TBATE: The Rook

We stepped out into what appeared to be a plaza after experiencing nauseating vertigo. There was a fountain with crystal clear water, and clouds served as a backdrop for the bright blue sky. The sun reflected off the commercial buildings and filtered down to us. The air smelled clean and was fresh. Without a doubt, this location was more sophisticated than I had expected from the medieval world.

'So this is Xyrus... Not bad'

Sure, it lacked the technological comforts of a modern world from what I could see, but this place was cleaner than I expected. After all, horses were the primary mode of transportation during this time period, and horses produced a lot of dirt. Perhaps the state of their streets had something to do with magic. Or was it the horses? I'd have to satisfy my curiosity .

Aside from the medieval world's questionable hygiene, I was surprised that people were not taken aback by our sudden appearance through the teleportation gates. Some of them, mostly young people, looked at our caravan with interest, but the majority of them just kept moving forward, paying little attention. Something like this was normal for them.

After a brief examination of my surroundings, I inquired. "Where are we going now?"

Grace , who sat next to me in our wooden carriage seat, hummed in thought before responding. "We have a family here. We'll go straight to them ."

I nodded but moved closer to mom so she could feel my presence. I was aware of it. She was hiding it well, but the unconsciously made micro-expressions on her face revealed her nervous mood. Nothing I could do but cuddle with her and let her feel my warmth.

I kept looking around after Grace wrapped her thin, somewhat cold arms around me. I marveled at the sight as the carriage began to move. Unlike Ekshire, this location seemed more refined. Housewives and children were still playing in the streets, but they were dressed better and appeared cleaner. There were also children dressed in dark blue uniforms with gold trim. They all appeared to be noble in some way. I know they are students,Perhaps this was due to the fact that living in a city like Xyrus demanded a higher level of social standing. It is, after all, a floating city.

The carriage kept moving, making a rattling sound. As time passed, the houses seemed to grow larger and the population density decreased. The locals became more refined, as did some of the people's clothing.

The carriage kept moving, making a rattling sound. As time passed, the houses seemed to grow larger and the population density decreased. The locals became more refined, as did some of the people's clothing.

After some time, the carriages came to a halt in front of a rather large mansion. The setting sun illuminated the house's entrance, which was just beyond a flight of wide, gray stairs. The lion-shaped knocker adorned a dark brown door with intricate carvings, and the golden plaque next to it with the name 'Rose' carved on it only confirmed that my mother ' acquaintance was wealthy.

"My dream of living a carefree life without any care for money is a LIVE " , I happily thought.

Alice hugged me and I turned to face her. When I looked at her, she smiled at me with her teeth bared. I simply lay down on her shoulder, and she rested her head against mine. Her chin brushing against my hair was a little uncomfortable, but I put up with it. I had no idea what was going through her mind, but I knew I was her emotional pillar for the time being and would be for a while until she got over it .

Riva stepped out of the carriage and greeted us with her trademark smile . After climbing a flight of stairs, she went to knock on the door knocker. A maid poked her head in after the sound of the knocker passed through the door. She looked at Riva with curiosity in her black eyes and blinked a few times. 

" Riva " shouted the maid in a voice full of longing and happiness 

Riva laughed lightly at the maid , after a light conversation between the two the maid looked at to our carriage and dashed to it stopping at the door she said in a voice filled with hope " welcome back young lady ".

Me and mom stepped out of the carriage after what the maid said standing in front , my mom was lost in thought for a brief moment her eyes was full of yearning "I'm back " in a soft voice she said.

She took my hand in hers and turned to lead the way to her old house, where Riva there with the door open. "Let us enter. Father should be inside ."

We entered the house and proceeded to the living room via a hallway with various doors and a staircase to the second floor. The living room welcomed us with the creak of the wooden door. It was adorned with a chandelier that distributed light evenly throughout the room and some brown armchairs that matched the brown furniture.

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(Grace Rose pov)

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the Rose house . It had been seven long years since i had chosen to laylow , a sanctuary far from the chaos of my past , Seven years of raising my son, Eli, in the shadow of my husband's tragic death.

I had not hidden away out of fear , i had been driven by a fierce determination. My husband, Elise, had been a man of honor, a protector who had fallen victim to a ruthless killer. The pain of his loss had been unbearable, but it was the thought of my unborn child that had ignited a fire within me. I will not let his sacrifice be in vain , i trained , prepare, when the time is right, i would seek my revenge.

Now, as i stood at the front door of the living room , my heart raced with anticipation and trepidation. I had made the decision to return to my family, the illustrious Rose family, known for their wealth and influence. But i had no intention of involving them in my quest for vengeance. This was my battle, one i had fought alone for too long.

As she approached the grand door , memories flooded back—laughter, warmth, and the love of her father, Lord Cedric Rose. He was a man of great knowledge and strength, a pillar of the community. But he was also a man who had suffered greatly, losing his daughter to grief and isolation. Would he understand her choices? Would he accept the child she had brought with her?

The door swung open, and there stood Cedric, his silver hair catching the light, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Grace?" he breathed, his voice thick with emotion.

"Father," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

In an instant, he crossed the threshold, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "My dear girl, I thought I will not see you forever." His voice trembled as he pulled back to look at her, his gaze shifting to Ellis , who clung to her side, curious.

"And who is this little princess ?" Cedric asked, kneeling to meet the boy's eyes.

"This is Elli and you know that he is a boy," i said, pride swelling in my chest. "Your grandson."

Cedric's face lit up with joy, his worries momentarily forgotten. "Ellis, welcome to the Rose family. You are a blessing, my boy." He reached out, ruffling Eli hair, and the child flounced , his curiousity fading.

" you can't look like that as a member of the Rose family you are a man eat some meat or something " he said trying to provoke my boy.

But as the initial joy settled, Cedric's expression turned serious. "Grace , you've been gone for so long. I feared the worst. What happened? Why did you not come back ?".

Grace took a deep breath, the weight of past heavy on her shoulders. "I had to protect Eli . I had to keep him safe from the hunters . I couldn't let that darkness touch him."

Cedric's brow furrowed " do you mean to tell me i can't protect my daughter and grandchild , I am Cedric Rose , Grace remember , I can go and destroy them all by myself , you can stand in the middle of those cowards house spitting on them and they will not even complain about it .

"I'm not here to involve you, Father," i said firmly. "This is my fight , and I will find the man who took Elias from us. I won't let his death be in vain , you know I was not scared i just needed time to heal my heart ."

Cedric studied her, his heart aching for the daughter he had lost to grief and the fierce warrior she had become. "Grace, I understand your pain, but you don't have to do this alone. We are a family. We can help you."

"No," i insisted, shaking my head. 

Cedric's expression softened, and he reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "You are stronger than you know, my dear. But remember, strength is not just in fighting. It's also in knowing when to ask for help. I love you, and I love Ellis. You both deserve to be happy ."

Tears welled in my eyes as i felt the warmth of my father's love enveloping me. "I just want to raise him away from the politics, Father. I want to make sure he grows up knowing what family feels ."

"And he will," Cedric assured her. "But you must also allow yourself to heal. You've carried this burden for too long .

" I found his hiding place, after I destroyed them financially he left his mansion running his tail between his legs I didn't want to kill him because it's your revenge but I can't stand still seeing you in pain so I did what I wanted to do". My father said his voice light.

 "We will talk about it later, Know little princess you're mother told me you are a mage , I didn't believe her at first but meting you now she was tilling the truth how old are you again "

"Seven " my boy replied with a very icy tone.

" wow and your mother said you awakened at three hahahahahaha , that a Rose right her let's go princess to the backyard , I want to check how strong you are " 

I'm getting annoyed by the that princess joke , "don't you dare make fun of my boy old man " 

I turned to my child and in a very chill voice said "" Eli darling shove you hand down his throat preferably with a mana blade "

" I hear and obey " my boy said in an emotionless tone.