The night had come and gone so quickly and the morning was upon them. Having slept in the library upstairs together Oran and Bridgette found themselves entranced by one another and a deep longing and strong pull overtook them in the night. A powerful wanting and craving to be together in the most intimate of ways due to having not seen each other in many weeks, at this time. They had started their day off in the best way they could…before falling asleep until around 10:00 AM.

Both of them lay on the beds with their eyes closed just facing towards the ceiling with smirks on their faces while holding hands. Bridgette rolls over towards him lifting the cover slightly exposing her back to the sun coming in the window. She pushes him slightly trying to make sure he’s awake but is getting no response so she pushes more. She can see him trying so hard not to break character when he looks at her by barely opening up his left eye.

“I hate you sometimes.” She says jokingly.

He laughs lightly and clears his throat before talking. “I know you do and because you can say that…”He pauses for a moment and faces towards her. “It just makes me love you even more.”

With her face turning bright red at his bluntness and unexpecting of his response, she decides to hide her face by kissing him while straddling his waist. Her thoughts linger on his words. That he had truly said he loved her and it wasn’t in a sarcastic sounding manner but serious. “I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said you loved me, Oran.”

“Really?” He said in surprise then sighed. “I'm sorry for not telling you sooner than Bridgette.” His schedule or lack thereof made it hard for him to recall much of anything outside of certain events and the amount of traveling he had done since he was a child really skewed his relationship building. “I don’t say this lightly, Bri, but I’m more than willing to tell you everyday.”

“What are you saying?” She said with tears welling up in her eyes as she straddled him. “Oran, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

He nods his head and looks into her eyes as his hands on her hips feeling the smoothness of her skin and curves. “If you think I’m saying; Bridgette Thorne will you marry me? Yes, that’s what I’m saying.” He pulls his jacket to him using his Will Power to float it to his hand. He pulls a ring box out of his jacket pocket and holds it before her. He opened the case and it was like a beam of light shining from within it.

Bridgette’s eyes are overwhelmed with tears of happiness as a wide smile is on her face. The tears streaking down it as she removes the ring from the box. A Triquetra design with three different color stones; a ruby, a sapphire, and emerald. It was the three forms of Will Power they learned here but also a Triquetra shape. The band itself was silver and gold braided vines that lead into the Triquetra emblem. Her passing joke about wanting his last name was becoming a reality.

“Is that a yes?” He asked nervously and confused.

She nods her head quickly up and down. “Yes, yes a thousand times!” She leans in and kisses him again. “I thought we’d never reach this place in our relationship, Oran. Sometimes you’re just so hard to read that I can’t tell what’s serious and what’s not.”

Oran interrupted her,”Then take this as you will; I am dead serious about this, Bridgette. You are the woman I want to be with until the end of time. I should have told you so many times before this but I’m terrible at feelings unless they're sarcastic. Our relationship should have progressed a long time ago and I’ll do my best to make up for my slowness moving forward.” He slips the ring onto her left hand ring finger and smiles up at her. “Seems like a good fit.”

She nods her head in agreement.“Oran, you’ve jumped past where I thought we’d be when we moved forward. I have a bit of planning to do now so go take Isaac out for a bit while I plan a ceremony.” She leans in and looks into his eyes,”You will not believe how long I’ve waited to hear you say that and how long I’ve waited to say it; I love you Oran Verdell.”

“I love you too, Bridgette, soon to be Mrs. Verdell.” He smiled up at her as she came in and kissed him once more.

Her face is covered in blush from top to bottom as her brown eyes shine brightly with hope and love. A vibrant smile on her face as her hands are pressed against his chest for balance. “Can we agree on one thing though?” She rocks back and forth against him.

“What’s that?” Oran asks with a slightly audible moan of pleasure.

“No children just yet. I still want to explore and learn more. I’m not fully ready to settle down just yet.” Her body continues to rock back and forth anxiously awaiting his answer. Her heart was fluttering and she couldn’t sit still.

“I can agree to that.” His breathing sharpened from pleasure,”You’re going to have to stop rocking your body then since you’re practically grinding on me.” He said blushing at her since not only did he not want her to stop but after this morning he didn’t want to do anything but be with her.

“No can do.” She leaned on him for a long kiss as she positioned herself. “We’ll make it quick.” She slides him inside of her with an audible gasp from her and a pleasured moan from him. Their morning was carrying on as it had started before. A joyous occasion for them both and they were going to celebrate for a little while before truly starting their day.

Now around noon, Oran walks down the stairs with his shirt over his left shoulder and boots in his hands. He was still grinning like an idiot as he went towards his desk at that moment he heard a knock on the door. He walks towards it as he slips his shirt on and laughs as he gets his arm caught in the sleeve somehow. Using his left hand he opens the door and sees Isaac at the door, who has such a confused look on his face to see his master smiling so much and so early in the day.

“I don’t know what’s going on here but did you forget how to put shirts on?” Isaac asks him sarcastically. “We’re still training today aren’t we?”

“Of course we are.” He quickly pulls his right arm out of the sleeve and puts it back through easily now that he wasn’t walking. “Just happy to sleep in for a change.”

“Same here, Oran. I was completely worn out after yesterday.”

“That is only step one in harnessing your potential, Isaac. It’s only going to get more draining from here on out.” He slides his feet into his untied boots and puts his foot on the desk to tie the boot tightly. “Grab your armor and get ready. We’ll be setting out immediately since Bridgette needs the library today.”

“Yes sir. Can I say hi and bye before we leave?” He asked curiously.

“I don’t see a problem with that but I’m sure she’ll be down in a minute.” Oran lifts his other foot up onto the desk and ties the boot. All that was left was grabbing his black jacket from upstairs. “Bri, I’m coming up for my jacket.”

“Okay!” She shouts back down to him in a playful manner. This was something that she knew would get his attention.

“Just put your armor on and sit down for a minute, I’ll be right back.” He made his way to the stairs.

“Yes sir.” Isaac was confused at what was going on around him at only fifteen. He had an idea but he was going to pry any further into his mentor’s relationship with Bridgette. He just hoped that in his future he had a relationship that mirrored the one that they shared. A compatible couple that truly cared about one another. The only negative he saw in their relationship was the amount of time they were apart which was something that Isaac was set on fixing for himself.

Oran had made his way up the stairs as Isaac prepared himself. As he turned the corner he saw his fiance standing towards the back of the room in just his black jacket. The jacket itself was open exposing her chest and barely covered below her waist. Her pale, fit, and slim body contrasted with the all black jacket. Her hands were stuffed into the pockets and she just smirked at him from across the room. She spun around baring herself to him once again and giving him a view that would keep him going until they met once again. “Can I keep this for today?”

“After today it's half yours anyway. It’s going to cost you something though.” He said jokingly.

“What’s that, future hubby?”

“Come here and find out.” Oran retorted.

She walked over to him slowly and rhythmically. Her hips swishing with each step of her slightly sexualized walk. Bridgette leaned on him with her bare chest pressing against his. She stood on her tip toes and whispered into his ear, ”What’s the cost, Oran?”

“Three things.” He replied with a blush on his face. “These lips.” Oran kissed her lips softly and put his hands on her hips pulling her closer to him. “This.” He playfully smacked her butt causing her to lightly bite her lip.

“What else?” She asked in a breathy tone of voice. “One more thing.”

“I need you…”He kissed her forehead. “...to get dressed so we can tell Isaac about our proposal. He would also like to say hello and goodbye before we leave.”

“Well that’s no fun.” She pouts as she gets closer to him. “I was thinking of something else.” She leans back and takes the jacket off, her body in full view of him as if inviting him to it. She places her hands on the bed as if bracing herself against it . “Remember this for later.” She adds as she turns to glare at him.

“Yes ma’am.” Oran swallows hard trying his best to not stare. A nervous sweat and blush come over his face. He had never known her to be this direct. He rushes over to her and hugs her tightly from behind as she stands up. “Anything you want; I will give you when we get back.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Verdell.”

“And I’ll hold you to me...Verdell.” He said with a huge smile on his face then kissed her neck and cheek. “I don’t get tired of that.”

Her serious look turned into a smile as well as she thought about what it meant. After years of knowing each other and getting closer over time, they were to finally be married. To finally be together fully. She was ready for this and ready for what came next, whichever of them it would be. “Neither do I.”

“Come down when you’re ready.” With that said Oran headed back down stairs to see Isaac with a quizzical look on his face. “What’s with that look?”

Isaac shook his head, ”What look?”

“Kid, you know what look I mean.” Oran replied with his left eyebrow raised.

Isaac laughs nervously and whispers to his mentor, ”Should I leave and we pick this up tomorrow?”

“That…that is..a..that is a fair question.” Oran said just as nervously as Isaac asked if not more. “I think we’re fine now.”

“You didn’t come back down with your jacket.” Isaac pointed out bluntly. “I may be a teenager but I’m not blind.”

“Fair enough but no, we’re still going out to the Blackwoods today.”

“Thank god.” Isaac retorted bluntly not wanting to be stuck in the guild for another day straight. “Sorry, I just really wanted to get out of here for a few hours. What are the Blackwoods?”

“I understand, trust me. The Blackwoods are a crossroads of sorts. They are connected to four areas; North to Driftwood Coast. South to Valerosa. East to Blackwood Marsh. West to Spire Light.”

“Where are we going first?” Isaac asked.

“My hometown of Driftwood Coast.” Oran replied.

Coming down the stairs Bridgette added from a distance,”A place that has become overrun with bandits and merchants in the last few years due to our mutual acquaintance; Oran Verdell.” She said directing it at Isaac.

“What?” He replied in shock. “Why are there bandits living in your hometown?”

“I may have invited them after burning their camp down.” Oran stated while scratching the back of his head nervously. “I needed the roads cleared before the fight with Ren since I chased him down. They made camp in the dead center of a pathway and set up a toll road.”

“But why your hometown?” Isaac asked.

“It was empty.” Bridgette added. “I said it harshly and I apologize for it, but most of them are pretty nice guys and now that they found a home have settled down into trading with other cities or offering up their services for defense.”

Isaac sighs in relief since now he knew that he wasn’t going into a bandit ridden area just the two of them. He knew they were both strong enough to handle regular people with their increased strength and powers but he still didn’t want to go in two versus a whole town. “Glad to hear that. Are you coming with Miss Bridgette?”

She shakes her head,”Not for this lesson, Isaac. I have some plans for the future to make…” she pauses for a moment as she stands next to Oran and grips his hand. “...for our future.” She lifts her hand up to show Isaac her engagement ring.

Stunned at the quick turn of events since he just found out they were a couple, a huge smile forms on his face. He was so happy for them both after he had just been thinking about how he would change for his own relationship in the future as well. “Congratulations. When did this happen?”

“A couple of hours ago. You are the only other person besides us who knows about our engagement.” Oran explained to him. “This is why she’s staying here to plan of her own accord of course.”

“I’m honored.” Isaac replied with a bow. “You need guests right? Can I invite my family to be your witnesses?”

Oran looks to her for a response, ”What do you think?”

She nods her head in agreement, ”Seeing as neither of us really have much family left at this point, I think that’s perfect. Though..who will be your plus one, Isaac?” Bridgette wonders aloud.

“I think I have an idea…but she might be stuck in her classes at the Mage Guild back home.” He replied.

“We’ll get to that in the coming days.” Oran interrupted quickly. “If we don’t get going you won’t get anything done today.”

“Right, right.” Isaac said, agreeing with him. “See ya later, Miss Bridgette.”

“Bye Isaac.” She replied with a smile on her face. “Look after him, Oran.”

“You know I will.” Oran kisses her quickly and grabs a folder off the table afterwards. “Be back later, enjoy your quiet time.”

“I always do. One more thing; while you’re in Driftwood look for properties to buy. I always liked it there and with the gates we can get around quickly anyway.”

“Yes ma’am.” Oran agreed as he blew her a kiss and walked out the door.

Together Isaac and Oran walked to the gate located in the main entrance to the Guild. They grabbed a drink quickly from the cafeteria and drank them on the way to the front. At the same time they tossed their bottles into the trash and stood on the gate while Oran selected their destination of the Blackwoods.

Appearing in the Blackwoods, during the day time, changed nothing about the woods themselves. They were called the Blackwoods for a reason and the reason was it was always dark and blackened. Somehow this area was always in a perpetual night time and not even the brightest flashes penetrated the darkness beyond where it happened.

Oran flips through the folder to the Blackwoods section and sees the little notes for him left by Bridgette. She was the scholarly one out of them both. While she had similar powers that he did from her training at the Guild, her main asset was her intelligence. Which for him was the opposite, Oran was more power oriented and learned better from word of mouth than studying books. To him, that just made them a perfectly balanced couple since he could learn what he needed from her and he would be there to help her whenever she needed it.

“She really spoils me.” Oran said with a smile on his face. “I’m supposed to read you some of these notes she left for me.”

“Alright.” Isaac replied, listening intently to what his mentor was about to say. At that moment he wondered what name to call him out here. “Before we start, what do you want to be called since we’re away from the Guild?”

“Your choice, Isaac.” Oran replied.

“Are you okay with Oran?” Isaac questioned.

“That’s fine.” He adjusted the folder in his hands and saw Isaac nod his head. He clears his throat before speaking, ”Studies show that this surrounding darkness of the Blackwoods is caused by a heavy shroud of magic. This magic had been in place for a millennia?” He said questioningly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just didn’t realize it was so long.” Oran shrugged his shoulders, "Anyway though, the magic shroud connected with the living trees and kept producing itself over that time. This magic is so ancient and powerful it's nearly irremovable.”

“Nearly?” Isaac asks. Oran pulls off a sticky note from the folder and shows it to Isaac. He takes it into his hand and reads, ”Verdell may be able to remove it since Ancient Verdell probably placed it.”

“Ancient Verdell.” Oran laughs and takes the note from him then places it back where it was. “Bridgette has high standards for what I can do it seems.”

“She’s probably right but I wouldn’t change something like this to find out. It is a unique area of your world.”

“I agree with you.” He added and then pointed. “This way.”

Isaac walked behind Oran as he followed the path that would lead them to Driftwood Coast. An intense reaction was shaking through the trees and dark orbs began falling down behind them both. Suddenly more orbs began falling in front of Oran. This was a phenomenon that Oran had never seen in his years passing through the Blackwoods. He wondered if this had to deal with the fact that both Verdell and Merrix were in the woods together? Was the magic shroud reacting to their bloodlines and powers?

“Get behind me.” He shouts to Isaac.

“Oran it's back here too!” Isaac shouts back.

“Shit.” Oran says to himself. He reaches back and puts a barrier around Isaac’s body while gripping his shoulder. “Stay close.”

“I can help.” Isaac adds.

“Not saying you can’t. Just saying to stay close to me.” As he finishes his sentence Isaac grips his head and falls to his knees. The barrier still remains over his body as more and more of the orbs creature figures. “Shades…”

“What are shades?” Isaac asks with a pained and confused voice.

“Shades are powerful dark entities that can mimic those of your past. My past is full of powerful enemies. This area has never done this when I’ve come through here before.”

“What do we do?!”

“You leave it to me, Isaac. Stay down.” He looks over his shoulder to see a shade of Isaac. “Damn it. Isaac, why is it mimicking you?”

“I don’t know for sure. Self doubt? Depression? Being my own worst enemy?” Isaac explained as best as he could. “I don’t really know.”

“I can’t fight yours. You have to confront yourself with your shade.” Before Oran, appears Ren, which surprises him for a moment. Then recalled that it was his past and it was showing him a defeated enemy.

“Verdell.” Shade Ren said with a sneer. “You’ll never be rid of me.”

“I never expected to be. I only expected to defeat you as many times as it took.” Oran retorted.

“As long as you hold my mask in your possession I will never truly be gone. You should put it on and combine our power. A power so dark and powerful that no one could stop us.” Shade Ren’s promise of power came with deception and since it was a mimicry of his past, he couldn’t even be sure that he knew, he actually kept the mask since Ren was gone before he recovered it.

“None of what you said matters as you’re dead. Now be gone!” Oran fights back with words and watches as the Shade Ren smirks before he disappears into the shadows once more.

Isaac wasn’t having as much luck as Oran did. His shade was just forcing him to relive through his moments of self doubt and feeling like he wasn’t good enough. Feeling like he had no place in the universe and wasn’t as strong as he should be. Oran put his hand on Isaac’s shoulder. He looks back and remembers that he isn’t alone.

“Push it away.” Oran says calmly.

Isaac stands up fully and faces his shade, ”All those times I doubted myself and my future have long passed from me. I’m not alone. I have a mentor and friend standing right beside me. Someone who helps me see the potential in myself and in some cases pulls it out from within me. There is nothing you can do to hurt me any more, be gone.”

Oran draws Isaac’s sword and holds it before them, ”You heard him; get lost.”

The Shade Isaac comes closer until Isaac holds the blade along with Oran and their combined confidence pushes the shade back into the darkness. Isaac resheathes the blade to his back after Oran moves out of the way. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I couldn’t fight your shade but I could be here to support you and remind you that I’m here for you.”

“I appreciate that, Master Oran.”

“Come on. We should get out of this area before we have to fight them for real next time.” Oran said hesitantly.

Isaac followed behind Oran keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword as they walked. He wanted to be prepared just in case something else was to happen. The sword made him wonder; where was Oran’s weapon? He noticed that even in training he used a wooden sword coated in a protective aura but he thought that was just to protect him. They walked in silence to the exit where Isaac stopped him to ask his question. “Oran, why don’t you carry a weapon with you?”

Oran pauses on the bridge nearest to the exit. “I don’t need it.” He said with a shrug as that was the simplest answer he had for him. “Isaac, you’ll learn over time that your connection to this sword you carry will grow more powerful. The weapon itself will be imbued with your energy making it stronger and stronger. I don't have my blade so I don’t accidentally hurt someone who doesn’t deserve it or is too weak to withstand it. A perfect union of your energies makes the damage dealt even stronger and I can hold back all my strength with my body to use on weaker people should the need arise.”

“I see. Is that something I can learn?”

“Of course you can. Anything you see me use technique wise; you can do. I don’t know the difference in our bloodline abilities but anything I can teach you I will.” Oran replied in a confident but comforting tone. He fully believed in Isaac’s potential and just needed to make sure Isaac did as well. “Let’s get out of here.”

Isaac walks out first into the daylight of the Driftwood entrance to the Blackwoods. Oran goes to leave and notices his ring is blinking on his finger. With a sigh he twists the middle band and activates it. The shades in the area transform into another representation as if reacting to his ring. The figure stands at about his height with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a tunic.

“Oran, can you hear me? Hello?” The voice called out to him.

“Yes, I can hear you. Is something wrong?” He asked.

“Just been trying to reach you from Dad’s study for months now. Where are you?”

“Literally about to walk into my hometown for the first time in a while. What’s going on?” Oran replied.

“Honestly, a couple things. I missed you and wanted to check in on you. You are like a brother to me, you know. Secondly, Dad’s worrying me. He left randomly one day saying that something felt off and I haven’t seen him or felt his energy.”

“Do you want me to search for him? If he doesn’t want to be found, not even I’ll be able to.” He stated in a direct but calm manner. “Why don’t you come visit me?”

Hesitantly the man replies, "Yes and no. Yes, due to my worry for his safety and no because I know you’re right. Even together, I doubt we’d be able to find him without him wanting us to.” He nods his head up and down to the visit, ”I can visit. I feel there is a reason for the visitation invitation though?”

Oran nervously chuckles, "There is. I proposed to Bridgette this morning and would love to have you there as a guest or as my best man.”

The man’s face lights up with a happy smile and excitement, ”Congrats bro! I’ll visit ASAP so we can talk about this proposal and plan with your lady.” He looks to the connection blinking in and out on Oran’s ring. “We must be getting interference where you are. I’ll see you soon. Take care and be careful. If Dad thinks something foul is going on, I’m inclined to tell us to stay on our toes.”

“Will do. Stay safe and I’ll see you when you get here.” Oran replied as the two met for a quick brotherly hug via the shade. The shade vanished and the ring deactivated before Oran walked out of the Blackwoods.

Oran had a stern look on his face as he met with Isaac once more. If his master’s son was contacting him worried about his father, something dangerous had to be going on in the universe. It wasn’t as if it was something Oran hadn’t picked up on himself in the past few weeks. He knew deep down something was off but he couldn’t place it. The nightmares and memories had returned even after the defeat of Ren Raiju. He had to make sure they were well prepared for whatever was going to happen next.

“Is everything alright, Oran? You seem a bit distracted right now.” Isaac asked with concern for his mentor. He was just fine a minute ago and wondered what could have changed in that time.

“No worries, we’re almost to my hometown and we can discuss things a bit more. Go to the pub and get some food and drink.” Oran replied in a much happier tone than the look on his face.

“You’re not good at hiding your emotions, are you?” Isaac asked him bluntly.

“Not when it’s fresh I’m not. All you have to worry about though is keeping up in your training, Isaac. This situation is beyond the scope of your current abilities and you should leave it to those who can hold their own against possible higher level powers.”

“Yes sir.” He agreed but still looked concerned and worried. “Can I ask where this information came from?”

“My mentor’s son.” Oran replied directly and to the point. He raised his right hand up. “This ring gives us direct access to one another. This was given to me by my master so he could contact me in a noninvasive way.”

“Noninvasive?” Isaac asked. Oran nodded his head and Isaac heard him within his mind. “Wait, you can do that long range?!” He said in surprise.

“Yes. This is just how we were taught. The issue is that you have access to someone’s mind that way and you lose all privacy, hence the ring.”

“I see.” He said, pondering what Oran had just told him. This was something he wanted to learn for the sake of long distance communication. “Will you teach me?”

“I can try.” Oran said nervously. “This wasn’t my strong suit.”

With a laugh Oran led Isaac towards Driftwood Shore, his home town. This was where everything started for him and where everything ended. It was weird timing that he had gotten a hold of right before returning to where everything with Ren ended. It was unexpected but maybe it was their destiny and fate. Maybe this was something his master was looking into and it tied them all together somehow. Oran’s main objective was just to keep people safe and protected. Bridgette and Isaac were his biggest concerns in this part of his life as a fiancé and mentor.