Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Twenty Nine | The Storm |

The sun seemed to be even more unforgiving to my pale skin this time of year. Wearing a suit of armor for years sounded like a great idea, and now my poor skin is suffering because of it. I could already feel my shoulders burning.

Y/N didn't have the same worries as me. Sure, she had her reasons to want to be more covered, but this was also her suggestion. She has been rather self-conscious about her appearance the past few years, but nothing has changed how beautiful I have always seen her. Cooling off in the water has become a regular for us. We get to spend more time with each the other villagers and it makes nap time for all the kids so peaceful.

Y/N ran through the shoreline chasing our curly-haired ball of energy. She ran right up to me and hid behind me. "Hide me, Daddy!" Her giggling behind me didn't help her hide whatsoever, but I played along. Y/N approached with a smile and placed her hands on her hips.

"You wouldn't have seen Vanessa, would you?" I tilt my head to the side and bit. She shifts her weight to one foot and peers around me to get a look at Vanessa behind me.

"You what, I don't think I have." The giggles from behind me only get more intense.

"Well, I guess I'll go check somewhere else then." Y/N walked back towards the stairs and waited until Vanessa came out from behind me to make her attack. She quickly swooped up Vanessa into her arms and blew a raspberry on her belly. The fit of laughter coming from the three of us drew the attention of some of the other parents, but it was fine.

I walk up behind Y/N and place a hand on her waist with the other brushing the hair out of Vanessa's face. My world was here. The woman who held my heart and the child who had come from that love.

"Garroth!" I quickly turn my head to see Lady Aphmau approaching. "I'm sorry to ask, but can you help for just a moment?"

"Of course." I lean down and place a kiss on Vanessa's forehead. "Behave for your mother." I turn to give Y/N a kiss as well.

"Mommy and Daddy are being gross!" We both smile into the kiss and pull away.

"I'll be back shortly."

Lady Aphmau had pulled me aside and had me look over some of her plans for the village. The development of our small town to make it safer and to adjust for the new generation. New houses to be built, plans for Levin to take over in the future. Just thinking about it, I knew that this was what is for the best for the village. Before I could get my input, a scream pulled my attention away.

I whip my head around to see Y/N pulling Vanessa out of the water. Her limbs were slack as Laurance lifted her to carry her on land. I could feel my heart stop at the panic that followed.

"Garroth! Get up!" Y/N meet my gaze, leaving our daughter to grow paler to yell to me. "Garroth!"

With a jolt, I was pulled out of my dream to see Y/N leaning over me with a panic expression. I pushed myself up and look around. It's her room. What I saw was only a dream.

"Garroth I heard a scream and I hear Lady Aphmau yelling." A scream.

Shit.

I had never struggled to put on my armor as fast as I did. Y/N had to grab my hands as I fumbled with my chainmail. She put it into place and grabbed my helmet for me. With her help I was able to get out the door as quickly as I could. She lagged behind a bit, but I could hear her yelling to keep going.

I scan the area in search of Lady Aphmau. The sounds of yelling coming from the plaza caught my attention. Without a second thought I took off down the path and rounded the corner to see Molly beside a woman dressed in shadow knight armor. Lady Aphmau had her sword drawn and was searching a strange structure in the center of the plaza. She turned on her heel and looked like she was about to start running until she saw me.

"Garroth, thank Irene. Zane has taken things too far! Look what he did to Alexis!" Anger wasn't something I was accustomed to hearing from Lady Aphmau.

"A-Alexis... My sweet baby..." Molly hesitantly reached a hand out and touched the woman's face. At first glance, the woman seemed to be identical to Molly. I didn't want to believe it. It couldn't be Alexis.

"I watched it! I don't know what he did to her, but she suddenly changed! She was attacking me! I can't just sit back and do anything anymore!" Lady Aphmau kept her sword in hand and walked past me and Molly. "Y/N, please look after Alexis and Molly. Garroth, we are breaking into that house." I turn to see Y/N once her knees staring at Alexis. Tears were starting to form as she looked over Alexis.

I walk up to Y/N and kneel beside her. "Y/N, Alexis needs you. We will go get Zane, but I need you to try to see if you can help her." She took in a breath and nodded her head. Without even looking up at me she pushed herself to her feet so she could help Alexis.

"I'm sorry, Molly." That was all I heard before running to help Lady Aphmau and Brian. Even if he is my brother, Zane put an infant in danger. That is something I will never stand for.