Three more years had passed since Akai, his mother, Kidd, and Lacy had come back from their trip to the city. No word had reached the village regarding Lacy’s family yet. Lacy still living with the Ryneveld household, having not grown much over the years.

  The other 3 kids, though. That was a different story.

  Kidd and Akai had shot up like weeds, Akai about 5’5” and still growing, Kidd was now 5’6” and still growing. Both putting on a healthy amount of muscle for their age.

  Lamorie was the tallest of the group at 5’8” and had well defined muscles and a very strong athletic build. All 3 in the throws of puberty, Lamorie was shaping into a beautiful woman, Kidd looked poised to grow into a master swordsman, and Akai looked like a gentle boy ready to don the armor of a knight.

  Akai even had a little hair growing on the end of his chin by this point, much to Kidd’s frustration.

  They had just received word, addressed from the office of Lord Sorray’s estate, that come the first day of fall they will be gathered and transported to the capital city of Thedifell to be admitted to the Legonian Military Awakened Academy. The three of them will be given 3 years of a comprehensive formal education, physical and awakened training, and military experience before being conscripted for up to 8 years. Afterwards, they are free but will have to respond to summons should a war break and additional manpower is needed.

  Gathered at Akai’s home, Kidd and Lamorie set their own letters down which said the same thing. The three sat at a table outside while Akai’s Mother, Lacy, and Lamorie’s father, of all people, worked to prepare food. The rest of the adults inside were discussing how life would be without the 3 kids.

  Lamorie handled the necklace with the piece of the pendant, fidgeting a little. Akai and Kidd easily picked up that she was nervous, Kidd nudged Akai’s leg under the table to get him to speak up about it. He said “Yeah, I’m a bit worried too. But don’t worry, we’re not being split up.” as he flicked his finger, sending forth a little spark of regular fire to land on her pendant. It did no damage and fizzled out after a moment. The gesture did elicit a small smile from Lamorie, though. She smiled warmly and said “Thanks.. Still scary, leaving the village. Then going all the way to the capital city.”

  Kidd said “The city isn’t that scary. But do keep an eye out for thieves. They like to rummage through your pockets and most of the time you can’t feel it.

  “Yeah, the last thief that tried certainly got a close up view of the road.” Akai commented, eliciting a chuckle from the other two.

  “We have a couple of weeks before they come to get us. Before it’s time to head out, let's go for another trip in the forest.” Lamorie suggested, Akai smiled and said “Yeah, the three of us haven’t gone in a while.”

  Lamorie had her smile wane a little bit, Akai was oblivious but Kidd did catch on. He coughed and then said “Yeah, that sounds fun but I think I’d rather spend the time packing and preparing. You two can go without me.”

  “Are you sure?” Akai asked and Kidd gave him a bit of a flat look before shaking his head. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  Kidd discretely shot Lamorie a small thumbs up and her smile brightened a lot.

  “Lets head out this evening, Akai.” She suggested, Akai gently rubbed the back of his head and said “My mother probably wants me to start packing things..” before they all heard Akai’s mother, Jennifer, shout from the kitchen window. “Go on and have your fun, Akai. You can start packing tomorrow.”

  With no excuses, the silver haired teen shrugged and said “Well it sounds like tonight works just fine. We can head to that lake we found again. It should look really pretty under moonlight.”

  Lamorie got a little giddy at the thought, leaning onto the table some she said “Yeah, lets do that.”

  The conversation soon changed topics, and the three chatted for a while until the food was ready. After eating dinner, Kidd stayed back to help clean up. Lamorie almost dragging Akai to the forest, eager to spend time with him.

  Kidd watched Lamorie grab Akai’s hand and lead him quickly to the forest, still surprised that Akai was oblivious to her obvious attraction. He sighed and grabbed their dishes and went inside.

  “You were right, Mrs. Ryneveld. Your son just doesn’t seem to get that Lamorie likes him.” He called out, small laughs rising from the rest of the adults. Drake said “Just like his old man, When we were kids Jennifer was head over heels for Rei here.” while pointing with his thumb at Rei sitting on a couch.

  “Jennifer baked him all sorts of sweets, brought food over almost daily, always talking about wanting a family. Rei didn’t catch a hint until the evening before we were scheduled to ship out to the lord’s army.”

  “I think that’s enough of that story.” Rei said, cheeks flushing red and Drake only laughing more. “What was it you told him in the morning again?” he said jovially, much to Rei’s embarrassment.

  Jennifer stepped behind her sitting husband and draped her arms around him. “I made a man out of you, so come back and make an honest woman out of me.” she said before kissing his cheek. Everyone started laughing at the story and Rei slumped his shoulders and let out a defeated sigh.

  Kidd brought the dishes to a wash basin, cleaning the dishes. Once the group calmed down a little, Drake said “Now, keep this between you and me.” Looking over at Rei. “But if your boy ever decides to ask for my blessing, he’s got it.”

  Kidd’s mother spoke up, Christie said “that would be a sight to see. Lamorie would probably be asking for Rei’s blessing at this rate.” Before she turned and looked around, seeing Lacy had stepped outside before saying. “Kidd, are you ever going to put the moves on Lacy? She seems like a sweet girl you can settle down with after your soldering is over.”

  Kidd blushed deeply at the thought, Lacy was a good bit older than him so he wasn’t sure about any of this. He rubbed the back of his head embarrassed and said “Maybe.. Lacy is very pretty…” quietly.

  “I’ll be sure to let her know you said that, then.” Christie said, the face Kidd made as he looked up to stare at her was priceless. Christie and Liam giggled and chuckled at the innocent teasing of their son..

  Theatrically, Kidd put a hand on his chest and said “I shan't believe it, mine own mother would be so cruel as to do such a thing.” in an over the top voice.

  “Believe it so, deary.” Christie spoke back in a similarly exaggerated manner of speech. “For your mother does indeed intend to raise grandchildren before she grows old and wrinkly.”

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  Just then, Lacy walked in. Catching only the tail end of the back and forth between Kidd and his mom. She was holding one of the pots used for dinner and had just washed it out outside. She looked confused as everyone turned to her, Kidd quickly and quietly got back to washing their dishes and all the adults relaxing and holding back small fits of laughter.

  Lacy was invited to sit down and relax on the couch as they spoke and enjoyed one another’s company.

  Christie showed restraint and decided not to tease her son further or bring up what he said while Lacy had stepped out. Though the topic if she found any boys yet she likes did come up. Lacy was a little cagey about the subject, not wanting to give a direct answer other than “I don’t think I want to be in a relationship right now..”

  Rei, the keen eyed amongst them, did notice she very briefly glanced back at Kidd after saying that. No one else seemed to notice so Rei decided to keep his mouth shut lest Drake or hsi wife share more embarrassing stories from his youth.

  Outside, the sun was starting to hang lower in the sky, filling the horizon with yellow and orange hues as time began to drag on. A good distance away, Lamorie was walking by Akai’s side humming a tune. Akai knew the tune so he was humming along. They were walking between the edge of the forest and the edge of a crop field. The wheat was starting to yellow but still had a while before it was time to actually harvest. Still it looked pretty, especially with the sunset ahead of them. Lamorie looked down at Akai’s hand as they walked casually.. She wanted to hold onto it but felt embarrassed at the idea of doing so.. For now, she was content walking close by his side.

  She thought ahead, wondering about seeing the lake in the woods under the moon and star light. The thought of watching it with Akai felt very romantic.. Wait, Would this count as an actual date between them? They had gone on late strolls like this before but it was never just the two of them by themselves.. The thought of this being their first real date together made her face flush a little red and she turned to look to the side so Akai wouldn’t see..

  Akai noticed she stopped humming as her mind wandered, he saw she was a bit lost in thought. Seeing her turn her head away, he got the wrong impression and assumed she was upset about the whole leaving for the academy thing again. He gently patted her back and said “We can make tonight a night worth remembering when we’re away.”

  Lamorie’s ears turned a little red as she thought inwardly to herself “damn it, I know he doesn’t mean it the way that sounded.. But come on, akai.”

  As the light began to grow dimmer in the shade of the forest, Akai held out a hand and brought forth a wisp of flickering orange candle light. Illuminating the area around them, they deviated their path from along the side of the wheat field to into the forest, following the path they both knew by heart at this point.

  The warm colors in the sky faded to the somber navy and soon black sky. A crescent moon hanging in the sky above them and millions of little specks of light illuminating the rest of the sky slowly revealing itself in the absence of light.

  Akai led them as he held out his palm, the candle flame still flickering above his hand. He grew it in size some to help light up around them a little better. Lamorie used the darkness as an excuse to stand closer to him and gently hold onto the sleeve of his tunic.

  After a while longer, they soon came to a break in the trees and the lake sat still ahead of them. Glimmering in the starlight as a faint fog rolled over the surface of the calm waters. A choir of frogs sang on the distant shore as the faint “plops” of nocturnal fish catching food from the surface of the water occasionally sounded. Lamorie’s eyes widened as Akai slowly extinguished the candlelight and let the natural beauty of the scene show itself without any artificial light.

  The two of them sat down by a tree at the bank of the lake. Lamorie sat with stiff posture, hesitant to relax too much now that they’re both alone in such a secluded place.. But she did scoot a little closer than normal. The both stared at the surface of the water for a while, Akai was captivated by the sight of it but Lamorie was shifting her attention from the sight and with her silver haired friend. His hair also caught the light in a way she felt was stunning. Vibrant blue eyes twinkling in the reflection of the lake..

  Akai rested a hand on top of hers unintentionally. She didn’t move it away and felt her heart start to race as her mind wandered to many places.. Soon settling on the idea that this felt like the perfect place to share their first kiss.

  The dim light hid the redness of her face well, well enough Akai didn’t seem to notice when he turned to look back at her. Butterflies danced in her stomach as thoughts of a kiss was all that could cross her mind… Unfortunately, that was yet to come. Akai gently patted her back and pointed. Lamorie’s eyes moved to follow and she saw a deer with a cute fawn both approaching the lake to drink from it.

  “Isn’t that cool?” Akai whispered, and Lamorie realized that Akai really didn’t see this as a romantic date between them. She felt heat rising and she about blew up to yell at him, but when she saw the genuine innocent look in his eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to actually be upset at him.. ‘I’ll, there will be a better time later..’ she thought to herself and just leaned against him.

  Akai looked and Lamorie muttered the word “cold” softly.. Her ploy worked and Akai did wrap an arm around her and a few embers began to glow around them. Warming her up, and giving Lamorie an excuse to lean more into this silver haired dunce.

  It was a little past midnight when the pair made it back to the village, most of the lights in the windows already extinguished as everyone was asleep. Akai walked Lamorie back to her house and she smiled. The urge to lean in and plant a kiss on his cheek was strong, but Lamorie hesitated a little too long. “That was fun, have a nice night.” Akai said, gently patting Lamorie’s shoulder before turning and walking away.. The teenager sighed deeply before turning to head inside and go to bed.

  Akai took the next few minutes walking back to his house where he saw there was still a light coming from the downstairs room. He trudged up the path to his moderately isolated home and saw his father sitting inside, a lit smoking pipe in his mouth.

  When Rei asked how everything went, Akai spoke truthfully. This made Rei shake his head slightly and say “You still have a lot of things to learn, Akai.. It’s late so head to bed.”

  Akai was confused why his father said that, and why similar things had kept getting mentioned to him occasionally. Unaware of why, Akai nodded and said “Yes sir.” softly before going upstairs and to bed.

  Akai thought about his future at the academy as he laid in bed.. He was supposed to receive a formal education while there, something he had not had the luxury of living in a small farming village. Maybe he’ll need to learn what he need to there? Hopefully..

  Akai slowly drifted to sleep, but this time things were different.. He did not find himself having a normal dream, nor was he awakening to find himself in the body of the Phoenix King.. Akai found himself sitting on the steps of a grand marble palace built into an impossibly large mountain.. He was wearing the same clothes he fell asleep in, just a pair of soft long pants. It was uncomfortably cold here as Akai got to his feet. He brought forth a few wisps of flame to warm himself as he looked around. The entire place was covered in a thick fog, too dense to see even the base of these steps he was on. Barely able to see the outline of the mountain through it, and couldn’t see too far into the marble palace but the fog was noticeably thinner inside.

  As the wind began to pick up and push his silver hair into his face, he hurriedly walked inside. Moving hair out of his eyes when he was finally shielded from the wind.

  Inside there were black marble pillars every 100 feet, contrasting the white tiled floor. The fog parted and showed a path deeper in.. Following, Akai soon found himself standing before a throne room with 7 empty thrones.. 3 on each side and a larger one in the center.. Standing on the floor between them was the figure of a person. Akai approached and saw it was a fairly androgynous being that seemed to weirdly shift out of focus every time Akai tried to take in detail.. All he could see was a humanoid being that was made out of infinitely fine and innumerable threads of gold and white light without taking a singular solid form.

  Soon, a voice Akai could not tell if it belonged to a man, a woman, a human or a beast. Or even if it was a single voice or multiple spoke calmly. “Prepare yourself, young Phoenix.. There are things in motion that have escaped my control.”

  Just as those words finished sounding in his ears, Akai noticed the fog rapidly approaching him and growing denser. Akai tried to call out a question, but just as the air left his lips Akai found himself sitting up in his bed. “Who are you?” He yelled.. Only to realize he was back in his bedroom.

  Birds chirped outside his window as the sun was creeping over the horizon in the distance.. Akai was left more confused now than when he fell asleep.. “Who was that..” He muttered…”