The Portal Soldiers

Chapter XXV

XXV

Winter Bonding

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For four years after the search of the six teams, Ellen was able to make the Portland Goldens safer, resulting to more missions of portal soldiers within the kingdom. With all the time they used in waiting for the six teams to come back for news, they had peace within the kingdom. By nine in the morning of winter, the Deinte Café along the Candid Street became a meeting place for the Juniors. The townspeople walk in the streets with various types of fleece jackets.

"Hello, how are you now?" William started the conversation and uneasily moved while on the unbalanced chair of the café.

"I'm fine," Lance said and raised both of his eyebrows. "How about the others?"

"Just the same," Amy nodded and cautiously held the cup of her espresso.

"Same."

It was a long period of silence. No one talks about anything like they used to do before.

"So . . . what's our plan today?" Amy asked and tilted her head weakly.

"What if we ride a sleigh?" Sally suggested quickly with a funny smile.

"That will be great," Tom agreed while raising his right hand. With the four years added to his age, he is still the most childish and youngest in the team. He had ordered milk since he doesn't really like coffee. He waited for his friends to finish drinking their coffees.

"How are your lives now?" Lance still asked although his question is nearly identical to William's.

"Still the same," Elise said. "Wait, why do we ask these things? It's just one day since we last saw each other."

All of them froze to think about it. We had a mission where we just checked every street of the towns under the kingdom's leadership, Amy thought.

"You know, guys, I missed using our weapons on some serious purpose," Amy randomly observed.

"Me too," Lance said.

When the five spotted their coffees were getting cold, they quickly gulped their drinks.

"Are we going to ride the sleigh now?" Tom asked while everyone of them were making way out of their seats.

"Yes, Tom," Amy smiled. They exited the café while forming a crooked line. Lance was at the rear of the line when she held Amy's hand. He gently pulled Amy towards him.

"What?" Amy asked and tried to sound colorless.

"Can I go to my mom?" Lance plainly said and tried to hold back any emotion. "I've told her I will only stay here for a short period of time. It's been four years or more. I've actually planned to say this to you one week before."

"When are you trying to go?" Amy asked.

"If you will let me," Lance looked away then looked at Amy again. "Today."

Amy looked directly to his eyes. Amy involuntarily blinked when she heard his words. Lance stepped back and exhaled.

"Are you coming back?" Amy asked concisely.

Lance looked down and said, "I need your permission to leave the Portland Goldens."

Amy froze and looked away.

"We're a team, Lance, and as my first thought, all of us should never be apart," Amy started. "But as a future leader, I need to do what is the best for whatever waits to be in my hands."