New story! I'm still running my Radiata Stories oneshot collection, for when I'll get a fresh idea. I've got this idea about extending the nonhuman ending, and it's too long to be a oneshot. Thus, this story is born! So, I hope you guys like it.

Chapter One

- RETURN -

Silence. It was very late at night. The streetlamps flickered, glowing eerily. Rats squeaked along sidestreets, the wind howled gently, and everything was practically asleep. Except for two solitary figures walking silently. Hand in hand, they trudged through the seemingly deserted towns, toward the formidable presence of red, bricked Radiata Castle. Its windows were glowing with a soft, yellowish tinge. Their footsteps resounded, bouncing off the walls of houses, slowly, slowly nearing Radiata Castle.

They climbed up the stone steps, hands still holding and tired faces drooping and sleepy. But even though they were tired from the previous battles, it was over. All over. Nothing but a past memory. The dragons, Aphelion. It pained Jack to think that even Ganz was a past memory. He bit back tears, using his free hand to wipe his face. Ridley looked at him and tightened her grip on his hand, reassuring, as they continued on.

Snoring greeted them. The guards of the south gate of Radiata Castle had fallen asleep in the deep silence, but as Ridley and Jack got close enough to the top of the stairs, a guard shook his head and listened on. There were footsteps. More likely the footsteps of an intruder. The guard opened his eyes wide, attentive, nudging his companion. They were welcomed by the sight of a blonde girl and a brown-haired boy.

"Lady Ridley?"

The guard signalled to his companion to block the entrance to the south gate. He had received orders that no one is to enter this castle at the hour, especially if they were the traitors.

"Halt! We received orders from Lord Larks, Prime Minister of Radiata, that no one will enter the castle at this hour!" the guard said, trying to put on the most imposing tone he could manage. Ridley and Jack stopped, quite shocked.

"But.. I am the Lord Chamberlain's daughter! Surely you haven't forgotten?" Ridley said, complaining. The guard shook a firm head.

"We will send for Lord Larks immediately. He will be the one to decide what to do to you traitors..." he snorted. "Meanwhile, you may sit over there, on the steps, while you wait." His armored companion turned around, armor clanking noisily, as he headed his way through the south gate to fetch Larks.

Jack and Ridley proceeded to sit on the steps, the boy fuming silently. He wasn't allowed to complain. Ridley stopped him from doing so, because if he did, their chance to get in will become smaller than it is now. He hadn't had a choice, sitting quietly on the cold steps, Ridley doing the same beside him. The wind was breezy, slightly cold. Ridley heard the guard left behind shift, cough, and probably resume back to his original position. She was tired, needing rest. They had gone through unbelievable ordeals, almost dying in the battles, and they were deprived of their right of entering the castle. All because they were labeled as traitors.

"No one bothered to know and to understand..." she murmured.

"Yeah... no one..." Jack nodded in agreement. "But hey, there are the nonhumans. Adele. Maybe Rynka and Flau, too. And I'm here..."

Ridley smiled, resting her head on Jack's shoulder. They watched the lamplights flicker endlessly and heard the guard grunt, snort, and constantly move. It felt like an eternity to them, but finally, the clanking of the other guard came back, accompanied by brisk, light footsteps. Lord Larks.

"And where are the people I should be concerned of?" Larks' smooth voice traveled to the ears of the three outside the castle. The accompanying guard pointed to the two sitting on the steps, who were looking at the blonde-haired man. His bespectacled eyes surveyed the two, blank expression on the lips slowly turning into a warm smile.

"Lady Ridley. Master Jack." he said, as the two stood up. Jack bowed as a sign of courtesy, Ridley nodding politely.

"It's good to see you have returned." he surveyed Jack and Ridley. "Hmm... You two seem to be in an unstable condition. I presume you are tired?" Larks turned to one of the two guards. "Please, accompany these two to the infirmary. See to it that they arrive safely. Joseph, I want you to call a pair of nurses to tend to their wounds and bruises. One male and one female. And then tell the chefs in the kitchen to cook a full meal for the each of them. They will personally take these meals to the infirmary and serve them to Jack and Ridley."

Jack and Ridley stood up, led through the south gate and into the castle by the guards. Larks was left behind outside. He adjusted his glasses and looked at the two being led to the infirmary.

"I have to discuss this with Lord Jasne. I'm sure he'd like to know that his daughter has returned."

A/N:I've already laid out the work for the plot, coming up with a lot of pieces. But of course, feedback is as valuable as the next diamond heavily guarded in a museum or something. While I already am working on Chapter Two, I still want to know what you think so I could do necessary arrangements and what on the story. Well, hope you guys would keep an eye on this!