"Yes, do that" Michael willed the system to create an invitation for Gaya. He could face the problems thrown at him by others but it would be difficult to face those problems when he was dealing with a problem within. The third persona problem had to be solved before doing anything.
"So your mother is still alive?" Nightmare asked Gaya. She sighed but several seconds after deep thinking, she reluctantly nodded,
"I think so. Human do something and bring me with you to the Akilan realm. Let's go beat the crap out of that elf. He might know a way to get there without the invitation"
Since he told her about the invitation he received to join Mazeroth, she wanted to come with him to the Akilan realm. She was completely stunned when she first heard him. Perhaps it was luck or perhaps it was a coincidence, either way, Gaya was surprised to the core.
"Getting you to the Akilan realm is not a problem"
He shook his head,
"The problem is dealing with Xanali and hiding your identity"
After spending 100,000 badass points on creating an invitation to Gaya, he had 60,000 badass points left. The special rune which would hide Gaya's identity cost 200,000 badass points. Therefore, he needed 140,000 badass points immediately. He could earn that if he remained in Elon and made an appearance in the Alchemy competition. However, time was of the essence. The longer he spent in Elon, the more problems would occur. Gaya was not safe anymore. The best way seemed like visiting the Akilan realm with Gaya, finding the dark elf Gaya's mother told her about, trying to find answers, and leaving the realm as soon as possible.
"We may or may not face some problems if we go to the Akilan realm" Cain calmly spoke,
"But your third persona will definitely be a problem for all of us if we stay here. We should take the risk and go find that dark elf and try to find a fix for your problem as well as some clues about her mother" Cain had exactly the same thoughts as Michael.
"It's indeed a risk, especially after her mother spoke something about Skyhall spies. We can't stay here"
If Gaya was with him, in case a danger comes to her, he could use the system to save both of them. He wouldn't be able to do that if he was in another realm without her. Moreover, he had a gut feeling that the Akilan realm might have the answers he desperately needs and more.
"The we don't include the three of you" Gaya sternly said looking at the three of them. Except for Cain, both Sarba and Ayag scowled.
"What do you mean? We are coming with you!" Ayag raised her voice.
"No, it's already a risk I'm going with him. If you, an otherworldly creature came with us, we'd be in big trouble. Stay here and cultivate while we are away"
"NO WAY!" Ayag shouted regardless of Gaya's deathly gaze.
"Ghost say something, bring us with you" Unlike Ayag, Sarba took a more subtle approach. He just pleaded with Ghost.
However, Ghost also shook his head,
"It's better if you three stay here" He had enough to worry about already. The last thing he wanted was someone in the Akilan realm to find out about Vedora. They accepted familiars but he doubted the list of familiars would include a Hydra.
He wanted to protect Vedora. If the dormant Hydra came out of its slumber one day, the entire world would be in danger. That day, he knew he might have to fight the hydra along with Nightmare and Vedora. With the system's help, he could make the Vedora more powerful than the Hydra in Stormveil mountain. Otherwise, that hydra would crush everyone and everything under its feet.
Approximately three hours later, Michael was standing under a gigantic banyan tree. There were hundreds of giant trees in the dark forest. They literally prevented any sunlight from peeking through the canopy. Hence, the name dark forest. In addition to the massive trees, there were always storm clouds above the dark forest. To others, the forest was a freaky horrifying place but for Michael, it felt like home.
Currently, he stood under the tree calming himself. The illuminating mushrooms and the flowers were the only light source he had. He didn't want to conjure fireballs and disturb the sea of crows watching him from the branches.
"Human"
Michael heard Gaya from behind. He turned back to see her approaching him slowly. Her fist was curled as though she was holding something in her hand that she didn't want him to see.
"How are they?" Michael asked. Ayag and Sarba weren't very happy about being left behind and Michael was not in the mood to tend to their tantrums.
He was more focused on the risks of traveling to the Akilan realm.
"Not very thrilled but I managed to convince them to be here while we are away" She sighed.
"I…You…something…shit" She soon began to stutter for some reason. Her toes shoveled the soil beneath her while she kept avoiding direct eye contact with him.
"What? You being shy?" Regardless of all the concerns in his mind, when he saw her, he couldn't help smiling.
"No, I'm not shy. You're shy, what the fuck are you talking about? Shit im rumbling" She blabbered. He wondered why she was acting weird all of a sudden.
Nonetheless, he could tell she was about to tell him something important by looking at her behavior.
"Fuck it" Gaya took a deep breath before lifting her head to look him in the eyes, With several steps forward, she closed the gap between them. At the moment, she stood only a couple of inches away from him.
While he was wondering what she was planning, she grabbed his hand, putting a ring on his finger to his surprise. Michael was startled by what she did. The ring was not a very fancy one but a silver ring with a tiny round sapphire in the center.
"Kneel down and ask me to marry you right this instant" She placed a ring that looked exactly the same as the one in his ring in his hand.
For a few moments, his mind went blank. No words escaped his mouth as he just stared at her in shock. Gaya's heart was pounding against her chest looking at his stunned face.
"Did I rush this? What if he rejects me? What if he's not ready? What if I'm being too pushy? What if…" there were so many questions running inside her mind.
Only when she saw a smile emerge on his face, did the storm in her heart and mind calm down. He knelt down on one knee. She began to shiver although she expected this to happen when she handed over the ring to him,
"Gaya Ashton, will you marry me?"
This was not how he imagined proposing to Gaya, not at all. He loved her dearly and she loved him. That was all that mattered to Michael.
"Yes, yes I will" She gave her right hand for him to put the ring on her finger. Like a flood breaking out of a dam, tears of joy gushed out of her eyes. She did not even wait for him to stand up but wrapped her hands around his neck as tight as she could.
They spoke nothing to each other as they just stood in the middle of the dark forest in each other's embrace.
"I will marry you despite the fact you have a fricking spirit child with that bitch" She said in his ears.
"I won't share you with her but if that child needs a father, you can be there for the kid"
The last thing Gaya wanted was Ghost to abandon his child as they abandoned him. She knew better than anyone how much Ghost hated his parents for throwing him away. By leaving the spirit child, he kinda did the same. Deep down Gaya couldn't help thinking he left Layla and the child because he was in love with her.
Unlike the men in this world, he hated the idea of having multiple spouses.
In truth, Gaya could not even imagine sharing him with another woman.
That didnt mean she wouldn't let him be a father to the spirit child. As far as she was concerned, that child did nothing wrong. She did not want to be the reason for Ghost to abandon the child.
"It's better this way Gaya. I will watch over them but I won't be a father to that child. The child is better off with its mother" Michael said while brushing her back to reassure her. He knew she was blaming herself deep down for what happened to the child.
Words were the only thing he had to reassure her. He just hoped Layla would raise the child away from the guardians, away from the outside world. This time he didn't kill the child because the child did no wrong. However, if the child somehow became a pawn of the guardians, he would have no choice but to neutralize the child. Of course, he would give the child an explanation and a chance. His life was getting complicated with each passing day. He had more problems to deal with than being around the kid who may or may not become a threat in the future.
"Don't worry, we will make sure no one brainwashes that child against you" Gaya reassured him,
After they cleared the air about the spirit child, she bite his ear playfully,
"Are you gonna tell me your real name fiance?" She chuckled, regardless of her playful tone, he knew she was really hoping for him to answer. She wanted him to know his name. It was the level of trust she wanted for him, her future husband.
"Michael, my name is Michael"