"Yeah," I smiled at her, a portion of my exhaustion melted away. I took a seat on one of the stumps, Sigrid and Rando both nodded to me. I nodded back. I turned to Bastion, expecting some sort of reaction from him, but he just sat there staring emptily, insensitive to his surroundings. Suddenly, his expression turned ugly and he rose, taking a few steps before emptying out the contents of his stomach.

"What's with him?" I asked.

A swirl of mist exited my pores and materialized into an armored figure.

"Planar sickness," Ellariel replied.

"Is that really a thing?"

"Of course it is! That's the main reason as to why no beings would ever want to traverse realms unless deemed absolutely necessary."

"So, the throbbing in my head-"

"Planar sickness. But the effects were significantly mitigated since you didn't bring your physical body there - also, because you're mortal. One of the few beings who could survive with little to no magic at all."

"But why does the sickness even exists in the first place?"

"Something to do with the incompatibility of magic within the environment I guess, like fish out of water," she shrugged.

A sudden epiphany struck me. What she told me explained a great deal of things that I've been trying to wrap my head around this world. For example, if there exists many beings that are leagues superior than humans, why didn't they come and just conquer us? It should be as easy as stealing sugary goodies from infants and it certainly isn't for the lack of trying. The answer is that they simply can't linger long enough in the mortal realm in order to maintain their reign. So why even bother?

"Anyway," Ellariel said, "how'd you get back here? I felt the trace of an unfamiliar power from when you returned."

I frowned, "How did I-" My eyes widened, "Adel!"

Memory of her came flooding back in my mind and I scanned around furiously, expecting to find her somewhere. She wasn't there. The forest became still, motion no longer existing within my vicinity. Exactly like how it is on the Spiritual Planes.

"You called, mister?"

I yelped, "d.a.m.nit, I told you not to sneak up on me," a hand on my chest, trying to calm down my racing heart.

Immediately after, Ellariel merged back into me and forced the soulblade onto my hand.

"Oh-ho? No wonder I didn't recognize the magical signature. I didn't expect to find a Spirit that has taken over the sh.e.l.l of a mortal," Ellariel sneered.

[Be cautious, mortal. This one isn't in the same cla.s.s as the lesser spirits from before. She's binded with a mortal and can exercise as much power here as she can in the Spiritual Plane,] she said internally.

Adel snorted, "Relax, Angel. I'm not here for a fight," her expression neutral, "And even if I were, I doubt you are in any state to stop me as you are."

I sensed anger radiating from Ellariel, clenching her jaw in displeasure. It's a weird sensation, really. Having perceived her emotions despite not being able to see her.

"Then why are you here if not to cause trouble?" Ellariel spat.

"Why? Because he called me here."

Ellariel lifted an eyebrow in suspicion, "That's it?"

"Isn't that reason enough?" Adel said innocently.

I dismissed my soulblade. I really want to get this over with and rest. My gray matter feeling as if being pounded like mochi, the last thing I want to deal with is a bicker between magical beings. "Ellariel, please stand down. I'll deal with this."

I thought I heard her grumbled something before going silent.

"So, Adel…"

"Yes, mister?" she purred.

"Is it true that the body you're using right now isn't yours?"