Gabriella's POV:

"Geeze, fighting an old man can be hard!" I complained, taking a drink from my water bottle.

"Heh, well, I am over two hundred so...I have some practice." My Dad smirked.

I giggled setting down the bottle. The guard academy lit up nicely in the morning.

"I still can't believe you've been Lord for over seventy years. Is it unhealthy?"

"Well, it depends..."

"Don't you want to retire?" I asked

He didn't really answer. Every since his family passed he's felt as if he needs to do everything himself. It's really unhealthy for the human brain.

"Let's change the topic. Has any sign of your relic working today?" I asked.

"Hunny, look, I should be asking questions about you. How's your life?" He asked.

"Pfft! My life is boring. Well, besides being a guard." I joked

His eyes went to joy to concernment in a matter of seconds.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.

"Well...," I didn't know what to say. "I mean, you have such to interesting life. Your past, present, and maybe even your future but, me...all I did was get defeated by the enemy in one swing."

My father leaned down and took my hands in his.

"Gab, you are an amazing girl. You're smart, kind, and caring of others. Who cares if you didn't defeat a shadow army or end Tu'la monarchy? You're still special, inside and out."

I hugged him tightly. Ever since Alina and Roy pasted, we grew closer to together than ever. We sorta lean on each other for support and love. People say they understand but, they really don't.

"Daddy? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What...What goes on in your head?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm...afraid I don't understand..."

"Well, you pretty much have all this pressure on you. You lost almost all your family. You don't know why you don't age like the others. What goes on in your head that makes you wake up in the morning?"

He chuckled. I didn't understand why he was laughing at this question.

"Oh, Gabriella. I can ask you the same but, the reason I do, is because I know I have a purpose here still. Whether it be Ru'an or you." He explained.

"Heh, you're to dramatic."

We laughed together. I guess I was right.

"Want to go back to training?" He asked.

"With pleasure!"

We pick up our swords and continue to train.

*****

Dante's POV:

I don't understand. Edmund said it would be quicker than this.

"Hey bro," Laurance greeted cheerfully as he entered the room.

"Hey," I say.

"Still watching," He asked.

"Well, when your dead, you really don't need sleep or food, I came to the conclusion of," I joked.

"Heh, true," He looked down at the glass. "How ya feeling?"

"Fine. I guess."

"You miss him, huh?"

"Who wouldn't?"

He looked me dead in the eyes.

"What's your biggest regret?"

I looked him in confusion.

"I don't know...I guess...dying so quickly..." I smirked

"Huh?"

"I mean, don't get me wrong. Having no care in the word really is relaxing but, it's boring after it's been over hundred years. Look at Garroth though, still going and do amazing things."

He just stood there silently. Not saying a word.

"What's going on in your head?" I asked.

"The same thing. Figures."

I chuckled.

"You really are something Zvahl."

"You too."

We went silent again.

"I can't believe we can't tell him. It isn't right." I mumbled.

He looked at me and nodded.

"Look, all we can do for him now, is show him guidance."

"How's Alina?" I asked.

"Better. Still upset but, better."   He answered.

"I wonder...if we could just visit him to well, visit him."

"You can."

Enki entered the room.

"Hm?"

"Well, it's simple. Just enter like your going to enter usually but, this time not for guidance." Enki informed.

"But Edmund told us-"

"Edmund full of assumed stories. That's why we love him. The point is, that you can visit him."

"You can!?" We both exclaimed.

He nodded.

"I'm off. You two have fun. I'll tell the others."

With that he left. We both looked at each other and smiled widely.

"Ready?" Laurance asked.

I nodded. On the count of three we dove into the mirror.

*****

Laurance's POV:

We dove in and soon, we appeared at the guard academy. We both started looking for the courtyard that Garroth and his daughter always trained in.

Wait.

We will be meeting Gabriella if we do this.

Obviously, Dante realized it too because we looked at each other and smiled widely. We've never met her before and-

"Should we wait, you know, for Vylad." Dante suggested.

Vylad hasn't met Gabriella either.

"Should we?"

We looked at the courtyard entrance. We heard laughter. We smiled softly at each other.

"I think... Garroth will be fine. We'll continue giving him guidance but, he's starting to move on. Maybe seeing us won't help." I answered.

He nodded. We closed our eyes and let the scenery around us disappear.

"Dante, Laurance...?" Aphmau asked softly

We opened our eyes to see all the others in the room, ready to go and see our friend.

"Don't go. He'll break if we do." I say

They all look at us in concern but, understood.

We can never bring ourselves to do it. It'll make him break more than he already has. We'll kill him.

"Aphmau...are you okay?" Katelyn asked.

I noticed tears staining her cheeks.

"Mom?" Asked Alina.

"I remember the vision. Edmund is right. He's meant to do this." She answered.

I couldn't help it. I hugged her tightly. I know the pain she's going through. We both knew Garroth the most besides Vylad. He's like family to us and seeing him in pain is torture to all of us.

We all glance at the mirror. Garroth was carrying the sleepy Gabriella back home from the yard. Smile plastered on his face.

"I love you Garroth..."I hear Aphmau say under her breath.

"We all do." We all said at once.

Please be safe...

Word Count
1019