Bywen hopped over the hordes of spirits that had their butts frozen to the floor while running down the tower. “The thing is. When spirits get forced into the spirit world. It counts as ‘death’ for them. Not in the absolute sense because they are fine inside the spirit world, but this affects the Green floor.”

An enormous snake was coming down the stairs and was following us. It was spitting green blobs, and it had eyes on its tongue. It confirmed what I know about fairies.

“When spirits get forced into the spirit world, like we did, races that aren’t connected to the well-being of the planet completely forget about them. There are some cases where this doesn’t apply, like if you have a deep bond like mother and child or very good friends.”

Wait what? But hmm I don’t have many people I care about outside that category. It stings that those I do care for will forget me, tough… Wait that sounds familiar, I think I read that somewhere.

“This only applies to getting forced, if they chose to go it’s different but running out of spirit energy and returning due to that counts as a spirit death”

So Cee Horze and Starbolt died… I’m sorry guys.

Cee Horze gestured that it was ok. “It’s ok, we only knew spirits, so nobody we care for forgot us.”

Oh, so wait nobody forgot about you then Bywen?

“That’s why I said it won’t affect me, but it will affect you. I just want you to know that many people that used to know you will not have any idea who you are, though. I’m sorry. Your achievements will still remain, though.”

Wait! So, if Raishin and Greg notice that people forgot about me, they will think I died?

Bywen nodded. “If they are aware of the nature of spirits, they will think you died, yes.”

Oh no… but if we can’t return, I might as well have died right?

“That’s why we need to get out of here and find a way back.”

I grabbed my head in despair. Greg will give me one of his ‘never ending scoldings’ if this is the case! How do I get out of this?

The snake was closing in on us. Boshi was more melee oriented and I could only use basic Pagos skills because it was still different from magic. Cee Horze and Starbolt were support spirits so relying on them to defeat this fairy would set us up for failure.

Starbolt! Use that lightning cage you used on Cygnus!

A large lightning cage appeared and blocked the snake, but not for long.

“I’m sorry, I’m low on spirit energy…”

It’s fine. Cee Horze, can you make the wall act like water?

“I can.” Cee Horze stretched out his arm and the wall started to ripple.

Bywen we’re going through the wall!

“I guess that’s a better idea than getting caught.” Bywen jumped through the wall that Cee Horze pointed to, and we entered free fall. Boshi and I started to create large piles of snow on the floor, behind us and around us and the singing became very clear.

Man, she really can sing.

“Who?”

You guys still don’t hear that?

The snake fairy burst through the wall and pursued us even while in free fall.

We landed into a pile of snow and ran through the streets of the strange spirit metropolis. We got surprised, happy and strange stares but the problem was that we didn't belong here and we couldn't help out.

The temporal flow rate compared to the Mainfloor was a mess, and it was unclear if this could be fixed from the outside. The spirit world was a whole new place with its own problems, and it was unlikely that there was much we could do. There was a whole race supposed to deal with this, but the spirit foxes had been reduced to near extinction.

A large Pagos fist flew at the snake who was stalking us through the streets and Bywen jumped on strange bread and pastry shaped buildings.

The spirits were taking their bread obsession a bit too far... The singing reverberated in my head and I felt a slight tug.

So, she can even call over spirits with her voice? How overpowered is she?

I grabbed the team with my tails and focused on Giana’s voice. It became clearer and clearer and the tug became irresistible, and we got sucked through some strange portal.

I woke up expecting to see Giana, but it was just a dark room. I tried to move, but my body didn’t listen. I activated my Elgards eyes and was shocked. I would have jumped up and probably fallen off the bed if I could move. Nilah noticed that I had woken up and jumped at me.

I’m sorry Nilah but I’m finally back. I’m sorry for worrying you.

Over 8 months have passed since Bywen and I got sucked into the spirit world. This was what I was afraid of… My body wasn’t in a completely terrible shape, but it hadn’t moved for 8 months… Getting back into shape is going to be a bitch!

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Bywen doesn’t have this problem as her body isn't organic. I tried to see how she was doing, but drowsiness overtook me and I fell back to sleep.

----------------------------------------

Bywen’s use of life spirit energy woke me up and Nilah was sleeping next to me. “Oh, you’re awake.”

Ugh, my head. Wait 2 weeks have passed since I fell asleep!?

I tried to get up, but my body didn’t want to cooperate.

“Take it easy. I seem to have been unconscious for about a month after we got pulled back. You have been unconscious for almost 2 months. It seems that having a spirit vessel was the one advantage I have over you. Here, let me help you.” She helped me sit up.

Ugh so stiff, thank you. What about the idols?

“They were here when we got called back, according to Elliana. We wouldn’t wake up, and they had to leave. I wish to thank them too. Who knows how long it would have taken to return, if at all.”

Ahh. I guess I owe them my life, kind of. What about Cee Horze, Starbolt and Boshi?

“They have made it to this side safely. I will call them over shortly. You need to eat something first, though. I have already washed your body, trimmed your hair and nails.”

I looked at my nails; they should be long after almost 9 months, but they weren’t.

Thanks.

“I will get you some food, I will call over your friends.” Bywen said before she left.

I tried to move but it was quite difficult. I finally got some movement in but I fell over and couldn’t get up. Furthermore, I tried my best to not wake Nilah.

Greg, Raishin and Elliana came in.

Why is the first time we see you in 9 months, finding you fallen over, almost falling out of the bed?

Greg and Elliana helped me up and Raishin ran at me and gave me a big hug.

We thought you were dead!

“I’m so glad you’re fine!” Elliana joined the hug.

Stop making us worry so much.

Greg also joined.

I’m sorry guys. I tried my best to get back sooner. Thank you for bringing Giana here.

“They arrived here before Raishin and Greg did. The two of them arrived after the idols left.”

Huh then who called them here?

“I don’t know...”

Boshi, Starbolt and Cee Horze entered the room not too long after.

“So, you’re finally awake! Thank you for bringing us here.” Boshi made a polite bow of gratitude. Cee Horze and Starbolt thanked me too.

You guys are too polite. you’ve done a lot for me so no need to thank me.

Who are these guys? And Why aren’t there chicks?

Greg smacked Raishin.

These are Cee Horze, Starbolt and Boshi.

Boshi? Like Boshi town?

“Boshi town? It is a bit uncomfortable to hear that a place shares my name, but I’m sure it’s just coincidence.”

I suppose.

Hey do you think there is a place called Raishin Town?

Of course! That’s where all the clowns come from!

Hey!

It’s good that you seem well enough to joke around.

We talked for a bit until Bywen returned with an enormous meal. She was carrying all the food with all 4 of her arms. She chased everyone out of the room and fed me. She was emanating some strong motherly energy, but it wasn’t as if I was in a position to resist.

I spent the next 4 months getting back in shape. After the first 2 months I could move around quite normally, and I made spirit vessels for Cee Horze, Starbolt and Boshi. They were so happy and grateful for the vessels. They were getting coached by Bywen since she was the only one who knew what they were going through.

The last 2 months got spent practicing Dragonvein moves. It helped that I knew all the movements. It was easy to get into but the leyline energy had drastically decreased since the calamity, which was quite concerning. It would disappear in 3 or 4 years at this rate.

The biggest change was that most of the world had forgotten about me. There were still records about me, so I was still the Silver Torrent and the role still existed, but anyone who didn’t have access to the finer details had no idea where the role name came from.

Another important event was a large snake appearing on month 3 after my return. The snake fairy had broken into the Mainfloor. The upside was that spirits started to flow into the Mainfloor as well. The downside was that she wanted to take over everything. Also, she was the one responsible for the spirit tethers snapping, but now that she more or less had reached her goal she didn’t need to recruit more spirits, so our spirit tethers were safe. I wanted to get into action, but Greg and Raishin went to deal with it. I still needed to recuperate, apparently.

I feel fine!

I messed up a movement and almost fell over. They might know me better than I thought. I looked at my hands; I felt fine, It was just the little things.

What if I put myself under time dilation? I still know how to use [Time Ring] if I tweak it, I can practice until this clumsiness is gone. I had stopped aging, so I might as well try and get back those 9 months.

Tweaking the [Time Ring] took me 10 minutes. It was difficult to believe I needed almost a day to come up with this back when we went to invade Event Horizon. I put it on, covered myself in illusions and started practicing.