Author's Notes: Anyone who's waiting for the Reunion arc to finished before they read all of it, just one more chapter. I got a lot of work done on the next one so it should come out pretty soon. Finally got some free time in my life.

Just a reminder I do have a thread post requesting cover art for this story. I added some ideas for cover art with varying degrees of difficulty. Also still offering the artist the ability to name a future main character.

(There's some information about Xoth in this thread)

http://royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=80315

Anyway, please enjoy.

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Chapter 23: Reunion, pt. 2

10 Years Ago...

Spire, Erlonian continent, Xoth

It was late at night as the nine-year-old Sylmae wandered down the hallway of her orphanage. Her throat was parched and she wanted to get a cup of water from the well. The hallways were very dark. The only source of light came from the street lamps and moons through the windows.

While walking down the hallway, Sylmae noticed a door that was opened a crack. Light was coming into the hall from the opening. Syl quietly approached the door and peered in through the crack. Inside the room were the two caretakers of the orphanage. They were talking while drinking tea at a table with a candle on top.

"No one has any interest in Sylmae," the older caretaker said. "It's her damn eyes. It scares anyone away from adopting her. In truth, they scare me as well. We all know that they are the sign of an omen. Even the other children won't play with her."

"How long have we had her?" the other asked. "Eight years, Nine years?"

"Eight years. Eight goddess damned years. If you ask me, I've seen a decline in adoption requests in that time."

"You think her presence is the reason?"

"I know it is. I have a good question for you. Do you remember when we brought her into our orphanage?"

"Come to think of it I don't. She was just here one day."

"Exactly. I don't remember accepting her into this orphanage. She was just here one day. That along with her eyes only tells me she's bad news. This is why we're meeting now." The older caretaker took out several papers from her bag and placed them on the table. "I finally found an orphanage far away that is willing to take her in."

"How did you pull that off?"

A sickly smile came to the woman's face. "Well, I looked for an orphanage that needed more children. I found one at Skysign. I told them we have an overcrowding problem at this orphanage and we have this 'beautiful' elven girl they could take care of. They, of course, were more than willing to take her."

"Did you tell them she had cursed eyes?"

"Why would I? I didn't lie to them. I just... omitted information. At this point it's too late. The papers for transfer has been finalized. They can't give her back."

The two women started laughing about their fortune. Outside the room, Sylmae was in tears. She held her hand over her mouth to preventing her sobbing from being heard. Syl moved away from the door and continued down the hallway. She reached her room and closed the door behind her. Sylmae went into her bed and buried her face into the pillow and proceeded to scream into her pillow.

VVVVVV

One Week Later...

The sun was setting over the mountain making the sky turn purple and orange in colour. The lead caretaker at Skysign's orphanage stood at the front door of her building waiting for her newest child. A wooden carriage, being pulled by two longmas, arrived around the corner of the street. The four-legged reptilian creatures pulled the carriage towards the orphanage. The driver pulled on the reigns of the longmas forcing them to stop in front of the building.

The driver jumped down from his seat and approached the door of the carriage. "Skysign Orphanage," the driver announced as he opened the door of the carriage.

Sylmae walked out of the carriage while looking at her feet. The driver grabbed a bag of her things and walked behind her. They stopped in front of the caretaker. The caretaker bent forward and placed a hand under Sylmae's chin.

"Look up, my dear," she told her. "Let me get a good look at you."

Sylmae looked up with dread in her heart. The caretaker saw her eyes and her smile died down. She realized why the other orphanage gave her away with no strings attached. Regardless of the status of the child, she knows she is obligated to take the elven girl in.

"Here's her bag," the driver said while handing the caretaker the bag.

"Thank you," the caretaker said as she begrudgingly grabbed the bag. She placed a hand on Syl's shoulder. "Come on, Miss Lyvan. I'll show you to your room. Please follow me."

VVVVVV

The Next Day...

Word of Sylmae's eyes spread across the orphanage. Just like the old orphanage, the other children avoided her. No words with her. Not even glancing in her direction. With the imposed isolation, Sylmae sat by a window away from the other children. Through the window, she could see the marketplace next door to the orphanage.

"Hi," a friendly voice greeted behind her.

Sylmae turned around and saw a Naga girl standing there. A cat Beastkin girl hid behind her while peaking out over her shoulder.

"I'm Reia Zyer," she said. Reia looked over her shoulder. "And this is Tala Meow. Don't mind her, she's just really shy."

"Reia!" Tala chided. "It's Tala Mau, not Tala Meow."

Reia giggled. "Made you introduce yourself."

Tala yelped before hiding herself again.

"I-I'm Sylmae Lyvan. Pleased to meet you."

"You have really pretty eyes," Reia told her.

"R-Really?"

"Yes. I like that you have two different coloured eyes." Reia suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet. "Let's be friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes, friends!"

"Are you sure? Don't you know what my eyes mean? People say it means I'm cursed."

"That's stupid. Those people are stupid. I like your eyes. Tala likes them too. So no excuses. You're going to be our friend."

"Aren't you both afraid of what the others will say about you two?"

Both Reia and Tala had a solemn look come to their faces.

"The others don't really play with us," Tala admitted.

"They find us weird," Reia added. "Tala and I are considered outsiders here. Would you like to be an outsider with us?"

This was the first time in her life that Syl was treated with any kindness. Hearing their compassionate words, Syl started to cry. Her knees started to buckle underneath her. Reia approached her and embraced her. Tala moved around and hugged Sylmae from behind. For the first time in her life, Sylmae had friends.

VVVVVV

Four Years Later...

It was bedtime for the children of the orphanage. Reia and Tala were getting ready to sleep. Sylmae was already in bed with her eyes closed. Tala had a candle still lit on her bedside table. She was lying on her stomach trying to sneak in one last chapter in her book.

Reia had a wooden pole as long as she is tall. She spun it around herself trying to imitate the combat style of one of her favourite heroes. Reia spun the stick until she lost control of it and the stick flung towards the wall. The stick made a loud thunk noise before landing on Syl who was trying to sleep.

Sylmae sat up in bed with a start. "Do you really need to do that now?" she yelled.

"I'm sorry," Reia apologized as she grabbed the stick. "I didn't mean to. You know that Mistress doesn't like me practising my fighting style. I'm really close to getting a fighting skill. I can feel it."

"Well, some of us are trying to sleep. I'd appreciate it if I didn't have to worry about being hit in the face!"

"Are you okay, Syl?" Reia asked as she placed the pole on the ground.

Syl blushed before lying on her side with her blankets pulled over herself. "I'm fine."

Reia raised a brow brow walking over to Sylmae's bed. She quickly slid under the cover and wrapped her arms around Syl.

"Ah, Reia!"

"Tell the truth, Syl. What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing."

"Nothing? I don't like you lying to me. I'm afraid I'll have to use extreme measures to get you to tell the truth." Reia's hands moved to Syl's sides.

"Wait, Reia, don't!"

Reia started to tickle Sylmae's sides. Syl started to go into a spasm as Reia made her laugh.

"Stop, s-stop! Ha, ha! I-I'm going to die!"

"Only if you tell me the truth."

"O-Okay, okay! Please!"

Reia released Sylmae from her torture. Syl struggle to catch her breath as she sat up. Reia sat up and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her close.

"Now what's wrong?"

"We had people come in today to look for kids to adopt," Sylmae replied. "I overheard their conversation with the Mistress. They intentionally overlooked you two because you're friends with me. They fear that my curse has affected you both as well. Hearing that, I was thinking that it would be better if..."

"If what?" Tala asked. She put away her book and was engaged in the conversation.

"If we stop being friends," Syl said as tears came to her eyes. "Your chances of being adopted would go up. You both could get a family."

"You're not cursed," Reia told her. "And we're not abandoning you. Right, Tala?"

"Right!" Tala affirmed.

Tala crawled onto Syl's bed and went to her other side. Sylmae was now sandwiched between her sisters. She was feeling better at them reaffirming their loyalty to their friendship.

"We're family, Syl," Reia said. "Don't ever forget that."

"Thanks you. That really makes me feel better."

"Actually I have an idea. A promise."

"A promise?"

Reia nodded. "Yes. Sylmae, Tala. You both are the only family I have ever known. I love you both and I want us to remain family forever. I want us to be fellow wives."

"W-Wives?" Both Tala and Sylmae gasped.

"Yes, wives. There's no one else I could see as fellow wives than you two. Think about it. In three years, we go out and find a job and get a home together. Eventually find a good man to welcome into our hearts. Doesn't sound nice?"

"It does..." Tala admitted.

"Tala likes the idea, what about you, Syl?"

A smile came to Sylmae's face. "...I love it."

Reia reached forward and placed Syl's right hand over hers. She then grabbed Tala's hand and placed it on top of the other two.

"Then it's settled. Family."

"Family!" Syl and Tala repeated.

VVVVVV

Present Day...

Ontario, Canada, Earth

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Syl yelled in anger.

"Look, I can explain," Reia tried to reason.

"Explain? You run off, go missing for a few days and you immediately fall in love with a random stranger. Did our promise six years ago mean nothing to you? Remember? Family!"

"I never forgot that promise!" Reia yelled back. Seeing Sylmae this angry at her was upsetting and was bringing tears to her eyes. "And what do you mean a few days? I have been here a lot longer than that."

"Reia, you went missing three days ago," Tala said. "We went looking for you when you didn't come back after a whole day."

Reia gave the two a dumbfounded look. "Three days? That's how long it has been for you all?"

"Reia, how long has it been for you?" Vivian asked. This bit of information immediately grabbed her attention. She leaned forward.

"I have been here for a month," Reia answered.

"A month!" the three yelled.

"How is that possible?" Vivian asked.

"Maybe Tom can think of something," Reia suggested. "I'll go grab him."

Reia tried to get up.

"Hold it!" Syl said. "You are not off the hook yet."

Reia sat back down in her chair.

"Reia, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that the promise we made six years ago meant something to you. That you didn't make it up on the spot just to make me feel good."

Reia looked Sylmae in the eye with a serious look. "That promise meant everything to me. I wanted us to live in a good home so I-I gave up becoming an adventurer to get a stable and safe job to help provide for us. You both mean more to me than my own dreams. I still love you two and seeing both of you this upset tears my heart apart, but I can't deny what I feel for Tom. Syl, I didn't throw myself at him after a few friendly conversations. The relationship we have was built up over time. Trust, friendship and love. He loves me and even the SYSTEM recognizes his love for me. He makes me feel special and has helped me grow as a person."

Vi, Syl and Tala were almost in awe in Reia's response. The way she talked was different than she did several days ago. She was calmer and more level-headed.

"Syl, Tala, can you two find it in yourselves to forgive me?" Reia asked them. "Eventually...?"

Sylmae crossed her arms with a serious look on her face. Tala clasped her hands together and nervously looked at Syl.

"I'm happy you found someone you can love," Tala admitted.

Syl rolled her eyes and huffed, "Eventually."

Reia leaped out of her chair and hugged Tala and Sylmae together.

"I love you both so much!" Reia squealed.

Tala hugged Reia back with a tear in her eye. Sylmae relented and hugged Reia as well.

"I always love a happy ending," Vivian mused.

Reia sat down between Tala and Syl and wiped away the tears in her eyes.

"I know this may seem a little sudden, but it's... not too late to keep the promise," Reia meekly suggested.

"Are you suggesting...?" Tala said.

"It'll be a little difficult, but I think we can still be family."

"What do you mean a little difficult?" Sylmae asked.

"Well, Humans are usually... monogamous."

"Ooh..." Vivian cringed and leaned back in her chair.

"It's mostly because Humanity's gender ratio on this world is roughly one to one."

"One to one!" the three yelped.

The ratio came as a surprise to the three because none of the races of Xoth came anywhere close to Humanity for male to female gender ratio. On average, the gender ratio for all races was one male for every seven women. Due to this disparity, polygamy laws were a must to assure that males were not monopolized.

"Sylmae, Tala and even Vi... I'm not going to hold it to any of you to feel a certain way for him. Goddess knows that there are a lot of males on this world. I'm only asking that you just get to know him. I believe you will come to feel for him what I feel. He's that kind of guy."

"Just so we're clear," Vivian asked to clarify, "did you give me a free pass to pursue Tom if he strikes my fancy?"

"I guess I did," Reia chuckled. She adjusted herself in her seat. "Just, if anyone wants to act, be sure to let me know. I would need to speak with him."

"And convince him to be polyamorous?"

"Exactly," Reia said while smiling. "I think I can convince him."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Reia," Sylmae cautioned.

"Right, right. Just something to keep in mind, you know."

"Right," Vivian repeated. "We'll put a pin in it for now. Right now, I want to know what has been happening since you came to this world."

"Oh!" Reia yipped. "There is so much I need to tell you all. So much has happened."

"Alright," Sylmae said. Any resentment or anger that she felt was leaving her as Reia's contagious enthusiasm and positivity began to take a hold of her. "Start at the beginning. What happened after you ran off towards the mountains?"

"How did Thomas and you meet?" Tala asked.

"How in the hell is Tom level twenty-two?" Vivian quickly followed up as she leaned forward in anticipation.

"One at a time," Reia said while raising her hands. She was overwhelmed by the rapid questions. "One at a time. I'll start at the beginning. It happened a few weeks ago. Or I guess three days for you three. I was flying towards the mountains when I noticed the storm was growing in strength as I got closer to the mountains..."

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Character Stats:

Spoiler :

StatusNameThomas "Tom" EverettLevel22Experience13320/13850ClassMagic BladeRaceHumanAlignmentGoodCurrencyCanadian$10,517,439.80Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 66 silver 30 copperTitleClever One, Determined, Giant Slayer, Vaccinated, One Of The First, Sole Survivor, Generous Healer, Interpreter, Selfless LoverBuffsAgent of Kara2x experienceBestiary of Xoth+10% damage towards the creatures of XothBrief History of Xoth+10% persuasion chance and friendliness towards the inhabitants of XothDebuffs--Health1250Health Regeneration/min33.99Mana1190Mana Regeneration/min40.3Stamina1190Stamina Regeneration/min8.2Fame3900Infamy0Strength125Intelligence119Wisdom130Perception58Endurance119Vitality103Agility82Luck90Unallocated Points0

ResistancesPhysical44%Disease/Toxin89%Fire44%Plant44%Ice44%Earth44%Lightning44%Water44%Wind44%Spirit44%Light44%Darkness44%

SkillsIdentifyMaster Level 2PersuasionIntermediate Level 1Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10Book LearningMaster Level 10TeacherBeginner Level 4NonchalantMaster Level 10Lightning StrikeIntermediate Level 6Lightning EnchantIntermediate Level 6Lightning ShieldIntermediate Level 3HealIntermediate Level 4PurifyIntermediate Level 5Sword SkillIntermediate Level 6DisguiseIntermediate Level 8PrayerMaster Level 10Hero's CallMaster Level 10Fast TravelMaster Level 10Loot CollectorIntermediate Level 3Magical RepairMaster Level 2TacticianIntermediate Level 3CookIntermediate Level 4Mixed Martial ArtistBeginner Level 8Club SkillBeginner Level 2Trap MasterBeginner Level 7UnbreakableBeginner Level 5FireballIntermediate Level 1Fire EnchantBeginner Level 9Bow SkillBeginner Level 9Surge StrikeBeginner Level 10Enhanced BodyIntermediate Level 3Enhanced MindIntermediate Level 1Chain LightningBeginner Level 3Group HealBeginner Level 4Enhanced SpellsBeginner Level 9Enhanced ResistanceIntermediate Level 4SM TransferMaster Level 10Computer SkillBeginner Level 10MassageBeginner Level 5LoverBeginner Level 4

StatusNameReia ZyerLevel20Experience8835/8865ClassLancerRaceNagaAlignmentGoodCurrencyCanadian$0.00Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 45 silver 14 copperTitleUnknown, Giant Slayer, Determined, Life SaverBuffs--Debuffs--Health1600Health Regeneration/min9.7Mana450Mana Regeneration/min4.5Stamina1010Stamina Regeneration/min10.6Fame3900Infamy0Strength160Intelligence45Wisdom45Perception53Endurance101Vitality97Agility106Luck89Unallocated Points0

ResistancesPhysical24%Disease/Toxin100%Fire24%Plant24%Ice24%Earth24%Lightning24%Water24%Wind24%Spirit24%Light24%Darkness59%

SkillsIdentifyIntermediate Level 8Weapon RepairIntermediate Level 6Armour RepairIntermediate Level 3Weapon CraftingBeginner Level 9Armour CraftingBeginner Level 10Accessory CraftingIntermediate Level 1Spear SkillIntermediate Level 8Clothing ReformMaster Level 3Ice SpikeBeginner Level 6Wind ShieldIntermediate Level 3Wind BladeIntermediate Level 6HealIntermediate Level 4Club SkillBeginner Level 1Sword SkillBeginner Level 9PersuasionIntermediate Level 1Power StrikeBeginner Level 10Enhanced ResistanceBeginner Level 8Group HealBeginner Level 1FlurryBeginner Level 1Spiral ThrustBeginner Level 1Enhanced DodgeBeginner Level 1Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10