Borrik says "Well then, I better get started!"

"We will leave after the kids wake up and have some breakfast."

Myria says "Are you going to ask Pol and Annya to come with us?"

"I plan to give them the option, yes."

Ambrose says "Alright, we should get going too. We have a city to clean up."

Roddick says "Thank you for breakfast. We will see you in a couple of days."

After they leave Sarah, Myria and I sit quietly and just relax until the others wake up. Once they do, Sarah goes down to arrange a second breakfast, while I fill in Pol and Annya. Once they know what is going on they both decide to stay here and keep working.

"Alright, I won't argue with your decision. However, I want guards with you at all times!"

Pol says "Don't worry, My Lord. We will be careful!"

"You better, there is no way I can become the Beast King without you!"

Annya says "Don't worry, I will keep him safe!"

Myria says "I'm sure you will!"

While the two girls share a laugh, Pol looks extremely uncomfortable. I pretend not to notice anything while Sarah just watches and smiles. There is obviously something going on between Pol and Annya, but I am not going to pry.

This time when Sarah returns with food the smell wakes up the kids and Windy. Once the kids are up all serious conversation ends as we work together to get them fed. After the kids have their food everyone else digs in and enjoys their breakfast.

Pol and Annya eat quickly, then leave to return to their office to continue working. I am not too worried as the offices are almost as secure as the inn is now. They will also have bodyguards with them at all times, they should be fine.

Once the kids finish eating we pack up and head through the portal to the tower. Surprisingly, Yui doesn't greet us when we arrive, she must be focused on something else. As soon as we walk out of the suite into the main hall I get more greeting than I can handle.

Kechara yells "Father!"

Asuna yells "Daddy!!"

As they yell the two of them charge at me, it is quite intimidating as they have both grown. Kechara is still lithe but now she is about the length of a bus while Asuna is about the size of a small car. When they reach me they knock me to the ground and start licking me.

As I am being bathed I notice that Ekard and Haku are hiding behind Myria, who is laughing. In fact, she is laughing so hard that she looks like she is about to fall over. Yet when I try to push Kechara and Asuna away, I find it a lot harder than I expected.

"Alright! Enough! I missed you too! Let me up!"

After a few minutes of yelling, Kechara and Asuna finally back off and let me up. As soon as I am on my feet I give each of them a huge hug and rub my wet face against them. This is the most revenge I can get since my tongue isn't big enough to return the favor.

"Ekard, Haku, it's alright, don't be scared. These are your big sisters, Kechara and Asuna. I told you about them."

Ekard says "Sisters?"

Asuna says "Cute!"

Kechara says "Dad, what did you do? Did you kill their moms too?"

"No! Ekard hatched from an egg I saved from a giant shadow panther and Haku I saved from some bandits. You know your mom gave me no choice, right?"

Kechara says "I know, and so does Asuna. Don't worry."

She then leans down and says "Ekard, Haku, it's nice to meet you! I am your big sister, Kechara!"

As Ekard and Haku come forward to sniff at Kechara and Asuna it is unbelievably cute. Myria, Sarah, and Windy just stand there with wide eyes, almost as if they are trying not to cry. For all I know, maybe they are, women react strangely to cute things.

Yui and Core say "Welcome back, Ash!"

"Hi, Yui. Core, are you here too?"

Core says "My body is still in the city, but thanks to Yui my spirit can come here. I can move around and observe things much like Yui."

"That's awesome! I am happy for you! By the way, since when can Kechara and Asuna talk??"

Core says "Kechara started talking not long after I started teaching her magic. Asuna only started recently."

"I can't believe I missed so much! It makes me sad!"

Yui says "You have things that you have to do. We have made sure they both understand that."

Core says "They have missed you, but the visitor's stories about you have helped."

"Speaking of visitors, who is here right now?"

Yui says "Zamart, Isabella, and Ruby. Why?"

"Because, I need to fill you in on what is going on. I would prefer to just tell the story once."

Yui says "Alright, I will gather them in the dining hall."

"Kechara, Asuna, this is Windy, a new friend."

Kechara says "Did you adopt her too?"

"No, she still has a family, she just chose to run away. She has been a great help in taking care of Ekard and Haku."

Windy says "Nice to meet you both!"

"Myria, since you already know what's going on, can you give Sarah, Windy, and the kids a tour?"

Myria says "I don't mind, but I don't know the tower very well."

Kitara says "I would be happy to guide them, My King!"

"Oh, Kitara, thank you!"

While Kitara takes the five of them to give them a tour, Kechara and Asuna follow me to the dinner hall. When I sit at the head of the table they immediately sit on either side of my chair. While I wait for the others to arrive I spend the time petting the two of them.

Ruby says "What have you gotten yourself into this time?"

"For once, it wasn't my doing!"

Isabella says "What wasn't your doing?"

"I will tell you once Zamart joins us."

Zamart walks in and says "I am here."

So since everyone is gathered I tell them about the attacks by the assassins. Then I tell them about my guess that it was Pine's doing and what the guildmasters are doing. Once I finish talking it is quiet for a few minutes while everyone digests.

Isabella says "Does that mean we are stuck here?"

"No. It just means if you leave the inn you take guards with you. Be on your guard at all times while within the city."

Ruby says "Don't worry, if any assassins attack us I will burn them to death!"

"Just remember not to burn the city down with them, okay?"

Ruby says "I will be careful!"

Isabella says "I will keep an eye on her!"

"Do you plan to stay in Illium or go to the Free Union?"

Isabella says "We plan to go to the Free Union, but we aren't sure exactly where."

"Do you mind a suggestion?"

Isabella says "Of course not!"

"The Free Union has a border with the land bridge. If you want to fight beasts then the southernmost city would probably have the most quests."

Isabella says "That sounds like a plan. Alright, if you need us, look for us in the southernmost city."

"Okay, stay safe!"

Zamart says "I will be staying here in the tower. It is amazing here! I'm not leaving until my vacation is over!"

Yui says "Ash, how long do you plan to hide here?"