The five days through the forest was uneventful, they encountered no noticable strong beast, but a few problematic river creatures, a storm snake and a turtle alligator despite being easy to get rig of, being inside the river and fighting them at the same time was taxing.
As they entered their village, just as the sun was rising one of the villager who was out at the time saw them.
"They are back," she shouted without knowing why.
As she did that her voice reached the neighborhood like a thunderstorm, people started getting out of their houses.
Kids run up to the squad, they could not understand why but it was good seeing that much people greeting them as they return.
Modez was Infront of his squad, mortified by what's happening, a lot of people were there to welcome them back. His master came right on time welcoming him back.
"It seems you are still shocked to what's happening today right," his master asked.
"It will be an understatement to say that i am shocked, i am mortified and surprised with the sudden welcome, what happened for us to receive all this!?," Modez replied.
"It is not a long story it's just that the bandits you delt of with on the mountains where not just any bandit they were the Lexia's, the ones that devastated the kingdom once upon a time," his master replied.
"Ooooh!, had no idea of those facts," Modez said.
As Modez was taking to his maste his squad members were, sorrounded with the villagers being praised by their heroic acts.
A loud nock was heard from Modez's direction, it was his Master who wanted to address the crowd.
"Everyone, hope you are all happy to see them back home safely, but we should first give them closure. Modez this here is the key of your squads quarters entitled to you by the Majesty himself," his master spoke.
Modez was seen just standing there without responding, Joles woke him up from his stupor.
"Ooooh!, it's our pleasure to receive this great endowment from his Majesty," Modez replied while on his one knee.
As his did that his whole squad replied in unison, both where on one knee and hand on their chest behind Modez.
"it's our pleasure to receive this great endowment from his Majesty,"
Modez received the key locket and staffed it in his cloth.
"When it reaches night everyone should gather at the square, we will be celebrating the increase in privileges of our village, and the safely return of our family members and friends." the master said.
Modez went to his squad members and gave the key to Joles.
"Hold on to this I'll be right back," Modez said.
Before he could go Joles replied to him,"can't we just get there together."
But Modez took off to his house not in a hurry but in a steady pace, leaving his squad members behind.
Joles looked at Modez's back," let's get to him, we need to stay together and go to our quarters later" he said.
As the news of his return had already reached his abode, as he entered his house his family and in-laws were just sitting on the dining table waiting for him.
Krista was in the kitchen preparing food for his husband, when she heard the door creaking sound, she rushed to see his husband on the door she ran up to him and hugged him.
Behind the the heard a sound "Mmmhmmh" it was Modez's father, she let him go and stood there shyly.
"Welcome back son," his father said.
"Thank you father, I hope everyone is doing fine," he said.
But there was a quietness all of a sudden.
"I guess I know what is going on so just speak up is my son doing okay?," he asked while sitting beside his father.
His father looked at his wife and back to his son.
"I wasn't here when it happened, but by what she said it was mostly chaotic than it appeared to be maybe he protected himself before anything could happen, let Krista tell you the whole story,".
When his father finished Modez looked at his wife for more explanation as he just wanted to know what really happened.
"I too didn't see it unfold I just saw the aftermath of it, I found the mana in the bedroom very chaotic, it was like all the elements were congested together in one place, there was a burnt bedsheet and it was also wet, like the fire started and someone had put it out, he was also hanging on his crib like he was running from the chaos."
"Little guy must have been very scared, how is he doing right now?," he asked.
"He has been asleep from the time he ate some food, maybe he will wake up soon when the sun comes up, as he normally does," she answered.
Modez went inside to look at his son, he was sleeping soundly like nothing had ever happened, he looked at him and turned away.
When he returned to the dining room, his squad members were there with his family members.
But it didn't take long Joles' staff shock violently in his hands, with a bright violet light. The air in the house became heavy and disappeared abruptly.
"Mmmmmh!, the staff of the great magician?, I hope am not wrong." Modez's father said.
"Mmmmmh!, yes you knew about this staff?," Joles asked.
"Yeah it has its legends as the one who will wield the power from it will be the greatest magician in the whole world, as the power within it can create, destroy and alter even reality." he said.
Joles was astonished by Modez's father speculation as it was known by just a few heads of great families in the entire kingdom.
"How did you come across that information?, as I know it is not that easy to know about those staffs without being an elite." Joles asked.
Modez's father looked at Modez as it was not his place to start explaining how he got the information.