Now six years later, it was a memory that flooded his dreams. Everyone was saved once again by the Flash guardians, especially the Dragonslayer. The adults had stories to tell and children to play as part of it. The world of Enchanteria was still trying to fix itself while it still can, but still, it was a long time ago.

A time when the reign of terror of the Devastrigon had ended and the slayer was gone to finally settle in his resting place. The Drakoroaria kingdom will take care of the Darken clan, but nothing had been heard from them since.

The sixteen-year-old Maxabiere woke up from the morning's greeting. In a lovely two-storied house lived none other than the Berrygrewd family. It was built in an area stretched with trees and was a part of the large, prosperous, provincial town of Yardsville- one of the largest built town in the landmass of Etheron- almost as if it was a city. On the white kitchen island, Elise, the caring mother, was making chicken sausage, portions of bacon, and eggs in the cooking area.

Holly, the typical responsible elder sister, was preparing their plates, cups, and silverware on the table layered with white cloth knitted with blue butterflies dancing above the red, pink, and blue aster flowers.

Rose and Pansy, the opposite twins, had their own doings on the table. Rose was reading her favorite kids book, Quacky Ducky, on the right side, while Pansy on the left side was indulging a nice hot chocolate on her favorite white mug with a typography Absolute mood.

MaXabiere came downstairs and stretched his arms high as he came into the kitchen island. He immediately went into the sink beside Elise to wash the sleepiness away.

Pansy looked at the book her twin was reading. "Um, Rose, why are you reading that?"

"Well, duh." Rose tilted her head. "I want to read this to the kids when it's their bedtime story later."

"Isn't that where the cute duckling gets brutally murdered by the wolves?" Pansy gave her twin the look. There was a short pause when Rose gave her a short glance back and forth to the children’s book.

"Almost you mean… Quacky did survive at the end of the story, though. And they lived happily ever after." There was a short pause again. She may be chaotic, but even Pansy wasn't sure about this as a nice way to tell the children. "What? It's not like they won't sleep after this,” Rose continued, “Besides, it's more kid-friendly and less graphic, unlike the time when you told the story about the Slender person. Also, Quacky's friends are super adorable too."

"It was Halloween, Rose! Those orphans were asking for a spooky story." Pansy sipped her hot chocolate aggressively. Absolute mood indeed.

"Which wasn't for kids!" retorted Rose.

Elise held two plates. Chicken sausages and bacon on the left plate and sunny side up on the right. "Girls, please, you both tell stories that always have spooky elements in them." The mother placed the plates on the table.

"Mom, all children's tales have spooky elements in them." Pansy sipped her drink aggressively again with her loud sipping sounds.

Rose stopped reading. "What? Not all of them."

"I was referring to the original versions, silly." Pansy teased by poking her twin's cheek. After MaXabiere finished wiping his face with a white towel hanging at the side of their fridge, he opened it to take out a glass pitcher full of water before joining in with his sisters. The same went with Holly after she set the table. She and Xabe sat together, facing the twins.

"Xabe, do you still have the list for the day?" Elise sat on the head chair.

"Uh-huh." MaXabiere pulled out the folded note from the right pocket of his white pajamas. "And my god, it's like a freaking food pyramid."

"It's the essentials." Holly sliced the sausage with her knife.

Over the years, it became normal to call him Xabe for short. Unlike his sisters, their parents didn't give him a name of a flower, or any plant for that matter, not even from a spice. Instead, the name simply came from a legendary Viking leader in the Thonderhart clan, MaXabeard the Destined one, or MaXabeard Ragnirson, one of the great heroes in The Epic sagas.

As the old prophecy had stated, MaXabeard did live up to his name and brought unity and prosperity to both his clan and the other kingdoms when he settled in the landmass of Etheron. In The Epic sagas, a certain religious church even renamed him as MaXabiere, from the name Xabiere, which means 'chosen one'.

It is as if, metaphorically speaking, Xabe was chosen to live up to his own destiny. Much like what the Viking leader did- minus learning about the universe, the true purpose of the mortal beings, the hidden power of the enchanted world, began questioning the gods, and lastly having an existential crisis of course.

"Mom," asked Pansy. "How long are we going to stay in the Meadow Orphanage again?"

"For a week, dear Pansy." Elise poured her glass of water. "So both of you will do more than just reading stories to the children."

"Those kids were like angels when they're about to sleep." Rose chewed on the bacon. "But when it comes to playing at the hallways, they’re like demons."

"Yeah, I know right," chuckled Pansy. "That's why I like them- playful young beasties."

"While the twins handle the children." Elise turned to Xabe who was chewing bacon. "MaXabiere, I want you to make sure you made it before lunchtime, so Holly can prepare lunch and dinner with the cooks. I'll assist Nurse Joy and Doctor Walden if they need anything. After that, I'll prepare some lessons for the kids later."

"Oh, nice! What are you going to teach them, Mom?" Pansy leaned on the table with a bright smile. "Self-defense. How to arm themselves with real weapons? Can I join?"

"Or teach them how to pet cute animals?" Rose leaned on as well.

Elise let out a chuckle. "By teaching them safety, silly."

"Oooooooooooooh…" The twins reacted in unison.

Xabe was wearing his usual olive jacket, gray shirt, brown pants, and beige slippers. He carried his seven-foot backpack as he stepped outside. He strapped it behind him and not surprisingly with ease. Not only that, but he also carried his luggage, including Elise’s as well, even carrying his red mommy bike outside.

The driver named Mr. Carry of the carriage came to help the boy by hoisting the things inside the trunk.

“Off to the Marketplace again, Xabe?” asked Mr. Carry.

“You guessed right, Mr. Carry,” Xabe gave the driver a smile.

“Food pyramid?” he whispered.

Xabe nodded. “Yeah, food pyramid.” Mr. Carry grinned and laughed.

“Not too surprised. Watch yourself, kid. See you at the orphanage.” The driver patted the young man’s back. As always, he was wearing his favorite violet coat, mustard pants, top, black hat, and his pointy, red shoes. He fashionably combed his black hair backwards and curled his mustache.

“Same with you, Mr. Carry.” Xabe turned to his mother approaching.

"You don't always need to bring that with you, Xabe." Elise scanned her son’s seven-foot backpack.

Rose went out to put her own bag in the carriage that was waiting for them.

"Mom, he's always bringing that ever since Holly's food pyramid grocery list."

"It's essentials!" Holly shouted from the inside of the house.

Pansy later followed to put their other things. "Holly, come on, you are always the last because of your sorry ass. We still got laundry to do!"

Holly was in time to lock the door and got dressed for the occasion. "Don't you dare mention my sorry ass, Pansy." The girls hopped into the carriage.

"And remember-" Before Elise said everything, Xabe nodded.

"Yeah, yeah, 'Get things done'. I know. Just like what dad used to say."

Elise gave him a weak smile. "Alright, make sure you always have your bike at your side. And don’t let the budget be stolen, okay?"

"Yes, ma’am."

Behind her smiling expression, though, there was a hint of pain in Elise.

The boy had to watch his family as they get inside the carriage.

“Watch over my laundry, please?” begged Xabe. “I don’t want the kids to play with my clothes and dripped in mud again.”

Pansy rolled her eyes as she popped her head out of the window. “Not my fault they want to wear just shirts, shorts, and pants.”

“Especially the red scarf.” Rose popped out next.

“Yeah, especially that,” Pansy chuckled.

Xabe raised his voice. “Please tell me they didn’t play with that?”

“Oh, they did,” Rosie smiled. She sounded so innocent. “They wore it like a cape and even dance while they twirl it around like a ribbon.”

“Your scarf is so durable, they even played tug of war,” laughed Pansy

Xabe scoffed, “No wonder it became so long!”

“Girls,” called Holly. “Put your asses in the seats. We’re leaving.”

At the driver seat, Mr. Carry shook his head. “Girls these days. Let’s go, Brenda, kids are waiting.” Brenda the loyal, brown horse neighed before it started walking. She was a marvelous horse- very strong in fact. Now on to the Meadow orphanage they go, which was located in the colorful meadows away from town. And on to his quest to the neighborhood of Yardsville.

He sat on his mommy bike and started pedaling away from his house. At first, his pace was competent to feel the morning ambience of the trees. Then, as the road began to lower a bit, he started to stay focus on his legs' movement. The wind started rushing faster.

Xabe could hear the loud sound of the bicycle wheels rolling on the road as he began to quickly pass the houses. And just like that, he reached the entrance of the neighborhood.

Just a normal, busy Monday for Yardsville. People on carriages, riding mommy bikes, and workers from bakeries, cafés, eateries, and even the small stalls were grinding to earn a living.

Oh, how Xabe could imagine a monster hunter bringing a tied or a dead monster- it would be a sight to see. But never mind that. He slowly rode his way to the Yard's Marketplace. A yes, even there's a franchise that made him remember the unforgettable event six years ago.

MaXabiere looked down at the list to see which ones to buy first. Pretty straight forward to be honest: vegetables, fruits, beef, pork, chicken, loaves of bread, and dairies. Typical, Holly's list will never get old.

But what else could he say, the best reason why she would list such things was that Yardsville had grown to be a sanctuary for homes, businesses, and farms. For years, even Flash guardians came to hang out from their quests. Despite that, the more Xabe spends his time here, he couldn't be more thankful than ever. A simple life.

As he explored the Yard’s Marketplace to begin his shopping, the boy couldn't help but remember the time when he and his sisters were playing on the streets while his mother and father were happily watching them. That was before the time their father, Wayde Berrygrewd, hurriedly left their home that one night.

"I have to go. This is extremely urgent." In the living room, where he packed his notebooks inside a seven-foot backpack. His shoulder-length dark red hair was brushed back. His emerald eyes looked at his wife with his furrowed expression. Xabe remembered that the man looked bigger with his long, black coat, brown gloves, and thick boots.

"I understand." Despite what was happening, Elise looked at him calmly. She was the only one who knew Wayde's true intention. She was always wearing her light blue nightgown and was holding her velvet short blanket that lay on her shoulders. Her dark brown hair was slightly longer than Wayde's.

The father glanced at the corner of the room, where he saw his children quickly backing away. Wayde came closer to his beloved and muttered, "I'll go to them." He slowly walked to the corner and peeked to see his children standing there. Holly was tugging her siblings. Rose and Pansy came closer together And MaXabiere, his dear boy, looked puzzled.

"Hey,” he said in a gentle voice. Wayde slowly came to them.

"When will you come back?" Holly asked.

Wayde bit his lips and sighed, "Things are getting out of hand. I'm afraid I may take a while. The research team had made a huge discovery regarding the recent studies of the Devastrigon. I am needed by them."

With a short pause, it was followed by Rose saying, "What?"

Wayde chuckled a bit and knelt down to match the small level of the triplets. " You don't have to worry about me. You must look after each other and your mother. Luckily for you, kids, you have a nice home to stay in, Yardsville had finally had a Marketplace where it’s safe. The Devastrigon’s defeat is a sign of a greater study."

"Are you a Flash guardian?" Pansy's eyes widened and clenched her fists.

Wayde responded by widening his smile and started rubbing her head. "I'm a researcher, silly." He looked at Xabe, who hadn't blinked. The boy could already sense something, but didn’t want to speak it out.

"Xabe, listen to me, okay?" As his son nodded, Wayde sighed, "You're the man in the house for now. You have a gift that one day can guard and support this family."

"Sounds like foreshadowing." Xabe dropped his eyelids.

"Xabe." Holly gave him the look.

"What, it's in every epic story." Xabe lifted his hands.

"We named you MaXabiere for a reason, you know. I’ll send letters of my whereabouts and what I had been doing. So remember what I taught you, okay, promise me?" Wayde looked at Xabe in the eyes. The young boy couldn't care more than trying to fulfill his father's words. He nodded. As he stood up. Wayde looked at his children possibly one last time. "When I come back. Get things done. I'll tell you everything. I promise."

And just like that, six years later, he hasn't come back yet. Xabe became more curious. Perhaps he had a dark discovery regarding the Devastrigon with the research team, so it must be incredibly important. The only thing Wayde could interact with them was by writing them letters, particularly praying that his family is fine after all these years.

Finally, that was the last one on his list as he put a bag of bread in his seven-foot backpack. "Thank you." Xabe slightly bowed and gave two ten current gold coins to the baker. Some groceries were put in his mommy bike’s big basket

Luckily, the Yard's Marketplace branch had a clock on a tall post in the plaza. He left when it was around seven in the morning. He finished his grocery at around nine. Thanks to his strong senses, he knew which once the best edible food. Thanks to his speed, he made it earlier than expected. And thanks to his big basket and seven-foot backpack, organizing and putting the groceries became more convenient.

MaXabiere thought that doing chores for years made him stronger, but there was actually a hidden power within him. Waiting to be awakened. Dad has a lot of explaining to do when he comes back.

Double-checking his stuff inside his backpack and the basket from his mommy bike, especially his bread, it's time to leave before it gets more crowded. There was a shortcut that, for years, he traveled there to the Meadow orphanage. And it was more peaceful and closer to nature when it comes to walking in the Wooded forest- yes, that's what it was called.

He hopped on unto his mommy bike and rode to the rural area. Hopefully things won't get wrong.