I woke up but remained laying on the floor, where I slept as my bed was occupied by Ki'rai. I waited patiently for her to wake also. She did after few minutes, being used to getting up just like I was.

- We are taking a break from hunting today - I stated as she was rubbing her eyes.

She looked very cute while doing it.

- Why?

- Well... I need a bit of a break. I also want to talk with a bunch of people, you among them, but we will do that later.

She twisted her head to the side, surprised by what I said.

- Ok - she replied after a moment and jumped out of the bed.

I also got on my feet, groaning while slowly turning to get up on my knees first. I was behaving like an old man, but my body was more of a brand new machine. Ki'rai waited for me patiently, and together we went to wash up, and then grab some food in the cafeteria.

From there I went to pay Hatta a visit. I found him behind the table on the left side of his office. He was eating, looking at some papers with an olive lamp close by providing more than enough light.

- Morning - he said, swallowing the food.

Ki'rai waved at him, and he waved back, smiling.

- Morning. Can you gather people later? I want to talk to everybody.

- Something happened?

- You know what happened.

He immediately became serious and nodded slowly.

- Give me an hour or two, I will notify others.

- Thanks.

I noticed gis gaze focused on my little lizard.

- She is coming too.

This caught him off guard, as he tried to shove a spoon full of some rice mix in his mouth. Ki'rai looked at me from the side. She had no idea what was going on.

- Ok. I let you know when the meeting will happen.

I nodded and left. Walking through the corridor Ki'rai kept looking at me until she finally asked:

- What is happening, Peter? Did I do something?

- No. I did, and you, just like the others should know.

- Is it something bad?

- It's... Hard to tell.

- So it's bad.

I sighed.

- You will tell me what you think when you hear my story. For now, let's assume it's neither, ok?

She looked at me again, curiously.

- Ok.

Then we got outside, and hanged out for a while, mainly wasting time, until finally one of Wuxia's soldiers came to tell us that everybody is gathering in Velvet Lotus. Just mentioning the name made Ki'rai excited, as she liked that place very much. I, on the other hand, could feel my stomach hurting more and more. Like I would keep swallowing stones.

We made our way there. Zo? with a few other Hatta's guys was standing on guard next to the door. Ki'rai rushed to her and got picked up. They hugged, and then my little lizard returned to me, so we finally could enter. There was also a bunch of people in the first room. Alice, pink-blue duo, and few others from Wuxia. I didn't know why such forces were necessary but probably there was a reason for it.

historical

I found Nobuo and Aisha already inside, alongside Hatta and Amit. They were sitting behind a cluster of tables, chatting and drinking water from tall glasses.

The owner of the club herself specially made a spot right next to her for my little lizard. She rushed there, to sit, upon being invited by the gesture.

- Welcome, Peter-san.

- Hi Nobuo. Good to see you.

He smiled at my words.

With Amit I just exchanged nods, and contrary to everybody else, I went to get something from behind the bar. Vesa, who was still cleaning there, poured me some whisky, but I needed more than just a few sips. I needed a whole bottle. She rose her eyebrow when I grabbed the bottle but just allowed me to take it.

- You sure you should be drinking now? - asked Hatta, as I returned to them.

- It doesn't work on me. I just need something that tastes like crap to prepare myself mentally.

My words made Aisha chuckle. Nobuo on the other hand didn't change his facial expression at all.

We had to wait a bit more for Will, and Boris to show up. Only Blue wasn't present, as he was still in the canyon, hunting.

I gave everybody a minute for greetings, and taking their spots, then started talking. I did my best to paint the picture with all the details of the message I received from Xuvi, then about my contact with The Great One through dreams, and how I received his help in rescuing Ki'rai.

She was listening very carefully to that part, especially because I mentioned the supreme being. I described the whole operation, mentioning everything, even the ghost tho massacred kin of my little lizard. I detailed the whole assault, and how I finally managed to bring her back to the city, cure her of the injection with nanobots, and then later informed Hatta she will be staying with us.

Everything up to that moment wasn't rising any objections. There were some questions. Especially about the Xuvi technology, the location of their base, and obviously, the ghost. Ki'rai joined me during the explanations on that part, as she had a lot of knowledge, arguably even more than me, on the mentioned subjects.

She also had a few questions about The Great One, so I explained everything about my relationship with the mysterious creature. Even going as far in the past, as to my first encounter in another ruined city of a different world.

With everything answered and explained, the time to address the elephant in the room, at least for some of us, came. I immediately started feeling unwell, and my heart rate increased. My stomach was twisted like a wet towel.

I looked Ki'rai in the eyes, then at Hatta, who just silently nodded. I noticed Amit raising an eyebrow, and Aisha leaning forward, to rest her forearms on the table. They all were suspecting something at least controversial is coming. Will on the other hand leaned back in his chair.

I cleared my throat, gaining the attention of those not paying it to me, and took a deep breath, before starting to tell the rest of the story.