The Beginnings of a New Tale

As the two finished packing, they were then able to get on the road, though due to all the excitement, Shynerai ended up falling asleep during most of the trip back home.

By the time they arrived in Sprite Fontiss, it was already 21h30 so Shadow didn't expect to find Sarah awake...and as they opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of the young girl having fallen fast asleep by the fireplace.

Shadow walked through the door and stepped into the living room to greet his daughter with a kiss on her forehead as she slept, inadvertently waking the "sleeping beauty".

Shynerai followed Shadow into the house...when he came to a sudden stop as his eyes fell on the allure of the waking figure with long vermilion hair and sterling blue eyes.

A similar sensation enveloped Sarah as her eyes settled over the seemingly familiar figure, a tanned and lean built individual with bright green eyes with snow-white hair.

It was only after Shadow remarked at how much they had both grown that they finally understood who the "stranger" before each of them was.

With the realization flooding in...Shynerai was jumped by Sarah with the warmth that reminded him of when he first woke up in hospital after the Glynnfoldt Incident. It was at this point that he asked if Sarah actually missed him to tease her, only to be repeatedly bludgeoned by a tearing Sarah.

Shadow eventually stepped in to break up the cheerful reunion and instructed Shynerai to help the aid finish unpacking the rest of the luggage.

Once they were settled in, the three went on to enjoy their first family dinner in almost eight years.

Before everyone went to bed, Sarah told Erai to go and take a bath so he could get cleaned up. During his bath, Sarah brought him a fresh change of clothes and asked for his dirty laundry so that she could throw them out...but Erai told her that his training gi was too important to be thrown out, so she only got rid of the rest of his clothes...but she had also taken the opportunity to take his gi.

That morning Sarah was greeted by the sound of her brother training outside as her father was preparing to leave. Shadow was leaving so that he could complete Erai's application for his Guardian Entrance Exam. Sarah quickly followed suit as she left for school.

A week later Shynerai woke up so that he could start packing because tomorrow he was taking his exams and since the exams were in Aria, he would have to leave early.

He finished getting ready and went to eat breakfast though Sarah had already left for school.

Shadow said that Sarah had left him a goodbye gift on the table.

As they ate he asked him if he was worried about the exam tomorrow, Erai responded:

"Of course I am...I mean who wouldn't be, but even though I'm scared, I still feel a burning excitement inside of me and it's this sensation that's driving me to keep going…so I will."

Shadow told him that he had no doubt in his mind and that he wished him the best of luck.

But before Shynerai left, his uncle surprised him with one more heartfelt embrace.

Afterwards, Shynerai left the house and entered the car as the house-aid began their drive to Aria.

A few hours passed before they reached the city.

As their vehicle entered the walls of the city, Shynerai was greeted by the sight of a true marvel of brick, stone, glass, and steel. Unlike most capitals, this one did not embrace the steel and glass niche rather the architecture resembled living works of art with cathedrals and entertainment halls capturing most of the landscape.

The rest of the land had floating structures of greenery and homesteads that seemed to have been designed with musical aesthetics, hence the name, Aria.

The aid instructed Shynerai to make himself home in the condo that Shadow acquired for him while he unpacks all his things as they finally arrived at what would be Shynerai's home for the duration of the exams.

As Shynerai entered the house he gave himself a tour finding two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a living room, and a single bathroom.

Once he was done he went over to the entrance so that he could see the aid off...but before he left, the aid told him to get enough rest so that he can do his best. He was grateful for his support and finally said his goodbyes.

With that, he went up to his room though not to rest but to instead...meditate and work on his "trump card" so that it was ready for tomorrow.