didn't plan on this 'arc' of the story being this long, I knida got carried away cause I love these characters, so this arc will now require 2 chapters. It may also tale longer to keep creating these, as I'll be watching the Euros, and the bigger Copa America Fixtures, which is a lot of football, hence this won't be checked/edited aswell, Thanks to RuatzPlays and ferrerrez66 for following, and everyone who reads, enjoy.

Edit: Nevermind, made a LOT of mistakes, but hopefully most of them are now rectified, enjoy

"A-kechi" Rem sneezes.

Frufoo and Patrasche roared sleepily as they towed the Dragon carriage, speeding through the green blur of onrushing trees, the wheels crunching on the gravel path.

"I know, you haven't had much activity today, and it must be surprising to be suddenly leaving, but if you're looking for anyone to blame, blame Subaru!" Otto explained, disgruntled.

Otto was perched on the driver's seat, holding the harness carefully with one hand, his other sheltering his eyes from the glaring sun. Garfiel and David sit at the back, silent, equipped with axes, and their weapons of choice, twin shields for Garfiel, being the Emilia Camp's shield, and the formerly second and now first sharpest sword from the Village, for David.

David sighs, looking into the reflection emanating from his currently unsheathed blade.

"Why does….it feel like we have the hardest job," He moaned, clearly, the inspiration and motivation he had wearing off quickly. Otto, upon hearing David's frustrated sigh, believes he can empathise with the younger boy's feelings. They do have a quite laborious and challenging task ahead, so he glances back to offer some reassurance and words of encouragement.

"I understand it seems hard and overwhelming, David. But remember, we're all in this together as a team. We each have our roles to play, and they're all important." He smiles reassuringly.

"Ugh its not that!" David grumbles, "It's just while we're out here risking our lives fighting wolgarm, and chopping wood, He's got it cushy knitting with Rem, why couldn't I be good at sewing???!!!" the 15, soon to be 16 year old ruffled at his own hair in a tantrum.

Garfiel couldn't help but let out a boisterous bark of laughter, watching David throw his mini tantrum. He found it amusing to see someone as seemingly mature as David act so childishly.

"Bahaha, 'don't get yer knickers in a twist', are you really that jealous that Rem will be by Cap'n's side rather than yours?"

He teased, his smirk growing wider as he continued. David gave Garf an irritated look before denying him.

"No it's just that I could simply use the rest…"

David watched as they rushed past a sea of more green.

"...Hey can't we just cut some of the village trees instead, that would save us some time…"

Otto can't help but roll his eyes at David's suggestion. "No, David. Those trees belong to the village, and we can't just chop them down without permission. Plus, if we chop down those, the villagers will eventually have to resort to entering the mabeast breeding ground for wood."

"Aye, Otto's got a point. Besides, the trees in the forest are plenty enough, we don't need to be cutting them fancy village trees.

Plus, we should probably get used to the idea of roughing it a bit. After all, we're going to be in the wilderness for a good while," Garfiel chimed in, nodding in agreement with Otto's statement. Otto couldn't help but give a weary smile at Garfiel's comment. He knew that roughing it in the wilderness was a given, but still, he'd hoped they could avoid some of the...discomforts. He glanced at David, who was sulking in the back of the carriage, arms crossed, and a pout on his face. Otto decided to try to lift David's spirits.

"Come now, David. It's not all bad. Fresh air, nature's beauty, and the satisfaction of a forest forage. Right?"

"It's not a camping trip!"

Otto chuckles lightly, trying to find a way to uplift David.

"Well look at it this way, we're heading towards Arlam Village, right? It almost feels like a journey back home for you, doesn't it?"

David looks at his sword, as his pout breaks into a smile, a pang of nostalgia in his eyes as he sheathed his sword, as this heirloom was given to him by Milde Arlam, the village head as a parting gift.

"Well, even if we can't stop and visit them properly, it'll be nice to see them again at the very least."

Otto smiles, sensing the nostalgic look in David's eyes, understanding the special connection David has with Arlam Village and the villagers.

"That's the spirit, David. Even if it's just a glimpse, I'm sure it'll be a nice moment, a chance to reminisce and feel a bit of that hometown comfort, even if we can't stay long."

"Yeesh, whatcha gettin' all sappy for, we still have work to do remember,"

"GARFIEL!!!"

They shouted for he had completely ruined the moment.


As they rode on, the tips of the brick-tiled rooftops began to appear over the horizon, and then a real wave of pure schmaltz washes over David, as the whole village emerges,

"Heh, Damn, it really is how I left it..!"

David heaved, marvelling at the familiarity of the picturesque scene. The quaint, cobblestone houses, the dirt paths, the paletted mix of spruces, pines and oaks, oh and the town hall! It really was all the same. As they started to pass the village houses, the clattering of claws against the floor signallimg their presence, hollers and cheers rang out to greet them, and whilst Otto and Garfiel waved to the villagers sheepishly, David's waving was enthusiastic and full of vigour.

"Look at him, you'd think he's returning to some grand celebration, the way he's waving at the villagers!"

"Cut him some slack, this place holds plenty of memories for him,"

As they passed into the centre of town, Otto brought the carriage to a halt as many villagers came out to see them. 5 children ran out to meet them, wide-eyed with excitement.

"Oh, It's David!" Mild exclaimed, as he and the other 4 ran to the fore.

"Hey guys!" David shouted, completely hyped.

"We've missed you!" Dyne and Cain shouted simultaneously,

"Wow you look even taller than before!" Meina pointed out, whilst Lucas practically jumped out into the carriage, and hugged him.

David returned Lucas' embrace.

"I've missed you guys, more than you believe," He admitted, a single tear trickling down his face

"You've all grown so much!"

David leapt out the carriage to embrace them all. The sight of the children clinging to him and the tears in David's eyes was a testament to the emotional attachment he had to this simple village life. David released them, before Cain gasped.

"It's Green-Hat Man,"

Remembering Otto from seeing him in Sanctuary.

"Wow, Green-Hat Man!" Meina, Dyne and Mild cheered, yet Lucas seemed clueless.

Garfiel snickered, seeing the children refer to Otto as 'Green-Hat Man.' It was an amusing sight to behold.

"Looks like you've left quite the impression, huh, Otto?" He remarked, chuckling softly, whilst David unsubtly tried to suppress his fit of laughter.

Otto chuckled softly at Garfiel's teasing and David's suppressed giggles. He raised an eyebrow at the children's nickname for him.

"'Green-Hat Man' huh? I guess it could be worse," He muttered thinking back to some of the nicknames he's been called over the years.

Then suddenly Meina's eyes take an obscene look.

"Ahh! It's the bad guy who locked us up!" she cried, pointing at Garfiel, remembering the events that occurred at Sanctuary. The kids cowered away from the carriage.

"His teeth are scary!" Dyne points out, still shying away. At this point, David couldn't hold it any longer and burst out laughing.

"Hey who're you calling a bad guy! And my teeth ain't scary damn it!!"

His volatile reaction only served to discredit him further as they slowly shifted away.

"Agh, come on, you guys, I'm not gonna bite you!" Garfiel protested, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. He tried to force a gentle smile, but it only made his sharp teeth appear more prominent.

"Eeeep!" Meina squealed, continuing to shrink away.

Garfiel shot David a helpless look, silently pleading for his help. He grumbled under his breath, feeling completely out of his element in the presence of these scared children.

"Hey David, can you, uh, help me out here? They're looking at me like I'm some kind of monster!"

"It was incredibly hard defeating him, he's so evil and vicious, he even gave me this scar." David said, his devious smile resembling that of The Cheshire Cat, lifting up his shirt revealing a curved scratch mark, spanning from his kidney area to the start of his ribcage, with the intention of furthering the narrative.

"If it wasn't for my darling Rem-rin, I would have been dead for sure,"

"Hey!! stop making me out to be some sort of villain!" He raged, but then he noticed the exaggerated flair David was putting on, playing up the damsel in distress trope.

"And what's with that 'Rem-rin' crap?! Don't go sounding like a pansy boy who needs a girl to save him!"

The kids, upon seeing his battle scar,

absorbed David's dramatic narrative. They gasped at the mention of Rem's heroics, their fear slowly turning into curiosity.

"Wow Rem-Rin's so cool!"

"Rem-Rin's the best!"

"Rem-Rin 'OP!'"

"Right?!" David affirmed, circling, fist-bumping and high-fiving and laughing along with the children. Garfiel watched the interaction with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as the children gushed over Rem, while he had inadvertently been made out to be the villain.

"Great, so I'm the scary one with the 'sharp teeth' while David is the damsel in distress and Rem is the heroic beauty. Typical."

He grumbled under his breath, rolling his eyes. When the fun came to an end Dyne and Cain both searched around before the latter asked

"Isn't Petra with you today?"

"…Uhhh sorry guys, Petra's busy with another task at the moment, so she wasn't able to come with,"

A collective "Awww," rang through the group before Otto conducted some damage control

"Yeah, but not to worry, she sends her regards, and we're sure she'll visit when she gets the chance."

"But is she doing well?" A voice from the crowd queried. Petra's parents surfaced from the crowd of villagers.

David smiled warmly,

"Don't worry, if anything she's doing better than I am!"

"I see, that's good to hear," her Father said, relieved.

"Keep looking out for her, for us, will you,"

"Of course!"

"You can count on us. Petra's in good hands. We'll make sure she's well and safe." Otto added, reinforcing the sentiment.

"Thanks Green-Hat Man," they saluted in sync, before settling back into the crowd.

"Eh?"

David and Garfiel broke into a fit of laughter as it seemed Otto would remain a forgettable character…

David gathered in all the kids again.

"Anyways guys, it was nice seeing you, but we've got a job to do…"

"Aww you're not gonna stay and play with us," Mild pried.

"I promise Mild, when I have the spare time, I'll come and play with you guys, maybe even teach you a new game!"

"A new game! Yeah!" The children cheered, as David stepped back into the carriage.

"Take Care!" The Trio shouted

"Take Care!" the entire village replied, bidding them farewell.

The crowd splits to let the dragon carriage through, as Garfiel, Otto, and David leave Arlam Village, heading to their true destination. David and Garfiel steeled their nerves as they prepared for battle…