Chapter 61: The Path.
Callie lingered by the market, watching Matt as he worked, his warm glances and smiles filling her with a sense of peace and belonging. Determined, she left the market to find Ava, who was sitting on the edge of the training ground, looking out thoughtfully.
“Hey, kiddo,” Ava greeted, holding her arm out as Callie sat beside her. Ava wrapped her arm around her, sensing Callie had something to say.
“I’ve made my decision, Ava,” Callie said, her voice steady. “I want to stay here and train with you.”
Ava’s smile widened, and she pulled Callie in close. “Are you sure? This won’t be easy.”
Callie nodded, her expression resolute. “I’ve thought about it. I want this. If you’d asked me a month ago, I’d probably have gone back to the base. But after everything that’s happened, I feel like I’ve found a strength in myself… and that’s because of you.”
Ava chuckled, a glint of pride in her eyes. “You’re not that shy cadet anymore. Fighting off bandits, sneaking out with boys,” she teased, giving Callie a playful nudge.
“Oh, stop it,” Callie said, blushing.
“Fine, fine,” Ava laughed. “Tonight, you can tell everyone. I’ll gather them up.”
Later that evening, at Ava and Talon’s cabin, the close-knit group gathered around a crackling fire as Talon grilled meat over the BBQ. Jess brought out drinks, playfully nudging Lucas as he balanced a stack of plates.
“Ava, I think you’re raising a troublemaker,” Jess teased, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at Callie. “I see a little more of you in her every day.”
“Guilty,” Ava grinned, ruffling Callie’s hair. “All right, everyone, Callie’s got something she wants to say.”
Callie stood, her nerves buzzing but her heart filled with excitement. She looked around at her friends—the people who had become her family. Taking a deep breath, she began.
“I just want to say… thank you. For welcoming me, for making me feel like I belong. You’ve all been incredible.”
“You’re family, Callie!” Jess called out, beaming with pride.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Callie smiled. “Thank you. Because of all of you… I’ve decided to stay and train as a Ronin with Ava.”
The group burst into applause, cheering and clapping. Talon whooped, lifting his drink in a toast, while Lucas nodded approvingly.
After the applause faded, Ava and Talon exchanged a look, and Ava stepped forward, holding something wrapped in a dark cloth. “We have something for you, Callie,” she said, her tone soft but meaningful. She handed over the bundle. “You’ll need this on your journey.”
Callie unwrapped it, gasping as she saw the newly forged sword. She ran her fingers along the blade, feeling the weight and balance. “This must’ve taken months to make… it’s incredible,” she said, awestruck.
"It won't do the job of Ava's beast of a sword, but hopefully, it won't break right away," rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, I was going to use it for drills with Ava, but you saved me from that role,” he joked, grinning as Ava shot him a playful glare.
Jess smirked. “Nice dodge, Talon.”
Talon laughed, looking back at Callie with a warm expression. “Honestly, it’s going to someone who deserves it. I hope it serves you well, kiddo.”
Callie’s eyes shone as she hugged Ava and Talon tightly. “Thank you. I’ll do my best to earn this.”
“You already have,” Ava said softly, giving her a squeeze.
As the evening continued, they laughed, shared drinks, and retold old stories. At one point, Lucas leaned in, raising his glass. “Talon, why don’t you tell Callie one of our less dignified adventures? Let her know what she’s signing up for.”
Talon’s grin widened mischievously. “Oh, you mean the chicken farm incident?”
Ava groaned, though she couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Here we go…”
Talon launched into the story. “We were clearing out some bandits from this outpost—pretty standard stuff—except they’d taken over a chicken farm. And let me tell you, these were the meanest, most demonic chickens you’ll ever meet. We’re talking feathered nightmares.”
Everyone chuckled, and Callie’s eyes widened, laughing at the image.
“So there we are, sneaking in, trying to be all tactical,” Ava added, smiling, “and Talon here stumbles into a coop and practically knocks it over. Next thing we know, we’re swarmed.”
Talon raised his hands dramatically. “They were relentless, I swear! Pecks and feathers everywhere! I was swinging my rifle like a club, screaming, ‘Back, you little demons!’”
Lucas laughed so hard he had to put his drink down. “You should have seen him! Covered head to toe in feathers.”
Callie burst into laughter, wiping tears from her eyes. “That sounds like complete chaos.”
Ava nodded, smirking. “It was. And Talon… let’s just say his new nickname for a while was ‘The Chicken Whisperer.’”
“Thanks, Ava,” Talon groaned, I will add that to the list, swamp rider and all the others, feigning annoyance but clearly enjoying the laughter.
As the night deepened, they all gathered around the fire, listening to the crackling wood and the rustle of leaves in the warm evening breeze. Lucas raised his glass one last time. “To Callie, the newest Ronin-to-be. And to family—through every trial, every victory, and every laugh.”
They clinked glasses, and Callie looked around, her heart swelling with gratitude. She knew the path ahead would be challenging, but with these people beside her, she felt ready.
And as the stars shone above them, she knew she’d found a family and a place to call home.
---
End of volume 4.