Chapter 95, Reminiscence

Yesterday, everything was hectic. After talking with Snow, he decided to tamper with the memories of the Phantom Troupe and have them be helper here in the Frozen Lake. He even went theough the teouble of changing their names. I don't mind, it's better than the other option of handing them over to the country and having them executed. The Black Turtle will stay in her human form and help out as well.

"Are you sure you can't stay a little longer?" Snow asked and we smiled.

"We need to get going. I have things to take care of as well." I answered and offered my hand. "But don't worry. We'll meet again."

"I suppose so." He smiled.

We looked back one last time before waving farewell as we descended down the mountain. They'll be fine, the Black Turtle won't let anything happen to him. Now our next task lies far south.

"Are we headed to the South?" Angie asked as we climbed down the steep slope.

"Yeah. I can't help but worry about the other Guardian Beasts." I answered.

"The Southern Peninsula... the land of beatitudes and wonders." Alexis stated as he held tightly onto the rocky cliff. "It'll be a good sight to see."

"I suppose so." I answered.

We descended and finally, after a few hours, we reach the base of the mountain and as we walk down, I see the cave where we took shelter in during the blizzard.

"I kinda want to soak in the hot water..." Lia muttered to herself and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Why don't we soak before we leave then?" I asked. "We can also get cleaned and wash away the exhuastion we've accumulated."

"Yay!" They all exclaimed and I couldn't help but smile.

We enter the cave and we immediately go to where the hotsprings are. The moment the girls have turned the corner to their pool, we all strip down and soak in the water. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"You don't seem to be rushibg as much as last time." Lucas said as he soaked deeper into the water.

"I'm rushing... it's just... come on, it's hot springs, who wouldn't want to pass this chance?" I asked as I lowered my head into the water.

"Who is in the south again?" Mitan asked.

"The Vermillion Bird, the one who represents summer." I answered. "It is said to carry the colors of the rainbow and has power over flames that could very easily burn down everything in its path."

"Why don't we go to the East first?" Adonis asked.

"Because, the Azure Dragon is relatively close to the school. The Verdant Forest isn't far from but we need permissions to enter that place." I answered.

"The Verdant Forest is part of the Alliance's Protected Sanctuary after all." Alexis answered. "We've left negotiations about that to the Principal. And it seems that the Akatsuki Family is also helping."

"Yeah. When our parents learned about this, they offered tp help gladly." Will stated. "Even Andrew's father offered to help."

"Ever since we got back, I've been trying to mend our broken relationship even more." Andrew stated. "It's all thanks to Arata that we could be a family again."

"Yeah. It's thanks to him that we've overcome some old pains." Alexis said and I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad I could help everyone." I answered.

Looking back, it seemed like everything that had happened so far has been helping me grow. Everything we've been through has helped to strengthen our bonds and allowed us to grow even closer.

"Argent, you've grown bigger." Mitan said.

"I guess so." I answered.

Thinking back, I was only near Will's shoulder in terms of height but now, I'm nearly the same height as him. I've gotten bigger in multiple senses of the word. I've grown taller, my body has grown a bit of muscles and my hair has grown longer.

"Still, I can't believe you've grown so much bigger." Will said. "So much time has passed, you'll be nineteen this year."

"Yeah." I answered.

"How old will you be Arata?" Liam asked.

"Nineteen." I answered."Alexis and Alistar yours is right around the corner too isn't it."

"Yeah. May sixth." Alexis answered.

"So, Arata's at September seventh?" Andrew asked and I nodded.

"Meanwhile, Lia is May fifteenth and Rachel is May twenty-ninth." I answered. "Mitan is on the first of October."

"Theo is on the second of July, with Adonis on the ninth and Angie at the twentieth." Lucas stated. "Mine is on the thirteenth of December and Leon is on May twelfth."

"Andrew, yours is on the third of November right?" I asked.

"Yeah, then after mine is Liam on the thirtieth." He answered. "Reinhardt is on the fifth of April and Ethan is on the fifteenth."

"Mine is on the seventh of August." Zhen smiled.

"We weren't able to celebrate the birthdays after Will thanks to all those troubles we faced along the way." Theo sighed. "But... I doubt we'll be able to that even now."

"I suppose so." I answered with a frown. "What about you, Van?"

"February fourteenth." He answered. "We should probably get out soon."

"Yeah." I answered and stood up.

After we dried up we all changed clothes then started a fure at the front of the cave where the others cooked dinner and we all gathered together huddled around the fire while eating dinner.

"Still, two yeras have past huh..." I couldn't help but look at the roof of the cave. "Two years ago, I started at school and met everyone, then a year after, I met Theo and Lia again."

"Since then, we've seen our fair share of trouble." Alexis smiled.

"We've been wandering." Lia said.

"Seeking out the light, the truth and the right way." Adonis said and I couldn't help but smile.

"But, no matter what happens, from now on till forever." Will said.

"We'll always be here to support each other." Lia smiled.

"Yeah!" We all exclaimed.

As we all slept that night, I recalled the many experiences we've been throught since that day. We've had our share of pains, our share of tears, our share of laughs. If I could go back and start over, I'd do everything again. Exactly the same way, because all those different experiences have given us what we have today.