Chapter 31: Homecoming.

The familiar sound of boots crunching on the gravel path carried a sense of calm through Green Arbor. At the North Gate, an ADF member squinted into the distance and, recognizing the lone figure approaching, straightened up. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Ronin Sentinel returning!" he called out, his voice ringing with a mix of respect and relief.

Ava, dressed in her worn grey uniform, gave the guard a relaxed, two-fingered salute. "At ease," she teased with a smile, her eyes scanning the bustling streets as she passed through the gate. The people of Green Arbor moved about their day, but several paused, nodding in acknowledgment of her presence. She'd been gone for weeks, but here, she was home.

Her sharp gaze fell on Little Ava, who was playing with some other children near the square. With a mischievous grin, Ava slipped behind a nearby cart and crouched low, sneaking up behind her niece. The moment was almost too easy. With a quick move, she swept Little Ava up into her arms, spinning her in the air.

"Got you!" she laughed, her voice filled with playful warmth.

The little girl squealed in surprise before wrapping her arms tightly around Ava’s neck. "Auntie Ava! Did you miss me?"

"Every day," Ava replied softly, pressing her forehead to the girl’s. "Every single day."

Little Ava grinned, then wriggled in her arms. "Mummy’s at home with Uncle Talon. I was playing while she made lunch!"

Ava shifted the girl onto her hip and began walking towards Jess’s house. "Well, let's go surprise them, shall we?" she said with a wink.

As they neared the house, Little Ava squirmed down, bolting for the door. She flung it open with all the excitement a child could muster, shouting, "Mummy! Auntie Ava is back!"

Jess appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth. Her face lit up when she saw Ava standing in the doorway. "Ava!" she exclaimed, rushing over to wrap her in a warm embrace. "It’s so good to have you home. We’ve missed you."

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Ava returned the hug, holding her friend tightly. "Missed you too, Jess. Feels like it’s been ages."

Before she could say more, Talon appeared, casually bouncing baby Talon in his arms. His grin was wide and teasing. "Look who decided to stroll back into town," he said, his voice light but filled with brotherly affection. "How’s the glamorous life of a Ronin treating you?"

Ava smirked and lightly punched his arm. "Better than yours, babysitter," she teased back. "What’s the matter? You miss me or something?"

Talon chuckled, shifting baby Talon to his other arm. "Nah, I’ve got this little guy keeping me busy. But maybe I missed your face a little."

Jess rolled her eyes affectionately. "Alright, you two. Let’s sit down before the teasing escalates to wrestling."

They settled into the cozy living room, the warmth of the hearth making the room feel even more inviting. As Ava recounted tales of her recent patrol—of remote villages grateful for Sentinel protection and a few close calls with roving bandits—Talon listened intently, chiming in with his usual sarcastic quips.

"Sounds like you had all the fun," Talon remarked, resting his feet on the coffee table. "Meanwhile, I’ve been playing politics with Mayor Langford. We’ve rebuilt the tavern, though. The town’s starting to feel like itself again."

Ava nodded, feeling a weight lift from her chest. Green Arbor had been through so much, but it was resilient, just like its people.

"I need to see Eli and check in with Miko, ive got to sign in" Ava said after a moment, standing up. Her eyes flicked to the door as if the next task had already started to pull her away.

Jess smiled knowingly. "We figured as much. Talon, why don’t you go fetch Eli? We’ll meet you at the tavern. But don’t tell him Ava’s back yet. Let’s surprise him."

Talon grinned at the thought, already imagining Eli’s reaction. "Oh, this is going to be good," he said with a smirk, handing baby Talon over to Jess and heading for the door. "I’ll make sure he gets there."

As they parted ways, Jess stood with Ava for a moment longer. "You doing alright?" Jess asked quietly, her eyes full of genuine concern.

Ava’s smile softened, a rare vulnerability in her eyes. "I am now," she replied. "Being back here... it helps."

Jess nodded, pulling her into another quick hug. "Good. Because we need you, Ava. Green Arbor needs you."

Ava felt the weight of her words, but instead of the familiar feeling of pressure, it brought her a sense of belonging. "I’ll always be here," she promised, her voice steady.

They shared a look of understanding before heading off to find Miko. The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the village, but inside Ava’s heart, there was light, a sense of peace, knowing that no matter where her path as a Ronin took her, she’d always have a home to return to.

As they walked toward the Sentinel post, the sounds of Green Arbor filled the air—children laughing, tradespeople haggling, and the steady rhythm of life moving forward. For Ava, it was more than just a homecoming. It was a reminder of everything she fought for, and it was enough.