659 Tender Family Momen (2/2)

'Jack!'

'It's fine, Lunara…' Raztol chuckled also, but grievance still weighed down his voice. 'So… I take it that you're all gods?'

'Not yet. Lina's still too young, but she insisted on seeing Glacier Reef and Glacier Keep,' answered Jack. 'We only agreed because we can teleport her back whenever.'

'And… What about the others?'

'Like we mentioned earlier, I doubt they'll immediately cause the reef any trouble. So long as you don't pester or annoy them, I think Mom and I can convince them to peacefully enter Galcier Keep.'

'I see…' The hydra head's voice was still strained. Clearly, he was struggling to get the story out of his mind. 'Lunara… I don't want to bring back any more harsh feelings… but do you remember the name of that elder, the one that hit you?'

Frowning, Lunara shook her head. 'Sorry… I just remember seeing the headband and begging for help.'

'That's… okay… I wanted to seek him out if possible…'

'He may not even be alive anymore,' argued Lunara, trying to change the subject to something more lighthearted. 'Are you sure you'll be able to convince the others to cooperate?'

'I can... Whether it's through words or force, that I can't promise just yet…' utter Ratzol, admitting to the difficulty of the task. 'But rest assured that everything will be fine.'

'Quick question, Raztol. You said you had fought Flood Dragons outside of the trench and decided to explore the world. But why were you so far beyond the trench in the first place?' asked Jack.

Shaking his head and trying his best to smile, Raztol stated, 'I was the elder in charge of the hunting grounds. It was my responsibility to find new prey before there was a shortage. Because of that, I spent most of my time outside of the trenches anyway, making me into the strongest one-headed hydra without question and convincing me to explore the reaches of the sea… That's all.'

Before Jack could nod with another question, Raztol stood up and sighed, 'Thank you for… sharing something so personal. Allow me to take my leave first. I must begin preparations for the new policy, otherwise, the Body Council may force unneeded tension onto my people.'

As the old hydra went to exit, the same three-headed hydra from earlier opened the door and followed alongside Raztol.

'Jakeek…' Halfway down the hall, Raztol muttered, 'I've forgotten something in my chamber… Go ahead to the study, I'll be there soon.'

'Please, Head Raztol, allow me--'

'No. I must go get it alone. But thank you for the offer.'

Without another word, Raztol turned and left at a strange pace. It wasn't fast enough to be a jog nor slow enough to be a walk. The hydra's steps were as jostled as his mind was. Upon entry to his chamber, Raztol immediately closed the door and fell to his knees in solitude.

'Lin… Linala… I'm so sorry…'