Chapter 56.

Ischyra left after a satisfied nod at the trio, getting back to her business. Nick still felt more mentally tired by all these revelations than overwhelmed : too much information. The other two shared the sentiment. After all, even when not remembering about their life before the Maze, they were still conscious of their former reality. They were possibly dreaming.

(Nick) If we manage to get home, I don't think anyone will ever believe any of this.

(Enora) True. But it doesn't matter, right ? I mean, to hell with everyone as long as we can get there !

A few seconds of acceptance ensued, finally troubled by the beginning of a seed of doubt in Rose's mind. A deep thought that was birthed from many contradictory ideas, making a mess of sorts : she came to doubt her desire to go home.

(Rose) It's not like we have any feelings towards 'Earth'. It's only the place where we were born, something foreign that we know of, but no attachment. Why would we need to go back there ?

(Enora) It's …

Rose's confusion infected the other two, making them question those matters as well. It was true though : why should they get back ? That world they did not care about, filled with people who only had relations with their past selves but not to magic ? The really important people to them were in Sephayis, sitting around a table inside an inn owned by Ischyra the Palisci. Parents, friends or any relationships that were left on Earth seemed so frivolous, so unnecessary, like an extra mouth.

(Nick) There is something important : even without feelings towards 'Earth' and everything, soon enough, this alien world will know magic. The Magical Flow will flood it, and the portals will let people go there. People of many races will be able to go to our homeworld, and they will have a massive advantage over us Humans. Let's call them Earthlings. Anyway, isn't it natural to feel some patriotism towards that place that used to be home in these conditions ?

(Enora) You wanna be the saviour ? Does that excite you a little bit ?

(Nick) Maybe ? Whether we like it or not, 'Earth' will become part of the Conjunction, and as Earthlings, we will be judged by its standards. If our homeworld is weak and easily conquered, we will look weak by association.

(Rose) That is possible, but why should we care ? Clearly, you only wonder because our world's failure would reflect on you, not because you have an attachment to it.

(Nick) Never hid it. Not that I can either …

(Rose) You should not concern yourself with those petty matters. If 'Earth' really is shit, then we will earn our reputation with our own strength. For you at least, since neither Enora nor I care about that.

(Nick) But what if …

(Enora) What if we went back to 'Earth', presented ourselves as the messenger for the near invasion and prepared the Earthlings to the mage tide that will definitely come ?

(Nick) Exactly ! If we forget about the respect and recognition that we'd get, we could still gather resources and people to take care of what we don't want to do ourselves, and focus on Cultivation. The Grimoires state that as long as a mage cultivates and gets more proficient, they will live longer. It means that by being the 'chosen ones' on 'Earth', we can cultivate in peace and eventually travel elsewhere when the world gets invaded.

(Rose) In other words : let's take what we need and leave when push comes to shove, because who cares about 'Earth' ?

(Nick) That's a bit more ruthless than I imagined in my head, but … yeah !

The three of them pondered over it, trying to find a balance between an absent patriotism or morals, and the benefits of this idea. It was true that they could receive a lot, get stronger and more proficient without giving much in return, but this would make them villains, wouldn't it ? At least people would have the right to be angry and resentful. Now, as the Grimoires stressed out a bit : the viewpoint of others was often not taken into account by mages. If anyone could make mages waver in their conviction, then what was the real power of said mages ?

(Enora) We need to think about that and come up with an answer to it. First possibility : accepting to take advantage of the Earthlings. Second one : going home in good faith and maybe wasting our time helping out the weak as best we can. Third one : never going back and travelling these fantastical worlds.

(Nick) Very objectively put, well done.

(Enora) You're welcome bitch.

(Rose) We have just managed to get to safety, with a warm bed, food and a room. I am still sore mentally and physically, and in no condition to make such a critical decision. What about postponing this to a week or two from now ?

They agreed, even more knowing they would probably have to wait quite some time for the portal's opening anyway. The trio had been in constant danger for so long that it seemed to be hard for them to relax. The feeling of impending doom and lurking predators still lingered at the back of their minds, making them wonder and ponder about subjects that could very well happen far into the future. Getting some more sleep after a filling meal was their prime objective at the time, and maybe some relaxing moments. They headed back to the bedroom and, as they passed in front of Ischyra still at her counter, they heard her hail them.

- You've asked me many questions., she said in a weird tone. My turn : are the three of you sleeping in the same bed ?

Only then did it occur to the trio that they were indeed using the same bed. Suddenly getting why the barmaid had been giving them so many intrigued looks, multiple reactions appeared : Rose reddened a bit, Nick smiled in embarrassment while scratching the back of his head, and Enora tried very hard to stay expressionless. The Palisci laughed loudly from this feedback, clutching her stomach and hitting the counter with her fist. It was plainly visible that they had not thought of how it looked to others. They hastily went to the room, trying to escape the friendly mocking coming at their back.