Claire POV-

A familiar smell.

It smelled like fresh pain and new wooden floors, clean air and freshly baked bread.

Jordan woke up in her bed at home. Looks like Sonja and Tucker carried her back to Casa de Sparkles. It was quiet, so she guess that her home was empty aside from herself.

When she fought her way out of the bed sheets she saw her wounds were properly tended to, they still hurt, but no as much as before. She owed tucker and Sonja, they didn't have to help, yet they did without hesitation.

Her home was clean, unlike the last time she had been there. It also seemed peaceful, the widows were open, letting in the fresh breeze. Jordan took a deep breath and decided to slowly make her way down to the kitchen, she was famished.

As she carefully made her way downstairs she heard small conversations coming form her make shift living room. Before making herself know she decided to take a peek, last thing she needed was to find Dianite and his offers.

"The priest said she should wake up soon, but she doesnt seem better. I breaks my heart to think of how she got all those injuries, Josh must have tortured her for hours. She had to endure all that pain! I swear if this wasnt war before, it is now."said Sonja after blowing her nose and wiping her tears.

"If I was tortured I never noticed. I was passed out since Josh hit me with his sword. You're right though, this has gotten out of hand. I dont mean because of what happened to me, Josh seems to be acting on his own accord. Tom is no longer our most dangerous threat." Jordan said, making her way over to the couch to embrace Sonja.

Sonja rushed over to her and held her in a tight hug, too tight in fact. Once she noticed, she let go and held her hands. Tucker got up from the couch and made his way over with a big smile.

"You're awake! You certainly seem to be doing better, we were all worried sick. Are you hungry? Ill go make something to eat. Sonja can you help Jordan to the couch, her legs look like their about to give out" said Tucker.

"Im feeling much better. Thank you guys from taking care of me. I should also go pay a visit to the priest to give him my thanks later today."

"Not today youre not! You need to rest. Besides the priest said he would come back later today to check up on you."

"Oh, neat. So how long have I been out this time?"

"I believe its been two days"

"What have I missed?"

"Well....Josh and his groupies are back home. They haven't come close to your house though, in fact they haven't talked to anyone. There is still no word from the Gods but that may be because Tom and Nade stole our sacrifices we left at the Ianite temple. Those cowards!"

"They stole them! Well thats just great..."

"Oh yeah! Tom came to see you, we didnt know he was here until we saw him leave. He must have snuck past us when we went outside to get crops. We only saw him when he was running away from the house. He didnt hurt you or anything, we though he might have tried to kidnap you again. We just found a lily on your bed stand"

"he also threatened to kill us if we followed him" added Tucker from the kitchen.

"Oh yeah, that too. Aside from that nothing much has changed."

"Next time I see Tom I'm gonna personally beat him up, dont even get me started on the Modesteps"

"Haha, we figured. Honestly Tom has lost his mind, he just seems very paranoid from what we saw"

Sonja wrapped a blanket over her and Tucker brought her some food. She wasnt used to having people take care of her, back home it was usually the opposite. She ate the food and after a long talk about what had happened she told Sonja and Tucker that they should go back home, they looked exhausted. They didnt leave until she promised to message them if she was in trouble.

As they opened the door to leave, the priest was making his way inside the house. After a quick greeting, the priest came to the living room and sat in the couch adjacent to hers.

He had a very deep voice and simple clothing. The priest was known for his personal connection to the Gods, as well as his limited magic abilities. He wasn't at the level of a wizard but he could definitely do some narly stuff.

He had a very plain expression most of the time, but at this moment her managed t slip in a smile to his usual common demeanor.

"Hello. I see you are doing much better. An Ianitee like yourself shouldn't get herself into this much trouble. It took much of my aura to restore you to wellness."

"Um...I'm sorry"

"Don't mind that, I was teasing. I have asked the Modesteps to leave your residence alone until you are able to fend for yourself. Those idiots don't know what a fair fight is like"

"Thank you for everything by the way. If you don't mind me asking, where have you been lately? We haven't seen you around so we didn't know if you were aware of the war"

"I've been busy with the Gods. There has been some problems that needed our immediate attention, nothing you should concern yourself with."

"Gotcha. Hey, since i havent seen you in a while i haven't been able to ask you this...um...do you know how Lord Ianite is doing by any chance?"

"Certainly better than you. Your wounds almost killed you, we would have had to go into the end and those the mobs wouldn't kill you over and over. Would have been hard to do since Tom took a piece of the end portal."

"I see. When do you think ill be fully functional again? I have a bone to pick with some people"

"If you don't strain yourself you should be fine in a few days. Just rest and take your time, don't rush it. I dont wanna have to come heal you again"

"I promise I wont. What are u gonna do now?"

"I have to meet the Gods. Now that our problems are resolved we need to discuss what to do about this war of yours, if anything at all. The gods dont like to meddle in many human affairs"

"Wow, aren't they just the God's of the year..."

Although he tried to keep a straight face there was a hint of a smile on his lips. He quickly turned around and made his way to the door.

"Take care"

With that, he left without saying another word. Just as she decided to head upstairs to get some rest she heard a knock on her door leading out to her infinity pool. With a struggle she made her way there with sword in hand.

Tom was outside riding his horse giving her a stern look. She focused her mind and called out to Tucker and Sonja.

"Guys, Tom is right outside my house on his horse. What on earth do i do"

"Hold on well be right there" said Tucker.

"Ptsssssss, Jordan" whispered Tom.

Well, here goes nothing, she though. If he tried to kill her she wouldnt go down without a fight.

"What do you want Tom? Are you here to kill me?"

"No...I need to talk to you in private."

She thought about it for a second. Should she trust Tom? Of course she didnt but it was rather odd for Tom to be so out in the open.

"Guys, he wants to talk alone with me for a sec, ill be fine. If he starts to attack ill let you know, ill just hear him out"

"Ok, we're be hiding around your house if you need us. Just shout if you do"said Tucker.

With that she put on her armor and grabbed her sword before heading outside. This could be an ambush for all she knew, but there was something about Tom's expression. He looked unstable, almost sad.

She had no reason to feel bad for him, after all, she didnt owe him any favors after what had happened.

One wrong move, one slip up, one mess up, any reason to make her think that he would hurt her and she wouldn't have to worry about his sad expression anymore, because she would end him right then and there