Of the two remaining items laid on the table, the one that catches hit eye the most is the tablet. A stone like rectangular tablet with unknown runes etched around the border.
[Sakyo] {Appraisal}
With the use of his skill, Sakyo can see the information needed about the item.
{Mirror of Whispered Visions}
Forged in the twilight of an age long forgotten. With the stars as its guild, you may peer into the hearts of those you hold close.
To use: Prick your finger and let your blood flow through this tablet. Once you are registered as a user, you will be able to communicate with anyone you desire.
[Sakyo] Woah, I didn't think I'd find something like this here. When I make the new village, if I can figure out how this works, I might be able to make another one. This could make communications way easier than sending letters. Now then, what about the other one.
{Keystone of Moonshadows}
Forged by the king who lives through memories. Look into your heart and find what you seek.
To use: Hold against your head and think of where you want to go. A gate will be created to your desired location. You may travel to any location you have previously been to, or the current location of any ally. Cooldown: 6 Hours.
[Sakyo] Nice, now I don't have to walk back to the capital. I can take these back and finally go home. Let's see, it said to hold it to my head and think of where I want to go.
With both relics in his hands, Sakyo holds the Keystone to his forehead.
[Sakyo] "The Castle Gates"
With one thought, the relic begins to glow. Once it's fully charged, a beam of light is shot to the floor in front of him. From it grows a mystic gate, a door to the desired location.
[Sakyo] Alright, it worked! I really need some healing and maybe a nap.
Before walking through the gate, Sakyo turns around one final time. His eyes linger on the letter still laid alone on the table.
[Sakyo] Thank you, Rayonna.
After his final goodbye, he steps through the gate door back home.
...
[Sakyo] Well, this is quite the surprise.~
Upon exiting the gate, Sakyo is greeted with the rising sun of dusk. Its morning light illuminating the world as all shadows are expelled from view. Among these shadows lays three familiar faces still sleeping in front of the castle gates.
Garm and Kaya sleeping side by side, her head on his shoulder. Below them lays Ren, sound asleep in Kaya's lap, using Garm's fluffy tail as a blanket. The two girls mumble in their sleep, giving window to their dreams.
[Kaya] No, no more…mmm…That's too many pups...Garm...
[Ren] Sakyo…mmm…of course...I'll marry you...mmm...a hundred more times...
[Garm] Mmm, (yawn) Master?
[Sakyo] Yeah, I'm back.
Looking up at his master with sleepy eyes, Garm is quickly made wide awake after seeing Sakyo's bloody appearance.
[Garm] Good morn-, Master! Why are you covered in blood?!
His sudden rise and loud voice awakens the two girls from their deep slumber.
[Ren] Huh, wazzat? Is the world ending?
[Kaya] Wait, I'm not ready for more!
[Sakyo] I bit off a bit too much yesterday. I need... some...healing...
[Garm] Master!
Sakyo is barely able to finish his sentence before collapsing to the ground. Garm rushes to catch is body before everything fade to black.
...
Once again, Sakyo wakes up not knowing where he is. This time, he's laying in a bed, his midsection completely bandaged.
[Sakyo] Ugh, what happened? Where am I?
[Reika] You're in the knight's healing tent.
His mother's voice sounds from his side, standing tall beside the bed.
[Reika] Do you have any idea how worried I was? You didn't come home last night, and then this morning Garm runs to me carrying you soaked in blood.
[Sakyo] Sorry, I-
[Reika] You can explain later. Right now, you need rest.
[Sakyo] Alright, I'll explain everything later. Trust me, I found something you'll want to hear.
Despite her curiosity, Reika leaves to begins the knight's training for the day. Sakyo sits up and is met with a furry tackle to his face.
Lumi, who had been waiting for his return, brushed her fur across his body. She purrs each time Sakyo pets her, however, she jumps high at the sudden intrusion of two loud yells.
[Garm/Ren] Master!/Sakyo!
[Sakyo] Easy, I'm still recovering here.
Garm calms himself, standing next to the bed, while a crying Ren clings tightly to Sakyo.
[Ren] Sakyo, you're really back, right? You're not a ghost?
[Sakyo] Yeah, it's really me. Sorry for making you worry.
[Garm] We are just glad that you have returned. If I may ask, where did you go yesterday?
[Sakyo] It's a bit of a long story...
After explaining everything that happened with the bear and the ancient city, Garm is left dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond to all of this new information.
[Sakyo] I know it's hard to believe, but I have proof. I brought back a relic that can take me back there.
[Garm] I do believe your words, but you are in no condition to make the journey. Please rest, you can bring your findings to Lady Reika once you have recovered. Come along, Ren. Let us give Master time to rest.
[Ren] No, I'm staying here. Sakyo needs my hugs to feel better.
[Garm] There is no proof that a hug can provide the same effects as proper medical treatment. While your intentions may be pure, I can not allow you to hinder Master's recovery.
[Sakyo] Just leave her, Garm. It'll be more trouble to pry her off, trust me.
[Garm] (sigh) Very well.
After a few more hours of recovery, Sakyo is once again able to stand up on his own. As per Garm's earlier suggestion, he makes his way to find his mother. She is found finishing up the knight's daily training.
[Reika] Sakyo, shouldn't you be resting?
[Sakyo] I've recovered enough. There's something I need to talk to you about.
[Reika] I told you, we can talk once you're all better. Go to your room and keep resting.
[Sakyo] But-
[Reika] No "buts", go to your room.
[Sakyo] I found a place to make the new village.
Silence fills the air, Reika stunned by her son's claim.
[Reika] Alright, but we're talking about this in your room... Also, why's that kid clinging to your arm?
She points at Ren who hasn't let go of Sakyo's arm for hours.
[Sakyo] Don't worry about it.
In Sakyo's bedroom, Reika paces around trying to process everything she was just told.
[Reika] Let me get this straight. You fought and defeated an Emberhide Dreadbear, and found an ancient city that hasn't been recorded on any maps?
[Sakyo] Yes.
[Reika] You realize how unbelievable this sounds, right?
[Sakyo] Yet you believed me when I told you about the Midnight Tiger.
[Reika] In my defense, you didn't defeat it, you neutralized it. And you brought back its cub so of course I had to believe you about that, but this...
[Sakyo] Maybe this will be enough proof for you.
He takes the bear's hide out of his system storage, presenting it to his mother. Upon seeing the hide, Reika's words leave her speechless. A prideful look spreads across Sakyo's face as he waits for his mother to regain her composure.
[Reika] Alright, I'll believe you. If you really did find an ancient city, we'll need to inform his majesty. Depending on what he says about it, construction on the new village could begin soon.
[Sakyo] I gotta admit, I didn't think a location for the new village would be found so soon.
[Reika] Me neither, but I'm glad if it really is there. Now get some rest. I don't want to hear from you for the rest of the day.
With that, Reika leaves the room to speak to the king.
[Sakyo] (sigh) So Ren, how long are you gonna cling to my arm like this?
[Ren] Forever.
...
The next day, both Sakyo and Reika are summoned by the king to discuss Sakyo's discovery. They both kneel before him, sitting in his throne.
[King] I have been informed of all of your actions regarding the location of a new village. Sakyo, you have stated that while adventuring in the northern forest, you wandered far enough until a fog began to form. After continuing deeper into that fog, you came across an unmarked city that appeared to have been abandoned. Is this correct?
[Sakyo] Yes, your majesty.
[King] You also stated you have proof of your discovery. Are you willing to share that proof with us now?
[Sakyo] As you wish.
At his command, Sakyo presents the {Keystone of Moonshadows} to the king and Reika. They both seem perplexed, not knowing what it is they're looking at.
[Sakyo] This is a relic that I found in the ancient city. I was able to use it to return to the capital yesterday. Although, it appears to have a limit of only being used once every six hours.
[King] Interesting. I'd say that this is indeed sufficient proof of your discovery, however, I would still like a second witness for this. Sister.
[Reika] Brother.
The two siblings act with cold words, a tense atmosphere engulfing the room.
[King] You will be excused from your duties for the rest of the day. I am putting you in charge of overseeing Sakyo's discovery and confirming it authenticity. Should this place truly be a new discovery, we will begin preparations for moving the rescued captives there at once.
[Reika] Understood.
[King] Now then, as this discussion is over, I have news for Sakyo. The king of Raefauna has accepted your engagement to his first daughter.
[Reika] Engagement?
[Sakyo] (Crap, I never told Mom about that!)