Chapter 42 - New Horizons

King Gregory III, the current Phegoli King, stroked his chin, amused by the sight before him.

He knew that the Jawbreakers had run off to Hylokans. But even with clear evidence to support his march into the Kingdom, the Hylokan King refused to let his troops through. He even threatened a counter invasion if he ever so much as set foot near the Hylokan Barrier. He couldn't send Eric or Erika out there; they were essentially agents for him, and sending them in would be a violation as well.

But it didn't matter. Because Ferdinand Jaw sat in front of him, forced onto his knees by the binds wrapped around him.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here." The King stood up, pacing around Jaw. "The one who slaughtered so many of citizens at the Joy Hotel at Morden. The one who carried out many a corrupt lord's wicked deeds. The one who, time and time again, has slipped away into Arkalo or Hylokans to escape my wrath. You have done Phegolan many disgraces, but that little stunt at Morden will be your final one. Oh, how happy I was when Eric retrieved you from the border! I must thank the Hylokan who brought him to justice."

"Do your worst, Old Man."

"Oh, but I will. I'll send you to the Courts. We have mountains of evidence linking you to everything you've done. And when the sentence is finally handed out, the people will cheer for your punishment. Guards, take him away! Transfer him to the Trench!"

Two guards approached Jaw, grabbing him from under his armpits. They carried him away, paying no mind to the numerous curses he yelled to the King. What danger does a caged dog pose to a free bear?

. . .

Peter stretched his arms out, exiting the Guild after collecting another reward.

It had been about two months since Hylokan authorities rushed in and apprehended the soldiers still remaining at the camp, sending them off to their own prisons. Jaw, meanwhile, was locked in a cage and sent back to Phegolan, towed by Hawkins himself. Eric and his crew would be arriving at the border, taking him for the rest of the journey. Hemofemina allowed him to take a break, deciding that there was no need for constant training anymore. He still decided to go into the domain every now and then, just to test stuff out.

Claire and Alanis left a week after that, wanting to go visit Arkalo. The two stood in front of Holdenville Guild, waving as Peter and Maya approached him.

"This is goodbye for now, huh?" He asked.

Claire nodded, before embracing him in a tight hug. Shocked initially, he hugged her back. Alanis giggled. After a while, she let go, putting her hands on his shoulders. "I'll come back for sure," She said. "And if I do, you're free to come along with us to wherever we travel to."

"Thanks for the offer."

She hugged him again quickly before finally setting off with Alanis. He watched as the two disappeared down the main road. He chuckled to himself. That memory was still fresh in his head, clear as glass.

He watched orange leaves dance on the road as the evening wind pushed them along. He walked slowly, thoroughly enjoying the breeze as it rustled through his clothes. Holdenville, in its simplicity, still maintained a charm that he couldn't shake off. Windows glowed with light, the stores still open for another hour or so. He glanced at the items on display, wistfully wondering if he should spend his reward now. He shook his head. "Great things come to the patient," he said to himself.

He stopped in front of Beatrice's bookstore, admiring the storefront for a little while. He'd seen this shop a hundred times at this point. But today seemed like a day of reflection for him. After a small pause, he stepped inside, expecting to be greeted by Beatrice.

Nobody sat at the counter of the shop.

He locked the door, unsure of what to make of the silence. The absence of both Beatrice and Maya was concerning, to say the least. He climbed up the stairs quietly, not wanting to alert any intruders. The door to the study room was ajar, a faint candlelight poking through the gap. He pushed the door open, approaching the lit candle. Just as he could read what was on it, a clapping sound echoed through the room. He jumped, turning around mid-air...

Behind him, Maya and Beatrice clapped, smiling. "Happy birthday, Peter!" They exclaimed.

The tension escaped through his sigh of relief. "Jesus, I was super scared for a second."

"Sorry, sorry." Beatrice lit up the lights around the study room. "We just wanted to surprise you a bit. You did mention you never had a proper birthday in a while, right?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, that's right." He looked around the study. Just like with Maya's birthday, not much had been hung up aside from some mono-colored flags. The main centerpiece was, of course, the cake, the numbers "24" written on top with blue frosting. Maya quickly lit the candles: two big ones, and four smaller ones. He stared at the cake, taking in its white and blue glory. Back in his world, he'd be having a cup ramen, nothing in his home to signify his birthday aside from his phone calendar. Not even a text from his parents was warranted for his birthday, and to him, that was fine; why should anyone remember his birthday if he couldn't remember his? But now, in Deusterra, two people stood in front of him, having prepared whatever they could to celebrate his arrival into the world.

His vision blurred, tears welling up in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Maya asked.

"Nothing, nothing. Thank you guys, really."

"No problem. It's the least we can do for what you've done to us. Now hurry, blow out the candles! The fresher the wish, the better it'll come out!"

He wiped the tears from his eyes, regaining his composure. He approached the table, watching the flames eat away at the wicks. He closed his eyes, thinking of something to wish for. Then, he found it.

He blew out the candles, wishing for another year of happiness like this one.