CHAPTER 2, FAMILY SECRET AND DEPARTURE

We all sat in a large circle as we listened to Leo tell the story of my family and our legacy. As he cleared his throat he spoke in a clear, ear catching voice and this is what he told us. Long long ago, when this world had first come into existence, five gods came down to it's surface and upon arriving they met the two gods that had already existed, a dragon god who sleeper atop an ancient mountain, and a demon god who watched over the world. When one of the gods created the races that now live here, the demon god created demons and made them kill the other races to make them see that he was the strongest god. The humans, who were the weakest of the races that existed, turned to the youngest of the seven gods for help, the youngest was a girl who played in her beautiful garden. She gave them the power to fight demons, this was magic, however, only half of the humans could receive the blessing, so she turned to the other gods for help. However, the four gods who descended with her didn't help her so she turned to the dragon god. After a week of climbing up the sacred mountain where the dragon god lived, she met the dragon god who was sleeping yet again. After talking to the Dragon god and giving him gifts, the dragon god gave her a special magic. A magic that could summon Heroes from another world. The magic was called Summoning Magic, and with it she summoned the first Hero of their world. The goddess blessed the Hero with a special magic, Familiar Magic. After countless battles and countless casualties the Hero had triumphed over the demon god and saved their world. He was given a choice, to return to his world or remain in this one and he chose to remain in this one. After a while he started a family, and he built a nation of his own. And as his nation grew, so did his family, descendant after descendant, they passed down his familiars, until around my great grandfather's generation when he lost his power due to an incident and my parents sealed Leo away inside the boom after an issue during my childhood.

"I see... that's what my family is... a family of Heroes." I said trying to process everything. "Leo-san, do yiu jnow we can get to the Aerial Isles?"

"There a few ways, one; go to a gate that connects this land to the Aerial Isles. Two, Collect the Twelve Zodiacs and use them to open a gate from here to the Aerial Aerial Isles and third; Mastrr awakens and becomes the next Hero thereby gaining the right to open the gates by himself."

"Where's the closest gate?" Aria-san asked.

"It was in the Royal Capital." He answered. "But that was ten eyars ago, I'm not eaxaclty sure if it's still there."

"We'll take our chances." Master said.

"It's impossible for any of you to open the gates. There are conditions that must be met first. Firstly, if the gate is just closed then you just need Aerial Blood to open it but if it is sealed, you'll need Royal Blood and Aerial Blood to open them." Leo explained as the members were about to depart. "Meaning, you'll need Master's help."

"Then I'll go with you." I say with a smile. "Besides I want to see my homeland too. The Aerial Isles is my homeland, i want to see what oind of place it is."

"If you want to come, we'd need to register with our guild, otherwise we can't let you travel with us." Silver-san said.

"Sorry for the trouble." I apologized.

"No, sorry for the trouble we're causing you." Aria-san said. "Will you really join us?"

"Yes, I don't mind." I answered her.

"Master, along the way, you might encounter dangers, it might be best to form a master-servant contract first." Leo said as he hugged me. "Master, you are the only bearer of the last name Tsuki as of the moment meaning you are the only one who can use our true power."

"I understand, we'll start with my registration with the guild first." I said and Storm-san grabbed me.

"First we need to register you in the guild." Storm-san says grabbing my arm. "This is official guild business so we can't let non-members join but if you don't want to join permanently you can cancel it after we're done with the mission."

"Thanks, so what do I need to do first?" I ask.

"Master." Aria-san said and Master took my hands into hers.

"Of course, first turn around." She says so I do and she raises my shirt, she then cuts a small wound on her finger and drops it on my back. "I, Anna Actinolite, welcome you Haru Morganite to the Azure Gem's Guild."

"Thank you master." I say and pull my shirt down.

"Next, I need you to select where you want your guild mark to be." She says.

"On my shoulder then." I say and show it to her, she then places her hand on my shoulder and casts a spell.

"In the name of the Azure Gem's I welcome you to our family." She says and removes her hand, the mark of an azure diamond is now embedded on my shoulder. "There we go, welcome to our guild."

"Thank you for having me." I say with a smile.

When I get home, Leo sits on the chair by the counter. Meanwhile, I brew some medicinal remedies for the trip. As Leo walks around a bit, I prepare my things for the trip, extra clothes, rations, medicine kits and other stuff like adventure books. Though, I doubt I'll be of any help to the others. "Master, shouldn't sign the master-familiar contract now?" Leo asks.

"S-sure, how do you sign it?" I ask hesitantly.

"Kiss, a kiss and it is signed." He says with a smile. "Well then?"

"Ehh!? O-okay then!" I exclaim and kiss him on the lips. "There? Is it over now?"

"I hope you treat me well." He says with a smile, he's rather carefree isn't he.

Three days have passed since I met Leo and now I'm about to leave town for the first time and go on an adventure. As I'm about to leave, my head suddenly hurts, I took some anti-headache medicine and left.

We headed to the Guild, and it seems that the Master and the other members have been waiting for us, everyone is gathered inside the Guild Hall, it's a large spacious place, the Guild Hall seems to resemble a bar or a pub, there are three large doors and a staircase that leads to the second floor. When you enter, the center or the area that you face is a stage, there three banners with the Azure Gem emblem is printed on, hang at the back ground, on the right hand side, the picture of the first Guild Master hangs. There are also balconies that watch over the lower levels and on the second floor where the balconies are there are large stained glass window with the Guild Symbol on them, at the center a chandelier hangs and directly below it a map of the continent. "The plan is to go to Port Aquamarine, there we'll head east to Prism Peaks, I believe Aries is there and it will also be the fastest way to the Roya Capital."

The Guild prepares to leave, we'll be headed for Port Aquamarine, Leo also tells me that we might encounter Aquarius and Pisces on the way. "And after, where do we go?"

"We'll head for the Royal Capital, crossing through the Prism Peaks, and into the Padparascha Plains, where we might get a chance to meet Taurus, after which we head straight to the Royal Capital."

The carts have left and we all ride them as we head for Port Aquamarine, as we travel across the mountains which lead to the port I can't help but stare at Leo's cat ears. I kind of want to pull on them but I hold my ground and avoid doing such things. "Master would you please rub my ears." Leo says placing his head on my lap.

"Okay." I say and rub his ears, they're so soft I feel like I'm massaging clouds. "They're so soft."

"Master if you think my ears are soft you should try cuddling Aries she's unbelievably fluffy. Especially her hair." He says purring.

"What are you a cat or a lion?" I ask him as I scratch his ears.

"A lion is basically just a big cat." He says yawning. "Master, please wake me if you'd like help."

"Go on and sleep." I say petting his hair, it's like I've got a baby brother.

The carts move endlessly as the morning turns to noon and noon turns to dusk, the carts soon come to a stop and everyone comes out of the carts. I guess it's dinner time, as the others begin to get ready I decide to help as the others are still injured from the previous excursion. Seems like they haven't figured out what to do, I suggest we just make stew since the ingredients here are enough to make stew and that would be the fastest. The others have already begun setting up the tents and I see Leo is helping them. As we cook the stew I go for a quick walk and I hear a strange melody, the sound of the harp. I follow it into the woods and there I find a young lady, she's holding a harp. She's sitting on a stone as she is lit by the moonlight. "Who are you?" She demands when she notices me. She has beautiful blond hair that is waist long, blue eyes, white skin and she's wearing a blue dress.

"Sorry, my name is Haru Morganite Tsuki." I answer her and her blue eyes that are lit by the moonlight grow big. "Um, may know which you are?"

"My name is Lyra, a lower ranked spirit." She says. "Why would the sole remaining heir to the Tsuki family be doing here?"

"I'm sorry, did you just say lower ranked spirit?" I ask her.

"That's right, spirits are ranked into two, high ranked and low ranked." She answers. "Why has the Hero come here?"

"I'm on a journey to the Royal Capital qhere a gate tyat connects this land and the Aerial Islesis located." I say and walk closer. "Why are you here?"

"We, lower ranked spirits are free to wonder as we please until someone forges a master-servant contract with us." She explains. "Would you leave now, I wish to play my music in peace."

"May I listen, it's so beautiful." I say, her tune is so beautiful.

"Very well, but I'm surprised you could stay awake." She says and plays her harp. It's like a lullaby, I hummed to the tune. "You have a nice voice."

"Thank you." I say continue to hum to the tune. "Do you like to sing Lyra-san?"

"Sadly, I cannot sing, I can only play." She says with a frown. "As a song spirit, i can only play songs, I cannot sing."

"Why is that?" I ask her as I sit down on the rock beside her.

"I'm a low ranked spirit, we hardly serve any purpose but to serve our master and a few years ago, I was forced to be the Familair of a horrible Summoner, she abused me using me as a shield, I was able to break our contract and run awya to this lace." She says as tears drip from her face. "All I wish is to sing and let people hear my song."

"Um, Lyra-san, if you like we can sing songs together." I say and offer her a handkerchief.

"Thank you." She says with a gentle smile while whipping her tears. "Then shall we make a master-servant contract?"

"Is it fine?" I asked and she giggled and takes a kiss from my lips, after the kiss I immediately pull away. "Lyra-san can I just call you Lyra, that's how I refer to my friends."

"Sure. If you ever need me, just call my name while holding this into the air and say Come; The Lyre Familiar." She says handing me a small bracelet.

"What is this Lyra?" I ask her holding the bracelet.

"Oh, by any chance is this your first familiar signing?" She asks.

"No. I already have Leo as a familiar as well." I tell her.

"When you form a contract you are given a something by the spirit that serves as a medium between your magical power and the spirits magical power." She explains. "Basically it allows you to use my power as your own."

"I see." I say and realize something. "Leo your in trouble."

"Master, should you need my help please simply summon me, until then I'll be in my Medium." She says and slowly disappears.

I decide to head back and give Leo a scolding, as the moonlight shines on my path I see the campfire from a far, the others seem to be on guard. I rush over and the others immediately throw me glares. "Am I in trouble?" I asked them.