As planned, Levi and Mina rode out with King Luther first thing in the morning on September 7th.
Levi and Mina had absolutely no idea where they were going.
About 20 miles outside of MeadowSong, along the same forest lines the scouts used to return to Prosperity, there was a cave hidden by a waterfall.
As the three rode up to the waterfall, they noticed only one horse tied up.
"That's my King, leave him to show up alone," Levi said.
Mina stood outside while Luther walked in.
"You can bring the girl in as well, we have nothing to hide here," Lance said while giving Luther a massive hug.
"It's so good to see you, my old friend. How have you been?"
As he answered, Mina walked in and stopped dead in her tracks. Lance had a fire burning with no firewood. He also had lights inside the cave. She couldn't believe a human possessed Elven magic.
She also noticed how handsome he was, and realized that the Elven magic must have slowed his age.
"And who is this?" Lance said, extending his hand out for a shake.
When their hands touched, Mina's blue eye illuminated.
<><><><>
She saw the elves marching to Fox Valley to find it completely booby trapped. Only around 500 humans stood in the kingdom, rigged with explosives. She saw Lance and Levi die.
"I'm Mina, it's nice to meet you."
"That eye? Luther it can't be?"
"It is my friend. Her brother cast the illusion that allowed us to fake Levi's death. She can see the future."
"And what did you just see?"
"You and Levi are marching into Fox Valley with Elves only to find 500 humans and the kingdom rigged with explosives."
"Amazing. Glad to see prophecies still come true. So SilverCrest should be easy to take. I would send people and not over take them, but allow the humans to stay free under elven rule."
"Want to see another magic trick," Luther asked.
Intrigued, Lance witnessed Mina transform into a human.
"How?!"
"They are reincarnated human warriors who selected a quest of Chronos after they defeated the Demon King Vigor in 1900. We can trust them."
"Good. Levi, protect Mina and Sora and get people to SilverCrest as soon as possible."
"Sounds great. Here, Lance, please take this," Luther said as he handed over a handheld radio device.
"A gift from Themis?" Lance asked.
Mina stood in shock at the blue eyed human. Did he also have foresight?
"I can see you're interested, Mina. No, I do not have foresight, just gifts of Elven magic blessed on me by my best friend, Luther Fang."
"So how many humans can actually use Elven magic?"
Four. Myself and Levi and you and your brother.
Mina looked at Levi differently now. Yes, he was incredibly handsome, with matching black hair and soft green eyes. However, there was always a sense of sadness about him, which she wanted to understand why.
<><><><>
"Levi, I must ask too much of you again. Stay with the elves and aid them as much as you can. I'll keep the Emperor at bay."
"As you wish, my King."
"Mina, Levi, can two friends catch up?" Lance asked.
They stepped out and Mina took the opportunity to ask Levi why someone so beautiful carried such sadness in his eyes.
"We lived in a world of peace. Life was great and my young wife and first child were murdered by the Emperor for my failure to take over an Elven territory. We were just 20, and that was about 8 years ago."
Mina's eye illuminated blue and her green eye illuminated as well. She could see his living aura with the green eye, swirling with sadness. Her blue eye showed him finding love again.
Ding! You have unlocked your green eye. Quest completion 75%. Your green eye has the ability to see living auras and manipulate matter within your weapons.
Sora heard the ding and smiled, letting Stefania know.
Mina hugged Levi, said she was sorry and that in a vision he finds love again. His aura settled. It was the first time Levi smiled in quite some time.
<><><><>
Inside, Lance and Luther caught up on everything. Not many knew Levi was Lance's son, because they gave him a non royal last name, "Shroud."
"How is he Lance? He looks so sad, yet so angry at the same time."
"He lives to serve and help my Kingdom and rebuild the elves. If I would let him, he'd storm the capital with the magical gifts you blessed him with and go right for the Emperor's head."
"I remember the day well. A gruesome punishment. What's next after SilverCrest?"
"Destroy Fox Valley and rebuild it! We should get going, I'd like to arrive home before nightfall. Call me on the radio anytime."
Luther and Lance walked out, Lance gave everyone a hug and whispered to Levi, "the girl is beautiful. Maybe grieve less and live your life. I'm not saying forget about your family. I'm sure they'd be happy to see you move on."
Luther smiled, as did Levi, and they were off.
On the journey home, Levi asked Mina about herself and she said she wished she had a good answer.
"I just keep learning more and more and whether I accomplish or fail I reincarnate either way. It can be any era, realm, time, or race."
"Does that scare you?"
"Everyday. I have my brother and he has the Princess, but this war is what we have to win!"
"Do you miss your human family and friends?"
"Our parents died when we were 18 and we dedicated our lives to avenging them. Then we died and ended up with Chronos. We have only had each other."
"I'm sorry for your loss. Let's train sometime. I can help you with your eyes," Levi admitted with a smirk.
"That would be great," Mina admitted.
Before they knew it, they were back home, and Sora and Stefania were nowhere to be found.
Levi had been staying in a small guest room, so Mina invited him to stay in Sora's bed.
He happily accepted. Where was her brother? She hadn't spent a night alone since she was a kid.
Sora had just fallen asleep in Stefania's room after a massive day of training. Once his sister unlocked her green eye, he did everything he could to unlock his.
"Sleep well, my love. Don't push yourself too far," Stefania said with a kiss on the forehead.
Mina and Levi talked late into the night, both having a new appreciation for the pain they each felt and the desire to win this war.