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~ "I will be leaving for a while, it is something I must do and something I must do on my own, I trust you to lead in my place, I know you can do it!" those words rang through Zephyr's mind, it had been just over ten months since he heard them from Ion before he left alone on a journey, ten long months without his mate by his side. Ion had put his trust in him though, to lead his Hunter group Fangenclaw while he was away, it was as much Zephyr's group as well since both of them were the founding members but Ion had those natural instincts about him that people would want to follow, he always seamed to know what to do at a given moment and have everyone execute the plan perfectly, when he was by their side they felt there was nothing they could not accomplish but Zephyr to himself didn't feel like he had that ability. Sure he had been able to lead in Ion's place for the time being but it stressed him so, things were not as easy as before and he constantly felt overwhelmed with all the decisions he had to make but could not show it, the others were counting on him to keep them safe. There had been a few bumps in the road but no one got killed, the others never expected him to be a perfect recreation of Ion but deep down they all knew, even Zephyr himself there was no replacing him and his leadership. "I am a knight, I am someone who follows orders not make them my self" Zephyr kept thinking to himself, "why did you leave me in charge surely someone else could do better? Why didn't you ask Narche if she wanted to lead us?" Zephyr had to continually wipe these thoughts from his mind, Ion knew what he was doing, Narche was never really an option as she had the Ravagers to contend with, besides not really belonging to Fangenclaw anyways and Zephyr knew he could get the job done, as did the others as they all were still by his side even with Ion gone this long, Zephyr knew they valued his knowledge as well, even when Ion was around leading them the others would default to Zephyr for a decision when Ion could not be reached, Zephyr had in his own way lead before, on a much smaller scale but he knew he could do this.
Still though they all hoped Ion would return soon, it just was not the same without him, Contracts seamed harder without the speedy fox by their side, as was the case with Fangenclaw's current target. She was a powerful psynergist with a small crew at her command that worked in perfect synergy something that Fangenclaw at the moment was lacking. Attempt after attempt failed but Zephyr made sure none of his comrades got hurt, the thing that was the most important to him but he was aggravated by the constant failure, his failure. "Come on Zephyr, I know we can do this" Zephyr angrily thought to himself, "Ion would know what to do but he isn't here right now, you are, Kyara, Garrette and Lazar are counting on you!" Zephyr came up with one last ditch plan that if he could not get it executed, he would turn in the Contract uncomplete, something Fangenclaw had never done and it would have been done on his watch, he didn't know how he could confront Ion in this scenario, it had to work, it just had to. The fight started off alright, the team was able to take out a few members of their target's crew but they were able to fall back and regroup, pushing back against Fangenclaw's advance. The plan was now going down hill, once again she had gotten the best of him and Zephyr had no choice but to order a fallback and retreat," thats it, this one is going to get away", Zephyr though as he could not risk his comrade's lives any longer, he had failed in the Contract but at least he didn't fail them. Then suddenly from the horizon, the direction of the setting sun between the mountains a familiar shadow cast over, Zephyr had to do a double take but it was him, standing beneath the setting sun, was none other then the one person Zephyr wanted to see most, his mate Ion. He did look a bit different then the last he saw him ten months ago, the new ponytail for one thing and the fact that he was wearing nothing but the belts he used to have tied around his coat but it was him, Ion had returned. Standing there with is hair flowing in the wind, Ion stared down the woman that was his mate's target, hand on his sword like he was sending her a message, that her time was up and he was going to take it. She started to make a small remark but in a flash Ion was right up against her, easily bypassing her crew with ease and with a single strike, her life was forfeit. Her crew was in disarray at what they had just witnessed, Zephyr seeing the time was right called for Kyara, Garrette and Zazar to close in and with Ion's help they took care of her remaining crew.
With the battle over and his stressed eased, Zephyr looked over to Ion who just looked back and cracked a large smile on his face, overwhelmed with emotion, Zephyr ran over to Ion and gave him an embrace. Ion though made a small wincing sound as he did which made Zephyr let go, "what's the matter? Are you injured?" Ion cracked a small smile "just a little bit, maybe some bruised ribs but nothing a bit of rest in my own bed won't fix!" Ion exclaimed back to an excited Zephyr, "well as long as you are feeling ok but where have you been all this time and what happed to your clothes???" "Oh ya about that..." Ion started saying, "about two months ago they kind of finally bit the dust, I mean even before I left they were in tatters, the arms were falling apart..." "Well you ripped one of them off after you got your mechanical arm, even after I spent all that time getting it made for you!" Zephyr retorted, "Yes well the other arm also got ripped off on that Hunt remember and since then my coat was continually degrading, plus all those repairs and rebuilding my boots from childhood with new leather, well they were due to fall apart as well" Ion replied. "But were they not a gift from Flint? Zephyr remarked, "how do you think he would feel with you loosing them like that?" "Oh he is fine with it and understands" Ion replied at a confused Zephyr but seeing that confusion, Ion placed a hand on his chest, "remember he is a part of me now, he sees what I see and feels what I feel, he knows they served me well over the years and is grateful for that." Zephyr nodded remembering predicament, one of the reasons why he went on the solo journey in the first place, "did you find what you were looking for?" Ion placed a hand on Zephyr's shoulder, "more then that but now I am back for good, not just as a Hunter but for my duty to Norland" Ion answered as Zephyr remember the other reason why Ion left on his journey, that he was about to be named the overseer of Norland, the country's council wanted him to take his father's place since he has been mission for a long time, it was Ion's birth right and wouldn't stop him from continuing to be a Hunter, but Ion didn't know if the time was right but he seamed to find his answer on his adventure. "I am glad you did but one thing is still bothering me" Zephyr started saying, "when you lost your clothing as you said two months ago, why didn't you replace it?" "Well I was kind of busy" Ion replied placing a hand on the back of his head before grabbing his ponytail," see I also did really have the time to even cut my hair which is something I should now get on doing." "No don't!" Zephyr called out, "I think it looks good on you, you um... kind of... look cuter with it" Ion started laughing, "ok for the time being I will keep it as is, but we will see for how long, now as for the clothing, I have been thinking about some new Hunter gear for a while and now I believe the time is right to acquire some." "Well..." Zephyr started saying, "you basically have nothing now so I would hope so!" he continued as the two boys burst out laughing.
"Well that is not the only thing" Ion said as he held up his sword, "I think it is time to smelt this down and forge a new one, I am surprised it is still in one piece after the last battle." Zephyr glanced at Ion's sword, there were many cracks running down the blade, it had seen better days as it looks brittle, like it would break apart at any moment, "still though..." Ion started saying, "it will be sad to see it go, it has been with me ever since I recovered but I have ideas on how to improve the design so it should last a lot longer." "I assume you are going to forge it yourself again?" Zephyr asked "you know my sister can make you a strong sword like she made my scythe." "Thanks but..." Ion started replying, "I do enjoy the process of forging my own weapon and plus there is nothing like taking something you have designed and made with your own hands into battle, it helps we become one with my blade you know." Zephyr just nodded before asking "well then are you going to see Arturo then since he helped you make your last sword? If so do you mind if I tag along this time, I haven't seen our old master in ages." "I wouldn't have it any other way" Ion replied before placing a hand on his side, but like I said for the time being I am just going to rest and heal up, need my full strength if I am to create a new sword for myself." "Indeed!" Zephyr said as the two of them walked in to the city, the other members of Fangenclaw had already came back, even though they were also happy to see Ion return, they decided it was best for him and Zephyr to have some alone time after being away for so long. Ion wanted to head to his family's estate to collect a few things before going back to his and Zephyr's home just outside the city's wall, "Hey!!!" a voice could be heard from across the street as Ion and Zephyr looked over. Running across was Ion's cousin Meeka who would have just gotten off her shift as a surgeon at the Hunter's Hospital, "it has been ages it is good to see you again!" she exclaimed as she embraced Ion in a hard hug that caused him to wince again. Meeka let go almost instantly as she started to pat down Ion's ribs, "oh my god you are injured..." "no it is nothing much, just a few bruised ribs is all... ahhhhhh!" Ion tried to retort but Meeka pressed hard on his side, "bruised ribs? More like broken ribs to me, we are getting you to the hospital right away" Meeka exclaimed and she grabbed one of Ion's ears and started pulling him back from where she came, "now no complaining you are coming with me like it or not or else!" "But I think resting at home and sleeping in my own bed for a change will..." Ion started saying as he struggle with Meeka's grasp but was cut off, "right now a hospital bed suites you more so no complaining, you are coming with me like it or not, no excuses!" Meeka retorted still dragging Ion by the ear, "Zephyr... please... HELP!" Ion called out. "Sorry but you better do as she says" Zephyr answered back, "you know how she gets and besides you have been away for a while, it might be good to have a medical examination." "See you mate gest it" Meeka said as Ion stopped struggling, "now you also have been away from home for ten months, whats a few more days at most, if you behave yourself I might just let you leave early." Ion sighed as he knew there was not getting away from this, it was not like he wasn't planning on resting but he would have preferred it to be at home but if it was to be at the hospital then so be it, there was lots of things he needed to get done and he needed to be at full strength to carry them out. ~
The story might give some hints on what I am planning to do in the future, I have been for a while contemplating on adding the ponytail to Ion's design as it kind of calls back to his original design (which soon you might be able to see, got something in the works for that) on top of that giving him a clothing redesign the also more closely resemble what I originally had intended (as his current clothing design came from some inexperience in commissioning but I still like the design and went with it). It would also help with signifying Ion's growth as a Hunter and as a person with his new responsibilities in the next arc of his story (which I am aware I have not finished the current arc which should end with the defeat of Virgil and the emergence of Flint as Ion's familiar) but I do thing having different designs helps with understanding what time periods the commissions take place in and well I do kind of want to go back to that original design somewhat (more in the clothing as I way prefer Ion current fur pattern and colours more then what I did have, give him more character and more uniqueness) so you can look forward to that!
I guess you are getting to commenting on things you missed in the last 2 years ^^ Yes, Ion's ponytail is part of his updated design that falls back to his original design, with the sword yes it does look mean but the teeth are reversed here a mistake I missed (though his sword after this gets updated anyways as it is reforged after taking a beating on that solo journey as well as the adventures prior)
I guess you are getting to commenting on things you missed in the last 2 years ^^ Yes, Ion's ponytai
