Chapter 31, Arrival and Catching Up

We finally make land after a week or so of sailing the sea of clouds. We've landed near the mountains called Mt. Esper. According to Haruko the town where Haruka stayed at was to the south of this place. So, we naturally headed south. It was pretty easy, and I hid the ship well with magic. It didn't even take us half the day to arrive at the town Haruka was staying at. At first everyone was worried about how we would find him but after asking around everyone directed us to a shop. We found a shop that's design is very similar to the design used in homes in the Aerial Isles and the South. We opened the door and I noticed the this was a restaurant. The workers aren't human either. Humunculi. The shop was apparently going to close but then suddenly the sound of a scream came from the kitchen and we turned to see Hime-san.

"Hime-san, long time no see." I greeted her.

"Haruki-sama!!" She exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

"Hey, I just heard Hime screaming is-" Ryusei-san came in with a broom which he immediately dropped. "Haruki-sama!!"

"What's the matter everyone, why are you stopped at the door?" A man said as he came in from the door.

"Oh? Jason-sama. Welcome back." The maid said.

"You, I'm back Tsuki." He said and then turned to me and nearly cried. "Haruka!!"

"What?!" Voices from upstairs and outside came running in.

"Haruka!!" Girls I'm not familiar with came running and hugged me.

"Haruka's back?!" A voice shouted and this time it was the voice of someone I'm familiar with.

"Takeshi!" Ryu called out to him.

"Ryu!!" He exclaimed and saw me and cried and hugged me. "Haruki!!"

"Wait? He isn't Haruka?" Jason-san asked.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat to speak. "Nice to meet you. My name is Haruki Morganite Tsuki, Haruka's twin brother."

"Ah... we're sorry for hugging you all of a sudden." A girl said. "My name is Linlin."

"I'm Aishea." Another said and bowed her head.

"Elsha." Another said.

"Rosa." Another who's eyes are filled with tears said.

One by one the people in the room introduced themselves and we did the same. After Tsuki closed the shop we all sat down in the room. Takeshi tells us everything that has happened so far.

He met Haruka shortly after Haruka arrived here. They've gotten into a bit of a problem with their mission. Their original mission was to subdue the remaining members of the Researchers of Lost Wisdom but got tangled into the fight with Titans and Guardians. Haruka left a few days ago to seek out help from the other Guardians. He also tells me about the Moon Gate which is below the town. Thanks to them I gain a slight idea of where we stand right now.

"I see. Then their main goal is to take this town correct?" I asked and Hermes nodded. I turned to Haruka's fianceé's and reassured them. "No need to worry Haruka is fine."

"But it's just... we can't help but feel worried when it comes to Haruka. He calculates things but... in the end he still risks things." Aishea said and suddenly Aria can't help but giggle. She takes Aishea's hands in hers and talks in a gentle voice.

"Trust me. We've been there, so there's no need to worry. Haruka and Haruki share the same braincell. They're both stubborn to die as well." She said and I can't help but feel like she insulted and scolded me at the same time.

"Don't worry. My brother is stubborn when it comes to death. I can assure you that." I said.

"Aren't both of you?" Takeshi said with a mischievous smile. "Anyways, we haven't found any leads at all."

"Well, now that I'm here there's nothing to worry about, I'll find Haruka in an instant." I said and stood up.

"Really? How?" Elias-san asked.

"My anme is Haruki Morganite Tsuki. I hereby call upon you, my other half, heed my call and connect." I chanted. "By the bond we share, I implore you..."

"Haruki?" Everyone looked at me expectantly but something was wrong.

"There's something wrong." I said as I furrowed my brows. "There's a large scale barrier that nullifies any form of communication magic."

"Ah, that's right. It's pretty strong. But can't you break it?" Takeshi asked.

"I can't. Most likely it was created by the Researchers of Lost Wisdom. It's a high grade spell, I can break it but taht would be hinting them that we're here, we're strong and we can easily defeat them." I said. "What yoyr next step be if you learned your enemy was stronger than you?"

"Work faster and harder." Veronica answered.

"Precisely. They'd work faster to break the seal and summon Titans to this land. We can't have that." I said. "So, instead of trying to communicate with Haruka we'll wait for him in the place he was planning to go to."

"Athena City." Lita said and I nodded.

"It takes weeks to get there via horses and Haruka already had a good long start. He may have already left Athena City by the time we get there." Misa stated.

"Who said we're going by horses?" I said and smiled.

"I see, your Authority!!" Takeshi said and I nodded.

"But how does that work? You don't own anything here." Zero said.

"Who said I didn't?" I asked and looked at Hermes. "They are beings that belong to our family. Though they only guard the land now, the land was originally given to them to rule and protect, therefore the lnad also belongs to us."

"So then, you can take us to Athena Town?" Elsha asked.

"Yes. We can go right now if you want." I told them.

"Then please, please take us there." Linlin begged and I patted her head. "Haruki?"

"I happy to know Haruka has people like you as well." I said and glanced at the girls. "Let's go."

I teleported us to the outskirts of Athena Town and just as the light faded we were met by the person we were looking for. Haruka, standing a few yards away, two girls beside him.