Changing of the Guards

Two days later, Tasha left. The sun has barely creeped through the horizon and the morning fog has yet curtailed its bountiful plume. Tasha will be accompanied by one of the City Elders to Kash. The ion-powered car came to pick her up so quickly that before they had even registered that Tasha had left, the transport had faded from view. It glided through the turn and disappeared into the mist. The sullen silence was disturbed when Bryce shoots a giant tree with a Dark blast and its unsupported weight buckles over to the side. He walks towards the Forolorn Forest and is gone all day. Terrick lets go of Ellie's hand and heads back to the kitchen to cook breakfast. Althea hugs Ellie and they find solace in each other. There will be little to be said today. Even Mistress Juliette who always had a consoling word remained speechless.

Althea and Ellie spent the day together as if scared that they would lose each other. They watched anime and talked like they have never talked before. Ellie, the youngest was always closest to Tasha, the oldest. Although Ellie and Althea has had a fairly good relationship, the next couple of days finds them relating in ways they have never done before.

The orphanage sprang alive with the arrivals of the new children. The children gave them reason to smile again. Some of the children were in their early teens and could actually help taking care of the younger children. The following days gave the four grants perspective on the ebb and flow of live. As adventurers, they will gain and lose party members and friends. They must strengthen their resolve if they want to live this kind of life. Another week passes by and the children seem to be settling fine. Soon, the remaining party members of Forlorn's Hope had to make a decision. The Grand Magical Academy was starting soon and they had to head to the Capital if they want to settle down before school starts.

Ellie decided that the house needed a beach day picnic to lift their spirits. They scheduled it for the last day of the summer season. A couple weeks later, they were on the beach. They even invited some of their friends from school who were also new grants. Mistress Juliette and the other grants looked over the children playing in the shore while Bryce and Althea were busy cooking up barbecue.

Bryce apologized to Althea for being so angry lately. Althea knew him enough to know that this was how he deals with sadness. She shook her head implying that he need not apologize. Tasha's sudden departure was tough on all of them and they are just doing their best to cope. They didn't just lose a friend. She was like an older sister who was always there for them.

"Just promise me you won't go away without giving me a heads up. Promise me we will always be together?" Althea pleaded while looking away.

"Thea, I will never leave. I will always be here." Bryce responds while handing her a slice of cantaloupe.

Ellie drags Terrick to the place where they first encountered the turtleseals. This causes him to almost drop his hand flute.

"Do you still remember the first we were here?" Ellie asks.

"How could I forget? You tried to sick the turtleseals on me but they ended up chasing after you." Terrick replies. "I had to save you that day."

"It was the day you got your blessing, wasn't it?" she asks.

"It was. I needed to save you and out of nowhere, I received my fire blessing, which I used to scare the turtle seals away. So, I guess you can say that you are the reason for my fire blessing."

"Hum" she interrupts him. She grabs his hand as she leans over to him. They speak no more as they look towards the sunset.

A minute later, Althea runs in and hugs them from the back while Bryce puts a hand on Terrick's shoulder. The two share a brotherly nod. In front of them are the new kids are playing with Mistress Juliette. The fireworks bloom in a distance, reflected in the wavy surface of the sea. There have been so many changes since they received their granting but they will boldly face it together.

Today, they celebrate the last day of the summer season.

The four join the others to celebrate. They will have to leave for the Capital soon but they want to make as many memories here on Kauven before it is too late.

Three days later, they leave in a shuttle ship to the Capital.