"I wish I could meet her," groaned Lydia.
No you don't, Aron's internal monologue whirred.
"Is it just me, or is she super beautiful?" Carlos grinned.
Yes she is, but I bet you that there's no one more terrifying, Aron's internal monologue complained.
"Her magic must be so cool." Raven sighed.
Magic that hurt me, you mean? Aron's internal monologue was irked.
"Master told me Dryads are vicious, was that true?" Rene asked.
Yes! Yes! Aron's internal monologue was delighted at finding a companion.
"Dryads, I heard their strength is greater than humans. I wonder if I could beat one." Dunst pondered.
...., Aron's internal monologue didn't know what to say.
The siblings had gathered outside around a grill, talking about the visitor who had somehow managed to shake their guardians. Aron was bombarded with questions he didn't know how to answer.
Despite how records claimed Dryads to be gentle, after spending an entire day with one, Aron saw no way that could be true. He could only sigh and knock back his head to watch the stars and the pretty full moon, this new year eve would be absolutely beautiful.
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As night grew, the residents of Alansvale only celebrated more. Adults tossed around drinks of meads and beer, laughing cheerfully. Their acts over, the troupes of performers too joined in on the merry festivities.
Their singing only grew louder and louder, with more people joining. The smell of roasted meat and mushroom soup filled only brought people hunger, as they laughed and partook in the first meal of the new year.
The siblings laughed in joy as well, joking around and munching on their roasted meats. The town had never let them join in on the festival, so celebrating with each other and Old Dwarf and Lady Ophelia was all they ever did.
But for them, there were no better times. As time passed, Carlos burst out into his rendition of the song the singers usually sang during this period of the year.
"It's called, 'To the Moon-Led Morrow We Go.'" Triana said as the three adults joined in on the singing.
The night passed by as usual, and before anyone knew the siblings had all fallen asleep. Triana stood above them, a very drunk Old Dwarf on her shoulder, her hand held in Lady Ophelia's who was chugging down a whole bottle of wine.
"Let's train them." Triana eyes sparkled, she had finally come up with a solution to the problem she had been worried about.
"We'll train them, and when the time comes, send them on their way to fulfill the prophecy. Then, everything will be repaired and we can go back to R—" Ophelia's hand shut her mouth.
"That place is now in the past. Thing won't ever be the same again, Triana. Settle down with us here, watch over these kids, we'll train them yes, Sheila would have loved that. And Triana, we missed you, we really did, so please, don't leave us again."
"Nonsense, Ophelia, you speak nonsense." Triana snorted and dropped Old Dwarf on a sleeping bag she summoned. She laid the drunk Ophelia onto another bag and returned to sit on a stump, watching over the kids with a fond smile.
"I missed you too, Phee, Old Dwarf." A soft fragrance spread over them with a wave of her hand.
When morning came, the Raffal siblings were woken by the loud sound of metal grills clanking on each other.
"No time like the New year morn to start training." Old Dwarf said as he cheerfully hammered metal fences into the earth. Lady Ophelia was similarly raising and placing the metal grills on top of the fences, manipulating them using magic.
"All of you will be focusing on what you have talents in, and combat skills related to that talent. Raven, Lydia with me, Dunst, Rene with Old Dwarf and finally Carlos, Aron with Triana." Ophelia announced to the siblings in a funny lyrical slur.
"Master, are you still drunk?" Lydia washed her face just to be sure that whatever was happening, was real.
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The merchant frantically assembled his guardsmen and the mercenaries he'd hired. "Men," He took out a shining glass card from his pockets the image of an old book was printed on it, "this is the thing we're looking for. If you find it, immediately retrieve it and rush back here. Whoever finds it will be rewarded with five hundred gold coins." He announced.
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Halinor looked over the sprawling army of demons that came in various shapes and sizes. At the front were the ground devils, soldier demons who specialized in magic and manipulation. Flanking each side were winged demons, harpies, griffins and gargoyles and many more to even count. The cavalry behind them contained giants and titans.
Halinor raised his hand to signal them all to be quiet. He spoke, riling them up,
"Rot covers the human throne, let us watch it crumbling into ruin and destroy it with our claws and fangs!" Halinor announced.