Chapter 167

The guard released Lixue as the flames from Zack's blade subsided. Bursting into the hall was Lincoln supporting James. Seeing the wound gone Elizabeth ran forward hugging her uncle.

"We are leaving, and anyone who tries to stop us will regret it. I came here to ensure peace, and warn you of a grave threat that's coming, but right now I'm needed at home." Zack said shattering the chains on Lixue.

"You can't just leave!" Declan shouted as he jumped down into the hall.

"Have some pride boy!" Uther retorted backhanding Declan.

"A warrior knows when to admit defeat now behave like one," James told Declan.

Zack extended his hand towards Lincoln before leaving. Lincoln was unsure of his motive but accepted his handshake. When the hands collided images of Zack's battle with the slavers appeared, and along with it directions to Eden.

"Bring whoever you need, but expect the others to be present as well. Just so you know we have plenty of good booze." Zack said as they rushed down the hall.

"Who was that?" Uther asked.

"He's not an enemy that's for sure," James replied.

"I wonder if he can rescue me next," Elizabeth smirked.

"Thank you for helping me back there. If I didn't let my guard down that brat would've never bound me." Lixue told Zack as they flew out of the city.

"I'm just glad you're okay. Sorry for leaving so suddenly, but that man was barely clinging to life. If I waited for them to show me it would've been too late." Zack replied.

"To heal a dragon is a difficult task. Our bodies are very resistant to magic-making it difficult, and it's the first time I've heard of angel healing one." Lixue stated.

"We should hurry I really need to get home," Zack replied.

They rushed to meet up with her guards, and Zack relayed the information of a parley being held tomorrow. Wei doubted the likelihood of their participation, but Zack seemed confident they would show. After the princess said her farewell Zack disappeared.

"What happened in there?" Lei asked.

"He saved me." Lixue smiled.

Zack appeared in the basement, and Destiny was already by the egg concerned with the excessive light. He walked up placing his hand on the egg and removed some of the grace as the light slowly faded. Zack leaned over to kiss Destiny.

"Sorry I rushed back as fast as I could," Zack said wrapping his arms around her.

"You're here now and that's all that matters." Destiny smiled.

"I can't decide if I should watch or join in." Lilith teased from the corner.

"Your welcome to both." Destiny teased back.

Zack went on to explain how bad the situation was, but with a potential parley tomorrow there was hope. He spent some time talking with the two about the things he had seen. Seeing Zack's face filled with wonder about the outside world Destiny hugged him tightly.

"Once the baby is born you should still do your adventures," Destiny told Zack.

"I need to be here," Zack replied.

"I constantly think about what could've happened if you didn't find me that day. Maybe I would've gotten away but then what? I would've continued hiding in the wilderness alone watching people from afar. I could've even learned to hate humans, and started preying upon them. The world needs you out there. I know you'll rotate home, and we will be here to greet you when you do." Destiny smiled.

Zack caressed her cheek lovingly as the two kissed passionately. Lilith felt a little left out but patiently waited for her turn. With the egg, stable Destiny went back to her work. She wouldn't leave the basement but was still producing her silk for the others to use. She was also using the downtime to work on new designs for the new species arriving. Zack hung out with Destiny in the basement talking about baby names, and discussing how adolescence was for an arachne.

Upstairs in the library, Vanessa was cleaning her workspace before heading to take a nap. She still couldn't believe a week had passed, but after seeing the crops there was no denying it. Research sprees were common for Vanessa, but never one like this. Several times she tried to exit the library only to find something spectacular right before reaching the exit.

The library in the mages guild was impressive, but many collections had missing volumes. Everything in Eden's library was a complete collection and the selection was unlike anything she has seen before. Vanessa finished cleaning and was browsing on her way to the exit.

'There's something going on here I can feel it. Every time I step in there's a trace of magic, and the first shelf I glanced at when starting is no longer there. I wanna get to the bottom of this, but I promised to sleep. It's his library, and he didn't get mad at my mess so it's the least I can do. It would be nice to live here though.'

Vanessa turned the corner expecting to see the research areas from before, but instead, there was a strange room. She needed to go sleep, but her curiosity was winning the internal debate. Pushing the door open there was a large bedroom. There was a desk next to the bed and a top of it a picture. There was a beautiful woman with curly blond hair and bright blue eyes wearing a blue dress. Standing next to the woman was a large man with short black hair and green eyes. He was wearing a dirty pair of overalls and had his arm wrapped around the woman with a gentle smile on his face. Vanessa recognized the area in the background, and it was the field closest to the estate.

'Is this his mother?'

Vanessa didn't touch anything and rushed out of the room to find Zack. While rushing out of the library she saw him preparing to walk out of the estate. She ran towards him tripping on her robe pulling him to the ground as his face planted at the top of the steps.

"You gotta be more careful Yu." Zack chuckled turning around as he wrapped his arms around Vanessa's waist.

Vanessa was on top of him bright red from ear to ear. She didn't even hear the words he uttered because she was thinking of his hands squeezing her hips.

"I'm not r-re-eady yet!" Vanessa shouted jumping off him as she ran off.

Vanessa ran all the way home jumping in bed to hide under the covers. With the loud thumping of her heart beating taking all her focus Vanessa completely forgot about the room for now. Once the panic settled she drifted to sleep.

Zack was discussing tomorrow's event with the appointed representatives from each district. Some felt uneasy about hosting a parley between the tribes, but they trusted Zack's judgment. When the meeting was done it was the regular feast. Zack was sitting at his usual table when Lilith smirked pointing into the distance. Everyone preparing to eat stopped to watch the scene from the waterway.

"So pretty," Yu said staring at the lights emerging from the water.

The kurage walked out of the water as their usual transparent figure was slowly solidifying. Only the veil around their head remained transparent giving a slight shimmer illuminating their pearl skin under the cover of night. Seeing them walk in tangent as the tentacles on their veils carefully swayed added to their charm. They all bowed politely to Rolen, and he was forced to look away from the majestic peaks pointed in his direction. Thea giggled seeing his innocence and rested against his arm.

"We can actually relax while up here, and it's thanks to you." Akiko smiled.

"It's no problem it's just what we do for each other around here," Rolen replied wrapping his arm around Thea.