At the end where Destiny awaits: Book 6 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 7: Needed time

The next couple of days were spent exploring the forests and land surrounding the Outpost. Fenris and Athena never once left my side, no doubt to make sure I don’t actually leave. I smile, thanking Marron for that. I know I’m not going to, realizing I would be playing right into Regulus’ hands if I were to. It’s best to remain hidden for now, letting him stew in his anger.

In the meantime, there’s a lot to explore.

While out, I’m never human. I feel free once more while I run around as a kitsune, leaping from tree limbs to overgrown and exposed roots. My tails fly through the air as I would at home or in Japan. My ears flick to the sounds of birds fluttering in the trees. I often see deer traveling through the underbrush along with the skittering of rabbits and other small game.

I smile, feeling as if I’m back in the forests of Murvol. It was home to me, having become so attached to it. So being here feels like I’m back there again. I’m often replaceing myself gazing up, thinking I’ll see the walls bordering the main grounds for the Shyair estate, only to not see them.

During these runs, I wear my training outfit that Serasfall gave me. It’s just become standard habit for me now to wear while out. I know I’m going to show it to Marron at some point. I did replace my school uniform tucked away in my bag; no doubt Serasfall wanted me to have it. I giggle, thinking my ancestral mother wished for me to still look my best, even in the future.

I keep my sword tied to the back of my waist, another habit that carried over from Dewloura. Even though I know I’m safe here, it’s just good practice to have it with. Plus I continue to train with it.

As I gaze down after leaping from a tree branch, I see Fenris and Athena running below on the forest floor. I grin, seeing my bonded wolves keep up with me.

As we exit the forest and run through the fields towards the Mansion. I gaze up, seeing Ddraig fly overhead. I still can’t believe I now have a dragon for a grandfather. I grin, thinking it really shouldn't be that much of a surprise, seeing how one of my sisters is also a dragon.

I would love another chance to talk with him. He’s also watching us, never straying too far or out of sight. I smile, maybe later today. There’s no rush.

The three of us return to the Mansion, where we are greeted by several of the maids. I smile, feeling completely at ease here. The estate surrounding the Mansion is truly expansive, yet further enforcing its absolute solitude. It feels homely, yet the quiet adds to the appeal. I haven’t explored all of it yet, but I know my wolfish parents will. They’ll be out more than I will. Yet a longing slowly grows within me, a longing for home.

As I dry off the dew from my outfit I look over, watching as my wolves shake the morning dew from their fur. I giggle, doing the same with my tails.

They turn and smile, walking in close and nuzzle my face. I hold onto them, wrapping my tails around theirs. They each groan softly, happily as they hold onto their little girl. I smile, loving them even more.

My ears then flick to the sound of mud splattering. I look over, watching as five silver darts flying through the air, piercing into dozens of mud golems. I see Marron at the other end as she trains on the terrace. The darts fly and weave around the through the air, much like her needle did. I smile softly as the mud golems dash around her while she directs her darts, piercing through them all, crisscrossing and interweaving to a far greater scale than with her original needle.

I still love how mud golems are the best ways to train, simple to summon, never needing to worry about hurting anyone or yourself. Finally, easy enough to unsummon and clean up. Fenris and I even showed Marron and my knights how we were able to master fusion. Everyone was in awe and shock as we demonstrated our new abilities.

The three of us slowly walk up, making sure no to disturb her or get too close. We replace a bench to watch her. I pull my legs tight to my chest, wrapping my tails around me. Marron waves her hand while holding Mystletainn, easily controlling the paths of each dart. Most of the darts fly around, piercing her targets while the other two act as shields.

I smile, watching as she’s slowly gaining mastery over her weapon, granted she is using her tried and true technique as a basis. She just now has five darts instead a single needle to control.

Marron then reels back her hand, summoning all five darts back to their source, listening to them click back into the main blade. All around her are the shimmering, thin lines of magical thread she’s woven. She streaks her fingers along the strands, tugging on them, which causes all of her targets to slam into each other.

Marron finally sends a pulse of magic into the strands, causing the golems to explode, showering the terrace with mud. Thankfully a barrier was erected to protect the Mansion as some of the mud simply slams into it and drops to the stone floor.

I grin as some of the mud comes flying towards me, only to be intercepted by my wolves. I lean over and stroke them as the mud slowly slinks back over to the center. Marron looks over to me and smirks as she turns back to oversee her work. She then holds up Mystletainn, smiling, no doubt slowly understanding her new weapon.

“I’m starting to get the hang of this thing,” she states. “Just need more time with it.”

I grin, “Well…would you like a sparring partner? Golems are fine for practice, but nothing beats a living person.”

She smirks, knocking her head and motioning me over. I grin, hopping off the bench. I thumb the black ring that is around the setting of my necklace, summoning my Han Kote onto my forearms.

“That’s something new,” states Marron.

I smile, adjusting them. “It’s something I gained with my battle regalia. I can even summon the boots as well.”

Marron crosses her arms, tilting to the side. “Never thought someone would ever mess with your mother’s work.”

I grin, drawing Astraea. She is right. My necklace was one of Mom’s greatest works, spending months and months crafting it. She took pride in it, infusing her own mana so I could become who I am today. Granted, Mom would always refer to me as her greatest creation, something I take great pride in. I smile, still hearing her call me that.

I look up to Marron, and lunge at her, with her, launching her darts towards me.

We spend the next hour training and fighting each other. We each are amazed by the other’s skills. Marron with her new ability with Mystletainn and the skills I gained while in Dewloura. She’s in awe at how fast and reactive I’ve become. Hey, training with knights for months kinda tends to push your abilities.

Marron’s darts on the other hand are incredibly fast, appearing to fly around like tiny silver blurs. However I’m still able to track them. She would often grin, increasing their speed and intensity. Yet I still manage to keep up with them.

I kick away darts, bouncing them off my gauntlets or parry with my sword. Her darts zip and zoom, flying in like eagles striking at their prey. We each grin to the other as we dance and flip about the terrace, dodging the other’s attacks.

My wolves watch on as they always do. I often would catch glimpses of them sitting by the bench, ever watchful of us. I grin at them, happily to have them here with me.

A few of her strikes finally mange to nick the sides of my outfit, throwing me slightly off of my rhythm. This brief moment allows her darts to wrap around me, tying me down. With a slight misstep, I’m sent crashing face-first to the floor.

Marron quickly rushes to me, untangling me from her threads. “You ok sweetie?”

I cough slightly, having some of the wind knocked out of me. Something warm drips from my nose. I look down seeing drops of blood pooling on the floor. I nod, sitting on my knees and wiping the blood from my nose. “I’ll be fine. My sessions with the knights were sometimes even worse. So this is nothing new to me.”

I cringe slightly as memories of fighting Selene come rushing back to me. Yikes that woman was a terror with the rapier. I quickly shake my head loose of the bad thoughts and look up at her. “I’m fine, really.”

She nods, holding me close to her. “Why don’t we call it a morning?”

I nod and we both rise and head inside.

After cleaning up and resting for a bit, I wander the Mansion, simply letting my feet carry me. The walls are the same comforting dark wood paneling I love. It invokes comfort in the darkness while the wood seems to make it feel even more homely.

I carry with me my bag, knowing I have a destination in mind. I do have work to do and nothing but time to complete it. Both Fenris and Athena decided to sleep together in my room, so I was on my own for the afternoon.

I come upon the repair bay, seeing both of my knight’s wave-riders as they’re being worked on. It’s large, possibly the size of the sanctuary of Immanuel Lutheran in Mercedes. As I watch mechanical arms hold them up, the anime geek in me compares it to any mecha hanger bay.

Sparks fly as the automata work emotionlessly on them, swapping panels and components for new ones. I nod and smile before turning and head back into the Mansion.

I finally retreat back the library. My nose is quickly filled with the smell of books and ink. As I pass through the arch of bookcases, I strum my fingers along the numerous book spines, feeling their leathery bindings. I smile softly, recalling the second evening after I arrived in Dewloura. Just Celes and I in the library, each with a book in hand.

As I exit into the main hall, I glance over to where the portal once stood. I sigh softly, seeing the empty void left behind when it crumbled after my return. I peer to the floor, seeing that the rubble had been cleared away, leaving no trace of it. I grip the strap of my bag tightly, still coming to grips of how a short while ago I just returned.

I shake my head and then head for a table.

I pull out my Orkona and many of my notes from school along with several other papers and assignments. I even take out Mom’s lesson stone along with the various lessons and materials she left for me. I look around, glancing at the books and head over the bookcases and start pulling off several of them, going from case to case and return to the table.

I smile softly with my tails swishing around me, levitating the books so I can scan at them more easily. Some of the books present are actually the same books I saw in the Acadenora’s library, which makes them perfect for my schoolwork. I scribble on my Orkona, completing the various assignments Lord Ashlan had given us.

There were several he had planned out for us before the end of term, wanting us all to complete them. I smile softly, often glancing down, thinking I might see Leto and Nelly under the table, either sleeping or running up and down the row. I miss them terribly. While Celes looked after me as my big sister, I was theirs. I still grin, remembering how I had to constantly make sure they didn’t get in to too much mischief.

I sigh, thinking of Micha and Luna. Two more little pups I miss terribly. I still don’t know if they’re ok or not. I did try sending Tariel a letter via message stone, only for the canister to reappear a second later. I’m thinking there must’ve been some way my ancestors were able to communicate while the barrier was up. Maybe a message stone is something the barrier isn’t compatible with. Who knows?

An hour or so later, my ears flick as the doors to the library open. I pan up to see my knights walking in. I smile softly as they bow to me.

“Afternoon, Your Highness,” they greet me.

I nod, “Hey guys.”

They smile, looking to me. “May we join you?” asks Orga.

I nod, motioning them over to my book-filled table. I giggle softly, moving several of them out of the way. The pair smiles, with Orga sitting across from me while Kateryna scans the bookcases. I smile, continuing my work as they do.

Orga then glances at me, “Is your work related to the Xur’canah, Your Highness?”

I giggle, shaking my head as I scribble and turn a couple pages in a few books. “Nope, this is a paper that was supposed to be due the following week before I returned. The subject for it was a rather hefty one and my teacher was insistent we completed it.”

He looks at me puzzled. “Why complete work for when the school it is meant for is gone?”

Kateryna soon appears with a book of her own. “I agree, Your Highness. Why complete it?”

I grin softly, “I know the Acadenora and its teachers are gone, but I still want to complete it for just the sake of it.” I glance up at them, “It’s not like me to leave something unfinished.” They each nod.

I close my eyes for moment. Those last few hours were utter chaos. I do want to learn the fates of those I went to school with. A few I already can guess, having fought a few of their descendants.

It’s still so odd to me. From my perspective, it’s only been a few days since I last saw my classmates and teachers. Yet for the rest of the world, and possibly any survivors that might live today, it’s been four centuries. Hell, none of them might have even realized that I wasn’t from that era. So it’s safe to assume they that might not know that I survived myself.

“Do you think you could tell us more about your time with our comrades, Your Highness?” ask Kateryna.

I grin softly, dashing through another assignment. “I loved my training sessions with them, replaceing them to be a ton of fun. I grew to really love Kayle and Norick to death, replaceing a peace I do with the both of you.”

Both knight beam as they listen. I giggle softly, “Kayle and I would often train together, or simply sit with each other and talk. Norick would often act as my instructor and teacher, yet we became really good friends.” I then smirk, “Even when I was outed as a descendant of Shyair.”

The couple chuckles. I watch as they seem happy the more I talk about my time with the knights. I can still feel their blades against my mine during our sessions. I can hear their voices as they spoke to one another. I grin as I have dozens of pictures of them on my phone.

I twirl the stylus over my thumb, thinking of the quiet moments I spent with them, either talking or training. Kayle had a personality akin to a senior looking out for their junior, but it felt so much closer. She was my friend, and would always be at the ready for me.

Norick would joke and laugh, yet was also firm during training. He was a teacher at the military academy after all. Oh how I loved listening to his lectures on military theory and strategy. However, he was someone I could confide in. Plus he was the one who confronted me about my identity. I was happy with them as was with my family there.

I tell Orga and Kateryna about the long and deep conversations I had with the knights during the breaks in training. How I grew closer to them all, eating, laughing, forming a slow bond of camaraderie. The one thing I wished that could’ve happened was fought alongside the other knights as I have with the ones in front of me. They smile softly, nodding, knowing how the three of us grew closer as a result of our battles together.

I stare at my Orkona, sighing softly. “I now know how the both of you feel, in that I miss them too,” I say softly. I then smirk lightly, “It’s funny, I only knew them for a few months while you knew them for years if not lives.” I look to them, “Am I being selfish thinking like they were my comrades?”

Kateryna smiles, shaking her head, “No, Your Highness. You spent as much with them as you have with us. I know for certain they felt as we do, having quickly fallen in love with you.”

I grin softly.

“Now…you spoke of Piotr,” chirps Orga. “How close were you two?”

I groan, slamming my head into the table, “Did you really have to bring him up?”

The couple chuckles softly.

I lift my head up and rest my chin onto the table. I take a few short breaths as it gather my thoughts. Piotr is a slightly touchy subject for me.

“Piotr and I were really close,” I start. “I knew pretty early on he had feelings for me. I think he tried courting me on occasion.” I grin softly, “He and I became training partners, thinking he could use it to stay close to me. Even though I thought he was handsome, I still kept a small wall up between us.”

Yeah, because I’m already in love with someone else. Although…I really gave him credit for finally confessing to me, despite stopping him from completing said confession. I do have to the admit that I really had no idea what could have happened if I didn’t make it back. Would I have given up on Kenji and found someone else? I really don’t want to think about it.

I stare off at a distant wall. “I really hope he found someone. Granted, I don’t know what happened to him after the city vanished.”

Both knights nod solemnly. I really do wish I knew what happened to all of the knights. I know some remained at the estate to make sure that Celes and I made it up. As for the others…I have no idea. Some were sent to aid in the evacuation of the city, beyond that…I don’t have a clue.

I feel arms wrapping around me, gently pulling me back against my chair. I peer up, seeing Marron smiling down at me. “Hi.”

She grins, leaning over and kissing my forehead, “Hey there.” She looks up, peering over the numerous open and floating books with my Orkona resting in front of me. “Ever the consummate student I see.”

I giggle, “Ever am and ever shall be.”

That is something that’s never once changed. When Mom began teaching me, I fell in love with learning. During my magic training, I delved head deep into it. Granted, Mom’s teaching style was intense and comprehensive. I loved learning from Velhemina and Silvi. I sort of gained a reputation for always getting exciting when I replace a new teacher.

That point was proven when Titania came to visit me last summer. When she started to teach how to use the fairy road, I scrambled to replace something to write on. She smiled and obliged, summoning paper and a pencil to write it all down.

She laughs, hugging me tightly. “Caretaker wanted me to tell you all that dinner is ready.”

I look up towards a window seeing that the sky had indeed turned dark as night fell without me realizing it. I look down at the gathered papers strewn about. I smile knowing while some of my homework is done, I still have plenty more left, and time to complete it.

I put down my stylus and we all rise and head out the door.