A Gathering of Guardians: The Prologue (Etrian Odyssey Nexus Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

AN: Next chapter to this prologue. My health isn't the best at the moment so I don't necessarily know when the next chapter will be ready. Hopefully I'll be able to keep writing regardless as I have a lot planned for this series. In any case, hope you enjoy reading~!

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Chapter 2:

The morning air of Lagaard was crisp, but still. The sky a perfect blue, not a cloud to be seen. In the opinion of Maginans, it was perfect weather to take flight.

So, after just a day of packing and preparing, those leaving for Maginia, it was the day for them to utter their final goodbyes and farewells to those who were to remain within High Lagaard. A crowd had gathered in the centre of town. Some helping deliver supplies to Maginia, others to watch out of a sense of duty to see off those who join with the expedition.

Seeing all the sombre faces of those Lynus had helped during his time in Lagaard was hard for him to take. Though it also brought him a sense of comfort. Though they appeared sadden to learn that he, his guild, and many others were to leave Lagaard and the mighty Yggdrasil tree; they did nothing to persuade them to stay.

They were there to support them, not guilt them. And that in itself was both comforting and reassuring.

Still, it was hard for Lynus to say farewell to those who chose to stay. One of them being his little sister, Binah.

It was a tough decision for Binah. Join them or stay with Hana and Quinoa. In the end, she chose to stay. She felt guilty about that to some extent, but Lynus was happy that she had come to that decision on her own.

"How long will you be gone?" Binah asked.

Lynus shook his head and answered honestly. "I don't know. But I do know that I, that we, will be back one day."

That did little to ease Binah of her sadness, but she nodded her head. Despite her eyes glistening with tears she held back, she managed a smile to her lips. "I guess that means I don't have anyone stopping me from playing matchmaker now," she said, a slight quiver in her voice.

Lynus smiled at her attempt to stay strong and nodded. "Do try to stay out of trouble. And if you can't; raise hell."

A half laugh, half sob escaped Binah's lips before she pushed herself forward and hugged him tightly. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," Lynus said as he returned the embracing, hugging her as tightly as he could when he felt her tremble from trying to suppress her tears. "But we will return one day, and we'll both have stories to tell each other, right?"

Binah finally pulled back and idly rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. "Right," she sniffled.

She then took a step back, allowed for Hana to move forward quickly and abruptly gathered Lynus into her arms, hugging him tightly and exuberantly. Lynus had to laugh as he hugged the flamboyant woman as best as he could.

"Oh, love," Hana said as she finally pulled him back, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm going to be ever so lonely without all my boys."

"We'll be back before you know it," Lynus tried to comfort though his voice was also heavy with emotion. "All of us. And, maybe, a few new members for you to fatten up."

Hana nodded her head before she smiled broadly. "Speaking of fatten up, don't you dare undermine all my hard work."

Lynus had to laugh. "I'll miss your cooking."

Hana gave him another quick hug before she pulled back and moved to the side, allowing for her daughter to offer her farewells as well. And much like her mother, Quinoa immediately rushed forward to hug Lynus as tightly as her skinny arms could allow.