Fable Seekers#4

Family & Reunion?

For the Fable Seekers two months had passed since they had first settled into the Reverie Estate, or as they now called it... Home. The main house had quickly been filled with the groups possessions and family. For both Lily and Alex their younger siblings came to live in the house. Alex had set aside some money for the young kids who lived there to receive teachings and a proper education. Both had grown up in the same village on the outskirts, determined to succeed and build a better life for their younger siblings they set off leaving their siblings in the care of the village. Lily's younger brother, Ivy, was kind like his sister but quiet, he preferred to hide in the library buried under books. Alex's sister, Elizabeth, was a bit on the wild side. She had inherited her brothers adventurous spirit and proceeded to take Lily's brother on mini-quests whether he liked it or not.

The other guests included Sven's wife, Rosalie, and their daughter. Marco was shocked by both the fact that Sven was married but more so that he had a two year old daughter. She was adorable and Marco couldn't help but want to hold her. Tank also brought his wife, Maria, along. For a silent man it was shocking to see how vocal his wife could be. It seemed like she knew his every thought and conveyed it to the group. The final resident that joined them was actually Samantha from the Guild. After asking her help to pick the location she asked Marco if he had thought of a person to be the Parties house member. Someone to watch over the estate, control the accounting and loot selling. Someone who would handle the receiving of quests and communication between home and the field. Marco had paused with no clear answer when she had patted him gently on the head.

"I expect I'll be seeing wonders from you Marco, I'll do it. I have more experience than anyone you could possibly find and this way I won't have to pay such a steep rent." Sammy had laughed as Marco thanked her earnestly. Their home was now full of life as they ate breakfast together.

"Hey kids can you please keep the noise down!" Sammy called after the troublesome duo. Ivy ran from Ellie as she chased after him. She had heard rumours from her older brother than apparently under the town there was giant rats in the sewers and wanted to investigate much to Ivy's despair. Sammy sat down at the table pouring herself a cup of tea as everyone was finishing their breakfast.

"Late start Sammy?" Lily asked curiously. Usually the first to the table apart from Tank and Maria who got up the earliest to cook the food.

"Nope, I popped into the guild as I heard some gossip of a new and interesting quest coming in." Upon hearing her words all the Fable Seekers peeked up from their food. Sven was the first to ask but did so with a mouth full of food.

"Wha dis itt?" He managed to mumble before he found himself on the receiving end of a jab from Rosalie.

"Don't talk with your mouth full?" Sven swallowed hard finishing his food.

"It wasn't full?" He answered back with a chuckle. Ignoring their usual comical routine the rest of the group returned their gazes to Sammy.

"What is the quest?" Alex asked with a widening smile.

"Well before I answer who here has heard of the Soulrise?" Every girl in the room turned to Sammy with a look of interest.

"Isn't it the annual event for the Underworld?" Marco chirped in to everyone's surprise.

"How'd you know that?" Sven quizzed.

"One of my best friends is the Prince of the Underworld so wanting to know more about it I read up about some of the stuff that happens there." Marco replied politely. Sven laughed hard at his words. Over the last two months Marco had surprised his new friends countless times from the weird amounts of information he knew to how quickly he learnt new spells and skills. He had become formidable in such a short time and the rest were getting stronger in their attempts to not be outdone by the rookie. Sven, especially, had a blast whenever he heard one of Marco's 'claim to fames' having never met anyone who knew so many important people.

"Correct Marco! The Soulrise is an annual midnight event where hundreds of souls shoot out of the accurately named 'Lake of Fire' and rise into the sky."

"What is the quest's connection?" Maria asked for Tank who didn't want to interrupt but was waiting to ask.

"Well the last few Soulrises have almost been ruined by a beast that returns each year and tries to devour the souls. Our mission is to find the creature and slay it. The reward is 100 gold." Sammy had a mischievous smile when she finished her explanation which only made the adventurers all the more interested.

"So kill the beast and we earn 100 gold? What is the quest rank?" Alex asked, his usual carefree tone was gone and he was using his leader voice.

"S Rank." Everyone froze. Even doing their best they were a solidly strong A Rank party. With Marco and a few more months maybe they'd be ready to be promoted but all of them knew that S Rank was a whole other realm.

"I can see your confused so let me explain. All other S Rank Adventurers are currently in the field and unable to accept the quest, as the next highest and successful party I asked that you be given the quest. I added a few conditions to it, if you succeed then it will count as your promotion to S Rank and one step closer to the goal of Triple S Rank. I honestly think this mission is doable by just half of you as I looked into all records of the beast. The last group that failed to kill it were a bunch of cocky A ranks that had only just been promoted and had only got to that rank by stealing quests from others. I'd say in reality it's a normal A Rank Quest so why not take advantage of it?" Sammy smiled again. Marco had come to learn quickly why Sammy was as successful in the guild as she was. She was ruthless as a house master. They were sent on quests they weren't even sure were real only to succeed to find another quest waiting. She kept them busy and seemed to pick quests that led to either helping many people or them growing in strength. They trusted her more than enough to know she wouldn't lie to them.

"In that case I want to suggest a rule for this trip." Alex said with a smile. Everyone turned their gazes to him.

"Lily, Sven, Tank and I will complete this mission while Marco you are on reserve." Marco looked at him shocked.

"What? Why? Haven't I been doing great lately? Why am I being benched?" Marco asked angrily. He didn't want to be the weak link in their team.

"Marco, this is an 100 gold quest. With the information that the beast has killed an A rank team it's obvious that the reward would double to 200 gold. We are doing this to pay you back for the house. I know you did it in good faith and we thank you for it. You did it for us, so let us do this for you... Please?" Alex bowed to Marco as he requested it. He turned to the others who nodded to him and he smiled at them.

"How could I say no?" Marco chuckled as Alex jumped over the table to hug him.

"Perfect, so finish your breakfast and lets get moving!" Sammy laughed. They all turned to her again.

"What? The Soulrise is tonight? I'm not missing it and I'm sure the girls and kids would enjoy it so we're going on a day out!" Sammy said with a smile. Everyone went quiet for a moment before everyone started to cheer out in glee.

"Day out, Day out, Day out!" Ivy and Ellie cheered. Ellie, because going somewhere new is always an adventure and Ivy, because he knew Sammy wouldn't make him go somewhere dangerous.

"Let's get packed up then! Dear I think we should start on the food for the trip, don't you?" Maria asked Tank with a smile. The two disappeared into the kitchen as Alex stood up pulling Marco up too.

"Marco, I want to go over your spells before we go." Lily stated as Marco jumped up. He followed her out to the garden where they practice magic.

"Okay Marco show me what you got!" Lily sat in her sun lounger and watched her apprentice at work. She had been so impressed with how quickly and well he had learnt new spells and honed his magic. She had gotten hurt on their third quest and had to be healed at the guild. Marco was beside himself with guilt and worry that he didn't know any healing magic. The guild sold scrolls that would teach it for 10 gold but having spent all his gold on the house he had none so the party paid for it, against his wishes. He used it right there and fell into Tank's arms, who had gotten use to his passing out during the spell learning phase.

"FIREBULLET!" "FIRESWORD!" "FIRESPEAR!" Marco called out, one after another. A volley of bullet shaped fire burst from his fingers and pierced through the target. He then summoned a fire sword which he used to cut the target in two, kicking up the top piece high into the air. He finished his combo by throwing a fire spear and fixing the target to another. All these spells were a variant he had learnt and created from the original fireball spell. Original magic was a feat that had impressed Lily having never seen a gun she was amazed at the destructive power of the fire bullet spell.

"LUMEN!" "LIGHT ILLUSION!" The area lit up with light before a group of Marco's ran around doing backflips. Marco had adapted the light spell to an illusion spell under Lily's guidance. A mage that could reduce the amount of damage they'd be dealt was a mage who would survive longer. The light illusion spell she taught Marco was one of her own. She had originally earned the 'Flaming Enchantress' when casting both a flame spell and this one to enchant the attention of a creature enough that the group could surprise attack it.

"HEAL!" "FAST HEAL!" Marco looked down at the cuts and burns on his arms from his previous mission that faded away. He had to practice healing on injured people so could afford to be more reckless in order to fight harder and get a little injured. Alex didn't appreciate him putting himself in danger but agreed not to interfere with the magic lessons.

"AGGRAVATE!" "SHADOW STEP!" "SWORD DANCE!" These were all spells he had learnt or created after training with the other three members. Aggravate was Tank's technique to concentrate enemy attacks on himself. Marco had tried to copy his technique but lacked the physique so had worked hard to create a magic spell that had a similar, but weaker, effect. Shadow step was a skill he had obtained after training with Sven. It silenced his movements and allowed him to blend in with the shadows. He had decided a good combo of Lumen and Shadow step could made for a stealthy retreat. Finally Sword dance was the first thing Alex had taught him. It was a sword technique that Alex had mastered. He started to teach Marco how to use it and Marco had come up with a way to fill his sword with magic so when he used it, the sword dance would reflect the magic used. His mastery of the technique was still low so it wasn't so strong but it showed promise.

"Excellent Marco! I really think you have mastered the fire element of spells! I'm sure if you carried on you would make an amazing fire mage but since you want to be an all-rounder when we get back I'll start teaching you some earth magic. What do you say?" Lily chuckled loudly. She will filled with pride looking at her faithful apprentice.

"Yes Master!" Marco bowed to his teacher before jogging in to get changed and ready for their adventure. They had a few things to manage and do before setting off but it'd be night time before long.

/

Marco fell forward into the sand groaning loudly as the black coloured sand went down his top.

"I'm not taking no for an answer! Go have fun! The Fable Seekers will handle the mission and we'll handle the children!" Sammy chuckled as she returned to her sun lounger, put her sunglasses on and faced up to the pinkish hue of the sky. Marco stood up and brushed himself off before turning to see all the partners and children nodding in agreement.

"Well okay! I guess I'll go then!" Marco protested, making the others laugh at his tantrum.

He started walking through the beach, greeting strangers of all shapes and sizes. Marco was surprised the Fable Seekers were so okay having come to the Underworld for the first time but they were determined to complete the mission in time to watch the Soulrise so had rushed off when they arrived. Marco continued walking when someone called out to him. He turned to see a couple relaxing on the beach. The male was purple with yellow eyes, horns protruded from his head and faced the ground as he lay on his front allowing his companion to put what Marco assumed was sunscreen but the ominous skull on the bottle made him question this. The female reminded Marco of ice cream as her skin was all white. She had a horn in the middle of her forehead and big pink hair that looked very alike to a double scoop of strawberry. She wore a green dress and Marco couldn't help but notice she had elf like ears poking from her face.

"Hey! The boy in red!" Called out the Ice cream girl. Marco approached them cautiously while trying not to chuckle at her hair.

"Hello? How can I help you?"

"I don't know man.. But I'll fight ya'" Marco looked down at the male demon and rolled his eyes. He went to leave when the female spoke again.

"Wait.. There was a girl who came through here who looked like an outsider like you. Usually I'd try and take her but she seemed upset. Can you go and see if she's okay?" The Ice cream girl gave him a pleading look so he nodded and headed in the direction she pointed.

Marco kept walking past a couple and to the waterfront when he got a good look at the yellowy bubbling lake. He let his eyes scan the scene and smiled at the view before turning and freezing as a green haired girl with tan skin wiped her tears away.

"Ermm are you okay?" The girl didn't look up to see who was talking to her but stayed looking at the ground.

"No.. My boyfriend and I broke up.."

"Oh.. Sorry. I'm sure you'll work it out. People usually do." Marco tried not to sound too familiar as without seeing her face he still wasn't sure if this particular person was his friend or not. Having been to a dimension where everyone looked the same he'd learnt not to try calling out to people without definitive proof.

"No.. This is very much the end.." The girl sobbed lightly. Marco wanted to comfort her but held back.

"Oh well, I know how you feel. Me and my girlfriend split up not too long ago too." Marco paused but decided whether it was his friend or not he'd try to help her out.

"Hey if you need to talk-" Marco was cut off as he was sent flying by a large hit from behind. He bounced across the sand before landing on his feet and taking his stance. Marco took notice of his opponent. A large striped purple dog thing with giant horns. He quickly noted its large fangs and claws before deciding how to deal with it.

"Jorby! What are you doing!" The girl cried out.

"Err I don't know K-" Jorby's words were cut as he felt a deep pain in his side. He turned to see his attacker but only saw the black sand. He started to sniff the air with his big black nose and was taken back when all his senses told him that his foe was before his eyes. He focused his vision when he saw movement in the sand. Before he could react he heard a voice speak several words.

"Shadow Step! Lumen!" Jorby saw the world flash brightly before his eyes burned from the over exposure of light. His legs were taken out from underneath him and he felt someone moving closer to him.

"FIRESWORD!" Jorby gulped down hard as he felt a blazing heat near his neck.

"Heel.. Or die." Marco threatened the giant dog.

"STOP! I cant deal with all this static right now! Stranger can you not kill my friend! He's my sparring partner! I'm sorry he attacked you!" Kelly cried out as Marco saw her face for the first time. She was rubbing her eyes after dealing with the effects of the light spell.

"Oh.. FASTHEAL!"Marco pointed one palm at Jorby and the other at Kelly. He released his flame blade and turned to see Kelly's surprised face. She turned and walked away from the pair.

"I'm sorry i didn't know... I'd help you talk to her but I got my own lady to deal with. I don't know who you are but if your looking for a new sparring partner you can reach me through Kelly." Jorby quickly darted away leaving Marco to face palm and chase after Kelly.

"Kelly! Wait up! I just wanted to say if you-" Marco went stiff as the girl grabbed onto him and started to cry.

"Where have you been! I've been worried sick!" Kelly sobbed into him.

"I guess the secrets out then?" Marco sighed. He knew they wouldn't notice for a while but was kind of hurt it took so long. Kelly pulled away but didn't let go. She looked at Marco and how much he had grown. He was always taller than her but now the difference was significant. He wore his usual smart attire of black boots and trousers but now he wore a red shirt, black tie and his hoodie. (White shirts are a pain to clean blood out of.) The final piece of clothing he wore was his knitted red scarf given to him by Sir Lavabo. Kelly looked at his face, his mole and deep brown eyes and noticed he now had a scar on his cheek.

"Not exactly.. Me and Tom know you are missing.. But not Star. No one would tell us anything. The Knight dude in the Wash only told us you had popped out for some 'duty' and Queen Moon told us she was too busy to talk to us about it. We wanted to ask Star but she just covers her ears and yells when we mention your name." Kelly sobbing lightened as her grip tightened. Marco pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a moan.

"I never told them to keep it a secret.. I'm sorry you were worried. How did you find out if Star hasn't?" Marco asked curiously.

"When i found out you were back on Mewni I wanted to hang out and make sure you were safe. I'd heard rumours of the wash before. I went down and when i bumped into another Squire coming out of the Wash i asked her if she'd seen you. She just laughed at me and told me that its too late to care now. I asked the Knight but no one would tell me anything. Tom got annoyed at how Star was acting and went to find you to fix it but he didn't find you either.." Marco hugged the girl and stroked her hair.

"I'll explain everythi-" Marco paused as he felt his hand disappear into her hair.

"Ermm Kelly.. Is your hair magic or something?" She laughed at his comment and how his voice cracked in surprise.

"..Yes that's sort of why I'm upset.. Tad's still in there and won't move out.. I want to move on but I cant."

"How about I talk to him? And once that's done I'll tell you everything?" Marco offered with a smile.

"That might just work, you are his best friend after all." She pulled off her hair band letting her hair surround her.

"Get in hair! Get it?" She chuckled. Marco shrugged before jumping in and walking through the green landscape inside her hair. He walked passed a white dog boy until he found a chair holding a pizza box.

"Erm.. Hey Tad?" The pizza box fell down revealing a green hairy blob with pizza in his mouth.

"Hey bestie.. Kelly dumped me again.."

"Yeah.. That's why I'm here. Tad look i understand leaving can be difficult especially when it seems like you can put everything back together.. Trust me I know.. It took leaving two homes for me to find my place but Kelly said its for real this time. You need to go."

"Your hushing my groove Marco.. You disappear without a word then turn up to ruin my chance at getting back with Kelly? Why man!" Tad whined behind his pizza box. Marco groaned before picking him up and starting to walk to the exit.

"Tad, Kelly needs to move on and you being here is only making you both miserable. I don't want to do this but you made her cry because of your selfishness so if you won't leave, I'll make you." Marco felt a little guilty but felt the fight Tad was putting up stop.

"Huh.. You're right.. Can you put me down.. I'd rather leave like a man.. Please." Marco let him down and faced him silently.

"Thanks.. For being there for us both. I can see on your face that it hurt you to do that Marco.. So thank you." Marco nodded before walking out of her hair and turning to Kelly.

"I'll give you a minute." Marco walked across the beach and found himself surrounded by couples. He knew the Soulrise was mainly a couple event but was surprised that there wasn't more people hanging around on their own if it was such a spectacular event.

Marco took a seat beside a beached broken row boat. He looked out at the water and started playing with his zip. Had his disappearance hurt people? Star didn't seem to notice but was he selfish for not considering the other people he left behind.

"Oh there you are!" Marco turned his gaze to see Kelly behind him.

"Whatever you said to Tad worked.. He moved out. I feel lighter already. Also i think the zipper works so yeah.. You don't need to.." Kelly patted her hair to show her new found lightness and smiled at him.

"I'm glad it worked out for you.." Kelly noticed his now glum demeanour and ushered for him to follow after her. As they walked she told him how her and Tad use to come to every Soulrise. She came because she loved it and wanted to face her sadness. Marco looked up and noticed they were walking to some sort of tower-like structure.

"Come on, its the best view of the Soulrise!" Kelly took a skull off a pike and threw it into the tower. A few mechanic sounding noises decended until a panel popped out and a ladder fell down. She chuckled as she climbed with Marco in tow. He got to the top and looked out onto the beautiful yellow lake, spellbound by its beauty.

"Wow you can see everything!"

"Told ya!" Kelly responded with a smile.

"I guess.. We should talk about everything.."

"I'd like that.. I think I need it to be honest with you." Marco smiled back at her and began to tell him everything from the War against Toffee to the meat blanket. As he told the story of how he became a Fable Seeker she listened attentively. The two watched circles appear on the water surface as he told his story. He thought she might be cold so he took his scarf off and wrapped around her.

"What are you doing?"

"You looked cold.. And truthfully i was trying to find a home for it. I love it but it almost got torn to shreds in our last adventure. I don't want it to be packed away and never see the light of day so how about you look after it for me.. A reminder that I'm okay and you look a little warmer." Kelly blushed a little and wrapped it around herself tighter.

"Thanks.. I was cold.. I'll look after it.." The two settled back to watch as the pulsing circles began to frequent more and dark clouds gathered on the horizon. Finally an eye burst from the water before splitting into a pillar of light. The pair watched as thousand of blue souls began to rise and circle the pillar disappearing into the sky. Like fallen angels, skeletons with wings circled around creating contrast with the souls. Marco smiled at a sight so great he would only have dreamed it on earth when a beep from Kelly's watch caught his gaze.

"Is it past midnight?" Marco asked as the winged skeletons began to leave the scene.

"Yep!" The clouds began to part and the souls spread into the sky.

"Then its my birthday.." Marco whispered back. As the final light from the pillar fell back into the lake Marco turned to Kelly.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCO!" Came a cry from below. Both teens stared down as the Fable family all stood waving to Marco. He noticed Tank and Alex carrying their picnic blanket with all its possessions, essentially moving their whole group down the beach. The kids were riding it cheering as Sven popped up from the sides to entertain them while Lily was casting a spell to have the words "Happy Birthday Marco!" Appear in the air. Marco smiled happily before waving back to them.

"See i told you he'd be hitting on girls! First the Princess, then our Sammy and now this little miss right here." Sven laughed out loudly as Sammy tripped him with her foot causing him to face plant the sand. Marco and Kelly climbed down from the ladder.

"How did you guys know it was my birthday?" Marco asked with surprise.

"I remembered it from your guild application and when I told the others when they got back they said we should celebrate." Sammy chuckled as Tank and Alex put down the blanket before running to hug him. Sven and Lily joined the hug as the kids jumped onto Tank cheering for Marco.

"Well are you going to introduce us Marco?" Kelly chimed in from behind him.

"Yeah sorry Kells, Hey everyone this is Kelly, she's a good friend of mine and a strong warrior too. However don't try to be her sparring partner or a giant dog thing will jump on you!" Marco chuckled as Kelly nudged his arm. Everyone rushed forward to greet Kelly and introduce themselves. Afterwards they settled down to talk about their adventure and how they slayed the beast rather easily. It had killed the A-Rank team before by tricking them with a bright light and making them fall into a trap. Sven had rushed past it and after making it chase him, Lily tripped it causing it to fall into its own trap before Tank finished it off. Alex moaned that he hadn't even been able to help at all. Everyone laughed at how bummed out he was. After some cake they decided to sing to Marco.

"Your birthday is here and you're alive,
Well done, you managed to survive.
Happy birthday to you my friend,
Let's raise blades and face the end,

Another year, Another quest,
No time to sit, No time to rest,
Let's charge forth, we can't stay,
Lets all celebrate your latest birthday!"

Marco laughed at how badly they sung the unfamiliar tune only to be hit by Lily. Apparently they didn't have a birthday song for adventurers as making it another year was precious enough so when she'd heard that his home land had that tradition she rushed to write something for him. He wrote down the lyrics they sang and thanked them all for their efforts.

After partying a little more it was time to head home. The children were drifting off and everyone was tired. Tank and Maria packed everything away as Sven and Rosalina carried all the children through the portal Marco had cut. Sammy took a different portal straight to the guild to turn in the quest and Alex and Lily waited behind for Marco to say his goodbyes.

"Thank you Marco!" Kelly exclaimed all of a sudden.

"What for Kells?" He asked confused.

"I headed here today with a heavy heart and full of dread and now thanks to you and your rather.. excitable family.. I feel at peace. Thank you so much."

"It's cool Kelly.. So did you want me to cut you a portal home or..?"

"Oh no worries.. I actually came with Star and Tom." Marco's eyes opened in surprise but Kelly put her hands on his shoulders.

"Don't worry i won't tell her. She hasn't earned it. If she wants to know how amazing and wonderful you've become she can do so herself. Now i think you better get moving." Kelly quickly kissed him on the cheek before running away with a laugh.

"What?" Marco stood stunned. He put his hand to his cheek and was unsure of how to feel when a big strong arm wrapped around his neck.

"Look at you Marco, you're a natural with the ladies! I wish someone would like me like she clearly likes you!" Marco could hardly focus on his comment as the cold chill he felt from behind him made him sure this was a dangerous topic. He turned to Lily ignoring Alex.

"Ready?"

"Always!" She laughed before ushering him into the portal. Alex followed behind in a rush so Lily stuck her leg out tripping him and sending him flying through the portal. She felt a little bad for Marco who would be crushed by him but he'd get over it. Lily let her gaze fall onto where Kelly ran off too. She had bumped into two people who rushed to hug her. One was a blonde girl and the other a demon boy. She realised who they were so left with haste closing the portal after her. Making sure no one would even know they were there.