“What the hell is Levi doing in my bed? He kind of looks cute when he sleeps. Oh, shit! I forgot about last night. He must have been worried something would happen. Sora and Stefania are here too.”
Mina rested her eyes again, drifting back to sleep.
About an hour later, Levi woke up and failed miserably trying to sneak out of bed. Mina grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.
“Trying to sneak in my bed and leave?” She asked in a serious, stern tone.
Stefania and Sora woke up to Levi stumbling over what to say.
“No, I mean yes, I don’t know we all wanted to make sure you’re ok,” Levi said in a panic.
“I know. I did wake up and I remember Stefania and Sora being here. Then I woke up again about an hour ago, you had your arm around me and it was nice of you so lay back down already. I need more sleep.”
Sora and Stefania burst out in laughter.
“Levi, you ask me for help then walk right into that? Bro…”
“What do you mean, ‘bro?’ You are not my brother?” Levi asked, legitimately confused.
“Oh, that’s right, in our time, it’s a term of endearment. Someone who you are close to when you’re a guy and they’re a guy, it’s a ‘bro’ thing.”
“Oh, cool bro.”
Mina laughed.
“I said I wanted to sleep but it’s too late now. Sora, did you see the stats unlocked…” and she quickly covered her mouth.
“Yes and it’s fine I told Stefania too. Might as well tell the dead guy too.”
“Ding! Your stats will reflect your level in ⅘ categories. Each of you must agree on one stat to instantly max out from the following: Strength, Agility, Vitality, Mana, or Will. Health still locked. Unlocks at level 10. You are level 7. 0/3000 experience.”
Sora hovered over mana and changed to will repeatedly, showing his indecision to his sister.
His sister locked onto mana.
“Hey Stef, what’s one thing you would like to have the maximum amount of strength, vitality, agility, mana or will?” Mina asked.
“That’s easy, will,” Levi interrupted.
“For humans yes, for elf I would say mana. The ability to consistently cast magic without wearing down would be useful. Is that your system again?” Stefania responded.
“Yes, mana it is.”
Sora and Mina chose Mana.
“Ding! Mana selected. Mana ∞. Strength, Agility, Will, Vitality 7. One point will be rewarded in each category per level up.”
“Well, does anyone fancy a trip to MeadowSong? I’m sure Jax would love to return home and be a King,” Mina asked with a yawn.
“Sora and Levi can go. They can take Xavier. I need your help with something, Mina, if that’s ok?” Stefania asked.
“Sure.”
“Alright bro let’s get going. Wonder what Xavier’s up to anyway? Probably practicing being more serious in a mirror,” Sora joked.
Everyone laughed but Levi.
“Why would he practice that? He’s already a master, bro,” Levi said casually.
“That’s the joke,” Sora laughed.
“Oh I get it,” Levi said as the two were basically rushed out of the room.
Once they left, Mina asked Stefania, “What’s up?”
“How does October 21 sound for a wedding? We don’t have a full winter here. The lowest the temperature drops is around 70, and you’ve been through the highest, which is in the 90s.”
With a giant gasp and smile, Mina said, “I love it! Do you need help with the wedding planning?”
“Yes, my Mother insisted you were a part of the ceremony preparations and my maid of honor.”
“Your mom is very sweet. I’d love to,” Mina said with a wide smile.
“Why’d they rush us out like that?” Sora asked while walking to the stables.
“That was super weird. Wonder what they’re planning,” Levi said.
“Who is planning what?” Xavier asked as he was riding Ace and picked up the conversation during his training with his stead.
“Mina and Stefania basically kicked us out of the room this morning and said go to MeadowSong, we’ll get you up to speed on the way there.”
“Oh, it’s probably to plan for your wedding,” Xavier said.
“Bro…” Levi and Sora said at the same time.
“Yes, I will be your brother Sora. But not you, Levi, even if our Fathers were close.”
Unlike Levi, it took a good four explanations on what ‘bro’ meant and how it wasn’t ok for him to talk about his sister’s wedding plans.
“Ah, so we’re all bros. I will use this. Maybe in human culture, but for elf royalty, it’s common knowledge shared between bride and groom.”
“Yeah, but Stefania didn’t want Sora to know.”
“My apologies, Sora. I will not reveal when or anything else.”
“Bro…”
“Oh. I mean I will not reveal anything else.”
The three laughed, and it was the first time Sora saw Xavier laugh. He enjoyed these types of moments. In his first life, he only had his sister. This life, he has friends, a fiancée and is a royal elf.
“I really enjoy being a part of your family and I’m glad Levi’s here too.”
“Glad to be here, even if I’m dead,” Levi said with a laugh.
“Very dead, saw it with my own eyes,” Xavier said, in a less serious tone.
“THERE YOU GO BRO! Try not to be so serious around us all the time. We enjoy your company,” Levi and Sora exclaimed.
“Thanks bros, I enjoy your company as well.”
“Not as much as my sister enjoyed Levi’s last night,” Sora said with a laugh.
“It’s not like that…”
“Mina told me about your family. I’m sorry about that. If it isn’t like that, that’s fine. If it is like that, don’t rush or anything, just know I won’t object. You’re a good guy.”
“I would not object either,” Xavier said.
“Well I’m glad I have both of your approval, she did kinda grab me hard this morning. How strong are you two?”
“They’re the twins of prophecy, Levi.”
“That doesn’t even surprise me. Makes sense.”
After getting Xavier up to speed on Mina’s visions, they had finally arrived at MeadowSong.
Jax immediately greeted them, sliding down from the Kingdom’s walls riding vines he created.
“That’s a cool entrance,” Levi said. I’m the dead General, Levi Shroud.”
“You look alive and well to me, I’m Jax Reinhart and my wife Eva is around here somewhere. Just wait until you see guys. Raina is a queen and this is a living city again!”
“Levi is definitely dead. This is important information, even if we joke about it. Sora’s illusion magic showed him dying to all of humanity. He’s with us in secret,” Xavier said.
“Oh, right. Well, come on, let’s give you a tour!”
Levi, Xavier and Sora figured the reason for their visit could wait.