(Shard's P.O.V.)

Images of my mother killing elvens rushed into my head and I realised. "I was told to kill a elven child once by her, I just said 'I can't do it! I don't know how to deal with something like this now!'. And she locked me in the dark room". I shivered.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

"An elven child! How evil of that woman could force you like that?! Is the dark room bad?". I shouted in anger, then asked comfortingly as I came up to my Shard, and held her gently in my arms.

Damian gasped, "What the b*** was she thinking?!".

(Shard's P.O.V.)

"It's true, Azure did kill every elven...and the dark room is scary, it's where a thing beat me up, I don't know what though". I said, shaking and my eyes widened as I remembered Darkos's mother's name.

"Darkos, I know your mother...Azure told me about her and when I refused to kill that elven child, she put me in the dark room and when I came out...I was just not the same, as if I had forgotten who I was, I then went to where Azure told me to and she told me to kill the dark prince's mother...that's all I remember before I woke up with blood on me". I cried. "I...killed...her...". I said and ran away crying.

(Thorn's P.O.V.)

"That's impossible, Darkos said his mother died from a deadly illness! It cannot be Shard! It must be Azure's doing!". I said in shock as Shard ran away from us.

Damian nodded, "Azure was known to kill elvens, and if she killed Kalista, it's a safe bet.

Darkos's eyes leaked of tears, "Mother was ill, yes. But I was away from her, and when I got back, what I could remember is that she was breathless, her eyes wide, and a strange mark around the neck. When I got older, and saw others doing dastardly deeds, I recognized the mark and realized that Mother was strangled, not murdered!".

Shade snorted, "Come on, we better find Shard and explain that it's not her fault, it was Azure's fault.". The rest of the gang nodded, agreeing, then we hurried to find Shard.

(Shard's P.O.V.)

I cried as I ran, but then stopped and looked behind me, no one was there. I transformed into my fox form and crawled under a boulder as the gang came to look for me and I listened to what they were saying.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

"I couldn't believe that b*** Azure would force my Shard like that! Azure killed my mother, not her.". I replied angrily.

Beta nodded, then looked thoughtful. "What about the blood? Shard remembers blood on her.".

A growl, "If I ever knew Azure, she'd pick someone to take the fall in these elven murders, and she picked Shard to have the blame, shame, and to take the fall for Kalista, so the blood must have came from somewhere else.". replied Damian.

Selenia gasped, "There was a particular case that I was with Father when I was much younger, heck, Beta wasn't born yet. I heard that there was a elven child's body at the southern border of the Minimoy land, and from what I remembered, she was visibly bloody and there was black spots on her as well, indicating that she was abused. Now, Abuse is illegal here, and back then, there were other people who were in charge of the other lands before Maltazard came into extreme power, and they was doing a agreement treaty with Father that Abuse is illegal in other lands.". she recited matter of factly.

Damian sighed, "Then that elven child in that case was killed by Azure, and her blood was put upon Shard, making her mistakenly thinking that she killed Kalista.".

(Shard's P.O.V.)

I listened and I shook my head. "I saw myself kill her, Darkos, but I did not have any control of what I was doing". I cried and came out of my hiding space.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

"My Shard, it isn't your fault. We all knew of Azure's psychotic behavior and she was able to disguise as anybody else. So, Azure was disguised as you, and somehow sent a vision to you that you killed my mother. You didn't kill her, Azure did.". I commented gently as I ran up to her, kissed her upon the forehead, squeezed her shoulders lovingly.

Shade nodded, "It was a thing of the family, but now you, Damian has triumphed over it.".

Astra hugged Shade, "I really like Shade, and I can sense that he has a very good soul.".

"I agree the same for Damian.". replied Akita as she smiled at Damian shyly.

(Shard's P.O.V.)

I nodded and calmed down, I looked at Shade and Damian and smiled "Lover boys, huh?". I said, they blushed and looked away as I giggled.

"Nothing like that!" Shade shouted, Damian nodded and I burst out laughing at their faces.

(Thorn's P.O.V.)

I chuckled merrily as I slowly came to realize that the gang has grown bigger, and more tighter like a family. Then I remembered something.

"Hey, Shade. We never got to you in that game. What's your dream wish?". I asked curiously.

(Shade's P.O.V.)

I blushed, "Well, I want to protect everyone important to me and...". I paused as my face resembled a tomato colour. "to be with everyone till the very end, I'm not used to saying mushy stuff!". I said and hid my face in Shard's side.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

"Huh, that quite makes sense. We're a family-ish gang, and that won't ever change.". I commented thoughtfully

Thorn nodded, agreeing, "Indeed, I don't know about you all, but I think we need a name for us. Any suggestions, fellas?".

I replied, "What about 'City Family'?". Everyone else shrugged.

"I think 'Minimoy Gang' would be good.". Beta said suggestively.

Selenia shook her head, "Beta, that's a bit racist. We got elvens here and a turned human Minimoy, and shifters.".

"Darn it. I thought I had it.". Beta sighed resignedly.

(Shard's P.O.V.)

"I've got nothing". I said, Shade nodded and held my hand. "What's wrong, Shade?". I asked.

"I love you, big sis". he said, hugging me, I was shocked because Shade never said that to me before.

"I love you too, my brother". I said and hugged him back.

(Damian's P.O.V.)

"Oh, I got it! What about 'The Unity Adventurers'?". I exclaimed excitedly.

Arthur nodded, "That's got a nice ring to it.".

Archibald smiled, "I like it.".

"That sounds like it fits us in every sense.". Selenia commented.

(Shard's P.O.V.))

"I'm fine with that". I said, Shade nodded and Astra smiled, Akita nodded as well before hugging Damian, making him blush and look around nervously.

"Then it's settled". Shade said.

(Thorn's P.O.V.)

I smiled widely, and put a fist downward and out, "I believe it's time for the Unity Adventurers' motto. No matter where we are from, ".

Beta smiled and covered mine, "Different we may be, ".

Selenia came next, "Family and friends,".

Arthur smirked, came next, "Forever and ever,".

Darkos laughed next, as he replied, "Good prevails evil,".

Shard smiled next, "Scars made in the heart heals,". and smiles at her brothers, "Join in, boys!".

(Shard's P.O.V.)

"ok, um,...all deserve a second chance," Damian said, I smiled and looked at Shade.

"And love can always find a way,". Shade said, blushing.

I chuckled and hugged the two of them. "I wouldn't have it any other way". I laughed.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

"What about you girls? I know we just met and all, but I could see that you fit just in with us.". I commented airily.

Beta nodded, "Totally, come on, Astra and Akita.".

Astra nodded and smiled bashfully at Shade, and covered her hand over ours, "Surprises are around the corner,".

Akita chuckled and lastly came, "And that life is connected everywhere.". and finished with a smile toward all of us.

Thorn chuckled cheerily, and said, "Okay, on the count of three, we shoot up our hands and shout 'Unity Adventurers' at the same time.". We all nodded, then we counted and shouted, whooping as we laughed and hugged each other. I smirked as I saw Damian kiss Akita on the cheek, and Shade gave a heartfelt hug with Astra. I chuckled as I glanced at my Shard laughing and smiling, her eyes gleaming of joy. I then came to kiss her gently and lovingly. Then I pulled back, and leaned into my Shard's ear.

"Shard, may we go for dinner tonight, just the two of us, love?". I asked.

(Shard's P.O.V.)

I nod, "Of course! Shade and Damian have been driving me crazy with not being able to learn a new defence, it's easy!". I said, Shade rolls his eyes.

"Seriously, sis, is the 'defence against a spider that important?".

I blushed, "Of course it is! What if that spider is poisonous?!".

"You're just overprotective, Shard. You need to calm down". Damian chuckled.

I crossed my arms and looked down, "Well you both get into a lot of trouble".

(Thorn's P.O.V.)

I laughed as the boys smirked. "You know she has a point. Heck, Beta's twice-great uncle got attacked by a spider while he was coming home with his discoveries. Luckily, I and Beta found them in time, and the village is very well-protected!". I commented. Beta nodded to agree with me. The day passed with chatting, helping a fellow villager here and there, and I was picked to help Shard to choose her outfit for her and Darkos' dinner. Luckily, I learned a few tricks from a old clanmate, Honeyclaw, and within a hour, I finally did it.

I widened my eyes in awe as Shard came out, wearing a sky-blue flower petal halter dress, with flats. "Wow, Shard. Darkos is definitely going to be surprised. You look so amazing!". I complimented happily.

(Shard's P.O.V.)

I blushed and nodded. "Thank you so much, Thorn! I had been thinking of a song I faintly remember from my childhood, I'll sing it tomorrow if you want". I explained, Thorn nodded.

"Now go! You don't want to keep your boyfriend waiting, do you?". Thorn chuckled.

I laughed and waved goodbye to Thorn as I went to see Darkos.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

I gulped nervously as I waited for Thorn upon the entrance of a luxurious yet casual restaurant called 'Township Eatery' that a villager built after hearing Arthur's stories of the human world. In my pocket, I fingered my important possession. I sighed heavily as I remembered Archibald's advice after I talked to him in private earlier. 'Be yourself, Darkos.'

Thankfully that my suit still fit me after these months of solace. 'Mother must be awfully proud if she sees me in this suit she made before she passed away.' My suit is a dark green with a dark gray vest inside, and my shoes are black, and my helmet is off, revealing my combed dark brown hair.

"I'm here, Darkos.". called my Shard excitedly. I widened my eyes in surprise, and I gaped as I saw her. Her ice blue eyes glittered of joy and love, and her black hair down past her shoulders, her dress was a wonder to gaze upon.

I stammered shyly, "You look so... beautiful, my Shard.".