Author's Note: To those who haven't yet, please reread chapters 1 and 2, I completely revamped them and slowed the pacing so it doesn't feel rushed.

So with that out of the way, let's get to it!

/-\

Chapter 3

The bells of Divinity's Reach were ringing loud. The people were celebrating, sending out their cheers into the sky. And when the airship carrying Logan and Stryder had arrived, the people let out even louder cheers. All of them were hailing the two as great heroes of Kryta. Celebrations went out through the day, even the party in the royal palace was in full swing with the heroes made the guests of honor. Though it was also Ruby's day since today she's turns eleven years old. A momentous occasion as the victory over Zhaitan also coincides with the day of her birth.

But Stryder managed to slip away and watch the fishes in the royal garden's pond. He threw some food into the water and watched as the fish swarmed over them and consume them in seconds.

"Not a party person."

He smiled and turned to see the red-haired princess. Ten years old and yet she held the maturity of someone older.

"Not really." he shrugged. "Was never into all of that fancy stuff you nobles like. I prefer something like this."

"You're a good leader though."

"Hmm."

They stood there for a moment, watching the school of fish swimming about.

"Um." the princess spoke. "Stryder?"

"Yeah?"

"I… I uh…"

He chuckled and gazed at her with gentle but tired eyes. He was still tired from the battle. "I know. I've known for a while."

Ruby's face went as red her hair. "O-Oh… y-you d-d-do?"

He looked at her with a smile. "I'm flattered, princess. I really am. It's just that you've only just turned 11 years old. I'm 15. The age difference is not a problem but…"

She looked down. "I'm only 11. Even though I kinda feel like I'm older than that."

He snickered. "Yeah, your maturity is something else. Not a lot of ten year old girls can claim they can do what you can do. Spearheading that healing operation back at Lion's Arch… it's amazing what you did."

"You're the only guy who treats me like any other girl." she muttered. "And then because of you, Taimi is my best friend. How can I not like you like that? If I only was older…"

"You'd really be okay with a guy like me, Ruby?" he asked her. "I started my life out as a thief. I've killed even before I turned twelve."

"My dad wasn't so different, Stryder. He was a mercenary, remember? And there's no other guy like you."

He let out a sigh, but was smiling. Then he got on one knee and bowed his head. "Then… how about this? I, Stryder Farkas, Commander of the Pact, Warmaster of the Vigil, hereby swear to you Ruby, Princess of Kryta, to wait until you are of age the of thirteen so that we may start an official relationship. I promise to remain faithful. And should I break this vow, let the gods strike me down as punishment."

Her heart was beating fast, her cheeks red. But she stood straight as a dignified princess. Her smile radiant under the moon's light. She brought out a handkerchief and tied it around his left arm.

"I, Ruby, Princess of Kryta, give this to you as my favor and accept your vow." and then she produced a sword with her magic and rested the side of the blade on each of his shoulders. "My heart is yours. Arise Commander Farkas, my hero and champion."

Letting the sword down, she held out her hand towards him. And like a knight, he took it and kissed the knuckles, sealing the deal.

/-\

1 Year Later

Vigil Keep

Nobody expected Lion's Arch to be attacked, and yet it happened. A crazed sylvari by the name of Scarlet Briar and her massive ship with automatons, the Twisted Marionettes, coming out of her massive drill-airship.

It all started when the Dragon Bash at Lion's Arch came under attack by the Aetherblade pirates. They had somehow commandeered several Pact airships and used them for their own purposes, waging war in the skies all over the continent. Then they attacked Divinity's Reach during the Queen's Jubilee, attempting to disrupt it. Thankfully, Stryder and the Pact were there to put a stop to it. It was during that moment that they found out that they were working for Scarlet Briar.

Ruby, now 12 years old, did what she did best. Though she had her fair share of combat, it was more important to help with the refugees from Lion's Arch, many of them were wounded from the attack. No one had ever expected this to happen.

"You'll be fine." the princess said as she nursed a child's injured foot. "It's not serious. There, see? All better now."

"T-Thank you." the little girl said.

She took a deep breath and looked around. The entire place of Vigil Keep was filled with refugees.

"Princess?" a Shining Blade guard approached.

"More refugees?"

The guard nodded gravely. "It's a lot more serious than we thought. Lion's Arch has been completely devastated. Scarlet razed the city."

"By the gods." she lightly gasped.

"The entire populace has been displaced, princess."

She grimaced. "We can't keep this up. The temple is already overflowing."

"There are several hundred refugees back in Divinity's Reach" the guard informed her. "The priesthood of the temples of Dwayna and Kormir are doing all they can but..."

"Is there any word from my mother?" she inquired. "And what about the Pact?"

"The queen is also trying to find a solution to this crisis. The Pact are still fighting with the Scarlet Alliance."

"Anything I can do?" came the voice of a young asura sitting on top of a golem.

Ruby smiled at her best friend. "A solution to the refugee problem would be fine."

Taimi gave the princess a sheepish look. "Yeah… I'm not good at that sort of thing."

"Just what is Scarlet after?" she muttered.

"Who knows?" Taimi shrugged. "I just want to get a good look at her tech. Maybe it could help me with my… you know…"

Ruby gave her best friend a sympathetic look. Since birth, Taimi had been suffering from a rare degenerative disease that severely impedes her mobility. Thus, she relies on a golem that she can also pilot named Scruffy. Ruby had done her best in trying to possibly heal her but all she can do was ease the pain. She just can't possibly imagine losing her best friend to this disease, who had also been like an older sister to her. So she devoted more time to the studying of medicine.

But Taimi is incredible. Being an apprentice of Zojja, whom is a member of the renewed Destiny's Edge, she is an accomplished golemancer with having created Scruffles. She is a prodigy and student of the College of Synergetics back in Rata Sum. There is no technological problem she can't overcome.

But Taimi was not supposed to be outside Rata Sum. She had snuck out from the care of Zojja and begun doing her own work. Ruby's father Logan was the one to find her during a battle against a Twisted Marionette. She was brought to Lion's Arch and met Braham, whom was present with them.

This was also the first time Ruby met him.

"So…" Braham spoke, a little nervous as he stood nearby. "You're really a princess?"

"Oh come on Braham!" Taimi groaned. "Yes, Ruby hereis the princess of Kryta! And my best friend in the whole world!"

Braham stared at the two girls for a moment and then… "Wow."

Taimi gave the young norn a deadpanned look. "Seriously? Wow? That's all you have to say?"

"Am I suppose to say something else?"

Ruby giggled. "Go easy on him, Taimi. Stryder said he was born on the countryside of norn lands. I bet he's a little out of the loop."

"Well…" Braham scratched his head. "You're not wrong there. Mostly grew up on Cragstead for most of my life. I mean I did hear about you but…"

Ruby smiled. "First time meeting, I understand."

"So… you and the Commander?"

The princess's cheeks reddened. "Not officially. We just made a promise. He waits until I turn thirteen."

"Ugh." Taimi let out another groan. "Total cliché romance."

Ruby sputtered. "I… what… it is not cliché!"

Taimi rolled her eyes. "He got on his knees, said some sappy corny vow of promise and faithfulness… and then blah blah blah… I hereby swear to you my undying love oh beautiful worshipfulness! And if I break this vow then I will die an agonizing death! Something like that?"

Ruby's face was bright red at this point.

"Uh…" Braham looked at the interaction. "I think she's going to explode."

Taimi snorted. "Oh she's fine!"

Ruby grabbed a pillow from one of the unused cots and screamed into it.

/-\

Few Months Later

Stryder's group had infiltrated Scarlet Briar's airship The Breachmaker and successfully stopped her, killing the mad sylvari. But the price was heavy. Rebuilding efforts were already underway but it won't be a while until the refugees could come back. But that was not all. The drill on Scarlet's ship kept digging until it hit a ley line, sending a massive burst of energy to the Heart of Maguuma.

It awakened the elder dragon Mordremoth. Its Mordrem forces were already invading as well as massive eldritch vines appearing all over Tyria, attacking fortifications. Marjory Delaqua's sister Belinda, whom was stationed at Fort Salma, died in the attack. She was strangled by the vines as were the other Seraph in the fort. Ruby was there to comfort her as the woman broke down right after Stryder led a mission to aid any survivors.

A summit was planned in order to unite all the nations of Tyria against Mordremoth. The venue was to be at the Plate Tree, the sylvari capital. There were complications along the way but during the summit, Mordremoth's minions attacked the summit, threatening the lives of the world leaders. The Avatar of the Plate Tree was the only one gravely injured. Thankfully, the Avatar survived.

It was agreed that they will all face against Mordremoth.

Taimi immediately got to work with her inventions, Ruby was with her as were Braham and the female charr Rox, whom Braham befriended along the way.

Either way, Ruby could no longer stand aside as the entire world was in peril. Her parents were a little reluctant but ultimately agreed. They were at least assured in her safety by staying with Taimi, Braham and Rox.

More surprises came in. Glint had one remaining egg. It was in the care of the Zephyrites this entire time. They ultimately tracked them deep within the Silverwastes, meeting with Caithe, another member of Destiny's Edge. A powerful Mordrem minion attacked them. The Zephyrite leader, the Master of Peace, was mortally wounded. The egg was safe and was going to hand it to Stryder but then Caithe swooped in and took it.

"No time to explain." she said before disappearing.

They had to track her down. But they needed to know more about Caithe. Caithe was an enigma. It was already known that she was a sylvari firstborn but that was it. So with the assistance of the Avatar of the Pale Tree, they looked into visions of her past.

Among the firstborn, they were all discussing about the awakening of the secondborn and the nearly disastrous first-contact with the asura.

Then came the one that no one expected and were absolutely horrified. The firstborn Wynne had befriended a tribe of peaceful centaurs. Faolain, the leader of the sylvari faction called the Nightmare Court, was there with Caithe, having tracked down their fellow firstborn. Faolain had brought 'friends' and went in to slaughter the centaur tribe. Because of this, Caithe was forced to participate in the slaughter.

Searching for the last peace of the vision, they were called into Camp Resolve in the Silverwastes, the Pact base that would spearhead the attack in the Maguuma.

Zojja nodded. "Good to see you again, Ruby."

"Well, well…" Eir smiled. "It is nice to finally meet you, Ruby. This is my…"

"We already know each other." Ruby said as she looked at Braham with a friendly smile. "Taimi and I met him in Lion's Arch."

"Which I'm still wondering why Taimi was there in the first place." Zojja grumbled. "But thanks for looking after her, Ruby."

"I didn't even know Braham was Eir's."

"I…" Eir hesitated. "I saw no need to mention him. Braham was raised by his father."

Stryder smiled. "You should be proud, Eir. He's made quite a legend for himself."

The young norn inclined his head. "It's a great honor to meet you all. I've heard stories of your deeds since I was young."

"I don't mean to cut this short, Logan." Stryder spoke.

Ruby nodded. "We're a little short on time, dad. We can't stay long."

Logan's eyes widened. "What? We're about launch the assault on Mordremoth now. We risk losing the fleet to another sneak attack if we stay here."

"Glint's egg, dad." Ruby reminded her father. "The egg is crucial. Remember?"

Zojja folded her arms. "I've been wanting to hear what happened. Did you find it?"

"We did." Stryder nodded. "But then Caithe ran off with it."

"Did she pass by here?" the princess asked.

Eir nodded. "She did. She came by not too long ago. But she didn't stay and barely talked to us. She said she had something to do. If Zojja hadn't noticed her, we'd have missed her entirely."

Ruby frowned and folded her arms. "Did she say anything about what she was doing?"

Zojja shook her head. "No. Only that it was a matter of life and death. She took off before we could even offer to help. Don't be too angry with her. She's independent and stubborn."

Stryder sighed and scratched his head. "I just wish we knew what she was up to."

"Caithe is one of us." Eir reassured the pair. "She saved all our lives at least once. I don't think you have to worry. She's just… rash."

"I know." Stryder grumbled before smiling at them. "We'll see you all again at the end of this."

And then a rumble beneath the ground was felt. "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" a Pact soldier yelled. "MORDREM!"

The camp was nearly overrun but Stryder was able to light the signal fire, calling in reinforcements to push them back. Trahearne, along with Destiny's Edge said their good-byes to the Commander and his group. Logan and Ruby hugged each other fiercely, the latter having a few tears in her eyes.

Stryder and Ruby's group found themselves in the northern Silverwastes, within a cave that was revealed to be ruins of an ancient Forgotten city shining like gold. It is there that they planted the final memory seed of Caithe, revealing Caithe and Faolain confronting Wynne in the cave. Wynne is still adamant against revealing her knowledge to Faolain, while Caithe is sympathetic to Wynne. Faolain wanders off to gather bristle-burn thorns from a nearby bush to torture Wynne for the information. While she is gone, Wynne confesses everything to Caithe. Wynne confirmed that Faolain attacked the centaurs first, who were initially unarmed, and confessed that she learned in her dream that the sylvari were indeed supposed to be minions of Mordremoth. To keep this secret from Faolain, and at Wynne's insistence, Caithe kills Wynne.

When the vision ended, they were confronted by Caithe.

"What we saw…" Ruby spoke. "Is it true?"

"It is."

"Give us the egg, Caithe." Stryder insisted.

"I can't." the sylvari firstborn shook her head. "It must be protected. I'm on the same side, you two."

A rumble was felt as Modrem vines emerged from the ground. Mordremoth's champion, the Shadow of the Dragon, came upon them. Though they defeated the beast, Caithe escaped once again. They tried to hurry back but it was already too late. The assault had been launched, only for many of the sylvari troops to hear Mordremoth's voice and turn on their comrades. There was no word as to what happened to everyone.

Ruby had been crying for hours in Stryder's arms.

"You need to go home, be with your mother and brother."

"No." she disagreed. "I can still…"

"Don't argue with me." Stryder gently told her. "Once the queen gets the news… she'll need you. Your brother will need you. Please. Kryta is going to need you."

She knew he was right. Her mother will be distraught and will need someone to be there for her. She'll be more vulnerable than ever, allowing her enemies to make a move. Kryta will be vulnerable.

/-\

Kryta

Divinity's Reach

"Oh thank the gods!" Jennah cried out as she pulled the princess into a fierce hug. "I thought… I thought…"

"I didn't go with them." Ruby sniffled. "Stryder convinced me to come back. We were tracking Caithe and the Glint's last egg when we got the word. I'm sure Papa's okay. I… I'm sure…"

Both queen and princess cried in each other's arms while two year old Crown Prince Keiran sat nearby with his toys.

Once things had calmed down, Ruby had gone over to Summer's memorial and sat there. A pair of Shining Blades were nearby. The princess understood the need to have them since things were a little fragile right now. She was going to turn 13 years old but hadn't found the time to make plans for the celebration. Stryder wasn't here, her father wasn't here, and word has it that Caudecus was up to something. Didn't help that the White Mantle is also planning something. Countess Anise suspects that the minister is in league with the White Mantle, perhaps even a member.

The royal family is in more danger than ever. Just roughly two years ago, Crown Prince Keiran, named after Keiran Thackeray, husband of Gwen, was born. Having both Salmaic and Thakceray blood, his claim to the throne is most certain. Ruby wasn't bothered that the role of heir was moved to her brother. She was in fact relieved. The responsibilities of ruling a kingdom was not to be trifled with and that meant less freedom to do what she really wants. With her brother being heir to the throne, she can help and protect what she loves her own way. She'll help Keiran whenever she can but she knows her baby brother will be a good king.

"I could really use some advice right now." she told the statue. "I want to be there alongside Stryder and the others but I know that Kryta needs me. Our enemies want to bring down our family and take the throne. If they do, the people will suffer. I guess I just wanted to talk to you."

She let out a sigh.

"Goddess Kormir… please… show me a sign."

When night fell, Ruby woke up to a strange sound. It was coming from outside the city. It was towards the direction of the now submerged Temple of the Ages. So she slipped by and teleported to the Godslost Swamp waypoint. From there, she looked at was once a beautiful temple of the gods. Using her magic to keep her from getting wet, she swam to the old temple's tower.

"Princess!" a ghost of an ancient Krytan soldier bowed. "Welcome!"

Ruby curtsied. "Noble spirit."

"May I ask why you are here, Your Highness?"

"I heard something." she told the ghost. "Like a small howl."

"Ah!" the ghost nodded, as if knowing what she was talking about. "You're talking about him."

"Him?"

The ghost smiled and gestured to the small spot beneath the ruined temple spire. Under it, was white fur. Upon closer inspection, Ruby gasped. It was a small white fox with multiple tails.

"By the Six!"

She heard of the legends from Marjory. Canthan legends of the a fox with many tails. This one's fur were as white as snow and had red highlights over its eyes. Kitsune are what they are called. Ancient spirits of Cantha.

So why is one here in Kryta of all places?

"It's okay." she told the little pup. "I won't hurt you."

The little fox whimpered and slowly approached her, sniffing her hand before going ahead to lick it.

"It seems to like you, princess." the ghost spoke. "I believe the gods send it to you. They were calling out to you to come get him."

"But why?"

The ghost shrugged. "I do not know, your highness. Perhaps the little one will be a great companion to you in the future. All he needs now is a name."

Ruby smiled and picked up the pup, letting out a laugh when it licked her face. "Alright, alright! I guess you're coming with me. A name, hm? Let's see."

Then her eyes shined.

"Zwei. I'll name you Zwei."

Author's Note: And there we have it. Guess you all didn't see that ending coming, hm? Yup. Shrine Guardian Jackal skin is now a major character. Although technically the skin makes it a nine-tailed fox. Anyways… yeah… say hello to a brand new Zwei.