Arc 4: What families entail
Road to a Hero:
Three chances in another world
Chapter 3. Happy New Years
A few days pass, then after over a month of waiting New Year's eve is finally among the world. The village is lit up by lights, with sounds of cheer flowing through the streets. Then in the cozy cottage near the outskirts of the village, a makeshift family celebrates the new year.
Gray: “SO! While Julius finishes getting the plates ready, we decide on the order of presents. Since we decided to group and get one person a present from everyone this should go pretty fast.”
Rosemary: “I think we should go one by one.”
Soku: “Same.”
Edward: “I agree as well.”
Gray: “Alright Oldest to youngest GO!.”
Rosemary: “Wait shouldn’t we wait for Julius.”
Julius: “I will be done soon you guys celebrate.”
Gray: “AND WITH THAT! Edward, you’re first.”
Rosemary: “Here open it!”
Edward opens his gift revealing a book about the history of The Helsing family
Edward: “Oh nice! Thank you, everyone.”
Gray: “It’s the most recent copy, so it even has stuff about you in there!”
Soku: “Alright now for Rosemary.”
Rosemary: “Oh it’s pretty!”
Rosemary opens her gift to find a well-crocheted sweater. Baby blue, the same color as her eyes. Those same eyes tear up, using the sweater to cover her tears.
Gray: “WOOOH, not the reaction I was expecting! Are you okay?”
Rosemary: “It…it’s just…I spent a long time on my own…and when I met Soku and….Ophelia, I thought I had gotten my family…I was never expecting this…”
Gray: “Well…I’m glad you’re happy. Now for ME!”
Gray grabs his gift, like a child on Christmas morning. He opens it revealing a light orange scarf.
Gray: “SWEET! Mary, did you make this?”
Rosemary: “Mary? Oh yeah, I did, and I assume you made mine?”
Gray: “Right on the money.”
Gray kisses Rosemary while Soku reaches for her gift. She looks to find a small box.
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Soku: “Pretty small.”
Gray: “Hey I'd say it's quite large, just open it please.”
Soku: “Please? Who are you and what did you do with Gray Kyojin?”
Rosemary: “Soku…please.”
Soku opens the box, and she tears up once she sees the interior. She lifts a pink hair clip out of the box. One of Ophelia's extras.
Soku: “Ho…w…how did you…et…dis…?”
Gray: “When I got knocked out in my fight with Edward…I think she stopped to see me and put that in one of my inner jacket pockets. I didn’t know it was there until I checked a week or two after we got here.”
Soku hugs Gray, squeezing him tight and wiping her tears with his newly put-on scarf. Gray gets down on one knee, putting the hair clip in Sokus's hair, holding back her newly burned short hair to revile her elf ear.
Rosemary starts to tear up at the wholesome sight. Then in the corner, Julius watches while he begins to give everyone their food.
Julius: “I will pass out my presents to all of you now.”
Edward: “Wait you didn’t need to get us all one?”
Julius: “It’s quite alright it’s thanks for bringing me here.”
Julius hands each of them three golden coins.
Gray: “NICE MONEY!”
Soku: “I do love money. LIKE LOVE IT!”
Rosemary: “Oh you don’t need to pay us.”
Edward: “Yeah we don’t need it.”
Julius: “Please take it, I would not want you to give back my gift.”
Rosemary: “Alright then…well we got you a gift as well!”
Gray: “Yeah here ya go!”
Gray hands him a small box. Julius opens it to see a ring with the Walgonian crest on it.
Julius: “What is…this?”
Edward: “If you want to stay with us until we get Walgonia back…you can wear that to be one of us. But understand you can leave whenever you want. You’re not a hostage.”
Julius: “I thank you. I thank all of you for the opportunity of life I have been given.”
They all hear pops outside. They walk outside to see fireworks celebrating the new year.
Rosemary: “WOOOAH.”
Gray: “Isekai fireworks…cool!”
Soku: “They are cool.”
Edward: “I hope this year is better than the last.”
Gray: “What year is it?”
Julius: “Fourteen ninety-seven, or Fourteen ninety-eight now.”
Gray: “Almost a new centennial.”
Soku: “You know big words?”
Gray: “You know you got snot on your face from crying earlier?”
Soku blasts wind in Gray's face. Everyone laughs and they spend the rest of the night eating and having fun. They all fall asleep ending their month of rest. When they awake they will be heading toward their mission to save Walgonia.
Rosemary: “You’re packing Jeremiah's mask? Why not take a normal helmet or something?”
Gray: “It’s like a trophy y’know…also it looks cool.”
Soku: “GET OUT HERE GORDONS WAITING!”
Gray: “COMING!”
Gordon greets the Group outside their cottage. With a carriage with him.
Gordon: “The horses are wearing crystals that will drive any spirit animals away so don’t be worried about that.”
Edward: “Are you coming with us?”
Gordon: “I need to finish getting everyone ready here. Take this note and go greet Lincoln .”
Edward: “Lincoln...But nobody knows where he is…he hasn’t been seen since the previous ruler of Athens was assassinated. I can’t find a man that has been missing for four years!”
Gray: “Lincoln?”
Julius: “Lincoln was the lead commander for Athens in the demi-human war. Though due to unknown reasons he left his country and his children. About four years ago their king was murdered by an unknown figure, but he didn’t leave Athens to anyone. So now it is undergoing a civil war between both of Linchon's children.”
Soku: “Rumor on the street is that the Gravestone pirates may be there.”
Edwards’ face goes blank, his mind overflows with memories of his village.
Rosemary: “How exactly are we going to try and end the war?”
Gordon: “That’s for you to decide. Either take out both sides or pick the one you want to win.”
Gray: “So that’s it then. I’ll go up the mountain and talk with Ryo, and you guys are gonna head over to Athens. We have very different jobs huh, I want you guys to write to me when you have a place to stay so I’ll know where to go when I get there. And write me if anything goes wrong as well.”
Gordon: “Julius…you are in charge, I want to put my trust in you. Edward, you are the second in command.”
Julius: “Yes, understood sir.”
Edward: “Alright let's go.”
Gray hugs Rosemary. They kiss and enter the carriage.
Rosemary: “Are you just going to walk up the mountain or will you get a ride as well?”
Gray: “You think I’m walking up that damn mountain? To hell with that, I’m getting on Dema and flying up there.”
Soku: “That is smarter.”
Rosemary: “And you have everything you need? Are you sure? clothes, toothbrush, a blanket…”
Gray: “YES MOM! I’m good…now I’ll be missing you until you get back.”
Gordon: “Good luck to you all.”
With that, they part ways on the path. Gray walks to the stables and unties Dema. She squawks and rubs her head on Gray's face. He gasps in pain since her scales are scratching his skin.
Gray: “Alright Dema…up the mountain. Ryo Hollis, the Spirit Knight, I will be your student. I will be a Spirit Knight and save Walgonia from those psychopaths.”
End of Chapter Three.