After sending Seina the message, Keith suggested we all take a walk. Of course we invited Ms. Pablo too but she politely declined.
"The shop is unattended currently so I will go back. Anabelle, return home after you are done." (Montana)
She told Anabelle and left. She directly told Anabelle to go back to her. That takes care of her lodging but she has already spent a night with Ms. Pablo anyway.
"Where to go now?" (Keith)
"How about we start from the castle? We can ask Trevor or General Louis for help. I hope they aren't awfully busy."
I teleport us to the castle. We are at the main entrance. The guards were startled a bit but recognized me and opened the gate.
"You do get along with others." (Keith)
"They have seen me more times than they would have liked so yeah, they know who I am. The king himself has permitted my entry at any given time."
I guide them through the long passage until we arrive at the training ground.
The knights are busy training and I can clearly see gym equipments. So General has already spread the word of fitness.
I see Trevor standing in a corner with his eyes closed. He is focusing on something.
"This is all too fantasy…." (Anabelle)
"Yeah, you are probably from a developed world. It is fantasy compared to modern technology."
"And what about your world?" (Anabelle)
"I am from a post apocalyptic world. Well, no one is alive anymore. I am one of the few humans who lived through the destruction of our civilization."
She probably was a bit surprised because her expression changed but she didn't let it show on her face.
Trevor finished his meditation and came to us. He had already noticed us. I think he is getting a bit better at it.
"Clive, it's rare for you to show up! And you have guests with you." (Trevor)
He led us to a conference room. It would have been awkward to talk about the creator business in the hallway.
"So, your guests are not normal. That much I can already presume." (Trevor)
"You have worked on your intuition. Good for you."
"I did but I don't have any feats at all to prove my growth." (Trevor)
"You will get there eventually. No need to fret over it." (Keith)
"You should introduce yourself first."
I remind Keith of his introduction.
"My bad. I am Keith Harding. Currently a creator of a world. You can say I am Clive's senior when it comes to this business. And she is Anabelle. A daughter of creator who is currently on the run from her parents after throwing a tantrum." (Keith)
"You really had to rub it in!" (Anabelle)
"It is the truth." (Keith)
They start bickering like siblings. Why do they give off such strong siblings vibes?
"And that's that. We found her here and decided to watch over her until her dad comes here to pick her up."
"I can't say I understand but whatever. Where is my sister?" (Trevor)
I tell Trevor how my predecessor came back to have a talk with me and then kicked me out to have a talk with my wives.
"So, my sister is having a good chat with your predecessor. That's something. By the way, where have you been these three months? You usually aren't missing for this long." (Trevor)
"It's a long and tedious story. Maybe some other time."
If I start recounting the story, it will take a while. I myself don't understand much of the situation.
Their bickering had ended and they were listening to our conversation.
Then the door opened and the king came in.
"Your majesty, you are here?"
"Of course. Word reached me and I came as soon as possible." (Andrew)
From his demeanor, he must have rushed here. He sits next to Trevor.
"It has been too long since our last meeting. I was utterly busy with work and I still am. I am just here to pick up this young lady."
I explain the situation to him and introduce both Anabelle and Keith.
He is shocked but tries to hold on. The gap in knowledge and the perception is always a barrier we need to overcome.
"Just treat us normally. I may be a creator but I don't have any people under me." (Keith)
"True. You have yet to fix your world. Those two are there, right?"
Keith fought both erudition and nihility. He was beaten to a pulp but he managed to turn it around and trap them in the Ruined World.
"They are still trapped. It's a relief. Nihility was the most dangerous. You probably don't remember but you almost died when nihility paid you a visit." (Keith)
That's a first. When did that happen?
"Nihility, erudition and Azathoth himself have paid you a visit. Azathoth was the scariest since Chthulu had to intervene to save you." (Keith)
I vaguely remember Kirin but the other instances are a total blank.
I guess being an elder creator has different perks.
It was going fine until Keith put his hand on my shoulder.
"Clive, put a barrier around Jupiter. The strongest barrier possible!" (Keith)
His tone is serious and I felt it as well. Something bad is coming.
I didn't waste any moment and put up a barrier around the entirety of Jupiter.
"If you would excuse us both, we have a rather unique guest to attend to. Anabelle, stay here. Don't go anywhere." (Keith)
We both head to The Free World. If someone like that is approaching, they would first crash that place.
I alerted Samantha and Fay. Everyone is ome high alert.
"So, who is this one?"
"He is another person I didn't think would move. He was always alone and in a trance. I didn't think he would make a move." (Keith)
We both wait for our guest. We didn't have to wait for long. He appeared like a ghost. It's eerie. He is smiling eerily. Tears are overflowing from his eyes and yet, he has the biggest smile on his face.
"Don't move. He probably is unconscious. Let me check." (Keith)
Keith goes near him. But backs away immediately.
"He is beyond saving. Joy, you really have become a fallen." (Keith)
"So, who is this?"
"His name was Joy, the elated. He was the happiest of the creators. That was a big facade. His pain and sorrow was the greater than most of the creators. Due to that, he isolated himself and remained in isolation for over 10 billion years. I think he finally decided to put his life to an end." (Keith)
Creators really do come in all different sizes and shapes. Now we have an elated person with us who is actually the saddest person in existence. What's next? How do we deal with him?