A lot of people were surrounding the main road towards the castle from the main gate of the kingdom.
They have heard the news of the arrival of the current Elite Squad, the Platinum one.
It has been eight years since they were sent away by the emperor himself in order to train themselves.
"She's here as well?"
"I thought she was sent and banished instead."
"That's what I thought as well. She was the one who wasn't there at the exact moment right?"
Hunter gritted his teeth, they have been expecting this.
The story of what happened was spread to the people of Leonis Kingdom.
It wasn't spread to the whole of Qillian Empire but the central kingdom was aware of the story.
"What can she do within their group? She lost her beast and her sister was the one who did such a horrible thing, why would she still be included in it?"
No one was holding back on their comment.
Stormie, Nixon and Ridge were feeling agitated.
They have started leaving the past to the past that hearing these words now from the people who wasn't even there was even more agitating for them.
They wanted to speak up but Hunter just gave them a warning look.
This was a happy event, they were the center of it.
They should really not make any scene in here.
He also looked at Saphira but Saphira was even waving her hands at the people who was openly mocking her.
She had a smile on as if to actually tease them even more.
When he returned his look at the people, he could see that they were even more agitated.
He really couldn't stop her because she wasn't doing anything bad.
She was simply waving at the people who came to welcome them back.
Plus, she wasn't guilty of anything so why must she act as if, they were right with whatever it is that they were spouting?
On the other hand, Willow and Drake remained silent without any reaction from what was going on.
It was a silent consent that the people can say whatever they want.
Drake was understandable for Hunter.
He just couldn't help but be irked by the way Willow was acting.
He understood that she loves him.
Of course, all seven of them were well aware of the feelings between Drake and Willow.
They were attracted to one another since they became aware of the emotion called love.
They were aware that Willow from time to time would go to where Drake was sent for training.
They sent letters to one another that they were aware of this news.
Even though this was the case, why must she act close at the same time distant towards Saphira?
He feels it to be childish and immature for her to act this way.
But because Saphira continued ignoring this fact, he didn't want to step up.
Saphira remained smiling and waving even though all they threw were insults and curses.
Some kids even threw stones at her, which she easily caught and dropped on the ground.
She didn't even bother looking at them and remained teasing the other onlookers.
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the palace and greet the Emperor.
"I am happy that all of you were doing great. And I do apologize for the mistake that I did when I sent you away back then."
He glanced at Saphira and Saphira simply shook her head slightly and smiled.
They were keeping quiet about the fact that she was sent to another Empire.
"I am looking forward for you to show me everything that you have learned for all these eight years that you were away."
After a few more words, they were finally told to go home and have a rest while Hunter was tasked to report everything that they have observed on their journey.
*****
When Saphira came close to their estate, she noticed that most stores surrounding it that was theirs were actually closed and the place looked like it was deserted.
'Well, I guess I could say that I am no longer shock with the way the whole kingdom reacted back then after we all woke up.'
She shrugged she chose to walk back here since it wasn't too far from the castle.
One hour of walk was not long for her.
She sent back the coach that they sent for her, she wants to see all the changes that happened after eight long years of being away.
As she walked back, she couldn't help but see all the places that she and Raynisha would spend time on in the past.
Where Raynisha treats her for food and treats.
"What do you think of this?" Raynisha showed her a sugar coated apple.
"NOOOO!!" she vehemently rejected.
She then pointed at the cotton candy stand close by.
"But you already ate that one yesterday," Raynisha said helplessly.
"I want that, what you bought yesterday was so small," she threw a tantrum.
Saphira laughed as she remembered that scene where most vendors could only laugh and watched them in amusement.
Now those two stands were on the verge of their collapse because of how much it was not maintained.
As she kept walking, a tree on a nearby park with a swing came to view.
Her child self was laughing happily as Raynisha pushed her and allowed her to swing as high as she wanted.
But now there was only one rope left on that swing and the tree was close to dying.
'It really became a deserted place. It seems that only a few of our servants have actually stayed.'
She sighed as she shook her head, this was no time for her to look back and have some throw back memory lane.
She has more perssing issue that she needs to focus on right now.
There are so many enemies out there that they need to prepare for that she needs to instead look towards the future and live in the present.