WARNING: LOOOONNNG chapter ahead ;) (3057 words to be exact)

ENJOY!

YOUR POV

I smiled down at the present I had gotten Garroth. I knew he would love it. I smiled down one last time at the little box in my hand before placing it in my pocket with Kawaii~Chan's tips.

I headed back to the tavern. I walked in to find all the customers gone and Serina's father sweeping.

I walked up to him, and he raised his head, looking at me.

"Oh, (Y/n). Kawaii~Chan and Serina are still at it in the kitchen... be careful in there."

I nodded silently and walked past the counter. I faced towards the kitchen to find an exhausted Serina sitting on the counter, panting like a dog. Kawaii~Chan stood in front of Serina with her hands on her hips, her tail swaying back and forth happily.

"Ha! Being Nekoette~Tan's mama helps! She tires Kawaii~Chan and Dante~Kun out... a lot." Kawaii~Chan and Serina were both laughing.

They were both covered head to toe in flour, eggs, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

"Oh! Hey (Y/n)!" Serina slipped off the counter and came over by me.

"Hey. Do you guys realize we need to get back? Everyone will be expecting us home in an hour or two. Why don't you two go get cleaned up and then we can head back to Phoenix Drop."

"Okay... mother." Serina joked and slid past me.

I rolled my eyes and Kawaii~Chan followed Serina to one of the bathrooms.

~TWO~HOURS~LATER~

Dusk was setting in as we arrived to the Phoenix Drop gates.

"Dante~Kun! Garroth~Kun! Kawaii~Chan, Serina~Chan and (Y/n)~Senpai are back!"

I watched the top of the gate as two heads peeked over the side of the wall.

I waved to the blonde one.

He smiled down at me and they opened the gate.

We rode our horses through the gate. Kawaii~Chan and Serina went to Kiki's barn to return their horses while I waited with my horse for Garroth to come down.

A few minutes later, Garroth climbed down the ladder and met me at the bottom.

His signature smile made my heart melt.

"(Y/n)! How was your day?"

"Pretty good actually. Nothing to bad happened. I'm SOO tired though..."

Garroth nodded and eyed me. "I can tell. Traveling is tiring. Oh! That reminds me. Sense it's my birthday in a couple days, Zane invited us to Okasis in a couple weeks. You wanna go?"

I nodded then yawned. "Yeah! You deserve to have an amazing birthday, Garroth. It'll be a couple weeks late for your birthday, but that doesn't matter..." I said sleepily.

Garroth smiled gently. "You ready to go home?"

I nodded sleepily and we headed to the guard station.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'll take your horse back over to Kiki." Garroth said and kissed the top of my head.

I smiled. "Thanks Garroth. I'll probably get ready for bed..."

He chuckled then left.

I plopped down on the bed. I took the presents I had gotten today and hid them in my drawer.

Hopefully Garroth didn't go through my drawer looking for anything.

I sighed and laid down. I pulled the covers over my body and drifted into blackness.

Darkness surrounded me. A bright red flash blinded me for a split second before fading to a cursed land. The Nether.

"Garroth? Laurence? Aphmau? Anyone?" I called out. I was standing on top of a high mountain of nether rack. I looked down to see lava. EVERYWHERE.

I was starting to get frightened. I looked around. I slowly but easily descended the mountain. It was then I noticed I didn't have a belly like I did in the real world.

I knew this was a dream, but it still scared me.

What about the twins... Where are they? Oh my Irene. Garroth, PLEASE have them.

I continued walking, the cracking and sizzling of lava filled my hearing. I peeked around the corner of the giant hill and gasped.

A giant nether fortress stood in front of me.

I hesitantly snuck up to the castle, wondering about the shadow knights.

Their presence was strong like I had never felt before. I knew this was their realm. And I knew of what they could do.

Shouting came from a distance. I looked in that direction but didn't see anything. I rushed through the halls of the fortress, towards the sound. I hadn't seen a shadow knight yet, which rose my suspicions.

I turned a corner, gasping at the sight.

Garroth was in the nether, fighting off the shadow souls himself. A portal was behind him, but it was closed.

I screamed to him, but now words came out. I ran over to him, trying to help fend off the shadow souls, but they passed right through me, sending shivers up my spine.

I ran at them, but passed through them. I heard Garroth still fighting, but he still hadn't noticed me.

It's a dream. It has to be. It is. Garroth would have noticed me if-

My thoughts were cut off by a cry. I turned around just in time to see one of the shadow souls get to Garroth.

"NO!"

I heard the thump as Garroth fell to the ground and the shadow souls envelop him.

"GARROTH!" I rushed over to him, it being much easier to run without the twins in the way. I fell down onto my knees next to him. The shadow souls vanished, nowhere to be seen. Lucky for them, or I would have gone all shadow-knight on them.

"No, no, no. Garroth..." I trailed off as I rested his head in my lap. I hurriedly searched for a pulse, or some sort of sign of life from him. Nothing.

I felt tears in my eyes, but they never dripped onto my face. The scorching heat of the nether burned me. I gently placed Garroth's head down. I placed my head on his chest. Tears where falling, but they weren't there.

I cried. Garroth. He was gone.

A bright white flash blocked my vision.

I wasn't in the nether anymore. I was in Phoenix Drop.

We were up by the Lady Irene statue. There were flowers and beautiful leaves everywhere. Everything was white. Everyone was there, sitting in wooden chairs with big white and purple bows on the back.

I was standing at the back of the long white aisle, next to Garroth, snuggling into his shoulder. He was wearing a tux with a light green tie. He looked so handsome! A little boy and a little girl, both around the age of three, stood next to me.

The little girl had shiny black hair that fell around her shoulders. Parts of it were braided. She was slightly pale and looked bored. She was wearing a white dress with flowers on it. Her eyes were off colored. One minute they looked blue, the next red. Whatever color they turned, there was a hint of red.

Then I looked at the little boy.

He was practically the opposite of the little girl. He had dusty blonde hair and shining blue eyes. He was wearing a cute little tux with a light green tie to match Garroth's. He was giggling and grasping onto a little pillow, smiling at me.

Finally, I looked at myself. I gasped in surprise at my dress. I was wearing a light green strapless dress that stopped just above my ankles. A ribbon wrapped around my mid-section and a beautiful flower rested on my side. A bouquet of tiger lilies rested in one of my hands. I grasped onto Garroth's arm with both hands and rested my head on his arm. I noticed a beautiful diamond ring on my left ring finger, meaning Garroth and I must already be married.

A young lady in a beautiful full white dress was behind us. Her dark purplish-black hair was done beautifully. She had light green accents on her dress.

I almost laughed when I realized who it was. I finally realized who was getting married. This was Aphmau and Laurence's wedding!

I smiled down at the two cuties to see a third one had joined them.

She had light blue hair and was wearing a light green dress like mine, but a different style. More like the other little girls.

"Nekoette~Tan! There you are! Kawaii~Chan has been looking all over for Nekoette~Tan!"

A lady who I knew was Kawaii~Chan, walked up to the little blue haired girl.

"Sorry Mama. But Papa said to find Finn~Sama before Aphmau~Senpai's wedding!"

My eyes widened with realization. The two cuties... were my kids!

My grip loosened on Garroth's arm as I felt tears on my face.

These were mine and Garroth's kids!

Garroth turned to me. "(Y/n), are you okay? You're crying already and the wedding hasn't even start."

I smiled at my husband. "Sorry. I just can't believe Aphmau and Laurence are finally getting married!"

Garroth smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

"Yep, it took four long years, but it finally came."

"Oh! (Y/n)~Senpai! Kawaii~Chan thinks you should go talk to Aphmau~Senpai sense (Y/n)~Senpai is the maid of honor."

Maid of honor? Wow. Aphmau must trust me a lot more than I think!

I nodded. "I'll go talk to her. She must be a nervous wreck."

I let go of Garroth's arm and walked over to where Donna and Aphmau were talking.

"Do I look okay?"

"Aphmau, stop freaking out, you look beautiful! Laurence's jaw is going to DROP when he sees you in this."

"You think so? I mean I know it's pretty not on me. But I don't know how it looks-"

"Aphmau, stop. You look drop-dead gorgeous." I smiled at her.

"Thanks (Y/n). This must have been what you felt like when you and Garroth were getting married."

I nodded. "It's better than you think. Just, take a deep breath, and remember we're all here for you if you need us. I'll be standing by you and so will the rest of us."

A voice sounded over the speakers. "Can everyone please take a seat? We're going to start the wedding soon!"

Serina? Ha! She stays in Phoenix Drop after all!

I smiled at Aphmau before heading over to Garroth, who was Laurence's best man.

We hooked arms as I looked down the aisle. It's not my wedding and I'm still nervous! Music started to play...

Another flash filled my vision.

I opened my eyes to find myself in Phoenix Drop again.

This time I was by the front gates. Although, it looked nothing like the gates of Phoenix Drop. The wall was old and crumbled. Vines and plants grew on and inside of the cracks of the cold stone. It looked like it had seen plenty of years of wear and tear.

Why did no one repair it?

I hesitantly walked through the gates, catching a glimpse of what I was wearing. I was wearing a tight black leather jacket with a flimsy white shirt underneath. I had dark jeans on with holes ripped in them. My knees and arms were scuffed up and dirt covered my hands. My hair had grown and was fairly long.

I walked down the road that once held the life of Phoenix Drop. The road was just as bad as the wall, if not worse. Complete sections of the path were missing, me having to walk around them. I ran to the guard's station.

Trees and vines over ran the place. Missing sections of the wall were in piles on the ground. The door that once was there, was knocked down and had a big dent in it. The ladder that had once led to the second floor was now broken in pieces below the hole to the next floor.

I grabbed one of the tables still standing and dragged it over to the hole. I stood on top it, hoping to see through the hole and see something good.

I peeked over the edge to find the same as the first floor.

I lifted myself onto the floor. I started walking towards where Garroth's and mine room once stood.

Suddenly, my foot fell through the floorboards and I screamed. Though, no one heard me. I frantically reached for something to hold onto. I grasped onto a different floorboard that had slightly come up.

I quickly pulled myself up as the floorboard I had broken fell to the ground below, the sound echoing in the building. I sat next to the hole, breathing heavily.

After a bit, I stood up. I gently pressed the floorboards with my foot before stepping on them. I made my way over to mine and Garroth's door.

I reached for the doorknob. I gently turned it and the door fell backwards.

I jumped and let out a little scream. I made my way over to our giant king size bed. The covers were worn out and dirty. I knelt down by the bed, something shiny catching my eye from under the bed.

I reached under the bed and picked it up. It took a second for me to recognize it.

It was a cracked photo frame. It had a picture of me, Garroth, Ophelia, and Finn. I could tell because I'm pretty sure I'm only going to have twins once. Garroth was by me, holding my hand, with a huge silly grin on his face.

I had two little bundles of cloth in my arms, little faces peaking out. I was hooked up to an IV along with other varieties of tubes. But I had a smile on my face. My red eyes glimmered but you can tell I was tired and in pain.

I smiled. This maybe a dream, but at least I know what happens in my crazy dream world.

I set the frame down, still looking around. I searched a bit more in our room. When I couldn't find anything, I laid down on Garroth's side of our bed. His scent was faint, but it was still there. I wrapped myself up in the blankets, to afraid to move. Afraid that something bad would happen if I did.

A sharp, cold, object was pressing against my side. I turned over and reached under myself, feeling for the object.

My hand clasped around a small cold object. I pulled it out from underneath me. Tears formed in my eyes realizing what it was.

It was a ring. It was black with silver on the sides. I turned the ring over, seeing what I feared. It read, "Forever in Love – Garroth ♥ (Y/n)". I slipped it onto my finger, scared to lose it while I cried. I held back the water works until it slipped on.

I curled up into a ball, crying. I couldn't hold it back. What was happening? Why me? Why Garroth and I?

I continued to sob, to sad to notice the faint steps from downstairs.

I cried and cried. I wanted Garroth. I wanted him right now. I need to feel him. Even if it's one last time. I can't lose him. I lose him and I'll lose myself.

That can't happen.

"Who are you?" A rough voice called out behind me.

I quickly sat up to see a man staring at me.

I quickly wiped the tears off my face.

He walked over to me and sat down on the other side of the bed. He placed me in his lap like a little kid. He held me, and he felt like Garroth, just colder and harsher.

I just silently cried as he held me. I don't know why, but I was comforted.

When I stopped crying, I turned to the man.

"I'm sorry. It's just... my husband... my kids..."

He frowned, as if he remembered something. He looked at my hand and saw the ring.

"Was that... was that your husband's?"

I nodded.

"How do you know?"

I showed him the inside of the ring. "It has our names in it. Garroth and (Y/n)." At the mention of Garroth, tears formed in my eyes again.

I took a deep breath. "Sorry. It's just, I don't know where they are. Where all my friends, family even my lord. I don't know where they are."

He looked down at the sheets. "I know who you're talking about. Garroth Ro'Meave, right?"

I looked at him with hope. "Yes! Yes! Do you know where he is?"

The man grimaced. "I know Garroth. You're his long lost wife. One day you disappeared. Aphmau, Laurence, Garroth, exhausted all their resources, trying to find you. But they never did. They searched everywhere, all over the region AND the next.

Still didn't find you.

Finn and Ophelia grew up without a mom. Grew up with Garroth always telling them that Mama would be back soon. He knew that he couldn't continue with that for long. Soon they'd find out the truth.

They grew up thinking that their mother didn't love them enough to say hi once in a while or tell them she loved them.

She disappeared and never came back, that's all they knew.

Garroth kept that ring on his finger. Whether it was for Finn and Ophelia or in hope you would return, I never knew. Finn and Ophelia grew up. Now, they're teens, close to their twenties.

They grew up telling Nekoette and Kawaii~Chan that you'd be back soon, but they knew you wouldn't. They still tell them that, but they all realized you would never come back. It's been over 16 years. They found out.

Kawaii~Chan lost it after that. She missed you so much. Dante figured out a way to calm her down. Now they have Nekoette and a boy, Dmitri. Nekoette is engaged to Finn and are having a wedding in a month.

Aphmau and Laurence are still married and have a couple kids of their own. Levin and Malachi are great big brothers to them.

Though, no one ever fully got over your disappearance. Especially Garroth and the kids."

I frowned and looked down at my hands. "How do you know so much?"

He smiled sadly. "I've missed you too much. I don't want you to come back and ruin our family again."

"What? Oh my Irene..." Garroth. This was Garroth. "Wait. I still don't understand."

Garroth grabbed my hand and took off the ring, placing it on his own finger.

"I never did either." And with that, he left.

"Garroth! Wait!" I ran after him. He raced through the woods and I followed. He forgot I was a faster runner than him. "Garroth!" I grabbed onto the back of his hood.

We both stopped. Garroth quickly turned around.

Next thing I know, I'm on the ground, dazed. A stinging pain is on my right cheek as I hold my hand over it.

"You left me without goodbye. You left Finn and Ophelia without a mom. Why?" and with that, he ran away. I just stared at the place he had been in shock. Did Garroth just... slap me?

Tears streamed down my face again. Not from the pain in my cheek, but from the pain of Garroth leaving me. Just like that. Gone.

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