An

Another time skip everyone just have longer hair and a bit taller.

Ciel: Royal Guard 18 years old

Ciel uses mainly twin long swords and wears full black plate armor.

Chapter 49

The new arrival

5 Months laterVelder

It has been 5 months of vicious training for the crew. Elsword and Orion had taken the liberty of going out of Velder for specific training leaving the others behind. It was still a mystery as to why he took such interest in Elsword alone.

Over the course if training days, Aisha's, Rena's, Elsword's and Elesis's birthdays pasted making them a year older now.

No one had gotten to talk to each other after the first week training to focus more on their areas of weakness.

Although harsh, the training they were provided with truly help each of them overall and found new fighting skills.

After the first three months, the queen had made an announcement that they will be postponing the trip to Hamel to two months in the spring.

It was the day if gathering where everyone will be there to meet Elsword and Orion who was still away.

Everyone stood in their uniforms and stood straight. Everyone had matured but was still anxious to see how Elsword ended up.

The double doors opened and in came Orion and Elsword. Orion had a scar on his right cheek that wasnt there before. Elsword came, in jet black armor with a large sword on his back. (An: Blue silver knight armor from SAO but all black.

His hair was slightly tamed with the sides cut down a bit and his bangs was pulled back. He had his arms behind his back with a serious expression but smiled when saw his friends.

"I have returned." He announced. "I see the place is just how i left it. I hope all you continued with your training. We soon be entering battle." He looks over to Elsword, nods, then leaves.

"Ha, look whose come back to us." Aisha and Rena ran over to him and gave him a hug. "Yea, its been real hellish training." His voice has changed an became a bit deeper.

"You look different, i almost thought you were a different person altogether if it wasnt for the red hair." Ara said touching his hair. "Im still the same Els." He smiled.

"Long as you don't start barking at us, come on, The Queen wanted to met us when we all got here." Elesis took his arm and led him to the meeting room.

They made it to the meeting room, where Noah, Edan, Valak and Speka waited on them along with a red Knight Messenger.

Noah had longer hair and let it flow out. She wore a icy blue dress with a white accessories with blue jewels inserted in them.

Edan had his hair in a short pony tail. He had a large coat drape over his shoulders that was black with a red collar wore his standard red colonial uniform.

Speka had a large coat over her body making it impossible to see what was unde it but she did wore a strange hat.

Valak's appearance had stayed the same overall.

"I shall excuse myself." The messenger bowed and left the room. When he left Speka was the first to break the momentarily silence.

"Ele!" She jumped onto Elesis, who tried ti dodge her but to no avail. "No, why do you do this." She struggled trying ti get out. "You should know."

"Its good to see your all well. Elsword, i hope your travels fared well." Noah said and Elsword nodded. "We went almost all over Feita, Bethma and another region." He answered.

"Anyway, guys check this out!" Speka opened the over coat she wore to reveal her rather, brave outfit. An: OZ Master costume. Dont know how Aisha could wear that so im not putting that on het.)

"Gah!" Chung was caught off guard along with Raven and Rena. Elsword widen his eyes and Aisha stood still surprised while Eve stood stoic.

"What the hell! i thought i told you not to wear that!" Edan scolded her.

"Aw come in its not like im naked."

"You might as well be."

"I wanted to try something new, is that so wrong?"

""Those clothes are whats wrong!"" Edan and Noah said. "Lets get back on track here." Valak said shaking his head.

A few minutes later

"By tomorrow we will be prepped to head to Hamel via jump gates." Noah explained and created a model using pure ice. It was oval shaped gate with small runes in it.

"The jump gate will teleport you guys, along with four others. Your task is to protect them and allow them to reach each checkpoint to rise the city."

"There will be demons there so we will make sure all of you have back up but we are confident in your abilities." Noah created another model, this time of Hamel.

She created the capital with four large pillars with a ice cap over head. The pillars had sharp tops with runic letters on them.

"We already have one city risen due to the Red Knights effort but we need the capital to full get the region under our control."

"New forms of demons are there so do not underestimate them. This ends our meeting." Everyone nods and leaves the room.

Rena's PoV

Courtyard (Noon)

Aww man where am i. Didni getblost again? aw and Aisha's not even here.

I walked around the palace looking for someone to help with directions but to no avail. Where are the servants and maids and Gardeners or anyone. Its like im in the back side if the palace.

"Anyone there?!" c'mon anyone?

"You lost?" ah finally someone. Oh i didn't expect Ciel. "Yea i got lost again." I rub the side of my head. Ciel took off his helmet and gesture me to follow.

"Actually, what were you doing?"

"Taking a walk around the place until you yelled."

"Ah can i join you?"

"Sure." I follow him around the courtyard with small talk. Over our training days, he finally opened up to me, figuratively and literally. It took so long before he finally showed his face to me. To my surprise, he was an Elf like me but from a different region and pretty handsome too.

He doesn't like talking about himself personally but i don't mind it. He was still interested in his own right. It feels like forever since i last talked to another Elf.

"So we move out tomorrow huh, feels so soon." We sat on some benches in front if a rose garden.

"I just want this to be over with."

"All we have to do is guard duty, won't take that long."

"New types of demons have been spotted there, who knows what could happen."

"Oh, are you nervous? i didn't take you as the type."

"Im not nervous."

"mhm~" He looks away like a pouting child. "Are we in the same Platoon?" i asked him. "Most likely, its all up to head captain Orion really." Hmm, i wonder how did he and the head captain meet, he carries alot of respect for that man.

I wonder what their history together is like.

Elsword's PoV

"Hm, thats enough." Orion says as i finish up my swings. He sure does take training seriously enough to make me practice for this long. Not that i dont think the same way.

I nod and he walks out the training room.

"You've come along nicely i must say, impressive."

'wait until i start fighting for real. I cant wait.'

"Ha! i cant wait either."

I smile to myself as i finish putting away the gear. I think Regulus has had a bad influence on me. We are almost truly in sync now.

"Well, well, its been long." Luto materializes behind me. "Yea, surprised you never came to my training trips." He goes into his coat to take something out. "That would be a hassle, not many know of my existence."

He pulls out a paper and holds it out to me. I grab it and opened it up to reveal a map of sorts. "This is the region of Sander, thats where Caluso Village is." I nod and put it in my chest pocket.

"Hey will you be watching us while in Hamel?"

"Im always watching watching over you all, i make sure none of you die."

"And im sure you won't tell me anything further than that."

"Well I know you wont die so easily so you have nothing to worry over, just continue what you want to do."

For the first time he placed his hand in my shoulder. It felt strangely familiar but it didn't feel like he was there but the familiarity of the gesture was present.

I nod and he steps back to materialize and vanished.

Day of leaving

Morning(Meeting room)

Everyone came around the same time and waited for Orion to arrive. Everyone was all suit up and ready for orders.

Orion came in with as usual his hands behind his back and wore his large claymore sword on his back. I had too had one but it was just customary, nothing special.

"We will be departing soon, if you have any loved ones, please inform them of your leaving." Well this was kinda awkward. Everyone here pretty much have some kind of backround with no family except for me and Elesis who are related.

He coughed and then resumed. "Well then, let us make it to the jump gates." He walks past us ans we follow.

Jump Gate location (Velder)

3rd PoV

Everyone met up outside and ready. "Ugh, kinda nervous about this." Ara whispered to herself. "It cant be that bad, not like it won't hurt." Elsword said.

"Its essentially time space magic but just a larger scale, you'll get used to it." Aisha said with a small smirk. "Says the one would could barely use it let alone transport multiple people." Rena said with her own smirk.

"Each team will have a captain. Ciel your in charge of Elsword's group." Orion announce and walks off to assign other teams. "Ohh, same team huh?" Rena says patting Ciel's chest.

He walks over to Elsword who stares at him. He holds out his hand after a while.

"I dont think we met, Im Ciel."

"We haven't but i heard about you."

"Likewise." Elsword grabs his hand they gave a firm shake while still maintaining eye contact. Rena looks between both them nervously.

"I hope to see your full power." Ciel says. "Whew, you guys looked like you would fight it out." Rena says sighing. "For what? it was just a simple greeting." Ciel assured her.

"Well then lets go already, i wanna show you my newest spells." Aisha said waving her staff. "Same." Raven says.

"Well then lets get to it then." Elsword smiles. He couldn't wait to see how everyone's training paid off.