When Kyle opened his eyes he was most surprised by the feeling of comfort that surrounded him. It was his room in the Garden's lodge. The same mattress and blankets, the books placed on the shelves as he put them, the table laid out with papers and the trinkets the children had given him that lined the rest of the room. A quick look around showed that he was alone but his heart wasn't restless and like any normal day would have begun, he swung his legs free from his bed and stood up to prepare for the day. The uniform in his wardrobe felt tighter than usual as it hugged parts of his body that had grown since he last used them. Thankfully however, a fresh set had been laid on his chair and distinctly cut for his now more feminine body. As he held them in front of him he couldn't help but sigh. A single look in the mirror truly showed that there was no going back.
Out in the corridor and approaching the kitchen, Kyle heard a single voice lecturing. It was still the early morning and usually most the children would be sleeping, but with everything as it currently was, he couldn't exactly expect the usual. He peeked around the corner and spotted Lillia and in front of her were the other purple haired children of the Garden. The younger ones, Lana and Tali were barely awake while the older ones, Kara and Mina had stiff expressions. He could guess what their conversation was about. Lillia was awake and had truly become Lav's reincarnation. 95% of what made Lav would be within her with the rest spread across the children.
The actual conversation had Kyle sighing as Lillia spoke sternly, "Now repeat what I said."
They children all replied together, "We will not try anything on Mr Kyle."
"Good!" Lillia nodded happily. "He's mine after all."
"Good morning everyone," Kyle revealed himself from the other end of the kitchen.
"Mr Kyle!" the reaction was instant as leading the charge Kara leapt towards him.
"Hey what did we just talk about!" Lillia quickly followed a few steps behind as the children jumped around him, any aspect of tiredness blown away.
"Mr Kyle you're so pretty now," Tali said, her eyes glowing. "I mean you were always pretty but now you're even more! Can I paint you?"
Lana pulled on his pants, "Are you going to make us breakfast?"
"Yes I'll make breakfast-," a sudden hug pushed him forward as Mina stuck to his side. "I won't be able to though if you hold on like that."
"Hey!" Lillia charged between them, peeling Mina off and fending off Kara before she could do the same.
"Lillia it's okay. They're just children," Kyle laughed.
"No it's not okay," she narrowed her eyes. "They're part me so I know just what they can be like. And Kara is hardly a child anymore."
"No matter what, I love you the most," Kyle leaned forward and boldly pecked a kiss on her cheek. The children's eyes widened in innocent surprise. Lillia herself suddenly went red and slowly curled into a ball. "Umm are you okay?"
"Y-yeah I'm just overcome with about two thousand years of pent up emotion." She looked at him blushing furiously, "At least give me a warning next time."
He laughed again, "You really are too cute. So since you're all awake, who's helping with breakfast?" There was no response as the children looked away. "I guess it's just me and you Lillia."
As breakfast finished a varied array of visitors came to the Garden. Having been told early to expect the arrival Kyle had made a plentiful amount of food together with Maila. He had promised Riften a meal cooked by himself and hopefully the addition of cuisine would ease the tense conversations that would certainly take place. Aside from Kara, Mitsu and Himila, the rest of the children were taken away to sneak peek an early viewing of one of Mr Devro's works, the man himself present for the talks. Members of the Church Council, Officers of the Hero's Guard, important figures from the other cities and in a section of honour the four from the Ever-Garden. Among the Hero's Guard was an empty seat in remembrance of the Captain.
"Well I'll be damned it's actually really good," Riften spoke with his mouth full.
Arvel nodded, "I trained her well. It took years of tempering as a child but even the worse of habits can apparently be smoothed out."
"You are truly a man of find craftsmanship."
"I'm sitting right here," Kyle smiled to them with deceitfully pleasant eyes. "It's also within punching distance."
"Yeah, don't be mean," Lillia said from beside him. "Kyle worked very hard to make this, his food is always delicious."
"As if you can say anything Lav," Riften snorted. "Even back then you were so enamoured by Estile you said her cooking tasted delicious."
"Well I mean it now," she huffed only to realise her words. "I-I mean I've always meant it."
Kyle sighed in dejection at his past self, "No it's fine Lillia, even I have to admit that back then my taste for cooking was something mysterious."
Before they could continue their chatter Eloi stood up from her table where the other members of the Church Council sat. They were not wearing any form of disguise, clearly showing the additions that represented the other races whether it be horns, ears, fur or whatever else. There was not a small amount of discomfort from those of other cities, but more than that there was a sense of curiosity and awe, especially from where Mr Devro and Lady Marigold sat.
"Please may I have your attention," Eloi spoke from a lectern beside where Kyle sat with the others from the Ever-Garden. "Before we begin I ask you all to join me in a minute of silence as we pay respect to those of us who passed. In particular 1st Officer Bethial Vonteur who's efforts saved so many of our lives and ultimately led us to our pyrrhic victory."
As Eloi bowed down her head so did the rest of the room as a melancholic atmosphere of remembrance spread throughout. It wasn't even all too long ago when the Captain came and picked him up from Tomph. It was because of his compassion and foresight that he met the children and became who he was meant to be. A familiar dull ache of loss crossed his chest. No matter how many centuries or lives, the pain never got easier to deal with.
The minute passed and with a deep breath Eloi roused the room, "We'll begin now. Please continue to enjoy the food prepared for you as we undergo this morning's proceedings."
Arvel looked to her proudly and whispered to Kyle, "She's grown so much. You know she used to be the cheekiest rascal of the Sanctuary. She used to escape to the city and go adventuring without permission but to see her so responsible now," he smiled.
Due to the proximity Eloi easily heard his whisper which was definitely intentional and the older half elf had to hold her composure.
"Let us start with a review of the past few days," and so Eloi began with the help of a few others to describe the predicament they had faced and the efforts to resolve it. By the time she was finished the food had been cleared and replaced with warm drinks. There was no lethargy in the room however, as each one present knew the dire consequences the future could hold.
"I now ask the original Eternal Hero, Arvel of the Ever-Garden to speak," she bowed and made way for Arvel to take her place.
"Greetings all of you," Arvel stood at the lectern with a strength that was hard to deny. "You have already been briefed of the truth of our world so I will not bore you with the past as we have much more pressuring issues to discuss."
A hand rose from the back of the room belonging to a man Kyle didn't recognise. From his clothing however the man was most likely a representative from Elleneste.
"Yes?" Arvel gestured to the man.
"I apologise for interrupting," he stood and bowed respectfully. "My name is Karlos Mei a member of Elleneste's council. While we have been told who you are, I and I am sure the others here have some doubts."
"I see," Arvel's tone remained calm and instead he smiled. "You are wise to doubt. Then let me give you a brief insight to who I am." Pointing his hand towards the crowd he clicked his fingers and flashes of memory broke out in all their minds. From the dawn of their world and beyond showing the thousands of instances where he protected them all. The series of images only lasted several seconds but caused many in the room to pale. To spread the memories to all their minds was already a feat near impossible to complete even with preparation but for him to do so easily proved enough of his true strength.
The man named Karlos bowed his head, "I have been most rude oh Eternal Hero."
"It's fine," though the others didn't notice, a select few spotted his smile turn smug. "Now that is settled allow me to continue. We find ourselves in a precarious state. An enemy was born from among us and now stands to destabilise all we have worked towards and his influence has already affected us. When Mr Philius Tombre set off his bomb at the peak of the mountain he caused damage to the barrier of our world."
Kyle and Lillia couldn't help shift uncomfortably as they knew Arvel was spinning the truth in his own way.
He continued seriously, "The result is our world is now under more pressure from the external force that has always plagued us. In four days an incursion will occur on the fields between here and Trentheim and in a week's time another will appear close by the Lake of Elleneste." The crowd in the room began to mumble. Arvel however silenced them with his voice, "I ask you stay calm for I am not finished. The damage has also caused the outer edges of the fog to shift and the possibility of monstrous fauna to cross over is higher than ever."
It was clear many in the room wanted to speak. While the officers of the Hero's Guard already knew the situation, the others from the surrounding states where tense.
"Do not fear," Arvel spoke calmly and with a smooth smile. "The Hero's Guard is with you and so are we." He gestured to where Kyle sat together with Riften and Lillia. "Allow me to introduce you to my companions, friends from the Ever-Garden and souls whose strength is equal to my own."
Kyle awkwardly stood up as he was gestured to first, "Greetings. My name is Kyle Barker and though I have changed significantly these past few days many of you would know me from my work supporting the Hero's Guard. In the past I was known as Estile." Seeing the stiff expressions staring back at him he smiled sweetly, "I look forward to working together with you once again."
"Wooo go Kyle!" Valandus cheered from the back only to wince as he was punched beneath the table by an unflinching Reina.
Lillia stood up as Kyle sat down, she was marginally more nervous. Even as Lav she had never been one to speak publicly. "Umm hello.... My name is Lillia and I'm the current Hero. In the past I was known as Lav. I've been the Hero for the past few incursions and I guarantee that I'm much stronger now than back then." She gave an awkward thumbs up and then sat back down. The response towards her however was quite good as many had seen firsthand her efforts in the past incursions.
Finally Riften stood up and folding his arms began, "My name is Riften, about twenty years ago I was also the Hero but then after an incident I got lost in the fog. I actually recognise a few of you from back then. Point is you can trust that we'll pull through this." He sat back down nonchalantly.
Arvel took over again, "Though the incursions may come rapidly the next few weeks we do have a plan. It is time we righted this world to what it should be. Our intent is destroy the source of demons once and for all and remove the binds of the fog that surrounds us. To do this we need all of you working together with us. Our enemy wants to seal our future away, to force his own will upon us and while we face a battle on two fronts, we will face it together. I now pass on to 1st Officer Leela Lin who will explain the distribution of our forces."