[Aria's POV]

I open my eyes and find myself in the dark abyss just like before. I lift my hands and frown when I still see them as normal. However, that frown quickly flips upside down whenever they suddenly grow bigger and into cubes. I can't help but squeal. I crunch up and flip myself backward. I could feel my hood form over my head and the scar return to my face. My eye hums with energy and I spread myself out in the air just as I feel gravity take over. Sunlight penetrates my eyes and I smile.

'I'm back!'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

[Reginald's POV]

I could feel it. The world was being entered once more and the sheer amount of excitement that was flowing from her right now meant only one thing. With the sun just now rising, I hide in the shade of the trees near the spawn point. My gaze lifts to the sky, and I spot the clouds swirl.

'I'm back!'

I hear her voice clear as day in my mind, and I see the sky split open to reveal the dark abyss we all have seen. I spot her free-falling from it before she flips over and lands with one knee down, hunched forward with one hand also on the ground. The sky closes up again and she carefully stands. Her face beams with such radiant joy and her lips crack into a large smile. Her eyes gaze around the landscape, and I can tell she is looking for the old shack that was here. It was long gone, having deteriorated after being left for nearly a year. I huff, wishing it were night so I would feel more comfortable walking out to see her. The sun was harsh on my skin, but not life-threatening, however...

I smile, an idea coming to my mind.

I quickly move back behind the tree and close my eyes.

'Aria?'

I can hear her laugh. It makes my heart swell, but I stay silent.

'Reginald! It worked! I thought I wouldn't be able to come back, but it worked!'

I can only shake my head at the pure glee in her voice.

'I had no doubt you would find a way back. Are the others joining you today?'

I hear her start moving around, most likely searching for me.

'No, not yet. They are all busy right now.'

She grows silent, and I hold back my snicker.

'Where are you? I know you're nearby. I can feel it.'

'Come now, simply telling you would make it too easy.'

I can hear her laugh again, and I feel my face break into a wide smile. I couldn't hide from her anymore, so I turn and step out from behind the tree. When my eyes fall on her, she is looking away and her back is to me. I see her sheath still on her back, but no sword. Her arms held scars on them now, many scars that I don't remember seeing before. However, before I can question anything else, she turns around and her gaze meets mine. Her smile widens, and so does mine. She moves closer to me, and I simply make myself a bit more visible. I did not want to stand in the sun too long, but it seems like she doesn't mind walking to me.

Then, she speeds up, and her feet slam against the ground. I cannot help but smile and slightly drop down to her height. I expect her to wrap me in a hug, just like a typical scene similar to this as in movies. However, I grunt in shock when she instead launches herself into my gut and successfully knocks me down onto my back. I let out a chuckle and I hear her laugh before propping herself up slightly on my chest. "Didn't expect that, didja?" She asks, a cocky smile on her face. I can only give her a smile in return. I prop my hands behind my head. "Well, I should have known you weren't one to make such a romantic scene happen... despite you currently laying on my chest."

Her face flushes such a deep red that I swear her avatar became an apple for a moment. She looks away, and I can't help but slightly laugh at her embarrassment. She then glares at me and gives a light punch. "Hey! Don't laugh at me!" Despite her words, she smiles and slowly climbs off. I push myself up slowly and cross my legs. She does the same and gazes up at me.

For a moment, we sit in silence. I quite enjoy it, and I can tell she does as well. However, I see her itching to ask something, so I start the conversations first. "I assume everyone is doing well?" Her eyes light up and she nods her head. "Yup! After you guys dropped us in, we all woke up in our beds. Mobius took a bit longer to wake up I think because he didn't start chatting online when we did. Kind of gave us a scare." She looks away and holds one arm. I watch her carefully, not wanting to push too much while also knowing something was bothering her.

"Aria..."

She barely lifts her gaze to meet mine, so I gently move my hand to lift her chin. I could see a tear was starting to fall from her human eye. I give her a soft smile and carefully lift my hand to wipe it away. It does sting a bit, but I refuse to show it. Aria looks at me carefully, but I keep the smile on my face.

"Aria, I know something is troubling you. I have felt it consistently this past year. I cannot tell what it is, but if you wish to speak of it, I will not hesitate to listen and help where I can."

I see her start to nod, but she stops midway and her head snaps towards me. "Wait... how long did you say?" I look at her in confusion. "Has it not been a year for you as well?" She swiftly shakes her head. "No! It's been only a month!" I can feel her panic and guilt set in instantly, and I reach out to her. My hand rests on her shoulder, and she locks eyes with me. "Aria, it is not your fault. None of us knew there was such a time difference."

She starts to calm herself, and I give a gentle squeeze. She finally relaxes and looks away. "Well, that explains the shack being gone. Or, at least, what was left of it." I nod my head and look to where her gaze was. "The ground is still tender. Be wary walking on it." She only nods in reply, and I can sense her thinking about... someone. I smile, knowing what she was wanting to do. As much as I know we missed each other, she was curious about the others. I can understand why. The last she saw of them, they were all... well, not in one piece.

I carefully stand. "Aria." She turns to me, her eyes quizzical. I only offer a small smile and my hand. She takes it carefully and pulls herself to her feet. I pull her a bit closer, and she slightly giggles. "What are you doing, Reggie?" I try to frown at the nickname, but she only smiles wider. With a shake of my head, I close my eyes and focus.

"I am wanting to show you something."

I offer no other explanation, but her small squeeze on my hand tells me she trusts me. I focus my mind on surrounding both of us with the "end dust", as we call it. Once I feel confident that we are both secure, I open my eyes and look at her. She turns to me, feeling my gaze, and smiles. "I'm ready!" I see the purple around us, and I nod.

Teleport.

With the vwoop echoing in our ears, we suddenly appear in an old, abandoned mineshaft. A very familiar mineshaft. I can feel Aria looking around, but I can almost hear the light go off in her mind as she realizes where we are. "Reginald.. is this?" As if on cue, the gurgling sound of the nether portal behind us rings out, and I feel her grip tighten over mine. She slowly turns, and I smile. I can feel the sheer excitement flooding from her. She lets go of my hand and slowly moves forward towards the portal. I only walk behind her slowly.

She stops just a block from the portal. She starts to reach out to it but hesitates. As I reach her side, she barely turns to me. I motion for her to go. "It is alright to be fearful, Aria, but I assure you..." I rest my hand on her shoulder. "There is nothing to worry about." She finally faces me fully, then gives me a warm smile. With a confident huff, she reaches out with her hand and marches straight into the portal without another thought. I stifle a laugh and follow behind.