Tension and Planning

Allen's POV

Silence gathered around us. Alex and Rachel started drowning themselves with their own thoughts. I sighed and just turned my attention to Aileen. She's still sleeping and she has a core now...I'm afraid things would be complicated now.

If Aileen's truly a curse, her mana intake would have to gradually raise. The absence of an actual guide would worsen her situation than it already is. But, what if she was a reincarnate instead?

I stood up as I sigh and relieve from my thoughts. Aileen would be back normal by the time she wakes up so I don't need to stay any longer, plus Uncle Jun and Aunt Celine will be back anyway.

"I'll be going, any information you want me to say before I go?" I started walking to the door, not looking over the both of them. When I reach over the doorknob and waited for their words. Nothing.

"Well then, take care" I said and left.

I'm just relieved that Aileen woke up normally...but...that clears off the suspicion that she is a reincarnated.

"But there are others that consider the topic of reincarnation as vague..." I muttered while walking down the hall.

I walk through the parking lot and slump myself in the car. I have to go to the underworld soon, knowing that, I can't afford to investigate to our parents' disappearance since it will surely clash to my preparations.

"But that just reminds me that I barely spent time with them" I murmured under my breath as if I'm cursing myself, but probably I am.

I covered my face with my hands and let my head fall back on the head rest, I let out a loud sigh.

I am not in fault. At least to what happened 8...no probably 9 years ago, but I was surely held as hostage by guilt. But, the same words can't be said in this situation.

If only I didn't act difficult and different to her, to them, then this won't happen and she wouldn't waken up the core that hid after that event.

I drop my hands, one landed on the gear stick. I sigh once more and start up the car and drive back to the head quarters.

Alex's POV

I look up the ceiling after feeling the one holding the tension left, but a second later, my eyes drop to look at the person beside me.

I sigh when I notice her sight, "Aileen won't feel okay waking up when an undirected glare is guarding her" I said. She meets my gaze and soften herself by covering her eyes with her hands.

"Do you think Evil Gods and Goddesses can participate in the Guide system?" she asks.

"That's...to begin with, only the Gods and Goddesses themselves know the depths of this system, basically saying, the answer only relies to your Guide but..." I look at her arm,

"It's not even a question that can be answered by just a yes or no" I stood up and approach Aileen's bed.

"For Aileen's fragility and mentality, let's not go to the Olympus for the second time, I can't guarantee that we would enter in a good time where they would need Vishnu" I didn't turn to look at her or check how she would react with this. I know she's currently biting her lower lip, fighting with herself whether to listen to my words or not. But what I said is true. Aileen has an undeniable fragility and weak mentality unlike us. She already lost her parents for some unknown reason, unsure whether they're alive or not, if we did plan to take a trip again to Olympus, we'll receive heavenly punishment for unwanted trespassing for sure.

"Rachel, don't you dare go on your own as well just to satisfy your curiosity" I said as I turn around and sit on the bed. She glares at me for a second then soften in surrender.

"I wasn't thinking about it" yeah right, I ain't believing that unlike Aileen would.

The door once again opens, I sorta know whose name we should call out. I walk towards the seat again and sat there, facing the couple who just entered.

"My, where's Allen?" Aunt Celine ask as she looks around the small room as if the guy even has a place to hide in here.

"He left, he's not an everyday type of guy y'know" I casually said, shrugging of their gazes.

"And still the casual type, I see" Here goes what I believe we feared earlier. He walks towards Aileen and examines her.

"Did she faint?" he asks, I look at Rachel, expecting her to answer for me.

She shook her head no, "She just rested, took a toll to her mentality and I don't want her to be sent off to the mental ward" she said.

"Then..." he looks at me then to Rachel. What is this? A sudden investigation?

"No, it didn't happened once again, she was hospitalized because a rampant soul touched her leg and burned it, she was also kicked by the gut, though she has a capsule around her, it still cause damages" Rachel did all the explaining without me looking at her. So we chose the lie route...we're dead if they know though, but we can't really afford our memories edited or anything close to that.

He looks doubtful of course, but he can't confirm what's the truth since the person in question is resting and two people who are at the scene lied about the scene. Well, it was true though, ninety percent of it.

He sighs and cross his arms, "Well, I can't really look into your memories so I'll keep the scene as it is, actually, it doesn't matter whether it happened again, I'm worried about my sister instead" ah right, there's that case as well. Do we tell them or not? I glance at Rachel then back to the couple.

"About that..." I hesitantly look at Rachel. This where I'm not even sure whether we disclose this or not.

"We're not even from the Lu family" Rachel stepped up,

"We payed the Olympus a short harsh visit, it was supposed to check if whether they held someone there like Aunt Mae and Uncle Justin" she stops her words and bites her lips, yeah, this is what I'm wondering. I mean, Hades didn't warn us to avoid telling it to anyone.

I sighed and decided to let it out, this is the Lu family members, "Gates are going to be a frequent thing from now on" I said.

"We did assume that that would be the case" Aunt Celine stepped up. She puts her hand on his shoulder.

"We're thinking of spreading out to help around the areas and minimize the damage the gates would cost" she said and that's actually quite advantage for places that doesn't have combative people.

"Does that count Aileen?" Rachel butted in, but there's no way right? The person in question is literally weak.

"Well, it would mean we are underestimating the situation if she were to sit back, but I am also saying that she shouldn't participate" she replied. Of course.

"Do the Goodmans' have a plan for this?"

"We still have yet to open it to our families, we just came back after all and our thoughts are still centered as worry for our friend here" Rachel replied again. I'm tired just by listening to their chat, but that reminds me, will my clan be able to help in this crisis as well? Though I know my clan isn't exactly a combative family, most of us are only high members after all.

"Alex, you'll be participating with me"

"Wait what?!" I jump up from my seat.

"I mean I can, but that means my clan will have to participate at some point, I gave it a few thoughts and I don't want my clan to join"

"Why is that? I'm sure high members can fend off a few souls here and there" Uncle Jun said as he approach me and swings his arm on my shoulder.

He shakes me as a purpose of forcing me to agree, "We'll just have to reach out to the government itself and let our movement be known so it won't be a problem" Ah...I don't like teaming up with the Lu Family.

Chapter 18 end.

To be continue