Year 90.2

  *Emma uses her clones to avoid getting hit as she takes the fight with the Alpha and Omega more seriously. They back her up to a cliff, and both close in slowly. Emma steps back, floating on a set of knives.*

  Emma?: You chose the wrong meal, dog.

  *Emma lifts her arm, sending a hurricane of windcutter spells and her knives to create a blender, slicing through trees as it clears a path. The Alpha and Omega stand before Emma, the Alpha’s arm missing. They watch as the purple leaves her eyes. She begins to descend as her Mana runs low. She lands on the ground on her hands and knees before vomiting.*

  Emma: Guess I pushed too hard.

  *She looks up as the Omega leaps down toward her, grinning wide, the Omega’s teeth shine off the light of the morning sun. Emma looks down and smiles.*

  Emma: I’m sorry, Lily. But at least the others.

  Bohater: Fancy meeting you here.

  *Emma looks up as Bohater stands before her. He swings his great axe, forcing the Omega to leap back. A howl comes from the top of the cliff from the Alpha as he calls for the retreat. Bohater resists the urge to chase them as he turns to check on Emma. Soon Lily arrives, weak and wounded slightly, she collapses by Emma and licks her paw.*

  Bohater: Lily had a growth spurt.

  Emma: What’re you doing here? I thought you were visiting people in Mithrun.

  Bohater: I was. *Looks down* I might’ve offended some people. Hemlock sorted it out, but she stayed.

  *Bohaters' white soul flickers as he speaks, but the color stays.*

  Emma: I just turned 90 years old this year. I can tell when someone is lying.

  Bohater: *Sigh* I got in an argument with Hemlock and left her with her family before she had the chance to apologize.

  Emma: Well, I’m sure she’ll forgive you, as long as you return to visit at some point. I’m sure deep down, she saw you like a child.

  Bohater: *monotone* I know. Human lives are so short, you can’t help but care for them as if they need protection.

  *Emma sits against a tree, pulls out some dried meat, offering some to Bohater, who shakes his head.*

  Emma: I don’t think that, actually. I’ve fought with enough Humans too know that they’re some of the most defensive, both skill and personality. The important part is whether you are defending your morals. Or are you defending someone else’s? *Bohater looks confused* Hmmm. Killing for sport is wrong. Forcing your way upon someone is wrong. Defending the people you care for because a tyrant is trying to keep you quiet.

  Bohater: I understand. Kill those who would kill others, but only in the way of protection. But I feel like killing is such a finite solution. They can’t atone.

  Emma: *Looks down* And those that they kill? Treat others how they want to be treated. If they come after you, you come after them.

  *Bohater drops down and hugs Emma. She looks to Lily in confusion, and as soon as he dropped he steps back.*

  Bohater: I don’t know who hurt you, but I want to create a world of peace. And to do that, I need your help. I received a message from the moon goddess right before winter hit. In the dream, she appeared and informed me to return to the fields of Lavender. I see now that she was meaning you. You’re purple and green. While I may struggle sometimes when it comes to confrontation with other Races, I want to help show you the light in the world again.

  Emma thinking: *looks up, unimpressed* Great, so now Lily has back up…

  Emma: *Sighs* Fine. But first lets head back to the others. You can meet Griffin.

  Bohater: *Smiles* Great! Can either of you two walk?

  Emma: *looks at Lily.* Probably not for a bit. But I just need to wait until my stomach calms down.

  Bohater: Until then, we can discuss morals. What if their end goal was to die, but they couldn’t bring it upon themselves?

  Emma: *Glances at Bohater* I didn’t say to kill them where they stand, they say crimson slimes keep you alive by only dissolving the non-essential parts first. The squirming helps them slowly drain you of all your blood at a rate.

  Bohater: Stop! Please. *Nervous smile* I understand.

  Emma: Even the bravest warriors have their bad days. *zones out* But sometimes you have to acknowledge that we weren’t meant to take our own lives.

  Bohater: *Softly*Have you?

  Griffin: Emma!

  *High above Dennis flies in a circle, Griffin and Keya have run along the forest floor.*

  Keya: Bo?

  *Emma sits up and looks at her sister, then Bohater.*

  Bohater: The pretend Warden.

  Keya: *slams her great hammer down* Leave her out of this!

  *Bohater leaps back, grabbing his great axe and points it toward Keya.*

  Emma: Both of you stop before I make you! *The two blink rapidly before letting down their guard.* Keya. How do you know Bohater?

  Keya: He’s been chasing after me because of the bounty with his little dwarven girlfriend. And now… Wait, how do you know his name?

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Emma: Bohater, did you go after the “Night Warden” on your way back to Mithrun?

  Bohater: We happened to run into someone she had stolen from.

  Keya: *Sighs* I told you. I didn’t steal any fruit. I picked it myself on my way into town, in the forest at least half a day's walk.

  *Emma watches as Keya’s soul remains calm. Griffin helps her stand up, handing her magic-infused bread.*

  Emma: I’m fine. *looks to Bohater* I can’t convince you other than tell you her soul is calm as can be. She didn’t steal, that or she genuinely doesn’t know she did.

  Bohater: I’m sorry, Emma, but.

  Keya: She is a seer. She has soul sight, which allows her to tell when someone is lying or not. *Scoffs* It’s why I stopped trying to lie around her. It just became easier to tell the whole truth.

  Griffin: You told me it was only correct half the time.

  Emma: *Looks at Griffin with a look of innocence.* I wanted you to feel like you could surprise me still.

  Griffin: *Kisses* I love you. *Smiles.*

  *Keya, Lily, Dennis, and Bohater all clear their throats in unison. Emma and Griffin step apart, and Emma’s tone goes back to normal.*

  Bohater: *Spaces out for a moment. Then looks at Emma.* Hemlock told me once that Seers were all-knowing, but I thought it was more of the anti-elven propaganda.

  Emma: Which is weird, because Most of them won’t leave Sylvndor.

  Bohater: I think she meant the Seer fort in Mithrun.

  Emma: The what?!

  Bohater: From what I’ve heard, a group appeared and made a fort overnight, utilizing an entire mountain. Some people thought it was a new border entrance, but when they approached it, a voice spoke out in elven.

  Keya: Wait, I remember that. Some dwarves approached me to translate a message. They could barely speak common, but the paper said. “ If you continue your approach you life will be forfeit to the Seers.” I assumed they were talking about the woods, because it was right after the fog appeared.

  Emma: I mean, everyone knows about the Seers and the danger we hold. But how do we know it’s not just a group trying to hide?

  *Returning to the farm, Arthur runs up, hugging Emma, followed by Haze and Kimmy.*

  Emma: Haze, have you ever heard of a Seer fort in Mithrun?

  *Haze looks completely lost for words, confused by the question.*

  Haze: Mithrun? I mean, we know the Seers. CAN. leave, but that doesn’t mean they like to, although with the glade gone, there is no reason for them to stay.

  Kimmy: Wait, but I thought they brought the fog?

  *Darian lands on Kimmy’s shoulder.*

  Darain: The Veiled Glade was absorbing the overabundance of spirit energy of the world. Without its protection.

  Emma: But the…

  *Emma stops herself, keeping the elves' hidden sanctuary a secret.*

  Darian: They take time to grow.

  *Emma nods*

  Kimmy: What are you two talking about?

  Emma: Darian can tell you in private later, but you can’t discuss it outloud.

  *The rest of the day goes smoothly, Joey and Dotty insist on celebrating as thanks to Emma and the others. As they begin pouring wine.*

  Kimmy: *Shakes head* No, thank you.

  Emma: What? Afraid you’ll end up like your brother?

  *Kimmy rubs her stomach, and Emma drops her cup, stunned.*

  Dotty: Congratulations! How long?

  Haze: If she’s anything like the children I helped deliver while working for the Ficus’s, then about five weeks.

  Emma: Why? *Everyone turns to Emma.* Why didn’t you tell me? We could settle for a time.

  Kimmy: That’s why. *Smiles* You always look super happy when out of the house. That’s the Grandma I want them to remember, not the bored out of her mind, moping around the house.

  Emma: I Don’t Mope!... Sorry. I. I need a moment.

  *Emma vanishes, and the squawk of the door opening has everyone turning their heads as she walks out. Emma rests in a large oak tree in the center of the livestock area. She watches the animals graze, their ears flickering as flies land on them occasionally.*

  Lily: Really living up to that Mopping now, aren’t you?

  Emma: *Softly* Not now, Lily. I’m not Moping, I’m processing.

  Joey: I was the same way.

  *Emma almost falls out of the tree as Joey sits at the base of the tree.*

  Joey: When Dotty came home that day, it was right before winter. It was terrifying to think about because that was right around when the droughts started. Every other Fall we get no rain; we still have the river, sure, but that’s beyond what we’re capable of out here, and the well only helps with the personal garden.

  Emma: It’s not that. It’s the fact that I never realized how depressing it was to be around me.

  Joey: No one said that, though. *Scoffs* Maybe you’re both carrying.

  Emma: That’s impossible, Seers can’t carry.

  Joey: Ahhh. So that’s the reason. It’s jealousy

  Emma: No!... Maybe…

  Joey: *Laughs* Well. I have the perfect thing to help. Follow me.

  *Joey leads Emma to a lake, where they watch the sunrise in silence.*

  Emma: No offense, Joey, but the scenery isn’t helping. I’m not saying it’s making it worse.

  Joey: Shhhh. *Pause* Watch the waters.

  *Bubbles begin to float to the surface.*

  Joey: The Cloud frogs spawn this time of year. Their eggs, which some bird-type monsters consider as a delicacy float to the surface. Like clouds.

  *A large heron-like monster, each one the height of the trees around them, lands on the shore, and two of the eggs float toward it.*

  Joey: Some of them are born sterile. And they guard the eggs. In hopes that the children can live. Those who’re not sterile support the eggs with the white algae that grows on their stomachs.

  *Another three heron land, and the first one steps toward the two eggs. The ‘eggs’ are the eyes of a giant frog; it battles against herons. The two watch as nature takes its course as a group of frogs defends the eggs. The herons manage to get away with a few dozen eggs before one of the frogs is defeated, its soft, white stomach floats to the surface, and the herons swarm to the body. *

  Joey: With death comes safety; the eggs have enough time to grow. By tomorrow morning, they’ll all hatch, and they’ll continue their fight underwater. Sometimes we live to defend others.

  Emma: *Scoffs* I’ve heard it before. Seers were born to take lives, not grant life.

  Joey: What? No. Listen. Sheila said she won’t have kids, so she bakes. When Valorin was presumed dead, she stopped talking to us. “ I’m going to keep baking if they don’t bring him back, then I’ll share his joys with the world for him.

  Emma: Does she blame me? She seemed hesitant around me last time.

  Joey: I think she feels guilty for not staying. She wanted to go, but Mom begged her. They bonded over stories as time went on until we got reports that the fight was over almost as fast as it began. She left saying she wanted to go check on the store, but when we arrived to check on her. We found out she had sold it and moved to a new location.

  Emma: She said it was the last place he took her before he left.

  Joey: And that’s what I thought. But she wouldn’t talk to us. *Sigh* My point is, some of us are meant for bigger things than “Baby Farm.”

  Emma: Thanks, Joey. *Smiles* That helps, but it still hurts.

  Joey: Yes, but answer me this. Doesn’t it still hurt when you think of your Mother? We don’t get over the pain. We just find ways to enjoy life for those who can’t. Just make sure you’re living it in a way you find exciting. Preferably less dangerous for Keya’s sake. And the Pups.

  Emma: How do you tell them apart?

  Joey: *Pause* The Pups? *Smiles*Well Susette is the girl. And Jacob has a slightly darker tone stripe of fur on his head. It might be more difficult for other races to see.

  Emma: So that’s why Lily can tell them apart. What about Joey JR?

  Joey: Aside from the opposite of Jacob, he’s a lot more outgoing when it’s just Beastkin around. He says the no-tails scare him.

  Emma: So that’s why they like Arthur so much.

  Joey: That and they remind them of the stories they heard about Uncle Valorin.

  *With Emma feeling better, they head back to the house. Emma holds Kimmy tightly.*

  Emma: I’m happy for you and don’t want you to get the wrong idea.

  Kimmy: Haze told me more about it. It’s okay. Because I still see you as my Mama.

  Emma: *Smiles* Thank you, Kimmy.

  Kimmy: Of course, Mama. *Smiles* You raised me to care. And I know you’ll be there to help with the baby the entire time.