"Well, here we are." Egil looked at the entrance to what Sharla had called Tephra Cave before they left Colony 6. "We go through here and we should be at Colony 9 before we know it, apparently."
He wasn't sure he liked that, really. The only way to get to their destination, to get to the boy with the Monado, was to go into the Bionis again. Given what had happened the last two times, Egil wasn't sure that would be the best for him.
Judging by the looks everyone was sharing, they all felt the same. Too bad, he guessed. They had no choice, even if another route would be a godsend in that moment.
"Let's go, then. If we move quickly, it won't be able to affect you too much, hopefully." Alvis spoke up, giving him a small smile.
"Ah, yes." Linada nodded. "If it's too much, we can back out and find another way around!"
Egil nodded, though he doubted they could find another way. And, of course, he would refuse to not be there to the end, so he may just have to suck it up. Maybe make sure they were through the roughest parts before it overwhelmed him…
Sucking in a breath, he stepped into the cave. Once again, he was hit with a sick feeling, but… It wasn't as bad as it had been the past few times. Maybe they could get through this without it being too bad, then…
"We're good to go." He looked back at the others with a small smile. "Let's get moving, as quickly as we can."
"Yes!" Vanea nodded. "As long as you think you can make it the entire way…"
Linada nodded. "I would hate for you to pass out halfway through… We would have to drag you all the way back out here."
"Or we could drag him the other way." Tyrea rolled her eyes. "If we make it halfway, no point in going backwards when we can go forwards for the same result."
"Tyrea is right." Egil nodded. "Besides, I don't plan on passing out anytime soon. We should be fine, so long as we move quickly!"
"If Egil is so sure, we should carry on." Alvis nodded, a hand on his arm. "Come on, then. We've wasted plenty of time talking as it is."
"Finally, something I can agree with you on." Tyrea rolled her eyes, moving ahead of the rest of the group. "We're wasting precious time, hurry it up!"
"Ah! Tyrea, wait for us!" Kallian rushed off after her and Egil snorted. Good, no one was too worried about him if those two were acting like that.
He started out, allowing Alvis to wrap his arm around his. It was actually… nice, helped him stay upright as odd as that may sound. Alvis was truly becoming a support system for him, as odd as that sounded…
Maybe he would explore what that meant for the two of them another day, when this was all over.
Kallian, still feeling a horrible tragedy looming, felt he had to do something. Had to put something in place to ensure Tyrea and Melia would be alright, should things go as wrong as he felt they would. And who better to ask than Egil?
Egil was a smart leader, and a good older brother to Vanea. He didn't put up with Tyrea's nonsense, but wasn't too rude to her… And he had handled Melia well enough that she had mentioned admiration in passing once. Egil was truly the perfect candidate for what he needed.
He approached the man, smiling as Alvis caught on and moved towards the back of the group, starting to chat with Vanea. Good, he would rather no one else listen in on such a personal conversation.
"Egil." His voice was quiet as he spoke. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Hm?" Egil looked over at him, brow raised. "What is it, Kallian?"
"Well, it would be… a favor." He looked at the ground, starting to second-guess himself just a bit. "I am unsure if I am deserving to ask you for such a thing, but-"
Egil placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a nod. "You have been a valuable ally, a favor for you is the least I could do."
"Egil…!" He lit up a bit, looking up at him. "Thank you!"
"It's nothing, really." He shook his head. "Come on, then. What do you need?"
"I… want to ask you to protect Tyrea and Melia, should something happen to me." He placed a hand to his chest, forcing his voice to stay steady. "I haven't a clue if this bad feeling in my chest truly means anything, but if it does… I want someone to be there for them."
Egil blinked a few times. "...I would be happy to fulfill that favor for you, Kallian, but… why ask me? Does Alvis not understand High Entia more?"
"Well, he does, but…" Kallian looked at him, allowed himself to be vulnerable as he looked him in the eyes. "If they lost their older brother, I think they would need another older brother. Someone who could fill that void."
"Kallian… you are a unique man, no one could truly replace you." Egil shook his head. "But I understand. Should tragedy strike… I will be there for them."
"Thank you, Egil."
It was nice, knowing that was dealt with. Knowing Egil didn't insist nothing would happen, and instead accepted it. Kallian had been afraid he would treat him as if he was crazy, as if there was nothing actually happening… But perhaps Egil, more than anyone else, understood that looming feeling.
And for that reason, Egil would be an important friend, until this tragedy came to pass. Kallian was sure of it.
"I'm certain now." Vanea had been thinking for some time before she spoke to Alvis. "I know why your voice is so familiar. You're the reason Lady Meyneth is within Egil."
Alvis turned to look at her, head tilted. "Hm? You truly are certain about that, then?"
She nodded, not backing down despite his vague answer. The voice, the mannerisms… Everything pointed to him having been the one to urge her on! The more time she spent around Alvis, the more she believed it!
She didn't know how he had spoken to him, how he had known of Lady Meyneth… But she knew it had been him. That he had allowed her to save Egil's life, despite the odds being against his survival.
And for that… Well…
"Do not worry, I am not angry with you." Her voice was quiet. "A bit confused about just what or who you are, maybe, but not angry. It's thanks to you that I still have my brother."
"If I truly am the voice, I suppose that's true. We all still have Egil because of the choice you made." He looked towards his back, eyes soft. "...I'm glad you listened to that voice, Vanea."
"And I am glad that voice spoke to me… Especially now that I can see he has nothing but positive feelings for Egil." She pinched his cheek with a snicker. "I can't say I see the appeal of such a dork, but I'm happy for you."
Alvis blinked a few times, hand on his now reddening cheek. "Ah… am I truly that obvious?"
"Indeed." She nodded, doing her best to not burst into full-on laughter. "Don't worry, I approve! You make him happy, you know."
"Do I, now…?" Alvis hummed and Vanea watched him close his eyes, thinking. "Good to know… He makes me happy, too."
"Then I wish you luck in the future. Just… Try and be more open with me, hm? My brother's future boyfriend should be more open!"
"Ah, I will keep that in mind, Vanea."
