Another Stupid Isekai

My strange reaction earned me some concerned looks from others. Everyone except Katri Xel Avakadaisu, Druoag, and Genusha Sab Ar Irati Ashemi, since they all were too mesmerized by the beauty of the underground city to take their eyes off the strange architecture, and the gates allowing them to take a peek at so many different worlds. Not to mention the Tree itself, seemingly slowly rotating without any axis.

Tihana smiled at me awkwardly, and I stopped laughing.

- As much as I would lowe us all to take some rest - said The Great One, mustering his strength to do so - there is much to do. We need a plan. Some of you still have friends, and even family out there, so she still can hurt you indirectly. Without a line of contact, this might not happen any time soon, since she can't use that leverage, but the longer we are here the more such danger increase. We need to fight her. We need to find a way to win.

I immediately picked myself off the ground to announce:

- I'm ready to go hunting. I'll bring as much crystal as I can, so we can heal you, and then prepare for battle.

- She will be doing the same - pointed out Daniel. - She already placed some taxes on the people of Arc, and other cities in different worlds. She has an advantage because she is stronger, not to mention she can use her army to get her as much crystal as possible.

- No, she can't. At least not now. She needs to wage a war against Aaraam'soturi. She already lost two battles with the city and its ghosts. We need to use this. Right now she is slower than us, and fighting out there might also damage her forces severely, but if she manages to win eventually, she will have a tremendous advantage over us.

- So we have to defuse the bomb before it explodes? - asked Tihana.

- More or less - Daniel agreed.

- With my powers back, I can hunt night and day. With small breaks to pop in and use the Tree to replenish my strength and hed back immediately.

- I can fight too - announced Druoag. - I came with you to fight, to free the people of the regime of The High Queen.

Even now, when all the facade got removed, I could feel the respect in his voice when she was mentioning the tyrant herself. Maybe it was just because he was used to openly respecting her so much, just like everybody else in the empire, or maybe he admired her power, I couldn't tell, but those were my best bets.

- From experience, I can tell you that we should take a day off - Genusha said looking mostly at me, but clearly, Druoag was also in the picture. - For you to rest, and for us to make a plan, or at least try. A lot has happened today. You lost a friend and reunited with others. We don't know what will happen next, but a single day won't change too much. Process it, and ready your mind. Meanwhile, we will give our best to ascertain how much time we really have.

- He is right - Daniel agreed.

I immediately looked at Tihana, and she responded with an awkward smile. I focused my eyes on her, meanwhile, Ganusha, Katri Xel Avakadaisu, and Daniel gathered around The Great One. They started talking immediately. I could hear the words as background noise since I was so focused on this young girl which I adopted not too long ago.

Back then it had some sense, but if I have ever known in what mess I'm gonna pull her to, I would probably never done it.

- I-i know that I'm supposed to be your daughter and everything - she said, probably misjudging my silence as an expectation of her saying something - but I don't really remember you. Just what I've been told by the aliens...

I smiled, and even if I was unable to see myself, I knew it was a very sad smile.

- It's fine. I'm just glad that you are safe... And I'm also sorry that I ended up mixing you in this... If I could turn back time, I would.

- But you can't - she smiled at me. - I had many holes in my memory, but I know one thing for sure. My life was a lot better when I came to Arc than it was before that. You did a good thing... Thank you.

As she added those last words, I noticed a blush on her cheeks. She was clearly embarrassed. I felt sad, that this young girl had to go through all of this. Then a loud thud pulled me back to reality, it was Druoag, who started moving towards the jade buildings. I had this thought in my head that I should really talk with him.

Bashan sacrificed himself for us to get to Loistavadvaar, and the two of them seemed to be close. Like best friends. There was a lot of respect in their relationship. This made me think that such a  loss would really take its toll on him.

- I think you two should talk - said Tihana, as she noticed there my attention was focused. - I don't know much, but from what I heard he just lost a good friend.

- Yeah - I agreed and picked myself up from the ground.

I managed to catch up to Druoag when he was seemingly curiously touching one of the buildings, probably trying to figure out what it really was, since there were no windows or entrances.

- Hey - I started, making him turn around. - Can we talk? I think we should...

He nodded slowly, and I caught the sadness in his eyes.

- How about we take a walk around? - I proposed. - The city is beautiful.

He nodded again, and without a word started walking. I shadow walked to catch up to him. We both remained silent, probably finding it hard to talk about our feelings. Well, at least that was the case for me.