*Ryuuji returned to Zegkirche and handed Cinder over to Marco and the monks. To everyone’s shock Moona was on the battlefield. In fact, she was on the battlefield the whole time fighting Eclipses with everyone in disguise. Moona was shocked to see Cinder’s body not burnt to a crisp from excessive use of the blue flame. She chalked that up to Ryuuji using Zekell’s Light to heal her. Cinder kept her mouth Keanut and said nothing. She had completely resigned herself to defeat and would accept any punishment that came her way. Everyone returned to Zegkirche where they received a hero’s welcome. Once they reached the temple, they saw Oraine was also captured. Oraine saw the defeated look in Cinder’s eyes and knew it was pointless to struggle. She resigned herself to defeat as well. The two of them were locked up in a location separated from each other along with Zeke. Even though Zeke had switched sides and helped defend Zegkirche from the Eclipses it didn’t excuse the fact that he was a Citizen and would be punished for his crimes. That night, everyone and Zegkirche held a party to celebrate their victory. Everyone was eating, drinking, and laughing. Sanada was surrounded by kids*
(Sanada): So I ran up the body of the Eclipse and stabbed it in the eye. Climb to the top of its head and then sliced it off to finish it. Then I slid down its body to reach the ground safely. One of the craziest kills I’ve ever done.
*The kids cheered in amazement. Elsewhere, Morgan and Jin were entertaining another group of kids with ice sculptures and metal manipulation. Sitting at a table were Mumen, Jade, Gael, Alita, Raika, Dust, and Hibana eating and drinking happily*
(Mumen): I cannot thank you all enough for accepting my request.
(Gael): It was nothing. So where do you go from here?
(Mumen): My services in Zegkirche are longer needed so I think I shall leave. I heard there’s a temple in Brister that could use a priest.
(Dust): So you’re taking over the temple? Hope you can handle wild roommates.
(Mumen): Yes. It’ll be nice returning home and I’m sure Jade could use the company.
(Jade): Hey, we got plenty room to spare.
***
*In the second floor, Ryuuji was enjoying his food with his mom before Marco came in to interrupt*
(Moona): Marco! So good to see you. Care to join us?
(Marco): No thanks your sage. I just need to speak to Ryuuji is all.
(Moona): Oh of course, I could use a refill on my drink anyway.
*Moona gets up and leaves*
(Marco): Your small elf friend down there certainly knows how to talk business.
(Ryuuji): Yes, he’s quite the business elf and you couldn’t ask for a fairer elf to go into business with. So what’s up?
(Marco): I just wanted to let you know that I’ve arranged for a train to take you and your friends back to Brister first thing tomorrow morning before the storm arrives.
(Ryuuji): And what about Cinder and the others?
(Marco): They’ll be staying here for the time being. They’ll receive some harsh punishments along with the rest of the Citizens, except for Zeke. He’ll receive a lighter punishment after defending the city.
(Ryuuji): That’s good to hear.
(Marco): Enjoy the meal and get a good night’s rest. Because I want you out of here first thing tomorrow and don’t even think of coming back.
*Marco gets up and leaves the room. Moona re-enters the room to join Ryuuji*
(Moona): Don’t let Marco’s words hurt you too much, Ryuuji. Despite his harsh tone he’s very happy to see you and is grateful for everything you’ve done today. As am I. You made me proud.
(Ryuuji): Thanks, mom. I just wish we could go back to the way things were between us.
(Moona): I wish so too. Life is full of changes. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. You were once a broken man thanks to your father, but thankfully you changed for the better after going to Brister and I thank Zekell for that. Cinder unfortunately changed for the worse and fell down a path nobody, not even you could have seen coming.
(Ryuuji): Do you have regrets about your past?
(Moona): Of course. But instead of worrying about them I find it best to focus on the future and keep moving forward. We can’t change the past but we can change the future, and I think your future is looking bright.
*Ryuuji smiles and hugs his mom*
(Ryuuji): Zekell truly has blessed me with amazing women in my life. You always know what to say to cheer me up.
(Moona): Comes with the territory of being a mom.
*Ryuuji and Moona go back to enjoying their meal*
***
*The next day, the members of Shadow Eye along with Rika, Nate, and Mumen leave on the train. Ember and her team left as well saying they would drive back to Brister. Both parties made it back to Brister in the early afternoon*
(Jin): Man, so good to be back in Brister. I’m going to go home, pack up for my trip home, and then sleep. Can’t wait to see my family tomorrow.
(Amarti): I don’t think that’s going to happen.
*Amarti points outside where it’s starting to snow. Hard*
(Alita): The weatherman did say there was a possibility of heavy snowstorms. Based on this weather pattern it looks like that possibility has come true.
(Morgan): No way the trains are running in this weather.
(Jin): Oh man, that means I won’t be home for Faven’s Day. I’ll be spending the holiday alone.
(Dust): Rookie, the best thing about being in an order is that you’re never alone.
*After that, everyone headed home for the day to rest*
***
*The snowstorms continue all through the next day and sure enough the trains cancelled all services for everyone’s safety. On the morning of Faven’s Day, Jin woke up and called his mom*
(Jin): Hey, mom. Happy Faven’s Day. Sorry I couldn’t make it. Had an emergency in the order, then that snowstorm came, and canceled everything. Yeah, I’m fine. The good news is the trains will be running tomorrow, so I’ll be home then and I’ll be off until the start of the new year. I’m looking forward to seeing you and everyone. Okay, tell everyone I said hi. Love you too.
*Jin hangs up and goes to cook breakfast. He summoned his two spirits who were happy to keep him company*
(Jin): Nobody should be alone on Faven’s Day.
*All of a sudden, Jin heard his doorbell ringing and went to answer the door. He opened the door to see Dust and Hibana. Dust was carrying a present wrapped in black wrapping paper with a green ribbon while Hibana had backpack*
(Dust): Hey rookie. Happy Faven’s Day.
(Jin): Dust? Hibana? What are you doing here?
(Dust): Oh good, we’re the first ones here. Let’s go, Hibana.
(Hibana): Right. Where’s the TV?
*Dust and Hibana let themselves in with Hibana heading straight for the TV. She sat her backpack down and opened it to reveal a gaming console. She got to work hooking it up while Dust raided the kitchen*
(Dust): Damn, rookie. It’s Faven’s Day and you don’t got any alcohol here.
(Jin): You do know I’m not allowed to drink. right?
*Jin’s doorbell rang again and he ran to the door to answer it. This time he was greeted by Amarti, Zia, and Alita. Amarti and Zia were holding presents wrapped in white with a blue ribbon and Alita was holding a pot*
(Amarti): Hello.
(Alita): Thanks for having us.
(Zia): Happy Faven’s Day, Jin.
*Zia kissed Jin on the cheek making him blush. This distraction, allowed them to enter Jin’s house*
(Amarti): Hello Dust. I see you’re the first ones here.
(Dust): Told you we’d get here before you.
*Alita makes her way to the kitchen and puts the pot on the stovetop. She turns it on to keep the pot nice and warm*
(Jin): Man, something smells good. What is that?
(Zia): Chicken potato soup with bacon. I made it with Alita.
*Before Jin could ask why they were here his doorbell rang once again he answered the door where he was greeted by Raika and her wife Micah along with Sanada, Gael, Jade, and Mumen. Raika and Micah’s dog, Xavier was also with them. They were all holding presents. Raika and Micah’s presents were wrapped in yellow with a red ribbon. Sanada and Gael’s presents were green with a dark green ribbon. Mumen’s present was brown and had a purple ribbon. Jade’s present was unwrapped and was a bottle of alcohol*
(Sanada): Happy Faven’s Day, Jin.
(Gael): Yo.
(Mumen): Thanks for having us.
(Jade): I smell great food.
(Raika): Jin, this is Micah and Xavier. Micah, this is Jin. He’s the other newest member of the order.
(Micah): It’s so nice to me you. Raika has told me so much about you.
(Jin): It’s nice to meet you as well.
*Xavier sniffs Jin foot while wagging his tail and entering the house where he sees the spirits. He runs up to them and starts to sniff as well. After sniffing them, he starts to lick them making the spirits laugh and smile*
(Dust): Oh thank the gods, you brought alcohol. Pour me a drink.
(Amarti): Micah, it’s so good to see you again. How’s it going?
(Micah): Oh it’s going excellent. Thank you for always looking after Raika.
*As everyone was starting to engage in conversation and banter, Jin just stood there wondering what was going on. He had on having a quiet Faven’s Day, but now his house was full of people. Before he could ask why everyone was here his doorbell rang again he answered the door immediately to be greeted by Ryuuji and his family, along with Morgan and Moona. Instead of holding presents, they had bags of food with them*
(Ren and Erina): Happy Faven’s Day!
(Moona): What a lovely house you have here. And so clean. You’re a keeper.
(Morgan): Pardon the intrusion.
*Ryuuji and his family entered the house where Le Fey and Moona made their way to the kitchen to prepare the food for everyone. Alita offered to help them which they gladly accepted. Ren and Erina went to play with Hibana and Gael on the game system. After Jin closed the door he finally got everyone’s attention*
(Jin): Uh excuse me everyone. But what are you doing here? Shouldn’t be spending Faven’s Day with your families?
(Morgan): Why do you think we’re here?
(Dust): Don’t you remember what I told you yesterday? One of the best things about being in an order is that you’re never alone. And that includes holidays.
*It finally registered to Jin what was going on. He couldn’t help but smile and hold back his tears*
(Jin): You guys. . .thank you.
*Before Jin could join in with everyone his doorbell rang again. At this point, Jin was both annoyed and happy and wondered who was at the door this time. To his shock, it was Morrison, Rika, Nate, and Ember*
(Ember): Happy Faven’s Day everyone.
(Rika): Thanks for having us.
(Morrison): Here you go, Jin. A gift from us.
*Nate hands Jin a small black box. Jin opens it and pulls out a pair of keys*
(Jin): You guys brought me a car!?
(Morrison): *Chuckles* Keys to the executive’s bathroom.
(Nate): It’s very nice. I also would like to give you these.
*Nate gives Jin some food coupons to various shops*
(Nate): Be sure to check these shops if you’re hungry and out on the town. It’s all good stuff. And let them know I sent you to try the special menu. You won’t regret it.
*Jin had a big smile on his face and thank everyone for the gifts. Once Morrison and the others enter the house, Jin closes the door and celebrates Faven’s Day with everyone. Smiling, laughing, and having a good time with the second family he had made in Brister*
Author’s Note: Hello everyone. Happy holidays. And so we’ve reached the end of volume 4. I hope you all enjoyed this volume and look forward to the next one. This chapter was always planned to come out around this time. I’ll be honest, these last few months have been a little rough for me at work. My boss and I haven’t been getting along, and I’ve been feeling mentally exhausted from the job because of it. Thankfully, I’ve had the support of my friends and family who have prayed for me and allowed me to vent. This holiday season I encourage everyone that if you’re going through a rough time, reach out to your friends and family for support. That’s what I wanted to show with this chapter. Even if you can’t be with your immediate family, you can still be with others you have come to see as family. Which is what Jin learned in this chapter. He’s made a second family in Brister who care for him just as much as his real family. Ryuuji also gets closure this chapter with Marco. The two are still at odds with each other. Showing that even when you do everything in your power to make things right with them, it still might not be enough. Rather than sulk on it, I feel that it’s best to move on with your life and just wish that person the best as well. Well that does it for me. Thanks for reading, happy holidays, and I’ll see you next time.