Getting their winged mounts, they walked the remaining distance.
The path led them to clearing that began with a low stone few, spanning outwards to the east and west of the clearing. Around the sturdy trunk of one tree whose knotted roots had forced their way through the wall did Stephen instruct Torren to tie down the Ryokin.
Torren followed his example, forming the knots with the leather reins, before turning around to see Stephen approach the clearing.
With a few steps forward, he met some strange resistance. Taking another step caused the ghostly boundary before him to ripple with a strangeness that mimicked the surface of a tranquil lake, only touched by the ephemeral embrace of the dawn-bred mist.
"Stay close, we're here."
"Here! There's nothing here! You've brought down here in the middle of the night to—"
"Shut it" Stifling the rest of his words with a forceful tug of his collar through the illusory veil. Once the sensation of being immersed in a pool of cool water had passed, they had arrived.
"This…this is your house?"
"Yeah, it's not much but it's home. Come on, we should check to see if they're home" His words never reached a confused Torren, instead he began counting on his fingers while he grappled with his thoughts.
"Is everyone in class just secretly loaded?"
"Hmm, what was that, Sujing?" "Eh, I was asking if we should have loaded our luggage."
"We can bring them in later."
"Sure, whatever you say." His focus couldn't be broken from the majesty of his home.
Where the Sword Oak Mansion now stood, there once existed the grandest of all Sword Oaks, known as the Swordroot—a colossal tree whose flame-shaped canopy had symbolized life and strength for generations.
Though the ancient tree had long since been harvested to build the family home, its spirit lingered in the heart of the forest.
The mansion came into view as Stephen and Torren followed the cobblestone path through the dense woods.
Lanterns hung along the way cast a warm glow, and as they emerged into the clearing, the full structure was revealed, lit by those same lanterns. Orange lights danced against the large building, casting flickering shadows that brought the façade to life.
It had a wide front porch with a set of rocking chairs facing the expansive garden at the edge of the cobblestone path.
The garden was more vegetative than flowery—lush with ferns, vines, and hearty shrubs—dotted by a few apple trees that stood sentinel beside the massive house.
The building rose three stories tall, its ground floor anchored by sturdy grey and ash-colored brick, while the upper floors showcased beautiful red and black wood paneling, the signature hues of the Sword Oak family.
The windows were clear and wide, gleaming with the soft tint of a moonlit sky.
On one of the rocking chairs, bathed in the gentle amber glow of a nearby lantern, sat a woman. She read quietly, enjoying the peace of the late-night breeze, humming a soft tune as she turned each page.
"Oh, I didn't think I'd find you here," Stephen said, rushing toward the porch and throwing his arms around the seated figure in a tight hug.
"Stephie...my word, it's you!" The woman—Nya, Stephen's grandmother—set her book aside and looked him over with concern.
"How do you look so gaunt? What have they been doing to you at that school?" She pulled at his cheeks gently and fixed his tousled bangs, fussing until Stephen finally stopped her preening.
"Nana, please...we have a guest."
"Does the guest have a nana? Or did they teach you to shy away from loving your grandparents?"
"...No, he does, and no they did not"
"Then you can give me a hug a little longer." She pulled him back in, and Stephen relented with a sigh.
"All right, then. Do you know where Papa is?" he asked as Torren approached the porch steps, taking in the warm scene.
Nya released Stephen and turned her kind eyes toward the newcomer. Before she could respond, a burly giant of a man emerged from the side of the house, carrying a stack of freshly chopped logs over one shoulder and an axe in the other hand.
"Ma'am. It's nice to meet you," Torren said politely, bowing slightly. Noticing her stark-white hair, framing her sharp features. With gentle crows feet giving air of a lived life to her. Her eyes danced with a honeyed glow, bearing the air of a thoughtful soul.
"Yu, my boy! You're almost as tall as your big brother now." the old man boomed with a hearty laugh. He set down his axe, patted Torren firmly on the back, then stepped onto the porch to plant a loving kiss on Nya's cheek. His impressive size towered over even Stephen.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, old man, but that's not Yuzen!" Stephen interjected quickly.
"Boy, are you saying there's something wrong with my vision?"
"Yes—especially when you aren't wearing your glasses. He…is a classmate—"
"Hi, I'm Torren Sujing," He chimed in smoothly.
"I'm sure Stephen's parents might have mentioned me."
"Ah...yes, Torren." The elderly man adjusted his stance, the logs shifting precariously but holding steady. With his free hand he ran a few passes through his greyed bear, so thick and dense that it grew out to merge with his eyebrows and the wild silver mane that was tied in thick braids. Each tied off with a black knot.
Much like Stephen, they shared the same vivid blue eyes, sharp as cold steel, crowned with the age that comes with many days spent under the sun.
Across his arms that were as thick as the Sword Oak's roots were a net of scars that could have been older than Torren himself.
Reaching out to shake his free hand had him wonder if he might have ended up being crushed by the exchange…but no, his grasp was firm and effective, releasing his hand as if he could feel his hesitation.
"Well, a friend is just a brother or sister you chose. I am Julien." He let out a belly laugh that made Torren worry the stack might topple.
"Well met, young man," Nya added warmly. "You'll have to forgive us for the confusion."
"That's quite all right," Torren replied with a grin. "I've been told the resemblance is uncanny."
"It doesn't bother you?"
"I don't think it should. I have two other siblings—twins. I guess Yuzen is just my twin from another life, right, Stephen?"
Stephen rolled his eyes. "Well, aren't you just chummy with everyone? We'll be down for dinner soon—let me get him settled in."
After showing Torren to a guest room and stowing his things, the group gathered for a simple but hearty dinner they'd scrambled together.
The grandparents expressed their genuine joy at housing Torren for the next three weeks while he volunteered at the Open Table, welcoming him like family.
Later that evening, after feeding the mounts and squeezing in a quick training session followed by showers, Stephen and Torren retired to Stephen's room.
"Hey, man," Torren said casually as they settled in, "would you say I'm a great guy?"
"This better not be about some girl."
"How did you know?"
"You keep checking your Notebook when you think I'm not looking."
"Hey, I...whatever," Torren turned over with a huff and pretended to go to bed.
Stephen glanced at him, one thought nagging at the back of his mind.
"Why are you in my room anyway? We have a perfectly good guest space."
"Your house is big and creepy," Torren replied, sitting up with a mischievous grin. "So I figured the safest place is right next to you. Besides, it's a sleepover!" He emphasized the last word with glee.
Early the next morning, Torren half-expected to drag Stephen out of bed—a habit he'd picked up from knowing Shynerai—but the room was already empty.
Heading downstairs, he found Stephen's grandparents at the dining table, enjoying a leisurely breakfast.
"Torren, how did you sleep?" Nya asked kindly. "I know it might have been unusual sharing a room with Stephie, despite the size of our home."
"It's okay—it beats sleeping outside," Torren said with a chuckle. "But where is Stephie...I mean, Stephen?" He reached for an apple from the fruit bowl in the center of the table, only to have Nya lightly slap his hand away.
"Sit, young man. The food isn't going anywhere."
"Oh, all right."
At that moment, a maid entered the room. "Madam, I'll be making a trip to Deep City later today. Is there anything you want me to bring home that isn't on the list? Oh, hello. This must be our guest?"
"Oh yes," Julien explained.
"The boys came home in the dead of night, so you two haven't met. Annie, this is Torren, our guest who'll be staying with us for the next three weeks while he helps at the Open Table. Torren, this is Annie—one of three devoted aides who keep our home in order."
Annie bowed politely after the introduction. Torren stood up dramatically, dropping to one knee and gently taking her hand.
"Miss Annie, do you believe in love at first sight?"
"Please unhand me."
"Oh, I apologize—your beauty has stunned me..."
"I'm going to stop you right there," Annie said firmly, pulling her hand back. "How old are you?"
"Ehem...well, almost sixteen."
"Alright, then we can return to this conversation when you're much older. Ma'am, sir..." She bowed again and left the room briskly.
Torren sat back down, unfazed.
"Okay, no need to give up. Besides, how old could she be?"
The grandfather chuckled deeply.
"Torren, son, let's just say you're going to need that long lifespan you Guardians seem to have. Alright, I'm done here. Once you're finished, come to the backyard—I have something to show you."
Soon, Stephen joined them, and Julien gathered the boys outside.
"Stephie has no room to slack, and you seem like a healthy young boy, Torren. So every day you're not at the Open Table, you'll be here, helping your dear old grandpa stay limber."
"Alright, Torren," Stephen muttered under his breath, "if ever there was a time to keep quiet, it would be now..."
"Sure, I'd be happy to help!" Torren replied enthusiastically.
"Shit!" Stephen whispered.
"Okay, boys," His grandfather said with a wicked grin.
"We'll start with a bit of cardio. Get home before lunch, or you're doing chores on an empty stomach."
"Get home from where?" Torren, raising the question, and again, ignoring Stephen's warning.
"I'm glad you asked. Say, you boys are familiar with the Tuning Lake, yes?"
With that, he tackled them both so hard they were launched clean out of the estate, soaring into the distance.
"You idiot!" Stephen screamed mid-flight as Torren flailed in a constant scream. They crashed with a massive splash into Tuning Lake, terrifying the onlookers nearby.