Home for the Holidays: New Bodyguards?

They were fast asleep as Daphne sprung up, shaking them all awake.

"Guys! Wake up! It's mid-year holidays!"

Uneventful months had flown by, with them having found the symbol of The Snake of Saltavore's arm. They had kept up the investigation, but were unable to find anything in the school. Ada had been keeping a close eye on them as well, limiting what they were able to do. They were never allowed to go to Ava's funeral, so Loki never got to Inspect her body, nor did they get to pay their final respects.

Loki had leveled up three times, adding a stat point each to his Agility, Speed, and Strength, his Memory Warp leveling up as well, knowable to warp the last 2 minutes, and only four Stamina was taken per Memory Warp. He also unlocked a new Ability called Mind See, Mind Do. Apparently, it was a sort of Ability that could help him cast an illusion over someone's mind for 30 seconds. However, he needed 7 Speed every time using it. He had 1580 credits in his Inventory, and his current Xp was at 320/800. He had done five Social Quests, gaining 20 Xp from all of them, except from one where he received 30 Xp.

Loki groaned as Daphne threw open the curtains and let the bright sunlight stream in. "It's too early for this," Terrence complained.

[Daily Challenge 2 completed: +5 Xp]

[325/800 Xp]

Seraphine rubbed her head. "What's the big deal?"

"You guys are coming with me to Phoenix Manor!"

"What do you mean, you're getting us jobs?" Terrence whisper-yelled at Daphne.

The four of them had been ushered into the limo that came to pick Daphne up, and they were brought to Phoenix Manor, which was also Daphne's house.

"Chill out," Daphne rolled her eyes. "First of all, you're here to become bodyguards. My bodyguards, to be exact."

"But why?" Loki inquired. "You're definitely strong enough to take care of yourself."

"Well, the mid-year level separations are coming up, and the teachers will try their hardest to separate us. If you guys are my bodyguards, it'll be a lot harder for them to do so. Also, you'll get paid, so you'll be able to save up," Daphne looked at Terrence and Seraphine, "Buy more Ability books to boost your Ability. And since my family is an old one, we should be able to find out some things about The Snakes. Basically, killing three birds with one stone."

"There is no saying three birds with one stone, it's two birds with one stone," Seraphine corrected. "But that's not a bad idea."

"Miss Daphne," a maid walked in, curtsying to them. "Mistress and Master are ready to see your friends."

"Thank you, Daisy," Daphne smiled towards the maid. "Come on guys, follow me."

All of them trailed after Daphne as she led the way up a long hallway into a big study where a man and woman were sitting.

[Name: Arnold Phoenix]

[Race: Elf]

[Speed: 25/25]

[Stamina: 13/13]

[Hp: 50/50]

[Ability: Electric]

[He is able to conjure or manipulate electric/electricity]

[Weakness: Cares about his reputation and status more than anything]

[Name: Regina Phoenix]

[Race: Elf]

[Speed: 19/19]

[Stamina: 17/17]

[Hp: 45/45]

[Ability: Electric]

[She is able to conjure or manipulate electric/electricity]

[Weakness: Cares about her reputation and status more than anything]

"Daphne," the woman greeted her. "Are those your friends?" The woman's gaze trailed to where Loki, Terrence, and Seraphine were.

"Mother," Daphne answered stiffly. "Yes, they're my friends. They're the ones I wanted to recommend for bodyguards.

"And why do you need bodyguards?" the man inquired, eyes narrowing. "You've always refused them up until now, and you're more than capable of protecting yourself."

"Yes, Father, but I'm afraid I have angered the Powell brother, and I don't want to take chances because they could do anything to win."

"And why them?" Daphne's father sneered. "You know that we don't associate ourselves with low-levels like them."

"Arnold," Daphne's mother placed her hand placatingly on Daphne's father's hand. "Please don't be so harsh. I'm sure they'll leave Daphne alone once they see reason."

Terrence clenched his fist and Seraphine seemed to be gritting her teeth. At that moment, Loki wondered how exactly was someone as nice as Daphne had parents that horrible.

"You're right," Daphne's father sighed. He turned to the other three. "How much money would you like to leave Daphne alone?"

"With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix," Loki said slowly, forcing himself to not scream in anger. "We're here to be bodyguards. Nothing else."

Mr. Phoenix opened his mouth to say something, but Mrs. Phoenix cut in. "You're hired," she said to the three of them. "I want you three to stay in the room next to Daphne's for the next two weeks until she gets back to school. We'll pay you 100 credits a week as long as you do your job properly. You can take this two-week break as a trial episode where we won't pay you."

"Regina-" "Arnold dear, just give them a chance," Mrs. Phoenix smirked. "I'm sure they'll quit soon enough. After all, low-levels like them wouldn't be able to protect themselves, much less her-"

" Mother! Father! They're my friends! Stop being so rude!" Daphne exclaimed, looking angrier than they had ever seen.

"You shut it, young lady," Mrs. Phoenix stood up. "Don't disrespect your father and me."

"You're disrespecting my friends! I've told you before, just because someone's Ability isn't strong doesn't mean they're weak! I-"

"Enough!" Mr. Phoenix brought his hand down, slapping Daphne hard, Daphne's head turning sideways from the impact.

"Daphne!" Her three friends cried.

"I'm fine," Daphne said quietly. "Come with me." She turned and left the study, her three newly appointed bodyguards following her out.

When they were in the safety of her soundproof walls, Seraphine exclaimed, "What was that? Why did you just let them slap you like that?"

"Well, what do you suggest I do?" Daphne snapped. "Stand up to them and make everything worse?" She took a deep breath as she took in Seraphine's hurt expression. "Sorry. I'm sorry for lashing out at you guys. I just, I really hate my parents.

"Why did you never tell us what happens with your family?" Terrence asked.

"I didn't want to get you guys involved," Daphne said softly.

"I can't imagine living with people like them," Loki shuddered. "Can you tell us more about what goes on in your family?"

Daphne ignored him and opened her closet doors. "We'll be having lunch with my parents soon, so you guys should dress up. It's going to be one long meal."