From Real to Realm

The three of them walked through the foyer toward the dining room. The first person to show up was Celestia. She appeared out of nowhere, leaning against the banister above them.

“Sis!”

They all watched as she skipped multiple steps down the stairs to get down more quickly. When she was finally at the base, she rushed forth and wrapped Val in a hug.

“We haven’t seen you in weeks!”

Val chuckled, hugging back. “I know, Maxwell already chewed me out for it.” When they separated, she tilted her head. “You’ve gotten taller, haven’t you?”

Celestia looked down at herself, then shrugged. “I don’t know?”

“Maybe it’s my mind playing tricks on me,” Val said, poking her cheek. “Ready to surprise Mom with us?”

Celestia happily agreed. The four of them walked through the double doors leading to the dining room. Volde was already sitting at the table with a newspaper in his hands. Vesperia was setting out plates and silverware for everyone.

“Might want to add two more spots,” Maxwell said, stepping to the side.

Both of her parent’s eyes widened when they saw Val and Lynesia. Volde folded his paper and tossed it onto the table, then stood quickly. By the time he was standing, Vesperia was already rounding the corner of the table closest to them. Before either of them could really react, Vesperia pulled both Val and Lynesia into a tight hug, squeezing them.

“I’ve been so worried,” she mumbled, refusing to let go.

Volde walked up a few seconds later. His expression was a stern one, obviously matching Maxwell’s chiding from earlier. However, his eyes were soft. Val knew she was going to be chewed out a bit more, but Volde was still happy she was home safe and sound.

Vesperia finally released them. “How dare you make us worry like that?” She waved her finger at them.

Val put her hands up in defense. “I know, I know. Maxwell has already chewed me out for it on the way here.”

Volde and Maxwell exchanged a glance.

“Good,” Volde said, pulling them into his own tight hug. “Then I’ll settle for a hug at the very least.”

Volde and Vesperia’s hugs were always very different. Vesperia would cling to Val like she was afraid she’d drift away if she let go. Volde’s, on the other hand, was more protective. It almost felt like he was trying to shield her from the rest of the world when he hugged her. Regardless, both of their hugs were always very warm and loving.

“I’ll have to cook something different tonight,” Vesperia said, tapping her chin. “I’ve got just the thing.”

Without waiting for anyone else to give input, she rushed off to the kitchen. Everyone else stood there for a second, just staring as the doors slowly shut.

“I knew she’d change her plans the moment she saw you,” Maxwell said, gently elbowing Val. “I wonder what she’s thinking?”

Everyone took their normal seats at the table. Celestia sat on Val’s left while Lynesia sat on her right. Maxwell sat directly across from Val, and Volde sat at the head of the table. Vesperia’s seat to his right was currently empty since she was busy with the meal.

“So,” Volde started, sitting forward, “how has everything been?”

Maxwell and Celestia were listening very intently.

Val shared a look with Lynesia before answering. “Well, we’ve moved in together. Things are good between us.”

The three of them looked at Val, as if waiting for more. Val didn’t say anything else. She wasn’t exactly sure what else they could be asking about.

Volde smiled softly. “That’s good, but I was also asking about your chosen career.”

Val sighed. “Right.”

Lynesia spoke up before Val could. “I also joined.”

“What? Really?” Maxwell asked, leaning forward. “What made you do something like that?”

Celestia was also equally surprised. “It’s dangerous down there, right?”

Volde didn’t say anything. Instead, he gave the two of them time to explain.

“I did it because I want to help protect Val,” she said, smiling to herself. “It’s not like I’m the only person in the world who can protect her, but I want to help at the very least.”

The kitchen doors opened as Vesperia walked into the dining room. “Okay, I’ve got Minthra working on the prep for tonight.” She made her way to her spot at the table. “What did I miss?”

Volde held his hand up as Maxwell went to speak. “Lynesia has chosen to adventure with Valnarei. She wants to help protect her instead of relying solely on others to do so.”

Vesperia’s expression quickly morphed to worried. “I was really hoping you would be able to talk Valnarei out of adventuring altogether.”

Lynesia smiled. “I could tell there was no talking her out of it.”

“So you’d rather join her?” Vesperia asked, sighing. “Well, as long as you look out for each other while you’re down there.”

Val was kind of surprised Vesperia wasn’t giving more pushback. “That’s it? I figured you’d be begging her to reconsider, Mom.”

Vesperia chuckled this time. “I learned my lesson with you. When someone has their heart set on something, it would take an act of the gods to change their mind.”

“I promise to do my best to protect her,” Lynesia said, grabbing Val’s hand.

Val smiled. “The same from me.”

Worry was still evident in everyone’s eyes. However, by this point, they all knew better than to argue with Val. All they could do was trust them to do their best for each other.

“Don’t forget, we have other party members too,” Val reminded them. “It’s not just the two of us.”

Vesperia tilted her head, pouting. “Then why haven’t you brought them to meet the family?”

Volde chuckled, looking at Val. “You should’ve seen that coming, sweetheart.”

Val’s eyes widened. “You want to meet my party members?”

“Why not?” Vesperia asked. “If they’re also working hard next to you and protecting you, then they deserve to know how much we appreciate it.”

Lynesia leaned into Val, whispering. “Maybe we should bring Lucia, too?”

Val thought about it for a second. Then she snapped her fingers, realizing the perfect time to do it. “Alright, how about this. After we win our fight against the boss on floor four, we’ll come here for a victory dinner?”

The room went silent.

“A boss?” Vesperia asked.

Val looked amongst them. “Yeah? We’re pushing deeper into the dungeon soon. Why?”

Val watched both of her parents take a moment to compose themselves. She hadn’t considered how they’d react to hearing their plans to take on a boss. In her mind, it wasn’t too different from fighting in the dungeon already, just a bit harder.

Vesperia finally calmed down. “Please be careful.”

“Don’t worry, we will,” Lynesia said, smiling softly. “It’ll be multiple parties taking it on. There’ll be plenty of people to cover us and vice versa.”

Volde reached across the table, taking hold of Vesperia’s hand. “They’ll be okay.”

Vesperia nodded. “Alright, I’ll make sure to have plenty of towels and bathing supplies ready for you.”

Val raised an eyebrow. “What? Wait, you want us to come straight here afterward?”

“That’s right,” Vesperia said matter-of-factly.

“This is a boss,” Lynesia said, seeing where this was going. “While we do our best to be careful, there can still be injuries that need to be seen to after such a fight.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Vesperia said, trying her best to avoid showing too much worry. “If everything goes well and everyone is okay, then I want you to come here right away. If not, then the next night, okay?”

“I think that’s more than fair,” Volde said, sitting back in his chair.

Val nodded. “We will do our best, I promise.”

Soon, Vesperia excused herself to help finish dinner. Just as Maxwell had guessed, she changed the entire meal, which took a bit more time than originally planned that night. Before long, a delicious aroma started to fill the kitchen and dining room.

While dinner was cooking, Val was able to talk with the rest of her family some more. They asked questions about her other party members. While Val wanted to tell them everything, she felt it was better to let them experience her friends firsthand. She just really hoped they’d all be coming back from the fight together.

“You okay?” Lynesia asked, gently squeezing Val’s hand.

Val looked down at their hands, then smiled. “Just a little worried, that’s all.”

“About the Ashen King?”

Volde, Maxwell, and Celestia were making guesses amongst themselves about what Val’s party was like.

“Yeah. I know we’re one of three parties going in together, but I still worry about everyone.”

Lynesia smiled, rubbing her thumb across the back of Val’s hand. “Worrying about everyone else, just like a true leader would be.”

Val chuckled. “I think we should at least take a vote before we make me de facto leader.”

With a roll of her eyes, Lynesia stuck her tongue out at Val. “You’ve got my vote.”

It wasn’t much longer before both Vesperia and Minthra walked out with steaming platters. The two of them had really outdone themselves again with the spread. Even if everyone ate their fill, there would be plenty left over.

“I want you to take as much home with you after dinner is over,” Vesperia said, looking at Val and Lynesia. “A home-cooked meal is good for the body and soul.”

Once everyone was seated, they dug in. Conversation bounced around the table while everyone took their time enjoying the hot meal. Some conversations were split, while others involved the entire table. Val could tell her parents were still worried. No matter how hard they tried to hide it, the boss fight was weighing on their minds. They didn’t let it affect how they acted, though.

A few hours later, dinner was finished, the dishes were in the sink, and everyone was standing at the front doors. Val and Lynesia were holding two large plates each.

“Just bring those back once you’ve finished eating. Does where you’re staying have a way to preserve it?”

Val nodded. “They do. It’s not as advanced as ours, but it does the job.”

They were talking about this world’s equivalent of a refrigerator. Whoever invented it used an ice rune etched into the back of the large metal box. Circuits of eerienite were etched throughout the box, also to emit ice-cold air. It was pretty advanced magic tech.

“Good.”

There was a brief silence before Vesperia pulled the two of them into a hug. “Please, be careful down there. I know you can’t promise not to get hurt, but at least look after each other.”

“Don’t worry,” Val said, looking at Lynesia. “If the guild didn’t think we could handle it, then they wouldn’t let us.”

Lynesia nodded. “We’ll be with other groups too, so we’ll have plenty of back-up to take it on.”

Volde wrapped an arm around Vesperia. “Hard to believe you woke up around a year ago. You’ve changed so much since then. We’re proud of you.”

It felt like Val’s heart stopped for a split second. Suddenly, her composure was melting away. Apparently, her father knew where to hit her to make her struggle to keep it together.

“I couldn’t have done it without any of you,” Val said, wiping away a stray tear. “I promise to keep doing my best.”

Volde smiled. “That’s all we can ask, sweetheart.”

Celestia and Maxwell took their turns giving the girls hugs as well. Then, together, Val and Lynesia walked back out into the cold night air.

“Holy fuck, it got cold quick,” Val said, shivering heavily.

Lynesia was pressed against Val’s side. “Yeah, it really did. We need to get home quickly.”

The two of them didn’t waste time moving through the streets. They took the shortest possible route to minimize time spent in the night air. Marxus wasn’t at the front desk when they pushed through the front doors. A nice, warm fire was still crackling in the large hearth, though.

They wasted no time getting into their room and stripping off the frozen fur coats. They wasted even less time jumping into bed together to cuddle. Thankfully, the Weeping Wagon had something akin to central heating. How it worked, Val couldn’t care less. She was just happy it existed.

“I’m excited to see everyone’s new rank tomorrow,” Val said, holding Lynesia close.

Lynesia nodded. “I am too. I think we should ask about you being the leader of the party, too.”

Val sighed. “If you think we should.”

Lynesia nodded again, yawning this time. “It is.”

It wasn’t much longer before the two of them fell asleep cuddling. Tomorrow was another day. Everyone would have their new official ranks, and they’d be ready to plan.

The Ashen King is waiting.

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