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"All Guardians may be dismissed now," Queen Cassie declares. "[Y/N], please stay for some time longer. The council and I wish to speak with you."
The quiet and somewhat-tense atmosphere lifts as the ex-guardians file out of the castle down the long, carpeted entryway. Griefer lingers for a moment, simply giving you a concerned look.
His eyes seem to ask for a promise, "stay safe, alright?" You nod in response with a smile.
"Mr. Brad, please leave," Queen Cassie reiterates. "I understand your concern. We shall not do anything."
"R1GHT... S0RRY," Griefer mutters, running in order to catch up with his father, who simply chuckles quietly.
Cassie breathes a sigh of relief. "I guess that means I can drop some of the formalities then?" She looks to the Council, who stay silent, though you were expecting for Reginald to facepalm. Their silence means approval.
"So much happened..." Cassies stutters. "Where do I even start?"
"The Windforce is the crown jewel of Trinity," Queen Cassies says, picking up all of the ceremonial formalities again. "The Council and I believe that you will steward it well." All three of the Council members nod in agreement.
"I will," you respond. "Thank you for your trust."
"Very well," Queen Cassie continues. "We and everyone in the city of Trinity thank you for your assistance in these conflicts. You will always be accepted here." She accompanies the last part with a bright smile: a rare sight.
"I will be sure to visit again soon," you smile as well. "I trust my assignments will have us crossing paths once more."
"That is likely to be the case," Queen Cassie replies. "You are dismissed. May Father watch over you always."
You give a deep bow as you turn away from Cassie and the Council. You can catch remarks of admiration from all four of them, with even Reginald commenting on your determination.
On the other side of the doors to Trinity Castle lays the city square, still bustling with people. Everyone is busy with the repair efforts after the invasion of the Korbloxians in a vain attempt to seize the Windforce. Citizens are shuffling supplies between each other, restoring damaged houses and restocking empty market stalls.
Griefer stands at the base of the steps, clearly growing bored as he was waiting for you to exit the castle. When he sees you, he runs up the stairs and throws his arms around you.
"FIN4LLY, THEY L3T Y0U OUT 0F TH3RE. I WAS AB0UT TO G0 1N THER3 AND DR4G YOU 0UT MYS3LF."
You laugh. "I wonder how that would go."
"TH0SE COUNC1L PUNK5 DIDN'T D0 ANYTH1NG TO Y0U, DID TH3Y?" He asks, and you can hear the genuine concern through his occasionally warped speech.
"Those three were the least of my concerns, Brad," you mutter as you can feel the days of fatigue catching up to you.
"I'M S0RRY TH4T I COULDN'T H3LP W1TH TH4T WHOL3 K0RBLOX TH1NG. TH0S3 GU4RDS WER3 N0T GO1NG TO L3T ME THR0UGH," you can't tell if you hear irritation or relief in his voice.
"It's fine," you smile. "Am I not in your arms right now?"
"...Y0U'RE R1GHT," Griefer breathes a relieved sigh.
Griefer sighs again, holding your face in his pale hands while lightly brushing your cheeks. "Y0U L00K TIR3D... AR3 Y0U SUR3 Y0U'RE ALR1GHT? I'M S0RRY I C0ULDN'T PROT3CT Y0U WH3N Y0U NEED3D 1T."
You give him another smile, trying to reassure him. "I'm alright, I promise."
"SH3DLETSKY D1DN'T GIV3 Y0U MUCH T1ME TO R3COVER AFT3R TH3 FIREBR4ND," Griefer sounds irritated again, though it could never be directed at you. "P0PS AND I HELP3D TH3 M0ST W1TH Y0UR R3COVERY."
It was only a few weeks ago that you obtained the Firebrand, and you still felt the lingering pain from your duel against The Ancients. Right as you felt death closing in, you could see The Ancients towering above your weakened form.
Calypso did her best to support you throughout the battle, but she ultimately collapsed. With no one to help as you were most vulnerable, you made one more desperate plea out to the world.
"Brad... please... save me..."
Miraculously, Griefer rushed in from who knows where at the final moment, shielding you from any further harm. He helped you back onto your feet, continuing to prevent further attacks from reaching you.
Together, you watched as The Ancients began to crumble to dust, with Griefer holding you up so you wouldn't faint. After waking Calypso, it was a long trek out of the Temple of the Red Sun, and you had to lean on Griefer the whole time. Despite constantly reassuring him that you could still walk, he still asked if you were alright every few steps.
"Y0U W3RE B4RELY W3LL WH3N SH3DLETSKY C4LLED Y0U T0 BIZV1LLE 4GAIN," Griefer's anger towards Shedletsky continues to build. "I'M G0NNA K1LL TH4T PUNK IF HE TRI3S TO PULL SOM3THING AG4IN."
"Uh... please don't," you say, trying to calm him down. "Deep breaths, Brad."
Griefer takes a moment to calm down. "WE'V3 G0T A H3LICOPTER R1DE B4CK H0ME. EVERY0NE ELS3 IS WA1ITING, BUT I ST4YED B3HIND TO P1CK Y0U UP."
"I guess Turitopulis is home to me now, isn't it?" You ask. "Mostly because I'm with you, Brad."
Griefer blushes for a moment, trying to dismiss the remark and replace it with his usual personality after fussing over your safety for a few minutes. He takes you by the hand and leads you down the stairs and away from Trinity Castle.
The helicopter ride was thankfully uneventful, and you certainly needed the break. Landing in West Bizville, Shedletsky was kind enough to make an appearance at the heli-pad, saying that an old acquaintance would help with the second leg of the journey. You knew well who this "old acquaintance" was, which left Griefer confused. You simply smiled at him without an actual answer. Mayor Thaniyel watched with amusement.
Approaching a hangar on the outskirts of the city, walking hand in hand with Griefer, you see exactly who you were expecting: Tutorial Terry. The eternally grumpy penguin performs regular maintenance checks on his plane.
"Dude. You need another ride again?" Terry grumbles. "Freeloader."
"I know you're dying to take that thing out for a joyride anyway," you reply, amused as always by his personality. "Shedletsky said you'd fly the three of us back."
"THREE freeloaders!? Gas is expensive right now!" Terry seems on the verge of exploding in rage when it seems that everything clicks for him. "Wait, dude, aren't you with that Mayor Thaniyel and his son right now?"
Griefer misses the cue for just a moment, as he was busy admiring the aircraft. "Y3AH, TH4T'S M3 AND P0PS, R1GHT H3RE."
"Should've led with that, dude." The penguin sighs. "Whatever. Get in, losers. We're going to Plainstown."
Tutorial Terry boards the plane, followed by Mayor Thaniyel. You and Griefer board last. Sitting next to each other, you rest your head on his shoulder. The vines snaking down his arms make it slightly uncomfortable, but you have long since adjusted to it. The Mayor smiles from the seats across the aisle, simply happy that his son is living well.
Griefer holds your hand as the plane begins to take off, and by the time you're in the sky, you already feel the fatigue take over your body.
"R3ST W3LL, MY L0VE," Griefer whispers. "W3 HAV3 A L0NG FL1GHT." It's the last thing you hear before falling asleep.
Thanks to Terry's amazing flying, you manage to sleep through the entire flight. Woken up as the plane begins to descend, you look out the window to see the endless fields of Plainstown stretching out in all directions, dotted by the occasional tree or pond.
"We're now arriving in Plainstown," Terry's voice comes through the intercom speaker. "Thank you for flying with us today."
The plane makes a steady landing onto the airstrip, and you get up from your seat. You let Mayor Thaniyel exist first. You thank Terry for his assistance, which is only met with a "whatever, dude."
Stepping onto the airstrip, with Griefer following behind you, you stretch and breathe in the air. "It's nice to be out of The Heights again."
"Agreed," replies Mayor Thaniyel. "While Trinity is a beautiful town, our home in Turitopulis is best."
"I D0N'T W4NT TO GO B4CK THER3 AG4IN," Griefer still seems bitter about not being able to assist you more.
"No promises there, Brad," you laugh. "I might just get snatched up by the Korbloxians again and taken all the way back there."
"I'LL K1LL TH3M 4LL." Griefer's tone is awfully menacing, and you wonder how people on the other side would see him.
"Finally, home," Mayor Thaniyel sighs in relief as the trees of the jungle eventually part to reveal the city of Turitopulis.
Today must have been your lucky day, as none of the otherwise aggressive inhabitants of the jungle tried to attack you at all. It almost seemed that they were too scared to cross swords with you, despite your current weakness.
"IT WAS STR4NGELY QUI3T THE WH0LE TIME," Griefer comments. "I'D USU4LLY HAV3 TO SH00 AW4Y S0METHING A C0UPLE OF TIM3S."
"Works for me," you say, trying to dismiss how strange the animals' behavior is. Even though nothing came after any of you, Griefer still held his crowbar in one hand as he held your hand in his other for the whole journey.
"It is much more quiet here than Trinity," Mayor Thaniyel says as he looks out across the city. "I suppose 'peaceful' is the better word?"
"I'd say so," you answer. "A much nicer place to rest up than Bizville, too." You glance up at Griefer, who is also gazing out at Turitopulis.
"Brad, [Y/N]," Mayor Thaniyel looks at you both. "Please make yourself at home. You've earned it." That's all he says before he makes his way down the path leading towards the Thaniyel home, leaving you and Griefer alone.
"Just you and I now," you turn to Griefer, smiling.
"Y3AH," he responds. "WH4T DO Y0U W4NT TO D0?"
The town in the jungle is as lively as always, though it's not anywhere as crowded as Trinity is. Residents still gather around the stalls and stores, and people are wading in the lake. Nothing has changed here, what you call home, which leaves you feeling relieved.
"I'd just like to catch my breath for some time, if that's alright." It's been too long since you've had a proper break, and now couldn't be a better time to rest.
The lake' water is cool and refreshing. You and Griefer sit side by side, hand-in-hand, with the water going up to your ankles. Looking at the plants growing off of Griefer's body, you simply can't contain your curiosity.
"Brad, do you need more water now compared to before we met?"
"UHHHH," he hesitates. "I C4N'T BE SUR3. SUNL1GHT AND WAT3R F33LS NIC3R THAN B3FORE TH0UGH. MAYB3 IT'S BEC4USE I'M W1TH Y0U?"
"That could be it," you smile, and you feel your heart warm up.
You stare at your reflection in the water, and ever since leaving for Trinity, it always looked a little different. The scars seems a little deeper, and your eyes look just a little more tired. When was the last time you truly got to pause like this? Every step in your assignments from Shedletsky has felt like a neverending chain of events without any space in between. All you can do now is hope this lull between journeys lasts longer than the last one.
"AR3 YOU FEEL1NG BETT3R FR0M THE WHOL3 TEMPLE TH1NG AND TH4T ANCI3NTS PUNK?" You can hear that softer side come up in his speech again.
You sigh. "Everything with the Windforce probably set me back by a few days, but yes. I just feel a little weak and tired."
"WH3N I GEY MY H4NDS ON THAT SHEDL3TSKY GUY... UGH," Griefer groans, clearly ticked off. "I JUST CAN'T H3LP BUT W0RRY 4BOUT Y0U. Y0U S33M TO B3 D0ING W0RSE AND WORS3 EACH T1ME I S33 YOU."
"I'm pretty resilient," you try to reassure him. "I can handle something like this from time to time."
Griefer looks at you, eyes filled with concern. "Y3AH, BUT YOU SH0ULD BE ALL0W3D TO TAK3 A BR3AK FOR 0NCE." He pauses for a moment, thinking. "Y0U KNOW WH4T? I'M T4KING CAR3 OF Y0U THIS WHOL3 T1M3."
"Thanks, Brad," you say as you hug him tightly. It feels great to be in his arms anywhere, but back in Turitopulis, there truly is no place you'd rather be. It's your home away from your real home.
"I W1SH I C0ULD'VE B33N ST4NDING N3XT TO Y0U AT TH4T WHOL3 COR0NATION THING," Griefer says.
You do wish you could have been standing with Griefer during Cassie's coordination, but the Council insisted on you standing separately as the Guardian of the Swords. Though you may have already destroyed your Solitude, having Griefer by your side always helps you feel better.
"I wish I could always be with you, Brad," you reply. "It'd be nice if you could always have my back."
"W3LL, NO 0NE CAN H4RM YOU WH1LE I'M HER3," Griefer smiles. "I PR0MISE."
Griefer offered to get some drinks while you stayed by the lakeside, but you chose to come with him to see what was available. The drinks stall has a sign above the window with all kinds of beverages listed, ranging from normal to hazardous.
"Teas and coffee are pretty much staples anywhere, but what kind of combo is ginger in lemonade?" You ask, regarding the menu. "Didn't even name it anything special, just 'Ginger Lemonade'?"
"IT'S ON3 0F THE N3W ADD1TIONS," Griefer answers. "I'VE HE4RD M1XED OPINI0NS ON 1T. S33MS... M3H TO M3."
"Yeah... but what is 'Aloe Lite'?" The names of these drinks keep getting stranger. "Is there like... aloe in it or something? Couldn't that kill you?"
"N4H, IT'S JUST A STR4NGE NAM3." He laughs at the question just a little. "IT DO3SN'T H4VE ANY 4LOE IN IT OR ANYTHING. I TH1NK 1T'S A S0DA."
"Though as far as I remember, there's only one soda you'd even bother drinking." You already know this about Griefer.
"W1TCH3S BR3W," he says, almost like it's muscle memory. "1T'S TH3 0NLY WAY. C4N I G3T TW0 CANS?"
The vendor gives him a concerned look, and then gives you a look as well. "You sure? That stuff is strong, kid. I probably shouldn't be selling this, it has that much caffeine."
"I UHHH... PR0CESS IT F4ST!" Griefer declares, clearly trying to justify his crippling addiction to this specific soda. "D0N'T W0RRY, I NORM4LLY DR1NK WAAAY M0RE TH4N JUST TW0 AT A T1ME!"
"Brad," you address him. "How many cans of this stuff do you drink when I'm not arou--right." You recall the ever-growing pile of soda cans in the corner of his bedroom.
"IT 1S PERF3CTLY HE4LTHY," Griefer smirks. "I HAV3N'T D1ED YET."
"I..." you sigh, clearly resigning from this debate. "Alright then. Just don't come crying to me when you vomit or something."
The vendor grows more and more confused. "And for you?"
"A green tea, please," you answer. "I actually want to not keel over by dawn tomorrow." Griefer throws you a glare.
Sitting down on the lakeside again, you can feel yourself slowly come back to life as you sip on your tea. Your inner peace is immediately shattered as you see Griefer flatten a can of Witches Brew in less than a minute. It is terrifying.
"How does your... plant half put up with this?" You ask.
"MY HUM4N H4LF K1CKS IN 4ND HANDL3S TH1S STUFF." You choose to not question his answer, or his strange logic, any further.
Gazing back into the lake's water, you look at your reflection once again. The scars that you can and cannot see have long since altered how you look and act, but despite everything, it is still you. You are still the same person you were ever since traveling back into the past.
"TH1NKING AB0UT Y0UR RE4L HOM3, AR3N'T YOU?" Griefer asks between cans of soda. "I G3T IT. I UND3RSTAND TH4T WE H4VE TO PART S0ME DAY."
"I'd rather... not think about that day," you respond. "I love you too much to think of anything like that."
"I F33L THE S4ME," Griefer smiles again. "I ST1LL W4NT TO CH3RISH EV3RY M0M3MT I 5PEND W1TH Y0U."
"Sounds like I'll have to drag you along with me for the next sword then," you chuckle.
"H0PE YOU D1DN'T JU5T J1NX ANYTH1NG," Griefer sighs. "TH3N I'D H4VE TO RE4LLY PWN THAT SH3DLETSKY PUNK."
"I wonder how that would go," you laugh at the idea of Shedletsky and Griefer dueling, even though you've never seen Shedletsky in battle before.
Silence sets in, but it isn't an awkward kind of silence where nobody can find anything to say. You take a big sip of your green tea again as you stare into the lake's water. The silence is simply peaceful, as you quietly enjoy each other's company. It is only interrupted by Griefer literally crushing the second can of Witches Brew, ending with an annoyed grunt as he finally gets the very last drop out.
"Y'KN0W... UH... H0W DO I S4Y THI5?" Griefer uncharacteristically stumbles over his words.
"Give it a shot," you give him an encouraging smile.
"P0PS S4ID IT'5 LIK3 Y0U'RE ALRE4DY PART OF TH3 FAM1LY," Griefer blushes, strangely bashful. "I... K1ND OF L1KE TH3 S0UND OF 1T."
"It does sound nice," you smile down at your cup of tea. "It makes me feel like this really is home for me."
Griefer lets out a sigh of relief, clearly happy that he got those words out, no matter how odd they may seem to him.
The sun has already set, and now Griefer is taking you back to the Turitopulis Inn. Knowing this is goodnight, you hug each other tightly.
"1F YOU EV3R N33D ANYTH1NG, JU5T REMEMB3R THAT I'M R1GHT NEXT D00R," Griefer says, nodding towards the Thaniyel home.
"Goodnight, Brad," you smile.
SL33P W3LL, MY L0VE," Griefer replies as he plants a kiss on your forehead.
You smile again as you head into the inn. You look back over your shoulder to see Griefer heading back to visit place, also smiling.
"I hope we have many more days together like this, Brad."