Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar looked into his grandfather's eyes and firmly nodded. ''Yes. Family is everything to me. I'd do the same for you and Grandmother or my aunts.''

Griffin nodded, pulling Cassian to his feet and giving back his sword, declaring. ''You two will stop fighting; you're both in the wrong here, and neither is in the right. There will be no infighting within the family!''

The surrounding members all agreed as the old man looked at his uncle. ''And whars your answer son?''

''I'll hold no grude toward the Blackwood boy,'' Cassian answered.

A sharp, resounding slap rang through the air as Griffin struck him, his voice cutting in with a stern warning. ''Don't lie to me, Cass! I can tell when you're hiding the truth. Raegar is a Vaelthorne, he's your sister's son and blessed by both your mother and me, so cut that shit out now.''

Raegar smiled, but the old man spun on him and slapped the back of his head, warning. ''And you, if you're going to fight with family members, do not aim to kill them! I know things were different in Bloodfang Forest, but here in the empire, that's a no go, boy.'''

''Okay,'' he replied with a respectful nod, asking. ''Where Grandmother? I need her to heal me.''

A sad look appeared on the old man's face, which caught everyone's attention as Cassian panicked. ''Where's Mother?'' he questioned.

''She's unconscious because of a devil's poison, I believe,'' Griffin revealed with a frown. ''When a Devil Lord ambushed us, we were sent to another realm, where we've been stuck until I defeated the leader and escaped, but Elysia defended me from an unknown spell which knocked her out.''

When Raegar heard this, his heart dropped at the thought of her being knocked out by the devil's evil magic. The old man chuckled. ''But she's alive, and I'm searching the continent for healers to wake her up so she'll heal that pretty face of yours. I'm certain of it.''

Every Vaelthorne looked worried at his words. Griffin leaned down and whispered into Reagar's ear. ''Well done, my boy, you that stupid man through his paces even though you're Tier One. You'll never understand how proud I am with you.''

He smiled but the old man continued, putting a hand on his shoulder. ''Go check on your mother and Yuki. Your Father rushed there as soon as the fight stopped.''

Raegar started to walk toward his parents, Saki and Yuki, but a voice stopped him. ''Blackwood, wait a second, please.''

He turned around only to see Cassian approaching under the watchful eye of his Grandfather who spoke to other family members. When his uncle stopped in front of him, he suddenly smiled, thrusting out his hand.

''I apologize for my behavior, for hurting Victora and your woman, nephew,'' the man said, his words catching him off guard with their unexpected sincerity. ''When I saw you go for my wife and hurt Rhaelor, I lost my temper. But I'm sorry for what she said about your lady. It's clear she loves you, she did her best to hold me back.''

Raegar, though initially stunned, felt his shock give way to calm understanding. He accepted his uncle's offered hand. ''You were protecting your family, just as I was. But please, ask Calista or Rhaelor not to insult Yuki again. She's done so much for me, and I truly care for her.''

''That's exactly what I planned to do after I finished apologizing to your mother,'' he admitted with a warm chuckle. ''You caught me off guard, nephew. If you were a couple of years older, I'd have been done for.''

The older man patted his shoulder. ''I've got to say, I envy my little sister for having such a son like you, a great warrior in the making. I look forward to seeing what you achieve as you age.''

With that, Cassian stepped back, flashing a friendly smile as he wrapped up. ''Anyway, Father's giving me that look, so I'd better get moving. I'm genuinely excited to see what you'll do in the future.''

Raegar nodded while joining his Father, who was talking to his Mother and Yuki. When the two women saw him, Victoria jumped up. ''Little shit! You need to stop fighting. That's twice now!''

''Twice?'' Alaric asked with a confused expression. ''When was the first time?''

Yuki giggled and gave him a love-filled smile just as the older woman revealed it herself. ''Him and Elise got off on the wrong foot. He went to attack her with his weapons, but Jasper stopped it just in time.''

''We get on now, mother! Ask her yourself,'' Raegar defended himself, pointing at the blonde woman who was checking on his now healed brother. ''I even met Mary and Hilde.''

Victoria reluctantly nodded as she mumbled. ''Yes, you're right. They said you gushing how you're a well mannered young man.''

Just then, Jasper and two women approached. The young man smiled, looking at him. ''Little brother, I feel sorry for Yuki now. You're going to cause trouble wherever you go, but at least you're protective over us.''

''I doubt I'll be alone in keeping him out of trouble,'' the cat maid said with a knowing smile. ''He leaves for the academy the day after tomorrow, so I'm sure we'll be hearing rumors spreading throughout the west.''

Raegar chuckled as his Victoria spoke while looking at Cassian who was waiting off to the side. ''I'm going to check up on Mother. I haven't had a chance since being healed by the Healers.''

Everyone nodded as she pulled him into a warm hug. Then, as she walked toward his grandfather, Alaric enveloped him in a sudden embrace. ''I'm so proud of you, my boy,'' he said, his voice brimming with pride as a broad smile spread across his face. ''You gave Cassian a real challenge.''

''I just used what I've learned over the years,'' he honestly answered. ''Thanks to you, Rodric and Grandfather, I know how to fight. Also, my time in that nightmarish forest honed my skills over the year I was there.''

The older man nodded with a smile before looking at the cat woman. ''Look after him until he leaves Yuki; we can't have him fighting every Vaelthorne he comes across.''

Raegar joined the maid in a light laugh, and she dipped her head with a respectful, ''I will, my Lord.''

At her words, Alaric's eyes narrowed, though his tone remained warm. ''We've talked about this, daughter. I know you two care for each other. Your mothers and I aren't here to stand in your way. You have our full blessing to be together.''

''Yes, Father, Mother already told me about your blessings,'' Raegar said with a playful grin, ''Right as she let slip about you and Saki being a thing.''

Yuki giggled at the older man's shocked expression and nodded in agreement, putting Alaric on the spot. Alaric let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. ''You two really don't mind? I mean, she's beautiful, and I do love those fluffy ears of hers,'' he admitted.

The young woman started laughing even more, shaking her head. ''Father like son, the young master here loves my ears and strokes them when his sleeping.''

Raegar's head snapped toward Yuki, causing her to laugh even more. Moments later, his Father went off to find Victoria after saying his goodbyes. He turned to the young woman and asked. ''Are you hungry?''

''Yes, young master,'' she answered with a sweet smile. ''I'm guessing you want to eat more of that eastern food?''

He nodded, and she led him to a quiet part of the garden that was now empty as the other family members fled once Griffin appeared. Five minutes later, the couple sat down as he pulled out some noodles.

They started eating as Raegar pulled out some sake, which made Yuki's expression changed when seeing this. She quickly questioned. ''Drinking again? You're going to become a drunk sooner or later.''

''No, I'm just enjoying myself before leaving for the tests,'' he answered with a charming smile which made her heart race.

Yuki's cheeks went red prompting him to continued with his sweet words. ''I'll spend these two days with you because I'll miss you.''

The young woman beamed, replying in a whisper. ''It's only for a little while. Your mother said I could come visit you once a month thanks to her traveling to the nearby city of Brightwater.''

Raegar couldn't help but be happy when hearing that and started eating as the two spoke about his Grandfather's sudden appearance and his Grandmother's illness. He learned that there had been accounts of people falling ill during the fight with the creatures.

''Don't worry, though,'' Yuki commented. ''I'm sure Master Griffin will find a healer who can wake her up.''

Following that, the two of them continued eating and drinking until full. The young woman stood up with a smile. ''Shall I go get us some cold water?''

''Yes, please,'' he replied while lying his head down. ''My head is spinning, and I feel sick.''