Adrian tenderly stroked his daughter's hair. "I know I'm not being the best man I should be for you and your mother, but I hope you'll be able to understand my intentions. It's not just you and your mother I need to protect, and one of them is Rozi," he asserted."I understand, Father. You'll always be a great hero in my eyes. Go ahead and do what you have to do without any worries. I'll talk to Grandmother. Also, Mother's grown used to not having you by her side. She’ll be happy enough to know that you're okay.""It's a deal then. No backsies!" "No backsies!" A voice then called out, "Sir! Nova! What a coincidence!" Adrian and Nova turned to see Sage in a long dress while walking hand-in-hand with Strider. They, too, had come to visit the camp."Hey guys!" Nova cheerfully greeted upon seeing the couple.Sage smiled. "You've become so beautiful, Nova."Nova giggled.Adrian gestured. "Perfect timing. Join us, won’t you?"Everyone had been busy recently, especially Strider
Sage chuckled. She said regretfully, "Strider and I were planning on inviting you to our wedding, but it looks like you won’t be able to make it.""What?!" Adrian looked puzzled.Nova became extremely excited. "The two of you are getting married?! That's great! I'm definitely going to be there!" Sage laughed. "Strider and I have been through so much together. Plus, I'm almost forty now, so I don't want to wait anymore. Strider's physique is different from mine, so I'd like to settle down while I'm still relatively young.""Have your parents agreed to this?" Adrian asked. When Sage nodded, Adrian said, "This is wonderful. It feels like it was just yesterday I saw you at the selection, Sage. Who would've ever thought you and Strider would end up together? Well then, I may not be able to attend your wedding, but as your senior, I should still say a thing or two as a blessing."Strider, Sage is a wonderful girl, and I'm sure you two will be happy together."Strider looked down and
"He's busy reorganizing Wyvern Peak and assisting Crystal in managing Navia. He's pretty occupied currently. I've only been able to meet him once last month. Remy, Sylvia, Zack, and Polaris have been promoted and have been assigned their own teams.”"What about Jerome's girlfriend?" Adrian asked. There had been a girl who was waiting for Jerome when the latter became the new legate of Wyvern Peak.Sage responded, "The two of them have reunited and she moved into Wyvern Peak. They're planning to get married too, but they haven't been able to fix a date due to how busy Jerome is.""What about Remy's younger siblings?" Adrian further inquired."They’re all doing well, nothing to worry about.""That's a relief. I'm going to need all of you to guide Nova while I'm gone. Make sure to never forget your roots for as long as you live. You need to work together to protect our world, understand?" "Yes, sir."Adrian turned to Nova. “Each one of these people has their strengths, so I want
Adrian left One Jewel Road, driving to an unknown destination. He needed to see one more person before meeting up with Rozi. ***The next day, the War Legate Shrine in Vanglesville was bustling as usual. Adrian was standing outside the shrine's newly rejuvenated creek, quietly observing the town."What's the rush, Sean? Wait for me!" a voice called out.Sean, heading toward the shrine, slowed down. After Marissa caught up to him, the couple walked side by side. Just then, Marissa spotted a familiar figure and said, "Adrian!""Huh?" Sean looked puzzled.Marissa quickly let go of Sean and ran toward Adrian. She asked, "What brings you here?" Adrian turned around to see Marissa approaching and Sean following behind her, eyeing Adrian curiously."Long time no see, Sean. How have you been?""You know who I am? Have we met before?" Sean was puzzled, unable to recall if he had met Adrian.Adrian nodded. "I found your body by the creek eighteen years ago. There's something I've b
Marissa replied, "Rozi's a good person who helped us a great deal. Now that she's rapidly growing old and on the verge of death, it's only right that I do what I can to help her. So, what do we do?" "The three of us will enter that portal. With your current powers, you're more than capable of the trip, and I could use an assistant. Go make whatever arrangements you have to. If you're willing to leave with me, come see me at Vanglesville's train station tomorrow morning and we’ll leave for Shangspar."Marissa glanced at Sean, then nodded firmly. “I'll be there.”Adrian smiled and patted Sean on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I promise I'll bring her home safe and sound."Although Sean was reluctant to see Marissa leave, he chose not to speak his mind.Adrian then left for the train station. He planned to stay there overnight and depart with Marissa the next morning.At that moment, Adrian could no longer sense Rozi's presence. She was not supposed to exist in this day and age. She h
Adrian looked downward and spotted a slightly protruding rock that bore a cave entrance. It led into the meteorite and was their destination. “Rozi must be in the cave,” Adrian said as he pointed at the entrance.Marissa headed toward the cave, but in her haste, took a little tumble. Adrian managed to catch her and threw her straight into the cave."Ow…" Marissa groaned. She looked up at Marissa with some confusion. “What are you doing here?”“We’ve come to help, Rozi." Marissa embraced Rozi, who now had a head full of white hair. "We won’t let you be taken away from us."“We?” Rozi then spotted Adrian walking in and beamed. “You've aged too,” she remarked.Adrian strode forward and enveloped the two women in a bear hug. “Growing old is only a part of life. After all, we can't stay young forever. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll succeed."“You'll come with me?"Rozi could not believe her ears. Nobody should even want to look at her in her current state. Adrian smiled tenderly and
Thud!Marissa hit her forehead. A large bump welled up as she shivered in pain. After taking a few steps back, she looked up to examine what she had bumped into.Alas, the wall was still there."I can't get through!" she cried out in despair. Adrian's voice then came from the other side. "Close your eyes and clear your mind when you walk forward.”Marissa was still a little skeptical, but Rozi and Adrian had already passed through. She had to quickly follow after them. With no choice but to trust Adrian, she tried again, hoping he was not trying to trick her.Thud! Marissa hit the wall again, and another bump formed on her forehead. She grew annoyed. She had concentrated on passing through the wall with all her might."It's still not working!" she said.Adrian and Rozi, engulfed in darkness, paused upon hearing Marissa's cries. Marissa felt utterly helpless, wondering why she was not being allowed to pass through."I've got to get through!"Marissa tried again and bumped i
The man’s face turned pale. He looked at his ruined sword and felt humiliated. Upon gathering his wits, he stomped and said, "You'll pay for this!"With that solemn vow, he got onto his horse and rode away.Marissa was quite worried. That man would surely be back for revenge. She lamented over how they had made an enemy moments after entering the new world. "We should run,” she said."There’s nowhere for us to run to though,” Adrian answered. They knew nothing about Debonaire and knew they were doomed if they fell into someone's trap. Rozi agreed with Adrian, knowing that it did not matter where they were as long as he was by their side."I'm hungry. I’d love for something to eat,” Rozi said. Marissa, her senses heightened thanks to her powers, said, "There's a small town up ahead, and something there smells really good.” She was hungry too but had not dared to voice this.Adrian pondered silently. He realized they had a serious problem. They had no idea what sort of cur