Welcome back to Hello Charlotte everyone I'm glad everyone enjoyed the first chapter. Please remember to COMMENT and VOTE, it means a lot to me. Plus I like talking to you guys and hearing your opinions. Also, remember to watch the video it goes with the chapter.

The song is Unknown unknowns by Team Kamiuta

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-Charlotte-

I let out a small cough waving my hand in front of my face as I raised the lantern slightly. I quickly looked around, fog surrounded me not a single person in sight.

Ivo?

I waited for a moment my tail flicking out as I bit my lip waiting for him to say something, anything. But there was only silence.

"Of course, the fog is highest at noon. It obscures and blocks everything," I mumbled to myself.

Trying to find everyone right now would be useless.

Frowning I looked around again.

We reached the middle of the mountain pathway right before the fog rolled back in. Since I was at the front I got transported up here.

I took a step forward and hushed whispering began echoing around me, multiple hushed voices speaking over each other. Each one trying to be heard, a sickly sweet scent filled the air. It was almost overwhelming enough to my me gag as the thick cold fog seemed to slither down my throat. The cold seemed to rake across my lungs as I breathed in causing a sting to form in my chest.

I took a deep shuddering breath as I tried my best to calm down my stomach. "Shut up, shut up, shut up you, rotten bastards! I hear you you don't have to be so fucking loud!" I snapped.

At my outburst the whispering suddenly stopped, it was completely silent as though the world had been frozen in time. Then a single booming voice spoke out.

"Child of the mountain, guide of the lost are you willing to accept our challenge?"

I had to force myself not to shudder as the voice spoke, it felt as though claws were being methodically tapped against my spine. I glanced at the nearby trees that seemed to shake slightly as though they were breathing in the putrid fog that curled around them.

"If I want Raevali's weapon I don't exactly have a choice now do I?" I grumbled running a hand through my hair.

The leaves rustled violently after I spoke as though the trees were laughing at what I said. Seconds later the rustling stopped as chilling silence rolled back over the forest. The booming voice spoke again.

"You want the sacred weapons? Will you be willing to take your place as the next Lord of the Mountain?"

I let out a snort my tail flicking out as I raised the lantern a little higher. "I'm not becoming the next Lord of the Mountain, but I will accept your challenge if it means I can obtain Raevali's weapons."

Seconds later multiple small whooshing noises echoed from in front of me, as a bunch of lanterns similar to the one I was holding suddenly lit up one after another. They hand carefully on the branches of the trees that lined the path, and while they did make the pathway slightly clearer they had little to no effect on the fog.

I took a deep breath and slowly walked forward, the moment I stepped onto the lit-up pathway a low hum seemed to echo around me thrumming almost gently in my body.

Glancing behind me I saw nothing but thick fog as though the area I had previously been in seemed to have disappeared, cut off from the rest of the world.

I shuddered as I slowly closed my eyes.

Remember what you were taught.

"Trust your instincts. Ignore the whispers. Follow the hum and trust your nose. If the hum turns into a shrill don't move, close your eyes and hold your breath," I whispered to myself.

I ran along the path, as I ran the rustling picked up to my right and ahead of me. I turned left darting between a few bushes that were strangely still.

For a moment I stopped just listening as I cautiously glanced around, I could hear the rustling of the leaves, the multiple rasping whispers trying to talk over each other. Just beneath all the noise, I could hear the faint hum coming faintly from my right as well as just ahead of me.

"This trick huh," I sighed.

Closing my eyes I sniffed the air, a second later I flinched as the cold fog raked across my lungs leaving behind a faint sting. However, the fog carried a faint scent from my right. A sickly sweet scent.

Opening my eyes a slight smirk crawled across my face. "Nice try you, dead bastards, you're not fooling me." I taunted as I walked forward.

At my words, the trees to my right and left rustled violently as though they were throwing a tantrum. I ignored them and continued walking.

The forest seemed to grow quieter and quieter the longer I walked through the thick fog with only a faint hum in the background as my companion. And my lantern to guide me.

I wonder what those fuckers are planning they're too quiet.

I froze briefly when I heard some rustling from my left side, glancing over I noticed a large tree there that looked as ugly and dead as the rest of them. Its enormous twisted branches were curled and bound together forming a rickety-looking gate.

I frowned as I listened to the hum for a moment.

It really wants me to go through this tree gate.

I flicked my tail out as I glared ahead of me, but no matter how much I listened or waited, the direction of the hum didn't change course.

The moment I step through the bushes and out of the gate I'll stop. Something doesn't feel right...

Slowly I walked through the makeshift gate stopping on the other side. At my feet was what looked like an enormous pond of black liquid.

The surface was as clear as a mirror, not a single tendril of fog hovered over the lake. Instead, the fog curled around the very tiny edge of the pond.

"What in the world?" I whispered as I looked around.

The hum was slightly deeper now coming from across the pond straight ahead of me. The whispers and rustling had disappeared, with their absence though it seemed like the hum was just getting louder and louder.

There's no way I'm setting foot in that black gunk.

Opening my wings I began to fly across the lake, which suddenly seemed to be a lot wider than I thought before. I lifted my lantern as I picked up speed, glancing to my left and right I noticed that the fog had risen like a curtain around the lake.

Any of the other time Reavali and I climbed this mountain there wasn't a pond, but then again I wasn't taking the mountain's challenge.

I jerked violently to a stop as a loud shrill echoed around me, my eyes going wide. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the wall of fog beginning to quickly roll over the lake, closing in on me.

Instantly I looked down at the lake, the surface was no longer as still as a mirror, instead, it shifted slightly as if it were trembling.

Shit, shit, shit! I don't have any other choice!

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as I held it. Then I closed my wings and let myself fall, the shrill getting closer and closer.

When I hit the water I had to struggle not to cry out or flinch, as the cold water engulfed me the sudden temperature change was like a shock to my entire body. I froze up unable to think or move. As though the world was mocking me I could feel the very faint warmth from the lantern.

I bit my tongue hard as I resisted the instinct to hug the only source of warmth I had close.

Something long, cold and thin slowly wrapped around my chest, as something else methodically tapped against my chest. I felt myself being moved upward, a small sploosh noise entered my ears and the world was no longer muffled as I was dragged to the surface.

I continued to bite down on my tongue as I felt four small pricks against my chest like someone was poking me with a needle.  Warmth bloomed in the areas where I'd been pricked. An animalistic grunt entered my ears and a rush of warm air rushed over me bringing the scent of rot and earth.

Something squishy and slightly warm nudged at my face. My chest ached and my lungs were screaming as I continued to hold my breath, I struggled to concentrate on what was happening around me.

Please...whatever you are...please leave...

I hear a low rumbling growl that seemed to cause my entire body to shake slightly. A moment later I could feel myself being slowly lowered to the ground with a strange gentleness. As I fought through the haze that clouded my mind I could feel a slightly rough prickling against my skin as my wings and back met the cold wet grass.

Suddenly the ominous weight that seemed to loom over me and fill every inch of my body disappeared as though I had never been there. Almost instantly I exhaled loudly as I began to gasp trying to take in as much air as I could, my lungs still ached slightly but now there was a slight heaviness.

When my breathing returned to normal I tentatively sniffed the air, over the smell of wet earth and sickly sweetness was another smell that laid faintly underneath it. The smell of wet fur, like a dog that had been in the rain all day, let into the house without being dried off.

Slowly I opened my eyes, a scowl on my face, the first thing I saw was the gnarled and twisted dark branches of the trees towering above me and blocking out the sky. Wisps of thick white fog curled around the branches like a snake, slithering carefully from one branch to the next. It was almost as though it could see the path it wanted to take.

"Considering how this fog works it probably does have eyes or some weird feelers," I sighed.

I propped myself up and glanced around. My lantern was to my left, it sat upright in the grass as though it had been carefully placed there. At the base of the lantern was a small ring of white light that encircled it like a small halo. Slowly I picked up the lantern and held it at eye level.

"This is..."

A strange feeling of warmth washed over my body as Raevali's warnings slowly came back to me.

The mountain is not the only thing that'll be eager to test you. The former Lords of the mountain will want to test every aspect that makes you, you. Your instincts, your strength, your personality, and most importantly your willpower. If you fall to them, it will be a struggle to make the mountain acknowledge you.

I winced and let out a soft hiss.

I already pissed off those dead bastards. I'm guessing that thing that showed up was one of the old lords. Don't know which one though, but there should be two more left.

I frowned as I looked to my right, the pond of black liquid was gone. Replaced with a field of grass both green and brown. Even the enormous withered tree whose branches had formed a gate was no longer there, its previous position obscured by thick fog.  Strangely enough, I was completely dry although slightly cold there was no sign that I'd been in that pond.

"Looks like I'm getting closer to the sacred meadow, two more trials to go," I whispered as I closed my eyes and listened for the hum.

It pulsed behind me, its gentle rumbled echoing through the bushes. I walked slowly across the newly created field. My entire body was on edge, sweat covered my palms making my grip on the lantern's handle slippery, my eyes darted around looking for any changes.

Every so often I would sniff the air, I shifted the bushes carefully to the side and stepped through onto the path. The first thing I noticed was the color of the path, normally it would be brown but now it was a shiny almost oily black color that squelched loudly beneath my feet.

Every step was like trudging through wet cement, moments later when my speed slowed to a god awful crawl I stopped walking. Scowling I glared down at the ground, even though it wasn't clinging to me trying to walk through it seemed fucking impossible.

I looked up at the branches as I lifted my tail so that it wouldn't be also be stuck there.

Maybe I'm meant to go up there, but if I was the hum would be echoing from above me instead of just down the pathway.

As I began my slow trudge I heard the leaves rustle violently, whether they were angry or laughing I didn't care.

After a few more minutes of walking I stopped again, I stretched my legs ached from the added strain on them.

I don't know what this pathway is made of but it has to be something tough if I'm having trouble with it.

The rustling of leaves soundly echoed around me, every tree branch and bush shook violently throwing leaves everywhere. As the leaves fell they changed color their vibrant dark green quickly fading to a light brown as the leaves curled in on themselves.

"What are you bastards fussing about," I grumbled.

Before I could even attempt to interpret their answer a loud rumbling entered my ears drowning out the low hum. Whipping around with wide eyes, I stared into the fog behind me searching for the source of the noise.

As the rumbling got louder I saw something barrel through the fog, the wisp of fog curled around it giving a brief outline to an invisible form, revealing two large cloven hooves sitting beneath a wide and eerily tall body. I could see long stick-thin fingers with short curved talons, the arms were way too short, they were like nubs with hands attached. As it left the fog's grip it disappeared once more the rumbling growing closer and closer.

The moment the creature was close enough that the rumbling shook the ground beneath my feet the constant hum that had been struggling to break through the noise, turn into a piercing shrill.

My eyes went wide as the creature seemed to suddenly appear in front of me with a wide mouth full of filthy, sharp brown teeth open wide. It's thin fingers stretching out to grab me.

Limp!

I snapped my eyes shut, holding my breath as I allowed myself to crumple to the ground. I heard the lantern land next to me with a muffled thump before it rolled away causing small squelching noises as it traveled the path.

The rumbling stilled for a moment as the shrill screeched even louder in my ears. I heard soft crackling as the creature stepped on some of the dead leaves close to my head.

A harsh rattling wheeze sounded over my head, as the creature sniffed me. It let out a huff, causing a rush of warm air to brush across my skin bringing with it the smell of filthy water and the soft yet bitter smell of dead plants.

The creature moaned and shriek above me, it's garbled animalistic voice scraped at my ears. "Uuuuhhhh...aaahhhh...aaaaahhhhh...play!"

It shrieked, its voice made my skin crawl and I clenched my teeth to keep from shuddering.

"Play...game! Aaaahhhh...oooohhhh...win...game!"  This time the few words it spoke sounded strangely like a challenge.

Is it just repeating the only words it remembers after all these years? No, it was gonna eat me the moment it appeared in front of me, the moment that shrill rang out...

The rumbling enter my ears once again the ground shaking violently beneath me, however as the shrill faded returning to a hum the rumbling disappeared altogether.  Slowly I opened my eyes and sat up, I quickly reached out and grabbed my lantern only to stop when I noticed something.

The creature hadn't left any hoof prints anywhere on the path. The only sign that it had been there were the crushed and splintered dead leaves that had been in the spot near my head the creature had stood in.

Carefully I picked up some of the broken leaves as I looked up and down the path.

Before it got to me it was invisible, and none of the leaves ended up destroyed. When the shrill rang out it reappeared and broke the leaves where it stood. It didn't leave any prints behind either.

Frowning, I stared at the wall of fog, the creature's horrific voice echoing in my head.

It was a challenge but what game would it even want to play anyway?

I dropped the leaves I'd been holding to the ground as I sighed, then I turned around and began once again following the hum which still echoed ahead of me.

As I trudged forward I couldn't help but keep glancing at the branches above me.

I wish I could take that path, but I don't have the luxury and I definitely don't want to end up lost in this godforsaken hellhole.

I'd been walking for quite a while when the rumbling started up again, this time it was incredibly soft almost like it was coming from a different area of the mountain. Glancing down I noticed that no matter how far I seemed to walk along the path the dead leaves would remain, scattered almost haphazardly on the ground.

A strange yet horrifically familiar heaviness seemed to loom over me settling in my limbs and weighing them down. Almost instinctively I closed my eyes, freezing up as I held my breath. My entire body tensed up and I gritted my teeth a second later that creature's horrible shriek enter my ears along with that familiar awful shrill.

"Aaaaaaah...aaaaaaaaah....heheeeuuuuuhhh..." It moaned. The crackling of broken leaves entered my ears as it moved.

It sniffed my cheek, its breathing sounded like a rat crying out in pain. It huffed and once again the smell of its breath once again entered my nose, this time however there was another scent mixed in. The scent of wet ash, like an enormous pile of cigarette butts left in the rain, and the sharp almost acidic scent of salt.

The creature moaned again and I felt something cold and wet drip onto my neck. "R...r-rrrrrrred!" It shrieked.

I heard the cracking of more dead leaves and the heaviness weighing me down became lighter, almost nonexistent as the shrill also began to die down.

"G...g-greeeeeeeen!" The creature shrieked again.

Seconds later the shrill disappeared returning to a low hum once again.

Opening my eyes I looked down where the creature had been standing once again seeing nothing but broken and destroyed leaves. Reaching down I picked up the leaves.

"A game of red light green light huh..." I whispered.

I saw the other kids in the neighborhood playing it a lot. But they always seemed afraid of me when I tried to join in. Trying to play it with Raevali was fun for a little bit but we were both too quick...

Frowning, I let out a sigh as I let the leaves fall from my hand.

"I don't have time to waste on memories, no matter how good or bad they may be," I whispered, my eyes and face felt strangely warm.

I rubbed at my face briefly. "That fugly thing drooled on me," I sighed doing my best to ignore the way my voice broke slightly. Taking a deep breath, I bit my lip and tiredly continued forward.

I kept my eyes ahead this time as I walked the hum guiding me as  I let my mind wander.

I wonder...if Raevali had just taken me and left. If he was a bit harsher, then maybe...

A shadow loomed over me and I looked up to see the creature standing in front of me. Two large black eyes set in an enormous fur cover face stared down at me calmly blinking a slight smile on its wide large lipped mouth. I could hear the hum slowly dying down and I smiled slightly.

"R...r-r...reee-"

"Green!" I shouted quickly cutting it off the moment I did the humming picked up speed once again.

The creature let out a grunt its face twisting into a pout, drool ran down its pink lips pooling in small puddles on the ground while the rest of it stuck to the fur around its mouth.

Even though my face twisted in disgust I still smiled at the creature. "Sorry, big guy, I win this game," I said gently.

A low wet rumble came from its chest as the pout changed to an enormous grin. It lifted one of its short arms and wiggled its fingers in a strange attempt to wave goodbye to me.

I copied its movements as I watched it fade away until eventually, it had disappeared. A small ball of vibrant green light left behind, the ball of light flew toward my lantern letting out a soft ping noise as it created a ring of green light similar to the white one. The green halo encircled the middle of the lantern.

"One more..." I whispered.

As I began walking I noticed that I was no longer forced to a snail's pace. A glance at the ground told me why the odd black color that had covered the dirt of the pathway was gone replaced with that familiar healthy brown.

Even the dead leaves that covered the pathway were gone. In their place, little patches of grass had sprouted giving a little bit of life to the normally barren pathway.

"I'm getting closer to the top," I whispered as I lifted my lantern a bit.

The further I walked I began to notice that the path was starting to become an incline. I stopped walking for a second and glanced behind me, strangely enough, the fog seemed to be thinning a bit.

If I remember right, the top of the mountain doesn't have any fog.

The hum suddenly changed direction, it moved from right in front of me to above me. The fog in front of me was impossible to see through even with the lantern.

I carefully reached into the fog with one hand, when my hand disappeared through the thick gray cloud I couldn't help but shudder. It felt like I was reaching into an ice-cold muddy swamp.

I frowned as my fingers suddenly brushed across something rough and slightly wet, I dug my claws into it as much as I could. Slowly I drew my hand back, in my palm was a clump of dirt.

The pathway turned into a wall.

I glared ahead of me as I let out a small huff.

I bet those assholes want me to climb it just to spite me. Well fuck them I have wings now.

"Nice try dumbasses," I called out as I began flapping my wings.

At my insult, the trees began to shake throwing leaves everywhere as a low groan echoed around me. A heavyweight settled in my limbs as I began to lift off the ground, a sharp crackling noise echoed out from behind me.

As I shot up into the air, I couldn't help but glance back my eyes going wide at what was there. An enormous tentacle made of thick withered branches rushed quickly down the path filling up the entire pathway, it pierced through the thick fog as it slammed into the new wall.

A loud cracking noise echoed out drowning the hum as wood splintered and flew through the air. The tentacle reared back and quickly changed direction and shot straight at me.

I began flapping my wings violently as I tried my best to scramble out of the way, I could hear the violent crackling as the branches got closer and closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see sharp gray spikes flying at me, I stopped flapping my wings and instantly began to drop through the air.

The gray spikes shot across my line of vision, sailing right through the space my head had been moments before. The tentacle continued to soar upward weaving in and out of the fog as it rushed past me, it punched through the fog over me as it curled and stabbed downward.

I froze as the shrill began screeching in my ears, my eyes went wide as I clutched the lantern close to me. I allowed my scales to come up as I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

I could feel my body plummeting through the air, the wind lashing at my skin. A loud splash entered my ears, as a rush of cold washed over me weighing down my limbs and making it impossible for me to do anything. A small spot on my chest and in the tips of my fingers remained slightly warm because of the lantern.

A muffled bubbling noise entered my ears, as I slowly drifted down through the strange liquid.

Dammit, not this again...

The shrill continued to echo around me the liquid doing nothing to muffle it, instead, it seemed to be edging closer and closer.

"Child of the mountain...is this where you stop?" That booming voice asked me.

Of course not but that shrill sounding out I can't do anything!

I heard hushed whispers doing their best to speak over one another to grab my attention.

"Child of the mountain, if this is where you yield then you must join us and your companions shall too," the booming voice told me.

I felt something rough latch onto my wrists and began to yank me further down. The hushed whispers grew louder in my ears as though the trees were speaking directly into my head.

"Ours! New friend! Ours! One of us!" The voices cheered and hissed with glee.

At their words, my eyes shot open, all around me was a black void that was as empty and clear as a mirror.  I glared above me in the direction of the voices and snatched my wrists away, sharp gray splinters scraped across my wrist like claws.

"The hell I am!" I snarled baring my fangs. Almost instantly the wooden tentacle pierced through the darkness as the voices began to growl and snarl like a wild animal whose food was being stolen.

I dodged as the tentacle lashed at me trying to grab me. It slithered away only to reappear right underneath me, I leaped back and away my eyes widening in horror as I got a good look of the void below me.

Millions of small, pale childlike hands reached toward me from the void their gray claws splattered with dark red. Small childlike faces were clustered together their mouths open in wide endless screams as their empty black sockets stared at me. I could feel the pure hatred and anger radiating off of them.

Those faces...some of those kids...I-I know them...

"You abandoned us!" The faces screamed at me in unison.

"You can't abandon something that's already dead and empty!" I snapped back.

At my words, the faces shrieked the sound piercing my eardrums like a drill. I flinched covering my ears as my head throbbed so violently my gums ached.

A second later something lashed across my back like a whip sending me flying toward the outstretched hands my back burning like it was on fire.

The faces changed their expression their mouths curling up in a cruel yet gleeful smile, the empty sockets becoming a half-moon shape.

My wings stung as I opened them in an attempt to stop my fall, my blood splattered on the pale faces which made some of them smile even wider. Their grins spread across half of their faces, making it look like someone cut their neck from ear to ear.

I flapped my wings, gritting my teeth at the horrible sting that came with each flap. My fall stopped as I began to fly back at a slow but steady pace.

"You are one of us!" The faces hissed, their arms stretched outward like a snake as they began grasping at me from every angle.

"No...I'm...not! Not anymore!" I yelled back as I dodged their attempts to grab me. My body weaving in and out of the gaps between the arms, the hands continued to chase me not caring that they were tangling up.

"Lies! You belong to the Master!" The faces shrieked. The faces began to vibrate at a rapid pace, so fast that I could no longer make out any of their features.

Then the amalgamation of faces and outstretched limbs lunged toward me, the front of the blob split open. The black void giving way to an enormous gaping red maw with millions of white toothpick like teeth lining it. Towards the back of the creature's throat, I could see spindly white nubs gripping a blob of red that resembled a tongue.

The white nubs moved, flexing themselves like spider legs, then it shot forward revealing itself to be an enormous white arm with a strange faint white glow around it.

I dodged down allowing the creature to leap over me, it landed with a thud the hand that had extended from its mouth dug its claws into the ground. It pulled itself upright using the hand like a leg, the faces on the black blob swirled and moaned as the many smaller hands on it made grabbing motions toward me.

"Traitor! Liar! You're Master's favorite! Yet you abandoned her! You abandoned us!" The faces shrieked as it began skittering toward me, the smaller hands still reaching out at me.

"That bitch never loved anyone but herself!" I snapped as I dodged. The creature was relentless, everytime I dodged it would immediately switch directions to my new position. I barely even had time for my feet to touch the floor before I was moving again.

"Do you even know why I left you all behind!" I shouted.

The creature let out a loud moaning shriek of what sound like pain. I let out a sigh as I stood still and just looked at it as it frantically lunged at me.

"If I could've taken you guys with me I would have, but most of you were dead, dying, or mentally trapped in your heads," I told them softly.

The creature reared back with a shriek as it skittered backward trying to put some distance between myself and it. Its body began bubbling violently as it lurched from side to side.

I took a step towards it which caused it to take a step back. "She never loved you all, she never loved me either. The only person that horrible woman could and did love was herself. I know how hard it is to just accept that but think about it, if she loved you all then you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have died in that filthy dark basement in the cold." I told the creature.

It made a noise between a whimper and a low moan of pain, it swayed for a moment its body still bubbling. Then it collapsed backward in a heap a thick cloud of gray fog burst out of its body quickly filling the void.

I let out a sigh as I ran a shaky hand through my hair and let my scales disappear, my heartbeat was pounding in my ears. However, my back was no longer stinging from the wound I'd received from the branches.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I felt a sudden burst of warmth on my skin. When I opened my eyes I saw that I was standing in a large field of waist-high grass, the sun shone brightly overhead in a bright blue sky. The shrill had disappeared as well as the hum,

In the middle of the field, I could see a tall yet slender dragon statue made of white and greenstone. Glancing at my lantern I saw that it had the third and final ring of light, a small vibrant purple halo encircled the very top of the lantern.

I walked over to the dragon statue and placed gently placed the lantern in its cupped hands. "That makes three," I whispered.

The statue's eyes flared white and a loud hum echoed out loud enough to thrum through my entire body. The hum rang out pulsing three times before the statue's mouth slowly opened, in the statue's mouth was a pair of familiar-looking gauntlets.

Purple and black scales covered the thick yet flexible looking metal.

"Child of the mountain...you have passed all trials laid before you. You are worthy of wielding the Lord of the Mountain's weapons." The booming voice announced.

I grabbed the gloves with a smile on my face, as I pulled them on I couldn't help but notice how easily they fit on my hands.

Almost like they were made for me.

I flexed my fingers slowly like scales shimmering in the sunlight, I clenched my hands and bumped my fist together copying the movements I'd seen Raevali do many times in the past. The rings of light on the lantern broke away turning into balls of light before they flew into the gauntlets.

A flash of purple flames flashed over the gauntlets, then green flames came chasing away the purple, and finally, white flames covered the gauntlets. The white fire flared brightly as the green flames disappeared, as I lowered my hands the white flames died down leaving a faint white glow around the gauntlets.

"Thank you, I highly doubt there will ever be a new Lord of the Mountain so I'll leave the lantern here where it belongs," I said softly.

Turning around I began to leave the field just before I went through the bushes I glanced back. The statue's eyes and mouth had closed a small peaceful looking smile on its face.

~~~~

I ran through the trees, the fog that normally obscured everything was no longer there as I leaped from the trees, pouncing over large rocks as I ran on all fours. It felt strangely exhilarating and yet so comforting, I couldn't help but grin.

I leaped onto a rock, I could hear Ivo's voice, Lorithia's screaming, Delilah, and Atlas's shouting. A familiar violent roar echoed out.

I leaped onto another rock and saw exactly what I expected, Ivo trading blows with a giant bear creature that had dark purple scales streaked down its face and its front leg left leg. Shaggy, matted light brown fur covered the rest of its body. Remnants of thick vines lay torn on the ground where Deliah had tried to hold the bear down and failed.

What drew my attention though were the two large black rams like horns that curled out of the bear's head. The left horn was broken missing a portion of it including the point.

I let out a soft sigh.

This idiot...

The moment the bear reared back to take another swipe at Ivo, I pounced tackling the bear. We rolled over the ground and into a tree, I sat up and straddled the bear's stomach, it flailed beneath me huffing and growling as it swiped at my face. I punched it once in the face with all my strength, the bear let out a small yelp going still as it stopped struggling and looked at me with wide eyes.

I fisted my hands in the fur on its chest and pulled the bear up so that we were face to face. "Calm the fuck down or I'll torch this forest faster than you can blink," I threatened.

The bear nodded slowly and I climbed off its chest allowing it to get up. It crawled onto its front paws then, it pushed off of the ground using its front paws so that it could stand up on its two back feet.

I narrowed my eyes at it my tail flicking out in slight irritation as it towered over me and just blankly looked around its front arms dangling down in front of it.

"Wait, where were you?" Lorithia asked me looking slightly concerned.

I looked at her and pointed a finger in a random direction towards the mountain top. "I was transported further up the mountain since I was in front. So I decide to take the challenges intended for the Lord of the Mountain," I explained.

"Wait does that mean you're the new Lord of the Mountain? Do you have to stay here?" Atlas asked me sounding slightly frantic.

"Huh? Oh no, oh fuck no. I mean it isn't that bad up here if you're used to it but these dead bastards get on my nerves," I sighed. "I did it to get these weapons, you can't get them unless you pass the trials and the mountain deems you worthy," I told Atlas as I lift an arm so he could see the gauntlets I wore.

Ivo walked over to me his eyes on the bear and a deep scowl on his face. "Charlotte is that bear-" he began.

"Yep, it's Raevali. The big idiot probably tried to leave the mountain," I told him as I turned back to the bear in question.

"It-it is?" Delilah practically exclaimed.

"Now that I think about it his appearance makes a lot of sense considering what you told me about him. His horn is even broken," Atlas said he walked a bit closer his eyes wide as he looked Raevali up and down.

"He's not gonna eat us is he?" Lorithia asked carefully.

I shook my head, "No he's conscious now, I just gotta change him back."

I scowled up at Raevali as he calmly looked down at me blinking slowly. "Down," I told him. However, he continued to stare at me. "Down, down boy, get all fours I can't get on your back like that," I ordered pointing at the ground.

I saw a small spark of recognition in his eyes and his ears perked up slightly. I stepped to the side with Ivo as Raevali slowly leaned forward his front legs out, once he was on all fours he carefully crouched down bending his legs beneath him.

Turning his head he looked at me expectantly, I climbed onto his back my legs not even halfway on his body. I gripped the scruff on the back of his neck and urged him to stand up which he did carefully almost like he was scared of me falling off.

I looked back at the others. "Okay we can go, he knows the way," I told them.

"Is it safe to just wander in the fog like that?" Ivo asked as he walked beside Raevali.

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "I forgot you guys still see the fog. Yeah, it's safe, as long as either I or Raevali are here it's safe. The fog won't do anything," I said giving him a small smile.

Ivo sighed. "I don't trust it but I'll trust you Charlotte," he said as he looked at me.

I opened my mouth intent on telling him that there was no use trusting me now if he couldn't do it yesterday, but I didn't say it. Instead, I let out a small huff as I turned my gaze forward again. "That's all I could ask for," I mumbled softly.

~~~

It didn't take us too long to get to our destination, before we even walked over the hill, I could see the familiar beautiful blue glow. As we went over the hill I heard Delilah and Lorithia let out a small gasp of awe.

"I didn't even know a place like this could exist," Atlas whispered.

"I know it's amazing right?" I said with a grin.

Ivo looked around with wide eyes, a look of awe around his face. "Charlotte what is this place?" He asked softly.

We stood in a field of lush dark green grass that surrounded a perfectly round pond. The water was clear enough that you could see to the bottom of the pond, small light blue balls of light gathered here and there around the bond occasionally zipping over it at incredible speeds.

A single tree sat to the right of the pond, its thick brown truck stretching up high, its branches reaching over the lake allowing its soft pink blossoms to flutter down on the bank while some fell into the pond.

As the wind blew gently a calming slightly sweet scent wafted over from the tree causing the waves of tension to leave my body. To the left of the lake was a large white cave, the entrance covered by a clean thick looking blanket and a light blue tarp that looked untouched.

"Welcome to the sacred mountain spring also know as the  Dragon's Spring," I announced as I carefully climbed off of Raevali's back. Raevali craned his neck watching me and when I climbed off he let out a whimper.

I gave his side an encouraging pat. "Go on, get in the pond, I can't talk to you or get any answers while you're like this."

He stared at me for a moment before nudging me with his cheek, he opened his mouth and I saw the others tense up but instead of biting me like they thought he would his tongue glided over my cheek.

My face twisted in mild disgusted as I rubbed the drool away with my sleeve. "Gross your breath smells like rotting fish," I grumbled.

He ignored me and picked his pace practically charging into the water. I walked over to the cave as Raevali disappeared beneath the lake's surface.

There should be some clothes here or at least a giant towel.

I lifted the makeshift curtain and walked inside, a few pieces of carved wooden furniture sat around the cave. While there was a medium-sized dresser, a wooden chest with a simple lock, and two small counters I didn't see a bed.

Instead, there was an enormous pile of leaves, bird feathers, and animal pelts in the center of the room.

He made an iron skillet but wouldn't make a proper bed, he could've just sown the animal pelts together to make a sleeping bag.

I scowled as I continued to search the room, eventually coming to the locked chest. I grabbed the lock and gave a gentle tug, a dull clank rang out as the lock snapped. I opened the chest and froze my eyes going wide.

Inside the chest were a few clothes, a large blanket, a familiar stuffed animal, and a couple of old binders. I slowly took out a shirt and pants as well as the large blanket setting it off to the side before I grabbed the stuffed animal.

It was a simple yet cute brown teddy bear, its fur was soft almost as soft as my tail. The familiar scent of pine needles clung to it, I grimaced as warmth spread throughout my chest which seemed to grow hotter the more I looked at the teddy bear.

"How did he get this? I figured they were all burned or thrown away, especially this one," I said as I turned the bear around in my hand.

I gently set the bear off to the side, gathering the blanket and some clothes I left the cave with the binder tucked under one arm.

"Charlotte he hasn't come back up yet are you sure-" Lorithia began only to jump back and let out a shriek as Raevali thrust an arm out of the water.

I walked over as he pulled himself out of the lake carefully, familiar long dark blonde hair breaking through the surface. When my eyes met his blue ones I saw them widen slightly.

I placed the clothes and binder down and unfolded the blanket I'd found, when Raevali was fully out of the pond he sat on his hands and knees his thin lizard-like tail slowly waving from side to side. His claws were overgrown easily digging into the dirt with next to no effort. His hair which was only shoulder length, the last time I saw him now reached down his back similar to mine.

As I wrapped the blanket around him he slowly looked at me, I saw shock flash across his face before he gave me a warm gentle smile. "Charlotte," he whispered.

I let out a huff, "Stand up you big idiot. I can't believe you actually tried to leave the mountain, fucking hell that was dumb." I grumbled.

He smiled even wider at me before letting out a small shaky chuckle. "I don't think I can stand up, I've been on all fours for too long."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course you are," I sighed loudly but my voice lacked the usual venom and anger.

It was as though spending time on the mountain had smothered any resentment or spite I had for him. Instead, I felt pity as well as a strange warmth in my chest that I was trying my best to ignore.

Raevali let out a short laugh his deep rumbling voice slightly scratchy due to him not using it for a while. "Was I at least cool as a bear?" He asked me grinning.

"Nah, you were a giant idiot with fur. I'm ninety-eight percent sure you gave yourself brain damage trying to gore Ivo," I told him as I stood up and grabbed hold of his wrists.

As I slowly helped him stand up on two legs I heard Atlas let out a small low whistle. "Holy shit Charlotte you weren't kidding he is like a mecha," Atlas said as he walked a bit closer.

"How does someone that big make someone as small as Charlotte?" Delilah whispered as she looked between Raevali and I.

"How can something like you exist? I know that dragons chimera are typically large but that usually applies to their children too," Lorithia said as she stared at Raevali.

Raevali looked at Delilah only to glance away one hand rubbing the side of his neck, as a faint blush spread across his face. He was trying his best to look anywhere but directly at her. As he rubbed his neck I couldn't help but notice the faint red marks on the skin there.

A smirk curled across my face. "Pervert," I mumbled under my breath making sure to flick my tail out.

Almost immediately Raevali looked at me like a puppy that just got its first punishment. His tail drooped and he let out a soft whimper, "Charlotte? Honey, please" He said trying to get my attention.

"Just kidding," I told him, instantly his face lit up at my words and he quickly grabbed me.

He pulled me to him so that my back was to his chest and his arms were around me in a secure yet loose hug. As he nuzzled my hair I just sighed.

Ivo who had been strangely silent stepped forward his eyes on Raevali, his arms were crossed, the fingers on his right hand tapping slowly on his left arm.

Raevali froze and straightened up a bit, his tail curling as he stared at Ivo silently. It was like watching a dog freeze up when they hear something weird. I saw a spark of recognition in his eye however he did nothing as Ivo walked up to him.

Ivo, what are you doing?

Even though I knew he heard my thoughts, Ivo said nothing his full attention on Raevali.

"You're-"

"You're not dead," Ivo said bluntly instantly cutting Raevali off.

"Ivo!" Delilah exclaimed in a reprimanding tone.

Ivo let out a huff and looked back at her. "I'm just stating the obvious. I'm not the only one who's wondering why he's alive when none of those other piles of bones are."

As Ivo spoke to Delilah I glanced up at Raevali to see him leaning forward, he was about two inches taller than Ivo. He inhaled loudly and sniffed Ivo, Ivo froze for a moment before instantly turning his attention back to Raevali.

Raevali leaned back his face twisted in concentration. "Blood, salt, mineral water, and charcoal...I remember you," he whispered as he continued to look at Ivo.

"Blood, salt, mineral water, and charcoal?" Ivo repeated frowning.

"Scents jog my memory better than sight most of the time," Raevali explained. Looking down at me, he smiled gently almost like a smile of relief, "I'm glad you managed to make friends Charlotte."

"Their good people," I responded as I tried to wriggle out of his grip however since we were pretty much equal in strength nothing happened. No give on his end, and no push back on mine.

Raevali smiled at Ivo. "It's not that I didn't die, I have the bruises on my neck to prove it," he chuckled softly, "but since I'm the Lord of the mountain, my soul belongs to the mountain. So while I am alive once I stepped foot on the mountain after being brought back I can't leave."  He explained almost matter of factly.

He said it like he was talking about the weather, however, I did notice a small spark of anger flared briefly in his eyes when he said he couldn't leave.

Wait he...

It was then that it dawned on me just how Raevali ended up in that animalistic form. I let out a low growl as I looked back at him with narrow eyes.

"Charlotte?" He asked looking down at me, his head tilted to the side.

"You're a dumbass, what would you have done if we hadn't ended up trapped here! I'll tell you where you would've ended up stuck as a monster wandering the pathways that those other three idiots on the mountain trials!" I snapped at him.

Raevali flinched as he released me from his hug only to grab me by my shoulders and turning me to face him. His usually goofy grin leaving his face as he forced me to look at him. "I saw her just wandering around out there, she was standing right in front of the path Charlotte. I had to take the risk, Rebecca can not be allowed to walk free you know that better than anyone."

"That's why were here, up on the mountain," I whispered. I held up my hands so that he could see the gauntlets I wore. "I got them, your old weapons, and they fit me perfectly, so thank you for that," I said softly, warmth gathered on my face as I looked away.

Raevali grabbed my hand wide eyes as he examined the gauntlets I wore. Atlas, Delilah, Ivo, and Lorithia gathered around to look at the gauntlets.

"What material are they made of it looks too flimsy and flexible to be able to do any real damage," Lorithia said as she leaned a bit closer her cat ears shifting slightly underneath her hair.

I let out a snort. "Do you want me to use you as a practice dummy? It's the only way to find out," I suggested.

At my words, Lorithia went pale and her eyes widened as she slowly shook her head. "I'm pretty sure if you hit me you'd turn all my bones to dust," she squeaked.

"Her strength isn't that bad," Ivo told Lorithia.

Delilah rolled her eyes. "Ivo, both I and many agree that you are a freak of nature."

"You say that but at least I don't sprout flowers if someone buries me alive," Ivo said smugly.

"Charlotte, these aren't my weapons," Raevali told me.

I frowned. "Yeah they are, they look and work the same way yours do," I pointed out.

Raevali smiled. "No mine are in the cave underneath my bed, these are the ones I made for you," he informed me.

I looked at him with wide eyes as I glanced at the gauntlet particularly at the scales on them then I looked over at Raevali tail.

"Why though? I was long gone when you woke back up, everyone was dead. There was no guarantee that I'd ever return," I asked softly.

"I was lonely, talking to the trees and what little wildlife there is up here wasn't exactly good conversation. So your dear old dad decided to put his time to good use, after all, it's not my first time being alone in a forest for years," Raevali told me with a slight smile on his face.

That explains the carved furniture and skillet, not to mention his so-called bed. Wait, did he make a copy of that old teddy bear from memory?

I bit my lip as I looked away my fingers running over the scales on my right gauntlet. "Still you couldn't have known that I'd come back," I whispered.

Raevali nodded. "True but I wanted them to be here just in case you did," he said instantly.

I opened my mouth but couldn't say anything as I looked away a faint blush spreading over my face.

All these years, he waited...he didn't care what happened to himself as long as I was taken care of. He's not even mad at Ivo...

I felt Ivo grab my hand but I continue to look down at the ground. I could feel Raevali looking at me with his usual smile on his face. My eyes felt uncomfortably warm as I tried my best to hold back tears.

"You need my permission right, to the upstairs door?" Raevali asked looking at Ivo.

"Wait how did you know?" Ivo asked instantly looking at Raevali.

"Well it's the only reason I could think of for anyone to come up here, the scenic view isn't very good, especially with all the fog," Raevali said with a shrug. He reached down and picked up the clothes I had placed on the ground when his fingertips brushed across the binder underneath the clothes he kind of froze for a moment with a scowl on his face.

"So what was Charlotte like as a baby? She's already adorable so I have to know," Delilah asked as she glanced at me with a smile on her face.

At her words, I could see curiosity spread across Atlas and Lorithia's faces. And I was willing to bet if I looked up Ivo would have it too.

Raevali smiled slightly as he picked up the binder and handed it to Delilah doing his best to look her in the eyes. "There are pictures of her in here if you truly want to see."

Delilah let out a small squeal of delight and took it from him instantly. The others crowded around Delilah to get a look while Raevali made his way to the cave to get dressed.

"Aw little Charlotte is so cute," Delilah said a grin on her face.

Ivo let out a snort, "She's still little what are you talking about."

I let out a huff as I looked at the picture Delilah was looking at. "Not everyone can be as tall as your ego," I grumbled.

It was a picture of Raevali sitting in a recliner in a hospital, he was cradling a baby me in his arms with an enormous grin on his face. Eden sat next to him on a couch in her human form and she appeared to be scratching me under my chin, a warm smile on her face. My short tail curled around Raevali's wrist and I was looking up at him with wide eyes and a slightly blank stare.

"This must have been what Eden meant when she said she met me before," I muttered.

"But there weren't any hospitals in this town were there?" Atlas asked glancing up at me.

I shook my head as I reached over and flipped to the next page. "I was born in the next town over, we had two doctor's offices here at one point but for any serious emergencies, you'd have to leave town. It was inconvenient as fuck."

I frowned as I looked at the next picture, in it I was slightly older probably three years old I was wearing a dress and holding Raevali's right hand, my other hand was also being held but the picture looked like it was either folded or cut in half. My horns had just started growing a bit in the picture and my wings were very small, while my tail was short it was long enough to brush the floor in the picture. My hair was pulled back into a small ponytail.

I remember this photo...

"You remember it?" Ivo asked as he heard my thoughts.

I nodded as I silently took removed the picture from the binder and flipped it over. Where it had once said Raevali, Rebecca, and Charlotte on the back Rebecca's name had been scrawled out heavily with now fading black ink.

"It was a family picture from my third birthday, I had trouble making friends in school at that age because people were scared of Raevali and I. Raevali for how he looks and me for my strength. I accidentally scared some kids that day when I uprooted a giant oak tree while playing. so only a few kids showed up so we had this taken so I could prove that we were..." I trailed off on my explanation going silent as I just stared at the picture for a few moments.

Silently I walked over to the cave and ducked inside the picture still in my hand. Outside I could hear Atlas ask Ivo, "Is Charlotte okay she got this weird look on her face when she saw that photo?"

Ivo sighed. "At this point, I'm not even sure anymore, being in this place definitely doesn't help though."

The smell of smoked and salted meat wafted into my nose, Raevali was just putting on his belt when I walked in. A bundle of some kind of meat sat on the counter in front of him, he tore off a piece as he turned to grab his shirt.

"Eating deer jerky again?" I asked softly.

He jumped slightly his tail standing straight up for a moment before he looked over at me with a slightly wide-eyed expression. "I didn't even hear you come in Charlotte, when did you learn to walk so quietly?"

I shrugged. "It's something I taught myself to do, since I spend most of my time fighting I figured it was useful."

Raevali chuckled as he bit the jerky in his hand reaching back he tore another piece off and handed it to me. I took it from him and began nibbling on it.

"Did the big guy with the black eyes teach you that?" He asked in between bites.

I shook my head curling my tail around my leg. "No. Ivo taught me a lot of things but that wasn't one of them," I told him softly.

"He seems like a nice young man a little rough but he looks like he cares for you," He said, letting out a small chuckle.

I walked up to Raevali and held out the picture, "Here, you accidentally left this in the photo album," I whispered.

He grabbed it carefully turning it upright in his hands. "I had this in my wallet but up here with the town the way it is I didn't really need one," he informed me.

Even as I looked away I could feel Raevali staring at the area where my scar was, where I'd been gutted by that demented pervert all those years ago.

"You ripped off her piece and blacked out her name," I pointed out.

He scowled as he stared at the picture his eyes narrowed. "It's the least I could do, I-I couldn't stand looking at the pictures with her in them. It made me sick to my stomach, seeing her wandering around out there just made it worse, and well you saw what the result was." Even though he spoke softly I could hear the venom in his voice that gave it a rumble almost like he was holding back a growl.

"You're just lucky we ended up back here, that I ended up back here. You would've been wandering around in that form for ages and if you ever turned back forgetting how to walk for a minute or two would be the least of your worries," I grumbled as I let out a huff.

Raevali flinched and looked away as he let out a small nervous sounding chuckle. "Truthfully...I didn't care about any of that, especially when I first woke up on the mountain. When I did remember everything I was furious at both myself and her. But most of all I was worried, I didn't know where you were or even...if you were alive."

A small smile spread across his face. "I'm glad to see that he wasn't a bad person."

At his words, I couldn't help but let out a small snort. "He's an asshole who hates admitting when he's wrong, but he has a good heart. He didn't give up on me even though I must have annoyed and fought him at nearly every turn."

I saw confusion flash across his face as he froze for a moment. "Did Kessel die too?"

I heard soft shuffling footsteps outside and Ivo's sent entered my nose, ignoring it I shook my head. "No he's not dead, he's the leader of the Aveon foundation. In fact...he's the one who made the barrier that trapped me and the others here."

Raevali let out a sigh of relief. "I'm at least relieved about that. Kessel is a good man, he seemed to care a lot about you. I always knew that if something ever happened to me he would make sure that you were safe."

I opened my mouth to correct him but closed it and looked away.

He seems so happy about it, there's no reason to tell him everything about Kessel.

I picked up the teddy bear that sat nearby and began absentmindedly touching it. Raevali ate another piece of jerky as he finished getting dressed, he glanced at me as he buttoned his shirt.

"You can keep the bear if you want to Charlotte," he told me.

I shook my head as I set it back down. "No, it's yours plus you'll have a little friend to keep you company."

When Raevali and I walked back outside I saw that the others were still looking at the photo album. Ivo however stood near the spring's edge looking down at the water his arms crossed.

Delilah instantly came over to me and wrapped me in a hug. "I always knew you were adorable Charlotte."

Lorithia held out the photo album to Raevali. "Thank you for letting us take a peek, especially since it's something so precious to you."

A small spread across his face as he carefully took it from her and went back inside to put it away.

"Are you ready to go?" Ivo asked coming over to me.

I nodded. "Yeah, since Raevali is coming along we're probably gonna take the mountain tunnel since it's the quickest way to get back. It crosses under the church basement and from the church basement we can travel to the network underneath the house's basement that's normally sealed off," I explained.

"Exactly Charlotte, the quickest way back is to take the cavern up here that leads to the church. That's probably where you'll find the key as well, while you do have my permission to open I don't have the actual key," Raevali explained.

"I know where the key is," I mumbled as I looked away.

If it's not in the church's backroom office then it'll be in the one place I've been avoiding this whole time.

~~~

"Does it ever get easier to walk around up here? It seems like the fog stretches on forever?" Atlas asked as he looked over at Raevali.

We were walking to the cavern that would lead us off this mountain, while the fog no longer blocked my vision I couldn't say the same for the others, especially since Ivo wasn't inside my body looking through my eyes.

Raevali chuckled. "If you pass the mountain's trial or stay up here for a couple of years you start to get used to it. If you pass the trial the fog just disappears from your sight completely. That doesn't happen if you just decide to live up here without doing the challenge, instead, it's like you can use the fog as a second pair of eyes." He explained.

"It takes years to get used to this?" Lorithia nearly exclaimed.

"It's why there's a system in place so people don't just wander up here and become fertilizer." I reminded her.

Lorithia flinched and Raevali looked at her. "Lorithia, right? I'm sorry that I scared you I wasn't really aware of my actions at that moment." He apologized.

Lorithia let out a shaky laugh. "It's fine I mean Charlotte did try to warn me."

"You said that you ended up in that form trying to chase after and kill Rebecca right? Does that mean that she came back to life like you did or was it just her soul?" Ivo asked suddenly.

Her bones were on the fence when we first walked into this awful place, Ivo. I don't think she's walking around in her own body.

At my thoughts Ivo looked at me, "Good point but considering what we saw in the back yard she's corporeal to at least some degree. Meaning we can touch her and put her down again."

Raevali frowned as he looked between Ivo and I silently watching our exchange. "No one will be smashing that bitch's head in but me," I growled under my breath.

"She looked corporeal oddly enough, she was able to touch and pick up things. When she saw me charging at her she ran then just vanished," Raevali informed us.

Ivo and I glanced at each other but didn't say anything.

"Could Kessel have revived her somehow, with his powers messing up it was more than likely that when he set up the barrier he breathed a bit of life into everything. While her physical body has been destroyed beyond if you left her soul behind it is possible," Delilah suggested.

Before Ivo or I could say anything Raevali spoke. "Why would Kessel's powers be messing up?" He asked slowly.

I sighed as ran a hand down my face.

Welp, that secret didn't last long.

"Kessel is-"

"Kessel is gonna die, either by my hand or own his own. But with his illness it's better if I put him down quickly, he's been suffering far too long," Ivo told Raevali cutting me off before I could say anything.

Raevali stopped walking his eyes looking down. "Ah...I see," he said softly. He let out a small shaky chuckle rubbing the back of his neck. "So he was sick, that makes a lot of sense," Raevali said more to himself than to me or Ivo.

Atlas and Delilah looked at each other as Raevali continued walking until he was at the front of our group. I follow after him a frown on my face.

"What makes sense?" I asked Raevali.

"Hmm? I mean something always seemed a bit off about Kessel I suppose. The best way I can put it is...whenever I saw him in a private setting he seemed frail. Like he was struggling to keep himself going," Raevali explained softly.

Lorithia sighed a slight smile on her face. "Yeah that sounds like Kessel, he faints from exhaustion and winds up in my office seconds later he's back to doing a mountain of paperwork."

"Kessel was the organized part to Ivo's scarcely contained chaos," Delilah said.

At her words, Ivo rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. "Thank you for telling me about Kessel, worrying about him and Charlotte at the same time is a little stressful," Raevali told as he looked over his shoulder.

Ah...so he already had an idea. I wonder how just how long he's been up here with his hair turning nearly gray from worrying about me. The big idiot, always worrying about everyone but himself.

I couldn't help but notice the small smile on Ivo face at my thoughts.

"Here we are, this tunnel will take you right to the basement of the church," Raevali said as he stopped walking.

The tunnel entrance looked like a large cave, vibrant green vines fell over the entrance of the cave almost like a curtain. Delilah walked inside first, then Atlas, and Lorithia.

Ivo looked at Raevali. "Are you coming? I'm sure that you can't wait to get rid of Rebecca once and for all."

Raevali shook his head. "This as far as I can go, since the tunnel connects somewhere else it is not considered part of the mountain. I'm just glad I could meet all of you." He said, turning to Ivo he gave a big toothy grin. "Thank you for taking care of Charlotte all this time."

Ivo let out a snort as he looked away a faint red blush spreading across his face. "Her temper took some getting used to but she's not as much as a brat as she used to be," he said as he walked forward.

The others looked at me expectantly from the entrance of the cave, wordlessly I began to walk forward only to stop for a moment my eyes on the ground.

"Charlotte, what is it?" Atlas asked me frowning.

I flicked my tail out as I stared at the gauntlets.

He waited, and worry every day. Even when he lost his sanity he continued to worry and watch over me, he made things like these gauntlets and the teddy bear just in case. He's still the big smiling gentle idiot, he never gave up on the idea that I would eventually come back after seven long years...

Wordlessly I turned to Raevali and looked at him. "What is it Charlotte?" He asked turning his head to look down at me.

I rushed over wordlessly wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug as my eyes stung from the warm tears gathering there. Raevali stroked my head making slightly frantic noises, his tail waved up and down quickly.

"Charlotte sweetie what's wrong? It's not cold is it?" He asked slowly.

"Thank you," I whispered. I felt Raevali jolt slightly before his arms wrapped around me, the hug getting slightly tighter. "You big idiot, for seven years you worried about me, you waited and never gave up," I said softly.

He grinned at me. "Of course I wouldn't, you're my little girl."

I sniffled a bit before looking up at him. "I know still, thank you...dad," I told him softly.

His eyes went wide and he froze but before he could say anything I let go of him and back away. As I entered the cave where the others were waiting I saw Raevali raise his hand, his smile lighting up his entire face as he waved to me.

"Charlotte are you sure that you don't want to stay here with Raevali while the rest of us look around?" Atlas asked me as we began walking again.

"If I left you guys alone you'd probably either get lost, eaten, or trapped. Besides...later on when we're through with everything, I'll probably come back for a bit to keep that big idiot company. After all, last time I left him alone he ended up becoming an actual bear and forgot how to walk," I told Atlas as I used my shirt sleeve to wipe my eyes.

"If you do that then you know Ivo will tag along, then Vincent will come along with Lawerence who I'll have to chaperone. It'll be one big party," Delilah pointed out excitedly.

"You mean a lot of broken trees, noses, and arms especially when my father decides that sparing with Raevali is a once in a lifetime chance," Ivo reminded her as he grabbed my hand.

I glanced over my shoulder to see that Raevali was no longer standing there.

Take care of yourself Raevali, I'll be alright.