Heeeeeeey, guys. So sorry for such a late update. Writer's block doesn't choose. Either way, enjoy another chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Wakfu.

Chapter 2: Mizpah

Mizpah (n.) - the deep emotional bond between people, especially those separated by distance or death

"Mommy, look! That lady has blue!"

"Oh, I see orange over there!"

"Wow, these are purple! I haven't seen purple before!"

"Green! Just like mine!"

The adult female Eniripsa massaged her temples and sighed as her daughter kept on shouting and pointing at people, attracting attention to herself. She heard a quiet chuckle and shot a glare at the elderly woman to her right.

"I told you it was a bad idea, mom" she grumbled.

"She's just excited, Hestia" the woman waved her hand dismissively. "It's her first time seeing that many of us"

"Who did she get that energy from?" the younger woman, Hestia, wondered out loud.

"I recall someone being as energetic in their youth" the old Eniripsa replied with a small taunt in her voice.

"Not that much" Hestia answered back in a quiet voice, turning her head away to hide a blush. Another chuckle followed.

"Grandma! Did you see?" the green-winged girl with blond ponytails skidded to a stop in front of the two women and tugged the older one by the sleeve. "Everyone's wings have different colours!"

"Yes, little buzz" the Eniripsa patted her granddaughter on the head. "Our wings come in different colours"

"But why is it so? Wouldn't it be better for everybody to have the same colour?" the girl inquired.

"If everyone had the same colour, would you get excited at the sight, as you did now?" grandma asked back and Anrika pondered about the idea. She then shook her head.

"No, I don't think so" she replied truthfully. The elderly Eniripsa nodded in agreement.

"Different wings serve another purpose, too," she said as they continued down the street. "It shows that even if we all serve the same Goddess, each one is unique. You won't find two Eniripsas with the same wings"

"But mommy, grandma, daddy and me, all have green wings" Anrika argued as she flew in front as if to prove her point.

"They are all green, that's correct" grandma nodded. "But the pattern is different. Look at me and your mom" she pointed to the other woman. "My wings have little flowers on them, while hers are filled with spirals"

Anrika flew closer to inspect both pairs of wings.

"And what pattern does daddy have?" she asked as she confirmed what the grandma was saying.

"You can see for yourself. He's just coming" the younger woman pointed to the direction.

Anrika squeed in delight and shot up, almost hitting her dad in all her excitement. The two Eniripsas laughed as they observed the poor man trying to get a hold of his daughter, while she darted around and poked his wings.

"You're mischevious one, darling" grandma pointed out to which the other woman only shrugged.

"We're the ones to have to usually put up with her" she replied. "Let him struggle for a bit"

After a few minutes, when Anrika still didn't show any signs of stopping, they finally decided to step in. It took only a moment to calm the girl down, at least to the satisfying level. The look the man gave his wife was something between 'Thank you' and 'What took you so long?'. She smiled sweetly in response but he knew the message it conveyed. Never again claim I'm doing nothing the whole day. He gulped and nodded, knowing better than to argue with the woman. There was a danger under those sweet features.

When the mental conversation between Anrika's parents was finished, they moved again, walking in the direction the most Eniripsas were going.

"Mommy, why are we here, again?" the girl tugged her mother's arm as she asked the question.

"It's the Firefly Day celebration" the woman replied as she pulled her daughter closer not to lose her in the thickening crowd. "It's the annual event for all Eniripsas in the World of Twelve"

"But can't we do it from our house?" the girl inquired. "And what does 'annual' mean?"

"It means the event takes place once a year" grandma offered the answer and smiled. "And it's a big celebration, so all of us try to gather in capital to be together"

"But what's so important about this day?" Anrika kept on asking and grandma chuckled at her curiosity.

"We believe it was on that day, many thousands of years ago, our Goddess showed herself to the people in the World of Twelve and our species came to be. The legend says she appeared as the firefly, hence the name for this day. The first Eniripsas are said to be granted her magic brush, which allowed them to perform healing magic. This is also the reason healers use brushes - to honour the Goddess" she explained patiently. "So, each year, on the Firefly Day, we travel to the capital to thank our Goddess for her grace and kindness"

"I see..." the girl replied as she glanced at her grandma's brush. "Are you a healer then, grandma?"

"Yes, little buzz" she nodded with a smile. "So is your mother"

Anrika's eyes flew to the other woman's hand and noticed the similar brush held between slender fingers. Her gaze jumped between the two objects as if she was pondering on something important.

"Grandma, Mum, I've decided!" she called out suddenly, startling her family with a sudden outburst. She grinned so widely her smile turned into a crescent. She flew closer, a pure determination clearly visible in her amber eyes. "I'm going to be a healer. I will help people, just like you. And I will become such a great healer, the Goddess herself will be so proud she will grant me her magic brush!"

There was a moment of silence. The two women and one man stared at the small girl with mouths agape. Then, grandma let out a small chuckle and hugged her granddaughter tightly.

"Of course you will, little buzz," she said as she brushed her hair with her wrinkled hand. "I'm glad you've found such a beautiful goal, isn't that right, Hestia darling?"

The said woman smiled and nodded. Her daughter surely could surprise with her ideas. And while some of them she didn't agree with, this one she wholly approved of.

Suddenly, a sound of bells ringed through the streets. The usual city murmur stopped abruptly and everyone stared in the direction of the bell-tower.

"What's going on, mommy?" Anrika asked as she too looked at the enormous building. "Why does it ring?"

"The parade is starting" Hestia replied with a smile and reached for her daughter's hand. The Eniripsas started to move again in the direction of the main street and it was getting more and more crowded. "Let's go find someplace with a good view"

Together they waved through the crowd, slowly advancing the place of celebration. Hestia was making sure she doesn't let go of the small hand, not wanting to risk losing the small girl from her sight. She felt a gentle tap on her shoulder and looked back to see her husband pointing his head towards one of the balconies. It faced the main street and, at least for now, was empty. She nodded and the whole family changed direction, moving towards the spot. After some time, they managed to get close enough, and they flew up, landing safely on the balcony.

Hestia looked around and nodded approvingly. The place had no doors leading to the inside, so it was safe to assume, it was built clearly for the purpose of watching the parade. As she gazed up and down the street, she noticed a few more of such balconies. All of them were small, fitting only four people. And all of them were already taken.

"Good call, honey" she nodded to her husband as Anrika flew closer to the railing and looked down. "We have a really good view up here"

The only reply she got was a nod back. She smiled and shook her had. He was never much of a talker but she didn't mind.

"Grandma, mommy, look!" Anrika called as she leaned from the railing, her small finger pointing to a small crowd in the distance, slowly advancing in their direction. "The parade is coming!"

They watched as the crowd was moving closer, more and more details showing. Soon, they also heard the music. The Royal Orchestra was leading, their wings and instruments sparkling in the sun. They were followed by a great number of moving platforms, each showing a different scene from the Firefly Day legend.

Finally, at the very end, the biggest and the most impressive platform came into view. The ten-metre-tall figure of the Eniripsa Goddess stood proud in the centre of the platform. The enormous wings glistened and the long hair blew in the gentle wind, appearing so realistic, Hestia had to remind herself it was only a statue, not a Goddes herself. At the bottom of the figure, stood a throne, decorated with flowers and glitter. There, on the plush pillows, sat the Queen herself. She was dressed in a white and pink dress, completed with a white dotted fur mantle which created a heart shape just behind her head. There was a ruby heart brooch holding the mantle in place. The Queen's blond hair was let loose and she wore a simple golden tiara on her head.

She was smiling and waving at the gathered Eniripsas. Anrika's eyes shimmered as she gaped at the Queen.

"So beautiful..." she whispered in awe. She has never before seen the Queen in her 10-year-old life.

Suddenly, she noticed a bit of blue on the Queen's right, which felt kinda out-of-place. She focused her gaze on that spot and gasped loudly.

"Grandma, look!" she shook the elderly Eniripsa's arm as she pointed her finger towards the platform. "Master Joris!"

Truthfully, right next to the Queen, sat the ambassador of Bonta. Grandma smiled and chuckled as she observed her granddaughter's reaction. After hearing so many (mostly made-up) stories about the small master, she finally managed to see him in real life. The reaction was priceless.

Anrika stood frozen, only her eyes following every movement of the ambassador in blue. He seemed to be engaged in the conversation with the Queen, but his keen eyes observed the surrounding with great caution. The small Eniripsa grabbed the railing and leaned over dangerously, as the platform moved further away and Master Joris disappeared from the view. Hestia yelped in surprise and horror at the sudden action. The little girl would have fallen out if it wasn't for her father who grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled her back.

She was so focused on the receded platform she didn't pay any attention to her mother's lecturing her about safety. When finally the platform became only a small dot in the distance, she turned to her family with the biggest smile they ever saw her with.

"I've seen Master Joris, grandma!" she squeed in delight as she jumped up and down in joy.

"You sure did, little buzz" the old Enripsa replied before her daughter could scold the little girl. It would only fall to the deaf ears at this point, she decided.

It took a good fifteen minutes for the little Eniripsa to finally calm down enough to be able to listen to anything. Hestia didn't save on scolding, making sure her daughter understood well what the results of her actions could have been. It was only after another few minutes the woman stopped speaking and looked expectantly to the girl.

"I'm sorry, mommy" Anrika whispered, her foot making circles on the ground and her eyes cast downwards. "I guess I was caught up in a moment..."

Hestia sighed and kneeled down to her daughter's level. She grabbed the girl's chin and moved it up to look into her eyes.

"I understand it's hard to control what you're doing when you're excited but it would make me feel better if you try to think before you do anything that rash," she said as she looked into those amber eyes. Anrika nodded and hugged her mother tightly, whispering another apology.

"Well, with that out of the way" grandma cut in, clasping her hands together. "How about we go to the main market and look at some stalls? I think I saw them selling caramel apples"

"I love caramel apples!" the little girl chirped and grabbed for her mother's sleeve. "Can I have a caramel apple, mommy? Pretty please?"

"All right, all right. Just stop pulling me or you'll tear my sleeve out" the woman laughed at the enthusiasm.

In the end, it went down to three caramel apples, two popsicles and a small bag of peanuts to satisfy the small Eniripsa.

"Where does she fit all that?" Hestia wondered as the last of the peanuts disappeared in her daughter's stomach. "If it only went to her heights, I wouldn't mind"

"Relax, darling" the elder woman patted her shoulder. "Let her have a little fun. It's not always she visits anywhere away from our village"

Hestia sighed but compiled, her eyes following the little girl flying from one stall to another.

"Anrika, make sure to stay close to-" she called out but the rest of her words got lost in a sudden explosion.

Someone screamed and the chaos broke out. People started running in every direction, trying to get away from the explosions.

"Anrika!" the woman cried, stretching to see the girl in all this crowd.

"I'll get her, you two get somewhere safe" her mother called out as she flew higher for a clearer view. "We'll meet under the Goddess statue"

Before Hestia managed to argue, the older Eniripsa flew away, calling her granddaughter's name. Still worried for her daughter but trusting in her mother, she turned back to her husband and nodded.

"Let's go," she said and they turned around, waving the crowd in the general direction of the Goddess square.

Anrika was terrified. One moment she was having a happy stroll with her family, and another the hell broke out. In a matter of seconds, she was sucked into a river of panicked strangers. She tried to resist the pull but her small wings and arms were no match for the crowd. When she finally managed to get away from the mass of Eniripsas, she found herself on the unfamiliar streets. The crowd quickly disappeared, moving away from the sources of explosions. The little girl made a full circle, trying to find something, anything that will help her find the way back to her family. However, no building seemed familiar to her. It was deadly quiet, the previously clear sky covered in dark clouds, a deep thunder rumbled in the distance. Anrika felt much smaller than she already was. Tears welled up in her amber eyes.

"Well, well, well" a sudden masculine voice caught her by surprise. She let out a small yelp and turned around to find the source of the voice. "What do we have here?"

A slim figure stepped out from the shadow cast by one of the buildings. It was hard to tell who it was, except for the voice, as the person was wearing a mask covering the face. He came closer, his fingers playing with the knife.

Instinctively, Anrika stepped back, trying to put more distance between herself and the man.

"A little girl separated from her family. How unfortunate" he teased, his gaze set on the little blonde.

"Brother, what are you doing?" another voice, female, called out from behind her. She turned on her heel and was met up with another masked figure looking down on her.

"Nothing much. Just having some fun with the little one over here" the man replied with a shrug.

The woman hummed in response and seized the Eniripsa. A chill went down Anrika's spine. She could sense the woman was smirking, although the mask was covering her whole face. She took another step back and fell down with a yelp. She was so terrified, the tears have dried. She tried to muster a scream but her throat felt dry and no sound came out.

"No matter" the woman looked up at her companion. "We don't have time for that. Just kill her and let's go"

Anrika's breath stopped as she heard those words. She did hear the man arguing about wanting to have some fun but the woman shut him out pretty quick. With a sigh, he grabbed his knife with a sure grip and kneeled down in front of the girl.

"Sorry, babydoll," he said, as he pointed his weapon at her chest. "I would love to spend more time with you but orders are orders"

The blade glistened as the man raised his hand. Anrika closed her eyes in horror and waited for the attack.

Suddenly, she felt a rush of wind and the loud thump of a body falling a few meters away from her. She dared to take a peek and noticed blue. Her eyes flew open as she stared at the person in front of her. His blue mantle moved in the breeze and he was leaning on the hilt of his hammer. He turned around and she looked into his eyes, hidden beneath the darkness of the hood.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently, offering her a hand. She managed to nod her head slightly as he helped her to her feet. "What are you doing here, all alone? It's dangerous"

"I-I was with my family when-" she tried to explain but her voice was trembling so much she was having trouble explaining herself. She was both terrified about the whole situation and ecstatic about meeting Master Joris.

"I see" he nodded in acknowledgement. "I will get you somewhere safe once-"

"Who are they?" she asked as she looked at the two attackers lying on the ground. They were grunting in pain but didn't try to get up just yet. She looked back at the ambassador and could see he was debating on whether and what to tell her.

"They're the members of Ogrest Cult" he finally said, his eyes set on the two on the ground. "Their only goal is causing chaos everywhere they go"

More grunting came to their ears and one of the two tried to push himself up but failed.

"It's better we leave before they regain strength," Master Joris said as he picked up his hammer and held Anrika's hand in his. "I can't fight them and protect you at the same time"

The girl nodded in understanding and quietly followed the man. They were moving fast through the streets, Master Joris changing the course multiple times to avoid falling into other Cult members. They rounded another corner when a familiar sound reached the young Eniripsa's ears.

"Anrika!" an elderly woman was in the middle of the street, desperately calling out her name. Tears welled up her eyes and she shot up, ignoring Master Joris' shouts of caution.

"Grandma!" she cried out as she burst right into the shocked woman. They both fell to the ground.

"Little buzz, you're okay" the old Eniripsa exclaimed, hugging her granddaughter to her chest. "I was afraid of the worst"

"I was so scared when this crowd took me with them, grandma" the girl cried, her face pushing into the other's dress. "You were nowhere in sight and I didn't know where I was. Then these scary people showed up and they tried to kill me and-"

"Kill you?!" grandma shrieked in shock as she pushed the girl away and held her by the shoulders. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Master Joris saved me" the girl nodded. "He knocked them out and took me with him"

"Master Joris?" the elderly Eniripsa asked quizzically and looked to where the girl came from.

There, true to Anrika's words, stood the small master of Bonta. Upon locking eyes he nodded his head ever so slightly and ran in the opposite direction. The woman whispered a quiet thanks to the master and grabbed the girl's hand.

"Let's go, little buzz," she said. "Your parents must be worried sick by now"

The walk to the Goddess square was relatively quick. Anrika was immediately pulled into a bone-crushing hug by both her mother and father. They all cried from joy that their little girl was safe and sound. The Firefly Day celebration forgotten, they quickly gathered their bearings and left the capital as soon as they could. Little did they know, the dark clouds have not gone away just yet...

It was two weeks after the unfortunate celebration when Anrika's world came crumbling down. It was unexpected and took them all by surprise. No one was ready for it, nor they could prepare themselves for what was to come.

It was a usual sunny day in the village. Anrika was playing tag with Mr Puffy outside of her house. They were flying back and forth, trying to catch one another in a happy atmosphere.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash in the house, followed by a terrifying scream.

"Mother!" the woman's voice pierced the air. Anrika stopped dead in the middle of the chase and didn't budge when her pet flew right into her back. Her amber eyes widened in horror. "Get the medic, quickly!" her mother called out and a moment later her father shot out of the house and rushed down the street.

Led by the fear, Anrika hurried inside, almost bumping into her mother. She was carrying the unconscious body of her grandma, her eyes filled with worry.

"Anrika, open the door!" she ordered as she caught sight of her daughter. It took only a moment for the girl to understand which door she meant and she rushed to open them. Hestia flew inside the room and gently laid the elder woman on the bed.

"Mommy, what's wrong with grandma?" the blonde girl asked quietly but the only response she got was the shake of the head and a silent weep.

Soon, she heard raised voices and her father rushed into the room, followed by the village medic. She was an elderly woman, a few years younger than grandma. She advanced towards the bed and moved her brush up and down the body, muttering under her breath.

There was a quiet groan and grandma's eyes slowly opened.

"Mother/Grandma!" Hestia and Anrika called in unison, to which the elderly Eniripsa winced.

"Oh hush, you two" she grunted and tried to sit up but was stopped by the firm hand of the medic. "I'm okay, nothing to worry about"

"I beg to differ, madame" the medic shook her head. "From what I see it doesn't seem as it's something to take so lightly"

"So you say I don't know my own body?" grandma argued and tried to sit up again which resulted in a coughing fit.

"I only say what I see" the medic replied and turned to Hestia. "I won't be beating around the bush, madame. The situation is critical and there is nothing I can do"

"What are you saying?" the mother gasped and stared at the medic.

"She's dying, madame" the reply was simple as if she was describing the weather outside. "And it was happening for at least a year, from what I can see here"

"A year?!" Hestia looked at the said woman with wide eyes.

"So I'm dying, big deal" grandma grunted, not daring to meet her daughter's eyes. "Everyone is"

"Not for cancer" the medic shook her head disapprovingly. "You should have gone to see me as soon as it started. Now it's only a matter of hours"

"Hours?!" Anrika's mother cried out. "How could you not tell me about it?!"

"Because you would react as you are right now" grandma replied. Mother huffed and stomped out of the room, muttering under her breath. The medic sighed and looked at Anrika's father.

"I can give her something to ease the pain but you should probably be ready to say your goodbyes soon," she said. The man nodded and stared with a sad expression at the woman in bed. The medic waved her brush a few more times and left, nodding her head at the occupants of the room.

Father took one more look at the grandma and left, probably in search of his wife. Anrika stayed where she stood, by the back wall, unsure of what she's supposed to do now. She always assumed grandma will be around. The concept of death wasn't alien to her but she couldn't bear to think of anyone from her family dying. And now, despite her will, she was faced with the situation she couldn't even understand fully. She shuffled from one foot to another, stealing a glance at her grandma. She heard her sigh heavily and pat the bed.

"Come join me, little buzz" she smiled a little. Anrika slowly approached the bed and gently climbed onto the covers.

"Is it true, grandma?" she asked, her amber eyes boring holes in the elderly woman. "Are you going to die?"

"I'm afraid so, little buzz" the wrinkled hand gently brushed her blonde hair. Tears danced in her eyes.

"I don't want you to," Anrika said, her upper lip trembling.

"I don't want it to happen either but that's how it is" grandma replied as she continued to brush her hair. There was a long silence when neither of them spoke. "I think it calls for a story" the woman suddenly said with a little smile. "And I promised to tell you how Master Joris get back the Dofus"

At first, Anrika wanted to argue but decided against it. She didn't understand much about death but she knew enough to let grandma have her way. She somehow knew it's going to be the last story she ever hears.

Ogrest was gone. Well, not really gone. Thanks to Yugo, Persival and Master Otomai's bravery, the Six Primordial Dofus were separated from the ogre's body and he turned back to his original form. After he apologized to the king Sheran Sharm, Master Otomai took him back to his house, where he stayed under his care.

The Six Primordial Dofus were divided and given out to the members of the Brotherhood of Tofu. Each of them promised to hide and keep the Dofus safe, to ensure no-one ever tries to use them for evil.

Master Joris stood in the back of his basement, staring at the two monochrome eggs lying soundly in the chest. It took many years but they were finally back in his care. He clenched his fists behind his back in determination. This time he's going to make sure they remain hidden from the eyes of the world.

"Papa, are you there?" he heard a call from somewhere inside the basement. He reached out and closed the lid, securing it with a padlock.

"I'm here, Keke" he called out, slipping the key into his pocket. He's going to find a safe place to hide it later on. He turned around to face the white-furred Ecaflip emerge from behind the shelves.

"What are you doing in the basement, papa?" Kerubim questioned with a furrowed brow. "There are only trash in here"

"Oh, and I thought they were your treasures" Joris smirked at the remark and looked around. "Maybe we should throw them out if you see them as trash?"

"Not my treasures!" the Ecaflip cried and the small master chuckled.

"Relax, Keke. I'm just teasing" he explained as he moved away.

"By Ecaflip, do you want me to have a stroke?" his son asked as he gripped his shirt. "But seriously, what were you doing there?"

"Stuff" he replied enigmatically as they left the room and closed the door behind them. "Maybe I'll tell you someday"

"You're full of secrets already, Papa" Kerubim sighed tiredly as he followed the master upstairs. "You can trust us. We're your family"

"I know" Joris smiled. "It's just not easy to let go of your past"

"Well," the Ecaflip's tail waved as he pondered at the thought. "Whatever it is, I'm sure you're going to tell us when you're ready"

With that, he followed the corridor, disappearing in one of the rooms, leaving Master Joris on his own. Joris smiled at the remark.

"I will, Keke. I promise" he replied, although the Ecaflip has left already.

"It's good he got them back" Anrika smiled at her grandma. She nodded but kept silent.

"Little buzz, I have something to ask of you" the elderly Eniripsa finally said after a few minutes of silence. Amber eyes looked up at her expectantly. "I want you to have my brush when I'm gone"

"Your... brush?" the girl asked quizzically. Grandma nodded and reached out to her bedside table, on which the said brush was lying.

"I would love to be with you when you grow up, but the circumstances are against me" she explained as she put the brush in her granddaughter's hands. "That's why I want you to hold on to this. In this way, I can always be with you"

The girl stared at the brush in her hands. She gently traced the carvings on the handle. The amber eyes glistened with tears and she nodded, hugging the brush to her chest.

That night grandma died. And nothing was ever the same as before.

That's it guys. We're past the happy times. Now it will only get worse. Sorry about that but that's the life. Remember to leave a review on your way out~