It may be a beautiful morning, but it wasn’t the time to stretch your legs, yawn in peace, and even expect the kids playfully wake you up, because today was a new day for Xabe’s life to change forever. Mr. Carry was caressing Brenda the brown horse’s neck as he usually does when greeting the steed good morning. “Today’s a new day, Bren,” he smiled. As long as the three-headed dragon nor the evil Darken clan were out of the way, Mr. Carry was content to not worry about anything. “Wonder what’s going to happen next?” His eyes glanced at the orphanage, because he knew that whatever comes out of there, would be the start of it.

From all the action, meeting with the magical heroes, and reuniting with his father, Xabe actually forgot about the Meadow Orphanage nurse room, not to mention the people who work here. In a large white room with many white beds, he sat on one at the middle area as Dr. Walden finished checking his heartbeat with a stethoscope. He looked like a typical scientist or doctor: shaggy gray hair, big mustache, round glasses, and wearing a white coat. “Welp, after your magic has been awakened according to what your father had told me, you seemed to be fine,” said the doctor.

“How fine, doc?” the boy asked.

“Very fine.” Dr. Walden widened his eyes, but his thoughts say differently. Actually, I never heard a heart beat like this in my life, he thought.

The boy and the doctor looked at the entrance as Wayde and Nurse Joy walked in the nurse room. Wayde’s bangs were in half and hanging at each side of the temple, unlike the brushed-up style. Today, he wore a sienna coat, olive pants, and black boots. “Well?” Wayde asked.

“Your boy is in good condition, just like the rest of the kids here.” Dr. Walden gestured Xabe to rise off the bed. “No terrible side effects, Mr. Berrygrewd. Just the usual Xabe.”

Nurse Joy added, “Yeah right, but this usual Xabe so happens to be developing magic from time to time.” Like the rest of the nurses in Yardsville, Nurse Joy wore a sky blue dress with a white apron, almost complimenting her pale skin and pink eyes. Her hair was fashioned in a neatly dark brown ponytail.

Xabe tossed his hands. “Look guys, it’s nice to see you both again, but we really need to get going. I’ll go get my stuff. See ya!” Just after that, he ran off faster than normal, which means his powers were coming back.

“And just like that,” snickered Doctor Walden. “He’s off.”

The three of them remained and closer together, so Wayde thought to ask the doctor in a murmur. “Well…?”

Like him, Nurse Joy was also anticipating the doctor’s words. Dr. Walden changed glances between the two before saying, “His heartbeat sounds like thunder. Your son must’ve had quite a potential within him.”

“I can definitely want to add the same thing with your girls,” Nurse Joy joined in.

Wayde nodded, “Indeed, here in the orphanage, my daughters are fine, but as for my son-” He inhaled and thought of the pressure Xabe would have to go through. “Which so happens that his magic is waking up.” Actually, it was already awakened a day ago, he thought. “And decided to join the Flash guardian like his old man.”

“Oh, don’t call yourself that, Mr. Berrygrewd.” Dr. Walden dismissed the father’s words with his hand. “Not yet, at least. And speaking of joining the Flash guardians, you should get going now. Also, be careful out there, you know… now the one we thought was slain is alive.”

“The doctor’s right.” Nurse Joy then stood beside Dr. Walden. “We’ll always keep ourselves busy. And thinking about Devastrigon is giving me never-ending chills.”

Wayde straightened his coat. “Not to worry, Nurse Joy. This time, things will change. After many years of research, I am certain the tide will turn in our favor.”

“But how?” Nurse Joy slightly shook her head. “Do you guys finally have a certain advantage to combat the dragon? Does the Dragonslayer finally found a way to slay it permanently and restore peace across all Enchanteria?”

Wayde wanted to say, The Dragonslayer is still recovering and needs training with the new guardians. But he must keep it a secret. So instead, his words came out as: “Actually, yes.”

Today was an urgent day for Samuel Humms, or Sam for short. Quite sudden that the day would come to this, but it had. For him, even the Flash guardians were patrolling around town wouldn’t ease his mind from that fact that news had spread about Devastrigon’s resurrection.

There was no time to ask permission from Granny Humms nor Auntie as he already marched his way from the neighborhood of Yardsville to the Berrygrewd house, only to find out there were absent, and so he must bring himself to the Meadow Orphanage.

“Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit,” he kept on saying every footstep. Sam kept spatting the word ‘shit’ like a rapid-fire fountain back at the Yardsville plaza.

Additionally, it was quite inconvenient that Mr. Carry wasn’t at Yardsville for free transportation. Also, there was this annoying pileated woodpecker that pecked his hair several times. It took a few swings and a yell in order for the bird to fly away.

He struggled and was breathless, but with such pressing news, Sam must tell Xabe.

When Xabe almost finishing packing his stuff in his seven-foot backpack on the table, his senses were coming back as he stopped and slightly lifted his head up.

“Holly is not joking when she said you have a backpack that big,” said Claes as he appeared at the opened door.

Sean followed and stood right in front of Xabe. “Yeah, holy shit, if it wasn’t your powers, your spine will become a noodle with this thing.”

“Well.” Xabe continued to pack. “I figured I have something that I can carry the essentials. Sean Leo Kenslin, right? In case I’m mistaken.”

Sean flapped his hand. “Don’t stress about the full name, Xabe, it’s fine. Sean will always suffice. But seriously-” He leaned closer and whispered, “You kicked Devastrigon’s ass.”

Xabe had mixed reaction. He didn’t know if he was about to bring a smile or say something. Sure, he showed the three-headed dragon, but it cost him to collapse afterward and ended up being normal for a day. Nevertheless, Xabe realized his powers’ true potential… or in a better phrase: could be his fullest potential… with the help of the Flash guardians and Dreyagon of course, if the slayer wouldn’t be such a lone wolf like the tales had written of him.

For the sake of closing in the conversation, Claes came to them. “My brother had told me about you. Despite your magic, you have a long way ahead of you, kid.”

Xabe nodded, “I know.”

“And my brother also shared to me about the newcomers. You’re not alone in this battle,” added Claes in a reassuring tone.

Xabe then said, “That’s good to know. My only concern is that: how long will I see my family together again?” The answer would take a while as Xabe started to sense another. Although, It was no threat, but the charging footsteps coming closer to the orphanage were familiar.

“XABE!!!!” shouted a male voice outside. “Oh, good morning, Mr. Carry.”

“Morning,” Mr. Carry’s voice responded back.

The male voice earlier quickly went back to call his name. “XABE!!! I KNOW YOU'RE THERE!”

There was absolutely no doubt. Xabe smiled from the thought and packed his things fast as the wind. “Great, my powers are really coming back,” he uttered to himself.

As Xabe opened the door, the first thing he immediately saw was a young man, whose built was a bit thicker than he was. He was wearing a gray shirt, blue shorts, and brown rubber shoes. His chubby face was drowning with sweat. The shagginess of Sam’s golden curls matched the wariness of his tired brown eyes.

For six years, Samuel Humms was the only closest friend Xabe could have because his energetic, nerdy, and geeky aura took his interest. Xabe was usually the listener during his early years, but of all people, despite Samuel being the only one, he found him quite intriguing.

As for Sam, he became close to Xabe because he didn’t judge his words, despite spitting flames and poison, metaphorically speaking.

“Xabe,” Sam used all of his breath to spit out one word before he dropped his hands unto his knees.

Xabe slightly leaned down. “Well, if isn’t best friend Sam?” He straightened his back as Sam did the same as well to inhale as much air as possible. “It better be quick because-”

Before Xabe could continue, he was cut off by Sam’s raised hand. “Oh, thank the Messengers of God, you’re not dealing with those little devils. Look, I-” From tired to stunned, Sam noticed that Xabe had his seven-foot backpack with him. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Oh,” Xabe glanced back at his backpack. “Sam, it’s a long story, but you’re not going to believe me. I-”

“DEVASTRIGON IS BACK!” Sam blurted as if those words were the only things that he could depend on before death.

“I know, Sam-”

Sam began to walk back and forth while ranting, “I knew it, for six years I had been telling everyone, but no one believes me because ‘Dragonslayer slayed it. Boom. The end. Move on’, but nope. I have been studying as to why it keeps coming back.”

“Sam-”

“And then there was this haunting roar and all of a sudden, Flash guardians appeared in our town. Honestly, I thought they were bad guys because who knows if they’re evil in disguise. And by the way, where are you going?”

As Xabe was about to utter a word, an adult voice said, “With me.” The two best friends turned to the entrance door to see the tall man walking toward them. “If I remember correctly, you must be Samael Humms?” Wayde asked.

Realizing who he was, Sam attempted to stand in a proper posture. “Oh… uh… Mr. Berrygrewd. You’re… you’re back.”

Wayde chuckled, “Take your time to breathe, Samael.”

“Dad, it’s Samuel,” Xabe corrected.

Wayde widened his eyes and exchanged looks between the two boys. “Huh, I thought… forgive my mistake. My work got the best of me.” As the father cleared his throat, he approached Mr. Carry. “Is Brenda all set?”

My. Carry nodded after gently patting the neck of his horse. “You betcha, Wayde.”

Not a moment later, Sam saw two other strangers coming out of the entrance. “Who are those guys?”

“Hmm?” Xabe looked at him before slightly raising his head up. “Oh. These guys are Flash guardians.”

As the two passed, the tall blond man nodded in greeting while his companion smirked and saluted to Sam. He then leaned a bit closer to Xabe and whispered, “I see. The tall guy does have the guardian vibes, but the other one looks like a hippie with style.”

Xabe smiled at the thought he’ll be sharing something that would blow Sam’s mind away. “That tall guy is Claes Vortecse.”

Just as he thought, Sam quickly turned to him with round eyes and a huge gasp. “A Vortecse? No way. There’s actually two of them, if I recall. They resided here in the orphanage long ago.”

“I also met the other guy.” Xabe’s smile grew wider.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “No. Alright, what’s his name then.”

“Eric Vortecse. Really is heterochromia. And his big, too.”

Sam couldn’t stop changing his glances between the two guardians, who were talking to Mr. Carry and Mr. Berrygrewd. “Hang on, Xabe. If that’s Claes Vortecse… then there’s the hippie with style… that has to be Sean Kenslin, right?”

Xabe grinned at him, “Wow, you really had done your research.”

“Only when it comes to Flash guardians, heh. Speaking of… you know… does this mean that you’re going to be one?”

There were no need for words, for Xabe ended up nodding continuously.

Sam closed his fists and gave Xabe a jab on the shoulder. “That’s what I'm talking about! Much better than dealing with online class- despite being better to be left alone instead of meeting our classmates in person or worse… our professors.”

Despite Xabe’s true purpose of joining the guardians, it’s best to spare his best friend from the real details, so instead, he shared, “And who knows, I’ll become part of the next heroic team in the future.”

“Oh, you better, but what about your sisters?”

Xabe responded, “They rather stay here in the meantime.”

“Son,” Wayde called. “We need to go.”

“Alright.” Xabe glanced at his father before turning back to Sam. “Look, if there’s anything I find cool in there, I’ll let you know.”

“Oh wait.” From Sam’s pocket, he pulled two small notebooks, one blue and one red. After the best friend stood between Xabe and the adults, Sam handed over the red one to Xabe as if giving him something secret. The boy noticed that on its spiral binding was a red pen that looked like a thick crayon. And lastly, the red cover had a dragon insignia to it, while the blue had a griffin. “Here, you can take my notepad, so we can communicate because I know you probably forgot yours at your house.”

“This is nice, Sam, but-” Xabe was about to raise in hand as a sign of rejecting the offer, but Sam being Sam, he kept on insisting.

“No buts! I want you to share everything you know about the shit, Xabe. I know you’re in a hurry, so you won’t be able to tell me what you got- so you can share it here in the notepad. Also, I have two of them in case I lost the other one. And it comes with a hologram too.”

“I-I don’t even know how to use this. I only know how to use a basic hologram for our online classes.” Xabe watched as Sam placed the red notepad on his hands.

Sam assured, “Oh, don’t worry about that. Think of it when as using a hologram and notebook together. And don’t let them show it, otherwise they’ll be so jealous.” Sam looked behind the adults as they were having a conversation while not fully paying attention to the two of them.

Xabe snickered before putting the red notebook in his olive jacket. This could be a very reliable item. “Of course, thanks, man,” Xabe gently jab Sam’s shoulder.

Abruptly, the pileated woodpecker had ambushed Sam’s hair out of nowhere. “Ahh!” he jolted. “This bird again. Shoo, bitch, shoo!”

Xabe presented his hand, so the woodpecker could land on his finger. “Red, that’s enough. He’s not the type of person to peck with.”

Sam leaned as Xabe put the woodpecker closed to him. “Wait, you didn’t tell me you have a pet woodpecker.”

Xabe quickly backed his head as Red almost pecked it. “Red is a wild one. But don’t assume as I have the magic to speak with animals, but I don’t.”

“Xabe!” Wayde called. Claes and Sean were inside the cart, and Mr. Carry was in the driver’s seat. “Let’s go now, son.”

“Right,” Xabe said to his father before looking at Sam again. “A lot of things are happening. Who knows? I may as well meet and fight alongside the Dragonslayer.”

Sam laughed, “Ha, in your dreams, man. You’re just a new recruit. There’s no way you guys will join him in slaying evil dragons- or worse, Devastrigon itself. Now get the hell out of here before the kids show up.”

“Alright then,” Xabe said. After the two pounded their fists up and down then forming an X-shape with their opposite forearms collided, Sam watched Xabe as he approached Wayde.

Suddenly, children barged outside whiling yelling Xabe’s name. Their voices were all mixed up, like gathered animals making noises in the animal kingdom.

“BYE XABE!”

“XABE, PLEASE DON’T GO!”

“WHO ARE WE GOING TO MESS WITH NOW?!”

“LEAVE THE SCARF, AT LEAST?!”

Pansy and Rose came out next while trying to calm the kids. “Alright, alright, that’s enough kids. Xabe is probably traumatized with you stretching with his scarf,” said Pansy.

Rosie then added, “And for the last time, he won’t die or anything, right Xabe?”

Xabe shrugged, “Probably.”

Holly and Elise came out right after. “Just write us a letter for updates!” said Holly.

“And watch out your father for me,” added Elise. “Oh, hello there, Sam.”

Sam greeted back, “Morning, Mrs. Berrygrewd.”

There was no time for an emotional goodbye. The father and son waved at them before going inside the cart. Mr. Carry told Brenda, “Okay, girl. Giddy up!” And off they go, away from the orphanage. Mother Flora came out as soon as they were far away. She and Elise exchanged looks with such concern.

Meanwhile, the strange kid, Elliot, was inside the living room, gazing at the wooden heroic figure that he carved before looking back at the window to see the cart now far away. The moment Xabe joined his father- a Flash guardian, it’ll be the beginning of a future so bright… or so dark.