Chapter 33: Reveal

Holding what looks like a gift, Neo approaches Adora and Arcat first.

". . . I hope you recover soon, Adora," he says, sadness on his face, "Please do . . ." he says again, emphasizing further.

Haco remains on Adora's lap.

Adora smiles, "I'll need you to come with me later to try some new clothes I picked for you,"

Looking at her, Neo can't help but smile back.

He then looks at Arcat but remains silent as he doesn't know what to say.

Arcat pats his shoulder, "Nice to see you again. We can talk later. For now, just go to her and do what you gotta do,"

Neo nods, "Thanks Arcat,"

After thanking them both, he walks away towards Charlotte with a smile, the gift still in his hands.

"Didn't think you would ship them as well," teases Adora, looking at Neo handing over the gift.

". . . It's just that this makes his behavior more predictable. And is a nice distraction for both of them from all the mind-boggling things around them. Remember, these are just normal day-to-day citizens, Rope, or Castle, they aren't trained and hardened like pilots," he says.

"I am not a pilot though," says Adora, smiling.

Arcat chuckles at her statement, "Yet, you are the furthest from the average Joe by their standard, even back then,"

"Whatever Arcat,"

"Why do thee calleth thy spouse as such?" asks a voice from behind them.

Arcat's instincts immediately have him react as he swings around with his spear, only for it to be stopped by the Female One grasping it with her two fingers. Before he has a chance to react and do anything else, he is pushed by the Male One and goes flying back, letting go of his spear as its stuck between her fingers.

He takes out a leaf and quickly eats it as he's flying away, crashing into a bunch of boxes and emerges shortly after.

He glances at Haco, who is still relaxing on Adora's lap.

"Stop," says Adora.

One looks around, and at Neo and Charlotte. Neo has his sword out, facing them. And Charlotte is standing behind him, holding her two guns at the ready, backing him up.

"We has't not cometh here to square," declares the Female One.

"We merely wouldst like to ask for one request. Kayn, can thee remove thy mask?" asks One.

"Kayn?" murmurs Charlotte.

. . .

Arcat reaches into his pocket, taking out a leaf and eating it.

"No," he says, flying towards the spear at full speed. Legs first, he slams them into the other end of the spear. But the spear doesn't budge at all, and Arcat splats.

It looks like a Mach 1 fly ran into a diamond wall. But his blood and body parts regenerate, traveling behind them and forming him again. His body parts continue to have their momentum so when he regenerates, he plants his feet and hands into the ground, bringing himself to a stop yet again.

The instant he stands up, his mask falls down, splitting in two and revealing his face.

. . .

"It's you!" exclaim Neo and Charlotte.

"That being?" asks the Female One.

"He is the one that saved me from the fall," explains Neo.

. . .

One looks at Arcat, awaiting an explanation. They are sure at this point that he isn't Kayn.

He sighs, "Fine. I'll explain everything. Do you mind if we go talk in private?" he suggests.

One looks around at all of them and then lastly at Adora.

"Out of respect for the others around, especially the Fragment of Light, we concur,"

"This way then, please," says Daki, looking at Adora and nudging her, as if communicating something. And then he walks away with One.

Confusion clear on their faces, Neo and Charlotte approach Adora, looking at her and waiting for an explanation.

"Spouse? Kayn? . . . Well?" questions Charlotte, her face concerned.

Adora sighs, "My colleague and I are on a mission and Kayn is my husband. That's all," she says.

Charlotte's mouth is slightly open as she remains silent in disbelief.

Neo stays quiet as well, not knowing what to say or do. He doesn't know if he should even do or say anything, so he remains quiet.

. . .

"I hope that even with this revealed, we can continue to be the same good friends?" asks Adora, smiling hopefully.

"I─ I need a break . . . I am going to spend some time alone in my room . . . call me if anything major happens," says Charlotte, walking away with Neo's gift in her hands.

Neo contemplates following her and takes a single step forward.

"Don't," says Adora and he freezes.

"She has been through a lot recently. She needs some time alone to digest it all. Sometimes give people that space, it is what you should do at the start of something like this," she explains.

"When will she be done?" asks Neo.

"We don't know. But if it starts taking long, we can check up on her shortly to figure out whether she is stuck or if the process is that long after all. Everyone has their own pace and the size of things on them varies depending on the person,"

Neo looks down, "I see,"

"Tell you what, until that time comes, how about we get you ready?" suggests Adora.

He tilts his head, "Ready?"

"Yes, I told you that I picked some things to show you and have you try on, for your outing with her. If you knock on her door and show up like that with some flowers, it's bound to put a smile on her face,"

"Let's do it!" says Neo, determined as he walks towards the clothing area.

"Hellooooo!" he hears from behind.

"Can't move here!" calls Adora as Haco meows.

"Oh right! I am sorry!" he says, walking behind the wheelchair and pushing it.

Neo feels a bit rotten, having almost left Adora here with no one to move her around twice.

Please regain your ability to move soon . . .

. . .

Later, Neo opens the door, wearing the outfit Adora had selected for him.

"Wow! Great, this will work!" says Adora.