A number of years ago

  We open up on The Guild in the past, with Loren and Largo decorating a Christmas Tree

  Loren: It’s that time of the year huh

  Largo: Some people really take it overboard but I really do enjoy the season

  Loren: The best things are enjoyed in moderation

  Largo: It’s still one of my favorite things

  Loren: Heh, you got that right

  Vendil: I can join you

  A younger Vendil approaches them

  Vendil: It looks like fun

  Loren: Oh sure you can

  Largo: Ya know Vendil, I wonder if you can turn back the clock for some of the broken ornaments

  Vendil: Sure I can

  Loren: Thanks!

  Largo: Ya know Vendil it would be really cool if you could help us like this every single year

  Vendil: I guess it would

  Present Day (as of Centennials 3)

  We open up on the Guild, with Vendil sitting all alone, contemplating something, various decorations have gone up, while various ornaments adorn the tree

  Vendil: What to do? What to do?

  Vendil’s contemplation is interrupted by someone he knows very well

  Ehl: Hello dude

  Vendil: Hey?

  Ehl: Why are you all by your lonesome, it’s the holiday season, maybe be more festive

  Vendil: I’m really just not feeling it this year?

  Ehl: Why not?

  Vendil: Well, there’s something that I want to do, but maybe it’s too late

  Ehl: Really, what do you want to do?

  Vendil: Well, I’m not sure, but I just know I’m too late

  Ehl: Well not if I have anything to say about it?

  Vendil: What do you mean by that?

  Ehl: Come along with me

  Ehl yanks Vendil and brings him up

  Vendil: Ok ok, so what do you want?

  Whoyn: Hey guys

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Completely unrelated to Ehl’s shtick, Whoyn begins going on about something

  Whoyn: Happy Hanukkah!!

  Vendil: I’m not Jewish?

  Whoyn: Take it anyway

  Ehl: Whatever, we gotta get Vendil in the Christmas mood

  Whoyn: Why do you care so much?

  Ehl: Because it’s my first christmas with The Guild, and I don’t want my friends to be frowning, so we gotta help my buddy out

  Whoyn: Say Happy Hanukkah back and I will definitely help you

  Ehl: Fine, Happy Hanukkah Whoyn…

  Vendil: I was gonna say it back anyway, Happy Hanukkah Whoyn!

  Whoyn: Alright I’m satisfied

  Vendil: Ok, so let’s go

  ???: You guys going somewhere?

  Two more Guild Members they’re not familiar with appear

  Endtimes: Hey, My name is Endtimes

  Genesis: And my name is Genesis?

  Vendil: Those don’t sound like names?

  Ehl: They sound more like omens

  Endtimes: Those are our names we swear!

  Genesis: Yeah, Loren and Largo told us that the notes that came with us only referred to us by those so those are probably our actual names?

  Whoyn: Huh

  Vendil: Oh yeah you were the mystery kids who arrived on their door and I was never told about that…

  Ehl: Ok so what do you two want?

  Genesis: Well…I just want to give back ya know?

  Endtimes: My sister and I never really did much since we were never called upon for a crisis or in the guild, so we wanna give back and give stuff to the heroes that defended the city so well…

  Genesis: So let us help you!

  Ehl: I-

  Vendil: Lemme cut you off Ehl, yeah you can come along

  Begin District 2

  When you’re 25% through

  Endtimes: The city never ceases to amaze me with how bright everything always is, it’s truly a wonderland come to life.

  Whoyn: It’s kinda crazy how everyone pours it in for their decoration abilities

  Ehl: Yeah it’s pretty nuts

  Vendil: All those lights still never cease to shine with the light of a thousand stars in the night sky

  Resume

  When you’re 50% of the way there

  Ehl: Weirdly enough, even though this is my first Christmas, I already don’t want it to end

  Whoyn: I can’t blame you

  Genesis: The fun festivities, the camaraderie, it’s something that you really wouldn’t want to end

  Vendil: The city was attacked by Optica not very long ago, and yet everyone is so happy and celebrating.

  Genesis: I wonder how they can still smile throughout all the suffering that has been wrought?

  Endtimes: Hard to say?

  Vendil: I think people still come together in spite of everything that happens, and it’s truly wonderful

  Genesis: Maybe you’re right

  Resume

  When you’re 75% of the way there

  Vendil: People cheering, celebrating, partying, it’s something that doesn’t seem to go away huh

  Genesis: You’re certainly right about that

  Ehl: It’s why I want Vendil to smile instead of sit all alone by himself

  Genesis: It’s noble

  Vendil: Well I still need to get Loren and Largo a present

  Endtimes: Oh yeah it’d be great to get them stuff

  Whoyn: I also need more Menorah Candles

  Resume

  When you’re 100% done, the party turns upon a store

  Vendil: Alright…so what to buy for them

  Suddenly, a man bursts out of the store holding a book

  Burglar: This book is mine, I’m taking it with me, it’s worth so much money

  Ehl: Not if I have anything to say about it!

  Burglar: Oh…there’s five of you…ya know what just lock me up

  Whoyn: Smartest Criminal in the city

  Vendil: The smart thing to do would be to not commit crime

  Burglar: Wish I knew that

  Genesis cuffs The Burglar

  Burglar: This book is about ancient prophecies that were found in a cave. I was hired to steal it for some guy who lives nearby.

  Genesis: Huh

  Vendil: Oh that sounds like something Loren and Largo would be into?

  Endtimes: Maybe

  Store Clerk: Oh, yeah sure you can have it?

  Burglar: Damn, ok well please let me out of prison slightly earlier

  Vendil: Can’t promise anything?

  They leave The Burglar with the Store Clerk and took it back to the guild

  Later That Night

  Loren and Largo are working on an invention together, with sweat dripping from their face

  Loren: Even on the holidays we’re in overdrive

  Largo: Doesn’t matter, since we do enjoy our work

  Suddenly, Vendil, Ehl, Whoyn, Endtimes and Genesis walk behind them

  Ehl: Hey!

  Largo: Oh hey guys what’s up

  Vendil: Well…since every year you do such a good job with christmas, and have done a lot for me over the years, I thought I’d give you a gift

  Vendil hands The Book over to The Two

  Vendil: We found it on patrol, hope it works for you

  Largo and Loren begin going through it

  Largo: Hey thanks a lot, we were actually wanting to buy this a while back

  Genesis: Glad to hear you like it

  Endtimes: Also mind if I lend you a hand?

  Loren: Not at all

  Loren and Largo begin to smile as Ehl and Vendil retreat from the conversation, having made their marks. Truly, there was no greater feellng than giving your loved ones the holiday they deserved.