Kiada, Blood Servant System Reborn

Healia turned to me with a bewildered look and panting after Sylia had wholly settled into her. 

I had guessed that it wouldn't be easy, but it looked like it had taken a lot out of her. I would have to consider that before I went searching for the ancients that were hiding here. 

That could also be the reason why none of them have approached me. I had spent some time alone walking and looking for new paths and fighting monsters to get stronger, but I felt like I was missing something.

"How do you feel?" I asked Healia as I focused on her.

"That was not what I expected. It was like my insides were getting scraped. When Drania did it to me, it was just pressure and not really painful, but this was not the same. Sylvia says that she needs to stay inside of me now for a while to let my body get used to her, but I will be able to use her abilities to a degree," Healia explained to me, and I nodded with a smile. 

"Good, now let's get back so I can deal with the things that I need to," I said as I turned to take the path that we just came from, and Healia jogged up beside me, looping my arm in hers at the elbow.

"Sylvia agrees with me, you know," Healia said as we walked, and I shot a glare at her, but that didn't stop her. "She thinks that you are carrying too much baggage around. Sylvia also thinks that is part of why the ancients don't want to speak with you. They have to share your mind, and I think it was like my aunts were for you."

"So what are you trying to say? That because I care so much about all of you and want to keep you safe that I am holding myself back?" I said, gritting my teeth.

I was trying not to get upset, but it was hard when it felt like no one understood what you have done and continue to do. 

"No, that is not what we are saying! We all know what you have done and continue to do. You need to let go of all of the pain that comes with it from our pasts. We are all dead out there, and you are, too, if I am not mistaken. That place doesn't matter anymore; we just want the caring and loving Momma K back that we all love and adore," Healia said with a smile and a tear in her eye, and then she kissed my cheek.

I was silent because I wasn't sure what to say or if I could without getting emotional, so I stayed quiet for a bit. I wished that I never got all these memories back, but at the same time, there were so many great memories mixed in with the bad.

I needed to put that extra drop into my cup, or I would start to grow apart from all these people that I cared about so much. I needed to start being more pessimistic about things.

Yes, an A.I. Program was trying to end this world, and there was the same bastard that killed my wife trying to mess everything else up. That was all true, but I had all the girls. I also had the woman I cared most for by my side, so what else could I ask for?

I leaned over and kissed the side of Healia's temple and then squeezed her arm.

"Thank you, I think that I will be better now, or at least I will try to have a more positive outlook. I shouldn't be dwelling on the past. I don't want things with you and the rest of the girls to change," I said as we came out of the jungle and on to the place where we had found Gloria and Mei.

"Things will take time, but together we are stronger, and we will make it through this world and on to the next. I think that you and Lesha should take some time together when we get back. The two of you have both been very busy helping everyone else and training, but I don't think you have spent any time together since…." Healia's voice trailed off, but I knew what she meant, and I sighed.

"I have been just scared, I guess. I feel like I will not know what to say, and it's almost like we are meeting for the first time again, but not. I don't know how to explain it," I said with a bit of frustration tingling my voice.

"Well, you are just going to have to rip the bandaid off and get it over with. There is really no other way you are going to do it, right? Just go ask her to go for a walk down the beach, and then find somewhere nice and private to sit down and relax with her," Healia said to me as we started down the coast.

"What about everyone else and the other things that we have to prepare for? You know that the island is moving to the next dungeon, and we still haven't found the dungeon on this island!" I said, rolling my eyes.

"Don't give me any of that! The rest of us will take care of things while you are gone, and we still have more than just today. What is the worst that could happen? You go out and have a really great time even if you don't talk, but you and I both know that won't be the cause," Healia said to me, and I knew that she was right.

"Fine, when we get back, I will go find her, but I want you to try and deal with Candi. I can't take that little brat anymore with the attitude, and you are pretty good and dealing with miscreants, right?" I asked Healia, and she nodded to me and then replied in an annoying regal voice.

"Your wish is my command, and I shall deal with our little problem child!" Healia declared, striking her finger into the air, making me roll my eyes and scrub my face with my free hand.