Hi All,

Sorry for the delayed upload everyone, seems Christmas is a time for problems technology wise for me lol.

Anyway, here's chapter 12 for you all.

I hope you enjoy and as always, any feedback is appreciated but not expected.

Enjoy x

Chapter 12

Earth

She smiled as she rushed downstairs. She had shaken off stiffness fairly quickly and started her training with both Dilandau and her new sisters. Luckily she wasn't coming back stiff from her nightly training with Dilandau and found when she practised after waking from the void, her body could remember all the movements with ease. She put it down to her years of running.

Naria and Eriya's training was focused on flexibility daily and proving to be a little difficult. However when Dilandau made her practise it once in the void she found it easier to do the next time. Overall, she was learning at double speed and she figured this was Dilandau's plan to get her where she needed to be painlessly but quickly, whilst using the little self-defence she'd already learnt. And the nights Dilandau wasn't training her, were the nights she went to the club to have some fun with the twins.

She breezed into the kitchen to grab a drink for the call she was expecting from her father when she spotted the calendar. Walking over it, she leafed through the pages. She was surprised to see it had already been 7 weeks since the accident and that it had only been 3 weeks since she'd first gone to the void and started seeing Dilandau as a support. Her dad should even be returning soon, the time having flown by. She quickly grabbed a glass of water and sat on the sofa just as the phone rang.

"Hi dad," she greeted when she answered the phone.

"Hi Princess," he responded, "How are you doing?"

"Better. I've got a lot to tell you. How's work going?"

"Slow," he sighed, "I'm going to be here a few more weeks yet."

"You don't have to rush back dad. I'm doing ok," she stated gently.

"I know but I don't want to leave you alone so long. Speaking of, have you met the person I asked to check in on you?"

"No I've been asleep everytime. But he's left a gift or 2 and made sure I didn't spend the night asleep on the sofa by putting me in bed. Do I know him?"

"You've met him a few times but I'm sure you'll meet him soon. Now tell me everything that's happened your side. I've got all night to talk."

She didn't spare any useless details as she explained about Dilandau, the void, what was happening on Gaea, Naria and Eriya, the Crusader's leader, their plain and her training. He'd interjected a few times with questions but otherwise remained quiet until she finished.

"That's a lot in a short amount of time Hitomi. Things are moving very quickly," he stated worried.

"I know that's why we have the plan to get my necklace and Dilandau only. If I get stuck on Gaea too early, it'll go at hyper speed. I'm not bending to Gaea's will," she answered, "And I'm not alone now."

"I'm just worried of the aftermath once this is over," he stated.

"Dilandau is too and I think he already has a plan if that helps."

"From someone who wanted to kill you to your knight in shining armour. Is it strange that I'm looking forward to meeting him?"

"No," she laughed, "But I have wondered how different things would have been if I met Dilandau first. I'm just glad I got to know him now."

"You think he'll manage being on Earth?"

"I think it'll suit him too well and he knows it," she joked, "Whether Earth is ready for him in another question though."

"Are you sure about this Hitomi?" he asked seriously.

"Which this are you referring to?"

"Throwing yourself into this."

"Gaea would pull me back anyway," she stated solemnly, "At least this way I'm prepared rather than caught out like last time."

"Just be careful Hitomi."

"I will be."

"In the meantime you've got plans with your new sisters. I should let you go."

"Ok."

"Tell them I'm looking forward to meeting them."

"I will. I love you dad."

"Love you too Princess. Have a good day."

She waited until he hung up before letting out the sigh she'd been holding in. It seemed her father wasn't adjusting too well. Maybe because he wasn't as involved as he wanted to be. Or maybe he felt like he wasn't able to contribute whilst in England. She needed to find out how to understand what was going on. With a quick look at the clock, she realised she needed to leave. She grabbed her keys and bag before leaving, only to be stopped at the gate to the front of her house by a blonde boy looking around lost.

"Are you lost?" she asked uneasily.

"I'm not…" he started turning to her and both of them recognising each other instantly, "It's you, you're the girl…"

"If you say the girl from the Mystic Moon the just remember you're also on the Mystic Moon," she interrupted stunning him, "Have you at least adjusted to Earth?"

He still looked stunned before a wary look came across his face. She sighed and decided to lean on the gate.

"I'll take that as a yes. You know, I can't really do anything to you and I'm not your enemy. If I was, I wouldn't have tried to guide you here through a dream," she informed.

"You gave me that dream?" he asked surprised, "Of Lord Dilandau, that club and this house?"

"Yeah, though I wasn't sure it had gotten through to all the dragon slayers. So thanks for proving it did work. But right now, I'd like to know your name."

"Oh sorry," he faltered, "I'm Chesta."

"Well its nice to meet you Chesta. I'm heading to the club to meet someone. You're welcome to join me if you want," she offered.

He nodded and allowed her to move. He followed for a moment before deciding to walk besides her in silence. Inside, she was giggling at how caught off guard he seemed to be. Though on the outside, she kept her expression neutral to not give herself away. She was pretty sure if Dilandau was with her, he'd be cackling away at this. But it wasn't long before Chesta's curiosity got the best of him.

"Excuse me, but did you say all the dragon slayers?" Chesta asked.

"Yeah. You didn't think you was the only one who woke on Earth with a new life did you?" she asked.

"I thought it was a mistake," he answered honestly, "What of Lord Dilandau?"

"You should probably call him just Dilandau here. But his case is a little different. I'm trying to get him here though," she answered, "So where did you wake up?"

"A few towns over," he answered with a smile, "You're not what I expected."

"Well it's not like we had a chance to know each other."

"True. But I thought you'd be with the King of Fanelia. I never imagined you were close by."

"I would have been thankful if I knew. At least I'd have had someone who understood what I went through. But no, Van's engaged to Celena, Allen Schezar's sister."

"How'd that happen?" Chesta asked confused.

"It's a long story," she said sadly.

"We have time, don't we? I'd like to get to know you."

She smiled sadly and began to explain what life was like for her after her return to Earth, the accident, Dilandau and what was happening now. She didn't give him all the details but she gave him enough. By the time they reached the club, she was all done for the time being.

"That's a lot to take in," Chesta noted.

"It hasn't exactly been easy living it. Though I doubt you've had an easy time with 2 lives worth of memories."

"I adjusted pretty quickly. But I doubt it's anything compared to your experience as lonely as it was."

"Maybe but now I have your boss in my head sometimes."

"If this was a competition, you'd win," he joked quietly, "But you know, I can't help but want to assist you."

"Are you sure? You have a chance at a new life here."

"I know but from an outside point of view, you was dragged into a war on a world that wasn't your own. Since then, you've been split between 2 worlds and your friends don't sound like they'll use you as anything more than a weapon."

"That's my burden to deal with though."

"I was given a new life for a reason. Earth can be my home but part of me will always belong to Gaea. So I'd like to be your protector if you're pulled back there."

"Fair enough," she sad softly, "Why don't we start off as friends though?"

"Sounds like a good deal to me," Chesta smiled.

Gaea

He was so incredibly bored. How he had found this interesting before he didn't know but it paled in comparison to seeing through Hitomi's eyes. After making their plan and spending the rest of their night talking about her training, he'd decided to start making appearances with Celena during the day again. Even training with Hitomi at night the past week and a bit was more interesting than this and she was taking to it so well. He'd also have to thank Folken's cat girls for their training. It was making the sparing sessions much more interesting than any battle he'd fought in. She'd soon surpass him but right now, he'd rather be training than putting himself through this.

It was clear Celena had told Van that he'd been watching Hitomi when he disappeared as well as about him in general, because they kept possible information to themselves and didn't speak. He hadn't told her he already knew it all from the void so he'd let them think their plan was working, even if that included them making a show of making plans for Hitomi to be integrated into Gaea's society and the measures they wanted to put in place to keep her abilities known only to those in their inner circle. It was going to be interesting when they fell apart, considering Van was making other plans without Celena knowing.

Hitomi may subconsciously be keeping the visions from manifesting but it hadn't stopped her sixth sense, considering she had already made plans for each scenario before they'd even come up. His amusement over that was drowned out by the sheer boredom of watching the newly engaged couple plan their engagement party. Especially as they were having a problem mixing both the Austurian and Fanelian touches into it equally. Bluntly put, it was a political nightmare.

Yet they were both adamant about showing it as a union because of her own links to the Austuria Royal Family. It had brought the planning to a halt. They'd been discussing different tactics all week to keep everyone but themselves happy and it was beyond irritating now.

"What if…"

'I'm going to burn something if I hear that phrase again. If you can't mix them, do something that is neither,' he growled.

"Celena?"

"Sorry. Dilandau had an opinion to give," Celena answered sheepishly.

"Was it helpful or just grumbling?"

"I think he's just as frustrated as we are," she stated, "He suggesting we do something that is neither since we're having trouble combining them equally."

"Like what?"

'A masquerade ball,' he answered quickly.

"A masquerade ball."

"How would that work?" Van asked confused.

'He can't seriously be dumb enough to not see how well this works out for you? Are you sure you want to marry him?'

'Just answer the question,' Celena demanded.

'Your guests won't have to make it political by decorating themselves in their countries styles. By wearing masks, they'll have to interact like at any other ball. You and Van can dress politically and not wear masks to stand out as people they are celebrating as well as show the union. Overall it's formal not political.'

He waited for Celena to relay what he said to Van and outright cackled at the look Van wore. It was a cross between knowing it was an amazing idea but not wanting to take the advice of his enemy.

"It's a good idea," Van stated slowly.

"It's the best idea," she retorted, "We've been struggling for a week and I think Dilandau's trying to help in his own way. And I like it."

"Well if you like it, we'll do it," he said fondly, "He doesn't seem to be distracting you much lately."

"He's been quiet mostly."

'How stupid do you think I am? Even I know not to interrupt a woman planning a wedding.'

"Still are you sure he's not just biding his time?" Van asked.

"For what Van? He's either in my head or a void where he can only watch Hitomi."

'And I can hear you asshole.'

"He was the only genuine person I could talk to in Austuria and he let us plan without interrupting. He's even tried to help us."

"I know that. I just have a feeling he's up to something," Van stated.

"Like what?" Celena asked.

"Getting his own body, taking control of yours, contacting this guy looking to start a new war."

'He's more of a psychopath than I am,' Dilandau scoffed, 'And if I could control yours or get my own body back, I'd have done that long before now.'

'You know who's starting the war?' Celena asked.

'You do too. Your friends told you about him. It's why you grilled me about him, remember?'

'But that's not possible. He should…'

'He was trapped in a kingdom full of Atlantean Technology. It's not impossible,' Dilandau answered.

"I spoke too soon," Van joked.

"Dilandau knows who the leader of the 'Soldiers of Fortune' is," she blurted out, "We need to call the others."

"Why?" Van asked confused.

"Because he makes Dilandau look like a saint in comparison. Come on, we've got work to do."

"We've been working."

"Why are you just sitting there?" she demanded, "There's a psychopath worse than Dilandau starting a war!"

'Don't forget he had years of knowledge.'

"Shut up Dilandau," she growled, "Honestly I might as well go fight this war myself!"

She stormed out the room, with a cackling man in her head and a chuckling man behind her.

So that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

For anyone who's a beyblade fan, I've uploaded my latest chapter for my new Beyblade Story, 4 Queens - another slow burner but I'm partial to long stories lol

As always, any feedback is great feedback, but it's not expected.

I'll be uploading once a month from now on since I'm running out of typed chapters again, but next upload will be 29th January

Until next time xx