Chapter 11 - Reminds Me Of Home

"This place looks grand, I'd rather live here than that Palace over yonder," commented Z, enjoying the Old Chapel's design.

"Are you done eyeing the thing, Snow Cap?" asked Baldwin, standing at the front door.

"Well, it is the first time I've been here. Let me get a chance to be mesmerized for once in these few hundred years, Angry Man," commented Z, taking his time to get into the building.

"At the very least, ask the kids to hurry up or else the food is going to get cold." With the mere mention of food, the two kids sped up by using their powers, causally knocking Baldwin off from his feet. Z gave a loud chuckle as he pulled the Angry Man out from the grassy plains.

"Gillian was right, they are just kids," said Z, smiling like an idiot.

"I've heard the news, you went easy on them, right?" asked Baldwin, sweeping off more grass and dirt.

"First off, asking a Lost Mage to unleash their full powers in an enclosed area is suicidal. Not only I would've decimated the entire area, but I might also end up harming the security of this place. The Congregation is already under enough fire. I don't need to handle another feud again," explained Z, heading into the house.

As he sat down with the rest of the group, he felt some form of warmth that he had missed within his realm. Sure, the man had been invited to luxurious dinners before from the village people. But not one like this.

People from around and across the Universe, different planes and of unknown origins, gathered to eat a simple meal of the day. Seeing how the young Valkyrie was playing with a Time Mage and witnessing a Dark Mage trying to discipline the two kids.

If it was seen from afar, it would look like a normal family.

"Don't like the family, Snow Cap?" asked Baldwin snapping his fingers in front of Z's face. The huge man immediately shook his head.

"Nah, I was just thinking. You lot look like a family, you guys can pass off as a human family anytime soon," replied Z.

Mavislin giggled at Raiyen as he tried dancing with the deer's antlers.

"It's the only thing that we can give them. A place to call home and a group to call family," explained Gillian, as the two kids finally calmed down to eat their dinner.

"Some sort of a cozy haven," said Z, tucking into his dinner.

"What is a haven?" asked Mavislin, eyes sparkling in enthusiasm.

"A place of safety; a shelter," explained Gillian.

Mavislin smiled as she took a huge bite of meat.

"Someday, I wanna create a haven," replied Mavislin. Raiyen raised his eyebrows.

"What for?"

"So others like us would have a home as well. I'm sick and tired of us Mages being called demons and throw us away like trash. I've seen it, I don't want any more of that. Why can't we make a haven for the remaining Mages we've got left?" asked Mavislin.

She tried stabbing the piece of meat that she had difficulty eating. She slumped back down in anger as she was unable to cut the meat. Raiyen smiled and placed his bony but from hands onto Mavislin's, effectively cutting the flesh.

"Why not?" chuckled Z, after thinking for some time.

"It's not an easy task," warned Ysabeau, shaking her head.

"It'll be fun," commented Raiyen, grinning away like a fool.

Baldwin looked skeptical as he shot a stern glare towards Mavislin's shining golden eyes.

"We would be constantly at war for this idea to even initiate. The battlefield isn't a place for kids, you know," said Baldwin.

"Well, we aren't kids anymore," said Mavislin, meeting Baldwin's gaze with a look of determination.

"I'm a Time Mage, feel free to do the math," explained Raiyen, waving casually. Baldwin still looked unconvinced.

"Here's the deal; how about I train these two rascals properly? Both in physical combat and Magecraft. Attacks and defense," proposed Z, placing a hand on Baldwin's shoulder.

"Don't go easy on them when training," replied Baldwin, standing up to leave.

"With the background knowledge of Z's old job, I highly doubt so. The training that he is going to be giving out to these rascals would be anything but easy," said Gillian.

"Why? His fighting style quite similar to mine. I am pretty confident I can catch up to him!" said Raiyen, bursting with morale.

"He was just messing around with you two. He hasn't even shown you guys the full force that he used to train the Elites of the Congregation," explained Gillian, walking away.

That night, the room that Z was given looked like it had the ceiling of the night sky and the flooring of a snowy mountain. All around were beautiful designs made of ice and a few different types of Kunais.

Raiyen was busy admiring the foreign daggers decorated around the room while Mavislin had her eyes on the ceiling.

"Reminds me of home," said the two kids in unison.