Takoda takes Xanthe out from the world of Sadre and into Erdas for the first time.

This was requested by Leif777. Hope you enjoy! (Don't worry, there's no singing in this).

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After many days, weeks even, of stumbling through the dark tunnels of Sadre, reaching the Evetree and finally saving Erdas from the Wyrm, they were finally going home. In fact, they were already getting there. First things first, they have to get out.

"After days travelling in these confusing tunnels," Meilin mumbled.

"Don't worry, we're almost there," Xanthe reassured her then added teasingly, "Almost there to see your boyfriend."

Meilin looked momentarily surprised before glaring at her, "Says who?"

"Lighten up will you?" Takoda said, "We're finally going home."

"I'll lighten up once we actually see light."

"And like I said, we're almost there," Xanthe said, pointing to something ahead of them. Light.

Meilin and Takoda's eyes lit up, even Conor, who had been silent the whole time, sagged with relief. As the three started picking up the pace, only Xanthe stayed behind, still unsure whether to leave or not. 

Takoda noticed that she hadn't joined them and stopped, offering her a reassuring smile, "You okay?"

"Yeah just...a little hesitant," Xanthe replied.

"You'll be fine," Takoda told her then offered her his hand, "I'll walk out with you."

She felt her face grow hot but she took his hand.

"You ready?" He asked as they neared the end of the tunnel.

Xanthe took a deep breath then smiled, "As ready as i'll ever be."

Then with one last glance back in Sadre, she stepped out into the light. Cold air hit her face and shut her eyes as the light blinded her vision for a second before she slowly opened them. It was really bright and that didn't help when the many different colors hit her. It took her a while to get her brain to process everything.

She saw many tiny green plants that covered most places. She remembered Takoda describing it and calling it grass. The rocks here looked smaller and the ground was brown. Dirt. And then there were the tall brownish plants with green bushy hair at the top of it.

"Trees," Xanthe breathed out and Takoda smiled at her.

"Conor!" Xanthe spotted a girl running towards Conor and meeting him in a fierce hug.

"Who's that?" Xanthe asked.

Takoda smiled, "That's Abeke and the boy over there is Rollan."

Only then did she notice the boy who stayed behind, looking really nervous. She realized that Meilin looked nervous as well.

"Er hey."

"Hey..."

Meilin then continued to ramble on with uncharacteristic speed.

Xanthe nudged Takoda, "Is that the guy that Meilin supposedly likes?"

"Yep, that's him," Takoda replied as Jhi the Panda had pushed Meilin into Rollan, forcing them into an accidental hug.

The four of them started laughing and talking and Xanthe couldn't help but smile as they were reunited. 

Abeke finally took notice of them, "Hey Takoda. Who's your friend?"

"This is Xanthe," Takoda said and she gave a little smile, "She lives underground in Sadre."

"There's a whole other world down there," Conor added.

"Wait, are they the Hellans who split up and went underground?" Rollan asked

Meilin raised an eyebrow, "Someone did some research."

"What? Can't I be smart from time to time?"

Takoda grinned at Xanthe, "Come on. There's many things you need to see."

- - -

In the next few hours, Xanthe had been gawking and asking many questions, especially after they reached the ship.

She gasped, pointing at something in the water, "What's that

"Oh, those are whales," Takoda answered patiently, "They're like really big fishes only they're not fishes, they're mammals." At Xanthe's blank stare, he added, "They pull the ships so that we could move."

"You have really nice mushro- I mean, trees," Xanthe said, "They're so...different."

"Hey you two," Rollan called out to them, "You guys going to eat? They're serving some really good stew below the decks."

"Well, I am getting hungry," Xanthe admitted.

The two of them went below the decks and Abeke handed both of them a bowl of stew each.

"Mm, smell's good."

"It's mushroom stew," Abeke smiled.

Xanthe's eyes widened and she looked in her bowl, "Mushroom stew?"

(A/N: I can't remember if they eat mushrooms underground since they're big so... kindly correct me if i'm wrong)

"Yeah," Takoda said, scooping up a piece of mushroom from the bowl.

"But it's so tiny," Xanthe said, "That's so cool."

"You have big mushrooms and you think our tiny ones are cool?" Takoda exclaimed.

"It looks cute," Xanthe said then she sighed, "I have a lot to learn, don't I?"

"You're learning pretty fast," Takoda smiled at her, "You'll fit in quickly."

She blushed before kissing him on the cheek, surprising him, "Well, I have you here."

Takoda smiled at her but that moment was interrupted when suddenly, Kovo was sitting right in between them. The ape grunted before sending him some signs.

Takoda rolled his eyes and handed him his bowl which Kovo gladly took, "Fine, have it."

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I finally updated a story besides the April Fool stories! I hope you enjoyed it!