Part Four
For several long moments, no one moved.
The great Burrower lay motionless where it had fallen, its enormous body half-buried beneath shattered trees and broken stone while faint wisps of crimson mana slowly escaped from the fractured crystals embedded throughout its armour. The forest itself seemed to relax as the oppressive tension that had lingered beneath the canopy gradually faded, replaced once more by birds cautiously returning to the branches overhead and woodland creatures slowly venturing from their hiding places.
Adrian exhaled quietly before allowing the last traces of mana flowing through his body to settle. The familiar warmth behind his eyes reminded him that although the fight had been considerably easier than his battle against Valdrik, using multiple schools of magic in quick succession still demanded concentration. He rolled one shoulder experimentally before dismissing the lingering stiffness with a small smile.
"I think..."
He flexed his fingers once.
"...I'm going to feel that tomorrow."
Theron laughed deeply.
"If you don't..."
He rested Frostrender comfortably across one shoulder.
"...you probably weren't trying hard enough."
Several of the Ashroot hunters chuckled in agreement.
One of the older Wardens approached the fallen Burrower, kneeling beside its massive head before carefully inspecting the shattered crimson crystals. After a few moments he stood once more, his expression noticeably more serious than before.
"These crystals."
He glanced toward Garrick.
"They weren't this large before."
The Guild Master walked over immediately.
His weathered face tightened.
"I was afraid of that."
Adrian stepped beside them.
"What does it mean?"
Garrick gently rested one gloved hand against one of the broken crystal fragments.
"Dungeon corruption."
He looked up.
"When monsters remain too close to an unstable Cycle Dungeon for too long..."
"...the mana begins changing them."
"Making them stronger?"
"Sometimes."
The Guild Master slowly shook his head.
"Sometimes it simply makes them..."
He searched for the right word.
"...desperate."
His eyes drifted toward the direction in which the Marshhorn family had disappeared.
"They weren't running from a predator."
"They were running from a home that was slowly becoming uninhabitable."
Silence settled once again.
Adrian found himself looking west.
The dungeon hadn't broken yet.
And already...
The forest was suffering.
A soft rumbling interrupted his thoughts.
Mira had quietly walked over beside him.
"...Was that your stomach?"
Adrian blinked.
"It might have been."
Theron nodded approvingly.
"Good."
"I was beginning to worry."
"Worry?"
"If fighting monsters stopped making you hungry..."
"...I'd recommend seeing a healer."
The giant elf looked toward Garrick.
"What time is it?"
The Guild Master smiled knowingly.
"Almost dinner."
Theron's eyes lit up.
"I knew something felt right."
Mira buried her face in her hands.
"I can't believe food is your reward for everything."
Theron looked genuinely confused.
"What else would it be?"
The return journey to Ashroot felt considerably lighter than the march into the forest.
Hunters spoke openly once again.
Several Wardens quietly discussed Adrian's earth magic while others carefully loaded useful monster materials onto reinforced wagons that had been summoned from town. The Burrower's armour would become exceptional equipment once properly refined, while its crimson crystals would undoubtedly occupy researchers for months to come.
As they walked, one of the younger Ashroot hunters eventually caught up beside Adrian.
"Mayor Cole?"
Adrian looked over.
"Just Adrian is fine."
The hunter smiled.
"I wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"If you'd attacked the Marshhorns..."
He looked back toward the forest.
"...we would've lost good people today."
Adrian shook his head.
"They were protecting their family."
"So were we."
The young hunter nodded.
"I never thought about it that way."
He smiled before jogging ahead to rejoin the others.
Theron watched the brief exchange without saying anything.
He simply smiled to himself.
Ashroot greeted the returning hunters with relieved applause rather than triumphant celebration.
Word travelled quickly in frontier towns.
By the time the expedition passed through the eastern gate, people already knew that the Burrower had been slain and that the Marshhorn herd had safely returned to the western forests.
Children ran excitedly beside the wagons trying to catch glimpses of the enormous monster while blacksmiths immediately began discussing how best to dismantle the crystal-plated armour. Tavern doors swung open as familiar faces called greetings toward Theron and Garrick, though Adrian noticed something unexpected.
People were looking at him differently now.
Not because of his title.
Not because he had arrived with the royal expedition.
Because the hunters had already begun telling the story.
He overheard snippets as they passed.
"...saved the calves..."
"...trapped it underground..."
"...young Mayor..."
"...never panicked..."
Adrian rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don't think I'm ever getting used to that."
Theron chuckled.
"Good."
"You shouldn't."
As the evening sun settled low beyond the western mountains, Garrick led the expedition into the Guild Hall's private dining room. A roaring fireplace filled the large stone chamber with comforting warmth while long wooden tables had already been set with hearty meals worthy of a frontier town.
Fresh bread.
Thick vegetable stew.
Roasted game.
Mountain potatoes.
Grilled mushrooms.
Honey-glazed carrots.
And enough food to satisfy even Theron's legendary appetite.
The giant elf stopped in the doorway.
His eyes slowly widened.
"...This..."
He looked toward Garrick with complete sincerity.
"...is why I keep coming back."
Laughter erupted throughout the room.
Even Garrick couldn't hide his grin.
"I had a feeling that would be your first compliment."
Theron sat down immediately.
"It deserves to be."
Adrian settled into the chair beside Theron, grateful for the warmth and the smell of fresh food after the long day. Around the table, conversations gradually returned to ordinary things—old expeditions, favourite hunting stories, friendly rivalries between Wardens and Ashroot adventurers.
For the first time since leaving Stonehollow...
Everything felt peaceful.
Tomorrow...
That peace would end.
Tomorrow...
They would descend into the dungeon.
And somewhere, hidden among the forests surrounding Ashroot...
Two curious amber eyes continued quietly watching the Guild Hall from the darkness beyond the lantern light.
Waiting.
Patiently.
For the moment when something...
Would finally feel right.
The evening settled peacefully over Ashroot.
Lanterns flickered to life one by one throughout the frontier town, bathing the sturdy wooden buildings in warm golden light while the sounds of laughter drifted from taverns filled with hunters celebrating another successful patrol. Somewhere outside the Guild Hall, a blacksmith continued striking glowing steel long after sunset, each rhythmic clang echoing softly through the valley before disappearing into the surrounding forest.
Inside, however, the expedition had finally begun to wind down.
Maps had been rolled away.
Armour had been inspected one last time.
Weapons rested beside chairs instead of in waiting hands.
Tomorrow's route through the dungeon had been discussed often enough that there was little left to add.
Now...
People simply enjoyed one another's company.
Mira sat cross-legged on her chair enthusiastically recounting every moment of the Burrower fight despite everyone present having witnessed it themselves.
"...And then Adrian jumped—"
She stood on the chair to demonstrate.
"—whoosh!"
She threw both arms through the air.
"Right over its head!"
Theron chuckled around another mouthful of bread.
"I don't remember it happening quite like that."
"That's because you were busy hitting it."
"I was."
"And Adrian trapped it underground!"
She looked toward Garrick.
"Did you know he can do that?"
Garrick smiled.
"I do now."
Ruby laughed softly.
"I think you've told us that part six times."
"It deserves seven."
Adrian shook his head with a smile.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm."
Mira grinned proudly.
"I'm just telling the story properly."
The laughter gradually faded as the evening grew later.
One by one, the Ashroot hunters excused themselves to prepare for the morning watch while several Forest Wardens quietly collected the maps before wishing everyone a peaceful night.
Eventually, only the expedition remained.
Theron leaned back heavily in his chair with a satisfied sigh.
"Now..."
He folded his hands across his stomach.
"That..."
He nodded toward the empty plates.
"...was an excellent meal."
Ruby smiled knowingly.
"You've said that three times."
"I've meant it four."
Mira laughed.
"I think Dad's going to miss Ashroot."
Theron looked genuinely thoughtful.
"I probably will."
Adrian rose from his chair, stretching his arms above his head until his shoulders gave a satisfying crack.
"I think I'm going to get some fresh air."
Theron nodded.
"Don't stay out too long."
"We leave shortly after sunrise."
"I won't."
Ruby smiled.
"Sleep well, Adrian."
"You too."
Mira waved enthusiastically.
"Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Mira."
The cool evening air greeted him as he stepped outside.
Ashroot had changed completely since sunset.
The busy streets had grown quieter, though never truly silent. Guards continued their steady patrols along the walls while caravans arriving late from neighbouring settlements were welcomed through the gates before the heavy doors closed once more for the night.
Adrian wandered without any particular destination.
Eventually...
The noise of the town faded behind him.
He found himself standing atop a small rocky hill overlooking the valley, where the lights of Ashroot shimmered below like scattered stars.
Above...
The real stars filled the night sky.
Different from Earth's.
Yet strangely familiar.
He smiled.
"...Grandma's probably making dinner."
For just a moment...
Homesickness settled quietly within his chest.
He missed her.
He missed sitting across the table while she complained about television dramas before insisting he take another helping of dinner.
He missed how ordinary life felt.
And for all the incredible things Eryndor had shown him...
Some nights...
He simply wanted to go home.
He closed his eyes.
Blue mana slowly gathered around him.
Not violently.
Not with overwhelming force.
Quietly.
Like mist rising from a lake before dawn.
The mana separated.
Slowly taking shape.
A second Adrian opened his eyes.
Identical.
Same clothes.
Same posture.
Same gentle smile.
The two simply looked at one another.
Neither spoke immediately.
Finally...
Adrian smiled.
"Looks like we've got another busy week."
The Echo smiled back.
"We usually do."
There was no awkwardness.
No uncertainty.
Speaking to the Echo felt less like speaking to another person...
And more like continuing a conversation he'd already been having inside his own mind.
"The dungeon."
The original Adrian said.
"You'll handle preparations."
The Echo nodded.
"I know."
"If anything unexpected happens..."
"I'll deal with it."
"And if you can't?"
The Echo smiled.
"You'll remember everything when we merge."
Adrian laughed quietly.
"Fair point."
Neither of them needed lengthy explanations.
Every instruction Adrian considered...
The Echo already understood.
Because it had thought of the same things at exactly the same time.
The original Adrian stepped forward.
They clasped forearms.
A simple gesture.
One born not from farewell...
But trust.
"Take care of everyone."
The Echo answered without hesitation.
"I always do."
Blue light quietly enveloped the original Adrian.
The world folded around him.
The stars blurred.
The cool mountain air disappeared.
For the briefest heartbeat...
Everything became weightless.
Then—
A ceiling.
Warm yellow light.
The familiar ticking of an old clock.
The smell of roast chicken drifting through the house.
Adrian blinked.
He was home.
Earth.
His bedroom.
Before he had time to gather his thoughts, Grandma Lilly's voice echoed up the staircase.
"Adrian?"
A smile immediately spread across his face.
"I'm home!"
"You've been hiding up there for nearly an hour."
"I'll be down in a second!"
"You'd better."
Her voice carried the same warmth it always had.
"Dinner's getting cold."
Adrian chuckled to himself.
Some things...
Never changed.
He opened the bedroom door before making his way downstairs, where the comforting sounds of an ordinary home welcomed him with an ease no magic in either world could ever replace.
Back in Eryndor...
The Echo stood alone beneath the stars for another few moments.
He looked toward the lights of Ashroot.
Then quietly began walking back toward the Guild Hall.
To everyone he met...
He was Adrian Cole.
Mayor of Stonehollow.
Friend.
Mage.
Leader.
And for the next seven days...
No one would know otherwise.
Far beyond the walls of Ashroot, hidden beneath the roots of an ancient cedar, a tiny red panda slowly lifted its head.
Bright amber eyes fixed upon the distant town.
It tilted its head.
Confused.
Something...
Wasn't quite right.
Without making a sound, it slipped silently into the darkness between the trees.
Watching.
Waiting.
Trying to understand the feeling it couldn't yet explain.
The familiar warmth of Grandma Lilly's kitchen wrapped itself around Adrian long before he reached the bottom of the staircase. The comforting aroma of roasted chicken, fresh vegetables and homemade bread drifted through the little house, mixing with the quiet hum of the old radio that always seemed to be playing somewhere in the background. It was a scent that no amount of magic could ever replace.
It smelled...
Like home.
Grandma Lilly stood at the stove with one hand resting on her hip while carefully stirring a pot of gravy, humming softly to herself as though nothing in the world could possibly be wrong.
She looked over her shoulder the moment Adrian stepped into the kitchen.
"There you are."
She smiled warmly.
"I was beginning to think I'd have to come drag you downstairs."
Adrian laughed.
"I don't think you could."
"Oh?"
She pointed the wooden spoon toward him.
"I've still got another thirty years in me."
"I don't doubt it."
"You shouldn't."
She nodded proudly before returning to the stove.
Dinner began the way it always had.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Grandma Lilly insisted Adrian take more potatoes despite the fact his plate was already overflowing.
Adrian protested.
She ignored him.
The argument lasted nearly fifteen seconds.
Grandma won.
As usual.
"So..."
She took a small sip of tea.
"How's work?"
Adrian smiled.
"Busy."
"I expected that."
"We're still rebuilding."
"I'm proud of you."
The words came so naturally that Adrian nearly forgot just how much they meant.
She didn't know about Stonehollow.
She didn't know about Eryndor.
To her...
He was simply working hard.
Trying to build a better life.
And somehow...
She wasn't wrong.
Grandma Lilly reached across the table, gently patting his hand.
"You look happier."
Adrian looked up.
"...Do I?"
"You do."
She smiled softly.
"When you first moved back..."
Her voice became quieter.
"...you looked tired all the time."
She squeezed his hand gently.
"I don't see that anymore."
Adrian lowered his eyes toward the table.
He remembered.
The loneliness.
The anger.
The nights he barely slept.
The feeling that every day was simply another day to survive.
Then...
He remembered Stonehollow.
The Guild.
Borin.
Roxy.
Benjamin.
Elena.
Kael.
Marlo.
Theron.
Ruby.
Mira.
King Eldaron.
Princess Elaris.
Mirelle.
A town that had become a home.
People who had become family.
He smiled.
"I think..."
He looked back at his grandmother.
"...I finally found something worth building."
Grandma Lilly smiled without asking another question.
"I'm glad."
Later that evening they sat together in the lounge, each holding a steaming mug while an old movie played quietly on the television.
Neither paid much attention to it.
Grandma knitted peacefully beneath the soft glow of the standing lamp while Adrian simply enjoyed the silence.
No monsters.
No politics.
No dungeon.
Just...
Home.
Eventually Grandma yawned.
"Oh dear."
She laughed quietly.
"I suppose that's my bedtime."
Adrian stood with her.
"I'll clean up."
"You always say that."
"And I always do."
She smiled before wrapping him in a warm hug.
"Don't work too hard tomorrow."
Adrian hugged her back.
"I'll try."
She gently ruffled his hair exactly as she had when he was a child.
"You always do."
Then she disappeared upstairs.
Adrian remained standing in the quiet lounge for several moments after she had gone.
Looking around the little house.
The photographs.
The old clock.
The worn sofa.
The home that had never stopped waiting for him.
He quietly whispered,
"Thanks..."
He wasn't entirely sure whether he meant Grandma.
Or fate itself.
Back in Eryndor...
Seven days passed.
The Echo became part of Ashroot as naturally as breathing.
He helped hunters repair damaged wagons after the Burrower attack.
He sparred with Theron each morning, learning how the giant elf generated power through precise footwork instead of brute force. Every lesson, every correction and every improvement settled naturally into Adrian's mind, waiting patiently for the day the memories would return.
He spent afternoons walking the western walls with Garrick, listening to stories of old Dungeon Breaks and the hunters who had given their lives protecting the frontier.
He watched Mira enthusiastically train with her young panther until both collapsed laughing into the grass.
He stood beside Ruby as she treated injured adventurers, learning little things that no battlefield could teach—how to calm frightened children, how to reassure exhausted hunters, how to simply listen.
Every experience.
Every conversation.
Every lesson.
Would one day become Adrian's own.
To everyone in Ashroot...
Nothing seemed unusual.
Mayor Adrian Cole laughed.
Worked.
Helped.
Led.
Exactly as he always had.
No one suspected otherwise.
No one...
Except one.
Each evening, just before sunset, a tiny red panda appeared beyond the treeline overlooking the town.
Always at the same distance.
Always watching.
Never approaching.
The first day, Mirelle simply smiled.
"The little one is curious."
The second day, she expected him to step closer.
He didn't.
The third day...
He watched Adrian train with Theron for nearly an hour before quietly disappearing into the forest.
The fourth day...
He sat beneath the same ancient cedar until moonrise.
The fifth...
He cautiously walked within a few yards of Adrian before suddenly stopping, tilting his little head, and backing away.
The sixth...
He never even left the trees.
By the seventh...
Even Mirelle looked puzzled.
She knelt beside the little robin perched upon her shoulder.
"I don't understand."
The bird chirped softly.
"No..."
She smiled thoughtfully.
"I don't think he's frightened."
Theron walked over carrying two practice swords.
"The little fellow again?"
Mirelle nodded.
"He wants to come closer."
"But something keeps telling him not to."
Theron looked toward the distant trees.
"Perhaps he simply isn't ready."
"Perhaps."
Mirelle answered.
Yet deep inside...
She knew that wasn't it.
Something was wrong.
Not with the little red panda.
With...
Something else.
Far away on Earth...
Adrian stood once more in his bedroom.
Morning sunlight spilled gently through the curtains as he looked around the familiar room one last time before closing his eyes.
"It's time."
Blue mana quietly surrounded him.
The world folded.
Thought became light.
Light became memory.
Memory became home.
Back in Ashroot...
The Echo smiled.
His body dissolved into shimmering blue particles before quietly flowing into the original Adrian as though two halves of the same soul had become whole once again.
An entire week's worth of memories flooded through Adrian's mind in an instant.
Theron's lessons.
Ruby's advice.
Mira's endless questions.
Garrick's stories.
Every conversation.
Every laugh.
Every step.
He remembered all of it.
Adrian slowly opened his eyes.
He smiled.
"...Morning."
Almost immediately...
Far beyond the walls of Ashroot...
Hidden beneath the ancient cedar...
Two amber eyes flew open.
The little red panda froze.
Its ears stood straight.
Its nose twitched once.
Then again.
For the first time in seven days...
The strange feeling was gone.
Without hesitation...
It bounded from the roots, sprinting deeper into the forest toward the frontier town with joyful determination.
It had found him.
This time...
The real one.