It was currently nighttime at the Jetport base within the Valiant Guild's territory, and Hazel and her group were packing their stuff for their departure. Hazel was currently on the roof along with her companions, Nycteris and Astrid.

Along with them were Tine and Runa, who were currently tending to their griffons, strapping their harnesses on as well as their bags for the trip. Hazel and Astrid offered to store their belongings in the storage bracelets, but the elves politely declined. After that, neither the witch nor the dark elf attempted to make the offer again.

"I'm assuming we more or less have everything already packed for our departure?" Astrid asked, watching the elves continue packing their stuff on their griffons.

"I'm pretty sure," Hazel answered, scratching under Nycteris's chin, which he clearly enjoyed. "We didn't have a lot of stuff to begin with, aside from potions and certain items like your arrows and the like."

Thanks to their storage bracelet, Hazel and Astrid had an easy time getting their things ready for their departure. After all, not only did they have very little to carry around, but they also had a portable storage device, so all of their belongings were already stored inside without even needing to be packed. It also helped that they didn't need to haul around a lot of packs and such, which would only weigh them down during the trip.

This was why Hazel and her partner offered to store the elves' stuff in the first place. The fewer things they needed to carry the old-fashioned way, the easier their trip would be. Of course, Tine and Runa were insistent in prepping their belongings, and that was it. The elves didn't even leave any room for either player to argue, so they simply gave up.

"How long do you think the trip will be?" Hazel asked.

"Well, on foot, it would roughly take around two to three months to get from here to Meir. However, since we're flying, I would say a day or two at most."

"Wouldn't it take maybe a couple of hours since we're flying?"

Astrid shook her head. "Just because we're flying, doesn't mean our rides can't get exhausted. Although Griffons are incredible creatures, they still need to take breaks so they can replenish their depleted energy and stamina."

Right. Hazel forgot about that. She was so used to flying vehicles like planes and such that she forgot that flying creatures didn't have the same amount of energy to go on like her modern-day travel rides.

The same likely applied to Nycteris. Although her nightwing familiar could fly incredibly fast and well, even he probably couldn't last long if he attempted to fly for several hours at a time while on their way to Meir. Since that was the case, Hazel's initial theory regarding how long it would take them to arrive at their destination was wrong.

So, at the moment, they were likely to arrive at Meir in around a day or two. Despite that, Hazel couldn't help but fear that they were on the clock. What with the civil war currently happening in Astrid's homeland, there was a strong tension in the air. A tension that persistently urged them to hurry as fast as possible before something terrible happened.

Just then, the door to the roof suddenly opened as three familiar faces appeared.

Hazel looked in the direction of the people with a smile on her face. "Hello, mother."

Her mom, Evelyne Thatcher, returned a familiar and kind smile. "Hello, Hazel."

Next to Hazel's mom were Zoe and Chegyaeyi as they walked closer to Hazel and the elves.

Zoe glanced over at the elves and back to Hazel and Astrid. "It seems you two are already done with packing, then?"

Hazel nodded. "Pretty much. Just waiting for you guys to show up. Or more accurately, my mom and Chegyaeyi."

Aside from her and the elves, Evelyn and Chegyaeyi have also decided to join them on the journey to Meir. Hazel's mom obviously joined because she wanted to see her son. As for Chegyaeyi, after learning about a deep conspiracy that transpired within her tribe and in a lot of Meir, she wanted to return to try and save her people.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Of course, that was easier said than done, since her tribe was apparently siding with the High Elves, much like Astrid's tribe. When Chegyaeyi first heard the news from Tine and Runa, she was completely devastated. It took a little while for the lizardfolk warrior to collect her thoughts before she finally decided to join them.

"Will you be alright, Zoe?" Evelyn asked the Callahan knight with a concerned expression. The kind that a mother would give to their child.

Zoe shrugged. "More or less. We still have plenty of other clerics to make up for your absence. Besides, getting to your other kid takes priority, got it?"

Hazel's mom nodded.

Since Evelyn was leaving for Meir, that meant the Valiant guild would be losing a valuable member of the group. After all, her mom was one of the highest-level Healers within the guild. But it was like Zoe said; getting to Damien took priority.

Due to their departure, Hazel entrusted the Orcs under Zoe's command. She and the former chief, Grag'bog, had already discussed the terms regarding the alliance between the Orc tribe and the Valiant Guild, to which Grag'bog agreed. Until Hazel returned, the Orcs would cooperate with the Valiant Guild within reason. If the guild was in danger, Grag'bog and his tribe would assist them if needed. Other than that, the two groups would more or less remain distant, with neither side bearing any desire to become friendly with one another at the moment.

Hazel didn't mind this scenario and was actually grateful for it. Since she didn't know what kind of trouble would transpire while she was away. Thankfully, both Grag'bog and Zoe were reasonable and would attempt to mediate any issues as best as they could to avoid any drastic measures being made.

"So," Evelyn turned away from Zoe and set her sights on her daughter's familiar. "Is this one of the creatures we will be riding to Meir?"

She reached out to touch Nycteris, to which the nightwing gently pressed his face against her palm while expelling a purring sound. Evelyn continued to indulge the familiar with a kind smile.

"This is Nycteris," Hazel introduced her familiar while scratching his neck. "You and I will be riding on him during our trip."

Since there were six passengers, that meant two people could ride each mount. Hazel and Evelyn would be riding on Nycteris, while Astrid and Chegyaeyi would be riding with Tine and Runa on the griffins.

Thankfully, neither Chegyaeyi nor Evelyn had a lot of baggage they needed to carry with them during the trip. And the items they did possess were put into the storage bracelets via Hazel or Astrid. Thanks to this, the four of them were simply waiting for the elves.

And it didn't take long before they were finally done.

"Alright, we're all set," Tine declared, moving away from her griffin along with Runa.

Strapped around their mounts were a couple of leather bags, carefully placed on their sides. The two white feathered griffins gently shook their bodies, getting used to the baggage currently strapped to them. They then let out a soft cawing sound before nestling their heads against their respective owners.

Runa and Tine responded by scratching their mounts with glee.

"Okay then," Astrid nodded, walking over to one of the elf and griffin duos. "Let's get moving. The faster we get to Meir, the better."

Hazel could practically hear the eager tone in her partner's voice. She couldn't wait to get back to her homeland. Of course, there was also a hint of anxiety mixed in as well. Although she was longing to return home, she was still worried over what was currently happening in the Great Forest of Meir. That and she dreaded the fate of her family after her devious and treacherous brother finally took control over her tribe and village.

Astrid and Tine then climbed on her griffin, getting ready for takeoff. Runa and Chegyaeyi were next and mounted on the other griffin, leaving Hazel and Evelyn last to climb on Nycteris. Evelyn gave Zoe one final look before giving a firm nod. The knight returned the nod and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Good luck in finding your son," She said.

"Thank you. And good luck in managing the guild while I'm gone."

Zoe scoffed. "Hey, I've been managing this guild pretty well so far, so you've got nothing to worry about."

Evelyn chuckled. "I'll be holding you to it."

After saying this, Hazel and Evelyn finally climbed up on Nycteris and firmly sat down. It took a bit for her mom to get used to sitting on the nightwing.

Once everyone was on their respective mounts, Tina ushered her griffin forward, getting closer to the edge. "I'll lead the way to Meir, so just follow behind me."

After declaring this, the griffin spread its wings and took off to the skies. Runa and Chegyaeyi were next and followed behind the other griffin. Hazel and Evelyn were once again last, and Hazel then ordered her familiar to take off as well.

Nycteris let out a screech and took to the skies, catching up to the rest of their group. Behind them, the Jetport base, along with the rest of the valiant guild's territory, was shrinking the high and further they flew. Once they were at a considerable height, Zoe could no longer be seen along with the other members of the guild outside of the building as well.

It didn't take long before Hazel and the others could see the rest of Portland while in the air. And they also watched as it got smaller as they flew away in the opposite direction.

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