Share your resolve.

I've been so reactive since I first came to Abso. Sure I wanted to become an adventurer, but Niki brought me to the Adventurer's Guild, I was shunned into joining a group of outcasts, and I did a lot of fumbling around with a group of goofballs until discovering I was some sort of science experiment. People turned against me, I was exiled, and since then I've been thrown into so many battles. Whether it's true or not, it feels like it wasn't until the attack on Elok Daven's lair that I finally took full control of my own fate. But that's because all I've wanted is to be left alone to enjoy my life here in Abso. I can see now though that if I sit back and do nothing, trouble will come to me.

Elok and William are correct about one thing. We have the power to change and influence this world. Due to Isekai Theory, it's probably been happening for ages, to varying extents. We're in a unique position though. Amara just said it. I announced my backstory to all of Avana. Everybody knows, whether they believe me or not. Elok and Breiah sought power and control, with ambitions even beyond this world. I don't know what William seeks. But for me, it's still the same. I want to be happy, and to protect those I love. I have countless invisible ties now to people, whether they're a part of Castle Phoenix or not. The Empire of Tivera feels like a part of that. I'll protect everything.

And to keep myself safe, and everybody else, I need to stay a step ahead of anybody threatening that safety.

"I need to learn more. About everything. And now that I'm no longer a wanted man, people need to see my face. The target on my back can't get any bigger anyway. Somewhere out there, a dangerous monster is hunting powerful beings and siphoning their power. It reminds me a lot of somebody else. That's why I'd like to finally explore some of those southern free cities. That's the area of this land threatened by another Demon King from Earth. William Cresswell. When I first learned we were of the same world, and were suffering the same fate, I wanted to grow closer to him, but he's a man who prefers to keep his distance. And since then, I've only grown more suspicious of him. I'm not blind. I know he's spied on us in the past, and he has grand aspirations as well. But others called Demon King, like Lady Vex, also do their own thing. I don't seek out conflict with them. I'm aware that sometimes people label us as Demon King despite our actions.

"I've grown to trust Lady Vex. Yes, I don't really know most about what she does, but we've spent a lot of time together. I feel a connection between us. Even Gwynevere, who is certainly more hostile... I can't really explain it. Maybe it's my Kitty Sense or something else, but she isn't all bad. William though is one of the few I've been unable to read. I'm not going to send spies to his flying fortress. That's too dangerous and obvious, not to mention difficult. But I'm curious as to what those free cities are like with his presence. Will he know we're there? Absolutely. I count on it. If he wants to come down and talk, he's free to do so."

Niki grins. She slams her fist up against her breastplate a few times before saying, "Castle Phoenix has healed from wounds that only made it stronger. It's really lived up to the name. Now it's an impenetrable fortress. With how many forces we have even if somehow an attack isn't spotted well in advance, and gets past the barrier cast by that Shard, and the tall stone walls, there's not a chance it doesn't get squashed in an instant. You could take a dozen of us on an adventure, and the colony would be fine."

"And you can always just... bounce back!" Eva says, emulating the Bunny Hop herself. Boing-boing.

"You appear even more kingly when you speak of such things," Nyllia comments.

Xiaoqing chuckles. "You've certainly made a lot of allies here, Kyle. All of these good folk. What is it, two dragons? Humans, elves, insectrin, and various monsters alike. Too many to count. It reminds me of the Silver Hunters, though on a scale still difficult for me to grasp."

You and me both. I haven't even been here a year.

Whether you still prefer Earth over Abso, if you ever did, or perhaps you loved this new world more than the last just moments after arrival, you've never felt so connected to Absoterra before this very moment. Maybe you'll be able to visit your original home again one day, or not. Either way, you stand strong as the Hero King of Castle Phoenix, also known as Demon King by some, ally to the Empire of Tivera, and enemy to any evil that threatens it.

"I think I have a trip to start planning then," you say. "That god-hunting asshole could be anywhere in the world. He might not even know where we are. For all I know, he won't show up here for years. I'm not going to sit here twiddling my thumbs. Maybe I'll learn more if I travel around a bit, get to know other people and all that. Though on top of that, like I said before, I'll see what I can gather about William... and it's a stretch, but Breiah as well. I know of her family's history. Perhaps we can dig something up on the Wizard King of Mirious, Sigeberht. I mean beyond Vivi's knowledge. Obviously we can ask her too."

I can probably Bunny Hop relatively close to any city on a map, with a margin of error that could cause some minor issues... Falling a hundred feet, landing in a stream, ending up in the middle of a bandit camp. It isn't the safest way to head somewhere new. But despite that, I think it makes more sense to spend as much time with my feet on the ground as possible. The more I teleport, the more I miss. It's like playing an Elder Scrolls game and fast travelling to the city you haven't even been to yet, skipping all the encounters along the way.

Then I gotta figure out who to bring. I don't want a whole army with me.

"Let's start with step one," concludes your speech. "Getting Xiaoqing some proper clothes."

Still holding her hand, you guide her in the direction of Luna Silk.