*A chat*

"Oh yeah didn't I mention that? I said the place I sent him was a ‘new world' didn't I? Why would I send him somewhere that I had already sent others? That would be no fun."

"Mhm, I should have thought about that I guess."

"Why? Thinks he's lonely?"

"No. It doesn't seem like it."

"Well, in any case, I already sent him a friend and he snubbed her."

"What? A friend? Who?"

"You really aren't very observant."

"Khara?"

"Exactly. She doesn't remember, but if he tried he could probably coax the memories out. But I wonder if he would even want that."

"Hmm?"

"He's selfish, to not be the only one, that's not like him. He says he hates the center of attention but he wouldn't allow anyone else to have it."

"True, he doesn't exactly avoid the limelight. So you think he will actively avoid meeting another from his world? You think that is why he left Khara?"

"No, he likely has no idea Khara is from earth. And once she does remember her own emotions will take over."

"Hmm?"

"She is an interesting case. I chose her because she ended her life after hearing about Coles death."

"Someone he knew from earth!?"

"No, well not personally. She was a fan."

"A fan?"

"Cole's only. Have you not read his fanfiction?"

"Oh? I didn't know he wrote."

"It's not good, but it apparently helped Cara during a hard time, so it was an inevitable result."

"I see..."

"..."

"Wait… So there were never any demon kings then? What about all the horrible stuff that happened in the past? Who raped all..."

"Mmm, Cole won't be able to maintain this human-like life forever. Living countless eons will do something to your mind eventually."

"That's..."

"It's not a life of sunshine and butterflies. But he has to live it. It's what's holding his way of life together."

"If cole were to die..."

"The world would crumble. He has to live, he is the lynch-pin in countless paradoxes. The likes of which would rip the world apart"

"Then if something happened would you..."

"No way. What could I do anyway? He has dev mode on his menu now that he became Damien. He has more control than me down there at this point. He'll be fine, just eat your popcorn and watch."

"Fine. But he had better bang someone soon."

"Tell me about it. Should be called 'Reincarnated, let's get blue balls'."

"Hey, they don't like it when we get too meta."

*Rumor Mill #6*

"I saw it from the sea wall, it was the biggest damn fireball id ever seen. I had no idea magic tools could do that."

"Idiot, didn't you hear about the one at the tournament? It was even bigger than that."

"But… I really can't imagine..."

"It was obviously on purpose. What are you so nervous about? We are doing this by command of the king. Its the only logical choice, we need to help King Calis lessen the damage caused by those dangerous tools."

"But still, people's homes… Whole villages? Why? Because one of that guy's magic tools blew up the king? Isn't that an overreaction? Have we even gotten confirmation from the prime minister? As far as I'm aware EC has done nothing but hel..."

*Shink*

*Thump*

"Anyone else have a problem with the command? Anyone else having trouble seeing who the enemy is?"

""NO SIR!""

"Good, begin."

~ ~

"A ship will arrive at dawn. Collect only the necessities and board it in a calm quiet manner."

"I understand. Th… Thank you."

"It seems its the only option. Calis shut down any possibility of a diplomatic solution."

"I didn't expect him to move in such a way."

"None of us did. Don't blame yourself, Franz, you aren't the boy's father."

"No. And neither is my brother. Yet he still forced himself to raise the wretch! And look at what happens."

"Would it have been better if he had put the teen to death? He was what, Ellie's age when the coup happened?"

"Mm, Still. We should have been more careful. He shouldn't have been given such a position. Recognizing him as a prince was the first mistake."

"I don't disagree. But it was my husband's decision ultimately."

"Ah, your highness?! I'm sorry I didn't..."

"Never mind it, has there been any word from Cole? Will he arrive soon?"

"Mhm, he said he would be here in an hour, he has a few other things he needs to take care of apparently."

"I see..."

"Wait hour? How? Isn't he in Karash?"

"It's not wise to think about his actions through a frame of logic."

"True."

*Request for aid*

"Sure we'll help."

"Mhm, just give us something in return."

"I'm not giving you the D, and you all still owe me a favor anyway."

"Mmmmm, fine. What do we have to do?"

"I have huge ships headed towards the main port cities, they each fit around a thousand people but they are extremely hard to maneuver, so I want you to help keep an eye out under water. How about it?"

"Seems easy enough. How many ships?"

"There are thirty but they will need to take a few trips each."

"So a couple hundred mermaids will be enough?"

"Yeah."

"Can we take tips?"

"If… if they offer, sure. But don't ‘sink' anyone, please. Once exhaustion sets in just let them back on the ship."

"Mmm, fine."

*First words*

"I'm sorry..."

"You're sorry?! What the fuck are you talking about! You are gone for two thousand years and you just say, ‘I'm sorry'."

"Should I have said something else?"

"There are a dozen other things you should say. For instance, where you have been, or why you left, or anything! You could explain what is happening."

"I'm sorry Aquarou, I didn't mean to lie to you, but you had to play your role perfectly in order for my life to happen correctly. I couldn't risk telling you the truth. But I still thank you for those words all those years ago."

"I… I love you, Damien, I have missed you so much. I absolutely won't allow you to escape this time!"

"I don't intend to. I love you too Aquarou. I am sorry for not being honest with you. Now, let's go take over the world."

"Yes, Sir!"

"And, call me Cole. Sorry, Damien sounds strange."

"Mm, so you will be continuing to live in the child body?"

"Yep, its the real me after all. It feels strange being tall."

"Hmm, I see."

"Problem?"

"No, I think I could fall in love with Cole's body as well I suppose."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing."

"By the way is Atlantis still in good shape?"

"Yeah! It's been in the rift for awhile but I have a few fish swim by and check it out every so often."

"Could you raise it and move it somewhere around the #280's islands."

"Sure! Are we moving back to Atlantis?"

"No, I'm just going to use it as our new Capital."

"I see. Oh! By the way, what are you going to do about Kilsi?"

"Shit… where is she now?"

"Running the dark guild."

"Oh my god is she the one making those Collars? She must be."

"Mhm..."

"She will get a firm punishment I'll tell you that much."

"You know she will just..."

"Oh, I know she will love it. I will have to think of a proper punishment. M's are tough to deal with. I'll ask Alice for help."

"Those two should absolutely never meet."

"I couldn't agree more."