It's Over...
"Justin's threat is over." Liber said. He looked around the room. He could tell that everyone was worn out but now they could rest easy knowing that peace had been restored.
"At least for now." Joy replied. She wasn't sure about the rest of her friends, but she was ready to go home. "If he does try something again, we'll be ready."
"Let's hope that he's learned a lesson... I'd rather not have to go through this again." Bre said. She was more than happy to return home and take things easy.
"Yeah, this hasn't been the best way to get to know each other." Grim stated. He would miss everyone, but, like Joy, he was ready to return to his old routine.
As the conversation continued, Celtic noticed Heat leave the room. After making eye contact with Frost, she followed. "Heat?"
"Hey, Celty." Heat didn't look at her. He had been thinking a lot about some things and had come to a decision that probably would not go over well with Celtic and Frost.
"What's up?" Celtic knew something was bothering the General of Fire. "You've been distant lately..."
"I'm leaving." He blurted out. He took off the necklace and handed it to Celtic. "I can no longer pretend. I need to get away for a while, maybe forever... I need to experience something new and different." He climbed onto Pendragon and took off.
Celtic looked at the pendant in her hand and then headed back inside. She walked over to Frost and whispered, "It looks like we need a new Fire General."
"Are you serious?!" Frost replied louder than he had meant. The room went silent and everyone turned their attention to the two.
"What's going on?" Nate spoke up.
"We're one General short." Celtic answered, clutching the fire pendant tightly in her hand. "Heat left..." She was still in shock.
"Did he say why?" Echo asked. "Was this something he'd been talking about or was it sudden?"
"He had mentioned the idea once or twice before, but I didn't really think anything of it." Frost wasn't sure what to say. He hadn't expected Heat to leave the way he had.
"At least the dragons won't be ignored. Being Fire and Cold, I can make sure that Aiden and the others are taken care of." Celtic thought for a minute. "Not sure what will happen if Justin ever tries anything again, though."
"We'll deal with that when it happens." Dt said knowing that if Justin, or anyone else, were to threaten their peace again, they would pull together once more.
They disbanded into smaller groups. Even though they were all tired, no one seemed to want to leave. The conversations stayed light but Celtic still found herself outside with Claddagh and Arbor. "How are you holding up?" She jumped a little at Bane's voice. "Sorry."
"Don't be; you just startled me, that's all. I guess I was lost in my own thoughts and didn't hear you approach." Celtic petted Claddagh on the neck, insighting a low purr-like sound from the dragon. "I've been better... been worse too, though."
"Yeah, you took a few hits during the battle." He gently traced the cut around her eye. She winced a little. "Sorry... again."
"It looks worse than it feels, I'm sure." She almost regretted not allowing WK to heal her completely.
"Are you okay with what happened?" He wasn't sure how to word the question.
"With Blue?" Bane nodded. "I guess... but how do you deal with killing someone? How do you not close your eyes and picture the life draining from theirs?" A tear ran down her cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut and hung her head. She felt him pull her into him. She released all of the tension, fear, and guilt. After a moment, she took a deep breath and stepped back. She wiped away the tears and looked up at Bane. "I'll be okay." She answered the concern in his eyes.
"What are your plans now?" Bane asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence.
"Back home, I guess. I have a lot more dragons to care for now." Celtic thought for a moment. Claddagh pushed Celtic enough to cause her to lose balance.
"Woah, are you sure you're alright?" Bane asked as he steadied her.
"Yes, can't say the same about Claddagh though." A smile tugged at her lips when she thought about what her dragon tried to do. She stepped back and shook a fleeting thought from her mind.
"Okay, why is everyone gathered around the window?" Liber asked when he noticed Andy, Frost, and a few others huddled around one of the windows. "Oh." He said as he noticed who was outside. A teasing look flashed in his eyes.
"Those two seem rather close, don't they." Wiz said as he approached the group.
"Yep." Andy and Frost exchanged a look. They all scattered when they noticed the pair making their way back inside.
"Well, that was a bit awkward." The group had not gone unnoticed by Celtic. "They really have nothing better to do than spy?"
"Hmm?" Bane looked at the window and then at Celtic. "I didn't notice."
"Lost in your thoughts again?" Celtic laughed.
"Must have been." A smiled pulled at his lips; he often found himself lost in his thoughts.
"So, Celtic, what's up with you and Bane?" Andy asked as he, Frost, and Celtic made their way to their rooms.
"Absolutely nothing, other than the fact that we are friends." She answered. "Though, I could ask you the same about Lati..." She pointed a glare at the Metal General.
"The same could be said about that." Andy replied sheepishly. They said good night and then wondered what tomorrow would bring.