”I’m definitely not in the mood for this…” Whispered a blue haired figure as he shook his head. Massaging his temple with his left hand, Kenzo paid no mind at the aggressive threats and insults coming from the five men in front of him. Ever since he became a wanted man, he had become the target of each and every existing wannabe bounty hunter in the land. Almost as if the Gods were playing a prank on him, Kenzo’s plan of infiltrating undetected the Silver City of Myras through the Smuggler’s Steps route had failed spectacularly. Making his way through the treacherous and dangerous cliffs of the Avvar Mountains that surrounded Myras, the mercenary hoped he could avoid unwanted troubles. Yet, as he almost arrived at his destination, a group of bandits that self-fancied themselves as bounty hunters from the crown made a bid for Kenzo’s bounty money. They had tracked him all the way from Marigold city, finally catching up with him in the midst of the mountains. Nevertheless, Kenzo was not in the mood to deal with them at all, allowing them one final chance before things came to worse. ”Listen… Just get out of my sight before all of you get hurt. I’m really not looking forward to this.”

”HAH! Hear that boys!? The big boy is scared of fighting us!! This shall be the easiest buck someone’s ever scored for themselves!!” The leader of the bandit group rallied his men while the lot burst into laughter. Taking out the sword at his side, he pointed the blade towards Kenzo. ”Look at him! He’s completely unarmed. Those rumors we’ve heard all around must be certainly fake! KILL HIM!!”

Hearing the words of praise the bandits showered their master in, Kenzo simply sighed in exhaustion. The mercenary had spent the last months keeping a low profile, away from trouble and the sight of the law in search for peace. Now that he finally had decided to move forward, he was met with trouble at the first corner. The merc had urgent business in Myras City. His friend Noel had urged him to meet a certain someone. Someone that could perhaps help them with their current troubles.

As the bandits charged at him through the narrow corridors of the smuggler’s steps, Kenzo simply let go of his baggage. Bending his knees slightly, Kenzo moved both hands towards his left side. Just as the bandits came within striking range, the blue haired warrior disappeared from their sight with a flash. Lunging forward, a bright light enveloped his hands as he brought out his sword Masamune out of his dimensional pocket ring. With a single movement, the four grunts of the group fell limp to the ground as blood gashed out of their wounds. They were still alive, if only barely. Paying no heed to their pleas for help, Kenzo made his way towards the leader of the group. Trembling with fear, the male collapsed to his knees as he begged for mercy. ”P-Pleaase!!! S…Spare mee..” Kenzo grabbed the man by the collar before lifting him up in the air.

”You’re the kind of scum I hate the most.” Kenzo's free fist made contact with the bandit's face in full force before he was sent flying against the wall of rock 3 meters away. Sheathing his sword, Kenzo sat next to the passed out leader as he spotted a pack of cigarrettes inside his coat.

Intruding into the unconcious man's cigarrettes, Kenzo lit one up with a sigh. The young leader of Advent World was tired, his face showing the slightest hints of sadness as the ominious looking jawbone protruding from his cheek gave the impression of flashing an evil grin. Clouds of darkness had enveloped Kenzo's mind for quite some time now. Silently, he took a smoke as he observed the night skies.

As Kenzo lost himself in the beauty of the night sky, he became completely oblivious to his surroundings for a second. Ever since he was a small boy, he’d get entranced watching the stars imagining about the deeds of great heroes that had been immortalized by the gods as per Bellan tradition. Once upon a time he too dreamt of a place among them. As he took another smoke from the cigarette by reflex, he was met with the characteristically pungent and rough aftertaste. ”Tch.. I really do hate smoking.” Tossing the cig with a flick of his hand, the merc’s attention was brought to the faint sound of heels clacking against the cobblestone as they came his direction.

Soon enough, it seemed that the person he had been waiting for had arrived. Dressed in a casual, fashionable look, the guild master of Blue Pegasus was quite a sight to behold. Not only was she the head of one of Fiore’s oldest and most respected guilds, but she too was considered the pinnacle of strength throughout the land. It would be inconceivable for people to not have heard about the wizard saint of Hargeon before. For someone like Kenzo, the aura around her was definitely what he’d expect and more. The man was happy she hadn’t come all formally dressed as well too. Sometimes forgetting the customs and traditions of Fiore, the man had yet to truly understand the position he had been recently bestowed and its responsibilities. Was there a dressing code for guild masters? He sure as hell didn’t know. As so, he was relieved to see his own looks weren’t too out of place next to her. Wearing a set of slim black pants with a half sleeve black shirt, the merc stood up as soon as he was greeted. Both to reply at the beautiful woman in front of him, as well as to the uninvited guests that had just arrived.

” Likew…” Kenzo was interrupted by the barking of the men behind Alisa. Grabbing Masamune with his left hand, his right brushed the hilt ever so slightly with a face of annoyance. However, it would seem he wasn’t the only one irritated by their presence. Before he could even react, the black-haired woman immediately sprang into action as a sleek, cool-looking visor materialized seemingly out of nowhere. Kenzo simply smirked amusingly as he caught a glimpse at the familiar ring resting in her hand. Furthermore, his amusement would only increase by the spectacular display of pugilism with which she would deal with the rest of the bounty hunters. Taking off his right hand from his sword’s hilt, Kenzo knew he had no need to interfere.

Once Alisa was done straightening the wrinkles in her outfit and put away her visor, it seemed that their meeting would finally take place. Letting out a small chuckle at her comment, Kenzo unstrapped Masamune’s sheath from his side as he slightly extended it in front of him. In an instant, the golden blade seemingly disappeared. ”Quite the useful little trinket, don’t you think?” He commented as he hinted at the silver ring in their hands. ”The pleasure is all mine~” Finally replied the man at her introduction, meeting her hand with his. Contrary to her silken, cared for hand, his lack of skincare routine combined with the nature of his craft had turned his own into what one would expect from a swordsman. Still, Kenzo couldn’t help but notice the callouses she sported around the knuckles. Alisa was definitely a fighter.

”I’m sorry for choosing quite the crude place for our meeting, but as you’ve seen…. my presence tends to bring quite the unwanted company.” Kenzo spared a glance at the aftermath of the bounty hunters attempt. Unconscious bodies littering the place was the last of atmosphere’s the male had imagined for the meeting at hand. ” Nevertheless, I’m grateful you decided to come all the way here. My friend Noel Raion was quite insisting in his letters if I may add.” The male carried himself with his usual playful manner.

Taking a pause for a second, Kenzo’s demeanor changed to a more serious note as he continued. ”I also heard quite a bit about you from Finn…” A hint of sadness traced the swordsman’s words. As much as the swordsman tried to hide it sometimes, he’d always worn his feelings on his sleeve.

Upon a closer look at the ring in Alisa’s hand, Kenzo noticed that although they held the same ability, hers was fundamentally different in nature. Though their physical appearance was similar, Kenzo’s ring seemed much more pragmatic compared to the exquisitely crafted piece of jewelry in the BP master’s hand. Remembering the contents of Noel’s letter and his meeting with Sofia Serena, one of the guild’s most distinguished members, it all made sense. A fade smile of satisfaction over connecting the dots appeared on his lips. ”Ah.. so that’s what it is” The thought crossed his mind.

”Hah! I’ll definitely need to look around then. As much as I love night strolls, Oak is definitely not the place for taking one.” Kenzo commented with a grin over her own remarks. Speaking with her made the Bellan feel at ease, considering her enormous charisma though, it came to no surprise. ”Fitting for a guild master. I guess…” As much as Kenzo tried to remind himself that he was one too, he felt at a loss. Not ready for the task at hand. After all, from all the people he’d met in the Kingdom few exuded an aura of leadership as evident as Alisa. Sure, there was the Captain Commander and Kenzo’s personal friend Kazimir, but he still felt both of them fell short compared to her. If he had to place it in words, he wouldn’t find one fitting other than the Bellan term of Gravitas. Either way, Kenzo now knew that holding this meeting had been the right decision.

”Hoho~… I’ll best refrain to me getting to know you. After all, Finn can be quite absentminded with human interactions sometimes” Kenzo teased with a playful smile. Though he’d heard great deals about Alisa, Finn’s train of thought could sometimes be quite amusing. After all, Kenzo never forgot their first meeting and the misunderstandings it came with, product of Finn being raised by a magical beast in a forest perhaps. Either way, he was still true in wanting to know about the woman in front of him. She seemed far more interesting than what boring Orchidia had to offer. As he saw her longing expression upon speaking of her friend and her following question, Kenzo’s smile faded as he remembered the true motive of this reunion.

Taking a pause for a second, the male crossed both arms as his expression tensed a bit. Shifting his body and head a couple of degrees away from her, the blue haired man lifted his head to the sky before sighing. ”I saw him just a couple of weeks ago in Orchidia Town” Kenzo struggled to find the correct words. ”He…” The male finally turned back to face the woman. ”I’m afraid Finn is no longer with us…” The ever present state of confusion the black haired warrior had plunged Kenzo into returned once more. Cryptic as their last conversation was, Kenzo had finally reached that conclusion. ”Though I didn’t understand his words at the time… - I’m sure he has reached his end.” The mercenary’s words lingered in the air of that starred night, leaving only regret behind. ”If only.. If only I-“ The man bit his lip before finishing. His emotions preventing him to conclude his sentence. Trying as much as possible to avoid eye contact with Alisa, the swordsman waited for her reaction before continuing.

Kenzo waited for Alisa to process the entire situation before he spoke any further. He knew the two of them were best friends, so he couldn’t even imagine what would be going through her mind. A frown followed Kenzo’s face the whole time, as if he were still trying to remember if what he was saying was true. Seeing her reaction though, he reassured himself that it was.

”I’m sorry…”

It was the only thing the merc was able to say as he grabbed his left arm with his right. A somber tone followed the swordsman’s words. He’d grieved for his friend already, so he knew what she was feeling. Even then, as she saw the trace of tears covering her eyes, a knot formed in his throat once more. The weight of his new responsibilities crushed Kenzo in ways he’d never felt before. It was too much for him to handle, and it had all come too quickly to process. ”That’s not fair you bastard” The words the male had withheld to Finn back when he was appointed his successor rushed through his mind for a final time. As he stood in the darkness of night, the merc felt regret over never speaking them. Yet, as he felt the warmth of Alisa’s grip in his shoulder, his regret and worries seemed to melt away.

Kenzo grasped the fact that the truth ran deeper than he could imagine, and that he was still unable to comprehend the bigger picture. Alas, the fledgling guild they’d built together had been torn asunder by an invisible enemy, with nothing either him or his friend Noel could do. One by one, the members of Advent World had disappeared, leaving no trace behind. Nero was the first of them to vanish, leaving only rumors trailing his name. Shichiro had suffered a similar fate, never to be seen again after the Grand Magic Games in Crocus. Some days after the tournament happened, news of Juni being involved in a peasant revolt reached the mercenary’s ears. Some of them speaking of the paladin killing innocent civilians, spreading like wildfire before she was never seen again. And then there was Vali, perhaps the only other person outside Noel and Finn with whom Kenzo had actually bonded in the guild. The tribes of Iceberg had always known strife and conflict, but Vali’s had found a place to call home in Advent World. All of them had become members of the guild fortress of the Oak River, but upon Kenzo’s return from Crocus, they had vanished without a sight. The lively days in the guild hall as Vali’s people came to grips with their new lifestyle disappeared without a trace, as if it had all merely been a mirage or a dream. Even the laughter and crying of cute little Hasani, Vali’s newborn, which brought life to the guild’s halls was replaced by the eerie silence of solitude. With them, the Viking King disappeared as well. Finally, there was Fin…

The young merc was unable to do anything. Powerless in the fact he didn’t even know where to start. Going back to Oak and Advent World was dangerous. The fact Noel and Kenzo had been framed in Astera and received the highest bounties in the country over a stupid reason was definitely not a coincidence. With their backs against the wall, and unable to return home, the Bellan guild master found himself standing in front of Alisa seeking for a helping hand. As he felt her gentle grip over his shoulder, hearing her words of support, he knew there was still hope. ”Thank you…” Kenzo’s face lowered as he closed his eyes with relief. As if a huge weight had been cast away from his shoulders, the male feel rejuvenated.

”I’ll share with you all I know at a later date… Once things have settled a bit.” A smile of gratitude came to the man’s face. ”For now, all I know is that it is unsafe to return to Oak… Advent World has been reduced to only Noel and myself.” A trace of anger accompanied his last sentence. ”I know that Blue Pegasus is a Light Guild, and that the council has recently appointed you as one of the Wizard Saints of Fiore.” Kenzo took a pause before continuing. He had no need to explain his following request, since he was sure Alisa had been briefed by Sofia before. However, even if Kenzo’s solitary and untrusting nature made it hard for him to speak, a fire could be seen in his eyes. ”I dare not imagine what burdens allowing two bounty holders as big as ourselves will bring to you… But if Blue Pegasus would have Advent World, I swear as its Guild Master that your guild won’t find itself wanting in strength to fight against whatever may come.”

For some reason, this was the first time Kenzo had actually stopped to think about his whole situation. Almost as if leaving it in the background, knowing it was something he had to do but entirely forgetting about it like when you don’t remember whether you locked the door of your house or not after going out. That was exactly the way Kenzo had felt about the situation he was facing ever since the end of the Grand Magic Games. Thanks to Alisa, he could give closure to this chapter. As he looked at the starry sky, he noticed he had not taken time for mourning his dying guild. One part of him never thought it was necessary. He hadn’t experienced the feeling of belonging ever since he left his mercenary company in Joya and didn’t expect to do so again. Yet here he was. Now that she had agreed to take them under Blue Pegasus’s wings. For that, he was grateful.

The feeling of rejuvenation was definitely a fresh change of pace. One he really needed. He could feel himself flow more freely, coming to grips with the sadness of loss for once. Humans were quite fickle beings after all, their potential locked behind immeasurable walls that would crumble at the mere sight of a word of encouragement from somebody else. As he heard the woman in front of him allow the two bounty holders into the guild, Kenzo knew they were given a fresh start.

”Will certainly do” he said with a smile, referring to their bounties. As the Guild Master extended her hand with fiery resolution in her eyes, Kenzo knew they had found a new home. It had been a couple of minutes since the two of them, but for some reason the blue haired swordsman had come to respect her already. After all, she was also someone that Finn called friend. As the merc extended his hand and firmly shook it with her, he knew he wanted to get to know Aliso more. ”This is definitely going to feel weird” Kenzo chuckled, noticing the change of pace this would mean for Noel and himself. After all, Advent World was not a traditional guild by any means.

Shortly after his comment, a smile of nostalgia came to his face as he brought his left hand behind his nape, touching the area between both shoulder blades and directing some mana through his palm. Slowly, he brought the palm back and extended it for Alisa to see. Standing in silence, Kenzo saw for one last time Advent World’s tattoo. The male flashed a smirk at his new Guild Master before closing his palm, disintegrating the tattoo he’d proudly worn. Traces of its magical power slipped from his hand as if he’d just extinguished a candle, leaving only the smoke behind. ”So… I guess I should be calling you boss then?~” Kenzo carefree demeanor came back to his words.

”Mhmm, that sounds like a good idea. Hope any of them is up for some sparring.” Kenzo answered with a playful tone as he took both of his hands behind his head. The prospect of meeting new guild members was exciting. Since Alisa was the Guildmaster, the merc held high hopes for the members of her guild. If he was being honest, his last mock battle with Noel had left him a bit salty. He wanted a rematch, or at least someone to vent the steam off. Furthermore, he was never too good with casual, social meetings. What better way to bond with someone else than knocking each other out? After keeping it for a second, the thought at the tip his tongue would eventually come out, unable to help himself. ”If you’re in the mood too you could maybe show me what this Wizard Saint deal is all about. Heh!” A cheeky smile arched from the merc’s lips as he spoke.

Once he saw the new stamp in his hand, Kenzo smiled. The blue colored Pegasus flickered for a second before the warrior’s own mana made contact with the mark, turning it platinum colored. Taking his arm back to his back, the guild tattoo would transfer back to where he once proudly wore Advent World’s. From this moment onward, he was officially a Blue Pegasus member.

”Hehe, alright.” Truth be told, he felt kinda weird calling her Alisa. He wasn’t sure why, but the feeling creeped in the back of his mind. Maybe he just needed to get to know her better? Luckily for him, his chance would come sooner than he’d expect. ”I’d love to..” The male smiled as he nodded at her proposal, shifting his body towards her motioning forward with her hand. As he took his first step though, something came instantly back to his mind. He really wanted to follow Alisa in her night stroll and chat some more, his new guild master was definitely someone interesting. However, he still had a promise he had to keep. Kenzo had forgotten about it for some reason, but he needed to do it to give a closure to Advent World and his past life. Freezing in the stop, the male rubbed his temples as he heavily sighed. ”You know what… I forgot there’s something left I have to do. Something I promised Finn. I’m sorry, but can we appoint our night stroll for another time? I promise I’ll be back at Myras before you notice! We’ve still got much to talk about”

With those parting words, Kenzo dashed into the darkness. His heart felt lighter than ever, the weight in his shoulders gone with Advent World and his leadership over the guild. The merc couldn’t have felt better.

-EXIT-