Pisces: Tai Chi Fist Style (Part 2)

This chapter is the twentieth episode for the Crusaders of the Constellations Novel. It continues from Pisces: Tai Chi Fist Style (Part 1).

## Story

Ranald was at a loss for words. Memories rushed through his head, flashing scenes from his childhood. From being chased by his bullies and some wild animals to a bully breathing fire on him because he refused to give him money to more painful incidents he had no idea he can remember. Ranald was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't know that Mayari's group have just arrived and joined his team-mates. Mayari asked Kibahime how is their leader. "I...have no idea..." she muttered. The golden-haired youth looked at his friends as if he were mourning silently for their future deaths, either by the Devourer of Worlds...or his hands. "Perhaps the sorcerer's right. One day...I might harm you just because of what happened to me in my past. Go to the town first, and wait for me there." Everyone made their way to town, and Ichiguen looked back and softly said, "Thank you for being my pupil." Ranald smiled a little at his last guide and went deeper into the forest to nap. While napping, he went to Dreamland as the Golden Griffin Warrior, Ra, and met his parents at its entrance.

He talked to Golden Heart and Hydara about Malvor's words. "We know that you are a good boy and that you will never even harm a flea. But to harm your friends, that isn't you," Golden Heart said, sitting on her haunches. "That's right. We know what happened to you when you are young isn't smooth sailing," Hydara's first head said. "But you were kind-hearted, hardworking, and refused to let what others said define you," the second head said. "And you met new friends who accepted you for who you are in Aether Worlds Cosmic University, who cheered you on, taught you new things, and even had to rebuke you if you start straying," the third head of Hydara added. "So you improved yourself, and became stronger despite suffering hardships," the fourth head said. "And thus, my son, you have managed to grow and balance your human and griffin selves. That must be celebrated." the fifth head said. "But I'm worried that the sorcerer may be right someday," Ra said, sighing. "Well, listen here. It doesn't matter if the villain's right or not. If he were, we know that you would make amends for what you did, and that's what our Dimensional Mates back on Earth taught you and the other orphans you help them raise. We remember you telling us that you admitted your mistakes and improved yourselves from there," Golden Heart said. "You may not have a good past," Hydara's first head stated. "But that doesn't mean that your future must be defined by it," the second head said. "After all, the past already happened, and the trials you experienced there only made you stronger," the third head said. "The future's not set in stone after all," the fourth head said. "So what you can do is to change your response to your circumstances. If you do that, you can change your future in some way or another." the last head said cheerfully.

Ra started to cry. He hugged his mom and dad, and said, "Thanks. I hope that I remember the lessons my Earth parents taught me. And...perhaps, I must reunite with my friends and think about it some more." And with his Dreamland parent's blessings, he woke up as Ranald and headed to the town, where his friends were waiting. "How's that?" Wallfisch asked him. Ranald told him that he found inner peace due to his parent's advice. "I'm glad you did. Even if you mess up, I will always love you as a friend," Mayari said. She added that she and her team-mates killed off all the ice goblins. "And it was fun!" Orion shouted. "Okay," Ranald said. He and his group-mates then entered a dimensional portal that opened, after the mayor thanked them. When they arrived, King Athos greeted them. "Congratulations for surviving the school year!" Samson shouted. He was quite messy from repairing the Dimensional Shuttle. Geri asked about the mission, and when Ranald told him about it, the werewolf remarked, "Oh, you met my father." "The mayor is your daddy?" The teammates of Mayari and her friend asked in surprise. Geri nodded. "Anyway, good job. We can't rest on our laurels yet. You're quite a seasoned human warrior here," he said and took out his stone tablet phone to call his father the mayor. King Athos watched as his students talked among each other, and smiled.

Ichiguen told his pupil that he had prepared a gift waiting for him in the Hall of the Sun. "It took a lot of thinking on my part, but I prepared it, and I hope you like it," he said. Ranald thanked his mentor, and raced to the Hall of the Sun, after telling his friends that he will go out with them for dinner. When he arrived, he saw a wrapped gift. He removed the wrapping paper, opened the box, and found a whip inside. He also found a note along with the whip, so he read it. On it was written these words:

*"Dear friend, we have been with you throughout your journey to Aether World Cosmic University. We never imagined that we will teach you twelve martial arts to prepare you for the greatest journey of all. Your friends too have their own hang-ups and troubles they went through, and we saw how you helped them overcome them, without having powers. You used your alternate form wisely, and we can learn a lot from that. Anyway, here's this gift as a token of my appreciation. Remember, you are not alone on the journey to save the world. We are here with you, and we will support each other in this. Happy holidays."* From: Phrixus, Asterion, Castor, Pollux, Heike, Anbesa, Kanya, Tula, Aleaqarab, Chiron, Yeomsoo, Aqua and Ichiguen.

Ranald teared up at the note. He told Baby Little about it. The angel in the stuffed baby griffin replied, "It's wonderful that you have friends like that. Treasure these bonds with them well." His owner nodded and placed the whip in his school bag. He asked Baby Little if he liked fireworks, since he's going outside to watch them. "Sure, why not?" the stuffed toy telepathically replied. He then grabbed his backpack and went to meet his friends for dinner.