Chapter 2451: Leaving Behind
Chapter 2451: Leaving Behind
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Leaving behind my niece and the other three on Earth, we quickly departed on Fuyu toward Alma's destination. I felt quite sad after everything that had happened. I wished I could have spent more time with Helena, but I suppose it was my fault for rushing things. Honestly, I was worried about our family too, so I just hoped she could confirm they were alright.
"How do you feel, Drake? I know it must have been harsh," Hel said, walking to my side.
"I'm alright," I replied. "I did what I had to do... what was right. Leaving that gate open would have been too dangerous."
"I know. You did the right thing. This world is your home too," Hel said, kissing my forehead and hugging me tightly. "You did well."
"It was pretty hard for me too, but I know Jake and the rest belong in that world now. They weren't like us, who died and reincarnated," Benladann said. "We're not alone either. We have our kids, our friends, and each other."
"Thanks," I sighed in relief. Being enveloped between her and Benladann felt comforting, not bad at all. "And you're right, Benladann. I have you, Hel, Miranda, Yuki, Andromeda, and our children. I couldn't be happier with that."
"Want me to hug you too?" Miranda asked, settling onto my lap.
"I can help with that too," Yuki smiled, stepping closer.
In the end, Miranda and Yuki sat on my legs while Hel and Benladann hugged me from both sides, my head nestled between their warmth.
"Don't forget about me, honey."
Andromeda appeared behind me, wrapping her arms around me and pressing close.
Ah, this is truly healing. I think I'm fully recovering now.
The miracle of love.
"It's nice to be alive. I think I'm totally alright now. You don't have to worry about a thing," I laughed, letting a slightly playful chuckle escape.
I have to make sure I don't get like that again.
I ended up talking with my friends about what happened. Most of them had grown quite close to the people from Earth and my niece, so they felt a little sad that we might not see them for a few years.
"Aw, I was looking forward to spending more time with auntie," Benladra sighed.
"She had incredible psychic powers, and she was really good at video games too," Kate said. "Uh, she was also really good at making waffles."
"Dad, when will she come back?" Drakda asked.
"Probably in a few years. We have to be patient. I'm sure by then you'll all be young adults," I laughed. "I can hardly imagine my little kids all grown up. But somehow I can't wait for it, even though I wish you could stay my little ones forever."
"Grown up, huh?" Benladra wondered. "I wonder what I'll be like when I grow up. Will I be like mom? Or maybe like grandma? No, probably like Amethyst? Ah, I hope not."
"M-Me? What's wrong with me?" Amethyst asked, midway through devouring a huge sandwich while holding a large bottle of orange juice. She had just woken up, and it was already around 4 PM. "Ahh, Lucia and Helena left with the guys? That's really unfortunate. Wait, how? Why didn't you go with them?"
"Looks like someone just woke up, huh?" Celene said, crossing her arms. "Amethyst, you're always late to everything."
"Hey! I'm still getting used to sleeping so little. I used to take naps that lasted months," Amethyst sighed. "It's crazy that you guys stay awake so long and do things every day. Most dragons need to sleep for a while."
"Really?" I asked. "I don't usually feel that sleepy at all."
"That's because you're a super-powered primordial god king or something," Amethyst said. "The rest of us dragons aren't that abnormal."
"I don't feel that sleepy," Celene added. "We dragons can sleep as much as mortals do and maintain a healthy lifestyle if we eat every day to compensate. We usually sleep a lot to conserve energy because we're so big, so we rarely eat as much, or we draw energy from the world passively while resting."
"Ooh, so that's why," Amethyst said, surprised to learn something new. "Wait, so I don't even need to sleep as much as I did?"
"Not really," Hel laughed. "But sleeping a lot is always good for you anyway, so I don't mind your sleepy habits, Amethyst."
"Ah, okay. Anyway," Amethyst said, taking a sip of orange juice. "What happened?"
"Helena and the rest had to leave. I couldn't go with them. I don't think any of us could easily follow," I explained. "Long story short, I could die if I went there. My powers get negated, and I just crumble into pieces and disappear. Also, I'm apparently one of this world's pillars, so if I leave, the whole world could collapse. Which is not good at all."
"Y-You could die?!" Amethyst asked. "How's that even possible? Is Earth some sort of really toxic planet?"
"No, it's just devoid of most supernatural powers," I explained. "Espers aren't common there either, you know. They're like one in a hundred million. I suppose the connection to the Esper Dimension is different too. That place is strange now that I think about it. It doesn't follow any physics we know. It has no Fantasy, but it's not exactly Void or Null either."
"It's another Dimension, and that's about it," Benladann said. "It's better if we don't overthink it. I mean, we're never returning there anyway, right?"
"Yeah, you're right," I nodded. "Anyway, that's about it. My powers make me quite invincible now, but only in my own world, which is kind of annoying."
"Every power comes with a price, Drake," Hel said, her voice full of wisdom. "The price you paid was becoming this world's pillar and its guardian. You simply cannot leave."
"I know. I won't. This world isn't a prison or anything," I said. "I'm not like Oberon."
"I know you aren't," Hel smiled, caressing my face. "I also know you have the power of Creation. If you ever get bored of this world, you can expand it over time, almost infinitely."
"I-Infinitely? I can do that?" I wondered. "I never thought about it."
"Yes, well, across thousands of years, millions of years," Hel explained. "But you could shape this world to your liking. You're not just the King of Dragons; you're the wielder of Creation and Fantasy. The sky is the limit, my young king."
"I see," I nodded. "That does sound quite exciting. But for now, this is good enough. There are so many places to see and people I have yet to meet. There's Zipangu and now Spiritias too, so I'll have my hands full for a long while."
After what happened today, we took a break in the forests of Alfheim, exploring the surrounding area and taking down any Yggdrasil roots we found. Spirits were everywhere, happily interacting with us, especially with me. If I hadn't told them to leave, they would have swarmed my body all day. They felt naturally drawn to me, latching on by the thousands.
Another day ended, and somehow I was still processing how we had actually won, how this world was now safe. Yet I kept being reminded of what Loki and the Crimson Queen had told me... about the universe dying.
I wish there was a way to speak with Oblivion directly, to ask him what was going on, but I suppose it won't be that easy.
Well, for now, let's focus on the present.
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