Explaining Everything (1)

Theurien and Silrat had looks on their faces that suggested that they had been told to expect something outrageous.

And indeed, Red Rage had told them to not freak out when they arrived at their destination.

"Festos?" Silrat was the first to speak, a strange look on his face that melded somewhere between befuddled and bewildered. "Is that really you?"

"In the flesh," Replicus said with a warm smile.

Theurien had no words. He looked between the Hybrid Luman body and the Progeny with a pale face.

Silrat felt a more familiar presence from Replicus' response and expression than from what Skullius had shown him several minutes ago and dragged them into his Territory.

"What in the world happened? What happened to you? I-I can't even wrap my head around—"

"I know, I know. Believe me, I know," Replicus said. "It's a long story and I'd rather tell it to you all in a safer place than this one. For now, I'm just glad you managed to survive."