Hidden Pathways (BOOK 1)

Shadow Reckoning - Chapter 116

"Sorry for the wait!" Leeani's voice carried across the deck as she approached, a jar of dried food in her hand.

"Here, Kazaks. Eat and drink all of these!" Andhur chimed in, presenting a jar of water alongside the food.

Kazaks accepted the provisions with gratitude, offering a quick "Thank you" before eagerly opening the jars.

"Hey, quiet down while you're eating, master Gargeal and Jiighual are sleeping over there," Leeani chided gently, her tone soft but firm.

"Heh, said the one who just shouted a while ago while calling out for my name," Kazaks retorted with a playful grin.

"I doubt they'll even wake up sooner. Those two are heavy sleepers, especially Jiighual," Andhur added with a chuckle, echoing Kazaks' sentiment.

Qarek's sudden smile caught the attention of Leeani and Andhur, prompting them to inquire about its cause.

"Hehehehe, guess what?" Qarek's mischievous laughter filled the air as he glanced between Leeani and Andhur, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"What?" Leeani and Andhur responded in unison, their curiosity piqued by Qarek's playful demeanor.

"I'm going to be a godfather! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Qarek announced gleefully, his laughter echoing across the deck.

"Wait. WHAT!?" Leeani and Andhur exclaimed simultaneously, their surprise evident in their voices.

"Yeah, you heard that right! I'm going to be a godfather of Kazaks and Yzavynne's future kids!" Qarek confirmed with a wide grin.

"Kazaks and Yzavynne?!" Leeani exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment.

"WHAT?!" Andhur echoed, equally taken aback by the revelation.

"Who knew my best friend had such feelings for Yzavynne, right? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Qarek chuckled, thoroughly amused by the situation.

Leeani and Andhur turned their attention to Kazaks, who remained unfazed and focused on his meal.

"Is that true, Kazaks?" Leeani inquired, her curiosity getting the best of her.

"WHAT?!" Andhur blurted out, still processing the unexpected news.

Kazaks finally looked up from his food, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, yeah. I mean, I've always thought Yzavynne was pretty cool. And who wouldn't want to marry someone as skilled at fishing as she is? It's like having a lifetime supply of fresh seafood!" he joked, causing Qarek to burst into laughter.

"And don't forget about her singing voice! Imagine our future kids growing up to the sound of her beautiful melodies," Kazaks added between laughs.

Leeani and Andhur couldn't help but join in the laughter, the tension from earlier dissipating as they shared a moment of lightheartedness with their friends.

"Looks like we've got a budding romance on our hands, folks!" Qarek declared, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

"It's like something straight out of a storybook," Leeani mused, her smile softening as she glanced at Kazaks, her heart warmed by the thought of their friend finding love.

Andhur nodded in agreement, his own grin reflecting the joyous atmosphere. "Well, I guess that settles it then. When's the wedding, Kazaks?" he teased, earning another round of laughter from the group.

They continued to joke and laugh together, the worries of the past faded into the background, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the promise of brighter days ahead.

"Ha! Wedding? Slow down there, Andhur," Kazaks chuckled, shaking his head as he finished chewing a mouthful of food. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Besides, I think Yzavynne might need some time to recover from the shock of finding out I'm apparently head over heels for her!"

His words elicited another round of laughter from the group, the tension of their recent trials melting away in the camaraderie of the moment.

"But who knows? Maybe one day," Kazaks continued, a hint of sincerity underlying his playful tone. "For now, let's just focus on getting back to Ember Wind Village in one piece. We've still got plenty of adventures ahead of us!"

"Andhur, you're getting a bit carried away there," Leeani teased, nudging her friend playfully. "Let's not scare Yzavynne off before Kazaks even has a chance to ask her out!"

Andhur chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah, I guess you're right. But just imagine it—Kazaks, in a fancy suit, nervously sweating bullets as he tries to get the words out. It'd be priceless!"

Kazaks rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Andhur. But for now, let's just enjoy the journey."

Amidst the jovial conversation of his friends, Zach found himself lost in his own thoughts. His gaze lingered on Ruby'ck, who was engaged in animated conversation with the others. A soft smile graced her lips, and her laughter rang out like music in the air.

"Ruby'ck... Even now, your presence fills my heart with warmth," Zach whispered, his voice barely audible even to himself. "I've already confessed my feelings for you, but will you ever truly know the depth of my affection?"

Zach observed the lively banter among his friends, a tender smile played upon his lips. The warmth of their camaraderie enveloped him like a comforting embrace, easing the weight of his unspoken emotions. 

"You know, there's something truly beautiful about the idea of a wedding," Zach began, his words infused with a soft, reflective tone. "It's a celebration of love, of two souls intertwining to embark on a journey together. In a world often filled with chaos and uncertainty, love serves as an anchor, a guiding light that illuminates even the darkest of paths."

His gaze drifted to Ruby'ck, whose presence continued to inspire a sense of serenity within him. "Love has a way of transcending boundaries, of bridging the gaps between us and uniting our hearts in a bond that's both profound and enduring. And perhaps, in the quiet moments between the laughter and the celebrations, we discover the true essence of love—the unwavering support, the shared dreams, and the unspoken understanding that binds us together."

"Someday," Zach murmured softly, the words barely audible above the gentle hum of the breeze. "Someday, I'll marry Ruby'ck too."

Zach's words hung in the air, suffused with a quiet reverence for the power of love. In that fleeting moment, surrounded by friends who had become like family, he found solace in the belief that love would always prevail, guiding them through life's myriad challenges with unwavering grace and fortitude.

As Andhur, Kazaks, Leeani, and Qarek turned their attention to Zach, they sensed a quiet intensity emanating from him, his eyes fixed on the tranquil expanse of the sea ahead. His silence spoke volumes, the weight of his thoughts palpable in the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

Andhur's brow furrowed slightly with concern, his voice gentle as he spoke. "You seem distant, captain. Is everything alright?"

Qarek chimed in, his usual cheer tempered by a hint of worry. "Yeah. Captain, what's wrong?"

"We're here," Zach murmured, a sense of awe coloring his words as he watched the familiar outline of the Ember Wind Village come into view, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.

Leeani gasped softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she took in the sight. "It's beautiful," she breathed, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

Qarek let out a low whistle, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can't believe we're finally back," he remarked, his tone reflecting a mix of wonder and relief.

Kazaks nodded in agreement, a sense of calm washing over him as he took in the tranquil scene before them. "Feels like coming home," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of reverence.

Andhur grinned broadly, his expression one of pure joy as he surveyed the village ahead. "I can't wait to see everyone again," he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.

Zach's heart swelled with pride as he watched his companions' reactions, a sense of gratitude washing over him.