Hey guys, long time. Sorry for that...real life took over and i haven't been writing as much as i did in the past.

But anyway, here is a update for this fic. don't worry, i haven't abandoned this and i have many plans for the future of this story and future arcs that i wish to write but anyway, enjoy this new update.

Chapter Cover: Yael seating by a beach with a jacket upon her form as she was smiling brightly at the camera.

Chapter Sixteen

Advent of the Dragon Knights

Shinji had his hood up when he entered the town. He had been there before in the past and it was the first time he was actually going back in a long while. The rumors he had been hearing about was staring to worry him, thought, he was still mulling over what he had learned about Elassan.

Aesyr's story about the Dragon stung him deeply. He had always hoped within himself that the Dragon would return and maybe help them reclaim the lands that they had lost to Minotaur or at least, help them turn things back to how they were before the Dragon Knights fell to Minotaur's attack. Tightening the hold upon his cloak, the young man shook his head.

There was no time to think about this now, not when this new rumor had started to reach his ears. Shinji had always kept his ears open for new rumor going around, a habit he developed over the years when he was tracking down Minotaur's movements but this new rumor had worried him and going to meet with one of his contacts to make sure if it was true or not.

The young man continued down the street until he came to see exactly what he was looking for. The small establishment of GOOD DRINKS was right in front of him and in no time, Shinji stepped inside and removing his hood, letting his blond hair fall around his eyes.

The place was filled with people drinking their days away and conversations going on around him. Shinji walked through himself drawing some eyes but people quickly went back to their stuff, possibly the sight of a stranger in a cloak not really a unfamiliar sight around here anymore. Shinji glanced around the room for a few moments before his eyes found who he was looking for.

He made his way toward the table and came to a stop in front of it.

"You're late," the person seating down spoke out, "I was starting to think you weren't coming."

"You received my message, right?" Shinji answered.

"I did," the person said, "C'mon, take a seat."

Shinji did as he asked looking at his companion. It was an older man with some spiky red hair. He had a scar upon his cheek probably from a sword. The man was nursing a cup of sake within his palm and his brown eyes looked straight at him, a light frown on his face.

"I've heard word that Minotaur was brought down," the man started, "It spread like wildfire around this part of Atlasia. Word is that even the Imperium had taken notice."

"Why would they be interested in that?" Shinji asked, "They've never even lifted a finger to help in the past before."

The redhead shrugged, "It's possible whoever defeated Minotaur is strong enough to be a Fallen God. Wizards that powerful don't go unnoticed for long."

Shinji narrowed his eyes lightly.

Aesyr…I'm going to have to speak to her when I get back, he thought.

"And the Golden Lions, Yakame," he said, "What about them?"

Yakame leaned his head back.

"They have been words that they've been attacking old Minotaur's territory and taking them over," he said, "My guys and I don't get involved in territory disputes but it's bad. Minotaur was an asshole, there is no wrong in saying that but since he's been gone, a lot of unsavory people had free reigns in the entire side of his territories."

Shinji stayed silent for a moment.

"Thanks," he said, "I appreciate the intel."

Yakame nodded.

"Now I'll be heading for Mokorro," the man said, "I've got a job in that region…you keep yourself safe alright Shinji."

The young man gave him a nod a brief smile.

"I'll be fine," he said, "I've been going fine for the past five years."

Yakame didn't seem convinced but gave a brief nod.

"Very well," he said, "Farewell then."

"Farewell Yakame."

The redhead man left him on the table and Shinji ran a hand through his blond hair. He hadn't expected the situation to deteriorate this quickly. He had always believed that taking down Minotaur would have made everything better for them but with the news of the Golden Lions moving in…

I best head back to Hyades, he thought.

With that final thought, Shinji stood up and left.

It didn't take him long to return to the village and as he entered, he saw that most of the ruins were cleared out in the few days he had been gone and some of the homes have already started being rebuilt, but most of the villagers still lived in tents they have built away from the ruins of the village. It didn't take him long to find Aesyr and Yael as the two young women were sharing a tent and a meal together.

Aesyr was the first to see him, her blue eyes instantly fixing him with a stare and Yael was confused for a moment before looking at where she was looking at and her eyes light up at noticing him.

"Shinji, you're back."

"I'm back," Shinji smiled, feeling his heart lightening at the radiant smile that was directed his way, "How are things going since I left?"

"We've been slowly rebuilding the village," Yael answered, "And work has been slow but Aesyr and I have become friends."

Shinji glanced at the white-haired girl, raising an eyebrow. Aesyr simply shrugged.

"We have," she said simply.

Shinji let out a small hum.

"There are a lot of things that I need to talk about and you both need to hear it," he said, "And Bartholomew as well."

Yael had a concerned look upon her features and Aesyr looked vaguely curious.

"Alright," Yael said, "I'll get him and the village chief."

Shinji nodded as the young girl left him and Aesyr together. Shinji glanced at the woman, the Dragon Slayer that was beside him. Aesyr wasn't wearing her bandages anymore unlike before he left.

"Friends huh?" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"I've decided to stay here in Atlasia," Aesyr told him, "It wasn't a big decision either…I don't have anything waiting for me out there anyway."

Shinji glanced back at the village.

"There is something I need to ask you Aesyr," he said drawing the young woman's attention, "If you're really staying but later alright."

Aesyr was curious but she nodded at him. They didn't have to wait too long for Yael to return with both Bartholomew and the village Chief, Toto. An elderly man with black hair thought he had some white upon it. His jaw was shadowed by a stubble growing and his sharp green eyes looked at them as he entered.

"Ah…good, you're here Shinji," he said, taking notice of him, "We have a situation in our hands."

Shinji blinked.

"A situation?"

"Yes," Toto told him, "We have reached out to our sister village Valdes; however they seem to be facing some problem there as well and they've requested your help."

Shinji crossed his arms.

"Did they say what type of problem that it was?" he asked.

Toto shook his head.

"No," he said, "But with that problem in place, we wouldn't be able to complete building back our villages. Valdes is home to many builders and they are going to be needed to help us rebuilt quickly. The work would speed up considerably if we have some experienced builders among us."

"Then I'll have to go look into it," Shinji sighed.

The young man let out a small sigh yet again at the problems that were mounting against them. Yael seems to have noticed something on his face for she was the one who spoke out.

"You said you had something you wanted to tell us," she said.

Shinji looked up at her.

"Yes," he said, "A few days ago I have spoken to one of my contacts. The words going around Atlasia that Minotaur had been defeated thought it is unclear as to whom had done it. Since his defeat, however, the Golden Lions have been making their moves upon his old territories."

Bartholomew frowned.

"I'm not surprised," he said, "With Minotaur gone and his forces broken…of course they'll jump at the chance to grab power."

"Who are the Golden Lions?" Aesyr asked, confused.

Shinji glanced at her.

"They're a group similar to what Minotaur was," he said, "They're the seconds to his forces and given Minotaur's power they were always second fiddles to him, and he never let them forget about it either. But now that he is no more, they have grown bold and the chaos is only growing more and more frequents."

He looked at the group in front of him.

"After we deal with Valdes's problem," he said, "We can focus on that."

The people nodded around him, thought Aesyr stayed silent for a moment.

"Guess I am coming with you on that then," she said looking at him.

Shinji nodded.

"You are," he said, "But not for the reason you think."

Aesyr seems confused.

"Huh?"

"I want you to become a Dragon Knight," Shinji said pointing at her.

Everyone stared at him in shock even Aesyr.

"You want to make her into a Dragon Knight?" Yael asked surprised.

"She was already one," Shinji said, "When Elassan gave you that coin, he made you into a Dragon Knight. I doubt that he really knew the state of our Order when he was in Fiore but the Dragon Knight are all but gone except for me and…it will be nice to have some backup."

Aesyr was surprised at what he was saying, from how round her eyes were. She opened her mouth and closed it but the words didn't seem to be coming out at all.

"I think it's a great idea," Bartholomew spoke out drawing their gazes, "The Dragon Knights were the guardians of Peace and Justice in Atlasia. If we can make Atlasia remember that, we can change this land for the better, make things better for the people who had suffered under Minotaur's rules and maybe remind them that they can be protected."

Yael seems to agree.

"I have few memories of the Dragon Knights but," she said, "I'm sure many people remember them fondly."

Shinji looked at the girl.

"What do you say?" he asked her.

To say Aesyr was surprised was saying something. She had never expected this to happen honestly. She knew that she would stay in Atlasia but to think that Shinji would have offered her to join the Dragon Knights. She didn't really know what to say really but a memory pulled into her mind.

Flashback

"It's an old tradition from my homeland," Elassan spoke out, "Those who prove themselves worthy warriors of Dragmount were given such coins as proof of their status. It's akin to something like an object of pride."

I stared up at him in shock at what he was giving me.

"And…you're giving me this?" I said shocked.

Elassan nodded.

"The way this has happened may not have been how I envisioned it, but you have managed to not only learn my magic and be proficient at it," the dragon spoke, "You have done well to learn it Aesyr and I think that a reward like that is more than enough in my eyes."

End of Flashback

She pulled out the coin she kept upon herself glancing down at the Dragon symbol that was upon the top of the object. She stared down at it for a few moments before looking up toward the group that was in front of her.

"I accept," she said.

A smile appeared upon the blond young man's face.

"Excellent," he said, extending his hand, "Give me your coin."

Aesyr did so and Shinji looked down at it for a few moments and then his hand glowed with some magic and then in front of everyone, the coin extended outward as a long chain appeared around him transforming it into a necklace that was glowing with some magic.

"What are you?" she asked shocked.

"There is a spell upon the coin," Shinji told her, "That only a Dragon Knight can use. They are usually a ceremony but given that I am the only Dragon Knight here, I simply activated the spell."

When the spell was done, the necklace now landed in his palm. Shinji then extended it toward her, indicating that she would take it. Aesyr did and placed the necklace around her neck. She can feel a light hum of magic coming from object around her neck as she stared at the coin with the symbol of the Dragon upon it. As it was glowing Shinji's own coin from around his neck started glowing beneath his clothing. They resonated for a few moments before the light dissipated.

"It's done," he said looking at her, "You are now a Dragon Knight Aesyr."

Aesyr looked at him, a strange feeling of belonging surging through her. A rare smile worked it's way upon her lips as she observed them in front of her.

"This is truly a wonderful day," Yael spoke with a light smile upon her lips, "The Dragon Knights rises once more."

Shinji had a light grin upon his lips.

"it won't take us long to reach Valdes," he said, "We'll leave tomorrow."

Somewhere…

A figure was seating upon a chair as they were looking out toward the mountains visible from the window that was in front of them. The figure stood up from the chair, before pulling the window open and stepped out upon the balcony that was in front of them.

"You said that person defeated Minotaur in combat, right?" the person said turning their gaze toward the figure behind them.

"They did."

The figure turned forward once more.

"Then I'll just have to go and see it for myself then," they said, "After all, I am curious about whom could have defeated that Mad Dog."

Leathery wings grew behind the figure's back and then with a single flap of them, they took off into the sky leaving their home behind.

In the past weeks the rumors of Minotaur's defeat had probably spread all over Atlasia by now, but they doubt that it was known who actually had done the deed. Before their names became truly known across Atlasia…

I want to see for myself who you really are, Aesyr.

A new individual hunts our hero...

Next Time: Valdes Village

Jacques0 out.

R&R