Heading Home

Forty or so minutes later, he eventually reaches the summit before looking around. Seeing everybody mingling with looks of relief on their faces he lets out a sigh of relief. “Mission was a success…” a soft smile rests on his face as he makes his way past the other cadets towards his squad-mates.

Reaching his friends, Orthon runs up, embracing him in a tight hug. “You finally made it. You were looking rough when you got brought in by Susanna.” Joshua wants to break free, however lets the man have his fun. Not wanting to hurt his feelings. Eventually the blue haired boy is pulled off of Joshua by Susanna, seeing the look on his face.

“That’s enough Orthon, can’t you see he’s grimacing in pain.”

Stumbling back, Orthon apologizes while Joshua is left to catch his breath. “I’m sorry Joshua, sometimes I forget about personal space.” Cheekily, he sticks his tongue out before raising a question. “Did that fox fix your outfit? She didn’t fix ours.”

“Yeah she did, I appreciate it. I’ve kinda grown to like the thing. It's a bit form fitting now unlike when I started, but it can be re-tailored. Dialos is good with this sort of thing.”

Vilhelm’s eyes widen at the mention of the eldest. “Joshua, please don’t get involved with him. He is actually a danger to everyone around him. Father has to keep him on the front lines just so we don’t have to deal with his outbursts.” Joshua shakes his head.

“He is still our brother Vil, family has to stick together. That's what father wants after all.” Wilhelm pats his brother on the shoulder. “He’s right, even though I also don’t like him very much.”

Joshua’s gaze leaves his brothers and returns to his newfound ally. “Oh yeah, don’t sweat the apologies Orthon, I’m just glad you’re all okay and I appreciate everyone helping out.” As he looks around, his gaze wanders over to Susanna with an expecting look on her face, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.

“Especially you Susanna, thanks for coming to assist me. If you hadn’t, I would’ve been a goner by now. Although I do want to ask where you met Nanatsumi and why did she let you ride her?” Susanna blushes, cheeks red.

“Well um, funny story. I was heading down towards the Blackwood forest when I saw a small fox take care of hordes of monsters and she kinda just appeared before me and offered me some help. I don’t know what it was, but riding on her back felt natural. Perhaps it has to do with my eyes.”

Wilhelm interjects with fake tears. “My little buddy saved me. No wonder I didn’t wake up in the afterlife.” Susanna shakes her head, before turning back to Joshua. A look of peace rests on her face as she accepts his praise, but not before Joshua throws the blame of leaving her out onto its rightful target.

“Oh yeah, I may have forgotten to mention that of course I didn’t want you getting endangered, but it was officially Vilhelm’s fault why you weren’t informed of our plan. He didn’t think you’d be much help. Being a girl and all”

Vilhelm looks over to his captain with a look of panic, then back over to Susanna as her eyes change colors. “Captain why?” His voice trembles as golden lines form along her face down towards her bosom. Her cross bows pulled from its sheath as she begins walking over to him.

“Oh, so it was your idea then Vil. Okay then, come here I have something for you.” Immediately Vilhelm runs off in a panic as Susanna chases him from behind, somehow the boy is still full of energy. Susanna on the other hand, hair sways with the wind as her boots dig into the ground.

Wilhelm walks over to Joshua with a soft chuckle, patting him on the shoulder. “Get some rest, captain, your room is still closed off. I know you probably need it. I’m probably gonna call it a night myself.” Sighing in relief, Joshua leaves Orthon and Wilhelm to their devices as on the way back to his room, he runs into none other than Ghislaine himself.

Too exhausted to stand at attention, Joshua just nods his head. “Commandant sir.”

“At ease captain Joshua, I’d just like to say thank you for your hard work at preparing this place and assisting with “The Black Sun.”

Mildly shocked at the response Joshua replies brushing through his hair with his left hand.. “It was no problem, sir, I just felt like I had to do what would be best for our clan’s future.”

The reply makes the commandants' reinvigorated heart skip a beat. The mention of Terra’s future putting a faint smile on his face. “I’m glad to hear that young Joshua. As I recently informed the rest of the cadets, most of you will be graduating early.” The commandant pauses a moment before continuing, giving Joshua a moment to take it in.

“Even though you and your kin have only been here a little over two months, all of your progress has been astounding. You and your cohorts have achieved what the others have not in years. Truly growth befitting the next generation. I’m quite pleased and I believe the patriarch will be too.”

Performing a simple bow, Joshua smiles. “That’s quite a bit of praise coming from yourself. I thank you for the compliment Bloody Fang of Terra.”

“Sucking up to the commandant now, kid?” The dragon taunts. “He’s the one who beat Andric, Draxis; shut your mouth.” Joshua quickly interjects mentally..

The commandant smirks at his title’s mention. “As such, I will be reaching out to your father and have them send out an escort team to take you three home. I, on the other hand, will start figuring out where to rebuild Blackwood. Clearly this place isn’t suitable anymore.”

“Really? Even after all this chaos you still want to keep going?” Joshua looks at him with confusion

“Indeed, after this ‘event’ I realized that it’s partially my fault all this occurred and as such I desire to rebuild Blackwood into something more robust. You never know when war will break out, the Zephyr are probably lying in wait as we speak..” Ghislaine scowls thinking about that bastard Zahier.

Joshua nods his head as the commandant finishes. “And as such, if you continue to grow at your current pace, I’d like to offer you a position as my right hand in the future if you so desire.” Ears perk up from nearby cadets hearing this as Joshua’s eyes widen. “You’ve shown excellent leadership qualities, in depth planning capabilities, and I just like your spunk. You’ve also kept me entertained.” Ghislaine smiles.

Offering his hand out, Joshua reaches out and takes it. “I appreciate the offer commandant, but I think that I may be too busy as the patriarch to work here.” A cocky smile crosses the youngest's face.

A look of satisfaction spreads across the commandants lips at the mention of becoming patriarch. “Well then young Joshua, my offer still stands if you fail to achieve your goal. However, I do wish you best of luck with your endeavors.”

The commandant bows as he turns around to make his leave, but before that he tilts his head back. “Oh, and stop calling me commandant, the name’s Gail. You’ve earned it.”

Ghislaine walks away leaving Joshua gob smacked as he finally makes his way over to his room. Entering quickly and shutting his ‘door’, he lays his head down on his pillow in the cool cavern room as sleep very quickly overtakes him, pulling him into its endless void.

A few days later as Joshua was busy chilling in the dark, he’s interrupted by a knock at his ‘door’.

“Come on in,” He calls out as Layrn kneels down, entering with Susanna following quickly behind. Layrn’s body is now re-taped and back to its usual state.

“Joshua, I heard that you three are leaving tomorrow, is that true?” His previous captain questions as she smirks.

“That’s correct Layrn, Gail got in contact with father and requested escorts for the three of us to head back as soon as possible.”

“Well, that sucks for my protege here.” Layrn sarcastically motions with her right hand to Susanna.

“What do you mean by that master?” Susanna blushes slightly, her elven ears faintly twitching. “Don’t play coy with me girl, you know you’re going to miss him.” Susanna’s face turns beet red as she covers it with her hands as she walks out of the room abruptly.

“Kids…” Layrn sighs aloud as she turns back to Joshua.

“I know right, I assume this isn’t the only reason you came here though?” Joshua props himself up, stretching his back out.

“That’s correct, I’ll be taking Susanna with me and start training her properly. Those eyes of hers are special to our people. Even if she doesn’t know it yet. When I saw those golden lines, I knew I’d have to return… ‘home’. Layrn’s face scowls as her eyes roll.”

“I could have guessed that ‘captain,’ being that you're both dark elves and all. I was shocked to see her riding a mythical beast to come save my ass. Looks like she has a case of nepotism.” Layrn puts on a smile as she starts baring down on his head while rustling it. His scarlet red hair flopping with her movements.

“Says Roderic’s direct bloodline.” Swatting Layrn’s hand away, Joshua yields. “You got me there.”

“The main reason we’re here is I just wanted to let you know that we’ll be heading out very shortly so if there was anything you’d like to tell her, you’d best do it soon.” Layrn smirks seeing a smile on Joshua’s face.

“Very well, I also needed to speak to Orthon so I’ll be out shortly.”Joshua bows his head respectfully towards his ‘senior’.

“Don’t leave a girl waiting too long Joshua, it's disrespectful.” Rolling his eyes at her statement, Joshua stands to his feet as Layrn takes her leave.

About thirty minutes later Joshua makes his way out of his room as the sun lights up his face, reflecting off his scarlet hair. Making his way over to their squad’s meeting spot he greets some of his squad mates as well as Orthon. “Hey guys, how’s everything going?”

“Glad to go back home honestly; It’s been interesting here and all, but nothing beats a nice meal, and somewhere to comfortably lay your head.” Vilhelm chuckles.

Wilhelm sighs in relief before letting out a yawn. Stepping beside his brother, he throws his arm around the back of Vilhelm’s neck.“That’s true Vil, I’m looking forward to speaking to our training instructor on more ways to utilize my size and mace. I think I’ll be sticking with it for the time being. What about you Joshua?”

“I’m with Vil honestly, I want to lay down in my nice soft bed. Wake up to a nice meal with Saria by my side and continue practicing my swordsmanship. After all, Leon gave me permission to use the old training grounds to my heart’s content.”

“Who’s Saria?” Asks Orthon.

“She’s my lifelong handmaiden; my mother picked her before I was born.” A soft smile crosses his lips.

“That must be nice, I’ll probably be sent to another military camp when I get back. My parents want me to get as strong as possible.” Orthon rolls his eyes with a smirk before winking at Joshua. Joshua raises an eyebrow before tapping on his sword.

“Really, why? I thought that everyone just goes to basic before being inducted into Terra’s ranks under the jurisdiction of an overseer. At least that's what father told me” Orthon interjects in confusion.

Wilhelm shakes his head. “That’s the case for normal people, us three have something a lot worse to deal with. The overseers have very little sway over any of us.”

“What’s worse then?” Orthon looks at them in confusion.

“The direct bloodline of the patriarch has something different we have to deal with. As soon as we get back our hell begins. If you think the training here was bad, once we officially join the succession battle...” Joshua pauses before shaking his head. Rubbing his forehead, Joshua sights.

“Neat.” Orthon chuckles seeing the looks on their faces.

“Aside from that, we have our naming ceremony. It’s a tradition dating back hundreds of years ago. Not quite sure what it means or does, but it's something father requires for all of us.” The three of them continue bantering for a while before Gyles approaches the group calling for Orthon.

“Hello wolf squad, I’m here to collect my pupil.”

“Hi captain Gyles, I was just saying wishing my new friends well and learning more about the main family.” Orthon beams. Gyles nods his head as Orthon turns back around. “Next time I see you three, I expect a full-on fight. No holds barred.”

“I’m always up for a challenge.” Vilhelm boasted.

“Sure, but you’re going to need more experience if you want to keep up with the future patriarch of the Terra clan.” Joshua taunts, his eyes flicker red.

Turning to face Joshua, Wilhelm crosses his arms.“What do you mean you? I’m going to surpass you and take the title myself, right Will.” Vilhelm jests, turning to his twin.

“That’s on you two, I just want to know what's for dinner. I’m hungry” Wilhelm comments aloud, a fake pout on his face.

The four of them laugh as they part ways. Joshua eventually makes his way over to and outside the gate where Susanna is waiting on him. Hearing the crunching of the dirt and leaves under his feet she smiles, her heart rate increasing slightly.

“Took you long enough Joshy, I could hear you four laughing all the way out here.” She smiles as she pulls him into a hug. “Even though you’re peculiar Joshua, I’m glad we were put on a squad together.” Joshua reciprocates as the two pull apart. “Oh my gosh, I just initiated hugging him and he hugged me back.” Her ears turn red.

Draxis snickers in his mind as Joshua shoots her a soft gaze. “Likewise, Susanna. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Although I’ll be honest and say I was concerned in the beginning, especially being on a team with those two. We haven’t always gotten along like this.” Joshua nods his head back towards camp before looking down and reminiscing.

“I can’t blame you; I was worried in the beginning too. The real reason I wanted to talk to you was that I.” She begins to tongue tied. The words not wanting to leave her lips.

“You good?” Joshua raises an eyebrow as Draxis shakes his metaphorical head.

After taking a deep breath, she blurts out. “I’m going to miss you, and I hope we can catch up later when I’m done with my training with Layrn.” Her face turns red with embarrassment, as strands of her long black hair cover her face. Joshua stands there with a chill look on his face. Stepping up to her, he brushes the hair out of her face before smiling. The side of his palm brushing across her cheeks.

“Of course, we can catch up anytime. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.” Not taking much thought into his actions, her face turns rosy and her eyes sparkle.

“I’ll hold you to that, Joshua Von Terra.” Susanna slightly giggles as she steps close to him, kissing him on his cheek before quickly bowing and running away to catch up with Layrn.

Joshua pauses in place, his ears burning red and his cheeks turning flush. “Well that’s definitely a goodbye…”

“At least she finally made it obvious to your dumb ass.” Draxis mumbles.

“I know, she’s very endearing. But I can’t worry about her right now. I’ve still got to get stronger and find Seraphina. I can’t let things play out the same this time around. I just wish I knew where she was. She never told me much about her earliest years.”

Following this childlike confession, Joshua makes his own way back down to the bottom of the mountain. Slowly climbing through all the damages over to where he presumes Gail fought Andric.

“Where are you going kid? Checking out the battle ground?”

“Andric’s office.” Joshua replies seriously, curiosity filing his mind.

Draxis interjects. “Why?”

“I doubt everything we saw down there was it. There were a few more doors we never got to inspect. And honestly if an arch-demon was involved, I bet this whole mess runs much deeper than surface level.” Finally making his way there, his eyes widen at the sheer amount of damage to the area. Not even accounting for the corpse of what was a 6-headed monstrosity.

Joshua’s gaze lowers as he takes a deep breath. “By Serox, even with all of my training and growth there’s no way in hell I was going to be able to fight him. What the hell and don’t get me started on whatever that thing is.” Joshua looks around shocked at the damages.

“I could have told you that kid, I just didn’t want to burst your bubble. The dude was like three times your age. You do realize that you are still a kid.”

“I’m done talking about it.” Joshua rolls his eyes, shaking Draxis off before approaching what remained of Andric’s office. Opening the battered and ravaged door, a single figure greets him.

“Hello Joshua Von Terra,” an ethereal green mass echoes out. Voice distorting with the air waves.

“What the hell are you doing here Astaroth?” Joshua steps back reaching for his blade, but to no avail. He forgot it at the summit of Shiraia. Slight panic fills his chest as he narrows his eyes.

“No need to be like that child, that’s not why I’m here.” Joshua remains vigilant at the ethereal beings' presence.

“I was just tying up loose ends, as you would expect.” The green mass replies as it floats across the room.

“What about you child, do you need any assistance, young one, power perhaps. Many things are within my grasp.” The voice cackles with malevolence.

“I’ve already heard that one before.” Joshua replies sarcastically thinking about Draxis.

“Very well bearer of the mark. I hope we meet again. Just make sure to survive, I'll be waiting for you.” After echoing this statement, Astaroth’s apparition fades into a green mist. Dissolving in the sunlight bearing through the dilapidated and ravaged roof.

“Bearer of the mark?” Joshua looks down in confusion. Looking at his hands, he lifts up his shirt to check out his chest. “Nothing… What the hell did he mean? Bearer of the Mark…” Joshua takes a deep breath before turning around only to run into Ghislaine.

“Gail sir.”

“Young Joshua, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

“I was just inspecting further to see if Astaroth left anything behind.”

Ghislaine questions, eyes narrowed. “And did you?”

“No, instead I ran into an apparition of him. He said he came to tie up loose ends before disappearing.”

Ghislaine closes his eyes in thought as Joshua cracks his knuckles. “It seems that the game isn’t over just yet. Very well demon, two can play that game. I’ll have your head as well.” Ghislaine bumps his hand into his chest, as he clears his throat.

“Ahem, my bad there. It seems we came to check on the same thing then, it seems like great minds think alike.”

Joshua, a bit nervous, has sweat roll down the back of his neck. “Your escort should arrive early tomorrow, please make sure you don’t forget anything. It would be a shame to leave any memories behind. Especially if it’s a stepping stone to reaching your father’s level.” After stating this Gail closes his eyes after taking in the scenery one last time.

“Remember this place, I’d rather stick my head into an open fire.” Draxis snarls. “I’m with you Draxis, the sooner I’m out of here the better.”

“Come along Joshua, let’s get out of here.” The two of them exit the office as Gail draws his rapier, his aura igniting as he pierces through the support beams as it collapses in on itself. The sound of the rubble echoes through the air.

“And that’s that, Andy.” Gail takes a deep breath with a melancholic look on his face.

“Indeed comman- Gail, its best to put bad memories behind you and to keep moving forward.” Joshua puts on a mildly forced smile.

“Agreed, young Joshua. Though might I ask how you knew how to stop the ritual he prepared?”

Joshua, taken aback, nods his head. “Yeah, underneath Blackwood, Andric kidnapped and tortured a Mystic of Serox. He showed me what to do.” Joshua vaguely lies before making his exit from Gail.

The older man smiles as Joshua takes a bow before he starts heading back to gather all of his things. “I see… So it wasn’t just our cadets either.”

—-----------------------------------------

About an hour later Joshua makes his way back to his ‘room.’ Walking past his ‘door’, he packs up all of his extra things into his bag before propping it up against the wall. “So kid, is there anything else you had planned for the day?” Draxis pipes up.

“Nope, I’m just ready to get out of this god-forsaken place. I’m ready for a nice hot bath and a proper meal. Also master, I felt something odd with my body while channeling that runic cube, can I push my body any further?” Joshua yawns as he lays his head down.

“Don’t waste your time kid, I took a look at your aura network and everything above the fourth node. Whatever that power was, I’m not even sure what it is. Hell, I’m surprised that you were even able to make it to three in such a short period of time even with my help.”

“That’s true, Draxis. Honestly I’m just grateful that I’m not hospitalized from the side effects of you taking control of me again.” Stretching his arms to the ceiling of the tiny cavern, his muscles relax.

Draxis, serious interjects. “Grateful isn’t the best word to describe it, if it wasn’t for your blessed body you’d already have had a heart attack or worse.”.

“Thank you, Durand, wherever you’re at.” Joshua jokes aloud.

“Don’t thank that prick, thank me.” Draxis replies, his mental eyes twitching.

“Sure, thank you oh great and mighty crimson dragon.” Joshua’s snickers, his voice full of sarcasm.

Draxis pauses in annoyance in contemplating whether or not to use his authority.“That’s not what I meant brat and you know that.”

“I know, master. Please wake me up when it's time to leave. I call this a time skip.” Joshua presses down on the back of his neck in a certain spot as he goes limp. Slightly swaying back, his body rests into hard ground and pillow.

“Did this brat really use a pressure point on himself to forcibly go to sleep? You son of a...” Draxis metaphorically faces palms at his current situation as he awaits the next morning.

The next morning Joshua alongside his two brothers make their way to the exiting path of Blackwood, bags and weaponry in hand. “So, this is it for our ‘basic training.’ Joshua chuckles aloud, one hand raised to the sky blocking the sun's light.

‘You’re telling me, I feel like I haven’t ever worked this hard before.” Vilhelm jests.

“That’s because we haven’t Vil, nonetheless I’m grateful though. This experience has opened my eyes to how tough life can really be.” Wilhelm smiles as he pats his brothers on the back.

“You guys ready?” The carriage driver calls out as he pulls up to the three.

“Oh, so instead of a raggedy old caravan, this time he sends a proper ride. Thanks, old man.” Vilhelm jumps up with his things as he enters first.

“Please never let father hear you call him old.” Wilhelm follows shortly after with his things as the carriage driver pulls off quickly leaving the three boys confused.

Vilhelm questions they ride off. “Hey carriage man, what about Joshua?”

“I was only sent for you two, I think the patriarch sent someone else for him.”

“Very well,” The twins stick their heads out and wave as they disappear beyond view.

Joshua stands there in stunned silence and annoyance. “This is way too accurate for my life. Not only did my first caravan get killed, even my exit ride is late.” Joshua sighs as he sits back down.

“That sucks kid, I’m sure he sent someone to get you though.” Draxis sighs, trying to ease the mood.

A few hours pass as another solid black carriage decorated in red insignia pulls forward. Its black metal wheels roll and stir up dust and dirt as a black-haired girl jumps out of the side. Racing over, Saria envelopes Joshua in a hug.

“Joshua, I heard about what happened. Roderic informed me before our departure for you. Are you okay?” Saria lets go as she quickly looks over Joshua’s body. Her eyes trailing down his perfectly intact uniform.

“Saria, what are you doing here? Especially with the knights. Did father send them to get me?” Joshua questions, earning a smirk from his handmaiden.

Cheekily grinning, she pulls away from her master. “Undoubtedly so. He didn’t say why, but he had a proud look on his face. You did something to earn his attention, didn't you?”

“Yeah, I kind of became captain of the squad I was assigned too, and now can properly use up to three aura cores now.” A proud look crosses his face as she rustles his hair. His ears flush red as she smiles his way.

One of the knights call out and wave for the two of them to hop in. Quickly following his directions, the two of them get in, putting all of his bags into storage before having a very long conversation as they head back to the Terra estate. Passing through the desolate landscape of Blackwood in the process.