"The three of you need to go on a little voyage to the other Itamorian regions and see what you can find out about midstless. We have a few ideas as to where you could find important information regarding the history of midstless. I'm sure that by looking into the past, we can predict the future."
I see the shifty look in Obo's eyes as he says these words and prod him further.
"A 'little' voyage? How long will we be gone?"
Obo scratches the back of his head and averts his eyes before responding.
"Aha Ummm... About two years, give or take..."
The three of us respond in unison.
"TWO YEARS??"
"Yes. Give or take."
I settle back down into my seat, and Mito follows suit, but Kina remains standing.
"What about my research? This wasn't part of the deal. Do I really have to go with these two?"
Shiki chirps in characteristically for the first time in a while, "Have you seen the condition they keep returning in? We have Dodona trees here with us now, so we'll be fine. However, there's only so much Dodona reserve you can drag along with you for a two-year journey."
Kina seems to accept the explanation and sits down. It appears that Shiki and Obo have thought long and hard about this topic, and it's not like I have anything better to do than this. In fact, it could help me learn more about the midstless that killed my father, and possibly the history of Cosmics as well. I could even find one of my kind along the way!
"I'm in! However, I would like to request a little bit more training before we leave. This recent mission has taught me that there will always be stronger opponents. That man that killed Lord Gishie before I could get to him... He was a different animal."
Shiki strokes his scruffy white beard pensively.
"Ah, yes. I do remember you mentioning that fellow. We think that he may be a midstless in human form. Right, Obo?"
I shouldn't be shocked by this information with everything that's happening, but it still manages to get me thinking.
"Yes, indeed. I think that if we continue investigating, it's only a matter of time before we run into him again. If we can prove that midstless are hunting humans within civilization, we can make a good case for war amongst the other dojos. However, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I'm going to go convince Kiichi to come back to us. Good luck!"
Obo leaps from the dojo's front door, and I can hear Strix shriek and then take off. The two of them won't be back for a while.
Shiki stands up and moves to the front door as well.
"Well, let's get training, shall we?"