Book 5, chapter 3

Just like the capitol of Lorocos, the city of Othera was covered in festive decorations. It was as if everyone was trying to outdo their neighbors, from hanging colorful lights to using arrays or rituals to create spectacular effects. The array of effects ranged from ethereal monsters coiled around houses to a house that looked just like an oversized lizard with its maw open wide.

In the city center, an archway hummed to life, and a flood of people walked through.

Othera was like a small town in comparison to the capital, with fifty thousand people at most. Zee suspected that was why her family set up shop here, to get away from the big city.

Zee led the way, walking through the city streets, towards a certain park. 

After some walking the paved streets which usually transitioned to a dirt path and the park proper ended. There was a tall fence, with a wide array of etched panels. The fence was built to block entry to the park, or what was left of it. 

She froze as she took in the devastation. A scar marred the land, a huge crater ripped right from where the park used to be. It was several hundred meters in diameter, and at least a few hundred deep.

"You know, I hear you are the one who caused this," Bastion asked, whistling softly.

Zee grimaced. "That is a lot worse than I was expecting," Zee said. 

"That must have been one wild ride," Bastion said. 

"Ya, it was pretty crazy," She nodded, staring at the hole in the ground.

Bastion hummed thoughtfully. "The fence and barrier are apparently to both keep people out and protect the city. Whatever you did, scarred the land and space itself. And now the area is contaminated by some nasty energies that are trying to spread," Bastion said.

Zee didn't know what to say to that. She had long ago accepted the blame for what happened, but that didn't mean the guilt cut any less deep. It reminded her of the two stains on her status. 

Boon of the blood-drunk gorger, and boon of despair. 

They were attained after the world fragment impacted Porten, killing over ten thousand people in an instant. 

The crater was still probably there, though she had no idea what became of the planet known as Iztara. She didn't even have the chance to ask until two years had already passed. By then, the bone lord had dismissed her when she mentioned it. 

He had simply said, "How am I supposed to remember all the names of the planets we conquered,"

Zee hoped that the old geezer Tarnival held up to his end of the bargain, and saved Iztara. She might not like that planet, but her friends did. 

As for Tartana. In Glendale's own words, that planet was still being ravaged by a three-sided war between the natives, the church, and the Terlashar. 

It made her stomach clench. So many people were being put through untold horror, and for what? 

Did Delta make it out? What about Rin, and his cadre of smugglers? 

The guilt of leaving all those people to a horrific fate threatened to crush her. It was like a mountain pressed down on her shoulders.

Bastion must have noticed her forlorn look, as he tugged on her arm.

"Come on, let's go," Bastion said.

Zee needed to take a break, she knew that. She had been pushed too hard, both seen and done too much.

She had power that most could only dream of, but at what cost? She felt mentally wrung out like a rug hung up and beaten with a stick. 

Trudging along the streets, they walked through the city, entering the forest in a somber silence. 

The forest trail was so familiar, yet also alien. Birds chirped high in the canopy, while small rodents scurried about in the foliage. 

The branches rustled, their leaves clacking together.

With her spatial ripple skill, she could sense it all. It was like the melody of the forest, a song as old as time. 

Walking up the path, they passed a tree with a long-since-healed gash in the trunk. Her fingers caressed the gritty bark as she passed, reminding her of the time she tried to carve her name into the tree. 

They passed a large rock overgrown with moss on its crown, where she had fallen, breaking her right arm when she was six. 

They crossed a small bridge over a bubbling brook, where she had first tried her luck at fishing. 

Around every corner was another memory. She felt like she knew every tree in this forest, and yet now it was like walking in a nearly forgotten dream.

Her fond memories were clouded with hardship, her hands stained with rivers of blood. The dreamlike state ended as the forest suddenly fell away, replaced by manicured lawns.

She paused, just outside the invisible barrier she knew was there. It marked the family property, a security measure. 

Just one more step. One more and she was home. That one step might as well have been a chasm because her feet refused to obey. 

What would her mom think of what she had become? 

Would her dad even recognize her; or would he see a monster instead? 

Doubt clawed at her mind. What would she do if they didn't recognize her? 

Bastion took her hand and squeezed reassuringly. She let out a shaky breath, giving him a thankful smile. 

Hesitant, she took a step forward. 

The array protecting the grounds slid over her skin.

Anyone the arrays didn't recognize would be stopped from entry. The arrays were incredibly potent, and complex.

Zee was actually surprised when her boots touched the grass. That shouldn't have worked. Her access was based on her medallion, which had been beyond broken a long time ago.

Or at least she had assumed the medallion was what allowed her to come and go through the barrier. 

It appeared that her parents had deceived her, and maybe Nate too. 

She looked up just as the front doors swung open.

Her heart skipped a beat as a man practically leaped down the front steps. With short-cropped straw blond hair, wide shoulders, and a tall athletic frame, Alister had the build of a fighter.

He also looked to be in his late twenties, which he was not. 

The D grade was where things got weird. The aging process slowed immensely, allowing people to live hundreds of years. At the peak of the grade, they could even live to a thousand. 

Her asshole of a grandpa was one such example, well past his first millennia of life. Crossing the lawn in a blur of motion, Alister wrapped her in a vice-like hug faster than she could blink. 

It felt like she might be crushed, but it made her happy beyond belief. The fact that he hadn't even hesitated was a huge relief.

"Your back!" Julian shouted, squeezing the air from her lungs.

"Too hard Dad," Zee croaked. 

Alister laughed boisterously, squeezing her one more time for good measure. 

"Come on Dad, you almost broke my ribs," Zee said with feigned outrage as he set her down. 

Alister didn't look repentant in the slightest, grinning like an idiot. 

Taking a step away, he looked her up and down, "What have you been eating? You have grown like a weed," he said. 

"Almost as tall as you now Dad, who knows, I might pass you up," She laughed. 

"Now that is just preposterous, keep dreaming kiddo," Alister said with mock indignation. 

Zee couldn't help but smile at the nickname. She hadn't realized just how much she missed his easygoing smile and his boisterous laugh.

It made much of the tension she held in her shoulders fall away.

"Are you going to keep hogging her all to yourself," Asked a soft feminine voice. 

Unlike her father, her mother was a lot more reserved, with the poise and grace Zee often saw in nobility. Her mother had probably got the mannerisms from Grandpa Farsaic now that she thought of it. 

They stood eye to eye, which was telling of how much Zee had grown. 

Cylia's silky black hair flowed down her back, with several stands framing her sharp jaw and stunningly beautiful face. 

The slightly upturned nose and full lips were a mirror of her own.

"It's good to see you Mom," Zee said, as her mother pulled her into an embrace.

"It's good to see you too dear," Cylia replied, a hitch in her throat. 

The hug was warm, and comforting, making her feel as though everything would be alright. Things were not alright, but for a few moments, she could pretend like they were. 

After a long embrace, her mother let go and glanced over to Bastion, who had been quietly standing nearby. 

"It's good to see you again Bastion, how is the academy," Cylia asked.

"It's been going splendidly," Bastion replied, tucking his thumbs in his belt. 

"Did you get the thing I asked you for last time we talked," Alister asked, his question for Bastion. 

"Ya, I got it. I will give it to you later when there are no prying eyes," Bastion said. 

Cylia eyed the both of them, her brows furrowed.

"What are you two up to," 

Alister adopted a look of innocence. "Nothing to worry about love, let's go inside, these two are probably hungry," Alister quickly replied. 

"Dad right, I'm hungry," Zee said, laughing at her father's antics. 

She walked in step with her mother towards the front of the estate while Alister sidled over next to Bastion.

A smile tugged at her lips as Bastion handed her father a small package, which quickly disappeared.

Her mother rolled her eyes at their not-so-subtle attempt at secrecy. 

They walked up the front steps, between two marble pillars, and through the lacquered double doors.

All the while, Bastion, and her dad were talking in a hushed whisper. 

"Since when did they get so friendly," Zee asked her mother.

Cylia's expression turned thoughtful. "Ever since Bastion started bringing your dad candy from the capitol," her mother replied. 

"That would do it," Zee laughed.

In the foyer they paused, taking off their boots.

 Without prompting, her sword belt came off next and she hung it on a peg near the door. She felt almost naked without it, but it was the rule. 

"Alister, would you mind starting lunch," Her mother asked. 

"Sure, come on Bastion, let's go to the kitchen," Alister said.

Once the two had left the room, her mother simply pulled her in and hugged her. "Welcome home dear," Cylia whispered.

The soft gesture, and comforting words, didn't seem like much.

And yet, her mother knew just the right way to tear down five years of mental barriers in a few simple words.

Five years of pain, hardship, and loss bubbled to the surface. Zee swallowed, her lips trembling. Zee had repressed it for so long, held it all in. 

Her mother didn't say anything more, just held her in an embrace. Zee fought it, fought the urge to just let it all out. She didn't want to show weakness, because showing weakness could get her killed. In her mother's embrace, she felt safe, as though the outside world didn't matter. She felt as though she could just let go for the first time in a long time.

 Her vision blurred, and before she knew it, tears streamed from her eyes. In Zee's line of work, showing vulnerability could lead to death. She was stronger than ever before, both physically, and in terms of power. But mentally, she was on the verge of breaking. 

The last two and a half years under the bone lord's sadistic attention had been the straw that nearly broke the lizard's back.

Since she left, she had done a lot of things she regretted a lot of horrible things. 

Zee had always wanted to be a warrior so she could become a heroic figure like in the stories. Instead, she had done monstrous things. 

There had been good things mixed with the bad, but they were overshadowed by the guilt. 

Her betrayal of Dale, Henry, and Tammy gnawed at her. Even Stella, whom she had not only betrayed but also killed. 

That was just the start. She had hung Captain Estad to a mast, for all of his crew to see. One memory after another came crashing back.

She remembered playing cards with Pierre, a memory that was tinged with sadness over his gruesome death. 

Even without saying a single word, her mother's comforting presence was enough.

She just stood there and listened as Zee poured everything out. There was no judgment, just quiet understanding. Zee appreciated that. She had more than enough guilt without her mother adding to it. 

Eventually, a voice echoed in from the kitchen.

"Lunch is ready!" Alister shouted.

Pulling away, Zee wiped her eyes.

"Thank you, I needed that," Zee said, with a hitch in her throat. 

Cylia smiled. "Any time. Shall we get some food," her mother asked.

Zee nodded, taking a few moments to get her racing emotion under control. Wiping her nose on her sleeve she followed her mom into the kitchen. 

Dinner was set up on the island counter, with four plates piled with an assortment of steaming meats cheeses, and bread. 

It was an elaborate meal, that had probably taken an hour or two to prepare. They ate and spoke for the rest of the day, eventually moving to the patio once the sun fell over the horizon. Zee and Bastion had already retired to their room, leaving Cylia alone with her husband.

Much of the tension in his shoulders was gone, and most of his worries were alleviated after Zee's return. 

Cylia didn't want to burden him further, but something needed to be done. Straightening in the comfy lawn chair, she turned to him. 

"Would it be possible to get in contact with your old friend Mellic Arsoa," Cylia asked. 

"Mellic? Do you think its that bad," Alister asked.

"I believe so. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I think Zee is suffering from some severe post-combat trauma," Cylia said. 

Alister bit his lower lip, concerned. "From the stories her friends have told us, that is not surprising," Alister said.

Cylia let out a tired sigh."I hope Mellic will come. It breaks my heart to see Zee so troubled," Cylia replied.

"Julian's machinations can't have helped either," Alister said.

"Speaking of which, I am going to have some very pointed words to my father about that," Cylia said. Her tone was quiet and menacing. She narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips. 

Alister was more than a little bit anxious upon seeing that look on his wife's face. 

He had only seen it one other time in all their years of marriage and remembered it distinctly. After all, how could he forget the time she toppled an entire guild of alchemists? She had single-handedly brought them to their knees, both literally and monetarily for burning down her alchemy workshop. 

His wife was absolutely terrifying when she was properly angry.