Gentle were the skies as the clouds rolled and slide soothingly. It grew calmness and tranquility, showering it all over the perilous land of Skilis. Most especially, the territory of the nagas. The day seemed tranquil and joyous but the departure of their dear guests and friends left one to sigh sullenly.

"Moulin!"

The youth who was dazedly staring at the teleportation portal, the thing that would return him and the others to Thundralln, watched as it was about to be activated. He knew well who the voice that called him belonged to. And with a crease between his brows, he turned around and faced the half-human creature who approached him. Within the naga's hands was a tiny brown bag made from the animal fur Seryu hunted himself. He tried to make it as pleasant as possible but unfortunately, he wasn't very good with sewing.

"Hello, Seryu..." Moulin faintly smiled at his friend.

A flush spreads from the naga's face and Seryu bashfully lowered his gaze to the object in his hands. Briefly, he glances at either side of him, making sure none of the other nagas witnessed what he was doing. He took a deep breath and slowly handed Moulin the little bag in his hands.

"Here, take this..."

Moulim accepted the bag and took a peek inside. His pupils quivered as he realized what was inside. "T-This is..."

Seryu chuckled a little and happily scratched the back of his head. "It's nothing special. These little shells aren't really important but they are still useful in garnering mana. Although only a bit..."

"Thank you..." Moulin smiles at him. His gentle eyes formed into crescents as he held out a hand. Seryu blinked curiously at Moulin's action, however, he followed his instincts and took the youth's hand. Chuckling, Moulin shook Seryu's hand and squeezing it lightly. "Goodbye, my friend. Until we meet again..."

Seryu stares at him with wonderment in his bright green eyes. Feeling the softness of the youth's palm and the gentleness of those astonishing silver pupils, he felt his heartbeat quicken. It was the first time he was truly feeling this emotion and he was unaware of how it would change him in the nearing future.

"Moulin..."

A deep authoritative voice called his name making Moulin flinch. Furrowing his brows, Moulin turned his head and removed his hand from Seryu's. Lord Hadrian Hercullio stood in hus mighty glory from a distance. His penetrating golden eyes deeply scrutinized both the youth and the naga beside him. Seryu was unaware of the hand that rested on the golden blunt end of the lord's sword, however, Moulin could clearly see it. Worriedly, Moulin turned his head and gave Seryu one last smile. Without a second thought, he walked towards Hadrian and Troid standing beside him.

Silently, Seryu watched as Moulin headed towards the golden-eyed man. Deep inside, he was already aware of the relationship between Moulin and that man. His Elder, Safriya had told him of the unbreakable depth of their bond. How it was so strong to the point of being dangerous. Moulin might not notice it yet but Hadrian's was already shaken, morphing into a more dangerous beast than he already was. Seryu was told by Safriya never to meddle between them for it would only worse. However, Seryu refused to stand by and watch from a distance.

How would Moulin fare in the hands of that man?

Would he change as well?

Those thoughts, he kept them to himself for now.

While a warm morning breeze swept the dusty grounds, a whirring sound could be heard as the teleportation ring was activated. The sentinels stood a distance before it. The ones who would enter first would be the guild lords and they would be the next ones to entering. The chieftain of the nagas came to see them off. As the teleportation ring was activated, he and his people lowered their heads and bowed, a respectful farewell to their guests. Hadrian and Ordan bowed in returned before they began to walk towards the curtain of energy that would transport them to the grounds of the elven palace, The palace of Thundralln.

When they entered safely, Troid then raised a hand finally allowing the rest of the sentinels to enter next. As the rest of the sentinels began to disappear to the other side of the teleporter, Moulin was silently standing before it. He looked back and met Seryu's gaze and the grateful looks of the nagas alongside him. Especially the reluctant gazes of the little children, silently hiding behind Seryu.

With a smile, Moulin opened his palm and raised his hand in the air. A burst of cool wind spreads out from the area.

Suddenly, tiny snowflakes began to gently fall from the skies. The skies were bright but not one snowflake melted by the heat.

Seryu widened his eyes in surprise. His people marveled at the sight of the gentle snowfall. Gasps and gazes filled with wonder surrounded him. When the young naga finally settles his eyes at the teleportation portal, Moulin's figure was already gone and the magical tool disappeared as well.

............

With an expressionless face, Moulin then entered the portal. The moment he stepped out of the curtain of rich energy, a blast of flower petals suddenly fell around him. His eyes widened in shock and alarm.

The ground was littered with flower petals and some kept elegantly falling around him. Joyous cheers erupted and roared, swept along with the detailed wind of the land. Silver eyes flickered as he saw the crowd of sentinels, both of Leonil and Dragor, beamed as they celebrated the safe return of their guild lords and of the silver-eyed hero who gave the anticipated recovery of the unconscious sentinels. Moulin remained standing in a daze as he watched as his fellow Leonile sentinels rush towards him.

"Moulin!"

"Wha-"

He was interrupted when he was abruptly embraced. At first, he felt apprehensive of the sudden contact but when he heard the person's voice and the familiarity of his tone...

"Thank God, You're alright..." Jagra squeezed his friend tight. A relieved smile was plastered on his face as he held his dear friend.

"J-Jagra?" Moulin's eyes widened. He quickly pulled away and held Jagra's shoulders. "You... You're alright?"

Jagra chuckled as he nodded. Moulin didn't get a chance to speak again when he felt as if a body was thrown on him. Ghana laughed as he wrapped her strong arms around Jagra and Moulin with a bright smile on her face. The other sentinels came and dragged the youth to celebrate. Helplessly, Moulin let himself be led away as the last petal fell on the ground and was swept away by the breeze.

...........

Until the day waned and the night engulfed the skies in darkness. The sound of festivity did not fade. Within the castle's imperial courtyard, a crowd of warriors gathered. They are, drank, and grinned along with the music of their brother's giddy tune. At the far end of the festivity were the royal princes and the princess together with the two Guild Lords of Azuran. They were accompanied by their trusted general and the captains of the mission groups. Their side of the festivity was tranquil yet delightful.

"Is that..."

"It's really him. The person who brought the cure..."

"Truthfully, I already thought he was indeed capable of being a sentinel despite being an Aphrodite. Now, I believe he is much powerful than that."

"He's braver than the rest of us, I must admit. Did you remember how he ran towards the collapsing portal?"

"I thought he was insane at that moment! However, I realized that he must be so loyal to his guild lord to do such a brave thing..."

"Indeed..."

Ghana wrinkled her forehead as she fiddled with the tight collar of her uniform. She overheard the secret conversation of the people around her and could not help but look at the person beside her, the person who was the subject of those conversations. White hair elegantly braided as it rests on his slender shoulders. He wore a clean uniform while emitting an aura of the untouchable and the desirable.

"Shall I escort you, young master?" Ghana teased as she walked beside Moulin.

The young only raised an eyebrow at her while he held his drink. "Where's Jagra?"

Ghana sighs, "You've been asking me that ten times already. I told you, he's on his way..."

Moulin frowned.

Ghana chuckled, wishing she could pat Moulin's head disregarding the consequences afterwards.

"Moulin!"

At the same time, Jagra's figure came not their view. His smile could brighten the night. Moulin smiles at his arrival.

However, he wasn't alone...

A tall person was holding Jagra's hand as he approached them. Moulin furrowed his brows when he recognizes the man. It was Gaile, the mysterious elven man who accompanied Jagra through his slumbering days.

"Jagra! You're finally here!" Ghana grinned and he nodded to Gaile with a smile.

"Yes, forgive me for the delay... "Jagra smiled. He then glanced at Gaile. He introduced his friend to Moulin and Ghana bashfully. Moulin could compare how similar his actions were to a lady introducing her lover to her parents.

"We already met..." Moulin smiled at Gaile.

Jagra stopped. He blinked his eyes in surprise and turned to Gaile.

With slightly hooded eyes, Gaile nodded. "Yes..."

His eyes deeply stared at the silvery pupils of the young aphrodite in front of him who was greatly named a hero. His name could not escape his ears as people kept murmuring about him.

'Indeed... He's still suspicious...' Moulin thought as he tipped the mouth of his glass to his mouth.