Astral began the trek back to his room as James stood behind him all the way back. Each and every person they walked by asked questions of where he learned all of his techniques and abilities. Astral credited his immense amount of time to train and hone each and every skill. Everyone was in awe of his actions and his mannerisms until the two got to his room where they could be at peace. "None of them could come close to us. Even if they had years of practice. Not the point. James how much do you know about each spot?"
"Believe it or not, not much. All that I know of is they each have roughly one piece of your armor. Or the matching set outside of the Woodland elves. I know they have your other shoulder plate. Its their version of a crown jewel to unite all the families." James sat down in a chair as he looked at the map. "They left the other because they couldn't find it. I read some of the reports that I had access to. Apparently there was a spector over your body to watch it and make sure no one took more than one."
Astral stared directly into the map then the area he awoke on the map. "Why is this place so lacking in detail?" Astral set his hand on it as James looked, the area felt recognized as James looked up.
"How much do you remember from the moment you woke up?" James asked as Astral shrugged. "I got to see inside of the valley not to long ago. It was covered in astrids' rumors were that something repelled but the pure into the valley, for all could gaze. That spell was broken by the Crown Jewels when they took your helmet and broke the barrier."
"So my spector defended me? I need to remember that spells rules again." Astral rubbed his brain as he was at a loss of words. "Each race having one set would mean that my undersuit." Astral tapped his wrist as a black nylon appeared over his entire body as he twisted around a bit for testing and seeing if it all worked still. "Never left my side. Meaning it could disguise me however I want. Like the Crown Jewels believing in my death."
The two started to laugh as the undersuit faded away. Astral's smile filled the room as he looked back to the map. His head turning to see what could be the best distance from here. "My hunch is the dwarfs. They seem to be really quiet and haven't really harnessed any magical properties yet. They still haven't emerged from above ground outside of the few times they harvest their crops."
"I thought you said you knew nothing." Astral smiled as he gave a soft jab into James' ribs. He smiled as James perked his ears up.
"A lot of this is being recalled from asking the veterans on their journeys. Most of them fended off against the woodland elves as they are generally the most aggressive. The seaside ones. Trade on a world scale, you bring your food talents there and uh, they may praise you as god. They love food."
"So you've never been there?"
"I have, mainly to ask for peace as both of us wanted nothing to do with the rest of the continent. I still think when you and Adam taught me. That it was the most valuable lesson is how to speak to others." James slumped down into his chair slightly saddened thinking of the former.
"Adam. I miss the man but there still is a hole as for why." Astral looked to the map as he plotted his path. "Two years time. We meet here and we take back the capital, my helmet and your sister." James looked up with hope in his eyes as he smiled.
"Best not to be late. I'll beat you myself." James laughed as Astral's grin grew. He was his through and through. "I am preparing already for what routes I need to win that battle. Angel will be their warrior of choice. As for that. She won't beat me." James slowly stood up. "I am to prepare all of us to train and move out. Once we leave here it's our goal to be strong together."
"Teamwork goals and duos work best for that." Astral looked to the sky from his window thinking back to their training days as he smiled softly as the two agreed. "Those days feel special as for what you seek. It will be more for bonding than combat. Train to disarm and defend. Your sister will be going for the throat." James looked confused for the moment as Astral looked back over. "Despite you being the aggressor she will be fueled with rage and abandonment."
"Meaning that not only do I worry of the manipulation from Sora but also those evil bitches." Astral was caught off guard by him calling out Sora. "Those Crown Jewels fear you. Don't make them forget that." James took a few steps towards the door.
"Can you not fall prey to Sora. That's all I ask for." Astral asked lightly as James nodded in approval. He had several things he needed to perfect before he was prepared to leave. James ran to his camp and stayed there for the remainder of the night as Astral awaited the sunrise and meditated in silence. All the names called out to him as none of them had a lasting bond with him.
'I wonder how they are doing, or if they will ever reach out again. I need several more days to figure that out, or even to reach them. However, my suit will have answers.' Astral kept his eye out the window as he thought of the valley he awoke in and put himself back there mentally as he enjoyed the whistle of the wind. The running water from the glacial tops. The soft stirring of the flowers. Astral felt fully at peace. 'Easy goings from here on out.' "Once I find the core to my armor, I will have to redress to look more formal like myself." He looked at his current clothing as it was practical but not him.
"Because where is that normal 'Astral' flair that you are so commonly known for?" Tina stood in the doorway as Seraph's voice came out of her mouth for the moment as Astral spun a full one hundred and eighty degrees to look at her. Astral held up a finger as he took a breath of relief.