything won't help with his recovery," Lynus stated. "And it won't ease your fears, either."

Kyan frowned, his posture tensing. He was afraid for his brother, but determined to know more. "This isn't about me; I deserve to know what's really wrong with my brother."

Lynus looked as him, studying him with an empathetic expression. He then sighed in defeat. "That curse is the cause of his partial paralysis. However, it's also the reason why he still has any feeling in his legs. Removing it now, in this state, will causing him to lose all use and feeling in his legs. He will become irreversibly paralysed from the waist down. That is the curse's intent."

Oracle hadn't expected that answer. And Kyan certainly didn't either as he had gone completely white and silent. It actually made a knot form in the pit of Oracle's stomach. "Wait. Should have any of our attempts to help him worked, we would have actually paralysed him?"

Grimly, slowly, Lynus nodded his head. "That's why I didn't want to say anything. And why I said I would deal with it. Should anyone else attempt it…"

Lynus trailed off as he looked at Kyan. He suddenly lunged forward, and caught Kyan as his legs suddenly crumbled beneath him. Lynus staggered, barely able to keep the both of them standing. Oracle, Axel too, reached out to steady the other man.

"S-sorry," Kyan managed to mumble as Oracle supported him. "I…wasn't expecting that."

Slowly, Lynus leaned back and allowed for Oracle to support his guildmate fully. Concern was evident in his gaze as he looked Kyan up and down. "You need to sit down. That was quite the shock for you," he said before he sighed again. "Sometimes, medics do keep things from their patients. And it's always for their benefit."

Indeed. Zydon and Kujura especially couldn't know about this. No one else was to know.

"I promise, with Zydon under my care within Maginia, I will find a way to bring him back to full health," Lynus promised. "But it will take time."

Kyan remained leaning on Oracle, to which he allowed, also quite concerned for the other. He could only imagine how he felt. He blamed himself for his brother's condition. Wasn't remotely his fault, but logic and reason were often sidelined to the little voice of doubt that resided in everyone's head.

"Hey!" Came Kardos' voice. "What's going on?"

Oracle kept a firm hold on Kyan as he looked up and watched as gladiator with vibrant orange hair and a shogun with blond hair and sharp blue eyes hurried over to them.

"Kyan?" Kujura questioned as he looked at his fellow shogun in mild concern. His poker-face slipped a fraction into panic as he looked around. "Where's Zydon? Did something happen?"

"Relax, he's inside," Oracle immediately stated, Lynus and Axel taking this time to step back and allow them to focus on each other for now. "Where have you been?"

"The ol' guildmaster wanted to chat with us," Kardos explained. "He heard about Maginia's plan and was a little miffed about it, for a lack of a better word. He reckons they should spawn their own explorers rather than stealing other cities."

Ah, that made sense.

"Aww, is he going to miss us?" Oracle asked in a mocking, deadpanned manner.

It brought a grin to Kardos's lips. "He said, and I quote "finally some peace from those bastards"."

Oracle snorted. "How sweet. In any case, turn around so I can introduce you."

Kardos blinked before he soon realised that there were indeed someone else with them. And had been there before he and Kujura even arrived. "Oh, hey, sorry for interrupting!" he said in a friendly but apologetic manner.

"Nah, it's fine," Axel replied. "We tend to do the same when we're with our guildmates, too."

"Well, as you've likely already guessed, Kardos and Kujura here are members of my guild, Guild Aurora," Oracle explained before turning to the necessary introductions. "These two are Axel and Lynus, helping Maginia on the expedition. Co-leaders of the Guardian Guild."

Kujura simply nodded his head in greeting, no doubt eager to get back to Zydon, but Kardos continued to grin brightly. "Nice meeting ya," he said as he offered a hand to shake.

Axel shook his hand firmly, granting him a half smile in return, while Lynus choose to instead wave. Completely reasonable. Kardos had the firm handshake, and sometimes underestimated his own strength. Crushing the delicate hands of a medic right in front of his husband would not go down well.

Speaking of something not going down well, he had better get Kyan back inside. He was still struggling with the information he learnt, after all.

"You'll have to excuse us; we need to get Kyan back inside," Oracle said.

"No, I'm fine," Kyan immediately insisted and straightened his posture. Pushing aside his own needs in front of others for the sake of others. It was, unfortunately, something he did all the time. "I apologise for my behaviour."

But Lynus shook his head and smiled softly, empathetically. "It's completely understandable. But allow Oracle and your guildmates to escort you. Axel and I will head into Armoroad from here. We're actually searching for someone ourselves. I'm sure you have some packing and preparation that needs to be done."

"Hm," Axel said as he slipped an arm around Lynus' shoulders and pull him toward him once again. "We'll leave you to it. We'll see you later."

Lynus offered a small wave in goodbye before he and Axel moved down the path toward the city.

Oracle watched until he felt they were out of earshot and turned to give his attention to Kyan. Before he could ask him if he was alright, Kyan interrupted him.

"I'm all right," Kyan insisted. "I wasn't expecting that. We could have…"

Oracle barely covered a wince and nodded his head. "I know," he whispered.

A faraway look appeared in Kyan's eyes and he seemed to swallow a lump of emotion in his throat. "He's…truthful, isn't he?"

"You can feel it, too," Oracle returned as he moved to guide Kyan back toward the Observatory. "If nothing else, the change in scenery may allow Zydon to relax. There's a few…unneeded memories here."

Kyan nodded his head. "You're right."

Kardos, having heard their conversation, frowned as he moved to stand next to Oracle. "Did something happen?"

Oracle resisted the urge to look over at Kujura. They really couldn't afford to let the blond-haired shogun know how close they were to potentially taking the use of Zydon's legs completely.

"…Not really," Oracle replied. "Lynus there is a medic. He obliged my selfish request and inspected both Zydon and Seyfried."

Kujura's eyes narrowed sceptically. "And Kyan?"

"I'm…" Kyan started before he paused. "Just relieved. He says he can help Zydon. The first healer we've met so far who actually said as such."

"So…that means we're moving to Maginia, after all, huh?" Kardos commented somewhat idlily. Acting as if it was no big deal. Perhaps it wasn't to him.

"Hopefully, all of us."

Oracle didn't realise how hopeful that really sounded until Kardos slipped an arm around his waist and hastily pulled him against his side. "Where you go, I go," he said, once again, a promise he reminded of him often. "So, we better get packing."

Honestly, Oracle was comforted by both Kardos' dedication toward him and flippant attitude to supposedly difficult decisions. "Yeah."