OoO( 44 )OoO

Albion celebrated for days after the fall of Jack of Blades. Nobody except those present at the guild had any clue about the battle with the demon, and it wasn't brought up by anybody who did know. Lyle was immediately taken to Bowerstone so that the healers could mend his wounds. It took several days of nonstop magic use for the wounds to finally heal, but they managed to seal the cuts and tears in his skin, as well as the burns from the dark magic. He lay unconscious for near two weeks.

Finally, one day a healer went to go check on the hero and found him gone. No trace of where he went. He took nothing with him, his armor lay on the far table, his broken sword lay on the mantle. His gold, his clothing, everything. He vanished, and wasn't seen again.

All the people of Albion helped to rebuild the guild again, and in only a matter of months, the majestic building was reconstructed and open for business again. The guildmaster took over the guild in Maze's place, putting Van in his old position as the headmaster. Van was an exellent teacher at the guild, along with his new wife Elizabeth. Together they taught Cara and all the new students the art of magical combat. Maze's body was buried in the guild, alongside that of Whisper, and all those who died in the battle against Jack. Talon however, her body was buried in Oakvale. On a cliff overhanging the sea, there was a large statue built in the memory of the beautiful shinobi girl. The people of Oakvale visited the tribute nearly everyday in thanks for her bravery in the war.

Lyle was nowhere to be found in Albion. The guild members scoured the land for the warrior but he couldn't be found anywhere. Alex made it her own personal mission to leave the guild and find the warrior, casting down her dark bow and taking a real one in its place. She vowed never to touch the demonic weapon again. She searched the land from Witchwood Forest to the northern Hook Coast, not stopping her search for anything. She occasionally visited the guild again and greeted her friends, but didn't stay long. She still wonders the land to this day.

Thunder, now a leader of men in Knothole Glade, was inducted as a hero again. He came to the guild and swore an oath on his sister that he would forever protect the place with his life. He took his place in Maze's old quarters and is now the main instructor for melee fighting and explosive training. He and Lady Grey finally married in Bowerstone court, making him a great leader of the city even if his wife was the one that was the mayor. Lady Grey seemed to lose all her fight after her encounter with Lyle, and now was a sweet, polite, and well behaved woman who all adored. She cared for the people and did nothing against Thunder's code of honor.

Theresa stayed at the guild as well, along with her mother Scarlet. They both have a room together, similar to Maze's with bookshelves lining the walls. Though she lived peacefully, the woman never put her sword down. Everywhere she went, Theresa carried her blade with her and made sure that it was sharpened everyday. Scarlet missed her son dearly, and watched out the window for a little bit everyday to see if he would come back. But he never did. She hoped that he would return one day and they could be a family again, but all she could do was hope.

Albion was peaceful for the time being. But nobody knows when evil may rise and strike again.

OoOoO

1 Year Later...

Albion was quiet everywhere. There were no more bandit attacks, there were no more brutal killings, there were no more corrupt officials. Everything was calm across the land. In Oakvale, the sea was peaceful and placid, with the sun rising on the far horizon. The villagers had yet to awake from their slumbers yet. But, there was one figure that was up. He stood in front of the monumental statue on the cliff overhanging the sea. He stared up at the stone statue in silence, letting the sounds of the ocean wash over his.

His face was hidden from view by a black hood, which cloaked his body as well. Silently he stared at the statue until someone walked up behind him.

"I see you are up early..." said the man as he approached. "Don't see you around here much...you live here?"

The man shook his cloaked head. "No. Just visiting to see the statue. I heard she was the one who saved Albion." he said looking back up at the statue.

The man behind him chuckled. "No no no. You got yer stories mixed up. Lyle the Saber is the one who saved Albion. This girl, she just helped him out and ended up dyin' in the process." he said.

"Lyle the Saber huh?" he asked.

"Yep. They say that he killed some kinda demon inside the guild. Someone saw it from a tower in Bowerstone." he said. "He really was something amazin'. It's a shame he vanished. This place won't really be the same without him." he said.

"I think Albion is getting along just fine without him." said the man. The villager looked at him shocked. "If it hadn't been for him then Jack never would have gotten the key. Then he never would have gotten the sword and the demon would have never been summoned." he said. The villager erupted with temper at the statement.

"How dare you! Lyle the Saber has done nothing but good for this country! If it wasn't for him there would still be undead running loose in Lychfield, Hook Coast wouldn't even be on the map, and this whole country would have been taken over by some immortal half human! So don't you dare say another cross word about Albion's greatest hero!" shouted the man who had stomped his way over to the visitor.

"Yet he couldn't even save one little life." said the man again, still staring at the statue. The villager's patience snapped. He swung at the man, but was no fighter. The visitor ducked and punched the man in the stomach, then grabbed him by the throat and lifted him into the air. "Who are you to block the sins of someone by their good deeds?" he asked.

The villager struggled with the mans iron grip and glared down at him. Suddenly, he gasped. The sun had risen and the light now shined on the mans face. Three scars on his left cheek from a white balverine, battle hardened piercing blue eyes, and short white hair. "Y...You are..." said the man, still struggling with the arm. The visitor dropped him to the ground and turned around again. Taking out a small dagger, he walked up to the statue and knelt down to the base of the stone. Taking the knife in his hand, he began to carve something into the stone.

The villager got to his feet and ran back towards Oakvale. When he was finished, the man stood again and looked at his deed. Now, the stone on the momument read:

Albion's True Hero

Stepping back, he smiled at the new inscription. Suddenly, he looked up as a strange looking bird flew down and landed on the statue. He smiled as the creature looked down at him. "I'll be watching over you as well." he said. Then the man turned and walked away from the statue, not looking back.

OoOoO

Theresa sat in her room, gently sleeping in her chair. She dreamed of days in the future, days in the past, and her days now as a member of the guild. But, she suddenly woke up when she felt a breeze stir her. She knew there was another presence in the room. She grabbed her blade, then lowered it when she realized who it was. She smiled. "I see you remembered this year brother." she said.

"Happy birthday sis." he said, then set something in her lap.

"Lyle...will you not stay here with us?" she asked as she accepted the gift.

"No...I can't. I just...can't." he said as he turned back to the window.

She nodded gently. "I understand. I hope you find happiness Lyle. You of all people deserve it." she said. But there was no response, and she knew he was gone. She reached down and untied the ribbon holding the small bag closed. She took the gift out and smiled widely, a tear rolling down her face. "Agrias the Paladin...my favorite." she said as she hugged the doll softly.

Suddenly, she held her head as she heard something calling her.

"Theresa...Theresa...wake up Theresa."

She stood, and everything around her disappeared into darkness.

OoOoO

"Theresa, wake up you lazy girl." said a womans voice. "It's your birthday today and you won't even wake up for that!"

The girl sat up in her bed and wiped her tears from her eyes. Her mother looked at her and the womans face immediately softened. "Theresa...what is it?" she asked coming to her daughters side. The little girl looked at her mother with her soft brown eyes.

"I don't know mother...I just had a dream that something really bad is going to happen..." she said.

Her mother hugged her gently, soothing her. "Don't worry young one, its all over now. It was just a dream." she said.

"I...I remember a doll..." said the girl.

"A doll? Well, who knows. Maybe you were dreaming about your birthday present." said the woman standing again. "Now come on, out of bed. Why don't you go play in the fields while we get your party ready?" asked Scarlet softly, her face still beautiful and her hair blonde. The young girl nodded and got from her bed.

"I hope Lyle remembers my birthday this year..." she said smiling to her self at her little brothers carefree attitude. "Maybe it will be a doll..."