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The evening of the finals was not the celebration that everyone was accustomed to, but there was a strange optimism dancing in the air. An expected cheerfulness between neighbours cleaning the streets and gathering memories from lots of space they used to call home. The spoken reminder through laughs and greetings that they would much rather be standing than the building.
Many still stained by the recent events, unable to share the same refreshing air as their peers, barely able to breathe, stifled by loss. Some retired to memorial spots already filled with mementos and longing, while some littered the vending areas that aimed to give any and every one a good time or at least a shred of solace.
Whatever the state of emotion ruling the kingdom was, the Saturday night was still closed by a united Tells. Various vendors lined the streets with their stalls giving free meals they prepared. Ingredients and supplies distributed by reputable sponsors and clean up went surprisingly quick once anyone calling themselves an arena warrior took to the task. Jack had a feeling that Mo's speech was the main factor behind the union of dedicated labourers, but it was only speculation. He was only in this kingdom for a few days, and he didn't know the people well enough to decide on their motivation. To understand their bonds. To grasp their mindset.
He was young when his village burned away. The only feeling he remembered was fear. He could see the anger and exhaustion of everyone that fought through the night, but he was only afraid, and he believed everyone else was too. Those that didn't understand what the future would hold. Their fresh start without anyone to bail them out, until they were luckily bailed out by the man that started it. The same man that did everything he could to stop it from repeating.
Jack wasn't sure how much Ace's actions had an impact on emotions and feelings of those here tonight, but it was all something he didn't expect to see. However, he didn't get to see as much as he would have hoped, as word of their heroics spread quickly. Mo's voice still potent even without the amplifier and they were placed on display under the guise of rest, as people sang praises and offered gratitude. Meals and aid were brought to them, along with quick stories of lives and futures owed to them. Iris was roped in with them on their rostrum, and Ophelia's identity exposed. Only three escaped, the Moustache, the Mystical and the Maiden, all continuing working tirelessly as servers and cooks. Liu and other arena warriors visited and were offered a place, but many refused, with only Zeke finding comfortable seating next to the exhausted Ice Queen. His curiosity of her real identity holding no bounds. It was to his detriment when Stella hurried a stance and joined the brown-haired boy beginning his stroll.
"What are you thinking about?" Stella asked, as their slow footsteps took them through the dimly lit stone streets. It was like small stars were plucked from the sky and given to each vendor to hold while they worked. Shining on the soft smiles, big grins, and forced ones turning to tearful quivers.
"My mom and dad. She passed before the fire, so I was imaging what it would have been like if she was there. If she would have given the village hope like how these guys are. I am sure she would have given my dad an earful about his legs." Jack smiled, and then focused on the passing faces again. "There are a lot of different smiles here tonight, and all of them should be protected."
"And you did that." Stella leaned towards him, using his shoulder as a bump back to walking her line.
"You more than me. You were amazing today, and well always. Since everyone began putting their faith in me, you made those promises happen. You saved Tells."
"I did, but you are missing a big part of the picture. You're our leader country boy. I know how those that put their faith in you feel. You see things differently, or you say and do things that a lot of people don't want to take responsibility for. It gives us a lot of freedom in wanting to support that."
"Even so, I am just an idea—"
"You're wrong, but even if you were, isn't that enough. A hammer isn't useful just lying on a table. And the carpenter can only work when he knows what he needs to build. The idea starts it all. Isn't that a lot already. I guess you don't think about it too much because of how our team is. Also, you did get lucky that I am such an awesome hammer."
Jack's outburst of laughter reddened the girl. She scanned the area and sunk her head when all eyes turned to them. "You called yourself a hammer. A princess hammer, with a crown. That popped in my head."
"I am glad you got yo—"
"An Ice Hammer!" Jack blurted until a fist met his ribs.
"Stop it." Jack tried to regain his composure but noticing Stella's silence hastened his revival. "Jack, I don't mean to pry, and you don't have to answer but, talking about how you are, you always give credit to your mom, but you never really say much. What happened?"
"Yea I thought about that too. I realised that I am scared." Jack's voice was toned with his usual cheeriness. Stella felt relieved to know she didn't overstep. "My mom died when I was six. She was sick and didn't tell us, or well I didn't know. She had gotten sick and then became overworked, draining her really quickly. For her funeral, everyone showed up and I hated it. I hated how much she was there for others, and hated how they took her from me. People would come to tell me how amazing she was. How kind. How helpful, and I hated it. I lashed out and my dad had to hold me down from running away. I thought that being kind and helpful was the worst thing if she had to die on us.
"During the funeral, there were three kids. Three kids that I will never forget. They decided to share words and speak from their heart. One girl was younger than me and couldn't speak through her tears. The two older ones gave heartfelt speeches and I found out that they all lost one or both parents. My mom was like a parent to them. I didn't think much of it that day in my rage, but it was a couple of weeks after, and I would see those kids around. They would be helping around the village, little tasks that my mom used to do sometimes. Then months passed and they continued, and I was more intrigued than upset, but I stayed away until I heard our local librarian praises the oldest. She asked him jokingly 'what does he get for being so kind?' and he replied, 'He wanted to make Matie proud.' And then smiled at me.
"That scared the life out of me, and I started to help them around the village, getting the same praises. Maybe even more so as everyone knew me as Matie's son. I felt closer to her, until it was just who I was. I liked helping others like her, but I also feared that she wouldn't be happy unless I did, then I began to fear that she would be angry if I let myself end up as bad as she ended up. I fear for an answer I will never receive and so I just do what I always do. I protect smiles, and sometimes I falter, but even without thinking about my mom, sometimes it feels like it is what I want to do. I just don't know how much of that is fear of losing her again."
"Wow...it sounds bleak when you put it that way, but do you think that you would have ended up this way if she was still with us? Maybe you being like her is just how you are. Maybe Jack was born to be a hero."
Jack took a turn at changing to a redder shade. "I am proud. I am excited to go back home and tell two of them about my adventures around the empire. Morgan, the little one, just finished school and began working with one of the older one, Erika. She teaches in the village and runs the orphanage. Roan is the boy and the oldest and he left when he was 17. I am not sure of what he wanted to do, but I do hope to see him again someday too.
"It feels good to confess my fears. Thank you for asking Stella, I never said any of that out loud. Not even to Ace, or my dad."
Stella retook the role of changing red, but this time her reaction ignited Jack's to return. "I am glad that you could. Please tell me more whenever you want."
"That's not fair. Tell me about your parents." Jack was surprised when Stella ran ahead a couple steps. She looked past the flickering lights to the full moon in the sky. The little stars dancing around it. She waited for Jack to catch up before joining him in the slow stroll again.
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"I want you to meet them. I like how your brain works, and I want you to meet them and tell me what you think. I want Luna to meet them too, and I know I am not ready to go home yet, but one day I will, and I want you there. Promise me."
"Promise."
***
The Sunday went similar to the Saturday evening but with a full day of work, a lot more got done. The team slept most of the day, and Doctor Tae visited them ensuring that their Sunday night was spent the same way. The same three escapees worked along with Jack, whose injuries were minor, and Luna opted to stay with Stella, who came down with a fever. Her and Ophelia's company proved effective.
Monday came with a change of plans, as word that Adam Mups had an announcement at noon spread quickly. Jack and the team were invited to the top of the event hall where the gathering should take place, but they all respectfully refused. Tenny did consider it, but he felt a bit nervous when Ace brought up his secret being revealed. He boldly claimed that Jack's company was a bit better than the fame. So instead they all found placement on the rooftop or a nearby building, where they could perfectly see the announcer on standby as the Tells sponsor stepped to the Syng Tool first.
"I won't take much of your time today, and this isn't my forte, so I will leave it to a voice you are familiar with. I just want to let everyone know that we will try our best to get Tellacules back to its former glory, no, better!" His words were met with cheers, and his face looked relieved. The prolonging of applause did shift relief to revel until Mo took the tool. Cheers overshadowing the sponsor's response burst from the crowd. Adam's face drooped as it was Mo's turn to revel, and he didn't speak yet.
"People of Tellacules. I have been given the task of informing everyone that there are many in Tells that would like to do something for you all. It is in the form of a festival from Tomorrow until Friday, and I know that many of you believe it is in bad taste. We are recovering, who can throw a party? We should be mourning the lost, and I agree that the lost will be mourned, but I want to remind everyone that the living should be celebrated. The survivors, the heroes, those now coming to Tells, should...be...celebrated. We are the kingdom of greed and I argue that those taken from us are the greedy ones chasing the adventure after life. They have followed The Three ahead of us, but those of us in this kingdom should celebrate the breath you take at this moment. Celebrate that we stand today as a kingdom that has overcome the sinister rebellion. As people united and greedy to get back up. Get back up with us and celebrate a stronger and brighter Tells. Let us show the world that we are standing tall and can handle anything. Let everyone know that we live in the greatest kingdom to exist, and that we fear no one. We are a kingdom of warriors. The kingdom of greed. We are Tellacules and we deserve to celebrate ourselves! Who is with me!"
The cheers rang from far beyond the cluster of people. It was as if the entire kingdom was ignited. A beautiful and brilliant flame. The story of the Phoenix in which it rises again from the ash to a brighter and more brilliant flame. It took over a couple minutes for the yelling to cease enough for the announcer to take a turn again.
"Good. I knew you would be. Let's all have a great week and give our all. Welcome to Tellacules, the kingdom that refused to die."
***
Liu did plan to end up at the front of the crowd, but after Otis dismissed her, she realised that the massive sea of people already marooned her in the building. After a fair amount of minutes, she finally headed in a direction she wanted, only to be flagged down by a gruff looking pie vendor just past the arena.
"Yer de one dey call Liu, eh?" The Pie Man inquired. Liu looked to the smiling middle aged man and hesitated to reveal her identity. She looked around and his stall was a mess, no sign of anything for sale, but two children and a cat were enjoying pies next to a boy with hawk eyes and a frail, but glowing woman. Not the most inviting scene but looked harmless enough.
"I am. Can I help you with something?"
"Ya, I'm glad ta catch yer. This is fer yer, from De Hummin' bird." The gruff man handed her a thin wooden totem the size of her palm, shaped like an ice cream cone and painted as such. She inspected it thoroughly before her eyes begged for answers before her speech did. "He did explain de situation an' was wantin' to buy three ice creams for ya, but he be leavin tomorrow and wasn't sure ta see yer. He said two he be owin' but he wanted give yer an extra one for bein a hero. Me and de other vendor start ta talkin' about yer story and agree to do one better, so dat dere badge is for free ice cream for life from most vendors in Tells. Of course, not many places operational right now."
Liu's eyes swelled, but she swallowed her embarrassment and clutched the emblem till it almost cut into her hand. She felt like she didn't deserve it, but she planned to. She would earn this gift and earn that faith.
Her daydreams cut short from a kid's amazement. "That is so cool! You are lucky, Ice cream and apple pie is the best! I am Sebastian."
"Nice to properly meet you Sebastian, and what is your sister's name?" Liu leaned onto the counter.
"Zoe, and this is my cat, Snu..." Zoe's words melded as she forced through them with Pie in her hands and mouth.
"This damn cat! Snuffles, stop! Why does it keep attacking me?" Roland extended the feline at arm's reach, but the creature was calm, collected, locking eyes with the boy waiting on a chance.
"You are the boy that was with them a couple times. I heard you caused som—"
"I get it. I caused trouble. If one more person has to tell me that, then I swe—"
"Stop it, Roland. Be nice to the young lady." The smiling woman turned to her, and Liu understood that conversation was over.
"Yer best really be nice ta each other. Yer both fresh soldiers in de military. Yer must be seein' plenty of each other, workin' in Tells and all," the vendor said, signalling to the patch Otis made her wear during the announcement.
"Oh, another recruit. Look sweetie, you guys can be the best of friends. This is fantastic!" The woman almost jumped from over the counter to take Liu's hand. Liu looked past her at the hawk eyes pointing disappointment back at her.
Friends with him. No way.
"Yes ma'am." Liu smiled.
***
"Mo really upstaged dad, didn't he? You see his face." Ray laughed but there was no response from his brother sulking on the bed. The thick curtains shielding the large dark room from the midday sun was dramatically parted by the older brother. Blinding rays pierced onto the previously hidden, but only a squint in his eyes changed in his demeanour. "Oh come on now, why are you still sulking? You don't know that she won't like you. Come on, me and Ishy are going to visit them at their stand, Iris is there too."
"No. Go without me." Zeke suffocated his words from behind is forearms. He raised his head and looked to his brother's smile. "She is a princess. Why would a princess fall for me? And...and...she is so strong. They have travelled and fought bad guys and she hangs out with Mystical Creatures, and I sit around at dinner parties and spy on you."
"Spy...What? Never mind, she is a person before a princess. People fall for each other because they share experiences, they have some similar interests, they find comfort in one another. So, stop sulking if you have any of those."
"Did you not hear me? They hang out with Mystical Creatures. The only Mystical thing I know is how terrible you are at gambling." Zeke plopped flat on the bed.
"What does dad...this is about you. If you want to have those experiences, then let's get you ready for training. After the festival, we will work on getting you strong so you can have your own stories to tell okay."
"Mhmmm."
"More energy."
"Mhmmmmmm."
***
"I don't see why you are leaving tomorrow. The festival is starting tomorrow." Soji poured a drink into his cup before passing the bottle. Tana jumped in line for a refill.
Most stalls on Tirel street survived, but it was vacant since nowhere would open for sales, and most vendors were still helping with relief. The team just came to relay information, but Soji insisted on cooking for them as a treat. He refused Ace's help, but the moustache's restlessness caused him to cave. He soon realised that help was needed when Luna sat down in anticipation.
"We want to head into the city, and I feel like we would get tied down by the festival. It feels like it's a party for those that call this place home, and that feels weird to me." Jack tapped his empty cup against his leg while nervously answering. Soji's boisterous voice and demeanour was enough for even Ace to avoid telling him their departure plans, and the first response already proved to Jack that his mentor made the right call.
"You're over thinking it. It is a festival, it is free. How can you be tied down by a festival?"
"They mean that it will be about them, Dad. They don't want that feeling," Yuki berated without looking away from the fluffy ball with mismatched eyes playfully attacking him.
"Ah, I don't get it, but I have to tell you that you will be missed. Working the festival with you would have been fun. No, I just convinced myself that you need to stay. What does the city have anyway?" Soji downed his drink.
"Iris gave us the biggest gift of the Null Metal he won over the years as champion. He has a friend that has a blacksmith shop in Mera that could lend us a spot to work while I fit armour for us. I was a blacksmith's apprentice." Jack smiled at Soji as Ace poured a drink for him before taking aim for Iris's cup.
"I would have taken them to Khasis or Connor, but both of their shops didn't make it," Iris picked up, "I had a friend, Estus, who worked in Tells a couple of years ago, but he was recruited to work in Mera and has gained favour, but he only agreed to lend us his shop and some materials."
"Speaking of materials." Ophelia gulped from an entire bottle. "Tana, you should tell them."
All eyes shifted to the silvers. "We were all talking, and we wanted you to have the extra tokens we had. It is this much, and we kind of already put it in your name." Tana pulled out a document and showed it to the shop owner.
His eyes almost rolled into his head. A quiet Soji present until he caught his fall by searing his hand on the grill. He barely yelled in pain before studying the paper again. "H...how?"
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"I won a lot of chips betting on King with the sponsors. They had their own gambling ring, and I cleaned up quite nice if I do say so myself." Tana topped her cup in celebration to herself. Yuki looked at the paper after his father, and even his usual calmness was replaced by sporadic eye movements, trying to capture all the smiles at once, only after he was able to focus on the swinging black pearl around Ace's neck. He couldn't help but smile.
"But...why? What about the orphanage?" Soji continued.
"We wanted you to be able to go home sooner. Hopefully your village can continue to be supported even while you are home," Ace answered.
"And the orphanage is doing great, thanks to these guys. I can't hold all the blessings, and I made a killing with Tana too." Ophelia laughed while slapping the shoulders of stunned chef. "I already bought everything I wanted and could travel with, so my extra is there too."
"Oh, did you finalise the transport and crew?" Stella asked.
"Yea, it was surprisingly easy with a lot of tokens and my reputation as a hero."
"I...I don't know what to say. Thank you," Soji muttered.
"There, you have said enough. Let's eat," Ace cheered.
"Before you start, if I may interrupt." An older man, probably into his 50s snuck up on the emotional party. Thin, tall, and wearing a blue shirt with the Sovalan crest embedded in his chest and shoulders. He was carrying a notebook, and glancing past him revealed there was 5 others huddled, in the same outfits and all carrying their own writing tools. It took Jack a few seconds, but he recognised the girl that traded in their ledgers among them.
"What can we do for you Reginald? What are you all up to on Tirel Street?" Soji asked.
"We were documenting damages and salvageable systems. What can be used for tomorrow's festival." His pronunciation of each word drew Jack in for some reason, and when he dragged the last 'L' in festival, Jack was blown away. It was an interesting accent. "That is not what I came to you for however. I overheard the talking of the token finances, and I came to confirm that you and Mister Yuki are the sole owners of that amount. But my news is with Mister Jack Sidra."
"That's me." Jack raised his hand and bit his lip.
"The orders issued by General Syd Arania have been completed and your ledgers have been redone to where they were supposed to be. In learning your name, I realised that there was a letter waiting for you a couple of weeks now. I would like you to know that it was not our fault, and your name of Ed did not allow us to fulfil our job."
"I'm not blaming you. Who was it from?" Jack scratched some relief from his hair. Thank goodness they weren't in trouble.
"It is from a Mister Edward Sidra. You may swing by at any time and collect it, had I known you were here, I would have delivered it myself."
"No that's fine. Thank you, Reginald. Guys, start without me." Jack hopped up and ran off before anyone opposed. Stella looked at him go from an awkward position of half raising to join him but too late to catch him without effort. Ophelia laughed at the girl that plopped herself back down and grabbed the bottle.
"Okay, now let's eat! That means you too Reginald, and everyone else." Ace waved them over.
"No, we couldn't possibl—" Ace passed a sandwich to Ophelia, just under the news of the worker. "Well, if you insist. I would like slight pepper on mine please."
***
Jack's footsteps took an unusual time between each other, as his glided over the stone way. Long skips and raised hands drew eyes to him, but some smiles reflected his and some visibly wore curiosity when looking at him. It all came to an instant stop as Jack's chest felt heavy the moment he began to think. The last his dad heard from him would be when he just overthrew a small kingdom and was a wanted criminal. Oh, he is going to get in a ton of trouble. What if his dad wants him home? How does he explain what happened? Oh, he is in so much trouble.
His cluttered mind caused him to bump, chest first into a hooded figure. He felt hand's shove him to the ground, but it happened to fast for him assume any hostility. "I am so sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
The hooded man reached a hand out and Jack went to accept, except it wasn't to help him up. The grip reached for Jack's forehead, taking the wooden emblem between his fingers.
"What are you—" Jack started. The emblem snapped from the string and disappeared in a flash. Jack shot to his feet and reached for his forehead. The black jade was still there. He looked around, but there was no green trail. Jack dashed forward, feeling for any shift in the wisps from someone moving so fast. The street was relatively empty so there wasn't much obstruction as an imaginary breeze passed over him from the right.
He called green to take him after the feeling, and his eyes caught a flailing fabric dart into an alley way. Jack rushed in with momentum to only reach halfway and notice he was staring at a dead end alone. He turned around, but the cloak was at the end of the alley, in front of his only escape. Jack had a strong sense of familiarity, as red began to flow to his palm.
"I saw all of you sitting around, drinking and laughing, and it bothered me a bit. I didn't expect for it to bother me so much, so I waited to get you alone," the voice called.
"Who are you?"
"I have the questions. You might get an answer if I am satisfied." The man reached into his cloak and pulled out a leather-bound book, tattered and inked to a mess. "You ever seen this."
"No, I haven't," Jack answered.
"You are positive. Look at it good. Do you know what this is?" The man slowed down his last sentence. Jack felt the anger resonating back in him.
"I don't. I have never seen it. Just tell me what it is and maybe I can help."
"Your help is what got me here. What are your goals? Why are you doing the things you do?"
"What is this, and who are you to ask me that?" Jack began to step forward when a blade tip pointed at his nose, millimetres from brushing against it. Jack looked at the curved blade, its back dull and edge flowing into a waving pattern. Jack fell backwards and his ears began to ring with his thoughts, struggling to answer it. "You...are you?"
The blade retreated back under the cloak and the hood was pulled back. The man was clearly older than Jack, but it couldn't be by much according to who he was, but there was an age in his expression and features that brought unsurety. Jack partially scrambled to his feet but stopped at his knees when they buckled under him. His head crashed to the ground from failure to gauge its distance. He was having trouble gauging anything.
Jack latched his eyes and felt tears rush behind, forcing their way from the corners. His vision blackened, but his mind seeing the short green hair of the man standing in front of him.
"I am so sorry. It was all my fault. Noa died right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything. I...I...couldn't do...and it...was."
"I don't hate you. Me and my brother was on borrowed time anyway. That is the fate of an orphan from Ohana. This wasn't our home, so I expected as much here, but I didn't expect him to get such a grave." Jack looked up at the man. Tears still stroking his cheek. "This book was a journal my brother kept. He spoke highly of you, of your entire team. Me and my partner had a job around here and decided to see if you were here. I was lucky."
"Heyooooo," another cloak called from the roof top in the alley. No identifying features were visible besides them having a small frame, and a high-pitched voice associated with younger girls. "Don't mind me, I am just the look out, or like the eye in the sky, or well watching you and him, like—"
"Stop. We talked about it."
"Mhmm."
The man opened the book to a page that must have been marked, and his eyes fell directly where he needed it to be. "'Today, I finally learned to use mimics. Wind. I pushed Jack's drink off the table on accident but I really thought I could have passed it with the spell, it would have been so cool...Today I tried drinking with Tana and it was terrible, never again...Today, we talked about going to Tells, and I hope to see Roa and introduce him, they are like a family and I feel like I am back home in the orphanage, blood didn't matter, we all look out for each other.' There was a lot more."
Jack sat up and wiped his face for any chance at composure. He exaggerated his breaths and tried to muster the strength to say anything. Any words that could let Roa know that they cared about his brother the same way he felt about them. He was their friend. A part of their family.
"I'll ask you again. What are your goals?"
"I don't know. We set out to save the world, but everything else we have done has been on a whim. I don't know what I am doing, but I always wanted to do something. Now people look to me to do something, and I am scared. I am scared to lose more people, or to cause more pain. I don't know what we are going to do now, but I imagine that we just wander around until we can't anymore."
"That doesn't sound like what is written here. There is some bullshit about not killing and avoiding war. Something about helping people, becoming a hero. What was all that about? Do you not want to be a hero? Are you not trying to change the world?"
Jack felt the words sting, remembering his idealist spiels, and grand aspirations of becoming a story. He remembered when Noa laughed at him before telling him that he could make it. That he was already on his way. A champion of the people, but he didn't always know what the people wanted. He didn't always champion them. He couldn't even save all of them. Being a hero would lead to pain.
"I don't care to change the world. That sounds like a war. A clashing of ideals that will lead to death."
"Wasn't it already? Isn't my brother dead because of your ideals. You are fooling yourself if you think you are avoiding war. You all have been waging a war against the empire and the rebels by telling them that their ways are wrong. That their ideas aren't worthy enough to fight for.
"I agree with you abandoning that fight. Pack it up and go home, let my brother's life be the only sacrifice in your foolish crusade. Let his death be the only one in vain of your half-assed resolve, but don't ignore the devastation you have already done.
"Those that follow you are doing so because of your ideals. This war you picked has garnered you supporters that the other sides have lost. You think that you have to find some ideal mission to have a right at being a hero. Maybe being a hero is who you are, and that is why you find yourself in this situation. If that is the case then any move you make that feels true to you will wage this war, and if not, then you abandon yourself so everyone can live in peace." Roa tore a piece of his sword wrap and tied it onto Tiger before throwing it at Jack. "I assume you know what it means if you are wearing it on your forehead."
"Mhmm." Jack still fighting for words.
"Good." Roa turned and started his walk. "If we see each other again depends on the answer you find. Thanks for caring about my brother."
"Wait!" Jack pressed the ground. Still no words. Still his chest burn. The man started his walk again. "It won't be in vain. His sacrifice won't be in vain!"
The green haired man scoffed and walked out of sight.
***
Jack sat on the broken stone hand overlooking everything. The room was the same way they left it after the battle, no one having a reason to enter here and some not even having a means with the elevator destroyed. His mentor did and so Jack waited on him after sending word for him to meet him here. Jack looked down to the letter again, while his heart beat through his chest. He couldn't hide his nerves. He read it again.
Son,
I hope this reaches you since Mr. Ways has told me that there is a chance it might not. I admit I have never been much with words, so I guess it isn't a surprise that you manage to leave me speechless. Mrs. Nevadere is thrilled at your adventures, she can't get enough of the stories and the storyteller. I think she tried to keep him here a few times, but I can see why. He is a wonderful man that is quite knowledgeable about any and everything, and he seems to be a bigger expert on you than anyone I know. He speaks so highly of you that I can't help but feel overwhelmed. I admit that I am scared when I hear the news, but I am even more proud of you. Surprised as well, I didn't even know you cared about politics. You know it was always beyond me, I just sit in my craft, so seeing this means you really are like your mother. I couldn't be happier to know that. She would be so proud of you, Son. Just like I am. I believe in anything you put your heart to because I have faith it is a strong heart with a good mind. Take what you want from the world, but it seems like giving back to it is what you are interested in, so be happy and I can't wait to see you again.
But until then, don't worry about me. You might be surprised to learn that I am quite busy here myself. Mathias is giving his best, I have hope for the lad. We also have new members of the family as your friends are living here now. They said to give you the update in my letter in case theirs doesn't get there. Billy and Monica had their child. A lovely although loud little girl. They said to tell Miss Stella and Miss Luna that they named her Mona. It is another way to say Moon in some parts. Billy says not to worry, that they will hold down the fort. He was fired from the military back home, but Captain Rodriguez vouched for him and took him in here. The village is still peaceful so there isn't much for him to do but he and many other soldiers have taken to help keep our lumber numbers where they used to be. Things are far from quiet, but I am glad about it. Living with people that have been impacted by you feels special.
I am not sure what else to say, and I know I may not receive a letter any time soon. I know you aren't a criminal, and you were trying your best. I am proud of you son. I know you will continue to make me proud. I love you.
Dad.
"I just found out that you called for me. Is everything okay with your dad? Should me and Tenny go ahead?" Ace asked.
"No, they are doing well. A bit too well without me to be honest." Jack laughed. Ace sat next to him and lit a cigarette. Their feet hanging of the edge, swaying like the clouds surrounding them. "Stella says that when I don't know what to do, then I should ask my teacher. But it is more than that too, I...I need your advice."
"You are making me nervous Jack. What's this all about?"
Jack explained the conversation with Roa and the contents of the letter. He mentioned the feelings of sitting there, and how overwhelmed he is. He made it clear that the decision he came up with was something he understood. Something that was in him but never put in words.
"I want to stop the rebellion." Jack's voice stayed solid.
"A personal war to stop a large scale war. I never thought about it that way, the war I had seen has been carved into my head as just that, and I didn't realise that I have been leading you guys down a similar path."
"But you didn't. I don't even understand why you are doing this. I know Tenny's secret, and I know there is more to it that I can't understand yet, but I won't rush you. I believe in you like you do with us, and that is why I wanted to ask you about it.
"I am grateful for this strength you have given me. The things I got to see, but I am not you. Not yet. Maybe you want to save me from that path you never talk about, but I have to do something with this strength you have given me. I learned recently that it is just who I am. I can't walk away after knowing that there can be other kingdoms like this. To stop that, then I need to stop the rebels."
"Okay. I understand. I am guessing that you have to have this talk with the entire team too."
"Yea. I won't ask them to follow me and knowingly risk their lives. It is different from here on out. I still don't plan to take a life, and I don't want anyone to die, but I need to accept the fact that being a leader and the war I am asking for won't care about what I want."
"I am proud of you Jack. In my honest opinion, I never thought it would come this far. I would much prefer that we all go home and relax until Ira comes, but it is the gamble I took and now I am learning as we go along. I have my own mission, and since you are taking responsibility then I might not always be there, and you understand that. I wasn't even fully here while being close. I failed already and I don't plan to fail again but thank you for taking away that responsibility for the future."
"That is what Stella says I do best. She says it is what makes me a leader."
"She is probably right."
"I am sorry that I am straying from the path. I think you are one of the most amazing people I will ever meet even if we view things differently. I was really worried that you would have walked away. I want to respect all your wishes, but I am who I am. I wish you would tell us your story though. How bad can it be?" Jack chuckled and waited for any signs on Ace's face indicating how bad it could be.
"My story finished ages ago, and it won't change the future. I just want to tie up some loose ends I made while looking for my way back. You all will be fine with or without my story. With or without me. I know because you all already are. I'm proud of all of you."
"Yea, but you already agreed to stay, so don't go anywhere. We have a lot left to learn and we are far from the strongest. We still need our teacher, even though I get a bit stubborn. How far can you take us?"
"I will take you however far you need to go."
***
The stall was in full party mode by the time the two of them returned. Tana was drifting with a bottle in her hand, and it looked like it was Ophelia's turn to keep an eye on her. Stella and King were pouting upon spotting the return of the two, but it didn't last long when Jack let her read the letter. Luna could barely move as her gut swelled in front of her, but her thumb raised to the sky when she heard Mona's name. Ray and Ishbet had joined the party a couple minutes ago, so initial conversation was still going on, until everyone's ears became perked.
"Heart Hero! I am going to start training my brother to become really strong in the arena and to go on adventures. He wants to impress a certain young lady." Ray and Ishbet laughed, but not nearly as much as Ace did. He also flashed away from the laugh killing punch, just in time for it to hit King instead. The dragon's son ran over to Tana after. "So, I want to invite you to join in. You have a lot of potential, I think."
"Dad, can I? I want to, and I can manage the fund and send things over while I am in Tells. Please Dad, it will be great."
Soji nodded his head and gave a kind smile. "You deserve it. Go ahead." Everyone cheered in their own ways and the red head boy began to glow.
"Look at you being a mentor. For the first time in my life, I might be jealous of you." Iris chuckled.
"About time, childhood was miserable trying to compete with you." Ray rolled his eyes. "But aren't you already a mentor?"
"What do you mean?" Iris asked.
"The white haired one. He looks up to you doesn't he."
"Yea, but he is already stronger than me, and he has a mentor," Iris started, but King's super ears perked, and his low volume voice peaked.
"I look up to you. I think you are cool, and Ace said we are going to get a new mentor anyway. He needs help and you would be a great mentor. You are like my mentor already. I can fight, but you are cool and have a purpose. And I want to see that happen so I can do it too and—"
"I mean look at the kid, Iris. What are you even planning to do? Aren't you retired?"
"I am, and I plan to start teaching warriors to fight for the arena eventually. I have to learn a bit more and understand what it takes to teach." Iris looked down.
"Exactly, so learning from them while being a co-mentor sounds perfect. The arena won't open back for a while and your mom saw a bit of the world before settling down in Tells. You should do the same and have your own answer for what you want to do here. You are like my brother, I love you and always will, but you don't see things right in front of you sometimes."
"Are you inviting me into someone else team? It doesn't work that way." Iris shook his head.
"Oh, did those fancy social parties make you think you need a formal invitation?" Ace laughed. "You been a part of the team since Luna accepted you at the ball."
"I told yo-you hic, that we wou-wouldn't have hic to cut hi-his hair...when he hic joined," Tana struggled.
"See! Jack, he can join right? Iris, you want to join right?" King spun between them trying to ask both.
"Before that, I have to let you know that things have changed. I have decided to try and stop the rebellion. I previously thought that I had no will I wanted to fight for, and that I just wanted to make people happy. I still stand by that, but after seeing what can happen to a kingdom, I can't sit by. I want to stop Michael and if I have to, I will stop Arthur as well. I don't plan to join the empire, and if I see there is suffering by the hand of the emperor then I will fight them too.
"Last time we ended up with one of the worst-case possible and it could happen again. We adventured with a safety net and Ace and Tenny will still join me, but it isn't their responsibility to protect me anymore. I am choosing this fight so if you join me then you will be to. I am not asking any of you to risk your lives for my cause or ideals, but I am saying that joining me means you have decided to take that risk. Except for Luna until she turns 18. Tenny will look after her always.
"I want to fight the world for those that can't do it themselves. What do you guys say?"
"If that is what you want boss." Stella gave a thumbs up. Her sister immediately followed suit.
"I can help. I think I can help," King jumped in. Tenny landed on his shoulder.
"You ki-kids aren't hic going anywhere wi-without me." Tana landed on Ace. Ace nodded to The Hummingbird. All eyes turned to Iris.
"Well, Mr. Wildflower. Still thinking about joining us?" the leader asked.
"We are going to stop other places from falling like this. Now I have to join." Iris smiled before Ray jumped on him.
"Okay, okay that was amazing, but you are talking like the party is over." Soji raised a bottle. "The party is just getting started."
"Now you are talking Chef! Let's go!" Ophelia raised her own. Jack smiled and thought back to Syd's words. It looks like they might see each other again. He may see Vidar again too. There is so much that could happen, but until then Syd was right. There was reason to celebrate because they fought for a reason to celebrate.
***
The team each had their own expression of tired plastered to them, but they patiently waited as the sun crept into the sky. Three hours of sleep was what the lucky ones must have gotten, with Ace, Ophelia and Iris facing misfortune as the ones without sleep, assisting in packing the wagons until this moment.
"Ah!" Ace startled the half-asleep huddle. "Iris, what are you wearing?"
"Oh, I was moving the barrel of ink, and some got on my shirt, so Ophelia gave me this." Iris looked concerned.
"Sis, what are you doing to him. Iris, you are a sexy man, but green is not your colour. You look like you died and came back."
"I feel like that," Stella chipped in.
"I second that." Tana was leaning on the first.
"You are to dramatic brother, but I will miss it. You all better stop by when on that side of the empire again. Everyone would love to see you." Ophelia looked to be fighting back tears.
"Travel safe," Jack said.
"I will miss you sis." Stella hugged her, but Luna still managed to fit in between.
Ace extended a cigarette to her after lighting his. He was surprised to see her put it behind her ear. "You aren't smoking one with me before you go?"
"Nah not yet." She smiled.
"We will see you around Ophy." Tenny took a head scratch.
"I will look after them Huntress." Iris smiled.
"I know you will big guy. It was good fighting with you."
Tana was the last to approach. Her sleepy eyes filled with tears. "I will see you again soon. Okay, and tell the kids I think about them. And Olivia. And all of Evergreen. And—"
Ophelia pulled Tana in and pressed her lips against hers. Elbow nudges and wide eyes were shared between the spectators, even Tana's silvers were fully visible. Her hand refusing to fight the power of the Huntress, the aggressor pulled away.
Tana stood stunned while everyone else smiled at her reaction. Her lip trembling. "Wha-Wha-What was that." Ophelia lit her cigarette before winking at the maiden then extending her knuckles to meet Ace's.
"I had to take the chance while I could. Someone might steal you away by the next time we meet." Ophelia laughed and jumped on the lead wagon. 20 more filled with stuff and guards lined behind her.
"Wha-Wha...huh...does that mean...she likes me?" Tana turned to Stella before turning back to her parting, friend? "She likes me likes me?"
"You always stay you, Tana. Never change!" Ophelia called from moving wagon. Her hands waving grandly as they aimed away from the sun.
"Wow," Jack said.
"I didn't see that coming." Ace laughed.
"You weren't the only one." Stella turned.
"Really? It was pretty obvious," Tenny said. Luna nodded aggressively.
"I feel like I have two moms now too." King smiled.
"King!" Tana startled the dragon. "I love you." She pulled him in.
"We are heading straight there?" Iris asked.
"Right after you change that shirt," Ace answered.
"Can we eat first?" Luna asked.
All heads turned at the voice they hear once a blue moon.
"She has a point," Tenny said.
"Yea, let's go eat." Jack smiled.
They walk towards the kingdom hiding the massive city behind it.
The kingdom sitting quietly in the warming sunlight. The only sounds came from the wagons rolling behind them. A warm orange began to bathe the town, with only the shadows holding the deep blues. The colours fought and danced, but as minutes passed their path was clear illuminated. The orange won.