Phoenix Flame emerged as the winners, but their have been some price to pay. Some of the members did get hurt in all the fighting. Luckily, they had someone to help them out. All of them returned at the guild and had someone treating all of the injured. He had some gray hair with glasses, but he was dressed just like a doctor with a white coat with him wearing beige pants and a light blue shirt. He was tending to all of those with injuries, but he didn't look happy about it.

"There. That should do it." The doctor said as he finished wrapping bandages around the hand of one member. "Let's see... Who is next?" He said as he looked over a clipboard to see what more he's dealing with.

"Who is this guy again?" Mary asked as she and her alleged team just hang back while other members were treated.

"His name is Otin." Aster said. "He was once a member of this guild, but he retired and became a local doctor instead. He and Master Velvet have known each other for years, so he tends to help out around here. Every time we have some sort of medical problem, Velvet asks him to come over since he trusts him and knows how to treat wizards."

"Yeah. We're lucky to have someone like him help us out." Gin said. "Although, he does act like everything we do is a drag."

"I could tell by his voice's tone and with him looking at everything like it's a chore." Mary said.

"Don't get the wrong idea." Maru said. "He may have put the life of a wizard behind him, but he just keeps finding himself being pulled back to this place, and I think he's acting that way just because of that."

"Yeah. Otin was part of the guild once. He obviously cares; he just doesn't like to show it." Yukina said. "He might see what's going on as a drag, but he's more than willing to help out if he can."

"Otin, I can't thank you enough for coming over and helping us out." Velvet said. He was expecting Otin to be courteous. Instead, Otin just smacked him on the head with his clipboard without even looking. "What was that for, you old bastard?!"

"For being an idiot." Otin said, talking to him without looking away from his work. "You actually dragged your guild into fighting a dark guild."

"One of our own was kidnapped by them. We had to do something." Velvet said.

"Anything would have been better than this. So many are wounded and injured." Otin said. "This is why I walked away from the life of a guild wizard. There's always more trouble than it's worth."

"And you thought the life of a doctor would have been easier?" Velvet said.

"I'm not the one with tons of paperwork for going up against that guild and constantly apologizing to the Magic Council. I thought this guild was better than that." Otin said. "You're lucky the punishment wasn't all that severe."

"Fine, you smug old bastard. You want us to be careful from now on. I'll treat you to a nice drink as a thank you. Will that make you happy?" Velvet said with him getting annoyed with Otin talking like a know-it-all. "Still, our guild has been going strong for about fifty years. I'm not all that worried."

"It hasn't been fifty. You know how I like precision. The guild has been here for fifty-four years, same age as you and I." Otin said with Velvet trying not to get even more annoyed.

"Why do you always have to be so nitpicky?" Velvet said. "Do you count the days and months as well?"

"No. I just like precision, which comes in handy for my line of work. Which you asked for my help in." Otin said with Velvet trying to keep his composure.

"Yep. Those two seem like old friends because they know how to push each other's buttons." Mary claimed.

...

Later

After the battle with Fiendish Gargoyle came to an end, Phoenix Flame had to answer to the Magic Council for taking matters into their own hands. Given the circumstances, Phoenix Flame was spared from being disbanded because they were the ones that were attacked. Despite that, the Magic Council didn't exactly approve of their actions. As for Fiendish Gargoyle, they are now no more. After what seemed like a rough battle, it was nice for the guild to finally relax.

"Oh man..." Mary sighed. She and Yukina stepped out of the guild and were relaxing in the park with them sitting on the bench near the lake. "I swear that I almost feel like swimming in the lake after all of that."

"Really? From what I heard, you only fought one guy. It couldn't have been that bad." Yukina teased.

"Don't start sounding like that annoying cat." Mary said. "I'm just glad that it's finally over. I thought dealing with Zareb was as bad as it was going to get in this guild, but facing that Dark Guild was a whole other matter."

"You can say that again." Yukina said.

"At least that guild is no more, so we won't have to deal with them anymore." Mary said. Yukina knew about that, but it seemed like there was still something that was bothering her. "What is it now?"

"Fiendish Gargoyle is now disbanded. I wasn't sure something like that would ever happen." Yukina said. "Despite what they did, I can't help but wonder what has become of my father now."

"Are you serious? Yukina, the guy is a deadbeat." Mary said as she thinks Yukina even shouldn't worry about him or even think about him. "He sent his goons to kidnapped you once he found where you were. You know better than anyone what he's like."

"But none of that changes the fact that he is my father." Yukina said. It would seem that Yukina truly is a kind person. Despite everything that happened, she still thinks of her father. Supposedly, it's only natural she would since Johnson is her father regardless of everything. There was so much she wish she could say about how much she despised what he did, but still holds something for him because it seems like her heart just wouldn't allow her to let go. "I know he wasn't the best of people, and his own guild followed his example, but he is still my father. I'm not saying I forgive him for all that he did, but we still hold a connection. Sometimes, people act like they want nothing to do with a blood relative, but it doesn't change the fact that there's still something between them. It's something that just can't be broken no matter how hard one might try. Even if they disown each other, a parent and a child can't break the family tie they have. Some may refuse to see it, but I know it's still there with him and me. So many things I wanted to say to him, but I never got the chance. If I had, I'm still not sure it would have broken what he and I had. Even though I want nothing to do with him and remain here in Phoenix Flame, a place that's been more family to me than he has, is it wrong for me to think of him? Is it wrong for me to think this way about my own father despite what he has done?" Mary really had no way to answer that. Having Yukina think about her father think of that way has Mary think of her own, but it's complicated for her. Things with her are far different than they were for Yukina.

"I might be the wrong girl to ask about that." Mary said.

...

Velvet

"See? I told you I treat you to a drink." Velvet said. Later that day, Velvet and Otin went out drinking just like Velvet said he would with them drinking like the old buddies they were. Otin certainly didn't complain with him chugging down his beer. "Sheesh. Things are that bad? Pace yourself."

"I'm a doctor. I know how my own body works. I know the safe amount of alcohol to have." Otin said.

"I see you're a ray of sunshine as always." Velvet said. "Can't you ever try to enjoy yourself. What exactly would put a smile on that face?"

"We're not kids anymore, Velvet." Otin said.

"Who's talking age? You've always been like this." Velvet said. "It was so rare to see you smile back when you were kids. Even when you left the guild and became a doctor, you still rarely smile."

"I'm being serious." Otin said. Velvet put all the joking aside and listened to what he said. "Don't you think maybe it's time you call it a day with the guild. You've been a part of this place longer than anyone."

"Where's this coming from?" Velvet questioned.

"I may not smile that often, but that doesn't mean I don't care." Otin said. "I became a doctor after I was a wizard because my knowledge could help those like you who keep getting into these situations, but there are times where it's worse than others. For example, and I don't like saying this, there was what happened to..." That seemed to have gotten to Velvet a little. "Don't you think it's time you hang up the cape and see the rest of the world?"

"Was that a joke to my fashion sense?" Velvet joked, but got serious. "I'm quite satisfied with where I am and have no intention of leaving just yet."

"We're only getting older, Velvet." Otin claimed. "I doubt things are going to get any easier for you. It's not like how it was when we were kids. Times are changing, and we're only getting older. Maybe it's time to think about retirement so you can enjoy your life peacefully."

"Funny. A fellow guild master was saying the same thing, but he can't seem to do it himself." Velvet claimed.

"Well, maybe there's some truth to it." Otin said. When he puts it like that, Velvet did think it over.

'I have thought a little about it, but who could really take my place?' Velvet thought. Out of everyone in the guild, only three really stood out. 'Serenity? She might be powerful, but she has an attitude. Frio? He's pretty antisocial. The guild might not feel assured with him. There's Aster, but he's still rather young. So far, there just doesn't seem to be anyone suited to fill the position.' As Velvet helped himself to his drink, it seems like retirement isn't in the cards for him. Until he finds someone he knows cares about the guild and knows he can leave it in good hands, he'll be at this for a very long time. Then again, it wasn't a bad thing since he's still doing what he loves. "I really don't have much to worry about it. I still got plenty of life in me."

...

The Next Day

"Well, it's another day." Mary said with her on her way to the guild. "I'm sure the others are going to want to get back to work. I just want to chill and relax. If only I could make tons of money doing that." Mary was on her way, but she spotted J. "Hey, J."

"Hey, Mary. You doing okay after what happened?" J asked.

"Yeah. I thankfully managed to get my clothes fixed." Mary said.

"Okay." J said. He just left it at that and turned away from her. Mary still couldn't figure J out. Just then, J felt a sharp sense of pain in him that was hard for him to conceal.

"Are you okay?" Mary asked.

"I'm fine. I think I'm still just feeling that battle. I'll be okay." J claimed and just kept going.

"That's weird. I don't remember hearing him facing anyone strong or taking serious damage." Mary said as she thought it over as to how J could be hurt.

"Morning, Mary." Yukina said as she came over.

"Morning." Mary greeted. "Are you sure you're okay with going back to work after all that happened?"

"Yeah. I want to feel like everything is normal again." Yukina said with the two of them walking together. They both went to the guild and saw the guys were already there waiting for them.

"Hey. You made it." Maru said.

"Were you waiting for us? Did you already find a job?" Mary said.

"Sure did. Check it." Sandy said as he held out a flyer to Yukina. "Check out where it is, Yukina." Yukina looked it over and was rather amazed.

"Wow! Really?! I've been wanting to go there for a long time, but I never got the chance." Yukina said.

"We know. That's why we picked it." Aster said.

"We figured after everything that happened, you would like to go somewhere that you would love." Gin said. Yukina didn't know what to say. She just thought it was so thoughtful of the guys to do something like that. It shows she really is right where she should be.

"Thanks, guys." Yukina said as she felt so happy to be here. Mary was a little amazed herself that the guys would do something like that for her.

'Wow. Another thing I didn't expect from the guild.' Mary thought. 'I never expected them...to care so much. They really care for each other. They were more than willing to help one of their own the way they did. I always thought people joined guilds to find work and nothing else. Never did I expect it to be like this. I guess this place really isn't all that bad.' Mary was impressed once again. Phoenix Flame is shaping to be a rather incredible guild. 'Still, I'm not planning to stick around. Once I get what I need, I'm out of here.'

...

J

Meanwhile, J was dealing with his own problems. He was breathing rather hard as he tried to get some pain he was feeling under control. He didn't even go to the guild. He found a spot where no one else was around to try and compose himself. Once he felt his body calm down, he looked down at his own hand and knew what was going on with him.

"It doesn't look like I have much time left." J said. Not much time left? What could that mean? What is really going on with J?