A Gathering of Guardians: The Prologue (Etrian Odyssey Nexus Fanfiction)

Chapter 9

AN: These chapters keep getting longer Q^Q Well, ah, enjoy reading?

-

Chapter 9:

Lynus stifled a yawn with his hand, hoping not to reveal that he had spent a few more hours than he should getting his office up and functional. He honestly would have been there a lot longer if Axel didn't come looking for him.

However, as he had chosen to sit with his fellow medics for breakfast, the attempt to hide was a pointless one.

"Are you all right?" Remedy asked him with a concerned furrow of his brow. "Didn't have a rough night, did you?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine," Lynus immediately insisted as he idly curled his hair behind his ears. "Just stayed up a little too late organising my office."

Hmm, perhaps it was the best time to speak with Simon and Remedy about Zydon and Seyfried? No, perhaps not. It was too open. Maybe he could get the two to visit his clinic and he can speak with them there.

"Hey." Axel's voice pulled Lynus from his thoughts and he glanced over his shoulder to look over at Axel. "Seems like Aurora just rocked into town."

"Oh good," Lynus said as he placed his hands atop of the table and pushed himself to his feet. "Best for them to get settled in before we take flight."

"Should we go greet them?" Axel asked.

Lynus nodded his head. "Why not?" he said with a smile before he turned to regard Remedy and Simon once more. "We'll introduce you to everyone after they settle in."

"That's fair," Simon said as he also pushed himself to his feet, stooping forward to gather the plates and cups from breakfast. "We need to clean up the dining hall, anyway."

"We'll take care of this," Remedy added. "You two play hosts. I'm sure they'll prefer to see a pair of familiar faces in an unfamiliar environment."

"Ah, true," Lynus said with a smile of gratitude before he joined Axel's side, and the two of them headed for the exit of the dining hall.

After walking down a long hallway, they reached a set of large oak doors that led to the courtyard of the Sanctuary. A stone pathway stretched out through the courtyard, straight to the entrance of the main hall within the Sanctuary, and the tall steel gates that portioned off the premises.

As they pushed open the doors, they immediately saw a large group of explorers with luggage and other essentials making their way down the path.

"Oracle! Welcome!" Lynus greeted warmly as he and Axel stepped from the entrance and down the small flight of stairs to meet with the guild upon the path. "You're all here bright and early."

Oracle offered him a small smile as he nodded his head. "Indeed. No point in dawdling."

"Very true," Lynus smiled before he looked behind the guild, expecting to find Villard escorting them and helping them to make themselves at home. So, he was surprised not to see him. "Where's Villard? He didn't accompany you?"

"He escorted us to the entrance but needed to speak with someone called Mueller," Oracle answered with a shrug. "Holt went with him."

Ah, that would make sense. Holt was the one that Villard wished to aid in the management of the museum, if he wasn't mistaken.

"So, is everyone here and ready to go?" Axel was the one to ask.

Oracle nodded his head, idly readjusting the knapsack on his shoulder. "Right again. Might as well start the introductions now. I assume we'll be doing it a lot in the coming days. You've met some of my guildmates already. So, let's start with those you haven't met."