Way of the Knights

Chapter 781: Back to Work

“Kyle, I’ll leave my Sisters to your care. Pay attention to your safety, you hear me?”

“Yes, Master. I won’t fail you and myself this time, I swear.” Kyle nodded solemnly as he swore an oath in his heart. 

“Good.” Raven nodded, “Now go ahead and don’t forget to have fun.” 

“Mn! We’re off Big Bro! Take care and see you soon.” Victoria said after giving Raven a hug. 

Venina followed suit and said: “Good luck Big Bro. Do it for Vanessa.” 

Raven didn’t say anything, he just nodded instead. After that, Kyle and his sisters left the restaurant and began heading towards the teleportation array. 

They’re now back at the Divine Realm. Their vacation was short and ended-up in a bittersweet moment but they had to return here since their job isn’t done yet. 

Venina and Victoria managed to adjust in ease here thanks to Raven’s guidance. Now that they’re being lead by Kyle, they could now explore what the Divine Realm could truly offer. Raven didn’t stop his sisters from coming since they worked hard to earn this chance. This is what they deserved. Plus, it was about time for them to leave the nest and fly on their own. 

Meanwhile, the six of them still felt a little bit lethargic. Although it’s already been a couple of days since they left their home, Luna, Ellen and Anne hadn’t had a wink of sleep. Every time they tried to, the face of their child will show up in their mind, making them recall the painful parting they had with them. 

Even the boys didn’t sleep either since they felt the same. Nevertheless, they suppressed the desire to come rushing back home since they understood the importance of their work.  action

After sending Kyle and his sisters off, Raven returned to his room and found Luna staring blankly at a corner. She was holding a little flower bracelet that Vanessa personally created for her. Luna’s eyes were empty, it was obvious that her mind isn’t focused right now. 

Raven sighed, he slowly walked over to her and carried her in a bridal-style. 

“You have to sleep.” Raven softly said. 

“You know I can’t.” Luna muttered, “Every time I close my eyes, I can see our little sweetheart crying and calling us back, saying she misses us dearly. I-It’s torture…I-I can’t…”

“Be strong, Luna.” Raven firmly said as the corner of his eyes reddened, “Don’t let that defeat you. Instead of giving-up and letting these visions gnaw at your mental state, you should use it as a tool – a motivator, instead. The faster we finish our work here, the faster we can go back. That’s what you should always remember.” 

“Plus…Vanessa wouldn’t be happy is she saw you looking like this.” Raven added. 

Luna sighed, silently wiping away her tears as her husband carried her towards the bed. 

“That’s unfair…using her like that.” Luna softly admonished. 

“But it’s the only method that’ll work, you left me with no other choice.” Raven smiled as hugged his wife while the two of the lied down on the bed. “Sleep and rest. Remember why were here. Believe in our parents to raise her well and believe that Vanessa can and will wait for our return.” 

“Okay.” Luna nodded softly as she closed her eyes while leaning on her husband’s chest. “I will remember that.” 

—

As Luna and Raven rested on their room, their friends were also trying their best to get better. 

Ellen and Paul remained silent as they just embraced each other. They’re inside their room, sitting on a couch. Ellen was sitting on Paul’s lap while she stared at the portrait that their son slipped on to his father’s pocket before they left. 

Richard was a talented artist. The portrait he drew not only captured the charm and beauty of their family, it is also filled with Richard’s love and hope for his parent’s return. 

In this portrait, Ellen was carrying the seven year old Richard on her arms while Paul’s arm draped over the two of them. The three were grinning widely with their eyes closed, capturing the lovely side of their family. 

Ellen had been staring at this portrait for days, Paul would occasionally stare at it too. Whenever they look at it, they would feel the emotions of their son, his presence even. The two would stare at it for hours, sometimes they would smile, sometimes they would silently cry. 

On the other hand, Mark and Anne was doing the same thing, only instead of a portrait, they’re staring at a wood carving that their daughter, Jeanne made for them. Much like Richard, Jeanne’s emotions and presence as present all over the wooden sculpture, making the two of them extremely emotional.

Anne was a given of course for she is the mother. She pretty much cried a river already ever since the deadline was up. It was too damn obvious that she didn’t want to leave Jeanne behind, in fact she was the one who brought up the topic of bringing the kids with them despite the risks, however it was rejected by her own husband. 

This was painful for Mark as well. He had been brooding ever since they returned to the Divine Realm. He wanted to immediately go out and hunt some wanted criminals. However he knew that even if he did that, the gap on his heart won’t close up. His longing for his sweet and mischievous daughter won’t be gone. All he will feel was emptiness. 

The Divine Realm’s most feared assassin, the person feared by all wanted criminals for his terrifying record of 99% mission success rate…was a doting father who cried all day and night due to him missing his daughter. 

If word of this gets out, many people would probably be shocked. Some would understand what he feels while some would mock him. Needless to say, Mark isn’t really someone who will let rumors affect him. 

At this point, these people seem like their mourning for the loss of their children but in truth, they’re all just parents who refuse to leave their children’s side. This is pretty normal for new parents. As time passed, they’ll eventually get over this, especially now that their close to entering the final stretch of their journey. 

Once they’re done. They can drop their weapons and pursue the life they wanted for themselves. For now, they have to keep fighting. 

—

“…you all know what to do right?” Raven asked the people in front of him.

He received nods from his wife and friends, all of them had a determined glint on their eyes. Raven exhaled and said:

“Alright, let’s move out. Go back to your sects and prepare. Soon…very soon…it will happen. And once were done here, we can return and spend all the time we have with the kids. Good luck, everyone.” 

All six of them stood up. Paul and Ellen walked towards the western port since the spatial tunnel there will take them closer to their destination. Mark and Anne went to the southern port. 

They entered and disappeared from sight, leaving Luna and Raven alone. They’re currently at the northern port since this is where Luna should go. 

“I’ll miss you.” Raven softly whispered to her as he enveloped her with his arms. 

Luna smiled and buried her face on his chest. Right now, there are several people who’s looking at them. She’s out of her disguise so everyone can recognize her. Luna couldn’t care less at this point. Even if they saw her hugging Raven – who also stopped wearing a disguise at this point, she wouldn’t care. 

There’s no point in hiding their relationship at this point, especially when they already has a child together. 

When Raven planted a kiss on her forehead, the two of them could’ve sworn that there are some people who gasped. Raven could even see someone from the Oriental Dragon Group furiously scribbling on his parchment while controlling an array which recorded their faces. 

Raven only smiled and did nothing to stop this. He knew that after a couple of days, the intel of the Oriental Dragon Group would be updated and his face would be plastered on the cover of their next issue. 

His appearance would probably rock their minds of Divine Realm’s citizens but at this point, he truly couldn’t care less. 

There no longer a point to hide. There’s no longer a point of remain low-profiled. Raven already calculated everything. Nothing much will change at this point even if this happened. 

“It’s time.” Raven softly muttered, “You should go as well. I just received the summons from my sect, they’re calling me back.” 

“Alright.” Luna nodded, she then reached out and planted a firm kiss on Raven’s lips. “I’ll work hard I promise. I’ll wait for you there. Good luck.”

Raven chuckled and said: “I know, don’t worry. I’ll make sure everything goes according to my plan. This is for our daughter after all.”

“Right.” Luna nodded, “This is for Vanessa.”

Luna then entered the northern port and disappeared from Raven sight. Raven on the other hand, sighed and looked at the skies. He smiled softly and whispered:

“Alright, this is the final stretch.” Raven’s body started levitating. “After this, we can go back home. Failure isn’t an option.” 

And just like that, Raven disappeared as a streak of light before anybody could come up to him and ask questions.