Due to the fact that they were deep below the ground, deprived of even an ounce of the nurturing daylight, Aiden had a hard time keeping track of the passage of time. On top of that, because of the system, his focus was entirely on the changes regarding his own body.

As such, he had no idea how much time could have passed that he spent deep in his own thoughts whilst meditating. The sound of a familiar, cheery little girl voice pulled him out from the prison of his own mind and thrown him back into reality.

'[Reptilian] ..up, Papa!" The little girl, Tolliah's vigorous exclamation and subsequent shake put a stop to any attempts of continuing his session. His eyelids fluttering, Aiden slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the sight of the little skink girl's crescent graze and wide and clearly happy smile as she hugged his 'supposed' papa's neck, caused yet another sharp pain to tickle at the boy's heart.

Yet, he pushed it down, forcing a slightly wry-looking, weak smile on his face.

"[Reptilian] I am awake, Tolliah." He greeted the girl, reaching out and hugging the little girl back in the process. Merging most of the memories of the absorbed archbishop, Aiden knew how he should be behaving around the girl to not cause any suspicion.. Besides, he truly felt responsible for the damage he caused due to his immaturity, he gave her a loud smooch at the girl's scaly right cheek.

"[Reptilian] Good Morning, little one." He greeted the happy, giggling girl. "Did you sleep well?"

"[Reptilian] Yes, Papa!" Tolliah exclaimed, brimming with happiness. Jumping a step back, she raised her little arms in the air above her head. "I slept really well, Papa!"

In the next moment, her cheerfulness suddenly soured, her face revealing deep sadness and worry as she continued with slouched shoulders.

"[Reptilian] You know, I was really worried that something bad had happened to you, Papa! You went out, saying that you have to quickly fix something.. But then, nobody heard from you for so long!" She exclaimed with a wobbling, sobbing, and accusatory tone of voice.

Listening to the little girl, Aiden heaved a heavy, troubled sigh, before patting the top of the girl's head and responding.

"[Reptilian] Papa is sorry, little one. I had to do something to ensure that the bad guys would not suddenly decide to cause us further misery. We have gone through enough. "He sighed again, as the scenes of the archbishop's memories have flashed through his mind. "You deserve some peace and quiet finally." He added in a hushed, muttering volume, mostly to comfort the pained, guilty feeling in his heart.

'I don't know how long I can do this..' He lamented mentally as he looked at her. 'She is pure and innocent. Deceiving her for purely my benefit feels wrong..'

'[Listen to yourself! You have to be strong, Aiden. Telling her that you are an impostor, the one who not just killed but absorbed her beloved father, her 'Papa' would do you no good.]' Enya's motherly voice instantly came to soothe her master's troubles.

'Master..' Surprisingly, even Ryg, who mostly kept silent and to herself when not needed, decided to speak up and offer her two cents. '..This time, you should really listen to her. Until the situation is resolved and this little reptilian is no longer hunted because of the purity of her bloodline, you should stay strong and be the support she desperately needs right now.'

'I know..' Aiden sighed. He was aware that no matter how hard it was, revealing the truth wouldn't bring anything good. It would only increase the pain, the hopelessness the little girl, Tolliah had suffered throughout her short life, pushing her deeper and deeper into the pit of despair. Worst case scenario she would be so heartbroken that would willingly give her life and freedom away to the enemy she was trying to escape from.

'No, I can't let that happen!' Aiden vowed once more, he was determined to protect her smile from now on. Though he didn't know that the newest addition, the mind, the mentality of the latest creature added to his ever-growing repertoire have already begun to subtly affect his way of thinking.

He truly felt responsible for this little girl, he cared for her. He truly wanted to protect that small remaining happiness that fate have not yet stolen away.

Such thoughts passing through his mind, Aiden pulled the little girl into yet another round of hug, only letting her go, despite her squirming after placing yet another loud smooch atop her little head.

"[Reptilian] Papa!" The little girl exclaimed, battling the hug with a peal of happy laughter of her own. "Let go, we should go get ready! The breakfast should be ready, the aunties and uncles are waiting for us!" historical

As she finally got away, she quickly hopped away towards the exit. As she stepped out back to the hallway and looked at the stone slab pushed to the side, she was reminded to ask.

"[Reptilian] By the way.." She turned around, looking at her papa who meanwhile also stood up from the ground and was about to walk after her. She pointed at the stone slab pushed against the wall beside the door, asking with a questioning, confused look. "..how did you open the door? Did someone visit you during the night?"

"[Reptilian] What do you mean, my little angel?" Aiden asked, forcing a surprised look on his face.

"[Reptilian] The stone." In response, Tolliah pointed at the slab resting against the wall just outside of view. "The stone was pushed aside, your room was left unguarded, Papa! You have said that it should always be closed when you return to rest for the night, or the bad guys could come and hurt us!"

"[Reptilian] Ah that.. I wanted to clear my head so I opened the room. I had to leave to get some air. I must have forgotten to close it, sorry about that." Aiden responded, trying to act calm and nonchalant. He hated that he was putting layers atop layers of lies ever since he got to this new world.

'Just when will this ever stop?!' He sighed inwardly, lamenting the situation he himself have created.

Tolliah turned shocked as she heard her father's explanation.

"[Reptilian] You.. pushed it aside, to get some fresh air?! H-how?!"

"[Reptilian] What do you mean?" Startled by the girl's reaction, Aiden asked. Though before he could say any more, Tolliah stepped closer once again, looking at him with squinted, scrutinizing eyes.

"[Reptilian] Since when did you become so strong, Papa?" Her gaze was deep, Aiden felt as if it penetrated deep into his soul. "Just.. Who exactly are you, Papa?!"

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

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/shaele