A World With/Out Home

Chapter 37: The duet of a coward. (Part 2)

Valandus was what many would call a coward. Of course it went without saying that he had his moments of bravery and his new rank showed it. That bravery however was always forced upon him by the situation. Though he had joined the Hero's Guard for a chance to meet the Hero, now that he had, it was hard what to say he was in it for. Along the way he met the Captain, who no matter what pushed him to be his best, Reina who seemed to always be a step ahead and Maila who had shown him what a true burden could mean. Regardless Valandus himself considered himself to be a coward and again he had bravery thrust upon him.

"I've got them on our sensors," Valandus announced to the group within the airship. "We'll be on top of them soon."

"Slow it down and be careful," Arvel instructed. "The fog around them will be clear."

"I know," he bit his lip and slowed down on the throttle, taking the air ship higher and above what the Sky Fortress could reach.

It didn't take long for the view below them to clear, and like they had thought, the world around the Sky Fortress was crystal clear and below it their target. A gorge in the earth, seemingly innocent but within an entrance to where a God once slept.

"Brings back memories doesn't it?" Lillia said in a tender reminiscence.

"In the grand scheme of things it hasn't been all too long since I last came here," Kyle agreed as he looked out the window.

Arvel frowned, "It's been a very long time for me. Valandus hold her steady."

"Will do," he saluted.

The flaxen haired hero turned to Kyle and Lillia, enveloping them both in a strong hug, "Do your best. I know you two will do what's right."

"Don't worry," Kyle laughed in reply. "We won't be failing again."

"I'll look after Kyle for you," Lillia nodded.

"Then that's all I can ask for," Arvel let go and stood beside Valandus, watching as the other team prepared to jump.

Valandus turned his head back, "Are you sure this is a good idea? I can get you closer."

"It'll be safer from here," 1st Officer Pelmont replied as he rubbed his bold dome, placing a helmet on top. "Trust me Valandus I'd rather your idea but the two Heroes here have assured me they'll get us down in one piece."

"So who's coming with me?" Kyle asked, "Mind you I can't actually fly. I run and fall."

Reina gripped her spear tightly, "If you don't mind I'll stick with Lillia."

Valandus smirked, "Still not so great with heights I see."

"Heights are fine. Falling isn't."

"Oh it's not that bad, right Mica?" he looked to the demon girl who occupied the co-pilot seat beside him.

"He cried as we fell," she replied bluntly.

"Hey, I only cried for the first few seconds and that was because you didn't tell me you could float!"

Kyle smiled at their interaction and stepping beside Valandus gave him a hug. Though awkward due to still sitting down, Valandus couldn't help but feel warm inside.

"Thanks for everything Val," Kyle looked at him sincerely.

"Oh now you call me Val, what do you want this time?" he joked in reply.