Legend of Parocaav: The Quest for Redemption (First Draft)

Chapter XXVII: Return to Oro

Drayk and Roku step out the portal, now back in the mountainous terrain. Joseff is lying face down in the dirt. Roku looks down at him as she kneels close. A green light flashes in her hands, then Joseff does as well. He rolls over onto his back and sits up.

"That little punk got me good before y'all got carried away," Joseff spoke softly, "What happened to them?"

"We'll explain another time Joseff," Roku says with a smile, "Let's get you back to Oro."

"Agreed," Joseff laughs.

Roku glances over at the remains of Crito. His bones singed totally black. An outline of his body was imprinted into the ground. Tears formed in her eyes. Now that the rage has subsided, her heart aches. Seeing the look on Roku's face, Drayk walks over and holds her in his arms for comfort. She drives her face into his left shoulder and starts to cry. Her master was gone. Her only family in this world. Joseff looks away, trying not to get mixed into this. Even he knows she needs to grieve for a moment.

Drayk whispers into Roku's ear, "Let's give Crito a proper burial. Don't worry about us needing to be in a hurry. The only thing that matters is that we respect Crito for raising you as his own kin. He was your family Roku. There is nothing more than family."

Roku looks up into Drayk's eyes, hers still filled with tears. Her face lights up with a smile and she kisses Drayk on the cheek.

"Ok," Roku agrees with sadness in her tone.

An hour later~

Joseff stands amongst the Bringers in silence. Crito's remains now buried beneath the soft dirt. The symbol of Lady Parocaav and the crest of the Wind Mage carved into the headstone they made. 'In loving memory of Hermit Monk, Master Crito. A beloved guardian and master of the winds.' These words inscribed just below the symbols. Joseff bows his just after Drayk and Roku does. Tears can rushing out of her eyes when Joseff began speaking. She couldn't make out his words, but she knew it was respectful.

Once back to Oro~

The gates of Oro slam shut behind the group. Joseff looks around with a sense of happiness. Always feels good to be home. Drayk discards his sheath into a waste bin. He had sacrificed his father's weapon during the fight with the Delt Triplets. There was no need for it any longer. Roku too had sacrificed one of the twin blades, it being infused into Shye-An's metal prison.

"Let's go see Lady Quintly," Joseff says to the Bringers of Hope.

Drayk and Roku nod in agreement and walk towards the palace. The palace doors are already open, a sign that they are being welcomed back. The Wind Mage Clan were very caring people for those of their own, and to outsiders that are important to them. It was honor to Drayk and Roku to be so accepted by this community. They knew it was mostly for the return of Joseff, but they still felt welcome here.

Once inside the throne room, Lady Quintly and her husband are sitting in their thrones. The underling of Joseff was not present this time. Blake gives them a warm smile as they approach the throne. He is still dressed in his Resistance uniform, not a stitch of royal clothing on him. Roku would never have guessed he was the king of Wind Country. To her, that just shows a ruler that loves his country so much that he would put his own life on the line for it.

"Welcome back Joseff," Lady Quintly spoke at last, "I see the Bringers of Hope were successful in finding you."

"Yes M'lady. I would have been killed by the Troublesome Trio if it wasn't for them," Joseff says as he bows before his queen.

"There was no doubt in my mind about that!" Blake jumps in.

"Quite. I would expect nothing less from the heroes chosen by Lady Parocaav. I know you have much to discuss with Joseff, Bringers," Lady Quintly smiles, "I do not wish to occupy anymore of time. It is much more valuable elsewhere."

"Before you go Bringers," Blake calls to them before they make it out of the room, "I want you to see our town's blacksmith before you go. I see you have been quite disarmed. I will send a message to them and make them aware they are to cater to your needs."

"Thank you Blake!" Roku shouts happily.

She waves to the Quintlys just before they exit the room. Joseff is walking ahead of Drayk and Roku, leading the way to his study. Walking their way down the long corridor, Roku marvels at the paintings along the wall. All paintings from ancient times in the Wind Country. It was almost as if the walls told a story as they walked. The corridor reaches an unexpected dead end. A door was no where in sight. Joseff pushes on a loose brick and the floor beneath them sinks below.

The platform moves down for several hundred feet before a giant library comes into view. Coming to a gentle stop, they unload off the platform. It rises back up with a push of wind underneath it. Joseff walks over to a small gathering of plush green chairs.

"Have a seat Bringers of Hope," Joseff states.

They all sit down around a small rounded coffee table. The chairs are quite comfortable. One could easily fall asleep reading in these if they got too comfy. Joseff leans back against the backrest, letting out a sigh.

"I know you are seeking more information about the prophecy young ones," Joseff says after a moment.

"Yes. We have traveled here from the Forgotten Forest," Drayk tells him.

"Yeah! Leon said we had to speak to you!" Roku excitedly chimes in, "It was one of the last things he told us.... before he died."

Joseff's face turns to sorrow, "So the old coot is dead, huh? I had wished that part of the prophecy was false."

"How much of the prophecy do you know Joseff?" Roku asks.

"Almost all there is to it.... other than the final outcome that is," Joseff explains, "Not even Lady Bless knows that."

"What can you tell us?" Drayk immediately asks.

Joseff stands up and walks over towards a fireplace. Remaining silent, he builds a fire up. Then, Joseff sets up a teapot on an iron bar reaching over the fire. The teapot looks like the one Leon used. Simple design with the crest of Parocaav engraved into its side. Leon's love fore tea was apparently rather contagious. Joseff comes back over and sets the pot down on the coffee table. The sound of a spoon clinks against the glass mug as he stirs some cream into his tea.

"Have some tea," Joseff smiles.