I woke up with a start; my body felt light as I looked around, my mind still in a haze. I felt bandages on my chest as I looked around. A voice next to me muttered, "Ah, you're finally awake, Lucius. Sit up slowly; your ribs are still broken, but we fixed you up best we could. Had a healer in town take a look at you. You should be alright for the most part, but don't strain yourself. You were just on death's door, after all."
I slowly raised my head and saw the familiar face; it was Tony. It seems like I was taken back to Finn's house. My voice was dry, "How long was I out for?" Tony frowned, "I would say almost a full day." A whole day again? Jeez, I really had to stop getting myself into such heavy sleeps. I guess I did use every bit of magic I had back there.
I muttered, "What of the others?" Tony scratched his chin, "Most of them were badly injured, some worse than others. That Lysandra girl, for example, is still asleep. I would suggest not having her do anything else for a few days." I frowned, "We came here to fight the covenant; we will need her help." Tony sighed, "I get what you might want, but I will tell you straight up she is in no condition. Whatever she encountered in the dark sliced her up bad; she was very close to losing her life. As she is now, she'll have trouble even walking, let alone fight." I frowned, "She isn't the type just to lie down." Tony shrugged, "She won't have a choice; her body as it is now is mangled bad. She won't get very far like that."
Dammit, this was just supposed to be a scouting trip; we were just supposed to look around and then come back. How did it come to this? I slammed my hand on the bed, "Shit!" Tony seemed to be keeping his mouth shut; he waited for me to calm down a little. I eventually asked, "What about the others; are they okay?" Tony explained, "Right, Finn was a bit messed up when he got back, but otherwise he seems alright once he got some healing. Everyone else is out right now; they seem to be communicating with the other party that came with you. Most of them seem alright now physically, but mentally... that is another story."
I gulped, "What do you mean?" Tony added as he brought out a knife and carved something, "From what I gathered, they saw things in the ruins that messed them up. That girl Yuna, in particular, seems like her entire world came crashing down on her. That other boy Quinn seems a bit spacey in my opinion too." Tony handed me what he had carved; it was an apple cut into pieces. I began eating it slowly; I was starving. I sighed, "I guess if I am alive, that means your son Finn beat whatever was in that ruins." Tony smiled a little pridefully, "Yes, he told me about it. It would appear you encountered some kind of god still clinging onto the mortal plane. Finn was able to work with Aeolus to release his ties to this world."
I munched on my apple. " A god?! Jeez That boy of yours, he is something else. He did what I couldn't. I wish I had more magic; I wanted to finish things myself. I will have to thank him when I get back; we all owe our lives to him." Tony chuckled, "Yeah that is what he said I was surprised myself, but the god seemed to be in a weak state. They should be back any time now; they went to do the update to that other party you set our with in your stead. I am sure my boy Finn will be happy to hear that. One more thing before they get back, can I ask you for a favor, Lucius?" I glanced at Tony's intense eyes; he seemed set on a decision he just made. Tony gave me an honest smile, "My son Finn. I want to ask that you take him with you on your travels." I nearly choked on my fruit, "Finn? Are you sure? I mean, he is your son; do you really want him going with me even despite the dangers? He is still just a boy."
Tony nodded, "Listen, this entire experience was scary. As a father, I was awestruck when your group came back." I chimed in, "So then why-" He cut me off, "Lucius, my son, he was holding something he got from the ruins. It was some kind of ancient book with different weapon blueprints in it. Do you know what he told me when he got home?" I asked, "What?" Tony grinned, "He told me that he wanted to start right away on making the weapons from the book. His eyes in that moment reminded me of when I was young, just learning blacksmithing. I am overjoyed as a father; my son has never given me such an inspired look before. I can tell you have been a good influence on Finn. As a father, there is nothing that makes me happier than to see him with such passion. I think him being in your party will help him grow as a smith and a person."
I gave a small smile, "I would love to have him in our group. He has shown how strong he is already. Not only that, but as a merchant, I would be overjoyed to work with a blacksmith in the future. One of Finn's caliber is a once-in-a-lifetime chance." Tony stuck out his hand, "It's a deal then. Take care of my son; he will be a great asset as he grows. I am sure you know I used to be an adventurer myself; my adventures turned me into the man I am today. I want the same for my son Finn." I shook Tony's hand, "Likewise. I hope to grow with your son." Not long after, the party returned. Finn came in first just as I was discussing wares with Tony. Finn stated, "Lucius? You're awake?"
I smiled weakly, "Damn right. Someone so pathetic won't be enough to take down the Evergold name." Finn smiled, "Good news. We just talked to the other group; they were filled in on what is going on. They decided to go on ahead for now; they will check out the ocean route ahead of us. They haven't found so much as a trace of the covenant yet." The rest of the group funneled in; Yuna and Quinn immediately looked withdrawn. I beamed, "Alright, let's head out then. We don't want them to get the jump on us." I tried to get out of bed, but Lulith put a hand on me, "Idiot, you need to rest at least another day. Let them handle the scouting for now; some of us need to mentally recover, unlike your empty head."
I pouted, "Jeez, I just wanted to start right away." Tony nodded, "The lass is right. Rest here for the day at least, plus." He paused to gesture his head towards Yuna and Quinn, "Some of your party might need to rest mentally for now." I tapped my fingers impatiently, "Even after all that training, we really got beat badly this time, didn't we? Alright, I understand, but not more than one day. We need to be fast; the enemy won't just wait for us to make a move."
Each of them sat down for a moment, and Tony decided to break the news for the rest of my party. Tony stated, "Son, Lucius and I have been talking. You have the final say, but I think we have agreed on something. Lucius, go ahead." I nodded, "Finn, you know I have a guild called the Grin Reapers. I would like to formally invite you to be a part of my guild. Your dad has already approved. You saved us all in those ruins; I would be stupid not to grab someone so skilled for my guild."
Finn swallowed as Aeolus chuckled, "What a thing to say right as you wake up." Finn looked at his dad, "Aren't you gonna be lonely?" Tony frowned, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't like having you and Aeolus around here, but son, I have friends in town. Above all else, I want you to follow your dreams. Son, I want you to surpass my skills one day. I know you can do it; I have always thought if anyone could, it would be my own son. Please consider the offer." Finn contemplated; he looked back and forth between his father and me. Finally, he nodded, "Y-yes. I would love to journey with you, Lucius. When I fought alongside your group, I felt like for the first time I belonged. I have always felt like an outcast in this village since so many people expected so much of me for so long." He seemed to be tearing up a bit, "I want to improve myself as a fighter and a blacksmith with all of you."
Aeolus slapped Finn on the back, "Now, we're talking. Finally, some action." He floated in front of me, holding out his fist, "That means if you have Finn on your team, you have me. You lucky bastard, the journey ahead will be a golden road." I gave him a small fist bump, "It'll certainly have more energy, that is for sure." Lulith mocked, "We might need a small leash if we're going with you." Finn gave a small smile as Aeolus pouted, "I swear I will master my craft; I won't disappoint you." I nodded, "Our guild is going to be the best merchant guild in the world. It's expected that we would also have the best blacksmith in the world with us. Thanks again, Finn; you saved us all. One day I will pay you back for that." The air was charged with the energy of newfound bonds, bound by respect for each other and purpose. Our guild's family expanded, and Finn's arrival sparked anticipation for the challenges ahead.