Chapter 148: Life Here and Life There

While Tyler and his wives slept at the inn, life on Vexarra was chaotic. News outlets tried to not spread mass paranoia amongst the people. Non-ability users were at their boiling point as most of them knew they stood no chance against the new alien race. Fortunately for them, the Necrams weren’t really interested in them. They didn’t have any real "power" for them to absorb so it would have been killing for the sake of killing. They only did that when cleaning up a planet, so as long as the military and the ability users could defeat them, the regular races of Vexarra would be safe.

This included the demons without demonic arts, the vampires with only blood arts, the werewolves who could transform and the elves had already been handled, boosting their power a substantial amount. About a quarter of the planet’s power resided with the elves, especially in their lands. The board of directors and dean were at a loss and carried on classes like normal.

The students didn’t know what to do or what to expect. One minute they were in dueling class and the next they were watching a news broadcast where the governing bodies were meeting to discuss whether or not the students would be used in the war. Many of the top level students throughout the universities, including Tim and Blake, already signed up for the war. The Dean was reassured his promotion was safe, but he wasn’t so sure he wanted to leave his students anymore.

’After all these years of work for this to happen now...I can’t just abandon them when they need me can I?’

Despite relying on Tyler as his golden goose and dark horse, Dean Pritchett did care about his staff and students. It was the biggest factor when recruiting him to the board. He wasn’t going to tell them no, but he also wasn’t so confident in his yes anymore.

The OEA did nothing, which pissed a lot of people off. In a statement from Judge Vayne, he informed the citizens that it was Zeus’ call to not allow him to interfere in planetary affairs.

"This is bullshit! There’s one demigod! The rest of them can help. What the fuck?"

"Seriously? Just because he can’t help doesn’t mean the rest couldn’t?"

"Fuck those assholes!"

Many people were arrested for belligerent behavior and attacking OEA officers without reason. Despite their best efforts, mass paranoia was spreading like wildfire.

*****

Tyler woke up and stretched. Everyone else was still sleeping so he decided to walk downstairs and talk to Esper. He wasn’t there so Tyler sat down at the bar and talked to some of the local Eidolons. He was pleased to find out most of them cared about the fate of Vexarra but in the long run, they really prioritized self-preservation. He couldn’t fault them for that and even Amanda had suggested they just move to the Land of Summoned Monsters if the attack happened. That was before her people were destroyed so he couldn’t imagine how she felt now.

’I should probably ask her about that when I get the chance...’

He eventually made his way back up to his room and Amanda was sitting in a chair looking out the window. He waved her over and the two of them went for a walk outside Reza.

"This place really is beautiful," Amanda said while looking at all the new buildings and infrastructure in the once small city.

"Yeah, it is...but how are you really doing?" Tyler stopped, took her hand and gave her a big hug.

"Is it bad that part of me doesn’t care that they’re all gone?" She asked with teary eyes.

"Of course not! They treated you like an outcast and called you useless your whole life. That’s not what’s really bothering you though is it? Amanda, it’s ok... I’d be devastated if the majority of my race was wiped out in the blink of an eye..."

She grabbed onto him tightly and started sobbing uncontrollably. He held her in his arms and used whatever magic he could to try and help. Nothing seemed to work.

"Just let it out, it’s ok babe." Tyler said while rubbing her back.

"They didn’t even show up at my wedding..." She sobbed.

"I know sweetheart."

"So why am I so sad they’re gone?!"

"Because you’re a good person and they told you, well, more or less they told you that before they died. Maybe they just suck at expressing themselves." Tyler kissed her head.

"They were perfectly good at expressing how useless I was. Why couldn’t they have just said they were proud of me and that they’d miss me?!" She was still crying but he could tell she was starting to calm down.

"Well, I am proud of you. You stood strong and still carry on despite what happened to them and you’ve kicked ass since I’ve met you. You’re a lot more confident, you’re nearly SS rank and you have a limitless system just like the rest of us. I love you Mrs. Rask." Tyler squeezed her tightly.

"I love you too Tyler. Thank you for letting me get this out." Amanda smiled while giving him a kiss.

"Of course. I just wish you’d come and talk to me once in a while. You always put yourself last, even on the honeymoon. What happened to that girl who came over to make out with me with no fucks given?" Tyler chuckled.

Amanda finally let out a laugh. "Yeah, that was a fun day. You’re right. Start putting myself first more often. It’s not like the girls will care."

"No, they won’t." Tyler said while holding her hand.

"Are you ready for this trip?" He asked with a frown.

"Yes, I’ll be fine. Anything that helps me rank up is good. Let’s go take these fuckers down!" She said with hope in her eyes.

"There she is!" Tyler smiled. They walked back to the inn and saw everyone was getting ready.

There was plenty of food and drink left out on the table. They ate breakfast together and got ready for what was going to be another strange journey in their otherwise chaotic lives.