“So you do know some stuff about the Domains. That’s good,” Chiroph said happily, “I think we can become good friends. You tell me about your world and how it is to live outside the Domains and I share with you about life in the Domains. How does that sound?”

Why is that guy so excited? Is it really that special to come from outside the Domains? In the first place, what are the Domains?

Even though Xavier was confused, he knew the answer to the questions that tormented his mind. Domains were the realms of the Gods. They created them and ruled them. Their power originated from their Domains.

How do I even know that? I never heard about the Domains before but the term doesn’t feel new. It does sound confusing that Gods exist and are easily reachable. Yet I don’t think that it is anything special. Xavier was confused, but a single glance inside him was enough to come up with a plausible theory. The darkness inside him was churning wildly.

Did that thing give me the information I needed to survive here? It could have been the Messenger providing me with basic information as well.

It was highly likely that the Messenger of the darkness inside him shoved some information about the Gods, Domains, and other stuff in his head. That wasn’t great, but it was better than completely losing control of his body.

Xavier glanced at Chiroph who smiled happily at him.

And why is that guy so excited? That’s just getting creepy now.

Chiroph noticed that Xavier was staring at him a little bit oddly. His lips twitched and his wings fluttered lightly.

“Sorry I must make you uncomfortable. I have never talked to an Outsider. It’s rare for one to visit the Domains and when you come it is usually…not with good intentions. You guys hate us to the core, after all!”

Chiroph was very talkative, but that was quite helpful at this point. The Zypher didn’t even think about concealing any information.

It makes sense why Outsiders hate you guys though. I don’t really like you guys for invading Earth either. The Schema, the Messenger, and the Domains feel like a chaotic mixture with a sole mission – to annihilate all intelligent lifeforms from Earth.

Xavier fell deep in thought.

But if you have such a nice place to live, why would you have to attack Earth? You guys don’t seem to lack living space.

Xavier figured that there was more to it than Chiroph told. He could ask the Zypher, but Xavier doubted that Chiroph knew anything other than the news that reached the public. Chiroph wasn’t a Champion or Awakened, after all. He was just an ordinary guy…with wings.

Xavier had many questions but they could be answered slowly. For now, he would have to find out what he could do to get back to his family.

Chiroph was still blocking his way but he was not trying to hold him prisoner in his small hut. He saw the way Xavier was rubbing his neck and wanting to step out eagerly.

Xavier seemed like a curious specimen of a human to Chiroph. But he kept that thought to himself.

His gaze slid down to Xavier’s chest. His Card’s healing is pretty impressive. The wounds healed mostly, only leaving faint scars behind.

“Here, I hope it fits” Chiroph threw a shirt at Xavier who put it on immediately. It was a little old and a few threads were poking out but it was better than nothing.

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“Can you show me around?” Xavier asked and Chiroph readily agreed.

“Come on, then” Chiroph led the way and soon Xavier fell in steps beside him. He had done nothing except lie in the bed, knocked out and injured.

And the moment he stepped out of the hut, he instantly felt the difference in the surroundings. The air felt cleaner, purer for some reason.

Xavier took a deep breath and inhaled slowly. He could feel the air slowly pass into his lungs and then invade every single cell. It was refreshing.

The Zypher told him that they were in the open plains of Ixton, the small town near the Grand Forest. But Xavier was too busy gawking at his surroundings to pay attention.

Everything about the place felt different…ethereal. There was lush greenery, tall trees and dense vegetation beyond the plains. The blades of grass were swaying in the gentle breeze along with the tree leaves a bit further away.

Xavier’s neck craned up further at the wide, clear sky and at first he thought the things soaring through the air were birds. But upon peering at them intently, he noticed those were not birds.

They were humans with wings. Their majestic black wings were stretched out and flapping in the air as they circled Xavier. His arrival had not gone unnoticed. But none of them took a dive to attack him. He was relieved and also a little surprised to see that.

Generally, the appearance of a new and unknown being would cause quite a stir back on Earth.

I’m glad Chiroph is beside me.

The land was filled with not just Zyphers but several monsters Xavier did not know the names of. A flock of what he assumed to be a cross between vultures and lizards flew past him, soaring high in the air as they hissed.

They kept walking and Xavier almost slipped on a rock as he had been too busy looking up at the sky.

“Watch your step” Chiroph cautioned and Xavier looked down to see a small stream flowing down. His foot had been hovering on a beetle that was the size of a tennis ball.

“Oh, sorry” Xavier placed his foot to the side and the beetle scurried away, a line of baby beetles following it.

The water was clean. Xavier had the urge to bend and drink it as his throat suddenly felt dry. Without bothering to ask Chiroph if it was potable, he scooped up some water in his joined palms and drank it.

A small smile appeared on his lips. Just like the air, the water felt refreshing.

Everything here was brimming with energy and life. Xavier felt that if he just sat on the ground doing nothing, he would still probably absorb some of the nutritious and abundant energy.

A meow and a chirp reminded him of his companions’ eagerness to step out of his Soul World. Earlier, he had been hesitant to bring them out but this place was peaceful and calm. His danger senses had gone completely silent and only a sense of tranquility was left behind.

Without wasting a second, he let Glut and Umbra out, surprising Chiroph.

"So you are not just a Healer, but a Tamer as well. A special tamer at that. You must have a powerful Class."

Xavier just smiled at that while Umbra jumps around in the grass, chasing butterflies. Glut spread his wings and shot up in the air with happy chirps.

They reach the outer wall of what seemed a small town with a few guards manning the entrance. But they did not shoot arrows at them even after seeing them stroll towards them casually. The guards were powerful and strong but not shooting them menacing looks.

They were directing a herd of monsters carrying some goods on their backs. Xavier could not see what they were carrying but he was more focused on the fact that monsters could be tamed and domesticated like horses or donkeys back at Earth. The cogs in his mind began to churn.

If they could replicate this successfully, it would ease their workload a lot.

He was happy that he had somehow stumbled upon this place. Even though everything seemed so new and unfamiliar...it felt oddly familiar.

That shouldn't be the case though. He was on another planet.

No. He was in a God's Domain!