[Image above is done by grimfantas on Twitter, which I commissioned from them. Go check them out as they have some fascinating work]

Two days have already passed as I stood in the long hallway looking up at the chandelier hanging above illuminating the hallway. The clicking of the heels sounded on marble flooring as I heard one voice I recognized all too well, "It will certainly be different without you and Chuma for the time being," I turned around to see King Enma standing there holding something. He held it out to me as I reached to grab ahold of it, "It may not be the best but it's an old map that father gave me before creating Makai for me... I have no use for it as it displays the terrestrial terrain but it might be helpful towards Chuma and your travels."

I nodded my head and received the parchment. The clicking of shoes brought me out of my thoughts once more to see Chuma standing there adjusting a shoulder back and adjusting the straps on his attire, "I got what I hope we will need for now," Chuma patted the bag, "so this is a short farewell until we get back then King Enma?"

"Indeed, however, please do stay in contact as it'll be putting Velacera at ease a bit since he will be the most anxious with you two gone," King Enma gestured to behind me and Chuma as I turned to see Velacera standing there with a frown on his facial expression. Turning fully around to face him. Velacera walked up as Chuma turned around as well.

"Greetings Velacera," Chuma began, "are you here to see us off?" Velacera nodded his head before looking up. "Well, Kur and I will be heading out on this expedition," Chuma placed on his mask and pulled his hood up, placing his hat on. "So off to the gate southwest of the castle then to enter the gate?"

"Yes," King Enma nodded his head, "It hasn't been used in a while... but I'll tag along just in case since that entrance hasn't been used in some time." King Enma began to walk out of the throne room as the rest of us followed. It feels strange leaving but I must finally settle this and truly heal from this encounter. My star is gone. The residents from my star are gone. I know I am a target and know that this corrupted celestial is dragging innocent lives into this ordeal. I can't let it happen any longer.

"Kur," I jolted from my thoughts to look over to the owner of the voice, "are you sure you and Chuma are going to be okay?" Velacera's voice was filled with something I was uncertain about but it laid heavily in his voice. "I can always come with you? I don't mind the dangers of the outer world."

I shook my head, "I do not wish for you to become injured in our travels. I could never forgive myself for such preventable things. Not only will I be affected by your injuries, but Chuma will also feel that sort of guilt and your injuries would not heal as effectively as they did as close to Conjingham. This is a whole new terrain that isn't very kind to those of demonic miasma creations... I only wish for your safety and wellbeing. I understand that this will be quite the run of separation for now but I do promise I will be back... you have given me a second chance at surviving after the descent of my star so you are the most precious friend I have made outside of my star and cannot begin to think what may happen if you become injured. Please don't risk your life for me..." Velacera frowned before sighing.

"I-," he hesitated before placing a hand on his arm as if he injured it, "I understand Kur... Just be careful out there and please come back... I wish to hear about your adventures out there, especially when you battle." I nodded my head as Velacera gave a short but genuine smile. We stopped as a set of massive size gates was in sight.

"As I expected the portal has stopped working," King Enma exhaled and placed a hand on the oak door, "I'll get the portal back up and running. Best say your goodbyes while I fix the portal." King Enma turned fully around and I could slightly hear chanting but it was very low. Summoning magic? Or something else? Velacera did mention King Enma is advanced in summoning magic along with other forms of magic.

"Have a safe trip you two... and please keep in contact," Velacera gave a small sad smile, "I wish to hear about your adventures and be informed of everything that happens to you guys... It'll make me feel somewhat part of the adventure since you guys are saying it's too dangerous for me to tag along." Chuma placed a hang on Velacera's shoulder.

"It's going to be alright, Vel," Chuma patted Velacera's shoulder, "this gives me the learning opportunity to explore celestial catacombs since they are so restrictive to get into... but regardless, we will communicate with you when it's safe to do so since some celestials take it as a criminal behavior to converse to ones of demonic miasma... so please be patient, Velacera."

Velacera nodded his head before looking at me, his facial expression showed nothing but I could feel the tense air. He was worried and afraid to let us go. "How about you Kur?" There was a slight voice crack barely recognizable but I caught it. Sighing I took a step forward bending slightly and wrapping my arms around Velacera, hugging him tightly. Chuma and I may be ready to leave Makai but Velacera wasn't ready to simply let us leave without some type of meltdown. He tensed but eased embracing back.

"I promised that I would return and I have no intentions of breaking that promise," I spoke softly, "like Chuma said we'll contact when possible. He has a better understanding of things than I do but I will learn." I pulled away and gave a small one but it was a gentle gesture. It seemed to lessen the tense air in the surroundings and Velacera nodded as well. "I suppose this is only a temporary goodbye," I gave Velacera a light embrace before turning around hearing King Enma stop chanting.

"The portal should be open now, just keep in mind that this portal isn't used as frequently as the one that leads into Conjingham," King Enma sighed as he turned to face us, "but it should hold up until you exit the main tunnels... go now as this portal likes to act on its own accord and mess up coordinates at random times... father created this one and not me but it's effective for its purpose." Chuma hummed behind his mask as Velacera patted my arm.

"I'll see you then," Velacera took a step back as King Enma pushed the gates open as the swirling of colors showed as a path built itself outwards. "AH!" Velacera jolted and looked at King Enma, "this is the portal I used to first explore the outer world isn't it King Enma?"

"Yes and the reason you couldn't return the first time was that the portal acted erratically and I could not get it back into control, I had to contact my father to be able to get it back into working order," King Enma sighed. He felt guilty. Magic may be helpful and very reliable but can also have a mind of its own. Or that is what I have read and what has been explained to me. "Go now before it begins to want to have a fun swirl of coordination," King Enma spoke as Chuma waved his hand for me to follow.

"Thank you, King Enma, for everything," Chuma waved as I followed him to the portal, "Come on Kur let's go before the portal wants to throw both of us into a twirl of coordinates." I nodded my head and followed Chuma into the portal, the warm sensation of the portal bringing us to a simple outer town in a brightly colored area. "We made it," Chuma chuckled, "grand station to the other Celestial terrains now to figure out where the catacombs here maybe... Come on Kur let's not waste the daylight away."