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The Eternal Empire
Chapter 10

His Name Was...

The guild swarmed around her student. Wide smiles on all of their faces as they shook his hand or embraced him. Meanwhile, Maki quickly slipped away from the crowd and went over to Nashi, who was far too busy eating a whole ham by herself to bother with all of the commotion at the front door. Erza smirked a little as she saw the young pinkette gorging herself. She could already tell she took more after Natsu than Lucy.

Her poor mother.

Erza chuckled to herself as she pictured Lucy dealing with a toddler version of Natsu. That was a sight she wish she could've seen.

She kept her hood drawn over her head as she quietly avoided the crowd of wizards gathering around Kento and made her way up the stairs towards the white haired woman observing from a balcony. As Erza approached, the woman cracked a small smile.

"Not wanting to draw attention?" Mira asked as she kept her eyes on the flustered Kento Marek down below.

Erza leaned up against the balcony railing beside the guild master, "I suppose so."

"That's rather unlike you."

Erza shrugged, "It's been seventeen years, Mira. People change."

Mira glanced at Erza, eyebrow raised, "If you tell me you don't like strawberry cake anymore, then I might end up throwing you out for being an impostor."

A small laugh left Erza's chest, "I haven't changed that much, don't worry."

"Well good." Mira replied with a grin, "I've got some waiting for me in my office."

Erza's mouth began to water, "Y-you do?"

The white haired guild master nodded and waved for the Jedi Master to follow her into her office. Once Erza was inside, Mira quietly locked the door behind her and strode past Erza to sit in the chair behind her desk.

"I apologize for the mess." Mira stated as she scooted around some piles of papers and books, "I haven't really been able to get myself organized."

"I can see that." Erza replied as she sank down into a red cushioned chair, "Master would've thrown a fit if he saw the office in such disarray."

Mira nodded as she poured both of them a glass of water from a small pitcher on her desk, "Oh I'm sure he would've." She handed Erza her glass, "Do you plan of visiting him while you're here."

Erza took a quick sip then nodded, "Of course I do. Just… I don't plan on making it a very public event. Just some flowers and a few words that I didn't get to say to him."

Mira frowned, "You are really averse to attention aren't you?"

The red head shrugged, "It comes with the job. Being a Jedi means you either A, have people staring at you like you are some sort of god like superhero. Or B, have people glaring at you wanting to kill you. I don't like either. So I prefer to stay hidden. Kento on the other hand…" Erza shook her head, "He loves the attention."

"But he doesn't seem to know how to handle it." Mira noted as she leaned back in her own chair and kicked her feet up on her desk.

"That just comes from his upbringing at the temple. Before they are given a master, padawans tend to live a rather isolated life. They don't know much about the galaxy and how the universe really works until they go on their first mission." Erza lightly chuckled as she swirled the water in her glass, "I remember Kento's first mission still. That boy was so lost. He wouldn't have been able to find his own head if it wasn't attached to his shoulders. I felt like I was holding a two year old's hand the entire time. Thankfully, it was just a diplomatic escort mission. Nothing dangerous."

"Sounds like an interesting time."

"Eh, it was actually pretty boring to say the least." Erza licked her lips as she saw the strawberry cake on the desk, "But… what can you do. Luke says there is a problem, I solve it. And I am very content with that arrangement."

Mira nodded as she cut a slice of cake to Erza before plating it and handing it to the eagerly anticipating redhead. Erza's eyes widened with delight as she snatched the plate of cake from Mira's hands, sliced a small chuck with her fork, and greedily chewed. Delighting in the otherworldly taste that she hadn't had in years.

"They don't make this nearly as good back at the Temple." Erza breathed.

"Well they don't have strawberries back at the Temple."

Erza nodded, "Only some sort of substitute. Tastes the same, or so they say. But they can't fool me." She took another large bit before using a napkin to wipe some frosting from the corner of her mouth.

"So you are the Jedi's problem solver?" Mira asked.

Erza nodded, "Most of the Jedi Masters are. We are the most experienced after all. I just so happen to like taking care of the really big problems."

"So… is there a big problem here then?" Mira asked warily, worry crossing her face.

Erza blinked, "Oh… no! No. Not at all."

"So you're here on a social visit?"

Erza shook her head, "No again. I am here on an assignment, as I'm sure Lucy told you."

"Yes," Mira nodded, "But she never told me what it was."

"I never told her. I prefer to keep it on the down low." Erza replied, "It's nothing dangerous. Simply observation of a certain individual."

Mira did not reply. She contemplated what her old friend said as she chowed down on the strawberry cake.

"Is it Maki?"

Erza paused as she ate. She quickly swallowed the bite that was in her mouth before gently setting her plate back onto Mira's desk.

"Yes."

Mira sighed, "I had a feeling that was the case. Gildarts said she used magic back in Hargeon. But it wasn't her mother's magic at all. So, by process of elimination I had to assume that-" She saw Erza's brown eyes boring holes into her. Listening so intently, hanging on every word that left Mira's lips.

"So what Lucy said is true." Erza muttered, "She is-"

"Joshua and Wendy's?" Mira nodded, "Yes… she is."

Erza leaned back in her seat and let out a long sigh. An armored hand ran over her face as she attempted to keep her composure.

"She's sixteen years old if you want to know." Mira said while Erza remained silent, "Just had her birthday a month ago." Mira smiled. Erza's gaze returned to her friend as she spoke, "She's a very… quiet girl. Prefers to be left alone. Although Nashi always ignores that rule. She really does bring out Maki's adventurous side."

Erza smiled a little, "I'm glad to hear she has such a great friend."

Mira nodded then pursed her lips, "Why are you here to observe her? Are you… are you here to possibly take her back with you?"

"It's a possibility, yes." Erza replied, "But I want to see what she is capable of first."

"You mean you want to see if she can actually become a Jedi first?" Mira replied.

Erza frowned, "You are too perceptive, Goth Bitch."

"And you are too easy to read, you redheaded bimbo." Mira laughed loudly, "Oh… so… how long will you be here?"

Erza shrugged, "Depends on when I deem it necessary to leave. I do plan on staying for a couple days though. It'd be good for Kento to be around his family again. Maybe Galen can knock some sense into his son."

Mira smirked, "Is Kento as unruly as Joshua?"

Erza groaned, "You have no idea. Perhaps worse!"

"That's hard to believe given Joshua kept company with Macao and Wakaba."

"Well Kento has a certain friend named Ben Solo. As well as a certain idol named Quinlan Vos." Erza shuddered at the name, "One is a good friend who tends to get Kento into unnecessary trouble. The other is a petulant, obscene man who somehow passes himself off as a Jedi Master."

"Oh wow, that's some hatred if I've ever heard it." Mira smirked.

"Jedi don't hate." Erza replied snarkily, "But we can get annoyed."

"Ah." Mira replied before taking a gulp of her water, "Speaking of Joshua," She saw the smile on Erza's face wilt ever so slightly, "Are you going to-"

"Of course I am Mira. He's my brother. Why wouldn't I?" Erza replied, her voice trembling a little as she spoke, "In fact, once I was done talking to you, I planned on going to see him."

Mira nodded, "Well, then I shall not keep you any longer." She rose from her chair along with Erza, "When you get back, talk to Levy. She has the key to your old room in Fairy Hills. It's the same as when you left it. Clean too. The other girls insisted on making certain it was ready for you whenever you decided to come home."

"Thank you Mira."

The door to Mira's office opened and Erza quietly exited. As she walked down the steps though, she failed to notice the two teenage girls watching her every move. Both Maki and Nashi were eyeing the cloaked figure carefully. Frowns on both of their faces as she silently left the building without saying a single word to anyone else.

"Strawberry lady is strange." Nashi muttered before shoving a large mouthful of ham into her face.

"You got that right." Maki replied, "She wouldn't stop staring at me the entire walk here."

"And who the heck smells that much like strawberries!" Nashi exclaimed, "I mean seriously! Especially when you don't live anywhere near strawberries."

"I think you are failing to prioritize the important stuff, Nashi." Maki deadpanned.

"Really? Like what?"

"Like how she totally just snuck in and out of the guild hall. Or how she stared at me like I was some sort of ghost or something!" Maki whispered. Her hazel eyes remained set on the doors to the guildhall. Then she rose to her feet, "I'm going to follow her."

"You are?" Nashi said, her words slightly muffled by the food in her mouth.

"I am." Maki replied, "I'm curious."

Nashi gulped down the food and rushed after Maki. The pair silently exited the guild hall while everyone else was distracted by Kento telling tall tales about his adventures in the galaxy.

….

By the time Erza reached the trail in the forest, the rain has lessened considerably. Now, only small sprinkles of water tapped against the hood of her cloak as she walked through the woods towards her destination. Her boots sank into the mud as she turned off of the main trail and followed an overgrown path, barely visible to the untrained eye. Her cloak brushed against the ferns and bushes that grew all around her. But she didn't mind. A little water and dirt wouldn't hurt the article of clothing. Staying dry was the last thing on her mind right now.

Another few minutes of hiking and she arrived, the clearing. It looked bare. A treeless circle with nothing in it but grass and wildflowers. She paused at the edge. Then with a wave of her hand, the air shimmered. The image of wildflowers and grass faded away, revealing a single object residing among the tall grass and flowers. A tombstone, overrun by nature.

She frowned as she approached. A brief flash of light engulfed her left hand. A pair of clippers appeared. She slowly approached the tombstone and stood over it for a few moments. Then, with incredible care, she knelt and clipped away the longer vines and weeds that had overrun the stone. When that was taken care of, she removed the gauntlet for her right hand, revealing a skeletal, cybernetic hand. Using this hand, she scraped away the moss and dirt from the rock, unveiling the words the lay beneath.

Joshua Scarlet

Beloved guildmate, friend, and brother

X775-X794

May the Force be forever with you.

She let out a long sigh. Another golden flash of light and the pair of clippers in her left hand were replaced by a small, slender rapier with a golden hilt.

"I know that you're supposed to give flowers when you visit a grave." Erza whispered to the stone in front of her. She glanced at the sword that she gently cradled between her fingers, "But… I think you'd appreciate this a little more."

The cold metal scraped against the stone as she rested the exquisite blade on top. Once she was certain that the blade wouldn't fall from it's resting place, she fell back and sat down in the tall grass, facing the grave. A quick scoot and she was now sitting beside it.

"I'm sorry I didn't visit sooner." She said quietly as the last of the rain passed over. Now only light grey clouds hung in the sky above her, "I was a little… busy, to say the least." She glanced at the stone, "Being a Jedi is way more difficult than I thought it would be."

She waited for some sort of response. As if she was talking to an actual person.

"I um… I have my own student now." She sniffled a little, quickly rubbing her eye with her left hand, "He's… he's Galen and Meldy's kid. You know him, little Kento." She laughed weakly, "He's a good kid. Headstrong, a rascal," She let out a shaky sigh, "A lot like you, I suppose. Maybe that's the result of me raising both of you essentially."

She exhaled, feeling a small tear dribble down her cheek, "I… I miss you, so much." She gulped, "So much."

She wiped her cheek, "Look at me. You'd probably be teasing me relentlessly for crying like this." A chuckle left her lips, "Yeah, you wouldn't let me live this down." She glanced at the stone, "I met your daughter today." She smiled, "You'd be proud. She's gorgeous, Joshua. I'm sure Wendy will say the same when I talk to her again." Erza gulped, "Although, I will admit. It's going to be difficult seeing her again."

Erza jumped as she heard the bushes stir to her right. In a flash, her melancholy disappeared. Her lightsaber flew into her hands and ignited the blue blade.

….

A glee filled smile was plastered all over Nashi's face.

"This is so cool." she whispered to Maki as they crept from tree to tree, closely following the woman in the brown cloak, "We are like ninjas!"

A bead of sweat dripped from the side of Makis' head, "Hey, whatever keeps you from accidentally lighting stuff on fire."

"Huh?" Nashi blinked as smoke began to rise from her hand.

"Nashi."

"What?"

"Your hand."

Nashi blinked then looked at her hand that was gripping the side of the tree. Her eyes widened and she started blowing as hard as she could to try and put the fire out. Meanwhile, Maki found a puddle of muddy water, scooped up a handful, and splashed it on Nashi's hands. Nashi gave her a sheepish smile.

"Thanks bestie."

"Whatever." Maki shrugged, "C'mon, we can't lose her."

The cloaked woman paused in front of an empty clearing. A clearing that was not familiar to either Nashi or Maki. Both girls arched their eyebrows.

"Have you ever been to this section of the woods, Nashi?" Maki asked.

The pinkette shook her head, "I've never seen this place before."

Both of their eyes widened as the woman waved her hand. The air shimmered around the clearing. Then the scenery changed to reveal a small tombstone resting in the center of the clearing. Nashi's excited smile faded away while Maki gulped.

"A grave?" Nashi muttered.

"And a concealment spell." Maki noted, "This woman does not want this grave to be found."

Nashi gulped, "Do you think it's a victim of hers? A murder!?"

Maki frowned, "Maybe… I mean, why would you hide a body unless you did something to that person."

They both watched in complete silence as the woman set a sword down on top of the stone before sitting down beside it. They could see her lips moving as she quietly chatted with herself. Surprisingly, neither Nashi nor Maki could make out what she was saying.

"I don't like this." Nashi mumbled, "This is weird."

"Yeah, why a sword?"

Nashi glanced at Maki before grinning, "Let's go ask her then!"

Nashi bolted to her feet before Maki could pin the dragon slayer to the ground. Just as Nashi made it to the edge of the clearing, the woman jumped to her feet and ignited a glowing blue blade from her hands. Nashi skidded to a halt, facing the figure. Meanwhile, Maki rushed up beside Nashi. Both terrified of what may happen, and determined to help her friend if a fight broke out.

The woman eyed them carefully from beneath her hood. Then they saw her sadly smile at them. The blue blade disappeared into a strange silver and black cylinder which she clipped back onto her belt.

"What are you two doing here?"

"We um…" Maki started, having difficulty conjuring up a convincing lie, "Got lost?"

"We were spying on you!" Nashi shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the woman, "You're hiding something lady! You come to a grave hidden in the woods that I've never seen before, remove a-" Nashi blinked and leaned over to Maki, "What was it called again?"

"Concealment spell." Maki sighed.

"Yeah that! Then you start talking without our dragon hearing being able to make out what you are saying." Nashi narrowed her eyes at the woman, "Something doesn't add up about you."

Nashi and Maki were expecting a flustered reaction. The reaction of a guilty person. Or maybe an anger filled reaction as the woman attempted to defend herself. But instead, a melancholic smile crossed the woman's face. Both their eyes widened as they saw her hands reach up to remove her hood.

Beneath the soaked brown hood was long, scarlet colored hair and a beautiful face with full lips and dark brown eyes. She didn't look threatening or dangerous at all. Instead she looked sad. The edges of her eyes still stained by small tears that had bubbled to the surface just moments before the two girls interrupted her.

"I suppose, sneaking around wasn't the best option." The woman sighed before returning to her seat beside the grave, "I should've known better. You two have dragon slayer blood in you. You easily noticed me in the guildhall just by using your basic senses alone." She glanced at the grave, then her eyes fell on Maki, "Your name is Maki, correct?"

Maki hesitantly nodded, "Yeah."

The woman waved for them to join her. Despite their current reservations, both girls cautiously moved to sit beside her. As they did, the grew more relaxed. Maki had a feeling that this woman was not going to hurt them.

"How's your mother Maki?" The woman asked suddenly as Maki sat down.

"My… mother?" Maki replied, unsure of how to respond.

"Yes," The woman nodded, "How is Wendy?"

Nashi winced as the sensitive subject was brought up.

"She's… gone." Maki muttered, "Been gone since I was two."

The woman's eyes widened, "Oh… I'm… I'm so sorry to hear that." A shaky breath left her lips, "Wendy was a good friend of mine."

"Is." Nashi corrected while Maki shot her a dangerous look, "What? Your mom is just missing. Not dead."

"It's been fourteen years Nashi. I think it's safe to assume." Maki growled.

"She's gonna come back, Maki!" Nashi barked angrily, "You don't just give up on family like that!"

The woman raised a hand, instantly calming the two girls.

"So…" Another strained breath left the woman's lips, "Who has been raising you then?"

Maki narrowed her eyes, "I don't know. Why don't you explain to us who you are and why you are here before I start talking."

The woman smirked and shook her head, "Shy like your mother. But headstrong like your father." Maki's eyes widened, "By the force, it's like looking at a perfect combination of the two." Her brown eyes descended on Maki, "My name is Erza Scarlet. I'm a Jedi Master and, a long time ago, I was an S-class wizard of Fairy Tail."

Nashi's jaw dropped open, "Erza Scarlet?"

The woman nodded.

"The Erza Scarlet!?" Nashi said, the giddiness in her voice growing.

"Yes."

"OH MY GOD!" Nashi screamed before jumping up and down, "You're Titania! The greatest female wizard in the history of Fiore!" Nashi sucked in a deep breath, "You have been the wizard I have looked up the most ever since I was a little kid! The stories I heard about you are just… unreal!"

A light laugh left Erza's lips, "Those stories may be a tad over embellished."

Nashi shook her head, "No. I don't think so. If you are half as amazing as what my mom said, then you are easily able to do the things you've done." Nashi leaned in closer, "Is it true that you took a blast from a Jupiter Cannon head on without suffering a scratch!?"

Erza laughed loudly this time, "Did I take a blast from a jupiter cannon? Yes I did. But… it hurt. A lot. I got pretty messed up from it, that's for sure." She shook her head, "Force, that was a long time ago." She glanced at the grave, "You were only ten when that whole incident went down."

Maki looked puzzled at Erza, "Why are you talking to the grave?" Then she noticed the last name, "Oh…" She mouthed.

"Maki, Nashi…" Erza rested a shaky hand on the stone, "This is my little brother, Joshua."

Nashi arched an eyebrow, "You had a sibling? I never knew that. And I know everything about you!"

Erza nodded, "I did. He was one of the greatest things to ever come into my life." She glanced at the stone, "So much fun, so powerful, so smart and kind." Her melancholy smile returned, "You were taken from us way too soon."

"I don't get it." Nashi muttered, "I mean really, I don't. If you had a sibling, then wouldn't my mom have known about it? But, in all of her stories she has told me, she never once mentioned him."

Erza frowned, "Really? Why?"

Nashi shrugged, "I don't know. If I asked a question she didn't want to answer she'd always say, it's better and safer for you not to know Nashi Dragneel." She finished imitating her mother's voice.

"Your parents say that too?" Maki replied, "Mine always say that when I ask about my father."

Suddenly, the air grew icy around all of them. Both girls glanced at Erza to see her sad smile replaced by a furious expression. At first they thought it was directed at them. But the fury in Erza's face quickly faded when she saw them looking fearfully at her.

"Sorry," Erza said quietly, "I let my emotions get the better of me there. Maki… did you say that your parents never tell you about your father?"

"Well, I guess Uncle Galen and Aunt Meldy are the closest things to parents I have." Maki replied, "I don't remember much of my mother. And all they tell me about my father is that he was a great and powerful wizard who died in the war." Again, a flash of anger crossed Erza's face, "But…" Maki felt a well of excitement build in her, "You said I was headstrong like my father? You knew my father!?" She exclaimed.

Erza gulped then nodded, "Yes… I knew your father. I knew him very well."

Maki's normally gloomy features lit up as her excitement boiled over. Meanwhile, Erza was running this situation through her mind.

To say she was furious would be an understatement. She was so angry that she had accidentally let it slip through the cracks of her mind for a moment, making the air go cold. Thankfully, she reeled it back in. But still, her fury was immense. To think that the guild had the gall to not tell Maki about who she was and who her father was. To dishonor her brother's memory in such a way! Erza wanted to storm to the guild hall right now and unleash like she used to do in her youth. She was so caught up in contemplating why such a secret was being kept, that she didn't notice the flurry of questions Maki was asking her.

"Miss Erza?" Maki said, finally grabbing the Jedi Master's attention.

"Hm?" Erza replied.

A crestfallen look came over Maki, "You aren't going to tell me either… are you?"

Erza paused. Should she tell Maki? There had to be reason everyone was keeping such a secret from her. Especially if it was Galen and Meldy who were making sure such information stayed secret. But the look on Maki's face, the desperation she had for this topic. It was too much for Erza.

The red head cast a quick glance at the gravestone. Then she looked back at Maki.

It's time your story was told.

"No." She replied to Maki, "I'm going to tell you everything."

….

"She's late! Again!" Meldy cried, throwing her hands in the air as she finished drying the last plate with a towel.

"I know she is." Galen replied quietly as he paced back and forth.

The entire day he had been struggling with this situation. He had let loose his dark powers on Maki. Something he swore he would never do to anyone he cared about again. The very memory of that action made him feel physically ill. And so uncomfortable that he couldn't simply sit down and read as he normally did. He was constantly fidgeting, constantly moving. Trying to figure out a way to explain to Maki why he wouldn't tell her about her father.

His anxiety only grew worse when he felt two new presences land on the planet. Both he did not recognize. But both were steeped in the light side of the force. That could mean only one thing… Jedi.

He had not told Meldy about this yet. He didn't want to worry her. She knew about his dark past, about the atrocities he had committed in the name of Lord Vader and the Emperor. She knew that he loved being free to live a normal life here on Earthland. What he was worried about now, in fact what worried him constantly, was the New Republic finding records in the Empire's vaults about him. About what he did. It would give them cause to take him away from his family. To execute him. To estrange his son from the Jedi order. Luke didn't know about his past. Who was he to think that Skywalker wouldn't cast Kento out for the sins of his father. So the arrival of the Jedi made him nervous. Were they coming for him? Did they finally learn of his past transgressions?

The doorbell rang, startling Galen. Meldy arched an eyebrow.

"Are you ok, Galen?"

Galen glared at the front door. He could feel it. To bright beacons in the force, standing right beyond a thin slab of wood. He rubbed a hand over his mouth.

"I'm fine, Meldy." He replied as he walked up to the door, one hand reaching out for the knob, the other wrapping around a silver cylinder he kept hidden up his long sleeve.

He threw the door open. And his jaw dropped. Standing in the doorway was Maki, a blank expression on her face. Beside her were two people he had not been expecting.

"Erza?" he breathed. Meldy heard this and her breath hitched. Then Galen looked to Maki's right. He instantly recognized the young man standing there.

He looked so grown up. His pink locks, given to him from his mother, cut short. His red eyes shimmering in the lights of their home. He looked amazing in the robes of the Jedi. They fit him perfectly. Galen grinned widely.

"Kento." He smiled.

"KENTO!" Meldy shouted as she rushed towards the door.

"M-mom?"

The small, pink haired woman tackled her son to the ground as she wrapped him in a tight hug. Meanwhile, Galen sighed, Erza chuckled, and Maki remained silent. While Kento attempted to peel his mom off of him, Galen turned to Erza.

"Of all people, you are his master?"

Erza nodded, "Yes I am."

Galen nodded then smiled, "Well… come on in and-"

Erza raised a hand, "Thank you Galen, but I am very tired after the trip here. I think I'll head home for tonight. I just thought I should bring Maki and Kento home before I did." Erza stepped away from the door, "We have a lot to talk about after all. And I want to give our discussion my undivided attention tomorrow."

Galen nodded, "Understandable. Well… we will see you tomorrow."

Erza nodded before drawing her hood and walking in the direction of Fairy Hills. Galen watched her carefully. Something was up. Erza seemed to react very coldly to him and Meldy.

"Meldy, let the boy up." Galen sighed as Kento let out a choked cry.

"Oh! Right!" Meldy replied jumped back to her feet and letting her son back up, "I just… I missed you so much little Kento!" She wrapped her arms tightly around him again.

"I'm not little anymore mom." Kento rolled his eyes before sighing, "I missed you too."

Galen smirked, "C'mon, you must be tired son. I'll get your bed made for you." He then looked at Maki as she walked in the door, "And you and I need to chat young lady."

Maki paused in the doorway, nodded, then walked to the living room where she quietly sat down on the couch facing the fireplace.

"Go to her Galen." Meldy stated, "I'll get Kento all settled in."

"Thanks hon." Galen replied as he kissed her forehead and walked to the living room.

The silence was deafening between the two as Galen sat down beside Maki. Galen scratched his neck and sighed before finally speaking.

"Maki… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."

Maki shrugged and said nothing in return. Galen paused for a moment as he tried to gather his thoughts. Then he continued.

"I… I hope you understand that everything I do is to protect you, Maki." He said as he folded his hands, "Whether that is putting a curfew on how late you can stay out. Or not telling you-"

"His name was Joshua Scarlet." Maki interrupted.

Galen's face paled.

"He was nineteen years old when he died." Maki said, a shaky breath leaving her lips, "Was a member of Fairy Tail for ten years. The youngest ever to be nominated for the S-class exams. Apparently, he was stubborn, really smart, very kind, and heroic in a way. And…" Her chest heaved as she tried to keep herself from crying, "And he loved my mom more than anything in the world."

She buried her fact into Galen's chest and wrapped her arms tightly around him before crying quietly. Galen gulped, closed his eyes, then wrapped his arms around Maki, lightly rubbing her shuddering shoulders as he did.

"Yes… yes he did Maki." Her crying grew louder, "Yes he did."

And chapter! That was a good chapter to write! I enjoyed it that's for sure. Next chapter will be the start of a new arc you guys! Get ready, cause it's gonna be a good one. I will give you one spoiler for it. We will be returning to Edolas. What will happen, I will not say yet. But I'm so excited for this arc! The story for it is great! Anyways, let me know what you guys think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!