Kellen and Rhys went to the other rooms and Kellen got to see a few of the people that he hadn’t spoken to, but had rescued.

Everyone he saw was grateful. Everyone cried. Even the Esper who Kellen had only had small interactions with thanked him over and over, swearing fealty to them. Kellen had to remind them that he wasn’t a King, nor was Rhys, but the Esper wouldn’t hear him. Kellen found it a little awkward to have someone crying like that over him, but Rhys didn’t fight off the other man when he sought comfort from him or Kellen.

Kellen didn’t fight it either.

These people had thought they were still in hell until they opened their eyes. He would offer them as much comfort as they needed.

Hill was doing the same, soothing them, and even Gunther was given permission to come and help out as well. Kellen could tell that it was therapeutic for him to be able to help others out. Of course, they were all surprised that Gunther’s hair was gone, but they accepted it easily once they heard he had lost it to the E.A.G.

Honestly, Kellen was surprised with how well everyone was handling waking up. Kellen thought that they were rather calm, collected and no one was freaking out. It was only later, after everyone had been tended to and lunch had gone and past, that Rhys explained a bit more about what was going on.

Rhys was, first and foremost, very proud of how his people were handling everything, but he also knew that they were in shock. They probably wouldn’t bounce back as quickly as Kellen did, and even then, Kellen had also been dealing with a Class change on top of everything and his unhealing injuries.

Rhys explained that while it might seem strange, Kellen waking up with injuries had probably helped him mentally. Waking up without injuries even though you know you went through something traumatic can sometimes be worse. You don’t always have a reason for how bad you are feeling, or the anxiety that plagues you.

As Rhys spoke, Kellen realised that he was speaking from experience. Kellen made sure to take his hand and give it a squeeze of comfort. No matter what, Kellen was there for Rhys, the same way Rhys would be there for their people. They would be there for their people.

"Have you told everyone else what’s going on?" Kellen asked and Rhys nodded. "Including Casper?" Kellen asked and Rhys paused. He then sighed, shaking his head.

"No. Shit. He’s going to be furious that he’s the last one to know." Rhys muttered. Kellen squeezed his hand.

"Go make sure he ate his lunch and let him know what’s going on. I’m sure he’ll be more understanding if you go in person. That, and you two need to talk as well. Even if it isn’t about what is going on in the Guild outside of it. We aren’t isolating him from everyone because he’s a bad man. It’s more out of care for him, like Gunther." Kellen reminded him, and himself. Rhys swallowed, nodding, and glanced at Kellen.

"You haven’t eaten either. We’ve all been tied up in work and catering to others, plus you had several tests. You need your calories." Rhys reminded him and Kellen smiled.

It had been a while since Kellen felt this kind of care. Yes, he’d been eating and maintaining himself, but it hadn’t been because he was also working. With the second transfusion, and Taylor’s okay, Kellen could start getting back to work.

It felt like the wound from the poison gate in Kellen’s heart was finally starting to scab over. It would be complete once the gate was closed and Gwen was awake.

"I’ll make sure I eat, don’t you worry. I’m going to check on the Field Guides and see how their training is going and what progress they’ve made in their training and their plans. I’m sure I won’t make it out of there without a few thousand calories added to my intake." Kellen said with a grin.

Those who had woken up had fallen back asleep. The few hours of stimulation had been a lot for their weary bodies, so Kellen knew that now was the time to strike.

He had a lot that he needed to get done before he could face Brent on the other side of the world. He wanted to do so with his chest out and proud of those he had left behind in his stead.

Leaving the Field Guides alone for as long as he had felt wrong, but now that he was feeling more like himself, it was time to step up. Even if he knew that they didn’t blame him and wanted him to take the time to heal, he was their teacher. He was the one who had held out his hand to these people, these Guides, and it was his duty to make sure that they were supported.

"If you’re going to see them, then I shouldn’t worry. I’m sure news about Bree and the others has spread to them. You’ll probably be bombarded with questions." Rhys teased, his eyes back to their full yellow hue.

The brown hadn’t lasted for long. It never did, and Rhys was back to being the intimidating Captain that Kellen knew and loved.

"We’ll see. There is a high probability that is going to happen. Either way, you should go check on him. We won’t be able to do so once we’re overseas." Kellen reminded him and Rhys winced.

"Right. You’re right. Text me if anything happens, alright?" Rhys asked and Kellen nodded. He had eventually gotten his phone back from Charlie when everyone else had joined them.

Surprisingly, Kellen’s parents didn’t linger with those who had woken up. Or maybe it wasn’t too surprising. It probably hurt to know that Gwen wasn’t part of the group that was waking up easily.

Instead, they had gone to check on those who had been rescued from the E.A.G. and Jules had joined them. They hadn’t been introduced to the others yet, and wanted to meet them. Charlie had stayed behind helping to soothe everyone with just his presence before moving to go help Kellen’s parents.

It was clear that Charlie was worried for everyone, and wanted to help everyone as well. Kellen was glad, again, that he had gotten him out of the hellish situation he had been in.

"I’ll do my best." Kellen told him. Rhys shook his head at Kellen’s honest response, but he didn’t seem upset. Kellen just wasn’t attached to his phone at all.

Rhys kissed him goodbye, leaving first while Kellen sat for a second longer to think over what he wanted to do. His plans for the day had been derailed by the multiple tests and the awakening of the unconscious Guild members, but that was a good thing.

He just needed a second to lock in.

~

When Kellen arrived where he knew the Field Guides would gather, the obstacle course, he found that they were sitting on the padded ground in a circle. Their faces were serious, their tones hushed, and it appeared as if they were discussing something quite serious.

"What in the world could have you lot looking so worried?" Kellen asked, the door closing behind him loudly. The group all turned, gasps coming from their lips before they were scrambling to their feet. Some were trying to get into formation, while others were throwing themselves at the Guide, squeezing him tightly.

"Guide Woods!" They cried, his name echoing from several lips. Kellen smiled warmly, hugging everyone who wanted one, and even some who didn’t outwardly show that they needed one.

"I see that you’ve all continued training while I’ve been benched and Guide Jameson has been absent. I’m glad you’re all so dedicated." He praised and some of the Field guides flushed. There were several though who still had some pretty serious expressions.

Kellen realised that among them were the few that he had interviewed with his Dad. The front runner stepped forward, her expression tight.

"Guide Woods, be honest with us. What is going on with Lieutenant Casper? What about Lieutenant Gunther? We’ve barely heard a word, and then suddenly you are interviewing Guides. What is going on? We’re not stupid." She declared and Kellen smirked.

She was one of the few Field Guides who wanted to remain back, but was still taking her training seriously. She was a little older, a C Class, and took her training seriously. It was all of those traits that made her attractive as a replacement for Casper.

It was her behaviour right now that put her at the top of the list.

"Casper is being temporarily benched right now." Kellen told them. "We don’t know for how long, so we are just putting people in place so that what happened before with Guides being poisoned and rebelling against the Guild doesn’t happen again. There is a chance that whoever is selected remains in a leadership role afterwards, but you wouldn’t be the leader of the Guiding Division." Kellen saw no reason to lie to them, but he didn’t have to tell them the whole truth.

He could already tell that his words had soothed all of them significantly.

"Can we ask why Lieutenant Casper was benched?" Came a soft, quiet voice. Kellen glanced around, taking in the concerned Field Guides around him, and sighed. Yeah, he was going to have to do this with the other Guides too. They were probably just as anxious.

"He’s taken a lot onto his shoulders. He took over for Rhys while everyone else was on the front lines and I was in the poison gate. He is terrible at knowing when he needs to rest, and so we’ve taken over and benched him ourselves. Besides, Lieutenant Gunther has come back as well, and they need some time to figure things out." Kellen wasn’t sure if he should be spreading that kind of rumour, but he did know it was a good smoke screen.

The word of their argument in front of everyone and how messy it had been had spread throughout the Guild in less than 24 hours. Telling them that Gunther and Casper needed time to figure out what they were wasn’t a lie either, and it made them not focus on Casper’s mental health much either.

Kellen didn’t want them to worry, and he didn’t want Casper to worry either. If they thought he was smooching Gunther and stuffing his face with junk food, Kellen thought that was a good way for them to think.

He would not taint Casper’s image if he could help it.

"That’s a relief. We all noticed he was getting tired." The one who had asked the question said. Kellen smiled at her.

"I am glad you asked. Now, I have some questions for all of you." Kellen said, and they snapped to attention. The Boss was back, and now it was time to answer to him.