Grimm sat on the edge of the top layer of the village, his feet hanging off carefree. To his side a large bottle of booze, half empty. He took small swigs every minute as he gazed to the battlefield which looked as if a natural disaster pulled through. Craters and upheaved earth scattered about.

The fighters were being tended too on the lower section. Tons of mages gathered to mix and create as many healing potions as possible. Every cauldron in the village was pushed out into the street so work could be started. The villagers of Cloudwick aided the fighters by wrapping them in bandages as they took up the beds in each home.

Katreena and Granius were among the few moving around as quickly and carefully as possible to aid in the help. The two tall helpers carried large crates around filled with bottles of the potion mixture and handed them to villagers who would then give them to fighters rested inside.

Ezra and Anabelle watched over Nicholai. Who rested within Teresa’s old shop. The young sorcerer was still unconscious. Both worried about their sleeping friend. But were both exhausted. Katreena then entered the shop, she carried 3 potions in each her hands then sat down with the two. She handed over a potion to both the swordsman and mare.

“Finally done out there?” Ezra asked.

“Yep. Everyone has their potions. A few have already come back to their feet. They’ve been talking about heading to Sarabell to check on their kids?” Katreena informed Ezra. She then looked over to Nicholai. “I saw him fight. It was incredible.”

“Wish I had seen it. That damn knight exhausted me and Anabelle.” Ezra angrily said drinking his potion. “I wanted to fight alongside my friends. In a real battle. I lost my chance.” Ezra then sighed and tossed the bottle away. “But I guess you’re glad this is all over?”

“In a way yes.’ Katreena answered through a small smile. Which made the swordsman happy to see her smiling. “I didn’t think I would get tangled up in all this.”

“Neither did I.” Ezra said, turning back to face the girl. “I’m really glad I met you Katreena. You should stay with us.” Ezra proposed.

“I….I can’t. Plus I don't even have something I want to do.” Katreena replied. The girl kept the idea of just delivering the message and returning home on her mind. No matter what. That is what she set out to do, but she could feel herself falling for the Dracion. His determination, his strength, and even his looks. Ezra chimed back in to her.

“Neither do I. Well not entirely. What I want is to go around with the person…...or people I love. I’m tired of hearing stories about legends and heroes. I want to see the world they lived in.” The swordsman declared, putting the girl in a state of awe.

‘You...you remind me of someone I use to look up to.” Katreena said once she got over Ezra’s words. Making him smile back at her. Then, out of nowhere. Nicholai flung awake. His body jolted upward as he let out a scream of terror.

“Morning prince charming.” Ezra jabbed as he witnessed his friend get up. Nicholai angrily puffed up at the swordsman.

‘Where’s Irene?” Nicholai asked, receding his cheeks. His mind going straight to his headmaster who he last remembered being carried away from the battlefield. He’d hoped she’d come back by now, because he knew how tough Irene was from years of discipline.

“She was moved to Sarabell.” Katreena answered. Nicholai didn’t even hesitate. He jumped up from the couch and quickly grabbed his belongings. Ready to rush all the way to Sarabell even if it meant exerting himself.

‘Hey slow down. Let’s all go together.” Ezra said, making Nicholai stop in his tracks. The rest of them all stood and readied to leave. They together slowly left the shop. Only to be quickly intercepted by a tall man right outside the door. Grimm.

“You all going somewhere.” Grimm asked. The group all grew nervous. Remembering the last time they left after a battle, this time a tall man with a weapon just as big was before them this time.

“Yeah. I need to check on Irene.’ Nicholai answered quickly.

“Alright. But I need Ezra.” Grimm said, confusing the whole group. “It’s important.”

Ezra sighed and decided to heed the man’s request. “Okay. Anabelle. You and Katreena get Nicholai to Sarabell.”

“Got it.” Anabelle and Katreena replied together. The three then left Ezra and Grimm by as they started to head towards the hidden village. Grimm and Ezra watched them leave. Then, Grimm directed Ezra over to the elevator. They both rode it up to the top layer of the village.

“I’m guessing you fought up here?” Grimm asked. He looked over the holes in the ground as well as some of the fire that had not been put out but had slowly died down. He imagined the type of battle that took place here for the swordsman. Then he compared it to their own battle. Just how much did he not see in their small skirmish.

“Yep. Against that golden knight. His armor was a bitch to fight. But it was one of the better fights i’ve had in awhile.” Ezra boasted. “How did your fight go? That giant reaper did you summon that?”

Grimm was hesitant to answer. Ezra didn’t know the full extent of Grimm and Virion’s relationship. Nor did he understand anything about Grimm killing an old friend. Something Grimm believed Ezra wouldn’t do regardless. “Yeah. I did.”

“You have to tell me about that. Is it some kind of death magic?” Ezra wondered on. His eyes lighting up like a child seeing their favorite toy. The swordsman literally sat on the edge of his seat wanting to discover more about the man who he continued to learn more and more about. Unfortunately for Ezra, Grimm wasn’t ready to speak yet.

“I’ll tell you eventually.” Grimm said, fueling his excitement even more. The two came up to an outdoor bar. Ezra sat down while Grimm grabbed two glasses.

“Sorry. I….don’t drink.” Ezra informed the man.

“Oh. Sorry.” Grimm poured some for just himself. Then rummaged through the other bottles, and found a nice helping of tea. He created ice cubes and dropped them within Ezra’s glass, then poured his cup full. “So what’s you plan now that the battle’s over?”

“Well…..I have about 7 months until my ceremony. We still have to take Katreena home. And Nicholai wants to look for his father.” Ezra started.

“Ceremony?” Grimm asked about.

“Yeah. All Dracions have to complete a ceremony on their 20th birthday. We call it the Ceremony of Xalbeis.” Ezra told him. Grimm smiled before taking a sip of his drink, Ezra did the same. “Oh yeah. I need to find that damn dragon rider!”

“Dragon Rider?”

“Yeah. When we were in Dustgarde some dragon attacked and told me I should be dead. I’m gonna find him and beat some info out of him.” Ezra sat back and continued to drink.

“Fascinating.” Grimm said, finishing his drink. They both placed their glasses on the counter. Grimm refilled both of their cups and they continued.

“You know I’ve been here for about 20 years. Fighting, raising those boys, listening to Benneb’s dumb stories of all the women he’s slept with. You already know that I served the Serx Empire. I think i’m starting to feel homesick.” Grimm let out for Ezra to know.

“Grimm. Are you saying you want to come with us?” Ezra asked. Shocking Grimm. The young man got the words out of him before he could even think of a way to get them out. He now knew there was no way of hiding his intentions from Ezra. “I think having you around while we go to the Serx Empire looking for the dragon rider would be pretty helpful.”

Grimm couldn’t answer right away. He was still amazed by the young man. But then he smiled, and gave his answer.

Nicholai, Katreena and Anabelle arrived in Sarabell. Nicholai first looked upon the village. He saw all his favorite things in one place. He smelt the good food. Saw the beautiful women, and all the possible festivities he could endure.

“Welcome to Sarabell. You must be with the Fayspell mages.” Bellvin introduced Nicholai into the village.

“Mister mayor. We're looking for Miss Irene.” Anabelle said to Bellvin.

“Oh. The headmaster. She’s all better and resting in the bathhouse.” Bellvin answered as he pointed to the bathhouse. Nicholai narrowed his eyes on the building. He started walking towards it.

“Um….sir. That’s the women’s bath.” Bellvin warned him.

“I know.” Nicholai replied. He walked into the building into the changing room, then past the blinds leading into the bath itself. Where he found Irene. Her head turned away from him. He stood and didn’t make any noise. Simply waiting. Although Irene knew he was there. A minute passed, then Irene turned her head. She and Nicholai’s eyes met. Irene then reached her hand out and grabbed the young man by his shirt. The sorceress tossed him into the other side of the water. Drenching him in the hot water.

“What the hell!?” Nicholai angrily yelled completely soaked.

“Where is she?” Irene asked, ignoring the young man’s pleas. Nicholai stopped his rage and immediately knew who the woman was talking about. He let out a sigh and started to leave the water.

“She’s gone. All the knights are gone.”

“Dammit.” The sorceress cursed. She felt her chance to kill the princess gone, but immediately started to think of an alternative. Her fist clenched, then she slammed it into the water, making a large splash that covered the whole room.

“The hell is your deal!?” Nicholai yelled to the woman. “Why the hell do you want to kill her so badly?” Irene sighed and thought about herself and Nicholai. Realizing the two were more similar than she remembered.

“Hey. You still plan to look for your dad?” Irene asked him. She stood up out of the water and exposed herself to Nicholai, making him embarrassed. But the sorcerer remained vigilant.

“Yeah.” He answered.

“And I’m guessing you’ll be going with Ezra.” Irene wondered but may have already knew the answer. Nicholai left Fayspell with Ezra, then Ezra left Fayspell for Nicholai. The two had become friends and she knew that trying to separate them would be nearly impossible. So she didn’t even try. With Ezra’s strength, perhaps Nicholai would find what he was looking for. His father. Who Irene knew more than any other mage in Fayspell.

“That’s the plan.” Nicholai answered, confirming Irene’s thoughts.

“Fine. I guess it’s time I leave as well. While I fought that captain. He mentioned someone wearing clothes like ours came to the Hulion Empire. And that he was seeking out a place called Alfheim Island.” Irene informed Nicholai of Sera’s words from their fight.

“Wait….could that be dad?” Nicholai questioned. Irene stepped from the water and wrapped herself in a towel as she began to leave.

“I hope it is. Just so you know I wont be going with you.” Irene proclaimed. “But….I do hope you find him.”