Chapter 284: 3.41 TLOC (31)

After finally getting the rest of the elves underground, and after doing a headcount, they had lost just under half of their 15,000 forces, with approximately 6,500 elves perished.

Jax recovered in the medical bay from his injuries, which were healed easily, and the two of them sat in Xavier, Stefania, Sora and Mina's room.

"I believe this is yours. I will have to train you in water magic," Jax said with a polite bow, handing Sora his blue longblade back.

"Thanks," was all Sora could say.

"Sora, why don't we take a walk?" Stefania offered.

"A walk sounds nice."

Stefania grabbed two torches and walked over to Eva.

"Can you light these please?"

"With pleasure," Eva said as she used magic to light the torches.

Stefania handed one to Sora and to Sora's surprise, Stefania created a path outside, inside the walls, and then closed it as they got outside.

"I lost my first horse when I was 15. I had her since she was a pony. We basically grew up together. She died giving birth to Belladeon, the horse I now ride and not a day goes by I don't remember Bella," Stefania said, with tears forming in her eyes.

Sora grabbed her hand and thanked her for telling him.

"What are the torches for?" Sora asked.

"We have to burn all the bodies or risk infection. Luckily Jax uses water magic and can cleanse the Earth of all the blood, and Xavier and I can rebuild the Kingdom's walls."

"I think we're going to need more wood," Sora said as he watched Stefania cast "woods of nature," and piles of wood, like one would see at a campfire, popped up in various places.

"Ding! You have learned a new Elven spell, 'Woods of Nature. Quest Rewards for battle as follows: 7,000 experience for winning the battle, but 6,500 experience lost for each elven life lost. You are still level 5. 850/1000 experience.

New Quest: Win the iminate counter-attack. 1500 experience for winning the battle. All elven lives lost will subtract from your total experience gained."

Sora repeated the spell, 'woods of nature,' and Stefania smiled, "Chronos did leave you with some nice gifts."

"Yes, he did. As did the god of nature, as I am here with you."

"Shall we?"

Sora and Stefania proceeded to light each of the campfire sites, and they stood, with Stefania's head on Sora's shoulder and his arm around her, in silence.

When the fire finally diminished, Stefania whispered spells, to not pressure Sora to overwork himself, and the broken pieces of the Kingdom were restored. Aside from the blood, the Kingdom looked brand new.

"I'll teach you the spells later, you deserve rest."

"Thank you for everything. You've been amazing, as has every elf who accepted my sister and I since we arrived."

Stefania gave Sora another hug, and Sora decided to go for it.

He kissed the Princess, and rather than the pushback he expected, her warm lips met his for a good ten seconds before she pulled away.

"Let's get back to the others. Not bad for a first kiss, was it?"

"If that's the only kiss I get in all of my lives, I'll be one happy soul."

Stefania quickly gave him another kiss, "I'm sure you and I will experience many firsts together, Sora Hart."

"I hope so, Stefania Fang."

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The two walked down, hand in hand, and Jax and Eva teased them.

"Looks like we have a new pair of lovebirds here!"

"And my brother has never even kissed a girl! He's 23 and hasn't kissed a girl!" Mina joined the teasing.

Xavier, not reading the room, "My parents approved of him courting my sister, that is why he wears that amulet."

"Read the room Xavier, we were just giving those two a hard time. You need to learn to relax." Jax said.

"What's the amulet Stefania wears?" Eva asked.

"A gift from the god of Eden. It illuminates when someone is lying or if danger is near." Stefania explained.

"That's an awesome gift, where'd you get it from?"

"From us," Mina said proudly.

Stefania turned and gave Sora a quick kiss.

"Hey, keep the PDA to yourselves, lovebirds!" Mina teased.

"Jax, MeadowSong is ready to be cleansed and repopulated. I'll let Sora and Mina fill you in on the details."

They all said goodnight, Jax and Eva headed to their room and Mina and Xavier quickly fell asleep.

Sora laid in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Stefania came over, laid next to him, gave him a kiss on the forehead and laid her head on his chest.

"You need rest. We all do and I can't sleep with you tossing and turning like that," Stefania said.

"I'm so sorry," but Sora was cut off by a kiss.

"Don't be sorry. Sleep."

The two fell fast asleep, knowing tomorrow would be a heavy day.

<><><><>

After a good night's rest, Stefania woke Sora up. He thought she would have gone back to her bed after he fell asleep, but she didn't, which made him happy.

Xavier and Mina woke up afterwards and Xavier gave instructions to Jax, Eva and Eric, who would be staying in MeadowSong as the leaders for the time being.

Eric offered his horse to Sora, but Sora politely refused.

"I'll just ride with Stefania and pick a new one when we get back to Sanctuary. We will be back tonight to set up the barrier of justice, anyway."

As they approached the horses, Ace, who normally only showed emotion to his Master, walked up to Sora and gave him a playful nudge. Sora pet Ace. Xavier had a large smile on his face.

"My horse respects you. That's very rare for Ace and he understands why you're suffering."

As Sora pet Ace, he remembered the short but amazing times he endured with Blaze.

"Alright everyone let's get back to Sanctuary so we can make preparations for rebuilding MeadowSong with the King and Queen!" Stefania said.

Sora rode on Belladeon with Stefania, while Mina rode Aeris, all following Xavier and Ace, who led the way.

Despite the victory, the ride was quiet and they all tried to stay positive. Even with the barrier of Justice, they were sure the humans were coming. They just hoped it was MeadowSong and not Sanctuary.

<><><><>

The four enjoyed their warm reception upon returning home. The elves received the news when MeadowSong's castle tower lit, early that morning, for the first time in 15 years.

"They're heroes!" A young elf shouted.

"I want to grow up to be like Xavier, he's going to be such a great King, just like his Father!" another young elf shouted.

"The twins are awesome, the god of Nature favors the elves!" an elf in his twenties screamed.

Surprisingly, no one mentioned Sora riding with Stefania. She told him that elves know when someone from the Royal Guard is riding with another, their horse passed away during battle.

The four waved, smiled and Xavier even stopped to greet children. Sora and Mina were amazed how good Ace was. For a horse who didn't like to show love and affection, it sure had a soft spot for his Master's love for the children.

"You will be a great King, Xavier. You just need to find a Queen," Mina said.

With a booming laugh, Xavier responded, "it's not like I haven't tried to find one!"

They finally arrived at the Castle, tied up their horses and met the large crowd and King and Queen, who stood at the top of the staircase leading to their beautiful Castle.

"Speech! Speech! Speech!" the crowd roared.

Xavier put his arms up, then waved them gently down, signifying the crowd to quiet down.

"It is true, we recaptured MeadowSong, but it did not come without great loss. Remember the 6,500 fallen heroes who died protecting our race. The humans also surprised us and 500 escaped, so we returned to make preparations for a counterattack on both fronts. I assure you we will stay strong!" Xavier said.

The crowd erupted in cheers and the King and Queen applauded their oldest son. They were proud of both their children and glad the twins magically showed up when they did.

<><><><>

Sora, Mina and Stefania made their way to the stables, while Xavier went inside the Castle with his parents. They sat in a small meeting room on the second floor.

The council had already met before the Royal Guard came home. Irate, Xavier demanded to know why the Royal Guard, who just went into battle, was not included.

"Did you not leave Jax, Eric, and Eva, three of our council members in MeadowSong?" King Luther asked his son.

"Yes, but…"

"The council simply voted to ramp up defenses here and prioritized the barrier of justice at MeadowSong. You are to return to MeadowSong, set up the barrier and ensure it works properly. When civilians can return, you are allowed to come back and choose who you want to take over MeadowSong. Remember, they were the one full nation to return. I'm sure their citizens are eager to go home," the King cut off his son.