Adam spread his elemental sight to cover his house. What he found wasn't shocking, rather it was confusing. There was an old couple, who were somewhere in their late sixties, sitting in the central garden. They were surrounded by others who were younger, presumably their children and grand children. But who were they? “Did mom and Helen sell the house?”

Adam cast one last glance at the old couple. He was going to have to back track to Madame's or the Silver Saviors to find out what had happened. Just before he started to move, he noticed something familiar about the old woman's soul. Adam then started shaking, as he couldn't believe it. Her soul was much older and slightly different, but how could he not tell it was her. The old woman was Helen! Adam fell to his knees on the ground, as he could no longer hold himself up from the shock. If Helen was somewhere in her late sixties, Adam had to have been gone for around fifty years! Adam couldn't help mumbling to himself: “How... has it truly been fifty years!?”

As Adam was caught up in this, a woman in her late forties quickly ran up to him. “Mister, are you all right?” she asked.

The woman's call barely brought Adam out of his reverie. With her help, Adam managed to get on his feet again, though he didn't have the mental strength to summon the wind formation or put much strength into his body. He swayed as he stood there. Adam had taken to wearing a blindfold again, so the woman assumed that Adam was blind. She took Adam's hand and said: “Come here, you need to rest. My home is just right over here. We are having a little party, but no one will mind if you rest in one of our rooms.”

The woman was trying to lead Adam to his own house! Adam pulled his hand back out of the woman's grasp as quick as he could saying: “No, no, its fine! I just- just need to rest there is a bench over here. I will sit down.”

Adam really did need to sit down after this revelation and used it as an excuse to not be dragged into his own home by this woman. What would he say to Helen when he saw her? Adam could now tell that the old man by her side was Alfred. And they were surrounded by their children and grandchildren... how could he confront that!?

The woman seemed surprised that Adam knew about the bench, but helped him over there. It wasn't her place to abduct him into her home. Still, she decided to continue helping Adam. Adam couldn't help examining the woman with his elemental sight. Her features were rather familiar. They seemed to closely resemble Helen's....

Adam sat heavily on the bench. After he sat down, the woman who helped also sat by his side without saying anything. It was the very bench Adam had Helen sit on before she opened her eyes to see the house Adam had bought. Adam heaved a big sigh to control his emotions. “It truly has been too long. Of course she would move on from me. I would never even ask her to wait fifty years for me...”

Adam looked once again at Helen, Alfred, and the others surrounding them. The woman by his side was clearly their daughter. There were three others in a similar age group as her. There were two men and another woman. Likely, one of those three was also Helen and Alfred's child while the other two were spouses. There were five grandchildren of varying ages and now Adam could even see a little baby tucked in the arms of one of the older grandchildren. They even had a great-grandchild! Adam could only sigh to himself again as he silently cursed at himself.: “I missed it! Missed everything! All for a stupid damn war!”

Adam didn't hate Helen or Alfred for creating such a happy family in his absence. Instead, he hated himself for having abandoned Helen. It could be him there instead of Alfred, if only he hadn't gotten involved with the war! Adam also came to a sad realization. It had been fifty years and there was no way his mother was still alive. Tears started to come to Adam's eyes. “Mom, are you really gone? Who else is also gone?”

Adam was also faced with a decision. To go up and try to persuade Alfred and Helen he really was Adam and get answers about what had happened while he was gone or to simply leave them to their lives. Adam was starting to think he was going to choose the latter when the woman by his side spoke up: “I know it is none of my business, but you are clearly stressed and feeling many conflicting emotions. It is all over your face! Did you want to talk about any of it? It's always better to talk about it than to keep it bottled up.”

Her words once again brought Adam out of his own thoughts. “No, I will be fine. Didn't you say your family had a party going on? Why don't you go join them.”

The woman shook her head while giving a wry smile. “I grew up on too many stories of how my father would go out of his way to help others. He even became a mercenary to put down bandits who would harm and kill others! Mother always scolds me for it, but I can't help but get into other people's business. I can see you are in some kind of pain and being alone will only make it worse! My family will understand if I am a tad late. Right now, you are the one who needs my company more.”

Adam was a little surprised by her answer. He could only bitterly think: “Alfred, Helen, your raised your daughter up well.”

She continued on: “My name is Emilia! If you have any troubles, my ears are all open!”

Adam thought: “Emilia!? That's the same as my little sisters...”

Adam didn't really want to explain the situation to her, since she was so close to the matter. He tried to wave it off: “It's just my old age getting to me. Nothing to worry about.”

Adam felt bitter when the words left his mouth. Old age? Sure he still had a slightly emaciated body that might reflect an older person in decline, but he had never thought of himself as old! He didn't think that more than ten years had passed since he entered the plane of death. He should have been thirty years old at the latest! However, he should be what, sixty-six this year? That was only if it was just fifty years that had passed by. If it was any longer, he could even be seventy! With this in mind, Adam thought: “Just where did all they years go? Was it when I lost my body? How long did it take for me to regain consciousness after that?”

Adam hoped that what he said to Emilia would end the discussion there, however she saw right through his lie. “I know that's not it mister. If you really don't want to talk to me about it, that is fine. Why don't we just talk about random things then?”

Adam glanced at Emilia. Truthfully, it did feel good to talk to another. He had been stuck inside carriages for three months with hardly anyone to talk to. Talking also eased his mind a little from thinking about the fact that it had been fifty years since he was last here. A part of him started to feel that maybe talking to he about it would be better for him...

After a moment of silence, Adam started out: “Some where around fifty years ago...”

He couldn't tell Emilia everything, but he let her get the gist of it. He had gone to war and had been captured and imprisoned for fifty years. He came up with the excuse that he was blind and that there was no way for him to keep track of time that he had lost count of the years. He had finally made it home only to find out exactly how long it had been and that he couldn't go back to the life he had dreamed of. At times, Adam became emotional during the telling as he remembered what had truly happened, but it was a relief to talk to someone about it. Even Emilia started to come to tears. Little did Adam know that it wasn't just because of his story, but she had started to piece things together and could guess just who he really was!

After Adam finished his story, he leaned his head back as some tears streamed out his eyes while shutting out his elemental sight. Even though he had not told Emilia the full story, it was enough for him to let out some stress. Adam let the tears wash his soul free of regret. No matter what, there was nothing he could do now. At this point, something small and light fell onto his lap. A familiar voice resounded weakly in Adam's mind: “Beta.”

Adam immediately snapped together and controlled his elemental sight again. Sitting before Adam, was an old wolf who had his head in Adam's lap! He no longer held the brilliant silver colors that he used to, but it was definitely Silber! Adam once again began to shake. Adam had not noticed Silber earlier, as he was now too close to a normal dog! Silber had been guardian beast, but without Adam he had no way of gaining more spirit essence to sustain his body. A normal wolf could only life for twenty years at most. Silber was well over fifty years old now! Without more spirit essence to sustain him, Silber's old age had taken a toll on him. Viewed through Adam's elemental sight, Silber appeared as just a normal dog whom he had over looked with his initial search of the house.

Adam quickly got down on his knees to give Silber a full hug, while shouting: “Silber!”

Silber had been one of Adam's dearest companions. It was good to know that Silber had safely made it through that night and didn't fall to any ghouls or ghoul commanders. It hurt Adam to see Silber in this condition though and his tears flowed anew once more.

“You're finally home Beta!... You don't smell the same, but I knew it was you!... I knew you would come back, Beta... I protected Alpha as best as I could...”

Adam heard Silber's weak voice, which seemed to be getting even weaker. He started to notice something he almost couldn't take! Silber's soul had started to disperse from his body! Silber had been holding himself together for so long as he knew Adam had not died that night. Still, no one could find Adam. Silber could only wait for Adam to come home and now that he was back, Silber could finally let go. In a voice choked by tears, Adam quickly spoke so that Silber could hear before he was gone: “You did great, thanks! You are the best friend I could have ever asked for!”

After this, Silber started to go limp as his soul left his body and disappeared. Even still, Adam continued to tightly cling to him. After a minute, a slightly familiar voice came over to Adam. “Adam, let's bring Silber inside while we prepare a burial for him.”

Adam looked up, only to find that he was surrounded by others. Almost everyone who was in the central garden was now standing around Adam and Silber! The one who spoke, was none other than Helen! As she looked at Adam and Silber, there was nothing but sadness in her eyes. While it was a joyous occasion that Adam was back, Silber was also dear to her. Emilia stood by Helen and started to say: “Mother-” But was cut off when Helen said: “Why don't you head in a put a blanket on the table, for now. We can discuss everything else later.”

Emilia quietly nodded her head and went into the house. Alfred turned to two of the older men and said: “Alan, help bring Silber inside. Kerrick, grab a shovel and find a nice place in the yard.”

The one Alfred referred to as Alan said: “Sure, Alfred.” while Kerrick said: “Yes, father.”

Kerrick ran off toward the house in search of a shovel while Alan stepped towards Adam. To Alan's attempt to help, Adam only said: “It's fine, I have it.”

A strong breeze rolled through the street as Adam began to hum and hoisted himself up. He made sure to step firmly so as not to trip while holding Silber. Adam put both his body and his mind full at work to carry Silber into the house. On a table just inside, Emilia had already lain out a blanket. Adam gently placed Silber on top of the blanket before it was folded over to cover him. Even after this, Adam did not go to sit and rest. Instead, he placed his hand on top of Silber's covered body and looked at his covered figure with tears threatening to come to his eyes again.

Emilia was standing off to the side and seemed to want to say something, but was holding back from doing so. Helen also sat down nearby. Most of Adam's concentration was eaten up by remembering fond memories of times with Silber. Still, he was conscious of Helen being nearby and felt that he had to say something, but he didn't know what. Eventually, Adam started out: “Helen, I...”

Adam had no idea what he was trying to say, but felt he needed to say something, anything. He didn't want to give her the story of how he was stuck inside the plane of death. He felt that was just an excuse. No matter what, he failed to come back to Helen. In response to Adam, Helen just shook her head: “It's fine. You are home now, that's all that matters. We can discuss everything after we have settled Silber.”

Adam could only nod his head. He was surprised at how calm Helen was. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he thought she should certainly have more surprise than she did. He could see that her soul was unsettled, so she clearly wasn't perfectly calm, but Adam was sad that she wasn't so surprised at his return.

Alfred was helping Alan and Kerrick choose a good spot to bury Silber, but everyone else was inside the house. Most of them were not inside the same room where they had lain down Silber, but in the next one over. They seemed to be peaking through the room to see this stranger that had just entered their house. They wanted to pay their respects to Silber, as he had always been around for the family. However, between Adam, Helen, and even Emilia, it seemed that no one else was allowed into the room due to some strange tension.

A half hour later, Alfred came in with Alan and Kerrick. They all looked a little sweaty and dirty. Alfred walked into the room that was isolated by that tension. He walked straight up to Adam and gently clapped his shoulder. “We prepared a spot out back. Did you want to carry him or should I?”

Adam shook his head at Alfred and gently picked up Silber, blanket and all. He then walked through the house, towards the back of the lot where a small grave had been dug for Silber under a tree. Adam gently placed Silber in the grave. Afterwards, everyone took turns in shoveling in some dirt. Adam had wanted to do it all himself, but he could see how distraught the others were over Silber's death as well. He had been a cherished friend to the whole family and Adam didn't want to take away this chance from them. After the grave was filled, everyone started to say some parting words until only Adam was left. Adam turned to Alan. This was the boy Adam had picked up off the streets who also had a sister named Emilia. He had been the final straw that made Adam go off to war. This is not saying that Adam hated him or anything, just that he recognized who he was. Adam pointed to the dagger he had at his belt: “Can I borrow that for a moment?”

Adam took the dagger and stood before the tree that rested over Silber's grave. A breeze came through the yard as Adam began to hum again and empowered the dagger with the wind formation. Adam slashed out at the tree and small waves of wind cut deeply into the bark! Adam spelled Silber's name down the trunk in big bold letters. With each stroke, Adam poured heart felt feelings and memories into it. When he was finished, Adam laid his hand against the tree and then he said: “Farewell, my dearest friend.”

Silber had connected to Adam at the deepest levels of his soul. Not only in being a guardian beast bonded to Adam, but having lived through a similar situation. Silber's family had been killed and was left an orphan. Although Adam had still had his mother, he deeply felt for the poor pup. Adam hated himself for taking so long to get back, not only for Helen but for Silber too. Silber had been waiting for him all this time. With the passing of this dearest friend, Adam felt a hallow spot grow in his heart.

Everyone else simply stared at Adam, not saying a word. He had just shown them a spectacle they would likely never again see in their lives. Helen also felt touched that Adam had somehow grown as a spiritualist since he had left. She originally took him to the wall garden so he had a place to study to become a spiritualist. After he had become one, it had been far too difficult for Adam to make any type of progress in it. At least Adam got something out of his time away.

Adam stayed there at the tree for a long time. Over this time, the others had slowly departed until only Alfred, Helen, and Emilia were left. After this, Helen walked up to Adam and gently grabbed his arm. “Come on Adam, let's go inside. You will not do Silber any good exhausting yourself at his grave!”

Adam's body had been shaking for a few minutes. Adam had been pushing it past its limits for far too long. He had ignored all the pain from both his body and his mind as he overworked both to stay standing up without any support. Adam could only nod his head and tried to turn around when his legs gave away. He started to fall, but both Helen and Emilia caught him by his arms before he fell all the way down. They hoisted Adam up and helped him walk shakily back inside. They took Adam to a living room that had a comfortable looking couch to sit him on. Helen turned to Emilia and said: “Emilia, can you please get us some drinks? Also, get Adeline and the others to start dinner early.”

Emilia responded and left to take care of the tasks. Helen looked at Adam and after a pause, asked: “I'm sure there is plenty both of us want to talk about. Did you want to wait until tomorrow to talk about it?”

Adam shook his head. “Just give me a few minutes, then let's talk.”

After Emilia brought in some water, Adam had a drink and tried to clear his thoughts. One of the reasons why he wanted to talk to Helen now was to try and get his mind to move on. It was too sad to only be thinking of Silber and how he was gone now. Adam then started to tell his story, the full story. The full version was shocking. Only now did Adam talk about his true struggle in the plane of death. Fighting the call of the death essence all along the way and even having... died! The body Adam was in beside them was not his original body! How can you even wrap your head around that? He also told them how he had not realized just how long he had been inside the plane of death.

After Adam was done, there was silence as they digested what Adam had said. After a while, Helen was the first to start speaking again: “I can't even begin to imagine how truly hard it was for you, Adam. It is good that you managed to make it back, even with the circumstances. I'm sure, though... you never would have expected things to be like they are now.”

Helen had been referring to how she and Alfred were now together and old now. Adam nodded his head: “I never did expect this, true, but at least you managed to make a happy family for yourself. I think I would have felt worse if you had waited for me all this time and could only have lived a miserable life of waiting for me. I also wouldn't even be able to stay long, since there is still death essence deep in my bones...” Adam then tried to move the conversation on: “What happened to mother? Did my... did my disappearance hurt her too much?”

Helen nodded as she said: “I guess I will tell you our side of the story.”

Helen glanced at Emilia who had started wringing her hands. Helen laughed and said: “I don't think our little Emilia can wait any longer! I will start it out this way. Adam, let me properly introduce you to Emilia. She is your daughter!”

Adam could only stare, dumbfounded. “...What?”

[AN: Even more favorites, yay! I hope this chapter doesn't change your opinions of the novel too much, I have had few people really not like the idea that Helen get 'stolen' by Alfred. Given the time frame, I don't truly think that the case but that's just a personal opinion. Thanks!]