A few days later…

  The Holy Rune Knights had moved out and drove those that remained of the Dark guilds back into the Death Forest and up into Darktop Mountains.

  Those who had turned traitor were turned over to the kingdom’s officials and put in cells, as were those guild master’s that had rebelled against the king and kingdom itself.

  The king held a grand ceremony to honor all those that held back and defended the capital. Praising the freelance teams and other guilds for their efforts and celebrating the unity of the country.

  Rumors also persisted of sighting multiple Dragonborn fighting sure the siege of the capital, but none were found at the sight of the Rune Knight’s training grounds.

  Vespera’s son had arrived from by carriage the next day and it was a lovely reunion of mother and son. Taking him to meet her guild mates Seryn and Lisa. Sierra and Rosa were more taken aback by Aquaria’s request to spend more time with her friends outside the dungeon, but both were more than happy to take her up on this.

  Welfen, Bail and Val vowed they’d return next year and do even better, they’d work harder and sharpen their skills to be even more creative with their spell craft and skills with a weapon.

  —————————

  Juni had been treated and tended to, her wounds bandaged and given medicine for healing her more serious injuries. Her eyes gently fluttered open at last. Everyone had come to her bedside and was waiting for her to wake up.

  Xylia in tears as she threw her arms around her, she didn’t care about what happened for the moment, she was just happy to see her daughter safe.

  Rin smiled as he rested his hand on her head and planted a soft kiss on it. Raiden hugging her as well.

  Taiga with Aaron, Eugene with Akina. Tigress Iris and Faye were there as well. Cole was standing at the back and smiling as well, relieved to see her awake.

  Xylia holding her face and looking at her sternly.

  “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” Xylia whispered, her voice still soft when around so many different people.

  “I won’t, you have my word.” Juni assured her mother, hugging her and her brother again.

  “Well you missed the best part. The Oronia Liberation Force Guild has officially been disbanded. Castle Tsukuyomi and Manaan Legio are under heavy scrutiny and will no doubt be paying reparations for who knows how long.” Taiga spoke up, Juni looking her way with some intrigue.

  “I… may stick around for a little while, help see that a new guild is installed.” Cole said, catching everyone’s attention. “What? It’s the least I can do, better than letting it go to waste and rot.” He shrugged some.

  “You’ll need more than ambition and dreams. You’ll need a backer, official approval by the kingdom, someone to handle the volume of paperwork, not to mention guild members.” Akina chimed in, Eugene chuckling some and shaking his head. “Come see me later after you got their blessings, good luck.” She added in a slight sing song voice, she and Eugene and both Taiga and Aaron quickly left.

  “Good luck little brother.” Iris joked, patting his shoulder as she Faye and Tigress left and he could only sigh in defeat.

  Rin chuckled some himself as Xylia was the most lost on what they all meant.

  “Cmon son, your mother needs a moment to speak with Cole. You haven’t shown me that comic novel you’re into.” Rin said offering his hand to his son.

  Raiden was pouting some now as he wanted to stick around to hear all the grownups talk. But getting to share a hobby of his with his father was something he had hoped for, to just have his father around and not the immovable mentor he often was.

  Raiden immediately telling him the full history and its detailed story as well the characters essential to the story. Rin smiling and listening as they walked on, just happy to see his son having hobbies of his own that kept him tethered to the world, he wanted him to be this child for just a while longer.

  Now that it was just the three of them, both Juni and Cole separately were blushing on their own. Xylia herself still lost on what was needing to be addressed between her and Cole as she looked to him with curiosity and a tilt in her head.

  Cole himself sighing gently before looking back up and meeting Xylia’s eyes.

  “Your daughter means a great deal to me, and I couldn’t imagine being here without her or her help. She honestly did save me during the chaos of it all. She managed pulled me out of that illusion long enough for me stop it.” He explained to Xylia.

  Xylia was wide eyed at hearing this, she had only heard that Cole’s team had been the one to stop the attack on the capital. She didn’t even remember losing consciousness herself, only the dreams she was granted. She had only seen Rin that scared when Raiden was first born.

  Juni herself covering her face with embarrassment but unable to not smile under her hand.

  “Ahem… so, what is it you want to ask me, Cole?” Xylia said, after clearing her throat and speaking slowly and softly still, managing to meet his eyes.

  “I would like to ask you for your blessing, to be with your daughter. I want to spend the time I have making her happy and building a life together.” He said sincerely, his voice calm and steady.

  “And your intentions for a guild?” Xylia asked as well, her tone a little more serious.

  “I want to set an example for those yet to come. To give the next generation a place to make their own mark, leave their own legacy. To be apart of something more and add their own stories, a place that embodies the ancient Phoenix Priestess’ visions. They walked these lands and many others centuries ago and championed the idea of seeing those who don’t have a place find their way, and I would not want see those ideals be snuffed out.” Cole further explained.

  Juni and Xylia listening with awe, neither having expected this level of depth to his answer. But Cole was resolved all the same, he meant what he said.

  “Will you take care of my daughter?” Xylia asked, meeting his eyes again.

  “I wouldn’t be alive without her.” Cole responded softly, Juni feeling her face heat up and turn slightly pink.

  “Very well then.” Xylia said, as she rose from her seat and approached Cole. “Just be sure you both come back and visit, often.” She added more sternly, but smiled softly inturn as he did as well.

  “You have my word.” Cole assured her, Xylia resting her hands on his shoulders and looking him in the eye still.

  With this she hugged him momentarily before at last excusing herself. Leaving the two of them alone now. Cole taking a seat beside her, he sighed before they both began to laugh softly.

  “You’re a damn fool… but I like that most about you.” Juni said, taking his hands into hers.

  “I’ve been told so before.” He joked, making her roll her eyes as he rested his forehead against hers. “We’ll need a name for our guild.” He added,

  making her quirk up an eyebrow as she leaned back some.

  “Our, guild?” She asked, slightly teasing him.

  “Well I figured you’d want to help found it?” Cole replied, making her chuckle softly.

  “Where’s your home village? Where do you come from? In Eden I mean, where my father is from?” Juni asked inturn, throwing Cole off this time at the suddenness of this question.

  “Kalikori… why?” He answered, with a hint of caution.

  “Kalikori Temple it is then.” Juni said naming their guild, this made him chuckle inturn.

  “A little tacky isnt it?” He asked jokingly.

  “Well your opinion matters to me, and I think your opinion on the name is dumb.” She retorted, both getting a laugh out of this.

  “I’m sure we’ll work it out in time.” He said softly, resting his forehead against hers again.

  “In time…” Juni agreed as well.

  Meanwhile…

  Taiga had been waiting by the carriages. She wasn’t exactly ready to leave just yet, but at the same time she couldn’t wait to leave. Resting on her hip was her father’s sword, having kept it but left her mother’s jacket, it should stay at the house. That’s where it belonged, or at least what she had told herself.

  “You seem anxious.” Aaron said, surprising her as he appeared beside her.

  “And you have a habit of not making any noise when approaching.” She playfully retorted.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Got everything you need?” He asked as well.

  “Yeah.” She responded quickly, as she looked his way with a slight hint of judgement, yet he remained unblinking as he looked back at her.

  His hand now carefully retrieved something from his pocket as he now produced a red silk hair tie, but he now held out his hand offering her the hair tie.

  “What’s this?” She asked slightly confused.

  “I’m not sure..” Aaron said honestly, as she inturn frowned some. “I think it belonged to someone else, a good friend. I can’t remember who she was or name. I can only remember her face, the last time I saw her. Though I can’t tell now if she was asleep or…” He explained, looking up at the sky as he trailed off.

  Taiga looked on at him with a slight hint of sorrow now. She still couldn’t believe that he might never fully regain his memories of who he was. To have no sense of one’s past was scary alone, but he always seemed to have a sense of his own self and never came unglued, he was a rock.

  “If you would like me to have it, then I’d be honored to accept such a gift.” She said, gently putting both her hands on his hand.

  He looked to her now still with wide and curious eyes, but carefully turned his hand and carefully let go of the ribbon. It was hers now, he had nothing but the clothes on his back from the moment they met, and this ribbon. She would cherish it and keep it safe, but use it all the same.

  She carefully bunched back and tied up her hair with the ribbon now, Aaron offering a rare smile as he slipped his hand into hers.

  “I’m glad to have you by my side Taiga, no matter where we are.” He said, making her roll her eyes.

  “Leaving without saying goodbye or taking what else belongs to you? Figured.” Eugene’s voice said, breaking the peaceful moment.

  This making sigh in mild irritation but happy all the same her brother was here. He was with Akina, and he was holding the red jacket folded and under his arm.

  “I figured it was to leave it with you, it’s only fair. I’ve been selfish and took both without asking or telling you.” She said owning up to her own sense of responsibility she felt.

  “And yet you still didn’t ask me about the sword, or tell me you were leaving with Aaron.” Eugene countered, but smiling all the same as she puffed out her cheek.

  “I get worried what you’ll say and half think things through alright? Is that what you want to hear?” Taiga asked, her tone more annoyed now as he caught her off guard by pulling her into a hug.

  “But you learn, and that’s all I ask. Keep it.” He whispered, as he slipped the jacket into her hands. “Aaron, anything happens to my sister, I’m gonna come looking for you.” He added momentarily serious, thanking both Akina and Taiga roll their eyes.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He assured Eugene, with a simple and stoic nod.

  “Cmon you, you promised me a day out. I intend to enjoy my day off with my fiancée.” Akina said pulling him back to her, but smiled back at Taiga. “Look out for yourself, and I’ll keep him safe from his own stupidity.” She promised, before ushering Eugene on as he tried to but in and argue but was cut off each time.

  Taiga sighed to herself. Annoyed by the shenanigans she had had to just endure. But was still grateful that her brother came to see her off. Slipping on her mother’s jacket, she took Aaron’s hand again.

  “We’re not going to have much, we’ll have to work hard to make something for us. We might even have to join a guild to get by.” Taiga explained as they boarded a carriage that would take them out east.

  “But we’ll have each other, no matter what may happen. We’ll find a way to make it work, we have so far.” He assured her, making only smile in frustration.

  “What am I going to do with you?” She sighed to herself.

  Meanwhile…

  Tanner and Samantha had finally arrived at the outskirts of the capital on the eastern end. The Fair dynasty were business tycoons that traded in practically every good during the early days of the Kingdom’s founding. They turned into on of the best shipping and wagon makers in the land, before competition started popping up everywhere.

  After that they invested heavily in mining expeditions to bring up aura crystals, backing the mining contracts and equipment makers.

  Eventually they invested as well into the communication network revolution.

  They had wealth for generations that would far outlast any of them.

  The estate itself a large manor and well maintained, its gardens tended to, the lawn well manicured, its windows sparkling clean.

  Sam let out a long whistle, genuinely impressed.

  “You weren’t kidding when you said you came from money.” She said, almost intimidated by the sheer scope of the place.

  “Yeah… the family had a taste for practically, and lavish.” Tanner said defeatedly.

  “Certainly accomplished that with the latter..” Sam murmured to herself, making him chuckle before sighing.

  “Cmon, let’s get this over with before I change my mind.” He said as he picked up a phone that situated outside the gate on a podium.

  Turning the dial for the number, he held it to his ear waiting for someone on the other end to pick up. Sam just even more in awe of this level of wealth.

  “Yes? Yes, yes it is. Yes I would, yes let him know.” He spoke, speaking to someone on the other end, no doubt a butler or maid of some kind.

  The gates clicked and begun to swing open inward. Tanner holding her hand the whole time as he took her in. They passed a long row of marble statues that were depicted in armor clad and holding weapons. The more she looked at them she could start smell the faint trace of aura emitting from them.

  “Like i said, the Fair Dynasty was just as much about practicality as lavish.” He said, more or less confirming what she was thinking.

  Two massive oak doors opened, each inlaid with gold and fine detailing. Two butlers waiting as they each bowed to them simultaneously.

  “Welcome back young master Fair. The Lord Fair is out by the balcony waiting.” One of the butlers said.

  “Thank you Clive.” Tanner responded softly, with a gentle nod of his head.

  Tanner led her on through the grand hallways and up a large set of ornate stairs. Maids tending to cleaning tiny nooks and crannies or the large windows.

  They at last reach the ballon they had been told his grandfather was at.

  The man himself laying in a lounge chair. A small table beside him with a glass of amber liquid with a heavy piece of ice, and a bottle of the same liquid set beside. A butler waiting patiently and wordlessly beside the man of the manor, he would not move unless needed or commanded to.

  “Finally decided to show up, have you? Here for a loan? Or did you want to spend all day arguing again?” He asked, not getting up or even looking back.

  “I thought you would have heard about the attack on the capital. And I thought, maybe you were weren’t alright. And I wanted you to meet someone.” Tanner said agitated.

  “Oh don’t worry about an old fool like me. You know this estate is well protected on its own. You would have been here sooner if you were truly so worried.” His grandfather retorted, waving a hand absently.

  “Your grandson took an enormous risk! I didn’t want to leave my village, but he insisted we come here and help out.” Samantha burst in, Tanner shooting her a look.

  “Ohh? Is this who you wanted to introduce? The ‘maiden of the deep’.” He said, his tone growing momentarily excited.

  Samantha momentarily concerned how he knew who she was.

  “Oh don’t act surprised girl. I know who you are, I don’t just let my grandson and only heir to the dynasty go gallivanting without knowing where he is. I pay good money for those who specialize in hiding in plain sight, and I am thorough on screening and getting rid of poachers and trophy hunters. I find the sport distasteful.” His grandfather explained to her, being very casual and not at all what she had expected.

  “Should’ve guessed you had tailed the whole time I was in Misty.” Tanner sighed.

  “Is it so wrong to know what my grandson is up to, even if he can take care of himself.” He responded with inturn.

  “Can I just ask you one thing? Then I’m gone. Keep your riches, I’ve never wanted or needed a single bronze coin from you.” Tanner said, still irritated by his grandfather.

  “Very well then…” his grandfather sighed, motioning for them both to step forward.

  The man indeed looked as old as he sounded, yet he seemed to be aging gracefully, but she recognized his facial features that echoed in Tanner.

  “Torian Fair, I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, if my grandson is done scowling at me?” He said, finally introducing himself and keeping his eyes firmly on Samantha.

  “Samantha Kai.” She said at last, at least giving her name formally.

  “Why did you dislike my mother so much? Why did you and my father not get along so that it drove him to run away to the mountains?” Tanner interjected now, wanting to get his answers to what he’d asked before.

  “Just as impatient as your father…” Torian mumbled to himself. “Your father was a good man, I will not speak ill of what he fell short of that I set for him. But he was brash and very vocal, I didn’t want to listen. Then when he found your mother in our gardens, he was even louder about his opinions. I was just upset about a potential loss of dealings with another noble family. I couldn’t see past my ambitions and frustrations to the joy she brought him. Your mother wrote to me every week, I never opened them until about seven years ago, kept them tucked away.” He explained, being honest about himself.

  Tanner could feel so much shattering inside. This couldn’t truly be the very same man he met seven years ago.

  “When you first showed up on my doorstep, I truly didn’t know what to say or think, and again allowed my temper and foolishness to blind me. Because when I saw you I saw both of them in you, I just couldn’t believe it.” He said as well, meeting Tanner’s eyes now showing genuine remorse for the lost time.

  “I can’t go back, but the least I can do is set things right with what I do have… when the moon changed, I was shown all I wanted, and I’d like to be grateful for what I have.” He added, as this shocked both even more.

  A long moment of silence preceded, Torian choosing to have a drink as his butler carefully poured him one and handed him the glass delicately.

  “So what will you do now? Will you show me what a big man you are and storm out of here with your bondmate and try to show me you can live on your own?” He asked, slowly swirling his glass and keeping his eyes on Tanner.

  “Would you settle for us staying for dinner and to get some rest for the night? It’s the least we can do for your birthday, grandfather.” Tanner countered, making Torian smile a Samantha look his way with even shock as to being privy to this information until just now.

  “I would be more than happy if you both stayed for dinner and to rest. If that is alright with you, miss Kai?” Torian said, now turning his attention to Sam.

  “I-ahem, I would be honored to stay the evening. Though I hope my table etiquette will be excusable, I tend to have a rather vast appetite.” She said, making his grandfather chuckle.

  “Don’t be so cordial, I’m old not a complete imbecile.” He retorted, making her momentarily deflate in not knowing how to respond. “This is a chance to spend time with grandson, and he’s brought home someone he cares about greatly. And I know my fair share about the Dragonborn, marvelous creatures dragons are.” He explained, momentarily dazzled by something he had recalled no doubt from his studies. “But my staff will be sure to have plenty of food on hand should either you not feel sated.” He assured her as well.

  Both Tanner and Sam sighed a little before looking at one another and shaking their heads.

  “Now come along you two, we have much to catch up on.” Torian said, setting down his glass as he rose up from his seat.

  Both Tanner and Sam followed him happily to his library where they could sit comfortably and talk for a while. Tanner feeling the most at peace that he had decided to do this. Samantha just as happy he had as well, he still had a chance to make up and he had. He got to have one more good day with someone who was family…