Tess, Virion, Regis and I were in a carriage with Alea driving it making our way to the meeting point with Varay. We took a teleportation gate to one of the cities close to the beast glades and went from there to save time, making the trip to only last throughout the morning. A morning that was spent by having gramps tease Tess and me about our dates and Regis talking about our time in the Relictombs. To say Tess wasn't happy about the amount of time I spent alone with Caera would be an understatement. She made me promise I would sleep in her room from now on through our rings to make up for it, a promise I was more than happy to oblige.

After making a quick stop to eat and stretch our legs we soon felt Varay's mana signature and picked up our pace to meet her. Arriving at the spot we saw her wearing a cloak over her gear, which consisted of a black shirt with white leather like armor on top, black leggings and knee high boots made from the same material as the top. She had a short sword strapped to her waist and a dagger on the back. As usual she had her inexpressive face making it hard to read her emotions.

"It has been a while Arthur, Commander Virion." She said as she approached us. "It's good to see you again Princess Tessia."

In the letter gramps sent back to confirm the date of the meeting he explained the situation so far and how we were looking for other regressors, that way she wouldn't be surprised by Tess accompanying us.

"It's good to see you as well, Varay." Tessia replied with a smile while they shared a hug. I didn't know they had gotten that close.

"Just Virion is fine. I'm glad to see you in good health again, let's make sure we keep it that way this time."

"Hey Varay, sorry for the headache but in my defense this time it was Tess's fault." I said only to receive a mana reinforced pinch to my sides before hugging Varay.

"If it isn't my favorite icy kuudere. How's the arm doing?"

"Regis, can't say it's pleasure to see you again. And what is a kuudere?" Asked Varay with a raised brow.

"Don't worry about it, just Regis nonsense." I said with a sigh. "So, what do you want to discuss?"

"I want to know what you and Commander Virion are planning on doing for now in regards to the Vritra and what I should be doing." Varay said in a more serious tone than usual.

"Well, for now, not much really. We have Alea and Aya scouting the glades to make a better map with all the dungeons and collecting information on them, such as the expected number of beasts and whether there are Alacryan camps or signs that they've been there. If we move too early we risk losing our advantage and making Agrona even more cautious than he already is."

"As for you Varay, it would be nice if you could help on that front or keep an eye out for Blaine and the nobles who turned traitor later on. I made a copy of the map we currently have and of the list of the people Agrona plans to get on his side with all the evidence you need to arrest them. I'm sure it'll be of use to you." Virion continued for me.

"Understood. I won't be able to do much here in the glades but monitoring nobles should be easy." She said while taking the papers gramps handed her and stored in her dimensional ring.

"Perfect. And one more thing." I pulled out the memory cube from my storage rune. "Imbue some mana into this and you'll see how my frost fire works. Should be useful for you." I said while handing her the cube.

Varay grabbed the artifact and did as instructed. After a few seconds she opened her eyes and returned it to me.

"That was quite the experience. Being able to see your thought process at such a young age was interesting to say the least."

"He thinks and talks like an old man ever since I met him." Tess said with a giggle while giving me a knowing look.

"Can you blame me?" I asked through our rings.

"Not really, I just think it's funny considering your physical age."

"That seems to be the case." Varay said.

"Just be happy you're not in his head all the time like me." Regis complained to anyone who would listen. Unfortunately for him no one seemed to care other than Alea who gave him a sympathetic look.

"Is there anything else I should know?" Asked Varay.

"If you could knock Bairon down a few pegs that would be nice, but I already have a plan on how to not get on his bad side so don't worry too much about it." I said knowing Lucas's death wouldn't be a problem between us this time.

"I'll see what I can do." Varay responded. "I'll be on my way now, I can't leave Etistin for too long right now."

"Before you go, I have a favor to ask." Tess said getting closer to the Lance and signaling for her to crouch. She whispered something in her ear that made Varay look at me with a teasing smirk before gettin up.

"Don't worry princess. It will be done by the time you arrive at Xyrus Academy. If you excuse me, I will be returning to Etistin." She said while pulling the hood of her cloak to cover her face and flew away.

"What favor did you ask for, Tess?" I asked.

"Just girl things, don't worry." She replied with a smile and I dropped the subject knowing asking more would get me nowhere.

"C'mon you two, I want to get back before dinner." Called Virion.

"Hmm, I forgot to ask if she still remembers how to use mana rotation and the principle behind Mirage Walk."

"I'm sure she does goldilocks."

____________________________________________________

Once we arrived back in Zestier we were immediately bombarded with questions by a worried Merial. After she calmed down we had dinner where Alduin mentioned how the Greysunders sent a messenger requesting for a meeting. Are they moving earlier with the unification of the continent? If so, that might make my life easier, but why would that be happening now? I'll have to ask gramps about it later.

Right now I was taking a walk in the garden waiting for Tess to call me. Now that I can leave markers in places with Godstep, she made me put one in her room to make sleeping there easier and without risk of getting caught by her mom or gramps. Last thing we need is more teasing from those two.

As I walked I noticed Aya was following me. She would always try to get me by surprise whenever the chance presented itself, key word being 'try'. Pretending I didn't notice her I kept wandering aimlessly throughout the garden and once she got close enough I turned a corner to get behind a tree big enough to hide my body from view before activating Static Void. As the colors around me inverted I made my way around the tree and positioned myself behind the Lance before resuming the flow of time.

I watched as she made the turn expecting to scare me only to find nothing. Her expression quickly went from mischievous to confused as she searched for me.

"Looking for someone?" I asked as I poked her sides with a little lightning imbued in my finger.

"Oww, what the hell? How do you always get behind me?" She asked while pouting.

"Maybe I'll tell you one day."

"C'mon, don't be like that my prince. Just tell me already." Aya said with puppy eyes in the hopes of getting an answer from me.

"Yeah, that's not gonna work, and I told you to not call me that."

"How about I personally teach you a few things that I'm sure will make the princess very happy when you two grow up a little?"

I raised a brow at her statement, confused at first as to what she meant until realization hit me and my face went from its normal milky color to rosy. Tess would've killed me if Aya mentioned something like that with her around.

"I think I'm good Aya."

"Are you? Because that blush says otherwise."

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight Aya." I said as I turned around to leave.

"Goodnight my prince." Aya whispered using her sound magic to make it sound like she was right up against my ear.

I'll just wait in my room from now on. Thankfully Regis didn't hear any of that.

"Damn you Arthur, why didn't you accept it!? You could've at least sent her my way!"

Nevermind.

"Shut it you horny mutt."

"Just let me have some fun you p-" I cut off our connection before he could finish that sentence.

Lucky for me Tess had called so I Godsteped into her room and laid down next to her as I let out a tired sigh.

"What's wrong Art?"

"Nothing, just Aya and Regis being themselves."

"I see. At least you're here now, so no need to worry about them." Tess said while hugging me like a body pillow. Soon we found ourselves asleep.