It's finally the day I will be going to Xyrus and reunite with my family. I'm both excited and nervous. Excited that I will be seeing my family again after so long, especially dad. And nervous about how they will react to my new appearance. Even though they eventually came to terms with my reincarnation, me looking more like Sylvie than them might change that. Tess and Sylvie did what they could to reassure me that everything will be fine, and while I don't plan to tell them about it before I did in the original timeline, I'm still worried about what will happen when the time comes.

After a few minutes thinking about what is to come I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind and started getting ready for my last lunch with Tess for a while. I thought she would be a bit down that we wouldn't see each other for some time, but I guess having a way to talk and me being able to teleport helps with that.

Entering the dining room I was greeted by Merial and Alduin, who now insist I call them mother and father, and took a seat beside Tess. As we ate, we talked about how the tournament taking place in Xyrus will help bring the three races together and other things like that. It was only when we left the dining room that I noticed Viron didn't join us for lunch like usual.

"Hey Tess, do you know where Gramps is?"

"No, he said earlier he had to prepare something with Alea before you left but he wouldn't tell me what." She answered but for some reason I felt a chill run down my spine at her words.

"I doubt anything good will come out of whatever he's preparing."

"I'm sure it's nothing bad Art."

"I hope you're right."

After this little exchange with Tess I went back to my room to finish packing. I actually had quite a bit to take back with this time. Mostly the clothes Seele gave me and some from mother after I proposed to Tess, but I guess that's better than only the clothes on my body and the medallion like last time, maybe I'll be able to avoid the shopping trip tomorrow.

Yeah, no. There's no way to avoid that hell.

Letting out a sigh of defeat I finished organizing them on top of the bed and put them in the storage rune.

"Ready to go Regis?" I asked him. He's been laying on the couch sulking for the past few hours.

"No. I didn't get my daily dose of Aya today."

"What do you mean daily? She's been gone for a week now because of a mission."

"You're only making it worse." He complained.

"Just get up already. Alea came back from the glades to see us off and I'm sure there are plenty of pretty ladies waiting for you in Xyrus." I said hoping that would be enough to make him get up.

"Fine." Regis said after a few minutes of pondering my words. "Where is the gecko princess by the way?"

"Sylvie went to see elder Rinia yesterday. She should be getting back any minute now. Now get up, we're on a schedule."

Regis grumbled a bit but got up and we made our way to the entrance of the palace to wait for father and mother. As we were waiting for them Sylvie came back. I asked her the reason she went to see elder Rinia but all I got was that a lady needs to have a secret or two.

Not long after Sylvie came back the Eralith family arrived followed by Alea and some staff that would accompany them. Before we went outside to board the carriage Viron and Alea pulled me aside. She looked at me with an apologetic expression while gramps had a look of mischief. Once we were far away enough for everyone else, gramps finally spoke.

"Lance Alea, did you finish it?"

"Yes elder." Alea answered in a regretful tone.

Just as I was about to ask what they were talking about Alea took out something from her dimensional ring. It was red with purple needle-like spikes covering it and had a dark, sinister aura around it. It was as long as Dawn's Ballad and girthier than my thighs. As I analyzed the thing in front of me, Virion spoke.

"Interesting, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but what is it?"

"If there is another ring on your finger next time we meet, that is what you'll have to deal with. Or if you get Tessia pregnant before marriage."

As soon as he finished his sentence my eyes widened in realization. The monstrous thing Alea was holding was a cactus.

"I get the second reason, but do you really think I would cheat on Tess?" I asked, my voice a little shakier than normal.

"I know for a fact you wouldn't. But can you blame me for taking precautions? And just so you know, this cactus in particular was made so that it would hurt even an Asura." Virion said with a devious grin.

"You're joking, right?" He simply smiled at my question. I looked over to Alea and she just shook her head.

"Well, enough of this, everyone else already went out." Gramps said as he walked away.

I followed behind him and left the palace. Outside was Tess, father and mother waiting for us.

"What were you three talking about?" Father asked.

"Oh nothing much, just some friendly advice." VIrion responded with a smile and everyone looked at him skeptically.

"Are you ready Arthur?" Mother asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Yes, a bit nervous, but I'm ready."

"Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine. There might even be a surprise waiting for you." Father said.

"Don't spoil things dear." Mother said with a pout. "And Alduin is right, there's nothing to worry about." She and father then went inside the carriage.

"I guess I won't be seeing you for a while, but I promise to come visit whenever I can." I said as I turned towards Tess who was a bit teary eyed now.

"You better." She paused for a second. "You remember what I said last time, right?"

"No human girls. You have nothing to worry about."

"Good." She then came closer and pulled me into a hug which I immediately returned. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too Tess." The moment I finished my sentence she gave me a peck on the lips. I just stood there a bit stunned not because of the kiss, she usually demanded one everyday, but it was always in private, so I wasn't expecting her to do that in public. Not that I'm complaining.

"Aren't you two close?" Gramps teased us with a smirk but a glare from Tess was all it took to make it fade away. "Anyways, don't do anything stupid and take care brat. Now get your ass on that carriage, you don't want to keep your parents waiting anymore than they need to, do you?"

"No, I definitely don't. Try not to die from old age while I'm gone."

"Cheeky brat. As if I would die before seeing my great grandchildren."

I then turned to Alea. "Take care of these two for me, General."

"Don't worry, they're in good hands. Take care, Lance Godspell." She replied with a smile and I got on the carriage with Alduin and Merial, who insisted I rode with them.

A few minutes after getting into the carriage Regis spoke through our connection.

"Aren't you forgetting something princess?"

"I don't think so, why?"

"You never met a certain elf noble in this timeline."

"Oh shit, you're right. I never ran into FeyFey." I stopped to think for a moment. "I'm sure it will be fine if we meet later on."

"If you say so."

The rest of the ride was pleasant with me making small talk with father and mother until we reached the teleportation gate to Xyrus. I can never get used to these things.

"Maybe you should work on improving them after the war. You do have an affinity for Spatium." Sylvie said.

"Maybe. I'll have to learn to make portals first though."

"By the way Arthur, are you going to accompany us all the way or do you want to get off somewhere else?" Father asked me.

"I'll get off after we turn the next corner, just keep the right window open."

He looked at me curiously but did as I said anyways. As soon as we made the turn I activated Static Void and made my way to a nearby alleyway. Deactivating the art I looked back only to see their bewildered faces as I just disappeared in front of them. Giving them a final wave I started to walk towards Helstea manor.

"Remember to behave Regis." Sylvie warned him for me.

"Oh great, even the gecko princess is against me now."

"What did you call me?"

"Stop fighting you two, we are almost there."

"This isn't over." Sylvie relayed in an ominous tone.

After a few minutes of walking I found myself in front of the doors to my second home in this world. Taking a deep breath to calm myself I knocked on the door.