New Hope

Twenty minutes later, Vidar wakes up feeling lightheaded.

"What just happened?!"

Sprite replied, "We just got destroyed again by Xenon. I'm beginning to lose count, honestly."

"Wait, did we fight Xenon? I thought I was dreaming."

"Were you not conscious in that fight, Vidar? You fought Xenon in your Griffonborn state."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Vidar, confused, asked, "How do you remember it, but I don't?"

"It would seem that when you're in the Griffonborn state you don't remember, but your inner Echo, that being me, can vividly remember what happened."

"We need to train even harder. I wanna be able to stay conscious while in that state."

"Xenon is a sick individual, honestly, he uses people's lives like a joke. He killed that lady's mother and I fear he might have done the same to-"

Vidar cuts him off, "That's enough Sprite. Reya is alive. I can feel it. She is alive and I will find her and bring her back."

"I'll support you however you need Vidar, so let's focus on what we'll be doing now."

"I think we need to speak to that lady and let her know what happened to her mother."

Upset and disappointed, Vidar slams his fist on the ground, "Damn it!"

"Come on, let's go."

Vidar nods and starts heading back to Rakoth.

Vidar gets taken aback with a feeling of sadness and happiness and says, "It feels like it's been forever since I was back here."

"Technically, it's only been two days."

Vidar, shocked, says, "Wow, we seriously wasted time in Kamag, huh?"

Sprite says in a joyful tone, "Well, it wasn't a complete waste. We did get a new power-up."

Vidar laughs, "Yeah, your right."

They start heading back to the home of the daughter.

He walked up to her, "Ma'am?"

The woman's face brightened with excitement.

"Hey! I remember you! Tell me, did you find my mother?"

Vidar places his hand on her shoulder and says, "The mage who took your mother killed her before I had the chance to find her. I am so sorry."

Vidar lowers his face in sadness.

The woman was distraught and taken aback by what Vidar said and started to laugh, "Haha, you're joking right? Please tell me you are joking. This can't be true, right? It can't be! Please tell me it's not true."

Vidar started to tear up, "I'm sorry but it's true. Your mother's spirit still lives on. She spoke to me, but she can't move on into the afterlife because she is worried about you."

The woman looks up at Vidar, "You spoke to my mother, but you couldn't bring her back to me? I should have never asked for your help in the first place!"

Vidar looks at her and says as soothingly as possible, "Ma'am, we tried everything to bring her back to you. We truly did."

The woman angrily yelled, "If you even tried, my mother would be here now! Alive!"

Vidar, crying, says, "I'm truly sorry, truly, there are no words…"

"Leave my home at once! I never wanna see you again! You're a useless fraud who isn't even a real Griffonborn!"

The woman slapped Vidar across the face and spit on his foot.

Sprite angrily floats out of Vidar and yells at the woman, "Listen here you little son of a biscuit eater! Vidar tried his best to bring your mother back! You have no idea how hard these past two days have been on Vidar, you little wretched excuse for a daughter!"

Vidar stops Sprite from saying any more, "That's enough Sprite, we are not welcome here."

Sprite, still angered, says, "No, I'm not finished with her. She needs to understand that she needs to be more grateful, not a lousy good-for-nothing person."

Vidar looking dejected, said, "Come on, let's go."

Sprite growled at the woman and he and Vidar leave the woman's home.

Sprite disappears inside Vidar's conscience and says, "Can't believe what she said to you, Vidar. That was so not cool."

"I can't believe what you said in there Sprite. You went a bit too far."

"I'm sorry, she was just so infuriating."

"Yes, I know, but we have to be better than them if we hope to get stronger and make a difference."

"Your right, Vidar. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Vidar smiles and starts walking to the Pyro Myrtle Tavern to see Jeremy.

Vidar gets to the tavern, greets Jeremy with a smile and says, "Long time no see Jeremy. How's business going?"

Jeremy, ecstatic to see Vidar, says, "Haha! Hey, there Vidar! Now that you are here, business shall be booming like before."

Vidar chuckled and says, "I'm glad to hear that."

Jeremy looks at Vidar up and down, noticing how his aura has grown and says, "Hmmm, now then, why don't you tell me about your travels, my dear boy."

As he slides Vidar a Sylla Katune, Vidar looks surprised.

Jeremy says, "It's on the house."

Vidar laughs and Sprite smiles.

"Really, you're serious?"

"Yes," Jeremy assures him, "Now tell me about your travels. I assume it shall be interesting to hear."

Vidar takes a sip of his drink, savours the taste and tells Jeremy about what happened in Kamag and the creepy vibe it was putting out. He also tells Jeremy that he thinks that he has met his dad, who spoke to him through a vision from the past and how his father has long since died and that he unlocked a new Griffonborn power, which allows him to summon powerful energy from within of every single element simultaneously to fight against Xenon. He explained how it could be a huge help in his journey to saving his sister and that he can defeat Xenon, but needs to make sure that he hones it to its full potential so he does not lose again.

Finally, he ends his story with, "I hope that I will find out more about who I am and where I come from."

Jeremy looks at Vidar impressed, "Not bad. Embracing this new power is no small feat. Continue your travels, know the path before you isn't the same as your ancestors, start fresh and keep going."

Vidar smiles and gets up to leave, hoping to continue with his journey. Vidar leaves the Pyro Myrtle Tavern.

Sprite says, "Jeremy is always as supportive as can be, isn't he?"

Vidar nods in response and they continue on their way. After walking awhile, Vidar says, "What do we do now? We are back at stage one. We're no closer to finding my sister than when we started." Sprite thought for a moment, then remembered what Jeremy said, "Continue your travels, know the path before you isn't the same as your ancestors, start fresh and keep going." Hearing this again, Vidar finds strength within him and decides to carry on regardless of the outcome.