A New Beginning

Two days have passed since Alice woke up. Since then, I have come to visit her daily; I suppose it is the least I can do for my mother's friend and her daughter. On the other hand, Amelia hasn't come back after Kase appeared. Oliver and Mia have been taking care of Emma, who is about to give birth. Also, I imagine they are still quite affected by the news about their families.

"Darx, you don't need to come to see me every day." Alice said watching me from her bed where she was laying, "I know you just joined a guild, so you must be busy."

"It's okay. I can't do much until I get my pocket watch anyway."

Although, indeed, I have not yet made some necessary shopping. I have to take care of that soon.

"Have you heard about Ilene?"

"Fortunately, she's fine. After Kase told me how my mother helped him in the battle, he also said that she was fine and would soon come to [Riledo]. Still, to make sure, I spoke with Estella. She was collecting information thanks to her ability to see through her crow's eyes. Although she didn't know my mother, she was following Kase's footsteps at all times and recognized my mother with the details that I gave her, since she was with Kase. Right now she is helping the villagers who have fallen behind. And I suppose she will come here once she's done with that."

"Hahaha! Ouch..." Alice laughed feeling a little pain, "Typical of Ilene!"

"Indeed," I said with a smile, "Knowing her, she won't come here until she's sure she didn't leave anyone behind."

Life is going to be difficult for everyone. Living in the city is not cheap and for all the people who lost everything, it will be difficult to stay in [Riledo] for long. I really need to start making money soon. Now that we lost our house, we will have to start from scratch.

"Alice, have you thought about what you will do from now on?"

"...I've been thinking about it. Even though I always said I wanted to go back to the city, I never really thought I would, much less in this way. It will be difficult to raise my daughter now without my husband, but I will manage. I have friends here, besides, maybe I can go back to my old guild, Dark Dragons."

At that moment the door to the room opened.

"Yoo! Alice!!"

Speaking loudly, a woman dressed like a nun entered.

"Helena!!" Alice said surprised upon seeing her.

Helena!? I remember that name. She is friends with my mother and she is the third member of the Dragonettes.

"I heard you got beat up, Hahaha!" Moments later she noticed my presence, "Alice..., Did you find a young lover so soon? You don't waste your time, ehh... I see you haven't changed."

"Don't be stupid, and I don't want to hear that from you. Look at him! It's Darx, Ilene's son."

"What?"

She stares into my face with her blue piercing eyes, like she was studying me. Her entire demeanor was making me quite nervous. Is she really a nun? That habit of hers seems to have a bustier sewn into it to help it cling to her body revealing her curves, D-cups for sure. Then on her left and right side, she has those slits in her habit, which travel from her ankles all the way up to her hips. I’m sure that if she’s not careful, she might accidentally expose her butt at times.

"You don't look like Ilene or Azriel... but..." The nun mumbles, “Black hair, and those red eyes… OH MY GOD!!!, you ARE Ilene’s kid!” The nun shouts happily.

Then she grabs me and hugs me to her body, pressing my face in between her huge boobs.

“I can’t believe it! Ilene’s baby is all grown up now!” The nun continues shouting, even though I am standing right next to her.

When she lets go of me the nun quickly asks, “I’m sure Ilene has told you all about me. Come on, tell me. How many times has she told you about me?” And she says it with the excitement I would expect from a teenage girl.

"Stop, Helena. Darx doesn't have time to deal with you right now. And asides from that, what are you here for?" Alice spoke.

"AhhAhh.. Don't be a killjoy! The last time I saw Darx, he was just a baby and now he's quite a man. I'm curious to know more about him. Right, Darx!?"

"Eh?" While saying all that she pulled me once more putting my head on her breasts. H-How come she has so much strength?

"Darx, I'll see you another time. You can leave, I'll take care of dealing with her." Alice said aloud.

As I could, I managed to get away from Helena. "O-Oka, I'm very sorry, but I have to go. I-It was a pleasure!"

"Ahh, Meany!" Helena said to Alice as I left the room.

My mother had really interesting friends. Now more than ever, I am curious about how the Dragonettes were when they were young. Man... I still feel the sensation of her breasts on my cheek.

Looking at the sky, I realized that it was still early. I can stop by Oliver's house before I go to buy the things I need. Once I start doing quests, it will be difficult for me to see him often.

When I arrive where Oliver lives; I was greeted by his aunt. She greeted me with a smile which surprised me since I thought they would be sadder considering what happened in the village. But once I enter, I realized the reason. Oliver was sitting carrying a baby in his arms.

"Darx!" Oliver said with a big smile, "I am a father!"

The image of Oliver carrying a baby was something I could not imagine. But seeing him happy on the verge of tears also makes me happy, "I'm happy for you!"

I approached in silence to avoid waking up the baby. I removed the blanket that covered the face, so I could see him. It's my first time seeing a baby so close. Moments later, his aunt asked Oliver for the baby, so we could go out and talk for a moment.

We went out to a small patio that the house had. Once outside, I asked him, "When was he born?"

"She!" Oliver replied smiling, "She's a girl! Emma gave birth last night."

"So a girl!" It's hard to see when she is so little, "I'm glad that she was born healthy."

"Thanks, Darx!"

"And how is Emma?"

"She's resting. She had a rough night after all. However, Emma is amazing! I thought I would be prepared for when our daughter was born, but I was so scared. I was lucky that we had a lot of help."

"I too would have been scared, so don't worry too much, what matters is what you do from now on."

"Yes! I will do my best!" Oliver said in a motivated tone of voice.

Oliver is equally amazing. I can't imagine being a father at this age, yet he has accepted the role of father and he is determined to protect both Emma and his daughter.

"Does Emma know what happened?" I asked.

Oliver's smile faded when responding, "She doesn't know yet. We will keep it a secret until she gets better. Plus I want her to enjoy these happy moments even if it's for a short time."

I imagine how difficult it will be to break the news to Emma. Unlike them, I was fortunate to not lose my mother.

"And what happened to your friend Ryul? Did he find his family?"

"Ah, yes! Estella, the guild master of our guild located his family and told us that they are on their way to the city."

"That's good!! He seems like someone fun to hang out with."

"He is! hahaha!"

I didn't want to bring this up and ruin Oliver's moment more, however, there is something I must know.

"Oliver, I heard that Fabe knows you're in Riledo."

"Yeah... I don't know how he found out, but he showed up at the inn where I work. Luckily The Blue Legion guild took care of him. I don't think he's going back to the inn, but still, I'm worried that he knows where we live. He's worse now than how he used to be. I have to do something to protect my family."

"I'll take care of Fabe. You focus on taking care of Emma and your daughter."

I'm not going to let Fabe ruin their lives again.

"Darx..." Oliver replied with red eyes.

While we were talking Mia suddenly arrived holding three mugs full of mead.

"Mia!"

"You two are not that old to be telling stories from the past."

Mia's face looks haggard from crying.

After giving each of us a mug of mead, she sat next to me resting her head on my shoulder.

"How are you feeling Mia?" I asked.

"Really bad... hug me!"

"Mia, remember you have a boyfriend." Oliver told her.

"So? I'm not doing anything wrong, right, Darxi!?"

She said while hugging me strongly. Shortly after, she moved her face from my shoulder and began to touch my stomach to my chest in amazement.

"Mia? W-What are you doing?" I asked her not knowing what she was doing.

"Darx, your body... is harder. Y-You look stronger! are you also taller?" She said while still rubbing my body.

"Well, I've been training quite a bit."

"It's true!" Oliver confirmed, "I didn't notice while we were in the hospital guild, but looking at you, you look stronger. I bet you're even more popular with girls now."

"Of course not! Darxi is mine!"

"Mia, must I remind you that you have a boyfriend..."

I'm glad we have the opportunity to spend time together. It's been ages since the last time and I don't know when we can repeat it. We spend the rest of the afternoon drinking mead and telling stories from the past. It reminds me of the happy times we spent in the village. Sadly the village no longer exists and Amelia is not here either.

Back in the guild, I went straight to my room. The room area is located on the third floor and unlike the castle, the sections are not separated by gender. In the same hallway is Ryul, whose room is on the right side of mine, and Leona, whose room is at the end of the hall. The room is quite similar to the one in the castle. It is not very spacious, but with enough space for a bed and a couple of furniture. It also has a small bathroom. Nevertheless, the best thing is the view! When I look out the window, which overlooks the city.

I plan to go shopping and for that reason, I returned to the room to pick up the gold coin that Mia got us from Mr. Enzo. The time to use it has come. Besides the gold coin, I also took my magic bag and left the room once more.

I was hoping to go with Ryul or some of my friends, but none of them were in the guild. Walking through the guild hall towards the exit, Rania called me telling me that someone was looking for me. I was wondering who it was, as I followed her when in the distance, I saw a beautiful dark elf sitting on one of the couches.

"Syvis!"

"Am I interrupting?" Syvis said half smiling, "You look like you're in a hurry."

"No! Not at all! I needed to do some shopping, but that can wait."

"Darx, I found out what happened in your village. I tried to find you in the Knights Hospital guild, but unfortunately, they wouldn't let me in, as I was not directly related to any of the wounded. Do you have news about your mother?"

"Yes, don't worry. I was busy too and with a lot of things on my mind and I couldn't go to tell you before. Sorry... Luckily my mother is fine and she will come to the city soon. On the other hand, the village was destroyed."

"I'm glad your mother is well and I'm sorry about your village. It was a long time ago that I visited [Merton], but I still remember it. It was a beautiful place!"

"It really was..."

Syvis offered to accompany me on the shopping I had to do which made me quite happy and nervous at the same time. It's the first time I go out with her this way. It almost feels like it's our first date.

"What are you planning to buy?" Syvis asked me as we walked through the city.

"I'm not sure. Soon I will start doing quests and I want to be prepared. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Let's see, when you go ou a quest, many times it will take you many days and usually you will not always be able to reach a city or village before dark, therefore, you will have to camp, and I know the perfect place where you can get everything you will occupy to spend the nights out."

Syvis took my hand and quickened the pace. She normally looks intimidating and not approachable, but when she is with me, she has those moments where she acts lovingly. I am really lucky to be with her. Sometimes I wonder why she chose me. I bet there are a lot of men who have been after her.

She took me to a store far from the most commercial area. It was a slightly old shop run by an old woman who seemed to know Syvis well. With the help of Syvis, I bought everything I need at a lower price than if I had bought it elsewhere. Luckily, everything fits in the magic bag that she gave me while we were in the castle.

"Next we need to buy you a new sword." Syvis said as she crossed her arms and put her hand on her chin thinking hard.

"A sword?" I asked confused.

"Uhh?" Syvis looked at me confused, "You need another sword now that you have the [Dual Wield] skill, don't you!? Don't tell me you forgot?"

"Ah, r-right..."

I can't believe I forgot. Since the confrontation that I had with Kase in the castle, I feel like I haven't had a peaceful moment.

"Darx, I know a lot has happened, but you can't put aside your training. Remember that you are now a C-Rank. Now you should be able to use one more elemental magic as well." She said slightly mad.

"You're right...! I need to put myself together."

Syvis smiled and continued, "Don't forget you are not alone. You can come to me if you need anything."

Syvis once again took my hand and led me to another store away from the shopping district, this time attended by a young beast-kind cat-eared couple. In that place, I brought a good quality sword considering the limited budget I had. It is not as good as the sword my mother gave me, but it will be useful until I can get something better. Just as Elina said, I should get the materials on my own and ask Fitgrot to make it for me. The price of weapons or armor made with monster materials is ridiculously expensive.

"I can't believe how cheap it was." I said.

"Unfortunately it's the only way a Beast-kind store can survive," Syvis reply, "Although the quality of weapons in that store is better than many others, there are still a lot of people who wouldn't buy from them solely because of their race."

After that, I spent the whole afternoon touring the city with Syvis buying a few more things, but most of all we were having a good time. Without realizing it, night came. We decided to go to a small inn for dinner before returning to our respective guilds.

While we ate, with a solemn tone Syvis spoke, "Darx, there is something I want to talk to you about."

For a moment the serious tone of her voice worries me, "Ah, sure, you can tell me anything."

Syvis didn't answer instantly and it seemed like she was searching for the right words to say what she needed to tell me.

"Agnes..., the guild master of Oblivion proposed something to me." She said holding a small pause, "She wants me to join a team which will be made only with the best members in our guild."

A party with only the best!? "Wow!, that sounds amazing!"

"It's not that simple. The purpose of this party would be to handle the most difficult quests, especially those that require dealing with demons."

"I-I see, then it will be really dangerous... I don't know much about demons, although I assume they are quite strong."

"Not only are they strong. Unlike monsters, demons are also quite intelligent. You never really know what to expect in a fight against them."

I was carried away by the euphoria of the moment and did not think about the risks that Syvis would have to face. Even if she's with the best members of her guild she... wait... with the best members? Then...

"If you would be with the best members of Oblivion, then..."

"...Yes, Kase will be one of the members. That's why I wanted to talk to you."

I felt as if my heart was squeezed accompanied by a strange sensation in my stomach.

"D-Do you have to join that team?"

"Under normal circumstances, I would have refused, taking into consideration what you told me about Kase, however, it is a bit difficult for me to refuse this time."

"Why?"

Syvis sighed and started explaining, "It's a long story, but Agnes is not only the guild master, but she is also a very close friend. I've known her for a very long time. We even were in the same party until it was time for her to take over the guild. Since then, she has helped me a lot, so it's not easy for me to refuse. I owe her a lot and I think... I think this will be her last request to me considering her age."

I-i don't know what to say. I hate the idea of her being on the same team that Kase, but do I have the right to tell her not to? And even more, after what she just told me. It seems that it is important for her to please her friend's wish. But still... Not only do I worry that she will be in high danger facing the demons, but I also worry that she will be on the same team as Kase.

"So, Darx, what do you think? I don't need to know Kase well to realize what kind of person he is, however, I do understand the necessity of the team that Agnes wants to create. I'm sure the other two great guilds will soon do the same."

"What do I think!? I... Of course, I'm not pleased with you being on the same party as him, but... I trust you. It's just that I don't trust him."

"You don't have to worry too much about Kase. Actually, the quests that require the help of this team will not be many, and there will be other members in the party, so I don't necessarily need to be alone around him."

All this gives me a bad feeling. I trust that Syvis knows how to take care of herself. Also, although it hurts me to admit it, I know that he is quite strong. I heard everything he did in the recent fight and how he defeated the demon that destroyed my village. If he and more strong people like Syvis are on the same team, it relieves me a bit as Syvis will have less risk of getting hurt. But still...

Syvis took my hands that were on the table and continued, "I wanted to talk to you before making a decision. If this was the last wish of an old friend, I wanted to fulfill it, however, I didn't t want you to misunderstand it either."

"I-I understand... If you want to join that team, I'm not stopping you. Just promise me that you are going to be careful around him and that you will return healthy after each quest."

"You are the new adventurer here. Those are the words that I should be saying to you." She said smiling.

The tension that was present for a while was passing and that's when Syvis with a flushed face said, "Hey, we don't have to go back early..."

"Eh?"

"We can rent a room in this inn."

I'm sure after hearing Syvis's words my face turned as red as hers.

I wonder if her intention was this when she brought me to this place. Anyways, I begin to realize that the more time we spend together, the more Syvis begins to free herself and express her true feelings. She seems to want to have sex as much as I do. I thought that Syvis's behavior was not corresponding to what I read about the dark elves, but now, I slowly began to realize that the book was right. Especially when she started rubbing my leg with her foot under the table. She was looking at me with an expression of excitement that anyone who saw her would have noticed. We didn't even finish eating. As soon as I could, I rent the room, and took Syviss by the hand, leading her to the second floor where our room was.

Now that we are not in the castle it seems that this is a good place to meet.

In the morning I woke up to the noise Syvis made when she was dressing.

"I'm going first." Syvis told me as she came over to kiss me, "I overslept and I had things to do early, haha!" Syvis laughed in a very feminine way which I hadn't seen before, "If you can, come to see me later."

"Sure!"

Syvis waved her hand saying goodbye to me as she left the room. For my part, I lay down a little longer in bed. After last night I realized that Syvis was nice to me the first time we did it. Possibly she realized that I was a virgin. Unlike last night which was much more intense. I think I have a penis with very good proportions. I also have good stamina thanks to the fact that I am an adventurer, but I feel that my technique is not very good. Can I learn that from books? Or I'll learn while spending more nights like last night with Syvis?

After a while, I returned to the guild, where I saw Elina along with the rest of my friends in the guildhall.

"Darx, where were you?" Ryul asked.

"W-Well..."

"Ohh I get it, haha! Lucky man!" He reply.

"Hey!" Shalia angrily called us, "Stop wasting your time and come here."

"Ah, yes... I'm sorry I'm late. Good morning!"

Unfortunately, Shaila looked at me with threatening eyes and ignored me.

"You don't have to be so upset." Ryul told her.

"Darx!" Elina called me extending her hand with a pocket watch in it, "Here you go. You were the only one left. Now, you are all officially members of Midnight Dawn. Congratulations!!"

I grabbed the pocket watch Elina gave me. I can't believe it... The watch has the guild symbol and when I open it my name is framed on the back. I worked so hard for this moment.

Elina continued, "With this watch, you will be able to enter any city in human territory without the need to make a line or pay fees. In addition, access to other territories will be facilitated except for the Dark Elves territory.

"So can we go do a quest now?" Ryul asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, I actually have your first quest ready." Elina responded.

"For real!? Yes, I'm ready!"

"A couple of days ago a party from a guild called Radiant Dusk went to take care of some bandits who attacked a village located in the southeast. The quest was classified as difficulty "C" however none of the members returned. Their party consisted of three C-Ranks and four D-Ranks. More than enough to accomplish the quest however it is believed that they were defeated and probably assassinated."

"It is awful!" Shalia said with a worried tone.

"We believe that bandits probably have high-ranking adventurers which greatly increases the difficulty of the quest. Besides that, they are in an area where many monsters exist."

"I suppose the quest is to take care of the bandits." Leona said.

"Yes! Besides that, you need to save the adventurers in case they are alive. And now if everything is clear, get ready to leave. This quest requires a minimum of five members above B-Rank, and gives the reward of two gold coins or the equivalent in silver coins."