“So what do you all plan on doing?” Adam asked curiously sometime later, shifting the discussion away from him and Iris.
“I’ll be returning to the Faerie Frostlands for a while to continue my training. And who knows, maybe I’ll be as lucky as you, Adam,” Miko replied as he glanced at Iseria, who rolled her eyes at his antics.
“And what about you?” Adam asked Laia as he stared at her with the utmost respect. Laia had literally brought him back from the dead, and Adam felt nothing but vaunted respect and awe towards her.
“I’ll have to return home. I’ve been away for quite a bit and I’m sure my father is expecting my return,” Laia replied, with some reluctance in her voice to do so. The group could tell that she was not thrilled about the prospect of returning home, but Laia quickly cheered up and turned to look at John, and quickly changed the subject.
“And what about you?” Laia asked curiously, as John had not yet revealed his plans.
“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll probably roam the continent for a bit as well,” John replied after thinking it over. He had to visit Five-River Freeport to meet with Caz regarding their recent business, and then afterwards he had no specific plans in mind.
“My main goal is to raise my strength as fast as possible, so I’ll go wherever the best place to do that is,” John continued.
“What’s the rush? You’re already freakish enough as is,” Miko chimed in on John’s plans.
“You’re one to talk!” Adam scoffed, as Miko was practically just as monstrous as John.
“I have my reasons,” John replied with a wry smile, but didn’t explain further. Miko could tell there was more to it than just the desire for John to raise his strength, but didn’t ask further, as he knew if John didn’t explain things, then there was a reason for the vagueness.
“Ah, well if you’re so focused on raising your strength, then I guess I can’t slack off either. Afterall, you’ve already somehow caught up to me cultivation wise, so my main advantage over you is already gone,” Miko replied, slightly displeased that he had allowed John to catch up to him, as his competitive spirit didn’t allow anything but victory.
“And soon I’ll pass you up, so you better not slack off,” John replied smugly, his words setting off Miko’s competitive spirit even further.
“As if! I’ve been taking it easy up until now, but let’s see if you can keep up with me when I actually start trying!” he boomed out loudly, while the rest of the group couldn’t help but laugh at his boisterous antics.
After discussing their plans, the group continued discussing various matters until the sun set and night set in. They eventually left the building, stuffed with delicious food and drink, and content that they were able to spend a full day of celebration with their close friends, which was a rare thing for them.
“The ship is here Miko, we are returning home,” Iseria said to Miko as the group stood outside the restaurant.
“Already? Ah…fine,” Miko replied with some disappointment that he had to leave already. He turned to John and the others and bid farewell, with several cheeky parting words towards John before leaving with Iseria.
“When we meet again, you better not disappoint me,” Miko yelled out towards John as he rounded the corner of a nearby street, disappearing for good.
“I…I suppose we will set off as well then,” Adam chimed up, his tone slightly downcast. He had spent most of his last few years around John and Chase, and was now leaving them for who knew how long.
“Mmmm,” Iris mumbled in agreement and stood next to Adam.
“Good luck,” John said as he embraced both of them briefly before parting. “Make sure he doesn’t slack off,” John jested as he glanced at Iris, who laughed lightly.
“I’ll make sure of it,” she replied with a smile, and after a few more words, Adam and Iris set off down the road, leaving for the main gate of Alliance City. John, Chase, and Laia watched them leave with different emotions, and Chase sighed after a while as he turned to look at John.
“I suppose I should return to the Alliance headquarters and meet this new master of mine,” Chase said to John.
“That you should,” John replied while nodding his head firmly and patting Chase’s shoulder. “I’m sure you and Elder Clearheart are going to get along well.”
“I hope so,” Chase replied, slight uneasiness in his voice.
This was the first time since John had liberated Chase from the Bloodfiend Sect that he would be on his own again, which filled Chase with some dread. However, it was a very good opportunity for him, and so he didn’t voice his objection towards it.
“With your love for alchemy, I’m sure the next time we meet will shock me,” John said with a warm smile.
“I’ll make sure I have some impressive pills cooked up just for you when we meet again,” Chase replied with a matching smile, and the two exchanged a look of firm resolve before Chase turned around and left, setting off towards the distant Alliance headquarters.
John watched Chase leave and couldn’t help but feel emotional at the moment. The friends he had spent almost all his time with for the past two years had now all gone their separate ways, and he sighed after a moment of silence before glancing towards Laia.
“Follow me,” Laia said to John as she began to walk down the wide and busy road. John raised an eyebrow but followed behind closely as the two meandered their way through the city that was bustling with activity despite the late hour.
Laia navigated the streets with practiced confidence, and after walking through the streets for several miles, the two left the bustling streets and entered a tree lined park, one of the many that existed within the city.
A fresh and clean breeze drifted through John’s hair as the tree’s gave way, revealing a large lake before him. The lake shimmered brightly from the moonlight overhead, making the view quite beautiful. Boats drifted atop the lake, each glowing with soft light.
Laia walked for a while and found a small grassy hill next to the lake, and sat down on the hill and gestured for John to do the same. John sat down next to her and gazed at the shimmering lake before him, before shifting his gaze towards Laia.
“Why are we here?” he asked curiously.
“I wanted to give you something,” Laia replied after remaining silent for a short while, “and this place is away from any prying eyes,” she explained as a glowing orb suddenly appeared in her hands, one that brimmed with pure vitality and life.