Going to Ignis

Marika walked with Owen and Vita to Richards study and she opened the door.

Owen and Vita hopped over to him and pecking at him and demanding his attention.

Richard laughed "Alright you two."

'Let's go husband, we are going to The Forest of Eternal Night.'

Richard stood up and walked over to Marika and gave her a kiss.

He handed Owen to Marika and they left the mansion.

When they arrived Regina saw their parents and ran up to them.

'Mom! Dad! Why are you here?'

'Your little brother and sister here were giving your big brother Solis and Caelum a hard time.'

Regina's eyes light up when Marika told her that Owen and Vita were her new siblings.

Regina was happy, now she was a big sister herself of a younger sister.

Khai and Nova also came over and saw the two babies.

"Mom, dad these two are…"

Marika gestured to keep it silent and nodded.

Marika and Richard put Owen and Vita on the ground.

"Owen, Vita go play with your brothers and sister, me and your mommy will be taking a walk."

Owen and Vita both chirped happily and butted their head telling them to go and they would be fine.

Marika and Richard both laughed at their gesture.

As Marika and Richard were walking "Do you think they threw their fit on purpose?"

Marika shrugged her shoulders 'Who knows, but even if they did I'm not going to blame or punish them for it.'

'They are probably more aware of things than we know so…'

Richard took Marika's hand "Well I'm not going to punish them because every moment I can spend with you alone now is precious to me because I can't be with you for a year."

Marika and Richard arrived at the lake and saw a familiar creature standing there.

The water nymph ran up to Marika and pulled her by the arm.

'What is it? You're not planning on drowning me and try to steal my husband are you?'

'No…I'm getting married today and I want you two to come.'

Marika looked at the nymph and then to Richard.

"Why not…I think she want our blessing so let's go."

'Alright, but you better protect me from all the man down there.'

Richard chuckled a little.

Marika and Richard entered the lake, when they were underwater the nymph casted a spell so they could breathe under water.

She lead them to their village and when they arrived the were greeted by head of the village they had met before.

"Your Majesty! Why are you here?"

"She said she was going to get married today and invited us."

"That's true but…I thought because of what happened last time…"

Marika joined in their conversation.

'Yeh she tried to drown me and steal my husband, but for her to invite us and us being here she also want to show her promise that she would never do something like that again.'

'While I have the habit forming grudges fast, I'm not an unforgiving woman, if this is her way of sincerely apologizing to me than I forgive her.'

Marika pulled the nymph by the arm and told her to bring her to her room and she would make her the most beautiful bride.

The nymph nodded and lead Marika to her house.

Richard smiled.

"While she doesn't have much time to spend on happy things, she sure knows how not waste it and share her happy and relaxing moments with anybody and leave them with good memories."

"What do you mean?"

"A month from now she will go to war and won't be back for a year."

"So it's true that Your Queen will disappear."

Richard nodded.

"Please Your Majesty let us protect your children in her absences while they stay in the forest."

"I think that would make her happy knowing that they are protected by you all."

The groom walked up to the village head and Richard and bowed to Richard

"Your Majesty we are truly honored to have you attend our wedding."

Richard smiled at the young man.

"Well me and my wife are also very honored to attend your wedding, normally your kind don't like it when outsiders come and attend your weddings."

"Your Majesty may I ask of a favor?"

Richard nodded.

"My soon to be wife doesn't have parents, and since it's a tradition that the parents of the bride walk her down the aisle and hand her over to the groom… Could you please do that in their place?"

Richard told Marika telepathically and agreed to it.

"Me and my wife will do that for her."

"Thank you so much Your Majesty."

Marika casted a few spells and pulled out a dress and some ornament and jewelry.

'Why didn't you let me know beforehand you were going to get married?'

Marika put the pale blue gown on her and stated to zip it up and attached a cape veil.

'I thought you were still mad at me for last time so…'

Marika put on a necklace that had a waterlily engraved on it the stone was light blue of color.

'Well I do understand that much, but if you told me or reached out to me you would know if I was still mad at you instead of gambling whether or not I would visit the forest today.'

Marika then started on her hair and put it half up and put in a few waterlily hair ornaments that were the same color as her necklace.

'But I prayed every night to the moon and asked them if they could send you so you could see me marry and fulfill my promise.'

Marika was putting on some light make up and place a thin belt made out of the same stones as the rest of her jewelry.

'Are you happy that your prayer have been answered?'

'I am.' She smiled.

'So who is going to walk you down the aisle?'

The nymph looked a little sad 'No body, I walk it alone since I have no parents.'

'And what if I tell you that you're not going to walk it alone?'

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Marika opened the door and Richard was standing in the door way.

Marika and Richard both stretched out there hand to her.

'We will walk you down the aisle, and hand you over to the groom.'

The nymph hugged Richard and Marika 'Thank…thank you so much.'

'Ohh come one now don't cry and ruin your pretty face now.' Marika smiled.

Richard and Marika both took her and brought her over to the red carpet.

'Are you nervous?' Marika asked her.

'Just a little… but since you both are here I'm more at ease.' She smiled

"Are you ready?" Richard asked her.

The nymph nodded.

Richard and Marika both held her hand and walked her to down the carpet.

Everybody who was attending, saw how beautiful the bride looked, some of the girls were envious and started to whisper.

Marika and Richard heard it and looked at the nymph who was obvious taking it to heart.

'Hold your head high and don't listen to them, they are just jealous of you.'

"They are jealous, because you will be the only bride in this village who had the privilege to be dressed up by The Queen, and walked down aisle and hand over by a King and Queen." Richard smiled at her.

When they were at the groom he was aw struck by the beauty of his wife.

"Sweetie you really did a great job, look at our son in law." Richard joked.

'Of course I went all out on our daughter, because the wedding day is to any girl the best and most precious day of her life.'

Marika and Richard handed her hand to the groom and placed their hands on top of theirs.

"Take good care of her."

"I will your Majesty."

'Live a happy life together and we bless the both of you on this day and start your own family.'

'Thank you Your Majesty.'

Richard and Marika sat down and watch the ceremony all the way to the end.

When it was over Marika told the couple they had to go back.

The nymph hugged them both and thanked them for today.

'Don't worry about your little once as long as they are in the forest here I'll protect them.'

Marika smiled and nodded.

'But do also make sure you protect your own children once you have them.'

'I will.'

Marika and Richard waved them goodbye and left the village. 

Marika and Richard were back at the surface of the lake again.

Marika looked up to the sky, 'Is it me or didn't much time pas?'

"It's not you, indeed not much time has passed only half an hour."

Marika and Richard came to shore and noticed their cloths were still dry.

Marika smiled 'Although she was a wild child when we met, she sure has become a considerate young woman.'

Richard nodded and pulled her in to his embrace.

"It's been 6 months now since you came in to my life, but it seems a year has already past."

Marika smiled 'I'm grateful that time doesn't fly by, but then again we have all the time in the world. Even if I'm away, only that time will fly by.'

Richard kissed her passionately and his lust started to well up.

"To night your all mine."

Marika smiled.

When they arrived at the cottage and went inside.

Richard and Marika saw children sleeping on the bed and they smiled at the sight.

'Seeing things like this is what motivate me to come home as soon as possible.'

"Make sure you come home soon and in one piece."

Marika and Richard went back to the living room and they sat down on the couch.

Marika leaned her head against Richard and he leaned his head against her and they both closed their eyes.

After an hour the kids woke up and saw their parent sleeping on the couch leaning against each other.

Khai and Nova put Owen and Vita on their laps and went in to the kitchen and started to make some food for their parents.

Half an hour had passed by and they were all done cooking.

The three of them went back to them and start to wake them up.

"Mom, dad wake up."

Marika slowly started to wake up and saw their children standing in front of them.

'What is it?'

"If you and dad sleep like this you might catch a cold."

'Dad you too, wake up we have a surprise for you and mom.'

Richard also woke up.

"Hum… what time is it?"

"It's time for dinner."

Richard sat up straight and saw his kids.

Regina took Owen and Vita, Nova and Khai pulled their parents from the couch.

"You don't have much time left to spend together with us like this."

"Dad let's make some nice memories and use them whenever we miss mom."

Marika and Richard smiled and saw the dinner at the table.

'Did you 3 make this?'

'Yes we did.'

"Well we aren't as good as you and grandpa, but whenever we are at the mansion we help grandpa so we learned a little."

Marika tasted the soup, and a tear rolled down her eyes.

'Does it taste bad?'

Marika shook her head and smiled at her children 'You always know how to surprise me with your growth.'

Her word weren't a lie, but deep down inside it broke her heart by knowing she would miss out on a lot of things.

Both Richard and Khai noticed but didn't say a thing to the rest.

[Next day]

Marika got up early and dressed herself and rushed down the stairs.

She quickly made a sandwich and mad some coffee.

"Are you in a hurry?" Derick asked her.

'Yeh, I have to pick up two kids and we will be staying in Ignis for a few days.'

Marika eat everything and hugged her father 'I'll be home in a few days.'

"Marika!"

Marika stopped in her tracks.

'What is it dad?'

"Have fun in Ignis, and bring back some souvenirs."

Marika smiled and nodded.

As she ran out the door she almost ran over her brother Luca but she manage to evade him and once she stepped outside she transformed and took off.

Richard noticed she had forgotten to bring something along and ran also outside, just as he wanted to call for her he saw her make a sharp U-turn fly back to the mansion.

When Marika was close to the mansion Richard threw the bag to her and again make a sharp U-turn but the tip of her tail missed Luca and Richard by a few centimeters and flew off again.

"Sis!! You are a reckless flyer!!"

Marika turned her head and saw her brother Luca, she roared at him and continued her flight.

Richard chuckled a little and looked at Luca "Are you made out of glass or something?"

"Did you teach her to fly like this?"

"No… don't you remember who gave her flight lessens at her first flight?"

"Are you kidding me! This is all because of Sky taught her how to fly!"

Richard nodded.

Luca scribbled something on a piece of paper and whistled.

"Silex, you go over to Ray and deliver this message."

Silex spread his wings and took off.

Luca went inside and went to his room.

Richard chuckled "Honestly you and your sister are so alike, even though your cousins."

Marika arrive what used to be an abandoned village.

When she just landed and transformed back she got attacked by the six children and was toppled over.

"Kids I told you that is dangerous!"

Marika shortly had a surprised look on her face when she was taken down but when she was lying on the ground she started laughing.

She wrap her arm around the six children who were lying on top of her and hugged them tight.

'Who taught you this sneak attack?'

"We taught it our self's"

'We are stronger in numbers.'

Marika smiled happily at their answer.

The village head came over and asked if she was alright and didn't get hurt.

'Even if I got a bruise, scrape, or cut, I'll heal instantly so… and even a knock on my head would only temporarily make me dizzy.'

'Big sister is invisible!'

'No I'm not invisible, I'm just unbeaten.'

"Just as cool!"

Marika laughed again.

The kids came down from her and Marika got up.

"Big sister why are you here? Where is His Majesty?"

'His Majesty is at the palace, because I he has work.'

I came to pick up Brain and Kyle, because they were invited by the King of Ignis to come to The Late Autumn Festival.

The boy's got excited "We are really going to meet the king?"

Marika nodded and not only the king, the two princes will also be there, and I'll be you guardian until you're back home again.

The parents of the boys came over with a bag that had some cloths and other necessities.

They gave their children a hug and told them to listen to Marika and stay close to her.

The boys nodded and hugged their parents goodbye.

'Are there any food allergies or other health issues I need to look out for?'

The parents shook their head.

'We will be back in 3 days, if there is something you can contact me or King Lunam.'

"Thank you for taking care of them and show them that dreams can be accomplished if you work hard."

"You have been an inspiration for these kids and they found new motivation."

'All they needed was helping hand and a little push.' Marika smiled.

'But to me all these children have potential to become what they want to be and children may not see it now, they have the ability to change the world for the better.' Marika smiled.

'Before I go, here is a bag full of medicine I thought you may run low so I brought a new batch.'

'And Queen Yumaria told me to give you guys something.'

The kids opened they presents, a story book some writing materials and some book on how to learn to write and a sketch book to draw in.

All the children were happy and hugged Marika

'Queen Yumaria really is a nice Queen I'm so happy our King is going to marry her.'

Marika smiled.

'Study hard and show me what you have learn when I get back.'

Marika transformed and put Brain and Kyle on her back

'Remember to sit still and don't lean over.'

"Yes sister!"

Marika took off to the sky with the two boys on her back.

[Ignis castle]

Marika was nearing the castle and let out a roar notifying she was coming in for a landing.

Cillus, Cinis and Canus heard a familiar roar and walked outside to welcome her and the two young guest.

Marika landed and let two guards know they need to catch the boys.

The boys slight of Marika's back and were caught by the two of them and then put on the ground.

The two boys looked around in amazement, the castle look so big and beautiful and there were two soldiers standing next to them.

It was a lot to take in for them.

Marika changed back and took them by the hand.

'Brian, Kyle did you memorized how to greet the king?'

"Bowing and then greeting by saying it's an honor to meet His Majesty and His Highness."

Marika nodded, 'But don't worry if you make a mistake, because he knows your still young and could get nervous and kids do make mistakes sometime.'

The boys nodded.

Marika walked over to Cillus and the others.

When they were in front of Cillus, Cinis and Canus, Marika bowed and the boys fallowed her gesture.

"We are honored to meet His Majesty the King, and His Highness the princes of Ignis."

The three of them stood up again and Marika patted the both of them on the head 'You did really good.'

"It's a pleasure to meet such bright boys, what are your names?"

"My name is Brian Your Majesty."

"My name is Kyle Your Majesty"

Cillus smiled at the boys "I see that your guardian had taught you well, but you two don't have to be so formal, just speak to me like you do to your friends and family."

Marika then crouched down 'You and the others have already figured out who I am right.'

They nodded "You are Queen Yumaria."

'Inside the palace I'm known as princess Mari, outside the palace people will refer to me as Yume.'

'And I refer to the King as uncle Cillus, because he is like an uncle to me.'

The boys nodded.

Marika then walked up to Cinis with the boys

'This is the first prince of Ignis Prince Cinis and we have an Alliance and he is also co ruler of my country.'

"It's nice to meet you Your Highness prince Cinis."

Cinis smiled "Just like my father you don't have to be formal."

"Then Big brother Cinis?"

"That's fine."

The boys nodded happily

'Now this goofball who doesn't take a lot of thing serious, and loves to battle and spill blood is second prince of Ignis prince Canus and also the crown prince, he is my brother in arms, and when there is a battle we always go together.'

"Mari what kind of introduction is that?"

The boys giggled a little "It's nice to meet you Prince Canus"

"Can we also call you brother?"

Canus nodded.

Marika then walked up with the kids to Cillus

Marika let go of the boys for a moment and gave Cillus a hug 'Uncle Cillus have you been well?"

"Mari I have been well, but you have been through a lot lately I heard."

'True but what can I do about it, it comes with job.'

Marika the turned to the boys and waved them over.

'He may look a bit stern but he likes all children and loves to dote on them.'

The boys looked at Cillus and stretch out their hand.

Cillus came up to them and crouched down to their level.

He received as present from the boys.

"We may be poor but we are very good at making things."

One of the boys handed him a tea box filled with different types of tea.

Marika could smell it and was summarizing all the ingredient in her head.

'Hum…'

"What is it Mari?"

'Ohh it's nothing, it just that the blends are so unique, but the herbs and fruit in the tea are good for the blood flow and internal organs and there is even a tea that calms the mind and body, it's good to drink after a long and stressful day.'

Brian looked at Marika with bright eyes "You could tell them all apart just by the smell?"

Marika smiled and nodded 'Well I do make medicine and medical tea's and stuff. But your combination… it's not often used… How should I put it a lost traditional medicine. '

Kyle then gave Cillus a scent pouch.

'Kyle where did you find Lucifer Lily?'

"Not far from our old village."

'Really? Well I haven't explored that area so… Next time you both are coming with me.'

'Uncle Cillus, keep that pouch with you all times, although Kyle doesn't know the full effect of this scent pouch he did make a very strong protective pouch for you.'

Cillus hugged the boys and thanked them for the their gifts.

"Would you like to take a tour of the castle?"

The boys happily nodded and fallowed King Cillus.

When they had left Canus and Cinis walked up to her "Mari there's a man and a woman wishes to speak with you."

Marika sighed 'If they are worried about their son they should just call him or go to moon castle, I'm here with the kids to enjoy what little time I have left with you all and relax a little.'

Cinis and Canus gave her a hug. "We know Mari, but just give them a few minutes of your time and they will be out of your hair, I promise."

Marika sighed again 'Alright…'

Canus and Cinis took Marika to the man and woman who were waiting for them in Cinis study.

When they arrived the man and woman bowed to them and Marika sat down across from them.

'What do you two want? I'm here on a small vacation and now I get disturbed like this…'

"We beg for your forgiveness Queen Yumaria, but we want to know how our son is doing."

'He is fine, you can call him anytime you want, he is not restricted from visitors or making or receiving any call's, he just can't leave the palace.'

"He told us that but…"

Marika made a call to the young man.

"Queen Yumaria…"

'Stilio where are you now?'

"I'm at the palace library together with William."

William heard Marika and he noticed she sounded a little agitate.

William opened a portal and arrived and saw why she sounded annoyed.

'William take them with you.'

William told the man and woman to fallow him.

When they left Marika sighed.

'Now that that is fixed I can enjoy my stay.'

Marika got up and went to the training ground.

"She really seems worried about being away for war."

"Well she is not you, she has her children to worry about not to mention she will miss out on a lot of things while she is away."

"True…Maybe we should record it for her so she can look at it when she gets back."

"Let's do that."

Marika was at the training ground and the soldiers who she taught a few months back came over and were eager to show off their progress.

Marika took them up on it and started to sparring with them.

After an hour she felt more calm and she gave them a few pointers but they had progressed a lot and she was proud of them.

Canus came on to the ground "Do you have some energy left for me?"

Marika smiled 'Does it seem to you I have broken a sweat?'

Canus grind "Well your mind seem everywhere lately…so I wonder if today would be my day and beat you."

'Bro even if my mind is gone I still beat you.'

'But I will make it more interesting for you.'

Marika blindfolded herself and took her stance.

Canus charged at Marika but was blocked.

As they were sparring Cillus and the kids came and watch.

"King Cillus, wont sister be in a disadvantage?"

"Not really…she has high senses and even taught Canus a thing or two."

"Remember what she said at the village Kyle, she is not invisible just unbeaten."

Cillus laughed a little "That's true nobody, not even The Moon King has beaten her yet."

"Really???"

Cillus nodded.

As the sparring match when on they kept watching, but there were no openings for either of them to exploit.

Marika noticed Canus breathing was getting unsteady.

'What's the time!?'

"Four hours princess."

'Are you ready to surpass your time?'

"Hell yeh!"

Marika smiled and the both kept on sparring and another two hours passed when she was ready to end it.

She moved so fast that Canus couldn't fallow her because he was getting tired.

"Mari Wins!"

Cillus announced she had won and Brain and Kyle cheered for her and ran up to her.

They hugged her and Marika took of her blindfold.

"Sister you were great!"

"How did you become so good?"

Marika smiled and patted their heads 'Years of training and fighting.

"But how could you tell his every move when you couldn't see anything?"

Marika had a pensive look on her face, then was thinking on how to explain it to them without sounding complicated.

Marika told the boys to stand in front of her and ask Canus to swing his sword up and down and then from left to right, with putting some strength behind it.

The boys felt the a change in the air flow.

"But what about his steppes when he wasn't swinging his sword.

'Every step you make send out vibration on the ground, I trained myself to ignore the most basic senses, sight, sound, smell.'

'I taught myself to learn to feel my surroundings and the basic form to do that is to breath calm and empty my mind.'

'But to learn that, you first need to learn to master your basic senses.' Marika ruffled their hair.

Canus gestured for everybody to the keep quiet and he tried to make a sneak attack on Marika.

Although she was unarmed she managed to taking him down and put him on the ground.

"That's what it means to feel vibrations of your opponent."

The boys eyes started to light up.

Marika looked at the soldiers 'What is his time?'

"Six hours princess."

'Oh…so you managed to stand against me for six hours, well your good to go for the battle that will be in a few weeks.'

"Did I beat Richard time?"

'Yes you did… Richard hasn't yet re-timed, because I had to cut it short last time.'

'But you still haven't beaten me.' Marika teased him.

Marika suddenly slightly tensed up and discreetly removed on of her bracelets, but Canus noticed.

"Father isn't it almost dinner time?"

"Ah yes it is, Cillus also noticed Marika's tension."

"Brian, Kyle why don't you fallow me and I show you to your rooms so you can wash up and make a call to your parents before dinner."

The boys fallowed King Cillus "Sister see you at dinner!"

Marika smiled and waved at the boys.

"Sis what's…"

Before Canus could finish his sentence Marika took off with blood lust and killing intent.

Canus sighed and fallowed after her.

When he arrived he saw she already killed a person, and he had a good look of the body.

"Ohh... so one of his clones popped up."

Marika was covered in blood and looked cold at the corps.

She turned around and walked back to the palace without saying a word.

At the dinner Marika was silent and when the boys asked her what was wrongs she just told them she was a little tired, and nothing to worry about.

Canus and Cinis knew very well that every time she said she was tired she would regress to child if she was mentally stressed.

When the boys were done eating they looked at Marika and asked her why she hadn't eaten much.

Marika just smiled and said she would save the room for all the food that was going to be sold on the festival because she wanted to try them all.

"King Cillus can we go to the library?"

Cillus nodded "Mari why don't you go with them."

Marika nodded and brought he boys to the library.

"Canus what happened after we left?"

"A clone of the doctor showed up…"

"Did she..."

"She killed him but she looked very cold at the corps, and went back without saying a word."

"Well she probably will be a child tomorrow." Cinis the spoke.

Cillus looked at his son.

"Well every time Mari says she is tired she is mentally stressed to the point she will regress."

"Do we need to inform Richard?"

"That won't be necessary for now, although she didn't eat much, when she is relaxed again she will eat more."

Cillus nodded and let her be for now.