Prologue

"Cheers for the new Lord Knight! It's about time you become one, you bastard!", Andre said while hugging his friend Palmer. "And since it's your lucky day, the drinks are on me!

"Shouldn't you be the one making the drinks?! After all, you're an alchemist" Kallikrates, a blacksmith, asked.

"It's ok for us. I still remember that concoction he made us drink." Palmer makes a gagging sound. "What the hell did you even put in that vile shit?! "

"Now, now. It was an honest mistake. I accidentally put mushroom spores instead of blue herbs! But it sure tasted a lot like vomit neh?"

"Are you sure it's not actual vomit?" Palmer said.

Everyone laughed at this even the alchemist.

"Oops! Before I forget, here's our gift to you!" Kallikrates grinned while nudging his sister, Bellarmina. "From us! A shining shimmering frigging splendid Fire Flamberge! Oh, by the way Belle, you still haven't paid me for this thing. It kinda took me a million years and not to mention, a boatload of zenny to forge this baby! But don't worry I take checks!"

"Err... I never commit to that sword thingamajig of yours, Kal. Besides, I have my own surprise for you, Palmer" winking at her husband.

"And what is that surprise, Belle?"

"Palmer, I'm...pregnant!" a smile spread across her face. "See? All blue juice for me today! "

The knight was speechless and so were Kal and Andre. Their faces were all mixtures of shock and disbelief. They simply didn't expect it. Least of all was Palmer himself.

The priestess almost laughed. Her green eyes were sparkling as she waited for some verbal reaction from her friends.

"Come on guys. Some reaction would be good."

"Oh my Odin! That's great news! I'm going to be an uncle! AN UNCLE OF A TINY LITTLE TOT! I will spoil that kid to smithereens, sis! Goodness, seems like yesterday you were so radiant in your wedding dress and all and now this! Allow me to get happily drunk on this one ok? Ooooh! So happy!"

Kal can't stop blabbering about the newest addition to the family that he has clearly forgotten about his sister's supposed debt to him. Beside Kal was Palmer, not quite drunk yet but has the look of a person who just strike gold in Comodo's casino.

"A baby. It's going to be a boy right? And we'll name it Tobias Eugene. And he'll be one of Midgard's finest warriors!"

Andre said. "How can you be so sure that it is going to be a boy, Palmer"

"Shush. I just know. And he will be a handsome, handsome lad like me!" pointing at himself.

"I better get home. Artemis must be getting worried. I also need to take care of Liramme. One of these days, I'll bring my little girl and introduce them to you guys! Anyway, goodbye!

It's getting late in Prontera but for the Corealis Tavern; the night has just begun for these friends.

----

2 years later...

No.

No. They cannot be dead! Palmer and Belle? Dead?

Noooo.

How?

Glast Heim? Dungeon? Why were they there! Lunaris?! The Guild?! A Khalitzburg? An Abyssmal Knight?! Why in Odin's name will they decide to go there?! Investigate? On what? This is bullshit . Everyone knows Glast Heim is a wretched and cursed world. Why bother?! Why? Dammit. Why?

Odin. Nooo.

I guess Tobias will be with me huh? Poor child, poor, poor child. What a tragic loss to someone so young... I guess no amount of magic nor can strength bring them back...

"Yes, Kal. Tobias will be with you." Andre sighed as he puts another glass of white for Kallikrates and a berserk for himself.

He can't stop the tears. He was not only mourning for his dear friends but also for Artemis. His wife is part of that guild and to experience this too great tragedy on a single day is more than anyone of them could bear. Liramme is just 3 years old and her sister Vivienne, 1.

-------

"What will you do, Kallikrates?"Andre asked, hoping it would help him decide for himself.

They were in the outskirts of the city and sitting on the benches, far from the seething mass of humanity that spills all throughout the Southern Gate.

"Stay here in Prontera. There's simply no point in trying to cling to the past right? Life goes on. I have Tobias now and I know it's not going to be easy for anyone of us but we have to move on. I promised I would raise this lad like what Palmer wanted him to be. A warrior. You?"

"Sell my house and move to Al De Baran

"Al De Baran! But it's like, on the other side of the Mjolnir Mountains? " Kallikrates asked, obviously surprised by his friend's answer.

"It's almost as busy in here so I won't spend any idle time but at least there, it's not as fast-paced. And... I want my girls to grow up somewhere peaceful. I'm planning to study on being a Biochemist too! See how it will fare. Maybe it's a way of getting over some... things."

"I see."

"But.. " Kallikrates added. "The summers here in Prontera is simply incomparable. You know that. All the trees go blooming like there's no tomorrow and the flowers. Breathtaking if you ask me. I guess we never got to appreciate it more since we're just happy getting all drunk and happy on a cool summer afternoon. Yeah?"

Andre smiled. He never gave thought about the beauty of summers in the Capital City but his friend had a point. It will be sorely missed. Everything will be sorely missed. This city, despite its imperfection and all has been a testament to their friendship and life.

His friend waited for an answer since he had with him a contemplative look. Sometimes, it's very hard to decipher what Andre was thinking. He usually has this faraway look reserved for really deep thoughts only to hear him blabber something about dinner.

"Sure. We'll stay here in Prontera every summer and annoy the bejeezus out of you. Deal? I hope my little girls will appreciate a boy playmate by then!"

"Deal." Kallikrates laughed.