I belong

By: bloodysword99

"No mercy"

Cradled by loving arms, Kara Nellie and Conrad were wrapped around in Sylphide's warmth. Both were trembling and frightened, it wasn't exactly a thing a normal child should experience really. But the thing was, they weren't just normal child, now were they?

Pondering upon what happened; all the warriors were present in the cottage excluding Circe and Atrasia who were on guard outside. They all were in dead silence not spouting out any sound. The only thing could be heard were Kara and Conrad's chattering teeth appeared to be feeling cold despite the Dipan warrior's warmth.

"I'll get some blankets." Sha-kon was the first to break the eerie silence.

"Wait." Sylphide uttered softly. She rose from the tight grasp of the children and asked her to take her place instead. The archer nodded, head to the little ones and snuggled them to feel heat.

Once the mother was up in the attic, Sohpalla tilted a cup against her lips in order to savor the green tea and noted something to Xehnon who was the only one apposing everything.

"Sylphide has made her decision. Isn't it time you made yours?"

"She didn't even say it yet." Clenching the side of his robe, he bit his bottom lip until he tasted his own blood.

"Please, you know as well as anyone else, when someone close to her gets hurt she would do almost everything to prevent that from happening ever again." The green archer, Sophalla, was blunt but it was true. He knew he had to make the choice.

"Ignore her being grouchy, Xehnon." A smile from Sha-kon always enlightens a down spirit, even when she's included in the party it seems the battle is more enthusiastic.

"You know…" The archer started as she slowly rubbed her palms against the children's arm for friction.

"This battle is different from Lady Silmeria's." Then, she continued.

"Compared to what's happening now, her fight was child's play. This battle will decide what fate is truly in for us. What is really our destiny, to live on or to die?" After she released a breath that was easily seen like fog, Sha-kon chuckled.

"Before it were humans defying the gods but now its gods defying gods? What a joke…"

"So, are you willing to join us in battle?" Sophalla landed her cup gently on the table. Then, flicking her side bangs, she continued.

"Not just for your sake but for theirs as well." Both gazing at the shivering ones, Xehnon frowned.

"Rufus wants us to fight, right?" the blond sorcerer asked.

"He didn't ordered directly though but it seems he needs all the help, he's still a half elf." Sha-kon mentioned.

Swallowing hard, he walked towards his daughter, pulled her away from the warmth of the archer, and lifting her in an embrace. He held her tight and so did she. Planted a long kiss on her soft rosy cheeks, he wanted to protect her no matter what even if it means fighting for it.

"Kara, listen to daddy." He whispered.

"Stay with these nice people, they'll protect you while daddy is gone, Ok?"

"But...Can't I go with you?"

"No, dear, it's too dangerous."

"Then, all the more reason." Wait, Kara thought. That line, it was familiar.

"I don't want you to get hurt."

Tightening the hold on her father's back, the little blond angel recalled someone saying that before. Someone so sweet, who cares deeply for her no dough, a familiar voice echoed with her father's voice making her cry.

"I would welcome death but not you…"

"Daddy…" Tears streaming down her cheeks, it's not just because her father was leaving but the familiar line delivered to her. She could only see images of a handsome unclear face in a red bandana with long ever green hair. And the one image was the one clear as day was a…ring.

In the attic, Sylpide strapped a belt around her waist and pulled the strap to fit well. Pulling out a dusty scabbard, she draws her old sword out and mesmerize at her reflection. She was getting older but she had some fight left in her. Once she clipped her scabbard to her belt, the old Dipan warrior gazed at the full body mirror draped in a white cloth. She walked over and snatched away the dusty cloth to see her. Though the mirror was cracked at the bottom right corner, she was able to gaze at her uniform. She looked like the noble knight as before. Fashionable sturdy garments fitted her rather perfectly; it was surprising since she gave birth. And at sword right hand, she seemed as deadly as before. The only change was the little wrinkles at her face and her brown hair has lengthened to her shoulders.

"I promised myself not to use you again because your purpose was done…" She started as she looked down at her sword.

"But I need your aid once again, old friend." She reached her cap, dusted it and placed it snuggly on her head. And with a one last look at her reflections at the cracked mirror and her shining sword, she sighed and shields her blade in her scabbard.

"Game on!"

Once they were all present in the room including the night watchers, they have all agreed on the plan. Two will stay here and guard Kara, Conrad and the rest of the town while the others journey all around Midgard to recruit their einherjar friends. Naturally, Astrasia and Sha-kon were selected to stay because of their strength and bubbly personality with the kids but Kara didn't like her parents to leave.

"Mommy…Daddy." She uttered softly tugging her mother's uniform with her right hand and the other clenching her father's robe.

The two smiled down sadly at their little princess. Her cheeks were puffy and pink and her eyes are watery, such an adorable yet heartbreaking sight.

"Kara, you're a strong girl, right?" The mother said and Nellie replied with a nod.

"Promise us you'll keep a smile on your face." The father said.

"B-But why?"

"Because you smile will keep us strong." They both said as they hugged each other. Tight.

"NO! I won't let you!"

Kara glanced at her side and found her playmate sobbing and clearly angry. He removed his round glasses and used his dirty sleeves to wipe his tears. With his father on one knee staring sadly at his son's weak appearance, Conrad continue to cry with his cheeks red and puffy.

"I'm not going to let you go out there!" In a matter of seconds, his sleeves were damp with his own tears and started to rub his eyes with his hands childishly.

"Conrad…" Ehrde rustled his brown locks and proceeded to tell him.

"I'll be back, don't worry."

"L-Let me go with you!" The boy raised the offer but it was declined by his father.

"If you leave, who's going to protect mommy?" Pointing that out, Conrad's eyes widen.

"And who's going to protect Kara?" He continued as the son looked in Kara's direction. Radiant blue met hazel brown, they're eyes locked.

"She needs you, Conrad." Ehrde smiled giving him a gift. It was wrapped poorly in old hide, a skill that his father wasn't good at, and it was a little big and rectangular too. When the son unfolded the cloth, he was mesmerized by it. He discarded the cloth quickly and blew off the dust on it. He held it tight to his chest. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was spell caster's book.

"It has all the basic magic you can learn." He was still speechless.

"Look, you might not have turned to be an archer like your old man but you have the same fighting spirit as mine. Make your father proud." With a pat on the head, Conrad smiled. It was hard since his face were smudged in his tears.

The male archer raised himself from the floor and walked to Xehnon and gestured him to head out side.

"Let's get the wagon ready." Ehrde said searching for the horses yet before that the blond sorcerer had to say.

"That book you gave to Conrad."

"Hm?"

"It's Lezard's, isn't it?"

The archer knew well Xehnon was no fool. It was predictable he would notice sooner or later.

"Don't get me wrong, my son needs protection. I feel it's going to be a rough night." The archer replied as he walked to the wagon and tightened the retrains of the white horse strapped to the 4 wheel wagon.

The sorcerer sighed. It's not that he doesn't trust his friend or anything. It's rather the opposite. He feels the same way. It will be a difficult night.

"My lady, on your orders." Walter faced his Queen. Putting on an intriguing look as she sat on her throne, she said.

"I ask of you one favor."

"Anything, my queen." She grinned.

"Show no mercy."