As he entered his home, Alden steeled himself.
He was prepared to accept the worst.
…That Ignia had not yet awoken.
However, no sooner had he placed a foot inside the door…
A black blur crashed into him.
Alden's eyes widened.
He instinctively wrapped his arms around it.
Sensing a familiar and comforting heat, Alden froze.
He snapped his neck down, gazing at his pet familiar.
"Ignia! You're awake!"
A boisterous laugh escaped Alden's throat.
Tears of relief welled in his eyes.
A wide smile split his face.
His precious baby was awake!
Alden spun, lifting the little bird through the air as he hugged her close. Ignia nuzzled his chest, crying through their bond.
A sweet warmth filled him.
He scrutinised his familiar more closely and discovered she had grown bigger.
Was the way to expedite her growth through depleting her reserves of fire essence?
Alden shelved the interesting detail for later as he sensed three figures draw near.
…One quicker than the rest.
He looked up just in time to see a flash of golden hair before the scent of his precious love enveloped him whole.
A soft smile appeared on Alden's face.
His gaze turned tender.
At the same time, a sense of deja vu assaulted him. He sighed a little wistfully, relaxing under Celeste's touch. The events of the First Trial threatened to escape their seal. Alden gritted his teeth and suppressed a shudder.
He closed his good eye and shifted to free an arm to wrap around Celeste - the other wrapped around Ignia. Alistair and Elara joined their hug very soon after, and Alden drowned in the affection he held for those dearest to him, and the affection they felt for him in return.
A satisfied smile slowly spread across his face as he beamed.
'It's always good to be back home.'
Later in the evening, it was time for dinner.
Alden had arrived approximately sometime in the afternoon, so he had a few hours to himself before the family meal. He had used that to rest and catch up on some of the sleep he had missed while taking the Trial. Washing the sleep from his eyes, Alden stared at his reflection for a brief moment.
A young man greeted him, but it was one he didn't recognise.
Alden's face had gotten leaner, rougher and more weathered.
Stress lines dominated a large majority of its expanse. With his dirty-white hair, he looked more like an old man rather than a young man supposed to be in his prime.
'I guess that's just what combat and stress do to a person.'
Shaking his head, he finished washing up. Alden donned his eyepatch and descended the stairs, Ignia on his shoulder. His stomach rumbled from the tantalising smell wafting from the kitchen.
Alden couldn't wait to treat himself to Celeste's cooking.
Humming to himself internally, he approached the dining table, watching as his precious love came out of the kitchen holding a certain dish… Alden's gaze turned sharp as he immediately began to salivate.
He rushed to help Celeste, taking the platter from her hands.
She sent him a warm and grateful smile, wiping her brow.
Alden felt himself falling for her all over again.
Suppressing a wide grin, the white-haired young man placed the dish on the table. Alistair and Elara joined him a moment later.
Very soon after, preparations were complete.
Taking a bite of venison, Alden inwardly groaned.
An expression of pure bliss melted his face.
Chewing slowly, he savoured the succulent meat. It was extremely well seasoned, the flavour a perfect blend of spice and richness. With each bite he took, Alden felt like his soul was transcending.
The meal filled both his stomach and his heart.
It was just that good!
"Have I missed anything important?"
Alden asked as he lifted his fork and gave Ignia a bite of his own food.
The little phoenix released a short, satisfied cry through their bond.
He chuckled internally.
"Not much. The Barrier is back and operational. The Four Clans have agreed to create a bulwark to protect the mundane people. Half of their forces will be stationed beside the barrier, while the other half will remain in their citadels. Apart from that, the Stonewardens have increased their presence within the Pyre Peaks, ramping up their efforts in mining more Mana Crystals.
The Zephyr Clan have tightened security around their special fields even further. At the same time, the Frost Clan have committed more resources to aid the Stonewardens in culling the mermaids, and fishing within the Haunted Archipelago."
"Only the Ember Clan appear not to be doing anything. However, I suspect they have their hands full purifying all the Defiled cores we have received from the invasion."
Alistair finished his summary.
'All that… is not much?'
The young man's lips twitched.
Judging by the mirth in his father's eyes, Alden gathered that the word choice had been intentional. He internally rolled his eyes, allowing an amused grin to grace his face. Shaking his head slightly, Alden shifted his gaze to Celeste.
As he scrutinised her more closely, a subtle frown knit his brows. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her face was paler than usual.
Was she not getting enough sleep?
What had kept her up?
'I doubt it was just my absence alone…'
It was probably a mixture of different factors.
Alden's eyes narrowed slightly.
He received the answer to his question almost immediately as Celeste caught his gaze.
She flushed slightly.
Her tone was strangely hopeful.
"I… I think I can heal your eye now. Can you let me try?"
"Cece, we've gone over this."
"But I've worked hard to improve my knowledge and powers! I'm a lot more confident now!"
Her jade green eyes shone with a tenuous spark.
Alden's insides twisted as he realised he was about to douse that hope.
"I'm sorry, Cece. That's not possible."
He closed his good eye and sighed again.
"I need it to remind me never to panic and let my emotions get the better of me again. I also need it to remind me that I should analyse things logically with a cool head."
Celeste just stared at him, silent.
The spark in her eyes was gone.
An expression of hurt flashed across her face before tears of frustration welled in her eyes.
A sudden pang struck Alden's soul.
He watched, dazed, as she took a deep breath, composing herself, before pushing her plate away and standing up. Without another glance at him, Celeste nodded to her mother and father and went up to her room.
Alden, still shocked by the suddenness of her actions, remained in a daze.
Eventually, he broke out of it.
"No. Give her some time alone with her thoughts."
Elara replied with a conflicted sigh.
She then stood up as well, glancing meaningfully between them.
"I'm sure you and your father have much to discuss."