SWNOVELS Chapter 16: I’m going home
We soon exit out of the portal, finding ourselves on an extremely familiar road. Before us stands two large stone pillars that flank the entrance to a long and winding driveway. As the fairy road closes behind me, I feel the rush of cool wind. Within it is filled the smell of pine, oak, and ash, a combination I will never forget.
I pan over the surrounding area, seeing the forests to my right, with vast fields on all sides. Beyond them lie the tall hills that they seamlessly flow into. Off even further I see the glimmering wave of a massive lake with more of the fields that I know all too well. I feel my heart swoon heavily as more tears well up in my eyes.
As my eyes train around, they soon focus onto a singular point, a large house in the center of the endlessness of nature and at the very end of the long and winding driveway. I feel a large lump growling my throat the more I stare at it. For so many months, I thought I’d never again look on something so incredible, a place where my heart lives forever.
All around me I see the Estate covered in a light frost, yet not a single speck of snow. I smile softly in awe as my heart aches more and more.
“I think you missed again, sweetie,” jokes Marron as she leans into me.
Behind me I hear my mother chuckling. “No…I believe this was done on purpose.”
She’s not lying, and I think she knows why. My joy and excitement of what is right in front of me is now causing me to tremble. I can see my home before me, yet I’m still trying to accept that it’s really here. I feel my nervousness growing more and more as I ball my hands into fists.
I pan up at my mother, seeing her violet eyes staring into mine. Her warm and caring smile beams onto me. “Go, sweetheart,” she says softly.
I turn back to the Estate, still finding myself unable to move. It’s like my feet have melted into the pavement.
I then feel a pair of hands giving me a gentle push into my back. My cheeks then burn as I blush, finally able to free myself and start down the long driveway.
As I stroll down the road, I pass through the dual rows of trees that border it. I pan around through the trees, seeing the fields and forests beyond them. To my right, I can still see the remnants of the battle that drove me away from here in the first place.
I see the hulks of SUVs from when the covens came charging into the grassy plains, only to be destroyed by either Marie or the dryads, now all of them are covered in heavy moss and grass. I can still picture the harpies dive-bombing the endless streams of cars, destroying many. I feel my heart aching as I saw many shot from the sky that day.
Surrounding the SUVs, I see a few of the constructs the dryads used to fight in, where several perished. Yet even in death they sprout new life as the constructs and the lives once within have become new and growing trees.
Even though I see signs of healing all around me, it still clearing shown how torn the land still is. I glance down, knowing that the pavement, which a few SUVs crashed into, is also reforming as my feet travel over it. I then turn my attention skyward, imaging myself fleeing on Orga’s wave-rider. I grip my chest, feeling my heart panging in my chest.
I lower my head, recalling the last few months. Hell, it’s nearly been a year for me. I think of the places I’ve been to, the Ranch, Japan, and the Outpost…Dewloura. Each place holds significant meaning to me. Each place holds so many memories of thing I did there. I think of the people who helped my along the way. My coven, the villagers, my ancestors, all of them.
I smile, sharing all there was in the village with my party, my family, while in Japan. I blush, remembering my confession to Kenji before we left. I miss him.
My fists clench tightly as I think of Tyrion and his family, sacrificing themselves for me, just so that no one could come after us. My thoughts go to Serasfall, a woman I truly came to love as my mother yet we each held back.
I then think of Arnold and Mindy and their sons. Murdered out of sheer rage, just in order to draw me out. I'm grateful for Marron holding me back from making that colossal mistake.
I grin as my thoughts turn to Celes, my older sister from the past. While gone, she’s still here with me because of Marron. We truly are sisters no matter what.
I know I’ve lost much over these past few months. But then again, there’s so much that I’ve won. I’m still alive and out of the reach of my enemies. Now I have my mother back with me, alive and here. I soon quicken my pace, having wanted to see the trees of my forests, the rolling hills of the endless fields, to hear the streaming brooks that flow into the lake. All of it.
After a few moments, my quickened march turns into a full-on sprint down the driveway. It’s not only the land and Manor I want to see, but the people. I’ve missed them so much, having my heart ripped away as I fled my home. People I fought alongside, lived with, loved dearly as family and so much more. I feel the wind carrying me even faster as I draw closer to the main circle in front of the Manor.
I finally reach my home after rounding the main garage. I stop at its center, panting heavily. The sky above me is slowly turning darker as night comes all the sooner. I look around, still seeing a few of the pylons sticking up the paving stones. Rubble and pieces of obsidian lie at my feet with several more pylons having been broken and shattered.
The stone driveway is still in shambles with craters all around me. I pan over, seeing the place where my mother was stabbed, the moment my heart broke during that fateful battle.
I gaze up at the Manor, my home. The old stone masonry seemingly calls to me, welcoming me back. I feel a great sense of relief the more I stare at it, knowing that it really, truly is here right in front of me.
Once more I recall everything that’s happened since I fled here, yet now I have returned. I feel this wonderful fact give me new strength as a smile stretches on my lips.
“I’m home,” I whisper, smiling broadly.
“I’M HOME!!!” I shout, hearing my voice echoing, feeling elated at my proclamation. I pant softly, finally regaining my breath.
“Little Wing?”
My heart thumps heavily as I turn to see the faces of two people off in the distance. My eyes grow wide as I stare at them. Silvi and Velhemina. My beloved elder sister and aunt. My heart races wildly as I turn to face them.
“Silvi? Velhemina?” I call out, chokingly.
They smile and nod, tearing up as well. “Come here, come here,” says my sister.
I instantly bolt towards them, leaping into their open arms. Silvi gleefully then twirls me around. I laugh while also crying as she then sets me in between them. Both sister and aunt then hug me tightly as I cry heavily into them. I feel soft, cool hands stroking my cheeks as clawed fingers gently rake through my hair.
I stare up at them, clinging to them with tears streaming down my cheeks. “I thought you both were dead,” I cry out.
Silvi smiles, strumming her thumb across my cheek. “The dryads caused the forest to grow, acting as a cushion and buffering my fall. Yet even with the cushion, I was still severely injured from being shot out of the sky like that.” She then snorts puff of flames from her nostrils, “Not to mention my pride was wounded as a result.”
I smile happily, seeing faint scaring around her abdomen. She smiles, pressing her head into mine, “I’m all better now my little sister, healed up and better than ever.” She then eyes smirks, “Well…if it weren’t for the poor quality of care I was given from a certain potted weed.”
Velhemina the huffs as she glares up at her, “'Poor quality'? Honestly, you ignominious lizard, were a terrible patient from the start. You were always tearing at your bandages and trying to burn away any and all salves I applied to your wounds. You fought me each and every day I tried to treat you, insisting all you needed was food and rest.”
I grin softly, feeling happy to hear their banter once more. I have, and always will, love hearing them try and insult each other over anything and everything. It’s just a part of who they are with another. They do care and love for each other, but love to throw shade.
I turn to my aunt, catching her blood-red eyes, feeling my heart seize a little. “I saw the greenhouse explode.”
She nods, sighing softly. “I was deep underground that day, Little Blossom. I did indeed felt the ground shudder. When I emerged, I found my entire home destroyed. Thankfully most of the root systems survived so I should be able to revive the plots soon.” She pressed her head to mine, “Sadly, your flower wasn’t so lucky and I will need time to grow a new one for you.”
I giggle bashfully, “I think, I might be a bit more kitsune now than my other forms.” I look up at Silvi, knowing how much she loves flying with me.
My aunt smiles, kissing my forehead, “It’s all right, my little niece. Now, like I said, the lizard here was a terrible patient. She never once listened to any my recommendations for rest or treatment. I often had to find new manners of healing her.”
Silvi then puffs flames again, “I would have listened if you care wasn’t so shoddy Weed. Your ‘treatments’ couldn’t really work on a dragon like me.” She then grins to me, “We don’t need plants to heal, only food and rest.”
I giggle louder the more I listen to them argue. They then smile and turn to me, each planting kisses on my cheeks.
“You have no idea much we missed you, Little Wing.”
“There wasn’t a day that went by were you weren’t on our minds.”
I smile, hugging them tightly.
“Young Miss?!?! Big Sister?!?!”
I peer through the arms of my sister and aunt to see the Micha and Luna along with the combat maids running down the stairs. Silvi and Velhemina smile as they me let down to which I sprint to them.
I kneel down as the pups barrel into me, nearly tackling me to the ground. Heh, I’m not letting this happen for a third time. They each cry bitterly as their little tails wag incessantly. I hold them tightly as more tears fall down my cheeks and onto their little furry heads. I hold them close to chest as they cry into it.
“We missed you so, so much, Big Sister,” says Micha.
“We were so lonely without you,” adds Luna.
I smile, stroking their little heads. Oh god these two. They’ve always been like my little brother and sister from the day I met them. They were always following me around, wanting to play, or simply wanting someone to turn to other than their parents. I have to laugh, drawing stark parallels to Leto and Nelly. I guess twins just love me. Well…then there’s Yui and Miu, but that’s something completely different.
“We were so scared when we had to run,” says Micha. I hold them both tightly to me. “We didn’t sleep much, always up asking Papa about you.”
I smile, pressing my head onto theirs. Luna grips my shirt tightly as she looks up into my eyes. I smile more, planting a kiss onto her forehead. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you, Big Sister. Just so, so worried.”
I grin staring down at them. “What have I always told you?”
They grin with more tears rolling down the furry cheeks. Behind them I catch their tails wagging even more than before.
“Big Sister is invincible,” they say in unison.
I nod, smiling broadly, “That’s right.”
No matter what’s happened, in one form or another, that statement’s been true. I survived Irina, coining the phrase after my duel with her. I used it again right before I fought the Lana, Mistral and their cohorts from the Court. So once more, I use it here. Oh, there were a few times when I nearly broke, but I’m forever grateful for who's been with me along this journey. Without them, I would have never overcome my demons.
I feel and hand resting on my shoulder. I peer up, seeing Abigale smiling to me. She gently pulls me back into her as Lyra, Marie, and Bianca surround me. I smile up at her as the kikimora holds me.
“You have been terribly missed, Young Miss,” the head maid exclaims. “The manor felt even colder than ever before in your long absence.”
I blush, knowing how attached and tied I’ve become to not only the people here, but the Manor itself. I’ve become a fixture here. These women mean so much more to me than mere staff. They’re like my older sisters, on and off the battlefield, with Miss Abigale being the ringleader for us all.
“I missed home so much, Miss Abigale,” I say. “I missed all of you,” now turning to the others. The first thing I glimpse is Bianca’s new right eye. I reach up, seeing that it’s now a softer shade of lavender as opposed to her deep blue left. Over it rests a faint scar. My heart shudders the more I see it.
She smiles, leaning in and holding onto one of my hands. “It’s been so long, Young Miss. It makes me so happy to see you alive.”
I smile, pulling her closer, pressing my head to hers. “I’m glad to see you alive Bianca. I thought I lost all of you.” She smiles, squeezing my hand.
I peer to Marie, feeling my heart sink. “The Sportage was blown up by a coven.”
The automata’s eyes narrow as her mouth quivers, “After all the work I put into it, someone has to go and blow it up? The absolute nerve. I’ll personally come up with worst kind of torture for them.” I grin, knowing she very well might.
I giggle softly, nodding. “I do have some things that I want to show you later on. My little ‘adventure’ took an interesting turn along the way.” She grins as I see her glass-like eyes actually light up.
I turn to Lyra, my sword master and another close friend. “I have something to show you as well.”
She grins, “Knowing you, it probably is something incredible.” I giggle softly.
She then kneels down beside Abigale and pulls me into her arms while I’m still holding the pups. She strokes my hair softly, smiling to me as all the maids then crowd around me. I smile as I look to them all, with Abigale and Lyra holding onto me while Bianca and Marie grip my hands. I giggle softly, having greatly missed each of them.
We then hear the sounds of padding. I lean over to see my mother, Marron, and knights all arriving on wolfback. Mom and Marron slide off Fenris while my knights from Athena. Micha and Luna smile broadly as they see my wolf father, yet then are in awe as they see Athena. I grin watching them stare at her. The maids all do the same as well, in particular Abigale. I smile softly, knowing her reason.
The head maid quickly regains her composure and smiles to my mother. “You kept your word, my Lady.”
Mom smiles, looking to me as I’m surrounded by everyone. “That I did,” but she then motions to Marron, “and she did as well.”
Abigale looks to my sister for a moment and then nods.
I look to Marron, seeing her seem strangely calm. Athena nuzzles her head under Marron’s arm, making my sister smile, stroking it.
Fenris looks to Abigale, each nodding their heads to the other. He then turns to Silvi, each giving the other a massive grin while Velhemina merely shakes her head and sighs. I grin at the pair, knowing the rivalry they share.
I then feel something cold tip my nose. I look up to watch as now begins to fall. I smile softly as it does, wonder if this too is a sign of the Estate welcoming me home.
Mom smiles then looks to me, “Sweetheart, why don’t go ahead and get some rest? Your room is waiting for you.”
I look to her, “Shouldn’t I spend tonight with you?” That’s really odd. You’d think a parent, who’s been separated from their child for so long, would be adamant about having them spend the first night after their reunion together.
She smiles, “Aria, I got to you first, I held you in my arms first and foremost. We will spend more much needed time together, and I promise it will be even more special.”
I really don’t understand why this is happening. But…I’ve never really been able to argue with my mother. Ok…there were a couple times. She must have her reasons.
I sigh and nod, “Ok Mom.” I look up to Marron, worried for her.
She smiles, “Just go sweetie. You’ve earned all of this more times over now.”
I nod and we all rise from the stone driveway. Micha and Luna each grab a hand as we head up the stairs. At the top I see two very proud and happy men.
I grin to Sebastian the butler and Warwick, the father of the twin currently holding my hands. Each man grins broadly. “Welcome home Young Miss,” they say.
I giggle, blushing happily at them. “Hey you two.” I momentarily let go of the twins’ hands and rush into their arms, hugging Sebastian first and then Warwick. Both men hold me tightly, stroking my hair.
“It does this old lycan’s heart good to see you alive and safe Young Miss,” says Sebastian.
I grin to him. Sebastian’s always been somewhat of a father-figure to me, always at the ready for when I need him for anything, able to anticipate my needs and sense out my worries. He really helped me, or at least tried to, when I had my massive falling out with my birth family a couple years back.
“I know my children were eager to see you again,” say Warwick, “in fact we are so ever glad that you are home now.”
Warwick and I have always been incredible friends. I used to love spending time with him and his family either in the fields as they tended to the flocks or simply being with him at their home. The kobolds and I have always been close, pretty much since the first day I met them. With Warwick, he’s been like an uncle in some manner to me. Ready with advice and a helpful ear.
I grin softly at them, loving that they’re here right now and safe. “Thank you both so much. It goes without saying how much I’ve missed you.”
They smile happily to me, dipping their heads slightly.
“Your room is exactly as you left it,” says Sebastian. “Albeit with some minor repairs.”
I giggle softly, knowing something must’ve broken or fallen over during the attack.
The old lycan butler then turns to the combat maids. “Come, let us give the Young Miss a proper welcoming,” I blush and grin softly as all four of the maids rush past me and line up beyond the door and into the foyer.
They then all bow to me. “Welcome home Young Miss,” they say in unison.
I smile, choking up as I see the interior of my home for the first time in nearly a year. I smile to them, swallowing back the lump. “It’s good to be home.”
It really is, finally, just to be here once more.
I hear my mother walking behind me, resting her hand onto my head. I turn and look up at her. She smiles, “Go ahead and get some rest sweetheart.”
“Can we spend the night with her?” asks Luna.
“Of course little ones,” she says smiling.
Again I look to her puzzled. She simply continues her smile. “We will have our time together in the morning.”
I nod and face the inside of my home. I retake the pups’ hands and take a deep breath before crossing over the threshold. I smile softly as the three of us head up the stairs.
I feel like I’m in a dream the higher we climb, as if this is just too surreal. However, I know that this really is my home and not some illusion. No one, not even a sphinx, could truly replicate the feeling I have right now. This is my home and I am back at long last.
“Welcome home little scholar,” I hear someone familiar in my mind.
A massive grin stretches on my face as its Xiphos. “Hello Professor. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to hear your voice. Even if it’s only telepathy.”
“The feeling is mutual my dearest pupil. However I must apologize for coming down to greet you properly. I am still slightly too weak to leave the library for the moment. Perhaps tomorrow we shall see each other.”
I smile, “It’s alright Professor. I have one great story to tell.”
“I cannot wait to hear my child, now, go get some well-deserved rest.”
I giggle softly, “Yes sir.”
Xiphos has really been the only person I can communicate telepathically with. I can also with Fenris through the Bond and Mom through our mana-bond. But with him it the truest form of the skill.
I feel gentle tug on my arms as pups continue to drag me down the hallway.