[< My... being? >]

[< "That is what I said, warrior. If I win, that is, if I win, then you will belong to me. You will have to do the things I say and things that would be favorable to me. You will come with me to wherever I take you and do what I tell you." >]

[< Absurd...! >]

[< "That is what I want, warrior. And you must give it to me if I win." >]

[< This doesn't make sense! How can a small bastard like you have me?! You aren't even one of my kind!! >]

[< "Warrior. The sacred ritual doesn't say anything about race. A challenger challenges the champion in the presence of any spectators, the challengers gain the respect of the champion, then the champion accepts the challenge.

The challenger can ask anything from the champion if they win and become the new champion.

The loser has to fulfill the order of the new champion. He would have to give his life if the champion wants it.

That is the dignity of the previous champion, warrior. Remember your roots." >]

[< This is absurd! If you aren't one of our kind, how do you even know this?!!

And the champion also has to receive something of the same value from the challenger!

What can someone like you- >]

[< "Isn't your life, your freedom, the chance you so desperately wanted, something of equal value as your whole being?

Instead of rotting here, serving me would be better, right?" >]

[< Absurd!! How is it any different from right now?! >]

He shook his head at this absolutely wrong question. It was just too wrong to compare his kind, little self to the bad, evil spirit.

[< "Warrior." >]

He looked up at the big lizardman with a blank expression. Looking straight into his eyes.

His glowing red eyes pierced deep inside him. Almost piercing his soul as he said his next words with this gaze that induced a strange emotion in him.

[< "Do not worry. Neither am I like that evil spirit nor do I plan to ever treat my own people so lowly. Instead, you can look forward to it.

Of course, it is on the basis that you defeat me.

I will do anything if that happens." >]

He smiled by the end of his words and the lizardman came out of his focused state.

His eyes were fully focused on him. His words seemed like the words of a champion like himself.

Words that could give hope to his close ones, a voice that could give despair to his enemies, and a voice that was filled with strange reliability.

It was strange, but the lizardman...

[< Khahahaha! I see! Then come, challenger! Fight! >]

He first laughed to his heart's content and then... a new seriousness overtook him.

He was a warrior, after all. And this conversation, this whole meeting with this strange creature, reminded him who and what he was.

A champion stronger than anyone, a being who everyone looked up to, and someone who absolutely enjoyed a true and fair duel.

The boy succeeded in bringing back the Zuroro of the past. The one that was self-imprisoned in the person of despair and hate.

His mind was now clear, and he had only one true fun thought on his mind.

And it was to enjoy...

To truly enjoy to his heart's content. A true battle with a strong opponent after a long time.

He relaxed his muscles, wielded his sword, and closed his eyes.

This was the battle posture he had come up with after evaluating the opponent's strength from their previous short spar.

He knew the opponent was a master of long-range fighting. His whole body was molded to be used as a weapon of long-range destruction.

But that wasn't all.

He also knew that the opponent had a deep-rooted understanding of close-range fights, physical combat, and richer battle experience than himself.

He knew his opponent was anything but weak, and after this little person opened his eyes and closed heart, he was in a complete state, fully aware of his situation.

He will have to be prepared for any long-range attacks, be ready for surprise attacks that might dominate his own field, and engage the opponent in as many close-range fights as possible.

He would gain more understanding of the opponent as the battle progresses and defeat the strong opponent!

There was certain hesitation, but a warrior was a being that put his all on the line to win for the things they believed to be true.

And right now, the opponent before him, regardless of what weapon he used, was a warrior.

He believed in something; it was clearly reflected in his eyes.

And the lizardman was the same.

He wanted his freedom.

Serving under someone wasn't something he would do, even if the master was a great person who had gained the trust of a magical creature tribe.

He was a strong opponent.

And he will defeat him!

He will at least give this fight his all... just like a champion should when facing enemies of unknown strength.

He was ready, and the small intruder had a smile on his face as he looked at the now calm, more ferocious, stronger, and sharper lizardman warrior.

There were no openings in his defenses.

Not even a single one...

Even if he did a surprise attack, his heroic senses had activated in earnest now.

He knew with this skill, this lizardman could pick up even a slight change in his field even before it occurred.

He already knew this one would be a battle even more awesome than his battle with that whatever strong evil spirit~!

Just like the lizardman, he was also excited about this fight.

[< "Do your best... warrior." >]

He smiled warmly, and took out a normal-looking wooden bow, or more like his special bow, Tay, the bow of strength and swiftness.

There was no need for more words here.

If wanted, they would talk with their weapons..

...

Two excited strong beings, a vast open area filled with dense water, a calm surrounding illuminated by the blue flames, exciting small furballs on one side of the open area, their faces full of excitement and innocence, some happy butterflies on their heads, and a single golden arrow shining in the middle of the two opponents.

The stage was set.

-Swiiiiiiiiiiiish...

And neither of them was going to hold back this time.

At least to a certain extent...

***

"I think I'm feeling anxious...?"

"Oh? What would worry my dear lovely husband~?"

"Don't know... just, I suddenly have this unexplainable feeling."

She was scrabbling something on the paper with her special-looking pen with a design of a beautiful griffin and a blue gem on top when she stopped and looked at the gorgeous man sitting on the other side.

This was her workroom, but her desk, bathing in the warm paint of the setting sun, brushed by the huge open window behind her, contained fewer piles of papers.

Sitting before her was her worried husband with a cute expression. And she couldn't help her smirk after his sudden words.

His gorgeous face, high nose, perfectly clean face, bright red eyes, and shoulder-length hair made him a sight of heartache.

But his pretty face was stained with a cute, worried expression right now. So she stopped her writing and spoke to her darling husband with her marvelous smile.

She also looked like a heavenly maiden because of the golden rays of the evening, after all.

Her bright blond hair shined like an endless field of young wheat. Her light brown eyes were the gentle earth containing the newborn sprouts.

Both of them looked breathtaking together... but maybe not the red thoughts on her mind right now.

"So, my dear husband is worried. What might be the damn cause of this bad bad worry~?"

He looked at her gorgeous smile and sighed deeply.

"Maybe something will happen to Eon?"

"And why do you think that?"

She was still smiling, something that her old self would never have done.

"Well... they just went to that unknown place. It's already evening and they haven't come back yet. What if something dangerous happens to him?"

"Brian... at least worry a bit about your future daughter-in-law."

A sad smile covered her bright face after that, clearly showing she didn't like her charming husband's wording.

"O-oh yes... I meant what if something dangerous happens to t-them?"

A subtle blush brushed his face. He wasn't thinking about the big picture a moment before.

"Hmmm~. Well, both of them are strong. Why would anything dangerous happen to them? And if something does happen, you know both of them to know how to survive, right?"

This wasn't something the Nolen from a few days ago would have said. And this made an even greater impact on him. He realized his mistake.

'Yes... both of them are special. As well as strong.' he thought as he looked down with embarrassment. Maybe there was nothing to worry about.

It wasn't like the two of them were going to fight a powerful creature beyond their caliber. At least... not alone, right?N0vel--Biin hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

"But it's not like it's certain that they will be perfectly fine. Maybe.. they will be hurt? After all, we don't know what will happen."

"Hmmm?"

She now had a genuine, sad smile. Something far more gorgeous that enhanced her beauty.

But it was confusing...

She wasn't worried about their return or if they will face something dangerous. She was worried they will be hurt when they come back.

Well, it was understandable from a mother's perspective. An always worried mother. But right now, she was a strong one that believed in her child more than ever.

"Hmmm... well, it's possible. They went to an unknown place, so unknown things might happen after all.

But let's not worry... Celes is with him, right? They will be alright."

And after this, she smiled again. The worry and sadness from just a moment ago were nowhere to be seen.

His anxiety vanished as soon as he saw that healing face... and smiled the same as her.

"Right. He will be back at least..."

"Hmm~! And I have a feeling that he won't be alone~."

"What?"

Her words confused him.. again.

Not only was it sudden, but it was also out of the blue.

"What do you mean, he won't be alone?"

"Well..."

She smiled again and stood up from her place.

"Just a mother's hunch?"

She walked behind him and hugged his calmly sitting self from behind. Surprising him once again.

"N-Nolen?"

"Yes, dear husband?"

"W-what is t-this...!?"

She leaned closer to his face... and kissed his neck. Still standing behind him.

He was... surprised would be a small word to describe his astonishment.

The room was silent. Only the voices of nature from the window dominated the big, empty room.

He could hear her worried heartbeats...

'A worrying heart filled with hope, faith, and belief...'

She hadn't changed much, but she definitely had become a better person, mom, and guardian.

She worried, but didn't let that worry affect her much.

"He will be back. Don't wo-...?!"

He was going to comfort her, but she then bit the neck she was kissing a while ago.

"Who's worrying?"

She smiled... her warm breaths feeling even more clearly on his wet neck.

Shivering... he looked to the side, at her smiling face, with his blushing one.

She had a distinctive smile on her face, something probably only he and his son knew about.

The pen was still in her hand, and the blue gem on top of it started glowing as soon as he understood her red intentions.

"N-now...?"

"It's a good time, no? I'm finished with the work. Eon's away with his friend. Zoe and Anna are playing. The atmosphere is perfect. And your blushing is making me even more hungry..."

"B-but...!"

A light shot out from the gem on the pen and hit the door on the other side of the room.

At the same time... she started unbuttoning his thick shirt.

"It's still time for dinnertime. Until then, let's..."

He could still feel her warm breathing on his skin... her raising heartbeat... her touch...

She was looking at his expression from the side; he was looking at her with a swat-covered pink face, a thin gap between their faces...

Two heartbeats dominated the quiet room, small sounds of gulping being of no interest here.

His deep red eyes reflected her hungry face, her soft eyes reflecting his adorable reaction.

The beam of light opened the door on the other side of the room was ready... and so was she... to eat her pretty prey after a long time.

She was ready, he was helpless, their faces were too close, he didn't deny it... so she didn't delay anymore.

Their lips met each other. The burning hearts ready to quench their thirst.

She was a beast right now, he was her prey... a helpless prey.

They began their usual play... or at least that was the desire.

"Mommy~! Daddy~! Let's make a cake~!"

Their lovely little daughter jumped in without any warning.

"Anna! You should always knock and ask for permission before going in like that!"

Their second lovely daughter, probably the most special child among the young ones in the house, followed behind her.

Their faces had separated instinctively as soon as she barged in without worrying like that... and now an awkward smile dominated their faces.

She was unhappy... he was too, probably. But they were helpless now that the redness of the atmosphere had vanished.

Their daughters were here. The little one asking for something. So... they couldn't do anything right now.

"Mom~? Daddy~? Let's gooo~!"

A helpless expression covered her face as she smiled and shook her head at him, and stepped back.

"Okay~! Let's gooo~!" She replied with a smile as she turned back alone and he buttoned his shirt.

The little girl was confused by the sudden atmosphere... she could feel their emotions and right now, they somewhat varied from their expression.

She could guess she did something she shouldn't have right now but... well, they weren't sad or angry so it was alright~!

She didn't understand their helplessness, but their other daughter was different.

A wise young divine being... the strange atmosphere, their expressions, the sweet scent of the atmosphere, and the open door on the other side of the room explained everything.

Not that she could do anything now that everything had calmed down.

Their dad also turned toward them with a smile and looked at them, and then at her... and she said something through her eyes.

'Tonight...'

'...'

The special young girl understood those unspoken words and was relieved.

They were fine with this behavior, so there was no need to worry... probably.

So...

The lovely family gathered and went out with various different emotions filling their hearts.

The room was left empty. The sky outside the window showed marvelous natural scenery.

But...

The clouds were gathering for the first time after a long time.

Darker clouds. A common, unique, yet... new atmosphere.

A cold wind blew through the room, house, and the city, marking the beginning of a new season.

They all were going to greet this new weather with diverse different feelings.

For some, this would be something they would see for the first time. For some, this would be a trigger that would remind them of a 'particular' event. For some, this would be the season most dear to them. And for some... this would be the season they loathed the most.

But that wasn't something for us to think about.

It was a beginning of a new season. A new start. Maybe an end to something. And maybe the continuations of the old ways.

Whatever it may be, one thing was true...

Winter was here.