Marcus patrols the village with Maximus by his side, already rivaling a fully grown bloodhound in size. The village is located near Marcus' home. There's 14 villagers, mostly demi-humans with animal-like features such as ears and tails. Bruce took them in as they were driven out of their homes by a tyrant. Wendy taught the five children with them, not including Emily and Scarlet, the basics of education. Samuel and Selena are helping with the villagers' garden-like farms and Bruce is training two individuals to be hunters and protectors.
A wyvern-like creature the size of an eagle flies to Bruce and drops off a letter. Bruce reads it and sighs before cutting the training short. He searches for Marcus and hands him the letter.
"Three years later, they finally decided to come visit." He pats Marcus on the back. "They must like you a lot to not forget about you." Marcus moves away from his touch.
"Or hate me. We left without a word. How do you think they'll feel about that?"
"You'll find out and if your relationship with them is something you can't mend by talking then it's not going to work out anyway." Bruce says walking away. "You have three days before they arrive. Think of an apology."
Samuel finishes his tasks and waits for Scarlet to finish her lessons. Scarlet waves goodbye to Wendy and notices Samuel waiting patiently as he plays with the grass. She sits next to him and grabs a handful of grass before drizzling it on top of his head.
"Oi, adding seasoning isn't going to make me taste better." Scarlet blushes and quickly shoves Samuel to the ground before standing.
"Gross!"
"Wow, and you call me the perverted one," Samuel stands and grabs her hand. "Let's go."
"Sammy, where are we going?"
"A date. I already have the spot."
"A-a date! Ah, I guess I can accept that since you planned for it." She smiles as she glances at his face.
"Mom and dad helped me pick a spot. I cooked though so don't be mad when it tastes bad." Scarlet frowns before looking at the descending sun. It reminds her of her parents' voices before they were taken. She hops onto Samuel's back and clings onto him. "Woah, heavy."
"Shut up," She bites Samuel's ear softly. He yelps an innocent moan. "If you taste like that it might not be so bad." Scarlet teases as she rubs her cheeks against his.
"First you seduce me with your imagination, then you press your breast against my back just so you can tease me. You are something else." They arrive on top of a hill that has a clear view over most trees. A table is set in the center with two chairs. Around them in a circle-like position are lanterns ready to be lit.
"Pretty," Scarlet says, hopping off of Samuel. She runs up to the lanterns with a joyful motion. Her joy takes her to the table and she leans on the chair before giving Samuel a smile.
"It's getting dark, huh?" Crimson flames form around him, shaping into a wolf. It prances in the air and lights the lanterns as it brushes past them.
"Show off." She sits in the chair and gazes at Samuel until he walks to his chair. He reaches under the table and takes out a basket surrounded by magic. He places a plate of steak and potatoes in front of her and himself with a few options of vegetables in the center of the table. Two cups of juice sit on the table as well. "Fancy, and you're telling me you did this?"
"Yep," He grins. "Hope it tastes good."
"It will." She takes a bite and a flash of memories force themselves to the forefront. The image of her mother cooking their last meal together. "It's pretty good." She attempts to hold back her tears. She watches the sun fade and sighs before glancing at Samuel.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just remembered something I have to take care of soon." She states.
"It's something to do with when we met right?"
"A little… I can't get it out of my head."
"That's fine, if it's stuck in your head that means you still have unfinished business."
"But, Emily still needs me."
"She'll be fine. Marcus tells me that he's going to leave one day and that we wouldn't see each other for a long time. But, like I tell myself, if we can keep them alive in our memories they will be with us even if they aren't with us."
"Woah what a depressing date."
"Ah, sorry."
"I'm joking. This is great." They spend part of the night together talking about various things before heading back home. Scarlet and Emily sleep in a spare room within the Cain Household.
For Marcus the remaining days until the visit felt like ages with his thoughts running wild. On the day of their supposed arrival, Marcus wakes up Samuel and convinces him to help in finishing his duties together. Samuel agrees without much of a fight. Marcus and Samuel rest on the porch with Maximus and Snow, playing cards until a royal-like carriage arrives in the distance.
Marcus abandons the game and rushes to stand up Maximus notices and leaps on him attempting to climb his shoulder. Marcus assists him and scratches Maximus' chin while walking towards the carriage. Samuel cleans up and catches up to Marcus with Snow close behind. Several knights guard the carriage. They hold their position as soon as the carriage stops. Three beautiful women exit in outfits similar to when they first met.
"Nice to meet you again. How long has it been?" Marcus asks, waving at Bellona and Fiona. They smile, but Bellona is the first to approach him. She swings her first with ferocity at Marcus. He dodges and grins with joys. "I missed you, too."
"Shut up! You left without warning!" She manages to grab his wrist and pull him towards herself. She trips him and lands on him pinning his wrist to the ground. "No goodbyes, no letters, nothing! You could have been dead and I… we wouldn't have known! This isn't how friends are supposed to be."
"You're right. I'm sorry. I won't leave next time before telling you. Now can you get off of me, I'm getting horny. I don't know how long I can keep the beast asleep." Marcus stares into her eyes.
"You truly are a pervert." Bellona states as she stands and offers her hand.
"Thick and thin." He responds, and accepts her help. "Do you forgive me?"
"No, not yet. You still owe me for the trauma, but I won't bring it up again."
"Alright as a sign of thanks, I owe you one, no question asked." Fiona hugs him from behind pressing her chest against his back.
"What about me?" She says into my back. He can't help, but laugh.
"Of course you, too."
"You've gotten bigger, taller than us finally." Fiona states.
"Yeah, I'm six feet now. Pretty cool right."
"Yeah." She mumbles, hugging Marcus tightly.
"Bring them out." The queen orders. Four guards carry large chests and hold them without question. "Ladies."
"Right." Fiona responds and pulls Marcus closer to two of the chests as the queen walks with one of them to Samuel. She opens it and his face widens with amazement.
"Is this for me?" Samuel asks in disbelief.
"Yes, it's been forged by the only Grandmaster Blacksmith in the Empire. He made the rest of these as well." She states gesturing at the other chests. "Where is Bruce and Wendy?" The queen asks.
"Oh they're inside." Selena runs out of the house towards them with Bruce chasing her with a light jog.
"Bruce!" She lights up with a smile.
"Elizabeth, it's good to see you again."
"Here Marcus, open mine first." Fiona suggests, lending his hand to the chest.
"Woah! Why does he have to open yours first?"
"Because I met him first. Now wait your turn." Marcus opens the chest and is met with a heater shield. Its edges, reinforced with additional metal, are decorated in intricate golden metalwork. The base is a shiny light grey with the center reinforced decorated in golden metalwork.
"It's amazing." Marcus touches it and lifts it. It's extremely light and large enough to cover his torso. "How much did it cost?"
"You don't have to worry about that. The royal family gets discounts for custom items." Fiona states.
"Thank you." Marcus hugs Fiona. "I don't know how I can ever repay you. If you want anything just ask."
"Anything?" She grasps her cheeks as she blushes.
"Open mine." Bellona insists. Marcus puts the shield back into the chest and stomps the ground. A rock-like table surfaces for the soldiers to place the chest. He opens the second chest to be met with a longsword. The scabbard is a dark grey base with silver design. "I thought it would be good for you since you like using one-handed weapons."
"It means a lot to me, thanks." Marcus manages to say before hugging her tightly. "I don't deserve to be close to the two of you."
"No, but we still like you." Marcus unsheathes the blade, unable to speak by its raw beauty. The blade is silvery grey with black wind-like patterns. The grip is wrapped with black leather while the pommel is a highly detailed red dragon egg with the crossguard shaped like a dragon's wings.
"Marcus look!" Samuel shows Marcus his item from the chest. It's a longsword as well. The scabbard is decorated with white designs over a myrtle green base. The handle is wrapped in dark brown leather with a wolf-like pommel and a flame-like crossguard. The blade itself is myrtle colored with white fiery patterns.
"Looks good, what are you going to name it?"
"I don't know, I kinda like Oblivion? Does that sound good?"
"Sam, it's your sword, name it whatever you want as long as you feel good about it." Selena crashes into Marcus and hugs him.
"Marcus, who are they? Why are they giving you two presents?"
"Is it wrong to give your brother a present?" Fiona asks.
"No, but it means you want something from him."
"Cleaver." Bellona interjects and rubs her head. "I want to be your sister one day."
"See!" Selena brushes Bellona's hand off and places herself between Marcus and Bellona. "They are only using you Marcus."
"I mean they can use me anyway they want. I don't see a problem."
"Ah, you already got to him! I challenge you." Bellona grins and glances at Marcus. He nods in approval.
"I accept the challenge, but if you lose your brother belongs to me."
"No, if you lose you can't see him anymore."
"Why do I feel like I'm being treated as an object?" Marcus asks.
"Because Bellona is immature picking a fight with a child." Fiona interrupts.
"Aye, my future sister started it."
"Marcus, tell her to stop calling me that." Selena begs.
"But it might be true. She might become your sister." Bellona blushes at Marcus' comment.
"Sammy?" She glances at Samuel asking for help with her eyes.
"Just win the duel and you don't have to worry about it."
"Traitors both of you!"
"Alright start." Marcus says. Selena faces Bellona only to barely dodge her initial strike. Bellona manages to grab Selena and slam her against the ground hard. She crouches and places her hand on her cheek as a way to rest.
"Do you give up?"
"Yes, she does." Marcus interrupts helping Selena up. She shoves him and glares at Bellona.
"No." Bellona grins and glances at Marcus. He frowns for a moment only to let out a sigh.
"Next hit ends the match." He declares in a serious tone. Without hesitation Selena lunges at Bellona. She blocks Selena's fist with a finger.
"Prepare yourself." Bellona warns. She flicks Selena's forehead knocking her back several yards away with little to no effort. Marcus lifts Selena to her feet and pats the dirt off of her.
"This seems familiar." Samuel states.
"I can go again." Selena declares rubbing her forehead.
"No! You're done." He turns her to him. "Apologize for being rude." Selena is taken aback. She shakes Marcus off and runs away.
"Marcus yelled at me!" She cries, continuing to run deeper into the forest.
"Selena! Stop being silly! Come back here!" Marcus glaces at Maximus. "Go after her please."
"Wow, you changed." Samuel says, shaking his head.
"Shut up, I didn't even yell. Take the last chest to her room. It'll calm her down when she gets back."
"Sure." Samuel takes the chest and says his goodbyes. He overhears that they'll be leaving soon. Apparently they only came to show their respects and to secure their alliance. Samuel walks up the stairs and places the chest on Selena's bed. He knocks on Scarlet's door and is met with a crying Emily.
"She's gone. She left in the middle of the night." Emily hands a letter to Samuel. He reads it in his head.
'Thank you for taking us into your household. I don't know how to repay this debt, but I promise I'll find a way. I'm leaving home for who knows how long. I won't return until I find my parent's killers and avenge them. Please don't look for me and continue to take care of Emily.
P.s. Samuel, before you come searching for me like I know you will. Give me a few months. Take care of yourself and tell Emily to be strong while I'm gone. And since this might be the last message I leave, I love you.'
Samuel crumples the letter and ignites it in his fist. He glances at Emily as she stares at his hand.
"I won't let this be her last words. I'll look for her and bring her back." Samuel promises.
Selena wanders in a hurry through the forest. Maximus is on her trail having fun with it. Selena stops to catch her breath.
"Stupid, brothers. Thinking they can grow up without me." Heavy rustling is heard from the far bushes. "Marcus, leave me alone. I'm not in the mood." Maximus begins to grow angrily. The rustling stops for a moment. Like an earthquake, the ground shakes as a giant ogre smashes through trees in its path. Selena flinches from the ambush falling to the ground. The hulking ogre has part of its face sewn together and reformed with vines and bark-like material. Its arm is also mostly bark-like. It's much bigger than the one the siblings met and Selena knows it.
The creature collapses to the ground with scorch marks covering his back. A boy emerges from the bushes with blood dripping from his head. A sphere of dark orange flames rests in his palm. He glances at Selena surprised to find someone. Maximus lunges at the dead ogre and starts eating it.
"Who are you?" The boy asks, increasing the intensity of his flames. His unruly black hair reaches briefly past his neck, but is tied in a messy ponytail. He glares at Selena with shiny yellow eyes.
"Forget about that. Are you okay?" Selena says approaching him unphased by the boy. As Selena attempts to check his wound, the boy dodges and extinguishes his flames. "Don't be stubborn, you're bleeding."
"It'll heal with a good night's sleep. Didn't your parents teach you not to go near strangers, even if they are as handsome as me? "
"Heh, what's your name?"
"I'm not telling you." Selena pouts.
"Why? I'll give you mine?"
"Don't act all cute, it has no effect on me." He gazes into her eyes as if it was a challenge. "Give me yours and I'll think about it."
"Selena Cain." She says with excitement.
"Great, now what are you doing here, alone in the forest?"
"You didn't tell me your name."
"I said I'll think about it."
"Coward."
"It's called being smart, why would I name myself to someone I have no connection to."
"Whatever, just let me treat you."
"I'll not let a child with no experience treat me. You don't even have the proper equipment on you."
"I bet we're the same age! If we are you let me treat you, if we aren't I'll back off." He lets out a sigh.
"Okay, I'm 13." Selena grins.
"I told you, same age." Selena grabs the boy's hands and sits down with him on the ground, facing each other. He seems uncomfortable with his face reddening, but doesn't try to stop the situation. Selena touches his head and looks for the cut. This causes the boy to feel a few stings. He keeps his gaze on her face, locking eyes for a few moments. She uses her magic and seals the wound stopping any more blood from leaking out.
"Impressive, you know, healing magic." She nods as she rubs her head in the same area that the boy was cut in. "I knew a healer once." The boy places his hand on her head using his own magic. "She went insane healing the wounds of several children. She could stop the healing whenever, but she didn't want them to suffer, especially for something that wasn't in their control." the boy winces as Selena feels as if nothing happened.
"You took the pain away. Why?" The boy removes his hand and stands up.
"You healed me, let me deal with the aftermath." The boy begins to walk away, but Selena grabs his sleeve. He has the outfit of a traveler with light armor for extra protection.
"Tell me your name."
"And you called me stubborn." Selena shrugs and maintains eye contact.
"It's a gift." The boy laughs for a moment before speaking.
"Fine, but on one condition." He lifts her chin gently. With a coy smile he whispers. "Give me a kiss." She steps back with her face fully red. They gaze into each other for what seems like minutes. "Goodbye." Selena grabs him and lunges at his lips with hers, but stops inches away.
"I can't. I think you're cute, but…" Selena states before taking in the boy's expression. He's flushed with embarrassment, as if he wasn't expecting it.
"We just met! Why would we kiss!" He starts to argue, but his embarrassment only brings intrigue to Selena.
"I just want to know your name?" She touches his cheeks and leans in for another attempt. He shoves her and leaps back. She smiles.
"Did you not hear me?"
"Adorable."
"Huh?" He snarls. "I'm not adorable." He says seriously, with his face still hinting at the blush. "I'm a deadly warrior that'll change the world."
"Not if you can't kiss me. You'll just be known as an adorable coward." Selena taunts leaning closer. "If it's too much for you-" The boy leans in and lays his lips on hers. They stare at each other. The world stops for them until the boy breaks it off. He stumbles back and shields his mouth. Selena touches her lips.
"Dante." The boy says.
"Nice to meet you, Dante." Selena places her hands behind her.
"I must get going. Bye, Selena." Dante leaves, leaving Selena alone as she touches her lips once more.
"Finally found you." Marcus jumps out without warning. Selena screams before laughing.
"You scared me. Why are you here?"
"They're leaving soon. I want you to apologize."
"I don't like them."
"You only say that because of their interest in me. Remember Scarlet, didn't she grow on you and became as close as a sister."
"Yeah, but."
"So why can't they?"
"Fine, I'll apologize if you tell me who you're going to marry."
"Selena, we discussed this. I want a harem like-"
"Yeah like dad had in his youth." Selena interrupts. "Like father, like son."
"We are blood."
"Disgusting." They walk back to the house, but have one last conversion on the way.
"Are you going to tell me about the boy?" Selena stays silent and covers her face in embarrassment.
"You know?"
"I saw quite a bit." He grins before attempting to mimic her tone. "It's a gift."
"Stop it, I'm going to cry." She states, hiding her face against her knees.
"Hope that kiss was worth it. He outplayed you."
"What do you mean? I got his name." Marcus sighs and kneels to get closer to her height.
"He only told you his first name."
"No he… That brat." Selena stands quickly.
"Anyway, I guess I'm not the only one that inherited dad's blood. Taunting him to kiss you, classic."
"At least I got a kiss, you still haven't done anything."
"Fair, but I'm a bitch. So I'll take my time unless they initiate it."
"Coward." Selena begins to walk again.
"Oi, it's called strategy." Selena apologizes to Bellona and Fiona. Samuel hides in his room for the rest of the day. The royal family leaves before it gets too late. After a few weeks Marcus announces his leave.
"I'm leaving home today. I found the school I was looking for and realized you have to get there early to apply and do a test unless you're recommended."
"NO! I refuse. Scarlet left without a warning and now you are leaving the same day as you tell us."
"Sam, I need to do this. If I want to live my own life I can't be stuck here. And I only just found out the location and time-limit."
"And you know how to get there? How?" Bruce questions crossing his arms in thinking.
"The merchants told me. I can fend for myself so the journey won't be dangerous and I'll visit a few times a year if I can."
"NO!" Selena shouts. "You can't go! You have the memory of a fish with communication."
"That's not true."
"You say, a few times, but you really mean, if you remember once a year."
"Where's the proof?"
"Bellona and Fiona."
"Okay fine, I might have a slight problem, but I'll work on it. It'll only be a few years."
"I don't know Marcus, the world is a dangerous place and I haven't truly prepared you kids for it yet."
"Dad!"
"It's fine Marcus. You can go, you don't need permission from us. All I ask is that you take care and don't forget about us."
"Wendy."
"Bruce, he's not the one who's shackled." Bruce goes silent and nods in agreement. Marcus gives them both a hug before hugging Samuel and Selena. He leaves with a luggage of extra clothes and supplies while wearing a dark bluish themed traveler's outfit with white outlines and dark leather armor underneath. He also carries Dawn, the heather shield received from Fiona and Valkyrie, the longsword received from Bellona.