A.N. So, this chapter is a continuation of the previous one. All of this was going to be a part of that chapter, but it was getting too long, so I had to split them. This chapter is also a little dark, and unfortunately, there won't be as much fluff in it as chapter 3. But there will still be a small bit sprinkled in here or there. But with that said, here's chapter 4.
CHAPTER 4
Guilt and reassurance
The rest of the meeting was spent briefly catching Rei up on the goings-on during the past five years. Rei seemed pleased at the progress they made, as well as how the two clans have reconciled and are getting along. And he was overjoyed when he heard the news that Palina and Iscan got married. But underneath all of that, Adaman could tell he was troubled. His happiness may be genuine, but he could tell that Rei was masking something. Akari could tell as well, judging by the look on her face. But, by the looks of it, no one else could.
At last, the meeting came to an end. But before they could leave, Cyllene asked Rei, "Wait, if you were stuck in a limbo in time, how come you're five years older. Surely, you'd still be the same age. "I think I can answer that" Laventon piped up. "I think, he was already back in our time." Everyone in the room shared the same look of confusion. "I mean, his body was always in the region" Laventon clarified. "While his mind was in limbo, his body continued to age, until his conscious was dropped into the body, and the body was dropped into the Mirelands."
"But where was the body then?" asked Akari. "If my theory is correct, I think Arceus trying to get him away from Darkrai was what caused the space-time distortions." Adaman thought that made sense. So did the others it seemed. "But what is Darkrai?" asked Kamado. Adaman sighed. He was hoping to avoid this. "He's a creature made of dark matter" he told the room. "He wants to fill the world with eternal darkness, devouring any and all light and happiness from it. he plants people's worst nightmares and fears into people's heads and feeds off their fear."
There was a tense silence when Adaman had finished. After a few minutes, Kamado clapped his hands together and said, "But, we don't have to worry about that, since Rei and Arceus were able to keep it at bay and trap it in limbo. So, this meeting is adjourned. Akari, why don't you show Rei all the new things we've added to Hisui since he left." "Alright" Akari replied, leading Rei away from the room. The others followed after and went their separate ways.
Adaman walked down the stairs opposite the ones Akari and Rei took. As he walked, he noticed Akari doing something that looked like she was comforting Rei. He stopped and realised that she was comforting him. Rei was crying, with a look of guilt plastered all over his face. Akari looked around, and Adaman hid quickly. When she didn't see anyone, she led Rei towards the stairs leading to the basement. Adaman silently debated with himself as to whether or not he should listen in. his curiosity won out though, and he crept over to the other stairs, and crouched behind the railings to listen in.
Rei was sitting on one of the desks in the classroom, with Akari rubbing his back, trying her best to comfort him. Adaman could hear Rei saying, "I led him here. He knows how to get into Hisui thanks to me. I've doomed this region." "You know that's not true" Akari assured him. "Darkrai fed those images to you for five years before he got to you. I don't think anyone alive could've lasted that long." "But that's the thing, I didn't" Rei told her. "If Arceus wasn't there to keep Darkrai's images from being too grim, I would've revealed it a lot sooner. And anyway, all that resisting was pointless, because Arceus just used his power to keep him in limbo anyway."
At that moment, a hand touched Adaman's back, making him jump out of his skin. It took a lot of effort not to yell in fright. He turned around to see who it was, and to his surprise, it was Irida. "What are you doing here?" she hissed at him. Adaman guiltily pointed to Rei and Akari's conversation. "Are you eavesdropping!" she whispered angrily. "I was curious" he muttered.
Irida opened her mouth to give out to him again, but before she could, Akari started speaking again, and Irida hid behind the railings with Adaman. He wanted to tease her about that but decided against it. he'd do it later. "Rei?" Akari said sympathetically, "Did it ever cross your mind that Arceus was only able to stop Darkrai from entering Hisui because it used up so much of its energy trying to pry what it wanted out of you?" Rei was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Do you really think so?"
"I'm sure of it" Akari replied. This seemed to cheer Rei up. he stood up and embraced her. as they hugged, Akari pulled him in for a kiss. Adaman looked over at Irida, and noticed she had a look of utter joy at the sight. At that moment, Adaman wondered what kissing Irida would feel like. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the thought, but it wasn't going anywhere. He looked up and saw that the two had separated. "Thank you Akari," said Rei. "You're welcome" Akari replied. Then, blushing slightly, she said "Now, why don't we go and see what's changed in the region? I can show a favourite spot of Palina and Iscan." Rei nodded in agreement to this, and the two of them headed back upstairs, thankfully on the opposite end of the room to where Adaman and Irida were hidden.
The two of them spent time stewing over what they heard. They left the spot quickly and vowed to each other not to tell anyone what they saw. Then, they went their separate ways. As he headed back to the Diamond settlement in the Mirelands, he spent the whole journey either pondering what he heard or smacking his head to remove the image of Irida's lips from his head, and the longing from his heart.
So, I was able to add some fluff in after all. Yay. Also, I know that the chapter name aren't exactly opposites, but I'm running out of ideas ok. Also, I'm really sorry, but the next chapter isn't going to be out until Friday. And unfortunately, it may have to goon a two-week hiatus. Life, am I right. But, the next two chapters are going to be nothing but fluff anyway so. But, until the next chapter comes out, you could check out my first story, The Lost Champion, (Shameless plug). A warning though, the first chapter's format is terrible, but I fix it later on. So again, I'm sorry for the wait, but I hope I'll see you on Friday with chapter 5.
