Fantasy Kind Of Story

Chapter 40: Finding Purpose

Lara's brooding was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on stone tiles. Without missing a beat pulled out her mace and spun around to aim it at the unknown assailant.

Standing there with an unamused expression was Klaus, who merely raised an eyebrow at her.

"Put it away ya brute, I aint here to fight", Klaus responded, trying to calm his niece down.

"Clearly, your own men got arrested and you just disappeared", Lara jeered, putting down her weapon and going back to pouting.

"They wouldv'e done the same given the opportunity, haven't you heard the phrase 'No Honor Among Thieves'?", Klaus asked, sitting beside her on the cold stone floor.

"Guess not having any honor runs in the family cause you run from your responsibilities and dad!-", She rambled on, but was stopped by a furious Klaus.

"You can say all the bad things about me, but you will NOT disrespect your father!", Klaus growled.

"He slaughtered hordes of people in a bloody rage, how is that honorable!?", Lara snapped back.

"He did what he had to do to protect the people he cared about, but you wouldn't understand that, cause the only person you've ever given a damn about is yourself!", Klaus said furiously, and it was enough to shut her down instantly, causing her to bury her face into her palms.

"...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that", Klaus said, realizing he'd went too far.

"No, you are right, I'm no better than you, I gave my own friends away for some dumb job", Lara said, critiquing herself.

"Why is this knight thing so important to you anyway? I can tell you it isnt as fun as it seams, I used to be one and it was BORING", Klaus began, trying to understand his nieces actions.

"It's not that, I just- I wanted to be as good as him", Lara stated.

"Everyone sees me and they expect me to be the next Milo Schmied, and I dont want to let them down, I dont want to let HIM down", she explained.

"Kid, you've got this all wrong, let me tell you something, the day your father found put your mother was pregnant with you, he pulled me aside and told me he wanted this whole war to be over before you were born, because he wanted you to grow up being free to do whatever your heart desired to do", Klaus told her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"You are not his next warrior, not a tool for his army, and definitely not meant to fill his shoes, you were meant to be YOU, not Milo...just Lara", Klaus stated, trying to make his niece understand.

"But-", Lara was about to say something, but was interrupted by her uncle pulling her into a hug.

"Stop trying to be something you aren't, and just be you for once kid", He said, tightening his grip on her, tears rolling down his cheeks, travelling on his scars.

"...I'll try Uncle...", Lara responded quietly as she wrapped her arms around him, they sat silently together for a few minutes.

Suddenly three figures burst into the room, it was Ms. Lehrerin followed by Marcus and the third's identity was concealed by their hood, who was currently facing towards the ground so nobody could see them.

"Took us a while to find you guys, glad I put that tracking sigil on you", Lehrerin said, congratulating herself.

"Wait, what?", Lara asked concernedly.

"Oh shit!", Klaus exclaimed as he prepared to make a run for it.

"No you dont!", She said, tapping the end of her staff against the ground, sending a shockwave through the floor which caused the ground infront of his feet to lift a bit, tripping him and sending him falling to his knees.

Marcus reacted swiftly, restraining Klaus and tying his feet and hands together.

"Atleast take me out for dinner first", Klaus joked.

"You aren't running away this time", Lehrerin stated, walking over to him and crouching down.

"Hey Lily, you still look just as gorgeous as the day I saw you~", Klaus said, trying to flatter her.

"Save the sweet-talking, I'm still pissed at you for leaving", She replied, completely unphased by his praise.

"I wasn't about to get thrown in jail, especially not for something I didn't even do", Klaus responded his grin leaving his face swiftly.

"He's telling the truth Ms. Lehrerin, tell her what happened", Lara butted in.

"That's not necessary, I already know", Lehrerin said, stopping them from going on a tangent.

"Wait, then why the hell are you mad at me?!", Klaus exclaimed in confusion.

"Because you ran off without even trying to plead your case and left your family behind to mourn your brothers death!", Lehrerin snapped back at him.

"You all seamed pretty convinced it was me! And clearly one of you lot framed me so I wasn't too keen on sticking around for a rigged trial!", Klaus snapped back, wiggling angrily in place.

"Ugh we dont have time for this! We have to get back and warn the others about the revolt", Lehrerin interrupted, changing the subject quickly.

"We already stopped it, Roland arrested the bad guys, it was Lucas and abunch of bandits", Lara interjected.

"Lucas? No, that isn't possible", Lehrerin objected.

"Well when they took off the bad guys helmet it was definitely Lucas under there so I'd say it's pretty possible", Klaus snarked.

"But he was the one who knocked on my door when I was talking with The Ebony Kni-", Lehrerin began to explain but was immediately interrupted

"What do you mean you were in the room with him?!", Lara questioned, approaching her rapidly.

The hooded figure immediately stepped in and blocked Lara, allowing her to see their face, it was Endora.

"Holy shit!", Lara exclaimed as she jumped back, grabbing her mace and shield and going into a defensive stance.

Endora raised an eyebrow, almost insulted that this child thought she could take her.

"Please, if I wanted to hurt you I wouldv'e done it by now, put the stick away", Endora mocked.

"Why the hell is SHE here?! Wait, you know the Ebony Knight and Endora, you're working with them aren't you!", Lara declared, backing up further, almost tripping over her uncle.

Klaus finally decided to spin around to see what was going and instantly recognized Endora.

"Elsa? You're looking paler than usual, guess your complexion finally matches your personality", Klaus mocked.

"Haha, very funny", Elsa replied, unamused.

"You know her too? Wait, why are you calling her Elsa?", Lara asked her uncle.

"Cause that's her name dingus", Klaus responded.

"She's my sister", Ms. Lehrerin claimed.

"....was she always a soul-sucking witch?", Lara asked, confused.

"Personality wise, yes", Klaus interjected.

"Can we leave him?", Elsa pleaded to her sister.

"Sadly no, we're going to need all the help we can get...even from him", Lehrerin said, turning her sister down.

"Okay, I'm really confused, can someone please explain to me why I dont remember having an uncle or you having a witch for a sister, and why you all know this Ebony Knight guy!?", Lara demanded.

"Ugh, guess its story time", Lehrerin said disgruntled.