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Eyes blinking open, Relon immediately wondered if the Simulated Universe was some kind of joke given he was back at the space docks.
"Uh, did it work?" The familiar voice of Caelus wonders alongside him.
"I… would like to believe so." Dan Heng also commented with clear hesitation.
Wait.
Batting an eye at both boys, his then does a quick overview of their location.
"Where are the girls?" Like a bell dinging in Caelus' head, the questionable newborn looked around frantic as Dan Heng did a more casual once over.
"Not with us it seems," the relaxed spearman noted.
"Herta…" Relon let out an exasperated sigh in realization. As though summoned by his very voice, a holographic replica of the puppet manifested out of thin air.
"You called?"
"Why did you separate us? Wasn't the point to see how we all fared here?" He had a feeling he knew somewhat the answer, but simply wouldn't like it either way.
"You offered yourselves up so why would I put you and Eina together when I have plenty of data on you two together?"
"And for Stelle and myself?"
"Having you both apart merits more specific data analytics and results. You'll meet back up… eventually. Anyway, proceed forward as though you were on the actual space station. Chop chop." Just like that, she flickered out of existence.
Shaking his head, Relon can only breathe out in defeat.
"Well, so much for talking to the girls."
"I guess we'll just have to keep going forward and hopefully meet up with them like she said." Caelus shrugs.
"She's doing this on purpose when she knows what I need to do is important. Herta, just why damn it?" Relon groans pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Perhaps, the cause for her actions is to allow for both sides to ponder on the topic," Dan Heng offered.
"What do you mean?" Caelus asked.
"Given the questionable relationship between Ms. Asta and yourself as brought up previously, it is possible that Madam Herta is wanting both sides to ponder the next step instead of diving straight into talking."
"Oh yeah! Herta mentioned something about snitching to her crush or something, right?"
"How do you know that term?" Relon blurted out for Caelus to lift a finger only to then hesitate.
"Uh… got it from you?"
"You are arguably his father. As weird as that is," Dan Heng added.
"... Damn it, Kafka." Relon grumbled as the trio initiated their trek.
Before long, the sight of familiar Destruction creatures emerged as did Herta giving a debrief over the "mechanics" the S.U. provided. Basically, an RPG as Silver Wolf would describe. Go in fresh, get some cool stuff, beat a few monsters and the final boss, leave, and do it all over again from scratch. At least, that's what Relon recalled from watching and consoling her after the nearly thousand or so attempts at an "Ironmon" challenge in this game called Pokémon.
She was so frustrated that she literally warped the gaming console into the void of space. Any mention of the event was taboo in the Lucinance Household from that point on.
With little need to talk further, they commenced the simulation. Batch after batch, blur or orange portal after another, they maneuvered through the space station. The deeper they went, the more on his girls and their situation Relon delved upon.
Absentmindedly piercing a creature of destruction for it to vanish in particles, his mind narrowed as they resumed their trek.
Silver Wolf and March 7th; both of whom he loved with his whole heart. One who has been with him since practically day one. The other who eventually joined only for a rift of sorts to form. At least, that's what she thought as of only 24 hours ago.
He didn't know if she still thought that but to somehow be in the same boat as Silver Wolf regarding the how "family" discussion, he couldn't help but ponder how both could be so okay with it. Not just them, but Asta as well. The astrology-lover was an entire topic by herself.
One; he was dumbly unaware of the affections she held for him. Even more so, apparently everyone else close to her knew. Including Silver Wolf. How long the hacker knew he didn't know, but to subtly cause a scene like the one they probably planned out, it meant she was invested.
"Just as that is how you think about the meaning of our sacred term, so too does Eina on what it means to be listed within a 'family.'"
Then there was the hint Himeko beseeched his with. Himeko asked him what it meant to be a trailblazer. He said they were adventurers that helped. Then by that understanding, Silver Wolf would likely say something different as it's from her point of view.
Using that logic, then could this "family" be something that she views as different from what he knows the term as? A hidden meaning per se? But that didn't make sense either. She specifically clarified that she wanted more in the house for when he went adventuring as to not be alone in the field. Why would she say that then?
Stomping the ground, for Destruction energy to rumble forward, they continue down a corridor.
Was it to ease him? To make him not question it as much until she got into contact with March? Could March's text be a super coincidence?
Wait.
What if March's text wasn't a coincidence? What if Silver Wolf knowing him so well planned that entire bomb drop down to the exact moment to when March would send that text? All she would have had to do was tell the girl the plan she conjured and the time…
"No way," he mumbles, disregarding the thought to catch Dan Heng stab a monster as Caelus hits the head of another with his boomerang.
Silver Wolf was clearly the mastermind given the topic emerged from her but that didn't mean she would plan something so grand so meticulously. It wasn't her style.
Family…
What exactly could she see it as? It's been only them, always together venturing from planet to planet. Any signs of danger, he would go and she overwatch him. They'd cuddle at home and go for occasional walks, shop together; simple things a family would do. Any human or living being only whatever planet could copy them.
Ugh, the mind of Silver Wolf was one thing but to first understand her, he needed to think like her, more simpler. Starting from narrowed possibilities made his head hurt. He needed to think in a way that Silver Wolf would.
"Hey, I need a weird favor."
"You want us to tuck you in a bed?" Once again, Caelus blurted the first weird thing he inherited from Relon. Then again, that could be Kafka. "I mean, you're a homie so wouldn't any homie do that for one another?" Damn it, not Kafka.
"No," he shook his head instead, turning to Dan Heng. "Bonk me on the head."
Without warning, Relon feels a force whack the side of his skull. Nearly stumbling over, he blinks at Dan Heng.
"You asked for it." He nonchalantly shrugs.
"... Thanks." He relents to receive a nod as the three vanish.
Silver Wolf has always put his safety and happiness before anything else, even her own. When March traveled with him she didn't lessen her focus but when the amnesiac went with the Express Crew her focus shot up even more than before. He remembers having to reassure her nothing would happen numerous times.
March was a capable person who could watch his back. With her gone and Silver Wolf terrified of being on the field, he understood her worry.
"Or at least he thought I did," he muses watching a green centaur archer tumble over from their combined effort.
Perhaps, this entire time, she's only worried more and more searching for ways to protect him when she herself didn't feel like she could. That could explain where her plan for their new "family" could come from. Though March questionably being on board was still in the air. There was no guarantee March would go back to traveling with them from time to time or if she'd stay with the Astral Express the entire time.
That was still a vague point to ponder…
Then there was Asta.
Clicking his teeth in frustration for not seeing the signs, he couldn't help but wonder if the other women he and Silver Wolf have encountered were under similar circumstances. She's always made comments on girls from various planets having a thing for him but he always dismissed the idea as a joke more than anything. If she was serious, then that list she's brought up of possible candidates could be suddenly easier to guess its numbers.
So then did Silver Wolf want a family or to give him a harem? They've definitely met more females than guys. Like, a 5:1 ratio or something bizarre like that if he had to guess. It was one thing to have a family of friends that all respected and cared for one another. It would be a completely different story if Silver Wolf just recruited girls and women who had a "thing" for him. It'd be just like some concubine or harem at that point and to not ask for his own say in something that stark wasn't right.
He was sure she knew he'd have conflicting feelings but if the house did become mostly women-filled, he'd have to make his own list, albeit a short one, of guys to recruit. Otherwise…
He could only shiver at the possible implications.
Asta liked him. That still left him baffled. Despite her tired state, she gathered her courage to confess and in a precarious situation no less. Herta knew of her feelings as did Arlan and Silver Wolf. The latter two clearly trying to set them up.
What could he say about Asta? Literally nothing bad came to mind, only positives.
She was beautiful. Beyond such up there, in his opinion with his own girls. Bright sapphire eyes that always greeted him with the utmost respect and kindness. Her elegant reddish-pink hair kept short and with that adorable braid that just added a level of cuteness to her already existing charm. The kindness she holds in the very air around herself is one any person would happily suffocate themselves to.
Her adoration for the cosmos was grand, her work ethic as a worker directly under Herta was phenomenal, and leadership and remarkable talent wasn't anything to sleep on. Not to mention, as Silver Wolf has joked during their recent encounters with said girl; she was loaded. Between her family and the pay she got from working under Herta, she was practically set for life.
Not that it mattered given his helpful connections and Silver Wolf's seemingly limitless bank accounts but still. Asta has put herself in a position where she could take care of herself.
She was one that followed the path of Harmony after all. Her own strength while not directly a combat-focused individual, was still remarkable in using her powers to strengthen allies as well as beam foes with that cool weapon of hers. So she knew how to take care of herself in a fight at least.
Then the idea of a relationship with her wasn't so bad… right?
If that were to happen, would she date only him, sharing with the girls? Or would she end up bisexual and also date the other two?
Oddly enough, like 75% of the planets in the cosmos didn't know about other sexualities. Something that didn't surprise him given how many had been alive since ancient times. Still, it always made him laugh when Silver Wolf dropped a bomb on a civilization about other sexualities.
Ah, that one where the male population got pregnant was a funny time. Even more when that guy named Adam didn't want to be in that arranged marriage with Eve. Oh, that bombshell shook the entire city. Good thing they managed to escape all the giant snakes hurling humongous apples at them. Pretty sure that civilization was one of the few better off without their help.
He's had to remind Silver Wolf whenever they left to not do anymore of that.
"Relon?"
Perking at attention from his thoughts to the sight of both boys looking at him. His focus goes to Herta with bland expression.
"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"
"Nope."
"Did you even notice I was here?"
"Nope." He answers honestly.
Watching the holographic puppet pinch her fake nose, she sighs.
"Boss room. Prepare. Beat it." She says simply before with a snap, she vanishes.
"You've been awfully quiet, Relon." Caelus notes.
"Just a lot I've been processing. Nearly there though. I think."
"The girls are likely going to appear here," Dan Heng mentions looking at the portal. "Are you prepared? If not, use the machines Madam Herta left to do so."
Machines?
Eyes looking around, he indeed found stuff. A 'Reviver?' What did that mean if one of them perished, this was how they revived? Pfft, like that would happen. He wasn't injured so need to crack the green glass and he didn't know what the purple jars entailed so why bother?
"I'm ready." With nods of confirmation, all walked through the portal into the boss room.
In this battle, he'd get his answers.
Boss Room
Walking through, they found themselves in the familiar area of the elevator with its numerous platforms.
However, they weren't together. Each stood on an opposing platform face away from the elevator.
"Uh, guys, why are you over there?" Caelus calls out, clear confusion written in his tone.
"A better question is why am I facing you?" All snapped to the feminine voice to see across from the gray-haired teen none other than Silver Wolf herself with an annoyed expression
"Silver Wolf? What are you doing over there?"
"Again, it's Eina doofus. I'm not in badass hacker mode right now." She gives an eye roll. "And why do you think?"
"I have a feeling I know but no one's gonna like it, haha." All look to see March 7th facing Relon scratching her cheek sheepishly.
Immediately, once all saw her, they could guess who had Dan Heng. Looking forward, he saw none other than Stelle matching March's nervous expression.
"Oh, Herta, you sneaky bastard." Relon sighs.
She was planning on them fighting each other from the beginning. Now he could see where her data was going to get all the juicy bits. Sure enough, above each, a floating Herta appeared.
"Given the data I've accumulated thus far, having you six fight the boss would be too easy. So we're going with sudden death mode. One life, take out the other team. Last team standing win. Have fun." Once again, she was gone without any chance to argue.
"Well, this ought to be fun! Let's have a good match Eina!" Caelus grins readying his boomerang.
"Just so we're clear, I could just warp you but then I'd have to hear more of Herta's complaints. Something I don't need more of."
"Wait, why did she complain? What did you do, Eina?" Relon questioned.
"She kept warping all the monsters that got in our way out of existence so Herta got mad," March giggles.
"That's a very Eina thing to do." Relon relents.
"I know right?!"
"Can we just fight? Ugh!"
"I for once was enjoying the conversation," Dan Heng murmurs to get a quiet nod of agreement from Stelle."
"Show me what you've got, March!"
"Teehee, my training hasn't been full of just shopping that's for sure!"
Blinking, mouth opening to respond, he discards the thought. He had no idea how she attributed shopping to training but whatever. Relon knew he didn't have to go all out but that didn't mean he'd go easy on her either.
"Mom, I'm looking forward to the match!"
Immediately, Relon stumbled as did March.
"SHE'S NOT YOUR MOM- ARGH!" Both growled as numerous facepalms from everyone resounded. For a moment, Relon thought he heard other groans and face slaps from somewhere else but dismissed it.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Silver Wolf shook her head putting on her gamer visor.
"Doing what?" He asked, whipping out his rang.
"Nevermind. Let's get this over with."
"Let's have a good fight, Dan Heng." Stelle offered materializing her bat.
"Same to you," he nodded, taking a ready stance.
Immediately, Relon started the bout kicking off with Destruction energy as he lunged low to the ground towards the archer. Crouching to manifest a wall of ice, he thrusts a fist to break through to find her nowhere. Head snapping up, he finds the grinning March fire a bombard of Pom-Pom arrows.
Destruction energy manifesting at his hands, he unleashes a deafening clap for a yellow wave to dispel the incoming attack. Conjuring another shield of ice, the force sends March 7th flipping away to land where Relon once stood.
Shaking the daze to catch the male already upon her, she pivots her body avoiding the blow for Relon to pivot as well. Glowing blue meeting yellow, a blast erupts sending both skidding against the platform.
Getting to their feet, both can only grin before giving a glance at the others.
Dan Heng and Stelle were actually somewhat close. While Dan Heng's strikes were poised and accurate with finesse, everytime Stelle whacked him, he went skidding back. Overall, it was the common technique versus raw talent.
On the other side… Damn.
Silver Wolf was sitting on her cute butt fiddling with a Nintendo DSi. He didn't know what was more impressive. Caelus being caught in a perpetual loop falling endlessly in front of her or the fact her small game console worked in virtual reality. Oh wait, Silver Wolf and logic. Haha, he always somehow forgot about that so easily.
"Have you given it any thought?"
Stirred from spectating, he notes of March looking his way.
"Oh course. That's all I've been doing since we ended up here. Just trying to wrap my head around it all still." Discarding her bow to smile, she waltzes his way.
"So whatcha think~?"
"I don't know what Asta sees in me. I honestly can't say that I deserve a woman as wonderful as her. She's smart, beautiful, capable of anything when she puts her mind to it. Gosh, seeing her gush about the stars makes her look even more adorable that- Wait, they can't hear us can they?"
"Probably," she grins with an uncaring shrug.
"We can," the voice of Herta speaks over the intercom. "Asta is blushing."
Immediately, his face scrunches red as he crouches down burying his face.
"Uggggghhhhh!" The sound of Relon and Asta resonate.
"Awe, keep going, keep going!" March jumps rocking his downed form back and forth.
"I just… I just want to know," he begins steadily rising. "What does the term 'family' mean to you… Eina." From behind him stood the girl in question.
"A group capable of beating any boss, obviously."
It was so obvious that he couldn't help but exude a chortle. There were definitely layers to it. Oh, so unnecessarily many.
"Amazing people, each unique in their own way, that when put together is a force even the likes of Aeon Children like can't hope to beat. Sound about right?" He offered to receive a coy grin.
"More or less." She shrugged.
To live was to love the life you dreamed of. Through love, one had to admit feelings of joy and those that went beyond.
In a family that cared for one another, action spoke louder than anything else. To grasp that idea, that dream, and make it a reality.
Silver Wolf loved few things. Of those few things, all of it she had made come true.
To stay with Relon. To ensure they would live a happy life without worry. To spend her days gaming in relative peace and tranquility. So on and so forth. But most of all, to ensure her best friend, the man that she loved with every fiber of her being and would fight against however many Aeons, was never alone.
To her, Relon was her world, and she'd be damned if he would ever be alone.
"Hey," she sounded gaining his attention.
"What's up- Mmf?" Capturing his lips with hers, it wasn't a brisk kiss nor was it an overdramatic one. A kiss that lasted just long enough to get a secret message across that only Relon would understand. Stepping away, she eyes the blinking boy who conforms with a deep breath.
"Words are a thing, you know." It wasn't a question, simply a statement. One she was fully aware of.
"Yup."
"You're also aware everyone saw that right?"
"Yup."
Facepalming the red hue away, he releases yet another breath.
Yup, Relon was her star and to see him happy and safe was all she truly cared for. To do that, they needed others capable of making that reality remain as is.
"What are we going to do with you?"
"Love me as you always have and always will." She wasn't one for sappy quips but seeing her beloved Relon struggle to contain all that red was always worth the tease.
"You copied that from me." He twitches an eye.
"Did I?" Probably. She couldn't remember. Again. "Oops."
Without warning, a silvery-white light converged sending them back to reality.
A/N: So... Rappa and Fugue are so joining the family. That's all. Duces~.