The people showered the paraded soldiers with flower petals. Avryn felt good. He felt they were one step closer to reclaiming the Lost Lands. This many eyes on him felt good for once and yet he felt something, or someone, was missing. The parade finished once they reached the barracks. A party was held there.

  Champagne bottles were opened and poured into glass. Music played and ushered the feeling of merriment onto the celebrating soldiers. This was a well earned victory. Avryn smilled but deep inside it was a facade. Leandros and his squad should’ve been here.

  “Three cheers to squad Carolus! Their efforts made it all possible!” a soldier said.

  Carolus laughed.

  “It was through the collective effort of everyone that we earned this victory, let us toast to that,” he raised his glass.

  Avryn looked on as he was deep in thought. His mind wandered. What would have been, if Leandros was still alive. He also didn’t know the fate of his other squad mates. He shuffled around and stuck to a corner while the festivities were happening. To Avryn, it was unfair that he would celebrate without Leandros. He had hoped to have met him in better circumstances.

  “I still don’t have the whole truth,” he moved his glass. “Why’d you have to leave us so early?”

  Avryn to a swig of his drink. He went to the second floor, and onto the balcony. Jenilah was caught by surprise as he entered. They exchanged greetings. Avryn leaned on the rail, with his drink in hand. Jenilah asked what was on his mind that he was in a somber mood. He explained everything to her. She nodded along with after every word. He particularly noted he took his frustrations out against that ogre. His anger got the better of him that time. Jenilah placed her hand on his arm and consoled him.

  “He would be proud of you. Your feat and you carrying his will,” she told.

  Avryn held his head high.

  “You’re right.” he turned to her. “You wanna grab a drink?”

  Jenilah chuckled.

  “Of course.”

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

  Her encouragement resonated within him. He remembered Leandros entrusted him the charge to lead the future and that was what he intended to do. He returned to the party with Jenilah. Harver was the first to greet them. Leifren was with them. He approached Avryn.

  “Hey, good call on the golem’s eye. The mission would’ve collapsed otherwise,” he said.

  “The best way to beat seemingly impossible opponents is to think outside the box,” Avryn explained.

  “Indeed,” Leifren offered him a drink.

  They shared a toast and a swig of the champagne. Harver remembered something.

  “Oh yeah, how’s fighting side by side with Carolus? I heard from the others but I wanted to hear it from you,” he asked.

  “Amazing. That guy just makes you wanna give it your all, you know?” Avryn recounted.

  “Glad I have a positive effect on the new generations.”

  All of them turned to the source of the voice, and there was Carolus and Rin together. They shared a conversation with the crew. A few war stories were shared between them. Rinna arrived with the rest. Kiria’s eyes shone like stars when she saw Carolus and Rin. She pulled out a folded photo and went in front of them.

  “Carolus Sviro and Rin Rellea…” she was starstruck. “Could I have your autographs please?”

  The two chuckle and obliged her. Each one signing their name on it before returning it to her. Rinna stood beside Avryn. The two mirrored Carolus and Rin.

  “Now that’s gonna be a match for the ages,” Harver observed.

  Carolus acknowledged her and she returned the gesture. She told the group they were invited to the party being held at Vistella Corporation. Avryn asked how she knew of that.

  “Oliviere. He messaged me,” she answered.

  Her answer got some concern looks. Carolus laughed it off.

  “Well then, if we got the invite from the man himself, we might as well,” he said.

  Kiria spoke up.

  “If he dares to try--”

  Rinna cut her off.

  “He won’t. Let’s just go.”

  And so they went to the Vistella Corporation building with several other squads. They were guided into the great dining hall. Music greeted their ears as they entered. Oliviere was the first person to greet them.

  “Welcome, honored guests. Please, take your seats. The event will begin shortly,” he bowed.

  Avryn noticed Oliviere was eyeing Rinna. He turned to guide his group over to a table but saw Cody and Cory was just beside him.

  “Looking for a table?” Cody said.

  “We got one for your group here,” Cory gestured.

  The table they pointed to was pretty close to the VIP table. It seemed it was reserved beforehand. A work of Oliviere, no doubt. Avryn relented and guided his group and Leifren’s over there. A few minutes later, Veltaire called for a toast. He commended the bravery of everyone present. The event proper had begun. Banquets of food had been prepared for the gathering. Avryn still felt uneasy about all this, plus there was another thought at the back of his mind. He excused himself from the table after finishing his first round of food.

  He bumped into Carolus and Rin again. Carolus asked what was on Avryn’s mind, as he noticed he wasn’t his usual, happy self. Avryn explained that the absence of Leandros was still heavy on his mind. Rin gave him some assurance. Leandros’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain because his legacy rested on Avryn. A part of him will always remain, so long as he carried it. Carolus agreed with everything with what Rin said.

  “She pretty much said my answer,” he crossed his arms.

  Avryn nodded.

  “I’ll try and remember it if I feel down again.”

  “Good man,” Carolus gave him a pat on the back.

  Avryn continued and bumped into another person. This time it felt like he walked into a brick wall. He turned to see it was Oliviere.

  “Just the man I wanted to see,” he said. “Have your considered my offer?”

  Avryn tried to remember what the offer was. It took him a couple seconds. Oliviere wanted him to be in his personal guard, but he wasn’t sure why.

  “Sorry, but the answer’s still no,” he politely declined.

  “Well, alright, but I’m not giving up on you, just letting you know,”

  The two shared a quick glance before going their separate ways.