The Celebration: Evening/Night

LATER THAT EVENING:

Terra and John are back outside, but this time, Lani and Virra are with them. Lani is beside John whilst the Tarron sisters stand opposite them.

"So, I barely survived your wind attack, and now you want me to not get shot at by Virra? Need I remind you that I don't have the best record with arrows."

Terra chuckles, "Well, use that record as motivation to not be shot once again."

John is in disbelief as Virra nocks an arrow and Terra prepares her magic without her staff yet again. Lani then says to John, "Don't worry, John. I won't let you get hurt.

"Thanks, Lani. Just make sure to get behind me if the barrier breaks."

"Got it." Lani replies as they both ready themselves.

John and Lani then simultaneously say, "Guirrde!" Just then, the translucent ward appears, but it's much bigger this time due to Lani's magic giving it a huge boost.

Terra and Virra then begin their assault on the ward.

Terra blasts it with a few different types of attacks. One of them is akin to a fireball and the other is a more focused yet sporadic beam. Virra, on the other hand, starts firing arrows which bounce off the ward. The seconds between firing and nocking a new arrow is breathtaking to behold, and it actually makes John a little worried to be on the other end of it. As he focuses on her drawing/firing hand, he actually sees that Virra's hand is slightly glowing, and he can see that said glowing is coming from some sort of blue runes that weren't on her hand previously.

Virra's quiver soon empties, and John wonders if that's all Virra is going to do, but soon after thinking about it, he gets his answer. Virra raises her left index and middle finger, and the arrows begin to slowly rise up on their own and quickly start zipping back toward Virra's quiver.

John rightly begins to shit himself as he quickly realizes that Virra has her own type of magic. Lani also seems to realize this as lands on John's shoulder. "Did you know she could do that?!"

"Now I do!" John replies as Virra's arrows bounce off the ward once again. Terra's magic also begins to intensify with the sporadic beams have changed into the wind blast that she used against John earlier. John sees and feels the attack, causing him to smirk as he knows that he can defend against it. He immediately focuses his attention onto Terra, confident that he can weather this storm, but that's exactly what Terra wants.

Virra then nocks a new arrow before saying, "Burümang." The glowing runes on hand quickly pulse, but that glow then transfers from said runes and into the arrow, running up into the tip. Virra then moves her aim away from the ward, now aiming around ten feet away from the ward. Virra then lets the arrow loose, and it fires into the sky.

Lani is confused as her eyes track the arrow as it flies by. She can't understand why Virra would just waste an arrow like that, but then... the arrow changes course.

Mid-flight, the arrow makes a U-turn and starts heading right toward the warding duo. Lani realizes exactly what Virra has done, and now has just mere seconds to make a decision as she doesn't want to distract John and break his concentration.

Lani quickly moves her left hand, aiming in the direction of the oncoming arrow which creates a new ward, but weakens the one in front of them since she's splitting her power.

The continuous wind from Terra combined with the fireball intervals is beginning to take its toll on John. Beads of sweat begin to roll down John's face as his hands feel the phantom impact of the fireballs against the ward.

Virra's arrow is just a few seconds away from hitting the ward, and Virra sees that. She then brings her hand up to her mouth and says, "Blaiste." The glowing on the arrow then changes from the light blue to a swirling orangey/red colour, and a grin appears on Virra's face.

The arrow then hits the ward, and the arrow explodes. Lani and John both jump in fear and John turns around. "What the fuck was that?!"

"The arrow exploded!" Lani replies as she tries to focus once more.

As John is distracted, Terra does away with the fireball intervals and uses both hands for a bigger wind attack. The sudden increase in power combined with John and Lani being distracted causes the ward to falter even more until it eventually breaks on John's side. John is immediately pushed by the torrential wind and flies a few feet back before colliding face first with the inside of Lani's ward.

John falls to the ground with a heavy thud echoing out as he hits the concrete below. Lani sees this and says, "John!" She then immediately drops the ward and flies over to him. Lani immediately uses the healing spell on him as she sees that his forehead is bleeding and assumes he has some internal injuries. Terra and Virra also rush over, worrying about John as he groans in pain.

"Are you okay?!" Lani asks as her healing spell closes up the cut on John's forehead.

"I'm alright. I think my back is broken, but I'm good." John replies through gritted teeth as the healing warmth begins making its way down his back to where the pain is at its most intense.

"Let us call it for today. You haven't had a proper chance to recuperate, plus you need to fully heal." Terra then kneels down before also casting "Hæela" on John to amplify the healing.

About a minute or so later, John slowly gets to his feet, still feeling a little unsteady due to his rough landing. After getting his footing, Terra says, "Give me your arm. I'll take you to the Spirit Chamber."

John then puts his arm around Terra's neck and the duo begun walking toward the door to the manor as Virra and Lani follow behind.

"I didn't know you had magic." Lani comments.

"I don't really like to talk about it since it's nowhere near Terra's level, but all our sisters have some type of magic. I can't do cool stuff like that wind thing or using the stone and dirt around me, but I can imbue magic into my arrows."

"Using your magic to increase your natural skill, it's a smart strategy. Usually, people use magic to make up for any weaknesses they have, but if you can't do that, may as well do the opposite."

"Exactly." Virra replies with a little smile as Lani lands on her shoulder. Virra then asks, "Shouldn't you be sticking with John? He is your companion after all."

"Terra is with him, so he'll be fine. I'm also a little more at ease since we're here and not on the road." Lani says, but then she bows her head. "But, I do feel like a failure at being his guide some times."

"How so?" Virra asks.

Lani takes a few seconds to answer. "Well... I keep just leaving him. However, I can't really say I'm doing any better right now. I just feel like being around him all the time would make him hate me, but it's my duty to always be there for him when he needs me, so I feel compelled to be. I just don't understand it."

Virra listens to Lani's answer, and can't help but laugh after she finishes. Virra's laughter then prompts Lani to ask, "What's so funny?"

"What's so funny is... for all that knowledge you've got in that brain of yours, you've failed to understand your assignment." Lani just looks at Virra in confusion and so Virra explains. "Well, you said that you have to be there for him when he needs you, but that doesn't mean all the time. Let's take right now as an example. Terra is currently taking him to the Spirit Chamber, so you don't have to be with him, right?"

"Uhh... well... I guess."

"Exactly! You don't need to be on his shoulder all the time, but you're around him when he needs you the most, and vice versa. So, you're still his guide, when he needs guiding, and he's your companion, when you need companion-ing."

Lani thinks on Virra's words for a few moments, her words actually making so much sense. Everything she had learned back in her days at the Academy had always led her to believe that she had to spend every moment she could with John to teach him everything she possibly could, but she doesn't have to, not alone at least. John not only has her, but he also has Kyuala, Terra, Amilia, Tally and currently Virra to teach him anything he needs. It's a freeing feeling for Lani as she no longer had to bear all of that weight on her shoulders. There's just one last problem she has...

The rule for all guides only gives her less than a year left with John and the group.

---

A FEW MINUTES LATER:

John and Terra walk down some stairs, leading to a large room in the basement. Terra opens the door and they walk right in.

"Welcome to the Spirit Chamber." Terra says as she closes the door behind them.

John looks around and sees a large blue slow swirling pool with some steam emanating from the water. It almost looks like a hot spring of sorts. There's a little lip at the edge of the pool that allows the user to carefully step down.

"You can undress there. I shall avert my eyes, and I hope you shall award me the same courtesy." Terra says with a joking tone that's followed by a smile.

Terra then heads over to other side of the room before beginning to take her robes off. John quickly averts his eyes, being respectful of his friend no matter how much he'd like to sneak a peek, he is still a red-blooded man after all.

Eventually, he begins taking his clothes off as well. First, he removes his shirt, trying to remove it in one clean motion like in the movies. Unfortunately, the shirt gets caught on his shoulder and just looks awkward as hell, but luckily for John, Terra wasn't looking at him.

After his shirt drops to the floor, John then takes off his boots and socks. The relief he felt caused him to remember the long days of working in the warehouse and stacking shelves of the superstore he was thankful that he no longer had to work at. He quickly unbuckles his belt and lets his pants drop before neatly sorting them with his shirt, socks and boots.

He then realizes that he has one article of clothing left... his boxers. John thinks for a moment, wondering if he is supposed to take them off and thinks about how he should probably ask Terra. He then stops for a moment as he realizes that he's getting into a pool and that taking his boxers off makes more sense. He then goes with that and drops his boxers.

As he kicks hos boxers over to his other clothes, he hears Terra say, "Alright, time to get- WOAH!"

John turns to face Terra and sees that she still has her bra and panties on. He immediately covers up his junk and quickly grabs his boxers as Terra quickly turns around. "John... When I said to undress, I didn't mean completely!"

"Shit! I'm so sorry! I should've asked! I just assumed since we were going into the pool that it was a skinny dip thing!"

"Why would I ask you to turn around while we were changing if we were just going to be naked in the pool anyway?!" Terra replies not in anger, but in shock.

John then takes a few seconds before saying. "That... makes more sense. Anyway, I'm decent now."

Terra slowly turns back around, seeing that John has indeed put his boxers back on and breathes a sigh of relief. "I thought you had me confused with Tally for a moment. I'm not the kind of elf that you can just flash, you know?"

"I-I-I.... uhhh..." John stammers on like that for a few more moments, making Terra laugh which just heightens John's embarrassment even more.

"Alright. Let's actually get in now, shall we?" Terra says before carefully sinking into the pool below.

John then crouches down, checking the pool with his hand. The water is nice and warm to the touch, and just putting his hand into it makes him feel a little better already, almost like a battery getting a little charging spark. After feeling that quick jolt, he makes his way into the pool.

John's entire body immediately feels a warmth washing over it. As relaxing as the water is, John can feel the energy seeping back into his body through every pore. He feels renewed in just a matter of seconds, and just wonders about how energized he'll feel when he gets out.

"I see you're feeling the effects already." Terra says upon seeing the relaxed expression on his face.

"Yeah... this is amazing." John replies as he leans back a little, getting his shoulders in.

Terra chuckles, seeing the relief in his face as she thinks back to her first time sitting in the pool. The intense amount of relief on her tired body after a looong day of training with her mother. It was like every tired and aching muscle was being massaged by the water, and she can tell that John is feeling the exact same way.

John then asks, "Is there a time limit of being in here? Because I don't really fancy being transformed into magic water."

"You needn't worry about that. You can stay in the pool for as long and as little as you like, but you are supposed to get out once you feel completely energized. Also, you don't gain any more magic from staying in longer. You can only grow your magic by learning, so day naps in the pool won't make you more powerful."

"Damn, and here I was hoping that I could knock you down for once after a few hours in here."

The two then laugh as they think about the earlier events/training. As they do, John looks around, he sees that there isn't any towels or anything to dry themselves with. "Hey Terra, where are the towels? I don't fancy dripping on the floor while running in my boxers all the way to my room."

Terra chuckles once more, "As amusing as that visual would be, you don't have to. The water in this pool isn't like regular water. Once you leave the pool, the excess water evaporates once it leaves the pool, so there's no need to dry yourself. Obviously we need to still allow the water to touch our skin, hence the reason why we're wearing our undergarments.

"God, this world is fucking amazing." John says, leaning back as Terra does the same.

---

MEANWHILE:

Lani is in Virra's room as the elf asks, "So, quickly explain that to me again."

Lani then takes a breath. "During the fight in Reduna'z Gaze, I accessed a hidden power that I didn't know I had, and it turns out that I'm also a half-pixie. So, I went back home to get some more information and found out that my mother was taken by some other half-pixies, and that my people were trying to find her. I really wanted to look for her, but my duty to John kept me from doing that. However, when I told them about it, John and the others said that they would help me."

"Okay, but you said there was some sort of feeling?"

"Yes." Lani answers before continuing. "Ever since I got back, I can't help but feel as though something is off about it. The fairy realm is very protected when it comes to intruders, so even if they were half-pixies, they should've been stopped by someone or at the very least, someone should've sensed that something was off."

Vires then asks, "So, you're thinking that someone from inside helped them?"

"Yes! No way they were able to just waltz in and kidnap my mother that easily!" Lani's words fire her up, and Virra can see the anger in the usually calm fairy's eyes.

"Lani... I know this is a difficult situation, but I think you might be pulling at threads that aren't there. I mean, do you really believe that there are traitors within your people?" Virra carefully asks.

Lani doesn't immediately respond, obviously unsure of the answer. However, Virra's words do give her some introspective, and make her question herself; was she just pulling at strings? Was she just trying to find some sort of explanation to make herself feel useful since she was advised to not do anything? Not that she could really add anything to the search anyway. Lani knew that deep down, she is supposed to be by John's side, but that doesn't stop her from feeling guilty that she wasn't there to help her mother.

Virra then places her index and middle finger on Lani's shoulder, trying to comfort her. "Hey. I know that I don't fully understand everything that's going on, but feeling guilt for things out of your control is as pointless as telling Sydna to not do something." Lani lets out a little laugh which makes Virra smile before she continues. "Don't worry. You'll get a chance to help your mother, I know it, and we'll be here to help."

Lani smiles, seeing that Virra genuinely means it, just as the others did. While the comforting feeling sets in, she also can't help but feel a little disappointed in herself as she always seems to need comforting from someone. Lani knows that they don't mind, but still hates that need for comfort she has.

Lani is quickly distracted from her thoughts as Virra stretches out and says, "Hey, do you think you could help me with some new spells? I've been trying to learn some more to diversify my arrow abilities."

Lani quickly perks back up, "Of course! What do you want to learn first?"

---

THIRTY MINUTES LATER - IN THE SPIRIT CHAMBER:

Terra and John are still in the chamber, idly chatting about things that John questions about. He learns that there's a city called Dirhamsworth in another continent known as Vegaloth that is apparently this world's version of Las Vegas which isn't something that he ever expected to hear. He even asked Terra to repeat the name as it sounds like some sort of small town you'd expect to hear about in England.

They also talked about a few other things which include some different spells, the various ways he can use the ward and how his spells will get more and more powerful the more he uses them and gets used to casting them.

After a few more minutes of talking, Terra eventually says, "Well, it's time for me to get out. It was nice having someone to talk to in here. It can get lonely when you need a long soak. You'll definitely need to spend a little more time in here to fully recuperate, so enjoy the quiet while you can because there's more training happening in the coming days."

Terra then rises out of the water, and John can't help but take a quick look at the half-naked elf. Her snow-pale skin shimmers from the light of the pool which draws even more attention to her barely clothed, supple body. John also sees that the water on her skin and clothes just evaporates, causing a little vapour to surround Terra as she gathers her clothes and John turns his head away.

As Terra gets her clothes back on, she says, "Enjoy the rest of your soak... and I hope you enjoyed the show."

John's eyes then open wide as he realizes what she just said and that wave of embarrassment from earlier comes rushing back. Luckily for him though, Terra has already left the Chamber.

John shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the memory from just moments prior before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. The exhale takes the tension away once again, and he can't help but feel a little tired.
Soon after his eyes close, his body enters that all too familiar state, and he falls asleep.

Some amount of time later, footsteps can be heard echoing from the halls before the Spirit Chamber. John however, doesn't actually hear anything as he's away in dreamland as neither Kyuala nor Tally are sleeping, so they can't join him in the Everplane.

The footsteps get closer until they eventually reach the Chamber. The person walks in and sees John is currently asleep and a small smile graces their face. "My, my. Terra must've really tuckered you out, dear. It's almost sweet to watch you sleep, but unfortunately it's time for you to wake up." The figure then walks over to John before placing their hand onto his shoulder.

John's eyes slowly open up, and he immediately feels a hand on his left shoulder.

"Enjoy your dip, dear?"

John quickly turns his head and sees Myssera kneeling down with a smile on her face. "I hope I'm one of the kinder sights you've woken up to."

"Definitely one of more beautiful ones I've had." John responds, causing the two of them to chuckle, but Myssera also feels incredibly flattered.

"Well, you should probably hop out now. You've been in there for about two hours if my daughters time keeping is correct, which it usually is."

"Two hours? Jeez." John then pulls himself up and gets out of the pool. Immediately, he feels his body is immensely recharged and every fibre of him feels revitalized. He even feels like he could run marathon at this very moment, but settles for just getting his clothes back on.

As John walks over to his pile of clothes, he actually feels the water vaporizing on his skin, and it feels like he's some sort of hero in an anime charging up their next attack. He then picks up his pants and goes to put them on.

"Hmm, impressive." Myssera quietly mutters to herself whilst not even attempting to hide her gaze. John doesn't notice that Myssera is looking at him however, as he's just amazed by the vapour emanating from him and how his boxers are bone dry even after two hours in the pool.

"So, where are the others?" John asks.

"They're getting ready for dinner. That's why I elected to come and get you, because I still have to give you your gift." Myssera responds before walking ahead. "Follow me. We wouldn't want to keep them waiting, would we?"

John then quickly follows behind, seeing that Myssera has a little more flair in her hips, seemingly making sure that John gets a good look at a certain asset, which he does.

As they start to walk through the hallways, John asks. "So, how come the others got their outfits in fancy boxes and I have to come get mine?"

"Because I want your reveal to be spectacular. When I heard that Terra was bringing the Hero of Reduna'z Gaze and a few female companions, I knew that you had to be romantically involved with at least one of them or at least trying to be. I figured this would work as a way to blossom that love or enhance it further. Plus, it gives me a chance to feel you out in private."

John's mind goes into overdrive after hearing that last line. The way she spoke to him and the way she was currently walking by purposefully being in front, it was all sending one message into his head.

Myssera is going to try and fuck him.

His heart starts racing, surely she doesn't want to sleep him, right? Well, definitely not the sleep part at least. No, he wouldn't do it, no matter what. He already has Kyuala and Tally. John and Kyuala are married albeit by claim, and Tally is already the third in their crazy relationship, plus any additions to the so-called harem would have to be discussed by the trio. Well, mostly Tally and Kyuala, but the point still stands.

"But what if she threatened the others? And to save them, I have to sleep with her?! No, no, no. This world has a lot of weird shit, but surely stuff like that doesn't actually happen... right?" He couldn't imagine Myssera doing that anyway, the group is kind of the last hope the family have to help cure Erya's condition.

"What do you think of the manor then? I'm curious to hear your thoughts." Myssera asks, getting John out of internal debate.

"Uhh, the place looks amazing. It's massive to start, plus you've got the huge beds, fancy red carpets, maids and private chefs that all live literally two minutes away. Then you've got the huge ass library, a Spirit Chamber, which is awesome, and a huge throne room. To top it all off, you've got all those acres of space outside to do whatever the hell you want with, and you're right next to a town for whenever you want to leave the house. If I had to choose a place to live in, somewhere like this is at the top of my list."

Myssera chuckles. "It is quite the paradise. I will admit, when Holvy brought me here for the first time, I was quite overwhelmed. I used to get lost every time I wandered around without someone, and that was for the first few weeks. Once I had lived here for a few months, everything became sort of engrained in my mind. I could guide you from my room to the library and then the kitchen with my eyes closed. The house doesn't seem that big any more, especially with twelve children roaming around."

"I can't imagine having twelve kids." John comments.

"Neither did I at first. It just sort of happened. It was a mixture of my stubbornness, and admittedly, my newly found urges. The Order was quite strict when it came to relationships, so meeting Holvaeth was a sort of revelation for my womanhood, so to speak."

"How in the hell did she just make being horny sound so damn elegant?" John quietly questioned as they begin to ascend the stairs.

They climb the stairs for a just a brief minute before reaching the second floor. They start heading down the hallway, seeing Myssera and Holvaeth's room at the very end.

As they approach the room, John's heart starts pounding again as Myssera is completely silent during this last leg. Soon, they reach the door and Myssera opens it up. "C'mon, I don't bite. Well... maybe don't ask Holvy about that."

That little comment doesn't help John's rapid heartbeat, but he just goes along with it and enters the room.

Just John steps into the middle of the room, the door closes and he turns around, seeing Myssera locking the door. "There. We don't want to run the risk of anyone sneaking a peek at your gift now, do we?"

"Uhh, no... I guess not." John carefully replies as his mind quickly races back to the thoughts of ways that Myssera might try to seduce him into sex. Myssera then walks past him before opening up the door to the closet. She leans in, grabbing a box before bringing it over to the bed and placing it down.

"Open it up. I can't wait to see the look on your face when you see it." Myssera says with a knowing smile.

John then carefully walks over to the bed and grabs the box. The box itself is blue and black with stripes like a tiger and a fancy big blue bow on top. John then grabs the lid and removes it. Inside the box is even more blue stuff as he sees what appears to be a blue suit jacket, but before he can pick it up, John is grabbed from behind and pushed into the nearby wall.

John immediately seethes as his back impacts the wall, and before he can even question what just happened, he sees Myssera slowly walking towards him.

Every fibre of his being screams for him to run out the door, but he can't even move a single muscle. As Myssera gets closer to him, a million thoughts race in his mind, but he can't even keep track of a single one.

Myssera's hand then firmly plants on the wall, right next to John's head, almost locking him into place. John's heart feels as if it's about to burst through his chest and it only gets worse as Myssera slowly leans forward.

"Is this it?! She isn't gonna say what I think she's gonna say, right?!" John internally worries.

Myssera then gets within just a few inches of his face before finally speaking.

"I know you are the second human."