CHAPTER 472: WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME

When the gates to the front lines came into view, Kellen had a rather surreal moment. He had never expected to see them so soon.

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Honestly, he had kind of made it up in his mind before the accident at Guiding Center B that he would never come back to the front lines. He had spent enough of his time out here. Given enough of himself over to the people, the gates, and everything else out here that he thought he could go into retirement.

It wasn’t even a full year later that he was neck deep in another Guild, more training, like the front lines had laughed in his face and dug its claws in deeper.

If that was the case, Kellen wondered if they could do it in a nicer way? It wasn’t like Kellen hated the front lines. He just...was tired. Just thought that he was able to enjoy his life now. He’d worked through most of the reasons that he’d gone to the front lines in the first place.

Most, since some of them were rearing their head in his life now, but he was doing pretty good.

Either way, Kellen had some rather intense feelings seeing the front gates, or what remained of them.

He could tell that some of the Espers had been putting in the work to repair them, but he also knew that with Sergei down because his emotions were uncontrollable that it wasn’t an easy task to do so. S Classes were just built different when it came to power manipulation, and they still had the ongoing throat of the E.A.G. so the D.E.C. weren’t able to spare more people.

Esper Winston let out a whistle.

"They’ve done a good job with the repairs considering what happened." He said as they came to a halt, waiting for a guard to come check on them. The multiple uniforms of different Guilds was a sight for sore eyes. Kellen felt his chest throb slightly as he stared up at the giant stone wall, built with materials from the gates meant to withstand up to B Class monster attacks.

Several of the walls were damaged, which told him about how severe the attack had been. It had been overshadowed by the gate swallowing people up. His people, and that only made him worry. This in itself was a historic action by the E.A.G. They were able to summon or move monsters to attack?

Kellen needed to make sure that Hill or Pamela reached out to someone to warn them that it could happen to them too.

The person who came forward was an older Esper, someone that Kellen had worked with before. He approached from Esper Winston’s side, while a younger, more nervous and inexperienced Esper approached from the passenger side. He was wearing a uniform that Kellen didn’t recognise, probably one of the newer Guilds that had come to the front lines.

Poor bugger. Must have been a hard time for them.

"State your business. You aren’t a registered-" When the older Esper saw who was sitting in the passenger side, he halted. Kellen watched as several emotions crossed his face. Shock, worry, amazement, excitement, and then settled into resignation. "I thought you retired?" He said, his tone switching immediately and Kellen gave a dry laugh.

"It’s my sister." Kellen told him and a look of understanding washed over his face. He ran his hand over his face, a sigh leaving his mouth.

"Well, I’m assuming you have everyone’s permission, and even if you didn’t, I’ll take the blame if you get caught." He said, his eyes holding a deep understanding. Kellen smiled tightly.

"Thanks man. It’s good to see you. I thought you were also retiring?" Kellen asked and his lips twitched. Kellen couldn’t remember his name, but that didn’t matter. Names didn’t matter much on the front lines.

"I don’t think either of us can say anything about retiring. I don’t think it exists for people like us." The Esper told him, then he sighed. "Plus, those fucking dipshits at the E.A.G. are stirring up problems. Can’t leave my fellow men behind. I like Guides too much to leave them undefended. Gotta take one for the team." He told Kellen, before he patted the roof of the car, and turned and gave a thumbs up to the guard in control of the gates. They slowly swung open. "Welcome back, Field Guide. I’ll see you around." He said and Kellen nodded.

"Yeah. See you around." It was the way that they said goodbye on the front lines. Never goodbye, we’ll always see each other again. Kellen’s heart tightened, emotion holding him captive.

Esper Winston drove to the car drop off point, an underground parking lot so in case of an attack, the escape cars weren’t damaged. It was just behind and below the guard building, and after they had parked, Kellen got out and stretched his legs. He stretched the rest of his body, looking around the space that he’d been gone from, but that he’d sent his students to.

It felt strange to be back, but also...good.

He hated to admit it, but even under the circumstances, it felt like coming home.

Esper Winston stayed with him, acting like an escort. Kellen didn’t say anything about that. Rhys wasn’t here, and he’d sent this man in his place. That was okay. Kellen would respect his wishes.

As the two climbed out of the parking lot, Kellen took in the surroundings. There were clear signs of devastation and damage to buildings, but everything inside looked a lot better than he thought. He was sure the weaker walls were breached and that would be where most of the damage was, but the front gates and the cantina were more heavily fortified. They seemed to be holding up quite well, especially the cantina.

It was whole, in one piece. Not exploded into a million pieces like Kellen had seen. It was cool to know that he’d been able to prevent something like that, even if it came from a strange place. Even if the realisation that he could use some of Rhys’ powers had both worried him, Taylor and Rhys, but hey, it had only proven to be a good thing, right?

That was what Kellen was trying to convince himself of.

The roads were still a mess, but honestly? They should be the last thing cleared up. A few smaller vehicles used for transportation were moving around, and everyone who knew who Kellen was would stare at him, a similar look on their faces as the Esper at the gates.

They all knew why he was here, why he had been called. Even if they didn’t know who was in the gate, they knew why someone like Kellen was called.

He was a Field Guide. It was their job.

Esper Winston was whistling still as they approached the Saturn Guild’s encampment on the front lines. It was damaged, crushed, but most tents were back up. When his people began to see him, looks of horror crossed their faces.

"G-Guide Woods? What are you-" It was one of the younger Espers, a member of Gwen’s recruitment group and the older Esper next to him smacked his shoulder.

"Show some respect, kid. That man isn’t just our Guide Woods. He’s Field Guide Woods here." It was a little strange to hear the distinction, but it also felt like Kellen had just pulled on an old coat.

News travelled quickly, and Kellen watched as a tent flap tore open and two figures came racing out as Kellen rounded the corner, finally coming into view of the dirt ground that was the center of the Saturn Guild encampment.

It was Taylor and Hill, and both women looked unwell. Like neither of them had slept in forever, or received guiding. Kellen’s face hardened almost immediately as Taylor got to him first, pulling him in for a tight hug, his body being crushed by her tight embrace.

"You fucking idiot!" She cried, tears choking her words immediately. Hill came to a screeching halt beside them, as Taylor held him, sobbing. Kellen wrapped his arms around her, holding her as she continued to cry.

Hill looked devastated, and a bit angry, like he had anticipated. She bellied that by speaking to Esper Winston, seemingly surprised to see him, but clearly she knew him. They spoke quietly to each other while Taylor held onto Kellen tightly.

"Why, Kellen?" She asked softly and Kellen gave her a squeeze.

"I need to do this." Kellen told her and she shook her head.

"No, you-" Kellen cut her off, shaking his head.

"No, Taylor. You know just as well as I do that I was going to do this no matter what. At least to some capacity. Honestly, ever since I saw a picture of the gate I’ve always kind of felt that I was going to go into it. It’s okay. I’m going to do my best, and I’m going to try to save everyone I can. I’ve got an updated suit, built by a madman. I should be good." Kellen told her firmly, before softening his voice. "I’m going to be okay, Taylor." He told her and Taylor shook.

"I won’t be okay if you don’t make it out. This is completely different from anything you’ve ever done before, Kellen. Completely! What did your parents say?" Kellen grew silent, his body stiffening. He didn’t want to say it out loud, didn’t want to put words to it.

Taylor seemed to understand. She squeezed him tighter.

They didn’t say anything for a long moment, just two friends hugging as the tension rose in the air around them. Kellen didn’t pay attention to the others watching. He wasn’t cheating, it didn’t matter. They could be idiots all they wanted.

Taylor eventually let him go and then it was Hill’s turn. Kellen braced himself, worried about what the woman who was Rhys’ friend first, Rhys’ lieutenant first, was going to do.