The evening activities continued through the night as they all tried to catch upon two years worth of memories. John learned that not much had changed in his families lives except that his sister had become an even more productive member of society.
John and Minerva (mostly her)talked about the vast world in the painting. There were even moments of loud gasps and laughter among them. The new culture and language fascinated Carol more than anyone else.
Eventually however after one or two yawn and stretches were made they decided to call it a night. John and Minerva took a guest bedroom each. John couldn't sleep in his room since it was a mess and looked more like a messy studio than a bedroom. The bedding had already been removed. Everyone said good night and retired for the night. Unbeknownst to John everyone had their own thoughts and opinions regarding the matter of their return.
Carol and Malik were in their room. She was rubbing moisturizer on her hands while Malik was looking through his phone while sitting under the covers. He looked busy but his mind was slowly processing the information that he had just received. In the whole world it was probably only them who knew about the painted world. At some point he stopped scrolling and looked absent minded. Suddenly he looked noticed that Carol looked at him as though she was expecting a response.
"Pardon."
"We should probably find a place to donate the horses, We cant possibly take care of them, and I think the neighborhood committee will be in an uproar."
"Yeah, we should do that," he said somewhat distant.
"Whats the matter, honey. I know its too much to process. I'm having a hard time doing so myself."
"Do you think that he told us everything? I mean for a place where magic exists and they practice slavery the picture John painted was a bit too peaceful don't you think?"
"I know, I'm worried and he has changed so much."
"I don't want to doubt him, I mean I have never seen him and Sula hold a conversation as much as they did today, but I have a feeling that this isn't over just yet."
"I also don't want to believe it, but you might be right." she said the mood turning all gloomy.
"Let's sleep, I'm sure that he will tell us when he wants to," he said kissing her goodnight and turning of his night light.
"Yeah." Carol replied as she turned off her light as well. She stared at the ceiling in the darkness and it was a long while before she shut her eyes and drifted to sleep.
TWO doors down Ursula was in her room texting her room mate.
Sula: Big family thing, I'm sorry we couldn't meet as planned
Roomie: No problem, what happened though.
Sula: Nothing major, John's back 😎
Roomie: WHAT
Roomie: NOTHING MAJOR
Roomie: IT'S BEEN LIKE TWO YEARS
Sula: How do you type so fast.
Roomie: I'm on my computer, stop trying to change the subject. How is he? Where was he?
Sula: He's good, very different from how I remember, seems like he has amnesia. He brought a girl with him.
Roomie: Wait wait wait... Are we talking about the same guy awkward guy I met that one time?
Sula: Yeah, though I'm sure you wouldn't recognize him.
Next room
"I don't think it was such a good idea to tell them everything." Noira was saying to John. His body was asleep but his mind was in the her realm. He was sitting cross legged on the white floor while she was sitting on her throne like chair with one arm on the armrest supporting her chin. Her eyes were half open revealing a disapproving look.
"What, don't even think about saying that you didn't say everything because what you left unsaid was miniscule." she said again before John could even open his mouth.
"Will you stop that. Let me say what I want to say . Just because you can read minds doesn't mean you have to." John said more like a plea than anything else.
"Yes master" she said rolling her eyes heavily.
"What are you going to do now, two years have passed, I'm sure that old man Vemuri must be worried. Miner is like grandchild to him." she asked leaning forward to 'wait' for his response.
"Do you even have to ask, you know what I'm thinking." he said clicking his tongue.
"Hey buddy, you're the one who said to let you talk" she said rolling her eyes again.
"Okay fine, do get you want"
"So your really going with it huh?"
"I have to. I'll be back once I'm done, I have to find out why that works chose me, if its something then so knows the future is boundless. We will free as soon as we can."
In the painted world.
A year had passed since John and Miner a left.
A young boy was sitting on a small boat on a lake. An old man was sitting next to him and his postie looked like he was sleeping. The young boy was deep in thought. He felt his fishing rod woggle and he tugged it with a bit of strength and pulled out a golden coloured fish.
"Master, where did they go? Can't you tell when they will be coming back?"
"It's in the hands of fate now, They agent in this realm now but I can assure you they will be back." The old man replied without looking up from his posture. The young boy had his sack to him so he couldn't see the look of worry on Vemuri's face.
"That's what you always say. I miss my big brother and sister. I was always alone and they time they were here was the best, if you won't help me find them, then I will go look for them myself." The young boy said resolutely.
"When do you plan to leave?" the old man said nonchalantly, it seemed as though all the people he trained were bound to leave. The young boy looked back at the old man with a look of disbelief. "I won't stop you, if you want to go, I have trained you enough."
"Within the week."
"Young people are so impulsive, ah but it's good to be young."
"Do your parents know? I wouldn't want them to curse at me for allowing such a young lad to roam the land alone"
"They left me here to learn, I'll find them on my travels. According to their last letter they were in the City of Lights"
"I know brother and sister were going to see the dwarves so I have my route planned out."
The old man finally raised his head and looked at the boy before him. He had been observing him for the past month and had guessed what was on his mind. He had even toughened his training since he knew that this day would come. If he wasn't ready then he wouldn't allow him to leave. He was the most gifted potions and poisons apprentice he had ever seen.
After taking an interest in swordsman ship when John was training, he decided to help him adapt to his spirit. The boy awakened about a month after John had left. His was a singular spirit: a fire serpent. It might not be as impressive as the dual element spirits that Miner used but it could hold its own. The reason why it was called a fire serpent was not because it could use fire but rather because its deadly poison could burn away flesh. Hence Khameet took a keen interest in potions poisons and their antidotes. As long as his spirit took on any poison he would naturally develop a resistance to it. He fed it poisons which strengthed it and he mastered the âš” sword.
"Okay, if you feel that you're ready, I won't stop you." The old man said and laid back down. The atmosphere returned to the way it was before, still and quiet befitting of a lakeside lodge.