Loch kicked the dying Hob, pulling Onyx out. He swung to the right, catching another Hob in the chest. The monster was nearly ripped in half. He stepped back, looking around the small battlefield. Over two dozen Hobs lay on the ground, dead or dying.

Piper, wand in hand, stood between Swift and Light, both pawing at the ground, making sure there were no more Hobs. Cerie stood on Swift’s head, glowing bright. Larry and Jarl were patrolling the perimeter, having killed three or four Hobs each. Kelly and Harper were back to back, finishing off their foes.

Loch shook his head, smiling at the scene. The Hobs, only around Level Ten or so, from what Evaluate had told him, hadn’t been a threat to the Bradys, especially with the four horses there. The family that fights monsters together or something, he thought to himself, starting to walk around making sure all the Hobs were dead.

YOU HAVE SLAIN MARSHMOUND HOB BASHER

Loch dismissed the kill Notification, along with the other ones. The multi-colored sparks started swirling up from the bodies, darting around the small clearing and into each of the Bradys and the horses. Loch was surprised at that. He didn’t think animals could Level, but apparently the four horses were capable of it. Was that because they were bonded now?

The name of the Hobs Clan indicated there was a new Mound around. The teams that had gone to the Library the last time had reported the Darkmound Hobs had repopulated their mound. Giving the Clan another place to farm for Experience. Looking around, Loch couldn’t see where the Marshmound would be. In the general area, both sides of Route 4 were marshy, not giving Loch any help on where to possibly look for the mound. They were halfway between the Clanhold and Johnson’s Fields. When he got back to the school, he’d have to send some Hunters out to explore the area. Some had been out this way, but hadn’t reported any Hob activity. It was always something, he thought, picking up one of the clubs.

“Do we need to still collect the weapons?,” Harper asked.

Most of the newcomers had their own weapons, things they had looted off monsters they had killed. The newcomers were from further away, traveling months now to get to the Clanhold. They had gained Levels and killed monsters on their way. Some had even passed smaller settlements, not stopping for a variety of reasons. Some settlements were unfriendly, others didn’t have the capacity and for some of the Clan’s new members, something just kept drawing them to Northwood.

“Doesn’t hurt to have extras,” Loch replied.

“My people could probably use some more,” Kelly added.

Harper just shrugged, joining her father in collecting the weapons. Most were clubs with a couple rusty swords. Piper held the Bag open, letting them drop in the weapons.

“That’s so weird,” Kelly said. “Gives me a headache watching them warp like that.”

“You learn to look away,” Harper said, dropping another club in.

“Is there any good leather?,” Piper asked.

Cerie buzzed around the battlefield, swooping down to examine the dead hobs.

“No,” she replied, flying back up. “It wasn’t good to begin with and you all sliced it to ribbons or stomped it to uselessness,” she finished, glancing at the horses.

Jarl tossed his head, looking indignant. Larry stomped on the nearest hob, sending blood and guts into the air. He shook his hoof, getting the extra off.

The Bradys all stared at the horses, turned to look at each other, and just started laughing.

***

The fire snapped and popped. It wasn’t large, just enough to keep the chill of the Fall night away. Loch really wanted the adirondack chairs that he and Kelly sat in by the firepit at home, usually with drinks in hand. He briefly wondered if they still existed or had been taken by the Worldcore. Kelly shifted in his arms, and Loch realized he was okay without the chairs.

On the other side of the fire, he could see the girls. They each had long sticks, poking at the ashes. When was the last time he’d heard Harper complain about not having a phone? It had been awhile.

The night was almost perfect. He had his family back.

But not for long. The realization of what they had to do in the morning ruined his good mood. He sighed.

“I know,” Kelly said, quietly, knowing what he was thinking.

He shifted and kissed the top of her head.

“I wish I could stay,” she said.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Me too but those damn Divine Beings….”

“I made the pact with Freyja because she said she’d get me back to you all,” Kelly said, bitterness in her voice. “She did but…”

It was Kelly’s turn to sigh.

“I didn’t think she’d do this.” She shifted so she could turn to look at Loch. “I don’t know if this was worse than not seeing you guys. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I saw you and the girls, saw the life you are building here. The people you’re helping. But…,” she couldn’t finish, wiping at the tears starting to form.

“But having to go back just hurts that much more,” Loch finished.

“Yeah,” she said, snuggling in closer.

Loch watched the shadows as the flames danced.

***

It was almost midday as they stood in front of the portal. Two women were already there, the Valkyries that had come with Kelly. They looked bored, leaning on their spears. Neither bothered to stand up when Kelly had appeared.

The portal was small, barely a visible dot.

“How is that working without the portal stone?,” Harper asked.

“The Divine Being is powering it,” Cerie replied. She flew closer, but still stayed back from the portal a couple inches, not wanting to get too close. “I am not sure how she is able to do it.” Her eyes glowed green. “This is not something I have a record of.”

“I wish it wasn’t working,” Piper muttered.

Kelly pulled her close, giving her a hug.

“Me too,” Kelly said.

“We do need to go back,” one of the Valkyries said.

Loch wasn’t sure which one she was. He’d been introduced but hadn’t really spent any time with them aside from the fight with Hoskia. They’d spent their time exploring the area and killing things. They’d even joined one of the Dungeon teams, including running the Challenge Dungeon, working to get experience and gear. It was something they were lacking in. Always traveling, they didn’t get to run many Dungeons.

“Yeah, who knows the trouble Senora’s caused while you’ve been gone,” the other said.

Kelly sighed, her face dropping at first but then steeling into determination. That was just one of many things Loch loved about her. She wouldn’t shirk her responsibilities. She took a deep breath.

“You have to,” Loch said. “I don’t want you to but you have to.”

“I know.”

“And at least we’ll be able to talk this time,” he said, pulling the notebook out of the small pouch he wore.

Kelly pulled her copy out, looking at it.

“Will it have the range?”

“Kristin said it has unlimited range,” Loch answered with a shrug. “I guess we’ll find out.” He put it away.

Kelly put hers away. She turned to the girls, holding her arms out. Both girls ran to their mother, hugging her tightly. Both were crying, not holding back. Kelly whispered to them, kissed their heads and just held them.

A bright flash of light caused Loch to turn. The portal had grown, large enough for a person to walk through. He couldn’t see anything on the other side, just the light blue that filled the inside of the crackling darker blue border. If there had been a portal stone, Loch would have been very tempted to destroy it. He hated that portal.

He sighed, stepping away from it.

That wasn’t fair. He couldn’t leave his responsibilities in Northwood to join Kelly with her caravan. It wasn’t right that he make her leave her responsibility. And it had sounded like she was needed. The only one that prevented Senora Barkfall from having complete control of all those people. Those people needed someone to go.

Northwood couldn’t handle an influx of the hundreds, and probably more by the time the caravan would get there. But he would make sure it was ready when the caravan would arrive.

They didn’t know what Freyja meant for all those people but Kelly had a plan and a destination regardless of what her Patron wanted.

Kelly released the girls. They didn’t let her go. Slowly, she took their hands away from her sides, She held them for a bit, looking at each of her girls. She smiled.

“I’m so proud of both of you,” she said, leaning down and kissing each on the top of their heads. She stood up, letting go of their hands. “I need you two to look after your father. You know the kind of trouble he can get into.”

Harper gave a small laugh. Piper wiped away her tears.

Kelly turned away from them, walking over to Loch. Tears ran down her face but she stood strong. He reached out, taking her hand, pulling her close. They hugged, holding each other tight. Loch didn’t want to let her go. She leaned back, head off her shoulder, looking up at him. Loch kissed her. Short but tender. The kind they’d give each other in the morning when heading off to work. The ‘see you later, love you’ kind of kiss.

They’d said their goodbyes. Both knew that lingering would break their resolve.

Kelly stepped back, looking Loch in the eyes.

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

She walked toward the portal, Loch turning to watch, the girls stepping up next to him. The two Valkyries walked in, one after the other, disappearing. Loch could only see the parts of their bodies on his side of the portal, the shimmering light blue barrier looking like it was cutting them clean.

Kelly stopped in front of the portal. Her shoulders sagged and it looked like she was going to take a step back. Lifting her head high, her shoulders raised, Kelly walked through the portal and disappeared.

Loch dropped to the ground, tears flowing down his face. Harper grabbed him on one side, Piper the other and together the three Bradys cried.