I cannot ask Crimson for help, that's for certain. After overexerting himself, he's been unable to do anything too strenuous, and I couldn't possibly ask Free; he and Crimson have been apart long enough. I consider asking Coal, Ichigo, and Crystal. After all, they've got enough knowledge about Borders and Territories. They could work.

Firstly, I visit Crystal in her grass and rose house that she built herself. It's in the shape of a real, sturdy house, except it's made of grass and vines. Vines of a uniform dark shade of green make up the framework and the door so that the house doesn't fall over. Grass and large leaves cover everything else, making up the walls and roof while black roses act as decoration. I walk to this house and knock on the grass and leaf door.

"Coming!" comes Crystal's voice from the inside. Soon after, she opens the door with a grin. "Nova!" she exclaims. "You came back!"

"Not for long, I'm afraid," I reply grimly. "The Borders are crumbling, and I was hoping that you, Ichigo, and Coal could help me fix them."

Crystal doesn't even take time to consider before answering me with a solid nod. "I can definitely help."

I smile. "Thank you. Pack up some necessities and come along."

After changing to her shorter flower dress, we go to Bura and Coal's house. Unlike Crystal's house, they have a normal, quaint little house. This is because while Coal can manipulate rocks and lava, he cannot form it into anything, so they stuck to a normal house. I knock on the door and wait with Crystal for a response. When the door opens, it's Bura who greets us. Under the guidance of Coal, he's grown more powerful with his shocks and paralyzing skill. When he was younger, the only white spots on him were his hands. Now, sharp stripes cover his face, arms, legs, and torso. 

"Astral," he says with a grin, "it's nice to see you again."

I hug my brother. "Same to you." I release him and look him in the eye. "However, we do not have time to visit for long. Is Coal here?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just let me go get him. Come on in."

We step inside and wait. It doesn't take Coal long to come into the loving room and sit with us. 

"Well, I'm a little hurt," he jokes. "The moment you come back, all you say is that there's something important. No 'hello' or anything." He grins.

A chuckle escapes me. "Under normal circumstances, I would have done so, but there is a grave danger approaching us."

Coal's face sobers. "Grave? How so?"

"The Borders are tearing down. If we allow this to continue, all of the Territories will crash into each other and die. Will you help?"

"Of course! When do we leave?"

"As soon as we get Ichigo. I would suggest getting some necessities so that we don't take too long."

The 61 stands and goes to Bura. "Then I suppose we say goodbye here." He gently kisses him. "Stay here. If the Borders are crumbling, I would rather you be somewhere safe. The Guardian of ours will make sure this Territory survives. Now, listen. If I get caught up in-" He yelps when he receives a sudden shock from Bura.

"I won't be hearing that," he growls. "I know you know how to come back no matter the circumstances, so don't be giving me that sappy bull." Bura pulls his lover into a hug. "Promise me you'll come back the moment things look irreparable."

Coal is taken aback from his statements, but after a moment of shock, he hugs him back. "Promise."

"Good." He lets go. "Do what you can."

After saying goodbye to Bura and gathering some things, we head off to Ichigo's dwelling, which looks like Coal and Bura's house. When we find her, however, she's already standing outside with her arms crossed. It's like she knows what we're going to do.

"You're all gathered together," she states bluntly, "and you all have packed baggage. I saw you three coming. What happened?"

I explain to her that the Borders are about to crumble away, and before I can ask her, she interjects by saying she's in. It's incredibly quick of her, but I suppose she does not want to see the fall of the Territories.

"Nova, I want you to spend time with your family for a while," Ichigo says as she and the other two enter her house. "Be back in an hour, though. We don't want to leave too late."

I nod and depart, making my way back to my home to see if Blackie has the stuff ready as promised. Maybe we will have time for one last meal together.

When I return, the staff is already in a hustle, probably preparing safe rooms for the people; I can only assume that Blackie told them of the impending danger, which is wise of him. Avoiding getting in the way of the workers, I hurry to go see Blackie, who's in our chamber with a bag already prepared for me.

"Back so soon?" he chuckles as he packs the last of the items. 

"Yes," I reply. "Ichigo gave me an hour to spend time with you."

"Good! It gives us more time together than I thought."

I smile. "It does."

Blackie finishes up and ties my travel bag closed. "The chef if preparing lunch already. Want to 'help' him?" He grins mischievously. 

I give him a laugh. "How long has it been since we've done that?"

"Too long!" Blackie laughs. "I'm joking, by the way, but I would like to walk with you."

"Okay."

We walk out of the castle, saying nothing for a while. It's a comfortable yet heavy silence that we don't want to disturb, but we have to. There are things to be said. 

Blackie breaks the silence first. "Did you find out how to fix the Borders?"

"Yes. Nue was right; we have to use the items."

"Then it may or may not be easy, depending on how quickly you find them."

"We already have the light from the Obscure Territory. I just have to get it from Crimson and Free."

Blackie stops and turns to me. "Nova, be careful out there. Should you get caught in destruction, you know how to get here."

I nod. "I know. I told you not to worry. Plus, my puppet will help me. He is a skilled warrior and guard, and he can use the magic I gave to him."

"I have no doubt about that." He pulls me into a hug. "Be careful."

"I will." I return his hug, knowing that he does not want to lose me again. We stay like that for the longest time before Blackie lets go of me."

"Now, where would you like to go next?" Blackie smiles at me.

"Home," I reply. "I want to have one more meal with you."

Blackie nods, and we walk back home in silence, but this silence is much more comfortable now that we've gotten the issue of me leaving out of the way. It'll be dangerous, especially since the Borders are breaking down, so we both know Coal, Ichigo, Crystal, and I may not return. 

~.One Hour Later.~

We meet back at Ichigo's house, carrying only the necessities with us. We travel light so we don't get slowed down. After all, time is our enemy. Coal hands out portable communication devices that work across the Borders so that we can talk to each other.  This way, we know which Borders are taken care of and which need to be fixed. Afterwards, we march off into the Dead Forest and cross the Border one by one.