Ok, everyone! I finally man up and had a little time to write once more and so here we go!
This is a promise that I make to every reader of mine. I WILL FINISH THIS! I don't know when since I'm also working on my college thesis, but I will!
Hope you like it and don't forget to review! Reviews are my source of motivation!
PS.: I'll be rating T for now and plan to keep it that way, but if the need arise, I'll either change it to M or write a one shot about whatever my crazy mind comes up with.
The fire shone bright and warm in the fireplace, the wood crackling under the heat while a woman in her mid 30's sat lazily in an elegant armchair in front of the fire. She was fair skinned, had pink shades spotting on her short brown hair and, despite the position, had a noticeable athletic build and was absently minded humming while playing with a silver pocket watch.
Despite winter be nearing its end, a late yet strong snowstorm was raging the Parisian night and could be seen through the high windows on the wall of the living room of the penthouse she lived in the heart of the capital of love.
She failed to notice another figure entering the room, only noticing when a black hand stretched in front of her holding a mug of hot chocolate. The strong scent of cocoa and cinnamon awakening her, fluttering her blues eyes to adjust her vision.
"Thank you, love" Said the woman with a soft smile on her face to the man that had just handed her the mug. He was in his early 40's, had a healthy tan and a neatly trimmed full beard black as the night while gray shades could already be spotted on his straight short hair. However, his most distinguish characteristics were his eyes, a brown so dark they often seemed black even during the day and the black left arm he obtained a long time ago.
The man took the empty armchair by the side of the woman, waving at the flames to increase them, bending them to his will. He closed his eyes, focusing his attention to the heat of the fire and letting out a sigh as he relaxed and savored in the peace that the situation brought forth, the couple falling in a comfortable silence.
The woman was the first to break the quietude. "How was the meeting? More productive than the last one?" She shifted and turned towards him, resting her head on her left hand.
He took a deep breath before facing her. "Barely... mages are worse than politicians when it comes down to solving problems. They love theories, but refuse to do anything without knowing if they can benefit from it".
That earned an annoyed roll of eyes from the woman. "Seriously, how can they be this stupid and greedy even when you propose the ideas is just beyond me. Those imbeciles would long be dead if we had taken so much time in the past."
The man chuckled at the remark "Indeed, my love, but thankfully we aren't facing another doomsday"
Their conversation was cut short when a small creature flew between them, fire tongues lingering only for a moment whenever the being moved and resembled a fairy from fairy tales, a small orange humanoid with big ruby eyes, wild short bright red hair, two sets of sparky wings and a high pitched yet somewhat melodic voice. "Sorry to interrupt your night, master."
"No need to apologize, Flare." The man spoke, stretching his right and normal hand to scratch the fire fairy on the head. "What happened?"
"It's Emma. She can't seem to calm the twins even with the help from Undine". Explained Flare while taking a seat on the shoulder of the woman who held an exasperated look and earning a hearty laugh from the man beside her.
"What are you laughing at, Arthur? It's ours kids who are turning the poor girl's night into a living hell!" She retorted, annoyance burning her words as she crossed her arm and adorably puffed her cheeks, sending her husband into a fit, laughing until his sides hurt and tears trailed down his face. She couldn't hide either the shy smile on her lips.
"Don't be like that, Alix! They aren't that bad" Arthur managed to answer after breathing a few seconds. "And what did you expected from kids, especially if their parents are all a bunch of heroes?"
Alix finally seemed to give in and recognized that compared to all the crazy shit she and her friends have been through on all those years, a little mischievous behavior was to be expected and thanked to be restricted to only that. "Fine" she finally conceded.
She got up and headed the way Flare had arrived. "What should I do this time? Perhaps a little story of our golden days..." She muttered to herself trying to come up with some way to calm two kids that were giving a headache to their babysitter. Emma was the spitting image of her mother, but had the emerald eyes from her father and was turning into a fine, gentle and smart lady even if she was only 15.
Arthur remained by the fire with Flare at his side. "Aren't you going too, sire?" The little fairy inquired, circling his head. He simply shrugged "Nah, she'll likely tell them some story of when she beat me and, if I stay near her, the twins won't give a rest".
"True enough" Flare nodded along "Though that means you won't have a second of tomorrow". Arthur felt a chill run his spine when he saw the cruel smirk on the fairy's face. He knew his kids were stubborn as their mother.
However, that was something he would have to worry only on the morrow. For now, he would kick back and relax, watching the flame dance by the fireplace and the pictures that hang on the walls. Drawings made by Nathaneal and photographs of their little group throughout the years. He couldn't help when the memories came back and caressed the black arm. They had sacrificed so much, but receive so much more in those twenty long years of hard work as heroes.
"I must thank you, sire, for everything you guys have done" Flare said in almost a whisper, landing on his black palm, a golden light shining softly from the marking, symbols of ancient power as old as the world.
Arthur chuckled. It wasn't often the proud Keeper of Fire would thank anyone for anything. "It was our job as it will forever be mine". He petted the little head earning a deep but satisfying growl.
At that moment he was reminded that the little fairy was also a massive dragon and one of the elemental keepers that this world had.
Time passed while Arthur relaxed by the fire and watched the snow fall until a teen followed by another floating creature, this time a miniature mermaid the same size of Flare, joined them.
She collapsed next to Arthur and he tenderly played with her dark blue hair that was almost black in the dim light. "Sorry for the trouble, Emma".
She tiredly opened her eyes, two emerald eyes staring at him. "It's ok, uncle Arthur" An yawn interrupted her for a moment "I'm the one who said that would look after Astrid and Artemis".
"Still, they can cause quite a mayhem and…" He stopped when the little mermaid pointed to the sleeping girl that sat next to him. Emma was already snoring softly and glad that she could sleep in peaceful times.
"Already embraced by Morpheus, aren't you?" He murmured, picking her up and carrying her to bed. "Flare, Glaica, come! Tomorrow is a big day and we should all rest properly" The two beings followed close behind, the mermaid Glaica singing a lullaby with a siren's voice.
Tomorrow was the day of celebration. Tomorrow the whole world would celebrate their victory.
A victory that changed everything and this is their tale.
