Chapter 34: The Second World

“You’re back already?” Mizu asked, as Evan walked out of the doors that led to the elders' chambers.

“Yeah. I’m heading back. If you want to come just grab onto me.” Evan said, bringing up the console.

Mizu grabbed his shirt, as the world spun around them.

“We’re back. Oh. When did this happen?” Evan asked, teleporting into the detective agency.

“No clue, but there’s a giant hole in the sky. Did you do that?” Rai asked.

“Huh? Yes! Perfect! Alright, I’m opening this dimension up in a few seconds. I can finally see Kane!” Evan said, typing on the holographic keyboard rapidly.

“Annnnd… done! I’ve connected to the second world! Alright. Well, I’ll see you guys later, hopefully.” Evan said, grabbing lime and teleporting to Kane’s house.

“Woah! Haha! I still have my admin permissions!” Evan yelled.

He looked up at the front of the house, noticing a wide eyed girl on Kane’s front porch. She ran inside.

“Ow. What was that? What the-! Where am I?” Mizu asked.

Evan looked over.

“Ahem…. uh. By any chance, were you holding onto me that entire time?” Evan asked.

“Yeah.” Mizu said, lurching around.

“I’ll send you back to your world, give me a second.” Evan said.

“No. Just let me stay here. Please.” Mizu said.

“What? Why? You have friends and family over there, don’t you?” Evan asked.

“Still…. I want a new life. I felt so alone there, no matter what I did. I would like to at least try.” Mizu said, hiding her teary face.

“What the heck? Oh. So this is how you actually feel…” Evan said.

“Why am I saying this? Why can’t I stop my feelings from spilling out?” Mizu asked.

“It seems to be a side effect of something. Hm. Aha! Your magic is looser now! You’re not wound up tightly anymore. You’re not shoving the real you down anymore. You’re acting like your true self! That's my fault though, so I apologize.” Evan said.

“So… I can be myself now? If so, I really don't want to go back. Please, let me stay.” Mizu asked.

“I guess I can let you stay here for a while, you can tell me what you want then. Otherwise, it’s probably a good idea to get away from that cult like family.” Evan said.

“You’re the object of that cult's worship, though.” Mizu said.

“Yes, well, here. This thing will guide you. You can learn everything about this world from it.” Evan said.

He kicked a lamp post, and a robot flew out.

“Hello, how may I help you today?” The robot whirred mechanically.

“Guide her around. Introduce her to the second world.” Evan said.

The robot proceeded to drag Mizu off. She gave no resistence and uttered no protest, still too dizzy to think straight.

“Well, that’s one thing solved. Lime is still asleep, so-“ Evan started.

“You god damned BASTARD! Where have you been!!!” Kane yelled.

“Oh, hey Kane! It’s been a while! How are you? Have you been doing well?” Evan asked calmly.

“Oh, I’m doing fine. Not much has been goi-NOT! Where were you!?!? It’s been 4 centuries, you idiot!” Kane said.

“I did say I would be gone for a long time.” Evan said.

“Yeah, but you never said 4 fucking CENTURIES!” Kane yelled.

“Ow. My ear. Also, I did say that.” Evan said.

“Wait, really?” Kane asked.

“Yeah, I think I did, at least. Anyway, who’s this?” Evan asked, referring to the girl who was next to Kane.

“This is my daughter. Jessica, this is Evan, the person who is always in me and your mother’s stories.” Kane told Jessica.

“H-hi.” Jessica said quietly.

“Oho? A loud man raised quite the quiet daughter.” Evan said, grinning.

“She gets nervous really easily. Please don’t scare her.” Kane asked.

“I wasn’t planning to.” Evan said.

“Hello, Jessica. It’s nice to meet you. As Kane said, I’m Evan.” Evan said.

Jessica’s eyes sparkled.

“M-mom tells me about you all the t-time!” Jessica said, as loud as she could, which wasn’t more than a normal voice.

“Does she? What does she say?” Evan asked.

“W-well, my favorite story is the one about how you saved everyone. Mom t-tells me her side of the story sometimes, a-and it makes me look at the story from an-another perspective. You’re our hero. When Mom tells me about all of the awesome experiments and inventions that you made, i-it makes me want to build something myself.” Jessica said.

“So you’re good with your hands, just like your father. What did your mother say about me exactly, though? Wait, where is Anne, anyway?” Evan asked.

“She’s asleep. It’s pretty early in the morning.” Kane said.

“Why were you on the porch this early?” Evan asked Jessica.

“The morning mist f-feels good to m-me.” Jessica mumbled.

“Wait, Evan, who is that?” Kane asked, referring to lime, who he had in his arms.

“This is my wife, Lime.” Evan said proudly.

Kane instantly passed out, his head steaming from trying to process the information.

“U-um. W-well, come inside. I’m sure M-mom would love to see you when s-she gets u-up.” Jessica mumbled, opening the front door.

“Thanks, but what about your father?” Evan asked.

“I-I can take care of t-that myself.” Jessica said, walking over and attempting to drag her father to the door.

Evan had trouble trying not to laugh.

“Jessica, just leave him for now. I’ll come and get him in a minute.” Evan said.

Jessica nodded, quietly listening.

“Alright. Oh, this is quite a nice house. I like the wallpaper. And the floors. Well, the entire house is nice.” Evan said, heading inside.

“T-thank you.” Jessica said meekly.

“Do you have anywhere I can lay lime down for now?” Evan asked.

Jessica led him upstairs to a guest room.

“Fancy.” Evan remarked, looking around.

“H-here, this is our guest room. I’ll leave you alone for now.” Jessica said, hurrying away.

“Hm. I guess I ought to drag Kane inside.” Evan said.

“No need. I wish I had landed softer, though. I have a headache now. Well, I had one already, but I meant another one. Do you mind explaining who the girl on the bed is?” Kane asked.

“My wife.” Evan said.

“Repeat that again, please?” Kane asked, not following.

“This beautiful woman is my wife. Her name is Tourmaline. But I call her lime.” Evan said.

“Alright... So I’m not going crazy. I'll be right back.” Kane said.

He left the room.