As the time comes for us to rest, Seria offers her own bed in jest; I'd love to accept…but with a rising sense of danger I resolutely turn her down, and end up on the sofa. It's by far the safest option, especially seeing as how I shouldn't have an incident with a sleepy Aria this way.

Not that I mind. It’s a pretty luxurious sofa, and it’s close to the main fireplace. Pretty cozy.

Looks like taking Kerkyon down didn't cause me to level up, but that’s not a surprise. I didn't really contribute much directly besides enabling the plan. If anything, I expect Kaede and Seria got most of the reward, because that’s how these things work.

I shut my eyes and find the busy day catches up with me promptly.

I awaken to the sun rising over the crater of the Thundergash, and the smell of toasted bread.

I feel a bit sticky from sleeping in my clothes, but I guess it can't be helped.

I wander over to the dining room, finding a sleepy looking Aria with bed-hair, dozing face-down at the table. She is bereft her cape.

"Morning, Aria."

"Nn... morning..." She acknowledges to the woodwork.

I sit down in the seat opposite her, just in time to see Kiku coming out of the kitchen with her attempt at toasties. From the smell, I expected as much.

"Good morning, Kiku. You're trying that out already?"

She shrugs. "Um... thought I might as well whilst the obvious ingredients presented themselves, Nii."

Her platter is set down on the middle of the table, with what appears to be an entire loaf and most of a cheese wheel converted into toasties. Despite the fact that this is her first attempt, they're almost artistic, like shop-bought ones, with even toasting all across them.

I take one and bite down into it, and they're as great as they look, concealing a ham slice inside as well.

"Delicious as always, Kiku. You got it perfect first try. You're really talented with cooking." I compliment.

"Oh... um... hehe... thanks Nii." She chitters, blushing.

Aria appears to wake up at this, raising a zombie like hand to grasp a toastie and insert it into her mouth.

Suddenly she jerks up as if hit by Seria's lightning.

"What? What is this!?" She shouts, looking agast.

She proceeds to cram the entire thing into her mouth, giving herself a hamster like appearence with puffed out cheeks.

I can't help but laugh at the sight, and neither can Kiku.

She doesn't seem to care, though, and just stuffs yet another toastie down her throat.

"It looks like we've got another bread and cheese obsessive here, Kiku." I laugh.

"Fucking bollocks... you're probably right."

"Is someone talking about me?" Seria says, suddenly appearing from somewhere. How does she do that?

Similarly, I notice that a Kaede has also silently appeared and is already eating. Although her expression is frigid as usual, it feels like her eyes are smiling at least.

After everyone has made a mess with breadcrumbs everywhere and filled their stomachs, we decide to have another strategy meeting.

"Um... Seria... I'm confused. You said before that Nii should train at the Sandy Shore Temple?" She asks.

"Mmm, I did say that." She nods.

"But that is quite a long distance, yes? Is there an issue with Valley of Lost Souls?" Kaede adds.

Apparently, Sandy Shore Temple is quite a way along the coast, back the way we came. I believe Kiku did mention it is an option a few days ago as a good training place, but it was rejected along with the Fire Sage for being too much of a round trip.

Seria raises an eyebrow.

"You do have me now, or have you forgotten? I can send us there with a leygate. What do you think I have been preparing all this time?" She muses.

Aria and Kiku look shocked.

"Is that some sort of transportation magic?" I ask.

"Oh, yes, of course. The magical theory is rather complex in truth, but the effect is that we can be thrown along the spiritual leylines to crux points. It is the most efficient means of travel." Seria nods.

"Um... I wasn't aware that ley-gating still worked? Battle histories say that large armies used to do it, but..." Kiku questions.

"I don't know why, but... mmm, it is true, the paths are weaker, the journey rougher. My old memories imply the Sages of yore used to find it quite effortless." Seria agrees. "Still... it is quite possible, if we stick to high concentration cruxes and keep our party small."

There used to be teleporting armies in this world? Cripes, that would play hell with battle tactics. I wonder why it became harder?

"So this allows groups to teleport instantly?" I clarify.

"Mmmm... Not exactly instantly. No one has ever been able to quantify the speed of transfer, as it fluctuates. But it is much faster than walking, for sure. How do you think the demons came here?" Seria explains.

"The tower is one of these... cruxes?" I ponder.

"Mmm... Not the tower specifically, boy, but the Thundergash on which it is built is a tear directly into the Etheric vein that manifests as primal electric power as it discharges." Seria continues.

Aria looks swirly eyed at this technical explanation, but I think I understand. An 'etheric vein' is a pretty cool idea.

"It is a constant source of undead, the Sandy Shore Temple. It was built as a maze of containment over a crux of death energy that manifested from a catastrophic battle during my early years. The Valley of Lost Souls is similar, but whatever once happened there involved drowning, and was a very long time ago, so the effect is much weaker." Seria patiently relates, looking aside with a finger touching her lips.

She really does know a lot... I can see why it would be a mistake to consider oneself learned in her presence.

“Well... I don't have a problem with it. Let’s go with that.” I say.