Trent's fascination with Earth caught Klaus off guard, but the pure delight on Trent's face as he took in the surroundings warmed Klaus' heart. Keeping a watchful eye on Trent to ensure he stayed safe amidst the bustling streets and pedestrians, Klaus couldn't help but smile. However, his peaceful moment was interrupted when a voice suddenly echoed.
"Klaus, can you hear me?" the voice inquired, leaving Klaus bewildered as he scanned the area for the source, finding no one who could have spoken those words.
"Hello?" The mysterious voice repeated, making Klaus realize that it was originating from within his mind.
"Quinn?" Klaus questioned, recognizing the tone and knowing that she was the only one capable of telepathic communication.
CONVERSATION
Quinn: Who else could it be?
Klaus: How did you know I was at Main World? And how can you connect with me?
Klaus marveled at Quinn's impeccable timing. He had also assumed that Quinn was at her home, a considerable distance from their current location with Trent.
Quinn: I kind of made a mental connection with you and other demigods to enable communication regardless of distance.
Klaus: That's just weird.
Quinn: Oh, don't judge me. Shade does sort of the same thing too, doesn't he?
Klaus: What do you want, Quinn?
Klaus sensed a purpose behind Quinn's telepathic connection and wanted to get right to it. Quinn paused briefly before conveying her thoughts to Klaus.
"I couldn't help but notice Trent's presence alongside yours," Quinn remarked. "How come?"
Klaus proceeded to mentally relay the entire situation to Quinn, starting from the conclusion of the tournament and bringing her up to their current moment. Meanwhile, Trent continued walking alongside Klaus, unaware of the ongoing conversation transpiring within his companion's mind.
"Wow," Quinn expressed in surprise at the revelation that Trent was fully conscious, contrary to his previous stories about his experiences. She also found Klaus's genuine concern for someone quite unexpected.
After a brief pause, Quinn continued her conversation with Klaus.
"But this is strange," she began. "Trent's stories aside, this is probably the first time I've actually perceived his presence in Main World at all."
Klaus was equally taken aback by Quinn's statement. He knew that Quinn's range might explain why she couldn't perceive Trent's presence prior, suggesting that he might not reside in New York or perhaps even around the state. However, he couldn't help but wonder if there might be another explanation he wasn't aware of. Taking stock of the situation, Quinn decided to conclude her conversation quickly, as Klaus's prolonged silence might raise questions from Trent.
"Honestly, just make sure to be careful," Quinn advised after a sigh. "I can't help but feel like his prior absence from the Main World may have had a reason."
Quinn's words left Klaus feeling worried. After she severed their mental connection, he decided to take Trent to a nearby park where they could discuss their situation.
"Can you remember anything at all?" Klaus asked Trent immediately. "Anything about Earth."
Trent's mood darkened as he tried to recall any details. "I do not," he responded with frustration, his memory remaining frustratingly blank.
"Is there a home you can remember at all?" Klaus pressed further, desperately hoping for any information Trent might provide.
Trent struggled to remember anything about his place of residence, but his response remained unchanged. "This may sound odd, but it doesn't even feel like I've been here before at all," he elaborated, leaving Klaus even more agitated.
Klaus's expression displayed a mix of worry for Trent and concern about the situation. However, as he looked at the sky, he noticed that evening was gradually giving way to night. He decided to temporarily suspend their attempts to gather answers until the next day. Klaus then opted to take Trent to his own home for the night, as Trent had nowhere else to go. After a while, the two of them headed for the Walker residence.
Upon returning home, Klaus was greeted by his mother, Natalie, who opened the door.
"Welcome back, Klaus," Natalie began with a warm smile. "How was work?"
"Work?" Klaus questioned, surprised that his demigod activities were being referred to as work.
Natalie chuckled. "That's technically what it is, isn't it?" she replied, her smile growing.
Noticing Trent standing beside Klaus, Natalie tilted her head in his direction, prompting Klaus to realize that introductions were in order.
"Mom, this is Trent, a friend from... work," Klaus introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Trent," Natalie greeted Trent with genuine warmth, extending her hand for a friendly handshake.
"Likewise," Trent responded, reciprocating the smile and shaking her hand.
Natalie's smile then softened, and she continued with another observation.
"You seem to be having a lot of friends over, Klaus. Are you planning a party?" Natalie asked, her expression revealing a moment of realization.
"What do you mean?" Klaus inquired before he suddenly heard a faint noise coming from upstairs, near his room.
Intrigued, Klaus headed upstairs, Trent following him. Together, they entered his room to find Ace seated on his bed, engrossed in a portable game console.
"Dude, he wasn't even there when I spawned!" Ace exclaimed at his game before noticing Klaus and Trent's presence.
"Oh hey, Klaus," Ace greeted casually before returning his focus to his game. "Just give me a sec, let me finish this round."
Klaus couldn't help but wonder why Ace was in his house and how he even got there in the first place. Then, he recalled their encounter at the end of the Cosmic League when he had given Ace his home address and invited him. Regardless, Klaus felt it wasn't the best time for a visit, so he decided to inquire about Ace's presence.
"Why are you here?" Klaus asked, seeking answers.
"Sorry, man," Ace responded, still fixated on his game. "Just hold on for a few minutes. I'm almost done."
Frustrated with Ace's lack of response, Klaus swiftly used his Burst Speed to snatch Ace's game console from his hands in a blur before anyone could notice, returning to his original position with the console in his grasp.
"Hey!" Ace protested, now fully attentive. "Why did you do that?"
"Answer the question," Klaus insisted firmly, retaining the console in his hand, with Trent gradually grasping the situation.
"Fine," Ace sighed. "But you know I could see your movements, right?"
"No, you couldn't," Klaus replied, aware that Ace was bluffing.
"Okay, I couldn't. But only because light speed is just cheating," Ace responded before lying on the bed he was seated on.
Ace paused for a moment before addressing Klaus's question about his presence.
Stolen story; please report.
"Anyway, I'm here because I was bored and wanted to hang out," Ace explained with a nonchalant tone.
"Though I don't really hang with people who snatch game consoles while I'm in a game," Ace muttered to himself in frustration, clearly annoyed by Klaus' action.
Ace then shifted his attention towards Trent, who he had just noticed was also present.
"Oh, Trent, you're here too," Ace exclaimed, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his voice. "Why are you here? HOW are you here?"
Klaus found it surprising that Ace was also aware of Trent's situation, considering that it was only the former team Lunar members who were present when Trent shared his predicament with him. While Quinn's knowledge of the situation wasn't surprising, Klaus assumed that Ace's awareness meant the situation had become common knowledge among them.
"I'm not entirely sure myself," Trent replied to Ace's latter question. "But I'm grateful to experience this for the first time."
"Fair enough, I guess," Ace responded, adjusting himself comfortably on Klaus' bed.
Ace's attempt to get comfortable on Klaus' bed irked him slightly, but he chose to ignore it. However, he couldn't ignore his growing exhaustion, and he couldn't entertain Ace's presence for the night.
"Look, Ace," Klaus began, a hint of weariness in his voice. "I would have loved to hang out, but I can't right now."
"Oh, come on, Mom. Just for a few hours," Ace playfully pleaded.
"I'm serious," Klaus insisted, his stern expression emphasizing his exhaustion. "I'm really exhausted right now."
Klaus couldn't quite understand why Ace would want to hang out with him, especially given his preference for solitude over noise and crowds.
"Fine," Ace conceded after a sigh. "But I'll be back tomorrow."
"Whatever," Klaus replied, eager for Ace to leave his bed.
As Ace got up from the bed, he retrieved his game console from Klaus' grasp and swiftly made his way downstairs, planning to head back to his own home. On his way out of the house, Ace noticed Natalie's presence, causing him to come to a sudden halt so he could express his gratitude for allowing him into her home.
Natalie was taken aback by Ace's sudden appearance and the tremendous noise that followed his abrupt stop due to breaking the sound barrier while running, as well as the gust of wind that surrounded him.
"I just wanted to stop and say thank you for letting me in, Mrs. Walker," Ace stated, offering a friendly smile. "Oh, and you have a lovely home."
With that, Ace promptly darted away, creating the same sonic effects as before upon his departure. Natalie's heart raced from the shock of the unexpected encounter.
"Wow, I need to start getting used to these unusual situations," Natalie mumbled to herself before returning her attention to the television.
Klaus' exhaustion had taken its toll, and he desperately needed rest. He explained to Trent that they would continue to unravel more about his situation the next day and insisted that Trent should also get some sleep.
Sitting on his bed, Klaus realized there was no place for Trent to sleep, and sharing the bed would be awkward. With this in mind, Klaus encouraged Trent to take the bed while he settled on the floor between the bed and his closet.
Trent felt uncomfortable taking Klaus' bed and making him sleep on the floor, but Klaus reassured him that he was fine with the arrangement. Klaus also explained that he was staying on the floor and not the couch in the living room because he wanted to be close to Trent in case he needed assistance, which Trent understood. After a brief exchange, the two of them drifted into slumber, anticipating the dawn of a new day.
The following morning arrived, casting its warm sunlight into Klaus' room as he and Trent peacefully slumbered. Klaus was accustomed to having peculiar dreams, so the one he just experienced didn't surprise him much. As he gradually opened his eyes to the dawn's light, he was greeted by Ace, who stared directly at him.
"Yo, Klaus," Ace began, his voice breaking the morning silence. "You awake, bro?"
Klaus, still groggy from sleep, couldn't hide his frustration with Ace's early presence. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, confirming that Ace's presence was indeed real. Klaus didn't need to squint against the sunlight; the nature of his unique abilities made that unnecessary. He took a moment to piece together why Ace was there at such an early hour.
"How the heck did you get in?" Klaus grumbled, his frustration evident after he stifled a yawn.
"Shade let me in," Ace explained casually, revealing to Klaus that his brother was already awake and involved in this unexpected morning encounter.
Klaus decided to ignore the situation as he headed to the bathroom to freshen up. He brushed his teeth, took a quick shower, and returned to his room with a towel wrapped around him. Ace was still in the room, engrossed in his phone before he turned his attention to Klaus.
"Ooh, now I see why all the girls want you," Ace teased with a playful tone.
"Really?" Klaus responded, his annoyance evident.
"I'm kidding," Ace laughed before exiting the room, giving Klaus some much-needed privacy to finish getting dressed.
Trent was still peacefully asleep, so Klaus didn't want to disturb his guest just yet. He dressed and headed downstairs, waiting for Trent to wake up. Klaus, Shade, and Ace engaged in conversation while assisting their mother, Natalie, in the kitchen. Ace's speed was a considerable help, ensuring they could finish breakfast quickly and allowing Natalie to head to work on time.
Following breakfast, the three demigods continued their conversation, until Shade excused himself to return to his room to attend to some matters. Klaus and Ace remained engaged in conversation, but gradually, a somber expression crept over Ace's face. He posed a question that seemed entirely out of character for him.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing with Trent?"
This unexpected question caught Klaus off guard, making him realize that Ace also had doubts about the situation. But Klaus had committed to helping Trent.
"I am," Klaus responded after a moment, his tone determined.
"And do you have a plan for what to do next?" Ace pressed on.
These were valid questions that made Klaus feel uncomfortable, especially given Ace's uncharacteristic seriousness. He took a few moments to gather his thoughts before replying.
"I do," Klaus assured him.
Klaus had already formulated a plan the previous night before he went to sleep, so it was now a matter of putting that plan into action. Soon enough, Trent descended the stairs, signaling that he was awake. After he had freshened up as well, the trio, led by Klaus, departed for the place where he had planned to take Trent.
Shade, on the other hand, had decided to go grocery shopping for the house. He felt it was his way of apologizing to their mother for being away from home for a month, despite Natalie's insistence that he didn't have to do anything. Shade simply wanted to alleviate her stress and make amends in his own way.
Klaus rode his skateboard, with Trent and Ace walking alongside him as they made their way to their planned destination. Ace's irritation with walking was palpable, seemingly uncomfortable with the time it was taking.
"You do know I could get there in a flash, right?" Ace remarked, clearly annoyed by the pace.
"Get where?" Klaus teased, knowing that Ace had no idea where they were headed.
"Ha-ha, very funny," Ace responded sarcastically, eliciting a giggle from Trent at his frustration.
Eventually, the trio reached a massive gate, revealing that they were at the Atlas residence. A small drone flew from within the gate, scanning the three demigods and transmitting their arrival to the homeowners. The gates soon opened, granting them entry.
Klaus led them to Link's home, where drones directed them to the living room. After a few moments, Link glided into the room while standing on one of his ground-moving drones, wearing what appeared to be his pajamas. He held a cup of coffee in his right hand, an unusual sight given that his mask remained on his face, its screen portraying an exhausted expression.
"Do you guys even know how early it is?" Link began after a digitalized yawn.
"Bro, It's 11 a.m.," Ace replied.
"Oh," Link said after confirming the time. "Well, it's not my fault that I had to stream all night."
Klaus didn't hesitate and promptly shared the situation with Link. He described how Trent was unfamiliar with life on Earth and lacked a place to stay. Klaus then inquired if it would be feasible for Trent to reside with him since his home had an abundance of rooms to accommodate both of them.
Understanding the situation, Link welcomed Trent with open arms, offering him a place to stay for as long as he needed. This made Trent extremely grateful, and he thanked Link sincerely.
After some conversation, they collectively decided to make their way to Link's gaming room. During their walk, Link turned to Klaus.
"You know," Link began, "I'm surprised that you care so much, considering it's not typically your thing to care about others."
Klaus realized Link was right but had an answer ready.
"I guess I just felt like I had to do something to help since I could," Klaus explained.
Klaus empathized with Trent, understanding the pain of lack of identity that he must be enduring. He recognized Trent's goodness and the fact that he was trying to bear this burden alone, without seeking help from others. Klaus knew he would do the same, but he believed Trent shouldn't have to carry this pain, especially when it wasn't his fault.
They spent the entire day at the Atlas residence, engaging in various enjoyable activities. Klaus, despite his initial reluctance, found satisfaction in their shared experiences. As the day turned into night, Klaus decided it was time to return home. Ace opted to stay a little longer with the others, so Klaus headed home alone.
When he arrived home, Klaus took a shower, completed some household chores, and then went to his bed. He reclined on his bed, gazing at the ceiling familiarly, lost in the depths of his thoughts.
A peculiar sensation lingered from his time spent in Link's home. It had been an unfamiliar feeling, something he hadn't experienced in quite some time, leaving him to ponder its significance for a while.
"Is this... happiness?" Klaus wondered, realizing that he had been without this feeling for the longest time.
He found it saddening that he had deprived himself of happiness due to his behavior. But he knew he couldn't let that continue to bind him.
Recalling the last time he had basked in such warmth, Klaus rose from his bed, extending his hand towards his phone. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating the
decision he was about to make. Yet, resolute in his choice, he dialed a number, an action he had never performed before in his life.
As the phone rang, Klaus anxiously awaited the response on the other end. Finally, a voice broke the silence.
"Hello?" the person asked.
With a hint of hesitation in his voice, Klaus replied;
"Hey, Avalon."