I can't believe we're at 8 parts already...geez...

Anyways! So I've actually decided to repost this outline on my AO3 account once I've finished and then go ahead and write the Oneshots there. So once I'm done here, you all are welcome to join me there!
Also since I've posted my TikTok, I've seen a huge growth on here and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart! It means the world to me! Now onto the story!

So Nicole, Aphmau, Katelyn, Dante, and Laurance are all spending the night in Scaleswind before heading out. We cut to Laurance who is at a desk in his room, writing some things down in the journal Vincent had given him. Recalling the feelings he had when turning, how it effected him at that time, and symptoms that he was feeling now. Aphmau enters the room, asking softly if she could. He accepts and they start chatting. She wanted to double check on how he was feeling and he lightheartedly tells her that he's feeling fine, saying that he just feels some soreness in his limbs from the experience.

I want there to be more lore around Shadow Knights. I think we would've gotten more in season 3 but...you know. So I want one flaw of being a Shadow Knight is that after using your form/power, going back to your mortal/human form can cause some negative side effects like pain or illness. This makes it harder for Shadow Knights to revert back to their human form as there is this fear they will be harmed in the process. So the longer they're in their form or the more power they use, the bigger the price is, you know? So since Laurance didn't use much, it wasn't that big of deal.
He tells Aphmau that thanks to this book, he's getting a lot more information. He says that there are small remedies to overcome this power, like meditating or isolation, at least until the individual calms down. But Aphmau finds the ladder a bit concerning. She says that isolation doesn't seem like the best strategy to heal and he just shrugged and says that they shouldn't worry about it till later.

He changes the subject and asks how she's feeling, about Garroth and everything happening. She admits that she's nervous yet excited to see him. She's nervous to hear about how he dealt with 15 years alone and what trials he had to go through. But excited to reunite with him. She then mentions that she can't wait to hug him tightly...or something a bit more romantic. But she stops when she sees his face falter. She probably teases him to say that he shouldn't have expected to swoop in but he quickly stops her. I want a scene where Laurance, gently, brings up that maybe Garroth wouldn't want to continue their romantic relationship, now that 15 years has passed. He clarified that it's not a way to get with her in return but, knowing Garroth and his values, the age difference may be a problem for him. Also, he might have moved on and found someone else. The mystery child is also brought up and Laurance also says that marriage isn't mentioned. So either Garroth's new relationship didn't work out or the mother of his child is dead, so he probably is grieving or not emotionally available.
All of these factors make Aphmau realize that yes, Garroth wasn't the same. But I want her to hold on to some hope that she will be able to resume her relationship with Garroth. But Laurance does try to tell her that knowing Garroth, he probably will still be involved in their lives and be there for her no matter what. Maybe pointing out the ring that he knows damn well is from him. Garroth made a promise and he's not one to break promises.

Aphmau thanks Laurance, genuinely, for gently trying to break the truth of her situation but hopes that he can support her hope. He just smiled and says something like of course. They then get into a joking mood again, Aphmau asking if there was seriously no flirtatious motivation behind this conversation and he assures her no but admits that he still finds her extremely attractive and it's only gotten worse since he's gotten to know her.

She doesn't know if he's joking or being serious. Then Dante and Katelyn enter, wanting to talk as well about their feelings and the group just shares a sweet moment. (I'm sorry that Katelyn hasn't had much to do but I promise she's getting there)

Cut back to Phoenix Drop, Zoey, Nana, and Lucinda are all brainstorming things that the new Phoenix Drop may need. Zoey and Lucinda bring up a bunch of ideas but, Nana is suspiciously quiet. Lucinda gently asks her if she's okay and if she wants to get something of her chest. She admits that she's been noticing how these relocated magic users sometimes come in with injuries or illnesses. She says that she wants to work on an infirmary since her people (have I mentioned that I got rid of cat people? Or at least the ears and tail?) specialize in healing magic and she wants to be a bigger help. I want to give Nana more depth and I want her story to align with Lucinda, who also wants to belong in a community as well and have purpose. Zoey, Lucinda, and Nana will all be having this "self-acceptance" arc with their magics as we continue as they work with these refugees. It also go hand-in-hand with Levin and Malachi's confidence as leaders arch that I want as well.
So remember when I mentioned that Phoenix Drop has this magic material that helps powers and stuff like that? Well, we're gonna slowly but surely tie that in.

Okay! Now onto the stuff we're all waiting for and some of you came all the way from tiktok for as well, the reunion episode-I mean the others meeting up with Garroth and Garroth's arch.

Okay, so the others after another few days of traveling, finally make it to O'Khasis. Throughout this time, we as the audience are told that the group have been anxiously waiting and asking Nicole questions, who takes a similar approach as Cadenza, and tells them that it wasn't her place to say. They reach the gates of O'Khasis and are greeted by a guard, who is quickly clarified to be the head guard of the city. Blaze.

Blaze -> So yeah, I'm making Blaze an integral part of this universe. I love this man and he deserves even more love. So I'm keeping him the same, positive and more upbeat then the other characters but still mellowed out compared to his Mystreet counterpart. But I want him to be seriously, like overprotective of the people he really cares about and I think you all can guess who is in that category. So this could lead to him getting into physical and verbal altercations, making him a pretty scary dude in this universe to outsiders. Also he's the same age as Garroth now, so he's like close to forty in this story.

So they are greeted by Blaze who is all smiley towards Nicole, happy to see her again and stuff like that. She's also happy to see him as well, patting him on the back or something. Katelyn and Laurance try to introduce themselves and are met with a little bit of a different version of this guy. He's a bit stand-off-ish and just is straightforward with them. Blaze knows who they are and just doesn't want to give them any extra treatment for the time being. He tells them he will be their escort instead of Garroth, who is out on an emergency call. This concerns Aphmau who asks more about it, and he assures her with a smirk that there is nothing to worry about. So yeah...Blaze does not like these folks yet solely because he knows first-hand what Garroth went through emotionally after losing them. And he doesn't know if they're just fakers or not.
He guides them through the city, Nicole requesting that they take a longer route for the group to see it all. Blaze agrees, mainly because he doesn't mind showing off, and starts basically a tour guide of the city. The others are very impressed by it or something like that, seeing that O'Khasis has brightened up since the last time they've seen it. Katelyn points out how everyone just seems happier, and she also notices other women training as they walk by the guard stations. Nicole assures her that it's all part of the alliance she and Garroth and Cadenza made. They all agreed to allow women to have more significant protective roles in their villages, making Katelyn thrilled. Overall, the group sees that O'Khasis is a very strong and lively city. Then they make it to the Lord's...palace? Mansion? Estate? I don't know...think lavish, nice place with a lot of rooms and a large garden.
Inside, their bags are taken to their perspective rooms while they are brought into a throne room of sorts. Katelyn, having been in this place countless times before, remarks that the place seems overall more inviting then last time she was here. Whispering that information to the others, of course. Unlike Nicole's home, which looked regale and more elegant, this place looked more like an everyday individual lived there. Well, a normal individual with expensive pieces here and there. Aphmau notices in the corner though a portrait of a family, a young couple with three children, all boys. She doesn't get that closely of a look before the doors to the room open again to reveal a man in nice attire of dark greens and gold. Nicole seems thrilled to see him, exclaiming; "Vylad!"

While she rushes over to give him a hug, the others are stunned. This was the three Ro'Meave brother? Dante leans in probably and whispers to the others; "It's official. None of them look like each other. Whatsoever."

Laurance probably flicks him or something, telling him to be polite. The man, after greeting Nicole, looks over and actually smiles, seeing our group. Aphmau makes a mental note that this is the first smile she's received since she's arrived in the city that wasn't just a passerby. But there's something about him that she recognizes that she can't pinpoint. Nonetheless, Vylad comes over and greets them formally, asking in Blaze was a suitable escort. Again, Dante mumbles something, receiving yet another glare from Laurance and Katelyn. Vylad takes that as a sign that indeed, Blaze was still skeptical and rightfully so. He just had hoped he put his feelings aside until they got confirmation. Which he does now. As Vylad was the one who guided Aphmau to Phoenix Drop, he now knows that they were who they said they were. He just isn't going to say anything yet. No need to reveal himself...yet. He apologizes for Blaze, saying that as the Lord's Advisor he'll make sure it won't happen in the future, probably giving the guard a passive aggressive smile. He then tells them that Garroth would be arriving shortly. There was sightings of a enemy fleet, Tu'la and he went over to check it out. Laurance sighs and says something like; "So he's on a boat? Isn't that going to take a while?"

The three who know damn well that he isn't on a boat, exchange glances. Vylad looks at Nicole, who just shrugs. He assumed that she would at least tell them the minor stuff. Granted, having three Wyrens isn't minor to any normal person. Vylad quickly assures them that he will be back most likely in an hour or so and encourages them to take a look around and get settled in. He unfortunately tells them though that the three of them won't be joining them as they have some business to discuss. But says that nothing is off limits to explore. They are about to part ways before another person enters, this time the doors swinging open. Inside comes in an older looking women, probably in her late 50s. She immediately spots them, ignoring Nicole, and a huge smile comes to her face. She happily, and by happily I mean loudly squealing, greets them, enloping Aphmau first in a tight squeeze. She spues on, saying things like "It's so good to finally meet you all" and "you all are as good looking on the outside as in the inside"...you know. Weird mother things. If you haven't guessed, it's Zianna.

Zianna --> Now...how to describe my favorite Aphmau parent. So I have a lot of Ro'Meave lore that I will dump on you all later but just know, that Zianna is still her peppy and silly self like in Mystreet...but hasn't always been that way. Just note for a short period of time she wasn't and just because she's like this now, doesn't mean she isn't afraid to stab a bi-

OKAY! She clarifies who she is after they all give her confused glances and apologizes for forwardness. She asks the obvious questions like if they have met her son Vylad yet, who already looks exhausted by his mother's upbeat attitude during this serious time might I add. He then takes that moment to say that him, Blaze, and Nicole need to get going and tells his mother that they are probably all very exhausted by their journey. She huffs, knowing well that he was just saying in adult, formal terms "go away mom, you're embarrassing me". She asks then if they would mind a formal tour of the estate to which all of them say that they would love a tour, strictly just because they didn't want to be rude. So she does just that, hooking her arm into Laurance's and tells the other three that they had business to attend to as well. She drags them out before Vylad protested any longer.
Zianna then guides them through the long halls, showing them essentially a bunch of historical O'Khasis artifacts along the way. Each room seems to have a story attached to it as well, nothing of significance. Like the cook apparently spilled hot oil all over the rug in the family dining room. Or that her handmaiden got lost in the library looking for her once. Eventually, they make it to a terrace that overlooks the gardens. On the terrace is a girl, who seems to be reaching her early tween years, carving on a wooden sword. She seems happy to see Zianna as she enters in first but becomes shy seeing the others. Zianna isn't jumping at the bit to give a formal introduction (strangely, instead stuttering as she tries to explain who this is) so, Laurance jumps in to start a friendly conversation. He asks her what's carving, her answer being Wyren scales on the handle. Katelyn also says something sweet, saying that she and a lot of other guards used to do that with their training swords as well. Laurance then agrees, saying he did the same thing to his training sword, adding scales to the blade, which angered his trainer. She giggles at that. She goes on to say that her father trains her so she doesn't think he'll get too upset about it. Dante butts in and says that he would give her his full support if he gave her any trouble, saying that it made the sword look cool or something and that he shouldn't have a thing to complain about. I guess this adds a bit of lore to the three guards that they most likely had a strict trainer growing up before becoming guards. Again, she laughs, assuring them that her father was not like that. He was actually the one who encourage her to do it, as she might be graduating soon to a real sword. Katelyn was impressed by that, as usually boys of her age don't get swords until they are 13. Then, the girls sassily remarks with a smirk that she has been training for years and actually, should've been on to a real sword a while ago. Again, this shocks the group as she looks to be barely ten years old. Aphmau smiles nonetheless, saying that her father must be smart to want to keep her safe from anything too sharp. She also asks if it was Blaze, as he also has a reddish hue in his hair like her, which is strawberry blonde. She shakes her head and says no, yet looks confused as she asks them; "You are here to see him, aren't you? Most visitors are."

They are about to ask her to elaborate when the breeze suddenly picks up, moments later a golden wyren flies above them, landing in the courtyard of the garden. The girl is immediately distracted, running to the wall of the terrace, looking down to watch as a man hops off. Blaze, Vylad and Nicole are seen as well, coming out of the home to greet the man. All the group notice though is the blond hair that the man has. They can't say for certain it's him though, even though all of them are 99% sure. The girls though, excitedly says; "That's him! Come on! I'll prove to you that he won't be upset!"

She grabs Dante hand, who is more or less in shock, and drags him along. Laurance, Katelyn, and Aphmau are left to look at Zianna for instruction who just softly smiles with sympathy, telling them to follow her. They follow behind the girl and Dante, going back downstairs to an conference room of sorts, which a big table of the map of Ru'an in the center, the girl explaining that he'll be there shortly, as well as her uncle and best friend, Blaze. They are usually in there anyways. Moments later, the door opens and before the man can even take two steps inside, the girls happily rushes over to him. All the group though sees is Garroth. Aged but Garroth. Graying hair, a new scar on his face, a couple of wrinkles, but Garroth. He doesn't notice them yet as he kneels down to scoop the girl up in a hug, asking why all the excitement as he was only gone for a few hours. She explains that she finished her sword and wanted to show him, whispering to him (not very discreetly) to like it no matter what to prove a point. He just laughs and says that he will love it no matter what but asks who she is proving the point to. She then innocently points to Aphmau, Dante, Laurance, and Katelyn who are all standing there stunted. When he meets their gaze, he freezes before slowly standing up straight, unable to speak himself. His daughter just looks up at him, unaware of what was going on, holding up her sword for him to see. Before anyone can say anything, Vylad, looking a bit winded, comes barging in to say; "If you would let me speak, I need to---oh...well...."

Blaze and Nicole are close behind, all of them going silent, seeing the scene that they interrupted. The only one making noise is the little girl, who is now getting the message that this was serious. Zianna quietly ushers her out of the room, saying that she'll give them some privacy. Now this is a scene I'll for sure be writing into a oneshot on my ao3, I think I might do this first actually as it has been replaying the most in my head. But, just so you all can get your happy reunion moment, here's a little snippet!

"Garroth?" Aphmau finally spoke, a squeak to her voice; "Garroth is--is that really you?"

The man in front of them looked just as petrified as they were, clutching his fists nervously as he replied; "I-I could ask the same thing...is this some sort of trick?"

Aphmau smiled, tears welling up in her eyes as she shook her head; "No, no...I can assure you it's not."

"I can second that," Nicole pointed out, interrupting for a second to only shy away once again, enjoying the scene in a way. Garroth finally smiled, tears coming to his eyes as well. He tries to wipe them away, as he awkwardly speaks out; "I-I can't believe it...h-how was the t-travel here? Are you-"

"Stop with the formalities!" Laurance exclaimed, going over to him to give him a proper hug. "You know we don't need that..."

The blond let out a short laugh, hugging him tightly back. This just signaled to the others that it was alright, shattering any awkward tension in the room as they rushed over to join the hug. They were back together, as a family...

"You look so old..." Dante sobbed, muffled between Garroth and Laurance's shoulders. That was the sign to now part from the hug, Garroth looking down at Dante, tears still running down his cheeks as he said; "H-Hey! I'm only eight and thirty...that's not old."

"I think," Katelyn said, stepping slightly in front of Dante; "what Dante is trying to say, is that it's great to see you. We're just little...blown away by everything."

"I think...I think we all have some stories to exchange," Aphmau said, gently as she rested a hand gently on Garroth's arm. He simply nodded as he replied; "I would agree with that statement."

Okay! I think I'm gonna wrap it up here since we've now reached 3600 words. At this point maybe I just write the damn thing. But oh well! I actually want to do something fun and ask you guys to name Garroth's daughter. I already have her all planned out and such but I suck at naming. Also I think it would be special to have you guys involved in some way! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed and be ready for whole lot of story dump for Garroth in the next update!

Love ya guys!
Candi