Village of Serene:

  It was yet another peaceful day in the village of Serene. Not much had changed in six years, at most some business updated their signs. Xylia had kept working at the bakery, George’s niece Annabelle having taken over the bakery since his wife passed away last year, and he was officially done and fully retired in the mountains with the rest of the Dawnsythe clan.

  Rin choosing to stay with Xylia, even now he never once brought up the topic of her joining the clan, and she fully understood that Raiden was soon approaching the age of which he would undergo the trials to be inducted into the clan as a full member. Everyday he was growing in strength and his skills were only increasing.

  The dusty cobblestone roads the same leading to the same row of shops, homes and market, as well as the village square. It was quiet as it was the day Rin first arrived. Everyone could hear them coming by carriage, coming to a stop just outside the bakery. Cole exited first, catching Sakura who leapt out and setting her down as she giggled happily, then gently taking Juni’s hand and helping her out.

  Xylia already smiling as she came out from the back and around the counter. The door opened as the bell tiredly jingled, Sakura the first one in bursting ahead to crash into a hug as Xylia crouched down chuckling happily as she caught her granddaughter in her arms.

  “Goodness you’ve grown.” Xylia said softly.

  “I missed you Grandma!” Sakura exclaimed, making Xylia chuckle again.

  Juni and Cole soon entered smiling themselves as Juni rose and hugged her daughter. Juni already rushing to the back, Annabelle smiling as well as she got Sakura a fresh baked cookie.

  “You look exhausted… you going to be alright?” Xylia asked softly, holding her face and checking her over.

  “I’m fine, I’m fine. I promise mom, I’ve just been little more tired than usual as of late.” Juni said, assuring her mother and trying to get her to stop fussing.

  “I’m sorry about us dropping by like this. You know how Lodell gets when things aren’t handled properly and to a standard.” Cole apologized, but Xylia merely waved it off.

  “You don’t ever have to make apologies to me Cole. Just keep taking care of my daughter and granddaughter.” Xylia explained, her voice soft and momentarily catching them both off guard. “Go, you have other matters to attend to, and a daughter to pick up later.” She added, smiling a little.

  Both parents peaking back, slightly worried still about her being okay with them away. But she was already talking to Annabelle about something exciting and exaggerated by Annabelle’s wide eyes and impressed expressions.

  Hesitantly leaving despite Xylia’s insistence, they once more boarded the carriage and were off again, headed for the town of Rullide.

  Xylia taking Sakura back to her house, Rin was working in the garden with Raiden, showing him how to tend to things and teaching him a lesson in patience and care. Sakura excited to see her cousin, Raiden smiled a little but knew better than to leave without being dismissed from his task or it not yet being fully completed.

  “This is a special day, for that. I will allow some time, go on and have a good time with your cousin and mother.” Rin said, almost able to tell exactly what his son was thinking. Raiden looking to him as if it weren’t true. “Go on, I’ll finish up here.” He added nodding some.

  Raiden rose as he dusted himself off and hurried to meet them both. Hugging his cousin they both laughed happily at being reunited. Sakura already pulling him to play under the tree with its roots and base grown out like a dome. The very same tree Xylia herself played under as a child, and that Juni played under herself. So much time had passed and yet it seemed like nothing at all.

  So much had changed; the founding of the guild, the wedding, the baby. It all happened so quick and she was a grandmother sooner than she was truly ready to be. But all same she loved this child that Juni and Cole had brought into this world. At last, she could see Juni eyes, her real eyes, Sakura’s eyes that were a dark sapphire, yet she also had Cole’s eyes in shape. This gave her some comfort and peace of mind.

  Town of Rullide:

  The town itself was much more robust and alive. The people a hardy and somewhat seedy type that favored the much more antiquated ways of living and structure made primarily with some of limecrete, the architecture contained plenty of large columns and open buildings. It often felt like a different time period here, the people relying less on landlines and more on actual parchment.

  It was the disbandment of the Oronia Liberation Force, the people seemed to make an immediate turn around. The veil of corruption that was the guild had been lifted.

  Now Kalikori temple had taken its place, though they were very selective and thorough with applications of potential members. As of now they only had four active members, all were currently away on expedition in the dungeon located near the guild that had been initially found.

  Lodell was either high up on the third floor tower, watching over from the balcony window. Or standing out front of the guild with his broad sword pointed at the ground, in its scabbard and his hands resting on its pommel.

  Their carriage could soon be heard arriving from the west, from Serene. The town was quiet on this lazy afternoon, not many people out or about. As the carriage came to a stop outside the guild hall now, they both departed as the carriage driver was just as soon off again.

  Getting inside, Lodell was sitting by the fireplace, out of his armor and his robes, yet his sword rested on the arm of the chair he sat in.

  “You’re both late, by forty four minutes.” He said softly as rose up.

  “I have no excuse. You have my deepest apology and it was my doing due to our lateness.” Cole said, stepping forward before Juni could speak.

  Lodell merely let out a low gruff at this explanation.

  “Your only team left this morning. But it’s up to the two of you to turn in the rest of the paperwork around town. Town officials, the mayor, the bank needs the last loan forms. As well as insurance that needs to be taken care of, and of course the light bill.” Lodell informed them, but he did not hold any animosity towards them.

  “We’ll get right on it then.” Juni added, bowing some as Lodell handed Cole a large stack of forms individually bundled, some in folders. Yet everything was marked where it was to go.

  “Do as you must, take care of what it is you have taken on, and have faith in those have it in you.” He said lastly, before heading upstairs now.

  Sighing both simultaneously they both knew that this day would only get longer.

  The various town officials needed documentation and proper paperwork that showed they were at least on paper and in laments terms a legitimate mage/adventurer guild.

  The mayor also needed to ensure what the local laws were about dungeon exploration as well as wanting to properly meet both of them.

  It was Akina’s help and good word that got them a loan without much of any hassle. Though they still needed to pay off the outstanding debts of the previous guild, but their four current members had more than made up for it in six years, as well as having documented and mapped out much of Rullide’s main dungeon.

  It was only now that they would officially be in the clear for any loans and payments back to Akina, the guild would fully be theirs. The only responsibilities would be general upkeep and keeping their forms in order and properly updated.

  At last and most importantly was the light bill of course. Something so simple yet just as important.

  By the time they got back to the guild hall, the day was almost over now, well past noon. But all things considered, they both felt a great sense of accomplishment. It took a long time, but they had finally reached a sense of stability.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “Now you can stay home, rest. Sakura’s going to soon be studying under a mentor, who knows she might even get an invitation to the Royal Mage Academy.” Cole said, more so thinking out loud, Juni shooting him a look of concern. “I’m just saying, we can finally take things easy and make more time for Sakura and ensure she’s properly trained and understands how to safely channel her budding powers. Another year and her aura will start to really be noticeable to you.” He added, smiling a little as she was surprised by this information.

  “You really think she’s that close?” Juni asked, more surprised still by this news.

  “I truly think so.” Cole assured her, making smile a little sadly at so much changing so fast yet it was bittersweet.

  “Why are you two still here?” Lodell asked, his booming voice quiet and shocking them both.

  He now stood outside the guild, bedecked in his armor plate stripped of its orders colors, his ranking and commendations like ribbons and braided ropes that denoted his acts of service and valor gone. The only indicator which spoke of his old life was the sword he held at its pommel, the one thing he forged and remained his own.

  “You will be expected back in a week’s time when the town council convenes for its monthly conference on affairs and business. You’ll be expected to attend and play nice with those that have come before you and worked hard to build such a life.” Lodell explained, making Cole grown.

  “This is what we agreed to after all, and it was your idea. I’m just here to keep you from getting in over your head.” Juni teased poking his forehead playfully, as he merely exhaled through his nose smiling back at her.

  “And I am here to keep both of you knuckleheads from both getting in over your head.” Lodell countered, making them both look his way with some surprise, the former knight merely smiling. “Go on, just try not to be late next week, your first party will be back either tomorrow or in two days, this I am sure of.” He assured them, his tone soft again.

  Both bowed to him, grateful for everything he had been doing to help, Lodell merely chuckled in response before resuming his guard over the guild. Cole and Juni quickly making their way for the outskirts and to catch a carriage headed west…

  Meanwhile…

  The day was slowly fading into a bright orange sky line as the carriage rolled on. Juni taking a short nap as her head rested on Cole’s shoulder, he watched her silently and had been smiling just admiring her.

  The peace was quickly interrupted by an explosion of black and violet flames crashing against and bursting open the wagon. Cole immediately shielding Juni as she was instantly awoken by this, yet the flames continued on and completely destroyed the rest of the carriage and breaking it in half, the driver hopping onto one of the horses as he rode on.

  Cole keeping her close as they tumbled roughly to the ground from the back half remains of the carriage.

  Hovering above in the fading sky was him. Immediately plummeting and slamming to the ground and creating a sizable crater, as he rose up his large wings fold back and retract into his back, though it looked rather painful.

  Though he looked more ragged, still not having fully regenerated and healed from Tanner and Samantha’s combined attack, his scales torn away as the patches of skin exposed were suffering from both freezer burns and boiling burns.

  As well as the large ‘V’ across his chest from Rin and Iris’ own swords when he first attacked.

  “Braagon…” Cole growled.

  “We never got to settle scores after the tournament, or from that day in the village not too far from here.” Braagon said, grinning toothily.

  “Juni… forgive me.” He said, his voice immediately wracked with pain.

  Before she could comprehend what he meant, she was tossed to the side with all his strength he could muster, she tumbled and rolled momentarily and feeing pain wrack her body from her senses still being hazy from awakening so suddenly.

  As her vision came to, Cole was already on his feet and using his spear to beat back and combat the Black Dragonborn.

  Using a series of rapid jabs and thrusts to keep him on the back foot, Braagon dodging and weaving out of the way of each attack. Catching the spear and ripping it from Cole’s grip and knocking him back with a blast of void-flames.

  Green flames burst from his back and instantly engulfed him and taking the shape of large wings, saving him and consuming the void-flame. Closing his hand the spear disappeared from Braagon’s grasp, returning to Cole’s as he hovered just ever so slightly off the ground. Braagon slightly impressed by this display he gave a slight huff.

  “So you have wings too, do you boy? Now I really see the resemblance.” Braagon said, even more crazed.

  “The wings of the Phoenix will cloak me in their flames and protect me those I care about from harm. They are not meant for flight, but my hope that burns bright.” Cole declared, the fire becoming more intense, clashing against Braagon’s darkness.

  “You’re better, just not better enough.” Braagon said, launching forward and leaving a large crater from where he stood.

  Engulfed in his void-flames he hurtled towards Cole, slamming into his green flame wings that closed around him to protest him. The void-flame only increased in scope and intensity, slowly enclosing around his wings, the light raging against the darkness. Cole would not outshine this night. But he could still surprise his opponent, as the last flame feathers of his wings were absorbed by the void-flame. Cole deployed his spear, it piercing the lower right side of his abdomen.

  “RAAAAAAAH!!” Braagon screamed in agony, his fist flying and sending Cole flying as he crashed into a tree, groaning in pain unable to move or get up.

  Ripping the spear out painfully and crying out so, he immediately hurled it in the direction of the other he sensed. She immediately dodging the spear flying at her as she charged forward rapidly, her bare feet practically pouncing with each step she took. Her yellow cat-like eyes locked onto his Dragon-like orange eyes.

  His fist engulfed in void-flame was flying towards her, at the last second she blocked and knocked it away, deploying her shield to fend this attack off.

  “Never underestimate Dwarven craft.” She said quickly, her own fist collided with his fist, immediately moving her other fist down and connecting hard with his abdomen. He gained out in pain again frustrated this was not going as planned, this one again disrupting everything.

  “Hm, Im getting under your skin, good.” She teased, as he threw another flurry of punches.

  All the while she timed and blocked each strike, her shield showing burn marks but no sign of damage. That was the true magic of Dwarven craft, they specialized in heat resistance of the dragon variety. A long forgotten rivalry with the extinction of the dragons.

  “ENOUGH OF THIS!!” Braagon shouted, his clawed hands gripping her shield and ripping it off her wrist, having been fastened by its leather buckle straps and tossing it aside.

  His hand around her throat as he slammed her into the ground, forcibly knocking the wind out of her.

  “You really know how to ruin everything, gutter rat. But I can smell your shame and it’s so much better than the prospect of watching the life leave you.” He whispered, prowling closer to her as she struggled still to breathe, his hand still pressed around her throat and his nails threatening to pierce skin.

  His face now shifting to a devious grin as he darted forward towards Juni now. She was still struggling to even get up. Braagon’s hand around her throat now and his other hand holding her flailing arm.

  “Do not worry my dear. My master was clear about you, to take care of you. Just think of it like going to sleep…” he whispered with care, pulling her in closer.

  Juni was hyperventilating now, her eyes wide as possible began to shift with black slits and arms shifting into scales and long yellow nails. But at the same time her strength was draining, Braagon only smiling as he was engulfed in shadowy aura.

  “The more you fight, the more I take. I absorb all. No light or fire may escape the darkness that is.” He said softly, as he continued to generate this shadow draining spell.

  She could feel her hearing going first, the world becoming quieter, her sense of touch and smell fading, all the while her vision grew ever so steadily darker…

  With this he carefully laid her to the ground as she was no longer moving, her hair fanned out, her eyes closed. She looked almost peaceful.

  He could hear it at the last moment, dodging just in time Cole’s spear as it pierced the tree infront of him.

  “This is over boy. Don’t even bother trying to push yourself anymore than you have. It’s done.” He said simply, merely turning his head back some to look back at Cole.

  He was standing now and panting hard, having used all his strength to summon and throw his spear like he just had. Braagon’s wings sprouted once more, and in one swoop he launched into the sky as he disappeared into the fading orange to purple sky and beyond the cloud line…

  Cole collapsing to his knees as he forced himself to crawl to Juni, desperate to get to her and make sure she was alright. Getting to her he pulled her into his arms.

  “Cmon Juni… you’re alright, stay with me.” He begged, rocking her gently yet he knew the painful truth.

  Tigress managing to limp over to him as she sat down still having trouble breathing.

  “Cole..” Tigress whispered hoarsely.

  “No!” He snapped, looking at her with anger and tears. “She can’t! Please don’t do this to me!” He begged resting his head against Juni’s, yet the crushing reality was even more evident by the lack of gentle breathing through her nose.

  “She’s gone..” Tigress whispered at last, feeling her own heart ache at saying this.

  She had never seen Cole cry, or imagined him crying. It was truly a sight she hated most, not because she was disgusted but because she could nothing to ease his grief. She was right there yet so far away, they were forever in two different worlds with different rules.

  For all her rules and ways of living, she wanted to cast it all off, console and comfort him, tell him what could not be. Yet it was her very rules that she could not, she could not give him what he needed and what she desired.

  This was the cruel world she’d known since her days of lying helplessly in the alleys of Menagerie.

  “It’s time to let her rest, Cole.” Tigress whispered at last, resting a hand gently on his. But he didn’t want to leave, he wasn’t ready to let her go…