Joe ducked under San-Li's kick and rolled to the side to avoid a swing from Fred's staff. He used his magic to form his own staff and countered a few of Fred's heavy blows. Fred had brute strength on his side but Joe was just a little bit faster. San-Li tried attacking him from the side again with a flying kick.
Joe through his hand out towards her. "Slow!"
A green light came over San-Li and she slowed mid air. Joe quickly jumped to the side. "Accelerate!"
The green light pulsed and San-Li flew into Fred, but she kicked off of him, knocking him back and used the momentum to kick Joe square in the chest, knocking him down too. Before he had a chance to recover she held him down with her foot and pointed her staff directly at his face.
San-Li smiled and gave a breathless chuckle. "That was pretty good. You're improving. Both of you are."
The three of them were in the park doing their weekly sparing session. Joe took her outstretched hand and she pulled him up. It had been more than a year since the incident on the island and Joe took every lesson from San-Li and Fina seriously. He would be damned if he was going to let the Tenebrosi catch them unprepared again.
"Yeah, but mind if we take a break?" Fred panted, stretching out his sore muscles. "We've at this for hours."
"I agree." Joe grunted, sitting up. "Every bone in my body is sore."
San-Li laughed and wiped her sweaty brow. "Wussies."
She let them take a break though and they made their way toward where Fina was sitting with Sammy, Keiko, and Alex. Fina reached in the cooler and handed them water bottles.
"Momma kakka buui!" Keiko babbled excitedly. "Ba booi!"
San-Li grinned and ruffled her hair. "That's right baby girl. Your mom kicks major butt."
"You guys were great out there." Fina gave her husband a special smile. "Especially you sweetheart."
Fred winked and flopped down next to her. "Thanks sweetheart. Got to keep in shape just for you."
She giggled and the two of them shared a kiss, making Joe and San-Li gag. Ever since the two of them got married they would close to insufferable with their constant affection and over all cuteness.
"So San-Li," Fina said with a teasing smirk. "Sam's supposed to come back tomorrow. Maybe he might have something special planned for you two?"
"For the hundredth time Fina, we're on a break right now." San-Li sighed in exasperation. "He comes down to visit the kids not me."
"Oh please San-Li, we all know he's still in love with you." Fred rolled his eyes. "You're just too stubborn to admit that you're-"
"So what do you guys want for lunch?" San-Li smiled at her kids and Alex.
"Pissa!" Sammy and Keiko yelled and Alex nodded excitedly.
"Pizza sounds great." Fred grinned. "To Ray's it is!"
"Sure, just let me text Joleena and see if she wants me to bring her a slice." Joe smiled and pulled out his cell phone. "My poor baby has been locked up in her study all day."
"Speaking of which, when are you going to pop the question dude?" Fred asked, draping his arm around Fina's shoulders. "You've had to have given it some thought by now."
Joe pretended not to hear him. His and Joleena's relationship was strong enough that they didn't need to get married. All they needed was each other and it was only a matter of time til they moved in together and had a few kids of their own. And they didn't need to get married to do that.
Joleena read through the incredibly long letter, the ink still glowing with fresh magic. Her family's head clerk and their Syranian ambassador Jasper waited patiently on the other side of her desk. It had been well over a year since the island incident and she was mildly annoyed that the council just now decided to respond to her many inquiries about Joe and Anna. There had been a second letter but it was now just a pile of ash.
She finished reading the letter with a sigh and snapped her fingers to make her carton of cigarettes appear. She offered one to Jasper but he declined with a polite smile and shake of his head. Joleena lit her cigarette with her magic and took a drag before speaking.
"So the council finally decided to recognize Joseph as Warp Wizard," She blew out a stream of smoke. "It's about time."
"Not quite," Jasper pointed out. "They're strongly considering it though, and would like to see if he's ready first."
Joleena shrugged. "He's ready. So is Anna. It's about time they were both recognized as true magicians."
"There have been some... troubles in the magic realm, you see." Jasper said. "The Council and elders are wary of new magic wielders. They feel that they must be extremely cautious."
"That explains these list of requirements and pending law changes." Joleena mumbled. "But I'll discuss those things with them and their uncle."
Jasper nodded and then cleared his throat nervously. "And um, your father wanted me to convey that he wished to speak with you regarding Sir Eadburt's letter."
"Well you can tell him that the answer is no." Joleena sneered, blowing out more smoke. "I don't care whatever previous arrangement there was, I'm not getting married. Father well knows that I'm already in a serious relationship with Joseph."
"But you are still unmarried, nor are you engaged to be." Jasper said. "The agreement was that you'd be married before your twenty-first birthday, which has already past, and now Sir Eadburt is getting anxious."
"Well he'll have to wait til I get back from Syrania and-"
"I'm afraid not, Miss Joleena." Jasper gave her a look full of sympathy. "Sir Eadburt meant that letter literally. All the arrangements have been made and you shall be married immediately in Syrania. It's already done."
A/N- I guess you can consider this a teaser/Prologue chapter. There's still a few more Life chapters to go before the rest of this continues, but don't be afraid to review this chapter and tell me what you think.