The Arks 195 The Ark Of Secrets

"I'd never imagined you would have the mind to punch him," laughed Baldwin.

"What the h.e.l.l was that for?!" yelled Raiyen as he got up from the ground.

"For lying."

"Ah. Took you a while to figure that out, eh?"

"For the sake of our little girl here, I won't reveal your tiny secret. But, that punch felt good."

"We've all got secrets to keep, don't we? Some of us have to take it to the grave."

Just then, a few Time Portals started to open up around Raiyen. Some were flashing blue while others were shades of green. The Mages made sure that the humans weren't in contact with those swirling things of Time.

"Overstayed your Time here?" asked Z, raising an eyebrow.

"You could say that as well. But, I'll be seeing you guys very soon. That's for me. For you lot, I'm not sure. But my younger self should be coming home very soon."

He then walked over the Mavis gave her a tight hug. As he released her, he kissed her hand. The Valkyrie freaked out and looked away in embarra.s.sment. He then smirked and walked towards a blue portal. He stopped in his tracks and spun around.

"Well, it was fun, fighting with you lot! Just remember this note. Just because Benjamin isn't here means that the Husks won't come. Both can visit you guys. But by that time, you've got the planet's strongest Mages with you," warned Raiyen, with a charming smile.

"See ya!" said Raiyen, waving his hand as he fell backward into the portal.

The group bid him goodbye but Mavislin was the only one who saw the beautiful gold ring on his left index finger.

"Hold on a minute! Raiyen!" yelled the Valkyrie.

She tried to grab hold of him but it was too late. The future Raiyen and his little Time Portals had disappeared.

"What did you want to ask him?" asked Gab.

"Nothing... Perhaps I'm just tired."

"Aren't we all?" asked Z.

"So, what do we do next?" asked Ling.

"You Kings have a mission to do and that's to restore normality around here first. You guys are down with two members, so we've asked for some help to guide you guys," explained Z, showing two familiar faces to the group.

That is, familiar only to Mavislin.

"Jeanette!" yelled Mavislin.

"Mavis!" shouted the French Maiden as the two girls approached each other in happiness.

"I'm so glad you weren't too hurt!" said the lovely young maiden.

"I'm glad that you are safe too!"

"Ahem," said a certain hot-tempered princess.

"Oh? The wh.o.r.e of Babylon has returned?" asked Mavislin with a cheeky grin.

"I've been standing here all this while!" screamed the girl.

"Sorry, your existence was not important enough for me to render any attention for my eyes," said Mavislin.

"Why you... How dare you?!"

"Your book of insults is quite interesting, Mavislin," said Z, stifling a laugh.

The rest of the Kings had lost control and started laughing as the princess started getting redder by the moment. Jeanne D' Arc merely swayed her head and asked the two to knock it off. Soon, the Kings and the two helpers were on their merry way, leaving the Mages to their devices.

"Well, no humans left around here. Let's go home, shall we?" asked Z, placing his hand behind his head.

Mavislin smiled for a split second, only to realize what was waiting for her if she ever went back. Her smile was comical as her mind created a bunch of scenarios on what the old couple would do to her. After all, she had broken their rules.

"What's wrong? Scared of what Gil and First Lady would do to you?" asked Z, raising an eyebrow.

The Valkyrie nodded slowly, her expression never leaving her face. Baldwin gave a bitter laugh while arching his back.

"Don't worry. I've gotten the worst of it. It won't be so bad once you reach there," grumbled Baldwin.

"What did they do to you when I was away?" asked Z, confusingly.

"Best not to bring up memories of scars, mate."

The Angry Man composed himself and summoned up the Puka. He then pulled his old buddy up onto his stead. As he readied the Puka, the Valkyrie extended her wings and took flight. Though the battle had taken most of her energy, she should have just enough to go back home.

"I'll try not to think about it," said Mavislin.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," said Z, looking at the concerned Valkyrie.

"You sound like Minwoo," laughed Mavislin in bitterness.