The Letter

After the group decides to wing it they clear out some local beasts and explore the surroundings, they even revisit the cult's layer just in case.

"Doesn't seem like there's much left in the immediate surroundings for us to do, want to head West to the ocean, North through the forest to the mountainous coastline, South towards the capital and other towns or East to that giant plateau?" Iskandor asks.

"Well, before you guys continue with all that, I should probably get back to the clan. Hikari, are you sure you don't want to come with?" Roku asks.

"I'm sure, come visit us sometime." Hikari replies, Roku then seems to vanish as he heads far to the West to get to the Eastern Continent quicker thanks to Iskandor's tip.

"I vote East, there's a local legend claiming that there are hotsprings at the top of the plateau with mysterious properties." Serena says.

"I was thinking west... But hotsprings do sound appealing..." Lar agrees.

"Hot springs could relieve our built up tension." Hikari adds, "So I agree."

"About how long should the trip take?" Iskandor asks.

"If we walk and stop for meals and rest it could take about a week to get there, but if we go at full speed without rest maybe a day or two." Serena answers.

"We should take our time and keep an eye out for the cultists, I feel that was just a small branch." Iskandor says.

"I'll go with Hikari to get us some swimsuits unless you guys wanna go nude." Lar says.

"I'll go with a swimsuit." Serena says quickly.

"Same here." Hikari stammers, blushing.

"I'll take one, just don't give me a speedo or something... Standard swim trunks are fine." Iskandor says.

"Aww... you're no fun..." Lar grumbles, bringing Hikari with to Tailor's Tailery.

"Since they are getting some stuff should we pack for our journey?" Iskandor asks.

"Sure, I'll help you pack for the others if you also help me." Serena replies.

"Sure, first off, tents. How many and what sizes?" Iskandor asks.

"It's expensive but a 5 room collapsible spatial tent is what I would reccomend." She replies.

"How much?" Iskandor asks.

"A gold and 50 silver."

"Damn... After the armor with the discounts I have about 75 silver." Iskandor replies.

"I'll cover the other half."

"Thanks, does the tent keep the stuff in it as it's collapsable?"

"Yup, I suggested the 5 room so one room can keep extra luggage we won't need to have on hand for easy access." She replies.

***************

"The tent is bought, bags are packed, and swimsuits are made." Serena says, "Anything else?"

"Nope, it's getting late so we should head out in the morning after breakfast." Iskandor suggests. 'Damn, it's already April 7th, I haven't gotten a chance to bring up my worries about mating season...'

"Alright, I'll make dinner, everyone else can get some rest." Lar says.

Hikari lazes about on the couch in her kimono. Serena goes and gets changed into nightwear.

*Sir, an anomaly has occured, in the inventory you have yet to buy two items appeared, do you want me to retrieve them?* Jarvis asks.

'Give me a moment.' Iskandor replies, heading to his room. 'Ok, now you can.'

A bouquet of black roses and a letter appear infront of him.

"Impossible... These... They..." Iskandor tries to speak but can't find the words.

The flowers aren't native to Terra and Iskandor recognizes them. Years ago he made a comment about these flowers being his favorite, only 2 people know this. His friend who he told the story to and the one he once loved on Earth. "I can't believe it..." He says. He picks up the letter with shaky hands and begins to open it. "I can smell her cinnamon shampoo..." He mutters, he could smell it due to his perception skill and draconic biology that already has high senses. The letter read:

"Iskandor, you probably won't see this as you are deceased and don't believe in any afterlife but I am writing this anyway. I can't say I reciprocated your feelings but it's not like I didn't love you either. From a young age I was aware I had an arranged marriage but I couldn't bring myself to tell you. I loved how you kept chasing me, even if it got annoying. I'm not sure why but I feel I need to tell you that I don't love my husband and I miscarried my first child, and part of me doesn't think it's his. I wanted her to become someone like you, someone who did what they thought was right. I was planning on naming her Serena, if you see her in the afterlife tell her that I love her..."

The letter was signed but was smudged with a tear, he could only read the last name "Yvonne".

"What the fuck!" he exclaimed, a little too loud.

"What is it Iskandor." Serena asks, walking in.

"I... I wish I knew... This makes no fucking sense..." He replies, handing her the letter.

She reads the letter and also exclaims, "WHAT THE FUCK!" but much louder, causing the others to come in. The letter gets passed around and everyone reads it.

"The Camphilim is said to be a child of an Angel and Demon, born through a mortal mother..." Iskandor mutters. "And I fell for the daughter of my first love..."

"This just made things complicated." Hikari tries to joke.

*I have also received an audio file, shall I play it?*

'Is there a way the others can hear it?'

*Yes, should I play it?*

'Go ahead.'

"I miss you... I avenged you, I never sing but, I'll make an exception for you, after all, it is your birthday...

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again

Damn, who knew all the planes we flew

Good things we've been through

That I'll be standing right here

Talking to you about another path I

Know we loved to hit the road and laugh

But something told me that it wouldn't last

Had to switch up look at things different see the bigger picture

Those were the days hard work forever pays now I see you in a better place

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?

Everything I went through you were standing there by my side

And now you gonna be with me for the last ride

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again

First you both go out your way

And the vibe is feeling strong and what's

Small turn to a friendship, a friendship

Turn into a bond and that bond will never

Be broken and the love will never get lost

And when brotherhood come first then the line

Will never be crossed established it on our own

When that line had to be drawn and that line is what

We reach so remember me when I'm gone

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?

Everything I went through you were standing there by my side

And now you gonna be with me for the last ride

So let the light guide your way hold every memory

As you go and every road you take will always lead you home

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again" He sings. "I hope you hear this wherever you are..."

As the song finishes Iskandor tears up. "I think the time difference affected things since my birthday is May 25th... But I can't believe he actually sang... such a fitting song too..." Iskandor says, nearly sobbing.

"What does he mean when he says he avenged you?" Serena asks.

"He probably went on a rampage and found my killer and whomever ordered it and went crazy... He sounded depressed but I'm glad I heard his voice."

'Jarvis, are you able to reverse that by any chance and send something back?'

*I can try, but if I succeed I would only be able to do it once as it goes against some guidelines I have set, I can only make an exception because of the anomaly.*

***************

EARTH, MINUTES AFTER THE LETTER WAS SENT.

"I can't believe it disappeared like that..." She mutters.

"Neither can I, but I assume he got it somehow." He says.

As they prepare to leave a flash of light appears and a bouquet of flowers belonging to Terra appear with a letter.

"Should I read it or do you want to?" She asks with suprise.

He walks towards the envelope and opens it, two messages are inside, one for each of them. He reads his aloud and it read:

"You've been a great friend, I can't send any more letters as I'm kinda breaking rules as it is. I'm alive, but not on Earth. I have been transported to another world of swords and magic in someone else's body. I'm enjoying life as a dragonborn, I met three amazing women who I believe want me... Lar, who is essentially my sister (not related but we grew up like siblings), Hikari an amnesiac Kitsune who seems to be from earth as well and Serena Yvonne, the daughter who was miscarried by my first love... I suspect she's the daughter of an angel and a demon born of a mortal parent (a myth here). Thanks for avenging me too, you were always like my brother."

"Give me my letter now!" She almost demands after hearing the content of his. He gives it to her, silent from shock and she reads hers:

"Considering I heard the song he sang it's safe to assume you two are together reading these, you likely heard or read his so I won't repeat that stuff. Thank you for the flowers, I sent some of my own, I hope you like them. I met Serena and she read the letter, it's kind of weird since this bodies former host was perving out on her and I now have photographic memory... Not to mention I am being led to believe she likes me... Under the assumption that is the case I might as well ask for your blessing even if you can't give me a response and even if she doesn't like me... Better safe than sorry, however awkward it may be..."

"It then goes on with a set of instructions to find a gift he wanted to give to me... Something I requested jokingly years ago..." She realizes what that means. "He actually built me a suit! I can't believe it!"

"I might as well read this last bit now..." He says, "Kill that bastard husband of hers, he doesn't deserve her, make sure she finds someone she can truly love that deserves her."

"Well... That is the only way I'd manage a divorce with him..." she says.

"This is a bit strange for me to ask, but... There are very few people he would say could deserve you... Even though I said I hated you my hatred softened with this... Do you want to maybe try a date?" He asks.

"Sure. And I doubt he will hear this, but he has my blessing... It's a bit weird to think about however..."