Night eventually settled over the mansion, the living room bathed in the warm, amber hum of lantern light. The Seven Great Sages sat nestled into the massive crescent couch, wrapped in blankets as steam spiraled from their tea. Outside, the hidden sanctuary was silent, save for the faint, rhythmic pulse of the barrier.
Eiden had just finished his account of the past months—the villages, the reincarnation, the shifting grimoire, and the battles that had forged his growth.
Morvath leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "So now you can create things. That's… impressive. Truly impressive."
"Create as in anything?" Dravien's feline ears perked.
Eiden nodded once. "Anything out of nothing."
"That's unreal," Dravien whispered, his tail swaying wildly.
Seraphaine covered her mouth, eyes wide with wonder. "Eiden… that is beyond ancient magic."
"You've surpassed every rule we were ever taught," Morvath added with a low whistle.
Iris watched him with a quiet, knowing gaze, while Selyndra simply smirked. "Told you he wasn't the same man anymore."
Eiden sat calmly, sipping his tea as if he hadn't just admitted to wielding the power of creation. Warmth and a profound sense of wholeness settled over them. For the first time in nineteen years, the Sages were together—and one of them had ascended far beyond the mortal plane.
By midnight, the room had drifted into a peaceful slumber. Selyndra had fallen asleep first, curled against Eiden's left shoulder, her silver hair spilling over him like a silk curtain. On his right, Vaelus leaned heavily against him, mouth slightly open and hair a chaotic mess. Eiden sat perfectly still, a steady anchor for his friends.
At the far end, Iris and Dravien were tangled together; Iris hugged him like a plush doll, while Dravien's face was buried in her chest, his ears twitching with every breath.
Across from them, Morvath remained awake, watching the scene with a thoughtful exhale. "Something has changed about you, Eiden," he murmured. "A lot, actually."
His gaze drifted to the two resting on Eiden's shoulders. "This is the first time I've seen you let anyone sleep on you. You don't seem to mind." He squinted, a smirk forming. "Are you three… a thing?"
Eiden blinked. "No. Why do you ask?"
"Because this is new. Do you like one of them, perhaps?"
Eiden looked at Selyndra's peaceful face, then at Vaelus's messy hair. "Well… not exactly," he said softly.
"Interesting." Morvath leaned back. "Could you see yourself in a relationship with one of them?"
Eiden considered the warmth on both sides of him. "They are both good people… I guess I could."
"Spend more time with them," Morvath advised with a nod. "You'll figure it out."
Silence returned, thick and safe. Then Eiden spoke again, his voice barely a breath. "Morvath. I need you all to help me find the remaining four enemies. I must take them down… but if I leave those close to me, they might die."
Morvath's expression softened. "Of course. We'll help you find them, and the Grimoire of Divinark too. We'll make an adventure of it." He looked at the sleeping group. "Because you helped us more than anyone. You taught us black magic, time magic, control, blood, and light. You taught us how to fight and how to hide. We are who we are because of you. It's time we repay that debt."
Eiden's eyes softened. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you so much."
Morning arrived in a wash of golden sunlight. Vaelus woke in a neatly made bed, the air quiet and still. His green robe was folded with deliberate precision on a side table. He realized he was wearing a sleeping shirt and pants that were far too large for him.
He pulled the collar to his nose and inhaled. "Hmph. I knew it," he muttered. It smelled of Eiden—clean, cold steel, and winter air.
After changing, he headed downstairs. The mansion was silent, the others already outside. In the backyard, Eiden sat in the sun, his grimoire alive with shifting symbols. Selyndra, Iris, and Seraphaine sat in a circle sharing berries and giggling, while Dravien and Morvath were embroiled in a heated debate over their respective sketchbooks.
"This drawing sucks!" Dravien declared.
"My drawing looks way better than yours!" Morvath snapped back.
Selyndra rolled her eyes. "Children," she muttered, though she joined the others in a burst of giggles.
Dravien's ears flicked. "He's finally awake!"
"Good morning," Iris chirped as Vaelus approached. He sat naturally beside Eiden.
"Morning. You sleep well?" Eiden asked, closing his book.
"Yeah. Thanks for the clothes."
"Of course."
The silence between them was warm and comfortable. Eiden reopened the grimoire, and Vaelus leaned in. "What is Fwu'za? I can barely read this."
"A spell for an ice beam," Eiden explained. "Freezes anything below zero. It's… cool."
"Yeah, it is," Vaelus said, watching Eiden's calm profile.
"Alright, everyone!" Morvath announced, standing abruptly. "Today we head out. Our adventure to find Eiden's enemies begins now!"
"Too loud for the morning," Selyndra groaned, but she stood and adjusted her sword regardless.
"An adventure? I'm ready," Iris said, her eyes bright.
Eiden rose and strapped his grimoire to his waist. He and Vaelus walked side by side, following the others as they stepped out from the hidden sanctuary and into the start of their next journey.