Most would expect such a day of sorrow and grief to be one of darkness and rain. But today of all day’s, it was bright and sunny, the temperature almost perfect for a gentle Sunday afternoon…

  The entire village was in attendance, the one day the village of Serene had fallen silent on this day of loss, all coming out to pay their respects and offer their support to Xylia and Rin. Together with George, Eugene, Aaron and Taiga they all had carried her casket out and laid her to rest.

  Now everyone else had left. Xylia merely desiring to be by herself for a little while. Rin and George standing a little way’s away under a tree with Raiden beside him. Aaron, Taiga, Eugene and Akina had chosen to stay as well.

  Xylia sat upon the ground before Juni’s headstone, now resting next to her parent’s.

  But on this clear day, even the gentle silence of this slow day. Rin could feel it first, then Xylia could as well. The aura of three distinct individuals. She was instantly on her feet marching towards them infuriated, tears streaming down her cheeks her own aura and magic threatening to cause a storm.

  “Where, is, HE?!” She whispered viciously.

  But through her anger she saw all three party members had their own somber looks of heartbreak. Then her eyes fell on Tigress who was holding something only for her own heart to break even more, her feet carrying her forward as George and Rin were beside her now.

  Tigress the most stoic carefully lowered and placed the sleeping toddler in George’s arms. Xylia looking over sakura and kissing her head before meeting Tigress’ gaze once more.

  “….. He’s gone, again.” Tigress said softly. “Just like last time, now only ashes remain, and his sword has disappeared as well.” She added, looking out at the distance now before slowly turning away.

  “Tell me, the truth.” Xylia demanded.

  “I told you already.” Tigress replied simply not looking back.

  “I want answers…” Xylia said speaking a little louder now.

  “And I don’t have any dammit!” Tigress roared, as she spun around now before regaining her composure. “Just take care of her… I wouldn’t dishonor him by inserting myself into her life. Nor will I anger your clan, we have too much bad blood.” She added, speaking more softly, but her reasoning wasnt completely honest.

  “Our path lies elsewhere… we told him, four years ago. That this would happen had he chosen to linger, pain.” Iris said coming forward as well

  Xylia unable to even comprehend what was being said, but Rin now by her side told her enough. What was done was done, and they had their own pain of loss. To be here was even worse for them, intruding on the life Cole fought so hard to keep and just be happy for a little while.

  “His daughter will remain safe in the care of my people, until she is of age. Then she may make her own choices.” Rin said firmly, but now carefully took Sakura. “May you be guided by destiny or granted a swift death.” He added.

  “Well… you two coming or not?” Iris said, looking back to Aaron, Taiga, Eugene and Akina who were not too far away.

  Xylia now staring at these four in even more confusion as to what she meant. But Taiga smiled a little at her brother and gave him a strong hug, before taking Aaron’s hand and walking towards Cole’s party.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  Once more Xylia was in able to comprehend what was going on but words simply failed her.

  “Taiga and I talked about this a lot. Her destiny lies elsewhere, and I can’t stop her from following her heart, never could. So I’ll pray she and Aaron come back someday, but I know Cole’s team will keep them safe.” Eugene explained, approaching Xylia’s side as he watching them all walk away. “I also need to live for myself, and use what time I have to make a life of my own, and I’ve got something keeping planted here for awhile.” He added as well.

  “And I’m just a girl with nothing but time on my hands and a chain of family business to run. I don’t interfere in the matters of what has been done, that task is done.” Akina explained, as she and Eugene now started walking away themselves. “Pray Xylia, I know you’re down for the count just yet. All things find their way of coming back around in its changed form. Have faith, believe, you still have plenty of people depending on you.” She added.

  Xylia still could not understand any of what had happened. So much had seemingly changed and gone from this life she had built over the last thirteen years. But now it was torn away from her yet again. That’s when it hit her, her eyes fell on Raiden now, and Sakura. She had been blessed enough to have a son with Rin and to see her granddaughter safe and with them.

  She indeed still had so much left and found a new way of life. Her family still needed her. She wouldn’t go back to her old ways, she wouldn’t allow herself to freeze over once again. Kneeling down she hugged her son as she looked to sky.

  ‘Find your way home Juni… fly high.’ she thought to herself.

  “We should get going soon. We have a long journey back up the mountain.” Rin said softly.

  “I’ll probably stay around here a little longer. I’m getting too old to be trekking up mountains.” George added as well, Xylia understanding his decision.

  “Thank you, for everything.” Xylia said, as she took Raiden’s hand.

  “I’m just glad I got see you break that shell of ice you encased yourself in kiddo. But I couldn’t be more proud to hear you find your voice.” George assured her. “Take care of your family Rin, she’s in your care.” He nodded, as Rin nodded inturn.

  “You have my word.” Rin said, assuring him as well.

  And so they began their journey once more towards the outskirts of Serene, walking along the same cobblestone road out to the forest that lead to the mountains. As they walked on, she recalled in passing how she first met Rin and how they spent many months here training. This is where her journey began, and it would indeed be a long climb back up, but she would endure the cold, she would not allow it consume her, but she would keep close to Rin, always. Just as well she would keep Raiden even closer and ensure he had a full life, and ensure Sakura knew love as well as who her parents were.

  The time for hard conversations would approach faster than Xylia was ready for. But she would answer her granddaughter’s questions with honesty and care.

  ‘Are angels real…? Or they just in our minds…? It all comes out in the wash, in time…’

  Xylia immediately feeling these words imprint themselves on her mind as they were not her own thoughts. But it soon clicked, these were Rin’s own thoughts, the phenomenon between them, yet she’d never experienced his own thoughts in all their time. The image of Akina turning away imprinting as well.

  His words still seem to ring in her mind, refusing to leave. For as hard as Xylia chose not weigh in or pry into Akina’s life, there was something ethereal about that woman, her aura alone was commanding on its own. The thought of her being some kind of Divine being was ludicrous yet only seemed the most logical. Perhaps it would make sense to her on her own time. For now their journey home was far from over.

  “I want to…” she whispered, the winds howling winds making Rin look back as his guides with lanterns halted.

  “….Are you sure, joining is not something that can be undone.” He said, slightly concerned of what she was suggesting.

  “I know. And I accept what it comes with.” Xylia said sternly, making him sigh gently.

  “Very well. Then we will have a ceremony to organize upon our return, my ice huntress. I will show you my ways, and you have your own bow of ice.” He promised her. “But for now we should keep moving forward.” He added, as she kept close while continued onward.

  THE END

  (To be continued in Book 3: Ravenia)