It was real.
No sterile walls. No endless illusion. No gods.
Home.
He pressed a hand to the frame, bowing his head. His chest heaved, a sharp breath breaking through his control.
Elara's voice was soft behind him. "…Merlin?"
He didn't answer at first. He just stood there, letting the air wash over him. The faint smell of parchment, the familiar creak of the floorboards, it was all there.
Finally, he whispered. "…I thought I'd never see this again."
The others didn't speak. For once, even Adrian held his tongue.
Liliana stepped forward, her voice gentle. "It waited for you."
Merlin closed his eyes, letting the words settle.
When he opened them again, his golden gaze burned brighter than before.
He was back.
Not in a bed. Not in a cage. Not in the gods' theater.
Back where he belonged.
And though the road ahead still twisted with shadows he hadn't dared share, not Rathan, not the stars, not the truth of the gods, Merlin knew one thing for certain.
