Chapter Text
Sparrow jolted up from the ground, wide eyed as he frantically looked around his surroundings to find where he was exactly. He was still in the Commandant's chamber, bodies of the Spire guard scattered around the room being the testament to Sparrow's berserk onslaught. Sparrow touched his stomach to see that his wounds have healed.
'but how?' he asked himself.
"Good, you're finally awake." Sparrow looked to his right to see Garth, he could see a bright white ball of energy behind him. He also noticed a healing potion next to Garth that was empty out. "Listen, we don't have much time left before more guards come, think you can still fight?"
"I believe so." He said as he got back on feet slowly, "my bones aren't pieces of confetti anymore."
Garth nodded, "Good, then follow me" He pointed to the white orb behind him, "these portals will bring us to the docks, now quickly get in." He orders before walking in the ball of energy before disappearing a bright flash of light. Roger didn't hesitate before getting into his own portal after Garth, feeling the weight of body lighten as his vision was covered in a bright blast of white light.
Sparrow found himself at the front of docks that were loaded with several dozens of Spire guards and men who came to the Spire seeking work, just like you and Bob did so long ago. Four ships stay at port next to the docks unloading guards and men alike. Suddenly multiple blasts of lightning fly into the air before hitting 3 of the ships down at the docks destroying them. It was Grath who was using his Will magic after getting some Will wisp from the Commandant, soon the ships started to sink down into the waters below the docks.
The guards on the docks noticed Sparrow and Garth at top of the stairs where they stand, they started to run towards them with their weapons drawn.
"It looks like we have to fight our way to the ship." Garth said as he prepared himself for battle.
"Nope, we're not"
Garth perked up in confusion, "what do you mean we're no-" before he could finish his sentence, Sparrow grabbed him by the arm before using the spell Battle Rush. Plowing through the guards knocking then off the docks or just falling to the ground. And just like that they were already at the last ship on the end of the dock.
"Get onto the ship now!" Sparrow shouted as he ran up the boarding ramp to the ship, Grath soon followed behind. When aboard, Sparrow knocked the ramp off the ship then raised the anchor while Garth went to the ship's steering wheel and set the sails. Some guards tried to board the ship from the docks but it was too late as the ship set sail and soon was in the open sea away from the Spire's shadowy cave entrance.
Sparrow stood at the side of the ship, staring out into the dark blue of the ocean, the sunlight bouncing off the water's reflection. Breathing in the salty ocean air, feeling a rough breeze past his face and moving the small hairs on his head that still remained. The warmth of the sun's rays hitting him, the feeling of peace finally washing over Sparrow after being trapped in the Spire for so many years, no fresh air, no sunlight, no warmth and no color, just darkness. All of that was now behind him.
He felt alive again, like the soul of his past life was finally brought back to him. To be happy, to see the future in a better light. To see Mary and Sarah again.
Garth walked down to the deck to where Sparrow looked out, "Without their ships they won't be able to follow us, we're safe for now." Sparrow didn't say anything back as he kept staring out toward the ocean. "I want to give you my thanks. I wouldn't have been able to leave the Spire without your help. I'm in a great deal of debt to you, hero." He slightly bowed his head as a form of respect.
Sparrow looked over his shoulder to Garth, giving a curious look towards the man.
"You know what I plan to do, right?"
"I do."
"And you still want to join me?" Grath walked over to him, standing next him resting his arms on the rails.
"Lucien is close to finishing the Spire, he has his own army to protect himself and the Spire, he is crazed with power and disillusions, believing that he can turn Albion into his idea of a perfect world. If he is not stopped, he'll destroy all of civilization like the people of the Old Kingdom long ago." He looks to Sparrow, "As much as I wish to have nothing to do with this, I must protect Albion and finish what I started. So yes, I will help you with whatever you need for your journey, hero. Even with my life."
A smile slowly grew on Sparrow's face, even though he barely knew the man, he felt like he could trust Garth to his word. They both have the same goal and both wish for peace in the world, both put they're lives in the other's hands, trust and believe in one another for a long time.
"Then it's settled, we're officially partners in crime," Sparrow joked as he reached his arm over to Garth to offer his hand, "And as friends."
Grath smiled back, he reached out and got a strong grip on Sparrow's hand, "As friends."
A hatch in the middle the ship swings open, a Spire guard climbs out onto the deck taking in a deep breath of sea air. Sparrow and Garth turned around in shock to see the man in front of them.
"Oi!' the guard shouted in an annoyed groggy voice, "Why the hell are we sailing out already?" He turned to face where they were standing. "Well are you going to te-?" He stopped in his tracks when he saw Sparrow and Garth awkwardly staring at him.
The Spire guard screamed as he was throwed off the ship into the sky before a loud smack came as his body hit the rough ocean waves.
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After sailing for an hour, their ship finally made land on the lone dock at Oakfield. The unusual bright light shinny over the beach cliff onto the sandy shore below. Together, Sparrow and Garth jumped down to the dock and proceeded down it. Sparrow still couldn't believe it, he was finally back to Albion after so many years being stuck in the Spire. It is wonderful to see the bright and beautiful colors of the crop fields, and oak trees of Oakfield. There really wasn't anything like it in Albion.
Sparrow soon heard the sound of paws tapping against wood nearby and when he looked down the dock to see Furface running toward them as fast as he could. Stopping near Sparrow before jumping up to him trying to lick his face, he whimpered to show how happy he was to see Sparrow after waiting so long to see him, his tail wagging all over the place.
Garth chuckled as he watched on, "A friend of yours I see?"
Sparrow tried to hold back his tears as he pad and held Furface in his arms, "His name is Furface." He explained to Grath joyfully.
Garth turned to the other end of the dock, his face hardened as he looked on. Sparrow noticed his sudden change in features and looked in the same direction. There Theresa stands, patiently waiting with her hands resting on each other, her white blank eyes staring at them watching their every movement. After getting up, Garth, Sparrow and Furface walked over to her, gathering around her.
"Your furry friend has been coming here for over a week," A try at a friendly smile was made by her, "he knew that you would return even before I could."
Sparrow chose to stay silent, he wasn't ready just yet to talk to her. A part of him had some unresolved anger towards Theresa for him to be trapped in the Spire because of her but he knew that she wasn't truly the reason for his entrapment, that was in a way his own fault.
Theresa continues, "10 years, welcome back my friend you did the impossible escaping from the Spire." She turns to Garth, "and I welcome you as well, Garth."
Garth raised his brow, "and you are?"
"A new friend to help you. You know enough about the Old Kingdom to know you can't destroy the Spire easily, or alone. All I ask of you now is to hear me out and see what we can offer you." She said while waving her hand over to Sparrow then to herself.
Garth looks to Sparrow for his thoughts on Theresa's intentions, Sparrow gives a reassuring smile and nods to show he can trust her. Garth gave one back before bringing his attention back to Theresa. "Fine, but I promise nothing." He said, almost sounding irritated, Theresa tilted her head forward with a pleased hum. She quickly then turned to Sparrow, with a bigger smile.
"And Sparrow, you should see Hammer and your family before we talk about our next course of planning. I know they will be joyous to see you again." Sparrow was a bit missed about what she said, as if after all this time she thought he would care about the plan more then seeing his own wife and daughter, all he's been thinking about was them, plan be damned!
He would normally say something to show his disagreement to her comment but he was so tired and just wanted her to leave, so he swallowed his pride up and calmed down a bit.
"Of course," he said without emotion in his voice.
Theresa didn't say anything else as she faced herself to Garth again, offering her hand out to him. "Come with me, we have much to discuss."
Garth looked down at her offered hand, taking a long heavy breath, "As you wish." He sighed before placing his hand upon hers. In a blink of a moment, a flash of bright white light engulfs both of them before disappearing as quickly. Sparrow looked over to the town of Oakfield, seeing the people coming out of their homes and shop owners opening up their stands at the start of morning day.
A man with his wife and children walking down to a produce shop stand, he held his arm around his wife as they both smiled happily at their children asking them if they could buy some honey. Sparrow couldn't help but smile as well, he started to walk down the dock, whistling for Furface to follow along.
~~~~~~~~
It was early afternoon, the streets of Bowerstone Old Town were busy with patrons going to locally owned market stands that line through and around the main street of Old Town. The city guards taking their rounds walking down and up the streets to keep the people safe and clean, as they have been doing since Sparrow was taken in by Theresa. It always made him smile to see how well Old Town had improved and thrived through the years.
Walking down the first neighborhood Sparrow stood in front of his home being located the last on the street, a balcony cliff at the end of block looking over all of main Bowerstone Old Town, homes stretching out as the clear blue sky hovered above them.
Sparrow took a step towards the door before quickly taking one back, hesitating. He felt uneasy and a bit worried as thoughts found their way into his mind. What would they say? Would Sarah still want him in her and Mary's life? Would they hate him? All thoughts ripped through his head and his heart, hurting him and making his doubts ever more louder then they were when he was trapped within the Spire, there he more able to pear far from his thoughts by focusing on the main plan then finally being trained by Pilgrim in his "dreams" to control his emotions and focus on his Will power but now he finally here, and slowly falling apart piece by piece like shattered glass.
Still staring at the golden door knob, seeing his reflection on the shining metal. He saw what he truly looked like, nothing like the man he once was, his long dark brown hair was gone, replaced with small stubbles barely more than 2 cm from his head, large dark bags laid under his eyes from a lack of sleep for years. Would she even know if it was him?
He stood there, in silence as his thoughts continued to ravage his mind with what-ifs. Voices whispering around him repeating the same doubts, talking over each other until he could hear nothing else. Then, just before he was about to give up and walk away, he heard one voice that broke through the rest.
' They're just thoughts, nothing more' and just like that, all the voices fell silent. Sparrow could once again hear the sounds from the bustling market square of Old Town. Sparrow could think clearly once more, he remembered what Pilgrim told him in the past, let the thoughts come and go as to release what tries to hold you back.
' none of that matters,' Sparrow told himself, ' I came here to see Sarah and Mary again, and if they no longer want me in their life's anymore….then so be it but I will see them no matter what!' he finally steps toward the door raising his hand to knock.
"Excuse," a soft feminine voice called out behind him and suddenly the world felt like it was slowing down all around him. He knew that voice, that angelic voice that made butterflies dance in his stomach even now. "Can I help you?"
It was Sarah, her calm but bright green eyes staring at him looking confused as to who was standing outside of the door to her house. She looked the same as when he left Albion all those years ago, still beautiful and elegant as the first time he lay his eyes on her in the tailor shop.
"Sarah.." Sparrow whispered under his breath, he hoped that she would know it was him, her husband the love of her life but he knew that it would be difficult to tell. He wasn't the same man anymore, he was skinny all around, his head was bald as his hair was shaved off years ago in the Spire, his brown eyes have lost their light brown wood color and were now black voids sunk into his face; he didn't even sounded the same, his voice also lost after being shocked by the Spire collar that was around his neck for years, turning his heroic voice into a scoffed and raspy one that hurt him to shout or laugh.
Sarah tilted her head, "Do I know you? How do you know my name?"
Sparrow's eyes started to well up, she hasn't changed since the day he left. Sarah began to look worried by the man that stood before her, thoughts starting running through her head, who was this man? How did he know her name? He was wearing the uniform of the Spire Guard, was Sparrow killed by them after they figured him out and now they're here to finish the job.
"You look as beautiful as the day I left..." Sparrow said with a croaky voice as he fought back the tears that were near the ends of his eyes.
"Wha-" Sarah slowly walked towards Sparrow while keeping her eyes locked on his. Slowly raising her hand to his face before placing it softly on his cheek. "Is it really you? Are you…my Sparrow?" She asked her voice, being low and desperate, she truly wanted to know if it was him, if it was her husband. Sparrow placed his hand over hers that was resting on his cheek.
Sparrow nodded his head with tears swelling in his eyes, "Yes…" he softly whispered, "I'm home…". Sarah jumped into Sparrow's arms practically throwing herself upon him as she pulled him close to her. She started to weep into his chest.
"I-I so worried! You've been gone for so long!" She shouted, Sparrow rested his chin on top of her head as the tears from his eyes fell upon her hair. "I never gave up on you, people told me I had to move on…that you were dead…" Sarah grabbed onto Sparrow's dusty Spire uniform, "But I knew you weren't….I knew you would come back!"
Sparrow put his finger under Sarah's chin, tiling it up so that he could see her bright green eyes. Tears continued to roll down his face as he whispered, "I'm back… I'm finally home"
Sarah smiled towards Sparrow, chuckling as she put her hands on Sparrow's face. "Yes…you're finally back to us." They both held each other in their arms daring not to let the other go. They looked at each other and gave a strong passionate kiss, only stopping to breathe for a moment.
Sarah was resting her head on Sparrow's chest as she listened to his heart beat, then she remembered something. "There's someone very important that you need to meet," she smirked as she stepped back from Sparrow, a small girl poke her head around her skirt to see him. Sparrow saw that the girl looked like Sarah, she had long dark brown hair and brown eyes like Sparrow has. "This is Sarah, you're daughter."
Sparrow leaned down to look at his daughter, she had grown from a small fragile bundle of joy to a child no older than 7 who looked strikingly like her mother but had the features of her father. Tears still creep down Sparrow's face before he wiped it away, a smile still on his face as he looked at Mary.
"Are you my papa?" Mary asked in an adorable slur voice of a young child.
"Yes…I am, my little princess." he said while trying his hardest to not bail out crying. Suddenly Mary seemed a bit unsure of what to think of him but when she heard 'my little princess' it seemed as if something just clicked in her head and she ran into his arms, hugging him tightly while Sparrow hugs her back.
It was all perfect, they were all together again. Like before, before he left to go to the Spire they were a full family once more. Furface shows up next to Sparrow and Mary as he barks with excitement before licking you and her. Being happy as well that everyone was back together again too, Mary giggle as she tried to push Furface of her, Sarah putting her hand on Sparrow's shoulder while laughing at the site of Furface and Mary.
'Yes, everything is right again,' Sparrow thought to himself as his smile turned into a wide teeth smile. 'Thank you ... .thank you Pilgrim, because of you I have my family again.' Right after thinking that, Sparrow swore that he could hear a quiet old voice say to him.
"It was all you Sparrow, you brought yourself back."