The festivities lasted late into the night, and only then did they say their farewells.
Martin, however, couldn't help but speak to Azriel one last time at the door while the girls walked away.
"You know something, kid? People overvalue cultivation and spirits as a whole."
He spoke while gazing at the horizon.
"They talk so much about how a powerful spirit will make you a powerful mage, and how being a mage is so important."
"But look at me. I'm just an ordinary adult, and that didn't stop me from having an amazing wife and a daughter just as wonderful."
He said this with pride swelling in him for a few moments.
"Maybe I'll die earlier than the others, and maybe my life wasn't some great magical adventure."
"But it still had value, and I loved every moment of it."
"I never doubted that." Azriel said with a gentle smile.
"Good night, Martin."
"You too, kid. And don't go doing anything stupid, just wait until the next solstice."
At last, he gave Azriel a few pats on the shoulder and then bid him farewell.
"You wouldn't like what I'm going to do." Azriel only watched him walk away, a soft smile crossing his face.
Then he sighed with satisfaction.
The food had been good, the company had been good, and in the end, the day had closed with a good outcome.
"Time to go." He said, still uncertain if he should really do this.
Though deep down he knew he must.
His illness was progressing, and at this rate he wouldn't live another four years, that was his limit.
He needed a spiritual creature that could handle his disease, and there weren't many capable of that.
His energy flowed in reverse, and in most cases the spirits would be harmed by such a bond, resulting in both their deaths.
The ones who wouldn't be harmed were rare.
But Azriel knew one.
"I need to pack my things." He quickly grabbed a leather bag and stuffed it with plenty of pre-prepared food and some itens.
Then fetched his white and purple candles, crystals, the Keystone, and a common-looking stone — the same one he had once used to summon the crazy rabbit.
Once more, Azriel drew a circle with an inner triangle.
At the base corners of the triangle, he placed the white candles, and at the top corner he placed a purple candle along with the ordinary-looking stone.
In the center, he set the Keystone and sat down before pouring the crystals and lighting the candles.
"In my name, I, Azriel Twintails, command."
"Take me to where this stone belongs."
"To where its aura points"
"To the purple ocean."
A reaction spread quickly through the circuit.
The circle lit up, and the Keystone soon floated into the air, violet sparks spreading across its surface.
These bolts soon touched the common stone, which rose into the air as well.
"Take me to the Purple Ocean!" Azriel declared one last time before the stones dropped back to the ground.
In the next instant, the scenery shifted abruptly, and Azriel took a deep breath as gravity seemed to reverse.
He fell upward, onto a plain above an endless violet sky.
Air entered his lungs like liquid instead of gas, and yet he looked around calmly, standing within a ring of stones.
Azriel observed his surroundings for a moment.
There were floating islands above him, floating islands below him.
Some were connected by bridges, others by gear-driven lifts, and between some, strong air currents carried travelers along.
In the forests, all manner of bizarre and anthropomorphic creatures roamed.
This was the Sea of Aberrations, or the World of Crazy Beasts.
The Purple Ocean.
"Now I just need to be careful not to draw attention. No one can see me." Azriel sighed, standing up.
Only to hear the rustling of leaves.
Three lizardmen emerged from the bushes, curved scythe-like swords in hand.
"Damn…" He laughed nervously.
He had already been found.
"A human… how curious. I thought our borders were closed to such a vile species."
One of them said, approaching Azriel, his blade flicking up and down, eager to cut.
"I thought the same. Curious, isn't it? And yet, here's one standing right in front of us."
Another sneered, halting only a few steps away, while the leader in the middle observed the scene with keen interest.
"Explain yourself, human child, and maybe I'll spare you the pain."
The leader in the middle spoke, already anticipating the boy's death.
Azriel watched the situation helplessly, running was impossible.
Those spirits were far faster than him and would catch him in the blink of an eye.
"Of course, I'll explain."
Azriel said, standing up with a smile as he calmly brushed the dust from his clothes and extended his hand to the leader.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Azriel Twintails, the great Azriel."
The leader looked at that hand for a few moments, unsure how to react, but eventually extended his own.
Azriel gripped it firmly and shook it with cheerful enthusiasm.
"Wow, your hand is so strong and sturdy."
"It's the first time I've seen a lizardman up close, and to think they were this amazing… "
"And those shiny scales! Wow, how do you keep them like that? Can you teach me?"
He said this as he pulled a notebook and pen from his leather bag to jot things down.
The leader stared at the scene in disbelief.
The boy wasn't afraid at all, and he was asking about his scales?
But… his scales were really beautiful.
"Well, I don't want to sound arrogant, but they are quite stunning, aren't they? I'll tell you my secret, listen closely…"
The lizardman began, pride barely hidden, while Azriel quickly scribbled down every word.
"Boss, I know your scales are amazing and all," One of the subordinates interjected.
"But he's a human, remember?"
"And we're guards, remember?"
The other added.
"Of course, I nearly forgot. I have to kill—" Azriel coughed loudly, cutting him off, before offering a few skewers of roasted meat to the spirits.
"I made some snacks before I came, but it turns out I made more than I needed, so I thought you might enjoy them."
The leader snatched one of the skewers, mouth watering, and ate with delight.
The other two exchanged glances for a moment, then each grabbed one as well, shrugging afterward.
"As far as I'm concerned, he's free to go." One said.
"Yeah, he's a spirit who just looks like a human. He almost fooled me." The other added.
"Yes, yes, a spirit very much like a human, a fox-man," The leader suddenly declared.
"Those spirits are always tricking us, but their behavior gives them away." He said this with absolute seriousness, while the guards sighed at his stupidity.
How in the world did he become the boss?
"That's right, I'm a fox-man on my way back home, but I got distracted and lost my way."
"Do you know where I can find my house?" Azriel asked with narrowed eyes.