Chris was about to dismiss everyone, it was already late and some of them really need to get back to take care of the kids, especially Jane.
"You may all go bac-"
"Wait, I just thought of something." Old Kyle, this decrepit old man suddenly cut off Chris. Everyone looked at the old man and was wondering what he was going to say.
Old Kyle looked at the children's guardians "Bah! forget it. It's not that important right now." He said as he beckoned for Chris to go on. Everyone was thinking 'weird' while some were thinking. 'The hell old man. Did you finally begin to lose it?'
The old man was about to propose a grand plan for the children. A plan that would enable them to soar and spread their wings. He wanted to send the children to a Kingdom when they grow old enough so they may build their own forces and form connections. Learn about the world as well as experience life to the fullest. And in the meantime they will teach the children their own expertise to help them adapt to society and survive because after all they can't be living in the mountains forever. Especially if their calling was somewhere else.
'Like Lucian, he was the next in line for the Michaelis Household after Chris and he was also a part of an Ancient Clan of Dragon Warriors.' Old Kyle thought as he had seen how proud, fearsome and ruthless they are.
'Gin, this equally terrifying kid was the successor of the Demon Slaying Clan and Leah and Leo, these two mischievous brat were born to be wild and free like their father was.' Old Kyle was thinking that it would be a waste to let them grow restrained and caged.
'Mary, this poor child had a really complicated and dangerous situation. I'm afraid she'll have the roughest road ahead. And Noah, his condition is still unknown but I believe he'll recuperate soon.' Old Kyle sighed as lamented the fact that the children were being forced to face their fate so early. The only thing he could do for them as their Elder was support them as much as he could.
These kids had different roads ahead of them and whatever they do and wherever they may end up, helping them get stronger would be better than letting them live their life unable to get access and tap into their full potential. 'Especially Luna, she would someday begin to wonder where she came from and she might try to find her home and be with the other Elves.'
Old Kyle believes that it is simply their duty to guide them because they can't always be there to protect them. They at least had to have the capabilities to protect themselves and have enough knowledge and experience to deal with unforeseen circumstances. So that what happened earlier today might not repeat itself tomorrow.
Old Kyle walked out slowly supported by a cane as everyone was dismissed. He glanced at Chris who was deep in thought about what to do with Little Lu. Old Kyle knew what he was thinking about. Right now he simply wasn't in the condition or mood to talk about such matters. And not just Chris, everyone else was. They just got their children back safely, the last thing they'll want to think about would be sending them off somewhere.
'Another time, perhaps.' The final thought of the old man as he walked back home with Lionell.
—--
As everyone was going back, Little Lu was sitting on the grass happily eating different kinds of fruits. These are fruits conjured by Arthur. It won't satiate his hunger but it will help his spirit become stronger. Such fruits were treated as a snack and if any of these fruits were to show a speck of its presence outside then war will surely occur.
These fruits were made from the diluted power of a star outside this planet. It contained just enough power to fool the little boy into thinking he was full when actually only his soul was full.
As Little Lu's body was recuperating from fatigue outside Arthur wasn't just being idle. He was using his powers to heal the body outside little by little. He could heal it at full but he's letting it rest on its own.
"Big Brother, can I take these with me?" Asked Little Lu as his face was smeared by the juices of fruits. Arthur conjured a handkerchief to wipe down the messy kid. "No, I'm afraid you can't. I still have to do experiments on what I can bring out and bring in from outside." Arthur said as he wiped Little Lu's chubby cheeks.
It wasn't Little Lu's fault though. He was still too weak to restrain himself when eating something so nourishing and delicious. His soul just can't help it. It was like a greedy black hole wanting to suck everything in. 'I should bring down its potency a bit.' Arthur thought.
"Aw.." Uttered Little Lu and Arthur knew what exactly he was thinking. Lucian wanted everyone in the village to taste such delicious fruits and that just made Arthur shake his head with a smile. Even he wanted to give some of this to his parents but their soul might react differently towards them compared to Lucian. He was not willing to risk it.
Little Lu didn't push the idea and just chowed down on the juicy fruits. He was eating while talking non-stop and as Arthur was listening to Little Lu's stories he closed his eyes before opening them. In his eyes were a tinge of sadness and longing. What he did was peek outside as he felt a new presence in the vicinity of Little Lu's bed.
Chris had just come home from the meeting and it was already pretty late. Chris found Calir still sitting beside the boy while Luna was soundly sleeping.
Chris caressed Little Lu's head as he watched his son sleeping peacefully. And that small caress was felt by Arthur.
"It's time to sleep, Lucian. When you wake up you'll be in your bed. Remember what we talked about." Arthur said, reminding Little Lu.
"B-But… " Little Lu was finding it hard to separate from the delicious fruits. For him not much time had passed but Arthur had already told him that it was night time already.
"Don't worry, I'll call you again." Arthur said as he again wiped the boy's chubby cheeks.
"Okay Big Brother." The boy suddenly turned drowsy before curling like a baby and closing his eyes to rest.
Little Lu's body turned ethereal before it disappeared leaving Arthur alone on this small planet once again.
Little Lu's consciousness also had to get some rest.
—--
In the outside world after Chris caressed Little Lu's head he turned towards Calir. They both looked at each other without words. They didn't need words to express their feelings. Calir just sighed and looked at her son.
"It's late, we should rest as well. I'm sure tomorrow Lu will wake up with a smile like he always has." Chris said as he took the mentally worn out Calir to their room to rest. He will brief her tomorrow about what they talked about at the meeting.
Calir was reluctant to leave his son's side but she knew her mind was in a mess. She doesn't want Little Lu to see her worried face the first thing he wakes up.
"Alright." She said helplessly.
—--
On a big wooden house near a lake that runs through the Village. An Old man and a huge framed man were on a porch drinking tea and watching the big bright moon above.
"Thank you for letting us stay at your place Elder." Lionell said as he looked respectfully towards the old man in front of him.
"Hoho, don't mention it, don't mention it. I don't want these brats to catch a cold sleeping at that broken house of yours." Old Kyle volunteered to take Leah and Leo in for a while as Lionell repairs their house.
"You look relieved." Old Kyle followed as he looked at Lionell's faint smile.
"I am, these brats had definitely met their mother. I'll definitely be bombarded with questions when they wake up." Lionell sighed helplessly.
"Are you prepared?" Old Kyle asked.
"I am."
—--
On a two storey wooden house near a hill, Aunty Jane was watching the sleeping Noah peacefully. She was caressing the boy's head with care and love.
"Oh Noah, please wake up already." She begged.
—--
While everyone was resting and watching over the kids, Yama was sharpening a small sword along with a small dagger. He was focused and his eyes cold. Out of all of them he was the only one who wanted Gin to awaken. Although he was concerned he was also excited. After all, another Bane of the Demons has awakened.
"Soon… they'll face our fury." The One Armed Reaper had once again set his eyes on the necks of his enemy. And this time, he's not alone.
—--
In a chapel-like house, below a dungeon-like basement. Johan was kneeling down praying to a God. But if the Priests and Ministers of the Holy Church were to hear his prayers and know who he was praying to they would pull on their hair and curse at him with all their might!
"Oh Dark Lord of Shadows, Oh unholy one. I have once more come to you to seek guidance. The disgusting light of the hypocrites have again stretched their cursed hands and destroyed one of your blessed houses."
Johan was holding onto a black book while kneeling on a purple magic circle. It was glowing with eeriness. And tendrils of shadows flickering from time to time.
His blonde hair had grown longer up to his waist and it had become darker. A proof that he turned to the darkside.
"Do not fret, lost and misguided lamb." A captivating yet sonorous voice light whispered in his ears. Johan jolted. This was the first time his God responded to his prayers directly. Most of the time he would only receive intents or revelation but now this God was speaking to him.
Johan kept his mouth shut as he listened intently. "My Adjudicator has already made contact with my dark realm." The voice whispered.
Johan was about to ask who it was when all of a sudden the voice's tone changed. It felt scared and uncertain for some reason.
"But something unforeseen happened. A flaw or something uncertain had interfered before she could become one with my realm."
Johan was confused, 'What happened? And who is this adjudicator?'
Johan changed sides when the Holy Church wronged him. He sought out power so he could take back what was his and the one who answered his call was the God who he's speaking to right now. Ever since he joined the dark side he had joined a silent war that involved the Holy and this Unholy One. He would climb down the mountain from time to time whenever he was called and he would fight alongside his brothers at arms. Waging war in the name of the Unholy One.
"But fret not, time will reveal everything. The connection had already been made." The voice whispered as it faded like an echo.
As the voice faded so did the magic circle beneath him. His hair returned to how it was and he returned to the usual Johan.