The Warmth of the Hearth

“Oi mate, you really gonna set off?” Nieko asks Luke who was laying in the bed Souyer lent him, his curly black hair unkempt as he fiddled with his flame. On his neck was the pendant his father gave him, cold against his skin. He sits up and proceeds to tuck his flames away, his eyes no longer glowing. “Yeah. Uncle and I are basically dead people, it’ll complicate things for you if we decide to stay.”

A week has passed since the incident and the development of the Slums was going smoother than expected. Nieko has also introduced his invention and is now a part of a team researching how to further improve the Maga. This makes Luke ask, his orange eyes glinting in the light of early morn. “How’s the project going?”

Nieko grins, clearly proud of his achievements. “It’s going great mate! A couple more days and we’ll be mass producing these things in no time!” He faces Luke, gratitude in his eyes. “I owe you one, Luke.” Luke simply nods in response, smiling.

Luke excuses himself after a hearty breakfast of oatmeal paired with fruits, a feat made possible by Nieko’s new job. He goes to the clearing behind the house, accompanied by Tyrone who was now chasing another butterfly. “Here goes nothing.” He mutters, focusing his manna in the air in front of him. His eyes now glow a bright white as a cluster of flame forms above his outstretched hands. A flash follows, causing Luke to wince as a blast of white fills his vision.

Xylia flutters in front of him, her eyes a shining silver spectacle. “Laisren. Good to see you.” She pauses, scanning the area around her. “Before I ask where we are, I ask that you forgive my absence. The incident at Blepalon took more of a toll on me tha---” Xylia gets cut off as she barely misses Tyrone’s arm who was now trying to catch her. She exclaims, clearly not impressed by Tyrone’s presence. “A treant?! Why on Earth would you associate yourself with a descendant of Terra?! Do you know how much they despise creatures of Agni?! Hey! Cut it out!” Xylia screams as she flies around nonstop to avoid Tyrone.

Luke cannot help but chuckle, before continuing to tell Tyrone to behave. The treant obeys Luke, a huge smile on his face. Luke answers back with a smile of his own, the thought of how much he was going to miss Tyrone now appears in his mind. “Good boy.”

Xylia drops on Luke’s head, trying to catch her breath. Once she’s settled down, she turns to ask Luke. “So, what did I miss?” Luke fills her in on the past events that occurred in the past few days as they make their way back to the house. Xylia was not pleased to hear that a demon from Blepalon was just allowed to walk around in Ezicion.

Olin greets them both, a hooded cloak in his arms similar to the one he was wearing. An extra backpack was also on the ground for Luke to carry, containing all of their belongings. “Young Luke, are we ready to set off?” His eyes fall on Xylia who was sitting on Luke’s head, her eyebrows furrowed upon seeing Olin. “I am glad to see you as well Xylia. You look good.”

Xylia rolls her eyes at Olin and dissipates into flames that disappear into Luke’s chest. He looks at Olin who was now chuckling, and he can’t help but laugh as well. Nieko and Souyer arrive to see them off, giving them snacks to munch on along the way. Souyer speaks, no longer sounding like the old man that he used to be. “I am sad to see you guys go, though I understand your reasons. Know that you are always welcome to come back anytime.” He smiles, a warmth surrounding him. “Thank you for everything Master Olin. I thank you as well for helping me Young Luke, I feel so much better now.” He embraces the two of them, one that they respond with their own.

Tyrone cries behind them, a mixture of grunts and sobs that Luke cannot help but notice. “I’ll miss you too buddy.” He pats Tyrone’s arm, trying to comfort the treant. Souyer speaks again, making sure that they knew the directions towards the mountains. “You remember the path I told you about right? It should take you an hour or two to reach your destination while avoiding any sort of patrol.”

Olin nods, grateful for Souyer’s advice. “We best be off, should we not want to lose time.” They turn around and begin their journey towards the hidden settlements of House Blaise, knowing full well that if Carson was going to be anywhere, it was there.

Luke turns around to wave at the three of them one last time before catching up with Olin. He walks beside Olin, who seems to be focused on the path ahead of them. “Is something wrong uncle?” Olin looks at him with a smile, shaking his head. “Nothing’s wrong young master. I am simply wondering whether or not the rumors of the sightings of House Blaise were true. I would hate to arrive at an empty bunker. Well, let’s pick up the pace, should we want to make it before sundown.” Luke nods and together, they disappear into the forest.

“Luke?” Carson can’t believe what he sees. Were his eyes tricking him? How could Luke be right there, at the bottom of the mountains? He immediately set off to meet the two figures, taking the hidden path intricately carved at the side of the cliff. Carson meets the two figures face to face, caution with each step in case it was a trick set by the enemy.

“I see that a ball of fire failed to hit you buddy. Well, can’t say I’m not glad.” Luke meets Carson with a smile, gladness fills him after seeing the young Blaise. Carson doesn’t respond and instead rushes to him to embrace him, tears now streaming down his eyes. Luke is taken aback by this, and he answers with a hug of his own.

“I thought we lost you...” Carson whispers, still not letting go of Luke. His eyes fall on Olin behind them, smiling at the sight of the two friends. He finally lets go of Luke and calms himself down, wiping the tears off of his face. “You guys must be tired. Let’s get you settled inside.”

They travel quickly up the mountainside to the hidden entrance of the bunker, one that Luke knew of thanks to the various stories told to him by Carson. They step onto the huge shaft that immediately whirs to life, taking them down at a steady speed. The platform abruptly stops, signalling their arrival.

Essie is the first to greet them, shocked by what she saw. “My word...” She proceed to embrace Olin, a friend that she assumed had passed away. “You really can’t die, can you?” Olin laughs. “I’m afraid not my dear Essie, there is still so much to do.” Essie smiles, turning around to call the attention of everybody working down below. “Everyone, I have great news!” Carson steps beside her, gesturing for the two to show themselves. “House Laisren lives on, and it lives on with us!”

Luke and Olin step forward, Essie and Carson making way for them. The people cheer for the arrival of an ally house, no matter how little of it remained. Laisren was a cherished ally by Kayden, and they all uphold to Kayden’s wishes. Essie faces the two of them. “Welcome back, House Laisren.”