By morning, the Sayer family had a peaceful breakfast together. Casual conversation and all helping with dishes. The kinds of days Xylia treasured most of all. Even if Juni was growing up and only back for a short time before she would soon be off to the capital again. But she would make the most of what time she did have with her family. She would love and cherish them, never once ungrateful for this life she had found.
"I also spoke with Cole last night. You can trust him. He's going shopping with his companions." Rin explained as Xylia seemed a little off put by this but not upset
"Oh alright my husband. If you trust him, then I will trust him." Xylia sighed knowing Rin's judgement was very spot on
Another hour passed by and the group was now in town wandering around the shopping district. The Village of Serene being only a couple thousand citizens at most, mostly elderly couples who were retired, but in the more central part of the village, many younger families owned the many businesses, those that were born here. George's bakery was just on the outskirts of the collection of businesses. They were.now passing a number of small shops, an open space market, the office of the village mayor, the post office, a local tavern where workers ended the day before going home to their families.
The town itself often overwhelming and crowded for Xylia. Preferring the comfort of her routine and all the usual places she knew by heart. Her eyes so unfamiliar with a place she had lived her whole life. But everyone who looked her way looked like they were seeing a ghost. She truly couldn't figure it out.
But now Xylia's focus seemingly shifted to Cole. Something she couldn't quite grasp but was very familiar, like Juni. Those eyes of his, silver like diamonds, but had those black slits. That was still the scariest day she could recall, almost eclipsing the day she lost her parents...
4 years ago...
Juni was home visiting for the winter. She had been under tremendous stress from exams and training. To make it worse she had forgotten her presents at the academy. Xylia had assumed it was her magic acting up until she seemed to fall into a trance. Her eyes seemed to glow, and Xylia herself could only feel fear... pure cold, dark, anger, suffering...
Xylia could only scream as she collapsed. She couldn't remember the last time in her life she had screamed.
Rin reacted fast. She couldn't remember much, just shattered bits and pieces. Those eyes, those eyes that weren't Juni's. her arms and hands shifting, the green scales, long yellow nails that dripped venom. Rin's screams as he wrestled her down, the breaking of wood and glass, Raiden wailing in fear as she lay there unable to move or crawl toward him to hold him.
When she woke up again, George was sitting beside her, and Raiden asleep in his crib. George recounting how Rin managed to pacify her, that she returned to normal. Some kind of transformation triggered by stress, aura, and hormones. Though her sand was what saved her life having reacted to the transformation and fought against this invasive magic to expel the poison, even now she still didnt fully understand how it all happened...
"So. What is, Eden? I've... heard of it." Xylia finally managed to get herself to say to Cole as it was still a struggle to talk to anyone she was not familiar with, but since Rin trusted them she would try
Xylia studied him as his eyes darted towards her, he looked like a young man who was some kind of leader of an army. Yet still appeared to be a boy. Like he was thinking to trust her. After all, he didn't know her either.
"It's very much like these lands. Though they don't have near as much technology." Cole explained to her as he gave a gentle smile at the thought "The Great Kingdom rules the land, my village mostly remained independent. With the lost clans remaining in hiding." He explained further for her
This put her at ease knowing his own lands were not different, and it felt like she knew a little bit more of Rin even so. Everything she'd learnt yesterday was still fresh in her mind. But the fact Cole mentioned technology seemed to slip her mind while Juni did pick up on this as she was now more curious of Cole and where he was from.
"I quite agree... the advancement of your crystal powered devices are ingenious." Faye said the most amazed
"We get them from the monsters of the dungeons. They can be altered to provide power to all sorts of devices. Refrigerators, landlines, television." Juni listed off
Faye and Iris seemed the most intrigued and confused by what they had heard. Though for Xylia it was just as odd for her imagining a life without the modern appliances they had now.
"In Eden, Magic is much more... wild, it moves with the flow of the land and emotions of the people, it's more attuned to everything. Here, magic feels more, refined. Mundane. But I do not mean that as insult. Many who practice in Eden spend a lifetime learning from another." Iris explained to both Juni and Xylia
Juni the most amazed by this all. She had never imagined magic being different. For Xylia this was truly a shock of revelation, magic was something she seldomly used even now. Though she kept it from falling into disrepair and causing her undo stress. She couldn't begin to imagine such a land. It sounded truthfully impressive.
"So where did you get such unique weapons Cole? I've seen quite a few carried by rich nobles at the academy, many of the guild's use magically infused weapons." Juni asked him now as she was hoping to learn a little more
Cole seemed to tense up a little at this request.
"The sword is my burden. And I will not permit anyone but me to draw it." Cole said his hand firm on the weapon tucked underneath his scabbard of arrows and bow, as his eyes said enough
Juni and Xylia could feel the pain and a hint of fear. Both understanding now it was the source of the strange power Cole possessed. But Juni felt it go deeper than this, there was still some unseen connection she could feel. But his hand now let go of the sword, instead now reach for his bow as he unlatched it
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"But this Bow was a gift from a good friend..." He added speaking softly now as he smiled gently as he held the bow up, examining it "It's a reminder to not forget those that came before me. I'm part of a legacy, something much bigger than I, even if I can't see it, I know there's something more always at work, someone else will continue my legacy and make their own." He added looking Juni and Xylia's way now before latching it on his back once more
Xylia most of all impressed by this young man's state of mind. She'd never thought of it like that.
"And this shield was my prize from Tigress herself. We do battle. She will seek what was taken. But her loyalty has never been a problem. She just keeps my instincts sharp. And I earned her shield in one of her many brawls. Though she still continues to seek challenges." Cole explained lastly as he returned his bow and held out his arm as Juni couldn't help but examine it until her eyes fell upon the ring with a small green gem
"That is Dwarven. I recognize it's craft, only the jewelers in the capital make that." Juni said in shock
"A gift from the mountain Dwarven clan of Eden as well, for my services and bravery in protecting them, finally rekindling the friendships between the great kingdom and Dwarves." He said simply as he smiled as he backed up and clenched his fist as it shifted into a spear immediately with a green gem, the spear itself a having a a number of intricate lines and pattern woven in the steel, showing its Dwarven origins
Xylia was only impressed with him even more. Cole was wise for his age and understood the care and responsibility of being an adventurer. The skills it took, the knowledge it demanded, and he clearly had an impressive arsenal that made him extremely flexible. As well as the ability to negotiate very well. Meanwhile his team complimented him well, Iris seemed to be a sword user and mage, as Faye was their healer and support. While this Tigress sounded like a bare knuckle type of fighter. He had quite a unique and balanced adventuring party.
For someone so young to be able to put together a team like this was no easy task. This was the kind of party that Xylia would be alright with Juni joining. However she still couldn't fully trust them. Something about them was just right, they felt out of place here. There was something Cole wasn't telling her, she could see it now. Her motherly instincts were telling her he was somebody's child, and that he was lying to her about something...
"Ah! What about this shop? I go here to get my school uniforms." Juni said pointing out a seamstress shop now snapping Xylia out of her thoughts as she smiled happily and nodded at this choice
The shop itself having a fair selection of dresses and other fabrics that could be used, with a great section of men's clothes and robes. The yellow lighting bouncing off the walls giving the whole place a soft golden and beige hue.
As they entered a woman came from the back as she was ecstatic. Her lilac eyes behind her glasses already working as she rushed over giving the young girl. Xylia most confused by this interaction. Momentarily feeling a hint of hollowness in herself, but chose to swallow down this feeling for now, wanting to have a good day out with her daughter and her new friends.
"Juni dear! You brought company! Ohhh? Mother and a boy? My quite a day." The woman teased making Juni blush while Xylia merely rolled her eyes smiling as Cole simply looked down
"New friends. New Adventuring party. Not from around here." Juni clarified "From uh.. east." She added as the shop owners eyes went wide
"I didn't think anyone would come from up that far!" She said in disbelief
"Ohh they're different." Juni said looking away now
"Hmmm.. they're definitely different. Mmm no no. Maybe.. no. Ah ha!" She mumbled to herself as she studied Cole, Iris and Faye before disappearing into the back in a flash
She soon came back with varying sets of clothes for them.
"Go on! Try them on! I have a feeling they be just what you're looking for." The shopkeep grinned happily as they all accepted the clothing grateful for it
A few minutes later Iris came out in a set black robes that went to her knees with a pair of sandals, while sleeves were hanging off her arms, and lastly red silk wrapped around her midsection.
Faye was in a pair of blue jeans that seemed like they were made for her and leather boots, along with simple white shirt and her green cloak.
Cole himself now wore a set dark red robes like those who were nobility, his hair wild untamed hair now tied back, along with his own green cloak and his various weapons all having their place on his person.
"I'd say he cleans up nicely." The shopkeep teased as Xylia chuckled a little making Juni too roll her eyes hiding the pinkness in her cheeks well
"Not too bad little brother. You almost actually look like nobility now." Iris teased now
"I feel akward." Cole said honestly
"You're still a leader. You ought to at least appear as one in some respects." Faye added snappily as she walked passed him
"Shouldn't she busy checking you out when you're not looking?" Cole now joked as received an elbow from Iris
"I know when my partner is checking me out. But that doesn't mean my point still doesn't stand." Faye retorted Cole chuckling in pain even though it was worth it to him
Juni saw these interactions and couldn't help but smile. They clearly had a relationship built on trust, respect and understanding. Even the other one who arrived with them, Tigress. For as much as Juni disliked her, she too seemed to have earned their trust. But was still willing to separate herself for the sake of respecting her father's clan.
"So what's the damage?" Juni asked prepared to pay, returning to reality now as she turned herself and attention back to the shopkeep now behind the counter again grinning ear to ear at her happy customers
Though Juni was unaware of her mother thinking the same thing. Xylia ready to pay as well as even if Juni was grown and could pay herself, a parent never stopped caring about their children. Even if they brought others home, and were starving and in need of clothes. Like Rin she wasn't going to turn away those who had asked for help.
"Oh please! Like I could. Your father's clan has kept the mountains safe from bandits so my shipments arrive well before I originally planned. He took in my younger brother too. My parents didn't believe it would. But clan life has truly helped him heal." She said now throwing off both Xylia and Juni now
"Are... ahem. Are you, sure. Ma'am?" Xylia said softly almost making herself say this
"Yes Xylia." She replied calmly and smiled as Xylia was more thrown off
Xylia wasn't aware anyone beyond George knew her name. She had very few spots or shops she went to around town. And when she was in town, she couldn't bring herself to say much more than a thank you.
"Ive seen you around town our whole lives. Everyone has... we just let you find your voice on your own. Rin seems to be biggest positive influence for you." The shopkeep now added smiling knowingly
Xylia a little taken aback. She had spent so much time by herself. For a long time she couldn't bring herself to go much of anywhere she wasn't already familiar with. People who knew what happened, like George and his wife.
Then when Raiden was born, she truly had come out of her shell when she had to go out. Visiting places she was not familiar with, but was helped by store clerks regardless. Everyone who seemed around her age and had a sense of familiarity. Like she knew them from somewhere and they knew her.
Now it seemed to make sense. They were all kids she used to know when Xylia herself was a kid, before that time. It was like she'd fallen asleep for almost 20 years and woke back up. But those kids who grew up didn't hold it against her for how she'd approached life.
"Thank you, Karina.." Xylia said softly now her arms folded as she couldnt meet the kind shopkeep's eyes, but recalling her name
"You don't have to thank me for anything Xylia. We're all just glad you're coming back to us." Karina smiled "Now go on, enjoy the day." She added ensuring they were all set
All five parted from the clothing shop and headed down the town streets as it was coming alive for the day. Xylia a little more alive it seemed as she found her eyes wandering and as other people walked by or were busy, some nodded and smiled at her. It was a new experience for her. A sign of progress that made her even more happy. Putting things into perspective a little bit and that feeling in her chest seem to be replaced a little by this new found knowledge.
As they all walked on Juni seemed to pick up on something. A hinting of someone's aura, someone she knew specifically, though they were doing a terrible job hiding.
"Shoot! I forgot my student badge at the store. I'll be right back!" Juni said worriedly as she hurried off before Xylia could stop her
But Cole was the second to pick up what Juni had sensed. It was something generally understood by mage's but not spoken. The connections between two grew and shifted with time. It could get stronger or weaker depending on a number of factors. Xylia herself could feel deep down Juni was lying about something now, but she would let it go for now. They were having a day out on the town.
Juni zipped down a few alleyways until she could feel it even more. The presence of someone she knew well. But it surprised her nonetheless who was here. A girl with Long curly chestnut hair, an old patched red jacket and a sword on her hip. Now holding the arm of a lanky boy with tan skin and pale blue hair, dressed in rags.
"Taiga?! What the hell are you doing here?! And who's that? He looks half dead." Juni said frantically in a hushed tone
"Hey Juni.. been awhile. I needed a friend I could depend on." Taiga said hoarsely and offering a sheepish smile
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