Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind:
Today was the final day. The world's mana had aligned near perfectly. If the Heroes didn't go home today, the chance of success would no longer be 100% and anything below that may accidently send them to either a different time period or different world all together. Not that I told them any of that, no needless panic to be had.
The day began early. I had personally invited all the key people the Heroes had met and talked to during their lives here. The Knights and King of Elsbeth, The Klerical King and his Commander, Lisanna and Gilda, those were just to name a few. It was a bit hard for the human leaders to relax while in my castle but a few rounds of food and drink cleared that up quickly.
There were no formalities here. The throne room had been decorated and tables of refreshments lined the walls as both Demons and Humans talked to each other. There had been some initial tension between us but we forced through it using the Heroes as a scapegoat. In other words, don't ruin their farewell party unless you want something bad to happen to you.
I stood in the back corner and watched the Heroes talk with those we met. Sasren's mayor, the knights they trained with, the people from my town, all those memories I hoped they would cherish when they left. Lana was tipsily spouting nonsense to Sayuri who awkwardly nodded. Telius and Allain's Knight Commander held Carl between them. Alicia was chatting with a group of women including several of my Generals and Gilbert's wife. Gary was talking to Terra and the other children, although Terra was trying to monopolise him. Don't think I didn't know what was going on there because I did, after all I had been spying on them after my sister had altered her appearance. The atmosphere between them was strained but at the same time a little too sweet for my liking. She really did take after my mother.
Slowly as the day went by the party died down. At points it did burst into action as duels and challenges were announced and barriers were set up to watch the fight. In the end the people were sent home and all that remained were the Heroes and my family. The throne room had been cleaned and now the four of them stood before us wearing the same clothes I first saw them in.
Alicia pulled at her skirt, "I can't believe you kept these."
"I thought it would be more comfortable for you," I replied.
Gary clicked his tongue, "I don't know, appearing back home in a full suit of armour would definitely be quite the experience. I mean I-" Alicia pulled his ear.
I chuckled, "I also have these for you." One by one I handed them a black bag and a necklace with a gold stone.
Carl opened the bag, "It's empty?"
"Not quite. It's a dimensional storage bag that my grandpa and I made for you. Simply put your hand in and think what you want from it and it should do the rest. It can store up to one tonne and if you try pull the mana from it you should be able to clear it out all at once."
"So what's in it right now?" Gary asked as he put his hand inside.
"The clothes you wore here including your armour and weapons. An assortment of gems and plenty of gold."
Alicia pulled out a sizeable red ruby and gasped, "This thing could probably sell for millions…."
Sayuri turned to me, "We can't accept this much."
"Yes you can," I replied forcefully. "You released my family from its curse and saved our continent including countless lives. Besides I have plenty left."
Her mouth twisted but eventually she gave in. "And what about this?" she held up the necklace.
"From what I've heard your world doesn't have much mana. In other words, no magic. Those stones generate mana and will slowly replenish your supply. Don't go crazy though, what would usually take you an hour to recover will probably take a week. So practice moderation. Your bodies have changed, you'll collapse if you run out of mana."
Alicia nudged Gary, "Hear that?"
"Yeah, yeah, moderation, got it," Gary replied easily.
"Also," I began, "they're linked together. No matter how far you go you'll be able to call each other with them. Take in mind though it takes up quite the bit of mana."
"You really thought of everything huh?" Sayuri smiled. I couldn't return that innocent smile because I really hadn't.
"Is this it then?" Carl asked as a silence enveloped us.
"This is it," I gestured outwards, "Anticlimactic right? No big bad demon lord trying to kill you, no screaming girls pleading you not to leave. Just my grandpa, sister and I but… we'll miss you all."
There was a sniffle and Alicia turned her face downwards, "Don't look at me. It's sad okay?"
I walked to each one of them starting with Carl,
"Goodbye Carl," I hugged him. "Look after the others for me."
"I will, and look after yourself."
"Who do you think I am?" I laughed and moved on, "Alicia make sure Gary doesn't kill himself."
"Don't worry I'll kill him myself before that happens," she wiped her tears and leaped at me in a huge bear hug. "Stay safe and don't do anything too stupid."
"Nothing I do is stupid," I hugged her back.
"Liar," she let go and I turned to Gary.
"Reign it in Gary," I reached towards him and he stepped forward as we wrapped our arms around each other. "I snuck some books into your bag. It'll take you a few months at least to master them."
"Thanks Dave," he stepped back. "Also, look after your sister for me okay? I know you'll be fine but make sure she is too."
"That's an odd amount of concern," I teased.
He cleared his throat, "It's a normal amount okay."
Finally my eyes matched against Sayuri's. It had been awkward between us since last week. Whenever we met we couldn't talk for long and even now I was at a loss for words.
"Sayuri… goodbye," I bowed lightly.
After a short pause she nodded, "Goodbye Dave."
I was about to step back but Alicia shoved me towards her with a scowl, "Damn you two just make up already and say goodbye normally. I can't stand the tension between you two anymore!"
"Yeah seriously Dave just do it," Gary prodded me. Carl smiled from where he was.
Sayuri and I were once again gazing into each other's eyes. Argh, this was exactly what I didn't want. My heart was beating untimely and I could feel a cold sweat on the back of my neck. This type of nervousness was something I'd never get used to.
"I'll miss you," without warning I embraced her. "Thank you for being here, for looking out for me. I'll never forget you." I felt her body clench up and as we separated she looked at me,
"I'll always remember all that we did here but most of all I'll remember you," she smiled and my heart thumped painfully. That's all I'd be, a memory. In the future, she'd eventually love someone else, marry someone else and have children with someone else… that thought alone filled me with a scathing discomfort. I turned away and saw my grandfather. Slowly he mouth the words, 'no regrets'. Ah screw it, he was right.
I flicked back towards Sayuri, "I wasn't being honest before."
"Huh?" she stared at me blankly.
"When I said I couldn't accept your feelings. The truth is I really wanted to and the more important fact is… I like you as well, more than anyone else."
Alicia squealed in the background but I ignored it.
Sayuri's eyes began to water, "What? No… I, why now?"
"I'm sorry. I wanted you to forget about me but in the end I just can't have that. I used to be the damn Demon Lord, greed is in my nature right?"
"But… what do I do now?" just as I feared she was becoming conflicted.
I took her hands in mine, "You'll go home and see your family again but by all the Gods, the one God or anyone else, I'll see you again. I promise you that."
"Now that's more like it!" Gary shouted happily.
"You're an idiot you know," Sayuri threw her arms around my head and pulled me closer, planting her soft lips on mine. The moment was short but as we parted our breathing was ragged and our faces flushed. "I'll hold you to that promise."
"And I'll keep it." We parted from each other and I took my place back with my sister and grandfather. Terra stepped forward towards Gary but I pulled her back, "Not you, not yet."
"Aww but…," she looked between me and Gary angrily.
"You'll see him again."
"Fine."
Alicia was almost hysterically happy as she bounced around Sayuri and kept flashing gazes at me. Carl and Gary were mellower but they couldn't hold back their grins.
I pulled my staff out and I stamped it to the ground, "Heroes I thank you once more for your service. The time has come for us to part. Separated we may be for now, our hearts will remain connected forever. Until we meet again, I bid you farewell and good luck. See you later." I smiled.
A diagram of white magic encircled them but this time they let it take them willingly, all the while waving and shouting their goodbyes. My eyes caught on to Sayuri's. The light took her away but her strong resolute gaze fired into my soul. The Heroes disappeared from our world and back to their own. It was over, and yet for me, it was just the beginning.
"Grandpa, I leave the nation to you, I have some studying to do."
Aside: On the other side.
Carl:
When the light faded I was home. In the garden where I had disappeared more than half a year ago it was like nothing had changed. The flowers were blooming, the sun was setting and the skies were lined with familiar clouds. In my hands were a bag and necklace, the gifts from another world. I gripped them tightly in my hands, they were a reminder of all that happened. Like I thought I would be, I was alone. Alicia, Gary, Sayuri and Dave, the four friends that I had impossible adventures together were nowhere in sight. It was a strange feeling.
I took a deep breath and noticed something immediately. The air was different. It lacked something important, mana. So this is what Dave meant. Certainly just by standing here I felt weaker already, like a binding had been placed upon my strength.
"Master Carlton!?" the surprised scream came from the shed as our family's butler emerged. He rushed towards me and began inspecting me for injuries, "Where have you been? You're parents have been worried sick."
"I'm fine Allan," I smiled. "Could you please tell me the date?"
"The date? Why it's the 25th of March. You disappeared two days ago."
Two days? I was surprised. Dave had said he would be able to send us relatively to same time we left but I thought he had meant months not days. Just one more thing I had to thank him for when we saw each other next.
"Are my parents home?" I asked.
"Yes, there are in the living room. They'll be extremely happy to see you. We feared you were kidnapped," he gestured for me to follow him. "Please hurry, we do not want them to worry another second."
I followed him obediently with a cold sensation in my chest. This was the hard part. Just how the heck was I meant to explain where I had been. Hi mum and dad, I went to another world where I was a Hero and fought against monsters and armies. That wouldn't work one bit. I also didn't want to lie after all this time.
Before I knew it, I was already inside and Allan opened the door to the living room. My father and mother were sitting down with their heads in their hands. A guilt crossed my heart instantly.
They looked up. At first they couldn't believe what they were seeing but as they stood their eyes widened,
"Carl?" my mother yelled, "Carl you're home!" She ran and enveloped me in a tight hug. My father did the same. Even more so than my mother he was an emotional man and was already tearing up.
"Just where have you been?" he cried.
"Ah umm…." I wracked my brain as they finally let go. "I'm sorry I didn't come home and I didn't call you." I bowed my head.
"We're just glad you're safe home, but please tell us where did you go?"
"…."
"Carl?" my father looked at me concerned again now his relief had died down.
I steeled myself, "I've fallen in love!"
"Excuse me?" my mother replied shocked.
"The reason I was missing. I met an amazing girl I just couldn't let go. If I went home she could have disappeared forever so I stayed by her side until the last moment I could." Well I wasn't completely lying.
"A girl? Just who and why? Even if it's for love we were beyond worried, we even called the police. Couldn't you have just called us?" Their expressions were a mix of shock, anger and a slight understanding.
"I lost my phone and wasn't in a situation I could contact you…."
"Then where is this so called girl now?" my mother asked dubiously.
"She went back home to Australia," I answered truthfully. "Her name is Alicia Stallworth."
"…." My parents stared at me and finally my father sighed, "Like father like son."
"Huh?" I replied dumbly.
He took my mother's hand, "It reminds me of when I met your mother. It was a different time without mobile phones or the internet but it was during a family holiday. I disappeared for three days to spend more time with her."
"Yes I guess we can't blame him," my mother smiled as she stared into my father's eyes. She turned back to me, "Still… you're grounded for a month and until we meet this 'Alicia' ourselves we cannot guarantee if we'll accept your relationship."
"O-of course," I nodded. This had gone a lot better than I had expected it would. Being grounded for a month wasn't a big punishment at all in the grand scheme of things.
"Also you're teacher called to remind you of the upcoming tests. Just because you have been gone don't think you're excused."
"…." I hoped the others were faring better.
Alicia:
When the light faded we were back in the street in front of our house. Cheap living in a bad neighbourhood, barely scraping by with a massive debt on our shoulders. I stared at the bag in my hands and grinned, that would change soon enough.
"Argh…" Garr scowled queasily, "Is it just me or does the air feel weird to you?"
"Yeah it kind of does now you mention it," I breathed in.
"Hmmm this will take some time to get used to," he shook it off. "Anyway what should we do? Grab our stuff and high tail it out of here. I was thinking we move to the eastern suburbs."
"How about a penthouse somewhere?" I laughed. "With the money we can get from these gems, we could live anywhere!"
"Hold it a sec sis," Garr shook his head. "I don't think that's a great idea. We don't want people catching on to us and besides, just how are we meant to sell these things?" He put his hand in his own bag and lifted up several shining jewels.
"Hmmm," I didn't have a clue. "For now let's just get out of here. I hate this place anyway."
"Agreed."
The two of us walked onwards and somewhat enjoyed the extremely different scenery compared to the other world. Houses on either side of a paved road with cars and streetlights. It was nothing pretty and seeing it again felt almost weird. We reached the front of a dinged up old one story house. It looked like a strong wind could blow it over. In front of the open door were men in black suits.
"Did you find them?" the shorter one asked the three significantly larger men.
"No sir. Looks like the kids ran," the tallest amoung them replied.
"Tch, the boss won't be happy," he spat in reply.
I was about to call out to them but Gary stepped forward first.
"We're still here so if you could not just barge into our house that would be great," he didn't hide his disdain.
The short man looked back at us. I couldn't ever remember his name. It was something food related I think.
"Well, well, well. I'm surprised," he sneered at us. "Do you have our money yet? Interest is rising every day, now it's a steep 80K."
"Money isn't the problem right now Pancove."
I clapped my hands remembering now. Pancove, like pancake. He was one of the higher ranking mobsters our aunt had owed money to.
"Money always matters 'Gary' and since when did you stop hiding behind your sister? Finally grow a pair?"
Garr just stared at him, "I'm tired of just letting you push us around."
Pancove started to laugh harshly, "Push you around? Just what kind of a situation do you think you're in? If you don't have the money then you better get it, that's how it works." His mouth turned into a rotten smile as his eyes turned to me, "Of course if Alicia ever decided 'coming' over to our place, the boss would be sure to wipe your debts quite happily."
"Eyes off pig," I growled.
"Oh feisty as always but you're running out of time kiddies. Our bosses' patience is running out, who knows we might just take liberties and take what we want right now," again his eyes flicked over my body as if undressing me.
Garr stepped between us angrily, "Don't ever look or talk to my sister and I like that ever again."
"So you really did grow a pair," he gestured behind him, "Barry show Gary here what we do with disobedient kids."
Without further warning Barry's fist collided with Garr's head. It was a terribly slow punch that either of us could dodge with ease but Garr just took it straight on and didn't move a single centimetre. His eyes stared directly at Pancove, ignoring the fist pressed against him.
"Barry stop messing around," Pancove yelled annoyed.
"Ah, yes sir!" he punched Garr again but with the same effect.
Slowly Garr turned his eyes to him and with a flick of his wrist sent him into the nearby wall unconscious.
Pancove fell back in surprise, "What? How did you do that?"
Garr leaned over him as the other two men backed away. A terrifying aura had begun to leak from his body. It was the same feeling Dave had when he got angry.
"I can do much more than just that Pancove." The sides had really reversed since we had left and watching it happen felt really satisfying. Although I would have loved to be in Garr's position. He pulled something from his pocket and threw it into Pancove's chest. It was a small jewel. "That's the payment. It should be much more than you need. Don't ask where we got it and don't ever talk to us again. If I ever see you or your boss or any of you filthy monsters again I'll make sure to rip you a new one, even if you're just crossing the street."
Pancove picked up the jewel with wide eyes and for a moment his greed overcame is his fear,
"Shoot him! We'll take everything he's got now!"
The two men pulled out handguns and quickly fired but instead the guns exploded into pieces. The men screamed in pain as their hands bled. With little effort Garr picked Pancove off the ground.
"This is me being merciful. Now get out." He tossed him into the street, followed by his men. They ran.
I watched them leave, "Ah man you could have left one for me at least."
"If they come back they're all yours," Garr sighed but then let out a huge grin to me. "But oh, that felt amazing. I've been wanting to do that ever since they first came!"
"Good for you," I laughed. It was nice seeing him so lively in this world. Before we left he would have never smiled like this. Cooped up in books and games trying to escape the world as we scraped jobs for cash, doing things we weren't proud of. We'd never have to do that again. And the first thing I would do now, give Carl a call and then Sayuri. Even if it hadn't been an hour, I wanted to hear their voices.
Sayuri:
My heart was still beating loudly as if it was trying to break free from my chest. I was in a familiar street not far from home. I was finally back in my own world. Same old cars, streetlights, roads and houses yet I couldn't take it in at all. My thoughts were all directed at that final minute with him. He actually liked me back. He said it himself and I was giddy with happiness but at the same time, right now there was no way I could talk to him. It was painful.
I finally calmed down and let the evening air brush over my senses. It was different. Not bad, but it lacked something I had taken for granted. From where I was it wouldn't even take me five minutes to walk home. My mum and brother were probably beyond worried by now. However I couldn't just barge in carelessly, right now I needed to act calmly and find the best solution. There was no one here who could cover for me now. I couldn't rely on Dave to save me. Even if my life wasn't in any danger, this was something I had to do on my own.
First I went to the nearest convenience store and checked the date. 25th of March, two days after I had disappeared. Next I walked outside and threw myself into a nearby bush, purposefully getting myself dirty. With that done I headed to the police station. When I arrived the officer immediately recognised me as the girl reported missing two days ago.
He sat me down and called my mum. Before five minutes had even passed she ran straight inside and as she saw me, started to cry on her knees,
"Sayuri… I-I, thank god your safe,"
"Hi mum," I smiled guiltily.
She recovered quickly and stood up showing off a powerful attitude completely different to before, "Just where have you been?"
I flinched at her words. She could really just flip personalities so easily, though when I think about it I wasn't that much different.
"I went for a walk after school and got lost…." I lied but it was the best response. There was a forest not too far from my school and people had gotten lost in there before. It was a bit strange for me to but the smaller details could be swept aside.
"Why didn't you call for help?" my mum leaned over and started to inspect my body for any injuries.
"I lost my phone when I fell over. I really wanted to call you but I couldn't. Please don't be mad," I clenched my hands as my eyes began to water. Even if I was lying a relief poured into me. I had finally seen my mum again.
"I'm not mad. I'm just relieved," she hugged me. "Your brother will be so happy you're safe."
I returned the hug and smiled, "I'm home." And with those words my life in the other world began to feel so far away. Training every day, fighting monsters, travelling by cloud, camping outside and using magic. The only memory that stayed so close to mind were his words, 'I'll see you again.'