The front gate of the Riser Estate finally started to come into view, Red and his grandparents were almost home. "Come on, hurry up! I wanna read Roland's story with Roy!"

  The boy could hardly stand still as he rushed towards the door after what he saw in the city center. He was dead set on arriving home as soon as possible, to the point where he leaped off his grandfather's shoulders and ran the rest of the way home. There was a story he wanted to read.

  The pair happily watched him run, as they got closer home. Only for him to abruptly stop. "Hey Grandma, Grandpa. Do you think I could pull out Durandal?"

  The pair could only see the shine in his eyes. "Well, it's possible." Igneel was the first to answer the boy. "Although, I don't think a six year old with nothing to his name can claim it."

  His words only caused Red to pout. Hellia could only give Igneel a light slap to his shoulder. "Did you really have to say that? And on today of all days." Her glare, her firm voice.

  While he had explored many of the dungeons that populated Keltic, fought the monstrous creatures that lived in them and roamed the land and sea, seen the horrors of war, and faced death countless times. But the look that she was giving him was the one thing he grew to fear.

  "So I have to prove myself worthy then, right?" The words of a confused, innocent boy were his saving grace.

  Seeing an out he took it, trying to choose his words carefully as he spoke. "Yeah, many people think that if you accomplish a great feat the sword might recognize you." His words while giving the boy an answer, mostly were used to please his wife and as her expectation softened. That reaction was only confirmation he needed to know he was in the clear.

  "So Grandpa, what would be a great feat?" The tone in his voice grew more curious, however, the one to answer him wasn't his grandfather.

  "Now don't you give him any funny ideas." She decided that this had gone on far enough. "Now Red, dear you know I love you but, you're still far too young to be thinking about that. Now run along, your parents are waiting for us." She could only smile at him as he nodded, smiling at her as he ran his way to the door.

  "You know he's just like Lyn was at that age." Igneel couldn't help but compare the two. He laughed as he recalled the days when he would have to tell Lyn about his adventures just to get her to go to sleep.

  "He may not have her blood but he has her spirit. I just hope he doesn't cause me as many scares or headaches like she did." She couldn't help but groan, rubbing her hand against her temple recalling all of the scares her daughter gave her. Especially as she got older. But watching as her grandson ran ahead, she couldn't help but wonder what adventures waited for him.

  Once Red finally reached the door he made his way inside. Only to be meant by the darkened room, the lights had been turned off. The windows while they would normally let in light have their blinds blocking the light, only allowing a few streaks of light inside. "It's too early for lights out, maybe they're taking a nap."

  As the boy walked into his home he didn't notice the presence of another, hidden behind the swung open door. Those hazel green eyes shone through her long free flowing, white almost silver colored hair that covered her short pointed ears, as she eyed the boy as she watched the boy. A malicious grin soon grew, finding a place on her face as he unknowingly walked past her.

  Then she leaped seizing her opportunity.

  Seizing the small boy, she picked him up in her arms as she entrapped him, bringing him close. The boy was startled as a high-pitched scream echoed through the house, causing a few people to pop out from several hiding places.

  ""Happy Birthday!!""

  There were many voices of varying tones, but whereas some happily called out, there were just as many who said nothing not caring that the boy arrived, and only idly made their presence known.

  But one of the enthusiastic voices belonged to the teen girl who held him. The sight of many of these people caused the shocked expression he wore to change to an excited smile.

  Many of the guests stayed in their own groups with several adults mingling among one another. Even the older kids didn't really pay any mind to the boy's return, with many of them wearing clothing that looked rather casual. It was clear that even though they wore casual clothing, the vast majority of the guests were royal.

  But that didn't matter to him as the first group that was the focus of his eyes were his parents and Lyn could be seen holding Roy as they welcomed him home, along with a draconian woman with light turquoise blue scales on her arms where visible and her tail was seen on the couch, her coffee brown hair was tied at the end and lied over her left shoulder onto her well-endowed chest. She wore loose fitting clothing, out of all the adults she appeared out of place when compared to the rest of the guests.

  The next group his eyes darted to three other boys around his age. The human boy in the center of the trio with ashen gray hair and charcoal black eyes was known as Ash Chromed. Who simply held up a peace sign to his friend. The shaggy blond-haired boy with emerald green eyes next to him was his older brother Arthur, who showed off his toothy grin as he held both of his hands behind his head. And finally was a draconian with brown eyes and black spiky hair, who had turquoise blue scales running along his arms and a tail with matching color was Hector Scalebone. He stood over the other two as he waved.

  His gaze was forced back to the half-elf who held him as she tightened her grip on him.

  "Happy birthday Red." She couldn't help but smile at the little boy she held. Her infectious grin caused the already smiling boy's cheeks to turn a rosy red.

  "Thanks, Morgen, but can you let me down now?"

  Morgen took a moment to think about the boy's request. Her eyes wandered throughout the living room and even landed on the arrival of Igneel and Hellia who could only laugh at the situation the boy was in, until her gaze fixated back on the boy, smiling at him.

  "No, I don't think I will." Her answer was straight forward as she only smiled at him.

  "Come on, let me go." His pleading went ignored by the half-elf. He started to feel the staring eyes of his friends who could be seen pointing and laughing at the situation he was in. Even his parents and the draconian woman couldn't help but find the situation amusing.

  "Come on, please let me go, Morgen."

  "Hum... No." Morgen continued to ignore his request to be let go.

  The boy's grandparents once they saw the situation he was in could only laugh as they greeted Morgen. Igneel simply ignored his grandson's pleading eyes and went to greet the guests. Hellia simply smiled and waved to the pair as if giving Morgen permission to mess with her grandson, to which the half-elf smiled back at her. Watching as both of Red's grandparents made their way to speak with Silver Harfall, a green-eyed elf with short white hair, and next to him was his wife Altria, a human woman whose light brown hair matched the color of her soft. They simply waved to the older pair as they approached them.

  "I see that Lady Morgen hasn't changed much, she's still very affectionate towards Red isn't she." The soft voice of the draconian could be heard. "Speaking of which, where are Lady Diana and Lady Astera? Normally they're also doting on Red at this point as well."

  "Come on Tastu, you're our friend, you don't need to be so formal." There was a slight annoyance noticeable in Lyn's voice.

  "Yeah there's no need for you to feel the need to act like that, we've known each other for years." Achilles soon joined his wife.

  "I guess you're right, knowing Diana she'd start pouting if I called her that." She could only laugh imagining the response of her gray-haired friend. "But really where are they, after all, Thorin isn't one to miss a celebration. He'd always find a way to convince you and Sigurd to drink with him." The draconian couldn't help but tease the warrior-turned-royal, as she dangled her finger above Roy who tried to grab at it.

  "Yeah, why is that? Achilles are they just running a little late, did you remember to tell them or were you boys too busy walking down memory lane. The pair had turned, locking their eyes on Achilles. Lyn gave him a disappointed glare.

  "I told them during our last meeting." Waving his hand in front of him, as he tried to calm the situation. "They're all back home. Sigurd and Thorin told me that with Astera and Diana having a hard time moving around lately, they didn't want them traveling at all and said that staying at home for the time being would be for the best."

  Lyn's glare started to slightly soften. "Fine I believe you, but we're going to visit them this week." A pointed finger shot out towards Achilles.

  At the sight of this action, Tastu couldn't help but laugh at the pair.

  "This feels just like old times. The only thing that has changed is we have kids now. I mean look at this little one, I wonder how much trouble he'll make for Red " Her face kept her soft welcoming smile as she played keep away with Roy. Still baby flailed his arms as he tried to grab her.

  "I see that when you arrived you brought both Arthur and Ash, did something happen with Victor and Shauna?" Achilles questioned, causing her to laugh.

  "Oh you know how they are, just as busy as ever. So with how their business is going, I took upon myself to bring Ash and Arthur that way they can get a get a break and relax, but knowing them they're likely relaxing in a different way." A mischievous grin grew on the draconian as she elbowed the Riser pair.

  Lyn grew flush at the implication. "Tastu! Could you not say something like that in front of Roy or worse what if Red head you."

  She could only laugh as the trio soon went back to watching as the rescue attempt from Red's friends as they tried to free him from Morgen's grasp.

  ——————————————————

  With the help of Ash, Arthur, and Hector. Red was finally able to escape the clutches of Morgen much to her dismay. Red ran off trying to lead his group simply trying to put distance between themselves and Morgen as she chased after the small group, much to the annoyance of some of the guests.

  A teen with dark orange hair and a pair of icy silver eyes watched as Morgen followed the group out into the back yard, his hand held a locket in the shape of a lighting bolt crossing over a heart. A groan escaped from Raiden Contro as he watched Morgen disappear. "Man I'm bored."

  "I can't believe we still have to attend these trivial event over some blood-eye Lyndis found." This time the one groaning was another older teen girl with long pointed ears, long jade green hair that ran below her shoulders and eyes of the same color that almost seemed to throw daggers in the direction of where the crimson-eyed boy was.

  "Katlin you know, it wouldn't kill you to try and be nice to the kid." This caused both the high elf and human to turn to face a bronze-skinned boy with short midnight-black hair and a matching set of eyes. Perseus Endura could only sigh at the actions of his fellow royal.

  "Why must I? The only reason my father agreed to come was to maintain appearances." The high elf scoffed. "Comepared to this get together there's no reason for y family to attend such wasteful ceremonies. Perseus, I'm sure you'd prefer spening time with your mother learning how to government Recia or the operations of your father's fishing company."

  With each word that escaped from the high elf some of the group nodded. From a human girl named Iris who shared a similar appearance to Raiden, the only difference was rather silver; her eyes were a warm gold. Nodding along with Katlin's statement. Even Perseus had a hard time finding a reason not to agree.

  In fact the only one who didn't seem to care about the statement was a light gray, wild-haired wolf zoophian, his tail wagged happily as he ate from a plate that consisted of mostly pulled pork, crisp chips, and grilled asparagus. Watching as he acted more like a stray dog than a royal with how he ate. "Wasn't to–day mo– re abo–ut Lyndis' kid be–in born a few week–s ago, Raul or som—ething?" Taking a set, the wolfman spoke with a ruff accent as small bits of food flew from his mouth "H—Hey, ha—ve ya tried the p—ork?"

  The group could only stare, baffled at the actions of the beast man.

  "Lycan I know you're a zoophian, but can you please try to pretend to have some class when your around us and refrain from speaking with your mouth full like a wild animal."

  While there was loud laughter coming from Raiden and Iris, a groan came from Perseus.

  "Come on Katlin, give him a break." Iris spoke up, bringing the focus onto her. "After all asking a poor mutt like him to have table manners is likely too much for the simpleton."

  A low growl targeted Iris.

  "What are ya gonna do about it fur-brain?" Iris continued her taut.

  "Don't know, Ma told me to ever hit a girl but you're so flat ya barely qualify as one."

  The moment those words left the wolfman/s mouth, Raiden coudn't hide his laughed. "Well here we go again."

  An annoyed groan came from Perseus, and Katlin, well didn't care in the slightest as group of teens watched as the pair got closer, gold met dark blue as the royal pair got in each other's face, waiting for the other to make a move.

  A move of an eye, the twitch of an ear, even the sway of a tail, no detail went unnoticed.

  "Could you simpletons please refrain from rasing your voices. I knwo your kind replays more on raw strength rather than your intellect, but please think before you embreasse yourself."

  With a sharp snap of their necks, the arguing duo turned to the elf.

  "What did ya say greenie?" Lycan couldn't help but snarl at the elf.

  "Not only do you lack manners and dont have the brain capacity to remember the boy's name, but it seems like you can't even hear properly. Forshame and here I thought zoophians had strong senses." Katlin continued to insult the wolf-man.

  "Are ya tryin to pick a fight smartass?" Turning away from Iris, he now chose to flash his fangs at Katlin.

  "Oh did I not make myself clear? I suggest you put your ears to work and listen to your elders."

  "Cut the crap you're only a year older!"

  "Maybe, but I'm still older than you, mutt." Katlin's posh voice only continued to irritate Lycan. It looked as if the two could come to blows. Until the dark orange spoke up, taking center stage between them.

  "Look as entertaining as it would be to watch you get your ass kicked again, Lycan. Can we please not do this today? I'd rather not get Lady Hellia's bad side on today of all days." Raiden spoke out ,trying to diffuse the sisuatiion.

  The thought of facing Hellia's wrath caused them all to freeze, it sent a cold rush of fear down the group's spine. She was not one to be trifled with and many of them have at one point crossed that line at least once.

  It was a hell none of them wanted to see again. Silence fell on them as they all recalled a time when they had naively crossed her for the first time.

  It was easy to see where Lyn got her kind compassionate nature from, but it was just clear who she got her fury from as well.

  However, another thought was shared almost unanimously, between the group.

  As if they were cogs in a machine, they all looked out the large window to find Morgen laughing as she played with the boys, helping them set up some kind of goal by the center oak tree.

  The silver-haired, half-elf maiden has been the only one to never once face Hellia's hidden demon.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  ——————————————————

  Running through the yard under Morgen watchful eye, Red ran through the yard as he was being chased by Arthur, their shadows from the late afternoon sun was the only thing that could keep pace with the two boys.

  Why one may ask? It was simple he was trying to prevent him from scoring the winning point in the game they called 'Treasure Drop'. Simply put, someone would throw the ball, and the first to grab it had to run around the yard before they could score a goal while trying to avoid being stopped by the others. The first to score three goals wins the game.

  Arthur was trying to prevent him from getting the orange ball he had from scoring the winning point. Something Morgen found rather entertaining, only pondering as to where these boys found all this energy, to keep going. It seemed like they had been playing for hours.

  As Red dashed weaving between the trees that grew along the backyard fence, trying to lose his friend. However, Arthur wouldn't relent and kept up the pursuit, as if he were a predator guiding its prey into a trap. He kept chasing, if there was one thing you could say about Arthur it was that once he set his mind on something he wouldn't relent. Each step Red took, Arthur would mimic each step. If Red tried to dash left he'd follow suit, when Red dove into the bushes Arthur with no hesitation dived in. It seemed as if no matter what he did Red was always a step ahead and slightly out of reach of Arthur as they soon approached the center oak in the backyard's center, where a box with the word 'GOAL' could be seen. Finding his back on the brick walkway, Red ran towards the goal. A confident grin could be seen on his face as his victory grew closer as he approached the goal box.

  "I DON'T THINK SO!" Ash cried out, jumping from behind the tree in an attempt to tackle Red, flanking left avoiding the brothers plan. Causing the boy to skid across the brick slab walkway, unable to stop himself he lost control of his body and rolled across until he landed in the grass, stopping once he hit a bush.

  "You're gonna have to be faster than that to stop me!" Red cried out as he kept running.

  Blindsided by this approaching victory, Red didn't notice that something blue slipped out from a bush. Catching his foot, the sudden obstacle caused the boy to trip and slide across the grass as the orange ball rolled away.

  But before Red could get back to his feet and retake the orange ball. He had the wind knocked out of him as a new weight landed on him, preventing him from getting up. Looking back only to find that a smirking Arthurhad caught up.

  "What was that about not being fast enough?"

  "I'm not done yet!"

  Struggling against this newfound weight Red tried to get out from underneath Arthur and reach out to the orange ball. Only for the weight to increase massively, causing both Red and Arthur to have the wind knocked out of them both as they felt a new weight body slam on them.

  Red could only move his head to see the blue scales of the dragonian who slammed into the both. A wide tooth grin grew on Hector. "Hehe. Got ya pal."

  "Alright, I give. But I'm still gonna win." Joining Hector he started to laugh as well.

  While there was laughter, there was also a groan.

  "That's great and all, but can you get off me I can't breathe." Arthur's smothered voice barely broke through the laughter; he was sandwiched between the crimson-eyed human and the turquoise-scaled draconian who only laughed harder at their emerald-eyed friend. As the group got back to their feet.

  "Come on guys, let's go back to the start." Red couldn't help but laugh as he led them back to the start, that was until they heard a painful groan.

  It was Ash.

  He was lying on the ground, his hand holding his left knee. Blood could be seen seeping through the cracks of his fingers.

  ""Ash!""

  The cry of the three only served to alert Morgen, causing the young girl to rush towards the source of the cry. Only to find the same sight that the boys found Ash in and the reactions each boy gave for such a minor injury.

  She could see Red and Arthur simply trying their best to calm the crying boy and to help get him back on his feet. Whereas Hector simply tried to help calm his friend. Ash could only hold his knee as he refused to get up, his face red and teary eyed.

  The sight only caused her to let loose a rather low audible sigh as she slowly approached the wounded boy, speaking in a rather quick manner but her voice still carried the same gentle tone. It was almost like she was singing with each world that left her mouth. As she finished her hands started to give off a soft white glow.

  "Divine Restoration"

  A soft illuminating white glow shined from her hands as she approached Ash. As she got down to his level, Red simply backed away, giving her the room she needed.

  Gently placing her hands on the boy's injured knee trying to remove his hand, caused him to flinch, withdrawing from her touch. "It stings doesn't it?" Her voice was just as soft as her actions.

  Ash could only nod his head. This time as Morgen tried to remove his hand, Ash winched again but still gave her access. What she saw was a rather large scrap covering his entire knee. The bleeding slowed slightly and the top layer of skin was peeled off, but it was nothing major. It was clear it hurt. Like the beating of a butterfly's wing, Morgen gently covers Ash's knee with her glowing hand.

  Crimson eyes watched, mesmerized as Ash was soon enveloped in a soft white light and his injury started to heal. The skin started to return and the bleeding stopped. Soon the only trace of the wound that remained was that trace of blood that was left on his knee and just as soon as it started, the light that enveloped Ash dissipated. Finally, Morgen simply reached into her back pocket to pull out a handkerchief and cleaned it up, leaving no trace that an injury was there.

  "There, all done, how dose it feel?"

  Ash found his footing, the pain in his knee was gonna, and he could only hug Morgen. "Thanks, you're the best Morgen."

  She only returned the hug, only for Red to interrupt. "So Ash, you want to keep going?"

  "But if you want to take a breather we can stop for a bit." Arthur added.

  "Yea—

  "Let's not after all it's starting to get late."

  This simply took the fire out of Red, he just wanted to keep playing. "But I was gonna win." He couldn't help but pout, an action Morgen found amusing.

  "Yeah right we all know I was gonna win." And just like that Arthur relit the fire and the two were already butting heads, arguing on who was going to win.

  "Oh, so you're telling me you'd rather play your game." Morgen playfully sighed, grabbing their attention. "Ok, I understand and here I thought you'd want the gift I found just for you." Like a master fisherman Morgen simply sent out a baited line and like a hungry fish, Red was all too eager to bite.

  "Really! What did you get me?" He attitude changed on a dime, his eyes shined as he looked at her.

  'All too easy.' She couldn't help but smile. "That would be telling. So if you want your gift you have to come with me, so let's go."

  Making their way back inside, a question made its way back to Red and he couldn't help but ask. "Hey Ash, Arthur, why aren't your parents here?"

  Ash was the first to speak up. "Well that's because they opened their apothecary shop a few days ago and they have been swamped with customers. So they weren't able to come, so thats why Miss. Tastu brought us."

  "Well... that's not entirely right." This only made both Red and Hector grow curious as to why they didn't come. "While it's true they are still running the shop. When we left this morning they didn't open up right away. But after Miss Tastu came to pick us up, I heard them say that since they aren't able to leave the house all day, they might as well have some fun before work. I mean I didn't know they had a maid outfit."

  Arthur's comment only made Morgen freeze as her cheeks started to warm, understanding what activities the boys' parents were up to as inappropriate thoughts of the acts the married couple were forced into her head.

  "Hey Morgen, are you ok?"

  Thankfully the red eyed boy was able to pull her away from those thoughts. "It- it- it's nothing Red. Come on, let's go." She stammered as she pulled the boy inside.

  ——————————————————

  The small group made their way through the home passing by many of the other royal families. There was the dark orange-haired ruler Johanis Contro. A large, muscular man whose fierce golden eyes have been said to silence any room and force even some of the strongest warriors to kneel. And next to him was Brunhilda, a woman with jet-black hair and beautiful amethyst-purple eyes. She was often seen as one of the most beautiful women in Massedon.

  They could be seen conversing with both the rules of Elvis, a high elf named Lowins Alfphis, and his wife Aria, an elf with long, autumn brown hair and brown eyes. Despite looking rather young, Lowins was the oldest out of everyone who attended the party. However, the biggest mystery to many was that despite being her mother, both Katlin shared nothing with Aria when it came physical characteristics.

  The two kings decided to rather than celebrate but instead to use this opportunity to discuss the current relationship between their kingdoms.

  "So Johanis, can I still rely on you as a consistent trade partner when it comes to my country's imports of Massedonian steel?"

  "Depends, will you continue to send high quantities of Alroot? The recent surplus that has been sent has been helped with the production of medications."

  "Well I wouldn't want to sour our relations, but, if you were to lower the cost on exported goods by let's say ten percent then I'd likely respond in kind." Lowins simply led the orange haired king on.

  "Heh, looks like attending this party wasn't a complete waste of time. I'll see what I can do when I get back."

  Johanis gripped Lowins' gloved hand shaking on the deal.

  ——————————————————

  As the group made their way to lead the boys through the room, Red could only look at the rest of the guests.

  His gaze first landed on Lupan and Mavis Solarious, the black and white furred zoophian rules of Glacier. While they had matching crystal blue eyes, Lupan wore a dull red suit with a black undershirt that made his yellow tie seem to pop against the dark color, along with black pants and shoes, while Mavis wore a simple light purple dress with gray stripes and gray heeled shoes.

  They could be seen smiling as they spoke with the bronze skinned Queen of Recia, Vanessa Endura. Vanessa was a tall, strong woman, with long dark raven colored hair, who often butted heads with Johanis to the point where the two neatly came to blows. Her brown eyes complemented her bronze skin that she showed off with pride with a low cut shirt that looked like it was being pushed to the limit when holding her chest back as it fell just above her waist. Out of all the royal guests she was the casually dressed. Next to her was her husband Turles, a man of noble lineage, who owns the biggest fishery in Recia. When compared to her, his head came just over her shoulder. His flat top hair and eyes matched the color of his son's. While he was well built his choice of attire clearly showed his nobility.

  But Red's gaze was pulled away as Mogren brought them to the same spot as the other kids. Of the group Lycan was seen enjoying yet another helping of food, while Iris was talking with both Katlin and Perseus, who merely made a passing glance. Not because of Red but due to Morgen's arrival.

  The only one who seemed to greet him was Raiden as he squished Red's head when his hand forced its way onto his head. "So you're a year older now ya stray."

  Red groaned as he tried to force Raiden's hand off. "Knock it off Raiden. And quit calling me a stray, I''m not some lost dog."

  "Then maybe you shouldn't let Morgen carry you around like one." His attempts were futile as the foreign hand remained firm.

  Muffled laughter caused him to turn and find that rather than help Hector, Ash, Arthur and Morgen didn't even try to make an attempt to help. They just stood there and laughed.

  'Traitors.'

  "Well it can't be helped." A pair of arms wrapped around Red's waist and lifted him back into the air. "After all, being compared to a cute dog isn't that bad, right Red?"

  "Look at that, he almost looks related to you, Lycan." Iris spoke up once again.

  "Shut up cutting board."

  And like that the two started arguing again.

  'Why are they always like this?' Stuck in his own thoughts, Red wouldn't have to think about it for long as another voice entered.

  A deep laughing voice soon joined in. "So it's gift time huh?"

  Red was the first to turn, seeing that it wasn't just his grandfather, but the rest of his family and Tastu.

  But while everyone had their focused on a cake with orange and dark blue icing with a six white, unlit chandler. Red however had his fixation on the long wooden box that his grandfather carried.

  At the sight of his grandmother who brought the plates and fork, every royal child stood straight, trying to make themselves look presentable.

  "So how would you kids like a slice?" Achilles questioned.

  At the mere mention of a cake, Lycan almost seemed to teleport as he appeared next to the group, standing at attention.

  As the dessert was placed on the wooden coffee table, Lyn snapped her finger and the wicks ignited and a small flame appeared.

  Once Morgen let him go, Red made his was to the cane, watching as the flames flickered back in his crimson eyes.

  "Go on Red, make a wish." Turing back as Lyn spoke, finding a smile on her face.

  'What do I want?' Watching the flames flicker ideas ran through his mind. New stories of other heroic tales, perhaps magic power like Mom, maybe to wake up a few inches taller.

  But the more he thought, crimson eyes landed on a pair of warm royal blue.

  'What I want is to be strong...'

  His nose flared as he took a deep breath.

  'I want to be a hero someday.'

  When breath was blown out, the six small flames went out.

  It didn't take long for Achille to run a knife through the cake, revealing the interior to be a mix of vanilla and chocolate. After helping himself to slice, Red sat on the couch as he started to eat.

  "So what was your wish?" Only to hazel eyed half-elf question him, wanting to settle her own curiosity.

  "I can't tell you or it wouldn't come true."

  "Come on, you can tell me."

  "No Grandma told me that if you tell someone your wish it wouldn't come true, thats the rule."

  "Oh she did, but did she tell you the other rule?"

  "Other rule?" A confused look took over.

  "My word she didn't tell you?" She continued her shocked performance. Something Red couldn't look past.

  "What's the other part then?"

  And like a master smith Morgen stuck while the iron was hot. "Well you didn't hear this from me but you're allowed to tell your wish to one person as long as you do it before you take your first bite of cake."

  "Are you sure Morgen?"

  "Would I ever lie to you Red?" She told him, patting his head.

  "Ok, but promise you won't laugh."

  Tracing her finger over her chest she answered. "Cross my heart and hope to die." Taking a deep breath he gestured for her to lower. Morgen, smiling, responded to his request.

  "I... I wanna be... a Hero." His voice only grew softer and quieter as he felt his face heat up.

  Morgen was the only one to hear him as his voice fluctuated as embarrassment took hold of his face. Smiling, she simply ran her hand over his head patting him. "Well I think that's a nice wish, after all the world needs more people like that."

  He simply looked into her hazel green eyes, to him Morgen was many things but a liar wasn't one of them. "Now go save me a slice, I'll be right back." Dashing off before he could even question where she was going.

  While he waited for her to return, Red made his way to the table, watching as Lycan was the first to wolf down his piece as he went for a second. Seeing a moment, grabbing four plates. Placing one on near the couch, he walked over towards the spot where Raiden, Iris, and Katlin currently resided.

  "Try not to trip, last thing you want is to wear it." Raiden was the first to speak watching as they each recover a slice.

  Iris was quick to follow. "Would ya look at that, the kid is already practicing his customer service. But I don't think anyone is gonna be hiring him for work."

  "So I see you're learning your place. It's quite alright blood eye, it often takes timefor people to understadn their role in life." Katlin spoke over his younger, with a sharp gaze addressing the boy he continued. "Now please leave my sight."

  Backing away from the group, Red took his leave returning to the spot he was welcomed at. "Katlin, would it kill you to be pleasant for once?"

  The elf only sighed at Raiden's question. "Why should an elegant, elf like myself lower myself to the same level as him."

  "Maybe because he's—

  "Oh don't go making a big deal out of it." Iris cut him off as she started to eat. "It's not like any of us will have to deal with him. After all, by the time any of us takes our parents' place it's gonna be the kid Lyndis had we'd have to deal with, not him. Besides, could you imagine the controversy, a bloodeye taking the throne, now that would be something to watch."

  Still even if you don't like him, better to maintain a positive con—

  "Come on bro, be honest. The only reason you tolerate him is because Morgen is always hanging around him and you don't want to look bad in front of her."

  "Shit up Iris..."

  —

  Making his way back, Red watched as his friends took their time as they enjoyed the desert.

  "So good... Mr. Igneel, this is from Sweet Wheats, right?" The draconian asked.

  "We made a special request for today."

  "Good call, old man. Even our folks don't go by them very often."

  "Come on, Arthur, you need to be more respectful." Ash tried to tell his brother, who only laughed at the remark.

  Laughter from the old man quickly joined him. "Don't worry about it, kid. I'm an old buck, there's nothing I can do about that." Picking up a slice for himself, he ate alongside the group. "

  Looking around, everyone else was enjoying themselves. Lycan could even be seen bowing, asking Lyn if he could have a third slice. Perseus rejoined the other Raiden and the others, while Morgen had yet to return.

  Retaking his place on the couch, he went back to eating. 'This is really good, 'Sweet Wheats' really is the best.'

  Each bite tasted better than the last, ignoring the world around him as he started to stare at the long box that rested on the table.

  "Hmm..." 'I wonder.'

  Taking another, his young mind questioned what was hidden in the box.

  "So you're curious about what's in the box, too, huh, pal?" Hector questioned, sitting next to him, pulling Red from his thoughts.

  "Yeah, I wonder what's in it."

  "Then why don't we just open it after all, it's yours boy." The two turned to see Igneel, along with Ash and Arthur, followed the old man as he sat on the floor across the two, placing his hand on top of the box. "Between you and me. Your Mom and Grandma don't think you're old enough for this, but I was just a little older than you are when my father gave it to me."

  Pulling back the lid, he revealed a white padded interior where a sword rested. Its pummel was rounded, and the handle was wrapped in brown leather that led to a simple cross guard that went out to the sides. The metal was a golden color, and it had a polished shine to it.

  The blade was what stood out the most. The center of the blade didn't look much different from a regular sword as it had a polished gray color, and in the filler, there was what looked like an ascending dragon engraved into it, but the edge of the blade was what stood out. It was a deep black made of mithril, and it looked as if it was added on during the forging process.

  'It's beautiful.'

  "It's called Breaker. It was the very sword I started with and the one your mother used for a time." Igneel's words couldn't pull Red away from the blade, but he did gain Hector's attention.

  "Why is it called Breaker?"

  "Well, because it's meant to get you used to using a sword, you now break you in."

  Finally breaking away from the hold the blade had on him, Red reached out. Grasping the handle with one hand, he tried to lift it, but the action required two hands.

  Raising the blade out, the sword shook in his grip. He could feel gravity pull against him as he tried to adjust to this new weight. "It's heavy."

  This only caused the group to laugh, even Roy could be heard giggling.

  "Really? You know it's a sword, right pal?" Hector threw his arm around his friend as he questioned him. "You didn't think you could just wield it right away?"

  "Hey, I'll get the hang of it."

  "And with your Dad and Grandpa as teachers, you'll get there one of these days." Crimson eyes darted to his mother, back to the sword, and finally to swapping between the two men. Leaving the food behind, he started to return to the backyard. "And where do you think you're going, young man?" Lyn's voice caused the boy to stop, almost fall over due to the weight of the sword.

  "I want to go practice."

  "Ah yeah, you're gonna be a handful." She couldn't help but sigh. "You can wait, just enjoy the rest of the day. After all, didn't Morgen say she had a gift for you? It would be rude to leave before she gave it to you."

  As she spoke, a pair of arms wrapped over his shoulders, and he felt a chin resting on his head. "Were you going to abandon me, Red? How cruel." She couldn't help but release false tears before she pulled him towards the couch.

  With ease, Morgen took the sword from him, much to his displeasure, as she returned it to its case. Only to come back and place a leather bag on his lap.

  "Go on, open it."

  Doing as he was told, he clipped it open and traded in only to feel a leathery texture. Curious, he pulled the object out to reveal a book with a dark green leather shell with a white thread going along the edge.

  "A book?"

  Opening to the front page to find the image of a small group consisting of a blue-haired human man, a green-scaled draconian woman, a red-haired dwarf, and a zoophian woman with small cow horns, facing out towards an unknown destination beyond the horizon. Golden letters above the picture gave the book its name.

  "It's called Heroes' Will. I know how much you like your hero stories, so I spent the past week in Lyuous looking for the right one."

  Crimson eyes darted between the green book and the silver-haired elf. Before he even knew what he was doing, Red caught her off guard when he leaped into her hold. Excitement took him as he looked up at her.

  "Can you read it for me?"

  Watching as her hazel eyes looked into his shiny red eyes, how could she refuse such a simple request? "Of course I will, but first you have to get me some cake."

  Nodding at her request, Red rapidly made his way over to get what she desired. An act that didn't go unnoticed by a pair of silver eyes.