Celestial Discord

Chapter 51- Unexpected Side Character

   The first thing I felt when I returned to the real world was a mixture of drowsiness and dizziness. I grabbed my face and took a deep breath. After a few seconds it disappeared.

"Ya good Arthur?" I heard Tucker ask.

I sighed. "Yea, yea, just a side effect of sorts."

Though it would seem it's not the same as when leaving Essentia. Thinking about it, with Ória I actually felt refreshed so maybe it depends on the demon.

"Ooh Arthur, how'd it go? Did you find him?" Ainia asked enthusiastically.

I smiled. "It went well. I just wanted to make sure he didn't choose you for the wrong reasons."

"Why was she chosen?" Tucker asked.

I paused. "...Because she likes nature."

"Y-y-you're joking right?"

I slowly shook my head.

A silence fell upon us.

"These demons are stupid!"

I'm starting to agree with him. These demons are kinda nuts.

Hey! Miss Mya moaned.

Obviously you're the exception Miss Mya.

Hmph. I better be.

"So Ainia, what are you going to do now?" Mary asked.

"Hmm. Dunno. Could travel to somewhere else across the ohshan. Or I could explore around here."

"Come with us." I advised.

"Uhh, Arthur, I don't know abou—"

"She's coming with us." This time it was in a more demanding tone.

I walked over to Tucker and whispered in his ear. "Do you know the havoc Ainia and Baihu would cause if we let them frolic on their own?"

"T-that's true. But you want us to babysit them man? Just having them around will make anyone run away from us."

"Will it?"

"Have you seen Baihu!?"

I looked over at Baihu, who immediately let out a malicious low growl at me.

Nice to see you too Baihu.

"Good point. Just look after Baihu then."

"Wait, what about Ainia?"

"Mary."

"What the heck are you gonna be doin' then?"

"Looking for the weapon user of course."

"Something tells me it ain't working out that easy."

"Has it ever?"

"Good point."

I lifted my head and turned to Ainia, who paid zero attention to our whispering and was playing with Baihu's fur.

"So how about it Ainia? Come explore with us."

"Shore!" She yelled excitedly.

So you know shore but you can't say ocean correctly?

"Sure." I corrected her.

"Same thing."

Don't respond to it Arthur. You know it's not worth it.

"Okay Tooker, make sure to take care of them." I ordered.

"Oi." He responded.

"Do your best Tooker." Mary encouraged him.

"Oi!"