A hard goodbye. And a new start.

[Next day ]

Richard woke up and saw Marika was still sleeping. He went over to his room and took a bath. He changed in a fresh set of cloth and went down stairs for breakfast.

"Is Marika still sleeping?" Derick asked.

Richard nodded, "Seems she had a bad upper back pain last night."

"I think it's good for her to sleep in, she has been under a lot of stress lately."

Derick and Richard agreed she was not allowed to over exert herself, and they both had to intervene if they noticed she was going to do so.

After his breakfast and went to his study, he contacted Genus. He told him about her upper back pain and what she was doing before the pain started.

"Well it seems that her last awakening is pushing it self to get through. It was probably due to what happened in Ignis Kingdom."

"But she is controlling it so it shouldn't be too much of a problem, but do tell her if the pain medicine isn't working it means, she can't stop it anymore from happening."

Richard then ask Genus "Out of all of our adoptive children, Marika seemed to have to most trouble after letting go with Khai."

Genus thought of something and asked.

"In what for state was that baby dragon in when she found him?"

"Well he was very weak, and we both gave him energy to improve his condition."

"And after that?"

"He seem to see us as his parents, But Marika said that he was going to leave her soon and she looked very sad. After that when I wanted to leave because I had to pack up he showed separation anxiety symptoms. She was teaching him from early that there would be a time when she wouldn't be around for a few days. "

"She thought him how to fly. But even at The Forest of Eternal Night he was more out exploring then with us and it didn't seem to bother her."

"Anything else?"

"Now that you mention it, he spoke his first word to her."

"But looking back at the others, she didn't teach them much."

"Well I think her motherly instincts were stronger with Khai because he was a helpless baby. And I can't imagine how a women feel's when she has to let go of her child this young. But overall, her reaction is normal. It will pass over time."

"By the way, let her rest up before you head out to the mountain's, so that means she can't do anything that could exhaust her. And she also needs to take proper breaks and eat more, my last checkup I found she wasn't eating well. So keep a close eye on her meal's and meal time's."

After a few hours Marika woke up, she felt rested and energized. It was almost lunch time so she took a bath and changed her cloth. She went down stairs and walked in to the kitchen.

Derick saw her and said "You're not allowed do anything today but rest."

She didn't go against him, because she knew he was right. She had been under a lot of stress lately and need all the rest she could get before she went to Mystic Mountain.

'Am I allowed to do some reading and studying?'

"That fine, but do take breaks" Richard said as he walked in to the kitchen.

"And I have a message from White coat, he said that if your pain medicine doesn't work on your upper back pain there won't be anything to stop your 7th stage."

'He is really underestimating me and my medicine skills'

Marika only had only a few bites of what was on her plate, and she stood up to go to the library.

Richard saw she had hardly anything eaten.

"Marika!? Where are you going?" Richard asked her

'To the library.'

"I don't think so."

'Why not?'

"Because you haven't eaten properly."

'I'm not that hungry!'

"You're not allowed to leave until you eat everything!"

"Your malnourished according to Genus last check up."

'Really… I….'

"Even if your stressed or depressed you need to eat or else your body will fall apart, because not eating properly will only add more stress to the body." Derick said to her.

Richard took Marika's hand and he set her down on his lap.

"I'm not letting you go until you finished you're lunch!"

'I'm not a child!'

"If you're not, than eat properly and think about your health a bit more."

Marika set there and eat the rest of her lunch, when she was finished Richard let her go.

"Good girl"

Marika looked at him 'Can I go to the library now?'

Richard nodded. "When it's break time I'll come over to keep you company."

'I feel like I have a watch dog now' she sighed.

And she then left the kitchen.

Richard sighted "It's like looking at myself after my mother passed away."

Derick laughed a little "Well you did also called your father a watch dog when he forced you to sit down and eat your meals. But in the end you understood, and so will she."

After two hour's Marika was done studying up on the current Phoenix clan and the 2 two alliance clans. The most troublesome of the two would be the Sky Cloud Clan.

But the Mountain River Clan wasn't weak either, although they had an observe attitude, if it came to it they would turn there back's easily or attack.

She stood up from the desk and thought that taking a walk could help her think on how to deal with the problems she could face.

Derick looked out the window and saw Marika walk by.

"Hmm is she already taking a break?"

Richard also looked out the window, and saw where she was heading to.

"Really now?, she is walking to the training ground!"

"She knows she can't do heavy exercise."

"Well there is nobody to be able sparring with her and some sword swing practice would not be considered heavy exercise."

"Were talking about Marika, does she even know what taking easy even means?"

"Your right Master"

Richard decided to take an early break and go down to the training ground to see what she was up to.

When he found her, she was indeed doing light training. Marika was so absorbed in her strike's she didn't notice Richard or Derick had come over.

Just as Marika was about to strike Richard stop her arm.

"What do you think you're doing?"

'I got it! How could I forget my own words.'

She turned around and gave Richard a kiss, Richard was taken aback by her action.

'Ahh, I know I shouldn't be doing this but I was restless and couldn't think clearly.'

"What did you mean by forgetting your own words?"

'Being loud is being predictable, being silent is being deadly. I touched Kevin and Dante that when I started to train them.'

She then gave her wooden practice swords to Richard.

'I'll accept any punishment!'

"Alright then!"

Richard grabbed Marika by the arm and took her to the stables. The mounted their horses and when up north. As the arrived at a natural hot spring Richard told her to strip and take a dip in the spring.

Marika looked at him 'Huh but how is this a punishment?'

"Your right…"

Richard picked Marika up and threw her in the spring with her clothe on. "Now it's a punishment."

Marika started to laugh, she took off her clothes and threw them to Richard. 'Then you hang them somewhere to dry.'

Marika relaxed in the spring 'This is paradise!'

Richard joined her in the spring.

"So what kind of plan did you come up with this time."

'Well you would think the Sky Cloud Clan would looks like the big problem, it's actually the Mountain River Clan I need to be warry of the most. But I can also play that game.'

'Being silent and deadly.'

"So you're going to observe first?"

Marika nodded.

'But if it gets out of hand I'm going to need you and Cinis.'

'You could show up as my ally together with Cinis.'

"And what about other small clan's?"

'Well the clans in The Forest of Eternal Night wouldn't do much to help, the dragon clan would not like to join the fight since they are aware of me, it's the same for the nymph clans. The Dire wolf Clan has an mutual partnership with me and both the Moon Wolf Clan and the Night Wolf Clan would not interfere either.'

'And any other small clan outside of my Kingdom, yours and Ignis Kingdom would not make a move on me either. So they can only relay on the Sun Kingdom and the Green Dragon clan. But I doubt they are as stupid to make a move against me.'

'The only clan that can pose as a problem is the Vampire Clan.'

Richard pulled Marika toward him and hug her.

"Hum so you're playing the silent but deadly card. But I do worry you'll be reckless when I'm not around."

'Well will you be more rest assured if Kevin and Dante are with me? I could also take Noir with me and Agito.'

Richard gave her a kiss, "That sounds like a good plan."

Marika looked at her cloth 'They won't be dry any time soon.'

"Don't worry, I already send Stello back with a message for Derick. So he should be back in half an hour."

'But I need to get out, I feel drowsy.'

"Silly as long as I'm with you, you can sleep in a hot spring or bath."

After half an hour has passed Stello came back with bag bound to the saddle. Richard woke up Marika and told her the towels and dry cloth had arrived. Marika woke up and Richard let go of her after she was fully awake.

Richard walked up to Stello and took the bag from him. As he took out the towels he found a note inside the bag.

To Master,

I hope you could kept yourself under control.

Although I approve of you to marry my daughter.

That doesn't mean you can just go loos on her.

Derick

"Your father has such a low fate in me?"

Marika started to laugh 'A well we are both adult, it's not that he can do anything about it.'

'He is just acting like any father would when it comes to his daughter… I think.'

Marika changed in her dry cloth, her hair was still wet so Richard told her to sit down so he could dry it for her.

After that she packed up and they road back to the mansion. When they arrived Derick walk to Marika.

"Did Master behave himself?" Derick asked her

'Yes he did, he threw me in the hot spring as punishment. There is nothing to worry about.'

"That's good then."

'But if he didn't there is not much you can do about it if both parties are adult's and consent to it.'

"But you aren't even engaged yet… "

'That's so old fashion father.'

'But if you insist on it… why don't you two plan an engagement party while I'm out.'

Marika looked at Richard and winked at him. Richard smiled and nodded.

'Oh and one more thing, about the dress, you better go to the clothing shop in Faber Village, I want only that designer to design my dress.'

Marika then walked back in side. Agito let Marika know he returned from the human realm.

Marika walked to her room and told Agito to come out.

'So what did you find?'

"Well your parent's died 3 years after you disappeared. Because they were devastated and felt guilty that they couldn't protect you."

"As for your older brother, he was murdered, by a group of the Sun Kingdom. But your younger brother is still alive and living in your late grandmothers house."

Marika had a shocked look on her face, that than soon turned in to blinding rage. In one swoop she cleared her whole desk. The noise was heard by Derick and Richard. They stormed in to the room and could feel the killing intend coming from her.

"Your younger brother had a message for you, No matter where you are please be safe and don't return; I don't blame you for what happened to brother, So be happy and know that we always have and will loved you."

Marika then started to cry in anger, 'Did you find out which clan it was?'

"It was the red clan and it was under the order of the former king of the Sun Kingdom."

Marika the said, 'He was when I left in his late twenty's when you met him right? '

"Yes."

'Then he should be now in his early forties when you left.'

'I'll hunt them down and give them an eye for an eye. 'She said bitterly

Richard couldn't believe what they just heard. Even when she disappeared they didn't leave her family alone and tried to lure her out by using that kind of method.

"Marika?! Do you need help in tracking them down?"

She didn't turn around but by hearing Richard voice she started to calm down and she nodded.

'Agito give all the information to Richard. You'll be going with me tomorrow to Mystic Mountain.'

"I already informed Dante and Kevin they should be here in an hour or so."

'I want to be alone for a while, so just call me when dinner is ready.'

The three of them left the room and went to Richard study.

"So why were you in the human realm?" Richard asked Agito.

"Marika told me she had a bad feeling after the whole village incident."

"What about her parent's?" Derick asked.

"They passed on because they felt guild and grieve stricken by Marika's disappearance."

Agito then gave a report and pictures of the men who killed Marika's older brother.

As the 3 of them were discussing, Marika was cleaning up her room and making some medicine.

After a few hours there was a knock on the door. "Sister dinner is ready!"

'Alright I'm coming.'

After she opened the door she was met with a hug from her two brothers. They both heard the news from Richard and they knew words weren't of any use so the said nothing and just hugged her.

'Thank you, both of you.'

As she went down stairs to the dining room she talked about their trip to Mystic Mountain. And what she had planned.

During dinner Richard kept a close eye on how much she was eating. But to his relieve she eat her whole plate empty.

After dinner she went up to her room. She had to finish up packing and making medicine.

There was a knock on the door and Derick came in.

"Marika here are the weapons you ordered ."

Marika looked up, 'They didn't seen them right?'

Derick nodded "They are currently with Master so they don't know." Derick smiled at her.

'Great, I'm almost done her so we can go to them in a bit.'

Marika looked at the swords Cognatio and Vindex and there was a beautiful rose on it. Also there was a stone embedded and casted a spell in bot stones. She then put the sword away and looked at the weapons she had made for Kevin.

The bow Silentium had a branch pattern carved in it and just above the hand grip a stone she also placed a spell in the stone. The last weapon she looked at was a dagger the pattern on the blade was similar to the one on the bow, Umbra had a stone on the end of the grip and she also casted a spell in the stone.

She finished up making the same pills she had made for Richard before, but these were specially made for her brothers. She also made a batch for Derick.

'Father here are some pills that can neutralize any poison. But don't give them to anybody else they are only for you to take. If but if you need to take out an enemy you can use them on them, because they are poison to them.'

Derick smiled "A double edge sword, my daughter is so smart."

'And one more thing, if you find the people who murdered my brother torture them, these pills will heal fast so, I want them to suffer.'

Derick gave her a hug, " Eat well and depend on your brother."

Marika nodded 'I'm not alone anymore, I have a loving family and a lot of good friends. I know that now.'

Marika and Derick went to the study with the gifts for her brother's.

As they walked in Kevin and Dante saw what they were carrying.

'This is a small gift for my two brothers and students who have proven them self's and grew so much by my teachings. So here is a little graduation gift from your sister and teacher.'

'Dante, these blade's Cognatio and Vindex ( family and defender ) are yours. They are imbued with a protection spell and healing spell.'

Dante looked at the sword, and he was overcome with all kinds of emotions. He had his own pair of sword's and their names fit it perfectly for what he wanted with the skills he learned from his sister.

"Thank you sister! I'll take really good care of them." And he hugged her.

'Kevin, this bow and dagger are yours Silentium and Umbra ( Silence and Shadow) They are also imbued with magic spells one healing spell and the other a stealth spell. My you protect me from the shadow.'

Kevin let a few tears drop "Sister you're the best!" and he hugged her.

'I also want you to carry these around with you, these pills neutralize all types of poison, but can also be used as a poison.'

Then Dante and Kevin nodded to each other. "Sister we also have a gift for you."

Marika opened it and saw a set of clothe that was a combination of the dress she wore in Ignis Kingdom and the ceremonial battle outfit there were at least 10 set's in different colors and patterns. In the second box there was her own battle armor.

The armor was light weight but very durable, and it wouldn't interfere with her movements.

The colors and pattern symbolized her heritage.

She hugged them both, 'Thank you, you're the best brother's a sister could ever wish for.'

Richard and Derick nodded to each other, it was now there turn to give her their gift's

Derick gave her a pendant at the back there were the names of her family and the stone at the front was sea blue, and in the middle there was a dragon engraved.

Richard gave Marika a ring. With his initials in the band and a dragon engraved in the stone.

"Don't forget we are always one your side and by your side" Richard said.

Marika hugged the 4 of them together.

"And this is from Cinis and Canus, if your wear them all you can show in a subtle way who your allies are."

Cinis had send her a bracelet in it was written our bond of brotherhood and sisterhood will not be broken.

Canus had send a pair of earrings with a shield and 3 swords that represented the sibling hood of the battlefield.

Marika smiled, 'I'm so grateful to all of you, now let's see who is going to be the best in all front.'

Marika talked over the plan one more time when Caelum knocked on the window of the balcony.

'Caelum! Is there anything wrong?'

Marika looked at Caelum and saw he didn't look good. So she ran over to him.

Caelum gave Marika a few feathers of Solis.

"Brother Solis told me you could make an antidote to all poisons and you needed something of the person to make it bound to that on person. Brother has been poisoned!"

Marika summon Agito and asked Richard to summon Noir.

'Where is your brother now?'

"He is in Mystic Cave, it was the only safe place I could think of since only you, father, me and brother can get in there."

Marika told Richard to give Dante and Kevin permission to enter just to be safe.

'Agito!, Noir! You two bring Dante and Kevin at top speed to the cave. Protect Solis even though nobody can enter I just want it play safe, I'll be dare as soon as possible.'

They both nodded and took their weapons Marika gave to them as a gift, Kevin, Caelum follow me.'

They went to her room and Marika gave Kevin a pouch, in her are a few things that may come in handy. There is a bottle of highly portend poison that could paralyze the opponent. There was also powder that could temporarily blind the opponent and a cream to help heal wounds.

'Now go!'

Caelum was looking worse by the minute.

'Caelum I need a feather of you to so I can make you the same medicine.'

"I'll be fine mother… the reason I can hold out for so long is because of you… please safe brother first…."

'Richard, Derick I need your help!'

Both of them came rushing in and saw an half collapsed Caelum.

'Get him in to a very cold bath and check for any wound and observe any different in smell like herbs or strong toxin odor.'

Marika than pulled a string of hair from Caelum and it turned in to a feather. After she did that Richard and Derick took him to the bathe room. And put him in to a cold bath.

Marika was working first on Caelum's medicine. After she was done with that she called for Richard.

'Give this to Caelum.'

"Are you alright? You look tired!"

'I am tired, but my son's need me so… I have to push it this time.'

Richard walked back to Caelum and gave him the medicine she made for him. he was worried for Marika so he asked Derick to take care of the rest.

When he walked back to Marika he saw the reason why she was getting tired. She put in some of her energy in the mix of herbs and after that casted a magic spell that would use a lot of energy.

Marika was done making the medicine for Solis and almost collapsed herself.

Richard caught her, "I won't say anything because you're doing it for our son's sake, but please do think about yourself next time to."

Caelum and Derick came out of the bath room and Caelum was his energetic self again.

"Mother! This is all our fault!"

'Richard go with Caelum, I'll just go to sleep now and replenish myself.'

Richard and Caelum looked worried.

'No need to worry, Derick is here so I'll be fine! I'm not alone.'

Caelum gave Marika a hug "I'll see you tomorrow and I'm really sorry that we had to put you through this."

Richard gave Marika a kiss on her forehead, "Sleep well."

Marika nodded, and they both left.

Marika the said to Derick 'Get Genus over here ASAP.'

He didn't ask any questions and did what she told him to do. In a matter of minutes he arrived and not only Genus arrives Azurite was with him.

They both wore a white coat, but it was completely scentless.

Derick looked surprised, "What are you doing? You know she…."

"Don't worry this is part of her mental treatment, we already found out the cause and now we are going to treat it at the same time." Genus said.

Derick brought them to her room, they both stood in the door way. They both called out to her first, and she looked up. She saw to people in white coats standing there. But she was so tired and feeling unwell, she stared at them and smelled no sent coming from them she relaxed quiet fast.

Genus noticed it was safe to enter, and so they did.

"I would never thought you would call for me on your own accord."

Marika looked very tired and smiled, 'Don't let it go to your head white coat.'

"So what can I do for you?"

'I don't know what's going on but I already awakened my 6th stage, and my 7th stage won't be far off from awakening. But I have an 8th stage… that is coming directly after my I awaken my 7th stage.'

Azurite walked over to Marika who could barely stand anymore and supported her.

Genus took of his glasses and looked at her inner energy circulation.

"He little girl! Didn't you get my message from your husband?"

'I did, and I did take it easy today, I admit I had some light exercise, after that I went to the hot spring in the north. An just a moment ago I made those pills that detoxify any poison, but I only mad 4 of them. O and I casted 4 spells before that.'

Genus was in deep thought. Azurite set Marika on the bed because she couldn't stand any longer.

"Are you in for some pain little girl?"

'What are you going to do?'

"I'm going to block the flow of energy to your 7th stage. Best case scenario it will only hold for a month. After that it's anybody's guess what is going to happen."

'And what will happen if you unblock it after a week?, or after 2 weeks?'

"Well the backlash would be less hard on you?"

'Then I have one last question, can I still transform in to the stage's I already awakened?'

"That should not be a problem, but I recommend you don't do it often."

Marika nodded, 'Alright then let's do this.'

Derick than asked Marika "Do I need to call Master back?"

'No… I can do this, it will be painful but it won't take long.'

After 10 minutes Genus was done. And Marika was nodding her head, she had hard time to stay awake any longer. But before she dozed of completely she pointed to a note book and told Azurite to take it with him.

She then fell asleep, Azurite laid her down on the bed and covered her up. The three of them left the room.

[ Mystic Cave ]

Richard arrived at the cave and saw Solis was in a very bad condition. He gave him the medicine and waited till Solis was improving. Solis slowly regained his senses and saw Richard.

"Were is mother?"

"She is at home, she was exhausted from making so many medicine."

Richard noticed that there was someone trying to get in to the cave. "For now we are safe, but somebody is trying there damn hardest to get in here!"

Richard then got a message from Derick and Genus.

Everybody heard what was being said. And they all were shocked.

Caelum asked Solis, "Is mother going to be alright?"

Solis who was now completely recovered looked in to her future. "Her future seems unchanged"

Genus told Richard she was asleep now and there should not be any problems with her condition until he lifted the block off parts.

Richard understood and ended the conversation. He sighted a sigh in relieve. Not only did she called out to Genus herself but she also didn't attack him or Azurite. He thought it was due to the fatigue she didn't but every small step is a step towards a goal.

Caelum asked Richard "Are you going to forbid mother to come tomorrow?"

Richard laughed "Well even if I did, she would just up and leave anyway, and besides she is fine for the time being. There are no issues to her health so I have no reason to hold her down. Plus I trust she will be fine with her two brothers and son's."

"Now you all need to hide for the time being and don't make a sound. I want to see who is so annoyingly trying their best to get in here."

He casted an invisibility spell on them and then let down the protection spell!

Richard took is original form "Well, well, well, you have some nerve…. And try to hammer my door down."

Richard turned around and saw two vampires, they recognize Richard instantly and knelt down.

"We are so sorry Your Majesty the Moon King, If we knew it…."

"Save it! What are you here for?"

"We are looking for two phoenixes Your Majesty."

"And why do you think they are here? Nobody can't come in unless I let down this barrier."

The two vampires were getting nervous.

"I have permission from the Queen of Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi to be here because this is her land. And I did send a notification beforehand."

"And what I know of her is, she doesn't take kindly of intruders! And uninvited guests."

"I highly advice you to leave this country! Because if you provoke her… Well let's say the last idiots who did that they are dead now."

The vampires felt Richard threatening aura and didn't hesitate to leave.

"This is going to be troublesome." As he sighted.

"What did you come here for Raphael?"

"Well a little bat told me that my little brother Arthur got beaten up by a young women that resides in your mansion."

Richard looked at the man who was around his age.

"So what, he had provoked her first, he had it coming with his arrogant behavior."

"I would like you to hand her over to me, so I can teach her, her place." Raphael said with an arrogant tone.

Richard didn't showed his anger, he stayed cool and collective because if he showed any emotion it will give Raphael to use it against him.

"Hand her over you say…. Well I could do that but do you want to die that badly?"

"What do you mean?" Raphael was showing signs of caution.

"Ohh, didn't you little bat tell you she took out 2 whole squads of soldiers by herself?"

Raphael started to laugh "That's impossible, only a dragon like you is capable of doing something like that."

"Let me tell you something, The first time she beaten up your little brother, she only had woken up less than an hour after she had spent sleeping for a week. The second time, she was in the form of an child."

Raphael looked at Richard in disbelieve, there is no way she was capable of doing something like that.

"You want me to hand her over? Sure come to my mansion in two weeks, and you can teacher her, her place. But let me tell you this… The one who will be taught their place will in the end be you."

"Now get lost, or do you want a war with the queen of Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi ? Because you just invade her country and tainted this sacred place?"

"What… but this land was open and free, belonging to nobody!" Raphael claimed.

"Not anymore, it has been claimed, and the people pointed her to be there ruler." Richard answered.

"But doesn't your mansion stand in her land?"

"Yes, I'm free to come and go to my mansion, but the area around it like this cave I need permission for it. So if I were to report you guy's for trespassing guess what will happen."

Raphael snorted "What can she even do. She doesn't have an army."

"You're going to regret what you just said, just wait and see!"

Raphael the turned around, "I'll come to your mansion in two weeks and you better keep your word on handing that girl over to me!"

"Don't worry! But please do prepare a coffin for yourself."

Richard turned up the barrier again and changed back. He also lifted up the invisible spell on the others.

Dante walked over to Richard, "Are you really going to hand over sister to him?! Are you insane?"

Dante was furious with Richard.

"Do you have so little faith in your sister? You know she can handle me just fine in a battle, Raphael is nothing compared to me."

"Even so...."

"Don't worry, everything will happen at my mansion, and from the guess of it, now that Raphael is here it means that he will meet her tomorrow anyway."

"I can't wait to see what kind of stupid look he will show then.""Dante treat carefully these upcoming days, my guess is they will target you."

"I know, I don't need you to tell me that, but I'm not the same person I was before."

Richard patted his shoulder, "Than don't doubted your sister."

Richard looked at Caelum and Solis "I won't be coming with your mother, and if I have to come, it would be better you two don't refer to me as father, because I will show up as an ally, understand?"

Caelum and Solis nodded.

"You guys stay here for the night and wait here till your mother arrives."

Dante and Kevin returned to the mansion with Richard.

[Mansion ]

Marika was restless in her sleep, she was having a nightmare. Richard walked in to her room and saw her restless behavior. And whispered a few word and she calmed down. Her breathing was steady again and he left the room.

As Richard was sitting on his bed he wondered if his decision was the right thing he did. He knew she was strong. But was this really alright? She had been through so much the last month and a half already. He would talk about it tomorrow morning with her and see what she thinks about it.