Jassiter eventually made his way over to Jon and Mercy, who were still laying on the floor.

“...Are you kids okay?” Jassiter asked.

“...Yeah…” Jon stood up. He wasn’t ready for a strong grasp from his father.

“I’m so happy you and your friends are safe,” he said. “I was worried.”

Jon nodded, hugging his father in return. He didn’t know when the last time they had hugged was. It was nice.

“Why did you come?” Jon asked.

“To help you, of course,” Jassiter said. “I mean… I was worried-”

“You were worried,” Hector said as he walked over, “so you organized the farmers into a phalanx and shot your way through to the forest? How did you know?”

“Well, a lot of reasons,” Jassiter said. “First was the purple smoke-”

“What about the house?” Hector asked.

“Don’t interrogate the man!” Mallory yelled, muffled from his face being bruised from the floor.

“No, it’s alright,” Jassiter said. “We were gonna make our way over when the caiman all started coming to the forest as well. We followed them as much as we could. There are still some people with guns left at the house. Your friend had come by, Gweneviere-”

“Genevieve, hun!” Genevieve said from the floor.

“And after she took your friend back home, she joined us. She didn’t look good.”

“I was fine!” Genevieve added.

Jon had noticed that the other farmers had lined up behind Jassiter.

He caught his breath. This was intimidating.

“Go, Jon!” Farmer Lou yelled.

The rest of the farmers held up their guns to cheer.

“I… didn’t do anything…” Jon said.

Jassiter put his arm around his son. “You did everything.”

Jon didn’t know what that was, but he was happy to help.

They soon made their way back to Jon’s farm. He was happy to see the building finally closing in. He had never missed home so much before.

Jon saw that Hector had taken his place next to Risata. Jon couldn't hear what Rista was saying, but she was doing most of the talking. For once, Hector seemed to just nod his head and listen.

Behind Jon, Mercy had struck up a conversation with Hestatham and Genevieve. Jon was happy to see them talk. Mercy gave him the impression that she didn’t talk to many people at all. Much like Jon hadn’t.

“Jassiter!” Jon shook from the call. Even if it wasn’t his name, it still felt like he was meant to listen to whoever made the call.

Jassiter had also been partially frightened from the shout.

However, Jon could also make out the disappointment in Jassiter’s face.

The group of farmers stopped moving forward, penetrated by a lone greying man who made his way to Jon’s father.

“Jassiter! Is this your fault?” The man asked.

“What? It’s not my fault!” Jassiter changed his stance to appear more menacing, something Jon had never actually seen before.

“It’s always you. You and your freak kids!” The old man had gotten close to Jassiter before Lou and Jerry stepped in front to block his path.

“Joshua, you best step back,” Lou said. “We know you want a word, but this isn’t a good time.”

“Councilman Joshua,” The old man said, “and this is the optimal time.”

“We know you don’t like Jassiter,” Jerry added. “But he and his son may be the reason you’re alive to yell at him.”

“His son!” Jerry immediately turned to Jon.

Jon panicked. He saw the old man’s threatening glare. This was the council that didn’t like his father. Now, he could feel it. The intense disdain.

Jon was almost scared. He’s never met this man before, and this man was now staring him down as if he had done something wrong.

“Guys, it’s fine.” Jassiter gently pushed his defenders to the side, approaching Joshua.

“A lot has happened,” Jassiter said. “If given some time, I would love to explain-”

“But your son-” Joshua started.

Jassiter quickly jabbed a hard finger into Joshua’s shoulder.

“Keep his name out of your mouth!” he said, angrily. ‘You got that?”

Jon was amazed to see his father defend him so quickly, but he didn’t know why his father was so sad. He wanted to feel embarrassed, but he looked around and saw that all of the attention wasn’t on him, but on Farmer Joshua.

Joshua was becoming flustered.

“Well… You’re coming to testify in front of the council tomorrow!” That’s it!”

“But we still have to make sure the farm’s in order,” Jassiter explained.

“Tomorrow. Come. You don’t need to do a damn thing! Come, or they’ll be hell to pay!”

“I think he gets the point,” Lou said. “You best be on your way now. Before you fall on the way back and sprain something.”

“This is why you’re such a problem!” Joshua yelled, pointing to Jassiter. “And make sure you bring your damned son tomorrow as well!”

As Joshua turned, Jasttier had to be held back by at least several farmers from punching Farmer Josuha in the head.

Jon watched the old man walk away. He was concerned that he had made trouble for his father.

Outside of Jon’s house, the rest of the farmers and their families were waiting outside. There was a large cheer as everyone started to celebrate.

Jon was amused by it all. Still, he was tired. As soon as he could, he went inside the building.

His mother was in the kitchen as he walked in.

“Jon!” She ran up and hugged him. She leaned back and saw his face.

“...You look tired. You want to go to your room?”

Jon nodded.

“Okay. Go ahead.”

Jon went up the stairs to his bed.

He was so tired, he decided to lay down on the bottom bunk.

As soon as he did, there was a knocking on the door.

“Jon, it’s Mercy,” Vel said. “Can she come in?”

“Okay,” Jon said.

The door opened. Mercy walked in.

“Hey, Jon,” she said.

“Hi,’ Jon replied.

She tapped the floor with the tip of her foot in embarrassment as his mother closed the door behind her.

“You want to sit?” Jon asked.

“...Sure….” She moved to the bed and sat next to him.

“...That was intense,” she said.

Jon nodded. “Yes.”

“I’ve been in life or death situations before, a lot,” Mercy explained, ‘but, I’ve never had to fight for so long. I’ve never had so many… objectives… it was crazy!”

Jon nodded some more.

“But you did really awesome.” Mercy said. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks,” Jon said. He hadn't known Mercy for very long. He was proud that she could say that she felt like that.

“Hey, Jon, Hector-” Vel hadn't finished her next announcement from behind the door as Hector simply opened the door and walked in, talking.

“Jon, that was amazing-”

“Haven’t you heard of knocking?” Mercy asked.

“The door was open,” Hector said.

Mercy rolled her eyes. “Of course. The man duller than a doorknob has to prove that he knows how to use one, right?”

“Next time, I’ll let the angry swordsman decapitate you,” Hector said. He walked to the window and leaned on the wall. The bit of sun that reached his golden armor had reflected onto Jon’s floor. “And besides, I was talking to Jon. You already have lots of experience hurting people.”

“Not very subtle today, are we?” Mercy asked sarcastically.

“What’s subtely got to do with it?” Hector asked.

Mercy made an even bigger sigh.

“What do you want? Mercy asked.

“After tomorrow, we’re leaving,” Hector said. “We had a deal, right?”

“...What about the farm?” Mercy asked.

“What about it?” Hector asked. “It’s safe. There’s nothing more to it.”

“And what if those people come back?” Mercy asked. ‘You ever thought of that?”

“I’m not a moron,” Hector said. “I take the safety of these people very seriously. I’ve talked with my sister. More members of the King’s Guard should be on their way, but… it’s gonna be slow.”

“And what happens if there’s another attack before then?” Mercy seemed angry.

Jon agreed, but he wasn’t as mad.

“The farmers are more than capable enough of taking care of themselves,” Hector said. “You don’t need to be their or Jon’s favor. He and everyone else are fine.”

Mercy looked at Jon. He grimaced.

“Doesn’t mean I won’t want to help!” Mercy yelled, standing up.

“You have a target on your back regardless. Those guys refused to leave when they saw you were here,” Hector explained. “You’d be doing everyone a favor by leaving here before you cause more trouble.”

Mercy frowned. “How can you say that?”

“I told you, we’re all responsible for who we are,” Hector said. “I want to stay here too, but-”

He stopped himself.

“What I mean to say is, we’ve done our part here. We’re staying for tomorrow to clear up this mess with the council, but the next day, we’ll set off. If you want to be that irresponsible, then at least run away before you cause any more problems.”

He looked at Mercy’s face.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “Just… make your peace with things…”

“...Thank you, Hector,” Mercy said. “For helping Jon.”

“Thank you, Hector,” Jon said.

“You don’t need to thank me. It’s my job to help…” Hector made a short breath. He then left to go downstairs.

“Don’t leave Jon’s mom waiting too long for dinner.” He closed the door behind him.

“...That guy has a stick up his ass larger than the trees in the forest,” Mercy said. “But… I don’t think he actually wants to be here.”

She sighed. “He’s right, Jon. I’m dangerous.”

“...That’s good,” Jon said.

“...It’s not good for me. I have to go home. I’m gonna cause more problems for everyone.”

“You can stay,” Jon said.

Mercy turned. “I can’t ask that! It’s fine, Jon. I can’t. But thank you.”

Jon understood. Mercy had her reasons. Still, he would be sad. All his friends would be leaving soon.

He wished he could leave with them.

There was more knocking on the door.

Mercy was visibly angry. “Who is it?” She yelled.

Mallory entered, with a bothered Hector behind him.

“Now that nothing’s trying to kill us anymore, I can talk about all the stuff that went down,” Mallory said.

“What? Mercy asked.

“Jon has a gun that can shoot like infinite mana at people!” Mallory started.

“Yeah,” Mercy started, but-”

Mallory had already turned to Hector.” You can control mana? Like, when?”

“I could always…” Hector started to mumble under his breath.

“Hector, you can use mana. But you're actually doing spells now!”

“I thought Hector channeled mana through his weapon,” Mercy asked.

Mallory shook his head quickly. “No way. Hector’s sword is a particular sword that can cut through mana, but it’s not the chosen object for him. Other than that, it’s more or less a normal sword for him. He’s just really good at swinging mana around. Until today!”

“Yeah, whatever…” Hector crossed his arms. “What’s your point?”

“My point? Hector, we should have died! I should have had my soul consumed by an ancient alligator-”

“Caiman-” Hector tried to correct.

“Caiman demon thing and I didn’t! You and Mercy worked together like you knew each other for years! And Hector, you hate-”

“Yeah, what’s your point?” Hector asked.

Mallory pointed to Jon. “That’s… my point… no pun intended.”

“..Okay,” Hector said. “What about it?”

“Jon is definitely King’s Guard material,” Mallory said.

“I know,” Hector explained. “I already talked-”

“No, I mean, King’s Guard. Not intermediary. Like, he should come with us.”

“What?” Both Mercy and Hector reacted.

“No!” Hector said “No way! Not after we almost died. His parents-”

“Want him to have a life! He could have one. He did awesome!”

“No!” Hector said. “I won’t do it!”

“But your sister-”

“Screw my sister!” Hector yelled.

“Well, it’s not your choice, is it?” Mallory asked.

Hector gave Mallory a stern glare before he gave a “whatever” and went downstairs.

Mercy turned to Jon with a sad expression on her face.

She then followed Hector.

“Jon!” Genevieve called from downstairs, her voice echoing through the open door. “Your mom says dinner’s ready!”

Jon looked at Mallory.

“Think about it!” Mallory said.

"I-"

"After dinner." Mallory went downstairs.

Jon was certainly thinking about it.

What he didn’t know was that everyone was thinking about it.