Just a random idea that suddenly popped in my head while in the bathroom XD.

This story will feature another OC, probably one of my few ML OCs who didn't act as a ML Hero Child.

Takes place after LoD had been in peace (which IDK when) and Hylos be guarding the forests of Swan Castle AU.
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"So, the truce had been negotiated. Land of Dawn is now at peace, Princess." A messenger said. "The perfumed knight Lancelot will be arriving here shortly for the official news. That ends my report."

"Alright, report accepted. You are dismissed." Odette said with a charismatic voice, despite holding up her cheerful smile behind it.

"Thank you, Princess. Excuse me." The messenger bowed as he exited the throne room.

After the exit, Odette's hidden smile of satisfaction are shown on her face. She was very relieved that all the chaotic confrontations had been eluded.

Of course, this didn't go unnoticed by another figure, who had been on Odette's side as her protector.

The ever-powerful centaur known throughout the Land, who had been dedicating himself to protect everyone, to whom his blood flows.

Looking at such cheerful and fascinating smile, Hylos can't help but also to be charmed with happiness. He had survived for long enough that he could also see the time where every chaotic confrontations come to an end.

"Hylos?" Odette suddenly called him.

"Um...yeah, what is it, Princess?"

"Thanks for your hard work! Without you, we might not be able to achieve this peace." Odette said, asking for a handshake, which was gratefully accepted by the said centaur.

"Ah, I'm not worthy of the praise. But you're welcome, Princess." Hylos replied.

"Oh, and there's something I also want to ask." Odette said, much to Hylos' confusion. "Do you remember your dedication back then, when you decided to protect the land?"

This question redirected Hylos' mind to that time. He, too, remembered his dedication back at the time, the dedication he showed to Odette and the Swan Castle Inhabitants, that he will only rest, when there is peace.

And now, peace had been achieved.

Of course, he knew that could mean a thing, that he could finally take a rest in a peaceful life.

But he had been indebted to the Swan Castle Inhabitants, and as such, he's a bit reluctant to leave.

"Yes, I do remember. I did say that I would not rest until there is peace."

"And now peace has been achieved. I really am grateful to you. But now, I know you have worked very hard, so you may get some rest."

"I'd really love to...But..."

"But what?" Odette asked in confusion.

"But, I had been protecting here for long, and it would be impolite for me to simply leave." Hylos said. "I might as well take a rest by staying here."

Odette was very touched by Hylos' dedication to her. But she knew that behind those dedication he had shown, his smallest heart is still pining for one place, or rather...one person.

She remembered the time when Hylos first made contact with them, she knew he had been travelling for long, quenching the chaos on the way. She admired him, but she knew that he did also sacrifices his happiness, his time, and most notably, his love.

He left everything. He sacrificed his time for them.

And now, the peace has been negotiated, and she knew he can cease his sacrifices, and let him live his life like the others, in peace.

"I admired that, Hylos. But, actually..." Odette started to look at his white shining eyes. "It was because you had been long enough here that I wanted you to take a rest. However, I don't think that is pretty wise for you to take a rest here. I'm not shooing you out but please consider this. I wanted you to live your life like you used to be, Hylos. You had sacrificed much of your happiness just for us, and now it's time for us to pay you back."

"But...I..."

"Think about this, Hylos. How about those people back in your home? They might be waiting for your return , even after such long time they had waited. Especially her..."

Hylos' mind just foreshadowed a certain figure who might be waiting for him. His heart flattered just to think about her, waiting for him to be back home.

It had been years since his leave already. He knew he had sacrificed their time for too much already, that he might have to apologize to her.

And now the chance has presented itself. Shouldn't he make up for all his sacrifices?

"Your answer, Hylos?"

Hylos just bowed in front of her. "In that case. I will accept your offer, Princess. I'll be taking my leave."

With that said, Hylos began to pack his belongings and ran his way to his home, The Misty Mountains.

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After such a long run, he arrived at the mountains and was greeted by the other centaurs and villagers there, who also cheered for the return of their hero.

"Welcome back, buddy!" A fellow centaur greeted him.

"Ah, if it isn't our hero, the ever-powerful Hylos the centaur. Welcome home!"

Hylos just smiled. Everything didn't change much despite his long leave.

He really wanted to talk further more with them, but he knew there's one important figure he needed to meet right now.

"If you're going to ask where she is. You know very well that she had been waiting for you at the very same place. You know where I refer to, right?" Another fellow of his told him.

Hylos thanked his fellows and walked straight to the very important designated place to him...correction...for them.

The Fountain of Life

The place he had protected from the Dark Forces much before his leave for service to the Swan Castle.

As he arrived, he was greeted by the sight of a skyblue-haired centauress, who had been facing the fountain as if she was waiting for something.

Hylos didn't have to think about who she is since he already knows her to her deepest and tiniest part of her.

"Vita..."

The centauress heard her name being called, and looked backwards, to see the figure she had been waiting for such long time already.

"Vita, I'm home..."

The centauress couldn't believe what she had seen, but no matter how strongly she opposed her assumption, she knew that the figure in front of her eyes right now was her awaited, her other half, her betrothed.

He had come home.

Tears of joy began to pool out of her green eyes as she ran towards the Grand Warden.

"H...Hylos..."

She knew she wanted to say something, but her voice is just stuck on her throat, unable to restrain her happiness knowing that the man she had been waiting is back.

"Vita, I'm sorry to keep you waiting." The Grand Warden held his betrothed's hands, before enveloping her in a hug. "I'm sorry for leaving too long, I'm sorry for sacrificing too much of our time. I..."

His mouth was silenced by Vita's index finger.

"You can stop there. What matters now is that you're here." Vita whispered on his ear. "We've also heard about the peace negotiation. I'm glad that we have achieved peace now. But I'm much more delighted that you came back."

"Yeah, finally I could rest. Though, to be honest it took Princess Odette's scolding that I decided to come back. She really was kind.

"We are...no...actually I am really indebted to her in that way." Vita smiled before they parted. "So, what do you plan to do now?"

"Well, since Princess had given the opportunity, I think I'll be resting here in the mountains. I would like to relive, to make up our lost time. I have to pay for my sacrifices." Hylos replied.

"In that case..." Vita leaned in and let her lips touch with the Grand Warden's. "Everyone in our 'house' is waiting for your return. Let's go now."

And the pair made their way to their 'house', where they will spend their time to live in a state full of life.

---END---

Took me many researches at Google, Wiki, etc. about Centaurs, Centauresses (Female Centaurs), and Hylos' Backstory, also finding a good name for the OC

Vita is a Greek female name with the meaning of: Full of Life. Since Centaurs are somehow connected to Greek Mythology and sort, so I guess that covers much.

Sorry for OOC-ness and probably same plots. If there's a plot that is exactly the same like this then that's a pure coincidence. I do have my reference but I'm not copying entirely.

Thank you and see you soon!

Kage