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For those visitors who would come to see my once Home, they will see it as a wonderful place of warmth, strength and passion. They are deceived by looks and riches. But for us who once lived and stayed in that place we used to call Home, to be visiting it again, all we see and are reminded of are always broken things and only broken things that were left as is… Caused by selfishness and one’s own desires that were left unpunished and were never bat an eye…

– Garett Rowe

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I was surprised at what I heard from Garett as soon as we arrived at the village. He seemed to be staring at nothingness for a while before sighing and began walking. Quickly, I then followed right behind him, and close enough to not get lost through the incoming crowd. Despite returning to this place he called home, he seemed tense.

  "So, this is the village you and Alessio used to live in?... It looks more lively than what I heard of before. Well, I suppose I could say to any other villages we’ll be visiting…" I said, my eyes looking around as we were walking around town only to stop when I immediately noticed him suddenly stopping as well. "... Hmm?"

  He turned at me. "You… You never left the kingdom’s castle before, huh?"

  I blinked twice in confusion at first before immediately shaking my head.

  "I see…" he said. "So you never knew what it was like outside of those walls?"

  "No, not really… Both Queen Minerva and the Head General, Valerio never allowed me to leave without their permission…" I responded, my head lowered before looking back at him as I heard him suddenly laughing in a low tone before it became loud then soon calmed down. "What… What was so funny about it, Garett?"

  Without looking at me, he took a deep breath before letting out a deep yet frustrated sigh. "They… They truly leave you in the dark for that long, huh?... Of course they did. What else was I expecting from people like them at this point?!…"

  I narrowed my eyes a bit for a moment, and was hesitant to ask him at first but I still did, "What do you mean by that? Is… Is there something I need to know?"

  Unexpectedly, he became silent. I thought he was going to get mad at me for asking about it, but he instead began walking once again as I followed behind him. Only after a bit while walking, did I soon hear him sigh deeply and responded with,

  "In times like these, where war and battles never seem to end, people’s safety and protection doesn’t last long, or for some of us living here long enough, we begin thinking it may never even exist at all, and are nothing more than naive wishful thinking. Even in villages like these that are protected by the kingdom’s walls, there was never a time where we ever felt safe, and instead, we felt fear… So much of it… And even the young ones were able to feel such things whenever they saw those familiar men keep coming back to their house every now and then… Knowing they would hurt them and their parents, or worse, but for reasons they will never understand…" Garett said in a serious and low tone, his head lowered.

  I was surprised and quite in disbelief of what I was hearing. But I kept myself quiet and wondered, If this has been happening for so long, why hasn't Queen Minerva done anything about it?... before looking at him, hearing him speak again...

  "Those men who trained for so long and were meant to protect this kingdom and its people, under the orders of their rulers, would obey, fight, and supposedly protect their own people without that much hesitation. And yet… because of their own selfish desires, may it be out of greed, malice… or lust… They truly think they could just do whatever they want to these innocent and poor people, because their superiors or the ruler doesn’t punish them for it… And it truly sickens me so much."

  And from that short moment, I was able to sense it again. I was able to sense the growing hatred from him once more like before. But this time, it seems that he’s trying his best not to let it get worse and get into his head. But even so… I…

  "Garett, I… I’m sorry… If I only knew I would perhaps try convincing her to…"

  "You don’t need to apologize for it, El. You didn’t know. And even if you knew, I don’t think it’s that easy to talk to the Queen about it, even if you’re that close to her. But…" he paused, looking back at me. "…If you were to choose to become the Queen of this kingdom one day, I could only hope that you would perhaps change things for the better. But if you choose not to, it’s alright too. I don’t want to force you to become someone you’re not, or to let you carry that kind of heavy burden if you never wanted it in the first place… Whatever your choice may be, Alessio and I will respect and support you for it, and even help you live a better life than before."

  Garett soon slowly smiled, placing his hand on my head, "That’s a promise…"

  Becoming the Queen of this kingdom? To be able to change things here for the better? I suppose that would be a great idea to happen one day in the future. But for now, I will do whatever I can, just as I am to help others, and importantly my family as well. A smile slowly formed in my face as I stared at him, "Thank you, Garett..."

  "... Garett?... Is that really you?..." a man’s voice spoke out while a clang sound of a sword dropping on the ground suddenly made us look at him at the same time.

  Garett’s eyes widened in surprise as he hesitantly said, "... F-Father?"

  And before anything else happened, Garett soon found himself being in the embrace of the man as he rushed at him with open arms. He seemed to be still surprised by all of what was happening, but a crying could be heard from the man as the embrace became tighter. "You… You have no idea how much I was worried..."

  Garett soon returned the embrace to his father, closing his eyes while trying to stop himself from crying, "I’m… I’m sorry for getting you worried. But I’m home now, father… I’m here now…" but as they broke the hug, a small smile on his face as he wiped the tears that formed on his eyes before they looked at me.

  His father was silent, his eyes widened in surprise and almost with fear as well, which is understandable. "Oh my goddess!… A-Are you who I believe you are?"

  "H-Hello Mr. Rowe… Do you still remember me?" I said, waving my hand a bit with an awkward smile on my face. "I know that this may all seem unbelievable but if it’s alright by you two, can we perhaps… talk more about this somewhere else?"

  He blinked a couple of times in confusion at first before nodding, and soon we began walking to their old home. Upon arriving at the place though, I noticed how Mr. Rowe was looking around before closing the door behind us then sighing.

  "I hope that none of those men saw us. I truly don’t want to deal with them right now." he said before looking back at us, smiling a bit. "That’s nothing to worry about for now you two. Please, take a seat while I’ll prepare something for you two."

  We watched him head to the kitchen as Garett soon sat down on his seat, his head lowered, his eyes staring at the wooden table for a while before he looked at me as I sat down on the chair next to him with my hand on his shoulder.

  "I’m fine, El…" he said. "It’s just… It’s been a long time since I’ve been here…"

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  He then lifted his head, looking at the wooden decorations and all sorts of weapons displayed above the fireplace and walls.

  "I could still remember it clearly, when my father came home one night with a young boy in his arms. He told me that he’s going to be my younger brother from now on, and I should protect him, I should train him, I should treat him like we were truly brothers by blood… And well, it was difficult in the first few weeks with him. He refused to talk to me, and sometimes I could see him crying at night. I didn’t know why until my father told me about what truly happened that night…"

  He soon looked back at me before he continued, "Even when we became closer from being friends to actual brothers at that time, I still feel like in his heart, it still aches for your loss even when he tries his best not to show it to me as much as he could. But I was still able to tell, and began to care about you too, despite not knowing you personally or at least on the same level as he does with you." He then sighed and lowered his head.

  "I’m… I’m sorry if I may seem to bring up painful memories. But despite how there were good memories I had of this place with my family, there were a lot as well that were truly the worst ones too. Even before Alessio came into our life at that time. And I can’t forget them even if I wanted to."

  Hmm… I may have a feeling of what it could be, and it could have something to do with the men or the "knights" of this kingdom? But I don’t want to ask to confirm it or bring up more bad and unwanted memories as it is. I do feel like he’s going to blow up any moment now if that were to be brought up or if they ever arrived here later…

  "I-It’s alright, Garett. I should be thanking you all to be honest." I said, smiling a bit. "Because of your kindness, patience, love and care for him, he became the man he is now. A strong and courageous warrior he may be at times, but he still knows how to be humble and show kindness to the ones in need… Just like you."

  "I-I…" he paused, clearing his throat. "Thank you, El. Well, there’s also the recklessness, but I truly can’t say the same for his stubbornness and self-loathing."

  "And you think being reckless is a good trait to have and be proud of?" Mr. Rowe said, serving cups of tea and a plate of bread on the table. "If you have Lady Luck’s blessings or you’re always in her favor, then I suppose it’s fine and you’ll live another day. But some aren’t that lucky and would just die embarrassingly y’ know."

  "Heh… But what’s the use of having Lady Luck’s blessings if it would only save yourself, and not someone or anyone else, right?" Garett said before staring down at his cup and silence filled the room until he spoke again. "You probably already know it by now. The Tyrant General’s plan, and what happened to… him…"

  Mr. Rowe sat down on the chair across us, sighing and rubbing his temples.

  "When… I saw their men come back recently, I was a bit surprised at how quick they were, but only a few of them remained from the last time they left. I couldn’t care less of what happened to them, and was more surprised when I saw they had a captive… It was your brother, Alessio... I was in doubt of it all when I saw him there in one of their carriages…" he said, looking at his reflection on his tea cup. "I then began to get worried about what happened to you since I know you were always there for him, but you weren’t there. And from that moment on, I thought of the worst scenarios…" he then looked at Garett. "But thank the goddess, you’re here, still alive and well… but I wasn’t expecting someone familiar to be…"

  "It’s a long and complicated story, Father. And the strange man who did bring her back to life wasn’t even from the other kingdom, or from this kingdom. But the man seemed to be working for Queen Minerva… or what I’ve heard at least." Garett said before looking at me. "I’m… sorry if I haven’t told you about that yet until now."

  Before I was able to say anything else, Mr. Rowe immediately stood up from his seat with wide eyes as he asked, "Is he… known as the Travelling Wood Carver?"

  "Y-Yes. That’s his occupation." I said. "But to me he is my companion in—"

  "My lass, my dear Endellion— you should never trust that man at all!" Mr. Rowe suddenly shouted while pointing his finger at me. "That man… whatever he is, he’s not just any of us normal human beings or even an Eranko. He isn’t just one of those dark warlocks or one of those cult people— No one knows whose side he’s even on! He could betray anyone in a heartbeat if he finds them no longer useful!"

  "He brought me back to life, Mr. Rowe!" I shouted back, staring at his orange eyes. "He’s the reason why I’m still standing here, being able to see and talk to you. He gave me a second chance in life, to be able to see and save my older brother… to be with him once again… And it may be true that I may not know my companion in black as much as I believed I do, I may not know what is going on his head most of the time, and I know that you are just concerned for me— not wanting to lose me again like before, but please…" I gently held both of his hands. "... Have trust in me and my choices… Just like how you put your trust in Alessio’s choice and the King..."

  He blinked twice in surprise at how I seemed to know about that, before looking at Garett, and after seeing him look away from him, he then looked back at me and sighed. "Fine. I… I suppose you are old enough to make your own choices in life, and I should respect them. But— that still doesn’t mean that I will trust that man, you understand, lass?... Just…" he places his hands on my shoulder, looking at my eyes with pleading eyes, before he continues, "Always be cautious and careful…"

  I stared at him for a short moment before nodding and smiled at him a bit to reassure him. "Of course… I will be more cautious and always be careful, uncle…"

  "Ah, that’s good to hear, Endellion… I’m glad that you— Wait, what did you just call me?" He said in realization and surprise before noticing Garett approaches him. "Did you just call me… uncle?... It’s been a long time since you called me that."

  "Father, please don’t cry..." Garrett said, patting his hand on his father’s shoulder before looking at me. "I’m… I’m sorry if you had to see him being like this."

  "It’s no worries at all, Garett… I understand." I responded, smiling awkwardly.

  "Right, right… You’re right, son." Mr. Rowe said, wiping away the tears that formed in his eyes before smiling a bit. "An old man myself is too old to be crying and needs to get it together. I need to keep it strong for the three of you afterall…"

  "Hey, we’re not kids anymore either. We’re old enough to defend ourselves and defend each other…" Garett crossed his arms before looking away. "Sure, there’s some instances where we can’t predict what will happen to the other or to ourselves, but you need to think more of defending and taking care of yourself too."

  "Alright, I know that I said that I was already too old, but I’m not that old, Garett!" Mr. Rowe suddenly grabbed the sword while still in its scabbard that was by the fireplace. "I am still strong enough to wield any weapon, so I can assure you both that I can still defend myself, and will kick anyone out of my home who dares to bring harm to me— or to any of my children when they are around my sight!"

  Garett sighed, shaking his lowered head. "Don’t get too cranky, old man…"

  "Oi! Now who are you calling a cranky old man, rebel lad?!" Mr. Rowe said, attempting to hit Garett with the sword’s scabbard, but quickly failed as Garett was able to get a grab on it before it even hit his head or even touched his hair. He seemed a bit surprised by it before noticing Garett glared back at him. I became worried that things would end up badly, but soon the two just began… laughing?

  But then again, looking at the scene unfolding in front of me right now, seeing them being happy and laughing like that, even after everything they went through the years they’ve lived here in this town, and reuniting once more after the years they’ve been apart… it feels nice and warm, and this home is still a place he could return to… I’m sure Alessio will think and feel the same if he were here to see this… Oh, Alessio…

  My smile faded slowly before looking down at the Stone of Time in my hand before clenching it, sighing quietly before looking back at them as Garett looked back at me, scratching the back of his head. "...S-Sorry if you seemed worried or confused about all of this, El. This is… this is just how we both are at times. Trust me, Alessio was confused as you are when he first came here and saw us like that."

  He then soon slowly looked away from me after seeming to be remembering something, or someone. "Right… Alessio…" he then looked back at his father. "I’m very glad to have talked with you again, but we— El and I… should get going soon."

  "Garett…" I said, holding my hands together as I looked at him. "You… you don’t need to force yourself to go back to the kingdom with me right now. You can stay here and be with your father for as long as you need to. It seems to have been a long time since you two have been apart afterall. And please…" I smiled a bit, trying to reassure them. "Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. And I’ll make sure to accomplish the plan we all started yesterday… to save Alessio, give the letters to the Queen, and be fully convinced to end this long and bloody war once and for all."

  "Endellion…" Garett said before slowly approaching me and placing his hand on my shoulder. "Thank you for giving me this time, but know as well that I will be there to follow after you. Remember that you’re not here to fight it alone, alright?"

  I nodded at him with a much bigger smile before wrapping my arms around him. "I believe that I should be the one thanking you... For not giving up on me, and making me see and realize things I was being blindfolded to for a long time now…"

  "I’m actually glad that I was able to be that much of help to you, El…" he said, gently rubbing my hair with his large and warm hand, his head lowered. "No one— and I mean literally no one— should be left in the dark when it comes to the truth of things. Even if it may be unbelievable at first, it’s much better to be aware of such coming from the actual people themselves, than continue living in a life that is being fed with nothing but beautiful words and lies from those who are— or will be planning to take advantage of us sooner or later. Or continue to do so until now."

  "Believe him when he says all of that, lass…" Mr. Rowe added as I soon broke the hug and looked at him. "And believe when I say this to you, if any of those men tries to even get a single strand of hair from you, I won’t hesitate to come there—"

  "Let’s try to not give her more problems here, father… Though if it was me, I would have probably done it with the same amount of brutality, but more sneakily than you, old man." Garett said with a slight chuckle before looking back at me with a slight smile. "Alright, alright. Enough of us joking around here. As you said earlier, you have to get going now, right?... Don’t let us or our joking around stop you now."

  I nodded to him with a smile one more time before I was about to take my leave when suddenly I felt his hand grabbing to my arm gently, making me quickly look back at him. There was only silence between us as he gave me this look of sadness and worry, feeling his grip on me tightened for a short moment, it’s as if he still didn’t want to let me go out of hesitation and worry. But not for long, he closed his eyes and slowly loosened his grip on me, finally letting me go.

  Continuing on walking towards the door, I stopped in front of it and opened it before looking back at them one last time, seeing them side by side with his father’s hand on his shoulder. With a smile, I said, "No matter how long it might take us, we’ll both be sure to be back home..." and soon closed the door as I left…