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[img]https://cdn.anisearch.de/images/anime/screen/13/13592/full/411587.jpg[/img]
[color=white][h1][b][u]Pride[/u][/b][/h1][/color]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KZQFoh8QMA&list](Mood Music)[/url]
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Auriel sat with her mother at the table and watched as Spear Hero ate the food that the two of them cooked together. Auriel looked pensive at best, worried that her cooking might not match up to her mother's. But he ate it nonetheless, which boosted Auriels' confidence to cook for him in the future. After he went to sleep, Auriel remained with her mother for a bit longer. [color=white][i]"I like him."[/i][/color] Auriel's mother said.

Auriel blinked, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Did you think you wouldn't?"[/b][/color] she tilted her head.

Her mother chuckled and looked back at Auriel, [color=white][i]"I was worried a hero would be summoned that you would be unable to get along with. It seems that worry was unfounded, and I'm glad. You two seem like you'll do very well for yourselves on the road ahead."[/i][/color]

Auriel's mother was busy preparing a batch of pastries for the orphanage in the monastery, so her gaze never really landed on Auriel all too much. Auriel moved to help her mother clean the table to lay the ingredients out. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"I wanted to talk to you about that, by the way... The road ahead."[/b][/color]

Before Auriel could continue, her mother spoke, [color=white][i]"You'll be leaving home soon, and I wont be able to see my darling girl every morning practicing with her spear and playing with the children."[/i][/color]

Auriel heard that and balled her hands into weak fists, she nodded. Her mother placed a gentle hand over Auriel's, [color=white][i]"Dear... Ever since you were chosen as the Holy Warrior, I knew a day like this would come eventually. I've had plenty of time to come to terms with this moment."[/i][/color]

Auriel looked at her mother who seemed as calm as ever, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"What if... I don't come back?"[/b][/color]

The sweet expression on her mother's face became more somber. She continued what she was doing with the her ingredients to find some resolve. [color=white][i]"You know... I always asked myself that same question whenever you went off to do battle with those horrible monsters. Yet you continued to come back with your head held high."[/i][/color]

Auriel's wings twitched a bit, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Not every time..."[/b][/color]

Her mother looked back to her again and frowned, [color=white][i]"I suppose not... But things are different now, Auriel. That battle hardened you. You were at a low point, and you managed to climb out from it to reclaim your former glory. Now look at you. My darling daughter is so strong and mature now. With the Spear Hero by your side, Auriel, I know you will never return to that low point. You may not think highly of yourself since you fell in battle that day. But I'm your mother, I will always have confidence in you, and trust that you will come back some day to play with the children and train the next Holy Warrior."[/i][/color] Her mother chuckled and continued, [color=white][i]"And care for me when I'm old. Oh what a time that will be."[/i][/color]

Her mother was caught by surprise when she was suddenly hugged for dear life by Auriel, the angel's face buried in her mother's shoulder. There was silence for some time, with only the occasional muffled sniffle against the mother's shoulder. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Thank you, mom..."[/b][/color]

Auriel's mother stroked a hand down Auriel's golden hair, [color=white][i]"Don't thank me, sweetie. I should be the one thanking you for having the courage to march against the World's End with the heroes of legend. People like you are who gives the world hope. And it gives me unfathomable amounts of pride."[/i][/color]

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Auriel was awake early, as always, and she was training in the courtyard of the monastery like she had done when she was a child. Training her was like a form of meditation for her. It was soothing, and Auriel had reached a point where she felt a day would never be right unless she went through her morning routine. Some of the older priests and sisters of the monastery sat back and watched Auriel every morning, cheering her on whenever she put on a good show, and constructively criticizing her whenever she made a mistake. It was the same thing every morning. But it helped her learn even when she thought she had learned it all. There was always somebody better. This morning routine was what really helped her recover from the depression that loomed over her after her injuries. Now, her focus had shifted from being a way to hone her own skills, to coming up with a method to train the Spear Hero.

There was always some orphans that rose from their slumbers early every morning to watch from the monastery windows in awe. Auriel remembered catching some of the children trying to mirror her routines with brooms and straight sticks. It brought warmth to her heart knowing that she was influencing children, especially the orphans who needed a role model. She knew they'd absolutely love the fresh pastries her mother was pulling from her stone oven that morning. She tasted the raspberry filled pastries, and even asked if she could slip a few into her pack for the journey. She got three, enough for each member of their fledgling party.

Auriel finished her routine in just enough time to hear Flin calling out for her. Auriel looked to the elders and bowed, to which they bowed back and watched as she ran off. Auriel ran right to Flin and joined him as they began to leave. She was sure the shaman wasn't far behind. Before even leaving the monastery, they were met with some of the king's men. They were being summoned back to the throne room.

When they arrived, Auriel saw a new figure standing before the king. He wore the shield of a cardinal hero. That didn't make sense though. The shield hero was much older last she saw him. Then she heard what the king had to say. Was such a thing even possible? A false hero being summoned? Auriel tried rapping her head around that, but the fact of the matter was that this was the situation now whether she wanted to believe it or not. She kept quiet, knowing it wasn't her place to speak out of turn in the presence of the king and the cardinal heroes. Auriel simply remained by Flin's side, her curious eyes flicking back to the shield hero every so often to continue to rationalize the events that had transpired with the false shield. When he introduced himself to Flin, Auriel made herself known as well. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"And I am Auriel Asher, please don't be afraid to approach me should we cross paths in the future. It is my sacred duty to assist you heroes in your quest."[/b][/color]
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