Chapter 30: Settling a Score Against An Old Friend

Early next morning, we find our lovely couple embracing each other as they are sleeping soundly together hoping to keep this little moment a secret from the others.

“Well, good morning you love birds,” Rufus said.

“What the hell? What time is it?” Silva said, barely waking up.

“I don’t think you want to know. Also, I think you better head back and check on your daughters before Lisa loses it,” Raquel said, jumping in.

“What! You left my girls with Lisa. Great, I better go before she does kill them. Raquel, please come with me,” Silva said in shock and raced to the guild hall.

“Yeah, sure,” Raquel agreed.

“What is going on?” Terrance said getting up and still feeling a bit sleepy.

“Nothing much, Silva just left to check on her daughters,” Rufus explains.

“Oh, I should check up on her,” Terrance said, getting himself up.

“Not so fast, you better tell me what exactly happened or I will tell the others about your little secret,” Rufus warns.

“Very well,” Terrance said, about to begin telling him.

Raquel finally alone with Silva asks, “Are you going to tell me what happened?”

“Nothing happened, I just told him about Julian and it was an arranged marriage. I also told him that I did not love him. I told Terrance that I was still in love with him and he could wait for me.”

“Wow, that sure was a big step for you,” Raquel said, impressed.

“Yes, it was,” Silva said, blushing again.

“And we shared a kiss.”

“What! Tell me more?” Raquel asks, wanting to know more.

Rufus and Terrance have the same conversation about love.

“So, care to tell me what happened with the both of you?” Rufus asked.

“It was nothing, Silva was telling me about the arranged marriage with Julian and she does not love him. Then in a surprise move, she confessed to me that she loved me and to wait for her, since she is not comfortable yet to start the relationship again.”

“Wow, and her I thought I might still have a chance with her. I guess that dream is over now. Congratulations, I know Silva still loves you. I cannot wait to see her happy again,” Rufus said, supporting Terrance. “And don’t worry your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you,” Terrance said happily blushing.

Raquel and Silva walk back to the temple, but something comes to Raquel’s mind.

“Hey Sil, I was thinking, how did Julian know about your gift when only your guild, Terrance, and your friends know about it?”

“I am not sure. It is strange, I did mention it to the Guild King at one point, but why would he betray me like this,” Silva thought about it.

“Shouldn’t you look into it?”

“Maybe, but let’s deal with this first,” Silva thought to herself.

“Good point.”

Raquel and Silva arrive to the temple, but things are a bit chaotic

“What the hell is going on here?” Silva shouted angrily.

“Silva, thank goodness, you are here, can you please control your daughters,” Lisa said, chasing after them.

“Lisa, I suggest you stop running. They may be mature for their age, but they love playing games. Right now, for example, they think you are playing a game with them!” Silva shouted.

“Well, if that is the case, can you please take over?” Lisa pleaded.

“Sure, why not, Rajah go catch the girls and tie them to the tree,” Silva ordered Rajah.

“Yes, my lady,” Rajah said, getting to work.

“Thank you,” Silva plainly.

“I swear it is the first time they got out of the guild in a long time and they choose to act like children, I swear this is embarrassing,” Raquel said embarrassed.

“Yes, I agree, I was hoping, leaving them here as children, they will grow up to be mature young ladies away from the palace life and learn something, then maybe I would bring them back home with me one day,” Silva admitted.

“Really? That is why you left them at the guild to become mature young ladies. I thought you left them here for their protection. As their mother, wouldn’t you want to be part of their lives all the time,” Raquel mentions.

“Yes, it is true. I would love to be with them all the time, but it was a hard time for me and I do not think I was fully ready to be a mother. Besides, what mother leaves their children at the age of four,” Silva explains, feeling guilty.

“I know it really was harsh for you, but what is worth, I believe you would be a great mother,” Raquel said kindly.

“Thanks,” Silva plainly replied.

“My lady, I managed to tie up your girls,” Rajah said, finishing tying them up to the tree.

“Thank you Rajah,” Silva said kindly.

Silva walked up to the girls soon after and began speaking to them.

“Greer. Grace. Is this the way young ladies should be behaving?” Silva asked kindly.

“We are sorry mommy, we haven’t been out of the guild hall in a long time, so we thought we might have a little bit of fun,” Grace said.

“Yes, I know my darlings, but this is a temple and not a playground, we have to show some respect, alright,” Silva said kindly.

“We know mother, we’re sorry,” Greer said kindly.

“Alright, fine. I have an idea, why don’t we play a ball game and limit the noise,” Silva suggested.

“Yeah!” Greer and Grace said as they broke out of the rope, grabbing the ball and began playing with their mother.

“Free at last,” Lisa said, exhausted as she went to rest by the tree.

“Yes, they can be exhausting, but you learn to keep up,” Raquel laughed.

“Yes, I noticed it sure is not easy to take care of girls when they are so young,” Lisa said watching the girls play peacefully.

“As long as they are happy that is all that matters,” Raquel said smiling.

“Yeah…,” Lisa said.

The game continued on as the rest of the gang joined in having fun and not carrying about their problems for a change.

“So, this is where the noise is coming from?” Lilianna said, approaching the gang.

“I am sorry for the noise Lilianna, the girls were feeling a bit restless, so I thought we could have a little bit of fun,” Silva explained.

“Oh, no, it’s fine, it has been a long time since this place was lively. It is kind of nice,” Lilianna confessed.

“Then why don’t you come over and join us,” Silva offered.

“No, I am fine, please continue, I will have snacks brought over later, so please enjoy your game,” Lilianna said, excusing herself.

“Thank you Lilianna. Also, I would like to continue my training, so can you please get the trail room ready for the night terrain?” Silva said.

“Of course, I will have it ready as soon as lunch is brought over,” Lilianna said kindly.

“Thank you,” Silva said politely.

“Silva, are you sure about this?” Raquel said kindly.

“Yes, well, we do have a score to settle after so many years,” Silva said evilly.

“Yes, I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I cannot wait to prove once and for all who is the strongest out of everyone in the guild,” Raquel said, accepting the challenge.

“I am going to have so much fun kicking your butt this time around, but how about we relax while the temple is getting ready. All this playing sure exhausted me,” Silva explained semi-drunk.

“Yeah, sure, I can wait,” Raquel said, sitting back down.

“Silva sure is determined to face this trail, right,” Rufus pointed out.

“It is not the first time she challenges her guildmates, she just loves to prove she is better than everyone else. She just loves challenges,” Lisa complimented.

“I thought these temple trails were only meant for the goddess to take, I never thought magicians could take them as well,” Terrance asked, confused.

“Yes, well, that might have been done back in the old days, but nowadays, anyone who is part of the Guild League or not may take on the trails of the temple to gain more magical skills or new magic you have never seen more. It really is fun and it became a trend. Once you complete the trail of the temple you challenged, a unique mark appears around your guild mark showing you mastered it. Also, proving you are the greatest in all of the guilds,” Lisa explained exhaustedly.

“If you noticed Silva’s guild mark, she has quite a few. I believe she has the most of all of us and beating the temples without the use of magic really is impressive. She deserves those wins,” Raquel explained, showing her mark.

“Wow, she sure is amazing. Now wonder you are her close friends,” Terrance complimented.

“Sure, you do have a point,” Raquel said, breaking the conversation.

“Yeah, I think we should get going, I am worried about Silva,” Lisa suggested.

“It’s almost time for the trails,” Raquel said kindly.

The gang began making their way to the temple entrance where Lilianna was coming for them. “Oh, I was about to get you, the trail room is ready and Silva is waiting for you there,” Lilianna explained.

“Alright we are going, I guess Silva does not waste any time huh,” Raquel said curiously.

“Yes, please follow me,” Lilianna said, escorting her guests over to the room.

“Well, it is about time you showed up,” Silva said as she saw the others coming.

“Nothing gets past you, you are always on fire,” Rufus pointed out.

“Right, so should we get this show on the road,” Silva said kindly.

“Yes, we should,” Raquel pointed out.

“Yes, let’s. Terrance, can you please watch the girls for me and please do not spoil them so much, especially with sweets,” Silva asked kindly.

“Yes, sure, it will be my pleasure,” Terrance accepted her offer.

“Yes, thank you and watch Rufus too, he might get crazy with his liquor,” Silva advised.

“I will watch him too,” Terrance said, accepting his job.

“Alright, ladies I want you to be on your best behavior while I am challenging Auntie Raquel,” Silva warned the girls kindly.

“We promise mommy,” Greer and Grace said kindly.

“Good, now be good,” Silva said, giving them a hug.

“Very well, if we are ready please follow me,” Lilianna said, escorting her new friends.

Lilianna escorted everyone to the front of the temple where the trail room, where the trail will soon begin. “Very well, let’s begin. Raquel and Silva, once part of the same guild, now part of different guilds. You came here today, to settle an old score you postponed a long time ago and now you are here to settle it. Since you both completed the Silver Lily Temple trail, you are not allowed to take it again. As Silva requested, you will be battling in the night terrain domain. It will be different than you are used to, but I wish you the best. Are you ready to begin?” Lilianna explained.

“Yes!” Silva and Raquel shouted together.

“Very well, I, Lilianna, High Priestess of Silver Lily Temple, grant both of you my blessing for this fight. If both of you are ready, you may enter the trail room. I wish you both the best of luck,” Lilianna said, opening the doors.

“Good luck mommy and auntie, we will be cheering for both of you!” Greer and Grace shouted.

Silva and Raquel both waved their hands acknowledging the girls and made their way to the entrance to the temple. When they entered the room, it was already set up to the night terrain domain.

“Well, this is amazing, Lilianna did a great job,” Silva said, impressed.

“Yes, so how should we do this?” Raquel asked.

“I was thinking whoever can land the first hit wins, so are you ready?” Silva said, explaining the rules of the game.

“Yes, so let’s get started,” Raquel said, trying to sucker punch Silva, but lucky for her she dodged it.

Silva continued to dodge Raquel’s attacks as she hid in the shadows waiting for the opportunity to fight back. Raquel, on the other hand, was busy launching multiple attacks trying to find Silva, but it was not working. There were a few close calls, so Silva had to change her plans.

“I don’t remember the great Raquel just standing there and waiting for her opponent to give up,” Silva shouted.

“I can say the same for you, you were mostly the girl who went into a fight with fists first,” Raquel shouted.

“I am just getting started, arrows of darkness, seek your prey,” Silva shouted coming out of hiding.

“Well, that’s new, a shield of fire protecting me from the darkness,” Raquel shouted.

“Damn.”

“I never thought you would be using magic in a fight. I thought you hated using magic.”

“Well, you thought wrong, this is a fight to prove who is better, so if we use dirty tricks to achieve our goal, then so be it.”

“If that is the case, I am not going to hold back any longer.”

“Good because I am just getting started with hunting,” Silva shouted

As she grabbed her bow, she began shooting magical arrows to locate Raquel, but it seemed only to make her pissed off. She began running all over the place until she had enough energy build up to fight back.

“Well, you really have improved, but did you know I am the queen of the night, night shadow arrows.”

“What?”

“You really shouldn’t keep your back open because you just lost,” Silva said, tapping Raquel’s back, making her the winner by punching her and launching her to the back wall.

“Seriously, I lost, you really are the best,” Raquel complimented.

“I do what I can to win. You were great keeping me on my feet, if I stayed in one place, then you could have gotten me. We should do this again some time,” Silva said, cheering.

“Yeah, let’s do this again,” Raquel agreed.

The girls left the room and were greeted by everyone.

“Mommy, mommy, you were great,” the girls came over to shout.

“Thank you my dears, it sure was fun, but I think it is time for us to move on,” Silva concluded.

“What do you mean?” Lisa asked.

“I mean, we are leaving tomorrow and not coming back,” Silva said kindly.

“Alright, but we should send a message to Julius to let him know of our plans,” Lisa said worriedly.

“It is fine. Send him the message. I am not feeling comfortable staying here any longer and we have to get to the next temple fast. Don’t worry about Scout and Julius, they will be able to find us, wherever we go. Now I suggest we get some sleep because we are leaving tomorrow, come along ladies,” Silva said as she was walking to the dorms.

“I wonder what has gotten into her,” Rufus pointed out.

“Well, I am not sure, but I have a feeling it is nothing good,” Lisa said walking away.

“Yes,” Seth said as he left for his own room.

The rest of the gang soon followed and slept into the morning.

Early next morning, everyone woke up, got dressed and was ready to say good-bye to Lilianna.

“I wish you could stay longer. It was so nice having you here after so long,” Lilianna said, about to cry.

“I know Lilianna, I wish I can stay longer and be with my girls, but I have to go before Gale returns,” Silva said, hugging her best friend.

“I understand, then you might be interested in this,” Lilianna said, handing her a flier.

“What is it?”

“It is a flyer for a magic tournament being held in Emerald City in a few weeks. I thought you might want to compete in it since the grand prize looks decent,” Lilianna explained.

“Yeah, sure, we will think about it, thank you for everything you have done for us this past week, so thank you again,” Silva said, hugging her friend.

“It is my pleasure, please take care,” Lilianna.

“Sure, alright my little ladies, take care and remember that mommy will always love you. I promise I will keep better contact with you. Now come give me a hug,” Silva said about crying.

“But mommy, we want to go with you,” Grace said.

“Yes, we do not want to lose the chance to spend time with you and besides we still need to translate those books for you,” Greer admitted.

“I am sorry my darlings, but the guild is safer for you to stay in and keep you safe from the dangers of anyone taking advantage of you. Remember you are always my special girls,” Silva said, almost crying.

“Actually Silva, how about the girls go with you?”

“What do you mean? What about Gale?”

“I think this will be good for the girls to see the world and be with their mother. I can go with you too to watch the girls. As for Gale, I can leave her a message,” Raquel advises.

“Yeah, we can go with mommy!” Grace shouted excitedly.

“Very well, what do you think guys, do you think we can feed three extra mouths?” Silva asked her friends.

“I don’t mind,” Rufus said.

“Sure,” Seth said.

“Welcome to the group, little ladies,” Terrance said kindly.

“Yes, it will be nice to have more girls in this group,” Lisa agreed.

“Yes,” Simon said kindly.

“I have little ladies to watch after, this will be nice,” Rajah said, licking their faces.

“Then if this is settled, Lilianna please take care of yourself and I will come visit when I can,” Silva said as her departing words to Lilianna.

“I promise, take care Silva,” Lilianna said as she gave Silva one final hug.

The group soon made their way out of the temple and headed back to the temple quickly to pack the girls belongings and say good-bye to the guild for the time being. Luckily, Gale is not there, so it was a quick retrieval and leaving.

“So, Silva, where should we go next?” Rufus asked.

“I was thinking we should check out the tournament Lilianna mentioned. I am in the mood to punch someone,” Silva declared.

“Alright, leave it to me, I can get us there in two weeks,” Rufus said, taking out his map.

“Very well,” Silva agrees.

The team is heading to their next destination, hoping it will be more exciting rather than travelling endlessly to the temples and discovering the pain of reality that is about to unfold.