Chapter 38 Companion (1/2)

”This is not good. Not good at all.” Alex muttered to himself as he and Alina felt the powerful presence getting nearer at their location.

”What should we do?” This was the first time that Alex saw Alina being this unsure, and Alex could understand why.

”I think we just have to wing it.” Alex replied quickly as he glared at Asteria with the corner of his eyes.

”Boo…” Asteria pouted as she knew what Alex's look meant. ”Ok, I will help you, since I will die if you die!” Asteria then flew from Alina's shoulder towards Alex's, somewhat reluctantly.

”Its too late for us to leave now.” Alina suddenly said with clenched fists. ”Lord Ergo has arrived already.”

”I can see that perfectly well too.” With his danger sense, Alex felt that the whole building was now extremely dangerous. This was not like this earlier, so Alex knew that this danger came from Lord Ergo himself.

”…” As he realized that he was in dire straits right now, Alex knew that he must do desperate measures if he wanted to survive.

And if Alex had to expose Asteria's existence to Alina, then he will gladly do so.

”Oi Asteria, Alex whispered as he stared at Asteria. ”Is it possible for you to show yourself to Alina? I think we will have a better chance of succeeding if she sees you.”

”What?” Asteria looked surprised as she stared at Alex warily. ”Why do you want to do that?”

”Well….” Alex tried to lower his voicea little more as he replied,

”Maybe Alina can be our ally you know…”

”Oh, well you do not need to worry about that.” Asteria then looked at Alina's direction as she shouted,

”Oi Alina, it seems like Alex wants to officially partner up with you. We can end this farce already.”

”Oh really?” To Alex's surprise, Alina actually replied to Asteria! ”Now I can talk to you freely without Alex suspecting a thing.”

”Wait, what?” Alex's mind was drawing blanks as he saw the entire situation. ”How, how could this be happening?”

”Alina could see me since the first time that I appeared in front of her.” Asteria said as she plopped on Alina's lap. Alina then proceeded to pat Asteria's head as Asteria continued on talking.

”When I realized that Alina could see me, I realized that I can make her my secret ally or something like that. Remember when you accused me on peeping when Alina goes to the bathroom? I only go there because that's the only place that we can really talk freely.”

”Are you sure about that? Because I can feel that you are sometimes checking me out in the bathroom, especially when I am taking a bath.” Alina interjected out of nowhere. ”Since I like you as my pet, I tried to not get bothered with it. But it seems like you are not happy getting called out on it.”

”Huh. I did not see that coming.” That was the only thing that Alex could say before he saw Asteria trembling out of embarrassment and shame.

Seeing the chemistry between the two women, Alex realized that they were telling the truth.

With little time left for them, Alex just accepted what he heard as there is no choice for him right now but to just believe them.

”Wait, why are we talking about this!” Asteria said as she shook her head angrily. ”We are here to discuss about a way to save both of your asses! And mind you, Alina has one fine a-”

”I'd rather not listen more to more of your perverted talks.” Alex winced, realizing that Asteria actually had something like this on her personality. ”So, you said there is a way for you to help us?”

”Yesh, there ish.” Asteria mumbled out in reply, as her cheeks were being pinched by Alina, who looked quite unhappy with the small blonde. ”However, I am not shure if Alina will agree to thish.”

”Why not?” Alina said as she freed Asteria from her cheek pinch. ”Is it something that will be dangerous for me?”

”Hell yes, it will be dangerous for you.” Asteria said as she rubbed her swollen cheeks. ”But I am sure that if you agree, you will have your problems solved.”

”….” At this point, Alina suddenly turned solemn as she seemed to be thinking deeply.

After 10 seconds of silence, Alina let out a sigh as she said,

”If I agree to whatever you are planning, will I be able to save my sister?”

”There is a 100% chance that you will save her if you will agree to my request.” Asteria replied smugly as she puffed out her chest. ”You can see that I am telling the truth, right?”

”… Yes, you are not lying at all.” Alina replied, sounding somewhat displeased with Asteria's attitude. ”But there is a catch, right?”

”Yes, there is a catch.” Asteria replied as she tilted her head. It looked cute, but the words that she said in this pose certainly was not cute.

”Once you agree to my request, you will have a high chance of saving your sister. But once your sister is saved, you will be forced to leave your sister for a very, very, long time.As for when you can return, it will be only up to luck and your skills.”

”Hold on…” From the words that Asteria said, Alex was able to faintly deduce what Asteria was leading on. ”Are you telling me that we should turn Alina into a Traveler?”

”Of course not! Do you think I am an idiot?” Asteria seems to be offended by what Alex said as she crossed her armsin front of her chest. ”If we do that, Alina will be forced to leave this place right now, which just beats the purpose of our goal. Besides, you do not even have enough lifespan to do it, so even if you want to turn Alina into a Traveler, it will be pretty impossible for you.”

”Then what is your plan?” Alex replied as he crossed his arms too. ”Be sure that it will be good!”

”Of course it will be!” Asteria giggled as she sent Alex and Alina one dazzling smile.

Asteria then floated in the air as she asked Alex a question.

”Alex, let me ask you something. What do you call a person who accompanies another person?”

Alex was not sure where Asteria was going on with this, but he decided to play along with her.

”That person will be called a companion, right?”

”Exactly.” Asteria's white teeh glinted as she looked at Alex smugly. ”A C ompanion.”