Chapter 80 Homeward Bound
We stood by the Waypoint, with Otsiano and Master Ashelainn nearby.
Ray and I were wearing silver bear necklaces—these we could take off—that were symbols of Otsiano.
I felt a peace that I hadn’t felt since we first arrived.
Actually, the more I thought about it, I felt a peace that I hadn’t had for a long, long time.
“Safe travels, my friends. I’ll be in touch.
There are so many dangers in this world, and it’s getting more dangerous.
There are artifacts far more powerful than Zaran’s key, and they must be contained before the terrors of the world find them.
These are the tasks you’ll be doing for me.
Helping to protect Abarria.” Otsiano smiled, but there was a look in his eyes that told me it wouldn’t be long before we saw him again.
“Thank you again for all your help. We’ll see you when it’s time.
” I stepped into the Waypoint, along with the others.
We programmed the location, and there was a whirl of energy.
The magic wove around us, and then a flash, and we were standing on a Waypoint near the place where we had first arrived in the game.
I looked around. The grass was covered with snow. Winter had come to the launch area and the Dark Woodland, and everything seemed quiet. The pods were empty, and in the past couple of months, vegetation had started to encroach around the buildings.
We stepped out. It was still early morning, and we’d reach Liesel’s house by afternoon if we kept up a steady pace. Part of me wanted to look around, to see if there was anything we could use, but we could come back. We were going to be here long enough.
“Let’s get moving,” I said. “I can’t wait to see Liesel…and Star.”
By late afternoon, we saw Liesel’s house up ahead—the new one.
I shouted her name to let her know we were there.
She cautiously opened the door to peek out, and the next moment Star raced past her, bounding through the snow towards me.
I fell to my knees and opened my arms, and the Frazzle Cat slammed against me, making little noises and squirming as though she couldn’t get close enough.
At that moment, Liesel, who was still making the rounds hugging us, whistled. “Geoff will be out in a moment.”
And sure enough, he came running out to greet us. “Did you get rid of the key?”
I nodded. “Yes, we did. We destroyed Devastey, but Zaran is still out there and he’s going to want revenge. We’ll tell you all about it once we get settled in.” I turned to Liesel. “Is there room enough for us to stay here for now?”
She nodded. “Of course. Bring your things inside.” She paused and then added, “I haven’t heard anything from HQ since you left.”
“We’re here for good,” I said, feeling like I was destroying her hopes. “We’ve pretty much confirmed it.”
Liesel let out a long breath. “Well, then I’m glad I’ve been putting away goods for the winter. You’ll have to tell us everything.”
We settled in and I took some time to cuddle with Star. She was bigger—by now, she was almost the size of a German Shepherd. And I knew she’d just keep getting bigger. I looked into her eyes and felt the most welcoming embrace, as though a cloak of hugs settled around my neck.
“I’m home,” I whispered. “And when you are grown, you’ll be able to go out with me on adventures.”
Purring deeply, she sprawled across my lap and fell asleep. I gently lifted her off me and set her on the cushion, then joined the others at the table. Liesel had set out everything we needed for lunch.
“Welcome back,” she said, raising a glass.
“A toast to a mission completed. And…I suppose…a toast to coming together, to creating a home, and to forging friendships in the midst of trauma. I suggest we make this land our official compound. We can form our own tiny village here, and we can make the rules. All in favor, raise your hands.”
All of our hands shot up, and it was settled. We were creating our own community in a world we still didn’t fully understand. But we’d do it together, and we’d battle whatever threatened to destroy us. In time, Ray and I would be called out on quests for Otsiano, and we’d take them on willingly.
But for now, we were with friends—no, we were with family, and we were safe and our bellies were full. And that’s all that mattered.
And, in the back of my mind, I thought I heard a voice whispering, you’ve leveled up, with stronger stats, better weapons, and bigger, badder, bosses.