Today Ayu went to Mount Paozu - there were people she wanted to visit. It wasn't a casual stroll, she felt her heart getting heavy while she walked. For a long time, she wasn't able to find a break to wander into the wilderness but she hasn't seen the two siblings for weeks. She ought to see them again and tell them a few of her tales... Perhaps the one that she's now in the Lookout living with a Namekian and a djinn? That sounds fun enough. Cress and Celric, she knew their names. The little girl was cute and curious, a little bossy know-it-all but Ayu found her charming and her child-like innocence was something heartwarming. Her brother, on another hand, she never met but she heard some stories. A grumpy, little warrior wanting to be strong. They both seemed so lively and now... They were somewhere around here - she clearly remembered their resting place. She was here, Zerori, and...

And who else? Ayu frowned a little bit, sensing an aching tingle in the back of her head. A silhouette that she tried to remember was simply a blank, hiding in a shadow persona - faceless, voiceless, like something that never happened. She couldn't recall why it felt like there but there surely was someone else here, back then on this fateful day - her mind was just playing tricks on her for an unknown reason.

When the distance shortened significantly and Ayu was near the place, she sensed a presence nearby. It was a familiar energy of Zerori - the Saiyan-like pride and a hint of wildness coming off from the demonic side of her heritage. With a little smile, holding her presents, she hastened her step. Before she came here, she carefully picked colorful crystals, pretty rocks, shining feathers, and everything that she thought would be good to offer children. She put it all in the basket and held it against her chest, glad that in this bittersweet moment, she won't be alone. At times like this, the company was greatly appreciated and would lift her spirit while they watch over the graves.

"Zerori, you're here-" she greeted her warmly once she reached the place, yet her voice froze before she was able to finish talking.

The first thing she saw was Zerori choking on her tears. Ayu stopped in her tracks, gazing at her - startled by this sight and deeply worried now. What has happened to make a warrior like her cry? Her face expressed only concern. She didn't know much about her but she knew that Zerori was tough, unlike her, she wouldn't be swept away by emotions left and right. There were no inflicted wounds yet her Ki felt like it was in pain. Ayu wanted to ask her if there was anything bad happening and if she could help her in any way, but then...

Then she looked at the graves and the basket slipped from her hands. I landed on the greying grass, trinkets she carefully picked scattered on the ground. Something turned inside her stomach when she realized what she was staring at. The flowers that Ayu created were meant to envelop the resting place of two children, preserving them and now they were dug up, pushed aside, and stomped on, squished under someone's weight. It was a mess... Her eyes started to water and a nervous flush appeared on Ayu's face. Whatever has happened here, her suspicion was the same as Zerori's - that someone dared to disturb this place, stealing the bodies. How? And more importantly, why..? That couldn't be a wild beast, the scent of blossom was so strong it was masking the bodies laying under the ground. The only logical explanation would be that someone did it on purpose. It felt like iron-like shackles wrapped themselves around her lungs when the pressure made it hard to breathe. The heavy tears burned when they were running down her face. Just... Why? They were only children that met an unfortunate end, why can't they have peace even after death?

This was sickening and Ayu felt weak in her stomach... But she wasn't the only one crying here. She shyly glanced at Zerori. After all, the warrior here was closer to their... Their who? When Ayu tried to think about it a splitting headache hit her head out of nowhere. She rubbed her temple. It would be better not to think about it more, it won't do any good now. There was something else to worry about, she knew enough - that the sight of disturbed, dug-up graves hurt both of them to their cores.

"I'm s-sorry," Ayu murmured softly, walking up to Zerori and wiping her own tears with a sleeve. Her steps stopped in front of the tall woman and she joined her shivering hands. There were no right words to use for comfort or even to make this situation a little brighter. Ayu opened her mouth but right after she closed her lips, not finding anything reassuring to say. So hopeless... But when the voice failed her, she moved a little closer. There was a tiny moment of hesitation as if she was wondering if she should - and she embraced Zerori in a warm hug. Would it make the warrior feel better, even a little, Ayu wasn't sure but she badly wanted to do something, anything... And that was the only thing she could come up with in this unkind situation. "I should h-have checked on them m-more often..." she uttered while tears were failing on the dry grass.

She didn't like this cruel side of the world in the slightest.

---

Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 938

It was perfectly understandable why Zerori's energy was flaring up in anger - a fury that was boiling with disgust so strongly that it gave Ayu the shivers. The dug-up graves, crushed flowers, and the messy, unsightly view were nothing they both expected. Instead of bittersweet moments of gazing at the blossoms covering children's resting place and sharing stories, there was only dread. A painful dread that came with confusion and resentment... And that's why Ayu held onto Zerori for a long moment, not being the first one to break the embrace. She just couldn't move, pressing her cheek against her shoulder, feeling how the Saiyaness was calming down her breathing. Zerori was a warrior, a tough one to that. She even admitted herself, back then when the ground on the graves was fresh, that emotions weren't her strongest points. If showing or talking about them wasn't the best option Ayu wanted to at least... Hold onto her until it would be enough. As much as it was possible, that is.

The green-skinned woman nodded lightly while listening to the chilling voice. She didn't shiver this time, though it hurt her to feel such contempt and anger now playing in her friend's heart. It was natural and there was nothing to question here... She was probably the one weird here, feeling only the raw sadness and pain that was carried with it. Ayu didn't oppose when Zerori freed herself from the hug. It was alright. Though she wouldn't be herself if her fingers wouldn't gently hold onto the Saiyaness's palm a moment longer.

At the very obvious question, Ayu smiled shyly and silently nodded. A very light blush tinted her face for just a heartbeat.

"I was s-so busy lately..." she spoke not without guilt, yet her voice was mostly giving an obvious hint of sadness. Her chest was raised with a soft sigh. All the training to have her energy in control was starting to pay off but it took so long... And even now she wasn't sure if she has mastered her own Ki fully. "When I... When I finally had some time I got a feeling that I should visit them today. So I-I did," Ayu let go of Zerori's hand and her gaze moved to the side, to melancholically look at the desecrated place of eternal sleep... At the place where two children were put to rest. Something stung her heart with an appalling bitterness. "And here I am," Ayu lowered her soft voice to a mere whisper.

The breeze barely played with the blades of grass. The flowers she created from her Ki were still there, albeit quite a lot of them were trampled or torn to pieces. She could sense them. Like she always did with every piece of flora around her because such was her nature... And they were talking to her now, having something to say. Ayu lowered her gaze, a little confused, brushing green hair away from her face with her fingers. Her eyes were now pensive and concerned. Dozens of minuscule sensations were being translated into one unified and clear feeling that she needed to put into words... There was a knot in her stomach now. That was important. That felt like it was going to be very important for them...

"I-I think I need to get closer," Ayu spoke gently. Her voice cracked but remained focused enough to make her look at Zerori without hesitation - with honest and clear eyes... Though only for so long, because the regular abashed blush started to appear on her face. But she knew what she felt. "I c-can hear something," she lowered her tone, rubbing the slightly heated up cheeks, and turned towards the graves... Walking there wasn't the easiest feat. Shivers and trembling hands showed that Ayu wasn't sure that she was ready to see whatever was there in the graves - or rather lack of it. Though the view wasn't so bad if one would ignore what she was actually looking at. The graves. For a passerby, if there be no flowers to mark this place, this spot would be nothing. Only uneven, messy holes and scattered drying soil all around them. Ayu sat down on the ground on her knees, reaching with one hand toward red and white flowers.

Gentle green tendrils wrapped themselves around her fingers and the petals opened to show the yellow center. Flexible stalks stretched as if every flower wanted to lean closer, sending the same feelings over and over again. Ayu was looking at the blossom cautiously and concentrated, a drop of sweat visible on her temple. She felt... What was that..? What were they saying?

"I..." She opened her mouth only to close them, at the loss of words. Ayu gazed at Zerori with eyes that could only be described as lost... And hopeful? "I d-don't understand..." But a whisper could bearly contain all the worries and questions that Ayu was struck with at this very moment. Nature wasn't laying, that was the thing invented by Earthlings and other intelligent races. It wasn't a mistake. Nature never lied to her... Because there was nothing to lie about in the first place. "T-They say that the vibrations they f-felt came from u-underground. Not from... A-Above." Ayu felt that she was about to tear up again.

Even if her voice was as light as a feather the realization that came with it could be very well akin to lead.

---

Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 911
Total Word Count - 1,849

The view was dreadful. The messy graves, holes with flowers scattered around... It left very little to the imagination as to what happened. Ayu wasn't surprised in the slightest that Zerori was burning with rage and disgust, her heart felt so heavy too. Desecrating graves for whatever reason, to disturb those resting peacefully was a shameful deed. And still - there were doubts. It did feel awful but that wasn't everything here. Ayu sensed it somehow and an investigation started - or at least an attempt to learn more about what happened. There still were things invisible to the eye...

At Zerori's question, Ayu got visibly abashed and stroked her cheek with her finger. A light blush adorned her face when she realized she said it without thinking, never giving Zerori a proper context... She might have seen her making flowers grow and bloom but that wasn't the only layer of her powers. Not like they had a chance to talk about their abilities but Ayu felt obligated to explain as much - especially when it was about as delicate matter as dug-up graves. Maybe delicate wasn't the right word here and now...

"I said I c-could hear it but it's more like feeling it..." gazing at the plant around her fingers she tilted her head. The pale yellow eyes focused on delicate petals that gently opened to show the center of a flower. She stroked soft green tendrils with her thumb fondly. "Since I can remember I had this... Ability?" Ayu frowned a little and then smiled softly with an embarrassed expression. "I'm n-not sure how but I can understand plants. Maybe so because I'm green," she joked a little and then chuckled apologetically. Her gaze mellowed before she closed her eyes, very serene and calm countenance followed right after. She took a deep breath. It wasn't the ability Ayu could turn on or off whenever she pleased but synchronizing with the green pulse of nature always brought those tranquil feelings from within. It was peaceful. "Their set of senses is so different from ours," she started to carefully explain with a gentle, warm tone. "A plant can feel the presence of light, the moisture in the ground, they feel gravity and certain electric impulses that could even be akin to Ki in a way. There are chemicals, vibrations, temperature, and touch..." She stopped counting and the flower's gentle stem coiled around her wrist like a filigree bracelet. "It's n-not like they are sending me a message with words. There are only sensations of what they have felt. Echoes, to be exact..."

Memories of flowers, as romantic as it sounded, weren't the most reasonable thing to depend on... But Ayu made it work. She had to. After all, the flora was resonating with her concerns and she could communicate with this part of nature. And right now the answer they were looking for was filling her with emotions so strongly she felt another shiver. A knot in her stomach started to loosen and the air began to change... For the better. Even on this chilly day, even at this time of year, the sun shone down on this part of the mountain.

"First, there were vibrations under their r-roots..." Ayu's voice cracked lightly when a new hope started to sprout. "T-Then they felt movement when the g-ground was pushed aside. The temperature has dropped and raised o-once since that, it seems it happened..." She opened her eyes again, happy, relieved tears shining in their corners. It was the truth. The markings and footprints around were so small... Zombies or not, they were back. Who else could they belong to? Overwhelmed with emotions Ayu looked at Zerori with a gaze so soft she was sure she could break into helpless tears any second now... But for once she wouldn't feel bad about it. Ayu wasn't certain she could allow herself to be so hopeful and joyful with the thought of someone coming back to life - because it felt like a dream - but everything told her she has every right to be. It wouldn't be the first time, right..? They were alive. "It h-happened yesterday? I c-could be wrong... I-I..." her voice lowered but the assurance started to set in amidst that confusion. Everything pointed to this unexpected and so welcomed miracle... Celric and Cress were alive!

Ayu got up from her knees only to take one step and fall heavy into Zerori's embrace again. She couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying when she hid her face in her shoulder, black hair tickling her cheeks. It was like some weight on her soul melted away in an instant. One thing that turned out right in the end... And Zerori, although she wasn't showing it so much, was as touched and relieved as her. Ayu could sense it within her energy which instantly calmed down when the mystery was solved, changing to a warm hue. She was so glad. The female warrior, tough and beautiful as always could use some peace - and the secret they unfolded could grant that, even if just for a little while. Life wasn't fair and her work was challenging - but now something good has happened. And that expression was the brightest she ever saw on her face... Ayu hugged her warmly, wrapping her arms around her back. She wanted to hold onto the Saiyaness for a long while just to share this moment of comfort and undeniable happiness. They both needed it after a period of mourning - but that was the end of this numbing sorrow. How and why, who cared? They were alive...

"Thank goodness..." she whispered. First Callion, now Cress and Celric. How could they come back to life now? There was no way to explain that, she never even had a chance to ask Saiyan about it when she last saw him... But what was behind the miracle, she might never know. Still, with her whole heart, Ayu was grateful to whoever or whatever was responsible.

But there was one thing that they still missed...

Where were the kids?

---

Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 1,014
Total Word Count - 2,863

There were so many questions to ask... And yet the thing that mattered the most right now was the result. Celric and Cress were alive, they were alive... Ayu repeated that sentence in her mind like a mantra over and over again, believing, and knowing that it was the truth. She snuggled in Zerori's embrace feeling as if her heart could burst out of her chest at any moment. Another miracle was at the top of the long list of unfortunate events. The third person she knew was back from the afterlife - details will be thought about later. Maybe she should ask Dende about this... Or stay up late in Lookout's library, looking for answers. But that will come later. At this point Ayu was both relieved and glad to be able to share those happy emotions with someone - there were too many heavy and heartbreaking moments before... She was pleased to shed tears of joy for a difference.

It just felt right to hug it out all.

But the hug could only last so long. Feeling a gentle pat on her back Ayu nodded, and leaned back a bit, though not breaking the embrace completely. The happiness, the gladness was one thing, but... Where were they..? That was the question that needed to be asked. Ayu's energy sense was quite sharp but it's not like she could pick up every living signature in the area. And those with lower power levels, like kids - even of Saiyan heritage - could be a bit more tricky to sense. Celric and Cress at this point could have gone everywhere... To the Saiyaness's words, she nodded again, agreeing - it was their priority to make sure that the siblings were found. But how? Zerori looked at her again and mentioned Ayu using her Plant Empathy to do the trick again. Maybe? She tilted her head a bit, looking back at the black-haired woman with a genuine gaze, honestly considering this possibility.

"I-I can try checking..." she promised but that... That wasn't it. The Court of Plants..? The Saiyaness's voice gave a hint of playfulness and warm amusement. Ayu blinked once, twice, and only then she realized that Zerori was teasing her with a jovial grin and a wink. Almost instantly her face bloomed with a familiar pink hue - and because they were still sharing an embrace it wasn't like she could do her usual thing and hide behind something... "I-I m-mean-" She muttered. Ayu preferred that look on the warrior's face rather than the bitter scowl and resentment from before, despite her burning cheeks. But, still, for a good moment, Zerori has rendered her speechless. She opened her mouth to say something and ended up looking away, flushed.

All that effort put into meditation and work on her bashful nature seemed to collapse after a gentle tease... Maybe Ayu hasn't changed that much after all? She wasn't so different even if she grew up two inches and was trying to stay more composed than before. Without realizing she raised her hand to occupy fidgeting fingers with her smaller braid - but it wasn't there anymore. R-Right, she changed the hairstyle after her hair grew after transformation... Why did she keep forgetting about that? Embarrassed, she run her hand over her face and shyly looked at Zerori with her fingers covering her mouth. Of course, the only thing she felt from her energy right now was friendliness, reassurance, and a warm sense of closure. Ayu finally stroked her cheek with an abashed smile, her features softening. She chuckled gently with relief - the ease that she felt when they discovered Celric and Cress were alive was too strong to be overpowered by that timid nature of her.

"I mean..." Ayu continued, carefully wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, her face still blushing and her voice mild and kind. "I c-can try my best." After finding the calmness in her to say that, Ayu gave Zerori another gentle hug before turning her attention to their surroundings - but the flush didn't want to leave her face so easily. "Do you know i-if there's a place they could have gone to? Somewhere they have been before?" She asked, slowly getting up and dusting her knees from the dust. Looking for a couple of children in the mountain was hard enough and they could have moved to a different continent already... Ayu wasn't sure she could track them like that - but maybe there will be hints that could point Zerori and her in the right direction? She just needed to focus.

---

Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 761
Total Word Count - 3,624

The tease gave Ayu this weird, warm, and tingly feeling in her chest when the blush spread all over her face. Zerori had fun, she could see it in her gaze and that literally made her shyer... Though the Saiyaness seeing her reaction assured her with a smile that it was merely a joke - but only after a solid moment of Ayu being flustered through and through. Chuckling softly in response, she nodded, showing that she got it, though she still was rubbing her flushed cheeks now and then. When it came to teases, flirting, or any interactions of this kind... She had zero experience and it showed. It was safe to say that Ayu was extremely bashful.

But there was one very important point that Zerori just made that changed the mood completely.

"The... The ship?" Ayu asked, unconsciously repeating that word after Zerori. Her memory was a little hazy, still... Yes, there was a vessel here when she appeared back on this fateful day when Cress and Celric were killed. It was standing among the chaos of scarred trees, soil, and remains of a battle. But then the ship was boarded and it left the Earth and- Ayu froze for a second rubbing her temple with a confused and concerned expression on her face. Who was there? Who left? Who... Who buried the siblings? A migraine knocked on the inside of her skull when she was thinking about that. It wasn't her nor Zerori, they first met here but only after the graves were made. Ayu clearly remembered the two of them comforting each other in front of the resting place of the children and... And that was it. Was it? Her eyes gleamed with worry and Ayu couldn't quite place what was happening inside her head. A piece of the puzzle was missing yet the picture was clear and whole and she couldn't be more baffled. It just... Felt weird and she was sure she was being silly - and yet that feeling didn't want to go away.

She could ponder about it for longer but a spark of frustration and Zerori's growling voice caught her attention, shifting priorities. At first anger at misunderstood situation turned into happiness and comfort and again the worry was taking over in one of the worst ways possible. The situation wasn't easy and it felt like Ayu's question created an unwanted reaction. Her friend was getting more irritated when they tried to piece together any clue they had... A sense of guilt pricked her heart when she hastened to catch up to Zerori. Just - what she was supposed to say? They both were trying their best and now... Ayu raised her hands, hesitating for a moment if she should hug her or touch her shoulder or maybe try to calm her down with words? For a second she was looking at Zerori all worried and then she wrapped her arm in an embrace, stopping in her tracks, hoping that it will save innocent shrubs from her anger. That... She wasn't panicking but she was afraid that the Saiyaness could get more upset than that. And emotions could very well overwhelm someone easily, she knew it too well - the anxiety and apprehension were getting to her too.

Ayu smiled shyly, some of the flush still present on her cheeks. She glanced at Zerori and then looked down with a bashful, worried gaze, apologizing in a way for again closing the distance between them so suddenly.

"W-We'll do our best to find them," she tried to comfort Zerori with a warm voice, her forehead for a moment resting on the warrior's shoulder hoping that a touch and a presence could ease the anxiety. Most of the time it worked in her case... Her hand gently squeezed the Saiyaness's arm and then Ayu's eyes softened. "I'm sorry. I asked t-that because you knew them longer than me a-and I thought that there might be something I'm missing..." It wasn't her intention to make her... So cornered by her feelings like that. Zerori cared for Celric and Cress with her heart and Ayu felt so bad that unwillingly she made her so uneasy, to the point of reaching agitation. "I d-didn't mean to p-pressure you, I'm sorry Zerori..." She apologized, blinking to avoid tearing up again. Lightly shaking her head, Ayu wiped her eyes and smiled a little, trying to lift their spirits. "I'm sure t-that if you were the one who trained them, they can take any p-predators in this area," she said with reassurance, holding onto Zerori's hand. "They know h-how to use Ki. I am going to check if there were any vibrations or explosions that the vegetation in the a-area noticed. If it's the two of us, we will find them soon."

Weren't they Saiyans? From what she knew they had great appetites and even kids were way stronger than a typical Earthling. They should make quick work of any dinosaur that would probably end up as their dinner. Yeah... But the area Zerori was talking about was wide and with the ability to fly the siblings could have already visited every corner of Earth. Still, they were kids. If Ayu knew anything, remembering herself at this age and looking at what she learned from taking care of Terra, was that in moments like that - children could prove more level-headed than adults gave them credit for. They would stick together, looking for someone or someplace that was familiar to them. If the ship was gone then the only place was the Mountain Paozu itself... And for people they could know, that was Zerori and her - though if they knew the exact locations of their homes or if there was someone else that was something she wasn't sure about.

Standing here idly won't help them in any way. They would need to cover a large area with the energy-sensing ability and Plant Empathy. If only there was another way to look through the place to find missing people... Wait. Ayu knew someone like tha-

The children you two are looking for are somewhere on the other side of the mountain.

The voice rang inside her head gently. Ayu flinched, almost jumping in place startled, and instead of turning pale she blinked her eyes utterly flabbergasted. She could say with certainty that Dende was smiling at the very moment when he send her this message... Now she understood why there was another and more known title of the Guardian of Earth. Kami - God. Hearing a voice inside her head that possessed this calmness and mysterious omniscient, appearing when she was distressed... That made an awful lot of sense.

Ayu looked at Zerori and beamed brightly, leaning in to embrace her warmly before she took her hand in hers.

"We should go check this area," she pointed toward the other side of the mountain and gave her a smile that was more confident and warm than ever before. Not letting go of Zerori's hand, she gently pulled her, telling her that they should make haste. And maybe, as Guardian guided, there be someone waiting for them out there...

---

Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 1,193
Total Word Count - 4,817

They both needed a second for a breather. Maybe her reaction was a little too much but Ayu acted without thinking, earnestly wanting to at least in some way be able to comfort her... So she hugged her and it was nice to be hugged back, even if with one arm. Zerori cared about the children, she was worried, and that was understandable. They had to find them - but she didn't want to put the warrior through the rollercoaster of emotions, things were already crazy enough with zombie kids running around.

Seeing that Zerori sighed and smiled, Ayu's expression softened. The last thing she would want was for her to be bothered more by thoughts and what-ifs... Of course, that was scary to think that something already could have happened to kids but without checking they would never know. Time was of the essence... They were ready to go. Ayu perhaps wanted to say something again but at the mention of her being sorry too much, she chuckled awkwardly.

"R-Right, I'm so-" Ayu stopped, blinked, and realized that she was about to apologize for her previous apologizing... Now, that would be redundant. She gave Zerori bashful look and smiled a little embarrassed, rubbing her cheek with a tint of blush. The reprimand didn't come without a reason and she had to agree. Ayu tended to take the blame on herself in many situations, even when it wasn't clear why or how could that be her fault. The anxiety just loved to whisper and tell her that somehow she was able to cause others stress and worry so her first instinct was to always apologize... Though now it started to feel like it was a bit too much, even for her. She nodded and smiled again when Zerori mentioned the siblings trashing the place. As much as she didn't like the thought of them wreaking havoc on the mountain that would be a great landmark for them... "We should look for any signs of a mess then," she agreed eagerly.

Luckily, Dende came to their aid and Ayu couldn't be more glad. Motivated more than before she grabbed Zerori's hand, leading them both through a path that should be the shortest one to the other side of the mountain. The thickest shrubs and trees slowly, with a creak of wood, moved away, clearing the route... Just so they could reach them as soon as possible.

And then the warrior asked why she was so sure about Cress and Celric's location.

"Ah, w-well..." Ayu lowered her gaze, now troubled. The excitement and anticipation she felt overwhelmed her for a moment and she simply forgot to tell Zerori why they should move to a place where she wanted them to go. That was silly of her. The warrior thought that the plants were guiding her and, well... Talking about a misunderstanding. A bit flustered, her steps slowed down though she didn't let go of the Saiyaness's hand. "It's not their doing in this case. I-I'm not sure if you're going to believe me or not..." There was a clear hesitation in her voice. It wasn't about the fact that she was underestimating Zerori's trust, just the story behind it all was a bit unique. Because would she believe her that there was a God living up in the sky and Ayu has become his student? Or that she did so because her own power frightened her so much? No, it wasn't about her - it was about Celric and Cress and she wanted to focus on that. They had to find them, that was the priority. Maybe there will be another chance to share some stories with Zerori, maybe... Though perhaps, not today and not right now. They had a different thing to do.

As they moved through the greenery, walking next to the shrubs and twisted roots, she could only ponder... Ayu slowly took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to make herself sound reasonable and not seem like a lunatic. She wasn't a religious person and Dende was a mortal, still, his title in a situation like this was just - inconvenient. Just a tiny bit, right..? Saying that she was living in the Lookout with God and his attendant was a little awkward. Still, she didn't want to lie to Zerori, even if the truth was weirder than fiction.

"Would you believe m-me if I told you that there's an Ancient Temple in the sky above the Western Continent..?" Despite her best efforts, Ayu blurted it out in a soft voice, sensing that her cheeks were heating up. She didn't dare look at Zerori at this moment, trying to focus on the path in front of them, while continuing her small speech. "A Namekian Sage is living there. He has b-been helping me since things... T-Turned bad." The tone that accompanied the last sentence hinted at regret and worry that Ayu couldn't hide. She shook her head a little to stay composed. "He's not omniscient but he has this unusual ability to watch and observe events from afar. I-I did tell him that I will be here today and I-I explained why..." She mumbled, lightly rubbing her heated cheek. Switching focus on the priority of their mission, Ayu hoped that her words were as clear and as believable as possible - but she wouldn't blame Zerori if she would have a hard time processing all this. Ayu needed months to accept the fact that there was a Guardian that asked for her help... Maybe if she had reached him sooner things would have been different - but there was no use thinking about it now.

"I'm not sure if he saw what happened but I heard him talking t-to me telepathically," she pondered a little before sending Zerori a very short and gentle message that would softly take shape in her head - Like this. - to not startle her in any way. "He suggested checking the other side of the mountain."

With a bit of luck and guidance, they should find something - someone there. Maybe, in fact, Ayu was starting to pick some energy signatures in the distance that seemed too strong for a dinosaur walking by.

"T-That's... All," she finished, lowering her tone. Unconsciously, her grip on Zerori's hand gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

---

Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 1,054
Total Word Count - 5,871

She was so glad to hear that Zerori believed her. In all her reasoning, reaching towards logic and rational thinking - as much as she could of course - it was difficult to find the right words. Ayu's expression softened a little and something warm prickled her heart. She couldn't find a way to explain what she wanted to say at the same time making it believable... It was a matter of trust now.

The fact that Zerori was part demon, Ayu was already aware of that - it didn't bother her in the slightest. Though if there were demons and the Guardian known as God then... It just was confusing at this point. Theology wasn't a thing that Ayu learned in high school, well, was it important now? No matter, it wasn't the right time to think about factions or good and evil. There was another hybrid of this kind that she knew, more than one, actually. Maycair, Calot, and- Someone else though she couldn't quite remember who right now. Anyway, their energy gave the same feeling and vitality of the Saiyan race with those dark, murky, slightly sinister undertones hiding within the proud hue of Ki. Those could be fiercer or weaker but it didn't mean anything else aside from their heritage. Ayu met briefly a demon once and he was one of the friendliest people she knew.

W-Wait, was telepathy that big of a deal..?

"O-Oh, actually..." Ayu hesitated for a moment, feeling a dark rose hue on her cheeks growing more vibrant. She bashfully smiled with the corners of her lips curling without her awareness. Of course that she noticed Zerori's impressed tone, not to mention her earlier remark... She wasn't sure if telepathy could be an imposing technique but the truth was that she discovered this art on her own. Maybe that's why Zerori's reaction made her speechless for a moment and, not to lie, it made her a little happy. Appreciated even..? As much as Ayu wasn't so sure about her combat abilities and her control over chlorokinesis was far from perfect, this felt nice... "Actually... I-I learned this one on my own and only later I discovered that Dende knows it too," she explained, her free hand rubbing her heated cheek. Trying not to look at the Saiyaness out of worry that her voice might crack too much, Ayu made a coy suggestion. "S-So, I thought that... I m-might not be the best teacher, but-" and again, against her best wishes, she got so badly flustered... "I could try to practice it with you later, if y-you'd like..?" She said, honestly a bit too soon and surely without thinking things through. What was happening in her head? It was hard to explain.

Ayu grew quiet for a moment, too embarrassed by her earlier words to reply right away. For a second she forgot that her first worry was about Zerori not believing her when she mentioned the Sage overseeing the Earth but it wasn't a case to be concerned about. The Saiyaness assured her that she trusted her. And thanked her too...

"I will tell them," she guaranteed with a softer voice, blush started to cool down on her face but the pink tint wasn't going away so fast. "Thank you too. For believing me." Ayu said, her eyes widening a little bit when with the sixth sense she started to feel energy signatures rippling in the distance. Maybe if they wouldn't meet here, Zerori would believe that someone had desecrated the graves and her anger could have led to a very justified rage and less justified destruction... As much as she didn't like to see the mountain suffer, Ayu knew that nature would heal itself. It was Zerori she would be more worried about but luckily, that scenario didn't take place. "I-I'm sure that if it would happen, t-the kids would have noticed something blowing up," Ayu tried to joke gently and to make sure she didn't push too far she gave another gentle squeeze of Zerori's fingers. "It's alright, I understand..." her voice lowered, tone now serious and melancholic. How long was she sealed in the Lookout while meditating? Month or two... And how many things happened when she wasn't there? Earth was full of uneasiness, Liari was nowhere to be found, and deep down a sense of foreboding started to set ice-cold dread that she couldn't shake away. "It's been a hard time."

Hopefully, things would turn for the better for them in the future. Ayu wished for that as much as she could.

"Y-You're right, I think I do too," as if they needed proof, Ayu perked up a bit. She really could sense two similar energies that could belong only to the siblings they were looking for! The grass under her feet started to grow greener, blooming with tiny, white flowers. With every step they were closer, the Ki were easier to spot and the shape, level, hue - it all pointed to a pair of kids of a Saiyan race.

In a very short while - or maybe very long, it depended - they reached the place that seemed to look like a... Mess. There was a fireplace in the middle of the small area, some sticks scattered around, and remains of a dinner that most likely looked like a huge bird. Feathers and bones were visible poking from the grass and this little camp was indeed evidence that kids were here, trying to organize their space.

And here they saw them, Cleric and Cress. Two kids with messy black hair, tails, and worn-out clothes, with half-heartedly washed-off marks of soil smeared here and there. They were busy quarreling about something but they both noticed them approaching and...

Before they had a chance to say or do anything Ayu felt that she was already tearing up with relief and gladness.

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Power Level - 243,444 | 10 (Seal technique)
Word Count - 977
Total Word Count - 6,848