There was quite a commotion when they returned. The Guardians, Cassandra especially, had grown worried over Odette, Derek, and Angel's prolonged absence. It seemed they were just about to start a search party when Odette, Derek, Angel, and Fiera returned. Fiera and Angel arrived behind Derek and Odette so they could be more able to talk to each other without slowing Odette and Derek's return.

All was silent when they stepped through the gate. At first, it was relief, Odette and Derek had returned safely, so Angel must not be too far behind.

The relief immediately changed to awe when the morning light fell on Fiera's face. She smiled triumphantly. In answer, the crowd burst into cheers and applause. Galatea, who had heard the noise immediately made her way to the front of the group to investigate. Upon seeing Fiera, her tears could not be held back. She wept openly in happiness, undiluted joy, at seeing her daughter alive.

Fiera and Galatea met in the middle of the distance between them. They embraced each other warmly, and for a long time, did not let go. Presently, they felt a hand on their shoulder and they looked up at Cassandra, who was smiling.

"Let's go inside," she suggested, knowing it would be easier for Fiera to explain to her mother everything that had passed inside, where there was not such a crowd. Of course, they agreed, and they all made their way to the castle's meeting room.

"You've changed," Galatea noted when they had all taken seats.

Fiera smiled. "That I have, mother."

"We're all very glad to have you back," Cassandra said, smiling warmly.

"I'm very glad to be back. It seems my number wasn't quite up."

xXx

Settling back into the daily matters of a First Captain would be easy for Fiera, but while she was at rest, which was insisted by Odette, who firmly believed Fiera needed to take a break before returning to training, Fiera had something she wanted to do.

She walked among the cemetery, and found her grave. She half smiled at it, amused by the irony. The cold wind blew on her face, reminding her with just the sensation of touch how lucky she was to be alive. Presently, Odette found her here.

"Hey," Fiera greeted, not turning around.

"Hey yourself," Odette replied, not really paying attention to what her best friend was looking at so intently at first. However, Odette's eyes soon fell to Fiera's grave, and the ornate statue that adorned it.

"You were pretty quick to bury me, weren't you?" Fiera asked, chuckling slightly.

"It wasn't that, exactly," Odette replied. "Angel wanted to make sure you received all the rites you deserved before we fought Leda, in case we didn't come back. And we probably wouldn't have if you hadn't saved us from Leda."

"You would have found your way out," Fiera assured her. "The thing is, it wasn't your fight. It was mine."

"You said that when you were fighting Leda. What do you mean?"

"You have a lot more challenges ahead of you, according to Helena. Helena was the first Guardian that ever lived. She's more of a spirit now, but she's got a lot of influence even now. She was the one who gave me the choice to come back as a repentant demon when Sabian killed me. This time, she wanted me to fight Leda."

"She didn't think I could do it?"

"She probably did, but it was too much of a risk. I think you could have done it."

"Thanks," Odette said. "I'm sorry you were nearly killed."

"I'm not. Not really, anyway. I'd rather protect my friends than let anything happen to them. Anyway, nothing too bad came of it. I did become a Paladin, right?"

"Right. Did it hurt?"

"Well, yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Because I remember how much it hurt Derek to be transformed into a Guardian. I was wondering if it hurt you too."

"You're not going to start feeling all guilty on me, are you?" Fiera asked sarcastically. "Look, I'm fine. It was well worth it. Elmswell is safe, I'm a Paladin, and you're going to live long enough to face the challenges that are ahead of you."

"What challenges might those be, I wonder?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. I'm not too sure it matters anyway."

"Neither am I. Should I leave? It looks like I'm interrupting something."

"No, you're not," Fiera replied. "In fact, I'd be glad for your company on the walk back, as soon as I do what I came to do."

Unsheathing her sword, Fiera brandished it at her own headstone. She lifted it up, and with one strong swipe, the stone was cut in half, cracking more on the ground when it landed. She picked up the flowers and walked over toward the center of the graveyard. Odette was surprised when she stopped at one of the headstones. She met Fiera at her side to look at it.

"This," Fiera explained, "is where my father is buried." She gently lay the flowers down and dusted away some of the vines and dirt that were barely resting on the otherwise immaculately kept grave. The name Alberic Bivar was revealed.

"How did he die?" Odette asked. She knew he'd been killed by a demon, but Fiera had never elaborated on the circumstances.

"It was when I was very small." Fiera began to tell the story in a very matter-of-fact tone of voice, trying to distance herself from the emotion of what happened. "I remember him from fond childhood memories, for the most part, but this story wasn't one of them. We were living in the house that my mother lives in now, just outside the city. Sabian attacked, and to my misfortune, and though I didn't understand why at the time, he recognized me.

"He summoned me by my demon, and though I didn't know why, I wanted to go to him, to follow him, to be with him more than with my own father. So I started walking to him, feeling only the slightest bit of resistance by my conscience, which told me with as loud a voice as it could muster to stay away, but to no avail. I kept walking, almost completely unhindered. And then my father appeared.

"He stood there for a moment, taking everything in. But then he called me to him, but my Guardian name, this time. The 'spell' I was under was broken, to some degree, but I still wanted to go to Sabian. My father told me to get inside, or hide, or do anything other than go with Sabian. I did my best to listen, but I couldn't. I know and understand only now that it was out of my hands, but back then I felt so guilty and miserable about what happened next.

"My father, seeing no alternative other than to fight for me, decided to take on Sabian, though he knew he'd lose. My father, I remember, fought valiantly, but Sabian was too powerful, and my father was injured. Sabian left, thinking he would have another chance later to collect me. I rushed over to my father, and screamed. My mother ran outside, and I'll never forget the way her hands flew to her mouth as she gasped, shocked to see my father injured in such a way.

"She knelt down beside him, cradled his head, and did all the things a person is expected to do when their loved one is dying like that, but she knew he wasn't going to last much longer. His last words explained everything that happened. That's how my mother found out what I was. One thing that never changed, other than getting better, was her love for me. Even though my father died, and for years I blamed myself, she never did. So, my father is buried here, and I do visit this spot often."

Odette put a hand on Fiera's shoulder in understanding. She remembered having the same feelings for her father.

"Anyway," Fiera said, clearing her throat. "Story time's over. Let's get back."

Odette nodded in agreement, and they walked back to castle together wordlessly, but each still enjoying the company of her best friend.

xXx

Odette slid into bed, exhausted from the events passed. Derek was already under the covers, just as tired as his wife.

"I'm glad Fiera's okay," he said, not looking directly at Odette, but staring up at the stone ceiling.

"I am too," Odette agreed. "It's good to have her back."

"I imagine Angel is relieved more than anyone."

"Probably because he was devastated more than anyone."

"Don't I know it," Derek muttered.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it wasn't so different from when I lost you those times when I fought the Forbidden Arts. He felt just as miserable and pained as I did, and I could see it all over his face."

"I guess I should have known it would be the same. The only thing that was really different was the circumstance."

"Right, and losing a loved one is the worst feeling a person could ever have. I'm just lucky it was only for an hour or so. You felt it too, when I was transformed."

"Yes, and that was even shorter, wasn't it? Only a few moments. But they felt like hours. I thought the world would stop turning."

He smiled. "So did I when I lost you. But everyone's okay and I'm far more grateful for that more than I would be miserable if something were to happen to you."

"There's one thing that bothers me. Fiera said the reason she was spared was because there are more important challenges ahead of me. I wonder what those will be. But at the same time, I'm afraid of what they could be. I don't want to lose my friends, or you, especially you, Derek. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle whatever challenges that await me, and someone could die."

"You still feel guilty about what happened?"

"Yes," Odette admitted.

"Well, listen to this. Fiera can handle herself easily. She's been handling herself for a long time, and she will be for a long time to come. Angel is strong, nearly as strong as Fiera. Even if he can't take care of himself, Fiera will be there for him when he needs it."

"And what about you?"

"I'm with you, regardless of what danger there might be. As for me, I choose to let things happen as they please, so long as I'm at your side."

Odette kissed him as he slid his arms around her. Even if there were dangers ahead for her, from inside Derek's arms, she was sure she could handle them. And with Derek, Fiera, and Angel at her side, taking on any challenge didn't seem nearly as scary.

"I look forward to it," she whispered to herself as she fell asleep in Derek's arms.

Sorry about how length challenged this one is as compared to the first one :D I didn't need a ton of chapters to explain things this time, I guess. Anyway, thanks for reading!