Joan

Chapter LV

There's that dramatic, mischievous part of me that wants to make a scene for the others by having them think I was successful but fatally wounded, but I think my fake death from before was eventful enough.

Coming into view of the palace, I spur the creature on, landing back through the window where the others are still congregated. Upon seeing me, their eyes get real big, which makes sense seeing as I'm flying in on a mutant looking bird and I'm sure I'm not looking as fetching as those actors in movies look after a big showdown, but nevertheless, they appear to be relieved to see me.

"Is it over? Did you do it? What happened?" Lan immediately bombards me with questions as the creature comes to a stop and lowers itself for me to get off.

I almost forgot about my bad leg, but stepping off and failing to walk straight definitely reminds me. Chasan quickly comes to my side and helps me stand by supporting me.

"What happened out there, Joan?" Nimu asks. "What became of Tymos?"

"And the dragon?" Lan adds.

Everyone's pretty interested in hearing what went down, but I forget all of that the moment I feel Brent ram into me with a crushing hug. It knocks me out of Chasan's support, sending us both to the ground, but I don't care. All that matters now is that Brent's safe and I'm alive.

After viciously hugging me for several long seconds, he pulls back a little and gives me a chiding look.

"For the fastest girl in Chasan, you sure took the whole deadline to get here."

Grinning, I shrug. "Eh, you know me, it's not a real deal until I get down to the last minute."

He gives me another quick hug before we both get up- Chasan helping me up as well.

"So I'm assuming that's the last hug I'll ever get from you," I ask, my brow arched in question.

This time, he shrugs. "Well, for a while at least, you know I'm not much of a hugger."

Messing up his hair, I smirk. "Yeah, well, you hug like a bitch so do it better next time."

As he swats my hand away, he flashes me a quick middle finger while childishly sticking his tongue out at me which I, of course, have to return.

While we affectionately tease each other like we usually do, the others remind us that they're still present and completely alien to our unusual brother-sister communication.

"So, everything is good now?" Lan begins in slight uncertainty.

I chuckle. "Yeah, everything's awesome. I would start planning an election around here because consider Tymos permanently out of the picture."

Nimu arches a brow in surprise (and I'm sure- because it's her nature- a bit of skepticism). "He's dead? How?"

I theatrically wave my hands. "I got magic."

Though she rolls her eyes at me, I can sense some relieve in her demeanor.

Speaking of magic, though...

It occurs to me that Brent has not a clue who any of these peeps are with me, especially not Dhisnaek.

"Wait, wait, wait," I begin, glancing around at them. "I never got to introduce you guys."

"Well, being throw out of windows makes it hard to accomplish that, I'm sure," Chasan replies.

"Yeah, true. Okay, so, guys, this is my little brother Brent, a.k.a Jack. And he's the real MVP."